Charter: Maplewood

Meanwhile, Stan wanted to talk to Athena as they walked, and he started the conversation:

– I want to apologize for the incident at school, I know it was my fault.

Athena's green eyes turned to Stan: – I could have died.

– Not really. – He smiled.

– What does that mean? It's not funny.

– Actually, my plan B was to paint the wooden gun black and pretend it was real.– He scratched the back of his head guiltily.

– What! I freaked out! – While Athena was reprimanding Stan, Dolan was in the back studying the maple trees, touching them, he pricked himself on one of the withered trees and scratched the spot, creating a small blister on his hand, but he didn't notice it as the boys were interrupted by a sudden wind, accompanied by other people's voices and drums, Francie noticed Lan talking to someone: – With who are you talking?

– With the other shaman apprentices, we don't really like the public and try to hide ourselves through natural magic, we rarely show ourselves to anyone. – As she spoke, a breeze appeared and the leaves of the maple tree rose into the air and flew away.

– Follow me, the Shaman wants to see you. – In front of the boys, the trees literally slid apart and a tent appeared in their place, flanked by four large stones.

– Do we have to go inside? – Athena asked.

– Yes. – A male voice answered from inside the tent. The boys looked at each other and dared to pull back the curtain and step inside. It was more spacious than outside, even Dolan went in and out to take in the size.

– Come here. – A humanoid man with dark skin and red eyes like Lan's emerged from the far corner of the tent. The difference was that he had golden ball patterns all over his body, eight rings of the same size around his neck and the same rings on his wrists, and a thinness behind his cloak.

The Shaman tried not to show it, he was making herbs and potions in his tent, he came to the boys and held a bowl of substance in his hands, he dipped his finger in it and placed a spherical symbol on each one's forehead, after a moment it was absorbed into the skin, then he said: – So at least you won't die from the air that combines with the substances that come from the mines. And now let me ask you, how did you get here and what is your purpose?

Dolan knew how to communicate with unknown beings, as he had done for years in fantasy board games: – We came here from another world through the water, where we heard a woman's voice, and our purpose is to return, we are not here of our own free will.

– Hmm... You are travelers from the Voice of the World...interesting. – The Shaman walked over to a huge cauldron standing in the middle of the tent, took a green powder from a pocket in his robe and threw it into the boiling water.

– What is he doing? – Asked Athena.

– He's going to ask the Voice of the World why you're here. – Athena's back suddenly appeared behind her, frightening the boys.

– What a strange one. –Whispered Dolan, but Francie heard him and slapped him on the head, and the boy quickly shut up, saying nothing more and looking at the girl angrily: – You know it hurts.

– Then do me a favor and don't be rude to strangers. – Francie whispered in his ear.

– What is the Voice of the World? – Stan asked Lan.

– They are said to be echoes of our world, they rarely communicate with anyone and seldom guide travelers, only at the deepest threat can they suddenly react and even move to the Netherworld to help with a problem they cannot solve. Is that how you got here?

– Through this spell. – Francie took out a wet photograph on which there had been a magical inscription, but it immediately disappeared as if it had never been there.

– Oh, you see, the echoes are mischievous, perhaps so many people have called for help over the years that their echoes have created a spell to bring heroes here! – Answered the shaman.

– Why are we the heroes?

– You will decide at the end of your journey.

Suddenly the cauldron began to boil and dark red smoke came from it, the shaman called them closer to see what was being shown to them: – Don't worry, I will be your interpreter.

The first thing they saw was a large kingdom with the dragon flying around it, it shrank and the image in front of them changed to a closed door with a lock: Recently, a pirate who has taken over the entire kingdom has illegally seized power in Morsalia, banning travelers from entering or leaving the kingdom on the pretext that all will be burned by his tamed dragon and eaten by his servant shapeshifters who can transform into man's worst nightmares. – The image changed to a ruined castle with thousands of bodies lying around.

– The hidden truth must be found and Morsalia's weakness restored. Don't look the obvious villain in the eye, it won't help you, trust what comes from your heart and act for good.

Athena suddenly saw in the prediction a flute played by the silhouette of a girl, the sound of which made everything blossom:– Salvation comes in the form of messengers from another world who can save the kingdom from the vile pirate dragonborn.

As the cloud of images grew larger and darkened with demonic smiles, manipulating the citizens of the kingdom and trapping innocent people in their cunning trap where only bones could be found, it gave the boys goosebumps.

– This is not good. They've decided to show us the prophecy. – The Shaman didn't like it, his sour expression showing that he wasn't ready for it.

– Whoa! – Stan suddenly shouted.

– Stan, what's wrong?

– Athena, that's the smile I saw when I was talking to someone other than Amanda.

The creature's face was blurred, but he recognised the familiar grin immediately: – We're getting closer and closer to the real Amanda's disappearance.

– Wait, your world has been visited by creatures from the Sealed Lands? –The Shaman was stunned: – This is much more complicated than I thought...

– What happened, will you tell us? – asked the shaman, the frightened Dolan.

– My boy, you have no idea what is happening to this world, if there are creatures without their own bodies in your world, it means that someone has found one of the 'keys' that lock the Sealed Lands. It's not just the Pirate Dragon Slayer that's the problem, it's much bigger than that! – He went on to talk about the prophecy.

You must be careful for now that you have set foot in these lands you will have allies and enemies alike, it is not yet known when the Sealed Lands will be opened but the Voice of World will guide you to where you are needed most.

Athena saw a lot of disappointment, heartbreak and death in the Shaman's predictions, she couldn't take it anymore and left the tent, Stan wanted to go with her but Francie stopped him:

– Stan, there's no need. I'll go...

–Okay...

– I'll talk to her. – Francie ran out of the tent after Athena. Dolan and Stan stayed behind to watch the prophecy, where they saw the girl's wedding and the burning castle in the background.

– It is not so simple, what seems to be ruin can be a secret. Whole countries can be against you, but you can also lead whole kingdoms, there will be temptations and betrayals along the way, but you will come through. – The boys did not finish listening to the prophecy, and they left the tent, where the prophecy was not yet finished.

– ...For some will have to remain in this world forever.