(Narrator: Ijan) Subsequently departure from the stronghold, we advanced towards Evanthia’s vehicle. I piloted it to my abode, where they discussed next steps. “We should take the route through the Empódian forest, a natural border between our countries and the only place where there are no guards and the weakest magical border.” Evanthia held “However, it is next to impossible to navigate through it.” I countered. “Yeah, but I know a special trick to find the way through the forest, plus there is no alternative route; the only way to enter Balad-alqamar from Chóra-fýs.” “Fine, however you’re certain about how to navigate through these woods.” “One-hundred per cent sure now; should we get some rest and head for the forest tomorrow?” “Yes, I believe we must get adequate rest before embarking on our quest.”
Thus, we made the arrangements for the quest. I stowed away some apparel which was identical white button-up blouses paired with black chinos, my electronics, some moon sliver precipitate, a cartograph of Migica, its respective monarchies and the quarters adjacent to the extremities and artefacts, my lunar staff, a pavilion, a revolver along with its ammunition, a dagger, an ignitor and igniting-twigs plus supplementary fundamentals.
While Evanthia, with my assistance, crossed the threshold to the fortress and stowed some of her apparel, potions, books, her holographic communicator, and some other essentials.
During the duration of her stowing away essentials in her fortress, I proceeded to arrange the lounger for her to slumber in, for I was not allowing anyone to sleep adjacent to me for sensory whys and wherefores. Upon her arrival, she questioned, “Hey Ijan, what are you doing?” “I am setting my lounger for you to slumber in.” I retorted, focused on the orientation of my lilac cushions. “Oh, I thought I would get the bed.” She assumed “Yes, you were wrong with your assumption.” With that, I advanced towards my chamber.
A few minutes after Ijan closed the door to his room, I heard his steady breathing through the door (I know, reader, this chapter is complicated as there is more than one narrator, but in the latter chapters there may be more than three)
After leaving the vault, I didn’t get a chance to process what I had done. I turned Mom, the queen of Chóra-fýs and Tera, the future Epígeios-polemistís, into stone for a person who is rude enough to leave the couch for me while he slept in a huge bed which we made together talk about rudeness. Sometimes I don’t even understand Ijan; ok, he may have saved my butt multiple times, but I would thank him for it, while he would look annoyed if I would save his, his perfectly………. Nothing. Please forget about what I said, but jokes apart. He is kind, and I know he genuinely likes my company (wish I could say he likes me but there is no possibility to even think of that.), but there are the little things like what happened now; it is as if he hates being near me. He flinches when touch him, hug him or any physical contact (this is all highly plutonic though : ( . ) you know why I am even ranting about Ijan, turned my family into stone and on top of that, I stole a sacred artifact from the palace and committed an act of treason the future queen committed treason beside from that I hurt and betrayed my family whom I loved deeply, what kind of queen does that. I lay down on Ijan’s couch, which was soft and cosy, and thought about next steps and later on I fell fast asleep.
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The subsequent day I rose earlier than customary. I discovered Evanthia was still slumbering. I advanced to the kitchenette and prepared some breakfast, which consisted of pancakes and maple molasses. I perceived that at one point Evanthia rose as the aroma tranced her into the kitchenette. “Hey Ijan,’ she greeted as she relished the aroma “Mmmm…… I missed your pancakes,” She commented as she perched herself at the small breakfast counter where, ironically, all meals are consumed. “Good morrow to you too,” I said as I served the pancakes to both of us. As we were consuming the meal, Evanthia said, “So we must go to the Xylódis park in the city of Dásos, where there is the entrance of the Empódian forest, but it is hidden and can change its location.” I inclined my head in acknowledgement and retorted, “Well, I heard the foliage of these woodlands can translocate themselves; hopefully your plan shall work.’
Evanthia consumed the pancakes with an undignified haste and went for a second serving while I nibbled on my pancakes. After we finished with our meal, we departed for the woodland. I disguised myself in a misapprehension of typical Fýsiks civilians.
We took my car, and Ijan covered it with another illusion, making it look like a different car, and we headed on our journey from Fýsi to the Xylódis park in the city of Dásos, which had the entrance of the Empódian forest. Ijan took the wheel as I sat at the front passenger seat as usual.
“The Empódian forests acted as a border between Chóra-fýs and Balad-alqamar.” I said while Ijan focused on the sky-road, “The trees in this forest are so old and have various medicinal properties. There used to be several passageways through this forest but they are now blocked out. Now this forest is so dense that people get lost in an instant but we won’t as, I know a secret about the forest.” Ijan griped the string wheel tighter. After a few minutes Ijan played some music (ok I did not know he likes music) which was some old band which was popular in the 70’s (note from the author: the 70’s Evanthia is referring to is the in the year 9970 which is the same as the year 1990 in our world. No offence BSB. BSB forevereeeeeeeeeeee.) I don’t know the name but the songs are nice, not my type but nice.
I put my head out of the window enjoying the view down below. I remembered the sky-road trips I’d go mom, dad and Tera, when I was very young. We would pass by beautiful views, visit local ruins, famous monuments and fun places. However now dad disappeared, I turned mom and Tera into stone and now I am going on a death quest with my best friend who is also the most unbearable person in this universe. I meant he could play music we both liked.
The way over there was beautiful. Green and gold fields, multi coloured orchards and herb gardens stretched below us. At some points there would be the ruins of an ancient Fýsik temple or monument. It took us three hours, but we reached the Xylódis park. As we entered the park, we were met with beautiful lush green fields, and small hills where kids rolled off, pathways lined with verdant bushes with a variety of flamboyant flora, and at the back, surrounding the garden were tall massive trees of the forest behind the park. We headed to the backside of the park. Today, oddly, there were fewer people, and no one was there at the rear end of the park. The woods looked eerie as the trees rose over us. The woods were dark in contrast with the bright, lush park in front of it.
So, we walked along the border of the park in search of the entrance to the forest. Suddenly Ijan stopped and called for me. As I met him, he said, “I assume I have discovered the entrance.” As he pointed to a wall of plants, no entrance was to be seen.