《Echoes of the Past Long Gone》


 Chapter 1 – When locks come apart

    Chapter 1 ¨C When locks come apart


    ¡°No!¡± With a sudden jerk Theodore woke up from a nightmare. His body felt cold and he could feel that he had sweat a lot in his sleep. ¡°what is this feeling?¡± He knew something was wrong immediately, but what was this something...? As his imaginary mind gears started to turn he realized that whatever it was it asked for his attention NOW. As his mind was waking up he felt wrongness within his body all the more.


    He sat up, turning table light on and after putting his slippers on he noticed another thing. He was trembling. Strongly. Then why didn''t he feel it? He could see his feet trembling and when he rose his hand to look at it he saw the same thing.


    Now that he concetrated on feeling out his body he could notice the untcontrolable shaking his body was experiencing. But only barely he could, his body feeling unfamiliar and distant.


    ¡°That cant be...¡± A sudden thought suddenly shot trough his head. There indeed was explanation to this phenomena, but it was... should be impossible.


    He was living alone in a two room apartment with separate bathroom and kitchen on a second floor. And as he rushed to bathroom he was glad he was. Not that it came easy for a 17 year old him. He had an agreement with his parents. One that in involved them paying for his living and him not being near them. It was easier that way. And while he still had to attend school he had plenty of time afterwards to research magic.


    ¡°More like remember magic¡± Theodore thought to himself. And while there was no magic in this world he had memories of his past life. It was what separated him from normal. What made him what he was now. Someone who was living alone and clinging to his memories and trying to write everything he could remember about magic down. And as days went by it got harder and harder. He was loosing his memories. Slowly but surely it got harder and harder to remember his past life. And he was afraid of loosing everything he once was.


    So he was writing his memories down and that''s why his apartment was full of manuscripts, scrolls, notes and books. He had pitifully little memories about how he had lived, but he had many things he remembered about Magic. Even now as he rushed he couldn''t help but to stumble over his work as it was thrown all over the floor.


    This lifestyle did leave Theodore with little to no social life, but he had no regrets. Not that those noisy classmates of his had any worthwhile company to keep, they were content to sail trough life where the wind blew and family was... his family was afraid of him. Being alone sometimes was tough, but had no thoughts about seeking any company to aliviate lonlyness as he saw his research to be more important.


    As he was looking in bathroom mirror he weighted his options. Back from the mirror looked 1.75 tall sleepy looking teenager. His light gray heir fell over his muddy blue eyes almost covering them entirely. His skin looked pale, but not sickly so. His body fas thin, but not bony, thanks to the habit to do early morning runs for keeping himself in a shape.


    He couldn''t call anyone, as this was not something medicine, or other people even, could help him with. There was some rituals that could but they were... unreliable at best. And even if they weren''t there was also a problem with setting them up and knowledge necessary of doing so. However, he was not without options.


    He lived in this small town of Sanna. There was nothing of note in Sanna it being a normal country side town, at least as far as general population was concerned. For Theodore this place was not only far away form any family but there also was something he hadn''t found anywhere else ¨C a Mana Well. Albeit, maybe ¡°Mana Well¡± was a bit too strong of a name for small the spring that produced a, frankly, pitiful amount of mana. He could still remember him stumbling on it on one of his school trips. He already had no hopes on practicing Magic ever again, but luck was on his side.


    This small spring was in a nearby forest. It was only 15 minute walk form his apartment. With help of this small spring he had started to practice magic.


    And Theodore was sure he was the first one in this world. Sure there were legends of great mages and spells. Stories about age bygone where miracles happened everyday, monster haunted nights and heroes, even gods, walked earth. But all of that were only that ¨C legends and stories people told their children before sleep. There was no magic but there was science and Theodore had to admit it was in a way as marvelous as Magic could be... But science also had limits which magic didn''t have, science wouldn''t be able to help him now...


    He quickly donned his clothing and exited his apartment. ¡°there still should be time, 2 hours... no, probably 1 and a half.¡±


    As he rushed down the street to Mana Well he tried to think of everything he could about Magical attack he was receiving.


    ¡°Should be soul based, no, it definitely is. Something trying to posses me? No, no, is something from past life? Maybe I was cursed? Is it curse? Damn it, could be problem with me crossing worlds...¡± But as he was running he could only gather handful possibilities that had caused this situation. His memories once again failing him as he reminded that despite his wast knowledge on some topics there was a curious absence of some of most basic things.The narrative has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.


    Friends, family, his favorite food, he didn''t remember those, but he didn''t loose hope to recover some of his past. His soul... was partly locked, and there certainly were ways to transfer memories trough soul. He could easily imagine himself limiting his memories, be it because they could overwhelm in his new body or be it dangerous information in his memories. Whatever it may be he was determined to unlock those sealed parts, and he had made great strides recently in doing so.


    The more Theodore thought the more iritated he became. He had figured what was the cause of his trembling and sweat and he knew it would get worse. Theodore also expected his body to start loosing all senses and his mind would then be trapped in an unresponsive, unfeeling body.


    Soul attacks were bizarre often with strange effects. And he had came under one of suchs attacks. As far as he remembered he had came under attack from Soul Mages only twice before. And both time he had killed casters right after spells was cast. There were no side effects as he had not let any effects to settle in. But was also possible that he just didn''t remember correctly, or there were aftereffects he could not detect and now they had reared their ugly head.


    On his way Theodore thought over his idea of possible solution. ¡°I left inscribed stones next to the spring under moss. Those should help me with shielding and preserving connection. That will give me few more hours to make ¡°Fortress¡± and ¡°Mind construct of Maddening Sorrow¡±. Whatever is that is attacking me will surely enjoy his counterattack, well, if its a person anyway.¡± He even allowed a predatory grin to sneak into his expression.


    Theodore was a Mind Mage. And while lack of Mana on earth made him unable to influence others or make any meaningfull upgrades to his mind he had made enough rituals next to Mana Well to at least make some basic improvements to his memory, thinking speed and basic fortitude.


    The difficulty Theodore had to go trough to make this body to be able of receiving mana was almost excruciating. He had spent almost a year cutting himself, making drugs from ingredients he had made from a guess work and chanting long spells meant for awakening inner Mana Core and making it compatible with Mind Magic. It was grueling and painful. Even more so because he had so little of soul to use.


    This body simply wasn''t cut to be a Mind Mage, maybe this body did have affinity with other schools of magic, but he didn''t have any ways to find with which, and even if he did, there was also problem with usable magic, he mostly knew only Mind Spells. And those who were not mind spells were to mana intensive. Another problem he hoped to find solution for in his sealed part of soul.


    But in the end he had succeeded in his endeavor. He was sure he had became first mage on Earth. There simply wasn''t enough ambient mana to form Mana Core naturally and steps necessary to go trough to form one artifically was impossible to guess or for any sane person to go trough. And even more so, because of said lack of ambient mana there was only one way to make Mana Core, and that was the very Mana Well he was heading to. Sure, there posibly were other Mana Wells in this world, but he doubted it. Otherwise there would have been more of ambient mana.


    The result of his struggles ¨C Mana Core let Theodore form thought constructs in his conciseness. These constructs had improved his thinking speed, ability to memorize and now he will also use Mana Well to make construct meant for defending himself as well as counterattack. He thanked Gods that he was a Mind Mage, as they had much easier time in resisting and repelling Soul attacks.


    Entering the forest he could see the small spring that would give him mana for finishing his spell. There was no traces of anyone visiting this place and all hidden rocks which he had placed around spring were in place. They were arranged in a way that would concentrate mana in a single point next to spring helping him absorb it.


    As Theodore made his way to the mana concentration spot he suddenly froze. His trembling intensified. His vision started to swim around and his thoughts started to jumble together.


    Even a single coherent thought was hard to make. But he knew what he had to do. In his rush Theodore fell down, but as he did he with trembling hands started to pull himself closer to spring. Closer and closer, his throat was on fire his body aching, and soon he couldn''t feel anything. His body mechanicaly still pulling him closer to mana concentration point.


    His mind became clouded but his body refused to stop moving.


    Closer... and the locks around the sealed parts of his soul started to come apart.


    Closer... and the locks around the sealed parts of his soul started to crumble.


    Closer... and the locks around the sealed parts of his soul came apart.


    Closer... and everything became dark.


    ¨C


    Falling sun beams swept across Theodores face and as they did he found himself waking up. Still dworsy Theodore put his still trembling hands before his face, looking at them, then he slowly bent his fingers and straightened them again. As he did he found himself to be fully awake, but he still continued to stare at his hands.


    Chilly morning air entered his body as he took deep breaths. Bird chirping and distant town noises that made to this place shook him out of his reverie and reminded that he should start moving.


    He stood up and with uneven footing walked to the spring that was next to him. He almost fell several times even thought he only had couple of meters to walk. It was harder to walk that he remembered. ¡°But I will manage because...¡±


    His eyes fell on reflection in the water. And he realised he was crying. His tears falling down he droped on his knees. ¡°... because finnaly I am back¡±.


    After 3 years that stretched on for forever he was in control of his own body.

 Chapter 2 - One thing leading to another

    Chapter 2 One thing leading to another


    Theodore was making his way home. Or at least what the Other had called home. ¡°But I guess it is MY home now.¡± Theodore thought to himself. ¡°Just as well¡±, he decided, even if he didn''t like it, he had no other place to return to, no family to speak to. Other had made sure of severing almost all ties with others.


    All that was left was a phone number of his Dad and a monthly transfer of just enough money for surviving to his account. He could call Dad, but what would he say? That he was possessed? That he was back to being himself? That past three years there was something else living in his body? He couldn''t do that. Theodore didn''t have best of relationship with his parents even before Other came. And if he did speak with them now... He was afraid that they would simply put him into a madhouse.


    ---


    Why Theodore thought that way? It was because Theodore was special. He, as far as he remembered, had always been aware of his ¡°soul¡± and at as he grew up he became more and more aware. He never found it strange, as his soul was part of himself, as was his arms and legs. He never even considered that other people, his family included weren''t aware of their souls. Soul was so OBVIOUS to him after all.


    Of course, at first he couldn''t put a name on that part of his being. But as he grew he heard about souls on TV, radio, in passing conversations and it strangely fitted. This soul of his was certainly immaterial. It never hurt, it couldn''t be seen or smelt or touched. It was part of him, intertwined with his body, but also not part of it at all.


    By age of nine Theodore strongly felt that his Soul was what defined him. What made who he was. And he felt that he should have a rudimentary control over it. That confidence also grew with time. Theodore felt that within his soul laid a great secret and if he could unlock it he would be someone great one day. It was a childish dream, but he hopped to be a hero someday.


    At first he tried everything he could think of to interact with his Soul. But there seemed to be no results no matter how hard he tried. So he did what any child would, he asked for help from his parents.


    Now, thinking back to it Theodore could understand his parents. When their child started to speak about things they had no knowledge of, or even considered them to be impossible or not existing at all they would worry and try to help.


    His parents had tried to tell him it was only his imagination. That it was only in his mind. But Theodore stubbornly argued back. There were many times when he had a fight with his parents, but soon he simply stopped to speak about Soul. It was easier that way. But his parents didn''t forget, and even sent him to several psychologists, but to them Theodore simply said that he was mistaken. That his Soul indeed was only part of his imagination, a by-product of some stories or movies he had watched and which had influenced him too deeply. He did everything he could to be a ¡°normal¡± child. However, in secret he continued to explore his Soul. He was very secretive about that, only doing it at evenings before sleep, or when his parents left him at home alone.


    But despite Theodore''s carefulness his still somehow knew. The strange thing was, they didn''t continue to help him or talk to him. They instead started avoiding him.


    By the age of twelve Theodore''s parents almost never spoke to him and he in turn became more and more closed off from the world. At school other children kept their distance, even though he never had spoke of anything they would find strange and tried his hardest to act as he was expected to act.


    All of that was for naught. All he received was cold shoulders from his parents and whispers behind his back from his schoolmates. The worst of all, that he was simply left alone. There was no bullying at school nor there was any shouting at home. Theodore felt so very lonely it hurt. Little did he know that worst still had yet to come.


    Little before his fourteen birthday when he was walking back home from school he received a shock. Someone or something had touched his soul. It was a passing feeling and after a moment it was over. But Theodore was sure that there was something, so when he finally got home he inspected his soul, with which by now he was extremely familiar with.


    After an in-depth inspection he received even bigger shock than one earlier that day. There was something like a thread stretching to nowhere. He didn''t know what purpose would such a thing serve, but soon what overcame him was horror. There was something alien and intimidating about this thread.


    Theodore had a premonition that if he didn''t severe this thread he would experience something that would irreparable damage his soul. This feeling was so strong that even the petrified mind snapped out of horror it was experiencing and scurried to find a solution.This novel is published on a different platform. Support the original author by finding the official source.


    But there was nothing. He didn''t know how to interact with the foreign object attached to his soul, and by extension mind. Yes, now that he had made even more of a investigation he was sure, that it wasn''t his soul exactly that this thread was attached to. It was his being.


    A month after he had made his discovery Theodore felt something more. This thread was transferring... something... If he had to name it was a meaning. Something that was similar to himself in a way that he was similar to other people.


    Terrified Theodore thought over what was his options. He had already failed to sever connection and now something was infiltrating his body. He felt that something foreign was taking hold of his body.


    That day Theodore didn''t go to school, and didn''t pretend to be a normal child just as everyone else in his school was. He locked himself in his room and did something drastic.


    Years of tinkering with his soul had made it strangely malleable, but he was sure he could make it stronger than any steel if he wished for it. And while his soul was still intangible it had became thicker, more of something, as if it was empty when he was smaller and with growing up it had filled with... him. He couldn''t put words on it, but he could feel that he was not mistaken.


    So he forced ¡°Himself¡± into soul. It would undoubtedly damage his soul, but he didn''t fear it, only hoped that by doing so he would be able to keep what made him ¨C him.


