Callum/History

Information
History
Relationships
Gallery

* Overview
* Prequels
* First Saga
* Fillers
* Second Saga

## History

Callum was born to Sarai and an unknown father in the Human Kingdoms on July 15. After his father passed away and Sarai had been remarried to Harrow, he received the title of a prince. Five years later, his younger brother Ezran was born, and he became an older half-brother, pushing him to second in line to the throne, due to not being blood related to Harrow. Although he struggled to connect to his stepfather, he had no issues becoming a loving brother to Ezran.

Callum enjoyed a happy childhood, in which he would become friends with Soren and Claudia, visit the Banther Lodge with his family on vacations, and spend time with his aunt Amaya, who would instruct him in sign language. He also discovered a passion for art and began drawing on any available surface inside the castle at a young age. After seeing him scratching artwork on the walls of his bedroom with anything that he could find, Harrow decided to gift Callum his own sketchbook. Eventually, he would undergo lessons in sword fighting, something he would struggle with into his teenage years.

At one point, Callum heard of Ezran's ability to communicate with animals and asked him to prove it, but it ended with his underpants getting soaked when told that there was a treasure behind a waterfall by lying raccoons.

## During the two Years

After returning Zym to his mother and peace being established between Xadia and the Human Kingdoms, Callum returned to Katolis together with his brother Ezran, Bait, and Rayla. When Rayla was plagued by nightmares, believing Viren to still be alive as his body had not been retrieved, Callum accompanied her to the Moon Nexus as a vacation, where the group planned to revive Phoe-Phoe. Their vacation briefly turned sour when the fresh couple got into an argument about Runaan, who was family lost to Rayla, but was also the person responsible for taking Callum's father. After meeting Allen, Lujanne's new boyfriend, the two assisted Rayla in reconstructing the destroyed Moonhenge to open a portal between life and death. As Rayla faced struggles inside this world, Callum rushed to her help. However, as Viren had appeared to her inside a cocoon, Rayla insisted that Viren must still be alive and, despite promising to look together for him, Callum was left behind by Rayla on his 15th birthday, comforted by only a letter. At a later point, Callum was named the new High Mage of Katolis. Upon inspecting Viren's secret chambers, he discovered the Magic Mirror containing Aaravos, which he then moved to his study.

## Puzzle House

Callum is reading a book in the courtyard of the Katolis castle when he is briefly greeted by Claudia. On the next day, he finds Claudia in the library and empathizes with her frustration with by talking about his father's passing. Callum confesses that he did not want to think about his father, but Sarai encouraged him to grieve so that the good memories can stay forever and that being sad is normal. This causes Claudia to realize that Kruha, the Stone Giant that she and Soren encountered inside Kpp'Ar's Puzzle House, is sad, and runs off to leave the confused Callum behind.

## Book One - Moon

### Echoes of Thunder

Callum is busy drawing a fight between a dragon and a marshmallow monster, when his younger brother Ezran jolts awake from the thunder roaring during night. He tells him that he has nothing to be scared of, effectively helping him to go back to sleep.

Later during the same day, Callum heads to the castle courtyard were he is scheduled to practice sword fighting with his tutor and friend Soren. The two spar for a bit, though as Callum lacks proper experience with sword fighting and puts too much energy into his attacks, he is repeatedly blocked by Soren. During training, Callum is suddenly distracted when he notices Claudia walk by and warns her before running into a tree, much to the displeasure to Soren, who had hoped for his sister to collide with it so he could have a laugh. Since Soren notices how Callum looks at Claudia, he offers to have himself defeated to impress her and allows Callum to "stab" him in play-pretend. In that moment, the two are interrupted by Opeli who requests Callum to head toward the throne room, where King Harrow awaits him.

Inside the throne room, Harrow informs Callum and Ezran that they are being sent on a trip to the Banther Lodge, which is questioned by the brothers, due to the lodge being a winter home. After Harrow suggests a couple of activities for them to consider, he reassures them that everything is going to be fine and sends them off to pack. While heading back to his room, happens to overhear Viren's conversation with his children and decides to join Soren's mission to find the Moonshadow Elf Assassins in the forest. He is quickly dismissed, due to being too young and wearing ceremonial armor, and is eventually left behind. Frustrated, he then returns to his room and encounters Ezran who has not packed yet. The frustration finally takes the better of Callum and he lets it out on Ezran by informing him that their father is going to be killed.

### What is Done

Since Callum's outbreak had led Ezran to run to his room, he tries to apologize to his brother by promising him to perform his jerkdance, though receives no response. Giving up, he decides to pack a couple of books for the trip and heads to the library, where he scans the bookshelves and finds a book called "Lost Secrets of Xadia". When the book starts moving pages on its own, Claudia reveals herself and casts "Aspiro", which amazes Callum. As he expresses his envy, he is told about Primal Stones and wishes to switch places with Claudia. When she suddenly runs off, Callum expresses his confusion about girls.

Afterward, Callum heads to Ezran's room once more to see if he has finished packing, but discovers his brother to be missing. When a soldier approaches Callum to ask him to head to the king again, this time alone, he pretends that nothing is off, then heads to the throne room again. Upon meeting with Harrow, he receives a sealed letter that contains the most important things Harrow wishes to say to him if he were to be killed. Callum desperately tries to change his mind and convince him to try and make peace with Xadia, though to no avail, as Harrow believes he has to pay for his sins. After Callum promises he will give the letter back to Harrow, the two share a last goodbye in form of a long embrace.

On his way back to his chambers, Callum hears footsteps behind him and turns around, believing them to be Ezran's. When he finds Rayla instead, who is visibly armed and seeking information, a wild chase ensues, which eventually ends inside a castle tower. Upon finding out that she is here to kill both King Harrow and Prince Ezran, Callum first tries to persuade her that revenge is wrong. However, he fails and, in a last attempt to protect his brother, he claims to be Prince Ezran himself. Just as Rayla prepares to kill him, Callum hears his brother's voice from behind a nearby painting. Once Rayla becomes suspicious and pulls back the painting to reveal Ezran standing inside a secret passage, Callum manages to escape with Ezran after Bait's flash blinds her. The three rush through the secret passage, but eventually run into a dead end, where Ezran presses a special combination of stones to reveal a hidden staircase. The three consider themselves safe from harm, however, Rayla manages to follow them. Now confronted, Callum is eager to protect his brother, though when Ezran interrupts, he unveils a nearby object, which turns out to be the supposedly destroyed egg of the Dragon Prince.

### Moonrise

Upon realizing that the egg of the Dragon Prince lives, Callum realizes that they can stop the war and possibly save his stepfather. However, confused Callum asks why was it still alive and heard Claudia answer that her father saved it as well as wanting them to get behind her. As Rayla and Claudia continue to argue, Callum asks if Viren did not steal it, then why is it here and heard her say so the dragons and elves could not use it on them. However, he realized that with Ezran being right that the egg must return to its mother, Callum stops Claudia from finishing her spell, takes her Primal Stone, and chains her to the wall hoping he's doing the right thing. Moving through the tunnels, Callum hears something coming after them. When smoke wolves corner them at a dead-end he performs the Aspiro spell destroying them realizing that he can do magic; Callum ecstatic that he is a mage and move on.

When Rayla asks for the egg, Callum remains skeptical because of what happened, she clarifies that others are coming realizing this they move to the roof. Once there, he along with Rayla tried to convince Runaan to stop the mission but when he would not Callum fled with his brother after he hid Ezran, he left to talk to the king. But upon entering the tower Callum was angry that Viren blocked his path and responsible as to why the Moonshadow Elves were invading the castle as well as knowing that his father would put him in chains for this. But through a spell, he was speechless, through the chaos of battle he reclaimed his voice and after hearing Ezran calling him, Callum leaves with a heavy heart. Reuniting with Rayla and Ezran, Callum was informed upon a single word they would go back but he refused to realize that returning the egg was their best hope of achieving peace. Upon noticing Rayla acting strangely, Callum asked her what's wrong being informed that it is going to be a long trip to Xadia.

### Bloodthirsty

The next morning, Callum drew the Sky Primal Stone in his journal until Rayla called him, from her he learned about the Primal Stones. Remembering seeing the same rune shapes on an object in their winter home he convinced Rayla to take a detour to the banther lodge. Upon making it there, he gives Rayla a map on where to find the object however things were complicated when the boys Aunt Amaya came and tried to warn his friend that they were here. During their discussion, he asked his aunt why is she here, and seeing her unveil a note she got from their father, Callum noticed that he was missing. Afterward, he began to realize that coming to their lodge was a bad idea, but was asked by Ezran that they should tell her the truth aware that there is too much hostility on both sides he refused. On hearing the commotion he and Ezran devised a plan to set Rayla free and once done they tried to leave but were surrounded by his aunt's guards.

In an attempt to leave safely Callum talked to his aunt in sign language about Rayla being a monster, with her playing along he and Ezran were purposely taken hostage escaping by boat. Once in the clear, he got scorned by Rayla about what he said and yet Callum retorted believing none of it only saying that to get their aunt to back down and was given the cube. Afterward, when the cube was near the Sky Primal stone he noticed that the Sky rune glowed.

### An Empty Throne

Continuing to examine the cube, Callum noticed that the moon rune glowed when near Rayla but was warned by the elf that things would end badly if he continued. Then, sometime later Callum attempted to do the lightning spell and was informed by Rayla that each spell had a trigger word in ancient Draconic. He decides on tossing the primal stone to Rayla. After throwing it, he falls to the ground unharmed, but Rayla making a crackling noise from the electric shock. He admits that he is excited to be learning magic and got carried away. In the boat, Callum explains to Rayla why Bait was named Bait. Later, to keep Rayla's mind off of her seasickness, he decides to ask her 5 questions. He successfully does this by asking her about Xadia. When Callum asks about her parents, she replies that they are dead, and they then go off a waterfall. When they reach still water, Callum is confused as to why the ocean rune on his cube is glowing. They all go flying when a giant ocean monster jumps out of the lake. Callum and Ezran land in the water, while Rayla lands on solid ground. They are unable to hear Rayla shouting that Bait is in trouble and wash up on the side of the lake while Rayla is fighting the monster off. Callum tells Rayla to jump up and electrocutes the water with his Fulminis spell, killing the monster. Callum tells Rayla how brave she was, and kicks away the boat so she would not have to be afraid. After asking about Rayla's ribbon, they continue walking.

### Through the Ice

Callum rests under the roots of a tree with Ezran and Rayla sleeping on top of the roots, having a pleasant dream about kissing Claudia. Ezran hears him talking in his sleep and wakes him up to inform him that Rayla is gone, though she had not taken the egg. Despite her leaving the egg behind, Callum still refuses to trust Rayla and believes that she is hiding something from them. When Ezran inquires about his dream, Callum first claims it to have been about sandwiches, then states that Ezran would understand when he is older. They leave when Rayla comes back, rushing them. Callum complains when Rayla says that they should go up a rougher path and asks her if they can trust her. When they stop for a break, Callum realizes they forgot their food when Rayla was rushing them. Rayla gets mad when she finds that Bait drank her moonberry juice, and Callum tells Ezran that she's hangry. Later, when they are trekking up a snowy, windy part of the mountain, Callum is trying to help Ezran keep up. He and Rayla argue about how much trust they have in each other until Ezran warns them that the noise is going to set off an avalanche. When Bait burps, the snow comes down and Callum uses Aspiro to protect everyone but they are still buried in snow but easily get out.

When the ice under Ezran's feet starts cracking, he tells him to not move. Callum slowly slides across the ice and takes the egg from Ez, but when he tries to take it back, the ice cracks under his feet, and he tries to pass it on to Rayla, apologizing for arguing earlier and that he trusts her, but she insists on explaining everything to them first. But Callum warned Rayla there was not time and passes the egg to her, the hand that was hurt recoils and lets the egg drop through the ice and into the cold water. When Ezran dives into the water after it, he shouts out not to do it and tries to jump in after him, which Rayla stops him from doing. When Ezran does not come up for some time, he begins to believe that he died, but Rayla doubts that, because her binding did not come off. Rayla hears knocking on another part of the ice and breaks the ice there, revealing Ezran underneath it. Callum helps Rayla get him out of the water. When Ezran is saved, Callum takes him and begs for him to be okay and is extremely relieved when he is but has the same shared concern about the egg.

