Mirae Walkers

Chapter XI

Andriel didn't pay Keoni any attention as he stormed after Ryley down the second hall. A few dents in the wall were really all the damage he'd done. She wanted to run and help Ryley, but every bit of her told her no. Caste had said directly to her to avoid the Quuarks, because if they took her in for testing, they'd mistake her for a Mir-Cognate.

And she wasn't sure she wanted to be beat up by Ryley's father.

Keoni left out the front door, pleading that things would get better. For now, she needed to find Qaye. She walked down the streets of Everton, looking around, when it occurred to her that they'd probably already gone back.

It was less than two minutes of a walk to get to her home. The sun was rising into midday, casting a short shadow along everything. Though it was only fall, the heat felt like it was beating down on her.

Keoni unlocked her door quickly, pulling out Kaedin's Rune and pressing it to her forehead. She closed the door, panting.

Kaedin faded into view. "Tejh Sister?"

"Kaedin, I need your help." Keoni started. Her first attempt at using the correct magic to open a Mir-Gate did not go well in the Physical World. "I need you to open a gate."

Kaedin held their hands up. "I can't do that."

"Wha... why not?" Keoni tripped over her own words.

"This version of me is inside the Rune. I'd need to take control of your body, which is all disturbing. You wouldn't like it."

"That's probably the best option we have here," Keoni pointed out. "The faster I can get to Qaye, the better."

"Not only would you find possession disturbing, but this Rune isn't strong enough to handle it. You're on your own, Sis." Kaedin glanced around helplessly.

Keoni sat down, thinking. "Would it bring me harm if I tried a gate again?"

Kaedin sat down too. "Absolutely. Without Quujhok Qaye for safety, your gate would be too unstable."

"Remind me again what happens with an unstable gate?"

Kaedin fidgeted. "If a Mir-Gate isn't strong enough, it will start to fluctuate. It can turn into a vacuum, taking every object with it. These gates endanger even Mir-Cognates because, well, it could kill them." They glanced at Keoni. "The dead forever way. There's an unpredictable chance your Mir-Link could be so as an inch harmed, and from there, let Venge help you, there is no hope you're surviving. Of course, you could make it through alive, but it's a coin flip."

Keoni had read too many books where that coin flip was always the main character's favor. This was real life though.

"Well, let's flip an actual coin and see." Keoni was entirely joking. She stood up and strode across the living room over to one of her board games, where there were many coins used as currency for it.

"Tejh, that's not a good idea," Kaedin started, getting up. "I'm not letting a coin decide your fate." They reached out to grab Keoni, but their hand went right through her wrist. They shuddered. "Keoni!"

Keoni couldn't help but burst into giggles from Kaedin's reaction. Kaedin frowned at her laughter. "Neh wannch, Tejh." They said, "I'd never forgive myself if you died from my guidance."

She stopped laughing. "Sorry."

Kaedin tilted their head. "Do you have any other suggestions?"

Keoni rubbed her head. Ryley would know, the thought came to her. But he wasn't here. Not yet. She shook her head in response to Kaedin's inquiry.