Chapter 3: 2. Stubborn Truths

“A mage, hm?” Chul’s fangs chittered as the Arachkin rumbled beneath the cushions. “Such a task will come with many hardships and difficulties, boy. Magic is dangerous and tough to master. Even I struggle with it at times.” Chul had hundreds of years of practice and while he had learned a variety of spells, he stuck to a core few that best fit his fighting style. Those few spells and enchantments were all he needed to be an effective opponent. Everything else was either wasted energy or unnecessary to completing his task.

“I don’t think it’ll be easy but that’s what makes things fun, right?” Jake smirked and reached his hand towards the ceiling. “I went to the Ravine because I wanted to see if the rumors I had heard were true. While I was climbing down that wall, it was thrilling. Scary, sure, but the challenge was exciting.” His outstretched hand twirled a bit as he examined his nails and fingers. There were still remnants of dirt stuck beneath his nails and his hands looked rough from all the climbing and scampering in the Ravine.

“That Dragon God, Lady Ferynith- she said I would be able to learn Magic.” His hand curled into a tight fist, a smile stretching on his face. “I think that is a challenge I’d like to try.” Chul stared at the side of the boy’s face for a few silent seconds before he receded into the shadows of the cushions.

“Magic is dangerous, child, to the user and those around them. It is not a toy or something to be taken lightly. Those who wield it do so with a heavy burden.” Chul’s warning weighed on Jake’s mind and that wide smile turned into a frown as he lowered his hand out of the air.

“Do you think I’d be better off not learning it, then?” The boy turned his head to look in the direction of his companion. Chul was buried within the cushions, though.

“No.” Chul reemerged, his eyes meeting Jake’s. “So long as you remember the dangers of Magic and do not become drunk on the power that it brings, it can be a useful tool. It will take time to learn, so you will need to be patient and practice regularly with it.”

Jake nodded and then turned his head away. He stared up towards the ceiling again, letting his mind wander as he contemplated what the next best step would be. If Jake wanted to become like his father, he needed a way to fight. His father always warned him about the various beasts and animals out in the world, and Jake experienced that danger firsthand when he’d stumbled upon Chul in the Ravine. If the boy was to survive, he needed a way to fend off those creatures.

Magic could be an answer to such a requirement, but he hadn’t even trained with it nor had he studied it before. If he wanted a quicker turnaround with his training, Jake figured swordsmanship would be a better choice. Yet, Lady Ferynith had given him access to the Library for a reason. If that assessment Yir had done on him was true then Jake had quite a bit of potential inside of himself. He had an affinity for every element, likely an additional piece of Lady Ferynith’s Blessing. With such a power lurking within him, he would be stupid to not take advantage of it and cultivate it.

The biggest issue was time. How long would it take for him to become a competent magician? How long would it take for him to learn enough spells that he could fight confidently? He was already almost an adult, shy by only a few months. If he waited too long he would find himself stuck in the village, tied down by responsibility and duty to those within it. Jake would need to become strong enough to contend with that requirement of the village and leave before those shackles were placed on his ankles.

Tired and weary from his trip to the Ravine, the boy felt fatigue finally call for its debt to be paid. He let out a long sigh and let himself succumb to the weight he felt pulling on his eyelids. Whatever his problems were now, they could wait. He was tired. He was hungry, too, but food would not be ready for another few hours. Until then, he decided to try and catch up on some lost and desperately wanted sleep.

* * *

Even with the sun below the horizon, dipping deep beneath the sea of dunes and the nightly chill nipping in the air, the village still bustled with life as merchants made the most of their time in the bazaar. Even with the day gone, those looking for the last of the day’s deals continued to barter in the open air. Merchants who made money during the day now turned into customers for those few shops still open. And with some stocks already running low or individuals desperate to make the best of their goods- bargains began creeping into the deals.

