"Hey Flambo, could I ask you something?"I asked as we finally were out of the Fire Kingdom's realm, thank God, into an area full of green grass and blue sky, after walking for what seemed like hours.
"Mmhm...sure?"
"What happened to this world anyway? Why are there no humans that exist here? I mean, I saw-"
"Look, I wasn't born at like the creation of this world you see now, okay, so I really don't know about anything that happened before that made every single human to go extinct...I'm truly sorry. But why did you ask?" Flambo said, turning around to face me with confusion.
"Ehhh...because the Flame King expressed surprise, albeit with much disdain, that a human would be standing before him. " We then walked for most of the way in silence, and as I walked I kept thinking: Will I survive this quest that I have put myself in? Am I doing the right thing? Maybe I should use that remote that Edward gave me to go back to Earth... When it came to that thought, I shook my head and cursed myself for thinking such things and doubting my decision. I could not just lieave Phoebe in that hell with her father, I had to rescue her. I would not have saved her this way, but for now I have absolutely no control of the circumstances that I am in now, and had to move on from where I was and complete the mission the Flame King had tasked to me to save Phoebe, though it was questionable if that kind of king would keep his promise.
"Alright,I'm gonna have to leave you here now, we will meet again, right in front of this forest right in front of us. This is where the route to where the Enchiridion is starts. Its the nearest location to your destination, and although I would have chosen a better starting point,this is the nearest I can bring you as...you know why," Flambo said, pointing to a huge forest right in front of us with a dirt track leading into the forest. He then turned around to leave after saying, "I would have gone along with you, but the Fire Kingdom has spies all over Ooo. Actually the Flame King did not want me to direct you to the forest we stand before now, but I defied his orders as honestly, I also hate him and also really like you. You aren't bad as the Flame King said you are Anyway, good luck my friend and hope to see you alive!" As he walked back to the Fire Kingdom, he stopped and looked down at the ground for a while, as if he was thinking about something, before shrugging and continuing on his way. That was..odd...
But seriously, I could not care less about what was Flambo thinking and walked into the forest, not looking back.
Some days later...
I have been walking about in the forest trying to find a way out of there, and it is going pretty well. Because of Edward's training in camping skills, using weapons and the like, I have been coping well on my own( though maybe food is pretty hard to find in the forest, and sleeping on logs and grass every night is damn uncomfortable especially when it rains, because I was not given a tent). Nevertheless, despite my overall good success at survival, I gotta find someone to help me find the Enchiridion and perhaps get more information about what I am finding and this Lich guy that guards the book. Hmm, I am not too sure how will I find my way to my destination but I guess it will work out...hopefully. I mean although the map did not show me where the book is specifically, I guess I could still find it...right?
Though I had been given quite a lot of food and water to last me for about 4 months or so if I curb my intake, I also need someway to get more supplies given how long the journey would be to the spot marked on the map. Thankfully, I have been thought to read maps before in my high school in all those boring Geography lessons I had bothered to listen to, but this map was a still bit too vague to fully understand(wonder why?). It was overgeneralized and crude. Maybe even outdated. No doubt, the Flame King's work.
As I sat on a wooden log thinking, I heard someone talking behind a large bush behind me and I stood up. My curiosity was pricked and I went through the bush to find a short dog walking on two legs on an open ground with dark-yellow fur and a grey fedora on his head with a black ribbon. He also had a huge scarlet sword that was strapped to his back that had a handle made of leather straps and a red spike protruding from its end. It had a guard made of a cross and circle, and its blade was really long. Wonder how he could possibly carry that huge monster of a sword. He also carried a brown book in his hand and a brown bag.. He was talking to himself and rubbing his head, as if he was in deep thought. "Alright, I'm almost out of this forest...now.." He then turned to me and twitched his eyebrows in surprise to see me. We looked at each other for the next few moments before the dog blinked and said, "Um...hello."
"Eh...yeah," I mumbled.
He sighed and asked, "Looks like you got a lot of supplies and weapons with you. Are you on a quest? 'Cause I kinda am too actually. Oh, by the way, my name's Joshua."
"My name's Michael. And I'm on a quest to look for the Enchiridion." At that, Joshua widened his eyes in surprise and laughed with delight, slapping his thigh. "Well, well, what luck I have! You are on a quest for the same relic as I am! But why though, fellow adventurer?"
"Um...I also have heard of the book and I'm..curious about it." I felt scared to tell him the truth as after all, the book was a hero's book, and looking at the situation he might refuse to accompany me on my adventure. After all, I am in desperate need of help and guidance on my quest as I was after all in unfamiliar surroundings. Joshua smiled widely and, walking up to me, nudged me with his elbow. "Well, to tell you the truth fella, you are a blessing! I absolutely forgot to bring enough supplies on my quest in a hurry , and in return I'll help you find the book. Believe me...I know where it is already and I have seen it."
I was shocked and my mouth dropped open. "Then...then why don't you have it?"
Joshua sighed and looked up. "The Lich defends the place where the Enchiridion is, and I have fought with him before on a previous attempt. Heck, I almost lost my life even though I was fighting with the sword you see I have now with me. And this sword is actually made of demon blood." I put a hand on my head in amazement and asked, "R-really? Wow...that's seriously cool..."
"Yeah, thanks, mate! I made that sword myself, and now I'm gonna settle the score with that ugly bastard once and for all! Glad to find a companion like you though..." He put punched my arm gently and grinned sheepishly. "I may not be able to defeat him myself to be honest, as was the case last time."
"Great," I said,"Let's go then! I'm glad to have found you! But first, let's find a way outta this forest.."
"Oh yeah...true," Joshua said, chuckling.
A few days later...
We finally got out of that forest after a few days and ended up on a hill, thanks to Joshua's knowledge of navigation, clearly better than mine. God, he must really know this place pretty well. Anyway, we talked a lot about the Enchiridion and how it was a mysterious book that really puzzled the mind on what it really contained...and not just the fact that it had immense power.
"So..Joshua, have you any clue so far from reading that Magic Encyclopedia of yours what the book we are trying to find truly is?"
"Um..." Joshua said, scratching his head as he pored over his book."Nope, no such luck. Apparently all I know is that the book is really old and created by magic...but otherwise I'm still in the dark. Strangely, this book doesn't really go into detail of the book and hey, doesn't even have one picture of it."
"Wait, you told me you saw the book before, right?"
"Yeah, but I don't really know how to describe to you how's it like...I really only can tell you this: it was not what I had expected something so powerful to look like.."
I was confused by his response and inquired further into what he meant. "The book was...pretty ordinary actually...but honestly, I have completely forgotten of how it looked like, so-" A shrill scream suddenly filled the air, and it sounded like a girl's voice.
"Help! Help! Get away from me!"
Joshua and I had the same stunned expressions on our faces, looking at each other. There was also a man's voice that sounded hoarse and pleading, saying, "Princess, don't worry, I'll make sure you will live together with me comfortably! Besides, once you live with me you'll find out it ain't that bad girl!"
Without a moment of hesitation, we rushed to where the scream came from, at the foot of the hill.
My adventure was just getting started.