This document provides an executive summary and outlines for Book 7 of a fictional book series. The summary introduces the main characters Haydn and Idira and outlines their experiences on different planets as illuminated beings helping to organize travelers. Haydn and his wife travel to learn about creation on other worlds. Idira leads the organization of travelers but faces rebellion from one named Thekl. The outlines provide more details on the characters and their adventures across 13 chapters.

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Executive Summary: Book 7 “Apotheosis”
Title
Out of Ashes: Illumination
Team Member Assigned
Lydia Anne Nielsen (contact info in appendix)
Purpose
To develop a coherent, engaging outline for the seventh book that follows a family’s
experiences in their quest for perfection and the creation of their own worlds using the Plan of
Salvation as a background.
Impact
Developed outlines for a book series that has the potential for creating _______ of revenue.
Book 7 Summary
This book is set on Cadmus—an alternate representation of Earth—after it has been
Illuminated (or been made Celestial). It takes place after Judgment and begins with a welcome
to a life of eternal progression that involves the creation of new worlds and the organization of
Travelers.
Each family member receives a specific call that directly relates to the experiences they are
meant to have as Illuminated beings. The two viewpoint characters are Haydn and Idira, who
are brother and sister.
Haydn and his wife Irelys are assigned to travel to other worlds to learn more about the nature
of organization (or creation) and the vital difference between light and dark forces. They
encounter familiar figures and learn about the different laws that certain worlds live by. Their
travels take an unexpected turn that leaves the two shaken up but Haydn ultimately uses this
experience to demonstrate a point to the Travelers who have rebelled against Idira.
Idira heads up the organization of Travelers—sparks that occupy a spirit form—and is shocked
when one, Thekl, heads up a rebellion against her and her husband Zydrek. She is reminded of
her previous commitment to Thandros and struggles to know how to help the Travelers. In the
end, Haydn and Idira open Thekl’s eyes to his foolishness but other Travelers aren’t convinced
that Atos’ plan is the best one for them
Methodology
Each week we met as a team to ensure cohesion between the outlines. Myles Johnson closely
edited this outline upon draft completion. After his edit, necessary changes were made. The
rest of the team then read through each outline to ensure quality and cohesion.

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Major Character Descriptions
Haydn
One of the POVcharacters. He is strong and confident but is sobered after his adventures abroad.
Idira
Sister of Haydn and the other POVcharacter. She is a little headstrong but in this book wesee her
more motherly side as she has to cometo terms with being separated fromsome of the Travelers
she organized.
Irelys
Haydn’s wife.She is a loyalcompanion and has a strong intuition.
Zydrek
Idira’s wife.He has a long history with the family. Although the family used to despise him forthe
crimes he committed during the First Journey, he has since turned himself around. In this book, we
see him at his best; he is attentive, firm, and intelligent.
Lysander
The “Adam” figure of Cadmus. He is Haydn’s longtime friend and acts as the guide for Haydn and
Irelys on their journey abroad.
Atos
He represents God the Father and it known as The Great Organizer. His ways are not alwaysknow
but he is supportive and lovingand always has the best intentions in mind for his children.
Syrus
The Christ figure. He specifically tutors Idira as she is learning how to summon sparks in order to
organize Travelers.
Thekl
The third Traveler that Idira and Zydrek organize. He starts out by innocently questioning their
plan but eventually starts an open rebellion against them. Idira sees him as a version of Thandros
(the devil).
Gad
The first Traveler to be organized. He is, in a way,a Christ like figure. He is always supportive of
Idira and Zydrek and is gracious and kind.
Kai
The second Traveler to be organized. When Thekl eventually decides to side with Idira, she heads
up the rebellion.

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CHAPTER OUTLINES FOR BOOK 7
Out of Ashes: Illumination
CHAPTER 9: Kaemarus
POV= Haydn
Gathering around their children, family members, and friends, Hadyn and Irelys
again explain that they don’t exactly know which worlds they’re visiting or when they will
return. They trust Atos and his motivations for having them go. Embracing their loved ones,
they turn to follow Lysander. Hadyn realizes that they haven’t seen Idira around and
decides to wait until she appears. Conveniently, they see her approaching.
