Paltio & 5 Realms

3.The Journey Starts

"No, Papa! Mama, no!" cried Paltio, tears streaming down his cheeks as his voice cracked with every word.

"Calm down, boy. I’m not going to kill you... yet," said Tejod, crossing his massive arms with a sinister expression. "If you bring me what I desire, I’ll spare your parents and reverse the petrification of your people. They’ll be alive again."

Paltio wiped his tears with the back of his trembling hand. "How do I know you’ll keep your promise?" he asked, glaring at the humanoid badger with distrust.

"That’s the fun part: you don’t," replied Tejod, flashing a malevolent grin that revealed his sharp fangs.

"Enough crying, because no one here is dead... yet," continued Tejod, gesturing toward the castle. "Go gather whatever you need and head quickly to the five neighboring realms to bring me the complete scepter."

"But how am I supposed to do that if I don’t even know what it looks like?" protested Paltio, feeling the crushing weight of responsibility pressing down on him.

"That’s your problem. Go figure it out," retorted Tejod indifferently.

"Perhaps I can help with that," interrupted Mok, who was still bound by Tejod’s henchmen.

"Ah, can you know? Very well, butler. You can accompany the boy on his mission. But listen carefully: don’t fail me, or I’ll destroy every villager living in this place," threatened Tejod, his deep voice rumbling like thunder in the night.

"Then let me go get some things," requested Paltio, trying to regain some composure.

"Take everything you need for the journey. You may use that carriage over there," instructed Tejod, pointing to an imposing vehicle parked nearby. "My soldiers will load it with supplies. I’ll give you until the Marine Dawn."

"The Marine Dawn? What’s that?" asked Paltio, confused.

"You’re next in line to lead, and you know nothing. Foolish, naive child," mocked Tejod, shaking his head in disdain.

"My lord, he’s only thirteen years old," interjected Mok, defending the prince.

The comment earned him a punch to the face from one of Tejod’s men. Mok fell to his knees but endured the pain without a sound. "I’m sorry if I offended you," he murmured, bowing his head toward Tejod.

"At that age, I already knew many things," declared Tejod arrogantly. "Go fetch your belongings. When you return, I’ll give you something so you understand what the Marine Dawn is."

Paltio, aching and with Mok’s help, headed to his chamber to gather whatever he might need for the journey.

"So, the Marine Dawn?" asked Mok as they walked through the castle corridors.

"What is it, Mok?" asked Paltio, his voice heavy with pain and confusion.

"Master, the Marine Dawn is a natural phenomenon. It occurs when the water rises almost to touch the moon above Marina Rock, located in the Misty Sea," explained Mok patiently.

"And when does that happen?" inquired Paltio, trying to grasp the magnitude of the deadline.

"Counting from today, it will be in one month," replied Mok.

"Why so long?" pressed Paltio, frowning.

"Most likely, that man Tejod knows reaching the five realms takes considerable time, even just to find the pieces. It’s fortunate he didn’t shorten the deadline; otherwise, completing your task would have been impossible," reflected Mok quietly.

Upon reaching his room, Paltio began packing. He remembered a small bag his grandfather had given him years ago. "This bag is magical," he had said. "It can hold many things without becoming heavy or full."

"I hope it’s true. I’ve never used it," murmured Paltio as he stuffed clothes and various items that might prove useful during the journey.

Once Paltio finished gathering all his belongings, both he and Mok headed to Mok’s quarters, located on the first floor of the castle. The space was impeccably tidy, with weapons arranged neatly on a modest altar.

"Well, I think this will come in handy," said Mok as he pulled out a black cloak that reached down to his knees. Opening it, he began storing several knives in a polished wooden box. He also strapped a sword across his back and carefully retrieved a curious device from the wall, tucking it securely into one of his pockets.

"We’re ready. Let’s go," announced Mok with determination.

They returned to where Tejod awaited them, who repeated what Mok had explained about the Marine Dawn. Once his explanation concluded, the humanoid badger pointed at Paltio with a sharp claw. "Extend your arm," he commanded.

The boy obeyed, though his heart raced wildly. He feared Tejod might try to sever it or do something worse.

"Calm down, this is only so you know when to return," growled Tejod, reading the fear in the prince’s eyes. He recited arcane words and, with a swift motion, fastened a strange watch onto Paltio’s wrist. It displayed numbers blinking faintly.

