Year 85.2

  *A mildly violent earthquake begins. Emma holds onto Liza to avoid falling over. Lily uses her claws to cling to Emma, who collapses as the shaking stops as fast as it began. Liza opens her eyes as the lights flicker on again. The room is now a shining white, while the sound of running water comes from the doorway. Entering the area is a large garden full of unfamiliar flora. The ceiling has an artificial sky, while a waterfall supplies the water. The walls are nowhere to be seen, and paths seem to go on endlessly.*

  *Lily hops down and runs off, prancing through the plants.*

  Liza: It appears the entrance has moved. Let me know when you’d like to leave, and I can show you the way.

  *Emma looks around, almost too stunned to speak.*

  Emma: So all of this is mine?

  Liza: Affirmative. Each realm was tailored to the owner's desires.

  Emma: It’s quiet and safe. I couldn't care less about the rest, but this feels… Like home.

  *Emma starts to tear up as she smiles.*

  Lily: Look what I got!

  *Lily walks up proudly, carrying a dead small furry creature.*

  Liza: Lily, please refrain from killing the ecosystem.

  *Lily puts it down, looking down in guilt.*

  Emma: This place is huge, I’m sure one or two will be fine.

  *Emma walks through the area with Liza, admiring all the plants until she comes across a small structure, the front walls of which are made of glass, and a small desk with a small stack of books can be seen. Entering the area, the sounds from the garden are silenced. The back walls are full of shelves. Books of all sizes and colors are placed messily around the shelves. *

  Liza: It appears most of the notes taken before have been lost.

  Emma: I mean, I can’t miss what I never knew I had.

  *Emma holds her head in pain.*

  Liza: It appears the mental strain of this place is still too much for you. Would you like to return?

  Emma: Yeah.

  *Emma summons Lily to them; she appears resting. Liza opens the door to leave the structure, but now it opens up to Griffin’s house. Almost immediately after stepping out, Lily wakes up feeling groggy.*

  Lily: What happened?

  Emma: Why did my head feel like someone cast a fireball inside my brain?

  Liza: It appears your connection to the system is very weak. If we can locate the Guardian, they will be able to inform you on ways to strengthen it. Until then, it would be wise to avoid entering alone.

  Emma: *Rubbing head* Don’t have to tell me twice.

  Liza: If you have no further tasks for me, I shall return to Arthur. You can press on my gem to contact me.

  Emma: Wait. Does that mean I can contact… Him?

  Liza: *Beeping* If by him you mean Arthur, then no. Each of us has given our gems our own ability. Its strength depends on the bond between you both. Would you like to ask Arthur about his?

  Emma: Yes, please. I’m curious.

  Liza: One moment. *closes eye*

  *After a moment, the door changes back to Arthur’s room. Liza opens her eyes, and they enter the room.*

  Arthur: You want to cook, Auntie?

  Emma: *Confused* I could eat. Yeah.

  *Arthur pulls on Emma’s arm, leading her to the kitchen with an array of ingredients displayed around them.*

  Arthur: If you push on my gem and look at the ingredients.

  *Emma looks down and presses on Arthur’s gem, then looks up afterward.*

  Arthur: *Laughs* You have to press and hold until you look at everything.

  Emma: *Giggles* Well, I don’t know. You just said press it, Bud.

  *Emma follows Arthur’s instructions, and as she looks at the ingredients, they all highlight in different shades of green, going to yellow, then orange.*

  Arthur: When you let go, you’ll see a list of what you can make.

  *Emma releases her hold on the gem, and an interface appears. As she selects one, it highlights the ingredients needed. Following the directions, she manages to make stir-fry with Arthur helping to prevent it from burning. *

  Arthur: Now you can cook like me!

  *Arthur runs around excitedly.*

  Emma: That’s great, but I don’t always have the time.

  Liza: It should allow you to make potions if you have the ingredients for them.

  Emma: That. *Shakes finger* That’s something I could get behind. I’ll have to go test it out later.

  *Arthur yawns.*

  Liza: It appears Arthur is ready for his nap. Would you like me to join you after I lay him down?

