“Okay, we set off tonight. I believe you have found a house?” Rheis asked, focusing her attention on the spirits drifting before her.

  “Going somewhere?” Jane asked.

  “Yes. Take care of yourself and the family,” Rheis replied.

  “I can’t come?”

  “No, sis. I can’t take you. Just do your part on this side.”

  “My part?” Jane questioned.

  “Yes. Be safe and continue your training. When I need you, I’ll take you,” Rheis said, finally retreating to her bed.

  ............

  The tournament in Miraen was in full swing. Many species were being utilized, some even rare crossbreeds. Anjali, Aisha, Sky, Dakota, and Ben stood in the crowd, watching intently as Tork battled using the Orga.

  “We all know the finalists, right?” Aisha said.

  “Tork and the other Ben,” Anjali replied.

  The use of weapons by summoned creatures was permitted; after all, the contest was about utilizing a creature to its absolute fullest. The Orga wielded a sword, similar to the one Ryke had fought, but significantly sharper.

  “Wouldn’t the sword be a liability if the creature turns rogue?” Ben asked.

  “Oh, that? Don’t worry. Tork is powerful, and that kind of control isn’t a privilege everyone has.”

  “That means it’s not fair,” Ben countered.

  “No, it is fair,” Aisha explained. “Those are the rules, and everyone must pass through them. The tournament isn’t just a show; it’s how Miraen ensures she can effectively protect herself.”

  ..........

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  “So, where are we going?” Ryke asked.

  “We are heading to the sister kingdom, Zurehn—specifically Miraen. I might have the exact location tomorrow,” Leon replied. He walked toward Sherlyn’s room with Ryke following closely behind.

  “Come in,” Sherlyn called out after their knock.

  “Sorry to intervene, but I heard about your backlash. What happened?” Leon asked, taking a seat while Ryke stood behind him.

  “There was an Obsidian Harrier coming from above,” Sherlyn explained, summarizing the event. “I was warned, and then there was a sudden silence. All seemed well until this happened.”

  “Can you walk, or should we leave you?” Leon asked.

  “I’m no different than the others…”

  “I don’t force people,” Leon interrupted, “and you are important to someone I know and value.” he added.

  Ryke coughed slightly at this.

  “I didn’t say a name,” Leon added with a smile. “I meant Azeya and Karl. You are valued. But,” he stood up, “I think it’s best if we leave you here for now. Perhaps you can join us later.”

  ........

  “So, what did you see?” Terry asked, sitting in his room.

  “It’s hard to see everything through the fog. Somehow it’s blocking me,” a young, dark-complexioned girl replied. “But there is a particular interest in a girl named Dakota. That’s where I had to stop.”

  “Okay, take your rest. I’ll talk to him when he wakes up,” Terry said, before drifting into a deep sleep.

  As the girl walked out toward her room, another woman lying on a bed stopped her. “Wendy, I have a question.”

  “Please, ask,” Wendy replied.

  “Have you met any other family members? Relatives?” the woman asked, her pupils glowing a light green.

  “No... oh, wait. I think I have,” Wendy replied, suddenly feeling a wave of drowsiness. “I’m sorry, can we talk about this later?”

  .........

  It was the final match. A wide berth was given to both competitors.

  “Let’s make this interesting,” the other Ben said, shaking Tork’s hand. “I’ll let you use two summons while I use only one.”

  “Is that so, little man? As you wish,” Tork replied, walking back to her side.

  “I’ll show you what being at the top of Necrosiphy means,” Anjali said, staring directly at the boy.

  “Whose words are those?” Sky asked, then cut himself off. “Never mind, I remember. By the way, I haven’t seen Dakota or Ben.”

  “We’re here. We just ran into some trouble,” Ben said, appearing with a bandaged hand.

  “What happened?” Aisha asked, Sky’s eyes wide with curiosity.

  “The top—that’s where everyone wants to be. To gain the power to bend as much of the world to their will,” the other Ben began, revealing a bone. “That which others fight and kill for has chosen me. I grant the weaker an opportunity to impress me, for Necrosiphy stands tall. I, Ben, am at the apex. A new creation, a bend... I grant you the chance to impress.”

  “Look,” Anjali said, pointing at the bone.

  “My eyes are old, I can’t see what you’re looking at,” Aisha muttered.

  “If you look closer, you can see blood seeping from the bone. The spell is over, but...”

  Dakota moved away from Benjamin toward Aisha, grabbing her hand. The two locked eyes.

  “I’m coming,” Aisha said urgently. “Anjali, gather as much of the people as you can from here, I need to talk to Tork and the elders.”

  By the time Aisha reached Tork, the other Ben had dropped the bone. A shadow figure was already beginning to engulf it.

  “Tork, I think it’s time to take things seriously,” Aisha said, watching the other Ben crawl back. “We might be at war.”

  “I knew something was wrong the moment the spell took too long to activate." Tork replied grimly.

  “Strong enough to skip the spell I am. Friends, I call upon you,” Tork declared. As she spoke, two Orgas materialized from the bones she had placed on the ground, accompanied by the sudden appearance of a Nyrrak.

  “Let me get the others while I spread the word to the adults. I’ll see you soon, sister—wait for me,” Aisha said, firmly patting Tork’s shoulder before heading off.

  “Ben...” Sky whispered, leaning close to Ben’s ear.

  ............

  “I would prefer if we didn’t fight,” Kaein said, his cheek bruised . “Don’t think I can’t follow the lead; it’s just that we have bigger things to fight right now,” he added, expertly side-stepping a gust of wind.

  “We both know it’s taking a toll on you, and I can see you,” Kaein said. He settled into his stance, hands raised and ready to move.