Chronicles of Eden - Act VII

by Alexander Gordon

  “Me?” Daniel asked.

  “You wish to bring balance and order to Eden. So do I. You wish to find allies to help you with your quest. I will gladly stand beside you. I had my suspicions at first, I can’t be too careful when trusting someone with this task, but you truly do have a pure heart and I honestly feel safe thinking of you opening my seal. Daniel Sorres, I humbly ask that you please help me. In turn I’ll do everything, everything I can, to help you succeed with your journey.”

  Daniel slowly looked around at the girls, all of them exchanging worried glances with each other and him, then at Doku as she slowly looked up at the sky with teary eyes.

  “Doku, I am truly sorry for failing to rescue your dear friend. I feel dreadful for not getting to her in time. Please, I beg of you to forgive me for letting you down.”

  “You tried to save her when I wasn’t there,” Doku whimpered. “You were the only one who could have, and you did what you could for her. Thank you.”

  “My helpers have told me that you all have your misgivings about me, and I do understand completely. I’m a monster after all, just by saying nice things I don’t believe I can truly gain your trust. And what’s worse, I failed saving one of your own, I must appear to be a horrible monster in your eyes now.”

  “What happened to Cilia wasn’t your fault,” Daniel assured shaking his head. “You sent Apoch and Astreal after her as soon as you saw she was in danger; you did all that you could from where you are. Cilia shouldn’t have been flying around like that all alone. I still don’t understand why she was in the first place. She should have stayed with us where it was safe.”

  “Nonetheless, I want you to know how sorry I am. And, that I’ve decided to trust you completely.”

  “What do you mean by that?” Triska asked.

  “You want to know what I am? You want to know everything about me, don’t you? I’ll share that knowledge with you. I’ll share all my wisdom with you. With all of you.”

  “Master, no!” Apoch and Astreal cried out while showing distress. “We can’t trust all of them like that!”

  “I am running out of time,” Twilight remorsefully said. “There are others looking for my key, finding the pieces, and inching their way closer to where I am trapped and defenseless. I need a knight to save me, without one I am surely lost. Daniel Sorres has proved to me that he will not let anything stop him from what he sets out to do. He will protect those close to him with all his might, he will do whatever it takes to save those around him, he will fight with a pure heart and the most noblest of intentions. I need him to save me, girls. I need him, or else I may be doomed.”

  “But, master,” Apoch and Astreal fretted looking to Daniel. “How can you trust him so much? He could very easily turn on you, if you give him anything he could-”

  “I trust him,” Twilight firmly spoke. “I understand your protection over me, girls. But there is no other we have come across that has shown such potential as he. If we get all eight pieces of the key by some miracle, I’m positive he will be able to use the key to free me and that he won’t harm me when I come out.”

  “He’ll use you for your knowledge,” Apoch warned with a glare at Daniel.

  “He’ll use you for your power,” Astreal argued shaking her head.

  “Hey, Daniel wouldn’t do such a thing,” Luna defended with a pout.

  “I assure you Daniel would never use your master for such devious means,” Kroanette declared proudly.

  “We can’t trust them, master,” Apoch pleaded up at the sky. “Please, let’s find another.”

  “Even if Mr. Daniel could be trusted how can we possibly trust all of them as well?” Astreal demanded while glaring around at the girls.

  “You’re ones to talk about being trustworthy,” Falla snapped at them.

  “We don’t even know who you two really are,” Specca said while eyeing the witches carefully.

  “Again,” Triska mentioned up at the sky. “Our priority is Daniel’s quest, to bring peace to this region and then the whole world between man and monster. We’re not going to abandon that under any circumstances.”

  “And I completely agree that you shouldn’t,” Twilight assured her. “If anything I’ll do everything I can to help you. Part of coexisting peacefully is aiding one another, isn’t it? I’ll prove myself to being a kindhearted girl just as Daniel Sorres would ask of me. I’ll assist you with your journey. I only ask that you please help me in return.”

