IV | The Unexpected Journey

Azure, Hygge, Yūgen, Meraki, Ataraxis and Welkin started climbing Mt. Eumoirous. It is located at the back of the Metanoia Academy. It is no longer covered by Metanoia but they take care of this mountain because there's a a portal that goes into the world of Echor.

"What is the reason of King Dadirri.. Why did he choose to live in the dark rather than be a good leader?" Yūgen asked Welkin as they seriously walked up the mountain.

Earlier they were talking about Dadirri the cruel king of Alamort who caused the world of Echor to gradually break down. He wants to own the whole world of Echor as well as the world of man so they need to stop it as soon as possible so that its power does not grow completely.

Welkin also said that they are the only hopes left to beat Dadirri. So they are confused, why they're chosen to be the saviors of the two worlds. They are just students and don't have fighting skills yet so why are they?

"Yūgen do you know the word power? That's the word everyone is thirsty for. Everyone is eager for that word. Only with good hearts and wills, will choose the right thing than power. Think carefully if you are asked what will you choose.. To do right or to do wrong in exchange for power?" Welkin asked Yūgen seriously.

Welkin knew the time would come when children would be able to make decisions that were not right. But even so, he knew that they are have a good heart.

"There's no need to ask that because the right answer is to do the right thing." Yūgen replied enthusiastically.

Welkin smiled. In his mind he would have just imprinted on the minds of the children to do the right thing and not feed on the power system.

"Welkin ... Can we trust you?" Azure asked as they all calmed down.

"It's up to you to decide if you'll trust me. But for me i trust everyone of you." Welkin said with a smile.

All of them were silent because they were surprised by Welkin's answer. Although there were many questions in their minds, they knew better to follow Welkin.

Thunder and lightning envelop the dark sky. There are no stars in the sky and the moonlight is also hidden. Only the torches they hold illuminate their path. The night had reached them but they still could not find their destination. The downpour of rain began to fall, causing the torches they were holding to die.

Their steps began to slip due to the heavy downpour.

"Mister Welkin! I think we need to let the rain pass first!" Meraki shouted while crawling around because the tracks their going is slippery.

No answer was given by Welkin. Instead he just continued walking while holding his cane with a small light.

"Looks like this wizard has no intention of giving us a break. We need to find a place to sleep!" Ataraxis shouted.

The rain was pouring down and the thunder was so heavy that they could hardly hear each other.

"No one will rest!! We need to continue the journey!" Welkin suddenly shouted. While facing them all.

"Hey old man! Are you going to kill us all!?" Ataraxis shouted.

Welkin just looked at her.

"We have to keep going. There are ferocious wolves around just looking for time to attack us. So we have to keep going. After we cross Mt. Eumoirous we will pass The Lake of The mermaids tears. Make sure you can leave this place before morning if you don't want to die early. Prepare yourselves for those you will encounter. You have no other trust but each other. Once you cross The lake of the mermaids tears you will go to the kingdom of Ataraxia. When you get there, look for the Muggle named Fred, he will take you to Fika." 

Welkin said seriously.

They had no choice so they had to  follow Welkin but this time they used a rope that they tied to each other so that they would not be separated. They also became more alert around.

As they climbed the Eumoirous mountain the rain was also getting heavier as if it had no intention of stopping. The roars of thunder are also terrifying.

They were walking slowly with a sudden flash of lightning towards them. They immediately jumped to avoid but because the mountain they were climbing was slippery and steep, Yūgen slipped causing him to pull his other companions because of the rope that was tied around them.

"YŪGEN! HOLD MY HAND!" Ataraxis shouted.

Yūgen just held on to the roots of the tree while his feet were clinging to the cliff.

"Help me!" Azure shouted.

The rope tied to Azure so he couldn't move, just as Yūgen was just hanging on to the rope while his body was hanging in the ravine.

"WELKIN! WE NEED YOUR HELP!" Ataraxis shouted again as she tried to reach out Yūgen's hand.

While Meraki and Hygge try to help Azure. Welkin hurried over to them.

"Cut the rope--" Welkin said seriously.

"Do you want them to die?!" Meraki shouted.

"I knew it! We shouldn't have trusted you!" Ataraxis shouted.

"Cut the ropes you fools!" He shouted as he pulled out his sword and quickly cut the rope that tied them to Yūgen.

The five of them shouted and covered the whole mountain.

Next they fell into the ravine, while Welkin just stared at them from above as he shook his head in annoyance at the noise of the children with him.

He was about to jump into the ravine to follow when someone suddenly pushed him, causing him to jump into a big tree. He could no longer reach his sword which spewed in the distance.

The wolf's plumage is black and its eyes are blue. It slowly walked closer to Welkin as its saliva continued to drip.

...

Ataraxis POV

After the old wizard cut the rope, the five of us fell into the ravine. It swirled around and the stars swirled in the sky as if it was swirling all over my body. There were also colorful lights around or better known as the Northern Lights/ Aurora Borealis.

I just close my eyes in extreme dizziness. As soon as I close my eyes, I went straight into the water.

I catch my breath as I swim closer to the shore. I was very depressed because I drank too much water. But when I remembered my comrades, my strength suddenly returned. I was blinded at the same time looking around me.

The surroundings are dark and only the light of three moons gives light to the surroundings. Wait three moons?

Where am I? Where are my friends?

I even rolled my eyes around. I was surrounded by huge trees covered with moss. There are also many flowers and plants around. But what surprised me the most was when I saw the lake I had fallen into earlier that seemed to be shining. The water was very blue and there seemed to be stars floating on it because of the extra light.

"Hygge-- Meraki !! Azure !! Yūgen- !!" I shouted as my eyes rolled around.

My gaze stopped at a rock formation in the middle of three moons. It was not far from me so I could see the shadow and shape of a woman sitting there. I know this is woman because she has long hair.

I was surprised when it suddenly faced me. She is very beautiful. Her hair is blonde and her skin is very white. Her eyes will also widen as she stares at me. Her lips in turn curved into a very nice smile.

She started to sing as her hand seemed to be signaling me to come closer to her. Her voice is as beautiful as her face. She was an angel sitting in a rock formation while the moonlight was behind her.

I started to step closer to her, slowly. Her beauty was soothing especially her voice and it seemed like I immediately fell in love with her.

I climbed the rock formation where she was sitting while not taking my gaze away from her. I slowly reached for her hand that was facing me but before it could stick together, a stone hit her hand, causing us to turn around in a fine way.

"Azure?!" I shout.

"Don't fall on her beauty Ataraxis! She's a mermaid!" Azure shouted back.

I turned to the beautiful woman and she suddenly jumped into the water and disappeared.

"I know what I'm doing Mister Quantum!" I shouted at Azure as I descended from the rock formation I had climbed.

I know in myself that I fed on the beauty of the mermaid earlier and I am also thankful to Azure for saving me.

"Ataraxis help!" I heard Meraki shout from behind me.

When I turned my back... Five mermaids  are holding Yūgen, Hygge and Meraki while there was a trident around their necks.

I know mermaids who caught them because I have read in the book about them. I also saw in the book about the necklace they were wearing. Now they are standing and have no tail because they are given the power of the moon to take human form but when the sun shines they have to go back to the water because they will burn and die.

"WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE?!" A mermaid shouted as her eyes turned into monstrous one.

'We're doomed'

To be continued...