“A-A sentinel?” I ask, my voice shaking.

My heart rate starts to pick up, and my body trembles slightly as I take in the familiar before me. Familiars, especially old ones, can be horrendously dangerous. Like the sentinels they serve, familiars wield powerful magic, and they can even grow in size to help their sentinels fight the Volcora.

One thing is odd, though; I have never heard of a familiar being apart from their sentinel. Familiars and sentinels are always together; that’s just how things work. You can see sentinels without their familiars, yes, but you never see a familiar without a sentinel.

The familiar sitting gracefully on my bed bobs its head up and down in a quick nod. [Indeed. You have been evaluated by the local GDF Branch and found eligible to become a Sentinel Protector of Humanity. I am here to formally offer the position to you, as I would be your familiar should you choose to accept. Before I go any further, however, allow me to introduce myself,] the familiar says, that same female voice talking directly into my mind. Her voice is soft and patient. The calm voice of a friend. Underlying that, though, is a tinge of excitement. As if she, too, could feel the energy of the moment.

All four of the familiar’s wings flare out behind her, and her eyes glow a little brighter for just a moment as if to add gravitas. [My name is Celeste. I am honored to meet you, Sentinel Candidate.]

I still just stand there in front of my closed door, staring at Celeste in shock. This shouldn’t be possible… no, this isn’t possible. I’d taken the mana tolerance test as a girl, and while I have a high enough tolerance to learn basic magic like inscribing, I’d been told definitively that I could never become a sentinel. This has to be some kind of mistake! Maybe Celeste is in the wrong apartment?

At least her name is fitting. Looking at the many winged animal before me, celestial feels like an apt description. Her mere presence in my ordinary room makes her seem like the most vivid, real thing I’ve ever seen. It was as if a creature from legend had turned up to have a nice chat.

Celeste lowers her head, [I apologize. I appear to have frightened you. Please know that was not my intention. In fact, I’m here to help you as much as I can.]

My breath hitches at the continued sound of that mental voice, but I know I need to respond. I need to say something. At least help Celeste figure out that she’d ended up in the wrong room. But… she knows my name!

Legs feeling a bit weak, I slip into my desk chair beside my bed, the uncomfortable chair digging into my back and helping to center me in reality. Celeste has been nothing but friendly towards me so far, so at least I don’t feel nearly as scared as I might have been. Mostly, I’m just confused, and I’ll admit it, just a bit scared.

“Celeste… c-can I ask you some questions?” I ask the familiar, stumbling over my words. I have a lot of questions. My mind is filled with wonder about how any of this is even possible. Still, there is a cold knife of fear in my heart. A sensation that my world had just changed, and there is no going back to how it was before.

A familiar is offering me the chance to become a sentinel, a protector of humanity. Even as doubt fills my mind, I can’t help but wonder, what if. What if this is real? What if I can become a sentinel? Is that even something I want?

As a child, I had dreamed about becoming a sentinel. What kid didn’t? Waving my arms around and pretending to be shooting beams of magic had been a favorite pastime, but that had always been playing pretend. I had never actually expected this!

The familiar once more gives its strange nod, [Ask as many questions as you like. You have three days to make a decision, and I encourage you to get as many second opinions as you can. I don’t want you to feel as if you have been forced or coerced into accepting in any way.]

I nod to myself, immediately feeling a bit better. I’m glad that she is offering me time to think things through properly. Even if her offer is so incredibly outlandish that it can’t be real. If I’d been forced to make some kind of decision immediately, I would have likely refused outright.

“O-Okay, first question then,” I start. “What are you exactly? I-If you don’t mind me asking.” While the question feels more than a little bit rude, I feel like I need to know. Also, I want to interrogate the familiar myself before my dad gets involved. Because I don’t feel qualified to make a decision like this without his input. In fact, I don’t feel qualified to make this decision, period.

