JUNE 2022
2021-2022, Issue 4
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The Luther Tatler, Luther College High School
FROM THE PRESIDENT
FROM THE EDITORS
HI EVERYONE!
HELLO READERS!
This is your new SRC president Harvey Wang.
Thank you for picking up this edition of the Tat-
As this school year comes to an end, I wish that
ler! I hope you enjoy it. It’s truly been a joy and
everyone has a restful and enjoyable summer.
an honour to be editor of the Tatler this year. To
For the last two years, we have encountered var-
all of the artists and creators, thank you for shar-
ious adversities due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
ing your work with all of us. I hope you never
However, as the situation continues to get better,
stop making art! To my editing team, thank you
we hope to put on our SRC events at a full scale.
for your support and dedication. Best wishes to
The current SRC has done a great job, and I
all of you for a restful summer and next year!
think you are surely happy to see the Luther tra-
VIRGINIA HECTOR
dition carried on. I look forward to the next school year, as together we will make it just as
HEY EVERYONE!
wonderful. Have an amazing and restful sum-
It’s been so amazing being part of the Tatler
mer!
team this year! I want to say a huge thank you HARVEY WANG
to all of our contributors - especially those of
you who we called up last minute - for submitHEY LUTHER!
ting amazing work. I have loved getting to read
I hope everyone has had a great year. We are in
all of your submissions and see your art pieces
the last stretch now. I wish all the returning stu-
and I hope you all continue contributing next
dents good luck as they continue their high
year!
MIA BHATIA
school careers, and I hope that the grade twelves can start the next few steps of their lives
HI LUTHER COMMUNITY!
without strife. It has been an honour represent-
I cannot believe we have reached the end of
ing this amazing student body and look forward
another unpredictable school year. It has been
to seeing everything that you guys will do.
a wild roller coaster, filled with so much com-
Thanks for an amazing year!
munity love, exam stress, and even more love.
ARYANA PILLAY
Thank you all for making the Tatler editions this year possible. We owe it to you all! I’m grateful to Virginia and Mia for guiding me along this path and I am so thrilled to begin a new journey with you all as your next editor.
INI IDOWU
2021-2022, Issue 4: June 2022
|3
POETRY A BLURRY WORLD
MY CAT AND ME
Everything seems to be a blur
Finally dead for awhile Gonna retire for now
My words turn into a slur
Wait, someone is calling me from a mile
The clock is ticking
My spirit, up it flows
My head is spinning
Through the realms
I start to feel overwhelmed
My eyes close
Who is summoning me
The world slows
My fears flee
In that moment
A sound from below
I face my opponent
A quiet meow I think she’s hungry
My reflection
Makes me angry
Is the infection
Her bowl is still full
I am the stranger
My life is so dull so
Of my own danger
I pet my cat And I sat
Dark as space
Watched her sleep
Broken as a vase
My job is complete
In the vast multiverse AKSHAYA RAVI
AKSHAYA RAVI
ARTIST’S NOTE This edition’s cover art is by BRAYDEN WESLEY. “I was inspired to make a painting for my creative project for Christian Ethics. I wanted to do the topic of Jesus’ love for humans. I chose to do in the style Norval Morrisseau because I wanted to do an unique art style. The art style has strong but thin dark lines to contrast with vibrant colours that really pop.”
