[OUTDATED] Petal Wonderland - The story of change

Chapter 10. Welcome back

[03/17/2017 6:18 PM]

Everything was silent, only the air was audible. Zalán felt the cold breeze on his skin, he opened his eyes, and he was on the ground. Zalán looked around, unknowing of where he was.
-Where the hell...??
His eyes widened and he covered his mouth, he sounded way more mature than he remembered.
-What the fu-...
Again he was more confused about why did he sound more mature. He sounded more like an adult rather than a teenager. He peeped over a bit further away to see Maraphima lying on the grass. He rushed over to her and shook her.
-Maraphima?! Are you alright?!
Maraphima woke up in shock from this.
-Ee!! Goodness gracious Zalán! You scared me.
She took a little to realize where she was. She quickly frowned.
-Oh no....are we in The Empire now..?
-I-i'm not quite sure. I think we are...
-Also Zalán what happened to your voice..? And you look more mature too.
Zalán was determined to know what happened to him now, he looked around and spotted a puddle nearby, he ran up to it and looked into the reflection. Indeed, he looked very different, His hair was slightly longer, he looked more masculine and he had a barely visible beard. He stood silent and shocked.
-Why...do I look like an adult...
Maraphima thought for a bit and finally realized what happened.
-Ohh...I forgot to tell you. My mother told me that once mortals enter this realm for the first time, 4 years go by in human years. So I suppose you're older now.
Zalán was at a loss for words. He pinched himself to see if this was a dream or not, it wasn't.
-That means I'm....19.....Woah.
Maraphima stood up and walked over to Zalán to help him up from the ground, they dusted off the dirt from their clothes.
-My parents are probably so dead sick and worried for me!! They probably think I'm dead by now!!
Maraphima put her hand on Zalán's shoulder and looked him in the eyes.
-Zalán, It's alright. Don't panic. Take deep breaths.
Zalán did as Maraphima told him to. He finally calmed down. He looked around on the ground for the book and found it a bit further away from them, he ran to it and opened the book. The pages were blank. But so was the map of the world gone on the back of the book.
-What?! No no no!! This can't be happening!!
He threw the book to the ground in anger, he felt like crying, and so he did, he needed to get out the stress anyway. Maraphima scooted over to Zalán and hugged him.
-Shh...cry it all out.
Zalán didn't respond, just cry. It felt so good to finally cry after suppressing all the stress he went through.

About 12 minutes passed and Zalán felt much better.
-Maybe the book takes time to process to realize in which world it is in...?
Maraphima suggested.
-Hm...I don't know..perhaps you're saying the truth...hopefully, it recognizes the place soon.
They then heard a shuffle coming from a nearby bush, and both of them instantly felt watched. Maraphima cautiously approached the bush.
-Wait!! What if it's a demon...?-
-It's still worth a look.
Maraphima looked into the bush to find no other than 2 *Evryes, one with fluffy, short hair, and 4 arms, and the other with fluffy hair,  butterfly wings, and glasses.
-Aw evd jeho!!! Wilford, oen zedatniv hase sisa!! (Oh my god!!! Wilford, it really is her!!)
One of the evryes said out loud, this startled Maraphima but also confused her. She thought all evryes got killed.
The 2 creatures popped out of the bush.
-Are they demons?!...
Zalán timidly asked.
-No no! They're....evryes..-
-Princess!! We are so glad to see you here! We thought Your Highness got murdered!
-Ah!... It's a long story!
-Impossible!! Woah...let me calm down a bit, I'm probably being annoying...
The evrye calmed itself down and sighed.
-Sorry for my sudden outburst, but I couldn't handle myself. My name is Dexter, and my friend here is called Wilford. He can't talk, he's mute so I hope that's fine with you both.
-Oh! You two are such cuties! How long have you been living in such a place...?
-Erm...a very very long time...
Dexter cleared his throat.
-Again, it's a pleasure meeting you princess.
He bowed, and so did Wilford.
-Oh hehe! You're so silly! No need to bow!...
-My apologies then! We should really bring both of you to the nearby safe haven. Out here in the wild isn't safe.
Wilford grabbed both of their hands and started walking, Dexter caught up to them.