GRIMORICON: Pathway to Terah Page 2

  The hunter looked into his eyes.

  “What are you waiting for?” the goblin yelled. “Take that knife and finish it!”

  The hunter stood, turned her back to the goblin and walked away. Xavoz reached out and grabbed her ankle. “Please, I'm begging you. Don't leave me like this.” Tears rolled down the goblin’s cheek. He tried to reach up with his other hand, but the pain got to him and he passed out. The hunter kicked his hand off her foot.

  “Sparing your life will mean you will suffer in this state. Perhaps you will learn from this moment and not disturb the natural balance of the world for sport.” The hunter walked away.

  She approached the bear and gave it a pat on the head. “There, there, Naveni. You did well. No reason to beat yourself up for jumping at the sound of lightning.” The bear grunted at her and let out a sigh. Just then, the bear’s demeanor became defensive. The sound of rustling and movement came from where the lightning had struck. The hunter drew her bow and aimed toward the sound. Then she saw a boy stand up from the tall grass, his hair sticking straight up from the shock of the lightning. His clothes were tattered and scorched in some areas.

  “Huh? Where am I?” The boy looked around. He turned, only to find a giant bear growling at him and a woman pointing a bow and arrow at his face. He gasped. “Who are you? Where am I? Did you kidnap me? I'm gonna call the police! Help!” He fell backwards as he struggled to get away.

  “Calm yourself, child. You too, Naveni.” The hunter lowered her bow. “We will not hurt you.” She walked closer to the boy to see if he was injured. The boy hopped up and ran behind a tree.

  “Leave me alone! Why did you bring me here? Where am I?”

  Nera smiled reassuringly. “I didn't bring you here. You arrived here riding a bolt of lightning.”

  “Yeah, right. Like I'm going to believe that. If that were true, I'd be electrocuted,” he yelled. He peeked around the tree to see the woman sitting there, petting the bear. Encouraged, he walked out from behind the tree. “Where's your proof?”

  “Look at your ridiculous hair, it's standing straight up. Your clothes are burnt and falling apart.” She pointed at his pants.

  The boy spun around, looking at his clothes. Parts of his pants were charred from burns; other parts were torn off. A cold breeze brushed across the grasslands, “Whoa! That’s cold!”. The back of his pants had ripped off, revealing his bare butt to the world. He sat down in the grass, embarrassed. “Okay, so maybe you're right. You shouldn't talk about my hair though. Yours is funny too. I've never seen silver hair.”

  “You have quite the mouth on you, child,” the hunter said.

  “Hey, I'm not a child. I happen to be twelve. I still don't know where I am. Is this Africa?”

  Nera was puzzled. “Affreeka? I've never heard of this place. These are the Hollowed Plains. It is an area in the southern lands of Terah. Are you from the north?”

  “No, I'm from California.” The boy sounded confused. “Is there a phone anywhere close by?”

  Nera frowned. “You say many odd things. Are you a conjurer of some sort?”

  Now it was his turn to frown. “Do I look like a conjurer? I can’t even do card tricks.”

  “What is your name, child?”

  “My name's Ethan. What's yours?”

  “I am called Nera. It is a pleasure to meet you, Ethan.”

  Ethan pointed towards the bear, “That bear looks like a tiger. I’ve never seen a bear with tiger stripes before.”

  Nera rose to her feet and walked over to the bear. “This is my companion, Naveni. She may look scary but fear not, she only shows aggression towards evil. She does not sense that in you.”

  Ethan gave a nervous smile. “That's a good thing. My dad says I have a nasty attitude, but at least I'm not evil. I'll have to tell him that when I get home. So, how do I get home from here?”

  “Perhaps you need to return the way you came,” Nera said. “How is it you came to this land?”

  Ethan sat there for a moment, thinking. “I remember reading a book and then there was a bright light. The next thing I remember is waking up in this field.” Ethan looked around him and saw a tower in the distance. “Wow. That tower over there looks like something in Dark Torment. Have you ever played that game?”

  Nera looked at him again in confusion. “What is this Dark Torment you speak of?”

  Ethan’s eyes widened. “Are you seriously asking me this question? It's like the most popular video game out now. Everyone's played it.”

