When he finished painting, he sat down on the bed. He was to pooped to go out. He looked around his room and was happy with what he saw. The room was painted black, just like his old room. He walked up to the morror to see how much paint was on himself. As he looked at himself in the mirror he saw someone who wasn't him. It was someone cold, and dark. It looked like him, but it wasn't him. He saw something behind the figure in the mirror. He had no idea what it was. He turned around to see it but it wasn't there, and when he faced the mirror again, it was like a black watery substance. He reached his hand out to touch it, when something came out and grabbed him and started pulling him in. He started yelling "LET GO, LET ME GO, MOMMY HELP..."

     It was all dark and scary. Nicnac had no idea where he was. "Hello, anybody there? MOM!" called out Nicnac. "HELLO, ANYBODY THERE?" yelled Nicnac. He sat down and started crying. "Don't cry, it's all right Nicnac," came a soft, gently voice from in front of him. "Who's there, and how do you know my name?" asked Nicnac. And then a light blinked on. It front of him stood a tall women with golden hair and a very young, pretty face. She was wearing a baby blue dress and cloak. "My name is Llissa, I know your name because I have been expecting you for a very long time." "Where are we and why am I here and how do I get back?" "We are in the land of Akkalla. You are here because you have been chosen to fight off the wicked Taltos, and only then can you return safely." "Why me and who is this wicked Taltos?" "You have been chosen because you have found the gateway to our world. You see only someone fromyour world can defeat Taltos. Taltos is the ruler and terror of the land. He is death. No one lives or dies here without his permission. Now we must be going, you have a long journey ahead of you and I have so much to teach you in such little time." "whe're we going?" "You'll see when we get there. No follow me and try to keep quiet."

     When they left the cave Nicnac looked out across the land. The sky was all blood red and the grass was black. "What's wrong with they sky?" "Were in forbdden territory, and if we don't leave soon Taltos will execute us." They ran across the field to a red river where there was a boat waiting for them. "Now hurry into the boat and try not to touch the water for it is acid." "why is it red?" asked Nicnac, "because that is the blood of its victims. It is called the Dead River." They climed aboard the boat and started moving away. A few minutes later they stopped at a blue gate. They got off the boat and started walking towards the gate. Llissa pushed it opened and told Nicnac to go in. Nicnac walked through and noticed that the sky was now blue and the grass was green again. "Where are we now?" he asked, "we are in the main land. Taltos will not bother us here. Now lets go quickly" and they hurried off through the field. They came to a little wooden house in the forest. "Come inside" said Llissa. They went inside. Nicnac looked around. It was small and smelled like someone was baking something. The kitchen was just across the room and Nicnac seen a little old women baking bread. "Oh you here, come in, come in, sit down. How was your journey?" asked the women. "Fine I guess" answered Nicnac. "Nicnac, this is Maybri, she is going to fix you up with some food, water, and other things you are going to need for your trip." "Now before we start, I want to give you something that will help you" said Llissa, and she got up and went to the cupboard, opened it, took something out and sat down again. She handed Nicnac an box. "Open it" said Maybri. Inside was an golden necklace and on the end was a red amulet. "You must keep this around your neck at all times. It will guide you and help you when you are in danger." Nicnac nodded his head and put the amulet around his neck. "It's warm" said Nicnac. Maybri smiled, "That's because it knows who you are. Now lets eat" and she got up and served them all a bowl of what looked like vegetable soup.

     When they finished eating, they started cleaning the dishes when they heard a loud bang like thunder. "What was that?" asked Nicnac. "It's Zzev, Taltos's guard, he patrols the land for Taltos. I knew he would come, but not so soon. Maybri get Nicnac's things." The cabin started shaking and then the door burst open. Standing outside was a tall, muscular man in a black cloak, leather boots, leather pants, and leather armour. On his side hung a long, shiny sword.

     "So this must be Nicnac. You know the laws of the land Llissa, no one is to live here without Taltos's permission. What do you have to say for yourself?" "He does not live here and there for cannot be harmed by you. Now leave" said Llissa. "Or what? I am the law here and I may stay and execute you and this old women for bringing an outsider into this world, but I know Taltos will want to punish you himself. As for the boy, that too is up to Taltos." "I will not let you harm him" and she lifted her cload and pushed Nicnac behind herself. "If it's a fight you want then it's a fight you'll get. Prepare to die" and he lifted his sword high into the air and said some starnge words which Nicnac did not hear. As Nicnac watched, lightning struck Zzev's sword and he pointed it towards Maybri and fired a burst of lightning at her and she went flying across the rrom and hit the cupboard.

     "One down, one to go" and he pointed the sword at Llissa and fired a burst of lightning at her but she reflected it with her cloak and it bounced back and hit Zzev and he went flying against the wall.

     "Run Nicnac, go out the back door and keep on running north and don't look back." Nicnac started running and then realized that he had know idea how to fight Taltos. He stopped beside Maybri and asked her "How do I kill Taltos?" "You will find out later. Now go, quickly and trust no one" and she pointed towards the back door. Just as Nicnac was about to leave he turned around and saw that Llissa and Zzev were fighting outside now and it looked like Zzev was winning. Nicnac kept running and didn't look back. Up ahead he could see a forest and knew that he could hide in it.

     When Nicnac got to the forest, he turned around to make sure Zzev wasn't following him. No one was there. He proceeded into the forest. The tree's were tall and thick. He couldn't see much because the trees were too thick and the ground was covered with leaves, branches, etc. He kept walking and turned around to see if anyone was behind him and he fell in a hole and was knocked out.