Read Book 1

June 10th, 3030 For three days, Itus trudged through the desert, his movements now more confident and purposeful than they had been before his time with the Dune Walkers. The rising and setting of the twin suns marked the passage of time, and Itus found himself falling into a rhythm with the desert's harsh beauty. As he crested yet another dune on the third day, his breath caught in his throat. There, shimmering in the distance like a mirage made real, were crystal spires eme

**There are four letters hidden in this image ** June 7th, 3030 The days that followed blurred together in a whirlwind of new experiences and hard-won knowledge. Itus threw himself into the training with a fervor that surprised even himself. Each day brought new challenges, new skills to master, and new respect for the harsh beauty of the desert. Sahara, the older woman, proved to be a patient and knowledgeable teacher. She showed him how to find water in the seemingly barren

June 3rd, 3030 Consciousness returned to Itus slowly, like waves lapping at the shore of his mind. His eyes fluttered open, struggling to focus in the dim light. He found himself lying on a makeshift bed, damp cloths draped over his body. Confusion washed over him as he took in his surroundings—a simple tent with various supplies scattered about, his backpack resting in a corner. "Where...?" Itus croaked, his voice weak and unfamiliar to his own ears. He struggled to sit up,

October 2nd, 3021  Nine-year-old Itus padded into the kitchen, drawn by the comforting sounds and smells of his mother cooking. Without a word, he wrapped his arms around Elara's leg, burying his face against her. "Itus? What are you doing here?" Elara asked, surprised by his sudden appearance. Itus mumbled something unintelligible into her leg, not ready to face the world just yet.  "Oh, is that so?" Elara replied, playing along. When Itus mumbled again, Elara gently prodded

May 31st, 3030 The twin suns of Novus Prime blazed mercilessly in the sky, casting a harsh light over the barren landscape. Itus trudged through the endless sea of sand, his backpack weighing heavily on his shoulders. Exhaustion and disorientation clouded his mind as he struggled to maintain his bearings in the vast desert. "How long have I been walking?" Itus muttered to himself, his voice hoarse from thirst. "Is this day two? Or is it three? I can't remember anymore." He pa

May 29th, 3030 The next morning, Itus found himself standing in the Asteroid Mining Facility's docking bay, his few possessions packed in his backpack. Connie.tchr, and Macy stood near their transport ship, preparing for departure. "You sure about this, kid?" Connie.tchr asked, her voice tinged with disappointment. "We make a pretty good team." Itus nodded. "Yeah, I'm sure. I think... I need to find my own way for a bit." Macy stepped forward, his smile as charming as ever. "

May 28th, 3030 The Rusty Airlock Bar was dimly lit, filled with a diverse crowd of miners and space explorers. Itus found himself seated in a booth with Connie.tchr and Macy, several empty glasses on the table indicating they'd been there for a while. The atmosphere was lively, but Itus couldn't shake a feeling of unease that had settled in his stomach. "To Macy, our hero of the day!" Connie.tchr exclaimed, raising her glass. "Hear, hear!" Itus chimed in enthusiastically, try

May 28th, 3030 The small transport ship approached a massive asteroid mining facility, its metallic surface glinting in the starlight. Itus felt a mix of excitement and nervousness as they docked. This was his second job with Connie.tchr, and he was eager to prove himself again. As they disembarked, Itus noticed a third person waiting for them - a charming human man in his mid-30s, lounging in a seat with an air of casual confidence. The Station Manager introduced him as Macy

May 27th, 3030 Itus sat nervously in the passenger area of a small, weathered transport ship as it docked at a run-down space station in the Outer Rim. Clutching his backpack tightly, he glanced around at the other passengers, trying not to draw attention to himself.  Next to him sat a confident-looking Ustur woman with a vibrant blue cyber tech exterior. Itus couldn't help but admire her self-assured demeanor, wishing he could muster even a fraction of that confidence.  As t

May 26th, 3030 The bustling Starbase 10X7Y came into view as their ship pulled up. Itus's eyes widened at the sight of ships of various sizes taking off and landing in the background. I've never seen anything like this,  he marveled silently. So many different beings, so many ships... Is this what the rest of the galaxy looks like? Have I been living in a tiny bubble all this time? The area was a hive of activity, filled with merchants, travelers, and dock workers. It was a f

