The Seven (Fist of Light Series) by Derek Edgington Page B

it, my suspicion was verified. As I closed in on the glowing globe of untapped power, out popped… me ? What walked before me, however, was infinitely different.
    Even though his features were similar, the overall image created by slight divergences was a different person entirely. Where I was rugged and dirty, he was refined and sparkly clean, without a speck of visible dust. Where my clothes were torn and shabby from the day’s tribulations, his were immaculate, creased from recent purchase. And his overall air was one of supreme confidence; no one and nothing would faze him. His poise was unsurpassed, and overall, he was just a damn sight better than me. But, I wasn’t going to let that rattle me. I was the one at the wheel.
    My voice was only slightly sulky. “Hello, Jeeves. Nice to finally meet you, face-to-face. You’re looking very refined, and, very… me.”
    The similarity in his voice was now evident, although it was dramatically altered by the conviction and composure it seemed to possess in boatloads. “Personally, I think you were assembled poorly, but I’ve seen worse jobs.” He glanced around himself, apparently scrutinizing the setting. “This is interesting… very interesting. Quite exceptional, really, you might hold some potential after all. Who knew it was within your grasp.”
    I let my gaze settle on the surroundings, on the compilation of memories, thoughts, and emotions. It seemed to me that I was inside a galaxy all my own, which stretched into infinity. If Jeeves informed me adequately, then this wasn’t the only way to establish the connection from which the nexus of my power resided. For all I knew, a giant pink daisy could have been waiting for me on top of a mountain of rocky road ice cream. Although probably delicious, it would have been highly unnecessary.
    “You did imply that everyone’s approach in discovering and establishing their power base would be unique,” I pointed out.
    Jeeves must have had tuned most of my comment out, for he seemed to be pondering something to himself, although he finally snapped out of his reverie. Apparently, we had that in common.
    Every word was dragged out of his mouth as if at the greatest painstaking cost imaginable. “This is a more comprehensive way to contemplate the psyche than I considered a mortal mind capable.” He nodded vaguely at the gyrating landscape. “These are the unseen portions of cognizance, rarely recognized, and even more rarely explored. The mind is an unpredictable place; you would be wise to be wary of it. Its intricacies are indecipherable.”
    His grudging admiration brought out the best in me. I couldn’t help but grin. “And those?” I pointed at the two connected nodes of power, the locus of my mind. “The way I see them makes me some sort of genius, right?”
    The smugness in his tone was glaringly evident when Jeeves responded. “No, of course not. You’re no genius. You just have a very unique way of perceiving reality, perspective, if you will. This could point to a number of redeeming qualities, though I’m not quite sure where to start, and I’m sure you’ll figure one out, eventually.” He paused dramatically, apparently waiting for a comment on my part, although none was forthcoming, so he reluctantly continued. “Well, this was enlightening, but I have very important business to attend to elsewhere.”
    He pointed me in the direction of the larger orb. With that he flashed out, disappearing back inside his domain, going about his enigmatic business. It was only now that I realized Jeeves had taken a shot at me. The bastard. I took a deep breath for courage then glided resolutely forward into the enveloping light and warmth of my power, hoping not to be burned to ash when coming into contact with it. The process was disconcerting, but as heat enveloped my body and the light crowded into my soul, I felt perfectly at peace. No problem was so insurmountable that it couldn’t be dealt with when