CHAPTER 12: TRAVEL TREE

The council chamber buzzed with an undercurrent of unease as members fidgeted in their seats, casting wary glances toward the ornate, high-backed chair at the room's center. The Queen, rarely seen at council meetings, sat with a rigid poise, her penetrating gaze sweeping over each council member in turn. This gathering had been called at her command, with an urgency none dared question.

The room hushed as she lifted her hand, her voice carrying a tone both regal and cold. "It seems we have severely underestimated our children," she began, her voice slicing through the silence like a blade. "The discovery they made—the location of the amulet—has to my attention and I have called this meeting for a second opinion on an approach to this ."

An uneasy murmur rippled through the chamber as council members exchanged troubled looks. 

"Many have searched for it before," one elder remarked dismissively, crossing his arms. "Why should we believe that these students, with their reckless abandon, have achieved what seasoned warriors could not?"

Another council member leaned forward, an intense gaze fixed on the Queen. "But what if Tim's involvement is key? His unique heritage and latent potential may provide the edge we need and he might be right about the location."

"Might? Are we to pursue a theory over, might?"

As the debate intensified, voices clashed over the implications of the amulet and the circumstances that had led the students to it. Tension crackled in the room, compounded by murmurs of how the students could have even come by such crucial information. Was it coincidence, or had Tim's influence drawn them into deeper intrigues?

Meanwhile, at the academy, Headmistress Maelis prepared for her weekly address. As she scanned the assembly of students, her heart sank. Key figures—Brandon, Brayden, Anika, and Tim—were conspicuously absent. Knowing their keen interest in the amulet, a chill of foreboding gripped her. The past weekend had offered no clue of anything amiss; the academy had hummed with its usual rhythm of laughter, study, and sparring sessions.

With calm precision, Maelis swiftly finished her address, careful not to betray any sign of concern that might spread panic. But as soon as the students dispersed, she'd made her way directly to the council hall, her heart heavy with the realization that those children were likely headed somewhere very dangerous.

Now, as her gaze swept over the council members, she cleared her throat, her voice low and steady. "Your Majesty, I apologize for arriving so late, I had to address the students," she began, bowing slightly. "I have urgent news, the kids have gone after the amulet, I—"

Maelis had barely began her report when a guard appeared in the doorway, armor gleaming as he strode in and saluted the Queen with deep reverence. "Your Majesty, Council," he began, his voice steady but urgent. "There has been an attack at the Keep."

The tension in the room sharpened. Maelis heart raced—could the children have been involved in this attack? But then, as if reading her thoughts, the guard continued, "The attackers were the SHADE."

At this, the council's attention intensified. Everyone knew of the SHADE, skilled bounty hunters loyal to only one thing: coin. The possibility that they had attacked the Keep—one of the most sacred places in the realm—raised a host of questions and fears. However, the guard's next words sparked a thread of suspicion.

"Your Majesty, in an attempt to guard the Keep some students snuck into the Keep," he reported, "and we feared, at first, they may have orchestrated the attack..." He glanced nervously at Maelis. "...as soon as the students entered, the SHADE abruptly retreated."

A murmur ran through the council as the Queen's eyes narrowed. "And you believe there's some link between these students and the SHADE?" she asked, her voice icily calm.

The guard hesitated, then shook his head. "No, Your Majesty. Such a theory is implausible. The SHADE work only for the highest bidder, and there are few in the realm who could afford their allegiance, let alone convince them to retreat so suddenly."

Maelis spoke up, her voice clear. "The notion that these students could recruit the SHADE is, indeed, absurd. These children… they are simply curious, with a little too much courage, perhaps." She met the Queen's gaze. "But they are not traitors."

The Queen gave a slight nod, seemingly satisfied. "If that is true, then we are dealing with forces that may be beyond even our full understanding." Her expression hardened. "But make no mistake—we cannot afford to take any chances. The children are in grave danger within the Keep."

One council member, a wiry man with a skeptical glint in his eyes, spoke up. "Your Majesty, might we be worrying in excess? The trials of the Keep are arduous. These students may well be expelled by the first of them, perhaps even teleported out entirely. And the second trial is notorious; only the purest of intentions allow passage. Surely, the Keep itself will thwart them if their cause is not worthy."

Maelis frowned. "It's true the Keep's trials have warded off many unworthy souls, but I fear these students are far more determined than we give them credit for and what happens when the keep deems them unworthy." 

"If what you say about them seeking the amulet is true and that is their only intention, then I'm sure it's worthy enough." The wiry man replied

The Queen's voice interrupted the murmurs. "Nevertheless, I want them under guard if they should emerge. There is too much at stake."

"Your Majesty," the guard said, his brow creased, "we've already swept the perimeters of the Keep, in case the trials expelled them, but we've found no sign. That is why I came at once to report this to you."

The Queen's face, calm and steely, betrayed a flicker of concern. "Then we wait. If we send more guards inside, they too will fall prey to the Keep's challenges. We must trust that the Keep will reveal their worth." Her gaze swept the room, a silent command. "And hope they emerge… in one piece."

