ã€ŠThe Timelessã€‹


 Prologue: The Mysterious Man & Chapter 1: Where it all Began

    EVENING -- 5:30 PM

    Temple University

    Most students are heading back to their dorms, lunchrooms, etc. However, it is about to rain soon, and something unbelievable happens. There was an alert that somebody had tried to enter the CAMPUS unannounced, and suddenly, a few people captured a young man looking for something.

    That something...

    Was a girl...

    Four Students -- Cameron, Bailey, Tarik & Tasha. The ¡°Man¡± in Question and Two Teachers, Professor Anderson & Dr. Patrisha Evelyn Thomas, are investigating the man tied up in the chair. He is being held in place for suspicion of trying to attack a few students. They are told that the Police are on their way. However, a situation outside has led to a near lockdown in some areas around campus. This is a matter of confusion of the situation.

    This is the story.

    ¡°Okay, Sonny. You have about 5 minutes to answer these three questions: ¡°WHO are you?¡±, ¡°WHAT are you doing here?¡± and, ¡°How COME you attempted to attack three of my students while wounding a few others?¡± Professor Anderson had spoken to the young man using his right fingers and thumbing backward. This young man was around his early 20s, barely an adult. He bit his lip as he was exhausted. But Anderson folded his arms. ¡°Rest assured that the authorities are on their way to processing you and taking you into custody.¡± Once again, the man bit his lip. Yet this time, forming a near-straight line and sighed heavily¡­ Until he finally spoke.

    ¡°¡­Someone looking for answers..¡± He said immediately. Until what he then says next got the others wondering as well as himself. ¡°What do you plan to do with me?¡± The girls, Bailey and Tasha, are visibly nervous and eyed each other nervously. Tarik speaks. He is tall, dark-skinned, and answers him.

    ¡°Uh, did you not hear what my teacher said? You¡¯re going to get arrested, dude. And then they¡¯re going to question you and throw your sorry ass in jail.¡± This made the poor man scared.

    ¡°I wouldn¡¯t dare hurt them! I was just¡­, you need to understand. I apologize for theintrusion. This world is entirely new to me, yet I know your eerieness of me!¡±

    Eerieness? What does he mean by that? Bailey questioned in her mind and looked towards Dr. Thomas. She had long dark hair and light skin and was firm about her cause for alarm. She was in her late 30s to 40s and knew her work well. She was a Biology professor with a doctorate degree in medicine. Anderson was a film and media teacher.

    ¡°I¡¯m looking for my family from EARTH!¡±

    ¡°This IS Earth. What are you talking about?¡± Exclaimed Tasha.

    ¡°Wait a minute. I¡¯ve heard stories. I¡¯ve listened to rumors, are you¡­?¡± Cameron gasped as she began to realize what was going on. Varon nodded.

    ¡°Why would you look for¡­ wait a minute, a Novian? From another place, not on earth, yet, wait! Her, what are you saying?¡± Dr. Patrisha had said. Tarik began to realize.

    ¡°Because you love her¡­¡± Cameron concluded, nearly in shock, almost feeling a little

    jealous.

    Varon relented and spoke up.

    ¡°Because she¡¯s in danger, and she can be able to activate my powers. But¡­¡± he sighed. ¡° Her friends and I separated, and she was thrust back here.¡± he corrected.

    ¡°She belongs HERE.¡± Further, he corrected everyone around him. He wasn¡¯t as certain if what he was saying was actually making a lot of sense to them. He continued.

    ¡°But she¡¯s also important back HOME. Everything is connected. And if I don¡¯t find a way, this world becomes in sync, and these portals will open, and somebody has to stop it before demons flood the place!¡±

    ¡°Their Novians. And Novians were said to become abhorrent to humans, havingmany mansions, places, and even realms you may not know. Their world is peaceful, but they encountered malignant forces that tried to mess up their world and ours. It¡¯s nearly fantastical and medieval, yet has almost every place different.¡± Dr. Patrisha spoke.

    Varon was shocked by her statement. However, his encounter with others wasn¡¯t like this back home. He could understand what was the entire point of this interigation.

    ¡°This all has to be a joke; how can we have some guy from ¡®fantasy land¡¯ suddenly show up and¡­¡± An earthquake began to rumble, and you could hear students and teachers screaming before it all ended in a split second. Varon¡¯s eyes were wide with concern.

    We don¡¯t have much time.

    ¡°May I explain my reasoning and desire to save this world and mine?¡± Varon offered, hoping to settle this unintentional argument peacefully. He wasn¡¯t one for arguments.

    ¡°What reasoning?¡± Tasha asks.

    Varon paused before drawing his breath about to speak.

    There was

    .

    .

    .

    ¡­a time

    A time full of hope,

    A time full of peace,

    and a time full of war¡­

    A time full of vast mountains, beautiful forests, valleys as sweet as gold, towns lively, and a Kingdom that truly loved her people, with a golden sun and a moon under the stars.

    Catacombs were full of history, groves so intense it would keep you lost in time. Other places were left to discovery. But hardly anyone ventured out of the land. It was so protected that nobody would have assumed anything worse. The roads leading to the secret place were steep, but nonetheless, it was not unreachable.

    This is a story about love, adventure, and awakening. Lost, Redemption, and Conquering Fear¡­

    About The Timeless...

    For centuries and more, the heavens have many mansions, many places, and even realms you may not know. The Novians are akin to humans, but just on another planet. It is close to a time of medieval age, yet its progression halted, and its people and the world became known as near timeless. While we had wars and struggles before my time, King Amaldus had a successor and had to protect the Princess, for she was the only daughter left to preserve Nova¡¯s history.

    Before a war broke out, a hero was said to awaken to defeat that dark lord from below. This dark lord was called The Scourge King. Few awakened; others couldn¡¯t; some did not¡­

    One year before the current events.

    A man is riding his horse on the hill, mountains, down a beaten path, and finally enters a cave that leads to a grove full of pillars, another cave, and the strange statue of a woman of remembrance. The girl wasn¡¯t worshiped like God, the creator of all living things. Yet her statue was a reminder of what she was able to do. The statue faded as centuries passed, yet he often spoke to her as if he had known her for ages. He got off the horse and walked to it. He stared and was solemn. It was VARON on his horse.

    ¡°Why did you have to go so soon?¡± He spoke softly under his breath.

    Suddenly, he began pulling out something to write, and then his horse, ESTELLA, had let out a cry, and more horses had come from behind them. It was three MEN, Two Knights, and a Page: #

    CAPTIAN DOMHNALL: (47) A middle-aged man, well built and heavy set.

    SIR THOMAS CRATE: (39) Friend and battle partner of Aonghus, the mentor of Varon.

    PAGE KIAN: (15) He is the son of a great warrior but became into training and a page

    for Captain Domhnall.

    Varon eyed the men suspiciously as he didn¡¯t like where this was going. He knew who the men were, and Estella came to him immediately. Varon notices and begins speaking in authority, changing his tone to formal and brash.

    ¡°Where you¡¯re standing is on sacred and historical grounds. How did you get access?¡± he demanded. However, Domhnall decides to step forward before bowing slightly.

    ¡°We apologize, Sir Varon. We understand that you are a knight¡¯s son and were given permission to come here, as you and your family often overlooked the grounds throughout history. I was once your superior, and you often never talked to me in that tone. However, I understand now your place here and your concern. It is a misunderstanding.¡±

    Varon narrowed.

    ¡°I¡¯m not trying to return for old time¡¯s sake. I ask that you let it be and go in peace.¡± Varon calls for Estella to come so that he can prepare to leave. Until the Page Kian desperately speaks.

    ¡°It is the Princess and the King, Sir Varon!¡± Varon pauses midway on the strap and looks concerned before slowly stepping down.

    ¡°What of the family?¡± He looked back in alarm. Sir Thomas Crate tried to stop Kian from speaking further until Domhnall had raised his hand to stop him.

    ¡°It¡¯s a complicated situation¡­¡±Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.

    CASTLE VERIDIAN (or VERENIA: its true title)

    Inside the Castle

    Key figures are at the round table in the well-lit meeting room. Are as noted:

    KING AMALDUS III: a sufficient King who keeps the ideals of the people in check and foremost. He believes in the rumors, as well as the legends. PRINCESS ELIANA, the king¡¯s daughter and the only heir to the throne. He is somewhere in his mid-forties. She is spiritual and gifted and has secret abilities and powers that haven¡¯t yet been revealed to the public. She wants to help her people, but her father fears for her safety and retribution. Also, a teenager of seventeen years old. Then there is PRIMA, a servant maid to the Royal Family and attendant to Princess Eliana. She is about thirty-seven years of age.

    Page Kian, Varon, Captain Domhnall, and Sir Thomas Crate were also with them. A few CASTLE GUARDS, and LORD EDWINDO: Of the Southen Province, LORD ROHN: Of the Western Province, and FRIER YUSEF. Who came from Upper-class families in town. Along with matters of the other families not yet revealed. Then, their Messenger begins to speak.

    ¡°King Amaldus the 3rd! I have received word that strange occurrences have been spotted towards N-W of the Western border. Please be advised that only a few witnesses have noticed what is going on. ¡°

    King Amaldus III began to stir in wonder until he questioned the matter.

    ¡°What is the report of this situation?¡±

    ¡°That there was a town that got attacked recently.¡± The King had widened his eyes,

    and the Messenger sighed. ¡°It is an urgent matter, sire.¡±

    ¡°There have always been town attacks throughout the areas. This is nothing new.¡± He began to dismiss the issue until the Messenger began to sweat.

    ¡°Apparently, this is not the only town. There are other towns. Sire.¡±

    ¡°What of the matters of the East? And the Far West such as Aislang Valley.¡± ¡°The prairie villages, towns and cities, and areas are doing their best.¡± ¡°Of the South-East?¡±

    ¡°The water towns are thriving, having yet to experience anything¡ªno word from them as they have ignored our messages.¡±

    ¡°The North and The West?¡±

    ¡°Mining and mountain towns, the Chief of their village is concerned. They¡¯ve barred the entrance to their. Cities. As did the Water Village and islands. The forest is the only option. As where it was said, Sir Varon was. But no other word on the town of Amythis.¡±

    ¡°How about the South-West? Desert people?¡± They have grown wary and also starting to close their borders. They are reluctant to open up, and trading has become more aggressive.

