Beyond the Light (Part 1): The Chamber

Note: The countries referred to or mentioned in this story are entirely fictitious and weren't used with the intent to hurt any person's sentiments or to target any particular group of people.

I. The Chamber

It had been three days since the mysterious, purple colored cardboard box was brought to the Calonian research facility, just a week after the Great war had ended. Egor and Anatoly would normally have discarded the box, but the mysterious purple fumes coming out of it compelled them not to.

Ever since the box had been brought to their chamber, Egor and Anatoly had kept a constant check on it; its sudden vigorous movements, the way the fumes fused with the air, the often light pounding noises coming from within...they noted down all of it. Every detail was to be recorded, for they couldn't risk the possibility of letting out a potential spying device. The end of the war  didn't necessarily cancel out the chances of revolt attempts. They had to be a hundred percent sure before relieving it or discarding it.

That night, however, things took a sharp and unexpected turn. As the duo were about to pack up for the night, they heard loud convulsive noises originating from the box enclosure. They immediately dropped their bags and ran to the viewing gallery to see what was happening.

Just as they reached the viewing area and turned on the chamber's lights, the lid of the box violently shot up and a blurry figure emerged.

After the fumes settled, the scientists realized to their utmost shock what the figure actually was: it was a pixie.

It was as small as a clenched fist, and as soon as it came out, it started running around the whole chamber.

The scientists couldn't believe their eyes; pixies weren't real creatures! They were known only through fairytales, children's folk tales...but to see a real one right in front of them truly shocked them out of their wits. The chamber was separated from the viewing area by a one-way-mirror window, which is why the pixie couldn't see the scientists at all. It just repeatedly bumped into the glass and made squealing noises.

Anatoly decided to turn on the microphone to try and converse with the magical being, but before he could, the pixie spoke, "Greetings, Nina and Antin."

The duo, once more, stopped dead in their tracks. As if having a folk tale character jump out of a box wasn't enough, what's more; it just spoke to them!

However, Anatoly and Egor noticed that the pixie was addressing them by different names, and in the English language. Before they could turn on the microphone, yet again, the pixie spoke once more.

"I cannot sense your presence in this chamber. This chamber doesn't look familiar at all; in fact, it's so much worse. I would like to go back to your old room that we used to play in."

Anatoly couldn't quite understand English as well, so Egor took the time to translate what the pixie just said. Even after understanding the little entity's speech, the two had no idea what it was talking about.

Who were Antin and Nina? Did pixies usually speak English? Were there more where it came from? What room was it talking about?

This time, however, Egor managed to turn on the microphone before the pixie could say another word.

"Hello, this is Egor. I'm from Pentin, Calonia. I mean no harm, and neither does my friend, Anatoly. We just have some questions for you."

The pixie was bemused by the strange sounds of these men. He was only used to hearing the sounds of Nina and Antin, who were children. But, he replied, "Hello, strange man. I assume you are the twins' father. Could you please tell me where your children are, I must speak with them at once. The fate of my kingdom depends on it."

Egor was confused once more. He had no idea who these kids were, and neither did Anatoly. They decided to ask the pixie; 

"We don't know which kids you are talking about, and are not their parents. Where have you come from? Were you sent by a Argenian spy? Are, the kids that you speak of, spies?"

The pixie replied, "Pardon me for thinking so; I am not a spy, and neither are Antin and Nina. They are the creators of my land...they haven't visited us in a while, and so I was sent to check on them. May I speak to them, please?"

Anatoly tried to clear his mind for a second...he found a talking pixie, who says he has a kingdom, and also claims that the creators of his kingdom are these two strange kids; what in the world was going on!?

Anatoly said, in whatever bits of English that he had learnt, "We understand that you want meet kids. Antin and Nina. We don't know them. Please tell more."

The pixie explained, "My name is Dobbie. Antin and Nina; the Gregory twins. They had created me, my fellow brethren and the lands of Anitia. However, they haven't visited His Majesty in about 10 days, and so the Royal Duke of pixies has sent me to check their condition. I request you once more to kindly allow me to speak with them. Once I confirm their well-being, I shall return to my kingdom."

It was almost dinner-time in the area, and the scientists thought it'd be wise to investigate further during the day. Egor said, "We trust your intentions, Dobbie, but due to the time of your arrival, we think it'd be better to approach the kids during the day, tomorrow. We request you to stay where you are, and wait for our arrival tomorrow."

The pixie seemed to agree, and stated that he would return the next day. And with that, he jumped back into the box. The lid flew back on shortly after, leaving behind the initial purple fumes, the mildly flickering chamber lights and the entirely confused scientist duo.

***

The following morning, Anatoly and Egor rushed to the research center to find the pixie, but were left surprised. The pixie was nowhere to be seen, instead, there was a giant bird-like figure that looked like it had just arrived. And once more, as the dust settled, the men realized what fairytale creature they were looking at.

Before them, in the chamber of the box, stood a little yet majestic red phoenix, with a bright and golden beak and sharp talons. Before Egor could turn on the microphone, yet again, the mystical being beat him to it. It produced a scroll from its mouth and flew back into the box. Once the coast was clear, Anatoly rushed into the chamber to see what it read.

"Greetings, citizens of the overworld. The Allied Forces of the Phoenixes and the Pixies are growing restless due to the absence of Antin and Nina. We are once more requesting you to kindly bring them to our world, for our foes, ie- the Werewolves and the sea monsters are losing faith in our peace treaty. We cannot risk a war at this point in time, as the destruction would be unfathomable, and we could lose all contact with your world. Our world is at stake, but we believe in your kind. 

Awaiting your visit,

The Phoenix-Pixie Council"

The duo shut the chamber, and got into their car. Unaware of the truths and dangers that lay ahead, the scientist set off in search of the missing twins.

Part 2 coming soon....