The Mystical Journey

by KJ Siirila

  The three ghouls chuckled.

  Helmog set Esor back on the ground. “Could you do us one more favor Esor?”

  “Surely anything for a friend,” Esor smiled.

  Helmog knelt down now. “If anyone else shall come along asking for the way to the great Mystagog could you do us a favor and not tell them anything? There are some very evil creatures traveling in the Forest of Shadows and we wouldn’t want to see any harm done to you by them.”

  Esor looked at them with concern. “Don’t worry my friends I won’t tell a soul.” With these final words Esor jumped away.

  The three ghouls knew they had just inherited some very valuable information and would use it very wisely now. They moved a bit more swiftly now to the north in search of the Mystagog.

  Povina and Nevula sat while the demon creature watched over them. The demon was quite scary but Povina and Nevula knew they had the advantage in the situation, what they didn’t know was that Trovis had blocked their spell and was searching for them with Toumani.

  “When will the warlock be here witches?” the demon snarled.

  “Soon demon.” Povina reassured herself and the demon. “We called him and he should be here soon.”

  Nevula whispered to Povina. “He should have been here by now sister. What’s taking so long?”

  “I don’t know my sister. I agree he should have been here by now, something has happened and I’m not sure what but it can’t be good. We must be prepared for anything when we meet with our brother once again.” Povina asserted.

  The demon looked over at the sisters talking wondering what they were chattering about. He wouldn’t concern himself with it though because he was after one thing and one thing only, the warlock. The witches meant nothing to him.

  “Did we do the spell correctly Povina?” Nevula was quite concerned.

  “Of course sister, I can’t imagine that we would have messed it up. We made sure it was worded perfectly. I’m not sure why it wouldn’t have.” She stopped short of her sentence.

  “What is it sister?” Nevula said nervously.

  “That dirty little brat, he was blocking us. He knew we cast a spell on him and he blocked it.” She grinned. “It seems Nevula that Crovis and Trovis have been learning more than we thought they have. Trovis felt the magic of the spell and blocked us.”

  Nevula cackled a bit. “Grimelda would be surprised to learn of this news, I can’t wait to get back to the Midnight Mountains and tell her the tale.”

  Povina wondered aloud. “Nevula, we need to cast a spell on ourselves to protect us from Trovis now. I feel he is coming, but not alone. He is after our blood and won’t stop until he feels it on his grubby hands.”

  The sisters sat and pondered their spell, when they thought they had come up with a spell that would block Trovis from doing them any harm they cast it quietly on themselves. Now, they would wait.

  The darkness of the Midnight Mountains was sometimes very frightening. You could barely see outdoors most of the time. Grimelda had set forth her plans to capture the ghouls upon their return. Grimelda, Magella, and Crovis were seated in the living area of the castle drinking a flask of wine. They did this sometimes after dinner. Grimelda was looking into the fire of the fireplace when she felt a bit strange. She stood up and walked to the outdoor terrace Magella soon followed.

  “What is it Grimelda?” She asked.

  “The sisters are in trouble Magella. I can feel it deep down. They have cast a spell recently which was strong enough for me to sense it.” She walked further away from the doorway to avoid Crovis overhearing them.

  “What do you think it is sister?” Magella followed.

  “It’s Trovis. Those idiots haven’t destroyed him. He’s still alive and well, we have to go to the altar and look to the crystal ball. We must find out what’s happening in the Forest of Shadows before it’s too late for the sisters.” Grimelda and Magella left the terrace and headed through the living area past Crovis who looked a bit bewildered and into the altar room.

  The altar room was quite large. It was almost the biggest room in the castle. There were books and potion bottles everywhere. The crystal ball was quite large also. Grimelda stepped up to it and began to chant.

