Chapter 8
I don't own Timecrest all rights belong to sneaky crab
here is our good chapter 8 this is the Smart chapter. We were still trapped in the void here we should be able to figure it out. Whatever it is the poem, or whatever it is he wants to figure out. because I don't know for sure a lot to find out in the chapter together. Also, there's another big surprise at the end of this chapter you have to stay tuned to the end of the chapter to find out what it is.
I told him to bring it on physical challenges. I'm not good at mental challenges. I'm pretty decent at including smart challenges said you're not ready for what I'm gonna throw with you. You don't think I couldn't handle it. You need rescuing every time for everything you are a damsel in distress, aren't you trapped away from your own home? Yes, I said, but that doesn't mean I'm not stupid being a damsel in distress doesn't mean I'm stupid.
OK, then he said looking at me I'm not gonna have you solve a riddle through a poem that I have written for my friend. If you can figure it out and figure out what you're supposed to do with the door next I will set you free promise I ask promise but if you fail, you have to stay here with me in the void forever wandering not dead, not alive will be one of the first few that's ever been alive. That's been trapped here.
I guess that is fair I said, so no tricks no cheating I said keep your word. Oh well tend to try. He said I'll keep my word the best I could if I do lose and I do live here. I'll make your life miserable. Oh, I intend you probably would.
be careful
he might not keep his word completely
are you sure about this?
I am sure I said back to the watch. Don't worry I think I know what I am doing. We'll get ourselves freed from this I promise trust me I don't wanna be stuck here either.
OK, he told me the poem and analyzed it in my head. Once there was a good man who lived all alone, he didn't want any visitors so he kept his door, locked less until I knocked, knocked, and knocked.
What does the saving mean? Do you have to figure that out yourself? You're gonna tell me the rest Just gotta be more to this than that there is he said all right then only in fairness should I tell you the whole poem it's not a very good poem it's not very nice I know that he said because I wrote it for my friend creepy I said back.
here's the rest first comes curiosity. Second comes desire third comes an edge which's the most dire he said thousand 100 times before sometimes a lot seen it 1000 times he couldn't ignore the first he said, but the only part you need to know is the first part I just told you the rest because it's just there.
this could be a trick
it could be a trick. Be careful.
I just need to figure this out the first part of the poem I said to the watch the first part would be the one for our freedom. I repeated the poem back to myself the whole thing. Also, he picked through the parts he messed up. I caught some of his mistakes Right then until I knocked, knocked, and knocked.
what choice do I have? I don't have another choice that is. Well, I was standing there I saw a girl about the age of 24. She looked almost like my Robert except she looked more cold or distant, more evil looking along with the two that couple I saw earlier oh well, it won't matter to me if she's here or not, what is she doing?
I saw her walk over to me who are you she asked and how did you get here? My name is Ash and I came through a portal. You can't be she said you can't be I am, but I'm not giving you any other further or further explanation. I said trying to get the words picked out carefully. I'm usually careful with words.
also, I didn't want to let the fear show in my voice that I was afraid of her. I'm not afraid of you you should be the girl, Chad's brown hair and blonde streaks in it. Robert didn't have streaks in his brown hair so I could tell she was feminine, and that way too, but her face and body also gave it away. Well you do have the pocket watch so I guess you are but I'm from an alternate universe I said makes sense because your watch looks different. I hope you don't come between me and Ash she said you're dead I can tell, I'm alive why would I do that?
because Ash might want you she said besides now it was my turn to laugh at her you really think that's the case? Yes, she said yes I think so.
Even if your ass wants that, I don't think he would go for me any way you're pretty she said besides, he would want someone prettier than me especially now that I look not as pretty if you look like my Robert from my world near Riley. Yes I am Princess Riley, or I used to be Princess Riley, I used to be a princess and then I wasn't and then I used to be Riley now I'm not but I am what does that even mean? It means I'm not here I'm dead of course my body is dead and preserved on ion she said is Robert dead she asked me no he's pretty much alive.
curious, what are you curious about? I asked her if the people in your world were different than mine and if you came from a different place. I'm not gonna ask any other questions dude, I said because I don't think it's fair. If you did ask me any other questions I would like to know about that couple over there oh, right, Riley said that is Helena and Julius of this Alencia if you're from another Alencia, they must be dead too and my parents have been dead for 16 years I said you're 16. Yes, I am 16 years old.
your mannerisms give that away, but also different you seem more mature. Well, of course, I am I said, I grew up with my grandmother and her friend and my other friends that I have made you didn't grow up in a farmhouse no but I did grow up in a garden that's better than a farm I said I can tell you like flowers. Yes, I do like flowers said Riley.
