Naya's Tale: Into Zure, #4

By Paul Springsteen

Naya is a simple woman.  Maybe that isn't the most accurate thing to say because she is also not simple at all.  Born from humble beginning.  Like a flower that has yet to bud her radiance is still unknown.  The purpose of her existence of one and two is still yet to be revealed.  Her sister Alice is just like her.  She is also something of an opposite of her.  Together trapped in a prison of sorts from birth they must escape.  However things are not what they appear.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Paul Springsteen
• Release date: Jun 15, 2020
• ISBN: 9781393523475

Paul Springsteen

Paul Springsteen is someone that grew up in a medium sized town in Texas located in the united states. He went into the military upon graduating high school.  Though it didn't last long he did get an honorable discharge because of medical reasons. After this he went to the local college of his home town.  There he got a master's degree in physics. Due to illness he had a hard time in the job market before he discovered the joys of writing and wishes to spend his time writing stories for the forseeable future.  This came about from a strange origin.  From D&D of all places.  He kept feeling like he was getting shafted from playing stories.  So he pushed himself to write his own stories and enjoyed it. His stance on writing though is that he doesn't write to whatever is the it thing in the market.  Instead he has a particular way the story is supposed to go in his head and follows that.  So the reader should be aware that even killing the protagonist and having the bad guy win is a possible way things could happen in the story in the future.

Book preview

Disclaimer:  This is a work of fiction.  Any similarity between characters in this book and real world places, events, companies, or people are coincidence.

Chapter 1

Alone.  All alone.  Alone.  Naya was around 4 years old.  At least that is what the elders told her.  Alone.  Naya looked around her.  She was in a room that was about 4 by 5 feet with a high ceiling.  It was really dark in this room.  She couldn't see the ceiling.  There was still some light that crept through the door.

Naya are you holding out okay?  Naya's friend Alice would come to talk to her through the locked door.  Naya could see the shadow of someone beyond the door.

Yes.  Why do they lock us in here at night?  Naya asked Alice.

They are probably doing something strange.  I have seen them Naya.  Alice said to Naya.

Oh, what do they do?  I'm really bored here.  It is really dark in this room with no windows.  Naya said to Alice.

Well, I followed a couple of elders some of the time.  They are worshiping someone named Abizan.  Have you heard of him?  Alice asked Naya.

No, I haven't.  Who is Abizan?  Naya asked Alice.

He is some kind of snake god.  I didn't get that close.  The elders saw me and made me go back to my room too.  However, I know how to break out.  Alice said to Naya.

I wish I knew how to break out,  Naya said to Alice.

One day, I can show you.  Maybe if we are away from the elders.  Alice said to Naya.

I would like that.  Alice, do you know any stories?  I'm really bored in this room.  Naya asked Alice.

No, I'm sorry.  I can try to talk to you.  Oh no, the elders are coming.  I will talk to you tomorrow Naya.  Try to get some sleep.  Alice said to Naya.

I will.  You're my best friend Alice.  To which Naya was met with silence.  She tried her best to go to sleep and wait for a new day.  Hopefully, they would let her out of this room with no windows.

I want to leave this room,  Naya said to the door.  Hopefully one of the others would hear her.  She didn't receive a response for a while.

You must not leave this room; it isn't safe.  A voice from past the door said to Naya.

Why do I have to stay in here?  Naya asked.  She didn't receive and answer.  She tried the door handle.  Perhaps it was unlocked.  It was.

Peering though, Naya saw that the various hallways in the massive underground complex seemed to be empty.  Or at least it was from where she was.  Empty and barren.

She felt like she walked for at least several hours.  She didn't remember the complex being this long.  She didn't remember it being like this at all.  Was it some kind of magic or sorcery?  What could this be? An ever-expanding sequence of walls with twists and turns.

