WARNING: This is something I wrote in my free time that I haven't really edited, so the writing's not going to be that…descriptive? READ AT YOUR OWN RISK. :P And this is an excerpt, sooo…some parts might not make sense?

As I had half-expected, I stood in the soft grass at the Center of Portals. I tested out my teleportation by teleporting to a nearby tree, and everything worked perfectly. I took out the golden wrench and marveled at it. It must have been my mother’s when she was younger. It was likely that I could get back quickly by reflecting the light back toward the portal I came from.
I glanced about me, and wishing to relish in this freedom alone for a time, I started down the forest. Perhaps it was time for my search for the Guardian to begin.
I saw a strange color flash by and when I reached for it, it was a small white creature.
I laughed. “Pix! How’d you get here?”
The cat meowed. I wondered where its owner was.
I let it follow me into the shade of the forests, but I made sure to glance at the sky to check the time. I sighed. “How am I supposed to find the Guardian?” I mumbled to myself. I heard a small shuffle from Pix and he began trotting deeper into the forest.
Of course! Who knew how much Pix knew from all his wandering? I followed him for what seemed like a long time.
Finally, at the base of a broad, shady tree, he stopped. I looked up, and it was the largest tree house I’d ever seen. And it was very cleverly camouflaged with the tree.
“Thanks,” I stroked Pix’s fur.
I slowly levitated up to the door and knocked.
The door was opened. “Yes?” said a voice.
I was slightly surprised to see a young man with raven-black hair.
He himself stepped back. “I definitely don’t get a Beyonder levitating by my house every day. How may I help you?”
“Um…er—I’d like to ask about some of your structures,” I said, still startled by his age.
“Sure, come in.” I walked in slowly, and noticed that his room was filled with light with fancy furniture. I wondered how so much light could come in when the tree house was almost completely buried in trees.
“Few are unsurprised of the few who meet me. My appearance is a good start.”
I nodded timidly. “I was,” I admitted.
“I’ve lived much longer,” he replied.
“So…you made all that…machinery in the buildings?” I asked.
He nodded. “And which would you like to ask about? My name is Terian, by the way.”
I sat down in a fancy armchair. “Well, one isn’t something you built—the waterfall that seals the doorway of the Beyonders.”
He poured himself a cup of tea. “How do you know I didn’t build it?”
“I mean, it’s natural, isn’t it?”
Terian gave no answer but shrugged. “Go on.”
“And the other’s the Center of Portals. Why was there a rupture?”
He frowned. “I’ve been thinking about that too. According to my calculations, it’s possible that the creatures are trying to come to Serraeia.”
I froze. “The hostile ones that made silvery animals?”
“Principally, it’s not a bad thing, since only the most intelligent people can figure out the machinery, but I’m afraid of what they’ll want after they come. I hope the young Beyonder can do his job well, because the portals won’t hold forever. I didn’t help build them to forever trap ourselves.”
I fidgeted a bit. “Actually, it’s a ‘her’.”
“Oh, you know her then?” Terian didn’t seem surprised. Perhaps it was because of the smaller size of the Beyonders’ side compared to this side.
I didn’t quite know how to put it. “Um…yeah,” was all that came out.
“We’ll have to prepare ourselves if the portals did ever fail,” said Terian. “And you also wanted to ask about the waterfall?”
“Yes. Is there a way to…make the water stop? It’s just…some want to see this side, too,” I explained, trying not to make it sound like I was the only one who held that request.
“Yes,” he replied simply. “But evidently, you don’t need that, do you?”
I blushed. “I…well, I actually came through a portal this time. I found a way out of the guards’ watch.”
Terian gave an acknowledging glance. “Ah, so you’re one of those Beyonders?” Before I had time to ask what exactly he’d meant, he wrinkled his eyebrows at the entrance like there was something suspicious in that direction. I was surprised, again, this time at his quiet footsteps as he glanced down from his one-direction window.
“Oh!” he exclaimed.
I jumped, and realized he was smiling. “Come up here, you rascal!” Somehow, when he opened the door, Pix stood there looking very guilty.
“Oops, sorry,” I apologized, “he’s…um…not my cat, but he helped me find you,” I explained.
Terian chuckled. “Of course he’s not your cat! He’s the cat of one of my friends.”
“You mean Etz?” I asked, surprised. Again.
He looked just as so. “You have met him?”
“Yes, he helped me a lot since I’ve seen this side,” I said.
Pix meowed, but would not come in.
“Huh, waiting for your owner?” asked Terian.
The meow sounded like agreement.
Terian went back to his stone stool without closing the door. “Anyhow, what were we talking about?”
“The waterfall,” I reminded him.
“Oh, yes. In short, and frankly, yes, I can open the waterfall. But I’m not sure that’s what your people would want.”
Oh. I hadn’t thought about that. What would my father say if suddenly their main “defense” went down? Everyone would doubt her, and they would have good reason to, because she would’ve been the one who caused it, and that would make them even more hesitant—”
“Pix?” a familiar voice said. I glanced in the direction of the door and a second later, a thick vine swam its way through the leaves with its own energy and stopped at the door, and Etz hopped swiftly off. “Wow, party without me?” He said, picking up Pix. “Lumina! Hi!”
I stood up shyly. “Hi. I just thought I’d ask the Guardian some portal-related questions.”
“I know you’ve told me before,” said Terian, “but it’s still weird seeing that two very different friends of mine know each other.”
Etz only smiled and shrugged. “Yup. And you’re pretty lucky to be friends with the portal-sealer Beyonder and a renowned forest spirit like me.”
Terian looked at me with a new stance. “Wait, you’re the portal-sealer? The one who’s going to be the portal caretaker?”
I gave a small nod. “I…didn’t know how to put it.”
“Well, about your problem,” Terian said. “Perhaps it is not in the waterfall, but the people behind it. Maybe if you can convince your people, the waterfall would not be as big an issue. And, he’s right,” he referred to Etz, “you should be able to do well with a not-troublesome-at-all forest spirit.”
Etz rolled his eyes with an underlying smile. “I don’t think that’s what ‘renowned’ means, but,” he looked at me, “of course I’ll help.”
I felt so confident with their reassurance that I almost laughed. “Thanks.”
Terian waved as I headed to leave. “Come back anytime, though try not to cause suspicions. This treehouse is camouflaged for a reason.”
“Thank you again!” I called.
“Of course! And be careful traveling through the waterfall!”
“So…everything alright with your father?” Etz asked gravely.
“As much as they can be,” I said through a sigh. “They kind of sealed the entire cave to the waterfall. I got through by a hidden gadget, probably left by my mother. I ended up through one of the portals.”
“Do you think you can convince them enough?” he asked.
I honestly had no confidence at all. “Maybe,” was all I replied.
I could tell he was frowning. “It will be alright.” What else could I say? Nothing was alright. Nothing was the same as it was weeks ago. Suddenly, my confidence had slipped away before I could relish it.

Aaand I never finished this story. I warned you, didn't I?

Skybelle wrote:

WARNING: This is something I wrote in my free time that I haven't really edited, so the writing's not going to be that…descriptive? READ AT YOUR OWN RISK. :P And this is an excerpt, sooo…some parts might not make sense?

Aaand I never finished this story. I warned you, didn't I?

lol, it's good

Thanks!

i like it!

Writer_H wrote:

i like it!

Thanks so much!