Hearts of gold

I was out on a walk the other day, when I stumbled upon a small metal cylinder that looked like it just fell from the sky. It was a really simple thing, no markings at all, just a screw-on cap. Inside were notes, written on something like parchment. Judging by what these notes say, they were written by some sort of extra terrestrial being. They appear to have a great interest in human society and have allowed it to greatly influence their own. Though why they’ve never revealed themselves remains a mystery to me. I will have to study these notes more. Here is where I will reveal what I have been able to translate so far. The notes seem to be written in a jumble of hundreds of differ languages.
==Chapter one: Robert== 
My day was going normally until I met her...
I was hiking through silver mountain, heading toward a well to refill my school’s supply of blessed water, when it started to rain. Normally I like rain, but not when I’m trying to climb a mountain. “This sucks,” said my hat. 
I should mention my hat has a sentience. It’s a spirit that took the form of a blue wide brimmed felt hat, and he calls himself Raymond. The worst part is he won’t ever shut up, I wonder if all of his other hosts wanted to stick him in a furnace. But sadly, he’s way older and more experienced than me, even if he cant keep quiet for more than 5.678 seconds (That number exactly. I’ve kept count). 
We found shelter in a nearby cave, I sparked up some magic to start a fire and we dried up. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw a girl. How I knew she was even elvish, I don’t know. All I saw was a vaguely humanoid shape, and two glowing white eyes. Hey, it was very dark. A huge gust of wind blew into the cave and blew out the fire, and I heard singing coming from everywhere. Normally, I would’ve been terrified. But something about that girl made me feel calmer. Naturally, Raymond was freaking out, flying everywhere. I couldn’t really make out what he was saying. I looked back at the figure, and she was gone. Fortunately, the rain cleared up. 
We broke camp and headed off again. We were about three hours from the well, when I saw the girl again, on a lower cliff. She seemed to studying a map. She was constantly turning it over, tilting her head, squinting; I called out to her. At first she didn’t respond, so I continued on my hike. But suddenly she was right in front of me. That was really weird because she seemed to be too young for teleportation spells. “Who are you?” she asked me. 
Now that she was in my face, I could see her clearly. She was pretty, I guess. She seemed about my age, 16-17, she had waist-length milk white hair, pale skin, and grey eyes. No, silver. I didn’t think that was a natural eye color and still don’t. There was something about her that seemed familiar, I couldn’t tell what though. But right away I knew she was not someone I wanted to make angry. “Uh, my name’s Robert, but how did you-“ I tried to ask how she got over here so fast, but she cut me off. “Do you know where I am?” “You’re in the middle of silver mount.” “Silver mount? Why can I see the moon even though it’s daytime? I don’t think I’m on...” She didn’t have to finish that sentence. I realized she wasn’t an elf. “You’re a human.” “Of course I’m a human! You’re not?” She looked me over, then I think she noticed my ears. “Oh. You’re not. What are you then?” I would’ve answered, but I was so shocked I met an actual human, I said something super intelligent like “uhhh....”. Soon after several shadows whooshed by, I got out of my trance and readied my staff. Several goblins jumped out of bushes and unsheathed knives. We were surrounded. “Well, well, well, looks like we have some guests,” the largest one said, “do have any jewels you’d like us to hold?”
I want to say I cast some magic and saved the day. The truth is, I was absolutely thrashed. I tried to use fire magic against them, but they were way too fast. They knocked my staff out of my hand and forced me onto the ground. Raymond changed shape into a lion to fight off the attackers, but he was beaten just as badly as I was. I thought I was a goner, but the girl stepped in front of me. The goblins laughed, and rushed at her. She just waved her hand and the were all flown back. They attacked again, and she generated a sword of pure white flames and fought them. She seemed to be faster than light, being in multiple places at once. The goblins fled, screaming, and she helped me back on my feet. “How did you do that?” I asked her, still shaken. “I don’t know. Some weird voice in my head just told me what to do, how to do it, it’s all blurry now.” “Um, I never got your name.” “Oh sorry, I’m Chrissy.” “Well Chrissy, I have a friend who wold very much so like to meet you.”
