Waverly scuttled back toward the edge of the raft and almost toppled into the water then felt a light push from something behind that kept her from falling in. When she turned to look, there was nothing there but the water rippling as if a gentle wind had just blown over it.

"Careful, young one. This boat you have built is impressive but it is not so big that you should shuffle around carelessly." The stranger said with a light chuckle.

Waverly remembered the countless number of times HalfHyde had warned her about strangers - "Do not converse nor engage ye with strangers people ye never met. They be dangerous to ye since ye never known them before."

Waverly could have unsheathed her sword to defend herself or at least ignored the stranger even though he stood unavoidably close and was in total control of the raft. Instead, she felt a strange sense of calm and a strong conviction that this stranger was a friend and not foe.

But how has he come to be in my boat in the middle of the sea? Waverly thought.

"I do apologise for intruding on your journey but i could not help it. You were drifting the wrong way." The stranger said.

Waverly took time to study him despite there being nothing much to study. He was shrouded in a mysterious hooded cloak of black from his head to his feet so that noneof his physical features were visible but his voice sounded soothing enough to ease doubts. His tone was almost the same as Edsel's - kind and easygoing. But this stranger's voice had no edge to it. He sounded as one who truly wanted to help and the idea of this made her uneasy. It was hard to come across totally generous strangers that were not Pepinguild.

And also, Waverly noticed he had read her thoughts like Edsel which meant one thing - he was a god.

"Who are you, good sir?" She asked still.

The stranger rowed the raft with ease even in the disturbed state of the ocean. His oar looked as if were made from tree bark, and Waverly could spot fresh rings on the timber but these rings made a delicate pattern across the length of the oar like that of wind and waves.

"I am only but help in times of need. Although, i must say that you are a brave little girl, Ms Stump." The man said.

All while he spoke, his head remained focused on the open sea. Not once did he look in Waverly's direction.

"Why do you call me by that name? My name is. . ."

". . . Waverly, yes. I am aware what your name is." The stranger said.

His voice sounded playful and Waverly began to despise that it reminded her of Edsel. "You have no idea who you are yet, Ms Stump, but i am sure you will soon find out."

"Why? Why will you not tell me now instead?" Waverly asked.

The cut across her back stung so bad that tears threatened to stream down her eyes. The Cing had also cut her left arm before then and that injury showed no signs of healing. It looked purple and red and swollen. The skin around it was streaked with traces of dried blood. Waverly did not want to think what the wound on her back looked like. Her flesh was exposed to the blistering cold and the fact that she was without Judson made her want to kick and scream until she ran out of energy.

"That is not in my place, Ms Stump. I am here to simply guide your raft to the edge of the Gateway. I am surprised you have made it this far. You have only seven days left to take your leave." The stranger explained.

"Seven days? What happens if i do not take my leave in seven days?" Waverly did not know why she asked this but she felt assured that only more danger would await if she failed to leave within the said timespan.

"Then, Ms Stump, the Gateway would change as it normally does. It would filter itself and bring you to a different part of it that might prove even more difficult to navigate. It might bring you to the start of your journey."

"But the Derews say time in the Gateway moves with our consciousness. Those who wish to leave remain and those who wish to remain must leave."

The stranger chuckled. Waverly deduced from the sound of his laughter alone that he might be very handsome if not a playful fellow but then again, so were the rest of the godly lot. She noticed that despite the presence of abundant ocean water, small trees and plant life grew on very tiny strips of earth no bigger than a lily pad. It made her wonder how deep their roots went and how they managed to stay afloat. She also noticed that all around a strong wind blew arousing the waves and turning the mist into minor tornadoes. But her raft was excluded from the building commotion at sea save for the burning cold.

There was a massive storm coming.

"The Derews have dwelled in the In Between for eons and are getting, mm, very rusty with the times. No one ever wishes to remain in the Gateway realm. They have the saying all wrong. It is said this way -- "those who desire to leave must strive to leave and those who desire to remain will remain for eternity." -- The latter is but a curse. Thenadays, there were certain people who never wished to leave the Gateway realm and these people were the ones who had unfortunately encountered the witch's minions."

Waverly felt sore from all her injuries. Her elbows ached from resting her weight on them for too long but she was beginning to appreciate the presence of the stranger. Hunger tore through her stomach like a wild beast and she was parched to the point that she began to wonder if salt water was as bad as the rumors claimed. Still, she forced herself to focus on the stranger's voice.

"What and who are the witch's minions?"

The god paddled silently. The storm around them seemed to pass overhead like it was avoiding the raft on purpose. Waverly had a nagging suspicion that the stranger was Tumut in disguise but then again, if he were he would have killed her or at least allowed the brewing storm to.

