Veronika's+Gate

**(1st Person)**
One day it suddenly hit me by surprise. I was outside of the little hut I had been living in almost my whole adult life and since my encounter with enemy that were sneaking around in the region wondering how they got past the gate. They are sneaky, you would think I would be able to catch them keeping in mind that I am very good at trapping and hunting, and can be really sneaky when needed in a situation. However these enemies seem uncontrollable no one has been able to trap the intruders, The intruders strike at night. Everywhere in the night I turn they seem to find me no matter where I hide. I am no longer safe in my little hut anymore in the night I have to hide. The very last place I chose to hide was in a deep hidden cave in the woods along the Sundista river where I was sure they wouldn't look.

Many people for many years have been talking about the Undirra but they have not exactly been telling the truth and none of what they say can be proven. Everyone says that it's the Ophelia who created the magic, I sometimes get compared to her just because of how I act and some of my powers, they also like how quick I react in a situation. People have said to me that Undirra had witnessed my birth and that's why he has been very fond of me ever since, but no one really knows my parents won't tell me if it's true or not because they are the only ones I can trust, I cannot trust the other people who have told me this because I do not know them well enough to trust. The people I have killed or wounded that doesn't make me a better person does it? I lie about my past and i lose my temper very quick, I am not a better person am I? However I have been told way more stories about the Undirra by my mother and grand mother.

There were many ancient tales that shares of the gate and it's invisible leader. The Athash Nayel. She is a fierce woman who has wings and the most powerful powers of everyone in the region. She has the darkest of eyes and the blackest of hair, if you treat her wrong in any way or disagree with her, she will indeed banish you from the region or if it's really bad she will torture you and free you when you agree with her. She is evil if you cross her. A really creepy thing about her is she keeps images of people who have passed on from the living world, she can give you exact descriptions of their facial features and can tell you about their lives, which however she could not tell if you were still in the living world. Everyone says that the gates are made of little invisible gates and have invisible guards watching over them and to look for intruders who may try to enter upon the gate. The gate was originally created by Athash Nayel's great grandfather, the gate was originally visible but then her great grandfather thought it would be more interesting if it was invisible so he used his powerful magic to create an invisible gate. He later discovered just in the gates some small gems, at first he was not sure what to call them. He later discovered more and more of these gorgeous jewels so he decided to call them Ruby's. He called them Ruby's because of their dark beautiful red color darker then maroon. However the gem began to grow larger and larger, it grew to be big because it was gaining powers from being around his powers everyday. Every time he lifted or touched the gem, his powers grew stronger and stronger he was able to do more and more. The Ruby is considered the most powerful gem in Mycis and to cross the gate into Mycis you must have a Ruby or a piece of a Ruby. That justifies that you want to enter the region with no harm done.

When I looked in my bag I saw this letter, it appeared out of nowhere I was sure it was not in my bag before. Who could it be from, I suppose it was from The Fox, of course it was who else could it be from right? For all of the things he has done for me I had to repay him one day. In order to repay him I had to report to him. I agreed and went along with everything he told me, and any questions he may have asked me. However this was the first letter.

It says: My friends,

I hope this missive finds you all as well as maybe expected. I know that many of your regions are suffering right now, with plagues and illnesses, famines and disease. This has not gone unnoticed, nor is it confined to only your region. You are not alone.

The time has come for us to meet again, friends. You may not be surprised to know that I have been making contacts in all the regions of Pyrosium for some time now. In fact, my family has been doing this for generation upon generation, back to the beginning of our world.

But now, the time of the Great Prophecy is upon us. It is imperative that we meet together to discuss this and that we set aside regional differences and animosity in order to confront the evil which besets Pyrosium.

You must now find the Lost Gates in your land. Look for them in hidden places or in plain sight. There may be legends of these Gates or rumors of them. They may appear broken and disused or new and clean. They may be guarded by the stuff of nightmares. They may appear to be unguarded. Regardless, you must find them and then find the way to enter them. This you must puzzle out for yourselves, but come soon. We have little time to waste.

I await you at the Forum.

The Fox

I think fast, and all of a sudden it hits me. I know where the gate is! I have known for some time because of my searching and exploration of the region. I had noticed something I didn't notice before out of all my exploration. I noticed giant rocks/stones along one side of the river, there were several types and colors however, they were all giant. On the other side there was a smooth stone door and steps also made of stone. The surprising thing is that the Athash Nayel is real not a lot of people believe she is but she is real. She is around even when you can't physically see her.

