“Is this all you wanted us for, Mother and Father?”

I watch as Soveliss looks at his parents. He puts his hands behind his back as he waits for a word.

“No no. There is definitely more… a lot more. I just need to find the scroll.” Voron answers.

“Scroll?” Snowie asks. “What do you mean?”

“A scroll with a prophecy. The one we spoke of moments ago when the five of you first came in.” Voron explains. “Faylen, dear. Could you summon the scroll please? I think our son would find it useful.”

Faylen nods. Her hands light green as she lifts them towards the shelves. Suddenly, a small scroll emerges from one. It floats to us. The elven couple take it within their hands before looking at Soveliss.

“Do you want to read it now, son? Or would you like to wait until you get back to the observatory?” Voron asks. His eyes meet with Soveliss’s. “I understand that half of your new group isn’t here at this time.”

Soveliss sighs. “We can read it now and try to explain this to the others back at the observatory.” He nods. “Let’s crack it open.”

Slowly, Faylen opens the scroll. She rolls it out, putting it down on a table. Within the scroll, I see handwritten words in black ink. I purse my lips, unable to see what they say from where I stand.

Faylen ushers us with a hand. “Come around. I think you’ll all want to hear this.”

We come around to the table. I stand next to Amai. As I place my hand on my choker, I take a breath.

“What do you think it says?”

Amai glances at me. She puts two fingers on her winged heart charm. “It might have something to do with us? Maybe that’s why we’re being brought to listen.”

Faylen puts the parchment down on the table. As we all gather around, the room falls silent. I swear the lanterns around the study begin to darken. The words on the parchment begin to glow. Voices begin to echo as I see every Written Charm in the room glow with the words.

It’s magic.

Written Magic.

“When the Ange earns her wings

There will be a light that she brings.

A Golden Blaze from the Normal

With magic that proves to be anything but formal

Will find her way alongside a Shining Knight

In order to prove that good is right.

When the Starling shows the way

That is how you’ll save the day.

Although one will have nearly died

She will be saved by an Azure Riptide.

A Serene Scholar will eventually learn

That even Resilience leaves a burn.

And when all seems to be at a norme,

That will start a Violent Storm.”

“I’m sorry,” I speak slowly. “What does any of this mean?”

“We don’t know.” Faylen answers.

Voron nods as the lights come back on. “It just appeared out of nowhere.” He adds to Faylen’s words. “But it must be important if it appeared.”

As Faylen rolls it back up, I hear Amai speak to me telepathically.

“Wings? Ange? Does that mean me?”

I shrug. “Maybe? I dunno… I have no idea with this Destinian and Written stuff, girlie.”

Soveliss takes the scroll in his hands. “Thank you… I’ll keep this close to me. Anything else we need to know?”

His parents shake their hands.

“Not that we’re aware of.” Voron says. “We’ll alert you if anything else is urgent.”

“Thank you for coming at such short notice. All of you. Stay safe.” Faylen speaks up.

“We will,” Allisa answers.

Snowie bounces around. “Thanks!!”

Amai and I look at each other. We nod.

Soveliss puts the scroll in his pouch. He nods at his parents. “I’ll stay in touch, Mother and Father.” He says. “I promise.”

“See you soon, Son.”

Soveliss turns to the rest of us.

“Okay. Everyone who can transform, let’s do it. We’ll get back to the observatory faster. Allisa, I’ll use some speed manipulation to help you out.” He instructs.

I nod. I feel my energy rush through me as I snap my fingers and raise my arm. The golden glow takes over my vision as I feel everything change around me. As it fades, I see my form take shape, and I grin.

“Ready!”

Soveliss snaps his fingers. He transforms to his Written Form in an instant, then points to Allisa. “Windspeed.” He says. This causes Allisa’s gray eyes to glow a faint blue. She grins as her friend as she nods.

“Thanks Soveliss.”

Snowie glows brightly as she giggles. “This is gonna be super fun!”

The five of us start to leave the manor. As we all exit the doors of the mansion, I feel my energy pulsing through my body. There’s so much unknown magic inside of me. I want to learn it all. I want to figure out what the prophecy means. I want to help as best as I can.

I’m excited. Beyond excited.

“This is so much fun!” Amai says as she effortlessly glides across the ground. “I wish I knew about being Written before!”

“Me too, girlie!” I call over to her. I don’t even feel like my feet are touching the ground. I feel free.

Destiny has been nothing but an easy journey so far.

However, I suddenly hear something to my right. I skid to a stop.

“Hey guys?”

Everyone stops in their tracks. They look at me as I look around. I notice Allisa pursing her lips.

“Is everything alright, Sakasu?” She asks.

“I heard something.” I speak up. “Listen closely.”

The foliage surrounding us is shaking. Somebody or something is here. I don’t know what, but I swear I heard it. Immediately, I place my hand on my choker, and I look at Soveliss.

“Do you hear that? In the forest? Something is close by.”

Soveliss nods at me. He gently holds the feather by his ear. “That’s definitely something… I don’t know what… but I’m also sensing energy. Amai, keep your eyes out.”

Amai nods, her hand on her hairpin. “Will do.”

But as she says that telepathically, I hear Snowie bark. She looks to our right. I look over to see a girl with short, purple hair. Her pink eyes stare back at my green eyes. Her mouth is shaped in an ‘o’ with surprise. I notice her outfit; a black, one-piece suit with purple designs here and there. There are purple boots at her feet.

