Shadow had taken one look at the daggers in James hand and nodded in a approval.
"Pandora's Twin Blades," he breathed in awe. "Not a bad choice, Earth-Born."
What? So Shadow was complimenting him and insulting him at the same time? Truly a remarkable feat. "Pandora suggested it," James replied shortly.
Shadow raised his eyebrows. "She... gave it up to you?" he frowned.
"Got a problem?" James questioned defiantly. What was wrong with him?
Shadow shrugged. "Just... unbelievable." Then he looked away, uninterested in the conversation. "Those blades slayed a hundred Demons. Use it well."
After that, Shadow had suggested they head for the Misterian City, Pandora. Remembering Myrrh, James had argued over that decision, but Shadow wasn't hearing anything but his own voice. As far as his Mentor was concerned, his mind was set. He wasn't listening to any Earth-Born's point of view.
"Fine!" James snarled. "You go yourself! I'm staying in Skyaria!"
"You will be seeing your Date again if that is what you are concerned of!" Shadow fought back icily.
"Excuse me?" James asked, aghast. "My Date?"
"The Princess," snapped Shadow.
"You mean Myrrh?" James could feel his wing tips heat up with embarrassment. He didn't bother to argue that he wasn't thinking of her. Because, yes, he was. "Well... Err, no, she isn't... my date. Not like that..."
"Then stop your nonsense!" Shadow bit back. "The Tests are always carried out in Pandora's Arena for it is the grandest of all!"
"So?"
"So, Foolish One," Shadow criticized mercilessly. "You need to familiarize yourself with its layout before The Test, which is next week, on the Eve of the Winter Solstice!"
"Next... week..." James lips felt parched.
Shadow shook his head and sighed for the first time. "You are one of the newest Earth-borns to take the Test. Already a great disadvantage. So we must go, now."
And then the next thing that happened was so unexpected, that James wondered if it was fated. It was too coincidental! For a voice, a most familiar voice which James was overly glad to hear, had called out cheekily from behind them.
"Not thinking of leaving without me, were you?" Myrrh giggled, before landing gracefully beside James. And in her hands, held a tiny sling bag.
"My Princess?" Shadow asked incredulously. "Why...? How...?"
James grinned at Myrrh, more than happy to have her back. "Got the Great Shadow tongue tied, haven't you Myrrh? Amazing!"
Myrrh laughed joyously before glancing at the two in a weird manner. "You two are on nickname basis?"
"Nope, just me!" exclaimed James cheerfully.
Myrrh smiled a stunning smile of amazement at James, and James felt his wingtips reddening again. "Earned his respect, did you not? That is.. amazing. Truthfully speaking, I, even as Princess, haven't. Few have. But I am going to call him Shadow anyway, so too bad!"
"Wait," Shadow lashed out, changing the subject. "Your Highness, how did you know that we are leaving for Pandora earlier...?"
"I talked to Pandora when equipping for a Quest, Shadow," Myrrh explained. "You know Pandora- knows her Apprentice inside out."
"I do not recall telling Pandora anything!" Shadow said angrily, not liking to be read 'inside out'.
Myrrh shrugged. "That is Pandora for you then."
"So you're coming along?" James asked Myrrh happily.
Myrrh nodded firmly. "Definitely. I am in debt to you, and I will go and aid you in whatever way I can."
"So you are basically telling me, My Princess," Shadow demanded. "That you intend to skive off your current Quest, and leave the city of your birth like this?"
"Yes," Myrrh replied stubbornly, chin out. "Why not? I am going."
Shadow muttered something about dishonour. But no one took any notice of that douche bag. James just stood there in disbelief, thanking the stars for his awesome luck. So Myrrh was going along! Yes! Her presence made it seem like a holiday, especially since James had spent the last few hours pathetically, with.... Shadow.
And that was how the unlikely trio came to walk the streets of Pandora half a day later. It turned out that Myrrh's tiny sling bag was 'magic induced', and its interior could store a tremendous amount of things.
"Useful for travel," Myrrh had explained. And James had to agree that it was pretty handy.
But Shadow wasn't sitting around for idle talk. The moment they had touched down in Pandora, he had 'ordered' the Princess Myrrh to reserve a place in the 'Test's Participant's Living Quarters', before dragging James right into Pandora's Arena.
The Arena was as Majestic as Skyaira's Weaponry. Just that it was an Arena. A well maintained one, that was. However, unlike Skyaira's Arena, in Pandora's Arena, there were platforms. Just a couple of them, and floating too. Also, instead of being cylindrical in shape, it was hexagonal in shape.
An unusual sight to behold.
"Sorry," A winged guard stepped right in their path. "The Training Arena has been closed for preparations for the Tests."
Shadow rolled his eyes impatiently, before pointing to James. "He is a participant. We are here to train."
"Participant. Oh, I see. An Earth-Born," and James became an object of close inspection for the guard. The guard seemed to want to make a critical remark about Earth-Borns but decided against it. "So..." He changed the subject. "Where are you two from?"
"Skyaira," James replied.
"Skyaira!" The guard whistled with amazement. "Send my regards to the Queen and the Princess! Say its from Dorinan."
James nodded amiably. "Sure."
"Thank you, Young One!" The guard said gratefully. "You are the first competitor- well, besides our own- to arrive. Wait...- Oh my-"
Suddenly, the Guard took a long look at Shadow. And a look of respect crossed his features. "Shadorn!" He exclaimed. "Youngest Quest Master in history? No way!"
Shadow shrugged humbly, before turning away. So maybe that guy did have a streak of humility in him. James really did wonder what Quest Master was. Obviously, a 'Quester' was someone who participated in Quests. But he had yet to learn the other terms.
"Are you going to let us in?" Shadow asked tautly.
The guard, bowed politely, before showing them the way in. "Yes sir."
View Portfolio
Visit Notebook
Send Gift Points
Awards
Badges
Send Email
Community Newsfeed
General Discussion
Sponsored Items
Book of Trinkets
Static Items
Books
Groups
Interactive Stories
Audio
Campfire Creatives
Community Notes
Crossword Puzzles
Documents
Folders
Images
In & Outs
Madlibs
Photo Albums
Polls
Product Reviews
Quizzes
Survey Forms
Web Pages
Word Searches
