The Hidden Realm

Chapter 20 – WALL BARRIER

ARRANO flew, and they rode around the sky.

Eleand witnessed the panoramic view of Velidia. The Winter Region was so magical above. He bellowed not because he was afraid but ecstatic. He spread his arms wide, letting the snow fell in his body.

“Look at that mountain, it’s a part of the Winter Region, but it looks barren and dry.” He pointed to the mountain on the southern side of Velidia.

“That’s the Steri Volcano. We call it the Unforgiving Mountain. For some reason, no plants thrived there, and no water source. Even the snow immediately melted when it hit the ground.”

“I can see that it’s dangerous.” He tilted his head, thinking he would never dare to set his foot in that volcano.

Enkille tapped Arrano. “Fly higher!”

The creature followed her command. While they flew higher, Eleand sensed freedom. If only he could fly with Arrano and Enkille in his lifetime. For a short period, he never thought about the overlapping problems he had to face.

They soared above until they could not visibly see the ground—only the peaceful movement of the sea of clouds like cotton candy below them. Eleand let out a soft laugh in glee.

“Fun isn’t?” Enkille joined his laughter, both expressed amusements.

“Can we go higher?”

Enkille shook her head, “We can’t do that. This is where the wall ends.”

“What wall?” He could not see a wall around.

“It’s an invisible wall barrier. It serves as our protection.” She tightened her grip to Arrano, “Hold me tight, I’ll show you what I mean.”

Eleand obeyed. He wrapped his arms around her slim waist.

Arrano flew higher, but a wave of solid force stopped them. They backed away at a distance. It was like they had hit something.

“See?”

“Ohh,” he gasped and faintly shook his head. There was indeed an invisible wall around. Although he knew about the barrier, he didn’t have an idea that this thing could happen if they tried to go beyond it. This barrier was also the reason this realm could not be seen in the mortal world. The same cause he was trapped inside Erganiv. Because of this stupid wall.

“Let’s go back.”

Arrano flew down when Enkille commanded it.

THEY ate breakfast together. The faeries outside were busy with their magic training. Eleand remained silent as he chewed the food. Enkille appeared lost in her thoughts, too.

“Thanks, about earlier. I had fun.” He broke the silence and grasped the glass to drink water.

“You deserve it,” she said in between her bite. Then she met his gaze.

When their eyes locked, he sensed it again. The army of ice worms tried to get inside his head. And he did not hesitate to evaporate them.

His lips curved in triumph. “I won.”

Enkille laughed sparingly. “Marvelous.”

“Although I’m wondering about the black thing that protects me every time I use the Protexerium. Is it the same with you?”

“Every magic power is unique; I am adept using the Aghenum—the wielding of water and ice. That thing inside your mind is the manifestation of your inner power. Whatever happens, never forget the goodness in your heart. Don’t let the darkness consume you. That is one major drawback when a human learns magic. They tend to seek more power.”

“I won’t be like that. I just want to protect myself while I’m waiting till I get back home in the mortal world.”

“Of course, you should. Because once I see that you’re using magic to harm others, I will never hesitate to cut your head than to see you turn to the dark side.”

“Whoa, don’t threaten me. I promise to use my magic in a good way.” He drank another glass of water. His throat suddenly went dry upon hearing Enkille’s warning. She was not joking. But he wouldn’t use his magic for evil things for sure.

Enkille continued eating. She stood up after drinking a glass of red wine.

“By the way, where is the book you brought from the Golden Palace?”

“Ah, yes. The book,” he suddenly remembered.

Eleand quickly went to his bedroom and got the book. The inscriptions of the ancient alphabet were peculiar. He didn’t pay much attention to it recently. His priorities were the books from Enkille.

“Here it is,” he passed the book to her hand.

She examined the book momentarily before she browsed the pages. She rushed on scanning every page then he heard her curse. It was just a murmur, but it reached his ears.

“What’s the matter?”

Enkille lifted her face. “I’ll keep this for a while. This book won’t help you while you’re still in your basic stage of learning magic. Your body is not yet capable of wielding the immense power inside this book.”

“Why, what kind of book is that?”

“Not good for a beginner like you.” Her one brow raised, “Don’t you trust me?”

“I trust you, of course! I owe you my life. You can keep it.” He just smiled even though he had a lot of questions in mind.

“I will give this back to you when you’re ready to learn its content. But now, you are not equipped. This should be in my hand, and once this goes to the wrong possession, it would be a disaster. The knowledge inside this book is dangerous.”

“Okay, I will not ask further questions then. I will concentrate on your books. I only have a few days left, and it’s going to be another death match.”

“Strengthen your shield. You’ll badly need it. That’s the only advice I can give you for now. Practice more until the Protexerium becomes normal in your body.”

Eleand gently nodded. “One last question, is there any possibility that I can heal myself? I mean, as you do. How can I learn that? Is there a spell about it?”

Enkille shrugged and gazed down. “We’ll see about that. If by chance, you have healer blood, then you might learn it. But if I remember it right, it’s rare for a human to use the healing magic. Because mortals do it traditionally.”

“I should be careful then since I couldn’t heal myself using magic.”

“I’m not a gifted healer, though I can do it for myself and another being. But my power is very limited when it comes to healing,” she paused for a while, then she added, “Why don’t you ask a favor to learn healing magic to your little friend, Winzi? Her gift is unique.”

The line in his forehead deepened. Did she mean Winzi, the witch? It was apparent she didn’t have a talent for healing. He would gain nothing from that bully.

“But Winzi is just a seer,” he managed to say.

Enkille laughed. “Winzi is an Alsacheri Princess. She is the youngest daughter of Lord Arion and Lady Sereia.”

“Really?” he was overwhelmed. That explained Winzi’s different look from the faeries in Mirasaen.

“I thought you two were friends. How come you didn’t know?”

“That witch loves to bully me for being a lowly mortal,” he hardly shook his head, “If she is a Princess in Alsache, why she is serving in Noyuh?”

“Well, two centuries ago, her father tried to betroth her with an Argian Prince for an alliance. The reason Winzi rebels against her father and leaves their domain. She runs off on her wedding day because Winzi will only get married if she already found her mate.”

“I see,” he motioned his head.

He finally understood why Winzi was too optimistic when it came to love. He could not blame her. Leaving her crown to serve another was not easy. But just because of love? Eleand didn’t want to judge. Winzi might have had other valid reasons.

“I’ll see you in a few days. Try to have fun in your training.” Enkille giggled, knowing the possibility of the outcome.

“I’ll try to see the fun in death. Bring flowers when you get back. I might be dead by then,” he chuckled.

Enkille became serious and looked at him with a warning.

Eleand immediately took back the things he said. “Okay, I’ll survive.”

She nodded and disappeared.