A boy, around the age of nineteen walks out from behind a big tree trunk, "I am sorry if I startled or upset you. I am here because I feel like I have information you may need."
I glance at Zane and he nods which tells me to hear this boy out. I look back over to the boy, "what kind of information do you have?"
"I have information about Valanter," he says bluntly.
I keep my face expressionless, "and what do you want in return?"
"I would like you to teach me to use my powers. I would love to learn something from a Laren Master. Please."
I open a one-sided link between myself and this boy to hear his thoughts.
'I wonder what she wants with Valanter, but it is probably better not to ask why she seeks its location.'
I don't drop the link yet to hear his true reaction to my next question.
"What are your intentions with the information you will receive with this training?"
"I want to be a defender in Paleric, but I can't use my powers. I am constantly picked on in school and they all say I don't have the powers because no one knows who my dad is. I just want to prove them wrong."
He isn't lying, his intentions are pure and if he ends up changing, I will put a stop to him.
"I will do it for the information. Where shall we begin training?"
He has a giddy look on his face, "the training field behind the school, come on," he takes my hand and drags me to the school's backyard.
There is equipment everywhere and there are structures that provide shade to draw shadows from.
"Where do you want to start," the boys asks.
"How about your name," I state.
"Oh right, sorry. My name is Malik. What's yours, if you don't mind me asking?"
"You can call me Tara, and this is Luke," I gesture to Zane.
"He is so big and looks so fluffy. Can I pet him?"
I look to Zane and he nods while wagging his tail.
I smile and mumble, "Attention seeker."
To this comment Zane glares at me and Malik laughs. Malik walks up to Zane's six-foot frame and strokes his soft fur. Zane looks confused.
"You are so soft Luke," Malik smiles while hugging Zane.
'Are you okay Zane?'
'Yes, I just have a weird feeling about Malik, it isn't bad, but I don't know what it is.'
'Okay, if you figure it out, let me know.'
'Will do.'
"Okay Malik, we will start with making shadows. Focus on the darkness in that shelter," I point to a wooden structure, "and bring a dark shadow from it. Focus on its dark form and it being removed from the darkness, into the sun. Close your eyes for the first time, it helps."
I see his trying to concentrate, but he is getting frustrated when it doesn't work.
"Take a few deep breaths to calm down, focus on the magic flowing inside of you and use it to force the shadow out of its hiding."
He does as I say, and I see a ball of darkness come closer to where we are standing. Malik slowly opens his eyes and starts to get excited.
"Make sure to keep concentration Malik. I want you to envision a form for the shadow to take, it can be anything at all."
He nods and focuses as I see the shadow begin to move into the shape of a human. Soon there is a shadow person standing about six feet tall.
"That is great, now I want you to make his move around. Move his head, arms, and legs."
He does as I say, its movements are jerky at first, but becomes smooth.
"Very good," I say without much expression.
"Thank you!" he shrieks like a little kid and runs up to me, hugging me.
He stiffens and seems to just realize something. He lets go of me and steps back.
"I am so sorry, that was disrespectful," he keeps his eyes on the ground.
I am so confused, why would he react this way? "It's alright Malik. I don't mind."
He lets out a sigh of relief, "thank god! I hear stories of people disrespecting Laren Masters and they practically get destroyed by them."
My eyes widen slightly in shock, how can someone do that to another person, especially a person from their own race?
"Well, you don't have to worry about that with me, all I ask is that you use your powers you learn for good. I am a special Laren Master, you cannot tell anyone about me training you okay?"
He nods, "what makes you more special from the other masters?"
"Well, when I teach someone how to use their powers, they will excel in their powers. I only teach those who are worthy and those who will use their powers for good and not gain. I trust you with this."
He looks shocked mixed with excitement, "thank you for choosing me for this, I will forever be grateful. Can we work on the power of death now?"
"In a minute, I need to teach you one more thing that only masters can do." He looks as if he is going to burst from all of his excitement, "Your shadow must be able to touch others and pick up things."
His eyes widen, "What? No one in this village can do that!"
"Well, I can, and I will teach you. Just focus on the shadow being able to shake my hand. Let it grasp my hand and squeeze it to shake it slightly," I hold out my hand for the shadow.
He takes a deep breath and focuses on the shadows gripping my hand. The shadow's hand moves up toward mine and goes to grasp it but falls through.
"Damn it, I can't do this," he gives up.