"The White Mist. Remember the shimmer in the forest?"

Waverly recalled with distaste the shimmering illusion that had almost killed her and Judson. "I do. Was that the witch's minion?"

"One of them, yes. They are called the White Mist."

Waverly frowned. "But they were blue."

The stranger sighed. "Yes and yet nobody cares about that. The White Mist is a powerful derail. It tricks travelers and causes them to deviate from their path, sometimes leading them to their own demise and sometimes fooling them to remain in the In Between for eternity. You encountered only one. Some travelers encounter millions of the Mist and their minds wander forever. Some break out of the spell by luck and you were amongst the lucky few. The Mist can manipulate you to see into your strongest desires and your deepest fears."

"It can do that?" Waverly asked in marvel.

Her mouth seemed to become drier. She wondered how one speck of blue light could be so powerful. If one had been strong enough to drag them to the edge of a cliff, she hated to think what two or a thousand could have done to her and Judson. She remembered seeing that country her mother was held prisoner in. The Mist had showed her the challenge to come - one she feared more than anything. Her palm became sweaty and her insides turned to hot oil.

"It can. Which is why, Ms Stump, i am impressed by you. You have shown bravery so rare amongst Humans even older than your age. Your Elven father has taught you well."

Waverly felt a heavy sense of pride wash over her at the mention of HalfHyde's name. All of his teachings and sparring lessons had saved her life numberless times but Judson had also played a huge part in keeping her alive.

Waverly stared at the stranger. He stood motionless and almost looked no different from his oar. "Good sir, do you know where my best friend is? His name is Judson. He has accompanied me halfway through the In Between until we got separated."

The stranger showed no signs of movement except for the occasional gentle rowing of his oar.

"The son of Spring will find his way back to you. You have no need to worry."

"The son of what?" Waverly asked.

Out of all the insane things she had seen and experienced in the realm, the crazier bit was hearing herself being identified as a god's blood. The craziest bit was yet to be revealed and hearing a complete stranger refer to Judson as a son of Spring sounded just as crazy as her being called a god's blood. She wondered if the god referred to him that way because of his love for Springtime or his unnatural involvement with plants.

"The Son of Spring. The Shade you journeyed with. He will find his way to you." The stranger clarified. His statement was so reassuring that Waverly bothered for Judson no longer.

At that moment she suddenly felt very tempted to ask the stranger for food or water or at least herbs to tend her wounds. He had stated that he was only present to guide her raft but she wished he would offer to help instead, although she was unsure if he could do more than keep the winds at bay and commend on her bravery.

"Good sir, can you — can you please provide me with a drink of water?" Waverly asked.

The stranger let go of the oar and Waverly feared the raft would spiral out of control but the oar remained the way it was - suspended in the air and under the water, leaving deep ripples on the surface as the raft moved. He turned to face her then went down on one knee and revealed an open hand that was still covered by the cloak. A miniature storm cloud rotated in his palm, elongating until he held a narrow necked vessel of pure glass. This happened faster than Waverly's brain could process a thought.

"Certain kinds of help will only come if you ask for it." Said the stranger in a carefree tone.

Waverly cautiously took the bottle and sniffed the contents. It did not have a particular smell nor did it resemble water but when she drank from it, the liquid inside was so refreshing that she felt intoxicated for a minute. Her bones seemed to become firmer, her aching wounds dulled, her vision brightened, her hunger and thirst vanished and her fingers tingled.

"What is in there?" She inquired, staring blankly at the glass. It startlingly disappeared into a storm cloud in between her fingers.

The stranger ignored her question and spoke in a firm tone. "The Gateway realm can be crossed by foot but that will take you longer than seven days. Hence, you must travel by ship. The winds in the ocean are too powerful and they will overturn your raft the moment i take my leave."

The inside of his hood was black but Waverly could see dull circles she assumed were his eyes.

"Where do i get a ship, good sir?"

"Where?" The stranger asked.

Waverly sensed a kind of prompting in his tone.

She remembered what he said about asking for certain kinds of help and wondered just how he would be able to provide what she would ask for.

"Er, what i meant to speak was, may i please have a ship, good sir?"

The stranger stood slowly and lightly pushed the oar. The wood fell back but remained atop the water surface.

Suddenly, something strange happened that remained in Waverly's memory for the rest of her journey. The fallen oar broke to pieces in the water creating smaller forms of wood that began to unfold themselves into plates. The plates conjoined repeatedly, spreading around the raft in a very wide arc. A sudden splash of water rose from the sea followed by the hollow whisper of wind. They seemed to mix together until Waverly could not tell which sound was water and which was wind.

