Chapter 3: Dangers on our journey

So they said goodbye to the elder and Kiran said goodbye to his wife and kids. They were off to Mystic mountain. They had a book to tell them where it was. With a book and Kiran's vision could come in handy as well. They could get there in no time. Little did they know in their journey there would be trouble.

"How long will it take to get there?" Said Kiran. "By what I see it will take about a week or 2. That is if we don't run into anything dangerous." Said Ryz Then Zel whispered into Ryz ear. "Yes I know. I planned on it." Said Ryz. "What is it?" "Oh nothing don't worry about it." "Ok lets continue then." I said curiously.

After it turned nightfall they found a cave to rest for the night. Zel was asleep and Kiran was pretending although Ryz didn't know it at the time. Ryz stayed up to look at the book. Once Ryz back was turned to Kiran, Kiran opened his eyes to think. Those two have lost so much how can he help them. Then Ryz was becoming tired and dozed off himself. Kiran was still awake so he took the book carefully not to wake the kids up. He looked at the book and was shocked. 'No wonder these kids had that expression. These are really dangerous creatures. There's no going back now. I best be prepared. I just hope I don't have to use force. Even my own wife doesn't know what I can do.' He said in his head. (Sigh.) Then he finally fell asleep.

The next morning Zel looked at the men confused. She whispered to her brother. "Yes I'm fine. I just stayed up late." Said Ryz. Then he looked at Kiran. He too didn't look so good. "I'm just tired. I'll be ok." I said. Then Ryz was looking for the book until he saw it in Kiran's lap. "Kiran you didn't." said Ryz. "Didn't what? Oh the book. I was curious about why you were up late studying it. Once you fell asleep I took the book and looked at it. You should have told me what these creatures were than I would be able to better myself. I know what you and your sister are thinking. I don't need any help. If anything does happen to me get out of here ok? Let my wife know what's going on. If anything does happen to me stay with my wife ok? If you don't feel comfortable the elder has a plan for you. So don't worry. I won't die that easily." "How did…." Said Ryz. "How did I know? Haha its ok I've experienced the same things with my mentors its fine. In the end we came back fine. Even if we had injuries Serious or not we came back stronger than ever." In his head, Ryz thought 'I don't care we don't have anyone but you have a wife and family. All I have is my sister. If worst comes to it me and my sister die together or I die and you protect her.' Then he finally spoke up. "Fine just don' t get into that situation. But promise me something then." "What is it?" "If I get into a situation like that worry about my sister. I usually prevail. My sister used to be the strong one. I was weak. Since the accident are roles have been reversed. So please protect my sister and don't guilt yourself if I die ok? If my sister is in the condition you stay with her. I will fight them off." "That I won't agree too. You are still teenagers. I may have a wife and kids but my duty isn't only to them. I became what I was to protect everyone as much as I can even if I do have to hurt someone in the process. So don't worry. None of us will die." Little did they know that someone was about to get seriously hurt not knowing if they would die or not but who?

As they were walking, I said, "Ryz. I may have to show you something in battle. If you ever see something that surprises you, don't tell my wife ok? I will have to tell her soon. Its slowly killing me. " "Woah if something is slowly killing you shouldn't you be telling someone about this? Maybe someone can help?" said Ryz. "I'm afraid not. Thank you kids though. I appreciate the thought." Then Zel whispered into Ryz ear again. "Sorry I didn't mean to scare you Zel. I was just worried for Kiran here." He was covering up what she was saying so Kiran couldn't hear.

It was finally time to rest again. Kiran went to sleep as soon as Zel did although he worried for Ryz. He couldn't keep his eyes open. Then fell asleep for real. Then Ryz tapped Zels shoulder. "Its time." Said Ryz. Ryz had Zel check to see what was slowly killing him to see if she could help. Just by looking at him Zel could see she might not be able to help but she was going to try. The only thing she could do was heal what she could for his weakened body even though it weakened hers. The more she used her power the more she looses her life as well. She pretended she was fine but Ryz was the only one that knew.

The next morning they all got up and Kiran felt strange like he felt a little better for some reason. He looked at the kids confusingly and Ryz said, "What's wrong Kiran? Are you feeling ok?" Kiran was spacing. "Kiran? Kiran. Kiran. Kiran! Hey man hello." "Huh oh what was the question?" "Are you feeling ok?" "Yeah yeah I'm fine lets go." So they were headed towards the cave on mystic mountain.

As they were walking, Ryz stopped. "Whats wrong Ryz?" Said Kiran. "Do you hear that?" They stopped talking and heard an abnormal scream. "Shit! It's a snake beast man. Half snake half human. Kids get the hell out of here if you can." I said. "Uh its going to be hard Kiran. We are surrounded." Said Ryz. I looked around and said, "Shit. Ok kids stay close to me." They nodded like they agreed. So all of them fought some beast men but were having trouble because the snake skin is hard to hit. 'I may have to use this earlier than I thought. No wait I have an idea let me try this first that way I don't have to cost my life.' I said to myself. "Kids be careful around me right now. I'm going to try something. My sword is special. I might be able to knock them out. So be careful ok?" "Yeah Kiran." Said Ryz. I took out my sword and it got a little bigger. "OK remember what I said be careful." I lifted my sword and swung it around me. I was able to knock them all out. Then I told the kids , "OK lets get out of here before they wake up." So they ran over to me and we got out of their territory and started walking.

