Wow. Just wow. In just one week, Stuck in the Park has been added to three people's favorites and has been followed. Thank you, it means a lot to know that people like this story.
Cutie Kyuubi,
I wouldn't spoil it for you anyways lol, I hate it when people give spoilers about the game/movie/book. Just stops me from wanting to finish it. But I'll tell you now, prepare because the fifth episode is BADASS.
Alex-Kurotani,
I freaking agree! I personally think the first season of the video game had a better plot than the TV show's. Granted the first episode kind of bored me, but I thought with every new chapter, the game got better. And thank you! I'm actually starting to run low on ideas for new chapter, so I am praying to the writing gods to invest in me some ideas.
"Religion has convinced people that there's an invisible man ... living in the sky. Who watches everything you do every minute of every day. And the invisible man has a list of ten specific things he doesn't want you to do. And if you do any of these things, he will send you to a special place, of burning and fire and smoke and torture and anguish for you to live forever, and suffer, and suffer, and burn, and scream, until the end of time. But he loves you. He loves you. He loves you and he needs money."
― George Carlin
"Books are a uniquely portable magic."
― Stephen King, On Writing
Just throwing it out there, I feel like y'all should know (you guys have supported me so far with everything), I have went a whole month without self-harm. Not sure if you care, but I'm pretty damn proud of myself! If any of you guys are battling with issues like I'm currently up against, seek help. Even if you don't care that you're hurting, I can guarantee you that someone somewhere cares. Hell, if you truly feel you're alone, I care. If you feel the need, PM me, it's up to you. Think I've dilly dallied long enough.
Hope's POV
I sat beside a riverbed, twirling a string of hair around my finger. The river wasn't glowing blue or any other seemingly ridiculous color, it was just a clear stream.
"Oh, Hope, come and find me!" A familiar, angelic voice sang of in the distance. I couldn't quite pinpoint where I'd heard the voice before, but I could tell that it held a meaning to it.
"No, Hope, don't follow her; follow me, I can teach you how to be forever young!" A dark, mysterious voice insisted. "She is a stick in the mud anyways, she will spoil our fun with her pestering."
I got to my feet slowly and looked to the trees surrounding me, hoping to find who the voices belonged to. The trees seemed inviting, as though they alone could shelter me from what was to come from the voices.
"Child, do not listen to his bittersweet blasphemy, he would sooner strike you down than see you flourish to your full potential. Come to a place where you do not have to face your fears, you may keep them locked away from your mind and life. Join me in the safe haven of the woods." The angelic voice claimed, becoming stronger.
I could feel some sort of light feeling in my being as I took a step towards the angelic voice.
"Do you believe her? Don't you remember that voice? The pain it brought throughout your life? How your it promised to protect you in your darkest moments, only for it to vanish in your time of need? Hope, I can promise you that if you trust me I can keep you and your friends safe, if you allow me to. There is a simple price to insure my protection."
I looked back to see a man stepping out of the trees. He had on black robes that seemed to be the kinds that a priest or monk would wear, blonde hair that settled on his shoulders, a heart shaped face, a strong nose, full lips, blue-gray eyes, and pale skin.
"What is that price? Why should I even trust you, I don't even know either of your names?" I spat.
"When you come to the cave that holds what you seek, take the staff off of the alter and put it outside of the cave. And why shouldn't you trust me? I could take you home to Ray and Paige; I could make all adore you and make them not wish to leave. And my name is Maric Lithis and the other person that is trying to get your attention is going to stay unnamed for your benefit, her name is familiar to all of us but to you, it will hold meaning." Maric explained, running a hand through his hair.
"If you must not know my name for your own well-being, I shall go by Ivy. Hope, try to remember my voice. Remember what it means to you and Paige. Even if you remember and are furious, don't trust him! He is the essence of evil in Summerbarrow, he has lead countless innocents to their death with his trickery and lies. He will trick you just as he has done to the others. Come to me, I can protect even in my absence of this world and the others." Ivy pleaded, panic evident in her voice.
"I just want to get to the others and get out of here, go back to the Park where I can pretend to live a normal life." I stated, crossing my arms over my chest in a rebellious manner.
