Pentagram

Familiar

                 A few moments later she came back. And now she was not alone.

                An older man walked down the stairs behind her. He wore deep purple robes that covered his entire body. I couldn't even see his feet. His eyes were half-closed, and he wore a long white beard. His white hair was long for an older guy, and he carried a book and a simple wooden walking stick. A book floated beside him.

                He stood just outside of the pentagram, Mika came to stand a little off to the left of me.

                The room was silent for a moment.                

                "Who are you?" I asked the old man.

                " Soro." His voice came out raspy, like he hadn't had water in days. "Welcome back, Akaya."

                "For the last time, I don't remember this place." I struggled against my bonds.

                "Ah. Then I suppose your questions are numerous?" He stroked his beard, then turned to face Mika, "My dear, exactly how much did you explain?"

                "Not very much." Mika sighed, folding her arms, "He wouldn't stop talking."

                "You wouldn't stop either, if you had all the questions I do." I complained, struggling against my bonds. "Ugh, these ropes...can you untie me already?"

                "Not until Soro says what we're doing with you." Mika glanced at the old man.

                "Can you just tell me what this is all about?" I asked the older guy, "I want to know why I'm in the middle of a pentagram, and what she-" I gestured with my head towards Mika, "-was talking about when she said I might be her familiar."

                The man paused for a moment, and reached for his floating book and tapped it. "I assure you, I can explain everything."

                The book fluttered momentarily in the air, and then hit the ground. The book was bound in deep blue leather, with straps that kept it shut. There were three bumps on the books front. The cover jutted out over the pages, looking suspiciously like teeth. A long bookmark trailed out of the side of the book.

                "Mika, if you would-" The old man began.

                "On it." Mika picked up her staff, and prodded the straps that kept the book shut. The straps split it twine, and the book let out what I thought was a hiss.

                Then, three yellow eyes opened. They faced towards me, away from the books binding. The bookmark licked the cover, and that was when I realized why it was so long - it wasn't a bookmark at all. It was a tongue! And the cover that jutted over the pages were actually teeth! In a flurry of pages, the book half-hopped half-slid over to me, stopping at my feet.

                I felt myself blanch. The books eyes kept contact with mine, and it spoke four words.

                "I am the Spirit-"

                Trying to sound calm, I interrupted it. "Why is it talking to me."

                Soro smiled behind his beard, "This is my familiar. The Spirit Book. Anything that is presently happening can be found inside of him. He knows what every living being in every universe is doing at this very moment."