(Skylanders/CHS) Chihiro Hatsuki's Skylanders: The Untold Tales: Chihiro's Travels Chapter 15: Novato, California, USA<p>The weekend arrived, and it seemed that all of Novato came out to celebrate! The crowds became a sea of people that shifted in and out as they went about weekend plans. The throngs were so thick, so packed that hardy anyone noticed even the slightest brush of those around them. However one particular person stood out in the midst of these endless, faceless crowds…</p><p>"Excuse me! Sorry! Coming through!" Chihiro cried as she ducked and dodged through the tight crowds, and tried her hardest not to bump into whatever unfortunate sap blocked her out of the streets. Geez, she knew it was the weekend, but this is ridiculous!</p><p>After what seemed like an eternity of struggle, Chihiro gasped. She finally found an opening: a small gap in the flooded streets that served as her escape! Chihiro tucked and rolled headfirst without thinking—but just got herself sandwiched between a couple of businesspeople who headed to a meeting. Chihiro grunted as she squeezed herself through just to inelegantly faceplant on the asphalt. Nice.</p><p>Letting out a groan, Chihiro squirreled herself into a relatively-unoccupied alleyway as she fished something out of the cloak she wore. There in her palms laid a small console that buzzed not with electricity, but magic underneath its coils and cogs. Hopefully, this would be the key to ending this long, long search.</p><p>"We might not be able to track Kaos the normal way," Chihiro whispered to herself as she toyed with the device, "but if I track traces of magic in general, and he gets caught up in some magic nonsense, I'll find him for sure! Just gotta get this thing running."</p><p>Chihiro's hands turned clammy as she clenched the device, cold sweat dripping down her back. The tension rose with every buffer, every beep, every flash as the machine worked its magic. It shouldn't have been this anxiety-inducing to actually do this! If it didn't work, she could just search for Kaos the old-fashioned way and call it a day, but, she couldn't lie. She'd like for something to make things just a little easier, just this once.</p><p>Chihiro bit her lip as the machine let out a few more beeps, and, and—it finally caught something! A ping beeped on the screen, and pulsed like a heartbeat as it stood just a few stretches away from her!</p><p>Chihiro grinned and quickly tapped the side of the console. The console shimmered with magic as it folded in on itself. Its panels twisted and contorted, and it shrank itself until it transformed into a wristwatch that comfortably coiled itself around Chihiro's arm. A compass laid on its face in lieu of a clock, and its needle pointed towards the magic's source like a guiding star.</p><p>With that needle as her guide, Chihiro wove through the passerby as she ducked and dodged out of Novato's busy streets once more. She mumbled out apologies as she accidentally shoulder checked someone, let out a shout as she herself got shoulder checked in turn, and squeezed through one last particularly ornery crowd to finally find herself at her target! A friendly chime from her watch confirmed that this was her destination, so now, all that was left was to find that magical disturbance.</p><p>Chihiro peeled her eyes, and kept a firm glance on the open mouth of the school she now stood in front of. It looked like an ordinary school with its tall brick buildings and parking lot devoid of any company that wasn't stretches of empty school buses, but the watch beeped and chirped with an excitement that showed something magical was afoot here. So, Chihiro quickly silenced it to avoid drawing attention to herself and scanned the premise.</p><p>A rustle brought her attention to a tree, maybe one with a spell to fire off, but all she saw were a couple birds flying the coop. She heard some strange noises, but it was just some guy shouting as he chased after a particularly large dog… That headed right her way! Chihiro yelped as a gigantic, fluffy white dog bowled her over and showered her in licks. It was a good thing it was friendly, for the thing was so heavy that she could barely lift it off!</p><p>"Fluffy! No!" the man, presumably Fluffy's owner, wailed as he frantically lifted Fluffy from Chihiro's person. "Are you okay? I'm so sorry, he's just so energetic, and I can barely keep up—"</p><p>"No worries, isn't the first time this happened," Chihiro chuckled. She gave Fluffy a couple quick pets and giggled. "Certainly lives up to the name!"</p><p>The man sputtered out a few quickly apologies before Fluffy dragged him off the path, and Chihiro let out a chuckle as they disappeared into the distance. She turned her attention back to the school, and—wait. Was that stand always there? Chihiro perked a brow and moved forward.</p><p>There, at the opening that led to the school parking lot, was a small stand staffed by a girl! She was thin and pale, with extremely long, dark brown hair she kept in wavy, fluffy twintails, and her yellow eyes shone with a bit of magic, a bit of intrigue, as she fiddled with a tarot deck. She wore a pair of green overalls over a light purple-pink sweater with darker-colored accents and a star in the middle, a bucket hat of the same color as her sweater to match, and the orange, round barrettes that kept her ponytails in place sparkled like jewels.</p><p>"Tarot readings! Get your tarot readings here!" the girl cried.</p><p>Chihiro's brow raised even higher. Was this what the device picked up on? Well, Chihiro supposed tarot readings WERE pretty magical, so she might as well give it a look. She took a step to the booth, and the girl who staffed it immediately folded her deck together.</p><p>"Come to get your fortune told?" she asked.</p><p>Chihiro gave a sly smile. "No, I'm here to ask you to find my missing cat."</p><p>"Oh, tarot can do that plenty—"</p><p>"I was joking, I don't actually have a missing cat." Chihiro placed a hand on the table. "But, I am curious about what you're doing out here."</p><p>The girl leaped from her seat and cleared her throat. Her chest puffed out, and her tone took on the gravitas of someone who'd prepared this speech a million times in her head.</p><p>"I'm Ryeo, an amateur tarot reader, but I want to someday become a pro! Every weekend, I take shop here to read people's fortunes so I can get practice! If you've got questions about how you'll do on your test next week, if the cutie from the next class likes you back, or if your parents can be talked into getting takeout for dinner, well, I'll see what's in the cards for you!"</p><p>Chihiro glanced around and then up at the sky. Well, there was still plenty of time in the day, so she supposed a quick break couldn't hurt.</p><p>"Alright, lay it on me!"</p><p>Ryeo's eyes shone like stars as she grabbed her cards. "Sure thing! Just let me get my cards together first."</p><p>Ryeo quickly yanked a bright yellow and black book labeled <em>Tarot Reading for Dummies</em> from underneath her table and narrowed her eyes.</p><p>"'Before you begin the reading, shuffle your cards with intent…'"</p><p>Ryeo's voice was dull and monotonous as she read. It was almost like her mind splintered between it and the cards, and she couldn't spare a moment of energy for anything else. She clumsily cut and shuffled her deck as she scanned the book's pages; half-hearted mumbles left her lips as she did.</p><p>"'Once your deck is shuffled, ask the readee what they want—'"</p><p>Ryeo leaned forward as she read, but while she did, she didn't once mind how her desk wobbled! She let out a squeal and frantically pulled it back before it could topple over, but her cards went flying all over the sidewalk! Ryeo let out a panicked squeak as several cards coasted down onto Chihiro's head, and the book became a footnote on the pavement as she knelt down and collected the cards.</p><p>"Is 52-card pickup part of tarot readings, too?" Chihiro asked as she knelt down and helped Ryeo collect the cards.</p><p>Ryeo sighed and shook her head. "No, it's not supposed to be." With another sigh, Ryeo collected her half of the discarded cards back on the desk. "Something like this always happens whenever I try to do readings! I knock the cards everywhere, or I completely mix them up, heck, one time a raccoon even tried to run off with one!"</p><p>Chihiro eyed one of the cards she collected, which had some suspicious creases and bitten-off parts. A sigh brought her attention back to Ryeo, who slumped down in her chair as her bucket hat tucked over her eyes.</p><p>"It seems like no matter how hard I try, I always mess up. My parents always say I should leave tarot behind and focus on the important stuff like school, and, maybe they're right. Maybe I'm just not good at this."</p><p>Chihiro frowned as she glanced over the cards. They all looked like really nice, high-quality stuff. If she had to guess, it was probably the kind of thing you could only get in those fancy magic shops that never sold near where Chihiro lived because the Sunday school frequenters would keel over at the sight of anything witchy in their good, Christian town.</p><p>"These cards look really nice. You must've spent a lot to get them."</p><p>"Yep! I saved up like, two months' worth of allowance to get a decent set!" Ryeo proclaimed as a bit of pride seeped into her voice. "I make a point of keeping them as nice as can be! Pretty sure I clean them like, five times a day on the hour!" Ryeo winced as she glanced over the chewed-up card. "For the most part."</p><p>"And you said you set up here every weekend, right?"</p><p>"Yep, exactly from 10 to 2."</p><p>Chihiro smiled and offered the cards she'd collected back to Ryeo. "Honestly, I'd say you've got the makings of a tarot master! Kinda seems to me like you're just worrying too much and thinking too hard, and that's why you're always messing up. I'm no tarot expert, but being a tarot reader is about trusting your cards and stuff, right?"</p><p>Ryeo frowned, quickly retrieved the <em>Tarot Reading for Dummies</em> book, and skimmed through a few pages once she'd dusted it off. "Well, the books says so, at least."</p><p>"Then I think you just need to relax and do your thing! You're already putting in the work on your end, so just trust them to do theirs."</p><p>Ryeo's eyes fluttered, but somehow, it seems like those words lifted the weight from her chest. She gleefully took the cards from Chihiro's hands, brushed off any stray dirt, and quickly shuffled once more with not a single glance spared towards Chihiro.</p><p>"So, what do you want to ask the cards for? Love? School? A good vacation?"</p><p>Chihiro's lips pursed, but she forced herself to draw a breath.</p><p>"Well, I'm… Looking for someone. I really need to find this person, but they've evaded me no matter where I look! I guess what I want to know is, will I be able to find them?"</p><p>"I see, I see." Ryeo laid out a trio of cards and turned up to Chihiro as she stowed the rest away. "So, these cards represent your past, your present, and your future. This should give you an idea of where your journey for this person will go."</p><p>Ryeo flipped over the first, which showcased a printed image of a wrinkly old man in robes holding a staff and lantern.</p><p>"Okay, so, your first card is, er, uh…" Ryeo winced and immediately fished out her book once more. "Your first card is the hermit! It says here that this card means you're seeking something, something that only you can find."</p><p><em>Yeah, that tracks,</em> Chihiro mentally remarked. <em>It's not like anyone else on this planet could possibly know where that guy went.</em></p><p>Ryeo flipped over the next card, and her eyes only briefly glanced at the card she unveiled as she fumbled over the pages. "Now, your next card is the chariot. It means you're dedicated and driven in your goals—"</p><p><em>Certainly doesn't feel that way.</em></p><p>Ryeo took a glance down and shook her head. "—wait, no, that's the chariot reversed! That means you're directionless and confused, and have no control in your current circumstances."</p><p><em>Yeah, that sounds more like it.</em></p><p>Ryeo drew a breath, and finally, shakily, flipped over the last card. She took one glance down, and clenched her teeth as she caught the image of a tower caught in disaster. She glanced at Chihiro almost like she didn't want to give an answer, but Chihiro just tilted her head.</p><p>"And, what's the last one?" Chihiro asked.</p><p>Ryeo sucked in a breath. "That, that's, er, the tower. It means, well, you've got a seriously drastic change in your future, and it might not be a good one. Uh, good luck, I guess?"</p><p>Chihiro winced a bit, but quickly shook her head. Tarot was all for fun and games, after all, and she knew most of this fortunetelling stuff was just self-fulfilling prophecy anyways.</p><p>"Thanks for the reading, Ryeo! I'll keep that in mind!" she said with a friendly wave. "See you around!"</p><p>Ryeo just gave Chihiro an awkward wave back, and nervously lingered on the cards as she folded them back into the deck. Chihiro only barely caught Ryeo's hesitation, however, for she was back on the road! Chihiro dove near a park that was surprisingly void of life, and tucked herself behind a particularly sturdy-looking tree as she adjusted her watch.</p><p>"Well, that didn't lead me to Kaos, but maybe there's some other stuff running around here."</p><p>Chihiro twisted the dial, and a screen leaped from its face as it beeped with cheery recalibration. It only took a few seconds before it tucked itself back into the face, and now broadcasted that there was a sign of magic activity… Right beside her? Chihiro raised a brow, but as she did, something nudged against her arm! She yelped as she quickly hid the watch and turned her attention away.</p><p>"Hey, what're you doing here?" Chihiro asked.</p><p>She took a glance down, and there beside her stood another kid!</p><p>They were probably about six or seven, if she had to take a guess. They had tanned skin, short-cut black hair with spiky bangs, and big blue eyes that were so deep in color they were almost black (a look only accentuated by the giant coke-bottle glasses they wore). They wore a grayish-blue striped turtleneck underneath a puffy blue vest, a chunky black belt with a gold, square-shaped buckle, and blue pants and sneakers, while a half-opened backpack shaped like a whale hung from their back.</p><p>Chihiro frowned as she noted the slightly concerned look in their eyes, and knelt down to meet their height. "Is something wrong?"</p><p>The kid just stared at Chihiro and let out some half-hearted mumbles as they pointed away; they made a point to keep from meeting her eyes. They couldn't seem to make many words, but out from their backpack floated a pamphlet for… Something.</p><p>Chihiro frowned as she snatched the pamphlet before it hit the ground, and gave it a quick look-over. Apparently, it was a promotional pamphlet for some local aquarium, but something about the nervous look in the kid's eyes as they grappled for it showed it was a bit more important to them than that.</p><p>"Do you want to go here, maybe?" Chihiro asked, pointing to the aquarium.</p><p>The kid's eyes lit up and they furiously nodded.</p><p>So, Chihiro smiled as she brushed magic-charged fingers against the pamphlet, and quickly handed it back to the kid. The coordinates flooded into her watch, and she grinned as they loaded out. Thankfully, it didn't seem like the place was too far, and she could probably look for Kaos while helping this kid. Killing two birds with one stone and all that!</p><p>"Alright, just follow me! I'll get you there in no time!"</p><p>The kid seemed reluctant to hold Chihiro's hand, but nonetheless tailed after her as she abandoned the park in her rear-view. They didn't say much, and only clung to their backpack like a security blanket as Chihiro occasionally cast glances at them to make certain they were still there.</p><p>Thankfully, the trip really didn't take that long! The aquarium she sought was just around the corner, and even though it was still distant, she could hear the sound of chittering dolphins and splashing waves the moment she came into view!</p><p>The kid gasped, and a sparkle shone in their dark eyes as they broke away from Chihiro. She looked away for a second, and the next thing she knew, that kid rushed off to the open platform that marked the aquarium's beginning!</p><p>"Hey, wait up!" Chihiro cried, but she slowed as soon as she stopped running for him.</p><p>At the aquarium's mouth were two women: one bulky with tanned skin, short black hair, and features much like the kid's own who dressed in a ship captain's wear, and another thin and lanky with pale skin, blue eyes, and long dark hair who dressed in a scientist's clothes. They both looked frantic as they rushed and glanced around—but as they did, neither of them saw the kid!</p><p>The kid launched themself right into the bulky woman's arms, and both parties went wide-eyed.</p><p>"OSCAR!" the women cried as they both hugged him tight. "Thank goodness!"</p><p>Oscar had the widest grin on his face as he slipped out of the woman's grip, and greeted Chihiro with a wave as she caught up. One look at Oscar and these women—from the strong resemblance to the warmth that came from their hug—and there was no doubt in her mind that these were his mothers.</p><p>"Were you the one that found our kid?" the bulky woman asked. Her voice was smooth, and had a warm tone to it matched by her honey-like grin. "Thank you so much! He was supposed to come here after school, but his usual helper ran late, and when he got there, Oscar had completely wandered off…"</p><p>"Hey, it's no problem!" Chihiro chirped back, offering them a thumbs up. "See you around!"</p><p>Chihiro skirted around them and towards the aquarium entrance, slipping a map of the premise from a stand. Of course, she'd gotten herself off-track once more, but she still had plenty of daylight at least. So, she tweaked her watch once more and frowned as it buffered. Chihiro raised a brow as the watch beeped, and grinned as she dove deeper into the aquarium; speaking of tracking Kaos, it seemed like he decided to sleep with the fishes!</p><p>The blue of aquarium light filled the halls as Chihiro dashed down, yet occasionally took pause to glance at the many fish and other aquatic creatures that lined the walls. Still, no Kaos to be found. He wasn't cracking jokes with the clownfish, or getting skewered by a swordfish. Heck, he wasn't even pestering the pufferfish! So, Chihiro sighed and took a glance back at her watch, which still claimed that whatever magical signature it picked up was straight ahead of her. She drifted down the halls, and only partially paid mind to some fancy displays.</p><p>"But I wanna see the penguins! I wanna see them now, now, now!"</p><p>"I'm telling you, Aviva, we have to wait for the rest of the group!"</p><p>Chihiro raised a brow as she turned the corner. Now, she no longer found herself the only one wandering the halls!</p><p>Right before her stood a skinny, pale-skinned boy with messy blond hair and blue eyes who wore a dark brown, short-sleeved hoodie with pale chartreuse accents over a blue turtleneck with a zipper going down the front and similar pale chartreuse accents around the bottom, a brown belt with a green buckle that held up blue jeans, and blue and light chartreuse sneakers.</p><p>He antsily examined a wristwatch on one hand, but the other was pulled by a smaller girl with green eyes and blonde hair kept in pigtails with pink hairbands that was almost definitely his sister. She wore a pink tank top over a white shirt with pink cuffs on its short sleeves, a green pleated skirt, white stockings, and green shoes, and she had a nasty pout on her face as she tugged and pulled.</p><p>"I'm going! I'm not gonna wait any more!" the girl cried, darting off in a flash!</p><p>"Aviva!"</p><p>For such a small thing, Aviva was awfully fast. She zipped off under the aquarium's blue light before the boy could even stop her, and might've disappeared into the dark… But, a quick spell slipped Chihiro right in front of where Aviva projected her freedom!</p><p>Aviva skidded to a stop before she could cause a head-on collision, and Chihiro chuckled as the boy caught up.</p><p>"Aviva, you're not supposed to run off like that!" the boy scolded as he frantically took Aviva's hand. "It's already bad enough that we got separated from the rest of the group! I can't have you getting lost too!"</p><p>Aviva pouted and crossed her arms; her voice cracked like she was on the verge of tears. "But, George, the penguins!"</p><p>"I'd listen to your brother if I was you," Chihiro intervened, sensing tension. "It's way easier to get lost than you think! I just had to help a kid who tried to get here all by himself, but he ended up at the park instead!" Noticing the deepening frown on Aviva's face, Chihiro pulled out the aquarium map and unfolded it to full display. "You know, the penguins aren't very far from here, and I'm sure your group's close behind. Once you're all caught up, you'll be right there in a snap!"</p><p>Aviva gave Chihiro a glance like she wasn't really sure she believed what Chihiro said, so Chihiro pushed the map closer to her.</p><p>"See, we're right here now" — Chihiro planted a finger on her current location, and quickly drew a path up to the penguins — "and the penguins are just up ahead! I'll bet your group's already going to see them as we speak!"</p><p>Aviva blinked and gave her scrutinous glares, but finally, she shrugged and gave a big smile, showing off a round buck tooth.</p><p>"Okay! I'll wait up!"</p><p>George only sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. "All that complaining just to listen to a total stranger."</p><p>Still, he shook his head as he guided Aviva over to some fish, and Chihiro couldn't help but take a glance and marvel as well. There were starfish strung about like actual stars in the sky, eels that playfully popped in and out of their holes, seals that waved and barked as they jumped around… She could look at them forever!</p><p>In fact, Chihiro was busy admiring some octopuses who disappeared in and out of view before something important finally hit her.</p><p>"Wait a second, I'm supposed to be looking for Kaos!" Chihiro cried as she frantically pulled out her watch. "What am I doing standing around here?"</p><p>Chihiro bounced around the displays as the signal grew fainter and fainter, but soon, as she entered the dark of the halls, it became nothing at all. Great, she lost the trail <em>again</em>. Chihiro sighed as she dipped into a thankfully empty part of the halls, and quickly recalibrated the watch.</p><p>"Alright, come on, come on" — Chihiro narrowed her eyes, but they popped right back open as the signal beeped back to life — "there! It's on the move!"</p><p>Chihiro teleported away in a snap, and now, she found herself back on the streets! The bustling sounds of crowds hit her immediately, and she winced as she dove into a slightly less crowded area.</p><p>Taking a survey of the area, it seemed as though she was in some kind of shopping district. Stores, restaurants, and all other sorts of buildings lined the street like a tightly-packed can of sardines. Thick crowds lined the sidewalks as they pooled in and out of the stores, but despite all the alluring and overwhelming sounds, sights, and scents alike, Chihiro had one goal. Her watch pointed her north like a compass, and that's where she would go!</p><p>So, Chihiro shifted and twisted through the throngs of crowds, rubbing elbows and pushing knees alike. God, she hated crowds. She had fifty million different textures on her skin, fifty million sounds ringing in her ears, she felt so squeezed that she almost struggled to breathe, and it made her wanna scream! Worst part was, crowds on Earth were ten times worse than the ones on Skylands, for she couldn't just teleport out and calm herself down!</p><p>She was about ready to cry bloody murder when she finally freed herself, and quickly pushed aside to bounce her legs a little. Just the action grounded her enough that she glanced aside, and her eyes fell on one figure.</p><p>"'Scuse me, mister, did you lose this pocket watch?" asked a kid as they held out a pocket watch.</p><p>"I'm afraid not. I've never seen that pocket watch in my life!" the man they spoke to replied.</p><p>"Alright, thanks!"</p><p>Raising a brow, Chihiro crept closer to the kid to get a better look. They had dark brown skin, darker brown locs kept in tight, carefully-crafted rows with light chestnut shaved sides, and amber eyes that sparkled with just a twinkle of mischief. Their long nose and plump lips accentuated their square face in a way that seemed almost childlike, like an impish sprite looking for the next prank to pull. They wore golden, oval-framed glasses, a yellow sweater over a white button-up shirt, a brown belt with a gold buckle over ocean blue jeans, and brown boots with darker brown straps held in place with gold buckles, and they glanced over the shiny pocket watch in their hand as they glanced it over.</p><p>Chihiro crept closer, not really in the mood to speak…</p><p>"Hey, did you lose this?"</p><p>However, the kid noticed her first. Their eyes sparked with curiosity, and Chihiro quickly shied away from the eye to eye glance as she shook her head.</p><p>"No, not really," Chihiro finally sputtered out at last.</p><p>The kid shrugged with a smile. "Eh, it was worth a shot."</p><p>"What're you doing, er—"</p><p>"Bruno." Bruno twirled the pocket watch around his finger with a smirk as he strode down the streets. "Walk with me, I've got some interrogations to do."</p><p>Chihiro let out a small chuckle. The way he said that made him sound like he was some hard-boiled detective, and not some kid on the street looking for a missing item's owner. It was an attitude that reminded her a bit of the one she often took working in Skylands. So, she stuck close to Bruno, and tried not to get crushed by the crowds or overwhelmed by the assault on all her senses.</p><p>"Anyways, as I was saying, what's with the pocket watch?"</p><p>"Oh, this thing?" Bruno swung the watch in such a way that it nestled perfectly in the palm of his hand. "I found it all rusty and broken in the grass on my way home from school. I" — Bruno stopped short as he swung by an old lady — "did you lose this, ma'am?"</p><p>The old woman paused in her tracks, and knelt down as she marveled the watch. "I'm afraid not, sonny," the old woman sighed as she adjusted her glasses, yet she still made a smile. "It certainly is a nice pocket watch, though. What a nice young man, trying to find its owner! I'm sure it's quite valuable."</p><p>"Thanks!" Bruno twisted around and addressed Chihiro once more. "Like I was saying, I brought it home to my grandpa and we got it fixed up, so we're trying to find the owner. Grandpa just wanted to keep it at his—"</p><p>Bruno stopped short as he caught a father carting some kids. "Is this your pocket watch, sir?"</p><p>The man twisted around while his kids dragged his arms in the other direction. "I—ACK!"</p><p>"Ice cream! Ice cream! Ice cream!" the kids chanted as they dragged the man away.</p><p>Bruno just frowned as he watched a grown man get dragged off like a rag doll by children a quarter of his size and age with a shrug. "I'll take that as a no."</p><p>Twisting back to Chihiro, Bruno closed the pocket watch once more. "Anyways, Grandpa wanted to just keep it at the shop 'cause he runs a clock shop, and people come in to get their clocks fixed all the time, but, I figured it'd be quicker to just ask around town! Surely somebody's missing this thing!"</p><p>"That's nice of you!"</p><p>"And then, I'm sure whoever gets it back's gonna give me a ton of money for it! I've got this video game I've been eyeing, but it's so expensive that Grandpa won't get it until Christmas or my birthday, but those are so far away, and saving allowance takes too long, and, well… If he finds out that I found out his Rainforest password and ordered stuff under his account for the third time in a row, I'll be dead. So, quickest way to riches!"</p><p>"Ah, ulterior motives." Chihiro sighed. "Well, they do say that a rich man who builds an orphanage for glory still gave the orphans a home and all."</p><p>Bruno grinned and ribbed Chihiro in the arm. "See, you get it! When I told Grandpa, he just started bothering me about whether or not I was doing this just to look good or something. Does it really matter if I'm doing it for a reward if the person gets their watch back?"</p><p>"Sure looks old. You sure the person who had it is even alive still?"</p><p>Bruno held the watch up to the sun. "That's what you think. Truth be told, this model's actually pretty new. This is a hunter-case style watch, so you can estimate its age by where the hinges are." Bruno tapped the hinge of the watch. "The hinges for the lid here are at six o'clock, which means this is a pretty new watch. If it were vintage, the lid hinges would be at nine o'clock instead."</p><p>Chihiro's eyes sparkled as she tapped the watch's side. "I didn't even know watches had styles!"</p><p>Bruno let out a small chuckle as he withdrew the pocket watch, and puffed his chest with a proud smile. "I grew up in Grandpa's clock shop, so I've been working with these things practically all my life! I know clocks like I know the back of my hand!" Bruno peeked a glance at the sun. "And speaking of clocks, that one's running out! I've gotta get asking before it gets too dark!"</p><p>"Then let me help you!" Chihiro cried. "If we both ask around, surely we've gotta find something, right?"</p><p><em>And maybe, looking around will help me find Kaos! </em>Chihiro added in her head.</p><p>Bruno grinned as he stuffed the watch away. "Hey, good idea! Let's get going!"</p><p>So, Bruno and Chihiro bounced around the streets, jumped in and out of shops, popped by parks… They looked everywhere they could for Kaos or that pocket watch's owner, and yet, there was no Kaos to be found, and only one answer to be heard.</p><p>"Nope, not mine."</p><p>"Sorry, that doesn't belong to me."</p><p>"Afraid not."</p><p>Soon, Bruno and Chihiro plopped atop a bench, all slunk over in exhaustion as the world's colors warmed around them. An amber light tinted the world around like a stopwatch's ticking come to an end. They didn't need to say anything, for they knew the day—and their search—was coming to an end.</p><p>"I guess I'll just ask around some more tomorrow," Bruno sighed, absentmindedly rubbing his thumb against the watch's face. "Still, thanks for trying, I guess."</p><p>"Yeah."</p><p>Chihiro hadn't really meant to sound so defeated, but she supposed that not being able to find anything does that to a person. She and Bruno shared a wave as Bruno headed back down the street, but Chihiro didn't find herself in the mood to move, so she just plopped down on the sidewalk and sighed.</p><p>"Well, so much for that," Chihiro scoffed. "All those signals, and not one of them was Kaos! Nice going, me, you basically wasted the whole day."</p><p>A pit of anger bubbled a little in Chihiro's heart, and she almost considered launching the watch into traffic and letting the trucks run over it for catharsis—but no, that wasn't the watch's fault. She let out a groan as she flopped backwards onto the sidewalk…</p><p>"Yeah! We didn't find the watch's owner yet, but she was a riot!"</p><p>Chihiro perked up at the sound of those voices, for she was sure she heard them before! Something about their tone felt vaguely familiar, a sound she recognized as if she'd just heard it. She followed the sound of the voices, and right before her were George, Bruno, and Ryeo! George had Aviva in hand as the three chatted on the sidewalk, and seemingly didn't even notice how Chihiro sat across from them.</p><p>"Y'know, Bruno, that kinda sounds like the person who got a reading from me at the school today!" Ryeo remarked.</p><p>"Yeah, and that person who got Aviva to stop complaining when we went to the aquarium," George remarked. He hummed and rubbed his chin, but finally, he cast a glance aside and gasped. "Wait, Bruno, is that the kid you were talking about?"</p><p>Bruno jerked back around and grinned. "Oh, yeah! Hey, thanks for earlier again! It was a lot less boring looking around with another person!"</p><p>"Oh, no problem—"</p><p>"Huh, guess meeting again was in the cards!" Ryeo chirped. She made a chuckle at her own dumb pun before her smile softened somewhat. "I'll think about what you said back at the school, alright?"</p><p>"Hey, you came back!" Aviva squealed as she rushed right up to Chihiro. "We saw all these funny fish at the aquarium, and a bunch of dolphins, and we got to see a bunch of penguins! There were these really fat penguins that could barely even waddle, and these cute little chicks, and these really funny ones with big yellow feathers—"</p><p>"What Aviva means to say is, we had a really good time," George said, taking Aviva back in hand. "Thanks for helping us sort things out."</p><p>Chihiro's eyes fluttered for a moment, but she finally forced a smile. "No problem!"</p><p>The four of them cheered out goodbyes, and Chihiro sat up with a bit of wonder. The sounds of footsteps plodded beside her, the sounds of voices rang in the air, and Chihiro couldn't help but turn around… Right as Oscar and his mothers passed her by! Oscar gave her a friendly wave as he squeezed his mother's hand, and Chihiro smiled as she waved back.</p><p>Soon, the sidewalks cleared, and it was just Chihiro. She watched as the world around wrapped her in a warm blanket of gentle sunlight and evening tones. The weight in her heart lifted some, a smile finding its way on her face in moments. She looked up at the warm skies and let out a relieved sigh.</p><p>"You know, maybe it wasn't a total loss, though." Chihiro frowned as she examined the watch. "Might need to fix this thing, though, seeing as how it kept leading me to non-magical beings."</p><p>A wave of orange washed over her, and Chihiro just shrugged as she pulled out a warp start.</p><p>"Ah well, I can worry about that when I get home."</p>(Skylanders/CHS) Chihiro Hatsuki's Skylanders: The Untold Tales: Chihiro's Travels Chapter 16: Mountain View, California, USA<p>Ethiopia, Libya, Russia, England, China, Pakistan… Just how many places had Chihiro checked off of her list of Kaos's plausible locations? She lost count by this point, and it ground on every nerve of hers. She was sure she'd traveled across half the globe, and the list of places where Kaos certainly <em>wasn't</em> grew longer and longer with every trip. Seriously, how hard is it to find one obnoxious evil portal master? She'd certainly like to know!</p><p>Regardless, though, she did at least enjoy traveling the globe, seeing the sights, meeting people she never would've crossed paths with otherwise, and that was the balm that soothed her otherwise quite irritated mood.</p><p>It lifted her spirits enough that when she arrived in the neighborhoods of Mountain View, she was prepped and more than ready to go Kaos-hunting! She was a bit nervous about going to a bigger city, but the moment she stepped foot from her warp start and out of the alleyways, she found herself right at home. Though it wasn't nestled deep within the forest's heart like Treasure Lake was, the streets full of passerby diving in and out of restaurants and shops alike were close enough to the cities and towns around her little corner of the world.</p><p>To her left, a couple devoured the burgers they pulled from a restaurant with the strong scents of warm, juicy beef; to her right, a girl and her friends rambled something about applications and homecoming dances as they raced each other down the streets. Someone walked their dog down another place, kids played hopscotch on the sidewalk, someone wove between passerby and phone conversations alike… It bustled with life in a way that felt like home!</p><p>Chihiro wanted to just drink in it, but a firm shake of her head reminded her of the mission at hand. She had to look for Kaos, but not just that, no. She slipped her hand into her jacket's pocket, and the feeling of paper against her fingertips reminded her of what she was also here for. Chihiro's eyes flickered, and another trip found its way to the forefront of her memory.</p><p><em>It was a few weeks ago, and during one of her weekends, Chihiro took a tour of a couple other cities in California. She'd slipped into a local news place that was still unlocked, for she figured that maybe their records would have some trace of odd going-ons she could link to Kaos. Teleporting in with a snap of her fingers, Chihiro drew her invisibility cloak over her head and scurried in. She assumes that most of the staff left for the night, but security cameras were still a thing, and she could never be too careful.</em></p><p><em>Her invisible sneakers clacked against the polished marble tiles, but her eyes illuminated with night vision as they scanned the insides of each room: offices, break rooms, storage closets—computer room! Ah, there's the ticket! Surely, all those computers were chock-full of footage for upcoming news broadcasts, and perhaps one of them had some clue as to where Kaos was!</em></p><p><em>Chihiro teleported in and hopped from computer to computer, combing through the files for whatever she could possibly scrounge up. She caught plenty of news reports, from a successful charity drive at a local college, the lost mascot of a local store finally being found after helping itself to a farmer's crops, reports on sports games, and, uh, some stuff that got a little too graphic for her to want to linger on it for more than a few seconds.</em></p><p><em>However, none of it actually brought her to Kaos, so Chihiro sighed and rolled back in the latest office chair she took refuge in as she combed through endless rows of seemingly-identical footage. The glowing lights of the computer screens melded in her mind with the scent of hand sanitizer, and the sounds of… </em></p><p><em>Mumbling? Crap, someone else was here!</em></p><p><em>Chihiro absconded from her seat without a second thought, and quickly twirled around the corner as she tried to locate the voice's source. A late-night employee? Security guard? Janitor?</em></p><p>"<em>Jenny… I…"</em></p><p><em>Chihiro's eyes flickered, and she poked her head over the monitors to find someone slumped over their desk. It was a gangly young adult in business casual, probably some employee on the night shift. With how they slumped over their desk, they probably fell asleep on the job, too.</em></p><p>"<em>Phew, safe!" Chihiro cried as she wiped the sweat from her brow.</em></p><p>"<em>Huh? Someone here?"</em></p><p><em>Yeah, Chihiro spoke too soon. That person rose from their desk, turned around—and glanced straight at Chihiro! Her heart skipped a beat, but when this person reacted little, Chihiro tugged on her shirt to find her invisibility cloak tight in her grasp. That's right, she had the invisibility cloak! Guess they couldn't see her.</em></p><p>"<em>Huh, guess it was a ghost." The person let out a pained, sardonic chuckle and an offhanded wave. "I guess you're the ghost of all my bad decisions, and you're gonna haunt me now?"</em></p><p><em>Chihiro raised a brow. The pain in this person's voice didn't seem to come from anger or sarcastic humor; no, it was a genuine sorrow that leaked out through playful jabs. Curiously, she sneaked closer. This person's pale skin may have been flush with life, and their bleach-blond hair carefully manicured to complement the stubble formings of a mustache and beard's beginning, but the bags under their haunted brown eyes showed the pain within them.</em></p><p>"<em>Yeah, I'm the ghost of all your bad decisions, and I'm here to help you make better ones," Chihiro said as she took a seat across from the person. "So, what's been going wrong."</em></p><p><em>The person gave her a questioning glare, yet seemed to shrug it off. "Wouldn't you know, since you're my ghost and all?" Twisting their chair around, the person shielded themself from Chihiro's invisible gaze. "The sleep deprivation must be getting to me. Well, I've still got a few hours before I can clock out. Might as well talk."</em></p><p><em>The person hunched over their chair, and the faint light of the sleeping monitor glazed over their face. A sigh curled around their lips, and their thick eyebrows drooped over their eyes in a way that almost seemed to haunt them.</em></p><p>"<em>Spent the first eighteen years of my life stuck with parents who only valued me as a trophy and nothing more, couldn't do anything that wouldn't get me into Harvey University once I turned eighteen, hell, it was a miracle they even let me get my license! I couldn't go a day without them berating me because I got a ninety-nine instead of a hundred, or because I dared to have friends and a life outside of them, and then Dad would come home screaming because he had a bad day at work and yell at me and Jenny for god knows what.</em></p><p>"<em>I was sick of it! I couldn't take it anymore! Moment I turned eighteen, I snatched my stuff, jumped into my car, and drove as far as the gas would take me. I thought I'd finally be free, but nothing's gone right even once! I'm stuck in a place I barely got with nobody I know, that lucrative paid internship that begged to get me works me like a dog for peanuts, the water's busted in my apartment and my landlord still won't fix it, I was late for work this morning and got mud all over my best shoes, my shirts are fraying, the food in the fridge is probably going bad as I speak…"</em></p><p><em>Chihiro blinked as this person went on and on about their tale of woe. It seemed that all the big and little things piled up into a heap of misery, and it left Chihiro completely baffled. She didn't even know what to say!</em></p><p>"<em>That, that's rough, buddy," Chihiro sputtered when the person's miserable monologue started to peter out. "I'm sorry."</em></p><p><em>"Yeah, yeah, I hear that a lot."</em></p><p><em>The person sighed, and somehow managed to slump down even further in their sorrows and chair alike.</em></p><p><em>"But, even with all this crap going on, I'm still more worried about my little sister. Jenny's still stuck with my parents, and I'm sure she's suffering. I always tried to take the brunt of their bull for her sake, but now that I'm gone…"</em></p><p><em>The person whimpered, and tears crawled down their bag-ridden eyes. They buried their face in their arms before it got obvious.</em></p><p><em>"I just, I don't know what to do! I can hardly sleep at night thinking about how miserable she must be, but I can barely take care of myself! There's no way I'd be able to take care of her on top of that!"</em></p><p><em>The person sniffled, and though they tried their best to mask their sorrows, it was futile. The way their voice cracked, how their back shuddered, how their limbs seemed about to give out, all of it told Chihiro this situation rattled them to the core.</em></p><p><em>"I just wish I could talk to her one more time. I just want to tell her that I didn't forget about her and I'm gonna get her out of there soon, I promise, but how am I going to do that?"</em></p><p><em>Chihiro let out a hum and her fingers scratched against her chin. Normally, she was only supposed to look for Kaos and scramble, but still, this person was clearly beleaguered by so much pain and guilt! She couldn't just sit around and watch while they suffered! She had to help them, and it wouldn't hurt just to do that, right?</em></p><p><em>"Well, how about you write her a letter?" Chihiro spoke up at last. "You write a letter for Jenny, tell her everything you want her to know, and I'll give it to her!"</em></p><p><em>The person blinked as they withdrew from their arms, and gave the space Chihiro occupied an odd look. "Man, the sleep deprivation's really getting to me."</em></p><p><em>They said that, yet they withdrew a pen and a sheet of paper from their desk as they wrote away. Their shaky hand struggled to grasp the pen at times, their tears blotted the paper and ink, but still they wrote away as the minutes seemed to slow to a crawl.</em></p><p><em>Chihiro even got up and paced around a few times, for her legs started to fall asleep on her. She wasn't going to judge though, seeing as how this person had a lot on their mind. Finally, as she reclaimed her seat for the third time, the person pushed the letter across the desk.</em></p><p><em>"It's done. My folks are all the way back in Mountain View, so are you sure you can deliver this?"</em></p><p><em>"Sure can!"</em></p><p><em>The person withdrew into their desk as they slumbered once more, perhaps slightly relieved of their guilty conscience, and Chihiro hummed as she picked up the letter…</em></p><p>But then, Chihiro pulled herself out of her memories, and once again she found herself in the busy streets of Mountain View. Her hand idly brushed against the letter's paper form, tracing around a disc-like protrusion underneath it.</p><p>"Man, sounds like they're both going through a lot," Chihiro idly remarked. "I hope this can make things a little easier for them both, especially since I worked all night on it!" Chihiro shook her head. "Before I do that, I've gotta found out where this Jenny girl is."</p><p>Well, figuring out where she'd probably be was easy enough. Chihiro "borrowed" her mother's Bookface account to do some searching while she was on the phone, and through some careful detective work, determined where Jenny's school was. She'd probably still be there at this point, and Chihiro imagined that she wouldn't leave until the last minute if her family situation was anything like the letter described.</p><p>So, she had time, but she still had to figure out how to get to the school in the first place. Unfortunately, the Bookface page for Jenny's school did not come with directions. Chihiro tried to scan the streets for any vague signs of the school's distinct red brick or wing-shaped monument on the horizons to no avail. The streets were so packed with passerby and shops that she could barely even see above the hill!</p><p>"Well, guess I'd better ask a local for directions."</p><p>Chihiro pressed through as she skimmed through the crowds, scanning for someone who might know where the local school is. She passed by a portly man who looked like a teacher, but he was on the phone, so she went for a mother wrangling some unruly children, but she was busy too. Chihiro sighed as she passed them by, but quickly stopped as the sounds of grunting and struggling labor caught her ears.</p><p>Pushing past a gaggle of high schoolers, Chihiro turned her attention to where someone stumbled out of what seemed to be a local grocery store while they carried way too many groceries than they could hold!</p><p>They looked about her age, though their frame was a bit ganglier compared to hers, and their peach-colored skin was dusted in freckles everywhere it was visible: face, arms, legs... Their sky blue eyes accentuated their hair, which was kept in a singular mop with a long cowlick in the front and a long, curved ponytail in the back, and sweat dripped down the brim of their long nose. They donned a bulky aqua scarf that loosely draped over their white and aqua polo-tee, well-loved and faded denim shorts, and white socks that matched sky blue sneakers with clouds and suns adorning their sides in vinyl.</p><p>Wait, why was she standing here and detailing their looks? Those groceries they carried were halfway to tipping over!</p><p>The kid let out a cry as some of their bags tipped over, and Chihiro slid in with a yelp! Thankfully, she managed to leap in just in time to catch them, but not so thankfully, she got sidewalk-burnt. Owch.</p><p>"Safe!" Chihiro sputtered as she forced herself back up. She carefully brushed off the grocery bags just in case, and held them out to the kid. "I guess these are yours?"</p><p>"Yeah, thanks!" the kid sputtered. His voice was high and boyish, which confirmed Chihiro's suspicions that he was, indeed, about her age. "If you hadn't gotten those, I'd have to make another shopping run! Hey, hate to ask a stranger favors and all, but do you think you could help me take this stuff home?"</p><p>Chihiro chuckled, a bit amused by his nonchalant attitude. "No problem, you looked a little… Burdened."</p><p>"Thanks! I'm Liam, by the way."</p><p>"Name's Chihiro!"</p><p>The two walked side to side across the pathway, and Liam whistled a tune along the way.</p><p>"Hey, what're you doing around here anyways?" Chihiro asked.</p><p>"I'm just getting stuff for dinner tonight," Liam remarked as he swung one of the bags over his shoulder. "You?"</p><p>"I was headed to North Wind Middle School." Chihiro situated the bags she held. "Need to give something to someone there."</p><p>"Hey, that's right across the block from my place! Talk about getting lucky, right?"</p><p>Chihiro let out a chuckle, one Liam met with a similar hearty guffaw. His freckles accented the wide grin on his face, and his ponytail and messy bangs seemed to dance in the breeze with his scarf. His laughter soon faded, and he hopped along the sidewalk as the light danced around him.</p><p>"So, you get all the groceries yourself?" Chihiro couldn't help but take a quick glimpse down at the stuff in her bag. It was bags upon bags of cookies, cheese curls, boxes of candy, maybe one or two boxes of microwaveable pizzas… Yeah, she probably didn't need to ask; the contents of his grocery haul alone were evident enough of the answer.</p><p>"Yep! My folks work all the time, so I kinda just take care of myself," he said with a lot more glee than Chihiro would have probably expected, "and that means I can do whatever I want! I've had pizza and candy for dinner and ice cream for breakfast all week, and instead of getting nagged about my homework, I get to go to the arcade and play games all weekend!"</p><p>Chihiro let out a chuckle at his excited tone, for she'd been independent enough that his excitement was almost novel. Getting excited about things like pizza for dinner and weekends at the arcade almost seemed a tiny bit small compared to all the adventures she'd had, but she supposed it would be nice to be that free for an ordinary kid. Sometimes, she had to remind herself that most didn't have the kind of freedom she held.</p><p>"But you know, I'm starting to get a little bored of just running around here." Liam let out a wistful sigh as he watched an airplane cross the skies in the distance. "I wish I could travel all across the globe the way my parents do! They're pilots, and they go flying all over the place! They've been to France, China, Spain, Turkey, and Italy, and that's just this week alone!"</p><p>Chihiro was tempted to say she'd been to all those places as well, but quickly shut her mouth before the flow of conversation caused her to let slip about something she shouldn't have. After all, normal people weren't supposed to know about magic and Skylands! So, instead, she let Liam take the floor, and he indulged her on all the sights his parents told him about over phone calls, from how the world seemed so small across the skies to the beautiful jungles and cities they'd cross. It brought back vivid memories of her trips, and she almost got lost in them!</p><p>"Oh hey, here's my place!"</p><p>But soon, they came to a stop in front of a nice-looking, two-story house with a porch decorated in souvenirs from all across the globe. Liam dropped his groceries on an artisanal bench as he unlocked the door, and quickly stowed his own bags inside. He hopped out quick as the wind to snatch the other bags from Chihiro's hands before she could even blink, and disappeared into the hallway.</p><p>"Just walk straight up, and you should be at the school! I know because it's my school and I walk there all the time! See ya!"</p><p>"See you, Liam! Nice meeting you!"</p><p>The door slammed to a close, and Chihiro hopped up as she traversed the sidewalks. Sure enough, Liam was right. Within a few minutes, Chihiro found herself at the gates of a massive school with a large, stone wing statue place in the heart of its sidewalk. A plaque to the side of the gate read "North Wind Middle School", marking Chihiro's arrival and the beginning of her mission.</p><p>With a snap of her fingers, Chihiro's invisibility cloak emerged from the last place she'd hidden it (no need to keep track when she could magically summon it), and comfortably draped itself across her form. Thankfully, nobody was in the way to see her. She supposed most of the students and faculty left already, and this would hopefully make her search easier.</p><p>Another snap of her fingers and Chihiro teleported inside the school halls. The whole place was painted in cheery blues, and murals of sunny skies and rainbows hovered along endless rows of lockers and doors. Chihiro didn't linger on them for long, for she instead jumped from pristine, almost stained glass-like window to window as she peered through each door. She met with endless classrooms and empty offices, broom closets and cafeterias, but finally stopped at one.</p><p>Inside, there appeared to be some kind of library, and more importantly, there was a person inside! Sobbing, faint but just loud enough to be heard, echoed from within, and it sounded like a young voice. That had to be a student!</p><p>Chihiro carefully pushed the door open, and made sure that it wouldn't alert whoever sat inside. She crept towards the sound of the crying, and found another kid close to her age curled around a book as they sat at a table. Their medium-length, golden blonde hair draped over their back like a blanket, and their pale hands twitched with soreness.</p><p>Chihiro gasped, immediately discarding all pretenses of sneakiness as she dashed over to the table and quickly took a seat across from the kid. "Hey, what's wrong?" she asked. "Why are you crying? Did something happen at school?"</p><p>The kid gasped and quickly leaped up in their seat. Their blue eyes were red with exhaustion, and their golden blonde bangs cascaded over their forehead in wavy petals. Their face, the nose, those eyes… This had to be that person's sister! There was no doubt about it! Even with some slight differences in colors or features, she was an echo of that person's looks!</p><p>The girl winced, and tugged at the red, floral-print tank top she layered over her white sweater. She clearly didn't expect company, or for anyone to even ask her what she cried about.</p><p>"It's okay, I promise I won't tell anyone if you don't want me to. It's just, you seem so upset."</p><p>The girl sniffled. "School's gonna close soon, and, and, I'll have to go back home and see my parents, and they're definitely gonna yell at me! I, I only got a ninety-six on my test today, and they hate it when I get anything that isn't perfect! They yell at me no matter what I do, even I try to do everything they want! It's like they hate me!"</p><p>The girl buried her face in her sweater's arms, her book completely forgotten.</p><p>Chihiro winced and gently placed a hand on the girl's arms. "They don't sound like very good parents."</p><p>"It, it's not that they're bad people or anything, I shouldn't have said that. They just, they have a lot of hopes for me, and they're really upset because my brother ran away from home and they have no idea where he is. They're just frustrated, that's all."</p><p>"Even if they're frustrated, they shouldn't be taking it out on their kid!"</p><p>"But they're all I have!"</p><p>The girl startled as she leaped upwards, but quickly withdrew into herself.</p><p>"I'm so busy doing all the stuff that they want that I don't really have a lot of friends, and I barely see the ones I do have. My family's all I really have, and now my brother's gone and I don't have anyone else. Nobody besides…"</p><p>The girl stopped herself, for Chihiro flung herself forward and wrapped her in a tight hug. Chihiro didn't know what came over her, but the pain felt way too familiar, and she couldn't take it!</p><p>"That's not true, I promise." Chihiro wrapped her cloak around the girl like a blanket, and gently tucked the girl's head into her shoulder. The feeling of tears stained her shoulder, but she dismissed the uncomfortable feeling of wet cloth; this girl needed comfort more. "I promise, there's people out there thinking about you and waiting for you. You're not alone. You don't have to take what they say just because they're your parents."</p><p>The girl blinked as she withdrew from Chihiro's hug, and a curious look crossed her tear-stained face. "Wait a second, I don't think I've ever seen you around here before. Who are you?"</p><p>Crap, her cover! Chihiro gasped as she jumped back, and her hand slipped to where the letter still laid in her pocket. She quickly whipped it out, and her heart stilled as she handed it to the girl.</p><p>"You're Eugenie Woodrow, right? I have a letter here from your brother."</p><p>"From Leon?"</p><p>Eugenie blinked, stuck in a stupor. Perhaps she wondered if this was some kind of dream, some kind of mirage, as she hesitantly took the envelope from Chihiro's hands. Her fingers traced circles and paths around its paper, like she believed it would disappear from her grip the moment she opened it. However, she finally worked up the courage to gingerly open the envelope, and slowly withdrew Leon's tear-stained letter.</p><p>"'Dear Jenny,'" Eugenie read, her fingers trembling the whole time she spoke. "'I probably shouldn't ask how you're doing, since I know things are probably bad right now. I'm sorry Mom and Dad are being as harsh on you as I know they are, but more than that, I'm sorry for not telling you I was leaving sooner and not taking you with me. Truth is, I've been planning to leave for a long time now. Things were just getting to be too much, and I had to get my freedom the first chance I got, or else we'd both be screwed.'"</p><p>Eugenie winced a little as she said the last bit, like it was the kind of language her parents strictly forbade, but still regained the courage to speak.</p><p>"'I drove somewhere far. I can't say where, because if Mom and Dad find this we'd have trouble, but I can at least say it's well past home. I've managed to get myself a job and an apartment, but things have been a little tough right now. I'm still trying to get enough money so that I can live kind of securely, because right now, things are not great.</p><p>"'For now though, I just wanted to say I'm sorry for pushing all this on you. I swear I haven't forgotten about our promise. Once I'm doing better financially, I'm going to get you out of there, I swear. I'll fight… them in court if I have to!'"</p><p>The way Eugenie hesitated at them confirmed to Chihiro that this was definitely not what Leon wrote.</p><p>"'I know I'm asking a lot, but just hang in there for me. No matter how long it takes, I'm going to get you away from Mom and Dad, and you'll never have to worry about them ever again. Remember, even if I'm not here with you, I'm always thinking about you, and I'll always be with you in spirit. You'll get through this, I promise.</p><p>Love, your brother,</p><p>Leon.""</p><p>Huh, that seemed a lot more put-together than he looked when he was writing it, but either way, it seemed to be just what Eugenie needed. She hugged the letter like an old friend as she sobbed, barely sniffling out half-words and Leon's name. She definitely needed this, but Chihiro felt that she could get her a little more.</p><p>"Your brother's right, you know," Chihiro said. "I've met a lot in people in situations like yours, and just as many of them pulled through. Things might be hard right now, but they'll get better. I promise." Chihiro dove into the envelope still in Eugenie's hand and rummaged through it. "But, until then, I have a little something extra for you two."</p><p>Chihiro felt something warm and vaguely metallic across her fingertips, and quickly yanked out a round disc. Placing it on the desk, she rubbed her finger around the rim, and a faint glow flickered from its heart. The glow built into a bright light as both Chihiro and Eugenie witnessed it, and soon, out leaped a bright screen! It showed a run-down apartment in blue tints, and at its heart… Leon!</p><p>Leon sputtered and nearly jumped out of his bed. "What the—"</p><p>"LEON!" Eugenie cried, shoving herself in the screen's view.</p><p>"JENNY?" Leon's eyes fluttered with a vacant, confused expression.</p><p>"This is a special communicator!" Chihiro explained as she popped inside with a wave. "You can use it to talk to each other whenever you want, just until you can see each other in person again!"</p><p>"Wait, what's going on here? What's—"</p><p>"Leon, I got your letter!" Eugenie cried. "Where did you go?"</p><p>Leon pursed his lips shut, but finally chuckled as a smile, a genuine one, crossed his face. His shock from earlier melted away as he and Eugenie got caught up; he discussed his internship and the city he now called home, and Eugenie talked about the books she read in the school library recently. For once, they both seemed so happy!</p><p>With her job done, Chihiro tucked her cloak so as to shield her entire form from view, and turned her attention to a security camera that glistened in the corner. A snap of her fingers, and the lens glistened as the footage magically erased herself. Can't have any evidence, unfortunately.</p><p>With that taken care of, Chihiro left the library and turned a curious eye at the halls. Surely, she could probably squeeze in a quick Kaos hunt while she was here, so she ran down the halls as her cloak fluttered in a faint breeze.</p>(Skylanders/CHS) Chihiro Hatsuki's Skylanders: The Untold Tales: Eruptor's Sick Day<p>Patrols generally ran on strict schedules at Ancient's Peak, and that was a very good thing for Chihiro, as it meant that she generally always knew what to expect of them. Every morning, they'd tally distress calls received from the Missionator, reports of suspicious activity, and other questionable going-ons of a similar nature, and determine which ones would be best attuned to the Skylanders on standby. Then, Chihiro and Master Eon set these Skylanders up in groups, and off they'd go on the portals.</p><p>That is, unless the Skylanders in question were assigned to island duty. If that were the case, they'd spend their time stationed at Ancient's Peak, protecting the Core of Light from any possible threats until next shift. At least, that would have been the case if the Core of Light hadn't been blown to smithereens, but it was, so now, they mainly just kept an eye out for if Kaos came knocking. Regardless, this pattern continued through the day, operating on strict, uniform schedules…</p><p>Which was why it was quite a surprise when a call for a portal came much earlier than anticipated. Perhaps someone got done early? Either way, Chihiro quickly teleported herself into the portal room, but took a moment to breath in the scent of earth and bask in the gentle light it always bathed in. Ah, she loved that earthy, almost magical smell that the portal room held! It warmed her body with wonder and glee, and she could bask in it forever.</p><p>But then, the portal flared and beeped, a reminder to Chihiro of the work that needed to be done still.</p><p>"Coming!" she called, even though she knew nobody could hear her in this empty room. Force of habit, she supposed.</p><p>She moved over to the portal, took a moment to bask in its motley flash of color, and quickly clamped its stone rim. Energy filled her body the way it always did; it bubbled and fizzed like a freshly-opened soda can as she took it in, welcomed it into her arms. She took a breath as she imagined her team coming right home, all smiles and jokes to crack about the latest mission, and grinned as she released!</p><p>The flare of energy that hit her ears showed her work paid off, but what greeted her was definitely not a look of success.</p><p>Instead, Eruptor laid face-down on the portal's surface, and shook and groaned as magmatic drool pooled underneath him. Terrafin stood a bit over him, but quickly fell to his knees as he shuffled around the growing pits of magma. It was a good thing that portal magic generally kept portals from being too weathered by the elements, for she couldn't have imagined that the portal could stay in one piece otherwise with all that magma heating it up. Wait, that wasn't important!</p><p>"Rupty!" Chihiro cried, immediately springing for the portal. "What happened?"</p><p>Terrafin quickly flung a hand up and pushed her back. "I'd stand back a little, Chi," Terrafin warned. "Ruptor's not feeling so hot right now."</p><p>Eruptor's stomach gurgled, and he let out a violent hack as the room filled with the burning scent of sulfur and magma alike. It was almost as if he'd perfectly timed it, matter of fact! Magmatic vomit flooded the disk-like top of the portal, and Terrafin let out a yelp as the heat stung his feet.</p><p>Terrafin hopped off, yet still circled around it as he tried to urge Eruptor off the portal. "Hey, it's okay, Ruptor," Terrafin winced as he slowly, gingerly pulled Eruptor from the portal. He took care not to accidentally touch the pool of burning lava on its surface. "We're home now. I'll get Master Eon and we can get you set up, alright?"</p><p>Eruptor just groaned and inelegantly flopped on his back. He almost rolled over the side of the portal had Terrafin not leaned him against his shoulder. God, he looked terrible! His eyes looked like they were about to roll into the back of his round head, his mouth laid slightly ajar as some magmatic substance trickled out of it (whether it was drool or vomit, Chihiro wasn't certain), and the aroma of sulfur wafted around him in a sickly haze.</p><p>Now, Eruptor was known to have a very sensitive stomach, but this seemed way worse than his usual queasiness! What could have gotten him this sick? Actually, no, Chihiro could worry about that later!</p><p>"Master Eon!" Chihiro cried as she scrambled for the door. "Something bad happened! We need to get Eruptor to the infirmary, stat!"</p><p>Thankfully, she didn't need to run very far. A warble sounded as Master Eon phased through the door, and his round spirit floated just above her head.</p><p>"Young Chihiro, what's the matter?" Master Eon cried. "You look as pale as a ghost!"</p><p>"And Eruptor might end up being one if he doesn't get medicine soon!" Chihiro spun on her heels and darted for where Terrafin still held Eruptor. "Come on! Hurry up!"</p><p>Master Eon's form turned pale and lavender with shock as he flitted beside Chihiro, his glow brightening and fading with urgency. They met Terrafin and Eruptor not a moment too soon, for Eruptor once again planted face-first on the floor and shuddered as his stomach gurgled. Master Eon took one look at him, and then at the lava barf-filled portal, and his purple coloration deepened with urgency.</p><p>"What happened to him?" Master Eon gasped.</p><p>"Ruptor breathed in something he really shouldn't have when we were dealing with that skunk-raptor infestation," Terrafin winced as he knelt down and rubbed Eruptor's back. "We were fighting them off one minute, I turned around to get some of the villagers out, and next time I saw him, he was face-down in a pool of his own barf!"</p><p>"Skunk-raptor poisoning? No wonder Eruptor's in such an awful state. Their poison can induce intense sickness in a matter of seconds!" Master Eon's whole spirit shook as he quickly levitated Eruptor off the ground. "There's no use lingering on it. We need to get him some medicine before it progresses further."</p><p>Master Eon and Terrafin hastily fled the scene, and Chihiro followed after she cast a quick spell to banish the lava barf and overwhelming scent of sulfur.</p><p>Chihiro's heart pounded against her chest the way her feet pounded against the floor, and her hands shook as she ran through everything she could think of about skunk-raptors. She only vaguely remembered the descriptions from books on Skylands' fauna that she squirreled away from the library: they were flying, furry raptors with a skunk's tail and colors, and a spray just as potent. Whereas skunks usually only tended to make beings reek to high heaven, though, skunk-raptors' spray was straight-up toxic! Even the slightest whiff could leave the healthiest being spending the rest of their day with an upset stomach, and much more intense exposures could lead to nausea, vomiting, fever…</p><p>The symptoms played over and over in Chihiro's head, and she winced as Eruptor laid sickly and almost half-dead looking in Master Eon's magical grip. Was he going to die? Chihiro's heart skipped a beat at the thought, but she tried to banish it as they arrived at the infirmary.</p><p>The door slammed shut in front of Chihiro as the other disappeared into the infirmary walls, so Chihiro leaned herself up against it. Her ear planted firmly against the thin wood, yet she couldn't hear anything beyond muffled talk. She could maybe make out one or two words: "Condition", "Medicine"… But not much else.</p><p>So, Chihiro sighed as she slid down against the door, and time slowed to a crawl as she waited for the diagnosis. She tried whatever she could think of to distract herself, but very little actually helped.</p><p>She tried thumb-wrestling with herself, but the prospect of a fight reminded her of the mission that brought Eruptor to his currently condition, and she couldn't bring herself to do it anymore. She tried to think about any number of topics other than Eruptor's current condition, but whether that was whatever this week's latest Beautiful Remedy Songstress episode would be, or the homework piled up back on Earth, or whatever adventures awaited her next, it would somehow always circle back around to Eruptor and she found herself worrying in circles again. So, she tried to do something meticulous that would absorb all her time, like listing off all the things she had left to do—but whoops, once again she was reminded of what led to these things getting interrupted in the first place.</p><p>Chihiro sighed as she turned back to the door, and tried to make out something through the silhouettes that moved along the frosted glass window. She could briefly make out what seemed like Whirlwind's form, yet it only lasted for a moment before rainbow light poured out and obscured everything! Whirlwind must have used her healing rainbows right now, and that was a good sign, right? Those rainbows could cure anything from curses to broken bones! Surely that would take care of whatever made him sick, right?</p><p>Chihiro winced as she pushed her ear up against the door, tried to make out some kind of conversation—but it was then that someone jimmied the knob and the door flung open!</p><p>Chihiro yelped and jumped back before the door could slam her into a fine paste, and a blue glow washed over her with a small chuckle. She looked up, and Master Eon's warm form beamed over her as he flitted back. Well, he was in his neutral blues, so that had to be a good sign, right? He'd be red, or gray, or whatever color he turned in a fury of emotion if something bad truly happened, right? Chihiro hadn't quite gotten his constant color shifting down yet.</p><p>"How is he?" Chihiro spat out, immediately jumping to her feet. "Is he super sick? Is he dying? Is he gonna explode or something?"</p><p>Master Eon's eyes fluttered, and he let out a modest chuckle as he nuzzled Chihiro's head. "Fret not, young Chihiro. I understand you might have gotten a bit of a scare, but Eruptor only got a mild case of poisoning. Whirlwind's already taken care of his injuries, so he just needs to rest for about a quarter-week, and he'll be ready to go back in the field."</p><p>… If that's what Eruptor looked like when he was mildly sick, Chihiro shuddered at the thought of how he looked when he was seriously ill. Nonetheless, the weight lifted from her shoulders with a sigh, and she made for the door.</p><p>"I'd better go check on him—"</p><p>Chihiro stopped short as Master Eon floated in front of her.</p><p>"I would advise against that. Eruptor still needs his bed rest, and he tends to be extremely irritable when he's ill." Master Eon floated ahead of her, and motioned for her to follow with a nudge. "Regardless, we still have other duties to attend to, so come along. I believe it is about time for us to change out patrols."</p><p>Chihiro wasn't quite sure how much time passed, given how much it seemed to slow, but that sounded about right. She dutifully trailed after Master Eon, but still, she couldn't help but sneak a glimpse back at the closed door. She couldn't hear anything but faintly muffled voices and groans still, and it only added to her worries as it grew further and further in the distance.</p><p align="center">§<em> Several days later... </em>§</p><p>The days continued to pass, but Chihiro's worries didn't seem to cease. In fact, they only grew a lot more! It wasn't just because Eruptor being out for the count meant they were short on hands at a time when every hand counted, even if drafting up patrols was a bit more of a pain. Chihiro was more than happy to step in and help when he or the other Skylanders couldn't.</p><p>No, she knew her friend was surely miserable, being all cooped up in the infirmary like that! She didn't have to guess based on her own experiences with being sick either. She'd heard plenty of accounts for those who managed to visit him.</p><p><em>"Yep, he's still pretty grumpy, and still kinda queasy, too," Whirlwind remarked the day after he was admitted, when Chihiro caught her between infirmary shifts and patrols. "He can't go a second without blowing his top! I know the guy's sick, but I can't exactly heal him when he's flipping out so badly he ends up blowing lava chunks every five seconds!"</em></p><p><em>That firmly confirmed to Chihiro that she shouldn't have really visited that day, and she was busy volunteering on patrols and training anyways, so she figured she'd try tomorrow.</em></p><p><em>"Yeah, I'd give him some space, Chi," Terrafin warned as he left Eruptor's infirmary room the next day, fangs clenched and all. "Ruptor's in a bad mood. Really bad mood."</em></p><p><em>Terrafin let out a small huff after that, and that sold Chihiro on that enough. For all of Eruptor's short-fused moments, he and Terrafin rarely fought despite what one would be led to believe. If whatever conversation they had left Terrafin in </em><strong>that</strong><em> sour a mood, Eruptor must have still been in too terrible an attitude to want company at the moment. So, Chihiro just gave his door a quick glance that she hoped conveyed her wishes for him to get well soon, and she skittered back off to the library to find a few more books on magical fighting techniques she wanted to practice.</em></p><p><em>Maybe the day after that, then? Well, Chihiro tried, but when she walked by, she immediately heard the sound of retching and sizzling, followed by Master Eon and Slam Bam's frantic shouts as they cleaned the room up. That showed that Chihiro should probably try another day…</em></p><p>And that brought her to today, where she grabbed a thankfully highly heat-resistant basket and combed through the mess hall like she was in a grocery store. She was sure he was hungry, but he'd definitely need some stuff that would be easy on such a queasy stomach. Normally, she'd eat stuff like rice and crackers when she was sick, but she supposed it might be a little different for a lava monster.</p><p>Still, she felt like she should get him something, so she glazed over the seemingly always-stuffed cabinets and combed for anything habitable. Her eyes first fell on a box of magma crackers (as in, crackers literally made from igneous rock), and that seemed like a good enough choice to her? So, she snatched it up.</p><p>With the magma crackers safely deposited, she quickly teleported away. One blink she was in the mess hall, and the next, she stood right outside the door to Eruptor's infirmary stay. She took a glance over a cabinet of board games that were mostly provided for deeply-bored patients to keep their minds sharp, mentally picked out a few just in case, and rapped on the door a little bit, but all that met her was a groan.</p><p>"If you're gonna bother me, go somewhere else!" Eruptor moaned on the other side of the door, sounding a bit sicklier and unlike his normal, gravelly tone. "Lemme be sick in peace!"</p><p>"Rupty, it's me!" Chihiro shouted back. "Got a delivery for you!"</p><p>Silence met her for moments, but finally, another low grumble came from the other side.</p><p>"Come in."</p><p>Gently creaking the door open, Chihiro tip-toed inside. She'd taken extra caution, for she wasn't entirely certain that all the lava barf was cleared out yet.</p><p>Thankfully, it was. The room was as pristine as any other infirmary room, and even the sulfur smell she'd expected was completely absent; instead, it was replaced by the sterile scents of medicine and hospital material. Eruptor sat in a bed that was thankfully heat- and fire-proofed, but he didn't seem all that thankful for his lodgings. His lava veins seemed a little duller than normal, and he still had a half-dead look on his face, one accentuated by his firm pout.</p><p>"How're you feeling, Rupty?"</p><p>"What does you think?"