Chapter 10: The Man in the Photo

"STAY AWAY!" I screamed pushing Ax away from keeping my distance between him and the monsters.
I lifted up my staff and pointed it rigidly at the monsters. I could feel my heart beating faster and my hands shaking. The monsters stopped in their tracks and looked at me in surprise. I could feel the energy emanating from me as I stood my ground.
"Miller, what are you doing?" Ax said. "You're making a scen-"
"Shut up! Don't talk to me!" I shouted, cutting off Ax's voice.
Ax was surprised by my reaction. I was shaking and tears were streaming down my face. I couldn't control my emotions and I just wanted to be left alone.
"DON'T COME NEAR ME! NONE OF YOU COME NEAR ME!" I scream walking back holding up my staff facing the monsters.
One of the lizard men, dressed in armor, patted Ax on the back. "Hey, human! Is that a way to treat your master?"
I stared in horror as the lizard man continued to speak. "It disgusts me to see a human disobeying their master after all they have done to you. Apologize!"
I refused to apologize. I had done nothing wrong, and I would not submit to his demands.
In response to my rebellious nature, one of the horn men said, "Hey, did you hear what he just said? Apologize to your master!"
"Apologize! Even if he's a human. You shouldn't treat your owner like that!" One of the girls with butterflies screams.
"Humans are always causing trouble." The green woman agreed. "It's about time they learn to take responsibility for their actions." She crossed her arms, her tentacles bristling with indignation.
The monsters uproar at me in agreement, beating their fists against the table. I could only look on in shock, not believing what I had just heard.
I refused to apologize and said, "No, I won't make an apology. I have nothing to apologize for. YOU MONSTERS SHUT THE HELL UP OR I'LL KILL YOU ALL!"
The hall room fell silent. As a result of my refusal, everyone was shocked and angry. I could see the rage in their eyes.
The horned man slowly got up from his seat, picked up his war hammer, and walked up to me with a poker face. "You think you can kill us? With that small magic wand of yours?"
He leaned in close and said, "You're making a huge mistake." Then he stepped back and raised his hammer, ready to strike.
"MILLER LOOK OUT!" Ax screams.
Looking up, I see the hammer falling. Throwing myself to the side, I narrowly miss it. The horn barely looked behind me as I charged towards him screaming.
With enough courage, I pierced my staff on his torso at the edge of the yellow stone, electrocuting him. He roared in pain, as everyone in the room watched in horror.
I stepped back and watched as he crumpled to the ground, his body shaking from the shock. Everyone in the room was silent, shocked, and disbelieving. I had finally done it.
A loud scream broke the silence and I saw horror in everyone's eyes. One of the staff fainted as others stood up from their chairs looking disoriented. I stepped forward, my hands trembling. I had finally done the unthinkable and couldn't believe it. I didn't know what to do or say. All I could do was stand there in shock.
"How-how could you?" One little one-eyed man asked. "He was one of the A rankers who kept us safe from the bears of the forest."
"I-I didn't mean-"
The other guardians looked at me in shock and anger. But of surprise, the horn man coughs out blood. The staff turned to him as one kneeled down holding up his head.
"Oh my god, he's still alive!" The girl cried.
"I...can't move." He replied.
The whole monsters turn focus on the badly injured creature which gave me the chance to slowly walk out of the guild. Ax just stood there...looking at me.
"Ta...ke, Take her." the creature said before he closed his eyes.
Once the guardians looked up, I shut the door and barricaded it with a nearby chair before dashing out of the Adventurers Guild. I ran as fast as I could, not daring to look back. I could hear the creature's words echoing in my mind as I fled. I had to get away, and fast.
As I ran through the mobs, I felt like I had no choice but to push and pull everyone. I remember the dog girl saying the man in the photo lived deep in the forest near the Tripa village, but I forgot to tell her where?
I soon spotted Mr. Ocus in the streets having a serious conversation with one of his customers. I thought maybe he would be able to help me. I ran up to him while catching my breath.
"Ah, hello, Odette! How's the Adventurers Guild? Did you get what you found?" he asked.
"Yes, I did! But can you please tell me where the deep forest is in the village? I'm REALLY in a hurry!"
"Okay, calm down. It's on the north side. Just follow the main road and you'll see it. Don't worry, you'll make it on time. How about I show you the way?"
"HOW ABOUT YOU GIVE ME MY REFUND?" A large one eye muscular creature yelled.
