Book 8: The Holy Stone The Kid Emperor of Occultoria

Chapter 9 - A Pleasant Surprise

"You certainly made the right choice, even though the stone wasn't real," said the Archbishop. "It was the ultimate test of your character as a leader."

Julius smiled at the Emperor. "I'm proud of you, sire."

"Thanks, Julius," said Max. "It was a tough choice, but I knew I made the right one."

After the whole Holy Stone fiasco, Max was back at the Imperial Capital.

Of course, there was still the whole problem of having to reunite the whole Empire one by one, but he was up for a challenge. He was glad he hadn't taken the easy way out. If there was one lesson he learned, it was that there was no substitute for hard work. Shortcuts were never the answer.

Max's face then grew long. "I miss Jessica. Have you found her yet?"

He missed her comforting, nurturing presence.

He thought about her constantly, wherever he was and whatever he was doing.

"Unfortunately, not yet," said the Archbishop. "But I have a special surprise for you. As a reward."

"Oh?" said Max, raising an eyebrow.

He wondered what it was.

Julius continued to smile at the Emperor. "You'll like it a lot. You've deserved it."

He handed Max a key in the shape of a red heart.

Max took it. "What's this?"

"In this ancient Imperial Palace, there are so many hidden passageways and rooms that you could never visit them all in one lifetime," explained the Archbishop. "Anyway, one of your ancestors built a secret room behind the bookshelf in the Throne Room that leads to a place called the Valley of Cheers."

"The Valley of Cheers?" repeated Max.

"Precisely, sire," said the Archbishop. "This is a room full of illusions. It allows you to recall any memory in distinct detail. I thought I'd tell you about it as a pick-me-up. Again, you've deserved it."

"Thanks," said Max. "Excuse me."

He hurried through the palace until he got to the Throne Room.

He was so excited he could barely breathe.

He knew which memory he wanted to remember.

He stepped into the Throne Room and sure enough, there was a small hidden door behind the bookshelf.

He had never noticed it before, but then again, he had never checked behind the bookshelf before.

He inserted the key and was about to turn it when when a voice shouted, "Wait!"
The Archbishop poked his head into the room. "You have only five minutes or else you'd be trapped in your head forever. And remember, it's just a memory. It's not real."

"OK," said Max, his heart pounding.

"Enjoy!" said Julius.

Max turned the key and stepped into the room.