CHAPTER SEVEN 📖📖📖📖


ZODAR

Stephanie sighed as she dug with a shovel. She had been working all morning with an empty stomach. The only food she had was bread and jam which she saved for later.

The guards wont let her get food nor fend for herself, they wont even take it if a supernatural was seen resting instead of working. That was how life is now in Zodar, living for the king and the king alone.

"Keep working you fools. The king wants more gold to be dug before this evening" The guard said as he watched every supernatural working.

"Such cruel people! Stephanie said as she spotted an old witch who looked tired and hungry"

"Hey ma'am, do rest for a while" She said as she helped the woman sit on the grass.

"Im very tired and hungry. I haven't eaten anything for three days now. She said as she coughed.

"Ma'am, manage this, you need it more than me. Please eat" She said as she fed the woman her bread.

"Thank you my dear, but will you eat now?"

"Im full now that you have eaten. Please go home and rest, I'll work for you"

"My dear, i dont have a home. My home was demolished and ive been sleeping outdoors since then" She said as she bowed her head.

"Ok ma'am, I'll take you to my house" she said.

The guard noticed that two people were missing and sighted Stephanie and an old woman sitting under a tree.

"Hey you! what are you doing sitting down there? Did i give you permission to rest? Now get on your knees, i will give you each thirty strokes, that will teach you a lesson"

"No please sir, this lady was hungry and tired, that was why i brought her here to rest"

"What a rude fairy you are, challenging a chief guard like me? Both of you should kneel down"

"Please dont flog the poor old woman, she has done nothing wrong, im the one at fault"

"I will punish her and you dont have a say in it so you better behave and kneel down"

"I am willing to take mine and the old woman's punishment, please dont punish her" Stephanie knelt, begging the guard.

"Ok then, lie down on the ground" He said

She lay on the grass and the guard flogged her. Each stroke of cain made her whimper, the pain, too much to bear.

"Now both of you should get out there and work now" He said as he pushed the old woman.

Stephanie caught her before she fell.

"Dont worry ma'am, go seat behind that tree, where no one will see you, i will complete your work for you"

"Thank you very much my daughter" she said as she limped to the tree Stephanie suggested.

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Stephanie sighed as she dropped the shovel. She was through with her work and old woman's. She dusted her dress and went to the tree that the old woman hid. She was shocked to see the old woman lying helplessly on the grass.

"Ma'am, are you alright?" she asked as she helped the old woman up.

"Let me take you to my place" She said as she supported the old woman, leading her to her abode.

"Now you can rest ma'am" She said as she helped the woman lie in the bed.

"Let me go find you something to eat" She said, but was stopped by the woman who held her hand.

"Dont go my child, i dont have much time to live".

"No, you'll be fine soon. I just have to get you drugs and food"

"No my daughter, sit beside me. I want to tell you something" She said as Stephanie sat beside her.

"I was the midwife who brought Queen Graciella's child into this world. I was the one who nursed her and baby sitted her when her mother was always busy. I unfortunately witnessed the King's death and i saw the Queens dead body.

"But i never saw or heard of the death of little Keira. I searched high and low for her, over the mountains, under the seas and through the desserts, but i didn't find her"

"Till i consulted the middle east witch who told me the baby was alive and well, but was in a strange land.

"I thought about it and thought maybe she was outside Zodar.

"I visited all the planets. All except earth. I couldn't go to earth because i was getting weaker and old age began to dawn on me"

"But why are you telling me all this ma'am ?" Stephanie asked.

"Because i want you to go to earth and find our ruler, our destined queen and the future of Zodar. Im sure shesin earth and i want you to find her and bring her here"

"Me? but i have lost all my powers to King Rexandro and im not a warrior or a witch like you"

"You are capable my dear, and thats why I'm entrusting this to you. The future of Zodar is in your hands

"Go find the Queen and help her find the sceptre of good magic. It was believed to be hidden underneath Zodar, due east, into the waters and under the zoo of the dead. Its in you hands now my child.

"Go........go..........goooo" She shouted as she kicked the buckets.

"Ma'am?" Stephanie whispered but she couldn't be heard.

Her body rose into the air and disappeared, forming tiny crystals which floated on the air. It went through the window and into the great beyond.

