<!– @page { size: 8.5in 11in; margin: 0.79in } H4 { margin-left: 0.7in; margin-top: 0in; margin-bottom: 0in; color: #0000ff } H4.western { font-family: “Beanie”, “Courier New”; font-size: 26pt; so-language: en-US; font-style: italic; font-weight: medium } H4.cjk { font-family: “Arial Unicode MS”; font-size: 26pt; so-language: en-US; font-style: italic; font-weight: medium } H4.ctl { font-family: “Tahoma”; font-size: 12pt; font-weight: medium } P { margin-bottom: 0in; color: #0000ff } P.western { font-family: “Beanie”, “Courier New”; font-size: 18pt; so-language: en-US; font-style: italic } P.cjk { font-size: 18pt; so-language: en-US; font-style: italic }

In the vast sand beyond the borders of Poe, lonely distant desert lies in abandon. Many travelers kept away from Death Canyon, because of the locals telling the tales of spirits that haunted the desert. Despite the stories, there were those who passed these parts without fear. One of which was a stranger who laid in waiting clutching a wicker basket. A rattling cry came from inside it.

“Hush, my sweet, we will wait. The evil one will never find you, but must remain quiet.”

The stranger found a clearing tainted only by a trio of dancing cacti. After covering the lid of the wicker basket, the stranger placed it in the center of the space of growing desert plants.

Soon, she heard a noise, hoping it to be a caravan. The stranger ran as fast as she legs would carry her, dropping out of eyesight of the passing merchants but close enough to hear them conversing.

Laughter could be heard from a wagon as it passed on its hitched camels. The stranger witnessed two men occupying the little wagon. They were farmers of the native local.

The man called Horris and his neighbor, Stumont, were conversing The stranger just close enough to hear what they were saying. It was the cry of the baby hidden among the cacti shifted their chatter to a different note.

“Stu, stop the camels,” Horris cried. “Something’s out there.”

“In these dunes? I think not, Horris. The old mind’s fleeing gain, aye.”

“No, I heard a cry, a baby’s cry.”

“It’s is your imagination, friend. New fathers are like that. Little Sheeba still robbing your sleep?”

“No, Stu, I heard a cry. I swear.”

Suddenly, Stumont heard

It, too. The men followed the wailings to a mysteriously odd clearing. There, they found a trio of cacti, unusual in shape and color, one having small buttom-shaped blooms of raspberry, teal and crimson. The other, having a lavender stem with cream fur-soft spines giving the illusion of hair. The third was a short pudgy yellow-green with no blooms. Movement from the basket caught Horris off guard, and he jumped back. He then reached for his steel gloves to save his skin from the needles of the cacti and reached in and pulled out the basket.

“What have you found, Horris?” Stumont inquired.

Horris removed the lip to reveal a tiny infant. The soft, frail child weighing no more than a few pounds.

“What is it??” Stumont said, running towards Horris.

“Horris ignored his friend’s statement, instead concentrating on his new-found treasure. “Poor child,” Horris said. “Who would do such a thing?”

“Desperate people do desperate things,” Stumont said, moving his head back and forth. “What are you planning to do, Horris?”

“The only thing I can. Someone must look after this child, at least until her parents can be found.”

Horris gently lifted the basket and returned to his small caravan. The winds were picking up speed.

“A storm is raging,” Stumont confirmed. “We must move before it’s too late.”

“Do not fret, my friend. You shall be a guest tonight. Dolsi will insist.”

“So will T’marra. Wives worry so. Do they not?”

“I am with you friend, but sometimes it can be a blessing. Never question the power of female intuition.”

The child began to coo in happiness, which made both men smile, as the caravan rode off.

The stranger removed herself from her hiding place, watching the travelers disappear into the dunes. “Thank you, kind stranger. Protect her.”

In a farmhouse overlooking a bountiful crop of cacti, a woman worked busily in her kitchen cooking a stew of fine vegetables and cow meat bought from a traveling merchant. Only looking up from her work to tend to her crying baby.

“There now, little Sheeba, Momma must finish supper. Papa will be home soon.” The child’s cry continued. “What is it, my dear?” Dolsi handed her the rattle that Horris had made. “There, now,” she said, “that’s better. Now, be a good girl.”

At that moment, Horris popped through the door with Stumont carrying the treasure basket. He walked into the kitchen to see Dolsi consumed with her work at their small rusty cooker.

“How are my two darlings?” he said.

“Busy at work, Horris. Supper will be ready in a few minutes.”

