Laura - The Story of a Fairy, Chapter 5 - The Gathering
Laura still wondered. It had been since a few days yet, and after such a long time again anyway, that the voice of the old man had appeared again, although only in her mind. Not a lot of information, as usual, but what he had said, in fact - it had been remarkable. And since then Laura was wondering, she was thinking about it all, of course - on her own, and also together with her sister, as Amber visited the temple regularly. But as much as them two sisters worried their brains, it was for nothing, as they could not find any answers...
This day Amber came for a visit again. Only still a few days left now until the announced certain day, and the excitement of both sisters was growing. And of course also this day the so much important theme could not be ignored at all, naturally...
Amber was the first this time to speak about first, while Laura was only looking into space lost in thought. But the words of her sister brought her back into the reality...
Amber:
The same like my, as I can see, always thinking about the strange invitation from the old man in three days? I would never had thought to visit the royal palace of Lauhaven once more in this existence. But as it seems this is too important now, the old man must have an urgent reason, if he calls us this way. And most interesting fact, not only us...
Laura casually nodded her head, while her eyes still fixed an unknown point anywhere out in space. It was not only this strange invitation, what concerned Laura, because there had to be more than an urgent reason. Otherwise the old man simply would have visited the two sisters again for speaking with both. But instead he head called all important leaders of the supernatural races to visit the royal palace of Lauhaven. And that worried Laura...
Laura:
I am unable to find any peace of mind in this matter, because I simply do not understand. If there would have been any least sign of something evil again, a sign of any new danger raising at the horizon somewhere, then we would have felt it too for sure. But there is nothing, simply nothing at all. And though, there must be. There is no other explanation for this important meeting, nothing else I could imagine...
Amber touched the shoulder of her sister with her right hand, leaving it there then. She spoke with comforting voice...
Amber:
Sister, let's stop thinking about it all this way, for this is sadly whole useless. We won't find the answer in this manner, but only extend our sorrows. In three days the old man will speak to us all, and we should be prepared. I would suggest to complete our preparations, and then fly through space towards our long missed home world. At least we will meet our good old friends again, and as for myself, I look forward to...
Finally Laura looked at her sister again, and after some moments the mother of all life began to smile then...
Laura:
You are so right, my beloved little sister, and when your older sister stews too much over something, then pull her back into reality. We should really rather leave soon now...
Amber began to smile herself...
Amber:
Good decision, Laura, if things are this way now we should rather go to Lauhaven now, spending some time with our friends and having a good time instead of remaining here and only stewing without any sense. And let's try to also preserve our optimism, maybe things are really not as bad as we fear at the moment...
Laura took a deep breath but did not answer for a few moments first. But then she smiled with nodding her head...
Laura:
What would I only do without you, my beloved little sister? How comforting, that you care so much for your older, worrying sister. I could never be in better hands than yours...
Amber smiled feeling flattered...
Amber:
Thank you, sister. Sometimes also a younger sister can be useful and worthy, even for a mighty goddess like you...
Laura:
Oh, Amber...
The two women began to laugh happily and turned around. They walked towards the temple then...
Flying through the endless widths of space, it always was a more than incredible experience again for Laura and Amber, especially if they had the opportunity to fly together. As now. Sometimes they also flew through space and time without any special task or reason at all, simply only to enjoy it. It really was such a wonderful feeling, flying around with no frontiers at all. And as gods it all was possible, even without any air in space. And even riding on comets was no problem, and what a fantastic sight...
Riding on a comet, this was what Laura and Amber just were doing. The speed was incredible, but both stood safe on the comet, without any danger to fall down then...
With this small comet the two sisters just passed two large planets, one with a ring of rocks around. And the next destination was also lying ahead yet, not far away any more...
Amber stood ahead of Laura, really enjoying this trip. She was smiling happily as she talked to Laura now...
Amber:
Well, dear sister, you really have not promised too much, as you told me about the experience of riding comets. I never would had an idea like this myself, but now it certainly will not have been the last travel in this way. I can not tell how much I enjoy it...
Laura nodded with her head, with a big smile in her face. It had been her idea to ask Amber for using this way of transport, at least until the next dimensional portal, which would shorten the journey distinctly. And this portal was lying straight ahead now...
Laura:
I am glad you like it, Amber, but I was sure you would. I have used this possibility several times yet, though flying myself of course is also always a great experience...
Amber:
Well, I guess we will soon been on our own again, with crossing this portal of light dead ahead...
Laura:
You are right, so prepare to leave the comet...
The comet was flying straight towards the portal, but with her powers Laura changed its course so it would not hit the portal. Then both sister jumped off the comet, not far away from the luminous portal. And the next moment Laura entered the portal, with Amber following...
Laura and Amber had entered a new area of the universe, a further galaxy after entering the dimensional door. It was whole different here, with much more different colours around...
This was a very young new area of the universe, with no life yet, but new planets being born. Really an overwhelming sight - as usual, as new areas were being built...
Laura and Amber did not stay very long. They wanted to reach their final destination, the world Lauhaven, where the as well important as mysterious conference should be hold. But those thoughts just were far away with flying through the universe, they would be back soon enough anyway. But in this moment both sisters only enjoyed their journey...
