Chapter 9

When they turned to see who said where they were camping for the night wasn't safe they turned and saw that it was Tartarus who said it.

He was now awake and trying to sit up but still repeated what he said although he was still weak.

“ This place is not safe, it's the territory of the scorpions, “ Tartarus said while in a sitting position and tried to stand up.

“ We need to leave this place now before it is too late, “ Tartarus added.

“ What do you mean? “ Gwen asked, confused, while Gerald and Calanthe just stood there watching Tartarus curious as to what he would say next.

“ This part of the forest is the realm of the scorpion, “ Tartarus answered as he looked at the trio.

Gwen just rolled her eyes and scoffed before replying to Tartarus “ I thought it was a serious problem but scorpions are just poisonous creatures, Gerald alone can take them down if they get to us “ Gwen said.

“ You don’t understand these are not ordinary scorpions, they are… “ Tartarus wanted to continue talking but was interrupted by Gwen.

“ You need to learn to shut up for now because we don’t fully trust you, for all we know you might want to lead us into… “ Gwen was interrupted by Gerald who had had enough of their argument.

“ Enough!!!! This is not the time for arguments, Pack your things let’s keep moving, he has been in this forest for a while now if there’s anyone of us who would know this forest in and out it’s him “ Gerald said with finality, and wanted to turn to get his belongings but immediately paused when he heard a hissing sound.

Tartarus squinted his eyes and cursed in a whisper because they all heard the hissing and he knew it was the scorpions.

“ It’s too late, they’re already here. We are surrounded “ Tartarus said and continued “ Prepare yourself a sting from them can kill you in less than a day “

Gerald immediately drew out his sword from his back and immediately channeled his powers into his sword, standing ready to fight whatever it was that was creeping closer.

Gwen also drew out her sword and channeled her powers with her sword, as she walked forward to stand beside Gerald ready to fight too.

Calanthe stood behind Gerald and Gwen while assisting Tartarus to stand well. She regretted bringing Gerald and Gwen on this quest to get her powers back.

She began to regret it because she felt like she should have just told them to wait for her at the Tower of Light, the home of the supreme sisters of the Light. After all, the tower was highly fortified; no evil could ever be near it, let alone penetrate its walls.

The grounds immediately began to shake as the hissing sounds became more pronounced and louder signifying that the scorpions were near but what baffled Gerald, Gwen, and Calanthe was why the grounds were shaking.

“ Wait, how big are the scorpions? “ Gerald asked as he slightly turned to look at Tartarus as he asked, but Tartarus and Calanthe just stood frozen staring ahead of Gerald.

“ That big “ Tartarus said and pointed ahead of Gerald. Gerald immediately looked in the direction that Tartarus was pointing and was slightly taken aback when he saw Seven giant scorpions surrounding them, he was taken aback because he didn’t expect them to be this big.

The Scorpions began to proceed towards the group with each step the scorpions took the earth trembled and the group took steps backward.

“ What do we do? “ Gwen yelled as the scorpions were coming towards them.

Suddenly the scorpion that was ahead of the rest hissed loudly and Gerald froze surprised as he looked at the scorpion because he heard what the scorpion said.

“ Guys, is it weird that I just heard what the scorpion just said? “ Gerald asked them while they looked at Gerald like he had ten heard.

“ You mean you understand what these creatures are saying? “ Tartarus asked as he paused to look at Gerald.

Gerald didn't answer Tartarus' question rather he stepped forward and yelled while he raised his hands, signifying for the giant scorpions to stop.

“ Stop!!! “ Gerald yelled with a raise of his hands and a power that was like waves of energy emitted from his raised hands which calmed the giant scorpions down a little.

“ We come in peace, “ Gerald said to the giant scorpions as he walked closer to the giant scorpions and put his swords back in its sheath behind his back, while Calanthe, Gwen, and Tartarus stood looking at him like he had gone mad.

“ You understand us? “ The giant scorpion who seemed to be their leader said to Gerald but to Geralds companions all they heard was the giant scorpion hissing sound while Gerald answered them.