    The King shook his head while Princess Eliana secretly watched Varon, who blushed and tried not to show attention. He was embarrassed about people spying on him. Yet, his attention paid more to what had happened. He rarely found anything out concerning with other races of people. Yet, they are still part of the Land of Verenia. He had been to a few places but hadn¡¯t visited outside the Plains and the Forest. Rarely did he go past the trail but not to the mountains, as it was said that another place that was forbidden was full of dark, poisonous fog. Another forbidden city beyond the border. King Amaldus speaks.

    ¡°Have a cartographer come to our aid within three days. Bring the greatest knights known to man and have somebody investigate the Sacred Forest!¡± He demanded. Then continued.

    ¡°Something else is going on, then¡­¡± The king turns to look at the lords, Varon, etc.

    ¡°What is your assessment of this¡­?¡± He turned to Varon.

    ¡°Something is more likely to affect the areas.¡± He replied.

    Lord Edwindo had spoken up to question. He was slim, had darkened skin, a black mustache, and young with black hair.

    ¡°Then, what is affecting the areas?¡± Varon continued.

    ¡°Something dark, and it shouldn¡¯t be affecting the areas the way it is now. When I read up about making the other girl into a statue, I said, ¡®No way to do it.¡¯ Now there is something else is happening. ¡°

    Everyone else had clammer in murmurs.

    ¡°Sire, what are the people to do?¡± Princess Eliana requests her father.

    ¡°The situation has changed to some degree.¡± He stands up. ¡°Therefore, we have to guard those towns and alert those surrounding them. Ensure to keep the people on alert but not overly alarmed. Keep everything discussed in this room to yourselves.¡±

    Frier Yosef then speaks up. He wore robes, had brown hair, and wore his crown around his head.

    ¡°It is troublesome that this is occurring. I will be sure to inform my guards and others, with your permission, to remain quiet and not do anything suspicious. This cannot break out to the general public. Not without thorough investigation on the matter.¡± He turns to Rohn. ¡°Didyou have any idea that this was happening?¡± Rohn shakes his head.

    ¡°Not at all!¡± Frier Yosef frowned.

    ¡°Then perhaps the young knight is right. This is a matter of investigation, and the sire is correct about what to do.¡±

    ¡°Then let¡¯s make a plan to ensure the people are aware. We don¡¯t have any more time!¡± Domhnall spoke.

    So they all had done what they did. They made a plan.

    THE HALL OF THE CASTLE ¡ª 2:00 PM

    Princess Eliana and Varon had decided to speak privately. Prima, her attendant, is next to her.

    Princess Eliana speaks.

    ¡°Varon, it has been years.¡± Varon nodded.

    ¡°Indeed, Princess. It has been. I hope everything is well.¡± Noticing she has grown from their childhood days into a beautiful young woman.

    ¡°Things are what they are; I just hope that everything is okay with you. I have been worried. I had a dream. I want to share it with you. But through this.¡± She turned to Prima, and Prima had given Varon a letter.

    ¡°I hope all is well, sir Varon. Please let this letter do you well in the course of your journey. I, too, desire that no trouble shall come before you, and that includes anything you needto do. Please be sure to inform me.¡±

    Varon took the letter. It was sealed.

    ¡°Anything else?¡± Prima and the Princess shook their heads.

    ¡°Please be careful. And when you can, make sure you get some rest. My father, the King, was very happy that you were well. We were worried.¡± Page Kian runs up to the group. He bowed and looked to Varon.

    ¡°Is anything wrong, Kian?¡± Varon asked.

    ¡°Your horse is ready. Please be safe as you get back. However, something is going on back in the forest.¡±

    And something did begin in the Forest that stirred, and Varon felt this, until, unbeknownst to them. An adventure soon awaited¡­

    Chapter Two

    THE NEXT DAY

    PLANET EARTH ¡ª UNIVERSITY QUAD

    CHRISTA MALONE, 18, is coming out of her dorm and walking to her next class. She meets up with her best friend from middle school, ERICA ROBISON: Christa¡¯s best friend and support. She is majoring in both Psychology and is into creative writing or English. Erica is also 18 and is majoring in Psychology. They eventually find themselves talking about Christa¡¯s Dad, who returned from Europe from the research trip and teaching abroad for nearly 10 years.

    TOBY: (17) The youngest of the college students who love to read high fantasy novels, is well versed in stories, tropes, and an ideal romantic. He is an English major and wants to write his own novels one day, as Christa does.

    ORELL: (19) He is an engineering major in earth science and astronomy.

    Erica began to speak to me. I would think I can write my own stories one day.

    ¡°Hi, Orell, Hi, Toby!¡± Orell nodded. Toby smiled. He then excitedly speaks up.

    ¡°So, have you reached out to him yet?¡± I shook my head.

    ¡°Not really. I¡¯m just shocked that he returned after he and Mom had this problem. I¡¯m just trying to figure it all out. I have to tell you something, though.¡±

    ¡°What is it?¡± Erica turned to me. I shrugged and shook my head.

    ¡°I get the feeling he is hiding something. Yet I don¡¯t know what it is.¡± Erica suddenly began to go pale.

    ¡°Oh, fudge¡­.¡±

    At the laboratory, there is a group of people working on finding the entrance to the hidden part of the catacomb. They have so far been able to look at the drawings, mysterious writings, etc, but to no avail; nothing was able to come up. They had translators from one indigenous tribe being able to help. And have enlisted the Japanese to further investigate the matter.

    DR. RICHARD GALE MALONE starts to address with his team of 42 others. However, MOLLY THOMAS, JUNE RICH, PAULIE GRANT, and JIM HANG were with him. His boss, DR. ERIKSON WALKER, looked on in anticipation, as did his superior, TOMOHIROYAMAGUCHI, with his assistants, REIKO IRAKAWA and JURO SASAKI.

    Dr. Erikson speaks and demonstrates.

    ¡°So, as of right now, as you can see, Yamaguchi-sama, we have seen some things moving along. However, the research team is still pulling up data. We¡¯ve been monitoring for earthquakes as of late, just in case. Everything seems to be okay.¡±

    ¡°What, then, is the problem?¡± Yamaguchi questioned the team.

    ¡°Time.¡± Molly requested.

    Paulie raised his hand. ¡°¡­We¡¯re still working on it and hope that nothing else happens like the last time. ¡° June nudges him from below. Paulie shows through his expression of pain. Dr. Richard frozed. Yamaguchi turns to stare at Paulie and June before turning to Dr. Ericson.

    ¡°I take it there are some details left out? The government is trying to get their hands on this. Even though we are being funded, we cannot let them have it. This is so sacred that even my own country would fight for it. We leave it alone.¡±

    Dr. Richard explains now.

    ¡°I understand your concern, but the CEO thinks otherwise. It¡¯s why I came back. I cannot have somebody tell us not to search for it, and yet it¡¯s my research! Along with my team and group.¡±

    But Yamaguchi assumed otherwise.

    ¡°Have any of you ever thought about quitting while you are ahead?¡± He looked around to see if there was anybody who was brave enough to say anything¡ªa hint of disloyalty, any sign of weakness.

    ¡°Since when did any of my team want to quit that badly?¡± Dr. Richard questions. Then, / THE

    Mr. Yamaguchi raised a brow.

    ¡°So, you now speak for them all?¡±

    ¡°We had this discussion. EACH of my team and companions are compassionate about this project. If anybody else can do it, it is them.¡±

    Everybody clapped in agreement.

    ¡°In fact, my team is looking to discuss this as we speak. Yamaguchi, give us about three days to get this done. And the rest will work itself. We already completed Phase 2.¡±

    Yamaguchi was shocked.

    ¡°Fe-su Ni?¡±

    Phase Two. He memorized from the Japanese. But Dr. Erikson had stepped in and placed a hand on Dr. Richard¡¯s left shoulder.

    ¡°Everything will speak for itself is hardly an answer.¡± He confirmed. ¡°But this is different. Team 4 had already cracked the code¡­¡±

    Don¡¯t forget; this would all make sense, Dr. Erikson¡­

    Christa, you¡¯re just going to have to wait for me. It has been at least a decade¡­

    Christa is in her room trying to straighten everything out. She gets a call from her mom that she will be back soon as she is off to work late. She was a Nurse, and for the most part, everything covered the bills. Christa thought of doing dog walking to make extra money. However, there was something else on her mind.

    Her father.

    If I find out what he could be doing. She said to herself. Then, I would be able to know exactly how to handle everything. But this was pointless. However, this could be it if Dad was involved in this expedition. She was dressed in Shorts instead of pants this time. It was her first attempt to try to get to her dad. She remembered her grandfather would read her stories, hoping that she would get the message of romance and fantasy novels. Nevertheless, they have all attended church often and prayed daily for protection, wealth, wisdom, and knowledge. What Christa didn¡¯t realize was that something else was about to happen.

    The doorbell rang, and Erica was there, as were Toby and Orell.

    Erica was wearing her usual pink and red. It was her favorite color as a combination. Orell wore a Dark Forest Green shirt and dark blue pants, as did Erica, and Toby had a

    tan shirt, a black and white checked button-free light jacket, and black pants. He wanted to blend in. His messy black hair helped to show off that he had dyed it that color. For Erica, she had light brown hair and brown eyes. As did Orell with his brown hair and brown eyes.

    Christa¡¯s brown eyes eyed Toby.

    ¡°Are your parents okay with this? You¡¯re only seventeen years old.¡± He shrugged.

    ¡°Not like I have anything else better to do. At least I am with other¡¯ adults, lol.¡± Erica looked at him funny.

    ¡°Who even says that anymore?¡±

    ¡°Must you always find a way to diss something?¡± Orell made a point.

    ¡°Okay, let it be!¡±

    ¡°Geez. So, what is the plan?¡± Erica commented.

