The book in his hand wasn’t the only thing that had changed. As he came to Sai became aware of the tension in

  the room and something else. The entire room had taken on a slightly darker hue of red. It was almost as if he was looking at it through a thin crimson curtain. Then he noticed something else, something soft and sweet, was pressing against his lips. He gasped as he became fully aware of the situation at hand. Amy was kissing him!

  Amy pulled back and looked down at him. “Oh, thank the gods, you’re okay.” The relief on her face was evident.

  “W…what's going on?” Sai sat up, confused.

  “Sai, your heart stopped… I had to give you CPR.” She explained breathlessly.

  “So, that wasn’t a kiss?” The words came out of Sai’s mouth before he could register what he was saying.

  Amy’s face went beet red, and she shouted at him. “Of course not! Why would we… Why would I?” She struggled to ?nd the words. “You were dying, and I was trying to save your life, that's all.” She looked away from him.

  Sai placed his hand on his chest, which felt sore from the ordeal. My heart stopped? He could feel his pulse, which resonated hard within his chest. “Thank you for saving me.” He smiled at her gratefully. Then his focus shifted to the book under his left hand. He lifted it to read the title. “Origins.” He muttered to himself. Suddenly, he remembered Michelle and how she had charged in in order to save him. “Wait, is Michelle okay!?”

  Amy nodded and tilted her head to the left, where Michelle still lay unconscious on the ?oor. The tome in her hand pulsated with a dim light. Sai looked at her for a minute, and the light began to fade as the book turned to a golden yellow color in her hand. Her chest rose as she took a deep breath and opened her eyes.

  Sai got to his feet and made his way over to her. Amy followed closely behind him. “Are you okay?” Sai asked as he knelt down beside her.

  “Shouldn’t I be asking you that?” She replied in a wispy voice as she sat up.

  Sai shook his head. “I’m ?ne; why would you do something like that?”

  “Sorry, I just couldn’t stand by and watch it consume you. Not after everything you’ve done for me.” She explained.

  He exhaled sympathetically. “Thank you, and I guess that makes us even.” He rubbed the back of his head, closed his eyes, and smiled.

  Michelle returned the smile and sat up.

  Amy interjected. “Thanks to Michelle, you not only survived, but you both ended up with tomes of your own. Congratulations!”

  The two of them looked down at the books in each of their hands. An air of relief hung over the group for the ?rst time since coming together.

  This reprieve was short-lived as Cylus spoke up. “One saved by the light of another. This is unprecedented.” Though his words were encouraging, his tone dripped with displeasure.

  Sai looked over at him and stood. “We passed your test. Are we done here?”

  “I would hardly count that as passing.” A different voice caught Sai’s attention. Turning toward the elevating platform at the center of the room, he saw a familiar grey-haired ?gure standing beside it.

  “Seriously, you again?” Sai snapped back at Alister.

  “You’ve got quite the mouth on you. Big words for someone who would be dead if it weren't for a little girl.” Alister stepped toward the group. “Cylus, this boy is clearly guilty. He would’ve been consumed if it wasn't for that one.” He pointed one accusatory ?nger at Michelle.

  “Hey!” before he could think, Sai was in Alister’s face pointing one ?nger at him in return. “I’ll show you guilty.”

  “You little whelp! I’ll teach you the meaning of respect.” He raised his hand in a backhanding motion before being stopped.

  Cylus gripped his wrist ?rmly before releasing it. “Enough, Alister; you are not the one in charge of making such decisions. He was chosen even if it was only due to the girl's interference. He still passed and was chosen by the tome. Now, are you going to tell me the meaning of this disruption?”

  Alister lowered his hand and turned away from Sai. “I need to discuss important information with you regarding disappearances in the city of Elara.”

  “Please, let’s talk.” Cylus gestured for Alister to speak to him across the room.

  The two walked away from the group and spoke privately. Sai tried to listen in, but they were too far away to hear. Sai walked back to Amy and Michelle and explained what he had heard Alister say.

  “He said people are disappearing?” Amy spoke in a low voice, trying not to be overheard; Sai nodded.

  “What do we do now?” Michelle asked.

  “We’ll have to wait and see what Cylus decides,” Amy explained. “I doubt we’re off the hook yet.”

