Chapter Two: Visions Of The Future
Soon morning came, and the children had woken up. Each hoping that all that had happened was a bad dream. But when they saw each other and the room they were in, they knew it wasn't a dream. They now knew that they had a new home. A home they didn't choose. A home that they had to get use to. One way or the other, they were stuck there. So they decided to do what any kid might do.
Go exploring the palace.
"Are you sure we won't get in trouble doing this?", Taranee asked as she walked behind Will.
"Of course not.", Angelo said as he lead the way with Will walking behind him. "Haven't you ever wanted to see the inside of a castle?"
"I have!", Cornelia said as she was walking behind Taranee.
"I wonder if he has any unicorns.", Hay Lin pondered as she was walking behind Irma. "Oh! Maybe he has unicorns with wings!", she said getting excited.
"I wonder if there's something to eat around here.", Irma pondered as she was walking behind Cornelia when she suddenly felt and heard her stomach growl along with the other kids. "I'm so hungry!"
"Me, too.", Hay Lin said.
"Then let's find something to eat.", Will suggested.
"So where's the Kitchen?", Irma asked.
"I don't know.", Angelo said.
"Well, it is morning.", Taranee said. "Maybe we should follow the smell of cooking food.", she suggested.
"Works for me!", Irma said as she began to sniff the air.
"Wow! You're smart!", Hay lin said to Taranee making her smile.
"Thanks.", Taranee said.
"Where are you from?", Hay Lin asked.
"Sesamo.", Taranee answered. "Where are you from?"
"I'm from Hea-ther-field.", Hay Lin said trying to say the name of her hometown right. "Irma's from there too!"
"I'm also from Heatherfield.", Cornelia added. "What about you two? Where are you two from?"
"We're from Fadden Hills.", Will answered.
"So who ever kidnapped us must have been in different groups.", Taranee figured.
"I bet they all kidnapped us at the same time.", Angelo figured. "Like in the movies.", he said getting nods from all but Irma who was trying to find the scent of food.
"Are you okay, Irma?", Hay Lin asked her best friend.
"I'm trying to find the scent of food.", Irma replied as she was sniffing the air.
"Stop.", Cornelia said as she placed her hands on Irma's shoulders. "Just... stop."
"But I'm hungry!", Irma whined.
"My mother says that the more you try to find something, the harder it will be for you to find it.", Cornelia said.
"My Mommy says the same thing!", Hay Lin replied getting nods from the others.
"So we just wait for it to come to us.", Irma figured getting a nod from Cornelia. "Gee! You're pretty smart, Corny!", Irma said with a smile.
"Please don't call me that.", Cornelia said. "It doesn't sound right.
"Why not?", Irma questioned. "It sound okay to me."
"Hey! I smell something!", Hay Lin said. "And it smells good!"
"Lead the way!", Angelo said as Hay Lin began to follow the scent.
"Come on, Corny!", Irma said. "There's food a waiting!"
"Don't call me that!", Cornelia said as she followed the others.
With Hay Lin's nose, it didn't take the children long to find the Dining Hall, where there was a long table with some food set on it. Angelo, Will, and Cornelia sat on one side of the table while Irma, Hay Lin, and Taranee sat on the other side. Irma was about to dig in, when Hay Lin smacked her hand.
"Ow!", Irma cried as she rubbed her hand. "What was that for, Hay-Hay?"
"We have to say grace first.", Hay Lin said.
"She right.", Cornelia said. "It's the proper thing to do."
"Oh yeah.", Irma said remembering that her family said grace before every meal.
"So, who's going to say grace?", Will questioned.
"Why don't you say it, Hay Lin.", Angelo suggested.
"I would, but I can't remember what my Mommy, Daddy, or Grandma say.", she said with a slight blush.
"Ummmm... I can do it.", Taranee said with the raising of her right hand.
"Go for it.", Angelo said with a smile that Taranee returned.
Taranee, like the other kids put their hands together in a praying style. Then, after taking a deep breath...
"Dear Lord. Thank you for the food that is in front of us.", Taranee said beginning grace. "Please bless the ones that cook the food and set it here. And please bless those that are letting us stay here for the time being. And please let us find a way home. No matter how long it takes. Amen.", she prayed.
