The Mystical Journey

by KJ Siirila

  “What do you want gremlin?” She demanded.

  Izasa gathered his senses before speaking. “I was just traveling through the forest witch in search of the same thing you are looking for I’m sure.”

  Grimelda moved closer and knelt down. “And, tell me gremlin, did you find it?”

  Izasa shrugged his shoulders. “No.”

  Grimelda then grabbed him around his neck and pulled him face to face with her. He was a bit scared at this moment but tried not to show it.

  “You are a leader, you would never travel alone gremlin, where is your army?” She scowled at him.

  “I don’t have an army with me witches. Would it seem so impossible that I would travel alone in this forest which I live in?” He asked.

  Grimelda motioned Magella to move towards Izasa’s army of gremlins. The army held themselves as long as they could, but their nerves got the best of them, and when Magella came within feet of them they all began to run.

  Izasa looked at Grimelda with fear. Grimelda pulled him very close to her face now.

  “You were right gremlin you don’t have an army with you.” She grinned. “Sister, what should we do with this gremlin?”

  Magella came closer. “I’d say it would teach the goblins and gremlins a lesson knowing one of their leaders was killed by a witch don’t you think so Grimelda?

  Grimelda smiled at her sister. “I agree sister, anything you want to say before I destroy you gremlin?” She asked.

  “There’s one thing witch.” Izasa thought quickly. “I know where the Mystagog is.” He smirked. The witches didn’t know Izasa knew nothing about the Mystagogs location.

  Grimelda dropped Izasa to the ground and spoke to Magella quietly. It was a moment before she looked down again at Izasa.

  “We have agreed to spare your life gremlin, but in return, you will lead us to the great Mystagog.”

  Izasa knew his plan had worked. “Yes, of course, thank you kindly witches for sparing my life. I will lead you to him.”

  Grimelda and Magella smiled. Grimelda looked down at him. “Lead on then gremlin, but be warned if this is some sort of trickery we shall kill you the first chance we get.”

  Izasa began walking north hoping that eventually he would find the Mystagog. The thought of traveling with the two most fiercesome witches in all three lands terrified him but in order to survive he had no choice.

  Olagh had not yet left his fortress when Izasas’ army came through the main gates. Olagh was confused at the sight of them, he didn’t see Izasa anywhere. He stormed up to the army who had stopped moving by now.

  “Where is Izasa?” He looked at them until one of them spoke up.

  “Sir, he’s been captured by the witches.” The gremlin cowered.

  “You fools! You let them capture your leader? What kind of army are you? You should all be so happy to be standing before me right now and not lying dead in the Forest of Shadows being devoured by creatures!” Olagh turned his back to them and moved quickly towards his battalia of goblins.

  “Battalia! We must move north quickly. Izasa has been captured by the witches. His own troops failed him in the forest, we shall not is this understood?” His words were met with a resounding yes.

  Olagh turned and moved his battalia outwards to the main entrance. He would find the witches and kill them once and for all.

  Perched high above in the mountains of the Forest of Shadows the Mystagog sensed that there were others close now. He would decide now if he would tell them how to find the Book of Elandor or not. Good or evil, evil or good didn’t matter to the Mystagog. He would tell whomever he felt where to find the Book of Elandor or maybe not tell anyone where to find it. He laughed to himself, knowing he controlled the next move in the search for the Book of Elandor.

  The Shaman, Micael and Ovit had reached the edge of the desert and only having to fight one creature along the way. The Shaman stood for a moment and waited for the picture to become clearer to him. Micael and Ovit waited in silence. Suddenly, it all began to open up and the mirage disappeared, standing before them was a huge mountain range.

  All three of them stood in awe looking at the many mountains before them. This was going to be a long trek for them. They would have to climb mountains just to get to the next mountain. They would rest at the foothill of the first mountain, and begin the journey again.

  All three sat at the foothill talking while resting their weary bodies.

