Bottle of Stories (87)

They went inside a hut where OP can still observe his group outside. Beside him sitting is Cu while across the table are Annie and Jayson sitting beside each other.

"We have a cursed bottle, with us, and we thought that Leivo, is the only one who can open it," Annie stuttered. "Once he was freed, he can open a portal, that will help Rey escape from Leivo."

"What if he did not help your friend and left him instead?" asked OP.

"The person cursed inside the bottle is a guardian," said Jayson.

"What!" Cu exclaimed. "Guardian of what? Knowledge? Soul?"

"Space," answered Jayson.

"I want to meet him! From what the legends say, Guardian of Space came here and told about the other guardians. He also helped people to improve technology."

Cu seems to like legends they thought.

"Do not get sidetrack, we do not know if that story is true," said OP.

"But Leivo was real, that means guardians are real too," said Cu.

"We met the guardian of dreams before," said Annie.

Cu's face brightened. "Really? Does he look like a flying giant snake that does not spit fire but instead controls tree branches?"

Annie was confused. "He's a human."

OP looked away. "See, it is fake."

"Hmmmm. I still believe you Annie, Jayson! Do not mind this party pooper." Cu pointed OP who was sitting beside him.

OP pushed away Cu's hands. "I want your real intention because the lives of the people are in my hands. Why would he want to go to Leivo himself just to release a guardian and escape? If what's inside the bottle is a guardian, why not ask to stop Leivo."

"That's what the legend of guardians comes in to play. You see guardians are keepers of balance. They cannot do things alone without affecting the balance. So if you want something, they will only guide you. Unless you gave them something that brings equilibrium to your wish."

"Having a deal with guardians can bring more suffering to the one who wished than the guardian itself," added Jayson who recalled his dreams.

"Exactly. However, having a guardian on our side is already an advantage. Maybe that's why Rey insisted on meeting Leivo." OP did not raise any rebuttal. Thanks to Cu's explanation, OP's suspicions were erased.

"I'm sorry, I thought your friend is an enemy's accomplice. If you have any plans you should tell me so I can use some help. I feel guilty that I let a kid face all that danger."

"He's the only one who can do it. I believe he will come back with the guardian safely."

"Umm, OP I forgot to tell you something important. When I was finding our group, I noticed that there are no cursed people. Maybe, we should proceed to walk towards the pier now that they are not active at night?"

"Why haven't you said that earlier? Whatever, I will tell everyone." OP exited the hut and went to announce a new plan.

~~~*List of Chapters*~~~