A hand pokes urgently at my shoulder. "Fristad, are you okay?"
I gasp myself awake, my chest pressing against the cold floor. Remembering the very same man who hung me by ropes in the heat of the void, I growl with hatred, roll over onto my back, and kick the Notch-forsaken magician in his jaw.
"To the Nether with you, you hopeless demon!" I cry with burning anger. "You had made me a fool. I should have known that it was you who caused me all this pain. Why is it that I let myself play your stupid game?"
"Fristad, I'm confused," the man replies, unphased. He didn't even seem to flinch. "Why don't you tell me what the matter is with you before you try to kick me again?"
The man's face jitters, his eyes flickering between brown and blue, before his form materializes as Dan. I grimace with embarrassment as I realize it was him that I just kicked.
"Oh shoot, I'm so very sorry..."
"Don't be," Dan replies. "Please, just tell me what you saw."
I sigh, hesitant to recall the bitter memories. "I saw my father's leg get blown off by a Creeper. And then I was burning in the void again. This time I was hanging from some ropes. There was a man calling from above the bedrock, telling me that I needed to wait just a little bit longer. Then, I lost consciousness. I woke up with wide silver gashes in my arms."
Dan gazes distantly, saying nothing. After a short while, he takes a deep breath. "Is that actually something that happened to your father? Is he missing a leg?"
I nod. "He is."
"Then I think we're done here." Dan reaches his hand down toward mine. "Do you need a hand?"
I lift my hand up toward his grasp. Dan's hand locks around mine and pulls me slowly onto my feet. "Thanks. But... what do you mean that we're done here?" I ask.
"I mean that I've learned everything that I need to know... at least, as far as qualia could tell me. That isn't saying much, however. There is still much work to be done."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, I mean, I have to confront the book, of course." Dan chuckles.
"Isn't that kind of dangerous?"
"Very dangerous, actually. I don't see any alternatives, though. I must understand how powerful the book really is. I at least have a good idea of what to expect." Dan holds his hand forward, palm exposed. "May I see it?"
I raise my brow. "Do you honestly think I would just give the Book to you?"
Dan squints in challenge. "Well, it's either the book, or both of you. And the spell I intend to cast is rather painful."
I am suddenly rattled with intense fear. There is bloodlust in those eyes. I can feel it.
But that isn't true. I struggle against the fear. With a sudden burst of volition, I clear my thoughts. The Book is trying to control me. It wants me to hate Dan. I can't listen to it.
"Do not give me up to him, Fristad," the Book warns. "Call him on his bluff. He would never intend to hurt you... at least, not yet. Hold your ground against him, and he will have no choice but to give up on his assault."
And why should I listen to you? All this time, you've been a manipulative parasite, making me act against my will, even against my own conscience. I want you gone.
"Don't you dare call me such things! I would do the same to protect you, would I not? Is there no sacred ground between us? Would you discard our friendship? Even when you have nothing to lose? Surely you are not that selfish and short-sighted to want me gone? Do you not realize that if you give me up to him, that you will feel the same pain that I feel?"
I feel the Book trying to expand the guilt inside of me, but I resist it. I ignore its words. I could care less if the Book forces its pain upon me. Freedom feels so close. If Dan manages to weaken the Book, even just a little bit, then perhaps this will all soon be over. I reach into my back pocket, grab hold of the Book, and hand it to Dan.
Dan walks over to the other side of the room, places the Book onto the floor, and steps back. Suddenly, the Book is consumed in a shower of purple sparks, followed by a loud, acute screech.
"Drat!" Dan blurts out.
I hear a female voice laughing. "Was that supposed to be an attack spell?" The Book taunts. "I felt nothing. So much for fearing for my life. This man Vrendan is hardly a magician."
As the purple smoke clears, I see the Book lying on the floor, just as before, perfectly intact. The floor beneath it is dented like a tiny crater. I realize with sorrow that my troubles with the Book are far from over.
"What just happened? How did the Book survive?" I ask Dan.
"The Book is guarded by Ender-magic. I should have known. No wonder I couldn't feel its presence."
"Ender-magic?" the Book inquires coyly. "Does Dan mean to insinuate that I am immersed in the same substance which fills the shadowed monsters of the void?" There is disgust in the Book's voice, but also a hint of sarcasm, as if the Book already knew that this was going to happen. I begin to question why the Book didn't tell me it was immune to void magic, but the thought is quickly submerged.
"Ender-magic... as in Endermen?" I echo from the Book.
"Yes and no. It is the same sort of magic, but I am certain that the book is not an Enderman. That complicates things." Dan shakes his head in dismay. "My void magic will be useless against it."
"Why don't you just cut it in half with your diamond sword, then?" I ask.
"Given what I know now, I fear that that may be too dangerous."
My heart sinks further, as I realize that my troubles may even be beyond Dan's expertise. "Does that mean you won't be able to help me?"
"No, most certainly not! Although, given the nature of my trade, I won't be able to do this on my own."
"What do you propose that we do, then?"
"Well, first I will try to ask Jonas if he can help us. If not, then we will have to find someone else."
-
We find Jonas outside in the fields, observing the hogs chewing at the dead grass. Sunshine trots toward Dan and bounces upon her forepaws, pointing her maw up Dan's leg.
Dan gently pushes the dog's nose away. "Sunshine, that's enough. Now is not the time."
"Hello there," Jonas says as he turns to face us. "How are the tests going?"
"We've arrived at an impasse," says Dan. "I have used enough qualia spells to help me understand the book's identity, but we've discovered that the book is a beacon for Ender-magic. Of course, me being a void magician, that discovery is somewhat problematic."
Dan knows the Book's identity? Why hasn't he told me?
"What are you going to do now, then?" Jonas responds.
"I was actually wondering if it would be possible for you to help us."
Jonas' gaze sinks downwards. He takes in a breath in preparation to speak, but then he hesitates. "I don't think I can do that."
"Why not?"
"Do you even have to ask?" Jonas' voice rises in volume. He glares at Dan with annoyance before glancing down again.
"This is about the suppression, isn't it?" Dan inquires.
"It is and it isn't. I don't want to talk about it." Jonas keeps his gaze low.
"What sort of suppression?" I ask.
Dan holds up a finger towards me, mouthing "hold on" with his lips. "What else besides the suppression is preventing you from helping us?"
"Nothing. Just forget that I said that."
"Jonas, if you are hiding something from me that might..."
"I thought I said: 'I don't want to talk about it,'" Jonas mouths slowly, a hint of restrained anger in his voice.
"But can you help us?" Dan presses on.
"Is it at all possible that you could find someone else? You know how long it's taken for me to get this far."
"Jonas, I'm all for exploring all possible options," Dan reasons, "but right now, you are our best hope. There is no one else within miles that we could trust to help us. And the sooner that we help Fristad, the more quickly he will be able to recover. So will you do it for Fristad?"
Jonas lets out a deep sigh. "Let's continue talking about this indoors."