Inked (The Ink Keepers Book 1)

by N. I. Rojas

  “Sirina! What you did to her?” -Mackenzie asked full of irritation.

  “You needed a little encouragement, so I took your little fishy friend to a place where she’ll survive just if you go to her rescue.” -With lazy yawn, the Wizard brought a bubble too familiar to Mackenzie. Of course, he knew it. It was SunFish’s fishbowl. Water was filling it rapidly. Mackenzie gasped, trying to rescue his daring pet, especially created for him, he was sure, as SunFish was allergic to water and lived in a bubble floating the sky. There were others as SunFish in Alter Land, many of them, but this has been with him like forever, and he loved it so much. The poor pet tried to jump, escape the bubble but he was held inside by the Wizard’s evil powers. - “The mermaid is just like this animal. She needs water to survive. If she lacks it… she dies. This little one needs no water. If it has water… it dies. This simple.”

  “Please…” -Mackenzie begged for the first time in his life. He was so used to order around that he almost hit himself against the rougher surface of his tree trunk. - “Give me SunFish back. I’ll do whathever you want. I’ll take the girl to you… She’s not far from here. But let me save SunFish. He’s the only friend I have.”

  “This one is just a warning, un-aging boy. Encouragement, remember? If everybody could live, I couldn’t get the respect that I deserve. This gives me prestige ... is who I am.” -The Wizard kept talking while SunFish was already losing the battle. Mackenzie tried to reach for it, even flying, but the Wizard held him midair, powerless, forcing him to watch his pet die. - “Fortunately to everyone, your mermaid friend is right where the witch girl is heading. You must find the girl before the mermaid see her, as a song spell will come out of her mouth killing the witch and avoiding you to grow as a normal boy. The path between the mountains will be faster once you find the girl. Keep going north, but trust no apparatus. Time is changing, directions will be twisted. The bigger mountain will lead your way.”

  Mackenzie was released, falling to the floor with a hard thump in his butt. The bubble with SunFish’s body was launched at him, exploding seconds before Mackenzie could grab it.

  “Ups!” -The Wizard said mockingly. The dead fish felt to Mackenzie’s hands and although he tried to bring him back to life rubbing his belly to create friction, his effort was useless. The Wizard watched him, revulsion feeding his evilness. The Wizard hid the Ink bottle inside his ink stained cloak.

  “You, evil troll dropping… you are to blame for everything… You tricked me. You won’t let me grow ever, right? This was just another of your tricks… You just want her, right… the girl?” -Mackenzie accused while he cried a river of salty tears that crystallized into perfect diamonds.

  “You’re a short-thinking boy! To be as old as you are, you’re kind of naive. Let your imagination flow, boy! Maybe I need the girl, maybe not. But if you want to rescue your fishy lady friend, you’d better hurry and do as I ordered, or you can say goodbye to her scaly precious body, as I’ll cast a spell on her to die in human’s lands, just in the middle of a large plaza where they can fight for her until ripping her body in pieces to feed hungry doggies.”

  Mackenzie closed his arms protectively in front of his chest, protesting the given order.

  “You won’t need to take care of this Ink anymore. It’s in better hands now. Hurry up, unless you want your mermaid friend ending like your fish and… beware of the girl using the Graphylux. You know she wants you dead!”

  Chapter 14: Enchanted Objects

  Sunday lasts forever?

  Wild winds were blowing as Kyra approached the foot of the mountain. Colorful petals and leaves of every unimaginable shape danced around her, forming beautiful and soft swirls rising and falling in a display of unparalleled talent. Wondering over and over again if she was doing the right thing, Kyra stopped to collect food before embarking up the mountain path. Only hours had passed since the first time she had been doing just that, gathering fruits that she could carry, and water from plants to nourish herself.

  Soon she would leave behind the freshness and the thickness of the Enchanted Forest. Even though she had gone through it without trouble didn’t mean there was nothing hidden watching her, following her at safe distance. Incantatrix had assured that nothing would stand in her way. Despite that, the sounds of feet being dragged nearby, the rustle of pebbles, the not so discreet breaths, forced Kyra to recognize she wasn’t alone at all.

