The Fire Gem
Hamish Roberts

Introduction

I have loved writing stories for as long as I can remember, although I started some stories which were brilliant, but never finished them, like I won’t forget the Max Thomas story, and I might start it again, and actually finish it this time, but I did write some good stories, like King Arthur, all about me (Hamish Roberts, although most people call me Ham and Cheese) just slipping down a whole on my bike, and going off to Camelot, and helping King Arthur in several ways, then bringing him to England in the year 1999, where we (most mysteriously) were being attacked by Greece, so me and the King Arthur, and his Knights chopped off all of the enemies heads.

This story is quite different, it has much more sadness and , real action, and I won’t tell you about it, because you either just read, and decided to read the introduction, or your just about to read it, because this is the end of my Introduction. By the way, I’m going to write a sequel! Good bye!

 

 

Chapter One.

The Creation of the Gem

 

A Witch, a Dwarf, and a creature which is not known in this world, called a Sagorn, the King of which, wanted to rule the Planet of Karoma. Karoma is a planet which is very like ours, infact there is only two differences, the inhabitance, and the fact that there is magic in one of them, but not the other.

A sagorn, is the worst form of Oemonas. Oemonas are mostly good creatures, all except Sagorns have hair on there noses. most good and wise kind are the woodland kind, called Hon ones they are taller than most creatures, and can produce magic bows, that can be shot from a mile a way and still hit a Sagorns heart. The next kind come from the North, and are the shortest of the kinds of Oemonas. They are called Sodacers and they are great Black smiths, and make Swords end Spears and other weapons of all kinds.

They sell these mostly to the Rarckers, these come from the West and South, and are great Warriors , though not so wise as the Others.

And Finally we come to Sagorns which come from the East in the dreaded land of Garlosia. It is hard to believe that these things are Oemonas at all considering there great and evil deeds that they have done. But they were a form of Oemona from another world where they had betrayed the world to a Dark Lord, so were given evil hearts and Fearsome Bodies, and banished from the World. They are now feared by all who dwell in Koroma.

The King Sagorn was locked up, far beneath the ground, but was found by The Witch and the Dwarf, and here they planned to gain power of Karoma, to rule it.

"How shall this be done? " said the Witch

" We shall need some magic for sure" replied the Dwarf.

" My magic is not great enough to take the whole of Komara!" cried the Witch.

"Somebody’s must be." Whispered the Sagorn "And who else than the great Saebane"

"Aaaah, but you are forgetting Saebanes Daughter, Deasater. Said the Witch harshly." Surely she will be able to undo what ever we will force Saebane, Son of Raesane, to give us the Power".

"She cannot stop us!" cried the Dwarf. " Once we have all Koroma in our power, we will be unstoppable!".

They kidnapped the Saebane, and tortured him.

"Give us the power to rule Koroma, or perish.

"All right" chocked Saebane. "Conan saya gorlaya dea madder sumacue!"

The Witch, the Dwarf, and the Sagorn, shielded their eyes, as a blinding light, shone in all directions.

Then, appeared a gem.

"Travel to the lands of Garlosia, then alight it by putting it in the Flame of Uracaya. It is magic and is alight under the Great Lake, close to the Eastern entrance of the Waterfalls of the Oceans. Then, you will have all power of Koroma."

" And only we can use it?" hissed the Sagorn

" Other People can use it-"

"WHAT!" Yelled Sagorn.

" But only if there heart is that of a Dragons!" cried Saebane.

" That is unlightly", said the Dwarf. "How could anyone get a Dragon heart.

"I suppose so. Then let us-"

Out of the Shadows came a cloaked figure. Infact, this was Deasater, Saebanes Daughter.

"You have hurt my Father!" Deasater cried " DIIIIIIIIIIIIIIE" with that she pointed her finger at the Witch, the Dwarf and the Sagorn. There was a flash of blue and they were gone.

With that she took her father home. "Deasater, there is something there-"

"You can tell me back home Father"

"But it must be destr-"

" Never mind father, we must get home.

Soon after a man by the name of Zaconard walked along to the Place where the Gem had been created.

Once, this man had come close to death, for his heart had been pierced. But he had Justin time traded some gold( for he was a rich man) for a dragon’s heart. This he replaced for his own.

 

He walked along, and saw a Glint. He walked over saw that it was a Gem of incredible beautifulness and picked it up. It looked as though it was worth a Fortune, so he( for he was greedy )took it.

He looked up and saw Saebane galloping towards him. Saebane looked around anxiously around, and then said asked Zaconard if he had seen a Gem.

"Why" replied Zaconard cunningly.

Saebane then told him about what had happened and what the Gem could do.

"I Believe there is a person named Zaconard who has a Dragon’s heart and he is the type who would somehow find out and use the Gem.

" Your right" said Zaconard smiling "I know Zaconard very very well. He’s got a Dragon’s heart, But he’s my best friend. We’re as close as two people can get. Closer, rather."

"I don’t understand, I-"

Saebane stared at Zaconard , suddenly scared, realising that he had been telling the very person that he was hoping wouldn’t find out what the gem was.

"You’ve worked it out, have you? You fool, haven’t you been wandering what I’ve been hiding behind my back? Yes, I have got the Fire gem!"

From a mile away, you could have heard Saebanes cry as he fell to the Ground, dead.

"NO!" cried Deasater, as she galloped on horse back, to the scene of crime.

"Die!" she yelled, as she struck an arrow into Zaconard’s head and wept at her Fathers dead body. "No!" she wept "No" She grabbed the gem, and through it as hard as she could. An Eagle caught it and flew, far to the East. There the Eagle, dropped it in to the Great Lake of Surabaya.

If Anyone had gone to Savoyard’s body and felt his chest, they would have realised that his heart was still beating.

At the very moment the Fire gem had been dropped into the Great Lake, Nick Thomas had been born.

 

Many Years later, Disaster came to talk to Nick Thomas, on his eighteenth birthday.

Nick lived in the Town of Lario in the West, and in the Land of Droebane. He lived in the Castle of Raesane, and was training to be a knight. His hair was light brown, and had blue eyes, and quite thin(for a Human anyway). He was son of Gilovin, who actually was the Heir to the Ancient King of Karoma, when the days were peaceful and although he did not know it, Nick’s father was Deasater’s brother.

 

" Good mourning Nick" said Deasater.

"Wha-"yawned Nick "Oh good mourning Deasater- what’s the Time?"

"Nine o’clock. I need to talk to you."

"Okay- at Breakfast."

No, I need to talk to you alone!"

Okay Deasater. You sound rather worried!On my birthday and all!"

"Do I? Well there’s no surprise there. This is Urgent!"

"Oh" said Nick; abit taken aback, for Deasater was never very serious before. "What is it then?"

"Have you heard of the person called Zaconard?"

"Of course! The person who’s famous for having a Dragon heart."

"He’ll be famous for being the powerful Dark Lord ever if you don’t this!"

" Don’t do what? I don’t understand."

"You have heard of the Legendary Fire gem, have you not?"

"Yes but that is only a fairy tale"

"Well it looks as though the fairy tales just come true"

" What! But only people with Dragon hearts can that-Oh"

"And who’s famous for having one?"

" Are you trying to tell me that Zaconard, has one?"

" No. Many years ago he stole one but it was taken from his grasp. Then An Eagle carried it away and dropped into the Great Lake of Urasayer, in the land of Garlosia. It has remained there for eighteen years. And in those eighteen years, his spies have brought news and now he knows where it is."

