LEGEND OF NEVETSECNUAC - ON THE WAY TO THE CAPITAL - SECTION 3

 The two combatants first bowed to each other in respect then assumed their combat positions.  Zonar formally reissued his challenge and, Nevetsecnuac with the understanding that this may precipitate his swift end, formally accepted it.

01- FIGHT BETWEEEN NEVETSECNUAC AND ZONAR

Preliminaries over, without another word, in lightning speed both simultaneously launched their deadly assaults.  The fearsome battle that followed displayed the most brilliant feats of arms. Earth and the heavens quaked at each encounter as clear blue lightning shot upwards at every meeting of their blades.  So swift were their moves that only a shimmering iridescence betrayed the presence of the swords, and the air throbbed to the beat of their whirling blades.  The death-defying attacks, and counter attacks continued without end; back and forth they moved as they ceaselessly fought innumerable rounds while the sun took its slow, lazy journey across the sky.

In Zonar's lifetime none, however competent, had survived the first encounter, the first clash with him.  He had commanded great armies, vanquished many seemingly invincible foes yet Nevetsecnuac, with his gentle disposition, could not be kept at bay, let alone be bested. Zonar was secretly elated that his nephew (who bore some likeness to his dead sister) showed such promise. Nevertheless, he’d quickly curtailed his wishful hope knowing the terrible odds, the ultimate challenges outside of mortal realms, Nevetsecnuac would one day face!

02- PORTENDED FUTURE BATTLES WITHIN THE RALSMS OF IMMORTALS

Zonar  Kuntzu shook his head to purge the unsolicited parade of somber images from his mind, reminding himself that he’d already defied many sure prophesies; and he inwardly pledged self (swore an oath) to face this danger alongside his nephew, as well, to do all that he can to aid (assist) Nevetsecnuac, in fulfilling his rightful destiny. Meanwhile, on the outset, Zonar had fought Nevetsecnuac ceaselessly, still evaluating his nephew’s fighting prowess (competency, proficiency) and, taking stock of the areas of deficits (shortfalls, lacks) that may hinder his progress or his (future) eventual sure success.

 Incredibly, even after more than hundred bouts (rounds, sessions) of fighting neither of them fared any the worse or gained the advantage, for they were adeptly matched (despite disparate age and experience) in both skill and ability. Zonar made a mental note to one day thank Lord Asger for his excellent tutelage (expert coaching and guidance) of Nevetsecnuac.

Just then, in the thick of the battle, nonetheless, the unthinkable had happened.  Zonar's blade, meeting a calculated force at an angle, flew out of his hand and sliced across the sky to land far in the distance. Swiftly Zonar swerved to escape the path of Nevetsecnuac's sword and somersaulted out of the circle of combat. Zonar then literally shot up into the air as if catapulted, to land squarely on the crest of the hill.  His left hand clasped the just then exposed amulet (hanging from a chain around his neck) as the strange blue-green light emanating from the talisman which had then engulfed the frame of Zonar, momentarily blinded Nevetsecnuac.

03- ZONAR'S AMULET IS EXPOSED

When Nevetsecnuac’s vision was restored, he witnessed in amazement the light, now partially dimmed, still shooting across Zonar's chest to the tips of his right hand, which stretched upwards to the sky.  White vapor made luminous by the amulet's light trailed Zonar's hand as he sewed strange designs in the air, muttering an incantation.

When this time he shouted, "Commence!" a sinister black mist rolled from behind him, dimming the sun and mantling the earth and sky in oppressive darkness.  The evil miasma was driven by a strange, biting gale that raced down the hill and swept over the open field to strike Nevetsecnuac. Dust, churned up debris and sand flew at him, thrashing at his face while the quaking ground uprooted trees and sent stones and rocks of incredible size rolling over the ground.

