Annlynn had become overly acquainted with the type of wood their desk had been made out of. They had written down their notes, and they had studied with some of the tips they had learned from Ildihor and the others. After working for twenty-five minutes, they would take a break. Periodically, they would often look out of the window, wishing they could do anything else. But every night, the fear of failure caught in their throat, creating a cold panic. They had to do it. They had to impress Master Galdron, and they had to ensure that Lady Selythia wouldn’t be disappointed in them.

Four hours had passed, and Lady Selythia called out, announcing dinner. Annlynn stood from their desk and sighed. A mixture of exhaustion and restlessness poured through every pore of their being. A twinge of guilt nagged at them as they sat down with their family.

They had been here for two weeks, and they couldn’t even interact much, knowing how many studies they had to complete before they could make it into school. Annlynn smiled at Lady Selythia, and at the cook.

The dinner that night was made up of a lamb chop, a sprig of leafy greens, and a parsnip puree on the bottom. In looking at the plating, Annlynn couldn’t help but feel there was something wrong with it. They took a bite, noting the whirlpool of flavors. They had eaten parsnips before, but the aromas embedded in the food were unlike what they had known back home. The greens had a sharp, bitter flavor which served as a bridge between the rich flavors of the lamb, and the sweet, almost nutty flavors of the root vegetables.

Nearby, Tylvielle had some legumes in the center instead of the lamb. Annlynn had often wondered about that, but they had never asked. But the fact that she was able to refuse foods which they could only dream of back home was a novelty to them.

As they set back their empty plate, Annlynn gave a long, low sigh.

“I think I need some fresh air,” they murmured. “I'm tired.”

As Annlynn stepped outside, they made for a nearby bay, inhaling the smell of the salty brine. Waves hissed and curled on the shore, and gulls cried out overhead. A subtle mist percolated in the air. As they stepped up near the waves, they were lost in the sounds. They could stand there for hours, not moving, despite the threatening sunset.

They prayed to Orthanik as they stood there. Annlynn could be certain they would need to go to the wilderness to communicate with the gods. And yet, everything he'd known about Orthanik was that Orthanik was a protector of nature, even going as far as to do so through uncomfortable means. Maybe the god would understand why Annlynn went to the ocean. That, too, likely needed to be protected from those who would seek to defile it. As he found a shell, he took it and held it out to the water.

Orthanik, if you're here, I hope you can appreciate this. They placed the shell into the angry sea, trying to think Trying not to think about what he had done. And yet, as they looked onward, there was a strange sense of yearning.

Their powers were awake, and so were the desires to connect to the deity that blessed them.

When they returned home, Annlynn found Ildihor waiting near the entrance. Hesitating, Annlynn complained at the thought of it. But as they squared their shoulders, they asked.

“I suppose we should work on our sword skills together,” Annlynn said.

“Come on,” Ildihor said, giving a cheeky smile. “Let’s get you caught up. How did the rest of your studies go today?”

“I feel like the other students would be angry with me,” Annlynn said. “Calling me a nerd. But I studied for four hours today.”

“Yeah, you did spend a lot of time in your room today, but that is alright,” Ildihor said. He gave a wicked grin. “It’s a part of being a young teenager.”

“I suppose I should start practicing my Karythian with you.” Annlynn shrugged.

“We can do it,” Ildihor said. “But let’s see how you do with that sword.”

Annlynn made their way through the steps, following Ildihor’s lead. At the end, as they sparred with one another, Annlynn imagined they were sparring against Tarvos. That Tarvos could experience a life like this.

After putting their blade down prematurely, Annlynn grimaced, thinking about the fact that even if he was alive, Tarvos would have less of a reason to come here. He still had a family who loved him. But they were all gone.

“You seem tired,” Ildihor said. “Have you been sleeping?”

“Trying, I promise,” Annlynn said dully, looking at their shoes. “But some nights, my mind has other ideas.”

Ildihor turned back to him, giving a stern glare. “Why aren't you sleeping more? What is keeping you awake.”

“Memories,” Annlynn said. “I had a childhood friend, and he would have loved the elven world. Unfortunately, there was the tornado, and he–. He visits my dreams always, and some nights, it’s as if I am still there, watching the twister destroy his house.”

“I’m sorry,” Ildihor said softly. “You’ve mentioned the tornado before, and your best friend. I wish there was a way I could help you through it.”

Annlynn shook their head. “And then I have been thinking about my destiny, and the fact that there’s a choice I have to make there.”

“You know, Queen Asonya was once blessed by Orthanik herself,” Ildihor said, brandishing his sword. “Just because you are blessed by a complicated god, doesn’t mean you will be corrupted yourself.”

“I suppose so,” Annlynn said. The guilt lurked. “I suppose I could talk to Selythia about finding a healer, but I just don’t know.”

Ildihor touched Annlynn’s shoulder gently. “I think you should discuss finding a healer with her. It’s not healthy to hold that much trauma. In the meantime, would you like to try again with your sword lessons?”

