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Secrets

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Prologue 

-Secrets

Secrets. Everyone and anyone could have a secret. It was just not every ones place to tell or share secrets. A special group of people were the only people who had the privilege to share, and tell secrets with another person. 

Secrets were big. Secrets were something that the rest of the known world did not know of, or even heard of. It was non existent among every life form other than the bearer. A secret separated your individuality from the rest. People are born with secrets, and secrets are very rare.

Telling a Secret was different than that of sharing one. Telling a secret was a means of verbal communication, informing another individual of your secret, not to be mistaken with the sharing of a secret. Sharing a secret was the action of two souls touching one another, using Airh. (Air) When the two souls collide, the secrets between the two beings are shared.

Most commonly- When lips lock gently; Two share Airh, a passion that is only known by one, a mystery is given to someone who receives this swift kiss; a signature encryption that is shared between two complex enigmas. Both share their secret with one another like a plague of infections cells, the virus spreads information through the complex of another being. Thus the whole of one, is with a new court, a unique quiver that generates evolution with the rest of the known world.

Airh is a substance found within the body fluids and cells of all living organisms. Invisible to the naked eye, Airh holds a part of a persons soul when it leaves an individuals body. Outside of the body Airh only survives for a moments time, making it difficult to share secrets with a large number of people at the same time.

CHAPTER ONE…

Diablo’s 

Secret

Diablo was a blue-eyed teenager, born in a huge ancient civilization, Majestico. Majestico- (Ma- jest- ti- co), a city also known as the “White city”, was an enormous civilization ruled over by seven rulers that per swayed righteousness and a truthful unity among their people. Majestico was incredibly advanced for the time period, monumental stone skyscrapers stretched into the heavens. They stood together agelessly under the magical power that the rulers shared. Together this group of seven watched over the city and enforced it as well. Simple, yet strong, the community of people who lived in the city met all the requirements. The seven wise ones followed a written code, known as the Code of sin, A tablet in which the rules of Majestico were laid out and encrypted in stone. They used it as guidelines and a system of laws and government. The code of sin was a list of bad things or omens that the people of Majestico would be punished upon doing or following. Punishment varied between three methods, each becoming more severe with the circumstances, lashing, banishment, and death.

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In Majestico people lived within classes. The class of an individual family was decided upon how pure the family was, or how important their duties were within the city. Diablo’s mother was one of the seven wise ones, and his family takes on important roles within civilization. His family is in the highest of classes, the Perfects. Other elements that effected a family’s class were the number of sins everyone committed and the severity. Usually even one sin committed by a family member dropped that family’s class from perfectionism. When a person committed any number of sins they were usually lashed. Only a minor section of a few condominiums was held for the perfects because there was only a very small population of those who hadn’t committed a sin. When a person was lashed, they would be branded with scars that lasted a lifetime. These scars were an easy indication that an individual was not a “perfect.” Perfects had more rights, special treatment, and little limitations within the city of Majestico.

Every living person within the boundaries of Majestico lived in enormous condominiums. These tall magical buildings stretched into the skies of Majestico towering even into the hundreds of stories. Depending on a family’s class, the size of the condominium dorms varied.

Diablowas strange and like no one else, he had thick black hair and 

bright blue eyes. People recognized him for his eyes. They were found to be different and unusual. People say they look like sapphires. People of Majestico say rarely had a reasonably fair skin color with black hair, and both Diablo and his mother had it. In school, He did seemingly well. Diablo reads books in his free time, however not ordinary books. The books he read were about magic. People thought it was pointless because he was a boy. It was believed that only the Drought of sages could grant magical powers in Majestico, and only females could benefit from it. The seven wise ones were the only people of all Majestico who had access to the drought. 

Diablo possessed no scars. It was very odd for a male not to have scars. Males were especially wild at the maturing age. They had less self-control than that of females. Males committed sins here and there, not potentially evil or Extreme necessarily. Just out of line, Punishable by lashing. After a small amount of discipline by means of lashing, they would behave themselves, however even the smallest amount of discipline left scarring.

That’s how it worked, that’s why only females would be chosen to rule. In order to drink from this magical drought your skin needed to be flawless in the deepest layers of the epidermis right before nerve endings and blood vessels. Minor cuts and scars weren’t the same as the deeply embedded wounds that healed over in the dermis.

However, the strangest thing about Diablo was a secret. Diablo’s Dreams… Diablo’s nightmares. The fact that Diablo only slept a few times a month. These things stood out above all others. Diablo could not sleep easily because his dreams were haunted by the unknown. He had nightmares. Nightmares, like many other things, were unheard of in Majestico. They didn’t exist. The people of Majestico simply did not have dreams with fear. Diablo waited before his body was physically exhausted before attempting to rest. If Diablo was not completely exhausted, he could not remain asleep. Diablo was scared, frightened from many forces of nature, and of man, where others feared nothing. Nothing. Fear didn’t seem to exist among life at all. Just the strange boy with blue eyes. 

Diablo had hidden his secret well. No one knew. If anyone Knew, he would surely be given up to the Wise ones. Diablo’s unusual trait was only found within himself, and if anyone witnessed his bizarre behavior he could possibly be banished or killed for not sharing his secret with the wise ones. Diablo was sure that his secret would be considered evil among the rulers of Majestico. This caused another problem, for evil was the First Written Sin upon the listed code and was an Extreme sin. If Diablo was found guilty of an Extreme sin, he would be punished with death. 