With two days left, there wasn’t much rush to get the best deal just yet. However, each village had its unique craftsmen and unique wares. Foreign travelers and merchants needed to be quick to buy their share of those goods and they needed to do so early lest their competition gets it before them. Those that could get the unique pieces for the best price could make the most profit at the next stop. The cost of travel was high, and Caravan Masters were strict with their movements. Missing a deal or waiting too long and missing out on stock could mean the difference between a meal or scraps.

Jake awoke to that nightly bustle and yawned, his body still tired and wanting to rest. However, the nap would be enough to sustain him for a little. There was also dinner to be eaten, and an argument to be had. His Auntie would likely be worrying for him so he couldn’t stay out forever. The boy called for Chul and moved a few of the cushions to find the Arachkin sleeping beneath them. He nudged the little companion and then coaxed Chul into his hand. Chul grumbled and drug his feet as he moved over, but he was fast asleep the moment Jake placed the Arachkin on his shoulder.

“And I’m supposed to be the tired one,” Jake muttered as he left the Marker behind. He stepped out and stared toward the bazaar and the two fire pits that were lit next to the oasis. A few people were sitting and standing around the pits, eating, drinking, and singing together while children ran around to play. A few stands had been set up for food and meals were being served to those nearby.

Jake stared for a few moments, then his eyes went up. Far above the sands, no longer hidden by the rays of the sun, a sea of twinkling stars filled the black night sky. Jake adored that view. He could stare into that dark ocean for hours, not finding anything in particular to look at but plenty of enjoyment in what he saw. Over the years, Jake learned from a few of the Caravan Masters of images within the stars- Constellations, they called them. Those were ‘landmarks’ that they used to keep their directions in the open desert. Jake’s father told the boy that he would share how to properly read that map in the sky, but such a day had not come. Like a lot of promises, it was just another Jake accepted he would need to forget about.

After standing there in awe of the upper realm above the golden sea, Jake’s stomach twisted and gurgled. He was reminded of his hunger and that brought him back to the ground. The boy gave Chul a slight tickle, chuckling as the Arachkin let out a quiet chitter. He made his way around the oasis and back into the mess of the village. The number of persons out now were few, and the sounds and smells of shared nightly memories leaked out of the tents Jake passed. Some hotter than others.

“There you are,” Elana was waiting outside of his Auntie’s tent. She was looking both ways until he came into view and then her eyes settled on him. “Auntie’s been worried.” She led the way into the tent, slapping the flap out of the way as she stepped inside. Jake took that moment to nudge Chul awake again. The Arachkin grumbled once more but with some careful handling, skittered off into the shadows beside the tent. Jake let out a huff before he followed Elana inside.

“And here I thought you weren’t hungry,” Auntie taunted the boy as she watched him step inside. Jake shrugged and stepped over to the low table. He found his cushion and plopped down on top of it.

The cozy space was a small, family tent with two sectioned-off portions for sleeping, a designated cooking space with a metal oven and a single open-fire stove top, and a small table with several cushions in the center of the main room. They weren’t exactly rich so many of the cooking tools available for use were primitive and required only a skilled cook to make use of them. The table was very rough looking, with the wood being quite aged and splintered, however, Auntie covered it with a beautifully colored rug. She said it had come from her mother, as had everything in her make-shift kitchen.

“Thanks for joining us tonight, Elana.” Auntie brought over what was to be dinner and set down a large, clay tray onto the center of the table. Three medium-sized breaded paias were placed on top of their own little plate. Each was large enough to be filling but not too big that there would be leftovers. The perfectly browned crust was smooth and had a little bit of a shimmer to it, a homemade glaze that helped give the breading a sweet flavor. In the top center, each paia was cut slightly to let out steam and the delicious aroma hidden within.

“Of course, Auntie Rayne.” Elana smiled and winked across the table at Jake. The boy raised an eyebrow. For a second he thought it was just for peacekeeping that she was here. It seemed it was for the food instead. Jake didn’t blame her. Elana’s Mother was a bit of an eccentric when it came to food. She always added weird spices or mixed ingredients in odd ways. The food wasn’t bad but that didn’t mean it was good either. Edible, Jake always said.

