Maraquan Madness: Part One by sirussblack |  |
This was also written by neo_star_queen and christinetran
On March 21st I (sirussblack) presented an idea to the Neopian Times Writers
Forum. A select few replied and it started from there. We developed our plot
and chose our characters. After a month or so, a few people dropped out saying
they either didn’t have enough time or didn’t understand the concept. Then,
about a month later, I had finished my story and so had two others. It was about
twenty days past the deadline and a few people still hadn’t finished they’re
stories. Unfortunately, we didn’t have that big of an amount of time as I wanted
to get this story out. So, I had to just put up the three completed stories
we had then. Now, let me explain how this works. Each writer wrote about the
story in their own characters’ point of view. This is what we got. Each character
will have one piece of their story each part. You can read it either just with
one character, read two of the characters, or read all three. It’s up to you.
If you want to read your favorite authors, you can choose from which you want.
The part of Asiris was written by sirussblack. The part of Druinnan was written
by neo_star_queen. The part of the Sea Slug was written by christinetran. Now,
I’d just like to say I hope you enjoy this story. There was a lot of work put
into this by many people!
Druinnan
Rays of sunlight shone beautifully onto the crisp crystal blue waves, some
which lapped gently upon the island shores, and some which crashed with foamy
white splashes. It was a beautiful day. But Druinnan saw none of this. For he
lived deep in the dullest, darkest depths of the deepest bottom of Maraqua.
The Maraquan Krawk drifted along almost eerily,
his scrawny shoulders hunched and his back arched, with his tail drooping downwards.
He was muttering to himself, his small blood-shot eyes flickering this way and
that, taking in the familiar atmosphere of Maraqua. Dark green strands of seaweed
stood in clusters along the dark, brownish sand, looking as if they'd strangle
anyone who came too close. This was Druinnans favourite little spot in the tiny
Maraquan village. As he was the Tribe leaders messenger though, he was always
expected to go back to the bright, chaotic spot to give a report on what was
happening in Maraqua. Nothing happened in Maraqua. Ever. But that was just the
way that the gloomy Krawk liked it, and although most of the Tribe considered
their little village to be peaceful, he, Druinnan, found this little unlit spot
to be his true place of peace.
And today was, as usual, just another regular
day. Druinnan was about to settle himself among the seaweed to sulk for a few
hours, when he spotted a disturbance in the water. He paused, but shrugged it
off when he saw that it was just a little boat floating along the surface of
the water. The Krawk hid himself behind a large boulder that was practically
rooted to the mucky sand. The boat was probably filled with 'Landers', Neopets
who lived above the ocean on the ground. Every time the Landers saw Druinnan,
they would gawk and point at him as if his head was 5 times too big; Druinnan
hated that.
Suddenly, a huge shadow passed over him. Druinnans
eyes widened when he saw that the monster of the ocean, the Sea Slug, was swimming
slowly towards the boat. Druinnan watched with alert eyes as the Sea Slug approached
the little raft. Apparently the passengers on the boat hadn't noticed the beast
yet, as the boat was still floating along at the same relaxed pace, and Druinnan
couldn't hear any screams. The Krawk hung back. Why should he help these Landers?
They never helped him. He observed neutrally, almost calmly, as the Slug thrashed
its giant tail against the side of the boat. The little dinghy had no chance.
It swayed for a moment, before tipping over and dumping it's passengers into
the icy cold ocean.
Druinnan watched closely as 3 pets tumbled into
the water. One sank like a rock, waving its arms pointlessly through the water
as it dropped to the sand. Druinnan tensed when he saw the other 2 floating
easily in the water, and-- no, it couldn't be? they appeared to be breathing,
although not a single one was a pet that could usually breathe underwater. He
stared, transfixed, as the pet nearest to him, a purple Uni, began to glow a
bright green colour. After a second, the other pet began to glow green too.
Druinnan inhaled sharply, then narrowed his eyes so much that he was practically
squinting, and swam quickly through the water back to his village.
Sea Slug
Yellow eyes gleamed from underneath a dark cavern of the seas. Red pupils flickered
back and forth as it's mind slowly started to awake and as it became aware of
the disturbance, which lulled him out of his deep sleep. All was dark inside
the cavern, and the only visible things were the unblinking eyes of the dweller
within. Suddenly, a beam of light flickered into the cavern and forced the eyes
to succumb to an unexpected flinch. It was the second time that this beam of
light has disturbed the sleeper of the caverns, also known as the dreaded Sea
Slug of the deep. With a yawn, the Sea Slug writhed to and fro as it started
to wriggle it's slimy, green body out of the small cavern. He batted his eyes
quickly as the rock scratched against his skin as he tried to get out of the
cavern, but with a deep grunt he gave one last push and escaped his dark, sleeping
corners.