“Add one more plate. Stu is here.”

“Very well,” she said, turning towards him. She noticed the basket and inquired. “A surprise?”

“Yes, Dolsi, one you don’t want to miss.”

Dolsi noted the mystery in his voice as he lay the basket next to Sheeba’s table-top cradle. He opened the cover to reveal the tiny baby. Dolsi looked on the child with joy and confusion, hoping Horris had an explanation.

“Where did it come from?” she asked, looking up at him.

“She was abandoned in Death Canyon. Stu and I found her. Dolsi, I know we have all we can handle, but I couldn’t just leave her there. I’ll take her to the village tomorrow and find…”

“Nonsense, she’ll stay with us. Besides, she has webbed hands, no one would take her like that. Besides, Sheeba will have a sister, someone to play with.”

“Are you sure?”

“I am if you are. You must have been to have brought her home. She is our daughter now.” Dolsi noticed the pretty cactus flower in the basket with the baby. “Oh, look, Horris, an Oli blossom. We shall call her Olya, flower child,” she said, lifting the baby out of the basket. “Oh, Horris, Olya has no clothes, and she’s filthy.”

“I understand, Dolsi. You tend the baby; I’ll watch the stew.”

Dolsi happily saw to the new baby, her days of sorrow as a prisoner long gone. She had a bew life, one with Horris and her two daughters, but the memories were never far behind.

Dolsi was one a slave in Doemah and was sent to the harem of the great nobles, but unlike the other slave girls, Dolsi dared to escape. As a result, an operation was preformed on her to rid her of the ability of reproduction. She was eventually freed after Poe’s great battle, but at the cost of what she believed her only asset.

Horris knew of the from the beginning and pleaded with her that it didn’t matter. He said that it made him love her more, but it was hard for Dolsi to believe this.

Because of her mistrust, she became more and more depressed as the years passed. She wanted a child, begged the spirits to grant her request. She waited patiently for her prayer to be answered, but no child ever came.

She felt pain at this handicap and contemplated on ending her own life, but one night, a night like any other, Dolsi repeated her long forgotten prayer.

In the hours before dawn a songbird awakened Dolsi. She opened the window of their bedroom breathing in the sweet air. Dawn rose as she busily prepared breakfast. Once done, she thought to go outside to thank the bird for its sweet music. When there, on the platform stoop that was the farmhouse’s porch, a child was left, a beautiful baby girl with blue-green eyes and traces of dark cherry tresses on the top of her head.

Her prayer had been answered at last as she read the note attached to the baby. “A gift,” was all that was written.

The spirits had blessed her a second time. Sheeba and now Olya, how special and precious they were, especially in the mysterious and unexplainable way they had come. She hoped they would always reain forever her children.

“Happy Birthday, my darling.” Dolsi said, waking Olya from her slumber. “I let you sleep in today, but now it’s time to be up and about.”

“Mother, you’re mistaken. My birthday isn’t until tomorrow,” Olya said, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes.

“True as this may be, I thought I would give you an early start.”

“Are we going to the catacombs tomorrow? Please, say yes.”

You answered you own question. Now, to your breakfast, then your lessons.”

“No lessons today, Mother, please.”

“Olya,” she scolded.

“Please,” she begged.

Olya won out as she always did with her mother. She was a diligent student with the markings of a great scholar.

Her older sister Sheeba had left with her father early that day for the market place. Sheeba was not greatly interested in the trading industry but more of getting away from the farm and the monotony of day-to-day life.

Olya was more content with farm life. Tending to the crops and caring for the animals was her steady diet, and she loved it. The furthest Olya actually journeyed from home was to Death Canyon where she was found. She was intrigued by the wild cacti, which still remained thriving and more beautiful than ever.

Olya tended it diligently like she did her garden at home, but this clearing was her special place and felt a responsibility to care for it. Olya always knew she was adopted but never felt unloved by the coupld who took her in. Olya loved and respected all the members of her family but felt especially close to Sheeba. As infants they had formed a bond. When one sister was in trouble or in pain the other felt it as well.

“Hello, all,” Sheeba sang, gliding through the door. “How is my beautiful mother and sister?”

“Happy today, aren’t we, Sheeba?” Olya asked.

The eleven-year-old red-haired girl gave off the essence of pure joy. “There’s a huge world out there, Olya, and you’re missing it. To think, my own sister, a homebody.”

