{"id":408,"date":"2025-07-19T02:11:12","date_gmt":"2025-07-19T02:11:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/concentrikey.com\/?page_id=408"},"modified":"2026-01-18T02:58:30","modified_gmt":"2026-01-18T02:58:30","slug":"the-world-outside-the-shell-chapter-4","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/concentrikey.com\/?page_id=408","title":{"rendered":"The World Outside The Shell – Chapter 4"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The World Outside the Shell<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chapter 4<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The long walk back to the marshland took hours in the overgrown forest. I was relieved to see tall grasses and open water as the sun rose in the morning. The companions of Lady Ri were tracking me in the distance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Romm flashed twin blades, pulled from a heavy strap across his chest, then ran with superhuman speed. “I wanted to be a farmer when I was an old man and live a quiet life away from adventure. The Lady Ri’s lifelong mission to save the world will be the end of me before I realize the dream.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I stumbled off a ledge and landed with a splash in a small pool. I crawled out of the water and realized the rock shelter was nearby. I ran to the familiar shelter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Romm was too fast, and I was not able to reach the safety of the rock shelter.

I heard the sharp crack of the blades striking the rocks as I climbed the stone structure, until one dagger hit my shell. I was surprised when the attack bounced off without harm, sending the weapon flying through the air.

Romm shouted in frustration as he searched the tall grass for the lost blade. He retreated on hands-and-knees to search the damp moss for his weapon.

Lady Ri was aware of the battle outside the shell, and as I dared a closer look, the man in the green robe appeared remarkably similar, perhaps taller. “The prophecy was clear! The twin blades can only strike in pairs. Find the lost artifact!”

“The second blade is lost in the deep water wells of the marshland,” shouted Romm in despair.

I watched the man retreat to the forest to gather his friends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In time, I reached the deepest parts of the ruined rock shelter and drifted into a light restful sleep. I could feel a sense of weightlessness and returned to the cottage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lady Ri stood in the center of the room surprised to see me.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The day\u2019s events were too much for a small turtle and I wanted to reach the comfort of the bed and sleep.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lady Ri stood quietly for a time then lowered the staff to the floor, appearing to bow. I watched her expression soften and she whispered. \u201cHave I found the turtle with the map of the world?\u201d The map was open on the table and it was clear she was sitting at the table and studying the details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI understand the strange words I hear!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lady Ri said, \u201cAnd I understand the turtle.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I said, \u201cCan I trust you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lady Ri said, \u201cRomm will save me. Turtle soup for dinner?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“From a turtle?” I said, \u201cDo you know why I\u2019m here?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lady Ri said, \u201cThe StarStone is one of many objects we gathered from surrounding temples. The flood cannot be stopped without the power of the artifact! The ancient guardian of the marshlands created this staff to save the world one day…\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI’m the ancient guardian you’re referring to in that ridiculous story and good luck stopping mother nature with a StarStone. The stone is simply the light-child of a fallen star. I created the staff to use as a night light so I could sleep better.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTurtle, turtle, I was deep in thought…what did you say?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I said, \u201cNothing. So why do you think I can help?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lady Ri smiled and said, \u201cI need the map, and stop slipping into the ancient dialect. I remember bits and pieces of the old language, but it was several lifetimes ago.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Impressed with the sudden understating of her strange monotone chant,<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the moment, I was aware of my human body, and questioned the transformation from water creature to human, but she said nothing about my outward appearance. \u201cCan you read the map?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lady Ri sat at the table and scanned the map, pointed at me then pointed to the center of the map, a large area in green with rivers connecting to a large blue lake. \u201cHome.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The stone shelter above us was the hiding place of the staff. I found the location on a mural inside the old temple, behind a waterfall, and then watched you activate the sun-pools.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I was impressed, but the magic of the pools ruined the rock shelter, collapsing the small structure and making the location a much greater challenge to find in the tall grass. I said, \u201cThe crumbling stone tower was easy for a turtle to find.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lady Ri traced a line from what appeared to be the marshlands to a point high in the northern mountains, in a large field of white. \u201cCan a turtle survive in the high mountains during a winter storm?\u201d I heard the whisper of a monotone song and the staff began to glow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I said, \u201cPlease go away, I need to rest.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lady Ri said, \u201cThe StarStone must shine from the stone circle on the highest hilltop overlooking the marsh lands.\u201d

I said, \u201cDo you have a name? The others in your group appear to see you as their leader.\u201d