</p><p>"Pretty bad, I'm guessing." Chihiro chuckled as she skipped over and deposited the magma crackers beside him. "I don't know if you're up for eating anything, but I thought I'd bring something that might be easy on the stomach."</p><p>Eruptor took a whiff of the crackers, gave them a side-eye, but finally reluctantly accepted the box. A quick squeeze of his hands popped it open, and also scattered magma crackers all across the bed. Couldn't win them all, Chihiro supposed. Eruptor gritted his teeth like he would explode, but he only let out an exasperated sigh as he gathered them up and tried to eat them.</p><p>"Thanks for the thought at least. It'd be nice to have something that won't make me hurl my guts out more than usual." Eruptor groaned as he shoveled a handful of magma crackers into his mouth. "I haven't been this queasy since when I lived underground! I wake up sick, go to bed sick, and all I can do is stare at the ceiling and watch the flies buzz while I try not to get even sicker than I already am! What happened to keeping this place clean, anyways? It's an infirmary! Why would there be bugs in an infirmary?" Having had his fill of magma crackers, Eruptor somehow knocked the box clean onto the bedside stand. "Ugh, this is worst than the last time I ate spicy food." Eruptor groaned as he tossed and turned in his bed. "Forget that, it's even worse than that!"</p><p>"I know, I know," Chihiro sympathized as she patted his back, "but hey, at least you've got company. When I got the flu when I was little, I had to stay home for a week, and the only ones I could talk to were my plushies! I got to get away from school, but then I had a ton of homework I had to catch up on! For however bad it is, at least you don't have to go to school anymore."</p><p>Eruptor seemed to get a chuckle out of this, and Chihiro laughed as well.</p><p>"Thanks, Chi. That did make me feel a little better."</p><p>"No problem, Rupty!"</p><p>With a snap of Chihiro's fingers, a few board games landed in the space on the bed between them.</p><p>"And since it's kinda boring, I figured I'd bring some games too! Don't worry, I made sure they were enchanted so the pieces would move by themselves, so you don't have to worry about being able to move them with no fingers!" Chihiro let out a chuckle as she levitated the boxes. "We've got Skyopoly, checkers, Not-So-Sorry, Get a Clue Already, Word-Descrambler 9000…"</p><p>Eruptor's eyes seem to bulge at all the choices, so Chihiro quickly snatched the checkers box from the air and banished the other boxes with a blink.</p><p>"Checkers it is!"</p><p><em>SNAP!</em> The box opened in a flash, and the board magically unfolded as checkers lined themselves along the board. She thankfully also made sure to double-check that everything was heat-proofed to the nines, so they wouldn't have to worry about any emergency fires here, either!</p><p>"You wanna be red or black?"</p><p>"I'll take red."</p><p>And so, the war of checkers began! Chihiro grinned as her own black pieces skipped across the board, and bounced to and fro as Eruptor's red pieces claimed hers and vice versus. She admitted, she let him win just a little bit; she figured he could use a little pick-me-up. Granted, she also didn't pay too much attention between the small talk they made.</p><p>"Everyone's still pretty busy. Kaos doesn't take any sick days, unfortunately." Chihiro hopped a checker and sighed. "Sure wish he would, though."</p><p>"You and me both." Eruptor's own checker snatched the one Chihiro just moved.</p><p>"In fact, maybe the Ancients should take your stomachache and give it to Kaos! No, make it ten times worse and then give it to him! If he gets that sick, maybe we could finally actually clean up this whole mess!"</p><p>The two of them shared a chuckle, but as they laughed, Chihiro's own laughter rose with excitement! Her checkers were all lined up, and she had the perfect move. "Just like I finally got a triple jump in! My checkers now!" Chihiro quickly snatched her prizes and made the best smug grin. "How're you gonna top that?"</p><p>Eruptor scanned the board, and grinned as one of his pieces nudged… Right next to one of her kings! Dang it!</p><p>"And I've got your king! Checkmate!"</p><p>"Eruptor, that's chess, not checkers!"</p><p>"Then why do they call it checkmate if it's not something you say in checkers?"</p><p>Chihiro frowned and rubbed her chin. "I don't know, actually."</p><p>Eruptor managed a small laugh, and Chihiro grinned as warmth flooded the room. The veins in his body seemed to be a little brighter, a little toastier, and the light started to shimmer in his eyes once more. It was almost as if he'd started to recover just from a simple conversation. Well, she supposed friendship was the best medicine after all, so they carried on their game as the warmth and light of conversation filled the room.</p><p align="center">§ <em>The next day... </em>§</p><p>Chihiro hummed a tune to herself as she skipped through the infirmary halls. A basket with another offering of magma crackers rested in her hand, and the faint flicker of the overhead lights accented her descent into the lengthy hallways. Though the walls around her were stark, Chihiro's imagination was vivid with excitement.</p><p>After all, she was sure Eruptor was going to get better soon, and once he did, it was back into the fields! She'd hoped he was better by now, at least. He seemed like he was recovering yesterday, and surely that meant he was almost clear to enter, right?</p><p>Chihiro skidded to a stop by Eruptor's infirmary door, which seemed to have an ominously warm glow. Maybe that was just the light playing tricks on her? Chihiro shrugged and tossed it open without a second thought.</p><p>"HEY RUPTY—"</p><p>"BLEGH!"</p><p>Chihiro let out a startled yelp as she jumped back, for the smell of sulfur filled the air! Eruptor laid hung-over the side of his bed, and retched into a lava-proofed bin as his magmatic veins flickered like the infirmary lights. He rolled back over in his seat as he finished, confirming Chihiro's suspicions about his state of health. He looked almost as bad as he did when he was first admitted; he was all dead-looking eyes, drool spilling from his mouth, and low groans as he shuddered uncomfortably in his seat.</p><p>Chihiro dropped her gift of magma crackers and teleported to Eruptor in a flash. "Eruptor! What happened to you?" Catching a whiff of the sulfur smell, Chihiro shuddered and covered her face with a magical face mask. "You look like you're about to erupt, and not in a good way! You looked just fine yesterday, too…"</p><p>"I'm just as stuck as you are, Chi," Eruptor groaned. He rolled on his side and then the other, and shuddered the whole time as he struggled to find some kind of balance or comfort. "I just woke up and my stomach started grumbling! I can't stand it! I'm sick of staring at the ceiling and laying in bed! I'm sick of the infirmary food! And I'm especially sick of those bugs! I've had to start burning them every time they buzz around because they keep buzzing in my ears!"</p><p>Chihiro cast a glance to the ceiling, where several singe marks she hadn't noticed before affirmed Eruptor's claims.</p><p>"If I see another skunk-raptor again, I'm burning them to smithereens! I'll cook them like they're a chicken dinner! I, I'll, ugh…"</p><p>Eruptor frantically flipped himself over, and Chihiro just barely jumped out of the way before he puked his guts out once more. His rage from earlier dampened, as he groaned and withdrew himself into the blankets. Yeah, Chihiro could probably guess how he ended up getting so sick again in the first place.</p><p>"I know how you feel, Rupty, but you should probably cool down a bit," Chihiro warned, drawing the blankets over him. "I'm pretty sure getting yourself all worked up like that isn't good for your stomach."</p><p>"What else am I supposed to do?" Eruptor pouted and crossed his arms. "I've been stuck here for days!"</p><p>Eruptor's veins crackled and flared like he was itching for a fit, but quickly dulled as he let out an exhausted groan. He slumped over on his pillows, and looked so much smaller as he buried himself in the blankets. A couple cold shudders emitted from him still as he entangled himself, and Chihiro sighed as she cast a glance aside. Most of the usual infirmary staff would be on patrols for another hour or so, and Master Eon and Hugo were pretty busy, so she supposed it was up to her to make him feel a little better.</p><p>"Anything I can do while I'm here, just to make things a little easier? Any snacks or drinks, fluffing some pillows, a little freshening up?"</p><p>"A little cleanup would be nice. This place smells terrible."</p><p>Chihiro grinned and snapped her fingers, donning a doctor's scrubs made of magic. "Just leave it to me! I'll have this place sparkling in no time!"</p><p>A few more snaps rang out and Chihiro's magic did its work! The bin magically changed itself out before Chihiro even had to glance at its contents, and magical gloves armed with cloths and mops scrubbed away any spittle that remained on the floors. Heck, some of them even cleaned the singe marks off the ceiling and chased off some stray flies with a bug swatter!</p><p>One hand floated by and offered Chihiro some scent vials. Chihiro perused them with a curious quirk of her brow; these were all the kind used to give rooms a quick refresh, and they had a nice variety of scents: vanilla, lavender, peppermint, ocean breeze…</p><p>"Any of these to your liking, Rupty?" Chihiro asked as she pushed the vials his way.</p><p>Eruptor turned on his side and groaned. "Just open up a window. Stuff that strong just gets me even sicker."</p><p>"Will do!"</p><p>Chihiro pawned the vials back off to the glove, skipped over to the window as it floated off to return them to their proper place, and yanked the window wide open!</p><p>The autumnal breeze flooded the room, banishing what remained of the sulfur scent. A couple of birds sang their tunes as they flitted past the open window; one even sat on the rim and gave Chihiro a curious chirp before it dashed away! Faint conversation layered over the birdsong as Chihiro took a glance outside, and she couldn't help but take in a breath. Something about it brought a little peace to her heart, and the gentle crackle of lava behind her showed Eruptor felt the same.</p><p>He'd managed to sit up, and for once that day, a gentle smile crossed his face as he took in the smells and sights. His lava veins brightened from both the beams of sunlight that gentle cascaded down, and the gentle sounds of birds and breezes rustling branches.</p><p>"Much better," Eruptor said, leaning back in his seat. "Something about the breeze up here always makes things easier."</p><p>Chihiro quirked a brow, and the faint memories of yesterday's conversations came back to her mind. She took a seat on a nearby chair as she moved her curious gaze in Eruptor's direction.</p><p>"That reminds me. Rupty, you said you used to live underground, right? What was life like down there?"</p><p>Eruptor's smile soured into a scoff. "Terrible. It was was too stuffy and hot, even for me! Imagine the biggest underground volcano community you know, but it's filled wall to wall with a bunch of angry lava monsters that completely heat the room every time they blow a fuse! It was way too crowded, too! You couldn't go a minute without bumping into someone or stepping on their foot!"</p><p>Eruptor's stomach growled a bit, but it seemed to settle as he took in a breath of autumn air.</p><p>"The neighbors were the worst part of it, though. They'd lose their minds over the tiniest things! Your lawn phoenix is crooked? The HOA would scream your ear off about it until it got fixed! You accidentally kick a rock or step on a creaky rock shaft, and someone flies off the handle because the noise bothered them!"</p><p><em>Heh, kinda sounds like you,</em> Chihiro mentally chuckled.</p><p>"Once, some guy punched out my lights just because he decided I was breathing weird and he didn't like it!" Eruptor rolled his eyes. "I hope he landed in an ice pool when the volcano erupted. Glad I never have to see him again."</p><p>Chihiro winced and shook her head. For all his short-tempered moments, that was definitely not something Eruptor would do.</p><p>"Man, that place sounds awful! I don't blame you for moving."</p><p>"Oh, I didn't move. Not voluntarily, anyways." Eruptor scratched his head the best he could with no fingers. "The whole volcano erupted and everyone in there got forcibly evicted. I barely remember what happened, personally. Some fight broke out at a lava pool party, went from a regular fight to a full-blown riot, and the next thing I know, KABOOM!"</p><p>Eruptor let out a sigh as he snuggled into the blankets once more, but still spared a glance to the outside world. A flock of birds soared across the skies, probably migrating south for the colder seasons, and he gave them a chuckle.</p><p>"The volcano got so hot that it couldn't take it, and next thing I knew, I was on the surface, listening to the birds sing and smelling the fresh air. Heh, just like right now!"</p><p>Chihiro managed a chuckle of her own, and Eruptor joined in her laughter as his veins and stones warmed.</p><p>"You feeling any better, Rupty?" Chihiro asked. She paused and gently laid a hand against his forehead, noting the rising temperature. She supposed that was a good thing for a lava creature?</p><p>"I guess." Eruptor rolled over and tucked himself further underneath the blankets. "I'm just gonna try and sleep this stomachache off. Thanks for the help, Chi."</p><p>Eruptor stilled himself as his eyes closed, but a particularly loud snore confirmed he'd quickly fallen asleep. Huh, never would've guessed he was a quick sleeper, but maybe all the sickness tired him out.</p><p>Chihiro withdrew her hand, and gently patted his back as the flickers of a healing spell slipped from her fingertips. Most of the healing magic she used was more adept for battle wounds and curses than sickness, but she figured she could at least give him a little boost.</p><p>"No problem, Rupty. Feel better soon."</p><p align="center">§ <em>The day after that... </em>§</p><p>The moment she finished sending out morning patrols, Chihiro hurried to the infirmary without a second thought. She figured Eruptor could use a friend after how awful he felt yesterday, or that hopefully, he might feel a little better now. Her footsteps pounded against the floor in a rhythm that became quite familiar to her over these past few days, and her heartbeat similarly chimed in tune.</p><p>She rounded the corner as she turned to where Eruptor's infirmary stay was, but when she arrived, she found the door wide-open and the room pristine and empty! Chihiro skidded to a stop as she peered inside, yet found not a trace of Eruptor remaining. Raising a brow, she craned her head around the halls.</p><p>"Chi?"</p><p>Chihiro let out a yelp as she turned around, but instead of empty halls, she found Eruptor right beside her with a questioning look!</p><p>"Eruptor! There you are!" Chihiro chirped. "I was just looking for you! You feeling any better now?"</p><p>"Yep!" Eruptor grinned and stretched out. "Just got dismissed and I'm back to burning again!"</p><p>Truthfully, he didn't need to tell her that; Chihiro could see from his face that he was fit as a fiddle! His rocky skin was back to its bright red flush, and his veins of magma burned and popped with a bright light as he radiated with heat. Whatever sickness he held long purged itself, and his bright smile only affirmed it! Somehow, a weight lifted from Chihiro's chest at the sight, a bit of relief as the memories of his infirmary stay grew fainter and smaller.</p><p>"In that case, I'm guessing you're all ready to kick some bad guy butt?"</p><p>"As long as there's no skunk-raptors involved!"</p><p>Chihiro and Eruptor both shared a laugh as they strode down the halls.</p><p>"Then we'd better get you on the next shift of patrols! Seems like Kaos's cronies are extra rowdy today, 'cause the Missionator's been going non-stop! We're down to just five beings for island duty because we keep getting emergency calls!"</p><p>Chihiro let out a small laugh as she skipped ahead, but a gentle brush of her shoulder turned her gaze to Eruptor. He gave her a smile once more, a small, genuine one, and gently patted her head.</p><p>"Oh, and, thanks for visiting while I was out sick."</p><p>Chihiro let out a chuckle as she gently patted Eruptor's back. "Of course! That's what friends are for!"</p>(Skylanders/CHS) Chihiro Hatsuki's Skylanders: The Untold Tales: The Life and Legacy of Master Eon Chapter 1: Eon & Era<p>For as long as they could think back, Eon and Era had been joined at the hip. The twins were so close that some neighbors wondered why they hadn't been conjoined at birth, and only pulled apart by the medical marvels of their age. They accompanied each other everywhere, from the mornings they woke and ate breakfasts, to the afternoons when they studied and tended to their family's humble little farm between meals and jokes, to the evenings where they retired to sleep in the same bed.</p><p>They were even mirror images of each other, from their slightly wiry frames that never seemed to gain no matter how much they ate or worked, their white hair, their skin the color of peaches, and the long rectangular noses that marked their round, almost infantile faces. Only their eyes differed, for Era's were a bright red like aestival cherries, but Eon's were a pensive blue like clear skies in the afternoon.</p><p>Of course, one should not be careless as to assume that the twins were absolutely one and the same.</p><p>Eon was a gentle soul, a delicate boy who preferred to spend his days holed up reading alone, or with the farm animals if he was without his sister. He couldn't be around when it came time for the livestock to be slaughtered, and was practically scared of his own shadow. He even flinched whenever he heard just the caw of birds! Granted, that was after a time when falcons dive-bombed him as he collected the autumnal spoils of gourds and corn, and he was only saved by a furious Era chasing them away with a broom. Still, not one being could see him taking up a sword and fighting.</p><p>Era, by comparison, was the textbook definition of a spitfire. She was brash, outspoken, but not cruel by any means. She'd gotten in plenty of fistfights when bullies at the schoolhouse picked on the younger kids, but always stopped to help these younger kids wipe their shirts clean of mud and offered them something to replace the lunch they'd lost. If there was a helpless animal abandoned at the side of the road, it'd find its way into her family barn by the end of the night, regardless of what her parents thought. If anyone dared to tease Eon about how he stumbled over his words when he spoke, or how he always forgot something or the other, or Ancients forbid, tried to caw in his ear and mock him with visages of falcons, well, Era would make certain they wouldn't even dare a glare in her brother's direction afterwards.</p><p>The two were practically tied together, and Eon liked it that way. Sure, sometimes he wished he was a bit braver, a bit stronger, a bit better at magic so Era wouldn't have to do all this, but every time he share his concerns with her, she'd just smile and brush them aside.</p><p>"Don't worry about it, Eon!" she'd told him more times than he could even remember. "You're my brother. If anything ever happened to you, I'd blow up all of Skylands to fix it! Doesn't matter how big and tough you are!"</p><p>And then the two would laugh, and she'd badger him to tell her more about those stories he'd read about in class while she'd recreate the battles using magic until she lodged a magical sword in a hay bale and got scolded by their parents, and they'd laugh about it as they'd get called in to wash up for dinner.</p><p>Of course, for all the laughs, and all the fun times, Eon couldn't help but worry about one thing: what if fate separated them someday?</p><p>Word of Hektore's conquests seizing more and more parts of Skylands reached by the day. Soon, Hektore might make a stop at his little village, no matter how often the adults promised him they were too remote to be a blip on the radar. What if the wars against Hektore continued when he was old enough to enter the army, he and Era got conscripted, and he died in battle? Eon knew it would be him too, for he was weak, paltry, and too tender a soul to be a warrior. He couldn't bear the thought of bereaving Era like that.</p><p>Perhaps business would call them on separate paths? His teachers always talked about how Era was such a gifted mage, and how her talents extended far beyond their tiny little corner of Skylands. Selfishly, he hoped she wouldn't listen. When he thought about their future, he imagined them taking care of the farm the way their parents did, the way their family had for generations. He desperately didn't want anything to change.</p><p>But, perhaps, that change would come faster than he thought.</p><p align="center">§</p><p>Eon was mending a broken fence in the fields when the news came. At least, he tried to mend the broken fence, anyways; he was always somewhat clumsy and not very adept with tools or magic, so it seemed that no matter what, his attempts at fixing that specific broken wooden pole always ended in failure and splinters. After his latest attempt once again left him with a dilapidated fence, Eon sighed and slunk against what remained standing. He knew he needed to fix this soon, for they couldn't risk their prize hogs escaping and laying waste to the garden, but this specific post was such a pain. Surely, he wouldn't be faulted for taking a break?</p><p>Eon went to take his rest, but the sound of footsteps pounding against the dirt quickly shook him from his stupor. There above the horizon came Eon's father with his dark hair and bright blue eyes! His muscles, well-formed from years of labor, twitched with anxiety, and his bushy beard swayed in the breeze with his work clothes. Oh no, Eon was in trouble! Surely, Father knew well that Eon slacked on his chores, and he was going to get an earful! Eon jumped to his feet and grabbed some tools as…</p><p>Father completely passed him by?</p><p>"Father, where are you going?" Eon cried.</p><p>"Eon, come, with me, to the storage cellars!" Father panted, gasping for breath between words. "We need, our absolute finest dinner!"</p><p>Eon pursed his lips. Stored within the storage cellars were only their best wines, cheeses, meats, breads, and all the sweetest fruits and crispest vegetables they had! But, those were typically reserved for festivals, holidays, or whenever they had important company over, and the nearest festival wasn't for another few weeks! Eon didn't think they expected company either, so what had Father so worried?</p><p>"What for, Father?" Eon cried as he obediently tailed after Father still.</p><p>Father didn't answer him and instead descended deep into the cellar. He fished out a lantern from the wall that magically lit when it touched skin, and a basket that he quickly loaded with all the finest spoils.</p><p>Eon followed in his motions as he seized a smaller basket and loaded it similarly. "Father, what's all this for?" Eon asked again.</p><p>"Master Nattybumpo's come to pay us a visit! We can't afford to skimp on even the slightest hospitality!"</p><p>Master Nattybumpo? Surely, Father jested! Master Nattybumpo was the greatest portal master of their time; he was someone who'd fought some of the greatest ills Skylands faced since the days of Nefarion's reign millennia ago! He was a hero to all, an inspiration to everyone, a beacon of hope that stretched well across Skylands! What business could he possibly have that would warrant a visit to their quiet little corner of Skylands?</p><p>Eon wasn't sure, but his heart did leaps and bounds regardless as he tailed Father out of the cellars. To think, he'd get a chance to meet one of Skylands' greatest heroes up close! He recalled stories he heard from his classmates over lunch of Nattybumpo and his Skylanders' exploits, and Eon grinned from ear to ear. Did Nattybumpo bring his Skylanders with him? Maybe Eon would get a chance to meet them! Maybe it would be Wash Buckler that accompanied him, or Avalanche or Flower Power! Eon couldn't remember all the Skylanders' names, but he knew meeting them would be a story for the ages!</p><p>The sound of bellowing laughter filled the air as soon as they got back home, and conversation came with it.</p><p>"And that's how we drove back Hektore's greatest army before they could seize the Jewel of Monmouth!" bellowed a gruff, but warm voice from a crack in the opened door. "To think, I believed I'd lose my life that night, but now here I am with not a scar from the battle!"</p><p>Father pushed the door wide opened, and it revealed that the sitting area found itself filled by one more person than normal! On one end sat Eon's mother with her gangly frame, cherry-red eyes, and long white hair, and on another sat Master Nattybumpo himself!</p><p>Just his presence filled up the room, and not just from his rotund form. His bushy red beard jiggled with his belly as he spoke of lands far away, and the robes he wore intertwined with all sorts of flowers, berries, and skeletal remains of animals Eon couldn't quite name. His skin, tanned from work the same way his parents' was, seemed even brighter underneath the lamplight, and something about him warmed the room. Just being in his presence made the whole house feel warm and cozy!</p><p>Era sat to Nattybumpo's side, but she had some kind of expectant look on her face. Maybe she wondered where his Skylanders were, too? No, that wasn't quite it. Eon squeezed himself in, and gently leaned closer to Era.</p><p>"Era, what's Master Nattybumpo doing here?" he whispered, trying not to draw Master Nattybumpo's attention away from the story he told.</p><p>"I, I'm not sure either," Era whispered back as she leaned in. "I ran into him at the market, and he said he was looking for me, and then he asked to come to our farm…"</p><p>"Eon, Era, go set the table!" Mother ordered. "We can't just dally when we have an esteemed guest!"</p><p>Eon and Era found themselves off their feet and ushered to the dining room, but that single exchange lingered on Eon's mind. Master Nattybumpo wanted to see his sister? What for? He didn't know, and he could tell from Era's face that the question bothered her, too.</p><p>It lingered on her face as they helped Mother set the table, and as they took their own places and ate. She barely touched her hams and cheeses, even though they were some of favorites, nor did she devour the twirling-fruits with the vigor she usually had when she could finally have her favorite treat.</p><p>Then again, Eon ate little too, and the same was true of his parents. It seemed that being in the presence of such a great portal master swept away their appetites; perhaps, it seemed like their appetites were little when none ate as much as Master Nattybumpo himself! He devoured whole hams like they were finger food, and tore through blocks of cheese and caskets of wine like a hurricane! Eon supposed those stories about his massive appetite were true as well.</p><p>Master Nattybumpo opened one eye, one as green as tree leaves, and placed down the chicken leg he held. "Pardon my rudeness! When I see a good buffet, I just can't help myself!"</p><p>"Ah, no, please, help yourself! It's not every day that we get such an esteemed guest," Father said, but he pursed his lips a bit as he hesitantly added, "but, if you'll pardon my insolence, I've noticed that your famous appetite isn't quite present. Is the food not to your liking?"</p><p>"We have plenty more in the cellars if you'd like something different!" Mother added.</p><p>If that was what they considered a weak appetite, Eon would like to know just how ferocious Master Nattybumpo's appetite actually was. Still, Master Nattybumpo let out a few chuckles and pushed his plate aside.</p><p>"Ah, fret not. This buffet is quite lovely! It's just that my appetite isn't quite what it used to be." Master Nattybumpo turned his eyes onto Eon and Era, who both gulped and froze in their seats.</p><p>"In fact, that actually brings me to why I came to visit."</p><p>Master Nattybumpo cleared his throat, and an air of seriousness came over him. No longer was he the jolly old man that warmed the room, but one with sternness that shone in his eyes like diamonds. Eon could tell this was the same man who'd brought many an evildoer's downfall just from his glance!</p><p>"I've heard your daughter is an incredibly talented magic user for her age."</p><p>"You bet I am!" Era cried, bolting from her seat. Cyan magic burst from her fingertips, and coated her hands like fire as she waved them around. "I'm the best mage in my whole school! Heck, I'm so good that I'm doing magic lessons with all the adults! Here, I'll show you since you came all the way here!"</p><p>"Era, no!" Mother cried. "No magic at the table!"</p><p>Well, it was too late for that, for magic filled the whole room! Swords and knights made of magic danced with dragons as the food lifted itself from the table and staged reenactments of battles they just learned about in history class. The air smelled sweet and floral, and even magical grass seemed to spring from the cracks in the floor! The world slowly shifted to the world of a storybook, one where dragons made of fruit swept along the air and breathed pepper-laced fire while potato knights wielded cutlery as their weapons. Their clatter banged and echoed as the potato knights went to war against carrot sorcerers, and soon, Era sprung into a leap as she went to join her culinary battle!</p><p>She let out a wild yowl as Father caught her in midair, and yelped as her spells disappeared into bursts of thin air. Soon, the battle was no more, and everything returned to its proper places on the table.</p><p>"Era, behave yourself!" Father scolded as he put Era back on the floor. "We have an esteemed guest!"</p><p>Master Nattybumpo let out a chuckle. "No, that's exactly what I came here to see!"</p><p>Master Nattybumpo lifted himself from his seat with a cough.</p><p>"You see, I'm not as young and spry as I used to be, but evil only seems to grow all across Skylands. My nemesis Hektore has shown no signs of slowing down, and other evildoers continue to spring up like weeds! My Skylanders are doing all they can, but they'll need a portal master to lead them and carry my banner when my time has passed. I've been traveling Skylands in pursuit of an apprentice, in other words."</p><p>An apprentice? Era just blinked in wide-eyed confusion, but Eon immediately picked up what Master Nattybumpo meant, and the bewildered blinks his parents let off showed they realized the exact same thing.</p><p>"So? What's that gotta do with you coming to visit us?" Era asked. "Why'd you ask me to bring you to my place if that's what you wanted to do?"</p><p>Master Nattybumpo delved into the pockets of his robe, and pulled out a small, flat disk with a black stone border.</p><p>"Era, can you try and activate this for me?"</p><p>Era slipped the disc from Master Nattybumpo's worn, calloused hands, and tilted her head as she examined it. Sparks of magic burst from its rim, and swelled the way fires smoked when they were just about ready to burst. Something about the sensation swelled in Eon's heart, filling him with all sorts of strange emotions. Did Master Nattybumpo imply that Era was a portal master? True, she was always incredibly gifted at magic, but, a portal master? Could she truly be…</p><p>"How do you make it work?"</p><p>Master Nattybumpo knelt down and met Era at eye-level. "All you have to do is think hard of somewhere you want to be, and channel the magic energy within your soul. The—"</p><p>A shriek of magic burst and a flare of light came next! Eon's parents shielded their eyes, yet Eon couldn't help but gaze in wide-eyed wonder as that disc Era held leaped from her hands! It doubled, tripled in size as it flew in the air, and its glow shifted in a rainbow of colors as it finally took sanctuary on the table. It did, however, also completely crush the table underneath its weight, but nobody was particularly fussed about that right now.</p><p>Instead, Eon screamed, Era screamed, their parents screamed, everyone screamed but Master Nattybumpo. Instead, Master Nattybumpo had the most elated smile on his face as he examined what was once that disc.</p><p>Now, what stood what was undeniably a portal! Even though Eon only heard of them in books, he could tell what it was just from looking at it. It looked like an ordinary stone pedestal, but a faraway land that Eon was sure he'd heard of in books stood reflected on its surfaced! It radiated with magic as it almost begged for Eon to reach out and touch it, but Master Nattybumpo shrank it and stowed it away with a wave of his hand.</p><p>"You've done it, Era! You're a portal master after all!"</p><p>"A portal master?" Father gasped.</p><p>"Our daughter?" Mother cried.</p><p>Master Nattybumpo waved his hands, and the damages disappeared as quickly as they came. "Well, my suspicion was confirmed. Your daughter is indeed a portal master, for only a portal master could activate a portal like she just did."</p><p>Master Nattybumpo cleared his throat and his stern look took hold once more.</p><p>"My proposal is thus: I would like to take young Era here as my apprentice. Of course, I'll only take her under my wing if both you and her are alright with such an arrangement."</p><p>Just hearing those words broke Eon's heart into a bunch of tiny little pieces. Master Nattybumpo, he wanted Era to train as a portal master? To go all the way to Ancient's Peak and fight evil? Suddenly, all those worries Eon held about his and his sister's inevitable separation raced to the forefront of his mind. He thought of every single way Era could die in the field, or disappear, or otherwise go missing, and Eon would have not a clue until it was too late! He, he couldn't stand that thought!</p><p>Eon glanced at his parents in a silent plea, begging for them to say no. After all, Master Nattybumpo said he needed their permission too, right? If they said no, Era would have to stay, and then she'd be safe!</p><p>Father scratched his beard. "I'm not sure. I understand this is for Skylands' greater good, but, Era's only eight! Having her take up an apprenticeship at her age, to say nothing of all the danger..."</p><p>Eon's heart leaped with hope. Father disagreed! Surely, that meant Era would have to stay, right?</p><p>"Actually, I think this might be a good opportunity for her!" Mother proclaimed. "I know it would be dangerous, but if she's a portal master, surely the universe has much bigger things in mind for her future. We'd be suffocating her by forcing her to stay here! Surely, this apprenticeship will give her more than we could ever offer!"</p><p>"But, what of her studies? What of the farm? Who will help with the farmwork?"</p><p>Father and Mother traded words and concerns alike with tension building in their voices, and Eon winced. He'd never seen his parents fight like this before, and it only added to the tension he felt. Now, he wished this was an awful dream he could quickly wake up from, or that Master Nattybumpo never came to their house! He didn't want Era to leave! He didn't want his parents to fight! He just wanted to go back to how normal everything was just hours ago!</p><p>Master Nattybumpo ignored the fear on Father and Mother's faces, and instead knelt down to Era once more.</p><p>"Well, young Era, what do you think?" Master Nattybumpo asked.</p><p>Eon's attention turned to Era, and he winced as he found <em>that </em>look on her face. It was the look she had when she wanted something really badly, but her heart didn't quite feel set on it. She was all deep frowns and scrunched brows, and she let out a soft hum.</p><p>"I'll do it," Era proclaimed at last in a loud burst, "but only if Eon comes with me!"</p><p>Father and Mother broke from their fight and their own expressions gaped.</p><p>"Era, are you sure you understand what you're asking?" Father asked. "I know you and Eon are always together, and it would be hard on you to be separated, but we'll still need someone to help at the farm!"</p><p>"Yes, and, haven't you considered Eon's feelings in this?" Mother added. "I mean, he's not much for fighting, and he gets scared so easily. Surely, all that danger would be too much for him! If you want to stay together, wouldn't it be better for you to stay here?"</p><p>Some kind of unrest burned a little bit in Eon's heart, perhaps at the faint concerns in his Mother's voice. Surely, she probably thought he was too meek and feeble to support his sister as many others did! He burned with a bit of anger, so Eon flung himself forward without even thinking.</p><p>"I can help, too! I might not be a portal master, but I could help with chores or something!" Eon cried. "Even if I'm not that smart, or strong, or good at magic, or anything, I can help too! I'll do anything, just, just, please don't separate us!"</p><p>"Yeah!" Era chimed in. "I don't want to be away from my brother!"</p><p>"Eon, Era!" Father scolded. "Don't be so—"</p><p>Father's scolding came to a stop as Master Nattybumpo chuckled, and that laughter returned the warmth to the room.</p><p>"Oh, who am I to sever such a strong sibling bond?" Master Nattybumpo said. "Yes, I'd be happy to take you both on board." Master Nattybumpo turned his attention back to Father and Mother. "I understand your concerns, but I will make sure the children keep up their studies, and the Skylanders and I will do everything to ensure their safety. As for your farm, I'll make sure to find you some help to compensate."</p><p>Father and Mother exchanged leery glances still, but as they looked into Master Nattybumpo's eyes, something in them seemed to finally still.</p><p>"Very well then. Era can train as your apprentice, and Eon is more than welcome to accompany her."</p><p>"Very well then!" Master Nattybumpo held a twinkle in his eye as he knelt to meet Eon and Era. "We'll depart for Ancient's Peak in the morning. For now, you two should get some sleep, and I'll find some lodging for myself—"</p><p>"No, please, don't worry about that!" Mother pleaded. "We have a spare room for guests! You're more than welcome to stay there!"</p><p>Eon and Era's parents practically stumbled over themselves as they went to show Nattybumpo the guest room; they were all sputters and fumbled words as they explained the lodgings. Still, Master Nattybumpo took their panic in stride, and shared laughs and stories as they disappeared into the dark.</p><p>Eon and Era had little time to think, for they rushed straight to their shared bedroom to pack their belongings. Not once could they even entertain the idea of sleeping, not when they had such a big adventure ahead of them!</p><p>"Hey, hey, what kinda stuff do you think Master Nattybumpo's gonna have me learn first, huh?" Era asked as she frantically stuffed clothing and other belongings into a bag. "Wait, forget that! If we're going to Ancient's Peak, that means we can meet the Skylanders! I bet everyone at school's gonna be so jealous when I tell them I met the Skylanders in person! Heck, I'm gonna be living with them now! Hey, do you think Ancient's Peak is as big as they say it is?"</p><p>Eon couldn't bring himself to answer Era's questions, and just tried to keep his head from spinning as he focused on packing. Eon had never left his little corner of Skylands before, but now, here he was, preparing to set off to work with the Skylanders! His sister was going to train as a portal master apprentice! Just what was he supposed to think? Everything about tonight felt like some strange dream, one that Eon couldn't shake or wake from no matter what.</p><p>Eon whimpered, but he felt a warm hand on his, and looked up to find Era giving him the widest grin.</p><p>"Hey, I know this is all a lot to think about, but just remember that as long as we're together, we can do anything!" Era's eyes sparkled, and she giggled as she got the last of Eon's belongings in his sack. "I'll be with you the whole time, so don't worry a hair on your head!"</p><p>Something about Era's simple words eased Eon's soul, so the two of them closed up their bags in unison and leaped into bed. Finally, the excitement of today melted away, and their bodies ached for some rest, so they snuggled under quilts of sheep's wool and feathery down. All the while, their minds danced with excitement and visions of their future adventures.</p><p>At least, Eon's did, but he knew Era well enough that he knew she surely thought of the same thing. Truthfully, he was still a little scared of all these big, grand changes that happened seemingly out of nowhere… But, Eon supposed that what Era said was true. If she was by his side, surely everything would be alright.</p>(Skylanders/CHS) Chihiro Hatsuki's Skylanders: Here Come the Giants! Chapter 18: The Oracle Part 1 (Part 3)<p>"Thank you for driving me here, again," Vatra said as he leaned against a wooden barrel and sighed. "I'm sure I'd be hopelessly lost by now if I hadn't gotten your help."</p><p>"Think nothing of it. I was on my way there, anyways," said the farmer who ran the cart as he cracked the whip. The oxen that pulled the cart cried out as they ran a little faster, and he chuckled a bit. "I have goods to deliver to this village here, and some family I need to get acquainted with. How about you?"</p><p>Vatra grimaced, and turned just so that the farmer couldn't meet his gaze. "I'm just visiting a friend to get caught up on old times, that's all."</p><p>Vatra should have been able to find Vaayu here, if what he recalled of his conversations with Vaayu, and his estimations of this realm were correct. Not that Vatra looked forward to it, of course.</p><p><em>This realm seems to be indulging us in our biggest wishes, the things we desired the most back when we still warred with the Arkeyans,</em> Vatra mused as he ruffled his hair, <em>and that means that… Ugh… Vaayu will be with </em><strong>her</strong><em>.</em></p><p>Yes, that's right. He'd probably be in the village with his ex-fiance, and he would gush all about her while they did the utterly skin-crawling things couples did. Vatra never particularly cared for romance—he found it repulsive, as a matter of fact—but if he knew how things would play out, that would make his job ten times harder.</p><p>Vaayu was a romantic by nature. Surely, he'd be too caught up in his fantasies of a big fancy house with his wife and their ten children, or perhaps it was twelve children? Vatra never payed much attention to Vaayu's rambling. Either way, it would take Vatra ages to talk him out of it and see reality. He could already see it now: the utterly mawkish couple's banter, the lengthy, drawn-out kissing, and all the courting rituals that made Vatra want to gag! To say he wasn't looking forward to this was an understatement, in all honesty.</p><p>"Here's our stop," the farmer said as he released the reins.</p><p>Vatra leaned back, but an abrupt stop of the cart pushed him backwards, knocked his head against the barrel, and left him with a nasty surging pain in the back of his skull. Vatra nodded, but rubbed the back of his head as he hopped off the cart's side.</p><p>"Thank you for this."</p><p>"You're welcome."</p><p>Vatra sighed, and shoved his hands into his pockets as the cart drove into the village. His eyes glimpsed over the village ahead for only a moment, and he instead took another path that spread into a mostly-uninhabited forest thick with trees and plants. He could just barely spy traces of blue light that streaked out from the pathway like sparkling smoke. Yes, that sounded like that lake Vaayu always talked about, so Vatra supposed that was where he was supposed to go.</p><p>"Why did I have to get him back?" Vatra grumbled as he pushed away a few tree branches and groaned. "It'll take an eternity just to convince him this is an illusion!"</p><p>Oh, Vatra could already see it now. He's stumble up to them all haplessly in love as they made goo-goo eyes, or called each other overly-saccharine pet names, or talked about how many children they wanted to have. Vatra, meanwhile, would have to endure the worst hours of his life as he tried to talk some sense into Vaayu. His stomach churned at the very thought, but, he couldn't leave Vaayu stranded in whatever this strange trial was, either. For all his overly foppish nonsense about romance, he was Vatra's ally.</p><p>Vatra grumbled under his breath, heaved another sigh, and braced himself for the worst as he disappeared under the canopy of trees. The vast, looming thickets above him reminded Vatra more of a jungle than a forest, now that he thought about it. Their large leaves blocked off the sun, and the only light that came was an azure glow speckled between the rare gaps in their trunks. The faint sounds of rustling leaves and animal calls echoed from the gaps, sent chills down Vatra's spine, and heated his fingers.</p><p>He only laid his eyes on the rough dirt below his feet and carried on. The animal sounds and shaking leaves disappeared soon enough, but what came next sounded like screaming—HUMAN screaming! Vatra sharply inhaled as a piercing, strained cry hit his ears. Without even thinking, his pace sped up, and left flaming tracks in the ground as he ran down the path.</p><p>The jungle cleared around him the further he ran, and the trees and bushes and flowers made way for an opening with a luminous aqua glow. He passed through, and well, he arrived, and it was bad, but not the way he thought it would be.</p><p>The pool that was supposedly a sea of sparkling aquamarine in the tiny grotto was polluted by the silvery blood of Arkeyan machinery, and the grass was cut and uprooted in large patches. The places where it wasn't cut were littered with broken, mechanical body parts, and the strewn guts of cable and inner circuitry from the Arkeyan corpses left behind. Trees and bushes laid slashed to slivers, and the air reeked of oil and blood.</p><p>But, nothing quite caught Vatra's eyes as what laid in the heart of the grotto, for there sat Vaayu! His hair laid loose, and the long tunic and trousers he wore held slashes that reveal shallow cuts. He sobbed as he held the body of a slim elf with emerald green skin, and long, dark hair sprawled along their shoulders. Her own dresses and skirts were similarly torn while a bloody patch covered her chest.</p><p>"The Arkeyans came here already?" Vatra cried as he stumbled out. He tripped in his haste, but he quickly regained his balance as he went to grab the elf from his arms. "Before anything, we need to get this elf to a medic, all this blood—"</p><p>"It's no use! Leave me to my misery!" Vaayu wailed as he clutched the elf's body as close to his chest with no care for how the blood stained him. A few choked sobs escaped him once more, and he knelt his head while the body limped in his grasp. "She, she, she's already dead. They took her life without even a moment's hesitation, and all I could do was watch!"</p><p>Vaayu wailed as he cradled the elf's body closer once more. It was as if he thought holding her would somehow bring her back to life!</p><p>Another memory came to Vatra. He recalled a schoolhouse left broken and disarrayed, blood streaked across the walls, and terrified screams from students and faculty alike. Vatra's heart sped up, even though nothing remained in that ghostly body of his. Right then, he was back at the school where he taught, in the disarrayed classroom where he shared so many lessons, and watched his other students cradle the bloodied body of—no, he, he couldn't worry about that right now!</p><p>Though the memories bit at his heels, Vatra knelt down and laid a hand on Vaayu's shoulder. "I'm sorry," was all he could bring himself to say.</p><p>Vaayu trembled, and Vatra wondered if maybe his sympathies were the wrong thing to bring. Vaayu stood with his lover's body cradled snugly in his arms and scowled. The winds rose around him, and his teeth gritted while shadows came over his eyes.</p><p>"Surely, they're probably headed for the village!" Vaayu cried as he ran off. "I have to warn them, before it's too late!"</p><p>"Vaayu!"</p><p>Vatra panted as he ran after Vaayu, but the winds boosted Vaayu's footsteps, and it wasn't long before he left Vatra far behind him. Perhaps he already realized the true nature of this trial, and called upon his powers once more? Vatra wasn't sure, but nevertheless he followed. The sunlight shone harsh as Vatra left the forest and trekked up the pathway to the village.</p><p>Thankfully, Vaayu was there before him. The weight from his lover's body must have worn him down, or maybe it was that time spent fighting Arkeyans that wore him down, but either way, he now hunched over. He grunted as he struggled to make his way up the path. He struggled so badly, yet he still fought his way up the path.</p><p>Vatra swept in front of him and placed his hands underneath the elf's body. "Here, let me help you—"</p><p>"Don't worry about me! Warn the village! The Arkeyans will arrive any second now!"</p><p>Vatra drew back, for the sight of Vaayu with such determination and seriousness in his eyes sent a shock to his system.</p><p>Obediently, Vatra left Vaayu's side and sprinted up the path. Soon, the village with its baked brick houses, and its small populace who went to and fro about their ordinary lives came closer and closer into view. He skidded to a stop with such speed that flames erupted behind him! Their heat crept against his back and gone moments later, but the burning sight of all the villagers' eyes on him and their confused whispers kept the feeling well enough.</p><p>"Everyone, listen to me!" Vatra's voice strained and his head lifted. "The Arkeyans are coming for your village!"</p><p>Those two sentences seemed to be more than enough, thankfully, for he couldn't find any more to say. Some villagers dropped the baskets they held, others exchanged worried glances, and of course, the gossip among the townsfolk grew louder and even more worried than before.</p><p>"The Arkeyans, here? That can't be!"</p><p>"Look at that being, he's clearly an outsider! What reason would you have to believe him? The Arkeyans wouldn't come all the way out here!"</p><p>"But, they've been conquering more and more territories here…"</p><p>The gossip and fearful cries grew louder by the second until a large, powerful throat cleared and caught everyone's attention.</p><p>"Fear not, everyone!" cried a particularly muscular person dressed in armor as they made their way out of the crowds. "Our defenses are strong and we have allies we can call upon! We are not weak in the face of the Arkeyans! We'll set our armies and meet them before they can even step foot in the village!"</p><p>Vatra wasn't quite sure who this person was, but the proud, tall way they held themself and the relief that shone in the villagers' eyes showed their words must have carried some weight. The worries and gossip amid the crowd slowly dissipated, and most slunk away from the crowds to attend to their duties once more while others in armor made their way to this person's side.</p><p>The heavily armored person only turned to Vatra. "Thank you for your warnings, kind stranger," they said as they gave Vatra a curt nod. "We must make our preparations, so I am afraid this is where we part."</p><p>The armored platoon marched past Vatra with urgent speed, but Vatra cared for them no longer. He had to find Vaayu.</p><p>At first, he eyed the paths behind to see if Vaayu caught up, but the sound of Vaayu's pained voice reached the air before his body did. Vatra's attention instead turned to a single house nearby. Sure enough, Vaayu stood in the doorway and argued with an elven man dressed in clothes similar to Vaayu's, but with a skin tone more akin to that of Vaayu's elven lover.</p><p>"Why didn't you protect her?" the man demanded as he slammed a bulky hand against the door frame. "You were her spouse, correct? It was your duty to keep her safe, and you still have the gall to deliver her bloodied body to our doorstep? When you couldn't fill your own duties?"</p><p>Vatra expected Vaayu to fight back, but instead, Vaayu stood with his head hung low in shame. He took the shouts as the accusations and insults sunk into his skins. His arms trembled, next his legs, and finally, Vaayu fell to his knees and bowed at the elven man's feet! The sheer suddenness drew the man back, but a few other elves poked their heads through the doorway to witness Vaayu.</p><p>"I truly, truly cannot apologize enough!" Vaayu cried at last between shudders and choked-back sobs. "I can't make any excuses for myself. Even though I fought with all my life, I still wasn't able to save hers! I should have been the one to die in her place!"</p><p>The pain in Vaayu's statements reached their ears, and all at once, their faces fell with his. A few stifled sobs, but it was the man who finally held his head and slipped out sobs with him. The others followed as they held their heads and cried along. Surely, they all mourned the loss of her.</p><p>"The Arkeyans will likely make their attack on the village soon," Vatra said as he stepped forth at last. "If you'd like to prepare funeral rites, I'd advise you do it as soon as you can."</p><p>"We should contact the funerary," said an aged elven woman with a wrinkled face and thin frame as she touched the man's shoulders. "We'll need to make sure she's laid to rest as soon as possible."</p><p>Not a word came from the grieving family as they rose from their mourning; they merely nodded and drifted off into the darker corners of their house. Only the man stopped to close the door. His blank eyes shone with what could only be sympathy or grief as it creaked to a close, but it was a fleeting feeling, for the door slammed shut.</p><p>"I believe it's time we left them alone." Vatra knelt down and gently nudged Vaayu's shoulders. "Come, the rest of the village is already preparing for battle. You should probably head home—"</p><p>"NO!" Vaayu screamed.</p><p>He jolted up, slapped at Vatra's hand with such sudden rage that Vatra flinched back, yet his blue eyes filled with some kind of righteous rage as he stared down Vatra.</p><p>"I, I, I want to fight. They deceived Grishma just to cut her life short, and I will not stand by and let them take away anything else! I may not have been able to save her, but I can at least try and save everyone else!"</p><p>Vaayu gulped and cleared his throat.</p><p>"Apologies, I shouldn't have lashed out like that at a stranger. I, I'll take you to my home, but we'll be leaving as soon as the sounds of war begin."</p><p>Huh, he roped someone who was a total stranger to him at present into fighting for a village not even close to home? Vatra would remark that this didn't quite feel like something this Vaayu did, but something in Vaayu's stance, in his speech, felt a bit like the Vaayu Vatra knew. It was almost as if the memories that slumbered within him stirred.</p><p>Vatra stood silent, and only gave him a quick nod and smile. That was all Vaayu needed, so the two of them walked down the endless stretches of dirt roads and clay houses until they found themselves at a particular small and dome-shaped home. Vaayu pushed open the door and disappeared inside, so Vatra did the same.</p><p>The house was barely enough to fit a family of three, and nothing like the extravagance of his lover's home. It held only the bare minimum of furnishings: worn and dusty cushions laid on the floor rather than any form of tables or chairs, and a few blankets laid atop a wooden stool. No scent lingered in the air, and not a single personal memento laid in sight. Vaayu seemed to recognize the sparseness of it all, for he sighed.</p><p>"Forgive me if it's somewhat messy. I normally don't get much company, or have much," he explained as he took a seat on one of the cushions. "My parents passed some years ago, and I don't have any other family to speak of. I've been living by myself for so long."</p><p>"I, I'm sorry to hear that," Vatra said. His tone stayed guarded as he sat down on the seat adjacent to Vaayu's.</p><p>The two of them sat in silence as the warm-toned sunlight that poured through the windows. It tinted everything in shades of marigold and crimson slowly faded, all in turn as the sun sank over the horizon. It dusted against Vaayu's dark hair, and gave it an almost brownish tint before it disappeared.</p><p>Vaayu's mood seemed to fade with the fading light. His shoulders slunk over with his head, and he seemed almost like he would curl in on himself and sob if not for Vatra's presence. He forced a smile as he pulled himself up, but he finally took a breath as the last of the sunlight faded and the world turned cobalt.</p><p>"It's strange, really. I'm certain I've never met you once in my entire life," Vaayu said at last, "yet something about you seems familiar, like an old friend I could say anything to."</p><p><em>That's more true than you realize, </em>Vatra thought, but something in him kept him from saying it out loud. Was it perhaps that gut feeling that now wasn't the time to bring things up? Perhaps, so instead, Vatra asked only one thing.</p><p>"What happened down at that lake? What exactly could those Arkeyans be after?"</p><p>Vaayu's lips trembled, and he lowered his head while his arms followed. He seemed to open his mouth like some words would magically come out, but all that came were faint mumbles and pained noises. Vaayu's hands shook with fear and fury.</p><p>Vatra wondered if maybe he should change the subject.</p><p>"It was me," Vaayu croaked out at last before Vatra could even reach out. "They, they wanted me."</p><p>Vatra blinked, for the suddenness of this phrase took him aback. The Arkeyans wanted him? Vatra's heart sank, for he knew all too well what Vaayu meant. The Arkeyans wanted powerful magicians for their armies as the rebellions grew in numbers, and like all things the Arkeyans desired, they'd take them by force if they so desired. Surely he meant that…</p><p>"It wasn't her fault, it really wasn't." Vaayu's voice cracked. His head slumped in what seemed like either sorrow or shame; it was hard to tell. "They lied to her, they told her that our home would be safe, that we'd be some of the most heralded figures in the Arkeyan Empire if I joined them! They, they promised her so much" — Vaayu's hands trembled, and this time clenched into a tight fist — "but, they only stabbed us both in the back! In the end, it was all just a lie! They, they, they…"</p><p>Vaayu's breath strained and the sweat dripped down onto the floor. Vatra could barely see how Vaayu's face seemed to lose its color underneath the faint glimpse of moonlight, and Vaayu's eyes shrank as he clutched his chest. His breathing turned from strained and slow to quick and shrill, and he collapsed to the floor as he hyperventilated!</p><p>Vaayu shrieked, and Vatra immediately went to his side as he hoisted him up. Vatra hushed him though Vaayu fought against his grip, and emitted a warmth from his palms, a gentle one that seemed to ease Vaayu's panic. Vaayu's breathing slowed back to a reasonable pace, and he peered up at Vatra with worry still as his lips trembled.</p><p>"The village, surely they'll—"</p><p>"We won't let them. They won't take this village or anyone else from it, not as long as I stand."</p><p>Vatra's words seemed to ease Vaayu's worries some, so he broke away and gazed out the window with not a word spoken. Vatra, too, couldn't bring himself to break the silence either. Pangs of guilt tugged at Vatra's heart, perhaps for how he didn't realize in his annoyance that Vaayu, too, lost someone he cared deeply for to Arkeyan hands. For all his annoyance with romance, Vatra couldn't fault him for grieving that loss.</p><p>So, for that moment, they sat, and basked in their grief and solemn sorrow with only the moonlight to watch them. No words spoke, yet the overwhelming pains of loss went known as their bodies numbed from the feeling.</p><p>For a moment, Vatra almost dozed off as his body ached for rest. He closed his eyes and relaxed, but the sound of horns burst through the distance! Their cries rang loud, and shook the ground enough that it roused Vatra from his drowsiness.</p><p>Vaayu scrambled to his feet with a similar urgency. "Those horns!" Vaayu cried as he made for the door. "Surely the battle's already begun!"</p><p>Vatra's head ached from his drowsiness as he stumbled his way out of Vaayu's home. The rousing cries of war greeted him as he opened the door, but the lingering fatigue made it hard for him to distinguish the village anymore. Between the sounds of pounding footsteps, of soldiers that poured in and cried their defiance, of their weapons that clashed with the sharp metal of Arkeyan soldiers, the noise was so great that it muddied all his senses! The ground below him violently shuddered. It upset his footing so greatly that it pushed him to his knees while he only watched.</p><p>Vatra barely spied Vaayu's shock of blue as it bobbed through their ranks amid a group of soldiers wielding bows and arrows. Soon, the rest of Vaayu surfaced as the soldiers moved into position. Vaayu laid on the ground himself, and his shaking arms barely kept him suspended as the world around him went to war.</p><p>His eyes remained locked on a spear-wielding Arkeyan that launched itself towards him. Right before it sprung, a hole burst from its head while a sharp, metallic arrow plunged into the ground beside it! Sparks burst from the newborn holes in the Arkeyan's head as it fell on its side, and Vaayu scrambled away just before its head burst into flames.</p><p>"What are you doing down there?" cried someone from the rooftops above. "Either get up and fight or get to safety! Don't stand in our way!"</p><p>Vatra glanced up to find a bow-wielding soldier who glared not at him, but the fields below. Though he wasn't quite sure if this person talked about him or someone else, Vatra pushed himself to his feet. He'd recovered his senses enough that he ran to Vaayu's side and laid a hand on him.</p><p>Vaayu yanked himself back, flung a hand bursting with cold, sharp winds at Vatra's face, but the winds faded and his expression lowered when he saw Vatra before him.</p><p>"How, how did I do that?" Vaayu gasped as he stared back at his hand. He trembled once more, shuddered and fell to his knees. "Oh, what matter does that make? I'm a coward, plain and simple!"</p><p>Vaayu's body shuddered once more, and Vatra went to his knees as he gently shook Vaayu. "Vaayu, calm down," Vatra whispered. "If you can't fight, you need to get to safety—"</p><p>"But, but, I have to!" Vaayu turned to Vatra, and his eyes welled with tears. " I can't just sit here and watch while they take our home too! Not after what they did to Grishma!"</p><p>Vatra tried to speak, but the sound of arrows flying en masse drowned out his voice! Explosions followed soon after, and their warm colors bled out the cool skin of midnight blue.</p><p>An entire front line row of Arkeyan soldiers laid sprawled on the earth with endless guts of wire and machinery where their heads would've been. The sight of the decimated row must have inspired something in the soldiers from Vaayu's village, for they rose their swords and axes with confidence. They practically flung themselves at the oncoming row of Arkeyan soldiers as they slashed through Arkeyan metal and traded blow after blow!</p><p>"We, we're winning!" Vaayu gasped, as if he almost couldn't believe his eyes.</p><p>Screams and the scent of blood rose in the air soon after, and Vaayu winced as someone's arm flew off into the distance. It was hard to tell if it were organic or robotic under the shade of night</p><p>Vaayu dove into the bushes and shuddered as the war cries turned to desperate, terrified screams. Once again, he became a shuddering ball of nerves that only curled up and covered his ears as the world around him raged. He seemed close to bolting off, yet, he moved not an inch from the bush where he cowered.</p><p>Vatra clenched his teeth, and almost debated if he should try and rouse Vaayu's memories and spirits here. The sounds of battle raged on behind him, and as it stood, neither of them would make it out if he kept lingering like this. The flames burst at his feet, ever-eager to fight with him, and Vatra turned tail.</p><p>"Find somewhere safe to hide!" Vatra cried as Vaayu left his vision. "I'll hold things down here the best I can!"</p><p>The familiar crackle of embers came to his fingertips next, and Vatra raised his hands right as he sprinted towards an ax-wielding Arkeyan soldier. He planted his hands firmly on the sides of its head, and the flames erupted from his palms with that single spark of action! They enveloped Vatra and whisked him safely away; by the time they disappeared and he landed on solid ground, the headless corpse of that Arkeyan soldier laid sprawled and sparking on the ground.</p><p>Cries of warning he barely discerned came from behind him, and Vatra turned around and punched away two smaller Arkeyans that came for him. A quick flame from his palm scorched away another, and a rousing kick swept one Arkeyan soldier off its feet in time for a decidedly human one to slash it in half before they ran off.</p><p>The world blurred in Vatra's mind, and all that came to him was the instinct to fight, to set the world around him on fire 'till the Arkeyans that surrounded him were nothing but burning scrap. The smell of hot, burning fire melded with blood and burning quicksilver as his body propelled itself on its own, latched onto the Arkeyan soldier unfortunate enough to be nearest, and set it alight. With a single fling, its flaming body fell to that of its platoon and took them all in a fiery explosion.</p><p>Vatra moved from it to a larger, bulkier one nearby. Cries and shouts of fear distinctly organic in nature roused around him, yet he shut them out with a single flaming punch into the Arkeyan's chest. Shrill, distorted cries came as it latched onto Vatra's arms and flung him, but he flipped himself back up and dove in again. He cast a burst of heat that burned away its innards, and moved to the next.</p><p>Small or mighty, shield-bearer or sword-wielder—it mattered not to Vatra. The Arkeyans fell one by one in his grasp, all as he tried to tune out the cries of war, cheers of victory, or fearful cries of pain that came from all around him. The other soldiers hurried away wounded allies, or nursed their own injuries as stronger members dueled, and the sight only propelled Vatra forward.</p><p>Before Vatra stood a particularly mighty shield-bearing Arkeyan soldier that surely looked for its next target! The shield-bearer's eyes seemed to glow as it laid on an injured soldier who hunched over and hobbled away, or maybe the firelight gave it added malice? Whatever it was, Vatra pushed himself between the two and cast a funnel of fire towards the Arkeyan.</p><p>The Arkeyan blocked off the flames with its shield, and Vatra tried to thrust forward, but he ached and collapsed instead! His whole body groaned as he hit the ground, and its ghastly light dimmed and brightened like a flickering ember. In the heat of the moment, he hadn't realized he'd used up so much magic energy, but now, the adrenaline faded and his aches returned to him at last. He tried to push himself up, tried to form one more flame, but he could barely even lift a hand, let alone stand.</p><p>The Arkeyan, seemingly disinterested with weak prey, turned its attention towards a group of soldiers that raised their bows and fired. Their arrows bounced off of its shield, but the soldiers merely kept firing. Those idiots, what were they doing? A model that strong could reflect even the finest of weaponry! The soldiers kept firing nonetheless as the Arkeyan raised both halves of its shield.</p><p>"Don't, shoot!" Vatra cried, his voice hoarse and barely able to scream. "Run!"</p><p>The warning itself came too quietly and too slowly; it fell out over the shrieking charge of the robot's shields and that of the warring worlds. The glaring, harsh blue light of the laser charged to its peak, shot in a bright flare that engulfed the soldiers entirely, and left them only ashes to crumble to the ground. A couple other soldiers dropped their weapons and fled, but a few stopped and shouted out something that became illegible as the world around Vatra rumbled.</p><p>Vatra lifted his head with all the energy he could muster. Amid the burning flames cast around the village entrance (did he make those? He couldn't recall) emerged an entire army of those same shield-bearing robots. They marched, and smaller ones who wielded pistols charged out in front of them. Soon, their ranks flooded the gates and blocked out even the tallest of fires.</p><p>Vatra could barely even think, yet he could tell that the village army's ranks were too thin to combat an elite Arkeyan army of this level!</p><p><em>Move, damn it!</em> Vatra screamed at himself as he forced his body up a few inches.<em> You, you need to fight! You can't just lay here!</em></p><p>Vatra couldn't bring his body to move even in spite of his cries. It laid weak and sprawled on the ground, too pained and exhausted to even flinch. The most he could do was lift his head as a shadow cast over him—but a sudden shock gave him enough energy to clutch his pendant.</p><p>One of the smaller soldiers aimed its gun straight for his pendant with a murderous glint in its eyes. It wrapped its finger around the trigger. Vatra clenched his teeth and eyes as he braced himself for the end…</p><p>But a cold breeze shook his eyes back open!</p><p>The cold winds rose, extinguished the fires around the village, and even sent the robots off their balance. Even the heaviest ones, even the strongest ones struggled to keep their footing as the winds grew. Yet, Vatra himself was unaffected save for the chills that ran down his body, and neither were any of the soldiers on his side.</p><p>A growl came from behind, and Vatra turned himself around the best he could. There, at the back of the pathways, stood Vaayu, winds raging around him. His eyes and body glowed in a bright azure, and as he raised his head, the winds only roared and grew stronger while they lashed against the world around.</p><p>"You've stolen Grishma's life already, and you will steal nothing more!" Vaayu roared, his voice the only thing audible over the raging winds.</p><p>His cries of agony seemed to be the only signal the winds needed to attack; he simply screamed, and they lunged forward. They took the shape of raging tornadoes, and tore the robots apart limb for limb! They launched the Arkeyens' severed arms and legs, heads and chests, all across the village grounds.</p><p>Not once did they take the village soldiers in their grip, or lay their rage on the villager's homes. All their rage laid solely on the Arkeyans' shoulders. The few Arkeyans that remained screeched in robotic-sounded alarm and fled, but even they lasted little. The tornadoes' speed outbested their own, and they found themselves chewed up and spat out of its maws in bits.</p><p>The tornadoes faded as the night did. Dawn crept upon the village grounds and unveiled the battle's remains. Scattered weapons and corpses both robotic and organic mingled with blood fresh and dried, all laid in streams over the earth. In spite of the casualties, the village itself stood with little damage. The various houses and structures stood with little more than scorches or burn marks, and it seemed the entire village laid in awe. The surviving soldiers gazed listlessly around, and others left their homes to gaze in sheer wonder.</p><p>All eyes turned to Vaayu as he collapsed.</p><p>"What's wrong with him?" cried one being, the voice of which Vatra's recognized as that of the burly elf man from earlier. "What's going on?"</p><p>"I, I don't know!" shouted another. "He summoned all these tornadoes and wiped out all those Arkeyans in a second, and then he just collapsed!"</p><p>Vatra gritted his teeth. He forced out whatever energy he could to crawl along the grounds until he finally made his way to the crowds around Vaayu, and then through them to Vaayu himself. Before him, Vaayu laid face-first on the ground, and practically choked on his own breath as his body flickered from a solid form to that of a ghostly, fading presence. Surely, he overexerted his own magic energy reserves without realizing—and pretty badly, by the looks of it.</p><p>Vatra tugged on the pants of one person before him, and feebly lifted his head as they looked down. "He, he needs, magic, quick!" Vatra croaked out.</p><p>Vatra's head fell to the ground, spots coated his vision, and something rumbling kept him from hearing a thing. Amid it all, some others rushed to Vaayu's side and planted their hands on his back, hands that soon glowed as Vaayu's form stabilized before Vatra's blurry eyes.</p><p>Good, they, seem to have gotten, his message…</p><p>Vatra's head grew heavy, so heavy that it weighed his whole body down, and even keeping his eyes open was a struggle. His vision turned black, his body grew numb and limp—but something flooded into his body and filled him with life before his consciousness fully faded! He jumped back to his feet as his vision cleared, and it was Vaayu who met Vatra's gaze.</p><p>"You did it," Vatra said with a smile. "If not for you, I'm sure these casualties would have been much more numerous."</p><p>Vaayu didn't seem to know how to take those words. He neither smiled or frowned, but just quietly hung his head. Those around him laundered their praises, yet he just turned away as an elven woman—the same one from that house—pushed her way through the crowds and met his gaze. They said no words, but merely pushed away from the crowds.</p><p>"I am afraid I have to leave," Vaayu proclaimed at last, and his voice wavered just a bit. "I have important matters I need to attend to."</p><p>Vaayu and the elf woman dispersed from the crowds and towards the lower ends of the village; the crowds in turn dispersed among the battlefield to collect their allies' corpses. Vatra would have stayed to help, but now that his senses returned, the scents of blood, death, and burning oil grew so intense that it sickened him to the point of nearly vomiting.</p><p>So, he merely followed the trail Vaayu took. The sights around him were clean, untouched, and completely unlike the burnt and war-torn sights of the village front. In fact, he snatched glimpses of the path behind him just to make sure he hadn't been whisked off to another strange place a few times—but no, he still stood in the same village, and walked the same paths he did prior. Though, now the buildings around him made way for more jungles, and he was sure he heard voices from down below.</p><p><em>Wait, could those be more Arkeyans? </em>Vatra thought.</p><p>Vatra's heart skipped a beat as he dove into the jungle thickets. He pushed past leaves and dodged thorny vines until he grew closest to the voices' source.</p><p>What he found was not Arkeyan robots ready to strike, but a group of humans, elves, and more alike that gathered at a riverbed while someone who held a jar spoke. Vatra raised a brow as he teleported to one of the less flammable parts of the forest, extinguished the flames with a single stride, and dove behind the bushes. He probably shouldn't be here, but at the same time…</p><p>Wait. Amid the crowds, Vatra spied Vaayu, who bit his lip and seemingly tried his hardest to hold back tears as the person who held the jar droned on. Vatra's eyes turned to the jar-holding person as he opened the jar, turned it upside-down, scattered ashes to the winds and the river waters.</p><p>It was then Vatra realized <em>this</em> was the important proceeding Vaayu had to attend. Yes, Vatra definitely shouldn't be here right now.</p><p>Vatra teleported away, and found himself back on the village grounds once more while funnels of smoke rose from one of the larger buildings. A few soldiers who held limp bodies passed them by, some followed by mourners both civilian and soldier, and others with only their fellow soldiers as company. It was a grim sight, but one Vatra grew accustomed to seeing after years of war and terror, so his heart stirred not. He only crossed his arms, and gave a solemn nod to the soldiers as they walked by, though they paid him no mind.</p><p>"There you are," Vaayu croaked.</p><p>Vatra's brows perked up as he found Vaayu beside him with eyes puffy and burnt from crying. Though Vaayu tried to hide them, it was clear that he cried well. It seemed that the funeral was the catalyst for all his emotions to finally sink in.</p><p>"I take it you've taken care of everything you needed to?" Vatra asked.</p><p>"Almost."</p><p>Vaayu turned back to where those elves, his lover's parents, stood with eyes wide in expectancy. As he walked up to them, he withdrew something golden that sparkled with the colors of an evening sunset and presented it to them.</p><p>"What a beautiful necklace!" the elf woman gasped.</p><p>"I intended to give this to her for my proposal," Vaayu explained as he dropped the necklace into the elf man's hands, "but, I hope it can at least be of some use to you in my steed."