Wow. I am REALLY sorry for making all of you wait nearly 3 months for this new chapter. I have been very busy with schoolwork and if you don't believe me, just ask all my friends. They know how hard I've been working. Unfortunately, I do not have Ch. 19 written just yet, so it may be a while before I post more. But don't worry; I won't make you wait 3 more months. Come Christmas, I should be able to write a whole lot more. All my schoolwork will be finished by then. So, without further ado, the long awaited and crucial Ch. 18….

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452 H.E. History

"You didn't get it? Why? What happened?" questioned Lowell, plainly upset.

"Now wait a minute, here. I said 'not quite.' That doesn't mean I didn't get it. As it happens, I did get the book. But while I was up there, something happened- something I can't explain. All of a sudden I felt it wasn't necessary to switch the books. We're leaving for Corus as soon as you give the word, and by the time they come to check the book again, we will already have taken it to Jonathan and he will have already sent someone out to search for all parties involved. So, here." And with that, he produced a corner of what appeared to be a book from inside his jacket.

Lowell smiled. "Let's go take a look at it, shall we?" They left where they had been and went back to the University. Once there, Alex set the book on a table.

"Okay, Lowell, let's see what you can do with this one. And if anything happens I'll be right here, okay?" He turned and walked to a far wall to give Lowell space. From across the room, he said, "do what you need to. This place is warded to prevent any leakage by magic. No one will know you are here."

Steeling himself, Lowell stepped up to the table. Gingerly he put his tiny hand on the book. At first, nothing happened. Then slowly, an image grew in his mind. At first it was hazy, but as time passed, both in reality and in the image, the picture became crystal clear. He saw land- a very large landmass. There were what seemed to be two types of people on it: people who glowed with a radiance so brilliant that it hurt to look at them for long, and people who looked just like the mortals here on the earth. From somewhere in the back of his mind, Lowell was getting information to explain what he saw.

These were the times when gods and mortals lived in harmony in the same realm. The mortals were offspring from the gods, but not fully gods themselves. He could see them going about their daily lives. Then, he could see them telling stories. The children made up fantastical stories about magical creatures that lived happy lives. The adults would make up stories about terrible creatures. They told of creatures that destroy, creatures that frighten, creatures that are a menace to everything around them. They told these stories out of revenge or out of a necessity to teach young children lessons and instill fear in them. For every story he heard, Lowell saw these creatures become real. They became real because of the trace of godliness left in the mortals. They lived some distance away from the humans, but eventually they encroached on the mortal lands as well as the immortal lands. Eventually, though, the gods became angered at the amount of destruction, both mental and physical, that was going on.

Finally, one day, a man came from the edge of the village to speak to the rest of the people. He was one of the first mortals. He had been asked by the gods to speak on their behalf. He was to tell them of their anger and displeasure. As Lowell watched, he heard the words the man used to admonish the people. "Mortals, you have wasted this land to no end. You have caused destruction and plague everywhere you touch. Your words and thoughts are vile. You deserve no better than to live in the filth you have created and in so doing, you have brought this upon yourselves. From this day forth you shall live among the creatures you have so hatefully designed. You shall no longer live beside your ancestors, the gods. Every hundred years, by your own hand, a new and more terrible creature shall be born to prey upon the world. All this shall happen until the time when a certain young mortal shall bring to light three qualities of righteousness. When said qualities are brought forth, all shall be restored and no further destruction will be brought about in the years to follow."

As soon as the man had spoken, a terrible rumbling noise came first from the air around the people. Then slowly it was transferred to the ground beneath their feet. A horrendous earthquake shook the land, tearing everything apart and eroding the ground. People were screaming, running for cover, even, but nothing could save all of them from the terror that occurred that day. The earth was literally ripped to shreds. Where there was once land, water soon flowed, in hopes of filling in the gaps left for it. Families were torn apart, people were hurt and killed, land and properties were demolished. Nothing structural remained, save for a few trees and plants. No longer could the people see their ancestors. There was a haze separating the two realms now. The man who had spoken the wicked portent was nowhere to be found. He had not survived the apocalypse.

Lowell could see time pass. He could see every century when the new creatures were created. He witnessed the creation of the spell. It was originally meant to send spies and traitors back to their countries. For a while there was peace among the lands and the spell was lost. Lowell noted that this is where the story first started. He saw himself finding the book, touching it, and blacking out for the first time. Memories returned of what that first vision was. Then he was handing the book to Lord Aaron, who then passed it on to Tristan. Tristan then met with his cohorts and used the spell to open the barrier. The book was then shipped off to Carthak, where it was then hidden. Lowell could see Emperor Ozorne create a new army of immortals. Not only did he see the series of recent events, but he saw the history of each individual involved up until the point where all their stories met. Finally, he could see the immortals being removed from the earth by the gods. The image slowly faded and a new one took its place. It was the Goddess. "Lowell," she said. "Lowell, you must be the one to break the curse. You must be the one to save your fellow people. Show them your compassion and your innocence." With that, Lowell was left in darkness. Slowly, he opened his eyes, taking in his surroundings. He was still in Lindhall Reed's quarters.

He looked at Alex. "Let's go to Corus," he said.

They left that night. They boarded a ship and arrived in Corus later the next morning. With all due haste, the two of them made their way to the castle. Once there, they sought out King Jonathan. He was in a meeting with his most trusted advisors. His steward told Lowell and Alex to wait until the king was finished. The king, however, had a different idea. He stopped his meeting and threw open the doors to admit the Count of Golden Mountain and his protégé. A young woman stepped out from behind the king's outstretched arms, which had been resting on either side of the doorway, and ducked under them to come into the antechamber. "Lowell?" she asked, surprise clearly written on her face.

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Please review! I am sad that I only got 2 reviews for my last chapter. I know I have more readers out there. And please, if you think this story is good (and that's your own opinion; I'm not forcing you to think so), please recommend it to other people. The more people that read it and review it, the more I know what people think of it and the more I know where I've gone wrong or where I have done something good. I am still going to update to Ch. 19 when I write it, no matter how many reviews I get, but it sure would be nice to get at least 5. Think of it as an early Christmas present. :-)

Robinwyn