Katelyn,+Katlyn,+Ariel

The Tree Of Secrets

__**The Beginning**__

“My dear Sophistra,  I must say that I have had spies on you that you have not known about. How you’ve grown and I am so sorry I have missed visiting you. I must say that the reason being is I have been working hard on protecting these historical documents. Only I know where they are. You have reached an age that I trust if I give these to you, you will take the up most care of them. You are a mere fourteen and very mature. You must come soon as I feel that I will not be living much longer. I feel a calling that the Great I Am is coming to bring me home soon and I know I can trust you will hide these documents and not read them till you are eighteen. I must go for now Sophistra. I love you very much.

 Sincerely,  K.”

Tears fell down Sophistra’s face as she read this. She read it over and over until it sank in. Sophie sat on a huge mushroom stool in her prayer room. She set the letter down and said a prayer:

“Great I am, I know you are here with me, continue to be with my grandfather holding the documents but also with me as I take this journey. Thank you, amen.” A knock on the door interrupted Sophie’s thoughts. She quickly put everything away and opened the door. Buddy stood before her with a tray of food in his hands. Buddy was a strong, muscular elf who easily stood seven and a half feet tall. His hair hung just below his ears and he wore torn brown shorts with a black sleeveless shirt. “I brought you some supper.” Sophistra smiled weakly and thanked him.

“Buddy I must send out Vadima-Leeta to find help with my journey. Grandfather has said he needs me right away.” Buddy set the supper on the wooden side table Sophistra sat next to.

“I must go with you. I am strong, tall and I feel I could be a bit intimidating.” Sophistra stood at once.

“All the more reason to stay behind to watch the cave. If someone were to come looking for me, you shan’t tell them where I am nor let them in and welcome them.” Sophistra sat back down and finished eating. "I must go and get ready and send Vadima-Leeta out to fetch the one who sent Vadima-Leeta to me when I be born a mere child.” Sophistra left off to her private study nearer the back of the cave (which happened to have many rooms whether above ground or underground). Sophistra began to pack a backpack of things when Buddy knocked on the door again. Sophistra turned and looked at her elf friend so defiant and brave.

“You should take this, it was my father’s. He fought in one of the greatest battles of the history of Kar.” As Buddy passed the sword and sheath. Sophistra had dark black slacks with a white button down shirt a little too big for her but was tucked in. Sophistra smiled and accepted the sword and sheath and set it on her bed. She sat down and slid her knee high brown leather boots on over her black slacks.

When Sophistra finished she got up and walked to her back room of her cave where the Eao lay. Vadima-Leeta lived in the back room of the cave which held her enormous nest.

‘Vadima-Leeta,' Sophistra thought in her head, 'I need you to send out to the person whom I received you from at birth. Tell him or her that I am on a quest to find the historical documents of my region and I need some assistance due to the fact I will most likely be followed.’ With that Sophistra gave her majestic bird a hug and sent her off....

__**Mean while in Eilam**__

“Well, done Miki, but next time aim lower and make sure to keep your feet stable.” Rudalpho demonstrated the proper stance for sword fighting, then walked over to Miki and fixed her stance. “Grasp it tightly...tighter.” He commanded.

Miki was getting frustrated but she complied. Today she just wanted to be left alone to draw, but she wasn’t going to get her way. “Can we move on to the part of training?” She asked in between parrying and striking her master.

Rudalpho stood straight, bowed and replied, “We are finished for the day, milady.” Miki stood up straight and bowed as well. Gabriel, her snow leopard trotted up to her and licked her hand he projected his thoughts into her mind. //'Pet me!//' He pleaded so sweetly that Miki couldn’t resist rolling her eyes. //'Miki, I love you. Please I can’t reach it...MIKI!//' He kept pleading as she walked away.

“You are lucky I love you.” She stopped letting Gabriel catch up and then scratched behind his ears. “Why do you have to be so tall?” Gabriel sat down and cocked his head, ears perked up, “What is it boy what do you hear?” He didn’t answer. He looked wide eyed up at her and projected into her mind, '//Garrett, Elisa, Kale, and Sonya. They are trapped and the guards can’t reach them.'// “Let’s go!” She commanded.

The two took off at a dead run. They ran up several flights of stairs and through doors and down halls, Miki following Gabriel. //‘I hope we make it in time.’// Was the only thought that was in Miki’s head. Gabriel was picturing the scene which wasn’t helping.