“Violet?!” I hear Amai whisper via telepathy.

“Is that her?” Soveliss asks. “Your sister?”

I watch as his eyes start to glow dark blue. He focuses on her as his ears start twitching a little. Allisa stays behind him, but her eyes are on Violet. Snowie stays at my side. I notice her ears are flattened as she also stares at the girl.

Amai goes to reach out to Violet.

“Vi? Is that you?”

The girl stares at my best friend. As she purses her lips for a second as her pink eyes narrow.

“Amai…”

“Violet.” Amai takes a step to her. “Your Written Form… you look great.” She smiles at her sister. She keeps her hand out to her younger sister. A grin makes its way to her face. “Are you okay? Why don’t you come with us?”

As I watch this scene play out, I start to feel my energy pulse. There’s a disturbance, but I can’t tell what. I keep my hand on my Charm, just in case I need to communicate with Soveliss or Amai telepathically. Something isn’t right.

What’s out of place?

Violet takes a step back. “What if you’re lying to me?” She asks Amai. “I don’t want to be lied to again.”

“I swear, I’d never lie to you.” Amai speaks. “And Momma didn’t mean it. You’ll be safer if you come with us.”

Safety… Why is that feeling off right now?

“Soveliss?” I look to the elf. I see his ears twitch upon hearing my voice. “Do you feel a disturbance? My energy is raging right now, and I don’t know why.”

The elven man lets out a telepathic grumble. “So I’m not the only one feeling that. Good to know… Keep your eyes out. I think I know what it is, but I-”

I hear Snowie growl. Both Soveliss and I glance down at her. I follow her gaze, aimed behind Violet. That’s when I see it.

Black, wispy magic with flecks of gray surrounding it, just a few feet behind Violet.

Immediately, I watch as Soveliss slowly reaches out for Amai’s closest hand. He holds it, trying to gently pull her back.

“Violet, sweetheart. I know you have no idea who I am, but I beg you to listen. You can trust me. My name is Soveliss. And I can assure you that you’ll be safe if you come with us. Just… walk slowly. Whatever you do.” He speaks out to her calmly.

“Soveliss, what is that?” I hear Amai ask. She must see it too. “Why is it behind my sister?”

“Amai, stay calm. If you scream, you’ll only activate it, and you might get your sister hurt.”

“Wait…” My eyes widen upon realization. “Is that Corruption?”

When Soveliss doesn’t answer, I notice that I’m holding my breath. I know Ikimono and Soveliss said that the Corruption wasn’t something to mess with. But upon seeing it with my own eyes, I’m wondering why they’re afraid. It just looks like a wisp of magic. It can’t be that bad.

Violet narrows her eyes again.

“You’re the guy that gave us these stupid Charms.”

I see Soveliss tilt his head a little. “That’s correct, yes, but listen. We can help you. You don’t want to be alone in Destiny right now. It’s dangerous. I wouldn’t lie to you. None of us will.” He keeps a hand outstretched to her. “Just please come with us.”

“Why?! Are you going to hurt me like the kids at school did?!” Violet starts to yell. “You’re going to treat me like scum too?! All because I have pink eyes and I’m related to this blonde positivity magnet?!” She points at Amai. “You never even cared or noticed that I was being tormented by your own cheer squad!”

“Violet.” Amai tries to speak. “I’d never do that. I never knew.”

“Amai’s right. None of us knew.” I speak up for my friend. “You can’t blame your troubles on us.”

“Whatever! You’re both just… in my way to becoming something that people can actually be proud of.” Violet sneers at us. “I won’t come with you!”

I notice the wisp getting closer and closer to Violet with every hurtful thing she says. I glance at Allisa, who looks nervous. She looks at me.

“We should move. Now.” I hear her say.

“Oh, so you’re going to abandon me?! Just like that?!” Violet screams. “You’re all liars!”

That’s when time slows. I see the wisp of black magic jump into the air. It soars towards Violet, and I hear Amai scream out her sister’s name. As the magic slams into the young girl, I watch her body get overtaken by a dark glow. She lets out a painful scream as she falls to her knees.

Soveliss yanks Amai back and holds her against his chest in both his arms. “We can’t stay here.” He says. “We need to go.”

“We have to save my sister!” Amai yells. “I can’t go home without her!”

As the glow fades around Violet, I see her slowly stand. Her eyes meet with mine. They’re darker than before. A smirk forms at her lips as I hear her begin to chuckle.

“I’m not going anywhere with you.” She says as she speaks. Violet raises a hand. “You’ll all regret this. Vengeance!”

A charge of dark purple energy forms at the palm of Violet’s hand. She throws it in my direction. Immediately, I feel my energy flare.

“Glimmer blast!” I scream without thinking.

I cross my arms over my face before swinging them towards the young girl. As I do this motion, a golden blast of magic flies towards the dark blast of magic. They collide, and smoke begins to take over the area. I hear Amai, Allisa, and Soveliss all begin to cough, and Violet yelps. I shield my nose and mouth with my elbow as I let out a whimper.

Did I just do that?!

“We gotta move!” Snowie barks. “Let’s go!”

I look down at Snowie and I nod. When I look back up to Soveliss, he also nods. We all begin to run.

This situation just got ugly.