Weeks of soul training with Vivienne had done nothing to prepare Hump for what he faced now. Owalyn’s power was no simple pressure, it was overwhelming force. He was a kite before a storm—resistance wasn’t an option—all he could do was accept the crushing force.

While not painful, the sensation was far from comfortable. Every part of himself felt exposed as Owalyn’s fearsome gaze scrutinised the very essence of his being. He fought his growing panic—a desperate, soul-destroying desire to escape and hide. The only reassurance he could give himself was that if Owalyn wanted him dead, he’d be dead, as simple as a thought.

It did not make the process any easier.

His soul defences vanished as Owalyn’s intent exploded through him, terrifying and dreadful. Where the gorger had attacked with tendrils of its soul, Owalyn was a piercing arrow flying straight at his core.

Hump’s soul resisted. It wasn’t a conscious decision. Instinct took over, and his soul unleashed every bit of energy it could against the invader. It was as pointless as blowing against the wind and would get him nowhere. Hump forced himself to calm down, fighting to suppress his deepest instinct. He breathed deeply, focusing on the storm of essence surging through him and tossing all his fear and panic to the waters. Even if he could not control his soul, he could control his mind.

Her arrow came closer, crossing the void of his soul, piercing for his core. Hump wanted to run but there was no escape. All he could do was watch as the intent of the supreme huntress came closer, a silver streak through darkness. Time slowed as it neared the flickering flame of his soul. And then… silver light burst throughout the void, gone in an instant.

The world shifted and the canopy of the Great Tree was no more. Hump was back in Sheercliff, watching the events of the battle pass by in a blur—brief scattered moments of memory. The discovery of High Priest Agaron trapped within the Tree of Damnation. The warlock, Anthony’s, appearance in the Opera House. The lead up to the battle near the Shrine of Osidium and the moment Hump and his party rushed to destroy the tree. He saw Eliana on the ground before him, his mind lost to the imprints fighting for control of his soul, and then he saw the moment he claimed control.

It felt like only seconds before the scene moved again. Hump was in Stonebark Forest now, working with Marcela and the others to defend Tailsend against a wave of monsters. He used White Flame against a dryad, fought to protect Marcela from the warlock traitor, and drew upon dungeon essence where he briefly lost himself to it.

His memories continued to move backward faster, flashing before his eyes. He saw the moment he freed Lucile from the gorger’s clutches and the moment she died for him. When he stepped out to defend Celaine from the dragon’s fire in Bledsbury. The way he stood his ground against Vindari and wielded Kassius’ formation to take control of its essence.

As his memories went further back, his stomach knotted. He was in Blackwood Forest with his master. Movement caught his eye and he whirled around, peering through the thick trees and bushes nearby. Before he could even think, an arrow was flying toward them. He fumbled his Shield spell then heard his master’s cry as the goblin arrow pierced his chest.

Heart-wrenching fear rushed through him, but the moment was gone before he could fully comprehend it. Further and further back they went, until the decision that changed everything. Starving, cold, and alone on the streets of Elenvine, Hump decided to try his luck and pickpocket a wizard. His life would have taken a very different turn if he’d succeeded. Instead, the man had shown him kindness and seen a spark of talent within him.

The world changed again, and Hump was back before Owalyn, surrounded by the greenery of her domain. He gathered himself, confused at what had just happened, a rush of emotion surging through him that he didn’t know what to do with. One thing he did know though was that he was furious.

“You have a powerful soul,” Owalyn said. Her voice was calmer, a little of her strength rescinded so that it no longer resonated with as much essence. Her face had changed too, becoming less intense, an expression somewhere between the Mother and the Huntress.

Hump fought back the tiredness and fear and forced himself to meet her eyes. Power brimmed in them like trapped silver stars. The light illuminated the surrounding leaves and branches, a world of green and brown separating this place from everything else. Suddenly, Hump’s mortal home felt far away. This was Owalyn’s domain, and he was as good as helpless.

She watched him curiously. Now that the oppressive force of her intent had stopped, Hump could calm the raging rivers of his body. He circulated his essence with hardly a thought, bringing it back under control.

“What did you do to me?” Hump asked, his voice strange. “Did you read my memories?”

Owalyn shook her head. “I have no interest in your memories, and I cannot see them even if I did. It is your heart that I seek to know. How your choices weighed on you. It’s always interesting to see what someone thinks of their past actions when forced to reflect.”

“And were you satisfied with what you found?” Hump asked, trying to hide the anger from his voice, furious at the invasion of privacy and the memories she’d stirred up.”

“For the most part.” She tilted her head, looking him up and down. “You are angry.”

Hump paused, nervous that she’d caught on. “Wouldn’t you be? You exposed my soul—it wasn’t exactly a good experience.”

“If you are to be one of my Keepers, I must know you. The things you value. The way you live. The things you strive for.”

“You could have asked.” Hump was unable to keep the irritation from his voice.

Her brow furrowed. “You are here for my trials, are you not? Either you face them or you leave. There is no in-between, and there is no negotiation.”

