Rachel placed her hand on the book. The pages glowed. Riku felt overwhelmed by magic. It was just like when they entered Merlin's book. But as soon as the feeling overcame him, it vanished. They weren't in Rachel's room anymore. They were standing in the center of a wide wooden bridge. Garlands of pink and white flowers were strung on each side. Birds chorused all around. The sky was unnaturally blue and there was something off about the puffiness of the clouds. It was like they were somehow too perfect to be real.

"What is this place? Where are we?"

"Inside the book. This is the Cross Bridge. In this part of the story's universe, it is the center of everything. You go right," She pointed. "You'll get to the Enchanted Forest and its inhabitants. If you follow the path straight through, it will split once you're out. From there you can follow the path to the Undead Kingdom, The Gilded Valley or Amethyst Farms. If you go left," She pointed the other way. "Beyond the Citadel you get to the port towns and the ocean, Dragon's Crest, The Ruins of Insanity and Fantasy Glen."

"And you made all of it?"

Rachel smiled and nodded.

"And I don't suppose we can see all there is to see in a day, right?"

"Not and do it justice. Besides, this is only one set of chapters." She began leading him to the left.

"One set of chapters?"

"Yeah. Every time I create a new character, place or story I need a place to put them. After a while I run out of space in one world and have to create another map for them to live and go on their adventures. This universe has many distinct regions for its inhabitants. For example, Samuel is an Ice Diamond minor, but there are no wintery mountains on this map. So I had to make an all new one because a snowy mountain range didn't make sense anywhere here."

"That is incredible. You did this all by yourself?"

"Once Merlin showed me how. This is the magic book I told you guys about. A lot of places and characters were inspired by people and worlds I've visited."

"I'd love to see it all sometime," Riku held her hand as they walked.

"One day I'll take you everywhere." She promised.

The citadel stood in the center of a deep circular gorge, the grand city spread far around it and homes were carved into the walls. They stayed on the path that traveled around it. It didn't seem like they were walking very long at all before they reached a wide cross-roads with signs pointing to the places Rachel had mentioned.

"Let's go to the port town. There are some people out there I'd like you to meet. Well, there are lots of people worth meeting but gotta start somewhere."

It didn't feel like they took more than ten steps before they could see the town. Riku looked behind him. There was nothing but a long stretch of empty road.

"What just happened?"

"It's a time…special…thingy that makes things go by quicker. All you have to do is decide where you want to go and so long as you're on the right path, that's where you'll end up…quickly."

Riku turned around again and jumped. They were at the edge of the city! "How did you do that?"

"I'm not sure. That's the one part of this place I haven't been able to figure out."

The port town was incredible. It reminded him a lot of how the houses were arranged back home. Everyone was dressed in vibrant colored clothes. Boys played tag in the streets and girls skipped rope on the sidewalk. Merchants and marketers shouted from their wagons or ware stands. In the midst of the bustle a few took notice of Rachel and either curtsied or tipped their hats. Rachel would return the gesture.

"They recognize you here?"

"Of course. I wanted it to be that way. It's an incredible feeling to actually be able to talk to someone you thought up and watch them grow with the traits you designed."

They made it to the docks but Rachel kept going to the left. The farther down they went the drearier the place looked. The perfect place for villains and scoundrels.

"Here," Rachel tossed Riku a cloak. Where she got it he didn't ask. She pulled up the hood and lowered it over her face. Riku did the same.

"So how do we find these friends of yours?" Riku was curious as well as a little concerned what kind of people might live down here.

"We don't. Dressed like this, they'll find us."

Sure enough, they weren't walking for much more than five minutes before two hooded figures jumped them in a dark alley, demanding they hand over all they had. Riku couldn't help but laugh out loud at their faces when they pulled back Rachel's hood and realized who she was.

"Why do you keep doing that to us!" One demanded.

"Because it always works. And it's funny."

The two men pulled back their hoods completely. Apart from their hairstyles and one had five o' clock shadow they were the perfect mirror image of each other. The only other difference was one had green eyes and the other had blue.

"Riku, I'd like you to meet twins, Elliot and Killian Craven. Gentlemen thieves, pirates at large and the wildest night of your life that you'll never remember."

They bowed.

"So who's who?"

"Killian," Rachel pointed to the twin with the green eyes and the wanna-be beard. "Is a vampire. And Elliot," The blue-eyed twin nodded to Riku. "Is a werewolf."

