Paula de Vera - The Edges of the World: Overcome your limits. The battle begins.

The Edges of the World

Paula de Vera

Translated by Olivia C. Caputo

The Edges of the World

Written By Paula de Vera

Copyright 2022 Paula de Vera

All rights reserved

Distributed by Babelcube, Inc.

www.babelcube.com

Translated by Olivia C. Caputo

Cover Design 2022 Alexia Jorques

Babelcube Books and Babelcube are trademarks of Babelcube Inc.

Murky Water

I t was as black as pitch inside the chasm. The conical depths of the abyss were dimly illuminated by a circular hole in the rock above, allowing the sky to shine through. Its depths plunged further than the newt could even make out. The small creature snorted and steadily beat his long tail, descending hand over hand along the wall as his eyes roved in all directions, searching for the precious treasure he'd been charged with recovering.

Anemones waved as he passed, billowing in the wake of his scaly body. Sparse patches of coral, surrounded by tiny minnows, remained near motionless as he moved from one reef to the next. He thoroughly examined each small grotto that came into view, but to no avail. In the smallest hollows, where sight failed him, the newt gently rummaged through the sand of their dark depths with his webbed fingers. It was all for naught.

It has to be here , he snorted to himself, beginning to lose hope. They wouldn't have sent me down into this pit without a good reason.

He was also keenly aware that the further he descended, the more danger he was in. Maybe that's the point , he mused, cursing his idiocy for not having thought of that sooner. If the sapphire octagon were hidden in plain sight, anyone would've been able to find it. That had to be the key.

Fluttering his gills to replenish his oxygen supply, he resumed his descent, only to stop short after several feet, his gaze fixed on a rocky patch of wall to his right.

A glimmer of light: weak, but it was there. The newt slid down, grabbing hold of the nearest coral before gazing into the small opening. His hand fit perfectly, both when he reached, fingers outstretched, through the grottos mouth and again once hed closed it in a fist to extract the precious object. Hed done it!

The newt confidently pulled out the shimmering sapphire, luminous even in this darkest of places. But just as he was readying himself to ascend once more, a stabbing pain in the middle of his tail had him cursing as he nearly dropped his prize. Swearing under his breath, he twisted into a position where he could see the injury... and his assailant if necessary. Having witnessed its preys reaction, his adversary a spotted moray eel launched itself like a dart from the dark depths of the cavern once more, looking to finish the job. The newt gestured with his left hand, in which he clutched a staff of aquamarine crowned by a green quartz stone that began to glow as he rushed to pronounce a spell in Sammonen , the language of the mages.

A jet of boiling water shot towards the creature. The eel tried to evade it but took a hit to the tail that only served to anger it more, and the eel launched itself at the intruder with even more determination. Despite the pain in his tail, the newt managed to rotate his body to get out of its path. In the same motion, he brought the handle of his staff crashing into his slippery foe. As hed planned, it hit the eels body dead center and the beast crumpled in on itself, bringing its head close to the newts. With a cry, the newt took his opportunity to thrust the quartz that topped his staff into its eye.

The beast emitted a high-pitched howl, but luckily, the blow put an end to the fight and the eel fled once more into the depths. The newt exhaled, feeling the adrenaline rapidly drain from his body. He needed to get to the surface. The eel would surely return and he wouldnt be able to fend it off a second time.

So, with a superhuman effort, the scaly newt climbed, pulling himself up on footholds that protruded from the rocky wall with his free hand while the sapphire shone between his greenish teeth. He had to make it... Just a bit further...

He spit out the sapphire as soon as hed surfaced. The first mouthful of air he gulped was like coming back to life. He felt certain it was all over now. As his scales receded, giving way to his true visage, the young apprentice mage dragged himself out of the cavern with a grunt and collapsed onto the polished marble, exhausted.

Test complete, uttered a soft voice that seemed to emanate from nowhere, but it was loud enough that the former newt now a blond man who looked to be about twenty years old lifted his head, exhaled, and brought himself to one knee. To his surprise, the pain from only moments ago was rapidly receding, and he felt no more than a light tingling sensation. Ankel Adhelys, ready for evaluation.

He fought to hide his wince of discomfort as the darkness gave way to the too-clean, white light of the Main Examination Hall of Dysehn, capital of the mages kingdom. Before him rose the examiners balcony, its occupants several yards above his head. As was customary, Grand Master Esylo presided over the tribunal.

Young Adhelys, youve shown great aptitude, using intuition, bravery, and determination in this, your final test to officially become a Senior Mage. With this, you conclude your apprenticeship and youll go on to join our great Community. After deliberating with the Council, your qualification will be... Ankel held his breath but failed to fully mask his surprise when Esylo declared, Pass with Distinction. Congratulations, Ankel. May Imno protect you and forever guide your spirit.

Still stunned, Ankel barely managed to perform the proper bow before turning to leave through a side door for students making their way back to the examination holding room, an enormous circular pavilion whose vast entryway formed a ring around the room hed just left. It led to the other outbuildings study rooms, dining halls, and the like while maintaining its spatial harmony. The offices, meeting rooms, and examiners rooms were situated on the upper floor, wrapping around one side of the examination hall.

Ankel clutched his aquamarine staff, which hed had by his side almost constantly since hed passed the last stage of his apprenticeship essentially the last twenty years of his life and made his way towards the exit, his head down and expression grim. But a booming voice at his back had him reluctantly turning back.

He paused and swallowed when he saw Esylo barely two yards away. Please not now , he prayed internally. But apparently, fortune was not on his side. The Master slowly approached him with a conciliatory smile.

Congratulations, Ankel. You're one of us now.

Ankel pressed his lips together and nodded drily. But Pass with Distinction? Seriously?

Esylos face darkened. Are you questioning the Councils decision?

Ankel shook his head in irritation.

I made a mistake, he argued. If Id paid more attention, maybe Id deserve a Pass with Distinction. But...

Ankel, Esylo interrupted him, placing his hands on his shoulders. I know who you are. Youre a very promising youth...

And also your son, Ankel pointed out, still resentful.