"And what do I have to do?" Nick was now starting to feel fear coming up his spine, for he new just how dangerous the Fire gem could be and he did not like the name Garlosia.

" You have to go to Garlosia, and destroy the gem. Choose two companions. "

Nick stared at Deasater, with utter fear.

"Why me?" he whispered

"You were born on the very moment that the gem was cast away into the River. You were chosen to do this. You are meant to do this. To destroy the Fire Gem!"

 

 

Chapter Two

The Waterfalls of theOcean

 

Nick lied in his bed, fearing the Day after tomorrow, for it would be the Day when they set out to the Lands of the East, through the Forest of Lario, and then they would never see Lario again.

Nick Thomas, was human, for these creatures dwelt in Koroma to, and common in the west. However, they were rarely found the East, and never were they seen in Garlosia, though they were mildly found in the South, but the North was mostly made up of Oemonas.

Nick finally fell into troublesome sleep, in which he had a dream none of would like to have.

Nick was in a dark tunnel, and was completely alone. The middle I will not tell you, for the most dreadful things happened in it. But at the end of the dream, he was staring at his own body-lifeless. Nick woke up; afraid he had been decided to come to the Land of the Dead, rather than his spirit resting in peace. He looked around, and saw that it was his own comfortable room in the comfortable castle of Raesane. He rolled over, and went to sleep.

The next day Nick walked along, by the River of Karoma incredible River that encircled the whole of Karoma, when he passed by Joey Kinder and Richard Harris. These were the chosen companions of Nick to stand by him all the way to Garlosia, although they weren’t the ideal sidekicks. "Hey-hay look who it is Rich!" Joey was a tiny little guy, with shiny blond hair and Rich was tall merry fellow, with lively eyes and dark hair.

" What! Are you talking about that chap over there?!" Richard pointed to a hooded figure on about in the great river. "No no no no no, I’m talking about that person to your left. Oh that chap over there, right, I see your point, But who is this blocking are way?" " My mother I think; who else could it be?" Joey and Rich were always like this, but this time they were not nearly so merry, for as soon as soon as Nick had laid his eyes on that hooded figure felt a terror set upon him. " Er, Joey, Rich er- let’s go shall we?" "And why would we want to do that, on our last day at Lario!?"

"Er for-for food!" said Nick " Food!" cried Joey "Why ever not! Come along now."

" Later that day, Nick found Deasater walking towards him.

" I have to talk to you, about the journey ahead"

"Ok. Will you need a map of Karoma"

" It would help"

While Nick was walking along, to get the Map, he realised how much he would miss Lario, the Castle, and most of all, his Father. I have not told you about his father: Gilovin except his relatives.

The First King of the whole Karoma was Jaesane, the all mighty King. He then had just one Son, Daebane, then went Yaegane Kaemane Quaetane, Xaelane Laejane Vaehane Zaerane Baedane Raesane and then Saebane. Saebane, had a daughter with Reasatar. This was of course, Deasater. But they also longed to have a boy, so they could also have a Queen at last, but still also have a King. So they prayed the god Xenmaseor, for them to have a baby boy. There wish came true. But two weeks later a man kidnapped the baby. However, he was killed in battle, for this man was a great warrior, though he was evil.

The baby was abandoned, and found by Vilovin, a Oemona of the Honone type, a person from Haedon, in the North, but he had travelled to west, and wished to stay there permanently. Vilovin already had a son, Kilovin, and named the baby, Gilovin. He brought him up until Vilovin was sent on an urgent journey, to which he not told his sons, or rather his son and Gilovin. Vilovin, son of Jilovin, never returned. He was presumed dead.

Nick walked along, got the map, and went back to Deasater. Deasater was just round the corner, when he glanced at the hooded figure. Yet again he felt a chill come down his spine. He stood in silence, when suddenly he felt a warmth shine upon him. However this was not comforting. Nick turned around and saw a site that no one would like to see.

He stood there in terror. Nick was looking at a body slowly coming towards him. A body made completely of fire.

Nick wheeled round and ran. He ran with all his might. He ran to Deasater, but she was not there. He kept on running, picturing a black shrivelled body on the floor, he ran passed the forest of Lario, and jumped into the river of Karoma. He thought he was okay, until an arrow made of fire narrowly missed him. He flung some water at the body of fire , and quickly got out of the river. However, a flick of water was only a few seconds delay to this body of fire. It was soon behind Nick, shooting arrows of fire. Nick soon realised that he was going in the direction of his fathers house. He kept on running and saw his father (Gilovin) . Nick turned around, and saw an arrow of fire going strait for him. He could not seem to move, even though he tried. "No!" cried Gilovin, and Gilovin kicked a log, that he used for fire. The arrow hit the log and the log burst into flames, went off course and soured in the air and hit Gilovin in the heart. " Aaaaah!". Gilovin fell to the ground in flames and went to a different world than Karoma. "FATHER! NO! Nooo." I never told you that much about Gilovin. You only heard him speak twice. But if this was sequel to a book about Gilovin, then you would have had grief set upon you.

Right then Deasater arrived and saw Gilovin’s dead body. She walked over to Nick.

" I am sorry."

"Sure."

" We must set out in three hours."

"What. You expect me to leave Lario, on the day of my father’s death?"

"It is the only way."

" I don’t care about Zaconard getting a stupid fire Gem, I don’t care if he rules Karoma, or even all of the worlds there are, the only thing I want is for my father to come back!"

"Do not speak like that!" cried Deasater, suddenly very angry. Nick stared at her.

"I’m sorry, I’m so sorry. But when I come back (if I do) I can’t imagine what life would be like in Lario without him."

"What killed your father Nick?"

" I don’t no what it was. It was like a human, except it was, well it was completely- completely made of Fire." Deasater stared at Nick.

" We cannot go through Lario on land."

"But the river only will take us North and South, and the Little river does, but soon the little river goes in the Ocean."

"I know. We will have to go by the Waterfalls of the Ocean."

"Where’s that?"

"The Western Entrance is just in the Ocean."

"And why do we have to go this way?"

"For Fire human’s are swarming the whole of our route through Xagane." Xagane is the country in which the town of Lario is.

" So that’s the name of the creature which killed my Father."

" Yes. They are workers of Zaconard."

And inside the Waterfalls of the Ocean?"

"It is a tunnel trough the whole of Karoma. We will through Xagane inside it.

" The whole of Xagane in a dark tunnel!"

"That will be little of our journey."

" Where else are we going to go to?"

" I cannot tell you of that now. We mist have a meal before we go."

With that Deasater went and walked away. Nick looked at where she had been but she was nowhere to be seen. He walked to Gilovin’s body and took his Gilovin’s sword.

"May your sword bring hop to me, Father."

Nick berried his father’s dead body, and wept. He had never felt such sadness.

At the Feast they talked of many things, but none talked of The Fire Gem, for they wished to take the fear away from them for this merry hour before they set of on the long and fearsome journey, But Nick could not help thinking about it. Suddenly he remembered that he had glanced the hooded figure before the Fire Human had appeared. Had he been the reason for Nick’s father’s death? Nick saw the moon come out from behind the cloud’s.

" A toast" said Nick

" He-hay" cried Joey.

"C’mon Nick."

"Er, to Deasater, for always helping me out in difficulties."

"To Deasater!"

"Er and also to my- my father, Gilovin for incase you didn’t no, he, er he died today."