  “What is our next plan Shaman?” Micael asked.

  “We shall begin the climb to the top of this smaller mountain when we are rested. I believe once we reach the top of this mountain we should be able to see the mountain inhabited by the Mystagog. Friends, I will not lie this is going to be most difficult it will take every ounce of strength we have to reach the mountain of the Mystagog. We must rest for a few hours.” The Shaman laid his head to the ground and closed his eyes.

  Micael and Ovit sat for awhile longer.

  “Micael are you scared?” Ovit wondered.

  “I’m not scared Ovit. You should never fear the unknown. I am a bit nervous though, I’ll admit to that.” Micael smiled.

  “Can I tell you what I believe Micael?”

  “Of course Ovit.” Micael was paying close attention.

  “I believe that everything happens for a reason Micael. I believe the Gods sent us here and already know the outcome. I believe that you were brought to the Shaman because you had to help him along this great journey. I also believe that we were meant to meet and become friends because we will need each other at some time along this adventure.” Ovit grinned.

  Micael nudged Ovit a bit. “I’ll tell you what I believe Ovit. I believe we should get some rest now.” They both chuckled and laid down.

  Inside of the Forest of Shadows now the Queen Armad and Princess Fimella flew overhead watching the trees and ground below. They couldn’t be seen flying so high and that made them feel much more comfortable. Queen Armad motioned to the Princess Fimella to land on one of the trees ahead of them so that they could rest for a while.

  Once they both had landed and were able to lie down for a moment the Queen began laughing.

  “What’s so funny mother?” Princess Fimella giggled.

  “I just realized how old I am. I have been sitting too long daughter. I am really enjoying this little journey of ours it’s made me very happy.” She smiled.

  “Mother, you are still a young fairy full of energy. I wish to be as active when I’m your age.” The Princess said reassuringly.

  “You’re sweet young daughter. Let’s rest for a moment before flying any further north.” The Queen rested her eyes.

  Princess Fimella realized how proud she was to be a fairy this day, thanks to her mother.

  Grimelda, Magella and Izasa travelled further north for many hours and finally reached the edge of the swamp.

  “What is this gremlin?” Grimelda demanded.

  Izasa had heard of the great desert before but thought it was just a myth.

  “It’s the great desert witch, and I believe this is the right path to be on to finding the Mystagog.” He looked behind him hoping that his army had come to rescue him but they hadn’t. He muttered under his breath. “Cowards.”

  Grimelda and Magella walked into the desert slowly. They were almost amazed by the size of it, for it looked like it would never end if you entered it. Grimelda knelt down to the Izasa.

  “You better know where you’re going gremlin, you’ve already been warned.” She sneered.

  “I know exactly where I’m going witch you have no need to worry. If we continue going north we will come directly to the Mystagog.” He gave her a crooked grin as if to mock her.

  “You think you’re so smart don’t you grimy gremlin? There is a reason you live here in the Forest of Shadows and not in the Midnight Mountains or Valley of Illumination, because you and your kind are filthy little creatures and no one would want you to inhabit their lands.” She chuckled.

 
Izasa looked at her and laughed. “Yes witch I’m sure you must feel welcomed with open arms by everyone yourself.”

  She rolled her eyes at him and walked ahead huffing and puffing. Magella pushed Izasa to move forward.

  “Come now gremlin, your job is no where near finished yet.”

  The three headed into the great desert and onto their next quest for the Mystagog.

  The Shaman, Micael, and Ovit had begun their climb to the top of the first mountain, it wasn’t a large mountain but breathtaking nonetheless. The Shaman lead the other two upwards by use of ropes, luckily, there were many ledges for them to take breaks on. As they were nearing the top of the mountain, Ovit slipped pulling and ended up hanging off of Micael and the Shaman. He seemed a bit scared but they moved on.

