by KJ Siirila
Mitral, Ademus, and Aerifus moved their heads in closely and began to discuss privately what their next move would be.
The Queen Armad and the Princess Fimella waited for their reply. It was some time before Mitral finally spoke.
“We have decided it would be best if the Princess Fimella flew back to the Forest of Shadows and waited for the Shaman, Micael, and Ovit to come back from the Midnight Mountains.”
The Queen Armad spoke. “I will join my daughter on her adventure into the forest this time.” The Princess was shocked.
“Mother you cannot go into the forest you are needed here.” The Princess pleaded with the Queen.
“Don’t worry my daughter just like you I know the forest very well. We shall be fine, and just think of what a wonderful adventure it will be when you’re not traveling alone.” The Queen smiled.
The Angelic Spirits were very concerned with this but knew that they could not change the Queen’s mind.
“So it shall be then.” Mitral said softly.
The Princess Fimella was still very concerned with her mother joining her but smiled at her with disguised feelings.
The three ghouls moved closer to the end of the swamp. They traveled quickly now knowing they were nearing the desert. Helmog spoke to Slothard and Wagrim as they went along.
“We will be nearing the desert soon. I can almost taste victory. When we find the Mystagog we will capture him and put him in our dungeon for safe keeping. It’s a plan which can have no flaws.”
Slothard spoke up. “Helmog do you honestly believe that we will be able to capture this great Mystagog. It will be a burden to drag him with us. Why don’t we just find out where the Book of Elandor is and then rid the world of the great mystic.”
Helmog shot Slothard a look that could kill someone. “Why must you try to defeat every plan that I have? I always know what’s best for us. We will do exactly as I say in this situation.”
Wagrim chimed in. “That’s the problem Helmog we always do exactly what you say. Maybe we should do what we want for a change.”
Helmog came closer to both of them now. “It seems that something has happened here that I wasn’t aware of. It seems to be that you two have been conspiring against me.”
“No Helmog we just want more say in the actions that take place. You are not our leader although you seem to think you are. We were all sent here together and we will make these decisions together from now on.” Slothard stood firmly.
“So it is then Slothard and Wagrim, my own kind standing in arms against me in time of battle amongst the creatures.” Helmog turned and started moving forward. Slothard and Wagrim followed him with sly smirks on their faces knowing they had finally put Helmog in his place. He knew where he would stand from now on.
Upon wakening Micael and Ovit noticed the Shaman standing at the edge of the swamp looking over the desert that lay before them. They both walked over to him.
“What is it Shaman?” Micael asked.
“It’s nothing young friends. I was just looking out over the desert realizing just how beautiful the world really is. It’s sad that we must all live in this new world now with all of this despair and hatred towards one another. I don’t want to say anything ill towards the Gods but sometimes it really angers me that they sent us all back here to live on this new planet created once more by them.” The Shaman shed one tear this day for humanity and creatures of all kind before gathering up his belongings and his friends and leading them into the desert.
Once in the desert they realized how much more difficult this was going to be for them. The heat alone could kill them. There was no water to be found anywhere just sand and its dunes. They would have to keep a watchful eye for any enemies that may be lurking.
Ovit didn’t seem too bothered by the temperatures or the walk of the desert, he just seemed happy to be with his new friends. Micael was having a harder time of the desert never having left the Valley of Illumination. Although he didn’t remember much about his life before the planet stopped rotating, he missed the solitude of his room in the castle of the Angelic Spirits.
The Shaman always walked ahead of Micael and Ovit, this gave Ovit and Micael time to learn more about each other.
“Tell me Ovit do you have a family somewhere in the Forest of Shadows?” Micael walked along.
“Of course Micael, but when I was banished from my home I was told I would never see them again.” Ovit looked down sadly.
“Well, maybe once we find the Book of Elandor maybe we can find them once more.” Micael smiled.
“What about your family Micael. Do you miss them?” Ovit inquired.
