The darkened blue contrasted harmoniously with the shimmering diamonds of the night sky. Donna stood beside me in the wintry and silent meadow, the only sounds that of critters, howling wind, and rustling grass.

Sweeping across the plains were people clothed in black – clothes worn at funerals. The atmosphere was sombre, but not as stifling as I reckoned it would be. Emily was quite friendly with her Apostles, but not enough to share much of her past. Her real past. The part of her that came from whichever realm she was originally from. In that aspect, we didn’t really know anything about her.

We stood at the boulder she oft visited, the boulder where I first met her. It was a night just like this one. Quiet, docile, yet captivating. A few of the Apostles spoke, whilst I simply stood with the rest and observed the rites. What a pity it was to lose her. But it was foolish to think that way. The release of death was something she yearned for, but her duty grounded her to life. And for whatever reason, she decided that I should replace her.

Ah yes, replacing the witch. At some point after the ceremony, I was to inform the entire body of the Apostles of the Crescent Moon about that. What finicky things people’s minds were. I knew they wouldn’t believe me, but if only they met the goddess of life like I did, they’d know instinctively that my lips would’ve spewed nothing but truth.

“…brothers and sisters,” Donna nodded at me to join her ‘onstage’, “there is something which you must all know. You need not accept it as truth, but it cannot be hidden from those of the Crescent Moon.” She stepped aside and gave me rein of their attention.

“Apostles of the Crescent Moon,” I began, “I am called Eric Archibald. I recognise the importance of this night of mourning, but I must use this opportunity as you’ve all congregated here. I’ll keep this brief and straightforward.”

I cleared my throat and took a deep breath. “Emily Crescent passed on of her own volition, peacefully. Before she did, she took me to meet her master. I don’t believe I have the right to identify her master, however, it is through this person that Emily was made immortal, and placed in charge of maintaining the grand balance of this entire realm. The role of upkeeping equilibrium,” I breathed again, “has been passed onto me.”

An extremely high density of mana could be felt as clear as day. They didn’t like what I just said. Even Donna trembled. In front of over fifty Apostles, I had my doubts of surviving a battle like that. The most I could do was escape, but when I thought of Donna, I couldn’t do it. Then again, it was a simple matter of her going into my mind. Hmm… My thoughts raced; a few of them took a couple steps towards me. Timedial was but a thought away, however, the Apostles simply backed down all of a sudden. In fact, they all kneeled – nay, they grovelled.

It would all be explained when I looked behind me. Hovering effortlessly above the boulder was the goddess herself, Zanthia – Emily’s master. She said nothing, did nothing but look at us, then disappeared into thin air.

After whatever that was, the Apostles were a lot more accepting of the truth. How unfathomably powerful was she that she didn’t need to mutter a word, or even identify herself. This is ridiculous. To think I’m not even a kid compared to the witch, or her dragons. Now to learn there’s someone even more powerful than Emily. And that guy…

“Well, that wa–”

My location immediately changed, seamless and instant. I was laying on something warm and soft. Her hands brushed my hair gently. When I realised what was happening, I rolled off, jumping quick up to my feet. The goddess’ head tilted to the side. I swallowed in response, remembering she didn’t like when I refused her grooming.

I embarrassingly went back to her. “Are you sure you want me to replace her? I’m just a kid.”

She continued stroking my hair, “Emily was younger than you when I brought her to this realm. Besides, are you asking me if I made the right choice?”

“N-no, no. I just…”

“Second thoughts. Well, no worries. You have until the day you die to really fill the position. But for now, just try it out, okay?”

Just like that, I was sent back to my house. It all happened so fast there wasn’t even a second to argue or ask any questions. Was my choice the right one?

Where the hell is that place anyway? I wondered about the field that the Apostles gathered in.

~

When I looked outside, the sun was out. The sundial told me it was morning. What in Hydra’s ass is going on here? When I left, it was night.

I strolled through the lengthy corridors, going toward the main entrance. Did the goddess mess with the timeline in that hot second where she teleported me home? I shook my head and rejected that thought. Nah. For someone who appears to be concerned about the balance, I don’t think she’d just forward time for that. Then that can only mean, wherever that ceremony was held, was either on the other side of this planet, or in another world like Hyzek.

As I opened the perhaps overly gigantic door, it was like all the visitors in the world suddenly appeared. On one side, a clone of mine brought my parents and baby brother with a bunch of sentimental stuff they wanted to keep with them. I reckoned they should only need to alter certain documents about address now.

In the centre of my illustrious courtyard with beautifully trimmed hedges and one of the biggest – August having one himself – cobblestone paths ever made, were about two dozen Apostles, Kira included.

And on the other end, we had another clone of mine bringing Anjali along, but not on zephyrs like the efficient mage he was. No, he brought her in a simple carriage. Bianca and Aaralyn was also there. When did Anjali pick them up? I asked myself, curious, but relieved nonetheless. I was at a loss in this situation, so I just decided to do some improv.

“Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to the house of horrors!”

…

“Really?” Kira’s sarcasm was dripping from her mouth, and definitely her eyes.

