The Vendeleer Brothers Book 4: The Plagued Forest
Chapter 16: Prthviko's Counsel

The vine led them deep into the swamp, and when there were really muddy spots or watery spots, a vine large enough to walk on just so happened to be there. The swamp seemed to be buzzing with life now. A heron stood on one leg in the mud, a frog hopped into the water, and now there were plenty of annoying bugs to fly around Ian’s face.

The five of them soon came up to a thick tangle of vines, which opened up for them. They ducked through a tunnel of shrubbery and more vines, and then found themselves in Prthviko’s garden. It looked even better than last time Ian and Brian had been there. Everything was now nicely trimmed, and a little brooke quietly streamed passed them. Prthviko was standing there waiting for them next to the fountain, standing tall and healthy.

“Welcome.” he said amiably. Joey, Jordyn, and Roderick stood gawking for a moment, and with a pang, Ian realized that he was already pretty used to seeing this ten foot tall nature guardian.

“So… you’re Prthviko?” Roderick asked.

“Yes. And you are Roderick Vendeleer.” the being said, his voice sounding like the wind and the rustling of leaves.

“How do you know who we are?” Jordyn demanded. Prthviko gave a little chuckle.

“We’ve had our eye on you five ever since Pinnacle Gulch.” he told them. You’ve captured the interests of many dark spirits unfortunately.”

“We?” Joey questioned.

Prthviko seemed to ignore Joey’s question as he put his hand on the top of the crystal on the fountain.

“Ian and Brian, I wanted to thank you for all your help. Without you two, this plague could have spread to the entire country.”

“Dang.” Brian commented. “I guess… You’re welcome?”

The crystal on top of the fountain glowed a dark purple, and suddenly, an image appeared in the water. Everyone bent over to look at it, only to see the image of a black cube.

“Ian and Brian, you said that the man in the mask attempted to get you to open the black box?” he asked curiously.

“Uh… Yeah.” Ian told him with a glance to his brother. “Scary as heck.”

“What masked man?” Joey asked. “Brian, you didn’t mention a masked man.”

Brian shrugged.

Before them, Prthviko looked troubled.

“And… neither of you opened it?”

“Nope.” Brian said a bit sheepishly. “I kind of just… ran away. Why? Should I have opened it?”

“NO.” Prthviko suddenly said in a deep voice that sounded like thunder, or an earthquake. “If you ever encounter the man in the mask again, do NOT open the black box.”

“Why? What happens if you do?” Ian asked cautiously.

“I’m not entirely sure. I think it differs depending on who has opened it.” Prthviko said seriously. “However, I myself made that grave mistake.”

Ian gawked at him.

“You opened it?”

“Yes…” Prthviko said, looking at the ground. “I did not know what it was, but it is what unleashed the sickness upon me.”

With this new information given, Prthviko stood up straighter.

“I know you five work with the other humans in investigating the paranormal.” he said. “If you ever come across any information about the man in the mask or the black box, I want you to contact me.”

With that, he handed them each a small crystal.

“Keep that crystal on your person, and if you bury it in the earth and say my name, I will be able to come to you.”

The five of them took them with interest, and then Prthviko bowed.

“Thank you again. I look forward to hearing from you.”

The five detectives nodded and then left the way they came. Prthviko watched them go, feeling troubled. A moment later, there was the flapping of wings, and Warden came down from the sky and transformed into her humanoid form.

“You didn’t tell them who the masked man is.” she said a bit curiously. “In fact, it seemed like you hardly told them anything.” Prthviko glanced over to her.

“I didn’t think it was relevant. If I told them everything, it would simply be a distraction. They’ll get more information as the time comes.”

Warden put her hand on the top of the fountain, bringing up the image of the black box again.

“I wonder why Ian and Brian didn’t open the black box.” she murmured, sounding trouble. “Not even you were able to resist the power of it, and its effect on humans is far greater.”

Prthviko also gazed into the water, where the image of the black box was rippling.

“That’s one reason why didn’t tell them everything. I thought it might be better if the four of us watch and wait. There is definitely something… peculiar about those five detectives…”

The ride back to Spectreville had been an uneventful one. As soon as they got back, Roderick wanted to go see Holly, and Jordyn went to Chief Lenard to report to him. Ian found himself unsure of what to do after receiving such strange information. He kind of just wanted to do nothing for a while. Ian found himself sitting in his apartment alone, not feeling like reading or anything. There was suddenly a knock on the door.

When he opened it, Brian was standing there, holding one of his gaming consoles. Ian had no idea which one it was, since he was not very well versed in games.

“Hey uh-is Roderick here?” Brian asked. Ian shook his head.

“He went to go see Holly.”

“Oh… Ok. I guess I’ll try back later then.”

As Brian started to walk away, Ian hesitated.

“Brian-wait.”

Brian turned around expectantly. Ian couldn’t believe he was about to say this…

“So uh… what games did you bring?” he asked a bit hesitantly. Brian immediately got a big grin on his face.

“Why? You want to play something?”

Ian folded his arms and raised a brow.

“Maybe?”

At the sound of that, Brian raced into Ian’s apartment, and Ian rolled his eyes.

Time to play some video games.

Sᴇarch the FindNovel.net website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.