Chapter 4. Welcome To Eketh

“Are you okay?”

Aaron blinked. He slowly opened his eyes. And closed them again. What he saw wasn’t possible. It just wasn’t. Because when he opened his eyes, he saw a man with purple skin and eyes all over his forehead.

He opened one eye. The man was still there.

“You’ve been out for over two hours. First time with magic?”

“Wha..?”

Aaron sat up, confused. Where was he? Then it all came back to him. Running away, the men in black, Mr.G. He doubled over with the weight.

“Aaron? Are you okay?” He looked up at the sound of Jake’s voice. “I woke up right before you.”

“Where are we? What is that thing? This isn’t possible!”

“The thing can talk.” Purple Skin grumbled. “And you are in the land of Eketh. Come, it’s time you meet King Julian.”

Jake looked like Aaron felt. “We’re not going anywhere. What the heck is this place? Take us home,” he demanded.

“You are home. King Julian will explain. Follow me.”

He walked out. The boys followed. They passed through dungeons and hallways fit for a king, rooms bigger than Gabe’s whole house.

Left, right, left, right, left, right…

Aaron lost track of direction. He blindly followed Purple Skin.

“I am Xavier, the palace doctor.” Purple Skin spoke. “I was checking you up after you got here. Ah! Here we are.” He pointed to an ornately carved gold and silver plated door.

Xavier opened the door. “Your Majesty, the Eldrest twins are here.”

“Bring them in,” a deep voice boomed.

They walked in. Aaron’s jaw dropped. Jake just looked disbelieving. The carpet was soft and red. The walls were the color of gold. The room was three times the size of Gabe’s house. The furniture was soft and comforting. A large fireplace occupied one corner. Warmth washed over the boys. The ceiling was so high, if five houses were stacked on top of each other, they wouldn’t reach the roof.

There were two large thrones on the other end of the room. They were gold and brightly patterned with red cushions. A man in a rich looking outfit with comfortable furs sat on it. On his head was a gold crown with red rubies on it. He had black hair, brown eyes, and pale skin.

Xavier bowed, “Here they are, Your Majesty”

Jake and Aaron nervously walked to the throne.

“Welcome to Eketh, boys. I am Julian, king of this region.”

“Thank you, Your Highness” said Jake. He bowed.

“Send us home!” Aaron looked almost panicked. “I’ll get the police. You’ll go to jail!”

“I don’t think you understand, boy.” King Julian said gently. “You are not on Earth now. You are on the realm of Eketh. Most of your Earthly things don’t exist here. I am ruler of this place. Normally if someone talks to me like that, I’d put him in jail. But since it’s my fault you don’t know you are home in the first place, I’ll let you go”

“Your fault? What do you mean?” Jake asked calmly.

“Twelve years ago our enemies, the Gorons, started planning an attack against us. Your ancestor, great warrior Elderest, conquered the Gorons. You are his descendant, your magic will probably be as powerful as his. With two of you as a team, you will have double his powers. You are the only ones who can save us.”

“This is crazy. I am hallucinating,” said Aaron dazedly.

“What is a Goron? That is what the man in black called Mr.G.”

“Gorons are creatures of pure evil. Your ancestor placed all the evil and hate in them locking it away from the rest of the world.”

Even Jake couldn’t believe this. “Aaron is right. This place isn’t possible. We’re going.”

“Young men!” said King Julian sternly. “You must accept who you are. You must accept your surroundings. This world exists and so do you. Now it is time you began your training. Your tutors will be professor Jacob for magic and Zane for battle skills. Now you are excused.”

Tagged as: Chapter 3