    ¡°Just getting to where my father is, which is about an hour away. So let¡¯s go. I want to catch him in the act.¡±

    #

    Hidden Cave in the Mountain Range - 1800km Deep

    #

    Dr. Richard had the entire archeology team on the move; diggers kept digging until they had stopped, and he had looked over their work. They were in some pocket and wanted to look into something. Uncertain if it was a door, and was looking for a hidden switch.

    ¡°This is a mess; where is it?¡± He muttered to himself.

    ¡°Dad!¡±

    ¡°Dr. Richard! Kids!¡± SUMIKO TOWATA had shouted before KOCHI YAMATO, HARU MASAMOTO, THEODORE FAIRRAWAY and DR. HARRISON attempted to stop them.

    Dr. Richard had turned around in shock.

    ¡°Christa? What the heck are you doing here?¡±

    Suddenly, Christa was allowed to go through the man-made barricade of the diggers and the tech team.

    ¡°No time! What the heck are you doing here?¡± She repeated.

    Dr. Richard was starting to fume as he knew his daughter¡¯s ways. However, he didn¡¯t have time to get angry or upset.

    ¡°This is not a place for you or your friends. I don¡¯t even know how the heck did you get

    here. Why are you here? Shouldn¡¯t you be in classes?¡±

    June had remembered. ¡°Wait a minute¡­¡± She turned to look at Dr. Richard. ¡°You have a daughter?¡±

    ¡°Yes, June. This is Christa, my daughter. And I suppose her friends from the University.¡± ¡°Hiya!¡± Kochi smiled. ¡°They are the Japanese team with me on this research project.

    Speaking of which, HOW did you find me?¡± Orell raised his hand.

    ¡°Heck! Might as well tell em¡¯¡±

    ¡°That is besides the¡­¡± Erica suddenly stepped forward to say something. However, she ended up landing her right foot on one of the switches that were hidden.

    ¡°Hey, I was going to say that?¡± Christa looked at Erica in confusion until she saw Erica¡¯s face turned white.

    ¡°Fudge-sticks!¡± Erica screamed! Then, I noticed that Haru had asked a question. ¡°What the heck is a¡­¡±

    An earthquake begins to cause the entire cave to rumble. And then suddenly, rocks came tumbling down.

    ¡°EVERYBODY, GET BEHIND ME!¡± Dr. Richard screamed.

    ¡°Argggghhhhhhh!!¡± The sound of a man being crushed hits the ears of everybody around.

    The diggers all ran for the entrance, while the entire team also steered clear of the rocks.

    ¡°HARRISON!!!¡±

    ¡°OH MY GOSH! What are we going to do!¡± Sumiko said in shock. ¡°This is beyond what the text may have said.¡±

    ¡°Let the text go for now! We got to get a move on. Further inside!¡± Richard said as itwasn¡¯t over. Until it finally did.

    There was smoke and debris everywhere.

 Chapter 2: The Hidden Catacomb & Chapter 3: The Third Level, The Key, And The Seal

    Something had happened when all of us noticed that one of the researchers was under that rubble. We only prayed everyone was all right.

    ¡°Dad!¡± I called out to my father. Grew concerned with my friends Erica, Orell, and Toby.

    ¡°Christa! Where¡¯s Orell and Erica?¡± He requested as Toby was next to him.

    Toby was gripping a rock close by as he was still trying to wipe the dust from his shirt. Orell was still coughing, even trying to fix the glasses he had. Wait, he had glasses the whole time?

    ¡°What? I meant to tell you guys!¡±

    ¡°Here¡­¡± Toby announced.

    ¡°Aghhhh!!!¡± But Erica screamed as she noticed the smell of blood and saw some spats of it from what had happened before. The death of one of the technicians who handles the archeological digs. Then suddenly, I found out for myself and wanted to vomit.

    ¡°Oh my gosh! Don¡¯t look!¡± I said as I began to try to gasp for air.

    ¡°Never mind that. What are we gonna do?!¡± Erica panicked. Then my dad went and hugged her. I grew a bit shocked but said nothing. ¡°That is the last thing that you need to do is panic. Erica, say that you won¡¯t panic.¡±

    ¡°¡­I won¡¯t¡­panic¡­¡± She sniffed.

    I wanted to cry as it suddenly brought back memories of when Mom and Dad were together. He went off to adventure land, and I was stuck at home, desiring he would stay and bring back stories like he promised he would. After that, things got worse, and he and Mom were divorced at that time.

    ¡°After all. We all have to hope things don¡¯t get worse than before anymore, right?¡± She nodded.

    ¡°Good. Then be careful next time.¡±

    ¡°Dad, you owe us a big explanation,¡± I said as I heard somebody starting to make a call for an emergency.

    ¡°THAT ONE is actually what you kids need to tell me about, which was interrupted. But now, I¡¯d rather not talk about it and figure out how to get out from here.¡±

    Suddenly, Sumiko speaks for the first time since the incident.

    ¡°This is horrible!¡± Then she looked at Dr. Richard Malone.

    ¡°What are we to do? Professor Harrison¡­¡± She couldn¡¯t believe what had transpired. This was where it started.

    ¡°Isn¡¯t here. I know. We have to report a fatality. This is a huge mess. We have one minor here. They don¡¯t need to see this.¡±

    For about ten minutes, they didn¡¯t know what else to do. They came up with something in hopes they could reach the outside. They needed to do whatever they could. I hoped.

    ¡°Just where in the world does anybody expect me to just¡ªmmm, hmm!¡± She had her mouth covered by Kochi. Orell narrowed his eyes.

    ¡°Be careful!¡± I warned.

    ¡°So what gives?¡± Kochi speaks after letting Erica go.

    ¡°Yeah, man, it¡¯s too warm in here! And we have to mind the situational matters. Can we at least get an estimate?¡± Orell complains.

    ¡°9-1-1 was called, they suggest staying put.¡± Sumiko pointed out as she held her phone.

    ¡°Finally!¡± Erica screamed. Yet, this only caused another earthquake to happen.

    ¡°Girl! What did I¡ª¡± Kochi was eventually cut off.

    ¡°Never mind that, RUN!¡± Dr. Richard yelled out.

    II.

    ¡°Has it stopped?¡±

    ¡°When do we stop ERICA from screaming?¡± Orell spoke sarcastically. This had been a rough thirty minutes, and I couldn¡¯t help but want to chuckle at Orell¡¯s words.

    ¡°Enough!¡± Dad said.

    However, I didn¡¯t want to upset Erica, so I decided against it to do it to her. She can be just as sensitive as me. For some reason, I am trying to hold my calm while seeing this for the first time. We were deeper in the cave.

    ¡°So, where is the next exit point?¡± Orell questions. Erica and I started to whimper as we didn¡¯t know what to do or say. But Dad had looked almost confused. Then I suddenly stepped back on something, and it caused the lights to suddenly come through from the light shaking, which caused both of myself and Erica to scream. The boys yelped as everyone else did.

    It revealed things about this cave. We saw Bones, Skeletons, and Graves. It was a hidden catacombs.

    ¡°OMG! What the heck is this place?! PLEASE, SOMEBODY, Just take me home!¡± Then Erica suddenly just grabbed me, whipped me around, and started whimpering. ¡°Christa! I didn¡¯t know that your Dad is in this much deep stuff! Now I¡¯m mad! Why didn¡¯t you tell us that this place was a catacomb?!¡± Erica whines.

    ¡°That is what I bet ALL OF US would like to know¡­¡± Orell spoke. And I couldn¡¯t have agreed more. I wasn¡¯t trying to go against my dad, but why, oh why, did my dad not say anything?

    ¡°Hey! You kids have zero idea what kind of situation this is. This interrogation stuff is getting out of hand.¡± Then, Dad began to turn around and take out his flashlight. Eying the place.¡°¡­And as much this is starting to make sense, believe me when I say.¡± He continued. ¡°This place¡ªwas bound to be something we needed to discover.¡± Then he turned to the rest of us as Sumiko and the others began to look at the cave itself.

    ¡°Since we were all trapped together. This is why I didn¡¯t say anything to you before.¡± He was speaking to me. I began to feel very bad and guilty about the whole barging in the way I did before. It was just simply this: I hadn¡¯t seen my dad since I was eight years old. What was I supposed to do? He left me thinking that he wasn¡¯t coming back, so now I am forced to figure out what to do in a situation where we¡¯re all stuck in the cave.

    ¡°Bullocks! That¡¯s what!¡± I suddenly found myself thinking. Now, I understand what you meant, Erica. ¡°Now, I think this is about some strange stuff that only you find in movies, and yet this is real! I¡¯m gonna need to find some water.¡±

    Dad nodded.

    ¡°That¡¯s the next step. Water.¡±

    Soon, we found water.

    However, the water had been translucent, clean, refreshed, and unique. I then began to see why this place was so refreshing. I saw how beautiful it was coming from the waterfall. Streaming down as a small lake and a river right next to it, but it wasn¡¯t so bad. It was very peaceful, tranquil, and life-like. You can smell the fresh water.

    ¡°Everybody was drinking soundly¡­¡± That is what the book says.

    ¡°Dad, don¡¯t tell me your reading of that story again.¡± I began.

    ¡°What story?¡± Erica questioned.

    ¡°The story is about a place called Nova. However, we once thought it was a myth. Its pages entail the details of every map, every corridor, and every place from here to there alone. It¡¯s a fantasy world, to be exact.¡± Dad ends up explaining.

    ¡°Like, what¡­ like a type of Lord of the Rings, or Zelda, or¡­?¡± Theodore questioned.

    ¡°Both¡­Maybe almost all of them.¡± He finishes.

    ¡°Oh sh...¡±

    ¡°QUESTION. Now that we know that this place is linked to it in some form or way, HOW do we find our way out? Because if it is anything like that 80s movie Goonies, you sure as heck better find out a way out of here, some treasure to take home, and so we can all get rich quick and speed outta here!¡± I said in a quick reform. Erica wanted to high-five me, yet I was deadly serious, and so was my Dad.

    He shook his head.

    ¡°No. NO taking ANYTHING from here.¡±

    I frowned.

    ¡°Why not?¡± Orell asked, and then Dad turned to him.

    ¡°Because, unlike the movies, this is more real, and this place is more dangerous. If you try to take anything, you put all of us at risk and endangering your lives. Let¡¯s not forget what happened here.¡±

    All of it has been ruined.

