Geo awoke in a strange unfamiliar room, immediately sitting up. He thought he might be in an underground cavern with all the rocks and roots adorning the walls. He was immediately aware of the quality of light which would not be present in a cave. Scanning the room he spotted Lake in a bed across from him, seemingly at rest. Relieved that Lake was alive and resting he was able to assess his own injuries. He had been beaten and bruised from the frantic attack then the perilous dash into the strange door. He was surprised to find no scratches or cuts anywhere on his body. His only discomfort came from a mild headache, dry mouth and grumbling stomach. These issues he could easily resolve with supplies from his pack, which was nowhere to be seen. He sighed as they may not be as easily resolved as he had thought.
Walking over, he gently placed his hand on the young man's sweaty forehead, checked his pulse and poked at his wound which had stopped bleeding. Concerned that Lake hadn't woke during his ministration.
Geo's voice was filled with worry as he gently shook Lake, "Lake, are you alright? Wake up, Lake!"
Lake groaned, his voice hoarse, "What?" There was a momentary pause, "Water?"
"I'll see what I can do. Just stay in bed it is too soon to be about." geo said as he exited the room.
Geo ventured down the hallway eyeing the walls of leaves which had replaced the walls of roots and rocks. Looking up he marveled at the blue sky he could see beyond the dense canopy of what appeared to be maple leaves. He marveled at the surroundings questioning everything until he stumbled into a young man. He was dressed in a tunic and stood at the entrance to an expansive covered garden. Backing up Geo grinned up at the stranger mortified he had been so oblivious. The fellow was clutching a wooden walking stick beautifully carved and adorned with a magnificent gem. His robe was reminiscent of some wizard from the storybooks, it was black and ornately decorated with glowing purple runes and vining plants with flowers. As the wizard puffed on his pipe perfect rings of smoke circled his body. He continued staring at Geo with a face filled with amusement. Geo frowned, because it felt as though the man was looking into his sole. Had the man been there a second ago?
"Ah, you're awake. And how's your friend?" he asked.
Geo, still bewildered, replied, "He's asking for water."
The man nodded approvingly. "Good, good. I'm Atrum. And you are?"
"I'm Geo, and my friend is Lake. Do you know where I could find some water?" Geo inquired.
Atrum confessed, "I prepared for your arrival, but I didn't anticipate having to carry you here." He chuckled, then added, "Something I must investigate, I must travel, maybe a day except the time is problematic." He continued quietly as if speaking to himself, "These portals, trouble for sure, too much power, causing people to pass out ... it's quite perplexing. Let's see, I tended wounds, contacted Sirsea, and well no time for anything else." pausing and turning to Geo voice louder." Once your friend wakes the bandages can be removed." Atrum raised his hand and placed his finger on his lips. "Help yourself to the food." He then handed Geo two medallions on long leather cords. "Keys for you both. You must wear them, door keys and most importantly protection from my spells."
Geo sputtered, struggling to find the right words, "Wait, spells, you're leaving? Where are we? We need a cure for the plague we came here to get the cure! We need to get home!? Wait Lake's wounds healed? How long was I unconscious? Are our supplies and horses?" He trailed off to catch his breath.
Atrum interrupted, speaking quickly and shaking his head, "Yes, you need information. There's a note, careful this is not your world, be very careful." He motioned to a roll of handmade paper on a ledge above the fireplace. "A moment more, no going home from here, supplies in the root cellar, horses are outside, unconscious for a day. magic, and this is my home on Terra Mana in the Nottely River Valley." Atrum turned. With a twirl of his robe, the air sparkled, and he vanished in a flash of light.
Geo rushed to the spot he had stood moments before, searching he found nothing. Seeing a small round window with blue streaked glass he rushed to it. It wasn't as clear as he was used to, but he could see out. He spotted a large shadow moving across the grass, looking up he thought he saw a large shape before being blinded by a flash of purple like embers exploding from a fire. By the time his eyesight returned, he questioned everything for the hundredth time. Purple embers indeed.
The house seamlessly blended into the surrounding woods, its curved walls incorporating roots and branches that resembled the rich wet soil. Geo ran his hand along the wall, marveling at its unique texture and surprisingly dry surface. The small round windows, all made of the same strange glass, allowed a soft, diffused light to filter in. The fireplace, made of dark stone streaked with silver, emitted warmth without a fire.
