—Tales of the Deos, Felipe Thomás San Justinio The path is full of whispers and loose stones tumbling from the highest peaks. Our footsteps echo all the way to the top. “Was that you?” Nova asks. “Me what?” I say. “Touching me.” I scoff. “You wish.” “It’s probably just a poisonous spider that’s evolved to kill you,” Rishi tells him. “Just stop helping,” he mutters. I’m so thirsty, but without another source of water, the water we carry is precious. I wonder… “Nova, if I can conjure fire, would I be able to conjure water as well?” He makes a hmmm noise. “Depends. I’ve heard the recoil for elemental magic is pretty bad. Fire burns your skin. Lightning makes your heart stop.” “I conjured lightning at home to fight the maloscuro. I passed out.