Chapter 12 - The Old man kindness

In the dreamland. Fear. Whispering. Loneliness. Jason running his life alone from dark, chasing enemies of greebles and troll are hunter’s tracking him down. Jason won’t keep up going. There’s no escape. Then Jason saw the Doom Raiders including Golden Queen so big, grabbed him with her hand. Lifted up and face to face, Jason struggled cannot break free and feeling afraid of her.

“This time, you never escape me. Now you’re going to pay!” Golden said with the evil laugh, then the big hand troll stealing him. Jason already knew what happened back there was big Berserker. The evil laugh is holding Jason. He looks down the big pot boiled by the death.

“You’re mine now, Jason. Oh! I’m crazy throwing you for my mama’s special dinner!” Berserker said with an evil laugh.

“Oh, no you don’t!” Sauris said, for punching at Berserker’s face and dropped Jason fall on the ground. “This rare human is mine! There’s only one when I found it first.”

Then Jason will make run for it. But he has been chasing behind the tail with Golden, Berserker, and Sauris. They will garb Jason who ever to kill him. Eventually, Jason heard the ground have been earthquake shake, and ripped tear apart. Jason won’t make the light; he fell at the hole of darkness screaming all the way down fate of death.

Then he started to wake up and scream. Jason having nightmares and terrified, but he still having two white gloves are not in the real dream. He slowly takes a deep breath few times to calm down to make it go away the fear. And Jason feels not alone with him a small sheep name Az.

Az already woke up, before Jason screams. He nuzzled him making feel a bit better.

“Oh, Az. Sorry to wake you. It was… just a dream.” Jason said, petting Az the fur sheep.

Jason looks the backpack near the sheep, he unzipped the front and took it out with a scroll from a riddle. Surely Lieutenant Dallnix gave it to him to keep it safe. Jason will promise the lieutenant, he put it back in because Jason not ready to open the scroll. Then Az gentle nuzzle him and beg to go outside.

“I’ll think about it. Looks like just you and I stuck this place. I’ll take a peek; you wait here until I say to come out. Somehow?”

Jason putting on the backpack and curl slow the hole tunnel. He gently climbed up with a white glove hand and hold lift the arms and legs from a dirt shoe. Taken a peek out of the hole and see any enemies is still after looking for. Jason senses the feel the afternoon because he’s overslept last night, he’s come down gently without slipping by accident for pay attention warning to see Az will come along.

“Okay. The coast is cleared. Come on, I’ll pick you up to get out.”

So, Az was now stay with Jason, lifting up out the hole of pit, and so is Jason come out. Now he’s needed to find to someone else where it safe, Jason and Az will stay together.

“Great. Is afternoon. Well, here we go. Come, Az. We’ll find to get out the Falling Forest, speaking the powers come, I’ll figure it out how to control it, somehow.”

Then Jason on a path with Az and keeping eye the enemies for warning. For this cause, Jason will find somewhere of the teleports, or he’ll find to place to sleep and try again tomorrow without getting caught again.

For few hours moments later, Jason kept walking search from entire area all around the forest. Jason feels exhausted walking without the map. No luck finding a safe place. Jason takes a break sitting down a log, and Az sit on Jason’s lap. He’s having a little exercise, but the strength is not enough to defend. He’s too weak haven’t been other fight the enemies. But except destroy the territories camp from greebles.

Az gives a nuzzled Jason’s hip. Jason still searching where the safe place by midnight to keep trying or die trying. Some reason will make understand the small sheep to communicate.

“I know. I’m okay. Just need a little rest. I’ll checking the place something else. Perhaps I’ll won’t do that again blasting my powers with plasma inside.” Jason said, gently sighed and wipe the forehead a bit sweat with his arms.

Jason felt loneliness for all those years back home from other dimension. Jason missed their family, friends, and cousins for having many good times. And the bad times broke apart a family tree back of December 29th, 2019, before two days for the New Year’s Eve.

Earlier of flashback, the member of the ancestor's hikers was Oma Namiko. In the past several years to see the grandkids, give away some presents for Christmas and some birthdays for happy family once of year came to visit and the grandparents. They all they grew, everyone loved Oma.

Then until to turned upside down. Oma Namiko having trouble for the smell last night by the bathroom. Jason heard downstairs when he worried favorite Oma. The truth is things get any worse with bad smell.

