The Author’s Apprentice

I fell through a tunnel of blinding blue light. I couldn’t tell what was up or down as I tumbled through the air. I was flung back and forth through the swirling wormhole so harshly the breath was knocked out of my lungs.

Before I knew it, I was thrown out and landed hard onto grassy earth.

“No,” I wheezed, lying on my back and trying to catch my breath. I forced myself to my feet and looked around for the portal, still disoriented. I caught sight of it a few feet away from me, still active. “No, no, no!”

I ran toward the portal as fast as my legs would carry me. “Logan, please — !”

Rip.

I froze in place, clutching at my chest as that horrible, agonizing ripping sound echoed in my ears, and an image of a scrap of paper being torn in half flashed before my eyes.

He had destroyed the key.

“NO!”

The portal deactivated. The swirling blue light faded, leaving the portal nothing but a large metal ring.

I slammed my hands on the metal in fury, sadness, and fear. Hot tears streamed down my face as I fell to my knees, murmuring my friends’ names between sobs. “Evelyn… Logan…”

I felt so utterly exhausted, sore, and miserable, that all I could do was curl up into a ball and huddle against the portal, hating myself more than ever. Everyone I cared about was gone — and it was my fault. I was alone.

A faint glow caught my eye, but it was a few minutes before I could even get up the energy to move. I realized it was coming from my bag and opened it. Inside was the enchanted map, the letter from A, the compass, and the scroll that I hadn’t yet opened — which was now glowing. I slowly took it out, reading the note written on it:

Open only in a time of greatest doubt

Well, I thought bitterly, if there ever was a time of greatest doubt in my life, this would be it. I unclasped the scroll and unrolled it. It read:

Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.

— Joshua 1:9

Be strong and courageous? How am I supposed to do that when I’m weak, lost, and alone? But then I looked at the scroll again. The Lord your God is with you wherever you go… I sighed, then got into a kneeling position, clasped my hands together, and closed my eyes.

Hi, God, I prayed awkwardly. I’m really sorry for not talking to You earlier, or even thinking much about You during the recent events. It’s just all been really overwhelming — but I know that’s not an excuse, and I’m sorry. Please forgive me. I paused, organizing my thoughts, then continued: I’m just really scared. My friends are gone, I’m weak and hurt, and I don’t even know where I am right now. I can’t do this without You. Please give me strength, and give me courage — because I’m going to need it. In Jesus’ name, amen.

And then I stood up, filled with newfound determination.

I studied my surroundings for the first time since landing in this dimension. I was in a small valley nestled between rocky mountains made of coral-colored stone. The grass was a pale green. The trees were all the vibrant colors of autumn — reds, greens, oranges, yellows — and resembled evergreens in shape. The sky was a mint color, and blue-tinted clouds floated lazily past the orange sun. Everything seemed to have a golden glow, like that of a sunset in my native dimension. It was breathtaking.

I inhaled deeply; the air smelled of snow and pine. I closed my eyes and reached out mentally to Logan and Evelyn. I couldn’t connect to their minds, but I could feel them just beyond my reach, just beyond this realm.

I exhaled. They were alive.

I took the compass out of my bag and held it up to my lips, then spoke the keyword. “Love.”

The golden emblem lit up, and the needle pointed toward the orange sun, which hung low in the sky. West.

I slung my bag over my shoulder and straightened up. “Alright, Agapē Order,” I said. “Time for you to finally be found.”

And with that, I began my journey.

I trekked through the multicolored forest, following the compass’s direction. I wove through tight patches of brush, climbed rock faces, and scaled steep drop-offs. I stopped every so often to rub my scar, which had been burning ever since my last encounter with Kai. I’d forced myself to ignore the pain; I had bigger problems to deal with.

Eventually I came to a crystal-clear lake, where I decided to stop for a drink. As I leaned down to scoop up some of the water, I caught sight of my reflection and gave a start. I scrambled backward, breathing heavily and unsure of what I’d just seen. I gingerly leaned in again to study my reflection more closely, and winced at what I saw.

The scar had reopened, and thick, webbed black veins snaked from the scar across the left side of my face. Petrified, I slowly reached up to touch it. As soon as my fingers made contact, a burning feeling shot through my skin and I immediately yanked my hand back down. What is happening to me?

Whatever Kai had done to me had to have aggravated the scar, causing this to happen.

I had to hurry.

I continued following the compass until, finally, I came across a wide rock face with several circular carvings in the side, like windows, and a large, arched doorway covered by hanging vines.

This was it. I’d finally found them.

The Agapē Order.

