Worthy

I barely managed to hold my breath as the golden glow from the chest spilled out, surrounding me in warmth. My hands trembled as I opened the lid fully, revealing a singular object lying within: an ancient tome. It seemed forged from metal rather than parchment, its cover gleaming with a strange metallic sheen. Intricate carvings, nearly identical to the symbols unearthed at the dig site, wove across its surface in mesmerizing spirals and loops. It looked less like a book and more like a living artifact, pulsing faintly in my hands.

"Hamish," I whispered, unable to take my eyes off the tome. "This… isn't possible."

Hamish frowned and dropped his shovel, stepping closer for a better look. "What are you on about? It's just an old book, right?" He squinted at the carvings, skepticism plain in his expression.

I hesitated, then reached out. My fingers brushed the tome's cold surface. The moment I touched it, the sky seemed to shudder. Clouds churned and rolled, gathering with unnatural speed as if summoned by some unseen force. They swallowed the light, plunging the landscape into a shadowed gray that felt suffocating. The air grew thick, pressing down with an almost physical weight. The soft glow of the tome dimmed as a pulse of energy rippled outward, silencing the chirping birds and rustling leaves. The sudden stillness sent a chill down my spine.

"Robbie?" Hamish's voice wavered. "What's happenin'? Why's it gone dark all of a sudden?"

I couldn't respond. The moment my hand rested fully on the tome, an overwhelming force surged through me. My surroundings dissolved, leaving me suspended in a void of endless black. The light from the tome pulled inward, until only it and I remained. It hovered before me, spinning slowly, its carvings glowing faintly. As I stared, the surface seemed to shift, revealing glimpses of something beyond—a sky impossibly blue, clouds swirling like living things. Then, a face appeared.

She was stunningly beautiful, with flowing red hair that seemed alive, golden light swirling around her. Her glowing green eyes, almost without pupils, burned with power. They were captivating and unsettling all at once. She seemed to look through me, not at me, and I couldn't look away.

Outside the void, Hamish saw none of this. To him, I stood frozen, my face a mask of shock and awe, staring unblinking at the tome. A faint shimmer formed around me, growing into a translucent barrier that rippled like water. Hamish approached cautiously, his instincts screaming that something was very wrong.

"Robert! Snap out of it!" He pounded on the forcefield with his fists. The barrier held firm, vibrating in response. Desperate, Hamish grabbed a rock and hurled it at the barrier. The rock rebounded with impossible speed, grazing his cheek and leaving a sharp, stinging wound.

Hamish staggered back, pressing a hand to the cut. Blood welled under his fingers as fear clawed at him. "Robbie, what the hell's goin' on?" he demanded, stepping back as the ringing of the forcefield grew louder, almost drowning him out.

Inside the void, I felt the tome come alive. Tendrils of golden energy stretched out, brushing against my skin, my head, and my chest. My breath hitched as they coiled tighter, sending chills and searing warmth rippling through me. It was overwhelming, like standing too close to a roaring fire but refusing to back away. I gasped as the energy pierced through me—not painful, but all-encompassing, peeling back every layer of my being.

The void felt infinite and oppressive, yet strangely intimate. Memories surged to the forefront of my mind, replaying my life in reverse. I saw myself in college, studying with a girlfriend I hadn't thought of in years. As a teenager, playing video games at home. As a child, running through fields near my house, my parents' laughter bright and happy before the divorce that shattered everything. I felt the joy of my first discovery as an archaeologist and the sting of my worst failures.

The magic dug deeper, unraveling me. It moved beyond my memory, probing into my very soul. Tendrils of energy coiled into my DNA, unfurling my genetic code like a map. Images of my ancestors flashed through my mind. Warriors sparring. Healers, closing wounds. Mystics channeling colorful energies. All wielding power that felt eerily familiar.

Then I saw them: an ancient clan, their faces illuminated by an ethereal glow as they chanted in unison around a fire alive with purpose. The flames danced, reflecting the intricate carvings etched into their glowing arms and foreheads. The same carvings on the tome! Their voices echoed in my mind, both haunting and beautiful.

The visions overwhelmed me. I felt weighed, measured, judged by something far greater than myself. A deep unease crept over me. What will the tome decide?

The energy slowed, as if considering something, and then a single word echoed in my mind: Worthy.

The tome shuddered. Its surface fractured into golden shards that swirled around me, breaking into streams of light. Each shard pierced through me, flooding my body with magic that burned like fire. It was so intense, all-consuming. Yet soothed like a cool breeze chasing the heat. It sank into my veins, my bones, my very soul, creating pathways of light within me. My senses sharpened, my mind cleared, and a quiet strength settled deep inside me.

As the last of the light faded, the darkness dissolved. I found myself back at the dig site, standing still while Hamish stared at me, wide-eyed and pale.

"Robert… what just happened? Are you okay?" Hamish's voice barely cut through the lingering power in the air.

I didn't answer. I looked down at my hands, where faint golden lines now formed intricate patterns across my skin. My breathing was steady, but my mind raced with questions. What did the tome do to me?

"Robbie, you alright, mate? You look like you've seen a ghost. Answer me, will you?" Hamish edged closer, still wary of where the forcefield had been.

I opened my mouth to respond, but then I heard her. A voice, soft but commanding, spoke directly into my mind. I am Moira, the magic of your ancestors. And you, Robert, are now my vessel. We have much to do.

I blinked, my mouth opening slightly in disbelief. "Who… who said that?" I spun around, searching, but no one was there except Hamish.

Hamish frowned. "Said what? It's just me, mate. You've been standin' there like a statue trapped in a… bubble?" He gestured vaguely, trying to describe what he'd seen.

I ignored him, focusing inward. What do you mean, 'vessel'? What's going on? I asked, hoping the voice would answer.

Exactly what I said, the voice replied, smooth and amused. I am Moira. Your ancestors called me magic itself, and now I've chosen you to bring me back into this world. Together, we will restore balance.

"Restore balance?" My disbelief echoed in my thoughts.

Hamish frowned. "Balance? Robbie, who are you talkin' to? You're freakin' me out, mate."

I shook my head, realizing how mad I must seem. "It's… nothing. Just give me a second."

Balance, Moira repeated, patient and firm. The world has forgotten me. They've relied too long on logic and faith, pushing imagination and wonder to the edges of existence. But we can change that.

I rubbed my temples, overwhelmed. My thoughts swirled with questions, but one stood out. Why me?

After a pause, Moira answered: Because you're curious. You dig deeper, literally and figuratively. And whether you realize it or not, you've been searching for me your whole life.

I swallowed hard, her words striking a chord. I glanced at my hands again, the faint glow still visible beneath my skin.

"Robert," Hamish said nervously. "You're scarin' the hell outta me. Do I need to call someone or what?"