1. Treasures In Atrona City (Post 11)

"So Jake, what should we do now? The investigation which we were going to conduct has quite well ended even before it started.", said Alice.
"I am still in the story. It would have been so good if we had known what happened. As it is, we do not have any work to do. Let us try to find out the proper end. Sten, you told us that there are symbols or signs which can tell us about history. Now, what can those signs be? Are they clearly defined or just any rock on the roadside?"
"Very well clearly defined. I am not saying this from my own experience, but I have hears that all that I told you today has also been known through these signs. I do not know how these signs are or how they look. Even if you find them, you may not know if it is a sign. But yes, they are well defined, and you will learn a great deal from them, though they are considered to be quite hard to decipher.People say that you need an insight to know them."
"The world is hiding so many secrets from me, and I will know them. Have you ever considered what the aim of life is? I do not know mine. We are born, we eat, work, and then die. So maybe this can help us. To know about our past.", Jake said.
Alice replied, "You are right, but how are we going to find these signs? If they had been roadside stones, we could still have made a beginning. Now what shall we do? I think we we just let it to pass."
"Well, if you really want, I can help you. But consider first, this quest will take you on a journey which will be extremely dangerous. There might be instance when you would like to withdraw, and you will not be able to. there might be instance in which you will feel strong urges to return, and you will have to continue with strong determination or everything will be a waste. Well, even if you return, there is no harm, but there are innumerable dangers lurking out there.", Sten said.
"Sten, you are full of surprises. Can you really help us? Today has been quite a day.", Alice was awestruck.

1. Treasures In Atrona City (Post 10)

"That is wonderful", Alice remarked. Jake nodded in affirmation.
"I would like to see one, but it will be awfully hard to find one.", Alice said.
"Actually, if you want to see one, I can show it to you.", said Sten.
"Really? You can do that? Please then. Where will we find one?".
"Right here. Gerrard.",Sten shouted.
"What? You have one in your own house? And it even has a name?".
"Yes, even cats have names these days. Ever tried asking one theirs?".
A smirk appeared on Jake's face. From the room inside, a small purple colored mouse like creature appeared. Its color seemed to be other worldly but natural. It was a color you would expect to not see on any living creature, but you could tell it was living.
"Wow, dazzling.", remarked Jake and Alice in chorus.
"What is so dazzling about me? i see myself everyday and not an inch of my flesh appeals to me.", Gerrard spoke.
"Wow, super cool. A talking mouse.", said Jake.
"Talk of intelligence. Sten, you were really serious. I mean, I did believe you, but to see it from your eyes, it is a different experience.", Alice said.
"Hey, what is so special about me? I am just a normal small weak creature.", Gerrard was finding the behavior of the children strange.
Jake and Alice realized that they were not behaving properly and acknowledged that the woohee had feelings.
"Sorry Gerrard. It is just too much for us in one day.", Jake apologized.
"Well, it is okay with me.", Gerrard replied.

1. Treasures In Atrona City (Post 9)

"What? You know who they were?", Alice asked.
"Yes, I know. They were creatures known as woohees. And believe me, they are not like how you saw them They are very different.", Sten replied.
"What do you mean?".
"I mean to say that- oh, let me tell you what woohees are first. They are small creatures, like mice but a lot more intelligent. They can be of any color, some rare ones even in a mix of colors."
"But what we saw, they were big, and like ordinary people around us.".
"Yes, that is true. Woohees, for their protection, are able to create illusions to ward off any danger. What you saw was a very small demonstration of their art. They are even known to kill people by creating huge illusions and scaring them to death. However, that they do only in rare cases. They are shy, but quite friendly in nature."
"Wow, I did not even know that such things exist in the world.", Jake said.
"Not just these, but many others too. But somehow they have vanished. Woohees were able to survive, but they are not very popular. No one knows about them because when a woohee dies, its body almost immediately decomposes in the earth. Living specimens are difficult to find because they create such illusions."

