Destiny

CHAPTER 10

Looking through the first door, I find nothing. The chamber was stark empty, no sign of dust or speck could be seen. Moving towards the second door, I resume my task of finding items necessary for survival. Advancing further inside, I find myself in a library. What will I find here? I muse.

The library was a medium sized hall, with thousands of books lining the walls. To my right there was a small counter, I advance towards it, rummaging through the cabinets, but find nothing beneficial. Sighing, I start heading for the door, but halt in my track when a small door catches my attention. Proceeding towards it, I enter a dark room, flicking the light open, I find myself in a small sleeping chamber.

Searching for a few minutes I finally find somethings useful. Collecting all my belongings I head to the foyer to find Will already present there waiting for me.

"What did you get?" He inquires.

"Well, I got this backpack, and a flashlight."

"That's it? I got two knives, for our protection; a flashlight, and two blankets."

I nod.

"Stuffs those blankets in this backpack, and we will each keep a knife and flashlight on us." I instruct him.

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One hour had concluded, and I stood waiting for X to arrive. I was eager to find Evan, to see him safe and sound by my side. In the last five days our connection had gotten deeper, thinking of Evan hurt in any way did not sit well with me. I was ready to do anything to get him back safe.

A couple of minutes later, the door open's and X comes in sauntering, a small wooden box in her hand.

"Are you ready for your first task?" X says, Fake enthusiasm lacing her tone.

I nod, not willing to waste another word on her.

"Come on then. Follow me."

She leads us through the magic portal to the same place she picked me from. I look around, the residue from the cabin had vanished in its place was nothing but clear space. X turns towards us and hands me the small wooden box she has been carrying.

"This is your first clue, solve it and you will be provided with a map which will lead you to your second clue and eventually to your partners." Stating this she strolls towards the magic portal, which along with her vanishes into thin air.

I look at the small box in my hand. It was plain except for few lines engraved in its structure, which seemed some sort of a riddle.

"What does it say?" Will inquires

Nodding, I read it out aloud.

Look no farther for I am everywhere,

In the depths of the firmament, in the breath that you take,

Waste no time no further, for lives of your loved one is at the stake.

It was a riddle, something which I was terrible at. I look up towards Will to find him staring blankly at me. Sighing I sit down on a log nearby, contemplating, raking my brains for an answer.

Wasting time was not an option for us, as it was going to get dark soon, we had to commence our task before dark consumes us. The forest was not my favorite place since the animal attack but I have to lock my fears and put them in a deepest part of my mind, if I wanted any chance of finding Evan.

"Let's get moving. We can ponder over the riddle on our way into the forest, we can't waste any more time here." I declare.

Picking up our belonging, a mere backpack which Will had taken the initiative to carry, we head towards the forest. The forest was the same as when I had seen it the last time, warmth of the sun absent from its surrounding.

Walking ahead I ponder over the possible answer of the riddle. Look no farther from I am everywhere. I looked around my surroundings trying to decipher this line.

"Hey Will, Do you know what does firmament mean?"

He shook his head. I sigh, we needed the answer to start the task otherwise we will just keep wandering inside the forest, which wasn't a good idea.

I was consumed in my own thoughts when I heard Will murmuring something.

"Huh?"

"I think the answer might be oxygen." Will announces

"Are you sure?"

"I think so. Look no farther for I am everywhere, in the depths of the firmament, in the breath that you take. So I think it is oxygen."

"What about the last line?"

"I don't think it is relevant."

"Alright, Let's try it."

Taking out from the backpack he hands me the wooden box, what was I supposed to do? Write the answer on the box? Or speak?

"Let's try speaking first" Will states, as if reading my thoughts.

I nod. Bringing the box closer I utter the answer into it. I waited a couple of minutes for the box to open, but nothing happens. Frustrated I hand the box back to Will. He takes the box back from me, a look of sorrow etched on his face.

"We can try later." I tell him.

"Yeah. It's so cold here, the air seems chilly." Will says, shuddering a bit.

I nod. But suddenly something clicks, of course why hadn't I thought of it before? I mentally chastise myself.

"Hand me the box?"

Will nods, giving me a questioning look. Handing me the box, he waits a curious look gracing his features.

Bringing the box closer to my mouth, I say Air, loud and clearly.

After a beat, a whirring sound materializes from the wooden box, slowly and steadily it began transforming, into a scroll. A look of triumph crosses my features. Finally, I was one step closer in finding Evan.

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