Door [Still undergoing revision and continuation. Please support!]

Prologue



6785 million humans living in present day. Five percent of this population acknowledges the presence of the other living race – Y’hier (Pronounced as ‘Yu-hay’). Derived from the Wise Tongue, ‘Y’hier’ are what wizards are known as.

Three percent of that population remembers the war, and fears the land where a Door is found amongst overgrown hedges and ferns.
Less than one percent knows of someone who is a Y’hier, or is a Y’hier himself/herself. With this small percentage knowing, the presence of Y’hiers slowly faded into history in the world of Humans.

Some children books did have some reference to Don Ques’or (Pronounced as Dawn Qua-sur), the home where Y’hiers live, but since when were children books taken seriously? The reality that Y’hiers exist, became magical fairytales that children take for a pastime.
Only the older generations, the five percent of the existing population, knew the truth. Twenty years ago, when the five percent were still teenagers, they faced a war which lasted three dreadful years. Like that of World War II, many innocent lives were taken, and more children were abandoned by this war.

Although, in comparison to the World War II, a three year war was small issue, but it was enough to impair the relations between the two races. The two races that once lived in harmony fell apart.

The logic for the war was simple. The humans felt that Y’hiers were disrupting their normal way of life, getting everything before them. They see people whizzing past, and appearing out of the thin air, like wondering spirits. It made Humans feel uneasy.
Just for a simple reason of feeling less competent, the Humans started arm conflicts with the Y’hiers. Humans had better weapons than Y’hiers, though Y’hiers could summon disasters that could take down armies of Humans. That brainless blood and gore which lasted for three years took away lives of 100 million of the population then, which was only a mere 4000 million then.

As for the Y’hiers, they may have magical powers, but most of those in war were those who had just freshly graduated, not exactly stable with their spells. The elders were getting too old and frail to sustain any war, most of them were already sick and dying before the war. The children were too young and did not even know what they were skilled at. To send the children for war was like sending a school of young salmons to the sharks. It would only raise the sharks’ aggressive nature to consume more. Children would only lengthen the war, and create more futile sacrifices. They however, followed their parents to war.

Tired of the senseless war, the seventh, and the youngest of the Wise Ones, restored the Door. The restoring of the Door meant that children had to return behind the Door. For the children knew not of the way home, and the needed someone to guide them when they are home as well, hence one of the parents had to follow them home.

However, there were still several children left behind. Some were abandoned because their parents were drowned in their own pool of blood before the Door was restored, others were kept back by parents who loved them too much, or who did not want to care for them anymore. These children who were left behind could not return to Don Ques’or unless they were eleven and older. It is only eleven, that these children step out of childhood, become a fledging of the Y’hiers, and is recognised by the Door.

Hence, many Y’hier children abandoned by the cruel war, was left to be adopted by other Y’hiers who stayed behind to take care of their underage kids. The Y’hiers who stayed behind, taught their children the human ways. They were ripped off all their energy, by that battle; they wanted no more of all those unhappiness.

After ten years, although some remained hostile, but most had somewhat forgiven these Y’hiers. They accepted their presence as they saw the distinct changes they had made to accommodate to the normal lives of Human. In fact, Y’hiers have adapted so well, people began to forget they are Y’hiers, and think that they have all returned to where they came from – Behind the Door.

Furthermore, the present younger generations read stories of Y’hier and their war, like any other novel they pick from the shelves. None of them treat it for real, for parents have often told them Y’hiers were only creations of long deceased writers.

Nonetheless, parents still remind their children never to near the forest. When children question, they would always claim that the forest is dominated by hungry spirits, waiting for innocent little kids to enter and devour them. In fear, children would stick near their parents whenever they pass by the forest. No one Human ever entered the forest since the war ended. It was soon known as the ‘Forbidden Forest’.

Even schools educated the students about the forest, and drove terror into the core of their bones. Those images formed by computer graphics made the innocent children live in perpetual fear of the forest which is actually perfectly safe to enter.

6785 thousand million souls living in the present, less than one percent who are Y’hiers enter and exit the forest, and less than half a percent of the newer generation daring to step into the unknown ground .

Even so, there happens to be three children who cannot live without adventure existing in this population of 6785 thousand million. Despite countless warnings from their teachers, peers and their mother, still took on a journey into the forest.

And before they started their expenditure, their friends and homeroom teacher came over to wish them the best. All of them lived in the belief that the three of them would be devoured, and would never return ever again, or would return mutated. Many tear at the thought of losing their beloved friends.

As expected of these three children, curiosity took the better of them. Neglecting the fear reflected from their tears of their peers, they ventured deeper into the ‘Forbidden Forest’.

After six hours of gruelling hiking and trekking, they were worn out. Just when they were about to stop for the day, the three of them stumbled unexpectedly on the Door.


[feel free to burn me with your flames (:]

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PartI

“Kyle, here’s the door.” Jade whispered as she swiped her hand over the dusty characters on the door. She then traced the letters carefully with the tip of her index finger. As she traced, it revealed golden markings with amber borders.