  If something happened, she could simply write something with the Graphylux. Although she preferred not to resort to that, because her creation of ink could be worse than what was stalking her.

  Incantatrix had been kind to Kyra, giving her a small backpack and some leather canteens to carry water. The Passifloraceae were abundant in this forest, as well as the Rafflesia. Kyra wouldn't had filled one of the containers with the water of the Rafflesia Arnoldii had it not been because Incantatrix suggested it. - “If the boy appears, you can simply gift him with some water from the Rafflesia…” -She had said as soon as Kyra departed.

  Just to approach the big flower made Kyra felt nauseous. Its fetid smell of rotten meat made Kyra want to abandon the idea, but just thinking about Mackenzie's face when the stinking water slides down his mouth, temporary nausea was an effect Kyra could resist with joy. Maybe that way she would give him a lesson and he would learn to respect her. He deserved no less.

  Kyra remembered the words Mackenzie said as soon as he saw the enormous beast she had created: "You really want me dead!" Those were his words, and maybe he was right after all. Maybe Kyra had gone too far. The fright she wanted to give him had seen no limits. But she hadn’t wanted to create a beast as large and wild as that. That had been an aberration created by the Graphylux. A first hoax in which both had been victims.

  Closing the bottle of stagnant water, Kyra chose to recollect some hazelnuts that grew in long corsages hanging from the trees. They were easy to pick as the nut clusters almost touched the floor like long ropes dancing slowly with the wind. She tried to stuff the small backpack with the hazelnuts and passion fruit, but this small bag was nothing compared to her own. A paper bag from a grocery store would accommodate more food in its interior than this small useless thing.

  “I see you’ve survived this far!” -Kyra jumped. Startled by Mackenzie’s sarcastic voice, she took out the Graphylux. Mackenzie didn’t even flinch. - “I don’t remember seeing you running in that long dress… Oh, of course I didn’t see you. I was being chased to death by a beast you created!”

  Kyra looked at herself. Mackenzie was right. She was still wearing the emerald gown, but now it was dirty and stained with mud and with a few bugs crushed and glued to the fabric.

  “But you’re lucky. I hold no grudges against you.” -He lied, his eyes puffy and red from tears of pain. Extending his hand at Kyra he continued talking. - “Let me help you. We have to walk the same path.”

  Kyra ignored his hand and kept working. She tried to break her dress, to free herself of so much weight. It was impossible. She couldn’t. Magical objects were both an advantage and disadvantage.

  “To show you I’m not malicious, I’ll lend you one of my garments.” -From a small leather bag, Mackenzie took out a thin green stocking and threw it at Kyra. She looked at it in disbelief.

  “I won’t walk the entire forest wearing your pantyhose! Irving was right, you use girly stuff.” -Kyra said without acknowledging his effort. Mackenzie felt offended but didn’t show Kyra that emotion. He was mad enough with the Wizard to take it against Kyra. Maybe it would help… to retaliate with her, as the Wizard was beyond his power. No. He shouldn’t. He needed to find Sirina, and he needed to break his spell, and Kyra was to go with him.

  “These give more protection than what you may think. I’m tired of your plain nuts. They need some sweet taste.” -Mackenzie said snatching Kyra’s small backpack and spilling the nuts all over the floor.

  “What are you doing?” -Kyra reclaimed. - “I don’t have time for this, Mackenzie. You are forcing me to
write another monster to come after you…” -She threatened.

  “Yeah right, because you want me dead.” -Mackenzie said feeling valiant. If only he had been braver to save SunFish from the Wizard… If only he had fought harder… Maybe SunFish would still be alive.

  “It’s your fault… all this is your fault. If you haven’t appeared, stalking me… You knew it… You knew it all.” -She yelled.

