The afternoon in Flourous was like none other. Whil, Alph and Sheila had their lunch and started to decide upon where they should go to sightsee.

“Well, that was a good meal. Now let’s dwell on something else.” Alph said.

“Dwell?” Whil commented.

“Silence. Now, look at what I found at the inn before we left.” Alph took out a piece of brochure; a piece of very colourful brochure. The front said, ‘Welcome to Flourous’.

“Wow, colourful, isn’t it Whil?” Asked Sheila.

“Yeah!”

“Ok, listen, have a look at these beautiful places. Obviously we can’t go to all of them today. So, let’s pick one or two for this afternoon till evening. Then, if we still have time, we’ll go to another place.”

Whil suddenly pointed to the brochure with a hard tap on the table. The tap startled Alph a little. Sheila giggled looking at Alph. “Here,” said Whil, “Let’s go here.”

“Alright, fine.”

They left the restaurant in haste and ran to the hover like little five year olds. Sheila started the engine and went straight to Flourous’ Gates of Histories Museum. It was where plenty of Sallestre’s pasts kept for centuries ago and for centuries to come. There, at the entrance of the museum, the threesome was greeted by the doorman. “Welcome. Would you prefer to tour the museum by yourselves of with a tour guide? They are experts of Sallestre’s deepest histories’ vault.”

“So, how about it guys?” asked Sheila.

“Sure. With a guide.” Whil answered

“Yeah. A guide.” Alph followed afterward.

“Alright, please step in and we’ll get you sorted out.” The doorman added.

The all went in, the four of them, and the doorman called upon Qweena Emswoth as their tour guide for the day.

“Hello. Welcome everyone. I am Qweena Emswoth. You can call me Qweena for short. Since there are only the three of you as my tourists here today, let’s hear your names.”

“Hi, I’m Whil Rubbit.”

“And I’m Sheila Haze.”

“And I’m Alph…Shield-Canner.”

“Splendid. Now let’s move on with the tour shall we? Follow me.”

They went to the first exhibit. It was a huge map of Sallestre with nothing marked on it; just a big empty map.

“This is the map of Sallestre. Sallestre was founded nearly seven hundred years ago by a group of sailors said to have crossed the ocean from Surthram, now known as Tamasca. They were said to have travelled for the sake of knowledge and expanding their view of the world. But their journey ended in Sallestre as their captain passed away upon arrival. They never continued their journey since. Thus, they claimed the land, named a king and ruled over the whole land. The name of our first king was King Fevrir Duras. Since then, many merchants and dealers from other countries came by this country to bargain and barter over the untouched, riches of Sallestre’s. Many came, most left, and some stayed; they built a house, they built a village, they built a city. All under the watchful eyes of King Fevrir.

During the Era of Argoth Duras, Lord Fevrir’s son, several leaders and cities started to rise inside Sallestre; some that he knew of and others that suddenly appeared without his approval. This was brought to Lord Argoth’s attention. Even so, he was a kind ruler and gave everyone a chance. He called upon all the other leaders of cities and small villages. He gave barriers to separate the land into two states, Gallenhied and Farbos. He became High King Argoth, Leader of both States. Then, he elected two leaders from two cities through votes to be crowned as kings of each state. After the election, he set boundaries of each cities that existed and any villages within the boundary of any city is considered to be ruled by the mayor of the city; the mayor ruled by the king; the king by the high king.

Any questions?”

“No, everything’s fine for now.” Alph said with wide eyes.

“Let’s move on then.”

The second exhibition awed them a bit more than the first. They were the statues of the Leaders of the Creature Guardians and in front of them was the Guardian Heroes; both Eryos Zeiss and Goldeon, looking so majestic and beautiful.

“Do you know these two?” Asked Qweena.

“The Guardian Heroes.” Whil answered almost whispering. His heart was touched deep when he saw the statues. He even nearly dropped a tear.

“Ah, good. You know. These two were the greatest heroes during the War of Realms. They ended the war with one battle with the Dark Lord Farious.