### The Dagger and the Wolf

Callum in is a cave with a sick Ezran, drawing, next to a fireplace. He tells Ezran to go to sleep. Ezran sees his drawing - their mom. Callum says he could not stop thinking of him when he was under the ice and believed their mother protected him. Rayla comes in and remarks that their mother was beautiful, to which Callum looks away, sad. Later, when they reach a town, Callum tells Rayla that the people will not be welcoming to an elf. Seeing her disguise, he is not convinced it will work and asks how she will impersonate a fifth finger. Walking into town, Callum tells Rayla to not be so loud, when they find a man named Tristan talking about his adventures, and then challenging anyone to a fight. He draws a red-hot dagger, when Callum urges them to leave, to which Rayla does not move, saying that they'll want to see this. Callum is astonished when he sees it, and Rayla explains that the dagger was a Sunforge blade. Callum suggests that Rayla use the blade to cut her binding while he and Ezran go look for an animal doctor. They find one and try to explain what happened without revealing details, to which the doctor says that he needs to know what's happening to help. After making him promise not to tell anyone, they show him the egg.

The doctor is astonished but is unable to do anything for the egg, but after some hesitation, he suggests to them a dangerous idea. They meet Ellis and Ava, who tells them about their story and the miracle healer that healed Ava years ago. They then set off to get Rayla and take the egg to the healer. When they find her, they explain about the Cursed Caldera. Tristan points to her, shouting that Rayla is an elf. After being chased, they run up the Cursed Caldera, which the people do not follow them up because they believe in the awful stories about it.

### Cursed Caldera

In the beginning, they are seen running through a forest and then ducking behind a tree. Callum is relieved that they are safe. Ellis appears riding Ava and wanting to help find the miracle healer. While walking, Callum introduces Rayla to her. Though Rayla is skeptical about the information they are going off of, Callum says it is their only chance. When they reach a cliff overlooking the sunset, Ellis says that the sun is beautiful, but it also means that the nightmare is about to begin. To fight off monsters they come across, Callum makes up a plan that none of the others understand - flash, woof, whoosh, slish-slash. He explains it and the rest of the group teases him about how he's going to blow on the monster. Rayla then realizes the word for Callum's lightning spell - Fulminis. He changes the plan to include his lightning spell. The rest of the group is not amused and turns around. When the group is joking about the mountain, Callum makes a lame joke that no one laughs at. Callum is scared when Ellis shouts that there's a big, scary monster and warns Ezran not to touch the mark on it. When a living, leech-like creature comes from behind the other one, Callum shouts for them to initiate the plan, which they are not ready for and mess up. Ellis and Ava pick Callum up and jump up some rocks to get away from it. On the rock, Ellis talks to Callum about his being a mage and boosts his confidence in himself. Seeing that the leech is gone, the group climbs down from their hiding spots and is frightened when it comes up behind them. They start the plan again, this time defeating the monster. when the monster is dead, hundreds of leaches crawl onto her and Callum uses his Aspiro rune to blow them off. Later, when they find the tree they were looking for, Ezran says that there is no miracle healer.

### Wonderstorm

Callum does not care what Ez says about his ability to talk to animals and tells the others to disregard it, hurting his feelings. He urges Ezran to tell the truth and provides examples of when Ezran has lied. Callum says that was the reason Ezran could not make friends. They continue their journey and Callum realizes that the higher they go, the more the moon rune on his cube glows. They are then frightened by a spooky sound, and Ezran wants to see what's making it. When Rayla comes back, Callum sees that something is wrong and asks about it. When they come across a large spider web and Ellis wants to turn back, Callum insists they keep going. In the middle of the web, a giant spider sneaks up on them and Callum throws a lightning spell at it but misses. They hide and Ezran wants to prove that it is not a real spider he goes out and Callum follows to protect him. When the spider does not attack, that's Callum saw that his younger brother's ability is real and apologizes by doing his jerkface dance. They continue and reach the tree, where they meet the healer - an illusionist named Lujanne that created an illusion leg for Ava. She reveals that the only way to help the egg would be to hatch it in a storm. Callum throws down his sky primal stone and unleashes a storm from within it. After some trouble, the egg hatched into Azymondias, the Dragon Prince. Callum and the others stare in amazement as the baby dragon explores his surroundings and bites off Rayla's binding. Suddenly, purple wisps began falling from the sky and everyone was mystified.

## Book Two - Sky

### A Secret and a Spark

Callum is writing a letter to his stepfather to inform him of their mission, unaware of his demise. He talks to Rayla as well, who knows but did not telling him or Ezran. Callum and the rest of the group then go to lunch, where a great feast was prepared for them. Callum is the first to realize that all the food was just grubs covered in an illusion. When Rayla insists that the group leave and continue their journey to Xadia, Callum wants to stay and learn moon magic from Lujanne. The first thing they do during Callum's lessons is to go to the Moonhenge, where, thousands of years ago, Moonshadow Elves performed special rituals. He is scared when Lujanne creates an illusion of what the place had looked like before but then amazed by the people and what they were doing. Lujanne then explains how primal energy can be stronger at different places or times, and how there are 6 places where each of the primal sources is at its strongest. She showed him the Moon Nexus, the place where moon primal energy was the strongest. Callum then asks to learn how to do some real magic, instead of learning about it. Lujanne explains that without the primal stone, Callum would not be able to use magic. feeling discouraged, Callum goes back to camp. He talks with Ezran, who shares that he, too, had a tough day. But Ezran would keep going, so Callum decided to as well. He went back to talk to Lujanne, who again said it was not possible. She tried to explain the Moon arcanum to Callum, but he did not understand - he is 'only human.' He goes to bed again, feeling defeated. In bed, he puts the cube up against himself but sighs when it does not light up.

### Half Moon Lies

When Callum sees that Soren is about to kill Rayla, he runs in, telling them they are not enemies. The next day, he's getting ready to leave for breakfast, seeming to give special care to his looks. When Ez asks who he's trying to impress, he gets nervous. At breakfast, when Claudia says that the princes should come home, Callum explains how there is no egg anymore and that the mission was too important for them to stop. When Soren says that their father misses them, Callum is excited. Later, Rayla tells Callum not to trust Soren and Claudia. When she is about to tell him about his stepfather, Claudia comes in and says she wants to talk to him. Callum shows her the Moonhenge, which she loves. Callum suggests they come back at night to see the Moon Nexus. While Callum is in his room, Rayla comes to him and says that she has proof that Soren and Claudia cannot be trusted. Callum does not think it is good proof, and that he's known Claudia and Soren for years, which Rayla did not have. Later, when he shows Claudia the Moon Nexus, she tells him about the news that their father is dead. He leaves sad and meets Rayla on his way to his bed, who feels awful.

### Smoke and Mirrors

Walking past her, Callum hears Rayla's attempt to apologize about knowing of King Harrow's demise but stops her worried about how is he going to tell Ezran about their father, but he cannot. The next morning, Callum takes him on a walk outside but is still not able to tell him. He sits down next to Rayla and apologizes for blaming her for not telling them. He realizes that when Soren said their father wanted them home Rayla had known he was lying. But Callum does not want to leave yet because they are friends. Just then, Soren and Claudia come up to them. They go into one of the rooms and Claudia gives Callum the letter he dropped and she says goodbye to them. Later, he tells Rayla that Claudia was so supportive of their mission that they wanted to go along. Rayla comes up with a plan to see if they would betray them or not. The next day, the group sets off and Claudia and Soren sabotage them. Then, Ellis takes the illusion charm off Ava and the illusion disappears. The group flies off on Phoe-Phoe leaving Soren and Claudia on the ground. Callum looks back at Claudia sadly that their deception was true. While they are flying, Callum is still sad, but looking at Ezran cheering, he cheers up.

### Voyage of the Ruthless

While everyone else is waking up on Phoe-Phoe, Callum is meditating to try and connect to the sky arcanum. Phoe-Phoe starts to drop out of the sky because she is tired due to her great distance from the Moon Nexus. Ezran and Zym almost fall off a cliff but Rayla grabs them and Callum grabs her feet. They look ahead at the miles of water, which Rayla is afraid of, and Callum suggests they walk around it somehow, but Rayla disagrees. Callum and Ezran go looking for a sea captain and find one that has 2 eye patches covering both eyes. While sailing, Callum asks Captain Villads how they were going in one direction while the wind was blowing the other. The captain explains how he has a deep connection to the wind in his bones. Then the group gets caught in the storm. They are forced to port and are disappointed that they will not save any time at all by having left early. Afterward, Callum tries to make a connection to the arcanum by going to the top of the windmill where the lightning was striking and wanted to take Zym, but by making to the top Callum realizes that it was wrong to risk his and Zym's life on wanting to learn magic. Thanks to Zym, Callum is saved from the next lightning strike and returned to the ship with him relieved that the young dragon is alright.

### Breaking the Seal

After setting sail again, Callum is below deck trying to decide whether to open his letter or not, but he puts it down. Bait comes down with him, and Callum explains to Bait why he does not want to open the letter. He feels that once he reads the last word, his father would really be gone forever. With Bait's encouragement, Callum breaks the seal.

### Heart of a Titan

Callum opens the letter.

It starts with King Harrow explaining that he had put a distance between them because he was not Callum's birth father. At the time he is writing it, Moonshadow Elves are coming to assassinate him and he will pass on a lie, a wish, and a secret. When Harrow was gone, Ezran would become king with Callum as his closest advisor, partner, and defender. Soon, they would face the great lie of history - people would tell them that history was all about strength, but really, that was just power. Real strength came in forgiveness and love. He wanted him and Ezran to reject history as a narrative of strength, and instead let it be a narrative of love. He then recounted Sarai's last words to him - "I will see you on the other side." Harrow knew he would be watching over him and his brother from the other side. He wishes that they be free, unlike him, and not let the past define their future. And finally, the secret - it was in the banther lodge, where Harrow thought they would be. It was the cube they got when they went there. the cube was an ancient relic passed down through the ages, belonging first to an elven wizard named Aaravos, a master of all 6 primal sources. It is known as the Key of Aaravos and said to unlock something of great power in Xadia. And then, there was one last super-secret - bait secretly loved belly rubs.

Callum started giving Bait a belly rub. He goes back to the top deck and gives Ezran a hug to show how much he loves his little brother. The captain shouts that there's land ahead and the group looks up to see the silhouette of a dragon.

### Fire and Fury

At night, Callum is talking to Bait about the Key of Aaravos. Rayla sits down with him as well and Callum asks her about her connection with the moon arcanum. Rayla explains it, but it does not really help. He starts to talk about how he must become a mage again if he wants to be any help in Xadia, and Rayla explains about the Moonstone Path. They wake up later to the sound of a dragon. They run to see the source and are surprised to see the dragon attacking a town, and even more surprised when the dragon is hit. The dragon crash lands, almost hitting them, and they rush to its side. After removing the ballista's spear, they are forced to flee when Soren and Claudia come in search of the dragon with a group of soldiers. After getting back to their cave, Callum tells Rayla there's nothing she could have done to help the dragon. When Rayla leaves, Callum starts drawing and finds a solution. He sets off to where Rayla had gone. He steals Claudia's dark magic book to cast a spell that turns the chains on the dragon into snakes. Afterward, he collapses. Rayla picks him up but Callum can barely stand.

### The Book of Destiny

Rayla tries to get Callum to walk but he is too sick to keep going back in their cave, Callum says he is uncomfortable. He opens his eyes in a dream and he is on a pile of keys the key of Aaravos has a dark magic symbol on it and that symbol glows when it is near him. Callum throws the cube and an evil version of himself catches it. Evil Callum tells Callum to accept that he will learn dark magic. Callum almost does until his father appears chained to his throne. He tells Callum that he is free and can choose his own destiny. Callum rejects Evil Callum's offer by telling him that destiny was a book you wrote yourself and the monster disintegrated. Callum tells his father that that was horrifying, and Harrow's throne slides backward. Callum keeps walking and meets Captain Villads, who says he heard that Callum needed a boat for his journey into his heart and mind. Suddenly, they are on a boat but storm appears and Callum turns into a sail then, Callum is alone on the ship, trying to guide it. Afterward, Callum was looking at the storm through his Primal Stone. He throws the stone down and shatters it. Then, it reverses and the Primal Stone is back in Callum's hands with him looking through it. Zooming in on the Primal Stone once more, the Callum in the storm's ship has crashed and was broken into pieces. Callum's grip on the barrel he was holding onto fails and he sinks into the ocean.

