The Missing Enchantress (English Version)

Chapter 3

“You are already home,” Sigurd said again.

I sarcastically laughed at him. “Quit joking like that Sigurd.”

“But I am not joking,” he said with a straight face.

“You see, I obviously am not from here! Maybe this is just a dream! A ridiculous dream,” I hysterically stated. And I mean, how could it be possible. I lived all my life out there and when the moment I came here, I am just told that I came from here? Is he implying that all my life out there were all just lies? And besides, this is not my home! Magic? Prince? Castles? And all sorts of things a fantasy novel would have? This is all absurd! Nothing here is practically real!

“Calm down Kiera, I already know that you came from a different place, as you were calling a different world… but technically speaking this is just the same world as yours,” he said.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean this realm is just hidden from the plain sight of normal people in your world,” he continued.

But then as far as I remember it contradicts everything I went through before coming here.

“What? For pete’s sake I’m inside a book!”

There is an obvious confusion etched on his face when he heard that. “Book? What kind of book?”

“This is place is called Ornothopia, right?” I asked.

He paused for a moment before answering. “Umm… yeah, that’s right.”

“Then I’m in that book! I already read this story in the book my mom gave me!” I firmly stated, trying to make him believe me. But –

Sigurd only erupted into laughter, as if he heard a very crazy or funny thing in his whole lifetime. Maybe he’s going nuts now.

“Pardon me? What is it again? You went inside a book from your reality? That’s a real good joke Kiera,” he couldn’t still contain the laughter that keep bubbling up.

It’s not even funny. “It’s not a joke Sigurd,” I said with a straight face.

He was still laughing at me without having a hint of stopping until, maybe he realized that I am not happy or something, so he tried containing his laughter and straightened up his posture.

He cleared his throat first before asking, “Are you really serious?”

“oh, not really, I am joking this whole time,” I sarcastically said.

He just sighed and shook his head as a disagreement to what I said, “You are not in a book Kiera, it’s really impossible for you to enter a book and end up here.”

“Impossible? Is there a thing that is still not possible here? When I saw a lot of magic being used earlier… I mean the other day, before I passed out,” I replied, not convinced in his claim of my story being impossible to happen.

“Well, using magic and spells is not something uncommon here, but the thing you said about entering a book… all I can say is that, your imaginations are pretty wide Kiera,” he said.

I just frowned at him. So, he wouldn’t really believe me and that moment before I came here? So, in the end he is implying that I am the one who is looking stupid here, for believing such absurd things?

“Okay, let’s say that you really went inside that book your mom gave you, I suppose you already have read this story, right?” Sigurd inquired.

I thought about Sigurd’s point, and yeah, he’s right. I thought about it and tried to remember as to what’s the story is all about and how it flows. And I should remember it perfectly fine but – I couldn’t remember anything about it. Nothing. I froze in disbelief.

“Kiera?”

Sigurd is right about that and I should have recognized him immediately since he’s one of the characters in this supposed story, but I couldn’t! I’m doomed.

“Hey Kiera?!”

And with sudden loud clap, I fell down to the floor. It went on like a flash that forcibly pull me out of my built-up world and left a scorching painful feeling on my cheeks. I couldn’t believe it, this man just slapped me.

I balled my fists and pierced him with my gaze. I immediately sprung up from the floor and held him by his collar. Without giving so much thought about my actions, I mindlessly threw him and went on crashing to the corner of the room, on one of the shelves causing some books to fall out from its place.

When I finally gathered myself after that sudden eruption of my anger, I realized what happened and what I have done. I darted my eyes between my hands and to Sigurd that leaned on the shelf with his face in grimace, pained after the impact. I couldn’t believe how it happened and just cupped my mouth with my hands.

“How did…? what…” All the questions flooded my thoughts that I couldn’t even begin to start as I was really dumbfounded to what just happened. How did it happen?

A man suddenly emerged out of the blue from the terrace, and I almost automatically turned to his direction. It is clear that he was blown out to what he is seeing at this moment, in which he saw me and Sigurd on the floor.

