“Wait…” I said, peering at the metallic diamond levitating six feet from the surface of the water. “Was that—are you the thing talking?”
“Well, erm…yes! I have to tell you, Leonidas,” it said, and rather than flash, this time the diamond dimmed, “...do you not recall the nature of my existence? The…purpose I serve?”
“Uh…no I do not,” I said, then paused. “Wait. Did you say ‘Welcome home?’ What do you mean? This ain’t a home, it’s a swamp.”
Mud oozed between my toes as I stood, paralyzed by bafflement, in the heart of this eerie quagmire. One thing I did know about health—something like staying submerged in water was going to wind up in me getting trench foot. I tried to collect my scattered thoughts, to make sense of the voice emanating from this object. Panic started creeping up my spine, and I had to calm myself—trying to use some of those relaxation techniques the therapist I only sometimes went to had told me about. What if I do get trench foot? They’ll probably have to amputate me at the ankle! I can’t be in a wheelchair! Especially not here!
The absurdity of that potential situation didn’t do anything to calm me down.
“Can…you…uh, help me…out here?” I asked, struggling to control my breathing. “I’m, uh, starting to…get concerned.”
‘Concerned’ was an understatement. I was developing a full blown attack. I forced myself to quit hyperventilating and fixated on my pulse. After a moment, I slowly breathed in through my nose, held for four seconds, and then released the breath through my mouth. I did this several times until the bite of the feeling started to release its fangs.
That was close! I thought. I can’t be embarrassing myself like that in front of…whatever kinda company this is.
The diamond shimmered, its gleaming surface reflecting the eerie twilight of this strange realm.
"Ah! Leonidas! You surprise me! I am the conduit through which your ancestors have always communicated," the voice explained. "This is the Boglands—your ancestral home."
My eyebrows furrowed in confusion.
"But…I'm from Kentucky!” At least, I’d known that’s what it said on my birth certificate. “Hold on, wait a second. What’s going on here? I won’t lie—I’m freaking out just a tad. I know you said I’m in the Boglands, but…I was just on a mechanical slab in the hospital. Now I’m here. Can you make this make sense?”
“Leonidas, I am trying to—”
“Please,” I interrupted. “Just call me Leo.”
"Apologies…Leo," the entity replied. "Perhaps…well, I suppose there is a lot you may not have been told. What about your Apocrypha?”
“Apocrypha…like, the Bible?” I asked. “Never been much of a fan, if I’m being honest.”
“…Bi…ble? I... don’t know that term,” the diamond stated, sounding less and less confident with each bit of my ignorance that was being unearthed.
“Why don’t you tell me what it is, and I can tell you if I seen it ‘round anywhere?”
“...Alright…” the diamond stated, still sounding unsure of itself. “The Apocrypha is a culmination of knowledge—are you sure this doesn’t unlock anything for you? It was likely a major part of your upbringing. I mean, you were to have begun educating yourself with the Apocrypha upon your age of majority.”
“I have no earthly idea,” I reiterated, borrowing my boss—Mr. Rollins’s—favorite turn of phrase for not knowing something. Mr. Rollins, the guy who never took a sick day and had an answer for everything, would be as lost as I am right now. “Listen, it sorta sounds like we’re going in circles, and I’m fairly certain I’m hallucinating, so I’m going to just come right out and apologize for seeming dense.”
The diamond released a sound like a hum. I realized quite suddenly that, without noticing, the diamond had been drifting along in the water and I’d been following. I stopped in my sloshing, looking up at the entity.
“Where are we going?” I asked.
“Oh! Just moving along,” the thing said, dimming slightly. “I figured you’d want to get out of the deeper sections.”
“Oh, uh, yeah, that makes sense,” I said, nervously, but continued to follow. “Where were we?”
“We were discussing your... puzzlement,” the diamond said. “And to be forthright…I am also unsure as to the reason you are confounded by this concept. Were your guardians unfit? Did they impart…nothing to you?”
