“Oh, honey, you’re looking much better these days,” Mum said, squeezing my hand as we sat on the veranda of her favourite café on the Isle.

“Thanks,” I smiled warmly, grateful for the break this coffee date provided from Meadhbh’s torturous training regimen.

Sipping her coffee, she peered at me over the rim of her cup. “So, who is she? The last time I saw you this happy, you had just met Candace. I never liked her, but I didn’t want to mention that; your grandfather and I agreed she was only after the Estate.”

I found myself blushing at the obviousness of her statement, particularly in hindsight, considering all the red flags I had ignored. “There isn’t someone; well, there is, but not in that way," I pleaded as she slammed the cup down gleefully, silently demanding to know more.

“Oh, do tell. What’s she like?”

“Oh, she has abs to die for,” I squealed, “and her body is toned and firm.” I joked, mimicking a chef presenting their finest dish.

‘Child, what sort of lecherous thoughts are you having? I demand you purge your mind of these improper connotations.’ Meadhbh growled as her crystal rested within the domain beyond the ripples. I wasn’t certain how, but she could perceive the world through me, which also meant I could hear her projections.

Pouting, I continued, “Unfortunately, she’s a bit too old for me. I met her during my last visit to the library, an old training instructor who had assisted me somewhat before my graduation. I’ve been seeing her almost daily for the past two months, and her routines have actually helped me recover from my injury better than the physiotherapist the doctor referred me to.”

“I was wondering, as William mentioned to me that your account has experienced quite a lot of activity over the past few weeks. I advised him to approve the charges, but I didn’t mention anything else,” Mum said, picking up her cup again.

“Sorry, but it was worth it.” I grinned, lifting my hand and conjuring a brief aura of mana along my index finger. Mum’s mouth hung open, her jaw nearly on the floor. Although my feat was insignificant compared to hers, as she had enough to wrap her entire body in it, I had never been able to manifest it like this before.

“That’s wonderful,” she exclaimed softly, making an effort not to disturb the other customers. “How can you suddenly do that? Is it connected to what happened?”

I shook my head and looked down, reminded of my friend’s massacre while gazing at the band of scarred flesh on my wrist where my watch had melted and fused with my skin, feeling a sudden itch as I focused on it. It was the only injury I could see each day; the scars across my back remained concealed unless I used a mirror, although I could feel all the false teeth in my mouth that I had lost at some point. “No, at least we don’t think so.”

It wasn’t exactly a lie; while I was training with Meadhbh, her focus was on my physical body. However, she had taught me how to absorb power from mana stones. As I absorbed one, she observed that the power travelled down the blocked and stunted veins, confirming their existence. After burning through the ten stones I had stored away,

I increased my capacity from ten Thaums to thirteen, but that paled in comparison to Mum, who had a capacity of over two and a half thousand.

“It’s… difficult,” I said slowly, pondering how best to explain it. “I’m not likely to be winning any medals in the Hunter Games anytime soon, but she assured me that I will be able to take better care of myself.”

“You’re not considering going back into the rifts anytime soon, are you? Just come home to Manchester with me, or move back in with me full time," Mum suddenly pleaded.

“I’m not. Meadhbh made me promise to stay away from them for now, as it’s too dangerous. I don’t want to be coddled forever; I need the experience. Mum, please, I know my limitations and I’m not willing to sacrifice everything just to prove myself.”

Grasping her hand with my own, I could see she appeared conflicted as I pleaded with her. She tightened her grip, and I wondered if she was about to drag me out of there, but she ultimately relented with a desperate sigh. “Fine, but only if you stay safe, and only if you inform me in advance.”

Agreeing to her demands, the rest of our lunch flowed with pleasant conversation until it was time for her to return to her students. She had taken a part-time position mentoring younger mages at the Academy and had requested to meet today. Remaining in the café for a few moments longer, I watched people passing along the road until a gap in the crowd revealed a group of Caretakers in the alleyway on the other side, watching me.

‘Do you see them?’ I asked Meadhbh, conveying my thoughts to her as she had taught me.

‘They’ve been trailing you since you set foot on the Isle this morning. The one in the middle is beckoning us to join them.’

Her voice sounded glum, and I wondered if the time had come. Meadhbh had mentioned that there would be a moment when Athena and the others in the Spire would approach to help guide me as the Heir, but they had been holding back. I wasn’t prepared to be whisked away by them just yet, as I knew everything would change. However, sitting here, I still maintained my anonymity, wanting to savour it while it lasted. After finishing the cake I had bought, I left the café and began pushing through the crowd as the Caretakers turned and walked away, looking back to ensure I was following.

‘Oh, that’s unexpected; this could be better than we anticipated. Go into the building on your right.’

I paused as the Caretakers suddenly vanished from view, and I turned my gaze towards the shop I stood in front of. The windows were dusty, making it difficult to see inside, while the faded blue sign, possibly belonging to a tailor or armourer, hung limply from the remaining chain that held it. Pressing my face against the glass, I peered inside but struggled to discern much in the gloom; however, I did spot a solitary figure standing in the centre of the room.

