The Mystical Journey

by KJ Siirila

  The three boys stood in silence as they walked slowly to the edge. They knew that Christopher was not coming out of the water. Their taunting had driven him over the edge, literally. They vowed on that day they would never tell a soul what happened on the cliff that day. They took the secret with them to their graves and their evil souls with them.

  Helmog stopped moving and turned to the other two ghouls.

  “I’m not sure but I feel we may be getting closer to the Mystagog.” Helmog said calmly.

  “What makes you think that Helmog?” Slothard questioned.

  “It’s just a feeling I get. I’m not sure why. It’s either the Mystagog or something else of power. Let’s move a bit further it seems that the eye is not seeing all that is here.” Helmog began to move around slowly.

  The three ghouls began to swirl in a circular motion. They chanted as they spun around suddenly great walls of wood began to grow around them. They slowed down until they came to a standstill. They realized that they were in the new fortress of the goblins and gremlins. Helmog moved to the center and said in a strong voice. “Goblins and gremlins we know this is your fortress. Come out and show yourselves! We will not harm you. We just want to ask you some questions.”

  It was as if the fog had lifted when the creatures began to appear before the ghouls. Many of the goblins and gremlins sneered and snickered at them for disturbing their new fortress. Izasa and Olagh appeared at the front of their newly built home.

  “What have you summoned us for ghouls?” Izasa shouted to them.

  The ghouls moved closer to them. Izasa and Olagh stepped forward. Helmog stood in front of Slothard and Wagrim and spoke softly.

  “We have not come here to cause any problems creatures. We found your fortress by mistake. We were looking for the home of the Mystagog.” Helmog smiled at them as if to show a sign of friendship.

  “What would three ghouls be doing in the Forest of Shadows looking for the Mystagog?” Olagh questioned.

  “We have come to ask him a few simple questions. You wouldn’t happen to know where we might find him would you kind creatures?” Helmog said inquisitively.

  Izasa moved very close to Helmog now. “Look here ghoul you and your invisible friends are not welcome here in the Forest of Shadows you should know this. We won’t help you, just as we wouldn’t help those haggard sisters that came before you. Forget you’ve ever seen us for now ghouls and remove yourself from our fortress immediately.” As Izasa turned to walk away Helmog spoke once more.

  “You foolish little beasts, you will no doubt be destroyed once the three books are found. I will watch as your little worlds crumble before you and laugh.” Helmog said smugly.

  Izasa turned back to Helmog once he reached Olagh. “You should hope that happens ghoul.” Then just as suddenly as the whole fortress appeared it disappeared around the ghouls.

  Helmog stood before Slothard and Wagrim. “Let’s move north, I am not worried about these horrid little creatures. In the grand scheme of everything that will happen, they mean nothing to us or our fight.”

  The three ghouls left and began moving further north in search of the Mystagog.

  In Midnight Mountain Grimelda prepared to enter the castle of the ghouls. She wouldn’t wait for them to come back assuming that they would be gone for quite some time in the Forest of Shadows. Grimelda moved slowly down the road to the castle. The bridge was lifted over the moat but she knew this wouldn’t be a problem she would fly to their tower window and enter there.

  Grimelda flew quietly through the air to the window and landed inside of the tower. She stepped quickly down the staircase and into the main castle. She was amazed at the size of the castle. It was dark and dingy. There were large paintings on the walls. Grimelda walked through the hall to the library and was trying to figure out the best way to capture the ghouls upon their arrival home to the castle. The tower would obviously be the fastest way for her to come into the castle. She would enter through the tower then hide until she could catch them off guard. If she couldn’t capture all of them she would capture Helmog the leader. The other two would be lost without him.

  She wandered through the castle a bit longer and left a small piece of magical rock lying on a table in the main hall. Once the rock was touched by any creature or myrmidon she would be summoned, then she would carry out her plan. She headed back to the tower and flew out the window and back to her castle.

  In the Forest Of Shadows Micael and the Shaman walked softly so they would not alert the warlock to their presence. The Princess Fimella was still flying overhead. As they walked they heard a crackle not far from them and then a voice called out to them.

  “You there.”

  The Shaman and Micael turned expecting to see the warlock, but when they turned they saw a troll standing behind them.

  The Shaman looked down at the scary creature. “What is it troll?”

  The troll grimaced. “What is it? Is that anyway to talk to someone?”

  “Look here troll. We are on a long journey and don’t have time for fun and games right now. What can we do for you?” The Shaman asked.

  “I am looking for someone to travel through the forest with. I have been out here all alone ever since Toumani banished me from our village.” He bowed his head. “I would be forever grateful if you would let me join you.”

  The Shaman questioned, “Why would we let you join us troll. We don’t even know of you. You could be trying to trick us. How do we know this Toumani you speak of didn’t send you to find us and gather information for him?”

  “I promise you kind sir I am after nothing more than companionship. I am lonely and have no friends.” The troll looked at them.

  Micael whispered into the Shaman’s ear. “We should not trust this creature. The trolls are known to be troublemakers and liars Shaman.”

