Chapter 19

Three days.

That's how long it took Cole to reach the Giant Woods, which will lead him to a place called the Cave of Gems. Victor told him these caves lead underground into a civilization filled with witches and warlocks, wizards and mages, sorcerers and sorceresses. It's a place where magic wielders go after either being exiled or just to escape reality. Some people tend to do that and Victor had a feeling Carol decided to do the same.

Cole figured all Carol needed was someone to talk to. Someone who would listen to her, understand her, feel the way she feels. That's the plan once he gets there. His only hope is Carol will comply.

During his travels through the Giant Woods, Cole began to wonder why it's called such. As he walked along the trail, he gave out a scream of fear, watching a ladybug the size of a watermelon fly right past him. He stood there, stunned. Then he felt something crawl across his foot. Looking down, he saw it was a huge ant as long and wide as a fireplace log, carrying food on its back. He jumped back a few feet, getting tangled up in a spider web. He heard a hissing sound above him, fearing to look up, knowing that above him is a giant spider descending its way downward. Pulling himself out of the web, he rushed down the trail trying to escape the giant insects before almost getting run over by a giant butterfly, who only wanted to rest upon a tall flower, feeding on the nectar.

Now his question was answered about why the Giant Woods is called such. This is literally the weirdest place in Cole's world of view, never imagining such a place would ever cease to exist. But he had to remember this place is filled with magic, something he doesn't understand at all, but plans to in order to learn more about the love of his life.

Cole didn't really want to trek any further. These surroundings are unfamiliar to him. It's a world full of unexpected possibilities he's not ready for. But he needed to. He had to move forward through these trees to make it to Carol. She's his main priority right now. She's important to him. He'll travel through the Underworld and back just to get to her and that's what he plans to do.

Victor had given him a map leading to the Cave of Gems and informed him the journey there would take a couple of days. The same went when he returned with Carol, although convincing her to come with him will be tricky. Cole should be getting closer by now. Each step is a step closer to finding his girlfriend.

One thing the master of earth noticed about the Giant Woods is how the seasons change automatically every hour. Some moments it was cold as ice while it was hot as fire other times. Some points it's rainy and others the leaves fall from the trees, blanketing the ground in festive fall colors. Victor told him about this as well, saying it was because of the magical beings that dwell in the caverns.

That's why he needed to be prepared for anything out here. He already discovered insects that were normally tiny are bigger in size. Animals that are usually large are small and it's the other way around with small animals.

This is true when Cole had to fight off a giant squirrel after touching its colossal sized acorn. The furry creature ran off, but then began attacking what Cole saw to be a baby wolf. Then he remembered that small animals are bigger and large animals are smaller, meaning the prey has become the predator and the predator has become the prey.

He finally chased the squirrel off, taking a quick look through at the small wolf before it jumped up and ran off, leaving a small little bundle of fur. Cole went over to feel it, but stopped as it began to move and squirm.

It turned out to be the smallest wolf Cole has ever seen. Now this here is a baby wolf. She opened her mouth, revealing no teeth. That's strange considering young wolf pups start growing in teeth when they're at least two weeks old. But he'll admit that she's adorable.

Then something strange happened. Something abnormal. He began hearing a voice in his head. It sounded like a little girl, but there was no one else around except for the wolf. The sound he heard is laughter and he saw the small pup looking up at him, smiling.

"It's okay. It's only me, the wolf pup in front of you. No need to be alarmed. There's something you should know, though. A lot of the animals here have the ability to speak. Except me, though. I was born with no teeth and the inability to speak. I can only communicate with others in their heads. Speaking telepathically is what they call it. I hope I didn't startle you."

Cole laughed, petting the pup on the head. "Don't worry about it. It just came to me as a surprise. Can you understand what I'm saying just by speaking to you?"

"Yes", the wolf said telepathically.

"Well, if I were to speak with only my thoughts, can you understand that?"

The pup nodded. "Sure. I can actually read people's thoughts. I know that sounds creepy, but it was the accidental skill I was born with."

Cole decided to speak to the little wolf in his mind, realizing this is a personal conversation.

