Keeper of the Lost Cities Moonlark

Chapter One: Sophie

   "Miss Foster, I assure you this is a must for you and young Mr. Vacker." Mr. Forkle sighed, "You two have some serious issues that must be resolved. I don't know what came over you two after the inquisition, but now at least you two are at a point as to where you only just need reguluar Cognate exercises."

     "You don't know that! Maybe I just need a new Cognate or maybe me and Fitz just need time from each other, you know it's a possibility. I have more things to deal with than having to deal with some lousy Cognate who's not even trying to understand me!" 

     Sophie kicked the floor of the egg shaped office hating how she sounded like such a brat. She couldn't really be trying to give up on being a Cognate with Fitz and risk losing to the Neverseen, again? But Fitz was just being difficult, it shouldn't be so hard to just have one conversation with him without it ending up in an argument.

    "You need to understand that you and Fitz being cognates and reaching your full potential could be a vital step to stopping the Neverseen. You are stronger together, so even though you and Fitz might not want to, I am ordering you, him, and Keefe to do that exercise that I had you three do a while ago." Mr. Forkle paused for a second to let that sink in and continued pacing, "You three are going to head to one of my other offices and go to your emotional centers."

     "Oh come on!" Sophie grumbled. "I-" 

 "Miss Foster my desision is final! You will head there to meet Mr. Sencen. I have already hailed him and he's going there in the next few minutes. Now you will do the exercise and wait for Mr. Vacker to get there. Do you understand?" She waited for him to blink, he didn't. "Fine." she dragged out. 

 "Good. This is the beam you will need to take to head to the meeting spot. Mr. Sencen is also going to be your only supervisor. I feel it is better for you three to do this exercise by yourselves. He will also be there for triggering the emotions of course and training his empathic abilities. I have heard news that he's had some trouble with it. You three can come back in about an hour." "Ughhh, this is the worst thing ever!" Sophie stepped into the beam and the light whisked her away.

     "Oh wow!" Sophie breathed as she reformed in an island oasis.

     "Pretty amazing isn't it, Foster?"

"Eek!" Sophie squealed. "Keefe! You surprised me, Forkle said you would be here in a few minutes." Sophie blushed and looked away nervously.

"Yeah well you know, Daddio is part of the Black Swan so of course he had a crystal to leap me here. I've never stepped into a beam so fast in my life." Keefe smirked and looked at her meeting her eyes which were still looking at the sand. 

    "So, do you know when Fitzy will be here?"

     "Oh, um, not really. I think he should be here soon though." Right as the words left her mouth he appeared "Hey Fitz." Sophie sighed as she met his annoyingly perfect teal eyes which still made her heart do backflips. She wasn't sure she would completely get over him, but at least she could feel her feelings for him fading now that she was with Keefe. "So I guess we should get started." he said quickly when he caught that Sophie and Keefe were looking at each other.     "Oh yeah, I guess." Sophie mumbled shooting him an annoyed glance. She tried to walk on the right side of Keefe to avoid having to be next to Fitz, but he got in between them and suggested that they should walk faster. After they reached a nice spot in the shade Sophie and Keefe sat down while Fitz was still standing. "Um, Fitz. I think It might be better to do the exercise if we're at eye level.

 "Yeah I know, but I think if I'm near the lake I can focus better. 

 "Oh, um, okay, sure. Alright! Forkle only gave us an hour to do this so lets, do this!" Sophie said sounding enthusiastic she trudged toward the lake. 

 At first they walked in silence while the blistering heat from the sun drowned them in sweat when Fitz broke the silence. "Sophie if I'm doing something wrong or if I said something you know you could just tell me. I know we've had our differences but I still mean what I said during the inquisition." He was sweet for saying that, but she still wasn't ready to forgive him for all the past weeks of arguing.

     "I'm fine, let's just keep walking." she mumbled. By the time they reached the perfect spot in the shade, Sophie already broke out in a full on sweat. I knew I probably shouldn't have worn my long tunic and my cape with my thick gloves. She thought bitterly. She could've smacked herself for her poor dressing choices, but now was not the time to pity herself. On the other hand, Keefe was being very quiet. She wondered what that was about. "Keefe, you okay? You haven't talked much since we've started moving."

     "You know, just trying to focus on regulating my body heat since it's pretty hot out here."

      "Oh yeah. that makes sense. I completely forgot I could do that."

      "Um guys?" Fitz said louder than he needed to. "You can sit down now."

      "Okay." Right as Sophie lowered herself Fitz suddenly pushed her into the lake. "FITZ!", Sophie screamed as she was airborne in the sky. Time seemed to stop as she looked down and saw how deep she was probably going to fall. It all seemed too soon as the air was ripped out of her longs and she took her first gulp of water. She kicked and flailed managing to resurface. Coughing as she struggled to keep herself above the water, she was usually an average swimmer but it was freezing. Making her legs and arms go numb as she sank completely under.