My instincts would have told me to run, but I reached for the handle of the door, wincing as the old and neglected hinges groaned while I forced the door open. A smell of mould and dust filled the air, suggesting the place had been long abandoned, and the wooden floorboards creaked beneath my feet as I stepped inside and closed the door.

“Welcome, Child.” I turned and faced the robed figure wearing a mask, their arms held behind their back as they swayed on their feet, as if pleased to see me.

‘Freya, what a surprise,' Meadhbh exclaimed, a hint of playfulness in her voice. ‘Oh dear, was I not meant to reveal your identity?’

“Meadhbh!” I heard the figure bark as she pulled back her hood and removed her mask. “Athena doesn’t know I’m here, but what she doesn’t know won’t hurt.”

“Where are you from?” I asked, curious about her origins. Meadhbh had shared a little of her world, and I wanted to know more.

“Here,” she smiled, pointing to the ground. “I was born here on Gaeia, although a child of diplomat, my parent's homeworld is far from here, and served as one of the commanders in the Master’s army. My duty was to oversee the setup and operation of forward hospitals on the frontlines, but that didn’t mean it was entirely safe, as saboteurs and raiding parties frequently attempted to harass us.”

‘So, why are you here? Sadie isn’t ready to join you in the Spire yet. Standing here, I’m sure you can understand why.’ Meadhbh sounded defensive, selfishly wanting to keep me to herself for now.

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“Relax, we’re monitoring from a distance, but I brought a gift, if you will.” Stepping aside, I noticed she was standing in front of a chest—quite large, in fact—having turned it sideways to conceal it until now. Bending over, she shifted it around and lifted the lid to reveal the contents within.

“Wow,” I gasped without thinking.

“We thought you might appreciate it—well, he did. Master commanded that I prepare this for you, as you will need it shortly.” Lifting the sword, she offered the hilt to me, holding the scabbard as I drew the blade free to examine it.

“Why would I need this so soon?” I asked, regarding her with suspicion.

‘Fær’s race possesses a unique ability to glimpse potential futures. This is why he was nearly unmatched as a strategist.’

“Except when it let him down,” I said, letting the sword fall and pulling Meadhbh from the space beyond the ripples.

‘It… didn’t fail him,’ she replied slowly. ‘Fær knew how his final battle would conclude. All of this was unavoidable, a trap so meticulous that he could do nothing but spring it.’

“She’s right,” Freya added. “Master knew what he was getting into and yet he still went through with it. This gift, he said, is something you require.”

Approaching the chest, I gazed down at the set of armour meticulously arranged. Crouching down, I realised the craftsmanship was exceptional, yet it clearly wasn’t made by a human. “What if I refuse? If this is merely being offered to me, there must be a hidden agenda, some impending crisis. I’m not someone who can be relied upon in times like these; who would listen to me anyway?”

“Then that is your decision.” Freya nodded before stepping towards the back of the shop. Looking back once more, she wasn’t focused on me, but rather on Meadhbh’s crystal that I was holding. Her face creased for a moment, and I realised they were communicating whilst excluding me. Noticing that I had caught them, she winked and stepped into the back room. I heard the hum and pop of a rift for a moment and guessed she had returned to the Spire.

“What was that all about? What did she say?” I inquired, hoping to receive an answer.

'There's nothing secret here, just some observations I had overlooked in your training. You tend to twist your body slightly to the left when you walk, and you have a minor limp to compensate. The injury on your back continues to affect you, even though it has completely healed.’

Her casual response surprised me, and I glanced at the door through which Freya had disappeared. Had she realised all of that in the two-minute conversation we had, or had she been watching me for longer? Slamming the lid of the chest shut, I left it behind as I exited the derelict shop. ‘I don’t want it. I’m not ready for the level of responsibility that comes with accepting a gift like that.’

Feeling my phone vibrate, I noticed it was Mum and answered. “Hey, what’s up? Everything all right?”

“Hey sweetheart, I forgot to ask you earlier. I have a big favour to ask: would you be willing to accompany one of my students to the fields outside Dublin? She needs some combat experience that isn’t just a simulation or practice duel. If you stick to the usual area, it should be fine for the two of you."

Her request took me by surprise as it wasn’t something I would expect her to ask so soon after I had recovered. “I don’t know,” I was hesitant to agree to this so suddenly. “You just told me to steer clear of anything dangerous.”

“I know, I know, but you’ll be alright. Ashley possesses mid-B-Rank potential and is currently halfway through her C-Rank increases. If you remain within the student sector, I believe you’ll be safe accompanying her. She is more than capable of defending the both of you while you take on more of a guiding role."

“Ashley, like…” I inquired, a look of disgust crossing my face.

“Yes, that’s Ashley, Angela’s daughter. You two used to be such close friends that you were nearly inseparable.”

“I believe you must have mistaken me for someone else, as she was always such an irritating brat. Then there was that ridiculous artefact that made her glow constantly; no thank you, I’d rather avoid that headache,” I growled, preparing to hang up.