    After he had gone trough process he felt as if his body was not his any-more and it collapsed on ground. He still could feel it, but all of the control he had just a second ago was lost. This surreal feeling continued for an hour. Theodore was making sure, that he was as safe as he could make himself be. He fortified boundaries of his soul, locking them with imaginary locks, sealing all cracks, all that would leak ¡°his¡± presence. And then he waited did something that he had never considered before. He ripped part of his soul out. Unimaginable pain suddenly overcame him. Theodore blanked, his consciousness drifting on painful waves that pervaded his soul.


    While Theodore still was suffering consequences of his actions something else was happening simultaneously. In the now empty part of his soul something else started to form. Even with all the pain Theodore was feeling he could still tell that the empty part would be no longer empty. In that place all of the ¡°something¡± that was trickling down the connection took form. It was another soul, it was weak, small and seemed almost vulnerable.


    Theodore knew better. It was only a part of a soul. He grimly took notice of the fact. Someone somewhere had separated part of his soul and had tried to take over his.


    Theodore couldn''t even start to fathom how could something like that be possible. But the fact was, he was the unfortunate target of such a thing. And even if seemed to weak, such a soul could be anything but.


    And after another hour passed his body started to rise, but as of that moment it was not Theodore who was owner of it. It was now the Other who was the owner and a moment later he spoke: ¡°So this is my new body, huh?¡±


    Theodore that day discovered another disturbing thing. He was experiencing everything that the Other did.


    --


    It was strange. Theodore watched on as Other lived his life and seemingly even better than he ever could manage. Other had somehow picked up the language Theodore was speaking, even thought Theodore suspected that Other was originally speaking in a different language all together. He even spoke some scant words when no one else was around to himself.


    Other wasn''t social person either, but somehow no one bothered him, at school there were no more whispering behind his back, at home his parents even sometimes bothered to speak with him, but mostly everyone just him to his own devices.


    At first Others life was awkward, because it seemed that he didn''t inherit memories of Theodore, but as time went by... No one noticed! Other showed surprising amount of adaptability and even people who had knew Theodore for years were none the wiser. That Theodore had closed himself of from others also played a big role. As even when Other messed up people just played it of as him being a weirdo Theodore always was in their eyes.


    Theodore could only continue on, living on, as months passed by Other too started to write down copious amounts of text, he was strangely avert to using computers, only opting to use pen and paper. The language was something that Theodore had never seen before, and even when it was his body that wrote down those texts he was none the wiser what was actually written in them. Theodore did suspect it was the same language Other seldom spoke to himself in.


    After almost a year had passed and Theodore''s fifteen birthday was closing by Other discovered something in a forest near the city of Sanna. It was during a school trip to a nature park, when they stopped in Sanna for a bathroom brake. After that Other changed his attitude. He spoke with Theodore''s parents about wanting to move out and move to Sanna. After he was refused Other instead of giving up blackmailed his parents. Theodore didn''t know how Other knew where to look for, but he had found incriminating documents regarding his fathers business.


    A week later Theodore moved to Sanna with assurance that he would be taken care of till age of eighteen when he reached his adulthood. Another week later Other had started multitude of strange things that Theodore could only call crazy. One day Other would stand next to the Spring in the nearby forest chanting for hours upon hours. Another day he would carve out various runes into seemingly random rocks he had found. But the worst days was when Other decided to carve out those runes into his body. Theodore felt every bit of pain and these runes that Other carved seemed to burn with fire some times and felt like were filled with ice other times.


    This went on for almost a year. He could see that Other had gotten increasingly more and more frustrated, but one day Theodore felt something he had never felt before.


    It happened one day after almost 5 hours of chanting what could only be called a spell. Theodore felt that something started to move in his body. An energy he had never had experienced before seemed to seep into the very soul he had closed off from outside. It was a wonderful and fulfilling feeling that made Theodore feel like he could take on a whole world.


    And within this energy Theodore saw a chance to fight back against Other and challenge his ownership of this body. Theodore would have his revenge one way or another.

 Chapter 3 - Future

    Chapter 3 - Future


    Now thinking back Theodore felt that he was very lucky to be still alive and well... As well as one could be after living only as a shadow for three years. Granted it wasn''t as if there were no gains after all hardships he had to go trough.


    For one Theodore had developed something he called ¡°Soul Poison¡±, it was something he had used to slowly erode Others soul. It was a truly insidious way to kill something now that he thought about it. He had used mana that flowed trough both of of their souls and shaped it in a way that while harmless normally would be able to resonate with his soul, collapsing his targeted parts of soul immediately. It was problematic to set all conditions. Prolonged use of contaminated mana to let it seep in, distress in targets mind, mana that he could use for activation.


    Luckily Other had used mana daily, and every time he absorbed it it also coursed trough Theodore soul. So when Theodore finally felt like Others soul was contaminated enough he waited for Other to sleep and initiated attack, figuring that after waking up he would make at least make mistakes in fighting against Theodore''s attack.


    And Theodore was right. He didn''t know exactly what Other was thinking, but it had never truly tried to attack Theodore''s part of soul. Only prodding it slightly with its mind. And when he had woken up and found that it was under attack Other had mistaken it as an outer attack, not something coming from within.


    Other moved exactly as Theodore had planed and when Other finally reached Mana Well he finally activated ¡°Soul Poison¡±.


    And now Theodore was free to do...


    ¡°What am I going to do?¡± he muttered to himself.


    As Theodore was pondering what he was going to do about his future he lifted his eyes upwards and froze.


    There was something in the sky that shouldn''t be there. He was sure that there was nothing before.


    ¡°The fuck¡± was Theodore immediate thought. He had not made a habit of cursing, but this... ¡°What is that?¡±


    Up in the sky where there should be nothing there was instead a ring. It looked like it was made out of stone, uniform grey in colour.


    ¡°No, now its golden, its changing its colour, how? Why? And why is it so... big?¡±


    Theodore couldn''t tell how large it was but he was certain that it was huge. At least bigger that the town he was living in.


    It sat there unmoving. In the eye of this circle he could make out a pulsating dim light. It too changed colour together with the ring.


    A sudden bump awoke him from the stupor.


    ¡°Hey, don''t stand in the middle of walkway.¡± complained a man who was clearly rushing somewhere.


    ¡°P-please w-wait, what is t-that ring in the sky?¡± lamely stuttered Theodore, feeling ashamed that the first time he spoke with another person in years and he had messed up even a simple sentence.


    ¡°Huh? What ring?¡± the passing man also looked up, but... ¡°what are you talking about? There is nothing but clouds.¡± was his answer.


    As the man rushed further Theodore heard him say something that suspiciously sounded like ¡°nut-job¡±.


    ¡°That cannot be, its clearly there!¡± Theodore was perplexed. As he looked around he couldn''t help but notice that no one else was looking up. That he alone was staring up the sky and now he gathered some suspicion filled look from passers-by. It was as if he alone was seeing the ring.


    --


    Theodore entered his apartment still confused. He went to his bed and sat down, his mind still racing.


    ¡°Calm down Theodore, surely that ring is not the strangest thing you have seen.¡± he lied to himself. ¡°Other was also something like that, right? You couldn''t explain him either, so just roll with it, its not like that ring will fall on your head... hopefully.¡±The author''s narrative has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    The problem was, while indeed he was no stranger to things he couldn''t explain, the ring felt... Different. Every time he looked at it he felt like his being was under its scrutiny. As if the ring knew he was there. And sure, Other was directly dangerous, but he at least never felt like there was no chance at all against it. The ring though... Theodore didn''t want to find out what it was, not at all.


    ¡°OK, but that thing clearly isn''t something I should be concerned right, its just hanging there, isn''t it?¡± Theodore comforted himself. ¡°And its not like I can do anything about it, so let it go. I still have to figure out what I am doing to do now.¡±


    And that did it. Reminding himself, that he clearly didn''t have anything to do, to aim for sobered his mind. Theodore let his eyes wonder around room. Stacks of Others works was thrown about everywhere, there was little else there besides daily necessities. Theodore knew that everything that was not meant for Others work was here before he moved in.


    It wasn''t as if Theodore had no plans at all. He wanted to study magic. It was ironic but it just so happened that Others work was very fascinating to Theodore. He felt no aversion to what Other was doing and now that he was free form it he planed to continue. For a moment Theodore imagined himself as an old man, wearing a pointy hat stroking his long beard and reading an ancient tome. Indeed, that wasn''t a bad future to strive for.


    While Theodore still didn''t understand the older works of Other, while under ¡°Soul Poison¡± others memories seemed to have distorted and latter works were written in English. Other also had made a helpful guide of learning his original language. ¡°Helpful for me that is.¡± Theodore smiled to himself.


    The problem was immediate goals. Theodore was lost of how to act now. He was living without actually needing to do anything for last three years, and now he HAD to speak with people, go to school and who knew what else. ¡°Shouldn''t have put it off for that long...¡± he thought ¡°could not be helped, it wasn''t as if I was guaranteed to win¡±.


    After few more hours of pondering he finally went to sleep early. After all, tomorrow he would have to face the first struggle of his new life - school life.


    ***


    The city of Martion was full of scum and villainy. Or at least, Sainna thought it was. Martion was one of the bigger port cities in Welitaina. It was an ideal place for some highly illegal goods to pass trough. And Sainnas family was one of those who profited form it.


    Right now Sainna was sitting in car heading to a meeting with a Director of some company she couldn''t care less about.


    She was now 17 years old, 161 cm tall, blond, petite, brown eyes and everything about her screamed cute and harmless. She also was very irritated. This meeting was pointless as far as she was concerned, but her father had insisted, something about showing their good will.


    ¡°At least that old fart has no idea about my plans.¡± She thought to herself while looking at the giant Ring in the sky trough cars window. ¡°And the world is going to shit anyway, not that I will tell him that¡±


    ¡°Young miss, please correct your smile¡±


    From the front seat spoke her bodyguard, who also happened to be butler of hers. Big, black, and plenty scary, Hall Mirvo was someone who owned a life to her. She knew he had less than stellar past, but he had changed a lot, and now he was someone who truly could look after her.


    ¡°Like for example now¡± thought Sainna as she corrected her smile which had turned form the harmless she tried to always wear to predatory one.


    ¡°Thank you Hall, how long till we get to that shithole?¡±


    ¡°Please watch your language Miss, and it would be 15 more minutes before we arrive.¡± Halls voice sounded bored. If he wasn''t the one driving Sainna was sure he would just stare at one point while spacing out. ¡°Actually, that is his favourite pass time¡± she reminded to herself ¡°that and reprimanding me¡±.


    ¡°So, what is that we have to do when we arrive?¡± Sainna addressed a question to her secretary. Melita did look capable ¨C semi long grey hair, glasses with thin rims, and a shapely body, which only added to Sainnas irritation. But while she had the secretary look down the actual person...


    ¡°Um, wasn''t it about the next months ball your father was hosting?¡± Melita asked


    And there it was, she was just not good at remembering things that fell under her duties. She spent most of her time watching one action movie or another on her tablet. In fact she was doing just that even now.


    ¡°Ah yes, the gathering of fat and ugly, quite unfortunate that the ball will be cancelled.¡± Sainna spoke absent-mindedly her gaze not focused at anything in particular.


    ¡°As you say miss.¡± Hall helpfully added. Sainna knew that he actually didn''t mean it, it was just an automated answer.


    Neither Hall nor Melita didn''t question why Sainna suggested that the Ball would be cancelled. They knew better than do it. After all it was not a secret from both of them that Sainna was a seer.


    Sainna herself had hidden the fact from everyone else but both of the subordinates of her. She had made sure that they are both loyal to her to the utmost possibility. Neither of them would go against her wishes. And she did need someone to do her dirty job when she had her arms tied.


    There was also the fact that despite how Hall and Melita acted they were very capable where it counted and would become irreplaceable in future. Or so Sainna hoped. Future, after all, was a finicky thing and had a tendency of changing.


    ¡°We are about to arrive Miss¡± Hall interrupted Sainnas thoughts.


    ¡°OK, lets get done with this and return to home¡± Sainna spoke, ¡°after all, we still have to plan for that small killing of my dear father, don''t we?¡± ¡°and figure out who to make a contact with, there are some interesting options...¡±


    ¡°Miss, please, your nature is showing again.¡± Hall added.


    ¡°I know, I know!¡± Sainna exited the car and while doing so her smile changed back to the angelic one she wore in public. ¡°but soon I wont have to pretend, there is not much time left after all.¡±


    As Sainna walked to the entry she let out quiet sinister laugh.


    Hall could only sight, as he watched his Mistress glancing to the sky as she so often lately did.

 Chapter 4 – Wheels moving

    Chapter 4 ¨C Wheels moving


    ¡°Father, I am so happy see you back from the trip!¡± Sainna exclaimed as she entered her fathers lavishly decorated office. She wore hers brightest and cutest smile.


    Her father Jonathan Reki looked like a good natured uncle, with his grizzled hair and clean shaven face. And when in public he always wore a disarming smile. Sainna had no doubts, that her acting talent came from this father of hers.


    As she made her way to her father she cautiously prepared a small syringe she was holding in her hand. It was quite lucky that Jonathan didn''t keep any company while he was working and the only , it made Sainna''s work much easier.


    ¡°My angel! How have I missed you!¡± Jonathan happily embraced his daughter. ¡°I have brought to you the most beautiful dress for the ball next week¡± he continued ¡°You will love it!¡±


    ¡°Oh, thank you father! I can not wait to try it on!¡± Sainna thanked, her still smiling expression didn''t betray her thoughts and before they separated she made a slight stab into back of her fathers neck.


    And Jonathan didn''t even flinch and a moment later he rubbed the place she had pierced with the needle, taking no special notice of it. That moment Sianna''s smile grew even wider as the syringe disappeared in folds of her dress.


    ¡°I cant wait to see you in it and show you off to all my friends!¡± Jonathan continued.


    Sainna had no doubts, that the dress was indeed beautiful and expensive, but that only made it worse. She knew that he didn''t think of her as his daughter really. She was considered a great merchandise to show off.


    The only thing stopping her from getting engaged with some creep now was that those said creeps were still bidding on her. Be it with money or no doubt lucrative deals that would further push her ¡°beloved¡± father further up the social ladder. Or whatever those scums and criminals counted as a social ladder.


