What happens in minds eye

She came storming out of the portal, furiously wiping her eyes and muttering under her breath. Everyone knew better than to approach her when she was like this—everyone except her father.

“What’s wrong, sweetheart?” Idris asked gently.

“Nothing!” she snapped, her voice sharp and brittle.

“Nothing has you that upset? Hate to see you when it’s something,” he said with a smile, trying to lighten the mood.

If looks could kill, Idris would’ve dropped dead. Charlene was not in the mood for jokes.

“Something’s obviously bothering you, Princess,” he tried again, this time more serious.

Charlene didn’t want to talk. But she knew if she stayed silent, he’d just keep pressing.

“Argun is leaving,” she blurted out, the words hitting the air like a blow.

“What do you mean?” E asked, confused by the sudden declaration.

Charlene ran a hand through her hair, exasperated. “I went to see him—to bring him his coffee—and he was packing. Just like that. Said he was leaving.”

E tried to ease her worry. “As long as I can remember, he’s worked for us. I mean, for the university—”

“Well, the university’s not open anymore,” she interrupted mockingly. “So now he’s going on an extended vacation, apparently.”

“That does sound like him,” E chuckled, and the others joined in briefly.

“We could really use him,” Idris said with a sigh. “What an awful time to be leaving the Realm.”

“And the hounds—his hounds—would’ve given us a huge advantage in this war,” Seth added, frustration in his voice.

They all tried to piece it together. What could’ve caused Argun’s sudden departure?

“I know!” Charlene cried, throwing her hands up and rolling her eyes. “How can he just abandon us now, when we need him the most?” Her voice cracked under the weight of emotion. “I thought we were friends...”

“Well, he does work for the university,” E offered. “But he’s not from this Realm. In fact, the First Spear brought him here to help with the portal and the—”

“Wait,” Charlene cut in, “he works for the First Spear?”

“In a way, yes,” E said. “She brought him here. When we guide humans on their final journey, his orders come directly from her.”

A flicker of hope lit Charlene’s face.

“So, you’re saying... she sent him away?”

“I’m not saying that exactly,” E replied cautiously. “I’m just saying she might have something to do with it.”

ReNew stepped closer, sensing Charlene’s hurt. “Give him—and her—the benefit of the doubt. That’s all I’m saying. She might have her reasons. Just don’t jump to conclusions, Charlene.”

“Thank you,” she whispered. A part of her hoped she could reach out to her grandmother, maybe convince her to let Argun stay.

The three orbs hung low on the horizon. Night approached, and the Realm began to still. Charlene closed her eyes, seeking focus. She thought she was meditating, but in truth, she was unraveling.

ReNew... how am I supposed to do this?

Just get your thoughts together, she told herself. That's all...

But could she summon an entire group of Fates into her mind’s eye? She had never done anything like it. Could she even hold them there? Could she send them a message?

“I have no idea what I’m doing!” she burst out, frustrated beyond words. Dropping to the ground, she crossed her legs with a sigh.

ReNew knelt beside her. “Char, let me help. Close your eyes. Picture something simple, something peaceful. Somewhere you’ve been before. Imagine yourself as a beacon, the only warmth in a dark world. If they want the light, they’ll come.”

Charlene’s eyes fluttered closed. “I know just the place. Where Gi-Gi told me to take the Sec in Audubon.”

She reached out in her mind, but the connection was tenuous. Too many voices. Too many emotions. Fates weeping, terrified children crying, parents mourning. It was chaos.

“For a race that supposedly doesn’t deal with emotions,” Charlene shouted, “they sure have a LOT of them!”

“They suppressed them for centuries,” ReNew answered. “Now they’re like shaken soda bottles... just waiting to explode.”

“I’m doing this all wrong,” Charlene muttered. The groups were too big—too chaotic.

Think smarter, not harder.

She tried smaller clusters. It worked. Some Fates she even reached one-on-one.

In her vision, they stood in the desert. She pointed toward the caverns, lighting the sky above with the coordinates to Audubon. She mouthed the words: Come. You’ll be safe.

She stayed up all night. Her mind was wrecked, her spirit fatigued. Some Fates resisted. Some she couldn’t reach. Others trembled with fear, and she spent most of her time comforting them—coaxing them to come. But a stubborn few remained loyal to the Old Ways. Their minds were impenetrable.

Her heart ached.

By the heavens, why are some Fates so afraid of change?

An overwhelming dread washed over her. Her skin prickled. A chill traveled up her arms.

A voice echoed in her mind. Go to the woods. The Sec needs you.

Meanwhile, Seth had stayed up almost all night, packing what he could, storing the rest. Portaling would be risky—their energy trail could be traced, like leaving a door wide open.

He checked on Charlene often. He saw her glowing, her voice soothing. She had a gift. She’s going to be a great leader, he thought proudly.

Then Seth crossed the room, opened a hidden panel, and retrieved the stones. This time, he took everything—every artifact, charm, and talisman. He was preparing for war.

He called Heth. “Hey, my other half. I’ve been thinking about ReNew and Charlene… and I was wondering…”

Before he could finish, Heth replied in his thoughts, “I was wondering the same thing.”

“Could we separate?”

The First Spear was his grandmother after all—Charlene’s great-great-grandmother technically, but the bond was real.

“I’ve spent my whole life trying to suppress that side of myself,” Seth confessed. “Trying to be what my parents wanted. I don’t know if I can… but I want to try.”

“Then let’s do it.”

Heth, always the quiet one—the shy spirit within Seth—preferred silence. But he knew a storm was coming. And Seth was going to need him.

“Charlene said she called for ReNew,” Seth recalled. “Why don’t you try that?”

Seth took a deep breath. “Come forth… HETH!”

With a burst of blinding light, Heth appeared. The flashbang left an echo in the room.

“That was awesome!” Seth said, stunned. “Are you okay?”

“It feels… strange,” Heth said, standing on real legs. He was tall—six-two—with dirty blond hair and rippling muscles. The soul mark glowed across his forehead, matching ReNew’s.

He was striking.

“I feel weak,” he admitted. “It’s disorienting.”

“Charlene said ReNew struggled with that too,” Seth said. “But when they touched, they could recharge.”

So they did. Mark to mark. In that moment, power surged back into them.

“I’d like to try something else,” Heth said. “Something that feels more natural to me. You don’t mind?”

“Go ahead.”

His eyes flared. The mark on his forehead glowed bright. First, he shifted into a bird.

“Success!”

Then he shifted again—into a sleek, powerful Rottweiler with obsidian fur and a presence that radiated authority.

“That’s amazing, Heth!”

“I thought, if ReNew can fly, maybe I can shift too.”

He grinned.

Seth blinked. “Wait—did you just answer me... telepathically?”

Heth wagged his tail and nodded. This was a game changer.

Exhausted, Charlene stepped into her father’s room, yawning.

“When did we get a dog?” she squealed, a flicker of joy cutting through her fatigue.

Seth smiled. “Charlene, that’s Heth.”

Heth puffed out his chest proudly.

Charlene beamed—then her smile faded.

“You’ve both been busy,” she said. “But I hate to break it to you… we have to go. The Woods Sec is in danger.”