A year passed steadily. He and Severin spent most of their days tending the shop and practicing magic. Teaching Severin had the unexpected bonus of improving his own spellcasting. Severin's progress in Oxuri was excelling at a good rate. The young man could now say simple sentences and write short paragraphs.

While they spent most of their time at his shop or in the surrounding forest, today found Galen at the town center, watching Severin pray to the twin goddesses' statue. Normally, he left Severin to pray by himself, but he decided to come to pass the time. Examining the statue, he was impressed by the craftmanship. Although multiple copies of the statue were sprinkled across the country, the quality never suffered. Sculpted out of white marble, the goddesses faced each other with their hands clasped together. The name plate simply read, 'Inoeda and Rieda.' He wasn’t surprised. Unlike the lesser gods, the twin goddesses needed no further introduction. Inoeda and Rieda were revered around the world and worshipped by all. The creators of humankind, molding the blueprint for the soul and the body. He never worshipped them as the soulless weren’t part of this blueprint. However, he knew how important the goddesses were to Severin, so he respected his need to pray.

He was so engrossed in his examination and thoughts that he startled when Severin laid a hand on his shoulder. Severin snickered, "Did I scare you?"

"No, I was merely startled."

"Same thing," Severin teased, "Ready to go back to the shop?"

"Yeah, let's go." He turned and saw a familiar figure in the distance. At first, he didn’t believe his eyes, but he became sure as the figure approached.

"Galen," the woman said.

He tensed. Severin shuffled nervously next to him. Finally, he breathed, "Thuraya. I wasn't expecting you."

"I need your help."

"You're asking for help?" he asked. "That's not your style."

Thuraya ignored his question, walking away. "Come, we must discuss this in private."

He watched her go. Severin looked between Galen and Thuraya's retreating back. He asked, "Who is she?"

"A very important asteris, and a friend."

"She’s an asteris?" Severin whispered harshly.

It then occurred to him that they were still standing in front of Inoeda and Rieda's statue. Anyone could hear them talking. He sighed, "I'll explain more later. Let's go."

He and Severin made their way back to the apothecary. Thuraya was already there waiting. He passed her and sat behind the counter. Severin moved to sit in the chair next to him, while Thuraya inspected his products. She said, "An apothecary, huh. It's very you."

"The shop’s been a lot of fun," he replied.

"I see you've taken on a companion. What's your name, boy?"

Severin startled, not expecting the asteris to address him. "Severin."

"Severin," she hummed, "Would you like to know your future?"

Confused, Severin asked, "My future?"

Thuraya turned and stared into Severin's eyes. Her knowing gaze seemed to pierce through Severin's soul. Thuraya said, "You heard me the first time."

Severin glanced at him to figure out what to say. He shrugged and gestured for Severin to humor her. Severin replied, "Yes, I would like to know."

Thuraya moved to lean her forehead against Severin's. Severin jerked his head back with his face flushed. Thuraya brought her hand behind Severin's head and forced him to lean against her forehead again. "Boy, close your eyes and breath with me."

"I'm not a boy," Severin grumbled, but he did as she told. Their breathing synchronized, and they fell into a trance. He watched them, amused by Thuraya’s antics. Thuraya’s future sight was an innate talent of hers, which meant that she just had to look to see the future. There was no need for her and Severin to breath together. She had told him that it took a long time for her to hone her sight to this level, but she also said that she would never see the future as well as the all-seeing god, Nilalan, could. He knew she had the occasional flare for dramatics, but he didn’t know why she was showing off. There was no one here she needed to impress. It wasn’t like Severin wouldn’t have believed her. If he trusted her, Severin would too.

Thuraya's eye snapped open, and she stepped away from Severin. Severin opened his eyes slowly and stared at Thuraya, dazed. A pensive expression crossed Thuraya's face. She said, "You will die alone."

Severin sucked in a sharp breath. He snapped, "Thuraya!"

"I tell what I see."

"You know that's not how it works," he hissed.

Severin raised a hand, stopping his diatribe in its tracks. The man asked, "Did you see anything else?"

"Severin," he said, "Thuraya doesn't see the future in the way you think. There's no guarantee that anything she says will come true."