Auntie reached out her hands toward the other two. Jake placed his hand in his Auntie’s and then reached across for Elana’s. Her hand was warm, silky smooth to the touch, and far smaller than his. They all curled their fingertips and then bowed their heads.

“Nala es’tu en Shalam,” Auntie whispered the prayer and Elana muttered it as well. Jake remained quiet, playing along as he always did. Their hands parted and Jake retracted his hands to patiently wait for his food.

He glanced up when he saw movement in the corner of the tent and spotted Chul. The Arachkin had decided to crawl into the dark upper portion of the tent, his yellow eyes the only thing giving his location away. Chul closed all but two and, noticing Jake had spotted him, he carefully moved further back into the dark. Jake smirked at his companion’s version of hiding in plain sight and then returned to his dinner. Auntie set the plate in front of him and Jake’s hands impatiently jerked forward to grab for it.

“Baj’a!” his Auntie spat. The square treat was hot to the touch and his Auntie patted his hands when he initially grabbed it. Jake flinched and pulled away, flipping up his fingers and palms to show that he would wait. His Auntie sighed and shook her head, reaching over with a knife to cut a large hole in the top of the breading. The paia gasped, releasing even more steam into the air. Jake almost started drooling as the smell of Rawndar stock and seasoned vegetables invaded his nostrils. “Let it cool before you bite into it.”

Along with the paias, Auntie poured three glasses of warm tea. She passed Elana and Jake their clay cups before grabbing one for herself. The water pitcher was returned to its place on her corner of the table, and the three sat in silence, waiting awkwardly as the paias cooled. Uneasy and uncertain of how he should speak to his Auntie, Jake began to fidget. His hands clasped together, his thumbs rubbing and pressing together. His eyes stared harshly at the paia, taking in every detail of the breaded meal as his thoughts ebbed in his head.

“You have much to say, don’t you?” Auntie Rayne suddenly spoke. She picked up her cup and brought it to her lips. As she took a sip, she stared at the boy. Jake’s jaw tensed as he dared a glance up at Elana- she raised an eyebrow, not offering help.

“I’m going to become an Adventurer, Auntie.” Jake proclaimed. His Auntie let out a faint hum as she set down her cup.

“So you have said, but I will not allow it.” She didn’t speak with a harsh tone this time. She was calm and relaxed. This was not an argument, not this time. “Do you know why?” She asked, looking over at him. Jake shook his head.

“Where is your father?” She asked. Jake’s teeth ground together and his hands curled into fists. He shrugged. “I don’t doubt your resolve, child. You have looked up to that man even when you were young. You have always had a mind to explore and a knack for finding things you shouldn’t, but I will not allow you to become like Him.”

“But Auntie-” She raised a hand, silencing him. Jake lowered his head and clamped his lips shut.

“You will become a Man in two months during the Ceremony of Kuu’hash. It has already been decided that you will become a Guard, and your betrothed has also been decided.” Her words were like ice on his veins. Jake felt his motivation slip away and he felt his throat close up as he choked on the tears he held back.

“This is for your own good.” However, hearing those words were what he hated hearing the most. She had said them ever since he was young. Her favorite line whenever she disciplined him or tried to keep him holed up in the tent.

“What do you know is good for me?” He muttered. “You’re not even my mother.”

“Jake-” Elana’s eyes widened, but his Auntie remained calm. She looked at him, a pained look in her eyes. Jake stared down at his hands, his nails squeezing into his palms.

“You always tell me what’s good for me, but you never listen to what I want. It’s always been “for the village”, “for my family”, “for everyone else”. What about me? What about what I want? Has that ever mattered?” Jake felt his body begin to shake. A mixture of rage and sadness tearing him apart inside.

“No, it hasn’t. We do not have such luxuries here.” His Auntie remained distant. She collected her emotions and grabbed her tea again. Before she took a sip, she took in a slow breath. “You will do what you are told, and you will be better for it.”