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The Luther Tatler, Luther College High School
T HE
MAGICIAN
My biggest flaw is that I want magic. I want to be dangerous and feared and saving and loved. I want to make flowers grow and kingdoms burn and to be gazed at with awe. I want to be foreign and unnatural, beautiful in the ways that I am other. I want pointed ears and sharp teeth and divine structure. But above all I want to have greater purpose. I want my non-fantastical problems to be minuscule before what I can make possible. I want to destroy and create, to be wicked and virtuous and for whatever I am to be beyond judgement because gods, what I could do would be beyond all else. I want magic because it is where I have run to before. Among screaming doors and choking silence I have been liberated by Tolkien, rescued by Rowling and saved by Maas. It is magic that lets me fall into someplace else where I can be something that I am not, where I am nothing and nothing is flawless. An observer can put off growing pains. I want magic so I may be important beyond what I am, simultaneously free of importance. But in this world of minotaurs and mimics and leshens I am anchored down by the formless masses of the deep and there is no magic to help me slay my beasts. At least, not the magic you notice at first. I delved into fantasies of witches and warlocks, dungeons and dragons, kingdoms and empires, a place where “gifted” children remained special. And while these stories have been my salvation—my escape— the etchings of magic already around me have been brushed aside. In this world what is magic is not spells and curses and faeries. What is magic is the way that the stars shine, the way sunlight feels on your skin. What is magic can be as simple as coffee, when coffee becomes something you can get out of bed for. What is magic is petting a dog and seeing absolute unconditional love and adoration in its eyes. What is magic is when you notice a smile you never tried to form after a period of forced ones. What is magic is when you can look back at all of the beasts you have slain and realize you do not need magic to be strong. What is magic is realizing that something as imperfect as myself can exist and is allowed to exist and is beautiful without pointed ears without perfect grace JOSIE LLOYD
2021-2022, Issue 4: June 2022
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J UST IMAGINE ImAgine a world where unity is the foundation A world where we can accept and respect Those who agree with us as well as those who don’t A world where we can reflect and connect ImAgine a world where justice is the judge A world where an oppressed can complain
In any place imaginable, without fear of an oppressor A world where innocent veins aren’t slain in vain ImAgine a world where everyday each family is nourished A world where the poor can thrive In the midst of a place where the rich rule A world where the poor don’t have to strive to survive ImAgine a world where forests and jungles aren’t destroyed A world where mammals and birds’ habitats aren’t broken In a planet so often stolen of its beauty A world where animals and plants aren’t outspoken ImAgine a world where all of these things come true A world which is deprived of no fantasies In as far as they can be imagined A world where all of this is a reality ASHAR RIZVI
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The Luther Tatler, Luther College High School
O PEN E YED D REAMING Once I had a dream, Happiness ran down a stream. Everything was beautiful in every way. There was a guarantee that everything’d be okay. No one was ever alone, Everywhere felt like a home.
CLOSURE Closure Every time I close my eyes I try to hide Annoying lies To escape life The life I live Is just a sweet fantasy The harder I give I start to lose my sanity
There was no such thing as tears.
Time didn’t matter, not even years. There was no pain, But then I opened my eyes again.
Hungry in the mind Trying to find Some food That is good
Later that night, I switched off the light. I closed my eyes And I realized That it was never a dream! The moments with you, they were the stream.
Everything really is beautiful in its own way. You told me everything would be okay. With you, I never felt alone.
Memories with them Soon fade away Like an exam They say Closing my spirit It is in no debit To the life I once knew
You helped me build my home. You made my dream come true. All that’s left to say is thank you. JESS GIRGIS
AKSHAYA RAVI
2021-2022, Issue: June 2022
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AN UNFORGETTABLE NIGHT, ONE YEAR LATER Yes, it was All College, and it was in 2022
On not wearing masks so as not to remind
You know what that means?
ourselves of the past year’s virus tragedy
It was a year after the “not so perfect” cyber-
But we did it, and it was amazing!
space event Loved seeing every single face It was on the 13th of May, and it was
And smile
EVERYTHING AND MORE
And gorgeous eyes
It certainly was perfect and LIVE in the physical
And laughter
realm on Royal Street
(and funny faces made as most of us forgot
100% definite that there was magic included
we weren’t wearing our “disguise”)
somehow Somehow, magically, and not imaginary, I went home, and I know you did too, with
expectations were raised
chills
And the bar was tremendously crushed
from the singing to the teacher extravaganza
With this year’s All College
I honestly don't know how we all notified each
Here’s to another year of magic, potions, and
other with our stress-infused antennas
utopia (Travis’ drop inclusive) INI IDOWU
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The Luther Tatler, Luther College High School
AN INSIGHT INTO TRACK The 100m race is about to begin:
You adjust yourself into your blocks, making sure
You take your first steps onto the track, and look
your spikes are pounded into the back of those
down at the distant, but familiar, lanes you’ve
heavy metallic boards, and your hands are light
grown accustomed to.
and springy on the track floor.
The air feels heavy with tension as you walk up to
Get set*
the line and adjust your blocks.
You raise yourself up off the floor, position your-
Your hands begin to feel sweaty and the
self properly, and take one last deep inhale.
sensation of your pounding chest begins to rise.