Thuraya gave a derisive snort. "There's no guarantee that it won't come true either."

"Galen," Severin gave the asteris a sharp look, "Please, do not interrupt. I asked Thuraya a question."

"The answer to your question is no. I didn’t see anything else."

"Thank you," Severin swung his legs, "Was Galen right? About how your predictions aren't always true."

Thuraya frowned, "Yes, unfortunately. The future holds many possibilities, so my predications don't always come true. However, know that I would only tell you if I was confident in the answer."

"So, there is a chance I won't die alone?"

"There is a likelier chance that you will."

"Thuraya," he sighed.

"What?" she asked sharply, "There’s no point in lying."

"No, it's okay," Severin soothed, "As long as there's a chance that it won't happen, I'm alright."

He brushed a hand down Severin's back. Severin smiled at the comforting gesture. Thuraya stood stiffly before taking a deep breath. She said, "I've let myself become distracted. Galen, we have important matters to discuss."

"What is this important matter?"

Thuraya motioned to Severin with her eyes, staring meaningfully. "Lteul eaht eobý oto veialeu."

"Ehtu obay neca ydueoraninstud uayo," Severin said, unhappy with being excluded.

Thuraya whipped her head to look at Severin, while he covered his face with his hands. Thuraya said, "You know Oxuri. Galen has been teaching you Oxuri."

"Yes, he has," Severin said proudly, "He's an excellent teacher."

Thuraya smirked, "A magician in training I presume."

"Ah," Severin hesitated.

"Yes, Thuraya." he rubbed his face, "I am training him to be a magician."

"Even after all they've done? How naughty."

"Thuraya," he groaned.

"No, I want to know how Mr. 'I hate magicians with every fiber of my being' decided to train one," Thuraya teased.

"Severin's different," he confessed.

"Oh," Thuraya's eyebrows raised, "Different?"

"Don't you have important business to talk about?" he asked, blushing.

"That's right. Once again, I've been derailed." Thuraya turned to Severin. "Would you please give us privacy?"

Severin sighed and rose from his chair. "I'll head home. See you tomorrow. It was nice to meet you, Thuraya."

"Nice to meet you." He and Thuraya watched as Severin walked out the door. He gestured for Thuraya to sit in the chair Severin left.

Thuraya sat, crossing her legs. She said, "There's a new asteris."

His eyes widened, "A new asteris? What? How? When?"

"A month ago. I was on a ship at a port city in Hidara when Irkala spoke to me and told me that there was a new asteris and that she was in the hold. Imagine the crew's surprise when I ask to be let into the hold and came out with a little girl. Remind me not to go to Hidara for the next twenty years."

"Where is she now? Did you bring her with you?"

"No, I left her on Minastav with Vera."

He slouched in his chair. There hadn’t been a new asteris since he had been created all those years ago. Asteris and astera couldn’t reproduce. Once the last asteris and astera died, they would be gone unless Irkala saw fit to make more. And, until now, Irkala didn’t seem fit to. A fact that vexed both asteris and magicians. Asteris because having your entire species die out was a troubling thought. Magicians because without asteris and astera parts, they couldn’t do magic. Astera that shed parts naturally were protected better than kings, and magicians tried their hardest to kill astera sparingly. This courtesy didn’t extend to the less potent and less valuable asteris. Right now, there was plenty of asteran parts and no restrictions were in place, but unrenewable resources, no matter how well they are conserved, would run out and rationing will be needed as that time approaches.

"This is why I need your help," Thuraya continued.

"What can I do?"

"As your student vouched, you are an excellent teacher. Nessa, that's the girl's name, will need to be taught about the world she’s been dropped in. You’re the best candidate to help with this task. What do you say?"

"I—," he closed his eyes tightly, "This is so sudden."

"I can give you time to think about it."

"No, I'll do it. I just don't know what I'll tell Severin."

"I don't care what you tell him. Do it by the end of the week. We have to leave."

"Can't we teach her here? In Sunmesto."

"No, absolutely not. We can't let her near this many humans before we teach her to control herself. We might as well knock on Srauondaái's door and present Nessa to them."

