I don't know how much time has passed when I finally wake up. It could have been hours or days or weeks ... or even years. I'm lying on something soft and warm, and my limbs feel very heavy. Oh, and my entire body is wracked with pain. I slowly open my eyes — which is quite difficult — and take in my surroundings. I'm lying on a bed made of soft cotton in the centre of what looks like a room made entirely out of nature: bamboo walls, a stone floor and leafy ceiling. There is no door, but a line is drawn across the threshold. I assume that it must be like the spell Master Chronos cast on the welcoming platform of Aion. If those who are unauthorized try to cross the line they are thrown backwards. I decide I will test it anyway. No harm in trying, right?
I try to sit up, but find that I cannot move. I glance down to see that my arms and legs are shackled with silver bands to the bed on which I lie. So that's why my limbs feel like lead! I sigh.
"Gravitas," I say quietly. Nothing happens.
"Levitas," I try, but still no result. My restraints must be nullifying my magic. I grit my teeth in frustration. Merciful magic, I'm really starting to hate those Valdorians! I try pulling, clawing and even biting the shackles, but my actions have no effect. Finally I lie still. There is nothing I can do now but wait.
Through the doorless doorway, I glimpse the Valdorian village. It is built in the depths of a beautiful forest, and I have to admit that it's inhabitants have excellent craftsmanship. Like my cell, almost every building uses materials sourced from the forest around us. Magic has been used to make the spaces stronger and more durable, as well as large and, quite frankly, beautiful. When I first saw the village, only a few days ago, I was in utter awe. I had been travelling through the forest on a quest assigned by my guild. I was supposed to map new locations in the forest and its surrounding area. However, I hadn't found anything noteworthy, and was getting ready to leave, when I noticed something strange. I seemed to have been walking down the same pathway for a few hours, although it looked very short. I pulled out my dispel ring, and, sure enough, illusion magic was at play. I gaped at the sight before me. A village had just spawned into existence. A high wooden gate marked the entrance. I pushed it open, and entered the village.
I wandered through the streets in amazement. People were bustling around me, just going about their day. Some wore intricate pieces of clothing, while others favoured cloaks and plain clothes. Soldiers dotted throughout the village stood at attention, and wore suits of armour, which looked somehow familiar. The streets were lined with different buildings, each with a different purpose: a big building with huge windows showing off shiny sets of armour - obviously an armoury, a building with chairs and tables arranged outside - some kind of restaurant, a training arena, a merchant's shop, a grocery store and of course houses. Lots and lots of houses. Everything looked very impressive. The streets branched into a central square, where the only building in the entire community made of stone, stood. It had tall columns and archways, and was a few storeys high. It was buzzing with activity. I stepped forward to get a better look, and that's when I saw it. A banner spanned the front of the building. It read: LONG LIVE VALDOR!!!
I stood rooted to the spot, gaping at the banner. Valdor had been destroyed years ago. There was no way that this village could be part of it. It was a joke. A prank by one of my guildmates.
"Excuse me, sir." I tapped a young man on the shoulder. He turned and gave me an irritated look.
"Can I help you?"
"Yes, I was just wondering what the name of this village is." He stared at me.
"Why do you want to know that?" he asked. I winced.
"I ... I'm just curious about the origins of this ... this place. Who opened it?"
"I'm sorry, who are you again?"
"My name's Araya." Now he looked suspicious.
"I haven't seen you here before, Araya. What house block do you live in?"
"Um ... block A?" I guessed hopefully.
"Guards! We have an intruder!" Four soldiers came rushing towards me. The man tried to grab me, but I bit his hand, forcing him to release me. And then I ran.
"You should never have come here," a woman breaks me from my train of thoughts. She is standing in the doorway of my cell, and is watching me closely. She wears her dark brown hair in a military style, and her armour is adorned with various badges and sashes. She looks young, but age is never easy to read with Valdorians.
"Who are you?" I croak, lifting my head to get a better look.
"My name is Commander Alice Zaire, and I will be overseeing your punishment." My eyes widen. Did she just say punishment?
"What are you going to do to me?" I whisper. Panic is clawing at my chest.
"This village was raised to aid the survivors of the attack on Valdor. We have built a life here, and have managed to stay hidden for almost two decades. And we'd like to keep it that way. At least until we can retaliate. So, as I'm sure you understand, we can not allow you the opportunity to tell anybody about us. Which is why," she pauses, "you will be executed tomorrow."
Before I can say anything, she is gone. I gaze after her in absolute terror. Tomorrow is the day that I die? I'm only fifteen, and I'm going to die. All because I accidentally discovered a village that did not want to be found. Terrible thoughts fill my head? How will they execute me? Will anybody even miss me? Soon tears are rolling down my cheeks. I wouldn't have bothered to wipe them away, even if I had been able to. Instead, I squeeze my eyes shut. And scream.
My throat is now raw and it's painful to even swallow. But it was worth it. I needed to let out my emotions. I am so exhausted that somehow, I fall asleep.
"Psst, wake up. Wake up!" A soldier is standing over me, a sword in one hand. I squirm against by bonds, trying in vain to get further away from him.
"Relax, I don't want to hurt you," he says quietly. "Opendas Magnus." The silver bands fall open, releasing me. I stare at the man, who is holding out a hand to help me up.
"Why?" is all I can say. I think he understands what I mean, though. Why is he helping me?
"Because it's wrong to kill an innocent child. My name is Captain Val Cath, by the way." I smile, and then take his hand.
"Let's get you out of here," He says. We creep out of the building that I was held in, managing to cross the silver line in the doorway without any mishaps. Theo we start silently ghosting along the streets.
We are halfway to the exit of the village when we hear the shouts. Val Cath stops in front of me, and I almost bump into him. I turn to see six soldiers rushing towards us.
"Go," Val Cath yells, "I'll hold them off."
"What? I can't just leave you!"
"Go!" he repeats, and then charges the soldiers. I hear swords clashing, and a few screams. I gulp, and continue towards the exit at a faster pace. Ten metres to go. Five. Two...
"Gotcha." A soldier puts his sword to my throat. I freeze, inches from the gate, inches from freedom.
He shoves me to my knees and turns me to face him and the other oncoming soldiers. I whimper, but don't move. A bleeding Val Cath is dragged forward, and shoved down next to me.
"I'm sorry," I whisper. He shakes his head and mouths "It's not your fault." I stare blankly ahead, and wait for my end. Then, without warning, I feel a gentle warmth building up inside me. It grows stronger and stronger, until I start glowing. And then the soldiers and the village disappears. To be replaced with a large square surface filled with strange machines. They are metal boxes with four wheels, mirrors and doors. Windows have been placed on each side of every box, and the boxes are various sizes and colours. And, beyond the square with the boxes, a strange city looms, filled with noises and lights. Where in Alyncia am I?