“It’s locked” Jade turned the knob and tried pushing it but the door refused to budge.

Almost instantly, a comment was made.

“I think I’ve seen such characters before… Somewhere…” Zoruik dug into his pockets and fished out a piece of paper.

The paper was a dark shade of brown with its folded edges quite fury with worn paper pieces tearing away. With a lot of care for the piece of paper, Zoruik slowly unfolded it.

“What’s that for?” Jade questioned curiously.

“I knew I’ve seen it somewhere.” Zoruik showed her the foreign words on the paper.

“It’s different.” Kyle commented as he peeked at the paper from behind Zoruik.

“They are way different.” Jade nodded in agreement.

“No… It matches perfectly…” Zoruik countered after a few seconds and squatted down. He fumbled his bag for his recorder. Pushing in the earpieces, he fast forwarded the tape.

“Frotusmhere …The Door to the other world… Freedom it means…” It trailed off as the sound of a pencil on paper was heard in the background.


>> Editing still in progress.

--> To be continued.

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((Thanks fire (: Anyway, any nicks i can call you by other than fire? Cause it feels a little weird to call someone an element of nature lol))

Part VIII


“So, looking for me?” He flung himself on the bed and looked at the bare ceiling.

“Is she really our sister?” She answered after a long pause.

There was no way she could believe a Human could exist in a pure blood Y’hier family.

“And you doubt that? As human as she may be, but she’s still part of our family.”

“We’re pure bloods, don’t you get it?”

“Us, not them. Not Kyle, not Jade, only us.”


“But we are all mom and dad’s kids.”

“Kyle, he’s not even related by blood to us. Jade? Nor is she anyway. She’s just a Human immersed in a family of Y’hiers by accident.”

Unsure of the whole situation as she had not been living where Zoruik was, she nodded with bewilderment written all over her face. As she had lived in Don Que’sor all her life, and adopting was one of the rarest cases around, she would not have presumed it to be adoption.

“Kyle? What kind of relationship is that?”

“Adopted… Thought you were smart…”

“It’s just you who isn’t clear. Adoption is rare in Don Que’sor, and the first and last I’ve seen around here... In fact, it is all of the Wise Ones around. The first and last we’ve all witnessed was Mr Kambari’s son, who follows a different sir name from his.”

“Just as it is essential for me to know things in Don Que’sor, it is important for you to know what’s outside Don Que’sor.”

“Fine. Whatever. It’s not like I need someone to tell me what to do. I know.”

“But yo u make it seem like you need someone to bring you through the whole of the world outside Don Que’sor. There are guides you know.”

She was already ticked off by his words. He spoke as if he knew so much more than her about the ways of Y’hier when in actual fact, he had only been here for a mere five years. Besides, he did not read up on the guides given to him. What right had he to tell her what to do?

“Leave already.” She spoke through clenched teeth.

Tired of bickering with her, he decided he would give her shelves a quick scan to find something he might be interested in before leaving. A book with a similar bind to the Ancestral Notebook given to him stood at the corner of the shelf.

In his memory, he knew his sister would not mind him borrowing anything so long he returned it by the end of the day. Adhering to his assumption, he retrieved the book carefully from the shelf.

“I’m no less busy.” He turned on his heels and threw it back at her.

He came by the stairs and wondered why the stair would reach into a room. He could not make out what was in the room as the flooring left not a single space for anyone to view what was inside. Curious, he decided to find out more about that mysterious room. He stepped onto the stairs and gently placed his palm on the handrails. The staircase slowly moved upwards. It winded, turned and stopped at every level.

Through visiting each level, he realized that the rooms were split into age-group. The oldest at the bottom most, followed by the toddlers, the adults, and finally the teens. The arrangement made sense to him as it would be easier for the old and frail, and too young to reach the dining hall faster.
It whirred past his level, and finally came to a halt at a room with just a window. The light blue sky covered with white clouds slowly gave way to the rising moon and the darkening horizon. He watched as the moon slowly crept higher into the sky. At the highest point, it was shining directly through the window. The weak orange glow of the moon lit up the cold and dark room that made up the whole of the level.

As curiosity got the upper hand of him, he decided to check out the place. He shuffled his feet to check if any objects were lying in his way, ready to trip him. His left foot came into contact with a sharp metallic object. It slid across the floor and screeched to a halt not far away from him. Under the dim orange glow, he made out that it was a small dagger, seemingly stained.

Knowing that someone had entered the forbidden level, Eoreik went up to check who it was.

“Which soul dares to venture into the forbidden ground?” He bellowed into the darkness.

Startled, Zoruik stopped dead in his tracks. After regaining his composure, he realized it was Eoreik.

“Eor, it’s me. This place is forbidden? I’m sorry.” He stammered before feeling for the stairs to get away.

“Zoruik? Oh, guess you have some right to know this place.” And in a click, he was right by the window.

The shuffling of feet sounded again, as Zoruik moved closer to the window. He could not make out the features of Eoreik. All he could see was a tall dark shadow, with a pointed top.