“I’m going to become a Mage, Auntie,” Jake spat out. His Auntie stopped moving just as the cup touched her lips. “I’m going to leave this place and become an Adventurer. One better than my father.”

His Auntie gave him a harsh look, one that lingered for an extra few seconds too long. She sipped from her cup and then set it down on the table with a clack.

“You seem certain,” Auntie said as she stifled a laugh. “The Shamas declared you E’tun at birth, child, and you have never shown any signs of having Sahar in you. How do you expect to be a mage with no Sahar?” When she posed the question, Jake looked up to Elana and then towards the corner where Chul was hiding. Then, he met his Auntie’s harsh stare.

While he wanted to show her, right then and there, his ability- he had no way to. She was always a skeptic and without solid evidence put before her that she could not deny, she would simply brush it off as a lie. She would laugh at him if he brought up his meetings with the Gods and blame his imagination if he mentioned the Library. He didn’t have the Assessor Slab from his assessment in the Library and he hadn’t quite learned any spells yet. All he knew was how to stir his mana, his Sahar, enough to trigger his connection to the Library. Without knowing how that would look on the outside it would be a waste of time to trigger it now.

Instead, the boy reached out and plucked his paia off his plate. It was still hot, but the breading contained much of the heat that was left. It was almost cool enough to bite into and where Jake was going, it would cool off even faster.

“I’ll show you,” Jake spat as he stood up from the table.

She wouldn’t believe him about the Ravine, about his descent. She’d brushed that off as child’s play and foolery, not daring to admit that her nephew was bold enough to go to such a place. Even if he had Chul step forward, she’d take it as an attack from a monster instead of the appearance of a companion. She was a stubborn old woman, stuck in her ways. Always firm in keeping him from running off like his father. She always said the man’s stories were just that- stories, and that he was off somewhere fooling around rather than looking after Jake. Even when Jake came back with shells and small scorpions that he’d found out in the sands, she would just pat him on the head and say his imagination was truly something before ordering him off to do chores.

How could he tell such a woman about nearly dying in the Ravine? About The Gate? About the magic circle and the gem in the ceiling of the cavern? How could he tell her about talking with Gods? With how stiff her defenses were against such things, he was better off not even trying.

“Show me?” This time, she actually began to laugh. “I don’t know where you went for two days, boy, but you’ve certainly become more of a fool.” She reached forward and tested the center of her paia, checking the temperature. She must have been satisfied as she plucked it from the plate and took a bite. Jake stared at her, his free hand squeezing into a ball once again as he restrained himself. Elana looked tense at the other side of the table.

“You left spouting about the Ravine and returned covered in muck. Where did you go? Some hole in the ground that you fell into? And now you think because you explored some cave you’re capable of adventuring?” His Auntie set down her paia before tapping the corners of her lips with a cloth to clean the remnants of food from them. “Don’t be foolish.”

“At least I can change,” he hissed. “You’ve never believed me before. Why would you believe me now?”

“Because you’ve always spoken nonsense-”

“It’s not nonsense!” He shouted, he squeezed down at the paia in his hand, some of the food oozing from the hole. He checked himself, careful not to ruin his meal. His Auntie looked up at him, once more stern and with heat in her eyes. If he was in range she definitely would have smacked him.

“It is nonsense! The ravine is far too deep for a boy like you to descend! Even if you did climb down to it, how did you get out? Did you suddenly gain superhuman strength? Did Shalam himself pluck you from its basin?!” Her voice boomed through the tent. Jake opened his mouth to answer, ready to explain the entirety of what he had seen within those dark depths. Only, his eyes glanced over towards Elana. Her lips were pressed together into a frown as she watched them fight. She was staring at him, her eyes pleading for them to stop. “You are a fool and a liar, just like your father!”