"Sorry to tell you, chickadee, but your stuck here until you can finish the task of an immortal. It don't have to be Chishiki, it could be any immortal such as me or Ivy." Maric said, staring into the forest with a deadly gaze as though he were trying to scare Ivy off.
"Where are we?" I asked, changing the subject.
"We are in your dreams, it's the only way that we can communicate with each other. But our time is coming to an end, think of what I have told you, act on it. If you fail my task I will send you back to the Park; if you complete it however I shall send you home, with the other bird." Maric winked and threw something at me.
I woke up, looking around for Ivy or Maric. 'I'm never going to talk to another immortal again when we get back to the park.' I thought, chuckling at the irony of it. They were the only way I had of returning home, yet I'd simply stay at the Park for a moment of silence. I eventually just fell asleep after yelling at the air as though everyone were there to take my bitching. I wasn't fully talking to no one, there was echoes... My stomach grumbled, bringing me out of my thoughts. I stood up, brushing of the petals that had somehow attached their selves to my yellow silk tank top, I set off going towards the eastern corner of Summerbarrow. After a few minutes, I came across a older black horse who was struggling with the task of pulling a cart up a hill.
"Pardon me, madam, but could you possibly be of assistance here?" He asked, grunting at the weight of the cart.
I quickly scurried beside him and helped him pull the ridiculously heavy cart up the hill. "There you go." I go to take my leave when he stops me.
"Please let me at least carry you to the nearest inn." He offered.
"Are you sure, I mean you are carrying quite the load."
"Perish the thought, if it'd been a burden, would I had offered."
"I suppose it couldn't hurt." I clambered on to the cart to sit on a chair that was on it. "If I may ask, why do you have such a quantity of items."
"Ma'am, are you aware of who I am?"
I shook my head.
"I'm Blade Griefdawn, I'm a well-known trader around the northern villages. We have a while to go before we reach anywhere, mind if I tell you a bit about myself?"
"Not the slightest."
"Well you see, I was a daring adventurer back in the day; being from the most dangerous village around, Knightsflite, it was a second nature with the blade. One day when I was out hunting, I came across an injured doe. Feeling sorry for her, I drug her home with hope that she would regain her health and simply be on her way; that wasn't the case. While she was recovering, I got to know her and eventually I developed feelings for her. Her name strangely was, all jokes aside, Precious Desire. I simply called her Precious. After she recovered, I asked her to stay, she accepted and as fate would have it, three months later we were saying our vows."
"Are you two still together?"
Blade looked to his hooves. "Sadly no; twenty years ago, a powerful immortal ran through here, slaying people left and right. Precious was one of his many victims."
"What was his name?"
"I do believe it was the cursed Scar Lathus, brother of the heavenly immortal Kenyangi. He was a real piece of work, spouting his dark magic around in everyone's face like they had to know what he was capable of." Blade shook his head and looked to the roof of the cavern, "I'd do anything just to hear her voice telling me that she is okay and not paining herself over vengeance."
I looked at Blade, feeling sorry for the man that I'd just met; he had lost his wife to the brother of someone he practically worshiped. "You have my condolences for you wife. I'm sure you're aware that however you feel, there are others who have the same pain you have or worse. And a task I must do in order to return home is to end his reign of terror, I hope you will find peace in his death for I most certainly won't."
He smiled, uncovering that he didn't possess a single tooth in his mouth. "I thank you for the sincerity in your words and for giving me hope..."
"Did I offend?"
"Can't say that I know your name, might I ask it?"
"Hope Jamie."
Blade's eyes brighten at the sound of my name. "So you are the mortal that the heavenly Kenyangi has taken under her wing. You are truly blessed to be protected by such a glorious woman, I assume that the reason you are trying to get to the nearest place with people is because you are going to look for your companions?"
"Yes, I was talking to a unfamiliar immortal and they set off without me, they probably think that I ran off in fear or found a way back to my realm." I sighed.