‘Go!’ I suddenly heard Meadhbh shout at me. ‘Trust me, accept the offer.’

“Sadie? Are you still there?” I heard Mum call through the phone, too frozen by Meadhbh's statement to here what she just said.

“Fine. I’ll do it.” I sighed, turning around to glance at the shop door I had just left. After hanging up the phone, I re-entered and looked at the chest. “I knew it; there had to be a catch, a crisis. Now I’ll have to contend with that wagon for a week.”

‘What’s the matter? Is she really that dreadful, this Ashley?’

“Shh, they say if you mention the devil’s name three times, she’ll appear.” I giggled mischievously. “We’re almost the same age, just a few days apart, and our parents tried so hard to make us best friends, but we couldn’t stand each other. It was frustrating because she had a golden glow, like mana stones have a blue hue, and she would never take off whatever piece of jewellery caused it.”

Kicking the chest lid open, Meadhbh didn’t respond to my history with Ashley as I began to lift the armour out to inspect it. It was black, like a Guardian, and I wondered what it was made of. Tapping the sword, which was equally dark, it sounded like metal. I was half surprised to find it fit perfectly—almost too perfectly, as if it had been crafted specifically for me. Laying the armour out on the countertop, I discovered that the chest had a false bottom, a shelf for the armour to rest on, but upon finding the latch, I was bathed in the light of dozens of mana stones glowing from below.

Mouth drooling like a fat kid locked in a doughnut shop, I realised I should have examined it before dismissing the gift. Although she wasn’t saying anything, I could sense Meadhbh’s smug attitude as I picked them up and watched them tumble back into the chest. There was a veritable fortune just sitting here, along with a red cloth bag. It had been hidden beneath the stones, but as I fiddled with them, I had uncovered it and pulled it out. From the weight and shape as I lifted it, I was giddy with excitement as I held another golden crystal in my hand.

‘Hello,’ I smiled, projecting my voice, but frowned when there was no response. As I looked at the bag it came in, I discovered a small note that was written inside.

This is Rylock, he might be of help if you can coax him out of his shell.

‘Rylock?’ I called out once more, but there was silence. I attempted to push myself into his core, as Meadhbh had instructed, but it felt as though an iron wall had been erected, my face contorting in my effort to breach his defences.

‘Leave him,’ Meadhbh remarked. ‘Just let him stew until he decides to make his presence known. I’ll see if I can get him to talk within your core.’

“Oh well, placing him back in his red bag, I positioned him next to Meadhbh. The door to the domain moved according to my desires, and if I could visualise it, I simply had to reach in and locate what I sought. Intrigued by what lay in the back room, I opened the door to discover it was filled with weapons and armour, stacked neatly along the walls. While the front room was dusty and decrepit, this back room had been meticulously maintained, and I stood there admiring the weapons.

As I stepped into the room, it was noticeably cooler, and the pale limestone construction found throughout the rest of the building gave way to grey stone, reminiscent of a subterranean basement. The door slammed shut behind me, and I screamed when a hand clamped onto my shoulder. Turning around, I saw that a Caretaker had been hiding behind the door and had closed it after me. Dressed in a suit of armour, they held a spear in one hand and wore a helmet and chest plate over their white robes.

‘Curiosity killed the cat,’ laughed Meadhbh, as the Caretaker’s head tilted sideways, almost as if asking a question.

“I’m sorry, I simply wanted to see what was back here,” I said, panicking as I realised I had intruded into a place I shouldn’t have.

Nodding, the Caretaker pulled the door open and beckoned me to leave. As I looked around one last time, I realised that the gifts I had received were lacking something important. “Wait, I need a shield. May I borrow one?”

Expecting them to say no, they let the door swing shut before retrieving the shield from where it had been hidden and handing it over to me. Feeling its weight, I was surprised at how light it felt, even though it extended from my shoulders down to my knees. Putting my arms through the straps, I swung it around a little and thanked the Caretaker, who then reopened the door. Returning to the front of the building, the door to the armoury slammed shut again, and I heard something heavy crash against it, but I didn’t attempt to return.

‘You’re becoming rather bold; first rejecting their gift and then demanding more. Would you prefer they roll out the red carpet for you next time, perhaps a crown with a jewel large enough to bankrupt a nation?’

‘Oh, shut up,’ I scowled at her as I dragged the chest into my core. She still hadn’t managed to explain what my core was, other than saying it was like a hidden dimension—like the one she had pulled me into—but that I could open a door to my own. It had been confusing and something she didn’t have an answer for.

Gasping, as it was far heavier than I had anticipated, I glanced down at the two crystals resting on the ground and placed them into the chest. If I were heading out to the fields beyond Dublin, I needed supplies, clothing, and everything else for harvesting monsters. I could exchange a few of the crystals for some money that wasn’t linked to the estate, as all my funds flowed through the finance department. But was it worth sacrificing the benefits I could gain from absorbing all the stones before me? Was that why they had been given to me?

"Given all this, do you think I could create my first Guardian?”

‘Perhaps.’ she answered coyly as I closed the lid with a faint smile at her reply; it was sufficient for me.