Sharon turned to face the giant statue as she held her book open in front of her. “If you could all…move away.”

As the others moved away from her, Sharon closed her eyes and started chanting. “Ancient one, hear me…summon your weapon…for the coming storm…rise above the waves…that have held you down…for so long…rise and conquer those…who would shun you…So you can return…the world to its…rightful masters!”

As she spoke with conviction, the pages from her book started to flip, as if they were being blown by a strong wind. The illuminated statue creaked and groaned as pieces started to splinter off and it rose up. As it extended towards the ceiling the pillar like spear it held fell down and shattered as it hit the ground, as if it was made of the thinnest glass. Small pieces here and there followed suit. A chunk from an arm, a piece of its face, the back of its thigh and so on. As each piece fell, it shattered into microscopic pieces as soon as they touched the ground.

A blast of air rushed towards them from an open tunnel the statue had been blocking. It came forth with such force it threatened to knock all of them down. Yet somehow Sharon stood firm as if it was just a small cough from a baby. While Carolyn had to hold her arm in front of her face, spread her legs into a wide stance and lean forward into it. She managed to hold her ground as well after being pushed back about four feet, while, despite his best efforts, Michael was quickly blown back.

As he let out a gasp, Avialian reached out and wrapped her long fingers around his bicep. He groaned as she stopped his momentum. She had turned towards him and was saying something, but over the roar of the wind, Michael couldn’t hear her. He just grit his teeth and with as much effort as he could muster, he managed to bring the hand of the arm she had grabbed up to take hold of her arm as well.

Then, suddenly, it stopped. Carolyn stumbled forward and fell onto her stomach. Michael swung forward and collided with Avialian who was pushed off balance by that and fell as well. With Sharon still standing firmly in place, along with the half-crumbled statue.

With a thud, Sharon slammed the book shut. As it closed the giant shifted again and moved to walk past the group and towards the entrance.

“I never thought you would be so forward Michael,” said Avialian weakly as she blushed and avoided eye contact with Michael who had was currently lying face down on her.

“Wait no, it’s not like that!” he blurted out as he tried to pull himself from the sea of fabric, but only managed to sink deeper in. “It was an accident I swear.”

“Like ow.” Carolyn blew air up to push her hair out of her face as she picked her head up. “I always knew you were like such a witch Sharon.”

“Oh, you survived…what a pity…”

“Like who would you go to for our riveting back and forth without me there to totally call you out for all of your like dumb takes?”

“Perish the thought…I would have time…to myself again…such a burden…”

Carolyn giggled before groaning as she started to pick herself up. She looked over at Michael and smirked. “Like wow, looks like you aren’t the only one taking command of things in here. Mikey’s totally going all Casanova on the new girl.”

“Oh dear, I knew I should have trusted my instincts when it came to your intentions.”

“Come on Carrie, now’s not the time.” Groaned Michael as he gingerly tried to pull away from the endless folds of cloth without touching Avialian unnecessarily. “Hey, could any of you three help me out here? I feel like I’m just making it worse.”

Avialian seemed to be too embarrassed to help, but Carolyn walked over and with seemingly no effort disentangled the two of them.

“Like preying on other species now, huh? Guess you just care if they’re totally sentient, or whatever that alien test name was.”

“The Harkness test…”

“Like what?”

“It is called…the Harkness test…”

“Like O M G, of course you would know that. I should’ve guessed you were like totally an anime fan Shar!”

“It is not anime…it is from…” Sharon never finished her thought. With Carolyn smirking behind her, she seemed to have caught on before she dug deeper into whatever trap she was being led into. “We should move…forward. There is no telling…what lies ahead.”

Avialian coughed awkwardly as Michael was dying of embarrassment. He couldn’t believe he still let them tease him so much. It was just frustrating that of course this new girl, alien, ancestor, thing had jumped on board as well. He sighed as he mentally berated himself for expecting something different. Why should he expect something else now? This was his life, a glimmer of prosperity quickly gobbled up by bad luck. Although, he had to admit he definitely did not hate it. It was at least interesting, and somehow, he did not mind their company despite how frustrating they all could be. A piece of him did hold out hope that Avialian would be different, but the cynic in him was already starting to snuff that out.

With no one raising an objection, Sharon started to move forward into the dim tunnel. Carolyn grabbed a hold of Michael’s hand “Like come on, we totally can’t miss this!” she said as she dragged him into the tunnel. Avialian held back alone. She looked at the three newcomers heading back to her ancestral home. With a small gulp she timidly fell in line behind them.

After the statue rising, and the wind’s assault, they seemed to have all forgotten something important. As the rod Avialian had dropped was nowhere in sight as they made their way deeper into the maw of the shambling crystal.