Tribulations of a Quest Sceptic: Part Four

      The coiling, curling wisps of emerald smoke that drifted from the windows of the silent, stone tower seemed to cast the structure in an eerie, green glow. Each slowly spiraled into the air, lazy and slow, before drifting like cloud, forming into the most horrible, nightmarish shapes, toying with the imagination as clouds observed on a summer’s day might. Instead of forming cute, playful Snowickles or fluffy, giggling Flouds, these were visions that would no doubt follow Saba into her nightmares for years to come.

      Hissing Techos.

      Laughing Kikos.

      Jutting, crooked gravestones.

      Geez. I have to drag myself out of this. The place is messing with me.

      Slowly, she made her way along the path, watching the woodland cobblestones turn to large, rounded rocks, flat against the surface of the earth. Each was caked in dirt, mottled with the dusty footprints of those who had braved the journey to the tower.

      The door to the tower was imposing and large, a massive structure formed of thick panels of dark crimson wood. It was as if the door were a warning, an ominous sign to anyone foolish enough to approach and take hold of the sharp, fang shaped doorknocker. The tower itself was like a bad omen. Bleak, grey stones, each coated in a grimy veneer of moss and grime. Dark, twisted vines wound in serpentine fashion around the building, snaking between cracks in the stones, pushing some forwards and some back, creating an uneven, helter-skelter structure that Saba found unnerving. Holding her breath, she reached a tentative hand towards the knocker. Only the image of Vodi’s teary, terrified face drove her onward. Grabbing the steely cold knocker, she hit it against the wooden door.

      The knock was a deep, resonant boom. Once… Twice… On the third knock, the door swung open. Saba expected such a structure to emit a groaning creak, but it was silent as it swung backwards into the building and Saba found herself face to face with Edna the witch.

      The Zafara was horrific to observe. One eye bulged larger than the other, giving her a manic expression that was horrifying. The vivid iris of each eye was the same sickly, glowing emerald as the shimmering glow emanating from the tower windows, however, it was surrounded with a pallid yellow, like milk that had gone bad. From tattered black robes that seemed to have a life of their own, a bony claw extended, reaching up and using a jagged, obsidian claw to adjust the peaked, ebony hat that sat atop her head. When she spoke, it was like fingernails on a blackboard. A slow, wretched screech.

      “WHADDAYAWANT?”

      Saba jumped back, almost tripping over the doorstep. Hesitantly, she lifted her gaze, determined to meet Edna’s eyes. With a large gulp, she spoke.

      “I… I need you to… I mean… Please, my friend is in trouble. Ghosts. Er… Game Graveyard ghosts. Techos… I was hoping you might make me…”

      “POTION OF VANQUISHING!” The witch squealed the words in glee, her larger eye rolling wildly in her head, swiveling as if it had lost its way.

      Saba nodded helplessly, trying not to stare. “Yes…”

      The witch burst into cackling giggles.

      “You don’t get something for nothin’, girl! You want my magic, you do my quest!”

      Saba winced, nodding and resisting the temptation to block her ears from the screeching.

      “Fine! What do you want?”

      The witch smirked. “I need a stale slice of bread…”

      Saba’s spirits lifted. She had that sandwich in her bag! The bread was certainly not at its best. Was it possible she had finally stumbled upon some luck?

      “And a Squealberry.”

      Luck? Maybe not.

      Saba searched Edna’s features in desperation. What in Neopia was a Squealberry?

      “I’m sorry… I’ve never heard of…”

      “A Squealberry?” The witch laughed, the cackling screech bouncing off the massive, ancient stones of the tower walls. “Sheltered, ain’t you? The Squealberry looks like THIS!”

      She thrust out a bony, gnarled fist, opening it to reveal a small, obsidian berry with glowing crimson eyes that blinked. Another second and a small split erupted in the fruit, it releasing a wild squeal until Edna tapped it with a long, dark fingernail.

      “Hush!”

      Saba thought she had never seen anything as disgusting in her life.

      “Where do I even find one?”

      The witch smirked.

      “Only one place the berry grows, girl. Only one group that harvest the beastly little things. Ya best be making ya way to the Gypsy Camp. Be back in an hour, or I’m going to lose interest.”

      Muttering something about promising to be quick, Saba spun on her heel and dashed down the cobbled path. The Gypsy Camp. Nobody she had ever met visited the place. It was surrounded in myth and rumor, stories abounding of wicked creatures and dastardly beasts, eager to cause trouble. But if they had the berry…

      She made her way back to the wooden signpost, studying the scrawled lettering. Right. First right. She hurried down the path, dragging the Cybunny Pocket Watch from her bag as she moved. Ten. How was time moving so fast here? Or was it sheer panic that led her to think this was occurring? Shoving the watch back in her bag, she ran down the path, taking the path that veered to the right and slowing. No more cobblestones. Rather, the road had transitioned into a dirty, winding path, only barely cleared of the ravenous trees and bushes that seemed to be creeping forth to reclaim the empty space.

