Chapter Six By Maylan
Trekking out into the depths of the exotic jungle surrounding them, the gang of women and men travelled towards the high tops of the mountain. Alex, the brother of Anamaria, was playing the role of 'tour guide' and lead the gang; Captain Sparrow, Will Turner, Elizabeth Swann, Anamaria & the two girls, Andrea and Sophie close behind.
"Are we there yet?" Elizabeth whined, tredding carefully over the tangle of roots jutted out onto the ground.
"It's atleast until next sun rise 'till the top." Alex replied. Groans from everyone were heard. "Dun worry, we'll stop soon. From 'me memory, dere's a stream not far off here." Alex said.
"I feel sick." Sophie groaned. Andrea tutted at Sophie, "You shouldn't have eaten the children's sweets, what'd you expect? Eat then walk aint a good combo." she said.
The gang took what seemed like hours to them, which it really was only 15 minutes until they reached the stream of cool crystalline water. They all tiredly plunked themselves down, Sparrow fell to his knees, groaned and lied down on the ground. "T-I-R-E-D" he growled, then placed his hat onto his eyes.
"We'll stay here for a while, then more trekking! By sun down, we'll be near half way to the Selenta village." Alex exclaimed. Anamaria told her brother to shut up.
"Mister Alex! How nice to see you again!" a voice called out from the Selenta temple, as the gang quietly halted to a stop, Alex bowed down respectfully towards the young woman in front, sitting in her leadership throne.
The walls of the temple were lit by torches, the hallway lead deeper inside. They had been led to the Selenta clan leader's room first. As Sparrow and Will bowed down, Sophie took a peek at the woman, and yet again, she saw the familiar face of her friend.
"Michelle!" Andrea exclaimed softly, as they bowed quickly. The woman, dressed in her white gown and her sleek black hair in a complex hairstyle, blinked.
"Yes, that is my name. I am the leader of the Magical Maiden, Selenta's clan. Welcome, new friends." She greeted, standing up to grab her Selenta staff. Michelle looked the same to Sophie and Andrea, except of course for her longer hair, her asian skin was darker from living on the mountains, her eyes had blue eyeshadow, it glimmered in the light.
After the introductions of the gang to Michelle, they each sat to gaze upon the shrine, a huge monument of their ancient leader, Selenta holding the moon close to her heart.
"We have come, Michelle to seek the Selenta medallion." Alex finally said. "You see, we have the Almara medallion already" - Michelle fidgeted when Alex mentioned Almara - "and we have what we think is the destined girl of Selenta." Alex gestured to Sophie.
Michelle smiled, "Sophie? She's the destined Selenta girl? I doubt it to be true, as we already have found in our clan; the 'Magical Maiden' of this time." she replied.
Andrea stood up, "that can't be, could it.." she trailed off in wonder. Michelle nodded in response, "Yes, she is only twelve and lives with her mother and father. Her name is Myrika."
Sophie stood up, "I guess I wasn't a magical -"
"Michelle, Sophie challenges Myrika. Tomorrow at midday, magic only. Winner gets medallion." Alex said. Sophie was open-mouthed. "Wait a damn minute!!" she protested.
"Fine." Michelle grinned. "I shall arrange three challenges for the two ladies at once." she added, and with that, the deal was done.
The sky was dark, as the stars began to shine brightly. Alex had taken Sophie and Andrea away from the gang, to tell of the upcoming challenge.
"This is it, no joking Sophie. If you're one, you'll win it." He said firmly. Sophie folded her arms. "But I don't know any magic!" she snapped. Alex snapped his fingers. "But this woman does." he turned, to reveal an elderly woman.
She nodded in greeting. "Not only will she teach you a few magic chants, she also helped us out on whats gonna happen tomorrow, a pirates a pirate! Ya gotta cheat sometimes!" he winked.
The elderly woman told Alex that the first round would consist of the rapid side of the stream, that below the bottom of the stream, will be a treasure which they will need to somehow get. The second, was to chant five magical spells in the correct order. And lastly...
Alex moaned. "You don't know?! Ah, okay. Teach her the spells anyway." said Alex.
The old woman trodded towards Sophie, picking at her clothes. "Wear" she shoved a bracelet in Sophie's hand. "Good thing, make luck." she said. Sophie reluctantly place on the bracelet. "What else, grandma?" she mumbled.
Alex and Andrea stood back, as the old woman struggled to help guide Sophie. With her poor english, she had to point at many objects and say sentences that were hard to understand, Sophie couldn't tell if the old woman was talking as in conversation talk, or actually saying a chant.
But, after a grueling few hours, tired as can be, Sophie had learnt the element chants and a few more handy tips from the old lady. "And finally, goodnight!" she called out, retiring to a tent.
TBC...
- Chibi Maylan