“Do you know what’s in this room?” Zoruik asked.

“After three years of war, twenty two years ago, on the top floor of Don Ques’or, where blood and tears seeped through, the Door was restored by the Seventh and youngest of the Wise Ones.”

“Alright, I’m leaving first.” He did not wait for Eoreik to continue, he knew it was time to read up on this world where he belonged.

He could not be asking for these knowledge he was expected to know of. What kind of Wise One would be asking about such a place? Everyone of them should know! Even Y’hiers knew… He felt humiliated all of a sudden, by his lack of knowledge about his homeland.

Zoruik exited the room with much difficulty as his sense of direction was quite poor. Tiredness, like a blanket, began to cover him as he let out and ugly yawn. He checked his watch. He wondered when Kyle would be finding out his position in Don Ques’or.

He headed down again and saw Yoruik. She was flustered, as if looking for something urgently. Hurried by his sister, he almost tripped over his own feet.

Upon stopping, he looked up and saw that they were outside Kyle’s room. His sister pushed him into the room and followed in close behind.

Nodding in apology, both of them quickly took their positions.

“Zor…?” came Kyle’s surprised comment.

Zoruik nodded at Kyle.

Noticing that the remaining two had taken their positions, Eoreik commenced the ceremony. “May all present, may all blessed, may all in here, welcome a newcomer.”

All of a sudden, all the foreign words that once set him into a daze became clear, articulated words that he could understand. As if a natural habit, he could speak in the Wise Tongue as well as he could for English. He followed the other six Wise Ones’ chant and placed his sacrifice item into the cathedral.

Kyle dipped his hand into the silver liquid. He allowed his hand to rest in the cathedral for a fraction of a second as he felt the constant circular motion of the liquid flowed around his hand. The cool feel comforted him as he forgot the purpose of putting in his hand and brought him into a temporary slumber.

“Aye, wake up!” Kyle heard a gentle voice speaking to him.

He stirred and opened his eyes. To his surprise, a card appeared in his hand without him having to search for it. He lifted his hand and allowed the liquid to drain from between his fingers, leaving a cooling sensation on his palm.

The card vanished into the silver flame, just as Zoruik’s did. A little box appeared and drifted into his open hand. As if suddenly enlightened, he knew what that box meant.

“The vessel.” Zoruik and Eoreik whispered immediately in Wise Tongue.

“The what?” Yoruik asked.

“Nothing.” Zoruik replied.

Catching Zoruik’s hidden agenda, Eoreik ended the ceremony, and everyone left.

Once again, the room returned back to the same lighting and silence. Breaking the silence, Kyle who could not understand the Wise Tongue, started throwing questions at him.

“You are a Wise One? Which one are you? Do you know your powers? Why did you enter with that lady? Is she…?”

“Wait! One question at a time!”

“Everything!”

“Okay, what did you read about from the book you picked up?”

“The Wise Ones and the Door. Seven Wise Ones. Seventh is the youngest, is also the one who restores the Door and balance. Door, only falls when balance is thrown. Also known as “The Balance” First is the eldest, is also known as “Holy Grail”. In charge of the Door and Don Que’sor. Ahhh, why am I talking so much about nothing? Err... So basically that’s why I thought you could be a Wise One…. Yeah, so… Yeah…”

“There, you’ve read all about it. You believe in us? You don’t believe that we only exist in the legends written in your history books?”

“I’ve seen with my own eyes to believe they exist. I believe all of the Y’hiers know it. They just can’t face reality because they aren’t the Wise Ones. They are jealous that they cannot be the ones to change the world. I’m proud to have a brother like you…”

“I’m proud to have a brother who believes that we, the Wise Ones, exist as well. Anyway, the young lady you saw me entering with me earlier is our elder sister. She’s Yoruik. By the way, Jade doesn’t believe Yoru is her sister. I need your help to convince her.”

“Not a problem. She’s easy work. Humans are always easier to brainwash that Y’hiers… Especially like you and Yoruik, the Wi—”

“Don’t mention our positions in front of anyone, even Jade. Don’t bring up anything regarding ‘Wise Ones’ to anyone other than Yoru or me.” Zoruik whispered into his ears and gave Kyle a pat on the shoulder before disappearing into the thin air, back into his room.

“Aye Jade, Kyle will be coming over soon.” Zoruik told Jade as soon as he returned into his room.

“Great, better than facing a boring brother like you, who just tries to hypnotize me into believing that Y’hiers exist and…”

“But they really do, Jade.” Kyle’s voice sounded before she could finish her sentence.

“Kyle? Don’t tell me you’re being brainwashed by this freak as well?” She sighed loudly and looked out of the window. “Where’s this? Weren’t we in the forest?” She asked once she realized she was in a whole new location.

“You’re in Don Ques’or. You’re the only pure Human related to who belongs in a family of pure blood Y’hiers.” Kyle replied, “You’ve got to be proud of it. One in five scores you know? Not just a hundred people!”

“You joking me?” She laughed.