Soon, a violent tug of war began. The wind and the water seemed to be having a fight over the pieces of wood but as Waverly watched closely, she realized the elements were not fighting -- they were weaving.

Waverly's mouth hung open in awe as amidst the violent wind and splashing sea water, the stern and prow of a mighty ship came into existence. The square rigged masts resembled the oar the stranger had used to paddle her raft.

The vessel was not so large but it was outstanding and beautiful, rimmed with golden oars and when Waverly checked - a silver hull. Her awe instantly vanished when she recognized the ship as the same one from her nightmare. A great sense of fear instantly gripped her.

"A vital part of your journey will come that you must finish alone, young one. Do not fear. You have an unshakable spirit and a Human as brave as you can conquer anything if you believe you can. Do not hold yourself back." The stranger encouraged.

His hood began to smoke. At first, Waverly thought he was on fire but then she remembered he was a deity and he was probably about to vanish.

"Please good sir, can you tell me what your name is before you go?" Waverly asked in a hurry.

The stranger walked toward the gangway and in his trail, small whirlwinds formed and vanished in place of footprints. A violent wind snatched him from the edge of the gangway and he was gone.

Almost immediately, the storm he had been keeping at bay washed over Waverly and her new ship. She squealed and turned to stare at the vessel, then thought of naming it.

In Elven traditions - bestowing objects with a name strengthened them and gave them more purpose which was why HalfHyde encouraged Waverly to name her most prized possessions. She ran into the ship's helm and took the wheel. It was fashioned from bronze and was just the right height for her.

She struggled to steer in the raging storm. Tumut was present and she could tell but she did not allow the tempest to restrain her. Yet, Tumut struggled against the ship, slapping it with enormous waves. The ocean became a startling mix of grey clouds, white sea foam and black waters. The skies blackened, thunder rumbled loudly and threatened to break the layers of the sky. The wheel suddenly became rigid and refused to turn. Waverly groaned as she struggled with it, waves of water dousing her from head to toe. The glass barriers of the small deck showed cracks as the waves splashed against them but the ship held her own. Waverly could not tell time but she steered for a very very long while until she could no longer feel her own limbs. At some point, the storm finally died and became replaced by a nicer wind. Waverly felt faint and with the last bit of her strength climbed down the ladder into the ship's keel.

There were six cabins below. Each door was fashioned from the same wood as the masts. The wavy patterns gave the doors a faint silvery glow like it had been hit by everlasting moonlight. The reflection of the water from the glass windows in each cabin cast an eerie blue light on the wooden roof but Waverly did not mind this. It was way better than having a dark room. There was a torch stand by each door where one could light a fire at night and these stands were fashioned in a manner that would make a fire outbreak near impossible. There were beds of soft cushiony materials inside the cabins; each one with a pillow and a small closet beside it to place one's belongings. Waverly spent time admiring the ship and finally decided on what name to give it.

"Estoso!" She mumbled whilst placing a hand on the bulwark - for estoso translated in Alpgetonian to mean majestic.

Waverly soon found an extra door at the base of the floor board. She opened it and found a ladder that led further down below. When she climbed down, her breath caught.

She was in a small, lighted room - and this room was filled to the brim with food stuffs.

There were blue sacks of cleaned wheat and cereal grain powder for baking, glass casks of water and fruit juice, barrels of livestock meat, jars and tightly sealed bottles of milk, skin bottles of herbal tea, fruits and nuts such as apples, grapes, peanuts, cashews, coconuts, bananas, strawberries, cherries. There were sealed boxes of cheese and warm biscuits - turnips, tomatoes, beets, turnip greens, cabbages and carrots. A basket of freshly caught fish, hams and strings of onions.

Waverly felt so happy that she said a silent prayer of thanks to the god who had helped her even though she did not know who he truly was. She set out to make a meal for herself thinking of Judson all the while as she did.

He would have made an even better meal, she thought.

The winds became calmer and cooler as Waverly came up to the deck to eat. The ship seemed to know what it was doing ever since she had given it a name. She sailed calmly without anything as much as a grey cloud. Once in a while, a bird would fly past the ship and get lost in the brilliant white clouds and each time Waverly would think she was coming upon land but the ship just sailed on and on.

Days stretched into nights and nothing eventful happened. Waverly took this to mean something terrible would come her way soon. She spent hours revising sword skills - inventing new moves and perfecting old ones. She did not want to be caught off guard and bested like she had been with the Uakari monkeys.

As she sailed on, she prayed Judson was alright wherever he was. She sincerely hoped he was not back in the forest or taken to the start of their journey. She could not bear the thought of her best friend facing that much danger all by himself. The god that helped her had said Judson would find his way back to her. Waverly took that as some sort of consolation. For some reason, she believed every word the god had spoken.

