The Devil
The City of Books was a notorious city where Monsters hardly existed for the city was on a moving island, floating in the middle of The Teal Depths where mermaids are said to live.
It was dubbed the City of Peace for it was a beacon of hopes and dreams to live a life free from evil.
However, only so many people are allowed on the island due to an overpopulation problem they once had.
Because of the limit, only those with an invite from the self-proclaimed “King Henry the 14th” are allowed to take a boat straight to the island.
Head Swan gently sneered, “Have you received the Invitation of the ‘King’?” He air quoted.
She knew what he meant by ‘King’.
Before there was King Arthur, there was King Nonhle who declared that there would only be one King Iparia and that would be his family bloodline for all eternity.
It was a selfish move, but no one fought him about it. He was the only one who jumped up first to help the citizens of Iparia. Or so they said.
Sophie nodded her head, reaching underneath the neck of her shirt, and brought out a golden necklace that held a star-shaped pendant with a silver stone levitating in the middle.
All of the Sentries stopped what they were doing and gazed at it in awe.
All, except for Head Swan.
He had seen it many years ago when he was just a Swan.
“We are honored to assist one who is headed to the City of Books.” Head Swan bowed his head and a few chuckles could be heard from the rest of the sentries, “But please don't tell anyone you have it. It is precious after all.”
He turned his attention to 4827, “Make sure to not record that portion.” his eyes became cold as he looked towards the others, “As for you all, do not repeat any of this information displayed today. An invitation from the King is a death sentence. If you do not know, it was declared by King Arthur that whoever holds an invitation shall be detained and executed by the Relic Knights.”
Several gulps came from the Sentries.
While the Blessed Sentries dealt with the monsters on the outside; saving others and bringing them to safety, the Relic Knights protected the high walls of the city and executed those who are wanted for a crime.
They were known to be an ugly bunch of the strongest in the world who threw their might around and put fear into anyone who dared to look at them.
Sophie had a personal vendetta against one of the Knight Commanders who threw her into jail a couple of weeks ago.
Sophie put the necklace away, “--I wouldn't dare show it to anyone! I trust you all and wanted to know what is the best way to get there--”
“I see.” Head Swan reached into his pocket and brought out a small orb filled with glitter, “lo yo aw i̊wu tsa aw nonya du books.”
A small glimmer of light came from the orb and a map was projected on the ceiling of the tree, “We are here.” The map zoomed into their general location, “The City of Books is still a long way to go. From the city of Nora, travel west through the Grey Tree Forest and around lake Ethorn, not through it. The lake is filled with bone-eating monsters. Down the rocky slope of Sufdwell Peaks, you should reach several Ring Towns and enter the Perdue Providence. Be careful for it's where the Relic Commanders are stationed. Then it's Votberg Heights and The Deserted Volcano. Once you crossed those lands, the Teal Depths is just on the other side.” he paused, as the light went out, “It’ll take about five months but you should reach it.”
She pressed her four fingers against her chin and extended her hand outward,“--Thank you, 3675. I will try my best to remember all of that..”
“You're welcome.” he closed his eyes, “Now then, in thirty seconds we will move.” He shoved the orb back into his pocket, “Swans get ready.”
A heavy, “Understood.” came from the rest of the group.
Head Swan held his hand out to Sophie and she took it. Gently he helped her up from the cool dirt and she began to brush off her filthy clothes. He got down on his knees with his back turned against her.
Sophie grabbed her rucksack and swung it onto her back before climbing onto his.
He tucked his arms underneath her bottom, making her as comfortable as possible.
For a couple of seconds, he held his head down and began to pray in a low whisper. She couldn't make out the words he said except for the end, “blessed thee shlu arthur, shnirula kʼe shte wewsu”
Blessed thee King Arthur, son of the Moon.
His garments began to glow and so did the short sentry. On her body, she felt a heavyweight press her down into Head Swans' back, securing her for the journey. Once the glow was done, he looked up and tipped his head to the side.
“Lets move.” he demanded.
The rest responded, nodding their head once and before she knew it, he had darted out of the hole of the Tall Leaf Tree and into the wilderness of the forest. Markings were scorched into the earth from the blood birds that had passed while she was asleep.
Screams in the distance echoed as their footsteps tramped north, maneuvering around the large trunk bases of the Tall Leaf Trees.
100 years ago Akibara Forest didn't exist.
It was the home of several farming towns all bundled together and tied by a single brick road.
Then the curse arrived and the Tall Leaf Trees sprouted from the ground, opening up the earth and swallowing the small towns. It was then, Monsters began to appear.
It wasn't just this forest that appeared. Hundreds of these homes for monsters appeared all over Iparia with no answer as to why.
Sophie kept her eyes closed for the first couple of minutes until she inhaled a whiff of a horrible stench of rotting flesh that burned her eyes.
(I hate this forest) she coughed, blinking the tears away before noticing on the right-hand side there was a herd of Kaireths whose oblong bodies were formed from bones and mink-grey branches.
They stood six feet off the ground with bony legs and faces like hawks. Their beaks, filled with tiny sharp teeth, clacked together as their sunset eyes landed on the pack.
They were communicating. Telling the rest of their herd that humans were within the forest.
A sickening feeling hit her stomach as she tightened her grip on his cloak, (“I have a really bad feeling about this. Kaireths? In this forest? It’s not impossible but…”) she held onto her thought.
Head Swan dodged to the left, keeping up with the pace that he had set for himself.
The more they kept running, dodging, jumping off thick roots, and avoiding the small Wickeds; the more Kaireths started to appear, clacking their long beaks in the air.
Loudly he huffed out, “46” and she knew what that meant.
There were 46 Kaireths so far.
(“I knew something was wrong,”) she clucked her tongue, (“That number is far too high for an average herd which consists of only 12 to 20. But 46? That only meant one thing. She is here. The Harbinger, Shesheba...Death on a White Skeletal Horse.”)