Chapter 2: Neeria

Rue
     I woke up, and grasped the necklace around my neck. Now was the time to wish for my heart's desire. I sat up and closed my eyes. "I wish I could be a heroine and save the world!" I shouted, and I opened my eyes. I was still in my room. I looked around. "Wha-?" But before I could finish my cry of rage, the lights went out and the windows disappeared.
     I got up and walked to the front door. Eagerly, I pushed it open and stepped out. I was in a endless meadow. The only thing other than stalks of grass was a door right there in front of me. I turned to look back at the house, but it wasn't there anymore. I shrugged. Who cares? This is my adventure.
     I ran up to the solitary door and put my hand on the knob. I was about to turn it when a cold, grimy hand grasped my wrist. I screamed. "AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!" I flinched away from the doorknob and turned to face my attacker. It was a-a-a person? It was deformed, half its face twisted into a permanent grimace.
     The "person" spoke. "Don't go, dearie. It isn't safe. Turn back now before you have to pay the price. Use the necklace to wish yourself back!"
     I shook my head. "Can't you see?" I spat. "This is my future! I wanted this! This is my adventure!"
     The person shook his head and sighed. "Don't say I didn't warn you. Rue Crowhearth."
     The words rang, familiar in my head. "Mr. Domigura?" I whispered, unsure. But then again, how else would he know my name?
     The figure froze, and bent over. The outer covering came away, and there was Mr. D, standing straight and tall. "Eh?" I said, tilting my head. "Why are you here?"
     Mr. Domigura frowned and bent down to look at me on eye level. "Why am I here, you say?" Mr. Domigura let out a great big laugh and smirked. "I am Takeshi, the ancient protector of Neeria. Mr. Domigura was just my code name on Earth." He grinned and let out a chortle. "My job is to never let mortals within the ancient gates of Neeria. I have been here all along, waiting for you." He poked my stomach, and grinned.
     "Eh?" I said again, "Waiting for me?"
     Takeshi let out another big booming laugh and pointed at me. "I knew you would not listen to my words and soon find that necklace. I just didn't expect it to be so soon. But, I have to do my job, so I'm sorry."
     "Sorry? For what?" I bit my lip nervously.
     "Girl!" He bellowed, "Do you not know anything? You are mortal! I cannot allow you to enter the gates for that reason. And because you will not listen to me and wish yourself back, I will have to do my job and kill you." His eyes turned dark and his expression grim.
     "Aahh." I tried to stay calm as I backed slowly away from Takeshi, who pulled out a sword from seemingly nowhere. What could I do?
     "Don't worry, because you were a student, I'll make this quick."
     I collapsed and gave up. Takeshi raised his giant gleaming sword and was about to bring it down when the door leading to Neeria burst open.
     "Stop, Zura!" A childish voice shouted. Takeshi froze, and put his sword away.
     "Eh?" I said, unable to help myself. I glanced sideways to see where the voice came from. There was a small green haired child standing by the door. He had white porcelain skin and was about 1.5' tall and had a toy drum strapped around his neck. He held two drumsticks tightly in his tiny fists and he had the costume of a circus boy.The small child turned to look at me.
     "Ms. Adile wants you, Zura!" He demanded, running over to me and banging on his drum. "Come, Zura!"
     "Uhh...." I said, but Takeshi picked me up, and shoved me through the door before I could say anything else.

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     I opened my eyes and sat up. "Ugh..." I moaned, and looked around. I was sitting on a couch. I saw the green haired boy staring intently at me.
     When I met his gaze, he banged his drum loudly and shouted: "She's awake, Zura! Ms. Adile, Zura!"
     I covered my ears and cringed back into the couch. A green haired lady stepped from the doorway on the far side of the room and came to sit beside me. "Welcome to Neeria." She said in a soft, mystical voice. I turned to look at her more closely. She resembled the little boy in more ways than one. For starters, they both had the same shade of green hair and the same porcelain white skin. But instead of a drum, the lady had a hand-cranked music box hung around her neck.
     "Uh, thanks." I stammered, a little late. "I'm Rue, Rue Crowhearth." I held out my hand.
     She shook it. "I would be Ms. Adile. Nice to meet you Rue," she said, smiling warmly. The little green haired boy came bounding over. He jumped between us then plopped down on Ms. Adile's lap.
     "Introduce me too, Zura!" The little boy said, looking up at Ms. Adile and pounding impatiently on his drum.
     Ms. Adile glanced down adoringly at the little boy before turning to look at me. "This, is Azura." She said, patting his head. "He is my little boy. He always had the habit of saying part of his name after a short sentence.         He is a little loud, and when he gets frustrated, or impatient, or mad; he bangs on his drum." As if to prove her point, Azura banged down on his drum with his tiny drumsticks. Ms. Adile smiled. "Azura is quite a handful, though he may be very fun to have around. He is very curious, you may have to watch out." She glanced down at Azura and grimaced. "Oh! But before we have you begin your adventure, I'll have to find a few things. Watch Azura for me, will you? Thank you, now excuse me."  She bustled out of the room, placing Azura on my lap.

     I had barely said anything when Ms. Adile got up and rushed out of the room, playing a tune on her hand-cranked music player. I sighed and looked down at Azura. He was looking up at me with curious eyes as if asking a question.
     "So," I said halfheartedly. "What do you want to do?"
     "I'm thirsty, Zura!" Azura shouted. He frowned at me impatiently as I franticly began to search the room for water and a glass cup. Azura banged on his drum madly.
     "Ok, ok!" I shouted, getting up and running around the small room. "I'm looking! I'm looking!" I ran up to the nearest door and stuck my head through the doorframe. It was a small empty room with a single lightbulb in the middle. I sighed and ran to the next nearest door. I opened it to see a porch, and grass with a pathway leading to the house. Definitely not the kitchen I was looking for. I sighed and ran over to the last door. I swung it opened and stepped in. It was a blank, empty room, just like the first one, except this room had a different feel to it, like something magical was about to happen. Painted in elegant slanted script in the wall across from the door were the words: "You just have to ask..."
     "'You just have to ask' huh," I said, frowning. "Well then, I want a glass of water!" I demanded. Nothing happened. I looked down. There sat a glass of water. "Oh wow!" I whispered, picking it up. "Weird..." I walked out of the room and closed the door behind me to see Ms. Adile sitting next to Azura, handing him a glass of water.
     "Phooey!" I pouted, "You're fast."
     She glanced at the glass of water I held, then the door I came through. "Ah," She said softy, "I see you've discovered the wishing room."
     "Oh, that room?" I responded, looking back at the door.
     "Yes," Ms. Adile whispered sweetly, smiling. "Come sit down. Let's talk and have a chat."
     "Okay," I said, sitting down and sipping the water, "About what?"
     "Hmmmm..." Ms. Adile said, thinking hard, her eyes lit up. "What about, your adventure?"
   

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                                 ( ^o^ ) happy reading!

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