Chapter 6: Wait What Did He Say?

I felt pain erupt throughout my body as I regained consciousness. Inhaling is like thousands of needles are stabbing me and swallowing feels like glass being forced down my throat.

My eyes slowly began to open at the sun peeking over some trees? Before I woke up, I was in a storage closet. Despite pain striking my body with every motion, I managed to sit up and look at my surroundings. I find myself surrounded by a lush forest, green bushes, trees with vibrant green leaves, and blooming flowers.

Despite the season being autumn, I felt more at peace in this forest than anywhere. The only sound is my breathing, the birds chirping in the tree, and the soft running of a nearby stream. I slide my hands through the soft forest floor, as I listen to the sounds of the forest.

That is until a twig snaps near me, I turn to find the source of the noise, despite my body protesting against the movement. My breathing quickens as it comes closer, as I find a fox. It tilts its head to the side as I crouch, tense as if to pounce on the animal. It takes a step backward and runs off. Curious but thankful for the silence, I sit back down. When not a moment later, someone comes running up to me.

"Dawn, are you okay?" Rose asks as she tries to make me stand up. But my body screams as I move, so I'm forced to sit down.

"Ah, right" she replies to my pain and starts to look through her bag, then her surroundings. She pulls out two dark green leaves and hands them to me.

"Eat it, you'll feel better," she replies before scouting the area. The pain was starting to affect me, so what the hell! I ate the leaves, instead of tasting close to something like lettuce. It's almost like berries because the leaves tasted very sweet. But, after I finished chewing the pain subdued for the most part.

"Rose, what's going on?" I ask her, as she comes back, the fox in tow. She looked around once more before answering.

"A lot of things, too much that I can't explain here, but for now we need to meet up with the others," she replies and takes my hand, a slight sting. Nonetheless, I let her drag me along. Meeting the other two by the stream I heard earlier.

"Dawn, are you alright?" Zach asked as Rose sat me down by a fire. Although it's the middle of the day, and the flame was bright green.

"Apart from the excruciating pain, that was subdued by a plant that tasted like berries, I'm fine," I sigh looking at the fire.

"Well, that certain spell can hurt on your first try, especially if it's done with more than one person," Natalie scowls at Rose, making her look away.

"It's not my fault I'm not used to casting Transportial with multiple people to think of," she replies, looking back at Natalie. And what the hell is Transportial?

"Well now isn't the time to argue, we need to get to the castle," Zach intervenes as both sigh.

"Ok, let's go," Rose exclaims.

"Wait, what's going on?" I ask as they all turn to look at me, again as if they forgot my existence.

"There's too much to explain now, we just need to get to the castle," Rose replies, but I wasn't having any of this.

"No, I should know what's going on, for starters why was that panther thing at the school? And more importantly, why did Zach call you two Raina and Lillith?" I continue to interrogate, they exchange glances with each other. Then turn back to me.

"Might as well get the second one out of the way," Zach replies looking at me. "I called them those names because those are their real names, Rose's real name is Raina, and Natalie's is Lillith, mine is the same, instead of Zachary, my real name is Roman," he continues, bowing as he presents himself.

"So, the names were cover-ups," I conclude as they nod.

"Correct, but your other questions will be answered soon, but we need to get to the castle," Rose replies then lets out a high-pitched whistle as four horses run towards us.

Raina gets on a black mare, Lillith gets on a brown stallion with reddish-brown speckles, and Roman gets on a white stallion, reminiscent of a Disney movie. Leaving a grey mare, with black and white speckles over her hide. Roman and Lillith start riding off as Rose helps me along. Which I'm glad for, I think the last time I was on a horse is when I was 9 or 10.

Trotting through the forest as different animals cross our path. Squirrels and birds watch from the trees, rabbits, and hedgehogs watch from the ground, even nearby fish and otters from the stream broke the surface to watch us go along. Some of the animals, bowed their heads as we went as if we were baby Simba from The Lion King.

Soon we came across a stone bridge that leads across the river. All I can say is, how did I end up in an old school Disney movie? Across the bridge lay a great stone castle, the tallest spire stabbing the sky. Wallflowers and Ivy cling to the castle walls as other flowers part for the walkway. Soon we reach the gate as two guards stop us.

"Halt, who goes there," one guard asks. Roman stops his stallion and looks at the two.

"You know who we are Vicky, let us in," Natalie exclaims, but the second guard comes up to us as well.