She looks unusually delighted as she explains what she had just witnessed in the
garden with Syrus. They’re all fascinated by the concept. Idira notices the teary eyes in the
crowd and catches on to what was happening before. Hadyn explains their new assignment
to Idira. She is sad to see them go but is excited for them.
They leave and Lysander leads them a ways off and explains that they will be
traveling via light. Because Lysander has an understanding of the elements and how they
function, he can command the light to work with them to take them where they need to go.
After making sure they’re prepared to begin their journey, they take off; Haydn sees the
three moons of Cadmus (Io, Ajein, and Taivna) disappear from view as they wisp through
the vastness of space. They can’t see much besides the occasional blast of color and light
followed by periods of blackness. Time passes. Haydn notices a blue orb ahead of them and
as they grow closer he sees that it is the orb that provides light to the planet that they are
approaching. He can feel his body break through the atmosphere and, sooner than
expected, finds himself standing on solid ground.
At first glance, this new place appears similar to Cadmus. An elderly woman appears
and welcomes them to Kaemarus. She has been expecting them and would like to show
them around. They notice subtle differences as they walk with her; the soil is a rustic
yellow and the plants are very tall and mostly a dark shade of blue. The elderly woman
leads them to a group of inhabits; they all have vessels and similar attributes to themselves.
As the group greets Hadyn and Irelys, the woman explains that- like Cadmus- this
planet is illuminated and operates under Atos’ laws. These individuals describe the various
experiences they had on Kaemarus before it was illuminated. They have been refined
through trial the same way those on Cadmus had.
An apparent difference was the way these trials manifested; their natural disasters,
types of warfare, and overall culture are all different. Thanking them for their insight and
kindness, the trio heads towards their new location. Lysander points out that it is

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important for them to understand that beauty, color, pain, and culture may vary from
planet to planet, but all operate with the same eternal principles.
CHAPTER 10: Idira’s Determination
POV= Idira
The crowd disperses from Idira and Zydrek who stand close to each other staring in
the direction that Hadyn and Irelys just disappeared from. Zydrek, aware of his wife’s
focused glance, asks what she is thinking. She wonders what kind of experiences Hadyn
and Irelys will be having and hopes that they will be safe. Realizing that there’s nothing she
can do about it, Idira comments that it’s time for them to begin preparing for their
assignments.
Determined to be as useful as she can be, she leaves Zydrek to go and find Syrus. She
sees him with the rest of the crowd in the distance. Sensing her arrival, Syrus turns to her
ready to hear what he already knows she is going to say. Idira boldly states that she is
ready to work with the sparks.
Not surprised by her usual spirit of persistence, Syrus suggests that a little more
practice might do her some good. She acknowledges his advice but again states that she
feels she is ready. If Hadyn and Irelys are abroad in an effort to propel the processes of
organization, then she can step up, work hard, and make that happen too. Syrus agrees that
she can do it too. He tells her to be patient in the meantime and to go and find Zydrek
because his help will be needed.
After a while, she finds him with Geth. Both Geth and Zydrek see the determined
look on her face as she approaches, takes Zydrek’s arm, and walks away with him all in one
movement.
She turns to Geth and apologizes but says that he is needed elsewhere. Zydrek
points out that Geth was in the middle of explaining his specific duties as a mentor when
she interrupted. She apologizes to him too but insists that it is important.
They find Syrus who thanks Zydrek for joining them and that his presence will soon
make sense. He signals for them to follow him and they take the familiar path past the
crowd to Atos’ garden. Syrus sits calmly on the soft grass; Idira and Hadyn naturally do the
same. He tells Idira to connect herself with her surroundings- like she did before- and asks
Zydrek to organize some ash that the spark can occupy. Zydrek’s experience with the
elements on earth and his further interaction with them in the millenium and so on make
this task an easy one for him.