You block out everything.
You look down at the track, and a wave of
The murmurs. The yelling. The adrenaline that
anxiety hits you in the face.
seems to consume your entire being.
An army of butterflies fill your stomach.
Everything is shut out.
And your legs start to feel like strawberry jello.
The only thing you allow to penetrate through the
To your right and left are athletes who’ve been run- blocked out walls you’ve created for yourself is the ning their whole lives, and other athletes who are
sound of the gunshot.
running this race for the first time ever.
And you know it’s only a matter of seconds left be-
As you inhale, your breath is sharp and the
fore that gun is shot.
tingling air within the track pierces your nose.
*BANG*
On your marks*
ANONYMOUS
2021-2022, Issue 4: June 2022
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TRACK PROVINCIALS “It was a hot day filled with competition and so much excitement!“ - LUCY WRIGHT
“Track was a very fun experience. As a grade 9 who didn’t have track for the past 2 years due to Covid, experiencing it once again was a super fun experience. Being able to compete against others in the hot sun, with the cold freezes from the canteen and seeing others from other schools is what made the experience worthwhile. I enjoyed track a lot, and would love to do it again next year.” - AYO OLAOSEBIKAN “Don’t step on the grass” - RICHARD XU
“Track is so much fun. Everyone should it!” - MILA CARLETON
“Track was a new, yet rewarding experience for me. As an athlete, it challenged me in going beyond my comfort zone and trying new things.” - MEI ZENG
“Win from within. You have to set yourself goals so you can push yourself harder. Desire is the key to success.” -OMOTAYO ADEDUN (WISE WORDS FROM USAIN BOLT)
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The Luther Tatler, Luther College High School
T HE REALITY IS ALRIGHT , BUT THE M ULTIVERSE . . . One Friday, one night, one movie. So many emotions, theories, and thoughts came flying into my mind after watching Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. One thing that I thought of after watching this movie was the endless possibilities of realities not only in the Marvel Universe but also in real life. It is an interesting theory: What if there are endless realities in our world? This theory could be true, but we do not know if it is or not. It’s uncertain. No one in this world that we live in has bent the fabric of space and time to look at or be in different, unknown realities. Realities where there could be alternate versions of ourselves! So, as Peter Parker said in Spider-Man: No Way Home, “The Multiverse is real” is an uncertain statement that no one can answer in the world we live in. Honestly, there is a part of me that wants to leave this reality and go to another, and another side of me that wants to stay. I’ll elaborate. There are so many cons to this earth that we live in. Here, on planet earth, live racist acts, gender inequality, sea creatures being harmed, and so on. What if there was a reality where all of that did not exist? A timeline where every skin color was treated equally among others, a universe where women had the same rights and roles as men, and a world where there was no rubbish in the sea that would be affecting the environment... One can dream of a place like that. After all these years of problems, one would think that these issues would be erased. That there was a cure to all this suffering... But there isn’t. I don’t think there ever will be. One can simply just fantasize that there was a reality where everything was fine. It would be perfect. Alas, this reality is all right. There will always be nothing perfect in life. Everyone makes mistakes, and even those who believe they don’t, are still not perfect. For example, pour Moi, I don’t consider myself perfect at all, and I say that with pride.
I am repeatedly anxious about others. I question how people feel towards me and if people like me for who I am as well as if they are okay themselves. I can’t stop the feeling, I try to, but it just doesn’t work. It’s just how I am. We all have things about ourselves that we cannot control as well as opinions on why we or the world aren’t perfect. I don’t have to be perfect to be happy. I don’t have to live in a world where everything is perfect, and no problems occur. There will always be problems and we must face those problems if we can. That’s my viewpoint. Picture this for a second: picture a reality where everything is different. Where you are different. For example, a reality where Bill Gates did not co-found Microsoft, a reality where there was no such thing as ‘school’, a reality where you did not meet your best friends and graduate with them... It’s scary. That’s why this reality is all right. Picture this with the grade 12s. You are in this reality where you might be leaving some of your best friends and going to far-away universities. It’s all a new beginning. To be honest, I don’t want the grade 12s to leave. One of the sad parts about this reality that could be different in others is change. One has to say goodbye to many things. Home, family, friends, schoolteachers, and so on. I agree with this fact, but I always find it so hard to believe. It makes me cry sometimes; one knows that I’ll probably cry this June. To be honest, I don’t want them to leave. I know that sounds selfish but it’s a bit true. There are so many of them who have inspired, influenced, and changed me in the two years I’ve been at school. I wish I could go with them. I wish there was a reality where I was older and I would be in grade 12, graduating with them. Goodbyes are tough. And I know it’s almost my time.