    ¡°Dad, the last thing any of us needs is a reminder of it. So, what can we do to avoid anything in particular?¡±

    ¡°We cross the bridge. Just like you said, it is long. It sadly has a lot no different than, yes, sadly, like the movies you saw and been seeing.¡±

    ¡°So what is about this water? It¡¯s very fresh.¡±

    ¡°That¡¯s what it is, now we should be traveling along.¡±

    ¡°But we just got here!¡± Erica complained.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry, but now, we move forward. Keep going and watch out for traps¡­¡± He spoke with some difficulty as he didn¡¯t want to scare most of us out of necessity.

    ¡°Traps!?¡± Everyone asks.

    I just shook my head. This situation didn¡¯t seem to make any sense to me at all. Why were we stuck in a place like this, of all things? When did my Dad suddenly start to get involved with such things? Since before my childhood? Before I was born?

    ¡°NOW. Should be to get more answers.¡± I stated in protest.

    ¡°NOT, until later. NOW we get ourselves to safety!¡± Dad barked back and pointed behind us. We all heard a strange crack and turned around, seeing a mega-sized boulder approaching us.

    ¡°You gotta be freaking kidding me!¡± I muttered.

    ¡°Oh no¡­¡± Erica said.

    ¡°RUN!!!¡± Kochi yelled as we all began running.

    ¡°OMG! What else is next!¡± I can hear Erica scream.

    ¡°Nevermind. Let¡¯s just run!¡± I settled the argument. But this boulder keeps going straight and seems to be following almost the same direction and picking up speed.

    ¡°DAD! What¡¯s next!¡± I asked.

    ¡°NEXT, We grab onto anything to the side. Watch your step and let the boulder through!¡± He said as he grabbed a spike towards the left side. I picked the same, as did Erica. Sumiko, Haru, Orell to the right. Kochi grabbed the left, and then Toby picked the left. But that was too late forTheodore. There were only solid walls.

    ¡°Theodore!¡±

    Then, he suddenly was pressed for the edge, and he sprung forward and leaped for the spike that overhung as much as he could, going higher and grabbing the spike. The boulder crashed through it and landed, with him falling equally. Theodore Fairraway is still alive. Everyone gasped and heard groaning from the bottom. There were no spikes or anything to kill him on impact. But he was indeed badly hurt.

    ¡°Theo! Are you all right!¡± Sumiko questioned. She had short hair and was concerned while everyone else was wondering what happened. I turned to Dad.

    ¡°Dad, this is wrong. People are¡ª¡±

    ¡°We have to push forward. We have NO CHOICE.¡± Then, suddenly, they hear Theodore speaking to Sumiko and Haru.

    ¡°Dad! Theo is okay!¡± Everyone sighed in relief.

    ¡°Theo! Are you okay down there!¡± Erica cried out!

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry¡­ I¡¯m¡ªalright. Hurry¡­¡±

    ¡°Now, what do we do?¡± I questioned Dad.

    He sighed as he tried to figure out what else to do next. He looked at the book, as if to try to find something along with it.

    ¡°I have another copy. Take the original and keep it hidden. You¡¯re going to need this for yourself, now.¡± He told me. I looked at the book and began to see a strange map. It was the catacombs itself.

    ¡°¡­The Hidden Catacombs¡­¡± It read.

    He nodded.

    ¡°You got it. Do you see where we are?¡± He pointed at the map.

    ¡°The boulder found its way down to the 3<sup>rd</sup> level. That is where Theodore is.¡± Then, I began to look straight at him.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know if this would be a smart idea¡­¡± I told him.

    ¡°You¡¯re just going to have to trust your old man on this one¡­¡± Dad replied with a small smile.

    Theodore was trapped in the lower level. But still safe. For now. It was Sumiko and the kids he was concerned about. The others, too. But now, with nowhere to go, he thought of his girlfriend back at college, Ringo Takamaru, and his old friend Douji. He was studying in Tokyo, Japan, when this happened. And suddenly, he wanted to be there for her. But things happened, and he came back to the United States to continue his archeology major. That is how he became involved with Professor Malone. Dr. Richard Malone would often call him. But then, he wondered about Christa. He read the book. But almost forgot what it was saying. If everything so far were possible, then that would mean that that world would be in danger here.

    CHAPTER 3

    3 HOURS EARLIER

    ¡°Dad, I¡¯m sorry.¡±

    ¡°No need. I should have been more mindful. But following the book, we should be able to get out of here. We have to think about your friend and all of you.¡± My desire is this. No more deaths. Getting back home and hopefully be able to tell the tale to the ¡®kids¡¯ one day. However, all of us were working towards getting down to the third level and hoping to find a way to handle what would be up ahead. The next thing that would happen would be that we would be able to see where Theodore was. Yet, he was nowhere to be found. He was missing.

    ¡°Where is he?¡±

    ¡°Erica, I think right now we need just to find out where he could have gone,¡± Kochi stated. Haru and Sumiko nodded. Orell decided that she was right. Where did he go? My Dad and I decided to talk while everyone began looking.

    ¡°Where is this wall that tells the story?¡±

    ¡°Across the long bridge.¡± I nodded, and we decided it was time to cross it. It was indeed about a half-hour¡¯s journey¡¯s walk across. We started crossing, and this is where everything began to happen. We all started to wonder what else was on the last two levels. There was told to be a chamber that held something. Threats. These are only a threat if you were there to take anything. However, something else happened that was a complete mystery. To muster up the courage to be able to get inside.

    ¡°So now, this is a major turn of events here,¡± Dad explained.

    ¡°Now what?¡± I asked.

    ¡°We need to look at this wall.¡±And then I did.

    Sumiko began to read it:

    For centuries and more, the heavens have many mansions, many places, and even realms you may not know. The Novians are akin to humans, but just on another planet. It is close to a time of medieval age, yet its progression halted, and its people and the world became known as near timeless. While they had wars and struggles, King Amaldus had a successor and had to protect the Princess, for she was the only daughter left to preserve Nova¡¯s history.

    A man named Aonghus had found the Chosen One.

    Before a war broke out, a Hero was said to awaken to defeat that dark lord from below. This dark lord was called The Scourge King. Few awakened; others couldn¡¯t; some did not¡­

    A true Hero must come, as the chosen one had found theirs. He was everything he should become, yet his abilities were stripped, and he nearly died. A newly chosen one would be able to do what the last couldn¡¯t. With the power of their courage, friendship, and love, they would be able to do what the last chosen can do and maybe less.The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

    Not without friends, not without the royal family. ¡°Is this all possible?¡± The Chosen One had hoped. ¡°Trust in the creator and that nothing like this situation that overran the beautiful land, which was full of peace, would not experience this darkness again.¡±

    TIME would, at some point, be influenced. And the darkness would be pushed back. But then the place had to be sealed. And so The Chosen One grabbed the Key¡­ And so would be this dark lord that she forced¡ª to split in two. Somehow, The Scourge King ¡ªhe would return and be defeated for good.

    They would be known as The Timeless¡­

    ¡°WHOA¡ª¡± Erica and I ended up saying. This would be a challenge indeed. However, I do believe in God and what he will do in the future. But this is a different story. This was a story about a Chosen One and some medieval place. Straight out of a fictionized book even. But according to the text, this is real. And this happened before.

    ¡°Somebody went to that world. But did they come here? And how was this written? Who wrote this? And who are ¡®The Timeless¡¯?¡±

    A gun clicked.

    ¡°The very people that had given me nightmares.¡±A male¡¯s voice could be heard.

    ¡°People who deserve some peace from evil!¡± Sumiko cried out in protest.

    ¡°Oh, so you really are with them? If only you knew what that place was.¡± A rugged man came out in a safari outfit, along with about fifteen other men behind him. Sixteen men in total. This guy brought a brigade with him with guns. ¡°That is beyond strange!¡± We all had our hands up, as many of them had guns pointed at us. But then Dad had the most shocked face out of us all.

    ¡°It can¡¯t be¡­¡±

    ¡°Believe it¡ª Professor! You thought you could get away from taking what had belonged to the both of us. So here we are.¡±

    ¡°WHAT?! No. That belonged to our professor. The one you helped get killed. Had you not touched a single thing, NOBODY would have suffered losses. This was all your fault!¡± He argued back.

    I heard the hurt and anger in his voice. This is why Dad would always say not to touch anything. Since when did this become some battle with words? I suddenly heard a loud gunshot, and Orell was hit in the left leg.

    I gasped.

    ¡°ORELL!¡± I screamed out the moment that I heard the gunshot and him yelling in pain. We all were in shock. I couldn¡¯t believe that he had got hurt like this. Then, I began to see the back of me. WHO was this man?!

    ¡°Argh! He just shot my leg!¡± he yelled.

    ¡°And that mouth of yours would be next if you keep it up, kid. I am not afraid to kill.¡± I tried to go and help. But then I was suddenly grabbed by the man that did the damage.

    ¡°No, Demetrius!¡±

    I was shocked as I was held hostage. But not just that. The name. The same man that Dad spoke of when I was little. This was the same man?

    ¡°Demetrius!?¡± I spoke in shock. Not the same person Dad spoke to Mom about many years ago before he left and hasn¡¯t returned? Not the same man. No way, no how, that this is the same person that Dad swore he made a big mistake when he ¡®left the man behind¡¯.

    ¡°Oh, so you didn¡¯t tell your daughter enough details, huh? Well, now I suggest that you hand over the Key also. Because if you don¡¯t, then everyone else is going to suffer. Starting with Kochi.¡±

    Kochi narrowed his eyes.

    ¡°Idiot! You think killing me is going to change anything?¡± Dad looked at them, shocked. ¡°What¡­?¡±

    Kochi rolled his eyes.

    ¡°Demetrius can¡¯t do anything without unlocking the seal.¡± He muttered.

    ¡°What seal?¡±

    ¡°The seal encompasses the transport to Nova. The world beyond our world. They are stuck in time, yet they may or may not age at all. Very few ever make it to age-less. Apparently, they didn¡¯t do enough and tried to send dreams to me. But once I refused, something else showed up. I rebuked the witch! Sefredina assumed she could get away with it.¡± Demetrius spoke.

