The Reign of the Outlander

Chapter 8: In The Land of Illusion

Altalune did not waste time to find out how to open the entrance to the Land of Hiwaga. She never knew that the place she was standing was not the actual Land of Hiwaga ten years ago. It is a Land of Illusion. And in fifteen minutes, she must get inside, or else, she'll never get to see Amaris and Lune in the Mahika Academy.

The clock is inside her head was a ticking time bomb. It made her nervous, but she tried. She has no power, and that's what made her different from the other Hiwagans. She promised the crowd who saw and heard her words to prove to them that even an ordinary girl like her is powerful.

"You have ten minutes, Altalune. Your time is running out," she heard Whizka's voice inside the entrance.

She was standing in front, trying to think of a way how to find the entrance of the door. It was made of steel. There are no signs on how to open it, but she must try. By all means, she has to decipher it. Her hands were touching every steel she can touch, and when she reaches the center, she closed her eyes.

"Five. Four. Three. Two. And..."

Before Whizka could even say the last number, Altalune found the entrance. The door suddenly lightens up and slowly opening in front of her. The girl was surprised seeing how she managed to find the main door and opened it. It was her first from the challenges she must succeed.

As soon as Whizka saw the image of Altalune entering the Land of Illusion, a replica of The Land of Hiwaga, she greeted her with a smile, then praised her.

"I wanted to ask you how you did it, but I'll reserve that question later, right after you completed the challenges. For your second task..."

The scene suddenly changes and Altalune found herself standing in front of the boiling waters. Whizka's power was indeed amazing. In a blink of an eye, she was able to lead her into another scenario. This time, Altalune must face the boiling lava, inside the crater of a volcano.

"You need to jump into the fiery pit of that lava, Altalune. If you can prove that you can survive swimming into that lava, you can continue to the final task," Whizka said.

She was standing at the back, waiting for Altalune to make a decision. The heat of the lava burning in front of her was like ten times from the normal heat of the sun. She can feel the hotness of it, but she has no choice. It's her call to dive into the boiling waters, proving herself as one of those powerful children.

"It's a do or dies, Altalune. You have one hour to let your body soak in that boiling water. Your time starts now."

Before taking a plunge, Altalune whispered some words into her mind, praying for strength to survive the heat. Then, without hesitation, she jumps. Whizka was a bit worried when she saw her jump and did not even get out of that boiling water. She tried to ignore the feeling, and focus on counting Altalune's time deep into that lava.

Fifteen minutes. Thirty minutes. Forty-five minutes. And ten minutes left when Whizka started counting. However, she hasn't seen the shadow or Altalune's body floating out. She assumed that it was burned after jumping into it.

"If you're still there, Altalune. You have ten minutes. Ten. Nine. Eight. Seven. Six. Five..."

Whizka stops counting and saw a figure getting out from the boiling waters of the volcano. She ignored the excitement, but at the same time, she felt guilty. It was Altalune's body standing in front of her, full of hot slime. She immediately changes the scene, and brought Altalune in front of Dulo Mountain.

In a snap of Whizka's finger, Altalune's body returned to normal, smiling at her. "You did a great job, Altalune. Parking lot questions will standby, and I want you to brace yourself, without resting on your final challenge."

"I'm ready, Whizka," she said without any signs of tiredness.

"That's more like it, Altalune. You're one brave girl. Now, look at the top of the mountain," Whizka paused for a while then in one blink of her left eye, Altalune found herself standing one leg on the pointed peak of the Dulo Mountain.

"This is your final task, Altalune. Under the heat of the sun, you have to stand one leg. One small mistake, one bit of movement, will lead to your downfall. Best of luck."

Whizka, the person in charge of her challenges, communicated using her telepathy. The Dulo Mountain is about 3,000 feet from the ground, or from where Whizka stood. And like what she said, one small mistake can ruin her last task.

"Relax, Altalune. You're almost there. Believe in yourself. This task is quite easier than swimming into the fiery pit of the volcano. A little sacrifice could mean a lifetime of success."