"This marks the time you have to retrieve what I’ve asked for and return it to me once you’ve completed the scepter. If you fail, I’ll destroy your family… one statue at a time," warned Tejod, letting out a mocking and Machiavellian laugh.

"It’s set in days since you have one month starting now. You have one active day, and as that red light progresses toward green, you must report back to me. Do you understand, boy? I can’t make it any clearer."

"Yes, Lord Tejod," replied Paltio, swallowing hard.

"Be careful on your journey, boy. Many creatures brought by the darkness are beyond even my control. So… good luck," added Tejod indifferently.

"Alright," murmured Paltio, knowing he had no other choice.

"Good, that’s how I like it: submissive people. Now leave. In the stables, I have another gift for you," said Tejod, laughing maniacally as he dismissed them with a wave of his claw.

When they reached the stables, Paltio and Mok found a horse being tended to by several hooded figures wearing masks that concealed their faces.

"Very well, butler," said one of them, gesturing toward the prepared carriage. "Everything is ready. That is your vehicle. You may begin your journey, but you’ll have to leave with him." The hooded figure pointed to the carriage driver.

A soldier, also hooded and clad in black armor, descended from the driver’s seat. He bore an emblem on both shoulders with the letters RS (Red Shadow), indicating he belonged to Tejod’s Red Shadows.

"Good. Get in. I’ll be your guard, as well as the person who reports everything back to my master, Tejod," declared the soldier in a cold, authoritative voice.

"And what’s your name?" asked Paltio, trying to sound friendly and curious.

The soldier glared at him with disdain before responding:

"Listen, shorty, I have three rules:

Number 1: I don’t like being spoken to unless I ask for it.

Number 2: Don’t waste my time.

Number 3: If you’re in danger, I’ll only intervene if it’s not risky for me. And even then, only until you complete Tejod’s mission."

"Wow, aren’t you arrogant? Calling me 'shorty' when you’re no taller than me," retorted Paltio, crossing his arms indignantly.

The soldier made a sudden move toward his sword, but Mok quickly intervened, bowing respectfully. "A thousand apologies, sir. The young master is a bit disoriented after everything that has happened today. Please, disregard his comment," said the butler, attempting to defuse the situation.

The soldier stared daggers at them for a few seconds before turning toward the carriage. "Get in. We leave now," he ordered coldly.

"Fine, I’ll let it slide this time, but you should know who’s in charge here. Understood, butler?" said Pax, his menacing gaze chilling them to the bone.

"Yes, sir," replied Mok with a quick bow. "A thousand apologies."

That damn butler... His grip was so strong; he didn’t let me draw my sword, thought Pax, suppressing his frustration.

"And so, what shall we call you, sir?" asked Mok, trying to ease the tension.

"Just say ‘your superior.’" responded Pax coldly.

"I’m not calling you that," muttered Paltio under his breath to Mok.

But before they could continue, a shrill voice interrupted from the distance: "Pax, stop wasting time and get moving!"

"Ugh, stupid Tinoy! Don’t say my name when I’m trying to sound tough with the prisoners," protested Pax, turning toward the source of the voice.

"Sorry, Pax."

"And you said it again! There’s no fixing you…"

"So, Pax, huh? Nice name. Let’s go," said Mok, climbing into the carriage alongside Paltio.

"It’s about time," grumbled Pax, taking his place in the driver’s seat. With a firm flick of the reins, the horses began to move.

As they left the castle, Paltio and Mok glanced back and saw Tejod watching them from afar. His face reflected contained fury, as though he sensed things weren’t going exactly as he had planned.

As the carriage moved through the city, both Paltio and Mok were stunned to see that all the inhabitants had been turned into jade statues, just like in the palace.

"Damn it! Everything is lost," exclaimed Paltio, hitting his forehead with the palm of his hand in a gesture of frustration.

"Calm down, Master," said Mok, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Everything will be alright. Remember the last words your father spoke to you before he turned to jade."

Paltio paused, reflecting on those meaningful words. "Yes, you’re right. I must find my own destiny," he murmured, feeling a spark of determination reignite in his eyes.

The cart continued its journey, heading toward the exit of Avocadalia. A large steel gate guarded by two Red Shadow soldiers slowly opened before them. As they passed by one of the broken walls, Paltio pointed indignantly: "That’s where those bastards entered."