The rules were harsh in Majestico. There was little tolerance for miss guidance and bad ways. Diablo did have similarities that he shared with the rest of the population who went to school. He liked the Majestico sports, and he was very talented in his studies. 

Black, Diablo’s mother was Extremely beautiful and wise. She had Very dark grey eyes and long shining black hair that fell to the crest of her back. Black like Diablo was different. She had Black hair, never had a member of the wise, have a hair color other than that of blue. Her name had once been known as Krystal long before her term. Black received her new name when she was newly dawned, to join the rulers of Majestico. She was simply nick named for her black hair, it wasn’t common.

“Good night children,” Krystal had stood up from the living room sofa to say good night to her children before heading up to bed. “Night Blue, Eliet, Diablo.” She looked at them as she called out their names.

Blue was beautiful and wise like her mother. She had never committed a sin; therefore, she had never been lashed. She had radiant blue hair and eyes. Her skin color was very fair. Goodnight mother,” said Blue.

Eliet was a strong young man. He was tall and had red styled hair that stood tall above his head in large spikes. His eyes were a reddish brown. He stood with confidence, “night ma.”

Diablo smiled and stood up, “I am heading up to bed too,” he turned to face blue and Eliet. “Goodnight You too.”

Diablo followed his mother up the stairs to where the bedrooms of the condos were, where they slept. Everyone Besides Diablo. All the Condos in Majestico were identical to those condos of the same class. The Condo that Diablo’s family lived in was considerably nicer than those who lived in condos with less class. Diablo’s family lived in the Perfect’s condos, Because the majority of the family was Perfect. Eliet and, Diablo’s father Bannon were the only family members to ever commit a number of sins. Bannon was a great hunter, and Eliet was a squire, sailor, and even prepared for gladiator games. All of which was looked highly upon.

Diablo continued to look at the ceiling above his bed. Diablo had his first day of classes tomorrow. He was now in his tenth year. He wasn’t excited about it, he wasn’t very popular. Everyone found him unusual. It wasn’t just because he looked different, people were afraid of him. He was the boy who hadn’t sinned, and his mother was one of the seven wise ones. It made it difficult for Diablo to befriend people in school. He did have a few good friends though. Their Names were Avon and Devon. 

Diablo felt dizzy and nausea. Diablo was exhausted, it had been a week and three days since he had last snuck out of the house to sleep. Diablo would rather risk getting caught on the streets of Majestico by dread soldiers than be caught bearing a nightmare. If anyone witnessed Diablo when he slept, they would know of his secret. He kicked and whined, and if anyone was to witness his strange unknown behavior, they would surely think evil was its cause. Diablo never allowed this to happen, and he told no one of his secrets. He feared that if anyone found out about his secret, they may inform the wise ones. There was only one person who knew of his strange behavior, and that was Krystal, Diablo’s mother. She knew and kept it a secret, she loved and cherished Diablo. As a ruler of Majestico this was very risky, she held the family’s life with her knowing of Diablo ‘s bizarre behavior.

Next to Diablo’s Bed was a small table with a lamp. He kept the books that he was currently reading underneath the small lantern. Diablo sat up on his bed looking over at the book that was lying flat on top of the pile. It was the book that interested him most lately. It was Mind over Matter by Judo Wouols. Diablo often read books while his family slept, or if he was waiting for them to do so. He leaned forward and rolled on his side, extending his arm to grab the book. Diablo slid the novel off the pile and pulled it over to his bed. 

Diablo continued to wait for the footsteps of his sister and brother returning to their rooms. He was sure Bannon was already asleep in his and Black’s room. Once they were asleep Diablo could return to the forest of Annarector to sleep by sneaking out of the Condo. He continued to read his book from where he had left off. 

The novel helped readers understand how physics affected magic. It also taught the early stages of perfect touch. Diablo felt pity for the average person who believed that Males could not learn magic. The Perfect touch was an early form of magic that with practice one could learn the basics. Further practice with magical regimen would further its capabilities. It could allow a single being to punch through stone or allow the bearer to fall from tremendous height without consequence. The possibilities of use were endless. 

Diablo felt as though quite some time had passed and still, he had not heard footsteps. Diablo became unsure of himself. He didn’t believe he could remain awake for much longer. He looked to the other side of his bed into a large stained-glass window. The window had poly shaped figures that represented seven beautiful sages. The wise ones. The figures were simply different colored pieces of glass molded together to form one large glass window. The figures were all colored randomly, other than their hair. All of which were a bright sky blue, other than one of the seven figures. Diablo had taken a pastel marker and colored the hair black on the second figure from the right.

 Diablo turned the handles located at the bottom of the window. The doors swung open, and he veered into the night. It was the night of a full moon. Diablo tried to arrange nights of a full moon with his sleeping pattern. A full moon over the forest provided a considerable amount of light that helped guide Diablo in search of shelter. Looking down, Diablo could see the reflections of light from nearby condos off, the polished streets from below. They had a beige colored tint to them. The condos in Majestico soared several stories into the sky. It was the secret to Majestico’s extremely large population contained in a considerably small amount of land. Diablo’s condo was located thirty-five stories high.