"Let me give you a bit of advice, Hope. When you're young, you wish for things that you think and claim are the better things in life than other desires, yet you usually don't need the things you want. There have been many times that you desired for adventures and risks, yet you had a life that many people wished to have your quiet life and simple luxuries. Now that you have a exciting life and a place in the world, you long to be back at the life you once had; all you need to truly be joyful in life is a roof over your head, some food every now and again, friends, and simple pleasures to enjoy. A simple beggar can sleep soundly in harsh weather, knowing that he has earned a meal speaking of his unfortunate life and deeds. Do you understand?"
"Sorta. I know that you're speaking of finding happiness in the various things in life. But what do I do if your brain says one thing yet your heart says another?"
Blade shook his head, his black mane waving in the wind. "Which do you want to listen to?"
"I don't know." I answered honestly.
Nobody's POV
The Park employees were still sitting outside the cave in the carriage, waiting to see if Hope would show up; they had arrived sometime during the night.
Benson looked to the floor. "Guys, I don't think Hope is coming; Mordecai, you even said that she was by the pond then poof, she was gone. If she was with us, she's gone now."
"She is coming!" Kris snapped in her defense.
"Yeah, she probably just got lost." Mordecai chimed in.
"That's not the case." Pops stated.
"What do you mean Pops?" Benson asked, turning to Pops.
"I saw her at the pond, I turned my head, and she was gone. I think she was with an immortal; that's why we couldn't find any trace of her." Pops explained.
"And now you are saying something? Pops, we could of found her by now! She could be hurt or lost o-" Mordecai was cut off by Rigby.
"Why do you even care? She is the one that got us thrown into this mess with immortals!" Rigby screamed, making Mordecai blush.
"I do- She is a good friend!" Mordecai snapped, turning a deeper shade of red.
"You two, be quiet or you're fired! We need to think of a plan; Hope is a smart girl, she can think of a way to get here." Benson yelled.
"Okay." They muttered in unison.
"So if I remember correctly, anyone who has the blessing of an immortal or an immortal can pass through the cave and not be affected by the spell." Skips said.
"Right, and we know that Mordecai and Hope had the blessing, and Skips is an immortal, so that is three people who can pass through and not fall asleep." Kris stated with a smile.
"But only two of them are here." Rigby pointed out, poking the purple couch beside Kris.
Kris frowned. "Thanks for making me feel like an idiot! But Mordecai, Skips, and someone else can enter and be fine; however, if lets say Benson ran in after the three, the mortal will fall asleep and need a blessing."
Everyone let out a desperate sigh. Rigby and Mordecai looked out the window. They immediately jumped up and ran out of the carriage, screaming something about immortals. Everyone followed the loud men as they ran up to the one and only Kenyangi.
"I would exchange pleasantries, but I would rather do them away from this cave." Kenyangi sputtered.
"I sense you're here because in the depths of it lies evil." Skips claimed.
Kenyangi nodded. "The spider king has you all pulled and trapped in his web! I don't know how it happened, the prophecy spoke of a raven who unites a nation that will rule under the immortals, not divide it. I suspect that the darkness descending upon the land is the doing of the evil that dwells inside. I could do one thing but it is very dangerous to Mordecai and Hope."
"Wait! Why is it dangerous to me and Hope?" Mordecai demanded.
"When I gave you my blessing I didn't think about the evil being inside the cave, I only thought of the prophecy being fulfilled; I believe I have doomed not only this world but all of them. Even if Hope was here you'd need a wizard to complete the ritual! I have failed as a guardian of immortality and the immortal of beauty, I do not deserve to live in this haven or possess the knowledge of arcane arts."
Skips skipped up to Kenyangi, who was freaking out over things that she didn't prevent, and grabbed her shoulders. "Kenyangi, calm down! If you get too wound up, you'll lose it, and I think that with every single obstacle we face, we don't need you destroying the immortal realm in a fit of anger or depression. You are a guardian of immortality, as we all are here in this realm, even the smallest deed you complete leads us further down the road as a world of peace and purpose. Even the things that end badly have positive outcomes."
"But you do not understand what will happen!" Kenyangi snapped. "I lost connection with Hope, I can't tell where or how she is. She could be trapped in the cave as we speak, or in danger, and since our connection has been severed I wouldn't be able to know and save her."
"What does it matter if she is dead, you make it sound like it is the end of the world!" Rigby pointed out.