"I don't know why you chose me ma'am but i wont let you down. I will find her and bring her back to Zodar. Its a promise i am willing to make"

She said as she got up from the bed. She changed her clothes and made her way out of her house. She closed the door and locked it. She stared at it for awhile as she went deep in thoughts.

"I have lived in this house all my life, this was the property my parents left me and the only shelter i have. Now I'll have to leave this world of comfort and move on" She said as she admired the house before setting out on a journey, a journey that is yet to begin.


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AT THE COLLEGE

Finally, the day of the interview came. All the students who passed the entry exams were seen in a class. Each person, when called will enter a room full of moderators who asks questions.

Lilian hurried down the hallway. She was late. She bumped into someone, making her fall.

"Are you blind? dont you have eyes?" Kelvin asked as he stared at the girl in front of him.

"Im sorry" he apologised, with her head bowed.

Then she ran all the way to the hall. Only stopping when she reached the door that led into the hall where all the interviewers where all the students who were to be interviewed were seated.


Finally, it was Lilian's turn. She was called to the room and was asked some questions. She answered all perfectly but was given a low score.

Lilian didn't know about this, only the Principal and the assumed moderators. She left and was about to go when someone called her.

It was the same woman who helped her when she had no card to enter the exam hall.

"Where are you going my dear? the interview isnt over yet" she said

"But i just had mine just now, im going home now"

"No dear, follow me. Your interview is about to start" She said as she held Lilian's hand.

"Who are you? one of the moderators asked.

"I was sent by the college of examination to interview the students, but i want to interview only one because time isnt in my side"

"I met this girl on the stairs and decided to interview her. Seat down my dear" She said referring to Lilian.

She asked her some questions and scored her well.

"I have already marked her so no one has the right to stop her from entering this school. She must enter or else i will peraonally make sure i shut your school down" She said as she looked around.

"Dont worry madam, she has passed" The Principal said as he frowned.

"That's good. I'll leave now" She said

She nudged Lilian to follow her. They climbed down the stairs, and went outside the college.

"Always believe in yourself dear and you will never fail. Go home and prepare for school. Ill always be with you and protect you" She said as she turned Lilian towards the road.

"But........" she said as she turned, but no one was there. All she saw was a ray of light which shone and disappeared into that same sparkle.

That same sparkle that she saw coming out of her necklace, that sparkle that always brought good luck to her.

"It cant be" She said as she touched the sparkle. It touched her face and rested on her necklace.

"Who is she and why does she live in my necklace?" She asked herself as she touched her necklace.

"I never knew i had someone in my necklace. She must be a very powerful witch. No, witches dont exist, or maybe a mermaid, No, mermaids dont exist. A fairy?, who am i kidding? fairies dont exist"

She said as she walked, leaving the school premises


CHAPTER EIGHT 📖📖📖📖


" Earth is so different. Its a beautiful world here, no magic or supernaturals, how am i going to cope here? The humans look ordinary, i dont sense any single power in this place

"What a different world!" Stephanie said as she hid behind a building, admiring mother earth.

"That means i have to hide my wings, goodness knows what i will go through if i step into this world with wings" She said as she summoned the last magic she had left in her

With that magic, she changed herself into a human, hiding her wings and removed everything that made her look like a fairy.

"My only hope is Keira, she might be able to restore my magic" She said as she walked through the sideways, admiring everything she came across.

She walked and walked, not knowing who to ask and where to go.

"Im so tired. Let me sit for a while" She said as she sat on the sideway.

"I have come here now, where am i going to find shelter?. Old woman, you promised you will always be with me. Please come to my aid" She said as she lay on the ground and fell asleep.

"Hello dear, what are you doing under the bridge" A woman said as she woke up Stephanie.

"Greetings ma, I'm Stephanie, I'm sorry if i made a mistake by sleeping here, i was very tired" Stephanie said as she looked at the woman.

"You have to go home dear, this place isn't a good place. Bad gangs and kidnappers hang out here and you dont look like one of them. So please leave here" The woman said as she held Stephanie's hand.

"I could have left here ma'am, but i dont have anywhere to stay, nor do i have a shelter over my head" She said as she bowed her head.

