The Habit of Crystals (Open Novella Contest)

Studying geology was not supposed to involve helping an alien prevent the destruction of his world.

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When a large crystal falls from the sky and lands in her friend's rural backyard, geologist Jade Harlow cannot help her curiosity. However, when it gradually changes over the course of a year, it becomes apparent that there is much more going on then she first thought, especially when there seems to be a body inside of it.

It all falls apart when the Krisoala, the alien race responsible for the crystal, comes to collect it. The being inside introduces himself as Nesilva, a Krisoala himself. He's on the run from his own species, who have plans to create a new type of organism too powerful to exist in nature. The Krisoala are here, and they are one step away from finishing their catastrophic experiments. All they need is Nesilva.

Except there's something else, something about Earth that appeals to the Krisoala, something they may have to take by any means necessary.