And finally, after crossing further dimensional doors the impressing journey was over at last. Laura and Amber had reached the final destination, and the world Lauhaven lay straight in front of them...
For a while both sisters remained hanging in space and watching their old home world from some distance...
Amber:
What an incredible sight, every time again when we can return home. At least I feel like this, Lauhaven will stay my home for eternity, no matter how far away my destiny leads me away...
Laura nodded her approval while answering...
Laura:
Yes, this is the place where we were born, and no matter what changes in life, you never can forget about your roots. And look how beautiful this world looks from this distance, a wonderful planet of green magical woods and wide oceans. you can only love it...
Amber:
I am glad for this gathering, who knows when we otherwise would have had the opportunity to return here then...
Laura:
But don't forget how close this world could escape its total destruction. The grand war had lighted our beautiful world on fire, and half of all woods burned in the end. I remember this picture with horror, especially as the dark side almost overwhelmed this planet. Lauhaven could escape its downfall only very close. Really very close...
Amber looked at Lauhaven very sad at this moment, and it seemed the dramatic vision of the dark side almost engulfing this beautiful world was back in her mind...
Amber:
I see this vision too, Laura, and I see it not only now. I would never have been able to handle it, if Lauhaven really would have been destroyed. And to be honest, without you and your powers it would have ended this way, as the heavy fires were far out of every control. Lauhaven really would have been doomed without you...
Laura touched her sister tenderly at her shoulder and began to smile, before she answered with warm voice...
Laura:
Well, I am glad I was here in time and could help, we both would not have been able to handle this otherwise, Amber. But as you can see, Lauhaven lives, and it blooms more beautiful as ever before...
Amber began to smile herself again...
Amber:
Yes, and with all our friends waiting down there. I mean, if they may have arrived yet. They can not fly through the universe like us, but with dimensional portals meanwhile on almost every planet such journeys do not take so much time any more...
Laura:
Yes, a decree of the council of guards, and a good one. So, let us continue now, Amber. I would like to land on Lauhaven now...
Amber:
Me too, on my way yet...
Amber began to fly again, and Laura followed her sister smiling. Shortly afterwards they entered the atmosphere of Lauhaven...
Deeper and deeper, towards the ground level of the planet, yet flying straight above the clouds with blue radiance in the sky, it was a wonderful sight for the two sisters. They remained for a few moments, but then they descended on the clouds and flew through them...
Lauhaven, back again finally. Laura and Amber flew straight towards the capital city, and the royal palace of the new fairy queen there, landing in the huge pleasure ground, surrounding the mighty palace...
Amber:
Look, Laura, we are not alone! Fairies flying around as usual, and some of our friends, the leaders of different worlds, are standing in the garden yet. I am so happy to see them again...
Laura:
Me too, now they notice us...
Laura and Amber wave at their friends, then they flew over the small stream to say welcome to their old friends...
The delegates from all possible planets arrived after and after. And they had still time to spend some time together with talking and wandering around in the beautiful park resources of the fairies. Because the old man was still missing, an as long as he would not appear there would of course be no conference, so it was time to still wait for him. And all delegates were curious about what form the old man would choose this time, for speaking to the gathering. Most people knew him, of course, but there were also others which had never seen him at all so far...
Laura was walking in the huge garden around the royal castle, but not on her own. She was accompanied by Borim, the leader of the world of dwarfs, and Ebrenell, the leader of the elves, who lived on the same planet as the dwarfs. Both races shared this world since they could think back. And the three friends chattered together...
Borim:
And so, it is really true, that even you won't know what this is all about here, Laura? I almost can not believe...
Laura hiked her shoulders and sighed deeply, before she answered her little friend from the planet Reigon...
Laura:
I also wished it would be different, and so far I understand as little as all other delegates. But as you see, it is true. Whatever the old man would have on his mind, nobody knows yet at all...
Ebrenell:
And you also do not have any clue what it could be? I mean, after all you are a goddess at least...
Laura:
To be a goddess does not help in every matter, Ebrenell, not at all. There is much I do not understand and know so far, believe me. I wished it would be different, but I am not omniscient...
Borim clenched his fists and made a face...
Borim:
What a pity! It's hard to wait and do nothing, if there is any matter of such concern. I don't like this at all, dwarfs are not made to sit around, wait and do nothing...
Ebrenell began to grin...
Ebrenell:
Well, another pity, we elves do have more patience, as it is often much better to wait and think something over instead of just bear down on something in a mad rush headless...
The eyes of Borim began to sparkle cloudy, and his voice also expressed his raising anger...
Borim:
Elves, the snooty burden of the universe! How ever was it possible our ancients only had been able to settle on one and the same planet then? I really do not understand...
Ebrenell answered at once...
Ebrenell:
Oh, well, this is really no question though. The dwarfs simply needed us for teaching and educating, so they got civilised...
Borim finally exploded with rage, and he raised his doubled fists, before he yelled his answer...
Borim:
You cursed son of a...
