<Tr> <Th> Species </Th> <Td> Human </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> Gender </Th> <Td> Male </Td> </Tr> <P> Bastian Balthazar Bux is a shy and bookish boy around 12 years old who is neglected by his father, who is still mourning the sudden death of his wife (she died of an unspecified illness). He is a dreamer, who is shunned by other children due to his immense imagination . During a visit to an antique bookstore, he steals a curious - looking book titled The Neverending Story, and upon reading it he finds himself literally drawn into the story . </P> <P> Halfway through the book, Bastian becomes a character in The Neverending Story, in a world called Fantastica ("Fantasia" in the films, which is closer to the German original "Phantásien"). He is bestowed the magical amulet AURYN, which allows his wishes to be granted . As the story progresses, Bastian slowly loses his memories of the real world as his wishes carry him throughout Fantastica and change him into a completely different person . Deluded by the witch Xayide, Bastian moves to the Ivory Tower and tries to have himself proclaimed Emperor . The ceremony is interrupted by Atreyu, who is nearly killed by Bastian . </P>

Who was the boy in the never ending story