Maya yawned closing her book, "He has been gone for quite a while. I should start looking for him," she stood up and walked out of the orphanage. Maya blinked her eyes, when she opened them they became a murky white.
Two colored trails of cloud formed in her vision. One lead to the main road and away it was shimmering yellow. The other trail led to the back of the orphanage it was a royal blue. Maya breathed in heavily and smiled, "It's always nice to spend time like this." Maya said happily.
"Then why don't you? This heightens our senses and lets us truly see the world around us." Artemis questioned within Maya's mind.
Maya shrugged her shoulders, "It's because not many know that I am a Tomefinder. Even the circle doesn't. I like to keep it that way having white eyes isn't the best way to hide it." she said with a laugh.
Artemis was quiet and didn't respond.
Maya smiled to herself, "This one should be Roger's." She said following the blue trail that led straight to the pit behind the orphanage next to the training grounds. Ice encased the sides of the pit, "So he slid down?" She said quietly to herself.
Roger looked at the blonde goddess that sat on the throne her gaze unleaving him, "G...goddess? Am I dreaming? I was just underground and then I'm here. What happened?"
"Hmm seems not many people understand how Tomes work. You found the drab prison that held me, prisoner. So now..."
Roger quickly interrupted with wide eyes, "Does that mean we are inside the Tome right now?"
"Do not interrupt me," Eris said sternly her eyes shining yellow with the torches around the room suddenly erupting in massive flames. "But no we are not inside the Tome we are... inside your mind let's say. This is the space I made within you." Eris said her eyes slowly dying in intensity along with the large flames around him.
"My mind? How did you do that?" Roger questioned.
"I am a goddess," Eris smirked standing up from the golden throne and began to walk towards Roger, "And I guess saying soul would make more sense to say... but to say the least me and you are now connected."
Roger nodded his head in understanding while watching Eris approach him slowly.
"I see you've been a quite chaotic little child in the past. Bullying people weaker than you. That's something I can respect in a kid. Someone who enjoys inciting a little bit of chaos in other's lives. That is my favorite thing to do after all."
"Inciting chaos?" Roger shook his head, "I really don't understand what you mean or what you want."
Eris smiled stopping inches away from Roger and slowly reached her arms around him pulling his head against her breasts, "I'm just trying to understand my new partner."
"Partner?" Roger questioned.
"Exactly." Eris smiled widely, "You and I are now connected. My power is your power. You should be grateful your life is about to change for the better."
Roger opened his eyes he was standing in the room he was in before with the floating golden apples his hand was on the golden Tome. The golden apples that were floating around him before were gone. "Was that for real?" Roger questioned taking the Tome off the pedestal. With the apples gone there was no light. Roger couldn't see his hand if it was right in front of his face.
'Of course, it was.' Eris said in Roger's head.
So you are real?" Roger questioned
"Of course... I am real." Eris sounded annoyed.
Roger gulped loudly "So what now?" Roger questioned.
Shortly after questioning Eris a familiar voice called out to Roger. "You've been gone for a while."
Roger turned around toward the source of the voice but he couldn't see in the absolute darkness surrounding him. "M-matron Maya? Is that you?" Roger called out into the darkness.
"Of course it's me."
The sound of steps that gradually grew louder echoed around the dark chamber. "I uh... found a Tome," Roger said quietly.
"Oh? You really found one this time? I will contact the circle right away when of course we get to the surface." Maya said softly grabbing Roger's hand.
"Oh." Roger was quiet for a moment as Maya led him out of the chamber. "Maya?"
"Yes, child?" She questioned.
"How are you seeing in the dark?" Roger asked unable to even see Maya who seemed to know exactly where she was going.
"Oh, it's just a perk of the Tome I found a long time ago," Maya said with a slight smile.
"Wait you are a Tomefinder too? Why aren't you in the circle?" Roger questioned.
"I didn't want to be in it. I've thought about it but I realized there were things I could do in my own life that was better than going to the circle." Maya continued to walk through the dark passages of the underground ruins.
Roger blinked his eyes a couple of times as they walked through the false wall, "You mean sitting in an orphanage all day is better than being one of the best mages in the region and be praised for it?"
Maya laughed lightly and continued to walk, "Some people like being praised while others enjoy more simple lives more time home with themselves. Some people just don't need the high lifestyle that comes with being a Tomefinder. I'm happy with the home I have now."
'An independent woman that doesn't need anyone else. I like that.' Eris said in Roger's mind.
Roger bit his lip, "Maya there is something else I want to ask you."
"Go ahead," Maya said quietly continuing her way back to the pit that was the entrance to the large underground ruin.
"For Tomefinders is it normal to have a voice in your head after finding it? Or am I just going crazy?"
'Of course, you're not going crazy kid." Eris sounded annoyed.
Maya chuckled lightly "Oh, you think that maybe the Tome just drove you crazy and that's why you have a voice in your head? No that's not the case. Spirits live in the Tomes, and they are in need of a host to be able to escape and use their powers. The spirit that lives in me is named Artemis."
"Mine's Eris... is that someone?"
Maya stopped, "Someone? That's the goddess of chaos and discord... but don't take much from the word goddess or gods. Those spirits that live in us are under us. They need us and rely on us just to be able to exist outside of the pages of a book."
'Do not believe what she says. I can make your life a living hell if you choose to defy me.' Eris whispered in Roger's mind.
Roger felt a lurch in his stomach as he was suddenly pulled up light slowly became visible as they ascended. When he could finally see he seen that Maya had a large vine in her hand that was pulling them up on its own.
When they reached the surface Maya smiled, "There we go." Her eyes returned to their normal hazel hue. "Now I'm going to go call the circle."
Roger looked at Maya for a moment as she started to walk away, "Will Candlelight be there?!"
"Of course he will be!" She yelled back as she continued her way back into the orphanage building.
Roger smiled, "Good I'm itching for a rematch anyway."