Chapter 11: Taking the First Step
"So, where shall we go first?" requested an eager Toby.
"If only if we had a map of Gorm then we should know were we're heading," answered Nick, looking around the area.
Razzle lifted his head up. "Lucky for you kids, I know my way around Gorm quite well,"
"That's great!" exclaimed Lucas, giving the lizard a thumbs up causing the creature to smile. "Can you lead us to our first destination?"
Razzle felt his smile went even farther than before but suddenly went into serious mode again once Lucas asked him the question. "We first need to go to the Earth Temple in the Earth nation because looking at you, you look like you don't belong in Gorm, yet," he informed them.
Jessica looked down at her dress and saw that Razzle was right. There was no way she could fight Lava Gormiti like this, well, as least a kid.
"You're right," she sighed in agreement. "How are we going to manage to our mission like this?"
"By going to the Earth Temple of course!" called out Toby. "We can ask the Earth Gormiti if they're anything they can do to help us,"
Nick nodded in agreement. "Let's get going then before the Lava Gormiti catch us,"
The group started to make their way through the forest towards the Earth Nation. Unfortunately for them, the Earth Nation was on the other side of the oceans of Gorm so it was impossible for them to go quite easily. Throughout their walk, a lot of the Forest Gormiti kept looking at the kids as if something usual had just appeared in the land of Gorm. Lucas awkwardly gave them a little wave but at the same time, he felt it was silly to do so. Meanwhile, Jessica smoothed down her a little bit so that the Forest Gormiti wouldn't notice her looking dirty. She knew she hated getting her clothes dirty, especially in new outfits that she brought during shopping trips with Gina.
When the group finally arrived at the edge of the ocean, they couldn't believe how big it was. The foamy end tickled the soft sand while the crystal blue waves twinkled like stars. The sea at Venture Falls was similar to the ocean in Gorm but it was humongous compared to the one back on Earth.
Razzle looked at the kids in confusion at their shock. "Well, it is an ocean," he answered, shrugging his lizard shoulders. "The island of Gorm has a pretty big ocean you know."
Nick stroked his chin, blocking out the confusion and shock of seeing the ocean. "If we're going towards the Earth Nation we need to cross over the ocean to get across to the other side," he explained carefully. "But how?"
"The safest option we have is to make a boat," added Toby, noticing his brother's strategy. "But you're right little bro. We need to use materials to get across to the Earth Nation."
Lucas nodded but then looked at the forest that the group just came out of. "Wood would a suitable material to use but I'm worried about the trees. They're a part of the forest after all."
"You are right. The trees are part of the forest but they can be something else as well," a voice mysteriously came from the trees.
The group swiftly turned their heads and prepared themselves for battle, grabbing any sticks that they found in their area.
But instead of any Fire Gormiti, a wise Forest one appeared before them. His body covered in bark and leaves all around while his face remained wise like an old mentor. His kind green eyes spied on the kids and gave them a gentle smile.
Toby prepared his fighting stance as he would do in one of his judo tournaments. "Who are you?" he demanded.
"I am known as Sliva," the old Forest Gormiti replied, stepping forward to reveal his true Gormiti self. "I have been part of the Forest Nation for one thousand years now,"
"Wow! Almost one thousand years? That seems like a long time!" Jessica gasped.
Sliva kept his smile. "You are correct young lady. It does seem a long time, even for you," He slowly began to sat on one on the tree stump along the side of the forest entrance. "And the same thing goes for the peace here in Gorm. It's been far too long,"
"That's what we're trying to do," continued Nick. "We were wondering if you can help us build a boat,"
Sliva's eyes went as wide as they could before trying to stand up again. "You're bringing peace back to Gorm? Oh! I have always hoped that the prophecy will soon come true!"
"Um?" Toby raised an eyebrow. "Sorry. Can you explain that 'prophecy'? I don't get it,"
"Of course," Sliva cleared his throat before he began to tell the prophecy to the group.
"Well of course you know about the war going on in Gorm but there is part of the prophecy that many Gormiti have learnt throughout the past years. It says: 'When all hope seems lost, look to the horizon…a light will gleam…the true Prince of Gorm will come…and with him the new dawn of peace will begin!'"
The kids started blankly at each other in confusion. What did Sliva mean by the 'Prince of Gorm'? They were too old anyway to become princes anyway including Jessica, who was too old to become a princess.
Lucas gave a little, if silent, laugh. "Are you sure you're right? I'm mean look us! We're not even princes,"
"Or a princess," Jessica pointed at her dress to let Sliva know that she was a girl. "You must be confused with other Gormiti,"
It was Sliva's turn next to laugh. "Don't be silly, I just thought the prophecy was correct about the Prince of Gorm. That's all,"
Razzle decided it was time to correct Sliva. "Actually, glad you answered that Sliva because these kids are trying to find a way to restore peace in Gorm as Nick said and we are trying to get to the Earth Nation to make sure they're ready to fight any Fire Gormiti that comes their way."
"Now, if you don't mind, have you got any ideas we can use to build a boat?" asked Nick, persuasively.
Sliva went back to his wise mood now that Nick has asked a question. "I know that you friend over here doesn't want to use the trees of the forest." He pointed his branch finger to Lucas to explain his point. "But I did find some wood on the floor that might be usable."
"That will be fine," grinned Lucas. "Thank you for your help, Sliva,"
"What are we waiting for?" exclaimed Toby. "Let's start building!"
Meanwhile at Fire Mountain…
"My lord, we have some trouble."
That was the voice of Lavion, the lord of Lava. He was talking to Magmion, who was sitting on his molten lava throne.
"What it is?" he snarled at his other Lord.
Lavion cleared throat before delivering his master the news. "It seems that we have…I hate to say it but…intruders."
Magmion raised for his lava throne in anger and went to look straight into Lavion's devilish eyes. "INTRUDERS IN GORM?!" he roared. "SHOW THEM TO ME NOW!"
Lavion's lip quivered in fear. "I-I. I don't know anything about them at the moment my lord." His fear soon turned into a bit of smirk. "But I have heard from Lavor than they might be in the Forest Region as we speak.
Magmion went back to sit in throne, relieved at the news that he received. "Thank you for bringing me this information. You are free to go and one more thing…"
"Yes, my master?"
"Bring all of the lava soldiers that you have towards the Forest Region." Magmion began to bring his evil smile into a more sinister look than from before. "I feel that the war is about to commence once again…"