Dawn Of Jaide

A Journey Home (Part 3)

The silhouettes of towering ancient trees loomed, their branches intertwining to create a mesmerizing, moonlit tapestry against the night sky. The occasional hoot of an owl or rustle in the underbrush hinted at the many mysteries these woods held.

Ezra's gaze constantly flitted around, searching for any sign of movement as he whispered, "I wish she'd just let us help."

Quentin sighed softly; his voice tinged with worry. "Maybe she can't, Ez." Ezra's brows furrowed. "After everything we've been through, we should be beside her. It doesn't sit right."

"I get that," Quentin said, Ezra glancing around uneasily, "But we're stepping into this blind. We don't know anything about this world." "Do we really have a choice?" Quentin questioned, his voice earnest.

With a resigned sigh, Ezra replied, "No we don't."

Hidden behind a massive boulder, they watched Jaide and Gwen take a moment, catching their breath. The soft glow of moonlight illuminated their features, revealing the contrasting emotions each held.

Drawing a deep breath, Gwen hesitated for a moment before asking, "Is everything okay jaide?"

Jaide tilted her head, a soft smile forming. "Yea everything's fine just thinking."

"What about?" Gwen questioned.

"I guess it was obvious from the first moment we met, I'm not exactly cut from the same cloth. The way I dress, the style of my hair, my hobbies; they're not what you'd find in a typical girl. In my world, being different is the norm; it's celebrated, even. But stepping into your world, I can't shake off this gnawing fear... Will I ever truly fit in? Will I be embraced for who I am, or will I always be seen as an outsider looking in?" Jaide expresses.

Gwen nodded enthusiastically, "Without a doubt, you'll find acceptance among us. Neither they nor I will ever judge you based on your choices of self-expression—as long as you remain true to yourself, lead with kindness, and show the qualities of a leader we know you can be. And when it comes to matters of the heart, who you choose to love is your prerogative alone. What matters most is the integrity and the love you bring into our world."

Jaide raised her head to look at and offered her a gentle smile.

Gwen's face flushed as she stammered, "We should continue on then."

Jaide's chuckle echoed softly through the forest as they continued deeper into the Black Woode, a path of adventure and discovery laid out before them.

***

Amid the quiet embrace of the forest, Gwen and Jaide made their way through the thick foliage. Gwen led the way, her every step sure and poised. Jaide, on the other hand, seemed caught between intrigue and caution, her eyes scanning the surroundings with curiosity.

The forest seemed to have a rhythm of its own, guiding them through a maze of serpentine paths. As they meandered through the terrain, their journey was punctuated by moments of ascension over hillocks and descents into gullies. But with every step, the forest unfurled its mysteries a little more, culminating in a mesmerizing glade that lay ahead. At its center, a stone ruin gate emanated an otherworldly white glow, casting an inviting luminescence.

Just as Jaide was about to voice her wonder, a torrent of voices flooded her senses. Their desperate cries echoed eerily, creating a cacophony that was almost tangible. "Parakaló voithíste mas! (Help us, please!)" Overwhelmed, Jaide clasped her ears, her face contorted in pain. Gwen, noticing her distress, quickly doubled back. "Jaide! What's wrong?"

Jaide struggled to find her voice, "The voices... so many of them..." Gwen's gaze sharpened, her lips muttering something unintelligible before she refocused on Jaide. "Listen to me. Breathe. Try to understand them. Can you do that?" Jaide nodded weakly, "They're desperate. They need help."

"Those are the cries of your people," Gwen murmured, her voice heavy with sorrow. "They are calling for you. Embrace them. Don't try to shoo the voices a away it will only hurt more." "But why?" Jaide's eyes welled up with confusion.

"Because" Gwen began, looking deep into Jaide's eyes, "you're destined for something more than you could ever fathom. You are to be their savior." As the voices subside the weight of Gwen's words hung heavily between them. A silent understanding passed, punctuated by a brief, awkward touch that they both quickly withdrew from.

Shaking off the moment, Gwen refocused on their mission. "The voices mean no harm, but you must listen. Ignoring them will only bring you pain." Jaide took a deep breath, nodding. "Right yea I'll do like you said...listen."

With a shared glance, their conversation shifted back to the task at hand. Gwen pointed towards the gate, "Ready to step into the unknown?"

Jaide hesitated, her thoughts racing. "It's not the unknown that scares me. It's leaving the familiar behind."

Gwen laughed softly, making Jaide raise an eyebrow in question.

"It's just that... for someone so young, you bear the weight of the world. Most would be thrilled at the promise of power. But you? You're worried about the things you're leaving behind."

Jaide pondered her words, "Do you truly believe I can bring change?"

"i'm hoping so," Gwen affirmed.

In that serene moment, Jaide's curiosity was piqued, "Tell me about this Amberfalls."

And so, Gwen began her tale of a once-idyllic world now on the brink of destruction. As her words painted a vivid tapestry, Jaide's heart yarned for the world beyond.

Jaide took a deep breath, determination burning in her eyes. "Lead the way."

Gwen nodded, her gaze filled with gratitude and hope. They approached the gate, and as Jaide stepped through, the world around them transformed, leaving behind a quite Black Woode.

***

The Edenwoode Gate towered before them, a monument to a world far beyond. Intricately carved symbols danced across its surface, glowing softly in the twilight. Quentin and Ezra emerged from their hiding spot, their footsteps in sync as they dashed towards the mysterious portal.

A powerful gust of wind sent leaves twirling around them, almost as if the very forest was reaching out, whispering ancient secrets. Quentin paused; his brow furrowed. "It's like the wind has a voice, a message."

Ezra rolled his eyes. "Now's not the time for one of your 'intuitive moments', Q. We need to think. If we cross, we might never see our world again. Even worse, we might not ever see our families again. This isn't some game."

Quentin looked at him. "We've always had each other's backs, right? Now Jaide's out there and unprepared. It's not just about us anymore. It's about loyalty. She would've jumped in headfirst for either of us."

Ezra sighed, running a hand through his drenched hair. "Fine, we go."

As they approached the gate, they hesitated only for a moment, taking a deep collective breath. Their world, filled with school exams, football games, and teenage angst, seemed miles away. Now, they stood on the precipice of the unknown.

Ezra, attempting to lighten the mood, whispered, "So, if this all goes sideways, remember it was your idea."

Quentin chuckled. "Shut up."

Side by side, they stepped through the portal, its white luminescence fading behind them. The sky darkened instantly, and a storm announced its presence. Raindrops, as heavy as tears, pelted down, and the booming of the thunder was matched only by the brilliance of the lightning.