There was complete silence in the hall where they were eating"

"To Gilovin." Nick said

" To Gilovin."

"Um I need to er go and get my stuff, I er see you have already got yours er you can go on without me, I’ll catch up. Nick raced to his room and got his stuff and walked back down.. He stepped outside , and was just about to run after the other’s when he felt a cold chill come up his spine. He wheeled around, and saw the hooded figure.

Nick stood still staring at the hooded figure. Then an Echo came from the hooded figure, like he was hissing in a large stone room.

"Joelnoe FORMDAEEET!"

"Nick was filled with unimaginable terror. Then one hundred Fire humans came after Nick. Nick turned and ran. Terror filled his heart as he sprinted into the Forest, slashing trees out of his way. A fire Arrow was shot at him which he narrowly dodged, and another he knocked away with his sword.

"I will avenge Gilovin!!" he yelled. One of them leapt over Nick, blocking his way.

Nick jumped, thinking that this was his last hour. But he felt a hand grab him and pull him round the Fire human. He opened his eyes, afraid what he might see. It was Deasater. " We must fly y y y" she echoed and they rose from the ground, and soared trough the air, and back down to the ground at the edge of the forest. She ran a boat at the Little river of Lario, and got on with Joey and Rich. Nick stood at the edge of the forest. "Come!" cried Deasater, "Come!". Then suddenly all the Fire humans came through.

Nick ran, yelling

"NOOOOOOOO!" He leapt onto the boat as Deasater cried "Gola Karayer!"

Round the boat came a huge bubble. All the fire arrows rebounded off the bubble and at once the boat started to go down the river.

For a day they went down the river, until the next night they came to the open sea. They had been going west-south, but now they were facing East into a cliff. Deasater said " Vonsilosia!"

A diagonal cylinder of salt water disappeared revealing some stone steps. Deasater , Joey , Rich and Nick walked don, until the steps ended. There they saw a Waterfall

One by one, they stepped through the first Waterfall of the Ocean.

 

 

Chapter Three

Vilovin Thomas

 

Nick looked around. He could see nothing but pure blackness. " What is the point in taking us to a place completely made of darkness."

" That will be delt with." Deasater answered. She cast a spell: "Xakarar!" and a dim ball of light gave a feint shine, revealing many holes that seemed to never have an ending, and carvings of Sagorns torturing Honones, Sodacer’s, or even Wizard’s and witches, like Deasater, dare I say not Gilovin and Nick, for though they are related to Deasater, you have to drink the drink of Vonosayer to become one, and Gilovin wasn’t given it before he was kidnapped. So Nick and Gilovin were just human.

" It is late" Deasater sighed. "Let us rest now".

That night (as far as they could tell, for they saw no light of day) Nick had a strange dream, just had he had the night before. He was being carried by huge Sagorns. Then he was put down on a table of cold, hard stone. A very big one had an axe. Nick could feel the Sagorns hot breath on him. And down came the axe to his throat. Nick woke up, shivering and drenched with sweat. But this time he did not get to sleep quite so easily. Was that Deasater in the shadows. Or was it was it some thing else? Nick kept looking at the spot where the being was. Nick looked at the carvings on the walls. But when he looked back at where the mysterious shadow had been, there was nothing to be seen.

The next day (yet again, as far as they could tell), Nick did not like at all. It is not

pleasant to be in darkness all the time, and Nick was also getting nervous. He had not forgotten about the hooded figure in the Shadows. Was it a mere human spy of Zaconard? Or something else? Something much worse? Nick did not like to think of what dreadful things it could be, but he could not help it. Was it A Sagorn? A Witch of the East? Or worst, Zaconard himself?

They were walking along when they came to a little chamber.

"We will rest here" said Deasater wearily.

While they got there blankets out, Nick examined a tomb stone.

"Vilovin Thomas. Who was he?" Nick said curously.

He looked at Deasater.

Deasater thought a moment, then answered.

" He was a great Warrior"

"Is there nothing else to be told?"

Deasater thought yet again.

" No. I know nothing more".

" Why ever would he do he come down here?"

"Why did you?"

"Because-well, if I don’t do this, it’ll be the end of all Karoma!"

"And he might have been on an equally important quest"

" But-nothing could be as important as this, can it?"

" Yes. The answer is yes. Let me teach you something Nick. You have heard many tales of dragons and of heroes, but you do not want to no all. The whole of Karoma is very lightly to have been saved by a brave hero that’s on the other side of Karoma, on a completely different quest, and has nothing to do with the Fire Gem. This is only one of the many great tails that will be told in a hundred years.

" Ok Deasater. Got your" Nick broke off. Yet again he saw a figure in the darkness.

" What is it?" asked Richard curously. Nick then noticed something else, which was much worse.

"Wheres Joey!" he yelled. They all turned and saw a secret entrance, in which Joey must of gone down.

"We must not divide!" cried Deasater urgently, holding back Richard , as he tried to run down the passage. "It will not do for us all to be separated."

Nick was thinking about the hooded figure. How come Joey had disappeared the moment Nick had seen the person in the shadows.

"I will stay here. Nick, Richard, you must go and see where your companion is."

"But-"

"You must go alone." said Deasater firmly. Nick stared at Deasater, not at all liking the idea of walking along in pitch darkness with the only comfort of Rich.

"Are we to go in complete darkness." Said Nick "Will this ball of light follow us, or stay with you."

"It will follow you"

"But how, if you were its creator?"

"It will follow you. Just except that."

" Okay Deasater" said Nick uneasily.

Richard and Nick walked down the dark passage. It seemed as though the place was haunted, as though someone was watching them, getting ready to strike.
 

Nick had terror set upon him, for he knew that the figure was watching them right now, for Nick cold feel its (what ever it was) eyes watching him. Neither did he like the thought of Joey walking alone in the dark tunnel, with a sagorn or one of the even worse creatures which were carved on the walls, following him into the darkness.

For many days they went, without Deasater. Although Nick was not too sure of whether he had made the right choice dismissing Deasater, for she was a great guide, Nick was glad he had got her away. He might have lied about how much pocket money he should have had, but never something quite like that. He would not hurt some one like that.

"Hello."

Nick turned round and saw a hooded figure.

"Are you the person who killed my father?"

" Speak that again, Nick Thomas."

"You may call me by that, but it is not my real name."

"I know. Your real name is Jaesane the second."

"How do you know" said Nick, wondering how this stranger could know both his name and his real name.

"I have just been told by my father" answered the stranger. "I now am ashamed by him"

" Why is that?"

"For I am Kilovin Thomas, his son. His only son. I thought differently before now."

"So did I. I thought you were my Uncle."

"And now will you answer my question"

" I will. I said are you the man who killed my father?"

"So he is dead then. Grief has been set upon me. Now I will answer yours. I would not kill your father for the whole of Karoma."

"What do you want with me?"

"To ask to come with you. You have no guide now."

"How do you know my guide has left me?"

"I have been watching you."

"Very well"

They walked for many miles. Two months had passed since Kilovin had joined them. Richard and Joey liked Kilovin very much, for he could be mysterious, but also a good laugh.

One day Joey said "Will we ever get out of this darkness?"

"We will reach the end in two days" said Kilovin

"No. We will not. We will be stuck in here for ever" Joey sighed hopelessly.

"Do not give up hope. I know you like to eat, and we do not have very much food, but soon you will be rewarded from your adventure through the first two waterfalls, by the merry feasting of the Dwarves of Hotoa"

" Yes, just think." Said Joey, his mouth watering.