Diablo reached under his bed to receive a small wooden box. The wooden box could fit in the palm of his hand with a shrill overhang. He kept many random things within the box, that others would find strange and unusual if found together. Under the box was a rather large black cloak. Diablo dressed himself in his cloak and shoes and stood towards the window. He stuffed the small wooden box into his inner cloak pocket. He quickly looked to the street that was several stories below. The coast was clear. 

Diablo Placed his hands on the windowsill and pushed hard with his feet. He lunged headfirst out of the window. Soaring downward with tremendous speed. Lights, windows and railings screamed past him. He held out his hands straight in front of him as if he would break his fall with human strength. Diablo stimulated his mind, everything seemed to play in slow motion, however in reality moved very fast. The road slowly inched towards him. He was falling so fast that he became teary eyed. 

Steadily as he came into contact with the streets from below Diablo relaxed, closed his eyes, and focused on his extreme sense of touch. His hands felt wet and cold. He applied a small amount of pressure to his fingertips. The small wooden box fell from his cloak. His fall, however, was not broken entirely. Diablo’s Palms came crashing to the pavement. He felt a shrill pain in his upper arms. He had failed. Diablo applied as much remaining arm strength as he could into the slippery street. Diablo’s fall subsided dramatically, it was working, however his arms slid forward on the wet surface. Diablo’s head smashed into his wooden box, cracking it slightly. The sound of Diablo‘s head crashing into the wooden box made a silent echo down the alleys and streets nearby. His body landed heavily behind him. 

Diablo felt weary. What a pathetic idea. His first time experimenting with Perfect touch, he had foolishly launched himself through a window from several stories above. It was a miracle. He didn’t even have a cut. Just a sore pain beneath his chin and thighs. He was lucky that he had not lost his life diving from such a height.

Normally Diablo ran as silently as he could, quickly descending down the thirty five stories of staircase trend from his condo. During daytime hours, small magical portals spawned within a room of every condo. These corridors were known as portal rooms. The portals looked like an oval shaped slab of floating plasma that took the shape of a star. When touched one would teleport to another portal. These portals were means of quick transportation to the ground level of the building. During nighttime hours the portals faded, disappearing because Majestico had a curfew. When the sun went down the residents of Majestico were not allowed to leave their condos. This allowed the wise ones to rest and leave the city to be patrolled by the Dread Maids and Soldiers.

Dread maids and soldiers were female and Male perfects who had fallen. They would rise from their graves at night to patrol the city of Majestico, leaving their cemeteries at sun set. Only those who had died a perfect in Majestico would become dreads, and naturally their number was small. The average person was banished when she or he had aged or appeared to be on the verge of death. This left only those who were most unfortunate to become dreads. The Murdered. 

Diablo quickly stood up checking himself for injuries. He found nothing serious. If he had cut himself deeply, he would have lost his Perfectionism by default. He then would have scaring. Those who had never committed sins, but received deep scars by other means, were known as Broken Perfects. Broken Perfects shared the same class as the Perfects, treated all the same, the only difference was that those who became broken perfects could not become members of the wise. It naturally wouldn’t affect Diablo, it was believed that Males could not become one of the seven rulers. Those who had scars into their dermis suppose ably could not use magic. Diablo was the only boy that he could think of that had not possessed any scars, however he believed he could use magic. There were debates that early stages of Perfect touch didn’t require any magic at all. If there was a link between those who had not possessed scars and the ability to use magic, Diablo did not want to risk the possibility.

Diablo then looked around the streets to see if he could spot any zombie like cloaked figures, the Dreads. He wanted to make sure that they had not witnessed what he had done, Magic, or the fact that he had broken the curfew.

Diablo didn’t make a sound. He lowered his stance and began to sneak out of the city. Diablo carefully watched his every move, making sure that he remains hidden from the dreads.

The Dreads simply recovered the Wise Ones responsibility, watching over the city after sun set. The Wise Ones would sleep while the sun was down, like the rest of Majestico. However, Majestico’s cemeteries would then awaken, and the murdered and sudden death of Majestico would rise to patrol the city. The souls of the seven wise ones would make their way to the graveyards while their bodies rested. Wise one’s souls would then wander searching for fallen perfects. When they found their hosts, they would take control of their fragile bodies. After rising from their graves, they would then patrol the streets of Majestico with a split personality, Eagar to find vengeance with a distant honor and memory of Majestico. The wise ones controlled the Dreads only to remember their actions as dreams, slightly fogged and vague. When the time neared sunrise the souls would return to their keep, in time for awakening. 

The Dreads five senses were almost nonexistent, they were rotting flesh and a hand full of them were controlled by those who were asleep. The only advantage to the Wise-Ones was that they could change who they were possessing. Dreads that were not being controlled by the seven wise ones acted very stupid and lost. They had no sense of direction and simply wandered the streets mad. These dreads would attack anything that moved. Diablo used their lack of intelligence and senses to his to his advantage, wearing a black cloak, and soft shoes, hiding him from the dreads with ease. Only fast movements and noises really alerted the dreads. They were like zombies, that slowly lurked among the streets of Majestico.

 Whenever Diablo saw Dreads that had any remains to their faces, they appeared very angry. Always. Sometimes Diablo had nightmares about the Dreads, so he tried to avoid looking into their dark hoods. 

Diablo ran Down Pearl Street. The street that connected the Perfects condos, where His family lived, and further down ran straight into Majestico’s Square. The square was a large square perimeter in Majestico that held large events within the city. The Monument was also located on Pearl Street.