“You have your way, Sheeba, and I have mine. Besides, I can’t stay away from the animals for too long, and I don’t see what fun it is traipsing across the desert anyway.”

“Girls, please, no fighting, Father,” Sheeba corrected. “Dear Olya simply stated the plain fact that we are different.”

“That is why you are both very special.” Horris put an arm around both girls.

The day of the twin moons was the day Olya came into their lives. That day was always considered her birthday.

Chores had no place in the day’s workings. Horris proclaimed a holiday. The only thing he insisted on was the animals being fed. Olya happily volunteered, while Sheeba groaned. In the end both girls took on the task.

“I hate camels!” Sheeba whined, folding one arm over the other.

“Sheeba, how can you say that?” stroking the double humped animal, Olya gave the camel some soothing words of assurance. “Don’t worry, T’rayn, Sheeba didn’t mean it.” Giving a disapproving glance to her sister, she said. “Did you?”

“Well,” Sheeba hesitated. “It’s not the camels that I hate, just that awful smell. I’m sorry, T’rayn. Do you forgive me?”

The camel gave a yelp as the girls giggled. Sheeba moved towards T’rayn, holding back her revulsion. “I wish camels did give off such an awful stench.”

“But we need their droppings. Camel dung is a very useful substance. Without it, the soil wouldn’t get the nutrients it needs to make the plants grow. Without grain, the animals would die. There would be no bread, no straw to make bricks. We would all parish. Don’t you see—“

“Enough already. You’ve made your point. So animal poop is important. That doesn’t mean I have to like it.”

“Okay, Sheeba,” Olya interrupted. Wearing a rye smile, she continued, “Besides there’s more important things to talk about than dung anyway. “Olya’s smile turned from rye to myschievous.

Giving an inquisitive looked, Sheeba put her hands on her hips and said, “No secrets, Olya. You got something on your mind, and I want to know what it is.”

“Oh, I don’t know. Mother may not like me telling you.”

“She’ll never know. I would never tattle on you, so please, tell me.”

Olya sprung out in glee at her sister’s groveling. In usual cases, it was Olya pleading with Sheeba. She welcomed the change.

Not able to stand her sister’s pleading any longer, she said, “Mother gave me some exciting news today. We’re going to the catacombs, Sheeba. Do you remember father’s tales of the Lifeforce?”
“Yes, but they’re just stories, aren’t they?”

“I don’t think so. Sometimes, I feel this great energy come over me. Do you think it could be the spirits?”

“I don’t know. It all sounds kind of spooky.”

“Not if they’re good spirits. Father says they’re everywhere, in the air we breathe, even in the animals at that certain time of the year right before their babies come. Why not people?”
“Alright, it makes sense, but it’s still spooky.”

“That’s more like it. I know the concept can be a little frightening, but some things aren’t always easily explained.”

“Okay, Miss Philosopher, but it doesn’t make it any less creepy. I guess I’m lucky to have such a knowledgeable sister.”

“Your gratitude is noted.”

The next morning, a celebration had ensued for Olya’s anniversary. It was a small party consisting of her own family and their neighbors Stumont and T’marra and their children. Olya didn’t so much care about the lovely tokens as she did the remembrance they paid to her existence.

The band had agreed to travel to the catacombs together. Collectiveness was one of the main teachings of the Lifeforce. No one could stand alone. Strength came in numbers.

“Are we there yet?” Stumont’s only daughter asked with a tremendous amount of impatience.

“Soon, Alicia,” T’marra scolded. Now settle, the spirits like calmness. Nothing will be accomplished by unnatural enthusiasm.”

“You heard Mother. Don’t be a whinny baby, Alicia.”

“Mind yourself, Felix, or maybe the spirits will come to get you,” Alicia teased.

“Quiet, both of you,” T’marra yelled.

Olya stayed silent while the other children, including her sister, laughed and played. Could it be that she alone knew the seriousness of the ceremonies held in the deep caves? In her own way she grasped the teachings of the Eternians and the Lifeforce and all its gifts, but there was a darker side.

She learned that negative acts lead to negative results, while the lighter positives leaned towards the greater wonders.

The six children Olya observed leaned towards neither of these rewards. On a neutral plain they were, darkness and light undiscovered.

Sheeba looked towards her sister, wearing a worried look. “Olya, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” A blankness hovered over her as her voice took a frantic turn. “Promise me, Sheeba.”

“Anything.”

“Promise me,” she repeated while stuttering. Taking her sister’s hand, she started from the beginning of what she intended to say but in more vague terms. “Promise me your will always be my sister.”