    ¡°Let her go, Demetrius! She didn¡¯t do anything and has nothing to do with this!¡±

    ¡°Oh, I KNOW she would be the one to handle what I couldn¡¯t. That is why I know she would be the one to help undo it. Unlike your other friend that was with you. Yep. Know about him, too.¡±

    ¡°What did you do!¡±

    ¡°I DID NOTHING. But THEY probably took him.¡± They? Demetrius wasn¡¯t giving up. But Dad, looking on defeated, had decided to give the Key to him in hopes of my safety. Dad¡­ Then suddenly, he had his men leave only a few to stay behind; the rest would follow to where the seal was located. It took us about two more hours to reach where it was.

    It was a massive chamber. We suddenly looked all over and examined it. There were tall statues of knights all over surrounding us, from the ground level to the 8<sup>th</sup> level encircling. We gasped.

    ¡°What is this place?¡± I mouthed.

    ¡°The Chamber!¡± Demetrius said with glee. We were then allowed to explore some, but Demetrius kept me close with the gun near my neck. My Dad was furious and eyed him.

    ¡°You knew about this place¡­¡±

    ¡°Times are hard. Gotta do something.¡± Demetrius answered back. But then something else began to happen as Toby had examined a body. It was dead, unmoving, until something showed in its eyes.

    ¡°Is that a ruby¡­?¡±

    ¡°SAAAAAAAA!¡± It said, and Toby screamed for dear life! We all gasped, and Erica pointed.

    ¡°Look!¡±

    Corpses had overrun the place, and they became animated.

    ¡°Oh snap! Run!¡±

    But the chamber closed, and we were already trapped. Everybody eventually hid behind the men who had guns. Yet, it was hardly doing anything. Orell took one of the swords and handled them with ease. Their swords were able to defeat them. So then, once the ones that dropped the swords by accident, some of us were able to pick them up and took some of them on. The rest stood behind. I eventually couldn¡¯t do anything, but Demetrius still had attempted to unlock the seal. He had a different piece and connected them together, becoming whole.

    He placed the key in the slot, which was the necklace with the pendant attached like a key. And touched on the seal itself. It turned and glowed a dark purple. Oh no. However, once I saw that he did this, I grabbed the key away from the seal, but I accidentally touched the wall itself as it was stuck. The seal kept turning from the other side until it slightly glowed. I was excited ¡ª I finally got the key out.

    ¡°Christa! What did you do!¡± I heard my dad say. But then it died down. I just so was excited to get the key back, yet it glowed, not realizing that the seal unleashed itself. And we could hear the undead begin to cry out in pain and succumb to the light that was from the portal that was opened. They were sucked in, as was Demetrius.

    ¡°No!¡± I screamed as suddenly I couldn¡¯t see anyone else anymore. But then it got more intense, and this wind came out of nowhere, and light streams came to surround me and grabbed me.

    ¡°Christa!¡± I heard my Dad say before he grabbed at my arm, trying to not let me go.

    ¡°Dad! What is happening?!¡± I yelled for dear life.

    ¡°Hold on!¡± He said, struggling suddenly. I was yanked backward, and something intense, some type of energy, pulsed and pushed my father back before I was suddenly desperately crying out for him.

    ¡°Christa!!!¡± I can hear my father¡¯s voice in the faraway. And then suddenly, everything turned black.

    Sefredina

    She was always looking to see if something strange was happening in the land. And on that very day, something did. She was a witch who had some power. She often had sent orcs or monsters out into the land, and Princess Eliana would always send guards to defend the kingdom. Yet, she barely started a war out of fear for her master. Who warned her not to do anything. She had little to no fear of the people themselves, as they were normal human beings. However, over the last few years, things started to take place.

    Princess Eliana

    Her main interest had always been Varon of the Daskan Forest. The young man was youthful and cheerful yet serious and strong whenever he engaged in battle. She pondered what became of the man when he retired from service. She had long blond hair and green eyes. Her favorite colors have been mangos, peaches, pinks, and reds. She sometimes often wore green, yellows, and even blues. They have been friends for a long time, and she used to have a small crush on him. Though not anymore.

    He swore that it couldn¡¯t have happened while he was attracted to her. She was to be with another prince that she didn¡¯t know about.Once he found out, he was somewhat upset but relieved. He only wanted friendship. Yet, he cried. He longed for his own family and didn¡¯t know where to find a wife. Eliana knew it and sighed heavily. She told him that while he didn¡¯t know why he yearned for the Chosen One like the Edinburgh girl, there was no way he could ever be with anyone. It was only a dream.

    A heartbeat.

    Princess Eliana heard it. Another heartbeat. But this time, it was darker, and she felt it more prominent than the other. Sefredina also heard it, and she wondered where it could have been in the tower of her castle. She occupied it for years, and nobody knew of anything except for Princess Eliana. When she tried to tell her father about it, he swiftly handled it by sending troops over to Aurelia. Yet there would be battles that happened every so often that the townsfolk would often want to disband and run out of Aurelia. Varon couldn¡¯t do anything, no matter how skilled he was. Something was off, and both Princess Eliana and Sefredina noticed. Many years ago, this was proven true when Varon was but fourteen through sixteen years of age. Three years have passed now.

    A droplet of water dropped on my face as I stirred and opened my eyes.

    ¡°Where am I?¡± I started to question. I looked around me and then began to see I was in another type of chamber.

    ¡°Dad?!! Erica?!! Toby, Orell!¡± I yelled out, hoping they could hear me. But there was nobody. I was alone. Fear began to strike me. What on earth is this place?! ¡°Where am I now?!¡±

    I looked at my backpack and saw where I could actually be. I found my flashlight, but it nearly broke. The light bulb was still intact, and I tried to reach out to my Dad by my cellphone. I had zero bars, and I couldn¡¯t reach anybody. Signal lost. So much for trying to reach now when it is obvious where I could be. Yet, I didn¡¯t want to think about it. It was strange enough. So, I finally decided to look at the book, Chapter Two.

    The Chosen One is said to come to the planet which is now called Nova, meaning ¡°Anew¡­¡± a place where the timeless, literally known as ¡®The Timeless¡¯ or Novians, are human people. Some have superhuman abilities as well. There are orcs, elf-like people known as Heorians has also come to like the Verenians as they fought for peace and justice in the land. One where they had aided the Chosen One as well as the Chosen Hero from the past. Both The Chosen One and The Chosen Hero are said to be the key to unlocking the hidden treasure of the world. The Sword of Destiny can only be unlocked when the Chosen Hero has gathered all 7 jewels. These jewels can unlock hidden abilities within the hero: to call lightning, to inflict earthquakes, to show light, to heal, etc. But the one who can unlock it is the Chosen One for him through the power of trust, friendship, and courage. But a hidden element needs to be discovered, and yet hasn¡¯t been¡­

    A horse had disturbed me from my reading. Wait a minute. A horse?! That means there is life on the other side of this piece of rock! So I found out through the small opening that a young man with long blond hair in a ponytail and blue eyes was strange and calm. Pale-skinned, he wore a dark forest tunic with brown pants and dark brown boots. He carried a bow and arrow on his back as well as a sword. He was feeding his horse and spoke soothing language to it. Yet, I couldn¡¯t for the life of me understand what language he was saying.

    ¡°What language is he speaking, I wonder¡­¡± I muttered under my breath. Suddenly, his horse whines and looks towards where I am located, as does the young man. He looked at the areas suspiciously and suddenly as if he was staring right at me. He grabbed something from his pocket. It was a small flute. And suddenly, he started playing a tune to the cave. I suddenly had an urge to step back for some strange reason, and then the whole cave shook.

    Oh, fudge.

    ¡°Then, as if wondering about what was happening,¡± I said, pretending to be reading from the book. I made sure to shove as much as I could in my backpack and screamed for my life as I felt the dirt and everything starting to cover me. I heard the man gasp and spoke to me in the language I didn¡¯t understand. I felt him grab my arm and pull me with him out of the cave, and then it collapsed.

    ¡°Who are you?!¡± I asked him.

    ¡°I should be asking YOU the same question. What were you doing in there!¡± He spoke English.

    ¡°You speak English?!¡± I asked in shock, but he still held my arm.

    ¡°Novian.¡± He said matter-of-factly.

    ¡°Novian is English?¡± I questioned in confusion.

    ¡°No. I know knowing about ¡®En-glish¡¯. Apparently, you speak Novian.¡± I shook my head.

    ¡°No, no, no, no, no. English is not Novian, and Novian can¡¯t be English. It just can¡¯t. I could have sworn you were speaking another language. And that other ¡®language¡¯ is, no doubt, Novian. Or whatever it is you¡¯re speaking.¡± I said in near confusion. This entire thing did. But that melody was soothing, yet it affected my ear drums.

    ¡°I was speaking to my horse, no different than speaking to you.¡± He argued. Forget how handsome the guy was. This scared the crap out of me, and I could have sworn Erica would be gushing over him, even though her crush is actually Toby and Arie. Yet, she kept telling me that Arie was the one who kept looking at me, yet she was very jealous of this. I kept telling her that it was okay and to leave it alone. I wasn¡¯t in the mood for it since Dad was always not there.

    ¡°Who are you?¡± I questioned again. He was shocked at my demand. Besides him looking me over, I felt like showing that I wasn¡¯t afraid. He relented.

    ¡°Varon¡­¡± He said almost begrudgingly.

    ¡°Vaaron?¡± He shook his head.

    ¡°No. Varon. Like ¡®air¡¯- and ¡®run¡¯. Now, why are you here!¡± he spoke again, getting almost agitated.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know¡­¡± I told him truthfully. Yet, he looked at me funny.

    ¡°You¡¯re lying.¡± I shook my head.

    ¡°If only I were, which I¡¯m not lying. I just got here, and then I saw you and your horse.¡± What else was I to tell the guy? I am a college student ¡ª attending a university that I had hoped to get into since my other schools were out of the question. I am a Freshman and hope to start out fresh after graduating from high school. I am a psych major and a creative writing minor, and my athletics is track running. I wanted to do archery as well. But that I am hoping to learn soon.