  Nera didn't know how to respond. She looked at the child in front of her and could only think he was out of his mind, or a conjurer of some sort. She glanced around the field to make sure there was no more danger. The feeling she had earlier had gone away. I guess I was just sensing the goblins hunting today, she thought.

  “Hey! Are you listening?” Ethan yelled. “I don't like being ignored.”

  Nera snapped. “Child, you need to watch your tongue and watch how you speak to others. Speak like that to the wrong person and you are likely to have your tongue cut out of your mouth.”

  Ethan raised both hands. “Geez. You don't have to be snappy. It was just a question.”

  Nera turned away from Ethan with an annoyed sigh. She walked toward Naveni and placed her bow in its holster. Just as she was getting ready to hop on, Ethan ran over to her. “Where are you going?” he asked with a concerned look.

  “It is time I returned to my village,” she said. “The sun is setting, I need to get back. Remember to watch that mouth of yours. You won't survive long talking to people that way. Farewell, Ethan.”

  “Wait, wait, wait. Can't I come with you? I have no idea where I am or where I need to go.” There was more than a tinge of worry in his voice.

  Nera looked at Ethan and saw fear in his eyes. She let out a sigh. “Fine, come with me. Perhaps the elder in my village will know how to help you.”

  “Awesome! Do I get to ride on Naveni too?” he asked, excited.

  “I don't want to wait around while you walk so yes, we will ride her on the way back.” Ethan jumped up and down with excitement. “Hurry and climb on her back. I want to get back before nightfall.” Nera hopped up on Naveni's back.

  Ethan got a running start and tried to hop up onto Naveni's back like Nera had done. But Ethan wasn't athletic, so his jump was ill timed and short. He ran right into Naveni's butt and fell to the ground. Naveni let out a growl that sounded like a chuckle. Nera was having a hard time holding back her laugh. She smiled. “Would you like help?”

  “No, I can do it.” Ethan made another try. He put his foot on Naveni's back leg and boosted himself up. He had a sense of accomplishment as he leapt up, but that went away as he fell off the other side and landed face first into a pile of mud. At least, he had thought it was mud. “Ewwww, what is that smell?” he asked as he gagged and spat.

  “Hahaha, that would be the pungent aroma of gazelle droppings,” Nera laughed.

  “Gross! Get it off! Get it off!” Ethan rubbed his face, trying to get it all off.

  Nera reached down and grabbed Ethan by the back of his shirt, yanking him up onto Naveni's back. “As funny as this is, we do not have all day to waste on you trying to get on Naveni.” She threw a cloth at him so he could clean his face off. “Now hold on, I don't need you falling off.”

  Ethan wrapped his arms around Nera and held on tight. “Home, Naveni,” Nera said. The bear ran off into the field heading for a nearby forest.

  A hooded man approached the spot where Ethan had fallen. He knelt and placed his hand on the ground, feeling the scorched area, “There is immense magic here.” He then walked over to the body of the scorched goblin. “Still alive, I see,” he said. “Not much use alive.” He looked over at the other goblin. “Hmm.” He knelt next to the corpse. “Perfect. You will do.” The hooded man placed his hand on the dead goblin’s chest and mumbled an incantation. When the dead goblin’s eyes opened, they were glowing purple. “Follow them. Bring me the boy,�
� the hooded man commanded. The goblin rose to its feet and ran off after Nera and Ethan. The hooded man could hear the goblin cackling as he raced towards the forest.

  The droplets felt like rocks hitting Ethan's head as the rain came down harder. Overhanging trees in the forest prevented rain from hitting them but the few drops that made it through hit hard.

  “Are we almost there? I'm being pelted by rain here and it hurts,” Ethan grumbled.

  Nera ignored Ethan's complaints. She wanted to get out of the rain herself and get some sleep.

  “Hey! I asked a question,” Ethan said.

  Nera had Naveni stop for a second. She looked back at Ethan. “Get off.”

  “What? Why?”

  She turned away. “I warned you to watch your tongue. I am trying to help you and you are being rude. I would prefer to travel alone if this is the person you are.”