    She also idly wondered why he had not found another wife, as Sainna''s mother happened to have a car ¡°accident¡± and she died in hospital 9 years ago. Fathers speech at funeral had really been heartbreaking, later that evening he went to a whore house he owned. She supposed that being a 48 years old bachelor had its perks that kept him from leaping into another marriage.


    As they both made their way to chairs and sat across each other with an office desk between them Sainna finally let her smile fade away.


    ¡°Is something wrong my angel?¡± inquired Jonathan


    ¡°Well, yes, I wont be able to attend the ball after all¡± Sainna sighed


    ¡°And why would that be?¡± Jonathan really disliked when something interfered with his plans.


    ¡°After all, my father died and his funeral is surely of more importance. I will have to attend, I wonder if I have a fitting dress.¡± Sainna sadly shook her head.


    ¡°What do you...¡± but Jonathan''s sentence was cut short by a stabbing pain in his heart. ¡°Arhg, what have you done Sainna?¡±


    ¡°Ah, how truly tragic, the young and innocent me had to witness my owns fathers death!¡± Sainna miserably continued to monologue.


    ¡°You, you...¡± but before Jonathan was cut short again, this time by the sudden lack of breath.


    As Sainna watched her father slowly dying she didn''t feel even a ounce of regret. The man she had called her father for all these years was a vile men who was not deserving a pity from anyone.


    ¡°About the time for someone put an end to your ruinous life you old fart¡± Sainna said the final goodbye to her father. After few more seconds the last light left his eyes.


    ¡°Well then, time for the greatest performance of my life!¡± After another moment passed Sainna let out an ear deafening scream.


    ¨C


    ¡°What are we going to do now?¡± asked Melita.


    They were sitting a car that was returning form Jonathan''s funeral. Hall was again acting as a driver while Melita sat next to Sainna.


    Fitting for the occasion all three of them were dressed in black, and wore glum faces. Sainna''s face was stained with tears. Even Melita who know better felt that maybe somewhere inside her, Sainna was sad of her father dying.


    ¡°What do you mean, now we celebrate!¡± Sainna immediately answered. Any emotions wiped from her face.Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.


    ¡°Guess not¡± Melita concluded, ¡°I meant now that your father is not shackling you to this place. You already inherited everything he legally had. Will that be enough to go trough your plan? Maybe even share the Plan with us?¡±


    Ignoring the slight barb at the end from Melita a thoughtful expression appeared on Sainna''s face. ¡°Its hard to tell. We can certainly put them in motion though.¡±


    ¡°And those plans are?¡± with little impatience Melita inquired.


    ¡°I guess they do deserve some answers¡± Sainna weighted ¡°We will contact some... people...¡±


    ¡°People like you?¡± Melita really felt that Sainna should speak more of her designs, She and Hall would go any lengths to help this girl but she rarely asked for it.


    ¡°No, not like me.¡± Sainna looked trough cars window up to the sky. The Ring was still hanging there just as it were yesterday and days before. ¡°But they will have power. And they will bring change if allowed to.¡±


    ¡°And she is back to being cryptic, great!¡± Melita grumbled to herself.


    ¡°Can you not be so obscure miss?¡± this time it was Hall who spoke up and Melita could not help but to shoot a surprised look at him.


    ¡°Its difficult to tell more¡± Sainna frowned. ¡°As I already mentioned before, the more monumental are the events I have seen the more restricted I am when speaking of them.¡± She recalled the night she had seen the world in ruins for the first time. She truly didn''t want for that to come true.


    Despite her callous exterior she did care for people lives. Sainna just found it difficult to care for particular ones when almost every time she had a vision it would be full with death and suffering.


    ¡°We need to find those who can wield power... and inform them about gathering, it will happen in a year, we have to get ready. When the... Ring... beckons... there HAS to be those who can answer...¡± by now Sainna was visibly gasping for breath and big drops of sweat were rolling down her face.


    Both Melita and Hall frowned. This was more than Sainna had told them in a while, and it took a visible toll of her every time she did. They didn''t want to put their young miss trough it, but even if they would do anything for her, they still were not her slaves.


    After Sainna had spoken silence resumed in car. All three left with their own thoughts.


    ***


    Theodore was exhausted. Three years he had no direct contact for himself with other people had left him ill-prepared for school. Right now he was laying down in his bed and taking a brake of studying Others works.


    Almost a year had passed since he had taken control back form the Other, but he still felt immensely uncomfortable when he spoke with other people. What didn''t help was that they once again were avoiding him.


    ¡°What am I doing wrong, I literally did everything the same way as the Other did!¡± The next most prominent emotion he felt right now was confusion.Confusion of how it was, that the very next day he had returned and went to school he was avoided as a plague. Again. This time there were no whispers behind his back, it was like everyone in his class just decided to ignore him. On the same day.


    How was it that in the whole year he had less than handful meaningful conversations with people.


    ¡°There must be something about me...¡± Theodore thought as he tried to stare a hole in ceiling.


    The unfortunate thing was, he had no idea where to start with this problem so he did what he had done for so many times before. He returned to the books laying on the ground.


    The apartment Theodore lived in had not changed in any meaningful way. The only difference was that now on Theodore''s work table sat a cheap computer he had scraped money for. Nothing great, but necessary for school work and those occasional times when he took a brake.


    He now understood why Other had not used computers. Something about the knowledge that was written on paper didn''t translate well to digital format. It was as if the text lost its meaning.


    The past year had been been barren of social interaction, but he was quite happy with his progress in magic. He was nowhere an arch-mage, and he knew for sure he was quite a lot worse than the Other had been, but he was getting somewhere.


    He had learned to do some minor improvements to his mind and consciousness. While minor, and shoddier than the ones Other had made from himself they still allowed him to cruise trough lessons at school and allowed much smoother work with stacks of books at his apartment. He also had made a good progress in translating earlier works of Other. Though, what was written in them was quite a bit more difficult that newer written works and Theodore didn''t understand them one bit.


    That didn''t discourage Theodore, he only felt more confident in the path he had chosen as it seemed like and endless one and promised great many of rewards and mysteries to solve.


    ¡°I will become the greatest mage of all time!¡± Theodore thought to himself while theatrically shaking his hand at imaginary opponent.


    But what he truly had invested his time in was something else. He still lived in constant fear that something else would come and try take over his body, as unlikely as it was it had happened once already. So most of Theodore''s time went into bulking up his defenses. He had found something other called ¡°Shadow Mind¡± in one of the books. It was a construct meant to hide user from detection, but it also had a wonderful side effect.


    When in use Theodore could vaguely sense other people around him. In the book it was described that as a result of submerging ones mind within domain of shadows user could use the nothingness left behind to search for those who walked shadows surface.


    It was an exiting skill for Theodore to play around with. It didn''t let to precisely judge where exactly or how many people there were, but it did allow him to know if there was anyone at all. And with some training and honing he was sure that he would soon improve in this spells usage. The only downside was the immense mana cost the spell had and Theodore had to recharge it regularly.


    By now Theodore walked to Mana Well every night. It wasn''t that it had to at night, but he just found it to be easier to ignore that huge Ring in the sky when it was dark outside.


    That night when he finally arrived at the usual spot he, to his surprise, found three people in his ¡°Shadow Minds¡± range already standing there, he was sure that they hadn''t seen him yet. It was too dark to make out for sure who they were as there was no sources of light nearby, all he could tell that there was one men and two women. But, whoever they were there was no reason for them to hang around this place all night, he could return later.


    Before he could turn around and leave the women in the middle of the three already spoke ¡°We have been waiting for you Theodore!¡±


    ¡°How did she find me¡± was the only thought on Theodore''s mind as he froze.

 Chapter 5 – Conversation

    Chapter 5 ¨C Conversation


    ¡°We have been waiting for you Theodore!¡± said a voice that sounded like it belonged to a young girl. Theodore''s mind vent into overdrive. While he had made his mind faster it had a somewhat of a side-effect. When Theodore happened onto situation he didn''t know how to act in he tended to overthink. And right now his mind was spinning out of control. Catching himself doing that he forcefully calmed himself down. ¡°OK, Theodore there are some clearly suspicious people here who apparently know you. Do you remember meeting someone like them?¡±


    Theodore walked a bit closer to the trio, while he still couldn''t make out the faces he was sure he had not met them before. One of them was a clearly muscular black man, who looked mightily threatening and gave a feeling that he could snap Theodore''s neck with just a move of his wrist. He was standing a little behind the shorter female in the middle together with another female who Theodore could make out, wore glasses and sported semi long hair.¡°OK, OK, that''s not helping! Just act calm, be calm and figure out what they want. ASK what they want, start with that, yes.¡±


    Theodore took another breath before starting to speak. ¡°And may I ask wh.. urgh!¡± and bit his own tongue. ¡°who ish askling?¡± ¡°That could have gone worse, I at least finished the question¡± he comforted himself while resisting the urge to collapse on ground in shame.


    ¡°That was an interesting reaction to someone starting a conversation. I guess you are not quite the person we were expecting. You can put away that gun Melita.¡± Sainna spoke.


    Melita grumbled an affirmative answer and to Theodore''s horror he only then noticed that there indeed was a gun aimed at him. The fact that Melita was putting it away did nothing to soothe Theodore''s nerves. Only then he noticed the phrasing.


    ¡°Did they expect the Other? How would they know about him?¡± Theodore was sure that the Other had not made any contacts with people like these. After all, while he was possessed he had spent all his time watching every single thing the Other had done. ¡°And how did they discern that I was not pretending? That girl sounded so sure that I am Me!¡± Theodore felt that there were too many questions popping up in his head.


    ¡°So, are you the original then? Quite interesting! Fascinating even, you know, it is really rare that my visions turn out to be inaccurate! Its always a pleasure to meet someone who can overturn their destiny! My name is Sainna by the way, Sainna Reki, that big guy behind me is Hall and girl with the gun is Melita.¡± Sainna started to gush leaving Theodore even more bewildered.


    While speaking Sainna started to walk closer to where Theodore was standing. The man behind her, Hall was about to speak, when Sainna interrupted him ¡°Don''t worry Hall, he isn''t doing it on purpose.¡±


    ¡°Doing what?¡± Theodore asked, he really felt like he had not done anything besides making a fool out of himself. ¡°Wait, didn''t she say something about visions?¡±


    ¡°Oooh, could it be that you had not even noticed?¡± this time it was Sainna''s turn to be confused. ¡°I guess I can see how you would be able to not notice by yourself, but surely someone had to tell you.¡± she furrowed her brows.


    Theodore didn''t know what to think anymore. There, apparently, was something wrong about him, enough for even the muscles over there to be nervous. ¡°Not that I didn''t know that there is something! But could it be something obvious? It that the reason everyone avoids me?¡±


    ¡°Oh, I know, you have no friends!¡± Sainna pointed a finger at Theodore while exclaiming


    That hit Theodore hard. ¡°Could you please not say it loud, please?¡± he begged ¡°Huh, isn''t this conversation moving in a strange direction?¡±


    ¡°That''s OK, We will be your friends!¡± followed up Sainna.


    ¡°That''s not how someone makes friends Miss, and we still have to get back by nine, to be in time for the flight, so could you please move to the reason we have came here, please?¡± Hall helpfully interrupted. He truly didn''t feel comfortable in this youngsters presence, even if young Miss was insisting of him being important. He also took a note, that young Miss was playing up her reactions a little bit. He guessed that was to make this Theodore guy more relaxed and no so wary to their presence.


    ¡°You are right Hall! Postpone the friendship offer. So, Theodore have you ever wondered about where this world is moving to?¡± Sainna asked


    ¡°Could you please wait a bit, I have some questions I would like to a...¡± but before Theodore could finish Sainna was already continuing.


    ¡°And I am not speaking about where are we heading as humanity, or about ever growing pollution or even where the planet itself is floating of to.¡± Sainna took a breath. ¡°No, I am asking you what do you think would happen if...¡± Sainna started to look very uncomfortable, her voice trembling. ¡°If every worlds govern... ment collapsed, for example?¡±A case of theft: this story is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    Theodore noticed that Sainna was panting as if she had run a marathon just a moment ago.


    After a moment of silence Theodore asked ¡°You said you had visions, about what exactly? Are you a prophet?¡±


    ¡°No, not a prophet, I just have visions!¡± was Sainna''s answer. ¡°Ah, but I cant really talk about what I actually see without repercussions. You see, every time I do something changes and those visions wont come true!¡±


    ¡°But you just now did...¡± Theodore really had a hard time of following Sainna.


    ¡°There are always ways of avoiding those changes you know! It just really burdens my mind and I get reaaallly tired! Mana levels around here also helps!¡±


    Theodore felt that Sainna left something out, but he wasn''t sure she would answer his inquiry anyway. And she knew about mana. Theodore didn''t know how the Other had detected mana that was seeping from the Mana Well, but it should not be something every person could. Otherwise this place would not have been visited only by him. There regularly was some person or another hiking in these forests.


    ¡°So, assuming that she really can see future, visions, whatever, how much does she know? Could it be that I have something important I have to achieve? No, they came here expecting to meat the Other, didn''t they?¡± Theodore really wanted to have a hour or two to think out how to proceed, but it didn''t seem like Sainna would be giving him that time. She was already continuing.


    ¡°So you see, I am in a bit of a conundrum here. I was expecting to meet You, but turns out that You are now You. Ah, but maybe that is a good thing? You seem like a person I would have easier time to get along with! And I can see, that you already have awakened your powers, isn''t that great! So, how about we make a little deal, hmm?¡±


    ¡°What kind of a deal are we speaking about? Also, what do you mean with my powers? Why did you mean when you said ¡°he isn''t doing it on purpose¡±?¡± Theodore was really bothered by the fact, that did something he was not conscious of.


    ¡°What was I talking about? Its simple really, I have to wonder, how did you live you life till now with all those shadows always surrounding you! Even now, at night its noticeable if you look for it you know!¡± Sainna pointed her finger at him again. ¡°They are darker where you stand, you should really do something about it, its really creepy.¡±


    ¡°What do you...?¡± Theodore took a look around him. It took him several moments to notice about what Sainna was talking about.


