Chapter 4

*

I walked all the way home and thankfully it didn't rain since alot of weird stuff had been happening today... 

It all seemed normal at first but it still made me feel uneasy... Like something big was going to happen. 

I took out my keys and unlocked the front door, walked in and all I heard through the hallway was the sound of the TV coming from the living room

I made my way there and saw the twins sleeping over each other, they had always done this since they were little kids and now they've grown so big

And since they were too big to carry I had to wake them up to go to their rooms. While guiding then up the stairs I checked to see if Tyler was in his room

"Big T's in Dad's study, he said he'd get some work done..." Zack started 

"...before (yawn) Mom and Dad come home" Zoe sleepily completed

I smiled as I watched them go into their separate room. 

I went to Dad's study and sure enough Tyler was there doing what looked like paper work

"You're late" he said not looking up from his work

"I'm fine, and my day was great thanks for not asking" I replied sarcastically 

"Haha... Very funny..." He looked up now "... Didn't AJ drop you off" he asked

"Nop... Granny Hitler came to visit and I had somewhere to go to" I answered lazily glancing at the books in the study

"Mrs Margaret... I guess I'll be seeing a more feminine side of AJ" Tyler chuckled, I kinda found it weird that my brother was checking out my best friend 

"So where did you run off to since AJ's out of the picture" He said cutting me off my trail of taught 

I was hesitant to answer at first recalling whatever happened at Mr Jonathan liberty... 

"You alright there..."Tyler asked

"Yea... Sure... Sorry about that, today was abit stressful so I stopped at Mr Jonathan's place" I stuttered out 

Tyler now stood up and walked over to me putting a hand over my shoulder 

"Hey... You know I'm here if you wanna talk about anything..." I smiled at that

"... Or want me to beat up anyone at school... I'm down for that too" I playfully hit his arm laughing 

"Well there's Ethan, he's throwing a party this Friday... Guess you could beat him up as compensation for forcing me to attend his dumb party" I said with a mischievous smile 

Tyler laughed out loud "Sure, just text me the address of the party" 

It cool talking to my brother sometimes, he always knows what to do and cheers me up too

"Dinner's in the oven, I'll be up late so go to bed when you're done. Now get lost, I have work to do" he said smiling and tousling my hair 

"Hey" I pushed his hand away trying to straighten out my hair while I was leaving the room, closing the door behind me "Good Night Ty"

"Good Night Jess"

I made my way downstairs to the kitchen, heated up my dinner... ate silently while going through social media. 

I took a pic of me eating and posted with the hashtag #latenightsnack

I washed the leftover dishes and went upstairs to freshen up and get ready for bed

When I came out of the bathroom the first thing I noticed was the brown paper packed with books and that old journal slipping out of my bag

I crawled over to the middle of my bed to check it out. 

I opened the bag completely and brought out all the books, I picked up the journal and it actually looked really old, especially the leather on it, then I remembered Mr Jonathan's word's 

'...That book will test you...'

I took a deep breath and opened the book. The pages were.... Blank?? 

I flipped through the book and it was the same

I actually didn't expect that... I mean it was glowing a while ago and now there's nothing inside... That's a bummer

I set it down in front of me "If it belonged to Mr Jonathan then it shouldn't be empty..."

Suddenly I noticed a faint glow coming from my backpack, alot of weird things keep happening today...

Might as well see how it ends... 

I moved towards the bag and brought out the glowing gem... 

It was a fascinating sight to see even as it glowed faintly... I looked closely at it... It was more beautiful now... I cautiously put it on just to see what it'd look like on me

Then the glow of purple became stronger and the light was blinding filling every corner of my room... I felt great power... like i could do anything... as if I was one with the gem now... 

I turned around and noticed the book was closed... I was sure I left it open so I picked it up again and this time it opened itself... 

Then Suddenly... 