    ¡°I already told you, if I haven¡¯t already. I don¡¯t KNOW how I got here.¡± Varon puffed.

    ¡°Just get outta here, already! This place is sacred, and you must know¡ª¡± Then he gasped when he saw what I was wearing. Short shorts, short sleeve shirt, a dark blue blouse long enough to cover my shorts, unbuttoned. Sneakers, and I gulped as I grabbed the necklace, which was the key.

    ¡°The Key¡­¡± He muttered.

    Scrap this. I ran for my life.

    ¡°Wait!¡± He said as he suddenly attempted to shoot at me with his arrow, and it hit a nearby tree and barely scratched me. I gasped immediately.

    ¡°Ogh! This guy is going to kill me!¡± I screamed for my life and thought about the cave, but it was out of the question. I decided to get away from this guy and fast. Either he deliberately tried not to shoot me on purpose, or it was a warning shot?! Either way, I wasn¡¯t about to find out what he was about!

    As I was running away from Varon. He was giving chase. His horse was not too far behind, but I couldn¡¯t at the horse right now.

    ¡°Who the heck would chase a girl with a bow and arrow and a sword from the back?!¡± I yelled out, fuming. Then some more arrows came flying, and I knew it was Varon.

    ¡°YOU! Are you with that witch!¡±

    ¡°What witch!? I don¡¯t know anything about a witch! I don¡¯t mess with witches or witchcraft! Get away from me!¡± I yelled out.

    I ran as fast as I could to get away from him, and just when I was about to run out of breath, I could see another person down below the hill. A man, about in his late forties.

    ¡°Hey, miss. What is wrong?¡± A stranger cried out. He was a villager of some kind, and I ran to him and told him.

    ¡°Some crazy guy tried to kill me, and he called himself ¡®Varon¡¯. That¡¯s what!¡± This was said with as much attitude as I can say. ¡°You tell that crazy guy that: ¡®I don¡¯t care how handsome he thinks he is, he isn¡¯t going to get that arrow going through like that!¡± I huffed in anger.

    ¡°Varon?! Of The Daskan Forest!¡± Why would he do this? The villager asked in his head. This is not like him.

    Then the villager shook his head.

    ¡°¡­How can he¡­? You¡¯re certain it¡¯s Varon.¡±

    ¡°Yes! I¡¯m certain because he told me in some part of the forest not too far from here! Because this guy wants something from me, and I need help. Please help me!¡± I begged.

    ¡°That place sounds like the Temple¡­ or Sacred Grounds.¡± He nodded. ¡°All right. Let me handle this; hide in my house.¡± I did just that, and suddenly, a little boy was there.

    ¡°Please hide! There is a man outside. Your Dad told me to hide.¡± I told the young boy. I guess that this is his son.

    ¡°Come with me!¡± The little boy had said. He grabbed my hand and told me to hide under the floor panels, which had a hidden compartment. I did as he told me. And the little boy stood over me.

    Varon came out from the forest, and the man suddenly acted like nothing happened. Varon looked increasingly around, hoping to find her.

    ¡°You, sir! I¡¯m sorry to bother you. But have you seen a young woman somewhere?¡± Varon questioned him.

    ¡°My young man. There are plenty of young, beautiful women all around the village. What brings you back to Dannasa, Varon?¡±

    ¡°Dannasa is beautiful, as its people and young women, yes. However, no. There is a woman who isn¡¯t of these parts. Probably none of this land, who escaped from my grasp. I¡¯ve helped her, yet she had something of importance that told me she was a danger. Jacais, do you have an idea?¡± He frowned.

    So did Jacais.

    ¡°None of the least. My guess is this one is fast, eh?¡± He questioned, almost a little too eager. He got upset at himself for saying anything.

    ¡°What?¡± Varon frowned more. ¡°Just by what you saying. Does this one sound like somebody who could be a spy?¡±

    ¡°Well, now. You better find the lass, eh?¡± He nodded and then sped off, calling for his horse in the meantime. ¡°Your flute actually works really well.¡±

    ¡°Thanks. But I have to find her. If you see her, make sure to call me. Do not tell her that I¡¯m looking for her.¡±

    ¡°Wait. Ye know each other?¡±

    ¡°Not really!¡±

    He sped off on Estella and rushed to get towards the next town. Amythis. The forest was dense, and the last thing he needed was for her to be in the Daskan Forest. Humans can barely last in this forest alone. He knew this because he was human. But a special one. A Novian, unlike regular humans, has stronger abilities.

    ¡°Okay, the coast is clear!¡± I heard the little boy say. He opened the floorboards, and suddenly, I could finally breathe again. Just who was Varon?

    ¡°Lass, I have some word for you. If you are not a friend of Varon, I highly suggest you don¡¯t get yourself involved with us.¡±

    ¡°Sir, I am sorry. I didn¡¯t attempt to try to cause harm. If you let me explain, I¡¯ll tell you what happened.¡± So I explained to the older man. From how I got here to who I was, etc. He didn¡¯t know what else to explain with it, and it was getting to be a lot for him to take in. He was holding his head and rubbing his temples.

    ¡°You mean, you¡¯re not an enemy?¡±

    I nodded.

    ¡°I don¡¯t know anything about a witch.¡±

    ¡°Sefredina. A witch who leaves ruin in her wake whenever she feels like it. She lives in a tower part of the castle of Aurelia. Castle Aurelia was once a peaceful castle, and so were its people. However, many eons ago, it was overtaken by The Scourge King, who wanted revenge after they helped the Chosen Hero and Lady Edinburgh defeat him. So, it is written that The Scourge King would be bound for over 400 years. Until the seal of Nova would be broken. And a new Chosen Hero would soon emerge from the land, and the Chosen One would hail from another world. She will help him in his adventures and quests and save both worlds from terror.¡± He finished.

    ¡°That was an interesting story, Dad.¡±

    ¡°This isn¡¯t just a story, son. This is real.¡±

    But I had no idea who this man and his son was.

    ¡°I¡¯m sorry. Who are you two again?¡± I questioned.

    ¡°My name is Jacais. This is my son, Ancian.¡± Ancian was about twelve years of age. I figured that he could explain to me what to do at his age.

    The older man, Jacais, turned to me.

    ¡°Ancian. Make sure to give our guest a welcome. I¡¯ll handle it with Varon. He can be brash at times for his age. I am saddened. I would think he would have married by now. But he has claimed that he has more adventures to go on and probably won¡¯t settle until twenty-five.¡±

    I frowned.

    ¡°Who is Varon?¡±

    ¡°He is a hero of his own.¡±

    Ilhard. Gylan and Hames.

    That is the name of the man who came and spoke to Jacais and Ancian. Falgoria was where Gylan came from. He was a man in his thirties who came from there. When I showed them the book, they began to understand it.

    ¡°For starters, you¡¯re going to have to understand this map.¡± This big map covered only the Verenian Land. ¡°

    ¡°You have the Land of Verenia. That is the key map you should be looking at besides the Daskan Forest map. These are the only maps you need right now. Right here is Dannasa. Across the bridge is the Daskan Temple and Village. You came from the temple area.¡± Ilhard spoke.

    ¡°So where would I need to go in order to find other people?¡±

    ¡°Watch out for the villagers of the Daskans. They are small people that are very young. Near Drawf like. Yet they do not take too kindly to strangers. At the same time, there are very few humans who also live there.¡±

    ¡°Ilhard. What am I to do if I encounter Varon?¡± I asked.

    ¡°Just tell him that you¡¯re sorry.¡± I shook my head.

    ¡°That guy wanted me dead, remember?¡± Gylan then said something. He was in his forties.

    ¡°Then remember one thing you have said, lassy, and that is beauty. As much as I love Varon, I do think there is a misunderstanding. Which means he is going to have to figure it out. I do not like this situation either. But this key is the Key to Nova. This means you better not have it brandished around like that. Keep yourself hidden. Matter of fact. Make it to Daska. And let them know your situation.¡±

    ¡°Not without protection, though,¡± Jacais stated.

    Ilhard, Gylan, and Hames agreed.

    ¡°That is why we are escorting you over there ourselves. No payment is needed. This is a situation of importance. And saving the world.¡±

    The Daskan forest was nearly fantastical if you were to call it that. But it was a beautiful forest that was real. Fireflies were all around. And we made our way to see the Daskans.

    Ernard was the leader. He was about twelve years old, as they don¡¯t age. None of the Daskans do. The only ones are the normal humans. Very few ever get picked to become timeless. But the Daskans were created to be like that. They grow and stop at the age of twelve. There were some slime monsters that Gylan defeated. But it wasn¡¯t so easy.

    ¡°What the heck was that!?¡± I screamed.

    ¡°Slime ¡ª That is what they are called.¡±

    ¡°So what is anyone to do now that they are around? What did the King say?¡± Hames spoke. But Gylan shrugged. It was a matter of understanding what was happening is what was stated afterwards.

    ¡°What was happening?¡± I questioned.

    ¡°Hmm. Should we really explain? I don¡¯t think this would be a good idea.¡±

    ¡°Why not?¡±

    ¡°Because these are just rumors. And you just so happen to have gotten here. If anything you hear, make sure you question the state of the monster rumors.¡± I raised a brow. This was not your normal conversation here. We were all talking about Kings, Princesses, Knights, Sir Varon, Monsters, a witch, etc.

    ¡°How did this happen, though?¡±

    Again, Gylan shrugged. But Hames knew.

    ¡°This may have come from a witch named Sefredina. She is cunning and works for the darkness. However, nobody knows what her true intentions are, but she is always trying to cause a problem. And Varon had stepped in many years ago in battle. However, after what he found out, he vanished and never returned back. Claimed that he had to leave the army. So they offered a bigger bonus for him, but he said no. Out of moral obligation.¡±

    ¡°So now, what is anybody to do if he wasn¡¯t around?¡± I asked.

    ¡°Step up the army¡¯s standards without breaking them. Though they had to do something without psychologically burning them out.¡±

 The Daskan Forest

    It was dense and quiet, but you could hear wildlife and probably monsters in the areas. And yet, Ilhard. Gylan and Hames were with me as Jacais stayed with his son in case Varon came back. Hames decides to talk about how certain things came to be.