  “Great crystal ball, I have come to you for answers. I must know what is happening in the Forest of Shadows.” The crystal ball clouded over a deep blue and soon an image of Povina and Nevula appeared. “It’s the sisters Magella they live, but there is also a demon keeping them hostage somewhere in the marshes of the forest.” Grimelda looked even closer. “Danger is near though sister. Trovis is coming for them with a large group of trolls lead by that ghastly little beast Toumani.”

  Magella gasped. “Whatever shall we do sister?”

  Grimelda walked away from the crystal ball and began pacing the altar room. She wasn’t quite sure what to do. This could ruin everything. She stopped and turned to Magella and smiled.

  “No worries sister. Povina and Nevula will have cast a spell by now to protect them from Trovis and his magic. I just hope the spell is strong enough to keep them out of harms way.” Grimelda sat down in a chair and took in a deep breath of air.

  Magella came and stood close to her. “Don’t worry sister everything will be fine.”

  Grimelda looked up at her. “It’s not that sister. I was thinking about the day we were all sent back here I don’t remember much of that day but waking inside of this castle. I just wonder what really happened and why we were all sent back here to search for the three books.”

  Magella knelt down and put her head on Grimelda’s lap. “We may never know sister just be happy we have each other.” Grimelda placed her hand atop Magella’s head and smiled.

  Reaching far north of the swamps The Shaman, Micael, Ovit and the Princess Fimella continued on their journey. They were nearing the village of the mutant myrmidons and were being much more careful now. Chiao had warned them to be most cautious when traveling through here.

  Princess Fimella flew down and fluttered in front of the Shaman.

  “Shaman, the village is near, I can see it from above. We are probably a matter of minutes from reaching it.” She said anxiously.

  “Don’t worry Princess. We won’t disturb the village. We must be very quiet and move slowly so that we don’t get caught. Fly high above and make sure that you’re not seen we can’t take any chances.” The Shaman slowed Micael and Ovit while the Princess flew back to the tops of the trees.

  “How close are we Shaman?” Micael asked.

  “We are a matter of minutes from the village Micael and Ovit. We have to be silent and move as if we were invisible through the mutant village.” The Shaman spoke strongly to get his point across.

  Ovit spoke quietly. “Friends, I think I can enter the village and create a bit of confusion so that they will not notice you at all. They would expect a creature such as myself to come through once in while, it is the way of the Forest of Shadows.”

  The Shaman and Micael looked at each other.

  “What do you think Shaman?”

  The Shaman thought for a moment. “Just be careful Ovit. You must use every precaution when dealing with these mutant myrmidons.”

  Ovit grinned widely. “Thank you for allowing me this opportunity Shaman and Micael. Watch closely for I am going to go right to the center of the village and stir up quite a ruckus. Once you notice the myrmidons coming closer to me, move swiftly to avoid them. Don’t worry about me I will find you shortly afterwards.” He began to walk away and turned back. “It will be fine my friends don’t worry.”

  With those words Ovit began his descent into the village. Micael and the Shaman began creeping quietly behind trees. The Princess Fimella was not far overhead moving along with them as they went.

  Ovit skipped into the village and acted as if he didn’t know where he was. There were at least twenty mutant myrmidons looking curiously at Ovit.

  Ovit skipped along right to the center of the village and began dan
cing around. The mutant myrmidons came closer to him and looked a bit bewildered. One of the mutants walked up to Ovit. The mutant myrmidon had only one eye centered in the middle of his head which was completely out of proportion with the rest of his long, slender body.

  “What are you doing in our village troll?” He asked.

  “I’m lost friend. I happened upon your village and thought you might be able to help me find my way out of here.” Ovit smiled.

  “No creature is welcome in our village troll. You’re quite lucky we haven’t killed you and eaten you by now.” The troll seemed a bit outraged.

  “Please don’t eat me kind myrmidon. I have only come here by mistake I would never bother your village for any other reason.” Ovit pleaded with the mutant myrmidons. As he did this, Ovit signaled the Shaman and Micael to move past the village. Once on the move, Ovit began dancing again and singing trying to distract the mutants.