==chapter two: Chrissy== 
You’d think getting sucked off the street and teleported to another planet would be pretty freaky, right? 
But the longer I was on this weird rock the better it got. As soon as I got here, I got a sick new outfit. A grey shirt with black trousers and a white jacket, a white wizard hat and silver boots. I also met a VERY handsome guy who is not human, and I got weird superpowers. The only downside was the weird dream. But, even with all the stuff I already saw, demons can’t exist, can they? 
Robert (the handsome not-human) was leading me to a small town where he said a friend of his wanted to meet me. Personally I didn’t get what was so cool about being human. When we got there everyone was staring at me. They all had pointy ears and neon eyes, so I guessed I was the only human there. The town was really cool. Every house had a colorful pointed roof, round windows, there were dragons tied to posts like guard dogs, and some houses were suspended in the air, kept down only by a few chains. As we walked I couldn’t help but ask questions about the town, and Robert seemed more than happy to fill me in. I think he enjoyed being a tour guide. He knew everything about that old town. That well was built before this town existed, city hall is made from the castoff shell of a dragon, yada yada yada. He was honestly kinda cute, the way his face lit up when he was talking. He stopped just in front of a huge building with tons of windows and a dome shaped roof. Several columns with statues of soldiers and wizards were outside holding the roof up. It was awesome. “This is the university I live and study in.” Said Robert. “And what incredible warrior was this built in memory of?” I couldn’t help but ask. “Well you’re about to meet him” the way he said that made me shiver. What does that even mean? 
Two people in white robes walked out I assume to greet us. “Robert, welcome back. Did you get what you went out for?” They both said the same thing simultaneously. “Never made it. Where is professor Jupiter?” “Rob, what do you mean you never made it?” “I ran into her” rob pointed to me. “She has to see professor Jupiter now. She’s a human.” Both of the guys jumped back in shock, and looked at each other, somehow communicating telepathically. How is she a human? How’d she get here? Ok, the fact that I knew what they were saying freaked me out, I have to admit.
They both looked at me and stood up. “Professor Jupiter is in the study.” “Alright, thank you Ike, Mike.” We both walked into the building and the interior took my breath away. The room was round and as big as a football field, the roof was an incredible mosaic that seemed to change depending on where I was looking, depicting what I could only guess were battles. Several columns like the ones outside lined the walls, the floor was solid gold with a shiny black symbol in the center. There were doors between every statue with signs above them reading archives, enchantment rooms, dungeons, cafeteria, etc. We went straight forward to a door with the sign above it reading dark runes studies, restrooms, headmaster’s study. 
We walked through the door and down a long hall. When we got to a door at the end, Robert knocked, and the door opened by itself. Inside was pretty simple, shelves lined the walls with all sorts of books, candles on the shelves provided the only light in the room. Behind the desk in the center of the room was an old guy with all-white hair. I couldn’t see his eyes because he was wearing sunglasses, I can’t imagine why. He wore a black robe and was reading green eggs and ham. Upon entering the room Robert (you know what, I’m gonna call him Rob from now on) bowed. The old guy looked up from his book and took off his sunglasses, revealing milk white eyes that I could swear were glowing. “Professor, I...” Rob began, but the old guy cut him off. “You brought a human to school, eh Robert? What is this a failed summoning spell again?” “... n-no sir, I just found her on the way to silver mountain” he then elbowed my leg and I got the message and knelt. I don’t know why, was this guy royalty?
