Their Adventure Together 20

 Black Soldier

    My mind raced as I tried to recall any legends I had heard of Kai, the Keeper of the Key. I turned to ask my twin, then cursed softly as I remembered that she had grew up on Earth. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, I my brains found bits and pieces of something Sha had told me. 

    " The Dragon Kai, Keeper of the Key is a calculating dragon. In fact, he's the smartest and most cunning dragon in the entire Balance Realm itself. He defeats his opponents by matches. " she had said.

    " Matches? " I asked her.

    She nodded. " Bets, games, anything that he can win. Before starting the game, he would list out the conditions first. Losers do whatever the winner wants them to, for example. Then, he will win the game and defeat you. So, if you want to defeat him, you will have to think from his perspective. Find his weaknesses and strengths. Suggest a game to him, something that sounds exciting. Market it, like advertisements do. But make sure you are confident you can win or the game will take place on your strength areas. The idea of something new will surely intrigue him. In his eagerness, he will get clumsy. That's where you play against his weaknesses by using your strengths to corner him in one of his own silly conditions that he listed. " Sha explained.

    Before this, I hadn't understood a thing she had said. But now, I knew what she meant, and decided to use her idea- but with a little bit of improvisation. Okay, so maybe I didn't use her plan at all.  I mean, I didn't exactly want to fight a mighty powerful dragon. I just hoped it would work. And it could only work if Sirena was a good actress. " Talk and delay him. " I hissed to Sirena. She nodded slightly, and began distracting the dragon by saying something.

    "So, uh, Mr Kai, do you live here alone?" she asked, putting giving the dragon a dazzling smile. 

    The dragon exhaled. " Yes, unfortunately. " " I used to live with my wife, Zerelda, but.." he said sadly.

    "Zerelda? " Sirena asked. " What a beautiful name. Who is she?" 

    " She was my wife. " the dragon replied.

    " Well, what happened to her? Can you tell me? " she asked the dragon, who was tearing by now.

    " Let me tell you the whole story. "     

    I grinned to myself. My twin was smart. While Sirena kept talking to the dragon, I sneaked away and looked around for somewhere the key would be. My sharp eyes spotted a tiny box just behind the dragon. It was placed on a red cushion, along with a faded piece of paper. Great. I tiptoed behind the dragon, and caught Sirena's eye. Her eyes widened. I forced a smile, signing her to pretend that nothing was happening. Then I pointed to the box and mouthed, " Don't let him turn". Thankfully, she understood. 

    " My wife, Zerelda and I were a happy dragon couple. We had just moved into this cave, when one day, a few strangers walked in. They introduced themselves as humans - hunters that is. We were delighted to have company, and welcomed them in our cave. We gave them food and drinks and treated them like kings. They stayed for a few days. " Kai said. 

    Sirena nodded. " Then what happened?" she asked, hanging on to his every word. I couldn't blame her, I wanted to listen to. But I had to get the box. I took out some spare rope and groaned silently. The rope was too short to make a lasso. Looks like I just had to get it with my hands.

    "One of them were injured. So my kind wife prepared a special healing soup made of one of her scales. You see, our scales aren't just scales. These scales have magical healing powers. So anyways, she gave the soup to the injured man and healed him. That night, my wife and I left to sleep, leaving the men alone. Without us knowing, they whispered plans to each other. They wanted to steal our scales to sell it to doctors and scientists to get money. So they decided to hunt a dragon and take it home. The next day after breakfast, they sneaked up on Zerelda and stabbed her in the back. They shot her and injured her, and killed her. Then they brought her along with them on their way home. " 

    " Weren't you there? Why didn't you help?" Sirena asked.

    By now I had reached the box. Light streamed through a small hole in the ceiling of the cave. Now I could see more clearly, I noticed the box was on the cushion and the cushion was on a dragon-sized stone pillar sort of thing. The faded piece of paper I saw earlier was just beside the box. 

