Chapter 21: The Earth Temple

Nick stood on top of a massive cliff overlooking the Earth Nation. He was relieved he finally made it to his destination. Sure, it was a tough journey to get there but at least he reached the nation all by himself.

His legs felt a little bit tired due to all the running he had occurred so far, he wished he could rest again. 'No time for a rest now,' Nick thought to himself patiently. 'You need to find the Earth Temple and quickly before the next Lava Gormiti attack!'

Looking around the area, Nick spotted a little pathway that led towards the main Earth Capital. This was better than climbing down a whole cliff face, he wouldn't have to worry about the orb or his legs. Nick carefully when down the long winding path towards the capital where he couldn't believe his eyes at what he saw.

The main base of the capital was hollower than that cliff faces that guarded the area. Along the walls were different sized caves that could lead into adventure or misadventure just like Aladdin. The only bit that remained was a huge building with its masked-like face carved into it.

'That must be the Earth Temple,' Nick already figured out the answer.

Upon walking through from where he started, he could see several Earth Gormiti looking at him in confusion. Nick felt it would be rude to question their confusion as he though they might get mad at him for trespassing on their territory. Still, he wasn't trespassing, he was on a mission. To gain power from his orb that would hopefully save Gorm.

It hadn't been long before Nick accidently bumped into a bit of rock. Dropping his orb in the process, it rolled beside him before he grabbed swiftly back into his arms. He brought up the orb closely to his face. 'Phew!' There was no single crack in sight.

But he looked back up, an Earth Gormiti was looking at him straight into the eye.

"What are you doing here?" he commended with a booming voice.

Nick crawled back. "I'm sorry?"

The Earth Gormiti shook his head in anger. "Why are you in the Earth Nation specifically?" he called out again.

"Oh!" Nick stood up when he realised what the Earth Gormiti said. "I'm terribly sorry for angering you it's just that the Earth Temple's this way," He pointed his finger behind the Earth Gormiti.

"Hmmmm." The Earth Gormiti observed where the young boy had been pointing to. Just as he said the Earth Temple was behind it and it had JUST blocked his way to go forwards.

"You want to go to the Earth Temple child," the Earth Gormiti answered Nick. "But can I ask why?"

Nick bowed onto one knee with his orb balancing on it by his arm. "I need to go to the Earth Temple because I need to fill up my orb with power so I can help you. The Lava Gormiti may be coming for me since I…" He found out he couldn't tell the Earth Gormiti what he will become soon so he had to find an alternative.

"…I told my older brother to meet me here afterwards because along with our friends, we need to restore peace to Gorm," he managed to say.

"Your explanation is well planned," stated the Earth Gormiti proudly. "I shall let you go but please be quick."

"Thank you!" Nick smiled.

The Earth Gormiti created a gap for Nick to walk through but before Nick could carry on, the Earth Gormiti said:

"Once you go into the Earth Temple, there are puzzles that you would need to work out on your own. Be careful, young child,"

Nick had that information stuck in his brain as soon as the Earth Gormiti left him all alone. He was usually good at brain puzzles and quizzes back at home but in Gorm it was different. This time he would have to figure out what kind of puzzle awaits for him at the Earth Temple and who knows…maybe it would allow him to receive his powers?

Jessica had managed to get both Toby and Lucas inside a tornado that she created so they can both fly towards where Nick currently was. Razzle was carefully placed on her shoulder while they flew. Eventually, Jessica landed the boys on a safe edge of cliff in the Earth Nation.

"Whoa!" Toby exclaimed as he landed down. "That was quite dizzy!"

"I would never imagine traveling like that!" added in Lucas. "Thanks Jessica!"

Jessica gave both boys a small curtsy in the air and smiled.

"Ok, so where's the Earth Temple?" wondered Toby, looking around the area.

"Usually there's a big cliff with its face carved into it Lords," Razzle instructed the group. "That's what the Earth Temple looks like,"

"You mean like that one?" Jessica asked. She pointed to a cliff with its face carved into the stone, just like what Razzle had said.

"Yes!" Razzle clapped his hands in delight. "That's exactly the place we're looking for!"

"Hang on Nick," Toby said solemnly, eyes closed. "We're coming for you."

Nick found himself facing against the entrance of the Earth Temple. His heart was pounding faster than it had been usually been. Was it because he was scared? No. Although he was actually under the mouth which served as the entrance, it was quite scary to go into the mouth almost like an animal.

Nick grasped his orb tightly. Although he was 12 years old, he felt more like his younger self before starting junior high. Still, he wished his older brother was beside him. Nevertheless, Toby was still probably looking for him anyway. This was Nick's mission. This was his duty to get the earth powers to his orb and join the others as quickly as he could.

He took a step as he thought of something.

'Quickly.' That was his main intention of doing this task. To get this over and done with so that saving Gorm would be much easier and quicker to do.

With determination in his lungs, Nick stepped inside the Earth Temple.

And then the door slammed behind him.