"Explain myself?" the stranger tilted his head. "You are in my backyard."
"And where that may be?" Aidan stated, anxious.
"Why, you are in the Hot Lands," the man stated proud.
Aidan's eyes widened. "Hot Lands! But that is… That is so far away from course, it would take us months to return!"
Turning around, Zora gasped and hid behind her husband. He stood defensive, and with his sword gone, though hard about other options.
The man noticed the shattered wood scattered around. "Did you by any chance come in that boat?"
"A ship. It was a ship," Aidan said.
Zora observed with wide, timid eyes.
"Oh," the creature replied. "Need a hand?"
The two looked at each other, a little less apprehensive by his casual attitude.
"My name is Kofi. I am the favorite son of these lands," he introduced himself with his head bowed.
"I am Zora, queen of the Seven Hill Kingdom."
"And me, her husband, king Aidan of the Seven Hill Kingdom," he declared, bowing as well.
Kofi's lips widened into a smile. "I've heard of you. Tales of two humans with magical powers of deportation reached our shores long ago. It is a good thing you have arrived. We had been having troubles with-"
Aidan held up his palm. "No. Apologies, but we did not come here on a quest. We are here strictly on vacation."
"No problem. Knowing your skills, this should be-"
"If you do have an issue, please send a delegate to our land with the request. Until, then-"
Suddenly, they could feel the ground shaking, like an earthquake was coming. Aidan shut his mouth, gulping.
"What is happening?" Zora asked nervously.
The strange man shook his head. "That is our 'issue', as you called it. The Big Worm is restless. Keeps moving and shifting, causing great misfortune."
"What?" Aidan uttered.
"Yes, many believe that it is the reason for the earthquakes. Others claim otherwise, but they talk nonsense. You can feel tremors like this all through the land. In some places, cracking hills in two."
"That does sound serious," Zora quietly said. "Aidan, we must help."
Her husband sighed. "I wish we could, but currently we have little means to even help ourselves. Let us collect our things."
"Let me help you?" the man replied. He hoped from dune quickly, as if teleporting.
"Is this what you are looking for?" he said with a smile, holding what seemed like a bag.
Aidan did not seem pleased. Still, with his help, they did find everything quicker.
"Rumors have it that it is a deity, while some say he is nature's force," Kofi said.
"How can they be so sure it is a he?" Zora asked. "Did anyone see it?"
"Why, no. It is a god. Gods are meant to be listened to, not seen. It would be ridiculous to think otherwise," he replied, as a matter of fact.
As Zora continued digging through the scorching sand, her hand felt something familiar. Her eyes lighted up with joy. "I found the hoop!" she yelled out.
Aidan smiled relieved. "Excellent, now we can get out of this heat."
"Is that the thing that helped you travel the entire globe?" Kofi asked.
"Yes, you think about the place you want to go and it takes you there," Zora said.
"But it only works with us, because we had it spell-bound," Aidan added immediately.
"Alright then," Kofi added, slightly cautious. "Then allow me to show you around. You are guests, after all. And there are plenty of things to see here that might interest you."
Zora looked at Aidan. He was quite skeptical about Kofi, but he agreed to follow him because of Zora.
The portal opened at their first stop. The palace of the Mother Priestess. Everything was covered with smooth white material that resembled marble. The woman herself, was dressed in a completely white outfit.
"Kofi!" she said lifting her hands into a hug.
"Mama!" he replied, with a smile and embrace.
"Welcome travelers. Here, have a seat." The petite woman with a large voice offered quite a welcoming audience to the three of them. "My friends here seek answers about the Big Worm," Kofi said.
"Ahhh! Splendid! So you came to help," the priestess said, tapping the tips of her fingers.
Aidan held in a complaint as the priestess rushed toward the small area that held a well-like structure with lit up coal inside. "Right this way. Right this way! Let's see in what mood it is today."
She chanted something over the well, circling the fireplace with her hand. She sang and squinted as if straining herself. The well replied with a single puff coming out.
"Excellent! The Great Worm will take your questions now. Who wants to go first?"
The three sat nearby, with the food and drinks places close to them. Zora timidly raised her hand.
"Speak," the priestess said.
Zora hummed. "Can you ask if I may be excused?" she said, apologetically.
The priestess tilted her head, as if confused.
Not long after, Zora was back in her kingdom. "I do not know what to do. We have been told it is this worm deity thing. It did not seem chatty. I asked for a right to visit. The priestess confirmed that anything more would anger it. The land shook even as I used the hoop to get here. I had to loudly proclaim that I will be right back before it would stop."
Viniria, who was listening intently, was now deep in thought. The little boy, now five, was joyfully swinging on the vines, the fairy creature provided as a swing. As a matter of fact, her plant-like appendages made an entire playground for the little prince's comfortable stay.
"Anything wrong?"
"I hope not," the creature said. But there was something wrong. Viniria could feel the unrest.
"Do you perhaps know what it could be?" the queen asked.
"Hmm, I never heard of such a creature before. I know Gaia has such powers. But it cannot be her. She couldn't tolerate not having her name chanted to the Heavens. Of showing off her figure to the artisans to carve into marble."
Suddenly, the forest guardian gasped. Her skilled ears could hear the tremors from very far away. A subtle magic was felt, one she remembered from long ago. The tremors were getting stronger, as if coming towards her with great speed.
"Oh no. Zora you have to go back. Quickly!"
"Pardon? But what about-"
"Do not argue with me, girl. Just go!" the forest guardian yelled, ushering the hoop into her hand.
"Is it the creature?" she cried. "What about Luka?"
"Don't worry about us. You-know-who is interested in you for some reason. You have to return and do not come back before she is satisfied. Do you understand!"
The scared woman nodded, almost crying. Still shaking, she prepared to leave.
In the meantime, Aidan was chatting with Kofi, "So, you are telling me that there are these horse like creatures, with black and white stripes." Once fed and out of the heat, his mood drastically improved. "Interesting, I'll have to tame one and bring it home."
His companion scoffed. "I doubt it. These are as wild as the land around them. They even give lions a run for their money."
Aidan puffed, swaying his hand. "You should have seen my stallion before I tamed it," he said with pride.
At that moment, the portal opened, and Zora leaped out as if pushed. She barely managed to get both her feet up before it closed.
"Any luck?" he asked, a bit surprised.
Zora wiped a tear. "I have some bad news."
At that moment, she and the harp she had been gripping fused, and Zora became imprisoned in one of the pearls.
Aidan stood up, stunned. "What happened?"
The priestess shook her head. "Big Worm in not pleased," she said in a sad voice.