"Hmmm, ok, follow me, i will take you to my house"

"Thank you ma'am, I'm ever so grateful" Stephanie said and followed the woman to where her car was packed.

"Enter my dear" she said but Stephanie was afraid of coming close to the car.

It was strange to her, she had never seen anything like it.

"Ma'am, that thing will bite me, just look at its scaring eyes, and its four legs, it doesn't even have eyes or nose. What kind of dangerous animal is this?" She asked moving backwards.

"The woman laughed. You don't know what this is? i guess you came from the uncivilised parts. This is a car" she said.

"Ive never heared an animal called car" she said, still looking at the car.

" No my dear, its not an animal, its just used for transporting people and goods from one place to another" The woman explained as she entered the car and started the engine.

"See, there is no need to worry" She said as she smiled at Stephanie.

"All right ma'am, if you think it's safe then i will enter"

She entered the car, sat down and looked around. Then the woman started the car and drove all the way to her house.

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Mrs Callisto was a business tycoon. She owned companies, each having branches. Though rich, she had a daughter. Her husband was a doctor who had his own hospital.

She was coming back from a meeting when she met Stephanie on the road. Being a kind hearted and a good woman, she helped her and took her to her house.

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"Mum, you're back" Tina said as she hugged her mother.

"Yes dear, how was your interview" Mrs Callisto asked.

"It was fine mum, i answered almost all the questions" She said as she noticed someone hiding behind the door.

"Who's that?" she asked.

"Oh! Stephanie" she said as Stephanie came in, admiring the mansion .

"Who is she mum?" Tina asked.

"She is your new sister dear, I know you've always wanted a sister and shes here to take that place. So do accept her"

"Wow mum, thanks, she looks nice" Tina smiled as she made her way towards Stephanie.

"Hi Stephanie, I'm Tina. Come lets go to my room" She said as she held her hand.

She led her to her room. "Your room looks lovely Tina" She said as she admired Tina's room.

"Thanks Stephanie. I must admit, you really have a nice name. Im glad to have you as my sister"

"Sister?"

"Yes, ive really wanted a sister, and now i have you. Thanks for being my sister. I promise we will have a good time together" She said as she looked at her newly found sister.

"So sisters?" she said, stretching forth her hand.

" Sisters" she said as she hugged Tina who looked surprised.

"So let's start with your room. What's your favourite colour sis?"

"Purple"

"That's a nice colour. I will love to have your room beside mine so let's go take a look at the room beside mine" she said as she held Stephanie's hand and led her to her room.


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"Now I'm going to resume college next week. Im so happy" Lilian laughed as she danced around her room.

She was so engrossed in dancing that she didn't know Mr Dickson entered her room

She was about to fall when Mr Dickson caught her.

"Be careful my dear or do you want to carry an injury to college?" He asked as he patted her hair.

"No dad, im just so happy" She said as she smiled.

"That's nice dear. Get ready dear, I'm taking you shopping. We have to purchase all you need for school and new clothes and accessories too"

"Thank you dad" She said as she hugged him and ran to the bathroom.

"Such a funny girl" He said as he laughed and left the room.

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"That Principal is so stupid. After all the money i gave him, he still failed me" Mrs Dickson said as she clenched her fist.

"Mum this is bad, now she is going to college in a week's time and there is nothing we can do" Priya said as she folded her hands.

" That good for nothing might have entered college, but i am still not going to allow her have the upper hand. We have only one option now Priya. We have to make sure she leaves this house no matter what. She might have entered college but making her leave will jeopardize her schooling".

"That's a good idea mum, we will have to kick her out of this house at all cost. She has stayed long enough in this house. Now the real battle begins, watch your back Lilian because what is coming after you is si big that you won't be able to run away" Priya said as she smiled.



CHAPTER NINE 📖📖📖📖


CALLISTO MANSION

"Where the hell is everyone? " Mr Callisto said.

"Tina, sweetheart, can't someone answer me" He shouted as he slumped on the cushion.

"Dad, you're back" Tina said as she ran down the stairs.

"How are you doing dear, and how did your interview go?" He asked as he removed his watch.

"It was fine dad, i answered most of the questions" She answered

"That's good to hear dear, i know you will make it"

"Thanks dad"

"Where's your mother?"

