They walked for a while, chatting about random things. Jasmine and Ryan had loosened up and unconsciously held hands. They argued over almost everything and the rest couldn't help but laugh. To them, they were perfect for a couple. Too bad Jasmine is mated to someone else. Kelvin was a bit jealous, Jasmine could not love him like she loves Ryan. He has wished she will love him too one day.
Jasmine pointed forward. "Alaska" she cooed and everyone's faces brightened up.
They were already getting tired and hungry.
"Let's hurt up," Jabal said and quicken his steps.
Everyone rushed quickly to join him.
After a while of walking, they sighted a board with 'ALASKA, The home of great witches' inscribed on it. They shrieked in delight. It's a dream come true for them. Being on the road for three days wasn't an easy task. It's great news to see that they are close to their destination. They ran as fast as their tired legs could carry them, towards the board. They got closer to it and stopped walking.
They had suddenly remembered how they had to pass through some test the last time. What if the great witch decided to test them once more like she did the other time. Ariana stared at Jasmine who turned and stared at Jabal. He stared at Jamal and sighed.
"Does anyone remember the kind of test we were given the last time?" He asked.
"I can't remember any" Jamal said truthfully.
"Me too," Ariana said.
"I don't think she will give us the same test," Jasmine said.
"Let's just get prepared" Jabal
"I have a feeling we might be tested," Jamal said
"Maybe the great witches had made their mom tell them she wasn't going to give them any test to make them relent," Jasmine thought. "Whatever it is, we should be prepared," she said
While Jasmine, Ariana Jabal, and Jamal were having their conversation, Kelvin and Ryan wondered if any other person knew about this place aside from the witches. To Kelvin, he doubted if all the witches would have ever known that a place like this exists. It was located amid a deep forest which looks like it had no end.
To Ryan, he doubted if it will be possible for a non-witch to pass through the hate in front of them, which leads into the village. But he remembered Jamal had gone with them the last time.
When they got to the gate, it was opened and though it wasn't locked, it was difficult to pass through.
"Do you think we are been tested again?" Jamal asked in great excitement.
"I think so" Ariana answered
"I can't wait to see what our first test will be" Jasmine chuckled. Jamal made to say something but when a wizard appeared, he kept shut. They were surprised to see a man instead of a woman. The last time they came, it was a woman who was the keeper of the gate.
"Welcome to Alaska". He said, his back turned to them.
He stared at them for a while. "What!!. Little children in Alaska?". It was a surprise to him, to see them here. What are they here for?. Why would four young kids, risk their lives to come here. "What are little kids like you doing here in Alaska?"
Ariana spoke up. "We are here to see the great witch"
"The great witch?" He asked and Ariana nodded. "Why do you want to see her?"
"It's personal. We only wish you could grant us passage through your gate" Ariana answered.
"You should go back, kids. Alaska is not for you. Go home"
The wizard made to leave. "We know, there isn't any rule which prohibits the entrance of children"
He stopped walking and turned. "What else do you know?"
"We also know we have to pass some tests and puzzles before we can be granted passage"
The wizard nodded. "You know, what is at stake if you fail?"
Ariana nodded. "We do know, if we fail, we won't be able to go in"
"You will also die, children"
Jasmine smiled. They have heard that before and passed. They stared at each other and smiled. They were sure that they would not fail. And by the way, why are they still called children? Hasn't it been a year since they last cane here? Are they not almost twenty? And Kelvin twenty-one?.
Jasmine smiled. "We know this is a test for our confidence and selflessness?. Can you let us go now? We must go in as soon as possible"
"Is this not the white witch?" He asked and she nodded. He pointed at Jabal. "The demon bear?" He asked
"You got it all right" Jabal answered.
He pointed at Ariana. "A red-haired witch" and then at Jamal. "A future Beta". He pointer at Kelvin and Ryan. "You haven't been here before, your fates haven't been decided. Whatever test comes next belongs to the two of you," he said and finally disappeared.
They hugged each other happily. "Let's go in we still have a long way to go," Jasmine said and they ran through the gate, into the village.
"Remember how we thought this was the real village and it happened to be the fake one?" Ariana asked and they chuckled.
"I was so happy I thought I could finally rest," Jabal said and Jamal nodded.
"I thought so too"
*#
They got to a place with so many routes and got confused about where to follow. Ariana remembered they were supposed to go to the Live river.
"We should head to the Live river," she said and Jasmine pointed.
"It's over there. There is a signboard pointing to the river"
They followed the route and found their way to the Live river. It was still a big river with an invisible bridge. You will have to pass a test before you can cross.
They knew what to do but they remembered the test belong to Kelvin and Ryan and not them.
"Ryan, Kelvin, does any of you know what to do?" Jasmine asked.
Ryan shook his head. "I don't have an idea"
"How about you? Kelvin?"
"Maybe we should try crossing over" he suggested
Jabal furrowed his brows. "Are you for real?. There isn't any bridge to cross" he said pretending to be surprised.
