Sitting there on a wooden chair, with four books on the table, I felt like a scholar. Of course, I wasn't.
I had already finished going through two books based on history but didn't find any luck with any information. It was 4:00 in the evening, after I woke up and we walked to the Foster Library. We specifically enquired for books related to Darknorian history and the manager happily obliged, noticing us, the DELTAs. (By the way, we had become famous ever since Raptor awakened. We even came on T.V once for our bravery against Raptor.) All of us had taken different seats, away from each other, to places peaceful enough to read the books given to us.
The other two books also didn't have any mention about the Xorains or the planet Xorai. Disappointed, I went to Xavier who had also just finished reading. His face told that he too, did not have much of luck. We went and sat beside Lily, helping her and going through the books. Nothing informative was popping up and we had given up hope when Oliver came up to us, his eyes still fixed to the book he carried.
"Guys, you need to see this." He said. He placed the book on the middle of the table as we gathered around it like it was some kind of treasure. Oliver flipped pages till he arrived at page 110. "I haven't exactly found any information about King Jalaar but check this out." He said and pointed at the content of the page.
"Temple of Past." Lily read. "This Temple has one of the most crucial historical information. The Temple of Past was built by the Darknorians around two thousand years ago. The history ever since, can be found in the Temple. Though the Temple may sound informative and useful, it is as creepy. The Temple of Past is situated in the Verix Woods. The Woods is known for the monsters lurking inside. The ghostly Skrops are too dangerous to mess with and do not let anyone exit the woods once entered. Moreover, out of the very few brave ones who have gone inside the Temple of Past, not a single one has ever returned. It is one of the most dangerous places to be at." Lily finished.
The information had us silent for a while, analyzing the next step. "It was built during King Jalaar's time! We need to go there for the information we need." Oliver stated. He sounded confident but I wasn't. "You mean to say that we enter Verix Woods, avoid the Skrops from devouring our flesh, find the Temple of Past, get in, attain the information, get out, and somehow seal Raptor back. All this in the time we can borrow before King Jalaar's awakening." I joked in which Oliver didn't seem to notice the sarcasm. "Yup. That's the plan." He said casually.
That was the time I wanted to smack my best friend. I looked at the others for any ideas but the blank faces told me Oliver was right. "I don't know but I think that's the only way. I mean, we have no idea what to do next so why not do this?" Lily suggested. She made it seem like it was a fun activity. It would have been if King Jalaar wouldn't have been awakening anytime soon. Alas, that wasn't the case.
"Guys, I have been thinking…." Xavier paused. These are the times when I freak out. The way people say that, I notice something big coming up. We were all ears towards Xavier. "I think you three should go to the Temple of Past. I shouldn't. One of these days – god Ison forbids – if the King awakens, we need a backup. We have nothing ready for a time like that. So I was thinking to build the warship I had always wanted." Xavier said. "Plus there are workers here, in the Headquarters who are ready to help. I can assure you I will finish it in two to three days. Before you come back, a warship would be ready." Xavier said, trying to convince us.
After a while, we decided we would do as Xavier had said. Our next destination was Verix Woods. We went back to the Headquarters realm.
Inside my room, I packed my shoulder bag, knowing I wouldn't return soon. Maybe I would never return. But I had to try.