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Jake’s anger slipped away as he realized how pointless it was to fight with the old woman. To her, it wouldn’t matter what he said or what he brought up. Any attempt to justify becoming an adventurer was fruitless as, to her, it would lead to Jake becoming like his father, a deadbeat no-show in much of the boy’s life. That’s all she viewed adventurers as. Hopeless, penniless, and incapable of being good family. Sure, Jake’s father wasn’t around. Sure, he wasn’t the most successful and he certainly wasn’t perfect, but Jake’s father would do anything for those he cared for. Of all things, taking care of those close to him was something Jake’s dad always made sure to instill in Jake.

“Then no matter what I say, you won’t listen to me,” Jake muttered as he finally turned away. He snatched a bite from his paia and made his way towards the tent flap. His Auntie shouted at his back for him to stop but he kept his head down and hurried out of the tent. Once outside, he stepped away and stood off to the side, collecting his own emotions for a few moments.

“Elana, go get him!” She shouted. “Elana!” There was no response, but Jake did hear footsteps approaching the front of the tent.

“You didn’t even try to listen to him, Auntie. If you had, maybe you’ll learn.” Elana finally stepped from the tent. She held open the flap as she bowed towards Jake’s Auntie, her lips curled into a deep frown. “Sorry, but I’ll be excusing myself.”

“No, Elana! Find him! That boy is too foolish to be left alone!” Jake looked over to Elana, but the woman hadn’t seen him yet. She stared in towards his Auntie with one of the most exhausted expressions he had seen her make.

“Then maybe when you cool your head and decide to listen to him, you can find him yourself. Good night, Auntie Rayne.” With that, Elana released the flap and turned away. She met Jake’s eyes and paused. “Oh-”

“Sorry,” Jake nipped at his paia and glanced towards the flap. Elana heard the feet as well. Together, the two hurried away from the tent and slipped around the corner into a small gap between another pair. Jake’s Auntie popped out, frantic as she looked in both directions. Not seeing either of them, she kicked at the sand and her hands furled tight. She stomped off in the other direction, likely going to try and find one of them.

“Dinner is never boring with you two, is it?” Elana sighed. Jake shrugged and took another bite from his paia. Elana looked at him, her expression flat. Jake knew what was coming and quickly jerked his hand back as she snatched for the paia. “Give me a bite!”

“Get yer own!” He grumbled, his mouth still full. Elana sighed and kicked the sand at his feet. Ready for such a distraction, Jake recoiled further and extended the paia higher into the air. Except, it wasn’t an attack. Only frustration. Elana turned away and started to walk off in the direction of her own family’s tent.

“Sorry for ruining dinner, Elana,” Jake called out to her. Elana shook her head.

“You’re both stubborn, Jake. Just don’t be a stubborn liar.” She didn’t look back at him and strolled off, disappearing behind another row of tents.

Jake bit at his paia, glancing once more in the direction of his Auntie’s tent. As he did he felt something tap his leg. He looked down to see Chul, the Arachkin finally catching up to him. The boy knelt down to collect his companion and then the two walked towards the bazaar once more. Sales had finally come to an end for the day and it was now time to party.

Drunks were scattered through the area, dancers filled the gaps, and the scent of food filled the air. Jake moved nimbly through the spaced-out crowd, nipping at his paia while also keeping an eye open for a loose cup. He got his chance as a woman strolled by with a full plate of drinks. Someone catcalled and in the distraction, Jake nabbed a drink from the plate. When she turned to catch him, the boy slipped through a group of people and slipped away. The drink was grape wine. Sweet on the tongue with a slight kick in the throat. It wasn’t strong in terms of alcohol so he was able to drink it quickly as he slammed back his paia. Just before he stepped out of the area, Jake set down the empty cup on a table a handful of drunks were at, leaving the wine glass to blend in with their own bottles.

On the opposite side of the bazaar and beside the oasis, a tall and empty guard tower jutted out of the sands. Due to its location at the center of the village rather than the edges, it was used mainly during the mornings, during emergencies, and in times of battle. The view gave its occupant a wide view of the entire village and the surrounding sands. Thus, it made for the perfect place to give orders and commands in a hurry. At night and during peacetime, it was generally vacant. Most of the time children used the tower for hide and seek. Jake used it as a place to be alone. The Marker was good for sleeping and taking a nap in, but in the Guard Tower, he could observe the stars as well.