She was encouraging herself. Under the scorching heat of the sun, she closed her eyes and started counting in her mind. She only has one hour to complete the final challenge. And passing the last test means she can go back to Mahika and hug Amaris.

IN HIS OFFICE, the Head of the Academy saw everything. It's unbelievable that Altalune figured out a way to open the entrance of the illusion land Whizka created only for her. What's more intriguing was her stay below the boiling waters of the volcano without breathing. And now, was more than twenty minutes have passed, she managed to stand using only her left leg, on the tip of Dulo Mountain.

"How the hell did she do that? I thought, she's not Amaris' daughter. How did she survive swimming into the fiery pit of the volcano?"

Those questions were uncontrollably inevitable. And only Amaris can answer what's bothering its mind. In no time, answers will pour like raindrops.

INSIDE THEIR ROOM, as roommates Alebun and Elia were hissing about the success of Altalune. Neither of them speaks on what they saw inside the portal showing in the wall of their room.

"I don't think that those replicas of our challenges were the same as what we are watching Alebun," Elia asked sitting like a Buddha in front of her.

"I agree. Whether she survives, or not, she completed her task or failed, I don't care. I just don't like her. She's a pain in my neck, and a fish bone in my throat," Alebun's eyes were flaming red, disappointed with the replica of the land where Altalune was finishing her final task.

Both remained quiet while continued watching the remaining thirty minutes left of Altalune's time standing one leg on the tip of the mountain.

The sun's heat continued to lit up the entire Land of Hiwaga, and the surrounding area of Dulo Mountain. Altalune is patiently waiting to finish the remaining time allotted on her.

"Twenty-five minutes, Altalune," Whizka said in telepathy. The girl heard what she said. Her eyes are still closed. The sweats she secreted were like falls abruptly falling from her head towards her face, down to her neck, and entire body.

Standing in front of the intense heat of the sun could waver her strength, but she persevere. It's almost time to stop. But she was running out of bread, and she needs water to drink.''

"Fifteen. Twelve. Ten. Nine. Eight. Seven. Six. Five. Four. Three. Two... one. Time is up, Altalune!"

As soon as she heard Whizka finishes her counting, her body immediately weaken, and gushing down 3,000 feet going to the ground. Whizka immediately changed the scenario, and opened the mortal to return to the Mahika Academy.

Outside the fountain of the academy, the lightning bolt and thunder appeared in front of the professors. Whizka and the unconscious Altalune lying on the ground appeared. Aliz stop holding the other professor's hand and run towards the unconscious little girl.

"Is she okay, Whizka?" Aliz ask while trying to help in carrying her.

"She's fine. She only needs a rest. Everyone, professors, thank you for extending your help in opening the portal to the Land of Illusion. You can return to your respective chamber. Aliz and I will take care of Altalune."

Whizka's voice always sounded authoritative. The professors started turning around and left. Aliz carried Altalune in her arms while following Whizka walking towards the direction of the forest.

"She succeeded, Aliz. Altalune is not a human. She's either a hybrid or pure blooded daughter of an immortal," she whispered towards Aliz while both of the headed towards Amaris house.

"That's so cool to hear, Whizka. But, the Headmaster still won't accept her, unless there is an evidence this girl is indeed a child of an immortal," Aliz excitement subsides after remembering what the Head of the Academy has said.

"Poor Altalune. Her dream to enter the academy will vanish again. Let's just pray for something unexpected, Aliz."

"That's way better, Whizka. Let's bring her home. I'm sure Amaris knew where Altalune went."

"Right."

The two professors were almost arrived into Amaris small and cozy house. But, both never realized that Amaris heard every little detail they talked about. Just like what Aliz said, she knew Altalune's whereabouts. She's glad that she returned safe, and succeeded on her journey into the Land of Illusion.

Since she knew Whizka and Aliz's arrival, Amaris pretended that she doesn't know that she's expecting a visitor. Meanwhile, she keeps herself busy in front of her favorite mini garden, and focus on watering the plants. However, at the back of her mind, praising and congratulating Altalune of her success in completing the three challenges in the Land of Illusion would only succumb to judging her entire existence.