Chapter 5: A New Resolve

Daniel trembled as he shuffled over to Izabelle in a bid to rouse her. With a brisk shake of her shoulders, she began to come around, her eyes rolling over the new backdrop before her as they widened. "What in the hell?!"

Daniel took a deep breath and steadied himself. "We are safe for now, I have a lot to tell you. Let's wake Jamie and the kids and then I'll fill you in."

Izabelle nodded with confusion, wrestling down the urge to say ‘phrasing,’ especially after hearing Jamie was here.

Her gaze fell on the form of her Brother-In-Law before flashing to the kids as she knelt beside them and nursed them to consciousness.

The cavern was cold, the chill seeping into Daniel’s bones as he knelt beside his brother, Jamie.

His eyes traced every line of his brother’s face, memorising the details as if afraid they would vanish the moment he looked away.

It had been five long years since they’d last been together. Somehow though, in this strange world, they were reunited in the most surreal set of circumstances.

Daniel’s hand trembled slightly as he reached out, hesitating for just a moment before placing it gently on Jamie’s shoulder. The warmth beneath his palm was a welcome relief, a solid reassurance that this was real, his brother was really here.

Jamie’s body was still, his breathing deep and steady, as if he were merely asleep.

Daniel held onto his brother's shoulder, the reality of their reunion still sinking in.

It was only when he felt a tiny hand tugging at his sleeve that he loosened his grip, glancing down to see Diana and Felix, their wide eyes staring curiously at the uncle they had never met in person.

“This is your Uncle Jamie,” Daniel said softly, his voice a mixture of pride and disbelief. “You finally get to meet him.”

Jamie had long chestnut coloured hair and blue eyes like his brother. He stood a couple of inches shorter than his brother and had an average build.

Diana, ever the brave one, stepped forward, her tiny fingers brushing against Jamie’s arm. “Uncle Jamie?” she echoed, her voice filled with wonder. Felix, still too young to understand, gurgled happily as he reached out to grab a handful of Jamie’s shirt.

Daniel smiled, a bittersweet pang in his chest. “Yeah, that’s him. He’s been waiting a long time to meet you two.”

Izabelle stepped forward, her presence a steadying force amidst the whirlwind of emotions. She placed a gentle hand on Daniel’s back, her touch grounding him in the moment.

Daniel nodded, the weight of the situation pressing down on him once more. He glanced down at Jamie before shaking him semi-violently in a bid to bring him around.

There was little success however. Daniel slapped his unsuspecting brother across the cheek a couple of times, which was not only successful, but also an enjoyable experience. After years of his brother hogging the computer as children, playing Runescape, vengeance was divine.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

“Daniel?” Jamie’s voice was groggy, confused. “What the hell...?”

Daniel chuckled softly, helping his brother to sit up. “Hey, that's what Izzy said! And yeah, it’s me. And before you ask, no, you’re not dreaming. I think.”

Jamie’s brow furrowed as he took in their surroundings, the cavern’s dim light casting eerie shadows on the walls. “Where are we?”

Daniel exhaled slowly, sitting back on his heels. “That’s a long story, one I’m still trying to wrap my head around. But the short version? We’re in another world apparently, which sounds mental, I know. Elmstree—this old chap who brought us here—he said it’s called the Prima.”

Jamie blinked, his expression a mixture of disbelief and concern. “Another world? Come on now. Are you serious?”

“Dead serious, somehow,” Daniel replied, his tone leaving no room for doubt. “And apparently, we’re here to save it. Or at least, that’s what Elmstree said before he... well, before he died.”

Jamie’s eyes widened. “He’s dead? Already? What the hell kind of world did we end up in?”

Daniel shook his head. “One that needs saving, apparently. And somehow, we’re supposed to do it. Elmstree didn’t give me much to go on, but he mentioned a city called Sylvana, or Sylvara, something like that. Said we need to head there and find someone named Liriel, who sounds like he or she is fresh out of Lord of the Rings.”

Izabelle, who had been listening quietly, stepped forward. “So... we’re in a world we don’t know, tasked with a mission we don’t understand, and we have to do it with two young kids in tow. This is... a lot. I'm gonna go ahead and disregard your initial statement and go back to assuming I'm dreaming. See you when I wake up.”

“Augh, tell me about it,” Daniel muttered, running a hand through his ruffled hair. “But we don’t really have a choice. We kind of have to assume this is real at this point and make the best of it. Hopefully we will be proven wrong. Elmstree used some kind of forbidden magic.. Oh god I can't believe I'm saying the words.. magic.. actual magic... to bring us here. It cost him his life, so supposedly it's for a reason people will die for. I feel bad for the guy, he died right in front of me. Looked peaceful though, to be fair.”

Izabelle placed a gentle hand on Daniel's arm. "I'm so sorry you had to go through that, Love."

Jamie rubbed his temples, trying to process the information. “And what exactly are we supposed to do when we get to this Sylvana place?”

Daniel sighed. “I wish I knew. All he said was that we’d find clues about Liriel's whereabouts, and that she’s crucial to what needs to be done. Beyond that... we’re flying blind.”

The cavern fell silent as the weight of their situation settled over them. Daniel looked around at his family, seeing the worry in their eyes, the uncertainty that mirrored his own.

He also saw something else—a glimmer of determination, a spark of resilience that refused to be extinguished. Their family had been through the mire over recent years, why not chuck in being sequestered in a foreign world of magic and swords?

Finally, Izabelle broke the silence. “Well, we can’t stay here forever, even if I kind of want to, as god knows what is out there. If Sylvana is where we need to go, then that’s where we’ll head. We’ll figure out the rest as we go.”

Daniel nodded, grateful for her steady resolve. “Agreed. We’ll pack up whatever we can carry and start moving. Elmstree mentioned the city is deep within something called Shadowgrove. We’ll need to find a road or a trail that can lead us there.”

Jamie, still grappling with the reality of their situation, let out a deep sigh. “This is insane. But if you’re in, then so am I.”

“Thanks, man,” Daniel said, clapping Jamie on the back. “We’re all in this together.”

With a loose plan in mind, the family began to gather their belongings—what little they had—and prepared to leave the cavern. The sword Elmstree had given Daniel hung awkwardly at his side, a constant reminder of the path ahead.

Jamie looked down at the sword, “You got a sword? Nice.”

Daniel peered to the blade at his side before smiling, “I got a sword. Elmstree thought it would come in handy. I can’t help but feel like the most damage I can do with it is to myself, though.”

He still wasn’t sure how he would wield it if the time came, but for now, it was a symbol of the responsibility that had been thrust upon him.

As they made their way toward the cavern’s exit, the darkness outside seemed less daunting, the unknown slightly less terrifying. They were a family, and together, they would face whatever challenges this world had in store for them.

Sylvara was waiting, and so was their destiny.