the books of hidden worlds

chapter two: Alden

     We've been walking for a while now, and there's finally a house. A village house?" Rowan asked me. "Isn't it obvious? Are you joking?" I replied sarcastically. "Both of you, quiet," Elias cut in, his tone stern. "Lost?" Kian suddenly shouted at us.

       "What are you doing here?" A voice came from behind, and we turned to see a stranger, a boy who looked about our age. "Uh... we came from another world-I mean, from, well..." I stammered, glancing at my brothers for help.

"We came from a book," Rowan said nervously.

"A book?" The stranger looked puzzled. "Who are you?"

"Umm, we're the Harrison family," I offered, trying to sound confident.

"Harrison? Are you the children of Lucian Harrison? And how did you discover this place?" the stranger questioned further.

"I just told you, we came from a book," I joked, trying to lighten the mood.

The stranger's eyes narrowed, "I know that book. Lucian destroyed it long ago." He swiftly reached for the book in Kian's hands.

"Wait, no!" I exclaimed. "That book is our only way home!"

Elias stepped in, backing me up, "He's right. If you destroy it, how will we return?"

The stranger paused, considering Elias's words. "You're right," he muttered, handing the book back to Kian. "I apologize for being so harsh. My name is Dorian Grey, and I, too, am a wizard."

"A wizard? Like Harry Potter?" I asked, half-joking, half-hopeful.

"Harry Potter?" Dorian echoed, confused. Rowan shot me an annoyed look, "What's wrong with you, Al? He doesn't know what that is. Are you stupid?"

"Sorry!" I muttered, feeling embarrassed.

"Come inside," Dorian said, gesturing toward the house.

"Thank you," Elias said gratefully as we followed him through the door. The moment we stepped in, a book flew past us, seemingly on its own.

"Cassian!" Dorian shouted. A boy appeared, looking sheepish. "Sorry, Dorian. I didn't mean to startle them."

"My apologies," Dorian said, turning to us. "This is my brother, Cassian."

"Hi," Cassian greeted, smiling awkwardly at the four of us.

"Watch out!" Another voice called out as we narrowly dodged an object flying through the air.

"What are you doing?" Dorian asked the newcomer in a half-exasperated tone.

"Magic," the boy replied with a mischievous grin.

"Sorry again," Dorian said, sighing. "That's my other brother, Orion. He gets... carried away sometimes."

"Orion, prepare some food for our guests, will you?" Dorian ordered.

"Just wait, I'll use magic," Orion replied with a smirk. He raised his hand and uttered, "Motus Levare!" (The objects around the room began to lift and move), arranging themselves as though under his command.

"What did he say? Mot... what?" I asked, still puzzled by the incantation.

"Just sit down," Elias whispered. "And thank you," he said to Dorian as we settled into our seats.

                   ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

What is that?" I asked Cassian, startling him. He jumped slightly, surprised by my question. "You scared me! What's your name again?" he asked, turning to face me fully.

"Uh, Alden... or Al," I replied, feeling slightly embarrassed.

"Alden? Nice name," he said with a grin, catching me off guard. I wasn't used to people smiling at me like that.