### Breathe

As his dream fevered state of him being plunged into an ocean continues, Callum is guided by his mother upon explaining his problems of learning magic to her. He is advised by her to take things slow and to remember that he will always have her love. He awakes, declaring that he finally understands the sky arcanum. Ecstatic that he made a connection with sky magic, he tries to explain it to her but seeing that his words are not making any sense Callum attempts to perform Aspiro without the help of a Primal Stone. He manages to draw the rune and unleash a strong breath of wind. Soon he sees Ezran and Corvus arrive and is introduced to them by Rayla. When he hears Corvus call his brother the king, he realizes that Ezran had already been aware of their father's death, and the two embrace each other to mourn their loss.

Just as they are getting packed up to leave, he hears of his younger brother's choice to return home and stop the war from there. Callum is sad but respects his decision and vows to help him once Zym would be safely returned. He then watches Ezran leave. Upon finally making it to the border, Callum expresses sadness that they were so close but Ezran was not with them but is reminded by Rayla that "one does not simply walk into Xadia" and that they had to wait until the moonlight showed them the proper path. But as they walk across, the sun starts to rise, causing the runes on the path to disappear. However, with the help of Zym blocking the light they manage to cross. Upon making it to Xadia they run into Sol Regem.

## Book Three - Sun

### Sol Regem

Callum, Rayla, and Zym stand before Sol Regem, Rayla warns him that he's no ordinary dragon as Sol Regem was the former king of Xadia. Describing him as big, angry, blind dragon that is blocking their way into Xadia and asks what they should do. Rayla tells him that they'll have to sneak past, offering him his first lesson in the ways of stealth. She tells him that he only needs to be invisible to his enemy's senses, and he points out that the sense of sight is one they do not have to worry about but the only two they need to worry about - hearing and smell. Callum wonders why it is only those two, and Rayla points out that if they get to touch or taste, then it is already too late. He tells her that all of this talk of senses and appearances reminds him of the moon arcanum.

As Zym whimpers, Rayla warns Callum to keep him quiet. He replies that Ezran would know how to keep him quiet, saying that they just need to trust each other. Zym whines a bit at this but seems to calm down. They sneak forward and seem to escape Sol Regem's attention at first, but Zym's loud whining and struggling give them away. Callum asks Rayla what they should do now. He asks if they should run for it, but Rayla tells him they'd never make it. She suggests trying negotiation.

She pleads with him to allow them to pass, but he will not allow Callum to pass because he is a human. Callum tells her to go on without him, but she will not allow it, saying that they are so close. He tells her that getting Zym back to Zubeia is all that matters, that she can just tell Zubeia he helped a little and he'll go home. Sol Regem chuckles at this, telling him that he will not go home; the choice is that either he dies or they all die because humans are evil. Rayla tells him that she agrees that some humans are evil, but Callum is not. The Dragon Prince would not be alive if not for him and he could have killed her, but he did not. She begs Sol Regem to allow Callum to pass, but Sol Regem sniffs Callum and catches the scent of dark magic lingering on him. He declares that Callum must die and they flee in terror as the dragon's belly begins lighting up to breathe fire at them.

Callum tells Rayla that he'll face death if it will get her and Zym to safety. She tells him to calm down, that Sol Regem can only use his fire breath every few minutes. Callum tells her that they cannot hide from Sol Regem's senses, but they could trick him by creating a false appearance. They put together a scheme, distracting Sol Regem with scent and magic. The distraction is successful, forcing Sol Regem to waste his fire breath on a missed shot that is way off the mark of any of them. Callum has Rayla throw her smelly scarf as a distraction and he uses the *Aspiro* spell to blow it to lead Sol Regem off, trapping his head inside an arch. They continue their journey while Sol Regem struggles to free himself from the arch.

### The Crown

As he and Rayla enter a colorful forest, he studies the Key of Aaravos. He gasps and smiles in delight as the runes upon it resonate with the magic of various flora and fauna of the forest. He tells Rayla that it is crazy how everything there resonates with Primal Energy. He picks up some dirt and holds the cube up to it for one of the runes to glow green, entertained by the idea of "magic dirt." She tells him to save some of the googly-eyed amazement for later, as they still have a mission, and she's taking him to her home, promising to show him special if they get there by dusk. As they continue through the forest, Callum is amused by flowers that play music, which Rayla calls "melodaisies." He stops for a bit to dance to the music, then catches up, telling her that she's pushing them to move too fast. He tells her that there's a human saying that "sometimes you just have stop and smell the roses," or listen to them. She tells him that maybe he's right and that there's a Xadian flower with a more fascinating scent than any in the Human Kingdoms. She picks one, telling him to smell it. He does, then winces in shock and coughs. She laughs and he asks what it was. She tells him that some call them flatu-lillies, toot-lips, or peri-stinkles, though ultimately they are "fart flowers." Callum despairs as Zym rolls in a patch of them, getting himself extra-stinky. He tells Rayla that he wishes Ezran were there to smell it, that he would love it.

The two reach the edge of a cliff and Callum wonders how they will get down. She says that first, they'll have to go up, indicating a tree behind them. Callum marvels at it, saying that it must be the biggest in the world. He asks what they call it and she replies "a tree." Rayla rushes to scale it using one of her blades, giving Callum the other. He finds himself stuck at the bottom. Nevertheless, he and Zym eventually catch up with Rayla and continue their trek. Rayla has them take position atop a giant seed hanging from the tree and starts slicing it using one of her blades. Callum asks if it is safe and she replies that it is if he holds on tight. They begin a rapid descent and he screams. The seed is essentially a giant helicopter tree seed that sends them spinning past the cliff and into a lower area of the forest. As they land, Callum apologizes for clutching onto Rayla for dear life and they set off again. As they continue, Rayla comments that they made it just in time and Callum asks what she wanted to show him. She grabs him and they race forward telling him that she used to come to this meadow as a kid, spending hours exploring and making colorful friends. Confused she shows him, tossing a blue puffy creature that attaches to his shirt. It is an Adoraburr and Callum looks down to see a bunch of the little creatures in all colors attached to one of his feet. She tells them that they stick together and thought he'd like them. He replies that he loves them and falls back, allowing his entire head to be covered in a clown wig of Adoraburrs. Rayla quips that the look suits him. He leaps again, this time getting his entire body covered like a puffy marshmallow suit. He asks if they come off and they both chuckle heavily.

### Ghost

As Callum continues to play with the Adoraburrs, the group walks and Rayla discusses her feelings about returning home. She tells him that she's happy and excited, but also terrified. He tells her that she's just nervous and that once they see her and Zym, they'll definitely help them. He adds a fifth Adoraburr to his pile, calling them "so stack-able". She tells him that she and Zym are one thing, but her "new human friend" might not be so popular. He tells her that what will be popular is her "charming new elf friend." "Please, no," she mutters as he turns around, then turns back with some sticks on and leaves on his head, presenting himself as "Elf Callum." He calls himself "one of those forest elves, with the antlers." She asks if he's supposed to be an Earthblood Elf. He tells her that the illusion is not complete and puts on a fake accent, greeting her with "Oy, mate" and hugging a tree, saying that those are all his best mates. She facepalms as he continues the act, but Zym seems amused.

As they continue, Rayla tells Callum that they are at her home. Not seeing much of anything but the forest, he tells her that he likes it, that it is modest. She replies that it is hidden by an illusion and she has to perform a special ritual for them to get in, like having a key. He asks how he gets in, and she replies that he will use her key. She tells him to just do what she does. They perform a sort of dance and runes appear, revealing the village of the Moonshadow Elves. She is excited to show him everything, but Callum sees that something is wrong. He points out that none of the elves around them appear to have any faces. Rayla despairs and he asks what's wrong with them. She replies that it is not them, it is her - that she's a ghost. Callum begs for someone to answer, but she tells him that it is no use. Because they cannot see her, him or Zym because they came in with her. He replies that he does not get it, and she explains that they made her a ghost - referring it to being magically banished. It is what happened to her parents when they abandoned the Dragon Guard and now it is been done to her because she did not complete her mission. He tells her that they just do not know what happened. She agrees that it must be a mistake, telling him there's one person who will understand. He races to follow her.

She asks him if he remembers Runaan, the leader of the assassins. He agrees calling him - "tall, pointy, aimed a bow at me?" She explains that when her parents joined the Dragon Guard, she went to live with him and his husband, Ethari. She's sure that he would not have done the spell, that he's always had faith in her. They enter, but when she speaks to him, he pays her no attention and it quickly becomes evident that she's a ghost to him too. She crumples in despair and Callum says that it is not fair, that there must be a way to get his attention. He waves his hand in front of Ethari's blank face, saying that he did not even give her a chance to explain herself. She tells him it is no use and he shouts at Ethari that Rayla does not deserve it. As Ethari lifts his blade, he sees Rayla in the reflection. She asks if he's surprised to see her face and Callum asks if he can hear her. She tells him that he cannot, but he can see how she feels. He tells her about everyone being gone and flees the room.

Callum finds Rayla at the edge of a pond, throwing stones. She tells him that she understands now that "they" did not make it - that she was the only member of the assassin group who survived. He asks how she knows and she indicates the pond, explaining that when assassins are sent on a dangerous mission, Ethari enchants a metal lotus for them. Her lotus is the only one that did not sink, so they thought she ran away. Callum tells her that she did not run and that they have it all wrong. She asks if it really matters, throwing more stones into the pond. Just then, Ethari appears and breaks the spell. He asks how she could have abandoned them and she asks Callum to show him. He steps forward, putting on his fake accent and introducing himself as "Rayla's Earthblood elf friend. Trees to meet you." Ethari replies "Trees to meet you too" and Rayla tells him not to humor Callum. Callum shows him Zym and he calls it a miracle but explains that the Dragon Queen is dying. He summons two mounts, a Moonstrider and a Shadowpaw, to carry them and promises to send a message to Zubeia. They head off to continue their journey.

### The Midnight Desert

As they continue, Callum has trouble controlling his mount, nearly falling off at one point. He notices that Rayla is not reacting to his antics, just sort of frowning, and he comments that yesterday must have been hard for her. She says it was not really. He tells her that when he was a child, he and his family would do "big feelings time," in which you close your eyes and ask yourself if you have any big feelings. You say them out loud and then the other person says they hear your feelings, and it makes you feel good. Rayla comments simply that humans are weird and speeds her steed onward. He tells her that she's been through a lot and it would be understandable if she had big feelings. She warns him to leave her alone, that if he does not stop pestering her, she'll give him a big feeling on the side of his head.

As they approach a clearing, something startles their mounts and Rayla says that someone is coming. As she draws her swords, Callum puts his "Earthblood elf" disguise back in place. They are greeted by a Skywing Elf who is named "Naimi-Selari-Nykantia, but who says to call her "Nyx." She introduces herself as an emissary from the Dragon Queen. Callum fiddles with antlers. She starts to say that he "must be..." and he does his "Earthblood elf" routine. She notes that the message she received stated that Rayla would be traveling with a human companion and he does a bit of magic razzle-dazzle before admitting he was the human. She claims she's been authorized to fly Zym directly home, but Rayla tells her it will not happen and Callum gives a thumbs-up at this. She offered to give them a ride, as otherwise, they will not be able to cross the Midnight Desert. It would add nearly a week to go around it.

She guides them to the edge of the desert, warning them of Soulfang Serpents and introduces them to her ride, an Ambler, a giant mount that can carry them safely above the dangerous ground. Callum asks Rayla what she thinks. Rayla replies that the Dragon Queen is dying and this will save them a week. They have to do it. They board the Ambler and take off. As Zym plays with a group of Adoraburrs that Callum snuck on-board, Callum considers Rayla, who is still depressed. She asks him what he wants and he says that he was just wondering what she's thinking about. She insists that she's fine like she already told him. Just then, there is a jolt and Callum asks what happened. Nyx explains that the Ambler's foot got stuck in a hole made by the Soulfangs. She has to go down to get her foot. She warns Callum not to touch any of her stuff. As soon as she leaves, Callum starts staring at her winged staff. Rayla asks him why and he replies that something about it is strangely familiar. He takes a part of it, asking if it is a boomerang. Nyx returns and he pops it back in place. They take off again.