2021-2022, Issue 4: June 2022
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T HE REALITY IS ALRIGHT , C ON ’ T Grade 12s, teachers, and any other leaving student, I hope you find your way home (Unlike Peter in Spider-Man: No Way Home). Know that everyone here, including me, will miss you. Well, would you look at that? I just talked to you all about different possibilities in different realities. I supplied a MULTI-tude of opportunities. Get it... because I talked about... You know what, never mind. But, as a quick summary and reminder. This is our reality.
One can experience heartbreak, death, trauma, depression, change, rage, and helplessness from different possibilities that happen in this world and yet we also can experience joy, love, and moments that last forever with the people we care for the most, and so on. I hope this theory and my opinion that was mentioned today inspired you to not hate things that happen in this reality. You never know if those same things can happen in an alternate world. Enjoy the reality we live in, we’re living our best lives right now, no matter how you feel psychologically or physically! Don’t give up. D ANIEL O GUNDARE
DEEPLY EXISTING I want to exist someplace else.
I want to rule over a land, Touch a dark sea, Love deeply. I want to claim a place and time, Have the option to be forever. I want for revenge to be swift, Hate to be fire, Screams to be pained. I want to fall in love so intensely that names blend. Search for me, I plead. Long for me, I plead. Worship me, I plead. I want someone to understand me truly. I want to be famed. I want to be loved. I want to be hated. All I want is to be written.
ANONYMOUS
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The Luther Tatler, Luther College High School
O NE C AT , O NE M OUSE , O NE O DD O RIGIN It was one simple, sunny Saturday afternoon. There on the beach of New York lay a small, frowning cat resting on a chair. Let’s call him Tee for now. This cat is one of the most popular animals that stood out in New York as a police officer. Tee was just taking a break from his tiring week. To be honest, Tee was not having it this week. He was not only tired from going to work for 7 hours each day, but he got an injury from stopping some dangerous robber. The robber shot his arm, so Tee is now healing from this recovery. Not only that but his girlfriend broke up with him after cheating on him with the strongest dog there is around: Jeff. Jeff was Tee’s bully as well, making the situation worse for him. It was at these moments where Tee would question if he could do this anymore... Feeling hopeless and alone, Tee, being dumb and not caring about his injury, decided to go for a swim in the ocean. While attempting to swim after such a long time, his band-aid for his arm came off, leaving poor Tee in excruciating pain. The little cat screamed in agony and pain and attempted to swim back to shore. What he did not realize was that behind him came a large water wave, ready to take down any victims trespassing their water. This water wave jump-scared Tom by splashing on him. Tee, in panic, pain, and constant fear, screams as loud as he could for assistance. Unfortunately, because he’s a cat, no one can understand what he says, they can only hear “Meoww.” Soon, there was too much water surrounding Tee, top, and bottom, that he fainted with his body floating on the ocean for several days, alone... It was now the dawn of Sunday morning, and Tee woke up with sand in his mouth washed up onshore. He was surprised he wasn’t dead, but of course, cats have 9 lives. After spitting the sand out of his mouth, Tee starts to look around and finds out that he was not where he was before. He quickly
realized from seeing a maple leaf flag that he ended up in Canada, specifically, Toronto near Niagara Falls. Tee, being scared in this new environment, walks around the land and comes across a house in the middle of nowhere. Cold, Sad, and Hungry, Tee doesn’t care whose house it is and barges in. Lucky for him, the owner of the house wasn’t there so he thought he could stay there until he came back. And that’s what he did. There was fish, so he ate the fish. There was TV, so he watched his favorite shows, there were video games, and he played those as well. He had the best time here and forgot all about the traumatizing experience he had just yesterday in New York. But that house. Where was his life... Changed forever... There was a mouse. Tee spotted a small hole in the house and in that small hole there lay a small mouse. Let’s name her Jem for now. One thing that Tee did love doing was chasing and wanting to eat tiny mice. He learned it off Jeff the Dog (no bullying kids!). As soon as Tee saw Jem, he immediately ran towards him ready for a delicious snack. Jem not only realized there was a random cat in the house but also that that cat was coming for him and ran away. The chase begins. The house was torn into shambles with the two animals having their speedy, little race. Tee forgot this wasn’t his house and that’s when... CREAK! The owner of the house returns to his house to see it as a mess. Shocked and enraged about what two random animals he just met have caused, the owner calls animal control services so they can take him away. A scared Tee attempts to run away from the owner but there is no escape. Animal control came in a flash. They took Tee the Cat and Jem the Mouse to the animal control center: A location where lone animals go when they have no owner or are alone.