</p><p>Vaayu parted from their side with one last, solemn glance and moved towards Vatra. His eyes, red with grief as they were, still carried themselves with some kind of determination as they locked on Vatra's, and it was enough that Vatra shied away slightly under the tension. This was more like the Vaayu he knew, so determined even in the face of hardship.</p><p>"Wait a second," the elf man said. "The way you said that makes it sound like you're leaving."</p><p>Vaayu pursed his lips. His steely determination faded for a moment, but he gulped away his fear. "I am."</p><p>Both the elves drew back, eyes wide as they took in his words with slow blinks.</p><p>"But, you can't! Who will protect our village without your strength? If not for that power of yours, we would've been razed to the ground! You need to—"</p><p>Vaayu laid a hand on the burly hands of the elven man, and only stood silent as the winds rose and enveloped him in their grip before they parted just as quickly.</p><p>No longer was Vaayu in the realms of living; he returned back to his true, ghostly form as the breezes settled. He wore the same outfit he did on the day of his death, his pendant sparkled against the dawn, and that same light cascaded over him and gave his ghost a warm glow.</p><p>The elves both gasped and stepped back with wide-eyed gazes. It seemed as if they would to flee in panic, but with one smile from Vaayu, they lowered their shoulders and stood in quiet expectancy.</p><p>"There's many more places that the Arkeyans will target, not just our homelands," Vaayu explained, "and the thought of others suffering the way I did, the way we did, I just can't bear it! If I have powers as strong as these, the least I can do is use them so that others won't have to suffer the way she did" — Vaayu lowered his head, and his entire self next as he knelt before them — "so I can only apologize, for I cannot stay here in good conscious while others suffer when I know I have the power to help them."</p><p>"There is nothing to apologize for."</p><p>A firm pat on his shoulders brought Vaayu's attention to the elf man, and the warm smile on the man's face.</p><p>"Vaayu, go, and protect all Skylands as you have our home."</p><p>Vaayu let out a short gasp, and gave a hasty nod as he jumped to his feet. Once again he moved his attention to Vatra, and with a quick nod, the two of them made their way down the village path. The sound of footsteps rose behind them as more gathered back at the gates so they could cheer their thanks, and shout their well wishes and goodbyes to Vaayu.</p><p>But, Vaayu held his head high no longer. With every word he heard, he hid his face while the rest of his body trembled and swayed. The words were more a poison than a pleasure, and it ate away at him until they both walked so far that they could be heard no longer. Vaayu collapsed to his knees, and finally, he buried his head in his hands and sobbed, a sob that released that pain that he surely held for millennia.</p><p>"Tell me," Vatra asked as he took a seat on a nearby tree stump, "was that how it truly went?"</p><p>Vaayu only whimpered and shook his head. No, that was far from it.</p><p>"I, I, I ran away," Vaayu croaked. His voice grew so hoarse enough from crying that Vatra could barely hear it. "I was so scared, I left her body there and ran as far as I could. I, I never knew what became of her, of them all, after that. If I had stayed, perhaps maybe, I could have saved them!" With tears pooled at his knees, he added, "I fought for everyone else, but I couldn't even find the courage to protect my own home! I was even given the chance to save her again, and I still couldn't do it! I, I should be ashamed of myself, and yet—"</p><p>"And yet, you still found it within you to try and make up for your past decisions," Vatra interrupted. "I'd say you've atoned enough."</p><p>Vatra knelt beside Vaayu, who lifted himself from his crying spell, and turned to Vatra with the shaking vulnerability of a scared child. Vaayu wrapped his arms around Vatra's shoulders, and Vatra pushed them both off the ground. Vaayu leaned against Vatra, and Vatra hobbled them both down the beaten dirt paths while the road ahead changed.</p><p>The endless forests and dirt changed to trails of sand that led to a beach with sparkling waters which glistened under the sun. If there was a beach ahead, Vatra had a good feeling he knew who would be there. Well, if there was anyone here. The salty tinge of sea breeze came to him first, next the crashing of waves, but not of the natural ripples and waves of the waters.</p><p>No, these waves roared like lions as they crashed against the sands, and tossed pillars of the beach into the air. A deep voice bellowed with laughter among their cries as it burst through the waves' roars. It was a voice he knew all too well…</p><p>Vatra peeked his way around a skinny palm tree and smiled.</p><p>Sure enough, Dej laid on the beach, and sparred with the waves as though they were living beings. Simple, sea-stained white and blue robes clothed Dej's body, and on closer inspection, the material seemed slightly familiar. Lightweight and waterproof, was that perhaps from Vernalia?</p><p>"Alright, take five, everyone," Dej panted as he drew back, and the waves in turn settled before him. "I'd say that was a pretty good session for today!"</p><p>"I'd say you've found quite the lovely place to stay," Vaayu remarked as he broke from Vatra's grip at last. Vaayu's eyes sparkled as he wandered onto the beach. He paused a moment to feel the sand underneath him, and wandered back to the crystalline waters and verdant palm trees that danced in the breeze. "I haven't seen a beach quite this lovely in my entire life!"</p><p>Dej's weight shifted, yet that casual air didn't leave as he turned around a chuckled. "Yeah, this place is pre~tty nice, I'd say," he chuckled as he strode back up to Vaayu, and his smile faulted for a moment. "With the Arkeyans conquering everything in sight, it's been a lot harder to find places like this."</p><p>A glimpse of hesitation shone in Dej's eyes, and Vatra perked a brow. Perhaps he already started to realize the truth? Vatra's undead heart skipped a beat as he wondered. Perhaps this would be the perfect time to stoke his memories and get them all out of here?</p><p>"Which is why I've got get some surfing in before it's too late!"</p><p>Just like that, Dej was gone. With one flick of his hand, a surfboard of solid ice manifested in his arms, and off he went to coast ocean waves that buckled and rose as if they bent to his whims. Somehow, Vatra shouldn't have been surprised that this musclebrain was more concerned with his athletic pursuits than the mission at hand, and yet…</p><p>"There's just no reasoning with that man," Vaayu remarked as he crossed his arms. "I always said he had nothing but muscles for brains."</p><p>Vatra bit his tongue before he could reply, for something else caught his eye across the seas. He lifted handfuls of sand from the ground, heated them till they turned to scorching, malleable glass, molded the glass into the shape of a telescope, and absorbed the heat until it was as cool as ice. Vatra lifted the telescope to his eye, and his view fell on a ship sailing on the distant sees.</p><p>The ship that was too distant to make out anything more than the basics, but he could've sworn he caught glimpses of red and gold over the horizon. Arkeyans? His undead heart beat furiously at the thought, but as the ship came closer into view, it rested.</p><p>No, the ship itself was an ordinary pirate ship with a body of wood instead of the sleek, lightweight metals that made up Arkeyan cavalry. A black flag with a skull and crossbones on it fluttered in the wind with pride, the ship reeked of stale alcohol and saltwater (a smell disgusting enough that Vatra plugged his nose at the notion), and the rowdy cries of the ship's crew carried over the winds. The ship docked at the beach with a slow creak, and a rusty black anchor leaped over the dock as it plunged into the deep blue with a mighty splash.</p><p>"Land ho, boys!" cried a pirate captain who cackled with utter glee as pirates swung off the deck by what seemed like the dozen. "Now haul yer booties in gear—we've got booty to find!"</p><p>The pirates agreed with rousing cheers as they scrambled across the island, and Vatra teleported behind a rock as he hid away. With a wave of his hands, Vaayu and Dej teleported away from their spots as well and dropped behind him, all three now firmly hidden away from the prying eyes of the pirates. A good thing, too, for they absolutely were prying!</p><p>Seadogs, cephalomen, and all sorts of other species Vatra didn't quite recognize poured out by the dozen from the ship! Regardless of species, they all scrambled along the once-pristine sands of the beach. They upturned rocks, uprooted trees, and left no nook, cranny, or space untouched.</p><p>A few nearly grazed Vatra's hiding spot, and in that moment, he caught a glimpse of unyielding, lustful greed in their beady eyes. A horrific sight, that was. Vatra shuddered at the faint recollection, yet turned his gaze back to the fronts of the beach.</p><p>There, the ship bobbed and rocked as more pirates dismounted from its deck, but among them was a large whale that immediately caught Vatra's eye—and not just because of his size. This whale's blue skin shone underneath the sun like it was freshly wet. He seemed to not have a care in the world as he hunkered off, and sat down on the beach to fish instead.</p><p>"Could that be?" Vatra gasped.</p><p>He exchanged a choice glance with Vaayu, and Vaayu shared his sentiments as they glanced back at the whale in turn. Yes, that had to be Thumpback! There was no doubt about it! That however, begot the next question. Just how in Skylands were they supposed to catch his attention and stoke his memory with all these pirates running amuck?</p><p>Well, thankfully Vatra got the answer to that question as well.</p><p>A more decorated pirate dismounted from the boat soon, and barked out orders that couldn't be heard from Vatra's distance. Whatever those orders were, they were enough to send the pirates down the island in a massive, throbbing crowd that pulsed and shuddered like a heart. There was a moment of shouting and stampeding, but it fled as quickly as it came, and left only the peaceful sounds of moving waters and the caw of seabirds.</p><p>Vatra and Vaayu exchanged glances, took a peek around to be safe, and crept along the sands so that they drew closer and closer to the whale. The sound of low humming rumbled from the whale, and Vatra vaguely recognized the tune as a sea shanty Thumpback would occasionally hum around the base while he polished his beloved anchor. At that point, there was no doubt in Vatra's mind that this was him!</p><p>Vatra tried to raise his voice, but quickly skittered away as Thumpback's massive fishing pole drew back with a vibrant tropical fish latched to its hook. The rod swung wildly as the fish thrashed about, but Thumpback swiftly and carefully captured it in his grip. He fiddled with it for a few moments, and the fish dropped from the hook before it took wind and flew back into the ocean. Thumpback's fishing rod followed it in turn with a modest plunk back into the waves.</p><p>The waters stilled, and Vatra cleared his throat. "Hello?" he started, and when Thumpback gave him no response, he said again, "hello?"</p><p>Still nothing. Thumpback sat transfixed on the oceans before him, and laid still as a statue as he fished. The only motion came from whatever odd tropical fish happened to catch his line, and he in turn fished it out just to cast it back to sea with the odd ruminations on the species of whatever he caught.</p><p>"Hello? Excuse me?" Vaayu said as he waved his arms up and down in some faint hope of catching Thumpback's attention.</p><p>Thumpback cast a glance towards Vaayu. Vaayu immediately perked up, but Thumpback glanced back to the waves just as quickly as he glanced over, and transfixed on his fishing once again. So much for that. Vatra and Vaayu both sighed and shook their heads. If there was one thing Thumpback could get engrossed in more than anything, it was fishing.</p><p>"That guy seems pretty set on fishing out everything the ocean has to offer," Dej remarked with a whistle.</p><p>A sudden presence brushed against Vatra's back and chills ran up his spine. Dej appeared behind him, seemingly out of nowhere, and Vatra nearly jumped out of his ghostly skin from the surprise! Instead, he collected himself as Dej stretched and strode past him.</p><p>"Maybe if I messed with the ocean a little bit…"</p><p>Dej swirled his hands, and the ocean waves rattled and stirred like shaking teacups in the face of a mighty quake. The shadows and faint glimpses of fish underneath the waves shuddered and darted away as the waves leaped up and down.</p><p>Thumpback shuddered and clutched his rod a bit tighter. The rod quaked with the waves in his grip, and Thumpback's brow raised a bit. Was he finally willing to talk?</p><p>"Oh, looks like this is a big one!" Thumpback cried.</p><p>Well, he talked at least. Dej, Vatra, and Vaayu all scrambled away as Thumpback stumbled backwards. Thumpback's grip held so tightly on his fishing rod that it might've snapped in half were it of less durable material. With one mighty yank, he pulled what looked like a small Leviathan from the waters!</p><p>The Leviathan landed on the beach's grounds with a mighty slam that tossed the sands up around them all, and Thumpback chuckled as he basked in his catch.</p><p>"Well, you're not quite a Leviathan Cloud Crab, but you're still quite the catch," Thumpback said.</p><p>He went to move the fish back to the sea, but as he did—</p><p>"ESSEX! YA LOUSY OAF!"</p><p>— Vatra, Vaayu and Dej darted behind the Leviathan as the pirate captain stumbled into view. Still, not one of them resisted peeking their heads just above the Leviathan's still top to catch a glimpse of the scene.</p><p>The pirate captain glared down Thumpback with his one remaining eye. He held himself with such an imposing stature, despite the fact that Thumpback towered over him. He wagged a finger at Thumpback and a snarl formed on his face.</p><p>"Yer supposed to be lookin' for treasure, not fish!" the pirate captain cried.</p><p>"But fish are a treasure, Captain Frightbeard!" Thumpback proclaimed. His small eyes sparkled as he gestured to the ocean. "There's so many tropical fish here that you can't find anywhere else on Skylands! The Iridescent Flyfisher, the Galactic Spiral, and let's not forget the abundant population of—"</p><p>"Do ye think I give a rat's booty about FISH? If I wanted to get some fish, I could just yank some out of Davy Jones' Locker!" Captain Frightbeard kicked up the sand with a scoff and shot Thumpback one last glare. "If ye wish to not end up a castaway, stop fiddlin' around with that rod and look fer some actual treasure!"</p><p>"... I'll be there soon, Captain Frightbeard."</p><p>"Ye best keep that promise."</p><p>Captain Frightbeard departed with a scoff, and Thumpback scoffed in turn as he pushed the Leviathan back into the ocean. He knelt down and reached for his rod soon after, but his brows quickly perked as he finally caught sight of Vatra, Vaayu and Dej underneath him.</p><p>"Oh, locals! My bad, I didn't notice you!" Thumpback beamed and scratched his head. "Don't mind me. I'm just here for the fishing."</p><p>True to his word, Thumpback sat down and tossed his rod to sea once more.</p><p>Dej sat beside him. "We saw your little talk with your boss, you know," Dej remarked as he stretched his toned arms to the sky. "Seems to me like you care more for fishing than treasure hunting, for a pirate."</p><p>"Ah, that's true," Thumpback affirmed with not a hint of regret. "I only joined because I figured traveling across Skylands would give me plenty of extra fishing spots, but I didn't realize pirating was actually part of the job."</p><p><em>Ah, just like Thumpback.</em> Vatra thought as he crossed his arms. He always did think about fishing before he thought about anything else.</p><p>"Truth is, I've considered just dropping the pirate thing altogether. I don't have the eyes for treasure, and taking things from others just makes me feel bad, you know?"</p><p>Though Thumpback's voice was low as to not scare the fish, it did carry genuine remorse, and perhaps, an opportunity?</p><p>Vatra jumped in, and forced his best, most convincing grin as he glanced towards Thumpback. "You know, you don't have to stay a pirate if you don't want too! There's plenty of better ways to find good fishing spots in Skylands!"</p><p>"There are?"</p><p>Thumpback glanced down at Vatra, and Vatra took it as the prompt he needed.</p><p>"Of course! There's quite a few organizations that travel all across Skylands, and do far less morally questionable things than ransacking islands and stealing from the helpless. There's traveling fishing organizations, true, but also plenty of relief organizations, and perhaps, groups for fighting evil across Skylands?"</p><p>"Fighting evil across Skylands? That's a bit of a lofty pursuit," Dej whistled. He leaned in with an intrigued brow picked.</p><p>Vatra couldn't quite read Thumpback's expression, but he somewhat discerned a hint of curiosity from that glint, and Dej was interested as well! Perhaps he could kill two birds with one stone here.</p><p>"Of course!" Vatra steepled his hands and pressed them under his chin, as if he were a diplomat that proposed some intriguing plan. "I'm sure you're aware of the Arkeyans and all the trouble they've caused in Skylands recently, correct?"</p><p>"We've have spats with them here and there, yes," Thumpback said.</p><p>Dej groaned and crossed his arms. He said no words, yet his irritated expression showed all he needed to say.</p><p>"Well, there's plenty of rebellious sorts that dedicate themselves to fighting off Arkeyan influence before it corrupts all Skylands!"</p><p>Thumpback's brow raised further as his rod gave a slight tug.</p><p>"They've pledged themselves in the Ancients' good name to protect Skylands with the powers they hold…"</p><p>The rod tugged a few more times, and Thumpback steeled himself with a purse of his lips.</p><p>"Best yet, you'll travel all across Skylands to find all the fishing spots and training areas you desire, and keep them safe from Arkeyan corruption! I'm sure you'd be a shoo-in for a recruit with strength and size like yours, and all that experience training your mind and body can surely be put to use amid their ranks! You'd be recruited in a heartbeat! Why, you'd be up there with the Ancient Elementals in Skylands' memory if you did, I'm certain!"</p><p>Thumpback sputtered out as his rod continued to tug, and his expression wavered for a moment.</p><p>"I, I…"</p><p>Vatra eagerly nodded. "You accept?"</p><p>"I'VE GOT ANOTHER BIG ONE! HOLD ON!"</p><p>Thumpback's sudden shout cleared everyone out once more. A shadow cast over them as Thumpback pulled an adolescent Leviathan out from the oceans, and tossed it on the beach. The impact was so great that sand cascaded over them in a crashing wave, and Vatra found himself drowned in the results.</p><p>Vatra spat out sand as the waves conceded. Oh, he hated sand. It was all coarse, irritating stuff that got everywhere whether beings liked it or not, and he had half a mind to blow it away.</p><p>He didn't need to, for Thumpback tossed the Leviathan back into the ocean, and it left with a massive splash of water that washed the sand from Vatra's person.</p><p>"That sounds like something I'll have to think about, but for now, please be quiet," Thumpback remarked as he took his seat once more. "I think you're scaring the fish."</p><p>"But, don't you remember?" Vaayu sputtered in utter bafflement as he circled around Thumpback. "You're not some fishing pirate! You're Thumpback, one of the Elder Elementals! You're a heralded hero of Skylands and one of our strongest allies!" Vaayu glanced aside. "And perhaps one of our most stubborn as well."</p><p>"I think you have the wrong guy. I'm not some big hero or anything. I'm just an ordinary pirate, well, as ordinary as a giant whale could be, anyways."</p><p>Thumpback got a small chuckle out of this remark, but Vaayu didn't find it quite as funny. He pinched his brows, and trudged over to where Vatra stood as he huddled together with him. They exchanged a glance, one that said all the words that Vatra would soon utter.</p><p>"We need a new plan. This isn't getting us anywhere!"</p><p>"But, what?" Vaayu asked.</p><p>That was a good question. Vatra cast Thumpback a weary gaze, and then a similar one to Dej, who sat beside Thumpback and watched him fish with a small child's curiosity. Why did Vatra get the most stubborn members of the group, he had to wonder? Was this another divine punishment from the Ancients for denying his duty?</p><p>Vatra sighed and tried to rack his brain, but as he did, his ears pricked up. A whistling, or maybe shrieking sound came from the distance. Vatra quickly tackled Vaayu to the ground as a cutlass flew towards him like an Arkeyan's light bullets! The cutlass lodged itself in the ground and wiggled in place, but Vatra only barely glimpsed at it before he scanned the beaches for its owner.</p><p>"There's beings here after all!" cried a particularly hoarse voice.</p><p>Vatra lifted his gaze, and found the pirate crew gathered together with wide eyes, even wider snarls, and all sorts of weapons brandished. Cutlasses and pistols, crossbows and daggers, all the usual rife. He'd dealt with far worse.</p><p>"Me bets they're here to steal me treasure!" cried a kelp monster who wore an eyepatch and bandanna as it shuffled to the front.</p><p>"Don't ye mean our treasure?" a seadog beside it asked with a wary glance.</p><p>The kelp monster stopped shaking its fist to the sky, and furiously shook its head. "Never mind that! Make them walk the plank!"</p><p>The pirates all cheered in agreement and raced off in a flash! The sand kicked up underneath them as they brandished their weapons, and Vatra in turn raised fists that quickly ignited with crisp flames. The whoosh of wind sounded beside him as Vaayu lifted up and flew off, and Vatra in turn cast his flames!</p><p>The pirates raced for him, but as they did, the flames came for them! The fires latched onto their weapons first, next skin and clothes, and soon they found themselves screaming and flailing about like headless cockatrices!</p><p>The sands heated to a warm red underneath the pirates' feet as they cried for some relief. It seemed as though they were mostly finished when a massive downpour of water crashed down from the heavens, and completely drenched them! The sudden shower sent them off their balance for a few moments, but where did it come from? There wasn't a cloud in the sky!</p><p>A small chuckle and the sound of dripping water came from behind Vatra, and he turned around to find that Dej once again sneaked behind him. However, no longer was he of the living realm! His form turned ghostly once more while his pendant shone from its place on his neck, and his death outfit took its place on the rest of his body. He sneered and rubbed his nose before he strode up, and slapped a hand on Vatra's shoulder.</p><p>"That sure refreshed my memory!" Dej remarked. "Guess all I needed was a good fight!"</p><p>Ah, Dej and his muscles for brains. Vatra tsked and shot him a glare, but made not a word as he turned his hands on the disoriented pirates while they shook themselves dry. He could probably get a sneak attack in now! Vatra strode forward and shot out a disc of fire, and the winds around it grew violent as he did!</p><p>They howled and clawed at the world around as they fed into the disc of fire. The disc grew larger, stronger, and raged bright like the sun as it slammed into the ground! A ring of fire morphed from where the disc landed, and the pirates seemed trapped. They glanced for a moment, but a whistle sounded as a gigantic parrot descended from the heavens!</p><p>The parrot extinguished the flames with a flap of its wings, narrowed its gaze, and darted straight for Vatra and Dej! Its massive talons pinned them both to Thumpback's leg before they could react, and it cawed over them as if it lorded in its victory. Oh, Vatra never liked birds.</p><p>The parrot quirked a brow, and raised its wings as something crashed into the sands below: Vaayu! Vaayu groaned, and staggered up as the pirates surrounded them all.</p><p>Above Vatra, the gigantic parrot flew back up with another whistle, and a particularly decorated seadog staggered up.</p><p>"Ah, good old Polly! Ye can always count on her to get the job done~" he crooned.</p><p>Vatra winced, pressed himself closer to Thumpback's leg, and glanced back up at Thumpback. Despite all the chaos, Thumpback was still as stone! Well, if there was any time to try and get him back in his right mind, it would be now.</p><p>"Thumpback! Now would be the time to help out here!" Vatra cried, but to no avail.</p><p>Thumpback seemed completely transfixed on the waves still while the pirates closed in all around them. Ugh, of all the times for him to be absorbed in his fishing!</p><p>Vatra had half a mind to curse Thumpback out where he stood, but in his current position, Vatra's concern was more so towards the crowds of pirates that encircled him. He gulped as one pirate pressed a cutlass dangerously close to his neck, and then to his pendant.</p><p>"Say, that's a fine crystal yer little necklace's made of!" jeered the pirate. "I bet I could get some nice, shiny gold off of this!"</p><p>The cutlass made its way down the pendant's surface, and its tip gently lifted the wheel. A sudden dizziness came over Vatra as the wheel drew closer and closer to the pirate, and further and further from him. Spots danced in his vision as the string around it frayed.</p><p>Vatra gasped for air, for help, for anything—and the feeling stopped. A shadow cast over the ground in his dizzied moments, and a gigantic fish crashed onto the beach as it flattened the pirates where they stood! The cutlass fell to the ground with a helpless clang, and Vatra's consciousness came back soon afterwards.</p><p>A small chuckle arose up above, and Thumpback smiled as he got up. He tossed his latest catch back into the ocean with only an indent in the sand full of dizzy, sprained pirates as remnant of its existence. He gently pushed the pirates aside, and scowled as the sound of hurried running scuffled across the beach.</p><p>"Essex! What in Davy Jones' good name do ye think yer doin'?" Captain Frightbeard demanded as he shook a fist at Thumpback. "With the way yer actin', it's like ye want to get thrown off the ship!"</p><p>"I do, actually," Thumpback proclaimed. He cleared his throat, knelt down, and glared at Captain Frightbeard with a sort of tranquil anger not usually seen in his small eyes. "In fact, consider this my letter of resignation."</p><p>Thumpback drew back his claws, and shot Captain Frightbeard right into the oceans' waters with a single flick! Captain Frightbeard screamed and spat out all sorts of pirate insults as he splashed around in the ocean waves, but it was clear that he was far from an adept swimmer. He sank with every insult he spat and every splash he made. Soon, Captain Frightbeard disappeared under the bobbing waves, and his cries became nothing more than bubbles on the ocean's surface.</p><p>Thumpback chuckled a low, proud chuckle as he turned back to Vatra, Vaayu and Dej.</p><p>"I've always wanted to do that," Thumpback admitted. He scratched his head and knelt down with a smile. "Sorry for taking so long to get back to you. This place has some good fishing, and I just couldn't resist getting a few throws in."</p><p>Fishing? <em>That</em> was what Thumpback ignored them for? Vatra shouldn't have been surprised, yet he could only shake his head in disbelief. Beside him, Vaayu groaned and Dej sighed as he held his head. Similar sentiments shared, he supposed.</p><p>"Anyways, I'm sure you're probably itching to get off this place." Thumpback slung his anchor over his shoulder. With a grunt, he lifted himself and his gaze towards the pirate ship Frightbeard left behind. "I do believe we have more allies we need to find, don't we?"</p><p>"Indeed," Vatra replied.</p><p>Thumpback drew over to the steering wheel, fiddled with something at the helm, and set the drawbridge out once more. He glanced down as if offering for Vatra, Vaayu and Dej to hop aboard, but only for a moment as he fiddled with a few more ship mechanisms.</p><p>"Now, Captain Frightbeard actually had another place he wanted to stop at before this little detour, but I'm sure you wouldn't mind the trip. How does a trip to the Dinya Jîyan û Mirin sound?"</p><p>Dinya Jîyan û Mirin? That was Nemir's homeland, and surely where he'd currently be!</p><p>Vatra raced up the gangplank without a second thought, and Dej and Vaayu followed in similar thought. The two got themselves settled beside Vatra as the gangplank receded back into the ship.</p><p>With a rattle and a switch's flick, the ship's paddles drew into its body as well! Out from their vacant spots came sails that fluttered with the single breeze they caught, and the ship cast itself into the skies with a single stroke of those sails! The clouds burst as the ship tore through them, but soon, all became peaceful once more.</p><p>The skies dipped into their evening hues of pinks and orange, golds and reds, and the breezes settled along with the peace of the evening. After how hectic things were prior, the sudden calm was a welcome change for Vatra, who sat down and slunk against one of the stray barrels on the ship.</p><p>He would've drifted off for a small nap, but the ship jerked down and nearly tossed him off as soon as he did! He grappled for the railing as the winds carried him up, and slammed against the ship's deck as it finally settled. With a groan, he pushed himself up, and turned around to find Vaayu and Dej who recovered from their own collisions with groans and faces buried in hands.</p><p>"Here's our stop," Thumpback said as he flicked a switch and sent out the gangplank once more. "Sorry about the rough parking, by the way. It's been a while since I've steered something as fancy as this."</p><p>Vatra only groaned out an insult even he didn't recognize in his surge of pain. He stumbled off the drawbridge, and looked up as he touched solid ground at last. Lively conversation swelled in front of him, and the sound of others drew him towards the villages.</p><p>Though he'd just been to the Dinya Jîyan û Mirin, here it looked more like how Vatra remembered seeing it in scrolls and atlases. The buildings were striped in violets and silvers, and glowed with an eerie light that only grew brighter against the dying light of day. The faint smell of undead blooms wafted in the air. Perhaps what was most akin to his prior visions of it, however, was that both the living and dead mingled together as one!</p><p>A skeleton merchant traded idle chatter with an elf at their stand while some ghostly and corporeal children kicked an old ball down the streets. An aged molekin happily nuzzled another molekin's ghost on a bench. Near the end, plenty of living and dead alike crowded and cheered with glee as a certain figure dressed in colorful robes and a monarch's jewels passed through…</p><p>Nemir! He looked almost identical to how he did upon death, yet he almost seemed like a completely different person as he greeted the living and undead around him. The wear and tear of age was no longer present on his body; there was not a wrinkle on his face, or a streak of gray in his hair, and he carried himself with a lively step as he passed through. Yet, there was no denying that he still held the sort of eye-catching presence that royalty tended to carry as all eyes turned to him—Vatra's included.</p><p>"My liege! My liege!" cried a voice in the distance.</p><p>Vatra raised a brow as someone tall and dressed in ornamental robes swept through the streets with an urgent speed. He shook his head as the being came further into view.</p><p>There before him laid Ninjini! Her scarlet hair was dolled up in an elaborate hairstyle, and her usual attire traded off for regal purple robes in similar styles to that of what the village's other residents wore. The other villagers all gathered around her with worried looks and chatter as she cleared her throat.</p><p>"High Priestess Fatimah, what is the trouble?" Nemir asked as he turned to Ninjini.</p><p>"I've received a vision, and it's a grave one." Ninjini clasped her hands and pursed her lips as if she wasn't sure how to break the news, but gathered her breath. "You and I will soon depart from the lands to go on a grand journey, one that will take us far, far away from here. It's uncertain if we'll ever return home, or that we'll even live to be able to do so!"</p><p>The citizens around all gasped, and their cheers of joy turned to cries of worry and sorrow. Faint whispers of the king leaving and fear of what would become of the town reached Vatra's ears, but at his distance, he could barely make out the conversation. Vatra crept forward to try and get a better grip of the conversation, yet Nemir silenced the crowds with a single shush and a motion of his hands—truly a king's power.</p><p>"Fret not, everyone," Nemir proclaimed in an authoritative tone. "I know well what the vision means."</p><p>Nemir raised a brow and smiled as he turned his gaze to meet Vatra's. Vatra glanced away. He was uncertain as to whether or not Nemir truly looked at him, specifically, but when Nemir shifted through to crowds to join Vatra at his side, Vatra became well aware.</p><p>So, Vatra nodded and met Nemir's solemn glance with one of his own. Nemir cleared his throat as crowds gathered around him with worried eyes.</p><p>"It's true that I will have to depart, for Skylands needs my wisdom as much as you did, and the same is true of High Priestess Fatimah." Nemir's gaze faltered, but he picked himself back up with a smile. "Fret not. You have all grown splendidly under my watch, and I have no doubt that my advisors will be able to continue my work for me. The wisdom I've passed on to you, you must now pass on to the new generations in my steed. Most of all, however, keep each other safe, so that I can protect Skylands with an easy mind."</p><p>The crowds all broke in rousing cheers and sobs of joy, but Nemir quickly turned away and joined Vatra at his side. A chilling wind blew around him, and a swarm of ghosts circled around Nemir just to disappear as fast as they came. What was left behind was Nemir, the true Nemir, with his ghostly form and looks aged by all the bloodshed and war he saw. He sighed as he toyed with his pendant, but nonetheless swept down the streets in a way that implied he wanted Vatra to follow.</p><p>"Your subjects seem to hold you in high regard," Vatra remarked as they strode down. "I'm sure you were a fine ruler."</p><p>"It's nothing to brag about. I merely did what was best for them," Nemir replied. He laid down his pendant, and both his eyes and his crown seemed a little duller. "I just hope they'll be happy in the time I'm gone. After all, I wasn't able to protect them back then."</p><p>It was strange to hear Nemir talk about these illusions of subjects as if they were of reality, but Vatra nodded and continued. If it helped Nemir cope with the loss, Vatra supposed it was something he could entertain.</p><p>Not that he had to entertain it much, for they quickly arrived to where Thumpback parked. Ninjini already changed back into her regular attire and teleported there. She stood enthralled in riveting conversation with the others when Nemir and Vatra caught her eyes. She waved them over, and Vatra shared with her a nod as they all boarded the ship and set sail.</p><p align="center">§</p><p>Nobody in the village once parted from their everyday activities despite the bright flash of purple light that appeared. It was almost as if they didn't notice it at all, as a matter of fact! No eyelashes batted and no words spoke, even as the light grew brighter before it formed into the silhouettes of Tree Rex, Crusher, and Hot Head, who landed in the village with a thud.</p><p>"So, this is where we're supposed to regroup?" 'Enehana asked as they slid off of Crusher's shoulder and levitated down.</p><p>"Yes, indeed," Sihiri added as she floated down from Tree Rex's palm. "This is my home village" — Sihiri frowned and clutched her skirts as she landed on the ground — "or, at least, I suppose it's an estimation of what it was once like."</p><p>"Charmin' little place!" Jorden chirped as he landed beside 'Enehana. He crossed his arms and whistled as he examined a spear with a violet jade tip that rested to a building's side, but soon grinned as his eyes fell on other weapons adorned with jewelry. Typical Jorden, always one to get distracted by the rocks.</p><p>"It really is," Inochi said as she floated down beside Sihiri. She slipped her arm close, and intertwined it with Sihiri's own arm as she leaned closer. "I could see myself settling down and starting a nice garden here with you."</p><p>Sihiri chuckled as she leaned her head closer to Inochi's. "Funny, I had the very same thought."</p><p>Sihiri trailed off. It was true that she always dreamed of bringing Inochi back home with her after the war, settling down with her wife, and introducing her to all her friends and family—but, she knew she couldn't do that. She didn't even know if her village was still around anymore, and even if it was, the time changed so much.</p><p>There was no doubt in her mind that everyone she once knew was long gone, and everything there would have radically changed beyond what she knew. To think, this illusory world was all that remained of her home, the place where she spent her youth playing in the rivers and running around with the other children. Sihiri wanted to cry again, but before she could, a hand soft like a rose petal brushed against her shoulder.</p><p>"I wonder if the others are back yet," Inochi wondered out loud as she gazed up at the clear sky. "I do hope they're alright, wherever they are."</p><p>Yes, Sihiri had to wonder that as well. She glanced up at the clear blue sky, but as she did, its bright colors turned dark while an airship passed right over her! Something leaped out from the side, and she pulled herself and Inochi back as that thing landed right in the heart of the village and quaked the earth!</p><p>"Sorry for the wait, everyone!" Luz shouted as he turned Sihiri's eyes to the skies once more. "Did you miss us?"</p><p>The airship passed right as Luz finished talking, and unveiled that sure enough, Luz stood right underneath with Bouncer, Swarm, Eye-Brawl, and Fintster all gathered around him! They mostly looked no worse for wear than before, save for Swarm, who was covered in bruises and a few burns while his wings and antennae stood crooked. Just what happened to him while they were gone?</p><p>"Luz, there you are!" Sihiri called as she floated over. "Are you alright?"</p><p>"Right as sunlight!" Luz proclaimed as he stretched his arms to the sky. "We had a couple little bumps in the road, but everything's alright now!"</p><p>"I beg to differ," Swarm grumbled behind Luz as he attempted to straighten out an antenna. "I didn't know sports could be that extreme. My wings still hurt…"</p><p>Inochi chuckled, floated up to Swarm, and laid a hand on his leg as she reached the closest. The green light that sparkled around her flared its brightest, crawled up her body and across Swarm's leg, and finally his body as well! The bumps and bruises all flattened themselves back into his carapace as the light crawled, and his injuries disappeared with one last flash!</p><p>Sihiri's eyes drifted to the harbors in the distance as ships came and left like the wind. She recognized a few of the boats that docked and sailed off, but amid them, she thought she saw something like a pirate ship! What would pirates be doing here?</p><p>She narrowed her eyes and glared it down, yet she didn't need to for long. A purple glow much larger than the one she made manifested right before her! Sihiri strayed back a little as the glow spread around them.</p><p>The glow faded with a pop and a strong torrent of purple sparkles, and unveiled none other than Ninjini! A wide smile stretched across her face as Thumpback flanked her side, while below her, Vatra, Vaayu, Dej, and Nemir all crowded around their feet (or, well, lack thereof in Ninjini's case, but nonetheless).</p><p>"We're back, everyone!" Vatra panted as he wiped sweat from his brow. "Is that all of us?"</p><p>Sihiri did a quick glance around, counted the heads around her and nodded. "It should be," she replied. "So, that begets our next step…"</p><p>"Figuring out how to get out of this place," Luz finished for her as he stepped up.</p><p>Well, that was easier said than done. After all, the Oracle didn't tell them a thing about the trial to begin with, much less how to make their way out! Just what exactly were they supposed to do to make it out of here? That seemed to be the question on everyone's minds as they mused with hands to their chins, flames flickered, and eyes sparked.</p><p>"Well, maybe we just have to think our way out?" Ninjini suggested. "After all, this is a magical illusion, so perhaps it's sustained by our belief in it!"</p><p>Sihiri hummed and stroked her chin. "Well, this world seems to change based on our wishes and desires. After all, it led us all to each other because we desired it, so maybe, if we desire to leave, it'll let us out!"</p><p>"So we just have to think really hard about leaving this place?" Luz remarked, before he crossed his arms and beamed. "Alright, I can do that!"</p><p>A few small hums came from their group as they thought their hardest about home. No, they couldn't really call the present-day Skylands their true home, could they?</p><p>Whenever Sihiri thought about it, all she thought about was <em>her</em> time, the one she so desperately longed to returned to, but she couldn't return there, and that regret wouldn't break her free of this trial. So, Sihiri pushed her longings to the side.</p><p>She envisioned the Oracle's home in the present day, from the marbled blues and golds to the somewhat chilling feeling that ran down her spine with every step she took in the presence of such a powerful being. She could so clearly taste the clean, crisp air with a hint of something sweet on her tongue, and feel the cool flooring underneath her feet…</p><p>The chills overtook her and she opened her eyes, but, what she found was nothing new. She was still stuck in her village! A light breeze passed her and the others by. The confused looks they held, and the murmurs that came from them showed they were just as befuddled as she was.</p><p>"I suppose just willing our way out isn't going to work," Vatra spoke at last as he crossed his arms. "What next?"</p><p>Vatra tapped his feet against the soft earth and heated it with his footsteps. Around him, the rest of her group muttered thoughts under their breath and racked their own brains.</p><p>Sihiri, for her part, just glimpsed over the familiar pathways of her childhood village. She resisted the longing tugs at her heart to run around and catch up with her friends, her family, and even the neighbors she barely knew out of passing. The regrets ate away at her, but she bit back the urge to run off and immerse herself in the illusion—wait, that was it! Surely, that had to be it!</p><p>"I think I might know what we need to do!" Sihiri cried at last. She cleared her throat as the others raised their brows and directed their gazes at her. "This realm recreates our pasts, and gave us to chance to lead the lives we never had and fix our regrets, correct? Surely to escape it, all we'd have to do is let go of that baggage, or at least, convince it we have."</p><p>"Well, worth a shot," Dej remarked as he shrugged his shoulders. "Personally, I'd say I'm pretty regret-free."</p><p>The others mumbled in agreement, some more enthusiastically than others, and Sihiri eagerly glanced around. No, they still remained stuck in the village with no sight of change to be seen, something that caused all faces to fall.</p><p>"It doesn't seem like that worked, either," Vatra said.</p><p>"But, why?" Sihiri whispered.</p><p>She didn't understand. Surely they'd all taken this time to remedy their ills, to fix their regrets, to see the ones they loved one last time before the crushing weight of the present day called them back to reality.</p><p>She knew that while these pains and heartaches couldn't be fixed in a day, surely at least regaining their memories would convince this strange trial that they were fine! It should convince them to send them back to the present day, where they were no more real than the tall fables braggers told, where they were forgotten along with everything they knew, and all they once loved became mere writing in parchment…</p><p><em>Oh</em>.</p><p>It seemed as though one of them had a harder time letting go: Sihiri herself.</p><p>She, she knew she couldn't stay here, that it was all little more than an illusion, and none of this was truly part of the place she called her home. Even though it was all fake, a part of her just didn't want to say goodbye, not yet! There was so much to do, so many people she wanted to talk to one more time, so many places she so desperately wanted to see!</p><p>Skylands couldn't wait forever, though Arkilles was surely finding some way to Arkus for every moment she spent here. Still, what good was there fighting for a world she knew she could never call home the way she used too?</p><p>Sihiri bit her lip. No, that was just selfishness talking! Even if the Skylands she found herself in now was hardly the place she called home, it still needed protection from the Arkeyans. She vowed to protect all from the Arkeyans' tyranny no matter what, and she was by no means going to rescind that vow.</p><p>So, she just had to push aside her doubts…</p><p>"MONSTER!"</p><p>A shrill cry over the horizon shattered Sihiri's concentration, and the fierce shaking of the ground underneath her took her balance next. She fell to her knees and collapsed entirely as her whole body shuddered so fiercely. A few of her old friends passed her by with panicked looks, and she tried to reach out—but they were in such a panic that they didn't even notice her! Sadiq came by next, and that was enough to get her to shout…</p><p>"What's happening?"</p><p>That one cry of hers caught Sadiq's attention, and he paused his panic to help her off the ground.</p><p>"Sihiri, what are you doing?" he demanded. "You need to flee! There's a monster attacking the village!"</p><p>"A monster?" What kind of monster?"</p><p>"That kind!"</p><p>Sadiq pointed over the horizon, and Sihiri gasped at the sight. The birds cawed and flew off in a frightful fit as a giant silhouette of vaguely humanoid shape cast itself over the village.</p><p>The silhouette stepped into the light to reveal a massive, metallic body of red and gold paint! Its eyes glowed with malevolence even under the bright sun, and it raised its fists as its metal body creaked with wear. In spite of said wear, it bore an air of malice as it rang with metallic cries. There was no doubt about it! An Arkeyan Conquertron came to the village!</p><p>"But, how? Why?" Sihiri gasped. "What would the Arkeyans want with this place?"</p><p>"The same thing they always want!" Vatra spat out. Sihiri assumed she'd spoken too softly for him to hear, but she supposed not. "New stomping grounds or resources!"</p><p>A screeching noise raised in the air as Sihiri covered her ears, yet, the action hardly muffled the noise. The screeching dulled as visions of blood flashed in the Conquerton's glass eyes, and it raised to its highest as its footsteps shook the ground below.</p><p>"I have arrived on the behalf of the illustrious Emperor-King Arkilles!" the Conquertron bellowed. Its robotic voice boomed so loud that houses, trees, and statues shuddered in its wake. "He has graciously decided to bless your village with the opportunity to join our growing kingdom! Thus, we request your immediate and unconditional surrender to the glory of the Arkeyan Empire!"</p><p>Those words twisted and turned in Sihiri's stomach with a sickening kind of anger, but the sudden arrival of the Conquertron put her so on-edge that she could barely move. She only stood and watched as people fled.</p><p>Warriors raced through the fleeing crowds, and cried calls to battle as they flung themselves at the Conquertron. Those weapons the warriors held would do nothing against a Conquertron, much less one of the stature that stood before them!</p><p>Sihiri couldn't bring herself to warn them. Something (fear? Shock?) took control of her body, and she only watched in horror as the warriors futilely slashed, slammed, and flung themselves against the Conquertron as it stood motionless with not an injury sustained.</p><p>The Conquertron creaked as it lowered its hand, and it sent the warriors flying like they were little more than pesky bugs with a single swipe! Screams barely rose over the raging roars of the wind as they crashed by Sihiri's feet with bloody cuts and dented armor.</p><p>One woman in particular fell by Sihiri with a body covered in gashes and a helmet dented in. She cried out as her javelin rolled from her hands, yet all she could do was clutch her bruised body. This single sight rallied Sihiri from her nerves, and she immediately rushed down and helped the woman back to her feet.</p><p>The woman still shuddered and bit her lip as she leaned into Sihiri's grip, but not for long. Inochi rushed to the woman's side, and laid her hands on the woman's injuries. The cuts healed themselves so quickly that it was as if they never existed in the first place, and the trembling stopped enough that the woman managed to stand on her own.</p><p>"I, I've never seen such a machine before," the woman gasped. Her eyes fell on the Conquertron as it rampaged and shook off attacks with not even a thought paid. "What kind of demon is that?"</p><p>"Not a demon," Sihiri said at last as her hand formed a fist without her thinking. "An Arkeyan."</p><p>"An, Arkeyan?"</p><p>The woman pursed her lips, and her eyes wandered as she ran this new word in her mind. She knelt down, gripped her javelin once more, and a certain fire burned in her eyes as she pushed herself back to full stance.</p><p>"Whatever these Arkeyans may be, I will not allow them to devastate our homeland!"</p><p>The woman let out a cry of war as she raced for the Conquertron with her javelin raised, but Sihiri grabbed her by the shoulder before she could run further. The woman stopped, shook off the initial surprise, and thrust against Sihiri's grip in a fight to move forward, yet Sihiri refused to let her go.</p><p>"Your weapons won't do anything against something of that stature!" Sihiri proclaimed. "Just look at how your allies are faring!"</p><p>More soldiers collapsed before them as the Conquertron struck another blow. A few bodies rolled across the ground at such a speed that they were akin to rag dolls that fluttered and bounced as children tossed them in the air for simple amusement. Another soldier indented the ground nearby. When the dust cleared, he gasped for air as his bloodied, bruised body laid half-dead in the crater he formed. He cried out something (a name? A plea? A wish?) and then, he fell limp as the dented club in his hands fell beside him.</p><p>"You need to leave!" Sihiri proclaimed.</p><p>"But if I don't fight, if, if WE don't fight, then who will?"</p><p>It was not the woman's question that pierced Sihiri's heart, but the fearful look in her eyes that Sihiri understood all too well. It was one that haunted her every time she saw her own reflection, one of vulnerability and resignation alike—and it was a look that twisted her stomach in knots. Sihiri froze, but a gentle, soft hand brushed against hers, and that frozen spell thawed.</p><p>"<em>We</em> will."</p><p>The woman stared at Sihiri like she grew an extra head, and truthfully, Sihiri couldn't blame her. The people of her home never knew her as anything other than a girl with a gift for magic beyond most of her peers, but never one to take up the mantle and fight for her own…</p><p>Now, however? She was a warrior, a leader, and most importantly, she was far from alone.</p><p>"Tree Rex!" Sihiri called. She craned her head to meet his face, and then to meet the rest of her group. "Everyone, to my side!"</p><p>They all formed in a quick huddle. The Elder Elementals towered over the rest almost as living shields, and Sihiri pushed herself into the center.</p><p>"'Enehana, do you recognize what kind of model that Conquertron is?" was the first thing Sihiri asked.</p><p>'Enehana cast a glance behind their group and turned back without a moment of hesitation. "Mark 12.5," they spat out. "They're sturdy for a model of that generation, but they sap up a lot of energy compared to the newer ones. Run them for too long, and they completely break down!"</p><p>"Just what I wanted to hear."</p><p>Sihiri turned her attention back to the group, and they all curled together as they spoke of a plan in hushed whispers. A warmth bubbled in Sihiri's chest as the plan finalized itself with ease, and everyone broke away with a shared understanding in their eyes. The world shook around them as the armies cried out and fought a losing battle while the Conquertron shook the world around them, but, Sihiri would not be swayed. and neither would her allies.</p><p>Instead, they broke into their groups one by one, and the world thundered underneath them as the Elder Elementals raced into action!</p><p>Inochi left Sihiri's side to tend to the wounded, and Sihiri joined her post-haste. One by one, they rushed to the injured and lifted them up as Inochi healed them; Sihiri brought them back to their feet while the vernal glows of Inochi's magic brushed against the warriors' skin.</p><p>"You need to go," Sihiri insisted as she pushed one soldier back to his feet. "The safe houses should be close by. Just let us handle things from here!"</p><p>The soldier turned to Sihiri as if he wanted to protest, but Tree Rex's towering shadow eclipsed them all. The soldier merely nodded in slight awe at the sight, and t off to the safe houses. He took only a moment to lean one of his less sturdy allies against his own body for support. Their figures disappeared into the distance as the other healed soldiers made their ways to safety, almost like specks of light that vanished as quickly as one saw them.</p><p>A small laugh rumbled from above as Tree Rex watched them leave, and he turned back to where Ninjini hovered beside him. The two raised their hands. A flood of green and purple light burst out from their palms, intertwined, and formed into a barrier of glowing, tightly-woven vines that wrapped itself around the village as a wall between it and the Conquertron.</p><p>Now, the village would surely be safe, so Sihiri nodded and followed Inochi to the safe houses.</p><p align="center">§</p><p>The Conquertron fumbled as the vines nearly caught its foot. A confused string of mechanical noises uttered from its mouth as it latched onto the vines and tugged at them. Despite its mighty stature, its attempts to tear the barrier were futile. No matter how much it pulled and tugged at the vines, the vines stayed firm with no fraying, and bounced back with every push and pull made against them. The Conquertron's eyes glowed with rage, or perhaps the charge of a laser beam…</p><p>"Hey, tin can!"</p><p>A string of stingers and mechanical bullets sniped the Conquertron in the back of its head, and its body groaned as it turned to find Swarm and Bouncer behind it. Luz and Fintster sat on their shoulders as they all sneered, and Swarm's stingers glowed with light as blue as the skies as he locked and prepared to load.</p><p>The Conquertron said not a word, and instead lumbered for them; its body slowed and creaked with every labored step it took, but it quickly picked up the pace as it slugged a punch towards Swarm. Swarm zipped out of the way. His sneer grew wider as the Conquertron labored just to draw its arm back.</p><p>"Gotta be faster than that if you wanna hit me!" Swarm chirped. His wings hummed with a sort of excitement he only held in battle as he zipped back away. "Now, catch me if you can!"</p><p>Swarm's childish jeers were enough to earn the Conquertron's ire, for its eyes flashed red and it creaked after him in long strides. Blades of grass leaped from the earth as the Conquertron closed in on Swarm just enough to throw another punch—but Bouncer swept in and took the brunt of the blow! His metal arms creaked and dented just slightly under the weight, but the pain was far from enough to shake him.</p><p>He tossed back the strike and seared the Conquertron's chest with bright, burning lasers. Heat burned from the Conquertron's chest in a red blaze, and it clumsily stumbled away just to break free. For a moment, it turned to Bouncer…</p><p>"Forgetting someone?"</p><p>Swarm chuckled as he zipped right behind the Conquertron, and it turned its punch at him instead! Swarm zipped right away before the blow could connect, and all the Conquertron punched was thin air. It craned its head to find Swarm, but Bouncer zoomed in front of it and it changed gears!</p><p>Now, both Bouncer and Swarm circled around the Conquertron, and their combined speed created a buzz that rung in the Conquertron's sensors. Its head spun in its socket as it tried to determine which of the two to aim for, or how to track them when they all moved so fast. Sparks burst from its neck's openings, and its body groaned as its eyes started to flare.</p><p>Before it could strike, two orbs—one of solid, blazing light, another of churning darkness—smashed into both sides of its head! The Conquertron let out a noise like a rattling bell as it stumbled back. The light in its eyes faded as it collapsed on its knees with such force that it tossed nearby plant life out of their roots.</p><p>The impact shook Luz and Fintster back to form, and the two shared nods with Swarm and Bouncer. The four cornered the Conquertron at every angle, and one by one, launched a massive onslaught! Swarm launched blast after blast of concentrated air and lightning, Bouncer shot fleets of rockets from his shoulders, and Luz and Fintster circled around the Conquertron as they shot off blast after blast of light and shadow alike!</p><p>The attacks beat upon the Conquertron with no relenting, and its body creaked and dented underneath the battle's blows. Yet, the Conquertron barely flinched! Its eyes glowed once again as it shot a particularly fiery laser at just an angle between Luz and Swarm that they broke their formation to dash away.</p><p>The sudden stop shook Bouncer and Fintster's concentration as well, and the Conquertron took the moment of weakness with gusto. It swiveled its head around, and fired off another laser towards Bouncer, who snatched Fintster from the skies and dashed away as the laser pierced a distant cloud instead.</p><p>The Conquertron rose back to full height, and bounded in earth-shattering leaps towards Swarm. It wound up its arm as it ran, and launched a punch straight into Swarm's gut just as Swarm turned around! The blow sent Swarm flying and tumbling. He came to a stop a short distance later, and held his gut as he sucked the air he lost back in. A shadow cast over Swarm, and he winced as the Conquertron loomed over him with another blow aimed straight for the cranium.</p><p>"Watch it, buddy!" Bouncer cried as he swung in and punched the Conquertron in the knees.</p><p>The blow was barely anything to the Conquertron's solid metal carapace, but it threw the Conquertron off its balance long enough. Bouncer swept Swarm back on his feet and fled with him in tow. The two managed a safe enough distance from the Conquertron, and Swarm wheezed as he clung to Bouncer's body like a crutch.</p><p>"We almost had that hunk of junk, too!" Swarm gasped. He gritted his teeth as his wings buzzed with anger. "Just what's taking the others?"</p><p>"That's what we'd like to know!" Luz proclaimed as he and Fintster flew back up in bright streaks of light and murky clouds of darkness. The two shed their disguises with a <em>POP</em>, and Luz winced as he glanced back at the Conquertron. "It sure it tough for an old model!"</p><p>The Conquertron lurched up. It turned around as if it would make pursuit once more, lifted its leg high, and slammed down into the ground so that the earth cracked underfoot. Another seismic stomp widened the cracks, and the Conquertron launched into a full-blown seismic tantrum! The ground shuddered and cracked further as the Conquertron stomped, but not just that, either!</p><p>Bouncer's gears rattled in his head as the shakes shook him to his core. Swarm collapsed as the quakes loosened his grip. The shaking broke Luz and Fintster's concentration next, and the two screamed as they fell right towards a particularly large crack into the island's core!</p><p>Bouncer regained control, caught Luz and Fintster before they fell in, and shook his head. "Seismic mode, activate!" Bouncer cried.</p><p>His eyes flashed in a few bright beeps, and his body stabilized enough as he leapt off and zoomed across the land. Pebbles from the cracking, shaking earth flung themselves against his metallic body, but Bouncer grit his metal teeth and kept Luz and Fintster close to his core as he zipped around the ground.</p><p>The cracks opened further with another mighty stomp, and tossed Bouncer into the air, but he popped a jetpack out of his back as he zapped across the fields. His optics fixed on the Conquertron as he came in for a landing, and he zig-zagged across the land while he dodged cracks and fissures of all sizes.</p><p>"Bouncer, Bouncer! Wait!" Swarm panted as he tried to fly behind. He clutched the stomach, winced as his flying turned shaky and uneven, and careened one way and the next as he attempted to follow Bouncer's path.</p><p>Bouncer didn't hear. Instead, his optics zeroed in as he prepared another laser blast for the seemingly-unsuspecting Conquertron. The Conquertron, however, craned its head over first and sent another mighty stomp down! It cracked the earth in a jagged shape down Bouncer's path. The sudden shake tossed Bouncer from his focus and the ground, and Luz and Fintster slipped from his grip!</p><p>The two tried to regain their focus enough to fly off, but they didn't need to. Swarm zipped in, and despite his uneven flying, snatched Luz and Fintster out of the air as he zoomed off! Swarm chuckled to himself, but before he could make whatever smart remark he planned, a screech hit the air!</p><p>Swarm ducked down as a searing white laser narrowly grazed his head. "Dude, watch the antennae!" Swarm sniped as he glared back at the Conquertron.</p><p>The Conquertron did not regard Swarm's plea for his antennae with the same grace. Instead, it shot round after round of lasers in every direction Swarm fled, and even some he didn't! It seemed like it anticipated his every move, for though its barrages grew slower by the second, their size more than made up for the lack of speed.</p><p>"Surrender now, Elder Elemental!" the Conquertron cried. "You have violated more laws of the Arkeyan Empire than can be counted! Your insurmountable crimes have earned the ire of the Arkeyan Empire!"</p><p>"Good!" Swarm bit back. "Add another one to that list while you're at it! I'm never giving in, and neither are my buddies! As long as we stand, we'll never let you conquer this place, or anywhere else in Skylands!"</p><p>Swarm gritted his teeth when a sudden blast hit his wings, yet yowled as he finally lost air. He clutched Luz and Fintster close to his chest as he slammed back-first against the ground. He leaped off, but tumbled in large strides towards a massive fissure that nearly split the island in two!</p><p>With no control over his path, Swarm screwed his eyes shut and braced himself for a nasty fall—that never happened.</p><p>The ground sealed itself shut just as he landed. He laid still on solid ground, but his wings surged with renewed pain from their burns. Swarm blinked, pushed himself off the ground, and let Luz and Fintster slip from his hands as he turned around.</p><p>"Wait, what happened? I was sure I was gonna find the bottom of Skylands just a second ago!"</p><p>The air chilled around Swarm as a firm, milky mist crept in, and he shuddered as he turned around and tried to make some sense of the sudden change in weather. His wings fluttered as the cold chilled their laser burns. They regained their strength enough for him to blow a breeze that cleared a path through the mist and straight to the Conquertron.</p><p>The Conquertron seemed just as baffled as Swarm was. Its whole body creaked and cracked as it moved this way and that, but the mist was so thick that it could barely make heads or tails of its surroundings! More than that, the mist made sure the Conquertron could barely stand its ground, either! Its clouds seeped into the Conquertron's joints and cracked them like frail ice. Those cracks spread to its now-rusted carapace and its cracking eyes.</p><p>"Whoever caused this unorthodox change in weather, show yourself immediately!" the Conquertron cried, though its voice grew warped and crackled from the damage to its system. "You are committing unauthorized assault of an Arkeyan official!"</p><p>The Conquertron slugged a punch into the mist, but the mist parted and revealed that all it hit was a gigantic block of ice! The ice block shattered and splintered from the impact, and the spears of ice stabbed right into the Conquertron's body! A metallic yelp echoed from the Conquertron. It scratched at the spears and tried to yank them out, but they were stubborn and transfixed to their places; even the mightiest pull it could manage barely dislodged them!</p><p>"Hey there, buddy!" cried a familiar, rumbling voice. "You look a little chilly there! Need someone to turn up the heat?"</p><p>The Conquertron's head creaked as it turned around, and a voluminous flamethrower burst out of the clouds as it blew the Conquertron back!</p><p>Swarm gasped as the flames engulfed the Conquertron until only the faint silhouette of its body emerged from the fires. The familiar whir of Bouncer's wheel pricked his ears as he did. He turned his gaze just slightly, and found Bouncer beside him with a confident smile, as if he never doubted for a second that their not-so-mysterious rescuers would arrive.</p><p>The mist thinned enough to split as Crusher and Brawl stumbled over and helped Swarm back to his feet. The mist fully cleared by the time he reached full height, the sun shone once more, and just in time, too! The action finally started!</p><p>The screeching, ear-bleeding sound of ripping metal rang out across the island as Thumpback jumped out and beheaded the Conquertron's mangled body with his anchor. The head flew far, far into the distance with a single swing of that anchor.</p><p>A faint denting sound served as the others' alarm, and they all swarmed out in a fury!</p><p>Crusher bolted from Swarm's side with a hand tight around his hammer. With a grunt, he slammed it into the ground, and tossed slabs of fissured earth into the air! He slammed them into the Conquertron's body with another swing of his hammer. One by one, they lodged into the Conquertron's melted joints, and pried out its limbs so that they barely hung on!</p><p>Vatra and Vaayu emerged from the dust and chaos next. Vatra burned away the Conquertron's left arm, and Vaayu used his winds to fuel the fire. Nemir leaped up beside them as he corroded the right arm's joint until it was so weak and rusted that a single punch from Jorden knocked it down to the ground. At the bottom, Dej froze over the leg joints as he stepped back with a proud grin.</p><p>Brawl and Eye jumped into the scene next. One leg laid smashed to bits by Brawl while another melted away under Eye's laser-hot glare.</p><p>With no limbs to support it, the Conquertron's body creaked down like a falling tree. A red flame burned from its melted body, all while a beeping or ticking like that of a bomb sounded! The noise quickly quelled as 'Enehana emerged and laid a hand on the Conquertron's side.</p><p>The red tint to its scarred, burned body faded as it fell over. A wooden hand punched through its back before it hit the ground, and yanked a glowing power core from its insides. It tossed the power core in the air as a string of blades skewered the core until it was nothing but metallic ribbons and torn wiring!</p><p>Tree Rex and Ninjini smiled as the Conquertron collapsed before them with a thud. The Conquertron and all its carnage disappeared with a snap of Ninjini's fingers. The land was still torn up from the battle, all fallen plant life and faint cracks in the earth, but it was at least a little nicer without all that ugly metallic gore.</p><p>"The village is safe," was the first thing Tree Rex said as the others crowded around him. "Sihiri and Inochi are tending to the wounded as we speak."</p><p>Tree Rex made his way back to the village, and the others followed suit. As they passed through a shimmering barrier, they all craned their heads around in a bit of shock and wonder. Despite the massive battle that once raged outside, the village itself was perfectly unscathed saved for the few remnants of the Conquertron's initial ambush!</p><p>Children scurried out from their hiding places and gasped in awe as the Elder Elements passed them by. Their parents joined in a kind of quiet reverence. Soft gossip and gasps of surprise wafted in the airs, but nobody from their team particularly cared to notice.</p><p>Instead, Tree Rex guided them all to a particularly large and round building, knelt down and peered inside.</p><p>"I'm telling you, you're too injured!" Sihiri protested as she and Inochi held back a particularly passionate young warrior covered in bandages in most places. "You can barely even stand, let alone walk! You're in no shape to fight!"</p><p>"But I have to!" the warrior protested. "If I don't, that, that thing—"</p><p>"Is no longer a threat to you," Tree Rex interrupted. All eyes inside turned to him and he smiled. "We made sure that the Conquertron won't touch your village again."</p><p>"So it's gone?" Inochi asked as she passed by with a bowl of poultice in her hands.</p><p>"I personally made sure it was no more than scrap metal."</p><p>The warrior in Sihiri's grip slunk down with a gasp, and Sihiri took that as her sign to take him back to his bed while Inochi moved away. With them gone, they unveiled an entire stretch of beds where injured soldiers laid and rested, most injured, but thankfully, they all seemed to be alive and breathing.</p><p>Tree Rex drew himself back from the makeshift hospital as the others left to clean up the wreckage, but he didn't stay lonely long. Sihiri and Inochi joined him outside, and not just them. The villagers all withdrew from their hiding spots and crowded around Tree Rex, some with worry and some with amazement.</p><p>"Is it true? Is that metal beast gone?" one young girl gasped.</p><p>"Indeed, little one," Tree Rex affirmed.</p><p>He sat down, and crossed his legs as he recounted the tale of the Conquertron's destruction. The children amid the crowd watched with sparkles in their eyes and awestruck smiles, while the adults clutched their hearts or held their heads in sheer wonder or bafflement at everything that just happened</p><p>It was a sight that he often saw in smaller places that never brushed against Arkeyan conquest before, and yet, the sheer shock never failed to amaze him. Tree Rex's tale ended to rousing applause and cheers, but he only smiled and nodded as he glanced back down at Sihiri.</p><p>Now, she was joined by a few folks a bit older than her with similar looks to her own. Family or friends, perhaps?</p><p>"So this whole time, you were protecting us from those Arkeyans?" one woman gasped. When Sihiri nodded to affirm this, the woman gasped and wrapped Sihiri in a tight hug. "Oh, Sihiri, you're so brave! To think, the girl I'd walked around the village would have grown up to be such a courageous leader."</p><p>"It seems the roles have reversed, little sister," chirped Sadiq as he laid a hand on Sihiri's shoulder, "for now you're the one protecting us."</p><p>And yet, none of their praise seemed to ease the worry in Sihiri's eyes.</p><p>"But, I never told you why I left," Sihiri trembled as tears pricked her eyes. "I, I abandoned you for so long…"</p><p>"You had an important reason for it, didn't you? You left to protect us."</p><p>Those words broke the dam. Sihiri broke from the woman's grip, and fell into the grasp of Sadiq next. All the while, she sobbed with all the vulnerability of a young girl who'd left her home far earlier than she would have liked.</p><p>"I, I'm so sorry!" she croaked. "I, I wish I could've stayed with you, I wish I could have stayed here, and been everything you wanted of me, but, but, it was too dangerous! If the Arkeyans knew there was a mage of my power here, they would've torn our whole village down just to take me! I, I wish I was never given this power, I wish I never had to leave you."</p><p>"Oh, Sihiri."</p><p>Sadiq welcomed her embrace, and cuddled her close as Sihiri's other friends joined in.</p><p>"You have nothing to apologize for."</p><p>A small gasp escaped Sihiri, and she peered up to find Sadiq, her friends, everyone from her home smiling back at her.</p><p>"It's because of you that we were able to live safe from the Arkeyans. You've done more for us than we could ever imagine!" said the woman who first embraced Sihiri.</p><p>Another woman popped up beside her and smiled. "Please, don't ever resent the gifts you were blessed with! It's because of them that you were able to do so much for us!"</p><p>"And, no matter how far away you are," Sadiq finished at last, "we will always hold you in our hearts. As long as we stand, your memory will always live with us."</p><p>The crowd came to embrace Sihiri, and their cheers and words of encouragement almost masked Sihiri's sobs of… Joy? Grief? Catharsis?</p><p>Whatever they were, Tree Rex nodded and turned away, as did the others.</p><p>Sihiri needed this moment to herself. This was something she'd waited ten thousand years for, after all.</p><p>The crowd dispersed soon enough, and Sihiri forced a wobbly smile as she wiped away her tears and leaned into Tree Rex's side. The crowd moved away from her, and then to the Elder Elementals, all with awe and gratitude in their eyes.</p><p>"And, to all of you, we cannot thank you enough for protecting us from that beast!" Sadiq exclaimed.</p><p>"Think nothing of it." Tree Rex replied with a nod. "We Elder Elementals vowed on our lives that we would protect Skylands from the Arkeyans' cruelty—"</p><p>"—and we did the same," Sihiri shakily, but solidly finished.</p><p>Mumbles of admiration burst from the crowd, but one wide-eyed child slipped out with a curious gaze.</p><p>"But, what are you gonna do when the Arkeyans are all gone?" the child asked with all the innocence and confidence of youth.</p><p>Tree Rex hung his head. The memories of the modern day, of everything they experienced since the day they returned to Skylands, flooded back to them all, and their faces started to crack as they turned away or bit their lips. Even after all this time, they still weren't sure of what they were going to do—if there was anything left for them to do. Everything they knew and cared about was long gone at this point, so what was left for them?</p><p>They all got lost in thought for a moment, yet perked up at the faint notion of a parent scolding the child with an embarrassed tone. That parent cleared their throat, and peered up at Tree Rex with only admiration in their deep brown eyes.</p><p>"Whatever that may be, as long as you're here to protect us, we will always feel safe, that's for sure!" that parent proclaimed.</p><p>"And whatever happens afterwards, we will always be here to welcome you. After all you've done for us, it's the least we can do!" affirmed another villager.</p><p>The crowds rose with cheers of agreement. For a moment, it seemed like there was knowing light in some of their eyes.</p><p>So, the Elder Elementals and free magicians alike just smiled and stood back to their full height.</p><p>Something seemed strange as they did. The sun grew bright, so bright that it bleached the village in its light until nothing was left, and grew so hot that they all shielded their eyes from the burning sensation.</p><p>They opened those eyes as the sensation faded, and no longer were they in this village. No, they were back in the Oracle's chambers!</p><p>The Oracle watched them with a knowing smile as he hovered before a panel. Below him, Flynn, Cali and the high priest gasped in awe, as if they didn't expect anyone to manifest from that trial.</p><p>"Welcome back," the Oracle said as he clutched his tentacles. "Do you have any questions about your trial?"</p><p>The Elder Elementals and free magicians shared weary, confused looks among themselves, but finally, it was Sihiri who stepped up to the plate.</p><p>"Was, was that all real?" Sihiri asked. "Was that really what our lives would have been like?"