I started toward the mountain when several cloaked figures bearing long blades and spears rushed out of the ivy canopy. I stopped in my tracks as they pointed their weapons at me and shouted, “Freeze!”

“Identify yourself!” one of the warriors demanded.

“My name is Stormi Griffin,” I said. I pulled up my sleeve to expose my gauntlet. “I’m a Storyteller.”

Murmurs ripples throughout the guards. They glanced at each other, paused a moment, then turned back to me.

“Come with us. We need to ask you a few questions.”

I nodded. I took a step toward them, when a sudden, fiery pain shot through my face, knocking me to my knees. I collapsed on my side in the light green grass. The image of the cloaked figures rushing toward me and the sounds of their worried shouts quickly faded as the world around me went dark.

* * *

Evelyn lifted her head groggily, her eyes fluttering open. She was in a room so dark that she could barely see. Something thick and tough secured her in place, though she couldn’t yet tell what it was. Once her eyes adjusted, she looked down and saw that some sort of plant was sprouting from the ground by her feet, and its thick black tendrils were wrapped around her.

“Look who’s awake,” said a voice from in front of her.

Evelyn squinted at the darkness until she could make out two forms in front of her, one a tall and unfamiliar man, and the other an all-too-familiar boy. “Kai,” she hissed.

He narrowed his eyes at her.

Evelyn saw that his shoulder was bandaged where she’d shot him, and felt a wave of satisfaction. “Nice bandage.”

He glared at her, but said nothing.

“So this is one of those Storytellers that kept getting in your way?” the man asked. “Huh. Thought they’d be taller.”

Evelyn scowled. The man gave her a contemptful look, his eerie yellow eyes glowing in the darkness and sending a chill down Evelyn’s spine.

“Well, you’re not the one we wanted, but at least my little brother’s mission wasn’t a complete and utter failure. I’m surprised he used that little technique I taught him on Griffin — I didn’t think he had it in him.”

Kai stared at the ground.

Evelyn looked back and forth between the man and Kai. So this was the brother he kept mentioning. So far, he seemed just as unpleasant as Kai made him out to be.

“What do you want with me?” Evelyn demanded.

“Oh, nothing at all,” said the man. “Just sit tight right there. The Phobatendril will take care of everything.”

Evelyn’s eyes widened, and fear tied a knot in her stomach. So that’s what this plant was…

“We’re going to play a little game,” the man said, his eyes steely. “Let’s see if your friend can get here and rescue you before that plant sucks away your life force, and you die.”

* * *

I awoke in an unfamiliar setting, feeling more refreshed and rested than I had since leaving the Library. I looked around the room, confused. The whole room appeared to be carved from stone — the same sunset-pink stone that made up the mountains — and sunlight filtered in from a roughly cut window. I was lying on a comfortable white bed with blue and gold accents that matched the rest of the room’s decorations.

Then I remembered my dream. Although, I knew it wasn’t just a dream, even if I wished it had been. My friends were in trouble, and they didn’t have long.

I started to sit up when a sharp pain shot through my head.

“Easy there, Storyteller.”

I gave a start at the voice. I looked around again and saw a teen girl perched on the dresser, her legs crossed casually as if it were completely normal to sit on a dresser. A small golden tattoo of the Agapē Order’s emblem on her cheek glimmered in the sunlight. She gazed at me with curious emerald-green eyes through her perfectly straight, platinum blond hair.

“Our healers did what they could, but that was a pretty bad injury. Looks like you ran into a Dark Ally; they create their weapons out of shadows, which tend to leave certain...side effects, if injured by one — as you must have learned,” she said. “It will heal with time, but for now, you need to take it easy.”

I felt my cheek to find it was now wrapped with bandages.

The girl tilted her head at me. “You’re worried. Fearful.” She then blushed slightly. “Apologies — I didn’t mean to use my empathy on you. It just…happens sometimes.”

She paused, studying me. “Is something wrong?”

“My friends,” I mumbled. “They were taken. They’re in trouble.”

“Oh dear,” said the girl. Her eyes lit up. “Perhaps I could help. I’ve been training to become a Missionary — those are soldiers sent out on solo or small group missions.”

“That would be great,” I said, my eyes widening hopefully. “Um, I don’t mean to be rude, but…who are you?”

“Oh, of course — where are my manners?” The girl hopped down from the dresser, her tawny cloak sweeping the ground. She held herself with an air of confidence and discipline. “I’m Ruth,” she said. “I was sent to help you get situated.”

“I’m Stormi,” I said.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Stormi,” Ruth said with a small smile.

“So, you can help me save my friends?” I asked eagerly.