  They climbed for at least four more hours before reaching the top, but didn’t expect to see what they were about to see. Lying before them, there were at least twenty more mountains to climb. They saw the largest snow covered mountain at the back of the rest. They looked at each other in shock.

  “Shaman how will we ever climb all of these mountains? I don’t know if we’ll have the strength to carry onward. The first mountain was small, and I thought it was difficult climbing.” He breathed heavily.

  “Micael you must search within your heart and your soul to find the courage and strength to continue. You have to realize that what we are doing is not just for ourselves but for the whole world.” The Shaman smiled.

  Ovit was sitting nearby listening to them talk.

  “There has to be an easier way to make it through this mountain range.” Ovit stood. “One thing I’ve learned living in the Forest of Shadows is that there is always another way.” He began looking over the edge of the mountain and down below. He didn’t see anything right away but then noticed a small path out directly below them.

  “Look! Look!” Ovit began pointing to the path below.

  The Shaman and Micael stood at the edge with large grins on their faces.

  “Thank you Ovit for finding another way.” The Shaman patted him on the back. “Well, my friends it’s time for us to move along. I believe we’ll take that path down there.” They all began laughing amongst each other.

  Trovis sat on a tree trunk in a trance guiding Crovis into the swamps of the Forest of Shadows. Crovis floated in quietly and landed not far from his brother. They ran up to each other and embraced.

  “Trovis, I am so happy to see you brother, and in one piece.” Crovis laughed.

  “Crovis, I am glad to see you also brother. Unfortunately, the sisters are not in one piece as I am, but in pieces.” Trovis laughed with his brother.

  “We must discuss our next plan of attack Trovis. We have to figure out a way to find Grimelda and Magella before they reach the Mystagog. Can you imagine the powers they would possess if they were the first to find the Book of Elandor? It would be awful, and trust me we would be the first people to suffer their wrath.” Crovis sat down of the ground and Trovis sat back on the tree trunk.

  “We must go north Crovis. The Mystagog is surely north of us. That is where everyone has been going. I believe that most of the creatures have at least a week or two lead on us. We’ll have to move fast.”

  “I believe that we will find the Mystagog just as the others will, but I also believe the chances that he tells any of us the truth about the location of the Book of Elandor it will be a great surprise.” Crovis intertwined his fingers and rested his head upon his hands now.

  “I think that Grimelda and Magella have underestimated us brother. I believe that they will learn a very difficult lesson for what they have done in the end.” Trovis stood now. “We must go Crovis. We’ll have to make the journey by foot, but we are strong and we can do it.” The brothers embraced. They were not only mirrors of each other but almost one mind.

  Olagh had readied the battalia of goblins and was heading north in the Forest of Shadows. He was so angry with the troops of gremlins for leaving their leader that he left them at the fortress under the watchful eye of many of his goblins. Olagh realized that the chances he would ever see his friend alive again would be very slim. He wouldn’t give up hope of finding Izasa though.

  Izasa and Olagh had become good friends many suns and moons ago. They had never realized they were even different until they were older. They spent many of their youthful days together doing childhood things. It wasn’t until their elders realized how close of friends they were that they tried to make them understand the differences between goblins and gremlins. They refused to end their friendship instead choosing to leave the village and start a new life. They were eventually destroyed by their own kind, but upon returning to the planet they would oversee a larger group of goblins and gremlins and rule them with an iron fist.

  Izasa was like a brother to Olagh, and just like someone in your family, you don’t give up on them no matter what price you had to pay.

  Olagh rushed his battalia more now trying to move north of the swamps as fast as he could. He would find Izasa.

  Descending the mountain was a lot easier than climbing it although the Shaman, Micael, and Ovit took their time so that they wouldn’t fall into harms way. Once they were at the bottom of the mountain and reached the trail they stopped for a quick rest and to catch their breath.

  “We must move a little more quickly now Micael and Ovit. The others are not far behind us I can sense them coming.”

