The Door to A New World

As days passed, the Children of Millennia continued to visit and explore the Pure Valley. The more they did, the more they thought they were beginning to understand the nature of that secret paradise. For example, there was more than one way to enter the Valley. All they had to do was walk through any space that was obscured by darkness and concentrate on wanting to go to Pure Valley. They could also enter by swimming towards a light at the surface of any body of water and then they would find themselves in any lake or pond in the Valley.

It truly was a wonderful place. Seto and Mahad had been frequently going to the Valley to gather herbs and plants to bring home with them; mostly for concocting potions and having them be made into medicine. Most times, Joseph would be eating or exploring the caves and canyons. Freya and Kisara would often be playing in the meadows with Mana, romping through flower gardens, splashing each other with water, or climbing trees.

The children were also able to learn more about their amulets from the Great Goddess. She explained that when she found that Mystery was her true heiress, she realized that having one chosen child wasn't enough. There would come a time when Mystery would need the strength and support of the people who were close to her and would also end up playing vital roles in each other's lives while also serving the Great Goddess in their own way. That was when the amulets were created. The Millennium Star brought forth eight amulets, each one corresponding to the virtue that would be represented by the person wielding it.

This meant that the Great Goddess knew that this group of youths would become the Children of Millennia. And the rest has also been established. The amulets around the children's necks correspond to the elements they represent. But now, everyone's destinies were about to get bigger.

One day in Pure Valley, as Atem was coming out of a grove of colorful trees with his companion Riolu, they came to a rocky wall opposite from the one with the door that led to home. On this wall, there was a door. They hurried back to find their friends and show them.

Atem and Riolu found their friends and said that they found something everyone had to see. Based on the prince's excited expression, they all figured it was important. The prince and his partner led everyone through the grove and back to the wall where they saw the door. When they came to the designated spot, the friends looked at the door in curiosity. It looked like the door that led back home, but this one also had the image of a red circle with a roaring black cat.

"Where do you suppose this leads?" Joseph asked, looking at the door.

"Let's ask the Great Goddess about this." Mystery places her hands close to her chest and releases the Millennium Star from her heart and the Great Goddess appears in her true form.

"Greetings, my children. I see you have found the door."

The children were confused at that. "I'm sorry, but what do you mean by that?" Atem asks. "Did you mean for us to find this door?"

"Yes, young prince," Millennia answers. "And this door that you see before you is one that leads to another world."

"Another world?" Mystery echoed.

While living inside Mystery's heart, Millennia has been observing Mystery as well as protecting her and guiding her. She's been doing the same for the rest of the children, learning about them and being impressed with what they've been learning and believing in. The Great Goddess explains that and tells her children, "I may have only been living among you for a short period of time, but I am truly amazed with all that you have been learning and achieving, being who you are meant to be. Now I believe that you are ready for a new challenge; a new adventure."

"You mean you want to send us to a different world?" Kisara asked.

"Your feelings of uncertainty are understandable, but rest assured, you have nothing to fear," Millennia assured her children. "This world is a peaceful place and not unlike yours. The inhabitants of this world believe in protecting all that is good and just the same way you do."

"Well, that doesn't sound too bad," Joseph figured. "Is it a world of magic and monsters?"

"Not quite so," Millennia answered. "The inhabitants are not humans, however, they are not monsters either. This world also does have its own magic. In addition, it has technology far advanced from your own."

As fascinating as this all sounds, there's still a lot more to consider. "I'm sorry, but I really don't understand," Freya was saying. "What will be our purpose for going to this world?"

"This is an opportunity for you children to be more than what you already are," said Millennia. "I want you children to learn about to this world and adapt to its environments and cultures using all that you know and believe in. I want you to be the heroes that you are in a new kind of way and place."

To Seto, this sounded like a worthwhile challenge. He was always looking for new ways to put his abilities to the test and this seemed like a grand opportunity. "What do you say, guys? Should we do it?"

"Yeah," Mana eagerly cried. "It'll be fun, an adventure!"

"I have been looking forward to a new adventure lately," Mystery admitted.

"I guess it wouldn't hurt to try something new," Kisara figured.

Millennia was pleased with their decisions. "One more thing: though this world is a peaceful one, you will still need protection," she warned. "Back home in your world, you only needed to rely on your own abilities and ingenuity as well as your own powers. Now I shall bestow upon you special weapons." And she uses her magic to create weapons for the children. Kisara is given a white staff with a white dragon on top. Freya is given a sling with a pouch at her waists containing magical balls of fire. Mana is given a blue wand with pink rings and a yellow sphere on top. Mahad is given a purple scepter with a dark violet jewel on top. Atem is given a silver sword with a sapphire blue hilt. Joseph is given a golden bow and a quiver full of golden arrows. Seto is given a gold staff with a red dragon's head on top with a red jewel in its mouth. Since Mystery already has her own magic powers from the Millennium Star, there's no need for her to be bestowed a weapon.

"There is power in these weapons just as there is power in your amulets," said Millennia. "Their powers will be invoked when your weapons resonate with the powers of the elements you represent."

The children looked at their weapons, wondering what sorts of powers they would have.

"The door to the new world is now open for you children," said the Great Goddess. "And if you ever wish to return here, the same principles apply. Walk through the darkness of any space like a tunnel or an alleyway or swim towards a light coming from the surface of any body of water. And do not worry; I will be with you." And the Great Goddess returns to her form as a Star and Mystery returns the Millennium Star to her heart.

Atem looks at his friends. "Is everyone ready?"

They were all anxious – nervous, yet excited. They were ready for their new adventure. The door opens and the Children of Millennia pass through with their magical creatures.