But, before they came, everything was in chaos. The war broke out three to four hundred years after Lord Fevrir found Sallestre and around three hundred years ago from today. The darkness hits Sallestre six months after it came upon Fondra. Fondra was the first to be attacked as it was nearest to Tamasca, also known as the Fallen Realm at the time. Then during the second month, Satonia was attacked, followed by Rhuddia on the fourth month of the war. During the fifth month, Labion and Landore fell under the dark powers of Farious. Then, Sallestre. After that, followed by Aldor and Hymerr. Hercia was the last to be attacked. The war lasted for about forty-six years. In Sallestre, after the Darc Army landed upon this land, pain and suffering started. Everything fell apart. This was during the fifth generation of Lord Fevrir’s descendant. Even so, the fifth High Lord, High Lord Steaven Duras ruled for about forty years and fell by the hands of the army of evil.

During this time as well a civil war broke loose. Each city decided to kill and hoard for the sake of survival. Not just that, beings of corruption and darkness emerged from the depths of Geldar to the surface; Aars and Hafrems. They were monster like beings that resembled the shape of man but fearful to look at. It was a very dark time for us all. After that, one by one the cities fell. The kings of states died in battle and the people were in complete hopelessness. This was just within three years of the War of Realms. At this time, during the third year, during the 20th of Marfeim, on Flordis, the very first Council of Guardians was made in Hercia. This council was built upon the sheer desire to defeat the very source of power that destroyed all the countries. As the Darc Army was made of dark magic, defeating them would be useless as they would be replaced by many other; like clones. Thus, with the help of every brave soldier they can get their hands on, they travelled to Tamasca, where Dark Lord Farious was. They named their soldiers the Creature Guardians as majority that joined at that time had Creatures with them.

Each day, new group of new Creature Guardians was dropped at the shores of Tamasca to the battle. Then, down came the Elves of the sky and the Thre’adils from the woods and mountains to aid the Creature Guardians in the battle. But day by day passed and no one had ever got close to Farious’ castle. This went on for a while until the legend emerged from the village of Baski. Eryos Zeiss and his creature, Goldeon, the Hippogriff. Both flew to Tamasca in haste and ended the war by single-handedly fighting and defeating Farious. And so, ended the War of Realms. With that, the year was re-counted back to one until now; it is already 317 years.

Shall we move on?”

“Wait. Anything more about Eryos and Goldeon?” Whil asked with high anticipations.

“Yes. That would be in the Guardian Heroes section of the exhibition.”

“Oh... Ok.”

“Let’s see what’s next then.”

The three followed Qweena to the third section of the tour. The third exhibition was on the wall. At the top was written, ‘Arcs of Light’.

“Now, as you can see, it says ‘Arcs of Light’. This is the system which historians and Creature researchers had created in order to classify the Creatures and understand them even more.

The Creatures was sent to man a thousand and three hundred years ago by the Elves and Thre’adils. This was the times when both races lived together in the Land of the Sky; a land that none can see and none can go to without any Elves or Thre’adils to bring them. The Elves and Thre’adils had lived in such prosper and ease in the Land of the Sky. When they took notice of the humans one day they realised that the humans were feeble beings struggling living amongst dangers and threats. The two races agreed to call upon the aid of the Creatures to be given to the humans. They opened a door to the Creatures’ realm. As the Creatures was called upon, their leader, the Hippogriff emerged. They proposed the idea towards the Hippogriff. Noticing their ignorance of not helping the humans themselves, the Hippogriff declined by saying, “If you do not feel like helping these humans yourselves, then why should I help?” The Elves and Thre’adils were in shock of the Hippogriff’s answer.

A couple of days later, they decided to call upon the Hippogriff again. They proposed the same idea once more in hope that the Hippogriff changed his mind. The Hippogriff then asked them, “Why do you care so much towards these humans?” to which the Elves answered, “We only want to live in happiness. If we see them happy, so shall we be.” Then, the Hippogriff agreed but with the harshest condition made, “We will aid the humans, but with this agreement, I give a condition close to a curse upon you for your ignorance and arrogance. One of you must come down to surface with us, living among the humans and their dangers. The Thre’adils and Elves were furiously disagreeing at the time. Even so, the Hippogriff said a deal was made, either they choose who is to go or he will drag either one himself.

The Elves suggested that the Thre’adils should go while the Thre’adils said otherwise. In the end a huge quarrel between the two ancient races began. Then, it lead to the Thre’adils being sent down along with the Creatures. The Creatures was sent down but not in full form as the Thre’adils. They were sent down as eggs; eggs that chooses the person to reveal itself to. Thus the beginning of Creatures living with us humans.

