The Mystical Journey

by KJ Siirila

  The gremlin went back to his routine and ignored the final words of the warlock just being grateful that he hadn’t killed him.

  The Shaman continued forth while the Princess Fimella flew overhead, he thought to himself as he walked that he felt very good about his traveling companions. He wasn’t too sure about the troll yet the trust must be built amongst all four of them. Micael had taken a liking to Ovit which made the Shaman more comfortable. The Shaman walked quicker now upon seeing the mountain den ahead of them.

  “Come my friends we are close. The den is just ahead of us.” The Shaman kept walking faster and then all of them began to run laughing a bit along the way and a bit excited.

  As they neared the den the Shaman began to slow down. He started to feel a bit more leary about the den. The Shaman turned to his companions.

  “We must stop my friends. This is not the home of the Mystagog.” He shuddered. “This is the home of Chiao.”

  Micael and Ovit stepped back and the Princess fluttered with them.

  “Chiao? What is a Chiao Shaman?” Micael asked.

  The Shaman quieted his voice. “The Chiao is a giant mythical creature with the head of a dragon and the body of a serpent and covered in scales. It lives here in this swamp and that is its home. It is dangerous and could kill all four of us with the snap of its mouth.”

  They gasped. Suddenly, a look of horror came over the face of the Shaman’s companions. Micael pointed past the Shaman. The Shaman knew what he was about to see and turned to come fact to face with the Chiao. The Shaman looked back at his friends quickly.

  “Run my friends! Run!” The Shaman turned back to face the the Chiao.

  Micael and Ovit began running backwards watching the Shaman and the Chiao. The Princess flew as they ran. They ran far enough way to where the Chiao could not see them any longer but they could see the Shaman.

  The Shaman stood back from the Chiao. “Let us pass Chiao. We have not come to destroy you we’ve come in search of the Mystagog.”

  The Chiao slithered around the Shaman eventually wrapping itself around him and coming face to face with him once again. The creature was hideous, it was large and red and full of scales. Its eyes were blood red and its teeth were like giant swords. It thrust its head upwards and then pulled itself down quickly into the Shaman’s face.

  “Why do you come here seer?” The Chiao said with a slithery voice.

  “I have come in search of the Mystagog Chiao.” The Shaman stood solidly not showing fear to the great swamp dragon.

  “What would a seer want with the magical Mystagog?” Chiao questioned.

  “I am not afraid of you dragon, either you can let us pass through here this day or you can kill me now.” The Shaman stood firm.

  “For being so old my friend you are very brave.” The Chiao slowly released him. “I am not an evil dragon seer I just protect the land which is rightfully mine here in the Forest of Shadows.”

  “Please understand dragon, we have not come to destroy your land or try to take anything from you, we are in search of the Mystagog nothing more.” The Shaman stepped back from the dragon now. “May I summon my friends that it is safe?” He asked.

  “Do not worry seer. I will not harm you or your friends, and I will let you pass with one request, that you and your friends stay here and speak for a short while with me.”

  The Shaman smiled. “Yes my friend.” He waved to the others letting them know it was safe to come closer now. They were still a bit fearful but came and met the dragon.

  Once inside of the dragon’s mountain den they began to chat. Micael felt very strange being inside of the dragon’s den and was still a bit nervous but inquisitive nonetheless about the dragon.

  Micael sat and drank a cup of water and laughed at a joke Ovit had just told. “Tell me Chiao how did you come to live in the swamps of the Forest of Shadows?”

  The dragon raised his head and smiled. “How did you end up where you are today young myrmidon? Just like you when the planet stopped rotating I was sent here. I made the best of what was put before me.”

  Micael grinned. “Don’t you get lonely here all alone in the middle of the swamp with no one to talk to?”

  “Of course I do, but as I said I have made the best of it.” He slithered slowly to the entrance of his mountain den. “If given the choice my friends I wouldn’t even be back on this planet today but the Gods have sent all of us here for a reason unknown. I never question the Gods I just do what I am sent to do.”

