The Call
I woke up replaying the conversation I had with my parents the day before.
And again, I hadn't gone to the Labyrinth last night.
Two nights in a row.
What was happening?
Was I… rejected?
Ever since the attack at the coven two days ago?
I still had no answers about the guy from the Labyrinth who rescued me, appearing out of nowhere, fighting for me in a world he shouldn't even exist in. I wanted to see him again, desperately, but nothing. And for some reason, I hadn't told my parents about him. I didn't even know why. Something told me it was something I needed to understand on my own.
I washed up, dressed, and headed downstairs. Mum had prepared breakfast as usual, but I wasn't hungry. I only managed an apple.
"You have to get prepared. You'll be doing some training today," Dad said, appearing behind me.
"Oh...hey Dad. Good morning." I smiled lightly. "Training? Where's that coming from?"
"Honey, you need to start practising. You must be strong enough to fight the people coming after you."
He moved to the bookshelf, searching for a spell book. "And we need to create a protection barrier around the house, against invaders. We don't want them attacking at night while we sleep."
A barrier of protection.
God. Everything kept getting scarier.
"Alright, Papa," I muttered, trying to sound calm. I was terrified, yet somewhere inside me I could swear I didn't fully believe everything they said last night. Me? Important? I could barely channel. But… I would practise anyway.
"Did you have the dream?" Dad asked, looking concerned.
"No. Since the attack two days ago, I haven't had any dream."
I couldn't hide how worried I was. I missed the Labyrinth. And the questions it held.
"Don't worry, my dear. It'll come again," Dad assured.
"Where's Mum?" I asked.
"She went to pick up some roots for a potion after making breakfast."
"Ohh." I nodded, lips forming a small O.
After a few minutes, I went out to feed my horse, my sweet Bali,and we went for a run. While riding, I thought about Giselle. I hadn't heard from her since that night. I hoped she was okay. Her last words to me still echoed: let go of me, freak.
It stung. Deeply.
But she was my only friend. So, of course, I worried.
I decided to take a detour to her place. I didn't tell my parents, but I needed to see her.
---
Bali and I arrived at Giselle's shack. I dismounted, walked to her door, hesitated… then knocked twice.
The door flew open.
"Hey," I said with an anxious wave to the woman standing there, Giselle's mum, I guessed.
"Hello. You looking for someone?" she asked warmly.
"Yes, um, I'm one of Giselle's friends. I came to check up on her, if that's okay?"
"Come on in," she said.
I stepped into their home. The atmosphere was warm, welcoming. She gestured for me to sit while she went to get Giselle.
I sat there, thinking back to that horrible night… trying to push it away.
"Hi."
Her voice pulled me out of my thoughts.
"Hi." I smiled gently, trying not to show the hurt I felt. "How are you doing? Are you holding up okay?"
"I'm… okay, I guess. Are you good?" she replied, matching my calm tone.
"Yes, I'm fine. Thanks."
Silence dropped between us, awkward, heavy, almost sharp.
"I just wanted--" I began.
"I'm sorry," she said at the same time.
We both stopped. She looked apologetic. I kept my face unreadable.
"Go on," I said.
"I'm sorry about that night. I should have listened to you. I was drunk, I didn't know… I'm really sorry, D."
"Is that what you're sorry for?" I asked, not caring how she felt. I was hurt.
"Well… I don't know. Did I do something else?"
"Umm yeah. You called me a freak. In front of everyone!" I raised my voice a bit, trying to show just how painful it was.
"I did what?" she asked, looking honestly confused.
"You don't remember?" I stared at her, disbelieving.
"Dana… I told you I was drunk. Come on, I'd never do that sober." She sounded sincere. "For what it's worth, I'm really sorry."
"It's fine. I just needed to hear those words. We're cool now."
We talked about the attack. I told her I looked for her. She said she hid immediately, which was how she got out unhurt. Then the Sages came to the rescue.
I was just relieved she was safe.
After our talk, I rode back home for training. Dad was already waiting outside. We practised for hours, tiny bursts of magic here and there, him teaching me new spells from the book. It went well.
Night came.
And I prayed, deeply, for the Labyrinth to come.
And it did.
---
Oh, this beautiful world.
I had missed it.
But this time, I wasn't here to relax.
I had a mission.
I needed answers.
I needed to find the guy who saved me.
But how was I supposed to search for someone in a world this big?
So, I simply thought about him. Hoped for him.
And he appeared.
Just like that.
How? How did he know I was searching for him.
It was like I mentally summoned him.
He wore a silver robe with his hood up again, just like when he rescued me. He signalled for me to follow. I hurried after him. Then he stopped before a tall red door. For the first time, he turned to face me.
"Open it," he said.
"What? It's not like I have the keys," I replied, confused. "What do you mean open it? With my teeth?"
"Open it," he repeated.
"I can't open it. I don't have the keys."
"You can open it," he said, unmoved.
"What's your name?" I asked. "And how did you know I was in trouble that day?"
He didn't answer.
He just vanished.
"Oh come on!!!" I yelled. "Just when I wanted a normal conversation!"
What was he? A guardian? A spirit?
I hoped for him again, but he didn't reappear.
I turned to the red door. Tried pulling. Nothing.
So I did the thing, wishing, wanting, willing, and the door opened.
A few seconds later, he appeared again.
"You're back," I said, smiling proudly. "I did it!"
He only scoffed.
"Well, at least tell me your name. I need something to call you."
"Doya," he said plainly.
"Hmm. Doya. That's a nice name. I'm Dana." I stretched my hand out for a shake.
"I know who you are," he said, ignoring my hand completely.
"You're not so friendly, are you?" I muttered.
He didn't respond.
We stepped inside the room and it was stunning. Partially empty, but glowing with silver carpets and tall golden windows. Something at the far end caught my attention.
"What's that?" I asked.
"That is the key to the Cranium," Doya said sharply.
"The key to the Cranium? Where's the Cranium itself?" I asked, remembering what my parents told me.
"Only you know where the Cranium is located. With the help of a certain compass, you will find it."
"What compass?"
"You should already have it. When you see the compass, look for the initials 'CC'. That compass will lead you to the Cranium. But be warned, this journey will not be easy. I must ask… will you allow me to go with you?"
"Uhh...yes. Sure. Of course. I still have a lot of questions though."
"All your questions will be answered in due time."
"Okay, but… if dangerous people are looking for the Cranium, why don't we just leave it hidden? Since only I can find it, why not let it stay lost?"
"The Cranium can only be found by you and protected by you. If you don't find it first, the enemy will use you to reach it. Your powers will be exploited. But if you find it, you will gain the strength to protect it. You will become its guardian."
"And… who are these invaders?" My voice trembled.
"They are servants of the god of destruction. If they reach the Cranium, known for creation, they will destroy everything in their path. As much as the Cranium can create, it can also destroy. That power in the wrong hands would doom the world."
My heart pounded.
"Why do they want to destroy everything?"
"In due time, you will understand."
He began to fade.
I opened my mouth...
"Doya wait! That night you saved m—"
"Wake up," he said. "Before it's too late."
Before what is too late?
And then he vanished.