How should I put it…? I mean, don’t be so surprised bro, it’s okay, even I, myself was shocked in this sudden turn of events. I thought.

“This is not okay,” he sternly said, as if he heard my thoughts.

Wait? Can he read minds as well? Will I be meeting more weird and abnormal people soon?

He glared at me sharply, making me scared really. Oh no! Mom save me! I cried in my thoughts.

Why is it you never mentioned to me that, that book is cursed! Look where I am now, I’m doomed.

“We are not abnormal! And what book are you talking about?!” he fiercely stated.

And there it goes, as I have thought, this man can also read other people’s minds! Is there any way to switch off that feature here in this world, so they can never read my mind? Or even just a guideline to help me in this dilemma? I complained in the back of my mind.

Suddenly, a bright blue light materialized on his empty palm. It was a magic circle if I’m not mistaken. I gulped a big lump of mouth juices. Oh no! even if I couldn’t still bring myself to believe in such things like magic, I couldn’t help thinking that if that thing hits me, it would really hurt.

                “You are an enemy! You are a spy! You were accepted and treated well in this manor but what did you do to repay that?” he madly said.

He slowly marched forward, moving closer and closer to me, while here I am slowly taking steps back as well. Until I hit the corner of the room and I couldn’t take another step back anymore. This is not good!

Dear Mom,

It seems like I’ll be following you there in a few seconds from now. Please meet me while I go there. And don’t forget my welcome party when I got there!

Your loving daughter,

Kiera

When he started to aim his hand to me, I could only close my eyes and wait for my demise to take me to where my parents are now. Goodbye world!

“S… stop!”

I immediately opened my eyes when I heard Sigurd’s voice. He held Theron’s right arm, a sign of stopping him from dealing the blow and send me to where mom and dad are.

“Si… Sigurd!” he worriedly called Sigurd’s name.

He immediately helped Sigurd and let him sit on the study room’s couch. I was just left here standing as if nothing happened and forgot that I am here all the time that he almost tried to kill.

“Ki… Kiera, I wasn’t expecting that you have that so much physical strength hidden in your body,” he gave an awkward smile.

“I couldn’t believe it as well that I can do something that crazy.” I scratched the back of my head.

Theron just clicked his tongue.

Tss… he’s just jealous since I did that super throw no one else can do. I thought, ridiculing him in my thoughts.

He glared at me at the instant, giving me death threats by just his look. I could only look down in attempt to hide myself from him. Dammit Kiera! Did you forget that this guy can also read minds? He’s not normal!

Sigurd suddenly erupted into laughter, making us turn our gazes into him. And he continued that way for over a minute while Theron and I didn’t even make any sound. After laughing to God knows what made him so happy so suddenly, Sigurd gathered his eyes to me.

He cleared his throat first. “Kiera… in order for others not to read what you are thinking, don’t try to talk to your inner self so loudly every time.”

“inner… what? What inner-self are you talking about?” I asked.

He chuckled. “That one you are talking to inside you when you think of something.”

I made a hit-with-realization sound. So, in short, it’s just me, myself and I.

“That’s right,” Sigurd wore that seemingly never-ending smile on his face.

I just frowned at him.

“Don’t worry, I’ll teach you how,” Sigurd said, gesturing to follow his instructions.

“Take a deep breath and then close your eyes. Imagine there is a wall or a barrier in front of you, guarding your voice from going out,” he continued.

I just nodded and started to do what he instructed me to do. After doing a short meditation to prepare myself, I opened my eyes and looked at the two in front of me.

“Now try thinking of something, try talking to your inner-self,” Sigurd said.

And as what he prompted me to do, I began talking to my inner-self. Theron is not really good-looking, and is a very terrible person. Who do he think he is?

And with that, we could only stare at each other like nothing happened. Silence began dawning at us, so before that happen, I broke it. “You didn’t hear my thoughts?”