"Lalai," he clutched his hair, "You're right."

"Of course, I am."

Srauondaái was a magic-made island off the coast of Hidara and was one of two places in the world only recognized by its Oxuri name. The island was the heart of magicians, and it was where the High Court of Magicians was established. Srauondaái was divorced from all countries and answered to no government. In the face of the inhabitant's immense power, no country challenged the decree. Only the most prestigious people of the world were allowed inside the island's walls.

If the High Court found out about the "birth" of a new asteris, they would be hunted. The inevitable extinction of astera weighed heavily on the High Court, and they would stop at nothing to find a solution to the problem. Who knows what lengths they would go to in order to discover how Nessa was birthed. What they would do to Nessa in pursuit of knowledge.

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"Can we take him with us?"

"The boy? No," Thuraya said, exasperated. "This is a human-free expedition."

"Severin would never betray us."

"I understand you like the boy, but he can't come with us."

"Why?"

"Why?" Thuraya threw her hands up, "He's human! A liability that you've taught magic. I refuse to let him come."

"If you gave him a chance, he could prove himself!"

"No," her tone was final.

He let it go, knowing when he was defeated. "I have to go talk to him. Sort stuff out."

"I'll leave you to that." Thuraya flicked her hair over her shoulder. "I'm taking your bed."

Too tired to argue, he said nothing. He stood up and rounded the counter before leaving the shop. Severin's house was on the outskirts of town, allowing him time to think about what he would say. Once he arrived, he knocked on Severin's door. Galen was the only one who ever visited, so Severin knew exactly who was there.

Severin opened the door and said, "How did the talk go?"

He entered the threshold. "I have to leave."

"What?"

"I've agreed to help Thuraya. We'll be leaving at the end of this week,"

"That's so soon," Severin frowned.

"Can you watch the store?"

"Wait, hold on. Where are you going?"

"I don't know."

"You're leaving to help her, and you don't even know where you're going."

"Severin," he pleaded, "Please. Will you watch the store?"

"Yes, I can watch the store. Why are you upset?"

"Thuraya and I had a small disagreement," he paused, "I'll miss you."

Severin looked at him fondly, "I'll miss you too. What was the disagreement?"

"It's not important. We shouldn't be gone for long. Wait for me?"

"Of course, I'll wait."

"Thank you." He gave Severin a relieved smile.

"Are we going to keep standing here?"

He realized they were still in Severin's doorway. "No, It's late. I'll go home."

Severin chuckled, "Good night."

"Good night."

***

Severin sat perched on the counter, swinging his legs while he watched Galen rush around the room. "The shop won't collapse as soon as you leave."

"I want to make sure everything is in order. Do you need me to run over the list for you again?"

"Galen," Severin rolled his eyes, "I have been working in this shop for almost two years. I will be fine."

"I know. I know." He paced back and forth between the shelves. The past week kept him busy as he prepared to leave with Thuraya. He barely had any time to spend with Severin. Packing his bags and organizing the store's stock monopolized it. The conversation they had the day after he visited Severin’s house flashed in his mind.

"Why does Thuraya need your help?"

"She needs a teacher, and I'm better than most."

"That's true."

"Thank you for understanding."

"What kind of friend would I be if I didn't? Although, you’re leaving so suddenly."

"Yes, it can't be avoided. The…issue is time sensitive."

"Could I help? I'm not a teacher or anything, but extra hands could be useful."

"Asteris-only business, I'm afraid. I wanted you to come, though. Thuraya said no."

"That asteris is a fortuneteller, isn't she? Can all asteris see the future?"

“Don’t let Thuraya hear you say that. She’ll take offence. She’s a seer, not a fortuneteller. And no, not all asteris can see the future. Actually, she’s the only one.”

"Why does she have this power and no one else?"

"It's a complicated and long story. I don't want to talk about this. We only have so much time left together."

"You won't be gone for long, will you?"

"I won't be."

"Then don't worry."

The bell chimed, announcing Thuraya's arrival. The first thing she saw was his frantic state. She walked up to him and grabbed his shoulders, stilling his movement. "Calm down. I've checked all your bags. Everything is ready for tomorrow."