I'm curious who killed your first mage Ezra said Riley your first mage killed you how horrible was my first mage Evelyn would never hurt anyone are you sure I said she would never hear anyone? She's not that type of person.
Seriously I did not like talking to her. She creeped me out, in her undead dead form. There was something off about it that unsettled me. I wish I could walk over and talk to that couple but I have to figure out this riddle first, maybe I should meet them, though I might not get another chance, as I puzzled over the poem in my head, I walked over to them who are you the girl the woman Helena asked me I asked I said you can't be Ash. We've only seen Ash as a baby I am but from another universe I said we can tell yes, so Julius you look more feminine This is my wolf Mary well nice to meet you. I guess said Helena it's just weird that you're from another Alencia I didn't know other Alencia existed she said did you know dear he said I did not what brings you all the way here if you're from another Alencia?
I died falling off of black ion and I ended up here. I wondered if a puzzle amazes it well I guess that explains it. How old are you 16 I said so you're the same age as Arash would be, but I grew up in a hard life, I said, I mean somewhat good by living in these Mystic gardens, but hard as in in the guild it wasn't easy for me, well I guess that was difficult said hello well then what is it? You're trying to do to get my freedom I'm alive. I'm not completely dead or even half dead you're alive and you're stuck here that's even scarier. I hope you can figure out a way out. Yeah me too or I'll be stuck here forever.
maybe we can help send Helena I don't think you can. I think I might've figured out the poem. You think you have she asked yes I said, I think I figured out how it works.
I thought about the poem in my head again and I figured out that I had to knock three times and I did on the door that was next to me and not once twice three times the door moved and squeaked open you little. I heard Alvin say you figured it out all right then good on my word you were free as I stepped out the door closed behind me, and now I was in a wood. The door that was behind me disappeared, but there was another door similar to it two doors but I guess it was different the door I stepped down with a plane, the one I saw looked eerie and covered in symbols. Riley was looking out that door. I could see her.
where are we?
I don't know I said to the watch you got me I said I have no clue, but if I'm judging myself correctly, we must be in positive Valencia Positive Valencia, where I was trying to get to in the first place, I looked around myself we were in the wood. It was creepy, but there were 234 people there. I think I can just make out for people standing here.
they weren't looking at me well I guess that's fine. If they were not looking at me, I stood frozen for a moment in place. My time had stopped, but it didn't place looked dark and full of spiderwebs and crumpled houses everywhere it looked like it used to be a town, but it was ruined, this place looked like it was in ruin big giant Isis spiders were hiding in trees. I can hear them scuttering I knew what that sound meant. I was scared and jumpy. My breathing caught in my throat as I bred hard and bred heavily in the sound.
also, a bright orb of light nearby to like something like memories. I've seen memory orbs before, but not to this extent the figures were looking at the Oba flight. One figure was standing over in the distance and another. I'm either just three figures and my mind was just playing tricks on me that there were four.
I could tell that the three figures were mailed one had red hair or not red hair, but it was white hair mixed with red the other two on the other hand. They looked as much younger as the youngest, looked about my age with long brown hair, but short brown hair Couldn't see his face. I can tell from this he had a pocket watch in one hand like me. The other was a site to see blondish hair shining kindly off but all I could see were their backs, so I couldn't see their faces, but if I was, my story served me right This must be Ash from this world, and ashes, brother Luther this has to be positive Valencia asked the case why would they be standing next to each other in my world my sister and I would never stand this close without her killing me. They're busy with their own thing with the memories I'm guessing, I wonder what the point of it is the older man I think took notice of me first I took a defensive stance, ready to defend myself to the best I could merry ground low in her throat at the man the older man.