Celeste tilts her head, [I’m afraid that is a question with a complicated answer. I will do my best to explain in a way that you will understand and will not dip into restricted information. I am a centurion, but — more accurately — I am a soul gem, which is an item that gives a sentinel their power. The form you see before you is simply a projection of my soul. It is the way familiars like myself can interact with the world as we do not have physical bodies the way you do.]

I look at the indentations her paws make on my white bedcover and breathe in the slight scent of lavender, which also seems to come from the familiar. Celeste certainly seems like she’s a living, breathing creature that’s actually in my room. I’m tempted to ask more about that, but I have more pressing questions at the moment.

“S-So,” I start tentatively, “this — becoming a sentinel — thing. It shouldn’t even be possible for me. I don’t have a high enough mana tolerance. I took the test as a kid.”

That had been a disappointing day for eight-year-old me, but it had become a cornerstone of my life. I couldn’t become a sentinel, and that was that. I’d felt sad for a while but eventually moved on. Almost no one could become a sentinel, and everyone knew that. So, when kids were brought in for the mandatory test, it was more to see if you needed inscribing classes than anything else.

[I see. You should know that your test proctors would never have told you that you were qualified to become a sentinel. No matter the actual result. Even though you did, in fact, pass your test, there are other factors involved in becoming a sentinel as well. No one is made aware of their candidacy until the time of their formal offer. It is how the GDF prefers to do things. It stops those with the ability but not the other attributes from being disappointed at not being selected by a familiar,] Celeste explains.

At her words, my last shred of hope that this is some kind of mistake dies. Celeste is legitimately here, offering me a chance to become a sentinel. Some of my fears that had faded resurface, and a shiver runs down my spine. Being a sentinel isn’t all flashy powers and status; if I accepted Celeste’s offer, I would have to fight the Volcora. The strange beings that had been humanity’s enemy for over a hundred years would now be my responsibility.

I shake my head, attempting to clear my thoughts. I still have more questions, and Celeste said I don’t have to make a decision right now. This is just an offer, an offer I’m allowed to decline if I want to.

“How would this work then?” I ask, nervously wringing my hands together. “I tell you ‘yes,’ and I suddenly become a sentinel?”

[That would be the start, yes,] Celeste says. [However, there is a fundamental difference between a sentinel and a normal human. Humans and other creatures of Earth cannot access magic naturally like a centurion outside of external means like inscriptions. Thus, to gain those kinds of abilities, your soul needs to be bound to a soul gem. As I said earlier, I am a soul gem. Upon agreeing to become a sentinel, we would form a soul bond. This bond would put your body and soul through the changes required to become a sentinel.]

I nod, understanding. So that’s why every sentinel has a familiar; the powers come from the bond between the familiar and the sentinel. “Doesn’t that mean you are just lending me your powers to become a sentinel?” I ask.

Celeste shakes her head. [As of now, I am a being that is part physical and part magical. While this state does allow me some abilities, it will not last. Unless I bond to the soul of a physical being, I will become more and more ephemeral until the soul gem that is my body is just a shiny rock. Apart, sentinel and familiar are weak. It is only together that we are strong.]

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

I sit for a moment, considering what Celeste had said. “Would you be okay if I said no?” I ask, the fear building inside me once more as I look at the odd creature before me. “You said you’d fade away without it.”

Celeste nods, although she seems sad at the prospect. Some of the bouncy energy of her movements had vanished. [When I came to the GDF a week ago, I was presented with the choice of multiple sentinel candidates to bond with. The GDF keeps extensive files on everyone who passes the mana tolerance test. Of all of them, you were the one who I resonated with. You felt… right. If you decline the bond, which is well within your rights, I would be forced to attempt a bond with someone who was not my first choice.]

At her words, some of my fear fades. She won’t die if I say no. She would just bond to someone else. Become their familiar instead of mine. A prospect that immediately feels wrong to me. However, I have one more important question.

“And if I said yes. How long would the bond last?” I ask the familiar, although I feel as if I already know the answer.