"How can a vampire and a werewolf be twins?"

"It's never made any sense to us either." Elliot shrugged.

"So let me guess," Killian said to Rachel as he circled Riku and looked him over completely. "A shade."

"A what?" Riku asked. He looked to Rachel for an explanation. She only smiled and shook her head.

"No? Ok, umm, a young wizard?"

"Nope." Rachel said smiling.

"A knight?"

"Well, if she's bringing him to us he's probably a buccaneer." Elliot looked to Rachel to see if his guess was right. She shook her head and laughed a little.

It took a second but Riku eventually understood why they were guessing. They thought he was a new character she was getting settled in.

Elliot looked him over again thoughtfully. "A male succubus?"

"Seriously?" His brother looked at him like he was completely nuts. "That's your guess? Besides, it's called an incubus, you idiot."

"It could happen!" Elliot defended. "She's put all kinds of weirdos in here."

"Think about it for a second would'ja? If he were an incubus he'd be wearing a lot less. And he'd have a tail and those pointless little wings. But if that's true," Killian rounded on Rachel. "He is so NOT bunking with us. We do not swing that way and we don't need any negative competition with the ladies."

"Not like there's much you could do if I said otherwise." Rachel said. "But in all seriousness, guys, Riku is not a character."

Instantly their faces went slack with the shock of processing what she just said. The twins gaped at him with identical stares of bewilderment like he was some strange and mythical creature from another planet. Then they looked back to Rachel, perhaps waiting for her to say "Gotcha!" or something.

"He's from the outside?" They said together in awed disbelief.

"But you never bring outsiders into the story!"

"You've never even brought your own brother in here!"

"Bryan hasn't seen this place?" Riku asked.

"Nope. Because they're right. These worlds are very special to me and I decide to keep it to myself."

"Then why did you bring me?"

Rachel smiled gently at him. "I think you know why."

Five words. In only five words Riku felt like everything had stopped or disappeared. A deluge of thoughts and feelings raged through him. Most, he wasn't sure if they even had names. Was she saying what it sounded like she was saying? Did Rachel just say IT without using those words? Part of him was ecstatic. The other part hoped it wasn't. He should have been the one to say it first.

The twins were looking at Riku strangely.

"So he's you're boyfriend?" Elliot said.

Was that a tone of hopefulness I just heard? Riku thought.

"Kinda."

"What do you mean, 'kinda'?" Killian asked sharply. He raised a dangerously suspicious eyebrow. "That sort of thing doesn't leave a lot of room for 'kinda'."

"He hasn't asked me yet."

The brothers positively rounded on Riku. Like, rabid, hungry, angry Rottweiler's sort of rounded.

"What is wrong with you!" They demanded together.

"You're obviously special to her to be-."

"-welcomed into her private sanctuary-."

"-and you don't even have the decency-."

"-to make your relationship official first?"

Then they rounded on Rachel.

"And you!"

"You can do better!"

"We know you like the tall, dark and handsome type-."

"I mean, really, look at us."

"But if he doesn't come with brains too-."

"Throw him back!" They finished together.

Riku couldn't help but laugh at the way they finished each other's thoughts so seamlessly. Rachel managed to smooth it over but the brothers still gave him the stink eye. Before they left, Elliot caught Riku by the shoulder and he and Killian spoke so only Riku could hear.

"Listen, we respect she sees something in you that makes her happy."

"But know this,"

"If she ever comes in here nursing a broken heart-."

"-We will find a way out of this world and mark this-."

"-saying that we will drain you dry and rip you apart-."

"Is not an idle threat!"

Killian's green eyes flashed red and Elliot's blue eyes turned amber to emphasize their point. Riku was impressed by their loyalty but not fazed by their warning.

"Why would I deliberately break something as beautiful as her heart?" He asked as casually as though they were talking about the weather.

The twins looked taken aback. Must be they didn't meet a lot of people they couldn't intimidate. Fangs and supernatural powers usually had that effect. They respectfully nodded and retreated into the shadows.

"So ignoring the embarrassing remarks, what did you think of them?" Rachel asked when he caught up.

"That is a very interesting pair."

"Put simply, yes?"

"Yeah. So where are we going now?"

"We could backtrack to Dragon's Crest or we can keep going this way to Fantasy Glen. The Ruins of Insanity are beyond that."

"What's Fantasy Glen?" He was more leery than curious asking about a place called The Ruins of Insanity.

