Where Are They Now: Heroes, Villians and Icons

Welcome back dear readers to the second instalment in our mini-series “Where Are They Now”! Today we will be travelling back in time, figuratively that is. Our next exciting adventure happens to be in the land of Tyrannia where our second respondee will be. This was certainly a logistical nightmare between finding a way to send out the invitation to conduct the interview, as well as translating everything into Tyrannian of which there are no native speakers in the office.

With a trustee translator in tow, we arrived on the shores of Tyrannia. After a long and dry trek through the flatlands we find ourselves at the foot of the main plateau in Tyrannia where we come face to face with none other than Sabre-X. The greeting was brief and minimal, with a simple “Ugg” coming from Sabre-X’s mouth.

As the esteemed head of the Strategic War Division, you’ve probably already heard of his heroics. However, have you heard what he had for lunch last Tuesday? Probably not, and we are here today to find out that and hopefully much more.

The day starts early for Sabre-X. Fifteen minutes before the sun began to break over the horizon, he was already at his post in front of the Giant Omelette where he was taking over for the night guard. The line stretched well beyond a quarter-mile. Neopians from all over the world came to get their free piece of the massive omelette. With so many diverse species mingling in a single line for hours on end from all walks of life, you would think there would be some spots of trouble, but everyone was in order. Most likely thanks to the presence of Sabre-X.

We watched throughout the day as he simply maintained order while everyone grabbed their piece and went on their merry way. A riveting day for sure, and one we could have easily imagined as we ourselves have also encountered him while getting an omelette in the past. It was the next day however when we would see a break from his weekday routine.

As the weekend arrived, so too did the morning of our second day. Waking up early, we see Sabre-X making preparations for the day. It’s a departure from his usual routine of guarding the omelette. Recently there had been a commotion in the wildlands of Tyrannia. He was tasked with neutralizing the threat. On this day, we joined him on the hunt.

His goal, we were told by our translator, was to find and take down a wild Ransaurus that had been attacking several scattered villages in the area. The day was long. All morning and through the afternoon we waded through thick jungle foliage. The canopy kept most of the light from reaching us, but the heat persisted and the moisture must have been at an all-time high.. Yet Sabre-X remained unphased as he led the group, keeping the same pace he started with hours ago.

Suddenly we came to a waterfall and had a clean line of sight to a clearing at the base. Standing there is a massive Ransaurus drinking from the river. There are multiple spear heads lodged in its side and we can see a large stockpile of half-eaten food beside it. Likely taken from a nearby village very recently.

“Ugg-ga guu ugabugg Da gu buh. Nuggabuh guh ugga bah dug duh”. Sabre-X states. Our translator begins speaking.

“The key to any hunt is patience and observation. We must know how the target behaves so we can better predict its next move or reaction to whatever we do. A hunt is not unlike a battle.”

Sabre-X identifies it as the Ransaurus we are looking for. We are told to stay put via our translator. Then Sabre-X leaped across to the other side of the waterfall. Taking up a position at the edge of the cliffside, he began stealthily climbing down, taking great care not to disturb any loose rocks that could alert the beast. We watch as he makes his way down to the base and enters the nearby foliage for cover. It was then we realized we had not noticed any weapon on Sabre-X at all.

It was also then that we realized he did not need one. In one swift movement he lept high into the air while also howling at the beast. As soon as it turned Sabre-X emitted a blinding light, Lens Flare, to immobilize the large Ransaurus as he swiftly dealt two direct blows to the head.

It fell with a mighty thump, defeated in a mere moment by one of the strongest of Tyrannia’s council. Once we made our way down the waterfall, we questioned why Sabre-X made such a bold move as to give away his presence after such great care to conceal it.

“Gubguh, uugg duh ugg gubb goo rabgub ugga nugnug ugga-ugga”. Our translator provides us with his statement.

“While we do hunt them regularly, a Ransaurus that is not afraid to attack can only mean it has an aggressive nature. If it’s fight or flight that it has to choose, it will fight. If it encountered something, a fight would be guaranteed. Therefore, once I made a sound I knew it would face the disturbance head on. Knowing it would attack, I could get in close and perform a surprise attack knowing I could blind and stun it. A drawn-out fight would have been unnecessary.”

The sheer knowledge and confidence Sabre-X showed us with this encounter truly made a lasting impression. After securing the Ransaurus, we began the trek back to the plateau where they would make preparations for a large victory meal.

The return trip was uneventful and preparations went smoothly for the feast. We observed Sabre-X working alongside the council as they organized and got hands-on with cleaning and cooking the meat, setting up the venue, gathering the locals, and relaying the news of the Ransaurus’ defeat to the victims. Despite the lack of modern day communication devices, Airax seem to be used regularly as messengers due to their aerial speed.

Over the last two days, we have not had many conversations with Sabre-X. Even during the banquet, he said very little as he ate his meal, observing the rest of the attendees. A Lupe of few words, everything he says is clear and concise. We say that, but of course having only a translator to rely on means that understanding of his intentions is limited.

We decided to ask him just how he maintains his stoic nature while being one of the greatest heroes in his native land. Helping to defeat the Monoceraptor after all is a feat that will be continuously spoken about for ages.

“....Uggbugg gugg gru grugga nug bubhugga. Rugboo gubba suguhbum mummgubba ugg oog oogga bum gub goo gah agg ugga.”

“We live quietly here. Before becoming a hero, before the events of the Tyrannian Invasion were even a thing, I lived day by day. We all did, and still do. Outsiders lost that sense when they made their days complicated. Modern machines and goods you don’t make or gather with your own hands just cloud your vision. I wake up, fend for myself, and close my eyes at night satisfied knowing I lived another day.”

A simple statement that weighed heavy on us reporting to you now. This is a Neopet moulded by his environment, and co-existing with it to ensure not only his own survival, but his satisfaction with life itself. We continued to watch the festivities unfold as the council had managed to gather not just one, or two, but all the bands that frequent the Concert Hall to appear at once.

There was the Blue Kacheek Group opening up to Wock Til You Drop. Their performances were followed by Stick N Stones, Chomby and the Fungus Balls, Jazzmosis as a palette cleanser, and several duo songs between Gruundo and Twisted Roses, M*YNCI and Yes Boy Ice Cream, The Hikalakas and Jub Zambra, and the closing performance by the 2 Gallon Hatz.

At some point, we think we even saw a smile crack the mug of Sabre-X. For the first in the forty-eight hours we spent with him, Sabre-X showed a different emotion. Possibly swept up by the good times and festivities occurring around him. However, we found it prudent to not point this out to him, potentially spoiling his mood.

Throughout this trip, Sabre-X has shown himself to be wise and patient with his duties as the caretaker of the Giant Omelette and his role on the council. His modest lifestyle lends to his humble nature despite the power he has and he embraces it wholeheartedly. .

The mundane is incredibly humbling, and we here on the “Where Are They Now” crew no longer take for granted everything we have here in Neopia Central. We have also gained a better appreciation for the slow and simple lifestyle the natives of Tyrannia possess. Thank you Sabre-X, for enlightening us.

Please look forward to our next instalment where we take a glance into the life of one of Neopia’s favorite blue-collared workers!

The End.