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  Henrick noticed the butterfly first as it alighted on a gargantuan tulip.“What luck!” He pointed. “Look up there you two! There's one of the butterflies now!”

  Radianne and Blink stared in awe as a mammoth orange and blue butterfly with black, heavily lashed eyes smiled and slurped up nectar from a gigantic turquoise tulip, seemingly oblivious to their presence. It was as big as a horse.

  Not wasting any time, Henrick ran over to the giant flower and quickly shimmied up its stem, scaling it. Momentarily, he was face to face with the magnificent creature.

  Radianne and Blink craned their heads and watched in amazement as the Gentle Giant twitched its antennae and studied Henrick with a slight look of dismay on its face. It apparently did not appreciate having its dinner so rudely interrupted.

  “I am sorry to disturb your feast,” Henrick said humbly, bowing. “I do apologize, but you see, we have a favor to ask of you.”

  Brushing his hair away from his eyes, he smiled, charmingly, and took a deep breath. “It would be most helpful to my friends and I,” – he gestured toward Radianne and Blink standing below – “If you would do us the honor of carrying us to The Center of Eustasia. I know that is as far as you will go, because of the Snorgs. But it would be most helpful to us. And we would be very appreciative and would certainly return a favor in the future.”

  The butterfly continued drinking, seemingly unmoved by his speech. Henrick sat down patiently and waited, holding up a hand at Radianne's inquisitive look.

  Offended by his curt dismissal, she pursed her lips.

  Some time passed before the butterfly finished its meal. Then, with one final slurp, it slowly lifted its massive head and turned to Henrick. Just as slowly it opened its mouth to speak.

  “You are correct. I will not travel across The Center,” it said in a melodic and sleepy voice. The creature narrowed its giant eyes and studied Henrick carefully. “However. Since I was heading near the location anyway, I will fly you and your friends there. It is not often we have friendly visitors of late.”

  Henrick grinned. “Thank you very much! We truly appreciate your kindness. If any of the Gentle Giants ever need a favor and we are able, we will be sure to come to your aid.” He lowered his voice. “I know things have been difficult for you.”

  The butterfly nodded, frowning a little. “Indeed.”

  Henrick looked to his friends down below. He waved. “Come on up!”

  Radianne had somehow managed to hear some of the conversation between Henrick and the butterfly and wondered what difficulties the Gentle Giants had faced, but she couldn't waste time asking such questions. It was time to get moving again.

  Blink attached himself to her hair as she began the ascent up the tremendous flower stem. She realized it was not an easy feat, climbing the stalk, and was a little envious that Henrick had managed to scale the mountainous flower so gracefully. He'd made it look so easy, she thought as she strained upward.

  Henrick offered no assistance from up above as she climbed. Instead, he rolled onto his stomach, smiling down from the top of the flower, watching her with apparent pleasure as she struggled.

  After observing her battle with the stem for a few moments, he let out a laugh. “Need a hand?” he asked, reaching down.

  Radianne shook her head and ignored his outstretched fingers. She could do this herself. Never mind him, she thought. She had to prove to Blink, and to herself, that she was more than capable of all this journey required. Mentally and physically, she could do it.

  After what seemed like an eternity, she finally made her way up and over the giant tulip, panting heavily. Her face was red with exertion as she stood up and smoothed out her tunic. Blink climbed off her shoulder as she readjusted herself.

  Henrick smiled a mischievous smile. “Fantastic.”

  Radianne ignored him and focused her attention instead on the beautiful butterfly before her, taking in its large head and lovely eyes. In Eustasia there were such wondrous and marvelous creatures, so different from Eugladia.

  “I believe we are ready to go,” Henrick said abruptly, shattering her thoughts, as he nodded to the Gentle Giant.

  Radianne felt a slight surge of irritation. She'd barely caught her breath nor had a chance to admire the Gentle Giant and properly introduce herself, and there he was, already dictating the next move.

  Pride welling up, she desperately wished she had demanded he stay at the river where she'd met him. She should be able to do things on her own terms. The joy she'd felt earlier in the day, when she’d danced around the flowers with Blink, was fading fast. She didn't like how moody she was becoming in Henrick's presence, nor did she fully understand why it was happening. Never had she met a man who irritated her and yet so intrigued her at the same time.

  As if sensing her unhappiness, Blink patted her on the leg. “Good job climbing up that obstacle Radianne,” he said as he congratulated her.

  At his touch, Radianne felt that electric surge of energy again. Her anger faded and her confidence rose. She smiled down at her friend, thanking him. Then she looked once more at the Gentle Giant.

  “It is very nice to meet you,” she said. “It truly is an honor. I wish I had more time to speak with you. Thank you very much for your kindness in helping us.”

  “You are most welcome,” said the butterfly. “Get ready to climb aboard. And remember to hold on tight!”

  Crouching down, the Gentle Giant flattened its wings so the passengers could climb onto its velvety back.

  Radianne lifted one leg and then the other onto the butterfly's soft back and Blink attached himself once more to her hair.

  Henrick climbed up next, grinning.