The creature stepped closer with a menacing look. I stepped back, my eyes wide open in fear. The creature growled and snarled, demanding a refund.
"Listen, sir, I told you before: We don't do refunds." Mr. Ocus responded. "I'm sorry, but this is a no-refund policy. I'm sure there is something else we can do to make you happy."
"Oh, there is ONE thing you can do to make me happy." The creature raised his large fist to strike at the small man.
"MR. OCUS LOOK OUT HIS AN OGRE!" I scream almost about to push him away but to my surprise, Mr. Ocus dodged the fist and jumped at the ogre's face-punching him with all his might that threw the large creature across the street.
The ogre's body slammed against the stone wall, leaving a large crater in its wake. The ogre lay motionless. Mr. Ocus took a deep breath and smiled, relieved the ogre was defeated.
"Well, that's what you get if you mess with a dwarf!" The small man smiled.
"W-what?" I hesitantly began to step away from the small man.
"Hmm? What you say?" He turns his attention to me and asks, "Odette?".
"You're-you're not a human?" I scream before rushing through the crowds. I hear him calling my name. I kept running, not daring to look back.
Running and pushing the people around me I managed to find my RV in place. I quickly started the engine and drove away. As I drove, I looked around to see if Ax had left his map, and luckily he did.
I grabbed the map and noticed the route to our destination was quickly marked. I set off on my journey, feeling a sense of relief knowing I had the right tools to get me there safely.
.
.
.
I checked the map repeatedly. I knew where I was going but I was still nervous. I had heard stories about the area and I didn't want to get lost. I took a deep breath and started driving.
I asked one of the people about the forest near the village, and they replied the same sort of thing:
"Stay away," they said. "It's dangerous in there. You don't want to wander in the dark."
I checked again looking at the map of the forest people warned me about. I took a deep breath and made up my mind. I had to get in there and find what I was looking for. I drove into the dark, slowly but carefully.
I turned on the headlights, but all I could see were trees and darkness. I was scared, but I knew I had to keep moving.
"Why would anyone live here when there are dangerous animals lurking around?" I thought.
I slowly drove my car forward, not knowing where I was heading. I could feel my heart thumping in my chest, and my palms sweating. I was relieved when I finally saw small cabin lights in the distance.
The cabin was near a large tree near a river. I parked my car and stepped out into the crisp evening air. Taking a deep breath, I walked towards the cabin. Putting up a brave face, I knocked on the door holding my staff in case anything happens.
No answer. I knocked again, this time louder. Still no answer.
"That's strange. Why does a cabin in the middle of the forest yet there is no one to answer?" I ask myself. "Maybe he was out somewhere? Or maybe he was attacked by a bear and his house was abandoned?"
I decided to take a look around and see if I could find any clues as to why no one was answering. I circled the building, but I couldn't find a single sign of life. I started to get a strange feeling. But the only way I could find someone was to go into the cabin.
I took a deep breath and opened the door. When I stepped inside, I was met with an eerie silence. The whole room was dark and gloomy. I could feel the hairs on my neck stand up as I slowly walked around the cabin. Then, in the corner of the room, I saw a figure huddled in the shadows.
I quickly prepared my staff to face danger. However, I soon discovered it was only mice eating some arcon and running away leaving me alone in the darkness. I chuckled to myself and slowly lowered my staff.
"Oh, come on Odette! This is getting ridiculous," I muttered, shaking my head. I slowly walked upstairs, my heart still pounding from the adrenaline rush.
As I reached the top, I heard a faint noise coming from the bedroom. I opened the door and stepped inside. In the middle of a small room, I found a red coffin.
I cautiously approached the coffin, my heart pounding in my chest. I slowly opened the lid, and there, lying inside, was the same man in the photo but with white hair.
I gasped in shock, unable to believe what I was seeing. I quickly shut the lid and backed away, my mind reeling with questions. I knew at that moment that nothing would ever be the same.
"He's dead? How could this be? Li-Mei said he was the only one who could help me learn incarnation magic! But now that he is dead, where can I turn back from here? And it will only be a matter of time before the whole Tripa village spread the news I killed someone across the land and I'll be captured! How would I get reunited with my family? How will I get back home now?"
SHIT, SHIT, SHIT, SHIT, SHIT, SHIT, SHIT, SHIT, SHIT, SHIT, SHIT, SHIT, SHIT, SHIT, SHIT, SHIT, SHIT!