  The Shaman stood and walked to the entrance. “What is it you were sent to do Chiao?”

  Chiao smirked and slithered back to the center of the cave. “I thank you for coming to see me today here in my home friends and although I don’t believe friends should have to do things for each other to remain friends I want to do something very special for you today. Come sit in the circle Shaman.” The Shaman sat down next to Micael and Ovit and the Princess sat quietly on Micael’s shoulder.

  The dragon spoke as quietly as he could now so that no one would hear him. “My friends I will tell you how to find the Mystagog. You see my friends this is one of the entrances to the paths to the Mystagog and normally I would have killed you upon entering but this day, you were quite lucky.”

  They all smiled knowing this was the truth, and they were quite grateful. The dragon continued on.

  “The path to the Mystagog is not an easy one you will have to go through some difficult areas in the swamps. Please, whatever you do, don’t stray off of the course I am sending you on. There is an area of the swamps controlled by mutant myrmidons, half human and half creature, the day the planet stopped rotating they were affected by the blasts and somehow mutated. They are hunters, killing anything and anyone in their paths, anger drives them. This is not the end though my friends, once you bypass the mutant myrmidons you will have to travel through a desert area that not many know about, this desert is full of creatures I don’t even know about. You may have to fight which is why I am going to arm you with weapons of those who came before you that met an untimely demise.” Chiao smiled slyly. “Once you reach the edge of the desert it will appear there is nothing more than forest ahead of you, but do not be fooled my dear friends it is but a mirage. Look past what you are seeing because the forest is actually a mountain range. You will travel far into the mountains but when you come to the highest mountain you will have found the Mystagog. Now, this is the most important part. Do not be fooled by the old man’s riddles. Rarely does he ever tell the truth, and I’m sure if he knows you have come for the location of the Book of Elandor he will be even more deceitful.”

  “How did you know we were looking for the Book of Elandor?” The Shaman inquired.

  “Why else would you come to the Forest of Shadows?” Chiao turned his monsterous head and smiled.

  Chiao gave them weapons to travel with. The tiniest being a bow and arrow for the Princess Fimella. Micael was given a sword and Ovit a crossbow. The Shaman opted not to carry a weapon saying the only weapon he needed was his mind. They thanked Chiao and told them they hoped they’d meet again one day under different circumstances. He agreed. They were on a new adventure now, one more dangerous, but inevitably reaching their goal of finding the Mystagog.

  Povina and Nevula were moving a little more slowly into the swamps. They had always been the lazy sisters letting the two older sisters Grimelda and Magella handle everything. Povina sat on a rock and Nevula joined her.

  “Nevula I am sick of walking maybe we should fly.” Povina wondered loudly.

  “We cannot fly in the swamps sister we do not know the swamps and I would be fearful of something happening to us. We must continue on foot.” She sighed.

  They were sitting for a short time when they heard something. Povina and Nevula ducked behind a rock and quietly looked over the top to see what was there. They didn’t see anything but stayed hidden for a while longer, when they felt it was safe they came out from behind the rock. This would be their first mi
stake on their journey because as soon as they appeared a large dark creature with huge wings and the eyes of the devil himself grabbed them and lifted them into the air as they screamed.

  “Put us down this instant!” Povina demanded. “Put us down before I cast a spell on you that shall kill you instantly.” The creature laughed loudly.

  “Stupid witches, how dare you find your way into my swamps. You are not wanted here and the chances of you leaving here alive are not in your favor.” He smiled quite big showing his razor sharp teeth of steel.

  Povina and Nevula were afraid for their lives. They knew they didn’t have the powers of Grimelda, they didn’t even know too many spells to help them in this situation so instead they decided to try to make a deal with the creature.

  “Demon!” Povina called to him. “Demon we wish to make some sort of a deal with you.”

  The creature seemed somewhat interested at this thought. “Speak witch! Tell me of this deal you wish to make.” He set them down on the ground and stood grandly before the cowering sisters.