[For life,] Celeste says solemnly. [As I said, familiars like me cannot exist long-term without a bond, and we can only bond once. To accept my bond will be to bind yourself to me for as long as you live. Once we are bound, when you die, I will also die. Two become one, two souls sharing one space. One born of magic, the other born of physical reality.]

I bite my lip; I don’t think I would mind having Celeste with me as a companion. I believe I would actually come to like it in time. The main thing I’m concerned about is the legal duty of sentinels. If you become one, you have to report to the GDF for training. I would have to fight. You can’t become a sentinel and not fight the Volcora. This kind of power is not offered unless you are willing to pay a price for it.

Still, to fight for real. To have my life on the line. To stand before creatures of darkness, the horrors of man, made manifest. I don’t know if I can do it. I’ve never considered myself a coward, and I still don’t. Yet, the life that Celeste is describing. It just isn’t me. But… do I want it to be?

Like every child, I had grown up dreaming of becoming a sentinel. Now, I am legitimately being offered that chance. The chance to wield magic, real magic, and I’m considering turning it down! The childish part of my mind screams at me to accept immediately — that this is the chance of a lifetime and is not to be squandered. Consequences be damned, I want magic!

My logical mind is not so easily outdone, though. I mentally replay the near-weekly reports of sentinel deaths, the horror on the faces of anyone being interviewed about the Volcora. Can I really face those horrid creatures and not run away? I don’t know.

I’d stayed silent for a long time now, thinking about the consequences of accepting Celeste’s offer. Finally, I speak up. “I… I think I need to talk to my dad about this,” I say quietly. “I don’t really feel comfortable making a decision like this right now. Even three days is… well short.”

Celeste bows her head, [I apologize for that. Normally, you would be allowed an entire week to decide, but… events are outpacing us. Demand for new sentinels is higher than ever, and only a few are even capable of taking up the mantle. Let us speak with your father; perhaps he can be of assistance regarding your choice.]

With that, I stand from my chair, and Celeste bounds to the ground behind me. I don’t know how I know, but she seems a bit somber as I push open the door to my room. She’d said I was her first choice, and she’d seemed excited before. She must be worried that I’m going to turn her down.

Honestly, I’m really not sure what to make of all of this. It all seems so sudden. My biggest problems are supposed to be about boys and making the archery team. I’m not entirely sure how I found myself in this situation where I have to decide whether I will fight the Volcora. It still doesn’t seem real to me. Like, if I just head back to my room and go to sleep, Celeste will just be gone, and everything will go back to normal, back to how it’s supposed to be. I just need to talk to Dad; he’ll know what to do. He always does.

I find my father sitting on the couch with his legs propped up on a stool. The couch overlooks a floor-to-ceiling window out into the city, which had truly fallen into twilight as Celeste and I talked. He looks at his laptop screen with a content expression as he scrolls through a student’s paper, classical music playing from his phone beside him.

“D-Dad. Can we… talk?” I ask, unable to keep the hint of fear from my tone.

Dad must have heard that same fear because he reacts in an instant. Closing his laptop and silencing his music, he looks over to me, face creased with concern. “Of course, what’s wrong, darling? Is it about-”

I can tell the exact moment he sees Celeste as he cuts off, his eyes going wide. He stares at Celeste for a long moment, exactly the same way I had. She’s not exactly a normal sight. I don’t blame him at all for staring, and I hope Celeste doesn’t, either.

Finally, after the long silence, Dad speaks up. “A Sentinel’s familiar. What is it doing here?” he asks in wonder.

“Dad, this is Celeste. She came here to make me an offer… to become a sentinel. If I accept, she will be my familiar,” I say, hardly believing my own words. How am I saying this? How is this my life? These things only happen in stories, not to real people and certainly not to people like me.

Celeste moves to sit before the couch, lowering her head to my father. [Good evening, Mr. Solace. What your daughter says is correct. Please, allow me to walk you through what I’ve told her already.]

