Page 25 of The Void

The general leaned back, crossing his arms over his chest.

“The first, you would come, followed by your chosen companion. The second, you would restore what was taken from him.” He motioned to Lucas. “The third, you would fight in the great battle between light and dark and restore this realm to what it once was, before the great darkening.”

“The great darkening?” she and Lucas said at the same time.

The general leaned forward. “What have you seen of our great city?”

Mia tilted her head. “There are no children. Only about a hundred or so people. No one leaves or comes.”

The general nodded. “Children have become myths, as has there being anything beyond the walls.”

“How do you…” Lucas started. “I mean, you are all here. How is it that you exist without children?”

“We have always been,” the general answered with a frown.

There was a pause in the conversation.

“Just how old are you?” Mia asked, leaning forward.

The general frowned. “Old? We do not count. We have always been. Since the day Fa Li left this realm, outside of our reach.”

“Fa Li?” Mia gasped, then looked at Lucas. “My ancestor who escaped this place.”

“Escaped?” The general’s voice boomed as he stood up. “She fled, only taking with her those she had created. The rest of us, those that remained, were forced into this…”—he motioned around them—“darkness.”

“Just how are we supposed to win against the darkness?” Lucas asked.

“That is not for us to know,” he answered. “I have my troops ready for the coming battle. Everyone has been moved into this building for their own safety. We are all now under your protection.” The general nodded. “You will let me know if there is anything you need of us. Until then, it is important that you stick close. I would suggest not leaving this tower.”

“Why? What is the threat?” Lucas asked.

“Darkness comes,” the general answered. “And you must be the light that consumes it,” he said to Mia. Then he stood up and walked out of the room.

More than an hour later, she and Lucas sat in her rooms. Well, he sat while she paced.

“Why me?” she asked, turning to march across the room once more.

“According to everyone here, because you’re the djinn,” he answered. “First steps first, how about we figure out how it is you’re supposed to give me my powers back.”

She stopped pacing. “Good idea.” She tilted her head. “How do we do that?”

He frowned. “You mentioned there was a cave somewhere with your family’s history in it. Maybe there’s something in there that can help us?”

“I tried to go there, before, when I first came here,” she answered with a frown. “I couldn’t.”

“But you said it yourself. In the past few days, since officially taking over here, your powers have grown. Maybe you can go there now?” he suggested.

She nodded. “It’s worth a try.” She walked over to him as Lucas stood up. “Hold on to me.” She wrapped her arms around him and thought of the cave.

Mia knew the instant it worked. The air around them changed. The smell of old leather books, a slight hint of damp cave and dirt engulfed them.

“Wow,” Lucas said, then whistled. “This place is… huge.”

She smiled. “I did it.” She did a little dance of celebration around Lucas, who laughed at her moves.

“This is a cave?” Lucas asked, turning around a few times.

“Yup,” she smiled, fully happy with herself.