I think I knew who he was if he was the old man or not an old man, but an old man then I know who he is, especially with the red hair, striking out from his white it's Ignace, so Lychnis, the opposite version of my guild, master or the guild master was supposed to have Susan but it was hard to tell because Susan had beautiful red hair and so did her brother Skyler. None of them looked like old people they looked in their 30s if I'm right then this guy has to be at least 30 or older but no older than his early 30s.
my body stiffened as he came closer to me. He's the only one who noticed me at first what did you come from? He asked from back there I said, pointing from behind me, who are you? He asked should I tell you my name or should I not, you shall he said and where did you get such a pretty watch I should burn it you will not burn my watch I said putting it away into my pocket that's a fine cloak he said I'm not tell you anything about my clothes I said I'm not obligated to tell you anything not even my name oh, really, he said it's a shame he said pulling back my hood don't touch me merry grout again. What a loyal pup he said well touching me makes my wolf pup growl I said they don't like your presence if she doesn't like your presence, she'll growl at you.
well, then let her grow at me. I've never seen someone so pretty size my old sister of course you're a pervert I said what you pray on innocence like myself. Of course, my sister can wait I had never seen someone so pretty you look like the kid, but yet not like him. Maybe I won't kill it well actually I will. What do you mean you're gonna burn me no I think you deserve a better death than that but I'm not gonna have any other feelings for you picked me up and carried me away from the group if you do kill me, my watch will bring me back from the dead. Do you think it'll work in this world I think so.
you don't sound so confident it will work I said it'll work anywhere let's see that watch of yours is just a pretty watch or if it is a magical one let the cursed watch and then we have two curse watches. He said he sent me in one of the cobwebs, you're gonna leave me as a snack for an acid spider, yes, he said I think that would be appropriate. Don't worry it'll hurt a lot at the acid spiders did to me. You were attacked by spiders. Interesting what my version of myself didn't. He asked no he didn't save you from mine. I was never put in one I never been in a mind.
no, the ass spiders here are hungry and I think they're ready for something good he said delicious. How about it? Will you be there for dinner tonight? I bet they would love to have such a beautiful dinner guest. I know I would his voice lowered if I wasn't feeding you to the spiders, I would have my way with you he said, but you're gonna be eating alive but the acid spiders. Your death will be quick but slow. I know how acid spiders work well then.
I will not be food for acid spiders. Oh, you will be. He said this would be the perfect revenge. What do you mean by perfect then it dawned on me what he said he's gonna use me as bait to draw the attention of the others but they're busy with the memory, the orb thing is almost over. He said you mean my life but the memory orb how do you know I can see it he said the light was about to go out of it.
but the spiders won't eat me fast enough for that they'll see what you're doing and come after you yeah right I haven't done it in one of those hide in the shadows. He said your death will be quick I could burn you if I need to, but death by an ass better is slow I said the acid spinning on the victims take some time to break down their bodies, I know from experience I've died from an acid spider before mines then, where in my trials, I said the trials I was in the tremble case had acid spiders along with basil us so I've already died from an acid spider, and the watch brought me back well then you have experience interesting girl he said you're an interesting kid, but I'm not even interesting I'm in for my revenge. Why would you wanna use me as your revenge bait? I want to use you as bait he said.
maybe your screams can alert them alert who the people who are standing over there who are lost in concentration. There's no way I told you they're almost done by the time you get done talking to me and get me settled into this thing they'll come for me and break me free if that's the case.
anything you have for revenge would be canceled I said you won't be able to carry out your revenge plot sometimes villains don't get their revenge plots. How do you know so much about stories I've read so many I said, and I know the role of a damsel in distress, or a kidnapped, victim, or bait, I'm not that dumb so I know what you want to do. You wanna set me up as bait like a dandelion distress I said exactly.
would you stop reading children's poems? If you're the age you say you are children's tomes do you think the stories I read or just children's terms of course what do you expect?
You sound like the type that reads a lot of fairytales how do you know about fairytales? It's a human thing I don't know a lot about them he said, but I know some and if you are, what do you say you are that damn stressed then that's fine with me he said he tied me up with the little bits of some of the web, he won't get free from this. The web was sticky just like the last time the difference was it fell into one this time though I was being trapped in one. I felt my bindings were part of the web. I tried to keep free, but I couldn't. I was trapped now.
don't worry when you die I'll turn back time. You don't need to worry about dislike before.