Celeste proceeds to go through a quick explanation of what she’d already explained to me as Dad listens intently. Over the course of the explanation, I make my way to the couch to sit beside my father. Noticing my now cold coffee still sitting on the end table where I’d forgotten it upon arriving home, I proceed to sulk about that fact; it had been expensive, after all. Maybe I can heat it up in the microwave? Or would that just make it taste weird? I should probably just throw it-

“Serena?” Dad asks, snapping his fingers in front of my face. “You in there, space cadet?”

I blink, right, super important conversation going on! Pay attention, Serena! Pay attention!

“I-I’m sorry, what?” I ask, mentally replaying what Dad had just asked me.

Dad, being used to me, just rolls his eyes, “I asked if this is even something you want to consider? I know you used to want to be a sentinel, but there’s a big difference between the daydreams of a child and the real thing.”

My eyes widen, the question surprising me somewhat. Although I suppose it shouldn’t have, it is the question to ask. However, Dad is usually almost hyper-protective of me. I wonder why he is even considering this. Well, I’ve never been particularly tactful, so I just ask.

“I thought you would just say it’s too dangerous and forbid me from even thinking about it or something,” I say, having expected an argument to even have a proper conversation about the topic. Maybe hoping for him to give me a reason not to accept. A reason to keep living my normal life.

Dad just shakes his head sadly, “Serena, an option like this will only come around once. The decision you make will need to be one that you can live with for the rest of your life. That’s why it has to be your decision. I’ll help you with your thoughts, but I won’t tell you to do one thing or another. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely loathe the idea of you being in any kind of danger. Still, you are seventeen and are old enough to make a decision like this on your own. I just ask that, if you do find yourself wanting to accept, then you should make sure that you really understand exactly what you’re getting yourself into.”

Celeste once more bows her head respectfully, [Wise words indeed, Mr. Solace. Luckily, the GDF has arranged a meeting tomorrow morning that will hopefully help Serena understand more of what would be required.]

“But I have school tomorrow,” I say automatically before blushing. Here I am, being offered a chance to become a sentinel, and I’m thinking about school. Although… I’m supposed to have archery practice with my new team tomorrow. I don’t want to miss that. Sentinel or not, I still want to have a personal life.

[Normally, we would pull you from school entirely for the days you use to make your decision. However, we decided that pulling you from your archery class would not be appreciated. That is also why we scheduled the meeting in the morning so as not to conflict. The Shinara GDF Branch had already discreetly made sure that you will not be expected at any class but archery,] Celeste explains.

I nod, smiling happily. It’s good to hear that my potential familiar knows enough about me to want to make sure I still get to my archery class. A touch creepy, but also good. One question still lingers in my mind, though.

“Who is the meeting with?” I ask.

At my question, Celeste gives an excited little bounce. [The meeting is with the sentinel who would be your mentor. Before I came here, Sentinel Stardust Angel was very interested in meeting you!]

My eyes go as wide as saucers. I suddenly feel like one of those kids who won a contest to go meet their favorite celebrity, only to then realize that they have nothing to say and are doomed to an awkward meeting. Except, I do have things to say, right? I still have lots of questions. But it’s Stardust Angel! What am I supposed to do!?

While I have a mini meltdown beside him, Dad smiles. “That would be great. Serena talking to an actual sentinel before making her decision sounds like just what she needs.”

Dad looks to Celeste, “Thank you for the knowledge and what you are doing to facilitate us. Is there anything else we should know tonight before Serena’s meeting?”

[I’ve already explained much of what I can. Most of the additional knowledge I have to share is restricted to all but sentinels. I could perhaps speak more on what being a sentinel is like, but I believe that Serena’s mentor will handle that better than I could. For now, you may both feel free to ask me whatever questions you still have. I will do my best to answer while keeping out things that are restricted information,] Celeste explains.

“One more question,” I say, looking seriously at the familiar. “How good are you at inscribing?”