"Maybe you are those in our class, but solve my riddle and you shall pass..." Roman grins eagerly, but Rose comes up with me in tow.

"No time for your games Julian, let us in," Roman's smile falls as the two-guard walk to the gate and yells in another language to some other guards. Then, the gate rises.

"Come on Raina, I wanted to answer the riddle," Roman pouted as we rode in, Raina rolls her eyes.

"We need to get to the throne room, now isn't the time for games" the riddle guard comes running up to us, clad in leather armor.

"If you want Roman, I can tell you the riddle later," then Roman's smile returns.

"That sounds super!" he declares as we approach the stable, Raina pinches her nose.

We leave the horses at the stable and enter the main castle. Most rooms had pretty similar decoration; grey stone walls with dark wooden floor, green tapestries hung from the ceiling along with chandeliers, with ivy clinging to the walls next to large windows, either with open-air, or dividing with glass. Small decorations are scattered as well, painting, carpets, and greenery in place throughout the hall.

Several people crowd the hallways, ladies in flowing dresses, men clad in armor, or even the other way around. Whenever we pass a group of people, they would stare after us, and whisper among their friends, sneaking glances at our group. One adorable instance was when a little girl was running across the hallway and stops in front of me. First, in shock, she then curtsies in front of me, to which I awkwardly return, smiling she ran off.

Soon, we come up to a pair of doors, dark brown but lined in gold, the symbol on the tapestries shown on the door handle and printed in gold on the door. Two guards stand by the doors, they weren't like Vicky or Julian. Both were taller and larger, most likely adults. The only one close to their height is Roman, who stands at the front with Rose, Natalie behind them, and me bringing up the rear.

"We seek an audience with the King Alador and the Queen Kirana of Viritore," Roman proclaims, the guards look at all four of us. I feel their cold stare for what feels like an eternity before.

"One moment," a guard opens the door and walks into the room. We wait a few minutes more, my heart races as I fear what is happening. Who this King Alador and Queen Kirana? What do they want with me? Are they gonna kill me? Is that why they sent Raina, Lillith, and Roman? Why does this place feel so familiar?

My heart continues to escalate, not helped by the constant staring and whispering happening around me, especially the guard. Thankfully, the guard comes out of the room before my heart rips itself out of my chest.

"You may enter," he replies solemnly as both doors open, while we walk in. A particular mention goes to when I enter or pass by most people, they either bow or curtsy, and the guards were no exception, bowing to me before I set foot in the room before closing the door.

Walking into this room, one thing I could think was, this is pretty, but the Disney link is getting tighter. The room is closer to most of the castle, but with its spin. The same stone walls, and dark wood floor, with ivy clinging to the walls. Large green banners hang from the ceiling, sunlight shining on them through the windows. Each with the same symbol, a large willow tree inside of a seven dotted circle. A large green carpet in the center of the room led straight to the thrones. Two thrones, one larger than the other, decorated in golden ivy. While the smaller is decorated in silver branches.

Seated on the larger throne is a man whom I can assume is King Alador. He's tall and thin, but with some muscle. His clothes were either blue, grey, or black, they were regal but didn't scream money or power. But the most notable was his hair, medium length, curly, jet black hair coupled with cobalt blue eyes, but the eyes weren't cold or menacing; his eyes were warm and welcoming. He felt like someone who was able to gain respect from his character.

As we approach the throne, I saw the others around me take a knee. Looking around nervously, I follow suit. After that, I hear him rise to kneel in front of me. I look up to see him smile at me in admiration as if I were his child that just won some big award. Looking at him up close, I could see those odd gray hairs and the laugh lines to signify his age. But, next, he lays a hand on my shoulder, my body tensing on contact as he spoke.

"There is no need for that Dawn," he whispers to me with a smile. He extends his hand and pulls me up, my arms crossing as I look at the others still on the ground. He smiles and chuckles before addressing the others.

"At ease my friends, there is no need to be formal," he replies with a smile, as they arise. The tension in my body releases, for the most part. But the one constant is my confusion, I look to Rose, but she has her eyes fixed on King Alador, same with everyone else. Guess I'm gonna have to ask the hard questions.

"King Alador?" he looks at me, a small smile on his face. Maybe just his friendly personality, but why do I feel like I know him? He nods for me to continue:

"I was wondering why I was brought here," I could feel everyone around me tense up. King Alador turns to the closest person, which happens to be Roman, and they start to converse in another language, but I have this odd feeling that I can understand it. Which, oddly, I can, more specifically the last line either spoke.