I know I don't need to worry when you are around. I said you talking to your watch weird he said anyway doesn't matter if it is another cursed one. I'm not part of your plan. I'm not even part of your revenge. Why? It's a draw them over here if they see an innocent in trouble, they'll come running, they look like they're too much engrossed and whatever it is they're doing to save me they'll hear you scream sides you're not gonna stick around I'm gonna hide behind a tree or some trees. I am going to watch the whole thing happen.
here comes an ass it's better now he said, as one was crawling towards me I saw the thing with acid, dropping from its veins from his things as it came closer I trembled and struggled in my bonds of web delighted that it had a meal at last, and that wouldn't run or fight it. It's probably about the size of a house maybe about that size not that about the size of a person not little but pretty good size I was terrified be my breathing sped up. The worst thing is I couldn't get free from my Web-like ropes.
just like he said, he disappeared behind some trees to let the spider do what worked my blood ran cold as the spider came close to me and it dripped from its things. Like I said, deserved me had to lay perfectly still.
The spider squeaked. I knew that sound it tested me for a moment before it spit victim spit acid on me as it victim as it saw that I was no threat it sat down on me.
But its hungry, looking eyes, looked at me why am I always in so much danger I thought right I'm the damsel in distress. I struggled, but I couldn't get free. Mary sat beside the web helpless. Her calls were not useful for this.
As wrapped up as a pretty little snack, for the spider, it was ready to go. The acid was ready to go. It was ready.
it in itself close to me I felt the acid drip on me as it screeched. Happily, I moved, and it kept dripping like spit ass on the victim before dissolving their bodies for devouring them I was the victim. Now I felt the acid dripping, then her voice about the sound of the screeching spell being cast, in Cindy, I heard the spider could not finish its meal. The two figures from the other side had finished their memories because the memory was gone now I couldn't tell, though my vision was blurred.
as quickly as I was about to die, the quicker I was rescued the web, bounding me broke, and I was free for a moment, but I was still stuck in the web pinned by the spider. The spider felt the fire and moved out of its way, saying another piece of I am from it, and then the face looked down at mine. Are you OK?
I heard the voice call out brother there is something here something I heard another male's voice, the other figure from earlier another figure has phased in. It must be the opposite version of Scarlett of Skyler because I heard a female voice and Cindy yes tossed she said she threw a fireball ball at the spiderweb. It was big enough to break me completely free, I tumbled out and landed into the arms of the guy who used the magic first or kid. I couldn't tell his arms not quite like my Roberts, but safe, I could tell is Violet concerned and had brown hair like me except without braids Mary was still growling because she didn't recognize these people they were strangers, but then she relaxed and she saw that the guy that the boy the kid was holding me gently in his arms are you OK? He asked again.
I looked up weekly and his face had the same features as mine. You be careful he said are you'll get yourself tangled in these webs picked out web for my hair or from my cloak I should say, but it was still all sticky and icky, and it was damaged. Your cloak is damaged, my cloak is damaged I said as I woke up groggy it's covered in acid so throw it out soon. It's the finest cloak I own. Luckily I had a second but still, he said he must come from a rich family cause only rich people can afford this stuff, just lucky I said my head longer over being cradled. It was weird being cradled by a stranger stranger and not I'm not my Robert someone else being gentle with me someone else about my age don't worry he said I'm here now it would've been a lot closer if I wasn't.
I'm dead and a damsel in distress. I could tell that he said the clumsy you fell yourself inside that web and wrapped yourself up in it. I was just luckily there with my fire magic to break you free. Luckily, I had a sharp tool with me too to cut the web free from you, your clothes are damaged too. I know he said but I can get more the most important thing is your safety. He said he was there in the quietness of the town. It was creepy and a ghost town like this. Where are we? I asked Westbrook he said Westbrook you don't have a town called Westbrook in your world. I shook my head now, where did you come from Alencia? You should have a wispy Brooke it's Ravenswood I said strange did you come from another timeline?
no not that I know of I said not that I know of there's no way I would've come from another timeline. I don't look like you're completely so I can't. I'm too feminine that makes sense you look feminine and you have a different wolf pup. I would like to stand please I don't think you have the strength his voice said in my ear. Besides, you look like you've been through too much the woman that was nearby walked over towards us. I think I can breathe the rest of this web free she said in Celia she said she touched the webbing And it broke free, revealing the rest of my clothes. She examined the damaged cloth. It might be salable if I can figure out how to get it clean properly. You think you can do that Scarlet yes Scarlet I thought I was I am in Valencia at last the arms I must be in the arms of my counterpart Makes sense. His eyes were like mine and he was the other figure I saw, but I wanted to venture into it who are you? I asked.
