The Realm of Alagir

The Beginning

(Case's POV)

A week had passed since Lady Ianite had returned to this realm. Braxton had come home a couple hours after me and he told me everything Ianite had said. I shook my head.

"Incredible." I said. "I still hardly believe that you're Ianite's son." Braxton looked up from his book.

"Me neither." He looked back down. I looked out the window towards the forest. The leaves were turning orange and yellow, preparing for the cold winter ahead. As I was admiring the colors of Autumn, a grey-hooded figure snuck out of the trees. He looked around cautiously.

"Hey, Braxton. Check this out." I said. He came over to the window.

"Check what out?" He said. I looked again, the figure had vanished.

"What the?" I said, running to the door. I rushed outside, ignoring Braxton's questions and sprinted towards the forest.....

I stopped to rest after running for a couple minutes. I still hadn't seen the figure again. I walked further into the forest. A couple minutes later, I literally stumbled upon a shelter. I tripped and slammed into the ground. As I got up, I looked at what had tripped me. It was a latch. The latch was attached to a well-camouflaged trapdoor. I reached for the door. Suddenly I was tackled from behind. I rolled over, ready to fight, but stopped once I felt a cool blade press against my throat.

The person holding me down was the same on I had seen from my house. He was wearing a greyish navy blue cloak. He had brown hair and his eyes were two different colors; His right eyes was sapphire blue and his left was a steely grey. He was holding a knife to my neck.

"What are you doing here?" He asked.

"I saw you wandering through the forest, I was curious so I tried to follow you." I answered cautiously.

His eyes narrowed.

"Do you serve a god?" I felt the edges of my mouth tilt upwards.

"As a matter-of-fact, I do. Lady Ianite, goddess of Justice and Neutrality." I responded proudly. His steely gaze softened a little.

"Justice... Balance." He pondered. His tilted his head, as if listening to something.

"I'm going to let you go. You must never return without my permission, otherwise I will kill you." He said. He stood up. I clamored to my feet.

"What's your name? What are you doing here?" I asked.

"Name's Bridger. As to why I'm here, I wish I knew. Something about.... Ascension." Bridger responded. I nodded and turned around, heading home.....

I ran into Braxton as soon as I left the woods.

"What was that about?" He demanded. I quickly relayed the information about Bridger to him, trying to get back to my study and read about Ascension.

"I'm going to do some research on this Ascension thing, I'll tell you if I find anything." I told Braxton. He nodded and left. I closed the door to my study and started searching through the shelves of books for anything on Ascension.

Half an hour later, I stumbled upon Ascension in a book of rituals. It read; Ascension is the change from mortal to immortal, it appears that this is how the gods, Mianite, Dianite and Ianite, became as they are today. Ascending is a long and dangerous process and, if done incorrectly, can prove disaterous.

"Braxton!" I shouted. He came barreling into the room.

"Check it." I pointed to the passage. After he read it, Braxton whistled.

"Nice. Now we know what mister mysterious was trying to do."

"Yeah. I guess." I responded. Then we heard the door open.

"Hello?" A feminine voice called. I motioned for Braxton to get his sword, quietly. He obliged. I walked down the stairs, hand on the hilt of my sword. Standing in the main room of our house, was a girl. She had black hair and brown skin. She was wearing a brown dress. The dress tapered backwards, leaving the front of her legs exposed. The edges were sewn in gold string. A blue cloth ran down the front of the entire dress, ending just below her knees. She was wearing brown traveling boots. Over the top of her clothes was a brown cloak. She had a brown sack tied to her waist.

"Hello." She said smoothly. "I'm sorry to intrude, but I seem to be lost."

"What's your name?" I asked.

"Kate." She replied.

"Well, Kate, I'm afraid that the nearest town is several days from here." I said.

"Oh no, I'm looking for an old friend. His name is Manic, you may know him." I nodded.

"Manic lives in a small house just north of here, he also has a small skiff. Impossible to miss." I told her.

"Why doesn't your friend come downstairs and talk with us?" Kate asked, talking to Braxton. Braxton came down the stairs.

"How did you know I was there." He marveled.

"I heard you." She replied. She took a step towards us. I felt a slight headache.

"Thank you for helping me out, I'll be going then." She said heading towards the door.

"Goodbye." I said.

"See ya." Braxton called after her.....

(Kate's POV)

I returned to Manic's house.

"Manic?" I called.

"Hmm?" He replied, jumping from his ship to the dock.

"I've made contact, tell Mianite." I instructed him. "Aye aye Lady Kate." He said, rushing into his house to send a message to Mianite. I stood at the edge of the dock and smiled at the setting sun. Mianite will be pleased.....