I didn't notice her at first. She stood so still, more like a vision than a real child. She wasn't surprised by me. It was as if she had expected me to appear, ready to tell me something...
"Take the path through the cave, dandelion," she said calmly, spreading her arms wide toward me. Uh, dandelion? But my name's Orion... I tried to ask her questions, but she just smiled and gestured behind me. She seemed so at peace. I looked up once more at the terrifying skeleton surrounding her and wondered if this really was a dream. Too weird, I thought. I had a feeling this would not be the last time I saw this strange girl, so I smiled and thanked her. Why am I thanking this girl when she might be sending me into a trap, I scolded myself.
I turned toward the cave anyway. I felt drawn to whatever was beyond it. There's something about this place that felt more like home and peace, despite its spooky facade.
The cave was shorter than I expected, maybe because I ran through it. Too many possibilities for spiders and other creatures. On the other side was an amazing view...
What is this place!? It glittered and glowed, lit by magic, I was sure. The path spread before me, down a hill. I took it, confident I was meant to be in this mysterious land. I turned a corner...
A giant! or... a bull? He seemed as nervous to see me as I was scared to see him. Excuse me... I braved. Can you tell me where I am? He seemed shy. I asked him again with a sweeter tone. He looked at the ground, banged his chest with his fist and with a voice like thunder said, "MINNOH!" I was confused at first but then, I continued to hear the thunder... in my mind? The voice was softer though. "Willowvale," it said. "You are safe here.". It didn't feel dangerous or scary anymore. I waved. My name's Orion, from the stars. He nodded. "Welcome, Orion. I am Asterion. My friends have always called me Minnoh," the voice in my head responded. He stood taller then and looked further down the path. "You should meet the sentinels." Minnoh pointed to the path and let out a low encouraging rumble. I didn't know who they were but if they were anything like this creature, I wanted to meet them.
The path was lined with signs... a strange symbol painted on them over and over. It looked like someone was preparing some kind of gathering. But no one is here, I thought.
I called out across the glowing bog, Anyone here!? Hellooooo! My voice echoed, but only the crickets responded. I felt a small breeze against my skin, a thunder in my mind. Keep going.
Finally the path was ending, and at its end I saw a glowing pool. Two towering figures stood at its entrance.
Statues? No, these creatures were breathing. I was studying their embellished armor when a voice came from one. "Small red bear, what are you staring at?" Oh, thats me! I'm not a bear. I'm Orion... And I'm sorry but you were so still, I...
"Do not have fear," the other piped up. "We are taller, yes. But we also make excrement like bears." Uhhhh... I'm really not a bear. I took off my hood, so they would see my face and hair. "Ah, you are in fact NOT a bear. That was a good disguise. You must make us some so the foxes do not run away when we walk in these woods." Sure! But who are you?
"We are Sentinels of the Galaxy Andromeda. We have crash landed on this mysterious world. Our ship needs mending, and we need fuel so we may return to our post. However, the fuel we need is impossible to find. We are unable to see and capture the precious gems that power our technology." The other interrupted, "Perhaps this little bear can sense them." "No," the first responded, "he is too small and hairy."
Again, I am not a bear... This disguise isn't even a bear... Anyway, how would I know if I could sense them? What about Minnoh, maybe he could. "That great grunting beast? Surely he could not find what we need. He doesn't even know how to say more than those two syllables!" Ummm, he's been speaking to me... well, sort of... in my mind.
When they heard this, they looked at each other and gave an approving sigh.
"You will find our gems to power our ship."
"And when you find enough gems to help us, we will reward you here at our pond." I splashed around in the glowing water wondering how they could reward me. "Will you search, Orion of the Stars? Will you find the power source?"
I looked around me at the vast and mysterious land. I didn't know where to start or what I would find. I will try but I've never been here before. I don't know what I'm looking for, and I have no help...
"Orion, Willowvale is a strange land, but do not be mistaken. It is full of wondrous creatures who call it home. They may be the key to finding the gems."
Is this why I'm here, I thought. Is this why I landed here suddenly? This place seemed to call me to it. And I knew then what I would have to do. But I'll never be able to do this alone...
Is anyone out there who can help me?
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