Who am I? He asked you don't know me no I said I don't know who you are someone who doesn't know me is interesting. No, I said I don't know you. Well, I mean I do but I don't. I mean I think I know but I haven't put it all together.
I'm Ash he said that's a coincidence I said weekly because that's my name too. Your name is Ash too that's strange I don't know anyone else with my name neither well not personally until now I said trying to smile but weekly you need to take a bath soon do I stink no but you need to get the acid off of your body and your clothes and I probably need to get it off mine now did we disturb you because Mary and I disturbed you then Mary Mary is the name of my wolf pup I said she giving your pay no she's my guard pup I said oh she is pretty happy now that you saved me. Usually, she would grow at strangers but I guess she knows you're gentle so she won't attack. That makes sense, how did you get that web? I'll ask for your full story later, but I wanna know why you were in that web did you just fall in there and get tangled? No, I was put in it. His eyes widen at the thought you were put on the web on purpose.
yes, I was as put in the web on purpose I said, weekly you seem so weak. Are you angry than I am no, he said not I mean it's obvious you were covered in acid, but I wanna know I'm not feedback if I tell you here, I said, because we might be overheard by who no one is here I laid comfortably into his arms onto his shoulder for a moment my long brown hair fell to my sides to my shoulder to my side of my shoulder didn't really because of the hood but it would've. I want to thank you for rescuing me I don't like being in distress, but I always end up being one. I'm always having to be rescued by someone.
before I trusted my brother, he said I would've thought it would be him who would've put you in there but then I realized that would've been weird weird ridiculous. Ridiculous. I meant especially now that I trust him after seeing those memories so that's what was going on I said it was a memory orb, a memory orb. It looked like an orb to me so that's what I called it, you have weird words and names for things like me I am your kind of you don't understand I'm you, but not you if that makes any sense to you but also different enough from you too different so confusing I am gonna tell you this I am from another universe, a different Alencia a different universe alternate universe he thought for a moment I'm holding someone from another universe. It would be embarrassing if he saw us like this my brother who laughs probably you think so I doubt that.
here comes I shifted my body enough so I could see it hurt. Every moment of my body hurt with physical pain. Mary was concerned about not holding my hand the watch also glowed for a moment. I'm OK I said to the watch.
Are you sure? Because I'm worried about you
yes, I'm OK I said, ripping the watch and putting it back into my pocket you have watched too. Yeah, I have a pocket watch too. I said I don't always have to look at my messages though. They can talk to me in my head too.
What's going on I heard a voice say, come behind me and us I was just you Ash said it is I turned my head, and there he was standing behind us heard about him in stories never saw him that close. His eyes were his violet is mine and his ashes as well. His face was expressionless, but not in the mean evil type of way.
hearing about him, and seeing him are two different things, but when I looked hard enough, even though there was an expressionless face, I could see a smile trying to place on his face as well. He knocked down the side us where did you come from?
I came from the portal back there even though there's no portal there now I said of a portal, yes so what did you come from another Valencia I'm Ash that's funny. He said this is Ash from another world I said universe exists. I know it's a lot for you to take in, but it's true.
