Dear reader, tonight with us is a teenaged girl, related to our very first interviewee! She — and her author — are here to tell us about secret societies, infernal realms, monsters and monarchs.

A portal opens and a man steps out. He sits down at a table, resting his notebook and pen down on the table. A little girl wearing roman-esque attire sits in front of them as they both sit down inside of a large tent

Interviewer: Hi, so you must be Keisha. How are you? I’m just going to ask you a few questions if you don’t mind. Can you…

Tell us a little about where you grew up. What was it like there?

Hi! Thanks for having me. Yes, my name’s Keisha Alighieri, um, I never been in an interview before so I might stumble a bit. So, I guess I should start with how old I am? I’m fifteen now. I just had a birthday in the Inferno—that’s another world via portal, it’s kind of like Earth—my Papá is originally from there, but I was born in Atlanta. It’s kind of a long story, haha. I liked it okay, especially, when me and mamma go out city-shopping or go to the movies.

Didn’t really like school too much, sometimes it can be a bit challenging for me—and there are some mean bullies—but when I do get something, it’s pretty fun.

Ooh, there’s been a convention in the city one time for The Heroes Society – they’re this really cool super hero group and Scarlett Hero is my favorite! I really want her weapon (haha, spoiler I kind of get my own through my adventures… but I still want her scepter cause it’s pretty awesome).

Interviewer: That is pretty awesome. So you like super heroes? Cool. I’m a big fan of history, mystery, and throw in some fantasy. I think I might have to check out the Heroes Society with my family one day *laughs* Alright, next question….

Did you have any favourite toys as a child? Any cherished memories?

Mmmm…I have a stuffed doggy back home, does that count? Cause Action Figures are not toys. I have a lot of stuff about the Heroes Society; there’s some action figures, the book bags, and I have an Insider Book about the Society. My wall has a bunch of posters of different anime and RPGs I play too! Wait, um… where were we going…Oh, yeah, sorry I get side tracked sometimes.

I got plenty memories about my family. Especially with my Papá, Dante, he’s the one who taught me how to play chess and I know several different languages. It was kind of hard at first, but he made it into a real fun game. The day that is my best memory was when I was twelve and we all sat down and opened presents on Christmas and we had this really big turkey. There was so much food and gifts, we played a bunch of games staying up past my bedtime. I know it seems like it’s not a big memory, but… it was around the last time I saw him before he disappeared (he actually was taken back to the Inferno when his friend wanted him to stop a mysterious entity known as the Anomaly. We’re trying to stop it too).

Interviewer: Well, I hope you find your Papá too. Also, well point taken about action figures. If you’re ready for the next question…

What do you do now?

Oh! I’m a Legacy (like the title, see!) That’s like a Hunter that protects the people of the Inferno (the Natura Borne) from Demi (like a Supernatural) that attack or go through portals to the human world, so Legacy’s (or the adult term after your 18 is Shikari) capture them. I don’t do that though cause I think it’s pretty wrong to bind a Demi and make them do your bidding and stuff. It’s not the kind of Legacy I wanna be (though I’ve made mistakes, I’m trying to get over now. It’s hard, but I got some really good friends by my side). Besides, there’s a lot of Demi that are misunderstood and they’re the ones who are terrorized. Like, sure, Leo and Scav tried to attack me, but it worked out in the end! Ooh, and Cerberus, he’s pretty cool—oh, wait, I think I’m saying too much, but yeah, there’s some good Demi’s out there. Like my best-friend Celra, she’s a She-Wolf and she’s pretty dang awesome. She gives the best cheek-nuzzles!

Interviewer: Okay, so I’m kind of curious cause The Inferno Verse sounds pretty interesting…

What can you tell us about your latest adventure?

Uhhh… Not sure if T.R. Tells wants me to say much, buuuutttt…. What I can say is that there’s this prophecy and it has us traveling all around the Inferno. There’s the Illicit—I’ve met some really cool and kind of scary people—Perdito…erm, I can’t say too much, but there are some really special people I can’t wait for you to meet soon, and NOW we’re actually on our way to Paradigm. I kind of have to get this… thing… that’s really bad news before the… uh, bad guy gets it first. Hmm… this is waaay harder than I thought it would be and I don’t want to get in trouble, I’m sorry!