“I didn’t want to come here too Jade, but you’ve got to understand… When you’re not human, you don’t belong in the human world. You may be a human, but you are still related to us, a family of pure Y’hier.” Zoruik replied monotonously, tired of a day’s of convincing. “I’m leaving the rest to you, Kyle. Good luck.” He let out a yawn and stretched himself on the bed.


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I love Jade xD
BTW HURRY UP WOMAN!
You haven't posted for a month. xD
We need you!! AGH!
Also, I would like to point out that
YOU NEED TO POST! Just saying, Ger.

[SORRY! Here's an update... something i just finished. :X I really didn't have any time for the past month to do any editing. please be patient! X: thanks a lot]

Part IX


Seeing that Zoruik had left, Kyle checked his watch, a habitual practice he took every night, before he slept. It was almost four in the morning and they had to return to their home in San Jose, a distance away from Puerto Viejo. Jade would not be able to sustain the journey home if they did not turn in then. If they were too late, Toreik would holler at all of them and Jeanette would blame it on Zoruik. He knew how difficult it was for Zoruik to be staying under the same roof with Jeanette and he did not want him or Jade to be a cause of more trouble and grievance for him.

“Lights out.” Kyle flicked the lights off.

“Aye! I’m still reading!” Cross-legged on the roller chair, Jade pouted. “Turn on the lights!”

“We’ve to return by evening today Jade. Look at the time! You can always—”

“No! I want to read it now!” Jade screeched.

In Kyle’s room, Zoruik was jolted out of his dreams by Jade’s voice. Sleep was above everything in life for him. So, if anyone dared to interrupt his sleep without a valid reason, especially Jade, would face terrible consequences.

“Damn it… Can’t she just shut up?” Zoruik ran his hand to and fro his hair as he slipped his feet into the slippers and shuffled towards his room half-awake. Kyle flipped over to flick the switch on as Zoruik entered.

“Shouldn’t disturb your beauty sleep Kyle, you can have your room back.” He spoke with forced gentleness.

Jade was about to leave with Kyle when Zoruik barked at her, “Jade. Stay where you are.”

Kyle knew Jade was in deep trouble at that instant. He had never seen Zoruik so enraged. To avoid being caught in the eruption, he left quietly. He dared not cough or even utter a single noise of discomfort.

As if unable to read the situation, Jade added oil to the fire, “Why not?”

“And you still ask?” He stormed right up to her. “I’ve had enough of your childish behaviour.”

“What did I do wrong?” Jade asked, her eyes reflecting the innocence of her age.

“Stop whining and grow up already. I’m being terribly nice here because this isn’t home. If we were home, you’re screwed.” He fumed.

“When did I whine?” She asked. With tears brimming in her eyes, she grabbed and shook him.

Shaking her off, he continued with his unfinished lecture. “If you give me anymore crap for the next twelve hours until we leave this place, you’re going to get it from me when we return. Understood?”

Tears streamed down her checks as she began wailing loudly.

“I TOLD YOU! DON’T GIVE ME ANY NONSENSE!” He flamed at her, not bothering to even look at her.

Her cries subdued into quiet sniffs immediately when Zoruik shouted at her.

At least she knows how to read the least bit of the situation. He cooled off a little.

Knowing that Jade had broken down, Kyle went over in an attempt to comfort her. He tiptoed into the room and squatted down beside her. Just when he was about to comfort her, Zoruik got up and shot him a glare.

“Go back now.” Zoruik told Kyle quietly, trying to keep in his anger, as he did not want to throw flame at someone who did no wrong.

Kyle was too soft to watch his sister cry. He knew Jade could cry on forever. He did not want her to feel unloved. Like the duty of the Vessel, he wrapped his arms around her.

“Go now.” Zoruik repeated.

“But…”

“No buts.”

Seeing that Kyle did not make a move, Zoruik got over. Though it was mostly dark outside, the moon’s weak, orange light casted his shadow on his two siblings.

“Did you hear me?” He asked in exasperation. “Go. Now.” He spoke through clenched teeth.

“How dare you talk to him like that? I knew Y’hiers are up to no good.” She slapped him hard.

“You…” He took a deep breath, “Both of you, go out now. I’ve had quite enough. And you.” He pointed at Jade. “I don’t want to hear you make any sound, understood?”

Discontented with silent consent, he bellowed, “UNDERSTOOD?”

Ignoring his comment, she growled ferociously as she gathered her belongings in a huff. She dumped and threw all her things into her bag, she swung her bag carelessly onto her shoulders with a part of the earpiece still sticking out.

“Out!” He said his final word and shoved them out of the door.

When Kyle and Jade had left, Zoruik sat on the bed, depressed. He could not understand why Jade would not stop her whining. Soon to be thirteen, she was no kid anymore. He used to think she would outgrow whining when she reached the end of her childhood years.

She not only did not outgrow it, but grew from bad to worse. It seemed to him that she was using it as her tool to gain sympathy. He could not understand why Kyle was still protecting her like a baby. He could tell that this incident made her hold some hatred for him. As all those thoughts flashed through his mind, Yoruik entered.

