The Scrying Elder

The first thing Simon and Annie see is a small, well lit stone room, with a hatch in the center. The room is even smaller then the small hut that they had seen outside would have suggested; some form of magic at work, it seems.

Even as they were confused, the hatch flips open on its own, exposing an ominous set of steps, leading deep below, obscured by darkness as far as they could see down.

"...I guess this is the stairs they talked about. Also, Annie... about what happened outside-"

"Don't worry about it."

"Huh?"

Taken by surprise, Simon looks at Annie's face, and sees her set expression, as if she had just made a decision.

"They thought I didn't know what was happening- that I found bliss in ignorance, comforted that I was a prodigy in some small village. But if there is one thing I know for sure, it's that my little brother went through the same thing we are going through now. He met the elder, and he left... wherever this is. I didn't tell you- Joel and Samuel were the only people I've ever remembered talking to... And in the whole village, I think they were the only 'real' people. But I think that was just something left behind by them, as friends of my dead parents to take care of me and my brother. And you, it seems. Come on. We have to see what this elder I've been hearing them talking about is all about."

Before Simon can respond, she quickly steps into the darkness upon the stone stairs with nothing but the clothes on her back and the flame in her heart, her short brown hair set in place and her fists clenched.

(She seems like a totally different person right now... I feel like I need to know more about her family, and this village. How is all this related to me? And why did this elder know about me even before I got here?)

With these thoughts in mind, Simon falls into step with Annie as they walk deeper.

****************************************

The rhythmic, light footed steps of Annie and the heavy set steady steps of Simon both seem to echo in the silent darkness. They can somehow see the steps beneath them, but nothing else. Time seems to stretch on. 10 minutes. 30. An hour. 2 hours. Right when the both of them begin to feel like it will never end-

"A light?"

Annie's eyes widen in response to Simon's childlike voice.

"Really!?"

"Yeah, I can see it..."

Simon focuses is even further as he narrows his catlike eyes in what could be perceived as a sinister expression, if it weren't for the childlike face. Just a little further from where they are, the smallest light he had ever seen could be seen in front of an area where it seems the steps end. If not for his powerful eyes, he couldn't have hoped to see it before he was already there.

They continue walking, but this time with a slightly better mood, despite the previous circumstances.

It even feels like time speeds up, as they reach the bottom even faster then they anticipated.

"These stairs were super weird Simon..."

"I got the same feeling. It seems like this elder is stalling for time or something..."

Now, they stand in front of a solid wood door. Nothing special about it; any old door you would see at the entrance of a house in the suburbs.

(Wait. What? Wait, that doesn't make any sense- it's like something from earth...)

"Hey Simon, I've never seen a door like this before in person! I heard some noble's homes have designs like this. Four rectangles and a 'knocker' I think it's called..."

"...Yeah, it is weird. Are you ready to knock.

"Mhhm. Make sure to stand behind me- I'll be sure to protect you like any big sister should! But before that..."

Before Simon can react, Annie stretches her arm back and starts scratching behind Simon's ears from under his cloak.

(It feels nice, but is this really the time for this?)

"Uh, Annie."

"Yes?"

"What the hell are you doing? Just use the knocker."

"Yeah yeah..."

*Knock Knock*

(Hearing a door knock twice in one day even in another world... At least I haven't heard about any traveling parishioners knocking on doors.)

"The door's open, let yourselves in!" A jovial old voice rings out.

"..."

"..."

Seems like we both didn't expect such a jolly old man.

Simon steps forward and opens the door by twisting the knob inward and pushing.

And inside-

Is a little old man in a rocking chair, with a kindly, smiling wrinkled face.

"The sweet old gal in the capital told me about you, dog eared kid back there, so consider yourself along for the ride! But you, young girl; a talented one, and one with a great destiny as well. Annie correct? You have a journey ahead, and a truth to unravel! You should take that thing along as a guard dog or something, or pet if not that. Sounds good to me at least! Oh my manners; they call me the Elder, or more specifically, the Scrying Elder... And even MORE specifically, ONE OF the Scrying Elders!"

All this was said with a wide smile on his face, even as a low growl was still emanating from Simon.

(I swear to god I'm going to disembowel this old man. Look at my face! Does it look like a dog's!?)