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The cloaked being turned its head toward Emma, its glowing eyes appearing thoughtful. It seemed to be pondering her words. Finally, it spoke:
— Perhaps you're right, — the spirit replied softly. — This may be a defective book, created by the mage’s followers. They tried to replicate his magic, but they couldn’t fully duplicate it and trapped the soul of an evil and greedy person, believing it didn’t matter. But I am not connected to him. I was created by Arkanis — the greatest mage and virtue of all humanity.
Emma took a step forward, looking directly at the figure, her face a mix of anger and despair. She sighed heavily, collecting her thoughts, and then spoke sharply:
— Then... if you really grant wishes, I want you to return everything to the way it was! So that I’m again... — she faltered, feeling her voice break.
The cloaked being slowly turned its head toward Emma, its glowing eyes seeming to try to peer into her soul. But then it tilted its head slightly, as if deep in thought.
— You cannot make a wish, — it said firmly. — I do not feel a connection to you. You were not the one who awakened me.
Emma froze, her lips parting in shock.
— What? But... — She glanced at Dan, then at Jessica, as if trying to find an answer.
Suddenly, the being's gaze fell on Jessica. Its glowing eyes grew brighter, as if it had discovered something.
— It’s you, — the being said, its voice resonating, as though amplifying. — You held the book. You felt strong emotions for my awakening. Only you can make a wish. That is the deal.
Jessica stepped back, her eyes wide with fear. She raised her trembling hands, as if trying to protect herself.
— Me? — Jessica gasped, her voice trembling with a mixture of fear and disbelief. She raised her hands, as though trying to distance herself. — No, no, no, I didn’t ask for anything! It wasn’t me! I’m here by accident!
The cloaked being stood still, but its presence became increasingly intimidating. It quietly, but firmly, repeated:
— You awakened me. The wish must be granted. That is the deal.
— She just held the book! — Emma interjected, her voice ringing with anger. She stepped toward Jessica, standing in front of her protectively. — It’s a misunderstanding! I told you, return everything to the way it was! Isn’t that obvious?!
— This is not my decision, — the being calmly replied, once again turning its gaze toward Jessica. — You cannot replace the one who awakened me. Her emotions, her will — that is what caused my awakening. Now the wish must be hers.
Jessica, trembling, shifted her gaze from the being to Emma. Her eyes filled with tears as she whispered:
— Em... I don’t know what to do. I don’t want to make any wishes. I just wanted you two to stop fighting. This is all because of you both!
Emma grabbed her by the shoulders, gripping tightly and looking directly into her eyes.
— Jess, tell him! Tell him to put everything back! So I can be myself again... — She fell silent, feeling her chest tighten with pressure.
Jessica looked at her friend, her lips trembling slightly.
— But... Em, I... This... this is so unexpected. — She turned her gaze to the spirit, her lips quivering. — I don’t understand what to do.
The spirit slightly spread its arms, its figure surrounded by a faint glow.
— Your wish must be true. It cannot be fake or come from coercion. Think about what you truly desire, deep in your heart. Only then can I grant it.
Jessica stood frozen. Slowly, she turned her gaze to Emma, whose face showed a mix of fear and hope, then to Dan, who silently stood aside, fists clenched, and finally back to the spirit. Thoughts began to swirl in her head.
She wanted to help her friend. But what if it only made things worse? Jessica felt torn between the fear of making a mistake and the desire to do the right thing.
— I... — she started, but her voice faltered. Her gaze once again fell on Emma, who looked at her with silent desperation.