To Beginning (Part 1) — “Took me long enough to find you. Hello, Mara.” Somehow, some way, she could hear The Magus, and it made her heart soar a thousand miles. She couldn’t see him; she couldn’t see anything but a brilliant white light enveloping her. But this was his audible voice, clear like crystal,…

To Beginning (Part 1) — WARNING: The following content may not be suitable for young readers or audiences sensitive to violent content. “Toying with that kind of energy is far too dangerous.” “More dangerous than using that same energy to shoot fire or manipulate water—like we do every day?” Mara teases. “Yes, energy levels so…

To Beginning (Part 1) — WARNING: The following content may not be suitable for young readers or audiences sensitive to violent content. Follow me. We’re leaving. Mara’s feet pounded the ground in an uneven drum beat. Ba-thump. Ba-thud-thum-thump. She staggered across the plain, ducking and dodging and weaving over the blackened, pock-marked earth that had…

To Beginning (Part 1) — WARNING: The following content may not be suitable for young readers or audiences sensitive to violent content. A concussive thoom rumbled in the distance, followed by a telltale hiss. Mara’s heart stopped. She latched onto the first thing within reach—Monroe’s arm. She squeezed so hard her nails dug into his…

To Beginning (Part 1) — By Ales Krivec on Unsplash For three long, filthy, terrifying days they had crawled through thorn and thistle and clawing limbs. They’d waded through ash and leaf and loam and mopped away sweat and tears. Today was another day of scuttling through shrubbery, concealed under tree limbs and the dim…

To Beginning (Part 1) — “You’re daydreaming again.” It’s a man’s voice. Familiar. Warm and playful. Fun and teasing. Mara lifts her head, shielding her eyes from the rays of sunshine that stream in through the tower window. She turns to see her visitor. It’s him! Her heart skips, but she tries not to show…