Leyland Adventures Chapter Nine: Part One

"What!? You proposed?"

"Heh, yeah. Call me crazy but I know we'll be happy together."

"Crazy? No way, if anything I'm happy for you. Ninth grade is almost over and graduation is approaching like a bullet. Her parents were cool with it?"

"Yeah, we've spent the entire semester together as friends so she's definitely told them about me."

"All I have to say is congratulations. It's like the universe is finally giving you a break."

"Uh-huh, we're getting married tomorrow. Mitsuko and Kalani planned the location for us though Mitsuko wouldn't tell me where it was, something about the best part of surprises is that you'll appreciate them more than if you were told earlier on."

"I'd expect nothing less from her. You don't know how proud I am man..."

"Thanks, Lennon, I can't wait."

"Tysashi, it is time to awaken." Aradressa stood over him completely dressed and with a wonderful aroma as always.

His vision was blurry and unorganized though it soon corrected itself. "Alright, just wait for me."

"I will."

He arose out of the room to use the shower. Aradressa walked back downstairs to address her mother.

"Is he awake?"

"Yes, he is currently taking a shower."

"Be safe out there. I'm sure you are aware of the creature sleeping in the amusement park."

"I am, mother. He shouldn't be an issue as long as his habitat isn't disturbed."

"Any updates on your mood?"

"My stress has somewhat cleared itself up."

"She shouldn't be returning too soon, we have time but I suggest you inform him of the Earth Gemstone and how to obtain it."

"I shall though...it is extremely dangerous for the both of us, considering I haven't been there myself."

"Only the weak-minded perish there. You are incredibly far from that and can only hope he isn't either."

A bright smile appeared on the face of the future queen as the present queen returned that smile.

"You've obtained the Amyris Sword correct?"

"Yes, it isn't as unique as previous swords I've equipped since turning five, but it seems to fit with me."

"Are you aware of how much power that weapon possesses?"

Aradressa presented the blade before shaking her head.

"Right now, this sword is capable of destroying stars with a single strike. The seven hearts represent the power it currently has, when all hearts glow, you'll be able to summon a copy spirit of Amyris. Not to mention the various abilities you'll gain for each of the seven hearts."

"Am I ready to have command over such power?"

"Sweetie, this is only the beginning of your arsenal. Of course you're ready. Also...you remember the ferris wheel in the far background of the park?"

"Yes, mother."

"I purchased the premium pass for you two to enjoy it and you don't have to pay to play the games there. You both deserve a treat."

"Thank you very much, mother. We shall use this opportunity wisely."

"I know you will, my supernova."

She smiled at that statement. With Tysashi present, the two set out to find Madam Grazal. The path was quite a lengthy walk but the appearance of the amusement park was all that mattered. The magnificent view of a boundless amusement park with the color of pink and red serving as the main color along with others. In the far background laid a towering ferris wheel and tracks to a roller coaster that had extended throughout the park. Placed in the center laid a tower striped in red and white and a large red heart rested at the tip with four pairs of windows. In the foreground rested a bright neon light that spelt, "Euphromight's Amusement Park; Birthplace of Fun" decorated with blinking lights underneath the entrance point amazed the young man.

Since Marissa planned the trip, the two were able to walk inside with the annoyance of waiting in line. The place was swarming with children with their parents, the ecstatic cries of children brought bliss.

Tysashi's eyes remained glued to the tower that stood above him. A wave of nostalgia washed over Aradressa as she explained the purpose of the tower.

"The tower was made to represent the stages of love, starting from the bottom as friends and to the stop as a couple."

"That's nice."

"Before we participate in any activities, please follow me as I will lead you to Madam Grazal."

Tysashi nodded, following behind her as her wings flapped wonderfully. A figure wrapped in a light blue cloth stood stationary in front of them.

"Madam Grazel, we are in need of your assistance."