  “Wait! Please! I don't like it when people ignore me. It makes me feel bad. I'm sorry,” Ethan pleaded.

  Nera looked at him. She could see the sincerity in his face as raindrops fell down his cheek. “I will give you another chance. Remember, Ethan, you should always show the same kindness that others show you.”

  He looked suitably ashamed. “I will. I promise. Thank you, Nera.”

  They continued through the forest towards Nera's village. The rain calmed down and Ethan could see the moon high in the sky. It brought a smile to his face to see something familiar. That smile soon went away, however. They came to a clearing in the woods and what Ethan saw frightened and confused him. “Two moons?” he muttered to himself. High in the sky, he was looking at two moons, one larger than the other. “Nera, can I ask something?”

  “What is it, Ethan?”

  “Am I really seeing two moons in the sky?”

  Nera was confused. “That's an odd question. There are two moons. Are you telling me you don't have two moons where you come from?”

  Ethan stared at the moons in astonishment. “Where I come from there's only one.”

  One moon? Perhaps you can only see one from the north, Nera thought. “Ethan, where are you from?”

  “I told you already. California,” he answered.

  Nera glanced back at Ethan, who was still staring up at the sky with his mouth wide open. She could tell the sight amazed him. “Where is this California? Is it in the north?”

  “No,” Ethan said. “I don't think so.”

  Nera had Naveni halt. “Is this California on Terah?” she asked.

  “Well...” Ethan didn't want to tell the whole story. He had suspected he wasn't in his world anymore and feared that if he revealed it to Nera, she would think he was a freak or something and leave him behind.

  Before Ethan could answer, Naveni growled and looked around in all directions. “What is it, girl? What do you smell?” Nera asked.

  Naveni stood still as a statue. She growled toward the forest, sensing something evil lurking in the shadows. She moved forward, keeping a watchful eye. Nera took her bow out and scanned the forest, but it was too dark to make anything out. Then Nera caught the scent too. She whispered into Naveni's ear and said, “Hang on tight, Ethan.”

  Before Ethan could respond, Naveni took off running. The leaves smacked Ethan in the face as he tried to keep his head down and hold his grip on Naveni.

  As Naveni picked up speed, Nera kept scanning the forest. Then her hunter ears picked up the sound of something behind them. She whispered to Naveni again. The bear gave a slow growl, showing she understood what to do. Nera looked back at Ethan. “Whatever happens, Ethan, I want you to make sure you hold on to Naveni and don't get off. Do you understand?”

  Ethan had a frightened look in his eyes. All he could do was nod.

  Naveni rushed towards a large tree and made a hard-right turn. Just as she turned, Nera leapt off in the opposite direction, landing silently on a branch in the trees above. She sat there watching the motion of the forest, looking for anything out of the ordinary. Then she saw it. A goblin. She glowered. The goblin from earlier was still tailing Naveni and Ethan. What are you up to?

  Naveni slowed a little and Ethan looked around. “Are we safe now, Naveni?”

  Naveni let out a low grumble. She could still feel the goblin lurking around. Her eyes kept scanning the forest for any kind of movement. She seemed calm to Ethan.

  Just then, the goblin launched out from the shadows. He was headed straight for Ethan. Ethan could see the dead eyes of the goblin glowing purple. Fear took hold of Ethan and he couldn't move.

  WHOOSH

  The arrow came zooming through the air from behind Ethan to pierce the goblin right between the eyes. Its velocity forced the goblin backwards, sticking him to the tree behind him.

  Fear gripped Ethan. He couldn't comprehend what had just happened.

  Nera approached him from behind. “Ethan? Are you ok?” She could see the attack had terrified Ethan. His skin was pale from fright. “Ethan? Look at me.” She shook Ethan's shoulders.

  Ethan's eyes fluttered as he regained his composure. He looked at Nera with glazed eyes. “Tha- tha- tha-” he stammered, trying to get the words out.

  “That was a goblin. Well, to be exact, that was an undead goblin,” Nera explained.

  Ethan looked at her, puzzled. “Undead? Like a zombie?”

  “Hmm, I am not sure what a zombie is. The undead answer to a group of mages known as the Necrom. They practice the dark arts, like raising the dead for their armies, black magic, curses and demon summoning,” Nera explained.