“Like, my foster parents?” I asked, confused. There was a lot of information being tossed at me in a short span, and I didn’t think I had the necessary faculties to cobble together coherent thoughts considering I’d just been sucked into what looked like a fantasy version of Louisiana wearing nothing but a sopping wet hospital gown. Also, I was having a heck of a time wrangling in my dread. This place wasn’t normal, and it was putting me on edge. My stomach
“One could consider them…fosters, I suppose,” the diamond explained. “They were called Marius and Selena.”
That reveal hit me in the gut a bit.
“I mean…yeah, those were them,” I said. “But they died in a car accident when I was eight.”
Out of many over the years, Marius and Selena were my first foster parents, from as early as I could remember. They’d treated me really good, too, even though I was kind of a rambunctious kid. I never really meant to cause them grief, but I’m sure some of my escapades gave them gray hairs. Like attempting to build a treehouse out of scraps of wood and rusty nails I’d found. Spoilers: the ladder had collapsed before I’d gotten a chance to work on the actual foundation and I’d had to wear a cast for eight weeks after falling twelve feet onto the ground. But thinking about them…well, it unlocked something.
Unbidden, the memory of that day bubbled up in my mind. I’d been at Aiden Howell’s birthday party when the police and social services showed up to whisk me away and let me know about what happened to them. The accident. The worst part was, I’d thrown a fit that morning because I hadn’t wanted to go to the party. Primarily because I hadn’t even liked Aidan. We were just in the same class, and all the kids got invitations out of fairness—since I don’t think he would have invited me at all if given the option. I mean, I assumed so considering he used to slap me in the back of the neck with a ruler when the teacher wasn’t looking. Even now, when I think back on it, I can’t help but to consider that…Aiden Howell was a bit of an asshole. ‘Course he grew up and started a software company or something—so, I guess it was in his nature.
“I see,” the diamond said, dimming as if a little…I dunno, sad? “Well, then, I suppose your ignorance as to the nature of your ascendancy is understandable. I will… I will do what I can to update your knowledge—though, there are many things that I will be unable to reveal to you at this time. My abilities in that regard are greatly strained. That was the purpose of the Apocrypha—it was much more extensive as to what you were to be doing for your training while you were gone.”
A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.
I was…well, confused. None of this was making sense. I’d just had this thing ripped out of me by the forces of magnetism, and now I was supposed to just ignore that and move on? Start discussing my, what? Life in bayou country?
“Well…” I said, breathing slowly to try and counteract the panic that was crawling up my throat. “What can you tell me, now? I’m the kind of guy that needs a lot of information to get me to a salient point—maybe too much so, if you can believe some of the professionals.”
This was…being generous to myself. Very specifically, the idea of not having as much information as possible was upsetting to my sensibilities. I spent hours and hours each day making sure I knew exactly what each subtle shift in my physical health was so that I could counteract immediately for whatever mystery sickness was beginning to take hold. Falling into a place like this without so much as a travel guide…well, those were the things I had nightmares about. I mean, I still used GPS when walking around Louisville—my own damn city—so that I knew precisely how long it would take me to get somewhere—even though I knew the place better than I knew my own body. Which, at this point, was pretty well.
“So…” I continued, “where are we, and what am I supposed to be doing here? You said this was…Bogland?”
“The Boglands,” the diamond corrected.
“Right,” I said. “What’s that?”
“The Boglands have been the dwelling place of the Trask Clan for generations, long before the realm you know came into existence."
My mind whirled. I didn’t like these vague half-answers. I needed info goddammit, not a puzzle.
"And where exactly are these Boglands located?" I said, trying to force myself to be polite despite my hackles raising.
"They exist where they have always existed," the voice said patiently, "in the Eastern Region of the continent of Valdrimoria."
"Valdri…whatia?" I asked, the name sounding foreign and unfamiliar on my tongue. "Is that in Europe?"
The diamond pulsed softly, as if contemplating my question.
“I am sorry, what is…Yrup?”
I’d almost have laughed if I wasn’t so keen on maintaining my calm. I couldn’t help but think of my high school geography teacher, Mrs. Thompson, who'd always insist we knew our continents. She'd be extremely disappointed right now.
“You know…England, France…Luxembourg?” I said. “It’s a continent. One of the most diverse on the surface of Earth.”