  Alister and Cylus approached the group once again.

  “An important matter has come up that I need to attend to.

  Michelle and Sai, you both have passed your test. You are no longer under investigation in regard to the attack on Dione. However, Alister is correct in saying that you would’ve failed. If it hadn’t been for both the efforts of Michelle and Amelia.” Cylus threw a disapproving glare at his young disciple. “Therefore, I am ordering you to stay under observation for the time being,” Cylus explained.

  Sai was annoyed by this turn of events. What was Alister’s problem with him? Even though this upset Sai, he could understand why Cylus had concerns. The book had tried to cull him. Clearly, something was amiss, and this may be the only way to get to the bottom of it.

  Amy spoke up, “Cylus, haven’t we put Sai through enough al...”

  Sai cut her off. “No, Amy, it’s okay. What do I need to do?” The con?dence in his voice surprised Amy. Something within him had changed. He seemed almost stronger, more determined even.

  Cylus’s stoic expression faltered only momentarily as a small smile crept across his face. “Good, thank you for your cooperation. I would like you, Amelia, and Michelle to travel with Alister to investigate the source of some rumors going around the city of Elara.”

  Michelle looked surprised. “All of us?”

  “Yes, after all, each of you interfered in Sai’s test. You, with your light, and Amelia, with her use of life-saving measures, to bring him back from the brink. The three of you must prove your fealty to me.”

  “Why not send just us, then? Why does Alister have to go?” Amy questioned.

  “Amy, you’re strong. However, on your last mission, you failed to stop the enemy, and you directly disobeyed my orders when sent to tie up your loose ends. You need an experienced inquisitor to keep you in line. I can’t risk you going in alone with two that have no idea how to use their tomes.”

  “Don’t worry, Amelia, you three will be safe in my care,” Alister assured her. Somehow, the line made the three of them feel even more uneasy.

  “And Alister.” Cylus turned on him. “I’m sure I don’t need to remind you, but you are to be as vigilant as possible. If any of them are harmed in any way, it’s on your head.”

  The threat seemed to shake Alister to his core. “Of course, Master Cylus. No harm shall befall them; you have my word.”

  “Good, you are to leave shortly. Please convene downstairs and go over the plan. Michelle, will you hang back for a moment? I wish to speak to you about Dione.”

  Michelle nodded. Amy gave her a reassuring look as she and Sai were escorted back downstairs by Alister.

  * * *

  “And that’s all you know?” Cylus sat behind his large desk and glared across it at Michelle.

  Michelle nodded solemnly.

  “While I am deeply sorry for your loss, you must understand the position you’ve put me in due to your interference with the trial.”

  Michelle nodded again. “I understand; you have my apologies.”

  “Then you are dismissed. Please join the others downstairs.” He turned in his chair.

  “I-“ She faltered for a moment. “I have one more question to ask you.”

  Turning back, he spoke. “Yes”

  “Three years ago, my brother, Virgil, made a pilgrimage here in the hopes of becoming a scribe. I haven’t heard from him since. Would you at least tell me if he’s here?” She spoke meekly.

  “Virgil, you say?” He trailed off as if to scan his memory. The name does sound familiar. Yes, as I recall, he did act as a scribe here for a time. However, over a year ago, he decided to take the trial of the tome for himself. Unfortunately, he was found unworthy. I’m sorry, my dear; it seems you may have come too late.”

  Michelle exhaled sharply, trying her hardest to hold back the overwhelming pain of these words. She had lost everything, and now the only family she had left was gone as well. A small tear rolled down her ?ushed cheek.

  Cylus stood and walked around his desk to place a hand on her shoulder. “I know the pain of losing a loved one to the trial. But, we must remember these trials create order, even when we do not agree with the outcome.”He released his grip and walked to the door.

  “Go now. Your team awaits.” He said callously. Without a word, Michelle stood and took her leave.

  * * *

  For nearly an hour, the other three waited downstairs as Cylus spoke to Michelle. Sai ?ipped through the pages of his new tome. Each page was completely blank, which confused Sai to no end.

  “What's going on with this book? Aren't these things supposed to have words?” Sai asked.