1. Treasures In Atrona City (Post 8)

"Well, that is very disappointing. I wanted to know the whole part.", said Jake with disdain.
"Do not worry. You can find the end on your own.", said Sten.
"Huh? What do you mean?"
"I mean that although humans have forgotten over time, there still exist many markers in this world. Signs. The world is still what it was years ago. All the materials are the same, though in a different form and shape. You can come to know from these markers what the end was. These in a way tell us the history. However, it is a very time consuming process. It may be dangerous too."
"Well, I certainly want to know the end.".
All this while, Alice was feeling that something was missing. She felt that there was something that they have ought to have know but Sten had not told them so. Something for which they had come, but was forgotten in conversation. Earlier she had thought it not very right of the humans to forget this story over time. However, now she thought different. If she forgot something in a mere small conversation, what to speak of thousands of years. After a while of brainstorming when Jake and Sten were having their conversations, Alice suddenly remembered.
"But how is this all related to Atrona Waterfall? That is what we came here for. We were just headed that way when you stopped us.", she said.
Sten replied "Why were you going there today?".
"Well, I spotted someone there who I thought was up to some mischief. We were going to investigate.".
"And that is what I believed, because I know who they were."

1. Treasures In Atrona City (Post 7)

"Immediate action had to be taken. The man was giving orders to kill people at an alarming rate. The number of creatures on the good front were depleting and evil forces were gaining control. There was no calling when a hiding creature would find itself revealed to another creature who would be reluctant to kill it, bu would still do. Then, some of the more intelligent creatures of the good front formed an organisation. Now that I have said this, let me explain what I mean by 'more intelligent' first. At that time, everyone had some degree of intelligence. However, only humans have it today in the world we see around us. That is because they, being of the same species as the man, could not be controlled by him. They kept their intelligence and constantly used it to make plans and gain freedom from the evil force. They were fed up of the unpleasant sights everywhere in the world. All other creatures lost their intelligence simply because they did not use it. Either they gave up or were controlled by the evil man. That is how all the dumb animals we see around us came into existence. They all had intelligence, but not the determination. If it was not for us humans, no one knows what would have happened of the world. Just imagine a world in which horses, cats, dogs, lions, fish, everyone would be able to talk. And then there were also other creatures which you would refer to as magical. They do not exist in our world, but were there long back. Imagine living in peace and harmony with all that, it is an example of an ideal world. But it is very hard to achieve now. The world remained ideal only till a few hours after creation. After this much time, in any world, suffering is bound to happen. As it happens in our own world, there is poverty, pain and suffering. Everyone has become selfish and does something for vested interests only. Very few people remain who live not for themselves but for others. Even you and I cannot deny that. Okay. let us come back to the point. The humans together formed an organisation called Westen. With this organisation, they called upon to all the humans of the world and started to form a master plan that would eventually be successful. The humans were successful in doing this and thus they resurrected harmony in the world. Now, after so long, even they have forgotten what had happened so long ago. So, there ends my story.", saying this, Sten concluded whatever he had to say.
"You said we humans have forgotten all this with time. Then how do you know so much about this Sten?", Alice asked.
"That is another long story and I think we have had enough for today."
"Hey Sten, you did not conclude the story aptly. You did not tell us how the Westen was able to defeat the evil man and establish peace again.", Jake said.
"Yes, I could see that coming. My child, even I do not know what happened. As I said, humans have forgotten over time. This was all I knew.".

1. Treasures In Atrona City (Post 6)

"A battle ensued between the two fronts. However, all the good creatures, despite being more in number, were losing. History can teach us very important things. Here, we see that number is not very important. With quantity, quality should also be taken in mind. The creatures on the good side were small and weak, though they were united. the creatures on the mans's side were big and ferocious. The man knew how to captivate creatures and make them work for him, tying them with magical bonds. However, he could only capture limited number of creatures or it would take away all of his energy and he would lose control. Therefore, he picked up on the big and strong ones. They were like servants serving to him, who did not even know what was going on, what they were doing and why they were doing it. The smaller creatures were united, but so were the bigger ones, and so they gained the upper hand. The creatures o the good side were convinced that if they had to plan a strategy, it would have to be divide and conquer. They would attack one big creature one at a time, but this was a very difficult task and they failed. The empire of the man grew and grew until the whole world was envisaged by his wrath. The creatures on the good side had to all go and live in hiding. They had lost the war. The world had become a rotten place. Even the creature on his front did not find it pleasing, but the man's influence over them had grown so strong that they could not break the bonds, though now they felt the pain. They did not want to kill the creatures on the good side anymore, but they did. They did it only because they were being forced to, they could not control themselves. It was as if some external energy was controlling their bodies. It was like a situation in which you meet a friend and want to go greet him, but your hands instead attack without yours even intending or knowing."

