The Book Of Secrets Long Begotten

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"Might I ask why it is called The Enchanted Dead Forest?" Jake asked.

"All the creatures that die haunt it. It's a forest so deep in the heart and soul of The Mother Realm that it acts as the eternal burial ground. Some see the forest as beautiful and others as creepy. The council decided to call it something both sides of the spectrum would be ok with referring to it as. Thus, The Enchanted Dead Forest." Swamp explained to Jake. They continued to walk through the forest.

The forest seemed to be a gloomy version of The Secret Forest that Rebekah showed him. The two were definitely different but both were similar. Instead of black sky with neon lights, this forest showed a pale gray sky with dead trees and a light fog. They each held a lantern so as to navigate the area.

There were owls hooting, ghostly moans and groans, leaves rustling, wind whistling, and a stench that Jake was disgusted by. They made it to a giant tree with a huge hole that had a door in its center. It reminded Jake of the tree and door from The Secret Forest.

"This is where we must leave you. You walk alone from here on." Swamp said.

"Sounds about right." Jake said to himself and opened the door and began to walk away. Once inside, he was met by the same sights as before. Jake felt someone behind him and turned around and saw a blue spirit. The spirit appeared feminine.

"Welcome traveller, where is it you are going?" The spirit asked him in an echoey and haunting voice. "Whom do you seek?"

"The Elder One, do you know where he is?" Jake answered the spirit. She floated around him, observing him while she spoke to him.

"For what business do you acquire his services?" She asked. Jake gulped. He felt scared but also at ease. He couldn't tell which emotion was the more appropriate.

"I'm The Chosen One." Jake replied. "Chosen by Princess Nevaldine herself." The spirit seemed rather amused by this answer.

"You shall go through the door over there." She said and pointed to a door that was right around a bush to Jake's left. "Be careful and may the light protect you from the dark, dear Chosen One." The spirit then vanished.

Jake continued to walk and made it to the door. He went through it and discovered an old man in a cloak throat singing, gently rocking himself back and forth. There was a pipe in his hands. He appeared to have smoked some of it. Jake stepped forward.

"I'm assuming you are The Elder One." Jake said. "Am I correct?"

"I'm assuming you are The Chosen One." The old man said. "Am I correct?"

"Indeed you are, sir." Jake replied.

"Then indeed you are, too." The old man said. "Come sit down next to me." Jake obeyed.

"My name is Jake Co-"

"I know your name, dear boy. I know all about you." The old man said smiling.

"I'm sure you do." Jake said. He felt very at ease and comfortable. "I'm here because...well you should know." The old man nodded.

"You were sent to seek my advice for which you will use to destroy the one who reigns." The old man said.

"Lord Zygor." Jake said. The old man nodded.

"I know his name. I know him well." The old man said. Jake nodded.

"How am I to go through with this, to destroy Lord Zygor and cure the ill Princess Nevaldine?" Jake asked. The old man lifted his pipe up to his face, stuck it into his mouth, and took a nice puff of it before setting it back down.

"Everyone has a power deep inside of themselves. It is a power that can overrule and overcome anything in its path. There is a reason why Princess Nevaldine chose you. It is a reason that I know well. Very well." The old man said.

"Well, what is the reason?" Jake asked. The old man smiled at him. It was a kind smile but one that was filled with a grimness that Jake had not yet seen before but one he would soon come to know very well.

"That is an answer you will have to learn on your own." The old man said. Jake nodded. "She wishes to show you personally the reason she chose you. But I will say that the power you wield inside you is far greater than any kind of sorcery Lord Zygor can use. It is a power that can drive even the most powerful of people into oblivion. It comes from the heart. In due time, the power will help you on your quest."

He took another puff of his pipe. Smoke filled up the room and vanished quickly. He set the pipe down. He then pointed to a lump in Jake's pocket, showing through the coat he wore.

"There is the answer to everything you shall seek with eyes." The old man said. Jake looked down and pulled the lump out of his pocket, exposing the golden book to the room.

"I forgot I even had this book." Jake said. "I've taken so many things for granted but this book takes the cake. But what is it? I've had it for so long." The old man simply smiled at him. "Well, thanks for what you have answered me."

"Don't thank the wiseman for telling you the knowledge he has. Instead, thank your mind for being capable of understanding the things the wiseman has told you. Understanding is the greatest power and strength of them all." The old man said as he put the pipe in his mouth for another puff.

"Well, it looks like I will be going now. It was a pleasure getting to know you and understanding you." Jake said. The old man smiled.

"Farewell and Godspeed." The old man said. Jake smiled and left the smoky room and traveled back into The Enchanted Dead Forest. There was no sign of the female spirit. Jake shoved that realization aside and made his way towards the door where he had appeared before the blue spirit herself. He walked out of the door and appeared in The Nother Realm. But as he stood there, he realized that Leo and Swamp were exactly nowhere to be found.