From this morning with grownups turned to careless for a bit mess. Oma yelled Jason’s brother to pick up the cereal on a kitchen floor then she come downstairs need to calm down. But Jason did nothing wrong things go bad. So, he would make her up to make happy.

Then Jason’s Father, Andrea, and Oma taking outside for a walk. But both argue for grandkids problems with father and Oma. She never yells their family for brothers and one sister, and she couldn’t take it anymore.

Oma Namiko rushed to pack up herself and quickly out of house, then as father take her uncle place, never to talk to her again for an old mother.

Jason couldn’t understand why so happened so fast, but it is too late not forgiving a change to forgiven family back together.

As Jason’s father, never call the Oma Namiko and visited for yelling the grandkids for disappointment. Jason felt broken heart falling to pieces for a family tree to dust.

When Jason passed a driver test and setup the new ID license, before the Covid-19 from a new virus of humanity. By lockdown to stay home with families by March 15, 2020. All stores, warehouse, schools, restaurants, and others are being closed, because the virus have been spread of whole countries of states, and the whole world of earth.

Then Jason rides a bike reached home, and Jason’s mother told him to stay home. She has kimono, because his mother afraid touch the old people and others hand have affect the virus.

Jason has no choice for stay home and call the Family Leave Medicine Act for work. As the family rules, they do the chores and for a homeschool keep the grades up. Mother and Father will discuss wear the mask and gloves for their groceries wipe all the alcohol using it will not affect the virus.

But Jason are afraid saw the news, people the 7 counties rise the coronavirus for entire world, and their all died thousands of friends and families for loved ones of them souls. No matter how long till the end as Jason will waited.

End of the flashback, Jason was now in the dimension world Skylands stuck by of nowhere a Falling Forest. Then Az tapped by a hoof for Jason legs for one baa, and Jason shook his head little.

“Oh. I’m fine. We should keep moving. Sorry, I got a bit distracted.” Then Az happily baas and moving on the path will follow.

Then again, Jason couldn’t help both hands stuck with two white gloves and where the powers came from. Secondly of Kaossandra and Eon, Jason couldn’t figure out why Eon gives it to Kaossandra the Boom of the Dark Magic for three months ago. Commander Isaac told him to stay away of her. He will not to be seen. But something else very interest discovered their dark secrets from her book.

Then he stopped all it sudden, Jason heard something a beautiful music came of nowhere. He picked up the sound far, by the most miles away where are ahead and listen in the dark forest.

“Az, you hear that. Listen.” Jason curious, with his ear of sound. “What’s that wonderful sound coming from?” Then Az curious question from beautiful music, beyond the path of sound. “I don’t know what kind the sound feels like. Mm. Maybe I’ll take a peek for once. Stay close to me, Az. I’ll better be careful what is looks like, or something who’s playing.”

He walks carefully and see the hidden from music is playing little far away the path what the creature is in the forest. Instead, Az stays close to him. As long he knows, Jason carefully made a hole from bushes to see the beautiful music.

One old man with a brown hood cloth played the flute. Sitting alone a log nowhere around with a song, before Jason couldn’t believe their own eyes for seeing from wonderful music. No signs of Greebles or Trolls from the area, Jason kept staring the old man alone in the Falling Forest. Until he felt calm and feel a bit relaxed, Jason doesn’t feel dangerous with a person.

“Wow. The song is beautiful, huh, Az?” Then a bit turned, Az isn’t here to close to him for a second ago. Jason couldn’t see a small sheep. “Az? Az? Where’d you go?”

Jason looked found Az front at it, walking closer the hearing music from the old man. And the flute stopped, he saw small sheep for listening a song. Old man showed his face with a big white beard, and straight the sheep.

“Hello, there. Come here, little one.” The old man said, for a kindness. Az stepped closer and sniffed at his hand. No scent of danger, he gives him a nuzzle. “Aren’t you the cute little one.”

But Jason was very surprising, and the old man very gentle petting him. And he does not suppose talk the stranger’s, including Skylanders and others. As they did King Pen’s trust one of the kinds of Skylander, no matter how gentle to understand the words how to survive without hiding in dark. Before the downside could not understand, by the Stealth Elf will after Jason when have been spotted.