//Garrett was wielding his sword at the small men, trying to protect his family. “Miki hurry,” he whispered. The little men grabbed the youngest, Kale. His screams filled the air. Soon the screams were added to by Sonya the oldest, Garrett was wounded and couldn’t hold on much longer. “Miki...” before he could finish he was distracted by Elisa’s gurgled cries of help. The little men caught him off guard and stabbed him in his heart. The men retreated.//

Miki and Gabriel came around the corner in time to see them retreating. “Your gonna pay for this.” Miki’s voice held so much malice that the little men nearly fainted from the force. Miki ran into her brother’s room, “Garrett, where are you?” She called out to him. His hand went up and gurgle sounds came from his throat.

Miki ran over to him, dropped to her knees, and pulled him into her lap, “Miki, I’m glad your okay...It’s your duty to rule now, so find a husband.” He choked on the blood that was coming out of his mouth.

“Your dying and you want me to find a husband,” she gave a weak laugh through the tears that streamed down her face mercilessly. Garrett gave a weak laugh but smiled up to her, “I love you,” was his last words to her as he closed his eyes and his breathing stopped. Miki covered her eyes and cried harder then ever.

//'He was your whole world Miki,'// Gabriel said to her while rubbing up against her face. She rapped her arms around his neck and cried into his fur. //'Shh, Miki, shh.'// She stopped crying after a few minuets. She stood up keeping one hand tangled in Gabriel’s fur for support. They walked together to the throne room where she sat in Garrett’s chair, which she supposed was hers now.

“My Queen, there is an Eao wanting an audience. Shall I let her in?” Miki nodded tiredly.

‘//Your majesty it is good to see you again... I have news about your brother’s murderers. My mistress knows their master and is in need of your help. She needs to find her grandfather, who has all documents of Kar, but she can’t do it on her own because of the minions, please help.//’ Vadima-Leeta was originally from Eilam so she could project her thoughts like Gabriel, she was a gift to the new born of a friend from Kar. Miki was corresponding with Sophistra so she felt like she needed to help.

“I will help, you need to send word to Iris. Go quickly.” Miki ordered Vadima. Miki ran to the castle armory, which was located by the stables, on the opposite side of the castle. She put on her red leather armor, sheathed her sword, swung her arrow bag and bow onto her back, finally she set Gabriel’s white armor on him.

They walked out to the Eaotheen tree. It was over three hundred feet tall, had white and blue leaves, plentiful Eaotheen fruit, and was home to many Eaos. “Zeckel,” Miki called up to the tree, “come forth I need your help,” The biggest Eao flew out of the tree near the top and landed in front of Miki and Gabriel. ‘//Your highness, how can I help?’// Zeckel asked.

“Can you carry us to Kar?” Miki was in a hurry.

//‘Must I carry the mutt?’// Zeckel asked, and Gabriel growled. Miki nodded and climbed onto his back. //‘I’ll be gentle mutt don’t worry.’// Zeckel said to Gabriel as he grabbed him with his talons. The flight was cold but Miki was more focused on getting to her friend and helping her. She knew the documents were important, maybe not how much but she knew that Sophie needed them.

“I’m coming,” Miki mumbled when she was in view of the forests of Kar. When they reached the forest Zeckel dropped Gabriel, and set Miki down gently. “Thank you Zeckel, but next time please be careful with Gabriel.” Zeckel nodded and then flew off.

“Iris your here, good.” Miki said to Iris.

__**A little later in Almenna**__

It was an average day, going for walks through the town, going to the market, buying herbs. That is how Iris spends her days, until one unfaithful day where her oldest brother had to guard the North gate. It was Iris’ and Christian’s tenth birthday. Rose was five. Blake was eighteen.

Blake was running late to the party because the night guard wasn’t there yet. He couldn’t leave with the gate unguarded. Blake was upset because he knew that when he got home his parents would be upset. That was when a mystery person came through the gate.

“Hello,” said the man. He was wearing a long over coat and a sword on his belt.

“Hello,” said Blake.

“I going to kill you now. I don’t want you to scream because people will come to early and I won’t be able to get away,” said the man.

“What ever to you mean by that sir?” asked Blake. He was confused. No one for as long as he's been born, hasn’t come through the North gate. If people wanted to come into the village they'd go through the South or east gate. The only reason they even guard the North gate because during the night wild animals would come through it. Some wild animals that come in cause a lot of trouble for the village people.