  “What are you?” Daniel called out. “Tell me the truth, Twilight. What kind of monster are you?”

  “A reaper.”

  “That sounds bad,” Luna pointed out with a nervous frown.

  “That sounds like a very bad type of monster,” Falla agreed with the same expression.

  “What’s a reaper?” Triska asked Specca.

  “I don’t know,” Specca said shaking her head. “I’ve never heard of that kind of monster before. Though I do agree I don’t like the sound of it.”

  “I’m not a malicious monster, despite the name humans have dubbed me with,” Twilight sighed. “The name was given out of prejudice from mankind for me merely being a monster and nothing more. I do not reap flesh or souls but instead magic.”

  “Magic?” Alyssa repeated. “What do you mean you reap magic?”

  “I survive on magic, on knowledge. I’ve lived in Eden for as long as it has been Eden, I’ve witnessed many things and learned much about life and magic itself. All that I’ve acquired and all that I’ve learned, this knowledge, this endless tome of magical arts and sorcery I possess, that is what I exist for. In a way, I’m a keeper of the past, of the magic that flows through the world, of everything you could possibly dream of. And yet I thirst for more, as is my ‘nature’. Though I assure you I don’t need to draw blood to gain such knowledge.”

  “That’s what you meant by seeking knowledge?” Specca asked aloud.

  “I’m like you, Specca,” Twilight happily replied. “Put us in a library and we can live forever, wouldn’t you agree?”

  Specca smiled curiously to that while Falla tilted her head in puzzlement.

  “So when you were talking about truth…” Falla mentioned.

  “I wish to seek the truths of the world I know not yet, I wish to learn all that I can about magic and life. I wish to know all that is and shall ever be.”

  “And when you said power?” Triska carefully added.

  “Knowledge is power, Triska Raylight,” Twilight solemnly spoke. “Yes, there are many spells and incantations that are dangerous, as magic can be from time to time. However my thirst for knowledge is just for that, to know of it, to understand it, never to actually use it. Truth be told, I’m quite averse to violence much like your friend Doku is. I fear that if my seal would be opened by a horrible person, I wouldn’t have the heart to use any magic to defend myself.”

  “You want freedom,” Kroanette realized. “Freedom to learn more about the world.”

  “I’m a reaper of knowledge and magic,” Twilight spoke humbly. “I only want to see more and learn more, not to be sealed away all because I’m not human. Please, I don’t wish to harm a single soul, I never have and never will, I only wish to see the world and enjoy all its magical wonders and mysteries.”

  All the girls looked to each other curiously then to Daniel, his eyes gazing up at the sky as he considered the words from the unseen monster.

  “Master, we’re wasting our time,” Apoch sighed.

  “He’s not going to trust you, and we don’t trust him either,” Astreal added in discontent.

  “Why is it you don’t trust Daniel?” Kroanette inquired. “What has he ever done to give you doubt about himself?”

  “They don’t trust anyone with my safety,” Twilight explained. “They are such good girls, trying so hard to save me with so much standing in their way. Please don’t take offense to them, they just care about me so much.”

  “How come they call you master?” Triska asked while e
yeing the sisters carefully. “Aren’t they Charlotte’s helpers?”

  “While I am trapped in my prison they are all alone in the world outside. Two kindhearted witches wouldn’t last long all on their own, so they befriended a respectable and high-ranking alpha witch so that they could have a place to stay while separated from me. They do help Charlotte in Rystone, and they do care for their sisters greatly, however their real home is with me, and I’m afraid right now they aren’t able to return.”

  “So Charlotte is your alpha,” Specca pondered with a curious eye on the witches. “And Twilight is your master. That’s why you’re serving both.”

  “We want to go home,” Apoch and Astreal pouted before looking down and away in the same direction.

  “So Rystone really isn’t your home?” Daniel asked curiously.