"No, you can. Try again and believe that you can do it, because you can."
He nods, takes a few deep breaths and tries again. The shadows raises its hand again hesitates while Malik takes a deep breath. The hand moves towards mine and closes around my hand, squeezing it. Malik smiles and makes the shadow shake my hand. I give Malik a smile back.
"I did it! Oh my god, I can't believe I actually did that!"
"Good job, now I want you to tell me some information. Tomorrow we will work on death, okay?"
He nods, "come on over to my house and I will talk with you where it is safe."
We begin to walk back to the main part of town and back down the street. I recognize one of the guards from when I got here, and he walks over to us.
He bows his head as he says, "Master of Laren, pleasure to see you again."
"You as well, what can I do for you?"
"I just wanted to know if this boy was bothering you. He is not someone suitable to be talking with a great master like yourself. He is the town's joke."
"Well, I will be the judge of who is worthy of my attention. Now, I have somewhere to be and I must be going. Goodbye," I wave and walk in the direction we were heading before we were interrupted.
"That was awesome!" Malik exclaims.
"Thanks, come on. We should get going to your house, the sooner, the better."
He nods and we walk to a spot of the village that looks to be a residential area. We walk up to a nice-looking house and walk in the front door.
"Mom! I am home and we have a guest!" Malik shouts to the house.
"Okay honey, I will be there in a bit."
'Zane, can you stay out in the backyard? We don't need to surprise Malik's mother more than I already will.'
'Okay, see you later.'
"Luke is just going to wait outside."
"That is probably for the best, I don't want my mom to have a heart attack."
Malik's mom comes walking around the corner smiling and then looks at me. He expression turns from cheerful to fear. He eyes dart from me to Malik for a bit and then Malik finally breaks the silence.
"Mom, this is Tara. She is helping me with my powers."
I give her a small wave, "Nice to meet you," I say holding out my hand.
She hesitantly takes my hand and shakes it, fear still in her eyes as she cautiously looks at me. I give her a reassuring smile and she relaxes slightly.
"Nice to meet you as well, I am Palama, Malik's mother. It is so nice of you to teach my son, but we do not have that kind of money to repay you and I believe my son may not be able to unlock his powers yet."
"Mom, you don't understand. She is willing to help me for free and it is already working. I can control shadows already after a couple hours of her training me!"
She looks shocked, but the fear in her eyes seem to disappear at this information.
"Well, thank you Master of Laren for helping my son out of the kindness of your heart."
"Please, call me Tara, and it is no problem."
I feel kind of bad because I am not helping him out of the kindness of my heart per say. I am helping him to get information on how to find my dad. Malik tells his mom that we are going to the basement to talk and she goes back to whatever she was doing beforehand. We walk down the starts to a beautiful living area. Malik takes me over to a couch and we sit down.
"So, Valanter. Anything specific you want to know?"
"I want to know how to find the entrance to Valanter."
He looks shocked, "why would you want to know that?"
"Someone is in there that I am going to get out."
"I don't think you can do that. To get someone out of Valanter, you need to be related by blood and you must be as strong as a god, sometimes stronger depending on the person who is stuck in there."
"I think I will take my chances. So, do you know how to find the entrance or not?"
"Well, there is this bar in Matericus where there is a door that will take you where you need to go. I think you need to go there and if the entrance to Valanter is what you seek, that is where you will go."
"How do you know about all of this?"
"I get these dreams, and what I have dreamed about has always been true. My mom thinks that this is why I haven't gotten my Laren powers."
"Okay, do you know the name of this bar is Haler. You shouldn't make the trip alone. I can come with you," he says hopeful.
"I don't think that's a good idea. Anyway, your mom won't let you."
"I can convince her. Please let me come with you," he pleads.
"Malik, you don't understand. I have Luke and some other friends that are accompanying me. I will not go alone."
"Please, I have never left Paleric and I want to go on a mission with a Laren Master."
"You can talk to your mom about it and I will talk with Luke."
"Deal!"
Suddenly there is a shriek coming from upstairs.
'Um, Chara?'
'Yeah Zane? What happened?'
'Malik's mom just saw me and is freaking out.'
'Crap, I will be right there.'
'Okay.'
I walk upstairs with Malik close behind me. I make my way into the kitchen where I can hear Palama.
"What the hell is that thing?" she yells.
"It's okay Palama, that is just Luke, my chimera."