  “I know this Micael but we should always accept someone until they prove themselves otherwise. We will take this troll with us on our adventure but if he shows anything other than kindness and compassion we shall make sure we part ways with him.” The Shaman stepped towards the troll. “What is your name troll?”

  “My name is Ovit kind sirs.” He bowed to them.

  “There is no need to bow here Ovit we are not royalty. We will take you on our adventure under one condition Ovit. You mustn’t do anything to distract or destroy any plans we may have. We will consider you to be our friend unless you prove otherwise. Also, you must be very quiet while on the journey because there is a warlock close and I’m sure witches and ghouls too.” The Shaman spoke sternly.

  The troll looked around and was a bit tense. “You two are very kind, very kind indeed.”

  Just then the Princess Fimella flew down. “You mean three troll.”

  The troll looked at the Princess Fimella. “Hello, little fairy.” He held his hand out to the Princess. “I am Ovit.”

  The Princess observed the troll then looked over at the Shaman and Micael who looked at her as if to tell her what was happening. She smiled down at the troll. “Nice to meet you Ovit I am Princess Fimella.”

  The troll smiled back with his blackened teeth, but it seemed heartfelt. The group carried on to the north in search of the Mystagog.

  The witches Povina and Nevula felt very tired and decided to rest. Nevula sat close to her sister and began talking.

  “I cannot believe that Grimelda sent us here to perform this duty for her this is the most awful thing we’ve ever done. Leaving our brother to die in the Forest of Shadows was bad enough, but now we have to wander through these swamps to find the Mystagog?” She spoke with annoyance.

  “Nevula, our sister entrusted us with this task because she knew we could do it. Don’t you think that should mean something to us?” Povina asked.

  “My dear sister Povina you think we would have learned by now that Grimelda only does things that will benefit her in the end. I don’t mean to sound ungrateful but I believe she sent us into the Forest of Shadows to rid hers
elf of us as well as Trovis.”

  Povina thought for a moment. “You know sister, in some strange way I believe you, but in my wretched soul I want to trust Grimelda.”

  Nevula stood up. “This is what we shall do then Povina. We shall find the Mystagog and hear his riddle. Once we realize if he’s told us the truth or not we will bring the information back to Grimelda in the Midnight Mountains. I believe we will realize what her true intentions were when she hears our news from the Forest of Shadows.”

  Povina nodded. “Agreed.”

  The sisters stayed for a while then continued onward into the swamps.

  In the castle of the Angelic Spirits back in the Valley of Illumination the three friends sat with the Queen Armad discussing strategies.

  The Angelic Spirits sat as the Queen Armad spoke to them.

  “I trust that my daughter and the Shaman and the myrmidon have successfully made it into the Forest of Shadows by now. Although I am worried about my daughter I know her strengths and her weaknesses. I can only hope that they will return safely with good news for us. I do not expect that they will find the Book of Elandor but I do believe they will find some very useful information for us.”

  “I believe the Shaman will find many answers for us Queen Armad,” Mitral said calmly. “Going into the Forest of Shadows is dangerous but I believe they will travel safely. It is a long hard journey though my dear friends and we should not expect their return anytime soon.”

  The Queen looked out through the window. “I guess I never believed that the world would come to this. I never thought that we would all be sent back to this planet in this type of situation looking for the three books. The Gods should have left the books where they were. I know this is being done to teach the world some great lesson, but I still think it’s very dangerous when you are playing with the lives of so many.”

  The Angelic Spirits looked at the Queen Armad and Ademus spoke.

  “Queen Armad, the Gods did not do this to hurt us. They sent us back here to help. Although it is possible that lives may be lost, it will be no different than it ever was on this planet. It is the circle of life. You are born, you live, and you die. It’s a harsh but simple fact.”

  The Queen smiled at Ademus. “I know this my friends. I am grateful for the chance to help the Gods in any way I can. I am but a humble servant to them.”

  The Angelic Spirits smiled and Aerifus stood. “As are we Queen Armad. We are also humble servants of the Gods, so we understand.”

  Mitral stood and walked to the window. “I will pray for our friends in the Forest of Shadows that they come back to us safely.”

  They all looked at each other and smiled lightly.

  Deep into the Forest of Shadows Toumani lead his troop in search of the Book of Elandor. They had been moving slowly but surely for weeks now to the north. They had no idea that the others were in search of the Mystagog at this point and not the Book of Elandor. Toumani halted his troop when he sensed there was danger.

  He silenced them and stood quietly for a moment then turned to speak to them.

  “My fellow trolls we are not the first to walk this path today. I smell the scent of a warlock. Could it be that the witches have left their brother in the Forest of Shadows alone?” He smirked, “Of course! The witches are ridding themselves of one of the warlocks to get the other to help them.” He began laughing. “They’ve just made their first huge mistake I do believe my soldiers if I am correct. They will need the power of both the brothers in the end even though they may not know this yet. The warlocks, as it was written many years ago would one day rise above the witches in powers. Those stupid hideous moldy messes have created a huge problem for themselves. Once the Book of Elandor is found I will laugh directly in their faces.”

