by H.L. Nguyen
Chapter 17
The Unforgotten White Lion
Traveler waited until the cover of darkness to run his plan. He flipped the sheets and hopped out of bed. He grabbed the candlestick and carefully walked down the corridor. He stood next to Jelly’s door and peeked inside. The first part of his plan was complete. He opened the door wider and found no one inside. He walked into the closet and rummaged through his bags. He found the two little horse chariots and tucked them under his arms. He walked down the hallway carefully, but heard some voices arguing down the hallway. He hid in a dark corner and turned off his light.
“You know we can’t do this.”
“I need to get out of here for a bit.”
It was Clouden and Baldo.
“No, we are not allowed to go outside at night,” Baldo said.
“I know what the rules are. I need something to break the tension,” Clouden said.
“Get back to your dorm room before I tell Magister Gantrick.”
“No, you won’t because if they catch me, then I get kicked out. And who else is going to help you with your studies?”
“Fine I am going with you.”
“Fine.”
“How are you going to get past the gates?”
“I know about the secret passage near the well.”
“I know about that one too. But how...”
The argument passed over Traveler with him under the cover of darkness. As the gap grew, the spoken words faded away. However, even if he were visible, the intense argument would have blinded their view anyways. Traveler noticed that they argued about something intriguing towards the end. He wanted to know more about the secret passage. Traveler figured the best thing to do is follow them, but he did not want to take that chance and get caught. Besides, he had enough information to get where he needed to go.
Traveler made it outside the castle door and placed the two chariots down he stole from Jelly’s room. He told them to take him to the Forest of the Unforgotten, but needed them to head to the passage near the well. In their small stature, they seemed to understand Traveler. He carefully placed each foot on the chariots and took off. They arrived within seconds, and Traveler noticed an outline of a small door in the ground. If people were not looking in the right spot, they would never find it.
He opened the hatch and climbed down the ladder inside. He crept along the enclosed tunnel and with his reliable candlestick, he saw the light at the end. In his excitement, he ran for it. Suddenly, that light turned out to be a vicious white lion. The size of the lion was not big, but normal, just like the ones he has seen at the San Diego Zoo. When it saw Traveler, it gave out a frightening roar near the metal door. Then, it charged him, which resulted in Traveler retreating. He almost reached the opening near the well until the white lion swiped his leg and caused him to stumble to the ground. Traveler crawled backward as the white lion edged forward. He felt the ladder close to his back. He was inches away from getting out, but if he turned around, then the lion would certainly attack. The lion gave him a long stare down as if he was thinking about his next move. Then without hesitation, the lion lunged forward aiming for the head. Traveler closed his eyes, then raised his hands bracing for the collision course. Yet after a couple of seconds passed, he opened his eyes again and found the lion making some chewing motion and putting its paws near his mouth. It looked like there was gum in his mouth.
“Good thing I followed you,” A familiar voice said.
Traveler looked up.
“Griff, did you do this?” Traveler said.
“Yup, so where are you going at this time of night?” Griff said.
“I need to find the scroll you were talking about and I was hoping the storyteller would know.”
“Well, you better hurry before that sticky ball wears off. Do you mind if I come along?”
“Sure, you just saved my life. I guess we are even.”
Griff climbed down the ladder and then walked right past the white lion. As they rapidly paced, Traveler got this weird feeling; he looked and saw the white lion running fiercely.
“Run fast, we have to hurry,” Traveler said as he grabbed Griff’s arm.
“But...” Griff tried to explain, but Traveler insisted on getting out of the tunnel. They reached the metal door, and Traveler turned the knob.
“It won’t open,” Traveler said.
“That’s not good. But, I was trying to tell you that I have another sticky ball,” Griff said.
“Well, get it out!”
Griff looked in his small brown bag. Then, he looked up with a worried look.
“Well, where is it?” Traveler said.
“Ummm, I don’t know,” Griff said.
“You have to know or we are going to get eaten!” Traveler said.
“Well, it’s here somewhere,” Griff said as he patted his pockets.
“Griff, there is no time. Let’s get this door open.”
The white lion was nearly close to the two of them. They both began banging on the door with their shoulders, but the door would not budge. The white lion was now within seconds of eating his next victim. Traveler leaned on the door with a doomed look, until the door turned into water and they both fell through onto the other side. The door instantly turned back into a metal door. Then, a hard thud was soon followed by a booming howl.