They reach the oasis, which Nyx describes as a haven from Soulfangs and husks. Callum asks how it keeps them out and she explains that it is surrounded by protective obelisks. They set down and Nyx offers them blankets, saying she was not sure if they needed two blankets, or just one. Callum tells her that it is definitely two. That evening, Callum awakens, hearing Rayla sniffling. He asks if she's okay but she shouts at him to go away as she runs to the pond. He follows after and, as he does, Nyx smiles.

Callum meets Rayla at the edge of the pond and she tells him that she does not want him to see her like this. He tells her that he does not care if she's crying, that he's there with her. She tells him that she's a mess, that she's lost everything. She says there's nowhere she belongs now, but he tells her it is not true. She insists it is all her fault for failing everyone, that she's not good enough. He tells her that she's talking crazy - that he knows she's good, has courage, and a good heart. She gets knocked down, but gets back up. He says she's also ten times funnier than any human he knows - smart, fast, and beautiful. He calls her the most amazing person he's ever met and she kisses him. He says it is not what he was expecting, that he was not saying those things so she would do that. Then, he was warned that they must never speak of this again, that she will kill him if he even mentions it. They both agree to walk away. But when they do, they return to the camp to find both Zym and Nyx gone.

### Heroes and Masterminds

Rayla shouts that they have to stop Nyx before they get too far into the desert and Callum notes that their mounts are gone. They spot them just outside the magical barrier of the oasis and she whistles for them to come back. One of them does, but the other will not come. They exit the barrier and discover that the mounts are being menaced by Soulfang Serpents. Rayla warns Callum to stay very still. He agrees that's the plan - still as a mouse. Callum watches as she kills one serpent, but both of them can only watch in horror as the other bites the Moonstrider, turning it to stone. Then, a serpent appears before Callum, who begins backing away in horror. It very nearly bites him, but Rayla pulls it away, and both reach the safety of the barrier. Rayla tells him that it is too dangerous and they have to wait until sunrise.

They set off in the morning, Callum struggling to find a good position behind Rayla on the Shadowpaw. She finally tells him to hold on to her. He agrees if she does not think it would be weird. She tells him he's already weird and to hold on. He asks how they'll find Zym and Nyx. She tells him that she picked up a thing or two from Corvus and is already tracking them as they speak, via the Ambler's tracks. They finally catch up and Rayla asks if she might be seeing a mirage, but Callum agrees that he sees the Ambler too. He hangs on for dear life as she spurs the Shadowpaw forward at double-speed, the Ambler's foot being stuck in the ground again.

Nyx gets the Ambler's foot unstuck, but they catch up and Callum is disbelieving as Rayla climbs onto the Ambler in mid-stride. He calls it totally crazy, but she tells him that he can make it too, that she'll catch him. They mount the Ambler and Rayla tells Nyx that her scheme is over. Callum, panting, points his finger accusatorially, saying that they trusted her. She asks what the big deal is if she was just taking Zym back to his mother. Rayla draws her swords and Callum takes up position behind her, but she says they've forgotten something. Callum asks what it is and she flies away commenting to Rayla that she's right, that they did forget.

Callum asks Rayla what they can do, how they can follow her when she's flying. Rayla tells him to look and they watch as Zym zaps Nyx repeatedly with lightning. She falls to the ground and Rayla extends a rope, telling Callum "Here we go!" They leap with Callum screaming, and on the ground, he asks her how she learned to do that. She admits she's never done it before. Zym flies into Callum's arms and he hugs him, apologizing for losing him. Zym gives him zappy kisses in return. Nyx shouts for them to help her. Her wings are damaged, so she cannot fly, and she's surrounded by Soulfang Serpents. Rayla fends off the Soulfangs as Callum and Zym watch in astonishment, then they all flee back to the Ambler. Nyx asks why Rayla saved her even she betrayed her. Callum tells her it is because Rayla is a hero, someone who saves people and is brave. She does what is right, even when it puts her life in danger. She's selfless, even when it means her own people might turn against her. It makes her Rayla. This time, he kisses her. He apologizes, but she tells him to shut up. She kisses him and they both embrace passionately, clearly in love.

### Thunderfall

Callum and Rayla are sleeping atop the Ambler before Nyx wakes them, calling them "lovebugs" and telling them "this is your stop." Callum asks what do they do from here and she tells them that Zubeia's lair, the Storm Spire, is only about a day away. She leaves them on the ground, giving a final bit of advice that the air can get thin on the Storm Spire.

As they walk, they encounter a massive stone formation. Callum asks if it is a statue, but Rayla considers it and replies that it is not a statue. Zym is disturbed by it and whimpers, but he tells him that it is okay. Just then, they hear a cawing and Phoe-Phoe appears, with Ezran on her back. After they land, Zym pounces on Ezran and Callum offers him a hand up. He hugs them both, saying that being king is not all that it is cracked up to be. Callum asks him if he's hurt, examining him, but he promises that he's safe now. Phoe-Phoe collapses and Callum hugs Ezran as he despairs, believing her to be dead, then watches Ezran's relief as he claims a feather and realizes that since Phoe-Phoe is a Moon Phoenix, she will be reborn.

While Ezran plays with Bait and Zym, Callum says "I hate him," referencing the statue, identified as the dragon Avizandum, who killed his mother. He says that seeing him makes him sad and angry, but confused too. Rayla agrees that it is painful, asking how he could feel any different. He points out a spear impaled in the dragon and Callum identifies it as his mother's. He says his stepdad put it into the dragon's heart, asking her how he's supposed to feel about that, and if he's supposed to be glad, or happy that they got revenge. Or perhaps they should be regretful and sad because they killed Zym's father. He indicates Ezran, Zym, and Bait, saying that he feels so sorry this all happened. She tells him that she does too, but indicates the others, saying that seeing them all playing together is hope. She tells him that they will break the cycle and they hold hands and watch.

### Hearts of Cinder

Team Zym reaches the Storm Spire and Callum comments that he guesses that the Dragon Queen most likely did not make her lair somewhere halfway up. "Nope. Tip-top!" agrees Rayla. They get on with it and start climbing. As they walk, Callum asks Rayla if they plan to tell the Dragon Queen that they are a "thing" once they arrive. Rayla replies that she does not think it is going to come up. Callum asks if she means that they should hide it from her, a "secret, forbidden-romance." Rayla kids that she's right, putting a finger to his lip and saying that the Dragon Queen must never know. He closes his eyes saying that he understands, that the world just is not ready for what they have. She smacks him playfully and he chuckles. They reach a gateway with elven writing. Callum asks if she can read it. She tells him that it says "Prepare to draw your last breath." Having considered this ominous warning, they continue their march.

As the pace becomes increasingly grueling, Callum asks just how tall the mountain is and Rayla suggests that they should rest. Ezran, however, tells them that they need to keep going. With no little reluctance, they follow. Not long after, however, Callum stops again, saying that the air is so thin he can barely breathe. Rayla clutches him and then they both collapse. Ezran then wakes him, having met with a dragon who drew him a rune. He explains to Callum that the message they encountered was not, in fact, a warning, but rather a solution. Callum casts the spell using the rune and they are all able to breathe normally. After Rayla awakes, the two kiss. Ezran notes that the kiss was not part of the spell, and Callum explains that some things happened while he was gone. They continue and cross a bridge before they finally arrive at the cave that serves as Zubeia's lair. There, they are greeted by an elf who tells them "it is too late."

### Dragonguard

The elf explains that the Dragon Queen has not opened her eyes in ten days. "But she's not..." Callum starts to ask and the elf clarifies that she is not yet dead, but she is in a deep sleep of despair. He introduces himself as Ibis, a mage of the Skywing Elves. They go to meet Zubeia and Callum frowns when Ezran's words of her child being alive seem to not affect her. Rayla races out of the lair and Callum follows after her. He sits by her and asks her if she's okay. She tells him that this is where her parents ran away. She says she cannot stop thinking about it and how it led to all of this. He takes her hand to comfort her.

That evening, towards sunset, Ezran arrives on Pyrrah with Soren. Callum asks what he's doing there, but Ezran tells him to stop asking questions and help. He realizes what Ezran means and does the spell so that Soren can breathe the rarified air of the mountain. After catching his breath, he tells them that they are all doomed. Inside the cave, he says that it is his dad, and Callum asks if he means that Viren is there in Xadia. He confirms that this is so, that he has rallied the Human Kingdoms and also used the magic of the Sunfire Elves to turn them into beasts.

Later, Callum follows Ibis as he heads for the pinnacle of the mountain. He says that he will scout from the sky and Callum asks how he's going to do that, given that he does not have wings. He then asks if he's being rude, as they had met another Skywing Elf (Nyx), who had wings. Ibis tells him that he is not offended and explains that while all Skywing Elves are born connected to the sky, fewer than one in ten are born with wings. There are even fewer, like him, who can learn can learn to do a magic spell "*Manus. Pluma. Volantus.*", which enables them to use magic wings. He demonstrates, runes glowing on his arms, and Callum is awed as he sports mage wings before his very eyes. He tells him he has to teach him how to do that. Ibis is non-plussed, starting to say that a human cannot do such magic, but Callum stops him by casting *Fulminus*. He tells him that he's heard it before, that magic is not his destiny, but he knows the sky arcanum and needs to know all the magic he can. He begs Ibis to teach him. Ibis is impressed that he learned the sky arcanum as a human, but suggests some "helpful advice," that Callum and the others should leave - run, hide and survive. Callum is shocked, saying that they came all that way. He replies that it will mean nothing if they die. He flies away, and Callum can only watch at the edge of the mountain's peak.

He returns to Rayla, who asks him if he got the elf to teach him "any neat sky spells," like "tornado punch" or "storm sneeze." He smiles at her antics and tells her about the elf's advice. He says that he thinks maybe Ibis is right, that they should leave. Every choice they've made has been to protect Zym and so this could be the right thing to do. Rayla tells him that she agrees and Callum says that he'll tell Ezran and Soren. She tells him that she will not be going with them, that they should take Zym, but she cannot leave. Her parents ran away, but she will stay and defend the Dragon Queen. He clutches her, telling her that she cannot face an entire army by herself, that she will die. She agrees that she probably will, but she'll just be paying the price that her parents should have. She gives him her necklace, asking him to remember her. She bids him goodbye and kisses him. She starts to walk away and he asks her if that is it, just "goodbye." He asks if she would really just stay and die out of pride. She tells him that it runs deeper, but he insists that no matter what she calls it, it is just pride. She tells him it is about who she is and he tells her not to let her parents' mistakes drag her down. He says she's not thinking straight and she has to let it go. She replies that if he thinks she can do that, he does not know her at all and never did. She runs off, leaving Callum grunting and sighing. He sees a glow from inside his bag. It is the Key of Aaravos and one of the runes on it is glowing in response to the necklace. Callum notes that it is a Moon Opal and wonders if there's something it might be capable of. He closes his eyes and recalls a spell cast by Lujanne - *Historia Viventem*. Recalling how it cast spectral images of the past, he decides to try it. Hearing Zubeia's snoring, he ventures into her cavern.

Considering the spot where Zym's egg used to lay he asks "What really happened here?" He clutches the necklace and casts the spell. He sees Rayla's parents. Sometime later, he ventures out to the mountain peak to talk to Rayla. She tells him that she does not want to talk about it, that she will not change her mind. He tells her he did a spell and saw the truth. He shows her his sketchbook and reveals the past that he saw. Some of the Dragon Guard did run, but not her parents. They stayed and fought and when Viren declared that he would end a dynasty by destroying the dragon's egg, her mother argued with him not to destroy the egg, since he knew as a Dark Mage the power that it would hold. As the story ends, Callum tells Rayla that her parents did not run, they fought until the end. She hugs him, asking what this all means and what she should do. He replies that he does not know, but it is her choice and hers only. She tells him they should decide together. That night, the group gathers inside the cave and Callum outlines their situation. Hearing the story, Soren states that his father is a villain and they need to fight him because there is nowhere they can run that will be safe. Hearing this, Callum agrees that they should all stay. Everyone agrees. Just then, Amaya arrives with the Sunfire Elf Janai. She is at first displeased to see Rayla, but Callum quickly explains that what happened at the Banther Lodge was a misunderstanding and that Rayla is a friend. As Ezran rides Pyrrah to go find help, Callum comments that his brother is "all grown up and riding dragons." He comments to Rayla that "this is it" as Viren's forces approach.