Laura intermediated at once now, before this dispute still got any further. Of course she knew both of her friends too well, and yes, they simply had to argue again and again...
Laura:
Okay, enough of this, my friends. We are not here to solve some ancient dwarf and elfish problems here, most of all problems, which do not really exist at all. So, calm down again...
Borim still mumbled something to himself, but at least he met the desire of Laura. And Ebrenell kept smiling satisfied. She then began to speak again to Laura...
Ebrenell:
Something else. It just strikes me, that there is something different as usual. No matter how far I think back, for all gatherings of our races, and for all issues of the council of the guards, one thing ever was for sure. The race of the mysterious unicorns, before they disappeared once and after they appeared again, they never took part at any gathering of all other races at all. Really never. They lived separated intentionally and wanted to not interfere with the issues of other races. We respected this, of course, though this ancient race stayed a mystery for us all the more. Wouldn't you agree?
Laura nodded with her head...
Laura:
Yes, this is right, the nation of the unicorns, "Iverions", as they name themselves, wanted to keep distance of the other races, and I admit, I always had this feeling, that they were distrusting us for some reason. But this maybe only delusion, I don't know...
Laura sighed one time before continuing...
Laura:
But I know on what you get at, as I think the same now. Something is really different this time. Delegates of the Iverions are also here, I also saw them, even if the continue with keeping distance. They avoid contact, but they are here. And this can not be without a meaning, on the contrary, this must really be for a more than urgent reason...
Borim also nodded with his head...
Borim:
I did not think about that yet, but now, that you speak about - in fact. Those strange creatures - and after all, I did also never trust them either - are really here. And all of this, the whole kind of meeting, is strange. Tell me what you want, but there's something hanky-panky going on. Now I have a very bad feeling about this...
Ebrenell:
Exceptionally I agree with the dwarf, Laura, something is really wrong here. But there seems nothing what we can do about for now, because the unicorns will not be contented to speak with us at all. We must wait for the old man, hoping he will reveal the whole truth...
Laura took a deep breath, staring into the air as if the old man would appear there every moment...
Laura:
Yes, he will. May be he excludes things sometimes, telling things on his own kind, shading the truth sometimes, whatever. But he never lies on purpose. So much is for sure.
During the last words of Laura suddenly a fairy flew towards the group, and she seemed quite excited, before she began to tell her message...
The young fairy told the three friends that the old man had finally arrived, and so they were on the way back to the palace at once. The grand gathering would begin soon...
Laura and Amber entered the wide throne room of the current fairy queen from Lauhaven. Some delegates were already waiting here, others followed now to also enter the hall. And of course Laura looked for the old man at once, but he wasn't there yet...
Laura and Amber decided to first stay in the background, but the current fairy queen, Eteria, traversed this plan. She called the two goddesses to stand at her side, and so Laura and Amber decided to follow this invitation. And so they stood at the other side of the room then...
It was quite loud in the hall now, as most of the delegates were in talks with each other. The excitement still increased, as the old man now could arrive every moment. And the great secret, the secret of what was going on at the moment, would be revealed...
Laura and Amber stood at their place motionless, only watching all the delegates and their excitement. Of course the two sisters also were excited, but they could hide their feelings...
Some further moments passed by, until something happened then. In the middle of the great throne room a cloud of light began to appear out of the nothing, and the delegates around receded all around. Of course everybody knew what was happening, the old man was approaching. And so all the waiting came to an end finally...
The moment the light began to materialize all talks within the throne room ended immediately. All eyes only stared to the middle of the room, and soon the old man stepped out of the cloud. Afterwards this could of light disappeared again quickly...
The old man remained at his place motionless for some meaningful moments. Then he turned around, and his eyes fixed Laura and Amber. In this moment the door opened and another delegate entered the hall. It was one of the unicorns, the "Iverions", the others stayed outside. And the single visitor remained near the entrance, keeping distance to the delegates...
Laura returned the sight of the old man with serious face, but then she looked at the unicorn. It was a strange atmosphere now, as she really could feel the suspicion of this creature. The unicorns never had been friends of other races, but this feeling was even worse. There was almost an aura of enmity within the room, and this was really sad...
Laura could not understand. Neither the sense of this gathering, nor the emotions of the unicorns, because all of this did not fit to a new born and as of now paradisal universe. Not at all...
Laura finally looked at the old man again. He really was the only one in this hall to certainly know all truth, and so the goddess only hoped he would reveal this truth now...
The old man began to stir again. He took a look around in the hall, then he finally began to speak...
Old Man:
I am greeting you, delegates of many planets in our universe. And I am glad you all have come, because there is something really important we have to speak about together...
For some meaningful moments the old man kept silence again, but then he continued with his serious oration. And he had noticed satisfied, that all eyes were focused on him...
Old Man:
It is about time, that one of the last deep secrets in our universe is revealed now. There is something, and really something most important, that nobody knows among you, really nobody, and even not your goddesses. This was my very own decision, as there were other priorities first, before and during the tragic war we had to fight against the forces of evil. Now they are gone, closed away in hell and hopefully for eternity. And this is the time my last secret must be made known now, in front of the goddesses, and also in front of you all, the leaders of most of the races in our universe. This is why I called you all for this gathering, and why it is so important...