  Emma: No, *Smiles* I’ll be fine.

  Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.

  *Emma heads to the spirit tree. She can hear Kimmy and Sunflower laughing. One of the guards notices Emma and nods at her in acknowledgement before she heads down below. She collects some mushrooms and finds a small spirit flower sprouting on the roots. Lily changes to a pair of shears as she carefully clips the flower; its glow dims slightly.*

  Flint: Emma! Thank goodness.

  Emma: I was just doing some gardening. What’s up?

  Flint: It’s easier to show you.

  *Flint quickly leads Emma to the main chamber. Pillars of sandstone and roots support the roots that cradle the waters above. The pillars are full of flowers, and small insects can be seen pollinating and buzzing around.*

  Flint: You said to get you in the event of any new critters. But you never spoke about this.

  Emma: *Astonished* Mostly because those are spirits. This shouldn’t be possible here in the desert.

  *Emma hears a familiar hooting sound, and she follows the call with Flint following.*

  Emma: Is that new?

  Flint: I’ve never heard it before.

  Voice: Emma.

  Emma: What?

  Flint and Lily: What?

  Emma: Someone just said my name. Lily? *Shakes head*

  Flint: I didn’t hear anything but that call.

  Voice: Return tonight… Alone.

  Emma: *Nods* Let’s head to see Griffin.

  Flint: Would you be able to go without me? I’m already late for my blood-brother's birthday.

  Emma: Yeah, go ahead.

  *At the dinner table, Griffin talks to Arthur about the weekend while Emma plays with her food, talking to Lily.*

  Lily: Should you really go through? And by alone, does that include me?

  Emma(TL): I don’t know. It sounded familiar, but I can’t remember why.

  Lily: Really? I thought Darian was about to appear and scold us again.

  Emma(TL): Who?

  *As soon as Emma says it, she remembers. Darian, the Queen's spirit.*

  Emma: Wait! Does that mean Seraphina isn’t dead?!

  *Everyone looks at Emma as she yells out her realization.*

  Griffin: Who’s Seraphina?

  Emma: I’ll explain later. I need to go. *Kiss* Bye!

  *Lily hops onto her ear, barely catching hold of her. Griffin and Arthur look at each other, then Zipzip and Dennis, before everyone shrugs in confusion. Emma reaches the Spirit tree. Kimmy and Sunflower are out front, enjoying the night sky, when they hear Emma talking to Lily.*

  Lily: You’re for certain that it was his voice?

  Emma: How many times has he scolded us for reading private literature?

  Lily: Ugh. I don’t want to count.

  Emma: All I know is it’ll be safest if I go alone.

  *Kimmy waves to Emma, who is in her own world, distracted by what is to come. *

  Kimmy: I’ll be right back.

  *Just before the door latches shut behind Emma, Kimmy uses a small gust of wind to pull the door open. Following Emma in secret.*

  Emma: If we’re right, maybe she can fill in the blanks.

  Lily: Yeah, but why did she wait until now?

  Emma: Maybe she just now found me?

  *Reaching the open space from before, Emma looks, listening for the voice from before.*

  Emma: Darian? Are you there?

  *Emma turns to the sound of Kimmy knocking over a bucket, which loudly bounces down the few stairs before rolling toward Emma and Lily. Lily hops down, and as quickly as her fur stands on end, she calms down.*

  Emma: Kimmy? What’re you doing here?!

  Kimmy: I saw you run inside, so I followed you. I was surprised you didn’t notice me before.

  Emma: Okay, well, we can talk later. Can you head back to the house?

  Kimmy: *Scoffs* I’m not a child anymore.

  Emma: What? This has nothing to do with your age.

  *A loud hoot silences the two as Darian flies over Kimmy’s head and circles before landing branch next to her.*

  Emma: Darian?! It is you!

  *Kimmy looks at Darian, their eyes lock, and the waters begin glow brightly above them. Emma can’t help but look away to avoid being blinded.*

  Emma: Kimmy!