Then suddenly, there was a rumble.

"What is that, Kilovin?" whispered Nick.

"I do not know but it sounds most like"

"Sagorns!" yelled Richard, as a whole army of them came down the tunnel.

"Run!" cried Kilovin. Nick stared at him. "Run!!" Kilovin yelled, and Nick ran, with Joey and Richard behind him. A arrow came whistling towards Nick, which he only just managed to dodge, and a few more came, from all around, with a very large and sharp spear with it. Nick noticed what looked like a cave. "In there", he said, pointing to the others, they quickly hid in it, making it look like they were going round a corner. All the Sagorns were surprised when they saw they was no corner.

"What about that cave" one said croakily

"I’ll look" said another " I haven’t had the chance to kill anything for ages"

"Eh, not so fast, I spotted it!"

"I say its my turn for once" said yet another, and with that a fight broke out, which (luckily) gave Nick Joey and Richard a longer time to find a hiding place.

"Ah, it’s so hard to see in this light"

"Yeah, but if don’t find a place soon, will be Sagorn Supper"
"Hey, what’s that! There’s a hole there, its not too deep, c’mon , quick!" whispered Nick with terror that they might be found. They quickly piled into the hole, but only just in time. "There not here."

"Yes they are you thick Sagorn, there hiding in the shadows some where"

"Where then?"

"Oh you were right well-"

"See! You’re the thickie!"

"But they must be in here some where!"

"Stay quiet Joey, as quiet as can be!" whispered Nick. However this is the complete opposite of what Joey did

"Kilovin!" he yelled "Help us!"

"The Sagorns instantly discussed the call.

"It came from over there!" shouted one of the Sagorns.

"Well lets go and look ‘en, shall we. The Sagorn came and looked.

"Ah, theres a hole here, and I think some ones down there"

"I can’t see nothing" said another

Nick got back into the darkness as much as possible

" I can. He’s right down there. Little feller, looks as though we could sacrifice him, an’ he’d be quite nice." Joey was looking up at them with utter and complete fear.

"Pretend to be dead" Nick whispered to Joey.

Joey took the advice and looked limp and his eyes looked as though they were frozen, for Joey was a good actor.

"There dead!"

"Be an easy meal."

Deasater went back to her fathers grave, and prayed. And there she heard rumours of terrible things.

"Father, what is coming?" she asked "Spirits, my daughter, spirits." Called an echo out of the ground. "Spirits of Evil"

"Zaconard is stronger than even I thought. He killed you father, but he will not kill your Grand son. How am I supposed to warn Nick? He refuses to speak to me."

"Use a message of the Wind, daughter, of the wind."

"But spirits can stop that. You are a spirit, and although you are not evil, you can stop that, so evil spirits must be able too!"

"Not if it was a message sent by yet another spirit. I, will help you."

"But your spirit is not set free."

"That is why you will set me free"

"Father I can not. To hear your voice is a painful memory, but seeing your face, a ghostly image or not, would be too painful reminder."

"You must! You wish to save my Grandson, Jaesane the second, do you not?"

"Do not call him that! His name is Nick! Fine, I will set you free, but do not expect me to look at you all the time"

"I expect not that, but to be set free"

"Xenmaseor mutmento Zoco Saebane hert mogon holo honlonger fo Karoma!"

In the most common tongue of Karoma, Deasater said: Xenmaseor the great, set Saebane free from the Earth of Karoma!" A ghostly steam came out of Saebanes grave, and a ghostly image of Saebane came out of the Earth. And Deasater felt what Nick had felt twice. Deasater saw its gleam, heard its call, and felt its power. The it was the spirit of Saebane. You would imagine a spirit as whats inside a person, what gives there personality. But a real spirit is much much more than that.

A spirit is a light, a light, among the darkness. Or maybe a darkness, among the light. A spirit is a feeling, a feeling of hope, among the hopeless. Or maybe a spirit is the hopeless, among the hope. A spirit is a wisdom, among the unknown. Or maybe a spirit is the unknown, among the wisdom. A spirit is good among the evil. Or maybe a spirit is the evil among the good. A spirit is a power, among the powerless. Or maybe, if this spirit fails its owner, a spirit is the powerless, among the powerful.

 

 

"Hello father" said Deasater. "Send the message." A great wind rushed down from. The moon, travelling many miles. At last it hit the earth, and passed through Saebane as he said these words: " Spirits are coming, Jaesane the second, evil spirits-for you"

 

Kilovin, Joey, and Richard were resting. Nick was on the look out. Nick looked through a crack in the wall-and saw the moon. Nick thought about what had happened since Deasater had come in too his room only two months and a half ago (exactly). His Father had died, Nick was the course of a forest fire (he had led the Fire humans into the forest. He had entered a dark, dark tunnel, in which he had been attacked by live skeletons and Sagorns, found out who he really was, banished Deasater, been captured by Sagorns, and escaped.

 

The following morning, they set off, hoping to leave the dreaded dark tunnel, and pass out through the next entrance, through the second waterfall of the Ocean. They woke early, for they wished of course to go as far as possible, if they were to get to the second waterfall.

But Nick was starting to get a feeling growing on him that some thing was coming, something far worse than ever before.

"A long time I searched for my father" said Kilovin unexpectedly "but when I found him, he did not bring good news to me"

"what news was that?" said Nick, knowing the answer. "That I would never see him again" said Kilovin . Nick looked surprised. " And also of course, of what he had done."

"I knew that that would be your answer."

"And maybe it would have been better if I had never met you."

"Why is that?"

"For you, Nick told me of your fathers death. It has saddened me greatly."

"Yes, I feel the same. Grief has been set upon me ever since Gilovin the great, died. That will be what I name him. Gilovin the Great!"

"But that is not the his real name"

There was silence. Then Nick heard something. Nick heard an echo of the Wind.

"Evil spirits are coming Jaesane the Second. Evil spirits-for you."

"What is it?" asked Richard curously. Nick simply stared.

"What?" said Joey.

"I heard something" whispered Nick. "I heard an echo?"

"What echo" said Kilovin. He looked worried.

"An echo of a voice. It told me that Evil spirits are coming."
"We must move" said Kilovin urgently "Fast. We must reach the second Waterfall before night. We must!"

They started to run. They did not like the tone of

Kilovin's voice at all.

They ran for three hours, when they were too tired, so they went and walked very quickly. They did this for one hour when, they found that there were several different passage ways to go.

"What to do now, except wait for these ‘evil spirits’ to come" groaned Joey.

"Look for signs on the ground" said Kilovin.

" I would not go down there" said Nick, pointing down a long passage "There are some tracks of Sagorns"

"Nor down there" said Richard "There are several skeletons, and I do not like to think of how they died."

"There is a huge bottomless pit down that one" pointed out Joey " And not even a great Honone like Kilovin could jump it."

"Whats this" said Nick "It’s a map!" It appears thaaaaat we have to go down that one"

"You do not realise Nick, that the map will only lead you the wrong way" said Kilovin.

"I know. That one leads us to the Sagorns, that one has a bottomless pit, that one leads us to a load of skeletons, and we will probably be one of them too, and the map tells us too go that way, which is obviously a trick, so that one" ( Nick pointed at the one at the far right) "must be it". Kilovin looked at Nick

"You are right" he said simply.

They had rested for a while, while they were searching for clues, so they ran again, as fast as they could, scared that these ‘evil spirits’ would take them to Zaconard, for he was most lightly to be there master, or else be taken to the world of the dead.

