Zalina Boneh whimpered slightly, not that loud, but loud enough for Jack to hear. She tried to move slowly to get out, but Jack dropped the blade of his shovel, to indicate if she tried anything funny, she would meet her end.

Jack had found the area where she hid in a clearing. The property was certainly large, the grass and the surrounding fence were unkempt. The cottage itself looked high quality, but the bars over the windows and the heavily enforced door were not to be unaccounted for. There were grains and other foods outside. Pigeons and crows circled overhead, perhaps the main giveaway.

Food everywhere. The cupboards were packed, and the floor was covered in bags of flour.

“What do you want?” she asked in an undignified voice.

“I was originally planning to kill your swine of a father,” Jack responded with a disgusted tone, “but I decided, the hell with it?” Jack smiled, “When I found out he was looking for you, I killed the search party and found you first.” He looked at Zalina. Her face filled him with glee.

“I- If you even lay a finger on me…” she said in a shaky tone.

“Yes, your father will come and kill me.” Jack responded. “Let him come then. Also, don’t worry, I’ll be sure to hang you somewhere with a great view.”

Zalina sat quietly, she didn’t move at all. Jack began the second part, searching for as much dirt on the royal family as possible.

Jack rooted through a drawer, throwing letters that didn’t interest him over his shoulder. He came across one that caught his attention. Zalina’s eyes widened when she saw the letter.

Jack opened it:

Keeping the population in check. Year 5479. Original Author: Zalina Boneh. Editor: Faber Pajey. Act: Natural Selection. Topic: Population control.

The people have always starved now and then, but they alway pull through. Thus, businesses have never had to have a day of loss. However, this is beginning to change.

It is much like a garden. No farmer likes dying plants. But dead plants means more water for the rest. But if all the plants absorb equal amounts of water, then none may have enough to survive.

As our population grows, food supply continues to drop. If only a few people died off while the rest got to eat, this would solve itself. Unfortunately, the food is required to be distributed equally, a law which I continue to despise since its passing, therefore, me, and several other advisors developed a solution:

Local cursed crops will be mixed with imported crops. We have already begun mixing the seeds, so it will be impossible to tell if a food is local or imported. The crops will be eaten, poisoning the user and perhaps killing them.

We have been running experiments since we came up with this plan, to see if any civilian has an immunity or resistance to the cursed foods. Unsurprisingly, the summoned, both full blooded and mixed, display an extreme tolerance for cursed food. However, experimenting on Aldarians would be difficult for obvious reasons.

The Natural selection act, Known to the public only as the N.S Act, will be passed after a maximum of one year. Any modifications, changes, declines, or suggestions will be sent to Princess Boneh.

Jack stood there for a moment. He was just trying to comprehend the letter. But he couldn’t. Zalina had caused probably hundreds to die, all to reach a bottom line. Bel was right, and any hesitation to kill Zalina disappeared.

He flipped through the pages of his food book. A nasty spell that he had used earlier on a piece of wood when he was hungry.

He shot forward and grabbed Zalina, pinning her to a chair nearby.

She screeched, “Father, help!”

Jack tapped his finger a single time against her forehead, casting a spell he had been saving for this moment. She pulsed a warm brown, then the glow disappeared.

“What did you do?” she asked, horrified.

Jack smiled at her, grabbing her finger, he pulled it off with ease, revealing steaming dough inside.

Jack took a bite of the severed finger, it tasted just like bread. Zalina screeched. He grabbed her and threw her outside, slamming the door behind her.

“LET ME INNNN!” she screamed, banging her arms on the door. Jack sat down on the chair, taking a swig of his water bottle, he watched as the pigeon flock outside the house advanced on her. landed behind her.

She turned around slowly, finally realizing what was about to happen. She practically clawed at the door now. Tears ran down her face. Jack gave her a little wave and smiled.

Then the pigeons attacked.

A flurry of feathers erupted at the doorstep. Zalina shrieked as the flock of birds ripped her apart piece by piece.

JOURNAL OF PRINCE AETLEN

The story of the Great Summoning has been passed down generations and generations.

After the Knights betrayed the system and were executed, the forces of evil seeped back into the land. Twelve Sorcerers, with the approval of every king, lord and grand master, tore holes to another world to summon powerful deities that we have come to know as Aldarians.

Many questions have been asked. Where do they come from?

Why were the Knights executed, and for what crimes? How do the Aldarians get their powers?

Questions like these still have yet to be answered, despite being asked almost right after the summoning.

They were summoned at random, sometimes they would fall out of the sky, appear in the sea, or materialize in an open field. Regardless, the world changed forever.

However, with power comes a hefty responsibility, which the Aldarians unfortunately do not seem to grasp as a whole. Only their children seem to be content with the responsibility. With scandals and rumors surfacing, I often wonder if the Aldarians have overstayed their welcome.

But with even more curiosity, I wonder;

When will someone be bold enough to tell them?

Atlen

Journal of Prince Atlen 5/8/2491