“Aye, it’s good you’re learning to take up the responsibility of the eldest sibling.” She put a shoulder around him. She spied their conversations as she was leaning against her room wall, listening intently to every word said. Although it did puzzle her who the other unnamed person both Zoruik and Jade was speaking about, she did not ask in fear of rekindle the glowing splint.

“Jade’s goanna hate me for this.” He sighed and leaned back on the bed.

“Don’t worry. She will understand after awhile. Things take time to get through to little kids like her.”

“She’s thirteen Yoru… Thirteen… I don’t understand why she can’t just stop her whining. It gets on my nerves to always give in to her because she whines.”

“I know… But she’s used to getting what she wants from whining. She’s spoilt.” Yoruik grappled from the thin air, hoping it was a correct deduction.

“That’s precisely why I reprimanded her just now. She reached my limit. And guess what? Kyle jumps into the picture and protects Jade again.”

“Again? Wow… Now I really do feel the fire.” She followed closely to his conversation, picking out details and stood on his side, hoping to cool him off.

“You bet!”

“Relax. She won’t be able to understand your anger. I’m glad you’ve learned to spare a thought about others around you though you’ve not be taught since when we were parted.”

“It’s frustrating, living with a sister like this… And… Ah… Never mind. I’m tired.” He shrugged it off, he could sense that his sister was trying to chill him out.

“I understand.”

“I’m leaving tomorrow by the way. Father and Jacqueline will be wondering where we went to. You…”

“You all are going to see dad too? Can I come along?”

“Was about to ask that. Dad has been anticipating your visit.”

“That’s great! Wake me tomorrow.”

“Technically, it’s this evening.”

“Yeah, you haven’t changed the least bit. As technical as you were before.” Yoruik pat him in the shoulders.

“You want to take the bed?” Zoruik asked.

“Oh, that’s nice of you, but I think two can share that bed.”

“Not against the rule?”

“Please, they’re not stupid. We’re siblings.”

“Okay.” Zoruik replied a little awkward.

“Time to turn in~”

“Yeappers.” He replied, relief washing over him.

He was glad that sleep was something he could fall into so soon. Sleep was not only a favourite for him, but it was also a form of letting go of all the uneasiness and unhappiness which had built up in the day. A satisfactory sleep was sufficient for him to forget whatever happened the day before. Maybe it was something trained from young, ever since Jade and Jeanette came to live under the same roof as he.

When Jade first came to join him, he had a lot of difficulty trying to get used to her whining and presence. In fact, just her existence was enough to kill his spirits for several days. Jeanette’s curt comments were detrimental to his pride. Her ruthless reprimands had often landed him into a state of despair and angst for long periods of time. They two had so much fault to find in him that he began to lock himself up in his room. He would be dead silent during meals, and the only words that he could manage to get out of his petrified mental state were ‘Sorry’, ‘Thank you’ and ‘I’ll do better next time’. Life was just trepidation for him, day in day out.

After five years of cohabitation, he finally found a sure way out of the constant darkness that shrouded his inner world – Sleep. As he would confine himself to his room most of the time, and Toreik barely bothered about him for he was too busy working, he would find sleeping the best way out of all the sorrow that was creating a deep barren vault within him. He wondered if it was because God pitied his state of life and as such granted him the gift of being able to dismiss the miserable past so quickly. His mind fell into a state of subconscious and soon fell into a deep slumber as thoughts gave way to dreams.

In the other room, a small conversation between Kyle and Jade started in the dark.

“I’ve warned you so many times Jade. Seriously, even if it was me, I would have erupted.”

“But he was too much!”

“You don’t reflect do you?”

“And now you’re taking on his side?” She turned her back to him.

“I’m fair. I can’t be covering you like that. It’s like jumping right into the fire.”

“Then you could have left me alone to cry. Don’t help me. Making me feel like I’ve got a brother who loves me?” Jade kicked Kyle off the bed.

“Ow, that hurts.” He rubbed his back where Jade gave him a painful karate kick.

Kyle’s best sport was finger exercises, for he had mastered Guzheng (a Chinese instrument), Guitar, Violin and Piano. He was basically the musician of the family. He was so talented; he had usually taken on the solo roles in musical concerts. His skills in sports were only the rudimentary skills of swimming and basketball. As such, he clearly was unable to defend himself against athletic Jade who mastered her Gold Star award for swimming, attained brown belt for taekwondo, is also one of the strongest boxer and jumper in her school, and had attained a purple belt for karate in four years.

“Serves you right for being so unfair towards me.”

“Stop being caught in a warp of self-pity. Step out of the box and look out of the well you live in. Everyone is trying their best to bend to your desires, but you just take it for granted. You really have got to wake up and stop acting like some bossy missy.”

“You are just siding them!”

“Just as I have always been siding you.”

“Not anymore. Hmmph!” She turned her head towards the ceiling arrogantly.

“Just go apologize. It’s not good for you to have strained ties with brother.” Kyle sighed.

“Does it matter?” She shot back hotly.