  “Why kill us when you could destroy one of the most powerful warlocks in the world who will soon travel this way.” Povina smiled coyly.

  “What would I want with a warlock when I can kill two witches?” The creature demanded an answer.

  “The warlock is our brother and we lost him some time ago in the forest. He will find us though. You must understand demon he is the most powerful warlock in the Midnight Mountains or the Valley of Illumination. Why kill us when you can defeat that kind of power?” Povina winked at Nevula knowing she would convince the demon creature.

  The creature stood for a moment and thought and then said, “Why couldn’t I kill you and him?”

  Povina thought quickly. “Because if you kill us he will know what you have done and come to defeat you and he can. We will help you trap him like an animal in a cage. You agree to our deal and we shall fulfill our agreement.”

  The creature pondered for a few short minutes and looked down at them. “We are in agreement witches, you ensure that the warlock is brought here and I will set you free.”

  Povina and Nevula smiled now they would have to cast a spell to get Trovis to come to them in the swamp.

  Nearing the swamp Toumani and his troops moved steadily along. Toumani was in search of Trovis the warlock. He was determined to find him. Toumani stopped his troops before entering the swamps.

  “Fellow trolls. We must find the warlock. It is essential to defeat the witches and find the Mystagog. Keep a watchful eye while we travel through the swamp for him.” The strange thing about this situation was that Trovis was only a matter of feet away from the trolls sleeping. Trovis didn’t quite know what came over him as he slept but he felt something magical happening in his mind. It was his sisters Povina and Nevula calling him to join them. He knew it was a trick and would block out their spell. Povina and Nevula didn’t realize that he and Crovis had spent much time working on ways to block the sister’s spells. He decided that he would get up and head into the swamps, he had rested long enough. Trovis would do his best to avoid his sisters now. As he rose up from the ground Trovis looked over and saw the trolls. He fell back to the ground quickly hoping they hadn’t seen him. His luck had just run out though, for Toumani came quickly to him.

  Toumani poked him on the shoulder. “You there, raise your head and let me see what kind of creature you are.”

  Trovis slowly raised his head and a huge smile came across Toumani’s face.

  “Well, well, what do we have here? It seems that we have found the warlock.” He grinned.

  Trovis wasn’t sure how the troll knew who he was he got up from the ground, brushed off his cloak and began asking questions.

  “How is it that you know who I am troll?” He asked.

  “Poor warlock you have become the laughing stock of the Forest of Shadows. We all know what your evil sisters did to you, leaving you here to die in the woods.” He said sneakily.

  “Everyone knows what they’ve done?” He seemed surprised.

  Toumani knew he had grasped onto something now, he would set his plan in motion now before he lost his interest.

  “If you would like warlock we will help you find your sisters and teach them a very valuable lesson.” Toumani tapped his chin with his long finger.

  “What kinds of lesson troll?” Trovis asked.

  “Why we shall do to them what they planned to do to you warlock. We’ll kill them.” He smiled.

  Trovis smirked back at Toumani. “So then troll, it shall be. We shall find the sisters and kill them.” They laughed and shook hands.

  Deep in the swamps and long past the serpent dragon Chiao the Shaman lead Micael, Ovit, and Princess Fimella.

  Micael called to the Shaman. “I don’t want to annoy or bother on this journey but I should tell you now that I have never used a sword in my life, Ovit has never seen a crossbow and the Princess Fimella has no idea what to do with her bow and arrow.”

  The Shaman stopped and turned around. “Then I guess it’s time you were taught how to use these weapons young Micael. We are a small army of four but powerful no doubt. We shall stop here for a time and practice with the weapons. I will show you how to use these weapons, although I am hoping you won’t have to.”

  The Shaman decided he would teach Princess Fimella first so she could continue to watch above them while he trained Micael and Ovit. He taught her how to hold the bow first then guided her through how to shoot the arrows. She had much difficulty with it at first but eventually she figured it out. She told them she needed more practice and would continue to do so high above in the trees so she could watch for enemies lurking.