May 25th, 3030 The first rays of sunlight peeked over the horizon, casting long shadows across the cracked landing pad where their ship had come to a stop. Itus stirred awake, momentarily disoriented by the unfamiliar surroundings. As his eyes adjusted to the light, he took in the dilapidated structures of what appeared to be an old spaceport. Tristan turned around in his seat, a cold smirk playing on his face. "Rise and shine, sleeping beauty. We're here." Itus sat up straig

May 24th, 3030 The road stretched endlessly before Itus, a ribbon of uncertainty leading away from the only place he'd felt safe in years. Cliff and Anise's house was now just a memory, growing fainter with each step he took. The weight of his backpack seemed to increase with every mile, a constant reminder of the kindness he'd left behind. How am I going to find the Heralds of Vignus?  Itus wondered, his mind racing. I'm on my own again, just like before. But this time... th

May 24th, 3030 Itus stirred in his bed, the sound of Cliff's final knock echoing through the door. Breakfast time , he thought, a mix of emotions swirling in his chest. With a heavy sigh, he dragged himself out of bed and changed into fresh clothes. This is it,  Itus thought, his heart heavy. My last morning here. How did the time pass so quickly?  He ran his hand along the worn wooden dresser, committing its texture to memory.  The kitchen greeted him with familiar warmth—Cl

May 23rd, 3030 Itus awoke to the now-familiar sound of Cliff knocking on his door and calling his name. As he got dressed, nervousness coursed through him. It was his last day of tasks, and he was eager to prove himself. After a quick breakfast with Anise in the kitchen, Itus stepped outside to meet Cliff. The older man greeted him with a smile. "Last day! How are you feeling?" Cliff asked, his eyes twinkling. Itus straightened his shoulders, projecting confidence. "Pretty go

May 22nd, 3030 The next morning, as if caught in a time loop, the day repeated itself. Itus found himself being roused from sleep by Cliff once again. With anticipation, he got dressed and made his way to the kitchen, where Anise was waiting with breakfast. After the meal, Itus met Cliff outside. The older man led him to the garden, his weathered face creasing with a smile as he spoke. "Today, you'll be weeding, watering, and harvesting anything that's ready," Cliff instructe

May 21st, 3030 Itus laid on the bed in the guest bedroom, one arm tucked behind his head, the other holding up his necklace. He watched it spin idly, lost in thought, when a knock at the door jolted him back to reality. "Lucas! It's time to get up! Breakfast is on the table. Eat fast and meet me outside," Cliff's voice called through the door. Itus listened as Cliff's footsteps retreated down the hallway. With a sigh, he pulled himself out of bed and dressed in the clothes An

August 11th, 3014 The sun shone brightly over the sandy expanse of the beach, its warmth embracing three young siblings as they raced across the shore. Helios, at twelve years old, sprinted ahead with a mischievous grin on his face. A ten-year-old Selene pursued him with determination, her feet kicking up small plumes of sand. Trailing behind them both was little Itus, barely two years old, his chubby legs carrying him as fast as they could. "Your days are numbered, Helios!"

May 16-20th, 3030 Pain lanced through Itus's body with each labored step as he limped through the dense forest. His left arm, cradled in a makeshift sling torn from his jumpsuit, throbbed in time with his heartbeat. I never thought I'd miss the feeling of two working arms so much,  Itus mused, a weary smile tugging at his lips despite the pain. What I wouldn't give for a hot shower and a soft bed right now.  Hours had melted into a hazy blur since he'd begun this desperate jo

May 15th, 3030 Itus awoke to a world spinning around him, the trees above blurring into a dizzying kaleidoscope as consciousness slowly returned. The rising sun painted the forest in hues of amber and gold, a stark contrast to the pain that wracked his body. As he struggled to sit up, a groan escaped his lips, the sharp agony in his head forcing him to cradle it in his hands for a moment. When he finally managed to lift his gaze and survey his surroundings, a new torment made

May 14th, 3030 The gymnasium of the main training facility buzzed with nervous energy as Itus stood next to Lucas, surrounded by their peers in organized rows. Before them, the seven house leaders stood imposingly, their presence a stark reminder of the weight of the days to come. Commander Finch's voice cut through the tension as he paced back and forth, outlining the final days of their training. "Students," Commander Finch began, his voice carrying across the room, "today,