“What? All of you ganged up on me. I had to put on a show. Anyway, come in.”

The clone tending to my parents did his thing with or without me. The clone with Anjali brought a few people I didn’t recognise. Like, five people. An old man, around Aldis’ age. A young fellow, in his twenties. And three young women around the same age. Hmm, servants. Let’s see. I bet that old guy’s the head.

“Probably.”

Oh, look who decided to join me. What do you think about the dude?

“Yard work. He’ll have it rough.”

I’ll probably pay him the most.

“Not the old man?”

Nah, pops is probably just gonna give orders and do light stuff. It’d be unfair. Anyway, the three girls.

“One for cooking.”

One for cleaning.

“One for… nightly services?”

You pervert. I’d use you for nightly services, not her. I’d say she’s–

“Honey, stop daydreaming,” mom snapped me away from Donna, “and tend to your guests.”

“Ah, right.” I placed the Apostles in the foyer since there were enough chairs for everyone. I didn’t know what they wanted to discuss, but since they showed up unannounced, they wouldn’t mind waiting a few minutes for me to meet my servants.

Anjali introduced me to them, calling me the ‘master of the house’. I felt so haughty; good haughty, if that’s a thing. She told me their names as well, but let’s be honest, “There’s no way I’m gonna remember five new names right off the bat, sorry. But I will eventually. Pleasure to meet you all. I hope you don’t mind, but I wish to give first pick of rooms to some other people.”

They were all extremely polite and respectful. The king certainly made sure we were like celebrities when we came back. I didn’t think there was anyone in Methelia who didn’t know our names.

Anjali, Bianca, and Aaralyn kept them company whilst they just waited around. They wanted me to show them around, then they’d make their choice on rooms. And only after that could the servants choose their rooms. I could only hope the Apostles wouldn’t have me there for too long a time.

I placed a block of ice in front of each Apostle present, going down the long dining table, then made them into refreshments. You wanna come out? I asked her when I took my seat at the head of the table. Ah, that vainglorious feeling washed over me again; good vainglorious.

“Actually, yeah.” Light poured out of my skin and manifested into Donna. She took a nice little seat right on my lap.

“So,” I leaned out a bit, “what’s this about?” I asked them.

A man grunted, “That’s one of the reasons we’re here. Spells like that. It’s common knowledge there are forbidden spells, but our master didn’t bat an eye about teaching us. However, we all knew there were things she could do, spells she knew about, that she would never even mention the existence of. Spells beyond what normal mages consider forbidden.”

“And?” I encouraged him to continue, but someone else did. The very woman who attacked me after Dawn’s funeral.

“She taught you things she never so much as whispered to any of us. You, someone who’s not even an Apostle. Why?”

“Dunno,” I shrugged. “She probably wanted someone to take her place and picked me. I don’t know why she picked me though. I’m sorry if you were all here hoping to hear some great answer that explained everything, but even I don’t know much. Emily is still a big question mark in my head.”

“And what,” another spoke up, “does our master’s master, as you called whatever that being was, want with you?”

“Well, she’s the only person who could grant me immortality. Actually, forget I said that. At this point, I’m even more confused about what’s going on than I was before Emily left us.”

“Eric,” Kira brought my attention to her, “the reason we’re here is to tell you that the Apostles here want to believe you. We have seen enough to come to terms with you replacing Emily. The argument between us, and the Apostles that aren’t present, is whether or not the Apostles of the Crescent Moon is even a thing without the actual person that represented the Crescent Moon. Point is, we’re willing to accept your leadership but the others aren’t.”

My eyebrows shot up, then furrowed down, “Leadership? Kira, you don’t need to follow me. None of you do. I’m not your leader. But, if you wish to be friends with me, then I’m not against that. Well, you’re already a friend, I’m really talking to the Apostles I don’t know yet.”

Someone slammed his fist into the table, “Stop pussyfootin’ around and tell him the real reasons we’re here!” he yelled.

“Please don’t yell at Kira,” I promptly and calmly requested.

“I can yell at whoever the hell I please!” he raised his voice even further. “Even you, kid!”

Hmm, now, I could blast his ass away, but that’d just make a mess. “Bet you didn’t have the balls to yell at Emily though.” I earned a few chuckles from the other Apostles. “Since you’re so emotional about these ‘real reasons’, why don’t you tell me yourself?”

“Our master is gone. Our source of magical know-how is gone. You know things we don’t. Teach us!” he demanded.

“I’ll teach whoever the hell I want to teach. Also, I think you’ve misinterpreted something. The things Emily taught me aren’t easily passed on. Did you think she sat down with me and explained this and that? No. She just transferred the knowledge to me. I haven’t the foggiest on how she did that. And one other thing – the things she taught me aren’t learnable with the remaining life that you have. You’ll die of old age before even grasping the basics of the basics.”

The room went silent. Of course, it did. They were re-evaluating me in their minds, most likely.

“You’re all wondering if to tell him about the staff, huh?” Donna finally said something.