Continuing down Pearl Street Diablo came across a Large gorgeous, building that was solid white marble. It had seven large marble columns that supported the face of the structure. The pillars were trimmed with gold and the steps that led to its entrance were intriguing. The Monument was the only building in Majestico with a triangular sloped roof. Looking at the Monument with even a glace, one would know of the importance it had in the Perfect civilization. 

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Diablo stepped foot into the large clearing, pacing away from the other Condos. It was strange how just a few feet back, condos towered into the night sky. Diablo admired the beauty of the Monument. Several dread Maids walked the perimeter. He knew that it was risky crossing through where the Monument stood. It was heavily patrolled, dread maids always roamed around the Monument. Several dread maids were even walking the steps that lead to the raised foundation. 

For the most part Diablo could tell that the dreads lurking around the monument were female dread maids, as opposed to Male dread soldiers. He could tell because of the shape of their skulls. Male dread skulls were more angular and had narrow eye sockets. It made sense to him really. Naturally more woman died as perfects so coming across a male Dread soldier was rare.

The dreads were obviously protecting the secrets of Majestico. Even if a person breached the Monument and the dreads, all the valuable possessions of the Wise ones were concealed deep within the Monument; in places that people referred to as the “hidden chambers.” 

Across from the Monument was a large park and another Perfects building. All the Condominiums around the Monument were upper class or high end. The reason was simply because of the walking distance to the Monument. Those higher in the class did not have to walk as far to get to the monument or Majestico’s Square. Between the Perfect condominium and the park, was a small alley way that was rarely patrolled. Diablo never crossed through the park because large stadium lights clearly lit up every inch of it.

Diablo made his way down the empty alley. He then emerged onto Mindianapple street (Min-di-an-apple). Mindianapple street ran directly to Bay Bridge and out of Majestico. Bay Bridge was the bridge that crossed the Tonic River and ran into the forest of Annarector. Diablo was not fond of Mindianapple street, extreme punishment like burning and hanging took place on Mindianapple. Straight ahead was a dread soldier walking in circles stupidly around a large steel beam that shot up from the ground. The were ropes, tassels, and rusty nails and hinges where people would be punished. Diablo found himself at the foot of the burning stakes.

Diablo watched the dread maid walk aimlessly around the tower, again and again. He had to get passed the dread to continue and cross the bridge into Annarector where he would find a place to rest. Diablo figured if the dread followed the same path continuously, that he could silently follow the dread without being seen. 

Diablo made long silent strides toward the dread and the tower. Moving as fast as he could he crept without breaking his stead, only the moist air and breeze broke against his face. The wobbling corpse snickered as it spun, a foul smell of dead and ash consumed the air around the staked courtyard.

The dread maid had long black hair, that looked to be made of straw. It looked abstract in ways like a scary crow of sorts. The gown she wore was similar to the black cloak that Diablo had seized from a dread years ago.

Diablo continued to on nimble feet across the weary Mindianapple, it was the largest street in Majestico leading to several low and middle class sections of the city.

 Diablo came across a large group of condominiums that had aged. The marble and stone that crafted the buildings had cracked over long periods of time. Even sections of the discolored vines had smoldered and had become arid. The rooms inside were also smaller in relation to class. Those who lived here had the worst living conditions. Diablo looked up to the second story where a rustic billboard hung. It wavered back and forth in the sticky air. It read THE OBSOLETE in faded letters.

The Obsolete was a group of sinners that lived in the lowest class of condos. They lived among the towers and stakes to remind them of what is to become of evil sinners who lived among Majestico. Many members of the Obsolete had sores and scars that stretched across their backs and stomachs. Some were so brutally disciplined that it looked like a plague had taken pieces of their skin, while others had split cheeks and crooked noses. They had committed mediocre sins that didn’t meet specifications punishable by banishment or death. Some believe they possessed a strong mind that helped them control their evil doing, making sure their sins were not compliant for banishment or death. Many believed that witches and warlocks lived here. 

Diablo quickly turned away from the building of the Obsolete. They were freighting in Diablo’s mind. He continued his way across the wide street evading Dreads in the shadows. Diablo nearly collided into a maid coming around a corner of a burning stake. Without thought he dived behind a stack of barrels that belonged to the nearby brewery shop. Thud. He had knocked into the wooden drums. Diablo‘s face grew long and his fingers crossed. He quivered behind the tampered wood pieces. 

Diablo began to worry. He watched the maid shake its head. Her long hair whipped ravishingly. She roughly eased closer to Diablo it a woman’s two piece that had several tears and rips. Diablo quickly reached into his large cloak pocket. Out of his box he grasped a piece of parchment paper, with haste he read under his breath. “ 

A scroll was an amount of writing on paper, that if read upon by those who bared magic, would cast a spell. Diablo quietly read the scroll as fast as he could. “Mirror wall,” Diablo read silently. A large sheet of what appeared to be glass formed midair in front of Diablo. The “mirror wall” was a reflective surface used as a transportable mirror. He had taken it from his mother’s dresser a long time ago. Diablo found an unusual amount of uses for the “mirror wall” scroll.

