It's been a few weeks since the enchanted book fiasco and Darwin has been trying to balance his job at Abra-Ka-Burger and his apprenticeship with Merrick. It's bright and early in the morning and the light streams into the Dewflare kitchen. The comforting smell of breakfast fills the air, but this is lost on Darwin who is struggling to stay awake with his head about to fall in a bowl of oatmeal. Sylvia, dressed in her casual day-off robe, hums a tune while tidying up, notices Darwin sitting hunched over, his eyes red with huge bags under his eyes. She walks over to her young son, concerned.

Sylvia: {raising an eyebrow} Sweetheart, are you ok? You look like you haven't slept in days.

Darwin: {yawning} Mom... Everyday I've just been bouncing back and forth. Long nights at Abra-Ka-Burger and early mornings with Merrick.

Syvila: So living the dream huh?

Darwin: Yep! Living The Dream!

Sylvia: {rubbing his hair} Well, this is what you wanted right? I'm sure you've learned alot of new spells at this point..

Darwin: No. That's the thing—It's mostly organizing books, cleaning shelves, and fetching coffee. The only magic I've done is figuring out how to keep my sanity.

Sylvia: {leaning forward} So he's told you nothing? Any magic? Incantations?

Darwin: {hesitating} Nope.

Sylvia: Do I need to come down there and talk to this Mr. Merrick?

Darwin: No Mom, please, the last thing I need is my mama coming to fight my battle. But I will say that I've learned alot from Saffrey and Tally. OH YEA! I helped Saffrey develop a new potion for super strength.

{Darwin digs into his bag and pulls out a small vial.}

Darwin: One sip, and I could lift a heard of cattle!

Sylvia: {skeptically} Really? Prove it.

{Darwin hesitates for a second but finally takes a sip. With a small puff of orange smoke, he shrinks down to a few inches tall. Sylvia gasps, nearly knocking over her chair as she picks up her miniature son.}

Sylvia: Darwin! {giggling} Well I guess you really are my little boy again.

Darwin: {tiny voice} Okay, maybe she was messing with me...

{After a few moments, Darwin poofs back to his normal size, looking thoroughly embarrassed. Sylvia shakes her head, her exasperation fading into laughter.}

Sylvia: No more of her potions in this house, understood? I don't need you being turned into a bird or a fire demon.

Darwin: Fair enough.

Sylvia: Just...take care of yourself, okay? You're burning the candle at both ends with these two jobs. Find time to rest.

Darwin: I'll try. I wish it could be today, but no luck there. Have to be at Merrick's in a few minutes.

Sylvia: Do you have to work at Abra-Ka-Burger's tonight as well?

Darwin: No, thank goodness!

Sylvia: Ok, so you think about what you want for dinner, give me a call, and I'll go grocery shopping. You deserve a big dinner my son.

{Darwin finishes his cereal, kisses his mom on the cheek, and heads out the door, his bag slung over his shoulder. Sylvia watches him go, her smile bittersweet. Darwin rushes over to Merrick's in hopes that he will start to teach him new things and that he will start to be noticed as a member of the team soon. He understands that he is an apprentice, but so far he's just learning what everyone's favorite drinks from cafe.

Darwin walks briskly down the cobblestone streets of Havemere, his mind racing. His mother's words echo in his head: "You've been there long enough to start asking him to teach you properly. You're not just an errand boy." With each step, his confidence grows. He straightens his back, holds his head higher, and mutters under his breath.}

Darwin: {to himself} Yeah, I'll tell him. I'll tell him I'm done fetching coffee and cleaning up. I'm here to learn magic.

{But then a thought strikes him}

Darwin: What if he fires me? What if I say it and he decides I'm not worth the trouble?

{He stops in his tracks, glancing at the towering Ashbain's General Magical Services building ahead of him. He stills himself, clenching his fists.}

Darwin: No. You can do this. You have to do this.

{He pushes open the door and steps inside, immediately greeted by the sound of a heated debate between Saffrey and Tally.}

Saffrey: I'm telling you, sugar does not go in grits! That's an abomination. You can put it in porridge, you can put it in oatmeal, but grits are meant to be savory!

