The Guardians of the Cryptides
The Guardian$ of the Cryptide$
Chapter 1: A new Life beginns:
It all began with a letter from Germany! All that was in that letter was a white card with a single word on it:
videtur
Andrew Keyes didn't know, what to do. There was no instruction in the envelope. Just the white card, with the single word written on it – not even in a beautiful, but readable handwriting. Andrew was confused. He had gotten many letters and packages from his fans around the world, but never one like this. And then, he thought, he had heard a voice telling him to: ''Read it loud!''
He took the card an read the word:
videtur!
The card began to glow. Starting softly and then stronger and lighter, until he had to drop the card on the table. It also vibrated and then something shoot from the card and a second later a young man was standing in his house. ''Whooo! Ich hatte schon ganz vergessen, wie diese Art zu reisen ist!''
He cleaned his cloths, fixed his hair and turned around. He seemed familiar, but Andrew couldn't tell where from. ''Hello Andrew!'' the young man said. ''Nice to see you in person at last. Better than just your TikTok videos.'' And then he new, who this guy was. Before he could say anything, Lexi barked at the man and he started to pat her. And she liked it. And than he said something to confuse Andrew more: ''I've missed you, too, Lexi'' – ''What is going on here?'' Andrew asked.
The man stood up and looked at him. ''Where are my manners! I am Matthias!'' he offered him his hand. Andrew didn't take it – at first. Lexi barked. ''I know! But we got to get to know each other.'' said Matthias.
''I am so sorry, for so rudely intruding your private space.'' – ''How did you do it?'' Andrew asked.
''You wouldn't believe me, if I told you.'' said Matthias
''Try me! Maybe I will surprise you.'' – ''Magic!'' Matthias said without any change of emotion or facial expression. ''You're right! I don't believe you!'' Andrew said, taking a seat.
''I've told you, Lexi! It's too early for him. He needs preparation.'' Lexi barked. ''I don't think, he even is on of us.'' Lexi barked again – two times.
Andrew got more and more confused. It seemed that Matthias was talking to Lexi like with a human being. But that would be impossible. No one can talk with animals.
''I am not sure you have chosen correctly.'' Lexi barked. ''Ok! I will do it.''
He looked at Andrew again and said: ''I would need a bowl of water, a pile of earth, a stone and a lighter. Would you be so nice, to get me the things?'' Andrew didn't move. He was confused and angry, but felt no urge to get his weapons. ''It will explain everything and you will understand. I promise.'' Andrew Keyes got up and left the room to get the things.
Matthias and Lexi stayed and he prepared the table. Lexi tried to get on one of the chairs, but had problems. ''Wouldn't it have been wiser to choose another race?'' Lexi barked angrily. ''Alright! I understand.'' He helped her up and she sat at the table like a human. ''By the way. Could you please stop the barking and whining. Its quite exhausting.'' – ''It wouldn't be wise, before Andrew understands.'' Lexi said. And then they heard a smashing sound. Andrew stood in the door staring at Lexi in sheer horror. ''Did …. Did she ….. '' – ''I hope that was not a good bowl.'' Matthias said smiling. ''You're still holding the lighter – good.'' Before Andrew could realize what was happening, the other man took the lighter and placed it on the table. ''Would you please get the earth and the stone? I'll take care of that.''
Mechanically Andrew left the room and got a handful of potting soil and a stone from outside. When he returned, the bowl of water stood on the table. He placed the soil and stone next to the bowl and the lighter, eying hi dog suspiciously. ''What is it?'' Matthias asked. ''She spoke.'' – ''She did. And – Spoiler alert – she wont keep her mouth shut, if this is successful.'' Lexi growled. ''It was your decision, not mine!'' Matthias said looking at her in disapproval. Lexi growled again and tapped next to the things. Matthias took a seat opposite of Andrew and lined the things next to each other in the middle of the table, starting the lighter.
''Shall we start?'' Matthias asked.
''What will happen now?'' Andrew replied.