    According to the rumors, these monsters showed up in the middle of the night. The sky went dark, and the moon was red, and then suddenly, everyone heard a strange screech in the night. Then, more than 100 types were around. Orcs included. Slime was one of them, followed by tree dwellers, dirt bombs, water flumes, etc. They were all over the place. I haven¡¯t encountered anything yet except for those¡­ Slimes. But it was a scary feeling, to be honest. Their horses were Black, White, and Brown. I was riding with Gylan as we were going to meet with Ernard.

    ¡°So, you are a University student? That is an interesting turn of events.¡±

    ¡°Is there a reason for the saying?¡± I questioned. He nodded in response.

    ¡°Most women don¡¯t enter that sector, which is extremely rare. It is mostly dominated by men. There isn¡¯t much wrong for a woman to pursue, just more difficult.¡± I nodded. I understood the times. I believe in balance, and any woman who can try should try without scrutiny. Everything was starting to get scarier the more I thought about this. And then the words of my father had suddenly came to mind from our previous conversation.

    ¡°Dad, don¡¯t tell me your reading of that story again.¡±

    ¡°What story?¡± Erica questioned.

    ¡°The story is about a place called Nova. However, we once thought it was a myth. Its pages entail the details of every map, every corridor, and every place from here to there alone. It¡¯s a fantasy world, to be exact.¡±

    ¡°Like, what¡­ like a type of Lord of the Rings, or Zelda, or¡­?¡± Theodore questioned.

    ¡°Both¡­Maybe almost all of them.¡±

    ¡°Oh sh...¡±

    ¡°QUESTION. Now that we know that this place is linked to it in some form or way, HOW do we find our way out? Because if it is anything like that 80s movie Goonies, you sure as heck better find out a way out of here, some treasure to take home, and so we can all get rich quick and speed outta here!¡± I said in a quick reform. Erica wanted to high-five me, yet I was deadly serious, and so was my dad.

    He shook his head.

    ¡°No. NO taking ANYTHING from here.¡±

    ¡°Almost all of them¡­¡± I muttered to myself. Now, I was curious as to what to do from now on. The book also talks about these monsters as well. But now, all I remember was that the Grass Slimes were the worst. They tend to hide along with the Dirt Bombs.

    Tying all of this together, I will have to study the entire thing on my own.

    Then, we suddenly hear other voices further down the road. It was two young men or boys. ¡°Halt!¡±

    ¡°Oh, man¡­¡±

    ¡°Are you from Dannasa??¡±

    Gylan nodded. ¡°Yes. I am Gylan Armstead; these are my colleagues, Illiad Yieldman, and Hames Thomatiaus, and Christa Malone. We have to speak to your leader about an important matter.

    Then, the short one decided to introduce himself. ¡°Dylan. And that is Tomas. I am afraid you¡¯ll have to come back later. We have an emergency situation right now. ¡°

    Tomas nodded.

    ¡°But this is an emergency also!¡±

    ¡°Apparently, this is much worse. Sir, Varon. He has warned us that a young girl in strange clothing is going around untamed and needs to be detained so he can return her to the Princess and the King Amaldus III.¡± Oh great. So he wasn¡¯t kidding about sending me to the Royal family.

    ¡°So then, Varon. Does he live here?¡±

    ¡°Sometimes. He tends to travel a lot, so he rarely visits. Said about chasing after the girl¡­¡±Tomas spoke.

    ¡°I doubt it. But fine. You have about half an hour before we have to send you guys back.¡± Dylan concluded. So they let us through, and we dropped off the horses at the stables before leading us into the village of the Daskan Forest. As we walked, I could see why they named it Dannasa, Daska Forest, and its people. They were children-like people, yet there were also adult-like people as well. They age until a certain point and then stop. Some don¡¯t either and still remain to age.

    There are many different treehouses, shops, a river running through it, a well, etc. A young woman and two others approached us and asked me a question.

    ¡°Good afternoon. I¡¯m Rosa. This is Triffie, and Arlena. We heard about your arrival and wanted to know if you could join us while the men handle official business?¡±

    I stared at Hames, who was already speaking. I heard a familiar sound and suddenly requested that I be immediately hidden, especially from Varon. They nodded and offered to hide me for the time being, as far as to tell Varon ¡®no¡¯.

    ¡°Come quickly!¡± Triffie called, and I followed her immediately until I was inside of the house. They said nothing, while I could hear Varon argue and get upset as soon as he entered the area and spoke to them.

    They could not say where I was and that he should handle the matters with the Dannasians, how it wasn¡¯t fair to do this to a woman, etc. And that is exactly what they had told him. This led to Varon¡¯s serious frown and offered nothing more to say. Gylan said matter-of-factly.

    Then Dylan eyed me in suspicion. ¡°She don¡¯t happen to be that girl, do she?¡± I paled when I overheard this somewhere. This wasn¡¯t so good.

    ¡°And what if she is? She is no danger. In fact, we need to speak to Varon right now if he is still here.¡±

    ¡°Varon. This was her story.¡± Varon huffed. ¡°You know, official business. She told her side, and that was the matter. She isn¡¯t from this world, and you know that you cannot just hold her hostage. If so, take the matters to the King. That is not an option.¡±

    ¡°If she is from another world. I must still take her to see them anyway. But fine. Please have her come see me when she is well enough. I won¡¯t harm her. I just want to talk to her for myself and get to know what she has to say. Especially since you all are so willing to protect her, an ¡®outsider.¡¯¡°

    That very day, it was the afternoon. I happened to have noticed.

    It was tranquil and quiet except for the busiest of times, which was when they were shopping. Somebody was playing a flute to attract the children.

    ¡°Varon will return this evening. He is heading towards the Castle to have arrangements made and should be back in the forest soon.¡± Then Hames frowns. ¡°Though I try to understand what his reasoning is. Monsters tend to come out at night, and therefore, it is dangerous.¡± I gulped.

    ¡°M-M-Monsters?!¡± He sighed.

    ¡°Nothin¡¯ new around these parts of the woods, lassy. It often gets like this.¡±

    ¡°But, I thought you all said that there was peace in the land?¡±

    ¡°That was over thirty years ago. It¡¯s gotten worse since then.¡± Ilhard spoke. He was grasping at his spoon and started eating. I tried the porage as well. It was soft, easy to eat, and very sweet, and I felt almost at home. Home. I want to go home!

    ¡°If only there was a way to handle them all before Varon gets back. You know. Clearing a path.¡±

    ¡°But that would mean Christa has to stay here, obviously,¡± Gylan says. But Hames agrees.

    ¡°There isn¡¯t much that can be said. Slimes are almost everywhere.¡± He pushed the issue before drinking his tea.

    ¡°And then what?¡± A mistress of the Inn, Ilyria spoke. She has long blond hair in a loose ponytail, and blue eyes and wearing maid clothes.

    ¡°Ilyria. What to do then for Christa?¡±

    Ilyria had looked towards me and nodded. ¡°She stays here, of course! Heck, she can even help out in the Inn as part of payment for the stay. It¡¯ll get her used to things and give her something to do.¡±

    I sighed in relief. At least I get to have a small job while here.

    ¡°But Varon would want to take her to the castle,¡± Hymes suggested. But Ilyria rolled her eyes.This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

    ¡°Man! Is that all you are worried about? I guess changing her clothes and such would help, but they probably would want to investigate more. You better make sure she is secured somewhere other than here. She may not be a danger to us, but if she is being tracked, she could be without her consent.¡±

    ¡°In what way?¡± I almost asked, offended. Then she looked at me.

    ¡°Other monsters with a brain,¡­Orcs.¡±

    ¡°¡­Orcs?!¡± I nearly wanted to leap out of my chair.

    ¡°Shh! Are you trying to scare customers out of the Inn?!¡± She chastised.

    ¡°Well, what do you expect me to say or do? I¡¯m nervous enough. I had enough adventure for one day or two and want to return home!¡± I protested.

    ¡°Well, then you better hope for Varon and the Royal family than to find a way to get ya back home. Where that may be, child.¡± Ilhard spoke again this time. ¡°This is no joke. Best for you to realize this now before you get any hopes up.¡±

    I figured that was going to be a letdown. But I am not giving up. I am getting home. I had zero plans of staying in the Land of Verenia longer than I needed. Just to find the seal or the next exit and go home.

    ¡°And it seems like Varon would be happy to obligate to get you back also.¡± No kidding. IF THE ARROWS DIDN¡¯T SAY ANYTHING ABOUT IT!

    ¡°Well, he almost shipped me to the other world.¡± Then Illard smirked at the reaction. ¡°I¡¯m pretty sure it was a warning shot.¡±

    ¡°Warning shot, my butt! He nearly had me killed.¡±

    ¡°Again, a typical warning shot. Varon isn¡¯t the type to kill in cold blood unless you give him a very good reason to do so. ¡° He, too, sipped his tea. ¡°Even let¡¯s say he accidentally ticked you on the cheek. With a slight drip of blood, even Varon would have gotten an earful from any one of us. He is that well-trained. That, my dear, was indeed a warning shot. If he wanted to kill you, you would have been dead.¡± This was no doubt to Illiad of everything he believed, and yet it touched me enough in the heart that I almost believed him.

    ¡°So, I guess what Iliad is trying to say is: he isn¡¯t a killer.¡±

    ¡°Okay. You are going to scare this poor girl in the middle of the day. Now let me do some work.¡±

    For the rest of the day, everybody was working, talking, and even strategizing on what to say to Varon. They loved him but felt he was taking it too far. He was indeed a hero of the land and second to Aonghus the V. Aonghus is related to the original Great Aonghus Evenshire. And was even said to look exactly like him. I wondered how true that is.

    Triffie, Arlena and even Rosa came by. Rosa had long, dark black hair and brown eyes. Triffie had brown hair and brown eyes, and Arlena had brown hair with hazel eyes. All three wore similar outfits. But they were Daskan outfits.

    ¡°Sounds like everything is different around here since you came,¡± Triffie answered. Rosa and Arlena nodded.