</p><p>"Not exactly." The Oracle solemnly nodded. "It was more so an estimated guess based on a mixture of your own pasts, logical conclusions drawn my analysis, or in some cases, a chance for you to make amends for regrets you cannot go back and fix." He turned to float back to his panel, but gave them one last, kind look. "Regardless, I hope it was able to bring you some closure."</p><p>Sihiri reluctantly nodded, as did the others, and the Oracle beamed.</p><p>"You have all provided me with some very impressive data, but the trials have not yet ended." The Oracle motioned for them to join him at the panel, and turned his eye to the screens. "The rest of your allies should start their trials soon."</p><p>So, the group crowded around the panel, where they witnessed two screens: one of the Skylanders, and one of Chihiro. Both parties laid unconscious as the light enveloped them, and the simulation began.</p>(Skylanders/CHS) Chihiro Hatsuki's Skylanders: Here Come the Giants! Chapter 18: The Oracle Part 1 (Part 2)<p>A soft clunk came from the airship's hull as it docked near the islandside, and with another louder one, its gangplank clattered as it hit the ground. All sorts of beings—humans, elves, trolls, and more that Luz couldn't quite put a name to—poured out from the docks, talked amid themselves, or hurried to their destination, but they were all so tightly packed that their hurried movements jostled Luz around like a leaf caught within a tornado!</p><p>He shouted out as a green arm jabbed into his cheek, and again as someone's hand hit his face. "Hey, watch it!" Luz shouted as the being rushed off ahead.</p><p>"Sorry!"</p><p>Luz barely heard their apology as they disappeared within the masses of parting crowds before him. Soon, the crowds spread out and grew fainter and fainter to the eye. Luz sighed and made his way down the gangplank as his eyes scanned the area around. There was no denying that he was back home; the masses of tall buildings made of stone both raw and paved, and the shopkeeps who peddled wares while others walked along and talked confirmed this. So, his next order of business was finding his place, and then, finding Fintster.</p><p>"Now, if I recall correctly," Luz mumbled as his feet hit cobblestone and he stumbled on forward. "Our house should be right…"</p><p>"Luz! You're home!"</p><p>Luz gasped a little as a weight, not one large enough to disturb him, but big enough to be noticed, clung to his chest. He looked down, and his undead heart almost stopped for a second at the sight. Luz gasped, just barely bit back tears as he fell to his knees, and swept the child into a tight hug.</p><p>Those big brown eyes, that round nose and warm brown skin, dressed in those baby blue and mint green robes, that had to be…</p><p>"Pepi!" Luz croaked out as he held his little brother the tightest he could. His tears started to fall, but he quickly wiped them away and hugged him even tighter. "You're, you're here!"</p><p>"'Course I am!" Pepi chirped as he hugged Luz back. "I've been waiting for you to come home allllllll day now!" Pepi stretched his arms to skies, just to really twist the knife in Luz's heart, but he chuckled and hugged him again. "Let me tell you, it was really, really, <em>really </em>hard! It was so boring! Fintster's been super busy while you were gone, an—"</p><p>"Pepi, slow down!" called another voice from behind that was strained with exhaustion. "Don't, don't run so fast, I, I can't keep up!"</p><p>"Fintster, get up! Luz's back!" shouted Pepi as he turned behind.</p><p>"Wait, Luz is back?"</p><p>When Luz turned away and followed Pepi's gaze, there in the heart of the passing crowds stood three beings. There stood Gerdie in her favorite dress, her golden brown hair still rife with flyaways she could never get to stay down, and her blue eyes so wide that they stood like jewels against the sky. There stood Eurybiades, who dressed in that same mud-stained cloak they loved so much, their big gold eyes wide with wonder, and streaks of their green hair stuck up like fresh grass. Behind them, there stood Fintster. He was bundled so thick that he could barely stand or be seen, but his dark bangs still cascaded over his face the way they usually did, and his nose poked over the scarf he wore as he carried a bunch of sacks in his arms.</p><p>"Luz, there you are!" Fintster shouted as he ran over with his sacks precariously balanced in his grip. "I was wondering why you'd been gone for so long! Where'd you go?" Fintster shook his head before Luz could answer. "Actually, we can save that for when we get home! It's Wardiya's birthday today, so we've been busy getting everything together! Come on, you can help!"</p><p>A pair of sacks found their way into his arms before Luz even knew it, and Fintster already walked off! But wait, his hair! Luz had to narrow his eyes to see it, but it kind of looked like it flickered in and out like a light switch! Had Fintster break the illusion too, or did he still grapple with everything?</p><p>"Hey, Fintster! You do know what's going on, right?" Luz shouted as he ran up beside Fintster and heaved the sacks up.</p><p>"Of course! What's more important than our baby sister's birthday?" Fintster replied with not even a turn away from where he stood at a fruit stand. "Now, let's see, what's the best fruit here for sweet cakes? Starberries are a bit tart, but they've got a really nice aroma when they're baked…"</p><p>"Not that, Fintster! The test!" Luz pushed himself closer to Fintster, and jostled whatever was in these sacks he was suddenly saddled with in the process. "Remember, we met the Oracle, he set us up to this test, and—"</p><p>"Hey Luz! Where'd you go, huh, huh?" Pepi asked as he tugged at the back of Luz's tunic. "Did you go somewhere near, or far? What were the people like? Were they people?"</p><p>Luz grimaced, turned back to Pepi and knelt down. "I'll tell you in a little bit, Pepi, but I need to talk to Fintster about something really important right now, so—"</p><p>The sound of coins clinking against wood caught Luz's ears. He looked up right as Fintster grabbed another sack filled with what Luz could only assume was fruit from a stallkeeper.</p><p>"Keep the change, alright?" Fintster said as he hoisted up the sack. The shopkeep nodded, and Fintster nodded in turn before he handed it off to Gerdie. "Gerdie, you're the most careful of us all, so you hold onto these, alright? Be super careful! These berries are really delicate, and if they hit the floor, they'll splatter!"</p><p>"Got it!" Gerdie chirped as she cradled the sack.</p><p>Luz's face fell, and for a moment, he understood why Vatra and Sihiri were so hesitant to leave. He hadn't cared much for the place he could barely call his childhood home, but the sight of his little sister smiling like that, his baby sibs crowd around Fintster as they clamored about where they would go next, or just how he stood on the streets he'd traveled so many times on errand runs, did deliveries with Fintster, and took his siblings out to play…</p><p>He never realized how homesick he was until he saw the streets he knew like the back of his hand, until he saw the family he hadn't seen in a literal eternity. By the Ancients, it left his heart in an ache. A part of him just wanted so badly to forget everything and run around with his siblings just like he used to.</p><p>"Hey, Luz, you look really weird right now!" Pepi shouted. "You're all flickery and buzzy and stuff!"</p><p>Huh? Luz peered down at himself, and gasped as his hand slowly solidified and his attire shifted, but not to the same robes he wore at his old village, no. Instead, it was the same clothes he wore when he lived with Gramps, that favorite tunic of his and the pants that were just loose and comfy enough to fit. They shifted between that and his robes and armor like a flickering light—in one minute and out the next—while his body glowed and faded like it wasn't sure if it wanted to manifest or not.</p><p>He gasped in a sort of trance as it flickered, but clenched his teeth as he found that Gerdie, Pepi, and Eurybiades watched him with wide, almost terrified eyes. They look about ready to scream, but then…</p><p>"Hey, you three!" Fintster shouted as he pushed them away. "I think there's a honey candy stand over there! Why don't you go pick some up?"</p><p>"Candy, yay!" Eurybiades and Pepi cheered as they ran away.</p><p>"Hey, wait up, you two!" Gerdie shouted. She clutched the sack Fintster gave her close to her chest as she ran. "Don't go too far! You might get lost!"</p><p>With them off in the distance, Fintster nudged his head like he wanted to tell Luz something. Luz placed the sacks down as Fintster did the same. Fintster grabbed hold of Luz's hand as he dragged them into an alleyway, one well-lit just enough to show no danger lurking in its corridors, but dark enough to hide them! The touch of Fintster's hand snapped Luz's body back into its senses, and it returned to its ghostly state once more.</p><p>It happened fast enough that Luz only barely took sight of his surroundings. All he could do was lean down against the walls as he glanced up at Fintster. In this darkness, it seemed like underneath the masses of clothing, Fintster was almost… Sparkling?</p><p>"Careful there, Luz, you almost forgot yourself for a moment," Fintster chuckled.</p><p>Luz slowly blinked. He still couldn't comprehend just what Fintster alluded too, but quickly shook his head as the realization set in.</p><p>"So, you know the truth, don't you?"</p><p>Fintster's hands trembled as he slipped off his gloves, reached for his coat, and unbuttoned it one button by one. The gloves slipped right as the coat itself slipped open, and sure enough, Fintster was little more than a spirit dressed in the same outfit he wore on the day of his death. His body radiated with deep blue sparkles like night stars.</p><p>"Of course I knew! I figured it out the moment I woke up in my old bedroom!" Fintster sighed and fidgeted with his collar. "I, I know this is all fake and stuff, but, I, I just wanna be with Gramps and the others, just one more time. We can break out and find the others quickly enough, I'm sure, but once this is over, I'll never get to see them again!" Fintster chuckled. "So, I guess I'm just savoring it while it lasts."</p><p>So that's why he was dressed up; he probably didn't want anybody to notice the truth! Luz frowned and peered down at his own body as Fintster buttoned up his coat. Luz's light slowly flickered as it cycled between his clothes once more.</p><p>He knew he had his duties, and he knew he'd probably be a huge hypocrite after getting on the others' cases about it, but Ancients, Fintster was right. He did want to see his family one more time! He wanted to play with his kid siblings, hear Gramps' stories, and run around the town just one more time! Luz bit his lip just slightly, not sure how else to respond, but finally, he slowly, reluctantly nodded.</p><p>Yet, neither of them went back out just yet. They both stood in silence. Their bodies flickered in and out of existence while their attire shifted like the changing seasons.</p><p>"Fintster, Luz, there you are!" Gerdie cried as the sound of footsteps drew closer.</p><p>Fintster and Luz both jolted up from the sudden noise, and their bodies returned to their normal, ghostly states right as Gerdie ran into the alleyway! Her hair stood up even more than normal as she still precariously clutched the sack Fintster gave her. Though now, her grip on it slipped some and she had to adjust it before all the fruit spilled out. Her eyes were wide, her face was pale as a sheet, and she panted while sweat crawled down her forehead the whole time! Just what happened?</p><p>"It's Eury! They ran off!"</p><p>"Eurybiades ran off?" Fintster and Luz both shouted in turn before they exchanged panicked glances. Eury was barely even six! They couldn't even put on their own clothes yet! If they wandered off and got lost…</p><p>Gerdie whimpered and stepped back, but quickly wiped away her tears as Fintster knelt down in front of her.</p><p>"Where did they go?" Fintster asked.</p><p>Gerdie winced and shook her head. "I don't know!" Gerdie's voice started to crack, and her lips trembled as she lowered her head. "I, I just turned away for one minute, and when I turned around, they were gone!" A few choked sobs came from Gerdie, and tears dripped down from her face to the sack. "I, I'm sorry, I, I know I should've been watching them, but—"</p><p>"It's alright, Gerdie, it's alright," Luz said as he wiped away her tears. "They probably couldn't have gone far, come on! If we start now, we'll find them!"</p><p>Gerdie nodded between her tears, but still couldn't bring herself to lift her head as she, Luz, and Fintster ran out of the alleyway. Instead, she clutched the sack closer to her face.</p><p>Just the sight of her in tears wrenched Luz's heart. The sight of his little sister upset like this was bad enough, but after their sibling went missing, after he hadn't seen them for ages…</p><p>"Luz, Fintster!" Pepi cried as he ran up to them, "Eury's—"</p><p>"We know," Fintster said as he grabbed Gerdie by the shoulder. "Gerdie and I will check downtown by the docks. Luz, you take Pepi and head over to where the forest is!"</p><p>"Right!" Luz shouted back. He grabbed Pepi by the hand, and ran off west in one swift motion. "We'll meet back here when we find them!"</p><p>Pepi and Luz bolted down the streets, and their sights blurred around even as the others around turned to watch. Luz wasn't concerned about the looks they gave him, or what the path ahead entailed. No, his body moved on its own, and his legs pumped the fastest they could as he and Pepi shouted at the top of their lungs, shouted for only one name.</p><p>"Eury! Eurybiades!" Luz cried as he looked around. "Eury, where are you?"</p><p>"Eury! Eury!" Pepi cried beside him. "Eury, it's your big brothers! You can come out now!"</p><p>A sudden wave of exhaustion came over Luz, and he slowed to a stop as he slouched over. Only his head lifted up as he scanned the area for some trace of Eurybiades. They weren't amid the shopkeeps, or hidden behind the alleyways' assorted garbage. They weren't even playing with some of the other town kids as they ran down the streets! Then again, he could hardly make heads or tails of anything, much less any sights of his own little sibling!</p><p>A firm hand patted Luz's shoulder as Luz pulled himself up. He spotted a big, burly man dressed in red stained clothes, and his heart almost stopped. When he caught sight of the man's twitching black mustache, though, Luz breathed a sigh. It was just the vegetable vendor, and his clothes were likely stained from preparing tomatoes. Luz could never forget the curious face of that man who always supplied them with fresh legumes in exchange for the apples and other fruits they grew.</p><p>"Luz, fancy seeing you in town again!" he boomed. His voice was deep, but warm enough that it relaxed some of the tension in Luz's head. "You've been gone for an awfully long time, you know, we—"</p><p>"Sorry, Mister Faivish, I can't talk now!" Luz shouted back before he cleared his throat and lowered his voice. "Eurybiades ran off, and we can't find them anywhere, and, and—"</p><p>"Wait, little Eury ran off?" Mister Faivish raised a brow and brushed his fingers underneath his bushy mustache. "That would explain why I thought I saw a kid who looked like them running into the woods. Thought I was just seeing things after chopping too many mushrooms!"</p><p>"Wait, did you say they ran into the woods?"</p><p>Luz clenched his teeth so tight they almost snapped, and his eyes barely focused on the thick collection of trees and bushes that made up the mouth to the woods.</p><p>"The big scary woods?" Pepi cried out. "The ones we're never supposed to go to because there's big scary monsters, and mean beings, and stuff in there?" Pepi dashed ahead with Luz's hand still in his grip, and when Luz didn't move, he grunted and tugged away. "Come on Luz, we've gotta go and find them! Or else they'll get eaten by a monster, or snatched by a kidnapper, or maybe an Arkeyan will find them and—"</p><p>"Arkeyans?" Mister Faivish chuckled. He stopped his sentence as Luz glanced at him, and his smile faded in a way that his mustache drooped over his mouth and near-completely covered it. "Now I wouldn't worry about them, little one. We're so far away that they wouldn't even dare to dream of coming here!"</p><p>"Thank you, Mister Faivish," was all Luz said before he ran off with Pepi still clutched close behind.</p><p>Even though he was a ghost now, Luz could've sworn he heard his heart pounding in his ears as he ran. Little Eury, who couldn't even put on their clothes right, always got lost in the fields, and still had to have a lantern lit while they slept because they always said there were monsters under their bed, in a forest like that? The forest known for being filled with wild animals and other beasts? The ones that the over-eager types always prowled around and looked for suckers to capture for Ancients-knew-what? A forest where Arkeyan soldiers could prowl around, easily jump out and cleave someone's head open?</p><p>Even if that wasn't an issue, that forest was so big and things were so dark! It could be ages before he found them—well, unless he lightsteppped. That would give him plenty of speed, but Pepi might not be able to handle it, and he didn't want Pepi getting lost either.</p><p>"Luz?" Pepi called as something tugged on Luz's sleeve. Pepi frowned and tilted his head as Luz glanced down. "What's wrong?"</p><p>Luz frowned back. "Well, there's a way we could go through the forest faster, but, we'll be going really, really, fast. I'm not sure you could handle it—"</p><p>"I can, I can!" Pepi tugged again on Luz's sleeve and shoved his face into Luz's. "We've gotta go really fast if we have to find Eury, right? I'll take it! Even if it makes me really, really sick!"</p><p>Luz chuckled and lifted up Pepi. "Hold on tight, alright?"</p><p>Pepi nodded in turn, and clung the tightest he could to Luz as Luz himself breathed in. The light flooded in Luz's veins once again, and his blood shrieked and boiled within his ghostly body while it beamed out in a bright, yellow shine. Pepi gasped in awe, but Luz barely even heard him as he drew forward and sprung across the forest floor. His body became a lamp that glistened in the dark of the forest's night as he flew ahead!</p><p>Luz didn't lift his head up from the ground, even though Pepi shrieked with glee (hopefully it was glee) beside him. Instead, with the light his body gave off, he scanned the wet, slightly muddy ground for tracks, scraps of cloth… Anything that showed where they went. Still, there was nothing on the ground aside of muddy puddles and leaves, so Luz sprinted again, and bounced from one path to the other until his eyes laid on a trail of tiny, most definitely <em>human </em>footprints!</p><p>"A trail!" Luz shouted as he landed on the ground and drove to a sharp stop. "Looks likes a fresh one too. That's gotta be Eury!"</p><p>Beside him, Pepi burst into laughter and tugged on the collar of Luz's tunic. "Let's do that again!"</p><p>"Not now, Pepi, we've gotta find Eury first." Luz gently let down Pepi and walked off, yet clasped his hand tight around Pepi's as he left. "Follow me."</p><p>Pepi nodded, and the two of them walked ahead with the soft padding of their footsteps the only sound. Thin trails of light poured over the ground as Luz followed the footsteps, and they brushed his face with streaks of warmth in the otherwise-cold forest. The sounds of wind whistling grew louder as the light grew wider with every step he took.</p><p>Soon, the light glowed its brightest, and the tracks disappeared underneath as soft grass stretched over and cushioned Luz's step! The breeze carried a slightly floral air to it, and on their winds, they carried the sound of a small child's laughter, a familiar one!</p><p>Luz yanked his head up and expected a scene straight out of his nightmares, but what he found was Eurybiades as they sat in the heart of a soft meadow, and laughed as they picked the flowers from the ground. Their clothes were streaked with a bit more mud than normal, and a few leaves poked from their hair, but thank the Ancients, they were alright! They clutched the flowers they collected close, and when they turned around and saw Luz, their smile grew even wider.</p><p>"Luz!" Eurybiades called as they ran the fastest they could, enough that they stumbled over their own feet. As they grew closer, they beamed and thrust their bouquet up to Luz. "Luz, Luz, look what I found—"</p><p>"Eury, you're not supposed to run off like that!" Luz scolded.</p><p>Eurybiades stopped short as Luz swept them in his arms. The moment their face met Luz's, they whimpered and hid away in the bouquet they picked. Looks like they knew they were in trouble.</p><p>"Do you have any idea how worried we were? Gerdie and Fintster are running all town looking for you! What if you got hurt and we didn't know? You—"</p><p>A small sniffle came from Eurybiades, just loud enough that it stilled Luz's scolding, and Eurybiades hid their face behind the flowers. "I, I'm sorry, Luz," Eurybiades whimpered. "I, I just thought Diya'd like some nice flowers cause she liked the ones in the flower man's shop, and Gramps said the forest had some really pretty flowers, so…"</p><p>Luz pursed his lips, smiled, and let Eurybiades down. "Alright, if it's for Diya, it's fine. Just tell us before you go off to get them on your own next time, right?"</p><p>Luz gently nudged his hand towards Eurybiades's face, wiped away their tears, and Eurybiades chuckled as they beamed up back at Luz with a gentle smile. Luz nearly cried at the sight. It had been a long time since he saw his kid sibling smile at him like that, and he was almost completely unprepared. Yet, he merely cleared his throat, took both Pepi and Eurybiades by the hands, turned down the trail and left.</p><p>Luckily, his lightstepping left behind faint trails of light that were just strong enough to act as markers. After a few twists and turns, he found himself at the mouth of the forest once more, at the very edge of the line where the town ended and the wilderness began. The crowds within town mostly parted at this point. The only ones who remained were a few spare vendors who tried to get some last-minute patrons in or packed it up for the day… Alongside Fintster and Gerdie, who still ran about town and called for Eury with voices strained!</p><p>"We found them!" Pepi shouted as he jumped up and waved.</p><p>Fintster and Gerdie both froze in their steps. Only their heads moved to meet where Luz stood with both Eurybiades and Pepi in hand. When they finally caught sight, however, both of them heaved heavy sighs.</p><p>"Thank goodness," Fintster panted with breath strained from shouting and calling so much. He strode up to Luz, but it was Eurybiades he knelt down towards, and he hummed as he examined Eurybiades's bouquet between the strands of his thick bangs. "Y'know, I bet Diya will love these flowers!"</p><p>"I know! That's why I picked 'em!" Eurybiades chirped back before their face fell and they glanced aside. "And, I'm sorry for running off and scaring you…"</p><p>"It's alright, Eury, what matters is that you're okay." Fintster chuckled as he ruffled Eurybiades's hair, stood up, and stretched. "Anyways, let's get home before it gets too dark. We've got a party to plan and all!"</p><p>Fintster's suggestion met with a rousing group of cheers, and once more they all strode down the path home. The sun began to set as they made their way back home. Their shadows stretched along the cobblestone paths as they walked and bobbed like bubbles in churning waves as they passed by stalls and cottages and more. They only made a brief stop to recollect their groceries, groceries they kept gripped like the wind would blow them away if they slipped even a tiny bit.</p><p>Thankfully, they didn't, even as they all reached the other side of the town's outskirts where things grew a little breezier and a little chillier.</p><p>The dim candlelight from the windows formed a path ahead, yet Fintster didn't lead them inside. Rather, he motioned for them to stay quiet, and crept around the back, past the gardens and orchards, and into the house itself! The warm smell of fresh-baked bread was the first thing to greet them when Fintster opened the door, and then, and then, what greeted them next was their grandfather, his skin wrinkled with age but his eyes spry and lively.</p><p>"There you all are!" Gramps whispered before shuffling off to Fintster. "Did you get everything we need?"</p><p>Luz bit back tears at the sight. The last time Luz saw Gramps, it was when he was still in recovery, and barely able to even speak to them as they headed off to fight in the war. Just the sight of him again in good health, with that same warm smile Luz remembered… The most Luz could do was force a smile and nod, even though he wanted so badly to bury himself in his grandfather's arms again.</p><p>"Sure did, Gramps!" Fintster said as he placed his groceries on the countertop. "The rest of you, keep Diya busy. Luz and I will take care of the cooking!"</p><p>"But, I wanted to—" Pepi started, but Gerdie simply shushed him and ushered him out of the kitchen.</p><p>Eurybiades toddled behind them, and their grandfather was quick to follow, though not before he shot one last glance and wink at Luz and Fintster. Now, it was just Luz and Fintster alone in this warm, warm kitchen that was perfectly prepped for baking. They had all the ingredients, and they knew their sister waited on them, but the emptiness put a little bit of hesitance.</p><p>"So, what were we making?" Luz asked.</p><p>"Sweetcakes and berries topped with honey and sugar," Fintster replied. He turned to a sack with an almost cold motion and peered through its contents. "We'll start with the cakes first, since those'll take longer."</p><p>So, Fintster stoked the fire within their clay oven and the baking began. They carefully prepared the cake batter, sprinkled their fruit and spices into the flour, and dampened it with olive oil before they rolled it into balls with a kind of monotony. Luz got a bit lost in thought as he baked, for his eyes drifted back to the open door while the sounds of his siblings' laughter rang through and lingered there as he kneaded. Soon, he couldn't even feel the soft texture of the dough underneath his hands. It was only the hard clay and wood of the countertops…</p><p>"Luz, the cake! You're kneading it too much!" Fintster cried.</p><p>Luz gasped, and he glanced back down at the kneaded dough underneath his hands. He poked it a little, but it didn't bend or flex with his single poke. No, it was tight, tough, and barely budged like a rock.</p><p>"Crap, you're right!" Luz spat.</p><p>"Don't worry about it. We'll just leave it be for now." Fintster grabbed another ball of dough and dropped it in Luz's palms. "Take this one instead."</p><p>Luz nodded and kneaded away once more, but this time it was Fintster he glanced at as he worked away. Though Fintster's eyes hid, a sense of uneasiness came from him, the same uneasiness that ruminated in Luz's heart as he worked away. Did Fintster feel the same way Luz did, perhaps? Well, it didn't hurt to ask.</p><p>"This doesn't feel right to you either, does it?" Luz asked at last.</p><p>Fintster stopped in his tracks when he heard that single question. His dough-stained hands lifted from the cake he kneaded for a moment, and his lips pursed in an almost contemplative matter. But, he sighed and went back to kneading as he nodded.</p><p>"I mean, I'm glad to see everyone and be home again, but" — Fintster bit his lip — "it's just, <em>wrong</em>. Seeing them again when I know really, they're all long gone by now, I mean. It's just, it's like I'm just standing with a bunch of people dressed up like them."</p><p>Luz nodded, and put away a kneaded ball of dough before he grabbed another. Fintster explained it better than Luz every could; it was like there were a bunch of actors hired to pretend to be his Gramps and his sibs, and he was pushed on stage and forced to play along with the act. It all felt so real, and he wanted to believe he was truly back home, truly with his family with not a worry or care to be had, but nothing about it felt truly right. There was just the one little feeling of it being off, that nagging feeling in the back of his mind that reminded him that everyone he knew and loved was dead, save for Fintster as he stood beside Luz now.</p><p>"Say, what do you think happened to everyone?" Luz asked as he diverted his eyes to the cakes.</p><p>Fintster's shoulders slumped. "Well, I'm not sure I can say. I hadn't heard a word from home after we left, but I hope everyone got to at least lead happy and healthy lives while we were gone." Fintster stopped for a moment and drew back his hands. "I know I'm probably wrong, but I want to believe they were at least all happy, and got to do everything they wanted, and that all that fighting we did amounted to something for them."</p><p>Luz slightly nodded as he lost himself in thought once more. What did become of his siblings? Did they get married and have families of their own? Did they do the things they always dreamed of, whatever those might be? Would they have even recognized Luz and Fintster if they did manage to come back? Which, actually, brought Luz to another thing…</p><p>"Hey, Fintster. When we finish all this, what are we gonna do?"</p><p>It was an odd question, admittedly. After all, Luz fought so long that he almost couldn't even envision a world where Arkeyans didn't rule, and they weren't constantly fighting by the skins of their teeth.</p><p>Clearly, Fintster felt the same as he himself drew away from the dough.</p><p>"Well, if we had survived the battle back then, I would've said we'd go back home to Gramps, and help out at the orchard again, obviously."</p><p>"But, it's gone now."</p><p>They both sighed and glanced down at the cakes they prepared. That's right, what <em>were</em> they going to do when all this was over? Would they pass on like the vengeful ghosts of legends and exorcisms who finally got their last wishes and needs perfected? Would they wander Skylands, stranded in a time and place like travelers trapped in a foreign land? Would they arrive home to a place that hadn't even been their home in years? Luz didn't know, and just the thought of it left his head spinning. All this stuff about futures and stuff was so complicated, even more so when he was supposed to be dead!</p><p>"Then, I guess I don't know," Fintster sighed.</p><p>Luz only nodded in quiet agreement as he peeled himself away from the countertops and towards the door. He just barely heard the sounds of fire crackling and the cakes shoved into the oven behind him, but he didn't care. He just stepped towards the rim of the door and clasped around. He just wanted one peek, one tiny look at his family, even if he knew it would break him in half.</p><p>"Y'know, I was so sure I was gonna get out and fight the Arkeyans again when I first woke up, and I was so sure I'd get out of here in a jiffy, too," Luz admitted, and his fingers squeezed the door frame as he peered out. "But…"</p><p>Those sounds of laughter and Gramps' storytelling rang in the air as Luz peered around to where his siblings laughed and played in the family room. Gramps sat in his chair as the younger kids chased each other around while Gerdie scolded them, and a few of the older ones laughed as they worked on what were probably Wardiya's birthday presents. They smiled so wide, laughed so hard, and even if it was fake, just the sight tore at Luz's heart because it so far out of reach.</p><p>"It, it, it just isn't fair!" Luz wailed. His face strained as he turned around and buried himself in Fintster's grip. Hot tears poured down his chest as he pushed himself closer into the cold fabric of Fintster's tunic, and he squeezed Fintster even tighter. "I just wanted to come home and see Gramps again, I wanted to see the others again, I wanted to be by their sides when they all grew up, I wanted to pick the apples again, and celebrate the harvest with everyone, but, but…"</p><p>Luz's form flickered and glowed a bit brighter. Heck, it almost became solid before Fintster brushed a hand against his face. Something cold and wet hit Luz's arm—a tear, maybe? He lifted his head and found that small, thin streams of tears ran down Fintster's face.</p><p>Luz gasped, but quickly pursed his lips. There were only three times prior in Luz's life that he saw Fintster cry. The first was when they were kids, when Fintster fell out of a tree and fractured his arm, and though he tried his hardest to pretend he was okay, he broke down in sobs by the time the medic came in; the second was when Gramps got injured, and they decided to leave to train with the free magicians; and the third was the night that they died fighting Arkilles. Every time Luz saw it, it just left him stunned into silence.</p><p>"I know," Fintster croaked as he knelt down and cuddled Luz closer. "I promise, I know."</p><p>Luz wiped away Fintster's tears and they hugged each other tight, for their own tears and choked, stifled sobs buried underneath the sound of burning fire as it crackled and popped. Wait, fire! The cakes! They quickly broke away as if of one mind, and Fintster rushed towards the oven as he hastily yanked out the cakes and left them atop the cooktop. Thankfully, the cakes themselves were perfectly fine, save for the cake Luz over-kneaded which seemed to have a hard, crusty top. They'd be perfect to eat with a little bit of time to cool!</p><p>Fintster waved his hand, and a cloud of darkness engulfed the cakes before it vanished as quickly as it came. He poked one of the smaller cakes, turned to Luz, and beamed as he motioned for Luz to bring the toppings in. So, Luz brought out some jars of honey and what remained of the fruit they bought. They doused the cakes in honey, and carefully arranged slices of fruit and tart berries along their tops until Gramps' famous sweetcakes were made!</p><p>"How about we just enjoy this last night with them?" Fintster said as he levitated the cakes onto a large clay plate, lifted up the plate, and turned around. "Just for tonight?"</p><p>Luz nodded as he followed Fintster out of the kitchen and into the family room. Even though Fintster hadn't called out yet, the sweet scent of honey and berries caught everyone's noses, and subsequently, their attention as they grinned.</p><p>"Cake's done!" Eurybiades cheered as they stumbled for Fintster. "I want one, I want one!"</p><p>"You'll get yours soon enough, Eury," Gramps chuckled as he stopped Eurybiades before they could topple Fintster over. "Come now, everyone! Take your seats at the table!"</p><p>Everyone laughed as they ran off and took their seats at the table, yet their talk was still loud and joyous as before. Just the sound of it, and just the moment where he sat at the table with them and had dinner together just like old times, it tore at Luz's heart, but he tried his best to quell his tears and sit still. But, as Gramps left, and came back moments later while the familiar creak of Wardiya's wheeled chair echoed down the halls, Luz bit his lip just to keep from crying.</p><p>Out from the hall's shadows came Wardiya as she sat in her chair, but it was so long that Luz almost couldn't recognize her. Her warm brown skin shone in the overhead light, and her long, deep brown hair had flowers braided into it. A flower crown made of the same flowers Eury picked rested atop her head. She wore her favorite dress, the yellow one printed with colorful zig-zags of dark blue like mountains that stood tall in front of a sunrise, and a soft, pleasant smile rested underneath the long bridge of her nose.</p><p>"Happy birthday, Diya!" all of Luz and Fintster's siblings cried at once as they rushed to shower her in hugs and well wishes and all sorts of presents: fancy dolls and new clothes, sewing kits and soft plush toys…</p><p>The whole thing happened so fast that Luz barely even comprehended it. He stood silent at the table as Wardiya thanked everyone for her presents, and ate the sweetcakes and other birthday snacks Fintster and the others gathered with glee.</p><p>Warm bubbles of conversation echoed around as the rest of his siblings talked all about the presents they got Wardiya, or asked for seconds, yet something about it felt just a tiny bit off. Maybe it was the blithe, almost glassy looks in their eyes, or the way they smiled just a little too widely, but whenever Luz saw them, all he remembered was that this was all…</p><p>It was all fake.</p><p>These weren't really his family members who sat at the table before him, and he wasn't really in his house! This was all an illusion, and just being here left him in a cold, clammy sweat with trembling hands, swelling throat, and all. All of a sudden, he itched to run outside, to break free, and get out like there was some sort of danger! Sweat fell across his face as his throat seized up, and he turned away—</p><p>"So Luz, how was your trip?" Wardiya asked, her voice soft and sweet as always. "You sure look like you've changed a lot! In fact, I've never seen an outfit like that anywhere!"</p><p>With those two questions asked, all eyes fell on Luz. His siblings flung forward, and bombarded him with all sorts of questions about his looks, his travels, and everything else they could manage! Their beady eyes bore into his soul as they crowded around him; they trapped him tight so he couldn't leave—but he couldn't tell them to stop, either. He locked up just from how he had them all circled around him, and his throat tightened so badly that he could barely squeeze out the tight breaths he did! His head throbbed as they grew closer and closer, his vision blurred…</p><p>"Hey, everyone, calm down!" Fintster scolded as he pulled one of their youngest sisters away from the mob. "Luz just got back from his trip, remember? He's really tired right now, and slamming him with all these questions isn't helping!" Fintster pulled a few more of the younger ones from the pile and held them under his arms. "Besides, isn't it about time for bed?"</p><p>The younger kids all moaned and griped as they crowded away from Luz, but Finster only tsked.</p><p>"No buts!" Fintster proclaimed over the sea of protests. "I'm sure Gramps has a big day planned for everyone, and you need to get your sleep!"</p><p>Wardiya yawned, rubbed her eyes, and her head struggled to stay up. It wasn't until Gramps chuckled and laid a hand on her shoulder that she lifted her head at last, and laughed faintly along with him.</p><p>"It seems even the birthday girl had her fill of birthday fun," Gramps chuckled. "Wardiya, would you like me to take you to bed?"</p><p>"I'll be fine, Gramps, I can wheel myself back," Wardiya whispered back. "Besides, you've gotta get that extra-special bedtime story you promised us ready!"</p><p>"Did I say that?" Gramps asked as he scratched his head. Gramps smiled as the kids erupted into a crowd of eager cheers and shouts. "It seems I did! Come along, everyone, I'm sure you're all excited to hear tonight's story! It's all about your great-grandfather's most famous battle during the war against the Malevolent One…"</p><p>Gramps didn't even get to finish. The kids already flooded past him; some of the older ones took pause for moments to clean the table of utensils and dishes, and put them aside before they flooded out to their bedrooms.</p><p>Luz was a little glad they weren't suffocating him anymore, but a part of him ached as they disappeared under the darker halls that led back to their bedchambers. It was as if they weren't coming back. Luz gulped and glanced over at Fintster, who had Eurybiades and Pepi clung tight to his tunic as they tried to drag him into the bedchambers.</p><p>"C'mon, Fintster, you're gonna help Gramps tell the story too, right?" Pepi asked.</p><p>"Yeah, yeah! You always make it way better!" Eurybiades chimed in. "Like when he was telling us about the dragon, and you were all, all…"</p><p>Eurybiades made a mocking imitation of a dragon's roar, and Fintster himself laughed—though, it didn't sound very happy for a laugh. He almost looked as if he was going to say yes, but then he took one look at Luz, and shook his head before he drew away.</p><p>"Sorry, everyone, but Luz and I have to go," Fintster said. "We've got some important business out-of-town for a while, and we need to leave right now!"</p><p>The kids stopped in their tracks, and turned their attention to Fintster and Luz with cold, somber eyes. A few of them sniffled, but most just stared in a bit of tired disbelief.</p><p>"But, but, Luz, you just got back!" Pepi pleaded, and his lower lip wobbled as he tugged on Fintster's tunic once more. "And you have to go too, Fintster?"</p><p>Eurybiades sniffled. For a moment, it looked like they would burst into tears.</p><p>Luckily, Gramps swept them in his arms and patted their back. "Now, now, everyone, we all know Luz and Fintster are doing their part to help too," Gramps chided. "I'm not as spry as I used to be, and they've been helping us a lot by taking care of the out-of-town business for us. Besides, they won't be gone forever, right?"</p><p>Luz and Fintster forced smiles and nodded. Just like when they left home to join the free magicians, they knew it was a lie to say they'd be back—but, they couldn't tell the truth either, not when this would probably be the last time they saw their family. So, they just stood with those fake smiles plastered on their faces as Eurybiades nodded and clung to Gramps' cloak.</p><p>"Now everyone, be sure to tell them goodbye before you go to bed!"</p><p>A chorus of goodbyes rang out from Luz and Fintster's siblings, but Luz and Fintster couldn't even reply. They just forced their smiles, nodded and waved as they made their way to the back door, and opened it once more. They stepped forward as the cool night air hit their faces, and let the back door fall behind them to muffle the sickening sound of their siblings' voices with its closure.</p><p>The world around them slept with the night. The town streets ahead laid void of passerby save for the odd drunk, and the flicker of candlelight in windows was the only thing that illuminated the dark paths before them. The faint whistles of wind were the only sounds, and the winds themselves carried cool, crisp scents on the breezes as they sang in a way that seemingly urged Luz and Fintster to move, but, they couldn't.</p><p>Here they were, back at their home for what would probably be the last time! Luz knew he had to leave, but a part of him just wanted to go back home and curl up in bed. He wanted to joke and tease his siblings as they all listened to his Gramps' stories with bated breath! He wanted to wake up to the scent of berries over the wind, and the light of a new day with his family, instead of waking up to fight Arkeyans yet again! He took a glimpse at the door, and a lump formed in his throat, a lump so big that he had to turn around and close his eyes just so it would go away.</p><p>Just as he did, the door opened. The creaking sound brought Luz and Fintster's attention back to the door, which closed itself behind Gramps as he stepped out with a wry look in his eyes.</p><p>"You boys are going off with those free magicians again, aren't you?" Gramps asked. He only chuckled as Luz and Fintster stood silent. "I knew it. Those looks on your faces when you left told me all I needed."</p><p>Fintster opened his mouth and went to speak—but his words caught in his throat and left him to choke out strained noises as Gramps approached. Beside him, Luz shuffled away and couldn't even making Gramps' gaze. Neither of them really wanted to say they were leaving, even if he confirmed it.</p><p>"I know you were trying to spare the younger ones' feelings, but don't worry so much," Gramps said. He firmly laid a hand on both Luz and Fintster's shoulders, and his smile grew wide as his eyes twinkled in the moonlight. "You know, we're all the proudest we could be of you boys for fighting out there for all our sakes, and we always will be, even if some of them don't want to say it out loud."</p><p>Luz blinked once and then twice. His face turned numb as he met his grandfather eye to eye, the grandfather he left behind ages ago and hadn't seen in millennia, and saw nothing but a beam of pride that confirmed the very words he spoke. With that single look, Luz's crashing waves of emotion seized him! He pushed himself into Gramps' arms, and sobbed as loudly as he could with not a care to what anyone thought! He wanted to cry that it wasn't fair that any of this happened; that his home was taken away, that he died the way he did, that he never even got to keep his promise…</p><p>But, in his sobbing haze, he couldn't make any words, so he just cried out all his feelings. Another, shriller voice came as Fintster followed him, and the both of them clung as close to Gramps as they could. Gramps only chuckled and drew them into a hug.</p><p>"Now, now, you two, there's no need to cry! You'll be back home before you know it!" Gramps drew back and let them wipe their eyes. "Now, that's better. You can't go off fighting the Arkeyans all teary-eyed and snot-nosed!"</p><p>Both Luz and Fintster whimpered and nodded as they rubbed their faces.</p><p>"Go out there and show those Arkeyans what our family is made of, just like your great-grandpa did when he fought the Malevolent One! Alright?"</p><p>Fintster nodded. "We will, I promise."</p><p>The words he croaked out barely sounded sincere, and more like a desperate plea for him to be right, but Gramps accepted them nonetheless. He waved goodbye as the two of them walked off, and they didn't stop even as they grew so far that he soon became a speck in the distance.</p><p>With more steps, their own childhood town vanished. The place with the orchards they played and harvested in; the house where they ate and slept, shared stories and memories with their siblings and grandfather in; the streets they called their own—those too vanished as well.</p><p>Before they knew it, they wandered into the cold woods that barred off their humble little town from the rest of the island. The winds carried not sweet scents, but the howls of wild animals and the rustling of tree leaves. The crisp, cold area smelled a bit of wild herbs and flowers mingled with damp earth, and the soft ground below their feet buckled slightly with every step they took. A few eyes glinted in the dark before they disappeared so quickly that they could almost pass for illusions.</p><p>Every time Luz caught sight of them, his heart raced just a bit faster. He reached for his shield as a branch cracked, and yanked it off as a few footsteps padded off in the distance. Behind him, a whoosh of energy showed that Fintster was just as on guard as Luz was. A sword of darkness manifested in Fintster's hands, and his teeth clenched so tight that they almost snapped. Surely, this tension wasn't good for either of them, but it was hard not to feel on edge at a place and time like this.</p><p>"Hey, Fintster," Luz whispered. His voice was still a bit hoarse from crying, and it made talking almost painful. "Who do you think we'll find next?"</p><p>Fintster clenched the hilt of his sword with trembling, clammy hands. A rustling sound echoed around them as it shook the bushes around, and Fintster leaped back.</p><p>"Stay back! I'm warning you!" he cried.</p><p>Luz shone a light into the bushes where the rustling was loudest, yet only a dragonbunny hopped out and twitched its nose before it hopped away. Fintster lowered his sword and sighed as they moved on, but the tension hardly dropped between either of them.</p><p>In fact, it seemed to grow even worse as they wandered into the deeper parts of the woods! There, trails of thin mist twisted through the thickets of trees and bushes. The mist smelled vaguely sweet, almost like honey, but its minty blue coloration seemed more reminiscent of a recent storm.</p><p>The mist only grew thicker as they wandered forward. Soon, it laid a blanket over the forest floor, and obscured it from view as its sweet scent grew thick and tiring. Even though it was soft and thin, it felt impossible to wade through with how it covered the forest and turned it into a maze with no foreseeable exit. Cracking sticks and the creaking of trees unseen moaned from its misty veil, as if something wandered in the woods ahead of them!</p><p>Fintster clenched his teeth as he summoned a second sword. He turned to Luz and nodded as Luz raised his shield. Both their legs trembled as they stepped back while the noises grew louder and louder before them. The snapping twigs cracked in a rhythm like footsteps; surely, whatever made these noises came in fast!</p><p>A large shadow formed in the curtain of mist, and both Luz and Fintster shot blasts of light and darkness into the mist! They nailed the creature straight on the head! It yowled in pain and fell down to its knees as it clutched its head. That shrill, young voice it cried with, though, it was familiar!</p><p>"Geez, guys!" whined that same voice. "Can't you take a little joke?"</p><p>The sound of buzzing wings echoed through the air as the mist cleared, and Luz shone a light ahead to find Swarm knelt down before them! A small welt formed on his head where Luz and Fintster struck, and a pout rested on his face as he lowered himself.</p><p>"That's no way to greet your good old buddy Swarm, you know!" Swarm snipped.</p><p>"Well, maybe save the pranks for when we're not in a monster-ridden forest at night!" Fintster snipped. A bit of anger rose in his hoarse voice, but he quickly cleared his throat. "Sorry, it's just, I…"</p><p>Swarm seemed to get the message as he gently ruffled Fintster's hair with his fingertip. Fintster forced a smile as Swarm lifted his finger and smiled back, and the two shared a nod of understanding.</p><p>"Anyways, what've you been up to, anyways?"</p><p>"What have <em>I</em> been up to?" Swarm's smile stretched from antenna to antenna, and his eyes shone giddy with glee in the dappled moonlight. "I've been traveling all around Skylands! Sure I got kicked out of my old place again, but who needs some stuffy old palace when I've seen the biggest ball of corn in all Skylands, all these ancient ruins, cool arenas, old temples, and even more! Where do I even begin? The leaning temple gardens of the Southern Skylands? The gigantic sports stadium in Westmouth? Oh, no maybe—"</p><p>Swarm cleared his throat. "But, I'm getting off track. While I was looking around, I found out where Eye-Brawl went!"</p><p>Luz and Finster gasped, exchanged glances with each other, and turned to Swarm.</p><p>"Where are they?"</p><p>"Well, it turns out those two are the kings of some fancy kingdom near the Etherlands, can you believe it? My folks were talking about going on some fancy royal business meeting for them…"</p><p>"Then we'll tag along!" Fintster proclaimed. "With all three of us, surely we'll be able to get them back!"</p><p>"And I'm happy to take you" — Swarm waggled a finger — "but, there's this really cool sports game I've been dying to go to…"</p><p>Fintster groaned and buried his head in his hands. "Swarm, now's not the time for games! We need to find the others and get back to that Oracle guy, not wander around watching sports!"</p><p>"I know you think it'll be a waste, but it'll be worth your time!"</p><p>"Why's that?"</p><p>Swarm uneasily grinned and twiddled his thumbs. "Well, you'll just have to see when we get there!"</p><p>"<em>Swarm!</em>"</p><p>Luz flinched a little at the stern tone Fintster took, and again as Fintster turned to him and nudged him a little in the same way he always did when he wanted Luz to back him up. On one hand, Fintster did have a point, and finding the rest of their team was the priority; on the other hand, Luz took one glimpse at the look in Swarm's eyes and saw a little twinkle of eagerness, as if there was something he hadn't let on. Plus, getting to go to a game while they were here <em>would </em>be nice.</p><p>"I'm with Swarm on this one," Luz said as he gave Fintster an apologetic shrug. "Besides, the Etherlands aren't that far from here, I think. What harm would it do to go to one little game?"</p><p>"It's decided!" Swarm proclaimed. He swept both Luz and Fintster in his palms before Fintster could protest, raised to his full height, and buzzed his wings. "Off to the games we go!"</p><p>Swarm leaped from the ground, and the trees all swayed back as he vaulted into the air! Now that they left the forest's canopy, the morning sunrise shone through in brilliant shades of orange and gold mixed with streaks of rosy pink.</p><p>Luz didn't really get much time to appreciate it, for that one little vault sprang them halfway across the island! The fields below blurred into a dizzying mass as they sped across at lightning speed, and just the sight at the world around left Luz so dizzy that he crumpled into a ball beside Fintster. The air shrieked around them as it rang in Luz's ears, and forced him to cover them in some faint hope of relief from that awful din, but soon it relented. Didn't it kind of feel like they were losing altitude? Luz uncuffed his hands from his ears and looked up, but Swarm just folded his other hand over them.</p><p>"Actually, we might be in for a rough landing!" Swarm cried. "Look out—"</p><p>Swarm grunted as he slammed face-first into the ground, and Luz and Fintster bumped around in his hands like balls until they finally fell on their backs with a groan. The hands around them unfolded, and they stumbled out to find Swarm planted into the giant trail his landing forged in the earth.</p><p>Swarm groaned and flicked his crooked antennae as he pushed himself off the ground. "Yeah, think I might need to adjust my angle for that one," Swarm grunted as he shook his head. He lifted his gaze, and a smile stretched across his face. "But, it worked!"</p><p>Luz and Fintster turned around as Swarm pointed ahead, and found a giant coliseum made of stark white brick before them! Flags in all colors with all sorts of emblems on them hung from the many gaps in its body while smaller ones lined the top's rim, and the sounds of cheering and shouting rumbled from within.</p><p>"Welcome to the Athennial Coliseum, the biggest coliseum there is, and host to the biggest Roboto-Ball match of the season!"</p><p>Roboto- Ball? Luz's eyes fluttered as he turned to Fintster, who seemed to have the same inkling of an idea that Luz did, going by his gaping mouth. Luz stumbled forward to pry Swarm, but guards in shiny armor immediately swarmed them as he walked! Luz immediately flung up his hands, as did Fintster and Swarm, but the guards snarled back at them.</p><p>"So you're the ones who caused all that ruckus!" hissed one guard as they pushed a spear against Swarm's chest. "What business do you have here? Entry closed an hour ago!"</p><p>"I, I'm here to see a buddy of mine!" Swarm sputtered. "He's one of the players for the game, and I wanted to wish him luck before the—"</p><p>"Likely story!" The guard poked his spear closed to Swarm's chest. "I'll bet'cher here to sabotage the game! We get all sorts of troublemakers and riff-raff like you running around with that excuse all that time! Always saying they're here to see their buddies, and then they slip 'em sleeping potions and knock out the star players, but NOT THIS TIME!"</p><p>Swarm jumped back, and his wings bristled while his brows dug into his eyes. "I, I'm telling you, I don't mean any harm, I swear on my family's name—"</p><p>"BRING OUT THE BIG GUNS, BOYS!"</p><p>Rumbling growled from the coliseum, but not the kind that came with the audience's cheers. No, even more guards rolled out giant cannons, and with a flick of the fuses, they shot sleek, fast cannonballs right towards Swarm! Swarm gasped, dissipated into a swarm of bees, and scattered to the fourteen winds the moment the cannonballs flew!</p><p>The cannonballs that once aimed for him veered well over the guards' heads, and swung for a silver and bronze robot who strolled out to the fields instead! The cannonballs smacked him in quick succession, dented in the back of his head, and the robot groaned as he collapsed with a mighty thud while the cannonballs dropped beside him. The guards all gasped as they rushed off towards the unconscious robot, and Luz and Fintster were now completely forgotten in their minds as they surrounded the robot.</p><p>Their mumbles of panic only barely registered to Luz. The buzzing of bees completely drowned them out as Swarm's, swarm, returned to his side and reformed back into Swarm himself.</p><p>"Quick, while they're distracted!" Swarm hissed. "Into the coliseum!"</p><p>Swarm swept Luz and Fintster into his hands, and with a clap of Luz's hands, they turned completely invisible as Swarm made haste for the coliseum entrance! He lifted off, darted into a particularly large door on the coliseum's side, and darkness blanketed them all as the invisibility spell wore off for moments…</p><p>"Hey, where did the intruders go?"</p><p>Luz frantically clapped his hands and reapplied it! The three of them turned invisible once more as the guards stampeded right in front of them, and rounded a corner to a room with light and conversation billowing out of it.</p><p>"Hey, what's the fire, buddies?"</p><p>Wait, that was Bouncer's voice! At least, Luz thought that was Bouncer's voice, but it was hard to really get a good sense of things with the acoustics of the hall's gigantic, empty walls. He squirmed out of Swarm's grip a little in an attempt to get a better glimpse or notion, but moved a little too fast and slipped right out of Swarm's hands!</p><p>His face planted into a puffy cloud right before he hit the floor, and he floated up right as Bouncer rolled into view! A large number sixteen was painted on his chest, and his eyes flickered with a bit of concern, but it was Bouncer alright! Luz beamed and tried to float closer, but he glimpsed down and gasped—for his invisibility spell wore off in his excitement!</p><p>"Hey, what're you guys doin' back here?" Bouncer chuckled as he wheeled closer to Swarm with a bit of a curious look. "You're a little lost if you're looking for the bleachers."</p><p>Swarm flinched. Luz couldn't tell if he, too, realized they were visible once more, or if he was taken aback by how Bouncer didn't seem to recognize him—but nevertheless, he smiled.</p><p>"Well, er, I—"</p><p>"Ah, actually, before that, you wouldn't have happened to see a guy named Robo-G around here, would you? Tall, all titanium and bronze, like me but less handsome?" Bouncer stifled a laugh. "I kid, I kid, but the game's about to start and the guy's completely hightailed it, too!" Bouncer's smile faltered, and he turned back to where the roars of the crowd echoed from the halls. "It's my last big game of the season, too. I'd hate to miss out!"</p><p>Wait, titanium and bronze? Tall robot? That sounded an awful lot like the robot that the guards knocked out! Luz and Fintster exchanged worried glances as they turned to Bouncer with that almost expecting glint in his eyes.</p><p>"Well…" Luz began.</p><p>"Hey, there's those intruders!"</p><p>Swarm flinched, and in a fit of haste, he completely dissolved into a swarm of bees and raced off the side! Luz and Fintster fell from his hands as Bouncer scooped them up in his, dropped them on the floor, and rushed off.</p><p>"Hey man! Wait up!"</p><p>A roar of fear came from the crowds at the end of the hall, and Luz and Fintster immediately rushed through the halls. They followed the bright, stark white light at the end of the hallway to find themselves within a gigantic stadium!</p><p>That wasn't an understatement. The playing field had to have been as long and wide as three or four islands combined! The walls stretched well past them all, and made Luz and Fintster ants in its wake while its pillars brushed against the heavens and its flags flew high. Around them, spectators of all kinds were little more than blurry spots in the distance, yet raised quite a roar from their spots, as did the gigantic robots with numbers painted on their backs who were presumably the other players.</p><p>As for why they panicked, Luz presumed it probably had something to with the gigantic swarm of bees in the heart of the field that slowly morphed back into Swarm.</p><p>"Phew!" Swarm cried as he reformed at last and wiped the sweat from his brow. "Close one! Good thing I got out there—"</p><p>"And came here!" Bouncer interrupted. He wheeled up, patted Swarm on the back with such force that Swarm hacked, but Bouncer didn't seem to notice based on the giddy grin on his face. "What you did right now was amazing! You've gotta play for us! We're sure to win with a guy like you on our team!"</p><p>"Huh?"</p><p>Bouncer grabbed Swarm by the arm before he could even protest, and dragged him back to the left-hand side of the field! The two stood in a triangular formation with the rest of Bouncer's team as a robot in black and white robes flew out and tapped on a microphone. Bouncer eagerly jimmied from side to side, but the way Swarm's antennae and wings twitched showed he seemed to have some reservations about this.</p><p>"Alright, it seems as though the blue team found a substitute at the last minute!" the robot proclaimed in a smooth, charismatic voice. "In that case, the game will now begin!"</p><p>A shrill, ringing noise rang in the air and forced Luz and Fintster to cover their ears for a moment, but the rumbling of the coliseum as the players all raced off drowned it out soon enough!</p><p>The players' eyes set on a gigantic blue and gold ball in the heart of the stadium as the players rushed to and fro, snatched the ball, and tossed it towards gigantic, open nets in the back parts of the coliseum. A few players rammed into each other and dented their metal as they spat over the ball, but in the heat of the moment, the ball shone red and exploded! The burst of flames engulfed them both as another robot flew out, dumped a waterfall of fluffy stuff on them, and left them charred and smoked as they rested under a mountain of the fluffy mass.</p><p>The other players just didn't notice! A new ball popped out from the center of the coliseum, and they went back to running and playing like before as security wheeled out the burnt robots on giant stretchers.</p><p>Luz and Fintster just couldn't even smile, even though the robot in the black and white tunic gleefully narrated the whole thing with the gusto and bravado of a storyteller telling an epic. They cringed with every explosion, every dent, every screech of tearing metal.</p><p>Most of all, they could barely stand the sight of Swarm's playing! Now, Bouncer navigated the fields like a pro; Swarm, on the other hand, left with a bump on his head and a black eye seemingly everywhere he went! He tried to flee one way and a robot jabbed him in the back, he went the other and got squeezed between two particularly burly robots, heck, he even tried to disappear into his swarm of bees, but got pushed to the ground and run over before he could even move!</p><p>"Owch! Hey, watch it! I'm right down—"</p><p>Luz and Fintster both clenched their teeth as Swarm howled in agony as another large robot stomped him down.</p><p>"I don't think I can watch this anymore," Fintster winced as he turned around.</p><p>Luz almost echoed his sentiment as he went to cover his eyes, but right before he did, Bouncer leaped in and snatched the ball! Luz gasped as Bouncer rolled off with a cheetah's speed and the ball kept close to him as he kicked it.</p><p>"Would you look at that, folks?" the black and white-clothed robot cried. "BB-12's stolen the ball at the last minute, and he's making a beeline for the enemy's goal! Oh, but what's this?"</p><p>The robot leaned further, and dramatically gasped as he leaned back up.</p><p>"The ball's getting ready to explode! Will he make it in time?"</p><p>The crowd rumbled with fearful chatter as the ball's blue and gold surface turned a deep, hot crimson, and Luz bit his lip.</p><p>"Bouncer, look out!" Luz cried.</p><p>Bouncer's head swiveled around, and a glimpse of something familiar shone in his optics. Bouncer rushed forward, slammed his whole leg into the giant ball, and knocked it right into the enemy's goal! The ball exploded into a fiery burst and set the net alight with it—but around Bouncer, the crowds only cheered while robots came out to extinguish the flames.</p><p>"And would you look at that, a flaming goal to end the final round!" the announcer robot cried. "The blue team wins the game!"</p><p>The crowd erupted into roars of joy as Bouncer wheeled out and puffed his chest out in pride, and both teams swarmed him with cheers! It seemed even his opponents couldn't resist congratulating him on how well he played and asking him what his secrets were. At least, that was from what Luz could make of the conversation anyways. Soon, their voices soon melded into one while Bouncer pushed past them and towards Swarm.</p><p>Bouncer hoisted Swarm up with one arm, and both of them came up to Luz and Fintster next. "Well, that was my curtain call," Bouncer said as he opened up a hand. "Now come on. Don't we have some teammates to find?"</p><p>Luz and Fintster both gasped, nodded, and climbed as a bright light shone around them! They all gasped as the white, sparkly flash burst around them, and when it faded, the entire coliseum went with it! All that remained were endless plains and forest that just begged to be explored.</p><p>"Where to next, Swarm?" Fintster asked as he leaned against Bouncer's metallic finger.</p><p>Swarm frowned and scratched his head. "Well, thing is, I got bumped around so much that I forgot!" Swarm chuckled, but when the others' glares met him, he gulped. "I'm just kidding, I swear! See, just go over this way…"</p><p>Swarm flew off to the side where the village's buildings tapered off, and it seemed like the rest of the foliage did as well when Bouncer followed with Luz and Fintster in tow. The grass shriveled up, the trees went from mighty and full of lush leaves to withered husks with sad faces seemingly embedded in their grooves, and even the air turned cold and dead around them.</p><p>The endless plains of dead nature stretched on forever, but soon enough, the mouth of a large gate stretched before them. Its cold, gray stone walls stretched so high that only the tip of a mighty palace poked beyond it. The walls blocked off sights, smells, and sounds alike from within the kingdom.</p><p>Soon, the drawbridge with aged wood opened, and unveiled a quaint village with all sorts of underwordly beings strung about its worn dirt paths! Zombies and vampires carried around baskets of undead treats while werewolf pups and ghost children wove between the adults' legs. The air smelled cold and almost sweet despite the presence of death everywhere one looked. It gave the village an almost welcoming presence that beckoned for them to enter.</p><p>So they did, with Luz and Fintster almost masked by Swarm and Bouncer as they made their way through the streets. A couple patrons stopped and gasped. Their whispers rang in Luz's ears as they gossiped with excitement at the sights of the living. Luz didn't linger much on their words; he just trailed after Swarm as they left the village behind, past all the creatures and beasts, and towards that palace that loomed over them all.</p><p>Luz had to admit, the palace seemed even more impressive the closer he got to it. The black bricks absorbed what little light poked in from the foggy overhead sky and gave it a jewel-like shine. Flags with intricate designs of eyes and knights flew like mighty banners in a battlefield's wind. The onyx fencing glistened while renaissance vines curled around it with about as much life as an undead plant could spare. Luz almost wanted to reach out and touch it, but a bony spear flew in front of him before he could.</p><p>"Halt!" cried an eyeball with an emerald green iris who sat in knight's armor. "What business do you have with the kings?"</p><p>"Lemme handle this one," Swarm mumbled. He stepped out in front of the group, straightened his crooked antennae, and cleared his throat. "I am Prince Abejape of the Hymenopteran clan of warrior-wasps, and I have come—"</p><p>"A prince?" the guard scoffed as if he barely held back his laughter. "You seem a little roughed up for a prince."</p><p>Dumbfounded, Swarm stopped short and took a glimpse at his battered carapace with a chuckle. "Well, I had a bit of a rough time getting here—"</p><p>"And how do I know you're not lying about your status to get into the palace and assassinate the kings?" The guard scowled and thrust his spear a little closer to Swarm, even though he really only reached Swarm's leg. "I'm sure a prince coming for an important meeting would take better care of his—"</p><p>"Calm down, brother," demanded a voice with a distinct Siebenbardese accent. "There's no need to be so hostile to our esteemed guests!"</p><p>The guard withdrew his spear and stood aside with almost record speed.</p><p>Before him the gates creaked open, the world pounded underfoot as large shadows cast over the ground, and out from the gates came Eye and Brawl! The two of them were dressed in a king's capes and crowns with bands like the kind couples wore around Eye's wing and Brawl's finger, but it was definitely them!</p><p>Eye popped atop the vacancy in Brawl's head and cleared his nonexistent throat. "Apologies for the trouble," Eye said as Brawl extended a hand to Swarm below him. "My younger brother takes his job very seriously."</p><p>"I'm the older twin," the guard hissed.</p><p>Luz and Fintster both chuckled to each other. They'd seen that kind of attitude among the twins back home plenty of times.</p><p>"Nevertheless, come in! We have much to discuss."</p><p>So, Luz and Fintster followed Swarm and Bouncer into the palace gardens. The town before them soon became little more than a speck in the distance as they hiked up long, tiresome hills of smooth gray stone paths and undead floral gardens, and up to the palace at last.</p><p>It was perhaps even more impressive in person than it was from the distance! The black stone that made up its walls was iridescent underneath what little light peeked in, and reflected shades of purple and blue amid its onyx exterior. Its cony roofs pierced the heavens like arrows, and flags that bore what Luz could only assume was Eye-Brawl's royal crest hung from every one of the hundreds of windows carved into the castle walls. The faintest echoes of talking servants and other nobles rang out from the windows and fluttered the flags. Something sweet like berries trailed out along with it—fresh cooking from the chefs, perhaps?</p><p>"Come, come in! Our cooks have prepared the finest of feasts for your arrival," Eye said as Brawl pushed the door opened and beckoned for them to come forth.</p><p>Luz and Fintster both grinned, and Luz's mouth watered at the thought. A feast! He hadn't even thought about food since he left home, but now that the thought came to him, he started to realize just how hungry he was.</p><p>"The thought is appreciated," Swarm said as he entered, "but I'd like to get straight to the point, if it's alright with you."</p><p>That hungry feeling disappeared right then and there. Luz raised an eyebrow and followed Swarm in, as did Fintster and Bouncer. The doors slowly creaked to a close behind them, and to their front, Swarm and Eye-Brawl stood face to face with arms behind their backs and tense pleasantries written on their faces.</p><p>"As I'm sure you're aware, the Arkeyan Empire has been expanding its reach across Skylands," Swarm began.</p><p>Eye nodded. "Yes, it's quite worrisome to say the least. Every day, news reaches the kingdom of another island that fell to Arkeyan tyranny. Though our armies are strong, I can't imagine how they'll fare against the strength of the Arkeyans."</p><p>"Which is why we were especially glad to hear from you," Brawl signed. "The Hymenopteran Kingdom has stood since the beginning of Skylands, and its warriors are second to none. With our two kingdoms as allies in arms, surely both of us can rest easy."</p><p>"Oh, that's where you're wrong, I'm afraid. I have not come here as an ambassador of my family. I've come out of my own will and wishes."</p><p>Swarm raised a brow, and Brawl tensed as he stepped back.</p><p>"If that's the case, why have you come? Did you not say that you were here to discuss allying with us?"</p><p>"That I did, but perhaps not the alliance you think of. You see, with the Arkeyans expanding their reach, would it not be proactive to fight back against their reach?"</p><p>"That, that's utter nonsense!" Eye popped off of Brawl in shock, but quickly cleared his throat and dropped back down. "What other alliance could help us, if not that of your family's? Yours alone wouldn't be enough by even the slightest stretch of imagination! The Arkeyans have their hands in every corner of Skylands! Our armies, as impressive as they are, don't even hold a candle to the Arkeyans in terms of sheer numbers and raw power! What could you, alone, bring to help?"</p><p>"But, I'm not alone."</p><p>"You aren't?"</p><p>Swarm frowned and steepled his fingers. "In my travels across Skylands, I have had the pleasure of meeting many who banded together to rise against the Arkeyans' oppressive reign. Led by magicians with powers of legend, and those blessed by the Ancients themselves, these beings have gathered together under one banner to combat the Arkeyans' reign of terror."</p><p>Eye hummed in an almost contemplative way as he rubbed his wing against his round body. "Go on."</p><p>"I have been working with them to dismantle the Arkeyans' reign, and we've already had the pleasure of liberating many from their terror! Though the Arkeyans fight, every day we fight harder—and to great results! We've already torn down some of the largest Arkeyan strongholds, like that of the monument in Mabupotamia or the Arkeyan factories in Wavemeet!"</p><p>"Mabupotamia? Wavemeet? I remember those places!" Bouncer whispered and a small chuckle escaped him. "Eye-Brawl and I personally gave the head of that Wavemeet factory a piece of our minds!"</p><p>"Wait a second," Fintster whispered. He parted his bangs to study Eye-Brawl and the pensive look he held. "Does that mean?"</p><p>"Thus, I am asking you to ally under our banner, and join us in liberating Skylands from the cruelty of Arkilles!"</p><p>Eye hummed, popped off of Brawl, and flew around him. The two hunched over, and Eye whispered something so soft that Luz couldn't hear, but he didn't need to! Brawl's signing was enough to key him in on the conversation!</p><p>"Wavemeet and Mabupotamia, those names sound familiar," Brawl signed, "and yet, I don't believe we've ever been there. Something's strange about this prince, Ochiul." Brawl rested his hands for a moment as Eye whispered back and nodded, almost as if he was hesitant to speak. "Do you think we should continue this meeting? I can have the guards escort him out if you think it necessary."</p><p>Luz tensed for a moment as both Eye and Brawl stood motionless, save for the flapping of Eye's wings. Would they remember? Would they just toss them all out? Luz held his breath, for he didn't want to key them in on anything, but when Eye shook his head, that breath escaped and Luz practically deflated with relief.</p><p>Eye popped back on top of Brawl, and both of them turned to meet Swarm's expectant gaze.</p><p>"You pose quite the offer, young prince," Eye replied at last, and he turned down a little as he added, "but I do hold one concern. What will become of our kingdom should we ally ourselves with you?"</p><p>"Fret not," Swarm replied as he held out a hand, "for the Elder Elementals will ensure the safety of your kingdom, Eye-Brawl."</p><p>Eye shuddered, and a bright flash of silver light burst around him and Brawl! Their royal garbs fell to the ground, and all that was left was Eye-Brawl, with all the dents in Brawl's armor from battle, and the same aura of wear and age that came from the years of fighting. Luz knew it in his heart. Even though they didn't say a word, and just looked themselves over in a sort of stunned haze—they were back!</p><p>"Thank the Ancients that worked," Swarm groaned as he finally sat down. "I wasn't sure how long I could keep that up! I don't know how Mom and Dad ever did it."</p><p>Eye-Brawl chuckled, and that laughter spread to Bouncer as they helped Swarm up. Swarm groaned, favored his left side, and leaned on Bouncer while he slouched over.</p><p>"So, what do we do now?" Bouncer asked. "Dunno where everyone else went, unfortunately."</p><p>"And I'm beat," Swarm moaned.</p><p>"Actually," Luz piped up, "I met with Sihiri and Vatra earlier, and we split up to find the others! We were supposed to meet back up at Sihiri's old village, so why don't we go back there?"</p><p>Bouncer cast a glance at Eye-Brawl, who nodded in agreement.</p><p>"In that case, I'll arrange for an airship, and we'll head there," Eye-Brawl said. "Hopefully, the others wouldn't have had too much trouble."</p><p align="center">§</p><p>Within the depths of a massive forest, only the sounds of loving laughter rang out as Inochi and Sihiri ran hand in hand together. The flower petals cascaded around them like a rain of love, the kind of strong love they held for each other as they leaped and spun around the forest. The soft serenade of its winds and the gentle warmth of the sunlight filtered through the trees; they cast a perfectly romantic scene for a perfectly romantic moment!