  “Tome.” Amy corrected. “I’m sorry, normally you’d receive more formal training than this, but given the circumstances, I’ll try to explain this as best I can. The short answer is yes, they’re meant to be read, but not at ?rst. The more practice you have with it, the more words will appear. The largest factor, however, is the amount of emotion you pour into reading the lines of the tome itself.” Amy explained.

  “I’m not sure I understand. Again, mine doesn’t seem to have any words at all.” Sai questioned.

  Amy pulled her tome from the pouch on her hip.“Watch closely. First off, you don’t look through the book and find the words. Simply close your eyes, focus on the tome, and let it speak to you. The tome should open to the lines you’re looking for.” Just as she said, the tome’s pages flew open, and a single line appeared. “Once you’ve found your line, you need to pour a single emotion into the reading of it.” She continued. Tracing her finger across the line, she began to speak.“Be strong, saith my heart; I am a soldier; I have seen worse sights than this. Awaken Odysseia!”Just like before, the tome vanished, and the sword and shield appeared in her hand.“See?”

  “Oh! That's the same line you used when you rescued us!” Sai exclaimed.

  “Mmhhmmm, that line summons an impenetrable shield and an unblockable….”

  The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  She was cut off suddenly. “Amelia, you shouldn’t tell just anyone the secrets of your tome. Especially, someone we don’t know if we can trust.” Alister scolded her in a harsh tone.

  “Alister, he passed the test. If we want to succeed on this mission, don’t you think it’s best that he knows our strengths and at least the basics of tome use?”

  The annoyed look that seemed permanently painted on Alister’s face looked even more obvious after that comment. “Perhaps, but be careful. However, do you think it’s prudent to practice tome activation here? Not all tomes are as concentrated as yours, you know. What if Sai’s tome were to activate as an offensive burst? That could prove disastrous for the many tomes stored here, correct?”

  This comment made Amy feel two feet tall. “Of course, you’re correct. I’m sorry.” The next thing out of Alister’s mouth surprised both of them.

  His expression softened ever so slightly. “Don’t worry about it. You’re right. If we hope for this mission to succeed, Sai and Michelle will both require training. ”

  “Wait, really?” Sai was shocked by this turn of events.

  The annoyance reappeared on his face within an instant. “Do not misunderstand me, boy. I still don’t trust you, but if you are to come along on this mission, I would prefer not to have to carry your dead weight.”

  Sai just looked at him and shook his head in disbelief. “Man, you are just the worst.”

  Amy’s eyes widened as if to say shut up!

  Alister looked like he was about to explode. His fury was stopped in its tracks as Michelle and Cylus descended the staircase into the lower library. It was clear that Alister did not wish to evoke Cylus’s wrath.

  “I hope all is going well down here,” Cylus said sternly. “Of course, sir,” Alister replied quickly.

  “Good! Now, I need you to pack up and head out right away; our contact in Elara is awaiting your arrival.”

  The four of them nodded in unison and headed for the door of the library. Exiting the building, Alister spoke again. “You have ten minutes; go back to your room and pack your things. Meet me at the warp corridor when you're done.”

  Amy, Michelle, and Sai began to break off, but Alister stopped Sai by ?rmly grabbing his arm as he passed, stopping him in his tracks. “One step out of line…”

  This was all he said, but the veiled threat was crystal clear. Their eyes met, and Alister released him. Without a word, Sai headed away after his things. Minutes later, the group reconvened. They headed down the square, boarded the huge lifting platform at the center, and headed down into the underground caverns.

  The group walked through the dark tunnels for a time before coming up to a ladder that appeared to lead to the surface. Climbing up, they emerged out of a hatch and into a tubular-shaped room that looked to be made of faux wood. Feeling around the blank walls for a moment, Alister found a small handhold and gave a forceful pull, revealing a hidden door which slid open with a loud groan. Stepping out, the four of them entered a sprawling forest of giant red wood trees. Looking back, Sai realized the cylinder-shaped room they had come from was actually a hollow space inside the trunk of one of these trees. The sun was high in the sky, and the temperature had risen drastically from when they had set out.

  “This is incredible. I’ve never seen anything like it.” Michelle looked up at the huge, looming trees as they walked.

