Chapter 34: Alex Sterling
Like that, two days passed on Earth. Finally, the author of the blog contacted us back.
The email notification lit up my screen, and I eagerly opened the message from the mysterious island adventurer. The sender introduced themselves as Alex Sterling, a fellow enthusiast of mystical realms and hidden wonders. They expressed excitement at our interest in Lemuria and the floating island.
Excitement filled the room as Alex proposed a face-to-face meeting in Australia. The idea of meeting a fellow adventurer who had delved into the mysteries of Lemuria heightened our anticipation. We agreed on a location—a quaint café nestled in the heart of Melbourne—where tales of ancient civilizations and mystical journeys could be shared over a cup of coffee.
As we sipped our coffee, the aroma of the rich brew enveloped us, and a thoughtful silence settled over our small gathering. Rowan broke the silence; his eyes narrowed in contemplation.
"So, what do you guys think? Can we trust Alex Sterling?" He asked, his gaze shifting between Anna and me.
Anna, who had been observing the surroundings, leaned in, her expression serious. "I've read enough novels to know that meeting strangers on the internet can be risky. But there's something about Alex that feels genuine. Maybe it's the passion in their eyes or the way they talk about Lemuria."
Rowan nodded in agreement. "I get what you mean. There's an authenticity to their words. But we can't ignore the fact that we're dealing with ancient mysteries and potentially dangerous secrets. We need to be cautious."
I chimed in, "Seraphiel did mention the delicate balance between free will and cosmic order. Maybe meeting Alex is part of the cosmic plan. But we should proceed with caution and not reveal everything about our mission."
"Okay." Everyone said it in unison. Anna immediately took her smartphone out and started seeing reels.
Rowan scratched his head with a perplexed look on his face. "I still can't wrap my head around this modern technology. What's the deal with these tiny devices everyone's glued to? Like her." He pointed to Anna.
I sighed, feeling a hint of frustration. "Rowan, those are smartphones. They can do almost anything—communication, information, entertainment, you name it. It's like carrying a piece of the entire world in your pocket."
Before he could say anything, I stopped him. "Anna! Put your phone down. It is bad for your health."
Anna reluctantly put her phone down, giving Rowan a mischievous look. "Alright, no more distractions. Let's focus on educating our time-traveling friend here."
Rowan eyed the smartphone with suspicion. "Are you sure these things won't give me a headache or worse?"
I chuckled. "No, Rowan, they won't. In fact, they might become your best friends once you get used to them. Now, let's start with the basics."
Anna began explaining the functions of a smartphone, from making calls to browsing the internet, checking social media, and even ordering food. Rowan listened intently, occasionally muttering words like "magic" and "sorcery" under his breath.
Lumina was drawn to the vibrant icons on the screen and reached out to touch them, expecting a magical event to occur as the crash course went on.
Suddenly, from the distant alley, we saw a weird-looking man; he was dressed in adventurer clothes. He looked in our direction, sat in a seat opposite to me, and said, "Yo, mate, I am Alex Serling."
I put my professional face on and replied, "It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Magnus Miller."
Alex Serling's eyes widened in surprise as he heard my name. He scrutinized me for a moment before shaking his head in disbelief. "Magnus Miller? Your dad was Varun Kumar, the great explorer."
I nodded, feeling a mixture of curiosity and skepticism. "Yes, that's right. How do you know my dad?"
Alex's face lit up with nostalgia as he pulled out a weathered photograph. "Your dad and I were comrades, explorers of the mystical lands of Lemuria. We faced challenges and discovered ancient secrets."
My interest piqued. "You explored Lemuria with my dad?" I stood up as I banged my hands on the table. "What happened to him!?"
Alex took a deep breath, his gaze distant as if revisiting the memories. "Your father, Varun Kumar, was an extraordinary man. We uncovered the mysteries of Lemuria together, delving into its ancient lore and encountering magical beings. However, during our final expedition, something went wrong."