Tally: You've completely lost it, Saffrey. Sugar can go in any hot cereal. Grits, oatmeal, porridge—it's all the same! Sweet or savory, it works either way!

Saffrey: No, it doesn't! Grits are inherently savory. You season them with butter, salt, cheese—normal things. You don't dump sugar on them! That's just...wrong.

{Merrick, seated at his desk, rubs his temples in frustration. His pointed hat droops slightly as he mutters under his breath.}

Merrick: {grumbling} By the stars, must I endure this nonsense every morning?

{Saffrey and Tally both turn their heads as Darwin hesitantly steps further into the room. Tally immediately seizes the opportunity.}

Tally: Darwin! Perfect timing. Quick, tell this misguided soul that sugar goes in any warm cereal—grits, oatmeal, porridge—you name it.

{Darwin freezes, glancing nervously between Saffrey and Tally, then over to Merrick, who looks completely unamused.}

Darwin: Uh...I don't know. I don't eat any of them.

{Saffrey and Tally both stare at him in shocked silence for a moment before rolling their eyes in unison.}

Saffrey: {pointing at Tally} We're finishing this later.

Tally: {waving her off} Fine by me.

{Saffrey turns to Darwin, a sly grin spreading across her face.}

Saffrey: So, did you manage to help your mom move furniture around with that super-strength potion I gave you?

Darwin: {deadpan} Oh, very funny.

Saffrey: {laughing} I bet she loved having her tiny little baby boy back, even for just a few seconds. Her little pocket wizard.

Tally: Don't worry about her, kid. She played pranks on me too back in the day.. Means you're finally part of the family.

{Before Darwin can respond, the Echo Orb on Merrick's desk flares to life. A panicked voice fills the room, the projection of a frantic parkgoer flickering above the orb.}

Caller: Please! Someone needs to come to the park—quickly!

Merrick: What's the problem?

Caller: It's a rock Golem! It's tearing everything apart!

Merrick: A rock Golem? That's impossible. They've been reprogrammed to be peaceful.

Caller: I'm not joking! It's destroying everything!

{The sound of a deafening roar echoes through the orb, followed by distant screams. The orb flickers and cuts off. Merrick stands abruptly, grabbing his staff.}

Merrick: Pack your things. We're off to the park.

{Saffrey and Tally exchange glances before grabbing their equipment, while Darwin shoulders his bag nervously.}

Saffrey: {grinning at Darwin} Ready for your first real fight, pocket wizard?

Darwin: {under his breath} ...I think so?

{As the team approaches the park, the faint sound of screaming echoes in the air. Merrick grips his staff tightly, his eyes narrowing.}

Merrick: Sounds like it's a real mess.

Saffrey: Wait...is that cheering?

Tally: {sarcastically} Oh great...look who it is?

The closer they get, the more apparent it becomes that the noise isn't panic but applause and celebration. When they finally reach the scene, a large crowd has gathered. Cameras flash, and excited onlookers clap and cheer as the celebrity guild, The Starfall Reign, stands front and center. Their leader, Gideon Moonspire, beams, shaking hands with fans. His polished robes gleam in the sunlight, embroidered with intricate golden runes, while his matching cape billows dramatically despite the lack of wind.

A few feet away, Oswen Falonfen stands beside the now-frozen Golem, arms crossed smugly. Another guild member holds an enchanted trap spell over the Golem, a web of glowing magic keeping it in place.

Merrick: Them. Of course, it's them.

Darwin: {whispering to Saffrey} Who are they?

Saffrey: {rolling her eyes} The Starfall Reign. A bunch of glorified mascots pretending to be wizards.

Darwin: Wait, They're real?! I thought they were just some entertainment troupe

Tally: {snickering} They've got matching outfits, business cards, sponsorship deals. They're basically walking commercials.

Merrick: Parasites.