    " I went out to get some berries. But the hunters bumped into me on their way back, and, overcome with anger, I ate them all up. It was then I decided to be a carnivore. Meat tasted surprisingly delicious. So now, whenever I see humans, I eat them because their kind killed my wife. " the dragon replied. Then he continued in a booming voice, " And so, I will eat you as well!" 

    Sirena gulped. I frantically shook my head, telling her to do something - quick. " Uh, do you have a, a picture? " She asked.     

    The dragon froze. " A what now?"

    Sirena became more confident. " A picture. A picture of your beautiful wife Zerelda. After your heartbreaking story, I insist on knowing how she looked like. " she said, crossing her arms over her chest.

    " A picture. Hmm... " While the dragon made up his mind, I quickly opened the box, emptied it, and placed it back on the cushion. " Well, I don't see any harm of it, after all, you'll die soon anyways. " the dragon said and swung around. It was then I realized that the faded piece of paper was actually a picture of his wife and him! I panicked, and hid behind the pillar. Luckily, the dragon didn't spot me.

    " There you are! This is a picture of our wedding day. Doesn't she look pretty?" he asked.

    Sirena nodded. " Very pretty. With her pink scales and warm brown eyes, she looks very kind. " she complimented. 

    "True. She was a great dragon, Zerelda. " the dragon said, a big fat tear rolling down his cheeks and landed with a plop on the picture. I know this sounds weird, but I actually felt sorry for the guy. That is, uh dragon. Seeing such a majestic creature be in so much pain because of something my ancestors did, well, that just makes me very sad. But considering the fact that he wanted to eat us alive, I didn't think feelings could help. 

    Sirena steered the dragon around 180 degrees, gesturing for me to leave and meet her outside. I ran outside, stuffed the key in my backpack and geared up. I waited, but she didn't come out. So I cautiously entered the cave and tried to hear what was going on.

    " I'm very sorry about your wife, sir. " Sirena said after a pause.

    " Me too, girl. Me too. But there's nothing we can do about it, can we? I can't leave my job, so I'll have to be all alone again. "

    " But why can't you leave your job?"

    " I've been cursed so that I can only leave when the intruder wants me to come with him or her. " the dragon said sadly.

   " Wait. Hold it right there. I have an idea. Kai, if we let you follow us, will you promise not to eat us?" Sirena said, and idea forming in her head.

    " What? Yes, of course! " the dragon exclaimed. Then he frowned. " But then I wouldn't be able to eat you. " 

    " True, but you will be free to go wherever you want, and to eat so many varieties of food! After all, just eating meat would make you unhealthy. " she coaxed him.

    The dragon thought about it for a while. " Fine. "

    Sirena grinned. " So do we have a deal?"

    " Deal." And they sealed it with a paw-handshake. ( a handshake, with a paw)

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Their Adventure Together 19

 Sirena

    I woke up to the sound of a CRUNCH, which my brains registered as a twig snapping. I groaned sleepily, assuming it was my twin. I turned, and my hands felt the bushy, thick fur of something huge - not human at all. That was when I heard a low growl, and a drop of something sticky on my face. My eyes flew open. I swallowed at the sight before me. My shock was so much, I had to remind myself to breathe. In front of me, an enormous black bear was growling just a few inches from my face. 

    I stared at the huge beast, my eyes open wide. My brains took in the bear's looks and started working. It was a Louisiana black bear, and I should slowly back away, making it known to the bear that I was not a threat. And not breakfast either. Thank god for the 'Recognizing Animals' lecture that my mother had forced me to attend. At least I knew what to do. 

    I put both my hands in what I hoped was a calming gesture to the bear, and slowly stood. All my instincts told me to run, but I forced myself to slowly inch behind, giving some distance between the bear and me. It was then that I looked around, and noticed I was in a cave. I assumed that the Mama Bear wanted to make this her new home, and I was an intruder. The bear growled at me again and glared at me. I gulped. I got the message. I spotted some maps and my twin's backpack. I grabbed our stuff and walked backward out the cave, smiling like an idiot all the way. Once I got out, the bear rolled a huge stone over the entrance, making it impossible for me, or anyone for a matter of fact, to go in again. I sighed, and squinted in the sun, scouting the area while looking for my twin. 