“Possibly,” she said. “But right now, you need rest. And most definitely food.”

My stomach growled, as if agreeing with Ruth.

“The bathroom and shower is through that door if you want to freshen up. There’s some fresh clothes in there for you, too. When you’re done, I’ll give you a tour of our base, and we can talk more about your friends’ situation.”

I nodded, reluctantly climbing out of the incredibly comfortable bed and heading into the bathroom. The shower was much-needed, and it felt incredible. The clothes that had been left out for me were similar to the ones I had been wearing — an indigo t-shirt, a blue-gray hoodie, stretchy jeans, and lace-up shoes — but they were even more comfortable.

“You ready?” Ruth asked as I walked out of the bathroom.

“Yep,” I said. “Lead the way.”

Ruth led me out of the room, down a long hall, and into a large, cylindrical area that looked to be the carved-out inside of a mountain. Plants and vines covered the walls and hung down like curtains in front of the few windows that let in the natural light. It was mostly lit by floating orbs of light similar to the ones I’d seen in the study in Sequoia National Park. There were several walkways and staircases made of pink stone that branched out from the walls of the mountain. People all dressed in cloaks milled around, traveling across the walkways and through corridors carved into the mountain walls. We stood on a stone balcony that seemed to be somewhere in the middle of it all; the stairways extended so far upward that I had to crane my neck to see the ceiling, and so far downward I had to lean over the railing to see the bottom.

“This is the Nexus,” said Ruth, gesturing to the room, “the connecting passageway between each of our sectors. There are seven sectors in total: the sleeping quarters, where you will be staying for the present; the dining hall; the classrooms; the training grounds; the conference rooms; the libraries; and the sanctuary. Each Sunday, there will be a church service in the sanctuary. Depending on how long you will be staying, you are encouraged but not mandated to come.”

I followed Ruth down a few staircases to the dining hall, where they were serving breakfast. She and I received a plate of bacon, pancakes, and scrambled eggs from one of the cooks and went to sit down at one of the many long tables stretched across the room. “How’s your wound healing?” Ruth asked.

“Oh,” I said, my hand moving instinctively to my cheek, “it’s doing good. Thanks for asking.”

She nodded. “You know, you’re the first member of another alliance to seek us out in years. I’d begun to think we’d be in hiding forever. I thought maybe you coming here meant we’d be able to resurface soon.”

“That’s not exactly why I’ve come,” I said. “My friends and I came in hope to find refuge. Our Library was attacked, and our Author told us to come here.”

“Well, hospitality is kind of our thing,” Ruth said with a nod.

“But on the way…a member of the Dark Alliance attacked us,” I continued somberly. “My friends were captured. I think they’re being used as bait, to get to me.”

“But you’re going after them anyway, right?” Ruth asked.

I sighed. “I can’t just leave them. If I don’t rescue them soon, they’ll be killed.”

“Your loyalty is admirable,” she told me. “But you can’t go after them alone.” A grin spread across her face. “You know, the best way to fight darkness is with light… I know just who you need. Finish up, and I’ll take you to him.”

Both confused and intrigued, I quickly finished my meal. When we were both done, we got up and Ruth led me through the expansive base. We traveled up a few staircases, turned some corners, then went down a hall to a large room that looked just like a church sanctuary. A young man, about seventeen or eighteen, was sitting in one of the pews reading a Bible. He had dark brown, stylishly cut hair, and his blue eyes moved left to right over the pages. He wore a cloak similar to everyone else’s, except his was white.

“Joshua!” Ruth exclaimed as she tackled him in a hug.

The boy gave a start, then laughed and hugged her back. “Hello Ruth,” he said. He pulled away and glanced at me. “I assume this is the Storyteller that everyone’s talking about?”

“Stormi Griffin,” I said, shaking his hand. I noticed that the Order’s symbol was painted on the back of his hand. “Is everyone really talking about me?” I asked, feeling myself blush slightly.

“Well, word has spread pretty fast,” said Joshua. “From what I’ve heard, there’s been some controversy about your arrival. Most think you coming is a sign that it’s time to come out and fight again, which can be viewed positively or negatively.”

“I’m sorry — I didn’t mean to cause any trouble,” I said.

“Oh, no, don’t be,” he said. “It’s not your fault.” He turned to Ruth. “So…what brings you two here?”

“We need your help,” Ruth told him. “Stormi’s friends were captured by the Dark Alliance. We’re going to need a lightbender on our side if we want to rescue them.”

Joshua’s eyes widened. “Me?! But — I’m not qualified for a rescue mission! I’m still in training — I can barely bend a sun ray!”