The old man faced Laura now, and he saw the astonishment in her face, but also some irritation. This was understandable, of course, but what he had to tell now would even make things worse. This was one reason he had hidden this secret until now, but this was no longer possible. And so his sight wandered, until hitting the eyes from the unicorn. There had been a long talk yet with this creature, to persuade it from the importance of this meeting, and to finally end the isolation...
The old man looked at Laura again and began to speak once more. His voice was quieter now, but determined...
Old Man:
Let's voice something, what all of you, and all races at all, thin and believe, and yet since the races exist. You know, that Laura and Amber had been ascended to goddesses, as well as you know that I am a god. You believe I am the creator, the first life form at all, and the creator. You believe that I have created the universe and the races...
The old man closed his eyes for one moment, but with opening them again he continued to speak at once...
Old Man:
But that is not true. I may be older than the most of you, and I may have created a lot of things, as well as I raised Laura and Amber to goddesses, but I am not the beginning of it all. Only a representative, who got the key to the universe to govern it then...
Those words of the old man now came as a real bombshell, and first there was only an iron silence in the whole hall. But as the old man did not continue at once, suddenly all delegates wildly spoke confused. At least until the old man raised his hands. The silence was back immediately, and the old man began to speak once more...
Old Man:
The real god of the universe and all life, the creator of us all, he is hiding yet such a long time. You must know, he never wanted to be known and seen by the races, therefore I was created, as a kind of mediator, to speak for the deity and the races, and I always had regular contact with the creator. But there is something important about this you must know, and today the screen of secrecy will be taken away...
Laura knitted her brow, for it was really strange to hear those facts now, never to be heard before at all. And the old man continued with his most important oration to the delegates...
Old Man:
I have persuaded Ventur, the leader of the population of the unicorns, which you know as the "Iverions", to join our important meeting today. You may excuse his distance and reluctance, but the Iverions are not used to having close contacts with other races. They never had and wanted to live on their own, what we respected. The unicorns are the oldest race in the universe, formed by the creator first in an ancient time. This is the reason why the Iverions believe they have been made in accord with the real countenance of the creator. Moreover, my own encounters with the creator all over the time had always been with two possibilities. The first was, the creator appeared in no physical form and was pure energy, speaking with me in my mind...
The old man looked around in the huge hall and saw all glances totally being fixed on him all the time...
Old Man:
The second were encounters in physical form, where the creator always used the same body. And you know it, as Laura used this form too after the grand war, after her journey into heaven, as she returned as flying unicorn first. I was responsible therefore, as I wanted to give a first clue on the secret to still be revealed. But all of this is no proof, this must not mean the creator has this form as real physical body. This all can also still be coincidence, but it explains the faith of the Iverions...
The delegates watched the behaviour of Ventur accurate, and they could see that all of this was obviously uncomfortable for him. It was obvious the unicorns would have preferred to further hide this secret, but now the truth was finally revealed. And the old man continued...
Old Man:
However, I am personally worried now. Since some time I had no contact to the creator any more at all, he does no longer speak to me. As this was in a regular form before, this is not normal. And I also know from Ventur, that it is the same with him. He was also chosen to have contact with the creator, but the same time it stopped with me also Ventur could no longer hear anything from the creator any more...
The old man became silent now for some time, to bring his words into effect. And so the silence in the hall was replaced by excited talks all around, only Laura and Amber did not react in any way. They only stared at the old man, really shocked by his disclosures. And finally the talks stopped again, as the old man spoke once more...
Old Man:
I am sorry to not have told you anything about all this before, but before and in the face of the grand war it simply was not possible. This only had weakened us, it had threatened our victory. And so I made this decision not to tell anything until now, but after the silence of the creator since some time I could no longer hide the truth...
After the last words of the old man, there was total silence in the huge hall now. But after some further moments it was Laura then to take the chance and speak to the old man herself...
Laura:
Okay, old man, if now the whole truth is being revealed, and you may understand that especially Amber and me are really shocked as we did really not know anything about all that - you may excuse one question now. Why have we been made do goddesses at all, if somehow seems this would not really have been necessary. Or asked differently, have we been made goddesses only in an alibi function...?
Amber totally agreed with her sister, nodding with her head. And the old man answered with a sad voice...
Old Man:
Yes, I do understand your anger, but please, let me at least try to explain my motivation to you...
The old man paused for some considerable moments, before he continued with a more firm voice again...
Old Man:
It was just after the end of the grand war, just after our great victory, that our contact to the creator suddenly ended. It made no sense at all, because even during this war he had still spoken to us. But as we had our peace back finally, the creator unexpectedly was gone. And so, instead of revealing the long hidden truth to you all, there was another task to fulfil, but this was not possible with my other tasks for the universe, especially after such a war. And so I made another decision. I wanted to search for the creator, make my investigations as far as possible, but not disturbing all of you again. The heavy wounds of the war had still to heal, also yours, Laura, and especially yours, after you had lost your sister then. So I gave you all my powers, made you a final goddess and gave all responsibility for the universe to you. I told you I would seclude myself - and that was not a lie. I really did, because this way I could secretly go for my investigations then...
