《Stalida, The Goblin Queen》 Introduction Lu entered the nursing home that her great grandma was staying at. The nursing home housed fifty elderly people in total and had about ten staff on each shift to take care of them. The nursing home was designed simple. Single story, so there would be no stairs. Five main hallways that spanned ten bedrooms down each. The main office or desks was stationed in the center of these hallways as they branched from the main corridor. Lu was a bit amazed by the design of the nursing home as it was more built in a circular shape with the branches of the hallways. The design always made her think of some sort of a creature, almost like a spider. The building was lit up pretty well, and in the main areas where the elderly gathered, had carpet tiles over basic tile flooring. It made it more safer for them as some lacked balance. At the main nurses station in the center of the building there was at least one staff member present at all times. Her name was Piper, a thirty year old woman who checked in visitors. ¡°Hello Piper,¡± Lu spoke as she approached the desk. Piper smiled at her, with her gap teeth, ¡°Here to see your great grandma Stalida?¡± Lu nodded as Piper noted down Lu¡¯s time of arrival. ¡°Room 25.¡± Piper spoke as she pointed down the third hallway. ¡°Do you remember the way?¡± Lu nodded again. ¡°Well, carry on.¡± Piper went back to work as Lu went down the hallway marked number three. Now, most areas were covered in carpet tile squares but the main walkways had regular white tile, as it made it easier for things to be carted down to the elderly. On the walls was basic art work. Like a mountain drawing or a fruit tree drawing. As the nursing home supported the youth and buying their crappy art was one way to show it. Now, there were a few art pieces that did impress Lu. For example, the mountain drawing was done so well that it looked like a photograph. The mountain painting always drew her in. She knocked three times on the door marked with gold numbers 25. Above the door was her great grandma¡¯s name, Stalida. Her voice, sounding a bit weaker than yesterday, chimed in through the door, ¡°Come in!¡± It was evident that her great grandma¡¯s time was getting closer. As she entered, she could see her great grandma¡¯s wrinkled body, droopy eyes, grayed hair, and frail body. Time had not been kind to her. But she still held strong as her grandma surpassed the life expectancy of that of an ordinary human. Stumping her doctors as they all questioned how one could live to one hundred and ten years old. ¡°Nana?¡± Lu questioned as she let the door close behind her. She was worried that her great grandma¡¯s time would come soon. ¡°Don¡¯t worry dear,¡± Stalida''s cracked and brittle voice said, ¡°all good things must come to an end at some point.¡± Lu hated it when Stalida talked like this, but Lu always guessed that came from living a hard life. ¡°Nana, I have a paper I need to do for English class. I was wondering if you had time for an interview?¡± Lu pulled one of the extra chairs over to Stalida¡¯s bedside and pulled the tray she used for food. Pulling out her laptop, Lu opened to a blank page and waited for her response. ¡°I have all the time in the world dear.¡± ¡°Great!¡± Lu expressed excitedly. She had been told bits and pieces of her lineage but never from the source. Her parents deemed it unnecessary and unreliable. Though, she couldn¡¯t help feeling like her parents were keeping something from her, so she came up with the clever idea of the school project. She hit record on her laptop, as she let the voice to text take over as she started to ask Stalida questions. ¡°Nana, let¡¯s start off with how you met my great grandpa.¡± ¡°Which one would you like to know about?¡± Stalida¡¯s face lit up in excitement. No one has let her talk about her past before. She was always hushed when she tried to speak about it. Wait¡­which one? How many times was she married? ¡°The first one, I suppose, who was he?¡± Lu¡¯s curiosity peaked. She never heard anyone talk about her great grandpa, which made her think that he was a bad man. Though, maybe this was why she was married twice. Stalida took in a shallow breath as she relaxed on her bed and closed her eyes, ¡°You would not believe me. No one does.¡± Lu watched as her excitement fell. She felt horrible for how Stalida was treated, when all she wanted was to tell her truth. ¡°Please, Stalida?¡± Begged Lu as she reached for Stalida¡¯s hand. ¡°I¡¯ll believe anything.¡± Stalida gave a slight smile as she sighed softly, ¡°His name was Tut-Man. He was short, grumpy, not the brightest bulb in the box, but he cared.¡± ¡°Tut-Man? That¡¯s a strange name.¡± That can¡¯t be an English name. Lu thought as she thought about where her family may have originated from. Stalida chuckled, ¡°That¡¯s because he was not a human. He was a Goblin, in fact, he was the Goblin King.¡± ¡°Gob---Goblin?¡± Lu blinked and rubbed her eyes. Goblin? There is no such thing. Lu thought to herself. Perhaps her parents were right. Stalida was crazy. No, I have to give her a chance to explain, a chance to tell her story. Even if it seems like a made up fantasy world. ¡°Yes, dear. Goblin.¡± Stalida looked Lu dead in the eye as she spoke. Her voice was clear despite being brittle. She was serious, thought Lu as she tried not to act surprised, she didn¡¯t want to offend her. ¡°Tell me more about him.¡± Though Lu had her doubts, she was interested in hearing more about this man. Stalida smiled with her false teeth, something Lu hasn¡¯t seen in a long time. ¡°Tut-Man the Goblin King. He was a well liked man. Well, at least liked by the other goblins in the camp. Outside of our encampment, he was hated. Often hunted but never found until the day your grandpa came and got me. You see, I was born in this world, but I was raised in another. Transformed from a human to a goblin, then back into a human again.¡± Lu scratched her head. She was very confused. As this seemed like a medical episode rather than Stalida telling the truth. Stalida¡¯s eyes narrowed as she studied Lu, ¡°I see you are questioning things dear, and that is alright. But believe me when I say this, a world of dragons, elves, goblins, magic, exists. It all exists and your father¡¯s family took me from that world.¡± Now, this really did seem like a medical episode. She was talking about stuff only found in books. Not reality. ¡°Stalida, this doesn¡¯t seem logical. There is no such thing.¡± This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it. ¡°I knew you wouldn¡¯t believe me.¡± Stalida closed her eyes and breathed softly, as she relaxed herself back in bed. ¡°No, Nana I do, it¡¯s just a bit hard to wrap my mind around.¡± Lu grasped her hand tightly, in hopes of reassuring her that she believes her. ¡°Please, tell me more.¡± If anything, this will make for a good story. Lu thought to herself as she eagerly awaited to hear more. She watched as Stalida took a deep breath before she reopened her eyes and fixed them on Lu, ¡°Believe me my dear. I need you to believe me.¡± Lu tensed, as she had never seen Stalida act like this before. As Lu still held onto Stalida¡¯s hand, she felt immense strength grip her. That caught her off guard. Stalida continued her fixed stare on Lu, ¡°Come back tomorrow and I will tell you more.¡± Stalida released her grip and rested back against the bed, closing her eyes once more. Lu was puzzled and worried and as she stared at Stalida who had fallen asleep. Is she sleeping? Lu thought and sighed as she watched her great grandma¡¯s chest rise and fall. She turned off her computer program and put her laptop back in her bag. ¡°I¡¯ll see you tomorrow Nana.¡± Lu bent down and kissed her great grandma¡¯s head softly and left her room. Lu walked back up to the nurses station where Piper sat, ¡°That was a short visit.¡± Piper spoke, ¡°Is everything okay with Stalida?¡± ¡°Yes. I¡¯ll be back tomorrow.¡± Lu watched as Piper made a note in Stalida¡¯s file. She saw something along the lines of falling asleep a lot more often. Daughter will be back tomorrow. ¡°Same time?¡± Piper glanced up at Lu. ¡°Is there a good time to visit her when she isn¡¯t exhausted?¡± Piper sighed and flipped through her notes on Stalida. ¡°Before lunchtime. Though she gets a bit cranky around that time.¡± ¡°I¡¯ll come around that time. See you tomorrow!¡± Lu waved at her as she left the building. Lu¡¯s mind was already spinning. Fantasy world stuff exist? It can¡¯t be true! Lu was in disbelief with what Stalida had already told her. ¡°How was your visit with your great grandma?¡± Lu¡¯s mother, a woman in her mid fifties with dark skin, black hair with streaks of gray, and brown eyes spoke as Lu entered her home through the navy blue wooden door. I can¡¯t tell her what she has said, she will ban me from seeing her again. ¡°It was interesting. She ended up falling asleep, so I didn¡¯t get to talk to her too much.¡± Her mother¡¯s expression was that of relief. ¡°Did you learn anything?¡± Lu knew her mother was trying to figure her out. She wasn¡¯t going to give in to her. She wanted her great grandma to be able to trust her. Her mother was standing in the kitchen as the kitchen was one of the first rooms of the house that you could enter. Other than a side office that was her father¡¯s. Lu could smell dinner being made as her mother often cooked it early and they ate right at five, when her father got home. Lie. Lie. Lie. Lu thought to herself. Lu usually wasn¡¯t a good liar, but she hoped she would not have to disclose what she and her Nana talked about. ¡°Not really.¡± Lu could hear her voice almost crack as she spoke the last word. Dang it. She just had to hope that her mother wouldn¡¯t pick up on it. ¡°Well, maybe that is for the best dear.¡± Her mother turned her back on her to check on whatever was in the oven. Lu arched her eyebrow, she was curious. She felt around her pocket for her tape recorder and hit the record but. ¡°Why?¡± She doubted she would get an answer but at least it was recorded. ¡°Stalida, isn¡¯t all there. Her stories aren''t real.¡± Her mother''s voice, cracked just a bit as she spoke the last words. This surprised Lu. As she thought, no one knew anything about her heritage. This proved that her mother, Harley, knew something. ¡°Why do you think that?¡± With her curiosity high, Lu hoped that she would get somewhere with her mother. Her hopes were crushed just as fast as they peeked, ¡°No reason Lu. Go get cleaned up and get ready for dinner. Your father will be home early. You can discuss this more with him.