Forced into Fantasy

Ivy;

My entire body is unable to move, it’s almost as if I’m stuck in some sort of a trance as I simply sit staring back at the hooded man who has just told me something that can only be described as absurd.

That I am a Moon Princess…

What the fuck is that?

What is this guy on?

They must have some incredible recreational drugs here in this world, that’s for sure!

I can’t help but laugh from beneath my gag at his announcement and this causes all of the hooded figures to look down at me with matching frowns.

If my gag was removed I would tell them they’re all insane and need to be committed immediately!

This was nothing but hilarious and I had no intention of taking anything they said seriously.

“Is something funny?” the green-eyed woman asked, her left brow raised in question as she watches me lower my head, close my eyes and shake my head from side to side.

I’m obviously unable to speak so I don’t know why she would ask me a question and expect an answer from me.

“Remove the gag at once…” the woman commands B1 and B2.

“…allow her to speak.”

The two soldiers standing beside me quickly obey her command, untying the material and pulling it off of my face.

I let out a large sigh of relief as I am finally able to breathe, let alone speak once more.

After a few deep breaths I open my mouth wide in order to stretch it and lick my dry lips.

It is only then that I realise the woman is still waiting for my response to her earlier question as she stares directly at me.

“I’m really sorry to be the bearer of bad news and all but... you guys have the wrong person.” I announce confidently.

“I’m afraid I’m not this… Moon Princess or whatever it is you’re looking for. My name is Ivy and I’m not even from here!”

“You bear the marking, do you not?” the hooded man at the centre of the table enquires, the deepness of his voice sends shivers up my spine.

“What marking?” I ask with obvious annoyance now.

“Everyone keeps telling me that I’ve got this marking but I’ve never had any kind of marking or tattoo in my entire life!”

“Manus, please… will you show her?” their hooded leader asks, turning his head only slightly to the side, towards the older bearded man.

With his command, the bearded man suddenly rises from his seat.

He then begins making his way down to where I am seated before finally stopping right before me.

I stare up at him as he gives me a warm smile.

“If you’ll allow me to my dear, I’d like to show you the marking you have been bestowed with.” he explains calmly, while keeping my attention the entire time.

I feel as if I can trust him for some unknown reason and I nod my head to approve of his request.

With my permission he smiles and nods, then moving his hand up into the air in a sweeping motion. As he does a glowing blue orb suddenly appears from nowhere and floats in mid-air before my very eyes.

Beside it forms a glowing blue window which reveals the image of Manus’ face.

It’s like the orb is some sort of a Go-Pro and the window is showing whatever the orb views.

“The orb will show you what you are unable to see.” he explains before waving his hand once more.

I watch as the orb moves around behind me and then I glance at the window to see the view from behind.

As the orb comes around behind my back it reveals something I have never seen before in my entire life and I gasp aloud.

‘NO FUCKING WAY!’

There, inked into the skin between my shoulder blades is a strange and yet beautifully intricate tattoo, one that I seem to have strong feelings toward for some reason.

It is quite large and spreads across the length of my shoulder blades, with a delicate design to it.

There are five fine rings each entwined with one another and circle around the central design which appears to be a full moon decorated with beautiful intricate detail.

It kind of reminds me of those beautiful mandala tattoos I’d seen women with all the time.

But this strange marking was on my skin, my back; a tattoo I don’t even remember getting!

How was this even possible?

And why were these people so certain that it actually meant something?

To me it was just a tattoo. People get them all the time back home, right?

“Do you see it child?” Manus proceeded to ask me.

“Well yes… but...” I stutter in disbelief.

The window suddenly disappears as quickly as it had been created, as does the orb from behind me.

Manus continues to explain.

“The marking on your back, it signifies the ancient prophecy of the ‘creator’.”

I frown.

“The creator?” I ask.

“What’s that?”

He lets out a long sigh, as if preparing for something tedious.

“Many centuries ago it was prophesised that one known as the creator would eventually return to our world and restore balance between the forces of good and evil. That this person would be able to bring about peace for us all, allowing our world to grow and thrive as it once had so very long ago...”

He took a breath and continued.

