The Lost Isle

*Context: This is takes place in the wold of a book I've worked on for a while now. So I apologize if things don't fully make sense.*

An old man sat by the fire, his gaze dormant. I slowly walked up to the empty chair next to him, trying my hardest not to disturb him. But it didn’t work. He slowly looked over at me and gave a small nod.

I silently sat down next to him, looking into the flames that brightly burned in the old fireplace. It had been years since I had been to some of the older towns. I had almost forgotten how weird life was before I had moved to one of the more advanced cities of Lonior.

The old man softly said, “What do you know about the moons?”

I looked over at him with confusion, “You mean Griforia and Linsolo?”

“Aye, if that’s what you want to call them.” He muttered.

“Yes, who doesn’t?” I asked, “They are the controllers of fate.”

“Have you ever heard of the Lost Isle?”

“You mean the island the Forgotten had once lived on?” I asked, thinking back on it. The Forgotten was an old group that had once lived on an island. That was, until they went to war with another group called Vortex. What happened during that war, no one is sure. But both groups were never heard from again. The island the Forgotten had been in was left in shambles with everything covered in ash and smoke.

The old man shook his head, “No, not there.”

“Then what are you talking about?”

He closed his eyes, then after a long moment he said, “The Lost Isle is located far off. Some say it is in between Lonior and Moseleket. But no one is truly sure…”

“I’m sorry to interrupt,” I said, “But what does this have to do with the moons?”

He gave an annoyed sigh, “Let me finish would you?”

“I’m sorry… I just don’t get what this has to do with the moons…”

“I’m getting there…” He mumbled, “There’s a legend about the island… But it is impossible to know if it is true or not… “

“And what is this legend?” I asked.

“Would you stop interrupting me?” He asked sharply.

“I’m sorry,” I muttered. I wasn’t sorry. It was his issue, not mine. He’s the one who isn’t answering my questions.

“Hhm… Sure you are.” He uttered. “The legend of the Lost Isle is an interesting thing… Not many believe the stories. Many think they were made up to mess with people.”

“Then why do you believe them?” I asked.

He looked up to the ceiling. I followed his gaze, but knew he wasn’t actually looking at that old worn down ceiling. But I couldn’t help but realize how bad of condition it was in. A huge crack ran from one side to the center of the room. Small chunks were missing, leaving ominous holes along the roof. Of course, the man didn’t seem concerned about it.

Probably because he doesn’t know what kind of other issues that can become.

“The Lost Isle supposedly is empty. There is supposedly no animal life there. Except for two elusive creatures. Vita, who is said to keep you alive. She dwells during the day, but no one has ever spotted her other than rare glimpses here and there. And then there's Morvyn. He’s the exact opposite of Vita… Well other than the elusive part. He dwells during the night, and does everything in his power to try and kill you. He is most notorious for mimicking the voices of loved ones to try and lure you from the safety of the small cabin there.”

“If there is no animal life there, then how do we know any of this?”

“Visoins, dreams and even a few people who have claimed to have been there. Though I highly doubt they really were there… Because from what little knowledge I have of the place, there is no way to get off of it. And the waters are the worst around the whole world. There’s no way one could swim away from it.”

“Are you speaking from experience?” I asked. I had no idea why I felt the urge to ask him.

He looked over at me, “You really think I have something to do with the Lost Isle, don’t you?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know… You should tell me more.”

He raised an eyebrow, “Are you just saying this to waste my time, or are you actually interested in this?”

I shrugged, “Morvyn and Vita sound a lot like Linsolo and Griforia.”

He smiled, “Now you know why I asked about the moons.”

I looked at him, “Are you saying that the creatures are somehow connected to the moons?”

“They might just be the moons.” He replied, “No one knows for sure.”

“You know.” I whispered.

He looked at me for a long moment, “You’re right. I do know.”

I looked at him with shock, I had just been joking, but he sounded serious.

“Are you sure?”

He laughed, “I’m the one who made the cabin. I’m the only one who knows the whole story of the Lost Isle. But I enjoy telling the locals about the place.”

He’s lying… No way he could’ve been there. He said it himself, it was impossible to get off of…

The door suddenly swung open, startling me. I whipped around and found my friend standing in the doorway, her eyes wide.

“Where have you been?” She demanded.

“I was just talking to one of the locals.” I replied, looking back over where the old man was sitting. Only to discover he was no longer there.

She looked at the spot and just shook her head, “Don’t tell me that you’re losing it too…”

“I swear he was here a minute ago…” I replied.

“Sure, just keep telling yourself that…” She mumbled, grabbing my arm and pulling me out of the old bar. I didn’t bother fighting her. I was far too distracted to fully care.

Who was that man? More importantly, was he real?

I had no idea, but from that day on I researched the Lost Isle. Eventually finding out that I wasn’t the only one who had met this man. They called him Phylis.