    Indeed, where his soul leaked out of his body and touched a shadow it seemed to be a little bit darker. He had not noticed it before as his soul was covering those shadows it touched. ¡°Seems like I wont have to search for my affinity anymore...¡± Theodore could only smile wryly to himself. All those years of ignorance...


    No wonder his parents thought he was a monster, or that he was ignored at school. He had to wonder, since when? He could vaguely remember that his soul started to leek out of his body around age of ten? Eleven? Before that he spoke about his soul openly, so he didn''t have the best reputation even that.


    Why had no one spoken a word about it? Were they afraid? Thought he would curse them? He couldn''t tell.


    Sainna didn''t care about revelation Theodore was undergoing. She once again pulled him along. ¡°About the deal...¡± Sainna gathered her thoughts. ¡°It would go something like this ¨C I make sure you have enough resources to live how you want, and in return, when The Ring calls, you will stand by my side.¡±


    ¡°You can see that Ring?¡± Theodore was getting tired of getting surprised. ¡°Of course she can, but that''s a relief, I am not going crazy...¡±


    ¡°Sure I can see it, but those two cant, and its not really something we should be talking about before time comes.¡± Sainna answered. ¡°Also, keep in mind that we are not the only ones.¡±


    Theodore could tell that she was genuinely uncomfortable speaking about this topic. So he didn''t ask more, he too felt that it was not something they should delve on. They both shoot a look to the sky, reconfirming, that the Ring was indeed still there.


    ¡°What would it entail, this standing by your side?¡± Theodore caught himself asking. He didn''t know why, but he found Sainna to be easy to trust in. Maybe it was the simple fact, that she wasn''t averse of speaking with him. Friendly-ish conversations wasn''t something Theodore was enjoying often.


    ¡°That is a bit difficult to answer, my goals may still change, but I will need support in... resisting some of the offers made at gathering that will result... from that call.¡± Sainna was again sounding as if something was gnawing at her thoughts, making it difficult for her to speak. ¡°But I can assure you, that I am interested for what is best for humanity!¡±


    ¡°Was this also the offer you would have given to other me?¡± Theodore could not help but to ask.


    However Sainna shook her head. ¡°Yes and no, more of a no. Other You, would most probably not be as forthcoming, but he could be negotiated with.¡±


    What was left unsaid, was Sainna most probably will want him to help with something unsavory. Theodore could only guess, but she probably expected him to hurt other people.


    Theodore didn''t miss it, but also didn''t mention it. He wasn''t that naive to believe that every human was worth saving, and just by talking you could make the world a better place, and if there really was a catastrophe coming... There would be a lot of dead people.


    He also was not fond of people in general, even if he longed for some company his peers had never given it to him. His family had tried to live with him, but in the end had abandoned him, even if the Other had given the final push.


    ¡°We shall conclude the conversation here Theodore. I see that you have a lot to think trough and I am not asking for your answer right now. Give it a though and call me when you reach a decision.¡± Sainna said as she came to stand next to Theodore and gave him a paper strip with her number.


    ¡°I know our meeting was short, but there are places I have to be. No rest for the wicked and all that. I will be waiting for good news, see you around Theodore!¡± Sainna said her parting words as she walked away with her escorts, leaving Theodore standing alone with multitude of thoughts swirling trough his head. There was a lot to take in. The most damnable thing was, that he believed Sainna. And if she indeed was right, he had a lot of preparations to go trough.


    Also, he only now noticed that he had not seen any of the trio clearly in the dark. ¡° Oh, that''s just great!¡± Theodore concluded.

 Chapter 6 - Decision

    Chapter 6 - Decision


    While sitting in the rented car and heading back to the airport Sainna felt fatigue settling in. She had been on the move for the sever months, moving from one country to the next, meeting different people and deciding if they were worth the trouble of inviting to the gathering which would take place after the Ring had made its call. She knew that there would be no shortage of those who will hear the calling, but how many would answer it was hard to tell.


    It was also questionable if she will manage to steer the meeting in a direction she wished for. ¡°Sigh... Why is it so hard to read anything happening under the influence of that loop?¡± Sainna didn''t know. She always pretended to more knowledgeable that she actually was. It helped for the young her to convince others, give her voice that they had to hear. Even now when she was almost an adult she often had problems of people not taking her seriously.


    Well, Hall and Melita did help with that as well. They could be very scary when called for and someone with a secretary and bodyguard left a impression that she was someone important.


    Being a seer people tended to take her words to the heart. At least when she felt like telling it to someone that she was a seer. She often decided of whom to tell upon meeting that person.


    ¡°This night too... Who would have thought that Theodore would overcome the other personality, all the visions before pointed of someone else being in control of his body, except for the last one...¡± Sainna pondered to herself while biting her lip. ¡°Good thing that there was Mana Well there, loosing my sight before next meeting would suck.¡±


    Sainna had experienced another vision as she was waiting for Theodore. In this vision she saw Theodore laying on the ground, in the spot she was standing in, where mana seemed to gather in. She saw him overcome the other personality in his body and becoming the one who was in control. Then shadows flared around him, covering Theodore from her sight.


    At least it was not one of the more outlandish visions she experienced, sometimes she only saw frames she had to interpret herself. Other times, the was only smell or sound, without any visuals at all.


    What she saw gave Sainna confidence, that Theodore could become very useful to her. Even if those shadows continued to cover his path, it was not something that Sainna was concerned about. This vision also gave her conviction in her previous guess, that the other personality was something supernatural, not just a psychological condition of Theodore''s.


    She didn''t enjoy seeing how someone''s else life would play out and when someone had an ordinary path ahead of him she found it to be easier to glean onto that path.


    Not so with people she was looking for. They were often dangerous, had great determination, luck, heritage or all of those things, or sometimes none. It also made it hard for Sainna to meet them, not even mentioning actually convincing them to ally with her.


    The other personality of Theodore was dangerous and Sainna was ready to make great concessions in his favor because as she knew time was running out. She only had successfully convinced two other persons to her cause and that would most likely be not enough.


    ¡°Miss, are you feeling well?¡± asked Melita with concern in her voice.


    ¡°Just a little weariness from all this traveling.¡±


    ¡°Maybe you should take a nap then, its still couple of hours till we get to the airport.¡± suggested Melita.


    ¡°Maybe..., how does preparations are going at our new house?¡±


    ¡°Good, we have stocked up with nonperishable food that would last for good few years if we kept population at that place in hundreds.¡± was Melita''s answer. ¡°The land around has been cultivated well, and should bring the first harvest in a few months.¡±


    ¡°And the weapons?¡±


    ¡°We have bought all the swords and armor you were asking for. We also managed to get more ammo for the guns you managed to get from your fathers stock.¡±


    Sainna frowned, that old coot really had stuck his fingers in every illegal activity he could manage to. Sainna really hated the fact that she had to use his fathers contacts for some of the goods she had need for.


    ¡°Say Melita, haven''t you gotten really good at being a secretary lately?¡± Sainna added.


    ¡°There have not been any good movies coming out, so I have more time to work.¡± Melita grumbled.Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.


    Sainna was left speechless, she knew Melita could be quite shameless, but for her to so clearly state that as a reason... Sainna could not help laugh out loud!


    After Sainna finally stopped laughing, which didn''t happen for a good few minutes because of Melita''s continuous grumbling about bad directing and shit action scenes, Hall asked Sainna question that had occupied his mind for a while now.


    ¡°Miss, do we have to look for these people?¡±


    ¡°Oh, did Theodore scare you?¡± Sainna feeling better after the Melita''s antics asked.


    ¡°He was... unnerving. Didn''t feel as dangerous as the one in mountains, but more... unnatural.¡± Hall shuddered. He had a good intuition he had honed in his younger days, when he was just a common street thug with a penchant for fighting with his bare hands and Theodore was someone who would rather not meat again.


    Sainna was silent for a moment before answering.


    ¡°Yes, I alone would not be enough, even with the help of you two the other parties involved would squash us under their fingers.¡± ¡°Or at least if I interpreted my visions correctly they will.¡± Sainna added in her mind.


    ¡°Hmm, if you say so Miss. Where are we heading next then? Hopefully not to meet someone else that weird, are we?¡±


    ¡°Oh, don''t worry, you may actually like the next person we are visiting.¡± Sainna answered.


    ¡°So, it is some weirdo again.¡± Hall sighed.


    Melita turned on her tablet to look at the information in it of the next target, but before she could give read it to Hall Sainna reached over and turned it off again.


    ¡°Ah, that would be no fun, let me have some fun on Halls expense!¡± Sainna admonished Melita.


    Hall sighed again, and wondered what had he done wrong to deserve this teasing.


    Meanwhile Sainna laid down the seat.


    ¡°I will take a nap then, wake me up when we arrive at airport.¡± Sainna closed her eyes hoping that she would not have any more visions in her dreams and the dark nothingness would guard her from the world and problems that came with it.


    ---


    ¡°This has been one of the stranger nights I have experienced.¡± Theodore thought. His mind, frankly, was a mess. The trio came and was gone like a wind. This Sainna person left a deep impression to him, well, she was the only doing most of the talking. Theodore could not help but to cringe when he remembered how he had let her lead the conversation all the way trough.


    Right now Theodore was walking back home. He had recharged his spent mana, but right now he didn''t enjoy his favorite spell ¡°Shadow Mind¡± as he usually did, especially when he was full of mana.


    He was looking up to the nightly sky, ignoring the Ring that gave off a soft ever-changing glow.


    He was thinking about the future. ¡°She said we can make a deal. Resources I would need, so she probably knew I am researching magic, otherwise she would have said money. Not that I don''t need money.¡± Theodore frowned, there still was a little bit of school left until graduation. Before his father would stop supporting him, as per deal. He certainly had no actual knowledge of how to make a living. He for a moment wondered of what the Other had planned, but soon threw that thought in the back of his mind. It wasn''t of any importance anymore.


    ¡°So, that''s good and all, if she is indeed some kind of prophet she probably can support me, but what would I have to do for her? Kill someone? But I am no killer and those two behind her probably can do that for her. I didn''t even notice the gun that woman was holding. Not to mention that dude who looked like someone who fought bears for a living.¡± Not that Theodore had any of them clearly in the dark. He cursed the fact that today was no full moon hanging in the sky.


    ¡°Then what else, if she thought she was meeting the Other, maybe something to do with mind magic? In the end I don''t know how much she knew about me. Maybe all she wants from me is my knowledge on magic and will ask from me to help with research. Not that I am any great mage by any definition. But maybe she knew that too...¡± Theodore really wished Sainna had told him more about... everything really. ¡°She clearly knew a lot, she knew what is mana, could sense it too, she knew about other, knew about my affinity, my name, how did she got all that information?¡±


    Theodore started to kick a pebble while walking. ¡°And what did she say? Collapse of governments was it? How would that come to be? What world ending scenario would cause that? And what about that gathering? Who would be the ones that gathered? And it would be a result of a call? What call? She said ¡°that¡± call? ¡°That¡± what call?.¡±


    At this point Theodore threw his hand in the air and screamed


    ¡°I don''t fucking know! And why didn''t she said anything about time! Is there a time frame I have to make my decision in? Aarghh!¡± Theodore was getting very, very irritated.


    ¡°Why are there so many questions!?¡± He shouted at the sky.


    After he had done that he took a few deep breaths to calm himself down. ¡°In the end what matters is, do I believe her enough to make a jump from this bridge. So do I?¡± Theodore started to think to himself.


    ¡°I don''t think she lied to me, she also has something planned, but it also didn''t seem like I was a pivotal figure in it. She would have tried harder to convince me otherwise, no? In the end the lack of dealing with other people came to bite me in the ass. There is no way I can actually guess someones intentions without knowing them.¡±


    Theodore found himself standing before front door of his apartment building. As he started to head up to his place he finally reached a conclusion. ¡°In the end I actually want a friend don''t I? She said she could become one didn''t she?¡±


    The next day he made a call. After a moment the call was connected.


    ¡°Is it you Theodore?¡± asked Sainna, her voice distorted by interference in connection.


    ¡°Yes, I have made my decision.¡± Theodore answered steeling himself for what was to come, reassuring himself about his decision. ¡°I am in!¡±


    ¡°Good, there is only month left for us to get ready, I am happy to see you on board Theodore Michael Savo!¡± Sainna''s voice sounded positively happy, much to Theodore''s chagrin.

 Chapter 7 - Mary

    Chapter 7 - Mary


    Mary Rose was pissed off. Not only she had lost her job AGAIN, but she also had to explain to her parents exactly why she had punched that piece of shit of a neighbor they had. That degraded human being also happened to be the owner of that place she was just fired from.


    How a young, 19 year old girl had so many problems of finding a job she could stay in for more than a month without getting into trouble was a mystery.


    And the week had started off so well too. Monday, after she had returned home from job hunting, her mother ¨C Betty, had informed her of a nearby cafe looking for a waitress. And Mister Peterson of the building next door happened to be the owner.


    Mary''s mother, who of course was familiar with most of the neighborhood including the stray cats, had mentioned her daughter was in need of a nice place to work in and Mister Peterson had agreed to hire her on mothers recommendation.


    ¡°That fucking peeper, he deserved that broken nose. Should have punched him some more too, while I had the chance.¡± Mary had caught Mister Peterson looking under another waitresses skirt while she was reaching for something on the higher shelf. ¡°No wonder those uniform skirts were so short.¡±


    Still fuming over the injustice of the world Mary was striding back home. She lifted her hand to look at the index finger she had broken while punching that pigs face, curiously looking at it. It had stopped hurting a while ago and now she could move it without problems.


    While wiggling her finger at nothing in particular she thought back to the moment she discovered that she could heal a lot faster than a normal person could. A lot faster.


    She was only eleven then and had gotten in trouble at schools playgrounds. One of the boys had taken a toy she had with her and didn''t give it back. He even had the nerve to call her names.