CHAPTER 11: Zaneeya
POV= Haydn

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Hadyn and Irelys again find themselves traveling- via light- through the vastness of
space. They can see Lysander just ahead of them. After leaving Kaemarus, he informs them
that the next planet they will be visiting is Zaneeya. Unlike Cadmus and Kaemarus, this
world is a Flickering world, not an Illuminated one. They break through the atmosphere of
the planet and land lightly on a rich, rustic soil. Jagged rock formations surround them on
all sides. Hadyn is expecting someone to welcome them like the people of Kaemarus had;
there is no one in sight.
Lysander invites them to note the obvious differences between an Illuminated world
and a Flickering world as he signals for them to follow them. As they walk, Hadyn is
surprised that he finds the place beautiful. He’d always assumed Flickering worlds to be
much darker and colder than this. It was no Cadmus, but he could see how people could feel
comfortable here.
Lysander leads them up a loose rustic dirt path at the edge of the deep purple rock
formations. They soon come to an opening in the mountain. There is a trail of smoking
coming from the opening and Hadyn and Irelys distinctly smell roasting meat. Lysander
pauses, looks back at the two, and then walks into the dark opening of the cave.
Curious, Hadyn and Irelys quickly follow. They find a group of people sitting inside,
singing songs, eating meat, and drinking a dark green liquid. Haydn's initial reaction is that
they all seem pretty happy. Irelys taps him and motions over to a man sitting on the far wall
of the cave. Hadyn instantly recognizes him as Irelys’ brother and his lifelong friend Galen;
they had served in the military with each other. Calling out to him, Galen recognizes Hadyn,
smiles, and makes his way over to them.
Lysander begins talking with a few people that he seems to know. Irelys embraces
Galen and they step out of the cave to talk. Hadyn asks how Galen is doing. He replies that
he is content; he has all he could ever need. Irelys explains that they are visiting from
Cadmus. Galen gives them an uncomfortable look and asks how they like it there. They try
to convey how marvelous it is to be able to be so close to Atos and to have the opportunity
to organize a world of their own. Galen explains that he admires them but is glad that he
doesn’t have the pressure of living a life where so much is expected of him. He explains that
Syrus, and other friends visit often enough and that he is content to be where he is.
Lysander comes back out and Hadyn and Irelys regretfully say goodbye to Galen. As
they walk down the path ready for their next journey, Hadyn is glad to have met Galen but
can’t help thinking that, although there is more expected of him on Cadmus, it has been
worth every effort to get there.
CHAPTER 12: The First Travelers
POV= Idira

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Once Zydrek has prepared ash for the spark to inhabit, Syrus instructs him to switch
his focus to Idira’s thoughts and energy. They connect almost immediately in a very
familiar feeling but deeply spiritual way. Although he can’t necessarily read her mind, they
are so in tune with each other that their emotions speak for them.
Idira, considerably calmer at this point, summons a spark. Nothing changes. She
tries a few more times and is just about to break her concentration by asking Syrus why it
isn’t working when she feels a presence similar to the one she felt last time she was in the
garden. Zydrek feels it too. Uniting their wills, both Idira and Zydrek invite the spark to
occupy the spirit matter that Zydrek created. Again, nothing changes. They repeat the
process and feel a slight hesitance from the spark.
Syrus’ calming voice calls them briefly back to their presence in the garden as he
reminds them that every spark has volition and because it understands what is expected of
them once it accepts a spirit body, it may take some time to consider its decision. Patiently
waiting out the sparks decision, Idira and Zydrek are swept with relief as they feel the
hesitance fade and the spark willfully chose to occupy its spirit body. Opening their eyes,
they are completely in awe as they notice a young man appearing before them. He appears
to have a physical vessel, but they both know he doesn’t at this point.