A figure darted past what she could see.  Naya only recognized the movement.  It was more like a blur.  Don't worry, I'm here to help you.  Alice was right next to Naya.  Usually, she was far away from Naya, but this time Alice could see her.  She had slightly brown skin just like Naya and straight brown hair that came down to her shoulders.  Naya's hair came down to the middle of her back.  Alic had different colored eyes.  Alice's eyes were one blue and one green.  Naya had never looked in a mirror or reflection, so she didn't know the color of her eyes.

Alice.  I'm so glad you are here.  What is this place?  Naya asked Alice.

I don't know, but I here alongside you.  Let's find out together.  Alice said.

Naya smiled at Alice.  Of course.  Together like always.  The two of them walked down the hallway.

Suddenly a huge gust of wind came down the winding hallways.  A gust of wind that was like some kind of blast of warm heat.  It became difficult to walk in that direction, almost as if it were pushing Naya.  Naya grabbed Alice's hand, and the two of them pushed forward.

These tunnels are never-ending, but I'm here like always Naya.  Alice said.

Naya didn't say anything, but she just gripped the hand of Alice harder.

Another twist and another turn of the hallways in this underground complex.  Naya and Alice came to a room.  The room had barren straight walls that seemed to extend to a ceiling of infinity.  There was nothing in this dark room except a fountain.

Suddenly Naya was thirsty. She was locked in that room for so long.  She lost count.  She must have fallen asleep in there hundreds of times, but it was always that room.  So when she saw the fountain, she ran up eager to quench her thirst.  Alice stopped her.

Do you think that it is smart to drink from a mystery pool?  Alice said to Naya.

Please, I'm so thirsty.  I just want to drink something.  Naya said to Alice.  Naya looked in the pool and saw that she had one blue eye and one green.  Alice, our eyes.  Maybe we are sisters.

The elders tell us nothing.  It is possible.  We should keep walking Naya.  Alice said to Naya.

Beyond the room, there continued the hallway.  They were taking this path, so they might as well continue.  It seemed to be getting darker and darker in these hallways if that was possible.  Eventually, Naya crossed a door.  It seemed to be locked.  Naya walked away from the door but then was stopped by a voice.

Please talk if you are someone new.  I have been down here for so long.  The voice came from the other side of the door.

Where are the elders?  This place looks like home, but it seems different.  Naya asked.

They keep us chained. They mean to kill us.  The voice from beyond the door said.

They will try to kill you too.  Another slightly different voice said from beyond the door.

The elders?  Why will the elders try to kill me?  Naya asked the voice.

That is what Abizan is.  They want it to consume the world.  They want it to consume the gods.  The voice.

There arrogance knows no bounds.  The other voice said.

Are you locked in here with Alice and me?  Naya asked the voices.

Locked here not by force but by choice.  One of the voices said.  The other voice seems to harshly whisper something inaudibly to the other.

You must know that you cannot stay here.  One voice said.

Yet, you cannot leave.  The other voice said.

You speak in damn riddles,  Alice said to the voices.

Ah, there is more than one.  Some say that a company can be a curse, but if it is pleasant, then it is fine and well.  A voice said.

They keep us together.  Though sometimes her company can be grating.  The other voice said.

Naya, we should move on.  We gain nothing from talking to these voices in a door.  Alice said to the other.

We simply are part of your imagination Alice.  We simply wish to have contact.  A voice beyond the door said.

Damn your contact,  Alice said to them.

What do the elders wish of me?  Naya asked the voices.

The voices chatted among themselves for a while before answering.  You will be sacrificed when you are 18.

What is 18?  Naya asked

18 years old.  Perhaps you don't know because you are locked away.  You are just 12 right now.  It is surprising that you know all of the things that you do.  Perhaps it is because of her.  One of the voices said.  Naya looked over to Alice, who shifted uncomfortably.

Who are you?  Naya asked.  However, she got no answer.  Everything was just silent for a while; eventually, the voices continued.