1. Treasures In Atrona City (Post 5)

As Sten was saying all this, Jake was becoming a little uneasy. He was not looking directly at Sten but staring at the floor. The look on his face suggested that he was feeling a bit disturbed.
"What is the matter Jake?", Alice asked, when she noted his brother's unusual behavior.
"Huh?", Jake was startled, "Nothing. I got a little carried away."
"Do not get so disturbed by the story. All this happened a very long time ago. There will be many such things in this world which we do not like, but we should not let them affect us."
"You are right, and it is not all about that. I have no issues with the story. I don't know, I was just thinking about something else. Now, do not ask me what that was because I do not remember."
Sten's Face became grave.
"If you want, we can give the story a break.", he said.
"Please, do not worry. I am fine. It has nothing to do with the story. Please go on."
Sten's face became graver, but then he became alright and sighed. He continued with the story.
"As I was saying, Du Vong is a very powerful but restricted form of martial art. In he whole world, the maximum persons with knowledge of this art living at any time has not gone above thirty two, to be absolutely accurate. The number has gone down now, very much, to just maybe about two or three according to my derivation. This is because this form of fighting is very ancient and thus, it died down with time. Even in the olden days it used to be rare, then what to talk of now. The man used this martial art to suppress beasts superior to him in strength. It does not require strength but technique, you see. The man slowly became more and more popular till the world was divided into two fronts. The front on the man's side and the front on the good side which wanted freedom and happiness in the world. You can say that the world was divided into good and evil. Being divided into such fronts, the good side was at a little advantage because they outnumbered the evil front. The man was not able to kill any more innocent creatures after this as united, even the weakest of creatures were a strong force."

1. Treasures In Atrona City (Post 4)

"All this aside, what does it have to do with the Atrona Waterfall?", asked Jake.
"Patience child. I remember, when I used to be a child, I was as impatient as you. But that was a very long time ago. With time, I learnt. Be patient till the end please." said Sten, "So, where was I?".
"That evil man started finding supporters.",replied Alice.
"Yes, yes.As I said, he was very good in this. He promised other creatures high positions in the mighty kingdom he desired to make. He sounded very good, but what he was to make was a world full of misery, with everyone working as slaves for that one man. Whoever denied his authority was murdered. Now, we have to go a little more backward and see how he got so much of power. I have already told you that he was just an ordinary man, and there were creatures in the world, much more than you can imagine, who were you can say reservoirs of great power. Then how did that one men become so powerful, and how did even the strongest of creatures accept the authority of that man? Some of them did want to control the world, but why did they accept him as king? They could have wanted to become king themselves. Why did that not happen? The answer to this lies even in the present world we see today. There are so many dumb animals around us, Why do they accept our authority? We use horses and camels to ride, elephants to pick up heavy loads, all these creatures are much stronger than us, then why do they behave in such a manner? It is all a question of brains. Only brawn without brains is well and good to defend oneself, but the brain always seems to emerge as the victor. However, the man played  very safe. He was not satisfied in being just more intelligent than all others. He wanted power, and there were other humans with equal intellect as him. Not just humans, but many others who did not accept him as their leader. The world was filled with intelligent creatures you cannot even think of, but that is not the subject of today. So, the man learned a restricted form of an ancient martial art, the Du Vong. A person who practices Du Vong achieves unbelievable power. It is a technique in which you call upon the forces of nature to help you. It is extremely difficult to learn and must be performed under the guidance of a proper master. It is restricted because if not practiced with discipline, its power can destroy the person practicing it and also others around him. A person who learns Du Vong should have at first mastered anger management and other forms of self discipline to prevent its use for unethical reasons."