"We didn't want to intervene" Roman whispers to him, as they both turn back to me, of course, confused as everything going on. What did Roman not tell me? What did he not want to intervene in? And why not? King Alador looks over me and sighs.

"I might as well introduce myself properly," he exclaims.

"I am King Alador, ruler and protector of Viritore, keeper of the prophecies of Miliara, proud husband of the Queen Kirana, but also..." I could see a slight tint rise in his cheeks. I understood some of the things he mentioned. Like being the wife of Kirana, being the King of the island. Or, Viritore as they call it. But what does this have to do with me?

"Alright, but what does this have to do with me being here?" I ask, but my train of thought stops as someone else enters the room.

"That's because we're family," a voice from behind says, as I turn to find my mother. In an elegant hairdo and makeup, in a flowing light green dress. Nothing similar to the mother in sweatpants and a messy bun that I knew.

"What?" I look between her and King Alador, how are we family? Is he like an uncle or distant cousin?

"Dawn, he's your father," Mother says quietly. It was at that moment, that everything stopped. Everything stood still as I look at King Alador, my supposed father. A look of guilt and sorrow, but also love and pride is painted on his face. My eyes start to dart around looking at everyone in the room, from my 'parents' to my 'friends.

"What?" the only word I could muster after everything happening. Everyone starts to look around at each other, my breath starts to quicken as soldiers start to enter the room.

"Dawn, I know you're scared, but if you just let us explain," Mother tells me, as more soldiers enter, not hiding the weapons they carry with them. That's when a familiar burning sensation comes back behind my eyes.

"Why didn't you tell me?" I turn to my mother, she takes a step back as some of the soldiers grab their weapons, not wielding them yet. The fire grows stronger as I look at everyone, all looking pensive, tense.

"Darling please, just calm down and we can talk about this," Alador tries to approach me. But I turn towards him in rage. Him, call me darling? He doesn't even know me! He just thinks he can call himself my father and expect me to believe him and let him call me stuff like that? HELL NO!

"No, this isn't right, you... he... can't be" I continue to look around until I smell something burning underneath my feet. I look and see the carpet burning underneath my feet, encased in fire. I step away, for the fire to follow me, as the guards start to get twitchy. I look around again, some soldiers start to get close, then retreating after my fire grows larger.

"Dawn?" I turn to see Rose look at me with concern. The fire starts to die down as sink to the floor. Curling in on myself, just wanting to lay there for all eternity. But I soon felt a hand on my shoulder, looking up to see my mother next to Alador, whose hand was on my head, pulling back my blonde hair.

"Why is this happening?" I ask them, looking at each other, then help me stand to go to a backroom. Raina, Roman, and Lillith left in the throne room, talking to some of the soldiers. We walk up a spiral staircase through a winding tower until we reach the top.

A large room sat at the top, bookshelves lining the walls with room only made for a desk pushed up against the wall. Books lining said bookshelves with everything from history to magic to Earth Literature. Papers litter the dark wooden desk, along with a stray book or two, with a golden crown that looks similar to an olive crown from Ancient Greece. Looking out of the window in front of the desk I could see the courtyard and to my right an opening for a balcony with some chairs and even a telescope.

"This is my private study," Alador says as I scan the titles of some books, like Miralia and Kosoraio: The Beginning of Edelin, Practical Spells: Spells used from Cottage to Castle, and even The Completed Works of Edgar Allen Poe. I look over to him, smiling he scans through the books as well, searching for a book.

"You could find it if you kept your study a bit more organized," Mother exclaims looking through the papers and books on the desk.

"Says the person who trashed part of the kitchen table," I snark back, I see Alador trying to hold back laughter.

"Well you are one to talk Dawn, part of the kitchen table was your mess too," she exclaims, Alador and I snicker as we look through the books again.

"Wow, very professional mother," I reply as Alador starts to laugh, and Mother starts to smile.

"Well I do appreciate a heartwarming family moment," Alador says with a smile, for some reason, I didn't know what to think of him as family. I mean, he seems really nice, respectable, and a little goofy. But, I don't know, calling him dad or father, just doesn't sit right.

"I do believe we brought you here because you want answers," I nod as Alador pulls out a large book and sets it down on a table in the center of the room, and opens it. Inside is a large map, marking the countries of the world. But not my world.