  “These forests are thousands of years old. Each of these trees grew from something as small as this.” Alister explained as he knelt down and grabbed what looked like a small pine cone. Shaking the cone, tiny brown seeds poured out into the palm of his hand. "Each of these has the potential to grow into one of these great sequoias.”

  The group looked around in awe. Sai spoke up. “These all came from something that small?”

  “Yes, it just goes to show you no matter how insigni?cant something may seem. It could still hold the potential to become something truly incredible.” Alister held out the seeds and offered them to Sai.

  He took the seeds and rolled them over the palm of his hand. Feeling that he grasped the metaphor, he shoved the seeds into his pocket and responded. “Hmm, I think I get it.”

  “There's nothing to get. Not every seed will become a great sequoia. In fact, most just die here on the forest ?oor. The least worthy ones, that is.”

  This was an obvious jab, and Sai knew it. “Still, I appreciate the wisdom.” He said calmly. He wasn’t about to be baited into another ?ght.

  The group continued to walk for a long while. This denseness of the forest seemed almost endless. In every direction, the giant trees shot up toward the sky and formed what looked like solid walls all around them. Finally, after walking a good distance, they stepped out into a large, rounded clearing.

  Stopping in front of them, Alister spoke up. “This should do.”

  The rest of the group looked at him confusedly.

  “What exactly do you mean? We're still a ways off from needing to make camp for the night.” Amy said.

  Alister turned around, and in his left hand, he clutched the deep blue tome that had previously hung on his waist. He opened his mouth and began to speak. “It is not down on any map; true places never are.’ Now Awaken Moby Dick!” There was a vicious roaring sound as a low wave of water poured through the forest behind him.

  “What are you doing, Alister?” Amy shouted as she summoned her sword and shield. The wave crashed into the clearing and threatened to sweep the group away. She stabbed the blade into the ground in an effort to anchor herself and held the shield high to de?ect the water away from her upper body and face.

  Michelle and Sai weren’t so fortunate. Caught by the wave’s unexpected power, they were swept off their feet and pushed back toward the tree line of the dense forest. Sai reached for Michelle just as the wave hit. In a stroke of luck, he was able to grasp her wrist the moment they were carried off. The two spiraled in the water before stopping abruptly as Michelle caught the trunk of one of the massive trees with her free hand. Holding on for dear life, they waited as the current slowed and eventually stopped. Even though it was no longer flowing, the group still stood in at least a foot of briny, foaming water.

  Amy lowered her shield in order to locate Alister, but in that instance, a foot met with her stomach just below her ribs and threw her back into the surf away from her sword and shield.

  “You should really be more careful when letting your guard down.” Alister plucked the blade from the ground and threw it into the deep water and out of sight. Holding his tome in one hand above his head, he prepared for another attack. “ Call me Ishmael.” The tome transformed suddenly, and in his hand, he held a massive harpoon. A thick braided rope wrapped its way down his arm and into the sleeve of his shirt. He lowered it and stepped toward Amy, who sat in the water, gasping for the air that had just been forced from her lungs.

  Meanwhile, back at the tree line, Sai and Michelle had found their feet. Sai looked over to see Alister approaching Amy, harpoon in hand.

  “Sai, we have to do something.” Michelle pleaded.

  He nodded. “Okay, I’m going to distract him. While I'm doing that, you need to grab Amy and get her out of there. Are you ready?”

  Michelle gave a quick nod, and the two took off across the ?ooded plain.

  Alister raised the harpoon above his head and threatened to bring it down on the writhing body before him when he heard a shout.

  “Hey!” Sai dove into him from the left and tackled him into the water. Wrestling with him, Sai tried his best to give Michelle as much time as possible to get Amy to safety.

  Alister ?ailed underneath Sai and forced his head above water. “You really do have some ?ght in you, boy!”

  “I thought you swore that we would come back unharmed.

  What the hell are you trying to do?” With all his strength, he forced Alister back beneath the shallow waves. Is he trying to kill us? Am I going to have to kill him? These thoughts just had time to

  register in Sai’s mind before something sinister shook his con?dence. Alister stopped struggling; instead, he was grinning as Sai grasped his throat with all his strength. The next realization almost came a moment too late. The harpoon in his hand had vanished, and suddenly it was erupting from beneath the water, ?ying out in a direct line for Sai’s left eye. With milliseconds to spare, Sai jerked his head to the right as the harpoon cut a deep gash across his cheek. Holding his bleeding cheek, Sai leaped back and onto his feet. Thankfully, his diversion had been enough. Michelle was able to help Amy back to the tree line and out of harm's way.