“I don’t remember them Ovit. The day the planet stopped rotating I lost all memory of anything that happened before that day, as did everyone. I know I have a family but whether they’re living or dead I couldn’t tell you. I hope and pray that one day they will come looking for me but until the world changes again that won’t happen.” Micael spoke solemnly.
“Don’t worry my friend. Your family will find you one day.” Ovit smiled at Micael and he smiled back.
The Shaman stopped suddenly. Micael and Ovit almost bumped into him. They wondered what would make him stop and looked where he was and saw a large creature headed towards them.
“Micael and Ovit prepare yourself you may need to use your weapons.” The Shaman beckoned.
The creature got larger and larger the closer it got. The creature came barreling towards them to knock them over it appeared to have the head of a wild boar and the body of a lion. It also had large tusks and was snarling at them and grunting loudly. The creature missed them by inches but all three of them still ended up on the ground to avoid being hit by it. The creature stopped and turned around grunting at the three of them. The creature stood looking at them for a moment then kicked its back legs and started to run at them once again. This time Micael was ready for the creature as was Ovit. Just as the creature was about to hit them once more, Ovit shot his crossbow hitting the creature in the head with his arrow knocking it to it’s feet, then Micael ran over to it and drew his sword and pushed it down into the creature killing it instantly. All three of the friends sat looking at the creature for a long time not trying to grasp the full reality of what just happened to them.
The Shaman looked at both of them and smiled. “It looks like you’ve caught us a very large dinner my friends.”
Micael and Ovit looked at each other and began laughing. They would stay here and rest but not before eating a full meal.
Micael was proud of himself as was Ovit. They protected their tiny army when they had to which was the sole reason the Chiao had given them the weapons. As they sat near the fire built by the Shaman eating Micael tried to think back to a time he had no recollection of, but he couldn’t. It frustrated him.
The Shaman came and sat next to him. “Micael, I know what you are searching for but you may never find it. Sometimes it’s best to leave things in the past where they belong. It may just be that the Gods have chosen that you don’t remember your life before this for a reason. You must accept it, and move on.”
Micael looked into the fire. “I know this Shaman. It’s just that I feel like a part of me is missing and that part must be my family. I may not remember them, but I feel them. They are still with me somehow.”
The Shaman understood because he felt this way many times himself.
In the Midnight Mountains the witches prepared themselves for their journey back into the Forest of Shadows. Grimelda and Magella walked into the main hall. Crovis was not far behind.
“Where are you off to sisters?” he called to them.
Grimelda turned. “We must go back to the Forest of Shadows Crovis. The sisters are in a bit of trouble and Trovis is nowhere to be found. We saw it in the crystal ball.”
Crovis looked at them strangely. “What do you mean trouble? What aren’t you telling me sister?”
“We will discuss this when we come back from the forest Crovis
, time is of the essence now. Watch the castle while we are gone. We shall be back as soon as possible brother.” With these words they left the castle and Crovis standing in the hallway entrance.
Deep in the swamps of the Forest of Shadows Trovis walked with Toumani and his troops. They seemed to be getting nowhere fast.
“Troll. We need to find someone to direct us to the Mystagog this is getting ridiculous. I feel like we are walking in circles.” Trovis complained.
“I find it very odd that someone as powerful as a warlock would complain so much.” Toumani griped.
“I will keep complaining until we think of another plan troll. I am going to try to cast a spell to help us find our way to the Mystagog. I’m not quite sure it will work, but I will try.” He walked over to a tree and pulled off some leaves set them on the ground closed his eyes and began chanting. He stood there for a few minutes and then smiled. “We must go north troll. I don’t know exactly where the Mystagog is but my insight is telling me to travel north.”
“Are you sure warlock or are you just saying this to get me to do what you say?” Toumani seemed a bit irritated by Trovis.
“Look troll, either you can follow me or go on your way but I am going north.” Trovis began walking north, Toumani stood still.
