GODDESS

It's been 22 years since I have been locked here. 5 years ago I broke a code for which I have been punished for my sins. But sins for what? As I don't remember. I have forgotten everything that is to be known. I have forgotten my name, place, parents, and also my destiny. I don't know why I was born at first to begin with. There are things that I am sure that has happened to me. I checked below my waist as I am certain I have been raped. My breast have been sucked into and I could feel the astounding pain from the tip.

However to my knowledge, I am 22 years old, that is a strange fact that I am sure about. I can't believe I would ever figure out my destiny.

Suddenly, the locked door opens. " You are awake my child. I was waiting for you to be awake."

"What do you want from me? " I cried. " Nothing my child. Only your youth ". She was a witch that I can tell by sure. The way she talked, stank of lustfulness and grumpiness.

"Why did you tie me here? And what have you done to me?"

" You remember you broke a code. Try remembering all my children "

" How do you know that?"

" Rhyca knows everything, my child". Suddenly I hear a thud and I see my eyes closing. Blood is pouring from my head and into my hands as I become unconscious.

(Thunder Sound)

"Where am I? There is darkness here and there but I can't see anything."

" You are at the top of the tower. You are a sacrifice"

"Sacrifice."

"Yes you are impure as the witch herself"

" You are a witch you old hag."

She opens my clothes. I shouted so much that I had lost my voice. I hear a sound " O deep souls of Maze World. Come to my aid. This witch is eviled for she must be punished to be made pure."

A loud sound from the sky is heard " You old woman. She is not impure. How dare you offer a blamed one. She must be set free to the open lands. Her place is not in the dungeons of the castle. Take her to Count Dracula. Her blood must be vacuumed and then re-flown into. Only the count can do that."

" Dracula is in his coffin at this time. Even my magic couldn't take her there Skymaster."

"Then take her to the ruins. She will be made pure by fire."

"But won't she die?"

"Then I will make sure the rain will make her pure. Take her there. Wash her with coal and then wait for the rain. But beware if she touches you during the rain. You will lose her. She will be freed"

I was untied. And then the same thing happened as I lay unconscious.

(Rain sound)

" No, it can't be. She is free" as I heard the last voice from the witch.

I woke up to find myself in an open land. I ran towards the pond nearby and watched my reflection on the surface. "What should I be doing?" I ask myself. I heard the roar of a lion I was terrified seeing a 300-pound lion just a foot from me. Suddenly his aggressiveness stops as he smells me.

" Lady Rosario Evalina," he says as I was shocked to see a lion talk.

"You must be surprised to see me talk. But you are in a magic land. But I must save you from the Count. He must have smelled your blood. It's going to be dusk soon. He will come here for you. We need to go to Sumatra"

"Sumatra? Why?"

" It's the land of never-ending sun. Even he can't go there"

" How far is Sumatra then?"

"It's only three hours from the great tunnel"

"The great tunnel?"

"Yes, lady. It's a 10-mile magical tunnel that can lead you to any place in the magiclands. Be it in Fuberty, Atreya, Fugasto, or even Sumatra, it will only take 3 hours. But we must hurry. The tunnel itself is an hour from here. We should hope the jackals and the vultures don't come here."

He carries me on his back as he runs with great speed. The way he ran made my vision blurry. My gown caught his eye as he still ran without confusion. He was some magical animal. A lion as my vehicle that was somewhat magical. But I still thought to myself why am I here in the first place? I know I am 22, chained since I was 17 and my name is Rosario Evalina as the lion says. But why am I here?

" What does the witch want from me?"

"Your youth lady"

"But why me"

"You are the only one young enough."

" But why was I brought here and why am I the only one chased by this count?"

" Don't worry you will know when we reach Sumatra. Mage Grielle will aid you. She is the arch-nemesis of Rhyca the one who chained you for 5 years. We are all your friends. Your memory will not be retained at once. You must figure that out. If the count reaches you he will use your blood and turn you into a witch like Rhyca."

" So I know you then?"

"Yes more than anyone else but I can't tell you now"

"But why?"

" No questions lady. We will reach the tunnel and talk. Our words are heard by the count as of now. The air here follows him. Only beyond the circle, his air won't follow us."

"His air?"

"Yes, the space and everything around his territory called the circle. Garidu, Casto, Castle Hereion, Ubewurth, and Parteste are the five lands that he owns. He is the Baron of these lands. His magic and evil powers are within these lands. We are in the territory Parteste where the witch Rhyca rules. She is one of the five rulers of these five lands who follow the Count."

"Who are the others?"

"Well to be precise my lady he won almost 20 of the 137 magic lands. He only owned these 5 five years ago when you were here. But without you, he had defeated the 15 lords and lordess of the east and the south magic lands. He is looking to become the ultimate ruler of the 137 magic lands."

