"My brain hurts, thanks gran" Rex replied, totally lost at her latest statement.
"Let me start at the beginning to make it a little easier on you," she said sitting down with her coffee, "this may take a while, and please save the questions for the end."
Rex sat hurriedly, totally enthralled that he was finally going to find out things he had merely dreamt about, he was secretly hoping for a mention of why his parents dropped him off and had not come back for him.
Taking in a deep breath, Iris began her explanation,
"This existence isn't the only one that connects to this world, there are a few more, that both you and I and many more belong to, in these places things not thought possible there exist in harmony with everyone, things like magic, for example, as I hear you have already had a small taste yourself. In our world what you would think impossible is quite common, like your feat of strength and the slowing of time, which is quite rare I must admit, the reason why I was surprised you saw me talking to an old friend of mine and how you saw me leave is an extremely rare gift, a gift that allows for you to see through certain barriers erected, like mine with me trying to be discreet, only a small amount of people can even do that at all, I thought it myth myself until I spoke with a person called "The Curator." She is quite knowledgeable about all things magical and you will see her in due time, you were not supposed to be having this conversation until after your 18th birthday, then you would follow me back and take your place in the realm we both actually belong to, there is a reason your parents left you here with me and why they called you Rex, you will find out why in good time, for that is not my place to tell, yet. As for the dagger you saw, I asked my cloaked friend you saw across the street and they told me they knew nothing of who was sent to kill you, but we will find out eventually, now any questions?' She said smiling at Rex sitting mouth agape again.
"This...can't be real" Rex stammered, he had read many storybooks, and this sounded like Iris was adding her own spin to it.
"With everything I have told you, and you experienced, that is all you have to ask?" Iris chuckled, taking a long drink from her cup.
"And the man with the huge hand?" Rex demanded trying to ignore her chuckling at him.
"That is my late husband's good friend, his name is Ley, he is what we call a 'Bohl.' A race of people from the Ragnar Mountains in Bhutan, they are quite large because they are part human and part ogre, quite friendly and can be very intelligent if you ask me," she said.
Rex didn't know what to think, except the question that has plagued him for as long as he could remember, "if I'm from another realm, why am I here and not there? Why did my parents abandon me?"
"That is a story that is hard for me to explain to you, trust me when I say, it was not a decision made lightly, what I will tell you is that it was to protect you from who was coming," Iris replied, scowling.
Must be something serious if she looks this upset Rex thought, so his next question was, "so when can we leave?"
"Once you were 18, we were supposed to be headed back to start your introduction into your new life, that cannot change, for it is important for us all," She said in a serious tone Rex had never heard before.
"Still as cryptic as ever..." Rex trailed off knowing he wasn't going to get much more it seemed.
"You're taking this surprisingly well," Iris said raising one eyebrow.
"I've always known for a long time I was different," Rex said shrugging his shoulders, "this had just confirmed my suspicions, one more question gran, how is a whole different world been kept hidden?"
"Not a new world dear, it is a plane of existence that connects to this one through a gateway held safe by a chosen one called 'The Gatekeeper,' he or she is charged with keeping our people in and others out that have no permission crossing the border, another delightful man you'll soon meet, I know his mother," Iris winked.
Gatekeeper sounds terrifying and Iris speaks about him like they are family friends.
"So why do I have to wait until I'm 18 to go home?" He asked, emphasizing the words GO HOME to get his point across.
"To begin the path to take your rightful place, of course," she said.
Once again confused, Rex had gotten answers and also many more questions.
"Now that I have told you all I can tell you for now, you need to get yourself sorted for tomorrow," Iris said, standing and washing her cup before placing it on the sink. "What's tomorrow?" Rex asked, not hiding a little excitement just in case it was something to do with the news he had just heard. "School of course dummy" she laughed. What a letdown that was, Rex thought to himself, he had let his imagination run wild and had forgotten that tomorrow was still Monday, which meant he was back to school. Back to another week of torture, he sighed, for that was what awaited him each day he went to school. Just like at home it seemed that Rex had the same routine at school, every day he had his classes, lunch by himself, more boring classes, then home, a little homework, and then video games until dinner, and then it was a shower and a little sleep. So, when Monday came around, true enough, his routine kicked in, he had breakfast, got ready, and rode his bike to school, but instea
"So have you lived here long?" Vanessa queried. "I came to Oak when I was a baby and yourself?" Rex replied. "I'm from a small town called Valen," she said. "I've never heard of a place called Valen," Rex said racking his brain for a place with that name, "Where is that?" "It's a small place, to the east, not far from the ocean," she smiled, "My mother moved here for an important job, and she dragged me with her," She frowned, Rex could tell she was not happy about it. "Well with it being so close to the end of school exams, I'm not surprised you're not happy about the move, new school, new teachers, that's a lot of pressure on you," Rex sympathized. "My mother certainly puts a lot of pressure on me, that's for sure," she muttered, still frowning. To lighten her mood Rex asked about her likes, they spoke about movies, and books, and Rex spoke about the river. *RIIIIIINNNNGGG* Damn! Just when Rex thought he was truly getting somewhere with her, lunch was already over, he waite
