WHAT THEY TOOK FROM ME

I FEEL HER PAIN

Ryan's POV

“You are awake. Thank goodness because I was starting to think she put you in a deep slumber like she did with your little boyfriend here.” Tash said.

Her little boyfriend? Who is she talking about? Oh, she is probably talking about Ope. Tiwa gave me the look that says what is she talking about and I then signalled towards where Ope is.

“Oh, him?” that was all she said. She looked lost for a while and then later she asked what I least expect.

“I have been asleep for how many hours?” she asked us totally forgetting about the 5th person in the room with us.

“For two days at most.” I replied like I wasn’t sure. I wouldn’t say I am entirely sure that’s why I sounded so unsure. You can never say

“Two days? Marisol will be far ahead of me by now.” Tiwa said to herself but it was loud enough that we heard. What she said got me confused really.

“What do you mean by Marisol will be far ahead of you by now?” I asked her.

“What is going on? Can anyone please explain all this to me? The elders lying about your death while you are still alive and the ordinary being that is here and why the elders want you, the Overlord dead. Can anyone just explain everything to me?” Tash demanded with all seriousness laced in her voice.

“They declared me dead?” Tiwa asked surprised at the action which the elders have taken. Seriously, they surprised me too. We can all say I least expected it from them.

“Yes!” Tash answered her.

“Oh that explains a lot.” She said realising what is happening now is their fault.

“You better start spilling girl.” Tash demanded with the look that says explain or am gonna kill you myself for real this time.

She took her time to explain what happened to Tash. Told her about all of the elders’ lies and how she confronted them. She told her all the scenario of her prophecy which I am hearing for the first time.

“And because of the damned prophecy which accordingly to Marisol is not real, I lost everything. And Marisol is looking for the dagger.” She said regretfully. I was upset she didn’t tell us anything about the prophecy.

“What dagger is she looking for?” I asked brushing off the anger in me.

“She is searching for the dagger of power.” She answered me. I don’t like the look in her face. She looks so worried and feels like it’s her fault.

“Why does she need the dagger of power? Does she know how dangerous it is?” Tash said worriedly.

“She needs the dagger of power for my powers. I foolishly gave up my powers when I heard about the prophecy.” She finished her statement. I said I was upset before right? Right now I am fuming with anger. Why will she foolishly do something like that? Is her power some joke? Thank goodness there is no other empathy with us here so I was able to mask my feelings.

“Are you dumb or what?” Tash asked Tiwa angrily.

“Obviously she is dumb.” The old man made himself known.

“Who is he?” Tiwa asked facing me.

“We don’t know either. He just gave us a place to hide until you both are finally up.” I answered.

“Why didn’t you talk to us about this? Prophecy or no prophecy, we would have helped you in making your decisions. Well not totally help you because that will make us no better than the elders but we would have advised you. Do you know how much danger you’ve kept the people on the magical island?” Tash said really frustrated at Tiwa. Okay, Tash is doing the job for the both of us so I don’t have to be the bad cop anymore.

“I thought you guys were gonna leave me like my other friends did and betray me like they did. I didn’t know what else to do or who else to trust so I chose the elders who are obviously the wrong person to choose. I am sorry.” She said pitying herself and the people that she has put in dangers.

Both Tash and I stared at Tiwa for a while. What was going through my mind at that point is a question. Should I just tell here everything now and she should pity herself all out or I should not?

“You don’t get to judge people based on how others treated you. If you didn’t, we wouldn’t be in this mess.” Tash said with a calm voice that tells her that she feels her pain.

“I am sorry.” She apologized truthfully. I wanted to tell her to just trust us and know that whatever comes her way she has us to rely or lean on but instead I brushed it off.

“What next? What is our plan?” I asked instead. I figured if at all we wanna know something we should act fast and not seat idly doing nothing while our enemies ruin what we love and the people we love. Trust Tash, she gave me the look that says is that all you’ve got to say? And I returned the look that says do I look like a sentimental person? And Tiwa suddenly broke into laughter.

The old man brought in food for us and gave us privacy. Ope is not up yet and the rest of us started to catch up on things we missed. It was night time and we ate, took fresh air, talked and laughed till we all got dizzy but I couldn’t sleep. What the elders have in mind to do is what baffles me. I went out of the room allocated to me and saw Tiwa. I was about to approach her before I heard the old man talk.

“What’s wrong?” the old man asked her while giving her a cup of warm water or tea. I didn’t go to join them. The old man may not be free to talk to her if I am there. I have the feeling he has something to say.

“I couldn’t sleep.” She replied him.

“Let me tell you a story of a clever tortoise and the king.” He suggested.