Interviewer: *chuckles* Fair enough. Alright, alright,  here’s something…

What did you first think when… Oh, about a “specific” plot point?

Okay, so I’m getting ‘that look’ from T.R. Tells across the field, which I know cause my mom gives me that when I spend too much time in Gamestop or the library. Um… I guess the easiestand non-spoiler-y thing is when I discovered…

T.R. Tells: Uh-uh, don’t you do it. They can’t know that yet!

Keisha: Awww, why not? I mean… isn’t it kind of obvious?

T.R. Tells: pfft, how is it obvious? It’s called character growth.

Keisha: *mumbling* …And trauma.

T.R. Tells: Yes, well, that too—hey! I told you no spoiling!

Keisha (teary eyed): I still don’t forgive you though.

T.R. Tells (crying): I’m sorry!

Interviewer:  Erm…I’m sorry, did I just ruin something?

*wipes tear away*, No. You’re fine, butlike I was saying. I think when I first discovered that I was a Legacy, it was kind of scary, but also kind of cool. I mean, I could be like Scarlett or like my favorite anime characters, but most importantly… it made me feel closer to my Papá. I haven’t seen him for two years and knowing that being a Legacy is a part of my bloodline, I want to not only be the best I can be, but how he probably would have taught me if I had been born here. I’m going to end up saving him and the Inferno, then hopefully people can stop hating him for the stuff that wasn’t his fault.

Interviewer: …Well, that’s enough to make a grown man cry. Okay, I can do this! *grabs a tissue* Just… in case… Next question…

What was the scariest thing in your adventures?

I um… actually don’t want to talk about this one. It’s not the best memory and I have nightmares about it…

Interviewer:  Oh, I’m terribly sorry about that… uh, if we want to go to the next question?

*Keisha nods*

Interviewer:  Okay, so…

What is the worst thing about the Inferno, if you will?

The worst thing about the Inferno I would have to say is Black Kingdom, which is where Monarch Guido Guerra rules. He’s pretty much the head Monarch of all the thirteen and he has some scary people in black cloaks called The Black Hand who were also the one’s that kidnapped my ma.

Interviewer: My gosh… that is horrible. Well there’s got to be something good…

What is the best thing about it?

Oh, yeah of course! The best thing is traveling around the Inferno with my friends and camping out. Though recently, there’s this… place, that I won’t “name” but I can visit it in my mind. It’s really amazing, I mean, at first, it was pretty scary, for a number of reasons, but it’s so beautiful I can’t wait for you to visit!

The One: You were that close to revealing it.

Keisha: Shhh, T.R. will see you!

Interviewer: Hmm? What is it?

Keisha *blushes*: Uh, nothing!

Interviewer: Alright, you mentioned friends…

Could you tell us a little about them?

Yay! Okay, so really the first person that I want to talk about is Verona Maro. She’s the first person that I met on my journey and the one who helped me train to become a Legacy. She’s really special to me, honestly, and me, her, and Codi (his names Malacoda, but Codi’s his nickname). We’ve all found a special bond with each other. They’re my best-friends and, well, they’re my home, my partners.

And you know Celra, Verona and I actually met her when she was cursed, but I ended up breaking it. There’s actually waaay more people and they’re all equally important to me. We’ve been through so much together and learned things from each other. I really can’t wait for you to meet them all.

Interviewer: Well, they sound awesome and you all have each other’s backs it seems. So, I would assume there is some…

…romantic involvement?

Oh! I guess I kind of already answered this. I don’t know if I should say this or not, but I’m with my best-friends. I don’t want it ever seem weird, or anything, like, I want it to always be how we are, but we still grow together. Mmmm… I guess I’ll leave it at that!

Interviewer: I love that. It’s really positive and nice to see. So… I do hate to bring this up, but “hate” is the topic that we’re on. So…

Whom (or what) do you really hate?

Hate is a really a strong word, but Monarch Guerra isn’t a good guy. He’s done a lot of terrible things, done terrible things, and to a lot of people. He’s tricked my Papá and veryone who has ever been around him. He’s lied to them for a real long time. I won’t rest until their stopped, I swore to the Inferno and by swearing poses big consequences and I will not be breaking them…I…accidentally broke one before…

…Sorry, can I have a minute?