    So she had punched him and that boy had punched her back right after. What resulted was the first fight he had in her life. When she had went home afterwards Mary was really worried about what her parents would say. She really didn''t want to be scolded, but she didn''t know how to hide her bruises either, at least she had won the fight and had given the boy worse than she had gotten.


    But upon returning home when she took a look in the mirror all the bruises were gone. Afterwards Mary noticed that when she accidentally cut her self she would heal in a few hours. She was always healthy, but after that day she never got sick at all. When she got home tired from a hard workout all the tiredness would go away in no time and there were never any muscle pain the next day she woke up.


    As for school, after the fight no one else took her toys anymore. When her friends were having trouble only by mentioning Mary''s name the bullies would turn around and run. As the years went by she became someone who every girl looked up to and was was considered eldest sister for every girl in school. Mary was all too happy to help, at least she was as long as it didn''t involve studying.


    The unfortunate consequences of it was that she was too stupid to get in any decent university. While physically fit, which was a necessity for the frequent fights she got into, it didn''t help her land a decent job.


    And now standing in front of her house Mary mustered all the courage she could. Hopefully her mother wont be at home.


    The luck was not on her side.


    ¡°God only knows how hard we tried to rise you properly Mary!¡± Mary''s mother had started her sermon the same moment Mary crossed the doorstep. ¡°All these years we told you to study and stop hanging around with those hooligans! But you never listen to us! Look at you now, hitting our own neighbor! You are lucky Mister Peterson didn''t bring up any charges! What will people think about our family now!¡± she rattle on and on.


    Mary knew better than to start arguing back. She had many problems with the outlook her mother had. For one, she really hated how she never listened what Mary had to say. It would come as no surprise if her mother would declare that Mister Peterson was actually a misunderstood saint. But she had never managed to talk any sense into her mother, and usually the talking involved screaming at each other.


    ¡°At least she is not asking me to go and apologize.¡± Mary thought. ¡°She probably fears that I will punch him again.¡± she concluded.


    Her mothers prattling didn''t stop.


    ¡°What are we going to do about you Mary? At this rate you wont find a decent man to marry you! It is already time for you to find a guy, why cant you just settle down?¡±


    Mary''s mother was 47 years old this year and felt that it was time for her to have a grandchild or two. When Mary''s brother turned 18 he had packed up his stuff and ran away to some hippy community to be closer with nature.A case of literary theft: this tale is not rightfully on Amazon; if you see it, report the violation.


    It was already 8 years ago. The last they had heard from him was that he was a letter he had sent on last Christmas. It turned out he had met his soul mate. It also turned out his soul mate was named Allan.


    Mary still remembered that day with glee, because her mother had tried to convince everyone at attending the Christmas party that Allan was also a girls name. That is until they unpacked present their dear son had sent to his parents. It was a picture in a nice black, glossy frame. If there was something said about Allan was that he had a magnificent beard.


    At least Mary''s father, Gram had written response to William wishing all the best from them both. Both meaning, Mary and Gram. Her father knew better than to inform his wife about the letter.


    It want wasn''t that Mary wanted to disappoint her mother. She had several confessions from boys around her age. With her Long brown hair, green eyes and slender, well toned body and long legs she was was quite good-looking. She just had no interest in dating anyone. That didn''t stop her mother from trying to set her up with various sons of the friends she had.


    But Mary would not be a housewife, she didn''t want to lead such a boring life. There was sure to be something exiting in the world just waiting for her.


    Mary let her mind wander. It did not seem like her mother would run out of steam anytime soon. Her mood was especially bitchy today Mary observed. And if so she might as well go outside and come back later.


    As Mary turned around and left she heard her mother yelling after her about ¡°proper manners¡±, but she didn''t care enough to respond.


    The neighborhood Mary liven in was generally quiet. But peace wasn''t she wanted now, she needed to blow a fuse. Find some outlet to her frustrations. She headed to nearby bar, she usually didn''t enter it, but there was always some scumbag to punch nearby.


    As the luck dictated she wasn''t disappointed. When she arrived she saw two men leading clearly unwilling girl in an alley further down the street.


    ¡°Two is a good number. I can take on two thugs easily. Lets henceforth call them Thug A and Thug B.¡± Mary licked her lips and stretched as she went to find where the trio had gone to.


    When Mary found them she saw the girl being held at knife-point behind the trash cans. The two thugs had not expected any company and for a moment gawked at Mary before one of them turned to face her.


    ¡°So missy, are you looking for some company?¡± Thug A asked.


    ¡°Make sure she doesn''t scream.¡± said Thug B.


    ¡°Guh!¡± added Thug A.


    ¡°Huh?¡± wondered Thug B.


    When both thugs had started to speak Mary was already in motion. She had grabbed one of Thugs A hands pushing it sideways and delivered a swift jab with her extended fingers to his throat. Next she smashed her knee in his groin letting him collapse on the ground.


    ¡°Ah, truly refreshing, don''t you think?¡± Mary smiled. This was what she needed to relax.


    ¡°You are going to pay for that¡± Thug B said while changing the his target form the girl to Mary now pointing his knife at her.


    ¡°Pay how? You want to get some of my blood as payment? That''s a crime you know!¡± Mary mocked Thug B sharply kicking Thugs A chin and leaving him unconscious.


    ¡°You bitch!¡± Thug B rushed Mary stabbing at her.


    Mary meanwhile caught the knife in her palm letting it pierce it. She immediately closed her palm, not letting the Thug B swing it and kicked his shin. When Thug B buckled form the sudden kick she once again used her knee to strike Thugs B solar plexus leaving him without breath.


    When Thug B sagged on ground she punched his head knocking him out as well.


    ¡°Aah, that felt good!¡± Mary exclaimed. ¡°Well, apart from this¡± she pulled knife out of her hand and threw it in the nearby trash can. ¡°Are you OK?¡± She then turned to face the damsel in distress.


    However in place of a scared lady what faced her was a scrutinizing stare.


    ¡°That''s strange.¡± Mary thought, she observed the lady once more. She was shorter than Mary was, about 1.7m. Gray, neck long hair, nicely shaped body and blue eyes behind glasses.


    ¡°Don''t stare at her so much Melita, you will make her uncomfortable.¡± a girls voice behind her said.


    When Mary looked behind she saw that a some point a blond girl with Blond hair and huge black guy had appeared there.


    ¡°Hello there Mary!¡± the girl smiled . ¡°My name is Sainna Reki and this is Hall, the victim behind you is Melita.¡±


    ¡°OK, I will be leaving then.¡±


    Mary was about to make a swift retreat, the wounded hand all but forgotten.


    ¡°These guys smell like bad news. AND they know me, are they here for revenge? Is this a trap? Did I damage some rich brat who called in reinforcements?¡±


    ¡°Don''t be in such a rush. After all, don''t you have any interest in hearing about the Ring you have been seeing above us?¡± Sainna was not about to let her leave.


    Mary stopped suddenly and with a creaky neck turned back to Sainna.


    ¡°What ring?¡± Mary inquired.


    ¡°Oh, don''t be like that, I know you have been seeing the Ring for past four years. Just as I have. And we are not the only ones, come, let us find a nicer place for a conversation.¡± Sainna pointedly looked at Thug A and B while saying that.


    ¡°And if I don''t want to?¡±


    ¡°We wont force you. But! If you want to have more excitement in your life I am sure I could provide it. I can assure you, that the fast healing you have and Ring in the sky is not the only strange things in this world, so you would you be so kind and join us for a cup of coffee?¡±


    Mary was torn. This girl was spouting her greatest secrets in this dumb of a place and somehow managed to not look like the dumbest villain ever. Because she definitely sounded like one.


    But despite all the reasons not to go with Sainna and two stooges she found herself sitting with them on the same table in a restaurant near the place she had met them.


    ¡°So, why are we here?¡± Mary wanted to know.


    ¡°Where to start, hmm, how about, the world is about to face the end and I am looking for people to help me with securing our future.¡±


    All of Mary''s attention was now on Sainna who sported a vicious grin.


    ¡°Just like a villains.¡± Mary thought.

 Chapter 8 – Heading to

    Chapter 8 ¨C Heading to


    Mary didn''t know what to think. Sure, this girl ¨C Sainna claimed to also see the Ring and she could buy it, but some of the other things...


    ¡°Maybe she just have some problems with her head. Imagination running wild? Something worse?¡± Mary really had a hard time to believe her. ¡°Whats this world end scenario? Shouldn''t there be signs? Apostles of god running around? Spiders raining from the sky? Or was it something else raining. And why is the big guy just staring at the wall behind me?¡±


    ¡°... and that is why I sincerely ask for you to join us as soon as possible.¡± Sainna concluded her speech.


    ¡°Umm I have a question...¡± Mary stopped her train of thoughts. ¡°What?¡±


    ¡°Weren''t you listening?¡± this time it was Melita who spoke. Sainna meanwhile looked like she was about to laugh.


    ¡°I did, but I am bad at this stuff, make it shorter, make it easy for me to understand, don''t just speak for 10 minutes and expect me to remember!¡± Mary threw her hands up in the air, but quickly hid her them again. She still had not gotten rid of blood on hear left hand. Even if it didn''t bleed for some time already she still had yet to clean it.


    ¡°Haha hahahaha!¡± Sainna broke into a laugh. ¡°This is fucking gold!¡± she wheezed.


    ¡°Young miss, please watch your language.¡± Hall woke up from his coma to reprimand Sainna, meanwhile Mary sent a venomous look at Sainna who was now unsuccessfully trying to keep her face stern.


    ¡°You know I don''t have a whole day to just sit here and entertain you, can you get to the point?¡± Mary grumbled. ¡°I am just a little bad with long speeches.¡± She thought.


    ¡°Shorter, yes, we can help you get better at better at healing, in fact, I believe you could even heal others if you understood you power better, got that?¡±


    ¡°I am not stupid, I understand words.¡± Mary took a sip form the tea Melita had ordered for them. ¡°So, how would you be able to do that? Also, weren''t you saying something about worlds end, or some such stuff?¡±


    ¡°We happen to have someone who can help you with magic and control. As for the worlds end... As I said I am a seer and...¡±


    ¡°You are?¡± Mary interrupted Sainna, much to her amusement. While Melita didn''t seem to be pleased and Mary was a target of another glare of hers. ¡°Right, so she did say that, maybe, no it was there, surely? Also, magic? This fast healing feels more like a superpower, maybe there is no difference?¡±


    ¡°Well, yes, I am! As a proof I even prepared a list of innocent little things that will happen in next few days. Weather, lotto numbers, car accidents, some topics that will be on the news.¡± Sainna slid a note to Mary. ¡°You know, other people who I spoke to was more trusting.¡±


    Mary shoot Sainna a look like she just had told her biggest lie of the year.


    ¡°Riiight!¡± Mary didn''t quite buy it.


    ¡°Its true!¡± Sainna pouted. ¡°Anyway, if you you want to get in touch with us there is also a phone number, I understand that you want to think it trough, but there is not much time left. We can make sure that your family is as safe as they could be.¡±


    ¡°OK, assuming that what you are saying is true¡±


    ¡°It is!¡±


    ¡°Assuming its true, how much time are we talking about?¡± Mary finished her question.


    This time Sainna looked troubled. When she finally spoke it looked like she got a shade paler.


    ¡°Month... you have a month.¡±


    ¡°And what will happen in a month?¡± Mary wanted to know.


    ¡°I can not say, but when the time comes you will have to decide.¡±


    ¡°Also, if you were a seer shouldn''t you already know my answer?¡±


    But Sainna shook her head.


    ¡°Those with power are always hard to read.¡±


    ¨C


    Mary was on her way back home, it was already quite late and the light of streetlights blinded her when she tried to look for the Ring that always seemed to be in the same place. Sainna had taken her leave soon after giving her deadline, saying something about preparations.


    ¡°If what that Sainna girl said was to come true? How will I get my parents to move, and my dear brother? I don''t even know how to contact him. What would happen to the world? Would I have place in it?¡±  Mary didn''t know and she squeezed the paper page in her hand, which Sainna had given to her. ¡°Lets see if these come true first. And then worry about the rest.¡±


    Mary decidedly ignored the part of her that wished for adventure, for change, for a life that didn''t involve work she didn''t like and being married just for sake of it.If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    But first, Mary had to go trough something much worse. She opened the door of her house and prepared herself for mothers scolding.


    ***


    Next day after Theodore had made his call to inform Sainna of his decision it was time for him to get busy.


    ¡°Never would have thought that my affinity would be Shadow magic.¡± Theodore was very exited to finally know where his talents lied. ¡°And finally I know why people are avoiding me, now I only have to rein in my soul and not let it leak out.¡±


    Theodore knew well how to do that, after all, he had done it for three years. He just had to concentrate on controlling his soul and make new perimeter within his body. He had not done it earlier because he had no reason to, he had been constricted in this body for so long and letting his soul emanate out of his body gave him a feeling of freedom.


    Theodore could not wait to speak with people without them avoiding his eyes or trying to retreat from him. ¡°Ah, but first, I have to bring some order to my room. There was that book about affinities, where did I put it?¡±


    What followed was several hour long cleaning session, admittedly Theodore should have done it before, but he had the bad habit of reading a book and then placing it in the nearest free space he could find.


    The search was successful in the end and Theodore now held a book the Other had written two years ago. ¡°Or was it year ago? No, it was one and half, right after he started to loose his hold on his old language.¡±


    Theodore still had to decipher language the Other had used at the start. There was definitely much to learn in those books who was written in it. But that was for later. Right now he had to brush up his knowledge about how to practice his affinity to develop it further.


    He had read the work which was meant for his Mind Mages affinity, but that work didn''t include other affinities as the Other had no interest in them being a mind mage himself.


    Theodore started to go trough the written work. ¡°Soul is what gives us the inner mana... affinity is what acts as the outlet for our mana influencing the world around us... there is always one affinity for every soul.. Huh? But then... I now how two?¡± Theodore stopped for a moment to think.


    ¡°How did the Other manage to do that?¡± Theodore wondered. He always knew that the Other was someone with great knowledge, but he had never written down the way of gaining another affinity.


