Fates Entwined

Chapter 36: Earth Steps Up

Miri stood before Lord Terran, the towering and solemn Lord of Earth. His form was solid, like a mountain carved out of stone, with eyes that flickered like embers of molten lava. His presence exuded a power so ancient that it made the ground beneath Miri's feet tremble slightly. Yet, the earth itself was calm around him—solid and unyielding.

"You are here to prove your worth, Miri," Lord Terran's voice was deep, reverberating through the very ground. "The test I offer you will not be easy. The earth holds many secrets, but it only reveals them to those who are worthy. Your task is: solve three puzzles. These puzzles lie at three corners of the earth. Only when you solve them will you be allowed to proceed."

Miri nodded, trying to mask the rising unease in her chest. The task seemed daunting, but she had come so far. There was no turning back now.

"Only one thing," Lord Terran continued, his gaze unwavering. "I will give you hints about the three corners, but the rest is up to you. The journey will be long and difficult. There are no shortcuts here."

Miri swallowed, feeling the weight of the challenge. She had no idea what lay ahead. "And what if I can't solve them?"

Lord Terran's lips curved into a faint smile, though there was no warmth in it. "Then you will remain here, lost among the corners of earth, forever searching."

A shiver ran down Miri's spine. The stakes were higher than she could have imagined.

Lord Terran extended his hand, and from the soil beneath his feet, a portal began to materialize—a swirling vortex of earth and stone. "Go, Miri. Find the corners. Solve the puzzles. Only then will you be ready for what lies ahead."

With a deep breath, Miri stepped forward, walking into the portal.

The land of roots had always been strange to her—an endless expanse of rolling hills, lush trees, and a sky that never darkened. Time itself seemed to stand still here. There was no nightfall, no darkness creeping in. The sun remained a perpetual golden glow, casting a soft light over everything.

Miri began her journey, walking across the uneven terrain. She couldn't fly—there were no brooms here, no magic that would whisk her away. It was only her feet on the ground and her will to continue.

Her first hint from Lord Terran echoed in her mind: "Find the corner where the mountains meet the sky."

Miri scanned the horizon. In the distance, she saw jagged peaks rising above the treetops, their tips disappearing into the sky. She set her sights on them and began her trek, though the journey was long, and her legs began to ache.

As she walked, she encountered her first person—an elderly woman, hunched over, her hands full of flowers. She wore a simple robe of earth-toned cloth, and her hair was wild and untamed, like a mass of vines and leaves.

"Lost, are we?" the woman asked, her voice light and airy despite her age.

Miri nodded, weary. "I'm trying to find a way to the corner where the mountains meet the sky. Do you know the way?"

The woman's eyes twinkled, as if she had known Miri was coming. "Ah, the corner of earth. The mountains, yes. But first, child, I need your help."

Miri tilted her head, curious. "What do you need?"

The woman smiled, bending down to hand Miri a bundle of flowers. "Deliver these to the village just over that ridge. They are for the children there. They will guide you when you return."

Without hesitation, Miri took the flowers, her instincts telling her this was the right thing to do. "I'll do it."

After delivering the flowers to the village, which was nestled in the valley between the peaks, the villagers—smiling and grateful—gave Miri what she needed: a golden compass, its needle pointing toward the mountains.