They walked quite awhile again and it was time to rest. They found a cave to rest in. "Ha. Finally we can rest." Said Ryz. First he looked at his sister then at Kiran. "Hey you ok Kiran?" "Yeah just a little tired. When I use that move on my sword it tires me out. I'll be ok." "Ok then." "Hey Zel. When are you going to start talking? You started back at my place." Then she whispered in Ryz ear. "She said if we make it back alive she will try." "Ok sounds good. I have to stay alive so I can hear her pretty voice." So we all decided to sleep until morning.

The next morning, They got up and started walking. As they were walking, they were looking around. Zel saw a village so she tapped her brother. Ryz looked at where Zel was pointing. "Hey Kiran look. A village." "Oh good maybe we can get some supplies and rest for a bit." So we headed to the village.

We got to the village and everyone stopped and looked at us strangely. Then went about their business. "Look a grocery store. Come ok kids." We went in and got what we needed for supplies. Medical and food. When we went up to pay even the cashier looked at us strange. I decided to ask. "Excuse me. Why is everyone looking at us weird?" "We just don't have many visitors in the village. Last time we had them they were there to attack the village." "Oh we are just passing by. After we buy some supplies we are gone. Don't worry." "Well you seem nice but see that you leave after you get supplies. I don't mean anything bad by it." "I understand." Once we paid for our supplies we headed back out.

OK lets look at the map. Ryz said, "Ok we are here looks like we only have 4 days left to get there." "Let me see Ryz." Said Kiran. He gave the map to me and I looked at it. "Shit. Those are one of the hardest monsters to fight. I may have to use that power. Ok lets head out."

We were walking for an hour now. We were getting closer and closer to the manticore territory so I stopped. Ryz saw me and stopped as well. "What is it Kiran?" "These creatures we are getting closer to are manticores. Whatever you do, don't get bit or scratched. As you saw in the book they are half lion and dragon. Their claws and teeth are poison. I should know. I have gotten scratched and bit before. Luckily thanks to this fire rat outfit it didn't go as quick into my body. Luckily I have a couple things of antidote for the poison with me. Lets hope we don't need them." So we walked on until we finally got there.

"OK kids lets be quiet as possible. Try not to make too much noise." So we walked quietly as we could but they came out anyway because they must have smelled us. "Ok kids stay close to me especially because they are poisonous." They listened like last time and we fought them off.

After fighting for awhile. I said, "Ok kids. Remember not to tell my wife about this. I have to use the power. There is too many. You might want to hold your breath." They did as they were told and He pushed out black smoke. As he was doing that he had gotten bit just as it fell. "Ahh. Shit." Then he stopped his power and dragged the kids out. The manticores are all dead or knocked out. We got to where there was fresh air.

"Ha… Ha….You kids ok?" "Yeah we are fine. You don't look so good." "Yeah I got bit. Even if I did get the antidote I am still weakened. How much longer till we get there?" "Two more days." "Ok lets go to the cave over there and rest a bit." I said. "Give me the bag Ryz." He gave me the bag and I took the antidote out. I drank the antidote and closed my eyes. "I'm fine. I'm just resting. The antidote makes me sleepy. I just need an hour." So the kids rested themselves.

An hour later everyone woke up. Kiran still looked like crap. "Hey Kiran. You sure you are ok?" "Yeah remember when I said that my power is slowly killing me? This is what happens." "Hopefully the blue wizard can help." "I have already prepared for death. So if he can't help me its ok." Zel came over and hugged me. "Woah Zel. What is it?" She looked at me and shook her head. Then she said. "Don't die. Please don't die." I bent down to her level and said, "I might not have a choice. If the blue wizard can help good. If not I have tried everything. I'm sorry. You will always have someone you can count on weather I am here or not. You got my wife and kids. Also the villagers are always there to help too. You have your brother. No matter what happens I will always be with you in spirit ok?" Zel nodded in tears. I hugged her until she calmed down then I ruffled her hair and we walked on.

"Ok this is the last night we are stopping. Then we will walk the rest of the way until we get to the mountain. I will carry both of you if you get tired." "You can really do that Kiran?" "Yeah I'm strong enough. Get some rest. I'll get some in a bit." So the kids rested and I stayed up thinking. 'Please let me make it back home before I die. Let these kids live. I will do anything if you let these kids live and for me to make it home.' I said to myself. Then I looked at the map. 'Good looks like there are no monsters coming up. I at least hope I can make it to the old man before I get too weak.' Then I finally decided to rest.

The next morning we got up and had our food then left. "You look worse Kiran." Said Ryz. "I'll be ok until we get to the old man. I hope." "Ok then." So we walked on.

We were walking for a few hours and the kids were getting tired. "Zel get on my back Ryz I carry you under my arm." They did as they were told and I ran and jumped as fast as I could.

When we were halfway there, I was getting weaker and I couldn't hold them anymore. "Kids get off. I don't have the strength anymore." They got off and I could barely stand. I kept walking until I couldn't get up anymore. I collapsed on the ground. "Kiran!" said Ryz. "Kiran are you ok?" He turned Kiran over and Kiran said, "Sorry kids. Continue on without me. Don't get yourselves killed ok?" "No we are not leaving without you Kiran." "You have to. I tell you what. I will let you rest here until morning. Then you two have to get to the old man for help ok?" Then I closed my eyes and sighed. "Kiran don't you dare die on us."

That night when the kids were asleep, and old man came by where they were and used his power to take all 3 of them to his cave with him.