“When our beloved King and Queen were hunted down by ruthless assassins they sent their only child, a daughter, to another realm with hopes that she would be safe and remain hidden from their enemies. Their hope was that she would one day return to our world to rule over her people and bring about the peace they so desperately desire.”

“O…k… and that relates to me how?” I ask, my crystal blue eyes narrowed with disbelief.

“YOU were that child, Ivy.”

My skin crawls. I’m getting serious warning vibes right now!

He continues.

“You are the missing Princess we have been searching for, for all these years… returned to us at long last.”

I sit in silence for a moment, unable to formulate any kind of answer to his assumption.

Unable to formulate any sane thought at all.

None of this made any sense to me.

None!

So, I have a marking on my back; that means nothing to me.

What, does the marking gave me special powers or abilities? How was I supposed to bring about peace to their world?

And a Princess... come on...

This was all so ridiculous!

“No, you’re wrong…” my voice is laced with confusion as I continue.

“I’m not this Princess you think I am-”

Manus quickly interrupted.

“-I know this may all seem difficult to believe, Ivy. But you must understand just how important you are to us, to the future of our world. The enemy seeks to destroy you and all hopes of the prophecy coming true along with it. You must understand. You must listen to us.”

“Manus, I believe that’s enough for now.”

The hooded leader’s voice is stern and with apparent warning as he suddenly stands from his chair.

“I am sure that Miss Ivy here will need some time to process all of this new information in her own way. It is a lot to take in after all.”

I look to the leader and feel a mixture of surprise and gratitude for his abrupt interruption.

Truth be told, I am beyond overwhelmed by all of this, that’s for sure!

But I’m also incredibly tired from being kidnapped twice within a matter of two days and need to eat and sleep, badly.

The leader continues to give various commands in a strangely hypnotic language that I do not seem to understand, this time looking towards the soldiers standing off to the side of the room as he speaks.

I can not help but wonder what he is saying as I remain still and simply watch him cautiously.

Then he speaks in English and I can understand him once more as his eyes meet mine.

“Ivy, these men will escort you to where you can rest for the remainder of the night. You will be well fed and cared for during the remainder of your stay, you have my word.”

Before I can enquire as to how long that 'stay' might actually be, the soldiers both nod their heads and begin to march across to where I am seated.

One moves in behind me and pulls out a knife.

Luckily I don’t see it and only feel as he slices through the rope and releases my wrists from their restraints.

As I stand the leader speaks to me one final time.

“We will meet again tomorrow when you are well-rested and ready to talk.”

With one last glance upwards at the leader of these strange people, I follow along after the soldiers as they lead me out of the large building and towards where I will be staying for the night.

I am even more confused now than I was when I first arrived in this world.

And what’s worse, I no longer felt that I knew who I truly was anymore.

But that couldn't be... could it?

Adomis;

We’ve been riding all night and there’s still no sign of Ivy or the ones who stole her from me.

I'm furious!

Zarkin has been hot on the kidnapper’s trail for hours but after a solid trail it suddenly disappeared as soon as we came to the treeline of the forest.

It’s as if she's suddenly disappeared into the trees or something?

“Any luck locating their trail?” I enquire.

Turning to see Zarkin standing with his arms outstretched on either side of him I notice that his eyes are closed as he conducts a trance to tap into his deeper levels of power.

I can see that he’s still trying with whatever means are at his disposal to relocate Ivy, or at least the rest of her trail.

After he comes out of his trance and opens his eyes, Zarkin quickly turns to me.

“She’s definitely in there my lord.” he announced confidently with a nod.

“The trail has been purposely cut off my some sort of powerful magic. It appears to be surrounding this area for miles around in either direction. Someone or something is blocking off any use of magic within this space of the forest.”

I frown.

'Great.'

“Do you know of anyone who could do such a thing? With such levels of power?”

“No Overlord.” he replies solemnly.

“Maybe we should just try going into the forest to look for her?” Captain Khalan suddenly speaks up from beside me.

“I mean if we can’t track her with magic, what about doing it the old-fashioned way? By actually searching for her?”

I am surprised at this obvious solution to our problem. My Captain has a point and I nod.

“Very well then, we go in on foot.”

I issue my command for all to hear, unsheathing my long sword and lifting the flame torch up higher.

“Come, we head into the forest.”