“Am I free to leave?” Hump asked. “Vamir said your Dragon Keepers would come for me. That’s why I’m here.”

“I will permit it if you wish. Nishari chose you, she is not mine to keep. If you will not face my trials willingly, then I do not want either of you. But consider this: you do not have the strength to protect her as you are now.”

Hump knew he didn’t, and even if she permitted him to leave, he’d come here for a reason. With Nisha being only a few weeks old and small enough to fit in his pouch, he could keep her secret. In a few months or a year, it would be another matter entirely. Owalyn was a goddess; if she could offer him a way to grow stronger, he needed to do everything he could to take it, even if that meant submitting to her trials.

“Think hard on your answer,” Owalyn said before he could speak. “This must be your decision, and it must come from the right place.”

“I already have my answer,” Hump said. “In the beginning, it was true that Vamir and Celaine forced me to accept the trials. Before coming to Drakalyn, however, I had already decided this is what I want. I will face your trials if you let me.”

“Why? What is it you seek?”

Hump thought for a moment. “Answers. I want to find my own path and learn more about magic.”

Owalyn shook her head. “Think deeper.”

Hump paused. At the time, a large part of his decision was based on escaping Alveron and any that might pursue the Book of Infinite Pages. He needed a place to train where nobody could find him, and so did Nisha. Drakalyn was perfect for both, and it also was a chance for Celaine to return home and for Hump to keep his promise to Vamir.

He had not passed her first trial, which meant he was still in it. His instincts told him his answer now would dictate the result. He thought over the memories he’d seen. They were moments where he’d either made a decision or failed to do so in time.

“I seek the strength to protect the things that are important to me.”

“That… I can work with,” Owalyn said.

“So I’ve passed the first trial?” Hump asked.

Owalyn nodded. “You did. You’re decisive and quick thinking, two qualities I value highly. But you overthink things and doubt yourself when there is no time to hesitate. If you wish to be stronger, you must better understand yourself. You must know how you will act before a situation arises so that when the moment comes there is no hesitation.”

“And that’s the purpose of this trial?” Hump asked. “To better understand myself?”

“Everyone hunts for something,” Owalyn said. “Whether it be beasts, wealth, power, or knowledge. Once you understand what it is you want, everything else becomes clearer. And only with clarity of purpose can one reach the pinnacle of power. Even the gods were once mortal, though your Pantheon try to forget it.”

Hump stared at her, shocked at her words. “You were once mortal?”

Owalyn smiled. “A long time ago.”

If the gods were once mortal… that meant Kassius’ false gods theory was correct. It also meant that blessings were not necessary and that there were other paths to such strength.

“How’s that possible?” Hump asked. “How could such power be in reach of mortals?”

Owalyn’s smile became feral, a predator once more. “You’re a wizard, figure it out. I’m not here to give you all the answers.”

“Right, of course,” Hump said, his mind whirling with more questions, a desperate need for answers.

“I like your enthusiasm though,” Owalyn said. “That’s the hunt I’m looking for in my Keepers. So let me give you one piece of advice—stay true to yourself. There is no shortcut to power. It is a long and arduous journey, with many intertwining paths onward. Find yours, and do not stray from it.”

“Thank you,” Hump said.

Hump knew his path, at least for now. The River and Waves was his way upward. If he could improve his Spirit Well, breaking through the seventh rank was a possibility. He’d been right about Anthony’s strength. The idea that gods were once mortal proved it was possible.

“Until we meet again,” Owalyn said.

There was a flash of light. Hump blinked, and when he opened his eyes again he was back on the bench outside the Temple of the Everflame. Nisha was on his lap, paws on his chest, and sniffing at his face. He smiled at the sight of her a her tongue flickered out, licking his nose. He sensed her curious nature through their bond, and a nervousness. It was then Hump noticed people.

Elder Rena stood by the door to their meeting house, her composure broken by a look of surprise. Beside her stood an old man and woman that looked far less impressed. Celaine was there too, a wide, cheerful smile on her face that was mirrored by Vamir.

The murmurs of onlookers filled the air. It seemed Hump’s discussion with Owalyn hadn’t exactly been discreet.

He stood up, swaying slightly, disorientated by the sudden transition. Trying not to let it show, he straightened up his posture and brushed off his battle robe, then approached Elder Rena. She regarded him closely, a spark in her eyes.

“You spoke with Owalyn,” she said. Hump thought she sounded excited, but the old woman hid it well.

“I did,” Hump said. “And I’ve passed the first trial if that helps with your decision.”

A smile touched Elder Rena’s lips and she exchanged a knowing glance with the woman beside her, who seemed far less amused.

“It seems a vote is unnecessary, Ashera,” Rena said. “The boy is staying.”

The old woman crossed her arms. Like Rena, her skin was partly scaled. “This changes nothing. He is not of Drakalyn, and there are more trials.”

“On the contrary, Owalyn’s approval changes everything,” the man beside her said. “Lady Owalyn has deemed him worthy, who are we to question her judgement?”