  “You’ll need more than raw strength in order to beat me, boy,” Alister scoffed as he rose from the water. Yanking back on the rope, the harpoon sailed seamlessly back into his hand. “Now let's see what you're really made of.” He charged at Sai, harpoon in hand. Sai dodged left and right as he backpeddled away from the harpoon, which lashed out furiously. Suddenly, his back met the trunk of a tree with a thud.

  “Got you!” Alister yelled as he plunged the harpoon forward with all his strength.

  Sai dove to the ground, just narrowly avoiding the empaling blow. The harpoon sank deep into the tree's trunk, which gave Sai enough of an opportunity to kick Alister’s legs from beneath him. This knocked him back into the water and disarmed him all in one swift motion.

  This time Sai didn’t try to jump on top of him. He knew he didn't have the strength to overwhelm him, but if he could just get rid of that harpoon, just maybe he could even the playing ?eld a bit. Getting to his feet, Sai threw his entire weight into the shaft of the harpoon, which still stuck out of the side of the huge tree. With a loud snap, the shaft broke in two. The handle fell into the water, still attached to its wielder by the thick cord. He had done it. The harpoon’s tip was still buried in the tree, rendering it completely useless.

  With lightning-fast re?exes, Alister spun around underwater and ripped Sai’s feet out from under him just as he had done moments before. He quickly found his feet and was standing over Sai. To Sai’s horror, the harpoon in his hand was once again perfectly intact. Alister bent over, grabbed Sai’s shirt, and pulled him from the water. “Impressive strength, especially for someone your size, but it takes more than that to destroy a tome construct.” He released Sai’s shirt, raised the harpoon, and brought it down with all his might.

  Sai closed his eyes and braced for an impact that never arrived. Instead, he heard a metallic clang. Opening his eyes, he saw Amy was covering his body with hers. Her shield lay over her back and deflected the blow. Her red hair hung in his face, and his shocked expression had never been more apparent.

  “Thanks.” He said breathlessly.

  Alister staggered backward from the de?ection.

  Sai and Amy got to their feet just in time to hear Michelle speak. “A bear roaming the woods in search of berries happened upon a fallen tree in which a swarm of bees had stored their honey. Awaken Fabels!”

  The imposing buzzing that followed sent shivers down Sai’s spine. Dozens of semi-translucent honey-colored bees ?ew from Michelle’s tome and charged at Alister. They landed on his clothing and popped like bubbles upon contact, leaving sticky, oozing pools of honey wherever they burst.

  “What is this?” Alister questioned as more and more bees exploded all over his body. Every move he made caused him to become more entangled in a web of viscous goo. “So, you're a defense type?”

  “Guys, run!” Michelle shouted. Amy helped Sai to his feet, and they sprinted to her side.

  Alister began to swing his harpoon wildly, trying to swat the bees before they could land and make his predicament worse.

  “Whoa! Michelle, that's amazing!” Sai exclaimed.

  Amy shouted at him, “Sai, focus up! I don’t know what’s going on here, but he isn’t playing around. That attack before would’ve killed you if I hadn’t blocked it.”

  Sai nodded. “Sorry, you’re right; what's the plan?”

  “We’re going to need to coordinate our attacks, and you need to activate your tome.” She explained.

  “Okay, but…” Sai pulled the book from his side hesitantly. “No buts! You have to do it! Remember, Sai, focus on one emotion. Pour it all into the words.” Amy readied her tome and recalled her sword from beneath the rippling pool. Like a ?ash, it appeared in her hand just as Alister's had.

  Sai closed his eyes and concentrated. I want to protect them; They’ve both helped me so much. I need to protect them! The thoughts screamed through his mind. His tome ?ew open, and a single line appeared. Opening his eyes, Sai read the line with as much determination as he could muster.

  “Natural Selection, as we shall hereafter see, is a power incessantly ready for action. Now awaken Origins!” A huge plume of smoke erupted from the text, and from it ?ew a single brownish-grey ?nch. The bird chirped and landed on Sai’s shoulder. “You!?” Sai recognized it as the same bird from when he took on the trial.

