Starting Point

I got out of the taxi and paid the driver for the ride over. Since my ticket was one-way, I sure didn't want to drive my car. I pulled my bag from the back seat of the taxi. I once again thanked him for the ride. Flame stood next to me as we watched the cab disappear. I sighed as I looked at the backpack on my back. I looked down at Flame and then at the airport.

"So you ready for this," I said

"I'm ready for anything that comes up." Said Flame

"Well then let's find our plane," I said

After receiving the package, I had decided to follow my mother's words. Flame and I had packed up everything we thought we would need and want since we would probably never return to the house. I had decided to take at least two changes of clothing, my laptop, the stories I have written so far, plus a few extra books, my Iphone, Ipod, and my wallet. I was the only one with a bag, but Flame had a few things inside my bag. He usually kept anything in his belt, but he had placed a few magazines in my backpack. We had woken up early, and I ordered the taxi. It drove us the airport, and now here we are. Our ticket was actually for two flights, first of the two flights would take us down to New York, then from New York, we would catch an international flight to England. I sighed as I felt Flame get on my shoulder. I walked through the front doors of the airport. I was now in a plain black t-shirt with a red stripe down the side of it. I still had a pair of cargo shorts. I now also had my boots on. They were my combat boots my mother had ordered for me. I never minded them, but they were just hiking boots that I used in training. I also was wearing the brown coat and belt that came in the box. I stored the key safely in my backpack.

I soon reached the TSA line and stood in it. I pulled out my ticket and my ID. I told Flame to go on ahead of me. Since nobody could see him, he didn't have to go through the TSA line. So, of course, it was the reason my mother only sent me one ticket. I soon was able to get through the TSA check out pretty well. I soon had Flame climb back onto my back as we went to our gate. I also decided to pick up a sandwich for him and me, since we didn't have a real breakfast. I grabbed two sandwiches, one for me and one for Flame. Now you see, I can use my powers to make something invisible so that Flame can eat it and stay hidden. Otherwise, it would just float in the air. I sure didn't want to cause a panic about a ghost. But I still paid for both but made one invisible after making sure nobody was looking.

We ate our sandwiches and then heard our flight was boarding. My mother had even paid for us for first class on both flights. I wasn't sure how she did it, but I knew she had her ways. I boarded the plane and took my seat. I buckled my seat belt as not to forget about it. Flame sat on my lap and looked out the window. We were careful about talking since it would make me look crazy.

"I've never been on a plane before." Said Flame

"Wait till were in the air," I said

"Oh, this is going to be cool." Said Flame

You see Fables never use much to any human transportation. They can open what is known as a Fable Portal. These portals allow a Fable to travel between Earth and Fabalis or to any other part of Earth. Now I can't open on of these portals or enter Fabalis, well yet. You see, I have to unlock my powers fully to open a portal to Fabalis and even walk in it. I'm not at that step of my Fable powers yet. I'm still at the basics, so flying on a plane is the only way to get around. So this was Flame's first time on a plane, as he wasn't as skilled yet in opening a portal either. But we both were getting there.

Soon enough the plane began to leave the airport. I had flown a lot as a kid, as my mother liked to take me places over breaks. I saw plenty of wonders when I was growing up. Flame never came with us as he wanted to stay home. But this time, he was with me one hundred percent. Soon enough I felt the plane lift off into the sky. I quickly popped my ears but saw Flame having a hard time.

"Swallow, and it should pop your ears," I said

He did it, and he seemed to be better. He looked out the window as he went higher and higher into the sky. Soon we reached our cruising altitude and began our flight to New York. Flame looked out the window as I laid back in my chair to get a quick nap. I opened one eye to see Flame yawn and curl up to sleep. I rubbed his head as I began to relax. I knew to wake up so that we could catch our next flight out to England.

***

"Here we are, England," I said

We stood in the main lobby of the international airport in England. I stretched out my body from sleeping on the plane, twice. I was just happy my mother made me get a passport.

"Wow, this is cool. Wish we had some time to see the sights." Said Flame

"We might be able to see somethings. First, we need to find this forest my mother spoke of." I said

I walked over to an area where it had guides about all the places you could do in England. Flame and I looked around but found nothing. Then a lady walked up to us. She seemed to be working the stand.

"Can I help you?" She asked in a British accent.

"Yes, I was looking for a particular forest," I said

"Well, which one?" She asked

"A forest that's known as the Forest of Ancients," I said

"I see, well that forest isn't much of a sight. It is just a single trail that leads to a bunch of old stones. But if you which to go, just tell any cab driver, and they should be able to take you. The forest doesn't take but an hour to reach, by cab. So may I interest you in some places to visit before going over there." She said

"Sure," I said

Well, she handed me a brochure with a bunch of things to see and do. I thanked her, and Flame and I went sight seeing. We saw a bunch of stuff. We were starting to get hungry for dinner. We had eaten lunch on our flight over here. Well, we easily found a food cart. It was serving fish and chips. Flame easily drooled over for it, as it was something he always wanted to try. I bought two but had to lie to the guy about the second, since it would be weird to talk about Flame. Well, Flame and I enjoyed real fish and chips, even though the chips are just french fries. But I guess fish and fries aren't as catchy as fish and chips. Well after Flame and I had seen about everything we wanted to, we hailed a cab and told the driver about the forest. He easily dropped us off, and I told him to leave us. There was no point of him staying around for us. I wasn't sure about where this portal would lead us, but I knew that I might never return here.

"Well ready to start our journey," I said as I looked at Flame on my shoulder.

