Samuel left his chair and walked over to the table, picking the book up and staring down at the leather-bound cover. The face was blank, he noticed. Some authors did this in order to cut down on the cost of production, he knew, but there would normally be something written on the spine, but in this case, that was also blank. Pulling it open to the first page, he noticed it was blank as well, as were all the other pages. It was a fresh book, with nothing written inside.

“What is this supposed to be, then?” He asked, turning back to the table. “What am I supposed to learn from an empty book?”

“It is your story,” Young Samuel said. “Look again.”

With this new idea in mind, Samuel closed the book and looked back down. As he watched, golden lines blossomed out from the center of the book, forming intricate symbols and words. It now bore his name on the front cover on the spine, leaving the back face still bare, apart from some simple golden framework. The eye of Arcana was superimposed in the background in gold.

He cracked the cover once more, noting with interest that the spine had stiffened itself as if this was the first time it had ever been opened. His heart missed several beats as he saw the first page. Black ink now covered the very center of the page, near the top. It was a simple line, yet had a powerful sense of destiny to it. What was previously just a favored catchphrase was written here, seeming much more like prophecy.

Every great story needs an author.

“What is wrong with you?” He said angrily, snapping the book shut and turning to face his younger self. “Is this supposed to be some philosophical answer to my life? Do I write my own story? What do you know?”

“I know all that you know,” Young Samuel said. “Everything you remember, I remember. But I remain pure from emotional disturbances so that I can remain, at all times, logical.”

“You’re my mind,” Samuel guessed. “Just as Isip is Ahya’s mind.”

The boy nodded, then, strangely, Elena looked up, making direct eye contact for the first time since he’d entered this memory. He caught his breath at the look of tender love on her face, the look he remembered so fondly from his childhood. The affection radiating from her seemed to fill the empty space in him, warming him from the inside and soothing his injuries, both physical and emotional.

“You’re the only one who can help yourself,” His mother said. “Pay attention to what you can do for your own good, Samuel.”

All the fight, all the irritation, all the pain was gone in an instant, and he felt no different than he had at the age of seven. He sank back into the seat at the head of the table, staring in awe at his mother’s face. His younger self seemed to fade from existence for a moment, as well as the other seat, still empty so that only he and his mother were there.

“Yes, mother,” he said calmly. “I apologize for my outbreak.”

She smiled warmly at him, her brown eyes crinkled with joy at his response. They stared into each other’s eyes for a long moment, not speaking, as the boy to the side continued to eat. Then the illusion was broken, and she returned to her plate. Soothed, but still curious, Samuel set the book upon the table and turned another page.

He’d always had a love of stories, and a skill for reading quite quickly. But even he surprised himself with how fast he read through the contents of the book. It was as if the text was a blinding sun that he couldn’t look away from, and his eyebrows shot up in amazement as the book shared its secrets with him. He read eagerly, voraciously absorbing the tale contained within.

The great majority of it was nothing new to him. True to his younger self’s words, it was the story of his life. Every moment, both good and bad, was recorded here. There was the brief memory of his father, followed quickly by his mother’s death. Then in no time, he was departing from Harlest to Milagre, starting the first great chapter of his life. His eyes flew over the journey to Arcana and Neratas with blinding speed, then his return to the world after his century in the Ethereal Plane. Finally, he came to the last few lines, depicting his battle with the chaotic mana.

As he turned the page again, he saw to his surprise that it was blank. Part of him was not surprised, as he did not know what lay behind. But another part, even smaller, felt like there was more to read if only he could see what was on the following pages. His eyes lingered on the bare parchment only a little longer, before he gently closed it and looked up.

While he’d read, his mother and younger self had left, and there was one more book in front of him. He put his life story to the side and picked it up, noting the worn cover. This book was familiar to him, as it had been written in his own hand, and he owned a physical copy of it. It was the first book he’d ever written, Tome of the Body. It was slightly thicker than he remembered, however, and was much heavier than it should have been, almost as if there were more books piled on top.

No sooner than the thought formed did the book shimmer slightly, and two more books appeared. Letting out a cry of shock, he dropped Tome of the Body and picked the second one up, staring in wonder at its cover. It was titled Tome of the Mind. He had thought of making this book, he remembered, before setting out for Zaban with Tobi. Then that meant that the third book would be related. And as he picked it up, he read the title. Tome of the Soul.

He tried to open Tome of the Soul, eager to see what was recorded within. Perhaps there was something he could learn from it, to help in his fight against the chaotic mana. But the cover refused to budge as did the contents of Tome of the Mind when he tried it next. He could only open Tome of the Body. What did this mean? Was this some hint for him to decipher?

Unbidden, an old memory came to the forefront of his mind. In Astori’s final examination, he’d been able to escape only after splitting himself into three. His physical body, his mind, and another being that he’d forgotten until now. Where had that form come from? Body, mind, and soul, a voice said in the back of his mind. That must have been it. His soul had been there, separate, but still with him.

The implication of the discovery washed over Samuel like a tidal wave, slamming new inspiration into him. He stood unsteadily, and all around him, the house vanished, leaving him alone once more in the blank void. But he wasn’t really alone, as he could sense the new presence come into place behind him. Rather, it had always been there, but he’d just now acknowledged its existence.

“Body, mind, and soul,” he said quietly. “I’m missing a third of myself.”

“Not missing,” Isip said. “Merely asleep, ready to be called to life, when you have need of it.”

Samuel turned slowly to face the god. “Why have I not realized this before now?”

Isip’s face remained neutral, though his brown eyes were smiling gently. “There is a natural order to the world, Samuel. You learn when you can, but must wait for nature to take its course.”

“So I wasn’t ready.”

“But you are now. Take this knowledge, and use it to better yourself. Learn, Samuel. Learn.”

The void vanished from around him, and he fell. He fell down for what felt like seconds, though they could have been hours, or possibly years, his mind flooding with images both old and new. And, as he fell, he understood. His thinking had been too limited. There, just within reach, was the answer he so desperately needed.

His eyes shot open, and he sat up suddenly. Someone nearby shouted in surprise, and the sound of footsteps scurrying away. He heard a voice shouting something nearby, but was too busy taking in his surroundings and focusing on the food of knowledge that had entered in his mind. He looked up only when Tobi came before him, crouched slightly in the low tent they occupied, his eyes fixed unblinkingly on him.

“I know what needs to be done,” Samuel told his apprentice, strangely breathless despite the calmness around him. “I know how to kill it.”

He was not nothing. He was a powerful mind, in a strong body, and the bearer of a wise soul. All he had to do was tap into them, and he could do anything. Tobi didn’t look at all surprised with his declaration, rather his face split into an eager grin. He held out a hand to help Samuel to his feet.

“That’s good,” Tobi replied, patting Samuel on the back. “We’ll need this new idea badly. Come outside, there are people you need to meet.”