Chapter 108

I honestly have no idea where I should be heading. I stood confused for a while then an idea popped into my head. I think Nari would know the way. I went to the lake, I don't like the idea of jumping into the lake but I am willing to risk it all for Benjamin.

I jumped into the lake in hopes that the hand would show up but it didn't. Shit this is the worst thing I could ever do. I don't even know how to swim. Wow... Nice job Lilith, the plan was to save Benjamin and not get killed. You haven't started phase one and now you're about to die.

I could feel myself slowly loosing air, I tried to swim back up but I could. The more I struggled the deeper I sank. I struggled and struggled till I eventually blacked out. I woke up and coughed out water. I thought I was in heaven. "It's nice to have some company" Nari said. "Am... Am I died?" I asked. "Yes" She said in a serious tone.

"What?" I asked in shock. She laughed. "Why so serious? I'm just pulling your legs. You're not died" Nari said. I sighed in relief. "What brings you here Lilith? You have never stopped by for a visit before so what's the occasion?" Nari asked. "I need your help" I said.

"As always.... What is it?" She asked again. "Ixia's back" I said. "I know... Now she seeks revenge. What ever did you do to that Witch?" Nari asked. "I banished her" I said. "Hmm.. So it's a death sentence then" Nari said. "Please help me" I said. "I can't interfere in the matters of mortals" Nari said.

"I just want to know where she's keeping the boy" I said. "You're willing to risk your life for the boy?" Nari asked. "Yes" I replied. "Very well. I would not question your decision but keep this is mind that in other to save the boy you'd have to pay the price" Nari said.

"I'm willing to pay the price" I said. Nari snapped her fingers, a maid brought out a glass of wine and handed it over to Nari. "Why didn't you inform the royals about this so they could help you?" Nari asked. "I don't want anyone to get involved in my mess" I said.

"Can you hear yourself? Can you hear how foolish you sound? This is a suicide mission. You may never come out alive" Nari said. "That's the risk I'm willing to take.... No one should suffer because of me" I said. "I can't believe the fate of the entire world rests on your shoulders" Nari said.

"Are you going to help me or not?" I asked. "Why are you in such a rush? Well it's your funeral anyway. So Ixia has kept the boy at the Castle of Iris. Where you have no fate of returning" Nari said. "I've been there before and I escaped" I said. "You escaped once doesn't mean she'd let you escape again" Nari said.

"I'd take the risk" I said. "Very well, in order to find the Castle of Iris you must journey to the land of Troll. When you get there you'd see a Willow tree" Nari said. "Willow tree? They must have thousands of Willow trees. How am I supposed to know which one?" I asked.

"Don't interrupt me. When you get there you'd know it. Now the Willow tree has a secret entrance..." Nari said but I interrupted her. "Which is?" I asked. "Would you stop interrupting me? Do you want to know it or not?" Nari asked. "Sorry... Continue" I said. "All you have to say is babi atantie arrisan omeni laki"

"What? How am I supposed to remember all of that?" I asked. "I don't care, you're the big hero here so sort it out" Nari said. "Wow how helpful you've been" I said. "Is that sarcasm?" Nari asked. "Yes... You didn't help me in anyway" I said. "Mortals how ungrateful they could be. I've done my part the rest is up to you" Nari said.

I took a deep breath. "How am I supposed to get to the land of trolls?" I asked. "You have to walk through a portal" Nari said. "A portal? What portal?" I asked. "You would use my special portal.... That's all I can do for you right now" Nari said. "Alright" Was all I could say. "Are you ready?" She asked. "Yes" I said.

Someone opened a door. "Step into the light" Nari said. I slowly walked into the door. I found myself in another world. The world is so filthy, it stinks. I couldn't breathe well. This place is the most disgusting place I've ever seen. People there are so ugly.

I need to find the Willow tree and get out of here ASAP. I tried my best to avoid attention, I used my handkerchief to cover my face. After searching round the town for the Willow tree. They pretty much look alike. What exactly am I supposed to be looking for anyway?

.

I sat on a bench in frustration, how am I going to find it now? Aside from the polluted air, this mission is killing me. I could feel the air on my face and the movement of water, I could hear trees moving. I looked up, I saw a tree that was close to a river. Something in my gut tells me that's what I'm looking for.

The Willow tree was so old and it is the tallest tree I've seen today. It has a lot of branches and leaves. I walked up to the tree, I placed my head on it. I couldn't believe I've found it, I thought I would spend eternity looking for it.

Now what was the password? Nari said something like baby attentive Harrison Owen lucky right? "No, no, no. That can't be it. Perhaps babe.... Something... Something?" I said.

I scratched my head in frustration. "How can I forget something so important?" I asked myself. Wait maybe if I concentrate I would remember. I closed my eyes, placed my hands on the tree. I took a deep breath. "babi atantie arrisan omeni laki" I said but nothing happened. I said it again and again but still nothing happened

I became angry. "babi atantie arrisan omeni laki" I yelled. There was a sudden earthquake. The ground began to rumble, I stepped back a bit. "Who dares disturb my slumber?" A voice asked. I was about to reply but I was carried away from the ground. The Willow tree isn't just a tree, there's a giant living underneath it.

I didn't realize I was standing on his palm, he brings me closer to his face. "A half bred" He said. "I.... I'm sorry for.... Waking you, I just need...." I said but he didn't let me finish my sentence. "Pass my bridge" He said. "Yes" I said. "Why?" He asked. "I need to help someone" I said.

"I see... If you help him, who's going to help you?... I don't see you returning victorious from this journey you're about to embark on" He said. "I've come too far to back down now" I said. "If it's your wish to die then your free to go..... Remember there is danger ahead of you. Ixia is waiting for you" He said.

"Thank you" I said. "Good luck, you'd need it" He said. He laid down, there was a door on the tree. I walked up to it, I opened the door. I could see the dessert. "Okay here goes nothing" I said. I walked through the door. Next up Castle Iris.