Laura nodded her head slightly...
Laura:
I understand your motivation somehow, but was your confidence in me so weak that you really had to treat me this way?
The old man sighed deeply one time. His eyes now firmly fixed on the ground as he answered then...
Old Man:
Well, it was a decision of my mind. You were in deep morning, still totally under the impression of the war, and I thought you could not help me here. Instead, with the new powers and tasks, I was sure that this would rather help you to recover and process the past. Maybe this decision was wrong in the end, but I made it...
Laura reflected the words of the old man, and she could feel that her anger was coming to nothing again. She looked at her sister shortly, then again at the old man before answering...
Laura:
Well, as I said, I can understand your motivation, and perhaps, in your situation, I would have done the same. So I would say we forget about that, rather looking ahead now...
Old Man:
This is what I hoped, Laura, thank you. And I will need your help, the help of all of you now. My investigations for the creator have lead me not to any destination, I could not find him. But this mystery has to be solved, for what has happened, and if there is another possible danger for our universe. I am too old for continuing here, old and tired, and my soul calls for rest. This is why I called for this gathering...
The old man raised his sight again and looked into the eyes of Laura. She could even see tears within his eyes, and she felt, that he never had any dark intentions. On the contrary, the only thing to be inside this old man was true and endless love...
Laura could feel her own eyes filling with tears, and she spoke to the old man with warm voice now...
Laura:
You have been travelling through the universe an incredible long time yet, always fighting for to preserve it and your chosen children. You may not be the creator yourself, and we may not understand all your decisions at once, but one thing I do know. That you never would harm us in any way, and that your love for this whole universe is endless. And if you are worried, then we should be alarmed, and of course we will help you in any way possible. As I said before, let's forget about former things, and concentrate on the future. What can we do now to be of any help for you?
The old man finally began to smile again...
Old Man:
Thank you, Laura, I appreciate this very much. I want to rest again, watching over the issues in the universe as I did before, and I would wish, that you would lead the further investigations for our creator. Create a group, a fellowship of volunteers from the different races, so you could common continue this journey and search for the creator...
The old man took a deep breath before he continued to speak with firm and determined voice...
Old Man:
I believe a group of you acting in common could perhaps be more successful than me. At least I hope so, because I was not able to find out anything about this mysterious disappearance at all. This was very frustrating, but I won't give up hope. Not if you would continue here...
Laura did not answer at once, but first looked around one, and finally into the eyes of her sister. Amber only smiled and nodded her head, so Lara took a deep breath herself. Then she turned to the old man again, now with a really determined sight...
Laura:
Would you really ever doubt us? If you call us to a gathering, we come at once. If you send us on a mission, and if it would be the far end of the universe, we start at once. So we will do as you wish, forming this fellowship and beginning our investigation for the creator...
At once a murmur started in the hall, and the old man could see agreement in all faces. He began to smile...
Old Man:
Thank you, Laura, at least I hoped we could find to this agreement. We should end this for now, because there was much new information for you, and a break will be good for us all now. If you agree we will meet tomorrow again, to speak about further details. Perhaps you could think about the group yet, who should join the fellowship, for it certainly will be a long journey. If you know it then, we could keep the rest a little bit smaller, so only those would meet again to travel on this journey. Would this be okay?
Laura nodded with her head at once. In fact she had had a similar thought yet and approved to the suggestion...
Laura:
So be it then. We will rest now, and we will form our group. tomorrow the chosen members of the group will meet again, and then we will speak about all further details you can still tell us.
The gathering ended with the last words of Laura, and all delegates left the hall by and by. The first one to leave, yet with Laura still speaking, had been Ventur. Without any word at all, and at least one things was for sure. The unicorns would not join the fellowship of travellers - but nor really a surprise. And it didn't really matter. Laura knew there had also been reservations of the part of the other races, this suspicion not only came from the unicorns alone. So it was better to keep them off the group...
Laura and her sister Amber were the last delegates to leave the hall. All delegates became accommodations from the fairies for this night, and the tiredness meanwhile was quite large. So Laura and Amber went to sleep soon, as they needed it in their human forms...
The next day awoke in brilliant sunshine. The birds began to sing early in the morning, and they aroused Laura from sleep gently. As she opened her eyes she could see, that Amber already had left the bed and room. Laura sat up and stretched herself while yawning deeply. Then she stood on her feet, preparing herself for the new day. Certainly another eventful day after the last one, and Laura was curious what would still wait for her in this matter. But first, after the breakfast soon, they would form their tour group, to be prepared for the further information from the old man...
Laura went into the bathroom. In this human body she had to respect all physical needs, even as a goddess, and while preparing for the new day she really looked forward to the breakfast...
Not much later Laura entered a big dining room in the royal castle, where most delegates had assembled yet. The old man was not there, he would not appear again until the next gathering. So there was time now to eat and speak, and to form the fellowship...