''Just a little Test. A Test to determine, weather you will become part of an elite organization or not.'' the guest explained. ''I am already part of an elite organization.'' Andrew replied. ''We will see. And now, I want you to find the life hidden in these elements!''
Andrew stared in disbelief: ''This are dead object. There is no life in them.''
''There is life in everything.'' Matthias replied. ''You need to open your mind. Open your spirit.'' He raised his eyebrows as if he had remembered something. ''You need to open your soul for the hidden life in front of you.'' After a short break, he continued: ''God hast created more life than is written in the bible. And this life is hidden in plain sites. Just concentrate on your inner self – your soul. Concentrate on the light inside your soul.'' Andrew closed his eyes and concentrated on his inner self. And then he saw it – saw the light inside him. ''Good. And now let the light shine and extend beyond your body. Let your inner light shine bright on your surroundings.'' He tried to do it and actual it happened, exactly, what Matthias had described. And then he saw it. Saw the shadows in the Water, the soil, the stone and the flame of the lighter.
''Good! Now concentrate on the shadows. Try to sharpen their silhouettes and see more details.'' Matthias explained.
''Of which one?'' Andrew asked.
''Of them all. They're not very big. You can do it.'' Matthias replied.
Unbeknown to Andrew – unnoticed by Andrew – Lexi watched everything wiggling her tail and being happy. From time to time, Matthias patted her head and scratched her ear.
Andrew started to concentrate on the blurry figures. The elements around them vanished and the contours of the silhouettes sharpened. He saw more details – arms and legs, faces, hair, scales, tails – until he saw the creatures before him. ''What are they?'' he asked. ''Fairies. Elemental fairies.'' his guest explained. ''You can open your eyes now.'' Andrew opened his eyes an before him lay the things he had gathered – and the fairies he had seen with his soul. ''But ….. how?'' He asked.
''Once, you have laid eyes on our world. Once you had a glance of the marvelous creatures, you never will be able to close your eyes for them again.'' His guest replied smiling. He leaned forward towards the fairies in the table: ''Thank you, for you help. You can go now back.'' The fairies bowed and vanished. Matthias faced Andrew again: ''I know, it is a lof to cope with, but now, time is running.'' – ''Give me a minute, please!''
''We don't have that minute, Andrew.'' Lexi said. ''We need to explain him quickly.'' she told Matthias.
''Give him time! He needs to work this through, before we can continue.'' he replied. After s short break: ''Besides, the place is sealed and shielded. His awakening won't be recognized any moment soon.'' Lexi laid her head on the table, starring impatiently. For minutes they sat silently. Andrew thinking about everything he had found out and Matthias observing him – his facial expressions and his body language.
''What?'' Andrew asked, when noticing it.
''Nothing. Just waiting for you to collapse.'' he replied. ''But you seem to be a very strong person. I don't dare to admit it, but Lexi was right. You're definitely on of us.''
''Who is ''us''?'' – ""The Guardians of the Cryptides!'' Matthias told him.
''Cryptides?'' – ''Creatures thought to be extinct or unbeknown to mankind. Like the Monster of Loch Ness, or Bigfoot. The Yeti. And there are a lot of more. We take care of them and watch out for them not to be harmed by men.'' – ''Shouldn't we be protected from them?'' Matthias smiled. ''Most of them are harmless. Even the Chupacabra.'' Andrew stared at his guest.
Then the door bell rang. ''You should go and open the door. It's your book.'' Matthias said.
''Book?'' Andrew asked while going to the front door. A strange man handed him a very big book and went without a word. Andrew returned to the kitchen, closing the door.
''What is that?'' – ''The 'Big Book of Cryptides'. The English version. Lexi can help you, work it through. We will see each other again, when your time is ready.'' Matthias left the room, but stayed in the door frame turning around: ''You will see strange creatures and people with strange looks. You will find every single on in this book. No need to be scared of what you see.'' Then he left without Andrew hearing the front door open.
''It is a lot, but we will get through this, together.'' Lexi said. Andrew thought, she was smiling. But obviously, she was very happy, wiggling her tail.