Then, the old man sees hidden the bushes or cannot be seemed, Az has been with Jason for his new friend and picking up a scent.

“Friend of yours?” He asked, then Az nodded with a human friend.

“Hello there. Come here my friend.” The old man already knew Jason was hiding the bushes, Jason have spotted so quickly, he’ll make run for it.

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“Don’t be afraid. I don’t need no harm. Please come out and show me your face.”

Then Jason has no harm for kind old man. He has no choice to come out and showed his face. But the old man still sitting alone a log with no danger around him.

“Uh… Hello… sir. Sorry to interrupt. I didn’t mean spy on you. I’ll just leave you alone privacy.” Jason said, for apology the old man.

“Oh, no, no. You don’t have to apologize. There’s no need alarmed you. Please, come sit. Let me close front at you.” The old man said, then Jason sits at a log and Az sit next to him.

“So… I didn’t know your here. And I never seen your song before. And…” Then old man touch Jason’s right hand and gently rubbing a knight white glove. Interrupting his sentence unable finish a word. Its somethings very different the old man, he’s still checking and interesting though from the mystery ways of Jason’s powers inside.

“You’re a human, aren’t you?” He asked. “Uh… yeah.” “Well, you have powers inside you with a white glove armor. And… I can sense in you. You’re have a good in your heart, Jason.”

Then Jason has a bit shocked. Could the old man sense have in mind, or he knows everything.

“You know my name?” Jason asked. “Everyone knows about you. I never seen a human in the Skylands for all those years. And I’ve been waited for so long to finally to meet you.” “Whoa! Hold up. What a minute. You been waited for me?” Jason said, confused the question old man. “I don’t understand what you’ll said. May I have asked, who on earth are you?”

“Who, on earth am I? A travel. Who knows what I. I am care of your feeling the loved ones and forgetting things. The passed. The present. And the future. You’re taking a first step to begin their path of and use the power in you.” Old man said. Still checking Jason’s hand for his since and let go it.

“My first step? I don’t know. I… I lost everything, completely! I have to start over again. I mean… I don’t know what powers came, but it wouldn’t come off. I’m not sure where this comes from.” Jason moping.

“Well, since you have powers, but your heart to become a chosen one. But not become a Skylander yet. Until many days ahead from your goal… to be a true Skylander Guardian.”

“Me? A Skylander? Chosen one? No, no, no. That’s not goanna happen. It’s impossible. I’m just a human. And I’m just still autism. How am I supposed to do that. I’m not a Skylander! This isn’t me. I’m just a human.” Jason said.

“You are a human. Or should I’ll say… a first human Skylander Guardian.”

“Hahaha! Okay, I am laughing. But this isn’t going to happen. It is just a fairy tale.”

“It is not a fairy tale. You see, Jason. If you believe yourself. But the legendary still exist for 60,000 years, somewhere the wizards kept it safe, located the secrets in Skylands. The White Dragon Scale Armor,

Then Jason heard the legendary artifact, but he thought it was a myth the other wizards. Jason wants to hear 60,000 years when James Harrison told a story what happened fell of middle the bottom. And it thought never came a new Guardians.

“Did… Did you say, The White Dragon Scale Armor? For real?” Jason curious. “That’s right. It’s still existed of hidden the secret from the island.” “You do? But… He told me about the story from the civil war. And the Skylander Guardians is no more. How is it possible you told me about it?” Jason said, and the old man giggled for Jason’s confused for a question.

“I’ll will tell you everything. But first, tell me what you are feel. And why are you afraid… about the Skylanders.”

“Skylanders! How do you know? And… let me guess, did you’ll know all the Skylander names because you traveled entire Skylands?”

“Hmmm. I certainly am. Now. Come side of me and tell me what you are feel.”

So, Jason hard explains when the old man is telling for example in mind. He hard to tell for example his feeling. Jason sat down with his side and tell what he feels to begin with.

“It’s a very long story how I feel. So. Uh…” But unfortunately, he couldn’t understand for English how Jason tries. He takes a deep breath to calm down and start over to talk to him how he feels.

“Okay. I know you could understand me, but I was autism. When I got here for the other dimension in Skylands for May 16th five months ago. And when I came here, I felt surprising, and glad to see everything. And what I felt missing… my family. I feel worried, sad and scared. Thing’s never changed to be this way. But the time I been the Falling Forest I look around to find a safe place to hide, then I listened a rule James Harrison to stay away the enemy's territory from Greebles and Trolls. Especially the Skylanders not to talk strangers.”