“I’m going to kill you with this,” said the man. He was holding a small bomb. It was so small that if you weren't up close to it, you wouldn’t know what it was. You could even mistake it as a small animal and wouldn’t think twice about it. Blake although was up close to it. He knew what it was but before he could do anything, the man attacked him and tied him up.

“Your in good health and by the look of it you are good with a sword. That is why I’m going to take you with me. I will send someone here to tell everyone that you have died in the accident,” said the man. That was when he picked Blake up and walked him out through the gate, down the road a bit so that he wouldn’t be hurt by the bomb. The man then pulled the trigger on the bomb and put it in the wall, then ran to Blake. From there he could watch the bomb blow up but not be close enough to be hurt by it. He then picked Blake up and they left without another word.

When the bomb went off Iris and Christian were opening presents. They were having a good time. Iris was looking forward to this. This is the year where her and Christian would get a different crystal, a bigger crystal. The one she wear now was a small one. It was meant for a small child but she was no small child anymore. In less than six years she would be a woman and would help guard the gates surrounding the village.

When her parents handed her the box that held the crystal, she stopped for a second. She wanted to remember this moment forever. When she finally put it on, it glowed blue which meant happy. Red meant that she was in love. Green meant she was sick. Black meant that she was depressed. There was also a different color that glowed but no one knew what it was.

Only people born with specific blood could get a crystal around their necks and she was one of them. Her own family had the blood for it. At that moment Iris thought that the crystal would always glow blue but what she didn't know was for a long time after this day it would always glow black.

Iris got thirsty from talking to much and went into the kitchen to get a drink that is when she saw the fire near the North gate. She ran to her parents and told them what she saw. They all went up to see what had happened. They saw a man standing there waiting for them.

“I’m so sorry. Your son Blake was trapped in the fire. I didn’t reach him in time to save him,” said the man. He looked away, towards the gate that wasn’t there anymore.

“Are you sure that it was him? He should have been off by now,” said Iris. She was crying nonstop. Christian who just caught up to them saw her and gave her a hug. They couldn’t believe that Blake, their brother, who was the nicest person they have ever known has died so violently. They thought they couldn’t live without him but they had to try. They had to for their little sister Rose who wouldn’t understand what has happened that day. Iris knew that this was no accident. Someone wanted the gate to come down and she would fine out who did.

She would find the person who had killed her brother and destroy them. That was when she saw something far into the distance. It was a little thing barley there. If you worn't staring at it you would never see it but Iris did. It was little a little person in the size of a hamster running away. She now knew what to look for. Whoever had little men following them she knew that was the person who killed her brother but she couldn't do that for a while for now she would have to wait for that day to come.

After that day, their parents were sent away to find the person who blow up the gate. Iris and her siblings were moved to their grandparents home. They were sort of happy but there was still a hole in their hearts where Blake once was. Iris' crystal now glowed black anyone who didn't have the right blood didn't know what that meant.

After a while they finally made new friends. Iris liked them but they never made her whole. She hoped that one day someone could come make her whole again. She wanted desperately to find love and be her own person. To not morn everyday is what she wanted but she knew that would never end.

Iris got a new pet who followed her everywhere. It was a tiger cat named Tiger Lily. It seemed that the cat knew exactly what Iris was thinking and feeling. Iris knew that if it hadn’t been for the cat, she would have fallen apart. She wouldn’t have anything solid to hold on to. She would always need Tiger Lily. She tried to be a better person for her whole family. She tried not to cry but some nights it was too hard.

Six years later.........

“Hey Iris, are you coming or what?” asked Adam and Liz. Iris meet them when she was thirteen. She helped them fight off some village people who thought they had stolen something. They had been friends ever since. All of them, Christian, Adam, Liz, Iris, and of course Tiger Lily. At this moment it was a hot day and they all wanted to go down to the ocean go swimming but Iris was taking a long time.

“Yeah. I’m coming just give me a sec,” said Iris. She was trying to put on the necklace that Blake gave her for her fifth birthday. It seemed she wore it more than she every had before. She had taken it off when she was at training. She trained with one of the people who lived down the road from her. She need to learn how to use a sword when she went looking for her brothers murder.

She was great at sword fighting. She was better than everyone in the village. People from all over came to fight her but she had always won. People called her their hero. There wasn't anybody out there that could defeat her now. She was ready for whatever came her way. She was also learning magic with her crystal and she was learning how to heal people. That was the hardest part. She could heal small animals but people, they were a different story.

