The faint cry of Kelile calling his name was the only thing he heard as he tumbled down the hole. Darkness took him as he fell into a seemingly endless hole. He saw the ground coming at him fast with no way to stop when suddenly his fall stopped two feet before impact. Alex let out a huff as he fell the last two feet. Brushing himself off he looked up but couldn't see the hole he fell into.

  “How did that happen?” he said, as he started to look around. It was then that he noticed the crumbling buildings and fire all around him. “What is going on?” Frowning he closed his eyes and pushed his kulsom, but was met with nothing. Huh? he thought, as he tried again to sense anything or anyone around him. There is nothing, he thought, opening his eyes as he heard a voice.

  “Aleeeeeex, you must help,” whispered a voice on a breeze.

  “How? How can I help?” Alex asked as he walked towards the rubble of a house.

  “You must return. You must help.” the voice said urgently.

  “Who are you?” Alex called.

  “Someone who has waited a long time to help you,” the voice said softly.

  “What does that mean?” Alex asked.

  “You will learn everything in time. You need to return or this will happen,” the voice repeated.

  “I don't understand,” Alex called. The ground below his feet began to rumble and the wind began to pick up.

  “I have to go, I have been here too long. I will be watching and waiting,” the voice said. Suddenly the wind whipped around him and then the air was still.

  “But where is this?” Alex said out loud as he walked cautiously towards the crumbling buildings. He looked around and took in the collapsing stone buildings. Looks like this place went through a war, he thought, taking in the impact sites on the ground.

  KA-BOOM!

  “What?!” Alex cried out as the ground shook violently from the explosion. Looking into the distance he saw what looked like a castle under attack.

  KA-BOOM!!

  “Ahh!” Alex exclaimed as another explosion happened. The earth below him began to crumble, swallowing him and sending him falling further into the earth until darkness took him.

  “Alex!! Wake up! Alex, are you alright? Wake up,” Kelile said, crouching over Alex’s body on the floor.

  “Uhhhgggg, my head,” Alex groaned as he sat up slowly.

  “Alex, you passed out,” Kelile said, as he held some water out for him to take.

  Alex reached up and gingerly touched the back of his head. “Ow,” he moaned, as he felt a lump. “I didn't pass out. I think I had a vision.”

  “A vision? As you were walking?” Kelile asked confused as he slowly helped Alex to his feet.

  “I usually have them when I am sleeping, but it has happened a couple times where the vision takes me while I was awake,” Alex said as he dusted himself off. “I just haven't had one where my head landed on a branch.”

  If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.

  “Let’s get you back to the cabin and then you can tell me about this vision that gave you a concussion,” Kelile said, gingerly patting Alex on the back. They made their way back to the cabin in silence. Kelile leading the way and Alex following him gingerly touching his head every now and then.

  Once back to the cabin they went in and Kelile directed Alex to sit on the sofa while he went and made them something to eat. “Dont fall asleep Alex,” Kelile called from the kitchen.

  “I won’t,” Alex called back wincing slightly. After twenty minutes Kelile came to the living room and handed Alex a bowl of soup.

  “Alright, tell me about the vision that you had,” Kelile said, sitting in the arm chair across from him and blowing on his own bowl of soup.

  Alex sighed, “It was weird. At first I thought I was just falling into a hole but I just kept falling. When I thought I was going to smash into the floor a rush of air stopped me. When I stood up there were just crumbling structures and fire everywhere. It's like there was an attack of some sort.”

  Kelile sat back thoughtfully as he ate his soup and listened to Alex.

  “There was someone there with me. Well the voice of someone. She said that I had to return. I don't know what she was talking about though. I asked her where but she never really said. Just that she has been helping me and that I had to return. The ground began to shake and she said she had to leave. She almost sounded scared,” Alex continued.

  “She didn't say a name or anything?” Kelile asked.

  “No, and I didn't even see anyone around,” Alex replied. “I have had visions where a voice has spoken to me but this one seemed different somehow,” Alex said slowly. “Once the voice left though I walked around some and saw all these stone buildings just crumbling and destroyed. Suddenly I felt and heard an explosion and when I looked in the distance there was this castle made of stone and marble. It was beautiful but it was being attacked. Then I heard your voice and woke up.”

  Kelile was sitting straight up in his chair as Alex finished talking. “So where you were standing were destroyed houses and a castle in the distance?” he asked slowly.

  “I mean the castle wasn't super far away, but yes, for the most part,” Alex answered.

  “Did you notice anything else?” Kelile asked.

  “I mean there was just smoldering fires and smoke and rubble everywhere,” Alex said.

  “Did the castle sit on a hill and have multiple spires with flags?” Kelile questioned.

  Alex thought for a moment trying to remember, “Yes, I, I think so. Why do you know this place?”

  “I am afraid I might,” Kelile said, a frown etching his brow. They sat in silence for a few moments before Kelile said, “How is your head feeling?”

  “Better, honestly,” Alex said.

  “Good. Go get some rest,” Kelile said.

  Alex nodded and stood up, taking his bowl to the kitchen before going to the room. Laying down, he replayed the vision again before letting sleep fully take him. The next morning he woke and went to the kitchen. There he found Kelile drinking a cup of coffee.

  “Good morning. How’s the head?” he asked, taking a sip of his coffee.

  “It’s good. Barely a bump anymore,” Alex replied, touching the back of his head.

  “Good, good. I have to leave,” Kelile said abruptly.

  “What?” Alex asked, confused.

  “I want you to continue to push and hold your kulsom, and practice the yeoclisea I have shown you. Work on everything we have been doing. I will be back as soon as I can. Beware the triggers. You will feel them with your kulsom,” Kelile said.

  “Where are you going?” Alex asked.

  “I think your vision was of the earthen capital and I need to reach out to some people,” Kelile said, a slight edge in his tone.

  “Okay, go. I feel like it hasn't happened yet. That was a warning. You might be able to prevent it,” Alex said.

  Kelile nodded, “I will try to be quick. I don’t want to leave you on your own for too long. Be careful of the trail. Try not to let anyone know you are here.”

  “I will be careful. Go,” Alex said. Kelile nodded again, put his cup in the sink and headed to the door. He grabbed a bag and left without another word.