“Oh, you silly girl,” Sheeba said, hugging her. “How could I be anything but your sister?”

The sentiment didn’t ease Olya’s fears, just quieted them for the time being. She felt a great tragedy was about to come to them.

Finally the band reached the ancient catacombs. The adults as well as the children were awestruck by the sight. Horris and his wife and Stumont and his family visited the sacred sanctuary annually, but still felt overwhelmed by its presence. Stumont’s children, except for Alicia, were in regular attendance as well.

Olya felt something different than the rest of the group, and she believed Sheeba did too. Olya came to the awareness that hers and Sheeba’s destiny laid within these tunnels.

Traveling through the long corridors, the only light coming from the three lanterns were carried by Horris, Stumont and Felix. The mysterious caves showed the eerie scenes of colored etchings on the smooth walls of its long hallways.

“Symbols?” Olya whispered. “No, codes, It has to be codes.”

“What are you babbling about, Oli?” Felix inquired. “A stupid little shrimp like you can’t read the hieroglyphics.”

“If you’re so smart, Felix,” Sheeba shouted. “Why don’t you tell us what they mean?”

“Get serious. Nobody can do that,” Felix said.

“Olya can. Can’t you, sister?”

Olya didn’t answer because the ancient scenes demanded her full attention. As she began to speak, everyone gave her their full attention.

“Here, this section is a map, Death Canyon, the village of Poe here. Great energy looms from inside the deepest cavern where all is possible.”

“How do you know this, Daughter?” Horris asked, walking up to her.

“I don’t know, Father, but wait.” She looked towards the next group of the pictures. “Here. I see Eternia, our planet, but there’s another, Blue Planet. But why is it the center and not Eternia. We aren’t the center of the dimensions as we taught. Blue Planet is.”

“The high priestess should hear of this,” Horris said.

“That is if our Olya’s interpretations are accurate,” Dolsi urged. “And if she wrong?”

“It’s true, Mother,” Olya said. “There’s no other explanations, not ones that make sense.”

T’marra came forward, voicing yet another opinion, “But others, not even the great scholars could remotely decipher these writings.”

“But my sister did,” Sheeba announced. “I believe her, and you should too.”

Horris and Dolsi made the decision to take this dilemma before the high priestess, while Stumont and his family joined the other parishioners.

At first sight of the family, the high Priestess Yamini bowed in humility. “It is you,” she exclaimed. “you are the ones,” she said, rising and putting one hand on each of the girls’ heads.”

What do you mean, priestess?” Dolsi asked.

Only this,” she said. “Eternia’s greatness will return. It has already started, but a dark force looms. You shall be tempted, but you must resist. The power of the Lifeforce becoming the prize.”

“Yes. I’ve seen this,” Olya exclaimed. “The images painted on the walls.”

“Explain to me what you saw.”

Olya hesitated.

She explained all she saw in the hieroglyphics, while Yamini listened tentatively. All of Olya’s knowledge coming not just from her glimpses of picturesque scenes she witnessed, but the images that illuminated from her own mind.

Since as far back as her memory could take her, Olya’s days were spend studying the ancient teachings of Eternia, the simplicity of nature and its delicate balance. Unlike her sister’s wanderlust spirit, Olya observed the world around her. She didn’t go looking for the unknown. If it were to be her destiny new experiences would come. Forcing the unrequited never could be of any great use to her.

After Olya’s tale, the room fell silent. A short time passed before Yamini was compelled to speak. “I believe it is time. The sphere will hold the answers.”

“But the power?” Dolsi urged. “They are only children. What if?”

“The sphere is of no danger, only to those with the mask of evil. These children have no hint of this quality.

“Has the sphere killed before?” Dolsi asked.

“Once, but the victim intended on using the power against the Eternian way. A wizard called Bloss persuaded a young dwarf to help him. His plan was to conquer the center of the dimensional stasis plane. In failure, the young dwarf died, and Bloss lives in banishment.

“Could it happen again?” Dolsi asked.

“Yes.” Yamini answered, “but you must trust the Lifeforce.”

With their task set, a number of spectators gathered into the forbidden rooms. In the past, only the greatest of elders and holy women were permitted here. Never were mere children allowed near the lower chamber housing they’re greatest power, but today an exception was made.

“The time has come.” The strong voice of Yamini projected to those among the crowd. “The great Lifeforce has seen fit to reveal our hidden truths. The prophecies of the past revealed. Our quest for immortality has begun. We prepare now to embark on the journey to the celestial plain. Ph, great Lifeforce, show us the way.”

