Chapter 12:

        They were all business now, Michael putting away the weapons he had used in neat stacks, Chris and Alicia hurrying out of the room, and Chelsea motioning Willow to follow her. It seemed like a short walk with no real conversations except a few comments here and there. Chelsea led Willow to her room and gently pushed her in, “Wait here, I’ll try to find some gear that’ll fit you.”

                Willow waited awkwardly in the middle of the room, not knowing what to do with herself. Just as she was about to sit on the bed, the door opened. She expected to see Chelsea, but it was Michael instead.

                They simply looked at each other for a split-second before Michael cleared his throat. "I thought you might want this, it’s a book about everything there is to know about the UnderWorld." He held out a large book and Willow took it gently.

                “Thank you.”

                “No problem.” And with that he turned on his heels and left the room.

                Willow shrugged at his sudden act of kindness and sat on the bed to look at the book. It was a thick book, with green binding. The cover had 'The UnderWorld' written elegantly across. She cautiously opened it, as if it would explode the minute she looked at it.

                It didn't explode, to her relief. The pages were stained and old and the writing looked as if it were written with a feather pen. Probably was, as she thought about it. She had never held a book so old-looking before.

                Her fingers grabbed the page and turned it as carefully as she could. The paper, although looked incredibly fragile, was thick and strong. The first page had “Introduction” written across it and Willow moved the book so she could lay on her stomach to read it.        

           The UnderWorld is a complicated place and one would never learn everything there is to it through a book, but I have tried my best to gather as much information about it as I could to make life and teachings of this place a little easier.

        Do not expect, young one, to finish this book and think you could easily complete quizzes and travel through its vast lands. This book is merely facts about things that inhabit this world.

        If you are truly seeking knowledge there is an adventure waiting for you, go and get it.

        Sincerely,

        Andrijan Wragg

        Ganash Headquater of CarvesWay River

        Willow turned the page, the words almost ringing in her ear.

                If you are truly seeking knowledge there is an adventure waiting for you, go and get it.

                For some reason, those words made her feel that maybe what she was doing—leaving her family and all—wasn’t such a bad idea after all.

                Her eyes wandered down to the first page.

                Ganash Headquarters

        The head line said, next to the writing was an intricate map of one of the headquarters. Over the map it said: “Map of Ganash HeadquarterGlirie”. The map had so many hallways and secret passageways, it was almost ridiculous. Willow continued to the text.

                 Ganashes are one of the most organized and largest race in the UnderWorld. The UnderWorld has over two million Ganashes that roam the lands and fight. All of these Ganashes are kept under control by grouping Ganashes together (Also known as Ceremonial Grouping), having a group leader for every group, and the organization of Headquarters.

        To many Ganashes, Headquarters are the most important thing in keeping the Ganashes united. Ganashes are often known by their HeadQuarter name. Like Stanford; nobody knows who Stanford is until you say Stanford of Mythsa Serine.

        Headquarters are meant to be large, large and confusing. Most hallways lead you in circles and circles. Only people who have lived or have stayed in a Headquarter for a long time can find their way through it. The system of large Headquarters was meant to confuse invaders and such.

        A Headquarter is also meant to archive important events of objects. Many dangerous objects to not function right unless accompanied by another specific object. Every Headquarter has its own set of dangerous objects hidden within the rooms and walls.

        This is meant so that is an Elf wanted the Yesha Stine, he/she needs to have the Haqua Strine because the Yesha Strine does not work without the Haqua Strine. Which means that the Elf must somehow break into two different Headquarters to get both of them which is very difficult.

        So, as you may see, Headquarters are good for not only organization, uniting, and identifying but also well for protecting the world by keeping dangerous objects out of dangerous hands.

                "Who gave that to you?" Chelsea said, appearing out of nowhere and making Willow jump. She sat on the bed next to Willow and looked at the book.

                “Oh, Michael did.” Willow replied. Closing the book carefully.

                “Michael did?” The other girl replied, looking at Willow in astonishment.

                “Yeah,” Willow replied, not knowing what else to respond.

                She grabbed the book from Willow and dutifully flipped through a lot of pages. She stopped at a page and the book back to Willow. Willow guessed she knew each page by heart. 

                "This is what we're going to mess with." She said, pointing at the picture.

                Willow looked down at the book and gently took it back, on the top of the page there was a label, 'Mountain Lyres'

                Willow looked at the picture. The creature was very tall, with yellow-brown thick, bumpy skin. It had four pitch-black eyes and two sets of arms. Next to the Mountain Lyre there was a drawing of a Ganash, showing the approximate size of the Mountain Lyre. It was huge! About five times larger than the tiny Ganash drawn next to it. And it was ugly. Not the “Ew, it isn’t in fashion” ugly, but the barf worthy ugliness.

                It didn’t look very smart either. Its head was way too small for its body and it had what looked like drool coming out of its mouth. Although it might’ve been how it was drawn, but its eyes were very blank, as if it didn’t know what was going on at all.

                "They're very stupid." Chelsea said. "Easily tricked and very fun to tease."

                Willow nodded and laughed slightly, “I could tell just by the picture.”

                Chelsea then perked, up as if forgetting something and then just remembering it, “Here,” She said, handing Willow a neat, folded pile of black clothed. "These should fit you. We call this fighting gear. It’s very comfortable, made from Elven fabrics. And it’s very protective.”

                Willow smiled and took them, “Thanks.”

                “You’re welcome.” Chelsea said, standing up. “I’ll be in my bedroom if you need me.”

                Willow nodded and walked over to the bathroom, closing the door gently behind her. The gear seemed simple enough. It was stretchy and comfortable, enabling you to move freely. Around the stomach, chest, thighs, and back was a hard thick padding, which Willow guessed was for protection. Although the padding was as hard as rock, it was still just as flexible, making Willow wonder what kind of fabric it was. When she walked out of the bathroom, Chelsea wasn’t in her room, but in the hallways, she looked her up and down.

                "You look good and dangerous." She said.

                Willow smiled. "Thank you."

                Chelsea stood up, wiping her hands on her pants. Willow hadn't noticed she was changed into gear as well. "Let's go." She said.

                Both girls walked out. As Chelsea was leading her through twists and turns she was also talking. "We're going to the weapons room. There's a couple Kale Blades there you can use."

                "I thought I wouldn't need to fight." Willow replied.

                "You're not." The other girl responded. "We're giving you weapons just in case."

                "Oh." I seriously wouldn’t be able to use them to save my own life, she thought to herself, resisting the urge to ask 'Just in case what?'

                They walked for a couple minutes before Chelsea turned and entered a large room. Willow gasped the minute her eyes focused.

              Chelsea smiled. "Welcome to our weapons room. I knew you'd have an expression like that. Pretty cool, eh?"