She lets go of her breath she was holding and stands normally looking at me, "You have a bonded?"
"Yes, I didn't bring him in here at first because I didn't want to freak you out even more."
"Oh yes, that makes sense. Can I meet him?"
"Of course, come on."
We walk out the back door and up to Luke who is not sitting down on the grass.
'She feels so familiar,' Zane says through the bond.
'What? How?'
'I don't know, I can't remember. Can you ask her some questions?'
'Sure.'
"Hey, Malik?"
"Yeah?"
"Can I talk to your mom in private for a moment please?"
"Sure, I will be in my room," he says walking for the back door.
Palama turns to me. I put up a shield around us so no one will see Zane and I turn back into our normal selves. I change myself back to normal first and see Palama looking shocked. Then I walk up to Zane and put my hand on his fur changing him back to normal. Zane then changes into his golden retriever.
"Oh my god, Zane?" Palama asks.
Zane nods his head and Palama runs up to him and hugs him.
"I can't believe you are alright! After he left and got banished, I thought you were killed," she starts to sob.
"Wait, are you talking about Noc?" I question.
"Yes, he was my husband at one point a long time ago, he is Malik's father."
I am taken aback by this, "What? Noc had other children?"
"What do you mean other children? He didn't have a child with that Shalhalla, did he?"
My eyes widen slightly, "What do you mean by that?"
"That goddess was always jealous of Noc and I. She made sure that Noc had to leave me so she could be with him. I think she tricked him or something because one day Noc left and never came back. Two years later I found out that he was banished when Zane told me through the mind link. Then I never heard from him again."
I stay silent, I cannot bring myself to form a sentence from this information. I thought my mom was kind and loving, she couldn't have done this. Palama must have this all wrong.
"Dear, are you alright?"
"I am fine," I finally spit out.
"My son's Laren powers and god powers were blocked because of him being half god-half Laren. I don't know how you taught him or how Zane ended up with you and not my son but thank you."
"What do you mean 'not my son'?"
"Well, chimeras are supposed to choose a family member of their bonded if their bonded dies. I guess it doesn't always happen."
I look to Zane and he looks back at me.
'Should I tell her? If Malik comes with us, then he will find out.'
'I don't know, can we trust her not to blab?'
'I think so, she sounds like she is saying the truth even though I hope she is wrong about my mom.'
'Okay, tell her then. Maybe not about the part of you being the child of Shalhalla.'
'Okay.'
"Well, Zane did stay in the family," she looks confused, "I am Chara, daughter of Noc."
I hold out my hand as I reintroduce myself. She takes it, a confused look still on her face.
"What? How…who's your mother?"
"I don't know. I never met her or heard of her."
"But if your name is Chara, then you are from the prophecy."
"Yes, that would be me."
"Wait, your mom can't be Shalhalla, can it?"
"No, it isn't. I know that much."
She nods looking relieved. I feel bad lying to her, but it is for the best. At least until this war is over.
"I am on my way to find Valanter and Malik wants to accompany me and my friends. He has my permission, but I told him that he can only go with your permission."
"Who are your friends?"
"My guide Daniel, and my mate Nix."
"Okay, he can go. Please take care of Malik, I don't want him getting hurt."
"I understand. I will do everything in my power to keep him safe and I will teach him about his powers."
"Thank you. When do you leave?"
"Tomorrow."
She takes a deep breath, "okay."
"I will swing by in the morning. I need to go now."
I change my appearance back and then I Zane shifts into his wolf and I change his appearance. I bring down the barrier and say my goodbyes to Palama and then head inside to say goodbye to Malik. Malik is very excited to come on my 'adventure', as he calls it. Zane and I walk back to the hotel and up to our room. I fall asleep soon after my head hits the pillow.
Morning rolls around and I wake up with a yawn. Looking over to the clock on the bedside table I notice that it is seven in the morning. I groan in annoyance, it's way too early to be awake. I get up anyhow and decide to link Nix.
'Hey Nix, you up?'
It takes a minute for him to respond, 'I guess I am now. You alright?'
'Yes, I have a lot I need to tell you, but it can wait until I come to meet up with your guys. I should be there around noon maybe one o'clock.'
'Okay, I can't wait to see you! I really miss you.
I miss you too, tell Daniel I said hi and will see him soon.'
'Okay, talk to you in a bit.'
'Bye.'