    Finally, I spotted him. I ran to him. " Come on! Let's go. We don't have much time. " I said, throwing the map to him.

     With his supernatural reflexes, he caught it mid-air and said sarcastically, " A very good morning to you too. "

    I smiled brightly. " So, where to now, Mr Map? " I asked. 

    " This way" he said, pointing to the left crossroad in front of us. Then he scowled. " And don't call me names. " he added.

    " Okay. " I said, and we followed the map. I wondered how Aisha and Chris we doing. 

    After a good 2 or 3 hours of walking- who's counting - we stopped as we reached the foot of a steep mountain.  I sighed. " Now you're going to tell me that we have to climb it right? " I asked. My twin nodded, amused. " Just our luck.. " I muttered, as he took out a rope to aid us on our crazy quest - scale up the mountain. At least, that's what I thought it was for. Apparently not.

        We used the rope as a marker.

     "To make sure we can find our way back down later on. " my twin had said. Earlier, I was confident that we could climb up the mountain. After all, I loved rock climbing back home. How much different could it be? Now I seriously regretted not taking the rope with me to use as a guide. The air was getting thinner and thinner, and I tried my best to not look down. Wrong again. Easy for me to say when I'm down on the land. Not easy to actually do while I'm walking sideways on the mountain's edge, where every now and then, a piece of rock falls and the sound of it hitting the other rocks echo for a very long time. 

    Eventually, with my twin's encouragement- " I said, don't look down. " " I'm this close to pushing you down myself. " "Step where I step, don't blame me when you die hitting your head on these sharp rocks. " (Tough love huh?) - I made it to the top of the mountain, at the entrance of a cave. 

    "Finally. I thought we were going to climb forever. " I breathed. Beside me, my twin grimaced. 

    " And now we have an even bigger job to do. " he said, taking out two torchlights. He handed one to me. 

    We entered the cave. " Hello? " I called tentatively. " Anybody home?" 

    " I'm home. " a voice boomed, echoing across the cave. " ome, ome, ome. "

    I looked up to find an enormous dragon with brilliant blue eyes, a black mane, and a shiny greenish-bluish scaled body that glinted whenever we shined it with our torches. " I am Kai, the Keeper of the Key. What purpose do you have in coming into my cave? " he continued, in the same booming voice. His eyes, which earlier looked like a calm sea, now looked like a tsunami was about to occur. I could sense his feelings of distrust and anger. I gulped and looked at my twin, hoping he had a plan. 

Chris

 

   I had absolutely no idea how on Earth we were going to find the True Beauty Flower, especially now that we were blindfolded. Aisha tried to be optimistic, but I knew that she felt the same too. Well, here's me assuming she was  feeling hopeless like me in the first place. After pondering on what Caroline had said, she got an idea. " I know! I think we have to do it together. " She said. 

    I snorted. " Like I haven't already figured that out. " 

    Aisha gave me a withering look that screamed Shut up!  at me. " I meant, we have to trust our instincts and pick any flower together. If we really deserve the flower, it would come into our hands, right?" she said.

    "What choice do we have? Its worth a shot. " I said. We held hands, and we bent down and picked a flower. My hands were shaking with the suspense. But before I could remove my blindfold, it disappeared and the garden around us withered and died. The flower in Aisha's hands glowed brightly. Too bright, in fact, that we had to shield our eyes. Slowly, the glow faded away, and we were staring at a beautiful transparent-like flower with many petals. 

    According to Ren, this should be " The True Beauty Flower" Aisha gasped. " It's beautiful." I nodded. 

    "Let's go into the cottage. " I said, and entered the cottage.

    

    When we entered through the back door, Caroline approached us. " Congratulations, children. I knew you could do it. " she said, smiling. " This is the True Beauty Flower, also known as the Pure Flower. I hope you succeed in your quest and manage to stop the evil sisters from spreading darkness. " she said.