  “The path to the large mountain is long Shaman but I believe we will make it to the Mystagog before any of the others do.” Micael grinned. “I’m not sure how honest he will be with us once we arrive, but we will find him first.” He chuckled a bit.

  “Don’t worry Micael, the Mystagog will tell us a riddle it’s what we do with the information he gives us that’s important.” The Shaman said assuringly.

  “Shaman, I believe he will tell us the true path to the Book of Elandor but deciphering his riddle will be a bit more difficult I’m sure.” Micael said.

  Ovit stood as they chattered back and forth for a while more until he finally stepped between them. “Excuse me friends but we should probably go now.” He smiled.

  The Shaman looked down and laughed. “Yes, you’re right Ovit it’s time to go.”

  The three gathered their things and started their first steps on their path to the great Mystagog.

  The ghouls had just reached the edge of the desert and had no idea what was happening. They didn’t see anything beyond the desert.

  Helmog looked angrily at the other two. “We’ve been tricked I do believe by that stupid toad.”

  Slothard and Wagrim were frustrated as well. Slothard moved around a bit and then turned to Helmog and Wagrim.

  “I’m beginning to think that maybe this isn’t the way to the Mystagog. Where is this mountain range the toad spoke of? Do you think that we should be traveling south instead of north? I mean why would someone who holds information to something so powerful be living here in this desert? It would be ridiculous.” Slothard said tempestuously.

  Wagrim spoke. “I do believe we were lead on the wrong journey. I think we should forget about this Mystagog creature and find the Book of Elandor ourselves. I mean even if we were to find him, who’s to say he would even tell us the truth?”

  Helmog was still very angry. “We’ve travelled this far we can’t stop now. We will travel south this time. This desert has brought us nothing but agony and frustration. We must find another way.”

  With these words, the three ghouls turned and began moving south. They were blinded by the mirage of the desert. They had no idea that what they were looking for all along was directly in front of them the whole time. The toad had not lied.

  In the Valley of Illumination Mitral, Ademus and Aerifus sat quietly awaiting any information.

  Ademus broke the silence. “Do you think we should go to the Forest of Shadows?”

  They all looked at each other. Mitral was a little stunned to think Ademus would want to go to the For
est of Shadows.

  “I think it’s best for us to stay in the Valley of Illumination. If we were to leave it would leave it completely unguarded. At this point, we are the only thing here to protect it.” Mitral looked at Ademus and Aerifus.

  Aerifus spoke quietly. “I feel as Ademus does Mitral. I feel we should be doing much more than what we are doing. I don’t believe that sitting here waiting is helping anything.”

  “Aerifus, I know in your soul you feel we should be there helping because it’s part of our nature but trust me when I tell you this, it is better for us to be here protecting all who live in the Valley of Illumination from enemies. If we left the myrmidons and the other creatures to fend for themselves against the enemy the Valley of Illumination would be in ruins by the time of our return.” Mitral reassured them.

  Ademus stood and walked over to the door of their meeting room. “I am going to the reading room. There may be something in one of our many books which will lead us to some answers about the three books.”

  As he was leaving the room, Aerifus stood and began to walk to the door to join him. Upon seeing this, Mitral smiled and stood and went with them. They knew they may not find anything in any of the books but at least they would not feel as if they were doing nothing to help.

  Back in the Forest of Shadows, Grimelda and Magella were fast moving. Izasa had some trouble keeping up with them because his legs were much smaller than theirs. Grimelda and Magella were talking as they walked through the desert.

  “So what of Trovis should we be worried?” Magella asked.

  “Trovis won’t be a problem sister, its Trovis and Crovis that will be the problem. Let me assure you that they have found each other by now, I’m sure of it. They will be after our blood, but once we find the Mystagog and the Book of Elandor we’ll have no worries.” Grimelda smirked.

  “So where do we go now gremlin?” Magella demanded.

  “Just keep going north witches, although you may not want to believe me, you should.” Izasa grinned.