Hero of Ranora

Chapter 4

          

Chapter 4

Derrik woke up, once again disoriented. The first thing he saw was Sharelle, who was staring at him with hopeful eyes. "So? Did you dream?" Derrik looked back at her with excitement in his eyes.

"Yes, I did. I dreamed of a man and a woman. They seemed to be arguing, but I didn't know what they were arguing about." Derrik said. Sharelle flashed a small smile.

"So, maybe you do have some sort of special gift," She said excitedly.

"I know that I have some special abilities. Maybe I just inherited this one as well," Derrik explained.

Sharelle looked at him, her face flushed with fear. “Derrik, do you feel like we’re being watched?” She asked cautiously.

Derrik nodded. “I do feel as if someone else is here with us. But, that would be impossible. I made sure that we lost the guards!”

Sharelle shuddered. “I don’t know, Derrik. I think we should…” She gave a gasp and immediately crumpled to the floor. Derrik jumped back when he saw her fall.

Standing behind Sharelle was a small, slimy creature carrying a knife. The creature was green, shriveled, and was probably the ugliest thing Derrik had ever seen.

It gave Derrik a sly, toothy grin. "Ahhh! You are the one! The chosen one!" The creature jumped up and down with delight. "I have been waiting for you, chosen one!" The creature shrieked.

It leaped around the cave, giggling like a small child. “Master will be so proud,” It said aloud. “Master has big plans for you, chosen one!”

Derrik grabbed the creature by the neck and lifted it into the air. "What is all of this nonsense about a 'Chosen one'?" The creature made a choking sound.

“Release me, and I will... tell... you!" The creature choked. Derrik released its neck, allowing it to crash down to the ground. The creature re-gained composure before speaking. "My master tells us much about you, everything about you, yes!" The creature gave a maniacal grin. "Master is always right! You'll see!"

The creature jumped up towards Derrik's throat, knife at hand. Derrik instinctively put his palm in front of his face protectively, resulting in his arm being shredded almost to the bone. Derrik screamed out loud, falling to the ground in pain.

The odd creature used Derrik’s pain to its advantage, bounding out of the cave while his targets lye motionless on the stone floor.

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Neyom stepped forward, bowing as he spoke. "My master, I have done as you have asked. The boy is all but mine now," Neyom stated. The hooded figure clasped a dry, shriveled hand on Neyom's shoulder.

"Have you given him the visions?" The creature rasped. Neyom stared directly at the dark figure before him.

"Yes, my lord. He is drawn to the story that he sees in his dreams, not knowing what they really mean," Neyom said. The shadowy being clasped his bony fingers around Neyom's throat.

"You shall give me what I need, and in return, I will give you what you please. Otherwise, everyone in the kingdom will hear of the tragic, yet long-awaited, death of their ruler. Do I make myself clear?" The figure dug his nails harder into Neyom's throat until he heard a gasp.

"Yes," Neyom squeaked. The figure released Neyom from his grip.

"If that boy is not in my grasp within the next three day cycles, I will finish you off with no mercy!" With these words, the figure disappeared in a puff of smoke, leaving behind the stench of charred flesh.

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Derrik opened his eyes, unaware of where he was. He noticed that he was in a bed, and that he was wearing fresh clothes. Whoever brought him to this new place must have changed his clothes, which embarrassed Derrik greatly. He looked down at his shredded hand and winced. It was turning a yellow-green color, most likely due to infection.

Other than the tattered hand, Derrik felt good, but not just physically. He also felt mentally intact, as if none of the hardships he had overcome so far had even happened. Whoever brought him to this new location must have also healed his body. He felt as if he could live forever, as if life held no worries. Derrik was torn from his train of thought when the door creaked open.

The being to step in was not a human (like Sharelle), but she was clearly not an elf (Like the woman from Derrik's dreams). She had flowing black hair, sharp-blue eyes, and the face of an angel (At least in Derrik's eyes). She was dressed in all green, as if the trees themselves were giving her protection and comfort.

The woman beamed at Derrik upon entering. "You have awoken at last! How do you feel?" She asked. Derrik didn't know what to say, out of fear that this woman did not have his best interests at heart.

 The woman sat down next to him. "I am not an enemy," She stated. Derrik was shocked. How could she have known what he was thinking? "I can read minds," She said, again answering an un-spoken question.

"Who are you?" Derrik asked. The woman looked at him shyly and answered.

"I am your sister, Derrik."