  “You can be right. You can be wrong. Truth is I never thought you could take the pen. I thought it was me… the chosen to be the Keeper.” -Mackenzie said while he took out some strawberries he had in his bag, smashed it in a pan-shaped soft rock, making a thick juice. He lit a fire in which he placed the rock and the juice started to simmer. When it was bubbly, he threw the nuts inside, making the sugary juice cover the nuts until there was no liquid left and it was replaced by a reddish caramel. - “Sugary nuts! Now we just have to let them dry to eat a yummy snack later.”

  Kyra was surprised by Mackenzie’s cooking trick. Maybe it was useless to fight with him. His company felt just like home. There was no reason to keep denying what she knew was happening inside her heart.

  “So, you have a plan.” -Kyra stated, convinced Mackenzie would lead the way.

  “I do. Kind of. We’ll have to climb Mont Grimm.” -He said hoping she didn’t know where they were heading at.

  “That little mountain ahead?” -Skeptically, Kyra asked looking at the small hill that stood before them.

  “No. Another mountain beyond all that fog behind this small hill…” -He said proud. Kyra looked at Mackenzie in disbelief. For once she was glad he had returned. In the beginning she had thought she should climb only that small hill and that in the peak she would find a way to free her father, the Graphylux and return home. - “Fruity chunk, right?”

  “Normal people say piece of cake …” -Kyra said after thinking about Mackenzie’s funny ways of altering the meaning of normal human phrases. - “And no, no piece of cake. Easy for you. I noticed you can fly, but I can’t.”

  Mackenzie thought for a second, rubbing his chin as if he could bring a great idea with it.

  “I know. Write something…” -He said proud of his idea. Maybe her writings could hurt her this time…

  “What? Are you crazy? I won’t use this thing ever again.” -She assured not even allowing him to finish the suggestion.

  “Then, how you’ll free it? You are supposed to use it.” -Mackenzie advised.

  “If I give it to you, then it will obey you. Let’s change. You’ll write…” -Kyra offered back.

  “I can’t. The Graphylux is obviously in a relationship with your past, not with mine. You won the pot!” - He bowed slightly quizzical, leaning forward until his soft hair brushed the floor. - “And just for your information… I cannot write… or read.”

  “You don’t know? Are you sure? But it is so simple!” -Kyra said. She thought hard. Maybe she could command the Graphylux to make Mackenzie to instantly know how to read and write.

  “Think no more. Just write ‘Fairy give me flying dust’ or ‘Kyra is a flying Fairy Girl’ and that will do.” -He urged Kyra.

  “Forget it. I’ll easily ask the pen to give me superhero powers rather than change myself for a Fairy. We better start walking.” -She hid behind a tree to change her clothes. She would give a chance to Mackenzie’s clothes rather than rappelling in a fancy heavy dress. - “Turn around. Don’t look this way.” -She said, peeking from one side of the tree. She took off the dress with shame. Mackenzie’s eyes were still fixed to the tree. - “You have no super vision, right?”

  “What?” -Mackenzie said turning around, blushed for been discovered with the intention of spying on her. But the curiosity was huge as Mount Grimm itself. He had never seen a girl changing clothes this close before. He was sure he wanted to see a naked girl sometime, and he found himself grinning at a thought worthy of a grown up.

  They started climbing the mountain determined to no stops. It wasn’t as small as they thought in the beginning. The mountain was high, but they managed to reach the peak. Breathtaking was the best word to describe the landscape. A fresh temperature rewarded them as they walked in the flat peak of the mountain. The next mountain peak was just feet away… only if they could continue walking in a straight line. The way down the mountain didn’t look so easy. The descent was steep. Brambles and thorns adorned the way down with sinister humor. Kyra gathered all her strength and courage and ventured to give the first step downhill.

  “Wait.” -Mackenzie grabbed her by the arm. - “You hear that?”

  Kyra listened with caution. She just heard birds singing and drilling the tree trunks with obstinacy. She shrugged the shoulders because she didn’t hear anything apart from normal nature sounds.

