The Dark Mirror (Old Version)

Chapter Thirteen: Winlar Don

They had been traveling for several hours, and everyone had fallen asleep when the wagon stopped 'causing them to all wake up,

"Why'd we stop?" Turmin asked,

"Because we're here." Niko replied 'looking up,

Benjamin turned around, "Oh my." they could all clearly see Winlar Don, one of the three Mother Trees, reaching into the heavens. Giant cities hung from the colossal branches, so large they could accommodate thousands of people.

"How are we going to get up there?" Reila asked 'dumbfounded at the size of the tree,

"We need to get into the capital city 'it should be near the top of the tree," Benjamin explained,

"Well, we can't exactly climb the tree 'so the only thing I can think is to have me teleport us up there 'it'll take a lot of energy, but we'll be up there," Turmin said,

Niko looked at him 'concerned, "Are you sure that's the best idea?"

"It's the only way up there without an Airship or Teleportation Stone," Turmin responded,

"He's right," Benjamin said 'getting out of the Wagon,

"And this won't kill you 'right?" Niko asked 'worried,

"Nope, my energy will just be zapped 'is all." Turmin explained 'also hopping out of the Wagon,

The sun was rising from the west 'causing a colossal shadow to be cast across the landscape.

Niko and Reila hopped out of the Wagon, "I've only ever read about Winlar Don and its beauty 'it's so much more beautiful in person!" Reila exclaimed 'looking up at the Tree,

Turmin turned toward them, "You all ready?" He asked them,

"As long as we don't plummet to our deaths 'we should be ready," Benjamin replied,

"Well, you should all know the drill by now! Niko, take my hand!" Turmin shouted 'stretching his hand out 'she took hold of it,

Reila took Niko's hand, and Benjamin took her hand, "Alright, we're going higher up than I've ever been 'so be ready! Also, us plummeting to our deaths is a real possibility!" Turmin snickered 'raising his hand,

Niko's face turned to pure horror, "Wait, what-?" Turmin snapped his finger 'in the blink of an eye, 'they were thousands of feet in the air inside the capital city of Winlar Don 'Yer.

"Turmin!" Niko yelled,

"What?" He smiled,

"Don't ever do that again!" Niko shouted 'crossing her arms across her chest,

"Don't do what ever again? Teleport you?" Turmin asked,

"No, that's fine 'I'm referring to you telling us we could fall to our deaths in the process!" She replied,

"Oh! I wasn't joking about that 'that was a real possibility." Turmin snickered,

Niko rolled her eye, "That doesn't make it any better."

Turmin just snickered in response.

"Anyway, does anyone happen to know how to navigate this place?" Benjamin asked the group,

"I've never been to Winlar Don before 'so no," Niko replied,

"And I'd never been outside Andora before you brought me along 'so that's a no from me, and Turmin's never been here before," Reila added,

They heard the sound of clanging metal and heavy footsteps coming from behind them, "What in the world?" Benjamin turned around,

It was a group of city guards 'silver armor shined brightly in the sunlight 'leaves covering the shoulder pads, "Who are you, 'people? State your business?!" The lead guard asked 'shouting 'his voice deep and harsh,