Plot Menu
Prologue: Escape from Dad
Twin siblings Amanda and Luke live a rough life with their both abusive (when he’s angry) and neglectful (when he’s not angry) father James. Luke has undiagnosed special needs, and it was when Amanda was receiving a high end car for her birthday, she realized something was amiss. They were twins, therefore it should’ve been their birthday. Why did she get something and he got nothing? They were 17 about to turn 18 and she was about to be showered with an expensive high end car, with her brother getting nothing (even though his grades were better: GPA of 3.8 vs her 3.6).
Amanda understood that it was no longer a good idea to live with the man that was causing grief, when she stumbled across dad’s sister Linda. The Linda who was cut off from their lives. Amanda found out why: Aunt Linda did not agree with the thought of Luke not getting the help he needed, and James cut her off.
They make a run for it before dawn on their 18th birthday, taking off with very little in possessions (or even clothes), because all Amanda was thinking was getting out of the house before daddy did something stupid.
Summer with Aunt Linda
They safely escape to their Aunt Linda, and she immediately gets Luke the help he needs to cope with being autistic. Her dog Jasmine immediately takes to both siblings and expects to be petted day in and day out. They finish high school, and start planning college together. Aunt Linda isn’t tied down to the area and offers to move them far away from James. Aunt Linda has the money to where she could easily do whatever, including keeping their father at bay.
The twins agree, as they want to cut off all ties to their father – and consider including changing their last names to that of their Aunt’s last name (she kept her married name when her husband passed away). Aunt Linda provides them the life they wish they had growing up, and soon they settle in for summer with plans to move.
The Vortex
On one of the last days before the move, Amanda and Luke are taking one last walk around Aunt Linda’s neighborhood when suddenly a strange vortex opens up in front of them. It pulls them in, and yes they are afraid as it swallows everything around them but also seemingly not destroying whatever it touches. A voice calls to them, asking them to not be afraid, and that they are asking for help to free the lands from darkness.
Arrival in the Enchanted Lands
Amanda and Luke find themselves in a strange new world and start to explore. From time to time, the voice guides them towards the castle which they see is falling apart. There is an evil in the darkness that surrounds the castle, and Amanda starts to recognize things. This was the land of her favorite childhood cartoon. She started humming the theme to the cartoon then realized Luke needed to be filled in. The DVD that their Aunt Linda purchased did not include the theme songs for whatever reason. Gosh, Aunt Linda. Their dog Jasmine. They would probably be worried by now when the voice establishes a way for them to talk to Aunt Linda, who secretly knew everything, wished them well, and promised everything would be fine.
They explore further and Amanda starts to realize where they are. She instantly recognizes the castle from her favorite childhood cartoon – the cartoon they were just watching the DVD of with Aunt Linda the other day. The difference? The lands were covered in a darkness that felt evil. Like something was wrong. They hear the voice again and it starts explaining everything. Amanda remembers the names. Apparently Sir Gillian has fallen into darkness – she last remembered he was the wisest and most trusted advisor to the King. And the King? He was nowhere to be found.