“Well, now’s your chance to practice what you’ve learned,” said Ruth.

Joshua shook his head. “No, I — I can’t. I won’t be any help. You should find another lightbender — a more experienced one.”

“Joshua.” Ruth placed a hand on his shoulder. “There’s no lightbender I’d rather take than you.” She gave him a half-smile. “You’re plenty experienced, you’re just being modest. We need you, Josh.”

“Oh — don’t try to guilt me, Ruth,” Joshua mumbled.

“Please?” Ruth said, giving him big, pleading eyes. “Won’t you do this for your best friend in the whole world?”

Joshua sighed. “Fine,” he said defeatedly. “But only if the Lightweaver gives us her permission.”

“The Lightweaver?” I asked.

“Our leader,” Joshua explained. “If you followed the letter she left, then you’ll know her as A.”

“Surely she’ll give us permission for a rescue mission,” said Ruth. “Could we really call ourselves the Agapē Order if we didn’t help those in need?”

Joshua shook his head. “Not every situation is as simple as that, Ruth.”

Ruth rolled her eyes. “Let’s just go ask her already. There’s no time to lose!” She gestured for us to follow her and dashed out of the sanctuary.

“She’s been longing for a mission for years,” Joshua told me as we jogged to catch up with her. “She says she feels ‘cooped up’ here in the Haven — you know, this giant mountain base that can fit an entire secret society.” He smirked and rolled his eyes. “I, on the other hand, like it just fine here. It’s safe.”

“Yeah…” I said. “I’m sorry for what happened to you and the Order. That must’ve been scary.”

Joshua nodded. “Yeah. Ruth and I were just kids when the attack happened. A couple of carefree twelve-year-olds.” He scoffed. “Miss those days.”

“You know, you don’t have to come if you don’t want to. You can stay here, where you’re safe.”

Joshua smiled and shook his head. “Nah, that’s okay. It’s my duty as a member of the Agapē Order to help those in need. I’m glad to help you. Besides, Ruth wouldn’t let me stay even if I wanted to,” he added with a chuckle.

I laughed. “So, you and Ruth have been friends for a while? You seem pretty close.”

Joshua smiled fondly. “Yep, best friends since birth. I don’t know what I’d do without her. Especially when the attack happened — I probably wouldn’t have made it out alive if it weren’t for her.”

“I know you’re talking about me, Josh,” said Ruth, throwing a look over her shoulder at him. “It’s rude to talk about people behind their backs.”

Joshua scoffed. “How do you know what I’m talking about?”

“You have that warm fuzzy feeling you always get when you talk about me,” said Ruth.

Joshua blushed. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Shame on you for lying, Joshua,” Ruth scolded. “You know you love me.”

I laughed.

“Come on, you chuckleheads. We’re here.”

We had reached two cedar doors with the Agapē Order’s symbol painted on them. Ruth pushed the doors open to reveal a large study that was similar to the Author’s, with shelves of scrolls, a desk in the center with an open Bible lying on it. A woman stood next to the desk, her posture proud and tall, but with a kind smile on her face. She wore an ornate white cloak that contrasted with her deep golden skin and pitch-black hair. Her warm brown eyes sparkled when we walked in.

Ruth and Joshua bowed their heads in respect, and I followed suit.

“Ruth, Joshua,” the Lightweaver said, addressing my two companions, “...and the Storyteller I’ve heard so much about. Might I ask what brings you to our humble Haven, young Storyteller?”

I cleared my throat. “My friends and I sought you out hoping to find refuge, but on our way here, my friends were captured by the Dark Alliance. I humbly request your help to rescue them.”

“Ah, I see…” said the Lighweaver solemnly. After a moment of consideration, she looked up at me. “Well then, it seems the perfect candidates to accompany you on your mission are already here,” she said with a smile.

“Really?” Ruth and Joshua said together, in opposite tones; Ruth sounded eager, and Joshua sounded timid.

The Lightweaver nodded. “I figure this will be the perfect opportunity for Ruth to complete her Missionary training, and for Joshua to step out of his comfort zone. I trust that you two are the ones fit for this mission.”

“But — I don’t know the first thing about Missionary work,” said Joshua. “I’ve only ever trained in the Haven — are you certain I’m the best person for the job?”

“I’m certain,” said the Lightweaver. “Joshua, you must trust that the Lord will watch over you. Have faith, and do not be afraid.”

Joshua still looked hesitant, but he nodded reluctantly.

“Now, you must leave as soon as possible,” she said. “There isn’t much time. We don’t want to leave Stormi’s friends in the clutches of the enemy any longer than we have to.”

