The Orient Pearl of Dalatica

The Baltics

“You should have done that earlier,” Vern complained after he had thrown an arrow right at the monster’s heart, leaving it cold and lifeless. He did it after reaching the end of the forest and ending up on a foggy place and falling water, with her clothes and feet, ripped from rock, roots, and twigs she ran over.

“A monster like that won’t just die by hitting with an arrow. I had to lure it down here. They weaken when they see that light,” he retorted while pointing at the ball of turquoise light formed above the falling waters, almost covered by the thick fog.

“Why? What will happen next if they get near that light?” she asked, wanting to satisfy her curiosity.

“They are called Baltics. The lights make them dizzy and it suffocates them. Let’s go,” he commanded while leading the way, as she was left astounded because she couldn’t see a cave at all. However, she left with no choice and followed him. For all she knew, he’s the only one she could trust at the moment. She shoved the thoughts of finding her way home, for what matters for her at that time, was her safety.

“Maybe they can’t stand the radiation,” she muttered to herself.

They passed through the falling water, when she found that what hides behind it was the cave, he told her a while ago.

It was dark inside the cave but he managed to light a torch, she was not aware where it came from, as she had seen him when the flame abled her sight. Water droplets fell from the cone-like stalactites overhead and some dripped on the cave’s wall. The ground was slippery and what made it harder was the large boulders bulging out everywhere. The ground they were walking on, were going downwards as she had rolled many times but he had always managed to catch her.

The fire was dying out when they saw a ray of light. Max made a turn to the corner where it was coming from and there they saw the exit.

Vern gasped for fresh air and bent on her knees when she saw a small castle on top of the mountain.

“What is this place?” Vern asked.

“This is Montico. This is where the oracle named Callisto lives. He knows everything. He will help you prove to us if the prophecy is true. Let’s go.” He led the way without further waste of time.

The castle was majestic in its ivory walls. It spoke of extravagance in simplicity by just entering the vestibule. The interior was just breathtaking and what a miss of opportunity not linger on before her sight for a long time. But, the pure objective of her companion was way more urgent.

“Maximillian, you brought a human. What a nice surprise” an old man noticed with a long white beard, wearing a lengthy pale golden clothing.

“My apologies, your highness. She came in a portal by accident,” Maximillian explained in an apologetic voice.

“No human can do that. Only a powerful summoner could. Then, my premonition was right,” the oracle uttered.

“And you dear, you must have a beautiful name for that beautiful face,” he remarked, turning to her.

“I’m Vern. Your place is so incredible. It must be a product of a genius,” she exclaimed in astonishment.

“This was built out of love gone tragic. The heart cried, but the walls console. Here, take this. You’ll make use of this when the time comes,” the old man said, handing a bag and a bow and arrow.

“Maximillian, take good care of her. She’s the queen we’ve been waiting for,” the oracle ordered the man in daze who must have affected by what he had heard.

“Go, and use the door at the cellar. You must reach Dalatica in this instant. The Baltics have found their minion dead at the entrance. They will come for you for revenge,” Callisto directed, driving them towards the path to the cellar.

“What kind of creatures are Baltics?” she asked in curiosity.

“Why is he not coming with us,” Vern questioned as they go down the stairs in a hurry.

“He must stay here to keep the Orient Pearl illuminated. It’s the shield that makes the village invisible from invaders,” Maximillian replied, grabbing her hand to get in the glass-framed cabinet, where it can accommodate approximately five persons.

“Get the braces,” he demanded as the door was closing. But, she couldn’t get herself tuck herself onto it, and so Maximillian grab them to do it for her. She was stupefied for a second, having this near to him. Her muscles stiffened and her supposed inhalation of air got stranded for seconds. His warm air, coming from his respiration, fanned her face, causing it to feel hot and numb.

Their backs were against the cold glass wall. A loud bang boomed followed by small vibrations. It was like an elevator inside but it’s neither moving downwards nor upwards. It was accelerating forward as the view outside changed into images in motions like a view in a camera with moving subjects. Shapes and colors altered in different transitions, from sharp straight line into spiral motion. It was like a fast-paced world of whirling kaleidoscope. She could not prevent herself from closing her eyes as she felt dizzy. She grabbed for something to seek for strength until she felt her hand entangled between some finger before she melted into the darkness and lost her senses.