Diablo hoped that the color of his cloak would hide him from the dread behind him. The dreads must have been looking at him now. Diablo’s heart began to beat rapidly. He watched the mirror hover steadily on its own. He continued to cower behind the mirror. The dread stared miserably into his reflection for minutes. Diablo could see through his side of the mirror into the torn skull of the dread soldier. He had small narrow eye sockets. 

Dumbfounded and confused, the dread continued to stare. Diablo wondered how long this dread would stare into a lousy reflection. Diablo felt exhausted. This was it; he was going to fall asleep here and now. Diablo bowed his head…

Right before closing his eyes Diablo noticed a small rock at his feet. NO thought Diablo. He opened his eyes immediately after closing them. Sure, enough the mirror had not faded, and there was most certainly a presence behind it. 

Diablo gave a hard swing with his foot, trying not to move his hands or make a sound. He kicked the stone with a long sliding stride. The stone passed the dread soldier and skipped down the street. Diablo hoped that the dread behind him would follow as well as the dread in front of the mirror. The stone echoed one last time as it came to a halt. The Dread soldier in front awoke from his trance in alarm, hovering after it. Diablo held his breath and didn’t move. He felt something behind him that sent more chills up his spine. He waited cautiously waiting for the dread from behind to follow the other. 

Diablo felt a small breeze among the night. The other dread soldier hovered slowly alongside of Diablo without turning in his direction. From the corner of his eye, Diablo watched the dread soldier slowly float after the other. He could see a part of his skull. Partly where the skull emerged out of the rotting flesh, where there was a revealing crack. Diablo could see one of the magical eyes deep within one of the narrow sockets.

Once the dreads were out of sight, Diablo fled from Mindianapple street as fast as he could. The mirror vanished upon stepping away. Diablo had used the Mirror scroll once already, upon both uses he was extremely lucky. 

At the end of Mindianapple street a large marble bridge came into view. Bay Bridge. It seemed to glow as if giving off a luminous reflection from the moon’s light. Diablo looked up, the skies were clear, not a single cloud. Just yesterday Majestico had received a lot of rain fall, everything was relatively moist.

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CHAPTER TWO:

Another night in Annarector…

Diablo was tall enough to see over the marble railings mounted on the sides of bay bridge. Diablo Looked to the left, north of the bridge. He could see the Great Bay, calm and still. It opened up into an ever-going ocean that seemed to continue on forever. The horizon was made up of a mixture of deep blues, and scattered-bright-white reflections of the moon’s light off the surface of the bay. He thought the scattered reflections of the moon on the bay’s surface was an awesome sight. 

Diablo continued along the massive structure, his footsteps echoing as he quickly paced himself across the marble. Off in the distance ahead of the bridge Diablo could see the forest of Annarector, towering skyward. Above the forest lies a large lake of mist. The fog prevented light from entering the forest, leaving it in eternal darkness. A very faint light tint among the forest was all that differed between night and day. 

Diablo continued across the bridge at a fast pace. Above him Diablo watched a group of blue birds trying to regroup south of the bridge along the Tonic River. They were a dark blue in color. Even among the dark Diablo could see the large squared off wingspan that the falcons shared. The river twisted around the forest, surrounding all but one small section. The river had strong currents that even the strongest manmade vessels could not sail. 

Diablo continued along bay bridge, a small part of the bridge lies untied ahead. The small missing construction of the bridge was called the Gap. Diablo began to sprint.

The Gap was a space in the bridge that prevented the crossings of weak life forms. Diablo and his peers at school called it the gap. Its formal name was the chasm. The gap was only about five and a half feet wide, however the majority of creatures and life forms within the forest of Annarector were physically too weak to make the leap over. The Gap was only one of the few methods that the wise ones created to prevent the return to Majestico after banishment. 

Another prevention method was the Golden Circlets. Upon banishment a golden bracelet is forged upon the person who had sinned or has aged passed fifty five years of life. The golden bracelet was a treasure that prevented the crossing between Annarector and Majestico. These treasures were called the Golden Circlets of Greed.

Diablo landed hard on the other side of the gap. He had thrown himself as far as he could, making sure that he had cleared the small section of the missing bridge. If one were not to clear the gap, he or she would fall into the great bay, at the mouth of the Tonic river. One would then be pulled into the overwhelming currents of the river, and sucked under the surface to meet a watery fate where they would surely drown. 

Diablo stood up, he ran alongside the railings adjacent to the bay, hoping to see the king of the Great Bay, Trithon. Diablo saw a familiar shadow deep below the water’s surface. Diablo came to a halt. Diablo sat patiently watching the shadows, an occasional air bubble striking the surface of the bay. He was waiting to see Trithon. It was no use, he had never actually seen Trithon rise to the surface, despite how many crossings he had made in the past. Diablo held out his wooden case in one hand, and with the other he dug into it to retrieve a small silver coin. He gazed upon it…

Trithon was a man of the bay, who watched over the bridge, waiting for those who wore the Golden circlets of greed to cross. Trithon simply brought death upon those who had attempted to cross the bridge baring one of the Golden bracelets. Because Diablo never saw Trithon and he only heard about him from school and myths, he found it even more exciting that he may be one of the few people to actually see him surface. 

Diablo held the silver coin out in front of him. “This is for you, I know it is not a piece of your treasure, but it is shinny.” Diablo grinned and looked over the marble railing of the bridge. Several bubbles exploded among the surface. Diablo tossed the coin into the bay. Diablo never knew what Trithon really thought of his gifts. He hoped that Trithon would once rise to the surface to befriend Diablo. They could then exchange stories and their knowledge. Because Diablo did not carry one of the golden circlets, he had nothing to fear.