 Nevetsecnuac's tethered, mortified horse whinnied and bolted, straining her reins to the choking point.  From the swirling clouds of dust, debris and sand emerged savage, fearsome beasts, monsters, and giant venomous vipers, some with human heads and other parts.  Rather than retreating in alarm, Nevetsecnuac hacked away at them fiercely, trying to carve himself an opening to reach Zonar who, having summoned his sword back to his hand, was now parachuting down from the hill, his dark countenance making him appear like a demigod.

Nevetsecnuac, wielding his whirling blade, effortlessly brought down a multitude of these manifestations.

04- NEVETSECNUAC COUNTERING ZONAR KUNTZU

 As soon as they touched the ground, however, they instantly reverted back to their original forms, twigs, dried leaves and plants and lifeless insects and worms.  Despite the mounting wall of debris growing to surround Nevetsecnuac, there appeared to be no end to Zonar's intense onslaught.

"That's enough!"  Nevetsecnuac cast aside the sword with disdain and sat down, his back straight as an arrow, cross-legged on the ground.

"This is no measure of a man's strength and skill."  Clenching his fist in the air, blinded to anything beyond the thick curtain of supernatural beings, he indiscriminately shouted his dare, "Zonar, I know you can hear me!  Do your worst but be warned that when you've exhausted your puerile games you will meet your utter, humiliating defeat at my hands!  I have no charms or devilish devices.  My strength is born from within."  Clasping his hands together and riveting his eyes shut he entered a deep trance amid the chaos as the turmoil about him intensified to a fever pitch.

Unlike his prior experiences, Nevetsecnuac was exposed to deep cuts, bites, bruises, internal and external lacerations and burns beyond endurance.  However, he remained totally inert and gradually the spell, which fed on fear, reaction and resistance, weakened.  His wounds healed and the horrendous monsters, phantoms and hideous creatures of man's worst nightmares backed away and each in turn, with piercing shrieks, shriveled up, became transparent and reverted to their original, inert forms or turned to smoke and altogether ceased to exist.

 The gale reversed direction and blew back from whence it came.  Nevetsecnuac opened his eyes to witness the last speck of dust settling and the fog rolling back to expose his temporarily, a much younger self, standing before the blood-curdling form of Zonar, larger than life glowering at him, before he broodingly looked away.

05- NEVETSECNUAC AND, ZONAR IN HIS GROTESQUE FORM

 Subsequently, as Nevetsecnuac reverted to his present self, Zonar's form now diminished, at first with an unreadable expression on his face almost akin to an affection, he with a glint of hope in his eye, turned to squarely gaze at his remarkable nephew. He was not through with his assessment however, and so, "Since our first encounter you have evoked my curiosity." Zonar added sternly, having decided to maintain secrecy a little while longer.

"I see now that I had not underestimated your prowess.  With your resilience and remarkable willpower, you, sir, have succeeded as none had before."  He lowered his weapon and tried to smile.

"Hence, I congratulate you, young warrior, on being the first, to have ever overcome the potency of my invincible magic.  Indubitably you are a worthy opponent, though I would like to see how much further (extent of) your acuity, dexterity and martial aptitude excel. Shall we resume where we had left off?"

Acquiescing, Nevetsecnuac rose to his feet.

"You will do well to maintain this advantage."  Zonar snapped his right fingers, his left hand clasping the concealed amulet, and the sword that had been cast aside suddenly rose out of the debris and flew directly into Nevetsecnuac's hand.

"Thank you, but let’s contest now by another means."  Nevetsecnuac cast the blade aside once more and riveted his defiant, provocative (confrontational) gaze on Zonar.

"You've got gall!"  Throwing his head back, Zonar laughed uproariously.  He was starting to develop a definite, deep affinity for this very remarkable young warrior.

 "Very well, let us try combat without them."  Meeting this challenge happily,

Zonar then returned his own sword to its scabbard and discarded it, not once taking his eyes off Nevetsecnuac.

06- ZONAR DISCARDS HIS SWORD ALSO.

So astounding was the ensuing (hand to hand combat) pitched battle that mere words could not give a just, apt description to it; moreover, the contest lasted an additional day and a half and, after countless rounds more, it still did not, not for a spell, falter in its intensity.