"It could very well be the end of the worlds and realms. If Hope's world is destroyed, all of the worlds shall quickly crumble to no more than ashes of it's former self. Have any of you ever wondered why she was plucked from her world to be thrown into your disastrous world?" Kenyangi explained, pulling at her white hair.
"I have; however, I figured it has to do with whoever Fate is and the other immortals." Kris said, looking to the ground as though she expected to be criticized by her fellow employees.
"That it does." Skips confirmed, looking to the mouth of the cave.
"What is the evil that is in the cave?" Pops asked.
"I would prefer to not say, for it is painful to bring up. I will tell you what you must do in order to defeat it however." Kenyangi said hesitantly.
"But we need to know what it is!" Rigby pressed.
"I would rather not." Kenyangi stated.
"We need to know!" Rigby pressed further.
"Dude, knock it off before she decides to not help us!" Mordecai yelled in irritation.
"It is fine; he is who he is. I can not blame him for that. My advice for the cave is to wait for Hope, you will have a greater chance of victory that way. And do not accept anything he has to offer, he is known for his trickery." Kenyangi sighed. "If I could help you, I would leap at the chance; however, it is not my duty to assist you in your task, I can only warn you of what is to come. The evil inside was not always as it is, once it was a caring, loving person who would rather had died than do wrong."
"Is there any way that you could make Hope appear in your cloud of dust and sparkles?" Rigby asked sarcastically, rolling his eyes.
"Rigby stop with the obvious sarcasm and insults, we are lucky that we have her on our side." Kris spat.
"Yeah, she could be like the other immortals, not you Skips, but she could be uncaring and use us for her personal source of amusement." Benson added.
"Well it's not my fault that Hope was stupid enough to get herself lost and caught up with the all the immortals' attention. If she had just stayed in her world, we wouldn't be here!" Rigby hissed.
Kris growled. "And I wouldn't be here! I'd be stuck in that book!"
"Kris, calm down." Skips soothed. "We need to be with each other, not against one another."
"Skips is right, of course he is right. Rigby treat your fellow employees with respect, the immortals as well, they deserve it!" Benson huffed in annoyance at Rigby's childishness.
Kenyangi began summoning a blood red chest that had green writing on it. As it formed, the ground began to shake. When the shaking ceased, Kenyangi told them what must -with or without Hope- be done.
HOPE'S POV
"Thanks for the ride!" I called to Blade as he rode away from the inn.
"It was an honor!" He called back.
Blade had dropped me off at The Goddess and the Prayer alehouse with a light pack of food and a handful of silver pieces after a heartfelt good-bye and a promise of a prayer of safe travels.
I put the silver pieces in my side pocket and pulled the pack of food over my shoulder and briskly walked into the establishment before me. It was a clean, bright bar with several tables and stools, a bard that was playing a lute with ease, and an altar to somebody that they probably worshiped as a god or goddess. I went up to the bartender with questions.
"Excuse me, miss?" I asked.
"Yes?" A purple deer inquired.
"I have some questions I was wanting answers for, could you help me?"
"I suppose, as long as they isn't some personal questions like my sexuality or what color my under clothes are." She snapped.
"Eww... Okay. Um that was awkward. Who is the altar for?"
She scoffed. "The immortal Kenyangi and her husband."
"Who is her husband?"
"Storm."
"Just 'Storm'?"
"Listen, as much as I'd love to answer the questions of an idiotic moron, I have work to do. If you still want your answers ask her." She spat, pointing to a cloaked woman in the corner.
"Sorry to bother you!" I hissed venomously, causing the deer's eyes to narrow.
I walked to the hooded woman and took the seat beside her.
"You have questions." She stated, her voice oddly familiar.
"I do." I confirmed. "They might be bothersome. Will you answer them?"
She nodded. "I have dealt with far worse, believe me."
"Why do you worship the immortals?" I questioned.
"They are the only god-like figures in this world we have. The god of the other worlds overlooked this one and left it to stand alone. When the immortals showed up, they took control of everything that we didn't have power to command. They protect us, answer our prayers, and allow us to live as long as we like; isn't that what gods are suppose to do?" She said.
"Why do you just worship the immortal Kenyangi and her husband? Why not the others?"