</p><p>Sihiri and Inochi's laughter grew so loud and so passionate that their faces hurt as they spun through the fields. The flowers petals danced with them as they did, but finally, they collapsed on the ground and landed on a massive pile of flowers below them, a soft, downy bed for them to rest on as they embraced.</p><p>Sihiri chuckled as she leaned on her side, and met with the honey-like gaze of Inochi and her sweet, sappy smile. Before she knew it, Inochi sprung forward and sneaked a kiss right on the lips! It was sweet like honeysuckle, and its taste seeped into Sihiri's own mouth as she reciprocated, so sweet that Sihiri just couldn't bring herself to break away. So, she wrapped her arms around Inochi, and buried herself in Inochi's soft, warm body as the petals cascaded around her. It was a simple moment, yet it felt like an eternity. It was as if time itself stopped for just the two of them.</p><p>She almost didn't want to let go, yet Inochi quickly parted the kiss and sat up. Inochi seemed so radiant in that moment as her pink eyes sparkled with the sunlight, and her soft cheeks dimpled with pink so that they brought to mind round, plump peaches. A soft giggle came from her, so sweet and infectious that it spread to Sihiri as well. They both laughed along with the winds and the faint birdsong as they laid together with not a care in the world.</p><p>"Alright, my village shouldn't be far from here," Inochi said as she took Sihiri by the hand. "Come on, I'll show you."</p><p>Sihiri nodded a bit hesitantly as she took Inochi's hand in her own, but when the feeling of Inochi's fingers, soft like the petals of a fresh flower, brushed against Sihiri's own hand, her grip faded and she melted into Inochi's instead. Though she felt it was a bit loose, her hand not once slipped from Inochi's as Inochi led her down the forest pathway. Inochi's geta clacked against the earth below her, and the long, white shirt and green pants she wore fluttered in the winds.</p><p>"You know, it's funny," Inochi remarked as they wandered on. She held a hand to her face, and a sort of lackadaisical smile came across her. "We've just met, yet it feels like I've known you for a lifetime!"</p><p>Sihiri's eyes sparkled even more as Inochi turned to her with that eager look in her pink eyes.</p><p>"Clearly, this must be the red string of fate at work! You and I were destined to be lovers, I'm sure of it!"</p><p>Sihiri's face fell. For a moment, she really thought that Inochi remembered, but, she supposed it wouldn't have been nearly that easy. Sihiri had to admit, it felt a little strange that her own wife didn't recognize her even with the circumstances at hand.</p><p>"Well, er, you see," Sihiri started before she quickly stopped herself. Should she really try and bring up the truth right now? After all, she was no different than a stranger to Inochi right now, and surely, if a total stranger came up to Sihiri herself and talked about all this, she would think they were making fun of her!</p><p>"Anyways, here we are!"</p><p>Well, guess there was no time for that. Sihiri turned around, gasped as Inochi grabbed her by the hand, and raced into the heart of a small village comprised of thatched, triangular huts where beings went to and fro.</p><p>The beings were mostly human, though Sihiri was sure she spotted a few beastfolk amid their ranks. They all donned similar clothing to what Inochi herself wore: simple kimonos and yukata with geta and other sandals clad on their feet. Regardless of appearance, they all had one thing in common, and it was that they were busy as busy could be. Whether they carted materials, made food, or ran around and talked as they ran errands of some kind, none of them had a moment to rest!</p><p>"And who might this be, Inochi?" asked a grizzled voice from behind them.</p><p>Inochi beamed and turned around to face an older person, one muscular and grizzled with tanned skin and visible stubble. They donned a long tunic and a headband around their forehead, and frowned as they scratched their chin with one hand while the other idly clutched a hammer. Their pink eyes were perhaps the busiest part of their body as they rapidly dashed between Inochi and Sihiri.</p><p>"This is my new wife, Sihiri!" Inochi beamed with pride as she brought Sihiri closer to her. "I met her just outside the village outskirts today, and she agreed to marry me! Can you believe it?"</p><p>The person just scoffed. "Marrying a person you just met? Inochi, only a fool would do that! You don't even know her!"</p><p>"And you're just upset that I got a wife before you did!" Inochi's cheeks puffed before she linked her arm with Sihiri's and moved off.</p><p>"Don't pay any mind to him, he's always a grouch." Inochi remarked as she stuck up her nose. "Anyways, just follow me. There's something here that I absolutely must show you!"</p><p>"Inochi, there you are!" shouted an elderly woman in long robes decorated with floral patterns. "Where might you be going on this fine afternoon?"</p><p>Inochi stopped right in her steps, withdrew her arm from Sihiri's, and bowed towards the woman.</p><p>"Just showing my lovely new wife around the town, Miss Himiko," Inochi beamed before she gently nudged Sihiri. "I've only just met her, but I can tell she's a keeper!" Inochi clasped her hands and a dreamy tone sneaked into her voice. "She appreciates plants, and she's so beautiful, and has this sweet, sweet laugh…"</p><p>Inochi gushed about Sihiri with fervor as she rambled on to this Miss Himiko, and all the compliments got to Sihiri a little bit. She had to admit, it was a little embarrassing to be praised this much, especially to a total stranger. More than that, it seemed strange that it came from Inochi. She was always so humble, subdued, and not the kind of woman to go into lengthy rambles and trade snips with random people on the street. She certainly was quite the spitfire back into the day, wasn't she?</p><p>Whatever happened to her, it must've really taken its toll on Inochi. Whatever that was, anyways. Sihiri never pressed Inochi too much about her past back when she arrived at their base curled up in Tree Rex's palm. They all had a lot of baggage and things they lost to Arkeyan rule, and Sihiri was never one for reopening those old wounds.</p><p>Family, friends, homes, and Sihiri lost them all as well. She knew well how much it hurt to leave behind your home, all your friends, and your family as well. For a moment, her mind wandered back to the illusion of her old village, the place where she spent her days playing in the river with her brothers, wandering around town with the older girls as they taught her about all the things she'd get to do at their age, and her heart ached a second more. A part of her yearned to go back there, but—</p><p>"Sihiri, dear, is something bothering you?" Inochi asked with a hint of worry in her rosy pink eyes as she tilted her head.</p><p>Sihiri's eyes fluttered and she shook her head. "No, it's nothing. I just had something on my mind."</p><p>Sihiri drew her gaze back from Inochi in hopes that maybe she'd just leave the topic be, as she always did when Sihiri said this. A warm hand grabbed hers, and Sihiri looked up to see Inochi's eyes sparkling with worry.</p><p>"Don't try and lie to me! You're my wife, and I'd be an awful wife to you if I just ignored you while you're clearly in a sorrowful state of mind!"</p><p>Sihiri clasped her hands and gulped while a tremor crawled up her spine. Sihiri almost forgot that this Inochi was nothing like the patient and reserved woman she knew! Surely, she was going to keep prying, but what would Sihiri say? She couldn't just explain this was all an illusion out of the blue! Inochi's eyes locked on hers, and the heat gathered in Sihiri's cheeks while her mind wandered about for an explanation.</p><p>"Now, Inochi," butted in Miss Himiko as she pushed herself between Sihiri and Inochi, "if she doesn't want to press the issue, you should leave it be. An important part of being in a relationship is understanding your partner's feelings. Forcing them to talk when they don't want to will only hurt you both."</p><p>Inochi apologetically bowed her head to Miss Himiko, turned, and did the same for Sihiri. Sihiri, for her part, just stepped back and nodded as a sort of pardon. It felt strange to be treated with the kind of formality typically saved for a stranger by her own wife, but, as it stood, her own wife barely even remembered her.</p><p>"Please pardon our Inochi. She's always been quite overeager," Miss Himiko said. "I'm sure she wants to be the best lover for you that she can be."</p><p>"It's alright, dear," Sihiri sputtered out at last. "You're only trying to help."</p><p>Inochi stood to full height, and gave one of the gentle smiles Sihiri remembered so well as she took Sihiri in hand. "At least let me get you something to eat. I'm sure you've probably traveled a long way! You must be starving!"</p><p>Sihiri's stomach growled as if to affirm this, and Sihiri chuckled and nodded. She hadn't even thought of food since all this began, but now that the topic came up, it was like a ravenous beast opened up in her stomach! She hadn't even realized she was this hungry!</p><p>Inochi took this as a sign of affirmation, and giggled as she led Sihiri away to another building, one where the scent of freshly-prepared fish and rice spilled out from the door. They stepped inside, and the scent grew stronger, but hardly unpleasant.</p><p>Sihiri found herself within a simple restaurant of sorts. A few others gathered around to feast on freshly-made balls of hot rice filled with all sorts of fillings Sihiri could barely guess from the sights, or they devoured meals of fish and vegetables rich with the aroma of herbs.</p><p>"This place has some of the best fish there is!" Inochi proclaimed as she practically dragged Sihiri to the back of the room. "I'm pretty sure the whole village has eaten here at least once!"</p><p>As they drew to a stop, Sihiri peered up at a grizzly, burly-looking man. He sat at the back of the room, and tended to a pot of soup that brimmed with the very same aroma Sihiri smelled throughout the entire building. He cast a glance up at Inochi first, but raised a brow as his eyes turned to Sihiri.</p><p>"And who might this be?" the chef asked with a voice as tough and grizzled as his looks.</p><p>Inochi gently nudged Sihiri forward and beamed with pride. "My lovely wife~"</p><p>"Finally got'cherself a wife, huh?" The chef chuckled as he tended to the fish and rice he cooked. "Better make this a couple's special, then!"</p><p>The smell of herbs grew stronger, and Sihiri's mouth watered as he pulled together bowls of fish, rice, and that same delicious-smelling soup on one tray before he pushed it in Inochi's arms. Sihiri tried her best to keep her composure as she glanced it over, but, she couldn't stop herself from drooling, just a bit.</p><p>"Hey, you!" the chef said as he gestured to Sihiri. "You better take care of her, alright? Inochi's one of the most important beings in this village!"</p><p>"Oh, I'm not that important! All I do is tend to the Great Tree and the temple gardens! There's plenty of others like me."</p><p>"Hardly! The Great Tree is what watches over our entire village. If not for you, who knows what we'd do. Especially with that sickness overtaking the gardens…" The man winced, and a hint of fear broke through his tough looks. "All the other shrine maidens gave up hope."</p><p>Inochi huffed. "Well, they're just quitters! This pestilence may be stubborn, but I'm sure with enough care and cleansing it'll fade out, just like all the other illnesses that befell the sacred gardens!"</p><p>Pestilence? Sacred gardens? Shrine maiden? Sihiri blinked and took in all the information as Inochi turned around and urged for Sihiri to follow. Not once had Inochi shared an ounce of her past with Sihiri herself, even in all the time they'd known each other, and now it was as though Inochi's entire life story unfolded right before Sihiri's eyes!</p><p>Even as they sat down and ate, Sihiri barely even tasted her meal. Something about this felt hollow, almost. She almost felt like she invaded Inochi's privacy by learning about her life like this, and with Inochi herself none the wiser, to boot! Sihiri almost wanted to break the spell and tell her now, but something in her heart stopped her as she saw Inochi vigorously eating with the widest smile on her face. Inochi seemed so happy and full of energy, so unlike the quiet and reserved woman Sihiri knew as her wife. Even if it was an illusion, surely she was so happy to be back at her old home.</p><p>Sihiri didn't want to ruin that for her, not right now.</p><p>So, they ate in moderate silence. As they finished, Inochi lifted herself from her spot and beckoned for Sihiri to follow. Inochi led her past the village, and through a forest with thick carpets of leaves and vines, ones so thick that Sihiri lifted up her skirts so they wouldn't get caught. Right ahead of her, Inochi wove through them without a single thought! In fact, she was so fast that Sihiri hardly kept her pace, and stumbled over her own feet as she followed Inochi through the forest paths.</p><p>"Now, I'm not supposed to bring those outside the temple here without reason. Sacred grounds and all," Inochi whispered at last, "but, I believe I can make an exception for my future wife" — Inochi turned around and planted a finger on Sihiri's lips — "as long as you don't tell anyone, of course."</p><p>Sihiri just barely nodded, and Inochi giggled as she took Sihiri by the hand. They walked through the forest as the blankets of plant life parted, and passed underneath a large arc painted in a striking shade of crimson. The plant life around grew more pleasant and organized, as if it was shaped by living hands and not just a product of the wild forest.</p><p>It wasn't until Sihiri saw the beam of pride on Inochi's face that she realized they now stood on temple grounds. Now that she saw it, Sihiri could hardly believe her eyes! There before her laid some of the most vibrant flowers she had ever seen, in species she had only ever heard of in tales, or seen in passing in written records. The plants fluttered and bowed within her presence. Something about them shone underneath the dappled sunlight that peeked in from the mighty trees which coated the skies above.</p><p>The flowers bathed in the light like precious gemstones. Their leaves were crisp and rich in a green coloration, and the grassy path underneath stretched its blades up as if not to be outshone by the other foliage's splendor. This wasn't just the one patch; these floral barriers were lamps that stretched and twisted along the lengthy path as they shone like guiding lights.</p><p>"I've never seen anything like this," Sihiri gasped as she turned to Inochi, "and you tended to this all by yourself?"</p><p>"Oh, don't be so amazed. It's hardly work for me when I love it so!" Inochi chuckled. She strode along the path while her geta clacked underneath unseen stone. "When our ancestors came to this forest seeking sanctuary from The Malevolence, it was the spirit of the Great Tree that protected us and brought this forest to life so that we could live in peace. The spirits give us everything we need, and we care for them in turn! We owe them our entire lives and more. What I'm doing hardly compares…"</p><p>Inochi's eyes drifted off to the path, and she frowned as she knelt in front of a particular flower patch. By Sihiri's standards, the glistening blue bellflowers that swayed in faint dance seemed healthy and hardly worrisome. Yet, the way Inochi glanced at them with tight, concerned brows and an equally-concerned frown seemed to suggest otherwise.</p><p>"Is something the matter with these flowers, dear?" Sihiri asked as she knelt beside Inochi. "They seem healthy to me."</p><p>Inochi winced as she ran her finger against a bellflower. "They are, and that's the problem! This patch of flowers was afflicted by the pestilence for days now, and it barely survived. For it to make a full recovery, even with the best care, would have taken at least a week!" Inochi pursed her lips and examined the glittery blue pollen that rubbed off on her hands. "But it's perfectly fine now, as if nothing happened."</p><p>Inochi drew back up, and her frown quivered even more as she glazed over the rest of the gardens. She looked so unnerved by the sights, almost as if her memories were surfacing. Would now be a good time to tell her the truth?</p><p>"I, I have to see the Great Tree!"</p><p>"Inochi, wait!"</p><p>But, it was already too late. Inochi was off on her way, and her clothes fluttered in the wind with only faint tremors as they grew further and further away.</p><p>Sihiri winced and hitched up her skirts as she ran in chase. The soft pound of her footsteps thumped against the earth as she rushed past the rows of sparkling, thriving plants. Though she thought they were beautiful in the moment, Inochi's unease sent chills over Sihiri whenever she glimpsed at them.</p><p>Sihiri gulped, and teleported ahead towards an opening among the trees that brimmed with verdant light. A shrill scream hit the air as Sihiri passed through the gate, and she jumped back without thinking. Her eyes fluttered, and they traced the grotto for any sign of Inochi before they finally landed on the grotto's heart.</p><p>There, Inochi laid sprawled out as she shuddered, while before her stood a tree so tall and bulky that it towered well over most of the others in the forest. It shined with a brilliant green light that flickered through the forest like fireflies. Its rich brown bark was spotted with patches of red that raised almost like armor, and pushed out from its heart and over its branches. Its top laid stripped of any leaves, and instead, all that remained were two branches with rounded ends almost like horns.</p><p>"The Great Tree! What happened to it?" Inochi cried. She forced herself off the ground as she stumbled towards the tree, planted herself against its bark, and frowned as she closed her eyes. Her hands traveled across the grooves in the tree's bark, yet with a sigh she drew back. "It doesn't seem as though the Great Tree's ill, but how could it have changed so greatly?"</p><p>"Now that I think about it," Sihiri ruminated as she approached the tree, "it almost reminds me of Tree Rex."</p><p>"Tree Rex? What's that?"</p><p>Inochi turned to Sihiri with wide, teary eyes now full of confusion.</p><p>Sihiri clenched her teeth. In her moment of contemplation, Sihiri completely forgot that Inochi didn't have her memories!</p><p>"Er, it, it's nothing! Forget I said anything!" Sihiri cried. She went back a step, and forced a smile as Inochi frowned further. "I was just thinking out loud."</p><p>Inochi turned away from Sihiri and hummed. Her eyes fixed back on the tree once more.</p><p>"Tree Rex," Inochi whispered as she laid a hand on the tree's trunk. "That name, it sounds familiar."</p><p>The wind whistled as it carried away the tree's leaves, and Sihiri could've sworn that the grass below rustled underneath Inochi's feet. In fact, it shuddered and trembled as if the wind would carry it away, too! Yet, Inochi's attention laid directly on the tree as she clenched her hand into a fist. She stood perfectly still like the tree itself, so stoic that Sihiri couldn't possibly make out what she felt: confusion? Worry? Sorrow?</p><p>A tremble came from Inochi as Sihiri finally reached out her hand; next, a scream as Inochi fell to her knees and buried her head in her hands! Her body flickered like a dying light as she shuddered. She babbled out panicked nonsense while she clawed at her own face.</p><p>"Inochi!"</p><p>Sihiri fell to her knees and nudged Inochi's back, but Inochi's body flickered and Sihiri's hands fell through!</p><p>"It's wrong, this is wrong, it's all wrong!" Inochi wailed! Choked sobs fell from her as she curled into herself. "This, this, this isn't real, it, it's not—"</p><p>"Inochi, please!" Sihiri cried back. She shook Inochi's shoulders with a bit more urgency, and her own arms shook as she did. "What, what's wrong, I—"</p><p>The sound of ravenous growling came as the speckled light from above dimmed, and Sihiri turned her attention away from Inochi. Glints of light burst from the shadows over the grotto's entrance as the growling grew louder, gruffer even! Sihiri rose from her spot as the magic gathered in her hands, ready to strike…</p><p>But the beasts who lurked in the dark struck first! Mutated monsters made of twisted roots and dead flowers rose from the dark, and squawked as they sprung forward! Their eyes set for Sihiri and Inochi.</p><p>Sihiri readied a charge of magic as she lifted her hands—yet they all planted on their faces with one loud sob from Inochi! They stumbled back up, barely able to stand on the roots that made up their feet as she cried. Their shoulders slouched as they finally stabilized, and their thorny hands curled in as their expressions fell. Their eyes drooped as they fell to their knees and cried with her, for all their desire to fight withered away with their own thinning bodies.</p><p>Their roots and petals dissipated into thin scraps that flew off with a passing breeze, and with them went the entire grotto. That one breeze turned the trees thin and withered with lifelessness; the grass gave way to hard, dead earth; even the sky stood gray and lifeless, a still portrait never to be finished. All time slowed, and all that remained was Sihiri, Inochi, and that tree that still stood strong in the dead earth behind them.</p><p>Inochi curled into herself, and the thick fabric of her robes only partially muffled her sobs. "This is wrong, this was all wrong! The pestilence never went away, it never went away this fast!" Inochi wailed. "It, it never went away at all!"</p><p>Sihiri reached out for Inochi, but a glaring green light emerged and stopped her. In a flash, that green light completely engulfed Inochi in its jaws. Flares of leaves spewed out as the light shined, and died just as quickly as it came to reveal Inochi's true, incorporeal form.</p><p>Now she was the ghost of herself that she truly was. She dressed in the same kimono she wore on the day of her death, and still in a shuddering fit as she laid behind the tree's trunk. Her sobs still echoed out, but they were quieter now, barely even heard over the howling winds that seemed to cry for her.</p><p>"Oh, dear," Sihiri whispered as she fell to her knees beside Inochi.</p><p>Inochi shuddered beside her, and Sihiri wanted so badly to reach out. She wanted to say just the right thing—yet, no words came to mind. Everything she could have said would probably ring hollow, so hollow to Inochi. How do you express your condolences to someone who failed something they cherished with all their heart?</p><p>Sihiri only nudged closer and wrapped her arms around Inochi's ghostly form. The chills of her sorrows bled into Sihiri's own spirit as the words finally came to her.</p><p>"It wasn't your fault. You did everything you could for them, I'm sure."</p><p>Inochi's eyes burned red as she wiped away her tears and forced herself up straight. She still sat with a readied composure even after crying so much, even through the sorrow that rang in her teary eyes betrayed her true feelings. She always forced herself to stay strong and calm, even in such harsh situations…</p><p>"I understand what you're trying to say, dear," Inochi whispered, her voice inches away from cracking despite her calm composure, "but, I'm afraid you're wrong. It was my duty as the shrine maiden to care for them, yet I couldn't even recognize what had happened! If I weren't so simple-minded, if I wasn't so stubborn about protecting this forest myself, I would have realized!"</p><p>"Would have realized what?"</p><p>Inochi brushed her geta against the dead ground, and grabbed a heavily-wilted leaf from the floor.</p><p>"This was all the Arkeyans' doing."</p><p>The leaf crumpled into tiny bits and disappeared along the trail of a winter breeze. It left Inochi's hand empty, yet, she did not draw it back. She just stood frozen and clammy as she gazed at the withering trees that once made up the forest grotto.</p><p>"They installed factories outside the forest, and pumped their waste here for generations, right underneath our noses! I thought it was just an ordinary sickness, that surely, it would go away with the right care, and everyone there believed every word I said about it! I was so foolish, I didn't even realize how their toxic mess mutated the forest into a monster's den!" Inochi's arms trembled next, and she bit her lips before she could burst into tears. "I, I was so stupid! Everyone put so much faith in my abilities, but I couldn't even see the real reason the sacred gardens we all relied upon were dying! In the end, we all had to flee our home because of my foolishness!"</p><p>Sihiri took a glimpse at Inochi, but Inochi only turned her head away. "I, I never deserved the kindness the free magicians brought me, not when I failed my duties so."</p><p>Sihiri hummed for a moment, and gently laid a hand on Inochi's lap.</p><p>"I don't think that's the case."</p><p>That single sentence brought Inochi's eyes to Sihiri once more, and Sihiri drew closer. "You cared for these gardens more than anything, and you did everything you could to save them! The blame lies at the Arkeyans' feet for poisoning them with such ills, not you for trying your hardest to help the ones you cared for so! How could you be at fault for doing all in your power to tackle an issue beyond your control?"</p><p>A single tear crawled down Inochi's face, but Sihiri wiped it away.</p><p>"I don't fault you for not telling me this. I'm sure it's quite a heavy burden to bear, but, please don't blame yourself. After everything you've done, both then and now, I think you can ease your guilt."</p><p>Inochi's gaze softened, and she gave Sihiri a small nod before she drew into her grip. The two sat with arms wrapped tight, and their ghostly forms warm with love as they watched over the ruins. Though everything around was so cold and lifeless, it wasn't sorrow or grief Sihiri and Inochi felt. Instead, an odd sort of peace washed over Sihiri. It was as if the world rolled from her shoulders.</p><p>"I always wished I could've taken you here before it was ruined," Inochi whispered. "It truly was one of the most beautiful places in Skylands. Nothing else could have compared."</p><p>"It truly was, from what I did get to see." Sihiri chuckled as she tucked a strand of silver hair behind Inochi's ear. "What surprised me more was how outspoken you were! I never would have thought you were such a spitfire!"</p><p>A crimson blush dusted Inochi's cheeks. "Oh, I didn't say anything embarrassing, did I?"</p><p>Her rosy pink eyes drifted away from Sihiri as she turned her head, and even then she covered her face with her sleeve. "The village elders always scolded me for being so brash and sharp-tongued back then. If I wasn't a shrine maiden, they would have probably been a lot harsher, I'm sure. Looking back, I can't help but be embarrassed at how brazen I was." Inochi's gaze turned coy as she raised a brow. "That is, unless you <em>liked </em>that~"</p><p>"Well, if I had to pick…"</p><p>Sihiri crooned as she lifted Inochi's head. That crimson blush turned strong as Sihiri and Inochi sat face to face, and Sihiri let out a teasing chuckle as she ran her fingers down Inochi's cheeks, stopping at her chin.</p><p>"I'd say I like the present you just as much~"</p><p>Sihiri stole a kiss in that moment, one ripe with passion that she melted into just as much as Inochi did. The sweet taste of vernal fruits lingered on her lips as she drew back, and when she opened her eyes, all she saw was Inochi.</p><p>Inochi, with those gentle pink eyes like the fresh roses of the vernal season, with her silvery hair and the soft hands she held Sihiri so close with, with the kind heart who fought so hard so that all life could thrive. Inochi, who held her the closest in the coldest, longest nights and harshest of days when all Sihiri wanted to do was give up…</p><p>Her wife, Inochi, stood right beside her once more, and in that moment, Sihiri vowed to herself that she wouldn't lose her again.</p><p>"I suppose it's time we found the others," Inochi said as she stood up and stretched. Her eyes turned back to the gigantic tree behind them. With a solemn stance, she rapped on its trunk and added with a bit of pain, "come on, Tree Rex, it's time to leave."</p><p>The ground shifted, rumbled, and cracked around the tree's trunk as it stretched and shifted out. Its branches become more like arms, and the top of its trunk turned heavy and bulky as a sort of face pushed forward, bringing the horn-like branches with it. A pair of legs with mossy pants drew out from the earth next. A low grumble like that of a tired person waking from a long slumber rumbled in the tree's throat as it rubbed its eyes.</p><p>"I haven't had such a nice and peaceful nap in a long, long time," Tree Rex mused as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes.</p><p>His eyes opened at last, and his face fell as the sights of the dead earth that once made up the forest greeted him. His fingers trembled, but he clenched them and only heaved a sigh.</p><p>"I'm glad I could rest here for one moment more." Tree Rex bowed his head, and his thick, wooden lips trembled as if he was going to cry too. But, he shook it off and smiled as he knelt down to Sihiri and Inochi. "Come on, let's find our friends."</p><p>Sihiri and Inochi crawled into the palm of Tree Rex's hand. The two of them crawled up to his fingertips as he lumbered, and peered down at the world below. The trees withered and crumbled to bits from the sheer might of Tree Rex's footsteps, and their splintered fragments littered the otherwise-bland, dead plains until they reached Inochi's village. As they did, Tree Rex halted with urgency, and nearly tossed back Sihiri from how quickly he jerked. She crawled back up, but beside her, Inochi covered her mouth and forced back tears.</p><p>The village that was once so full of life was now little more than ruins. All the houses and buildings were broken and battered from a lack of repair. Their tapestries laid tattered and fluttered only faintly in the breeze. Broken pottery and weapons were corpses on the battlefield, and stained with blood both red and green as they laid to rest. No sounds came but the wind, yet even the air was sterile compared to the fresh scents of food and nature that once blew through the village.</p><p>Sihiri wrapped her hand tight around Inochi's, squeezed it, and forced Inochi back into reality as Tree Rex passed the village by with his head hung low. Yet, he still caught one last glimpse as he reached the village outskirts, just in time for the wind to blow the village's ruins away. The place where Inochi was born and raised, where Tree Rex was planted generations before the birth of her or Sihiri's first ancestors, the place the two of them called home, truly was no more. All that remained was the endless plains of cold, dead rock under overcast skies.</p><p>"I suppose we should think about where the others might be," Sihiri remarked as she toyed with one of her locs, "but, where to start?"</p><p>Tree Rex let out a low hum, the same kind he made when he was deep in thought, and scratched his horn with his free hand. "When Inochi and I first left the village," he said at last, "we stumbled on this little mining town near some caves."</p><p>"A mining town, you say?" Sihiri turned around to meet Tree Rex's gaze. "If mining's their specialty, surely Crusher or Jorden would be there!"</p><p>"That's as good a place to start as any," Inochi said with a shrug. Surely, the sights of her old village weighed on her mind still.</p><p>Tree Rex nodded and forged ahead. His pace picked up as the skies cleared, and sun poured down from the heavens in stretches of warmth.</p><p>Soon enough, a large cave etched into the side of a mighty cliff peeked over the hills. More than that, so did houses, and signs, and even faint mumbles and talking rose in the air!</p><p>Tree Rex skidded to a stop right in front of the cavern, knelt down, and laid his hand on the ground. Sihiri and Inochi hopped out of his palms, and they frowned as he gingerly plucked one of the signs from the ground and brought it close to his face.</p><p>"'Mining work here,'" Tree Rex read, his voice slow as he scanned over every word, "'do not… enter… unless authorized magical personnel…'"</p><p>"I suppose I count as authorized magical personnel," Sihiri remarked with a shrug. "I do know magic like the back of my hand!"</p><p>Inochi and Tree Rex stifled their laughter, but Sihiri chuckled as she floated inside the caves. Inochi and Tree Rex's footsteps followed behind her, Tree Rex's loud and booming ones masking the soft clack of Inochi's geta. Sihiri took it as a sign to move forward.</p><p>The darker parts of the cave gave way to soft light as she rounded the cavern's corner, and the whole world bloomed with the bright light of lanterns strung along the cavern's top! Miners in all shapes and sizes worked away, from bulky trolls and elves who slammed hammers and pickaxes into the walls, to human and mabu sorcerers who used magic to push carts of shiny crystals down the rails. Aside of their work, they stayed completely silent with a steely sort of seriousness in their eyes and bodies as they worked away.</p><p>Sihiri eyed an elf who examined a scroll and floated towards them. They seemed like they were in charge of things here, so surely they'd probably have the answers she wanted. Just before she could open her mouth, however, a large quake rumbled through the cavern, shook the lanterns, and knocked most of the miners off their feet! The scroll-holding elf scurried off, and Sihiri followed them down the way to where…</p><p>Yes! Crusher was there! He still wore his helmet and brandished his beloved hammer tall, but his sash of rock traded off for gigantic armor somewhat akin to the gear the other miners wore. He knelt in the heart of a messy circle filled with the shards of glowing indigo crystals, and lifted one up so that the green of his eyes reflected in its shiny surface.</p><p>"Can confirm, these are Tzo Crystals!" Crusher said at last. His deep voice ruminated with joy as he lowered the crystal for the elf to view. "That glow is their trademark. Only Tzo Crystals glow like that after being pulverized!"</p><p>"Thanks the Ancients!" cried another voice with an undiscernible accent Sihiri recognized. "That's the last batch of 'em we needed!"</p><p>Out from the shadows came Jorden, who dressed in worn and stained miner's clothes, but sill held an unshakable smile on his face! He lifted two of the larger crystals over his shoulder with a grunt. Behind him, a few burly draconics followed as they lifted crystals from the ground. They all poured the crystals into a minecart and caught their breath, but only Jorden stopped to beam up at Crusher.</p><p>"Gotta hand it to ya, buddy! We'd be more lost than lambs if it weren't for your help!" Jorden proclaimed. "With all that fancy rock-spotting knowledge ya got, we're not only way ahead of schedule, but our benefactors will get all the rocks they need!"</p><p>"Oh, it's nothing!" Crusher replied. "Crushing rocks is what I do!"</p><p>"Excuse me, I was wondering about something."</p><p>A couple of firm footsteps shook the earth, and Sihiri turned around right as Tree Rex wandered in! He barely fit underneath the caverns, and had the duck underneath so that his horns didn't push through the ceiling. An awkward grin laid plastered on his face as he waved.</p><p>"You a new miner here, buddy?" Jorden asked as he walked up to Tree Rex. "Sure look burly enough for the part!"</p><p>"Actually, I wanted to know who exactly these benefactors you're getting these crystals for are?"</p><p>Crusher and Jorden both exchanged worried glances as Jorden pulled something vaguely like a scanner from his pocket and held it in front of Tree Rex. The scanner let out a few dull tones, and a red flash glowed from its surface. Jorden nodded and put it away as he motioned for Tree Rex to huddle forward. So, they all huddled together, though their voices were loud enough that Sihiri caught wind of their conversation regardless.</p><p>"See, we're getting' these for the free magicians!" Jorden explained. "We've been put in charge'a minin' some new crystals for them to use with some new weapons sure to kick Arkeyan keister!"</p><p>"Is that so?" Tree Rex chuckled. "How far along is the progress?"</p><p>"Way ahead of schedule!" Jorden beamed with pride as he pounded his fist against his chest. "Those fancy laser zapper thingies will be messin' with those Arkeyans in no time!"</p><p>"Well, that's good! You're among the free magicians right now!"</p><p>Both Crusher and Jorden's eyes widened, and the two traded frantic glances with each other, and then the rest of the mine.</p><p>"Wait, they're here already?" Crusher cried. "We need to get these shipped out!"</p><p>Tree Rex blinked and raised his hands. "Wait, no, that's not what I meant—"</p><p>"C'mon, buddy! Get those carts movin'!" Jorden cried as he rushed towards a minecart and pushed it off. "We've gotta get these crystals shipped out!"</p><p>Both Crusher and Jorden stormed off 'till they were only blurs in the distance. So much for sparking their memory that way. Tree Rex sighed and scratched his horns, and Sihiri in turn frowned and rested her hand in her chin. Her fingers drummed against her arm, and she lifted her head as a presence found its way near here.</p><p>"Was that Crusher and Jorden I just passed?" Inochi asked as she floated up to Sihiri. "Did they regain their memory?"</p><p>"Yes and no," Sihiri sighed. "I've forgotten they're both a bit… Literal-minded."</p><p>Inochi and Sihiri both sighed, but an explosion boomed out as Sihiri went to wrack her brain! The sound rang so loud that Sihiri's ears rang like bells, and she fell to her knees as the caverns rattled! A couple of rocks fell from the ceiling as Sihiri jumped up, but vines burst out and gripped the rocks before she could block them off.</p><p>"The sound came from over there!" Tree Rex cried as he pointed towards the right-hand side of the caverns.</p><p>Tree Rex stormed off, and Sihiri and Inochi floated off in urgency. The caverns rumbled as smaller explosions shook their walls. Ahead of them, an entire crowd of miners pushed and shoved each other aside as they stampeded through the caverns with sweat poured down their faces.</p><p>"A monster!" cried one miner as they stumbled over their own feet, and they held up the back of the crowds as they ran. "There's a monster here!"</p><p>Smoke flooded the caverns with such speed that Sihiri fell into a coughing fit, and the walls heated up as agonized groans rumbled through the caves! The loose stones below Sihiri shuddered as a hoarse scream shook the caves, and with it, the smoke and heat grew so intense that Sihiri fell to her knees. Even as a ghost, this was all so strong that she grappled for breath! Her coughing fit grew stronger as the smoke stung her eyes, but the clouds turned a minty green, and Sihiri's aches disappeared with the smoke's fading plumes.</p><p>A firm but gentle hand brought Sihiri back to her feet. When her eyes met Inochi's, the two nodded and rushed deeper into the caves. The heat rose with every inch they passed, and the screams grew louder, rougher, so much that they rattled the caves and even shattered a few sections! The heat grew dizzying as they stretched further, but relented as they finally passed into an open chamber in the caverns…</p><p>And there within stood Hot Head, who cried in agony as flames burned from every opening and vein in his body! His eyes were puffy with pain as he groaned. He slammed a flaming arm into a large stalagmite, and completely shattered it before he moved on to the next!</p><p>While he screamed and thrashed away, Tree Rex, Crusher and Jorden all stood around him with stances tense as they prepared to fight. A group of miners warily raised their hammers and pickaxes as they stood shaky and sweaty in the corner of the room. To the other corner, another group shouted out as they helped up a limping elf and hobbled away.</p><p>"Hot Head!" Sihiri and Inochi cried out in tandem as they rushed up to Tree Rex.</p><p>A volley of flames burst overhead, and Tree Rex ducked just before he caught fire. He knelt down closer to Sihiri and Inochi, yet winced as he gazed over to where Hot Head screamed and spewed fire at every angle.</p><p>"That's him, alright, but I don't know what happened to him!" Tree Rex whispered. "Whatever it is, he's in so much pain that he can barely think! We've gotta find some way to—"</p><p>"How dare you!" Crusher cried as he lifted his hammer and flung himself towards Hot Head. "Crushing rocks is <em>my</em> job, for the sake of the Ancients!"</p><p>"All of you, get out of here, quick!" Jorden cried as he followed after Crusher. "I'll keep this overgrown furnace distracted!"</p><p>The other miners screamed and cried out as they made their escape, but not Jorden. He rushed headfirst into the fray as he lifted up a sturdy, large rock, and tossed it right into Hot Head's knee! The rock shattered upon contact, but the pain it left sent Hot Head yowling. His leg swung, and he kicked Jorden right into the cavern walls.</p><p>Jorden screamed as he popped out from the walls, and Crusher growled at the sight as he squeezed his hammer. Crusher slid forward, and with one swift strike, flung the hammer's head right into Hot Head's chest! Flames spewed from Hot Head's veins as he flew back into a wall, smashed it to bits upon impact, and groaned as he stumbled up—but he collapsed back to the floor with one slam of Crusher's hammer!</p><p>Hot Head shuddered; for a moment, he slunk down a bit. He growled, and soon, that growl turned to a roar as his flames erupted brighter than before! His teeth gnashed while he turned a flaming palm on Crusher, and a white bellow of flames burst from his palms as they pushed Crusher into the wall behind.</p><p>The flames formed a net around Crusher, and pinned him to the spot while his hammer slipped to his feet with an earth-shaking thud. Crusher grunted as he pushed against flames. The flames in turn brightened and pushed him back against the wall. His stone turned red-hot underneath the heat, and sharp cracks came next as the heat split his rocky skin open.</p><p>"Wait, you two! Calm down!" Tree Rex cried as he ran into the fray with hands held up and eyes wide with worry. "We're all friends! Don't you remember?"</p><p>Hot Head's eyes fluttered, and his mouth gaped open while the flames around him seemed to die. The agony in his voice quelled a bit as he turned his attention to Tree Rex. For a moment, the pained look in his eyes turned to contemplation.</p><p>"What are you talking about?" Crusher groaned. He hobbled up to Tree Rex with his hammer as a makeshift cane. "I don't believe I've ever see you in my life!"</p><p>Tree Rex only smiled. "That's where you're wrong. You two are the Elder Elements of Fire and Earth, and my allies! We fought together through thick and thin!"</p><p>Sihiri and Inochi floated up, held out their hands, and cast an aura of purple and green light which cascaded over Hot Head and Crusher. The magic seeped into their veins and cracks, sealed Crusher's wounds, and calmed the flames that burned from Hot Head's veins, but, neither one seemed to notice!</p><p>Crusher and Hot Head stood transfixed as Tree Rex regaled them with stories of their fights against the Arkeyans, of epic battles where they saved the day, and the small moments they spent laughing and enjoying each other's company alike. If the sparkle in their eyes was of any indication, it almost seemed like the tall tales worked!</p><p>"If it weren't for your solid thinking, Crusher, and your firepower, Hot Head, we probably would've lost the battle against the Arkeyans that day, but thanks to you, we halted their invasion and ensured that Irragin would stand another day!" Tree Rex finished. "I have even more stories where that came from—unless you remember them now, of course."</p><p>Hot Head blinked and looked down at himself. "Hey, I'm not on fire anymore!" he proclaimed before he gasped and grinned, "and I can talk again! Ancients, I was hurting so bad I could barely think!" Hot Head raised a brow and glimpsed down at Sihiri and Inochi. "Did you two do this?"</p><p>Sihiri nodded and floated up. "You are one of our allies, Hot Head!"</p><p>"Hey, who're you calling a hot head?"</p><p>Sihiri and Inochi both chuckled as Hot Head shot them a glare. Well, Hot Head <em>was</em> more of a fighter than a thinker. He pouted as they both laughed some more, but even that remained for only a moment. Hot Head yelped in shock as they floated and laughed, and Sihiri opened her eyes right as a gigantic net zoomed out of the caverns with Hot Head held tight in its grips!</p><p>"After that net!" Tree Rex cried.</p><p>Tree Rex ran off with Crusher shouldered on one arm, and Inochi and Sihiri floated after him with haste. Hot Head's terrified shrieks and screams rang through the walls as they ran, but dulled as they finally exited. They found him held within its now silvery-bluish glow, and crammed so tightly within its netting that he was practically a ball.</p><p>"Lemme out of here!" Hot Head cried as he thrashed and pushed against the net's ropes and cords with little success. The netting just stretched with him, as if it taunted him. "These things are super cold!"</p><p>A shrill beep sounded, and the orbs that linked the netting hissed as they split open! They poured a silvery, sparkling mist into Hot Head's net prison. Frost formed at his feet as he thrashed some more, but his movements grew sluggish as the frost climbed up his legs, and turned them from red to an icy blue.</p><p>"Help, so, cold…"</p><p>"Hot Head!" Inochi cried.</p><p>"Hey, what's goin' on here?" Jorden cried as he rushed out of the caverns. "I get knocked out for five seconds, and next thing I know, everythin's gone topsy-turvy!"</p><p>"Jorden, something's wrong!" Inochi flew up to Jorden, and grabbed him by the shirt with no mind paid to the startled look in his eyes. "Hot Head, he's—"</p><p>"Fret not, innocent civilians of this humble town! Your woes will soon be over!"</p><p>A shadow cast out from a group of trees, and out from the bushes leaped… 'Enehana? Well, it looked like them, but the patchwork clothing and gadgets they wore disappeared! Their goggles were shiny, polished, and sparkled in the sun as they covered 'Enehana's eyes, while a pristine coat and tunic covered the rest of their body. They grinned as they held a remote in one hand, adjusted their goggles with the other, and brandished their remove to the heavens.</p><p>"Thanks to my Instant-Freezer 9000, this foul beast will no longer burn Skylands to its crisps! An icy prison serves as a fitting fate for such a mindless monster that rampages and burns everything it sees to the ground with no thought whatsoever!"</p><p>"Wait, freezer?" Hot Head whimpered as he barely struggled against the netting. "That cold's gonna, extinguish…"<br> "Silence, you flaming fiend!" A scowl formed on 'Enehana's face as they glared at Hot Head, and they clutched the remote close to their chest. "You've been rampaging about and burning villages to the ground for days now! An icy imprisonment is the kindest thing I can give you after all you've done!"</p><p>A puff of cold air burst from Hot Head's mouth as the frost climbed to his waist. He winced as he gazed towards 'Enehana with weak, pleading eyes. "But, I, I was so hot… So much oil… Couldn't control… Myself…"</p><p>"Listen to him, 'Enehana! You two are allies! Don't hurt each other like this!" Tree Rex pleaded.</p><p>'Enehana took a glance at Tree Rex and back at where Hot Head sat with wide eyes and a pleading pout. For a moment, it almost seemed like some kind of realization came over them as they pursed their lips—but, they only scoffed.</p><p>"I've never talked to that foul beast in my life 'till today! What kind of nonsense are you babbling about?" 'Enehana cried as they reached for their remote's dial. "Anyways, I'd best make this quick. I've got plenty more work to do."</p><p>'Enehana's fingers curled around the dial, but right as they went to turn, a blast of magic shot through it. The blow shattered the remote to bits! 'Enehana gasped as the remote's broken bits fell at their feet, and turned their gaze towards Sihiri with her wide eyes and glowing purple hands.</p><p>"You! What did you do to my remote?"</p><p>All eyes turned to Sihiri, and she winced as heat gathered in her cheeks. "I panicked!"</p><p>A low hiss sounded out from the back as the mist cleared up, and with it, the frost that covered Hot Head as well! His rocky body turned bright and red while the heat brimmed from his lava veins in its warm colors once more. Maybe a little too brightly, at that! The colors turned paler and brighter as Hot Head pushed against the netting, and with a roar, his whole body ignited. The flames burned against the nets as his thrashing rolled him backwards, and right towards the edge of the cliff!</p><p>"Hey, don't try to escape me!" 'Enehana cried as they sprung after Hot Head. "I wasn't done with you yet!"</p><p>Hot Head roared as he slammed his arm back with maybe a little too much force than needed, and the whole cliff shook in response! A sharp crack hit the air and the ground alike as a fissure formed in the cliff's side, and it crumbled as it took Hot Head and 'Enehana with it!</p><p>"Wait, those two'll get killed falling from that height!" Crusher cried as he stormed off.</p><p>Jorden gasped and dashed after Crusher. Sihiri herself tried to follow—but she came too late, for they both jumped right off the cliff's broken edge!</p><p>"Wait, you two!" Inochi cried.</p><p>Tree Rex ran off first, stumbled towards the edge of the cliff and reached out. He had no need to, for a gigantic stone pillar shot out from the ether with Crusher at its helm! Hot Head slunk down beside him, and to his right, Jorden made one of his cheesy smiles as he cradled 'Enehana in his arms. 'Enehana, for their part, just sputtered and clutched their arms close.</p><p>"Do I happen to know you?" 'Enehana asked as Jorden walked off the platform with them still firmly in his grasp.</p><p>"Well, uh, I don' believe I've ever seen you 'round these parts," Jorden admitted, and a soft chuckle came as a blush dusted his face. "But'cha know, you've got one'a those really memorable faces! The kind that beins' look at an' they think, 'Hey, I know that bein', even though I've never seen 'em a day in my life!' and, well, uh—"</p><p>"Nevermind, I remember now."</p><p>'Enehana planted a kiss on Jorden's cheek, and Jorden's face turned pink as a vernal strawberry as he hooted and hollered!</p><p>"SOMEONE HANDSOME KISSED ME! IT REALLY HAPPENED!"</p><p>Jorden tossed 'Enehana in the air, and 'Enehana laughed as orange light enveloped their body. Similarly, brown light took hold of Jorden's! Their bodies' mass faded as 'Enehana fell back into Jorden's arms, and once again they were ghosts. They donned the same clothes they wore on their death's date, their pendants sparkled with glee, yet they looked each other in the eye and held as tight as they cold could.</p><p>Another pair of lights, this time in brown and red, shone from the side as Crusher and Hot Head marveled them. When the lights faded, they once again returned to their normal states! Crusher's mining gear fell way to his helmet and sash, and both their bodies bore the cracks and scars of war. Still, the smile they shared with each other as Jorden spun around 'Enehana showed that they remembered all, both good and bad.</p><p>"Alright, what's going on here?" Crusher asked as he walked up to Tree Rex. "All I remember was going into that trial room, and then…"</p><p>"I'm not sure myself," Tree Rex admitted. "I can only presume this is the trial the Oracle laid for us, but why? What for?"</p><p>Crusher and Hot Head traded glances as they scratched their heads. Ultimately both shrugged and sighed, and Tree Rex did the same.</p><p>"Personally, I think we've had enough excitement for now," Sihiri said as she clapped her hands. "Let's just meet up with the others and go from there."</p><p>The echo of her clap rang through the air, and from it, a warp of glistening lavender opened underneath their feet. The light shone its brightest, and in a flash, it wrapped them in its magic and whisked them all away.</p>(Skylanders/CHS) Chihiro Hatsuki's Skylanders: Here Come the Giants! Chapter 18: The Oracle Part 1 (Part 1)<p>The searing light from the door faded, yet a strange, tingly feeling remained as all around groaned and rubbed their faces. Their eyes opened, and a blurry, faintly blue and gold-colored room met them (though, it was little more than blobs of color to them). The soft sound of whistling breezes echoed through the room even though there shouldn't have been any wind, and it was as warm as a pleasant summer day. Even though it seemed a little eerie, something about this room comforted everyone enough that they let themselves rest; their shoulders slumped, and their weapons stowed away.</p><p>Those blue and yellow blurs and blobs sharpened into a proper room before them, one that held a shiny gold floor while pale blue light spewed from its cracks. Streams of clear magic poured from the sidelines, and left ripples around marbled blue walls decorated with golden arches in the vague shapes of doors. A large hole laid in the center of the floor, yet a geyser of blue magic poured out from it and obscured the bottom it held below—if there was even a bottom to it at all.</p><p>It was a pretty sight, but it brought one question.</p><p>"Alright, did we make it?" Chihiro asked as she stepped forward, hands on her hips and eyes peeled. "'Cause I'm not seeing an oracle anywhere around here."</p><p>"Well maybe he's just getting himself ready!" Flynn chuckled as he brushed off his shoulder and puffed out his chest. "Surely a super smart dude like him knows having Skylands' best and bravest pilot in his quarters is quite the occasion!"</p><p>Eruptor scoffed and rolled his eyes. "Maybe we took a turn in that weird voidy place? I couldn't make heads of tails of where we were going there."</p><p>Raising a brow, Chihiro turned around and shrugged. "I thought it was pretty straightforward, well, when my brain wasn't spinning around in my skull, anyways. Besides, it didn't seem like there's anywhere else."</p><p>"I can assure you, this is the Oracle's residence," the high priest interrupted as she stepped forward. "Just be patient, for he will arrive any moment."</p><p>Chihiro frowned and tilted her head. "I don't know. Did he know we were coming?" she whispered. She stumbled over and peered into the floor's gigantic hole. "Maybe I should drop him a line."</p><p>"Oh, I can reassure you that I am well aware of your presence, heroes of Skylands!"</p><p>A chuckle echoed from within the chamber's heart, one that reverberated and echoed, but not with volume. It was tranquil, almost alien in sound. More importantly, though, it alarmed Chihiro enough that she stumbled back!</p><p>She lifted her head and gasped as the light from the floor grew brighter, but soon faded enough that some kind of silhouette—one round and bumpy with long tentacles, and another, longer stalk of some kind stretched from its top—formed in the pillar!</p><p>The silhouette pressed forward as a single blue eye stalk with a yellow and red eye inside of it poked through the pillar, and it peered down on Chihiro. A round blue body covered with cyan and purple bumps that paired with a slightly-smiling mouth emerged next, and a series of tentacles like a squid's with green undersides came last as the light faded entirely. Though odd in appearance, a kind of divine aura radiated from this being. It was as if the power and knowledge of entire generations wrapped itself into one existence and shone from them like sunlight.</p><p>The strange being chuckled and nodded towards Chihiro, yet lifted themself up as she stepped backwards and bowed.</p><p>"I am Octavius Cloptimus, the Oracle of Skylands' beyond," the being said as he stretched out a tentacle towards Chihiro. "I have watched over Skylands since its infancy. I've seen empires rise and fall, civilizations fall to their destruction and rise from the ashes, the births, lives, and deaths of quintillions, and from it, I have learned almost everything there is to know about Skylands and more."</p><p>Chihiro hastily nodded and raised her mouth open, but she couldn't bring herself to speak. She just stood there, eyes wide in awe as the only part of her body that could move.</p><p>Behind her, the others fell to their knees (or whatever they could) in a slow wave as they bowed towards the Oracle. Those who didn't bow at least offered him a respectful nod, or backed away in sheer awe.</p><p>All but Nemir, that was, who merely strode up by Chihiro's side and gave the Oracle a friendly nod.</p><p>"Ah, wise Oracle Octavius! It has been quite some time since I last consulted you," Nemir said with a tone like he spoke to an old friend and not a near-deity. "When I first came to you for guidance, I was as green as the spring shoots, a young man still grappling with the burdens and responsibilities of kinghood. I'm not sure I'd be the man I am today if not for the wisdom you gave me."</p><p>The Oracle chuckled. "Ah, good king Nemir, the wisest king Molekin Mountain has ever know in its generations. It truly is a pleasure to be in your presence again." The Oracle smiled and shook his head, tsking as he did. "But, you needn't thank me. I merely offered you knowledge, but it was your studiousness and vigilance that turned it to wisdom. If anything, you should take pride in yourself for your hard work."</p><p>"Oh, my!" Nemir chuckled and took a step back as he glanced aside. "To hear that from someone like you—"</p><p>"Yeah, yeah, we get it, you're smart and you like to toot your own horn," Flynn butted in as he barged through. Crossing his arms, Flynn quirked a brow towards the Oracle. "But, are you really as all-knowing as you say you are?"</p><p>Nemir clenched his teeth and shot daggers at Flynn! The Oracle's laughter stopped him before he could curse Flynn out. Nemir stepped backwards a bit as the Oracle smiled at him, though he still shot quite a few nasty glares at Flynn as he did.</p><p>"Do not fret, Nemir," the Oracle said, as if he knew exactly what Nemir thought in that moment. "I understand beings will have their doubts about me."</p><p>The Oracle moved towards Flynn as he floated down just a bit until they were somewhat eye-level.</p><p>"To begin with, I know the names of all of you who stand in this room now." The Oracle's eye peered down. "Of course we have you, Flynn Lightcycle, the young portal master Chihiro Hatsuki, who hails from a world far away from where we call home, as well as my acquaintance Nemir…"</p><p>The Oracle's eye moved to the back.</p><p>"To your back, we have the Elder Elementals. BB-12, the star roboto-ball player; Fatimah, the master of magic; Essex, the stalwart whale; Etna, the tamer of flames; Eben, the shaper of the earth; Ochiul and Armura, who together form a most legendary duo; Tree Rex, the guardian of life; and none other than Prince Abejape, youngest son of the ancient Hymenopteran bloodline and the reigning monarch of the skies."</p><p>The Oracle moved his eye down below to where the rest of the ancient portal masters resided as the Elder Elementals gasped and glanced at each other.</p><p>"Of course, we can't forget the portal masters that fought valiantly alongside you, either. Sihiri, who gave up her peaceful life to protect the ones she loved; Vatra and Vaayu, who fight to save the innocent lives they weren't able to save before; Luz and Fintster, the brothers who fought for the safety of their family; Inochi, who wishes to protect the natural world's harmony; 'Enehana, who uses their vast wisdom to protect those from the very things they made; Jorden, a humble woman with a heart as strong as his muscle; and Dej, the traveler who fought Arkeyan tyranny every step of his journey."</p><p>The ancient portal masters shied away from view. Some of them whispered in timid shock, others blushed and played down their accomplishments, and a few just basked. Still, their surprise downplayed itself as the Oracle's eye moved to the Skylanders.</p><p>"And the heroes of today, the Skylanders. Trigger Happy, a gremlin with a past as enigmatic and chaotic as he himself; Spyro, the young hero of prophecy with a legacy stretching across worlds; Gilligan, a name quite fitting for his marine background; Vesuvius, a lava monster who's weaponized his species' explosive disposition for the better of all; Finnley, both a fighter and a lover; Cynder, who fights to atone for atrocities committed when she was not in control of herself; Shizuka, the elven ninja who seeks the secrets of her past; and Celeste, the hybrid who controls the weather at her wills."</p><p>The Oracle passed by the Skylanders' stunned glances, and his eye set on where Cali and the high priest laid.</p><p>"And lastly, we have California Jane, one of the most famous adventurers of her time, and Aikaterine, current high priest of Molekin Mountain." The Oracle chuckled and turned his eye back to Flynn. "Does that put your worries to rest, Flynn?"</p><p>Flynn hummed and flicked his ear as he glanced back up at the Oracle. "I mean, you can read about some guy's achievements in any book, and I'm sure my achievements as bravest, best, and not to mention humblest pilot of all Skylands have reached quite a few ears. But, how can we know you know all this stuff you say you do? Do you really know everything there is to know about everything?"</p><p>"Alright, so I see that you require a bit more evidence of me." The Oracle nodded and cleared his throat. "Well, if you wish to know evidence of my all-knowing knowledge, how about I list off a few facts about you?"</p><p>"Go for it, buddy! I'm sure everyone'll love hearing about my adventures!"</p><p>A smirk formed on Flynn's face as the Oracle cleared his throat.</p><p>"Very well then," the Oracle began, oblivious to the smug look on Flynn's face. "Flynn Lightcycle, you make up songs about your adventures to sing in the shower, you sleep with your favorite wrench at night…"</p><p>Flynn popped his eyes wide. For a moment, it seemed as though his normally-sunset orange fur turned a bright scarlet instead! His ears twitched as a couple chuckles came from the back of the room, and he clenched his teeth and stormed up.</p><p>"And though you claim that you're saving yourself for all your admiring followers alike, in truth, the reason you've never entered a relationship is because you've been nursing feelings for a Mabu named—"</p><p>"Alright, alright, I get it!" Flynn thrust himself in front of the Oracle and frantically waved his hands. "You're all-knowing and stuff, you can stop now!"</p><p>"Very well then."</p><p>Flynn coughed into his scarf and shuffled away. behind him, Nemir stifled a laugh of his own, almost like he relished in Flynn's brush with the Oracle's skills.</p><p>This mattered little to Chihiro, for she took her position to the front once more. "If that's out of the way," Chihiro took a breath in and out. "Then—"</p><p>"I am also aware of why you came to consult me," the Oracle said as he swirled around. "The final Arkeyan Emperor-King, Arkilles, seeks a way to Arkus as a means to revive his empire, and plunge Skylands into the depths of tyranny once more. You wish to stop him, but with no map to guide you, you're at a loss as to what to do next."</p><p>Chihiro's eyes fluttered and she rapidly nodded. "So, you can help us, then?"</p><p>"After all, wise Oracle, you know everything about Skylands' past," Nemir added as he stepped in. His teasing looks from earlier traded hands for a more serious one as he clasped his incorporeal hands. "Surely, you understand the grave danger that lies within Arkus's walls, and what it would do to Skylands to have him take his empire back once more?"</p><p>"Indeed I do, Nemir," the Oracle nodded. "Getting the information is of little trouble for me, and I can easily help you with <em>this </em>problem. But" — the Oracle's eye narrowed as he glanced among their ranks — "I sense something else troubles you as well. Some of you are grappling with the fact that your present is now the past, others are troubled by the resurgence of such strong foes, and one of you was shaken by recent events and is trying to find themself amid all of it."</p><p>Chihiro winced, glanced, and grabbed her vest almost on instinct. She glanced back up at the Oracle, but he just chuckled and spun around. "How, how did he know?"</p><p>"I know almost-all, after all." The Oracle spun around once more. "So, in light of this, I propose a little test to earn this information."</p><p>"A test?" Flynn spat back and snarled as he crossed his arms. "Why d'you need to test us for this, anyways? You just know what's gonna happen since you know all and stuff!"</p><p>"I'm with Flynn on this," Cali added from the sidelines as she stepped from the crowd. "If you know all that there is in Skylands, why do you need to test us?"</p><p>The high priest grabbed Cali by the wrist just before she could break from the crowds. "Do not question the Oracle, young one!" the high priest tsked. "If the Oracle sets you up to a test, surely it's for the best! That's the adage we've adhered by for generations, and he's never failed us in that regard!"</p><p>"Thank you for your confidence, Aikaterine, but they do deserve some insight as well." the Oracle held a tentacle to himself and cleared his throat once more. "You see, I have a bit of a plight myself, one I wish for you to aid me in."</p><p>"A plight? What kind of problems would you have?" Flynn scoffed. "You know everything!"</p><p>"Correction—I know <em>almost </em>everything. I know all there is to know about the past, and to some extent, the present as well." For the first time since they first saw him, the Oracle's face fell and he shook. "However, the future's ever-twining threads are an enigma to me, an ever-churning fog I cannot pierce."</p><p>The Oracle smiled once more and clasped his tentacles, and that eerie aura of power radiated from him once more. "So, I wish for you to help me with a test. I will send you all through several trials, and attempt to predict the decisions you will make. If I do this, the data I get will surely aid my attempts in scrying the future. Once you complete these trials, I will give you the information you seek."</p><p>"Alright, what kind of trials are we looking at, then?" Spyro asked as he flew up from the back of the group. "Fights? Time trials? Obstacle courses?"</p><p>"I am afraid I cannot tell you the exact contents, or else it will bias the data." The Oracle shook his head, but a smile remained on his face still. "That being said, I will assure you that if things grow too dangerous, I will bring you back here as safe as I can—and it will be very safe, for this entire dimension bends to my will and wishes."</p><p>Spyro frowned, and beckoned for Chihiro, Flynn, and Nemir to join him as he flew to the back of the group. By the time the three of them arrived, Spyro already huddled in with the rest. They all squeezed tight as they spoke in barely-heard whispers and glanced between themselves and the Oracle. A few arms jabbed, a few feet shuffled, but it seemed they were stiff as statues aside of their mouths and these small movements. Perhaps it fit, considering what laid ahead of them.</p><p>"I don't know if I trust this guy," Eruptor whispered as he shuffled in closer. "I know he's an all-knowing and all-powerful oracle guy and stuff, but" — Eruptor shuddered, and the lava that bubbled from his veins popped and crackled like fireworks — "he gives me the creeps!"</p><p>"I'm with Ruptor on this one. Something about him doesn't seem quite right," Terrafin added.</p><p>"Listen, I know he's strange," Spyro whispered as he came in closer, "but, like it or not, he's our best bet if we want to stop Arkilles, or Kaos, or whoever he is now! It's not like we can storm his front gates and steal back the map again! If we wanna get to Arkus before he does, we'll have to do it!"</p><p>"How do we know he isn't lying to us? You can't exactly trust weird overly-powerful deity dudes!" Cynder snapped. "How do we know he isn't setting us up for something?"</p><p>"He seems trustworthy enough to me," Stealth Elf added. "If he was acting suspicious, I would've seen through it in an instant!"</p><p>"And he knows so much that he could've hidden it from you!"</p><p>"Yeah, Cynder's right!"</p><p>Spyro winced and craned his head towards Tree Rex's group. "Well, what do you all think?"</p><p>Nemir stepped forward and held out his hand, and his footsteps demanded silence as they clacked against the marble.</p><p>"I'll start by saying that the Oracle is almost akin to an Ancient in power," Nemir said. "If he wished, we'd be zapped to ashes the moment we stepped foot in his realm, and yet we're still standing. He has not steered anyone wrong before. I trust that he has no ill intent."</p><p>"And if Nemir believes him, I do as well," Sihiri chimed in.</p><p>The other ancient portal masters nodded, and the Elder Elementals did as well while they stood above the Skylanders. Cali and Flynn still grimaced a little below them, as if they weren't exactly sure themselves. Their hesitance stewed a bit of unrest in the Skylanders as they shuffled around, but their unease ceased as Spyro turned to the Oracle.</p><p>"Alright, Oracle," Spyro asked. "What exactly will you do if things go south?"</p><p>"It is simple, really," the Oracle said as he clapped his tentacles and summoned a blue light underneath him. "This realm is a realm entirely of my making and control, and I can do with it as I please. In the event that something should happen to you and you need to retreat" — the Oracle clapped his tentacles again and the light faded — "I will summon you back here, and use my powers to heal you of all injury."</p><p>Spyro frowned and flapped his wings as he turned to Chihiro. "Chi, what do you think?"</p><p>Chihiro hummed and rubbed her chin. "Well, we do need that information on Arkus, and it's not like we'll be able to get it anywhere else—not easily, anyways," she started while a more pensive look crossed her face, "and this guy's so smart and powerful that I believe he has complete control over this domain. Plus, he was able to tell something was bugging us, so maybe whatever knowledge he has will help us there, too!" Chihiro smiled and banged a fist against her palm. "I think we should do it!"</p><p>The Skylanders glimpsed and glanced around the room, but reluctantly nodded as they caught sight of Chihiro's smile, and next Spyro's as he beamed back at her. If their leaders had full confidence in this, surely they should as well, right? That seemed to be the prevailing opinion, and besides, the Elder Elementals and ancient portal masters had them outnumbered anyways.</p><p>So, they joined Spyro and Chihiro.</p><p>"Alright, we'll go for the time being," Cynder reluctantly said at last as she trailed out of the group. Her eyes narrowed, and a shock of lightning flashed in them as she glanced at the Oracle. "But make no mistake, I'll personally shock you to death if you <em>are</em> planning something!"</p><p>"I will hold you to that promise," the Oracle said before he swept out of the way.</p><p>The Oracle clapped his tentacles, and the hole in the floor sealed up while the three decorative spaces ahead all warbled and shifted. Soon, they became proper doors right before everyone's eyes!</p><p>One door was red and gold, and covered in ancient-seeming runes and carvings; the second was a periwinkle color and embedded with gems in the colors of all Skylands' elements; the third was a sleek, shiny white and coated in luminescent rainbow glitter; still, each one came with an eerie feeling akin to that of what the Oracle himself radiated. Was it the mystery of the trials itself that propelled this feeling? Was it the mystical feeling this strange dimension held? Whatever it was, it billowed from the doors like smoke from a fire, and spread across the rooms as it chilled the warm feeling of its surface.</p><p>"The Elder Elementals and the ancient portal masters will take the first door," the Oracle said as he gestured to the red and gold door, "the Skylanders will take the second…"</p><p>The two groups spread in lines towards the doors, and Chihiro trailed after Spyro as he headed towards his door. A soft push from the Oracle's tentacle froze her in place! It was not from magic, but from simple shock, for chills ran down her spine before she shook them off and turned to the Oracle.</p><p>"You don't go with them, Master Chihiro," the Oracle said as he nudged Chihiro towards the white door. "This one is for you."</p><p>Chihiro nodded, turned around, and shuddered for a moment more as she reached out to the door and ran her fingers against it. It had no lock or knob, but the surface was light enough that a gentle push flung it open. Rainbow and white light poured out from the doorway! The same light came from the other two groups' doors as they gasped, yet otherwise they stood silent, as if they judged the path before them one last time.</p><p>Finally, it was the Elder Elementals and the ancient portal masters who left first, for they waved farewell to their companions as they entered the door. The Skylanders went next, and waved to them for a moment before they nodded to each other and entered their own door. They all left quickly, so Chihiro just gulped and raced inside.</p><p>The doors all slammed shut behind them, and the sound echoed in a shaky reverberation around the room.</p><p>The Oracle, Flynn, Cali, and the high priest were only left to watch. The eerie silence of the room came once more, for it seemed a lot lonelier without the company. Flynn and Cali both glanced at each other, next the doors as they winced, but it was Cali who stepped up first.</p><p>"So," Cali began as she raised her hand, "what exactly are we supposed to do?"</p><p>"Nothing," the Oracle said as he waved his tentacles. A console formed before him, and he beckoned for them to come. "You will wait here while your friends attend to their trials. Since you are not attending, I may explain the purpose of these trials to you."</p><p>The Oracle chuckled as the three of them drew forward, and pulled up one screen of the console. There, the Elder Elementals and ancient portal masters walked through an endless white void in crystal-clear quality, a sight that seemingly amused the Oracle as he raised his brow. The light around them brightened and flooded in the screen until it was little more than a glowing square. The light brushed against the Oracle's face, and he glanced back down at Flynn, Cali, and the high priest before he quickly turned his attention to the console.</p><p>"You see, the nature of these trials is as such that…"</p><p align="center">§</p><p>Luz groaned and rubbed his eyes as beams of sunlight poured over him. The sun was bright and harsh, way more harsh than Luz remembered it being. He waved his hand to try and dim it a bit; he just wanted to sleep, dang it!</p><p>Every bone in his body ached, his whole body grew heavy and cumbersome, and he didn't know why. Wait, heavy? Since when did he feel heavy? As a ghost, he was as light and nimble as a feather, and able to float with ease! In fact, he could do it right now… If he wasn't so tired and if the sunshine wasn't so harsh. He waved his hand again, but the sun shone even brighter, almost as if it scolded or taunted him!</p><p>"Alright, alright, geez!" Luz shouted out as he pushed himself up while the feeling of thick cloth hit his body. "I'm getting" — Luz opened his eyes and his face fell — "up?"</p><p>Luz's eyes fluttered again, and he clutched that thick cloth as he sat up in utter, stunned silence. He laid in a simple room with a single bed, some clothes hung on a windowsill to dry, and only a few tapestries hung from shelves for decoration. Actually, judging by the thickness and the animal fur textures they had, those tapestries seemed more like blankets? The straw-thatched roof let in mottled dots of sunlight from its tiny gaps, yet the warmth of the outside world poured in and heated the adobe floors and bed around him. Just how did Luz get in this place? He wasn't sure, and he didn't exactly feel comfortable staying here, even if this furry blanket was comfortable.</p><p>"Just, where was I, anyway?" Luz asked as he stumbled out of bed and rubbed his eyes.</p><p>He was sure that he was somewhere else, with someone else, no, some other beings, there were more, he was sure… Or were there? Every time he tried to think about what happened, his head spun and he started to lose his footing. It was like something locked away his memories and threw away the key! He frowned and glimpsed down at himself, but wait, something else was wrong too!</p><p>"Wait, I have a body again?"