Subsequently, at one point unfortunately for Zonar, in the thick of combat charged as Nevetsecnuac was, his one decisive blow to Zonar's chest, spelled the dire consequence for the latter. The impact of this singular blow was such that, it had cracked the water crystal amulet he’d always worn, into two perfect halves.  As one half fell to the ground, a stunned but unharmed Zonar suddenly leaped out of the combat circle and, staying his hand, shouted a temporary halt to their fighting.

 A mixture of surprise, dismay and anger registered in Zonar’s piercing eyes as they avidly searched the churned ground.  Spotting the fallen piece, he summarily matched it to the other severed half and muttered some incomprehensible incantations to test its power.  Disillusionment and dismay briefly registered in his pupils when he failed to attain the satisfactory affirmation.  The power and the entity within, that he had endured for so long, was no more.

 

(END OF SECTION 3) 

                                                                                             ~

 LEGEND OF NEVETSECNUAC - ON THE WAY TO THE CAPITAL - SECTION 2

Nevetsecnuac’s sleep from then on were persistently harangued by an unusual and oftentimes luridly grotesque dream manifestations supplemented with heterogenous (varied) vernacular sounds and noises.

01-NEVETSECNUAC'S NIGHTMARE

Sometimes during slumber his physical form was unremittingly (repeatedly) touched, jabbed, tapped or stroked by an unearthly entity, which erstwhile (at some point) took on the form of a giant, hairy, slimy (creepy-crawly) caterpillar or insect. As these dreadful nightmares increasingly grew worse, Nevetsecnuac in dream state was (literally) actually attacked (assaulted), or periodically and figuratively chased, by these varied, gruesome, ghastly apparitions.

02- NEVETSECNUAC'S NIGHTMARE

Nevetsecnuac each time had intrepidly, however, stood his ground and fought to counter and even vanquish, these rapacious monsters. Furthermore, every morning he awoke with only minor lacerations (cuts, slashes, scratches), with no strain on his psyche, fully refreshed and in sound grip of his faculties.

                                                                                       ~

The ensuing week, as he rode on, having elected to follow a short-cut route through the desert region, he was abruptly anew, and this time during daylight hours, not once but thrice assailed by the repetitive, whirling dust storms that suddenly erupted out of nowhere (always with such intensity that it threatened to promptly bury both man and horse), only to cease just as swiftly, when it failed to elicit least alarm, or perturbance, from  Nevetsecnuac. (This is not to say, Nevetsecnuac hadn’t quietly wondered about the reasons for this persistent assessment of his innate aptitudes.)

03-NEVETSECNUAC

Subsequent days and weeks many other hair-raising measures were thrust upon Nevetsecnuac but he, possessing nerves of steel had nevertheless remained truly fearless and unperturbed even when encountering spine-tingling myriad onslaughts from incalculable supernatural phenomenon. Nevetsecnuac, with his resolute manner (stance, attitude) hence, robbed Zonar of any satisfactory, perhaps perverse (wicked) appeasement, but when in contrast, the real danger struck, he acted adroitly to eliminate it, incurring a secret awe and a deep respect from his presumed pernicious adversary.

Awakened at down one morning, somewhat groggy because of past night’s disturbed sleep under the stars and the usual, plummeted temperatures of the nighttime in the desert- Nevetsecnuac, eager to resume his journey, had quickly led his steps through the tall grass, to the edge of a small pond (tarn), a rare water source in the desert oasis.  Squatting, he was about to proceed with his morning’s ritual (routine) of washing (cleansing) his face, when his attention momentarily was gripped (riveted) by the transformed image of self. Nevetsecnuac somewhat pensively studied the altered reflection on the placid surface of the pond: gone were the long locks of white, blond hair, his tapered blond beard and mustache. Now instead, a mixt (varied) hue(tint) of dark blond, light auburn saturated those strands. But far from being disconcerted (shocked, unsettled), he instead simply smiled, in approval (gayly) nodded his head, then quickly resumed with his washing up. Subsequently, he rose to his feet and respectfully bowed; then, in a resounding voice addressed the air: “Thank you for your pre-emptive (proactive) favor, for this is a much better disguise for me when I enter the capital city of Channing.”