  Amy looked shocked and then almost disappointed. “What the!? What kind of attack is that supposed to be?” She shouted at Sai.

  “Huh? How am I supposed to know?!” Sai yelled back. “Sai, How does a bird help us?!”

  “Guys! Come on; I can’t hold this forever.” Michelle shouted as she strained to hold Alister’s trashing body in place.

  “Right! We’ll just have to ?gure it out! Sai get into position. We have to ?ank him from both sides.”

  Sai nodded, and the two dashed to opposite sides of their increasingly sticky target.

  “Ready? Now!” Amy shouted.

  As if by instinct, Sai stretched his arm out and pointed. “Go!” The bird ?ew from his shoulder, and Amy charged from the other side. As he watched the bird's ?ight path, he remembered the larger bird that had saved him in the tundra, and before his eyes, the ?nch was enveloped in dark smoke. When it broke free of the cloud, it had completely transformed into the same nine-foot-tall behemoth from those ice plains, and it was barreling toward Alister. Greying feathers dropped to the ?ooded plain as the giant bird sprinted on. “Titanis!” The shout left his lips without a thought. They had simply appeared in his mind yet again as he stared at the fantastic creature before him.

  This turn of events shocked even Amy, but she didn’t ?inch. Instead, she gripped more tightly on the hilt in her hand and charged forward. She cocked her arm back and swung her sword furiously. As she swung, the giant bird leaped into the air and kicked at the nearly encased Alister.

  “For hate's sake, I spit my last breath at thee.” The words that came from Alister’s lips put an end to the oncoming attack. A dark circle appeared beneath his feet, and a giant whale made of water erupted from beneath him. Amy and the titan of a bird were rag dolls in the torrent of water. The massive creature transformed back to its original form and was thrown out of sight. Without warning, the whale came crashing back down to Earth directly on top of Alister, causing a tidal wave that swept Michelle, Sai, and Amy away.

  “That’s enough, I suppose.” Alister’s harpoon disappeared, and the tome rematerialized in his hand. He held it above his head and spoke. “Recall!” The water rushed back toward him and was sucked into the pages of his tome. Sai, Amy, and Michelle all lay heaving on the ground at the edge of the clearing. “Congratulations, now each of you is capable of activating your tome.”

  Sai sat up. “Are you out of your mind!? You could’ve killed us.”

  “Boy, if I wanted you dead, you’d be dead. Do you think an enemy will hesitate to kill you, given the chance? You must learn to ?ght every battle as if it’s your last.”

  Amy and Michelle both sat up.

  “Sai, he’s right. He could’ve given us some warning about what he was trying to do!” Amy shouted with emphasis. “But he is right. You can both use your tomes now. We accomplished at least that today.” Amy explained as she got to her feet.

  She helped Michelle to her feet. They then walked over and helped Sai up. Michelle wiped the blood on his cheek away with a damp cloth, which she quickly returned to her inventory. She pulled out a bandage and gently placed it over the wound.

  Sai’s ?nch ?ew down out of one of the nearby trees and landed on his shoulder.

  “Oh, good, you're okay.” The bird gave a cheerful chirp as Sai gave his head a quick stroke with his ?nger. “Now recall.” With these words, the bird hopped back into the pages of the book.

  “Sorry, I doubted you. Your tome turned out to be really strong after all. Looks like you have a specialist type tome.” Amy explained. “I suppose yours must be a defensive type, Michelle.”

  “You are correct,” Alister spoke as he walked over to the group. “His tome is similar to your own specialist type.”

  “What does that make yours?” Michelle asked.

  “My tome, Moby Dick, is an offensive type. Essentially, all of its lines create differing attacks, each deal damage whether I use them for protection or not.”

  “Moby Dick, yeah, that seems ?tting,” Sai mumbled under his breath.

  Amy hit him in the ribs with her tome as she sti?ed a laugh. “Shut it.” She said through gritted teeth.

  Michelle spoke up, “Maybe it’s time to set up camp now? I’m exhausted after that.”

  “That's a good idea.” Alister opened his inventory, and a few short taps later, four single-person tents were set up and ready for the night. They each turned in early after the exhausting day.