¡± Her mom¡¯s voice spoke volumes. She didn¡¯t want to discuss anything. She was irritated, tired, and a bit stressed. At least that is what Lu could pick up. Lu went up the stairs and took a left down the hall to her bedroom. Her bedroom wasn¡¯t anything special, it was average sized, with a full sized bed up against the back wall. There were two windows, framed in white wood. One wall was decked out in countless rows of books, as Lu was an avid reader. She had a very well crafted desk and comfortable chair. A black fuzzy rug that felt comfortable as you walked across it. Her main floor was a gray hardwood, and her walls were painted that of a forest green. On the walls she hand painted leaves and trees with black paint to give her room a naturistic feel. With her books, there was one corner of the room dedicated to her reading, as she had a hammock strung between the two walls. She sat her laptop on her desk and plugged it in to fully charge. Plopping herself down on her bed she couldn¡¯t help but think of what Stalida had told her, even though it wasn¡¯t a lot, yet. Five o¡¯clock was just under two hours away. I should just record the whole dinner. Lu thought to herself, as she put her recorder on the charger. This is going to be an interesting dinner. Lu remained in her bed for the full duration, thinking about what may happen at dinner. Lu grabbed her recorder as it was five minutes till five. She knew her father was close and wanted to be recording as soon as he got home. She ran back down the stairs with the device in her pocket and sat at her seat at the oak table. Her mother had already plated the majority of dinner by the time they both heard the car door slam shut. ¡°Please don¡¯t bring up your great grandma Stalida.¡± Her mother begged. Lu shrugged. Her mother sighed in defeat. She knew what was about to happen. It¡¯s time to get some answers. Lu thought as her father entered the home, ¡°Good to see you dear.¡± Her mother was quick to move to him and hugged him. Lu could see her mother¡¯s lips move, picking up her great grandma¡¯s name, ¡°Stalida.¡± Lu heard her father grumble as she watched his face fall. Something was really messed up when it came to Stalida and my family. ¡°Father.¡± Lu tried not to sound disappointed as she knew that this may not be a very pleasant dinner after all. ¡°Lu, I thought we had talked about this.¡± Her father spoke annoyed as he took off his shoes and sat down his briefcase. He walked over to the kitchen table and took his seat. Her mother followed suit with plating the last food item that they would be eating for dinner. ¡°Father, I know you don¡¯t want me to talk to Stalida but I have my report to do.¡± Lie. Thankfully, Lu practiced this one and was able to speak it normally. ¡°Yes, but can you not do your report with someone from your mother¡¯s side of the family?¡± ¡°Stalida is the oldest living person in Hedgrick. Not to mention, the oldest living person in this family.¡± Lu thought those were some pretty good argumentative points. ¡°Does it have to be from the oldest living person?¡± Her father was definitely annoyed. Definitely angered. Lu did not care at this point. She knew then that they were definitely hiding something. ¡°Yes! It¡¯s a historical paper!¡± Lu shouted. She was getting frustrated. ¡°Lu! There is no need to yell!¡± Her father snapped back as he hit his fist against the table. Lu sat back and shut up. ¡°Please?¡± She whispered quietly. ¡°No. Now that is enough on the subject.¡± He was firm. He was not budging. He did not want to talk about Stalida, neither did her mother. The rest of the dinner was filled with silence. A bit of talk here and there between her parents on how her father¡¯s day went. Neither of them talked to Lu, they went to the extreme of avoiding eye contact with her entirely. Something is definitely up and I am going to get to the bottom of this, no matter the cost. Lu thought as she placed her plate in the sink and went up to her room. Turning off the recorder, Lu got ready for bed. Tomorrow. Lu thought as the sky grew dark as night time fell. Stalida鈥檚 Beginning Lu sat at her desk and typed the tile of the second chapter after writing the first one. She found it hard to believe that her family went hostile on her for just being curious about her great grandma, about her history. Lu looked at herself in the mirror. For a sixteen year old human she was short. She stood about four foot six. She had muscle though she lacked the strength to work out. Her teeth were also a bit more pointer teeth than most. Though, she didn¡¯t mind as her smile was perfect. Or so she thought. Her skin was also more tanned than most girls she has talked with. Some often commented on how well built she was despite being short. Lu grabbed her computer, charger, and recorder after typing the introduction paragraph as she wondered if her build had anything to do with goblins. She placed them in her bag and hurried out the house before her parents had a chance to stop her. Lu had one destination in mind, that was her great grandma. She ran to the nursing home that was about six blocks away from her house. Upon entering she went straight up to the desk, ¡°Is Stalida awake yet?¡± It was eight in the morning. Lu was early, but she was just eager. Lu waited patiently as Piper called down to Stalida¡¯s room. ¡°Stalida, your great granddaughter is here to see you.¡± There was a brief pause as Lu couldn¡¯t help but let a smile creep on her face. ¡°She seems very excited to see you.¡± Piper told Stalida, who was murmuring something on the phone. After a few more seconds pass, Piper hangs up the phone and looks at Lu with a straight face, ¡°You can go see her.¡± ¡°Thank you!¡± Lu rushed off as she waved that brief moment of anxiety away as she was worried that she was going to get denied to see her. Lu knocked three times and cracked open the door. Her great grandma sat up in her bed with the tv on low volume. ¡°Hi there my dear.¡± She patted the edge of the bed for Lu to sit next to her. To which, Lu did. Lu pulled out her laptop and hit the record button on her recorder. ¡°Nana? Can you tell me more about Tut-Man?¡± Lu saw her great grandma¡¯s face light up once again. ¡°Yes dear, what would you like to know?¡± ¡°How did you two meet?¡± Lu was curious. If Tut-man existed and if he was a goblin, how did her great grandma meet such a character? Stalida held her smile as she began her tale. ¡°You see dear, that is very complicated. I hope you are ready?¡± Lu nodded with excitement, ¡°Very well, long ago, when I was around your age, I found a mysterious rift in the world. The rift shimmered with silver, as it cracked and glowed. I was the only one that saw this shimmering rift, and I was curious. Curious enough to stick my head in the rift and what I found was another universe where it was bright, colorful, magical, a true fantasy.¡± ¡°I cautiously stepped through the rift and as I did, the rift closed shut. I was frightened. I had no idea where I was and I had no idea how I would get back home. That was until an adventuring party of rather short humanoid creatures came stammering out of the woods. Their language wasn¡¯t ordinary common, like how you and I speak. Somehow, I was still able to understand them. And they were able to understand me. The lead of the party spoke. It was another goblin by the name of Jit-Hit. Though they called him Jit. Jit told me I was in a forest called Uproot. The forest contained species I have never seen before. That was because I wasn¡¯t in our world any more.¡± ¡°Upon telling me my location. Jit tied my wrist with rope.¡± Stalida paused briefly as she rubbed her wrists, as if still remembering the feeling of the tight rope against her skin. ¡°He then ordered me to follow them to the King. As the Fey Trap as he called it worked. They got dinner.¡± She fell silent for a bit and Lu thought about stopping her right there but if Stalida wanted to continue she wasn¡¯t going to stop her nor was she going to force her. She watched as Stalida¡¯s chest rose and fall as she let her nana have a moment. ¡°Thank you dear, I needed that, it has been a long time since anyone listened to me.¡± Lu hugged her nana carefully, as she didn¡¯t want to break her. ¡°You don¡¯t have to continue if you don¡¯t want to. This sounds tragic.¡± ¡°It¡¯s not dear, trust me. It¡¯s a story that should be told. That needs to be told.¡± Stalida was confident when she said this. ¡°Let¡¯s see, ah yes, Jit took me to the King. The palace was, well, more of a lavish rock cropping that overlooked a valley of trees. It definitely was not what I was expecting at all. However, for goblins, they had made some decently crafted furniture out of wood and stone. They sat me down on a cold stone chair as one of the helpers got the King.¡± ¡°As the King entered they all bowed, and I did the same. I wasn¡¯t ordered to, it just felt right. As I rose I met nose to nose with the King. I didn¡¯t flinch. I didn¡¯t squirm. I didn¡¯t gag. I was transfixed. This man was truly unique. He was short. Like you.¡± She poked Lu¡¯s nose. ¡°He had sharp teeth, tanned, rough skin, and was well built. I must say. For first impressions, I blushed as I looked upon him. However, that blush caused the whole lot of them to cackle.¡± Stalida looked away from Lu, as if she was ashamed. She fell in love with a monster, for heaven¡¯s sake. And all it took was one look. ¡°It¡¯s okay Nana.¡± Lu said as she held her hand. ¡°It¡¯s okay.¡± If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement. ¡°It wasn¡¯t. I was held captive for days, before the King decided what he wanted to do with me. As I made a fool of him. Someone who was deemed tough, shouldn¡¯t have made a captive blush.¡± Stalida shook her head. ¡°Nana, I mean it, it is okay.¡± Lu soothed her further. ¡°After three days of no food. The King brought me a portion of meat. He was curious as to how a human child can be attracted to him.¡± Stalida closed her eyes and breathed heavily. Upon the last breath release, she continued, ¡°I told him, I didn¡¯t know how I felt. I knew it wasn¡¯t fear. That I could never fear him. And upon that testament, he released me, but I was ordered to stay at the camp.¡± ¡°You don¡¯t have to say more right now.¡± Lu told her as she kissed her grandma¡¯s cheek. ¡°Thank you dear. I think I am going to rest, maybe come back after lunch and I can tell you more.¡± Lu nodded, ¡°Of course Nana. I should get going to school anyways.¡± Lu hugged her great grandma one more time, turned off the computer, and stopped the recorder. ¡°I¡¯ll be back.¡± Lu left Stalida¡¯s room before she had a chance to really say anything else. She stopped at the desk to inform Piper that she will be back around lunch time, to which Piper noted down. Lu darted off to school. Thankfully, today was going to be a half a day for her and she can just stay at the nursing home until four. After school was released, Lu darted straight over to the nursing home. ¡°Hello Piper!¡± Lu waved as she moved past the front desk. Piper nodded and went back to work. Lu knocked three times, ¡°Come in!