1. Treasures In Atrona City (Post 3)

"Have you ever heard the name of the place Drach Li?", asked Sten.
"No", Alice replied.
"Okay, then you do not know about it. I'll tell you everything. This world is not as happy as it seems. Though the creator made it as beautiful as it could be made, external elements affected it and devastated its beauty. Then came all the negative elements - anger, fear, envy. There was only one good quality which came with all these. It can be used to overcome all these negativities. Can you tell me what it is?"
"Friendship?", Jake asked.
"No.".
"Umm, Love?", Alice inquired.
"No."
"Brotherhood, passion, determination?", Jake spoke all that came to his mind.
"No children, it is hope. With hope, you can overcome the greatest of evils. With this one quality, peace can be maintained. But do not forget, an ideal world is free of all evils and so there is not much use of hope. Then come all the qualities which you just mentioned now. They too are very important.".
"So what is all this about?".
"Well yes now, getting to the point. A very long time ago, when the world was peaceful and beautiful, one person became ambitious. Evils did exist in society, but no large scale war had taken place. Because the world had just begun, many believe that no one at that time could have made a very huge plan. However, that man was different. He wanted no less than the whole world, and so he started his adventure of world conquest. Being but an ordinary man, he started thinking of means to get things under his control. A single man cannot do anything big single- handedly, so he started finding supporters. He was very good at this."

1. Treasures In Atrona City (Post 2)

Jake had named his horse Jack, similar to his own name. However, he often used to call him Dark, Just because it was completely black, with just a small star shaped white symbol on its chest. Alice's horse Snowflake, on the contrary, was completely white with yellow hair. These horses were probably the best in the stables, but also the most ferocious. The King had almost given them away because they were proving to be of no use until Jake and Alice tamed them.

The Atrona Waterfall was quite far away from the city, beyond Trela village. On horseback, it was an hour away. Jake and Alice often used to go there for recreation and also for some mysterious fun. They thought the place to be very exciting, as if it held a mystery beneath itself. They were always fascinated by the color spectrum formed on the jumping water due to the direct but less intense, warm sunlight, at the exact place where the waterfall met the river. 

"Let us see who reaches there first.", Jake cried.

"Come back Jake.", said Alice,"We are going there for investigation today, not for fun. We will have to be very careful."

"And what made you think that the people who you saw there would still be there, waiting for us?"

"If they aren't, then at least we can investigate the surroundings and see if anything has been moved or dug up.".

"Okay, but if we find nothing there, then you will be my slave for a day.".

"I am not falling for any of your conditions. You come if you want to, or else go back.".

"Okay fine, I will come, but only to ensure that my little sister here remains safe."

"We are twins.".

"Yes, but I came out first.".

"How do you know?"

"Sixth sense.".

"Shut up Jake."

The journey passed quite uneventfully. Both the horses galloped at a fairly moderate speed. They had to go through Trela village, and when they reached there, they found it to be as peaceful as it always was.

"Ho! Jake and Alice. Where are you off to?", and old man asked them. Everyone knew them there.

"Off to the waterfall Sten", Jake replied.

"What? Do not go there today."

"But why?", Alice asked.

"Stop for a moment here and I will tell you. Just come inside my house."

Sten's house was huge, as were the other houses in the village. Sten went up to the fireplace and lighted the fire. It was quite cold there.

"Come on, grab a seat. You do not need to behave so formally with me.", said Sten, sitting down on a wooden chair.

1. Treasures In Atrona City (Post 1)

The huge castle in Atrona City could be seen from miles around. With the treasury of the Paramori kingdom overflowing, its capital city was always decorated as in a festival. Half of the city was filled with houses, shops, places of recreation and many other buildings, the other half being occupied by the huge castle. The castle was like a city in itself. The whole army was stationed there and it had to be taken care of properly. It also contained all the ministries and governmental offices, and so the huge space it occupied was justified. Three times in war had it given shelter to the people of Atrona City and nearby villages when they had been attacked by external forces. The kingdom had attained a sort of invincible position under King Cyrus, whose radical and free-natured mind helped the kingdom to grow in wealth and power.
In one of the houses inside the castle lived a boy Jake and his sister Alice. They both were twins and seventeen years of age. They had been orphans since they could recall and the King had given them shelter and taken care of their needs from the beginning. Being of the same age as Prince William, the two had become good friends with the King's only son.
"Sometimes, I think being an orphan is better than leading a normal life. We have got so much freedom like this.", said Alice.
"No, that is wrong. We may be orphans, but we are not living like it. His Majesty takes care of all our needs. He even imposes restrictions on us like a real father. Now that we are big and more independent, he has given us more freedom.", Jake replied.
"I agree to that".
"Getting to do whatever you want does sound good, but it comes with its negative effects.".
"Okay, I understand. You do not need to star a lecture here. Sleep well today. Tomorrow is going to be hectic. We have to go to the Atrona Waterfall and investigate what is going on there. I saw some shady characters there last night. They were up to something I didn't feel good about.".
"You did not feel good about what they were doing or you are doubting them just because they were like some shady characters?".
"Actually yes. That could be a reason. Now be put off to sleep or I'll start doubting you."
"About what?".
"Just shut up and sleep".
"No tell me. About what?".
"Good night Jake.".
"Hmm. Good night Alice."
The next day, Jake and Alice went to the King to tell him where they were going. One time before they had gone away somewhere without telling him and the King had sent a search party to find them. From that day they were careful to let him know of their whereabouts.
After informing the King, they went to the stables to pick their horses. The royal stable was open to them for any horse they wanted, but they had their favorites.