As breakfast was over the traveller group was formed. It would contain eight members then. Of course Laura and Amber first. Indeed Laura had tried first to keep Amber off the group, but no chance at all. Amber would not leave Laura's side at all, and so this was decided. The further members would be Ebrenell for the elves, Borim and his wife Bedel for the dwarfs, Karax for the goblins, Jofetus for the centaurs and Vili for the fauns. This was the final fellowship, and so the message was brought to the old man. The group was prepared to meet him again...
Finally it was after lunch, that the group met the old man once more in the big hall. Only the fairy queen Eteria was also present, but nobody else. And so the old man could continue with his report from the day before...
This time a long table stood in the middle of the hall, and the delegates sat around it. The old man remained standing at the end of the table, in front of the queen at the end of the room...
After a shorter break the old man finally began to speak again, with his deep and firm voice. All eyes in the large hall were set on him, and it was totally quiet now roundabout...
Old Man:
Thank you for coming again, my dear friends. I am really glad you will support me in this matter, as I really urgently need rest. My powers are exhausted, and the ravages of time even eat away me. I can not deny my age any more, and even a god must recover. And so, let us once more speak about this important mission for your fellowship...
The old man paused for some moments, looking around one, but continuing then at once again...
Old Man:
There still is something important I did not say yet yesterday, because I did not want to disturb everybody. But now, that the travelling group is made, you must know. It was at the time about just before the war ending. The last contact I had with the creator, when I yet was on my way through hell, for facing the master of hell there. Just then I heard the voice of the creator again, speaking in my mind. Well, it was not because of my upcoming final battle, but rather for an own concern of him. He said to me, that something was strange, something what would not being about as what it should have to be...
The old man nodded with his head...
Old Man:
Oh, yes, I know, this was a warning. And I should have heard to it. But I didn't. That was my mistake, my fault, as I did not take this seriously, because of being totally concentrated on my upcoming final battle. The voice of the creator became silent then and did not appear again. Not at all unto today. Since then he was gone...
The face of the old man showed obvious sadness now - sadness and sense of guilt, as he dropped his gaze...
Old Man:
And now it is too late. Nothing I could do any more, as I could not find the creator anywhere. Not at all...
Laura stood up from her chair suddenly and with a determined expression in her face. And she knew it in this moment, her following words would be spoken for the complete fellowship...
Laura:
Old Man, you have done more than enough for us! In this situation, wandering in hell for facing the leader of evil, everybody of us would certainly have reacted the same way...
Laura nodded with her head corroborating...
Laura:
I really can speak for us all here. We are prepared to continue what you began, we will search for the creator everywhere and no matter how much time it would need then. What ever has to be done, it will be done, and we will leave for this mission still today. The only still remaining question for us would be, is there any hint, anything at all, where to start our search? Was there anything you could find out at all?
The old man looked at Laura with serious expression before he answered with a soft voice...
Old Man:
I wished I could have told you more and any concrete details about all that, but sadly there isn't much. Only one thing at least, what I can still tell you - the world where to start then. It is Olwon, the world of the living plants, as we also had delegates of them here. But you know, they wouldn't join the group for physical reasons, as they are not made for such adventures. They are too slow and restricted in their abilities, but maybe they could be of other help for you. But however, the main aspect there are not the Olwons themselves. Also on this world you will find a colony of unicorns. The hide somewhere in the extensive woods, and I was not able to find them. but I do know, they keep a secret there, a trace of the creator, something concrete. But even if I could have found them, I doubt they would have helped me...
The old man paused shortly, his eyes firmly fixed on the ground, but then he spoke again with sadness...
Old Man:
I can always only repeat, the unicorns are nor our enemies, not at all. But they are totally different, totally withdrawn, and even I could not break their mistrust in any way. It was yet heavy work to get Ventur as far to come here at all, because he wouldn't want to do so. And I guess he also could have told us what we needed, but he wouldn't. So there is no choice, you will have to travel to Olwon, search for the unicorns there and find a way, any way, to get this secret revealed. There is nothing else I could tell you, and if you won't succeed, I do not know what else to do or where still to search. So I hope you can find away to solve this problem...
The old man now stood up from his place, looking around one for a last time, before speaking again...
Old Man:
So, I told you all I could. It is not much, but at least enough to make a start. You may have to be prepared for a very long journey and an extensive search, and sadly the unicorns won't help you. Whatever you do, always remember one thing, please, we never may do anything to make the unicorns an enemy. Never! We can not do anything about their mistrust and must respect their decision of withdrawing, all the more the vanishing of the creator only made things worse. So, be very careful. If there is any danger in the end, and if there will be a new conflict, we need the unicorns as our allies. Even if it will be a brittle alliance, but we need them...
Laura nodded with her head...
Laura:
We will not forget that, old man, but we also will do everything what will be necessary. We will be considerate of the unicorns as far as possible, I promise, but if there will be decisions to made against them - for what reasons ever - and for the benefit of the rest of the universe, then I will decide this way. You made me a goddess in this universe and for all races. And I act like this, no matter of the costs. The unicorn may life their life as they wish, but if they stand in the way between us and the creator, and if they are the oldest race in the universe, then we will do all necessary steps to follow our way. This is what I claim from you, or otherwise I will not start this mission...
