Keoni was overjoyed when she found out that the Mirae World had books too. Qaye had brought her three different stories translated into her language. The first one was folklore about a lynx with an odd color fur, with a long journey but a sweet explanation. The second was about the flora and fauna in the Mirae, as Ryley had told Qaye that Keoni loved to care for plants. The third was a tall tale - this one warning about wandering in groups of six. It was silly, it was creative, and she enjoyed reading that one. Ryley had read all three over her shoulder, though she knew he didn’t pay attention to the second book.

It’d taken her most of the “night” of the Mirae to finish, and by the time she did, the sun was rising. The sun also had that odd, inverted color. It was a mystifying blue, that Keoni had to stare at for several minutes before she registered what she was looking at. The sunrise also had the colors of blue, purple, and green. As for the color of the sky… it was orange. Keoni certainly wasn’t expecting that, even though she’d seen the peachy orange earlier when she found a small pond while exploring nearby. Other than that, it was the day spent in Qaye’s classes. Later in the day, he excused everyone, then knelt down in the center of the runes. Ryley stopped Keoni from asking what he was doing.

They were sitting nearby, still watching him. It was interesting to see that he did not hold a straight face the whole time. He smiled at moments, winced in others. Qaye had to have been there for a couple hours.

Finally, around midday, a small Mir-Gate opened nearby. A fox came out gently, and by himself. Ryley quickly ran over to greet Caste, Keoni following close behind.

“Toppe,” Caste said, then realized it was the wrong language. “Sorry. I mix the two up when I switch back and forth sometimes.”

Ryley laughed. “You’re fine. How did it go?”

“I listened to Qaye for once,” Caste started teasingly. “And actually went to see a doctor so the healing process could be accelerated. Of course, there were a thousand more things wrong with me, but all of it should be healed. Per usual, I’m asked to refrain from any magic for the rest of the day, but I lived without it for much longer.”

Caste looked a lot healthier than when Keoni had seen him at first. Then again, he looked entirely different in this world, period.

“And that’s all?” Ryley asked teasingly. “You were gone for at least twelve hours.”

Caste rolled his eyes. “I informed the people in charge of running the city that I escaped, in simple terms.”

“Oh, Caste!” Keoni turned her ears to where Qaye had called out. He teleported the walk in a second and appeared next to the three. “Great timing. I just finished.” Qaye stepped forward and wrapped a cord around Caste’s neck. Tied to the end was a small blue stone with a symbol engraved on it. “Return the rune to me when you’re done.”

“Thank you, Qaye.” Caste bowed, and so did Qaye. “I will repay you somehow for your kindness.”

Qaye smiled. “Oh, you already have.” He tapped on the blue stone and poofed! back to the runes.

Keoni felt as though someone’s eyes were bearing down on her. She saw nobody around her looking, so she became wary.

“Qaye always does Mir-Gate lessons at midnight and midday. He’ll be starting another one soon.” Caste said, pulling her back from her mini panic. “He tells me you got pretty close, and this will be an excellent time to try again.”

“Alright,” Keoni responded, still uncomfortable by the presence she’d just felt. She joined him as he walked to Qaye’s class. Ryley trailed behind.

Qaye was already speaking to the class when they got there. Keoni could see the whole class’s eyes closed, which meant Qaye was doing the whole focus thing again.

Caste joined Qaye up front and sat down on the ground, patiently waiting for them to finish.

Someone was looking at her again. Keoni whipped around, seeing again, nobody’s eyes on her. She took a deep breath and tried to forget about it, though the queasy feeling did not leave.

“Any volunteers to try?” Qaye asked as everyone opened their eyes. They all seemed to notice Caste, but not respond.

Qaye saw this. “Do not mind Caste. A quick reminder he is currently retired from the High Council and you do not need to address him any differently. Now, again, any volunteers?”

The High Council? Keoni repeated the words in her head. It sounded important.

It took her a moment to figure out Caste was motioning for her to try with his eyes. Looking at her, then looking at the ground up front. Looking at her, looking at the ground up front.

Keoni rolled her eyes teasingly but got up for the second time, walking around the group up to the front. Caste gave her an approving smile.

“You know the magic around you. It knows you. It will listen if you speak its language and feel its presence. Remain calm, and ask for it to help. The magic will help you if it can understand you.” Those were the same words Qaye had used before. As he continued, Keoni followed, keeping calm. The wind started up again, this time stronger.

But again, there were eyes on her. Of course, students were watching, but this person consistently watched, and it unsettled her. The wind around her vanished and any magic she’d called had left.

If you discover this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

She returned to her spot with Ryley, not looking back up. The unease made itself at home inside her.

A firm hand grabbed her arm and pulled her out of the circle. Someone was taking her.

But before she could yell for help, the person wrapped their arms around her and squeezed. “Keoni - I thought I would never see you again!” They exclaimed, squeezing tighter.

She had no idea who it was, even after she took in all the details of the person. They seemed neither masculine nor feminine, which confused her. They were a gray wolf, around the age of 13-14, though she knew they would most likely be much older than that, since Mir-Cognates were immortal.