“I can’t explain it. Just know it’s never good to anger a Y’hier.” Kyle picked the rational approach as he did not want to pick up another fight with her.

“And you all just like hiding stuff from me... Haven’t you all thought about how I’d feel?”

“There are things we really can’t say… I would have told you if I could—” He then lowered his voice and mumbled, “and I almost did once."

She nodded half-heartedly, “Whatever.”

“Night.”

[Alright. This will be the last update for now... probably until end of next year.]

(November 1st 2011 will mark the 3rd year I'm working on this story. >< I know I'm slow, but well... but... Trust me (: Updates will get more frequent during the start of my 3rd year.. Because it's holidays ><)

[PLEASE DON'T STOP SUPPORTING OR I'LL BE REALLY SAD DD:]



Part X

As the moon and sun slowly made their rounds across the sky, rising from the west and setting in the east, the four siblings slept soundly through the morning. When they woke, the sun was already burning up their skins. They could feel the scorching heat against their dry skin.

“Aye, wake up!”

“Hm..? What time is it?”

“2 in the afternoon.”

“What?” Kyle sat up immediately, rubbing his eyes.

“2 in the afternoon sir.” Jade replied simply.

They rushed over to Yoruik and Zoruik’s room to check on them and realized they were all ready to make a move. The two of them threw all their belongings roughly into their bags and zipped them up carelessly. They slung it on their shoulders while hurrying to Frostomre G’mmaur, the dining area in Don Qu’or to meet the siblings.

Breakfast was a grab-and-go for they decided not to stay in for a full course meal. The grab-and-go counter was just like the drive-thru for Mac Donald’s, people queued and took their orders, and waited at another counter for their food to be ready. The only difference was that it was a dozen times faster over at Frostomre G’mmaur.

They gathered their belongings and headed homewards. Upon stepping out of the door, they were greeted by a carpet of red, orange and brown fused together. Fall had steeped in and leaves were leaving their twigs, onto the grounds, to return nutrients to the tree that once gave them life. The entire path leading to the bend was completely hidden under the fallen leaves. The magnificent image left all of them in awe. The gentle glow from the sun shone through the canopy of leaves, bouncing off the dead leaves which were continuously piling up on the soft floor as more rained down from the arms of the trees. They dried leaves gave off a crisp cracking sound as the feet of the four siblings sunk into the cushion of leaves. Even though the heat from summer had yet to give way, it was no longer a burden to the amazed children.

As they made their way down, Yoruik’s lips began to crack. It was normal for that to happen when the weather was lacking moisture. After six hours of trekking downhill, they finally came face to face with flat land. Y’hiers are supposed to stay in the fictions children read; besides, she did not want to arouse any unintended hostility amongst the Humans, so she bit her tongue and tagged behind the rest. Furthermore, it was the ‘Night Of Music’, and the streets were bustled, there was nowhere she could hide to use a little magic to solve the problem.

The way to the pharmacy was actually quite short; one could normally reach it in ten minutes. However, due to the massive crowds jamming the streets, it took almost twice as long. The bends were especially difficult to pass as youngsters would gather there to smoke and drink. After a torturous twenty-five minutes of jostling and pushing accompanied by the blaring music and shrilling audience, they finally reached the door of the pharmacy.

Although it was in the middle of crowded stalls, but you could see from afar, the door of the pharmacy. It was so deserted; it felt like a mystical stall which Humans could not see. Rather, it was completely ignored by the people around it. Even sweaty kids playing outside the pharmacy did not think of entering.The slightly blue fluorescent lighting from within the air-conditioned pharmacy made it looked even more mysterious. To add on to the uncanny feel, there was no one in the pharmacy other than an elderly worker behind the cashier with her head bent, seemingly serious at work.


“Anything is fine,” Yoruik answered before they could ask.

A bright sound rang from the bell as the door was opened. The worker stopped what she was doing and pushed up her huge glasses which were hanging at the tip of her nose up. She looked from behind those huge lenses and nodded at them. Not a single word was exchanged.

“What should we get?” Zoruik whispered, as he stood before the shelf of moisturizers.

“No idea… I haven’t touched it since forever.” Kyle shrugged.

He picked up a tube of moisturizer and began reciting the contents.

“What are you doing?” Zoruik shot him an exasperated look.

“Nothing” Kyle placed it back onto the display again, “It’s not like we know anything about this, so we should just get something that sounds more normal.”

“We should just get the expert here instead of experimenting out.” He glared at Kyle, “My sister isn’t a guinea pig”

“Okay, okay…” Kyle gave him an awkward frown, “I was just joking… I’ll go get Jade.”

“Get this… and this!” In a flash, Jade was at the counter with a lip balm and moisturizer.

“Sure…?” He eyed her suspiciously. He realized what she had taken were the most expensive on the shelf.

“You pay the price if you want something good, that’s life.”

“I didn’t say anything.” He shrugged.

Jade snatched up the moisturizer and lip balm just when the Zoruik placed two crisp green notes on the cashier.

“I’ll hunt for a place to rest.” Jade chipped in.