'HELLO MASTER'

(The words Faded into the blank page) 

I yelped and dropped the book 

'PLEASE, DO NOT BE FRIGHTEN, I COME TO SERVE WHOEVER THE BOOK HAS CHOOSES' 

I curiously shifted back to the book

"Wow, I'm now going crazy, what's more weird, the fact that words are magically being written on the page or the fact it just turns itself"

'THE ANCIENT BOOK HAS HELPED PEOPLE GET THEIR DESIRED ONCE UPON A TIME AND HAPPY ENDINGS. ARE YOU READY TO ENBARK ON THIS JOURNEY'

The writings that appeared on the book were old and beautiful in black ink... 

"Eh... Hello... Mr book... Mmm... I don't know what this is all about but... I think your real master would be Mr Jonathan" I said abit scared

The page flipped again and started writing 

"THE KEEPER OF THE BOOK IS PASSED DOWN FROM GENERATIONS TO ONLY THE NEXT CHOSEN ONE WHICH IS WHY I AM HERE TODAY"

"So, you think I'm the chosen one" I asked

"ONLY THE BOOK DECIDES WHO TO BE PASSED DOWN TO AS THE CHOSEN ONE"

"So that's a yes then" I asked curiously 

"IF THE CHOSEN ONE SHALL ACCEPT THIS GRAND QUEST, SHALL WE BEGIN?"

I wasn't sure of the answer to that question... I mean my life is perfect... What more can this book give me that I don't already have?? 

"Sure... I guess"

"BE WARNED THAT IF THIS QUEST IS COMPLETED YOU SHALL BE REWARDED WITH GREAT POWERS BEYOND COMPARE AND A SPIRIT GUIDE MAN OR BEAST"

That sounds fair... But wait

"What happens... if... I maybe... fail"

"YOU WILL BE STUCK IN THE NIGHTMARE YOU CALL A DREAM FOR ETERNITY AND YOUR WORLD WILL FALL INTO GREAT DESPAIR"

WHAT THE FIZZY POP DOES THAT MEAN... I can't do this... I'm not that confident... The whole world is at stake if I try and fail... No I can't 

"I don't think I can do this, I return the book back to Mr Jonathan tomorrow... He has to find someone else" 

With that I closed the book and stuffed it into my bag... That was enough excitement for one night... 

Not to mention scary... It felt like I was in some kind of movie where I was tested for a life and death mission 

I took a deep breath and took hold of my teddy Mr Snuggles next to my bed before turning of the light... 

Third person POV

The skies were it's normal colour of dark clouds lined with lighting... A cold atmosphere which crawled up your skin... 

Underneath all this stood a castle which once stood in it's glory sending terrors to whoever stood in it's path...

Footsteps were heard in the once grand hallway as the windows reflected what it saw on the outside... The once elegant Velvet carpet now laid in the wrong shade of red...

The surrounding alway felt like the walls had ears and the painting on the walls watched your every move...

The creaking of the great stone chamber doors could be heard from all over and within one was washed over by the smell of smoke and most foul of ingredients... The creation of yet another failed spell

"Sorry to disturb my lady but we bring news" Said one who was not a beast but not a man as well... also a failed but loyal test subject

The room was filled with an eerie silence... She spoke in a voice which could charm any heart... A sound similar to a siren accompanied with such power, pleasant to the ear yet so alluring to death... Very few hear this sound and live to tell the tail... It was always said "Dead men tell no tails"

"Speak"

The element of fear filled the room as it was clear she was running out of patience

"Yes my lease... The time we have been waiting for is finally here... The book has chosen it's successor"

With this news she sprung around and with peering green eyes... Truly an epitome of beauty yet the most feared creature the universe has ever inhabited 

"What??"

"Yes my lady... As the prophecy for told the crystal moon is upon us... The only time the strength of the curse is weakened"

A loud shrike from as far as the ear could hear made the servant hide his ears with fear of losing his ability to hear like the last messager... It was considered a gift from the red lady to  still have your tongue intact 

"Finally... My chance to free myself from this dreaded cursed valley and take back what is mine... Oh dear sister of mine... Enjoy taking care of my kingdom while it lasts... It's time for all the great nations of Soraina to finally know it's true Queen... Hahaha..."

The intention to bring to an end the peace which past Kings and Queens risked their lives to uphold is about to go down in shambles...

"The Kingdom of Soraina won't even know what hit them"

.............................................