“Go north warlock we no longer need you.” Toumani called upon his troops and headed south into the Forest of Shadows.
Trovis smiled knowing he had rid himself of the trolls.
Up in the desert region of the Forest of Shadows the Shaman, Micael and Ovit continued on. The heat was almost unbearable but they had enough water to make the journey. Micael and Ovit were still gloating a bit about destroying the creature would have surely killed them.
“How long do you think it will be before we reach the mountains Shaman?” Micael asked.
“I am guessing that we should reach these mountains within a few days, the desert is large but not insurmountable.” The Shaman said positively.
Ovit perked up. “Tell me Micael what if this Mystagog doesn’t tell us the truth. What if he lies?”
Micael looked down at Ovit. “Don’t worry friend, if he lies then he shall suffer the same fate as that creature we destroyed earlier.”
The Shaman overhead Micael talking and was a bit worried, he didn’t want his young friend thinking that he could destroy anything that got in his way. He wanted him to think clearly at all times and logically. The Shaman realized this was a youthful response but would keep a watchful eye on his young apprentice.
The ghouls had reached the desert, avoiding any enemies that may have come their way. The ghouls were about a week behind The Shaman, Micael and Ovit and didn’t really have a chance of reaching the Mystagog before them.
“We have arrived in the desert.” Helmog smirked.
“Do you think we’re the first to reach the desert Helmog?” Wagrim asked.
“No. Someone or something has been here and are a ways ahead of us. I don’t believe we can get the Mystagog before them, but I can hope that the Mystagog tells them a tall fable and sends them in the wrong direction looking for the Book of Elandor.” Helmog looked over the desert.
“This will be a difficult journey Helmog and Wagrim, we must be very careful in our movements. We cannot afford to make mistakes now.” Slothard moved into the desert from the murky swamps now, Helmog and Wagrim followed.
“So, we shall move on in search of this Mystagog.” Wagrim said emphatically.
The ghouls moved forward into the desert not far behind the others.
In the Valley of Illumination the Queen Armad and the Princess Fimella readied themselves for their journey. The Princess was still very nervous about her mother going with her.
“Mother, I still believe it would be best if you stayed here in the Valley of Illumination, if anything were to happen to you what would our kind do? The Princess said calmly.
“Don’t worry Fimella I became Queen of the fairies because I am a strong fairy. I have been here for a very long time daughter and I will be here long after this whole battle ends, but, if anything were to happen to me I also believe you are strong enough to take the throne and lead our kind.” She flew close to her daughter now. “You are my beautiful daughter and a Princess. You possess the same strengths I have, you want to know why, because, you inherited them from me.” She smiled and kissed Fimella on her forehead. “We must leave now and head into the forest. Time is upon daughter.”
With these words, the Queen and the Princess flew away out of the Valley of Illumination and into the Forest of Shadows.
Grimelda and Magella landed in the Forest of Shadows swamp area just as the Queen and the Princess entered the Forest of Shadows on the opposite side. Grimelda sniffed around for a moment then turned to her sister.
“That little heathen was here Magella, but left. The sisters were here also but are no more. They were devoured by a great beast.”
Magella shuddered. “Sister, if they were devoured why couldn’t we be?”
Grimelda laughed. “I would love to see this beast try. I am much too powerful for the average creature. The Gods didn’t send me back here because I am weak I am one of the most powerful evils in any of these three lands.” She paused. “Now, our first plan of attack is to find Trovis and kill him. The sisters failed, we will not, and if we happen upon this great Mystagog along the way, we shall kill him too.”
Magella began to cackle. “I would hate to be a warlock or a Mystagog right now sister.”
Grimelda laughed with her sister and they moved north.
Izasa gathered his army of gremlins and was also in pursuit of the Mystagog to the north, he didn’t realize that two of his most bitter enemies were not far from him and his army. Izasa knew this would not be an easy journey, because he had no idea where he was going to find the Mystagog. As he moved along quietly he noticed the witches not too far from him, he turned and silenced his army.