### The Final Battle

Callum paints himself with the same runes as the mage Ibis, hoping to use the mage wings power. He examines his handiwork and calls it "perfect." He stands at the edge of the mountain peak and spreads his arms. He chants the spell, but nothing happens, though he thinks that his arm itching slightly might be a sign that the spell is starting to work. As he prances about, Rayla comes up from behind, asking him if he pulled a muscle doing a jumping jack. He brushes himself off, claiming he was only greeting the sunrise. He tells her it is a big day and it could be their last. She replies that this is true every day. He points out that it is not every day that you get attacked by an army of 10,000 monster soldiers. They hold hands and stare out into the distance. He starts to tell her that he wants her to know something, but they are interrupted by Soren, who tells them that it is time for the battle meeting.

As they walk down the mountain, Soren tells Callum that he has something he wants to say to him. He speaks of the times that he made fun of him and knocked him down, asking if he remembers. Callum says that he does and Soren apologizes. He tells him that it was wrong and he's sorry for it. He thinks that it was because even though King Harrow was Callum's stepdad, he clearly loved him, which made him feel jealous and upset. He picked on him because he did not know any better and because he was smaller and weaker. "Gee, thanks," comments Callum, and Soren adds "slower." He asks if they should hug to seal the apology. Callum says he's not sure that's necessary, but Soren glomps him with a big hug anyway. Seeing Callum struggling in Soren's grasp, Rayla just shakes her head in amusement.

At the battle meeting, Callum speaks for Amaya as she outlines that the one objective of the day's battle is to protect the Dragon Prince. He holds his sketchbook as Amaya outlines how they can use the Storm Spire to their natural advantage. He'll be standing on the mountain, where he can use his lightning magic to pick off any enemy soldiers that may break through the line. He imitates zapping and Zym whimpers since the noise reminded him of his mother.

Callum flies out with Amaya and Janai aboard a Twin-Tailed Inferno-Tooth Tiger and takes his position as Viren's forces fast approach. He nods at them and they fly off. He surveys the battlefield and girds himself as the charge begins. He watches in shock as Claudia uses a dark magic spell, *Noctu Igne*, to create a black inferno on the battlefield. He watches in despair as the enemy forces press their advantage, but is cheered by the arrival of Ezran overhead on Pyrrah, leading a group of dragons towards the battle. He shouts to his forces that Ezran has brought help, emboldening them.

He watches in shock as the plan goes wrong, as the dragon-fire only enhances the power of the bestial soldiers. He is then forced to take action himself as a number of them break the line. He uses the *Aspiro* spell to blow them back, warning that he has more wind where that came from. He, however, finds himself facing another group coming from the other side. He uses *Fulminis* to blast them back, only to then be faced with Kasef, the transformed prince who is possibly the most brutal of them all. He yelps in terror as Kasef roars at him and starts to flee. He turns back to try to cast *Fulminis* on him, but Kasef knocks him aside before he can complete the spell. He then stretches out a hand and grabs Callum by the throat, choking him, then moves his other hand for a killing blow, only for it to be pierced by an arrow. He grunts in shock and is pierced by two more arrows, one through his chest and the other through his head. He releases Callum, who gasps in relief. Callum watches as he totters and falls off the edge. He smiles at his rescuer: Aanya, Queen of Duren, as she commands the launching of a volley of arrows which fell a vast number of the enemy soldiers.

With the battle having reached an apparent conclusion, Ezran flies in to greet Callum and hug. Callum asks Ezran if he's okay and he replies that he is. Callum tells him that this morning he thought they were doomed. Then the dragons came and he thought they would win, but then things got doomed again, yet now they are okay. Ezran agrees that it feels great to not be doomed. They turn to consider the mountain peak and Ezran tells Callum to go to Rayla. He says that he has this and runs back to the dragon. Callum tells him that he's proud of him. Ezran tells him that he knows and flies off. Callum turns away to go see Rayla.

The battle, however, is far from over. Claudia conducts a magical farce, serving as a distraction that allows Viren to gain access to the cavern. He captures Zym and Callum is forced to watch from a distance as he tortures Zym and Rayla rushes to confront him. As he reaches the peak, he witnesses Rayla rush Viren head-on sending them both falling over the edge. He cries in shock as they begin a terrifying plummet. Desperate, he steels himself, runs back, and rushes and leaps off the edge. He casts the spell of mage wings, *Manus, Pluma, Volantus!* but to no effect. He tries again, and it again fails. As everyone tumbles, he tells Rayla that he loves her. He takes a deep breath, chants the spell a third time, and this time it works, granting him a pair of strong, feathery mage wings. He flies and catches Rayla, while Viren and his Aaravos caterpillar familiar tumble to the ground. As they fly, Rayla asks him how he did it, and he tells her it is because he loves her. She tells him that she loves him too and they kiss mid-flight. Then he flies her up and away, into the sunset.

Once the battle is won for good, the allied forces come together in celebration inside the Storm Spire. When Ezran recollects everything they have done together, Callum agrees by claiming that the four of them made a difference, though corrects it to "five" after Azymondias barks in protest. He corrects himself further to give credit to everyone, after Amaya and the others give him a playful stare of judgement. When a loud rumbling suddenly shakes the cave, Callum heads to the dragon lair with a couple of his friends, where they witness the awakening of Queen Zubeia. There, he holds hands with Rayla to signal the Dragon Queen that humans and elves have finally entered an era of peace again.

## Through the Moon

Callum uses Phoe-Phoe's feather to tickle Rayla's face while she sleeps, leaving her disgruntled. Rayla wakes in a bed inside the kingdom of Katolis, as Callum admits that he hoped for his girlfriend to make a cute face, but neither Rayla nor Ezran are supportive of him using Phoe-Phoe's feather for such a silly action. Before Callum is able to defend himself, Ezran informs Rayla that a letter from Lujanne has arrived, which instructs that the "ghost feather" has to be returned to the Moon Nexus before the next new moon, in order for a ritual of rebirth to succeed. Seeing as the next new moon is only three days away, Rayla wishes to depart as soon as possible, when she realizes that everyone had gotten up hours before her.

After Ezran leaves, Callum asks if Rayla had stayed up late again, to which she replies that she could not stop herself from worrying over Viren's fate, as they had not found a sign of his body after he had dropped from the pinnacle of the Storm Spire. Despite Callum's attempt to soothe Rayla's mind by saying that Viren is dead for sure, Rayla refuses to move on without proof. Callum's emphasis on the topic of moving on sparks Rayla's hurt about having lost both her parents and Runaan without closure. Once Callum admits that he hates seeing Rayla in this state, she manages to calm down and leans against him, which gives him the opportunity to suggest that they should treat the trip to the Moon Nexus as a vacation, one that Rayla gratefully confirms she needs.

Team Zym eventually arrives at the Cursed Caldera, accompanied by Soren. Just as the two princes converse about the level of creepiness surrounding them, Lujanne's illusion spider jumps out at the group and screeches into their faces. Hardly fazed, Rayla recalls them speaking about the illusions before and how they are not of solid nature, which leads her to freak out once her hand actually touches a solid surface upon meeting with the spider's face. While most of the group tries to stomach the experience, Lujanne reveals herself to everyone, mighty proud of her successful prank. Once Callum asks her how she managed to make her illusion appear solid, Lujanne credits the development to her companion Allen, who gives the group a friendly greeting. Rayla and Callum quickly recognize the man as the challenger that had faced Tristan in the village they had visited, before he had stormed off in tears. Lujanne teases him, though Allen thinks that there is no shame in crying. When she continues to explain that the illusion gained a solid form through a spider-like wood construction Allen had built, he nicknames her "Janey-Lu" and Callum asks if the two are a thing, to which Lujanne winks in response.

Ezran finally approaches Lujanne and hands over Phoe-Phoe's feather, letting Lujanne know that she had sacrificed herself for him. Lujanne expresses her aching pain of missing her loyal friend during this phase of rebirth and explains that Moon Phoenixes are tied to both life and death and that, when the time comes, she would place the feather on the water of the Moon Nexus's lake. Until this time comes, she asks for Ezran to hold on to the feather. Out of hospitality, Lujanne then invites the group to eat, but they insist they brought their own food, not wanting to be fed grubs again.

At the table, Lujanne inquires how Callum and Rayla fell for each other. Although Callum wants to recollect their starting point by mentioning their first kiss in the Midnight Desert, Rayla begs him not to bring this moment up. Lujanne notices that things between humans and elves are beginning to change, when she is asked how her own relationship with Allen came to be. She explains that she had only meant to mess with some humans while in her disguise, when she met Allen and went on a date with him. When her missing fingers were noticed, she describes "a lot of pitchforks" to have been involved and Rayla reminds her that she has to wear gloves. When Lujanne expresses her gratitude that they had managed to make a difference thanks to Phoe-Phoe's sacrifice, Rayla voices her concerns about Viren having simply vanished without a trace, but is interrupted immediately by Callum. He excitedly informs Lujanne that he knows the Sky Arcanum now. When Lujanne reminds him kindly that they have been over this, not taking him serious, Callum blows a gust of air over the table by casting "Aspiro", causing Phoe-Phoe's feather to be blown away. Ezran tries his best to stop Bait from eating the feather, while Rayla's expression fills with worry.

Later, at the lake, Lujanne signals that it is time to place the feather on the water and explains that life and death are an endless cycle, which is embodied by the moon. The group is asked to hold hands and Lujanne continues to preach that death is not an ending, which causes Rayla to grow sad. She then highlights how Moon Phoenixes, while connected to both life and death, are part of this cycle and thanks the old Phoe-Phoe for what she has done to make room for her new self. The feather then touches the water and transforms into an egg, which is picked up by Lujanne. Callum jokes about having to go on a quest to hatch this egg as well, when it suddenly cracks. Lujanne cracks the egg open into Ezran's hands and a new Moon Phoenix hatchling falls into his palms. The group welcomes Phoe-Phoe back, then leaves the lake. Rayla suddenly jumps off into a bush, which goes unnoticed by everyone but Callum.

Rayla sneaks off to a secluded rock at the lake to think, when Callum stumbles out of a bush and asks her what she is up to. Although she sarcastically implies that she had wanted to be alone, she invites her boyfriend to sit with her and admits that the death ceremony had done little to distract her. She finds it unfair that only Moon Phoenixes can be reborn, though Callum is grateful for this phenomenon to not apply to Viren. However, Rayla was hinting at the fate of her parents, who could not simply be reborn inside a silver egg, and wonders why the portal between life and death cannot be reopened by Lujanne, allowing her to check if her parents had actually died. When Callum tries to express his sympathy by beginning to say that he knows how she must feel, Rayla lashes out, doubting that he does, considering he had wanted her to move on. Callum defends himself by saying that she is not the only person who has lost people she loved, and when Rayla cries out that he at least knows what happened to them, Callum reminds her in tears that one of the people she worries about had killed his stepfather Harrow. Rayla comes to the conclusion that neither them, nor the world has moved on and storms off, leaving Callum alone, wishing she had not left.

After suffering a nightmare, in which she witnesses Callum getting shattered by Viren, Rayla She bolts awake in tears, screaming out his name, but realizes he is still asleep. When Callum wakes up a bit later, he notices that she has left on her own and wonders if he screwed up. Seeking advice, he finds Lujanne, who tells him that lies are part of a relationship and that white lies are illusions built to protect the hearts of the ones you love. She gifts him two Moon Opals and believes in the Moon arcanum and the change it brings. Callum suddenly realizes that the only spell that could help Rayla now would be the portal of life and death, but Lujanne warns him that entering this portal could end in him being pulled to souls of the dead he had a connection to, whether they were made of love or hate. Lujanne reassures him that without the Moonhenge it is not possible to go through with the ritual anyway and refuses to repair its ruins, despite Callum suggesting to do so.

After leaving Lujanne's meditation place, Callum stands at the Moonhenge and crushes his Moon Opal to cast "Historia Viventem", which reveals the spell "Mors Aperta" to him through an image of the past.