    Theodore kept going trough the book until he finally found what he wanted.


    ¡°To improve ones affinity one has to empower ones core with the very element he was destined to control.¡± and little further ¡°for those born from shadows they must embrace darkness and lower themselves into nothingness within that darkness. By filling themselves with the power of shadows they shall find authority to command them and rise again to engulf the world in twilight.¡±


    Theodore sighed, so it was one of those. Magic often placed more importance on ''feeling'' than ''thinking''.


    That is why he had not really read more about other schools of magic and concentrated on Mind Magic. While ''feeling'' was definitely important there, a good imagination was even more so. Practicing Mind Magic was similar to how someone would build a tower. To cast a spell you had to construct foundation and add upon it. Almost everything about magic could be approached with logic, well, apart form the fact that indeed ran on something that was a soul and mana.


    And sure, Theodore had no real talent in casting fast, or efficiently for that matter, but it was not something a lot of practice could not fix.


    Shadow magic on the other hand... He clearly could control them slightly even without previous knowledge, but there were no spells for him to learn. And the part in the book he had placed his hopes on told him to basically feel it and then do it. Was that even a proper spell-casting? Apparently it was.


    It was also now clear why he had so much easier time in learning ¡°Shadow Mind¡±, while still a mind construct it still partly fell under Shadow magic category.


    ¡°I guess I will have to start with that, feeling out how exactly did ¡°Shadow Mind¡± combine two schools of magic and go from there.¡± Theodore thought.


    Then Theodore noticed another paragraph.


    ¡°On seldom cases there will be those who find themselves with souls so strong they are able to interact with it from their birth. If such a person is found one should inform highest Mage of order for their evaluation, if they are found lacking in character and are with weak minds they should be killed immediately before their Souls are poisoned by madness that comes with the Echoing Past.¡±


    ¡°What?¡± Theodore did have a passing memory of the Other writing something like this, but had not made a connection then. Which was strange, he usually paid full attention when the Other was working. ¡°Isn''t this talking about me? What does that mean? Killed? Poisoned?¡±


    Theodore started to look for more information, but besides that tidbit there was nothing else. He could do nothing more for now. Maybe other books will hold that information, thought, he didn''t held much of a hope.


    ¡°What is going to happen to me?¡± Theodore could not help but mutter, but there was nothing he could do. There was simply nothing more to find on topic.


    Sighing again he started to study what exactly went on in his mind and where Mind Magic ended and Shadow magic started. At least with that he could keep his mind occupied.


    ¨C


    More than three weeks had gone by for Theodore since he started his endeavor. He had immersed himself in his research almost completely forgoing school, he did attend exams and graduation ceremony, but only felt that it was a waste of time.


    Exams weren''t even hard, he just had to cast some basic Mind spells to remember his textbooks and figure the rest out with some thinking. As for graduation ceremony, here was no one congratulating him anyway, all he got was a paper, that confirmed, that he, indeed, had finished school with top grades.


    Theodore only regretted that he had nothing worth to remember from his school. No first love, no friends, no parties. Nothing. He did not think that those things were a necessity, and certainly wont cry about it, but it would have been nice to at least talk normally with his classmates.


    It was less than a week left till, according to Sainna there would be... something that would happen.


    Theodore was packing his belongings. For better or worse he had chosen to trust Sainna, and she had given him message that he should be getting ready and Hall would arrive in a day to escort him to his new home.


    ¡°And I didn''t even ask where that new home is.¡± Theodore admonished himself. ¡°Why is it that when I have to speak I always mess up, and why are not my mind enchantments helping with conversations?¡±


    Theodore actually knew why. Those enchantments still relied on previous experience and knowledge and Theodore had almost none in these areas. That mean that he had to like it.


    The most vexing thing was, he had not found anything else about this ¡°Echoing Past.¡±


    At least he had made good progress with his ¡°Shadow Mind.¡± He felt confident that no one would notice him in darker place unless looking straight at him. Theodore also now could tell where and how many people there were in his detection zone, which now was ten meters in radius large.


    Soon he had packed last of his books and went to sleep early. After all, tomorrow he would start a new chapter in his life and he wanted to be fresh for it.


    After going trough some light mind exercises Theodore slowly fell asleep.

 Chapter 9 - Past

    Chapter 9 - Past


    Theodore was woken up by a sudden knocking at his door. When he took a look at his clock is still showed 6:39 in the morning. Hall was early.


    ¡°Just a minute!¡± he got up and started to quickly put on his clothes. That one time in the forest made Theodore quite sure that he wanted to stay on the on the good side of Hall and Melita. While Hall had not outright threatened him in any way, there were no doubts in Theodore''s mind that he was just as dangerous as that female with a gun.


    When Theodore opened the door, he with a relief found that Hall did not look displeased.


    ¡°Hello, I was just... I mean, I hope... please come in!¡± Theodore stuttered.


    ¡°Greetings, Young Master!¡± answered Hall as he took the invite.


    This was the first time someone had entered his home in years. While Theodore showed Hall in he took a good look at the person for the first time.


    Hall was big! Two meters of muscle big, even the suit Hall was wearing looked like it could burst any moment now. Theodore could not help but to wonder how someone could keep himself in such a shape. Hall had a clean shaved head, but he still had light stubble on his face. Despite the looming presence that Hall''s body gave his face had almost empty look to it, with no facial expressions. Theodore could not help but to think of certain movie android from future looking at Halls face.


    ¡°All of my belongings are here...¡± Theodore nervously said. His apartment feeling much too small with Hall in it. ¡°These books are very important. So... Do we take them down to the car, or...?¡±


    ¡°Movers will come later today, Master Theodore, you should take your necessities with you. We have to be in time for the plane leaving in four hours.¡±


    ¡°Ah, OK, so, um, you can call me Theodore, but, these books are important to me, so cant we just take them with us?¡±


    ¡°I apologize, but that wont be possible, Young Miss has instructed me to bring you to a different place before we are to go to our Base. Your belongings will be transported straight to the Base instead.¡±


    ¡°To a different place? Why?¡± Theodore wondered, situation really changed too fast for him to follow.


    ¡°Young Miss did not say.¡±


    ¡°Is it that far from the Base? Where is the Base anyway? And... And is there not a better name for Base?¡±


    ¡°Young Miss have yet to decide about the name. As for where it is, its in country of Germian next to mountain range of Lillum.¡±


    ¡°Ah, is there a reason for a base to be there?¡± Theodore was curious.


    After a moment of silence Hall finally responded.


    ¡°Yes, there are no military installments nearby and Germian is a very peaceful country overall.¡±


    Suddenly Theodore was overcame with panic.


    ¡°Is there a reason we should be fearing military?¡±


    Theodore noticed that Hall was again taking a moment to think before answering.


    ¡°No, there is not, but there may be in future. I may have said that those are the reasons, but that is just a precaution we took. According to Young Miss by doing so there wont be any complications with others in future.¡±


    ¡°Complications with whom?¡±


    ¡° Young Miss did not inform me of that.¡± was Hall''s answer before continuing ¡°At any rate, I am sure that Young Miss will answer your inquiries and we really have to move, so we are not late.¡±


    ¨C


    ¡°It is really uncomfortable!¡± thought Theodore. They had been on road for an hour already, and after they had gotten into the car there has been not a word exchanged between him and Hall.


    ¡°How do I brake the ice. Do I have to say something? What would we even speak about? Hobbies?¡± Theodore tried to imagine what hobbies could Hall have, but all he could come up with was Hall lifting in a gym. ¡°No, no, I don''t know anything about lifting, maybe the weather is a better topic. Right, here I go!¡± If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    But before Theodore could Hall started to speak.


    ¡°May I say speak with you Master Theodore?¡±


    ¡°Y... yes, and please call me Theodore.¡±


    ¡°OK, then Theodore, I have something to tell you about Young Miss.¡±


    Theodore felt solemness in Hall''s words. Whatever he was about to say was important and Theodore paid full attention to it.


    ¡°You see, Young Miss, she did not have a normal childhood... I was given my job to guard her when she was only two years old. If only you could have seen her then, she was so cute, a real angel!¡± Hall now had a smile on his face. It was the first time Theodore had seen him change his expression in any meaningful way.


    ¡°I have been with her ever since, for fifteen years now she has been part of my life and I am probably the person to know her the best and she is... lonely and tired. You know, she started to have nightmares soon after she turned six, we did not know that those are visions then. At that time she still had a mother and Young Miss naturally spoke about her nightmares with her and... Her mother really tried, but it was hard on her too. It was visible, that after every time she spoke with Young Miss she got more and more paranoid. At that time I did not know why... I overheard some of the whispering between staff a some time later...¡±


    Now Hall had returned to his expressionless face, but his hands gripped cars steering wheel, his knuckles white.


    ¡°They said that Young Miss was cursed.¡± Hall spat out but continued.


    ¡°Young miss had trusted her Mother and told her what she saw in her dreams. Her dreams were full of death. When she slept in her dreams she saw how people will die... Can you imagine what that can do to a young girl? Worst yet, when she asked one of the staff to not die, to avoid going to a bar... He didn''t listen and was found beaten to death in an alley next to the very bar Young Miss told him not to go to. It was after that when those rumors about her being cursed spread.¡±


    Hall took deep breath, to calm down.


    ¡°Sorry, I know your childhood was not much better. We gathered as much about you as we could before making contact, but that is why I am telling you this. Young Miss will not let her weakness show to other people. She thinks that she always has to stay strong, to be a beacon for others. She is an awkward kid. When she offered you friendship she meant it, I did interrupt her then, but... It was not the place.¡±


    After Hall had taken another moment to gather himself he kept talking.


    ¡°Young Miss stopped talking with everyone else but her Mother and Me. As for her father, he didn''t care about her. He was never there. I will tell you now, he was a criminal. One of the worst scum around, he killed, bribed, blackmailed and much more, until Young Miss ended him.¡±


    ¡°Ended?¡± Theodore asked.


    ¡°Yes, she killed him. That night she came to me and cried, she never said anything and I did not ask her to. I never told Melita.¡±


    ¡°Why did she kill him?¡± Theodore could not understand. While he had theoretically killed off the Other, he had hard time imagining doing that to someone else.


    ¡°For future, visions, revenge. There were multitude of reasons. As I said her father was beyond salvation. He even planed to sell Young Miss to his friends.¡±


    ¡°That''s...¡±


    ¡°Hard to grasp? But its true. She may be many things, but she is not weak. She will do whatever it takes to do what is best for us.¡±


    ¡°Who are ''Us''?¡±


    ¡°Everyone young miss can save, and everyone who can help us towards brighter future.¡±


    ¡°And you believe her?¡±


    ¡°Unconditionally. And you too believe her, don''t you? Otherwise you would not be here.¡±


    ¡°Yes...¡± Theodore whispered, he did trust her. He did not know from where this trust came, but he did trust that Sainna fought for a better future. Whatever it may bring.


    ¡°So, when she was seven she told me about the visions. I don''t know when, but she seemed to have gained control over them... For the most part. I could tell, that there were still nights that she had not slept. As for her mother... She started to drink. At first it was not a problem, but soon she was never sober and after Young Miss turned eight, she stopped to speak with her mother as well. Young Miss later told me that she had a fight with her mother, I am sure that it was not all, but...¡±


    Hall sighed before resuming


    ¡°When Young Miss was nine her mother got into a accident and died in hospital. Young Miss was sure that her father was behind it, and I believe so as well. I guess that a drinking wife was not great for public image. Afterwards Young Miss changed. She started to talk with people, tried to do her best to go along her fathers wishes. I could tell it was all an act, but other could not. Maybe they just did not believe that a nine year old could be so purposeful. It was also around that time when Young Miss told me that there will be great changes and that world as we know it will come to an end.¡±


    ¡°Did she tell you anything more?¡± Theodore asked but Hall shook his head.


    ¡°No, while telling me that she fainted. Every time she tries to speak about future beyond certain point it taxes her body greatly.¡±


    ¡°I see...¡± Theodore recalled their meeting. When she had told him about future she certainly seemed tired, but... ¡°Maybe it taxes not only her body but also soul?¡±


    ¡°At age of ten we sought out Melita. I wont tell you why or how, it is up to Melita if she wants to tell. Ever since then we three have been together working towards uncertain future. But I and Melita, we are not her friends, I tried my best to be a father figure to her, but... I have no confidence that I have done a good job. You know, I have a daughter too, her name is Melinda, a wonderful name, that her mother gave her. I have never met her. My ex-girlfriend went great lengths to make sure that I wouldn''t be let near her.¡±


    Theodore could feel that this man, sitting besides him, was full of emotions at this moment, but as he looked at his face it was still empty. He felt like he had to say something, but when he opened his mouth, he could not find the words and Hall kept on.


    ¡°Ah, I may have said too much, but my point is, if... If Sainna decides to let you in her life, please don''t push her away, don''t fear her and if she ever needs to talk... Hear her out.¡±


    After Hall finished the silence resumed in the car. For almost an hour they did not speak. That was until Hall calmly said something that left Theodore confused.


    ¡°We have a company!¡± Hall remarked. ¡°If you have something you can do to the car following us I would appreciate, though, I have no idea what magic can actually do.¡±


    As Theodore took a look at the mirror the car following them suddenly gained speed and he heard Hall muttering.


    ¡°Here they come.¡±

 Chapter 10 – In the forest

    Chapter 10 ¨C In the forest


    ¡°Wh- who are they? Wh- what do they want?¡± Theodore stammered while regretting that he had no ways to helping Hall in this situation.


    ¡°Henchmen of Young Miss fathers friends would be my guess. As for what they want is anyone''s guess. Most probably they want to find Young Miss and they cant do that. Young Miss would never be found by people like them if she didn''t want to be found, and that leaves her closest aids, me and Melita. They probably don''t even know about you, at least until today they didn''t. So can you help us with magic?¡± Hall grunted.


    ¡°N-no, I mean, I cant, I have yet to...¡± Theodore panicked


    ¡°OK, then here is what we will do...¡± Hall interrupted while looking for a byroad that would lead them into the forest ¡°We will try to loose them for a moment in the forest, exit the car, you will hide and I will take them out.¡±


    ¡°T-take them out? D-do you have a gun?¡± Theodore still remembered that he was held at the gunpoint by not so long ago.


