This is a lot shorter. Sorry. Like I said, not used to writing like this. I didn't really enjoy this chapter, since it feels kinda forced. how I went about things.

I would like to apologize for something. I did not properly moderate some reviews, resulting in two very disgusting and disturbing 'reviews'. I will not disclose what they said, but I will tell you that they sickened me. Whoever posted them, do the world a favor and take a long walk on a short bridge. People like you are a cancer to this world, whether it was meant to be a joke, which I sincerely hope it was, or God-forbid serious. I have deleted them and will take better care to prevent such repulsive things from being posted.

Again, I apologize to anyone who read these 'reviews'.

Chapter Two: The Rebus

Seven years passed since Caleb's abduction. Seven years since the Witch had cast a spell on him. Seven years since I'd failed to save my brother.

I immediately told the other townsfolk about the Witch and how she bewitched Caleb. We stormed her home, but found nothing of interest. The house was, for all intents and purposes, completely normal. The only odd thing we found was a drawing of Caleb with little hearts around it, a clear sign that she was infatuated with him. That must have been why she had bewitched him; to make him her husband!

Ever since that day, I spent every waking moment of my life studying, looking for a way into the realm Evelyn, that vile Witch, had spirited my brother away to. My fellow townsfolk had given up less than a year after he was taken, believing he was already gone. There were talks of burning down her house, but I convinced them to leave it. If she returned one day and saw the house burned to nothing then she may never return. And if she never returns, then Caleb won't either.

Every month I would go back to the grove where Caleb was taken. I would inspect the archway for any runes or suspicious markings. I took measurements of the stones and trees, hoping to find anything useful. I tried to learn everything I could about the portal. On the first month I returned, I found the only lead I could find.

I hadn't noticed due to focusing on Caleb and Evelyn, but as I studied the archway, I found some broken glass underneath it, with a stopper that resembled a bird sealing the top of it. Traces of dried, blue liquid was on the glass. I looked at the archway, where I could see the same blue substance on sigil on the top of it. I took the broken glass and the stopper, keeping them in a glass jar. I could feel it in my soul that this blue substance, whatever it was, was the key to opening the portal to where my brother was.

It wasn't until six year after Caleb's abduction did I find my second lead. A far more substantial one. I'd met with a travelling scholar from whom I often bought new books from, and he showed me a Rebus, a puzzle he'd found last year here in Gravefield. He offered it to me since he knew I was interested in such things, believing it would be a good challenge for someone of my intellect.

I accepted the Rebus. I always had a fascination with puzzles and the like since they helped hone my intellect. When the day was over and I finally had chance to study the Rebus, I was actually quite excited.

A door, an eye, and the letter 'H' with an ear next to it were on the top. A small map in the center, with an 'x' indicating where the prize lay. At the bottom were symbols of a tie, a tanned hide, and a bleeding hand. Underneath it all was a large, blue droplet with two circles going through it.

It wasn't that heard to crack. The top meant a door that could be seen here, where the 'x' was marked. The bottom simply said, 'Tie-tan's blood'. Titan's blood. I didn't know what a Titan was, but it sounded interesting. The map was of Gravesfield, the 'x' leading to what I recognized as the river. I wasn't tired, so I decided to venture there immediately.

I was disappointed; the puzzle was not as hard as I thought it would be. Whoever made it, made it far too simple, clearly not having much of an imagination. I made it to the river in less than twenty minutes and started searching. I could see the 'x' was on top of the green section, which meant trees.

I went to the nearby trees and inspected them one by one. I saw one with a hollowed out trunk and decided to take a look. I could see something inside. I reached in and pulled out whatever it was, disappointed the puzzle was so easy.

However, when I pulled it out, I was shocked. What was inside the tree was a vial with a stopper on the top in the shape of a bird. Just like the one the Witch used to open the portal! It was filled with a thick, blue liquid. I recalled the Rebus's clue; Titan's Blood.

Looking back on everything now, I supposed what I did after was a little rash. Instead of waiting for morning, to gather up supplies and allies, I instead grabbed my satchel and went straight for the forest. I made it to the archway in less than thirty minutes.

I took a breath and looked at the sigil atop the archway. I gripped the vial with joy, fear, and loathing. Joy at finally getting the chance to save my brother. Fear at encountering the evils on the other side. And loathing for the Witch who took my brother away.

I threw the vial as hard as I could at the sigil. Despite the thickness of the glass, it broke on impact. The blue blood trickled down the sigil and to the ground below. It spread spread itself, moving across the archway. The blood spiraled into the air, meeting in the center. The blood seemed to somehow to multiply or expand, becoming far more than what was in the vial.

A yellow light formed in the center then burst towards me, illuminating the area for a split second. I had to shield my eyes with my arm it was so bright. I could even feel a sudden gust of wind hit me, along with an unfamiliar smell.

When I looked, I could the same portal as last time. The liquid-like portal, which seemed like stars in the night sky. It had large ripples in it, as if droplets of water fell on its surface. I will not lie; it was actually quite beautiful.

I do not know how long I stood there, just looking at it. I took a step forward, but halted. I was still scared. I could feel my whole body shivering in fear. I looked down in shame, then saw my satchel. I got to a knee and opened it, finding my mask. I still kept it after all these years.

I took out my mask and put it on my face. It was a small fit, but I didn't care. I stood up, picked up my satchel, and stared at the portal. I took a deep breath and started walking. I could feel the fear in me both rise and fall with each step.

I stepped through the portal.