As Geo entered the main room, he felt as though he had stepped into an indoor garden. Trees and plants sprouted from various patches throughout the room, and scattered stones formed a meandering path amidst beds of vibrant, unidentifiable flowers. In the center, a pagoda stood beside a pond filled with Koi-like fish. The centerpiece of the space was a cozy spot to relax, basking in the sunlight that filtered through the canopy. Green leaves and blooming flowers adorned the walls and doorways, enveloping the room with a sensory overload of colors and delightful scents.
Recalling his hunger and Lake's request for water, Geo weaved his way through the plant furniture in the pagoda and through the fragrant flowers. Following Atrum's directions, he found the food in another peculiar room on the opposite side of the garden. The table, much like the furniture in the previous room, appeared to have grown naturally rather than being built. Its trunk sprouted from the floor, flattening into a ring that expanded outwards, forming an organic circular shape. From the center of the table, a canopy of leaves grew like a green umbrella, gently swaying as if caressed by an invisible breeze.
Intrigued by the table's unique composition, Geo moved closer, running his hands over its surface. As he marveled at the colors and scents emanating from the dishes, he couldn't resist sampling a few items while searching for the water. The small, peach-like fruits burst with such perfection that they filled his mouth with sheer joy. Eventually, he found the beverages and quickly filled a nearby wooden mug with water. Overwhelmed by the organic beauty surrounding him, Geo's mind raced to comprehend this new reality. Who was this strange young wizard who had rescued them?
Returning to the room, Geo noticed Lake already sitting on his bed. He handed him the water, gesturing towards the door. "I can get you some food, or if you feel up to it, there's a small feast waiting for us down the hall and through the... garden."
Lake drank deeply from the cup before suddenly dropping it, clutching his head in pain and confusion. His eyes filled with a mix of bewilderment and agony as he struggled to piece together what had transpired. What had happened to Fern? His last memory was trying to give her broth while she fought him. Was that really Geo standing before him? And where was the rest of his family?
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
Concerned, Geo shook his head gently. "How are you feeling?" he asked, noticing Lake's reaction. "Wait, was that not water?" Lake waved off the comment, his voice barely a whisper. "No worries, just tired."
"Considering the battle we had with that beast, it's understandable," Geo replied, his voice filled with understanding. "If it weren't for the blood on our clothes and this extraordinary place, I'd think it was all a terrible dream." Geo paused, taking in the surroundings before continuing. "Atrum said he brought us here and healed our injuries. He mentioned that we could remove your bandages. Just a day ago, I managed to get you down from that tree. I was genuinely worried about you, seeing how battered and bloody you were. It's just... hard to wrap my head around all of this."
Geo recounted the events that followed Lake's encounter with the beast, including his conversation with Atrum. Lake got up from the bed and silently made his way down the hall, with Geo walking beside him, matching his slow and deliberate pace.
"It's unreal, but I saw Atrum vanish in a whirlwind, like something out of a fairytale," Geo said, his voice tinged with awe. "This journey couldn't possibly get any stranger."
Lake couldn't fully believe what he was hearing. He couldn't understand why Geo would lie to him, but everything seemed impossible. The entire place felt unreal, like a dream. As Lake followed the enticing aroma of food, he pondered the strange rooms he had encountered so far, convinced that it must be all a figment of his imagination.
He had never experienced hunger in a dream before, and the aroma was simply irresistible, so he indulged. The flavors were unfamiliar, with tangy herbs on the meat, warm flatbread, and fruits unlike anything he had ever seen. Lake had countless questions swirling in his mind, but he didn't want to engage with the dream version of Geo. He needed to figure out his next move. As he sat there eating, his confusion grew, but he couldn't recall leaving his home, let alone the fantastical tale Geo had shared. An urgent desire to escape this place overwhelmed him. He was fairly certain that none of this could be real, and that person claiming to be Geo was an imposter. Wouldn't he remember something about a journey, sword training, and a battle with a monstrous beast?
Geo savored the meal, but concern for Lake gnawed at him. Lake's uncharacteristic silence about the story Geo had recounted troubled him. His face was tense, his eyes narrowed. It worried Geo, but he reassured himself that, for now, they were safe. He decided it was time to explore their temporary abode and check on the horses and supplies. He fervently prayed for Atum's swift return, as the life of a little girl depended on it. Geo stood up, clearing his dishes while surveying the surroundings. The kitchen and dining room boasted a prominent stone oven on one wall and a stone bowl filled with trickling water on another. The entire place was crafted from branches, stones, and trees. Walking across the room brought the fragrance of flowers in one direction, and the scent of pines and fresh grass in another. Surprisingly, the room was well-illuminated despite the few windows and the absence of lamps or candles. He glanced at the bowl of clear water across the room, wondering where one would wash the dishes. Geo noticed a shelf made of intertwined branches with a half-filled glass of water sitting on it, assuming it was meant for dirty dishes, he placed his own there.