  *As the light dims to a more manageable glow, Emma and Lily run to Kimmy. Kimmy lies on the ground where a root has wrapped around her wrist. Emma reaches for the Root to remove it, but Darian speaks up.*

  Darian: Don’t.

  Emma: *Panicked* What did you do to her?!

  Kimmy: *Groggy* Mom? Why are you yelling? *Whinces* my arm, why does it burn?

  Darian: I’ve been following you for a while. Kimmy Silvashade. As your spirit, I grant you the honor of renaming me if you so wish.

  Emma: *Gasp* Kimmy, your eyes!

  *Kimmy’s eyes have turned a vibrant shade of green.*

  Darian: Emma *Glares* Would you please silence yourself.

  Kimmy: Were you the one who asked me about my mom?

  *Darian nods*

  Emma: Wait. So you weren’t talking to me?

  *Kimmy stands up, holding onto the root to support her as she regains her balance.*

  Kimmy: I heard a voice telling me to meet them alone in the backyard.

  Darian: And to not tell Emma. *Sigh* Lady Seraphina’s last words were to wait until I knew you were safe. With all the protection around you as of late. Your blood contains the elven pact. The spirit tree has cured you of your half race and made you a full SpiritWalker.

  Kimmy: Excuse me? *Offended* Cured me? Being a halfling isn’t a curse.

  Darian: It appears those are the wrong words to use. I apologize. I just meant that you’re no longer a halfling.

  Kimmy: OH, I’m fully aware! Rename you. How about Ass.

  Emma: Darian, I know you’re literal, but just for once, can you pretend to have as much empathy as you have wisdom?

  Darian: *Looking at Emma, then sighs* Lady Kimmy. I’m sorry I upset you. I came from a different understanding about half races. I wish I could return you to what your bloodline was before. If it is any constellation, your bloodline makes your closly related to Emma, making her more of a relative to you.

  Kimmy: Really?

  Emma: Yeah. What’s this bloodline you keep talking about?

  Darian: Your Grandfather was an old friend of mine. I granted him a spirit after he proved himself to me. You could say Ariella was like a cousin of sorts.

  Emma: *Shakes head* You’re him, aren’t you? Glen?

  Darian: I once went by that name, yes. But since then, I’ve been with the royal family.

  Lily: Did Seraphina know?

  Darian: She knew we were passed down to elves who had lost their spirit.

  Kimmy: If I’m more related to Mom, then what does that mean about Aunt Ariella?

  Emma: He means spiritually. As for the blood. Some say all elves are related somewhere. *Turns to Darian* So what does all of this mean?

  Darian: It means Kimmy is to become the next Elven queen.

  *After some further explaining, Emma decides to stay at Kimmy’s for the night to watch over her. The next day is as if everything has gone back to normal except for the mark left by the spirit tree on Kimmy’s arm. Emma returns home late the next day and notices Liza upside down attached to the roof, sweeping as bits of the stones above drop small grains of dust and sand.*

  Emma: Hey, Liza. I think that’s a bit excessive.

  Liza: Understood. Should I clean elsewhere?

  Emma: Don’t you sleep?

  Liza: I enter a rest period, yes. I had an eight full Planck's.

  Emma: I’m not even gonna ask… I’m tired, I’m going to bed.

  Liza: Goodnight, Mistress.

  Emma: *Tired* Night.

  *As Emma curls up next to Griffin, he smiles.*

  Griffin: How’s everyone?

  Emma: *Sigh* They’re fine. We went over basic spellcasting to further protect her. Not that she should need it, but how am I to know they don’t already know?

  Griffin: They?

  Emma: *Shakes head* It’s better to keep it quiet for now.

  Griffin: *Concerned* Okay, I trust you. Is Kimmy okay, though?

  Emma: Yes, of course. Some stuff happened, and we can discuss it later using Spirit Chat.

  *Griffin rolls toward Emma.*

  Emma: And to top it all off. I had to go to the store for padding.

  *Griffin rolls away from Emma.*

  Griffin: I’m sorry, goodnight.

  *Emma squints toward Griffin before rolling her eyes to a close as they both go to sleep.*

  *Spirit Chat: When two elves use their spirits to communicate.