Hey, Misty36 here, back and still alive! To anyone who actually cares... Sorry for the long period of absence. I was visiting family out of state and I couldn't do anything. So I only got two reviews on chapter 2 so let's see 'em.
KOTLC #1 Fan: Of course I mentioned you and your fabulous story. Yay! I have a friend! Looking forward to any and all your updates!
strawbr'yonde periwinkle love: First off, thanks for the review. Second, the characters personalities will be the same. Plot wise, that will differ from the original Keeper. The person I have who is like Keefe (no name yet) will be like Keefe. Carmen is like Sophie and Jist is like Fitz, as you can already tell. Jist's sister (no name yet) will be like Biana and Faze (like Dex) is this smart technopath who still wants to manifest as something else. Will do! And I hope you stick around!
"Whoa…"
That was all Carmen could say. The building in front of them was beautifully built. It was shaped like a dome, crystals piling up into columns until it curved onto the roof. The whole thing looked to be made entirely out of crystal, from the walls to the doors at the front. Carmen and Jist stood still, Jist looking at her, struggling to hold back his amusement because of her awestruck face. They were at the front of the gates, the iron used for them seeming brand new.
The trees around them looked like pines, and yet, they didn't. They pointed upwards, like a triangle, but the leaves weren't pine needles. They were all the leaves Carmen had seen on all trees she'd ever known.
"This is the capital of the Forgotten Cities, Solstice."
"As in the Summer and Winter Solstice?" Carmen asked.
"Yes. It's our brightest city, so the name just fit."
"Who built this?"
"You are one of them. Sorry, but I don't know exactly how to tell you this, but we aren't exactly human," Jist said, keeping Carmen steady.
"So… I'm an… alien?"
Jist burst into laughter. "No. You're an elf, just like me and the people who built this."
"The elves?" Carmen's mind flashed her an image of Christmas elves with pointed ears, striped leggings, and little bells on their pointed shoes.
She didn't want to be an alien, but being an elf didn't sound much better.
While she was lost in her thoughts, Jist grabbed her hand again and dragged her to the nearest bush against the wall. He placed a finger over his lips.
"Why are we hiding?" Carmen whispered, her voice barely audible.
Jist pointed to the gates. "The guards are going back on patrol. They can't see us because they'll think we're humans."
"What's wrong with that?" She kept her voice low.
"Humans are forbidden here. The clothes we're wearing would point out you aren't from here, and though I live here, I'm in disguise, so they won't recognize me."
Carmen looked at the opening gates. Large, lumpy figures came out, all of them carrying a spear. Each figure wore brown tunics with matching pants, with a belt around their waist. The belts had pouches, which no doubt held more weapons.
"What're those?"
"A living creature like you and me. A goblin," he whispered back, "The most commonly chosen for body guards."
Carmen furrowed her brow in thought. "Who needs them?"
"The Elvin Board. They make the rules, watch over the Forgotten Cities, things like that," Jist answered. "This is where you truly belong, Carmen. You are one of us. But for now, we need to get you home."
Carmen had waited so long to hear those words.
Where you truly belong.
But the thought of home struck her. Her parents must be going crazy not knowing where she was.
She nodded as they crawled away from the gates to a part of the forest the goblins couldn't see. Jist pulled out the pathfinder again and they went through the light, arriving back in Las Cruces.
But this time, they were in front of Carmen's house.
How did he know where she lived?
"How will I find you again?" she asked, pulling her hand away from Jist's, looking him in the eyes.
"Don't worry. I'll find you."
And with that, he leaped away before Carmen could say anything else.