Note to the reader: *.......* means he's saying that in his head.

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Chapter 32

I woke up with Laya lying on top of me. Her head was on my chest and she was asleep so I gently placed her next to me and got up. I was still in my Keltor form, but I had no reason to change so I stayed like that.

The sun was up so I started to clean up our camp before Laya woke up. She sat up and rubbed her eyes.

Laya:"Is it morning already?"

Keltor:"Yeah we need to start moving soon so get dressed."

Laya:"Are you sure you want me to get dressed already."

She said with a smile.

Keltor:"We need to get moving so yes get dressed."

Laya looked like she was pouting as she dressed herself and we continued our journey to Nesbel.

Laya:"So are you going to tell me what this journey is about."

Keltor:"I need to collect pieces to a tablet."

Laya:"Why?"

Keltor:"Because I have to."

Laya:"Your keeping secrets. You use to tell me everything."

Keltor:"I told you I'm not just Keltor anymore so try to think of it as Willow or Falon keeping secrets."

Laya:".....Fine."

We finally made it to the border of Nesbel.

Keltor:"Laya use your dark magic to look human."

Laya:"Ok."

Laya changed to the appearance she had back at Vaneth Academy with blue hair. I changed to my Willow form and approached a gate.

Guard:"State your business."

Willow:"I am Black Death. I sent a letter ahead of me asking for an audience with your king."

Guard:"And the woman?"

Willow:"My wife Laya."

Guard:"We received the letter and the king has been awaiting your visit."

The gate opened and Laya and I entered. The guards provided us with new horses and an escort. We eventually made it to the castle and was led inside. I started to miss the traveling conveniences of the other world.

Laya had to stay behind while I went to meet the king. I entered the throne room and kneeled in front of the king. Lamruil stood beside the king.

King:"I would like to thank you for your help in capturing Gart. My son tells me that if you had not been there our army would have fallen."

Willow:"There is no need to thank me. I had the same goal so I helped to reach it. I would like to ask a question."

King:"Ask me anything."

I opened my satchel which made some of the kings guards twitch and brought out my piece of the tablet.

Willow:"Do you know where I can find another piece of this table?"

King:"It's been a long time since anyone last asked about that."

Willow:"So you know where it is?"

King:"Yes I know how to acquire it."

Willow:"I would like to have it if you would allow me to."

King:"You can have it if you can get it. There is a trial you must pass in order to take the tablet."

Willow:"What is this trial that I need to pass?"

King:"I do not know for sure. Stay here tonight and I will send someone to take you to your trial tomorrow."

Willow:"Thank you."

I bowed.

King:"You shouldn't be thanking me since I'm sending you to your death. I recommend giving up on the tablet."

Willow:"I can't do that."

King:"Very well then I hope you make it back."

I left the throne room and met back up with Laya. We were given a place to stay since there are no inns here. The elves don't usually let outsiders in so inns were never needed.

Laya:"So did you get the tablet piece?"

Willow:"Not yet, but I think I will tomorrow. I was told that I need to pass a trial."

Laya:"What kind of trial?"

I changed to my Keltor form since it was just Laya and me.

Keltor:"I don't know yet."

I laid down on the bed and Laya snuggled up next to me.

Laya:"I guess they don't want you preparing for it ahead of time."

Keltor:"No. I think the king actually doesn't know what the trial is."

Laya:"Well I know you can pass it so good luck."

Laya closed her eyes and the two of us went to sleep. The next day we were woken up by a knock on the door so I quickly assumed my Willow form and answered. It was an elf who said they would escort me to my trial. I left Laya there and went with the elf. I was taken to a room under the palace that was made of stone and moss was everywhere.

A stone table was in the center of the otherwise empty room. The elf told me to lie down on it so I did. Nothing happened so I just kept lying there waiting. I turned my head to look at the elf, but no one else was in the room anymore. The moss was glowing so I had some light.

I looked around and noticed a mans figure in one of the corners of the room. I wasn't sure who he was so I jumped up.

Willow:"Who are you?"

The man said nothing. I tried to get a look at his face, but I couldn't see well enough. Out the corner of my eye I noticed something and turned my head. Another man was there in a different corner and like the first I couldn't make his face out. I wasn't sure what they wanted so I cast some light magic to find out who they were, but nothing happened.

My magic didn't work so I tried casting other spells, but none of them worked either. I wasn't sure what was going on so I took a defensive stance ready to fight if they attacked. I noticed my arms seemed a little thin so I looked down at the rest of me.

I was in my Willow form, but it was the female Willow from the other world. Fear started to build up inside of me. This form held a lot of bad memories and they all flashed through my mind. Before I had realized it a third figure had appeared and I still couldn't see who he was. Smiles started to appear on their faces as they stepped forward.

I was afraid. I was the weak magic less Willow once again and all the fear I felt when I was her bubbled up.Back to Main Page