“I’m sorry the wise ones have done you a great wrong. I too share an evil secret.” Diablo watched several more bubbles tear the surface of the bay. “I wish you would rise so we could become friends.” Diablo sighed.

The surface began to rise in a large circle. Several bubbles emerged from the bay. Diablo grew excited, however slightly nervous, for he may finally meet the mighty Trithon face to face.

A small piece of the surface shot up into the night sky. It was an amazing sight, however slightly disappointing for it was only Trithon’s golden trident searing through the surface. It shot up into the sky. There were a few pink Flingos that were sitting on the surface, they quickly retreated from the bays disturbed surface flapping their small wings at such a fast rate. The great Trident had flipped vertically, it slowly stopped ascending into the air and quickly fell back towards the surface after. It was Trithon’s most valuable treasure, and also served as a three-pronged magical weapon. Diablo figured this must be a sign of trust, Trithon was willing to risk his most prized possession to show affection towards him. It was believed that Trithon’s Trident Had magical powers that would wow even the seven wise ones.

Diablo was relieved to feel acceptance from Trithon. Diablo actually had nothing to fear of Trithon for he had not borne any of his treasures, The Circlets of Greed. Diablo knew that he could only benefit from befriending as many as he could. Diablo also felt rejected among his peers in school, they all thought he was different.

Diablo continued along the remaining small section of the bridge. The trees in Annarector now towered into the sky, like the Condominiums in Majestico. He checked the skies for the third crossing prevention, the Giant Hybrid. The giant Hybrid was a large life form, a cross between the humans and birds. A cross between a woman and a blue falcon. The women were once one of the wise whom loved to fly, she expressed another sense of love, one that was shared with the birds. She flew among the waters that ran to Annarector, preying upon large fish and the ones who dared to escape the forest, with her long harpoon spear. Blue falcons used to be huge. Massive creatures, unfortunately only their smaller ancestors lived on. The great Blue Falcons were too large, they could not keep up with their diet. Soon the lands were parched with vegetation. And only the smaller of the blue falcons survived. Since then, the vegetation has re-grown, however the giant Blue Falcons are only found in story books.

Diablo had crossed the bridge without seeing the hybrid. He thought she was quite a mysterious creature, and a rare sight for he had only seen her soaring through the clouds on one occasion. Diablo stepped onto the rocky shores of Annarector. 

Annarector was a wild woodland village that struggled to survive. The majority of the forest’s population was made up of mutated and sick life forms. Shared between Beast and human alike, the strongest life forms had control of the forest. Mutation among the forest randomly selected its victims, some creatures appeared unaffected, while others dramatically changed upon mutation. Humans seemed to be affected less by the mutation, having a strong immune system that aggressively fought it. 

Waters from all around the world made their way to the heart of Annarector. Here they would drain through a small hole in the ground. Because it was the last stretch for all of the water ways, they were often polluted and was what caused the mutation among the forest. The small hole in the ground became known as the Vortex. The Vortex acted as a purification process cleaning all the poisoned waters. The waters would drain through the small hole in the ground, crushing and magically devouring anything caught within its wrath. The process was so intense that it created a deep fog that forever lay above the forest. The fog blocked all rays of daylight from entering the forest, leaving the forest in eternal darkness. The people of Majestico believed that after the waters were purified that they would then rain pure over the white city. 

It was always seemingly warm upon entering the forest. It grew colder the further one ventured towards the heart of Annarector, where the Vortex was located. Diablo looked up, some of the trees were so tall that they towered into the mist above. The moonlight was so powerful that in shone through even the thickest of the mist it was stronger than even daylight. 

Diablo had little to be afraid of among the forest. All the tribes would sleep at night, even the most fearsome, the Black Shleeves. They even feasted upon other human flesh because of the lack of eatable food in the forest. The Black Shleeves were suppose ably followers of another civilization. One that was evil and unheard of. Diablo believed that if such a place existed it was uncharted and existed beyond the Blank Pages. The Blank pages were uncharted areas that Majestico had not mapped yet.

 Diablo continued running in search of shelter, or a place to sleep. Diablo noticed a small group of dogs that were sleeping next to one another. There were three of them, all with nicks and tears on their ears and grey fur hidden. They looked as though they were on the verge of death. He quickly sneaked past. 

Most of the animals, monsters, and mutations didn’t bother Diablo. Even with Diablo’s extreme fatigue, he was much stronger than the average life form that lived among Annarector. Large chunks of rock and ground blocked his path in his search for shelter. Diablo never wandered farther than the outskirts of the forest. Stronger, more powerful creatures lie closer towards the center, where mutations grew more severe. Breathing the mists of the forest was not harmful. Only drinking the water in large quantities over centuries of time caused slow mutation. Feeding served as a more potential threat. One who consumed infected flesh, had a high chance of death, rather than mutation. Only life in which lived among the forest for years built up a tolerance for its harsh living conditions. 

Diablo began to doze. He felt weary and tired. I could almost sleepwalk Diablo thought to himself sarcastically. 

A small cabin that appeared old and partially burned down came into view as he cornered a tight pack of trees. 

