~Gole~

As I feel my mind come back to consciousness, the mist clouding my eyes vanishes and I rise to my feet. I squint my eyes as the bright sunlight hits them. Man, this sunlight is intense. I can’t be on Nearth, the sunlight was never this intense on Nearth. Then I realize that the ground is about a foot further from my face than normal. Did I grow taller? I look back at my body’s strong muscles and lash my tail. It curves around my front leg, something it had never been able to do before.

What on Nearth? How much time had passed while I was in that maze? And where am I now? I look up at the sky and see a sun shining down on me.

Then I notice at least six moons scattered across the sky and my jaw drops.

Where on Nearth am I? A splash followed by a tinkling laugh catches my attention and I snap my gaze over to a waterfall with different shades of water flowing side-by-side. The water swirls together into a hot spring at the bottom where it becomes an exotic shade of blue. Beautiful blue flowers blossom around the spring and navy cherry trees flourish around the entire system.

Glittering stones line the edges of the waterfall to produce dazzling arrays of light. A tiny person dressed in blue with wings flutters out of the hot spring, laughing joyfully. She flies over to me and lands right on my nose.

“Hello, Stranger!” She chirps and I cross my eyes trying to look at her.

“Um, hello. Could you please get off my nose?” I ask unsurely and the girl laughs lightly before she alights effortlessly into the air.

“I am Wave. What is your name? And what world have you come from? We saw you come out of the Doorway earlier, but you fell asleep before we could greet you properly.”

“My name is Gole. I’m from Nearth.” I say and the girl nods sagely.

“That is an unusual name, Gole. What is Nearth like?” She asks and I frown.

“I-I’m not sure how to explain it. It’s my home. I need to get back there.”

“Well, good luck there.” Wave laughs before she continues.

“The Doorway only opens once every twenty years for eight seconds. You’re the first creature to come out since-“ Wave cuts off before quickly saying.

“You’re very lucky to have arrived in Floles. It’s beautiful here.”

“Since who? What were you going to say?” I demand, my suspicions raised, and Wave shakes her head.

“We don’t speak her name.”

“Oy! Wave! What are you doing telling the newcomer about the Unspeakable One?” A three-foot-tall winged humanoid with light purple skin shouts as he emerges from behind the waterfall.

“You’re not the boss of me, Lightlaugh. You’re not even from the Striped Waterfall so don’t go around acting superior to me.” Wave snaps as the boy in a gold tunic with silver stockings and no shoes flutters over to us.

“I’m older than you and bigger than you, so you’d better listen to me or else I’ll put you in a jar again.” Lightlaugh says and Wave stamps her foot midair.

“I hate you, Lightlaugh! This is why no one here likes you! You stupid, mean, bully!” She shouts before she bursts into tears and flies into the waterfall.

Lightlaugh tosses his long, golden hair over his shoulder and our eyes meet. His eyes are silver with gold flecks and he bows before me.

“Greetings, Stranger. I heard Wave say that your name is Gole?”

“And you’re Lightlaugh.” I reply.

“In the flesh.” Lightlaugh smiles, and I look around.

“So, is there some way out of here? Or are you just going to say the same thing Wave said?”

“Well, I never say anything is a fact for sure without consulting an elf.” Lightlaugh says seriously and I groan.

“Oh good. You have elves here too. I hope they’re not as annoying as the elves on my world. Speaking of which- what are you, exactly?”

“I’m a light fairy. I’m surprised to learn that elves can be annoying in any world.” Lightlaugh says and I nod slowly.

“And what was Wave? A water fairy?” I ask and Lightlaugh claps excitedly,

“Precisely! You’re already getting the hang of this!”

“I guess. Can you take me to the elves so I can ask and get a definite answer on if there’s a way back to my home?” I ask, and Lightlaugh nods.

“Of course. But don’t be disappointed by what they say. As long as you don’t go into the Dark Lands or Silver Meadow you should do great here.”

My ears perk up.

“The Dark Lands?” I ask, intrigued.

Lightlaugh shivers.

“It is a fell place. I dare not discuss it. It’s just to the Northeast of this waterfall.”

“I might just have to take a looksee at it.” I say thoughtfully as I turn to look at the Northeast of the waterfall.

“No, no, no, no! Please don’t do that! It would be a terrible shame for you to go to the Dark Lands and be murdered by trolls there.”

“Well, if you won’t explain it, then I’ll have to go take a look for myself.” I respond and Lightlaugh grimaces.

“Fine. I will tell you about it. The Dark Lands are dreary and dark. Trolls fill the lands and there is nothing else living there but them and the witch who created them- the Unspeakable One. The ground there is often watered by the blood of trolls and those foolish enough to enter.

“No sensible person enters these lands, because once you enter, you cannot leave. The trolls will hunt you down and make you pay. In the heart of the Dark Lands is a troll-spawning murk where all the trouble and strife in our world comes from. The Dark lands are barren, with only the ancient remainder of trees left by the spiteful trolls being the dead and blackened remains of burnt trees.

 The Dark Lands used to be called the Blossoming Forest, until the Unspeakable One introduced death to our world. She killed a small goblin child in the center of the forest.

 She buried it and its blood along with the world’s first death ruined the forest. Where the goblin child had been buried, she cast a few spells and formed the horrible troll-spawning murk, spawning hundreds each day.”

“Wow. That’s pretty intense.” I say as I process all that Lightlaugh is saying.

“Yes. That’s why you shouldn’t go there.” Lightlaugh says and I frown.

“So, where are these elves at?”

“They live out on the Floral Isle, to the Northwest of here.”

“Alright. Goodbye then.” I say as I turn to face the Northwest and Lightlaugh flies in front of my face.

“Wait! I want to come with you.” He says and I sigh.

“Why would you want to do that?” I ask and Lightlaugh frowns.

“I’ve been waiting to get away from this waterfall for ages. No one here likes me. And now that a big, strong creature like yourself has come through the Doorway, I figured that it’d be safer travelling with you than it would be for me to go on my own.

“Very well. If you insist on coming, then I won’t stop you.” I say and Lightlaugh grins.

“Off we go then!”

With this, I start walking towards the Northwest with Lighlaugh fluttering beside me. I can’t help but hoping beyond hope that the elves will know of a way back to Nearth.