“God it will take us four years to make it there at this rate,” said Christian.

“I’m ready. Lets go,” said Iris but she would never going swimming with her friends because before she got there an Eao came flying down towards her. They didn’t speak out load but instead spoke in peoples heads.

‘Hello. My name is Vadima-Leeta. I have a message from Miki. Are you Iris?’ asked the Eao.

“I am Iris. Yes, What is the message?” asked Iris. She had seen an Eao before but it had been a distance away. They have traveled through Almenna to get to either places but they have never stopped to talk to anybody here.

‘Miki wants you to meet her in Kar. She needs your help. Will you come?’ asked Vadima-Leeta.

“Yes, I will come. Thank you. We will leave when we’re ready,” said Iris. After talking to Vadima-Leeta, they all ran back to their house.

“We will go with you,” said Christian.

“No, that is very nice of you but I have to do this myself. Tiger Lily will go with me. We will swim to Kar. It won’t be that long. I will wear my swim suit and Vadima-Leeta will carry a change of clothes and my sword. I will be fine,” said Iris.

“I know but you don’t know what Miki needs help with. Iris, I don’t want to lose you like we lost Blake,” said Christian.

“You won’t lose me. I’ll be fine. Tiger Lily will be with me and she will protect me,” said Iris and with that she left. She handed her change of clothes and her sword to Vadima-Leeta and told her to hold on to them. Iris and Tiger Lily started their journey across the ocean. It was long and cold going through the ocean but Iris was half vampire so she wouldn't feel most of it. There were fish that would eat you if you swam to close but they were lucky. They never encountered any of them or any other killer things in the water.

When she got there, she was meet with a million of trees. She looked around her. She didn’t see anybody. Vadima-Leeta landed right next to her.

‘Here you are. Your clothes are not wet at all,’ said Vadima-Leeta.

“Thanks.” Said Iris. She got dressed, put her belt on and put her sword on it. That is when she heard something coming from the forest behind her.

“Iris your here. Good,” said the voice. Iris spun around and saw Miki.

Miki walked to Iris and hugged her tenderly, “It’s been many moons since I last saw you Iris, how are you?”

“I’m fabulous.” She responded pulling out of the hug. “How are you?”

“I’m Good, my brother and his family has died though. How’s your family?” Miki’s face was saddened as she spoke about her brother.

“My brother has died also, my other brother is just barley alive because of the tragedy. My little sister still doesn’t fully understand. My parents were shipped off to who knows where to find the guy who blow up the North gate, but we are well.” Iris seemed sad but she held her head high.

“Should we camp here tonight, before we head out to find Sophie?” Miki asked Iris who nodded in response.

They passed the time by catching up and setting up camp. At dusk small figures detached themselves from the shadows of the forest. Miki recognized their shape and shouted, “Iris, come quick.” Iris ran to Miki.

“What is...” Iris saw the approaching figures she closed her eyes and saw the same figures, from the memory of her brother’s death. They were six inches, dirty brown clothes, long shaggy black hair, and filthy face so full of muck they were nearly black.

“Iris, hey come on we have to defend ourselves.” Miki stood shaking Iris, nearly giving her whiplash. Iris came to and readied herself quick as Miki shifted and protected her back.

“Vadima-Leeta, Go get Sophie!” Iris yelled at the bird who was hovering just above them.

Iris spun just in time to see the small men attacking Miki from behind. Miki let out a loud howling screech. “No!” Iris screamed in return running while brandishing her sword at the little men. She swung and sliced two in half spurting their black blood all over Miki’s white fur. Miki then Whipped her head and bit down on the last one that was on her back. She squeezed until the creatures eyes popped out and his head exploded from the pressure.

Miki’s ear pulled back, and Iris covered her ears. “The whistle is making those men stop, who’s controlling them?” Iris asked Miki when the whistle stopped.

“Well, I am.” A creature of the unknown came out from the dark shadows. His hair curled in black spirals. The glow of his yellow eyes reminded Miki of a cat in the night. His clothes consisted of a brown shirt and black slacks. He wore black boots that looked far too big. His voice sounded raspy. He had a strong odor to him that made rotten eggs smell like roses. Maybe that was his way of killing people. Death by stench.