Laura looked into the eyes of the old man with strength and determination. She knew this was a kind of insurrection against the old man and his wishes, but well considered. The goddess knew very well about the possible conflicts here, and she needed to have full rein to succeed in this mission. And this was why she had to extort the old man now...
For some uncertain moments there was only silence in the room. But Laura saw it in the eyes of all group members, they acceded at 100%. And finally the old man answered then...
The gathering was over and the delegates left the hall. Only Laura and Amber stayed in the end, together with the fairy queen. The three women still had a short talk then, while the guards returned, removing the table first and then taking their places again, at the left and right walls...
Laura:
Queen Eteria, I want to still thank you for hosting us so well. it is always a pleasure to be here again, and a part of us, of Amber and me, will always be home here...
Queen Eteria:
I know, Laura, and this will always stay your true home. You know, no matter what happens, you are always welcome...
Amber:
We appreciate this. I only wished the reason this time would be a nicer one. But new conflicts instead almost seem unavoidable...
The queen sighed deeply one time before answering again, but her voice still expressed confidence...
Queen Eteria:
Hope dies at last, and we still have so much hope. I believe the unicorns never will get our enemies, and at last they will understand. They will understand us, to help us finally...
Laura:
That's a really nice wish, and I will carry it in my heart. Perhaps there still is a way to get through to them, to convince them we only want the best for our universe and all races. And so, as you said, hope dies at last, and we will not forget about that for sure...
Laura looked at Amber and saw the tiredness within her eyes. She began to smile and laid her hand on the sister's shoulder...
Laura:
Well, time to get some sleep for us as well, little sister, we must be fit for our journey tomorrow...
Amber agreed, and so the two sisters finally also left the hall after their good bye to the queen...
The next day, at first light. Most residents of the fairy realm were still asleep, as a small group of travellers yet were on their feet again. Only with the necessary luggage, as few as possible, they wanted to start their journey, and at least the first destination was clear then. And the fellowship had to leave the world Lauhaven now...
But reaching their destination, the world of the Olwons, actually would have been a problem. It was far away from Lauhaven, laying in another galaxy, and so for all normal living creatures impossible to reach. But there was a solution, of course, and a very old one - for all worlds and their inhabitants, except Earth. But first, with a last look back, the group finally left the huge garden of the royal castle...
The fellowship stood at the city gate of Lauhaven - in this case the world and capital city really had the same name - and was about to leave, as Laura still spoke to the others once more...
Laura:
So, we will wander straight to the dimensional portal, from where we can travel to Olwon then. It is our great luck that our ancestors once built those portals on every occupied planet, for otherwise this mission would have been totally impossible. But first, there must still be a little break, for I have to meet somebody before. We go to the great bridge over the Ulicus river first, and it won't take too much time...
The other members agreed and so the group immediately got under way. They followed the wide main road out of the capital city, and yet the great Ulicus bridge was already to be seen at the horizon. It adjoined to a small suburb of the city...
The group had entered the bridge. Together they were looking for the person Laura wanted to meet, and as it appeared, Laura floated over the water, while Amber remained on the bridge. The others retired to the end of the bridge, waiting there...
Laura smiled as she saw the queen of the mermaids surfacing in the water. The gathering had been a little bit difficult for her, as she only could take part within that small pond. Now she was in her element again, and Laura gave a warm welcome to her once more...
Laura:
I am greeting you once more, Jeevika, queen of all mermaids. I am glad I can see you yet again before leaving, and it is sad, that you can not join our group on this mission. We rally would have appreciated your support, but as a mermaid, this is not possible...
Jeevika:
In fact, Laura, we mermaids are only made for water, and we love it, but it also separates us a little bit from the other races. It is sad, but at least we are very happy that you make it possible for us to take part at such gatherings, so we know what's going on in the universe...
Laura:
That is really the least what we can do for you, and whatever happens in this new matter, we will keep you informed at all invents. For now we only hope that there is no new threat for our universe, after we just had faced this more than horrible war...
Jeevika nodded with her head...
Jeevika:
And that is just why I wanted to meet you once more. Do not look around too close, but have you notice him...?
Laura also nodded with her head very gentle. Of course she had, but she carried it off well so far...
Laura:
He is there, and he always was, watching us. I knew it since he left the grand hall first. He will not join us - but he also will not let us go without any investigation. This will not make our journey easier, but of course it won't change anything...
Jeevika nodded with her head again...
Jeevika:
This is what I hoped. I do not know which role the unicorns really play in this matter, but as they do not trust us, I do not trust them. On the contrary, this shows for me they are up to something. And think about something, please. The creator said, that something isn't what it should have been, before he disappeared. So, what if the unicorns are this factor? What if the cause for all this mysteries are straight among us...?
Laura stared at Jeevika with wide open eyes. This thought was terrible, so terrible, that she had never had this idea at all before herself. And though, was this thought so deceptive after all? And with this behaviour of the unicorns, could it though be possible? Could they have something to do with the missing of the creator? Nobody knew anything about the real possibilities and powers of this race - and now even the leader of the unicorns followed the fellowship in some distance...