She already had a place in mind, but she never had the chance to visit. Taking that rare chance, she quickly rounded the corners to locate the restaurant.

Though he was a social butterfly most of his life in school, yet he seemed to have lost his courage to speak like he used to in school. It must have been that it was the girls who came to talk to me, and I haven’t any idea how to start a conversation. Thankfully, Jade helped him out so that he could stick around with Zoruik.

“Sugar rush?” Zoruik asked, surprised by Jade’s sudden change in attitude.

Kyle cocked his head to the left and shrugged, not knowing how to continue the conversation. He watched Zoruik receive and keep the change, as his mind scavenged for a topic to talk about. He was hoping Zoruik could start another conversation, something he was familiar with.

“Something’s up?” Zoruik asked.

“Nu-uh” He looked away.

Not willing to go too far in starting a conversation and making Kyle feel out of place, Zoruik kept quiet till they met up with Yoruik.

“Eh…? Where’s Jade?” Both of them enquired.

Just then, Jade zoomed back with a broad grin plastered to her face. Although she had been running on top speed to and fro, but she was not the least bit breathless at all.

“Here, I shall lead you all to a place where we can all get what we want.” She began her off-beat marching towards the café – Deluxe Deal.

Upon stepping into the café, they were awed by the setting within. Although it looked like an old two-floor brick cafeteria from the outside, with many holes and blinking signs, the interior was completely different. It was like stepping into the lobby of a five-star hotel. A tall piece of flowery frosted glass with vertical streams of water falling from the top stood before them. The sound of splashing water gave the feel of an actual water fall whereas the cooling feel of the water sent a refreshing sensation into everyone who stepped in. Potted plants that lined the perimeter of the café were in all kinds of shapes and colours. The presence of the man-made waterfall and potted plants served as a form of life within the café, such that even the last customer would not feel alone or awkward to be the only one around. The tiles on the floors were of light colours like faint blue and grey-white, so as not to steal the positions of the flamboyant and bold wall designs. Cushioned seats with velvet cloth pulled over them made the chairs looked soft, comfy and inviting. There were several special tables situated at the corners of the room, they were the mirror tables whereby people could see their reflections when having meals. Although it the place was a simple square room with tables and chairs, but the creative designs sent it to the top of the charts around the world. Thus, it was a norm for Zoruik not have entered such a luxurious place.

As for Jade… As pampered as she was, her mother would bring her to every classy dining place in the world. Well, that is no surprise since she used to belong to an exceptionally rich family (which eventually fell because of their complacent later generations).

They rested at a café for Yoruik to make a visit to the restroom. They had not even taken their order when Yoruik was back again.

“Jade, could you lend me a hand?” Yoruik pled, like a lost child.

“Miss, your order please?” The waiter handed Yoruik a menu.

“Oh… Uh… I’ll have a mango ice blend if you have that?” She enquired.

“Would tangy mango do? It is a mango ice blend with mango cubes freshly cut.” The waiter tapped the picture of the tangy mango on the menu.

“Excellent. I’ll take this.” Yoruik turned back to Jade.

“Alright, so I’ll repeat your orders. A fruit punch blended, a strawberry flush, a berry crush, and a tangy mango blend.” The waiter left.

“Err… Okay…” Jade answered a little reluctantly.

She slipped her phone off the table and approached the restroom with caution. She wondered what sort of help Yoruik would need from her.

Just when the ladies disappeared at the bend outside the restroom, the drinks came. The guys took sips of their drinks while chatting, meanwhile watching water condense on the cool surface of the drinks the girls’ bought.

In the restroom, Jade relaxed when she knew what Yoruik was seeking her help in. She thought it would be fun to fool around a little, since Yoruik was new to using beauty products.

“This is how you use it.” Jade smeared some moisturizer on Yoruik’s face.

Staring at her reflection in the mirror, she asked, partially deceived, “Are you sure? It makes people look so ugly?”

“Mmhmm.”

“Lets’ go then.”

“Oh, wait! Wait! I was just joking. You’ve got to spread it.”

“Come again?”

“This way,” Jade squeezed some on her hand and brushed it lightly on her skin and spread it all over her arm.

Yoruik leaned closer to the mirror and did the necessary, “I feel like I’m spreading butter on a piece of bread.”

“You’ve never stepped into this place have you?” Jade threw her head back and laughed.

“Err… Yes to a restroom, no to such a kind.” Yoruik picked up the moisturizer and looked at directions before tapping the cover to close the bottle.

“Don’t you ever need to use it there?”

“You mean over at Don—” Yoruik pursed her lips as a mother entered with her toddler.

“Yes, that M—”

“No.” Yoruik broke in, “I’ll tell you more later.”

“Oh okay…” Jade trailed off, once again lost in her inability to comprehend why Y’heirs dared not bring up those places when there are people around.

“I’ll get this done then we can leave.” Yoruik patted her checks with the moisturizer lightly.

“Uh… I’ll be in the cubicle then.” Jade shut the door.

Realizing that the mango ice blend the girls had ordered had already melted and stagnant water was surrounding it, the guys got a little worried.