"In my most humblest, non-egotistical of opinions, the most beautiful place I've written."

"Then let's go there."

"You don't even know what's in it."

"Doesn't matter."

Rachel smiled and leaned into him as they walked. Riku put his arm around her waist and laid his head on hers. He would hear her complain many times about having altitude issues but to him, she was the perfect height.

They deviated from the path and entered Fantasy Glen. There were lush meadows and rolling hills. Rachel seemed to be fond of the cumulous cloud as that was the only kind he'd seen. Rainbows were scattered throughout the landscape and connected land and sky.

"You can actually slide on the rainbows to walk in the clouds."

"That's amazing. What made you think of that?"

"This whole place is actually based on a world I've been to. It was beautiful beyond words so I made one like it, but with my own touches here and there."

Something large flew across the sky toward them. Two somethings. They landed with graceful but heavy thuds. It was a pair of winged horses! They tossed their heads, kicked and whinnied joyously to see Rachel, their majestic horns glistening in the sun. Rachel giggled as the pair nuzzled her face with their velvet noses.

"Hey guys," She whispered like she were telling a secret. "There's someone I'd like you to meet."

The great horses stepped back to get their first good look at Riku. The mare trotted over happily and showered him with curious sniffs and friendly nuzzles. She gratefully accepted getting her neck patted. Her coat was short but very soft like fine peach fuzz. Her mane was long and moved like water when she shook her head. Her coat was dapple-gray and she had deep robin's egg blue eyes.

The stallion on the other hand gave him a sour look and looked him over suspiciously. His coat was pure white and his eyes were crisp evergreen. His horn was much longer than the mares'.

"Riku, this is Ada and Javelin." Rachel introduced.

"Wonder what made you think of that name." Riku said flatly, eyeing the stallion's horn with caution.

"Hey guys, could you take us to the Valley, please?"

Javelin looked at Riku, stomped a hoof and snorted with disgust at the idea of carrying a human male. Ada, however had no issue and eagerly dropped to her knees, allowing Riku to mount up easier. Javelin gave his mate a 'shame on you' glare but was soothed when Rachel patted his neck.

"So…how exactly do I hang on?" Riku had never been on a horse before. He sat as best he could behind the wing joint even though he wanted to be as close to the neck as he could. It seemed to be the only thing to hang on to without actual reins.

"Wrap your hands in her mane." Rachel instructed. She did the same and Javelin lunged forward at a full gallop, spread his wings and took to the sky.

Too late now to tell Rachel he'd rather walk. But Ada could sense his uncertainty and took flight much more slowly. She started at a brisk walk then got faster from there. When her trot became a canter she unfurled her wings and started flapping. That felt really weird. Riku couldn't stifle a short yelp when the mare took off. He wasn't expecting the jolt and feeling like were falling backwards. Even though she was ascending gently for him the world still got really small really fast.

Thankfully the journey didn't take long. Rachel and Javelin had already landed at the edge of a lake covered with beautiful lilies and adorned with swaying willow trees. Ada landed as gently as she could and knelt so Riku could slide off. And Riku was now more than ever grateful Javelin wanted to do with him. He shuddered to think what that ride would have been like. Ada nickered happily to receive a grateful pat on the nose. She and Javelin cantered off and flew away.

"That wasn't too much, was it?"

"Wasn't as smooth as I would have liked." Riku admitted. His thighs were on fire from gripping so tightly with his knees. He hoped it didn't show as he walked. Horseback riding? Maybe. Flying horses? Never again.

A little dock jutted out into the calm lake, well, more like a big pond. They stood at the and looked over the water. Lilies grew at the edges like a wreath. Huge rainbow dragonflies buzzed around their heads.

Up the shore a ways a thin waterfall chorused. When Riku looked closer he realized there were figures in the water and on the shore. But they weren't human.

"This is Centaur Valley." Rachel informed when she saw where he was looking.

"Can we get closer?" He'd never seen a centaur before.

"Depends."

"On what?"

"The only way to get there is by crossing the lake. Only when you do you become a centaur."

"You couldn't have written a bridge?"

"Only centaurs in Centaur Valley."

What the heck. It might be fun. There was just something about her that brought out the good sport in him.

They jumped off the dock into the enchanted water. At first he didn't feel anything. Looking down into the clear water he could still see his legs. Imagined water must not have had the same effect on Rachel either because she wasn't a mermaid. Then again, she probably wrote it that way. It wasn't until his feet touched bottom on the other side did Riku notice the change.