Wasn’t that fascinating?”

“Is that what happened? I thought no one knew what the Creatures were and where they come from? And if the Thre’adils were there during the descendant of Creatures, shouldn’t we’ve known a lot about them by now? There are many Thre’adils around to be interviewed about this event…or even ask the Creatures themselves.” Alph asked.

“Yes, no one knows of the Creatures’ ‘TRUE’ origin. The Elves and Thre’adils only knew the Creatures as beings of another plain of existence; another world. While the Creatures know nothing of their own origin as every Creatures here are wiped out of their memories as if they are little babies whenever they break free from the eggs. They can speak, walk, write, cast magic, fly, soar, run, and do about anything that any Creature can do, but they have no memory of their past. Thus, that’s why we name them every time we encounter them the first time.”

“That’s a horrible curse.” Sheila said.

“Indeed. History tells truth behind wonders that we live today. But, it was never really a curse. The Creatures came down with full intentions of helping us. They were honest in their cause. Even the Thre’adils and Elves had forgotten their quarrel a thousand years ago. As I said before, the Elves even came down during the War of Realms to aid humans alongside Creatures and the Thre’adils.” Qweena added. “Now, let’s have a look at this ‘Arcs of Light’. Researchers and historians studying the Creatures spent quite a time creating this Creature tree.”

“So, do any of you here possess a Creature?” Qweena asked.

Both Alph and Whil pointed at Sheila at the same time and at the exact moment Sheila answered, “I do.”

“Great. So, what Creature is it? What kind?” She furthered her questions.

“He’s a Grymloft. I named him, Gallant.”

“Ahaa--…as you can see at the Arcs of Lights, your Creature belongs in the rank of the Arc of Elementals. These are Creatures specified with their gifted elemental abilities. They are the strongest at their elemental magic than any other Creatures. A Grymloft is a Creature of the ice element. His ice magic is the strongest as he can even make an unbreakable ice in any condition. Even surrounded by hot lava, his ice may stand strong. Even so, the strength of the ice resembles the strength of metal swords. It will eventually melt around hot lava and may eventually break hitting thick rock walls.

Let me explain the Arcs of Light one by one briefly. Let’s begin with the One of All.

The One of All, is as you know it is the Hippogriff. He is the leader of all Creatures. Those who wields his powers, wields all the others. Just like a king over his people. The One of All controls all magic and is the strongest Creature. But, he does not appear to just anyone. The first time he ever appeared was to Eryos Zeiss. That was once and only once he had ever presented himself to the world.

Beneath the One of All is the Seven Serpents. These are dragons of the Hippogriff. They were believed to be his advisors. Among the strongest Creatures of their realm. The Seven Serpents are Einelyer, Eiraes, Eisuul, Hyomeku, Hyomyoa, Egumaes and Egumuul. These are not their names, but their ranks in the Seven Serpents hierarchy. The Eis; Einelyer, Eiraes, Eisuul, being the highest of the three, the Hyoms; Hyomeku, Hyomyoa, the middle and the Egums; Egumaes, Egumuul, as the third. Even so, these positions does not show strength of each of the Dragons. They seem to be the same as said by the researchers. There are around six Dragons in each seven ranks. Each different in appearance and size.

Next, the Five Sisters. These are known as the Sister of Life, Sister of Death, Sister of Darkness, Sister of Light and Sister of Balance. These are the rarer form of Creatures in this world where only these five exist. They are not like any other Creatures in Geldar. Other Creatures are said to be moulded by their Wielders, but these five extraordinary Creatures are said to mould their Wielders instead. They shape their Wielders desires bit by bit. They don’t control all, but they plant little seeds of lust over certain dreams and let it grow by itself. Dark and scary magic these Creatures have. They were never seen for a long time since after the death of Eryos Zeiss and Goldeon, the Hippogriff.

After that, we have the Arc of Elements and The Elders. They are put at the same level. I’ve explained the Arc of Elements already. Let’s get to The Elders. These are Creatures of knowledge and wisdom. Any that wield them will be gifted with great wisdom of Geldar. They are Creatures that makes one into a knowledgeable man.