" But what benefit is in that?"

(Jackal growls)

"It's the Jackals. My lady, I can't fight them with you on my back. You must reach the tunnel by yourself. It's only 15 minutes from here"

The lion drops me as he roars with a thunderous sound. There were Jackals and Vultures around him. Almost half a dozen Jackals and some 6-7 vultures surrounded him. They looked at me but they didn't see me. I was amazed.

"You are impure my lady. Only the count can see you. But they can smell you as you have blood on your hands. Wash it and run towards the tunnel" says the lion as he pounces on the jackals and the vultures. I was scared and inevitably I ran towards the tunnel.

"Yes, I remember now. I was to head to Sumatra"

"To meet the Mage I believe. Yes she is waiting for you"

" And how do you know that?"

"You barely remember anything. No wonder you have forgotten your powers"

"Yes, can you tell me about me?"

"Well, not until we reach Sumatra. The air here is our enemies."

"Last I heard it was till only the start of the tunnel?"

"Yes, but you were supposed to reach Sumatra from the west. But you headed east."

"East"

"Yes, lady Evalina. It will take 3 years now till the tunnel redevelops to take you back to Sumatra."

"3 years what will I do then?"

"You need to find your memory or your powers lady"

"But the lion said I will find my memory in Sumatra"

" Well, you can find it in the unknown lands. But only one of them has the secrets of the hidden powers. You might not find your full memory but maybe one of your 32 powers will be found"

"32. How am I powerful"

"Yes, lady. You are the baroness of one of the lands in Gairad. The King of Gairad, King Doherty is an evil king who rules the 9 lands in Gairad. He had killed the three good barons and thus started the ultimate monarchy. You being the baroness of one of these lands must oppose him. But to defeat him you must regain your powers. Some of your powers must be hidden in one of the 7 unknown lands."

"Unknown lands? So I am a baroness. Thank god for that. Anything else about me?"

"That's all I can say, my lady"

" A wise monkey who knows me"

" Yes, my lady, and I will give you a ride. My friend the horse Ghoda will take you to one of those lands. He has a sword in his saddle and a shield just in case. Though the lion will be there in your trouble"

She disappears as a brown horse walks towards me. There was a sword and a shield. I was wearing a gown. She gave me weapons but no armor. I ride the horse towards the unknown lands. The land was mountainous, unlike the green ones at the tunnel. Thunder sounds and storms made me fearful of the evil that was to come.

An eagle screeches through the air. " Lady Evalina she is here Mistress she has come to regain her powers," says the eagle as he flies away.

The horse runs towards the direction of the eagle.

"Why are we following him?"

"He is the eagle of the Lady Bara." Says the horse.

"You talk too?"

"Yes everyone talks here. This is the magiclands. The Count and the Mage Gabrielle cast a spell in these lands some thousand years ago that made the animals talk."

"The Count. Yes, I heard he is after me and the Mage Grielle is where I should be?"

"Yes, my lady. Only the Mage Grielle's powers can match the Dracula."

"Dracula?"

"Yes, he is a 1000-year-old Dracula as I have heard. He died at his birth but evil spirits found his dead body as his soul was captured and hidden in a coffin. A month later a bat appeared from the coffin. They say his real form is a bat. But due to the continuous sucking of more than 900 humans' blood for 1000 years, he has turned into a human form"

" So he has become vulnerable then?"

"No my lady his powers have increased since then. You were the powerful of the lords of this land. He defeated you "

"Me?"

"Yes my lady, he defeated you and I am sorry to say he threw you into Palestine. You were in chains for 5 years my lady. But how did you escape the witch?"

"I barely remember but I owe some man who talked from the sky a lot"

"You mean the skymaster. Yes, he appears at a time like the lion to aid the innocents. He is one of the few who doesn't fear the Count."

"Yes I do Horse Ghoda," says the voice.

"It's the Skymaster. You heard us"

"Yes, Ghoda. You need to take her to Parag, the first lands of the unknown. The holy mages gave the land the name Parag as the smell resembles the flower's beautiful smell. Out of the 7 unknowns, this is the only land where vegetation persists. The other 6 have evil powers in them. The Count had cast his spells on them. Make sure the baroness reaches Parag. The Clouds can blur your visions beware"

The voice faded away.

"So we need to reach Parag. Then "

"Yes, my lady. But pray to use the shield as spells are within the air of these lands. The count might scent you from this air"

I shielded myself. But the gown could merely stop a wood let alone a sharp sword. The shield would stop the sword but still, I lacked armour. The horse stops at one of the volcanos ahead.

"Why did we stop?"

" Lady look the volcano is erupting. It will take half a day to cool down its effect. The lava itself will take half a day to cool down. We must stay here for the time being."