“Finally, a sheltered place,” Diablo said to himself in relief. 

Diablo stumbled upon his last staggering steps. He could barely keep his eyes open. Diablo heard a shriek from the cabin, a young women’s voice. The front door of the cabin came crashing down with a shrill screeching noise. A naked women branded with chains and solid blue hair stumbled out of the barren doorway.

Diablo could not believe what he saw. Was it even possible? The women ran gallantly away from the cabin. The chains that held her legs together upon banishment had been broken. She ran pushing through the brush.

Who could possibly possess the power to break the chains branded upon banishment, Thought Diablo. She was obviously one of the Wise at one point in time. She had shining blue hair, a golden circlet on each wrist, and possessed no scars. She was one of Majestico’s Perfects. 

The women gave a quick glace towards Diablo than ran swiftly away.

A moan came from the cabin. It was deep and raspy, one of a man. Diablo stumbled back with fear, he knew it was a barbarian. 

A large muscular figure emerged from the door violently. He had long dirty blonde hair that fell over his chest. The barbarian held a piece of forged metal that had a jewel encrusted handle. It was a sword.

The barbarian let out a war cry and gave Diablo a ferocious look. The man didn’t seem to have any civil manners at all. He most likely didn’t speak the language of Majestico. Diablo thought this had to be one of his nightmares. It was so unreal. It had to be one of his nightmares. 

His Heart began to beat rapidly. Diablo fell backwards onto the soft ground keeping the barbarian in sight. The barbarian raised his sword and lunged at Diablo. This was it. Diablo had made up his decision, he was going to sleep here and now, bear the nightmare.

________________________________________________________

CHAPTER Three

The Mystic Sage

“What was that?” said blue haired women.

“huh,” Diablo awoke on a small cot, still slightly exhausted as usual. He looked up at his savior. She had beautiful dark blue eyes. 

The women gestured as she spoke, “do you not speak the language of the white city, Leolish.” (leo-lish)

Diablo was confused. Of course, he spoke the language of Majestico. “What are you saying, of course I speak Leolish.” Diablo sat up on the cot from which he awoke. With a quick glance at the wall behind the women he noticed that he was in the cabin, the walls had been scorched black in certain areas. 

The women baked up; she now was dressed in white torn robes. The robes looked similar to the robes his mother wore. She took a bow.

I am Mystic, pleased to be your acquaintance. “What was that she asked again?” 

Diablo’s head hurt. “Oww” Diablo stuttered. “I just don’t understand what you are asking. I’m sure you must know a barbarian when you see one.”

Diablo thought about it. This girl should know more than he did for sure. She had been a member of the wise.

“No replied mystic,” she shook her head, “not that, I know of barbarians. Just now what was that?” 

She seemed defensive, as though she couldn’t trust Diablo, and that he may be a threat to her.

“I…” Diablo rubbed his forehead. “I am sorry for I am not as wise as you. I don’t know what you’re asking.”

“Just now you were kicking and screaming,” Mystic gestured with her hands as she spoke, violently shaking them, “like this.” She spoke beautifully, her voice was fragile and soothing.

Diablo rolled over, allowing his legs to hang over the edge of the cot. She must be trustworthy, he thought. She had just saved his life.

Mystic walked over to Diablo, “You must have a secret then,” Mystic touched Diablo’s head with concern, one of her golden circlets touched his face. It reminded him that she had been banished from Majestico. Only those who wore the golden circlets of greed had been banished from Majestico. They were the treasures that Trithon collected. The treasures that Trithon so eagerly ended your life if you were carrying such a treasure. Mystic had two.

Mystic seemed too young to have served a whole term of ruler ship so she must have been banished for a sin. The idea slightly frightened Diablo, and he pulled away from Mystic’s warm touch. 

“Do you feel ill?” Asked Mystic. 

“No, I’m fine,” replied Diablo. He turned his head from Mystic. “It’s a condition I have had since birth, it’s not an illness.” 

Mystic looked down at him with aw. 

Diablo stood up and faced Mystic. “My name is Diablo,” he bowed his head and held out his hand to shake hers.

Mystic blinked twice in shock. She stepped back and stood as though she were to attack. Diablo felt as though she were to conjure a storm. Diablo’s black hair whipped back away from Mystic. An invisible force seemed to push away from her, like wind in every direction. 

“WHAT BUISNESS DO YOU HAVE HERE,” Announced Mystic. “I SHALL SLAIN YOU WHILE YOU ARE WEAK, AND YOU SHALL SPREAD EVIL NO FURTHER!” Her voice was deadly serious, a shrill scream escaped the cabin ‘s premises.

Diablo fell back on the cot, terror stricken, confused and startled, he rolled along the cot until he fell off the other side. 

“I don’t mean any harm,” yelled Diablo. 

Mystic lowered her stance. She appeared to be puzzled. She mumbled to herself. “Why would the devil flee from a white pawn. I am nothing compared to the lord of the underworld. 

Barbeutous - Was Dedrick's father and was a wizard before him just as his father was before. The family passes down heirlooms and knowledge that is deemed sacred to the family and to outsiders it often relates to elvish ways and to those few who are sworn to protect the lineage at all costs are not aware of the material in study, only their imaginations run wild on the importance of elvish traditions. If not for the father’s remarkable history in wizardry and most complex spell casting, many of the high elves would question his persistence of differences in opinion, often shattering expected racial norms and opinions on the politics of other nations.