"I've already tried to calm him down. He's too worked up," Severin said, "I told him the shop would be fine in my care."

"Severin’s right. Stop worrying. Don't you trust the boy?"

He looked at Severin, who attempted to appear like he didn’t care what the answer would be. "I do."

Severin smiled before he turned his head away. Thuraya said, "He will be fine."

He sighed, "He will."

Severin's smile widened ever further. He asked, "Do you know how long you guys will be gone? Galen said you should be done soon."

Thuraya cocked her head in thought. She eventually said, "Yes, we won't take long. Seven years should be enough."

"Seven years?"

"That is what I said," Thuraya furrowed her brow, "You two seem to make a habit out of repeating things."

Severin turned fierce eyes onto him. "That is not soon."

"It is. Relatively," he claimed.

Thuraya could feel the rising tension of the situation. She decided to give Galen and Severin privacy to sort it out. "I must check on the coach. I will see you tomorrow."

He and Severin watched her leave. Silence came over the two, masking the simmering anger in the air. He thought he needed to make the first move this time. "Severin, seven years isn't that long when you think about it. I'll be home before you know it."

"Seven years, Galen. That's what Thuraya said. Seven. Fucking. Years."

"Severin," he started.

"No!" Severin interrupted, "In what world is seven years soon?"

"Seven years is a drop in the ocean compared to how long I've lived. It all passes so quickly."

"I'm not an asteris, Galen." He winced at the way Severin snarled his name. "Time is long, slow, and arduous for us humans."

"I can't help the way time moves for me anymore than you can. Okay, seven years isn’t soon, but I promise I'll be back."

"You're leaving me!" Severin screamed.

"I told you I'll be back!" he shouted back. His own anger rose in the face of Severin's.

"You're abandoning me!"

"What are you talking about? I'm coming right back!"

Severin hopped down from the counter and faced away from Galen. He stopped screaming, but his voice was harsh. "Right back? It won't be the same. Too much will have changed."

"No, nothing will change if we don't let it."

"Why are you being naïve? I will change. We will change."

"You're acting like you're going to be a different person. You'll still be Severin, and you'll still be my friend."

"You don't know that!" Severin's voice rose to a scream in the middle of the sentence.

"Neither do you!"

"Even if it doesn't change anything. I'm just supposed to, what, sit here and twiddle my thumbs, waiting for you to come home as you're off galivanting with Thuraya?" Severin turned back around to face him.

"I'm not asking to you put your life on hold for me."

"That's exactly what you're asking! You've given me responsibility over this shop. Should I just walk away from it when I get bored?"

"No, Severin." He pinched the bridge of his nose. "I'm not saying this right."

"You're not. Lalai, I can’t take this right now."

"Severin," he pleaded, "Don't go."

Severin shook his head, mumbling to himself. He left the shop without looking back.

"Shit." Galen stood there and watched the door, hoping he would come back. He didn’t.

The next morning, he stood next to the coach, helping the driver load his bags. For once, the Erasiman sun was gentle and avoided scorching everyone under its rays. Nonetheless, he was sweating from the physical exertion of loading heavy cargo. Thuraya checked a list and said, "That's it. We're good to start the trip."

The driver clasped his shoulder and thanked him for helping. He waved him off. The sweat pouring down his forehead was wiped away with a firm hand. "Finally."

He looked to the town's entrance. Thuraya noticed and asked, "Waiting for your boy?"

"Perhaps."

She gave him a knowing glance, "I saw that he will come, so he will."

"You and I both know that you aren't always right."

Thuraya shrugged, "Believe me, don't believe me. He will come."

A lone figure approached Galen and Thuraya. Severin’s face was pale and pinched. He resisted the urge to comfort the man. He knew it wouldn’t be wanted. Severin said, "I'm still angry."

"I’m sure. I wasn’t being kind."

"But I'm not going to let you leave before saying goodbye."

"I don't want us to part on bad terms."

"Goodbye." Severin turned to walk away, but he grabbed the man’s arm.

He said, "You mean a great deal to me."

"You mean a lot to me too."

"I'll return. I promise."