Sigurd just shook his head, a sign of not hearing it, while Theron just drew a smirk on his face. I sprung and went bouncing around in glee, as I have done it successfully. I never thought, it was just a piece of cake to do it actually.

But I ceased my celebration of small achievement when I realized something.

“Wait a minute, if I could prevent my thoughts from being heard, how can I read other people’s minds?” I asked.

“Oh? I thought you don’t believe in such things Kiera,” Sigurd teasingly said.

“Well I really don’t, but in this case… it’s just a bit unfair for me that you can hear my thoughts, while I can’t do the same,” I replied.

Sigurd just beamed at me.

“Just focus in their eyes Kiera, on the person you want to read. Like earlier, you still need to clear your mind and relax. And then, try looking on their eyes as if their eyes are speaking as well.”

I began doing what he instructed. After a momentary meditation, I locked my gaze on Sigurd’s eyes and tried to hear what he is thinking. But, nothing… I mean I couldn’t hear anything.

“You didn’t hear me?” Sigurd inquired.

“No… I couldn’t hear a single thing…”

“Try again, its never easy actually, try connecting on my eyes,” he instructed.

I just nod and tried doing it again, this time with more focus and clear mind.

Kiera?

I suddenly heard a voice coming out of nowhere, or is it directly in my mind? Is that it? Is that Sigurd’s thoughts? I could only cross my eyebrows as I was unsure what is it, maybe my imagination.

“So, did you hear it this time?” Sigurd inquired again.

So, is that really the real deal? Awesome! I could feel my heart, starting to accelerate because of the excitement. I guess, I will enjoy and get excited on the things that I will learn in this place.

Kiera, if you hear this, please respond to me.

I brought my gaze to Sigurd in confusion. Why? How? I mean… I wasn’t even looking at Sigurd this time but I could still hear his thoughts.

“That’s because, at the moment you entered other people’s minds for the first time, the link is not broken, that way you can now talk within your minds and that is called – “

“Telepathy,” I filled in Sigurd’s statement.

He only nodded, while smiling at me. I think, this is pretty cool!

“For someone like you who insisted on saying you don’t believe these things, I could say you are very natural and you learn these things quickly Kiera… I’m amazed,” Sigurd said and leaned his back on the couch.

“Thanks, and It’s all because of your guidance Sigurd,” I gave a smile that almost probably reached my ears.

Sigurd just smiled back at me. I gathered my eyes to Theron, which hardly had any reactions at my developments. I guess this man’s heart is made of stone. He couldn’t even be happy for me.

“I can hear you,” Theron said.

Oops! I really need to get used to this barrier thingy so they wouldn’t be able to hear my mind completely. I did again, what Sigurd told me so and just rolled my eyes on Theron. Duh! You might be good-looking but you’re so stern.

I just smiled at myself. Theron just shook his head, while Sigurd maintained his never fading smile on his face. I guess, Sigurd’s better… he just smiles which makes the environment positive making me forget my problems while his brother just brings problems really.

SIGURD’S POV

After the incident that happened in the study room, Kiera headed out with Mr. Romulos. I remained here, since Theron said we have something to talk about.

“Are you really alright Sigurd?” Theron worriedly asked me.

“I’m fine Theron, no worries… I was just surprised at the strength of that lady,” I laughed at the thought.

He clicked his tongue, “Don’t let your guard down Theron, she’s still not confirmed whether she’s an ally or an enemy.”

I touched my chin and wondered, “But we are the one’s who saw her first, right?”

“We still don’t know that yet, it’s possible that we are not the ones who found her first and then she was just given an order to infiltrate here,” he sternly said.

I couldn’t still agree on his thoughts. “You think so? Is that the case really? It seemed to me that she still doesn’t know anything yet.”

“It could be an act, to fool us…” he insisted.

And here goes again. I sighed, “There you go again with all your doubts.”

He just frowned.

“I guess you should try giving her and yourself a chance, so you can learn to trust again, your High-Ness,” I teased him.