__**....In Kar**__

Sophistra paced her cave waiting for some word. She took the sword Buddy had given her and walked outside. She practiced her sword fighting skills on the plants. Swings and slashes she took against the plants around her. Within minutes of doing so, a swooping noise arose overhead. Sophie looked up and saw Vadima-Leeta flying down.

//‘I have been sent to get you. Miki and Iris are fighting your brother off. He is trying to kill them. Hurry get on.’// Sophie was confused. She hadn’t a brother. If she had her father would have said so. Sophie had been the only child of Queen Angelina her mother. A brother couldn’t be possible. Sophie hoped on and flew off.

Sophie flew over head and saw the fighting. Her “brother” stood there with his sword in hand fighting with Miki. He swung his sword slashing Miki’s side. Sophie snuck up behind her brother and fluctuated the sword into his side. A large howl came from her brother. He quickly turned and saw Sophie. Almost immediately Sophie saw her father’s eyes in Belladonna. She knew now it was her brother. Sophie stood as her brother plunged for her. Iris ran behind Belladonna and whipped his arm with her sword. Another long howl and he whimpered off into the forest. Sophie ran after him into the middle of the wood leaving Miki and Iris. She yelled his name and searched and searched but her brother disappeared.

Sophie soon returned to the others. Miki transformed into a human again. She was fully clothed because of her mother’s gem. Vadima-Leeta returned with medical supplies for Miki’s wound. Sophie examined the wound and said, “It’s deep. You’ll need stitches.” Miki groaned.

Iris walked over to Miki and stitched her back up, and after the stitches were in place Sophie bandaged Miki’s wound. “We can’t stay here, he’ll be back with more of those things.” Miki groaned out, Iris nodded and helped her up. Sophistra said, “Get on Vadima-Leeta my place is near by.”

The cave came into view. Soon Vadima-Leeta set down softly, and let the girls off. “Go ahead in, I’m going to get the mail.” Sophie said as she saw a small bird touch down with a letter in it’s talons. She shoed the girls towards the entrance of the cave before going to get it. She returned to the others in the cave.

“Buddy!” Iris exclaimed as he did a dangerous trick. Sophie just shook her head.

“He usually like company.” Sophie said as she sat in a chair, and Miki sat by her feet. Sophie read, and as she read her expression grew grimmer and grimmer. (Only Sophie knows what this letter says.)

My dearest Sophistra, I am proud of you for fleeing to help your friends. I understand why you ran back after your brother. I am dyeing off quickly and need you to make haste and get here soon. There I will share where I have kept the documents. Do not fly on Vadima-leeta. It may lead others to where I have been hiding. You must walk but I will send different creatures to lead you to me. You will not be alone. Also the Great I am will be with you. I am weak and cannot continue to write at this moment. I will speak with you soon.

Sincerely, K

“Soph, what’s wrong? What does it say?” Miki asked as she wiped away a stray tear from Sophie’s face.

“Please don’t cry,” Iris begged as she came over to sit on the arm of the chair.

Sophie arose from the chair she was sitting in. Iris followed but Buddy stood in the doorway. “You mustn’t enter. She needs her space.”

“Oh Great I am, please lead my friends and I to my grandfather and keep us safe.” Sophie whispered the soft prayer and looked in her mirror. She sat for a bit more and stood to leave.

“We need to leave now, Buddy will pack us some food.” Sophie instructed. Within minutes everything was packed and the three girls headed out the back. Little did Sophie know, many creatures turned against her.

As the girls walked the path, nighttime arose and it soon got dark. Sophistra started a small fire and grabbed a fallen branch. She used it as a torch and plunged it into the ground for light.

Miki yawned a big yawn and suggested to set up camp.

“I am with you there.” Iris agreed. Iris walked off a little to gather some logs and branches that were in the pathway. Miki and Gabriel, Miki’s snow leopard, walked into the woods to hunt for food, leaving Sophie to tend to starting yet another fire.

For a little while Iris and Miki were still away and Sophie continued to feed the fire. A crackle behind Sophie frightened her a lot but it was just Iris coming back to the camp with wood. A time later Miki and Gabriel came back with a bag of fresh fruits and vegetables they took savaged from the town.

//‘I heard a noise in the woods as we were walking. Maybe we should take turns watching over the camp.’//

Iris and her tiger cat, Tiger Lilly volunteered to stay up first. The three girls and the two pets sat down and had a feast. Soon Sophie and Miki were fast asleep and so Iris and Tiger Lilly headed to the perimeter of the camp.