But eventually, after half an hour or so, they came to a dead end.

"We must turn back!" said Joey "we have gone down the wrong place. Maybe the map was right!"

"No!" said Kilovin "Look at the words on the wall!"

"What does it say?" asked Nick. It was obviously some Oemona tongue.

"I will read it out" said Kilovin "But we must be quick, and this is also a long riddle."

 

 

 

It is a power, beyond your imagination.

But it can only be set free, by an incantation.

It could be good, with glory which is leveless.

It could be evil, and it would be perilous.

It was once dead, yet now alive!

Although it did not survive!

It is an echo, of what it once was.

But it does not come as what it was, because:

It is now much greater, than I can explain.

The greatest one could control Ice, fire and rain.

To a different form it came

After its life and death, when it was great!

For it had to earn what it became.

It could not have done it, if it had been lame.

In this form, it is not the same

As what it once was, but a shining glory, is what it became.

It had to be as worthy, as one of the Sacred Order.

To them, it could not come before.

But its glory, might not be glory, but an evil thing.

It would how, a most terrible howl, instead of sing.

It had to of been gifted

By Xenmaseor

And then be lifted

And enter a higher level.

Or if evil,

It would be lowered

Beneath Karoma.

Into dark places.

And its race

Would be placed

As an evil thing

What I am talking about, would either be peril,

or a thing of a much higher, and better level.

But both could only be summoned by an incantation.

And both are things beyond your imagination.

 

 

"What is it?" said Joey, as though expecting someone to know.

"I know not" said Kilovin.

"I do" said Nick. Everyone looked at him.

"A spirit" There was a crack. And a rumble.

"I’m not to sure it was a good idea to say the answer.

The dead end revealed a hidden door, as a screech of such terribleness that Nick felt the ground shake.

They ran, as fast as they could.

"What is that light in the distance!" yelled Nick

"That is the light of day though the second waterfall!" cried Kilovin. Rocks started to fall all around them, and there seemed one little chance of survival, until they saw what had made the screech.

"Run!" shouted Kilovin. Nick looked around and saw a spirit in the air. It looked like a ghostly image of a terrible human, which was made of a electrical storm.

All of a sudden Nick realised that he shouldn’t have looked, for he saw that the spirit suddenly went very fast- strait for him. But all of a sudden Nick saw a blinding light, echo this: "Diiieeeee, spirit of Evil"

The spirit did not die, but stopped, and stayed for five seconds, for it was in great pain. Then the same voice said " Join hands" This they all did, for taking this persons advice, seemed a very good idea, if this well, what ever it was could stop a evil spirit.

"Let us fly y y y" the voice echoed, and they rose off the ground. Nick was sure he had heard the words that had just been said. They kept on going, through the second waterfall, up the stairs, and out into the open sea. There they hovered. Then they saw the spirit of evil flying up the stairs, in a tunnel, where the walls were made of water.

"We must move!" shouted Nick.

"No" said the shined body of light. "Let her come. The spirit came. But as soon as the spirit came out in the sun, it melted into dust. Then the shining body was not shining any more. Nick looked up, and saw a witch by the name of Deasater.

 

 

Chapter Six

The Walls of

Xagane

 

"Hello, Nick. I had foreseen this happening, so I saw that I was the only one who could help you."

"Okay, you can go now. We need not you as a guide, Kilovin has now taken up that job"

"But why you banish me?"

"You lied to me about everything, for eighteen years. You have saved my life, and I thank you for that, but that does not change what you did."

"But what does that have to do with the quest?"

"Everything. I could not go on the whole way through with someone that lies to me. It would be unbearable"

"Nick-"

"That is not my name. Look, listen, yes that is my name, it has been for eighteen years, but what about the day when the festivle of Jaesane comes. They have hoped for years, that Xaesane, or his son Jaesane the second, would come back, on that day. And we were there every time, every four years! But if we had known, Gilovin ( or Xasane rather) wouldn’t be dead, and there would actually, be a King of the Sacred Order. I thought that the Queen of Karoma, would be rueful. That’s you, that’s you! And I will the overall King of Karoma. Ever thought of it like that? I thought I was lucky, to know the Queen of this Planet! Me and you, and my father are related! Yet I only found that out two months ago! And you’ve known from since my father was born, when you were two! For thirty-six dam years. What on Karoma were you thinking of? Why did you lie to Xasane, and Jaesane the second, me!"

"Because I promised the spirit of my father not to until the end of this quest. We knew that you had to take up this quest, and my father thought it better not to tell you until you had completed it, or perished" Nick looked at Deasater, and realised what a fool he had been. He did not even let her tell her explanation.

"I realise you could not have refused to make a promise to the only memory of your father. To you except my apology"

"I do"

"Kilovin will be yet another companion, and a deputy guide, when you can not guide us"

"Okay" said Deasater "We will rest here now, for you tired from the attack from the spirit of evil, and night is nearly upon us. Kilovin, can you keep the watch? I will take over in an hour or so"

Kilovin stood watch, as the moon appeared from behind the clouds, as the stars appeared in the darkening sky. He longed to go home, to the North, in the forests, for that as where they belonged, the Honones. That is where they were created, they were the woodland Oemonas: Honones. The forest suited them greatly, for there tall trees, gave perfect wood for a Honone, for Honones were taller than most creatures, about an average nine foot, and it was quite hard to get a home, with every room where the ceiling is at least nine foot. He planed to, of course go back to the North, and into the woods, where his father had once lived, and where most Honones live anyway. Kilovin was a great Oemona, for although he had the wisdom of a Honone, (for he was one) he also had the skills of the Sodacers, and the bravery of a Rarker. Yet he did not get any gratitude for it, so he wished to return to a quiet home in the woods of the North.

Suddenly he looked. In the far distance, there was a light. And suddenly the whole of the great forest of Xagane was alight.

"Deasater!" he whispered loudly, not wanting to let the Fire humans let them no where they were. "Deasater, wake up!" They quickly were all up, looking around anxiously for a good hide out place. "What ever we must do we must be quiet!" whispered Deasater. "quickly, Nick Joey, Richard, hide in that hollow log. Now!"

Nick was tired, and did not want to have to stay in a burning log, while the fire humans search the area rather that to being the same as his father, a black shrivelled body.

He ran, as the flame grew ever nearer. Grabbing Joey and , they dived behind a very tall amount of grass, just as the Fire Humans burst through.

They quietly crawled into the log, but suddenly Joey sneezed, Nick tried to block the noise with his sleeve, making a fast move in the log, bumped his head, and they started to roll, as instantly the log burst into flames, which could only mean one thing.

"We must get out!" yelled Nick

"Will be killed by those damn bodies of fire!" cried Joey.

"Which would you rather, that, or being slowly suffocated to death, while rolling around constantly, really, really fast!" shouted Nick, although barely being heard, because of all the noise the fire humans were making.

But Joey refused to get out, so all they could do was try to roll even faster, so they might just get away from the Fire humans. This was not at all pleasant, for all three of them were getting extremely dizzy, and they came on knocking into things, then slowly sliding off them, gave a chance for the fire humans to catch up. Then suddenly they knocked into something, but did not slide off to the side. They stayed there, so Richard and Nick got out, but Joey wouldn’t come out, so they quickly pushed the log to the side. They looked around, and saw they were facing a huge gate.

"Please open, please open" whispered Richard.

The Fire Humans drew ever nearer.

