In the early morning hours before dawn, Olya woke with the terrifying images revealed to her in the deep chamber that housed the great sphere. The being originating from the strange blue planet came to her in a dream, but Olya had more important matters to deal with. Tracking Bloss’ activities became her first priority.

Ten years ago, the day of the great fire, was the event that crushed her world as well as her sister’s. Pike had been so kind to them. Watching over them, teaching them of their great Eternian heritage, but one question he couldn’t answer was who they were, and where they came from. He called them the gifted: Sheeba, the skilled fighter and artist and Olya, the practical scholar with the gift of magic.

The three lived a secluded life in the lighthouse upon the Aerian Sea. The citizens of Poe thought the trio to be a bit eccentric. Sheeba was the most social of the group, which confused her sister. Olya still insisted on hiding her deformed hands. Sheeba always insisted she had beautiful hands, but Olya’s shyness prevented her from showing her true self to strangers.

She couldn’t quite pinpoint what it was that was truly troubling her. She traveled down the spiral staircase to see Pike up and about. He was working diligently on an experiment. Watching Pike at his work always astonished her.

“Good morning, Pike,” she said, her voice low.

After the botched fluids exploded, breaking several beakers, Olya felt a pang of guilt.

“Oh, Pike, I’m sorry. Did I disturb you?”

“No, friend Olya,” he said, looking at her. Too much sulfur on my part. I thank for the distraction.” He saw the worried look at her face. “What troubles you, my dear?”

“Nothing,” she said with a sigh, and sat down in an old worn wooden chair. She saw in his face that she was not telling the truth. “Everything,” she continued. “I don’t know. These images, I guess. Just when I think this time the answer will come, it doesn’t.”

“You must have patience,” he said, sitting down next to her. “We do not master our fates all at once. It is a process, friend Olya.”

“But what of Blue Planet?” she asked. “Why do their people suffer so?”

“It is not for us to know. Perhaps they are slaves of their habits. Our goal is to reach immortality, to abolish hate, to reach contentment.”

“The sphere has the answers,” Olya said, raising arms in frustration. “Why can it not tell me what to do?”

“That is a slave state. Harmony can not come from the mindless. Use the knowledge. Mistakes will be made, yes, but learn from it. As I will learn to be more careful with sulfur.”

A smile came to her face. “Thank you, Pike, I feel a little better.”

At that moment, Sheeba came bolting down the spiral stairs. “Good morning, all.” Sheeba looked towards her sister, “Oli, no sour faces today. I know you’re disappointed about yesterday, but past is past.”

“It’s not that, Sheeba, I just…”

“You just want to sit around and mope. No way, sister, you’re coming with me.”

“Where?”

“To town, where else, and without those silly gloves.”

“Forget it,” she said shaking her head. “I can’t go to town. Pike needs me here.”

Pike stepped forward to offer his opinion. “Go on, child. I will survive. You can’t stay closed in here all the time. Go, have a good time.”

It was a two against one, a no-win fight. She had no choice than to give in to her sister, but there was no way she would show herself in public without her precious gloves hiding her shameful deformity.

“Okay, you win,” Olya groaned, “but I don’t have to like it.”

“That’s the spirit, sister. The world awaits.”

Olya left with her sister that day, feeling very weak. Why couldn’t she say no to Sheeba? Why was she forever the pushover? Sheba always got her way. The tall slender red-head seemed to know how to manipulate anyone and everyone to get what she wanted, everyone that was except for Pike. Olya wished she had his strength. She marveled at his selflessness these passed years, wondering why he took pity on two two-time orphans. She realized she and her sister never would have survived without him.

Olya and Sheeba reached town within an hour. Taking the horses instead of walking as they normally did. Olya hated walking, but Sheeba welcomed the change of pace. She felt her sister needed some fresh scenery, and she was more than happy to oblige.

“Olya,” Sheeba sighed. “When are you going to come out of this funk?”

“Well, if you don’t like my mood, I’ll turn Plank around and go back home.”