"What it's nearly dusk and you know harmful beings might be near."

"As long as we are alive we can fight them. But even your powers can't match a lava, my lady"

I dozed up in the horse for the time being. I woke up some hours later with the horse nowhere to be found. Only the sword and shield remained.

" Ghoda left me? I will complain to the monkey and the lion and the Sumatra mage" I yelled as I saw some dozen villagers come towards me.

"Who are you, knight lady?" An old man asked me.

"I am a wanderer "

"Well, you should come to share my hut as it's 11:00 am. You shouldn't be here alone"

I walked with them as I reached their huts. The old man's eyes were red like a dragon. His minions were also like him. I was feeling insecure but the sword in my hand gave me confidence to be fearful.

" You want some ale?" asks the old man.

"Yes". I drank almost three glasses of ale because of the thirst. I dozed off from the drink. I found myself in one of the beds of the man.

"What is the meaning of this?"

"My lady you shouldn't be feeling unsecured. You dozed off on the ground. You needed a bed for sleep. Anything else nothing happened"

I checked myself. But to my surprise, my sword had blood on its tip. I searched here and there.

"Catch her. She has killed Evan". I rushed outside to see a dead body and three men catching me.

"What?"

"You have killed a man. Your sword and the blood are the proof"

" But I!"

"I am sorry my lady. The evidence proves you are guilty. You must be taken in front of the sheriff"

"The sheriff?"

"Yes, he is the one who does the justice around the unknown lands?"

"Can you at least tell me where is Parag"

"Parag why do you wanna go there"

"I just want to know?"

"Well, you are a prisoner. Only the sheriff can allow that now"

"Well the sheriff will have to answer this then"

They take me to a man with a pistol in his hands.

"You killed a man as I heard lady"

"I believe I did. Maybe because he was about to do something evil"

"No one commits a crime in front of Sheriff Jack. "

"Well, I did". I punched one of the men as I tried to flee but the sheriff shot a bullet near my leg which made me fearful. The men tied me to a pole.

"You evil woman. I know you, you are the one the count defiled"

" So what was the thing about killing another one?"

" I am a pure woman. Set me free and we will see who is better" I said as I was angry at his words.

" Ok, woman. You should know a woman should know her place as you are a.........................girl" he says as he pushes the pistol towards my breasts. I take the sword out of the sheath and the shield in my left hand. I run towards the man but he dodges me and laughs. " You have forgotten to fight baroness. Maybe the count hammered you so much you forgot yourself haha". He dodges again. I was angry as I threw my sword at him. He dodges as he looks at the sword. At that very moment I threw my shield at him " Bullseye" I said I saw the sheriff fall to the ground. " He is an unconscious lady. You should kill him or else he will hunt you, He is like a wolf"

"Let him," I said as I took his pistol and my sword and headed looking for directions to Paraag.

(Thunder Sound)

"You have done well my lady. But you need to find Parag. To reach Paraag you must meet the dwarfs at the 3rd unknown land of the seven. Only those little creatures know the way to the land named Paraag" says the Skymaster.

I run towards the 3rd land. It took me nearly an hour to reach the third land. I was full of sweat and tiredness to meet the dwarfs.

The dwarfs were 12 little beasts waiting for me.

"Wait. Why have you come back, lady? You bring danger with you"

" I was sent here by the lion and the sky."

"The lion. Sky master, they sent you. You know you can't defeat the vampire. He is strong. He has won over 20 lands. He will shortly come here too."

As I try to calm them down, I see a pack of jackals and vultures heading towards me and the dwarfs.

One of them says " finally she is there. Looks like we will drink her blood first"

Jackals and Vultures corner me as I look ahead at the dwarfs.

" There is the witch. "

Now jackals and vultures were talking. Although, I wasn't amazed. Just as the jackals and the vultures run towards me I look back to see the dwarfs were running for their lives.

I hear the sound of a lion growling. It was the lion that saved me at the first.

" It's Richard the Lion. He is here to save us"

The dwarfs ' fear had vanished seeing the mighty lion.

The lion kills a jackal with a single paw strike. Seeing their friend killed all of the jackals and vultures ran.

"Are you ok lordess?"

"Yes, might lion. Thank you for saving me again"

"Well you should have gone west but you headed east."

"Well I remember nothing but everyone remembers me. Some even try to frame and kill me"

"Well did you meet the monkey?"

"Yes she told me about my name"

"Yes, I know too. But you need to know more. Even I knew my name after I heard about your name"

"Really? But how?"

"It does seem we are connected. But I am still not sure."

One of the dwarfs reaches me and says " My lady. We ask your forgiveness. We didn't know the lion was your savior"

" Well he is my friend"

" Well a lion who can beat a dozen beasts is surely a king"

" But who are these beasts?"