Preface

The sky was dark and the clouds were gathering above in the sky. Walking over a mountain in complete darkness, he carried the infants on his back. He was exhausted. He did not know for how much more time he could endure. The children had to be left in a safe place. He could not just leave them to die. Both of them being just a month old, they were completely helpless, completely dependent on him. However, he could not take it anymore. Seriously injured and overcome by fatigue, he walked on. Seeing a fain light ahead, he became overjoyed and started running in that direction, tripped and fell down. The mountain was not as easy as it seemed. He would have known if he could see anything, but that night even the moon had no mercy and hid itself beneath the thick clouds.
He got up and started walking again, this time showing a little more patience. The children on his back kept quiet, as if in a deep sleep. The nearer he got to the light, the farther away it seemed to be.
"Here, take them. Take them and go to a safer place. Do not worry about me. I am going. My time has come.",he remembered the words said to him when the children were given to him.
The children were something extraordinary. Everyone seemed to care so much about them, though he did not know why. He was just given orders to safely take them to Paramori kingdom, a kingdom whose King was renowned for his kindness as well as prowess. He was given orders to save the children even if it costs his own life, and he would obey his orders sincerely because he was so loyal. That is why he was given the job. He was someone they could trust.
He finally reached the place from where the light was coming. A lit abandoned lantern lay on the way. It produced a dim light, but sufficient for him to look at the surroundings. When he looked at his own hands and legs, he found his clothes to be torn from various places, drenched in the blood from his bruises and cuts. He did not want to look at the children. He was afraid lest something have happened to them.
He quietly picked up the lantern and started walking. He could move a lot faster now with the light, but his condition was worsening.
Suddenly the clouds thundered and tiny droplets of water began to fall to the ground. The loud noise of the thunder and flashes of the lightning were frightening. However, the children remained unaffected.
"I have to reach a village or town fast. I do not think I can take it much longer.", he thought.
The drizzling soon became a huge downpour and he tried to protect the children from the rain the best he could. The mountain soon ended and he was walking in a huge, wide valley. He could see some shadows at the distance. He eagerly walked toward them. They seemed to be moving in the same direction as he was, and so he moved faster to catch up.
They were travelers who seemed to know where they were going, better than he knew. They stopped and looked behind when they heard someone panting behind them.
"Do you need help?", they asked.
"Sure, I certainly wouldn't mind a little help here.", he said gravely.
"Let us handle the children. you seem to be tired."
"Thank You"
"So, what's with all this? How did you get yourself in this kind of situation?"
"There is no time for this. Just tell me, is there some village nearby?"
"Just 100 yards from here. Trela village. We were heading the same way."
"What? It means that we are in Paramori kingdom?"
"Aye"
"Good. Let us move on."
They moved silently. Sooner than he had expected, they reached the village.
"Please take these children and present them to the King", he said.
"What? To the King?"
"Yes"
"You need some rest."
"No. I do not have much time now. Listen carefully to what I have to say. I have come from Drach Li. You would certainly know what is going on there. Tell the King that these children have come from there. Tell him these words:'Auger momenta kida too'. Please do it for me."
"What? So it is true then. Do not worry sire. We will fulfill your mission."
"Thank You. You are kind people."
"Anything for the country."
"I shall come back", said he, placing his hand on the forehead of the two children.
He slowly faded away.