“Whew. I forgot you could do that,” Traveler said.
“The important thing was that I remembered,” Griff said.
“I guess I owe you one now,” Traveler said.
“Don’t worry Traveler, nobody is keeping score.” Griff said still patting down his pockets. “Wait, there it is. I left it in my shoe pocket.”
Traveler gave him a dirty look and placed down the two chariots.
“I am sorry Griff. I only have one set.”
“What is that thing? I have never seen it in my life.”
“I think Jelly made it. I had to steal it from his bedroom.”
“Maybe I can ride on your shoulders.”
“Sure, hop on.”
Griff jumped on his shoulder and Traveler got on both chariots. They took off like a bullet and reached the Forest of the Unforgotten in minutes. They saw a tiny campfire in between the trees and followed it. They reached the storyteller sitting on a stump watching the fire. She was dressed in a black and red cloak covering her entire body. The hood hung over and covered half of her face. She was grasping with both hands on the brown branch-looking staff.
“Excuse me, what is your name?” Traveler asked.
The storyteller did not say anything.
“Excuse, what is your name?” Traveler asked again.
The storyteller raised her staff with one hand. The fire grew bigger and white smoke circled the two of them.
“I don’t think she is going to tell you. Usually, when people come here they leave something on the stump next to her,” Griff said.
“I don’t have anything but this candle stick, the tooth necklace, and these chariots,” Traveler said.
The storyteller raised her staff again and the fire roared with the white smoke moving in the shape of a large dogtooth.
“I guess she wants your necklace,” Griff said.
“No, it came from my grandfather,” Traveler said.
“Okay Traveler, but I don’t think you are going to find your answers if you don’t give it up.”
“Fine.” Traveler walked over to the stump and placed the necklace down. They walked over to the long log that was sitting on the ground and took a seat.
The storyteller stood up and grabbed the necklace. She examined it, raised both hands, and began her words.
“This night story of the unforgotten begins as it always does with a sad tale.” The storyteller began her story in a calming, but dark voice. “A farmer and his wife lived a modest and happy life, but soon that changed. It was the year of the longest drought, many people and crops suffered from the lack of water. In a desperate attempt to find any
source of water, the farmer dug a hole in the well. Determined to find any source of water, he dug and dug until the sun could not reach the bottom. But, he did not find water.” As the words flew, the smoke coming from the fire pit began to twist and configure itself into a different picture of the story. “Then, a large storm came and the strong winds pushed their way through the farm. Finally, rain came tagging along, but the strong winds knocked the worried wife down the hole. The rope ladder, which was the only escape from the abyss hole, fell under the weight of the wife. The farmer managed to catch the wife to avoid further injuries. They looked up and noticed the hard rain hitting their faces. The farmer begged and pleaded for the rain to stop, but it did not. It rained continuously throughout the night, filling the hole, leaving them to drown to a watery death never again to see the light of day. Years later, time had passed and they were forgotten. Villages and castles were built on what was thought of as an abandoned land and the two lovers remained stuck at the bottom of the hole forever. The last thing they learned is that desperation can open to many paths, but patience is a virtue.”
The storyteller stopped and the fire came down to a gentle wave.
“Thank you my child for coming by and listening to an old woman telling her stories. But, the answer you seek lies within the words that were spoken.” Suddenly a strong wind came and blew out the fire, but the embers kept the fire going and when the fire’s radiance emerged again, the old lady was gone.
“How did she know the answer? I didn’t give her the question,” Traveler said.
“I don’t know Traveler. Most people come here for entertainment, not to get questions answered,” Griff said.
“Do you think she is talking about the passage near the well?” Traveler asked.
“No, that was a tunnel not a hole,” Griff said.
“Then, what is she talking about?” Traveler said.
“Well, I heard a thousand years ago the old king wanted to build an escape passage underneath the castle, but the workers stopped when they found a hole. They threw a fire stick down, but they never saw the bottom. They were able to dig around it, but never dared to go down. Maybe you should find that hole.”
“Which part of the castle was it under?” Traveler asked.
“I think there is a map in the display case in the Arcus at the main castle that has the answer,” Griff said.