</p><p>That wasn't right. Everyone had a body, right? Still, the sight of Luz's own flesh left him trembling, as if something about it was eerily wrong. He still wore his clothing, at least! At least, he thought these were his clothes, yet the style felt wrong in a way he couldn't name. He stood in a strange place he couldn't quite remember, he couldn't remember a thing, and the sight of his own body left him shaking! Just what was going on here?</p><p>Well, whatever it was, the first step to finding that out was getting out! He stormed towards the open gap in the wall that he assumed was a doorway, but before he could leave, he ran into someone and fell on the floor! The armor chestplate he wore cushioned the blow, but the surprise left him stunned still.</p><p>"There you are, Luz! I thought you would sleep for an eternity!"</p><p>There before Luz stood a woman tall and skinny like a vine with flowing golden hair as long as she was tall. Her skin was the same shade of brown that Luz's was, but while Luz's nose was large and round, hers was long and thin, and her lips were a bit larger compared to his own. Her face was angular and sharp unlike his round and chubby one. She wore a long and loose white dress with golden triangle patterns weaved into it, and her arms crossed as she tapped her foot and revealed the golden sandals she wore.</p><p>"Come on, the sun isn't going to shine forever!" the woman shouted as she bent down just slightly and urged Luz from the floor. "You've got a big day ahead of you, so—"</p><p>Just as the woman reached out towards Luz, however, he panicked and pushed her hand away! He hadn't really meant to, but it moved by itself. After all, he was in a strange place, and a woman he didn't recognize stood right before him! It was normal that he'd freak out! Luz winced and glanced back up at the woman.</p><p>He expected scorn, yet that wasn't what greeted him when she stared. No, she seemed concerned, almost, as she fell to her knees and patted his face!</p><p>Luz grunted, rolled backwards, and hit the wall once more. "Wait, who are you?" Luz spat at last. His hands grappled at the air around him, as if he reached for something—but what it was, he wasn't certain. "What is this place?"</p><p>"Luz, are you sure you're feeling alright?" the woman asked in turn as she stepped forward. "How do you not even recognize your own mother?"</p><p>Mother? So this woman was his mother? Something about that didn't feel quite right, and just the sight of her sent a feeling of uneasiness down Luz's spine. He couldn't quite recall anything else, so he was in no position to question things, either.</p><p>The woman swept forward and clasped Luz's face in her hands once more. "Luz, are you entirely certain that you feel alright? The—"</p><p>"I'm fine, I'm fine!" Luz spat out with maybe a little more aggression than he intended. Luz forced a smile as the woman glanced at him, and held a hand to her face. "I'm just kinda tired."</p><p>The woman frowned for a moment, but shook her head and turned away nonetheless. "In that case, there's food waiting for you on the table. Come with me."</p><p>The woman rounded the corner and disappeared once more, but Luz didn't follow her just yet. He frowned, rubbed his chin again, and glanced over his room. Was it really his room? Was this really his home? Was she really his mother?</p><p>He tried to think, tried to recall something, but a sharp pain hit his skull the moment he thought even the slightest, and he fell to his knees. He frantically rubbed his head as if that would somehow whisk the pain away, and thankfully, its surge faded quickly. Luz's arms fell limp at his sides as he panted. The faint remnants of pain stung against his skull, and beads of sweat crossed his nose.</p><p>Luz pushed himself up as his breathing slowed, dusted off his clothes, and sighed as he passed through the door. "Well, no use questioning it," Luz mumbled as he walked into the next room, his head held down the entire time. "Might as well go eat."</p><p>Luz lifted his head as sunbeams stretched into the room ahead. They revealed a simple table filled with meats, berries, and loaves of bread where his mother sat. To her side sat a man more like Luz in facial features, but his skin was a shade or two lighter, his body was more bulky compared to Luz's fat, and his hair was short, carefully groomed, and a deep brown the color of rich earth, as opposed to Luz's mop of messy golden hair. He donned a loose shirt and pair of pants, his mustache twitched as he ate a slice of bread and some berries, and a sort of warm feeling like summer sunlight radiated from him. Something in Luz's gut told him this was his father, yet that premonition still didn't feel right to Luz.</p><p>Luz glanced down at himself and frowned deeper. There was a long, loose white shirt and pants draped over him, but Luz wasn't really sure he was wearing this before. Was he? His head spun again, so he shook off the dizziness and stumbled over to the table.</p><p>He scraped a few berries, grabbed some meat, and nibbled away as his parents talked about some big battle, or some nosy neighbors, or something. A flask of water rested to his side, so he sipped it down in turn. He couldn't quite manage more than a few sips before he laid it down along with his barely-eaten meal. He wasn't sure why, but he just wasn't particularly hungry today. Strange, the food itself looked appealing enough, yet just the sight of it left him sick to his stomach.</p><p>"Luz, is something bothering you?" his father asked.</p><p>Luz shook his head and smiled. "Nothing, father."</p><p>Luz's father raised a bushy brown eyebrow. "Are you sure about that?" he asked. "You've been staring at that food like it's rotted before your eyes!"</p><p>"I'm just tired, that's all."</p><p>Luz's father gulped down another slice of bread and raised a brow. "Well, if you say so. Speaking of, weren't you and your friends going to do something today? What were their names?"</p><p>He had friends? Luz wanted to say something, but at the same time, he couldn't quite recall their names, either. When he thought of friends, he thought of some vague figures—humans and those non-human alike—but, just that thought and his head spun!</p><p>So, Luz only nodded in agreement. He fixed his eyes on his food as he took small bites of it once more, in hopes that it would keep his father's attention off of him.</p><p>"So, did you hear about what the Arkeyans did to Gandones?" Luz's mother asked.</p><p>"Oh, I heard alright! Those poor beings, they didn't even stand a chance! The Arkeyans razed their entire village to the ground before they could even fight back…"</p><p>Hearing that, Luz raised a brow. He barely smelled smoke, yet nothing around him burned, and faint cries and shouts rang in his ears. Except, the only ones here were him and his parents, and nothing outside seemed like it would've elicited those smells and sounds! Still, something about it felt like it was happening right here!</p><p>"I swear, they just can't be stopped! Some of the elders in the village fear they'll take the entire peninsula at this rate…"</p><p>"The elders? Like the ones who took us away when the Arkeyans attacked?" Luz piped up at last.</p><p>But wait, when did that happen? Luz wasn't entirely sure, yet something in his gut told him it had! He vaguely recalled wandering through the village and the woods at night with the other children and the elders as the sounds of war raged behind them.</p><p>Yet, the confused look in his parents' faces showed they were just as clueless as he was!</p><p>"Luz, what are you talking about? The Arkeyans are no threat to us," his mother said. She smiled at him, and her gaze turning warm and sickeningly sweet like honey. "You have nothing to worry about. We've fended them off plenty of times before, and we'll do so again if we have to."</p><p>Luz soured as he heard that. Her tone was condescending; it was the kind of tone parents took when they had to pretend to care about things, but he knew for a fact that they didn't take them as seriously as he swore they were, and he <em>hated it. </em>Didn't she remember the fight? How she whisked him away with the rest of the kids in the middle of the night with just a sack of rations to his name? The early-morning arguments? The battle he knew she didn't survive?</p><p>He wanted to argue back, but he didn't remember it all that well either. It only came to him in brief flashes as fickle as the sunlight while it passed through the trees. Every time a memory came to him, it slipped just as quickly and left a searing headache in its place. Luz bit his lip, steeled himself, and glared back down at his mother.</p><p>"But, how do you know that? How do you know they aren't just gonna run up in the middle of the night and catch you off-guard? How do you know something won't happen?" Luz spat, and his words grew more intense as he did. He barely noticed the raising of his voice, or the tears that flowed down his cheeks in tiny drops, or how his hands pounded against the table. "How do you know I won't lose you?"</p><p>That sickeningly sweet look on his mother's face was gone, now replaced by wide-eyed concern. She reached out a hand, but Luz's father stopped her, and instead it was him who reached out to Luz. Luz's mother's eyes still didn't quite leave him as she wrung parts of her golden hair.</p><p>"Luz, is that why you're acting so strange? Are you worried about the Arkeyans?" his father asked as he brushed away Luz's tears with his worn, callused thumb. "I know it's normal to be worried when you hear about things like this, but I promise you, we're perfectly safe. Our village's defenses are the strongest there are, and we've warded off Arkeyan threats more times than I can count! We'll be—"</p><p>"But, don't you remember? Don't you remember when they tore our village down? When they attacked us and you had to send me away when I was little? And, and I…"</p><p>Luz's father's hand drew back from him, and the hairs of his mustache twitched as he sat by the table. They hadn't spoken a word, but the bewildered look in their eyes confirmed what Luz figured: they didn't remember. In fact, it almost seemed like to them, it never even happened!</p><p>"Luz, did you have a bad dream? Are you sure you aren't confused?" his mother asked. "Nothing like that ever happened! We've been living perfectly safe and sound in this village for years. Not once have you ever left the forest!"</p><p>"Your mother's right. Maybe you just had a bad dream," his father chimed in. "If it's bothering you that much, we can contact the priestess and she can help you interpret it—"</p><p>Luz stood up, and took one last bite of his breakfast before he stormed for the door.</p><p>"No, actually, I think I'm going to go out," Luz said with not even a glance back at his parents.</p><p>Figures, they probably wouldn't remember. Surely, when he went outside and saw the village's remains, they would recall at last, and maybe he'd finally figure out what was going on with his memories, and why he felt so strange, and why his head kept hurting whenever he tried to think about it.</p><p>The light hit his face the moment he stepped out of the house, and the first thing he expected was ruin and dead bodies strewn about like fallen leaves.</p><p>What greeted him instead was the picture of idle paradise! The streets warmed pleasantly under the sunlight, the trees' leaves rustled in gentle breezes carried by the blue skies, and the houses all stood as tall as they always did (did they?). Children ran to and fro, and their laughter rang in Luz's ears as they played together and alone on the streets while their parents sat by and chatted with each other. A few of the village elders laid together underneath an aged tree as they fed the birds, a few lovey-dovey couples wandered around…</p><p>But, this wasn't right! This whole village was razed to the ground, just like the one his father talked about! Luz couldn't remember much, but he knew that was the case. He could recall the flames, the sounds of weapons and war cries, of how he ran through the forest and out of the village, of the, the…</p><p>Another thing came to him, something with glinting, glowing eyes filled with malice and something sharp in its possession, but the thought was so distant! He reached for it, grappled for it like it was just out of reach and gone further by the second. A sharp pain snapped into Luz's shoulder as it shook him out of his thoughts.</p><p>"Hey Luz, what's gotten into you?" asked someone to his front. "You didn't forget what we were gonna do today, right?"</p><p>Luz shook his head again, and when he lifted it, he found a trio of people. They were all about his age by a simple glimpse, and dressed in clothes similar to the ones he wore. They all smiled at him like they knew him, so he figured they might've been the friends his parents talked about, but he couldn't quite recall who they were, or where he saw them before.</p><p>Then again, he saw the girl, and the vague flash of a memory came back to him: that of a crying girl who cradled a doll in her arms as she wailed out for her parents. He glimpsed towards the boy that stood beside her, and the taller boy that towered over them both. In their faces, he saw two brothers, one elder and wiser who tried to keep his scared little brother from running back home…</p><p>That sharp glaring face popped back into Luz's memory as he stumbled back! The laughter of children and chatter of adults drowned out in favor of sharp, creaking metal that rang in his ears like the mocking calls of vultures. He just barely saw something drawn from the shadows in his mind's eye. A blade? An ax? What was it, what was it? He could smell the smoke, feel the fire, hear the screams and metal creaks; it was as if he was right back into the heart of the fray!</p><p>Luz fell to his knees. He groaned and whimpered as he dug into his scalp like that would somehow relieve the awful pain he was in.</p><p>"Luis, what's he doing?" the girl shouted as she turned to the older boy.</p><p>"I don't know, Lana!" Luis shouted back. His teeth gritted, and he latched onto Luz's shoulders as he shook him back and forth. "Come on, Luz, snap out of it!"</p><p>"I, I can't!" Luz just barely spat out. His words slurred together from his pain as he groaned. "I, I can hear it, the, the fighting, and the…"</p><p>"What fighting? Luz, what are you talking about?" the younger boy asked.</p><p>"The village, the Arkeyans, they…"</p><p>Luis's mouth slanted into something like a quizzical frown as he scoffed.</p><p>"Oh, so <em>that's</em> what this is about."</p><p>Luis breathed in and out as he knelt before Luz, and slapped both his hands against the sides of Luz's head! The sharp pains hit Luz so hard that his train of thought completely disappeared. He only sat dumbfounded as he started at Luis, who held a smug, smug look on his face.</p><p>"Yeah, I should've figured that's what you were worrying 'bout." Luis stretched himself back to full height and walked away. He beckoned as he walked, and Lana and that other boy both joined his side. "C'mon, Luz, let me show you something."</p><p>Still a bit stunned by all this, Luz only nodded and pulled himself back up as he trailed after them. Whatever he recalled completely disappeared into the depths of his memory, yet he still couldn't quite feel at ease. He glanced at every avenue as they passed out of the village, for he sought out something he couldn't quite name. Escape routes? Places where potential enemies could strike?</p><p>He wasn't sure, but as they approached the forest, that strange feeling of adrenaline and panic rushed through him once more.</p><p>"The forest? What're we coming here for, again?" the younger boy asked.</p><p>Luis gave the younger boy a gentle strike up the head. "Don't you remember, Lope?" Luis scolded. "We're going to show Luz that thing!"</p><p>"Oh, that thing!"</p><p>"What's that thing?" Luz asked.</p><p>Luis chuckled and winked as he turned back to Luz. "You'll see."</p><p>Luz gulped. He had no idea what they talked about, and he wasn't particularly fond of this forest, either, but he was still shaken enough that he couldn't find it in him to protest. He just nodded and trailed along.</p><p>The forest's thickets of trees blocked out most of the sunlight, and only speckles and dapples poked through the few gaps in that thickly-woven canopy of leaves. The sounds of wild animals blended together to become loud and echoing, or maybe that was just Luz's imagination running wild with panic at the sights. Every animal's call sounded like a battle cry, every cracked branch and footstep was a weapon's swing, and every odd noise became the sound of someone coming to kill.</p><p>Something in his head stirred and brought an obnoxious throbbing pain, so Luz massaged his temples as he lowered his head.</p><p>"Are you sure about this, Luis? The elders told us never to go deep into the forest unless we were accompanied by someone else!" Lana cried.</p><p>"C'mon Lana, don't be a killjoy," Luis chuckled back as he turned to the side, parted a thick bush's leaves, and crawled within the space he created. "'Sides, we'll only be here for a few moments. Just gotta put Luz's mind at ease, and then we'll go back and pick berries or whatever."</p><p>"I'm telling you, Luis! If they find out we're here, we'll be in a ton of trouble for sure!" Lana scoffed and turned aside. "You agree with me, right, Lo—"</p><p>But Lope already disappeared, for he tailed after Luis while they both crawled through the thicket! Only the back of his shoes showed as they grew further in the distance, their appearances hidden by the shadows. They almost looked like soldiers that crawled through a trench in the heat of battle, in fact…</p><p>Lana stomped her foot and steamed with rage, but finally she hitched up her skirts and crawled in. "If you two get me lectured for an entire sundown because of this, I'm never forgiving you!"</p><p>Luz whimpered, and wondered if he should follow or just stay where he was. They did this for him, so he just fell to his belly and crawled through the hole. The bushes' branches snapped back into place the moment he exited, and their tips stung his soles.</p><p>For a moment, Luz wished he had his shield again, but wait, since when did he have a shield? He wasn't sure, so he just crawled through and tailed the sight of Lana as she crawled ahead of him. The rustling of the leaves turned louder as he did. They were the charge of an army as their branches rustled and slapped in his face, and he grunted as he pushed them away. The paths were long and winding, or at least, they felt that way with how slow he went, and all the curves and crosses he had to follow. He almost lost sight of Lana a few times!</p><p>Eventually Luz barely made out Luis and Lope arguing near the front, so he poked his way around, and found a pathway with sparse foliage near its end that brimmed with light. Surely, that had to be the exit, so he crawled out after Lana herself popped out, and grunted as he pushed himself up. It was a pointless move, for the sights he saw left him falling to his knees not long after!</p><p>There before him was a small campsite inhabited by corpses of robots dressed in red and gold armor! The corpses laid strewn about with severed body parts half-buried in the dirt! They were no bigger than a person, maybe even shorter than them, and there couldn't have been more than four or five. For that matter, they looked pretty run-down too. Their armor was rusted and dented while the lights in their broken eyes flickered and flashed. Yet, just the sight of them was enough to stop Luz's heart!</p><p>"Arkeyans?" Luz spat out.</p><p>Luis, Lope, and Lana all shushed him, but Luz grabbed Luis by the shirt.</p><p>"What are you thinking? There's Arkeyans here! The Arkeyans know we're here! They'll kill us!" Luz hissed as he thrust his face in Luis's. "Then, they'll find the rest of them and kill them too! They'll tear the whole village to pieces! We need to go find the others and warn them before—"</p><p>Luz trailed off, and his face softened as he glanced at the sickening sight of that twisted smile on Luis's face. His grip loosened, and Luis laughed as he removed Luz's hand from his shirt and pushed him away. His hand drifted to his pockets, and another sick laugh came from him as he gripped something and drew it out.</p><p>"Luz, what're you freaking out about? Did you sleep through the battle or something?" Luis asked. "Those run-down tin cans are all that's left of the Arkeyans after the army drove them back!"</p><p>Lana and Lope both laughed about the Arkeyans' failed battle beside Luz, yet Luz couldn't bring himself to smile. In fact, he wasn't even entirely sure if they were smiling and cheering, or screaming and crying.</p><p>The whole world started to shift. Flames spread around the forest while the skies turned dark as night, lit only by firelight and half-broken lamps strewn along the forest floor. The screams and cries drowned out the cheers—aided by an army's stomping, slashing, and screams of war—and the whole area choked with the burning scents of thick smoke and strong fires.</p><p>In that moment, Luz was eight years old again, and clutched that sack of rations his parents gave him as he hid in the forest. Before him, Luis, Lope, and Lana all stood with those same looks of terror he held. They were tired, scared, worried,<em> alone,</em> and there was a beast that crawled up ahead of them, a beast with shiny red and gold armor and a sharp ax that Luz couldn't fight against no matter what!</p><p>On instinct, something in him called for something: a harsh beam of sunlight to burn it away, a shield to behead it with, <em>anything. Still,</em> he couldn't. He only stood there, his eyes wide in horror and his breath as fast as the rapid beats of his heart. The most he could do was stumble backwards, but his legs shook so badly that he collapsed soon after! His sack spilled, and he struggled to even push himself up!</p><p>"Luz, is something wrong?" Lana called as she knelt down and pushed him up. "Are you feeling alright?"</p><p>Luz lifted his head and the world shifted back to the present. Now, the present, teenaged Lana looking him in the eye as Luis and Lope stood beside her. They both said something about how he collapsed out of nowhere, about how scared and nervous he looked, but Luz could barely discern.</p><p>One moment, they were in the present, and the next, he saw them as children. They were helpless lambs in the wake of the wolf that leered over them and prepared to pounce! Luz just sputtered, for he wanted to scream, to tell them to run, but he couldn't. The words stuck in his throat; they were trapped in a thick syrup and unable to move, and he only watched as the beast leaped over them.</p><p>It swung with its blade shrieking as it launched right for Luz himself! But, it stopped. Its blade froze just inches from his face, and the whole world around him followed.</p><p>The beast disappeared right before his eyes, and it was in that moment that Luz realized something.</p><p>"THIS ISN'T REAL!"</p><p>Luz screamed out the words at the top of his lungs. He pushed away Lana's hands as she gasped, and scrambled to his feet. He panted, and shuddered as he steadied his footing.</p><p>"This village was destroyed years ago! Mom, Dad, the elders, you… None of you are even alive anymore! There's nothing here but ruins anymore!"</p><p>Luz lifted his head to where Luis, Lope, and Lana all glanced at him. Their eyes were stunned with the same shock Luz himself held. They were the ones that were supposedly his friends, but he knew the truth now. They were merely just the ones he ran away with, the ones who might not have been as lucky as he was.</p><p>"Luis, Lope, Lana, if those are even really your names, I don't, I don't know you! I never did! Because all of this isn't real!"</p><p>"Luz, calm down! What are you talking about?" Lana asked.</p><p>"Yeah, did you hit your head or something?" Luis shouted. "What do you mean, none of this is real?"</p><p>Luz turned around and ran off. The forest shifted around him as he did; the brambles and bushes he crawled under to arrive here pushed themselves away and formed a dirt path for Luz to run across. His stomach churned like he would throw up, his head was as light as light itself, and he struggled to stay upright as he stumbled around and tried to keep footing.</p><p>But, when all your memories flooded back to you at once, it was hard to keep focus. His whole brain flooded, for it was unable to discern anything other than what poured from what he remembered.</p><p>They leaked from his eyes as tears, slipped from his mouth as choked sputters, those memories. The battle with the Arkeyans, running away from home, meeting Fintster and finding his family, becoming one of the free magicians, the battle with Arkus, and then, and then what?</p><p>Everything after that was blank. It was a silence so loud it numbed him, yet it was tranquil all the same, and enough that he fell to his knees in reprieve. He remember pirates he saw from the yellow-tinted glaze of his wheel pendant, of a child like his younger siblings with chestnut eyes and a warm smile, strange new beings wearing things and talking about things completely new, riding in a robot… Yes, that was it! He awakened from that long slumber, Arkilles was revived and they had to stop him, and…</p><p>"Luz, there you are!" Lope called from behind.</p><p>Luz turned around, and there before him, Lope ran up the path with Luis and Lana behind. Even with all this, they still chased after him? Stubborn.</p><p>"That's it, we need to take you to see the priestess or something," Lope said as he reached out a hand. "Come on, we'll get whatever it is that's bugging you fixed, and then maybe we can go—"</p><p>Lope's fingers brushed against Luz's, and some kind of strange heat burned against Luz's hand until it glowed with a bright golden yellow like sunlight! The glow spread to the rest of Luz's body in rapid time. It covered his legs and his chest. It engulfed his face so quickly that he only had moments to catch the shouts and terrified looks that Lope, Luis and Lana bore. Soon, a blanketing yellow and the screech of harsh light drowned them out!</p><p>A strange, tingling feeling ran through Luz. He went unconscious for a moment, a faint blink, but surfaced again and his heavy and cumbersome body was now light as a feather! He peered down, and no longer did he wear the robes and clothes of his village; no, he dressed in his armor once more, and his shield attached comfortably to his arm as it should. His body was only somewhat visible and brimmed with golden light like a ghost, yet his wheel pendant sat against his chest, solid as ever. Yes, this was him, the real him, the Luz who lost his first home and fought for his second, the Luz who called himself a free magician!</p><p>"Luz!" Lana screamed. She looked like she was about to faint as she held her hands to her mouth.</p><p>Luis stood dumbfounded, eyes wide and lashes fluttered fast as he stumbled back a few steps. His legs gave out as he collapsed, and Lope, he sputtered and drew back his hand before he quickly shook his head.</p><p>"Alright, that's it, we have to take you to see the priestess!" Lope spat as he grappled for Luz's half-solid hand in some faint attempt to pull him away. "I don't know what's going on, but—"</p><p>"I'm sorry," Luz said.</p><p>"What?"</p><p>Luz heaved a sigh, drew back and stood up.</p><p>"I'm sorry," Luz repeated in a louder voice, and adjusted his shield with a click as he did. He glimpsed at the shocked, terrified looks Lope, Luis and Lana held with a frown, and they frowned in turn. "Maybe if things had turned out better, we probably could've been friends and did all this… But it didn't. This village isn't really my home. It hasn't been for years!"</p><p>Though he knew they called for him, Luz ran down the beaten path, and the warmth of light flooded into his veins as he ran. Its warmth grew brighter, warmer, enough that it shimmered in his eyes as he leaped.</p><p>Before he knew it, he was back at the mouth of the forest, and his friends' shouts and calls for him were nothing more than faint whispers in the wind. Ah, lightstepping, how he missed it. While it was a relief to have his powers back at last, it was only temporary.</p><p>Luz turned ahead as the village disintegrated and blew away right before his eyes, but he only scoffed. Now he remember what went on! They'd consulted that Oracle for the way to Arkus, and he put them up to this test! He remember the white light, the sudden dizziness as it grew brighter, and the shouts of everyone as they disappeared one by one. So this was his trial? Being stuck in some weird guess of what his life would've been like if the Arkeyans never attacked?</p><p>"Heh, he needs to try harder if he wants me to forget about my family," Luz remarked. He felt a bit proud of himself, but his face fell all the same. "But, waking up was probably the easy part. Now, for the hard part."</p><p>Luz bit his lip as the ground before him formed a beaten path straight through the ground where the village once laid.</p><p>"Figuring out where everyone else is."</p><p>Luz took a breath in and strode down the path, shield by his side and clothes fluttering in the wind. This was probably as good a place to start as any, so might as well cross it.</p><p align="center">§</p><p>Luz frowned and toyed with his shield as he glanced ahead. "Alright, I'm no expert," he remarked to only himself, "but I'm pretty sure there wasn't a town this close to my old village, and definitely not one that looked like this."</p><p>There before Luz stood a village with buildings made entirely of stone. It was not the warm adobe bricks the houses of his hometown were made from, or even the carefully-constructed bricks and stone used to make the houses from his and Fintster's old home, but simple stone buildings that looked akin to if a child's sandcastles were made of stone. They were solid, and paved so tight that not a crack could be seen. Windows and doors sat carved into their surfaces and lined with clothes and flora. Most of them were medium-sized with roofs made of stone bricks, and each one laid painted by the wear of rain and weather, but still strong nonetheless.</p><p>This place had the same trademarks of a village; it was all lush plant life that bloomed everywhere one looked, and tons of beings that ran around. However, it was a far cry from the quaintness and tightness of Luz's village, or at least the illusion of it.</p><p>Whereas only humans lived in his old hometown, Luz spied a few harpies, centaurs, elves, and more running along amid the humans! They all dressed in tunics and dresses that were much tighter than the clothing those of his village wore, but still loose enough to flow in wind. Some wore veils and jewelry, others donned sandals and simpler headgear, some even wore armor, too—but it was all way more elaborate compared to what the people back home wore!</p><p>Everything was so lively, and bustled with such volume that Luz could barely take it! Even though he traveled all across Skylands with the free magicians, he was a village boy at heart, and the sights and sounds of all these big towns and cities never ceased to overwhelm him. The smell of fresh bread tickled his nose, and he turned around to find that the path he took was gone, replaced by what seemed like the edge of the island! Guess the terrain shifting was part of the trial, so he shrugged it off.</p><p>"Now, this definitely isn't where Fintster and I grew up," Luz remarked as he walked ahead with head down and chin in hand, "so that means someone else is here, but who? Can't be Inochi. She never told us where she used to live, but it doesn't look like this place, I just know it. Dej ran all across Skylands, so it's maybe him, and Sihiri's old village didn't look anything like this…"</p><p>Something hard bumped into Luz and sent him off balance for a bit, but he quickly collected himself. "Hey, watch where you're going!"</p><p>He lifted his head in expectancy of some gangly stranger, but gulped as he found a bulky, imposing drow dressed in armor before him.</p><p>"I could say the same to you! Shouldn't a kid your age be in school right now, or helping your family with their work?" the drow asked, their voice deep and ruminating.</p><p><em>Crap, this guy could probably snap me in half just by speaking! </em>Luz winced as he grabbed his shield, but then released his grip. <em>Wait, did he say school?</em></p><p>"Say, I've never seen clothes quite like yours before," the drow added. They leaned down while their gaze turned more quizzical. "Are you from across the sea?"</p><p>"Actually, thanks! I know just where I need to go!"</p><p>Luz ran aside of the drow, clutched his shield, and beamed widely as he glanced over the buildings. The buildings ahead all seemed like identical stretches of huts and houses—save for one taller, larger one that was more square in shape with several rooms where beings talking rang from the open windows. That looked enough like a school building to him, so Luz turned himself invisible with a snap of his fingers, and slipped through the open doors.</p><p>The whole building was simple, and filled with open stone rooms and halls where beings passed to and fro. The sounds of lessons taught and people mocking their teachers in hushed whispers sounded from the cracks in the stone. Luz wasn't quite concerned with that.</p><p>He slipped between a troll and a dwarf who peddled stone tablets, peeked into one room to catch a glimpse of some kids who gossiped together, another to see a few goblins who caused a ruckus while the tired snake who taught them tried to get them to shut up, and peeked in the room adjacent to that to find… Bingo!</p><p>"Now, class," said Vatra as he clasped his hands, "today, I'll regale you on the history of how our town came to be!"</p><p>At least, Luz thought that was Vatra. Sure, he had that same messy mop of hair, same wiry frame and skin tone, and those same scars under his chest from whatever thing he did to reduce it was called. Aside of that, though, it was like this was an entirely different person!</p><p>The Vatra he knew was a grump who always stormed around with eyes practically sunk into their bags, and was filled with a tired look that made him seem way older than he actually was. This man, however, brimmed with joy and his eyes sparkled as students in all species crowded around him while he chuckled.</p><p>The bandages that Vatra wore around his hands to hide the scars from how his flames burned them were gone too, and revealed perfectly normal hands underneath. Instead of Vatra's usual clothes, he wore a long crimson robe, a white cape accented with strings of red throughout that rested over his shoulders, and a simple pair of red and white boots. Well, simple in style, but the stuff all looked rich and sleek, unlike the worn clothes Vatra usually wore. Even his fashion sense was fancier!</p><p>Luz raised a brow, slipped into the classroom, and tried to take a seat behind the group. But, as he walked, his foot brushed against a pebble and rolled it away! Luz winced and turned to the crowd of students, but most of them seemed like they didn't notice, thankfully. Well, all except for one elf who whimpered as their ears twitched.</p><p>"Teacher!" cried the elf. "I think someone's trying to sneak out!"</p><p>Maybe- Vatra raised a brow, and interrupted some ancient story about a king or something crossing a strange land as he scanned over his students. For a moment, he lingered a little too long on where Luz stood, and Luz was almost certain he saw that sharp, burning look that Vatra always shot him when he caused trouble.</p><p>Maybe-Vatra smiled and shook his head. "Everyone's all hear and accounted for, Ehrendil," maybe-Vatra said as he leaned back a little. "Now, as I was saying…"</p><p>"But, I thought I heard footsteps, and a rock moved around, and I keep hearing breathing and stuff!"</p><p>"Ehrendil, for as long as I've been your teacher, not once has anyone slipped in or out of my classes without notice." Maybe-Vatra turned back to the rest of the group. "Isn't that right, class?"</p><p>A few of the other kids chuckled or turned away as they blushed in embarrassment. Luz remembered that all too well.</p><p>"That's right. Nobody will bother my classes, or I, Vatra, would have to rescind my honor as a teacher!"</p><p>Wait —Vatra! That name rattled around in Luz's skull like a lightning bolt that hit his brain. No doubts about it, he definitely had the right guy now! So, all that was left to do was wake him up!</p><p>"Alright, Vatra!" Luz called. He made himself visible with a stomp of his foot, and all eyes turned on him as he appeared. "Class is over, let's get going!"</p><p>Well, Luz hoped just the sight of him would bring Vatra back to his senses, but Vatra just seemed even more confused! He placed down the stone tablets he drew just moments earlier. The students all gossiped around him, but with a wave of Vatra's hand, they fell silent and watched Vatra as he strode, swift and graceful as always, towards Luz.</p><p>"Excuse me, I don't believe I've ever seen you before," Vatra said. He fixed his cape as he smiled at Luz with a kind of distant friendliness. "Are you one of the new students? If that's the case—"</p><p>"Vats, don't you remember me?" Luz raised a brow. "It's me, Luz! Fellow free magician? That kid you scooped up from the tiny little town in the middle of nowhere? Your self proclaimed pain in the a—"</p><p>Vatra immediately shushed Luz with a burning hot glare that screamed "not in front of the kids", but only for a moment as his warm gaze turned colder. Luz could tell from the way Vatra's eyes bounced between Luz and his class that something threw him off balance. Had he remembered and just tried to hide it? Maybe he really didn't quite recall, and need a little more jostling?</p><p>"Vatra, don't play dumb with me! You're a free magician, and this is all just a big test by some oracle dude!" Luz knit his brows as he held a finger between him and Vatra. "Now wake up and let's get going! We've gotta find the others and—"</p><p>"Look, I have no idea what you're talking about! I'm not some free magician, much less an ordinary one! I'm just a teacher!" That's what Vatra claimed, but he avoided Luz's gaze and pursed his lips. It was almost like he knew something Luz didn't. "If you have no further business here, please go. I have a class to teach."</p><p>Vatra hissed and turned his back to Luz, but Luz wasn't gonna give up just yet!</p><p>"Looks like I'll have to do this the old-fashioned way."</p><p>"Hey, teacher!" perked up one of the kids, the elf who nearly busted Luz just moments earlier. "Who's that guy?"</p><p>"It's nobody," Vatra said, "now let's—"</p><p>Luz slid in and bumped his elbow against Vatra's. "Aw, nobody? What're you talkin' about, Vats? We're the best of buddies, remember?"</p><p>"Wait, you're one of the teacher's friends?" asked a centaur foal as they peered up at Luz with curious eyes.</p><p>Luz beamed and nodded. He knelt down to the kids' height and gave the widest grin he could muster. "You bet I am! I'm one of his buddies from the free magicians! We spend all this time fighting bad guys and protecting Skylands from evil!"</p><p>"Like the Arkeyan Empire?" asked a harpy in the back of the group. "My moms say they're all really bad guys who want to hurt lots of beings!"</p><p>"You bet we do!" Luz proclaimed as he jumped to full height. Beside him, Vatra started to fume, and Luz only gave him the most snide smile he could as he nudged Vatra once more. "In fact, Vats here's fought more Arkeyans than I can count! He's blown 'em up, burned them to bits! Heck, he once melted an entire Arkeyan War Machine single-handedly with his eyes blindfolded! Guy's one of our best!"</p><p>The kids all gasped. They were all wide-eyed as they glanced from Vatra to Luz and back again; seems like Luz had them all hook, line and sinker! Vatra opened his mouth to protest, but Luz already dropped down onto the floor and sat cross-legged as he cleared his throat.</p><p>"In fact, you wanna hear some of those stories?"</p><p>"YES!" the students all cried at once.</p><p>Luz took a breath, cleared his mind, and regaled the stories. He poured out every single one he could remember: the day he met Vatra when they blew up that robot that stormed his town, the fights against countless armies and tools of war, even the stealth missions and rescue operations. Every one he could think of, he spun a tale of, and he emphasized everything he could of Vatra's heroics! With each tale he told, the kids' eyes grew wider, their smiles more eager, and at the end, they'd all glance at Vatra like they looked at their hero! Surely, he'd have to acknowledge Luz now!</p><p>"Of course, don't take <em>my</em> word for it!" Luz proclaimed as he stood up and gestured towards Vatra. "You can ask the man himself, right here and now!"</p><p>A shrill gasp came from every student in the room, and all at once they flooded Vatra, clung to his clothes, and tugged on his cape.</p><p>"Is it true, teacher? Did you really blow up a huge Arkeyan robot all by yourself?"</p><p>"Did you, huh?"</p><p>"If you're fighting all these robots, why are you teaching other beings?"</p><p>Vatra sputtered, stepped back as the crowds grew more intense with their questions, and shook his head.</p><p>"Everyone, calm down! I have no idea what you're talking about!" Vatra cried as he shot a glare at Luz. "I'm not a magician, I've never seen this boy in my life, and I've certainly never fought an Arkeyan single-handedly with the power of fire and nothing more! Now please, calm down!"</p><p>Luz slunk around the back of the room, picked up the stone tablets, and eyeballed them. "I don't know, these tablets certainly say otherwise," Luz said as he handed them off to Vatra. "Take a look, Vats. You're the main character!"</p><p>Vatra turned his ire-filled eye towards Luz as the tablets made their way into his hand.</p><p>"I still have no idea what you're saying!" Vatra peered down at the tablets. "These are just ordinary history tablets, not—"</p><p>Vatra's eyes went wide. The tablets in his hand must have changed shape and text, for they now documented every mission he'd been on! From fighting Arkeyans in Nearon, rescuing fellow rebels in the City of Fire, or backing beings up in Tillydrone, it was all there! Vatra's breath grew faster as he shuffled through each tablet, mumbled under his breath about how incorrect this was and how he could've sworn he brought the right ones, but then, he dropped them! The students gasped as the tablets crumbled to rocky bits before his feet, and Vatra himself fell to his knees and joined them as he clutched his head.</p><p>"This, this isn't right, this can't be right! This isn't real!" Vatra shouted. His voice strained with denial and fear all the same. "I, I'm not some hero, I'm only a teacher! I'd never fight in a war, I don't even know how to disassemble a robot or cast a spell! I'm not a magician, I'm not, I'm not—"</p><p>"Teacher, your hands!"</p><p>Vatra gasped, pulled his hands from his head, and screamed as he found flames bursting from his fingertips! The flames spread from there to the rest of his body quickly enough. Even his screams muffled as the flames ate up his head, and left him in the vague shape of a person!</p><p>The students all screamed and backed away, and the elf girl ran off.</p><p>"I'm getting the other teachers! He needs help!" she cried.</p><p>Before she ran, Luz gently pulled her back so her wide, blank eyes met his. "Don't worry," Luz said. He knelt down and spoke in his best kid-soothing voice, the same he'd use for his kid siblings after they woke up from bad dreams. "He'll be fine, just watch."</p><p>The students all turned to Vatra right as the flames disappeared, and Vatra himself stared wide-eyed. He in the same position he'd been in when the flames engulfed him—hands held aimlessly in front of his body, head hung low.</p><p>Now, he was the Vatra Luz knew. His body was ghastly and clothed in his sparkling pendant and the worn clothes he normally donned, and of course, his singed bandages.</p><p>The students all shrieked and cried out, and Vatra immediately flung his arms out. He seemed for a moment like he would console them, but the sight of arms barely visible startled him enough that he could only gasp!</p><p>"Well, looks like I was right," Luz said with a shrug. "C'mon, Vats, we've gotta get going!"</p><p>Luz reached out a hand for Vatra's, but Vatra yanked it away! Vatra's eyes fell to his ghostly body, and he looked the most terrified Luz had ever seen him as he patted down his chest.</p><p>"What, what happened to me? I'm, I'm not a ghost, am I?" Vatra sputtered as beads of smoky sweat came down his face. "This, this has to be a dream, a very, very, strange dream—"</p><p>Well, he seemed like he was still confused, but, with the tone he took, it was obvious what really went on. Vatra was in denial.</p><p>Luz had to admit, he'd never seen Vatra this in denial before, but, well, he couldn't blame him. So instead, Luz took Vatra aside to the back of the classroom.</p><p>"Your students seem like good kids," Luz remarked as he glanced back to the crowd of students that watched Luz and Vatra in wonder.</p><p>Vatra finally steadied himself, and his eyes trailed over to one of the students in particular: a halfling kid who gleefully swayed back and forth in his seat while oblivious to all the chaos surrounding him. Luz didn't know much about Vatra's old life, but he knew Vatra was a teacher, and he knew that he had a student he lost who became his entire reason for fighting against the Arkeyans. Was that the one?</p><p>"They were," Vatra finally said at last with a solemn nod. "If it were my choice, I'd stay here forever. I could see them grow up, watch them learn, and grow, and become the best they could be…"</p><p>"But we can't."</p><p>Vatra just sighed. His eyes drifted from Luz and down to his feet, and the unspoken truth resonated between them. In the end, this was only an illusion. Vatra could never really do that, even if he did stubbornly choose to stay. Like it or not, he had a job to do, and whichever route he chose, he'd just end up pulled from his fantasy and forced to do it anyways.</p><p>"Well, class, I recede," Vatra proclaimed as he lifted up his hands. "My friend Luz here is right. I'm one of the free magicians, and it's time for me to leave and help the others."</p><p>A string of gasps ran through the class, and their eyes watered as they all crowded around Vatra! They clung to his clothes, buried their faces in his chests, and some even sobbed as they held him tight and pleaded for him to stay!</p><p>"Don't go, teacher!"</p><p>"Please don't leave just yet!"</p><p>"I don't want you to leave!"</p><p>Vatra glanced over to where that halfling kid tugged on the skirt of his tunic, and for a moment, his outfit flickered between his outfit of today and his teaching garb of yesteryear. Vatra cleared his throat and knelt down. The students all stopped and curled around him, their eyes still wide with tears, but he smiled and wiped away each one.</p><p>"Class, do you know why I'm leaving?" he asked.</p><p>A few of the children mumbled and whispered, but most of them glanced away. Finally, it was the halfling who shook their head and tugged at Vatra's pants.</p><p>"Why do you have to leave, teacher?" the halfling asked.</p><p>Vatra sighed, and gently placed a hand on the halfling's shoulder as he glanced around.</p><p>"Ludo, do you remember the stories I'd tell you in class? Of how our ancestors fought against wicked beings and scary monsters to protect their families?" Vatra frowned when a group of nodding heads met him. "There's a lot of bad beings out there, some even worse than the ones in those stories. I'm leaving to fight them so that they don't hurt other beings, so that they can't come here and hurt you!"</p><p>"So you're like the heroes of those stories!" piped up the centaur foal.</p><p>Vatra giggled. His laughter was light, but still with a bit of pain. "I guess that's one way you could put it," Vatra cleared his throat. "Remember, I'm doing this to protect you, and our village, and someday, when I come back, I'll be sure to teach you again. So while I'm gone, be extra good. You take care of each other and listen to your elders for me, alright?"</p><p>"Okay!" the students all cheered at once.</p><p>Vatra stood and nodded, but still he trailed out of the classroom with Luz. Though, he sneaked just one glance behind, just so he could catch his students' smiles and waves goodbye before he left.</p><p>The world around him shifted, the village and the school folded in on each other and left nothing but grassy plains and a beaten path behind, but Vatra didn't even look back. No, he just gulped it down and carried on as he followed the path down. Luz quietly walked behind him. The air around them both turned stiff with simmering heat, and for a moment, Luz almost saw Vatra's veins glowing and warming before they faded.</p><p>"Now, the question is," Vatra remarked as they crossed over a hill, "who exactly do we look for next, and where?"</p><p>Luz hummed as he held his hand over his eyes, shielding it from the harsh sunlight. "Not an expert, but I'd say that village ahead is probably a good starting point."</p><p>Vatra's eyes followed Luz's down to a small village at the end of a path just on the hill's other side, and he nodded as he slid down the hill and stormed ahead. Luz followed behind him, but frowned as they passed through the village.</p><p>He glanced aside as two people with dark skin dressed in loose, flowing trousers and robes with colorful patterns stitched into them passed him by on an ox-driven cart. That same dark skin and the loose clothing reminded Luz a little bit of someone—could this be where she is?</p><p>Luz couldn't help but grin as he and Vatra passed through the village's heart and walked down pathways where people tended to crops and sold their wares. This whole place felt a lot more like home compared to Vatra's old town, with its small, cozy atmosphere, its huts tightly knit and its people active and cheerful. Kids ran along and played with their pets, men talked about the harvest as they passed Luz by, others draped in the scent of sweet perfumes walked arm-in-arm with their lovers…</p><p>Luz coughed as someone with a particularly strong flowery perfume strode right past him, and peered ahead as idle chatter with a familiar tone reached his ears. His attention fell to a few people who sat underneath a tree and talked with each other. Luz almost passed them by at first—but as his sights fell on one person with bright purple hair crafted into a star's shape who dressed in a silky purple dress, he narrowed his eyes.</p><p>"Wait a second," he whispered before he nudged Vatra's elbow. "Hey, Vats, look over there!" Luz pointed to the people sitting under the tree. "Doesn't that lady kind of look like Sihiri?"</p><p>Vatra gritted his teeth, but the moment his eyes fell on maybe-Sihiri, that brief flash of anger was completely forgotten!</p><p>"It does! But, why isn't she a ghost?"</p><p>That was true. Though this person had Sihiri's attire and appearance, she was still all flesh and bone. Had she not broken out of the trial yet?</p><p>"Well, whatever, we can worry about the details later," Luz said with a shrug. "For now, let's just get her and get outta this place!"</p><p>Luz charged forward, and waved with only partial attention paid to Vatra as he shouted at Luz to wait. "Hey, Sihiri!" Luz shouted as he waved and jumped up and down. "Over here!"</p><p>Maybe-Sihiri perked up her head and turned away from her conversation. Though she was super far away, Luz just barely made out how she gasped and floated over! Seems like she recognize him, at least, so he prepared to run over.</p><p>Right before he did, a familiarly hot hand gripped Luz's elbow and he winced.</p><p>"Luz, what are you doing?" Vatra hissed. "We can't just go calling out to random strangers and—"</p><p>"Luz, Vatra, what a surprise!" Sihiri called as she floated over and landed down in front of you. "I'd never expect you two to pay a visit! What brings you here?"</p><p>Yep, that was definitely Sihiri, so Luz cleared his throat.</p><p>"Well, we came here to pick you up!" Luz said. "We went into this trial thing by this oracle dude, and then we all lost our memories, and got trapped in this weird place where—"</p><p>"Sihiri!" cried a deeper voice from behind.</p><p>One of the people who'd sat with her earlier, someone with skin like hers and deep violet hair styled into a short collection of braids who donned purple robes similar to the ones those men Luz passed in the village wore, stopped short behind Sihiri. They frowned, and raised one of their thick black eyebrows as they glanced at Luz and Vatra. "Who exactly are these two?"</p><p>"Oh, pardon my manners," Sihiri chuckled as she turned to the man. "Sadiq, these two are Vatra and Luz, a few friends of mine from far away from here. They'd apparently come to visit!"</p><p>"We didn't come to visit, we came to get you out of here!" Vatra protested.</p><p>Sihiri grabbed him by the hand before he could talk further, and floated away. "If you two were coming, you should've told me beforehand! I could've arranged a nice trip for all of us!" Sihiri chuckled as she took Luz's hand in her other free one. "No matter, I still have plenty of time to show you all around the village! Oh, there's so much to see, I don't even know where to start! But, I'll try…"</p><p>A purple glow surrounded Sihiri, and before Luz even knew it, he'd dropped off near fields rich in vegetables and wheat! They were tended to with care by farmers of all kinds!</p><p>"These fields are the village's pride and joy! Beings come from all across Skylands for our crops! We've grown practically every fruit and vegetable in the local area here!"</p><p>Luz opened his mouth, but once again she teleported off! This time, she fell in front of a tree with leaves painted in a rainbow's colors, and a statue of what appeared to be a person embedded in the back and wrapped in its embrace. At least, Luz thought it a person, but it was so eroded and entangled so thickly that it was hard to tell.</p><p>"This statue is dedicated to our mother goddess, the one who watches over our village and ensures our success every year. We have a special festival next week to honor her, and it's one of the liveliest times in the village! I do hope you plan to stay long enough for it…"</p><p>"Sihiri, we're not—"</p><p>Luz started to protest, but it was fruitless. Another pop, and Luz was back in the heart of the village, and a little dizzier to boot. The moment Sihiri let go of his hand, he stumbled over his own two feet, nearly tripped, and knocked into a box of fruit if he hadn't immediately steadied himself. But, he did, so he glanced at where Sihiri stood with a pensive look.</p><p>"Ah, where to take you next? There's a few moments around this place, and I could take you down to the ports, or—"</p><p>"Sihiri, I'll say this as gently as I can," Vatra said from where he leaned on Sihiri as his legs trembled, "but, none of this is real. It's only an illusion created by the Oracle! This village, all these surroundings, they're all constructs!"</p><p>Sihiri's eyes grew a little wider, and her body seemed to flicker between solid and transparent, but it quickly stabilized and she laughed. "Those seem like good choices, but there's so much more, too! The forests are beautiful at this time, and there's the caves—"</p><p>"Sihiri, didn't you hear me?" Vatra turned around and placed himself right in Sihiri's face. "None of these forests and caves are real! Now, we can't dawdle, we have to get out of here and find the others—"</p><p>"Oh, it'd be silly of me to not show you my house, wouldn't it?" Sihiri pushed past Vatra and hummed. "Why, you could even meet my family, too! They can be a little much, but I—"</p><p>"Aren't you listening to him? This is all FAKE!" Luz shouted out.</p><p>He hadn't even meant to, really, but something in him grew so impatient that he tossed himself in Sihiri's way with face fuming and everything. After all, she was their leader and the smartest of the bunch; how could she be this deep in denial?</p><p>"So why haven't you realized it yet? All of this, these towns and houses and people, they're all just a test! You're the magic lady, you know more about spells and stuff than anyone else! Why can't you just wake up and realize?"</p><p>"Luz!" Vatra scolded as he pulled Luz back.</p><p>It seemed like he would chew Luz out for a second, but Sihiri laughed, and the both of them only turned to watch her.</p><p>Her hand was to her face, and it brushed against her sparkly purple lips as she laughed to her heart's content. When her laughter faded, a kind of sadness came from her eyes, one just barely there. They all must have noticed, for she turned away from their glance as she did.</p><p>"Luz, I was the strongest magic user of us all, the one even the most powerful mages of our group turned to when they needed advanced magic. Only Ninjini surpassed me, and that was with the powers of an Elder Elemental. I know magic like I know the very blood that runs through my veins."</p><p>There was a kind of tense, but teasing tone in Sihiri's voice, one that tensed a bit more as her eyelids lowered and her smile faded.</p><p>"Do you think I haven't realized this is all fake yet?"</p><p>Luz stumbled backwards and out of Vatra's grip. "Well, I mean, you were all caught up in all this stuff, so I thought—"</p><p>"That I hadn't realized? No, I'm completely aware this is all an illusion and nothing more." Her gaze turned colder, and Sihiri placed her hands behind her back as she smiled a clearly forced smile. "But, is this really such a bad thing? It may only be for a short, fleeting moment, but we can have the lives we never got to have because of the war!"</p><p>Sihiri's voice cracked just a tiny bit, and for a moment, Luz almost thought he could see tears in her eyes.</p><p>"We can live peacefully with all our old friends, family, lovers, and we don't have to worry about a thing! No conflict, no battles, no war and strife… What's so awful about that?"</p><p>Luz frowned and lowered his head. Being honest, he didn't really know if he could give Sihiri an answer. He knew they couldn't stay here forever, that they had a job to do and all, but something in his gut told him that arguing with Sihiri about this wasn't the best idea. So, he just stood there, just as lost as she was while she turned away and bit her lip like she tried her hardest not to cry.</p><p>"Sihiri, I—" Vatra started, but Sihiri ran off before he could even reach out for her!</p><p>"Apologies, I have somewhere I need to be!"</p><p>Sihiri spat out her words so fast that Luz only barely heard her! Nonetheless, he followed after—or at least, he tried to. Vatra flung his arm in front of Luz, and shot him a glare that screamed "stay right here and don't move" before Vatra himself ran after Sihiri and called for her.</p><p>Luz wasn't content with sticking around. That wasn't his style, so he charged the light in his body, and turned invisible once more as he tailed after Vatra and Sihiri's footprints in the earth.</p><p>The two of them ran well past the village, into a forest, and past thickets of obnoxiously tightly-packed leaves that Luz tried his hardest not to rustle. He just bit his lip as the leaves sang and moved with every step he took. As, he reached an area where they thinned, Luz met with a cavern where Vatra lingered outside for moments and ducked down!</p><p>When Luz was certain he wasn't caught, he poked his head out, crawled out of the thickets and tip-toed through the caves. He was careful not to make a sound as he crept just inches from Vatra's coattails. Luz clenched his brows as some faint noise hit his ears, and when Vatra parted, Luz pressed himself against the walls and glanced inside.</p><p>The cavern itself was mostly dark, save from the light that poured from its end. It was short, and it sung the songs of rushing waters, and, sobbing? Yes, someone cried inside: Sihiri, who sat in the heart of a small room with plants and flowers on its ceiling and a babbling pool to her right.</p><p>The sights around Luz didn't concern him as much as Sihiri; he'd never seen her cry before. Even as their allies fell in droves, even as places they protected fell to Arkeyan rule just days or weeks after their hard work, even when they were too late to save anyone, Sihiri never cried. She just steeled herself and moved forward. Heck, even when they confronted Arkilles, she always kept face. It felt almost wrong to see her so upset like this!</p><p>Luz wondered if he really should have left her be, but he instinctively pressed himself back to the wall as Vatra stepped in.</p><p>"There you are, Sihiri!" Vatra called as he stepped into the light.</p><p>Sihiri gasped and wiped her tears away, but when she opened her eyes and saw only Vatra, she just sniffled. "Oh, it's, it's just you, Vatra," Sihiri croaked, her voice weak and soft. "I, I'm sorry you have to—"</p><p>"Sihiri, it's alright."</p><p>Vatra knelt down before Sihiri, propped himself up with one leg, and wiped her tears away. "Don't mind what Luz said earlier. He's just a boy, and a stubborn one at that. He couldn't understand."</p><p><em>Speak for yourself, </em>Luz scoffed in the back of his mind as his incident with Vatra played back again.</p><p>"But, I suppose he was trying to get at something," Sihiri replied. She sniffled a little more, yet wiped away her tears again. "I know this is all an illusion, and I shouldn't stay here long, but… But…"</p><p>A few strained sobs came from Sihiri, and before Luz knew it, she buried herself into Vatra's arms and sobbed into his chest in strained, pain-filled cries. She barely kept a grip on him, but he just leaned down slightly so that she could lean into him and cry her heart out.</p><p>"I, I'm tired of fighting, I'm tired of being strong, I'm tired of all this war! I know I need to be strong, I know that everyone's counting on me, but, what am I even fighting for? I had to leave my home, my friends and family, everyone I loved behind without even telling them, and just when I thought this war was over and I could finally see them, all this happened! They're all dead and I'm the only one who survived, and I'll never see them again! They probably didn't even know what happened! They probably think I just abandoned them on a whim!"</p><p>Sihiri's sobbing grew louder and more strained as she curled closer into Vatra's body. If Vatra weren't a ghost, Sihiri probably couldn't even be seen in his grip.</p><p>"I, I promised myself on the day I left that, when all this was over, I'd come home and see them again, and I couldn't even fulfill that! What's going to be left for all of us once this is over? Ten thousand years have passed, and we're just a figment of the past to everyone here!"</p><p>Sihiri turned away and showed a face so pained and eyes tinged a bit red from her crying.</p><p>"It's selfish and childish of me to be this upset, I know. I need to be the leader everyone needs, to protect Skylands, and fight for everyone, but, but, it just isn't fair!"</p><p>"You're right, it isn't fair," Vatra said as his own voice started to crack. He gently pushed Sihiri closer into his grip, and though his head hung, Luz could tell he was upset. Maybe he still thought of his students and of the home he lost?</p><p>"It wasn't fair for any of us, but especially for you. Sihiri, you gave up so much to lead us: your home, the ones you loved, the life you wanted… If any of us deserved to go home to a peaceful life, to survive all of this, it was you!"</p><p>Vatra's head sunk a little lower, and it almost seemed like he shook.</p><p>"But, it just didn't happen. I wish I could give you an answer, but, I'm just as lost as you are."</p><p>Vatra started to shake and sniffle, but his own cries steeled as Sihiri reached up an arm and wiped off his face.</p><p>"Please, don't feel bad, Vatra." Sihiri croaked. "I wish I knew why all this happened. I thought we'd all live happily after the war, I thought we'd finally be relieved… But, it didn't."</p><p>The two of them just laid there and slunk down in morbid silence as they sulked. Ancients, Luz just hated it! Even though he didn't know much about what Vatra and Sihiri were like before this Arkeyan nonsense and all this war stuff, even though he didn't really know what they went through, it wasn't right that they were stuck sulking like this! They were always the ones who led the group, the ones who always talked about the future they'd have when the Arkeyans were gone, the ones who fought their hardest for any of that! It was just wrong to see them so beaten down and defeated!</p><p>"Alright, I don't understand any of this future, and fate, and destiny stuff," Luz said as he stormed in while his invisibility spell lifted in the light, "but, I don't think it's right to just give up right here!"</p><p>Vatra and Sihiri both jerked their heads up and turned to Luz.</p><p>"Luz! I told you to stay behind! Were you listening in on us this entire time?" Vatra hissed as steam burned from his hair. "Besides, what would you understand of something like this?"</p><p>"Not much, I'll admit, but we didn't really know what was ahead of us back during the war either, did we?"</p><p>Vatra almost seemed like he would argue again, but then, Sihiri drew back, and the steam disappeared as she sat by him and wiped her face.</p><p>Luz took this as a sign to continue and cleared his throat.</p><p>"After all, we've never known what was ahead of us back then, but every time something bad happened, we always found a way around it! It didn't matter if it was some fancy new machine, or some Arkeyan trap, or some lost battle! We always made it through, all because of you two! You never gave up, no matter what, and you know what? Sure, we may have ended up dead, and stuck ten thousand years in the future, and have all this weird nonsense going on, but we'll find some way out of it too, and once we do, we'll make our own path! We'll do all the things we wanted and even more!"</p><p>Luz grinned and pointed over to Vatra. "Vatra'll get to be a teacher again" — Luz moved his finger to Sihiri — "and Sihiri, I'm sure there's something about all your old friends and stuff out there! We'll find out what happened to all of them, and I'll bet that once they found out what you did for everyone, they'd be the proudest they'd ever be of you!"</p><p>Luz chuckled and ruffled his hair. "I'm not sure what Fintster 'n I will do, but we'll figure that out too, and so will everyone else, because—"</p><p>"How can you be so certain things will work out?" Vatra asked, his eyes oddly cold.</p><p>Luz smiled and shook his head.</p><p>"I'm not, but, that's never stopped us before, and it won't stop us now. Things might be harder, things might be really different now, but, we'll find a way around it, just like we always have! Besides, if we just sat around and sulked about everything and gave up, we're basically just making that what'll happen to us, right?"</p><p>Vatra and Sihiri both sat in stunned silence, and Luz bit his lip. Did he make things better or worse? He wasn't sure, so he just sat, but beside him, Sihiri wiped her eyes and chuckled.</p><p>"When did you get so wise, Luz?" Sihiri asked as she leaned forward and ruffled his hair.</p><p>"I'm just cool like that."</p><p>Sihiri chuckled again and stood up. "Luz has a point. If we give up right now, we're basically fulfilling our own prophecies," she said. "Come, let's find the others and leave."</p><p>Vatra and Luz both nodded as they stood up and joined hands with Sihiri. A purple light came over them as her body slowly faded, and became the ghostly presence they all were; soon, the purple light spread to them and whisked them away. They were even lighter than they already were, but the weight soon returned and they opened their eyes.</p><p>Once again they were back in Sihiri's village, but the place ahead where Sihiri once laughed and talked with her friends held three paths instead of one. Three paths, three of them, and one glance around showed what the obvious plan was.</p><p>"We'll split up," Sihiri proclaimed as she floated down the center path, "and regroup back here once we get the others back."</p><p>"Understood," Vatra replied as he took the leftmost path. "When we meet again, it'll be as a team."</p><p>"You bet!" Luz chirped and saluted the others as he took the rightmost path. "Stay safe, alright?"</p><p>With their vows proclaimed to the winds, the three of them parted ways down the beaten paths.</p>(Skylanders/CHS) Chihiro Hatsuki's Skylanders: Here Come the Giants! Chapter 17: Molekin Mountain Part 2 (Part 2)<p>The chilling airs of the temple grew even colder as its inhabitants worked away in near-silence. Only their whispering could be heard amid the howling winds of the outer world, and the chimes that came from within the temple. Havîn and Payiz laid in the heart of the room, and dressed in Bihar and Zivistan's robes as they danced together in chilling silence.</p><p>Bihar and Zivistan watched not, for they laid on the other side of the temple's floor. Their ghostly bodies flared with a little bit more light than usual as they diligently shaped talismans out of worn, cracked clay, and painted warding sigils on yellowed paper. Their completed creations surrounded them both, and formed a sort of wall around them as they laid the creations aside. Bihar and Zivistan both sighed, raised from their spots, and their eyes now turned to where Spyro, Chihiro and Nemir crafted even more talismans in silence behind them.</p><p>"We're ready over here," Bihar proclaimed.</p><p>Though his voice was only a whisper, it spoke volumes within the tense, chilling silence of the room. It was enough that everyone else shuddered just from hearing it.</p><p>Havîn and Payiz both broke from their dance routine and floated over. Their eyes idly drifted over the army of clay talismans and paper sigils that reeked of fresh ink. Havîn lifted up one, but quickly placed it down as Chihiro hopped over and examined the collection as well. Chihiro hummed, and ignored the wary glances Havîn gave her as she bent down and examined the talismans with an almost quizzical glance.</p><p>"Dunno about you, but I'd say we've got plenty of these little guys!" Chihiro remarked, before she glanced back to Spyro and beckoned him over with a wave of her hand. "C'mon, Golden Boy, let's get them juiced up!"</p><p>Spyro nodded and flew over. He captured Chihiro's hand in his paw in one swift motion and squeezed it the next. A soft, shimmering purple glow came from their entwined hand and paw. Its thin streams spread out across the room, and tinted the walls in purple hues before they seeped into the talismans! The talismans pulsed with a purple glow that quickly faded, but their ghastly surfaces retained their indigo and violet colors as they rested.</p><p>"This should buff them up enough," Chihiro said as she bent over, plucked one from the ground, and spun it around between her fingers. "Just in case."</p><p>Bihar winced as he turned his attention to Havîn and Payiz. His mouth twisted into an uncertain frown, almost as if there was something he wanted to say. Was he going to object at the last minute? Did he have doubts? Well, they all did, but the flickers and wilting lights in his eyes suggested he had extra reservations. Beside him, Zivistan tugged on her arm, and her own light flickered as she frowned.</p><p>"Are you two ready?" Bihar asked at last as he turned his sight to Havîn and Payiz.</p><p>Havîn and Payiz said no words. They glanced at each other, their bodies flickering and wavering as they stared. But then, Payiz smiled and held Havîn close, and a sort of peace fell over her circle as she buried her face in Payiz's chest and squeezed her tight.</p><p>"Yes, we are," Havîn and Payiz both said in unison.</p><p>Bihar nodded as he knelt down, and lifted a cloudy purple glass ball from the floor. "In that case, I'd say we should make our leave then."</p><p>A few shaky, tense nods came from their entire party as they stepped out in pairs: Bihar and Zivistan first, Havîn and Payiz next…</p><p>And then, Spyro and Chihiro. Neither Spyro or Chihiro moved a step as they reached the open temple doors. Their bodies froze as they locked eyes on the barrier that flickered and shone before them.</p><p>A faint pang of pain hit the back of Chihiro's head as her encounters with the Odivia came back to her, and then she glanced at Spyro. Like it or not, they were taking a huge risk with this. They were the last line of defense, and if they fell, who would be left?</p><p>As she stared into Spyro's golden eyes, her heart clenched just a bit, and her mind recalled how quickly the Odivia brought everyone around to hate and scorn each other. Would it make her and Spyro hate each other too? She couldn't bear the thought of seeing him and only having anger and rage fill her! Those memories flooded again, and before she knew it, tight breaths sped out of her…</p><p>But then, Spyro placed his paws on her hand. Her whole head cleared as a warm feeling emerged from his paws, and he smiled and peered up at her.</p><p>"Soothing spell," he whispered as he folded his toes around her palm, "to clear the nerves."</p><p>That tense, tight feeling that captured Chihiro faded and she smiled. She took him by the paw and led him down the pathway to the temple. A warbling sound came from above as they ran down, and the two of them glanced up to find the barrier's light fading. Its colors growing paler and clearer, and then, it completely disappeared!</p><p>At the foot of the hill, Havîn, Payiz, Bihar, and Zivistan all gathered. They all huddled together around Bihar, all expressions tense as they glanced down at the cloudy purple orb that Bihar held.</p><p>Bihar raised the orb, and the others drew back as it reached its highest. The orb's colors grew radiant as it brushed against the little light the underworld provided, and with one swift swing, Bihar slammed the orb right against the ground! Its glass casing shattered, and he rushed away as its contents spilled out over the floor. The thick clouds of violet smoke cascaded in a blanket of fog that shrouded the entrance from view.</p><p>Bihar floated backwards, and his one hand clutched something in his pocket as his eyes narrowed. The smoke spread further, left an eye-watering, burning smell in the air as it spread, yet there was no sign of the Odivia! The air chilled above them, and Bihar backed away as he squeezed his hand tighter.</p><p>The ground rumbled, and bounced tiny rocks off the floor as it shook with a mighty fear! The temple itself shook slightly as a roar echoed in the air, and the skies turned purple, or did they? No, their color hadn't changed! Something leaped forward and choked out the skies with its purple fur!</p><p>The Odivia roared, shook the ground as it pounced on the clouds of malice, and blew back everyone around with its landing! It stretched out a long, frog-like tongue, and wrapped it right around the clouds before it ate them up. As it licked its lips, its eyes flashed and it launched itself for Havîn and Payiz!</p><p>"Girls, now!" both Bihar and Zivistan cried.</p><p>Havîn and Payiz gasped, held each other right and spun away as the Odivia landed! A large, dull thud came from the ground as the Odivia crashed down and cast up wispy purple smoke. It growled and flicked its tail as it laid eyes on Havîn and Payiz.</p><p>Havîn and Payiz clutched each other tight in turn as both their hands trembled, but right as the Odivia growled, Payiz pulled Havîn aside in a series of spins and pirouettes! The two of them twirled around the Odivia, and embraced each other so tightly as they spun! The Odivia's eyes spun around in its head as it traced their movements, waiting for a moment to pounce.</p><p>As their spinning slowed a bit, the Odivia charged forward and swiped for them! Its sharp, jagged claws slashed, but a bright barrier of pink and orange light burst forward and blew its paw back! The Odivia wailed and suckled on its now-burning paw, and Havîn and Payiz smiled at each other as they drew to a stop.</p><p>The shield faded as the Odivia roared and charged forward—but this time, Havîn drew herself in front of Payiz, brandishing a talisman like a sword! The Odivia reeled back, and Havîn swept forward as she danced with Payiz.</p><p>The two held each other close as they twirled, spun, and leaped in the air with the passion of a couple that had loved each other for eternity! They embraced each other with soft, tender touches as they danced, laughed with pure elation as they glowed underneath the warm light of their magic dance, and they grew even more passionate with every moment that passed! Their movements became sharper, stronger; their dance moves spread bursts of orange and pink light with every fierce spin and leap!</p><p>The Odivia skittered back, and whimpered like a puppy as the swirls of magic surrounded it! They lashed at its hide like whips, and left the Odivia to cower as magic bled from its wounds! It hid underneath its massive paws as it made itself as small as it could, as if it tried to hide from the lashes! But, the magic shot, slashed and snapped at its back, and its yowls of pain grew strained and small with each cry as it grew smaller!