“...Who are you, exactly?” Keoni asked, and the person hugging her let go, immediately apologizing.

“Oh! I am so sorry, big sis. I should have introduced myself beforehand.”

Big sis? Keoni thought. I don’t have any siblings, except for Ryley. Wait… The realization hit her. This was her sister, Samara. And she was a Mir-Cognate.

“You know that I was your sister, you probably just barely figured it out.” Samara continued. “But… I’m not that little girl anymore. I stopped being her 13 years ago.”

Wait, what does she mean? She’s the same person, I don’t understand what could have changed. Caste seemed to notice her absence, as he looked around for her. When he saw her, he seemed to understand perfectly what was going on. He returned to his seat. Keoni didn’t give it a second thought.

“Well, for starters,” Samara continued, “You should know that I am neither male nor female in this form.”

“Okay.” Keoni replied, just happy to see her sibling again.

“My name is Kaedin, as it is a name used for both males and females.”

“Okay.”

“Another thing you need to know is that…” Kaedin trailed off, and looked like they were trying to find a way to word what they would say.

They opened their mouth.

Then it closed.

Open again.

Closed.

Eventually they turned back towards Keoni, sighed, and spoke.

“Our previous mother and I were killed during an attempted escape from the prison we were being held at.”

Keoni just stood there, wide eyed and slack-jawed.

That’s it? That’s what happened to her family? Everyone was killed?

The edges of her vision started to become red, everything else blurring a bit, and Keoni could feel what was supposed to be her magic coursing through her body. Then everything stopped.

Kaedin had put their hands around her in a hug.

Their body shook slightly, with silent sobs.

Keoni looked down, and noticed the extra magic dissipating off of her. She felt exhausted, lightheaded, and had a headache.

The two of them stood like this for a while until Keoni was calmer, and Kaedin had stopped crying.

The two rocked back and forth for a minute before Kaedin sniffed, their head still on Keoni’s shoulder.

“Our father is still alive. He survived them.” It had been a while since Keoni had thought of her father. But now she could clearly remember him, with his perpetual goofy smile, glasses that would never stay on his snout for more than a few minutes, his warm hugs, and everything Keoni loved about him.

He was still out there somewhere, waiting for her. She knew she had to find him.

But life is never easy, is it?

Another, recognizable BOOM came from near the Runes, echoing across the Mirae. Like Caste had described to her earlier, a huge Mir-Gate was opened.

The two siblings looked at each other, then in silent agreement started running towards the Ruins.

When they got there, a horrible sight awaited them. A building was already leveled from the shockwave, and a portal stood out near it.

At least ten Quuarks stormed out of the portal. Immediately, they lined up, and faced Qaye, who was between them and the students. “Surrender to the Quuarks, or face the consequences.” The first one barked. He towered over Qaye.

Kaedin moved away from Keoni and joined the crowd of students. Keoni wished she could say goodbye to her, er, sibling she’d suddenly learned so much about, but now was certainly not the time.

Qaye held a straight face. “You’d be heavily mistaken if I was ever willing to hand myself over.” He stood in the way of everyone. Keoni wished for that confidence.

“One last chance, Quikae.” He snapped, making Qaye jump.

Everyone else winced too. Keoni could only guess that was a harsh insult.

“Ve jayr cheak huip, heo piyrok.” Qaye responded, clearly insulting right back. The Quuark bared his teeth.

A huge boooooommm!!! Shook the ground. Keoni watched as stone and green sparks flew in all directions, but she couldn’t tell from where.

Within a second, before Keoni could dive for cover from the explosion, a portal opened from under her. She screamed, grasping as the floor pulled her in. She only held on for a second longer, as Ryley crashed into her and sent them both flying into it. Sparks chased them as the portal closed.

Keoni couldn’t register what had happened, because she immediately landed in the Physical World. The sky was a black canvas with a splattering of stars. Her vision was swimming as she stood up.

A few steps away, a whole team of Quuarks and their threatening groups had a specific area fenced off and surrounded. Many people around were yelling, trying to get in.

Ryley immediately rushed over to the gathering, leaving Keoni no choice but to follow.

Her thoughts tumbled over one another. Are they attacking? Who are they attacking? What caused that explosion? Is everyone okay? What’s going on in the Mirae?

As they reached the border of the huge groups, a visible Mir-Gate was opened in the center that the Quuarks were bodyblocking.

“Ryley Gremio!” Someone exclaimed from behind them. Keoni turned with Ryley to see an adult female deer glaring at both of them. “You made me worried sick!” She grabbed his antler. “Don’t you ever scare me like that again. And Keoni, don’t ever come in areas like these.”

“I’m sorry Mum, but why?” Ryley asked. He had his body awkwardly contorted as his antler was stuck in place.

“Don’t you know? The Quuarks are invading the Mirae again. To show power. If you get taken for testing, you’ll come back all bumped and bruised. I don’t want that. Now both of you, come along, and let’s get out of here.”

Ryley tried to object, but he couldn’t form words. Keoni glanced back the commotion, hoping everyone would get out alright.

But she wasn’t sure anyone did.