{As Merrick and his team approach, Oswen notices them and strolls over, his smirk widening as he makes eye contact with Saffrey.}

Oswen: {mocking} Well, well, well. If it isn't Havemere's local talent.

{Saffrey flips him off without hesitation, earning a laugh from Oswen. He brushes it off, turning to Gideon, who's busy signing autographs.}

Oswen: Hey, Gideon, look who showed up!

{Gideon turns, spotting Merrick and his team. He flashes a dazzling smile, his perfect teeth gleaming.}

Gideon: Merrick Asspain!

Merrick: IT'S ASHBAIN!

Gideon: That's what I said. You're still kicking, I see. Barely.

Merrick: {scowling} Shouldn't you be off cutting ribbons at some burger chain opening? Or maybe petting unicorns for the tabloids?

Gideon: {chuckling} Oh, Merrick. Still bitter after all these years.

Merrick: Bitter? Please. I'm disgusted. You prance around like heroes while the rest of us do the real work.

Gideon: {Real work? Like frog catching? Or what about the time you and your crew rode a giant hamster? Face it, Merrick, you're stuck in the past. My team and I? We're the future. We're making a difference—being noticed.

Merrick: Noticed for what? Prancing around like a spoiled child?

Gideon: {shrugging} A spoiled child who is now diamond! Yea, that's right Merrick, I'm where you have always wanted to be. But listen old timer, we were just passing through, saw the commotion, and thought, hey, why not help out the little people?

Oswen: {smirking} Thought we'd show the locals how it's done.

Saffrey: How about I stick that wand up your ass?

{Gideon waves dismissively at Oswen.}

Gideon: Oswen, wrap it up. We've got more important places to be.

Oswen casually raises his hand, snapping his fingers. The Golem freezes in place, its movements completely halted. Another Diamond Reign wizard deactivates the containment spell and steps back, allowing the Golem to slump back into its statue form. The crowd erupts into cheers, rushing forward to take pictures and get autographs. Gideon, ever the showman, turns to Darwin.

Gideon: You're new. Please don't tell me you're apprenticing under him.

Darwin: Uh—

Gideon: {interrupting, handing him a glowing, sparking business card} Listen, kid. If you want to learn real wizardry, come find me.

{Gideon straightens up, signaling to his team. They mount their sleek, high-tech hovercrafts, shimmering with expensive enchantments. Gideon throws one last smug grin over his shoulder.}

Gideon: It's time to retire old man! See ya later!.

{The Starfall Reign flies off, leaving a frustrated Merrick fuming. He mutters under his breath.}

Merrick: Bastards.

Tally: {grinning} Since we're already here, how about we grab some breakfast? I can get some grits—and drown them in sugar.

{He shoots a look at Saffrey, who glares back. Meanwhile, Darwin holds the glowing card left by Gideon, staring at it for a moment before tucking it into his pocket. He walks over to Saffrey.}

Darwin: How do you guys know them?

Saffrey: Long story short, Gideon was a whiny brat who we used to work with.

Darwin: {frowning} And Oswen?

Saffrey: {grimacing} Dated him for a while. Biggest mistake of my life. The end.

{As the team begins walking away, Darwin pauses. A strange sensation comes over him. He turns back toward the statue, something isn't right.}

Darwin: Wait...

{He doesn't know how or why, but he can feel something about the Golem—a residual energy that hasn't faded.}

Darwin: {hesitant} Uh...guys?

{No one hears him. Merrick is muttering curses under his breath about Starfall Reign, while Saffrey and Tally bicker behind him about breakfast. Darwin inches closer to the statue. The ground trembles slightly beneath his feet. He takes another step, squinting up at the Golem's glowing eyes. His stomach churns as he spots the earth shifting ever so slightly beneath its feet.}

Darwin: {louder} Guys, look! This thing is still moving!

{Merrick freezes, turning sharply. He follows Darwin's pointing finger just as the Golem's eyes flash brightly—red as fire. A deep rumble escapes its massive form as the containment spell shatters like glass. The Golem lets out a deafening roar, its form shifting and growing larger as its rage intensifies.}