So for a few days I decided to keep a close eye on the riverbank which is very close to the gate just to look for strangers trying to come through without ruby's or is intending harm in anyway. Also be on the lookout for people who are snooping around for the secret documents which are controlled by me. On these few days of lookout I kept some basic protection Items on me like rope, knife and a bow and arrow, because you can never be so sure your safe, even in your own home. I also made sure I had gear that was according to the weather like a water resistant cloak and long loose black pants and a t shirt and a dark green sweat shirt on my way to the gate. Just to be protected from whatever could possibly happen on this journey. All of my weapons were important to me but the one I treasured the most was my bow and arrow because I was very good at shooting and always had perfect aim since I was a little girl. My father always told me I was a natural. So every now and then I go into the forest and I set up targets and just practice my shooting skills. I have brought also some materials that will make it easy to blend in the wilderness.

I had fallen asleep on the journey and I heard someone talking to me I couldn't see her. It was the Athash Nayel. She said to me.

" Hello Veronika"

"Hello" I replied back nervously

"Who are you why are you here talking to me?" I asked.

"Well to answer your question, I'm here to help you" replied Athash.

"How could you possibly help me?" I said

" I heard you want to get to the gate right?"

" Why yes I do" I replied sternly.

" I'm going to give you a couple of good tips to getting past the gate with no trouble. First off the Undirra will only let you past if you have either something to sacrifice or a ruby."

" Really all it takes is either a sacrifice or a ruby?" I said

"Well not exactly you also have to give up your weapons and anything that could cause any harm to anyone. Oh and don't forget to hook up with The Fox and any other heroes as well if possible. Make meeting The Fox your goal."

" That sounds easy enough" I reply confidently.

"There are other challenges you must face in the journey to and once you get to the gate though."

" Like what?" I asked

"I cannot tell of these challenges all I can tell you is to be on lookout goodbye."

"Goodbye" I said confused.

When I woke up from this little nap in the woods, I realized I was on the other side of the riverbank not realizing how I got there. I don't know if I slept walked or how I got over there. That was a mystery. I was still very confused about the ending of my conversation with Athash, wondering what challenges she was talking about. I continued my journey regardless of what could happen. I was thinking ahead of these challenges.

I was very confused for some time thinking. I was told to bring a ruby or sacrifice so I did. I gave them the Ruby and then they asked me for a saying to get I instantly remember this saying, I have heard it before. I goes like this.

//But if you bring me harm, You'll have what's coming to you ."//
With that being said I heard a loud noise and the ground was shaking, The gate opened. Knowing that that I was safe I fearlessly stepped inside and I knew I could never be prepared for what might happen in this gate.

When I first went into the gate it was light but there was not a lot of light. I went into the gate further, The light was so bright that it looked like the sun was close and right on top of me. At first going through the gate, I was relieved that I made it here but I was also worried about what was to come I had no Idea and I was weaponless so all I have is me to protect myself. The Fox was standing right in front of my eyes and was dressed in some brown clothes and a long green cloak. After seeing The Fox he looked like a man I could trust. I then felt much safer then I did when I did when I entered. When I am around The Fox I could easily tell that he gives off this sense of authority and power above all.

The room I met The Fox in was a large room with decorations and also a couple chandeliers. A nice looking room. After a couple hours of being in there I finally noticed that there were little gems that The Fox has collected from other previous people who have come through the gate, and soon my ruby would be up there as well. It looked just like a regular office it had chairs a table a desk that was stacked high with papers and and notebooks. The room was filled with bright radiant lights from the chandelier' s.

I walked towards the table slowly looking at everything around me wondering what I had gotten myself into or why am I doing this. I sit across from The Fox. I trusted The Fox but I was not sure this trust was good enough for a friendship. I started nervously moving my bag around in front of me and a container full of water was splattering everywhere and The Fox said " It would be great if you put your bag down and didn't splash water everywhere." I smiled nervously and said sorry and moved on. I didn't know that it was going to turn out this interesting. According to the other gates I was not the last one that was going to show up here, they said there was still more to come.

The Fox and I both noticed that this was going to be a very interesting conversation.