World Of Worlds (Arula: One)

Chapter 18

The village of Abaddon was beautiful, with its colorful houses and bright yellow road. One that reminded Karma of the road from The Wizard of Oz. Though, she always kept that thought to herself. The houses were divided up by sections. One section of the village had where all the merchants lived, another for hunters, though most elves choose to live the vegetarian life. Then there were sections for the herbiest, fishers, tradesmen, and travelers. Those who had most money or had the better job than most, lived-in two-story houses, while the others, or lower-class elves, lived in a one story home.

For the most part, the village was one to behold. With a river running gently through it, Karma couldn't help but look at her reflection in the clear, steady water. The water rippled and a fish suddenly jumped out and hit Karma in the face with its fin. Taken aghast, Karma spluttered and cursed the fish as it went back into the river and disappeared forever. Omar and Dagner nearly tumbled on the yellow road in laughter. "You should've seen your face, Lass!" Dagner laughed. "It is one I will never forget. HA!"

Even Shari, who sat on Omar's shoulder, gave a smile. And with its saber teeth, it made him look like an evil villain who has captured its arch nemesis. With the little dignity Karma had left, she crossed the small wooden bridge with Angel at her heels. Her companions were muffling their laughter. As they reach the large hollow tree that sat in the middle of Abaddon, the companions arched their necks backwards so they could see the leaves high, high above them. "I've forgotten how tall this tree was." Karma commented. Omar agreed, for he, had not been to his home village in a long time. Mostly spending his time with Mika and Hope as they traveled the Elven Clan.

The elves living in Abaddon watched the new visitors with great interest. For they had not seen a human, nor a dwarf enter their grand village since the Era of Creation, is what they call it. Whispers and mutters went about the village as such. "Could this be a sign?" They were saying. "Has the Creator returned?" "Is there going to be war?" "Is the Creator going to free our brothers and sisters?" The rumors went on and on. Soon the whole village was buzzing with such questions that the trio began to hear them themselves.

"I don't like this." Karma said to Omar, who like her, was listening intently on what the villagers were saying.

"They're scared." He finally said after a long moment.

"Scared? Scared of what?"

"The future." Was all he said as they grew closer to the entrance of the tree. Karma said nothing after that. She knew too well that future of Arula rested in her hands and her hands alone. Karma had swallowed a lump in her throat as if to swallow her own fears. Two guards stopped them on their way in. They began to speak their tongue, which to Karma's relief, Omar began to speak to them. Since she did not know what they were saying. The guards looked from Omar to Karma and back to Omar. The guard on the left cleared his throat and said in Karma's tongue,

"If you'll follow me, I'll take you to King Curlus, Creator." Karma looked at Omar, who nodded. The trio was soon in the giant hollow tree. A long hallway was what Karma saw when she entered with its green moss like rug laying stretched out on the floor. At the end it opened open into a giant circular room. The room had other many hallways that led into unknown places. There was a spiral staircase that sat in the center, leading up and up into the tree. Pictures of creatures and Arula's history hung wherever you looked.

The guard led the trio up the spiral staircase. They passed many floors with different carpet but same decorations. One floor had purple carpet, another had blue and one had red. As Karma climbed higher and higher, the more she became tired. The last time she had climbed these many stairs before is when her family went to Maine for their summer vacation and went to see one of the many lighthouses. Back then, Karma was eight and she was ever so glad when they reached top. Karma was so glad that she literally shouted with joy. Strangers who went up with Windales snickered and chuckled at her.