The tower trembles under Varek's presence. His eyes, pale and sharp, sweep over us like a predator measuring prey. My parents stand behind me, fear etched deep into their faces, while Lorean clings to my side. The notebook thrums violently in my bag, almost as if it knows the danger and is preparing for the battle to come.
"You think you can take what belongs to me?" Varek hisses, his voice echoing off the stone walls. Shadows twist and coil around him like living smoke. "This world… this universe… it bends to my will. And now, you dare interfere?"
I swallow hard, gripping the notebook. My fingers brush the leather cover, feeling the hum of magic vibrating through me.
"We're not afraid of you," I whisper, though my voice wavers. "We're going to bring our parents back. And we're going to stop you."
Varek laughs, a low, cruel sound that shakes the room. "Bravery is admirable… but meaningless."
The shadows surge toward us. My heart races. I know the notebook can help—but I have to be precise. Every word, every creation counts. One mistake and everything could be lost.
I pull out the notebook, flipping quickly to a blank page. I focus, taking a deep breath, and write carefully:
A barrier of silver light rises around us, strong and unyielding, shielding my family from Varek's attack.
The air shimmers as a glowing wall of light springs up. Shadows crash against it, twisting and writhing, but cannot break through. Lorean gasps, pressing herself against me.
"It's working," she whispers.
"Yes," I say, trying to keep my fear at bay. "But it won't hold forever."
Varek snarls, stepping forward. "Do you think a mere barrier can stop me?"
I swallow hard, feeling the weight of the notebook. The words I write now must be deliberate, strong, and precise. There's no room for error.
I continue:
A magical duplicate of myself appears, moving alongside us to distract Varek, while hidden paths open to guide my parents and Lorean out safely.
The duplicate flickers into existence, a perfect mirror of me, and immediately draws Varek's attention. His eyes narrow. He strikes at the illusion, and it shatters, but it buys us precious seconds.
I grab my parents' hands. "This way! Follow me!"
We run through the hidden paths, glowing faintly in the moonlight, the notebook guiding us. Varek's furious roar echoes behind us, the sound of a world unraveling.
But the victory is short-lived.
A sudden tremor shakes the ground. I stumble, clutching the notebook. Lorean cries out. One of the glowing paths collapses before us, replaced by a swirling vortex of shadow that wasn't there before. Varek's influence reaches further than I imagined.
I realize, with a cold sinking in my chest: the notebook cannot control everything. Every creation has limits, and Varek's power grows with every second we use it.
The first loss hits us hard—a supply cache vanishes into the shadows, leaving us vulnerable. I feel the notebook thrum with warning. It is alive, but even it cannot shield us from every consequence.
I clutch it tightly. "We have to keep moving," I whisper. "No matter what."
Lorean presses close to me. "We'll get through this," she says, voice shaking.
I nod, though fear claws at my chest. Varek is out there, stronger than I realized, and every step we take, every word I write, draws him closer.
And I know this for certain: the battle isn't over.
It's only just begun.