“Lets’ ring them.”

“They should be together, one is enough.”

“Agreed.”

“Dang, my phone’s...”

“Use… It’s flat.” Kyle flipped open his phone, and then close it again.

“Never mind.” Zoruik slide open his phone and prayed silently that it would be able to last a call.

“You’re going to use magic?” Kyle whispered in silent alarm.

The screen flicked on and Kyle’s eyes widen in alarm.

Zoruik shook his head, “I’m not that stupid…Hello, Jade?”

“No, it’s Yoru” her voice sounded from the other end of the line.

“Did something happen?”

“Oh, don’t worry. She’s in the lavatory.” There was a moment of silence before Yoruik’s muffled voice sounded, “Called to tell you how much of a hassle it is to use this.”

“Stop complaining you idiot, don’t you know—” Kyle had snatched the phone over before he could finish his words.

Not knowing it was Yoruik on the other end of the line, Kyle spoke in his usual casual tone towards his little sister, “Hurry with it, your mango ice blend has became diluted mango juice!”

“Okay, we’ll be right there.” He heard Yoruik’s muffled voice through the covered speakers rushing Jade with her business before the line cut off.

Stunned, Kyle left his lips ajar and stared at Zoruik. Zoruik sniggered at the flabbergasted Kyle and stuffed his phone carelessly into his pocket. Kyle was knocked out of space out by the of nails tapping on the table.

“C’mon, don’t be so impatient. Girls all love the restrooms.” Kyle leaned close to Zoruik and slipped his phone out of his pocket. “Gotcha!” He smiled in triumph.

“Return it to me, no time for lame jokes.” Zoruik replied coldly, extending an open palm in demand of his phone.

He was exceptionally uncomfortable in the cafeteria as he realized they were the only ones who did not order any meals. Some several tables away, a couple of customers casted them quick glances, thinking they would not be noticed by Zoruik’s sharp eyes.

Kyle dropped the phone on his palm, dejected. Keeping his phone once again, Zoruik noticed that the girls were back.

“Oh my, this is pretty.” Yoruik swiped her finger over the droplets of condensed vapour.

“Stop it.” Zoruik hissed, “You’re making it too obvious!”

“Sorry.” Yoruik mumbled, embarrassed as she noticed several pairs of eyes looking her way.

“No big deal.” Kyle laughed it off.

“No one asked for your comments.” Zoruik rolled his eyes.

“I was just helping you.” Kyle jittered.

“Just shut up and get that down your throat.”

Seeing the tensed atmosphere last night surfacing again, Jade shut herself up and quietly finished her drink as soon as she could. I am transparent. I am not here, don’t look at me. I don’t want to be noticed. I’m only going to create a trouble if I say anything.

“Smart. Good you’re growing up” Zoruik patted her head, relieved that Jade was finally showing some maturity.

“Fancy reading peoples’ mind~.” Kyle deliberately thought it out loud.

He ignored Kyle’s comment and finished the last drip of the disgusting drink. He never liked mango. In fact, it was due to him having allergies to mangos. He would feel nauseous after taking more than five slices of mango, in which a day later, rashes would bug him. The drink was way out of the limit his body could take.

Yoruik’s face paled when she recalled his allergy. Flustered, she repeatedly apologized under her breath.

“Useless sister, enjoying her drink while forgetting about her brother…” She blurted, “Are you okay? Need anything?”

He was unable to talk as the drink came up his gullet. Covering his mouth, he waved her comments and disappeared into the restroom. Depressed, Yoruik gulped down her drink and waited outside the lavatory for Zoruik to return.

Kyle and Jade went up to her and asked in unison, “What’s wrong with him?”

“Allergy, I believe.”

“To mango?”

“But it’s a fruit, it’s not quite possible.” Jade added.

“Since young, he would feel nauseous after taking less than half a mango.”

“No wonder…” Kyle thought out loud as he remembered how Zoruik hardly touched the mango every time deserts were served. “He didn’t say.”

“Well, because he is the oldest among all of you, a lot of things have to be kept from you all because there isn’t time for it. Just like how our parents keep things from us. Another reason is because he is your step-brother. He doesn’t feel very close to you all, and he has been thinking about home… As in me and our mother.”

“He’s back, lets’ not talk about it anymore.”

“You better act normal Jade.”

“Yes sir!” She saluted.

The three of them laughed out loud.

“Hey, what are ya‘ll talking about?” He pretended to be peeved.

“Oh, she just saluted to the wall for no reason.” Yoruik regained her composure.

He gave them a ‘that’s-so-lame’ look, spun and left them.

“Lets’ go shopping.” Jade and Yoruik cheered.

“It’s…” Kyle was about to say when Zoruik cut in.

“Not a problem. We still have some time; at least we are heading towards the direction of the house.”

While waiting for the bus to arrive, Jade and Yoruik went into a deep conversation about clothes, beauty products and anything that a normal girl would use in the Human world that is under the sky. The guys watched in amusement at the girls who were so excited over shopping.