I have to find a way. I have to make it back home alive. I have to find a way out of this mess! I looked out of the window and stared at the forest as the sun finally set revealing the night sky.
"Maybe I should stay here for a while. People say this place was unsafe and no one would dare enter."
After thinking for a moment, I agreed-I mean, what is the best choice to make? I decided to stay. I figured I could handle myself if anything happened. Plus, I was curious to find out more about this mysterious place.
I walked out of the room and closed the door behind me vowing to never interfere with his peace again.
I step down the stairs and look around the dark living room. The curtains were drawn, and the air was still and heavy. My stomach let out an ominous growl as I realized I hadn't eaten since I ate at Ocus's house.
I left my staff on a couch and slowly walked towards the kitchen, careful not to disturb anyone. I opened the fridge and searched for something to eat, but to my horror, there were packets of blood and raw meat stuck in the fridge.
I quickly closed the fridge and tried to make sense of what I had just seen. I stepped back, feeling my heart racing and my stomach turning. I had to find out what was going on.
"WHAT THE HELL? WHY ARE BLOOD AND RAW MEAT KEPT IN THE FRIDGE?" I yelled.
My head turned light and my chest tightened. I know I'm going to throw up. I quickly walked away from the fridge and rushed to the bathroom. I felt my stomach churning and my throat starting to swell up. I just managed to make it to the toilet before I vomited.
After I vomited, I felt relieved and the tightness in my chest started to ease. I wiped the sweat off my forehead and slowly stood up. I washed my face and rinsed my mouth before returning to the kitchen.
Once I entered the living room I noticed my staff was missing from the sofa.
"What? Did I leave it here? Where did it go?"
"You should not be here." A male voice said behind me.
I turned around quickly and saw the same man wearing a suit. He held my staff with tissue paper. He had a stern look on his face. He stepped closer, and I could feel the tension in the air.
"I couldn't believe my eyes. He's alive?"
I was so shocked that I couldn't speak. The man stared me down with an icy gaze. He said nothing, but his presence spoke volumes.
"OH MY GOD, I thought you were dead!" I began laughing. "Man, I should've checked your purse!"
But he wasn't laughing. He just looked at me in disbelief.
I stopped myself from laughing and put on a straight face. "Hello, my name is Odette Miller. I'm sorry for barging into your house but you didn't hear my knock so I tried to find anyone then I saw you sleeping in your coffin. I got startled and didn't know what to do. (exhale) The point is I traveled far to find you."
I stepped closer to him. His gaze was cold and emotionless.
He spoke low, "What do you want?"
I swallowed, feeling a chill run down my spine. I replied, "I...I want you to help me learn magic."
He didn't say anything more. He stared at me, waiting.
"Let me explain myself from the beginning: For starters, I'm NOT from around here. I wasn't born in Arkena. I'm from a country called Canada traveling to Germany with my family when suddenly we came across this country and now we're stuck here!"
Seeing the staff he holds, I point it at him.
"That stuff you hold has the power to take me back from my own world. My parents and my younger brother were taken by the ogres and were separated into different regions. And believe me when I say this, that staff belonged to the royal family who ruled the nation with it."
I shook my head and crossed my arms.
"I could have returned it, but an old friend told me that the ruler plans to conquer the world. So I don't want to risk it. Upon discovering that I was not the only human trapped here, many others were forced to serve monsters without any rights! It's sickening."
My eyes were filled with fire as I looked up to him.
"That's why I was told you were here to assist me. To help me regain what was taken. To help me restore justice. To help me fight the ones who have wronged me. To find my family and free the humans trapped in this world. I want to learn magic. So, please teach me."
The young male looked at me with a poker face and then at the magical staff.
"It is impossible for you to control this stuff." He whispered.
My face fell when he said that. Then he began to walk around me, staring at the core of my being.
"This staff killed nearly 12 million men 100 years ago and can move a mountain at its will. It is still feared by many today. That's why it went missing over the years. It was said to be hidden by a powerful force. It has never been seen since then. Some still believe it is somewhere waiting to be found."
He stopped his strikes as he faced me. "But now the staff is in my hands. I will not let ANYONE wield it."
I looked at him surprised. He smiled and said, "It's time for me to keep it safe, and determine who is worthy of its power. So, no I won't train you. Goodbye."

Chapter end