Before they went on yet another bizare and spontaneous adventure to the Deadly Forest, Marlee thought it would be better that if they bring the staff so they could test it immediately. They agreed to part ways for a while, the eel brothers would be waiting at the entrance of the Deadly Forest. If what Jonn and Jaz said were true, it would be better if she could practice right away. So they went into the Vault, a storage for relics, scrolls, anything that the Kingdom deemed worthy to preserve. The Vault was located deep down within the Castle under levels. It was supposed to be heavily guarded, Marlee told Fajar, but since most of the Kingdom denizens were busy with the anti mind controlling spell distribution, they found no obstacle. They arrived at a chamber the size of a concert hall. Occupying most of the chamber, was the biggest hermit crab shell he has ever seen.
The shell was emerald green colored with dark spots, which could've passed as a moss-filled gigantic stone if not for the shinny circular shaped structure at mouth of the shell. No living creatures in sight except for Fajar, Marlee and the eel brothers. When they finally reached what Fajar guessed as the entrance to the Vault, he saw that it was made from real gold. In the middle of the golden gate, embossed a crab symbol. which Marlee explained as the symbol of the crustacean clan. Many generations of the clan was always trusted by the Kingdom and the sea-dwellers to protect their valuable treasure and items. A financial institution, which Fajar recognized similar to human concept of banks, were also ran by the clan. They called themselves Keepers. Marlee knocked the gate thrice. In a few seconds, a voice can be heard answering the door.
"You are at the Vault. Please state your name"
"My name is Marlee Vandybrith, of Ek'de"
"Lady Marlee" Brook answered high-pitched, "I'm surprised to see you down here, you rarely visit the Vault"
"Hi Mister Brook! Yes, I'm here under my fathers request"
"I see, and how may I help you today?"
"My father sent me here to retrieve the Staff of Vandyr....please" Marlee added, hoping it would help her convince the Keeper.
Brook was silent for a moment after replying in a indifferent tone, "I'm so sorry Lady Marlee, but the item you requested is classified as forbidden and can be authorized ONLY by the King, which I will need his presence and authentication"
"Well, my father quite insisted, you know I've been practicing it right? He said to practice more"
"I understand my Lady, but didnt you just had practice today?" Asked the Keeper suspiciously.
Marlee looked at Fajar as she pursed her lips, her eyes asking for some help.
"Hi Mister Brook, my name is Fajar, I'm Marlee's friend, the human, err landwalker...so you know how Marlee have been...lacking in progress", Marlee eyes went wide but Fajar continued, "...we found an ancient scroll that we think might help Marlee unlocking the spell that shes been practicing...we —- I meant, the King, wanted us to try it at once"
"An ancient and powerful scroll thats not guarded by the Keeper? I wonder the credibility of this particular item...If it really does exist" replied Mister Brook, in a tone so subtle it almost hide the obvious sarcasm.
"Oh okay" said Marlee with a bit of air in it, she puffed her chest a bit and turned into the spoiled princess character Fajar often saw in film, "I guess I should just go to my father and report this, he'd be furious to hear that why such an easy task couldn't be completed. The last time I was faced with a Kingdom staff that diosbeyed father's orders were fried on the spot, but thats fine, I guess this must be done, so let me get back to my Father Mister Brook and..."
"L-Lady Marlee! Please..." Mister Brook sounded terrified from behind the door. There was a tap from behind the door and a circle opened in the middle of it, revealing what's inside. A hermit crab the size of a human popped out of the hole. Mister Brook has three pairs of blue limbs, with pincher at the end of it. Fajar could see the Keeper's crustacean body continued forever towards the center of the Vault. Behind Mister Brook, were rows of items on cages, shelves and variety of containers. Before Fajar's eyes could ponder further, Mister Brook continued while all of his pinchers met in front of him as if praying, "Lets not be hasty, surely we can talk this through"
YOU ARE READING
Manusia Air (Citizens of Water)
FantasyOn that fateful night, Fajar was about to end his life. Instead, a spark of hope, a curious mythical creature, and a secret underwater society changed his life forever.