The spectators formed a unifying circle. Still, the great power of the sphere remained dormant.

“We beseech you,” Yamini continued. Give us a sign.”

Olya felt her hands burning suddenly. Sheeba, who stood on the opposite side, placed her hands on the sphere as well. It was hot to the touch but cooled seconds after Olya placed her palms on the glowing ball. It went dim again, but in seconds the brightness returned tenfold. It continued to glow and subside as Olya and Sheeba felt the power build with them.

More things id they see: past, present and future. The way things were, and the way they could be, alternate realities of their own world and planets unknown to them. Powerful being they saw from the so-called Blue Planet. It was a world of violence and hate, death and suffering, a world unlike their own.

The blinking state of the orb continued until it stabilized its glow and brightened and entire chamber. All the other spectators backed away, but the two girls remained in their places until their hands burned, so they had no choice but to release.

Things became normal once again, but the event had shaken everyone. Questions were thrown about. Neither girl sure how to answer. Yamini assured Olya and Sheeba that someday all would become clear.

That day the first step to unraveling the cryptic prophecies had started. One thing Olya was sure of was that this Blue Planet would play an important role in the destiny of the Eternia.

That evening when the sisters returned home, their once talkative natures subsided. A certain maturity radiated inside of them. They were no longer children. Knowledge had aged them. Their parents had not even asked them about the strange happenings of the visit into the scared catacombs. All they cared about was their children’s happiness. When the girls were ready they would speak.

Only two days passed since the incident in the catacombs when a stranger, a weary traveler passed the humble home of the Horris and Dolsi. Sheeba was the first to spot the man with a gray sash used as a cloak wearing brown worn sandals. His person was stained with the soil of the desert sands.

Sheeba approached him carrying a canteen of fresh water. “Excuse me, sir. Are you lost?”

“Yes, Ma’am. I am a traveler and apparently not a very good one.”

She gave him the canteen, watching him guzzle the water, which dripped out of his mouth and flowed down his neck.

“Not so fast. There’s plenty more by the spring. Come with me.”

“I’m lucky to have found you, my desert angel.”

“Angel? No, sir. I’m called Sheeba, daughter of Horris and Dolsi. Our home is there. You’re in great need?”

Horris came up the trail. “Sheeba,” he called.

“I ‘m coming, Father.” She ran towards him. “This man, he’s a traveler who has lost his way.”

“I can see that, daughter. Tell me, stranger. Who are you?”

“I am Blosco. I’ve come to seek the caverns of the Lifeforce. I’ve had terrible visions concerning the high priestess Yamini.”

Horris looked confused by the stranger’s story and insisted he clean up and eat before telling the tale. The man called Blosco was welcomed into the farmhouse of the humble farmers. Olya was nowhere to be found, but Sheeba did her best to charm him.

Soon, Olya came bolting through the door. “I know I’m late. Don’t be angry.” She looked over at the man and said, “We have a guest?” she questioned.

“Olya, this is Blosco. He’ll be our guest for a few days,” Dolsi said.

“He can’t stay, Mother.” She looked down at her palms as she and began to scream. “Heat!” she shouted. “Burning… hands burning! Must go. Fire! Fire!”

She turned away, running out the door. “Olya, wait!” Sheeba shouted, wanting to run after her.

“Sheeba, don’t,” Horris instructed. “Let her go.”

“No, Father. I can’t. Olya needs me. Something frightened her.”

“Then, go.”

Sheeba ran from the farmhouse no longer seeing her sister anywhere. Where could she be? She wondered. What could have frightened Olya so much that she would just run off? Sheeba knew she must find her.

Then it dawned on her the one place she never thought to look was the most obvious. Death Canyon, that was it, the place of Olya’s long ago salvation.

There, by the trio of Cacti, Sheeba saw her sister distraught with tears. “Olya, I knew I’d find you here. What’s wrong?”

“Go away, Sheeba,” she cried. “You don’t trust me anymore. You’re going to break your promise.”

“What promise? I don’t understand. I would never break a promise. We’re sisters.”

“Yes, you will. That man, he’s not right. I had to get away, before…”

“Before what?”

“I don’t know.” Olya’s tears raged out of control as Sheeba held her. She received little comfort by her sister’s actions, but there was little she understood of those feelings.

At the moment Sheeba noticed moment from behind a line of Cacti. She became weary of her safety as she was of her sister’s. “Stay here, Olya. Something’s out there.”