¡± Stalida¡¯s cracked voice yelled through the door. Lu opened the door and let it close as she entered her great grandma¡¯s room. She did her usual routine with the computer and recorder and sat next to Stalida. ¡°Ready to tell me more Nana?¡± Lu spoke with a smile as she embraced herself for what was to come next. ¡°Of course my dear.¡± Stalida took a deep breath and began where she left off. ¡°Let¡¯s see I was ordered to stay at camp but I could roam freely. Of course, he would have a few guards watch me. However, this freedom didn''t last long. As the other goblins did not like a human teenager roaming about the camp.¡± ¡°They were worried that the humans would come after me. Despite me telling them that I don¡¯t think anyone would notice that I was gone. As I wasn¡¯t even part of their world. No one, of course, believed me. Well, except the King. He figured that was why I was open to someone like him. He believed my story of the rift, as he explained to me that the wizards had been messing with portal dimensions and rifts. He was trying to stop them from opening the most recent ones but the wizards had killed half his tribe.¡± ¡°They had to pull back but then his scouts saw me come through the portal. They figured they could hold me hostage against the wizards. Well, jokes were on them, I had no one in that place looking for me.¡± Her face held a soft smile. Lu comforted her as she spoke. Lu could tell the story and bothered her to tell. ¡°Now, that was when the offer came up, an offer I couldn¡¯t refuse.¡± Stalida continued, ¡°I was in a strange world, with no way back. The King had offered me the chance to become a part of their tribe. I, however, couldn¡¯t not stay a human. I had to transform into a Goblin.¡± Lu looked confused. As she did not understand any of this world that Stalida was speaking of. Magic and wizards. Portals and extra dimensions. This sounded too familiar to that of stories that Lu had read in fantasy books. However, she was keeping an open mind. As Lu knew she needed this. She needed her story to get out and Lu was that outlet. ¡°I know that look of confusion all too well,¡± Stalida spoke as she shook her head, ¡°There is a spell the Goblins stoll from the Wizards. A True Resurrection Spell scroll. Tut-Man said I had to cast it myself as none of them was capable of reading it. He gave me the option, I turn Goblin and become his wife or I die. Well, I didn¡¯t know I was going to have to die for the spell to work. Well, upon the agreement, Tut-Man killed me with a rusty dagger, stabbing me in the back. It took him five days to realize he needed someone to speak the spell and cast it over me.¡± ¡°Did he find someone?¡± Lu couldn¡¯t believe that her great grandma had died once already. Not only that but was killed by the monster she loved. ¡°Tut-Man was actually able to figure out how to cast it himself. And that was the first time I was reborn into another creature.¡± Lu looked at her confusingly. ¡°The first time?¡± ¡°I¡¯ll get to that later, I promise. But let me finish this first.¡± Lu nodded, ¡°Upon coming back to life and as a Goblin, I had many Goblin features and traits. I was short. At three feet tall. I had sharp teeth. Tanned skin. And well built. And I had never been well built in my life before. Though I may have lost a few intelligent points¡± ¡°Is that where my genetics came from?¡± Stalida nodded, ¡°Part of the Goblin form still resides within me. They were passed down between generations.¡± Lu stared in space, ¡°Interesting, so our blood has Goblin in it?¡± ¡°Yes. Well, faint traces of it.¡± ¡°Huh, I would have never guessed.¡± ¡°No one would. It stumped your mother. Though, she never would have believed me anyways.¡± ¡°I believe you.¡± Lu gave her Nana a pat on the shoulder and a soft hug. I looked at the clock and time had flown by. It was already almost four o¡¯clock. ¡°Stalida, I am going to have to come back tomorrow.¡± She looked at me excitedly, ¡°I can¡¯t wait my dear.¡± She waved me goodbye after I collected everything. Lu raced home in hopes of getting home before my father got there. To Lu¡¯s surprise, her father was waiting for her at the dinner table. ¡°Lu, we need to talk.¡± His voice was firm and something about it, sent a shock wave of fear through her. She was worried that her father was going to punish her for talking to Stalida. However, there was something else hidden in his voice but Lu couldn''t put her finger on it. She sucked in a deep breath and approached the table as she closed the door behind her. ¡°Of course father.¡± She took a seat across from him and looked up at him. His face spoke volumes, stern and his posture, well, her father never slouched anyways. ¡°Your mother and I have a concern, we would appreciate it, if you would stop talking to Stalida.¡± Dang it. Lu knew this was coming, she just hoped she would get an explanation this time. She moved her hand to her pocket and pressed the record button on the record hidden in her pocket. Taking a deep breath, she began to question her father. ¡°I want to know why, and don¡¯t beat around the bush this time.¡± Lu¡¯s voice was just as firm as firm as her father¡¯s posture. She wanted her father to know that she was serious. Family Ties He cleared his throat and took in a deep breath, ¡°Our family has done some things that we are not proud of. I don¡¯t want you to think of anything less about any of your family. That includes your great grandma.¡± He relaxed his posture just a bit. Lu remained fixed, she wanted no needed answers. ¡°Will you please tell me?¡± She watched as he seemed to zone out for a bit, ¡°I¡¯d prefer not. But I assume you are not going to stop visiting Stalida?¡± ¡°No.¡± Lu¡¯s voice was just as firm as her father¡¯s posture. He took another deep breath, ¡°Very well.¡± He fixed his posture as he got comfortable in his chair. ¡°When Stalida disappeared her brothers, Novak and Mavrik, searched for her for years.¡± Lu was confused, she only knew of Novak and not Mavrik. Novak was her father¡¯s grandpa. ¡°Our family tree is a bit messed up because of what happened with Stalida.¡± He watched her facial expression as she tried to piece things together. ¡°Novak, is Stalida¡¯s younger brother and also her father, after she was reborn the second time. This only happened as their parents had already past and Mavrik was gone so that only left Novak to take care of her.¡± Lu¡¯s face dropped. What in the world¡­ ¡°Father I-¡± He cut her off, ¡°Look, I knew you wouldn¡¯t understand right away. It confuses me some to this day. But Novak, my grandpa, raised Stalida as his own child. Thus, my father, Stalida¡¯s son, is your grandpa. I think.¡± His face had a brief moment of confusion as, even to this day, his own lineage confused him. ¡°This is messed up.¡± Lu scratched her head as she was trying to connect the dots to her family tree. ¡°That¡¯s why we just tend to have you call Stalida by her name. She is your great grandma but our lineage, well, you said it pretty well.¡± Her father¡¯s expression un-phased for the most part, he was serious, dead serious. ¡°Then who is Mavrik?¡± Lu had still got a full answer from that question. ¡°Mavrik, is Stalida¡¯s older brother, well was. He died bringing her back. Tut-Man, as she called him, killed him with a spear to the back, as he shoved Stalida through the rift.¡± ¡°Was Stalida¡¯s name always Stalida?¡± Since learning of Stalida¡¯s life, she was curious about everything. Her father shook his head, ¡°Her name was Violet. So it was, Mavrik, Violet, and Novak, in that birthing order. Stalida was the name Tut-Man gave her and she refused to go by anything else. Stubborn old lady.¡± Lu could see a bit of relief start to wash over her father as his voice became more relaxed. Something about revealing family history made him more relaxed. This, she hoped, was permanent. Lu on the other hand, was confused, her head hurt, and she still felt lost. As if, nothing made sense in her world anymore. ¡°I think that is enough for tonight father, I need to wrap my head around this.¡± Lu dared to pause the recorder just in case her father spoke of anything else. Her father nodded, ¡°I am sorry for keeping such a huge family secret from you daughter, but I didn¡¯t want you to think of anything less than us and I didn''t want you to get any crazy ideas from this either.¡± Lu watched as his father¡¯s expression shifted to a bit more worried, as she watched him, he watched her. Judging each other''s behavior. This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source. Lu thought about what to say next briefly and for once, she used a word she very seldom used, ¡°It¡¯s alright dad, I understand.¡± Lu didn¡¯t fully understand, but she understood enough. A small smile crept on his face. She knew her calling him dad made him happy, so she resorted to calling him father and called him dad when she knew that he needed it the most. ¡°Thank you, daughter.¡± Her mother peaked around the corner just as things were settling down, ¡°Can we eat now?¡± Lu¡¯s father waved her mother in and helped her get the food out of the oven. As soon as the oven was opened, the kitchen was filled with the delicious smell of homemade bread and smothered chicken. The meal was plated and enjoyed with minor conversation. ¡°So, Lu, how is Stalida?¡± Lu¡¯s mother asked, after chewing a few bits of food. Lu swallowed what was in her mouth before answering, ¡°She seems alright, though talking about the past bothers her.¡± She noted how her great grandma reacted as she was speaking her tale. ¡°Poor woman,¡± Lu¡¯s mother shook her head, ¡°She really went through it.¡± ¡°That¡¯s for sure.¡± Her father chimed in, ¡°To die, and to be reborn and to die and be reborn again. Takes a toll on the mind and body.¡± ¡°She did seem a bit out of it, but nothing too extreme. Though, that just comes with old age.¡± Lu pointed out. ¡°You have no idea how old she really is, Lu.¡± Her father spoke. Lu looked at him in confusion, ¡°Isn¡¯t she like one hundred and ten?¡± He shook his head, ¡°Stalida, went into the rift when she was sixteen. She came out of it at a Goblin age of thirty. She was reborn into a human, and essentially her life, the third time was started over. Novak wished her to be a baby human. A bit morbid, yes, but he missed growing up with his sister and all of her adulthood milestones. So, technically that would put her around-¡± she watched as he thought for a moment calculating her age, ¡°around one hundred and thirty or so. Goblins'' age is a bit different from humans. It¡¯s hard to calculate.¡± Lu dropped her fork. As the clank sound filled the air, silence followed. How is this possible? ¡°Lu?¡± Her mother¡¯s voice was that of concern. As Lu remained transfixed in staring into space. Her reality, her world, was crashing around her. ¡°Lu?