The sun was still starting to set when they reached the entrance of the portal. Tonight was the night of the full moon. They were able to make it just in time. Arlo anchored the ship near the island that has mountains shaped like a skull. They felt lucky that they were able to find it before it turned dark.
Now, they waited for the sun to set and the moon to rise. Davina didn't know what to expect. So, she waited on the deck of the ship with her sword on her person. She tapped her finger on the wooden railing of the ship as she stared out at the ocean. The others were resting in their rooms. She wished she could relax. But the prospect of entering a new realm, a new world made her nervous.
This was different from those days when she and Felix would talk about going to a new world. Where she'd indulge in his fantasies of other worlds that they could explore. When they'd play and fantasize, Davina could see that there was a part inside Felix who believed even the slightest possibility of different realms besides theirs. Realms that were home to different kinds of people and creatures. But they were just ideas and fantasies to her.
Her hand slid to the bracelet on her wrist. As she ran her fingertips on the thin chain, she couldn't help but feel guilty.
Felix was supposed to be the one on this trip. He's the one whom these Inarians would love and learn from. He'd also learn a lot from them than he could from those old books in the secret library where they used to go.
The thought that she was the one living his dream didn't sit well with her.
Davina let out a sigh. She looked down at the sea below her. She still had no idea about how this portal was going to show, she decided to let the Inarians worry about it for now. It wasn't like she could even help them.
"I wish you were here Felix."
"What are you talking about?" She turned her head to see Felix right beside her. "I'm right here."
She wanted to argue that he really wasn't but thought against it. She didn't want to ruin her own fun. So, she only smiled and agreed with him. "You are."
"I thought you'd be happier today."
"Why?"
"I thought you said you wanted to explore the world."
She did say that long ago. While Felix dreamed of being able to know more about Inarians and their culture, Davina shared to him that she wanted to be able to travel the world. She didn't just want to see them through maps. She also didn't want to see them through a battlefield.
They were having this conversation in Felix's tent one night while they were in the battlefield between Erisians and Inarians. Felix was hit on the head and was unconscious for a few hours. Davina was running her hand through his hair, waiting for him to wake up. Felix was currently lying on her lap.
"Mother?" Felix said when he woke up.
"No, it's just me." Davina let out a sigh of relief.
He squinted his eyes for a few seconds and let out a smile. "Davina. I'm still alive? Or are we both dead?"
"We're still alive. How do you feel? Does your head hurt?"
"Only a little."
"Don't move for a while. Just rest."
"Alright. Don't stop doing that?"
"Doing what?"
"What you're doing on my head. It helps. I thought we were on a ship."
"Where would we be going?"
"Anywhere you wanted. You're the captain of the ship."
Davina let out a half-smile. He was droning on again about his fantasies. He was going to be alright.
"I always did want to explore the world. Go to different kingdoms."
"Could we go to Inara too?"
"If the war is over, sure."
This brightened up Felix's spirits. The stars in his green eyes came back. "When I become king, I'm going to stop the war. Then you would come with me and we'll explore the world together."
Davina smiled. One thing about Felix's fantasies that never changes is that she's always there with him. "I'm excited for when that day comes."
But that day will never come now.
The moon was starting to rise. In just a few hours, the portal would open and she'd truly leave this realm. She'd be in a new place that she had no clue or idea about.
"I did say I wanted to travel and see the world," she told herself. "This is just traveling. Nothing to be nervous about. Nothing to be nervous about."
Davina looked at Felix beside her, watching the full moon rise as if this was the first time he saw it. He was always so amazed and fascinated by the world. This was the first time she envied that part of him. He was always so open and welcome to the idea of discovering something new while she was frightened of the unknown.
~~~~~
The full moon illuminated the night sky. Davina was mesmerized with it that she couldn't stop staring. It was the first full moon she saw since leaving the dungeons.
"So, what are we waiting for?" She asks Quinn.
He was standing in the middle of the deck, the book in hand. Davina thinks he'll never let go of it.