    ¡°No, firearms are Melita`s thing. And its far too hard to smuggle more than one gun into the country without taking too many unnecessary risks, besides, I really dislike them and would rather never use them if there is another choice. My body is more reliable anyway.¡±


    Theodore wanted to argue, that even smuggling one was too much of an unnecessary risk and barehanded against armed was hardly reliable, but it did not seem like Hall would care so instead he asked a question for which he dreaded to hear answer for.


    ¡°Will you kill them?¡± Theodore not even for a moment believed that Hall would be the one loosing in this situation.


    Hall glanced at the Theodore before answering.


    ¡°I will.¡± he affirmed Theodore''s suspicions.


    ¡°Do you have to?¡± a whisper escaped Theodore''s mouth.


    Hall once more looked at Theodore, he did not have anything against the kid, but Young miss had made it clear, that future looked bleak and death would not be a rarity. So Hall, instead of soothing young teen, steeled his heart.


    ¡°Yes, for your sake, even if you may not see it that way now.¡±


    As Hall said that he suddenly jerked the steering wheel of the sedan to the left and drove off the road onto a small path. The said path lead into a thick forest that was stretching on both sides of it.


    Car behind them overshot the byroad do to the sudden maneuver, skidding a little bit before regaining control and followed them after a moment. However this moment was enough for Hall and Theodore to gain some distance.


    This pathway was uneven and Theodore felt like he was trapped in a rattle. He watched Hall masterfully handle the car and gaining speed and soon he saw a thicker cluster of bushes and trees ahead.


    Hall glanced at the rear view mirror, before deciding that this was the right place and with another twist of the steering wheel he slid the car parallel to a particularly big bush and stopped the engine.


    While exiting the car Hall admitted to himself that this plan he had thrown together on a moments notice was a shit plan, but he felt confident that he could pull it off. In the worst case he could tank some shots with bulletproof vest he wore under his shirt. Hall doubted that these hired guns had anything of high caliber.


    Those old farts that his ex-employer called friends would not waste money to hire someone with actual skills and equipment when a street thug could aim and shoot almost as well for much cheaper. Easier to get rid of afterwards too. No one liked witnesses.


    Theodore followed right after, and invoked ¡°Shadow Mind¡± and tried to blend in the tree shadows while staying out of the line of sight from the car that would follow them in a moment.


    Said car promptly showed up right after he had done so. The car stopped in front of theirs, blocking its path and from it exited four men.


    Theodore, against his best judgment spied from his hiding place to see who was the ones chasing after them and after getting a glimpse he remembered that those people would gladly make a new orifice in his head and shrunk back in his cover immediately.


    Theodore had imagined that they too would wear suits, just like Hall did, but he was apparently mistaken. They all had a mismatch of casual clothing, jeans, shirts and jackets. One of them even had a noticeable belly. The only thing they had common was that they all held guns in their hands.If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    As Theodore held his breath and tried to shrink in his cower while the four bandits carefully studied bushes around them.


    Theodore had not seen where Hall had went, but he definitely was in ¡°Shadow Minds¡± range. Theodore focused his mind and found that Hall had slipped behind the car with which bandits had arrived. How Hall managed to be so stealthy with his frame was beyond Theodore.


    He did not want to risk looking but as Theodore heard a grunt and sudden exclamations from pursuers followed by a gunshot the morbid curiosity overcame him and he glanced from behind the tree he was hiding at.


    What Theodore saw was one of the bandits lying on the ground his head bent in a unnatural angle. At the moment Hall had grabbed second bandit and used his body as a shield while closing in to the third one.


    Theodore watched on, strangely fascinated and he could not take his eyes away. He felt like he was watching a catastrophe unfolding and in a twisted way Theodore was right.


    After a moment Theodore noticed that the bandit Hall was holding bled from a hole in his chest. The shot he had heard had hit the bandit in his chest and judging from the lack of struggling that shot had taken his life.


    While Theodore was gawking Hall was focused on a different problem. His first strike been executed perfectly, the goon had not even seen him coming and with a quick twist of goons neck he had taken his life.


    The noise, though, had alerted the rest of the party and one of them had better reflexes than Hall had expected and managed to take a shot while Hall closed in on his second target. Fortunately, or as expected, shooter didn''t stop himself in time.


    As Hall had planed he had a volunteer near at hand who was eager to block the shots taken at him, or so Hall thought to himself while using the said volunteer as a shield.


    Now closing in on the two bandits that were left Hall coldly sneered to himself.These amateurs didn''t even try to distance themselves and try to surround him. The one that had shot his friend panicked and while he took two more shots one of them was blocked by Halls shield while the other veered of completely.


    The chubby bandit meanwhile gaped at the corpse that laid behind the car until rage overtook him and he turned his gun to join his still alive friend in trying to take Hall''s life.


    Unfortunately for him Hall had already closed the distance between them. He had done it remarkably quickly, considering he had to go around the car, and now the chubby bandit found that his last friend was blocking his shot.


    Hall threw his shield at the closest bandit who in panic tried to swat the incoming body sideways, but failed miserably. Hall meanwhile grabbed the hand that was holding gun and twisted it until a loud crack was heard.


    The loud scream that escaped from bandits mouth upon receiving the fracture reverberated trough forest and left the chubby last bandit standing stupefied. All of his rage left him and what was left was only fear and horror of what was about to come.


    What was supposed to be an easy job of disposing of butler and his charge turned out to be a nightmare that took his friends one by one. And now he watched as the hulking black man loomed above his last friend, who was nursing his broken hand.


    As the supposed butler reached for his last friends head taking it between his palms. His friend was now looking at him and the chubby bandit. He could see his last friends lips started to move and heard him mutter his last words - ¡°Run Tommy...¡±


    But Tommy could not. The gun in his hand all but forgotten rolled out of it falling on in the grass. His mind paralyzed he watched the butler twist his friends head. He fell on his knees watching the light leaving friends eyes.


    Hall did not feel anything. These men had come to execute them and while he was aware that they probably did have friends and family he felt no remorse. He even thought of it as him helping the world get rid of trash. But, he might as well try to see if Tommy knew something.


    ¡°Tommy, was it? If you tell me why and who sent you I will make your death painless.¡± Hall inquired. He was now standing in front of the Tommy looking down on him.


    ¡°I-I-I don''t, please, I have family, please, please, please!¡± Tommy was loosing his mind, looking upon the men in front of him he could not see any sympathy in his eyes. They were cold and merciless.


    ¡°Now, now, Tommy, surely you don''t want to find out just how much it hurts to have your fingers broken one by one. It would be much easier for both of us if you just answered my question. Who and why?¡±


    ¡°I-it was our boss, Ivan, h-he told us that t-there was an easy job. Just a couple of targets. W-we did not know that...¡± Tommy stuttered, his lips dry, he licked them while tears rolled down his cheeks. ¡°H-he didn''t say who paid for it or w-why. Please, I have a wife and son...¡±


    ¡°I will give you a chance then, answer me, have you ever taken another humans life?¡±


    Tommy froze for a moment, before his eyes darted to sides while he answered


    ¡°N-no, I...¡±


    Hall listened for a moment before swiftly twisting his last victims head. Tommy lied and now he was silently falling on his backwards, after that - silence returned to the forest.


    Behind Hall a small whisper came out of Theodore


    ¡°Why?¡±


    As Hall turned to look at Theodore he thought of what to say. There were no great excuses for what he had done. But Theodore was still young and had not seen the darker side of world. Reasons that worked on older, more experienced, more cynical persons may not work here at all. Finally he sighed before answering. He would tell the truth.


    ¡°To let you experience what it is like to see people die before you. It was for you to start get used to death. You probably wont like to hear it, but... People will not only die, but even you will have to take lives. You have to get ready for future.¡± Hall fell silent once more before telling his own, personal reason.


    ¡°Also... These men, they were killers. They were poor excuse of a human and world will be better without them.¡± Hall bitterly spat out. He hated these kind of men, who took it for granted that they had rights to take life, but never considered that theirs could be taken as well.


    ¡°That is...¡± Theodore was shell shocked. He did not know what to say and think. He just stood there not moving before Hall called out.


    ¡°Come now, we have to get away from here before someone comes to investigate. These amateurs did not even bring silencers.¡± Hall shook his head at their incompetence.


    As they entered the car and left Theodore still could not believe of how easy it was to take another life. Soon they exited the forest and Theodore could now help but to wonder what he had gotten himself into and what would future hold for him.

 Chapter 11 - Meeting

    Chapter 11 - Meeting


    Country of Gemia was a small, quiet and tranquil country. Surrounded by an ocean on the west, plains on the south, forests on the east and mountain range of Lillum on the north. Gemia was located to what some would call end of the world, and while denizens of this country called it their ¡°Gem¡±, the name itself came from a long dead king ¨C Gemia Min Harcov the second and had nothing to do with actual gems.


    He had lived more than a thousand years ago and was one of most ambitious persons in history of Gemia. He was certain, that he was fated to be the ruler of all lands and worked all his life to conquer surrounding territories.


    However the King Gemia was not a great general and while he had ambitions he lacked skill to act upon them. At the end of his life all that he had achieved was a new capital which still stood to this day, also named after him ¨C Gemiarna, hundreds of written works about his eminence and an exhausted land. Since then, none of the following rulers had not tried to expand and instead preferred to live quietly.


    As a result people of Gemia detested conflicts. They preferred to talk calmly and with reason. They were good people, honest and hard working. The only downside being, when confronted with an outright hostility of unreasonableness they tended to be the ones to consent to demands.


    Unfortunately this tranquil peace was not to last for much longer.


    --


    Mary was exhausted. She was sitting in a cafe in Gemiarna with Sainna and Melita, but the butler/bodyguard/rock, or whatever he was, wasn''t here. He was supposed to bring another person, but they were running late. Actually, they were running almost an hour late and she recalled how she had gotten to this place.


    It did not take long for Mary to start believing that what Sainna had told her before was truth. When all those predictions on the page Sainna had given to her had started to become true Mary was left speechless, worried and frankly ¨C scared.


    Prophecies made by someone who could make perfect calls for next weeks lotteries, biggest news and even what her mother would make for breakfast could not be ignored. Even more if it included something or another about worlds end.


    So after Mary had made her mind up she contacted Sainna. After making up lies about where she was going she packed up her belongings and left her home. And now she was here...


    But what made her exhausted wasn''t the waiting or reproachful looks from waters who, she felt, were judging them for not ordering more than a cup of tea each. It was the chattering of Sainna''s.


    Now, Mary herself did not think she was bad at making an idle conversation, and she also had an extensive experience with rumor mill that was her school.


    That amount of gossip she had to listen to when she spent time with her friends was something she did not miss, but it also did not bother her then. It also had helped that she was a scary elder sister figure in eyes of many, which spared her from many uncomfortable moments back then.


    Yes, back then, but not now. That image she had in school, the one she used to shield herself from others digging in her personal life? Not one bit of it was left, or more likely, Sainna just did not care.


    Apparently even when she was caught punching some rags in an alley that did not make her scary enough for Sainna to fear angering her, or making her uncomfortable with personal questions, or making inappropriate remarks, or talking about some of the more embarrassing moments of her life.


    Actually how the fuck did she even knew about that time when She had slipped and fell into a dog shit? Or the time she called her teacher Mom. Was that where she spent her free time? Huh? Spying on someones past? Looking for compromising shit to blackmail someone with? Some great Seer she was!


    Mary was getting more and more pissed, with which her exhaustion did not help with.¡°OK, she is making fun of me isn''t she? She must be thinking I am a B-i-i-g joke doesn''t she? Well, how about I punch her in that beautiful face of hers to wipe that smug expression off of it? Huh? Actually, I really, probably should. Why haven''t I already anyway?¡±


    As Mary scrunched her brows together to think about it a cold gaze brought her back from her planing. ¡°Oh yea, that...¡±


    As Mary shifted her sight to the women sitting next to Sainna. Somehow she had forgotten about her while she was fuming inside and she knew that it was a big mistake to do so.


    Melita practically reeked of bad news to Mary. While Melita did look quite fragile to Mary''s eyes at first she could tell that she was not something she wanted to mess with. She moved too purposefully and with almost unnatural grace, and that look she had given to her? It really had chilled her to the bone.


    While Mary was contemplating Melita and questioning if she was able to take her in a fight she was interrupted by Sainna poking her cheek.


    ¡°So, as I was saying, did you talk with your parents? And you really should do something about your attention span, even speaking with Hall is more fruitful and he is practically a wall most of the time.¡± Sainna pouted.Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.


    ¡°Yeah, sorry, did you really ask that before? Because I am quite sure you were speaking about the time I was confessed to by my senior.¡± Mary glared back at Sainna.


    ¡°Did I really, cant say I remember, but speaking of which, why did you broke his nose? Larry, that was his name wasn''t it, wasn''t he quite good looking?¡±


    And again Mary was left baffled by just how much Sainna knew about her past. ¡°For now I just should let it slide...¡± Mary sighed to herself before answering.


    ¡°Because Lard... I mean Larry was a womanizing ass-hole. And as for my parents I told them that I got a job which would require me to travel around, still have to call them regularly though. By the way, how is this going to work? Will we gather people with superpowers and go to mountains to train? Will we fight the great evil that threatens our peace and the very being?¡±


    ¡°Well, for starters we will wait for Hall to arrive with our last member.¡± Sainna chided.


    ¡°But they are sooo late, and you just keep talking about embarrassing stuff form my life!¡±


    ¡°They are not late, I just asked to come you an hour early so we could chat. Actually there they are, they just arrived.¡± Sainna pointed outside.


    Mary gave Sainna the most venomous glare she could muster before turning to look. What she saw was the man Mary knew as Hall and a teen who was in dire need of sun.


    He was white as paper, with skinny body and gray hair. They both crossed the street before entering cafe and after Hall spotted them he came straight to the table they were sitting at.