“Not that easy, sister. You and your horse are coming with me. Sandstorm will not abide you taking her mate.” Sheeba signaled for the horse to move faster, and before Olya knew Sandstorm galloped away, which signaled Plank to do the same.

“Why do you always do that?” Olya asked when she finally caught up with her sister. The hores were now traveling at a slow trot.

“Do what?” Sheeba inquired.

“Oh, never mind,” Olya groaned, trotting on ahead.

Sheeba was good with reversed psychology. She won again. Olya wished just once events in her life would go her way. She didn’t hate her sister. She just wanted to be more like her.

“Here we are,” Sheeba announced, her horse passing her sister’s. “Time for the party to begin.”

“Whatever you say, sister.”

Olya seemed less than thrilled to be on this expedition. The marketplace was too chaotic and confusing. There were too many people pushing and shoving to buy over-priced items of no great worth. Olya followed Sheeba closely, fearing she would get lost in the crowd.

“Is it always like this?” Olya asked, shouting over the crowd, barely able to hear her own voice.

“Na,” Sheeba shouted in answer. “It’s a little tame today.”

“You call this tame?”

“Not anymore. Look.”

Sheeba pointed to a young man running and bombarding his way through the crowd. Screams of confusion consumed the air. Food carts overturned as an angry merchant tried to apprehend the culprit destroying the returns of their profits. But was it the crazed young man who was to blame? Two men came out onto the scene shouting.

“Stop that murderer!” one shouted.

“Murderer?” Sheeba said out loud. “I couldn’t see a man like that murdering anyone.”

“We have to help him,” Olya whispered to her sister.

“How?” Sheeba questioned, before realizing that her sister had taken off. “Wait, Oli, this could be dangerous.”

“So, what’s new?” Olya shouted back, barely able to finish her sentence. Sheeba also disappeared into the crowd. Olya saw the young man pass and shouted, “Wait. Tell me what’s going on.”

“Not now, gorgeous.”

Olya was shoved unintentionally as the other two men crossed her path. She felt the need to protect this odd young man.

“Out of the way, frail,” a tall scruffy man shouted.

“No,” Olya demanded. “Tell me why you want him first.”

“Move it, or you’ll be dead along with him.”

”You dare threaten an Eternian. You will stop this madness and leave this place.”

The smaller man became angry, physically attacking Olya. A deep hidden strength welled up in her. The stranger she was now defending came in to join the festivities. The tall man smashed something over his head and pulled his sword to end the life of his unconscious victim but was stopped by a marvelous display his would-be victim’s protector was giving. Olya noticed this at once and placed her naked palms on the man. A jolt of electricity pulsating through the man forced him to drop his weapon.

His young victim came to just in time to witness his attackers’ demise. “How did you do that?” he asked, grateful but frightened at the same time.

Olya did her best to hide her hands, but the stranger had already seen the deformity. She looked on in shame.

“Wait. You saved my life.”

“Before Olya could say another word, Sheeba appeared with the constable and shouted, “There they are. They’re the ones.”

The constable took the two men away, one barely conscious. Olya quickly covered her hands with the gloves Dolsi had made for her ten years before. Sheeba embraced her sister, fearing she had been hurt.

“Are you alright, Oli?”

“Why don’t you ask burlap.” he said. “He’s the one she clobbered.” Looking to Olya, he said, “I’m still trying to figure out how you did it.”

“You must be the reason my sister was in any danger at all.”

“Don’t blame him, Sheeba. He was protecting me. Those men attacked me. He was just trying to help.”

”Of course he was trying to help. Help himself to my sister, I’ll bet.”

“That’s not fair, Sheeba. Besides, you’re the one who said he was cute.”

Olya’s statement enraged Sheeba so much she walked several paces away. “You’re on your own, baby sister.”

Olya laughed at her sister’s juvenile behavior, as the stranger tried to introduce himself, but she walked away before he had the chance. He followed. Olya looked back. She was amazed at still seeing him.

“Why are you following me?”

“Nice to make your acquaintance, too. Oli, right?”