We are just here to establish contact.  You are dreaming, after all.  We can talk in the dreams.  We will help you survive.  You are so much like us but yet so different.  The voice said.  However, the time has come to drift away now.  Try to get as strong as you can.  Accept our gift of sorts when the time comes.  Goodbye Naya.

Wait, who are you?  Naya asked, but there was no answer.  There was nothing that could be heard.  Nothing at all.

The walls around her became black.  Naya's heart began to race, and her pupils dilated.  Alice offered her hand.  Naya grasped it, but soon everything was black.  She awoke in her room.  Still locked in with no chance of leaving.

Naya was still in her room.  Eventually, they would have to let her leave.  However, that hadn't been for a long time now.  Staying in a room.  However, she beheld a curiosity.  There was a bug in the room, along with her.  A moth.

The moth was on a wall and perhaps was around the size of her finger.  Naya reached for the moth trying to grasp it.  However, it flew away into another part of the room.  Naya had something else in this room.  Alice hadn't been by to visit for the day.  So Naya tried to capture the moth.

She jumped at the moth on the wall attempting to surprise it.  Grasping at the air.  It was not a simple thing to catch a flying creature, she thought.  Still, perhaps she would tire it out.  She actually loved that the moth was here.  It was something different than what she normally would experience.  Something totally different.

Aside from the moth, it was either Alice or seeing an elder when they opened the door to give her food.  They didn't let her leave, however.  She still had to stay inside the room.  They gave her a bowl to relieve herself on which they switched out every day.  So she knew some speech.

The door opened.  Naya.  Here is your food child.

Naya walked up to the door.  She saw that is was one of the elders.  He wore gray robes.  He had a mask on his face.  It was a green mask that covered his face with green like scales.  I want to leave.

The elder chuckled.  You cannot leave child.  That is not one of the things that is possible for one so pure.  You must stay here until you are needed.

Alice is able to leave.  I want to be able to leave.  Naya said to the elder.

Others can leave, but they are not pure.  They are not like you Naya.  The elder said to Naya.

Why are you keeping me here?  Naya asked the elder.

To keep you pure.  Not many children are women born in the full light of the moon on the equinox.  The elder said to Naya.

Can I leave eventually?  Naya said to the elder.

Only when it is time.  Until then, you are not able to leave.  Here take your food child.  The elder set the food on the floor and closed the door.

There was the moth again.  It flew on the food.  Naya reached out and grasped it.  It felt weird in her hands.  It was tickling her as it tried to worm its way out of her hands.  Naya, just let it go.  She looked at her hands, and they were covered in some kind of residue.  Naya didn't know what this was.  So she licked her hand.  It tasted awful.

Then there was a sound that filled the room.  A gentle, amazing sound.  It changed tone and beats every so often.  It was sweet music though Naya didn't know what it was.

Naya noticed that she was moving her body to the beat of the music.  Back and forth.  Naya began to dance and sway back and forth.  Though she didn't see others dance so, she probably would have looked bizarre to and outsider.  Still, it felt amazing.  She didn't know why the elders or how they filled the room with such lovely sound.

The music ended after about an hour.  Naya was sad to see it go.  The beat was enchanting and magical in its own right.  The moth was on the wall and tried to stay far away from Naya.  However, she finished her food and waved at the moth.

It was strange though that even in times such as this, she was happy.  She didn't know anything else happening in the world.  She was just happy and content.  Even when the music had ended, she danced to it after finishing her meal.  The memory of the sound was amazing to her.  It was interesting how such a sound could fill her with such joy, but it did nonetheless.

Naya thought that she probably would need some kind of name for the moth.  She decided to name the moth child.  The reason is that the elders called her that.  They were bigger than her.  She was bigger than the moth.  It seemed fitting.

The moth fluttered about the room.  Perhaps it was trapped.  Just like she was.  However, she didn't feel the need to claw out of this cage.  To her, this room was all she really remembered.  This room