Lady Ri ignored the questions and stood up, holding the staff, I am here!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I said, \u201cCan the others hear you?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lady Ri said, \u201cI think Romm is the only one, perhaps because we are twins.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I said, \u201cThe twin blades, I understand.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lady Ri smiled. \u201cOur group searched for an entire dry season to recover the Chaos-Stone. I lost a good friend during the search because he was arrogant and refused to wait for my help.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I said, \u201cThe man in the white robe?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cYes, the fool who lost his way.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I said, \u201cI want to live in peace, let me return to a quiet life in the marshlands.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lady Ri said, \u201cI wonder if you are the magical item needed to stop the floods? I believe you think this is the cause of your creation, a mistaken idea.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhy? And do I look young or old as a human?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lady Ri was embarrassed by the question, causing me to laugh out loud. “Was I a good looking turtle?”

\u201cPlease go.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lady Ri said, \u201cThe turtle commands the one holding the Chaos-Stone? He is a bold little creature!\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I sat down at the table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lady Ri nodded when I pointed to a place on the map. She said, \u201cThe map will save the world.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cTamm, call me Tamm. I have a map,\u201d I said.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lady Ri said, \u201cTamm? Do turtles have names?”

“The map with save the world? I doubt your claim is true. I saved the world once and had no need for maps.”

Lady Ri was turning red with anger. “Tamm, turtle, you irritatingly handsome man…was the map found in the temple behind the waterfall? I searched there and found nothing. I lost one of my trusted companions Gromm, a fool in the end, to the dangerous magic of the ancients and will not suffer the loss of another. I will not go back there hero, the floods are starting.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThe floods?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lady Ri said, \u201cThe floods are a decade of rain, when all the lands are covered by water. The StarStone ends the floods with a single command.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cA turtle could live a happy life in a marshland filled with sweet grass. I don\u2019t mind the rain. It gets too hot on sunny days and the rain cools mash.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lady Ri turned the map around to study a written description on one side.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I made a plan to run and slip into one of the deep pools in the marshlands, wanting to hide until the group forgot about me and left the area. I could hear metallic strikes on the outside of the shell, but the cottage interior was not damaged, although a picture dropped to the floor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lady Ri said, \u201cIt appears that I\u2019m trapped in the cottage by unknown magic. The sounds you hear are the strong attacks of my protector. The twin blades have not damaged your shell? Impossible!\u201d

I said, \u201cWhy are you here?\u201d

Lady Ri said, \u201cThe world outside is no longer my home. The kingdoms who force their world view on others control everything.\u201d

I said, \u201cWhy are you inside the shell? Is this possible? Is there a way to live in both worlds?\u201d

Lady Ri said, \u201cAs you can see, I am here.\u201d She was looking around the room, and not speaking directly to me. The walls blurred and a ring of crystal mirrors materialized in a circle around her restricting her to a small area. \u201cWhat is this?\u201d

I said, \u201cThe cottage is the inside of a mind, and thoughts become things. If we all had the same eyes and the same ideas, the world outside would be a mirror of one mind.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lady Ri said, \u201cI\u2019m inside your mind? Using thoughts? So when I picture a door right here…ah…but the door cannot be opened, somehow I know the rules of the magic in this place.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cAh, there is no real magic here, simply the workings of the mind. Isn’t there a similar place where you go to rest?\u201d

Lady Ri screamed and lost her patience. “How dare you ready my thoughts!”

I watched her turn and look into each of the reflections, representations of Lady Ri with infinite variations, the hair color changed, the length of the hair changed, the color of her robe changed, but the expression was always the same.

\u201cThe StarStone responds to my commands.\u201d

I said, \u201cIs your group of adventurers saving the world or changing the world?\u201d

Lady Ri did not respond.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I said, \u201cDo you know who you are?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lady Ri said, \u201cTurtle. You are the key. I see reflections showing all things possible, but none of these reflections include you.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I said, \u201cThe center of the mirror, the place where I stand, is the one place where all things are possible.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lady Ri said, \u201cA place where I can make a dreams real? I should practice this magic.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I said, \u201cAnd a place where you are free to chose your own path instead of the path of a world that believes your are the one hero in all of history who can save them from a natural disaster.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
Continued<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
Short Story Collection<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Concentrikey \u00a9 2025<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The World Outside the Shell Chapter 4 The long walk back to the marshland took hours in the overgrown forest. I was relieved to see tall grasses and open water as the sun rose in the morning. The companions of Lady Ri were tracking me in the distance. 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