“Griff you are so smart, thanks for the help. Let’s get out of here,” Traveler said.
They found their way back to the castle.
“Griff, I’d like to thank you for your help. If it wasn’t for you, I wouldn’t be standing here,” Traveler said.
“Aww, Traveler. It was nothing. I need you more than you need me. I lost my confidence ever since my sister was kidnapped,” Griff said.
“Who kidnapped your sister?”
“Terrorene’s people did. From what I know now, they kidnap people to test their dark orb. This is the main power source to create the Tecks.”
“I am sorry about your lost.”
“I know she is alive. I just need to be a Calic to find her. I don’t think my brother will make it.”
“Griff, I will do everything that I can to help.” Traveler then gave him a hug. “There is more. I don’t think you should come in with me. I have to do this alone. I have a feeling that something serious might happen.”
“But-”
“I am sorry Griff. I have to do this alone.”
“Very well.”
“Thank you Griff.”
Griff respected his request and went back to his dorm. Traveler stood at the entrance of the ARCUS and stared at the glowing scroll in the glass display.
“That has to be it,” Traveler said.
He uncovered the glass display. He reached up grabbing the scroll, hoping the answer would fall into his lap. He unraveled the scroll only to find a prize-winning recipe for Ebok chicken. He placed the scroll back in dismay, but while he reached up for the scroll’s stand, his hands accidentally opened another door. The stone door slowly opened and creaked ever so gently. Traveler stared down the dark tight hallway but could barely see the end because of the dim lighting and the parade of dust hovering inside. Nevertheless, what intrigued him a little was a slight glimpse of a shiny object nearing the end. With his inquisitive mind, he had no choice but to take the initial steps. However, the initial steps were the hardest because of the daunting setting, but after each step, it seemed to get easier and easier. He walked down the long dark hallway guarding his candlestick, which was his only central source of light. He felt this claustrophobic sensation, which he had never had before, so each step he took was quieter than the next. However, the sensation went away the further he was and then he confirmed the sudden boost of open space when his arm moved freely, giving him the ability to walk in his normal stride. Suddenly, the shiny twinkle of light in the blackness ahead caused him to move faster. He reached the end, finding a shiny polished silver handle. He carefully turned the handle and found the back of a man’s head sitting quietly in his chair.
“Hello Traveler, I see you found out about the secret path to my chambers,” The man said.
“How did..,” Traveler said.
“...I know it was you?” The man said. The chair slowly turned. “Because as king I know everything.”
“I am sorry. I didn’t mean to invade your privacy,” Traveler said.
“Do not be sorry. That passage was unknown to everybody. It was a way for me to get to my father’s chambers when he was alive. I do not have much use for it anymore. But, the question is why you were up in the Arcus at this time of night?”
“I was looking for something.”
“I see ...well, Traveler I do believe it is getting late. I have a big night in front of me. But, I think the answers you are looking for are within these walls,” Archer said as he walked out of his chamber.
“Wait, what do you mean?” Traveler said, but the door slammed shut before the king could hear him.
Traveler looked all over the room and remembered the open bare spot that was not covered by the carpet tapestry. He walked over and saw the small nameplate at the bottom. It read “Tristan Gavel.” He wondered if that was the same Tristan that tied him up and Jelly. He looked down and noticed a faint pattern on the floor. It looked like a whirlpool. He walked over and stomped on the center of the swirl, but nothing happened. He stomped it again, and still nothing happened. He stood in the center to figure out what to do next, but the floor opened.
Traveler fell down the hole at an insanely high rate. He wanted to scream but something was preventing him from doing it. After falling for several minutes, he saw the floor on the way down and closed his eyes as he tried to brace himself for the crash. However, there was no need as the half a second that he would have took to hit the ground, he was paused in midair a few inches off the ground. Then, he was forced upright by some magical force. He finally opened his eyes and noticed the empty dark black room he was in. He could not see anything in front of him. Then, a white glowing mist came through the walls and formed into several figures. Traveler counted the different figures and saw seven of them appear before his eyes.
“Who are you?” Traveler shouted.
Nobody answered.
“Can you hear me? I said who are you and why am I here?”
“Silence!” One of the figures said with a great, deep overbearing voice.