  Ethan felt overwhelmed. When he first realized where he was it had fascinated him, but then the dangers of this world set in and he understood how serious a situation he was in. He swayed back and forth and finally lost consciousness falling into Nera’s arms.

  “Ethan! Ethan! Answer me!” Nera shook Ethan, trying to wake him. She placed her hand on his chest and could feel he was still breathing. He's passed out, she thought. Nera picked Ethan up and placed him on Naveni's back. She walked over to the goblin stuck to the tree by her arrow. “Now, why are you troubling me again? Who sent you and why?” Nera searched through the goblin’s belongings. Nothing. She realized the Necrom had sent this goblin after them for a reason, but for the moment that reason was shrouded in mystery. She glanced back at Ethan, then back at the goblin. His target was Ethan. But why? she thought. Why is this child important? The more she questioned, the more confusing the situation became. Nera decided to hold her questions for the elder of her village.

  “Come, Naveni. Let's head home.” She hopped onto the striped bear’s back and motioned her forward. As they exited the forest, they could see the lights from the village of Jasper along the mountainside. The candle lights from the homes flickered back and forth, the motion of the glistening lights seeming to give life to the mountain itself.

  Naveni let out a large yawn as they approached the village entrance.

  “Me too, Naveni, me too.”

  They approached a cottage near the entrance to the village. The cottage wasn't very large, but it was big enough for a small family. Nera hopped off Naveni's back and pulled Ethan down. She carried him into the cottage, followed by Naveni. As they entered, Naveni went straight to the room on the right. This was the cottage bedroom. There was a fire pit in the middle of the room, used for light and warmth. Naveni plopped down on the floor, gave out a large yawn and was asleep within seconds. Nera walked in after and placed Ethan down on a large rug. She grabbed another rug and folded it up to prop under his head like a pillow. Then she lit the fire and sat down next to Naveni. She stared at Ethan for a moment, trying to process the events of the day and piece together everything that had happened, hoping to find an answer or clue to where Ethan came from and why. She fell asleep even more confused than she already was.

  The fire flickered and danced through the night as they slept.

  Screams from outside could be heard echoing through the long hallway. A hooded man walked along the columned corridor, peering through the
windows of many wooden doors. Each room housed a child known as an ‘initiate’. Young boys and girls were meditating in their rooms, studying the dark arts or practicing the dark arts on live victims. Those who showed the potential to be a part of the Necrom stayed in these rooms and worked towards bringing out their inner abilities. Each individual person could unlock one area of the dark arts within themselves, whether it be controlling the dead, black magic, curses, or summoning demons from another dimension

  “How are our new initiates doing?” the hooded man asked.

  Another hooded man watched a child in her room learning how to raise the dead. “Most are doing well. Take this one for example.” He pointed into the room. Dead rats littered the floor. A young girl placed her hand on the floor and mumbled an incantation as a purplish green pulse flashed in the air. One by one, the rats opened their purple glowing eyes. “This one shows massive potential. She has already learned to awaken many dead at once and she is just beginning.”

  Both men walked further down the corridor, stopping to look at other initiates and judging their progress. “What news of the boy? Did he arrive as I predicted?”

  The second hooded man nodded. “Yes, Lord Vetick. I watched from a distance as lightning struck the ground, bringing the boy with it. What is so important about this boy?”

  “I have had visions of his arrival. I am not sure what they mean but I know he is very important and will be crucial to our plans soon,” Vetick explained. “Were you successful in capturing him?”

  “I underestimated the hunter who was traveling with the boy. I apologize, Lord Vetick,” the man said.

  Vetick looked away from the initiates' rooms. “You've failed me, Graff.”

  Graff bowed his head, ashamed of his failure. “Yes, my lord, and I beg you for another chance. Let me finish what I started, and I will not fail you,” he pleaded.

  Vetick gave Graff a slight grin. “Your second chance with the boy will come in time. We have other matters to attend to. The elders have left on their pilgrimage. Now is the time to capture one of them and learn where the Amulet of Light was hidden. The Darkness is upon us and our time to rise will soon be here.”