¡± Her father followed suit, sounding just as equally concerned for his daughter. Lu could hear her parents. Heck, she could even hear her own heart beat as it raced faster and faster. She found herself standing up from the table and as she did, she felt her knees give way as everything went dark. Lu woke in her bed with an ice pack over her head. ¡°I didn¡¯t want you to swell.¡± Her mother spoke as she looked over her daughter. ¡°You passed out at dinner and hit your head.¡± ¡°I-¡± Lu began to speak but she still felt a bit off. Her head still felt like it was spinning. ¡°Shhh, take it easy.¡± Her mother tucked in her daughter¡¯s sheets more and sat gently beside her. Her father walked in at that point and handed her mother a different ice pack. ¡°I am sorry.¡± Lu¡¯s father spoke, ¡°I knew it would be too much for you to hear.¡± Lu could tell that he seemed a bit shook with what happened to Lu. Lu saw that he felt responsible for his daughter¡¯s injury. ¡°It¡¯s nothing, father.¡± Lu spoke, as she eased herself up in bed to a sitting position. ¡°It¡¯s just something I have only read in books.¡± ¡°Yes, and that is what worried us in the beginning.¡± Lu¡¯s father spoke. Lu looked at him questionably, ¡°What do you mean?¡± ¡°We were worried that you would go running off, trying to find these rifts between the worlds and never return. Just like Stalida did all those years ago. On top of what I already told you about our concerns and this information.¡± They had a point to be worried about it. A fantasy world crafted of various creatures, beast, and magic? Who wouldn¡¯t want to live there. She and Stalida were more alike than she realized just then. Both had curiosity and an open mind. Lu cleared her throat and spoke words that eased her parents'' worries. If only they were true, ¡°You have nothing to worry about, I have no desire to go into a world like that.¡± Both her parents'' faces spoke with relief but it was her mother that spoke first, ¡°That¡¯s great news sweetie.¡± Then her father, ¡°Get some rest, I can take you to the nursing home tomorrow. I need to visit with Stalida.¡± Both her parents left her room so she could rest. Lu thought, if the rifts ever open again, I¡¯ll be exploring them. I have to, for Stalida, for my own curiosity. Family Matters As the sun pierced through Lu''s blinds of her bedroom, Lu stirred awake. She was excited to be seeing her great grandma Stalida again, considering all that she had learned about her family so far. Lu got dressed, grabbed her laptop, and her reordered, turning it on before she descended down the stairs. As she didn''t know what new things she would be told by her folks. "Good morning mom, dad." Lu walked into the kitchen and was welcomed with the smell freshly made croissants. Her mother had diced up some fruit and sat out some cream cheese to go along with the croissants. "You seem to be feeling better." Lu''s mother spoke. "I am, much better." "Lu, I would like to visit Stalida with you today if that is alright." This surprised Lu, as it has been awhile since her father visited his grandma. That was all primarily due to the tension that ran through their blood. He didn''t hate her per say, Lu knew he just hated what he was told over the years. All of his family''s sufferings and problems occurred because of Stalida''s adventures. All the death and heartache, was because of Stalida. That much Lu knew. "That''s fine with me. I''m sure great grandma would love to see you." "We shall see about that." Breakfast fell silent after that. They ate their cream cheese and fruit croissants in complete silence. After they finished, Lu waited around for thirty minutes for her father to finish his morning routine. "Ready dear?" He asked her as he waited by the door. "Yup," she quickly slipped on her pair of converse shoes and followed him out to the car. "Did you remember to grab everything that you need?" Lu doubled checked her bag, she had her recorder in her pants pocket and her laptop and its charger in her bag, she nodded, "Yup I am all set." "Good." Her father wasn''t always good with small talk so the rest of the ride to the nursing home was silent. Lu and her father walked up to the front desk, "Is Stalida ready for visitors?" Lu asked Piper. "Let me give her a call real quick." Lu could hear the sound of ringing as they waited for Stalida to pick up the phone, "Hello?" Lu heard her cracked and brittle voice come through. The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon. "Your son and great granddaughter is here to see you." "Daniel?" Lu could pick up that her great grandma was shocked to hear her father''s name. "Yes, Daniel and Lu." There was a paus on the line as they both waited to see if they were both welcome, "Go ahead and send them down." Lu sighed in relief, "You can go." Piper said as she hung up the phone. "Thank you." Lu grabbed her father''s hand and practically dragged him down to Stalida''s room. ~Knock~ ~Knock~ ~knock~ Lu gave three gentle knocks to Stalida''s door as she took a final deep breath before Stalida''s voice echoed through the door. "Come in!" Lu opened the door and allowed her father to walk in first. Lu saw Stalida''s face light up with a smile, "Daniel, it''s good to see you! Come sit!" She patted the right side of the bed. He obeyed and sat down carefully on the edge of the bed beside his grandma, "How are you Stalida?" "Still not calling me grandma after all these years?" "Considering what you have done to our family, no I will not call you grandma." "Dad..." Lu began to protest but he cut her off. "Don''t start with me Lu, I have my reasons." "Then explain?" Lu asked as she sat on the other side of the bed. He sighed deeply, "From what I have been told, Stalida had put our family through the ringer. Her brother Mavrik died trying to save her. Not to mention her parents died without ever knowing that she was okay." Stalida looked away from Daniel and looked over at Lu instead, "You get it, don''t you dear?" Lu was hesitant but she nodded, "Yes, traveling to another universe, another plane of existence sounds like it would be fun to me." Lu could hear a her father''s heavy sigh. "It was, it was the best adventure a girl could ask for." "How could you say it was the best adventure when you died from it, not just once but twice?" Her father asked. "It gave me abilities I didn''t even know I possessed. Like how to fight, how to manipulate, how to fend for myself when things got tough. With my birth family, I was left alone a lot, often getting beat up by other kids. I had no skills in defense, in that world I did." "Besides the skills and abilities that the world gave me, a family that cared about me. Tut-Man welcomed me despite me being human at first, despite the clan''s wishes to have me for dinner. After failure to realize that I couldn''t cast the spell on myself, he found a way to bring me back. Once I achieved adulthood, he married me. Giving me five chaotic children. Duzz, Gryh, Vic, Xiagluld, and my only daughter Rosh. They are probably gone now, but I am sure they kept our family heritage alive. As for the rest of the clan, they were family. As family consists of more than just those bound by blood." "I loved all of my goblin children as much as I did my human children. That, I had three of, Marry, Daniel, and Alex. Without going through the portal the first time and being forced out of it the second time, who knows if you would even be here Daniel." What Lu''s great grandma spoke was true. If none of this had happened who knew if her father let alone herself would be here. As Stalida, would have been basically dead at this point. The rifts gave her a second chance at life. "I suppose you are right about that. I hadn''t even thought about that aspect of it." Daniel spoke. Stalida nodded in agreement, "I know I put my family through hardship. When I died the second time and came back as a young child, I had no one but my brother Novak. Thankfully he decided to raise me as his own as he was struggling to have children of his own. If he hadn''t done that, who knew where I would have ended up." "Besides, I never got to say goodbye to my own folks and I had to watch Mavrik get killed by the man I love. It all still haunts me to this day." The room fell silent as no one knew how to respond to Stalida. After a few minutes passed Lu decided to ask her great grandma one burning question "Nana, if you could go back through the rift, to that world would you go back?" Its All Out Now The room was silent as they all waited to hear Stalida''s response to Lu''s question- if she would travel through the rifts again. "Yes." It was a simple answer, an answer that Lu could tell her father was not expecting at all. "You would leave all of us again, to live in another universe?" He asked her again to make sure he heard her right. "Yes. Lu wouldn''t you go?" Stalida looked over at her great granddaughter with a curious look on her face. Lu was hesitant to answer but she did, "Yes. Adventure, magic, strange creatures, it''s all a fantasy and I want to live it." "I can''t believe the both of you. What is wrong with this universe? The one where both of your families live?" "It''s boring." Lu simply put it. "Nothing really happens out of the ordinary anymore." "She''s not wrong Daniel. I have spent the last twenty years within these walls. The last time I saw the sky and felt the warmth of the air on my skin was when I was ninety years old. And that was when you were dragging me in here." "Would you adventure into another universe dad?" Her father thought about it for a moment, "No, I love your mother. Not to mention, my brother and sister." Silence fell once more. This time lasting longer than the last. Lu cleared her throat, "Nana, could you tell me more about the clan?" She asked in hopes to recover from the awkward silence. Stalida nodded, "The clan was of at least thirty goblins at a given time. We did have a hierarchy of sorts. Tut-Man and I as king and queen, then the elders, then the teenage group, then the babies. It seemed just about like every day we were loosing one of our own. Rather it was due to personal fighting or something had gotten ahold of one of us." "Tut-Man had me primarily stay in the den to watch over the clan as he went out on hunts with his men. I didn''t mind that as I often found myself dealing with personal fighting. I admired that he gave me such a roll, with only being with the clan for a few years. It shown that he truly trusted me despite me coming to them as a human. That man, or monster as some would call him, truly loved me. Despite his own strange way of showing it." Daniel shook his head, "that is the one thing I can not wrap my head around. You loving a monster." Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation. "He was unique. Something I had never seen before and the thrill of being with them, well it''s complicated." "I''ll say." "What did you admire the most Nana?" Stalida smiled softly, "Well, that''s simple. It was how he treated me. Even for a monster, he treated me better than my own family did." "What do you mean by that?" Daniel asked. "That is self explanatory I feel like, though if I must. Being the middle child, I never got the attention I desired. My brother Mavrik picked on me constantly, and Novak, well, he looked up to me. Our family was also not the richest in the world, so we had little. Part of me figured, if I jumped through the rift, they would be able to have a better life as they would not have to worry about me. I thought I was doing my family a favor. That I wouldn''t be missed because I didn''t feel like I was loved at all." "Well, you were wrong on that one Stalida." "I figured that out after Mavrik pulled me back through the rift Daniel. I felt horrible for a few years after I got back. My parents, they died due to sickness. Novak told me that. Mavrik died trying to save me, that I knew. I never got closure with my family and they never got closure themselves. I felt guilty once I got back and still do." Stalida looked upset. Lu was trying to figure out how to change the topic of conversation but her father just keep pressing the same topic at hand. "Then why would you go through the portal with you feeling this guilty about leaving in the first place?" "Nothing has changed with how my family views me. The only one that seems to love me is Lu." "That''s not true." Daniel tried to protest. "You don''t even call me grandma." Lu''s father didn''t even acknowledge her comment he just went silent instead. "Enough of that." Lu said, "Nana, could you tell me more about the rifts?" Stalida nodded. ¡°Novak told me that after I left him and Mavrik started searching right away. He told me that Mavrik went crazy in trying to find me as both brothers witnessed me stepping through the rift. Novak studied while Mavrik searched for rifts throughout the city.¡± ¡°Eventually they found the right one. They jumped through countless portals, into so many worlds, it was unreal.¡± ¡°How many did they go through?¡± The more Stalida told, the more Lu became even more curious. The more she told, the more Daniel grew anxious. As he knew that his daughter will want to explore these worlds if given the chance. At least one thing he knew for sure, if his daughter ever explored these other universe, he had something he could give her when they got home. Something that would help her. ¡°Mavrik went through fifteen different rifts. Novak ten. At least that is what Novak told me.¡± Lu watched as Stalida¡¯s eyes drifted between the two of them. Lu knew her father was irritated with how the talk was going. However, Lu was excited, as that meant there were at least fifteen different worlds out there. Worlds that she wanted to explore. After another hour of visiting with Stalida her father decided it was time to leave and head back home. To which, as soon as they got home Lu''s father went into his office and shut his door. Lu didn''t know what to say to him, so she just left him be and went up to her room and began typing out her great grandma''s story. I Promise ¡°Lu, I think it¡¯s time we go.¡± Her father sounded a bit more upset than angry this time. Which Lu understood. ¡°Lu, you should listen to your father. Come back tomorrow and I can. finish telling you my story.¡± Lu nodded, collected her things, and followed her father out the door. ¡°Lu I need you to promise me one thing.¡± He looked at her with a bit of fear in his eyes. He knew his daughter and he didn¡¯t want to lose her. Lu had a general idea where her father was going with this. So, she entertained his thoughts, ¡°what is it?¡± ¡°Promise me you will not go rift jumping. I can not lose you.¡± She took a deep breath before answering, ¡°yes, I promise you.¡± She tried to hide any hesitation in her voice as she didn¡¯t want to hurt her father. He did something that he hadn¡¯t done in awhile, he hugged her tightly. ¡°I know I have been harsh, but I just fear if I¡¯ll lose you.¡± She hugged him back, ¡°you won¡¯t lose me dad. No matter what, that, I promise you.¡± ***** They arrived back home shortly after. Lu went to her room and pulled out a book from her bookshelf. The book was titled Rifts Among Us. It was a documentary of sorts that got classified as fiction as it followed three people and their encounters with these rifts that Stalida mentioned. Lu read the chapter titles and soon realized the names correlated to other places she had read about in fantasy books.
  1. Feywild - Elven Culture
  2. Sea of Fire - Fire Escape
  3. Hellish Wastelands - Outer World
  4. The Nine Hells - Pure Evil
  5. The Astral Plane - The Endless Sea
  6. Obsidian Depths - Darkness
  7. Nautical Nexus - Wet
  8. Eldritch Oblivion - Mind Creatures
  9. Plane of Mirrors - Glass Self
  10. Starlight - Celestial
Ten chapters, ten planes of existence, and three different prospective. With Lu¡¯s knowledge from her great grandma, she couldn¡¯t help but wonder if the detailed book was actually true. Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there. She couldn¡¯t help but wonder what plane Stalida got taken to. Was it the Feywild or was it one of the Elemental Planes? Lu always loved to read books about elves and magic so she couldn¡¯t hope but to find a rift to the Feywild. Lu knew what she had promised her father. She knew it would break him but she couldn¡¯t help the urge that she was feeling to explore the unknown. Curiosity burned through her veins. This was something she desired even if it broke a promise. Knock. Lu popped her head up from her book, ¡°yes?¡± Lu¡¯s father stood in her doorway with a rolled up piece of parchment and a brass metal rod. Lu looked at her father curiously, the rod resembled what she read about, a rod wizards use to traverse the planes. ¡°I doubt I will be able to stop you, if the rifts ever open again. This is the last scroll and rod that Novak and Mavrik used and had to bring Stalida back. If you are anything like Stalida, like I think you are, you¡¯ll need this if you plan to keep that promise.¡± Lu rushed over to him and hugged him tightly, ¡°thank you dad.¡± She took the parchment and rod, placed it in her bag. ¡°I¡¯m sorry again for being so harsh. Our family has been through the thick of it so to speak. The rifts destroyed the beginning of our family but they also the start of it. If it wasn¡¯t for her returning, I wouldn¡¯t be here.¡± ¡°I understand dad, I truly do.¡± Lu did understand, even though his actions had caused a bit of friction between him and Stalida. Though, she knew those have been brewing for a lifetime. ¡°I¡¯ll be in my office if you have any questions for me.¡± Lu nodded and let her father get back to work. She took back out the scroll that was wrinkled, a bit deteriorated, and wrapped with a blue silk ribbon. Upon opening it a piece of paper fell out. The handwriting was top notch. To whomever this concerns. Do not and I mean do not read until you are ready to use this scroll. The scroll will evaporate upon use and you may not return to the Nomad Plane - the plane that you are currently on. P.s. use caution. Traversing the planes can be dangerous. Master Wizard of Planar Travel - Astrid Vangof P.s.s. You can find me at the center of the universes in Tower of Endless Possibilities. Lu bundled the scroll back up and placed it back in her backpack, heeding the wizard¡¯s warning. **** A few hours later her mother returned home and began cooking dinner. An hour later, ¡°Dinner is ready!¡± Both her father and Lu entered the kitchen and had dinner as normal. ¡°How was Stalida today?¡± Lu¡¯s father looked at Lu, ¡°She was alright.¡± Lu responded. ¡°That¡¯s good to hear. Learn anything new?¡± Lu told her mother about the whole conversation with Stalida. ¡°Interesting, she did have other children?¡± Lu nodded, ¡°five if I remember correctly.¡± ¡°Interesting, so our family is bigger than we thought. Who knew?¡± The rest of the dinner went by with small talk about Stalida and the conversation that they both had with her. Lu went to bed that night, with mixed feelings. She hoped that tomorrow would bring her more answers. Magics in Aetheria Upon arrival Lu''s mother walked into the nursing home with her, ¡°I plan on leaving soon. I just want to see how she is.¡± Lu nodded as they both waved at Piper and went to Stalida¡¯s room. Knock. Knock. Knock. Lu knocked three times and waited to hear her great grandma¡¯s voice chime through the door. ¡°Come in!¡± Lu opened the door and let her mother step in first. ¡°Decide to finally visit after all these years?¡± Stalida asked as Lu¡¯s mother had not been by in a long time. Lu¡¯s mother rolled her eyes, ¡°Please, I have been busy keeping Daniel and Lu in line. Who do you think let Lu visit you?¡± Lu knew her mother had something to do with her getting permission to visit her great grandmother. Let alone the rod and scroll her father gave her. Her mother had an impressive way of persuading those around her. Stalida smiled at her, ¡°Thank you for that Harley, I knew there was a reason why I liked you all these years.¡± ¡°Any time Stalida.¡± ¡°Lu, sit next to me.¡± Stalida patted the bed and Lu sat next to her. ¡°Let me finish my story.¡± ¡°Go on ahead Nana.¡± Lu hugged her great grandma and pulled out the recorder and hit the play on her recorder. ¡°Where we left off was the talk about the other rifts. There are endless planes of existence, according to the wizards in the plane I was in. From planes made completely of water to planes made of fire and ice. The plane I was in was called Aetheria. It was a unique plane that had two suns Heliosia and Surya. One sun sets in the east and the other sets in the west. There were even two moons present, named Lunaria and Crescentia. The two moons helped balance the two suns.¡± ¡°Aetheria wasn¡¯t home to just goblins and elves. There were dwarves, gnomes, giants, and many other humanoid races. The area I was at was a heavily forested area within a mountain range. The mountain range we named was Grimrock Mountain. It was home to several goblin clans.¡± ¡°Sometimes, the clans would fight against each other but that usually ended in death.¡± ¡°What world would you rather live in, here or there?¡± Lu was curious to see if her great grandma would choose there over here. Lu kind of figured she knew the answer. ¡°There any day.¡± Stalida said, ¡°It may have been brutal from time to time, but that place was truly something out of one of your fantasy novels.¡± ¡°What else was there, Stalida?¡± ¡°There was a magical lake that was known to almost everyone. If you entered the lake something magical happened. Mirror Lake. It spanned over a good portion of the valley under the mountain. Creatures from all over would come and explore the lake.¡± ¡°That sounds familiar. I read something about that in one of my fantasy books. It talked about wild magic and how it was unstable in some planes.