“And what else you see the Skylands from teleport? Will you make to the other side?” Old man asked. “Well, yes. But after I disguise myself as a mabu, I clean the entire garbage station when he gave my bunch of coins. Then the next day, I was a headed the Campus Town and looking around for awesome place. But… when I first met Peter… he made me a friend. Then I decided to hang out Peter for a next day or another, having good time talking.”

“For the third day, Peter took me a cafe and meet two good friends, Aldi and Bourbon. He’s part of their family with brother’s; they are getting along together and hang out for a weekend.”

So, Jason talks long sentences, he has a good and bad memories, old man like to hear Jason’s word for feelings.

Few minutes later for a Jason’s sentence, he has a couple sentences to make understanding some words with autism. For some reason, old man was very positive with his side, Jason feels better not be afraid of him. But then a bit sad times for Peter, left behind to say goodbye.

“When I wave my friends to say goodbye, I never seen him again. And that’s how to keep Peter saves and left behind for me.”

“Hmmm. That was beautiful what I heard, Jason. And since you won the champion for a video game showdown, before the Doom Raiders left for what you did to defeat once?” Old man asked. “I did. I saved everyone one time. Without me, the Doom Raiders taking over entire Skylands. It was horrible. But not let any happened to it. None of these innocent citizens controlling the zombie army. I destroyed a bone harp. And no one ever hurt my friends, the citizens and the Skylanders ever again.” Jason said.

“Feeling afraid, have you?” “I…I think so.” “Ah. I could sense in you. Losing your friend from Greebles, and you saved of your friends to trust their hearts. Before three of them are safe, with a Peter’s dream to become a news reporter.”

“Yeah. Ever since, I been so alive how I did, it’s for my luck. But… I broke the rules, for General William. Literally.”

“And what about Skylanders, when you’re afraid?”

“Well… I… I’m not supposed to talk strangers. But except one Skylander I can trust, was King Pen.” Jason said. “He’s gentle, he’s kind, and he gave me a gift from an Archie Stone.” “Really. Let me take a look it.” Old man said, then Jason pulls out his shirt by a chest and show it for him.

“What a beautiful stone. You have a luck for clearing the dark.” “You know this stone?” “Precisely. Your stone protects you to clear away the darkness from the shadows from the Underworld.”

“The Underworld? But I’m not going down there, it’s dangerous like James told me. And there’s a big evil dragon name Malefor.”

“Malefor, you say? Hmmm. Well, can you tell me where the hidden secret from the gemstone is?” Old man asked for question. “What gemstone? What is the secret? Where did that come from?” Jason confused.

“The gemstone is a very rare in the other Underworld Skylands in this hidden secret of riddles. And… you have a riddle scroll in your backpack.”

Then he a bit gasped. Old man knows everything. Could the same mysterious black hood. Or there is something else is watching Jason for others.

“D-Did you know the scroll with riddles?” Jason asked.

“Yes. The scroll you carry in, for your responsible to begin for adventure the Skylands. When the time is right, this is the way to take a step the goal, and you’ll will become a future.” Old man said, and Jason standing up back on feet to leave.

“Well, that was… amazed. But nice knowing you. Az and I will find a place to hide. Thank you, make me feel better. Come on, Az. We’re leaving.” Jason said, calling a sheep followed.

“Of course. Before you go. I have a riddle of secret in the Falling Forest. Somewhere in hidden a teleport pad.” Old man said.

Jason halts hear about the secret for a hidden the teleport pad. Perhaps instead, Jason turned a head behind for saying a riddle in his mind.

“Wait. What did you say?” Jason asked being curious.

“You heard me. I have a riddle of secret in this Falling Forest, to search entire area in the dark forest. But not just ordinary teleport pad. It’s a very rare who ever finds the safest place to get there.” Old man said.

“Woah! Really. You want me for help?” “Yes. I will give it to you. But I’ll tell you about the riddle in your mind.” “Uh, yeah. Sure. I want to hear it. I mean… please. Everything.”

“Alright. Now here’s a riddle in your head. First one. To pass a wall you be able see a hole, then the second, the bottom a ground and hear the sound by feet, next the third, you cannot see the line, feel it from fingers touch, and the fourth, their a hidden whoever built this secret not being seem entry or exit.”