    " Yeah, than-" I started, then stopped as a thought hit me. " Wait, how do you know that we are going to -" 

    " Oh, I know everything dear. Everything. From what your names are, to where you're going, to what your friends are doing. After all, I'm the wisest woman in the Hidden Realm. " she said, her eyes sparkling. 

    " But.. But I thought you said you were the Keeper of the Garden of Rare Flowers." Aisha said, confused. 

    " I'm a woman of many names and secrets. Don't fret, just remember me as Caroline. " the old woman said, smiling as she led us out the door. " Olga and I wish you have a wonderful journey and stop the darkness from spreading. You will be remembered as heroes forever, if you do. Thank you, and good luck. " she said, and closed the door. 

    " That was easier than expected. " I said, going out the fence gate. Aisha beamed happily. Little did I know that I just jinxed us. All of a sudden, the skies turned grey, and the cottage behind us disappeared. Thunder boomed, and lightning flashed across the sky. 

    " Well, maybe its about to get harder. " a voice started from behind us. Aisha and I froze. We slowly turned around and found ourselves face-to-face with a pack of menacing looking wolves. Behind the pack of wolves, stood a tall, muscular man with a quiver slung over his shoulder. His bow aimed at us and his red eyes glinted dangerously.

" Welcome to your doom." 

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Their Adventure Together 18

 Black Soldier

    The next day, I explained our mission to the elders. As I explained, Sirena, Aisha and Chris occasionally added a few sentences. In the end, we had told them the whole story. From Queen Bella to the curse in my twin's family, to Bellate and Trix's cooperation to get rid of us. 

    Ren, Ria and Beth listened carefully. "So, " Ren started when we finished, " Bellate and Trix have risen again. I knew I should have destroyed them before. " she said, looking weary, as if she was a hundred years older. 

    "You, uh, Earthlings, want us, the Hiddens, to give you access to our best soldiers to fight a war with the sisters?" asked Ria. When we nodded, she continued, " Very well. On one condition. " 

    " What condition?" my twin asked. 

    " You have to prove your trustworthiness to us. To do that, you have to go to the Pearl Mountains, retrieve the key to a cave from a dragon, Kai, and enter the cave. In there, you will have to find the Silver Pearl which has unlimited magic. Bring that to the Hidden territory, and you will pass the test by 50%. " Beth said. 

    Next Ren spoke. " The other part of the test is to find the True Beauty Flower that has a hundred petals. By the time you return with it, the flower would change colour from white to another colour, depending on your intentions. By looking at the colour of the flower, we will know whether or not you can be trusted. " 

    " Furthermore, " Ria started, but was interrupted by Aisha.

    " Moons and stars! There's more?" she exclaimed.

    " You have to do it all in five days. If you fail to return, you will never be able to step foot into the Hidden territory again, and that includes you soldier. " Ria finished. 

    There was silence in the room as my friends digested the information. After a while, Sirena nodded at me. They would accept the test. " We accept! " I said to the elders. The elders gave me a map, and gave another map to Chris. The maps showed the way to the True Beauty Flower and the Silver Pearl.

    " Your time starts now. "  

    " There's no way we can do all that in five days! " Aisha wailed once out of earshot of the elders. 

    I smiled grimly. " There is a way. But we have to split up. " I suggested. "Now go pack. Meet me back here in 10minutes. "

    A short while later, we gathered back at the main hall. " Here's what I suggest. Sirena and me go get the Silver Pearl, and you two," I gestured to Aisha and Chris, " retrieve the True Beauty Flower. " 

    Everyone agreed, and bid farewell to each other. I watched as Sirena hugged Aisha and comforted her by saying, " It'll be fine. Just tell Chris to call Sally and Jerold if things get out of hand. " 

    I shook Chris's hand. " Take care. Don't get hurt. Come back within two days, don't forget. " I said. He nodded, and Sirena and I left in the direction of the pearl as the other two went to find the flower. Both pairs hoped to be successful. 