He hesitated, choosing his words carefully. "We stumbled upon a hidden chamber with inscriptions about a powerful artifact. As we tried to decipher it, a surge of energy engulfed the room. I woke up later to find myself alone. Your father, Varun Kumar, disappeared within Lemuria."
A heavy silence settled over the table as the weight of the revelation sank in. I demanded more details, my voice filled with urgency. "What artifact? What happened in that chamber?"
Alex sighed. "The artifact was believed to be one of the Eldorian Shards, a source of immense power. But its exact nature eluded us. As for what happened in the chamber, I can't say. It was a blur, and when I regained consciousness, Varun was gone."
Impossible! It was just a few days ago when the Crown of Eldoria broke. How is the Eldorian shard here, way before time? No way. Does this mean that the timeline is different in all dimensions?
Anna clenched her fists; a mix of determination and frustration could be seen. "We need to find him. Can you help us?"
Alex nodded solemnly. "That's why I reached out to you. I've spent years trying to unlock the mysteries of Lemuria."
We continued to discuss the mystical civilization, Lemuria. Like that time flew by in no time, we decided to meet at one of the seashores and head to the island above Lemuria. We went back home.
Now was the time I had to convince my mother about this journey. I knew it was going to be a battle of the century.
As I approached my mother, who was engrossed in some household chores, I took a deep breath, preparing for the battle of words. Lumina, perched on my shoulder, gave me an encouraging pat, her tiny hands surprisingly reassuring.
"Mom," I began cautiously, "there's something important I need to discuss with you."
My mother, still focused on her task, responded absentmindedly, "Sure, what's on your mind?"
I hesitated for a moment, searching for the right words. "Someone has gotten in touch with me, claiming to know details about Dad and the mysteries surrounding Lemuria. They want to meet us at the seashore, and from there, we might head to an island above Lemuria."
She turned towards me, her expression a mix of surprise and concern. "An island above Lemuria? Magnus, this sounds like a fantasy. Your father is gone, and we can't keep chasing after illusions."
I could sense the skepticism in her voice, and I knew convincing her wouldn't be easy. Anna, standing nearby, chimed in, "Mom, we have to explore every possibility. If there's a chance to find out more about Dad, don't you want to take it?"
My mother raised an eyebrow, skepticism etched on her face. "Alex person? How do you even know him, Anna? Well, he is trustworthy."
Anna quickly explained, "We've been in touch online, and they seem genuinely invested in Lemuria. Besides, we're not planning to go alone. It's just a meeting, and if anything feels off, we'll back out immediately."
My mother crossed her arms, still unconvinced. "Lemuria, an island above it, and mysterious strangers—this all sounds like a fairy tale. Magnus, you know your father wouldn't want you risking your safety for some wild goose chase."
I nodded, understanding her concerns. "Mom, I promise we'll be careful. We just need to explore this lead. It's not just about Dad; it's about understanding the bigger picture."
She sighed, relenting a bit. "Alright, but I want you to promise that if things get too strange or dangerous, you'll come back immediately. No heroics."
I agreed, "I promise, Mom. We'll be cautious."
With that, the battle seemed won, at least for now. Finally, the day arrived.
When we arrived at the seashore, we saw a boat named "Mystic Voyager." It was a sight to behold. It had an air of mystery and adventure, perfectly matching its name. The wooden exterior bore the marks of countless journeys, with a weathered charm that spoke of tales untold.
As we stepped on board, the creaking of the wooden planks underfoot hinted at the many waters it had navigated. The boat's sails, adorned with intricate symbols reminiscent of ancient runes, fluttered gently in the sea breeze.
The helm, where Alex would steer us through the uncharted waters, had a worn but reliable look. Piles of maps and charts depicting the mystical geography of Lemuria were scattered across a small table, waiting to guide our journey.
Lumina, ever enthusiastic, marveled at the boat's details. "Boat adventure! Exciting!"
And like that, we set sail for an unforgettable journey into the vast ocean. At that time, we didn't realize that this quest was going to throw my life off course.
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