Fog? Rowena thought hesitantly. The voice that had been with her on and off since her experience with the Heartstone had to know something it could tell her– it often shared its opinions about her Abilities and choices, which had been very confusing at first. But now, she hoped that it might be able to shed some light on their situation.

Mmmmmm? the voice that lived in her head sounded almost distracted, like it was annoyed to be bothered.

Rowena strengthened her resolve and demanded, What is happening to me? To us?

It paused for a few seconds. Magical energy is hard on human bodies and minds at the best of times. Trying to use it in unexpected ways? I tried to tell you back when you started using Calm Person. On yourself. Still… you seem to be holding up alright.

I don’t understand. Rowena pressed further. I want some answers. Not least of which is– who are you? Does everyone have a voice in their head all of the time? No one had ever mentioned this to her in the past, though maybe it was just something accepted and understood about Classes. Or maybe it was a Secretseeker thing.

The Fog paused again and said in uncomfortable tones, It doesn’t matter.

This gave Rowena pause. Until this point, the voice had always sounded so confident and assured. A suspicion began to grow. Do you even know who you are? Or why you’re in my head, or where you were before you were here?

Of course I do! the Fog thought indignantly. Well… sort of.

Sort of?! Rowena’s heart began beating furiously again and she clenched her fists, wondering if she could use Calm Person and Inverted Calm Person at the same time.

I wouldn’t! the Fog said urgently. You shouldn’t be using either of these on yourself at all. Or working with inversions at your level!

So you do know things! Rowena thought triumphantly.

I… Rowena almost felt the Fog sigh, and shrug its shoulders. I can’t remember. Who I was– am– however you’d put it. I know about the magic, or energy, or whatever and the System and I’m… starting to remember other things…

As the Fog spoke, Rowena felt flashes of what felt like memories tug at her brain. But they didn’t feel anything like her own memories, and a wave of nausea hit her again. Don’t do that! she cried out.

I’ve been trying to shield you from it! the Fog said indignantly, but she felt something like a mental wall come up between them. You asked.

I know, I– Rowena tried to calm herself. I thought you were just… like my intuition, or something.

I did, too, for a little while, but then I started… remembering… the Fog trailed off.

Remembering what?! Rowena demanded.

I think… I think I was trapped in the Heartstone, the Fog sounded like it was struggling to pull these memories forward. I remember the channel that opened when your friend Kieran made his Selection. It was so wide; so much flowed from the Heartstone to him… I was too late, then. But when you came along, I was ready… I just leapt into the channel.

Rowena covered her mouth with her hand. So you’re what? A parasite? Words couldn’t describe how violated she felt. I thought this was normal!

I don’t know! the Fog sounded nearly as panicked as Rowena was. I just don’t know. I’ve been trying to remember for days! I’m spending all of my time and energy on it, except when you seem like you’re about to kill yourself by doing something stupid.

Rowena tried to consider this as objectively as she could. Can you hear all of my thoughts?

Umm… the Fog attempted to avoid the question.

Can you hear all of my thoughts? Rowena insisted.

Yes, it said sulkily.

Damn it, Rowena thought to herself, but felt the Fog’s indignation rise up.

Look, this isn’t easy for me, either! I think I was a person! I think I had my own body! I probably had my own Class and Abilities and definitely used them better than you! it snapped.

Rowena was still furious. Well, we wouldn’t be in this mess if you hadn’t… how did you put it… leap.

But if I hadn’t, I’d still be trapped, it said, and for the first time since the strange conversation had begun, Rowena softened a little bit. Something in its voice sounded vulnerable, a tone she’d never heard from it before.

Maybe we can learn more at Arcania, Rowena said after a long silence. In the meantime… you’re here. So just… help me, okay?

I am! the Fog protested. It’s not my fault if you don’t listen!

Fair enough. So why don’t you tell me– what do you think is happening to us? Rowena asked.

It felt like the Fog was shaking its head. The Heartstones were created with certain… restrictions. Every person gets one Class, one relatively low dose of focused magic to make the whole System work. Either some random disaster or possibly this Damon person did… something… and you and your friends got a way bigger jolt of power than is normal. It could have killed you!

Rowena swallowed. She’d sensed the risks when she’d leapt at the Heartstone that day, but to hear it spoken made her uneasy. Well. It didn’t.

And I’m glad! the Fog added hastily. Who knows what would have happened to me if you hadn’t done something so stupid? I could have been trapped forever!

I’m glad I could survive for your sake, she thought sarcastically. So, well… what now?

I mean. I have no idea, the Fog said. I’ve been trying to lay low and just… nudge you in the right direction. Now that you know I’m here, I guess I can be more direct.

Rowena rolled her eyes. Great.

Like… truncheon. Really? Calm Person? Detect Secret, sure, but… there are so many better Abilities for your Class. Which is pretty interesting, by the way. I think I used to… study Subclasses? Maybe? the Fog mused.

If you’re going to ride around in my head, I’ll thank you to not be rude about my Abilities, Rowena said, though she knew that deep down, she felt the same.

Fine. But look– now you’re past Level Five, you can pick two more Abilities! the Fog said excitedly. I have some ideas—

Later, she cut it off. But how did I get from Level Four to Six, anyway? Most people gain a level a year.

Once again, she felt the funny tickle in her brain like the Fog was shrugging. I don’t make the rules. But my guess is that it has to do with a combination of the power you got when you Selected and then successfully inverting an Ability. That’s pretty serious stuff. I mean, maybe the Heartstone didn’t kill you, but I guess this amount of power still might. You all look pretty rough.

Rowena pursed her lips. I just… didn’t know it wasn’t a possibility. To invert, I mean. I just needed to stay awake tonight.

I guess a lot of discoveries are made that way. I do know that inversion is possible, but pretty challenging.

Interesting. Once again, Rowena was grateful they were heading towards Arcania. Surely someone there would have more answers and be able to help her understand what had happened to them and what it meant– and that reminded her of something the Fog had said before. What did you mean when you said the Heartstones were created?

The Fog sounded like it would roll its eyes, if it had had them. What, did you think some god placed them there?

I mean… I don’t… I never thought about it before! Rowena said, feeling a little foolish. She’d simply taken for granted her whole life that the Heartstones simply… existed, much like trees and rocks and the sun.

Are you going to pick out your new Abilities? the Fog asked curiously. I have some recommendations…

Rowena pulled back the wrap around her wrist and studied her Sigils in the glow of Kieran’s orb. They’d darkened slightly, a reflection of the level jump she’d experienced. Once she chose new Abilities, they’d become more complex, curlicues and patterns branching off of the main Sigils.

I think I’ll wait until we get to Arcania, she replied. I don’t want to become sicker than I am, and if I have new Abilities it’ll be hard not to use them.

That makes sense, the Fog agreed, but it sounded disappointed and as though it was drawing breath for a counterargument.

Time to change the subject. What should I call you? ‘The Fog’ was fine when you were just… me, or the Heartstone, or whatever. But didn’t you have a name?

The Fog thought about that for a second. I think they used to call me Cuth, it said. Cuthbert.

So you’re a boy? Rowena thought, a sudden fresh flush of embarrassment and nerves racing through her body.

No. I mean, I was, but now I’m just a disembodied personage in your head, Cuth pointed out. I don’t know what that makes me. Don’t worry. I can’t talk to anyone else. No one else needs to know how you felt about Damon Murderer when you first saw his beautiful curls and flowing cloak…

Shut up, Rowena snapped.

I’m kidding!

Just my luck, Rowena thought. A sarcastic mind-parasite.

She sighed. Let’s just… let’s stop speculating for now and focus on staying awake.