---

Meanwhile, within the Keep, the students were in a state of near panic. Hours had passed since Tim had ventured off alone into the shadowed corridors, and the eerie silence gnawed at their nerves. Brandon paced back and forth, casting anxious glances into the darkness, Anika tapped her foot, trying to mask her own growing unease, Brayden lied back on the ground playing with his powers while Quincy just stared into nothingness.

"Where is he?" Brandon muttered, clenching his fists. "Did something happen to him? He better not be having fun over there."

Anika crossed her arms, looking around warily. "You know Tim," she replied, forcing a lightness into her voice that she didn't feel. "He probably got distracted by something shiny in there. He'll be back."

But her words barely convinced herself, let alone the others. Deep within the Keep's endless shadows, Tim was fighting his own battle. The deeper he'd gone, the more oppressive the voices around him had become, whispering taunts and fears in a cacophony that left him dizzy. Eventually, his steps faltered, and he collapsed to his knees, hands pressed to his temples.

A low, emotionless voice cut through the darkness. "Tim."

Tim looked up, heart pounding as he tried to make out the figure before him. It was a man, standing still in the shadows, his face hidden. "Who… who are you?" Tim rasped, feeling as though he were sinking.

"I am not here," the figure replied, his voice flat. "I am aprojection."

Tim swallowed, gathering his strength. "That's a fancy way of calling yourself an illusion."

The figure ignored his sarcasm, voice unwavering. "The deeper you go, the stronger the shadows will become. If you have any hope of reaching your goal, you must steel yourself against them. But you obviously lack the concentration to do so, that's why I'm here."

Tim's defiance faded as a wave of calm swept over him, silencing the chaotic voices. He took a deep breath, staring into the man's shadowed face. "You're helping me, aren't you? Why?"

"Because your purpose is greater than you understand. You have been chosen, Tim. I'm sure that's what the voices in your head were saying. But to me, you are the bringer of life. "

The words struck Tim, filling him with both unease and a strange, unspoken connection to this man. Before he could speak, a dim light appeared at the end of the tunnel. Tim turned back to thank the figure, but he was gone, leaving only a cold silence.

"Guess I'm on my own...again." Tim muttered, striding toward the light.

He emerged into a breathtaking garden, the air filled with the scent of flowers. In the center of the garden stood the Travel Tree, its branches adorned with glistening leaves that seemed to pulse with life. Floating near the tree was a woman clothed in ethereal white, her hair shimmering as she moved gracefully, tending to the leaves.

Tim blinked in awe, his sarcastic bravado momentarily abandoned. He approached, and the woman turned, regarding him with a gentle smile. "Where is he who accompanied you in the shadows?" she asked softly, though her gaze was piercing.

"It was just me," he said, frowning. "I think."

The woman watched him a moment longer, as if seeing through him, before drifting back toward the tree. Without being asked, she gave Tim an answer "I care for the Travel Tree," she said. "It is my duty to ensure only the worthy may carry its leaves."

Tim cleared his throat, his bravado returning. "How about five leaves, then? Just a small favor."

The woman's eyes darkened. "Why do you seek them?"

Tim paused, searching for words, and replied, "To help my friends. We… we need them."

"Liar." She simply said attending to the flowers in the garden all the while not touching the ground. "Why do you seek them?"

"I don't know, the amulet seems important and it could help defeat the evil organization." Tim said pouring out the first thing that came to mind.

Her gaze sharpened, a flash of suspicion in her eyes. "Liar," she hissed, and the shadows around her darkened. "Speak the truth."

A chill swept over him, and in a trance-like state, he admitted, "I… I need to feel like I matter. I need to know… that I'm more than what I left behind in the human realm. I need to go back to see how they are doing." 

She studied him, her face softening once more, she moved towards the travel tree and took off five leaves then moved to hand them to Tim. "All leaves from the same but one split to another."

Not understanding what she meant and definitely not in the mood to ask what it means, Tim took the leaves and headed back towards the shadow from whence he came.

"And Tim beware of those who walk in shadows." she warned before Tim disappeared into the shadows 

With a renewed sense of purpose, Tim returned to the group, a familiar smirk on his face. "Did you miss me?" he teased, their worried expressions making him chuckle. "Easy peasy." Tim singsonged holding up a leaf.

"You motherf—"

Brandon's response was interrupted as a bright light enveloped them. In a dizzying flash, they found themselves standing in the middle of nowhere, victorious yet disoriented. 

"Guess I wasn't the only one who needs Brandon to shut it." Tim teased.

Laughter erupted among them as they caught their breath, and Quincy's eyes lit up as she spotted the gate leading to their next destination.

"The gate! Retrieving the leaves, the tree must have teleported us to the gate." Brayden pointed out.

"Way to state the obvious." Tim said earning a scoff from Brayden.

"Let's go!" Quincy said.

"Yep let's go before another word comes out of Tim's mouth. I am way too drain to resolve any fights." Anika said.

"I'll be taking that as a compliment." Tim said

Together, they stepped forward, the

weight of the trials behind them, but the shadow of uncertainty still hung in the air, ready to challenge them once again.