Valentine opened her eyes slightly, is was so dark out. She lifted herself up against the tree so she would be more comfortable. Memories of what happened before Dirk knocked her out rushed back. She pulled her knees up so they would cover her face. Valentine started to cry as silently as possible. It all happened so fast she hardly had to time to take it all in, meaning she couldn’t really remember the details of most of the things that had been around her.
She couldn’t believe Dirk would just leave her there alone. She was surprised to see it was almost morning. She could see the sun beginning to rise. Dirk must have knocked her out hard since when she went to go meet him it was morning. It took a second before it occurred to Valentine that she needed to get away. Dawn and dusk were the times when certain creatures loved to feast.
Valentine got to her feet and the note fell. She picked it up and began to read it.
Valentine,
I am sorry for what has happened to you. Please do not look for me, I will be long gone from here. Something has come up so next time we meet I assure you we will not be friends. If you value what you still have in life then go to the eleventh castle of the royals. Soon you will be tracked down and killed by the monster who destroyed the other castles, looking for the Crystals of Rasicari.
~Dirk
The eleventh castle? Valentine was sure only ten existed containing the Crystals. Wisdom, Courage, Immunity, Love, Hatred, Emotion, Healing, Death, Illusions, Transformation. Those were the ten castles, why would an eleventh be around?
“An eleventh castle was built so the Crystals of Rasicari would stay there since the royals argued about them so much.” a girls voice said. Valentine looked over and saw a young blonde girl about her age holding a basket full of herbs. She wore a priestess outfit while her hair was tired into a ponytail. “Excuse my rudeness. I have the ability to read minds so I had read yours.”
“Oh.” Valentine had no idea what to tell the girl or what she should even say.
“My name is Yuka, Yuka Rose. Your name is Valentine?”
“Valentine Eternity.” she said staring at the note.
“Come with me Valentine.” Yuka said walking away leaving Valentine a bit surprised and speechless.
“Slow down and wait for me a moment.” Valentine said chasing after the girl in the strange forest.
Yuka did not stop or slow down for Valentine whatsoever. Instead she walked faster. Valentine stared at the girl as they were heading deeper into the forest. She heard the creatures howling, growling and crying out. Valentine jumped when she heard a loud shriek nearby.
“Do not worry. Mt father is only eliminating those beasts.” Yuka said without looking back at Valentine.
Only a few moments later did they reach a small hut. There were many flowers around the house and everything seemed brighter and much more lively. The sounds of the creatures stopped as soon as they began to walk on the bright green grass. Yuka opened the door and let Valentine in.
Valentine was amazed by the beauty of the inside. A small kitchen, living room and two cots seemed right there. The kitchen had four of all things needed such as bowls, plates and silverware. The living area consisted of a small sofa, two small tables and a rug in the middle of the floor. The two cots were in the back of the place. It was small but seemed very cozy.
Valentine looked around a little bit. She looked out the back window by the cots. Through some of the trees, a waterfall could be seen slightly, along with a river. Valentine wondered how anyone could possible live so cramped. Yuka giggled lightly as she put the basket with herbs down on the left cot.
“My father should be home soon.” Yuka smiled.
“Why did you bring me here?”
“I am sure my father would like to talk to you. May I see that note you had?” Yuka asked holding out her hand.
“Uh sure.” Valentine handed her the letter from Dirk.
“Hm, do you notice the difference in writing style?” Yuka asked sitting on the cot with a single finger over her lips.
“What?” Yuka gave Valentine back the note. It was true, Dirk’s handwriting started off the way he wrote but seemed to change. It was similar but still different.
“So you are Valentine Eternity, daughter of Noila Terety.” a mans snake like voice hissed as he walked in. he was very pale and had unusual golden eyes. His hair was black and long, he wore a long white robe and sandals. He had to be in his forties but looked as if he was in his mid-twenties.
“Who are you.?” Valentine asked trying to stay calm. The guy creeped her out.
“I am Obe Natimo.”
“Daddy, I think Mistress may be behind this.” Yuka said sanding with a small smile on her lips.
“He is your father?” Valentine asked. She only got a giggled from Yuka and a cold stare from Obe.
“Mistress is the name of a creature. The one who had attacked the castles to get the Crystals of Rasicari. She has the Crystal of transformation so she can pretend to be anyone.” Obe explained trying to get to the point of things.
“So what?” Valentine asked cautiously.
“You have a crystal so she is after you. Since you have always been the same I am guessing your crystal activated when you were still a small toddler.” Obe told her.
“Whoa, Whoa, Whoa what?” Valentine asked.
“You have the Crystal of Love.” Yuka told her.
“How would you know that? plus there I no way crystals could be inside people.” Valentine told them.
“Long ago the warriors souls had burst from their bodies. Meaning the crystals were there souls. When the soul is ready to be reincarnated it would dissolve the crystal itself and nothing but the pure light would exist. Within its owner.” Obe told her. Obe walked to Valentine and sat her on the other cot.
“I know all this seems weird and sudden, but you must know. No sense in hiding it all.” Obe announced.
“Listen Valentine, we both know much about this. I have the Crystal of Healing. Daddy has the Crystal of Death.”
“Explains the creepiness.” Valentine said looking at the note. “What about this? Wait, this looks like Mikona’s hand writing.” Valentine announced.
“Who?” Yuka asked.
“Mikona is Dirk’s mother.”
“She may be involved.” Obe said.
“No way the sweet woman could possibly be.” Valentine said giving Obe a snubbed look.
“Unless your soul is completely cleansed and purified the crystals may still exist inside.” Yuka announced.
“Huh?” Valentine said lost.
“It is possible for some with a crystal to have it taken away. You for instance. If Mistress got hold of you she could bring out the crystal by taking your souls energy and putting it in one place, causing the crystal to be what is was. Although if put back in the energy will flow through your body giving you your life back.” Obe told her.
“Mommy said something like that before.” Valentine said before holding her head. She was starting to get a headache.
“Stay here for a while and rest. You need it.” Yuka told her
“I just got up from being knocked out by Dirk.” she told them.
“You need to rest because you have something to do later. You will not have a good night sleep for a long time.” Obe told her.
“What?” Valentine said starting to get dizzy.
A few moments later Valentine fell down completely on the cot. Yuka got up and arranged her body so she would be able to sleep comfortably. Obe got up and walked over to a the small dresser and took out a wrapped box. He opened it and put it on the ground next to the cot Valentine laid in.
“Tell her to change clothing when she gets up. I will be out for a while longer.” Obe said heading towards the door.
“Daddy was it necessary to use your special technique to get her to fall asleep.” Yuka asked.
“Valentine was going to argue with me and she will need to sleep. Nolia trusted me with her. Valentine may be the only one able to get those with the crystals together. Mistress’s trap or not, we will see how things will turn out with the girl at the Eleventh Castle.” Obe opened the door and walked out leaving Yuka to watch over Valentine.