"There are many immortals; too many to acknowledge. Why must we worship them all? Each immortal stands for a virtue; we worship the ones we deem important."
"Why is Kenyangi so important though? She seems just as the rest seem. Why do you dance to the tune, why not sing along?"
She chuckled. "Kenyangi saved many lives when Scar attacked, she did away with her own kin in order to allow her and the other immortals' worshipers to remain alive. Many bow to her command because she and Storm were the only immortals to actually save a life during the battle between Scar and the immortals. The other immortals struck down their own in the attempt at ending Scar's life. Kenyangi and her husband were forbidden to revive and heal the other immortals' worshipers."
I was shocked, nobody had told me it was a war that caused all of the hate towards Scar or love to Kenyangi. "Did they listen?"
"Sadly, only Kenyangi listened; Storm went against Fate and Tiānshǐ and healed a handful of Scar's followers and Scar. Th-"
"Who is Tiānshǐ?"
"The immortal of purity. As I was saying, Storm believed that none of his followers or Scar himself were purely evil and twisted, he thought that they were mislead and if he could heal them they could be convinced that they were in the wrong. He," She took a deep drink of her ale, "was wrong; terribly wrong. Scar thanked him and gave him a necklace, the necklace that Storm was buried with, and offered him a place at his side when he won the war. Storm refused and bid Scar farewell and luck. He did not know that Tiānshǐ had witnessed this display of kindness and was furious. The day before the war was won, on this very land to be exact, Tiānshǐ called Storm forward and told the other immortals, including Kenyangi and Scar, how he went against their word." She explained.
I gasped. "Did they take away his immortality?"
"If only Tiānshǐ were that kind. She had Kenyangi, his beloved wife, strike him down. Kenyangi was with child at that time, she lost it not soon after the world was at peace. Kenyangi didn't fight for the rest of the battle, all she was able to do was weep for her husband's death and fear for her brother's life. It's said that Scar was going to surrender in honor of Storm saving his life; however, when he saw his savior's blood hit the ground, he waged the war further by binding his life to Tiānshǐ's. Kenyangi stepped in at a second before the final blow, that was to be delivered by none less than Tiānshǐ, she bound Tiānshǐ to her husband's necklace and her brother to the cave. She said she did it because there was already so much death had already been seen, I believe otherwise."
I was in awe, not only were there bad immortals, but there was an immortal that was brave enough to go against his friends and leaders that saved his enemies. He didn't desire for a reward, only for them to do the right thing; he didn't deserve to be killed for his actions, he deserves worship and life. "What do you believe?"
"I believe Kenyangi bound Tiānshǐ to her husband's necklace as a punishment, for however long her husband lay in the ground, Tiānshǐ is laying along side with him. And she feared that she would lose her only living kin if she had not bound him to the cave, I believe she did not punish her brother but allowed him to rest away from the other immortals' cold, bitter gaze."
"A lovely legend, thank you."
"It's my job. Now I ask you, what will you do now that you know of the immortal war? Will you free Scar and reunite him with Kenyangi, or will you slay him and Tiānshǐ in a single blow?"
I sighed sadly. "Now that I know the truth, I do not wish his death to happen. I do not know a way to return to the Park or my world without his end playing a major role."
She looked at me, her hood hiding everything but her piercing yellow eyes. "It's easy, Avian, rewrite your fate, do not follow the path set for you; spin your own tale. I must take my leave now. Goodbye, Hope, may Kenyangi and Storm guide you." With that she left the inn, leaving me in my confused thoughts. I got up and paid for my drink and started the long trek towards Scar's prison, unsure of what will happen when the time comes.
I'M SO SORRY FOR BEING SO LATE! MY COMPUTER CRASHED AND I HAD TO SEND IT OFF TO GET FIXED! I understand if I lost some readers during my absence, I deserve it for not trying harder to find ways to post a new chapter. Thank you, those who stayed faithful! So I ask you what do you think Hope will do when the time comes to face Scar and what did you think of the war of the immortals? I wrote that during my absence, so I wouldn't be completely behind. Expect an update soon -within a few days. I wrote the longest chapter I've ever wrote as an apology.
Kisses,
AntionetteEva