When he finished, Jason will do understand. Now it sudden still a chance to get off the Falling Forest for a safest place where a hidden. Or he’ll won’t repeat in his mind. Jason has a good feeling could trust a kindness for the old man.

“Wow. Okay. I… I don’t know I thank you. But I don’t have a map, I just got lost or they will capture me again.”

“I know you can do it, Jason. You don’t need map, my friend. Trust the instinct in your mind. Your fear will letting go, till brave enough against them. But the riddle will guide you. You shall see to prove yourself, till you will find a way of your skills and use an experienced discovery in history.”

“You know what… you’re right. I just… I don’t want make mistakes ever again. But I’ll remember in my mind for riddle.” Jason said.

“I know you can. And one more thing. I’ll give you for a trade.” “What trade? I don’t have anything. Except for half bread.” “But… you have one. I will show you for this.” Old man said, putting a left arm pocket, taking out, and show it to him with a round wrap inside, and a one big key from a mysterious as a gift. Jason felt surprised wanted to trade for a half bread.

“This is your destiny for safe keeping. You need to take care it, until the path of future become one.”

“Me? What did I become one? How am I supposed look like this, for my hand’s stuck with my own powers?” Jason asked worried.

“Well Jason, there is no going back, my friend. Part a new Jason never been the same. The choice is yours.” Old man said, then Jason gentle sighed for trusted of kindness. He had made a choice, for good deed.

“I suppose you're right. I’ll trade for you. I have my word.”

Until he deals for trade. Jason took out the backpack half bread for starve, and gave the old man, then give Jason a gift with kindness for own heart.

“Thank you, Jason. You have my blessing.” “You’re welcome.”

“Now, you take good care of it when you hold. The key is a very important with your good hands somewhere where it is hidden. And this wrapping gift, it was very special. Don’t not open till by night falls.” Old man said.

“I will, sir. Then I will make a goal, and… I’ll keep trying to stay alive for not giving up.” Jason said for promising for blessed at him. Then he stands up and head off for nowhere walked the path. And he turns look a Jason for.

“Remember. Keep in your head for repeat the riddle. Until you will find the way to become one. And never give up your dreams.”

Just the Old man say a word to Jason, then he smiled at him for kindness and blessing for Jason’s heart. Then he leaves for playing the flute. Until that day, Jason will be taking care of his key and as a gift. And he turned around finding place to hide with Az followed.

While top by the tree of branch, Niko saw everything when he still following around, without lose a track to keep close eye on him. For someone reason the Old Man leaves, he just didn’t know it. Niko climbed down and carefully followed Jason’s footsteps and doing the discovery a gift of round wrap for Jason’s hand to take care of it. Niko wanted to know from the mysterious way for research.

During the night falls after finding place to sleep five hours later, Jason and Az are resting sitting behind the tree. But now, Jason has no food, no water bottle to bring, and no map. Still, he has to keep going follow a new goal find a safest place, for change to stay alive to defend himself. Az nuzzles his hip, then Jason pets him back gentle close as a friend.

“Don’t worry about me. I’ll thinking about riddle keeping in my head.” Jason said, then he took out a pocket with a big key and a round wrap. “Oh. It’s night fall. Well. I’ll… just take a look.”

He put the key back in a pocket, Jason started unwrapping a gift. Then suddenly, Jason saw with a glowing light. But not just a same ordinary stone, he gently pulled it out, and that is Jason have been shook.

He couldn’t believe seeing through his eyes, with holding it a glowing round white metal when the old man traded for a special gift. Jason is not a dream, it’s a very real for 60,000 years. The Light Amulet.

“Oh my god. It… It can’t be.”

Az was very curious and surprising. The Old man did the right thing for blessing. So is Niko above the tree a branch. He felt very shocked surprised. Niko finally found a new discovery for Jason’s chosen one for his crumble gift. So now, he’s changed a new life to make kindness for believed himself and brave like Jason.

The Light Amulet has been chosen to Jason. The mysterious black hood is being watching for Jason’s destiny. If he success the riddle and survived the enemies, the time will come for part a new Jason to become one. When Jason brave enough, he’ll will face of territories of Falling Forest to become a future.