" I must first find the exits and draw out an escape plan", Todd said. As he hovered around the place , he took a mental picture of the entire facility. This was one of his many abilities. Since he was little, he was able to memorize anything he read as well as any place he saw. After completing the mind map of the place, he went into the room he was kept in, and tried to enter his body.
" What just happened? Why can't I enter my body?", Todd asked in surprise and with a worried expression. He tried so many times, he couldn't just figure out what was wrong. He then thought of being in his body, suddenly he was pulled into his body and woke up. As he tried stabilizing himself and his senses, his relief suddenly turned to worry when he realized that he was locked. " No, no, I must figure out a way out of this room before sunrise. Or else, any hope of me escaping will be thrashed" , he said pacing to and fro the room. " Alice, what would Alice have done in this situation?", he wondered. Just then, a thought came into his mind. " What if I tried travelling out of this room? Is that even possible? I guess I would know if I tried."
He tried and tried and tried This was his umpteenth time trying, and this also ended in a failure. He was starting to get tired and frustrated. " What if I tried thinking of the place I would like to be? Let's start with one of those exits". He cleared his mind, closed his eyes and concentrated again, thinking of being behind one of those exits he mind-mapped before. The moment he opened his eyes, he was behind a steel gate and beyond the gate were trees. A forest in fact. " I did it. I escaped ", he said jumping around as he couldn't hold his joy. I can't believe it worked. It really worked. " I guess roaming out of my body when I'm asleep and travelling, works on the same principle. I just have to think about being in my body or being at a place I've been before.", he said to himself with the wide smile still plastered on his face. His happiness was cut short when he heard the sirens going off. " What is happening in there?", he asked. " Well, I wouldn't wait to find out", he said dashing into the pitch black forest.
Alex, the man who was keeping Todd this whole time suddenly woke up when he heard the sounds of the sirens. " What? Why are the magic sensors going off?" The moment he thought of this, the only thing he could do was to rush to the room where he had kept Todd. As he approached the room, he could still see the door locked. " Ok, ok, the doors are still locked. That means he still in." He then took out his keys and opened the lock. As soon as he opened the doors, he went in for a shock, almost falling down. " Where is the boy? How did he escape this room? And with the door locked?". The man sat in one corner of the room with his face in his palms as many questions flashed his mind. " I thought only the Master Magis could do this. How could a child perform such a feat? I knew something was wrong when the orb cracked. But I can't let the Mothers know that a child escaped under my watch and that too without breaking any lock or leaving any signs of escape. They wouldn't believe me even if I told them. I would have to think of something to tell the Mothers when they come.", he said.
Todd ran as fast as he could into the forest until he couldn't see the facility anymore. He paused to catch his breath and turned to face the direction he had run from. " Alice, I'll come back and save you." Todd said. Looking down the slope he could see a cave and headed towards it. " I guess I can rest here till morning. Fortunate enough there are few wild animals here, so there'll be no need to worry of being attacked." He went into the cave and lit up fire like how Alice had taught him. He sat close to the fire and made his mind wander all that had happened these past few days. It all started when he was first projected out of his body and the revelation the voice gave to him. " Yes! The voice! It clearly said that the quest to end the abominations had long ago started. Does that mean that there are others who still have magic and are fighting the abominations? How do these abominations even look like?" He drifted off to sleep as he immersed himself in his world of thoughts. Immediately he slept, some warriors crept out of the darkness and surrounded Todd. " He is a child?", one of them asked. " It doesn't matter. Let's do as we were told and bring him to the Chief", another said.
The next time Todd woke up,he could hear the voices of people. " He has woken up", one of the men who seemed to be a guard said. " Hurry up and inform the chief".Todd opened his eyes to see men all over the place. A place which seemed to look like a warriors' quarters. Some of them inspected their weapons, whilst others engaged in brawls. He noticed the strikingly tall and muscular frame they all had. Todd was quickly bathed and dressed in a traditional dress and was made suitable to be presented before the chief. He was picked up by two of these warriors and was directed to the Chief's palace. " Which place is this? I've never seen people like this" As they passed through the village, he noticed the tattoos on every male he saw. " Was it some kind of tribal norm?" Todd wondered. The way to the palace was quite a distance so he took the time to study the stern expressions on the faces of the guards, and how peaceful and lively the village was. As they approached the palace, he could see the traditional arts on its walls, the huge statues of lions on either sides of the gate. As he passed by the statues, he could feel the pressure they gave. It felt as if they were alive and we're staring down at him. Todd couldn't hide his shocked expression when he finally was in the palace.The palace had an exquisite interior. It was quite the opposite of what he imagined it to be. He was sent into the throne room and saw the Chief and his elders seated.
