Dreams of a Hidden Place (Part 1)

The sounds of the gentle breeze blew through the air as Iska stood alone, staring at the place his father told him never to go. Memories of his youth flashed through his head.

Iska, promise me you won't ever go down into that cellar. He remembered his father's words, this only tempted him further to enter into that hidden place. It was behind his childhood home but it was surrounded by various foliage which kept it hidden from those who didn't know it was there.

He brushed his hand on the decrepit wooden door which looked like it had stood there for hundreds of years. Plants were growing through it causing cracks throughout, making it look even less sturdy than it already did.

Creak!

The door let out an ear-piercing screech as it was opened for the first time in years. Light flooded down the steps but only reached a few feet down, everything beyond was shrouded in darkness.

Unknowing of what lies below, Iska took a courageous first step down the long stairway. He looked back to take one last glimpse of the light before he descended into absolute darkness. 

The wooden stairs let out a creak every time pressure was put upon them. After every step Iska took more and more light disappeared until everything around him turned dark. He continued slowly and carefully, making sure he doesn't miss a step and tumble down. 

The journey to the bottom felt unbelievably long but eventually, Iska made it to the bottom. He knelt down and rubbed his hand on the floor. It was some kind of stone. He reached out and touched the walls. They were also stone.

Based on what he could feel Iska guessed he was in some sort of hallway. He began walking, once again slowly and carefully down the hallway. 

Minutes passed before he was able to see anything again. There was a red light far down the hallway. 

Iska was unnerved but he sped up towards the light. As he drew closer he noticed it looked like a room. On the back wall, there was a desk and a figure standing in front of it.

Who is that? Iska thought to himself as he reached the doorway.

Iska peered curiously into the room looking around to see if he could find anything of interest. On the right side of the room, there were carvings, similar to the ones that could be found on the golden door and the wall of ancients. Once again Iska couldn't seem to find out why but they seemed familiar.

On the left wall, there was art. Also similar to the ones on the wall of ancients. But this wall depicted some battle in a faraway land. There were long curved blades and beautiful pink trees. The men wore various fashions of armor, while the women wore colorful loose-fitting gowns. 

That must be the homeland of the Sanjin clan. He thought to himself as he inspected it closer. He wasn't able to look at it much longer as he caught wind of something moving in his peripheral vision. The figure had turned around and was now looking directly at Iska, the red aura around the figure made it look ominous.

Iska was wracked with fear as he stared at the unknown figure. This was until he realized who it was. 

It was his father who stood there, he looked as if he hadn't slept in weeks, there were bags under his eyes and his hair was a mess. He stood there staring at Iska with eyes that seemed to be filled with fear and regret.

Seeing that look in his father's eyes gave Iska a dreadful feeling. It made him realize there was something wrong. Something unknown and he was getting wrapped up in it. 

He stepped towards his father, reaching out. Hoping to be able to ask all the questions he never got to ask and tell him all the things he never got to. But he never reached his father, everything went dark before he could.

"Iska are you alright?" A familiar voice said.

Iska opened his eyes and looked up at Raiha who was standing over him, clutching his arm that was reaching towards the ceiling. 

"I'm fine, just a bad dream," He sat up and looked around the room. Amin was still sound asleep in the corner, unbothered by Iska's night terrors.

"Does it have something to do with whatever you and Oz discussed?" Raiha sat down next to Iska placing her hand on his.

I can't let them get involved with this, no matter what. Iska thought to himself before speaking.

"No, I just remembered something from my past. It's nothing you need to worry about," He stood up and began walking towards the door.

"Where are you headed?" 

"I'm gonna go talk to Oz about something. Like I said it's nothing you need to worry about but if something important comes up I'll be sure to tell you and Amin" He said despite having no intentions of telling either of them.

---

 Iska made the long walk towards the king's chamber. He stopped at the golden door to examine the writing once again. 

This is the same writing as my dream. 

"What are you doing over here?" Said a voice from a distance.

Iska turned around quickly and saw Oz walking towards him while waving. Now he was wearing more casual clothing. Similar to the type you'd see in the capital city.

"I've decided to help you uncover the ancient weapon. But I need you to keep my friends out of it, I don't want them wrapped up in any of this," Iska looked at Oz with a serious look, awaiting a response.

"Haha, that's what I wanted to hear! And no reason to be so serious, I can assure you that I will keep your friends out of this" Oz signaled for Iska to follow him.

Oz lead them down the same passage that lead to the wall of ancients, once again it seemed as if they were going deep into the earth, and once again the walk felt as if it took forever. 

The pair entered the room for a second time. and Oz turned to Iska before speaking. "No one will hear us here. So have you remembered anything important?"

Iska nodded.

"I had a strange dream last night. I entered into a secret cellar that my father told me never to go near. I saw some writing similar to the writing on the golden door, and art that had the same style as the art on this wall. I think the cellar might have information on how to translate this writing." 

"Well then it's settled, I'll send a few of my men to accompany you. Go find out what's hidden and that cellar and report to me."

Without another word Iska nodded and turned away. Heading towards the room to prepare for departure. The walk back was silent, nothing but his thoughts to keep him company.

He slowly opened the door and entered the room. Hoping no one else was in there but to his disappointment, both Raiha and Amin sat there seemingly awaiting his return. They stopped their conversation immediately and looked up at Iska.

Amin stood up and put his hands on Iska's shoulders.

"Look man, we know you're keeping us in the dark and that's fine. But if things get tough we're are for you"

Iska looked up at his best friend through tears. Was he making the right choice? Was it really fine to keep them completely out of everything? He was unsure of many things but he thought this was the only way to keep them safe.

"Once I learn more I'll tell you guys all about it. I just don't want you guys getting needlessly caught up in and hurt because of something that doesn't involve you." He said as he wiped the tears from his eyes.

Raiha wrapped her arms around him tightly.

"We know you just wanna make the right choice. But if you're gonna agonize over it then maybe it's better to tell us. Take your time and please don't try to take on more than you can handle like you always do,"

Iska sat down and covered his eyes with his hands. He couldn't bring himself to look at them.

"We're gonna head into town, you should come."

"Thanks but I just need to think right now,"

Amin once again patted him on the shoulder before leaving. 

Slam!

The door shut with a decisive thump. Iska was all alone, once again with nothing but his thoughts keeping him company.