At evening, Rayla reunites with Callum in their bedroom, where Rayla tells him what she has been up to, then asks him if he is studying magic. He tells her about the potential of restoring the portal and Rayla seems willing to risk the danger for her closure, until swimming in water is mentioned. When Callum pulls the idea back, Rayla insists that they do it, as she needs to know for sure that Viren is dead for good. The two decide to lie to Lujanne about restoring the Moonhenge and Callum lets his girlfriend know that he is ready to jump into any danger for her, before the two nuzzle affectionately. Callum hopes she finds closure for her parents, then asks if Rayla thinks them and Allen have become friends now.

Callum and Rayla approach Allen to ask him to help with construction a "surprise" for Lujanne. They justify the reconstruction of the Moonhenge by pretending that they want to build something new from the hands of humans and elves from the ruins, effectively convincing him to help out. As they do not have enough workers to reconstruct the entire Moonhenge, they settle for building a frame instead. Allen worries how they can hide this project from Lujanne, but is confident they can get the work done before she is done meditating. When she walks in on them later during the day, they describe the wood to be illusion practice for Callum. Everyone works hard into the night and Allen proudly suggests to take a breather and show Lujanne their surprise in the morning. However, Rayla and Callum stay behind under the pretense of needing to rest, then begin to reenact the ritual. Callum performs a couple of dance steps, when the construction begins to break. He manages to cast the spell just in time before their construction collapses and the portal opens inside the nexus, which alarms Lujanne, who rushes to warn the two. Before she can reach them, Rayla escapes and manages to jump into the nexus. Just moments after she had jumped in, her lifeless body swims up to the surface and Lujanne asks Callum what he has done.

While Rayla is in the shimmering plane, back in reality, Callum makes sure Rayla is okay. Although Lujanne says she is fine for now, she warns him again of how dangerous this portal can be and advises him not to try and pull her out of the water, as she would become an empty husk with her soul trapped on the other side. She hopes for Rayla to return before sunrise, as her soul would be lost forever if she returned any later.

As Rayla's soul is experiencing visions, her body threatens to drown and Callum rushes to save her, but is stopped by Lujanne, as he would be stuck between life and death. Ezran has the idea to borrow a feather from Phoe-Phoe, which allows Callum to stay tethered to the world of the living, as he dives into the nexus to save Rayla. He manages to reach her hand, but is attacked by a soldier, causing him to lose the feather. As both of them are now trapped, the two are surrounded by enemies. In order to reach the feather floating nearby, Callum casts "Fulminis" to force the soldiers back, then boosts Rayla into the air using "Aspiro". When she reaches the feather, she returns to Callum and the two swim back up to the surface, where Rayla reinforces her hatred for water. The two embrace and kiss, while the rest of the group watches them in relief.

At dawn, the couple sits on a rock when Rayla sighs. When asked how she is doing, Rayla forces herself to accept that her family is gone and that she will find no closure. Although Callum tries to lighten the mood by suggesting a real vacation, Rayla confesses that she saw Viren webbed into an odd cocoon. Callum believes this to mean that he is dead, but Rayla firmly believes that he is alive. Not wanting her to go alone, Callum insists they search for him together and Rayla promises him they would, before the two confess their love for each other once more. At night, Rayla dresses in her cloak and recites Lujanne's words about white lies, leaving a single kiss on Callum's head together with a letter, before she departs into the dark forest and the approaching storm on her own.

## Inheritance

After Callum inherits the title of the new High Mage of Katolis, he enters Viren's secret chambers inside the castle in order to inspect it for dangerous items and to clean it for his use after it had been abandoned for months. By casting the spell "Angustiae Lautus", he conjures a small whirlwind to assist him, which he dubs "Angus" as a play on words of the incantation.

As Angus cleans the chamber of cobwebs and dust, Callum recalls his last moments spent in this place when he had found Azymondias's egg, unfortunately reminding himself of Rayla, who had abandoned him not too long ago to search for Viren on her own. To distract himself from the hurt, he continues to take a closer look at he jars stored on the shelves, unsure what to do with all the ingredients meant for the use in dark magic spells. When Angus rushes past him, Callum hits his elbow against a table, knocking a familiar elven bow to the floor. To his horror, he recognizes the bow as the weapon used by Runaan to kill his father Harrow, and while the emotions of his argument with Rayla all come rushing back to him, he loses the concentration on his magic, causing Angus to vanish. In frustration, he wonders if locking up the chambers would be the best option, as nothing good could come from this place.

On his way out, Callum notices a door he has not yet checked. Upon entering, he finds himself standing in front of the magic mirror that contains the prison of Aaravos.

## Book Four - Earth

### Rebirthday

Callum is determined to decipher the ancient runes of the magic mirror and continues to wait in his office for the Tome of Translation that his aunt Amaya has sent from Xadia while morning rain pours down on Katolis. A guard knocks on the door and informs him about the day's High Council meeting. Callum decides to head for the meeting and after exiting his tower, he casts "Pluviam Praesidium" to shield himself and a woman from the downpour. Callum enters the castle and greets Soren and Corvus who are also heading for the High Council meeting. After receiving the nickname "Step-Mage" from Soren, Callum converses with the Associate Crow Lord about the tome that he is expecting from Xadia. Callum then arrives at the High Council meeting and becomes curious about what Soren and Corvus are whispering.

Callum presents Barius a golden badge that is shaped like a hand holding a whisk to honor his new position as an official member of the High Council and Katolis's Minister of Crusts and Jellies. Upon hearing Ezran's announcement that Zubeia and Azymondias are coming to Katolis as special guests, Callum cracks a joke about Zubeia needing to eat only three people a day as a small price to pay for peace. As the meeting is adjourned, Callum overhears Soren whispering to Corvus a secret subject that they should discuss after Callum has left, only for Soren to abruptly change the topic to the new dance craze that has grown popular among Katolian children.

By late afternoon, Callum has grown suspicious about Soren being so secretive and confronts him while doing exercises on top of the castle walls. Soren makes a lie about the secret being Crownguard business, an alarmed Callum starts to believe that there is a plot against Ezran and decides to warn his brother. Soren and Corvus are able to steer Callum away from Ezran by having the discussion in Callum's office. At nightfall, Corvus is able to distract Callum by making him explain his desire of deciphering the magic mirror. However, Callum soon realizes that Soren and Corvus are in fact stalling before witnessing the Associate Crow Lord closing the balcony doors of the castle's royal chambers. Callum immediately casts "Manus. Pluma. Volantus." to fly towards the king's tower and charges up "Fulminis" to prepare an attack. However, Callum is stunned that everyone is actually throwing a surprise birthday party for him.

During the party, Callum finds himself unable to celebrate his birthday due to is becoming the reminder of the day Rayla left and chooses to brood on the balcony. When Ezran checks on Callum, he realizes that his brother is still in love with Rayla and assures him that she still loves him no matter where she is. Callum then sheds a few tears as Ezran comforts him.

### Fallen Stars

Callum is excited by the arrival of his Tome of Translation, but is briefly sidetracked by a conversation with the Associate Crow Lord. Passing by Ezran on the way back to his study, he giggles over his own excitement for books. In his office, Callum is angry that the book seems to be empty, containing no letters. He slams his hands angrily upon the desk, spilling ink. Bait then points out the ink and Callum realizes that if he writes on the blank pages it will magically translate to the other side. He works hard on the task, eventually revealing the phrase "In Darkness, Gaze Upon a Fallen Star." Before he has time to really consider this, a Cuddlemonkey rushes across the room and snatches the Key of Aaravos. Callum, turns, hoping to track the creature, only to be stunned when he instead sees Rayla.

### Breathtaking

Shocked to see Rayla and unsure what make of it, Callum declares that he is going to bed. After being introduced to Stella, he is eventually persuaded by Rayla's request to talk a while longer, but upset once more when he learns that she was unable to find Viren despite having been gone for two years trying to do so. That morning, Rayla strokes Callum's cheek before leaving the room, expressing regret to a sleeping Callum at having neglected their relationship to pursue revenge.

Meanwhile, Callum sleeps deeply, so much that he oversleeps and is late for his role of welcoming the dragons in the festivities. He interrupts Soren, who had been holding forth with a comedy routine to cover for him, using the spell Eritque Arcus Ignis to create a colorful fireworks show. He is then present with the others during the gift ceremony at the Valley of Graves and uses the time to honor his late stepfather King Harrow. However, the spectral form of the dying Skywing Elf Ibis appears and warns everyone that Aaravos is planning his return to the world.

### Through the Looking Glass

Following Ibis's message, Callum scolds Rayla for failing to recall Ibis's name. Afterwards, Team Zym decides to accompany Zubeia and Zym back to Xadia in order to try to counter the threat of Aaravos. Callum, Bait, and Soren mount Pyrrah, but Callum first returns to his study to fetch the magic mirror, due to its mention of the Fallen Star. Soren, however, remembering his own father's obsession with the mirror, warns Callum to not follow the same route.

Inside the dragon lair of the Storm Spire, Zubeia recognizes the mirror for what it is. She explains that if no light reflects off its surface it can be used as a means of peering into the realm in which Aaravos is imprisoned. But when the group uses the mirror to see Aaravos for the first time, the Startouch Elf gains a view of the outside world and uses his power to possess Callum. He then speaks through Callum, mocking Zubeia for her betrayal and the death of Avizandum. Shortly after, Aaravos insults the others for their insecurities before specifically targeting Callum himself, saying that he is his favorite and that he already has been tainted by the darkness. Aaravos proclaims that his return is inevitable before he relinquishes his control over Callum, sitting down on a chair, and blowing a kiss at his side of the mirror, shattering it.

### The Great Gates

In the aftermath of the incident with Aaravos, Team Zym holds a funeral for Ibis. Callum uses the spell "Sepultura Caelo" to turn the sheet that was covering Ibis's body into a flock of birds, which fly away into the sky. Afterwards, Callum is alone on the pinnacle and is joined by Rayla. The two think of the time before when Callum saved Rayla with a flight spell after she leapt from the pinnacle. Callum starts to cry, but the moment is interrupted by Soren, who calls them inside for a meeting.

Later, when the group decides to meet with Rex Igneous, the Archdragon of the Earth, Rayla attempts to go alone to find the secret entrance of Umber Tor inside the Drakewood. When Soren volunteers to accompany her, she asks for Callum instead, but Callum, still not wanting to spend time with her, has Soren go instead. As the Rayla and Soren proceed, they discuss Callum and Rayla's fraught relationship, with Soren telling Rayla that her leaving badly hurt Callum. Later, at the camp, Ezran notices something off with Callum. He believes it has to do with Rayla, Callum stating that when he closes his eyes, he finds himself back in "that moment." Callum, however, claims that he is actually referring to what happened with Aaravos, but admits to having conflicted feelings about Rayla as well.

### The Drakewood

As Callum, Ezran, Bait, Soren, Rayla and Stella journey to seek Rex Igneous, Rayla reports to Callum that she has lost track of Soren. She tells him that she thinks he must have gotten into trouble with the Drakeriders and he asks why she did not say anything the night before. Rayla tells him she thought Soren could handle himself. Later, they are surprised by the unexpected arrival of Zym, who gives Callum "zappy kisses." Rayla quips that it no longer matters or not whether they find Rex Igneous or Soren because Zubeia will kill them all. Callum tells Zym he has to go back home. When Ezran says that Zym will not go back, Callum suggests they use Ezran's ability to see though Zym's eyes to seek Soren. They try this, but Zym ends up getting knocked out of the sky by one of the Drakeriders.

Callum shouts that it was a stupid idea to send Zym up and Rayla points out that it was his idea in the first place. He asks why she did not tell them it was stupid and Ezran orders them to cut them out, reminding them of their respective roles. He says they need to pull themselves together and Callum opens his spellbook, then casts the spell "Stratum Caligo", creating a fog that sweeps over the valley and hides Zym from the Drakeriders. They then track Zym using Rayla's keen Moonshadow skills and Callum and Rayla both compliment each other on having done a nice job. They go to Zym, only to find him cowering before a young Earthblood Elf named N'than, who intends to capture Zym to become a true Drakerider. N'than, however, admits to being unable to commit to the deed and lets Zym go.