  The large headed mutant myrmidon wondered what the troll was doing. “Troll, why do you sing and dance in the face of danger?”

  “Because mutant I am not afraid of you or your kind.” He jumped onto a barrel and proceeded to climb onto the roof of one of the mutants homes.

  The mutant looked up at him. “Come down from there troll. Come down from there this instant!” The mutant myrmidon demanded.

  Ovit laughed at him. “Come and get me mutant, if you can.”

  While all of this was taking place the Shaman and Micael, and the Princess Fimella managed to bypass the village unseen and continue upwards. They hoped and prayed Ovit would come out of the village unharmed.

  They traveled almost an hour before coming to a standstill.

  “Shaman do you think Ovit survived the mutant village?” Micael asked.

  “Don’t worry Micael, Ovit will be fine. He is a troll, a forest creature. Survival is what he does everyday.” The Shaman reassured Micael.

  They waited for almost two hours when they saw Ovit come skipping through the trees. He was singing. The Shaman, Micael and the Princess Fimella laughed.

  Micael stood as he approached. “Ovit, my dear friend, you survived.”

  Ovit smiled. “Of course I did Micael. Although, I almost didn’t make it out of there because the large one with one eye managed to grab me but I wriggled free.”

  “Good to have you back Ovit.” The Shaman was very happy he survived. “Now, we are onto our next adventure friends. We will be venturing into the desert. Unfortunately, not all of us are going through the desert.”

  They all looked at the Shaman.

  “Princess Fimella I need you to fly back to the Angelic Spirits and update them on what’s happened thus far.” He was a bit sad having to tell the Princess this but knew she’d understand.

  She shrugged a bit but then smiled. “Its fine my friends, this has been the most exciting adventure I have ever been on. I am just happy to know all three of you and I wish you much luck and much safety on your journey. I will see you when you come home to the Valley of Illumination.” She fluttered around for a moment then flew off.

  Micael seemed a bit sad at losing the Princess Fimella he considered her a dear friend and cohort. Ovit came and stood next to him.

  “Don’t worry my friend the Princess will be fine. She will be missed yes, but we have a much bigger journey ahead of us now.” He grinned.

  The Shaman readied them for the next phase of their journey. They would rest for now and then travel into the desert. The real journey was about to begin.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Povina and Nevula were lying on the ground near the demon when they both opened their eyes at the same time. They knew Trovis was coming but it sounded like he would be arriving with an army. They stood up.

  “Demon!” Povina yelled to the demon creature.

  He looked over with his blood red eyes. “What is it witch?” He snarled.

  “The warlock is coming but not alone. We hear the sounds of many, possibly an army. Are you prepared for that?” Povina questioned.

  “Do I look worried witch?” He snickered.

  Povina and Nevula smiled at each other and proceeded to hide behind a large rock which was near them. They waited almost an hour until they saw Trovis coming close to them. Trovis was with the trolls. They couldn’t believe it. Trovis and the trolls appeared not knowing that the demon creature laid in wait for them.

  Toumani halted the troops.

  “I smell witches.” He looked up at Trovis.

  “They are here troll this I know.” Trovis began to wander around when suddenly the demon creature dropped from a tree above. The troops held up their weapons and Trovis jumped back from him.

  The demon came very close to Trovis. “Ah. What do we have here? It looks as though a warlock has lost his way in the woods and has asked the little tree monsters to help him find his way home.” He moved slowly around Trovis. Povina and Nevula poked their heads above the rock slightly just to see the events.

  “What is it you want demon?” Trovis asked.

  “Isn’t it obvious warlock I want you. Actually, you were given to me by two very evil witches.” He smirked.

  “Povina and Nevula? You’re correct about one thing demon, they are definitely evil but they never do anything unless it will benefit them. Did they also tell you that for you to take me would be almost impossible?” Trovis grinned.

  “What do you mean impossible?” The demon looked him in his eyes.