Looking at them knowingly, the young man thanks all three of them for allowing him
to further himself by becoming a Traveler. Idira remembers how excited she had felt when
she had become a Traveler; that was the first time she had met Isra and Haydn. She
wonders what sort of emotion this Traveler is feeling. The Traveler looks around him,
fascinated at this new chapter in his existence. He turns to Idira and Zydrek, smiles, and
introduces himself as Gad. Idira is instantly filled with a deep love for this young man that
she organized.
Zydrek and Idira repeat the process again. This time, the spark is delighted to
become a spirit body and appears as a young woman. Her name is Kai. Syrus agrees to let
them call one last spark before they take a break. Neither of them anticipated the distinct
stubbornness that they sense from the spark when it is called though. This one takes the
longest to decide. Syrus reminds them again that not every spark is suited to become a
Traveler. A surprisingly forceful response comes from the spark as he communicates that
he is ready. Syrus again says that they don’t have to let him occupy a spirit body. The spark
again communicates that he is ready. He says his name is Thekl.
CHAPTER 13: Glaymor
POV= Haydn
Haydn is starting to get the hang of travelling on light; it is no less breathtaking each
time they journey to a new place though. Haydn doubts that he can ever get enough of Atos’
majestic creations.

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Glaymor instantly differs from Kaemarus and Zaneeya. Haydn most certainly doesn’t
expect to be welcomed with open arms around here. He feels uncomfortable here as he can
see no sign of life only a solid black mass of earth that stretches endlessly in all directions.
Lysander unexpectedly taps his foot on the ground and a rough looking old man appears
sliding a stone slab off of the top of a hole in the ground. He climbs out, annoyed at the
disturbance and asks what they’re doing there.
Lysander kindly greets the old man by saying his name and then asks if he’d be so
kind to let them explore the tunnels. By this point, Hadyn isn’t surprised to hear this. The
old man disappears into the hole in the ground; Lysander follows. Irelys gives Hadyn an
amused look as she too climbs down into the hole.
Hadyn slips down into the tunnel and is instantly met with a piercing cold. He
notices circular compartments on either side of the tunnel as they walk. There are people in
most of them; some sitting, some sleeping, and some staring blankly ahead. They come to a
stop and Hadyn is surprised to hear Irelys gasp. He does the same as he recognizes the
figure in the compartment next to them; it is Tyr.
He is more gaunt than Hadyn remembers him. Hadyn is instantly distraught. He
remembers how Tyr betrayed them but still doesn’t feel that he deserves to live in such
conditions. Hadyn warily asks how Tyr is doing. Tyr scoffs and comments that life is
miserable but that being on Glaymor is better than having to put up with everyone on
Cadmus. Hadyn sadly explains that it didn’t have to be that way; if Tyr had only chosen
differently they could’ve been close on Cadmus. His intention is not one of accusation but of
deep sadness. Tyr- who had once so innocently made people laugh with his jokes- remarks
with a dark sarcastic comment about how much he regrets living with the “perfect people,
on a perfect world, with the perfect plan.” After a period of silence, Tyr sofly admits that it
is good to see Hadyn and Irelys again but tells them to leave because there is no purpose
for them being there.
They do just that. Lysander, Irelys, and Hadyn climb out of the hole to stand on the
Charred earth once again. Hadyn and Irelys are speechless as they contemplate the Tyr’s
fate. Lysander encourages them by telling them that The Comforter ( Holy Ghost) visits
often to lift the spirits of those on Glaymor. This helps them feel better about Tyr’s situation
but both Hadyn and Irelys are ready to be back in the comfort of Cadmus. Irelys asks
Lysander if they’ll be heading back. He gives them a sympathetic look that says that they
have one more stop to make.
CHAPTER 14: The Plan
POV= Idira
Each spark that Idira and Zydrek call over the course of their assignment responds
differently to the invitation to become a Traveler. By now, they have summoned more than

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100 sparks. They have now taken a break to teach others how to call their own spirit
children.
Idira explains the meditative, spiritual connection needed to call to the sparks while
Zydrek teaches others how to form a physical vessel, made from ash, for the sparks. Syrus,
along with the guides Joron, Geth, Dov, and Emron, oversee this process and many others
that continue to develop.