"Amen.", the other children said before putting some food on their plates and began eating.
"This is some good food!", Hay Lin said.
"It's not my mom's cooking but it is okay.", Irma said.
"I wonder if my mom and dad are looking me.", Cornelia pondered.
"Of course they are!", Angelo said. "Just like all of our moms and das are."
"But with that Veil up, they won't be able to find us!", Taranee said.
"This is those stupid rebels fault!", Angelo said getting angry. "When I get older, I'm going to kick their butts!"
"I'm with you!", Will said. "I want to make sure they don't take anymore kids from their mommies and daddies!"
"Me, too! I'm going to be strong like my Mommy and Daddy so i can kick some rebel butt!", Irma said before biting into a sausage.
"I say was all learn to fight.", Cornelia suggested. "That way, the rebels won't be able to take us again."
"I agree.", Taranee said with a nod along with the others. "The stronger we are the better we'll be at protecting ourselves and each other.", she said getting a nod from the others before they went back to eating.
Watching them from a distance was Phobos along a man with blonde hair and blue eyes and a woman with black hair and green eyes. The man was dressed on a green and red robe with green shoes while the woman was dressed in a green and white gown with white slippers.
"Look at them, Cedric.", Phobos said. "They are only children."
"Children of great warriors, Your Majesty.", Cedric said. "And to be honest, our key to taking down the rebels. You heard what they just said. They want to stop them. We just need to help them become the warriors they can be."
"Perhaps.", Phobos said pondering things. "But we have to think about their parents. The Veil will weaken, in time. And if they find a portal here, the parents will come to find their children."
"And when they find that we have taken care of them, they may join us in our fight against the rebels.", the woman replied. "And we both know that it will be years before the Veil is weak enough for portals to appear. By that time, the children will be teenagers and powerful warriors if we help them that is."
"You make a good point, Miranda.", Phobos said. "Besides. I'd rather have them on our side than join up with the rebels. Very well, Cedric. We shall help them become great warrior like their parents. And, hopefully, their parents will join us if and when they find a way here."
"Trust me, Your Majesty, they will join us.", Cedric said as they made their way to the table to join the children for breakfast.
Meanwhile, in the Infinite City that was under the world of Metamoor, the rebel leader was walking towards a large house where smoke where a light glowing from the window. Once at the door of the house, the rebel leader knocked on the door of the house. A few seconds later, the door opened to show a woman with long black hair and green eyes dressed in a brown battle dress with matching boots.
"Hello, Nerissa.", the rebel leader said to the woman.
"Hello, Mage.", Nerissa said to the rebel leader. "I see you're dressed for a fight.", she said with a smile as she saw the black and red battle dress with black boots the Mage was dressed in.
"One must be prepared, my friend. Just like you are.", Mage said looking at Nerissa and what she was dressed in.
"Like you said, one must be prepared.", Nerissa said. "I take it that you've come to see the Seer.", she said.
"Yes.", Mage said as Nerissa welcomed her in. "And you?"
"I wanted to know if Julian was coming back to me and Caleb.", Nerissa said sadly.
"I know it hurts that he choose to side with Phobos than with us rebels, my friend.", Mage said. "But Phobos has a way of turning people against their families.", she said as she put a comforting hand on Nerissa's shoulder. "But worry not. For if things work out for us the way I hope they will, then you and Caleb shall be reunited with Julian."
"Thank you, my friend.", Nerissa said when before turning her attention to the form of her sleeping son, who is sick.
"How is Caleb doing?", Mage asked referring to the sleeping eight-year-old brunette boy.
"He is doing better.", Nerissa said as she gently rubbed her son's forehead. "The Seer's herbs are working well."
"Father.", young Caleb called out in his sleep. "Please come back, father!"
"Shhhh... It's okay, Caleb.", Nerissa said in a soothing voice. "He may not be here, but your father loves you very much.", she said as a lone tear ran down her face.
Caleb then calmed own in his sleep as a woman in her early twenties, came walking into the room. She had long red hair that went down to her waist with a few bangs in front of her face. Her eyes were green like the forest that showed wisdom for one of her age. She was dressed in a green gown that went down to the top of her knees along with white leggings and brown shoes and a blue hooded cloak and brown fingerless gloves. Around her neck was a leather string holding a gold pendant with a ruby in the center.