¡± Stalida nodded, ¡°That¡¯s correct.¡± ¡°I¡¯m starting to think, my books are from people who traveled through the rifts to other plans.¡± Lu said as she recalled how most fantasy books involved some interacting plane of existence with its own rules and magic system. Making each book more unique than the last. If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. ¡°Most of them are. How do you think they came up with their worlds?¡± Lu¡¯s eyes widened, ¡°Really?¡± ¡°Yes dear.¡± ¡°How do you know that Stalida?¡± Lu¡¯s mother questioned. She had remained silent for some time as she just stood against the wall and listened. ¡°It¡¯s just a hunch, I guess.¡± Stalida gave Lu a wink as Lu loved to write as much as she loved to read. She hoped that her great granddaughter would become a well known writer and explorer. ¡°Do you know if the rifts would ever open again?¡± Stalida thought for a moment, ¡°They can open any time. Those wizards are tricky and love to mess with magic. Sometimes, I wonder if those rifts open to those who need them the most. Like I did.¡± ¡°How would they know if you need them to open a rift?¡± Lu was curious as to how this whole magic system worked. Like, how would a wizard from another plane of existence know that someone from the Nomad Plane or any other plane needs their help? Stalida thought briefly, ¡°Back when I was a little girl, the first time around, the rifts seemed to open more and more frequently. With a lot of people disappearing, as the times were not the greatest here. There was plenty going on back then, that people needed escape. Now, it¡¯s not so bad. For me, I prayed that I could escape my reality and have a new life because my family was struggling and no one seemed to care about me. I guess deity¡¯s as they called it listened, and well the rift opened.¡± ¡°Power of prayer then?¡± Lu was still confused. She didn¡¯t understand how a simple plea would get her anywhere. Perhaps one of the many books she had would be able to explain it better. ¡°I think that was part of it dear, I¡¯m sorry I don¡¯t have much explanation. Perhaps, they have spies in every plane and those they see that are fit get chosen over others. That to me makes more sense but I am not entirely sure. I know magic items can be found on occasion throughout this plane. I believe your father has one.¡± ¡°The rod and scroll?¡± Lu asked as she pulled them out of her bag, showing her great grandma. She nodded, ¡°The scroll and rod was a gift to me by the wizard that came to rescue me. Her name was-¡± Her Stalida paused as she tried to think of the wizards name. ¡°Astrid Vangof?¡± Lu asked as she handed Stalida the note the wizard left. ¡°Yes! Her! She was a very sweet elf. I wonder if she is still alive?¡± Stalida began to stare off into space as she got lost in her own thoughts. ¡°Lu, I think it¡¯s time to go.¡± Lu¡¯s mother spoke up as she watched Stalida just stare blankly at the wall. ¡°Wait!¡± Stalida shouted and pulled out one of the side drawers and pulled out a stone. The stone was opal in color and had a bit of a prismatic rainbow to it. ¡°Take this before you go. Astrid gave it to me in case I ever wanted to leave. I am not sure if it still works. I haven¡¯t talked to her in over one hundred years!¡± ¡°How does the stone work, Stalida?¡± Lu asked as she held the stone that she had given her. She looked it over curiously as the only magical item she ever held was the rod that was supposedly attuned to their current plane of existence. Stalida looked at the stone curiously as Lu held it, ¡°I am not really sure. I never used it. As a goblin, I just thought it was a shiny rock that I found. It was a treasure to me. Now, I wish I remembered how to use it. Maybe one of those books of yours would be able to help?¡± Lu thought about it, some of the stories she had read had mentioned these things. Magical sending stones that worked better if you were on the same plane as the person but worked just like a cell phone does in the modern world. In all her readings it was simple. All they did was just say the message they wanted to tell the person and the person usually received it. ¡°I think we just say what we want. I think there is a limit of like twenty five words though.¡± ¡°Are you sure this is a good idea? You could be bothering someone.¡± Lu¡¯s mother spoke, causing the both of them to look up at her. ¡°Why not?¡± Lu questioned her. She didn¡¯t understand why her mother cared about any of this, if this was all just nonsense to her. ¡°Whatever, try if you want. I just didn¡¯t want to get your hopes up in case it fails.¡± Lu rolled her eyes. She didn¡¯t know what she was more curious about. Why her mother seemed to care all of a sudden or the opac looking stone. ¡°Perhaps you should speak it. I think the voice message comes through like you would be talking to her directly.¡± Lu handed the stone back to Stalida. Stalida took it with shaky hands. ¡°Astrid Vangof. Astrid, this is Stalida, Queen of the Goblins. I¡­I don¡¯t know what to say¡­.¡± ¡°Just say hi.¡± Lu whispered in her ear. ¡°Hi Astrid.¡± Stalida finished the conversation. Both watched as the stone seemed to magically glow like a star and fade. Now, all they had to do was wait. Astrid Vangof Lu and her great grandma waited for what felt like hours but in reality it was only two minutes before an ethereal voice came through the stone. Sta--STALIDA? This can¡¯t be you! How in the world¡­.I thought you died in the last goblin raid that killed Tut-Man. The room went silent. Even Lu¡¯s mother seemed shocked. ¡°How did she¡­¡± Just then a projection came into view of a fine elven woman with midnight blue eyes and pure black hair. She stood about six feet one inch and wore a glorious deep purple gown that fit her body perfectly. ¡°It really is you!¡± The projection reached out her hand to Staldia who just stared in shock. Meanwhile the woman looked around the room, taking in her surroundings. Realizing the type of room she was in, with the medical equipment and how somber everything looked, the woman bowed her head. ¡°I¡¯m sorry.¡± ¡°Who are you?¡± Lu¡¯s mother was the first to speak. Causing the woman to flinch and turn to face her. ¡°Who are you?" is a better question.¡± ¡°I¡¯m a friend of Stalida and her granddaughter¡¯s mother, Harley.¡± Astrid looked at the three women in the room, making a mental note of their ages. ¡°Nice to meet you, I am esteemed wizard Master of Planar Travel, Astrid Vangof. I believe that is my rod, you have, there.¡± Astrid sat on the edge of the bed and held out her hand. Lu willingly gave her the rod and watched as Astrid examined it fully. ¡°Yes, this is mine. The star patterns give that away. They are my signature so to speak. I gave this rod to a young human girl who lived with goblins.¡± She looked up at Stalida, ¡°That girl was you.¡± She smiled at her, ¡°I¡¯d hug you but this is just a projection. A spell I crafted called Planar Projection allows cross planar communication. It works way better than Sending ever did. At least this one is foolproof, as it is a guarantee success at communicating.¡± Astrid looked at Stalida then at Lu. Lu watched as she could feel Astrid study her closely. She nodded. ¡°I see, your granddaughter wants to travel?¡± Stalida nodded, ¡°I have been telling her my story, as she was the only one that would listen. Her mind is beautiful.¡± ¡°What is your name dear?¡± ¡°Lu, Lu Aventin.¡± ¡°Do you wish to travel dear?¡± ¡°More than anything! But, I think I am needed here.¡± Lu looked away from Astrid and found herself looking at the floor. She felt ashamed for even saying that, as her heart didn¡¯t want them to see how she truly feels. ¡°Dear, I may be a master at planar travel, but that doesn¡¯t mean I can¡¯t snuff out a lie.¡± Astrid said as she gave her metal rod back to Stalida. Lu still refused to look at her. She didn¡¯t want to look at her as she was afraid she would start crying. ¡°It¡¯s more that we don''t want her to go.¡± Lu¡¯s mother spoke up bringing the attention to her instead of Lu. ¡°Stalida leaving was hard on her whole family. Not to mention her own brother got killed by that goblin. How many times did Stalida die herself?¡± This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there. ¡°Two. By the looks of it. Reincarnation is a tricky spell. Often requiring sacrificing one''s own life, but you get to choose what you get born into. It essentially gives you a second chance at life. It¡¯s a very special gift, costly but worth it to some.¡± Astrid spoke, explaining the spell. ¡°Did you do this to her?¡± ¡°No. Wizard¡¯s carry a couple of scrolls that they possibly have purchased from esteemed healers. We can not cast the spell otherwise. As it is a healing focused spell. As I recall, the group of wizards that opened the portal that Stalida first came through had two of these scrolls and one of them was stolen. Then again when the portal that Stalida was forced into.¡± ¡°How did you know what the wizards had?¡± ¡°Those were my students, I don¡¯t send my students out empty handed. Wizards are known to be a bit more of the squishy type and I wanted to make sure they all returned.¡± Harley sighed, ¡°So because of you, she got forced into a life as a goblin?¡± Astrid shook her head, ¡°Not because of me. The spell wouldn¡¯t have worked if she chose not to come back as what was selected for her. She wanted that life. I would have been more than happy to save her from it, but she refused to leave the clan. I even gave her one of my few attuned metal rods I had for her plane of existence and a very expensive scroll. In case she ever wanted to leave. It was all by her choice.¡± ¡°Interesting.¡± That was all Harley could say. Lu knew if her father was here, he probably would have been pulling her out of the room by now, knowing that the rod and scroll was a gift from the wizard who tried to save her. Considering his reaction to knowing that she had the option to leave in the first place. ¡°Stalida, I can take you back there if you wish. The clan still exists. Your great great great grandchildren are ruling the clan.¡± Stalida closed her eyes as she took a deep breath before saying her answer, ¡°I would love to return to Aethria before my time is up.¡± ¡°That¡¯s great! I can come and get you in a day¡¯s time. I got to prepare the necessary spells for the travels and collect the correct rods from my selection.¡± ¡°Stalida, I don¡¯t think that is a good idea.¡± Harley said as all three women looked at her at the same time. ¡°It¡¯s my choice.¡± Stalida¡¯s cracked voice range, ¡°I am dying Harley, I have no more life here. I want to see Aethria one more time before I go.¡± ¡°At least let Daniel see you before you go. You are his flesh and blood after all.¡± Lu¡¯s mother approached the bottom of the bed and placed her hands on it. Her eyes said it all as she held back her own tears. ¡°Please.