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“Useless.”
“Don’t say that. You’re safe and after some rest, you’ll be fine.”
“How can you say that Roman? I willnotbe fine. It has taken years to get to Propensity level and I worked so hard to make the grade. Now, it’s all gone. I don’t think I’ll ever recover.”
“I know you will. You are the smartest person I know, and you won the challenge without using any magic. You used your brain, that’s your real power. Trust me,” he says optimistically.
I can’t meet his eyes. Optimism eludes me. Memories of the challenge cast a shadow. My vision is tunnelled to a bleak future. One without purpose, without magic and without joy. Misery binds itself to my being, hollowing out my soul. “I need to rest now,” I say rolling onto my side to face the wall.
Frowning, he stands and leaves me in peace. Although, peace is the last thing I feel and wonder if I will ever find it again. There is no place on Evolirium for a semi god with no powers.
Early the next morning, I summon High Power Omnisensus. “I want to know who did this to me,” I demand.
“I understand you’re upset Siriarna. Please know we are investigating. I’m sorry it took so long for us to find you. There was a glamour veil covering the opening of the Void concealingit from magic. Although strangely, it seems something powerful punched a hole through its centre. Our locator spells alerted us of your position just as Roman came to find me.
“This is a serious misconduct, and I will get to the bottom of it. The culprit will be severely punished. I will not have this kind of behaviour in my realm.
“For now, there is an administration position available in the Knowledge Room. Why don’t you work there for the time being? It may help you transition…”
“No, no, no. I can’t. I won’t.” I yell while shaking my head uncontrollably.
My vocal outburst propels the Authority toward me. Placing a big comforting hand on my shoulder, he says, “Perhaps you should consider returning to the Home Realm. Temporarily of course. Just until you are feeling better. You are always welcome on Evolirium, and we would love to have you back when you’re up to it.”
The thought of returning to the Home Realm powerless threatens to send me spiralling into an even further depressive state. It especially hurts knowing I just won the end of year Propensity Challenge. The memory causes silent tears to slide from my eyes. I don’t even try to wipe them away. No, I will not be returning to that realm. Though my vision is clouded by liquid, the decision is clear. I know where I need to go, there’s really only one choice: The Between.
As my physical condition has stabilized, I tell High Power Omnisensus I want to leave immediately. He tries to convince me to say goodbye to my peers, but I can’t. I’ve lost my spark and I don’t want to seeanyonebefore I go. I just want to slip out undetected and forget this realm altogether.
With a hollow soul and a steady hand, I unfasten the crest lapel pin, place it on the side table, and walk from the room. No looking back. Goodbye Evolirium.
******
Roman
She looked so vulnerable when she came out of the Void, just like the first day I met her in the Knowledge Room. Her eyes were the first thing I noticed, the pale violet drew me in, and I felt immediately protective. As I spent more time with her, I grew to know the kind and bright soul that defines her essence. To discover someone kidnapped her from her bed and dumped her into the Void, infuriates me.
Who would want to hurt Siriarna? I mean, she is no threat to anyone here. Her powers are growing but they are not top tier, and she wouldn’t hurt a fly.
Could the challenge win have been the catalyst? If it was, why was Braxton untouched?
Whoever it was meant business because the Void is not something you mess with. What I can’t grasp is how they managed to get her down there. Centuries ago, the students who played the prank on Zeus were barely functioning when he eventually returned to release them. The depth, the isolation, the lack of nourishment, and freezing cold conditions, were enough to render even a semi god serious damage. Because of this, no one has ever breached the rules and crossed over the stone wall to the Void…ever.Not until now.
If it wasn’t for the bright light transcending from the Void, I would never have found her. It was lucky I was leaving the Learning Facility and close enough to see it, otherwise she might still be stranded there, and who knows for how long? I shudder at the thought. That brings me to another thought—where did that light come from?Siriarna was alone in the Void.
When I return to visit her in the infirmary, the medic advises she has left the realm. High Power Omnisensus confirms thiswhen I barge into his office unannounced.
Then I see her lapel pin on his desk, and I know she’s gone for good. For a moment my heart stops, silently acknowledging the best friend I have lost.
******
Chapter18
Braxton
Mount Olympus was just as palatial as I had imagined. However, I couldn’t enjoy it properly without Siriarna. I tried to seek the gods’ assistance in finding her and I thought I may have succeeded with Athena, but the notion was ultimately dismissed. From that point, my thoughts were consumed with leaving the realm without offending the gods—after all, my life goal is to work with them as part of The Core.
I did, however, begrudgingly enjoy the nectar. Even though I have a secret stash to trade on Evolirium, this was my first sample of the gods’ drink. It is my tool to take my Propensity power to the next level, and I don’t want to mess with that—regardless of how euphoric the liquid tastes.
As soon as Alexandraya returned to the table from her escapade, which seemed to take an infinite amount of time come to think of it, I requested our return to Evolirium. The look she shot me was pure venom, but I put up with the pretence long enough, and wanted out. I do not bow down to bullies.