The guards brought Todd before the Chief and bowed. Seeing the guards bow, Todd immediately followed the gesture and stood upright. " Ah Todd", the Chief said with a smile." We are happy to see you fit and well..." "Wait, how did he know my name?", Todd questioned with his face. " I see the question written all over your face, you know. Don't worry we didn't bring you here to harm you. Our chief priestess had a revelation about you. She could feel a great source of power lying within Cave Mujhi, the cave you rested in yesterday. I couldn't let this power just pass through our village and go. You understand?", the Chief said. Still with a puzzled look Todd said, " I extend my sincere appreciation for your hospitality and generosity to you, Chief. But if I may ask, where am I?" " Ah, you speak well child. You don't have to worry. You're with the people of Makonga.", the Chief replied. " Maidens, take him to his room, dress him up and feed him and remember Todd, we have a meeting with the chief priestess tonight", the Chief concluded as he stood up to leave and was followed by his guards and elders. " Wow, these people do have the tall genes", Todd said looking at them leave.
As he walked behind the maidens, he took a look at the many arts inscribed on the walls, the vases and most interesting on the bodies of everyone he saw. He was ushered into a room and saw the beautiful decorations all over the room. He was given a bath, which made him feel a bit uneasy, dressed and fed. Just then, a beautiful lady walked in. Todd was dazed for a brief moment seeing such elegance, the sweet fragrance, the smooth and dark complexion of her skin. He was taken over by her beauty and didn't realize her seated on the bed next to him. "You're Todd, right?", the lady asked. " Y-yyes I am", Todd said stammering. The lady gave a soft giggle and continued, " I am Wekem, the princess of this land.
I couldn't stop myself from seeing who this Todd is. You've become the topic of many people in this village recently. But I didn't expect you to be a child of my age." Oops pardon me for my rudeness, Wekem said. " No need to worry, my lady", Todd said.
As the conversation continued, they were suddenly interrupted by the sound of a muffled bass voice behind the doors. " Huh, stop joking around and come inside " ,Wekem said. Tood looked at her trying to figure out who she was referring to. Then, a male figure came in and rushed to seat in the middle of the two, separating them. This made Todd realize how close he was seated with the princess. This made him flush red a little. " Oh , I have gotten myself an admirer already" ,the boy teased. Stop making fun of him, Wekem said. You're making him feel uncomfortable. This is my elder brother, Kubati, the crown prince. Don't mind him. He's always like that... " Ok, ok, Todd , I see you've been able to gain my sister's attention already . Nice move", Kubati interrupted. " Oh please", Wekem interjected, rolling her eyes. Have you been shown around the palace, Kubati asked. "Not yet", Todd replied. "Then ,we would be your tour guides for today. Come on, let's hurry before it gets dark.", Wekem replied. Seeing the siblings quarrel gave Todd a warm feeling and reminded him of how he and Alice used to quarrel just like this.
They moved on to the east of the palace where all the antiques were located. They entered a room and saw all the ancient relics they had, from talismans to swords and even crowns. The spectacle made Todd marvel. They then moved on to the medicinal parlor where the chief herbalist concocted various potions and brewed even alcohol. Todd was shown around the Warriors' quarters, which he had seen already, the palace's harem, the training arena and so on. Their fun was interrupted by a messenger. "Your Highness" , he said as he bowed. "The Chief requests the presence of Todd". "Ok, you may leave", Kubati responded . I think it's time now Todd. See you later. They both said waving at him.
As Todd entered the meeting room, he was greeted with the faces he saw earlier in the morning. He also saw an old woman who wasn't present before. This must be the chief priestess he said looking at her. She also looked at Todd who just entered with a smile. " Our guest has arrived.", the Chief said. " Shall we begin", he said with a deep voice.