¡± Stalida let out a breath, ¡°Bring him here tomorrow. Tomorrow is when we say goodbye forever.¡± ¡°But Stalida¡­¡± Lu began as she couldn¡¯t hold back her tears anymore. ¡°You can come with me Lu. You don¡¯t have to stay in the clan with me, you can study under Astrid.¡± ¡°She is more than welcome to join the Wizarding School of Planar Travel. We teach all sorts of magic, though planar travel is our prime focus.¡± ¡°Really? I can learn magic?¡± Lu¡¯s face lit up with a bit of excitement through her tears. ¡°You can learn any type of magic you wish. If you do not want to be a wizard I can take you to see The Sacred Grove of the Elders - a very old faction of druids. Or Celestia Sanctuary - the oldest temple in the realms if you wish to become a healer. There are many options for you Lu and a whole universe to explore.¡± ¡°That sounds amazing!¡± Lu tried to reach out to hug Astrid but remembered that it was just a projection. ¡°Thank you!¡± ¡°Anytime dear, now Stalida. I do have a proposition for you. I can give you one more life. A life of that of a goblin again. Yes, you will have to die and be reborn again. Though, you have said it yourself, you are at the end of this life.¡± The room fell silent as they all waited for Stalida¡¯s response. To live and to die again for the third and final time. It was her choice, that she knew. What she didn¡¯t know was what the right choice was. Stalidas Choice ¡°To live another life, as a creature that most would call a monster. A second chance at a life I once had, i¡¯d be foolish to pass up the opportunity. I shall regain my throne as the Goblin Queen.¡± Stalida breathed easily for the first time. Lu hugged her and Harley just shook her head. ¡°You are putting your family through that again? What about your kids that you have here?¡± ¡°My family shunned me all of my life. I know I put them through the ringer but all I ever received was the cold shoulder. No matter what I did. Whenever my two children questioned me about their height and family, when I told them the truth they ignored me. It was my parents and siblings all over again. I didn¡¯t feel like I had any family until Lu came along. Lu always loved the stories I told and believed in me. She gave me the one thing no one else did, love.¡± Her mother went silent as Astrid chimed in, ¡°I¡¯ll take my leave now. I¡¯ll be here by six in the evening to pick both of you up. Pack light, I can give you your starter kits and supplies when you get here. As for you Stalida, think about how you want to die and who you want to end your life. I can do it, but if you want someone else to, then have that ready.¡± Astrid¡¯s projection soon faded leaving all three of them in the room together. The air soon began to feel just as thick as it was the other day when her father visited. As time passed Lu¡¯s mother cleared her throat, breaking the silence, ¡°Lu, we should probably get going if we want to prepare you for your trip. Also, we need to inform your father. I am unsure on how he is going to take this.¡± Lu nodded and collected her things. She gave her great grandma a hug and a kiss before she and her mother walked out the door. ¡°Lu, I hope you know what you are doing.¡± Her mother said as they got in the car to drive home. Lu looked up at her mother with curiosity in her eyes, ¡°I don¡¯t know what I am doing, but a world full of magic and possibility is my cup of tea. I can also check in on Stalida.¡± ¡°All I know is your father is not going to be happy about this, even if he did give you the rod.¡± ¡°I know he only gave it to me because of you. Part of me would like to think that he gave it to me because he wants me to travel, wants me to explore. Though, I know that is not the case, I still would like to think it is.¡± ¡°Well, don¡¯t get your hops up, dear.¡± ¡°I know, mother.¡± Once home, it was around one in the afternoon. Lu and her mother went up to her room and started packing a bag. ¡°Remember, Astrid said to pack light.¡± Lu¡¯s mother nodded as she started to take some clothes out of Lu¡¯s closest. ¡°How about two outfits for each type of weather then?¡± Lu¡¯s mother asked as she placed two pairs of jeans, two pairs of leggings, two pairs of shorts, two tanks, two short sleeves, two long sleeves, a coat and a hoodie on the bed. Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator. ¡°Mom! Light. One set each.¡± Lu said as she began to pick from the outfits that her mother had in front of her. ¡°I can buy or have clothes made there. I think.¡± ¡°What about feminine products? Do they have those in other worlds?¡± Lu shrugged, ¡°I can figure that one out when I get there.¡± After about thirty minutes of packing and unpacking things her mother thought she needed, Lu was satisfied with what she had in her pack. ¡°Thanks for helping me mom,¡± Lu hugged her mother tightly. ¡°Of course. I hate to see you leave, but I know if we force you to stay, you will grow to resent us and that is not what I want at all.¡± Lu kissed her mother¡¯s cheek and hugged her a bit longer. Her mother may have been hesitant at the start in letting Lu go and learning about the other worlds, but Lu knew she was only doing that because she loved her. She knew that it had to have been hard on her mother watching her daughter leave and possibly never come back. **** A few hours had passed since then and Lu had decided to help her mother fix her father¡¯s favorite dinner. Something, she hoped that he would appreciate and remember always. They both looked at the door as they heard the click and creek sound of the door as her father¡¯s voice echoed through the hall. ¡°I¡¯m home!¡± Lu ran to her father and gave him a big squeeze. ¡°Hi daddy.¡± Lu¡¯s father looked down at her suspiciously, ¡°Daddy? You haven¡¯t called me daddy in years, is something wrong?¡± Lu¡¯s father looked into the kitchen and saw that his favorite dish was prepared, ¡°Okay, something is definitely wrong.¡± Lu went and took her seat at the table and waited for him to take his. ¡°Now, Daniel, please do not overreact with what Lu has to say.¡± Her father stared at the two of them, ¡°Okay, now you have me worried. Just get out with it please.¡± ¡°Father I am leaving tomorrow and so is Stalida.¡± Her father went silent. She could tell that he was trying to process what she had just said, as Lu knew that she spoke it fast. ¡°I thought you promised me-¡± Lu cut her father off for the first time as this was something that she dared not to do, ¡°I did, but that was me promising that you won¡¯t lose me. You knew I would go rift jumping. You gave me the scroll and the rod in the first place. The rod only made me more curious.¡± He went silent once again before he said what he said next, ¡°I know, a father can hope that his daughter would listen to the whole sentence. When do you leave again?¡± Lu knew her father was irritated and a bit hurt. She just hoped this last night with him will fix any issues they may have. ¡°Tomorrow, and dad. Stalida is coming with me too.¡± ¡°I heard that part. I just choose not to acknowledge it.¡± ¡°Daniel, she has decided to be reincarnated again. She wants to be a goblin again.¡± As soon as the words left her lips, he got up from the table, took his plate and drink and went into his office closing the door behind him. Lu understood that her father was hurt, she just hoped that she could find time to spend some time with him. *** A few hours later Lu knocked on her father¡¯s office door, ¡°Come in!¡± ¡°Hey, dad I know you are upset but I was hoping for some time with you before I leave tomorrow.¡± He took a deep breath, ¡°I would love to spend time with you. What did you have in mind?¡± ¡°Some family game night and movie? Like we used to do when I was little.¡± ¡°Alright, let¡¯s go pick a game.¡± After two hours of playing some classic family games and a movie of Lu¡¯s choice later, Lu went to bed with a smile on her face as her last night with her folks was one of the happiest ones yet. Goodbye Lu woke that morning knowing that this would be the last day with her folks. At least she would still be able to communicate with Stalida. She just wondered who Stalida chose to end her life. ¡°Ready dear?¡± Lu¡¯s mother asked as Lu walked down the stairs with her backpack on her back. ¡°I am.¡± ¡°Are you sure you really want to go?¡± Her father asked her in a bit of a sad voice. His anger had disappeared and was replaced with sadness. ¡°Yes, father. I know it will be hard on all of us, but it is what I want to do.¡± ¡°And there is no stopping you?¡± Her father questioned her again. ¡°There is no stopping me.¡± He sighed heavily, ¡°Alright, I suppose you have my full support now. I do want to apologize again for my behavior.¡± ¡°Dad, I understand. You were hurt and are still hunting from Stalida¡¯s betrayal. I just want you to know that I will love you and mom no matter what happens.¡± ¡°Thank you Lu, you really are a special daughter you know.¡± ¡°Thanks dad.¡± I gave him a kiss on his forehead and hugged him. Her mother went and hugged them from the other side. ¡°Let¡¯s eat breakfast then go see Stalida.¡± *** After breakfast, Lu knocked on Stalida¡¯s door one more time. ¡°Come in!¡± Stalida¡¯s cracked and brittle voice rang through the door. ¡°You brought everyone today?¡± Stalida''s eyes fell on Daniel as she looked at him with a soft smile. ¡°Daniel, I am sorry, I am sorry for everything.¡± He took a deep breath as he sat at the edge of the bed and grabbed her hand, ¡°It¡¯s alright. I am sorry for behaving the way I did. I was just told one thing after another all these years and I should have come just straight to you to figure out what was real and what wasn¡¯t. Sorry for everything Stalida.¡± ¡°Thank you Daniel, my grandchild. Now, I have one request before I go.¡± Lu and her mother looked at each other. Lu had a feeling where this was going to go and so did her mother. The room was silent as they awaited for Daniel to speak. ¡°What is that Stalida?¡± Lu couldn¡¯t help it, her heart raced. She knew what was going to be asked but she didn¡¯t know how her dad was going to react, which scared her more than anything. Lu¡¯s father was very good at overreacting to things. ¡°I want you to kill me, so I can be a goblin again.¡± Lu¡¯s father removed his hand slowly from Stalida¡¯s. He stood up from the edge of the bed and walked to the door. The room was still. The only thing that could be heard was their own breathing. He held his hand steady against the door knob. He turned back to face Stalida, ¡°You want to be a monster again?¡± He held a firm facial expression as he spoke. It held a bit of anger and sadness as Lu could tell that he was unsure how to handle the question in hand. This story is posted elsewhere by the author. Help them out by reading the authentic version. ¡°Yes. As I said before, those were the happiest years of my life. I want that again. I know Tut-Man is dead, but I do have some family left over there. Not only that, but I could fight for my spot as Queen again.