BlazeTerra

A Different World

Drishika felt nauseous; she blinked several times to adjust to the light. She could feel the mud and small pebbles beneath her feet. The air carried the fragrance of petrichor. On the left, was what seemed like a forest. The leaves of the trees were all dried, and some cut into half; the logs lay tither wither. On the right, there was a cliff. A few miles ahead, Drishika could see a castle.

"Doesn't it looks like that miniature castle we saw in the glass bowl?" wondered Rutuja. "Rutuja," said Drishika and hugged her. "Relax, Drish," she said and patted her back.

"What just happened?" wondered Drishika and frantically looked around. "I believe that old woman did something, and we ended up here, in the glass bowl," added Rutuja.

A lady appeared in front of them. She wore a long, bright yellow gown. Her face glowed, her long, golden hair wavered along with the wind.

"Welcome to Blazeterra," she said and bowed. Her gaze fixed on Rishi.

The girls looked around frantically, absorbing their surrounding.

Drishika sat down and examined the pebbles. "Golden and silver," said Rutuja as she picked up a few of them. "Don't tell me we're in the glass bowl," said Drishika and got up. "Who are you?" asked Rutuja to the lady and got up.

"Agnimitra," she said.

"This land, and the Queen, has been captured by Hadeon, the King of the evil. Your job is to rescue the Queen, and bring back peace."

"Okay! This has to be a joke," said Rutuja and nodded her head. "Listen," said Drishika and marched towards the women; the burning sensation in her hands and legs made her retreat. Rutuja looked up at the sky. There was no cloud in sight. It was a sunny afternoon. "You gotta be kidding me," she uttered.

"Where is the Queen?" asked Rishi in a determined tone. Drishika glanced at Rishi as her eyebrows met in confusion.

"In the ruins of the Castle, we do not know where she has been kept," replied Agnimitra. 

Drishika held Rutuja's hand. "Why do I feel that Rishi knows this place," she whispered. "Don't be stupid," whispered Rutuja. "How is that possible at all?"

"Rishi," said Drishika and walked towards him. "Rishi, we need to get out of here, asap," she urged. 

"I don't think you can do that," said a man in a husky voice. He wore a steel armor, his skin was tanned and eyes sunken; his hair golden and face wrinkled, but glowing. He seemed to be in his thirties. Drishika shielded her eyes from the glare of the sun and stared at him. How is he wearing that thing? she thought.

"Are these guys heat resistant or something?" whispered Rutuja to Drishika. "I guess so," replied Drishika.

"If you don't help us rescue the Queen, you might end up being held captive yourselves."

"Listen, Drishika," said Rishi. "The best way out is to do what they say."

"Rishi, how on Earth are we doing that?" Drishika almost screamed. 

"And if we rescue the Queen, you'll let us go?" quizzed Rutuja. "Absolutely," said the man. "Who are you guys?" asked Drishika and removed the jacket she wore, handing it to Rishi. "I'm Himakat, the keeper of Blazeterra. That is Agnimitra, the Queen's protector."

"If you are the Queen's protector, then why didn't you protect her? Why trick us into all this? And Rishi," said Drishika, breathing heavily. "You arranged the party, right? From where did you call that lady in the stall?"

"She contacted me, she said she heard I was looking for a magician for a party and-"

"Drish," interrupted Rutuja. "I think it's best we look into this matter. Let's see if we can rescue the Queen."

"Rutuja, first of all, we don't know how we landed here," began Drishika. "Secondly, we aren't warriors."

"I know," said Rutuja and held Drishika's hands. "But didn't we sneak out for an adventure?"

"Not like this, transporting to possibly an another world," said Drishika almost in tears.