Something instinctively tells you that "It's not going to be that easy." You remember back when the Shadows first tried to take you, you wished you were back home and it didn't happen, you ended up in the middle of nowhere. There's no telling where you might end up if you tried it again. So far "little wishes" have worked for you, so you're going to stick with the current plan of getting the Empire wizards to send you home and use your "powers" only when necessary.

You eventually fall asleep with your new sword by your side, you're awakened by Qualan in the morning.

"Hey, get up boy let's get going… where'd you get that sword from?"
"Huh? Oh…well uh I found it under the bed."
"Sheesh, I know I've forgotten a few things in my travels, but never a weapon. That's just unthinkable. You probably should have a sword anyway, I'm not sure how it is where you're from, but a boy your age would definitely be somewhat familiar with a weapon of some sort by now in my tribe."
"Where were you?"
"I told you, I was getting directions to the Parran Empire, and exploring the town a bit…well okay I was exploring the tavern, in fact I eventually explored the floor of it. Oh well at least nothing was stolen, not that I have anything left after spending it all at the tavern…hey you still have that silver ring? I think I might need to trade for a horse. I can't be accompanying you efficiently if I'm not on horseback as well."

After giving Qualan the ring back, and uses it to buy a broken down nag, you and he are on your way again. You and he talk during your uneventful travel; he's very fascinated with your world as you are with all the adventures he's been on. Soon you come to a split in the path. You ask which way to go.

"Well, both of these paths will eventually lead to the Empire, but one of them is a lot quicker. There's a catch though, back in town I was told the quicker path is currently under complete control of a vicious goblin tribe. Apparently they're attacking anyone that goes through there. I heard The Empire was supposed to send in some soldiers to take care of the problem, but the Nightmare Tyrant is a more immediate and dangerous threat and as such they're concentrating their efforts on him instead. The second path is supposed to be safe and clear, but it'll take longer. We'll probably have to make a camp somewhere, before we even reach the Empire.

"Let's take the safer route." You say.
"Alright, but keep alert anyway, just because I heard it was safe doesn't necessarily mean it is."

You and Qualan travel further with no unexpected encounters. When it begins to get dark you half expect Shadows to come attacking you out of the sky again, but this is a natural darkness, night is merely falling. Qualan suggests that you should make camp and you do so. You and he eat the provisions he bought from town. He comments on how bad they are and next time he's just going to stick to hunting in the wilderness for food next time.

You've never slept outside before, so like most things in this adventure it's a brand new experience for you. One that makes you really wonder why some of the kids at school have said they like camping so much. You're definitely a city boy!

After trying to get comfortable several times and not worry about bugs crawling on you, you fall asleep, but not for long. A noise awakens you and Qualan. The horses seem agitated as well.

"Qualan?"
"Shhh! I heard it too…be prepared for anything." He says standing up and readying his axe.

Soon a large figure lurches out from the darkness. It's another Shadow, but not like any of the ones you've encountered before, this one is bigger for one thing, almost as if its armored and for another it looks vaguely familiar. The black figure is hard enough to make out by the campfire, but when it speaks you know immediately who it is.

"At last I've found you boy."
"Salzat?"
"You know this…thing?" Qualan asks getting ready to attack.
"Briefly, he used to be one of the Paladins sent with me to take me back to the Empire." You reply backing away.
"And I still have to waste my time escorting you around!" Salzat hisses. "Come boy, my new master the Nightmare Tyrant wants to see you, it would be unwise to keep him waiting, the agony will only be much worse the more you resist…"
"Take the horse and ride boy! I'll dispatch this monster!" Qualan shouts at you.

You're sick of running at this point, and Qualan needs your help. Besides you figure you can actually do something now with your new sword, which you draw out.

"Boy, I told you to get out of here!" Qualan exclaims as he defends an attack from Salzat.
"Ha ha! Good. Saves me the trouble of chasing down the little fool!" Salzat laughs.

While he's laughing you take the opportunity to stab at him. He attempts to dodge, but you manage to slightly wound his leg. This causes him to bellow in a hissing shriek. Qualan hits him with his axe, but it doesn't effect Salzat like your attack did. Salzat retreats back a bit to recover.

"YOU MISERABLE LITTLE WHELP! YOU HURT ME!" he says before getting ready to charge again.

"Boy, your sword can hurt it, but I'm better with wielding such a weapon, toss it to me and I'll dispatch this creature!" Qualan quickly says bracing himself for another attack.

You defeat Salzat yourself

You have to defeat Salzat yourself. It was your thoughts that created the sword, by your own sheer force of willpower. If you believe in yourself, you'll be able to defeat Salzat, you know you will.

Salzat predictable charges at you, Qualan attempts to stop him, but once again his axe does nothing and Salzat smashes him in the face with his free hand, knocking him out. He's about to finish him off with his sword, but you prevent this from happening by stepping in and parrying the blow. For some reason, you feel much stronger than you ever have before.

"Whelp! You will be sustenance for the Shadow Tyrant!" Salzat hisses and tries to break through your defense, but your confidence and sudden increase in strength don't make you fear his threats or him. Your sword glows brighter causing the red dots that are Salzat's eyes to close in blinding pain. While he temporarily shields them, you press your advantage and strike Salzat multiple times causing him to unleash an unholy scream before dissipating.

You're breathing hard after the battle, and you sit down to catch your breath. Qualan's regaining of consciousness makes you jump again.