“That’s not what I’m afraid of.” A bitter quiet settled between the two. He pursed his lips before going to walk away. Severin's voice stopped him. "Take me with you."

"I can't."

"Then don't bother coming back."

Severin walked away, taking Galen’s hopes for reconciliation with him. He dragged himself back to the coach, all his energy sapped from his body. Thuraya took one look at his despondent countenance and said, "I'll be right back."

He morosely watched her leave. He sighed to himself and climbed into the cart, making himself comfortable between his bags. He covered his face as tears welled up in his eyes.

Thuraya found Severin. He had walked into the woods and leaned his forehead against the rough bark of a tree. His shoulders trembled.

She said, "Are you just going to leave it like that?"

Silence.

She tried again, "Si una Galen aitieod."

"I euthaá mhei."

"Uyou oda'nteo," Thuraya smiled sadly.

"On, ui oad'neto."

She left him to his misery. There was no vision that told her he wouldn’t budge, but she knew a man like that was hopeless. Any person who attached themselves to Galen was hopeless, even her.

***

Thuraya climbed into the seat next to the driver, who nodded his greeting to her. Thuraya smiled at him politely. She then banged on the carriage attached to the horse, calling, "We're leaving!"

"Okay,” he replied.

Thuraya gave the driver a thumbs up. The driver replied with his own thumbs up, taking the reins and whistling at the horses. Thuraya asked, "What’s your name?"

"Phyllis, ma'am. Phyllis Dolivo."

"Would you like to know your future?" Galen's groan could be heard from the cart. "Ignore him."

Phyllis glanced at her before refocusing on the road. "Are you one of those fortunetellers?"

Thuraya scoffed, "Do I look like a fake?"

"I tend to stay away from that kind of folk. I'm content with only knowing my present."

"Aren't you curious?"

"I am, but I'm sure you know the stories, miss."

Thuraya smirked. She certainly knew the stories he talked about. Kings who sat upon their thrones unable to enjoy their luxuries because their fear drove them to insanity. She asked, "You think you’ll be another victim?"

"I think that it's best to not tempt the fates."

Thuraya laughed, "There are no fates."

Phyllis side-eyed her. "Do you not worship the Ethereal Mistress and her hall?"

"I do, but I know how to separate reality from myths."

"Myth? The fates are the pavers of destiny. The harbingers of the future. Shouldn't a fortuneteller worship them?"

"I'm not a fortuneteller, and why should I worship something that doesn't exist? There are no fates; there is no destiny."

"I pray that you will be free of these blasphemous thoughts."

Thuraya shook her head, "Believe what you will. Who is your patron?"

"Marusei."

"Interesting. Are you from Kurak?"

"Yes," Phyllis said proudly. His tan skin made Thuraya think he was an Erasiman native. Thuraya's darker skin was more reminiscent of Kurak than his.

"It's a beautiful country. I long to visit again."

"Erasima is a beautiful country in its own right, but I miss the rolling dunes of my hometown."

Thuraya hummed her agreement. "How long until we arrive at Muhitpol"

"If we keep this pace, it should be eight hours."

"Including breaks?"

"Yes."

In the back, Galen sat against the wall and listened to the conversation between Thuraya and Phyllis, distracting himself from his and Severin's painful parting. He replayed what was said over and over in his mind, desperately seeking where he went wrong. Why had Severin overreacted? He tried to look at it from a human's perspective, but he only thought himself into circles. He cursed himself. He should have worked harder to make Thuraya agree to taking Severin with them. All the thinking tired him out, and, before he knew it, he had fallen asleep.

Galen awoke to Thuraya shaking his shoulder. Stretching his arms, Galen popped his stiff joints. He climbed out of the seat and was greeted by Muhitpol, a port city. The salty sea wind ruffled his hair, carrying the distinct smell of fish and tar. Even from the outskirts of town, he could see the masts of the docked ships. The bustle of the city reminded him of Stolital, but Muhitpol managed to appear more chaotic. Fisherman yelled at passing people, holding a myriad of colorful fish in their hands. Sailors and dockworkers rushed between the ships and the docks. Leviathan hunters stood vigilant next to their ships, holding a protective hand over their harpoons.