    As they arrived Sainna greeted them.


    ¡°Hello, I see that you have arrived timely, I take it that the little problem on the road was taken care of.¡± She smiled at them before introductions. ¡°This nice lady here is Mary! And this strapping young lad next to Hall is Theodore, you both already know Hall and Melita and I am Sainna! Now please sit down, so we can chat a bit before heading to our next destination!¡± she happily exclaimed.


    Mary gave another annoyed look pointed at Sainna before taking a closer look at Theodore.


    Theodore was too pale and you could see that he was not someone who led an active lifestyle. He was skinny and clothes he wore were a bit saggy looking, not fitting well on his body. He had cloudy blue eyes and he seemed to be uncomfortable, as he took quick glances at everyone who had gathered around the table, but not making eye contact, as he sat down next to Mary.


    However there was something about Theodore that unsettled Mary. The way he looked was somehow wrong, it was like his body contained something too big for it. Mary could not quite put a finger on it, but the longer she looked at Theodore the more it seemed like he was slipping away, that he did not quite fit into just ¡°being here¡±.


    Mary was pulled out of her contemplation by Sainna.


    ¡°Don''t worry, Theodore does not do that intentionally. He is just really bad at controlling his magic.¡±


    It looked like Theodore had something to say about Sainna''s claims, but he glanced at Hall, who sat next Sainna and in the end chose to stay silent. After another moment he frowned and afterwards it seemed like area around him lightened up.


    Mary did not notice before, but the shadows... They were darker around Theodore. Well, darker, and more... substantial, more full. After another moment passed all of the discomfort Mary felt left her and she heard Theodore speak for the first time in a raspy voice.


    ¡°Sorry, I, well, I it is not that I am bad at magic, I mean, I am not great or anything! I am learning and, well...¡± Theodore seemed to panic slightly, his voice becoming a bit higher as he kept rambling, before Sainna interrupted him.


    ¡°We get it, please take a deep breath or you will choke to death. Wouldn''t that be a glorious way to die for such a peerless mage as yourself.¡± She sarcastically added. ¡°Can you tell us more about yourself?¡±


    ¡°Ah, yes, so...¡± Theodore took a deep breath. ¡°My full name is Theodore Michael Savo. I am 18 years old this year. My specialty is Shadow and Mind magic. My hobbies are reading and...¡±


    ¡°And?¡± Inquired Sainna.


    ¡°No, I guess that''s all!¡± Theodore mumbled while slightly blushing.


    ¡°Right, now is your turn Mary!¡± Sainna intoned.


    Mary was distracted by what Theodore had said. ¡°Shadow and Mind magic... It sounds sinister. I really hope Sainna knows what she is doing...¡± She shook her head, to get her focus in order before speaking.


    ¡°My name is Mary Rose, I am 19 years old. My power is that, I heal really fast.¡± she finished lamely.


    ¡°No hobbies?¡± Sainna asked


    ¡°None I would like to share with you!¡± Mary retorted.


    ¡°OK, then, as you both gave such a nice summary about yourselves it is only polite for us to do the same. After all, we will most likely work together for quite some time.¡± Sainna winked at them before continuing.


    ¡°This hulking monstrosity here is Hall Mirvo, his specialty is close combat. And don''t let his blank look fool you, he is always on vigilant and ready to respond to any threats. He serves as my bodyguard and butler when needed.¡±


    Even thought Sainna said that, Mary was not convinced and when she took a peek at Hall... He was sitting still watching a wall again.


    ¡°Vigilant my ass¡± Mary muttered to herself, but then returned her attention to Sainna.


    ¡°And this nice lady here is Melita Gelmina. She is 27 this year, single, her hobbies include watching action movies and spending her time at shooting ranges. She is 1.70 meter tall. Her three sizes are-¡±


    Before Sainna could continue she was silenced by coldest stare from Melita Mary had ever seen. After Sainna coughed in her hand she resumed speaking.


    ¡°She is our marksman and my secretary. If you have any demands or are in need of something just ask her and she will do her utmost to help.¡±


    Before Sainna could continue Melita interjected.


    ¡°While Young Miss is right, please keep your demands to a minimum, I am too busy to attend to every your every trifle.¡± She coldly added and left Sainna to speak further.


    ¡°And then there is me! Sainna Reki, I am 16 years old, I am a Seer! But please keep in mind, that there are severe limitations of what I can actually see. Such as if someone has awoken his Magic, or if it involves major incident, something that has long in the past or far in the future. These factors severely impact my ability. So my Magic is not quite as great as it would seem at the first glance. It is useful to see someones intentions in short term though. It is also very difficult for me to share something, that would impact how future would play out.¡± Sainna gave a bitter smile as she looked up at ceiling, where, as Mary knew, the Ring was located. After few seconds passed Sainna spoke again.


    ¡°But if I am wiling I can go past my limitations to gleam further and more deeply, share what I have seen. It always comes with a cost... But, there is one particular event that I can see clearly. Not how or why it will happen, but that it will. And I have invited you both to speak about it and maybe, we can help not only ourselves, but others as well.¡±

 Chapter 12 - Plans

    Chapter 12 - Plans


    Sainna looked at Mary and Theodore to see if they had something to say, but after almost a minute had passed they still had not said anything. Both of them sat quietly with thoughtful expressions on their faces. Sainna really wanted to know what they were thinking about, and they if she asked there was a chance they would tell, but... Despite the way she acted she was nervous.


    This was only third time she had told someone about herself and her ability so completely. Her mother... had not taken this information well and back then She did not know better than just laying it down bare naked.


    Afterwards, when she had decided to involve Hall and Melita she had done it better. It also helped that Hall already knew most of it and, because of situation they had found Melita in, she did not need much of a convincing before she accepted her.


    Still it scared her, that Mary and Theodore could reject her, even if the possibility was exceedingly low.


    After a moment Sainna noticed that Theodore seemed like he had something to ask, but to her chagrin he just made an agonizing face. She really had to wonder about his situation.


    Theodore, or at least the ''Him'' who sat in front of her was not quite who she had expected, but she was not complaining. He was quite a bit more agreeable, as far as she could tell, than the ''other'' personality would have been, if somewhat harder to ''See'' for. At least his face and behavior was easy to understand.


    Speaking of which, he really should just speak up, all those facial gymnastics were getting on her nerves.


    ¡°Theodore, you can speak, surely you have not forgotten how to speak?¡±


    ¡°Eh, well, yes, is it safe to speak here so freely?¡± Theodore inquired.


    Sainna gave him an amused look, before answering.


    ¡°Is it not a bit late to worry about that? But yes, yes it is!¡±


    ¡°Well, I was... swept up by the atmosphere.¡± Theodore muttered.


    Sainna opened mouth to speak, but before she could Mary interrupted her.


    ¡°Can you finally tell us what are we going to do next? What is our plan?¡±


    Mary glared at her now, but to Sainna''s satisfaction she used ''we'' and ''our''. Despite the constant threatening looks she received form her she was clearly not avert of working together. ¡°Well, maybe I should cut down on all the teasing I have been doing, lest she really does go and punch me. She really looks like she wants to. Ah, but its so fun! So maybe not!¡±


    ¡°For now our plan is simple. I, with help of my companions here, have made a place we can base ourselves in. While it is in a remote location you wont find anything lacking there. We have made that place to be fully self-sufficient, stocked up food, weapons, daily necessities, even fastest internet is available there!¡±


    To Sainna''s disappointment only reaction on the last statement she got was from Melita, who looked visibly pleased. ¡°Damn her and her movie addiction!¡± She thought to herself. ¡°Well, I guess I should have expected that form a book-nerd and muscle-heads. They don''t even appreciate how hard that was to get internet to such a remote place!¡± But then, it was not like it would matter much in future.


    ¡°Anyway, we also have a trustworthy and well qualified personal on site, making sure the place is managed well. Overseer of the site is also someone who has awakened his magic. I will introduce him when we arrive there. He is usually busy with his work so you probably wont see him much.¡±


    What Sainna was going to say next would take a little bit of a toll on her, so she took a deep breath before continuing. She hopped they would not ask questions that would strain her badly to answer to.


    ¡°There are four days left before... call happens.¡± She took another breath. ¡°So for now we will get you settled in, get used to surroundings.¡±


    Then Sainna waited, and this time both Theodore and Mary had something to say so she indicated at Mary to speak.


    ¡°So, we go to this base, settle in, then this call happens. How? Will it literally call our phones or what?¡±


    ¡°No, it will be more personal. You will feel it and you will sure of what it is and what it wants you to do.¡±


    Mary did not look like she was satisfied with the answer, and gave a very unladylike snort. Still, there was no helping it. Even Sainna herself had only a foggy notion of what will happen. And if she said more of what she knew she risked to have serious repercussions on her well being. She could not risk that now.If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    ¡°You know, I really hate the way you speak, is that something that all Seers do? Give us something more just damn hints!¡±


    Sainna quite liked the bluntness that Mary exuded. It was vastly different from most people she had spoken with, it was refreshing. She even let out a genuine smile before answering that seemed to unnerve Mary and she had a good hunch why.


    ¡°I already told you how my gift works, if I you feel like I am not saying everything it is likely because I cant.¡± Sainna kept smiling sweetly.


    ¡°Riiight... So all the drivel I had to listen before was something you could speak about.¡± Mary mumbled discontentedly. Which Sainna promptly ignored and turned her attention Theodore who was next to speak.


    ¡°Yes, well, will, there be more people who have their magic awakened at the base, as you call it?¡±


    To this Sainna made a regretful face before answering. She really would have wanted more people with her, who she could rely on, but alas, it was not meant.


    ¡°No, not at base. One more that agreed to help me will answer the Calling and will meat us when those who can see will gather.¡±


    To Mary''s displeasure Sainna still kept her way of speaking, but this did arouse her interest.


    ¡°How many people are we talking about? I assume, that those ''people who can see'' are those who has their ''Magic'' awakened. And why are you calling it Magic anyway? Its more like we are some kind of mutants, or superheroes.


    ¡°Yes, yes, some great superhero you are, just as great as the Sage of a Mage sitting next to you. But it really is Magic, and as for why it is magic... Theodore here would be someone who would be able to explain it better. As for the other matter, there are many who can see, but those who will come will not be numerous. I would guess that no more than fifty, but, its hard to tell. At the very least, not more than hundred. ¡± was Sainna''s answer.


    To that Theodore shifted in his seat nervously, guessing about what to tell and how to explain, but Mary had her mind occupied by something else, than his explanation and she let Sainna know what.


    ¡°You, stop that mocking tone when speaking with other people!¡± She pointed her finger at Sainna at which Melita squinted her eyes, while Hall did nothing like he had done since sitting down. ¡°And fifty to hundred people! What the fuck, that''s a lot! How many will we bring? If they have their powers, wont they be dangerous, it practically reeks of danger!¡±


    While Mary threw her tantrum Sainna just kept smiling. Mary had a point, but playing with her was just so amusing. Well, and these these questions did need an answer.


    ¡°Well, of course I will go, and where I go Hall and Melita will follow. And I already got your agreement to join me, did I not? That makes five people, one tenth is a lot you know!¡± Sainna pointed out, what she did not say was that five out of hundred was not. ¡°Regarding the danger... Yes, it will be dangerous, but not in the way you think. Those who will gather will come without knowledge of what to expect. Sure, those people could bring entourage, but without knowing how they will most likely doom them by doing so.¡±


    ¡°And there wont be any danger for us?¡± Theodore inquired.


    ¡°If you wont do something outrageous then no!¡±


    Theodore and Mary once again took a moment to process the information they got. Sainna utilized the moment to order another cup of tea. When waitress brought it it seemed that duo had done with the thinking for the moment and Mary looked like she had something on her mind.


    ¡°There is... another thing I wanted to ask. You know, I have been thinking... Keep it shut Sainna, I don''t wanna hear your quip.¡± Mary interrupted Sainna before she could speak, most likely something about her thinking Mary imagined. To that Sainna made an innocent face, just like a kid that was caught doing a mischief.


    ¡°I wanted to ask, can you... can you please find my brother? I wanted to make sure he is well. And also, my parents... Can you make sure that they stay safe? And my friends, is there something you can do for them?¡±


    Despite how Mary acted she cared for those close to her. She at least wanted to warn her brother. She wanted her parents to stay safe, there was no hope that her mother would leave her home without major and clearly seen danger, but Mary hoped that Sainna could do something to ensure no harm falls upon them. And then there were her friends. Most of them had settled down, found a boyfriends, started high-school, there were some girls that had gotten married not long ago.


    Sainna at the same time could only let out a sight. She herself had no important people who was not with her now, and Theodore had no one at all. But Mary...


    ¡°I can help you with your brother. Your parents, I can hire few people to take care of them in emergency, but I have not seen anything that would endanger them for now. As for your friends...¡± Sainna frowned. She did not want to say it, but she had nor time nor free resources to take care of them. As bad as it felt, she still had to give Mary answer. ¡°As for your friends, there is nothing I can do. I want to help you, don''t get me wrong, but as things are going... I have neither resources nor free, trustworthy people I can spare. I am sure you thought I could use my magic to make sure they are safe, but... Overusing it is not something I can do now. You will hate to hear it, but there are more important things I have to take care of.¡±


    ¡°I see...¡± Mary visibly withered in her chair. She did expect such an answer, but it still stung. ¡°At least my parents will be safe, and my brother...¡±


    ¡°I am sorry!¡± Sainna apologized. ¡°Melita, please contact Pan brothers and get them to watch over Mary''s parents.¡±


    Melita nodded, then left the table to make a call. Sainna meanwhile kept sighing to herself. It was not like she had forgotten how people will have to face a harsh reality soon, but when someone directly asked for help... It still hurt her.


    Sainna followed with her eyes Melita before glancing at Hall. ¡°At least I made sure Hall''s daughter and her mother is safe.¡± She thought to herself. She could not bare Hall getting hurt by loosing them after he had raised her in her parents place.


    However, there were still topics to cover and matters to discuss. Sainna sighed again, this time louder, before speaking.


    ¡°Well then, shall we continue?¡±