Something's Wrong With the Different Realms

Twenty-Seven: Malum

"No, it's fine, I don't mind telling you guys. I know you won't tell anyone anyway. Besides, it's kind of nice to be able to share my story with someone."

"Thanks," Horizon grinned.

"No problem. So, seven years ago, I came to Earth for the first time from the Place. I came to this place called Canada. I knew nothing but I was fortunate enough that the foster care system didn't deport me because I obviously didn't have any documents. With some help, I was able to claim refugee status and I was able to attend a normal human school. There, I learned English and things about Earth.

"Four years ago, when I was swimming in some sort of cave, I noticed that the water started glowing a strange shade of brilliant blue. I decided to go investigate, that was when I first felt the pain. Someone didn't want me to approach the strange water. Since the pain was quite unbearable, I decided to surface but the current pulled me down and I managed to reach the water.

"I was transported to Faellie. Faellie was a strange place and staring at it too long made my head hurt. I don't know how to describe it to you, you'll probably have to go there yourself to really see it though I don't recommend it. The good thing is that Faellie had a lot of connections to other realms, and you could hear voices from other realms if you listened hard enough. That's why I was able to get some information from a new and uncareful Cassilynya.

"One day, in Faellie, I was sent to Shallngsea, your realm. I spent some time there and figured out that the Sheen aligned with the moon cycles. I timed it correctly, then entered the Sheen, sure that I would go to the Place but instead, I ended up on Earth.

"So, on Earth, I stumbled around before finding a trailer park that was close enough to the school. The guy who owned it let me stay for free if I helped out with maintenance. Occasionally, he'd pay me but usually, I did the work free of charge. He also let me use some of his old things like his old car. That's how I was able to get to the track meet that day when I didn't catch the bus because I was late. So I hope that answers your question even though it was kind of a long answer."

"It does, thanks," Horizon nodded.

"Anyway, we should wrap up this conversation because the coach will notice that we're gone by now," I glanced back over my shoulder.

"Wait..." Malum stated, "there was something else I wanted to talk to you guys about. It just slipped my mind."

"What?" I questioned.

"Ah, yes, do you know about the portals?" Malum inquired.

"Can you be more specific about it?" I interrogated them.

"If you don't already know about this, it may come as a shock so I'll lay this down slowly." Malum took a long deep breath before slowly saying "Cassilynyas have some control over the portals."

"Oh, we already figured that one out," I sighed. "And because of that, I probably won't be able to get home."

"Yes, it's true that the Cassilynyas' control over the portals makes it much more difficult to get home," Malum paused, "but this doesn't mean that getting back home isn't worth a try."

"Really?" my eyebrows shot up.

"Yes," Malum answered, "so long as you figure out how the portal works and you make it quick, you should hopefully be able to make it home."

"What about the pain though?" asked Horizon.

"Well... that's where I think we'll be able to benefit from each other," Malum stated. "I know how the portal works and I have a brief idea of when it'll open next."

"How does it work though?" I asked.

"I won't be going too much into my abilities but, I can feel the energy. I've been visiting the portal's location for some time now and I've felt the energy build-up to the point where it's about to burst. When the location releases all its energy, it forms a portal. The energy thing is actually how I was able to tell that you two weren't from Earth. That's why I changed my form temporarily when I spotted you guys, to let you know that I wasn't from Earth and to give you the warning to stay away from me because of the pain."

"Makes sense," I muttered.

"Yeah, so I need you guys to help me as well. You're able to reduce the pain to a much more manageable level so that we can go through the portal. The only problem is that I don't exactly know where it leads so we'll have to be taking our chances. Though, if I had to guess, we'll likely end up in Shallngsea. So what do you think?"

"Don't know where it leads..." I muttered, "I guess I have to think about it."

"That's fine," nodded Malum. "You'll be able to find me at track practice if you agree or disagree with the offer."

"Okay," I said, releasing my grip from Malum and Horizon, slumping down in exhaustion because casting spells was tiring.

"Yeah," Malum stood up, switching to English. "Why don't we go to the nurse's office and then run back to track practice. There's still some time left and I suspect that our coach is suspicious by now."

"Good idea," I stated.

We got up. I used Malum as a brace as the three of us went to the nurses' office to get a bandage for Malum's fake injury.

When we returned to the track, the coach looked sour but didn't say anything other than reminding us that regionals were next week. The rest of the practice went normally and I tried not to think about all this new information that Malum had given me and Horizon.

Talking to them had been the right thing to do.