  “You know,” he whispered, “you probably should let me sit in front. It would be nice that way, to have you hold on to me.” He moved closer. “Besides, I'm stronger, and probably could maintain a steadier grip. We don't want anyone plummeting to their deaths today.”

  What nerve he had, Radianne thought and frowned. A shiver ran down her spine at his ominous words. No one would die. She would not listen to him. She forced the negative remarks from her mind.

  “Fine,” Henrick continued. “When we fall off because of your weaker arms, don't blame me.”

  At that moment, Radianne felt like pushing him off and leaving him behind. But then, the butterfly began to ascend.

  -8-

  The Center

  S

  he knew Henrick was grinning behind her back, probably delightfully imagining the fury his words were igniting in her. It seemed as if it were already becoming a fun game to him, seeing how easily he could get her temper aroused.

  As he wrapped his arms tightly around her waist, knowing full well she probably hated it, Radianne stiffened and fought back the urge to say something harsh. The shiver she'd felt seconds before had turned to hot anger. But she didn't want him to know how much he was getting to her.

  Still, the thought of forcefully removing his hands from her waist was tempting. The vision of him blowing away, back to where he'd come from, made her feel a little better. She smiled at the thought.

  The Gentle Giant flapped its great wings and slowly continued its ascent into the air. Radianne tightened her grip on the soft velvet, just as Henrick tightened his arms around her waist. She tried to enjoy the fact that she was riding a giant butterfly and ignored his embrace.

  Blink also tightened his grip on her hair, but she didn't mind. The electricity from his touch seemed to flow through her hair strands and, as they soared higher, her mood lifted once more.

  As they climbed toward the clouds, her anger toward Henrick faded and she focused on the wonderful experience she was having.

  A thought suddenly came to her… perhaps the butterfly could fly to the stars?

  Would that be an option for them, one Miss Lugia hadn't known about? Maybe Blink could get home sooner than they'd thought…

  But she soon had her answer when, a moment later, the mammoth insect gasped for air. />
  “This is as high as I can go,” the butterfly said, panting. “Gentle Giants are not meant to fly higher than this.”

  Radianne gazed down at the fields and flowers below, noting how far away everything seemed. The rivers appeared to be mere slivers of shiny silvery water. No wonder Blink couldn't see much from his star world above – everything was so small even from this vantage point. Still, the view was marvelous. She could only imagine what a speck she must look like in the grand scheme of things.

  As they flew through the clouds, the sun's rays illuminated them, casting the group in a brilliant and ethereal glow.

  Radianne closed her eyes and relished the moment – the grand view she'd just seen and the feel of the wind in her hair. Life had gone from mundane to magical in such a short amount of time, without warning. Who knew what dreams would reveal themselves next…

  Her private moment was soon interrupted, however. Henrick must have been staring at her with her eyes closed and assumed she was afraid, because he wrapped his arms around her a little more tightly.

  “Relax,” he said with an annoying air of confidence. “You're safe with me.”

  She wanted to laugh at him, but instead chose to focus on the exhilaration she felt as they flew.

  Blink loved the feeling too as it reminded him a little of home. He said as much.

  The group seemed to float quickly and effortlessly over the miles they would have been forced to walk if it had not been for the assistance of the Gentle Giant.

  But then, as they descended a bit lower, things began to change. What had mere moments before been a beautiful, lovely scene, now grew ugly.

  Green fields gave way to great expanses of what appeared to be dark nothingness. Dismal black mountains jutted up on all sides, towering above the vast and darkened dusty wasteland. Slivers of brown murky rivers snaked through the desolate and dreary terrain.

  “How could things suddenly change so drastically?” Radianne asked in horror. She couldn't believe her eyes. Blink shuddered next to her.

  The butterfly also shuddered, its furry back rippling. “It is not all that difficult, when evil takes hold,” the Gentle Giant spoke quietly. “Light can then be snuffed out. Sometimes painfully slowly.

  “The heart of Eustasia was once a thriving place full of joy and life,” she continued. “Once upon a time, luscious, tasty flowers and vibrant and plentiful gardens grew all throughout this land. It was a favorite place among my kind, the Gentle Giants. But the Snorgs destroyed it all. They devoured all that was good and beautiful, sucking out life, turning the land into this place of despair.”

  The Gentle Giant shuddered again. “One day I believe they will destroy all of Eustasia – and maybe the lands beyond too – with their vileness and devastation. They hate hope. They do not want it. I do believe that is part of their ultimate plan.”

  Radianne's heart sank. How awful! What if what the Gentle Giant said would ring true? What if the festering ugliness would one day extend to other places., and snuff out the light where beauty once flourished? The thought of such things happening to Eugladia and beyond was sobering.

  Perhaps she should have been more fearful of the Snorgs all along. Perhaps she had somehow underestimated them.

  “This is as far as I go,” the butterfly suddenly announced. She descended slowly, eventually coming to a stop in a field of brown and shriveled lifeless grass. With a worried expression and twitching antennae, she looked around nervously.

  “I would take you further, but many of my kind have been ensnared by traps the Snorgs set up in the mountains,” she whispered, sadness filling her eyes. “Many of my friends have been lost.”

