Chapter 7: The Book (Edited)

After the birthday party.

Ama sat cross-legged on her bed, her small frame engulfed by the folds of her oversized blanket. The lamplight cast a warm glow over her face as she eagerly turned the pages of the book in her hands.

The cover, adorned with intricate artwork of a boy wielding two swords, captured her attention with its vibrant colors and mysterious allure.

Beside her, May, her mother, leaned against the headboard, her fingers tracing the words of the story as she read aloud. Ama listened intently, her eyes widening with each new revelation.

The tale unfolded in the ancient city of Arcadia, a place where magic flowed through the streets like a living, breathing entity. It was here that Caligula and Titus, two orphaned brothers, were left on the doorstep of an abandoned church.

Their arrival was met with both surprise and suspicion by the church's caretaker, Father Ignatius. But as he looked into their innocent eyes, he felt a stirring in his heart—a sense of duty to protect these two lost souls.

And so, he took them in, raising them as his own and giving them names befitting their unique personalities. Caligula, the wild and untamed spirit, and Titus, the calm and contemplative soul.

As the years passed, the brothers grew in both body and spirit, their bond unbreakable despite their differences. Caligula, fueled by a burning desire for greatness, immersed himself in the study of magic, determined to prove himself in a world where power was measured by one's ability to wield the arcane.

But try as he might, Caligula found himself unable to tap into the magic that flowed so effortlessly through the veins of his peers. Frustration gnawed at his insides, driving him to train harder and push himself further than ever before.

Titus, on the other hand, possessed a natural talent for magic that bordered on the miraculous. His spells were flawless, his control unparalleled. And yet, despite his gifts, he remained humble and kind, always willing to lend a helping hand to those in need.

As Ama listened to the story, she couldn't help but feel a connection to Caligula. Like him, she and Alan longed to discover their magic, to find their place in a world filled with wonders she had yet to explore

And as she looked up at her mother, she saw a glimmer of recognition in May's eyes—a silent acknowledgment of the dreams that danced in Ama's heart.

But it was the moment when Caligula received his grimoire that truly captured Ama's imagination.

The ancient tome, its pages worn and weathered with age, held within it the secrets of a thousand worlds. As Caligula flipped through its yellowed pages, he saw a huge of swords coming out of the book —a sword that he knew, deep down, had always belonged to him.

With his newfound sword, Caligula embarked on a journey that would take him to the farthest reaches of the kingdom and beyond.

He faced trials and tribulations, battles against ancient evils, and encounters with mythical creatures. But through it all, he remained steadfast in his quest for greatness, his determination unwavering in the face of adversity.

And then, just as Ama thought the story couldn't get any more thrilling, she heard of Caligula's encounter with the Black Bulls—the most notorious squad of mages in all of Arcadia.

Led by the enigmatic Captain Yami, the Black Bulls were a force to be reckoned with, their reputation for chaos and destruction preceding them wherever they went.

But despite their fearsome reputation, Caligula saw in them an opportunity—a chance to prove himself among the best of the best. And so, with a heart full of hope and a head full of dreams, he joined their ranks, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.

As Ama listened to the tale of Caligula's adventures with bated breath, she couldn't help but feel a sense of wonder and excitement coursing through her veins.

The world of Arcadia felt alive and vibrant, teeming with magic and mystery at every turn. And as she looked down at the book in her hands, she knew that she had found a story that would stay with her for a lifetime.

Hours passed in the blink of an eye as Ama and May lost themselves in the pages of the book, their laughter and tears mingling with the words on the page. And when they finally reached the end, a sense of satisfaction settled over them like a warm blanket, wrapping them in its comforting embrace.

But even as they closed the book and prepared to drift off to sleep, Ama couldn't shake the feeling that her adventure was just beginning. With a smile on her face and a heart full of hope, she closed her eyes and let herself be carried away on the wings of dreams.

And as the night stretched on, the moon shining down like a silent sentinel, Ama slept soundly, her dreams filled with visions of magic and wonder, of heroes and villains, of a world where anything was possible.

For in the world of Arcadia, as in life, the greatest adventures often begin with the turn of a page.

Meanwhile, in the bustling city of New York, Grann, the newly appointed CEO of Random House, sat in his spacious office, surrounded by towering stacks of manuscripts and books. His eyes scanned the pages of Alan's manuscript, absorbing every word with rapt attention.

As he read, Grann found himself drawn into the world of Arcadia, captivated by the vivid imagery and rich storytelling. He marveled at the depth of the characters and the intricacies of their relationships, feeling a sense of kinship with Caligula as he embarked on his journey of self-discovery.

But it was the cover of the book that truly caught Grann's eye—a striking image that seemed to leap off the page with its bold colors and intricate details. He couldn't help but admire the artistry behind it, recognizing its potential to capture the imaginations of readers around the world.

As he read on, Grann felt a growing sense of excitement building within him. He knew that he had stumbled upon something truly special—a story that had the power to enchant and inspire, to transport readers to a world beyond their wildest dreams.

And so, without hesitation, Grann decided to champion Alan's book, vowing to do everything in his power to ensure its success. He reached for the phone, dialing the number of Ms. Alice, Alan's mother, eager to share the good news with her.

But to Grann's surprise, Ms. Alice's response was not what he had expected. She flatly refused his offer of assistance, insisting that she did not need his help in publishing her son's book.

Grann was taken aback by her response, but he respected her wishes nonetheless, promising to honor her decision.

Undeterred, Grann set to work revising the company's list of upcoming publications, making Alan's book a top priority. He poured over every detail, from the cover design to the marketing strategy, determined to give the book the attention it deserved.

And as the release date drew near, Grann watched with bated breath as the book began to gain traction, its popularity spreading like wildfire.

He smiled with satisfaction as he saw the book climb the bestseller lists, its success a testament to the power of storytelling and the resilience of the human spirit.

But even as the world clamored for answers about the mysterious author behind the book, Grann remained tight-lipped, keeping Alan's identity shrouded in secrecy. He knew that the time would come when the truth would be revealed, but for now, he was content to let the book speak for itself.

And when the day finally arrived for the world to learn the truth about Alan and his remarkable book, Grann couldn't help but feel a sense of pride in what they had accomplished together. In the end, it wasn't just a book—it was a testament to the power of dreams, the strength of family, and the enduring magic of storytelling.