"Mage.", the woman said in a calm tone.
"Seer.", Mage said. "I take it you know why I'm here."
"Yes.", the Seer said as she sat on a gray round carpet in a lotus position. "You want to know what will happen now that the children are in Phobos' care."
"Yes.", Mage said as she sat in a lotus position on a blue carpet in front of the Seer. "Can you tell me?"
"Better than that. I can show you.", the Seer said as she motioned for a small tray to float towards them using telekinesis.
Once close enough, the Seer had the tray land in between them. She then picked up a pitcher of water that was next to her and poured some water in the tray, before setting the pitcher down.
"Come and sit with us, Nerissa.", the Seer said. "For you are a part of this vision as well."
Curious about this, Nerissa sat next to the Mage in lotus position and looked at the tray of water along with Mage. The Seer then closed her eyes amd focused her power to see what was going to happen with the six children. She began to breath in and out taking deep breaths. After taking a few deep breaths, the Seer took and right hand touched the water with her index finger. Once she did, the water began to glow.
"Listen well, for what I tell you is important.", the Seer said. "The six children shall grow to become great warriors that will fight for Phobos against any and all of his enemies.", she said as the image of six figures of five girls and a boy appeared.
"How powerful will they be?", Mage asked.
"The daughter of Anthony and Susan Vandom shall be strong as thunder and powerful as lightning.", the Seer said as the image changed to that of a teenage girl with hair of crimson that went down to her shoulders with brown eyes. "She, like the others, shall be a fierce and skilled warriors."
She was dressed in a gray, short-sleeved, mid-drift top showing off her well toned belly with a black short-sleeve jack with pink trim along the edges of the jacket and it's pockets. She also wore a pair of black shorts that went down to just above her knees with a silver belt with black leather boots and black fingerless gloves. In her hands was a zanbatou which was a form of halberd with short wave sword sheathed and strapped to her sides. Mage and Nerissa saw that the girl was also wearing metal gauntlets with metal knuckles and metal shin greaves. The image showed her fighting off some enemy soldiers like it was nothing.
"I see.", Mage said as the image changed to that of a teenage brunette girl with apua-green eyes wearing a pair of jean shorts with a white mid-drift T-shirt and a sleeveless jean jacket and brown leather boots with a blue one-piece swimsuit under her clothes showing off her firm toned figure. "This one looks strong.", she said as she saw that the girl was holding a war hammer with a large head with a pair of maces strapped to her sides and a short sword strapped to her back along with her wearing metal gauntlets with metal knuckles and metal shin greaves.
"Very strong.", Nerissa said as she saw the girl swing the war hammer with ease.
"Indeed she is. For she is the daughter of Tom and Anna Lair.", the Seer said. "When she is in a good mood, she will be a calm as the ocean. Yet can be as powerful as a Tsunami and a storm combined in battle.", she replied as the image change to that of a teenage African-American girl with brown eyes and black hair in dreads that went down to her waist. "This one is the daughter of Lione and Theresa Cook. She shall be one of great knowledge at her young age that shall go well with her fighting skills."
The girl was dressed in a red sleeveless mid-drift top that showed off her well toned belly. She also had on a pair of black pants with a leather belt and brown leather boots and a red and black leather jacket with a tail that went down to her knees. In her hands was a crossbow with a quiver strapped to her left side of her waist with a pair of tonfas strapped to the back of her waist and a pair of katars sheathed and strapped to her sides. Mage and Nerissa looked to see the girl fight off some rebels with fighting moves that looked like she was dancing while fighting.
"Smart and graceful in combat.", Mage said. "A powerful combination.", she said as the image changed to that of a teenage girl with ice blue eyes and long blonde hair that went down to her rear. "And who is this?"
"This is the daughter of Harold and Elizabeth Hale.", the Seer said. "Do not let her looks fool you, Mage. "Behind her beauty, is a powerful warrior. She had great strength to back her up."
The girl was wearing a green battle dress with black shorts under it with brown boots with brown fingerless leather gloves that went up to her elbows along with a brown hooded cloak. In her hands was a broad sword that she handled with ease. At her back was a bow and a quiver of arrow with a chain sickle at her side.