</p><p>Payiz turned away a bit from Havîn and gasped with glee. "It's working!" she cried as she turned back to Havîn. "Keep dancing!"</p><p>Havîn chuckled and squeezed Payiz's hand. She pushed herself in Payiz's face, and Payiz blushed as her eyes grew wider.</p><p>"You don't have to tell me," Havîn crooned.</p><p>She planted a small, quick kiss on Payiz's face, and Payiz gasped as an explosion of orange and pink magic burst from their spot! The dust scattered all across the floor as the two of them spun away, and it left behind the Odivia. Now, it was as small as a house, and whimpered as its body bled with magic!</p><p>Chihiro gasped, not able to make a single word. The bright lights, the swift, elegant dances, they all captivated her, and stilled her heart as she watched in amazement. A tiny, tiny part of her wanted to jump in there and dance again, but another part of her pulled her back as it cried not to, reminding her of her past failures. Her heart throbbed against her chest like it was gonna break free…</p><p>But, when she turned to Spyro, who beamed and cheered with all he had, with that look in his golden eyes that was just as captivated by the scene as she was, everything melted away. The Odivia disappeared, and so had everyone else. It was just the two of them and the dance floor, and it cried out for them to jump on!</p><p>So, Chihiro smiled and gripped Spyro's paw in hers! He gasped and turned to her, but his momentary surprise faded as she leaned up and whispered one thing.</p><p>"Can I have this dance?"</p><p>Spyro squeezed her hand back, and gently pressed his head against her shoulder. "Gladly."</p><p>The two of them swung onto the dance floor. Their movements were small at first; they stepped in sync, hopped and twirled from side to side with short, sharp movements, and clapped their hands together as they met each other face to face. With hearts pressed together and hand clasped in paw, the two of them spun away. The momentary blast of an attack faded away as they spun and leaped in the air! Chihiro landed on the ground, and with a tap of her foot, the floor lit up in shades of purple and white, green and black, and even some stunning, milky silvers!</p><p>The colors shone in brilliance against the orange and pink magic blasts that bombed against the Odivia's back. The Odivia cried out as it shrank another size, now drowned underneath the light Chihiro created. The light grew brilliant and shone so bright that the Odivia's form could barely be made out!</p><p>Chihiro smiled and pulled out her and Spyro's clasped paw.</p><p>"Let's say we finish this with style, Golden Boy."</p><p>"Just my thoughts, Chi."</p><p>The two of them squeezed each other tight, and the magic that burst from the floor leaped out, swirling around their arms. A cannon formed as their light swirled, and its colors grew brighter by the second as they lifted their arms and focused their gaze on the Odivia. The Odivia whimpered, closed its eyes, and covered its face with its paws, clearly unable to fight.</p><p>"Alright, beast of foul hatred!" Chihiro cried. "Prepare yourself!"</p><p>Spyro chuckled and gained a confident sneer. "You're about to be hit with…"</p><p>The light surrounding Spyro and Chihiro shrieked as its colors flared their brightest!</p><p>"THE MAGICAL ALLEGIANCE DOUBLE DECKER SPECIAL!"</p><p>The blast shrieked as it funneled out. It painted the world in bright, harsh shades of purple, white, and green as it formed into a laser and smashed right into the Odivia's side! The wind rose around Spyro and Chihiro, yet they stood steadfast as their laser's light pushed into the Odivia's side, knocking it into the air! Their own light faded as Spyro and Chihiro gasped.</p><p>They stepped back as the Odivia flew in the skies before them, but then a bright orange and pink burst sniped it right out of the skies! The Odivia crash-landed onto the ground. It shrunk as small as it was when Spyro and Chihiro first nearly defeated it before it bounced off like a rubber ball.</p><p>Behind it, Havîn and Payiz drew back from each other as if they pulled out of a long, passionate kiss, all fluttering eyes and faces flushed pink. They craned their heads around slowly, and their movements were hazy as if they barely comprehended the world around them. The cry of the Odivia sounded behind them, and they gasped with glee!</p><p>There before them laid the Odivia, but it was all small and scraggly as it wailed out in strained, pained cries and yelps! Its body twitched, but it didn't even try to push itself up. Perhaps, with how much magic it lost, and how much magic it was still losing from the bleeding gashes and holes in its body, it couldn't.</p><p>"The Odivia! It's weak!" Bihar cried. His eyes fluttered and jaw dropped for a moment, as if he almost couldn't believe his eyes, but he quickly shook his head and turned to Zivistan. "The seal, quickly!"</p><p>Bihar fumbled as he held out his hands while Zivistan floated to his side. The two of them gripped each other's shaky hands, and showed weary glances before they thrust their hands out and chanted in some kind of ancient Skylandian tongue. Their hands shuddered as they spoke while a flare of light slowly formed from their fingertips, but as they chanted, the Odivia growled and staggered up!</p><p>The Odivia shot them one glare and flashed its teeth, and rushed off as they wavered a bit! For its weakened state, it flew with incredibly spry speed, and left trails of purple dust in its wake!</p><p>Bihar and Zivistan's hands slipped out. They nearly collapsed on the floor had Nemir not jumped in and propped them up. Their eyes grew wide as they only watched the Odivia sprint off, and beside them Havîn and Payiz gasped as their own colors faded before they reeled back.</p><p>"After it!" Spyro and Chihiro cried in tandem as they ran off.</p><p>Tracking the trail of purple smoke, their group stumbled back through the winding twists and alleyways that brought them to the temple. The sounds of angered shouting rose in the air as they ran, a sound that left the others with worried looks as they passed back into the broad open…</p><p>And what did they arrive to but the burning eyes of the entire underworld populace? Their faces were red with rage as they turned around. They were shouts and gnashed teeth as they crept onto Chihiro's group, and her group in turn backed away.</p><p>A particularly large growl rang from the back, and Chihiro lifted her head to find the Odivia! It snarled with an almost smug look as if to mock them, and rested in the back of the swarming crowds. The hatred radiated from their bodies, and fed back into the Odivia as it grew in size and strength once again!</p><p>"Dang, I should've known it'd do something like this!" Chihiro cried.</p><p>"But what're we gonna do?" Payiz shouted. Her eyes were wide with panic as she glanced around in short, sharp bursts. "We can't hurt any of them, and there's to many to fight, but, but, if they don't break out, we'll—"</p><p>Payiz screamed as one of the ghosts lunged for her, but before it struck, Havîn flew in front of Payiz and held a talisman in front of them both! The talisman repelled the ghost like a shield, pushed it back into the crowds and knocked it on its back. It was then that it groaned and lifted its head, its eyes turning from red to a milky white!</p><p>Havîn breathed a sigh of relief, turned to Payiz and smiled. "Don't worry, Payiz, we planned for this, remember?" Havîn whispered. She held up the talisman and shook it just a little. "What do you think we made all those talismans for?"</p><p>Payiz smiled and nodded, but both she and Havîn turned serious as they turned to Spyro and Chihiro.</p><p>"Can you two get the rest of the talismans back from the temple?"</p><p>"Already on it!" Spyro shouted as he gripped Chihiro's hand.</p><p>The two of them nodded, teleported away, and teleported back in a flash with arms filled to the brim with talismans!</p><p>Havîn and Payiz grinned, pulled a few talismans from the pile and clasped them together. Their heads nuzzled against each other as they held them, and the pink and orange glow that permeated from their bodies seeped into the talismans, shading them in warm hues. The two of them beamed as the talismans' light bathed their faces, yet it only lasted a moment.</p><p>A few more members of the enraged crowds leaped out at them, and their joy broke! Havîn cried out, flung the talismans right at the enraged ghosts, and smacked them right in the face before they could strike! The talismans' warm light glowed and fed into the ghosts' bodies. The talismans dropped on the ground, and left several confused, but normal ghosts in their wake!</p><p>"It worked!"</p><p>Chihiro nudged into Spyro and grinned as the bright light of their dance flared again, spreading into the talismans that the two of them held. The lights shimmered in violets and silvers, greens and rich blacks, but only for moments. Chihiro rushed forward and flung the entire pile of talismans right into the crowds! Their light shone like an aurora as their magic descended upon the masses, and the cries of the crowds dulled into mumbles and confused shouts!</p><p>The Odivia snarled, backed away as it bore its fangs at the encroaching aurora—but as the light shone, it whimpered and skittered back! The aurora glowed brighter; it bore its colors as a bright, shining banner, a shield to protect those behind…</p><p>Yet that didn't stop the crowds of ghosts from gasping and screaming in panic!</p><p>"The Odivia!" cried one ghost. "What's it doing here?"</p><p>"Everyone, flee, quickly!" shouted another ghost.</p><p>The screams of the crowd rose as they flooded towards the back, and their lights flickered in fear as they piled backwards. The distinct cries and growls of the Odivia behind them only stoked this terror! They practically mushed together as they held up the back of the room, and nearly squeezed out Spyro and Chihiro as the stampede snatched them up.</p><p>The shield of magic strained above the crowds as the crowd pushed its way towards the exit, but the sound of a single whistle brought them back to the front! All their eyes rested on Havîn and Payiz as the mob of ghosts parted away, leaving behind a very frazzled Spyro and Chihiro.</p><p>"Listen up, everyone!" Havîn cried as she took center stage. "I know you're all worried right now, but calm down! Flying around in a panic isn't going to do anything!"</p><p>"What are you blabbering about? Don't you see the Odivia's right there?" cried a ghostly woman who flew out of the crowds. Another <em>thunk</em> sounded off as the Odivia charged against the shield but bounced back, and the ghost woman cringed. "That thing was supposed to be sealed away by the high priest and priestess! What's it doing here?"</p><p>Payiz and Havîn both exchanged worried glances, eyes tense and teeth clenched, but it was Payiz who flew out and addressed the crowds next.</p><p>"There's, there's been a few changes in the ritual this year," Payiz explained. "The high priest and priestess have found themselves unable to do the ritual this year—"</p><p>A wave of gasps and shouts came over the crowd. Eyes went wide as they turned to each other, so Havîn cleared her throat and jumped in.</p><p>"But don't worry, we've got a plan!" Havîn proclaimed. "We'll all harness the power of our love and use it to fight back against the Odivia!"</p><p>"Harness the power, of <em>our</em> love?" asked a ghost in the crowds as they raised their brows. "Did I hear that correctly?"</p><p>"Yep! Surely a lot of you have someone or something you love a lot, right? Friends, family, lovers…"</p><p>Hearing this, a couple of the ghosts grinned and turned around. A few took each other in hand; a couple nuzzled their heads together; a parent beamed down at their wide-eyed and grinning children; one ghost smiled and rubbed the head of a ghostly dog that followed behind him; beside him, an aged, spectral woman smiled and lifted up a loaf of fresh-baked bread. These small gestures of love glimmered like stars in a growing night, and warmed the cold depths of the Underworld just a bit.</p><p>Havîn's grinned stretched wider as the crowds mumbled and their worried glances turned to smiles. "The Odivia's weak to love, so just take that love and show it however you can!"</p><p>The crowds shifted a little, and a tiny ghost dressed in black shuffled through with a gulp as they raised their hand. "And if we don't have anything or anyone we love?" they asked, their voice soft and quivering.</p><p>Chihiro shook her head, smiled, and grabbed a pile of talismans from the floor. "Then take these talismans, find anyone still under the Odivia's curse, and free them!" Chihiro proclaimed as she shoved the talismans into the ghost's arms. "We'll need as much help as we can get!"</p><p>The ghost made a tiny smile and nodded, but their relief was short-lived. The Odivia roared as it scratched against the shield, and this time, it seemed to work! The shield's colors quivered and faded before they brightened with every blow, except now, thin white cracks stretched along the shield's surface! The cracks grew with every blow; they spread further and glimmered, trembled, even, with the Odivia's cries!</p><p>"Alright everyone," Payiz cried as she took Havîn's hand and squeezed it tight, "it's go time!"</p><p>With one last strike, the barrier shattered and the Odivia sprung forward! Its roars grew as it pounced, and it strained with anger as it set its eyes on Havîn and Payiz.</p><p>The crowds around them screeched in fear and scattered, but Havîn and Payiz nodded and held each other tight. Squeezing their hands together, they spun out of the Odivia's way, yet the ground shook underfoot as its paws slammed down. Their hands quivered for a moment, but Payiz squeezed them tighter as she leaned forward and kissed Havîn!</p><p>Havîn's eyes grew wide, yet she quickly melted into the kiss and gripped Payiz tight. The orange and pink lights of before glowed from their body like morning dawn, their colors painting the world around in warm shades. The light grew brighter, and the Odivia screeched and stumbled back as it shielded its eyes!</p><p>The crowd of ghosts stopped in their tracks, all wide eyes and jaws as they gazed in awe of the sights. The simple power of two girls' unyielding love for each other fought back a being of pure hatred, one that lurked in the corners and loomed over their town like a beast ready to strike! A few ghosts just stood and blinked, perhaps unable to process whatever occurred, but a couple others grinned and jumped in!</p><p>An older couple of two men was the first to start. They held each other in hand, and danced together like the ruined square was the finest ballroom! Rainbow light wafted off of them as they danced and laughed like they were still young and just fell in love. The light bolted towards the Odivia, sniping it in its eye!</p><p>The Odivia screeched and slammed back into the wall as it clawed at its smoking eye, but a bolt of white light sniped the other one. The Odivia covered its eyes with its paws as it wailed.</p><p>The ghostly couple turned to the back, and found that a few younger ghosts who wore matching bracelets grinned as they held hands clasped tight to the skies! The younger ghosts folded their hands together and grinned, but their eyes quickly trailed off as an even younger ghost giggled and floated off.</p><p>"Baba, baba!" cried the ghost as they pointed to the wailing Odivia with childlike glee. "I wanna do it, too!"</p><p>An older, slightly aged ghost gasped, flew out of the crowds, and scooped the child in their arms with fear in their eyes. "That thing's dangerous!" the older ghost cried. "Don't run after it like that!"</p><p>A bright white glow surrounded the two ghosts and leaped out, striking right for the Odivia's neck! The Odivia's screams quelled at last as the bolt severed a hole in its neck, and it collapsed right before the startled parent and their child! The parent gasped and floated back, holding their child close.</p><p>The light only grew brighter and stronger as it laid stuck in the Odivia's neck. The Odivia choked again as it collapsed, and the older ghost couple chuckled and waved the rest of the crowds over.</p><p>"Come now, everyone!" cried one ghost as he smiled a smile emphasized by his many wrinkles. "This beast poses no harm to us, for our love is much stronger!"</p><p>Hearing this, the crowds smiled and flooded out not in fear, but love!</p><p>Couples floated out and danced with each other, kissed with passion and embraced with tender joy. Groups of friends cheered, laughed, and bounced around as they quipped and recounted old stories! A few ghosts even joined in with parents, children, and siblings. Older family members tossed the younger ones in the air and snuggled them tight while the younger ones laughed with childlike glee! Some even grabbed their pets and cuddled them tight, or played games with them as they rejoiced!</p><p>As they played, as they laughed, as they showed whatever love they had, the lights around them grew brighter and brighter! The light sprung forward, and tore through the Odivia's pelt while it wrangled and screeched! The Odivia snarled and screwed its eyes shut as it attempted to stand, but then, another burst of colorful light rushed out from the alleyways. It slammed into the Odivia's other side, knocking it back to the floor!</p><p>The faint sounds of panting came out next as another crowd of ghosts that held talismans flooded out, all led by that little ghost dressed in black! A few other ghosts clutched armfuls of talismans beside them, and even more spread out and joined the crowds' ranks!</p><p>"Sorry we're a bit late!" the black-clad ghost cried. "It took a little while, but we got as many from the town as we could!"</p><p>Havîn and Payiz broke from their kiss and gasped with glee. Their eyes turned to the Odivia, and bright, colorful lights burned off its back as it screeched and wailed!</p><p>Its legs and tail janked as it banged its head against the floor, and it clawed at its throat as it futilely tried to sever the bolt of light lodged within. As it struggled, a rain of wispy pink flower petals cascaded down in a torrent over the Odivia's back! The petals melted into a pink mass that burned away the Odivia's back. It coughed out murky magic substance as it collapsed and struggled to catch its breath.</p><p>"Well, well, well," Bihar chuckled as he floated down with a large, empty barrel underneath his arm. "Looks like those old flower petals I swept up had some use after all."</p><p>The simple pluck of a string came next, and Zivistan floated down with a sitar in arm and eyes closed in concentration. A smile crossed her face as she played its strings, and the simple melody that started grew passionate, all rife with emotion as it told a story with no words!</p><p>Chihiro couldn't help but smile as she sat down and bathed in the music. It reminded her a little bit of something she heard when she searched for Kaos in India, and for a moment, she came back to the streets and the joys she saw.</p><p>Now, she stood in a place brought to life by the passion and fervor for life its people held, but stilled just a bit as people gathered to hear a band play on stage while its singer sang with an entrancing voice. She pictured herself back in the crowds, how she watched as the singer spoke of great triumphs, crushing losses, and the high and lows of life, all while the stage itself came to life with both the performance and the audience's cheers! Even though this song was so much different than the one she heard, the sound was somehow so nostalgic all the same.</p><p>But then, the melody changed!</p><p>The sitar morphed in Zivistan's hands, and turned to a shamisen that played a melody a bit like the songs her dad showed her when she was little. Next, it became a guitar that played old songs like what she'd hear over the radio at home! With every pluck and stroke of the strings, Zivistan's instrument morphed into another, sang another melody, and played another tune that brought to mind memories from all across the globe!</p><p>Zivistan's passion, her fervor, and the strong love she held for her craft bled into her playing. Every careful stroke and perfect note left a bright, blue glow that burned off of her. It burst off, and took the form of music notes as it smashed into the Odivia's underside!</p><p>The blasts smashed the Odivia through the wall, and knocked bricks down on its mangled, twisted body as it cried out! The light severed through its neck finally faded, and the magic substance that oozed from its body gushed out. It splattered across the floors and shot off mist.</p><p>Zivistan smiled as she stowed away her musical instrument, and Bihar chuckled beside her.</p><p>"I never knew you were so adept at so many musical stylings," he remarked.</p><p>"I've been practicing," Zivistan replied.</p><p>While all this unfolded around them, Spyro and Chihiro just sat together and clutched each other. So many beings rushed and danced around them, the lights grew brighter and painted the area around in all sorts of bright, overwhelming colors, the cries of festivities around welled up and bubbled…</p><p>Yet, something about it didn't leave Chihiro quite as overwhelmed as it normally would've. Maybe it was the sight of the Odivia dying before her? Maybe it was the feeling of Spyro close to her, with his wings and scales wrapped around her tight as her grounding force? Whatever it was, it kept her grounded; a bit numb, but grounded nonetheless.</p><p>She couldn't speak, so she watched in total, utter, amazed silence, and Spyro watched next to her. He curled close, his head resting against her shoulder. His eyes sparkled with all the color of the rainbow reflected in them, and a small, quaint smile found its way on his face. If not for the raging cries of the Odivia, it almost felt like a perfect, picturesque scene.</p><p>Lifting herself from the ground, Chihiro smiled and held out a hand to Spyro. She couldn't bring herself to speak, but he understood her without a word. Taking hand in paw, the two of them held each other close and danced. It wasn't anything fancy—just a faint recreation of those ballroom dances Chihiro always saw in movies with a few spins and twirls tossed in—but as they stepped in sync and held each other tight, that glow from before burst from below!</p><p>It slipped out from their shadows and moved underneath the Odivia's body. The milky white lights came first, flanked by a rim of shadows with a silvery outer glow. Purple and green smoke wafted out of the shadowy rim, and formed strands that wove together and smashed down on the Odivia! The smoky net dug into its body, pinned it down to the light!</p><p>The Odivia squealed and thrashed with what little energy it had remaining, even as it bled out. As it squalled, a bright pillar of light burst from the circle and engulfed the Odivia in its light!</p><p>The pillar faded as the Odivia shrieked, and when the light shone its last, the Odivia collapsed to the ground. Its body bubbled and glowed with the remains of love's light, and it laid so pained that it couldn't even bring itself to move or shriek. It just groaned, and that magic substance trickled from its jaw as it laid slack and barely alive.</p><p>"It's almost done for!" Havîn cried before she turned to Payiz. "The seal, quickly!"</p><p>Zivistan and Bihar floated forward, and they both exchanged smiles as they laid their hands on Havîn and Payiz's shoulders.</p><p>"Would you do us the honor of finishing this?" Bihar asked.</p><p>"Gladly," Havîn and Payiz both said in unison.</p><p>The two of them held out their clasped hands and closed their eyes. They chanted in some kind of ancient Skylandian tongue while their light glowed so slowly, like a meter filling to its top. The light flooded across their fingertips, spread out to the rest of their hands, and an echoing sound rattled.</p><p>A beam of light flew out of Havîn and Payiz's hands and slammed right into the Odivia! A seal planted on its face while the light came over the bubbling, shaking body of the Odivia, and in one large burst, the Odivia was no more! Its body blew to pieces in a rain of colorful lights and sparkles that cascaded all over the town square.</p><p>The townsfolk broke from their dance and celebrations, and all eyes went wide with glee as the lights rained down on them. Lovers shared kisses and tender hugs, family and friends alike embraced each other and cheered, and even total strangers wrapped their arms together and celebrated.</p><p>In the center of it all, Havîn and Payiz both cried tears of joy as they held each other tight. "We did it! It really worked!" they both cried out.</p><p>"It certainly did," Bihar remarked, "and now that we know it does, I'm certain this town will be in safe hands."</p><p>Havîn and Payiz blinked, and drew back as Bihar and Zivistan nodded towards each other. Bihar took Havîn's hands in his, Zivistan took Payiz's hands in her own, and both of them knelt down with heads bowed in utmost respect as Havîn and Payiz gasped.</p><p>"I truly did underestimate you girls, but where the high priestess and I failed, you succeeded in not only protecting our home, but also making the ritual the strongest it's been in generations!" Lifting his head, Bihar smiled up at Havîn. "I, frankly, should have had more faith in your abilities."</p><p>"As should have I," Zivistan added as she drifted away. "Thus, we are appointing you two the new high priestesses of the temple—if you so choose. If you agree, the temple and all it watches over will be in your care. Do you understand this?"</p><p>Havîn and Payiz both glanced at each other, and nodded with the utmost of serious expressions.</p><p>"In that case, we'll begin the processions for your appointment once the ceremony ends" — Bihar chuckled — "and after this, I think I'll pay a visit back to the old gardens back in the living realms. I'd hope they're as beautiful as I remember them being."</p><p>"And I think I might pay a visit to some old haunts of mine," Zivistan remarked.</p><p>Bihar and Zivistan glanced at each other, with some kind of not-quite-melancholic, but not overjoyed glace. Perhaps they knew this may be the last time they talked? A sort of quiet thank you for all the time they spent together? Whatever it was, they both nodded and floated away with Havîn and Payiz close behind.</p><p>Chihiro smiled and flopped on the ground, which felt surprisingly warm despite being in the incredibly chilly underworld! All around her, beings cheered, ran around, and celebrated, but she didn't quite register them. All that came to her was Spyro, who laid beside her with wings wrapped around her…</p><p>And those words Havîn had said earlier.</p><p><em>There's beings who've never felt an ounce of romantic love in their lives, but they've led perfectly happy lives all the same!</em></p><p>So, there were beings who had never fallen in love their whole lives? Somehow, she never thought of the prospect before—but to be fair, she'd never really thought about romance all that much before, either. Something about the concept felt so new and foreign, yet, something about it eased the anxiety in her heart. It warmed the same shivers that she felt every time beings pushed her and Spyro together as a couple.</p><p>Spyro nudged his wing against Chihiro's shoulder. As she spared him a glance, he smiled and winked.</p><p>"See, Chi? We beat that whole thing just because we cared about each other that much!" Spyro remarked. "It doesn't matter if we're friends, or a couple, or whatever else."</p><p>Chihiro chuckled and sat up. "Well, we had a lot of help," she corrected with a wink, "but yeah" — Chihiro grinned and fell back down on the floor — "we're partners, and that's that."</p><p>Spyro smiled, but his smile quickly faded. "Anyways, I kinda feel like we're forgetting something, but I can't remember what it was?"</p><p>"Hmm…"</p><p>Chihiro sat up again as a shadow cast over her, and found that Nemir showed up seemingly out of nowhere with a strange conductor-like object made of foggy glass in hand.</p><p>"There you two are! Between all the festivities, I almost thought I wouldn't find you," Nemir remarked. "Anyways, the conductor—"</p><p>"THE CONDUCTOR!" Spyro and Chihiro both cried, their eyes practically popping out of their skulls. "WE FORGOT ABOUT THE CONDUCTOR!"</p><p>Chihiro scrambled back to her feet, but as luck would have it, her legs were numb and she fell over herself. Her face hit the cooling floor and she cringed, even more so as Nemir laughed.</p><p>But, he gently pushed her up, and gave her that same kind smile as he held out a tube-like device.</p><p>"Don't worry, I managed to find it while looking for you two," Nemir said. "With this, we should be able to stabilize the semblance's presence."</p><p>Spyro and Chihiro both breathed sighs of relief, and stood back to full height as Nemir drew away. The two of them trailed after Nemir as he made his way back to the entrance, but while Spyro went ahead without hesitation, Chihiro lingered on the plaza. Her eyes traced the faint glows of green and monochrome that came from its floors…</p><p>"Chihiro, are you coming?" Spyro called.</p><p>Chihiro's eyes fluttered, and she nodded as she ran ahead. "I, I'm coming!"</p><p align="center">§</p><p>The faint sound of pattering echoed in the area as the floors below grew warmer. Soon, they shot up masses of sharp spears so thick and tightly-bound that the floor was impossible to see! The spears stood tall like trees, but a sharp, whooshing sound came from below and they all trembled as they retracted into the now iced-over floors. The ice of the floors covered it in an almost crystalline sheet; cracks formed over it from where the spears broke through, and its surface glistened in a whole array of colors as Luz's group crossed over.</p><p>"So, that's what you've missed these past couple thousand years!" Luz finished as he stretched his arms out. "I know, I know, kind of a lot to take in and all, but—"</p><p>Luz turned to Fintster, and his face immediately fell as Fintster stopped in his tracks. Even though his bangs covered his eyes from view, the way Fintster held his head low and his back slouched told Luz enough. He knew this would be a lot to process, but he didn't think Fintster would be this shocked by how much time had gone by! Sure, a lot had changed, but…</p><p>Oh, right. Surely, he was probably thinking of their family members, all likely long dead and gone by now. Luz got so caught up in how happy he was to have his brother back that he completely forgot for just a moment that they were all each other had now.</p><p>Luz's chest tightened up a little bit, and his eyes stung with tears, but he quickly shook it off and forced a smile as he squeezed Fintster's hand. A soft grunt came from Fintster as he lifted his head and turned to Luz, and he squeezed Luz's hand back with a smile. There was a lot to take in and process and they both knew it, but they had each other. That had to count for something.</p><p>The path ended soon after, and all that laid before them was a large, kind of rickety-looking wooden platform. Light poured from the opening above it, and the faint sound of cheering crowds rumbled from the other side. What was it that would await them? Luz wasn't sure, yet he gulped and boarded the platform with Fintster in hand, and the others following behind them.</p><p>The platform creaked from the added weight as they all boarded, and the faint groan of churning gears rumbled within the building as the platform creaked up. With every inch, the light grew brighter and the cheering grew louder, while the faint scents of desert dust rang in the air.</p><p>And then, as the light hit its brightest, the platform raised its highest and locked itself into a dusty arena floor.</p><p>The coliseum they stood in now was lined to the brims with cheering armies of both cyclopes and Arkeyan robots alike, and over on its balcony laid two thrones with two cyclopes decked in crowns and regal garb atop. One of them was short with chartreuse skin and a single blue eye, and was decked in armor.</p><p>To that one's right laid a taller cyclops—but considering that this one had three brown eyes with plump lashes, Luz wasn't entirely sure if they should even be called a cyclops. A pair of amber horns and a crown rested atop this cyclops's head, and she wore an elaborate, queenly-looking red and gold dress while her red-clawed hands clutched a scepter tight…</p><p>But the moment her eyes laid on Luz's team, the scepter slipped from her hands and she jumped from her seat.</p><p>"SKYLANDERS?" the cyclops screeched. Her voice was shrill and aged, and reminded Luz a bit of a meaner version of the old ladies from his hometown. "HOW DID THE SKYLANDERS FIND US?"</p><p>"Oh, I knew this was a bad idea," moaned the cyclops still sitting on the throne as he buried his face in his hands. "I knew causing such a ruckus would get the Skylanders to find us! The last thing I wanted was to see them again…"</p><p>The other, queenly-looking cyclops growled and snapped her head around. "Quiet, Pipsqueak!" the cyclops queen snapped. "The last thing I need is your moaning and groaning!"</p><p>"Hey, uh, not to interrupt your little argument," Luz said as he stepped forward. "But do you and the Skylanders have history or something?"</p><p>"History? Oh, I've got history with them, alright!" the cyclops queen snapped again, turned around, and bore all her fangs as she met Luz's gaze. "They're the reason my collection's gone! I used to have the most wonderful zoo in all Skylands, you know! It had all the rarest creatures you could find in Skylands, some even extinct save for my specimens! It took me my entire reign and all the deals I could muster just to collect it, but then some blowhard storm titan from your ranks came waltzing in and freed them all…"</p><p>Luz blinked, and rubbed his eyes as the cyclops queen before him paced around and ranted something about missing collections.</p><p>"Wait a second, storm titan?" Terrafin whispered to Eruptor behind him. "Was this the same lady Lightning Rod tangoed with?"</p><p>"Dear, please, calm down!" Pipsqueak cried from his throne as he gestured out. "Remember, we still have the arena battle!"</p><p>The cyclops queen stopped mid-step, and a wicked grin spread across her face.</p><p>"Oh yes, that's right!" she cried. She laid a hand on the balcony, tapped her fingers against its rim, and her angry expression turning to something sickeningly wicked. "I almost forgot my little deal! Some strange man claiming to be an envoy for a reincarnated Arkeyan king happened to have a little deal with me, you see…"</p><p><em>SHING!</em> All around them, sharp saw blades raised from the ground and shone under the midday sun, almost as if it emphasized the sharp cut of their spikes and blades. Luz glanced back at one and winced, and only turned back as the cyclops queen cackled.</p><p>"He was an odd sort, but his lord promised me the finest, most rare fauna in all of Skylands if I helped him get this Oracle and dispose of you—and I'd really like to restart my collection!"</p><p>A pathetic-sounded whistle blew in the air, and all at once, the cyclopes and Arkeyans alike cheered as they rushed out of the stands and leaped into the fray! Their armor clunked and creaked as their feet planted on the ground, and they all beamed as they withdrew maces, flails, swords, and more! The gates in the coliseum walls opened next, and the sounds of warped gnashing and growled echoed out as gigantic chompies flew out from their tunnels—literally! Torn, warped wings made of withered leaves barely propelled them up as their half-gooey green bodies hovered above the arena floors, splattered and reformed as they hit the ground!</p><p>"For the king and queen!" a cyclops at the front cried as they raised their flail.</p><p>"FOR THE KING AND QUEEN!" echoed the other soldiers as they flooded in, charging as one battalion of an army!</p><p>Luz snarled, withdrew his shield and held it up—just one shot could take the first row out at least, he was sure. But, before Luz could even spin his shield, Fintster leaped past and grinned!</p><p>"Let me handle these guys!" Fintster cried as he cracked his ghostly knuckles. "I may have just woken up, but I'm sure I've still got it!"</p><p>The mutant chompies roared as they charged for Fintster, their gooey bodies jiggling with every step they took. Fintster stayed still, silent, not even moving as they came their closest—but then, his whole body melted into the shadows! The chompies stumbled to a stop and growled as they loomed over the shadow where Fintster once resided.</p><p>Luz gave his shield a couple quick spins and shot a string of light beams that sniped the chompies' eyes. They squealed and stumbled back as goop burst from their eyestalks, and while they reeled back, their shadows stretched out behind them. One more step, and out from the shadows leaped Fintster! He swung out a hand and lifted the shadows from the ground as sharp blades, slicing the chompies in half!</p><p>Their remains splattered across the floor, shuddered and reformed as a forest of regular-sized, but still gooey chompies that leaped out.</p><p>Fintster sighed and crossed his arms. "Sure are stubborn, aren't they?" Fintster remarked, before he held out his hand and waved it in circles. "Luckily, I have just the trick for garden-variety pests."</p><p>An orb of flickering blue smoke formed in front of the chompies; it bubbled, pulsed, and warped as it grew and stretched out. The sounds of blowing, churning winds came out as Fintster leaned aside. The winds grew with every size of the orb, grew stronger, and even pulled the chompies towards its vortex heart!</p><p>"The rest of you might want to step back!"</p><p>The vortex grew its largest, and turned to a swirling black hole as it sucked the chompies in with a single breath! The chompies lodged and stuck together. They squealed and thrashed as the black hole tilted upwards and spat the chompies over the horizons! The glowing goo from their bodies rained down and splattered across a few of the cyclops soldiers' heads as they disappeared.</p><p>The cyclopes only blinked as they craned their heads up and watched the chompies disappear, but still, they shook their heads and charged in!</p><p>A few cyclopes swung their swords dangerously close as they rushed towards Fintster, and Luz leaped out as he yanked out his shield! Their swords clanged and bounced back, but even more cyclopes rushed in from the back and jabbed with their knives and flails!</p><p>Fintster grimaced, summoned a cloudy sword of solid darkness, and leaped back as he parried their blows. Fintster pushed away with every strike, or every clang that came as Luz covered blows with his shield. As he did, even more cyclopes soldiers rushed in! Fintster growled, stomped his foot, and the shadows that lined the arena shuddered and leaped up, turning to a dark, churning mist!</p><p>The mist coated the battlefield in thick, eye-searing smoke with Luz and Fintster in its eye! The smoke swept out them, wrapped around the cyclopes soldiers like a blanket, and shot out in a short, but powerful snap that flung them into the walls! The coliseum walls cracked and dented as cyclops after cyclops smashed into its aged brick. While most just fell on their faces and groaned, a few others staggered up and raised their weapons as they charged back in!</p><p>Luz and Fintster took hand in hand, and with one stride, the power of light and shadows propelled them until they were inches away from the cyclopes! The soldiers backed away in quaint shock. Their moment of hesitation was long enough that Luz and Fintster bashed them back with shield and blunt sword, and the two of them turned back.</p><p>Above them, the other spectators grabbed their weapons and ran down the steps in a hasty charge. Luz and Fintster turned their gaze down to where the rest of the group readied their weapons.</p><p>"Take care of the rest!" Luz said as he pushed his shield and knocked the cyclops on the ground. "We'll get to the heads!"</p><p>Despite the distance, it seemed as though their words reached, for Gill Grunt and Whirlwind immediately took to the skies!</p><p>They hovered in front of the stands and momentarily brought the crowds to a halt, a few stumbling back to avoid the sudden interruption. Whirlwind flapped her wings, brought storm clouds front and center, and their lightning leaped into the crowds! The shock sent bursts of yellow light crackling into the air as robots short-circuited and cyclopes squealed.</p><p>Above the sound of their cries, the sound of gushing water came in the air! Right beside Whirlwind, Gill Grunt fired up his hose and doused the crowds. The lighting using the water as a current to travel from one to the next with heightened speed!</p><p>A couple cyclopes fell flat on their faces into the arena. Terrafin leaped into the ground as they got up and stumbled about; he swam through it with rapid speed, carved up the earth and ruptured the surface! The cyclopes flew left and right, launched into the air from the rapid speed of Terrafin's strikes, and a few flung back into the bleachers!</p><p>The flying cyclopes rammed into a few Arkeyans in the stands that lobbed shiny grenades in the air, knocking them back and their grenades forward! A group of lava blobs slammed into the grenades as they flew. The shot whole explosions of fiery, warm colors for all to see!</p><p>The cyclops queen and Pipsqueak both squealed and shielded their eyes as the flames burned.</p><p>The cyclops queen scowled as the lights faded. "Pipsqueak!" she shrieked. "Up the stakes! We can't have these Skylanders foil my perfect collection again!"</p><p>"Yes, dear," Pipsqueak groaned. He pulled out a console, groaned and pressed a few buttons. "Whatever you say, dear…"</p><p>The sounds of clicking and clanking rang in the air. It turned all eyes away from the battles and onto the saw blades that lined the area. With a few shudders, the saw blades twitched and rattled, and off like a rocket they shot. They smashed into each other, let out sounds of shrieking, scraping metal, and changed course as they sawed halves into the torn battlefield instead!</p><p>Luz dropped the cyclops he bashed in and leaped away as one saw blade nearly tore him in half. Fintster hopped away from the same. Everyone else, friend and foe alike, broke into shouting fits and pained cries as they danced around the saw blades' ballroom! They narrowly avoided the saw blades' sharp surfaces as they carved away at the floor.</p><p>Judging by the pounding, rattling footsteps that struck the ground, it seemed as though the big guys had just as much trouble as the little ones! The ground shook before their feet as Eye-Brawl stumbled backwards. He tried his best to avoid the saw blades that danced around his feet, turned around right as a shadow cast over him—but not before a particularly large robot body slammed him into the stands!</p><p>Parts of the bleachers caved in underneath him, and crumbled to bits as the robots who laid in the stands flattened underneath Brawl's might. Brawl grunted and stumbled up; he kicked out a few of the saw blades as he came to full height. Shouts came from underneath as the others scrambled to avoid him, but he just tottered around and flattened saw blade after saw blade while the larger robots laughed in his face.</p><p>But, as he finally regained his footing, Brawl swung out from underneath Eye. He slugged one robot in the face and knocked it back into the stands! Seas of greens, golds, and reds poured over the stands as the spectators fled from the wreckage.</p><p>The robot creaked as it pushed itself back up, and while it struggled, Brawl punched his fists together and slammed them into the ground! The earth cracked underneath his blows, and from the cracks shot up bony brambles that ripped through the floor, tossing earth and stone wherever they went. The saw blades flew in the air as the brambles tore apart their trenches. Soon, all the brambles consolidated into several large skewers that smashed right through the robot's joints and chest.</p><p>Its limbs collapsed onto the ground, its body next as it keeled over. With a clap of Ninjini's hands and a flutter of Swarm's wings, the robot's body broke to bits and burst up from an explosion of purple lightning! It soared over the skies before the broken parts rained down over the coliseum! From the ground, a burst of freezing water shot off and drenched the parts. They froze in midair and found themselves coated in a solid sheet of ice!</p><p>The Arkeyan robots down below ran off as the parts smashed through the cyclopes soldiers' helmets. They all scrambled like headless chickens in their attempts to escape, but as they ran, the winds roared. It lifted the saw blades from their place in the air, and shot them right at the robot soldiers! The Arkeyan robots split in half and collapsed as the saws ran past them. Their severed halves exploded. and coated the entire arena in a thick layer of minty green mist!</p><p>Pipsqueak and the cyclops queen hacked their lungs out as the smoke faded. They glared down at where Luz's team lorded over them with the smuggest of smiles on their faces, and the tattered, gored-up remains of their soldiers around them.</p><p>"Alright, so you took care of a few foot soldiers. That's no feat! Stop looking so proud of yourselves!" the cyclops queen shrieked as she stumbled up the edge of the balcony and waved her staff. "I'll just bring in some more reinforcements!" The cyclops queen's staff sparked, and she waved it around as the gem in its center glowed. "Guards, deal with these pests!"</p><p>The staff glowed its brightest as the queen waved it in circles, yet, no new guards came. The entire arena still laid quiet and devoid of conflict.</p><p>The cyclops queen winced at the sight. "Alright, guards!" the cyclops queen cried as she waved her staff further. "Come here!"</p><p>Nope, still no guards. The cyclops queen gritted her teeth together, growled and shook her staff.</p><p>"WHERE ARE YOU USELESS GUARDS?"</p><p>"Er, dear…" Pipsqueak groaned as he raised a hand. "I think we may be out of guards."</p><p>The cyclops queen growled, and went to raise her voice for a moment/but as she glanced around the room, she found (surely to her irritation) that Pipsqueak was correct! The stands were plucked clean of guards organic and robot, who instead laid around the floor. Between the smoking remains of the broken Arkeyan robots, and the unconscious or fleeing cyclops guards, her ranks thinned till they were nearly nothing!</p><p>"It seems as though you're correct," the cyclops queen groaned as she jabbed her staff down at the arena floor.</p><p>Pipsqueak frantically nodded as he stumbled out of his throne. "Then, then, well, it looks like I'll have to fight them!" Pipsqueak sputtered. He yanked a thin, worn-looking ax from the side of his throne, and stumbled for the edge of the balcony. "I, I'll have those Skylanders gone in a jiffy!"</p><p>Well, that's what Pipsqueak said as he jumped off the balcony and into the arena, but his looks didn't quite match up. He quaked so badly that it looked like he was made of gelatin, and sweat poured in pools down his body as he clutched his ax! He squealed out shaky cries of war as he spun and stumbled about; he flailed his ax just as haphazardly as he ran.</p><p>Fintster and Luz took one look at each other and shrugged. Fintster waltzed over and flicked Pipsqueak's forehead, and in response, Pipsqueak completely dropped his ax.</p><p>"Ow, that hurt!" Pipsqueak wailed as he ran back into the hollow halls of the arena. "Uncle, uncle!"</p><p>While Pipsqueak disappeared down the halls, and the cyclops queen groaned as he buried her face in her hands.</p><p>"Well, I guess the old saying is true," the cyclops queen said as she grabbed her staff and leaped into the battlegrounds. "If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself!"</p><p>The moment the cyclops queen touched the battleground, she held her scepter to the heavens and waved it around! The light from the scepter pulsed and spread across the arena with every wave of her staff.</p><p>First, it banished the stands and stalls in favor of open fields of dirt littered with weapons. Next, the city disappeared in favor empty plains… With one last wave, flags of war cropped up from the ground, and the arena turned into a proper battleground!</p><p>The cyclops queen lowered her staff and whistled. She grinned as a pair of huge, magical, purple knights rushed up to her with inhuman speed and weapons in hand.</p><p>"Well, now what?" the cyclops queen sneered. "Aren't you just quivering in your boots at the sight of my magic?"</p><p>Luz and Fintster both drew back, and in turn the knights rushed forward—but so did Swarm and Eye-Brawl above them! The three of them immediately rushed to shoulder the knight's blows, and only faint flares of light pulsed from their bodies as a signal to move.</p><p>Luz and Fintster stumbled their way through the massive gaps in the knights' legs. The shadows cast over them and shielded them from view as the battle raged before them. The shouts and clashing of weapons and magic only barely registered in Luz's mind as he turned his gaze back on the cyclops queen, who only stood idle as they came close…</p><p>But, she jolted back and flung her staff!</p><p>A bolt of magic burst from the jewel on its top, and Luz and Fintster both parted. They jumped aside while the bolt of magic shot right between them. Luz leaped to the brighter side and tumbled down, and beside him, Fintster leaped into the knights' shadows and skidded forward. A thin stream of shadows parted from the larger knight as he did.</p><p>The cyclops queen grumbled as she hoisted up her staff. She turned it on Luz once more, but as she fired it up, a shadow cast over her! Fintster's screams rang in the air, and she turned up right as he leaped out of the shadows with his sword in hand. She just swung around in turn and flicked her staff!</p><p>A bright flare of light burst out, ate up Fintster in its bright, blinding light, and a pained scream of his echoed from the light as he collapsed. Fintster grunted as he landed on his side. His sword melted away in his grip as he landed, but he quickly rolled away and jumped to his feet.</p><p>"Well," Fintster panted, turning his head down to the shadow of his on the ground. "Guess I'll have to try something different!"</p><p>With a leap forward, a cloak of black descended upon Fintster, and he himself disappeared from view! A thin shadow streaked along the ground where he once laid. It zipped across the floor in shark, jerky movements as it aimed for the cyclops queen!</p><p>The cyclops queen backed away, waved her staff and held it as high as she could. The gem on its top glowed its brightest, encompassing the entire battlefield in its harsh light.</p><p>Fintster immediately leaped out of his shadows and stumbled back to his feet. Though his bangs masked his eyes, the clenched frown on his face grew tighter as he summoned a sword of shadow that just melted in the harsh light. He cried out as a laser sniped his chest and knocked him down.</p><p>"Sorry, boy, your little shadow tricks aren't going to work here!" the cyclops queen sneered. "Looks like taking me on solo was a bad idea!"</p><p>The cyclops queen raised her staff once more and turned it on Luz. Her sneer grew at a sickening rate as the light charged at its tip. It shimmered and gleamed, pulsed like a heartbeat—but before it could shoot, a golden laser sniped it right out of her hand!</p><p>"You've got one thing wrong there, queenie!"</p><p>The cyclops queen gasped as the staff rolled by her skirt on the floor, and yanked her head around to find that Fintster was alone no longer! Luz leaned down beside him and helped him to his feet now. Luz sneered back at the cyclops queen as Fintster rose.</p><p>"He's not alone!" Luz cried as he held up his shield.</p><p>Luz and Fintster both chuckled at each other as Fintster finally stood tall, and Luz withdrew his shield.</p><p>"So, bro, how about we hit her with our good ol' combo special?" Luz smirked.</p><p>Fintster smiled and summoned a ball of darkness with a flick of his hand. "Sounds like a plan to me!"</p><p>The cyclops queen's lips twitched as she collected her staff. "I'd like to see you try!" she screeched.</p><p>Luz and Fintster rushed forward in tandem, and the dust kicked up behind them as they raised their weapons. Right before they struck, the cyclops queen waved her staff and a string of large, purple eyes cropped up around her! Like a wall around her they stood; their pupils charged with light as Luz and Fintster backed away.</p><p>The frontmost eye shrieked as it shot off a bright purple laser! Luz and Fintster jumped away right before the laser struck, but in the moment they took to float, a shriek of light came from behind Fintster! He only just turned around as the cyclops queen teleported behind him, and she whacked him in the gut with her staff.</p><p>The cyclops queen smirked and shot for Luz as Fintster fell to the ground! Luz yanked up her shield and knocked her back, gripped its rim and spun away—but as she flew away, the cyclops queen waved her staff once more! The tip of its top grew cloudy like a storm as it crackled with golden lightning, and as she flicked it, a bolt of cloudy darkness shot out and exploded around Luz!</p><p>Luz winced as the light surrounding his shield faded away and banged its rim. "Hey, who turned out the lights?" he cried.</p><p>A bolt of thunder leaped out and zapped Luz in the back. He cried out as he fell right beside Fintster on the hard, worn earth, and the two of them coughed before the familiar crack of thunder sounded above them! They both rolled away right before a gigantic thunderbolt singed the earth where they once laid, and winced as they glanced at each other.</p><p>"With powers like that, it's gonna be a lot harder to knock her down!" Luz whispered to Fintster. "She'll just make things super bright or dark and ruin our attacks!"</p><p>"But so can we, remember?" Fintster remarked as he ruffled Luz's hair. "Have you forgotten what our elements can do?"</p><p>Luz winced, and glanced over to where the cyclops queen floated down before he turned to Fintster.</p><p>"I know, but we'll need to get her distracted long enough to do it! How're we gonna do that?"</p><p>The world around warbled, and the illusion of a battlefield wavered for a moment as Pipsqueak stumbled through and panted. He fell to his knees with strained gasps. Pipsqueak lifted his head, gasped and jabbed his hand ahead.</p><p>"Dear, look out!"</p><p>The cyclops queen gasped and teleported away as an arrow of ice screeched for her. The moment she reappeared, she ground her teeth and turned to Pipsqueak.</p><p>"Pipsqueak! Don't distract me!" the cyclops queen screeched as she shot a bolt of magic down into the fight. Another arrow, one made of lightning, shot for her and she blasted it away. "In case you haven't realized, I'm out here fighting because <em>you </em>were too much of a coward to fight back!"</p><p>Pipsqueak sputtered, stumbled backwards, and yelped as the magic flashed before he twiddled his fingers. "But dear, I, I'm awful at fighting…"</p><p>"Then why did you jump in there in the first place?"</p><p>The two's insults and arguments crossing the air in time with the cyclops queen's retaliations against the others' attacks behind her! The flares of bright light melded with shouts of anger and pleas of ignorance… The whole time, Pipsqueak and the cyclops queen completely held each other's attention. Their eyes moved not from each other as the cyclops queen fought back!</p><p>Luz and Fintster both gasped, glanced at the cyclops queen, and then back at each other before they beamed!</p><p>Fintster flicked out his hand and summoned a sword, and with his other, he locked hands with Luz. The two of them held their hands out as both darkness and light crackled around them. It formed into a swirling orb of golden sunlight and murky darkness marbled together at their palms, and with a simple push of their hands, the orb shot up into the sky and blocked the sun!</p><p>Spinning shadows and light cast over the battlefield, and flickered around while those around froze and glimpsed up. Even the cyclops queen broke from her fights and arguments! Her eyes squinted as she craned her head up to glare at the orb.</p><p>"What is that?" she asked as she squinted and shaded her eyes with her hand.</p><p>Luz and Fintster slammed their sword and shield together, and it rang out across the battlefield like a gong. The single little shock wave shook the orb so much that it ruptured!</p><p>The skies around turned dark and light in rapid, flickering, dizzying succession, and the cyclops queen gasped as she rushed away! She held out her staff and flicked it, and in turn its top shone bright—but the shadows and light continued to flicker! They raged like a storm as she flicked her staff in succession. She rubbed her staff, clouded its top with darkness, and flicked it again. However, the light shone over her, and she shrieked as she shielded her eyes!</p><p>"Are things alright over there, dear?" Pipsqueak called from the back.</p><p>"What do you think?" the cyclops queen shrieked as she turned back to Pipsqueak.</p><p>The shadows and light flashed once more, and as the light set over them once more, the cyclops queen snarled and turned her eyes on Luz and Fintster.</p><p>"You!" she shrieked as she waved her staff. "How dare you mess with the light? That's my power!"</p><p>The cyclops queen shot off her staff, and this time, it charged with a luminous violet light that leaped out and spread! The light bubbled as it took the shape of suits of armor armed with swords and shields. Like a commander leading the charge, she flicked her staff and sent them dashing towards Luz and Fintster!</p><p>The knights' bodies rattled as they charged for Luz and Fintster, and Luz and Fintster in turn charged right forward! Luz sped forward first as he lifted up his shield and shouldered the blows of several knights' swords. He tossed the swords off and set down his shield! It charged with light in a few short spins, and Luz thrust it out as it shot a wave beam of light that sliced the front rows of knights in half!</p><p>Another wave of knights charged in as the first wave's top and bottom halves separated and evaporated into nothingness.</p><p>Fintster sprinted to them first, and summoned another sword of darkness as he ran right in front of Luz. He hunched over and panted as he slashed his swords, and waves of darkness pulsed out, completely dicing up the soldiers! The knights faded into magic dust as the shadows cast over the arena turned to bright, harsh light—bright, harsh light with the cyclops queen in its heart!</p><p>Luz and Fintster cried out as they charged for the cyclops queen, and she in turn grunted as she waved her staff and summoned an eye-shaped barrier! The barrier's pupil charged with light and shot its laser. This time, as the laser struck, Luz yanked out his shield and shouldered the blow! The light swarmed into the center of Luz's shield and sparked as it glowed within, and with a single spin, it shot that light right back at the cyclops queen!</p><p>The cyclops queen gawked as it shot right for her. It moved at such a speed that it sniped her out of the air before she could even react! The cyclops queen groaned as she collapsed to the ground, and her staff's gem shattered as it fell beside her.</p><p>"Ugh, maybe Pipsqueak did have the right idea," she moaned as she got up a rubbed her head. Turning tail, the cyclops queen floated off the ground as she bolted off. "It looks like I have no choice but to retreat!"</p><p>"Dear, wait for me!" Pipsqueak cried as he stumbled after her.</p><p>The two of them turned tail and ran off, and Luz and Fintster in turn tailed after them, but, Luz and Fintster stopped as a large shadow shaped like knight's armor cast over the arena!</p><p>"But don't worry, I'll leave you all some little friends to play with!"</p><p>The ground rumbled as the larger knights crashed down onto the arena. Their landing crumbled weaker parts of the coliseum stands, and kicked up massive clouds of dust that blocked off most of the world around. Though, beneath their dusty forms, one could barely spy the cyclops queen and Pipsqueak as they made their way to the exit!</p><p>Luz growled as he eyed the knights and took a step forward. The knights in turn moved to cover the exit, and knocked Luz off his feet with the mighty quakes of their footsteps. Luz's eyes laid on the knights, so still and steadfast as they blocked the entrance, and he gripped his shield as he charged forward. He yelled out as he eyed the exit between the knight's legs, smiled as the knights laid unmoving before him…</p><p>But the knights swung their axes right as he moved to slide through! Luz teleported back to the main group in a flash of light, and panted as he leaned against Fintster's side.</p><p>"Alright, change of plans!" Luz proclaimed. "Get the suits out of here!"</p><p>Luz and Fintster clasped their hands together and pointed out their fingers. They shot out a twisting bolt of light and darkness that separated into two as it slammed right into the knights! The darkened parts of the beam exploded into a thick field of darkness that clouded the knights' views, but the light seeped right into their bodies and shone through their joints.</p><p>"The glowing parts are their weak points!" Luz shouted. "Go after those!"</p><p>With a nod, the entire group split off in two halves as they shot towards the knights! Vaayu, Luz, Swarm, Gill Grunt and Whirlwind tackled towards the first one as Vaayu launched himself into the air with a single leap, and Whirlwind and Gill Grunt flew after him!</p><p>Within their sights, the dark mist clouding the knight's vision began to clear, but the spotlights that streamed out of its joints shone bright still. The knight jerked from side to side as the mist finally dissipated, and the moment it turned its vision on Vaayu's group, it yanked its ax from the ground and charged forward!</p><p>Whirlwind dashed forward and flapped her wings, and the skies above the knight clouded as a torrent of rain downpoured onto its armored body! Patches of rust and corrosion spread like a rash across its armor, and they only spread further as a mighty stream of water shot out and splashed across the knight! The rust bit away at its body, disintegrating it in rapid time.</p><p>The storm grew stronger with a clap from Swarm, and the rain and rust fell further! The knight's hand rusted away, and its ax fell to the ground—a sign Swarm and Vaayu took as their cue!</p><p>They leaped up into the skies, and Swarm's barbs and eyes flashed sky blue while Vaayu waved his arm and summoned an entire battalion of lightning-charged spears. With a wave of Vaayu and Swarm's hands, the entire armada shot into the knight's joints, shattering its already weak and rusted body! The knight fell backwards as its joints' rusted, shattered remains fluttered in the winds. Swarm turned to little more than a golden blur as he struck forward, and he slashed the knight's arms and legs right off of its decaying body!</p><p>Left limbless, the knight descended with a clatter, and shook the entire arena ground as its body dissipated! Swarm floated down in front of it with the smuggest of grins as he lorded over the dying knight, but quickly backed away as the clatter of clashing swords sounded beside him.</p><p>To his left, Ninjini sparred with the second knight, and shielded the blows from its own ax with her wishblades! The ax clattered as it bounced off the wishblades' surface. Ninjini leapt forward as the knight lingered, and slashed a giant gap right through the knight's chest! Sparks of lightning and magic shone from the gaping, gut-bearing gap in the knights' chest as Ninjini planted her hands on it, and she encased it in a magic glow that pushed it back!</p><p>It flew into the back of the stands, shaking the illusion of a battlefield once more as the magic pinned it to the spot despite the strain. While it struggled, Eye shot forward as light poured from his pupil! A silver laser leaped out and slammed into the knight; the laser carved through its body and rusted it up! While Eye rusted it away, Brawl slammed his fist into the ground, and summoned bony brambles that leaped out and twisted around the knight's body, pulling it down to its knees.</p><p>"Now! Get it!" Brawl signed.</p><p>The rest of the team leaped out and rushed for the knight! Dej summoned a gigantic javelin made of ice and launched it towards the left arm's joint, Fintster shot a massive blast of darkness towards the right, and both joints completely cracked! Below them, Terrafin punched another joint to shards, and Eruptor melted the last one away with the heat of his lava!</p><p>The brambles released for a moment as the shattered remains of the knight's joints rained down, allowing the knight to plunge forward…</p><p>And then, the brambles ripped through its body and tore whatever they could to bits! They skewered through its chest and came out with mechanical guts, slashed gashes and holes in its limbs, shattered its glass eyeshield—every little bit of the knight was ravaged. Nothing was left but a torn, hollow carcass that fell on its side, and crushed its companion under its own weight as they both fell to the arena's hollow, empty floor.</p><p>Luz winced a little, but not from the sight of the broken knights. Instead, he directed his eyes back to the now-open coliseum as the battlefield illusion faded and lightstepped out as fast as he can. He jumped back out, and turned around for only a moment as the battlefield faded completely with an ordinary coliseum left behind.</p><p>A puff and a flurry of purple smoke enveloped him next. It sent him into a coughing fit until the smoke cleared, and Ninjini came in with the others close behind. She floated out, summoned a shiny crystal orb, and waved around with a frown.</p><p>"I'll scry and see if I can find the high priest," Ninjini spat out. "Hopefully, they—"</p><p>"Actually, there's no need!"</p><p>The sound of a familiarly cheerful and young voice rang in the air, and Luz lifted his eyes to find… Chihiro! She was back with Spyro and Nemir close in tow, a molekin dressed in fancy, cool-colored robes by their sides, and she proudly held the unconscious, tied-up cyclops queen and Pipsqueak like a prize trophy.</p><p>"Chi!" Gill Grunt called. "You're back!"</p><p>"Yep!" Chihiro nodded as she waved the cyclops queen and Pipsqueak around. "Ran into these guys chasing the high priest when we were coming back from the Underworld" — a particularly smug smile crossed Chihiro's face as she snickered — "and I gave them the what-for!"</p><p>"We've already called on the others to help with cleanup," Spyro explained. "They should be here any moment."</p><p>"Alright then, but that leaves one question…" Gill Grunt asked, holding a fin to his chin. "Just what are you two wearing?"</p><p>Huh, now that Luz got a look at them that wasn't filled with battle-made adrenaline, he was sure Chihiro wasn't wearing those fancy robes and Spyro wasn't wearing nearly as much jewelry as he currently was when they left for the underworld. Seems they noticed, too, for they both looked down and laughed.</p><p>"Well, it's a long story," Chihiro said as she dropped the cyclops queen and Pipsqueak on the ground. Wiping her hands, Chihiro sat down and beamed. "But, I'll start from the beginning."</p><p>So, Chihiro and Spyro sat down and regaled a tale from their journey in the underworld. They spoke of festivals, beings of pure hatred and dancing, and other stuff Luz didn't quite hear. He turned back to Nemir and walked forward, but Nemir got one wide-eyed look at him, and Nemir immediately stuffed the device he held in his pockets as he rushed forward.</p><p>"Fintster, my boy!" Nemir cried as he flew past Luz and planted his hands firmly on Fintster's shoulders. "You, you're alive…"</p><p>"Relatively speaking," Fintster corrected as he took a glance down back at his ghostly body. "But, I'm back. Well, if you could even count being this far ahead in the future back, anyways."</p><p>Nemir chuckled, and the familiar whir of an incoming ship brought their attention to the skies. There, the Dread-Yacht parked itself at the side of the island, but, not before taking out a few of the docks along the way. Classic Flynn.</p><p>The molekin dressed in fancy, colorful robes—probably the high priest, if Luz had to guess—walked out, and rubbed their claws for a moment before they bowed before Luz.</p><p>"Thank you for your aid in saving our village," she said before she lifted herself up. "I was informed that you seek the Oracle's guidance. I would be more than happy to assist you in consulting him."</p><p>"In that case," Luz said as he turned and beckoned back at the crowds. "Let's get back to home base! We've got an Oracle to talk to!"</p><p align="center">§</p><p>A soft clunk came from the tube as 'Enehana set the device into the semblance's resting place. With a wave of Nemir's hand, a silver light glistened from the slots in its body. As the device glowed and glistened, both their eyes glanced up from where the device sat to the semblance as it flickered.</p><p>The semblance's smoke was faint and barely visible for a moment. Nemir and 'Enehana both winced, but then, the semblance shone bright as the clouds grew thicker! Nemir and 'Enehana both grinned and glanced at each other, then their eyes went wide as a door slammed open behind them.</p><p>"So, is that device workin' or not?" Ermit huffed as he stormed in, his brows knitted tight together.</p><p>Nemir chuckled and swept to the side. "See for yourself."</p><p>Ermit sat himself between 'Enehana and Nemir, and slowly gasped as the semblance shone brighter while the tiny wisp gathered even more clouds by the second! The clouds fused together in the semblance's heart. They expanded and consolidated until they formed into a small, shimmering blue orb surrounded by dark, thick clouds right before Ermit's eyes!</p><p>He oohed and aahed for a tiny moment, yet glanced to his sides as both Nemir and 'Enehana gasped before him. Ermit nodded a bit as he took in their wide smiles, and found a weak smile of his own as he sat and basked in the growing semblance—but once more the door slammed open! His beard hairs stood on end as his ears jumped up to the top of his head.</p><p>"Hey, everyone!" Luz called as all eyes turned on him. He waved a bit for a moment, and gently elbowed Fintster who walked in after him. "We're just about ready to meet that Oracle now, and the high priest says she needs everyone on board!"</p><p>"So, you better hurry up and finish what you've got here," Fintster added as he smirked. "After all, we don't want you getting left in the dark and all!"</p><p>Luz and Fintster both snickered at each other, and behind them Nemir just smiled and shook his head. The two of them propped the door open as Nemir and 'Enehana rose from their seats and joined them. All four raised their brows at Ermit, as if they prompted him to join. But, as Ermit just sat and watched the growing semblance, they merely shrugged and left.</p><p>Luz clapped his hands as they reached the outside out of the robot's storage, and whisked them away in a flash. Their feet hit the signature warm, slightly-worn metal of the Dread-Yacht before the light even faded. They stood amid the others as the high priest preached with not a word spoken, but their glances welcoming enough. The high priest beckoned them in, and they consolidated into the group as the high priest cleared her throat.</p><p>"Anyways, as I was saying," the high priest explained as she stretched her hands wide. Her claws glistened as they spread up to the evening sun. "The Oracle is, in many ways, like a feeling. If we wish to receive his guidance, all we have to do is center our minds around him, and if he feels our cause is worthy, he will heed our prayers and come! Now come, gather together and link hands, and think about nothing but the Oracle!"</p><p>Nemir and 'Enehana grabbed hands, and linked with Luz and Fintster as they all huddled in close. Around them, the others linked hands the best they could; the Elder Elementals gingerly held fingers out to the smaller beings on board so they didn't crush them, and others gripped hands as tightly as they could. All eyes closed, some breathed deep, and for a moment, a strange feeling, something numbing but not quite in a sickly or anxious way, came over the group.</p><p>Their breathing stilled as their shoulders slumped, but despite how relaxed they all seemed, their grip on each other's hands didn't release any. In fact, it seemed as though they squeezed even harder as the high priest hummed ancient songs in languages long forgotten under her breath.</p><p>Then, a cold wind blew through! All at once their eyes opened wide. Some even stopped to pat their chests, just to make sure their hearts were still intact!</p><p>Nemir helped 'Enehana up as they lost their grip and stumbled forward, and he blinked as he turned to his side.</p><p>They no longer stood atop the Dread-Yacht, no. in fact, it seemed like they weren't even in Skylands anymore! Instead, they stood within some kind of void that was painted in sparkly shades of blues and yellows one moment, purples and whites the next, and even more shades and hues as the world around continually shifted in color.</p><p>For a moment, some parts even changed to colors that didn't even seem like colors, and rendered the world disorienting enough that keeping balance was a struggle. No smells came from around, not even the breeze could be felt, but, despite the ever-shifting colors and the seeming blankness of the world around, there was one constant.</p><p>A soft voice beckoned from the distance at a volume just loud enough to be heard. "<em>Come… Come here… Come to me…" </em>it whispered, its voice soft and reverberating as the colors shifted once more.</p><p>Chihiro blinked and turned back to the rest of the group. "Did you hear that?" she asked.</p><p>"Yes, yes!" the high priest proclaimed as she beamed widely and folded her hands. "That must be the Oracle! Come, follow that voice!"</p><p>Consolidating into a solid group, they all crowded forward—but it didn't feel as though they were in control of their own bodies. No, the droning noises of the voice piloting them forward, and pulled them ahead like puppets on strings as they walked. Their eyes tensed for a bit as some cast glances at the world around them, still as ever-changing and infinite as before…</p><p>But then, a sharp stop came from the front.</p><p>"Wait, I think I see a door over there!" Chihiro cried as she pointed towards a beam of white light that pierced the rainbows in front of her.</p><p>The rainbow of shifting colors brightened and shifted as all eyes followed the white light, and the white light in turn shone brighter, consolidating into a solid, white door! The door shone brighter as they approached, and practically begged them to draw forward. A doorknob formed from its front As Chihiro reached out a hand towards it, and when that knob twisted open, the bright lights of the door leaped forth!</p><p>The light shone over and drowned out the world around as everyone shouted and cried out before it completely enveloped even them in its grip. It was then that the light faded, and they all disappeared as the world returned to its ever-shifting colors.</p>(Skylanders/CHS) Chihiro Hatsuki's Skylanders: Here Come the Giants! Chapter 17: Molekin Mountain Part 2 (Part 1)<p><em>"If there's anywhere the high priest would be," Havîn explained as she took Spyro in paw, "it'd be in his gardens. He always loved the plants there."</em></p><p>Spyro nodded, but his gaze was still a bit leery as it traveled the worn paths alongside him and Havîn.</p><p>The thought of that incident with the Odivia still rang in his mind: the tension, the attacks, the sudden anger the crowds fell into… Yet, none of that bothered him nearly as much as those crowds who cheered on him and Chihiro like they watched a sports game. His stomach tied in knots as their shouts and chants pounded in his ears once more, drums that didn't stop beating; on instinct, he pressed a paw loaded with a healing spell towards his stomach before he could throw up.</p><p>Just what was it about romance that freaked him out so much? After all, it didn't freak him out when Gill Grunt talked about his girlfriend, or when the other Skylanders talked about their relationships. why was it that when he was at the center of the conversation, the topic of romance was even more daunting than his dangerous foes? He wasn't sure, but just thinking about it left his stomach churning, so he settled it with another healing spell and flew forward.</p><p>Sparkly, lavender petals fluttered past him, and danced on the chill underworld breezes while their bodies flashed in and out of visibility. They finally faded as they landed near where Spyro's tail dragged on the ground. He flicked them away with his tail, barely even noticed their presence as they brushed against him and disappeared, and lifted his head with a gasp.