"Open!" cried Nick "Damn open!" he yelled, clutching his medal. And suddenly, it opened, shining a bright light. He and Richard ran through it, more anxious than ever to get through. In the gate closed as they passed through it, but it still shone. The Fire Humans were about to pass through, for they were made of fire, and could pass through anything, but they were held back, by the shining light. Suddenly there was silence. But it was a creaking of a hollow log rolling over. It was Joey. The Fire humans were about to rush for Joey, But suddenly Deasater came flying through the air, holding Kilovin, and Joey. They came over the gate, and landed smoothly on the ground. And suddenly Deasater took out her own Medal of the sacred order, and said "Solocorarckerata!"

and that was the end of the Fire Humans.

"What is the writing on this gate, Deasater?" asked Nick curously.

"It is a song of the gate, and the land we are now in."

"Tell us it."

"Okay. But only people of the Sacred Order can read this, you can Nick, but only if you are given the gift by your Medal, which will happen on the day when you were born twenty years ago, so all , make this moment a wise moment.

 

 

None know this writing, except the Sacred Order.

What you are you know, if you read this now:

 

A person of Wisdom and you can pass this border.

To pass through the gate, only you, and your relatives are allowed.

 

 

You have passed through into Hotoa, the land dominated by Dwarves.

There is merry feasting, and merry dancing.

 

And this is the cause.

Once a spell was cast upon the land by Raesane, for he loved the land, and the spell made every thing merry, and the spell was everlasting.

 

 

"At last!" said Nick. "We have entered Hotoa!"

 

 

Chapter 7

A bit of News, a bit of joy beyond your imagination, and a bit of a lift.

 

 

They walked for an hour, until they came to a little house, in the middle of a field, with no surrounding houses. It was an odd looking house, not suited for Karoma.

The Fire Gem (4)
Hamish Roberts

 

Karoma’s houses were mostly either little houses, occasionally being two stories high, and always having a old fashioned chimney, this was for the humans, which were the most common creatures found, excluding Oemonas, their house’s all had the same style (not including Sagorns), they all were fine and splendid inside (including the Honones, who lived in the forest, in houses made of trees,) all made fit for a human King, although, of course, there were some differences, like Honones had especially high ceilings, for there average height was two and a half metres, the Sodacers all had special rooms for there work, for they were Black smiths, and Rarckers had weapons all over there walls.

"I refuse to go another step!" cried Joey "I have been chased by a monster which looked like a human made up of lightning, I have been cased by the damn Fire humans, and walked without rest for an hour! Let us see if any one here is actually is nice, and will let us stay in there lovely, but very strange, little house."

"Of course you may stay!" came a voice from the shadows. "And we must talk of may things!" Some one stepped out of the shadows. He looked quite young, about thirty-five, and his brown eyes, and curly brown hair, was very noticeable, he looked just a millimetre, dare I say it, mad.

"My name is Edward, and I see you think my house strange , eh. Well that’s hardly surprising, considering that I’m from a different world. Er, I see there is five of you, you will be rather difficult to fit in, but I’m sure will manage some how, so, er, please come in?"

Nick and the others were rather taken by surprise by this strange person, but excepted his offer gratefully.

They stayed there for about an hour, talking of many things, and things which became very useful.

"Now I know of your quest-" said Edward

"What!" cried Nick.

"But I have told know one of it, I swear it by Jaesane the first!"

"Okay" said Nick "Carry on.

"Well, I might have some very useful information. You see, When I pasted from the world, Naroga, something came with me." said Edward slowly.

"What?" questioned Nick.

"The Enchantress, Louise. The evil Enchantress."

"And what trouble might she be to us."

"Bladers also came through to this world. She is now their master."

"Bladers?! What the hack are bladders?"

"Creatures from my world: Naroga. They are incredibly dangerous, for they have more than a couple of blades, they have them all down there back, arms and legs, they have blades instead of hands, and they have and a colossal one on there head."

"How nice" said Kilovin sarcastically.

"And she now is the also the lover of Zaconard. So she is sending the bladers, to us."

"And how may this help us?" asked Deasater.

"To be prepared."

"Is that all?" asked Nick.

"No. Everything has a weak point, including a Blader. This is what you have to do to kill them." Everyone closed in a huddle around Edward.

"Either shot an arrow, or stick a blade, into the side" Edward whispered, pointing the side of his belly. "And a dead blader will be before you."

Them sat around eating some bread for a bit, until Edward told them something else.

"You have little hope of getting to the lake of Uracaya before Zaconard, you know. He has just entered Garlosia."

"Well what help was that?" yelled Nick.

"You have got two options of what to do. You can let me take you to my world, and watch the entire of Karoma be destroyed in front of you."

"Oooor?" said Nick.

"What?" said Edward.

"Whats the other option?"

"I will tell you later."

Edward went and got his cloak.

"Where are we going" said Richard, who had said nothing the whole time.

"Eh, you finally got the guts to speak to me, have yah. Ahh, its all right sonny, er anyway we’re going to the feast."

"What feast?" asked Joy.

" The feast of Raesane! Its been ninety-three years since the day that Raesane cast the spell over Hotoa, so that everything is always merry. Come, let us go, there are some people I want you to meet"

They eventually (after walking quite a bit) came to a gigantic hall. Nick saw several scrolls painted on it, including one which has a lot to do with this story:

 

 

The Fire Gem.

The legendary ‘Fire Gem, is a Red Gem,

Which only a person with a heart that of a

Dragons can control (giving them the

power of the Earth they are in), unless

its creator also told it to

obey one, or more particular person or people.

It has obviously never been made before, and

few have a dragon hearts. Here is the List:

Gorlosdo

Haronar

Deatlack

Kewfo

Zaconard.

Zaconard is reported to still be alive. By Darloraham.

 

 

Nick stared at the black paint of the writing outside this gigantic wooden hall. How could anyone talk about the Fire Gem so casually, if they knew that if Zaconard got a Fire Gem, they were extremely lightly to be dead.

"C’mon, I told you, there are people I want you to meet, like I told you before" said Edward breathlessly. Nick had been ligering, when he was reading the report about the Fire Gem.

"Er, sorry, lets go" he answered.

"This is Bonkoner, a Dwarf which wishes to accompany, in this last bit of the quest" introduced Edward.

"You don’t mind a bit of help saving the world, do yeh?" said Bonkoner.

"Not at all!" answered Nick.

"This is Fohader, a Oemona of the Sodacer type, which also wishes to accompany you, in this last stage of the journey"

He looked up at the Sodacer. They looked quite like Dwarves, except there noses are covered in hair.

"How much help I get!" exclaimed Nick. "But none of you have told anybody, have you?"

"Oh, we haven’t is guaranteed Nick, guaranteed" said Fohader, in a gruff voice.

"This is Haro, a Rarcker, he also wishes to help you also."

"Hello, Jaesane the second." Nick felt a bit uncomfortable. "Or would you preferred to be called Nick." Nick laughed. But then he saw Golden letters, up high, painted on the wall:

"To coming back from the dead!"

"Edward" said Nick "I thought you said that this was Hotoas birthday of merriness"

"I didn’t want to spoil the surprise" said Edward.

Nick turned around, and had more joy than ever before. There facing him was:

"FATHER!!!!!" cried Nick. "Gilovin!!!"

"My son!" yelled Gilovin, or Xasane. "Nick!"

Nick wept for Joy.

"We must talk, son, we must, talk."