Sophie had a terrible nightmare. She was in a great battle and she was winning for her friends. She killed the man who was attacking them. After a couple short minutes when the fog rolled away Sophie saw her father’s face. She just killed her dad. She backed up but then walked back over to him again and suddenly he sat up and plunged for her but it was her brother.

“SOPHISTRA!” Miki yelled again. Sophistra woke up, seeing Miki holding her stomach. Sophie looked puzzled.

“What happened to you?” Sophie asked. Miki sighed, gave a sly smile and looked to the ground to shake her head.

“Nothing Sophie.” Miki sighed. At that point Iris and Tiger Lilly ran back to camp.

“Wake up!” Iris yelled. “We saw a dark shadow in the forest!” Miki didn’t look surprised for she had heard something as well.

“I have been up for an hour after I kept hearing a noise. I sent out Gabriel and he came back very worried telling me something was out there.” Miki warned. Another noise echoed from the forest and something small but fast jumped out and clawed Sophie’s arm. It attached itself onto her arm and Miki grabbed it and tried to pull it off. When all else failed, Iris grabbed her sword and slashed at it. The unknown creature unlatched itself and ran off. Gabriel and Tiger Lilly came to Sophie’s side and licked her wounds clean. She wrapped her arm in some gauze Buddy packed. “That was a close one!”Iris sighed.

“Maybe who should sleep during the day and walk during the night where it is safer.” Sophie suggested.

“We should sleep in the trees at night and walk during the days.” Miki said. All agreed. The rest of the night the three plus two cats slept in the woods. Sophie awoke by falling out of the canopy into the pond that sat next to the camp. Startled by the splash Iris woke up and climbed down. Miki had been up for half an hour making breakfast from the food they had brought.

Sophie dragged herself over to one of the logs near the fire and sat down. Iris soon joined.

“Hungry?” Miki asked as she passed food to Iris and Sophistra. Miki noticed Sophie soaked and shivering. Miki walked to the pack and took some extra clothes out. “A little Wet?” Miki asked Sophie, handing her clothes and chuckling.

A while later Sophie, Iris and Miki kept walking of course with Tiger Lilly and Gabriel behind. On the pathway a tweedle came down with a letter in its talons for Sophie. A tweedle is an extremely small bird that is one and a half inches tall all the way around and is bright yellow. The tweedle’s talons are 7 inches long and 5 inches wide. When the tweedle brings messages you must give something back to it otherwise it would feel awfully sad.

Sophie took the letter and gave some berries to the tweedle. It flew off. Sophie opened the letter and the one word making her feel like she was going to be sick was "Hurry! Singed K”

Sophie tucked the letter away and continued to go. Iris, Miki and Sophie walked on. A voice echoed and screamed from afar yelling “help.” Sophie was up to helping but Iris and Miki stopped her before she went any further.

“What if this is a trap?” Iris asked. Miki used her special powers and changed Sophie’s emotions to not instantly go and help this creature but first think about it. Miki, Iris and Sophie came together to draw a conclusion to draw their weapons and make sure this wasn’t a trap. The three of them walked to the yelling where they saw a hu-ole. Half man, half mole. They later found out his name was Harold.

“What’s wrong with you?” Iris asked.

“My name is Harold and I cannot get my tail unstuck of this door.” The hu-ole replied. Sophie’s emotions changed back and she jumped down to help him. Miki, tired and frustrated jumped down with her. Iris didn’t want to be left up by herself so she jumped down too. With swords and bow and arrow drawn, the three girls questioned Harold.

“How did you get stuck?” Iris asked

“Where does the door lead?” Miki asked.

“Can you see with those things? They’re filthy!” Sophie added. Harold removed his glasses and cleaned them. When he looked back up, Harold realized the girl he was looking at was the granddaughter of Kar. He was supposed to be opening the door for this very girl.

“Your majesty I am supposed to open the door for you but I got stuck.” Harold pleaded. He fell to his knees and wept a vast amount of tears. “Harold please, rise to your feet and call me Sophie. Do not make a fool of yourself in front of pure blood royalty.” Harold rose to his feet and Sophie opened the door for him. Beyond the door an icy wasteland lay waiting for Miki, Sophie and Iris to enter.

“How are we suppose to survive through the cold?” Iris asked. Harold walked in the door way and grabbed three large one piece suits that kept you warm and safe from anything.

“I personally call them human cookers. They make you warm and you can wear them through anything.” Harold informed.Miki’s expression on her face showed that she was not into wearing that.