Beneath them, the Wraith’s Bane. These are the only kinds of Creatures that can harm the Phantoms, or better known as Wraiths that live in depths of Geldar. Many Elven and Thre’adelyen weapons are enchanted with these Creatures’ magic so that they can pierce the Wraiths’ body if ever they need to.

The sixth in the list are the Givers of Life. These are not Creatures that would bring back the dead to life, but these are Creatures that are bound by nature. Their energy is determined by the nature’s flow and they connect with the other of their rank through nature.

The seventh are the Knights of One. These Creatures are loyal to a fault. These are fighters that would battle for their life to save their Wielders. The Knights of One possesses no magic of any sort. But they are equipped with sets of magical armours that may appear and disappear at will.

And then, we have the Guardians of Realms. These are Creatures that could be found only in specified countries. For example, in Sallestre, there are Creatures known as the Unicorns and Caladrius. The Unicorns are mares with a horn on their head while the Caladrius are large birds with pure white feathers. They are only found in the lands of Sallestre.

The second to last are the Shadows of Men. These are creatures that have no form at all during their times in their own realm. When they were brought down to Geldar, they required a form to be able to allow the humans to comprehend what they are looking at. Thus, they chose to appear as their Wielders. Now, there are twins out there that might actually not be twins, but a man and a creature.

Lastly, there are the Breed of Norms. These are Creatures that look like everyday animals around us. All in the form of omnivores and carnivores. All in the form of land and air animals.

There you go. I’ve tried to be as brief as possible. These are the Creatures’ places in their ‘social system’ created by the researchers. These are not the types of Creatures that exist. That would be a different thing and a very, very long list. Enough about the Creatures for the time being. Let’s move on to the next exhibition.”

Yet again, the threesome followed Qweena like little ducklings following their mother. Then, they reached another statue. This time it’s just a statue standing alone by itself.

“This here is the great Thre’adil king, Lord Ethron Brimrod, king of Fremrost, The Frozen Woods. One thing about the Thre’adils, where they live is their own land, their own country, their own kingdom. They make their own rules and laws within the borders of their kingdom. They do not follow the laws that the High Lord of Sallestre have made until they step out of their own land. This does not happen only in Sallestre but in every country. There are four kingdoms of Thre’adils within Sallestre and Fremrost is one of them. It is a day walk away from Flourous, due west.

Once a year, Lord Ethron would come to Flourous to see the beauty of our town square. Not actually the square itself but what is placed in the middle of it. There, stands a statue, a random sculpture more like it, and right on top of it is a diamond with a shimmering glimmer of a dim star. Somehow it gives quite an effect to him that he would come again and again and again just to look at it.

The Thre’adils of Fremrost practices li…”

*ATTENTION TO ALL VISITORS AND EMPLOYEES. A SNOW STORM IS HEADING TOWARDS FLOUROUS. EVERYONE IS ADVICED TO HEAD HOME NOW AND BE PREPARED FOR THE STORM. THANK YOU.*

“Oh! How unfortunate. You three better head back now.” Qweena said in worry.

“Does this happen often?” asked Whil.

“You’re not from here. I see. The storm comes once or twice a year. But this is the third time this year. You three should head back to your inn. Everything will be fine.” Answered Qweena.

The three exit the museum in a hurry. As they got outside, Alph and Sheila continued running. Whil stood in front of the museum. He looked to the sky and felt the strong wind blowing. The chill was so cold it reached his bones.

“A harsh storm is coming.” He spoke to himself.

“Whil! Come on!” Alph yelled from the hover.

Whil snapped from his thoughts and ran for the hover. He opened the door and quickly slammed it shut. Sheila started the engine and drove as fast as she could back to the inn. On their way back, the wind grew harsher and stronger, pushing the tiny hover left to right. Sheila’s view became shorter and shorter as the snow storm gets thicker.

“Dang it! This is so hard to control!” Sheila groaned. “I can’t even see the way!”

“Turn left now!” Alph yelled.

“What!?” Sheila yelled back.

Alph grabbed the steering wheel and turned it to a sharp left. The whole hover turned and tilted to the right. The three of them screamed.

“Sheila! Stop the engine! STOP THE ENGINE!! NOW!!” Alph yelled again.

Sheila quickly pulled the key from the slot and the whole engine stopped working. The hover dropped down and slid across the snowy road until it was completely stopped by the pave way leading to the Brisshaw Inn.