Though classified as high elves, the information and heirlooms left behind passed through generations contain fragments of historical perseverance- but despite this, the artifacts and knowledge are kept secret, and so the public that represents the great majority differs widely in opinion. The Laminati family has broken away from public record and scrutiny. The Laminati's distanced themselves from the contact of the high court and their territory. The great grandfather of Deidrick once served the Supreme High Elf and left the world of Elves completely to study forgotten magic and escape the haughty defining heritage of the of their predecessors to discover if their views on the world were merely due to their placement in life. The hierarchy of civilizations teeming with wildlife and creatures of many kinds often were considered of lesser intellect to their peoples. But to find their place and truly understand the sacred texts and scientifically tectorial artifacts, ancient books of old, a message is abundantly clear. One must live a life of equality and come into enlightenment or the passage of Nirvana.

In chapter 11, Dedrick's father has departed on a mission, very skillful and capable, like many in the family lineage received proper training he leaves on pursuit of an open-ended quest in pursuit of "The secret" and it's forbidden knowledge across all races in the ancient textbooks he keeps under lock and key. They live in a series of Bugaboos when traveling, a small typically mobile tepee of sorts that can be anchored to cliff walls and carried on the back in a lightweight bag that serves both purposes. They also use these temporary houses when living amongst the people of Yellen, because there has been concerns of dissatisfaction from their own people typically lower classes or the mob, though they have gained respect from the higher classes of elves and from spiritual leaders, the family can never predict the welcoming of their presence from everyone.

Only the elder high elf of Yellen and a capable misfit crew is sworn to protect the books and artifacts and their location. They are all bound by power rings, and if the loyalty is broken the rings will unleash powerful magic to bring each trespasser of trust to their worst miserable end while serving the power of the ancient magic confined in the books.

Dedrick's Father is aware of the responsibility and has taught his children well. Deidrick also has two sisters and one brother all sworn to protect the books and knowledge and weapons beneath their stationary family manor, which is carved out of the bedrock of the lowest ravine between to mountain peaks in a farming village 10 miles outside of Yellen.

Dedrick's Sisters Deirdre and Fiona are adepts in casting magic and provided with some of the books secrets, the ability to quell and reshape perceptions of those in deeper trust to them. Both beautiful elves, Fiona has surgically removed her ear tips to gain trust of humans, causing a rift in the family, and Deidre unmoving in her sister's bond stands beside her at all costs from a history of pure loyalty. Both are close with Dedrick, but Dedrick's honor to their father and mother despite Fiona's desire to be adorned by humans has caused slight disgruntlements in chit chat and small talk, but still as a family they are unyieldingly loyal.

Dedrick, Deidre, and Fiona wish to uphold family traditions, but Dedrick seeks to read the text on his own and explore the world while doing it. He transcribed the text to a language of only his understanding and keeps it in his travels. He believes he must master the art of spell casting and magic to reach the inner wisdom of the books.

Archery, writing, reading, pranks, and wind sailing is popular in Yellen, however attaching a board to the feet is found unconventional and his own flavor.

Boring moments, Broken bonds, undercooked food are a few of Dedrick's Dislikes. He also despises the more boring books required to be read by the family, usually lawful books on law practices and politics of other nations fills what could be an evening of windsailing.

Dedrick, Deidre, and Fiona all share a fear of all spiders, both registered and not. The fear comes from their eight legs and because of their teachings. It is said that they are a manifestation of the trigonometry in natural physics, and that their life expectancy is based around the predatory waiting which correlates to a myth of a giant hive mind in the fables of a long-forgotten civilization. The Spiders, though may not always be venomous, act out through a means of territorial approach, and make for great stealthy means to a greater intelligence if proven true, within the walls of Yellen it is said that a spider is never more than a foot away from you in any given direction when grounded on foot. He also isn’t fond of bloodletting, needles in the eyes, and is nervous around any divine intervention (even in lore) which is rumored to be quite extensive among the priests of Yellen. He is most fearful of not being worthy of the "secret" and being removed from this experience before finding its meaning.

This salamander belongs to the family group of Lizzards (yea you heard that right) that spawned and surfaced not long after the tally toads of Mitigrassi- a quickly evolving specimen from the saltless bay of Mount Pyrtra.

As far as companions go, these creatures have been known to bob their heads to deep base lines and drum rolls, often fascinating to those who produce music, some even say if the head of the Mander of Pyrtra doesn’t bop, you need to work on your tune! This has made it a saught after companion for artists.

Strangely both the Fire Salamander and Rocky Mander have survived the transposition from Valor’s home world entering a near orbital trade with the Planent Mitigassi, the exchange through a space time distortion caused by their planets passing has caused the species to appear on both planets- while many of the Salamanders and lizzards have not been influenced by magic on either planet something fascinating happened with the salamanders that lived near the tallest volcano on Mitigrassi. 

This colorful bird is part of a species that is majestic in nature, alluring and attracting wealth and good fortune. It doesn’t particularly like being owned very much and bonding early is crucial for life long partnerships, those that do manage to subdue its existence based suffering gain insight into what can happen in the future, and it holds bonds to interesting prophecy to those who witness it even in passing. When bonded the colors of this bird glow increasing vibrant and more colorful based on the relationship it has with those bonded to it.