He climbed up quickly, his hands and feet well-practiced in climbing the awkward ladder leading up to the large viewing box. With a tap, Jake tested the door to ensure it was open and then pushed his way up inside. Chul hopped off his shoulder once they were in and then Jake slid a latch to lock the trap door.

“Resourceful, aren’t you?” Chul’s fangs chittered as he crawled up onto the ledge of the wooden window. Jake smirked and placed his hands on the ledge, leaning against it as he looked out towards the village.

“Oh, the wine?” Jake asked. Chul nodded. The boy huffed, turning away from the village as he sat down. He leaned against the wooden planks and let his head roll back to settle against them. “Father always said to never let myself go hungry or thirsty.”

Chul eyed him warily for a few moments, then turned towards the Village. “Your Auntie. It seems she is far more protective of you than I first thought.” The Arachkin’s voice hummed as he observed the festive air down below. “She certainly reminds me much of my brood mother.”

“She’s a tough one. Always has been,” Jake sighed and tapped his canine teeth together a few times. “I just don’t get why she’s so stiff on me not going anywhere.”

“I presume your father is to blame, from how much she compares your actions to his.” Chul finally turned away from the village and crawled off the ledge. He made his way over to a dark corner and made himself at home. “Is he dead as well?”

Jake shook his head. “Last I heard he was alive, but that was a few years ago. Haven’t heard from him since. Which is normal, I guess so it’s hard to tell.”

Chul’s fangs chittered again as the Arachkin eyed the boy. Jake raised his eyebrows. “What?”

“Nothing,” Chul evaded the question and closed his eyes. When he did, Jake lost sight of him. It was too dark to see his outline and the Arachkin’s dark color scheme made him practically invisible in the tiny space. “Your Auntie. She fears for the worst.”

“I know,” Jake mumbled. He lowered his head and stared down at his hands.

“My brood mother was similar. She always yelled at myself and one of my younger brothers when we would run off beyond her den.” Chul let out a chuckle, his fang chittering as he laughed. “But it was out of love so I knew to never yell back. He did. Eventually, tired and foolish, he ran off. My mother found him a few days later when she was hunting. His corpse, that is.” Chul went quiet for a moment, and Jake was about to apologize but the Arachkin only hummed. “She came to find me when she returned and after that, I wasn’t allowed to leave her sight.” He sighed and opened his eyes. Though, where he looked was far away from where they currently were.

“Out of respect for her, I never did. I was the growing child and she was the Broodmother. My brother was foolish, ignorant of the world, and he was not large enough to hunt on his own. When I finally grew large enough and shed my first exoskeleton, I grew anxious and impatient. I left the den to try and find a trophy to bring my mother, but it was a mistake. I returned with nothing to show for my excursion except for finding those Adventurers nearby. My mother punished me in front of my siblings and I was forced to wait. She and my two older siblings went out the following night, only for the Adventurers to show up while they were gone.” Chul paused once more. It was as if he was reliving that scene in his mind. Jake looked over towards his companion. He was tempted to coddle the Arachkin but instead waited until Chul was ready to continue.

“The Adventurers attacked the brood and I was scared. My oldest sister fended off their attacks long enough for my mother and brothers to return. Then, they bought my siblings and me enough time to flee. As the only male of the brood around at the time, it was expected that I was supposed to fight. But I did not. I froze, terrified of the Adventurers. With no one to guide us or teach us how to hunt, my sisters and I struggled for a while. They grew faster than I and were far more willing to fight. I cowered away from it all, haunted by my weakness in the nest. They eventually grew too large and too tired of me, and I was cast out.” Chul crawled out of the corner, back to the ledge of the wooden planks so he could look out towards the sky. Jake nipped down on the inside of his lip, unsure of how to respond to the tale of his friend’s abandonment.