“No time to think! Get to the inn now!” Sheila yelled back again.

They all abandoned the hover and ran straight for the inn. They pushed the door open and shut it tight after everyone got in. They gave the loudest sigh and started laughing.

“Are you alright?” one of the worker asked.

“Hahahaa…we’re fine. Haahhhh…we’ll be in our rooms.” Sheila answered with a little rush pumping in her.

They returned to their own rooms. Sheila straight away lied down on her bed. Alph sat by the hearth and tried to light up fire in the fireplace. Whil went to his bag and changed his clothes. Then, Whil took out his journal and started writing again.

317, Ningdarr 27

Semdis – 5:48 p.m.

What a wondrous day. Exciting and most exhilarating. Started off really fine and slow. But ended up in quite a heart pumping way. It’s almost like staring death in the face. Actually, I stared death in the face twice today.

The first one was the moment we arrived at Flourous. That raised my heart beat by a hundred times. And then, just now, we drove in the thick and strong snow storm. The hover was shaking hard. I thought it was going to break open. So scary. Then, when Alph turned the car drastically, I thought my heart stopped. I’d say that my whole life flashed in front of my eyes instantly. It was the most extreme thing that I’ve ever experienced.

It felt like what ever in the middle was just the filler while the two meetings with death was the main event…

………

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door.

“Good evening.” The knocker greeted.

Alph got up from the warm fire and quickly answered the door.

“Evening, sir. Are you Whilliam Rubbit?” asked the man by the door.

“Whil. It’s for you.” Alph called Whil.

Whil got off of his bed and rushed to the door immediately.

“Yes.” Whil said to the man.

“Here’s a letter from Joycelm. It came in this afternoon.” The man handed over the letter to Whil. “Have a good day, sir.”

“Thank you.” Whil closed the door and locked it.

“So, what is it?” asked Alph by the fireplace.

Whil read the envelope, it was from his grandmother. Whil opened the envelope and pulled out the letter.

Dear Whilliam,

I am sorry to tell you this news in this way. I wish there was another way. This morning, your grandfather collapsed. We called medic and rushed him to the hospital as quickly as we could. There’s nothing that anyone can do. I am sorry. Your grandfather, my husband, passed away this very morning. The medics confirmed it at 10:11 a.m.

The funeral will be held tomorrow evening. I hope you can come back home.

Esmer Dawn

Whil fell to the floor on his knees with a loud thump. Alph quickly turned around when he heard it. Whil’s heart shattered into a million pieces. Apparently he greeted death three times. At first, the moment of their arrival. The second, during the snow storm. The third, it took his grandfather.

“Whil. Are you alright?” Alph asked.

Whil only looked to the floor, still shocked from the news. Alph went to him to see the letter.

“Oh, my…” Alph said.

“Alph…we…we have…have to go back…” Whil said suddenly. He was trying hard to hold back. Bit by bit the tears ran down his cheeks. He then turned towards Alph and started to break down. “We…Have…To Go Back…”

“I know. But…” Alph turned his head to the door. He then looked back at Whil. “We can’t go back now. The receptionist said the snow storm will go on till tomorrow morning. Wait here. I need to tell Sheila. Just wait here and don’t do anything crazy. I WILL be right back.” Alph quickly left the room and went straight to Sheila’s room right across the hall.

Whil was still on his knees. Every single tears found their way out of Whil’s eyes. Every drop jumped from his face straight down to his palms right underneath. Whil shivered. He looked at his palms. The tears were held as if they were the pieces of his heart. He thrusts both arms to his chest and let out more agony and melancholy. In the end, he shrivelled up on the floor just like that.

“Why me? Why is it always me? First my mom. Then my dad. Now my grandpa.” He whispered to himself. After that, everything went pitch black. He cried himself to sleep there on the floor. All went quiet.

----- ----- ----- -----

The next morning came. Everything felt like it was moving slowly. Whil opened his eyes. It was like he took several minutes to do so. He was no longer on the floor. He was on the couch in front of the fireplace. He was carried from in front of the door to the couch. He got up and had a look around. All the bags were packed and were put by the door.

“Hey, Whil. Come. The storm has passed. We should be on our way now.” Alph said and Whil heard if blurrily.