  The troops began laughing with Toumani as he motioned them to move forward. In his mind Toumani knew that if he could somehow find the warlock brother and convince him to join them they would be much stronger.

  At the very northpoint of the Forest of Shadows sat a great mountain, at the top of this mountain sat a very old man, the Mystagog. He was sitting looking out over the land of the Forest of Shadows. He knew that within a matter of days the first group would arrive to ask him about the Book of Elandor, the decision to tell any of them the truth would be one he would contemplate. The Mystagog was a very lonely old man who was sent into a state of confusion when the planet stopped that day. His mind was no longer as strong as it once was which lead him to speak in riddles. The Mystagog felt he had a direct link to the Gods which was why he was a teacher of religious mysteries. The biggest mystery of all would be to know who he once was. He would ponder this for weeks at a time. He sometimes believed he remembered having a family but he could not think of their names or see their faces. Living on the mountain was very lonely and quiet and also fed into his insane behavior. He looked once more over the land then retreated back into his cave awaiting the arrival.

  Micael and Ovit walked close to each other but still a few steps behind the Shaman. Ovit had a tendency to talk too much but Micael didn’t seem to mind.

  “Tell me myrmidon why would you be sent on this journey with the Shaman?” The troll asked.

  “I believe it’s because the Angelic Spirits trust me and because the Shaman believes I can be of some assistance to him.” Micael smiled down at their new found friend. “Tell me Ovit why would the trolls banish you from the village?”

  Ovit struggled with the thought for a moment before answering. “The leader Toumani didn’t care for me too much. I was part of his army he was building. One evening he summoned me to his quarters to discuss strategies. I told him that I didn’t think we should get involved in the battle for the three books and this angered him and he had me thrown from the grounds and told me never to return again.”

  Micael looked at Ovit who seemed sad. “Why are you so sad Ovit? I would think you would be happy to not have to fight any battles or do something you don’t believe in.”

  Ovit looked up at Micael. “I am happy that I won’t fight but it’s very hard to leave your kind behind when it’s the only life you have ever known Micael.”

  Micael understood for he too had felt this way many times.

  Princess Fimella flew down from the sky quickly and fluttered in front of the Shaman and Micael and Ovit.

  “My friends, my friends, I feel we may be close to the Mystagog. There is a large mountain den ahead. This may be the home of the Mystagog.” She smiled feeling they were near.

  The Shaman walking a bit faster now said “Come my friends if we are close we must reach him before the others do.”

  CHAPTER THREE

  The ghouls continued on their journey, Helmog was still very angry with the trolls for treating him so badly but he knew he would make them pay for their mistakes once the Book of Elandor was found. Slothard and Wagrim trailed a few feet behind Helmog and spoke to one another quietly.

  “We must take more control of this situation Wagrim we have given Helmog too much power over us. In the end, he will destroy us.” Slothard said.

  “Slothard you know he has always lead us, we put him that position many years ago.” Slothard stalled a bit.

  “Wagrim, all I am saying is we must keep a watchful eye on Helmog for I feel that if we are the first to find the book we will also be on the edge of destruction because of him.”

  “I agree with you we’ll keep a watchful eye.” They continued to move along with Helmog.

  In the center of the Forest of Shadows Trovis still walked along angrily in search of his two deceitful sisters. He decided he wouldn’t be able to find them this day they already had such a huge lead ahead of him, so he sat down to take a rest. About an hour had passed when he thought he heard something. Looking around him he saw nothing.

  He decided to call out to see if anyone answered back.

  “Who’s there? Is there anyone there?” He called. There was no answer. He stood and began looking around. He had turned to look beh
ind him when he felt something at his feet and then suddenly he was on the ground on his back with his arms being pulled to the right and the left along with his legs. Trovis then felt something come across his neck and hold him tightly to the ground. Trovis was completely terrified until he noticed through blurred eyes something sitting upon his chest, when he managed to finally make the creature out he realized it was a gremlin.

  “What say you warlock?” The gremlin moved closer to his face so that Trovis could see his big yellow eyes.

  Trovis looked at the gremlin. “What is the meaning of this gremlin? What do you intend to do with me?” He asked.

  The gremlin tapped the top of Trovis’ head with his long gangly finger. “Hmm what do you think I should do with you warlock? I’m more interested in why you are out here wandering in the Forest of Shadows. What’re you after warlock?”

  “I don’t have to tell you anything gremlin.” Trovis spit in his face. The gremlin began jumping up and down on Trovis’ chest. Trovis was gasping for breath and finally agreed to tell the gremlin what had happened, but, he left out the part about the Book of Elandor and the Mystagog. The gremlin finally decided to let him off the hook and released him from the stronghold. Trovis stood up.

  “Stupid gremlin, I could crush you like an ant underneath my foot right now. Why would you do such a thing?” He was very bothered with the gremlin.

  “I am sorry warlock I am just protecting my part of this great forest. I had to make sure you were not here to destroy my home.” The gremlin pleaded knowing he had set the warlock free and could be harmed.

  Trovis turned and walked away from the gremlin. “I am not here to harm anyone but my grotesque sisters. They will be lucky to ever make it back to the Midnight Mountains once I get my hands on them.”