Once again, Master Cyclonis was visiting the library. Not a rare occurrence, apparently. She was always here for some crystal book or other
She strode in and said without acknowledging my presence, "Row C, 56.6-Z!" in a commanding tone.
"Are you sure Master? I heard you preferred crystal books on Row A." It was very stupid to answer back, but it was my first day on library duty and I was trying to be helpful. That was when I found out the first rule of Cyclonia-never, ever, question the Master.
I heard silence for a moment and then I realized my mistake. I didn't even see her move, all I knew was a flash of black and then I was slammed headfirst into a bookshelf. I sat up, seeing stars, and my vision was blurry. She crossed the room in one fluid stride and then her hands were on my throat. When she spoke, he voice was dripping with icy malice. Now I truly understood why Master Cyclonis, young as she was, was feared among the Atmos.
"All it would take is one hard squeeze here, (she gave a squeeze at the side of my throat and my vision dimmed) and you'd be dead. Wouldn't that be shame?"
She rolled out the words as if speaking to a young child.
"Or alternatively, you could get be the book I want. So, what's it to be? Will you do as I ask?"
I nodded, my voice frozen with terror.
"Then get you pathetic excuse for a Cyclonian!"
She lifted me up be my throat, showing astounding strength as she screamed this, and slammed me against the shelf again. She then let go as I stumbled, losing my balance and supporting myself on a book the shelf.
"I'm waiting..." she said, once again showing perfect self control.
"Err...yes..." I croaked my voice barley a whisper as struggled to breath. I fled to the safety of the maze of shelves bad found the book. The cover read, "The Carromin, the wishing crystals story". I gulped-the Carromin was a legend, which would allow you to change reality as you saw fit. The only condition is that you only had once wished. But there were only 2 wishes available, according to the story. The 1st owner had wished himself king of Atmos and ruled with an iron fist until Atmos rose up against him. The victor wished it to be gone from this world, where no-one in the Atmos could find it again.
I handed the book back to Master Cyclonis and she grabbed it and walk towards the door. But as she got there, a though seemed to occur to her and she turned, and as though we were having a perfectly conversation, said-
"Oh, and if you ever question me again, I will kill you-personally. Ok?"
I managed a grunt.
"Sorry, what was that? I didn't catch it."
"Yes, Master Cyclonis."
"Good-just so you know."
That was the day I diced with death, and got away with it.