The Lost ( A Sequel To The Forgotten )

Preparation

In the morning, we start the journey back to the forest. Back to the Collections House, too, which means memories. Memories of laughing and crying, all with a friend who's not here anymore. I quickly shake all thoughts of Rolly out of my head. We have enough problems, with the end of the world and all.

It's a calm trek back to the forest, but we reach it right after noon. It's good to be back, with the trees and shade. It feels like home now. We arrived around noon, so that leaves us plenty of time to read more out of the Book Of Knor. The last page we read was the map of Ultra Tech. Tarna opens up to the page after that, and we begin.

You don't have enough information, and never will. But what you've read thus far should keep you alive... for now. Now you need instructions, plain and simple. So here it is: You must break into a building. This building is vital to Knor's plans, and I know you're familiar with it. You were imprisoned there, I believe. Anyway, using my map, find the room I singled out. Inside the room is one of Knor's biggest secrets. Knor, for reasons that don't matter to you, was created in a Realm other than our own. Yes, it's true. There is only one way to access Knor's realm, and that is a portal. The portal is kept in the room you must get into. To defeat Knor, you must be able to get to him. You must enter the portal.

"That's suicide!" Ray cries. "We can't break into that room, with the security they've got, and even if we did, isn't this Knor guy supposed to be evil and invincible? Why would we go to him?"

"He's not invincible," Cass says thoughtfully. "Remember that Cathtonite stuff?"

"A raid like the one this calls for would have to be very well planned," Tarna muses. "It could take a week. Do we have that long?" While the others argue and plan, I continue reading.

Obviously, you must bring Cathtonite, preferably in the shape of a sword or arrow in a bow. Also be prepared for all the Knormites and possibly some interfering Knorspawn. Your main target is Knor, though. SACRIFICE EVERYTHING, if that is what is required. That beast should never have existed. Believe me, no one hates what that creature is more than I.

"The author says we should bring Cathtonite," I inform my friends. "He's also very against Knor." They just keep chattering about plans and risks and strategies. I sigh and turn the page. Suddenly, the world stops. The talking ceases, even the wind seems to stop. I stare at the paper. Everyone stares at the paper. Because on it is Knor. Even without reading the words on the page, I know. Honestly, describing him doesn't do anything to tell how he looks. He doesn't just look, either. He looks, he feels, he is. He simply is, and I can't describe that. On the paper, faded lines show a circle. Inside it is a single eye, black and bare, the very symbol of evil. Four lines branch off of the circle, two on each side. Again, I really can't describe this small drawing. The description makes it sound like just that; a drawing. To us, it is absolute terror and chaos on a page.

Knor, the title reads simply. Then, by the drawing, Knor is the Lord of Destruction, the Master of Chaos, and the very face of evil. The world and all of life with it bends at this monster's very touch. You cannot run, you cannot hide.

"Everyone else wants to scream, too, right?" Cass whispers.

"Oh yeah," Person whispers back. "I have never been this terrified in my life."

"Were we actually planning to attack this thing?" Tarna asks. I slam the book shut. But even though it's not visible, we can all see Knor in our minds. That horrid eye, it seems to really see, even if it's just a drawing.

"Guys," Ray says, trying to sound brave. "Why are we freaking out? Now we know what the enemy looks like. That's great. We're rebels, remember? We can do this."