Once outside the city, Pax abruptly stopped the carriage. He quickly dismounted, unsheathing his sword as he examined something moving in the grass ahead.

"What’s going on? Why did we stop?" asked Paltio, leaning out from inside the carriage.

Pax pointed his sword at the grass and shouted, "Come out of there, creature, and face the mighty Pax!"

But nothing moved. No response came from the darkness.

"I see... You want me to come get you," muttered Pax, advancing toward a strange lump on the ground. Without hesitation, he plunged his sword into what appeared to be a mound of dirt-colored fabric.

"Ouch!" cried a high-pitched voice, emerging from the lump. "Ah! My butt hurts!"

The figure quickly uncovered itself, revealing a young man with a pained expression. Beside him, another person calmly stood up and said, "Relax, we’ve been found."

Pax, still holding his sword high, eyed them suspiciously. "Who are you? Speak now, or I won’t show mercy."

"Are you insane? You just stabbed my butt with that sword!" protested the first, rubbing the affected area.

"Bah! That was nothing. If I’d wanted to kill you, I would have done so already," retorted Pax arrogantly.

"Fine, talk. Who are you? Or you’ll die—this time for real," threatened Pax, taking another step closer.

"I can’t believe it... It’s you!" exclaimed Paltio, quickly jumping out of the carriage and running toward them. He embraced them tightly, visibly overjoyed. "Alita, Ron! Thank goodness you’re not jade statues! I thought the same thing had happened to you as everyone else in the realm."

"And who are these two?" asked Pax, pointing at Alita and Ron with suspicion.

"They’re my friends," Paltio quickly replied. "We can bring them along on the quest. The more of us, the better we can help."

Alita and Ron nodded in unison. "Yes, we could be useful. It’ll be easier to search for the pieces if we work together," they said almost simultaneously.

"No!" retorted Pax firmly, crossing his arms.

"Please, let them come," interjected Mok, stepping behind Pax and placing a hand on his back. At that moment, Pax felt something strange—a chill ran down his spine. That butler had something about him that deeply unsettled Pax.

After a few seconds of silence, Pax sighed in resignation. "Fine... But I’m not going to babysit them. If anything happens to them, don’t count on me."

"Great!" exclaimed the three friends, hugging each other joyfully.

"Alright, listen up," said Pax, regaining his authoritative stance. "Here are the rules. And this is the only time I’ll say them."

He reiterated his usual three rules and added one more: "I won’t take responsibility for any of you if you get into trouble. Understood?"

"No problem," responded Mok calmly. "I’ll handle it."

"All this aside, where exactly are we going?" asked Ron, looking around curiously.

"That’s right, where are we headed, Mok?" inquired Paltio, turning toward the butler.

Mok pulled a small object from his pocket and activated it. A three-dimensional hologram emerged, displaying a detailed map of the world. "Your father mentioned that the scepter was divided into five parts, scattered across the five neighboring realms."

The hologram revealed five glowing fragments surrounding a central mound. "This one in the center is our realm, Avocadalia," explained Mok, pointing to the central point. "The mound above, in the northwest, is Hassdalia, the realm of the Hass. Below it lies Fuertelia, the realm of the Fuerte. Then there’s Bacadolia, home of the Bacon. To the northwest is Pinkertalia, home of the Pinkerton, and finally, Reedalia, the realm of the Reed."

"Wow, that’s awesome!" exclaimed the three friends, marveling at the floating map.

"Why is Fuertelia so small?" asked Paltio, frowning.

"It’s a land of extremely strong people," explained Mok. "They decided to cede part of their territory to the other realms to rid themselves of the weaker ones."

"I see," murmured Paltio, nodding slowly.

"Then let’s start with Hassdalia," proposed Paltio after a moment of reflection. "From there, we’ll head down through those three realms and then loop back south to complete the circuit and return home."

"As you wish, Master," responded Mok with a smile. "To Hassdalia it is."

"Fine... Get in and shut up," grumbled Pax, climbing into the carriage and taking the reins.

Everyone obeyed and settled into the vehicle. The torches surrounding the carriage lit up with blue flames, illuminating the path amid the perpetual darkness enveloping the landscape.

The carriage began to move, leaving the realm of Avocadalia behind. The journey into the unknown had begun. What challenges and dangers awaited Paltio and his group in their quest for the scepter fragments? Only time will tell.