Dawn of the Sun Panther: Adventures of Kikky-kreek: Dawn of the Sun Panther, #3

By S. C. Coleman

Following the events of the Glass Empires, Age of the Third Arcon, and Populla's Shadow, Dawn of the Sun Panther follows the exploits of four different champions; seeking to make their mark and do what they can to stave off total destruction, in the endless wars of the Greater Continent, and beyond. Following calamitous events in the hidden city, beneath Molina, it appeared that the shadows were abated. However, the danger had not yet passed, as the ever present shadow of war threatens different places; seeking to unbalance the kingdoms that still rule. A foreigner, from a faraway land, Kikky-kreek will come to the fruit city; where he will meet a wise character. Here, he will embark on a new adventure, one which could position him as the most important figure on the Greater Continent.

• Language: English
• Publisher: S. C. Coleman
• Release date: Jul 13, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201010027

Book preview

Chapter One

The Fruit Famine

Torburgen was city like no other, on the Greater Continent. Yet, fewer and fewer travelers had come to see the spectacular tourist center. At first, a steady stream of refugees had flowed into the sprawling town, but fewer and fewer came, as the seasons began to change. The last moons of winter had arrived, what some might call spring. Fortunately, Torburgen had been saved from the harshest of the winter season. A strong southern wind had swept north, bringing a heat that Torburgen was unaccustomed to; which drifted across the landscape like a welcoming blanket. Now, the winds were changing again, as the cool breeze of the north came down to cast a slight frost across the city. It was morning now, and the dew clung to the city buildings, like a wet glove sticks to the hand. The first rays of morning sunshine were peaking over the horizon, which cast a purple-orange glow over Torburgen. In the distance, a lone traveler would be one of the few to lay eyes on the city, for a whole moon cycle. The changing situation of the Greater Continent was being felt by all, and Torburgen was not exempt from the strain. However, in the past, the fruit city had been all but left alone from the Greater Continent strife. The village folk went about their lives, uncaring who sat on which throne, and which kingdom had been conquered by whom. Even still, they cared little about their new overlord, the famous Bandit King, Ardel. On the other hand, Ardel, like those that came before him, valued this city, and that which it produced.

This traveler was one of Ardel’s agents, but he was very different from the rest. It was no coincidence that Ardel had sent this agent to one of his most treasured places. This traveling agent was known as Kikky-kreek, and he came from a very distant land; which could barely be considered true land. In fact, Kikky-kreek hailed from the swamp lands to the south, which were famous, as a place that no sunlight touched. Kikky-kreek had traveled far, already, and an uncountable number of moons had passed, since he had departed the perpetual darkness of his home.

Due to his previous adventures, Kikky-kreek found it odd that Torburgen appeared to have no metal. At least, Kikky-kreek was struck by the lack of metal in construction materials. The majority of the Torbugen’s buildings appeared to be made from a yellow material. Perhaps, they had been made from hardened sand. This Kikky-kreek imagined, as he stepped onto the famous Torburgen foot paths. These soft walkways were best described as long, rectangular, boxes of sand. As he entered the city, which appeared more as a large village, Kikky-kreek noticed there were no walls, nor gates, which controlled his entrance; neither were there any guards. In fact, Kikky-kreek witnessed no other souls on the streets of Torburgen. The place might have been deserted, but the lack of constructed fortifications was very telling. Kikky-kreek had seen virtually no place on the Greater Continent that did not lack some type of defenses. Yet, this place was left open to whatever ill-intent a traveler might bare. This would require a remedy, Kikky-kreek thought to himself.

Walking under a welcoming arch, as he stepped onto the sand-box foot paths, Kikky-kreek noticed some letters. Unfortunately, Kikky-kreek could not read them, and he was the only one of Ardel’s agents that lacked this skill. It was well enough apparent what the arch’s purpose was, however, as it was lined with all sorts of depictions of fruit, and was brightly painted in blue and yellow. Then, Kikky-kreek saw exactly why the town was known as the fruit city, or any number of fruit related nicknames. Across every surface, throughout the baked sand buildings, depictions of fruit had been carved. Ironically, the city was covered in pictures of fruit, while only a few plants grew here and there. Meanwhile, the street designs were convoluted and appeared to have no real order. The streets weaved a maze of curves and circles throughout the city. Unlike other places that Kikky-kreek had seen on the Greater Continent, Torburgen appeared to have no real design plan applied to its structure. Additionally, the road and foot path converged and separated at many points. Navigating the place on foot would not be too difficult, but using a steed would be a different story. It would be difficult to keep a horse from crossing one of the sand-box foot paths; which ran along parallel to the cobble-stone road. It was clear what these two paths were intended for, and Kikky-kreek imagined that the stone road was only used for delivery carts.

While wandering through the meandering maze of off-shoot roads and haphazardly placed buildings, Kikky-kreek wondered how he was going to find his destination. Sent on a package delivery mission, Kikky-kreek was acting on orders from Ardel. He had received a note from Ardel, himself, over four moon cycles ago; while under the roof of Ardel’s hall at Shaene. Sealed by wax, Kikky-kreek would not break open the letter to read it, as doing so would void its authenticity. He was bound to take the letter to the Trade Prince of Pagul; who was known to be residing at Torburgen. Unfortunately, Kikky-kreek had been given no map of Torburgen; simply a description of his destination. He was to look for the house by the sacred pond, and he was told that large plants with long rabbit tails would be there. Of course, he had seen nothing that looked like his query, and imagined no ponds, lakes, nor rivers, could be found at Torburgen. Completely flummoxed, Kikky-kreek could not ask any locals, as none seemed to be around. Although, considering the hour, most inhabitants would be asleep, but not even a night watch seemed to patrol the streets. Kikky-kreek was at a loss of what to do, and he was tired, after so much time on the road. He had lost count of the actual number of moons that had passed, since he had stayed at the last roadside inn. Then, suddenly, a brilliant beacon appeared, and he spotted something in the distance.

Just down one of the wider roads, which curved off to the left, at the end, a large building was illuminated from within. In approaching this building, Kikky-kreek could only make out a few features. It was designed like most buildings in the large town, but this one bore a large plaque. This plaque was placed above the entrance. Itself consisting of nothing more than a bedsheet, the entrance to the building led directly into a wall. On the plaque, above the bedsheet door, a stylized tree had been carved and painted. However, this tree was like no other plant that Kikky-kreek had seen. It was decorated with a variety of round objects, all painted different colors. Kikky-kreek imagined this was a style choice, as the tree’s trunk was a pale green; which was not the color of any tree bark that Kikky-kreek had ever seen. Stepping through the threshold, Kikky-kreek pushed the bedsheet aside, which seemed to provide entrance security to all buildings in Torburgen. What a strange place this was, Kikky-kreek thought to himself, as