Whil got up from the couch slowly and went to his bag. He picked it up and waited for Alph by the door. Alph came out of his room and quickly grabbed his bag and opened the door. Whil went out and was greeted by Sheila’s presence. Alph followed behind him. They went to the front desk and returned the keys. They marched outside slowly and went straight to Sheila’s hover. It was right where they left it yesterday. She started the engine and drove straight back to Joycelm.

The journey back was silent and bitter. Gloomed by the news brought in last evening. Whil just looked outside. His eyes filled with misery and longing. Sheila just drove on without stopping. Alph just stared at the open road, feeling sorry for his very best friend. Then, Alph looked down to his knees. He started to tear up a little. With a deep breath, he pulled in all the emotions that was about to flow out inappropriately.

They finally arrived in Joycelm at noon. Rain greeted them home. Sheila dropped Whil first before Alph. Whil got off the hover and took his bag from the trunk. He went straight for the front door and didn’t even look back. Whil opened the front door and entered. He dropped his bag onto the floor and started to walk around the house looking for his grandmother. He entered his grandfather’s little library. There, he saw an old woman on the floor by the window and facing outside, crying. Whil went to her slowly and hugged her from behind, consoling her.

“Come. Get up. What would grandpa say if he sees you doing this?” Whil said while putting all his grandmother’s weight on him trying to lift her until she stand up. “He always told us not…to mourn him like this…if he ever leave us.” He struggled a little, still trying to lift her up. He got her standing up in the end and he led her to her bedroom slowly. “Let’s get ready for the funeral. We can’t let everyone else wait.”

It was nearly time for the funeral. Everyone that knew Phillias Dawn made their way to the cemetery right outside the city. Some walked and some drove under the evening sky. It was still drizzling. It didn’t stop since the afternoon. Everyone gathered around the same place surrounding an empty grave ready to be filled.

Rain fell from up high. Whil stood afar from the funeral. He was outside of the cemetery fences. Rain drops dripped from his chin. Rain and tears. His eyes was blurred by all the tears coming out. In his black trench coat, he could only stood there and watch from that far. He could not get himself any closer than where he was. He saw nothing in detail. The people were nothing but black blurry figures moving around by his grandfather’s grave. His heart was cut deep. This world is cruel, he thought.

His eyes changed course. He looked down to the ground where he stood. He slipped his hands in his coat pockets. In his right pocket, there was the locket from Ygmod. He held it tight in his right hand. His grasp became tighter and tighter. With teary eyes, a broken heart and crippled soul, he turned to his left and walked away. He gave up. The world was nothing more than just a bunch of cruel jokes to him. He gave in. Everything became nothing to him.

He walked fast. Head facing straight towards his destination. He wasn’t looking left nor was he going to look right. There was nothing left for him to see in the world at that moment. Nothing other than what he was looking at. He stared straight towards the thin layers of trees as he marched for it. Beyond those trees, lies a cliff; a cliff with a view of a lush, beautiful, green field and thick healthy forest and mountains. Moments later, he reached his destination. He stood and looked at the open space.

This was a place where memories were made, he thought. He closed his eyes and a tear drop fell; with it a memory flowed. He could feel the breeze of the memory greeting him back to the event of the past.

--------------------

It was a windy evening. The sun was setting. An old man and an eight year old were sitting by the cliff.

“The sun is going to leave us.” Said the boy.

“Yes it will. But it will come again tomorrow.” Replied the old man.

“It’s going to get dark.” The boy added.

“Are you afraid of the dark?”

The little boy nodded to the questioned.

The old man giggled and continued talking. “I used to be just like you when I was young. So curious of the world. But too fearful of the dark. Eventually, I learnt to stop being scared of darkness.”

“How did you stopped?” asked the boy.

“My grandfather, your great-great grandfather, told me an old saying. It goes, ‘ef rii lum faemyel tu raes, rii lum faemyel tu omdii’. It means, if you can find the light, you can find the answer.’

“Answer to what?”

“Anything. Always remember that Whil… Whil…… Whil…………”

--------------------

“Whil?” A voice snapped Whil from his reminiscence.

He turned around and there he saw a girl standing behind him. By the look of it, she had been there a while. To Whil she looked familiar. Her soft braided brunette hair. Her white soft skin. Her beautiful hazel eyes.

“Wyomey? Wyomey Brown?”

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