  “It is, in the sense that we serve Ms. Charlotte there,” Apoch reasoned with a shrug. “We don’t mind, we do like her and our sisters from the village.”

  “However our place is with our master in the City of Eden,” Astreal sighed with lament. “We long to return there where we truly belong.”

  “I see,” Daniel sympathized. “I’m sorry about how we mistrusted you. We thought you were being deceitful with who you were and who you served, but I see now that you really do care for both Charlotte and Twilight given the situation you’ve been placed in.”

  “That’s why you knew exactly where the City of Eden was,” Kroanette softly said. “It’s your home.”

  Apoch and Astreal nodded with timid expressions at Daniel, both of course nodding at the exact same time with identical looks.

  “Is there anything else I can say to help you trust me?” Twilight asked with concern. “Please, you can’t see it but I’m on my knees begging for your help. Daniel Sorres, I just know you are the one who can help me, that you would be able to use your heart and magic with my key to unlock me from this place. You don’t judge monsters for merely being monsters. I know I’ll be safe if you come for me, I trust you.”

  Daniel looked around at his girls to see what they thought, all of them remaining silent as they exchanged curious glances with one another, then turned to Apoch and Astreal as they waited for his answer.

  “We’re going to continue our quest; we’re going to succeed no matter how hard it is or how long it takes us. Nothing will stop me from doing that, as well as watching out for my loved ones that you see around me.” He looked down for a moment as he considered his answer while the girls all listened closely, his eyes darting around slightly in thought before he turned to the witch sisters with a calm smile.

  “And along the way we’ll do everything we can to help you girls return to your home, and free Twilight from her prison.”

  Apoch and Astreal looked at him curiously at that as Daniel’s girls nodded in agreement to his decision, except for Clover who was more focused on her torn cloak than the witch sisters.

  “You will?” Apoch softly asked.

  “You mean it? You’ll help our master?” Astreal carefully inquired.

  “We’ll do what we can,” Daniel reasoned with a shrug. “If we come across any pieces of the key we’ll let you know, and I’ll certainly do my best to unlock the seal if you think I have the power to do so.”

  “We’re still going to focus on his quest,” Triska reminded them. “But we’re not going to turn our backs on you girls. As far as I can tell your story checks out, although we would like to speak to Twilight about more details of her imprisonment.”

  “If you could share some of your knowledge with me I would be most appreciative,” Specca mentioned upward. “I’m rather curious to what kinds of things you could teach me.”

  “I would like to point out that the artifact you’re all talking about is still mine,” Clover called out, with the group turning to her as she looked down at her ragged cloak with discontent. She grumbled something quietly to herself then glanced to Daniel with a raised eyebrow.

  “Take me home so I can deliver it to my priestess like I have to, then you two can settle what to do with it afterwards.”

  “Works for us,” Daniel agreed with a nod. “We did promise you, and we’ll talk to your priestess about all of this ourselves. I’m sure we can reach an understanding.”

  “We’re going to help her?” Pip asked up at Kroanette.

  “Yes, we are,” Kroanette agreed with a smile at Daniel. “At least we’ll do what we can for her. I do owe her for saving my life as well.”

  “Thank you, Daniel Sorres, all of you,” Twilight happily applauded. “I knew I could trust you, I knew I chose right with you. I… my word, just saying such things isn’t enough to convey my gratitude towards you. I simply must do something to express my appreciation for you helping me.”

  “Really, you’ve done enough for us,” Daniel said with a weak smile. “You don’t have to trouble yourself with-”

  “Nonsense. You’ve all had a horrible nightmare this morning, I will not stand idly by and do nothing, I must do something to lift your spirits. Now let’s see, what could aid you the most during this troubling hour…”

  The witch sisters glanced to each other, a brief smirk coming across their faces before they showed concern and looked up again.

  “Master, their ride is broken,” Apoch mentioned. “It will take them a long time to travel Eden for their needs.”

