WHAT THEY TOOK FROM ME

QUEST FOR THE DAGGER

I was hearing muffles. Slowly, the voice started becoming clearer and clearer until I could pinpoint that the owner of the voices were Ryan, Tash and…………….wait what? Don’t tell me Marisol got them too. Instantly, I snapped and woke up and heavens help me, the light shone brightly to my eyes like I haven’t seen the ray of light for years.

“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.

My little boyfriend? Who is she talking about? I gave Ryan the look that says what is she talking about and he then signalled towards where Ope is.

“Oh, him?” that was all I said. Then everything came rushing like a wave.

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

“For two days at most.” Ryan replied like he wasn’t sure.

“Two days? Marisol will be far ahead of me by now.” I said to myself but loud enough for them to hear.

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

“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?” she demanded with all seriousness laced in her voice.

“They declared me dead?” I asked

“Yes!” Tash answered me.

“Oh that explains a lot.” I said.

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

I took my time to explain what happened to Tash. Told her about all of the elders’ lies and how I confronted them. I told her all the scenario of my prophecy which Ryan is 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.” I said regretfully.

“What dagger is she looking for?” Ryan asked.

“She is searching for the dagger of power.” I answered.

“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.” I explained.

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

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

“Who is he?” I asked.

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

“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.” I said pitying myself and the people that I have put in dangers.

The both of them stared at me for a long time and Tash finally sighed.

“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 me that she feels my pain.

“I am sorry.” I apologized truthfully.

“What next? What is our plan?” Ryan asked. Seriously, he wasn’t going to address what I just said. Trust Tash, she gave him the look that says is that all you’ve got to say? And he returned the look that says do I look like a sentimental person? And I suddenly broke out to 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.

“What’s wrong?” the old man asked me while giving me a cup of warm water.

“I couldn’t sleep.” I replied.

“Let me tell you a story of a clever tortoise and the king.” He suggested. Oh heavens I know this story it is my favourite but it will be nice to hear someone read it out to me once again.

“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 wanted to tell him to repeat it again but I don’t 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 me 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.

At some moment, I thought it was my dad talking to me. Oh how much I miss that man. I went to bed early but not without thinking of what to do next.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Good morning!” I greeted everyone cheerfully. They replied me.

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

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

“Is he finally up?” I asked Ryan.

“Who?” Ryan asked me back.

“Who else if not Ope? That dude has been sleeping for almost ten days now. Is he that deep in his slumber?” I asked Ryan.

“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.” Ryan informed me.

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

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

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

Yeah it is true, I don’t know where the dagger too is. I guess Marisol too doesn’t, that’s why she hasn’t taken my power yet.

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

“The Isle of the Unseen?” I asked.

“Yes.” He replied.

“How do we get there?” I 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 I already set my mind to it and there was no turning back for me I don’t know about the rest.

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

“Sorry sir, can you please give us a minute?” Tash said and practically pulled both I am Ryan 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?” I asked Ryan and Tash.

“I am coming with you.” Ryan replied and we both looked at Tash.

“You both are crazy.” She said.

“if you don’t want to come with us, you can stay here with Ope.” I told her.

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

Isle of the Unseen, here we come.