Indeed, for some time now this had been a silent concern for Nevetsecnuac.

 

“You are exasperatingly Cheeky!” The air trembled with his roaring laughter. “Lest you worry… on the day you fulfill your destiny, every strand of your hair shall revert back to its innate hue. Farewell, till we meet again.” Then after a succession of lightning strikes and thunder, Zonar’s invisible (felt) presence was unequivocally (absolutely) gone.

04- ZONAR KUNTZU

                                           ~                               

 The arid topography (land) successfully traversed, Nevetsecnuac presently opting for speed and wishing to recoup some lost time (in Denor) incessantly galloped his charger, the strong cavalry horse that had once belonged to Mouro Kerr, into the distance.

Subsequent weeks, Nevetsecnuac nevertheless prudently (sensibly) had elected to stay away from any human habitation (village, town, or city) and despite periodic, topographic or climatic hindrances (encumbrances), they’d still covered vast expanse. Of late the unusual dry spell and hot temperatures had resulted in much discomfort and hardship, especially for the mount; when their arduous journey of the past two days, the meandering precarious path eventually led them to an undulated forested region, Nevetsecnuac acceded to, them taking a brief noon respite. 

Nevetsecnuac retrieved some dry rations and shaded from the scorching midday sun under a huge elm tree, began reluctantly nibbling on these wild roots, berries and recently acquired (game) raw meat, while keeping a close eye on his contented mount grazing on some taller grass little ways off, under another cluster of ancient trees.

But there would be no lasting reprieve for the weary.

Out of the blue, a thunderbolt from the cloudless sky suddenly struck setting the grass ablaze around Nevetsecnuac’s immediate perimeter.  His horse, grazing outside of the ring of fire, whinnied, and bolted in fright but, strangely enough, did not run very far away. Despite being walled by the raging flames shooting up to the Heavens, Nevetsecnuac unperturbed remained seated and donned a broad smile; then provocatively he thrust the meat skewered on the end of a stick, into the crackling, smoldering flames and exclaimed with delight:

 "Your merits (traits) were sorely missed. It's very good of you, sir, providing this cooking fire, but you needn’t have gone to all that trouble."

Instantaneously black clouds congregated overhead and, within seconds, Nevetsecnuac was drenched to the bone by torrential rains.

"A shower, too, to wash off the grease and clear off the smoke from the air." Nevetsecnuac good-naturedly chortled.

 "Really, sir, you are too kind."  Then, rising to his feet, he gallantly bowed low in thanks.

Zonar’s roaring laughter reverberated through the earth and the limitless sky; then as abruptly, the deluge (downpour) ceased, and the clouds simply vanished.

As only verification, Nevetsecnuac stood mired (stuck) in a knee-deep pool of water, whereas the ground few feet away remained perfectly dry and parched as before.

The stupefied mare, overcoming his fright, now wearily advanced to slake her thirst.

“Zonar… Yes, you do possess remarkable abilities.” Nevetsecnuac concurred inwardly, a hint of smile (grin) brushing his lips. Next, with an agile leap, he landed on a hillock; as he a proceeded to wring the moisture out of his clothes, he further pondered: “Hmm, he’s so like immortals of ancient parables, possesses such powers to summon at will, nature’s forces.  Indeed, I am most fortunate to have encountered him.  Perhaps he can be persuaded to impart some of that unique knowledge to me, for it will certainly prove beneficial in the furthering of my aim.”

05- ZONAR KUNTZU -

“We’ll see first, if you are worthy.” Amazingly enough, an answer reverberated just then, in thin air.