Suddenly, an elderly woman with wrinkled light brown skin, a witch-like nose, blue eyes, jewelry that infected her face and body.

"Princess Aradressa, you've grown so rapidly." Her voice was what you would expect from an elderly fortune teller, creepy and unsettling. "I see you have brought a new companion with you."

"My name is Ty-" Grazal stopped him, relaying that she already knew his name. "Now then, what have you come for?"

"My enemy, Cynthia is returning to the Kula Region of Leyland and she has stated that she has most of the gemstones in her possession. We would like to know about many she has and when she will be returning."

"I see, give me some time, dear." The woman shut her eyes as she searched for the info of Cynthia in the back of her mind. "Yes yes...I see it now."

"What do you see?"

"She currently has seven gemstones. I am unable to precisely predict when she is coming but you have quite some time before she arrives. That woman is carrying dangerous and powerful weapons from other regions. She's more powerful than ever."

"I see. Thank you." With that, Aradressa walked off, leaving Tysashi to ask a question of his own.

"Hey, will I ever return home?"

"I know the answer to your question, but I will not give it to you. I can see all your decisions and some of them will leave you dead."

Slight fear formed a lump in his stomach though it was nothing.

"I guess you can't tell me those decisions."

"Correct."

"Alright. Thanks."

She consumed herself in a blue cloth again as Tysashi caught up with Aradressa. She stood a ride name The entrance was shaped like the entrance of a cave, sparkling pink crystals formed letters spelling out, 'Crystalline Cavern.' With no line in sight, the two stepped into the minecart provided. Once inside, the cart was set in motion as it led the two into a dim section of the cavern. Tysashi suddenly felt a warmth crawl over his skin, as if someone was resting on him.

He responded by wrapping his arms around her, Aradressa inched closer towards him, placing a hand on his chest, feeling his moderate heart beat and grasping his unsecured hand. Unexpectedly, the two descended into a lively area of waterfalls, stalagmites, and of course colorful crystals scattered throughout the walls of the cavern. A pool of pure water laid beneath them, the sounds of the rushing waterfall gave a feeling of what childhood was, magical and only allowing your imagination to populate the environment. Aradressa's eyes couldn't move, a spell was casted on her from the marvelous atmosphere that surrounded them. She remembered the area well. As the minecart took them to another section, Aradressa stole one final glimpse before being taken to an unseen area.

Livened by lanterns that were attached to the walls, Tysashi and Aradressa entered the section that keeps a large and dangerous monster surrounded by exactly twenty crystals poking out the nest in which the beast rested. The creature was identified as an emerald colored bird with a bright golden beak. Its tail was similar to a claw, deadly. Its wings were striped with straight lines of yellow while its emerald color overpowered the yellow. Though the animals resembled a bird, it snored like a dragon.

Wooden signs advised that no one disturb the creature nor remove the crystals. Both their eyes scanned over the creature in amazement though Aradressa has seen the beast before. This view would not last as the two were taken outside the cavern. The track led them outside, the sunshine hit them so rapidly as they were taken back to the starting point.

"That was pretty nice, but what was that creature?"

"The name is Spirya, The Aerial Attacker as some people call it."

"Why is it stored in there?"

"Spirya is a creature with anger issues, it gets enraged from the simplest actions that offend it. Those crystals were used to soothe it during a rampage it had long ago. It was stored inside this cave where no one could bother it from the outside and later it became a tourist attraction."

"I need a journal to write this information down, that's incredible."

A giggle arose from his statement from the princess, promising to receive the notebook for him. As the two searched for the next activity, a conversation about the next gemstone was brought to life.

"So Aradressa, besides the Aqua Gemstone, what's the next one we need?"

Her hand was engulfed in her pink locks as she locked eyes with him. "That would be the Nature Gemstone, placed in a vast sub-area of Kiyoshi Woods, Jisatsu Forest. Jisatsu Forest causes you to see things that aren't real, hear things that make you go insane up until the point you take your own life on the dying branches of the scattered trees. The forest presents itself like a maze and those whose souls were lost...lose them forever."