      Why is everything here so incredibly creepy?

      In the midst of the thick, impenetrable bushes, eerie little lights shimmered here and there; huge, staring eyes focusing on her before vanishing. Ghost Meepits. Great. That was a positive sign. The last thing she needed were more haunting creatures.

      Ahead, a circle of brightly coloured caravans sat in a large clearing. Each was painted a myriad of bright colours; crimson matched with green, bright orange paired with oceanic blue. Light from the roaring fire in the midst of the circle created eerie patterns on the caravan walls. Dancing, demonic shadows, taunting and teasing her as she crept closer. In the clearing, the musical chime of tambourines and music could be heard, a rhythmic beat that seemed to bring the very trees to life, the boughs appearing the dance above the camp, swirling and keeping time to the melody. Laughter was loud and raucous, and voices held whispered conversations that she couldn’t catch. It was her intense concentration that led to her being taken utterly by surprise.

      With a cry, three figures sprung from the darkness, pushing her backwards into the dirt. Dancing around, they seemed figures from a nightmare, pointed, towering ears, gnashing teeth, stubby legs. They circled, grinning wickedly and laughing, chanting and cheering.

      “GOTCHA, GOTCHA, GOTCHA!”

      Terrified, the Draik tried to stand, but the three beasts pushed her over again, causing her to fall hard. The light from the fire shimmered, and the figures were illuminated. Aishas. Three shadow Aishas, their little feet stomping on the ground as they uttered what she assumed were their version of war cries.

      Kids. They’re kids. Younger than I am…

      Furious now, the Draik scrambled to her feet, facing her tormentors.

      “WHAT are you DOING?” She forced anger and authority into her voice, staring down the Aisha triplets, doing her best to draw herself up and appear intimidating. She would NOT be bullied by three little Aishas!

      The kids didn’t appear scared. One laughed, another stuck out his tongue. The third smirked, waving what seemed to be a sharp stick in the air.

      “GOTCHA! YOU’RE OUR PRISONER!”

      “Look, you little brats…” Her words faded into nothing, snatched by the glacial breeze as a massive shadow fell over her. Not just her, it stretched and warped with the gleam of the tangerine fire, veiling the triplets, the path, the nearest caravan. Slowly, Saba turned, but not before she saw the wicked smirks on the faces of each little Aisha.

      Before her, she found herself facing a figure best described as ‘towering’- never before had she seen an Elephante of such immense and imposing size. Each leg was like a tree trunk, his brightly striped trousers clashing terribly with the crimson and gold vest he wore. With a furious look on his features, he pointed his Elephante trunk at her, pointing in an accusatory fashion.

      “YOU! WHY ARE YOU BOTHERING MY NEWPHEWS?”

      Saba tried to stammer an apology, but all that she managed to do was gasp and whimper. The Elephante scowled.

      “I am Ven, leader of the camp, here. You’re trespassing, Draik. Get yourself out of here before I boot you out myself.”

      Desperate, Saba shook her head, struggling to find her voice.

      “I… I’m so sorry. I need help. I have money, I can…”

      She was interrupted by a bellow of annoyance from Ven, who pushed one of his nephews away as they enjoyed a game of ‘kick your uncle in the leg.’

      “Get off!” His bellow was tainted with rage, but the triplets clearly weren’t fussed. Ven’s look was one of clear exasperation until he noticed Saba was still there.

      “I said GET OUT!”

      She winced, managing to find her words, but they spilt out in a trembling ramble of pure fear.

      “Please… My friend is trapped. Potion. Edna. Squealberry?”

      The Elephante scowled.

      “Them berries are costly, girl. But I don’t need money.” Angry, he pushed away one of the triplets as they kicked him again. “I NEED SOME TIME WITHOUT THESE KIDS!”

      Saba winced. Well, who could blame him?

      The Elephante studied her, his dark, hypnotic eyes aglow.

      “You want a Squealberry? We’re in the middle of the Winter Whirl. We celebrate the coming snow, y’know.”

      Saba nodded, having no clue what this had to do with her.

      “It sounds… Nice.”

      Ven glared at his nephews, who ignored him.

      “It should be. But I can hardly dance with these three around!” He paused, smiling slowly. “You. You babysit them for an hour. Do it without them setting my entire camp alight, and I’ll GIVE you the berry. Free.”

      Saba gulped. Some prices were somewhat too high. “I…”

      Ven grinned, slapping her on the back with such force she almost slammed into the caravan wall. The Elephante tapped the watch wrapped around his enormous wrist.

      “One hour!”

      And he was gone, leaving her facing three grinning, smirking Aishas, eyes alight with mischief. The smallest, who had one bent, crooked ear, stepped forward. In the shadowy reflection of fire, his grin appeared malicious.

      “Looks like we have a new friend…”

      To be continued…