"Is that you Rex?" Iris called out, rounding the corner into the dining room at the same time Rex had entered, "Oh my god what happened to you?" She exclaimed, seeing him covered from head to toe in dirt and wearing torn clothes, "Did those boys beat you up again? I might have to talk to their mothers" she said angrily while fidgeting over Rex to examine his injuries. "No gran, it wasn't that, my front tyre on my bike blew and threw me forwards over the handlebars, I'm ok except for a few cuts and scrapes, my clothes seem to be the in the worst condition" Rex said trying his best to get Iris to stop fussing over him. "What cuts and scrapes?" After turning him around and looking him up and down once more, she said, "you have none on you that I can see." "What do you mean? My knees and elbows are all busted...up??" He stammered, getting confused as he twisted and turned his arms and legs around in shock, there was nothing to show what damage he had sustained from his bike accident th
Rex could barely hold his attention in his class, the only thing he could think about was dinner plans, what meals he wanted to try, dining setup, he was putting a lot of thought into trying to make the night memorable. The sound of the end-of-class bell brought him back to reality, quickly packed up and he made his way to his bike. Nothing had made him this happy in a long time, he was not going to ruin it! Rex peddled quickly as he made his journey home, wanting to give himself as much time as possible to be prepared. Galloping into the house after dropping his bike off he was that preoccupied he nearly ran into Iris. "What has you in such a hurry!!??" She cried out just being able to jump to the side in time. "I'm going to need your help gran, I have a visitor coming for dinner tonight!!" He chirped. Must be an important person Iris thought, "who is this visitor?" Blushing a little, he said sheepishly, "It's a girl from school." "My my is that so?" Iris grinned, "what do you
Ripping his head around to where the voice had come from, Rex squinted into the darkness and saw a face he remembered very quickly."What are you doing here??" Rex said, jumping up off the seat."I have come to finish the job my daughter doesn't seem to be able to do!" She sneered, glaring at Vanessa. Rex knew exactly what Vanessa's mother meant when she pulled out the bow that was over her shoulder, sliding an arrow out from behind her. "I don't understand!!??" Rex exclaimed, very confused at the current situation he was being thrust into. "You don't have to." She sneered, pulling back on the arrow loaded into the bow and loosing it at Rex.Well this is how I'll die, Rex thought to himself, frozen from shock because his brain didn't have time to comprehend what was happening. All he could do was stand there and watch as the arrow drew closer toward him, as if in slow motion.Only one more foot until it hits its intended target...*CLING* The sound of metal hitting metal rang out i
"You took the only person I cared about!!" Vanessa and Rex both roared, surprisingly at the exact same time. “Only you were supposed to die tonight!” Cried Vanessa, “all of this is because of you!” She started moving towards Rex, only one thing in her mind, revenge! “Why were you trying to kill me? I have done nothing to either of you! I didn’t even know you until recently!” Rex yelled seeing Vanessa moving on him with her dagger at the ready. “Your family ruined us!” She said, she was only a few feet away now, still solid determination for the kill written all over her face. “If you want a fight, here I am!” Rex said. He just realised in the heat of the moment, he had no weapon to help. So he did the only thing he could of, raise both hands up, fists clenched at Vanessa. “Are you that cocky you think you can take me without a weapon!!?” Vanessa sneered, “very well!” Adjusting her grip for a stab, Vanessa thrust the dagger towards Rex’s stomach. She was trying to inflict as muc
Whipping around Rex quickly got himself at the ready for another possible fight. "Calm yourself young prince, I come with no intention to fight, my deepest apologies I am late." The stranger said, looking at Iris with deep sadness on his face. "Who are you? And you called me 'young prince'?" Rex said relaxing a little. I really need to work on being aware of my surroundings Rex thought himself, he was really getting sick of how easy it was for people to get the jump on him. "Yes, that is your title, I will explain it all to you soon, we were supposed to all be travelling together while Iris and I were going to give you a history lesson on our way to Calrend " the man said, lifting Iris up and carrying her to the middle of the yard, "let us free her soul before we continue, it is important." "Ok, I'm missing so much of who I'm supposed to be, what I am, where I'm from..." Rex started off, he was tired of being in the dark when all he wanted was
"Ok you two that's quite enough," Markus said as he came through the portal a few minutes after Rex. "You'll be fine, just breathe." Putting a hand on Rex's shoulder. "Just a little fun Lord Markus, meant no harm by it" said one of the men, Rex looked up after his eyes had adjusted a little better and the nausea was waning, that's weird, did I just hear them call Markus 'Lord'?, that's curious Rex thought, he then noticed that standing not far away from Rex was 2 men who were eyeing Rex off eagerly. On closer inspection those 2 men looked exactly alike! Both men looked to be about 5 and a half foot tall, both had long hair tied back into a pony tail, except one had black hair at the base which greyed at the tips, while the other had brown which also greyed at the tips, they also shared the same eye colour, both men seem to have orange pupils. "Yes prince Rex, we are twins, except I'm the good looking one" chuckled one of the men after seeing the look on Rex's face as he gazed from o