                                                                                       ~

After this last incident, however, Zonar's presence was sorely missed for quite a while; during which time, Nevetsecnuac periodically wondered what twist of fate kept Zonar away. Meanwhile in anticipation of their next impending encounter, Nevetsecnuac tended to his wounds and lacerations by utilizing natural herbal medicines; hunted wild game and dug up roots for sustenance; as well, kept up with his daily routine of martial exercises. His recovery was phenomenal in its swiftness. Subsequently, having recouped his prior strength and stamina, he opted to traversing the wild and dangerous terrain at increasingly greater speed. 

After a length of time with no serious incidence that would warrant any mention, one morning, at the first light of day, Nevetsecnuac senses alerted him (to a strange hissing sound) to wakeful state to confront a monstrous, most venomous viper with Its large, protruding fangs dripped with paralyzing toxin (that would render the victim comatose until the long, tortured, agonizing end), rearing its ugly head in readiness to strike. Quickly determining that this was not another of Zonar’s phantasms, Nevetsecnuac boldly fixed his gaze on the snake till it was mesmerized.  Then, in lightning speed grasping its enormous neck and tail, hurled it away to a safe distance, all done with perfect ease.  His calm demeanor unchanged in the slightest, Nevetsecnuac then yawned and stood up to stretch his limbs.

Suddenly, bolting out of the blue sky, Zonar planted his feet squarely on the ground in front of Nevetsecnuac. “Well done.”

Seeing who it was, Nevetsecnuac smiled and bowed cordially, "I've been looking forward to our meeting, sir. “

In a favorable mood, Zonar returned the greeting and confessed, "I, too sir, have been eagerly anticipating this reunion.  I trust your wounds are completely healed?"

"They have been for quite some time now, thank you for asking." Nevetsecnuac nodded.  "Though there really was no real reason for the delay."

"For the true test there was." Zonar countered, grimacing coldly.

 "Your countrymen are unworthy of my consideration, save for the one I will soon kill.  Yes, it has been my intention from our first meeting to challenge you in combat.  Your skills are superb, even though you disguise them well under that seemingly passive, gentle exterior."

"I only hope I may prove worthy of your high praises and prove not to be too much of a disappointment to you." Nevetsecnuac smiled modestly.

"You have not disappointed me yet." Zonar smiled icily.

 "But enough of these pleasantries; now sir, I ask you formally, where and when do you wish to enter into combat with me?  You may have until noon to reach your decision."

"Why postpone the inevitable?  This is as good a time and place as any."  Nevetsecnuac bowed courteously to initiate the combat.

"Not so fast!" Zonar held up his hand to stay the fight.

 "I, sir, prefer combat with swords, as I suspect you do too; therefore, I have taken pains to construct a blade for you of equal quality to my own. If you are worthy, the first time you use it the blade, it will for a spell, glow iridescent blue. It is a magical sword which will, when not in use, shrink, and transform into shape of a writing brush. When you inwardly invoke the word: Lohcnilik it will instantly transform into a sword which is now before you. To summon it back to the state of writing brush, you simply cogitate (reflect) on the word: Lomelak.”  Zonar paused at this point to cast Nevetsecnuac a broad, daring smile. 

06- ZONAR KUNTZU - 2 (13)

“If you survive your combat with me, you may consider it an advance gift. And always keep it on your person; one day it will be of use to you when you confront your arch nemesis. Now let’s see how well you’ll fare in contest (of swordfight) with me.” As he said this, he’d just then hurled (in lightning speed) the second sword, still stuck in its scabbard, to Nevetsecnuac.

 It shot up into the air like a lightning bolt riding the wind.

Nevetsecnuac reached up and grabbed the hilt, letting the scabbard sail past.  Studying the blade carefully, he nodded in approval, "Remarkable construction."

Zonar was pleased to see the blade’ flashing for a spell, iridescent blue. What he’d left out in his speech earlier was that, if Nevetsecnuac had not been deemed worthy, the blade would have turned instantly red-hot and singed (scorched) not just the hand but the entire body (of the mortal) to a crisp.

Zonar nodded and grinning, replied: “Quite right, it’s decades far along your country's technology; furthermore, this durable blade will cut through solid rock as if it was but tender flesh."

“Now let us begin.”

 

(END OF SECTION 2)