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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