“Olya,” she corrected. “Only my sister is permitted the pleasure of addressing by that name.”

“Alright, Olya. I’m Dersko,” he said, holding out his hand, but she didn’t take it.

“Good for you,” she said coldly, “but I must go.”

“But I have to know. Olya, how did you do that?” He grabbed her arm, stopping her. “I’ve never seen power like that. What are you?”

“Just a wizard’s apprentice. Now let me go,” she said, shoving her away from her. “Pike will be worried.”

“I can’t, Olya,” he announced, confusing her. “You saved my life,” he added. “I am indebted to you, so I must stay with you.”

“Then you’re a bounty hunter.” Yes, From Moltro.”

Walking on with him, she asked, “Why were those men after you?”

“Because I captured their brother, a known thief, murderer, kidnapper. Must I go on?” She nodded. “Well, he was executed, and they blamed me for the whole thing. A few days ago, I get this weird message from someone in Poe. So I came here to find out what it’s all about, and Burlap and his stupid brother tracked me here. I thought I was sunk until you and your sister came along.”

“You like her.” He looked confused by the by the statement. “Don’t look that way. Everyone does. She has so many suitors now, I lost count.”

“You’re not bad yourself.”

Enraged, she fired back. “Don’t try to be funny. You don’t have to say it. I know I’m a freak. Just look at me.”

“Yes, Olya, I am looking. I see a beautiful, intelligent young woman. You think your hand make you a freak, you’re wrong. Do I look normal to you?” Olya couldn’t answer. She stayed silent as tears ran down her cheek. “Oh, I’m sorry, Olya. I didn’t…“

“Forget it, Desko. At least you know who you are and where you came from. I don’t.” She walked off hoping he wouldn’t follow her.

“Olya, wait. I’ll come with you.” Good going, Dersko. You blew it.

Dersko followed her to a modest tower building shining over the blacked waters around a long plank. As Olya hitched her horse in the tiny run-down stable, only then did she sense his presence.

“Why are you here?” she fired.

“Duty,” he said, lowering his head. “Need I say more?”

“Duty is a lame excuse,” she said, walking passed him out of the stgable. “I think it to be rather suspicious.”

“I live by a strict code,” he said, walking in front of her forcing her to stop. “You saved my life. I am indebted to you. I must stay with you, because, now, your life is my responsibility.”

“That has to be the most ridiculous things I’ve ever heard. Don’t you have an out-law to find, honorable bounty hunter?”

“Only those who would harm you. I have to stay with you. I need to stay with you. Please, let me stay.”

“Do I have a choice?”

“No,” he said, half-apologizing. “I’m sorry, Olya. Duty before want.”

Looking half-irritated, she walked to the entrance of the lighthouse and spouted, “Well, just don’t stand there. It’s freezing out here.”

“Coming, my lady,” he whispered, a cock-eyed smile plastered on his face as he followed her to the little lighthouse.

Pike was the first to greet her. “Friend Olya,” he said with much concern. “I was afraid you were lost. Sheeba has just returned recently.”

“I know,” Olya said in low voice. “She’s a little angry with me.”

Noticing the man following Olya, Pike exclaimed. “Is it not Desko, the bounty hunter?”

“Yes, Pike, your brother speaks fondly of you. Are you not the one who sent the message?”

“I need you here, friend Desko, but I see you have already met my wards.”

Sheeba glided down the spiral stairs, seeing the handsome stranger standing next to her sister.”

“It’s you,” she said. “But how do you know Pike?”

Pike broke in recalling a time long ago before his stay in Poe. “My travels have been far and wide, Friend Sheeba. But I must say Moltro was among the most peaceful.”

“Please tell us, Pike,” Sheeba urged. “I love stories.”

“Perhaps another time. More pressing matters await.”

“What is it, Pike? What has happened?” Olya inquired.

“It is Bloss. I have tracked him to Gaspen. Only now do I know what he seeks. A staff.”

In a horrified stance, Olya grimaced. “You don’t mean…?”