"Urth? I am…also unfamiliar with that term. Well…if you are referring to the realm you inhabited until moments ago, then no. The world you are now in is Dralore, and more specifically, as mentioned: the Boglands, your, erm, ancestral domain."
“Yeah…I guess that’s what you said,'' I muttered, looking around at the colossal trees circling the clearing of water I was standing in. "So I’m in another world? Thought it’d look more…I dunno, alien? Don’t get me wrong, the Burj Khalifa-sized trees are a nice touch. It’s just, I thought maybe there’d be, like, green sky or six moons or sommat? Nevermind, I guess—you said the world is called ‘Dralore?’ And the landmass is Valda—Voldem—”
“Valdrimoria,” the diamond corrected.
“Uh-huh,” I said. “And we’re inside that country in a place called the Boglands. I think I got it.”
“That is excellent to know,” the entity said, sounding relieved.
I took a moment, letting all the information sink in. The weight of it pressed on my mind, making me feel like I was suffocating. I could feel a familiar anxiety bubbling up inside, threatening to take over. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, trying to calm the racing thoughts.
"Alright, Mister…Miss? Diamond," I began, my voice trembling slightly, "Let's say I believe all of this—which I'm not saying I do—but let’s say. What happens now? Am I stuck here forever? Is there a way back to...before?"
I think the diamond could tell by my pinched tone that I was starting to spiral because its glow shifted slightly.
"I’m sorry Leo,” it said. “But we’re short on time at the moment. For now, I suggest we move forward. There is much you need to see and understand."
There was a part of me that wanted to deny everything and bolt. But what would that accomplish? I couldn’t exactly hop on the TARC back to Iroquois Park, could I? There was another part, though, something about this whole situation. A piece of me kind of wanted it to be true—regardless of how outlandish it seemed. I’d always felt a bit out of sorts in the world—perks of passing through the system, I guess—and this…well, it might scratch that itch of belonging I’ve sought for such a long time. Having a home, any home, and someone telling me I was meant to be there was a nice feeling. Still, I wasn’t fully convinced. Not yet.
“Look,” I said. “Regardless of all o’ that, I think there's been a mistake. I'm just a regular guy who's had a rough go with health issues. I got no idea what you're talking about. I ain’t no…bog boy, or whatever. I’m from the South, but even I got my limits on what I consider bad taste."
The diamond seemed to glow brighter, emanating an oddly calming warmth.
"Leo, perhaps I have not been clear. You are not from…south? Here, as I mentioned, you’d be considered…from the east. North east. The world you knew is not your origin point. You are the last remaining member of the Trask Clan, the premiere family of the Boglands and Wardens of the Bog. This land, its creatures, and its stories are bound to your bloodline. Your destiny has led you back here."
"Okay, now,” I said carefully. “Wardens of the Bog? Premier family? None of that makes any sense to me. This is... well, it's insane."
I did feel like all the marbles in my head were either loose or missing. I’d been worried my mind had abandoned me long ago due to all the seemingly imaginary health complications I’d endured in my life…what was one more condition to add to the pile?
The diamond floated closer, its glow enveloping me like a comforting embrace.
"It may seem that way now, but in time, all will become clear. The only important detail at the moment is that you are home, Leo. And this land, it has awaited your return. We can figure out the rest along the way."
“Wait. Why was I…” I gestured at the sky. “...elsewhere? If I’m supposedly from here, why did I leave?”
“Ah,” the voice said. “I see where your confusion lies. You were sent to another realm for safety, and to protect the Trask bloodline until you were of age to reclaim your rightful position.”
“Protect the bloodline?” I asked. “From what?”
“That’s... a bit complicated,” the entity said. “We might have to discuss that later? Suffice to say: it is my duty to guide you, as I have done for each member of the Trask Clan these many millennia, ensuring you are fit to take up the mantle and the responsibilities that come with it.”
“Speaking of which…where do I go from here? What’s next?”
I had a lot to sort through in my mind. I’d gotten a full payload of bombs dropped on me just now, and it was difficult to process.
“That is up to you, Leo,” the entity said. “When you are ready to begin, you need only say the words.”
“Really?” I wondered. “But what will we be…beginning?”
“Your journey, your ascension, your baptism, of sorts,” the entity said.