Idira and Zydrek are called to Atos’ dwelling where he congratulates them on their
success so far. He lets them know that with the organization of all their new Travelers they
will need a law put in place that will help the Travelers on their journey to the worlds that
will be organized. This plan is one that already exists. It is Atos’ plan; the law of the
universe. Atos explains that although the essentials of the plan will stay the same, there will
be some flexibility in how each family chooses to implement the plan on their own worlds.
He asks Idira and Zydrek to begin thinking of the way they would like to design their plan.
They leave and the two begin brainstorming right away. Once they’ve discussed how
they want their world to look, they think about the different ways that they can help their
Travelers gain a vessel and progress in a way that can qualify them to be illuminated and
return to their home on Cadmus. When they feel that they’ve reached a solid agreement
they return to Atos who advises them to share their plan with the Travelers.
They find them talking with each other by the lake. Zydrek and Idira explain that
they have a plan to present. Zydrek tells them that the plan they are presenting is very
similar to the plan that both he and Idira agreed to follow before the First Journey. He
explains that, up to this point, all of them had acted on their own volition to become
Travelers. The next step in their progression is to send them to a world that him and Idira
will be creating where they will acquire a physical vessel to house their spirit. Their
memories of Cadmus will be taken during their stay on this other world and each of them
will have to individually fight their way back. If they brave all the obstacles on that world,
they will be able to return back to Cadmus and become illuminated. There is no other way
to achieve this illuminated, constantly progressive state, besides going on this journey.
CHAPTER 15: The Void
POV= Haydn
Hadyn and Irelys find themselves zipping through space again. They’re really not
sure where Lysander is taking them at this point. Perhaps they’re visiting another
Flickering World; they really hope it isn’t another Charred world though. Running into Tyr
and realizing just how far he fell from where he was is something they will never forget.
They couldn’t be more grateful for the choices they made up to this point that allowed them
to stay on illuminated Cadmus.
Hadyn-confused-recognizes Cadmus in the distance; he thought that they wouldn’t

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be returning to their home yet. Irelys must have been thinking the same because she asks
Lysander why they’re so close to Cadmus. Lysander solemnly turns to them and explains
that there is one last thing that must happen before they return. He apologizes for the
terror that they might soon feel but assures them that if they remember all that they’ve
learned on their journey so far, they will make it safely back to Cadmus.
Severely confused at this point, Hadyn tries to ask what Lysander is talking about
but is distracted by a strange feeling of weightlessness that comes over him. He realizes
that he is no longer inside the sphere of light that he had been traveling in with Lysander.
Realizing that Irelys isn’t with Lysander either, Hadyn tries to look for her but finds that he
cannot moves his head. He begins to drift farther away from as Lysander explains that they
have entered the void, otherwise known as Tehlon. This is a place of lawlessness; a place
where Atos’ power cannot extend.
Again, Lysander apologizes that he must leave them like this but he implores with
them to find their way back to Cadmus. Hadyn watches, terrified, as Lysander gradually
disappears from his sight. He floats farther and farther away from Cadmus until it is
completely out of sight. After what seems like an eternity, he notices a figure in the
distance. He naturally drifts closer to it and sees that it is Irelys. Although her face seems
calm, Hadyn rightfully assumes that she is just as disoriented and confused as he is. Both
are desperate to find their way back to Cadmus.
CHAPTER 16: An Innocent Question
POV= Idira
Most of the Travelers are excited to hear about this new plan presented by their
organizer’s Zydrek and Idira. The reason they decided to make the switch from a spark to a
Traveler was to have this opportunity to progress. Idira explains how rewarding this
experience will be for all of them as one by one the Travelers approach her and Zydrek and
express their sincere desire to make the journey to another world. They are all overjoyed
until Idira hears one of the Travelers near to her ask if there is a simpler way to achieve
illumination.
Immediately, Idira remembers hearing a similar question before she made her own
journey to Cadmus. It started out as an innocent question but, as all those who had been
illuminated knew, the man who asked it became none other than Thandros.