I get dressed and I head into the hallway and downstairs to the front desk. As I walk around the corner to have the front desk in view, there are guards speaking with the man who is working. As I walk over to them, they turn to face me.
"You! You need to come with us right," one of the guards tell me.
"Why? What's wrong?"
"You are believed to be impersonating a Laren Master and you must be brought in for questioning."
I look at them confused; how could they possibly know.
'Zane, go find Nix and Daniel. Tell them what is happening. If you see Malik along the way, bring him with you.'
'Okay, be safe.'
I nod and Zane takes off at lightning speed.
"Hey! Get back here! Where did that mutt go?"
"How would I know. You probably spooked him. Come on, let's get this over with."
They take me out to the car and while I am on my way, I see Malik.
"Tara?" he looks over to me.
I set up a link with him, 'Malik, it is me Tara.'
'What? How?'
'I don't have time to explain. You need to go find Luke. He is on his way to find my friends who are staying at the Kalen Inn.'
'Okay.'
I drop the link and get into the backseat of the car. We drive for less than two minutes and arrive at a building that looks similar to a police station. I get out when the guards told me to, and we walk into a well-lit, empty room with three chairs and a table. Two chairs on one side of the table and one on the other. They sit me on the single chair and then leave the room. Smart to make the room so bright so there are no shadows for us to use. However, that won't stop me from using my other powers. I decide to play along for now and see if I can get out of here without exposing myself. A man and a woman soon walk into the room and sits down across from me.
"I am Mika, and this is my associate Hanen. What is your full name?"
"Tara Smith."
"According to our files of all the Laren Masters in the world, there is no record of a Tara Smith. We want to know how you got past our defences and what you want here in the town of Paleric."
"I was never officially known as a Laren Master. I have progressed my powers, but I like to keep to myself. That is why I am not in the records. I am simply passing through and wanted a safe place to stay."
"I don't believe you, until you speak the truth, you will be held here in jail," Hanen states.
"I am telling the truth and you will not keep me here."
"Oh yeah, how do you plan on escaping?" Mika mocks.
I smile and decide I have had enough of this. I look Mika dead in the eye and say, "you got me, I am not Laren, but you definitely don't want to be on my bad side."
"Why is that?"
"The whole world's fate rests on my shoulders. I could have easily hurt anyone here or escaped at any time, but I haven't."
"You can't have any powers. I don't sense any power on you."
That's because I learned how to hide it dummy. I decide to uncover my power so they can sense it and once they do, their eyes widen.
"I-I am so sorry f-for inconveniencing you. P-please feel f-free to leave. S-stay in t-town for as l-long as you w-would l-like," Mika stutters.
I smile and cover my power once again, "thank you. It was a pleasure talking to you, but I must be leaving now. Bye," and with that I walk to the door, open it, and walk out of the building. I casually walk towards the forest that leads to the main gates that I entered through just two days ago. I walk out the gate as the guards smile and nod to me. Once far enough from the forest, I change my appearance back to my normal self. I continue walking until I reach the next town. I search for the Kalen Inn which took a little while. The town was pretty big, and the inn was on the other side of it. I finally get there and walk up to room 406. I knock on the door hoping they were still here. I hear shuffling and murmurs before the door unlocks and opens. I see Nix standing there and his eyes immediately light up when he sees me. He grabs me into a tight embrace.
"I am so glad you are alright," he whispers.
"I am fine, Nix. Did Zane and Malik make it here?" I ask in a whisper.
"Yeah, you have some explaining to do about the kid."
"He isn't a kid, he is nineteen."
"Well he acts like a fourteen-year-old," he chuckles, and I join in.
I am released from the embrace and walk into the hotel room. Once my eyes land on Daniel, I know he knows everything that happened with Malik and the police station. He gives me a reassuring smile and I feel relieved. I see Zane sitting in his golden retriever on the ground next to Daniel. I can't seem to find Malik though.
"Where's Malik?"
"He is just over in the kitchen grabbing an apple."
I nod and on cue Malik walks in from the direction of the kitchen. He sees Daniel first and then looks over to Nix and I. He takes a moment before his eyes widen.
"Thank god you are alright!" he exclaims.
"I am fine, nothing I can't handle."
"You don't understand, those guards don't mind resulting to force when you don't answer them truthfully."
"Well, I had it all handled."
"Okay, now that we know you are okay, can you please explain to me why you and Zane both look different and not like a Laren."