Annlynn worked through the steps. This time, they imagined they were in a battle against the tornado, still looking for revenge. They growled as they parried a blow from Ildihor. Ildihor grinned, and then he disarmed them.

“You do have a lot of spirit, kid, ” Ildihor said. 

“I need a break,” Annlynn said. “I will be back tomorrow.”

When they found their room, they took out the stone the huntresses gave him. The sheen green, as it waited on his desk, called to the command as they waited. They took their hand out, as if they knew how to use it. Even still, they would not touch it with their bare hands. The the green exterior faded, showing a barren, grassy landscape in the screen. As they noted the landscape, a raw homesickness clouded his emotions.

They didn’t understand why such a landscape would cause such a reaction. The old world had only brought pain and anguish. Why they wanted to go back was a mystery.

“Hello,” Annlynn whispered, trembling. “I promise I didn’t touch the stone with my bare hands.”

Sylvania paused. “Are you alright?”

“I was hoping to talk to Asonya,” Annlynn said. “I'm not in danger, but I do feel overwhelmed. Rumors have it she was blessed by Orthanik as well?”

Asonya appeared within the stone, giving a cold glare. “Indeed, I have been. But you should be careful using this stone. Have you worked on any healing since you entered the elven world?”

Annlynn nodded, even though it was partially alright. Their stomach lurched. “I have cut off my hair and rejected the notion of being a girl. The other details are still murky, but that counts as healing, right?”

“I suppose so,” Asonya said, grinning. “Apologies for how we left you, by the way. We're not exactly on the best terms with Selythia. But that extends to back when I was a queen, and it deals with an old family feud.”

“The prophecy was right,” Annlynn said. “I wanted to get your advice on how to manage such a goal.”

“Not everyone who was blessed by Orthanik turns out to be corrupted,” Asonya said. “I had the same blessing when I was born. Your healing is of the utmost importance. Because if your magic remains twisted, and if you use it as is, it will harden the way it is.”

Annlynn shuddered, not certain of what else to say. Only. “What do you mean.”

Asonya knelt, so that her full head was in view. “Think of your magic as if it’s a bunch of thread. Now, every time you use your magic, it hardens, turning into the most unmalleable of wires. How are you working the stone?”

“It's on my desk,” he said. “I don't touch it myself.”

“Good,” Asonya said, her voice stern. “This stone can be used in emergency, as that’s more important when your life is in danger. But do be careful of how you use it otherwise. Because while not all magic is the same, you have to be careful.”

After the call ended, they slumped. They should have gone and asked for a magic healer. And yet, there was an awkwardness about it. If the elves knew just what their parents were, and why the revolution had occurred, would their reputation still be the same? And yet, there was still the yearning to go home, which they still pondered.

Their life was vastly better in the elven world, and yet seeing their old home left them with desires he couldn't quell. He did not miss his old stepmother, and he began harboring new resentments toward her. And yet, there was the way of life which he understood easily, and the privilege of having to struggle to understand the language. He did not yearn for the past, but he only craved a life that didn’t take such efforts to fit in.

Annlynn should have ignored the stone, leaving it alone. But there was one other person he could contact. They flicked their hand over the stone and called Orthanik’s name. Then, after shifting the energy, their heart raced. The stone did not turn to the elves, but it went into the wilderness.

A god two goat's horns and slanted eyes appeared. The expression on his face was that which would give him the appearance of a villain in a fairy tale.

“I'm here,” Annlynn said. “I shouldn’t be, but now that my powers are awake, I suppose I should contact you..”

The deity turned to them, his eyes intent. “Your magic is still woefully broken, and yet you decide to contact me? After those other elves warned you?”

Annlynn’s face flushed. “I–”

“I know,” the deity said. “Asonya was blessed by me as well. I keep an eye on all of those I have blessed.”

“So when I am thinking of you,” Annlynn said. “That means it’s because you were watching?”

“In a matter of speaking, but regardless” Orthanik said. “You should not be able to use your magic in the first place after what the human king did to you. You are already suffering from nightmares, and you should know that contacting me right now can make things worse.”

“I just want answers,” Annlynn said said. 

“I have blessed you with magic, but I cannot guide you yet,” Orthanik said. “You must start at the beginning. Go find a spiritual guru and then come back.”

Annlynn gave a long moment, and then they turned back to Orthanik. “If there's one thing I could know about my destiny, what is it?”

“You will officially decide on whether or not to take your destiny when you turn eighteen,” Orthanik said. “Now, you must go. Now.”

Annlynn took a velvet cloth and placed it on top of the stone and slipped it back in their bag. A moment later, they glanced back at their homework, staring into space, watching the patterns within their books. Not only did they have to concern themselves with their academic efforts, but they also had to contend with a destiny they knew very little about.

And yet, every time they tried to find answers, they only came back with more answers.