The rustling continued with a weak groan levitating from the narrow stalks. “H-e-l-p!” She heard.

“Who’s there,” Sheeba called. “Show yourself.”

From out of the shadows, a small creature appeared, one Sheeba had never seen before.

“A dwarf,” announced Olya, standing by her sister. “Come. We must help him.”

“Olya, no, what if…?”

“He’s hurt. We must help him.” Olya bounded towards the wounded dwarf, forcing Sheeba to abide by her wishes. Examining the creature, she gave him words of comfort. “Stay still, little friend. I’ll help you.”

The dwarf kept fidgeting, trying to speak. When finally coherent words could be deciphered, he said, “Bloss. Stop Bloss.”

“Bloss?” Sheeba inquired. “Who’s that?”

“Obviously, the one who did this to him. Lie still and rest, little friend.” Looking to her sister, she commanded, “Stay here and take care of him. I’ll go get father. He’ll know what to do.”

“But weren’t you frightened?”

“Not anymore. This poor man needs attention. Whoever this Bloss is…”

“Wait, Oli, what if the traveler is the same man? Blosco? Could it be?”

“Oh, no, Mother and Father are in danger.” Olya bolted towards home before Sheeba could reason with her.

“Olya, wait. You don’t know…”

The strange little dwarf began to sit up, breathing heavy. “We must follow her, child. I must stop Bloss from possessing her.”

“No, you can’t. Your wounds are too great.”

“No matter. The young one is among the gifted. Bloss will make her evil as he once did my brother.”

Sheeba listened attentively and knew of no way to persuade him against this reckless decision. She helped him to hisfeet.

“Who are you?” she asked.

“I am Pike, a scholar of Moltro.”

“Pleased to meet you. I’m Sheeba, the cactus picker of Poe.”

Her joke was in bad taste under the circumstances, but was quickly discarded by her dwarf partner.

Being much too weak to travel on his own, he relied on Sheeba for help. She was uneasy about what she would find at home but kept her feelings to herself.

Suddenly, Sheeba heard a scream. A silhouette of a girl running towards a fiery cabin ablaze in a cloud of scarlet and shades of gray smoke.

“Olya, no,” Sheeba shouted in horror, running towards the scene. Her senses fleeing her as he leapt towards the scene. Her senses fleeing her as he leapt towards the burning house. Entering, she screamed, “Olya, where are you?”

Reaching the small kitchen, Sheeba found her sister kneeling over a body. Soot caked her face and other exposed skin. “Mother, wake up,” she cried. “Please, Mother, you can’t be dead.”

“Olya,” Sheeba cried, holding her, “it’s too late. We have to get out of here.”

Looking up at Sheeba, she said, “Father’s gone too. That man killed him. I tried to warm them. Why didn’t they listen?”

“No time to talk. We’re leaving.”

Sheeba had to force her hysterical sister out of the blaze. Pike remained a safe distance from the house, his wounds still ailing him. He spotted the two girls fleeing the blaze and staggered towards them.

“Pike, you should be resting. You’re not well.”

“Well enough, friend Sheeba. I had to see the gifted ones to safety, the both of you.”

Olya looked to the sky, then to Pike, soot still staining her skin. You know who I am, and the man Yamini spoke of. Bloss. He was one of them?”

“Yes, friend Olya, I have come for you. I had to stop Bloss before the possession could begin. Bloss is a powerful wizard. A century ago the man called Bloss along with my brother, Oarron, tried to harness the power of the great Sphere of Knowledge. Parron died while Bloss lived in banishment.

“Olya, Sheeba, it is the both of you he wants. You are the ones who are destined to be the keepers of the portal. This is the door that is the key to all the dimensions.”

Olya looked on as the blaze died down. “That is why they died,” she said. “They’re gone because of their kindness in taking us in, but he will be punished. We owe them that.”

“Bloss must be dealt with,” Pike announced. “But for now, we will wait. He return is eminent. When you are strong enough, the time will come.”

“Yes,” Sheeba said. “Bloss will be punished.”

Time would be her friend, but the rage would remain. It could only fester until it consumed her fully. A cruel price to pay for vengeance.

So many things in her life didn’t make sense. Things she couldn’t control, but her rage would be forced to stay dormant for now.

In the sands of Death Canyon, a gift was given, but the culmination of destiny would shape the decisions she would make through the growth of intellect and experience.

What the future held could only be learned by living it.