“Do you think your mother would have been more gentle and understanding if you had waited?” Jake asked, biting into the paia once more. It was almost gone, and he clung to the heat it filled his chest with. The air was getting colder by the minute.

“Maybe, but with how small I was I doubt she would have let me roam about without the supervision of one of my older siblings. She was a very caring Broodmother. She didn’t have many of us in the first place, compared to other Broodmothers. She was always afraid that if something happened then she wouldn’t be able to protect us and she feared losing even one of us. It took a lot of trust for her to begin bringing my brothers with her on hunts. I was too much the fool to be given such freedoms.” Chul’s fangs chittered lightly, quietly, and the Arachkin’s eyes lowered. He shrunk in on himself for a moment, then he descended and walked slowly over to Jake’s feet.

“However, I no longer blame myself for what happened that night. Though I am sad my Broodmother is gone and that I have lost my family, I have learned to live with the result of my actions. I grew powerful, earned my revenge on that village, and I became a terror for Adventurers for a short time. I accepted my expulsion to the Ravine and considered it a gift. Should that not have happened, I likely would have continued to bring pain to this world. My mother was kind and defended her children to the end. In the aftermath, I found only two of my kin killed, and they were the other two largest brothers who stayed behind to ensure my sisters could make it out. My older sister who did battle with the Adventurers had fled shortly after the fighting, tasked by my mother to ensure our safety.”

“Sounds heroic. To die fighting for your family,” Jake smiled softly and finished his paia. Chul laughed and lowered onto his belly.

“Indeed. Raul and Ortah. Both were cowards but they gave themselves in the end. True warriors of the Brood, and my mother would be proud of them.” Chul went quiet for a moment, his eyes distant. When he returned from his thoughts, he looked over at Jake and his fangs rattled. “Your Auntie is like my brood mother. Stern and stubborn, but as I said- she cares deeply for you. You are small, weak like I was. You are ignorant of the pain this world can bring, and she fears that. If you wish for her to believe you, then you must prove yourself to her.”

“But I climbed to the bottom of the Ravine! You are proof of that!” Jake said, clenching his fists as he struggled to contain himself. Chul nodded, agreeing but he still did not budge.

“I am not the proof she seeks, Jake. You have been blessed with a gift. Cultivate it and hone it. There is no rush to see the world, child. You are still young. The world is vast and it is not ending anytime soon. We have plenty of time to be patient.” Chul moved along the wood and he stopped a few inches away from Jake’s side. Then, he lifted onto his rear four legs. His first two came up and he lightly wiggled them in the air. A sort of dance, one his Broodmother would do whenever he felt uneasy. That, and the cocoon she would wrap him in was always warm.

“Instead, let us enjoy our time, our youth! The days where you can make mistakes and learn from them are not infinite, boy. Soon you will have those you care about at your side and your worries will stretch to people other than yourself. On these grand adventures, you will meet people who will become your friends until death. Some may even become family that you will give everything for.” Chul lowered himself down and his sixteen eyes tilted upwards as he showed a happy expression. His fangs chittered excitedly.

“Become strong in your youth so that you may grow old together, rather than live short lives and have your flames snuffed out too soon.”

Jake stared down at Chul, a bit unsure of how to react to that weird display. But, his lips eventually curled into a smile. He reached down to brush his hand over Chul’s exoskeleton. He gently scooped up the Arachkin into his hands and lifted the spider close, face level.

“You sound like an old man,” Jake chuckled. Chul coughed and rose onto his hind legs again.

“O-OLD?! I AM NOT OLD! We Arachkin live for thousands of years! You dare call me old, brat?!” Chul hissed, and Jake only laughed louder as Chul rumbled and shook in his hands. “Learn your place, Son of Alan!” Chul reached out and lightly tapped Jake on the cheek, his little limbs shaking and tapping on the boy’s face. Jake finally settled down and he returned his companion to the wood. Chul backed away and slunk into the shadows of the wooden crevices.