Thuraya said, "Galen, come help us with the bags."

"Got it." He, Thuraya, and Phyllis unloaded the bags and placed them on a luggage trolley. Once that was done, Thuraya paid Phyllis a sizeable amount. He tipped his hat before hopping back onto the coach.

"Nice man," he commented after Phyllis left.

"A superstitious man. Did you hear what he said about the fates? Nonsense."

"Unlike you, the rest of us haven't spent a chunk of our life residing with the gods. Forgive us if we get anything wrong. It's not like they talk to us."

Thuraya, unlike other asteris and humans, spent much of her adolescent life on the plane of the gods, the cosm plane. While he would always show reverence to his creator, Irkala, Thuraya's relationship with him was more familial. Irkala raised her like a daughter, doting on his first creation like he did with no other asteris. Irkala hadn’t yet perfected the process of creating life, so Thuraya had a weak magical core. Because of this, she aged much more than the average asteris. She couldn’t be considered an old woman, but her appearance was that of a middle-aged human rather than a thirty-something. She couldn’t brew potions, cast spells, enchant items, or draw runes. A peculiar predicament for someone with a magic core. However, she was able to peer into the future. Despite her ineptitudes, other asteris felt drawn to give her the same reverence Irkala boasted. Galen, one of her closest friends, felt it to a lesser degree.

"They don't really talk to me either," she replied.

"The point is that you have inside knowledge the rest of us don't."

"Whatever."

She never did like talking about Irkala and the rest of them. She had harsh views and cruel words for the gods. Not all of them, but a fair few. Whenever he reminded her of Irkala’s affections, she threw him the nastiest glares. He, like so many others, believed asteris, astera, humans, gods, and demigods had their place in the world Lalai had created for them. Thuraya thought differently. While he didn’t think Thuraya lied when she said fate didn’t exist, he found it hard to imagine a world where it didn’t when he felt like so much of his life had been tugged in a certain direction. When the strings of fate were said to be pulled by the Ethereal Mistress herself, how could Thuraya deny their existence? How could she deny the existence of something the gods believed to be true? She was a peculiar asteris for a reason.

He and Thuraya wheeled their trolley through the busy streets deftly dodging all in their path. Their shrewd eyes making sure no pickpockets stole from their bags. Thuraya searched for the correct ship. The docks hosted a large variety of ships in all shapes and sizes. Thuraya suddenly pointed to a medium-sized vessel with three masts.

"There it is!" she exclaimed.

The two hurried onto the deck with their luggage. Thuraya went to talk to the captain of the ship while he emptied their bags in the hold. They met back up in the mess hall. Over the meal, they discussed their future plans.

"Once we get Nessa from Vera, we'll have to leave the country immediately. Although, I haven't figured out where we should go. Do you have any ideas?" Thuraya asked.

"Trahitra?" he offered.

"That won't work at all. They're in the middle of a revolution."

"Really? When did that happen?"

"You must pay better attention to worldly matters, Galen. It started last year. No place to raise a child."

"Zamsune?"

"That would work. It's big enough to hide in and many foreigners visit, so it wouldn’t be unusual for us to be seen there."

"It's decided then," he said. He and Thuraya refocused on the food in front of them, but he fidgeted in his seat before long. Thuraya looked at his nervous movement and said, "Speak."

"It's about Severin," he blurted out.

"Of course," Thuraya sighed, pushing her food away.

"He was so unreasonable, acting like I was abandoning him. I said I would be back. Why was he so angry?"

"We will be gone for seven years."

"Seven years. That's all he could repeat. It's not that long."

"Yes, it is! Even if seven years was soon, it matters that it’s too long for him."

"For him?"

"Some may be willing to wait that long, but he won't. He can't."

"If others are willing, why can't he?"

"Because that is not who he is. From what I've seen, the boy has ambition that drives him to be more. That kind of man won't wait. Not for you. Not for anyone."

He knew exactly what ambition she saw, but he said, "I would wait."

"You’re not him."

“If I meant something to him, he would wait.”

“If he meant something to you, you would understand.”