"Hey hold on there, it's just me! Wow, that really hurt." Qualan says holding on to his face. "Looks like you took care of him yourself. In my tribe you'd now be a man with all the benefits and respect as such. For defeating such a powerful creature you might even be considered an honorary great warrior. Here, take this."

Qualan gives you some sort of strange tooth. Its larger than a humans that's for sure.

"What's this?"
"A troll tooth. It's customary to take a trophy, but seeing as you fought a shadow, there is none, but you should have something to symbolize your hard earned victory, as well as possibly saving my life. Also know that you have made a permanent friend with no only me, but my entire tribe if you should ever meet them. It is our way."

You are filled with pride and pocket the tooth, while thanking Qualan.

The remainder of the night is uneventful. The next day, you and Qualan bump into a regal looking carriage making its way in the opposite direction. The driver looks annoyed that you're even on the same road as him, let alone in the way.

"Hey you peasants! Get out the way! The Archmage is on very important business in the name of the Parran Empire!"

Your eyes immediately light up in hope.

"A wizard?" you ask.
"An ARCHMAGE, peasant boy! And I told you and your barbarian servant to get out of the way!"
"Servant? I'm NO ONE'S servant! I am his friend!" Qualan raises his voice in a tone which makes the driver flinch a little.
"Erm…well yes, but I still need you two to…"
"Driver, what is the hold up here?" an old wild haired man in a robe asks getting out of the carriage. "Who are you lot?" he then asks you.

"You're a wizard from the Empire! And I need to get home! You have to help me!" you blurt out handing the Archmage the note that the Captain gave you. He reads it and nods as you tell him the rest of your tale.
"Hmm, you are a very lucky little boy. Not many get away from the Nightmare Tyrant, you must have a strong will." The Archmage says inspecting you. "I sense that your sword isn't natural, yet I can't determine its magical origins. Yes, you DO have some sort of power boy. Ever thought of being a wizard? We could use someone like you against the Nightmare Tyrant."

For a brief fleeting moment your adventurous side almost jumps at the chance. But still, you don't want your Mom to worry about you anymore than she probably is right now. You still don't know what you're going to tell her.

"No, I want to go home." You reply.
"Very well, we can't have people here that don't want to be. I can teleport you back home right now if you wish. I myself don't like to use it for travel unless it's absolutely an emergency. I still prefer to take life slower and travel the old fashioned ways, of course that's not really an option for you being from another dimension and all."
"I can go right now?"
"Oh sure I can get you there real quick. And don't worry; the Nightmare Tyrant won't be able to ever steal you from your home world again. He's only able to perform that feat of interdimentional kidnapping once on a person. Hence the reason why he was so eager to get his hands on you before you could escape again. Now the problem is once I start to open the portal, you need to get going fast. It will undoubtedly alert the Nightmare Tyrant to this location where upon he'll try one last time to capture you. I'll certainly help, but this spell will be requiring most of my energy and concentration so hopefully your barbarian friend here will be able to fend off some of the Shadows. Since I'm afraid my driver will most likely be hiding under the carriage the entire time."
"Hey!" the driver says.
Qualan steps forward and nods.
"Of course. I will do everything in my power to help him get home."
"Okay then, but that axe isn't going to do much good, let me enchant it first…there. Now let's begin."

The Archmage begins to chant while you and Qualan wait for the spell to take effect. The driver looks nervous the whole time, but he hasn't hid under the carriage yet.

The wind begins to blow strongly and once again that familiar darkness begins gather once again. This time it's followed a stronger sense of malevolence.

You suddenly hear a menacing voice in your mind.

"Boy, did you think you could escape from me? I am the Nightmare Tyrant! Destroyer of life! Your power will be mine and you WILL serve me!"
"NO!" you scream out in defiance!
"Don't listen! It's the Tyrant's way of trying to get inside your head! Don't let him do it!" the Archmage briefly shouts and then continues his hand gestures.

Shadow creatures come descending out of the sky screeching horribly as usual. Qualan stands in front of you ready to take the brunt of the attack.

"Almost done!" the Archmage shouts.

The shadows swarm your position, and you and Qualan attempt to fight them off. Your sword fortunately is glowing brightly, which at least keeps them from overwhelming you. While you and Qualan are fighting them off, the Nightmare Tyrant's voice booms from out of nowhere and clearly audible to everyone.

"FOOLS! Attack the wizard! He's the one who can create the escape portal!"
"Too late Tyrant! Quick! Get in the portal!" the Archmage commands as a blue portal opens up and he discharges lightning bolts from his fingers to destroy some Shadows attacking him.
"Go! We'll be alright! We can hold them off!" Qualan adds.

You're sort of worried about Qualan, but you realize you have to go now. The Nightmare Tyrant bellows again to his minions about not letting you escape as you run for the portal and entering it.

You are enveloped by blackness followed by swirling colored lights. Your sword also flickers in and out of existence. It's all so strange and overwhelming to you that you pass out.

"Hey! I told you breakfast is ready, are you going to sleep all day?" you hear your Mom call from downstairs as you awaken in surprise.

You quickly look around your room and nothing looks out of place. Your Mom hasn't seemed to notice that you were gone, in fact it doesn't look like you even left.

Was it all a dream?

You shake your head trying to decide if it was, then you notice a big tooth on the floor next to the toys you set up yesterday. The troll tooth and oddly its right next to a barbarian figure. Strangely it has a pleased look on their faces.

It wasn't a dream. It was real. Created by the power of your own imagination. You decide you'll keep this information to yourself though, since nobody would ever believe it!

You had an interesting adventure, but you're glad to be home you think as you go downstairs to eat.