"I thought you were dead!"

The rejoicing that night was so great, that even the evil things which were about to happen, were finding it hard to serve there master, Zaconard.

"How did you live, father. How are you here now?"
"I no not. I came back as a spirit, and then, one day, I turned into a human again."

"I know why." said Edward. "It is said that if one gives there life for another, it will get a second chance in life."

"Edward" asked Nick. "What is the other option."

"To be brave, and have a lift to Garlosia, with Deasater, Joey and Richard, Kilovin, Bonkoner, Fohader, Haro, and (if he will except it) your father"

"It is excepted" said Gilovin.

"And I choose the lift option" said Nick

Suddenly, there was a screechy echo.

"Die!"

There was a short silence, which was only broken, by what sounded like, blades hitting against each other.

"We must go!" cried Edward. "quickly!" Everybody rushed out of the hall, , but once Nick had got out, he waited for the others. Edward, and all the other companions, and Gilovin huddled up together. "Okay, said Edward. "I’ll get the book, which will give us the spell to become airborne, Gilovin, the supplies are in my house, up on the shelf in-"

There was a shuffling in the bushes. Haro lifted his arrow, and took careful aim. It must of taken the blader by the side, for otherwise you would not hear a screech quite as they heard.

Edward looked around, then went on, whispering extremely quietly.

"Its up on the shelf in the kitchen The top shelf. Kilovin will go with you."

"Come brother" said Kilovin. "Let us go."

And off they went.

"Right, Nick, Richard and Joey, you stay here, Haro, and Bonkoner will protect you-"

But suddenly Gilovin and Kilovin came running, with an army of Bladers behind them.

"Remember it" said Edward to him self. "Glasoderis-er-nodbonardrar-um-Kunleko Jaesane gono hoer Kilovin Thomas hoer Xasane gono hoer Deasater ohoup hoer Richard hoer Joey Kinder hoer Richard Harris hoer Fohader hoer Bonkoner hoer Haro hoer Edward hoer!"

And they lifted in the air, going quickly. Several arrows shot up at them, but Nick quickly used his Medal of the Sacred Order for protection.

They flew, for three hours, over many things, until they came to the land of Garlosia. They flew for another fifteen minutes, until they came down. They had landed in the middle off the land of Garlosia.

 

 

Chapter Eight

The sorrows of the

The Fire Gem

 

"It is late. We will rest here for the night" said Deasater.

"Yes, you must" said Edward. "But I must go back to my own country." And with that he was gone.

"Lets hope there are no ice humans guarding the Lake of Uracaya." Whispered Haro.

"Ice humans?!" cried Joey "I’d prefer to have a quick death by a Fire Human, rather than a very long and very cold one from an Ice human! Are these to looking for us, under Zaconards Orders!"

"Yes" said Kilovin. "I would not dare to go to sleep, with no watch on guard. There are strange and evil things in the land of Garlosia. Many."

"Who will be watch tonight?" asked Richard.

"I will" said Gilovin.

This night will be the first sorrow of the Fire Gem. For if it had not been for The Sagorn, the Witch and the Dwarf those many years ago, they would not be here.

 

Gilovin looked around. Nothing could be heard, there was silence, except for Lake of Uracaya being guarding far away, by the Ice Humans.

Joey rolled over in his sleep. He had had a dream. A dream telling him that he must go off in the middle of the Night, and find the Fire Gem by himself, and bring it to Zaconard. If he did this, he would be rewarded beyond his imagination. But if not, he would be punished by things worse than death. And he knew this dream was a message from Zaconard. And he was scared of the Dark Lord very, very scared. So he carefully got up, and went off.

Garlosia is a country, full of Blades, Sagorns, Evil spirits, and things which are too evil to describe, or even to tell you the name of.

Gilovin suddenly saw what looked like a sharp blade, and long bit of grass disappeared.

"Bladers" he whispered. "Bladers! Everyone, we’ve been ambushed! Blader attack.!"

"It will be most pleasant to kill you" said one, after all of them had been surrounded by Bladers. "I think you’ll be taking your own medicine" said Haro, as he slowly lifted up his arrow, so that no one noticed.

"I wouldn’t be so sure of that" said the Blader.

"Really?" said Haro. He let the arrow go, and it hit the Blader in the side. With that a fight broke out. Kilovin jumped out, slashing many Blader heads off, while Haro took many shots with his bow, all hitting the side of a blader. Bonkoner preferred to use his bare hands than weapons, with incredible strength holding the bladers up, letting Kilovin Haro or Gilovin kill them. Gilovin was slashing with his sword, firing his bow, or throwing his spear, killing equally as many bladers as Kilovin. As for Fohader, he had noticed that Joey had gone, and had gone off to look for him. Richard did very well considering his usual unkeeness for battles, he had killed one blader and injured three, and Nick had killed about three and injured about nine, when suddenly Deasater came. She killed at least thirty blader with one spell, and there was now only the King Blader left. Deasater took careful thought, then cried "Comoa sonon fhi Blader!" Nick watched as a red light went towards the Blader, but he reflected it with his hand blades.. Deasater jumped out of the way, for although she wished to join her father, she had no wish to now. But it caught her finger , and went through her body. Her body rose off the ground, and shined with the glory of one of the Sacred Order. Nick saw her gleam, heard her call, and felt her power. Nick ran , jumped and killed the Blader. He looked up, and Deasater’s body had disappeared.

"NOO! Please no-o-o. My father has come back, but why does Deasater have to replace him!" Nick wept, and yet another death had came to his life. His mother, his father, and Deasater. Gilovin put his arm on him. Nick held his hand, and was very glad he was there. He went to the floor and took Deasater’s bow, which had not gone with her.

Meanwhile, Fohader was running, following Joeys footprints, when he to heard blades. He could feel something’s eyes on him. A most uncomfortable feeling.

"Come out now, creature which looks down upon me."

"Pleasure!" A blader came out, which had managed to escape from the battle, in which all others.

"I am a Sodacer, a blacksmith, no fighter, no Rarcker"

"Then what are you going to do?" asked the Blader cunningly.

"Run" said Fohader. He turned, and ran, as fast as he could, still following Joeys trail , when he narrowly dodged several blades. He turned around, and ducked, as all the blades came off the Blader, and it was now simply a body a scaly body, with nothing to protect it. Then a sword came through it, and it fell to the ground, revealing Nick behind it. The Medal of the Sacred Order was shining. "How did I do that?" Nick said. "How?"

"We might never know" said Fohader. "Come, now, did you have the dream of if we hand the Fire Gem to Zaconard, we will be greatly rewarded, but if not, punished?"

"I did." Said Nick.

"Well I believe that Joey to, had this dream, and is running to the lake of Uracaya right now. You must follow his footprints with me" ordered Fohader. "quickly!"

"I cannot. Not now. For Deasater is dead!"

"Deasater!" shouted Fohader. "Oh, Deasater, I grieve so much. But we must go. Now!"

"Okay! Let us go!" cried Nick. And off they went, as sprinting, in the middle of the night, of what would become another sorrow of the Fire Gem.

"We cannot sleep" said Haro. "I can feel it. We must be alert at all times."

"Yes, so can I" said Kilovin, retaking his sword out of it’s scabbard."

"Where is Joey!" yelled Richard.

"Where is Fohader" cried Bonkoner

"Where is Nick!" cried Gilovin.

"One has betrayed us, one has gone after the traitor, and one has gone with him." said Haro. "But we must try to know which is which."

