Secret Of the Sighing Mountains (The Quest Trilogy) Read Online Free

If it has its detriments, it also has a whole lot of merits. I want you to go because this is a once-in-a-life time opportunity and an amazing adventure. Your mother and I both wanted this; for you to grow up into capable young men and set out to complete your Quests.”
    Stal’s gaze searched the faces of his sons.
    “But what about our education? Don’t you want us to complete that?” asked Diego.
    “My sons, if you wish to do so, you can always complete your studies once you come back. But remember, there is no teacher greater than this life. You will learn a hundred times more by going out there, facing you destiny and by fulfilling your Quest than you ever will inside a closed institution.”
    Diego’s face was impassive but Sierra’s was a mask of excitement and indecision. Stal decided to press the advantage that he had gained.
    “Both, your mother and I, went to seek our Quests and that is how we met. You too will meet your soulmate only if you set out to fulfill your Quest.”
    “That’s it?  We’re supposed to give up everything we know and that’s familiar to us, leave home, forget our friends, put everything on the line and shut ourselves from the world just to seek out one person?” Diego spoke this time. “Give me three billion more good reasons why I should go.” he said.
    Stal sighed and took a moment to think before replying.
    “The first billion good reasons are that your forefathers have all gone on this journey. They have all had the courage to take up the trial and face the challenge. Therefore, simply to continue the family tradition, you too must go. The Quest is more of a secret, passed down from generation to generation. Not everybody knows of it, and not everybody goes for it. The second billion good reasons? I will give you each a … rare, magical item to aid you in your journey. Something you will only get from me if you two agree to go.”
    “What magical item?” interrupted Sierra, but Stal gave a resolute shake of his head.
    “The items and their significance will be revealed to you later. Once we are at the Sighing Mountains. Now, the third billion good reasons…” Stal leaned forward and lowered his voice, lending an import and gravity to his next words in doing so. “When you seek your Quest, you will discover your Core Names. Your Core Name is the essence of your entire being encapsulated in a single word. Upon its discovery, you will unlock powers that you previously thought only super heroes in comics could possess. It could be anything. Maybe you will get the ability to fly. Maybe you will get X-ray vision. The possibilities are endless and it all depends on who you really are. It will give you immense power over -and understanding of- yourselves. You will achieve goals you thought impossible. It is the most unique feeling in the world; that of having complete knowledge of yourself and being at peace with it. Your Core name is knowledge. To have that knowledge is to have power. And once you find your soulmate, she will help you unlock the hidden meaning behind your core names, and make you complete. Surely you want all that?”
    After several moments, Sierra spoke.
    “Are you serious, dad? Will we really get to wield superpowers?”
    “I am not pulling your leg.”
    “Was mother’s core name Rayva?”
    Stal’s features softened into a gentle smile as he remembered his wife.
    “Ah, yes. Rayva.” He let the words fall lovingly from his lips. “Rayva’s core name was Ray. When we completed our Quests and joined the real world again, she decided to call herself Rayva, keeping her core name and adding a bit to it.”
    As he spoke his eyes grew distant, as though trying to sift through some long-forgotten memories. He continued on;
    “When I met your mother, I was going through a terrible phase, filled with hopelessness and despair. I had given up on ever completing my Quest. But she stood by me like a rock. Giving me hope where there was none, seeing potential