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O NE C AT , O NE M OUSE , C ON ’ T Both animals are locked in different cages, now annoyed at each other. Tee the Cat looks back at all the different events that have happened to him this past weekend and begins to shed a tear. Actually, multiple tears. Two mistakes that he has made have cost him liberty and now he is stuck in an animal control center. Jem, seeing the cat that had just chased him and now is in complete tears, escaped his animal cage to enter his. Luckily, Jem is so small that she can slide through the cages. Tee saw Jem and they talked about what their lives were like before this. Suddenly, Tee and Jem enjoyed each other’s company and decided it would be a good idea if they escaped the animal control center together. Tee and Jem hatched a plan to escape by going back to what caused them to get there. The chase. Tee decided to fake chase Jem again so that the cage could hopefully break. Guess what, it did! The cage broke and the
two animals continued to chase each other out of the animal control center. The crew for animal control saw the two escape and attempted to chase them. The chase began, yet there was so much traffic that the officers were not able to retrieve them. So, what’s next for Tee and Jem? Two animals, now that are best friends, have just escaped from animal control and have no home. They only have each other. However, after walking for several hours, they found a simple house with a simple family that kept them safe. But, although they were safe, the chase continues. Although Tee left his life in New York, he still copes in this new world named Toronto with his new best friend Jem the Mouse. And this my friends... is the origin... of Tom and Jerry not really, this is a prediction. D ANIEL O GUNDARE
PEYTON BRYKSA SAMANTHA YU
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The Luther Tatler, Luther College High School
W HEN D RAGONS R OAMED O UR S KIES At dawn on the seventh day since I had left home, we reached the edge of Nox Forest. The trees grew tall and close together, blocking out the rising sun as soon as I set foot under them. Twigs and small animal bones crunched under Philoi’s hooves, and we both jumped at every bird call and gust of wind through the branches. Eventually, we entered a clearing. In the centre was a clear lake, and built at the edge was a tiny cottage. As I approached the cottage, I dismounted and tied Philoi’s reins to a lowhanging branch. Up close, I could see that the pale stone walls were covered with climbing ivy, and that a garden of unusual herbs grew under the front window. But it was the lake that really caught my attention. The water was unusually clear. There was no reflection of the surrounding trees or even of the little bit of sky visible through the layer of branches. Leaning over and gazing into the lake, I could see down to the dark mud of the bottom. The surface rippled, and suddenly I could see someone who looked like me, but wasn’t me. The figure and I had the same small muscular physique and bright red hair, but she wore outdated clothing and seemed older, sadder somehow, as if she was bone-tired, exhausted, and grieving. I knew that look, having seen it in the mirror and reflected in my sisters’ faces too often recently. I wondered who this figure was. The surface of the lake rippled again, and the figure was hiking up a mountain, then coming face to face with the most gorgeous creature I had ever seen. It must have been Chimaera, first of the dragons. The figure took a sword, and slashing through Chimaera’s chest, sliced the still-beating heart out of the cavity. I gasped in horror at the violence that this woman could take against such a magnificent creature. The figure I was seeing must be Telos. The surface of the lake rippled again, and the same image replayed of Telos cutting out Chimaera’s heart. Only, this time, there was a second image
overlaid on top; one of me, replacing the heart, undoing Telos’ actions. This must be what Grandmother had meant about returning what was lost. My destiny must have been to restore the heart of the dragon. But how? It had been lost for centuries. A snap behind me pulled me from my thoughts. I spun, seeing an old woman standing in front of me. She had long grey hair that hung loose down her back and wore an old fashioned green dress. “Can I help you, child?” She rasped. “My name is Genesis Moira. I’m looking for the oracle Delphi. Does she still live here?” “Last I heard,” the woman replied. “Great, is she home?” “Yes.” “May I meet her?” “You already have.” “What are you talking about?” I demanded. Then my brain caught up with me. “You’re Delphi, aren’t you?” “The very same.” She grinned. “How can I help you?” “I’m searching for information about Telos. Why she really stole the heart of the dragon.” Delphi sighed. “Come in, child.” I followed her into the cottage, surprised at the coziness of the interior. A wooden table filled the kitchen, and more herbs hung from the ceiling and sat in pots on the counter. Delphi gestured to one of the chairs around the kitchen table and I sank into it while she set the kettle on the stove. Finally, she turned to me, two steaming cups of tea in her hands. “I remember you, Genesis,” she told me. “I remember your fate.” “How can you remember me? We’ve never met.” “Ah, indeed we have, when you were an infant. Your grandmother brought you to me to have your destiny discerned, as she did with all of your sisters.” “Grandmother knew that you existed?”