Ruth bowed her head again. “Yes, ma’am. We’re on it.”

“Oh, one more thing,” I said.

The Lightweaver looked at me curiously. “Yes?”

“Do you happen to have a pencil and some paper that I could borrow?”

“Oh, of course.” The Lightweaver opened a drawer in the desk and pulled out a roll of yellowed paper and a pencil, then handed them to me.

I took them gratefully. “Thank you.”

The Lightweaver smiled. “I have faith in you three. Be safe. You are dismissed.”

We left the office in three very different moods; Ruth brimming with excitement, Joshua filled with apprehension, and me somewhere in between, shaky with anxiety, and yet determined as ever to rescue my friends.

“Alright,” said Ruth, standing before us with a leaderly air. “We’ll go pack our things and prepare for the mission ahead. Then we’ll meet up at the Haven entrance. Got it?”

I nodded. Joshua hesitated, then nodded as well.

“Great. See you guys in a little bit.” Ruth dashed off, her white-blond hair flying behind her.

Joshua and I separated, and I headed back to my room to grab my things. I picked up my bag from where it was lying on the bed and made sure everything was inside it. “Okay,” I muttered to myself, “scrolls, check; compass, check…wait a second…”

I spotted something on the bottom of the bag, and curiously reached in to pull it out. It was the teardrop-shaped dagger. I hadn’t paid it much notice when I first received the bag, and had since completely forgotten about it. It was very beautiful, with a flawless white blade and an ornate wooden handle wrapped in soft leather. The end of the handle was carved to look like a small cross.

As I studied the dagger, a feeling in my gut told me that I would need this on our mission. I stuffed the dagger back into the bag, closed it, then slung it over my shoulder. I took a deep breath to steady my nerves, then headed out of the room.

It took a while to navigate the many halls and staircases without Ruth as my guide, but eventually I found my way to the entrance where Ruth and Joshua were waiting. They stood on a stone ledge extending from the side of the mountain, in the lower section of the Nexus right where the stone turned to dirt, and any levels below were underground. Behind them was a gaping archway with curtains of vines spilling over the entryways.

“You guys ready for our mission?” asked Ruth.

“Ready as I’ll ever be,” I said.

“Josh?” she asked, turning to him.

Joshua shook his head. “Nowhere near.”

“Alright then,” she said. “Let’s go.”

We walked through the archway and out into the wilderness. “The portal’s not far from here,” I said.

I led Ruth and Joshua through the rocky, rose-colored mountains. It took a bit of hiking, but eventually we found our way back to the small valley where I’d first appeared in this dimension. The portal stood in the center of the little mountain clearing, its base embedded in the earth. Moss and vines had made their homes on the surface of the rusty metal. A little yellow butterfly perched on top of it. The portal looked out of place in the forest, yet at the same time, it looked right at home.

“It’s deactivated,” said Ruth. “Forgive me if I’m wrong, but…wouldn’t you have had to activate the portal in order to get here?”

“I did,” I said. “But when I traveled through, my friend…” My voice caught at the memory. “He destroyed the key before any shadows could get through.”

“Oh… That was very noble of him,” she said softly.

“If the key is destroyed, then how are we going to get back to our home dimension?” Joshua asked.

I opened my satchel and pulled out the parchment and pencil the Lightweaver had given me. “I’m going to make a new one.”

Ruth and Joshua glanced at each other, eyes wide. “Is that even possible?” Ruth wondered.

“I don’t know, but I’m going to try. I am a Storyteller, after all.” I took the pencil in hand and unrolled the parchment. I closed my eyes and brought to mind images of the dimension I’d come from. I then opened my eyes and began to write.

I wrote descriptions as fluid and vivid as I could conjure, sure to add every last detail. I wrote about Zion National Park, and the tunnel into the mountain. I wrote about the chamber it led to. I wrote about the portal itself, down to the yellow gleam of the metal in the glow of the floating orbs of light. I wrote, and wrote, and rewrote, until I was sure I had done enough.

Finally, I stood. I rolled up the parchment and approached the portal slowly. This had to work. If it didn’t, the Agapē Order and I would be trapped in this dimension forever, and Logan and Evelyn would die.

I took a deep breath, then placed the parchment into the slot at the top of the portal. I stepped back and the three of us stared at the portal anxiously, waiting, praying it would light up…

And it did.

It took a moment, but a soft blue glow encompassed the portal and created a wall of swirling blue light.

I looked at Ruth and Joshua. “Ready?”

They nodded.

And together, we stepped into the portal.