"It's a suggestion we don't have to do it," Kelvin said
"Do you think it's a test?" Ryan asked
"Well," Jasmine began. "If it's a test, it's yours to solve. I mean you and Kelvin"
"What did you do when you came here?" Kelvin asked
"We can't tell you. It will be termed cheating"
Kelvin sighed. Ryan's eyes brightened up. He remembered Jasmine had told him about their visit to Alaska and how the crossing of the river wasn't a test. "Maybe we don't need a test. If it's a test, we should have seen someone here to tell us what the test is all about?" He asked and everyone stared at him. "Why don't we try crossing by placing one leg this way," he said stretching his leg a bit, across the river
He slowly let his leg relax as it hung in the air. He chuckled, dropping her other leg and he was able to stand above the river. "I knew it, it wasn't a test"
Jasmine chuckled. She had told him how the crossing of the river wasn't a test but she did not tell him what will happen if he tries to cross over.
He placed his leg forward and there was a sudden movement beneath them. They stared at one another. The river guardian is coming.
"Did you hear that?" Jasmine said
"It's more of a feeling, Jas" Jamal answered
"No, not the movement beneath. Listen carefully"
"I can..." Jabal made to say but a witch appeared, preventing him from finishing his sentences.
It was the same witch that had shown up the last time they came. And as usual, the look on the witch's face was terrifying.
When she saw Jasmine, Ariana, Jamal, and Jabal, she could recognize them and her face brightened. She moved aside to let them pass through but when she saw Kelvin and Ryan, she frowned. She knew she needed to test the two of them before granting all of them access to cross over.
"Who dare come to my bridge!!" She yelled. Her voice was like a thunderous flash. They could feel intense of her anger rushing through their bodies. They shivered and moved backward, leaving Ryan, who tiptoed past the witch to meet the rest.
Although the twin, Jamal, and Ariana had met with her before and knew how terrifying she could be, they could not help but shiver at her thunderous voice.
"I know her. She's the guardian of the river. Her name is Mara" Ariana whispered to Ryan and Kelvin. "She is terrifying"
"Did you meet her the last time?" Ryan asked
"Yes, we need" Jasmine answered
"Is she harmful?" Kelvin asked
"I don't think so" Jabal replied
Mara looked around trying to see who had attempted to cross her bridge. Her eyes landed on the kids and she stared at them for a while. She frowned. "Kids?. What are kids doing in Alaska". Her voice was calmer.
Ryan spoke up. "We will like to cross over to the other side"
Mara scoffed. "Did you try to cross my bridge?". They stared at each other. "Answer me". They pointed at Ryan. Mara pointed at Ariana, ignoring their accusations.  "I know you"
"My mom is the white witch of the Ivory Coast"
Mara smiled. "You look so much like her". She suddenly changed her facial expression. "What are you doing here?. What's worth risking your lives for?"
"We need to see the great witch, Mara. And them," Ariana said. She pointed at Ryan and Kelvin. "They were like to know more about their real identity"
"Are you willing to do anything so you can cross?" Mara asked, pointing at Ryan and Kelvin
Kelvin nodded. "Yes, for as long as it will grant us access to pass through"
"And you?" He pointed at Ryan
"I can do anything to make us cross the bridge"
Mara sighed. "Good. You all can not cross the bridge. One of you have to die or you both kill the one you love"
Everyone batted their lashes in surprise. This wasn't the type of test they passed through. Jasmine could remember arguing with her when she had refused to let them in. Why this sudden test?
Jabal, Jamal, and Ariana knew this was going to be a very difficult task to carry out. They knew the one person they both loved is Jasmine. How would they make such a decision to kill her?. Kelvin would not let Ryan kill himself even though they are rivals and Ryan won't let Kelvin die either.
Ryan and Kelvin stared at Jasmine and she wondered why?. Everyone was silent, waiting to hear what Ryan and Kelvin's decision will be.
"You are wasting time," Mara said.
"I will die instead so that the rest can pass freely," Kelvin said and Ryan scoffed.
"And make Jasmine lose herself? Aren't you heartless?". He turned to face Mara. "I will die instead. I don't have a mate yet and have nothing to lose. Just let them pass through"
"What about your pack member? Do you want to render them useless without an alpha?"
Ryan pointed at the rest. "They will take care of my pack. I can trust them with that"
Jasmine frowned. "Are you both nuts? How can you make such a stupid decision?"
There was a heated argument as no one was willing to let the other person die for them to pass.
Mara smiled. "You all have spoken with courage and strength. I see great potential in you. You've passed the crossing test". They stared at each other in disbelief. This was a test?. A test of what exactly?. As if reading their minds, she answered. "A test of courage and selflessness. You have proven that you care for each other and will always be by each other. When I'm gone, the bridge will appear. You have to cross as fast as you can. I hope you get the answers you seek for". After saying those words, Mara disappeared
They hugged themselves, happily. This wasn't a test for just Ryan and Kelvin but a test for them all. They couldn't help but admire Stella for her great intelligence. The bridge appeared, and they crossed, running as fast as they can. Getting to the other side of the bridge. They were met with a beautiful view. A view, different from what they had seen the last time they came. The village of Alaska was just a few meters away from their reach. As they walked into the village fully, they began to notice there was something strange about the village.
To Jasmine, Ariana, Jabal, and Jamal it wasn't a new thing to them. It was a mystery they had once solved before. But to Ryan and Kelvin, it remained a mystery. A mystery to unfold and another puzzle to be solved.