“Yes, friend Olya, the great staff of Eternia. Its keeper has the ability to travel through any dimension they choose. We can not allow Bloss to control this sacred relic.”

“Then we must find it first,” Olya insisted. “Can you cast a spell to send us to Gaspen?”

“Yes, but it will take time. I will need help.”

Sheeba and Desko stayed silent during the incantation. If the spell wasn’t cast in precisely the correct way, dire consequences would occur. An hour passed, two, still the two observers uttered not a word and made not a movement. Olya’s grasp of magic was limited but still amazing. Dersko received only to taste of it at the marketplace.

The ancient words were chanted again as Olya sprinkled the scared herbs in a semicircle around Pike. Suddenly, the floor beneath them changed. Speckles of iridescent light shot up from the floor of the lighthouse. The brightness almost blinded them.

“I can’t see,” Sheeba shouted.

“Follow my voice, sister. It will be all right.”

Sheeba obeyed her sister’s command, though through frightened steps. “I’m scared, Oli.”

“It’s all right. Take my hand. Whatever happens, we’ll face it together.” With her last words, the sisters jumped into the odd beam of light. Their essences became a flash to the sights of their male companions.

“We are next. You first, friend Dersko.”

“Pike, are you sure?”

“Yes. The portal will not last much longer. If I do not make it, vow your protection of the gifted ones.”

He nodded his answer as Pike urged him into the stream. He didn’t realize until that moment the weakness of the incantation. “Pike, wait. How-are-to-get-back.” He voice trailed off, and all was gone.

The lighthouse, the stream of light, even Pike’s menacing face disappeared. Why had he done this? He was left helpless in a void of blackness. In the abyss, only thoughts existed, once the stream of light dissolved into nothingness.

Olya and Sheeba, he wanted to call out, but the words would not form. With his consciousness lost, his mind went blank. Suddenly, the void subsided from darkness to an environment that appeared sunny and sweet.

“Stranger?” a voice called. “Stranger, please, awaken.”

“Loddi, is it alive?” another called.

The fallen outlander began to stir. The two creatures discovered the wanton treasure, jumped back at the sight of him rising. The young man was clearly confused by the odd welcome he received and scrambled to his feet.

“Stay still, outlander,” one of the strange creatures suggested in a language the man barely understood.

He tried speaking in their language, saying, “Is this Gaspen.”

The two creatures giggled at his stupidity. “Yes, outlander, where else would we be?”

Only now did Dersko realize how closed off these creatures were, truly believing they alone were possessors of a exclusive universe, having no knowledge of other worlds beyond the untapped and hidden doors within worlds.

“Can you help me!” the stranger asked.

“What do you think, Loddi?”

“Well, Pordo, the creature seems to be in great need.”

“Yes, Loddi, in many ways.” Both the creatures laughed condescendingly at the expense of their guest.

He tried a new perspective of logic to reach the creatures’ sympathy. “I need help in finding someone, two sisters. They’re tall, about five and a half feet. One is a little smaller than the other. She wares gloves.”

“The great ones? Why do you seek them stranger?”

“They’re friends of mine. We came here to find something.”

“The staff?” Loddi said. “It is useless to you. Only the great ones can utilize it.”

“Yea. I could care less about that stupid staff. It’s those women I care about. Can you lead me to them?”

“It is the staff they seek, then in the ancient caverns you must plummet.”

“Can you lead me there?”

The two creatures dived into the throbbing waters signaling Dersko to follow. He was not thrilled about water, having feared it since childhood.

“Here goes nothing,” he said, diving headfirst into the water. The whole time all he could think of was Olya. The pain he saw in her eyes. The shame she felt at her exposed hands. He understood her determination in coming here and at her seeing the danger as irrelevant. The integrity he saw in her, her need to put duty over want, but in her case, it could be that they were one in the same.

Traveling down to the ocean floor, fear consumed him. He heard the cries of the past, people who had died. Those by his hand and of those he vowed to protect. He would not let the fates of those of the past be the fate of this pair of peculiar sisters he had been growing so found of.