"First, we are not on Earth anymore, this is Edelin, where we were born, where we met, and where we had you," Mother explains, I look around the map, seven continents, just like Earth, but it's more similar to the symbol on the banner. all the continents circling one island in the middle.

"Right now we are here..." Alador points to the center island on the map "in Viritore,". I take the chance to look at the other continents, two closer to the middle, one far north, and a whole lot of stuff in between.

"But why couldn't I stay here? Why did we have to leave?" I ask, Mother hands Alador another book that he puts next to the map.

"There was a war, and I wanted to keep you two safe, so when you were a couple of months old, we made a portal and sent you two through," Alador explains, I nod and sigh, I just wish I knew about this.

"Why didn't anyone tell me? About any of this?" they look at each other again.

"The main reason was to protect you, we were able to hide among other people to keep us safe from others in the war, but if I told you anything. I know your curiosity would get the better of you, and you would find your way here, unprotected," mother says as I look down at the map and book again. So now I'm split, I'm kind of mad that she didn't tell me, but I also understand she did what she thought was best for me.

"But, when your powers started to emerge, we knew you had to get here soon," Alador continues, powers? What does he mean by powers?

"What, powers?" I ask.

"I'm sure you know," Alador says. "'encased in flames with a fire behind orange eyes'?" that when it hit me.

"So you're saying I caused the fire alarm to go off?" I ask, Mother nods as I lay my head against the desk.

"Though we weren't prepared, we managed to send some people to help you, and to keep an eye on you," Mother says.

"Raina, Lillith, and Roman," I reply, thinking how much of a coincidence it was that I got chosen to lead those three around, supposedly from military families, and Roman's bow? It's all coming together.

"But that doesn't explain the panther," that when the mood decides to pop like a balloon, both of them got very serious as they looked at me.

"What do you mean panther?" Alador asks, and there goes the power aura again.

"Today, a panther attacked my school, if I could even call it a panther," I shudder at the image of that thing.

"What did it look like?" Mother asks.

"At least six feet at the shoulder, covered in scars, as if a shadow had a physical form," I recall, but that only got them more invested.

"But the eyes, what did the eyes look like?" Alador asks a tint of fear in his voice. "Did they have pupils?"

"No, it was just the white of its eye, why?" both lost the color in their cheeks as they look at each other.

"What happened?" Mother asks.

"Well, it attacked the school, sending it into lockdown, but we found it, and Roman made a plan for us to subdue it, but it failed, I saw Roman's katana and..." I trailed off, remembering the fire in my head, the blood on the sword, and the panther fading to dust.

"What happened?" Alador pressed.

"I... I killed it, stabbed it in the back," I bury my head in my hands as Alador reaches across the table to hold my hand. It feels sweet, but I just can't shake the feeling of that being wrong.

"It faded to dust, only it's collar remained," I sigh, as Mother puts her hand on my shoulder.

"Did the collar have an engraving on it or a symbol? What did it look like?" Mother asks I wipe some forming tears from my eyes.

"Well, the collar had silver spikes, with a crimson symbol on the inside, and a note attached as well," but at the word crimson, they both look at each other again.

"Kaldoro" Alador whispers as they turn to me, "Did someone get the collar?".

"Yes, Lillith grabbed it before Raina got us here," as if on cue, she comes rushing up the stairs, out of breath and pale.

"Apologies for the intrusion your Highness, but..." she stops to take a breath as all three of us stand.

"Lillith, what's happening?" Alador asks as Mother looks out the window.

"It's him, we killed one of his pets, now he's here," Lillith exclaims as Mother comes back over, I check where she stood. And outside the gates, lays an army, hundreds in number.

"Dammit, well I was hoping he wouldn't show up for a few more days, but..." he pinches the bridge of his nose, as Mother lays a hand on his shoulder.

"Wait, who's out there?" they turn to look at me.

"Someone who isn't friendly to those here," Mother explains vaguely.

"But, there's no use standing here and wishing him to go away," Alador sighs and grabs his crown from the desk.

"Unless you have a genie's lamp laying around somewhere," I reply sarcastically, everyone in the room gives me a look. Except for Lillith who gives a small snicker, "just trying to lighten the mood,".

"We might as well go see what he wants," Mother exclaims as we run down the stairs. Well, this will certainly be fun.

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A/N:

Well, now things are getting fun, and it's the week of my birthday(Aug 22). So yay! And now we made it to the good ol' Magical World. So I hope you guys liked this chapter. Please vote, comment about your opinion of this book, and follow if you haven't and I'll see you next week.