.•°.•.°Suldreen°.•.°•.

002

Being pulled into the light led to my body experiencing the strangest sensation. It was warm and tingly, but as quickly as it began, it ended. Opening my eyes, I saw the most beautiful scene, it was a city made of glittering jewels.

"Where are we?" I hear from beside the strange guy.

"Eternalia, our capital, though you may know it as Shangri La."

'Why is it so pretty????' I question internally. Before coming to the realization that bro was not crazy, bro was telling the truth. 'I feel so stupid right now..'

As I stare off into the beautiful city, I can't help but notice the hulking, gray, flat-nosed, heavily armed creatures. The strange elf boy looks to where my gaze is pointing before explaining.

"Those are goblins. They're bodyguards for the counselors-basically elven royalty-and they're here because a tribunal is in progress."

"And tribunals are...?"

He side eyes me after I ask him to elaborate. 'Well excuse me for being a lowly human with lowly human knowledge' I think as I roll my eyes.

"A tribunal is basically court. They're a very big deal because they're very rare."

"If they're so rare, why do the counselors have bodyguards?" Sophie butts in.

"They're more of a statement than a safety precaution, it's to show that they're not to be messed with."

I begin to tune them out when they begin talking about the theory of relativity and Albert Einstein, observing the goblins, suddenly twelve figure in fancy capes and jewels crowning their heads glitter into view. I feel a harsh tug on the back of my shirt.

"Get down!" Bro practically hissed in my ear. "No one is supposed to be here right now, especially not us because we're dressed like humans."

"Why does it matter that we're dressed like humans?"

'Good question...'

"Humans are forbidden here, a long time ago the elves and humans had a treaty that was broken when humans decided they wanted to rule the world." He continues on with a mutter. "Like it even works that way..." He sent a pointed look in my direction. Clearly he doesn't like me because of the 'ancient humans' breaking the treaty or whatever.

'Bro acting like I'm tha ancient humans.' I'm not a big fan of this guy's attitude towards me, but whatever.

"Anyway, I need to get you two back. People are bound to notice you're gone by now." He takes another Pathfinder out of his pocket, this one a different color from the last. He spins the facets of the crystal until he is satisfied and holds it to the light. Already knowing our job, Sophie and I grab blud's hands as he pulls us into the light.

As the warmth of the light fades away I look around, suddenly realizing the difference in air between San Diego and the elf city. The smoke filling my nostrils with their overwhelming sickening sweet scent. Sophie's voice halts my thoughts, making me turn to the girl in question.

"How do you know where I live?"

He doesn't say anything to answer her and instead smiles before saying he needs to go.

"Wait! You can't go yet. I have so many questions, like why can't I hear your thoughts?"

"You can't?" I ask making her look at me. Shaking her head no she turns back to Mr. Keebler-wanna-be. He suddenly stops and tells her to try to listen for his thoughts, which in turn she does and she hears something about some guy named 'Alden' or something. Either way it freaks out the brunette. He starts mumbling to himself about how he really needs to tell his dad or something. Pulling out the same pathfinder he had when he took us to the crystal castles, he held it to the light.