Interviewer: Oh, yeah, sure. Take your time.

*Keisha leaves the tent for a moment to get some fresh air*

*….After a few moments, Keisha reenters into the tent and takes a seat*

Interviewer: Hey, how are you feeling? A, uh, guard brought some water. Are you still up for finishing the interview? We could stop here if you want?

*Keisha shakes her head. She takes the ceramic cup of water and drinks*

Keisha: No, I think I’m good. We can continue.

Interviewer: Alright, something a little bit easier. Don’t worry, we’re almost done….

What is… your favourite drink, colour, and relaxing pastime?

 *Sighs happily* Thank you, I think I needed an easier question after that. *shaky laugh* Um… I really like the color of ocean blue. Like, you know when you look at a photo and see the dark water? Yeah, that. It’s kind of mesmerizing actually.

I really hope that after all this I can show my friends my world. There’s a lot I wanna show them because the Inferno is like… 13th century Italy. So there aren’t any cars or anything like that. I really wish I had my cell phone cause I would have been taking a lot of cool photos! But I like anything sweet and carbonated (though Ma likes to hide the junk food cause it’s bad for me). Ooh and another season of the Hero Society has been airing, but it’s a good thing it’s streaming. I’ll probably take Verona and Malacoda to see one of their movies too and a convention, I know they’re going to love it.

Interviewer: I think I’ll have to watch that movie when I get back. Okay, this next one’s a big one…

What does the future hold for you? And when I say that, I mean… other potential books in the series?

Well, if it’s anything from T.R. Tells said, it’s probably gonna be dark *shivers*. I don’t wanna spoil anything or I’ll get in trouble, but I used a reveal incantation and saw in her notes that there are thirteen PLUS potential books in the series. I’m really hoping I can make it back home and go to another convention. I hope that doesn’t mean Monarch Guerra is still around, but I guess because there are a lot of allies on our side their stories need to be told or… something like that. I couldn’t get to see all the notes, but if it’s anything like books one and two, and now three. It will probably be epic, scary, and pretty dark.

Wish me and my friends luck.

Interviewer: And the last question, Keisha. Also, thank you again for having me and answering these questions. It will was really interesting and great to talk to you.

*Keisha Smiling* Thank you for having me! I think I need something like this after everything that’s been going on.

Interviewer: So for the last question…

Can you share a secret with us, which you’ve never told anyone else?

Uh..hmm…uh…I don’t think…

Ooh, wait! There is actually is something. *Interviewer leans closer* It’s about my Papá and Virgil (I call him ‘Uncle Virgil’ cause how close they were when they were kids) well me and Verona found out that they actually—

T.R. Tell: Hey! What did I tell you! No spoilers. Okkkaaaay, this interview is over. You have a ship to catch and this weather is going to get worse.

Keisha: Yeah, I know. Fine. Well, it’s good to talk to you. It’s going to be a long series from here on out. Until then! *waves bye as she runs off to catch her ship*

*T.R. Tells glaring at the Interviewer*

Interviewer: Ooh, well…*checks watch* will you look at the time? That’s my portal. I better get running!

*A portal appears and the Interviewer jumps through before T.R. Tells can catch him*

T.R. Tells chose the pen name created as a play on words “T.R “TELLS a story”. She’s a book-lover for anything fantasy (but will try any genre) and created her first story at 11 years old. She currently lives in upstate New York with a Bachelors in Fiction and Creative writing. In her free time when she’s not creating infinite worlds in her writing, you can find her binge watching Netflix and being an Otaku (anime) lover. She enjoys the company of others and believes that everyone deserves to be treated with respect. She is a feminist activist and proud supporter of the LGBTQIA+ community. She despises bullying, racist remarks, and gay-bashing. T.R. Tells feels a passion towards her writing and hopes that—even if it’s just one person—feels the amount of effort, love, and determination that is expressed through her words.

You can find Keisha on the pages of Keisha and the Rise of the Legacy, first in the Inferno Verse series.

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