    ¡°So again, your Rosa, Arlena, and Triffie, right?¡± I said by memory.

    ¡°Yep.¡±

    ¡°So now you understand why we had to hide you. Varon can be told to be stubborn. I¡¯m shocked he hasn¡¯t found anybody yet¡­¡±

    Then Rosa nodded.

    ¡°Maybe that Maerinda, girl? Daneria?¡± They shook their heads. ¡°Nah! Both farm girls are usually unhappy with him around. Maerinda had liked him in the past, but things got weird. Varon clearly told her ¡®no¡¯, because he didn¡¯t feel right.¡± Then Rosa hit at Arlena.

    ¡°Arlena, how do you know such rumors!¡±

    Then Arlena narrowed. ¡°Because Maerinda told me that¡¯s how!¡±

    Daneria is red-haired, and Maerinda is brownish-red. There was a painting picture of them. Both girls are sisters and hardly see anybody around. Their mother and father work on the ranch but have suggested that Varon gets a horse, Arlena told me. That horse was Estella. Another horse was a male, but he said no to that right then. What a story.

    ¡°The male horse went to Aonghus and kept it for the time being. Maybe you would like to know how to ride a horse?¡±

    ¡°And cook, and clean and dress. What is this? I feel like writing a good thesis and getting myself out of here as soon as possible. My father and mother are waiting for me back home.¡±

    They all nodded. Then Rosa added.

    ¡°And my guest is so is friends and others as well.¡± She frowned and then continued. ¡°I know you must be scared. So we wouldn¡¯t ask further about it. Overall, I think Varon should give you a chance.¡±

    ¡°Can somebody explain to me about that witch that everyone says, Sefro, what?¡±

    They sighed.

    ¡°Arlena, maybe check to see if Rissa is around?¡±

    Arlena did so as quickly as she could and bolted out of the room. I stared, and they explained in detail. A young Daskan named RISSA was introduced. She had long brown hair tied in a bun and blue eyes. She was said to be paled skin while SKIMMER and HICKS were around somewhere. They apologized, as they suspected something had happened to Arlena when she was found, and explained they had recently come here. TYE and MERIDETH were around as well. She is similar to Rissa but with brown hair and this brown hair was said to sometimes have a shimmer to it, also, with blue eyes but a bit darker tone.

    Then came Skimmer, Hicks, and Tye as Merideth was buying and picking up herbs. Somehow, I wanted to join her. The boys introduced themselves.

    ¡°Hi.¡±

    ¡°Hello.¡± They all said nearly shocked. They responded as if they had never seen a girl before, yet there were plenty of young women all around. Older ones too. But I can understand what was the real issue here. Not seeing somebody from another world is different and can be seen as almost forbidden in a way. Was ¡°forbidden¡± even the right word to say?

    ¡°Well? Do any of you have anything to say?¡± Rosa said with a frown. But Tye rolled his eyes. Okay, rude¡­

    ¡°Not much.¡± He shrugged.

    ¡°¡ªYeah¡­ sorry about that. You have a lot on your plate. They wanted to know if you were willing to play with us or whatever you were interested in. We have music, art, and games; you can even learn how to climb and stuff if you are interested. We teach other kids when the parents agree to it, though. Nothing more.¡±

    I nodded.

    ¡°Great! I¡¯m Tye, and this is Skimmer¡­¡±

    ¡°Hey!¡±

    ¡°¡­and Hicks here is a bit rough, but he can be easy to get to know once you¡¯re okay with him.¡±

    Hicks seemed to have nodded all of a sudden. Also, when looking at Hicks, he had red hair and green eyes. But Skimmer had brown hair and brown eyes, and Tye with black hair and brown eyes. Semi with a blue streak across his hair. Probably dyed, and yet his name is Tye.

    ¡°Merideth is doing some herb finding?¡± Rissa added.

    They all nodded.

    ¡°Well, that makes a lot of sense.¡± Then she turned to me. ¡°You must want a bath, we can make the tub warm enough for you if you¡¯d like. And we might be able to give you a change of clothes¡­¡±

    I decided to get a bath. They wanted to change my clothes. However, it was temporary as they only wanted to hand wash what I had and dry them. They gave me a pink outfit that was a dress, and it was similar to a maid-style outfit but pink. It was nearly flowery in nature, which was nice. However, my concern was for the other guy, Varon. What were his issues? Why did he hesitate to not kill me? After reevaluating everything¡­ even if he really wanted to, I probably wouldn¡¯t have had a choice here. Then there was the witch, Sefredina, at work. And then Demetrius? Did he really vanish? Did he die? Is he also here?

    Fear flooded over me.

    I¡¯m not liking the sound of these questions. It is bad enough I don¡¯t have any answers when it comes to this. Demetrius had said that people sent waves of information to him in a dream. What dreams/nightmares were they?

    I ended up playing with the Daskans, and they have taught me something. The importance of childhood and using it to your advantage. Evening came, and the time had shown that it was getting darker outside. The Groves and Moss-covered part of the forest looked even darker.

    Varon suddenly came back and knocked on the door to the Inn. However, this time, he wasn¡¯t as hostile as he was before this even happened. But yet Varon had also requested that I and him would be alone. And so, that is what had happened.

    ¡°You request to be alone?!¡± Rissa said in suspicion. He blushed.

    ¡°I promise it isn¡¯t in that way! I stand by chivalry and honor.¡± Varon protested harshly.

    ¡°That is beyond the point! This Inn¡­¡±

    ¡°Then you will give me your items.¡± Gylan requested in return. They agreed, and I was shocked that he would even hand his weapons over as proof that he wouldn¡¯t harm me. I was still suspicious of him, but he said nothing. Then they exited the room, just leaving Varon and me alone.

    ¡°I take it that you are Christa Malone?¡± I nodded. He sighed heavily and asked if he could sit down across from me. I nodded. What else could have been done? ¡°Thank you.¡±

    ¡°No Problem¡­¡± I nearly growled. I wasn¡¯t happy to learn about our first encounter.

    ¡°So you really came here¡­I¡¯m shocked. Most people wouldn¡¯t dare enter this forest. Not even the witch herself. My guess is you¡¯re not from here.¡±

    ¡°I told you so! Why didn¡¯t you listen to me?¡± I begged. He frowned.

    ¡°I did what I had to do to protect my people. It wasn¡¯t my intent to have hurt you. But you had that key. WHY?¡±

    ¡°What can I have said? This necklace belongs to my father. He found it in a secret place many years ago, and then somebody else had another half.¡±

    ¡°Yet, Sefredina didn¡¯t have it¡­¡± He pondered.

    He looked up at me and looked at me sternly.

    ¡°Who had another half?¡±

    ¡°How can I know I can trust you?¡±

    ¡°You¡¯re going to have no choice. I¡¯m told to be the hero of the land. Yet, I still feel they should look to another person at times. I didn¡¯t forbade anything until many years ago. The royal family had called me. Yet with little to no ties between King Amaldus III and the Princess. But if you come and cause harm just by your presence alone. Understand that there might mean little protection on your part.¡±

    I frowned next.

    ¡°Little protection, why?¡±

    ¡°Because you are an outsider.¡±He said standing up and then suddenly wanted to call Rissa and Rosa. He kindly asked them if there was anything to drink or light refreshments, as he said this was a long talk. They came back with it. ¡°Please make sure to go use a restroom whenever your in need.¡±

    ¡°Why, is this a long story? How come I was able to understand you?¡±He thought for a moment, as he wasn¡¯t too hesitant to say anything to me about his theories or whatever he had in mind.

    ¡°The flute. The melody I used must have entered in and changed the perception of your hearing. It is said it can do that to certain individuals. Somehow, you heard it. There are also Medisa Nuts that can do the same. I use them for stunning enemies.¡± He frowned again. ¡°Now I have a question for you.¡± He bit his lip. ¡°Forgive me for asking, but I have to know.¡± He gulped. ¡°How old are you? You seem extremely young for a woman to me.¡±

    I was a little taken aback.

    ¡°Eighteen.¡± I see him sigh in relief.

    ¡°Okay. We¡¯re about the same age.¡±

    ¡°Why? You thought worse, younger or older?¡± He shook his head.

    ¡°Wouldn¡¯t have mattered¡­, forget it right now.¡±

    That entire evening was nothing but talking. They held a celebration with Varon for his return to the land and hoped that he would grow and mature as a hero. However, he started to say something but looked at me and sighed. He shook his head and went along with the ceremony. I wanted to stay behind, but it was insisted that I go. However, he gave a look that told me what his true intent was.

    ¡°You understand that he is going to have to take you to the castle tomorrow.¡± I gulped. ¡°T-The C-C-Castle?¡±

    ¡°Aye. It is of a matter of importance. You see. Varon was always tied to the Royal Family, regardless of what his young mind thinks. He can¡¯t hide from his destiny any longer. He is too talented, very courageous though shy. Sometimes, he often doesn¡¯t know what to do in such matters of formalities, except around the Princess and those he trusts.¡± Then Gylan turned to me. I wondered where the others went amongst the crowd.

    ¡°You see, Daskan Forest had always had its quirks. But even the later parts have almost been seen with monsters now. That wasn¡¯t always the case around here.¡±

    HOOOOORRRRAAAAHHHH! Everyone had started, and there was some drinking, and it was offered to me, but I shook my head. Varon had a bit of it, yet, I was getting uncomfortable.

    ¡°Don¡¯t worry. Varon isn¡¯t the type to do anything. He is just enjoying himself. Yet he¡¯ll be well off in the morning.¡±

    Then he looked like he shook his head to say no more drinking, as he had to bring me to the castle tomorrow.

    ¡°The Castle¡­¡±

    ¡°¡ªYou wonder what it is like?¡± I nodded.

    ¡°You¡¯ll know when you see it.¡±

    ¡°But I don¡¯t know much about this castle! How am I to talk, walk, to act?¡± Gylan sighed.

    ¡°All you can do is listen to Varon. If he said no talking, none. If so, you speak. It is a matter of more than just tone, and it is what you do or don¡¯t do.¡± Then he continued. ¡°Better of assumptions without giving assumptions. In other words, let them do most of the talking.¡±