True Beauty Flower    

    

Silver Pearl

    Sirena and I followed the map into a lush forest. We walked, and walked, and walked and kept walking until the sun started to set. " Um, excuse me?" Sirena said as she timidly tugged the sleeve of my black shirt. I stopped walking and turned to look at her. 

    " You can call me Ian. This is still Hidden territory. My name is Ian here. " I said. " I'll tell you my real name later. " 

    " Ian. Right. Um, don't you think we should find a place to sleep for the night? " she asked. I frowned. Was it night already? I didn't notice. " That is, if you want to. I was just suggesting. " she added hastily. 

    I smiled. " Its alright. I just didn't notice that it became night already. " I said. I looked around for a safe place to stay. " Why don't we keep walking? I'm sure we'll come across a campsite or somewhere we can rest. " I suggested. Sirena agreed, and we continued walking.  

    

    The forest abruptly ended, and we entered a cleared ground. No trees, no rivers, no animals, nothing. Just a wasted land. As we kept walking, I kept an eye out for danger. I knew it was getting late, not to mention dark, and I knew that my twin was getting weary and tired. I started walking faster, forcing her to stay awake and stumble behind me.  

    Finally, I spotted a small cave up ahead. I sighed in relief, and made my way there. " Almost there" I said to my twin, leading her to the cave. When we reached, I stopped and examined the cave for any animals or signs that an animal lived there. Thankfully, there was none. I gathered some twigs from outside to light a fire. Soon enough, the fire burned away, eating up all the sticks I had arranged. 

    Sirena stumbled into the cave, half asleep. Without even acknowledging me, she just dropped to the ground and fell asleep immediately. Shaking my head, I took out a blanket from my backpack and draped it over her. I studied the map for some time, and did some research about the Silver Pearl. I learned some interesting facts. I was so engrossed in reading, that I didn't add more logs to the fire. Eventually, the fire died, and I realized that it was very late. Since the fire had gone out, I lay down on the cave floor and fell asleep, dreaming of the Silver Pearl.

 

Aisha

    We parted ways. Chris and I left to retrieve the True Beauty Flower. We followed the map to a small, nice cottage in the countryside. I knocked on the wooden door. The door swung open and a tall, old lady with spectacles stood before us. She looked strict. We waited to hear what she would say. 

    " Who are you, and where did you come from?" she asked, narrowing her eyes. I gulped.

    " I'm Aisha, and this is Chris. We are from the Hidden territory. " I said, standing a little taller.

    " Hmm... why have you come here? " she asked.

    " We came to retrieve the True Beauty Flower. The map that the Hidden elders gave us led us here. " Chris said. 

    " Hidden elders? " the lady asked sharply. I nodded. She opened her mouth to continue, but was pushed aside by another old lady. The second lady was not as thin as the first one, and looked wise and regal. Her brown eyes sparkled as she looked at us. 

    

    " Oh, let them in Olga. How can you turn away people from our door? " she said, and ushered us in. The first lady, Olga, frowned, stuck her nose in the air and walked away. 

    " Forgive my sister. She's just a little overprotective. " 

    " No problem. " I said.     

    " I am Caroline. Keeper of the Garden of Rare Flowers. How can I help you?" she asked.

    " We are looking for the True Beauty Flower. Do you have it here? " I asked. 

    " Yes, of course. But your intention must be pure, otherwise, you won't be able to see it nor pluck it. " Caroline said.

        Caroline led us to the back door of the cottage. She opened the door and I gasped as I saw a beautiful huge garden full of flowers. The petals shone in the sun. Caroline blindfolded Chris and me. " Pluck a flower together, only ONE flower. If the True Beauty Flower is yours to get and your intention is pure, then it will appear in your hand. But if you pluck the wrong flower, then you won't get another chance. " she said, and went back into the cottage. 

    " Aisha? Where are you? " Chris asked. 

    " Here. " I said, and felt a hand touching my sleeve. We found each other, and together, we started hunting for the True Beauty Flower. 

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