¡± ¡°Is this what you truly want?¡± He seemed to be asking that question a lot recently. Lu just assumed he wanted to make sure that his family is making the decisions for themselves and not due to anyone else. ¡°Yes. I want you to end this life, so I can begin a new.¡± He removed his hand from the door and rested his body against it. Lu watched as his chest rose and fell with each passing second. She had no idea what her father was going to say to her request. Lu knew it was a tough question to answer and she didn¡¯t know how her father was dealing with it. ¡°Stalida, if this is truly what you want, then I suppose I can give that to you.¡± Stalida¡¯s face lit up with a big smile, ¡°Thank you my grandchild.¡± ¡°Is there a set time for this to happen?¡± Her father asked as he hadn¡¯t been told that information yet. ¡°Around six in the afternoon.¡± Lu responded. ¡°Until then, what else would you like to share with us?¡± Stalida¡¯s smile remained. ¡°Tut-man may have been a monster to some, but as I said, he treated me like a Queen. I was the Queen of our clan once I married Tut-Man. Once I married Tut-Man the goblins fell in line and accepted me. They were all family, every single one of them, even the ones that perished in our personal affairs.¡± ¡°That is the one thing I still can¡¯t wrap my head around, you loved him before you were goblin.¡± ¡°He may have had a tooth that hung out of his mouth, a short, ragged looking man but his ability and skill amazed me. The way he fought. The way he stood tall against his clan even though they were all very well short. His common may have been rough but, he did have a way with what words he did speak. He truly amazed me.¡± ¡°So his skill caught you?¡± ¡°Basically, besides the fact that his overall presence enchanted me.¡± ¡°I think I understand.¡± Her father scratched his head, Lu knew that he was still a little confused with the whole bit but she figured he wouldn¡¯t understand it anyways. ¡°I have told most of my story now, I think we just have to wait for Astrid to come.¡± Stalida sat back and closed her eyes to take a nap. The rest of her family sat in the room in silence and waited. **** Five in the afternoon came around and a flash appeared in the room. An elven woman that looked exactly like Astraid¡¯s projection appeared. ¡°You must be her grandchild.¡± Astrid extended her hand and shook Lu¡¯s father¡¯s hand, ¡°Daniel. I would say nice to meet you but you are taking my daughter and grandma away from me.¡± ¡°Understandable. I¡¯d promise they will be safe, but the world is unpredictable at times.¡± He nodded, ¡°Yeah, I figured she loved a goblin before being one.¡± Astrid turned her attention to Stalida, ¡°I left you with a daunting question, Stalida. Did you figure out who was going to do the honor and end your life so you can be reborn into a goblin again?¡± ¡°My grandson, Daniel.¡± Stalida spoke loud and clear as she looked up at him from her hospital bed. Astrid snapped her fingers as the cords of the machines came unplugged, Stalida¡¯s breathing slowed a bit. ¡°I¡¯d be quick with it, I think those machines were keeping her alive.¡± Lu¡¯s father nodded, ¡°How am I-¡± Astrid produced a weapon out of thin air, ¡°Stab her in the heart, I have the scroll ready. We got to be quick though.¡± He nodded and sat at the edge of her bed, ¡°Before I do this, I want to say one thing. For what it is worth, I love you and I will miss you as you are now.¡± He leaned in and kissed her forehead softly. He held the dagger firmly in both hands. ¡°Make it quick.¡± Astrid spoke again as Stalida¡¯s breathing was slowing by the minute. He didn¡¯t hesitate any more and pressed the dagger against her chest. Piercing her heart with it and quickly pulling it out. Blood poured out through the wound and as her heart stopped Astrid pulled a scroll out and began to read the incantation. Just as soon as Stalida died her body began to morph and change before them. What once was Stalida the elderly human, was now a fresh young goblin. Adventure in Aethria Awaits The room fell silent as they waited for Stalida to fully wake up. They knew she was alive as her chest was rising and falling with each breath. ¡°Should be any minute now.¡± Astrid said as they waited to see Stalida open her goblin eyes for the first time. For Lu, she was amazed. This was the first time any of them truly saw a creature like this. Short, wild brown hair, tanned skin, and well built. This definitely fit the descriptions Lu had read in her fantasy books. Lu could only hope that the other races present in Aethria were just as unique as the goblin race. For her mother, she was a bit terrified but she tried to hide it. Despite backing herself up against the wall as soon as the spell was cast, her facial expression remained fixed. And her eyes are locked on the sleeping goblin that was once a human. Harley thought that a creature like this was strange, something she was having trouble processing. For her father, his expressions were mixed. He was horrified that he killed his grandma by stabbing her in the heart with the dagger that he still held onto. The longer he held onto it, the more his hands shook at the sight of her blood dripping from the dagger. He was surprised at how quickly her heart stopped as the blade''s tip pierced through her heart. Then again, as the beautiful elven woman named Astrid pointed out, it would be a quick death. ¡°Let me take that back,¡± Astrid¡¯s voice echoed through his ear. He willingly handed over the dagger as he couldn¡¯t bear to hold such a weapon anymore. ¡°Thank you¡­¡± Lu¡¯s father managed to muster out. As his own vision remained transfixed on Stalida¡¯s rising and falling chest and her closed eyelids. ¡°She will wake up, give her time.¡± Astrid spoke softly as she sat on the edge of the bed and took Daniel¡¯s hand. Her grabbing his hand startled him as his prime focus was his sleeping grandma. He found himself staring at Astrid¡¯s deep blue eyes. ¡°Don¡¯t stare too long, people have a tendency to get lost in the Astral Sea.¡± Astrid joked with a smile. ¡°Sorry,¡± Daniel spoke and turned his attention back to Stalida. Lu, was sitting on the opposite side of the bed. Curiosity rang through her mind. She wondered if she would have to die if she ever wanted to change her race or if this was just a special circumstance. As she wouldn¡¯t mind changing her race to an Elf, Genasi, or even an Aasimar. Something that had a longer lifespan than that of a simple human, but human enough that if she came back to her plane it wouldn¡¯t scare anyone off. Lu felt Astrid¡¯s eyes fall on her, as if she read her mind, ¡°Yes, I have something for you once we get to my tower.¡± Lu nodded and the room fell silent once more as they all turned their attention back to Stalida. A few more minutes passed as her eyes opened. ¡°There you are.¡± Astrid, ¡°Easy now, you are just beginning a new life.¡± Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences. They all watched as Stalida sat up and looked at them curiously, reading each of their expressions. ¡°I. Goblin?¡± Her speech was a bit off, but Lu figured that was to be expected as she had just come back from the dead. Lu also knew that goblins had a bit of a weird speech pattern anyways. ¡°Yes, Stalida you are.¡± Astrid spoke softly. They all watched as Astrid¡¯s hand began to glow a bright radiant color as a flash appeared from her palm. ¡°You recovered nicely. I¡¯ll have to admit, I was a bit worried going into this. Most don¡¯t get reincarnated as many times as you have.¡± ¡°You didn¡¯t know if this was going to work and you had me kill her anyways?¡± Lu¡¯s father blinked once as he spoke. As he sounded a bit upset over the situation. ¡°She was dying as is, she wouldn¡¯t have made it another day.¡± Astrid spoke as calmly as possible. ¡°I could have modified your memory to make you forget what you have done if it didn¡¯t work out. Thankfully that wasn¡¯t the case.¡± ¡°I-¡± Lu¡¯s father was speechless for once in his life. ¡°Daniel.¡± Stalida¡¯s voice rang out. She reached for his hand but he pulled it away. Lu knew her father seemed nervous over his grandma being a goblin again. ¡°Grandson.¡± Stadila was only speaking one word at a time but at least the words were somewhat clear. Her voice was a bit harsher than normal, but at least she was talking. ¡°I can give you four a few more minutes, but we really should be going before any of the nurses come through the door. I would hate for them to see a goblin sitting in the bed instead of an old lady.¡± Astrid said, looking between all of them. ¡°Daniel.¡± Stalida repeated and reached for his hand once again. He was hesitant but he let her take it knowing that this was the last few moments he had with his grandma. ¡°Love. You.¡± Stalida moved her body and wrapped her small arms around her grandson. Giving him one final hug before she had to depart for Aethria. Daniel looked into her goblin like eyes and held back tears, ¡°I love you too grandma. I will always love you.¡± He kissed her forehead gently as he returned her hug. He stood up and walked over to Lu. ¡°Lu, I¡¯ll miss you.¡± Lu stood up and he was quick to wrap his arms around his daughter one last time hugging her tightly, ¡°No matter where you go, no matter what you do, I will always love you.¡± ¡°I will always love you too, dad.¡± Lu couldn¡¯t help but cry as her father hugged her tightly, she cried worse when she could start to hear her father sniffle. She knew that he was trying to hold back the tears, but he was failing in doing so. As her father released her, her mother stepped in and gave her one more hug. ¡°I love you, my sweet baby girl.¡± She kissed her daughters forehead and held onto her for a minute before letting her go. ¡°I love you, I love both of you. I promise I will write, I¡¯ll figure out a way to communicate with you both.¡± Lu stepped to the other side of the room where Astride was holding onto Stalida. Astrid produced an opec stone, just like the one Stalida used to use, ¡°Here,¡± She tossed it to Daniel, ¡°Use this to communicate with Lu for now. If she chooses the path of becoming a wizard, I will train her on how to use Planar Projection so she can communicate with you freely.¡± ¡°Thank you Astrid, please take care of them both.¡± Lu¡¯s father spoke. ¡°I will. It¡¯s time to go.¡± Astrid spoke as pulled out a rod and began to recite the incantation for planar travel. ¡°To Aethria.¡± A shimmering silver rift appeared in front of them. ¡°If you have anything else to say, make it quick.¡± Astrid looked over at Lu who was still crying. ¡°I love you¡­¡± It was only three words, but Lu knew that those were the three words her parents needed to hear. Lu took Astrid¡¯s hand as all three of them walked through the shimmering rift and into Aethria.