"Why would you say it's an accidental skill? Millions of people wish to have a skill like that."

"Because my mother says it's not normal. It's a cursed skill. Nobody is allowed to have such a skill because it's considered invading one's personal thoughts. She actually meant to leave me here, praying some wild animal would come and kill me."

This broke Cole's heart. Nobody deserves to be treated like this, especially a wolf pup no bigger than a chipmunk. He decided maybe she needed to be taken in somewhere. Any magical craziness can happen out here and who knows what will happen to this little one if he left her all alone.

He decided to help her by getting her away from these woods, hoping maybe she'll help him by aiding to find Carol. Picking her up, he began speaking inside her head again.

"I won't let anything happen to you out here. Maybe you and I can work together. If you help me, then I can help you. How does that sound?"

"What exactly do you want me to do?" she asked.

"Well, I'm not from around here. All this magic is unfamiliar to me. But not to my girlfriend. I was told she took herself to a place called the Cave of Gems. If you can help me find a shortcut to get there quicker or something, that would be much appreciated."

The pup smiled. "I've been there a few times with my mom. Follow me for the quickest route."

And it was quick. Only took an hour for the baby wolf to lead him through the trees and bushes and find the Cave of Gems. And boy did it live up to its name. The entirety of the outside is completely covered with various gemstones scattered everywhere.

Sitting in front of the cave's entrance was a giant man in nothing but overalls and a straw hat sitting on a stump, whittle a stick. Walking up to him, Cole gave him a smile. "Hi, there."

The man looked up, staring at Cole with dull gray eyes. "Are you magical or mortal?"

"Well, I'm mortal, but I have elemental powers," Cole said, "I'm the Master of Earth." Please let that be considered a supernatural ability.

"You do realize I can hear your thoughts, right?" the wolf pup said in his head.

Cole only rolled his eyes, waiting for the giant man to answer. He was disappointed to hear what the guy's reply came out to be.

"Ninja are prohibited from entering."

"Sir, you don't understand," Cole said, "I know someone who's here. Her name is Carol Dominez. I need to see her. Maybe talk her into coming home."

The giant man shook his head. "Can't let you in. Only magical beings are allowed entrance."

There's the brick wall. Cole wasn't considered a magical being. But after a moment, he realized he had someone next to him that is. Looking down at his new wolf companion, he had an idea.

"Do you think my wolf can go inside?" Cole asked, "She has magical abilities. Show him, girl."

The small creature nodded, using her powers to speak to the man in his head. After a moment, the giant nodded. "That's some skill you've got there. Most animals around here can speak like humans. It's rare to find an animal that can speak with others through their minds." He looked up at Cole. "How come she can't talk?"

"She's muted. Plus she was born without teeth."

The giant man shrugged. "Fair enough. She can go right on in."

Cole lowered down to the wolf. "Okay, girl. Just ask around for a girl name Carol Dominez. Somebody should lead you to her. Then once you find her, see if you can't ask if we can meet somewhere outside the cave. Think you can do that for me?"

"Don't worry, Cole," the pup said, "I've got this." With that, she went inside.

Cole waited, sitting on the bright green grass while the giant man went back to his whittling. The seconds and minutes passing by felt like hours to Cole. He can only imagine what exactly led Carol to this place. Her family said she just up and left without an explanation as to why she walked out the door. But hopefully she'll agree to talk to him and maybe sort this whole situation out.

After what felt like forever, the wolf finally walked out through the cave entrance. Cole rushed over to her.

"Did you find her?" he asked mentally.

"Well, after much convincing, Carol has agreed to meet with you in the fields right down the trail," the pup said, "I know where the fields are. Follow me."

Cole and his wolf companion began making their way down the trail towards the fields.

Hold on, Carol. I'm coming, baby. I'm coming.

SORRY FOR THE CLIFFHANGER, BUT THAT NOW MAKES YOU WONDER WHAT HAPPENS NEXT. WILL COLE CONVINCE CAROL TO COME HOME OR WILL SHE TURN HIM AWAY?

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