"She shall be a handful.", Nerissa said.
"Indeed.", Mage said as the image changed to that of an Asian girl with gray eyes and long black hair that went down to her ankles with part of her hair in two buns on top of her head.
She was dressed in a purple, mid-drift, long sleeved shirt of which the sleeves were bell shaped and went past her hands with a purple skirt that went down to her ankles and was open in the front showing a pair of black shorts that went down to he knees with black boots and a black vest and black leather belt and black fingerless gloves that went up to her elbows. In each of her hands were small disc sized ring blades. Strapped to her back was a large, yet light, four point shruiken. Strapped to the back of her waist were a pair of ninja swords.
"This is the daughter of Chen and Joan Lin and the grandchild of Han and Yan Lin.", the Seer said. "Like the four of them, this girl shall be graceful and deadly in battle.", she said as the image showed the girl moving through a group of enemies swiftly while taking them down with quick and percise moves.
Then the image changed to that of an African-American boy with brown eyes and black hair in dreads that went down just below his shoulders. He was dressed in a pair of black jeans with a brown leather belt and brown leather boots with a white T-shirt with a black sleeveless T-shirt over it. He also was wearing a black leather trench-like coat with metal gauntlets with metal knuckles, and metal shin greaves. In his right hand was a double-bladed battle axe with a round shield in his left hand. Mage and Nerissa watched as the boy fought against his enemies taking them down with ease.
"And who is this?", Nerissa asked.
"This is the son of Jacob and Tanya Vanders and the grandchild of Joseph and Kadma Vanders.", the Seer said. "He shall be strong and brave. He will become a great warrior that will lead many a great battles.", she said as the images faded leaving the water as normal as it was when the Seer poured it in the tray.
"Is there a way to capture them and turn them to our side?", Mage asked as the Seer used her powers to make the water return to its pitcher.
"There is, but you must ready to act when the time is right.", the Seer said before turning to Nerissa. "You and your son shall lead four other warriors against the six warriors that you just saw in the water, Nerissa.", she said surprising the woman.
"We shall?", Nerissa questioned in surprise.
"Yes you shall.", the Seer said. "Two of the four shall be Caleb's friends, Aldren and Drake. They shall grow into great warriors just like Caleb will.", she said making Nerissa smile happy to know that her son will grow to be strong.
"And te other two warriors?", Mage asked.
"One will be one of the spies you have in the palace.", the Seer replied. "The one known as Vathek. For he shall be found out as a spy."
"When will this happen?", Mage asked.
"Do not worry. He shall escape with aid from your other spies.", the Seer said.
"And what of the final warrior?", Nerissa asked.
"His name is Frost the hunter.", the Seer answered. "His skills shall be of great use to the rebels. You must send one of your best scouts to his village and ask for his aid. He will come for the trill of battle. Do as I tell you and your chances of capturing the six may go well."
"May go well?", Mage questioned with a raised eyebrow.
"The future isn't written in stone, Mage.", the Seer said. "I only see a possible future. The rest is up to you."
"Fair enough.", Mage said as she got to her feet. "I shall make plans for my best scout to find this Frost. And then I'll make plans for Caleb, Aldren, and Drake to begin their training.", she said as she headed for the door. "Of course their training shall begin when Caleb is better and healthy enough to start.", she said putting Nerissa at ease. "Take care of him, Nerissa. He and yourself are of great importance.", she said as she left the Seer's house to make plans.
"Did you here that,son?", Nerissa questioned her son as he slept on the mat. "You are important to our future. So I'll take care of you and become strong myself to fight by your side. And when Phobos is defeated, your father will return to us.", she said with a kind smile as the Seer got to her feet.
"I shall leave you two alone.", she said as she headed for her room. "Be sure to give Caleb the herbal tea in an hour."
"I will.", Nerissa said. "And thank you for your help with his sickness."
"No thanks is needed.", the Seer said. "I enjoy being a healer like my mother.", she said as she left the room.
Once in the other room, the Seer laid on her bed and closed her eyes to get some rest from the vision she just had.