  “I have cast a spell that will keep me from any harm demon. Come now, do you think I’m a fool? Try anything you’d like to you can’t harm me.” He stood back.

  The demon raised his dark hand and swung it down upon Trovis, but just as his hand was about to hit him he was zapped and thrown many feet backwards.

  He stood up. “Those damned witches tricked me! For this, they shall pay the price!” The demon walked over to the rock they were hiding behind. “Look here warlock. You want the witches here they are!”

  Povina and Nevula stood from the behind the rock and smiled at Trovis.

  Povina walked out and near him. “Dear brother it seems you have found us, but, just like you we have cast a spell to protect us from your magic.” She laughed in his face. Just as she was walking away Trovis called to her.

  “Yes dear sister you cast a spell to protect you from me, but not the trolls.” He smirked slyly. Just as Povina was about to turn back to answer him Nevula yelled to her.

  “Povina! Watch out! The trolls!” Just then the trolls began to use every weapon they had on Povina and Nevula. The two witches dropped to the ground in defeat.

  Trovis walked over to his sisters and gave them both a kick to insure that they were indeed dead. He turned to Toumani and grinned.

  “Well now, I believe it’s time to continue on.”

  Toumani called upon the troops and continued onward, they left the demon creature to feast on the bodies of the witches.

  Back at the castle of the witches in the Midnight Mountains Grimelda clutched her chest and fell to the floor. Magella ran to her.

  “What’s wrong Grimelda are you alright?” She pleaded with her for a response. Grimelda raised her head with tears in her eyes.

  “It’s the sisters Magella. They’re dead.” She laid her head back to the floor.

  “Dead?” Magella stepped back stunned. “How do you know this?”

  “I can feel it Magella. They are dead. We must go to the Forest of Shadows and find Trovis and destroy him.” She said angrily.

  “What about the ghouls Grimelda?”

  “To hell with the ghouls for now, we must travel to the Forest of Shadows and kill Trovis before he reaches the Mystagog. We will tell Crovis he must remain here in case anything should happen. We will tell him that the sisters are in trouble and nothing more. We leave within the hour.” She left the room.

  In the Forest of Shadows the goblins and gremlins were plotting their next move. They had moved their fortress and would now go in search of the Book of Elandor. Olagh and Iz
asa sat in their throne room speaking about what plans needed to be made.

  “All of the creatures have gone in search of the Mystagog. I don’t believe we will take this same path Olagh.” Izasa stood and began to pace the room.

  “Why do you find this such a bad idea Izasa? If everyone is searching for the great Mystagog it would be for a reason. We have already fallen behind.” Olagh stood with him now.

  “I feel that there could be many problems if we should happen upon the other creatures. If we know where they are at I think it would safe to say we could travel unbothered through the forest in search of the Book of Elandor.”

  “I think you may be wrong Izasa. I think that you should take the gremlins and travel the forest. I will take the goblins and travel north to the swamps.”

  “Olagh, we should stick together now. We cannot take any chances at failure. We need both sides to do this.” Izasa said forcefully.

  “As I said Izasa, I will take the goblins to the north and you travel the forest. We will meet back here a month from today. It will take us at least that long to find the great Mystagog I’m sure. If we cannot find him, we will find you and the troops and rejoin you in the hunt for the Book of Elandor.”

  Izasa stepped to him. “Agreed.”

  Olagh smiled and left the throne room. Izasa hoped this plan would work but had his reservations about the whole situation.

  In the Valley of Illumination, Princess Fimella flew to the Angelic Spirits castle to update them on the events of the past weeks. The Angelic Spirits and the Queen Armad sat silently as she told them of everything that had happened. They were concerned to think the Shaman and Micael were now traveling with a troll but would not question the Shaman at this point.

  “Tell me Princess Fimella, do you think that these three can make it across the desert to find the Mystagog?” Mitral asked.

  “Yes. I believe they should have no problem traveling the desert. My only worry is that the Mystagog will send them on a wild goose chase with his riddle.”