It seemed like forever, swimming the endless straights the strange natives of Gaspen led him through. Soon, they came to a long wall of water. Dersko had never seen anything like it before in his life. Is this where the sisters had come? Still there was no sign of them. Olya, he thought. What if something happened to her? His fear consumed him as he went forth with his search.

The creature walked through the wall of water and suggested he do the same by waving a hand. He did, although reluctantly. “Where are we?” he asked, glad to be out of the water.

“The caverns,” Loddi announced. “Your friends are here. I feel the auras of the great ones. Good luck in your search.”

“What? Wait. I don’t know where to go.”

“Look in your heart,” Loddi said.

“It will lead you, nameless friend,” Pordo finished.

“It’s Dersko. Thank you.” He went on thinking. “Yea, freaks. Thanks for nothing.” He looked around, not seeing much of anything of any great importance. Just rocky unstable walls he felt could come crashing down on him at any moment. He dared not call out for fear of the cave collapsing. Moving on, he heard voices, not those of any Eternian. He thought that maybe they were more natives of the nearby sands. He spied silently, fearing danger.

“Ardane, let me see that map again,” the strange scraggly man of six and a half feet commanded.

“I should say not, Froth. Lord Bloss left me in charge of this exhibition. If anything were to go wrong…”

“If anything were to go wrong, it would mean both our heads. If the sisters have come, it is up to us to detain them.”

“Do not worry, Froth, my friend. The sisters will be under the control of Lord Bloss and all will be well.” With a snicker, he continued, “Rich men we’ll be.”

Not noting the specter his partner saw, Froth threw the question. “But I don’t see why we just don’t kill them.”

“Fool, they have power beyond imagination. They will be of better use alive then dead. Perhaps that is why Lord Bloss has put me in charge.”

From the shadows, Dersko could hear every word. Mortified by the eerie conversation, Desko fled through an open passageway. The opening seemed to appear out of nowhere. It was as if someone was watching him, steering him on a particular path.

It took the better part of an hour to pass through the other side. Bright shooting beams of spectral light filled the cavern, which Dersko only received a peak of from the distance he was standing.

Running towards the entrance, he thought of this moment to be his last. The brightness of the cave blinded him as he entered.

“Dersko,” a sweet voice trailed his earshot.

That moment he thought of Olya and half-shouted her name. The light faded to normal as he beheld his true deliverer.

“Sorry, Dersko. It’s only me.”

“Sheeba, where’s Olya?”

“I don’t know exactly.” Dersko became frightened. She decided to explain further. “You see. Oli got it in her head that Bloss was here. She went on and on how she alone had to stop him. She just took off.”

“Where?”

“Down in the tunnels. I tried to find her, but somehow I ended back here. I know you were here. The magic cup told me so. I had to lead you here. Oli needs you. She won’t except help me, maybe she will from you.”

“I’ll try. Stay here, Sheeba. I don’t need both of you to worry about.”

“I can protect myself, Desko. It’s my sister I’m worried about.”

“I know. I’ll find her. You just stay here.”

Dersko disappeared down the shadowy hallway determined to find the missing sister. Thoughts of the pretty petite Olya plagued his mind. Why had she run off? What thoughts possessed her mind: the rage of revenge, the twisted agony of pain? He wasn’t sure why he cared so much for someone he barely knew. The only thing he could concentrate on now was finding her, protecting her. If this man Bloss intended on killing her, his duty and need would be to end the life of her attacker before the opportunity could be granted.

In an ancient thrown room, the gifted one entered transfixed on a certain item of great importance. “It is here as Pike predicted.”

Silent footsteps could be heard from the brash silver carpet heading to the high seat of the ancient court.

“Bloss,” she whispered. “I knew you would come.”

“You are strong, little one, not like our last meeting.”

Olya kept hold of her anger, remembering her mission. She said nothing, eying the casement that contained the prize.

“Yes,” Bloss remarked. “You’ve come for that.”

“That is correct, but I’ve also come for you. You deserved to die for what you’ve done.”