On the fifth day at sea, Waverly came upon a lonely yet very beautiful island. She could tell the island was lonely because unlike every other mass of land she had come across, this one was completely detached. It stood in the middle of the ocean like a stranded animal. Flowers of all kinds bloomed from it at every angle.

Waverly wanted to sail to it but something warned her to stay away. The island was not her goal.

She became burdened with the possibility that Judson could be on the island. He could fly by the way so it was logical that he would be able to get there. And everything about the island - from what she could see - would be of high interest to him.

"You must hurry!"

Waverly was startled by the sudden voice all around her. It was the voice of her mother and she recognized it. The voice sounded stronger and more alive as though the speaker had spoken right into a blowing horn.

"I come, mother. I am on my way. Please be patient." Waverly mumbled.

As she said this, she suddenly realized that she had never thought of which way she would go or even how to subdue the monster that held her mother prisoner. It was the largest creature she had ever seen.

Waverly was not sure if it had been a snake, a giant, a tall mountain with eyes or pure darkness. Her skin became covered with goose flesh. Her fears came rushing back to her. She gripped the steering wheel for support as the feeling threatened to sap every ounce of strength she had left.

Waverly felt sick. She could not thrive in darkness. She hated it. She feared it. It drove her near to insanity and to the edge of panic. She could not sit for one minute in a dark room which was why she appreciated the fires in the cabin. That mystery god must have known about her discomfort because he made sure every inch of Estoso had light in her. Waverly went and sat down on the deck and allowed the cool breeze blow into her hair. She looked like a wild animal as she had not used a hairbrush in a long time. Her clothes were reduced to rags and her boots were completely worn out. She had lost the extras when she let go of Grogana.

She recalled a time when Judson used to make new clothes for her out of plant life. She would sometimes wake up in the morning to find tiny ants on them or moths trying to chew them to naught. Now she thought would prefer to be in those clothes than the ones she had on. She twisted the bracelets on her left wrist and they jingled lightly. The promise of a sacrifice Judson had made rung soundly in her mind for she was about to cross the In Between and the sacrifice was yet to be made. Judson himself was nowhere to be found.

Waverly started to wonder what the nosy god would do when he discovered that they had crossed his realm without keeping their promise.

"Oh, i would be highly vexed by that, Zanaan." A new voice said from behind.

Waverly stood up quickly but the sharp end of a sword halted her. She scowled at the person in front of her still in his strange jacket, grey shirt and long trousers. The quartz around his neck bubbled like a shapeless goop and Waverly found she was still oddly curious to know if he felt sticky because of it.

"You have failed to keep your promise and now you attempt to flee. I think that is incriminating behavior, do you not?" Edsel said. His purple eyes glowed with mad satisfaction. His lips curled into a devilish smile.

"You deserve no sacrifices at all with what you put us through. Now, where is my friend?" Waverly asked gritting her teeth.

Her resentment for Edsel intensified on the spot as she realized that he might have been responsible for separating her and Judson.

Edsel smiled wittily and Waverly could see in his brilliant eyes the confirmation that he indeed had something to do with their separation.

"You reason strangely, Zanaan and yet you reason too slowly. Your friend wanders alone in my realm and of course, it is the only way to make sure i get my payment but i was also counting on the fact that you would leave without the boy. And i was right, which gives me every right to kill you. First for not keeping your word and second, for being a Zanaan. Any last words?"

Waverly spat at Edsel. "To the edge of Nys with you."

Edsel chuckled with mad glee then put a finger to his lips to make a gentle shushing and tutting sound.

"A youngling like you should not say words such as that. It stains your soul."

"I would stain this floor with your own blood. . . but you are too much of a coward to duel me in a fair fight." Waverly challenged.

The tip of Edsel's sword dug into her chin and she knew better than to make a move. The god would slit her throat within a split second.

Edsel laughed again, a truly humorous laughter. "You impress me but your stubbornness is getting the better of you. Do you think you could best me in a fight whether fair or not?"

"I am not sure but we can always find out." Waverly said.

Her heart thumped wildly in her chest, her legs trembled and her palms were sweaty but she was not going to go down without a fight. She would not let someone as arrogant as Edsel stop her from achieving what she had left home for.

The god stared at her for a few seconds in contemplation then retreated his blade from her neck.

"Alright then. A fair fight it is. You take my sword out of my hand - you win and you can cross. But beware Zanaan, i do not care that you are a child because if i win. . . "

Edsel aimed his blade directly at Waverly's neck again.

". . . your head comes off."

The Moon Spawn|
Book 01