“ Yes, I am Gerald of Grafburg, my companions and I are on our way to the realm of trolls to help get our mother's powers back. We mean you no harm and beg for you to grant us safe passage “ Gerald said as he turned to point at Calanthe.

“ It's been ages since we met someone that can understand judging by your eye color and sword. We know who you are now. For that reason, we will grant you safe passage and lead you through the shortest route leading to the realm of the trolls “ The leader of the giant scorpions said to Gerald who heaved a sigh of relief.

“ Thank you, “ Gerald said to the scorpion.

“ You all should climb and sit on our backs. If not, you'll slow us down, “ The scorpion said to Gerald.

“ Okay let me relay the message to my companions first, “ He said to the scorpion and then took long strides to where Gwen and the others stood.

They gathered around him curiously waiting to hear what he was discussing with the scorpions, Tartarus was still marveled because, in his entire life of existence, he had never seen a man conversing with mythical creatures.

“ Okay if I say this, keep your voice as low as possible if by any chance you need to answer me. The Scorpions know a shorter route leading to the realm of the trolls and they have offered to help us. We’ll climb on their backs and they'll take us there “ Gerald said to them in a low voice.

“ What?!! No!!! “ Gwen exclaimed in a low voice while the others rolled their eyes at her, already getting used to her attitude of never agreeing to what others say.

“ Why are you always like this?! “ Gerald snapped at her as he ran out of patience.

“ Because I'm thinking rationally, just now these things wanted to kill us and now they are offering to help us?. Does it make sense to you? “ Gwen retorted.

“ Come on guys let's head out, they are waiting for us, “ Gerald said with finality and they walked towards the scorpions who laid down their pedipalps for each person to walk on for them to walk to their back.

Calanthe and Tartarus got on one scorpion because she was assisting Tartarus since he wasn't fully healed and she knew he might need assistance along the way.

Gerald got on the leader Giant scorpion and when he turned to check which one Gwen got on, he found out she was standing on the ground in front of the scorpions.

“ There is no way I am getting on these giant scorpions, Do you expect…. “ Gwen wanted to continue but felt a strong air lifting her off her feet and placed her on scorpions back.

“ You talk too much, “ Gerald said after he was done using his powers to lift Gwen and she just glared at him having no option but to surrender.

“ You mean you could do that and you just let us walk up here? “ Tartarus complained and Gerald just shrugged not knowing what to reply Tartarus and Calanthe just looked at the children chuckling.

“ Let's go, “ Gerald said to the scorpion and they headed out with the giant's scorpions that didn't have

anyone on its back leading the way.

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Meanwhile, in the palace of the Gokazur empire located in Grafburg, Ophelia leaped into the gate of the palace and the guards immediately assisted her to the Throne room where King Nebeus is seated.

He jerked off his seat alarmed as he saw his favorite witch leader come in a bad state. He looks young for someone who has lived for a long time.

“ What happened to you, Ophelia? “ King Nebeus asked with concern evident on his face as he squatted and brushed his hands on Ophelia's hair after which he cleaned the dried blood at the corner of her mouth.

“ It is as we feared my lord, the last guardian of the sacred stone is now in our world. His name is Gerald, we tried to capture him but it ended me in this situation “ Ophelia said with a weak voice.

King Nebeus' face immediately darkened with rage. As Ophelia passed the information to him and he knew that the days he dreaded the most had finally come.

“ That is not all My lord, “ Ophelia said and he looked at her again waiting for her to talk.

“ He is the son of late king Aramis, he travels with Calanthe of Bashkor and a girl Calanthe claims to be her daughter. My lord we couldn’t get a hold of this Gerald because he wasn’t in our world all this time, he was portal back in here by Calanthe. For him to be brought back now only means one thing, the time for the prophecy to be fulfilled is near '' Ophelia explained.

“ No!!!!! No one can dethrone me and extinguish the darkness and evil I have brought into this world. That is just a stupid prophecy. Bring forth the tracking orb and use it to bring them to me alive, especially Gerald “ King Nebeus ordered the Wizards that were in the throne room at that moment and they scurried away to bring the orb.