“You fool…” one of them said to her. My mana leaked out but she simply placed a hand on my hand to calm me.

“Why did you mention that?” another asked.

Donna sighed. “This boy was chosen by our master to continue maintaining the balance. Did you really think he wouldn’t eventually find out? You all came here with the intentions to tell him that anyway, but when you realised that he couldn’t exactly teach you the spells that Emily refused to teach us, you wanted to take the deal off the table.”

She cast Levitate and floated off of me, then ambled around the table. “I remember he used to ask me how powerful he was, compared to others. The last time we had that discussion, I told him he was stronger than us when it came to raw magical power, but we, the Apostles, would be able to out-manoeuvre him – we’re more experienced after all. But that was a long time ago. Last night, if you all had attacked him, you’d all be dead. So, how do I put this?” Her index finger tapped the side of her lips in thought. “I’d say it’s more of an obligation to tell him of the staff. Using it as a bargaining chip probably isn’t a wise choice.” She slipped back into my mind after her little rant.

“And,” I figured, “seeing that you even mentioned the staff, that would mean none of you can use it. Otherwise you’d just take it for yourselves.”

Silence rummaged about the table as they shared awkward glances amongst themselves.

Kira put her hands on the table and stood up, “You’re even sharper than when we first met. That’s unfair, having the master’s favourite in your mind.”

“Yeah, well, it didn’t come free.” I crossed my leg and drank a bit of tea, “So who wants to show me where this staff is?”

None of them said a thing.

“Very well.” My last bit of tea finished, so I got up. “I’ve got some things to do so, you can see yourselves out.”

In the end, I figured these Apostles were the same as those who didn’t accept me. Once I had Donna, I needed none of them. And Kira of course.

I went back to Anjali and everyone else. Bianca took dibs on a room. And well, that was it really. No one else really cared which room they took, since I made all the rooms the same size. But they all somehow ended up around the same parts. Anjali and I would be the most segregated. The four young servants took the rooms opposite everyone else, for convenience’s sake, and the head servant took a room opposite us on the other wing of the mansion.

To maintain this place, and this living, I wanted to really amp-up production, so the next day, I fetched Calla from Aquan and brought her and August to my study. It was basically a small library away from the house where I could collect my thoughts in sweet solitude. I made a really awesome blacksmith station for August over at his place.

“Why am I here? I’m busy, you know?” Calla complained.

I looked at her. I mean, really looked at her. She had bags under her eyes, messy hair, sloppy clothes. “You haven’t been sleeping properly, have you, Bad Ankle?”

“Like I said, I’m busy,” she repeated. Her fingers rubbed slowly along her eyelids. “I, don’t know if I can keep up with this.”

“Hmm?”

“The production, man!” her voice elevated. “We’re pullin’ double shifts most days of the week!”

I transmuted the cushiest couch for her and made some refreshing tea.

“Why are you working double shifts? Just hire more sewing people.”

She rolled her eyes in annoyance, “It’s tailors and seamstresses, dumbass.” A sigh escaped after. “And, I don’t know if I should hire more people. If I do, I’ll have to stop sewing myself just to oversee the place.”

“Then, do that.”

“Stop oversimplifying it.”

Now I rolled my eyes. “What do you want to do, Bad Ankle?”

“Calla,” she corrected. “Can I level with you?” I nodded for her to do just that. “I’m scared. And why shouldn’t I be? Going beyond what we’re doing now is launching into territory I’ve never seen.”

“You’re worried about becoming a large-scale company?”

“Yeah, man. It isn’t as easy as you make it sound. We gotta get loans to get machinery. We gotta relocate for a bigger space. We gotta train new people and existing employees on new machinery. We gotta calculate mistakes that undoubtedly will be made.”

Wow, she thought this through, huh?

August interjected at that point. “He’ll just make the machinery. No need for getting loans. Anjali can handle getting more property. You don’t have to worry too much there. All you need to focus on is getting more people and training them.”

“Oh yeah,” she said, as if just remembering we had Anjali and my transmutation ability. “Okay, so, why are we here again?”

“Yeah, why are we here?” August repeated her question.

“Big plans, buddy! Big plans!”

~

Two months later, the three of us, and now Anjali, met up in the same place. We’d meet there a couple times a week and Anjali would give us progress reports since she was basically overseeing all of our business under K&A.

“August. Well, not much change there. Still our only stable source of income.

“Calla. We’re one month into training. There are still large amounts of spoilage from mistakes, but otherwise catching up. Sales have started picking back up since then. Machinery maintenance is mostly ironed out.”

“Eric. The greenhouses are about ready for the first big harvest. The chemists have already tried and concreted an optimal dosage for the three base potions. Once they get the herbs and check them, then it can be sent off to the workshop to be mass produced.” Anjali sighed.

“You should get an assistant,” I told her. She really was spreading herself thin between the three of us. Clothing. Enchanted jewellery. Potions – and pills would be added soon after. Three totally unrelated industries, yet she was basically our go-to person for just about everything. “Scratch that. You should get a team. K&A is only going to get bigger.”

And that’s what we’ve been up to.