  “Listen… That noise is coming from the depths of Alter Land. Like if the core is shaking.” -The singing of the birds was replaced by a sharp collective shriek, each animal with the ability to fly appeared high in the sky, and those that couldn’t were hiding in stampede away from the mountain. The ground jumped and they held each other trying to stay on their feet. The sensation was as if the mountain under their feet suddenly decided to go for a walk. - “Use the pen… Write something with a bridge, anything to reach the other peak. Something is coming up…”

  “Just run!” -Kyra cried as she started to run down the mountain, ignoring Mackenzie’s suggestion. Mackenzie tried to stop her, but she kept going down. With the next shake the earth gave, Kyra felt to her knees, scraping her arms with thorny brambles. The pain grew as the thorns started tangling around Kyra’s left arm as a tribal tattoo, coiling in her, blossoms sprouting and thorns anchoring to her broken skin. She tried to break free, but she failed. Mackenzie went to her aid flying inches above the catchy plants, and fought to free Kyra, but the branches tried to capture him too.

  “Didn’t you read about this? Catchy carnivore plants. Write something, Fairy Girl, use the pen.” -Mackenzie urged her to obey. - “Do it, or you’ll die. And I’ll die too. Your father will remain a slave in here, a prisoner just like me.”

  Maybe he was right this time. Maybe the Graphylux was their only weapon, but it was also true that they would need to escape from another danger after what’s written. Mulling their options, it was soon an easy choice. It was to die now or to die later.

  Kyra took the Graphylux with her free hand, in fact not her skilled hand. Her mind was empty. She had never worked under such pressure. Looking at Mackenzie, she felt lost, confused. She was missing something; she was going to die.

  Mackenzie knew she was on shock. It’s an obvious reflection in human girls, he thought.

  “Look at me. Write something!”

  Kyra tried to do as he was telling her, but she simply couldn’t. Nothing came to her mind. Her imagination was numb, sleeping under a spell of boredom she had casted upon it since childhood.

  “For all the dirty maggots!” -Mackenzie yelled in desperation. His eyes reflected fear too. - “Write something. Now!”

  Strong jumps the earth was giving… no… it wasn’t that. A huge army of giant elves were coming up the hill, walking between the brambles as if it was just a Peanut Flower field.

  “Oh, muck!” -Kyra yelled thinking about the elves. Her body could still feel the painful grip of one of those giant elves. Mackenzie looked at her, surprised of such dirty vocabulary. His eyes gleamed with pride. Soon she knew what to write. She grabbed the Graphylux between her fingers, fearing it will fall between the carnivore plants. - “Remember the rules, Kyra. Make no mistakes.”

  Hoping her hand would work as paper, she wrote a first sentence, remembering this time to finish it with a period point. The Graphylux released a powerful glow that ran the surroundings, blinding Kyra and Mackenzie for just a second. As soon as she could see again, she kept writing, this time was easier, as the thorns were abandoning her injured flesh. She finished the second sentence, perfectly written. The elves were now entangled with the plants, the twigs twisting around the
m, lengthy as poison ivy creepers. Kyra and Mackenzie ran back to the peak of the mountain as the small path to go down between the brambles was now lost. Elves tried to free themselves from the plants, but the thorns were winning the battle.

  “Lucky for you I was still here. I inspired you!” -Mackenzie said as they both panted, reviewing the damages they have received. Kyra looked at him in disbelief. He’ll never change, ever. Despite that, Kyra laughed hard until her stomach hurt. - “What you wrote anyway?”

  Showing him the inner forearm, Kyra read. - “‘ Plants and thorns release Kyra and Mackenzie. Plants and thorns attack giant elves .’ No orthographic mistakes this time.”

  “Spooky-crooky!” -Mackenzie said, and Kyra laughed hard at his silliness. She tried to wipe the ink off her skin, but it was unsuccessful. Mackenzie looked at her feeling sadness for the first time. - “Is inerasable.”

  No way, she thought. She had to keep trying. Her father will kill her if he discovers this. Maybe she could write something to erase it, something she could use again and again in case of running out of paper.