The Fjerdan Experiment

Chapter 3: The Fold

"Matthias!" Nina exclaimed as she rushed into her arms. He lifted her up in the air holding her tightly. "How'd you manage that?" Kaz asked me. "Oh, I..uhm told the warden that Pekka killed his younger brother instead of using him as a threat. And I tied the assassins who did it with a note to the police office. So when it opens they will be sent to hellgate. They have written proof that they killed him. Plus I knocked out Pekka in his cell too. That was fun." "Yes. Hitting him or bringing him down always is." Kaz said and handed me my ticket.

"Where are we going?" Matthias asked. "Ravka." Nina answered him. "That is dangerous for me." He said. "No. We have your pardon papers incase they come after you. Besides I won't let them." I answered. "I don't think I should go there." Matthias said. "Well, think about it." I said. "For the next ten minutes. We board the ship in 15." Kaz answered. We left Maathias and Nina alone to talk as we joined the rest of the group.

By the time of boarding. Matthias had agreed. We stood on the helm and saw the water beneath us. "Why is that rock following us?" Wylan asked pointing in the water. "That's Martin." Matthias said. "You named a rock?" Jesper asks. "No I named my whale." I said. They all turned towards. "WHALE???" Jesper asked shocked. "Yes. Why do you seem so surprised?" I asked. "I didn't know Royalty has whales as pets." Wylan answers. "Oh yeah no royalty really as sea animals as pets. Not very common pets. I just make friends wherever I go." I said. "She's an animal whisperer of sorts." Matthias answered. "If you jump he'll catch you." I said. "Tempting but no." Jesper said shuddering. "Suit yourselves. I'll see if I can find a place to sleep. Prison break is a little tiring than I thought." I said.

Soon enough if I find a bench and go to sleep.

When I wake up, I see that we have reached Os Kervo.

"So what's the plan?" Matthias asks, "What are supposed to do here?" "Kidnap Alina Starkov." Kaz answers. "WHAT? I have not even been out of prison for a day and we are doing something illegal already?" Matthias exclaims. "Relax, it's not like you have a praole officer to report to." I said, "Besides, kidnapping her and keeping her away from Fjerdans is much better considering they might kidnap her." I said. "Why?" Inej asks. "Well, why else. To kill her. She is a Sun Summoner. As powerful as the Darkling himself. She is considered a threat. Only thing is she isn't as experienced as the Darkling so an easy target. We kidnap her first we protect her." I said. "And Kaz gets some kruge." Matthias said. "Well, yes. But, he will earn more when I am returned home." I said. "When are you returning home?" Inej asked sad that I might leave. "Well, first we save Alina by kidnapping her. Destroy the shadow fold and then fight the Fjerdans who keep attacking Ravka. We reunite Ravka." I said. "You're here for a long time, then?" Nina asks with a smile. "Of course." I said grinning at her.

We found a man who could take us across the shadow fold in a train bogey using some old tracks. As we pass the camps of the second army I see a poster. My poster. I look and see it was a portrait of me. I looked different and happy. I didn't have monsters and scars that would remind me otherwise in that portrait. I look at it sadly before walking with the group.

The ride was bumpy. Jesper hung onto a goat called Milo for support. We were attacked by volcras.

"I need to go to the roof." I said. "YOU can't!" They all said. "Just trust me. I have a better shot up there with them than in here." I said holding a bow and quiver of arrows. "I can shot from inside the bogey." Jesper said. "Look! I am not asking. I am telling you. I am going up there." I said. They tried to pull me down but, I grabbed a rope in the corner and restrained them ensuring they are safe in case of any bumps while fighting the volcras. I opened the hatch at the top and then bolted in shut from the top so that it can't be opened from the bottom.

I concentrated and let my power flow through me. I closed my eyes and let myself relax as I aimed in randomly in the air. I heard a faint screech. I drew my power and opened my eyes. I caught sight of the first volcra heading straight in my direction. My arrowhead lit up in flames. I took a deep breath and exhaled as I aimed properly now. Right at the centre of its head. I clenched my jaw as it drew closer and the flame turned from a fiery red to brilliant yellow and I smirked. I let my arrow go and I saw the arrow hit the bull's eye. The volcra burst into bright yellow blames. It shrieked in pain and as it fell it turned to burst. I immediately pulled out a second arrow and shoot it without looking to my right. I heard another shriek and I glanced at the second volcra bursting into flames and falling.

I continued aiming at the stray volcras that were coming. But, after a while I realised that I was just attracting more towards me. They were hearing the shrieks and more turned to come in that direction. I frowned as I realised what I had to do. I whimpered as I didn't want to do it. But, this was the only way to save my friends. I bit my lip and grunted feeling defeated. I stood up taller and rolled my shoulders back and put my bow back in place. I fisted my hands. In the dark quite a lot more shrieks. I could make out the darker shadows surrounding the boogey. I exhaled and then drew more power than I did with the arrows. I made the gesture of drawing my power to my hands just like I was taught and then went ahead to swirl it in the correct motion creating a tornado of yellow light between my palms. I let more power flow and soon enough the yellow light surrounded all of me. I yelled because I hadn't done this in long and the haunting memories may be extra difficult to keep at bay while doing this. I concentrated and screamed. I could hear the faint thumping from below of the crows who may have gotten out of the ropes.

I put my palms facing out and the yellow light soon enough did what it did all those haunting years ago. The shrieks were louder. I opened my eyes to not fade into the dark memory. I saw the yellow get brighter. It had created a small barrier around the boogey. I took another deep breath knowing that my were close to bucking beneath me. I yelled yet again and the caused a blast. The yellow light went through the entire fold. I breathed out in relief as I turned around and saw the faint light outside the fold at the other end. Suddenly the boogey came to stop and the back flew forward throwing me forward. I flew in the air and by the time I landed I was knocked out from exhaustion and the nightmare of the screaming voices.