When N'than asks what Team Zym is doing in the Drakewood, Callum reveals their mission to find Rex Igneous. When he tells him they are looking for the path to his lair, he replies that many have died doing that. N'than then leads them to the Pit of Despair, which is the back entrance to Rex Igneous's lair, and is also where Soren was taken. Rayla despairs when they find pieces of Soren's armor, but Callum tells her not to, that they cannot know what happened for sure, and that it is the path to Rex Igneous, and perhaps he just had to keep going. She agrees and decides to continue with their quest. Despite N'than's warnings about the path being even worse than the Pit, Callum declares that it is what they came to do and they will go find Rex Igneous.

### Beneath the Surface

The group traverses the Path of Peril. As they do, they traverse through a cavern full of magic gems, and Callum claims a Moon Opal for himself. Later, when he accidentally drops the opal, it causes Key of Aaravos to react, inadvertently creating light that attracts dangerous Earthen Creatures. Callum manages to fend one off with the "Fulminis" spell, though ultimately it is Zym who saves the group.

That evening, Callum casts "Ventum Circulo" to give everyone a breeze-dome to rest in. He then has a conversation with Rayla in which he requests that she kill him should Aaravos ever take control of him again. Rayla, however, will have no part in him, telling him not to give up on his own destiny. He expresses his worry that he is waling a path of darkness. After she leaves, he tries to toss the Key of Aaravos into lava, but finds himself unable to do so.

### Rex Igneous

Before entering the lair of Rex Igneous, the group decides that it would be best to disguise Zym, as the Archdragon of the Earth was not on good terms with Zym's father, Avizandum. To this end, Callum gives Rayla the Moon Opal, which she uses to power a spell to disguise Zym as a dog. Upon meeting the group, Rex Igneous demands gifts of them. Callum offers up his [[Staffs#Sky Staffs|Sky staff], saying that it is important because of it being a primal staff that he received despite being a human.

Rex Igneous, however, is not impressed by Callum's gift, nor the others, until Ezran offers him the new type of jelly tart that Barius made. He, however, is annoyed when he discovers the trickery involving Zym, though relents after learning that Avizandum is dead. Callum explains that Claudia is planning to free Aaravos, pleading with Rex Igneous to reveal the location of Aaravos's prison. Rex tells the group that he does not know the location, despite being granted the knowledge. Callum realizes that this is a riddle and that Rex has some sort of map. Just then, however, Claudia arrives and casts a dark magic spell using her ocarina, putting everyone but Zym to sleep.

### Escape from Umber Tor

After Claudia and her group discover the map to Aaravos's prison carved into one of Rex Igneous's teeth, he wakes up and begins raging. In his fury, he awakens and attacks everyone. Ezran attempts to plea for him to calm, but he unleashes a fiery breath attack, which Callum blocks using the "Aspiro" spell. Team Zym flees for their lives, but Rayla and Stella break from the group to pursue Viren, this time with Callum's full approval. He later briefly despairs when in the aftermath of their escape he discovers one of Rayla's blades, believing her to have died fighting. It turns out, however, that it had only been spit out by Rex Igneous. Rayla appears shortly afterwards and the two share a loving hug.

## Book Five - Ocean

### Domina Profundis

Callum enters one of the chambers of Katolis's castle where Rayla is resting and listens to her venting her frustration of feeling helpless while waiting for Ezran's group to return from their mission of meeting Domina Profundis, the Archdragon of the Ocean. He assures her that not all is lost since he has been spending hours reading at the library. Callum then reveals that he has been trying to connect with the Ocean arcanum, though Rayla encourages him to do more research on the weaknesses of Startouch Elves should they fail in preventing Claudia and Viren from freeing Aaravos from his prison. Callum's attempts to read about Aaravos or Startouch Elves in the library of Katolis prove futile, as the writings constantly distort whenever his eyes lay upon them.

Later on, Callum walks into his office to find Rayla and Stella already inside. Rayla claims that she is trying to find him as they exit and lock the room. When Callum frustratingly informs Rayla his failure of trying to find anything about Aaravos and Startouch Elves, he regains his excitement when she reveals that ancient legends sometimes call Startouch Elves the "First Elves". As Callum runs off to the library, Rayla intentionally bumps into him so that Stella can acquire the key to his office.

Callum is about to read the "Lost Secrets of Xadia" in the library when the Associate Crow Lord alerts him about Opeli and the Crownguard arresting Rayla. Callum rushes to the throne room where Opeli reveals that Rayla stole the key to his office and the bowblade that Runaan used to kill King Harrow. Despite these revelations, Callum declares that he trusts Rayla unconditionally and that she has good reasons to have secrets. Opeli obeys Callum's wish to let Rayla go, though the Moonshadow Elf had already freed herself from her manacles.

When Rayla visits Callum in his chamber with the intention of explaining her actions, he politely declines and says that she can tell him when she is ready while giving the bowblade to her. Rayla thanks Callum right as he reveals that they will find the information they need in the Scrolls of the First Elves that are being kept in the Great Bookery of Lux Aurea. Callum and Rayla agree that they will depart for Lux Aurea at sunrise before they all go to bed.

### Old Wounds

Callum and his group are preparing to leave the Katolis castle from the courtyard as the sun rises. Callum and Bait are settled on their horse while Rayla and Stella are still drowsy on their Shadowpaw. Barius's exclaim prompts the Shadowpaw to inadvertently toss Rayla to the floor, which successfully awakens the Moonshadow Elf. Callum and Rayla receive hot brown morning potion and Barius's newest pastry "doughie-o's" as sendoff gifts while Opeli plans to send word to the Storm Spire so that Ezran's group will be updated on what they can find in the Great Bookery of Lux Aurea.

As the sun is about to set in Katolis, Rayla plans to make camp in the forest after covering a lot of ground with the rest of her group. Callum, however, suggests spending the night at a nearby inn that features free breakfast. Rayla is quite hesitant at first, but she changes her mind when she sees the pretty eyes Callum, Bait, and Stella are making and jokingly calls them "softies". Callum's group departs from the inn within the next morning when Rayla professes her fondness for the room and the breakfast they experienced. Callum is happy that Rayla enjoyed their stay and is feeling more optimistic since the Border is just on the horizon.

Rayla comments that the new path Viren created through the Border is a scar inflicted by dark magic, but Callum perceives it as a bridge between Xadia and the Human Kingdoms. Rayla agrees and begins to see it as an old wound that is healing as she and Callum exchange smiles.

By nightfall, Callum and Rayla are gazing at the stars by their campfire together as their mounts, Bait, and Stella drift into their sleep. They note on how Xadia and the Human Kingdoms give different names and interpretations to constellations. What the humans call and see as the "Big Spoon" and the "South Star", the elves and the dragons call and see them as "Garlaath the Annihilator " and "Leola's Last Wish", respectively. Callum gradually allows Rayla to snuggle with him as they continue their stargazing.

Callum's group is sleeping when a rustling in the bushes awakens Rayla, Stella, and their mounts. Rayla proceeds to wake Callum and Bait up just before they were confronted by a corrupted Banther. Rayla rescues Callum with her Shadowpaw as the Banther kills his horse and attempts to attack Bait. Rayla picks Bait up while the Banther continues to pursue them. Callum is then compelled to take the reins so that Rayla can shoot the Banther with her arrows. None of the arrows made their mark until Stella gives Rayla a special one that has a red crescent moon as its head. The arrow explodes upon hitting the Banther, which forces it to give up the chase and allow Callum's group continue their journey to Lux Aurea.

### Nightmares & Revelations

Callum and his group arrive at the Sunfire Elf Camp before they are greeted by Gren. Gren takes Callum's group to the royal tent while explaining that the humans and the elves in the camp are getting along despite some disagreements. Gren is then surprised that Callum's group are oblivious to Amaya's engagement with Janai, but he decides to let them find out on their own. Callum's group soon enters the royal tent and are thrilled to learn that Amaya is marrying Janai. When Janai asks what had brought Callum to the camp, he sheepishly say that the world might actually be ending.

Callum is explaining Team Zym's recent adventure in detail to Amaya, Janai, Gren, and Kazi before Rayla decides to make a much shorter summary. Janai is alarmed upon hearing that Aaravos is the same Startouch Elf who killed Khessa and forbids Callum's group from venturing into the Great Bookery due to Lux Aurea's corrupted state. Callum and Rayla are confused that Janai forbids them from venturing into Lux Aurea. Janai tells Callum's group that Aaravos's corruption of Lux Aurea proved to be too dangerous and every attempt to reclaim the city resulted in the survivors forcing to kill every human and elf who had been infected. Despite Callum and Rayla's insistence, Janai's decision of forbidding further travels to Lux Aurea stands.

Callum and Rayla are exasperated that Janai and Amaya are treating them like children despite their experiences of fighting alongside one another at the Storm Spire. Callum's group attempt of sneaking out from the camp are foiled by Amaya and Gren, who decide to accompany them in their journey to Lux Aurea.

Callum's group prepare to depart for Lux Aurea when Kazi chooses to join them, partly because they want to return several borrowed books that have been overdue for more than two years. Janai arrives and gives her blessing to the group before she gives Amaya her sword that has been decorated with a crimson orchids. Janai tells the group to keep each other safe before they ride for Lux Aurea.

### The Great Bookery

Callum and Rayla ride through the desolate streets of the Lux Aurea with the rest of their group by their side. Amaya and Gren explain that the corruption of the Sunforge had infected any living creature remaining in the city and twisted them into bloodthirsty monsters. Janai's previous attempt of reclaiming Lux Aurea failed due to the corrupted creatures' massive numbers. The corrupted creatures also despise daylight and tend to wait until sundown to emerge, which gives the group around five hours to complete their mission. Kazi leads the group into the Great Bookery and briefly reminisce their days as a university student who would use the book drop as their secret reading place. Callum, Kazi, Bait, and Stella sprint towards the section dedicated to Startouch Elves on the upper level while Rayla, Amaya, and Gren remain on the first floor.

Callum, Bait, and Stella are reading several books and scrolls when Kazi comes across a poem called "The Death of the Immortal" that describes the demise of the Startouch Elf Laurelion. Callum and Kazi discover through "The Death of the Immortal" poem that Startouch Elves can be slain with a magical sword known as the Nova Blade. Stella sneakily places a scroll through her portal when Rayla decides to talk to Callum in private about her parents and Runaan who had been trapped inside Viren's enchanted coins. Callum promises to help Rayla's family since he came across a spell that can restore bodies to separated spirits. Amaya and Gren alert everyone that the sun is setting, which prompts Callum to rush back to the scroll where he found the spell. Callum is frustrated about Amaya carrying him from the book that holds the spell that can save Rayla's family, but is delighted that Stella is able to bring the page along after she ripped it off. Callum tells Rayla that the spell he needs require Quasar Diamonds, which are currently in the Star Scraper alongside the Nova Blade. The group is horrified to find a corrupted Banther feasting on the horses and decides to head for the second exit. Callum accidentally nudges some books to fall to the floor, and the noise quickly attracts more corrupted Banthers into entering the library. Despite Callum's magic, Rayla's arrows, and Amaya's sword, more and more corrupted Banthers appear and surround the group. Just as all hope seems lost, Zubeia crashes through the library's skylight before she starts killing the corrupted Banthers with her immense strength and her lightning powers. Ezran, Zym, Soren, and Corvus motivate Callum's group to climb on Zubeia before noticing Bait being surrounded by several corrupted Banthers. Amaya succeeds in grabbing and tossing bait to Soren before she chooses to stay behind to distract corrupted Banthers. Team Zym encourages Amaya to come with them until her shouting "Go!" convinces the heroes to leave without her. Zubeia climbs out of the Great Bookery when one corrupted Banther manages to bite her left flank. Corvus swings down and shoves the corrupted Banther off before he falls to the floor and injures himself near the book drop. Callum and the rest of Team Zym are relieved to learn that Amaya and Corvus will survive the night inside the book drop as Zubeia flies them to the Storm Spire.

### Archmage Akiyu

On the pinnacle of the Storm Spire, Ezran and Zym inform Callum, Rayla, and Stella that Domina Profundis revealed the true nature of Aaravos's prison. The Archdragon of the Ocean also revealed that Akiyu, the great Tidebound Elf Archmage who built the prison, might also know of its location. Ezran suggests that Team Zym should meet Akiyu so that they can find the prison before Claudia and Viren. However, Callum proposes that Team Zym should travel to the Star Scraper, an incredibly tall tower located far north beyond the Frozen Sea that is home to an ancient sect of Skywing Elves called the Celestial Elves who are guarding the Nova Blade, the magical sword that possesses the power to kill Startouch Elves. Ezran thinks that killing Aaravos with the Nova Blade should be a last resort and that they can find the prison without violence, but Callum believes that Claudia's head start might have allowed her to free Aaravos first. Rayla is annoyed that she will be the deciding vote for Team Zym's next move, but she chooses to go with Ezran's plan of meeting with Akiyu.

