Land of the Giant Flying Beast

Chapter 3

Land of the Giant Flying Beast

Chapter 3

"Alright, I suppose if that's what you really want me to do," the man replied while walking closer to Tyler. "But, if this really is a dream, are you sure you want to wake up?"

Tyler stopped for a moment. 'Do I really want to wake up? I like this place a lot, Id like to know more about who this person is, and more about this place in general,' he thought to himself.

The man had his hand on Tylers' arm, and all he could think was 'warm', before realizing what was happening.

"Wait," Tyler told the man. "I want to learn more about this place before I wake up."

The man smiled and took a step back. He then took off his hat, revealing a head full of messy somewhat curly brown hair, and made a deep bowing gesture, sweeping his arms and staff out on either side.

"Welcome then, Tyler. To the Land of the Giant Flying Beast. My name is Mini, and I shall be accompanying you on your journey," the man called Mini said as he straightened up and placed his hat back on his head.

Tyler held his hand out to shake. "The pleasure is all mine, sir Mini," he said as the two shook hands. "Although I am not quite sure what role I play in all of this or where I fit in."

Mini laughed quietly.

"You are the hero Mr. Wilde. This entire universe is depending on you to restore balance to the forces at work, that's who you are."

Tyler stared at him confusedly. "I'm the hero? Saving the universe? I'm pretty sure that I'm the least-qualified for that job. Why can't you do it? You seem perfectly capable of universe-saving," Tyler asked.

Mini only laughed more.

"Well of course I could do it, but that's not the point. The point is, is that along the way, you find yourself, and you find the strength within you to save a trillion universes. That even though you might not be able to see the hero within yourself at the moment, I promise you that it exists, and whenever you need it most, you'll be able to find the courage inside to defeat any foe, and conquer every mountain. That, is why you were chosen. You have the heart of a hero, and a hero is exactly what this universe needs."

Tyler was at a loss for words.

"Well, uh... thanks... I guess," he muttered.

Mini nodded and gestured with his staff deeper into the wood.

"Up for a bit of adventuring?"

"Always am," Tyler replied.

And so the Hero and the Wizard set off through the wood, filling the sweet silence with friendly banter back and forth as they began making their way to places unknown to Tyler.

~~~~~

"Why are you wearing that silly hat, Mini?" Tyler asked.

Mini feigned offence, clutching his chest with his free hand.

"How dare you call it silly! This, good sir, is called fashion, and I suggest you look it up some time," Mini retorted.

The two stared at each other in silence for a moment before breaking into laughter, voices swirling up into the air and seemingly being absorbed by the trees around them. As if in reply to the joy, a gentle breeze rustled through the leaves, as though the trees were speaking a response.

Mini stopped, causing Tyler to come to a halt and look back at his wizard friend who had his eyes closed and arms outstretched.

"What's going on there, Mini? You okay?" Tyler questioned.

"The trees are speaking," he explained before going silent once more.

"What are they saying?"

Mini opened his eyes and smiled.

"They say that it has been a very long time since they have felt joy such as they are experiencing by our presence," Mini said while walking forward once more.

Tyler just stared at the trees around them before following the wizard.

"Now, if my memory serves, it should be just through this hedge," Mini called back to Tyler.

"What's through this hedge?"

"My portal!"

"...Your portal?"

"Yes, my portal. Now come on! We're almost there!" Mini said excitedly as he raced through the hedge.

Tyler was quick to follow him so as to not lose his wizard in the dense foliage.

Before he knew it, he and Mini were standing on a pale blue crystal path which seemed to lead up to the edge of a tall cliff, and just like Mini had said, he could see a portal at what seemed to be the end of the path, at the very far edge of the cliff.

Up above him in the sky, there were whole mountains floating in the air, being held aloft by some invisible force which could not be seen by the naked eye.

Mini ran forward excitedly, gesturing for Tyler to follow as he raced down and up the winding path towards the portal, moving surprisingly quickly for someone of his height, leaving Tyler to race after him, sword jangling by his side as he ran after the disappearing cloak in the distance.

Finally, he came to a halt beside the wizard as they stood in front of the towering portal which glowed a bright pink color, and it seemed like there was a gentle wind ushering them forwards into the portal.

"Well," Mini said as he turned to Tyler, "welcome to my interdimensional portal."

And with that, Mini stepped forward into the portal, and was whisked away by some unseen force, leaving Tyler to wonder if he should follow.

'Oh what the hell,' Tyler thought to himself. 'I've come this far, too late to turn back now!' And he too, was taken by the portal which unknowing to him, closed right after he stepped into it, completely sealing him off from ever returning.