can you show me proof of course, I said, groaning as I reached over and grabbed my pocket watch from my pocket all right then I believe you you have the pocket watch too but it's different yes mine is more decorated. I like it better than our own. Sorry, it won't work for you. That's not a big deal he said, so if you know who I am tell me you're a loser you're the opposite of my sister, your sister yes, you're older than your counterpart, not your counterpart but your counterpart for my world is female and she's not a very nice person. That's probably why you're mostly injured, so that is from those injuries yes, I said, even though I died, falling off of black eye I am still injured from that and the trials, and then recently from those acid spiders I said is I grounded she's in pain I can see that Luther said to help her, of course, please help me with the best of your ability we're about to head back to ion you don't need to worry Ash said it's you don't need to worry about ion it won't hurt you I shivered a bit but not for almost forgetting that it wouldn't be black I'll be going to it'll be white ion all right then if there are alternate universes, I wonder if there are others of other more alternate universes I don't know I said there could be where they're all different and each of you were different and different times or different personalities that makes sense. My hand still hurts. Where did that injury come from? I've had that injury since I was a baby. you still have your scar or at least the pain. I knotted my head and your first mage couldn't fix it. She doesn't have the power and neither does our first human my grandmother she couldn't fix it either.
then leave we need to leave these woods anyway I'm ready Scarlet said walking over I'm Scarlet. I helped you a little bit. I'm Ash I said that's funny. Two of you Scarlett why don't you carry her yes of course I will. No Ash said I want to. I'm already holding her right then Scarlet fine you can carry her then can you handle it that's not it is what put the watch back into his pocket and I put mine back into my pocket. Here's a teleport for each or we don't need to teleport or I can teleport us all he said, with the way of his hand, we were bowed now on the ion.
I'll do some explaining after I get some rest I said that's a good idea and you might need some healing done I sent Elise for that we sent you a room so you can relax for a bit thank you I said I took off my soiled cloak it was covered in the icky yoke of the acid from the acid spider, my body was also burned. I'll have nasty scars I know that much, I got into the bath and washed off the acid the best I could. I also removed my bags and everything they weren't damaged thank goodness but my clothes were they were more damaged. Luckily I had another set that was still just as awful. Looking my nicer clothes have not arrived yet, I guess grandmother hasn't sent them all right then since it was just hanging out, I put on my rated clothes after my bath and re-braid my hair to the best I can I'll have these awful scars unless I can get healed. I hope that's the case.
I heard, cackling, and laughter, and almost forgot it was someone else, not my sister's cackles I could tell they were manly masculine, so it wasn't my sister. She didn't follow me yet course she wouldn't be able to get on white ion anyway. Well, a male voice said I didn't know Ash grew his hair, I said they didn't. I said I'm different I can see that said the voice who are you I said from another universe now that's weird and I know weird my name is Folger and the guild master Timecrest you don't need to be afraid if you're from an alternate universe, then I don't know much about the much, but I'm not gonna hurt you I'm not I believe that you wouldn't it's just your cackling caught me off guard I laugh at everything. He says you just have to get used to that you're not gonna hurt me. No, he said laughing you're not much of a threat there's no reason for me to kill you. Not that I don't like you or I do like you or whatever, but I do think you're interesting. Interesting how well I'm not sure.
but since you're not a threat to me, I'm not gonna do anything I just can't get over how much you look like it looks like Ash but prettier, and those braids that give it away too. Oh, my braids and my awful clothes yeah that's too serious did you just pick them up somewhere? no, I didn't pick them up. Oh, I said OK. I'm glad you think I'm pretty. I guess I said but I don't feel pretty, but I would. I wouldn't count myself as pretty.
pretty but I think you're a little boring too really well at least for Ash I think oh there you are familiar voice. It was my counterpart but not my counterpart on the watch but my counterpart of this world fog are you harassing her no maybe a little Foger said, come on, Ashli said he took my hand. Where are we going well all the rebuilding is coming soon and we're overseeing the rebuilding of Timecrest right now guild of course your guild caught on fire.
all the Gil masters are also attending. I don't think that would be a good idea to bring her another voice said Scarlett why not headmaster your head your master queen will be there, and if he sees her it wouldn't be a nice surprise and be fine I don't think he'll recognize her sides. She said she had an extra muff cloak I do I said, but it's in my bag I'll have to get it out, I went to my bag and did everything and got the cloak that I needed. I also set up Mary's water dish and food just let me set those up real quick of course how long will that take not long I said it shouldn't take long at all. Should only take about a few minutes.
I think we should stop here. I think it's a good end right here next year will be chapter 9 and will do that more into the hiding of her of Ash and rebuilding of Timecrest. The earliest the overseeing of it at least all right. See you in the next one.