“Hmmm, very interesting. She could perhaps be the one.” “Sir, you mean...” “Yes” I can’t ever stay quiet for long. “Excuse me, what are you talking about? Why am I ‘the one’? Who the heck are you?” The old man laughed and his eyes flashed red. “You don’t recognize me? Have I not appeared to you humans several times? I am corres, god of wisdom”
==Chapter three: Robert==
Literally everyone I knew would be on their knees praying if they met a god. But Chrissy here was another story entirely 
She seemed at first suspicious, and then completely in denial. “Oh come on, you can’t be a god” she said. I was sure she was a goner but professor Jupiter just laughed. “And why not? You’ve seen buildings that float, goblins growing wings, you’ve even harnessed the vast power of magic! Is an other dimensional entity really that far fetched?” “I guess not. You said your name was Corn?” “Corres. Or Athena to the Greeks. Or Gandalf to J R R Tolkien, or, to this school, professor Jupiter” “hang on what was that second one?” “Now what was your other question? Ah yes, I called you the one. Really the proper term is the savior. Robert, would you be so kind as to recite the prophecy?” 
I’ve been studying the prophecy for ten years, I was certain I’d be ready to recite it in front of a god. “I... I don’t remember it exactly, but the decided translation is it refers to a human girl with magic power that could rival the gods, either saving or destroying the kingdom” “a... a prophecy?” That’s when professor Jupiter rose into the air. I hated it when he did that, mostly because he always did it before announcing a test. “Yes my dear. And judging by your recent encounter with the thieves of jemeira, you could perhaps be the savior” “Wait how would you know about the goblin thing?” “I am the god of wisdom, dearest. There is nothing that doesn’t catch my eye. And you, you cast advanced combat spells with absolutely no training and human blood at that.” “Ok but I can’t be the first human girl to show up here, can I?” “No, summoning spells very often go wrong and summon people of all kinds. That is why we must make sure you are the savior,” “and how exactly? Um, professor?” “I will revert to my pure form and if you can look upon me like that, we will know.” That idea freaked me out even more than it should, so I stood up. “Sir, if she isn’t the savior that could kill her!” “It does not matter. She has the gift, and so memory spells will have no effect. We cannot send her back to earth to spread knowledge of this world and if we keep her here she’ll die anyway. Avert your eyes please, Robert.” 
He started to glow, and before I could think I drew my staff. “Sir I can’t let you kill her.” I don’t know why I suddenly got super protective of this person I met five minutes ago. I thought to myself, is she suddenly the most important person in the universe? Some part of me responded with yes. She definitely is. She just stood there, godly transformation has that effect on people, I could hardly blink myself, but some part of me told me that this woman was ten times more important than my own life, and that somehow gave me the strength to resist. The professor stopped glowing and scowled. “Fine then, we’ll discover it the hard way. I have no intention of killing my best student.” 
The entire room seemed to melt away and I found myself on a small balcony overlooking a giant waterfall. “Robert, since you have stood up for this human you will guide her to the capital. There you will find a friend who can tell you the true meaning of the prophecy” I heard a small pop and I must have fallen asleep, because I woke up outside the university with a packed bag, holding hands with Chrissy, who seemed to have also fallen asleep. 
And just like that, I was suddenly expelled from the school. Worse, no one recognized me. “Well, looks like you got nothing better to do.” Said Raymond. I had forgotten he was there. Chrissy stood up and put her hat back on, which had fallen off. “Well, off to the capital I guess. Where would that be?” “Oh. It’s just a few miles from here” I looked down and forgot I was still holding her hand. I hoped I wasn’t blushing as much as I felt like I was and let go. Chrissy didn’t even seem to care, thank goodness. I sling the bag over my shoulder. “Ray, could you transform into something that might shorten this trip?” I hadn't realized hats could groan until mine did. “Fine. Let’s get a move on.” He turned into a large horse and I jumped on, Chrissy right behind me. 
Raymond flew off. Like quite literally flew. It was always a little cool that he could manipulate gravity around him. I guessed we would be at the capital by dawn the next day at the speed we were going. 
==Chapter four: Chrissy==
After about an hour I realized my arms were around Roberts waist. 
