"I was a smallish girl—not too plump, not too slim. My size just fit me, as did my attitude, my meekness… at least, that's what they said. Somehow, I became a legend. I was bright, inquisitive, and my mentor thought he knew a lot—until I came along. I always seemed to know where to find the answers. It was like clairvoyance, but not bound by time. I could see the past, present, and future as clearly as daylight. Yet, there were limits; certain things were hidden from me.
When I hit those road blocks—when my gift was impeded—that's when I came to Haloville, the center of it all. I became a force to be reckoned with. I took the Light Keepers, my barge of heroes, to the very gates that started all this. But I forgot… those who walked with me weren't as strong as I was. My hubris led the Light Keepers to an end—not just death, but erasure. They were wiped from existence, from past, present, and future. Yet I was spared. Why? I still don't know.
I couldn't see much of the school's future, but one thing I knew: I was not destined to end it. You were, Kelvin. It hurt to admit it. By the time I came to terms with it, it was too late. I wrote this so that when I am gone, you can finish it. You are the heroes of the end. I gathered every tool you would need, put everything in this book, and explained how to end it all.
The gate is the answer. It must be opened, drawing every monster inside, and then closed. But you cannot do it alone. Cynthia, you will have to summon Magmorth—he was the one who closed the gate the first time it was opened. You will need to perform a special ritual, known only to you and Kelvin. This book contains a thousand spells, even one that lets you learn all the spells at once, and another that shows how to find or create new ones. This book is one of the world's most valuable treasures, because I am the only one with all this knowledge. Don't let the wrong people get it. I ensured only Kelvin and Cynthia can read it… but there are ways to break the spell."
It had taken Cynthia and Kelvin a full day to decipher this much. With the internet's help, she translated the language, learned to reverse the words, and the path became clear. Kelvin had to hold the book—he feared what might happen if she touched it.
"Kelvin, why would your sister write a book for me, but not let me touch it?" Cynthia asked, sitting in the library. It was past curfew, but thanks to Kelvin's little charade with the headmaster, they were safe—for now.
"Maybe she didn't trust you," Kelvin said, playful suspicion in his eyes.
"Yeah… I wouldn't blame her. Distrust runs in your blood," she replied, smirking.
"Well, would you trust someone who tried to—" Kelvin stopped midsentence.
"Who tried to kill who?" she asked, confused.
Kelvin hesitated, then decided to tell her. They had grown close since the funeral, and his sister trusted her.
"Yeah… about that. In my vision, the ritual didn't kill you. Stephen slit my throat because the ritual failed, and he didn't trust me," Kelvin admitted.
"What?" Cynthia exclaimed. "Stephen has his issues, but he wouldn't kill another human! I can't believe you lied—well, actually, on second thought… I can."
"Yeah, he wouldn't kill another human being," Kelvin emphasized.
"So… you're not human? Not news. Why didn't the ritual fail in your vision?" she asked.
"I don't know… maybe because you did it against my will," he replied.
Cynthia frowned but wasn't surprised. Killing him? That would never happen—but she understood now why Stephen would have tried if he thought Kelvin wasn't human. She turned back to the book and computer.
"What the f**k," she muttered.
"What? Did you find something?" Kelvin asked, alarmed.
Most of the information had already shocked, excited, and relieved them, but now the ritual instructions were clear.
"Yes," she said. "The ritual to summon Magmorth."
Kelvin looked at the screen. "Wow… so to save the school, we have to… interesting," he said blankly.
"No. Don't even think it. That's too high a price. The school might as well perish," Cynthia said, pacing.
"Look, I'm not saying we should do it, but I've come too far to stop now," Kelvin said.
"Idiot, open your eyes. There's more. Look," Cynthia said, frustrated.
"F*ck," Kelvin muttered as he saw the rest.
Moments later, the rest of the group arrived. Cynthia immediately closed the translation page, deleting what had been decoded. Even Stephen was there.
"Wait, what???" Victor, Stephen, and Emilia exclaimed in unison. Cynthia left out the part about the ritual.
"How could we not have seen it? It all makes sense now," Emilia said.
"How could you not know this? Didn't you meet her?" Victor asked.
"This was before we came," Emilia explained. "She made us join the fight, then vanished shortly after."
"Vanished?" Kelvin asked.
"She went crazy. Writing backwards on everything—the chairs, the walls, the ground—then had a run-in with Mr. Smile. She lost her face and ran," Emilia said.
"Why didn't you tell us?" Cynthia asked, furious.
"It's not something you tell everyone," Emilia replied. "She showed us the ritual to reveal the truth. Before that, she was the one who saw all."
"This is messed up. We found out to summon this Magmorth guy, we have to…" Kelvin began but was cut off.
"Figure it out on our own," Cynthia interrupted.
"What the f*ck? Figure it out on our own? When did you and Kelvin become a team? What about us? Why is everyone keeping secrets? They'll get us all killed!" Victor shouted, leaving the room in stunned silence.
Emilia broke it. "We need to decipher this diary as soon as possible. If Clera went to such lengths to safeguard it, the information inside must be crucial."
"We can't let our guard down. Cynthia, look for any protection spell first and figure out the ritual. Jessica's death is a stark reminder of the dangers lurking around us," Emilia said.
Kelvin nodded. "You're right. We can't afford to be another casualty."
As the group began planning, Kelvin couldn't shake the feeling that they were on the brink of ending it all. The diary held answers, but also questions yet unanswered. Determined to honor Jessica's memory and protect his friends, Kelvin resolved to lead the Golden Circle with unwavering resolve.
Suddenly, a group of people in red cloaks burst into the library.
"Not these idiots again," Victor sighed.
Their leader stepped forward. "We will be taking that book."