After arriving at the tide pools where Akiyu resides, Callum follows his friends in using empty large shells to sneak past the hungry Carrion Gulls before meeting a Tidebound Elf who introduces herself as "Tidebound Tina". Tina agrees to take Team Zym to Akiyu after they revealed their intention of finding Aaravos's prison. As they venture into an underwater tunnel, Callum believes that Rayla should wait by the entrance before she convinces him to swim with her. Tina then guides Team Zym into a dark corridor before it is revealed to be the esophagus of a large sea creature. After Zym used his powers to make the large sea creature spit Callum and his friends out, Tina reveals herself as Akiyu and decides to inform Team Zym that Aaravos's prison is located in the Sea of the Castout and give them an enchanted amulet after learning about Claudia and Viren's plan. Callum is enthusiastic to learn Ocean magic from Akiyu, but the annoyed Tidebound Elf orders Team Zym to leave her grotto so that they can continue their mission. Callum and his friends then wait for Zubeia to return, but becomes concerned when the Dragon Queen is unable to appear on time.

### Bait & Switch

Upon realizing that Zubeia is unable to rendezvous with Team Zym, Callum and his friends are forced to travel to Scumport to find a ship captain who is willing to help them sail to the Sea of the Castout. They then disembark from the ferryman's boat as Rayla encourages them to blend in so that they will not draw unwanted attention. As Soren decides to pose as a merchant named "Smort Longpocket", Callum decides to play along by playing his bodyguard named "Glint Zaphand", though Soren claims that Smort does not need a bodyguard. As they walk through the bustling streets, Ezran catches the sight of a promising ship called *Sea Legs* before Rayla clarifies that it belongs to Finnegrin, the Tidebound Elf who rules over Scumport from his tower. Ezran decides to ask for Finnegrin's help alongside Callum and Bait.

Finnegrin's bodyguard Elmer tells Callum's group that no one sees his boss unannounced, but chooses to let Ezran in upon being introduced to Bait. Callum decides to wait outside the office with Elmer, who clarifies that the two of them are not friends.

After Ezran failed to convince Finnegrin to help Team Zym, Callum and Bait accompanied him back to their friends before they run into their old friend Villads. Villads explains that he and Berto have expanded their trade to Xadia following the battle at the Storm Spire and that he intends to help Team Zym once his new first mate returns from the marketplace. However, Ezran refuses to leave Scumport since he plans to steal the three baby Glow Toads that should not be in Finnegrin's possession. After Soren brought Finnegrin and Elmer to the marketplace, Callum and Villads create a commotion by pretending fighting over a barrel of Smoke Bees, with Villads claiming to have sailed all the way from Evenere for said bees and will not leave without them before he calls Callum a "flopsy anchovy". They then toss the barrel towards Finnegrin, which causes it to explode and release the Smoke Bees. Rayla, Stella, and Zym succeed in stealing the keys to Finnegrin's office during the chaos, allowing Ezran to rescue the baby Glow Toads before all of them board *The Ruthless* and set sail to the Sea of the Castout. Callum then learns that Villads's new first mate is none other than the winged Skywing Elf Nyx.

### Sea Legs

Callum listens to Villads and Nyx debating on who should be the true captain of *The Ruthless* before he and Rayla reveal their mission of preventing Aaravos's liberation. When Nyx asks on how a "junior assassin", a "baby mage", and the rest of their "traveling circus" are planning to stop Aaravos, Callum retorts by saying that he is one the few human primal mages in the history of Xadia. Nyx remains unconvinced, which motivates Callum to cast "Aspiro" on the sails. However, the strength of the wind causes *The Ruthless* to move faster than expected and the blue baby Glow Toad Hat to fall overboard. After Villads steered *The Ruthless* back, a leviathan catches Hat's scent and begins to create a whirlpool to pull its potential prey under. Callum then helps in pulling Soren back up to *The Ruthless* after he jumped overboard to rescue Hat.

Team Zym soon learns that Finnegrin is pursuing them on *Sea Legs*, Rayla suggests in hiding *The Ruthless* in a nearby fog bank. Callum supports Rayla's idea and casts "Ventus Validus" to swiftly hide *The Ruthless* in the fog while telling everyone to "hold on to their hats". *The Ruthless* continues to hide in the fog bank as Soren jokes about fog being a "ground cloud" just like how a river is a "fast lake", much to Callum's exasperation. Nyx then notifies everyone that despite their best efforts, *Sea Legs* manages to locate them in the fog bank.

Callum decides to cast "Lapis Caeli" to absorb and remove the wind from the sails of *Sea Legs*, which renders him exhausted and unable to perform more magic. However, Finnegrin orders his crew to drop all of the sails and allows *Sea Legs* to continue the pursuit. *Sea Legs* then reveals itself as a Giant Hermit Crab that swiftly catches up to *The Ruthless* before the latter crashed onto a large rock. Callum and all of his friends are then taken captive by Finnegrin, and the Tidebound Elf orders his crew to bring Callum to his cabin.

### Finnegrin's Wake

Callum is chained inside Finnegrin's cabin when the latter tells him that Nyx was able to bargain for her freedom after she gave him something he wanted and that he can guarantee the mage's freedom if he is willing to reveal a specific dark magic spell. When Callum refuses, Finnegrin orders Elmer to torture the human with a pair of Sea Anemones.

The bruised and battered Callum assures the worried Bait that he is alive when Finnegrin returns. Finnegrin manages to make Callum disclose about the time when he used dark magic to transform some chains into snakes so that he could rescue his friends. Finnegrin reveals his desire to learn the spell Harrow used to slay Avizandum so that he can use it to kill Domina Profundis. Callum is shocked that Finnegrin wants to kill the Archdragon of the Ocean before he asks the Tidebound Elf why he wants her dead. Finnegrin reveals that *Sea Legs* had a sister, another Giant Hermit Crab named *Shelley*, who was his ship for more than 40 years that helped him take down leviathans and krakens across Xadia's seas. When Domina Profundis learned about Finnegrin's exploits, she responded by killing *Shelley*. Although Domina spared Finnegrin, she vowed to drown him herself if she ever sees him a mile offshore again. Finnegrin believes that Domina Profundis's existence prevents him from claiming his freedom, but Callum scoffs at the idea since the Tidebound Elf only wants to control the entire ocean. Offended, Finnegrin decides to take Callum to the ship's deck where he can prove his point to the captured Team Zym.

Finnegrin explains to Team Zym that thieves traditionally have one of their hands cut off as punishment for stealing. He then gives Callum the choice to take one of his friends' hands or watch all of them lose their hands. Ezran, Rayla, Soren, and Villads offer to have their hands taken to spare Callum from choosing, which baffles Finnegrin in return. As Callum explains that friends are willing to risk life and limb for one another, Finnegrin chooses to tempt him into freeing Team Zym with an embalmed snake's rattle that he can use to transform the chains into snakes. Finnegrin asks Callum if dirtying himself with dark magic is something he will not do despite his willingness to rescue his friends. Rayla encourages Callum to not practice dark magic again right as she frees herself from her chains using the splinter she covertly bit off from Elmer. But before Rayla can attack Finnegrin, he freezes her blood with "Venus Frigoris", causing her to writhe in pain as Callum rushes to her side. The enraged Callum proceeds to punch Finnegrin in the face, which shocks Elmer and the rest of the crew. Finnegrin responds by ordering Elmer to knock Callum out.

Back in Finnegrin's cabin, Callum wakes up to find Finnegrin planning to feed Rayla to a leviathan with a caged Bait as the lure. Filled with desperation, Callum reveals the ingredients required for the dark magic spell that is possesses the power to kill an Archdragon. However, Finnegrin replies that the deal is no longer on the table and exits the cabin with Bait. Desperate, Callum resorts to transforming his chains into snakes with dark magic before he casts both "Ferrum Venti" and "Levare Ventum" to rescue Rayla. Finnegrin then casts "Venus Frigoris" to prevent Callum from performing "Fulminis" properly. As Callum's experience his blood freezing, he connects with the Ocean arcanum after accepting there are things that can never be controlled. Callum frees himself with "Terminus ad Glacium" and calls Finnegrin's insecurity out before the latter orders Elmer to beat Callum up again. Soren then approaches Elmer and tells him that he does not have to do anything that Finnegrin says after being called worthless and given insulting nicknames. Soren's words eventually convinces Elmer to turn against his cruel master and help Team Zym in reclaiming their freedom.

Rayla then walks to Callum and teases him for connecting with two Primal Sources before becoming concerned due to his somber expression. Callum assures Rayla that he is doing well and silently returns her hug, keeping the truth about using dark magic to transform his chains into snakes to himself.

### Infantis Sanguine

Callum and the rest of Team Zym use a rowboat to enter the Sea of the Castout as Ezran reveals the true nature of Aaravos's prison. Upon learning that the prison is located at the bottom of the Sea of the Castout, Callum realizes the amulet Akiyu gave him is enchanted with a spell that allows its wearer to breathe underwater. Knowing that he might not be capable of finding the prison on his own, Callum decides to paint the amulet's runes on his, Ezran, and Rayla's necks before speaking "Aquis Spirare Faucibus". As the trio plunges into the water, Callum and Ezran succeed in activating the spell, but Rayla's fear of drowning forces her to return to the rowboat. Rayla encourages Callum and Ezran to continue without her as she chooses to stay on the rowboat with Soren, Stella, Bait, Zym, Sneezles, Hat, and Jellybug.

Callum and Ezran dive deeper into the Sea of the Castout as the latter befriends a school of fish that agree to guide them to Aaravos's prison. Callum casts a spell that gives him and Ezran the ability to move through the water faster, thus allowing them to follow the fish without falling behind. Callum and Ezran are soon confronted by Claudia, whose dark magic spell gave her the ability to breathe underwater and transformed the lower half of her body into five large tentacles. Claudia greets Callum and Ezran as if they are her old friends and tries to convince them that all of her actions were done to save her father. She also attempts to persuade them in resurrecting King Harrow before she is forced to drink her potion to replenish the effects of her dark magic spell. Claudia is furious when she realizes that Ezran knows about the prison's true location and threatens to strangle the young king if he does not reveal anything to her. Claudia knocks Callum out as she demands Ezran to reveal the location of Aaravos's prison. But before Ezran can say anything, Rayla frees him by shooting Claudia with her arrows as Stella perches on her shoulder. Claudia decides to strangle Rayla first before the school of fish Ezran befriended joins the battle. Enraged, Claudia defeats the fish first before she uses her tentacles to capture Callum and Ezran as well. Upon viewing Ezran glancing at a nearby giant clam, the satisfied Claudia prepares to acquire the prison. However, Stella creates a portal that enables Rayla to retrieve her bowblade and severs the tentacle that is grasping her. Claudia screams in pain and unwillingly frees Callum and Ezran. Callum snatches and destroys Claudia's potion, which forces her to return to the surface as the effects of her spell wears off. Callum, Rayla, Ezran, and Stella share a loving hug before they swim towards the giant clam. Ezran convinces the clam to open its mouth and reveals Aaravos's prison as a beautiful white pearl.

Callum, Rayla, Ezran, and Stella return to the rowboat and reunite with the rest of Team Zym before they gaze upon the pearl that was created to contain Aaravos.

## References

1. ↑ Book Two, Chapter 6: "Heart of a Titan"
2. ↑ Callum's Spellbook
3. ↑ Book One, Chapter 9: "Wonderstorm"
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 Through the Moon
5. ↑ Inheritance
6. ↑ Book Three, Chapter 6: "Thunderfall"
7. ↑ Book Three, Chapter 9: "The Final Battle"
8. ↑ Book One, Chapter 7: "The Dagger and the Wolf"
9. ↑ Book Two, Chapter 1: "A Secret and a Spark"
10. ↑ Book Three, Chapter 4: "The Midnight Desert"
11. ↑ Book One, Chapter 3: "Moonrise"