And I had no intention of moving them at the speed we were going. Of course, I can’t deny when he stood up and threatened a literal god, I kind of grew a massive crush on him. He had dark skin, blue eyes, his hair was dark brown and messy, and his left ear was cut off. Boy was he handsome. We sat in complete silence, and I’ve been known to not like silence. “So, what was with that guy?” “What guy?” Robert asked. “Corn. Are all gods that crazy?” Raymond laughed. As a horse it was more like a neigh. “I wouldn’t know I’ve only met the one. But I’ve heard their all just as stuck up.” “Ah, so there ARE other gods?” “Yep.” 
“Storm’s coming in” Said Raymond. All around us were dark clouds. I swear there are no clouds on earth like these. If you look at them at all you could see faces screaming, but thunder came out instead of a scream. Raymond staggered and it looked like he was getting tired. “Oh great,” Robert groaned. “Storm spirits.” Two figures emerged from the clouds. They had very pale skin, no hair, eyes glowing white and long spindly fingers. They were clothed in storm clouds and had golden swords tied to their hips. They also looked extremely ticked off. 
What are you doing in our skies?! They said. Actually, they didn’t even move their mouths, their voices just seemed to be echos in my head. “Uh, we were just passing by.” Said Robert. He sounded a little resentful. You have with you a magic spirit. “Oh, hey brothers!” Said Raymond. Honestly, he made such a convincing flying horse I forgot he could also talk. The storm spirits death-glared our ride and looked back at Robert with utter disgust. And Raymond, of all spirits! What did you do to deserve getting bonded with him? Robert then laughed. “Good question.” 
The spirits then turned their gaze to me. The daughter... mother said we should expect you. Unfortunately we cannot let you pass. I doubt you have learned to control your powers, so you will not stop us. They waved their hands and the wind got a thousand times worse. Raymond neighed loudly and we fell like a rock. 
Fortunately I was able to make a bubble around us that slowed our fall considerably. I still didn’t understand the whole magic thing. I seemed to only be able to use it at certain points when I wasn’t thinking of anything in particular. Of course, Rob still broke his arm and I landed on top of him. He yelled and I struggled to my feet, offering him a hand up. “What did they mean by learning to control my powers? And calling me the daughter?” I asked. Robert stood up and with his ok hand brushed some dirt off of his clothes. “The powers thing I can get. Your magic obviously works differently from everyone else’s. As for the daughter thing, it might have to do with the prophecy? I don’t know.” 
Raymond fell out of a tree as a rock and formed back into a hat. Then floated onto Rob’s head. “We should set up a camp and figure out where the heck we are.” “Agreed.” I looked around. It looked like we were in a forest of sorts. The trees had blue leaves and silver trunks, but the were too thick to see the sky. Fortunately a bunch of mushrooms were glowing very brightly in white, blue and pink. Overall it was a pretty forest, but it was still kinda creepy. 
Rob tried to climb one of the trees but the branches sort of moved away from him. “Well, looks like we can’t get a view.” He said. “Judging by how long we were flying I’m guessing we’re somewhere in the cobalt woods, about six miles from the capital.” “Yeah we’re not making that on foot. Unless elves can go longer than humans can?” “Not really. But honestly, making it to the capital is currently the least of our worries. I’ve heard some bad things about the cobalt woods.” “Um, like?” He shrugged and put his hand on a nearby (massive) mushroom. “Trolls, mostly. They say the ones in this forest have skin like iron.” “Oh... dear.” “Yeah so let’s get a move on!” Raymond transformed into a humanoid shape, but all black with two glowing eyes, and trudged north. How did I know that was north? I didn’t see a compass. 
==Chapter five: Robert==
At this point I was freaking ME out. 
We were heading north, at least Raymond said it was north, and the forest got steadily darker. But that wasn’t the freaky part. The freaky part was how obsessively protective I was becoming. Chrissy got her hair stuck in a branch, and I fought back the urge to chop the whole tree down. She got stung by a wasp, and I crushed it with my bare hands. 