With deep set eyes, the Sea Slug glanced upwards
and saw the cause of his disturbance. Flowing upon the upper waves of the sea
was a boat which rocked to and fro as the sea pushed it this way and that way.
A stream of light seemed to emanate off this strange boat, and it was this certain
beam that forced the Sea Slug out of his deep slumber. He hated light with a
passion, and the ruins of Maraqua were a perfect place where he was able to
escape the thing which he loathed. Fallen boulders and ruined walls created
the impenetrable caverns and sleeping areas that the Sea Slug rejoiced in, but
this boat...this disturbance...ruined his once peaceful, dark life. With a flick
of his slimy tail, he slowly started to approach the boat.
Asiris
Asiris was not your normal Draik. He was a Maraquan Draik that ran a small
tribe of Maraquan people near the center of the ruins. A little while after
Maraqua was destroyed, he came with a large group of pets that still wanted
to live near their ruined city. Asiris was elected leader and he had been ruling
for over a year now. The people seemed happy, so he was. They had a steady supply
of food, though they rationed it greatly and rarely went up to land for food.
Their diet consisted for fruits, breads, and small bunches of meat.
The government wasn't exactly established. They
had basic rules set up, but not many. There was the food rationing rule that
consisted of telling the people that they could only have a certain amount of
food a day. Then, besides that, they're were the typical rules you'd find in
your everyday community. There were three government officials who worked for
only the community. There was the leader, which was Asiris, who judged trials,
passed laws, and called special meetings with the people. There was the messenger,
Druinnan, who told the leader important messages that needed to be known. Then,
there was the helper who helped the leader with important decisions and collected
taxes and other assorted things. The helper would also tell of anything suspicious
going on around the town.
The establishment that the community was built
on was the flattest in all the ruins. After months of hard work, the people
were able to build a small building that housed all criminals; a City Hall made
out of granite, an assortment of eateries, and apartments that the townspeople
shared. The buildings never seemed to fall down as if they were held into the
roots of dirt and mud by a force that wouldn't let go.
The view was spectacular. Most townspeople could
see the sparking sunlight shine through the almost transparent water and gleam
upon the community, making it look like as if it was on fire. Everyone could
see the statue of a faerie in the distance. No one could miss it. The stone
monument was almost near the top of the water.
Still, in this peaceful city, there were dangers.
Or danger, as Asiris would put it. The townspeople were no threat, but there
was an ancient beast that was very threatening. Most called it the Sea Slug.
It was a large creature, resembling a Slorg but with a large shell on it's back.
Sometimes, townsfolk swore that they saw it come over the town, shadowing it
in a grayish light. A lot of the time, people saw it in the distance, swimming
around gracefully. Still, no matter what everyone knew the power that this creature
held. Though it had never attacked the town, the townsfolk knew that it could
and it would destroy everything. Legends were told about this sea slug, poems
were passed down from generation to generation, and plays were acted in front
of live audiences.
One fine day, when Asiris was sitting at his
wooden desk, sorting through piles of papers and petitions, he heard a knock
on his door. "Come in," he said in his clear voice.
The door opened and a Maraquan Krawk came in
with what looked like an irritated look on his face. He was hunched over and
looked as if he was floating in mid-air. He was depressed, but he was a good
messenger. "Sir, I have seen five landers near the village. They're a possible
threat," he said, looking at the Draik with saddened eyes.
Asiris rolled his eyes. "Landers? A threat? I
highly doubt that any lander could me trouble for us. Go, I have important business
to do." Even though Druinnan was an excellent messenger, Asiris thought he always
took things too seriously. If there was an interesting speck in the water, he'd
tell him and say it may be poison. Still, Asiris liked this caution because
in case something small really was wrong, then he could deal with it properly.
Druinnan opened the door again and strutted off,
slamming it behind him. Asiris could hear his footsteps echoing down the hall.
The Draik sighed, shaking his head. He hated it when Druinnan stormed off. It
made him feel horrible inside. He dropped his pen and reclined in his chair,
making the metal legs squeak. The Draik put his hands behind his head and closed
his eyes, reading to go into a deep sleep.
To be continued…
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