“I’ll do as you said, Chul. I’ll practice my magic with Yir in the Library and become a strong mage. I’ll train to be strong enough so that Auntie won’t have to worry about me.” Jake looked out to the village, his eyes wandering until he spotted his Auntie’s tent in the distance. The flap was drawn closed but light crept out from the edges of it.

“Yir, you say…? The Fairy?” Chul asked, humming quietly from his corner. Jake tilted his head and looked over towards Chul.

“You know Yir?” Jake asked, but Chul only shook from side to side.

“I know of the name but I do not know the Fairy personally. From what I have heard, she was a very smart magician from the Fae Islands and she was thought to be gifted, like you. If she is in the Eternal Library, then I can only imagine the tales were true.” Chul’s fangs chittered and he let out another hum. Jake nodded and looked up at the stars.

“She’s very nice and very smart, too. She taught me a little about magic and helped me with my magic assessment.” Jake’s lips pressed together for a moment as his eyes found the ‘Majai Cluster’ to the east. Just off to its right, an array of stars took the shape of a pair of butterfly wings. Wings that reminded Jake of the fairy. He sighed and sat down again, once more relaxing against the wood. “I wonder if she’ll be willing to teach me more…” He muttered, closing his eyes.

As he relaxed, embracing the chill of the night air, he thought of Yir, of the Library, and wondered just how much more time he would be spending in that place. It was cold there, much like the desert nights, and a little dusty but it was comfortable. It was a quiet hideaway compared to the loud bustling of the village and Yir was a lot friendlier than the drunkards and mercenaries. In the coming days, he looked forward to spending as much time within the Library walls as possible.

The next thing Jake knew, he felt a shift in the floor and the taste of the air changed. He opened his eyes to notice that he was once again standing in the Library. The massive tower and book-stuffed walls welcomed him into its waiting arms. The transition had been near seamless, and Jake hadn’t even felt the change until it had already happened.

Confusion sunk in almost immediately and he rubbed at his eyes, wondering if this was just a dream. When his vision didn’t change, Jake stood up and stepped out of the foyer into the main atrium. He searched for signs of Yir, but all he could see were the other smaller fairies hovering around the shelves. The familiar fairy was nowhere to be found, sadly, and while he felt an urge to shout- he had a feeling it would only upset her. There were several signs placed around saying ‘Quiet in the Library’. Shouting was certainly not quiet. Drawing the ire of the librarian did not sound like a good way to start an interaction where he would be asking for help.

“Oh, right.” As he thought about asking for help, the boy remembered the study room Yir had introduced him to. It was the second place she had taken him. Inside it, there was a large bookshelf full of introductory books and fundamental texts. If he were to start learning magic, he figured it was best to start there. She had likely prepared such a room for individuals like him so he would make sure to use it to its fullest.

What he wasn’t ready for was how complicated Magic was. Yir had handed him the text, ‘Magical Foundations- Volume I’ and that was where Jake started. He cracked open the cover and began to skim its texts. However, the words within and the topics covered were foreign. Not only were they foreign but they were complicated beyond comprehension. Like anything, starting from the beginning was going to be difficult and time-consuming. Rather than get upset or angry, Jake forced himself to be patient. He needed this. He wanted this.

As much as Jake wanted to dive into the meat of magic and start slinging spells rather than bore himself with the text, he wasn’t stupid enough to skip the crucial steps that he knew he needed to understand. Magic was dangerous and if it was as hard as Yir described it, then he would need to take things slow. He would need to practice the fundamentals, refine his foundations, and build his ability up from nothing. Most of all, Jake wanted to feel the full result of his effort. He wouldn’t lie- he hated the idea of reading so many books, especially when reading was hard in the first place. But with everything magic-related being hidden away in the thousands of books that filled the tower, Jake had no choice but to get comfortable with the smell of aged paper and ink.

It seemed today would be full of difficulties. One of many if he wanted to become an Adventurer.

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