  “What could they possibly want with your friends?” Radianne asked, horrified. She eased off the butterfly's back and looked up at the Gentle Giant with concern.

  “Oh, my dear. Dreadful, unspeakable things,” the butterfly whispered again, looking around with agitation. “I dare not say too much here. Like the land, all goodness that once existed in the hearts of those captured is stripped away…” she fidgeted and lowered her voice so it was barely audible. “There are rumors that the enslaved ones now help the Snorgs drain the life from the land, just as they once sucked nectar from flowers! It is some sort of dark magic at work, you see. The Snorgs are using us – and countless others – to help destroy all that is pure. And this is only the beginning.”

  Radianne shuddered at the images the Gentle Giant's revelation had conjured up in her mind, wondering what had become of other creatures the Snorgs ensnared. What countless others was she referring to? Who were these others? Where did they come from? Did they all truly become evil?

  “I must go now.” The butterfly looked at her three passengers solemnly. “Good luck in your travels. You will need it.”

  The trio gave their thanks and watched respectfully as the beautiful creature flew away.

  As they turned to examine their surroundings, Henrick made a disgusted face.

  “I haven't been here for many years,” he said. “It is unfortunate we have to pass through The Center to get to where we need to be. There were other ways, but the roads have recently been destroyed by the Snorgs. Last time I came through this route was on my way to visit Shondalina.”

  Radianne started to ask him about that journey, but stopped herself. Now was probably not the best time for questioning, as talking too loud and lingering in one place for too long would be dangerous.

  She also had to pretend that she was not interested in Henrick's life story – not that she really was, she told herself.

  As she gazed out at the forlorn landscape, a sense of cold despair clawed at her. An ugly darkness stretched on far beyond what her eyes could see. The despairing feeling welled up inside, seemingly unstoppable, like water breaking free from a dam.

  Rotten and stinking vegetation covered the ground beyond the dead dark grass for miles. The eerie black mountains formed a circle on all sides, as if trying to keep everything – and everyone – in.

  There was a cold and foreboding air about the place. Radianne tried to shake off the feelings of doom. Just then, Blink patted her shoulder, as if sensing her distress. The electric feeling returned. She felt a comforting little surge of light and hope.

  At that precise moment, she also happened to notice a small yellow flower near her feet, poking its way up through the rocky soil.

  “Look there, Blink and Henrick,” she said, pointing.

  “How strange, but how wonderful too! This goes to show there is still hope amid the ugliness. That's a good sign.” She patted Blink and smiled at Henrick. “The flower survives, even in the middle of such poor conditions. Maybe one day beauty will return to this place again.Yes. There's always hope…” she trailed off, smiling as she said the words.

  Turning her head, she looked to the star on her shoulder and spoke to him softly. “Thank you for reminding me. And thanks to the flower too.”

  As she smiled at her friend, Henrick wore a frown. He gave Radianne credit for her positive speech, but he personally knew all too well that it would be a long time dark in this land before a new dawn would come.

  He knew things she didn't. He'd heard the stories from other Wanderers. Terrible, frightening stories. Worst of all, he'd experienced some of them firsthand. The girl was a little too naive. Maybe one day he'd tell her. But in that moment, she was oblivious to what the Snorgs were truly capable of.

  “It's time to go,” he said abruptly. “We can't stay for long. This way.” He began walking.

  Radianne followed and whispered to Blink sitting on his perch on her shoulder. “Trailing behind him is getting a little old already.”

  “I wouldn't worry about that,” the star said softly, as they followed Henrick through the wasteland. “The faster we leave these parts, the better. I don't like this place Radianne.”

  Radianne placed a comforting hand on her friend. “Neither do I Blink. Neither do I.”

  -9-

  Snorg Territory
/>
  T

  hough the center of Eustasia was riddled with obvious signs of their foul presence, the Snorgs were nowhere to be found. For that, Radianne was grateful, though she did wonder when the fiendish creatures would make an appearance. She realized for the first time that she did not have any weapons to use for protection and chided herself for not being better prepared. So caught up she'd been with leaving. She made a mental note to come up with some ideas soon.

  They all needed weaponry to protect themselves. She wondered what would happen if Snorgs found Eugladians – and a star of all things – in their midst.

  The scenery went from bad to worse. More of the putrid, stinking mushrooms began to pop up, but this time they featured ugly large flies sitting all over them. The flies did not talk as the travelers passed by, but they still caused Radianne to cringe with disgust at their sheer number and eerie, unsettling stillness.

  After some time, a vast lake of steaming black ooze appeared in the distance.

  “We have to stay away from that,” Henrick said, gesturing toward it. “It is one of the numerous terrors of this place.”

  Radianne looked at him with curiosity and a little bit of dread. "Oh?"

  He flicked his eyes to her and away again. “There are horrible creatures lurking in there,” he continued after a moment of silence. “Get too close, and we will all be dead.” Shadows crossed his face as he said the words.

  They veered away from the path of the treacherous black sludge and walked on.

  That deep melancholy she'd been feeling was growing in Henrick; Radianne could sense it. Blink and the flower had helped remedy the same feelings in herself for the moment, but she knew they would probably return if they didn't get out of The Center as soon as possible.