"Did any of you have the dream that we must hand over the Fire Gem, or we’ll be punished, but if we do, we will be rewarded?" asked Richard

"Yes, I did" said Gilovin. There was a general agreement that they had all had that dream.

"I that case" said Richard "Joey must be the traitor. He gets very scared easily. And he must have had the dream to, if all of us had it."

"which leaves Fohader and Nick going after him." said Kilovin slowly.

"What’s that light!" yelled Richard.

"It’s a ball of light!" cried Bonkoner.

"Do not wait!" said Kilovin.

"Do not wait to be killed!" said Haro.

"By evil spirits!" cried Gilovin. Everybody turned and ran. Out of the ball, a storm of flying people made of a storm, came swooping down towards them. They ran, while one swooped down on Richard.

Kilovin, in the Waterfalls of the Ocean, (as I told you) was good friends with them, and here he jumped , and saved Richard, and gave away his own life. Gilovin, ran to his step brother, weeping.

"You-you will get another chance-to-to live, brother, they say-tha-that one who gives away his own life for another, will get another chance in life. Like me!"

"No brother" said Kilovin. "I not except the chance. I will join Xenmaseor, not have another chance." And with that, he was gone. Gone for ever.

"In one night I lose a sister and a brother. For Kilovin was always my brother, no matter what he really was, he was my brother. And this is yet another sorrow of this Fire Gem."

 

" I will carry you, you are to tired" said Fohader. With that he hoisted Nick on his back. Nick realised that Fohader was pretty strong, for a Sodacer, considering Nick was slightly taller than him. With that them ran, very fast, still following Joeys footprints.

Suddenly they looked back. There was a spirit. An evil spirit. They ran , hearing screeches that put terror into there hearts. They could now clearly see the lake of Uracaya. Nick jumped off Fohader, and pulled him along, sprinting with terror. "Fohader, jump into the lake when I say!" yelled Nick. Nick could now see that Joeys footprints ended there. "NOW!" Nick jumped, in but Fohader seemed to have been caught in mid air. He plunged down, looking for the Fire Gem, very scared that Joey had all ready taken it. He looked around, for about thirty seconds, then came up, bursting for air. He plunged down again. It was not there, but he noticed a sort of Waterfall in the water, is shone black. He dived towards it, still with Deasater’s bow, and passed through it. He realised he had passed through the Eastern entrance of the Waterfalls of the Ocean.

 

Meanwhile, the others were running from the evil spirits . Then suddenly, lightning thundered. Such light would kill an evil spirit, and it did. They were gone. They all fell down to the ground, to tired to do anything else.

Richard was thinking to himself, about what had happened since they had left Lario. It was to much for Richard. Too much.

Gilovin was huddled in a tree, all alone, when suddenly the tree burst open a hole, and Gilovin fell down. He did not die, he went to the world of the dead, which, in my sequel to this book, you will read about how he got out.

"Gilovin!" shouted Haro.

"he is gone" said Bonkoner. "But he will come back, one day…"

"What a sad night it is" murmured Richard.

"Let us go" said Haro.

They walked, in the middle of the night, freezing cold, with all hope lost. Suddenly Bonkoner stopped. Then he ran forward, towards the Lake of Uracaya. There he halted, looking extremely sad. He stared at the body of Fohader, his frozen face, drifting in the water. "No! Please no!" Then suddenly a blader came out, a stuck its hand through Bonkoner. Haro shot it with his bow, on the side, and it fell, but so did Bonkoner. Haro rushed to him. How many sorrowful deaths can the Fire Gem make!" Haro yelled. "Where might Nick be now?" Haro said quietly.

This is where you’ll find out if Nicks dream from Chapter Two comes true:

Nick was walking along, for he could see a light, though he was careful not to be seen, staying in the shadows. He could now see a feint out line of a person, but it seemed that it was not Zaconard, but a lady. When he got there, she seemed not be there.

"Hello, Jaesane the second. "said a sweet voice. Nick wheeled around, and saw that it was the Enchantress Louise. " He backed away in fear, tripped and fell down. "This is my chance to kill you!" Nick prayed to Xenmaseor for life. And it came. Rocks fell down, Nick ran, and she met her death. He went along. There was a dark outline of Zaconard. And next to him was Joey, with a glint in his hand.

"I’m sorry Nick! But if I don’t do this, I’ll die!"

"Joey, no, Joey, please don’t. Joey threw the Fire Gem to Zaconard. It was in the middle of the air, and Nick, once again, saw it gleam, heard its call, and felt its power. He jumped, taking careful aim with bow, crying "Nooooooooooooo!" and he unleashed the arrow, and it hit the heart of the Fire Gem. There was a massive explosion, which went through the whole of the tunnel from the west to the East. Zaconard, Joey, and Nick, all died. This was the greatest tale of them all, of how Jaesane the Second had sacrificed his own life for the world. As the explosion erupted,Yaegane was born. Many deaths had happened, of Kilovin, Deasater, Bonkoner, Fohader, Joey, Zaconard, and Nick..These were the Sorrows of the Fire Gem.

 

The Fire Gem had been destroyed, but Jaesane the Second, the greatest hero of Karoma, had died.

 

By Hamish Roberts (Ham and Cheese)

 

 

 

 

A Facts File on Karoma

Karoma:

Karoma is the world like ours, with only two differences, the fact there is magic in one, but not in the other. Its countries include Xagane, Hotoa, Baray, Hoton, and Garlosia. Xagane has to sub lands, Droebane, and Kiloewn. Hotoa is mostly dominated by Kataie, but a small part is Jarcolick. Garlosia is one land, with no sublands. Baray has three sub countries, by the names of Kilon, Rarlon, and Garrsonar. Hoton, the largest country, has seven sub lands, by the name of Kojo, Narslasus, Botuerar, Hodo, Kargonere Nockvak and Lakerjaw.

Xagane:

Xagane is the most Western country, the second biggest country, and contains two sublands, Droebane, and Kiloewn. It is the country with the most humans in it, at least doubling the amount of any other country, and at least five thousand times the amount of Garlosia, thinking about the fact that five humans have ever been there. The Great river Karoma, passes through Xagane. You will also find quite a lot of Rarckers here.

Hotoa:

Hotoa is the land Dominated by Dwarves, the land which is right in the middle of Karoma, and the Land which had a spell cast upon it by Raesane, so everything was always merry. These are the things it is most famous for. It also has the biggest hall in the whole of Karoma, and also where the only human, or good creature ever to be from another world, settled. This was Edward. The two sublands are Kataie, which almost dominates the land, and Jarcolick, where only Oemonas live (not including Sagorns). The River of Karoma just goes into Hotoa.

Baray:

Baray does not come in to the story, and there is not much to say about it, except that The River of Karoma does not come into it, it has a lot of Sodacers in it, it is the country of the North, and its three sub countries are Kilon, Rarlon, and Garrsonar.

Hoton:

Hoton is the biggest country, and has seven sub lands, by the name of Kojo, Hodo, Narslasus, Botuerar, Nockvak, Lakerjaw, and Kargonere. Here you will also find quite a lot of Rarckers, as you do in Xagane. The River of Karoma also just goes though, as in Hotoa.

Garlosia.

The Dreaded land of Garlosia has all bad things in it, it is home to Bladers, Sagorns, Fire Humans, Ice Humans, evil spirits, and other things I cannot tell.

It doesn’t have any sub lands, and the River of Karoma does run fully through it.