“Once upon a time there lived a kingdom where animals and people lived in. The name of the kingdom is Aiye and it was ruled by a very proud human king who has 3 daughters. His daughters are of age for marriage but because they are the princess of the land and his precious daughter he wants to keep them unmarried and confined in the palace. After so many persuasion from his chiefs and subjects, he told the town crier to go around the town and announce that his precious princesses are up for marriage and eligible suitors can come to take them for marriage.

The day for the suitors picking came all the villagers came to dine and see the successful suitors. The king felt humiliated when he saw animals also coming for his daughters hand in marriage not to talk of low born men. Well he didn't make specifications did he? Because the king doesn't like any of the men and is still against giving out his daughters for marriage he then gave the suitors a difficult task. He already prepared enough pot of soup for all suitors. His task was that if anyone can drink a large bowl of hot soup at once without blowing air into his mouth then he will give him his three daughters and half of his kingdom. The whole villagers gasped at the task the suitors were given. The king felt satisfied when some suitors gave up before the task had begun, the king heaved a sigh of relief knowing very well that no one can finish the task he gave the suitors.

The elephant came with confidence but he barely took a sip before he gave up. Lots and lots of animals and men came forward but they all failed woefully. Then it got to the turn of a very mischievous and clever animal, Mr tortoise. Mr tortoise took the bowl of hot soup but instead of drinking it, he went to the king and told the king "oh my king this is the bowl of soup and I will drink it and win." He went to the queen and told her the same thing and then he went round going to everyone present there and by the time he was done with everyone the soup had become cold and then he drank everything in one gulp without going against the king's condition. The king was disappointed but then a king cannot go back on his words. That was how the king's beautiful and cherished daughters got married to Mr tortoise and half of the king's kingdom was given to Mr tortoise. The king learned to never underestimate anything again be it, people or animals.”

He ended the story. I felt like she wanted to tell him to repeat it again but she doesn’t seem like the type that intend on making the old man stay up till mid night. He yawned and said he was going to bed but as soon as he was about to open the door leading to his room, he looked back at her and said.

“I know you are young and the burden of this world rely solely on your shoulders and I know you know the story I just told you. The king is older than the tortoise which makes the king originally wise but the tortoise outsmarted the king. No matter what situation you find yourself just know that your determination matters go to bed early because you have a great day ahead of you.” The old man said and left.

She looked like she was about to cry and something was missing from her life. Then I heard her thoughts.

“I wish my dad was here, I wouldn’t have to worry about a thing.” Thinking about it again I didn’t ask her about her formal life maybe we should have asked her. I intend on asking her the next day.

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“Good morning!” Tiwa greeted everyone cheerfully and we all replied her.

“Why are you so cheerful this morning?” Tash asked Tiwa with a smile on her face.

“Nothing, I just feel super great.” She replied her.

“Is he finally up?” Tiwa asked me.

“Who?” I answered her with a question.

“Who else if not Ope? That dude has been sleeping for almost ten days now. Is he that deep in his slumber?” she asked me. Honestly, I was worried for the dude too.

“After we put him to sleep, I think Marisol did again and that has kept him trapped in his subconscious mind. But last night, I was able to reach out to him and he should wake up before mid day.” I informed her. I really hope what I did is gonna work.

“Thank goodness. I was worried he is dead.” She heaved a sigh of relief.

“We have to start on the quest for the dagger today.” Tiwa told both Tash and I.

“But we don’t know where the dagger is.” Tash emphasised.

“The dagger is in the Isle of the Unseen.” The old man informed us.

“The Isle of the Unseen?” Tiwa asked.

“Yes.” The old man replied.

“How do we get there?” Tiwa asked him again.

“I don’t think you will be thrilled to go there because those who went there never came back alive and those who came back alive, their lives never remained the same again.” He informed us again in case we wanted to change our minds but it seems like Tiwa already set her mind to it and there was no turning back for her.

“How do I get there?” she asked the old man once again.

“Sorry sir, can you please give us a minute?” Tash said and practically pulled both Tiwa and I out of the hut.

“Are you crazy? You heard what he said. You might die.” Tash half yelled.

“Are you coming with me or not?” Tiwa asked both Tash and I.

“I am coming with you.” I answered her. I seriously don’t wanna die but I can’t let her go on her own. She is how old again? Fifteen I guess moreover she doesn’t know much about the map of the magical world and she doesn’t know how to fight much yet. And we both looked at Tash to know what her decision is.

“You both are crazy.” She said.

“if you don’t want to come with us, you can stay here with Ope.”Tiwa told her. Oh, she is planning on leaving the dude here. All well and good.

“I can’t leave you guys by yourselves so I am coming with you guys. End of discussion.” Tash said obviously telling us that no matter what we say, she won’t be changing her mind.

Isle of the Unseen, here we come.