Chapter 1 - Paxemia

“Do you think the Crystal of Seven Dimensions will be safe?” The prime minster asked his most trusted advisor, who had a brilliant idea to have the Crystal entrusted to the people of Paxemia.

“Yes, not to worry, the Crystal will be guarded around the clock. Guards will be stationed at every possible escape along with other obstacles.” The prime minister sighed.

“That’s not what I am worried about. Chertath, I suspect he will try getting his hands on the Crystal at any cost.”

Meanwhile, in the room where the Crystal was kept, the guards had all been tranquillised, and the Crystal was gone.

In a small building miles away from the prime minister’s headquarters, I was awakened from my dream by an awful row. Two voices were arguing, one I recognised as my mother’s, the other was the man who announced stuff from the minister.

“My instructions are clear, madam, if you would send your child to be tested in the city square...”

“I will not! Exactly what is the prime minister thinking? I will not send any child, much less mine, on a crazy mission that might result in her death!” My mother snapped.

“Madam, it is the orders of the prime minister...”

“Fine. But if Etna does not survive, you will be paying for her compensation!”

A few minutes later, my mother and I were joining the crowd that was gathering in the city square. There was a lot of muttering and whispers, some curious, some uneasy. My mother ushered me to where a lot of other kids were standing. “Let’s hope you don’t pass.” She muttered in my ear before going off to where the other adults were.

The prime minister, a stout man in his fifties, came out and began a long boring speech that lasted for like, what, hours? I did not know.

He talked about something called the Crystal of The Seven Dimensions being missing and this other prime minister being behind its disappearance.

“We as the people of Paxemia, are unfortunately powerless against the armed special forces of Trengen. We are in a hopeless situation,” announced the Prime Minister. “Your children were chosen to take part in this quest, not because of honour, but because of this factor: Children will be less obvious than an adult man or even a woman. The tests will be made to perfect and hone whatever skill or ability you have.” The prime minister continued. The crowd shifted restlessly.

“This, I must say, is not a game,” The prime minister said, apparently sensing the excitement in the crowd, especially amongst the teenagers. “This is a last ditch mission to rescue a powerful object from falling into the wrong hands. Good luck to you, if you are chosen.”

I felt uneasy, the prime minister seemed very grave. I knew for a fact the prime minister hardly ever joked when things were so serious. Despite the warning, the kids around me were talking animatedly and wondering what sort of danger they’d have to face.

Me, I moved out of the section and ran towards my mother. We exchanged a look, then my mother slipped a small object into my hand. “Go!” she hissed. I took off back into the section.

The tests took about three hours. I was in the kid’s section again, examining the object my mother gave me. It was a small, wing-shaped charm. I knew this thing. My father, a spy from Paxemia, has used it multiple times. When activated, the charm can make you walk into a room unnoticed, which could be very useful. I thought about the tests I took. Would the results guarantee I won’t be chosen? I had tried my best (actually, worst).

Just then, the prime minister and a thin, mustached man come out. The prime minister looked anxious. The mustached man turned to the crowd. “The chosen one is... Etna Montoge.”

I was in shock. Me? Of all people, why me? I wanted to burst into tears right then and there. I’m only twelve, I shouldn’t be in the section. I should’ve been in the adult’s section, huddled next to my mother as we watched the seventeen and eighteen-year-olds pour in to the very section I was standing in!

The prime minister stepped up. “Etna? Etna, please come forward.” My insides filled with dread. I started walking toward the podium where the prime minister and the mustached man were standing. I kept my head down as I walked, as I could feel the stares directed at me. The walk towards the podium seemed endless. When I finally reached it, I looked up into the kind, bearded face of the prime minister, silently pleading him to spare me from this, to tell me this was a big mistake, but the rational part of my brain told me that this was no mistake. I had been chosen. I’ll have to wish myself luck, since I’ll need lots of it.

My thoughts were cut off by the mustached man. “Well, well! This is all very interesting. I suppose.” He turned to me. “Is there anything you’d like to say, Etna?” Unable to speak, I shook my head.

The prime minister took me to a quaint little tent at the outskirts of the city. It was painted brightly with red and yellow stripes. Inside was an eccentrically dressed man with a long grey beard.

“Archmage Riad, I have brought forth the chosen child,” The prime minister announced.

The archmage Riad studied me closely. “So young. I certainly hope you have what it takes to survive. This mission isn’t a game, is it?” I gulped, and looked around the tent. Roaming among the jars of herbs and other strange objects were a hawk, a mouse with huge talons, a dwarf, a faun (or was it a satyr?), and a feline that looked like a tiger, but only half the size.

“Ah, I see you’ve spotted my creatures,” the Archmage Riad boasted. Judging by his tone, he was very proud of them. The cat snorted.

“Creatures, Riad? How many times do I have to tell you we are not dumb beasts?” The cat snarled derisively. She turned her fierce yellow eyes on me. “Who is this girl?”

Archmage Riad sighed and explained the whole ordeal about me and the mission.

“So,” she said. “You are suggesting that two among us will be the girl’s servants? Or guards?” She laughed humorlessly. I was starting to get angry at this cat, what with her arrogant, stuck-up attitude and her stupid laugh.

The Archmage Riad sighed, “Sheera can be quite a pain sometime. But she’s got a good heart!” He chuckled. “Now, let us introduce you to the creatures, shall we?”

After twenty fast and furious minutes later, I came to my final decision. Sheera, since according to the Archmage, she was a great leader and very stealthy, which could be of some use to me. I also chose the faun, who was called Inaria. I had no idea why in the world I chose him, but I supposed I needed someone who was, at least cheerful enough to counter Sheera’s sullenness.

Then I had to choose my powers. There were seven in total. One could make you invisible for five minutes. One could make you pass through a wall, but only once. I got so flustered I just shut my eyes and picked randomly. By the time I had opened my eyes, I found out what I had picked.

The two creatures I had chosen started rattling off about what I could possibly encounter, which made me extremely uncomfortable. Then the Prime Minister told me I had to pack some supplies for the journey. As I was packing, he began to explain about the dangers I would face. Great. Just what I needed. I decided to bring a knife, some water cleansing tablets, a one liter water bottle, a sleeping bag, poison, dope (hopefully I would never use them), food, flashlights, a compass, medicine and some money, just in case I need to stock up on supplies.

I only heard snippets of the Prime Minister’s advice. When I was done, the mustached man I saw earlier hurried over and muttered, “Your private transport is ready, sir.” He glanced at me, “All good to go, Etna?” I stammered, “What, now?” He stared at me incredulously. “Now? Of course it is now! Time is running out, child!”

That had me feeling remarkably stupid.