As he approached Lake, he retrieved the medallions from his pocket and fastened one of the golden disks around his neck. Just as he was about to address Lake and hand him the other key, Lake abruptly snatched it from Geo's hand. Geo was thoroughly annoyed by the action, and he glowered at the young man. Perhaps Lake had sustained a more severe head injury than Geo had initially thought. Deciding to let it go for now, he turned his back on Lake and set out to find a door.
He commenced his search where Atum had vanished, convinced there must be an exit, but perhaps his understanding was limited to a world devoid of magic. Just as before, he found no door, so he shifted his attention to the note Atum had left. The letter was inscribed on what appeared to be meticulously crafted paper, far superior to anything Geo could produce on the farm. He unfolded the letter and began studying a meticulously drawn map of the area accompanied by a few bullet points. The map, etched in purple ink, illuminated as Geo touched the names and pathways. Below the map, written in an elegant script, were the instructions: He read.
- The medallion is your key as a guest, offering protection wherever you go.
- Avoid venturing outside in the darkness; everything in this world is perilous, especially at night.
- The woods to the South are teeming with Wooly Beasts, Bane Wolves, and Guardians. Stay away.
- Within a hundred paces in each direction from my home, there are safeguards. Nothing can approach without my key.
After reading, Geo meandered around the room, searching for a magical door, and his gaze landed on a wall unusually free of life. He lightly brushed his fingers over the intricately embossed black and purple dragon on a golden stone wall. When he reached the eye of the beast, he noticed a small, recessed circle in the middle of the exquisitely carved lifelike eye. The letter had referred to the medallion as a guest key, and keys unlocked doors. Holding up his medallion, he aligned it with the dragon's eye on the wall. Geo inserted his medallion into the space. A brilliant purple light flashed, and Geo found himself standing outside Atum's home.
Geo blinked his eyes, adjusting to the brighter sunlight outside. With a sigh and a tinge of excitement, he approached a wooden door, which transformed into the familiar golden stone adorned with the dragon symbol that marked the exit. Placing his medallion into the eye of the symbol, just as he had done before, he found himself transported inside. The medallion truly possessed the power of a magical key. It was a place both strange and marvelous, Geo thought, as he employed the key once more and was whisked back outside in an instant. The fear of failing his friend and waking up in the woods, near death and alone, began to fade, replaced by a sense of anticipation. Atrum must possess the magic to cure the cursed Seven Deadly Ills.
Driven by curiosity, Geo decided to explore the surroundings outside the house. Before long, he stumbled upon his horses peacefully grazing within a skillfully crafted stone wall. The loosely stacked stones suggested the work of a master stonemason. Eager to check on his beloved horses, Geo effortlessly climbed over the wall and landed on the soft, green grass adorned with beautiful purple Echinacea and delicate blue Valerian flowers. These were his wife's favorites, not only visually stunning but also possessing incredible medicinal properties. His horses appeared healthy, their coats gleaming under the sunlight. However, confusion crept into Geo's gaze as he realized these were the same horses, he had owned a decade ago. Pumpkin, one of the horses, affectionately nudged Geo and playfully searched his hands and pockets. The other horse lifted its head and gave Geo a look as if to say, "What do you want?" before kicking up its heels like a foal and returning to munching on the lush grass. Both horses had been old and ailing before coming to this place.
Willow had rescued Pumpkin when the old mare broke her leg stepping in a gopher hole. Rolly had suggested putting her down, but Willow vehemently protested and nursed her back to health. Geo extended his hand towards Pumpkin, offering a gentle rub on her neck. The horse leaned into the touch, appreciating the affection. He was relieved to see that the horses were more than well. Shaking his head, Geo climbed back over the fence, determined to continue his search.
Atrum had mentioned that the supplies were stored in a root cellar. Geo's curiosity was piqued, wondering where and what this mysterious root cellar might look like in this extraordinary place. Determined to find it, he ventured to the other side of the house, following the path clear of trees until he noticed a peculiar wooden door. As he reached the door, now nestled among a wall of trees, he discovered a familiar dragon emblem near the pull. Placing his key against the emblem, a shimmer radiated out, and the door vanished, revealing his bags of supplies inside. With some time on his hands, Geo began inspecting the damages and planned to make repairs while he waited. He had no idea how long it would take for Atrum to return.