War of Phantoms.

Chapter 17

I fell on my face and got that horrible dizziness, just like the first time I walked through the zone. Now I realized it's the gate between the two worlds. I raised my head, expecting to see the place as I left it; an isolated, dark, burned area due to that great fire we made before. But No, there was something wrong, something that got me shocked and believe I was in the wrong place. Maybe there was another zone? I tried not to freak out and remain as calm as possible, but how on earth was the forbidden area back? The giant trees were just there in front of me. I rubbed my eyes to clear my vision and let this illusion go away .. Still, they were there. Everything was back, illogically. I laughed sarcastically to myself. Nothing seemed to be logical, since I made my first step here.

Maybe I got to another dimension.

Bigger, darker, scarier. I had to know that I was in the right Infenya. I walked few steps away, being careful, because if the forest restored itself_ or something, then the phantoms must be back. What if I went back in time again and all the battles we had wouldn't happen yet, like starting from zero, would I meet Anna again? This suddenly made me excited. I'd change a lot if I went back in time once more.

I heard some noise behind me, so I moved quickly and hid behind one of those trees. And when I sneaked to see what that was, I got another surprise. It was a phantom, a bigass phantom. When did they grow so huge? This one was three times bigger than the normal ones. I watched it as it stopped near that tree. It surely was a strolling phantom, but it was moving its head strangely in loops. since when they were able to do that? And crap! It head and spotted me.

I felt the blood drain in my veins. Phantoms don't do that. Phantoms can be intelligent creatures, but not to this point. Plus, it was a strolling one, which means those are less advanced. Did they make some progress or development when I was absent in less than five days!?

I kept myself behind a branch, calming down my breath, when that creature kept rolling around the tree. I had to climb higher so it wouldn't see me. After a while, it gave in and left.

I sighed relief and studied the place well before running away. There should be more of them.

The place certainly went through major changes, yet I could remember the way well. At least from the forbidden area to the forest to the kingdom, but unfortunately, I came across a bunch of them. They looked more hideous and creepy. I couldn't even stare at them, also I had no weapon with me. No bow, no arrow, no sword... just some kitchen knife in my backpack.

They didn't want me to grab it of course, they screamed and walked toward me. I had no option except running, but hell, they were so fast, faster than before. I held the bag in my hands, looking for the knife, while running and trying not to bump into some tree_ and the most important; to stay alive.

***

I barely could make it to the kingdom. I was covered with wounds and so exhausted. In addition to that, it was getting dark. I didn't know how to act. I was still confused_ thousands of questions ran in my head.

My first theory was that I got back in time again, it just urged me to run back to Anna's house and hug her tightly. I wasted no other minute and rushed to her place.

It was kinda dim, but why did Infenya have this weird vibes, like something was wrong. It was so uncomfortable.

I pushed those thoughts away, as I saw that little house with the little shop beside it. It's been just a week but, God. I missed it.

"Anna!" I called, as I knocked the door. "Open the door, it's me. Diana."

Wait.. She'd not know me by this time, right?

"I need a nurse." I called again, knocking.

There was no answer. There was this dead, terrifying silence.

My chest tightened to it. I hoped it was the way I thought only, but that extreme silence took me back to reality.

I sighed in disappointment and pushed the door. There was no Anna, just this chill and darkness everywhere, so I didn't go back in time. But what about the phantoms and the area? Why were they back, and how!?

I pushed my tired body inside, frustrated. What was I expecting anyway? That damn witch could bring phantoms to life again after she had sent me away. That's logical, but how did the forest grew big in such a short time? That was mind blowing.

All I needed was some rest, then I'd think about that the next day.

The first time I woke up in this house, I was greeted by a beautiful lady, who smiled to me warmly. Ugh it made me so nostalgic. I moved the sheets away from me and spaced out for a second. I had to know what happened without meeting anyone of my old friends, because they'd ask why I ran away before the wedding and I'd not be able to explain the whole thing.

The best place to seek any kind of information or rumors in Infenya was the market. A lot of people from all the classes meet there and talk randomly about everything, and some of them like to give their opinions loudly.

I stood next to Anna's closet. Her scent was still here, which made more depressed about her death. It's really depressing when a person is there around you all the time and abruptly, they're gone and just the objects they left behind prove their existence and show you that yes, they were here once. You're not insane and you don't see things in your head.

 Anyway no one must recognize me, so I dressed up like Anna and covered my face with some random scarf.

I held the basket that Anna used to take with her every time she left to get something, and got out walking carefully between the alleys. I noticed that everything was different. Infenya looked more miserable, the kids who were playing around looked thinner and unhappier, most of them had these very damaged clothes. Their mothers weren't much better, they were trying hard to convince them to get inside the houses.

Something was wrong I felt it at first. But now, after seeing this, I became sure of it.

The market wasn't like before too, it looked smaller and less crowded. The food they were selling didn't look fresh and pleasant like before. What the hell is going on!? I was losing my mind.

I sighed and made my way between those people, trying to get something from what they tell each other. A woman was complaining about her sick husband who had crazy fever for three days, another one was saying that this happened with her kids. I looked at them suspiciously, a fever? When a man said. "This disease is killing us." that hit me so hard. there was a disease!! That's why everything looked so miserable! I got closer to him and asked. "Sir, is it dangerous?"

"Certainly," he cried out. "Didn't you know?"

"Of course I know, I just want to make sure," I made a foolish face. "I'm so afraid because mother had it, what did they call it? Um, I forgot."

"Plague."

"Plague!" I screamed out. "Unbelievable."

He looked at me with a blank expression that made me realize I screwed it. "Of course.. Plague. How could I forget this hard word? I'm uneducated after all," I began to laugh insanely. "Silly me."

He just rolled his eyes and I took my chance to run away. So there was plague in the kingdom. That's why it looked like this. I could see that there was hunger too. Ugh what was Leo doing?

I had this strong feeling that Tsillah was behind it.

"I hope that phantoms won't be back this week." a voice of a little boy got my attention.

"Don't worry, dear." the woman who was holding onto him said, patting on his hair. "Our warriors will save us again."

"Will they save my sick father?"

Tears started to gather in her eyes. She said nothing, though. She just held her basket and walked away.

I almost cried. Infenya is so messed out. I left it in its best cases, then came back to see this. Nothing made any sense !

I had to know what happened exactly.

I was planning to go the castle and meet Leo, it'd be hard to convince the guards and all. Just hoping they'd recognize me, but he didn't know why I left him, he must be so disappointed by me at the moment..

What about Finn and Carla ?

Finn's library!!