“My dear, I’ve done you a favor. These fools would have turned you into a farm hand. A power such as yours would die in a desert. I alone rid you of their pious sanctity. You, my dear, belong on a thrown. It’s a shame your mother had not that vision.”

What do you know of my mother?”

“What kind of mother abandons her child in a place called Death Canyon?” His laughter sent Olya to tears. “Hear this, dear Olya, your mother rid herself of you because of this.” He pointed to her ungloved hands. “Olya?” he laughed, analyzing the name. “What a weak name for such a powerful being.”

“Say no more. I know what you are. Yamini has confessed your crimes. I have seen it as well. The sphere speaks to me.”

“The sphere of the Lifeforce is a mere bobble. Pike’s teachings are trifle and meager at best. I could give you more power than you could ever imagine. Take the staff; use it. Together we will control destiny itself.”

“Destiny? No one controls that. The past is done and can never be changed. The present a mere game mortals toy with, and the future never comes. This is truth.”

“Only one version. Olya, you will take the staff and bring it to me. Only I can be the one to delve into your untapped power.”

“And be indebted to you? Never. I will take the staff and rid myself of you forever. Throwing a fireball, Olya broke the casement and willed the staff to her.”

“Olya,” a voice called.

“Dersko, stay back.” She felt the rod’s power, hot to the touch. A fiery glow came about Olya and, in seconds, she disappeared.

“Olya!” Dersko shout in horror. He looked to the satisfied man with vengeance in his heart. “What did you do with Olya? Answer!”

He drew his sword towards Bloss. “I have done nothing, bounty hunter. Olya wanted me to die, but her plans faltered. Oh, do not worry. She is alive with a powerful weapon she can not use, not yet.”

“This was a trap, You dirty…”

“Silence, rogue. Froth, Ardane, take him.”

Dersko soon learned he was outnumbered. Bloss’ plans worked. Dersko realized the trickery he entailed. The staff can only be utilized by both of the true gifted. Bloss would have no hope of gaining the staff’s power without the sisters to utilize it.

A trap, he thought. Why didn’t I see it?

Somewhere on the other side of the sea on a lonely sandbar, Olya emerged dazed and confused. “What happened?” she asked herself. Seeing nothing but water all around. “How did I get here?”

She tried to think how she could get out of this. Going back to the caverns was all she could think of. She shouted out loud knowing no one would hear her. “Show me the way!”

She felt danger under those deep waters. She fled all doubt from her mind and dove into the water. Her sight blinded, her instincts high, she put trust into her feelings. Determined not to let victory be defeated on this mission of such great importance.

Back in the cave of light, Sheeba desperately called for her sister. Strange forces possessing her mind. She fought them as best she could. Voices entered her mind, suggesting acts of evil. She quickly blocked them from her mind.

“I must find my sister,” she whispered, making her way to the tunnel.

Traveling down the long narrow stretch, she found the throne room. She smelled the sweet scent of Olya, but others now occupied the premises. She gripped the dagger she borrowed from the sacred room of light.

There she found her friend Dersko. Two men were beating him. She felt as if Bloss was near but did not see a sign of her nemesis. Dersko whaled in pain, and Sheeba felt she had no choice but to reveal herself and help him.

“Let him be!” she shouted.

The two men wore stunned faces but took no heed of her threats.

“Sheeba, run. Get away!” Dersko shouted, fearing for her safety.

“Listen to your friend, little girl, or your fate shall be his.”

“Or yours!” she blasted as the dagger left her hands and flew towards the direction of Dersko’s executioners. The dagger struck one of the men directly into the heart. The other stared in a startled frenzy as Dersko gained the upper hand and punched him squarely in the face.

“What did you think you were doing?” Desko shouted to her.

“Saving your hide,” she fired back, walking over to her victim to collect the dagger.

“I didn’t ask for your help,” he said in a scolding tone. “You should be back in the cave where it’s safe.”

“Dersko, if you haven’t noticed, this whole place is a death trap,” she said, wiping the dagger clean. “Now, where’s Olya?”