"Well, I am not a Laren. That is the reason why I don't look naturally like a Laren."
"Then what are you?"
"I am a goddess."
"Woah, which one? Goddess of the sea? No, goddess of time? No wait, goddess of beauty? No, how about…"
I cut him off, "why don't I just tell you, so you don't have to keep guessing?"
"Okay, I guess that would be easier. I am just so excited!"
"Well, I am the Goddess of Sinalo and my name is actually Chara Shade."
His jaw drops so hard it could make a hole in the floor halfway to the underworld.
"I got training from the Goddess of Sinalo! The goddess that will save the world from evil! That is awesome!"
I laugh at his comment and then compose myself, "there is something else you need to know."
"What is it?"
"Well do you know who my parents are?"
He shakes his head no, so I continue, "my parents are Noc, God of the Night, and Shalhalla, Goddess of the Elements."
"Wow, those are powerful parents."
"Yes, they are and there is something you and I have in common. Your dad is Noc, you are my brother."
He just stands there, starstruck, for a while before shouting, "I am the son of a god!"
"Yes, you are half god-half Laren. You most likely have some of Noc's powers as well as your Laren powers. I can help you unlock them if you would like."
"I would love that, thank you sis," he chuckles.
"We will start tomorrow, today we need to start heading for Matericus to find the bar."
"Why? Why must we keep going to dangerous cities?" Daniel mumbles in frustration.
"What is wrong with this one?" I ask slightly annoyed.
"Well, the good thing is that all of us can enter the city this time. Bad thing is that it is filled with the most fear supernatural in the world."
"Awesome. Just peachy," I reply.
"It is the only way to get to the door," Malik states.
"I guess we will have to go, and this time I am not letting you out of my sight," Nix says, planting a kiss on my forehead. I smile at the gesture.
"Awe," Malik taunts while laughing, "are you guys dating or something?"
"Well, I would hope so, he is my mate after all," I reply.
"Woah, I have never met a couple who are mates before. Do you think I may have a mate?"
"I don't know, gods don't usually get mate, it is a thing werewolves and vampires experience."
"Wait, that means Nix isn't a god."
"Nope, I am a werewolf, Alpha of my pack," Nix states proudly.
"Cool," Malik says mesmerized, "What are you Daniel?"
"I am a guide; I am assigned to assist Chara here in saving the world from evil."
"Awesome!"
"Alright, are you guys packed up yet?" Nix and Daniel nod, "Good, let's get this show on the road."
We head outside to the car and begin to drive in the direction of Matericus. Luckily for us we should be outside of the city by tonight. We decided it would be safer to stay just outside of the city tonight and then head in to find Haler in the morning. As we drive, we stay silent most of the time. After an hour I am getting bored of the silence and plug my phone into the car to play some music. I play my country list hoping that the rest likes country because it is the best. The first song to come is by Luke Bryan and I start singing along with it. I then hear a voice in the back singing along and then another humming along. I look back and see Nix singing with me and Malik humming along to the tune. I smile and look to Daniel who has a straight face on.
"Come on Daniel, everyone else is singing along," I tell him.
"I don't like country though," he pouts.
"Well, you better start liking it because the rest of us will listen to it all day long."
He sighs, "I will try to like it, okay?" I smile and go back to singing the song.
After a couple hours we stop at a Nimbus to have a burger and fries to go. We all get milkshakes as well to accompany our food and it was heavenly. After another few hours' drive and a stop for gas, we arrive at the hotel we planned on staying at. We book two rooms, one for Daniel and Malik, the other for Nix and I. Both rooms have two double beds. Once I get into the room, Nix and I change into our pyjamas and lay down in bed facing one another.
"Hey Chara?"
"Yes Nix."
"Are you nervous about meeting your dad?"
"Kinda, yes. I never really had parents and being so close to meeting my real parent is almost…exhilarating."
Nix smiles, "I am glad you get to meet one of your parents."
"Me too," I say and then shiver.
"Are you cold?" Nix asks.
"A little, yes."
"Want me to come over and keep you warm?" he asks innocently.
"Okay."
He has the biggest smile I have ever seen on his face as he walks over to my bed and climbs in behind me. He wraps his muscular arms around my waist to pull me in closer to his chest. I immediately warm up and soon fall asleep.
Before I let the darkness consume me, I hear Nix say, "goodnight beautiful."