Rachel got out first and she looked amazing. Her equine features were softer than those of the flying unicorns. Her top was cut and sleeveless like it did when she became a mermaid. Her coat was the same purple of her clothes. Around her feet the fur grew into fine feathers. Her tail was so long it dragged on the ground. It wasn't until Rachel laughed at him did Riku realize he'd been staring.

"Need any help walking?" She asked with a smile.

Riku wasn't sure. Finally he looked himself over. He too had feathers on his ankles only they were thicker and further up his legs than Rachel's. His equine body was also heavier set and covered with fine silver-blue fur. His tail wasn't as long either but was the same color as his hair.

They took it slow and easy until Riku was sure of his footing. Afterward they went to see all the inhabitants of Centaur Valley. The sprites, the nymphs and of course the centaurs. The centaurs were a pleasant bunch. The colors were what struck Riku first. Their coats and hair colors were of every hue and value of every color imaginable. Some of them even had colored skin. A centaurette went by with a beautiful blue tail adorned with flowers and her skin was a different value from the blue of her body. Also they all seemed to come in pairs. Every centaur they met had a sweetheart not far behind.

After exploring the valley for a time, Riku and Rachel came to rest beside a bend in a stream that Rachel called The Singing Spot. The stream bed looked like a series of elongated stair steps. The many rocks made the water babble. The sound was hypnotically soothing. They lay side by side, front legs dangling in the water. Occasionally a fairy-like creature with flower petal wings would fly by and giggle and wave then fly off again.

"It's still hard to wrap my mind around that everything I've seen only exists because you thought it up."

"Sometimes I forget it too. Everyone has developed so much more personality than I gave them. I know every single one of them by name but every time I meet them they change and grow into their own characters." Rachel leaned into him and Riku put his arm around her waist.

Now he could truly understand the hearts' desire to make a moment last forever. As a child he knew he had said it before. About Christmas day. A moment of triumph. But nothing could truly compare to this. If he'd been given a choice, Riku would have been fine never leaving this creekside again. The water singing around him, Rachel warm and kind beside him. He felt pure around her. Like being close to her light cleansed his heart of all its darkness.

Amidst the perfect moment, Riku felt something prod the side of his flank. He turned to see what had touched him. It was one of those flower fairies. This one had the wings and gown of a white lily. It carried a breathtaking stargazer lily bigger than itself. The petals were light sapphire blue with pale pink edges and the center of the flower was gold. The fairy pointed between him, the flower and Rachel. He understood. The fairy left the flower within his reach then hid by his side to watch. Riku wasn't sure how to give it to her. 'Here, a fairy gave this to me saying you might like it' wasn't the smoothest approach.

They sat on the stone for a while longer in silence. Maybe he shouldn't say anything and just give it to her. But Riku didn't get the chance before she spoke first. That seemed to happen a lot. He'd have to learn to get up the nerve to say the things he wanted sooner or else risk a moment passing by because he waited too long.

"We should probably be getting back soon." She said although she didn't get up or make a motion to do so.

"Probably," Riku agreed.

Now or never you idiot! A voice in his head said rudely.

"Not a bad ending to a first date." The words spilled out before Riku could stop them.

"In order for it to be a date I'd first have to be your girlfriend," Rachel said in a mildly joking manner.

It was then Riku presented the flower. "Then will you?"

Rachel looked between the flower and Riku, her expression changing when she realized he wasn't kidding. The second that smile lit up the world, everything within Riku from the core outward quivered with joy. She took the flower and kissed him gently on the side of his face. The brief contact burned but in the best way. He was more than willing to accept that as a 'yes' (also in part because she seemed momentarily incapable of speaking).

A noise came from behind him that sounded like a very squeaky 'hooray!' Riku almost forgot the fairy was there. It came out of hiding and showered them with lily petal confetti. It blew dozens of ecstatic air kisses then flitted away rapidly. Now would probably be a good time to get going before the entire valley heard the news. Rachel thought the same thing.

It was amazing. She actually looked to be glowing. Riku felt a new stirring in his heart. He didn't give it any thought at the time, but a shadow of darkness had just melted away forever. As Riku held her close, words he had heard more than a decade ago echoed back to him and now, he could fully understand what they meant.

"…champion the ones you love…"