“Gone. She disappeared with the staff. I don’t think that was her intention after Bloss showed up. He mentioned something about her mother, and she went mad.”

“Oh, no, not the fire. Did he say anything about the fire?”

“No, Sheeba, something about abandoning her in Death Canyon.” Fright came to Sheeba’s eyes. “What is it? DC is just a desert…”

“We used to lived there,” Sheeba broke in. “Death Canyon was where she was found. It’s just a very touchy issue. We have to find her before Bloss does. I wish Pike were here. He’s the only one she’ll listen to.”

“Don’t worry. We’ll find her.” Dersko’s determination was admirable, but Sheeba knew her sister. When Olya didn’t want to be found, no trace would be revealed until she decided it to be the proper time.

Sheeba followed her senses to the beach where their adventure truly began. She waited and listened. She’s coming,” she announced.

“How do you know?” Dersko asked, looking across the water, seeing nothing but an endless sea.

“I don’t know,” Sheeba said, looking out at the water as well. “I just do.”

It seemed strange these two sisters had the connection they did. Even Dersko and his own two brothers by blood never were this connected. There was something very special about them. A greater force welding them to their destiny.

“Look,” Sheeba called, pointing to the eastern side of the sea. In her close vigil, something stirred out of the endless waters “It’s Olya. She’s come back to us.”

Sheeba stepped into the shallow waters eager to see her sister. She called to her repeatedly. Dersko followed close behind, astonished by the odd display of affection.

Olya sprung out of the water, staggering. Sheeba briskly charged to her side. “Sister, are you all right?” Olya was unable to form words because of the content of salt water in her throat. “Come, sister. I’ll take care of you.”

Olya leaned on Sheeba just to stay upright. Dersko came to help, scooping Olya into his arms and carrying her to shore. The staff that had hung from her belt fell into the water. Sheeba quickly retrieved the wooden rod before the under toe took it into the sea.

Olya was barely breathing when Dersko laid her on the soft sands. He gave her a tonic to dissolve the poison in her system. “Lie still,” he said. “You need rest.”

“Yes, Oli, Dersko’s right.”

Olya eyed the staff in the hands of her sister, and screeched out one word. “Home.” Trying to lift herself off the ground, she repeated to word, this time more clearly.

“What does she mean?” Dersko asked, checking Olya’s temperature. “Almost normal.”

“Something to do with the staff?”

“Yes,” Olya whispered, forcing the words out. Now sitting with the help of Dersko, she continued,” The staff, only way home. Bloss tricked me, Sister. Be weary, do… same to… you.”

“Don’t worry, Oli. He won’t find us.”

“Must… get… home.”

Olya raised her hands to touch the sacred staff. Dersko supported her upper body, fearing she might further injure herself if she tried to sit up alone. As she touched the staff along with Sheeba, a drastic change came about her. Olya’s strength returned tenfold. Sheeba felt the power, too.

“The staff will take us home,” Olya announced. “Only through our combined power can the Staff of Eternia be utilized. Open the door, oh great staff. Return us home to the land of Poe, to Eternia.”

Suddenly a door formed. The three travelers entered. In seconds they found themselves inside the lighthouse, but something odd overcame them. The place was abandoned. Cobwebs consumed the interior, while darkness ruled the land.

“This is not home,” Sheeba cried.

“No,” Olya said, taking in the surroundings. “The staff sent us here for a reason. This world is in danger. We were called to save it. For now, we are home.”

Olya wasn’t sure what they could do, or even how much. Damage was in need of repair, but one thing Olya realized. They were completely on their own. Pike could no longer help her. The wizard’s apprentice must now take those shoes and utilize all she knew. This task being hers alone.

“What do you ladies suggest?” Dersko questioned.

“I know,” Sheeba broke in. “Let’s see what the natives do for fun.”

“Watch out world. Here comes Sheeba.” With Olya’s last words, the small band went into the night. The dusty old lighthouse remained, but not all was silent. Time would only bring forth what these shallow walls already knew.