“So, will this involve pants?” I asked, looking down at my sopping wet body only barely concealed behind the paper thin fabric of the fully-drenched hospital gown.
I can't believe I'm discussing interdimensional travel while worrying about pants. What has my life come to?
I noticed now that we had reached, despite what the intention may have been, a deeper stretch of bog, the water nearly up to my hips. What was the deal? I thought we were supposed to be going to shallower pastures?
“Pants? Erm, perhaps,” responded the entity. “That also, I suppose, depends on you.”
“Excellent,” I said, rubbing my hands together. “Pants here I come!” Then I paused. “Oh…what do I call you anyway?”
“Oh, a nomenclature query! My formal title is Steward of the Bog, Keeper of Bogland Secrets and solemn guardian of the Trask lineage,” the entity provided helpfully.
Well, that’s not going to work, I thought. I was a simple man with a simple man’s brain. I needed something shorter.
“Do you have, like, a nickname?” I asked hopefully. “Like…Stu, or maybe something that reminds me less of an adult man with braces?”
“Well, your mother and father referred to me as ‘Myri,’ would that work?” the…Steward of the Bog—and other stuff—asked exuberantly. “It means ‘of the marsh.’”
I sorta froze there, because hearing a reference to my parents—my actual, biological mother and father—was…well, it was kind of odd. Almost…haunting. For years, they’d been abstract figures in my imagination. Now they were suddenly real, and, well, it shook me more than I wanted to admit. I was interested. Wouldn’t anyone be? Maybe it wouldn’t hurt to learn more about them if I could? I mean, I was apparently some great scion of a dead bloodline, so, I might as well open the family photo album and have a little peek, right? Though, maybe a bit later. I had a lot of stuff to wrap my mind around at the moment.
“Myri works great,” I said. “Pleasure to meet you. Now, I dunno what I’m stepping into, but that’s nothing new. I’d like a bit more information…but it sounds like I’m not going to get any yet. So, I say we get started.”
“Excellent!” exclaimed Myri, brimming with excitement. “Let the trial begin!”
With those words, the water around me seemed to shimmer, as if reacting to the entity’s proclamation.
“Hold on—WHAT?!” I shouted. “Trial? Like…in court?”
“Oh,” said Myri. “I suppose I had already forgotten about your lack of Apocryphal understanding. No, no. You will need to participate in the Trial of the Bog, which will test your courage, intellect and connection to this realm—to prove your worth as a successor. Just like all previous Knights. …It’s tradition.
“Knights?!!” my voice spiked again. “What are you even talki—”
Suddenly, a section of water about a hundred feet from me roiled violently. I barely had time to process what was happening before a massive form burst from the water's surface. Its black scales shimmered with a hint of radiant green, and two large, menacing eyes glowed with a burning intensity. A huge, elongated snout opened to reveal rows of sharp teeth, snapping at the air just inches from my face. The only thing I could think was, “that’s a huge fucking gator!”
Holy shit! The realization hit me like a freight train. This wasn’t just any alligator or crocodile—which I still confused the difference of—this thing was colossal, like something out of a prehistoric nightmare. Myri conveniently skipped the part about the dinosaur-sized predators! Out of an instinct of self-preservation I turned away.
"MYRI!" I screamed, panicked, as I began dashing towards one of the little muddy banks near the trees, desperately trying to escape the water. "A little heads-up would've been nice!"
"Ah, Leo," Myri's voice chimed in cheerfully, seemingly unaffected by the imminent danger I was in. "This is a necessary part of the Trial. Do not worry, you will likely be fine. Simply look for the ripples.”
“RIPPLES?!” I roared. “What do you mean?!”
“Just as I said: ripples. Look for them. You’ll find them if you seek them out. Perhaps, like some before you, even if you don’t. Then, assuming you survive this encounter…just make your way to the Ancestral Mangrove. I will await your arrival there."
"SON OF A—" I shouted back, my voice full of fear and anger. Mostly fear. “WHERE THE HELL IS THAT?!”
But as I glanced over my shoulder, I saw the monstrous…monster give chase, its massive form cutting through the water with terrifying speed. I knew, more so than any other time in my life, that I was doomed.