She looks up at the Traveler who asked the question and recognizes him
immediately. He was the third Traveler, the hesitant one, that they had called to Cadmus;
this was Thekl. Idira remembers that she had been convinced that Thandros’ plan made
more sense than Syrus’ but had completely turned herself around and realized that she had
been wrong.
Feeling at peace, she realizes that this Traveler still has plenty of time to realize the

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necessity of a plan patterned after Atos’. Then she hears another Traveler validate Thekl’s
question wondering why there is no alternative. Zydrek, sensing this potential problem,
takes Thekl aside and asks him to trust that the plan that they have formulated is the best
one for their long term growth and happiness. Saying he understands, Thekl says that
although he trusts Zydrek and Idira, he finds it hard to believe that there isn’t another way
for all the Travelers to return to Cadmus. Zydrek validates his concerns but once again asks
Thekl to consider that Atos has infinitely more knowledge than any of them. He promises
that there is a reason that their plan is patterned after Atos’ and assures him that he knows
from experience that it is worth sacrificing everything to agree to live by the eternal law.
Thekl sincerely agrees to ponder on his words.
CHAPTER 17: Tehlon
POV= Haydn
Hadyn and Irelys can see nothing but darkness. Hadyn can honestly say he has never
been more terrified in his entire life. Even though he knows speech is impossible in this
place, Hadyn tries to communicate to Irelys. Eventually, they become aware of other shapes
in the distance. As time passes, they realize that the forms are people. Hadyn feels an
abrupt stop to his movement. He notices that the same thing has happened to Irelys. They
seem have to entered some sort of barrier; all the other people seem to be caught within it
too.
There are beings spread as far as Hadyn can see. None of them move; none of them
speak. Hayden identifies one of the people as Idira’s friend Azula; she had been a part of
Thandros’ camp with Idira. When Idira decided to side with Syrus, she refused to follow.
Hadyn wondered if being stuck in an eternal stand still made her wish she’d chosen
differently.
If any of them were suffering or trying to cry out to them, they would never know.
Everything was silent. Hadyn recognizes someone that he had hoped he’d never see again.
Thandros. He is staring straight at Hadyn. Unable to move, the two are forced to stare at
each other. The hate in his eyes, Hadyn had almost forgotten. But in that moment Hadyn
can’t help think that he is no better off than Thandros.
Even though the two couldn’t be more different, both are subject to this tortuous
lawlessness; both are in the dark unable to progress. Hadyn knows this can’t be so. Hadyn
had chosen just the opposite so what was he doing here? He’d known what it was like to
oppose Atos and his plan but having the volition to rebel had always been an important
part of Atos’ law. There had always been the choice to follow Atos’ law and have freedom or
to succumb to the works of darkness and be a slave to them. Seeing Thandros here only
confirms this concept to Hadyn. Because Thandros refused to be governed by an
illuminated order he could not live in an illuminated place; the very darkness he relied on

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to give him freedom was the same darkness that enslaved him.
Hadyn remembers Atos saying that there were certain places that his law did not
exist. Surely a being as dignified as Atos could have no part in a place so devoid of light.
Light; that was it. It was the one thing that Hadyn had power to access that the rest of those
in Tehlon did not. He had chosen an illuminated path; he had chosen light over darkness.
Using all the energy of his soul, Hadyn commands light to find him. All of a sudden
Hadyn feels himself break free of the barrier. He is surrounded by the same sphere of light
that he and Irelys had traveled with Lysander in. Finding he is able to move again and
never feeling more grateful to be able to do so, Hadyn does not wish to stay any longer in
Tehlon. Without a word or a glance backward Hadyn shoots off towards Cadmus.
CHAPTER 18: Tension
POV= Idira
Idira and Zydrek aren’t the only ones who have organized sparks into Travelers at
this point. The two have spent all their time training those on Cadmus how to do so. Now it
has been taught to enough people that Idira and Zydrek can rely on their students to teach
other people. Besides, Idira and Zydrek have plenty of things to occupy their time.