  Although Ovit had never handled a weapon before he seemed to take a liking to the crossbow. The Shaman showed him how to use it once and he understood what it could do and by the time he had finished practicing with the Shaman he was shooting the arrows straight. He sent Ovit some feet away to practice and then turned to Micael.

  The Shaman knew this would be harder but he knew his young apprentice could handle it. The Shaman motioned Micael forward.

  “Young Micael you must become one with the sword you were given. You will have to spend time learning to do this.” Micael was nervous about wielding the sword but knew if he had to protect himself and his friends he would have to learn to do it. The Shaman first had him hold the sword out in front of him.

  “You must know your sword Micael. Study it. You must make it your best friend. In my day, swords were used by the great warriors. They were their soulmates. Do you understand this?” Micael nodded. “You see young Micael this sword will become your new best friend.”

  “Thank you Shaman.” Micael began to practice with the Shaman. They had only planned on staying where they were for a matter of days but ended up staying almost two weeks. In this time, Micael, Princess Fimella and Ovit learned how to use their weapons quickly and accurately. They were not experts by far but with more practice they would become the leaders of the army the Valley of Illumination so needed.

  Once the Shaman was convinced that they had learned enough to move on they did. They would next go through the Forest of Shadows and try to avoid the mutant myrmidons village.

  Toumani and Trovis travelled forth in the swamps in search of Povina and Nevula. They spoke as they walked with the troops.

  “So do you have a name troll?” Trovis asked.

  “It’s Toumani and you warlock?” Toumani said a bit snidely.

  “It’s Trovis.” He rolled his eyes a bit.

  “Tell me Trovis, what do you think would possess your sisters to do such a thing to you? I’ve always been taught that witches were not the kindest creatures but this seems a bit extreme even to me.” He wrinkled his mouth.

  “I believe it’s because they want to gain control of my brother Crovis, my mirror brother, who they believe to be smarter and stronger than me.” He huffed.

  Toumani heard nothing after he heard him speak of his mirror br
other Crovis because he knew that if he could figure out a way to get both warlocks on his side they would be virtually unstoppable.

  Toumani walked along with a bit more energy now. “Move along troops we have much ground to cover.”

  The ghouls slowed for a moment to discuss what they would do next.

  Helmog spoke quietly to avoid ears that may hear them. “Slothard and Wagrim this journey to find the Mystagog is becoming long and quite boring. I do not understand why the Mystagog is so difficult to find, there must be another way.”

  Slothard moved in closer. “I agree Helmog we must find another way this is taking much too long.” Just as Slothard finished his sentence a voice came from nowhere.

  “Maybe I can help.” The voice sounded close.

  The ghouls looked around and saw nothing.

  “Who’s there? Show yourself.” Helmog demanded.

  The voice came again. “I am showing myself. I’m right next to you.”

  All three of ghouls looked down to see a large frog sitting on a rock next to them.

  Helmog laughed. “A toad? A toad can help us find the great Mystagog?”

  “Why couldn’t a toad help you find the great Mystagog? I live in these swamps I know everything about them.” The toad rolled his eyes. “My name is Esor and you are?”

  The three ghouls looked at each other and looked down again. Helmog proceeded to reach down and pick Esor up with his ghastly hand.

  “I am Helmog. This is Slothard and Wagrim. Now, tell us Esor is it? How do we we find the great Mystagog?” He stared deep into the toads eyes.

  “Long ago my family lived very close to the edge of the swamp. You see Helmog, the swamp doesn’t continue as far as most think it does, eventually it turns into a desert believe it or not. Once you cross the desert you’ve come to the mountain range where the Mystagog can be found.” Esor said knowingly.

  “How do we know you are not telling us a fable Esor?” Helmog asked.

  “Why would I lie I don’t even know you. You and your friends seemed lost and so I’m just helping you along your journey.” Esor grinned.