A certain feeling rose through his body, but he completely ignored it. "Can we fly over it?"

She sighed heavily. "Unfortunately, we cannot. That location is rich with Santo Flowers that emit a poisonous substance to my wings. If I stay too long, they'll decay into dust."

"I see...I guess I have no choice but to take my chances. I've been through worse."

"Only the weak-minded lose their souls, we should be fine although that won't change the thoughts we will see. The holder of the gemstone, Flora, rests in the middle of the forest and she is very powerful. She is similar to Corcyra in terms of attacks and you should have the type advantage."

"Type advantage? Like fire beats ice?"

"Correct."

"When should we head there?"

"Tomorrow. With the arrival of Cynthia, we cannot slack."

"Sounds good to me."

Just then, Aradressa's eyes glanced at a game in which the player hits a button with a hammer as hard as they can, the strength of the slam would be indicated by lights that shine when a specific power level is reached. Purple for weakest and Red for strongest, clearly the lights were ordered too that of a rainbow. She gently placed her hand on his and walked peacefully to game. Tysashi saw an onslaught of prizes he could win from her, one in particular was a stuffed brown bear with a necklace around it. The necklace had a crystallized yellow shooting star leaving behind a trail of lapis stardust, sparkling like a diamond in lovely sunlight. 

The man running the game allowed Tysashi to play at no cost, with the cartoonish red hammer in hand, he swore to win her the bear, though she never requested a prize unlike other females she noticed around her. Tysashi swung his hands back before unleashing powerful force upon the orange button. His strength was indicated by the blue light, not very strong. His cheeks turned red from the embarrassment, he refused to allow his strength to be judged in such a way. Tysashi prepared for another attempt, striking the button with the force of a meteor engulfed in flames crashing into the planet. Still his power was ranked at the blue light.

Aradressa tapped his shoulder, requesting to attempt her power. He passed the hammer over to her. She slammed the hammer down, ranking her power at the red light, power capable of destroying an entire galaxy. The man congratulated her, stating that she was the only person today to reach such power. As Aradressa claimed her prize, Tysashi was left in a sea of thoughts. She hardly exerted any force though her power was rated at a galaxy level. He was left undisturbed in his thoughts until Aradressa asked for his opinion on the new necklace she had won.

Being the person he is, he adored her jewelry. "I appreciate the thought of you attempting to win these items for me."

"No problem, may I?"

She placed the bear in his hands, it was nearly twice his size but he could manage.

"Would you like to visit another game, Tysashi?"

"Yeah, of course!"

Before they departed, the man running the game had told them that the Shooting Star Necklace possessed the ability to summon a shooting star randomly once a year, giving the owner a wish every year. Aradressa examined the necklace, thanking the man for the info.

Now was the time for Tysashi to win Aradressa a prize through his skill of accuracy. The challenge was simple, receive a bow and arrow and try to shoot the arrow through the collection of petite golden rings. Each ring the arrow passes through is worth one hundred silver coins that can be spent in a shop that sells weapons and gear with unique traits.

Certain he would win the one thousand coins, Tysashi equipped the bow and arrow, aiming at the rings. Air escaped from his sigh as his vision focused on the rings he had yet to pass an arrow through. He shot the arrow, hitting the tip of the first ring. Tysashi was allowed to take another shot. Yet again, he missed, even with his thoughts cleared and his focus increased, he failed again. On his last attempt, he passed the weapon to Aradressa.

Without effort, she miraculously shot the arrow through all ten rings, receiving a card that had the value of one thousand silver coins.

"The shop that accepts this currency isn't too far from our current location, shall we?"

"We shall." A laugh was exchanged between them. A laugh of true love and friendship that only few can truly possess. Hopefully, they'll both live long enough to hear it again or forever deafened by fate.