Since Thekl first posed his question about an alternate plan, he had not changed his
mind that there had to be an easier way. Some of the other Travelers agreed with him. To
this point it was nothing but a respectful disagreement, but as Idira and Irelys visit the
Travelers by the lake it becomes clear that something is wrong. The Travelers are
separated into two distinct sections. At the head of one is Gad (the first Traveler to be
created) and at the head of the other is Thekl. The two seem to be in a heated discussion.
Once again feeling that this is all too familiar, Idira watches as Zydrek rushes to see what it
going on.
She sees him exchanging words with them but can’t make what out what he’s saying
until she hears him say her name. Idira can tell that Zydrek had expected her to be right by
his side ready to back him up. Instead, she is planted a safe distance away. Zydrek is just as
surprised as she is that she didn’t jump into the action as soon as she saw it happening.
She’d never been afraid of confronting people in stressful situations. Idira reflects o n how
motherhood and previous experience have changed her. She’d come so far since deciding
Thandros’ words were nothing but deception. It was painful to think that the Travelers that
she had created may be falling under the same trap but at this point she seriously doubted
they would come out of it as lucky as she did.
Realizing that they’re all staring at her, Idira slowly walks towards the Travelers.
Zydrek informs her that Thekl seems to think he knows better than them and that, although
he doesn’t know how to make it work, he believes there is a better alternative to the plan
they presented.

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Gad asks Thekl if he honestly believes that that he knows better than Idira and Zydrek who
have experienced the fullness of their journeys. And if not them why didn’t he trust Atos?
Needing to escape the bickering, Thekl announces that he is leaving to find a place to
think and that anyone who wants to join him is welcome to. Idira watches as Thekl and his
group of confused followers head to the foothills of the mountains. She isn’t surprised to
see them heading in the exact spot where Thandros set up his camp all that time ago.
Feeling desperate, Idira begins to shout out a warning to them but is stopped by Zydrek’s
gentle touch and his suggestion to let them go.
CHAPTER 19: The Return
POV= Haydn
Blasting past the remarkable constellations and intense collection of brightly
colored stars, Hadyn couldn’t be more desperate to leave it all behind and be safely on
Cadmus. He can see it steadily approaching but it isn’t fast enough. Tightly embracing his
wife, he asks if she is ok. She looks at him knowingly but doesn’t respond; he doesn’t blame
her.
Eagerly, he looks ahead until he feels their bodies break through Cadmus’
atmosphere. Home at last. Hadyn and Irelys gently land in Atos’ garden. Having landed only
a little way apart, Hadyn rushes over to Irelys’ side. Unable to verbally express the depth of
their gratitude for being home or at the memory of being so helpless, they look intently at
each other and both begin to silently weep.
Hearing a gasp, Hadyn looks up to see his sister Isra and her husband Wynn
standing a ways off in the garden. Shocked at their sudden appearance, Isra asks if they are
alright. Irelys replies that they are now. Wynn asks them what happened to make them so
distressed. Spotting Lysander on the garden path ahead, Hadyn tells Isra and Wynn that
they will have to explain later. They exchange hugs and then Hadyn, grabbing Irelys’ hand,
heads off towards Lysander.
Knowing that there must be an explanation but not knowing what it could possibly
be, Hadyn hurtfully demands to know why Lysander left them in the void. He explains that
Atos wished them to experience lawlessness so that they could better understand the
necessity of a world governed by an illuminated law. Still angry, Hadyn says that surely
there were different ways that they could’ve learned that and asks Lysander if he has any
idea how it feels to be subjected to a state of such darkness. Lysander gives him an amused
looked. Hadyn sighs; of course he knew how it felt. Was he not the very same that sacrificed
being with Atos so that mankind could experience their First Journey and return to Atos
again? Lysander promises that it will all make sense eventually but that there is a certain
sister of Hadyn’s that may need him now more than ever.