Izasa was watching them closely he knew they were in the Forest of Shadows for a reason and assumed it was to find the Mystagog, he would take his army and stay a ways behind them but follow them closely.
In the Midnight Mountains Crovis sat in his chair in the living area close to the fire, he knew something was going on but wasn’t sure what it was. He decided he would pay a visit to the crystal ball in the sister’s altar room. Crovis walked down the long hallway and down the long staircase into the altar room. Once inside, he moved slowly to the crystal ball and began gazing into it. He didn’t see anything, knowing this he knew he had to find a way to discover what was happening. He began searching through the sister’s altar room until he found their book of spells.
“Well sisters, it seems you are too trusting leaving this lying around with a naughty warlock in the castle to find it.” He laughed to himself.
He opened the book and began looking at spells, but couldn’t find one to try and read the crystal ball, but, what he did find was a spell which would help him make a mind connection with his brother Trovis. Crovis sat down in Grimelda’s chair and began to read the spell.
“Eye to eye, mind to mind it’s Trovis that I must find. Bring us together in mind not eye hear me now hear my cry.” Suddenly, he slipped into a slight trance. Trovis who was walking along also fell to his knees in a trance. At this moment, the brothers realized they were somehow connected through their minds.
“Trovis?” Crovis knew he had his brother.
“Crovis?” Trovis seemed a bit bewildered at this idea but felt very good knowing he could tell his brother what had happened.
“Trovis. Where are the sisters?”
“Brother, I have much to tell you, please leave the Midnight Mountains and find me here in the swamps of the Forest of Shadows. The sisters have perished at the hands of the trolls, although, I would’ve rather have done it myself. We were tricked Crovis, the horrid sisters planned this all. They are evil and we must join forces and destroy Grimelda and Magella.”
“Trovis, the sisters left the ca
stle and are on their way to the Forest of Shadows. They told me that you were all in trouble so I thought nothing of it, I’m assuming they know the sisters are dead and they are coming to kill you next.”
“Crovis, you must leave the Midnight Mountains and come to the swamps. Once you are flying cast the spell again and I will fly you to me. I believe it can be done. We will move quickly forward to the north I believe this is where the Mystagog is.”
Just then, Grimelda’s large black cat jumped into Crovis’ lap breaking the connection. Crovis got up from the chair dazed but very angry. He knew the sisters were up to something and now it had been confirmed. Crovis ripped the spell out of the book and ran out of the altar room and up the stairs to the main door where he flew off into the dark sky.
Grimelda and Magella had no idea where they were going but continued north. They couldn’t be that far from the edge of the swamps, they also had no idea that there was a small army of gremlins not far behind them trailing their every move.
“Magella, we will reach the edge of these swamps soon. We will continue to travel north.” Grimelda said astutely.
“I sense something Grimelda. We are not alone.” Magella looked around but saw nothing.
Grimelda stopped and looked to. “What do you think it is sister?”
“I’m not sure but it’s not myrmidon. It’s a creature.” Magella started to walk slowly now.
Not far behind them Izasa and his army wondered what was slowing the witches. He decided to move in a little closer.
Grimelda caught a glimpse out of the corner of her eye just as Izasa moved in. She whispered into her sister’s ear. “It seems that we have a creature following us sister.” She grinned.
“Shall we catch it?” Magella asked.
“No need to run after it, when I can just bring it to me.” Grimelda stepped out and raised her hand and pointed her finger to Izasas exact spot. She started to chant and suddenly a large stream of light came from her finger and wrapped itself around Izasa pulling him closer to the witches. Izasas armies stayed back unnoticed.
“Well, well, well. What do we have here sister? It seems the leader of the gremlins has decided to join us on our little adventure.” Grimelda pulled him closer to her before dropping him onto the ground in front of her.