2021-2022, Issue 4: June 2022
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W HEN D RAGONS R OAMED O UR S KIES , C ON ’ T “Why, yes. Sofia and I were good friends for many years. She was set on atoning for Telos’ crime and restoring the world’s magic. Alas, she died before she could see it happen” “I think that’s what I saw in the lake. I saw myself returning the heart of the dragon.” “Yes, Speculum Lake shows your destiny. I have known yours since you were brought to me as a child, and I have been waiting for us to meet again.” “Why did Telos really steal the heart of the dragon? I know the myth we hear in Genu isn’t the full truth. And how can I truly return magic to the world? I don’t even know where the heart is!” “Patience, child. You will learn.” She sighed again. “Telos loved her children dearly, and when she found out that Elena was sick, she panicked. She came to me for support. I wish that I could have helped her, but I had already seen her fate. I should have known better than to try and prevent it from occurring, but I couldn’t stand to see the world fall apart. I told Telos that her daughter could not be saved and sent her away. I didn’t tell her her destiny. Perhaps if I had, she would have been more careful. Or perhaps not. The future is a fickle thing. Telos was desperate, so took desperate measures, stealing the heart of the dragon. She would have gotten away with it, too, if that man Nicholas hadn’t stopped her. He’s the true villain of the story. He took the heart and instead of returning it, he kept its power for himself, making himself king and holding power and fear over the whole country. The worst part is that poor Elena died anyway. …” Delphi trailed off, lost in thoughts of the past. I leaned forward. “Nicholas kept the heart for himself? So, it might still be in the palace?” “Possibly.” “Can’t you tell for sure? You’re an oracle, aren’t you?” “Yes, child, but my power has its limits. I can only tell the futures of people, not of objects. However, knowing Nicholas and his descendents, it is likely that the heart is kept in the pal
ace so that they can use its magic to further their power and control the kingdom.” I sighed. “I suppose I have to go back, then. Will Chimaera still be alive after centuries without her heart?” “Chimaera’s heart is not like yours and mine. It does not beat to keep her alive, but to share its magic with the world. Without it, she and all of her kin will have fallen into a deep sleep that only the heart’s restoration can wake them from.” I nodded slowly. “Alright, so I just, what? Stick the heart back into her chest?” “That’s exactly it. Once the heart is returned, Chimaera should wake up and be perfectly fine again.” I nodded again. “I just have one more question. Why me? Why am I the one fated to restore magic to the world?” “Our fates work in mysterious ways. I cannot tell you exactly why you have been chosen, but I can guess. I’m sure you have already realized that you are descended from Telos.” She said it like a question. I nodded. “That may have something to do with it. Or it might not. We can never be sure.” I stood and grasped Delphi’s hands between mine. “Thank you so much. I promise that I will do my best to fulfill my destiny.” She smiled. “Don’t save the world because it is your destiny. Do it because you care.” I nodded again and turned to go. “I will, I promise.” “Good,” Delphi said. Then, “Go, child, and may the dragon bless you.” It was a phrase that I had never heard before, but maybe it, too, had disappeared with the dragon’s heart.
R OWAN D YMUND
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The Luther Tatler, Luther College High School
ARTHUR PENG