Laura took a deep breath before answering again. She suddenly felt very uncomfortable in her heart...
Laura:
I admit, I also had this thought yet, but I simply didn't want to give it any space. It would be too extreme, too bad, if this would be true. But one thing is for sure, the behaviour of the unicorns is more than suspicious. The more we will be careful on our way for sure...
Jeevika:
This is what I wanted to recommend to you. I have a very bad feeling about all this, and so I had to warn you before the fellowship leaves. I wished I could be of more help for you...
Laura smiled at Jeevika before she answered. She knew that a new wonderful friendship just had begun...
Laura:
You have been very helpful yet, and be sure, if there is anything further the nation of the mermaids can help us, we will contact you again. And we are very grateful for your offer...
The queen of the mermaids was very happy, and this happiness was written blatantly obvious into her face...
Jeevika:
Thank you, Laura! I wish you the best for your journey, may you be successful for our whole universe...
The two women said goodbye to each other finally, and the queen of the mermaids dived away in the water. Laura still looked after her for a while, then she turned away...
The fellowship, headed by Laura and Amber, had finally left the capital city Lauhaven. They now wandered through pure nature, along the magical woods nearby. The rural was flat here, and for a while the group followed the way along the river Ulicus...
The weather was really fine, a warm summer day. clouds were moving along the sky, but they would not bring any rain until further notice. A perfect day for a tramp like this...
After some time the river branched off into several directions. The main river branch flew further towards the north, but several small branches were leading into other directions. So were two of them towards the west, and this was the direction the fellowship had to follow now...
It was about lunchtime, as the group had a break for the first time. They simply took a seat in the high and very soft grass, eating something then and talking to each other...
Laura and Amber sat together in the grass, and Amber just addressed Laura with a look of inquiry...
Amber:
It is our only luck, that we have those dimensional portals on our worlds, as this group otherwise could never get anywhere. But the question is, will we be able to activate them? Will we be bale to choose the needed destination at all? Or will we fail in this matter...?
Laura knew about what Amber was speaking. She had asked the same questions yet to herself, without answer. Because it was true, those strange ancient gateways were there on every planet, but nobody from the group had ever used them. Not this way. For other opportunities, like the gathering on Lauhaven now, other ways had been chosen. There was a possibility for the leaders of every planet, straight in the particular palace, to activate a special transport between planets - but this only worked for one person a day, so for example the two dwarfs yet had needed two days to get here. For a whole group impossible, therefore now the big portals were needed. But would they really work the way to be needed? Nobody knew so far...
Laura answered her worried sister after some moments...
Laura:
Well, we will find out soon. So far all races prevented those huge portals, because we do not know much about them. But now we need them, and at least I understand the way they work. If this is true we should be able to activate them, only with the power of our minds. A normal physical being could not do this, but gods can. This is what the old man told me once. Now I only hope he was right, but we will find out...
Amber nodded with her head...
Amber:
And I'll help you with this, of course. If we combine our powers, then we should really be successful. Because if even two goddesses fail, who ever else should be successful then...?
Laura now looked into the eyes of her sister. She did not answer, but Amber understood though. These eyes told her, and this was not really comforting. Not at all...
Amber:
No, Laura, hopefully not. this would be disastrous for us and our mission. I really hope you are wrong...
Laura took a deep breath and looked down...
Laura:
As I said, we will find our very soon...
With those words now Laura did not speak any more, and also Amber lapsed into deep silence...
Some time later the fellowship was on their feet again. They continued the wandering through the nature of Lauhaven, and soon the surrounding country obviously got hillier. The group further followed the two small branches of the river, until they reached their final destination. Looking down into a deeper laying valley, they now could see the huge dimensional portal down there. The two branches combined again here, flowing straight into the portal and further down the valley...
The group remained at this place, not yet going down into that valley. Laura and Amber were the only ones first getting some closer, and then concentrating on their inner powers. They let their energy flow inside, and exchanged them among themselves...
As the energy finally was totally flowing Laura and Amber soared into the air, flying towards the portal and positioned to the left and right of it. then they let the energy flow into their hands, and from there setting it free with flashes into the portal. Both goddesses combined their energy there, and soon the whole portal, before only a normal passage, was totally filled with blazing light. And then something changed...
Laura and Amber stopped the energy flow. And they flew back to the others, very happy and satisfied in the end. The blazing light slowly began to melt again, leaving something wonderful behind. Laura and Amber had concentrated on the world Olwon all the time while letting the energy flow, and now they really could see it. The portal was activated, and in there they could now see another world. And it was Olwon, the way onto this world of living plants now was finally free...
After a short break for the two goddesses to recover a little bit, the fellowship was on their was again. On the way down into the valley and towards the now open dimensional portal...
The mission, which had just started, could continue then. The great search for the actual god of the universe, the creator. And the confidence of the group, to succeed in the end, increased...
End of chapter 5
...but to be continued in chapter 6...
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