Secrets Beyond - The Beginning (a Tangled the series original fan fiction)

Adventure Awaits No One - Chapter 2

Iris opened her eyes to find herself floating in what looked to be an expanse of mixing, swirling shades of blue, green, and purple. "w-where am i?!" she questioned, watching as her question seemed to create something in the mist ' you are on earth... but not the same one you knew...' she read the words as they formed. "W-WHO ARE YOU!?" she cried, startled by reaction. again the colors mixed forming an answer. 'no one of much importance... an old oracle forgotten by the world and seven kingdoms on her way out of this life...' "You- what? seven kingdoms? are you dying?!" she asked again, suddenly concerned for the entity surrounding her.

the colors swirled in a brief quick motion, creating pleasant patterns, almost as if giving a weak and soft chuckle. 'yes... you could say that but you needn't worry about me, i know death well, it'll take fine care of me.' the words responded. "oh... ok... so, uh, why am I here??" Iris asked as she slowly drifted along. 'Thought you'd never ask young child. but first, tell me. Do you wish to return to your world?' the last part seemed to take on a sharp and eerie edge to the letters. "ye-... no? I-.... I don't know...." Iris answered, realizing there was nothing for her back there, but nothing here either. 'hmm why?' the words formed, strange designs embedded in the lettering sparking a curiosity in Iris herself. "Well i don't really have anything for me back ho- i don't think i can even call it home!!" She answered, only realizing these things herself. 'hmm then you might as well consider this place your new home and fight for it as such' The words told her.

Iris looked taken aback. "Wait, fight?! Why fight???" She asked suddenly anxious. 'Because you have been summoned as a hero.' Iris could only blink, "M-Me!? I-... I'm no hero!" She startled. The colors mixed merrily, 'I had no control over who was summoned or even what! The only control I had was a hero of good heart and pure intent who could fight and protect by heart might and mind be summoned and you of all the options were chosen.... just think about that for a moment.' The mist instructed,

"I-... Ok." Iris answered after a long silence of deep thought. 'Good, I'm glad you accepted. Now this is a mind scape, only the most talented and experienced spell casters and mixers can conjure them up. This will all be forgotten yet remembered when you leave... It will become soul part of you. So listen closely. You are to go to the high mountains on the other side of the seven kingdoms. There a visionary Elf will tell you of your destiny and course you are to take. Of course you do not have to take on this quest but remember the fate of all existence rests on your shoulders!

'When you leave the mind scape you will no longer be human but you must respect all humans and keep your new species secret.

You are to keep my gifts to you a secret as well and protect them with your life as you study them and learn to control them.' The words gushed, 'this symbol will help guide you, be weary of it as it also leads to an impending doom...'

Suddenly a strange design appeared in the mist.

'I have not changed who you are on the inside, I have simply given you the guidance and direction you will need to take on your destiny. Everything I have told you will come to remembrance when needed until then it will remain unknown to you.' The words became straggling and thin, as if weakening, the colors too began to dim and fade. 'It is time, please be vigilant young child!' Iris struggled to find words "W-WAIT WHAT?!" Was all she could spit out before she was plunged into a deep blackness, visions of giant toothed dragons and and tall figure flashed before her.

"ACK!" Iris let out a short startled scream as she bolted upright, she awoke to find herself in a shack almost perfectly resembling the one she remembered having been in last. As she studied the small home in more detail she noticed it was identical despite the fact it was in better repair. A lit fireplace warmed the home, and open windows peered out into the moon lit, dense forest. There was a warmly decorated rug on the floor and a lone table with but one chair.

Iris came to realize she was in a warm and nicely made bed with woolly covers and a soft pillow.

"Ah..... your awake...." a weak but gentle voice greeted. Iris flinched, turning to look at the tiny old woman huddled by her bedside.

"I- where am I?" Iris questioned, looking around again. "You are on Earth, but not the same one you knew." The woman replied with a warm smile. The tiny woman was decorated in colored robes that swished slightly as she barely shuffled over to a small rocking chair.

"A-are you alright?" Iris quickly asked, climbing out of the bed as the woman stumbled along. "The woman smiled again, laughing softly, "Yes, thank you dear." She thanked her settling in her chair. "Let me ask, what are you?" The woman asked.

"What am I? I'm a siren." Iris responded without hesitation, startling herself but still knowing she was right. "Good. Remember humans aren't too fond of your kind so don't be so open about it," the woman warmly warned. Iris only stood in utter confusion trying to figure out how or when she knew she was a siren, she had always thought herself human but at the same tine she felt like she had always been a siren.

"dear girl you seem like you might need these, mind if I give you a gift?" The woman asked cheerily, snapping her out of her trance. Iris blinked, "I- s-sure!" She said, putting aside her confusion.

The old woman pulled out a small leather bound book. "You seem the adventurous type, I think this will serve you and others." She told, the cover of the book had gold writing etched into it.

"Spell mixing and potions??" Iris read aloud. The elderly witch nodded. "Study it well it is yours and yours only." The woman instructed, "and this next item is if most importance, you mustn't let anyone find out what it truly is, protect it with your life." She told, "hide it in plain sight but do not let anyone know of its truth." The woman cautioned her, handing her a blue and green diamond shaped gem.

"Why give me a complete stranger something so precious??" Iris asked, both touched and confused. "I'm about to pass on and I have a hunch you will be a good care taker." She said. Iris smiled warmly in return, "Alright then, I'll take good care of it thank you!" She replied.

The old woman smiled warmly, seeming she might pop with happiness. Gingerly, the woman leaned up and gave her a kissing motion on each cheek. "Now be on your way young lady! The world of adventure awaits!" She chimed weakly. "Please feel more than welcome to take anything you might need! I too was once an adventurous spirit but tonight I will venture into the spirit world, I have no need of my worldly possessions." She told.

Iris smiled back tears brimming in her eyes. She gave the woman a gentle but warm hug. "Travel safely then." She said, this woman was by far the nicest person she had ever met. Iris stood as the woman closed her eyes, still breathing, only seeming to be happily embracing her last moments.

Iris wiped her cheeks and turned to further inspect the shack only to stare wide eyes at the tall cloaked figure in the doorway. Iris paled. The cloaked figure had no skin, only a clean white skeleton. The creature held a lantern emitting an inviting teal glow.

Death walked past her slowly stopping to kneel on one bony leg in front of the old woman. The witch did not open her eyes, only smile wider, her own cheeks wet. "Goodbye dear child, till we meet again." She warmly said, a ghostly blue version of herself taking Death's bony hand and standing. Death almost seemed to smile warmly at her. "Welcome back home Banetha" It told her in a hollow but warm masculine voice. "Your husband will be excited to see you." It told her. Banetha nodded happily waving to Iris one last tome before the two left the home, disappearing from view.

Iris smiled, now alone in the home she turned to see the body of the old woman still happily sitting in the chair. Iris looked to see a shovel by the door.

After taking some time to create a decent grave for the kind sorceress Iris returned to inside of the home. Iris decided to take a nice leather sash with plenty of pockets and take all the ingredients in a cabinet marked as spell casting aids.

Iris picked up a decently sized satchel when Iris reached in to check what was in she was surprised to find that inside was a large room that could hold anything so long as it fit through the stretchy bag opening. So she promptly put in her book inside along with anything else that she found necessary such as food and tools that might be useful later on. Along with a rope latter so she could climb in and out at will.

She figured she would need more materials such as bedding and more food as she only a weeks worth. "Well time to hit the road!" She chimes to herself taking one last look at the old shack. "Adventure awaits no one!" She said, tenderly closing the door behind her.