-Callen-

  Watching Callia and feeling her rising indignant rage was something sweet, especially because Dad was giving her a piggyback ride and she couldn’t reach me to enact vengeance. I run back inside before she can further express her dissatisfaction. This was my petty vengeance for her being responsible for so many migraines.

  The past couple weeks I’ve struggled around her because she was keenly aware of something being wrong. The problem is whenever I think about IT, ‘I shiver involuntarily,’ I can feel the presence in the void. Despite my suffering, it has come with the silver lining of a new skill, psychic resistance, that makes the impact softer and easier to recover from. That doesn't mean it's enough to tolerate the effect, and I can't help but wish for some way to drive IT 'shiver' away.

  The family gathers for dinner, and a mostly peaceful mood settles over the family. Mostly I account for the fact that Callia is stepping on my foot. Which is an improvement over kicking since a couple weeks ago we found out her kicks had gotten strong enough to break my shin. That had been an unpleasant discovery, and Grandpa, in typical fashion, had been more inclined to laugh at me while I flopped on the ground instead of help me. It was only a brief visit to the healer, but it was still unpleasant. It was also now one of my sister's go-to threats: "Do this or I'll break your shin again." Our close, competitive sibling relations were becoming increasingly violent; even if we both felt and understood the other completely, it only made our wins all the more satisfying.

  Mom breaks the ‘almost’ peace with an announcement. “Concerned townsfolk have been talking with the mayor, and it has been decided that by the end of the week we have to move to the far side of the training grounds away from the rest of the town. However, as long as Marek stays away from the town proper except when busy, they won't interfere in our jobs and livelihood.” Mom’s announcement brings a somber feeling to the table, but we have all seen the attitude in the town. Honestly, it was less severe than I had expected. Regardless, I had a bigger issue on my mind that I had finally built the resolve to face.

  We clean up the house, and everyone goes to bed, except me. I sit cross-legged and relax myself as much as I can. I trace the feeling of IT ‘shivering’ into myself, and again I find myself in the space at the edge of the void. Its colors shift like a black mist swirling in whirlpools with faintly glowing shades of dark red and purple twisting endlessly. At the center of my attention, however, is IT. The pressure escalates as IT stares down at me. Again I feel whatever is separating it from me straining, but I focus myself on the feeling I used to originally summon IT. Then I reversed the call and pushed with all my might, and in the next instant it was gone. Looking back at where it had been, I see the barrier between me and where its pupil had been with the smallest of cracks. An ominous feeling mixes with relief as the consequences of the damage remain unknown.

  The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

  I nearly cry with tears of joy as I feel a pressure lift from a deep fundamental part of my being. I was freed from the presence of that horror, but even with it gone, my gut told me that this wouldn’t be the last of it. Just like how I could move the knife in the void with thought, like how I sent out my call, my thoughts had an impact, and so did its thoughts. If it ever wanted to return, I’m not yet sure how I could stop it.

  For now though I was free, and I’ll take that as a win. It’s concerning to think about it, but in a way it helped me find how to come to this place like an abominable beacon. While nothing is certain, I still get a gut feeling that this connection is a spiritual representation of my affinity. The barrier serves as a gate filtering my access to the endless void. For now I figure I’ll try the safest experiment I can with this space.

  I pull myself out of the space and take the throwing knife in hand. I use my runes to form a simple phrase to see if my affinity guess is correct. ‘Transfer to void’ The runes drain all my magic, leaving me weak, and the knife fades from reality. I don’t even need to enter my space to feel its presence floating in the darkness. Just like the horror, I'm aware of the daggers' presence whenever I try thinking about it.

  I almost got caught up in my excitement to continue testing, but now I’m exhausted, and it’s time for sleep. I curl peacefully into my bed and get my first true sleep without night terrors in almost a week.

  I wake in a daze as the midday light shines into the room. I feel a presence with me but can’t immediately place where, so I call out only to receive silence in return. In the next moment my daze clears out and I snap back into focus, and the first thing I do is feel my space. It was present but distant, like a whisper spoken into the wind. I push it away again as far as I can and get myself up for the day. Just as I thought, the pressure was much lighter, but it’ll take more than that to free myself.

  Mom left a note for me; it read

  “Callia, Dad and Grandpa decided you needed a good rest today. Since you haven’t slept well recently. I’ve gone ahead to explain it to your master, so take your time and think of today as a recovery day.” She drew a little heart at the end. I smile happily; having people who care and support you really makes a world of difference. In a happy bubble of a mood, I prepare myself for the day.

  I open the door to my room, and a bucket of cold water crashes down upon me. As I’m frozen in shock, I notice writing on the back of Mom’s note.

  “Also, Callia seemed in a vindictive or maybe righteous mood this morning and concerningly excited to fetch water. I got the impression that she wasn’t just eager to do her chores. Be careful! Also maybe you should consider not provoking her? It would be most unfortunate if she breaks your shin again!”

  “Mom,” I sigh while shaking my head. “There was plenty of space to add your warning on the front!” I smile helplessly for a moment before the chill from the water drenching me shifts my attention back to the true culprit.

  Immediately I am reminded that even if I love my family, vengeance must still be wrought upon the worthy. If Sis thinks this will beat me, then I’ll just have to show her. Across our bond I can feel her amusement and vindictiveness, and we both come to an understanding. This is war! I put my worries behind me and immediately begin plotting my revenge. She may rely on mere buckets of water, but I will bring the full arcane might of the English language to assert my dominance as the true older sibling! Even if we both know she was born first, I'll see if she has the fortitude to withhold the title of elder sibling from me, who had the higher initial level at birth!