"Will things go your way, Mage?", the Seer questioned as she began to think about what she saw in her vision. "Will the six warrior side with you or will they take you and your forces down? I guess only time will tell.", she said before she fell asleep.
Back on Earth, the parents of the taken children had gathered together at the Cook's home in Sesamo. They were all dressed on black pants and shirts with matching combat boots and vest with metal bracers. Jacob Vanders had a double-blade battle axe in his right hand and a round shield in his left while Tanya Vanders had a pair of battle batons in her hands. Tony Vandom had a pair of wave swords sheathed and strapped to his back while Susan Vandom had a halberd in hr hands. Tom Lair had a pair of maces strapped to his sides while Anna Lair had a war hammer in her hands and a short sword sheathed and strapped to the back of her waist. Lione Cook had a crossbow in his hand with a quiver of arrows strapped to his back and a pair of katars sheathed and strapped to his sides while Theresa Cook had a pair of tonfas in her hands and an extra pair strapped to her sides. Harold Hale had sheathed broad sword strapped to his back while Elizabeth Hale had a bow in her right had and a quiver of arrows strapped to her back an a sickle strapped to her side. And finally, Chen Lin had a large yet lighht four-point shruiken strapped to his back and a pair of ring blades in his hands while Joan Lin had a pair of ninja swords strapped to the back of her waist.
The twelve parent had one mission and one mission only. To rescue their children from the rebels that took them. The Lairs, Cooks, and Hales had taken their other children to relative to be taken care of until they returned. Once everyone was ready to go, Jacob pulled out a fold crystal and tried to open a fold only for one not to open surprising everyone there. He tried again and again but no fold opened.
"What gives?", Jacob questioned after his tenth try. "We should be on Metamoor by now!"
"Unless... A Veil was put up.", Joan Lin said surprising the others. "It's the only reason we can't open a fold to Metamoor."
"This... This can't be happening!", Theresa said as she dropped to her knees. "Our children are trapped with those rebels and we can't do anything about it!", she cried as her husband knelt down next to her and held her in his arms to give her some comfort seeing as he was hurting as well.
"There has to be some way for us to get to Metamoor!", Harold said. "We have to rescue our children!"
"I wish there was, my friend.", Tanya said. "But if a Veil was put up... Then it'll be a long time before we can get through it.", she said as she clinched her fist in angry and sadness.
It was then Chen Lin's eyes began to glow white surprising everyone there. He then fell backwards in which Jacob and Tom caught him.
"Chen!", Joan cried out as she watch her husband flinch around.
"What's wrong with him?", Anna questioned.
"He's... He's having a vision!", Joan figured. "Just like his mother does."
"I hope it's a good one about the children.", Theresa said hoping for the best as she got to her feet with Lione.
After a few seconds, Chen's eyes came back to normal as Jacob and Tom helped him to his feet.
"You okay, Chen?", Jacob asked his friend.
"More than okay.", Chen said with a smile. "Our children will be okay.", he said making everyone else breathe a sigh of relief. "They'll become great warriors like us and help put an help bring peace to the Meridian Kingdom."
"That's good to hear.", Elizabeth said.
"But it won't be easy.", Chen said. "There will be a moment where they will have to make a choice on who's side to join."
"Which side will they join?", Tanya asked.
"I... I do not know.", Chen said. "But I do know that in the end, peace shall be restored."
"Looks like we'll have to wait and see how it all turned out.", Tom said.
"Let us pray that, in the end, we will reunited with our children.", Lione said.
"On that we all can agree on doing.", Anna said.
"But for now, we'll have to report our children missing.", Tom said sadly.
"It's going to be a long time before we see them again.", Elizabeth said sadly. "Isn't it?"
"I'm afraid so, dear.", Harold said holding his wife. "I'm afraid so."
The other husbands held their wifes knowing they all felt the same way. All of them praying and hoping for the well being of their children. For they knew that the future wasn't written in stone.
For the future was what you made of it.
A/N: Well, it looks like there are two visions of the future. Both depend on the six children and what they decide to do. Who will they side with when, the time comes? Phobos, the rebels, or someone else? Is your interest peaked yet? By the way, I know I said that the kids would learn more about their parents in this chapter. Sorry about that, folks. I'll try to do that in the next chapter. Here's hoping anyway.
Please review.