"I'm still scared of what's going to happen to us, but I'm with you no matter what." Said Flame

"Then let's find this portal," I said

We began to walk the forest as the last of the sunlight was disappearing. It wasn't a long trail like the lady said. But as I walked, I started to feel like I was part of the forest itself. It was like the forest was calling out to me in a strange way. I didn't pay much attention to it as I continued to walk more and more on the path.

"Do you feel that?" Asked Flame

"What?" I asked

"Like this forest is calling out to you." Said Flame

"So you're feeling it too," I said

"Yeah, and it is giving me the creeps." Said Flame

"Well were nearly to the clearing," I said

We soon entered the clearing, and the last of the sunlight was disappearing. Flame jumped off my shoulder and walked over to the stones. I could see the stones were everywhere. There wasn't any portal I could see. I scratched my head at what my mother had even found. But looking at the rocks, they did seem to go together to form something.

"Well, this isn't what I was expecting," I said

"Well, the girl did say all here was a bunch of stones." Said Flame

"Yeah, but why would my mother want to send me here," I said

I looked at the stones and inspected each one of them for any markings. I soon felt a stinging pain in my left hand. I pulled off the glove to see my mark was lit up. I looked to see one of the stones had the basic Young symbol on it. Flame walked over and looked at it. He then looked up at me. I looked at him and then down at my hand. I decided to place my hand on the mark. I then started to use my powers on it. The light faded away, and I backed up as the portal recreated itself right in front of us. Flame and I were looking at a completed stone entrance that wasn't there a second ago.

"That's one way to rebuild it." Said Flame

"Yeah," I said

We soon lost that last of the sunlight as the sun disappeared into the horizon. But the light of the full moon soon started glow over the land. The light reflected on the stone portal. Flame and I watched as the stones began to glow. We then watched as the forest began to change around us. It was almost like we were entering a memory. Soon everything stopped, and we were in the woods still, but everything was younger as if we hade time traveled.

"This is creepy," I said looking around.

"Yeah, but who is that," said Flame pointing at a figure.

I looked to see one lonely figure standing in front of us. The character apparently seemed to be human. I could see that this human figure looked to be male. The male figure was about 6'5''. A golden armor covered his whole body. I saw that on his back was the same symbol that sat on the back of my coat. Six large crystals ran up each side of his arms. I walked around to see the front of him. In the middle of his chest plate, was a large white crystal in the heart shape I had been seeing. I couldn't see his face, well except for his mouth. A black visor covered his eyes, while a golden helmet covered his head. I could also see that he wasn't even acknowledging me.

I watched as the figure slowly raised his hand, and it began to glow. I couldn't see what was making it glow as his armor covered it. But I saw the stone portal appear from the rocks in front of him. Then the figure walked forward and bent down and placed his hand on a rock in front of the entrance. Again his hand glowed, which created the impression of the basic Young family mark. The portal opened up, and the figure disappeared into it. But not before saying a few words to himself.

"I hope that this portal is never needed again. But if the darkness does return, hopefully, my descendants will be able to open and recreate this portal again, when the time comes. As long as they have the mark, they should be able to bring about the portals reconstruction. For all my descendant has to do is place his hand on the symbol and use his/her powers to bring about the rebuilding of the portal. I just hope they are strong enough for the trails ahead of them."

He soon stepped into the portal and disappeared. I watched as the stones began to fall away and the mark in the center stone vanished. With the blink of my eye, everything was back to normal. I looked at the portal and let the strangers words set in my mind. Could that be one of my ancestors. But I have never heard of one covered in gold armor. But then again, a lot of the records were lost when the castle disappeared from Fabalis. I was deep in thought about what I had seen, but Flame brought me out of it.

"Well, that was strange. Who do you think that guy was?" Said Flame

"I'm not sure, but I think it was one of my ancestors, though I'm not too sure, who exactly that mysterious man was. Well, at least we know how to activate the portal now," I said as I approached the main stone.

"Are you sure about this?" Asked Flame

"I am Flame. I have to do this for the good of all," I said

I walked forward with Flame on my shoulder. I placed my hand on the stone in front of the portal. I did as the figure said and slowly pushed my powers into the rock. I watched as it and my mark began to glow. I let go and got up as the portal came to life. I watched as each stone began to glow with a form of writing on it, as it came to life. Then a light began to shine in the middle of the portal before a flash of intense light. I covered my eyes to shield them. After the light had died down, I looked to see a yellowish screen covering the inside of the portal. I slowly approached it as I placed my glove back on.

"Xavier, you know if we go through that, we might not be able to return." Said Flame

I looked at him, around me and then back at the portal. He's probably right. But this is my only chance to see my mother again. Plus she told me that the great evil is coming to attack the Fables and Fabalis. It is my job to protect them both. But there is so much I'm leaving behind. But still, wouldn't be so bad to start a new life. I took hold of the tags around my neck and looked down at them. I knew what I had to do I've made my choice, I'm going into the unknown.

"Flame I'm going in. I know once I find my mother, we can be a family again, and family is the greatest home anybody can have." I said

"Then you'll need me since family sticks together." Said Flame

"Thanks, Flame. Now we go headlong into the unknown. Ready yourself for an adventure." I said

I slowly walked forward and pressed my hand on the outside of the portal. I slowly pushed my arm through the portal. I looked at Flame as he gave me a nod. I began to push my whole self and Flame into the portal. I wasn't sure what we would find on the other side, but I knew it would be an adventure in itself.