//‘I am not wearing that if my life depends on it.’// Miki thought to herself. What Miki did not understand was hu-oles can read minds.

“Your life does depend on wearing this. And they even glow in the dark.” Harold replied. Sophie took one and put it on. Sophie being as small as she was had some difficulty but Harold adjusted it. As Harold did this he thought to himself, ‘A once in a lifetime ordeal, I am touching the Queen. ' Sophie handed a human cooker to Miki and Miki sighed. Iris was getting into hers as Sophie and Miki started through the door when out of nowhere Belladonna and his minions appeared.

“Don’t let them get away!” he shouted. The minions drew their darts and shot at Iris before she could enter. Sophie looked back but Harold shooed her off assuring that Harold would take care of Iris. The door closed with a big bang and Miki and Sophie walked on. A light far off shown in the distance and they followed it. Walking forever made the girls very tired. These suits kept them warm but were awfully big.

Just as Sophie was about to pass out, Vadima-leeta flew down and lifted Miki and Sophie and dropped them into a snowbank. Usually when someone drops into a snowbank, one would pop back up again. Under this snowbank was a house that was warm and friendly. A large rainbow mushroom bed sat in the corner with a man laying in it coughing. Sophie took her suit off and almost instantly Kar stood in front of her with a smile on his face so big. “You’re here,” Kar said. Sophie smiled and ran to his arms. Miki stood in the background.

“You’re Miki,” Kar greeted. “Welcome. I know we have a lot to catch up on but you must get the historical documents.” Kar started to fall a bit. Miki and Sophie helped him to the bed. Kar lay there with hands resting on Sophie’s face, rubbing her cheek with his thumb.

“The tree in the backyard.” Kar whispered in a raspy voice, “holds all the documents in the trunk.” Sophie cried as she watched her grandfather close his eyes and take his last breath.

Sophie and Miki rushed to the backyard where oddly the air was warm and there was no snow. The big tree was ginormous. Sophie noticed a ring around the tree as Miki ran ahead but Sophie stopped her first.

“Miki no!” Sophie ran ahead and ran through the ring and walked up to the tree. She did not get hurt but knew Miki would if she ran through. “You have to be blood family to enter this ring, my father has one for the castle,” Sophie warned.

“Okay, do what you have to do.” Miki said. Sophie dug through the roots and found “The book” She ran out of the ring and back to Miki. Sophie put her head down. “Let’s go get Iris.”

“Do we have to?” Miki whined, absently pet Gabriel who was at her side.

Sophie looked at Miki like she was going to hit her. Miki and Sophie ran to the house, put the cookers on, grabbed somethings and left. Before traveling through the snow again, Miki and Sophie set the house on fire.

At that moment wherever Iris was, she woke up. Harold looked into her face with his glimmering eyes and said “You’re awake my dear.” Iris jumped back and yelled, “Get away you freak.”

Harold with sadness in his eyes left her in the room she was in.

Meanwhile Miki and Sophie were traveling back as they saw the secret door open in front of them. It was just Harold. “There you are!” Harold gasped. “When are you going to retrieve your friend? She rejected me!” Harold started to foolishly weep again.

“Get ahold of yourself!” Miki said. She walked past him and took her suit off. Harold led the girls to Iris’s room. Iris leaped up with joy and ran as fast as she could towards the exit. When she remembered they were underground she stopped.

“Vadima-leeta.” Sophie whispered. Vadima flew from nowhere and grabbed Iris with her talons. Sophie and Miki jumped on and they flew to Sophie’s cave. Once there Buddy wrapped his arms around all of them. He was so worried.

“I’ll be right back.” Sophie said. She ran to the most secret spot she knew and hid the documents. She ran back and thanked her friends.

“I owe you my life,” Sophie thanked her friends. Iris just gave a snarl since she was left behind and replied back in a devilish way, “I might take you up on that offer.” Miki and Sophie had watery eyes because they didn’t want to leave each other. Sophie and Miki hugged each other crying, “Farewell dear friend.” Miki and Sophie released and Vadima-leeta put Iris and Miki on her back and flew them home. The animals were back when Iris and Miki arrived in their regions.

There he stood on the edge of the woods. He looked down and then to his side. A thick white bandage of gauze wrapped around his waist with a red stain coloring it. Sophie soon would be his to kill. He looked up revealing his yellow, glowing, eyes!