Zoey's POV

Having left Rythian's dirt fort, I went over to the nearest mushroom I could see. He told me he was called Toby, and that this Rythian guy seemed.... weird. His friends from further away say he used to live with another boy, who had a lab coat. Sadly, that's all they could tell about the other's appearance because mushrooms are a a little short... unfortunate.

When I finally scraped up the dirt wall of Rythian's awkward little four walled...... thing.... He spun around quickly, looking surprised.

"I-I, I thought you'd left!"

"Why'd I do that?'

"To go see your family? Tell them you're alright? Go home? I would've thought that would more comfy? Some place where you'll have a roof overhead!" He asked a lot of questions, some of which I was uncomfortable with, but I put up my happy, unfazed, smiling face and answered him:

"Basically, I don't have parents, I don't really have anywhere to 'go back to' seen as I've been on the move, and this is better than out in the open when you're attacked by zombles, skellingtones and spider-fish-flapping-leg-people-thingamajiggies!" I kept the mask of excitement through my little speech but I think it must have wavered at the start. I thought it'd be best to get the worst out of the way first. My parents. Or the non-existent ones. I was... created.

"Fair enough. Stay here then, but you have to help."

"Cool! Will you teach me more magic?! I could be like your apprentice! Or your padowan! Teach me the ways of the Jedi, Master." I bowed.

"Mmkay, I'll teach you.. Just let me..." He turned away, poring over some big old book and muttering to himself.... He must be insane.

The very next day, he started to teach. First, Rythian presented me with a Philosopher's stone; A magical object that can take materials and manipulate them to make something new, or even take a living organism and change it into a different one! He was good at engaging me in the 'lesson', but when he actually started explaining how it worked, I kinda zoned out. My mind started to wonder. I found myself thinking about space: the stars, solar system, suns, galaxies, universe... everything. This got me thinking, what if I could go to space? What if MAGIC could get me there? What if RYTHIAN could get me there?! I would have to consult him straight away.

He had been chuntering through my entire thought process, and was still trying, mercilessly, to explain something to me. I just interrupted him.

"Can you make me go into space?"

"Well, I guess so, I can make you a flying ring and stuff.. but that's not the point!" He went back into his relentless speech, and I went back into my haze. I imagined a mini dragon flying around the fort; around us; and landing on Rythian's head. It was a very nice image, and so I just let the dragon do whatever: Backflight, spins, twists, races, backflips, everything a baby dragon might be able to do. I even imagine the little guy setting the blond streak in Rythian's hair on fire! That'd be awesome! Unless it spread.

I was pulled back to reality when Rythian actually handed me the stone. Then, he gave me some coal, and off I trod. When I leapt out of the little base, I was immediately faced with a pretty white sheep! There she stood, looking perfectly peaceful and carefree; Let's see then. So Rythian said something about special words? Well, what magic words do I know?

Oooh! I know! I had my right hand stretched forward toward the sheep, holding the philosopher's stone.

"PLEASE." I cried. Nothing. Ok, not that word. Try again next time.

"ABRACADABRA" Nope.

"ALACAZAM." Bad luck.

"EXPLELLIARMUS." Not happening, mate.

"STUPIFY." No.

"OPEN SESAME." No, no, non, non. Ok, fair enough, I'd just have to actually think about what the Mage said.

I put up my arm again, aiming for the innocent shoop. It was looking at me peculiarly, head dropped to one side. To be fair, I had just been shouting words at it.

Now, what was that word?

"Tri.. Tree... Trell.. Too...Trill..?"

No, it was similar, but not quite.

"Trillangious!" It worked! My sheep was now a chicken!

"I shall name thy chicken, Tallulah. Three 'L's and an 'H'."

Lovely.

Rythian's POV

The condenser was coming along well, I still had all of the materials I needed in my alchemical bag, but I wasn't sure if I'd have enough convalence dust. Still, I went on with the making of it. Condensers take a lot of energy to make, so I was being very careful; making as much of it as I could by hand. This meant that the overall design would be a little scratchy, but when my power grew I knew I could make it cleaner. Lifting the chest onto the table was surprisingly easy, then I fixed the lines to it myself. But then the magic came in. There were three words, they had to be said clearly, with exaggeration on just the right parts and in the correct order. It could be difficult, but I could do it.

"Sampacherie, Doefantiant, Creoquell!"

It did the job, a purpley-blue haze was surrounding the wooden chest, then lifting it in the air along with the convalence dust and other ingredients, they spun slowly. This was the important part. If I don't hold my concentration, the whole thing will drop back down to the ground.

There was a scream.