"She must be upstairs. Dad guess what?"

"We are having pepperoni and cheese for dinner?"

"Nope"

"You climbed Mount Everest?"

"Not that either" Tina said as she crossed her hand.

"Now i get it" He said as he walked to the dining, serving himself some juice.

"You do?"

"You are taking me on a date right?" He said as he smiled, revealing his gaped teeth.

"Da...ddy, No. Alright then, since you couldn't get it, then i might as well tell you. I have a sister now" She happily said.

Mr Callisto suddenly started coughing.

"You have a what? dont tell me your mother has taken in? How am i going to cope with a toddler? Your mother made me work when she was expecting you, now she is planning on having another baby? Tina, let's run away from here before your mother comes out. We might as........"

"What are you guys whispering about?" Mrs Callisto said as she folded her hands.

"We were talking about buying bags for ourselves" Mr Callisto said as he smiled.

"When did you start going for shopping?" she asked as she held her waist.

Mr Callisto suddenly knelt on the ground, holding Mrs Calisto's shoes.

"Please dont torture me, i have had enough of babies. I am ok with one not two"

"What are you saying? what is going on with your father? She asked Tina who was giggling.

"You are pregnant i know, please kill me before i die, please" He said

"What the hell, I'm not pregnant"

"I wish that was true, but it isnt" he said as he faked crying.

"But im really not pregnant"

Mr Callisto stood and looked at his wife.

"Please say that again, that is perfect music to my ears"

"I am not pregnant. I told you that performing surgery on people will turn your brain upside down but you didn't listen" She said, knocking his head.

"Ouch! it wasn't my fault, Tina told me she has a sister now that was why i assumed you were pregnant" He said as he smiled, revealing his gaped teeth.

"No dad, that is not it. Mum isnt pregnant . I just have a sister. Mum brought her home. Wait let me call her" She said as she ran upstairs.

"What is she talking about?" Mr Callisto asked

Mrs Callisto narrated how she found Stephanie and brought her to their home.

"Are you sure this girl wont be any trouble ?"

"I dont think so dear. She doesn't look it. Trust me, she is a good fellow. And besides, Tina likes her and has already taken her as her sister. So no need for worrying" She said as she sat down.

"If you say so"

"Daddy here she is. Her name is Stephanie. Stephy, meet dad"

"Good evening sir" Stephanie greeted.

"Nice having you around Stephanie" He said as he patted her back

"Thank you sir"

"Not sir, dad. Im your new father now" He said as he smiled at her.

"Thank you dad" Stephanie said as she smiled.

"Daddy, i want to ask you for a favour" Tina said as she held her father's hand.

"What is it dear?" he asked

"Can Stephanie school with me? I want her to start college with me" She said

"But the exams are over"

"We could ask the Principal to accept her and use her first term results as her pass into the school" Mrs Callisto suggested.

"Yes father, we could do that please" She said as she pleaded

"If that's what my angel wants, then i will do it. We will go to your college tomorrow and clear everything. Then you could go shopping with Stephanie. She might need some new things" He said as he yawned.

"Oh thank you father, you're the best"

"I must admit i am"He smiled as he climbed the stairs.

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Finally, it was Monday. The day Lilian was expected to resume college.

"Wake up sleepy head, you're gonna be late for on your first day in college" He said as he woke Lilian.

"Oh! i must get ready quickly. I shouldn't be late on my first day"

She said as she ran into the bathroom.

She was already dressed and ready.

"Dad, I'm ready" she shouted as she made her way to the dining table.

Someone pushed her and she fell.

"Oh my bad sister. Happy worst day" She laughed as she walked away.

"Why does she always pick on me?" she said as she stood up

"Hey dear, let's get going. Where's Priya?

"She went out of the house. She must be outside" She said as she followed Dickson outside the house.

"They entered the car and the engine started.

"Why do i feel my life is going to change? Why do i sense another new era unfolding? Whatever comes my way I'm willing to accept.

Though i have my family beside me, i still have that feeling of not belonging, that feeling of being different. I just hope it wont be bad for me"

She thought as she touched her necklace and looked out of the window, sighing as she sat comfortably in the car.