"Maybe we should wait a little longer," suggested Kira.
"Or perhaps we went to the wrong place," said Arlo who was on the captain's wheel, giving Davina a look.
"If that's true, then the one at fault is the one steering the ship right?"
"Wait," Quinn held his hands up before a fight ensued. "I was reading this earlier and it said that we must summon the guardian of the portal to Farren."
"How?" Kira stood beside Quinn, looking at the book.
"Just say these words."
"All of us?"
"No, it's fine if it's just me."
Quinn prepared himself before reading it.
"O full moon who shines this night, call the guardian who'll help us in our plight. Open the portal that will take us away. Open the portal and give us a new day."
Everyone waited in anticipation for what was going to happen next.
After a few seconds, nothing happened.
"Did I read it wrong?" Quinn looked back at the book. Arlo jumped from the captain's wheel to Quinn's side along with Kira.
Davina let out a sigh and turned her backs from them. She fixed her gaze on the deep dark sea where the reflection of the moon could be seen. There was nothing she could contribute to it, so she let them handle the problem.
She had to admit that she thought it was all real. As Quinn said each word to summon the so-called "guardian of the portal of Farren," she was starting to believe that there truly was something magical and supernatural in the world she lived in. That the idea of other worlds coinciding with hers was real. That this world she lived in was just one within millions and Felix was right.
Quinn summoned the guardian once again.
Nothing happened again.
Davina wanted to laugh, although the confused and forlorn looks on the Inarians stopped her. They might get the wrong impression and Arlo was more irritable than usual. They might not understand that she wasn't laughing at them, but at herself. That she actually dared to dream and cling to a fantasy.
The cool wind blew at her face. She shivered and wrapped her cloak closer to her. If nothing was going to happen, she wanted to go back to her room. It was so foolish. Heading to an island that held all your answers and would willingly give it to you in a silver platter seemed too good to be true.
But what was she going to do now? What other plan does she have to find Felix's murderer?
A strong gust of wind almost made Davina fall. This was different from the wind earlier. As each second passed, the wind got stronger. It was starting to rock the boat.
"What are you doing?" She turned to them. "What's with the wind?"
"We're not doing this!" Quinn said as he was trying to stand firm against the wind.
Arlo used his magic to control the wind to take him to the captain's wheel.
"Show off!" Kira shouted. Arlo only smiled as he tried to steady the ship.
Davina gripped the railing. Then she saw the sea. The water was starting to form a whirlpool. The color wasn't the same dark blue anymore but there was a light blue light underneath it.
"This is it!" Yelled Quinn. "It's the portal!"
The wind got stronger sending water on the ship. Everyone was getting soaked as the ship got deeper and deeper into the portal. Davina gripped on the railing harder.
"Quinn!" Kira cried.
Davina opened her eyes and saw Quinn sliding on the deck. He had his hand out, trying to manipulate the wind but it was too strong for him to control. Before he hit the sides of the ship, he created a shield to lessen its impact. There was a strained look on his face. Davina couldn't tell if he was injured or not.
He seemed too tired to move. He was also gripping his arm, it might've been hit. If he doesn't hold on to something, he'll get thrown off.
"Dana what are you doing?" Kira said.
"Kira, I'll do it!" Davina said. "Stay there!"
Davina was the one closest to Quinn. Kira was on the other side of the ship. It was a bigger risk to try to go to him from her place. She gripped the railing as she tried to get closer to him.
Once she was arms reach, she offered her hand to him. He took it and she pulled him closer to her.
"Hold on to me. Wrap your arms around me and hold tight."
"Wait-"
"Stop hesitating. Do it!"
He wrapped his arms around her and held her tight.
"Can you handle it?"
"This is nothing." She struggled to hold on to the ship.
As they got deeper into the entrance of the portal, the bright light in the middle was getting closer. Just like with the moon, Davina couldn't keep her eyes off it. This was it. They are going to a new realm and face the unknown.