But we continued north for what I thought was about an hour, and Chrissy stopped. “What’s wrong?” I asked. Her eyes went wide and her expression was halfway between joy and horror as far as I could tell. “There’s a cabin nearby.” “A cabin?” “Yes. And an old friend.” “How do you have old friends on a planet you arrived on not three hours ago?” “I don’t know...” she started walking again, and sure enough, a cabin. 
It was relatively big, made of silver logs with a red pointed roof like the ones at home. It had a few round windows, and a round green hobbit door at the front with a rocking chair next to it. There was what I figured was a corpse in the chair at first glance. The old man had a very, VERY long grey beard curling around his feet, pale wrinkly skin, and a blue robe with stars all over it. When we got closer I realized he was snoring, so he wasn’t dead quite yet. He also seemed familiar, though I couldn't tell why. Chrissy approached the old man and whispered in his ear, “um, sir?” The old man woke up and flew five feet in the air before landing on the ground and taking a battle ready stance. “WHOAH WHOS THERE?!?” he yelled. His voice was high pitched and raspy. “Uh we’re just some travelers passing by.” I said. The man relaxed. “Oh, it’s my dear friend Robert! What brings you back here?” “Um, have we met before?” The old bat waved his hand and a meter long staff of ebony materialized. “Oh that’s right. New body and all that. Allow me to introduce myself. Everyone calls me old man Coot.” 
I fought back the urge to say fitting name. The dude was quite obviously off his rocker both figuratively and literally. He invited us into his home and before I could say no thank you, the wind picked up and pushed us inside, right into rotting wooded chairs where moving tables served us cups of tea. “Now I think you’re wondering why I brought you here, in this forest.” Old man coot sat down near Chrissy. “Wait, you told those storm spirits to shot us out of the sky?” I asked. “Well, I told a lot of people to bring you to this wood. Even Corres pitched in a little.” Chrissy tried to stand up but was pushed down by an invisible object. “But why?” “Because, my dear, I wanted to see my old friends again.” 
That took a little while to soak in. Normally I wouldn’t believe a wacky old guy if he said he was my best friend 200 years ago. But he DID seem familiar and he DID know my name. Plus he did look about 200. “Ok, how were you my best friend over two centuries ago? I’m not that old.” “Aren’t you? You haven’t seen enough weird stuff? You haven’t looked at this lovely lady and felt the familiarity? Or an odd urge to protect her at all costs? Sit back, my old buddy, and let me tell you a story...”
==Chapter six: old man Coot==
“Millions of years ago, before the dawn of elves, before even humans, there were two dragons: Malkess and Yvandel. Yvandel was a powerful, yet gentle and calm creature, who loved to roam about breathing life wherever she went. Malkess was more aggressive and warlike, but equally strong. 
One day, the two dragons met, and decided to be friends. They hunted together, played together, they even built their nests next to each other. One day a storm came and shook the planet they had made their home. The winds made it impossible to fly and lightning struck very often. The storm raged for days until finally, Yvandel flew up to ask the storm what it wanted. “What is it you ask of this planet, storm?” She asked. The storm answered: “I want to watch it crumble, of course! I have not been entertained in centuries.” “But this is my home!” “Then you will find another one. I have claimed this planet.” 
The storm got worse, and finally Yvandel decided to combat the storm. The fierce battle shook the universe, until Malkess found them battling. He realized then that he loved Yvandel, and flew into the storm to protect her. They both fought side by side, until Malkess was mortally wounded. Yvandel let out a final blast that drained her life force, but it expelled the storm to Tartarus, the greatest prison in the universe. 
Malkess and Yvandel touched wings, and promised to always return, when the universe needed them most. And that they would always love each other. They came back, every hundred years or so, in new bodies. Sometimes they were brothers, sometimes sisters, often lovers. Yvandel would be the one who fought that great evil, while Malkess would make himself her fiercely loyal protector. That is the way it has been for the past 6 million years. And I recon it’s the same for you two.”
Category:Literature
Category:Original Stories
Category:Original Stories (Unfinished)
Category:Fiction