“Archer was right; this one asked too many questions.” One of the other figures said while the other one nodded.
Traveler stood there quietly, not knowing what was going to happen next. The sweat just ran down from his forehead.
“My name is Lumonus and I am an Elder.”
“I thought the Elders were dead.”
“Yes, Traveler we are dead, but the spirits live on to help the king. This is our private room.”
“Oh really, I am so glad you said that. For a moment I thought I was in hell.”
�
�I assure you Traveler, if you were in hell, you would know it. I understand you have a problem.”
“Problem. Nope, I don’t have a problem.”
“Traveler, we know what you are looking for, therefore, we know about your deal with Terrorene.”
Traveler fell to his knees and began to shake his clasped hands.
“Please don’t kill me. I can explain. He said he would kill my family if I didn’t help.”
The Elders looked at one another not expecting this reaction from an Electus like him.
“Traveler, we know.”
“You do? Great, so now what?”
“Traveler, if Terrorene finds his way back to Codextrius, then this world will be his. Nevertheless, we will help you find what you are looking for because we know you will do the right thing. But, you need to prove yourself worthy.”
“How do I do that?”
“You must defeat the white lion. He is the Gate Guardian to the sacred scroll.”
The rest of the Elders disappeared quickly into the walls.
“Wait, again, how do I do that?”
The room got pitch-black. Suddenly two stars lit up and shined on the door. Traveler walked over and carefully opened it. Once he did, a white lion pounced out and tackled Traveler to the ground. It was not the same lion he had previously encountered because this one was double the size. It was nearly the same size as the dragon he first encountered. With the lion standing above Traveler, he let out a huge roar. With that roar, he watched that white fur flair up. He saw the lion’s paw that was three times the size of Traveler’s head, tightening its claws as it gripped into the stone floor. He felt the large glop of warm drool land on his body and face. He realized that he might be in the fight for his life.
Traveler managed to loosen the standing grip and rolled out. He was able and unknowingly summoned his full battle gear and waited for the lion’s next move. The lion charged at him with his long claws and Traveler spun to the right avoiding the snarling teeth. Making four long, deep scratch marks across Traveler’s armor, the lion made another charge before Traveler could regain a defensive stance. Traveler’s shield expanded avoiding the other four long deep scratches. The lion was too fast and it moved through the room as if a slithering snake would. Traveler threw his shield hoping to daze the lion, but the lion swatted it away. Traveler ran for his shield, but the lion pushed him on the shoulder slamming him into wall. The big impact caused him to drop his sword. The lion charged at him once again and in a matter of seconds, it was within a few inches from his face. The lion lunged in for the bite. Traveler put his hands up hoping to avoid the huge teeth. But, the armor did not allow the massive teeth to puncture the metal. Traveler felt the metal squeezing him. It felt like being pushed against the door; a feeling Traveler knew all too well. The lion could not bite through the armor. Therefore, it decided to swallow him whole. Traveler slid down the throat and into the stomach. It was dark, but the sapphire crystal glowed just enough to shine the surrounding area. He noticed the scroll was on the inside. Traveler’s lack of advanced fighting skills had been his blessing. He grabbed the scroll and punched as hard as he could against the stomach wall cavity. The lion roared with pain. He continued punching until a huge wave of water come toward him and he held his breath just in time. The water filled the stomach cavity forcing him to come out the way he came in. Once outside, Traveler coughed out the rest of the water and noticed the lion standing above him, but in that brief moment, the white lion roared and disappeared. One ghostly figure came back in the room.
“You have proven yourself worthy,” Lumonus said.
“Thank you Lumonus,” Traveler said while standing up in his watery mess.
“Just understand that everything has its price. We know you will do the right thing.”
“I will.”
The ghostly figure disappeared back into the walls and the scroll rose from his hand and in front of his face. It spun around with a glow that became brighter and brighter. He reached up to grab it and once he was able to grasp it, he disappeared.
Traveler found himself in the king’s chamber again. King Gavel glanced at his hands and saw the dripping scroll.
“I guess you have found what you were looking for?” Archer said.
“Yes I did, but I thought you left.”
“I did, but I came back because I forgot something.”
“Well Archer, I also forgot something.”
“What is it Traveler?”
“I have something else to tell you.”