  “We can’t repair it though,” Astreal retorted, looking around at the smoldering debris littered about the field that was once the caravan. “It’s completely destroyed. No amount of magic is putting that back together.”

  “You’re right. We simply can’t have my noble knight walking throughout Eden on foot. Hmm… I know. It’s not being used with me locked away like this anyway, so why not? Girls, I have just the idea needed to resolve this dilemma.”

  Apoch and Astreal listened to something while glancing to each other, the twins then nodding as they turned to face Daniel. Astreal held out her hand to the side as the sisters walked towards him, with the fragment of Eden being summoned out from the dirt further away and over into the girl’s hand.

  “The fragment, it’s okay still,” Specca marveled.

  “They’re quite indestructible,” Apoch assured as the twins approached Daniel and presented him the artifact. “I doubt anything in Eden can scratch them.”

  “Our master is placing her faith in you,” Astreal sternly warned. “We’re still a bit skeptical, however if you’ve proven yourself to our master perhaps there’s more to you than we see. If you truly do own up to your word helping us return home, we’ll forever be in your debt and you will have our eternal gratitude.”

  Daniel smiled and gently took hold of the relic, with Astreal glancing to it then to him with a worried expression.

  “We’re trusting you, Mr. Daniel,” she reminded before letting go and stepping back with her sister.

  “Please do not make us regret it,” Apoch added as the twins kept a close eye on him.

  “Don’t worry, we won’t let you down,” Daniel assured them. “At the very least I’ll do my best to free Twilight from her prison if we get all the pieces. We’ll get you two home where you belong.”

  “Thank you,” the twins replied with a formal bow.

  “Thank you, Daniel Sorres,” Twilight applauded. “I know you won’t let me down. I have complete faith in you and your family. Rest assured you’ve secured my position as your friend and ally for life.”

  “Now then, you’re going to need a new ride, Mr. Daniel,” Apoch proposed as the witch sisters held their staves out behind them.

  “And please do not break this one,” Astreal mentioned with a weak smile. “It belongs to our master.”

  From behind them a large casting ring shined up from the ground, spinning white lines and glowing emblems lighting up while a bright yellow glow bloomed around the edges. Everyone watched cautiously as a shining burst of light began to rise up through the ground, the blinding glare slowly fading to reveal a shimmering whit
e carriage being lifted through the casting ring. It was smaller in size than their previous caravan, the four wheels being thinner and having silver spokes and rims, while the wagon’s body was lowered more closely to the ground. It had an angled roof with both slanted sides covered in red shingles. The driver’s seat had curled railings on both sides while the actual carriage itself only had one opening, a large set of double doors on the left side with finely crafted molding resembling a star shining through some clouds across both panels. The group stared at the new carriage in awe as the lights slowly faded, the witch sisters lowering their staves and breathing out before gesturing towards the new ride with smiles at everyone.

  “Ta-da,” they announced.

  “How did they do that?” Pip asked rubbing her eyes in disbelief.

  “Is that… for us?” Specca softly wondered.

  “A new carriage,” Daniel said with a smile forming.

  “Um, it looks a little small,” Clover commented with a raised eyebrow.

  Apoch and Astreal rolled their eyes and waved the group over before walking towards the doors in the carriage. Triska and Alyssa followed after while the rest of the group got to their feet. Daniel stood up for a moment before quickly catching Clover as she fell to the side with a grunt.

  “Easy there,” he jested helping her stand. She glanced to him with a growl before looking at him curiously as he smirked and shook his head. “I know you’re a tough girl, Clover, but how about I give you a hand just this one time because I want to be nice to you?”

  Clover blinked then looked down with a grunt and slowly nodded as the girls watched them curiously. Daniel smiled amusedly at her before Doku clung to his other arm, the harpy watching him from behind her bangs as she sniffled and whimpered.

  “Don’t leave me,” she begged. “You’re all I have now.”