" Well, they are the count's army. Only the lion and the mage can defeat his army"

" The mage? Yes of Sumatra. And I am to meet her. But I am stuck here for three years"

" Well, you need to reach Paraag. It's only across that river"

" But how will I reach there? Even the lion can't take me there"

I look back at the great beast as I remember him talking about his memory.

" So what is your name?"

" I believe it's Richard"

" Richard I think I have heard that name before"

"Well, he is the friendly lion or the savior as he is called. He and the mage always protect the unknown lands"

"Well, still how will I reach Paraag?"

"Well, the lion can take you to the shore, and Neera the croc can help you?"

"Neera the croc?"

"Well, she doesn't listen to anyone. She is the only one who doesn't fear the count. She can take you there."

"Well, the lion is my friend but a crocodile who I don't remember"

"Well, Rose as I can deduce, we both don't remember. But dwarfs never lie. We should be taking their advice."

"Tell me Richard can you take me there? I do feel unafraid with you around."

" Me too. Ok, Lordess let me take you there hop in my back."

The dwarfs see the 300-pound mighty lion take her to the shore.

" Tell me, Richard Lion.... Can I call you that?"

" Yes lordess"

" How did you know my name the time we met when I escaped from the witch?"

" Well, I remember being like this for 3 years now."

" What do you mean?"

"At the moment, you should only know that we are to reach Paraag and gain one of your powers"

"You know everything. But how come you are following me? Shouldn't you be leading the team?"

"Why lordess? Did you meet someone who defeated you?"

"Yes, a sheriff? How did you know? "

"You mean Jack the Sheriff. We need to cross the river. He can smell your blood faster than the jackals"

" Tell me Richie............what is this with the blood-smelling thing?"

" The foe you will be facing is Dracula, a cold-blooded monster who is immortal as is to be believed. Only sunlight can prevent us from him and his sycophants. And I have been searching myself for 3 years now."

"3 years?"

" Yes, 3 years."

" And how are you sure about 3 years?"

" I will answer that when you find your first power at Paraag"

" Ok but do you know about my powers?"

" Well, you had one power to heal yourself, one to create a weapon, one to smell even an ant from miles away............ well, I know only three. But I heard it was more than 30. I heard the great Mage Gabrielle gave you 32 powers at your birth. No wonder the count is after you. He and the witch Ryca must be after your powers"

"But if they know I have lost my powers why did they imprison me?"

" Well let's cross the river. Maybe Neera can tell us...Look"

A huge crocodile comes ashore and meets them.

" Richie? I can remember you from your face. Unlike the other big cats, you have quite a charming face. And lordess Evalina it's my pleasure. You can sit in my back at the time being while I cross the river"

"Of course Neera, How could I forget you? 3 years ago you found me when I was drowning. I was a mere cub. "

" Well for a lion you were already 2 years old then. But you are a fierce adult now. Even the great Bear Thorka won't stand a chance against you mighty lion. I heard the mage gave you claws that can rip even a croc's head"

" Well, you are my friend. But please take care of the lordess and make her safe from jackals"

" The paraag territory starts from here mighty one. Even the great Count can't smell anyone's blood here"

Richard leaves. I sat on Neera's back which was huge. I was standing on her back like a person in a boat. But with respect, I sit again near her head.

" Tell me Neera.....what does this count want from me?"

" Well, my dear he has already taken what he needs from you. He only needs your blood now which is impure"

" What do you mean?"

" Well, these are all tales.... We are the predators but due to our good works in our earlier life were made the saviours of this land. The great bear on the other hand is a bad soul."

" Tales.............but if what you say is true then I must know?"

" Well only regaining your powers will truly recover you lordess"

" And where will I find those powers?"

" There is a small hut at the other end of this island. There is mud everywhere but there is an area marked for you I guess"

" Is that all?"

" Well, the people here are generous. They will aid you as they must know how you are. I am not sure that you will find all of your powers here though. But still, even if you find one of them. Myself and Richard can be sure that you will reach Sumatra in 3 years even without us"

" So I won't see you again?"

" Well, wherever there is water I can reach there and smell your fear. As I have smelled you now it will be easy for me to find you. But with Richard with you, you won't need me. He can even defeat an army of bad souls if he wants to."

" What about me?"

" Well with more than a dozen powers in your arms, you would be a force to be reckoned"

We reach the shore as I bid Neera goodbye I had to find myself and finding yourself would be to be done alone. I could have asked Neera more details about me but I insisted on finding the power first. I knew that finding the first would be the first step towards Sumatra. I could smell the land. It gave the fragrances of flowers as the dwarfs said. Paraag is a land of fragrances and power.