</p><p>Now, by all means, the Underworld was hardly habitable to anything that wasn't undead, yet, there before him stood a garden so breathtaking that it glowed in his presence!</p><p>Thick, blooming wisteria plants flanked the entrance with their shimmering petals and lush blooms, and occasionally blew in the soft, cold winds as they scattered petals along the cobblestone floors. In the distance, a collection of willow and cherry blossom trees filled with glowing blooms gathered against some kind of clear pond, and flowers of all kinds lined the pathways around, yet were careful not to choke out the teal grass. The faint sound of wind chimes carried on the breeze as it swirled through. It brought the scent of fresh flowers and spring days to Spyro's snout, but between the breezes and the chimes, he could vaguely make out the sound of someone humming a tune as well!</p><p>The pond stayed tranquil as ever, nor did the blossoms shudder or flee, and the wind remained soft as it blew through. If not for the trademark glows of a ghastly presence, Spyro would've almost thought he somehow made it back to the realm of the living!</p><p>"It's impressive, right?" Havîn asked as she floated up to Spyro and chuckled. "I never would've believed you if you said something like this could still bloom in the Underworld, but the head priest proved me wrong! He's tended to this garden for as long as anyone could remember. It's his pride and joy!"</p><p>The sound of humming picked up again, this time coming close enough that Spyro could make out the tune a bit better. It was soft and slow, and he couldn't quite put a name to the song, but something about it sounded just a bit melancholy, enough that his face fell from hearing it. Judging by the raised brows of Havîn behind him, it seemed like maybe that was a good thing?</p><p>"That humming, that's his voice!" Havîn cried as she gripped Spyro by the paw and floated off. "Come on! Follow that song!"</p><p>The two of them practically glided along the stone pathways as Havîn tailed that humming, for its sound grew louder and louder with every patch of flowers they passed. The sound melded with soft breezes, and the occasional chime of ghastly spell bells to give it an almost somber tone. As the humming grew its loudest, Spyro's eyes peeled away from a patch of paling yellow roses and towards the heart of the garden—and sure enough, there floated the source!</p><p>At the edge of a large pond lined with sober-looking flowers stood a humanoid ghost with pale chartreuse ectoplasmic skin. His long, deep green hair the color of forest leaves at night stretched well beyond his face, and down his back. His body was thin, but Spyro could barely tell thanks to the massive bulk of the pink, cherry blossom-print robes and cape he donned, and to his side sat a similarly-colored round hat.</p><p>Something shiny and kind of wet dripped down the bridge of the ghost's long, aquiline nose, and onto the petals of the flowers he tended to. The sound rustled them a bit while he gasped and tended to them. As he did, it gave Spyro a better look at his minty green eyes, which had a tiny bit of a red tint to them. Was he crying?</p><p>Spyro wanted to muse on that, but before he could, Havîn let go of his paw and rushed right towards the ghost.</p><p>"Head priest Bihar!" she cried, her worry straining her voice. "There you are!"</p><p>The humming stop, replaced by a soft noise from Bihar as he turned from the plants he tended to. The soft smile he held immediately faded, replaced by a sour frown.</p><p>"I have a feeling I know why you're here," he said before Havîn could even explain, his voice gentle but icy-cold. "The ritual failed, didn't it?"</p><p>"Of course it did! Only you and the high priestess could ever pull it off!"</p><p>Havîn clasped her hands, and her eyes were wide with worry as she gazed into those of Bihar's.</p><p>"Now we've got a big problem on our hands! The Odivia's rampaging all across the streets, and it's spreading hate and anger throughout the lands! The main street's already filled with rioting and fighting, and if we don't put a stop to it soon, only the Ancients know what will happen!"</p><p>A petal dropped from one of the plants Bihar tended to, and he winced as he drew back. For a moment, it almost seemed like a pang of tension or fear crossed over him, but then he scowled and turned back to his plants.</p><p>"Well, Zivistan should've expected this!" Bihar spat, and raised his voice while his scowl grew tenser. "If she hadn't insisted on gallivanting off and doing as she pleased because she grew tired of her duties, we wouldn't be in this situation right now! To think, she'd act so selfish."</p><p>Bihar reached for his plants once more, but Havîn snatched up his hands before he could even brush his fingers against their leaves! The sudden movement brought his eyes to hers, which now welled with tiny tears as her mouth twisted into a pleading frown.</p><p>"Please, high priest! Please try to make up with her!" Havîn pleaded. She released his hands and fell to the ground as she lowered her head. "We won't be able to seal the Odivia away without you! We, we tried our best to find someone else who could help, but…"</p><p>A cold gaze fell on Spyro, and he shuddered a bit as he turned to find that Bihar's eyes now fixed on him. Bihar regarded him with a sort of curiosity—or maybe judgment? His face was so cold that it was hard for Spyro to really tell, but either way, Bihar scoffed and turned away from both him and Havîn. Instead, he regarded the plants he tended to prior with maybe a bit more force than necessary.</p><p>"It's no use and we both know this. She's too stubborn and selfish to listen, even in a situation like this! She made her choice when she decided she'd rather run off than attend to the temple!" Bihar gritted his teeth, and he gripped the flowers' leaves with such force that they crinkled a bit underneath his grip. He released them with a gasp, watched the plants with a bit of fear before he shook his head, and got up as he floated off. "You're a smart girl, Havîn, and I'm sure you'll be able to do something—"</p><p>"Don't just abandon your own duties because you're mad at her!"</p><p>"I swear, I'm not! There's no means by which the ritual can be completed without a partner, and she refuses to reconcile, so I don't believe I am of any use to you."</p><p>"But, high priest—"</p><p>The arguing faded into the background as Spyro glided over to one particular patch of flowers and glazed them down.</p><p>The renaissance vines were as healthy as an undead plant could be, their stems and branches curling around the posts in tandem with ghost grapes. At their base, death caps cropped up in circles around them, and created a surprisingly stunning sight with their rich, deep purples paired with gentle creams. To their side, rows of hydrosiums and lilies stretched around the rim of the pond, and even more wild flowers than Spyro could name bloomed in an entire rainbow of colors and species!</p><p>Though their colors were paler, and their bodies were transparent like all dead plants were, they were still incredibly bright, and full of… Well, as much life as ghost flowers could have. It was enough that they looked like projections of the actual thing with their ghastly glows. They brought with them a rich, floral scent that was fresh and crisp like the rest of the garden.</p><p>"I have to admit, this is a pretty nice garden," Spyro remarked as he flew up, "I didn't think something like this could even grow in the Underworld."</p><p>A soft chuckle came from behind, and Spyro turned around to find that Bihar pushed past Havîn and floated up to him. The scorning look of pain and anger on his face replaced with a happier one, but, it was a sad kind of happiness, an almost forlorn look that came with bittersweet melancholy.</p><p>It didn't exactly relent as he glanced over at the garden, and the garden in turned seemed to droop a bit. The flowers and trees' colors all faded; they grew paler and duller as if they reflected Bihar's own heart in the moment, proud yet so sad.</p><p>"It definitely took a lot of work. Cultivating plants is already an incredibly strenuous task back in the living realm, to say nothing of cultivating ghost ones!" Bihar explained, and clasped his hands together as he took a seat next to Spyro. "But, I tried my best, and being a Life Elemental in my living years probably helped as well."</p><p>A small sigh came from Bihar, and it paired with a small, sad smile as he held his head.</p><p>"If you think this is impressive, you should've seen the garden that rested at my old temple back when I was alive. It was so beautiful, so full of life and color, it was like I captured a tiny piece of the Great Forest within that one garden! The sights, the sounds of the birds and the crickets as they sang, the colors and the fresh smells… When the vernal season came, it was so full of life! The sprouts would peek their way from the ground, the flowers would awaken from the slumbers with even more vibrancy than the last time they bloomed, and the wild animals would all awaken from their slumbers and bring themselves back into the world with such bright eyes, such hope and youth!"</p><p>Bihar sighed again and his smile fell. "Even with all my hard work, I could never truly capture the beauty it held. Just describing it is beyond even my capabilities. Oh, I'd do anything to see such beautiful, lively blooms and sprouts like those again!"</p><p>"Then why not just go and see them?"</p><p>Bihar jerked his head up, and his smile turned to an enraged, shocked scowl, as if Spyro suggested he commit a murder or something! Spyro jumped back a bit on instant, and Bihar sighed and shook his head, his anger dispersing with the shake.</p><p>"I'm afraid I can't do that." Bihar's tone was soft, and just a tiny bit bitter, too. His foggy tail brushed against a few of the flowers, but he sighed as their petals popped off and floated down to the ground. "My duties as high priest are far more important than my own personal desires and wants, and I understand that, unlike <em>someone</em> I know."</p><p>"Someone? You mean the high priestess?"</p><p>Bihar scoffed and craned his head aside.</p><p>"She'd been slacking on her duties much more often than usual. During cleaning hours I'd find her listlessly staring off, and she constantly fumbled over her own words and steps during the rituals. Even her magic seemed like it'd been disrupted, so I asked her if perhaps something bothered her…</p><p>"And audaciously enough, she said she was tired of being the high priestess! She keeps insisting that she doesn't want to spend the rest of her afterlife stuck in the temple, tending to the gods' spaces and performing the sacred rituals, that she wants to run around Skylands and see the sights! The audacity of it all!"</p><p>Bihar scoffed, and Spyro let off a soft, tiny wince.</p><p>"But, you've got Havîn and Payiz, right? Surely there's plenty of other priests who could help take care of duties."</p><p>"Havîn and Payiz are only apprentices, and not to mention the only ones we have. They're years away from being able to fully helm temple duties. Not to mention, according to tradition, only we, the high priest and priestess can—well, could—perform the sacred sealing ritual that would seal off the Odivia. Even if we—she—wished, she couldn't abandon her position, or our entire homeland would be thrown into anarchy!" Bihar added another scoff as he glanced aside. "But, she decided that her own selfish desires were more important than our town's safety and her duties."</p><p>Spyro hummed, and placed a paw to his chin as he folded his wings. The icy look Bihar gave him showed he dealt with a bit of a time bomb here, but he did need to get them to reconcile. Just what should Spyro tell him, exactly? Just insisting that he was wrong would send him in a rage—and if what he said was right, he did have a point about all this. Bihar and Zivistan had responsibilities only they could uphold, and just running off would be irresponsible, yet it seemed as though there were a few pieces missing to this puzzle.</p><p>Spyro winced, and drew his wings over his back as he glanced back at Bihar. Bihar's eyes softened a little, and he had opted towards staring out at the pond, the smoke from his tail curling up and floating off in sad little wisps.</p><p>That icy look melted, and bloomed into something almost wistful as he gazed out at the pond. A cherry blossom from above floated in Bihar's lap as he sat, and he lifted it into his palms as he brushed its petals with a soft, gentle touch like spring. That sort of sad fondness reminded Spyro of something Bihar said. What was it again?</p><p><em>Oh, I'd do anything to see such beautiful, lively blooms and sprouts like those again.</em></p><p>"That's it!" Spyro whispered. His eyes lit up as he turned to Bihar.</p><p>"What is it, now?"</p><p>"You know, even though you talk about all that and resent her for running off… Deep down, you understand how she feels, don't you?"</p><p>The cherry blossom slipped from Bihar's hands, and his eyes fluttered as he drew back from Spyro. "What exactly are you talking about? I—"</p><p>"You can deny it, but I know that look in your eyes, not to mention everything you said." Spyro stretched out a wing towards the gardens, and the colors brightened a bit, almost as if they took his cues.</p><p>"Just look at this garden! You said it yourself, you made this to replicate the gardens from your old home, right?"</p><p>A cautious nod came from Bihar, and Spyro gave him a small, knowing grin in turn.</p><p>"You wouldn't have put all this work into growing it if you didn't care about it, or want to see them again. Even you admitted that you missed it, too, so I bet she feels the same way."</p><p>"Are you comparing me to her? I can assure you, I'm not nearly as selfish—"</p><p>"Never said that. What I am saying is" — Spyro drew out a paw — "maybe you should try talking to her again, and this time, be a bit more honest with yourself, too."</p><p>Bihar winced, and his teeth gritted together as his eyes' glow faded and brightened. His hands twitched, unsure if they wanted to move or stay, but finally, they reached out and took Spyro's paw.</p><p>"Alright, I'll try again."</p><p>Spyro nodded. A small gasp came from behind, and he turned around to find Havîn with smile and eyes wide and hands clasped in glee.</p><p>"Thanks the Ancients, you finally got through to him!" she cried as she took Spyro's other paw. "Come on, let's get back to the temple! I'm sure the high priestess is on her way!"</p><p>Bihar winced a little at the words, but Spyro paid him no mind. He stretched his wings a little, flicked them twice, and the faint tingling sensation of magic raced through his veins with a kind of comforting, familiar embrace. Spyro closed his eyes, and let the magic do the work.</p><p>A whooshing noise came next, paired with the faint numb feeling that came from after a teleportation spell. When Spyro opened his eyes, he arrived back at the temple's front! Thankfully, it still stood strong with the shield sparkling as it wrapped the temple in its barrier, though, it seemed oddly empty. Chihiro hasn't arrived yet?</p><p>Spyro left the group first, flew up to the temple door, and pushed it open to find that Nemir was the only one inside. Nemir's eyes were a bit glassy as he fiddled with some small, shiny orbs that rolled around in his hand.</p><p>"Nemir!" Spyro called. When Nemir poked his head up and glanced at him, Spyro waved back. "Did Chi and the others come back yet?"</p><p>A couple of footsteps gently padded up from behind Spyro, and Nemir grinned.</p><p>"It seems as though they have."</p><p>Spyro raised a brow, turned around—and sure enough, Chihiro stood with that trademark grin of hers, a wave, and Payiz by her side. Spyro beamed and a waved back, but a soft cough brought his attention to their group's side.</p><p>He glanced over, and a second, older ghost stood beside them, undoubtedly the high priestess Zivistan that Bihar mentioned. She was taller, and with her risen cheekbones and long jawline, she looked a good bit older compared to Payiz. Her long, wavy black hair wavered and fluttered the same way the whitish-blue cloud of mist that made up her feet did. Her cherry red eyes dimmed as she glanced from side to side. She dressed in long, flowing robes like Bihar's, but hers were colored in deep grays and blacks, and printed with white snowflakes rather than the springlike pink cherry blossoms of Bihar's. A kind of cold, sad aura rang around her—or was it a sort of awkwardness that stemmed from coming back here after what was undoubtedly a failed ritual?</p><p>A soft gasp came from behind Spyro. Before he could even turn around, Bihar pushed past him with an alertness he hadn't displayed before!</p><p>Bihar's own eyes brightened with shock as he laid eyes on the high priestess. She, in turn, awkwardly looked away—but, Bihar quickly floated up to her. His own light dimmed as he sputtered a little, and she stumbled over her own mumbled, soft words in turn.</p><p>Spyro backed away, and Payiz and Chihiro quickly followed him as he made his way further into the temple. It was probably best that he didn't eavesdrop on their conversation, after all. It seemed like things were awkward enough as it was. At the same time, nagging, worrisome curiosity egged at Spyro, so he pushed the temple door until it opened to just a tiny sliver of a crack, just barely enough that he could make some sense of what Bihar and Zivistan said to each other.</p><p>"Bihar, I…" whispered a ghostly, soft voice probably belonging to the high priestess.</p><p>"Zivistan!" Bihar gasped before he drew back a bit. "You, you really came."</p><p>Zivistan nodded and clasped her hands. He gaze backed away from Bihar's, but quickly drew back to him.</p><p>"That child and Payiz, they convinced me—or rather, gave me the courage to explain." Zivistan said at last. Her voice was so soft and whisper-like that Spyro almost couldn't hear it.</p><p>"I know it's selfish of me to do this, but, but ever since I was a girl in the land of the living, all I've ever done is tend to the temples and work for other's sake! I was never able to decide anything for myself. I was set to train as a priestess the moment I could speak, I've spent my whole life caring for the temples, and in death I was sent to tend to them here as well, but never once have I gotten to choose!"<em><br> </em>"Neither did I. We were both chosen to tend to the temples the moment we arrived in the Underworld," Bihar scoffed—and though his tone tried to stay neutral, a hint of scorn found its way into his voice.</p><p>Zivistan sighed, and ran a hand through her hair as she lifted her head. "Now, it never bothered me because I genuinely love the temples and caring for the community, but, well…"</p><p>Zivistan's voice started to waver also, as if she was going to cry, but she collected herself with a gasp of air.</p><p>"… A few years ago, word reached the temple that the village where I grew up was completely destroyed in a terrible storm. I, I wanted so badly to at least visit it one last time, and pay homage to the place where I lived and grew, but, my duties at the temple kept me so busy that even now I don't have the time. The trip there is so long, and we have so much to do as the head priests, and you surely would've been upset with me if I left all the work to you."<em><br> </em>Bihar's spirit trembled, and the light in his body faded just a bit. "I, I didn't know," he whispered, his volume just barely loud enough that Spyro could hear.</p><p>"After all that, I started thinking: just how much of my life have a lost to my duties? I couldn't even visit my own childhood home's ruins because of it, and surely there's so much else I missed on because I was so focused on the temple."</p><p>Zivistan shook her head, and even though she was so far away, it seemed like the air around had grown colder.</p><p>"I thought you wouldn't understand, not at all! You're practically married to the temple. Just the suggestion that maybe it's time we left and named successors had you fuming! After all, you insisted that I was being too selfish for wanting to leave, that I was a fool for not devoting myself wholeheartedly to it!"</p><p>This time, Bihar didn't even have any words to defend himself with. He just turned his head, not able to even look at her anymore. Surely, that argument they had played back in his head, and stabbed at him with every single word he had said in his rage.</p><p>"As the head priests, we can't abandon the temple," Bihar whimpered. "It's our responsibility to helm most of the temple's rites, from offerings to ceremonies" —Bihar winced and clasped his hands as he turned his view from Zivistan almost in shame — "And of course, the Odivia's sealing ritual, even though that's been getting weaker lately."</p><p>Zivistan glanced over at Bihar. Bihar shied away from his view, but, Zivistan just sighed.</p><p>"It's alright, Bihar, you don't need to hide it from me. I'm aware the sealing spells have been getting weaker over the years. Only a strong, unwavering love can produce a truly powerful spell, and it's no exaggeration to say things have been tense between us these past few years. Surely, that must be why the Odivia was able to get as powerful as it is. Those weakened sealing spells must have allowed it to feed off of stray hate, and grow even stronger than before."</p><p>Hearing this, Bihar's body trembled. Its light flickered even further as he clutched his robes in hard realization.</p><p>"Zivistan, I'm sorry for acting the way I did earlier!" Bihar spat out.</p><p>Spyro raised a brow, and creaked open the door just a teensy bit more, enough that he caught a glimpse of Bihar knelt down before Zivistan! Bihar's own glow dimmed in shame, but Zivistan's brightened in shock, and brought out her icy blue complexion as she took him in.</p><p>"I, I was so caught up in my own worries, I didn't stop to listen to you or understand how you felt, and I said all those awful things, too. I, I'm not fit to call myself your partner when I ignored your feelings the way I did, and somehow, I hope you can find it in your heart to forgive me."</p><p>Zivistan blinked for just a moment, and a small, sad smile crossed her felt as she knelt down and cupped her hands around Bihar's face.</p><p>"Oh, Bihar," she whispered back as she lifted him back to full height. "The truth is, I haven't exactly been honest with my feelings either. I, should've confined in you more instead of making assumptions like I did."</p><p>"And I'll be happy to listen."</p><p>The conversation devolved into whispers and soft, understanding nods and glances. It was all so quiet and bare that Spyro couldn't really make much out of the conversation. He leaned in to get a better volume, and a soft weight pressed itself against his back just enough that it brought his attention around the temple.</p><p>There, Chihiro leaned against him while Havîn and Payiz peered over her shoulders. They were all with wide-eyed, anticipating glances as they tried to sneak their own glimpses out the cracks. Guess they hadn't heard things like Spyro did, so he just smiled and gave them a toes-up…</p><p>"And that's why I think we should step down and travel Skylands together before we fade!" Zivistan proclaimed.</p><p>… And just hearing that sent Spyro's scales on edge! A gasp came from the open gaps, and Spyro peered outside to see that Bihar broke from his and Zivistan's embrace. His glow quivered as he floated away from her, and Zivistan floated back. Her eyes grew wide, and both their glows grew brighter, as if she hadn't anticipated his reaction.</p><p>"Zivistan, I, I understand where you're coming from, and I understand how you feel," Bihar said, and his voice quivered with quelled anger and hesitance, "but, you know I can't do that—WE can't do that! Reprieves are one thing, but to completely abandon the temple just isn't realistic!"</p><p>"I know you're concerned, but Havîn and Payiz are already coming so far in their training. It won't be long before they can take over the position themselves!" Zivistan brushed forward, and her own smile turned a little bit weary as she reached out her hands. "Besides, you said it yourself. There's so many things in the living realms that you miss! Don't you want to see them one more time, before we pass onto the afterlife, before they themselves are no more?"</p><p>Zivistan reached out to grab Bihar's hands, and he immediately drew them bac. Ooh, not a good sign.</p><p>"It's not just them I'm worried about, Zivistan!" Bihar's voice raised a little, but he cleared his throat and quickly hung his head. "What about the Odivia's sealing ritual? Only a high priest and a high priestess with a strong love for each other can perform it! Without us, nobody will be able to stop it from turning the town into a battleground! That's why we need to repair our relationship and properly perform the sealing ritual!"</p><p>Hearing this, Zivistan floated back, her eyes narrowing. "So that's why you wanted to make amends? Just to perform that ritual?"</p><p>"Zivistan, that's not true, I—"</p><p>"I gave you a chance because I thought you'd be willing to understand my side of things, but it seems that all you care about is the temple! Are you unable to look after yourself or anything else?"</p><p>Bihar's light flared with rage, and burned like the sun as he pushed forward. "Of course I do! Our duties as high priest and priestess protect everyone in this village! Have you gotten so caught up in feeling sorry for yourself that you've forgotten about that?"</p><p>"Why do you say that?"</p><p>"Just look at your shameless display! Abandoning all our duties and dumping them on someone else—"</p><p>The arguing only grew louder, and Spyro winced as he drew back from the door. He really thought for a moment that things worked out, but the sight Bihar and Zivistan before him, but flaring with light as they argued… Oh, dragon gods. He glanced behind to see Havîn and Payiz crestfallen, and Chihiro who awkwardly shuffled herself away from the sights.</p><p>Spyro frowned back as he went to close the door. His paws gripped the side of the door, but something like a low growl rumbled, shaking the area and loosening his grip! Spyro released the door on instinct, and the surprise loss of balance tossed him on his back, right onto the cold floors of the temple!</p><p>The door flung wide open before him, giving him a full view to Bihar and Zivistan's argument. Now, the rumbles drowned their words out. The ground below them shuddered as something like a monster's roar rang out and pounded against the barrier! The barrier's glow shone above them, yet they still argued without a care.</p><p>Payiz winced and floated out a little. She turned her glance outside as the rumbles grew louder, stronger, more like a monster's sounds than quaking earth. She lifted her head, and a sharp, shrill scream left her as she rushed inside; she clung to Havîn while her ghastly form flickered in fear.</p><p>"THE ODIVIA!" Havîn cried as she herself backed away. "It's huge!"</p><p>Just that one cry was enough to break Bihar and Zivistan from their fight. Their ghostly forms' light faded as they turned away and glanced up above to the barrier, as did everyone else…</p><p>And what greeted them all but the sight of the Odivia? It was now as tall as a building as it roared and rampaged about, and its twisted cries rang in the air as it slashed at buildings and downed them! It cackled with a red shine as its glow grew brighter.</p><p>Bihar and Zivistan only watched in terror, but a pair of soft gasps brought their attention back to the temple door. Their eyes locked on Havîn and Payiz in that instant, and they glanced back at each other with a sigh. Zivistan held her head in shame as she clutched her robes, but Bihar only let off a soft, disappointed sigh.</p><p>"I, I'm sorry," Bihar whispered. His voice was weak, hesitant, as if he didn't want to admit the words he was just about to say.</p><p>"But I don't believe we'll be able to reconcile."</p><p>Bihar's words hung in the air, and left it as cold as the broken, hesitant voice he said them with. Their best shot at stopping that thing was him and Zivistan, but after that argument, it was clear things between the two of them were tense enough that they wouldn't be able to resolve it in time to stop that thing—if they'd even reconcile at all.</p><p>Payiz trembled, and collapsed to her ectoplasmic knees as she scratched at her head.</p><p>"Now what are we going to do?" Payiz cried. "If the high priest and priestess can't perform the ritual, that thing'll tear the whole place to pieces, but nobody else here could possibly ever perform it! Oh, what are we gonna do, what are we gonna do? We'll meet our second deaths before we know it, and, and—"</p><p>Bihar and Zivistan both turned away from each other, and shared equally-pained glances as they grappled at the fabric of their clothes.</p><p>Spyro couldn't help but wince as he watched them. He turned his gaze to Chihiro next, who glanced at him with a tiny bit of worry as she squeezed her hands the way she always did when she was nervous.</p><p>She was probably beating herself up for not being able to finish that ritual, and he knew it—but, he didn't exactly blame her. Truth is, the thought of them doing this ritual left him sick to his stomach, and being put under all that pressure snapped something in him. If anything, he was the one who should be taking responsibility for that, but he figured that wasn't what she needed to hear, so he flew over and placed a paw on Chihiro's hands.</p><p>The two glanced at each other with a kind of understanding at first, but a soft hum from behind brought their attention to Havîn. She continued to hum as she examined a scroll she seemingly pulled out of nowhere; her eyes narrowed as she skimmed the text written on its aged parchment.</p><p>"Actually, I think we're not entirely out of hope just yet!" Havîn cried.</p><p>Payiz blinked, and turned her head around to face Havîn while tears of mist streamed down her face.</p><p>"Havîn, I, I know you're trying to lift our spirits right now," Payiz said as she floated over to Havîn, "but, I think you might be underestimating the severity of the situation at hand right now." Payiz gestured back outside. "That thing's as tall as a building, and the only beings who can perform the ritual to seal it are having relationship problems!"</p><p>"But do we need them, specifically?"</p><p>"Don't you remember what happened earlier? Not any couple can just do it!"</p><p>Spyro and Chihiro both winced and glanced away, but a light chuckle from Havîn eased the tension.</p><p>"That's not quite what I meant, Payiz," Havîn said as she pushed the scroll towards Payiz. "Take a look at this."</p><p>Payiz tilted her head as she glanced over the scroll. "The first account of the very first sealing ritual?"</p><p>"Well, I was reading it over and I noticed something. It says that the Odivia is repelled and sealed away by a ritual performed with strong love, but, it never specified what kind of love."</p><p>Havîn drew a hand over the text and narrowed her eyes.</p><p>"Now, I imagine the reason the first high priest and priestess used their own romantic love as fuel was because the village was so small at time that they were feasibly the only ones who could combat it, but lots of beings live here now. Not to mention, there's lots of forms love can come in: romantic, quasiplatonic, platonic… There's beings who've never felt an ounce of romantic love in their lives, but their love for their friends, their family, and the things they do is the strongest there is!"</p><p>"So?"</p><p>"So what I'm getting at is, why do we need to use that specific version of the ritual to seal it away? Why does it need to be romantic love between a man and a woman that seals it away?"</p><p>Huh, somehow, Spyro hadn't really thought of that before, even though it seemed like a kind of obvious conclusion to draw now that Havîn brought it up. He glanced around the room, where Payiz hung her head in contemplation while Nemir himself bent down and glanced over the paper.</p><p>"It does only say that this beast is weak to love," Nemir remarked, and rubbed his chin as he glanced over the paper. "It never specified it has to be romantic love."</p><p>"Exactly!" Havîn cried as she rolled the scroll back up and stashed it away.</p><p>Havîn beckoned to the others to come, so Spyro and Chihiro drew over and huddled in. A warm and cold presence came as Bihar and Zivistan floated in next, and with them all gathered, Havîn cleared her throat.</p><p>"So, here's what I'm proposing."</p><p>Havîn's light faded for a moment, but when she drew her breath, her voice turned clear and serious.</p><p>"I believe that if we modify the ritual to harness the power of love in all its forms, we'll be able to put the Odivia to rest! First, we'll lead the Odivia back here and have a couple perform the ritual, and make sure it's weak. It'll likely flee back to town to try and feast on the townsfolks' hatred, but, we've got instructions on how to make purification talismans in the scripts. With a little extra juice, we'll be able to break the townsfolk out of the Odivia's spell, and get their help to break the spell!"</p><p>Havîn took a breath and floated.</p><p>"I know this sounds very risky, but we don't have many options. It's either this, or let the Odivia rampage."</p><p>The cold, piercing winds of silence rang through the air, but finally it was Bihar who took a breath and floated forward.</p><p>"This all sounds nice in theory, but you're missing one key element here, Havîn," Bihar said as he crossed his arms. "We'll need to find a new couple to perform the ritual, and with its size, surely the Odivia has most of this town underneath its grip. Where will we find one on such short notice?"</p><p>Havîn frowned, her head lowering as she mumbled in contemplation. "I, well—"</p><p>"Actually, I have an idea," Payiz proclaimed as she floated forward.</p><p>She swept up to Havîn's side and took Havîn's hand in hers, and raised them both high. The sudden grip brought a pink flush to Havîn's face, yet Payiz remained serious as ever.</p><p>"I nominate myself and Havîn to lead the ritual's dance!"</p><p>Payiz's proclamation rang loud and clear through the temple grounds, but as she turned to Havîn, her head lowered and she flushed.</p><p>"Havîn, I, I, ever since we started training together, I, I've always admired you more than anything! How diligent you are, how you're always so quick thinking, and how you've always been there for me no matter what… I love everything about you! I want to stay by your side for the rest of my time on Skylands, and not just as a fellow priestess! I, I wish to be your…"</p><p>Payiz's words turned to mumbles as her face flushed pink, but Havîn chuckled and lifted her head.</p><p>"You don't need to say any more," Havîn whispered. "The truth is, I've felt the same way. I'd be more than happy to be your partner" — Havîn raised her voice with pride — "and your lover, if you'll take me!"</p><p>Payiz gasped, but only hastily nodded. Both she and Havîn drew closer, yet another roar from the Odivia above drew them apart. Their eyes trained on the skies with worry before they shook their heads.</p><p>"Actually, we'll finish this later! For now, we need to stop the Odivia!"</p><p>Payiz and Havîn floated back to the temple as everyone else trailed behind them, but as they floated up to the doors, the two of them squeezed their hands tight.</p><p align="center">§</p><p>Dej passed forward in the dark tunnel they trailed through, and Luz warily followed him. Their footsteps were the only things to guide them as they passed through, and only faint passes of light illuminated the tunnel as they moved into the next stretch. A warm red and gold light burned from the end of the tunnel. Some idle chatter echoed from within, and Dej halted right in front of Luz before he pushed Luz aside and shushed the others.</p><p>Luz resigned himself to flattening against the walls, and an ear perked up as he listened. He didn't exactly enjoy the idea of meandering about, but maybe, just maybe, whatever these cyclopes talked about could give him some insight into where their leader was—and in turn, where Fintster was.</p><p>"So, why does this dude want us to find this Oracle guy, anyways?" asked a kind of hoarse voice from the other side. A silhouette of someone waving a half-eaten chicken leg stretched in shadows along the tunnel's side, and that voice gulped. "Isn't he just a legend?"</p><p>"That's what I thought, but the queen seems pretty dead-set on it," replied another, shriller voice as they stifled a chuckle. "I heard from some of the palace guards that this guy got so banged up, he had to send his butler to do the negotiations for all this, but I bet he's just a chicken!"</p><p>"Like this?"</p><p>The hoarse voice waved their chicken leg around as they made some squawking, cawing noises that vaguely sounded like an awful imitation of a chicken. It seemed that it was good enough, for the two voices bellowed into shrill, gut-busting laughter, their shadows fell over, and flailed their legs while their cackles echoed around the room.</p><p>The laughter died and one of the shadows propped up. "Well, whoever this guy is, I gotta admit, his little collection of Arkeyan robots gave us quite the upper hand!" the shrill voice proclaimed before it chuckled. "I wouldn't mind keeping a few of these babies myself!"</p><p>"Wait, an outsider providing Arkeyan robots? One who was so beat up that he couldn't even meet them face-to-face?" Dej whispered. He lowered his head, his black curls framing his face. He rubbed a hand along his chin as he hummed with curiosity, lifted them up and winced. "You don't think Arkilles is behind this, would you?"</p><p>"Eye wouldn't be surprised," Eye replied. He flew off of Brawl and met Dej eye-to-eye. "He's not exactly one to give up easily."</p><p>Luz grimaced and pushed himself a little further, perking his ear up to get a better listen.</p><p>"For that matter, what's with that weird pendant the commander's been wearing?" asked one voice.</p><p>"Not sure. I heard the commander scored it from some dig site or something?" replied the other.</p><p>Luz's eyes leaped up in shock, his ghostly body now chill as a winter wind. Just the thought of his brother, weak and powerless in that cyclops commander's grip, left Luz's blood boiling and his heart cold. A raging winter storm and a burning wildfire of emotion both swelled in his chest all at once, but he stilled himself. Stepping forward, Luz poked around the corner, and turned himself invisible with a snap of his fingers.</p><p>His eyes turned towards the owners of the voices: two cyclopes in cruddy armor who sat at a table and shared drinks. Luz's scowl grew wider, deeper with rage. They idly chatted about this commander and how stronger he grew with Fintster in his grasp, how he controlled the shadows with just his fingertips…</p><p>Luz wanted so badly to jump in, to cry out that those powers were Fintster's, not their stupid commander's! That commander of theirs had his older brother, and used him for every ounce of power he could while Fintster suffered! Luz couldn't risk blowing cover, so he just sat, and his eyes glared with heat that he hoped burned into their hearts and souls.</p><p>"Anyways, where'd you say the commander went?" asked the cyclops with the shrill voice.</p><p>Luz gasped, and crawled in further. He was careful not to ram himself on the assorted weapons and armor pieces haphazardly scattered along the base's floor. Even if he was a ghost, he couldn't risk making a fuss.</p><p>"Dunno exactly," replied the other cyclops, "I just know he went on ahead 'cause something was wrong with that pendant or something. He was muttering about how something was messing with it."</p><p>"And that's all I needed to know," Luz whispered.</p><p>Staggering to a stand, Luz gripped his shield, swung it up and smashed it right atop the first cyclops's head! The cyclops wailed before he slumped out of his chair and fell at Luz's feet. The other one screamed in turn—but only for a moment. Luz flung his shield right at the second cyclops's face, knocked him right into the back of his chair, and the second cyclops fell straight on the floor with a bruised face and lolling tongue.</p><p>"What, what cute little birdies," the second cyclops mumbled as his eye ran circles in his face.</p><p>Luz huffed as he turned visible with another snap, and turned his gaze to the closed doors ahead. He made his way over, prepared to open it, but the doors opened for him instead!</p><p>"Ugh, what was that noise?" groaned a tinier cyclops decked to the nines in armor as he stumbled in. "Don't tell me…"</p><p>The cyclops lifted his head, and his eye focused on Luz for only a second before he screamed!</p><p>"Intruder!" the cyclops wailed as he jumped back.</p><p>Luz grunted and rushed for him, swung his shield as the cyclops screamed—but the cyclops was so small that he ducked right underneath Luz's swing! He growled as the cyclops slid between his legs and rushed away, and Luz changed his pace. He dashed after the cyclops as he yanked his arm back, preparing a swing.</p><p>"I knew we shouldn't have made Quick Draw the guard!" the cyclops wailed as he ran with his head ducked. "All that idiot cares about is Skystones!"</p><p>The cyclops wailed and screamed as Luz's shield swung right ahead. The cyclops ducked his head even further as he ran—right for the other hallway, right where everyone else was!</p><p>Luz gasped, and with a single jump, he lightstepped forward; he went from a full sprint to just inches behind the cyclops in seconds. Luz yanked the cyclops up by the foot in that instant, or at least, he tried. The lightstepping spell ended as the dark of the halls reached them, and both Luz and the cyclops planted face-first on the floor.</p><p>The cyclops lifted his head first, groaned as his eye fell on the others, and he screamed yet again!</p><p>"Even more intruders! How did these guys even get here?" the cyclops cried! The cyclops grunted as he tried to push himself up, but the massive weight of his armor pinned him down to the ground. "Gotta, gotta get up and warn the others! I've, I've gotta, urgh…" The cyclops groaned as his stick-like arms trembled like shaking leaves underneath the few gaps in his armor. "Why's, why's this armor so heavy?"</p><p>Luz grunted and reached out further, ready to throw a blast at the cyclops—but before he could, a massive breeze slammed against him and the cyclops flew overhead! Luz turned around as the clamor of denting metal came from behind, and the next thing he knew, that cyclops he reached for was now embedded in the wall behind him.</p><p>A glance ahead showed Vaayu in the front, drawing his hands back. The others glared at him, and Vaayu only scratched his head.</p><p>"Sorry," Vaayu said. "I panicked."</p><p>The whoosh of the sliding doors opening sounded once more, and Luz jumped back to his feet. Ahead of him, the doors laid open while cyclopes poured out from the ranks in droves. They all dressed in shiny red and gold armor, and some had Arkeyan weaponry or robots at their side, but they all looked pretty angry, going by the scowls on their faces.</p><p>"Well, looks like Quick Draw was slacking off again," groaned the cyclops that headed the group as he withdrew a mace crackling with electricity.</p><p>The cyclops banged the mace against the palm of his armor, its electricity bouncing off and crackling like embers, and he growled as he set his eye right on Luz.</p><p>"Sorry, but this is as far as you go!" The cyclops hefted up his mace, and its lightning sparked and crackled like it itched for a fight. "The commander didn't want any unexpected visitors!"</p><p>That commander again! Just hearing this, just the sight of his smug face as he held Fintster in his grip flashed back in Luz's mind, and Luz's rage seized him. His vision turned red as he swept his shield off the ground, and he screamed as he charged forward! The whole world burned red like aestival heat as he lightstepped forward and raised his shield.</p><p>A grunt came, some screams and screeching sounds rang with the blood in Luz's ears, and when he came to, he faced all these cyclopes.</p><p>The one who led their group now laid on the floor with his mace's staff dented firmly in half and its sparks weak. He groaned a little as blood trickled from his mouth, and a massive bruise showed from underneath his disheveled helmet.</p><p>The cyclops that led the group groaned a little more as he turned to the other cyclopes, and the other cyclopes gasped before they turned their eyes towards Luz!</p><p>Their momentary shock turned to rage as they raised their weapons and swarmed Luz; their weapons jabbed and swung for him with such fury that he could barely see them. Luz's body moved on its own, swinging around his shield and bashing it against their weapons. There were so many of these guys, and he was in such a fury that he could barely comprehend what was around him!</p><p>All he heard was the furious buzzing of an angry crowd's shouts, and all he saw were their forms blurring together in a blobby formation that jabbed and poked at him with sparks of color. One of those sparks rammed into his chest, and Luz flung back into the crowds the next. He hacked, and his head spun as they smacked him onto the floor. Something else slammed into his back next and his face smashed into the floor!</p><p>Luz's rage replaced with swelling, burning pain as he coughed further. The blood rushed to his head from his ears, and left the whole room spinning around him as those red and gold blobs all closed in on him. It was then that a shrill, sharp sound came as they thinned out! A few screams came to Luz over the ringing in his ears, and something golden orange streaked above him as it knocked down those red and gold blobs!</p><p>A wave of icy cold water washed over Luz next. It dampened his ghostly form, but woke his mind back up, and Luz gasped for whatever air he could as his eyes cleared. A glance aside showed those blobs—no, cyclopes—now drenched and washed up on the side of the ground. The long trail of water that stretched across the floor led his eyes to Gill Grunt!</p><p>"We'll handle these tin cans!" Gill Grunt proclaimed as he hefted up his cannon and brought it to his narrowed eye. "Just get to your brother!"</p><p>Luz's eyes flickered, but he ultimately nodded and rushed away. His body moved on its own once more before his mind could even comprehend what went on. His feet rushed before he could even plan his steps, and piloted his body towards an oncoming wave of cyclopes.</p><p>The cyclopes all growled and shouted as they lifted up their swords and maces, and readied their guns. Luz smacked his shield, and flung it out as light formed at its core. A bright aurora of light burst forth, and its waves crashed down in a colorful flare that burned away the whole room in its light! It left only the unconscious cyclopes in its wake as it faded.</p><p>Luz hopped over one, and bolted forward so fast that the entire world around him blurred. Maybe that was his mind fading away and growing numb from the adrenaline and the anxiety all at once. Either way, everything blurred out as Luz's head grew heavy, even though its only thought was on one thing.</p><p><em>Find Finster, get him out of here, find him right now…</em></p><p>Those words repeated in Luz's head, the one thing that propelled him forward as the ground beat and chimed underneath his feet, the metal pinging underneath his footsteps. His breath grew heavy as he took another step, expecting the chime of light metal.</p><p>It didn't arrive.</p><p>Instead, his foot landed on little more than empty air, and he barely caught himself before he toppled over. His blurry vision cleared some as the churning of gears of pulling of chains rang in his ears, and what greeted him were boxes!</p><p>A whole bunch of boxes all pulled up, and dropped down in a slow, mechanical motion by large chains. They looked big enough to fit at least maybe two or three particularly small beings, and they could probably hold him. On the other hand, the way they rattled and shuddered every time the chains moved didn't really inspire a lot of confidence in how stable they were. Not to mention how slow those chains went; they chugged up and down at a snail's pace, so slow that there would be no way Luz would get there before word reached that commander of his base being crashed.</p><p>Luz's eyes drifted down to the left, where the boxes descend, and then to the right, where the boxes ascended to the next floor. The individual boxes formed a sort of zig-zag pattern as they trailed up and down.</p><p><em>If I just lightstep from box to box, </em>Luz thought as he clutched his chin, <em>I could probably get up there in seconds!</em></p><p>That is, <em>if</em> they were even stable enough for that. The boxes rattled as Luz glanced them over, as if they mocked him, taunted him with their instability. They clunked and rattled as if they would slip over with the slightest upset—and lightstepping was far from slight.</p><p><em>Hey, Luz! You wanted to see how we pick the apples around here, right?</em></p><p>Luz shook his head, and the world around him shifted! Everything around him grew bigger, and eclipsed his form with their height as a cool breeze rushed in his hair. The sights of the metal fortress traded off in favor of wide-open fields filled with tall apple trees.</p><p>One tree in particular, the tallest of the bunch with crisp red apples, lush green leaves, and tons of shaking branches, stood right before him, and in front of that tree stood Fintster, the same kid Fintster that haunted him this entire trip.</p><p>Fintster chuckled, waved at Luz one more time, and turned around as he gripped hard into the grooves in the tree's bark. He climbed up with surprising speed before he reached out for one of the branches, and flipped on! The branch rustled underneath his weight, and Fintster cried out as he flailed his arms, his footsteps stumbling back and near slipping from the branch.</p><p>"Be careful, Fintster!"</p><p>He rushed forward—but stopped immediately as laughter came to his ears.</p><p>"<em>I'm fine, Luz!" </em>Fintster cried back. Regaining his footing, he turned up to the next branch and chuckled. <em>"I've done this like a billion times!"</em></p><p>Fintster hupped as he hopped onto the next branch, and the branch afterwards in a zig-zagging pattern. Each one he stayed on for only moments, just enough time to pluck an apple or two from the branches' stems. He disappeared into the canopy of leaves for a few moments…</p><p>And then, Fintster truly disappeared, and the world returned back to normal.</p><p>Once again, Luz was back in the present day, and still stuck in front of the churning boxes as they moved so slowly and shakily. Wait, that tree's branches were just like that: thin and weak, just barely able to hold the weight of one being! Fintster moved so nimbly and quickly on them, so quickly that he could get what he needed without even worrying about falling.</p><p>"And that's what I'm going to do!" Luz cried.</p><p>The light boiled in his blood, and warmed his entire body as he leaped onto one of the boxes. What he heard wasn't the clang of its metal, but the rustling of tree leaves and the creaking of its branches!</p><p>Once again, he found himself back in his childhood fields, standing atop the branch. He glanced down at how it creaked underneath him—and the mighty fall that laid below—and Luz squeaked as he hopped off to the next branch. The apples below shuddered a little, and he plucked one off before he hopped up a bit.</p><p>Fintster's laughter echoed from the canopy of leaves above, and Luz chuckled as he hopped up, traveling branch to branch. The breeze blew in his hair, tickled his face along with the leaves. Luz couldn't help but giggle along with Fintster as he chased him up the tree, snatching apple after apple along the way.</p><p>"Wait for me, Fintster!" Luz called, his voice tinged with youthful cheer.</p><p>With one last hop, Luz launched himself into the tree canopy—and exited on the top of the platform.</p><p>Luz's eyes fluttered, and he glanced back to find the rattling boxes before him, still churning away as always. The ringing sound of his and Fintster's laughter stayed in his ears still as he turned ahead. For just a moment, he saw him and Fintster as kids, and how they carried as many apples as their arms could carry while they laughed and talked and ate. Yes, he remembered that day all too well…</p><p>"<em>Man, I just know the harvest today's gonna be great! I'll have to tell Gramps!" Fintster chuckled between bites of apple.</em></p><p><em>Luz chuckled back, but his smile faded as he glanced back at the armfuls of apples he carried. They were all nice and crisp, true, but something egged at him a little.</em></p><p>"<em>Why do you need these many apples, anyways?" Luz asked.</em></p><p>"<em>Well, for one, we're the main farmers for this entire place! The whole town gets their fruits and veggies from us." Fintster kicked open the door and hopped in. "But, you'll see the other reason when you get inside."</em></p><p><em>Fintster disappeared within the door's dark crevices, and Luz gulped as he followed Fintster inside. The whole hall was dark at first, lit only by the faint light of a distant lantern, but then, Luz passed closer to the light, and found Fintster's form before him as he said something Luz couldn't quite make out. The sounds of cheering, shouts, and questions from what seemed like other kids' voices drowned out Fintster's own, so Luz crept in closer.</em></p><p><em>The moment Luz entered the room, he met with tons and tons of kids that all surrounded him in the center of a round sitting room! Most of them looked to be around his age, others younger, and a tiny few slightly older, but none any older than Fintster was. They all wore simple tunic, dressers, and trousers like Fintster did, some more worn than others. They all looked at Fintster with equal attention—and now, Luz as well.</em></p><p>"<em>Hey, who's that?" asked a smaller kid at the front of the group.</em></p><p><em>Fintster turned around and chuckled. "There you are, Luz! I was just talking about you!" Fintster cleared his throat and turned back to the crowd of kids. </em>"<em>Luz, these are my little sibs!"</em></p><p>"<em>Your, your siblings?" Luz asked, turning to the group and Fintster in short, quick motions. "You, you sure have a lot, and, they all look so different."</em></p><p>"<em>Yeah, we get that a lot." Fintster chuckled again, but his smile seemed to have dimmed, turning down slightly. </em></p><p>"<em>You see, my Gramps takes in kids who lost their homes and families, one way or another." Fintster lifted his head, turning back to the kids. </em>"<em>Wardiya was the only one who survived when her family got really sick, Pepi was an orphan all his life before we found him, Eurybiades was living in this really awful place where they could barely take care of themselves and their parents abandoned them… Gramps just couldn't bear to see 'em like that, so he took them under his wing."</em></p><p>"<em>Now what's all this racket?" an elderly voice shouted. "Fintster, is that you?"</em></p><p><em>The stairs at the back of the room creaked, and Luz turned his attention to them right as someone crept down. That someone was an old man! He was all wrinkles and white hairs, dressed in well-worn robes, and held the railing in one hand and a cane in the other. His movements were slow as he crossed down the steps and turned to the group, but the moment he laid eyes on Fintster, he picked up the pace!</em></p><p>"<em>Fintster, there you are, my boy!" the old man cried as he made his way through the swarms of kids. "Did you get the market runs taken care of?"</em></p><p>"<em>Just like you asked, Gramps!" Fintster replied, nodding his head. He parted away, and nudged an elbow towards Luz with a chuckle. "Also picked up a new kid on the way!"</em></p><p>"<em>I was wondering who this little sprout with you was." </em></p><p><em>Gramps chuckled a bit, and leaned down as Fintster moved away, giving Luz a face to face look with him at light. His deep brown, almost black eyes shone with twinkles like stars in a night sky, and his smile was visible even in spite of his thick, bushy beard and mustache. In fact, that smile of his reminded Luz of Fintster, almost. A family resemblance, he thought that was called? Either way, he gave Luz sort of a warm feeling, enough that Luz smiled right back at him.</em></p><p>"<em>So, what's your story, little one?"</em></p><p><em>Luz winced and backed away, his heart pounding a bit faster. The memories started to spill in: the crashing of machinery and the sounds of war. Luz's head pounded…</em></p><p>"<em>I found him in the alleys when I was coming home. He said he had to flee his old village because of the Arkeyans, and he lost his family and home and has nowhere to go," Fintster said. His voice was serious and clear as he addressed Gramps. "So, I was hoping we could take him in."</em></p><p>"<em>Is that so?"</em></p><p>Luz's memory faded and he clutched his shield tighter. He couldn't dwell on the past, not when Fintster needed him. He pressed forward into the halls ahead as they grew cold even for this fortress's standards, and the rooms around him dimmed. The lights overhead grew sparser with every step Luz took.</p><p>A whisper brushed into his ear. On instinct, Luz pushed his shield forward, but all that met him were thick, dark churning clouds that blocked the way ahead! What did they hold? A secret trap door? A long drop? A dead end? An ambush? Whatever it was, the way they churned and bubbled didn't make it seem good.</p><p>Luz's legs locked up, and his body went next as he trembled a bit. Just the sight imposed over him all the possibilities of what they held, and most of them weren't pretty. That mysterious, unknowing dark, what did it hold?</p><p>Luz brushed his fingers against the rim of his shield and bit his lip. Those clouds, they reminded him a little of the ones Fintster made whenever they needed a convenient out: a fear-inducing mist that left anyone within quaking in their boots! Surely, that commander would have made it, and that meant Fintster was close!</p><p>"Hey, Fintster, do you remember when we were little, and I used to be scared of doing the midnight chores because I was scared of the dark?" Luz asked as he lifted his shield. "But then, you showed me there was nothing to be scared of at night."</p><p>Gripping his shield tight, Luz spun it around a few times. The shield screeched as a bright burst of light beamed out! Its golden path stretched along the mist, and cleared it out to reveal a perfect hallway ahead!</p><p>"I just need to shed some light on things!"</p><p>Luz clenched his teeth and rushed forward, even as the mist lapped at his heels and tangled around his feet! Their cold grip faded and grew around him, but Luz flung his shield around, scaring off the mist with his light beam! The beams unveiled near-identical paths of metal floors and walls, but no sign of any other rooms, or anything else. Luz turned his light ahead, and found nothing but a dead end!</p><p>Luz narrowed his eyes, snarled as he drew his light back, and turned it back on the clouds. "I know you're there!" Luz cried as he flung his light aside. "Give my brother back!"</p><p>A low rumble sounded and Luz turned his light to the left, but the mist cleared and he found nothing. A cackle sounded next, and Luz brandished his shield to his back—but right as he did, the shadows moved once more! The cackles grew louder, crawled up the back of his neck, and left chills in his ghostly body as they brushed against him with an icy touch.</p><p>"Oh, here to play the hero, are we?" the commander asked. The shadows masked his voice a bit; they turned it deeper and much more ominous, but Luz could tell who it was from that sickening confidence. "You're awfully stubborn to have come all the way here, but I'm afraid your little trip stops now!"</p><p>A shriek sounded from behind and Luz turned around quickly, but not quickly enough. Something cold and hard sucker-punched him right in the face, knocking him back into the mist! The cold clouds seeped into him, leaving him coughing from both their smoke and the blow.</p><p>Something yanked him up in his moment of weakness, and smashed him into the ground! Luz shielded the blow with his shield right before it made contact, but it didn't do much to stop the stinging, numbing aches that came from hitting cold steel grounds.</p><p>Luz gritted his teeth, turned himself onto his back and yanked up his shield. His shield's light dimmed some, enough that it wasn't exactly a functional flashlight anymore, and definitely not of use against this guy as he bounced within the shadows. After all, he moved so fast, and the clouds were so thick that Luz could barely make out their shapes! His head pounded as another blow knocked him into the wall, and Luz lost enough consciousness that he phased through it for a moment before he yanked himself up.</p><p><em>"Remember, Luz, if you see something weird or scary in the fields at night, just shed a little light on it!"</em></p><p>Luz grunted and gripped onto his shield. "Shed… A little light…"</p><p>Luz turned his shield the best he could with his aching, tired arms. The clicks of his shield came slowly, but their familiar sound revived him, and gave him enough energy that he flung it right in front.</p><p>"That's right!"</p><p>Golden sparks sputtered and spurted from the shield's core as its light gathered. Its light shot out in one huge flashbang, bathing the entire room in solid gold! The cyclops commander shrieked underneath the shriek of the shield's light, and when both shrieks faded, the clouds were gone! All that remained was that cyclops commander, who was unconscious with a hand around Fintster's wheel as he laid on the floor.</p><p>Luz gasped, jumped to his feet, and practically tripped over them as he dashed to the commander. He collapsed over the commander in an instant, and practically crushed the commander's hand in his own as he dug his fingers into the commander's. His fingertips brushed against the cool crystal of Fintster's wheel, and Luz grunted as he pulled and tore against the commander's hand—but the commander's death grip wouldn't budge, no matter how hard Luz pulled!</p><p>Luz leaned forward and panted; his hand slipped just slightly for a moment, and a cold, cobalt glow brushed against his face. Luz glanced down at the commander, but the first thing that met him was a blast of energy directly to his chest!</p><p>He slammed back into the walls, and a heavy ache entered his body as he slunk down. His ghostly body cried out, begged him to move, but he was so tired that all he could do was look up as the commander got back to his feet and chuckled.</p><p>"Got you~" the commander crooned as he stepped forward. He held up Fintster's glowing wheel, and his already-snide smile grew thinner and smugger.</p><p>Luz snarled and pushed himself up a leg, but he immediately fell to his knees, hacking and coughing! A throbbing feeling came from his side, and he glanced to find a stream of sparkling, solid white magic pouring out from him. Wait, his magic energy! Luz grunted and patched the wound with his hand, yet the throbbing feeling grew stronger, forcing him on the floor.</p><p>His shield slipped from his grip, rolled down to the commander's feet, and the commander chuckled as he kicked the s out of Luz's way. "I'd stay there if I were you," the commander sneered as he flicked the pendant, its glow flickering for a moment. "It seems to me like you're in no condition to fight."</p><p>Luz pushed himself up just to collapse again. The room chilled around him in turn, and turned even colder as his body ached further. Those dark misty clouds swirled up again as they took the form of massive beasts! They were tall enough that their heads nearly hit the ceiling, and they all had their eyes on Luz!</p><p>"I knew this thing would be powerful, but I didn't think it would be strong!" the commander's snide voice oozed with spine-chilling glee. "I knew there was something special about this strange little wheel! I had the right idea, snatching it up when I did!"</p><p>Luz's head grew heavier. The rage and pain both forcing him down even though he wanted to fight so, so badly. He wanted to get up, to grab his shield and blast away those monsters, to do anything! But, he couldn't even move a muscle. All he could do was lay there as that smug commander laughed in his face, as those monster closed in on him.</p><p>"Give, give back, Fintster," Luz croaked.</p><p>He reached forward in a sluggish crawl. The world around him grew blurrier as the monsters came in and the commander laughed…</p><p>And then, it went completely dark.</p><p><em>Luz groaned, and opened his eyes as he rubbed his throbbing head. He couldn't quite recall what happened, or even what went on now. His head hurt so badly, and the rush of blood melded with the screaming, and the sounds of crashing and destruction that echoed from those around. Wait, screaming? Luz shook his head and the blood relented</em> <em>just enough.</em></p><p><em>He could make out terrified screams, and his vision cleared to show that he was back in his home—but, no, it was nothing like it should've been!</em></p><p><em>The whole place was in shambles: buildings stood alight with fire, and the smells of smoke, blood and oil polluted the air. In front of him, beings he only barely recognized fled in horror, and clutched their belongings or younger family members while others tried to pull the injured from the wreckage. Some flash of red and gold burst forward, and the screech of metal rang in the air as some knight-looking thing with a mace slammed into an aged elf's gut, knocking them on the ground. Wait, red and gold, those were Arkeyan colors! Did Arkeyans storm the town?</em></p><p>"<em>Luz, we've gotta go!" Fintster cried as he raced in front of Luz, sweat pouring down his face. He grabbed Luz's hand with surprising strength, and yanked Luz right off the floor and onto his feet. "The Arkeyans are here!"</em></p><p><em>The Arkeyans were here. The </em><strong>Arkeyans </strong><em>were here. The Arkeyans were </em><strong>here</strong><em>.</em></p><p><em>Those words cawed in Luz's mind as Fintster dragged him down the streets, down to the alleys where Gramps and the rest of their siblings huddled in the safety of the darkness. The younger kids' eyes were all red and full of tears, but not a single wail came from them as they clung to the older kids. The older ones, they tried their hardest to keep a strong face; some smiled and reassured the younger kids with shaky voices, and others bit their lips the hardest they could to keep from crying.</em></p><p>"<em>Don't cry, Eury," Gerdie cooed as she cradled them in her arms. "The Elder Elementals will be here any moment now! They'll save us!"</em></p><p>"<em>The Elder Elementals?" Luz asked, turning to Fintster.</em></p><p>"<em>They're the ones fighting against the Arkeyans!" Fintster proclaimed, and his voice raised with glee. "They'll send those Arkeyans home crying to their stupid emperor in no time—"</em></p><p>"<em>Fintster, keep it down! They'll find us!" Gerdie scolded as she got up. "Now that's everyone's here, we need to hurry and get to the safe houses!"</em></p><p><em>The faint scent of smoke and screaming rose in the air, yet the screams around Luz warped slightly, sounding familiar in a blood-chilling way. The smell of burnt grass mingled with the smoke, and Luz recalled his old village: the screams, the forest, the battles, and, and everything! Luz fell to his knees, and the world around him warped back into the sights of his old, ruined home. His eyes stung from the smoke that filtered in front of him, or so he thought, but then his face turned damp and he realized he was crying.</em></p><p><em>Why, why did they come back? Why were they taking his home away from his again? He already lost his home and his family once, and now he would lose them all again, all because of these Arkeyans! Luz collapsed without thinking, and his whole head numbed as he fell down and sobbed.</em></p><p>"<em>Luz, look out!"</em></p><p><em>Something pushed Luz back onto the cobblestones, and his head hit the ground, knocking him back into reality. Once again, he was in the alleyways, now forced on his back as he pushed himself up. </em></p><p><em>Everyone else strung themselves out of their little group, yet all eyes stared in horror of what laid in the center.</em></p><p><em>Gramps laid in a slump to the side. Blood stained his clothes while tears in its fabric revealed that bruises formed on his old, wrinkled skin. His breathing turned shallow as blood trickled from his mouth, and he shuddered and groaned with every pained breath he took, as if just breathing took all his effort!</em></p><p><em>A couple of the older kids rushed to Gramps' side and shouted at each other as they tried to hoist him up. One turned to Luz, shouting something at him. What was it they shouted about? Luz's head was so numb from the shock of what laid in the center that he couldn't even hear.</em></p><p><em>For in the center of it all, there laid an Arkeyan robot dressed in red and gold knight's armor. Its eyes glowed as red as the blood that stained the round mace it held. Low, shaking sounds almost like breathing came from it as it stepped forward and raised its mace.</em></p><p><em>Its eyes fixed on Luz and Fintster, yet, Luz could only stand there, frozen in fear. </em></p><p><em>His whole body locked up as the robot drew closer and closer, raising its mace by the second. Visions of that other robot, the same one that sent Luz into hiding flashed back to him. It took the place of the robot that stood before him now, and Luz's breathing grew shallow. It was coming, that thing that destroyed his old home, who killed everyone else, it was coming to finish the job! He wanted to scream, to cry and run away, but he couldn't! All he did was sit and stare as the mace swung down…</em></p><p><em>But it didn't hit.</em></p><p><em>Instead, the clang of metal sounded and brought Luz back to reality. There, Fintster stood in front of him, and breathed heavily as he clutched a dented, dulled metal bar. The robot stumbled back in what seemed like shock. Its own mace was unharmed by the blow, but the robot was seemingly taken aback that someone was willing to fight it.</em></p><p><em>The robot knelt forward and a low, husky growl came from it, and with a running start, it went back towards Fintster and Luz! Fintster grunted and swung his bar once more, knocking the side of the robot's head. The robot stumbled back and its grip on its mace's handle slipped a little, but it quickly caught it back and swung at Fintster once more.</em></p><p><em>Fintster swept underneath it before he slammed the robot in the chest. </em>"<em>Everyone, run! Get Gramps to the safe houses! I'll keep this guy distracted!"</em></p><p><em>"Fintster, what are you doing?" cried one of their brothers. "You can't take that guy!"</em></p><p><em>Fintster jumped away as the mace slammed into the ground, and ducked as it swung a second time. "I might not be able to take him, but I can distract him!"</em></p><p><em>Fintster ducked down, but instead of fighting, he ran! He sprinted down the darker parts of the alleyway. The robot made chase after him, its own metal clanking drowning out the sound of his footsteps…</em></p><p><em>And then, Fintster was gone, and Luz was alone. The whole world around him blurred, dissolved even, and he could only sit there. </em></p><p><em>His older brother, the one who swept him off the streets that day, the one who was always by his side when he was scared and worried, the one who always laughed with him over dumb jokes as they ran errands and did chores, who always looked out for him… </em></p><p><em>Was gone. He was distant, growing further away from the second. His family, they were all gone but him, and his own consciousness slowly faded as the image of Fintster grew more distant. </em></p><p><em>But, then, Fintster turned around and cried out one thing.</em></p><p>"<em>Luz!"</em></p><p>And just like that, Luz sprung back awake! He lightstepped away before he could even really comprehend what happened. He sprung over the paws of a large, shadowy monster that lunged for him, and landed right where his shield laid. Sweeping his shield off the ground, Luz flung it up and shielded another blow from the monster's paws! A numbing, stinging feeling ached from his side, but Luz pushed it aside as he sprung up once more, propelling himself right above the monster. The monster gawked up at him, and Luz flicked off his shield, shooting it like a disc aimed right for the monster's neck!</p><p>The shield slashed right through the monster's neck in a clean cut. It fell to the ground in a mass of melting shadows, but the shield just spun forward, aiming right for the second monster! The second monster roared and batted at it, yet the shield swerved underneath its paws before it jutted up, slashing its body in half! The shield returned to Luz with only slight specks of darkness staining its exterior. Luz flicked them off as he glared at the cyclops commander—or more accurately, the pendant of Fintster's that rested on his neck. The pendant's glow dimmed a bit, and Luz stepped forward in turn.</p><p>"You, what do you think you're doing?" the commander cried as he backed away. "You're in no condition to fight, not with injuries like that!"</p><p>A sharp pain came from Luz's side and he limped down a little, but he quickly forced himself back to full height, and closed his eyes…</p><p><em>And Luz was back in the alleyways, all small and frightened as that robot chased Fintster further and further into the dark. Fintster, his older brother, he was going to die! He may have acted tough, but he couldn't take on an Arkeyan soldier like that! He, he was going to lose his older brother, and then he'd lose his family and his home again, just like before! </em></p><p><em>Luz fell to his knees and sobbed, but right as he did, a clatter sounded from behind him. His crying spell forgotten, Luz turned aside right as a sharp, metal disc dropped down from a pile of metal garbage and rolled in front of him. It was a bit rusted in some places, dulled in others, but its rim was shiny and sharp, enough to easily cut a wooden block! Or perhaps, perhaps even… An Arkeyan soldier?</em></p><p><em>Luz gasped, flipped the disc over, and grabbed it by a leather strap on its inner side. This, this was a weapon! He had a weapon, but he, he didn't know how to fight!</em></p><p><em>But, that didn't matter. </em></p><p><em>Hoisting the disc up like a shield, Luz ran as fast as his shaking legs could carry him into the alleyway. He was guided only by the clanking footsteps of the Arkeyan soldier, and the mocking shouts of Fintster ahead of him. The dark passage started to rise, and from the minimal light ahead, Luz could just barely spy a shape of red and gold!</em></p><p><em>With the shadows as his shield, Luz sprung forward and screamed as he bashed the disc right against the Arkeyan soldier's head! The Arkeyan soldier stumbled forward from the blow, exposing a metallic neck. Luz slashed the sharp rim of the disc against the exposed neck! Sparks flew out from the gash as Luz collapsed. </em></p><p><em>He barely spotted more sparks vomiting out in front of the soldier as it jolted and spewed out garbled, mechanical noises. The soldier collapsed on its front, and all that met Luz was Fintster! His mouth dropped in shock as the pipe he held slipped from his grip.</em></p><p>"<em>Luz, what are you doing?" Fintster cried as he rushed forward and grabbed Luz by the shoulders. "You shouldn't follow me, you need to go to the safe houses! These guys, they'll kill you!"</em></p><p><em>"And if I didn't, they would've killed you!" Luz cried back. He thrust out of Fintster's grip and hoisted his disc in front of him like a shield, a barrier between the two. "I already lost my first family and my first home to these guys, and I'm not letting them take my big brother from me, or anyone else in my family, either!"</em></p><p><em>Hearing this, Fintster just stood aghast, his jaw clenching with his fist. He and Luz just stood each other off in quiet, tense silence, but Fintster chuckled and knelt down.</em></p><p>"<em>Alright then, we'll protect our family together!"</em></p><p><em>Fintster snatched his pipe from the ground, hoisted it over his shoulder and turned ahead. There, the flames of war and the ravaging of the town laid barren before them.</em></p><p>"<em>Come on, Luz! We'll keep these guys busy!"</em></p><p><em>"Alright, Fintster!"</em></p><p>Luz breathed in, and the memories of Arkeyan soldiers and burning flames faded to the present.</p><p>Before him, the commander yowled as he yanked Fintster's pendant from his neck and held it up as high as he could. The pendant's own wheel was completely obscured by the thick masses of shadows that churned from it. The shadows leaped out. They grew bigger and thicker as they formed into the shapes of massive dragons, of hulking beasts and winged monsters!</p><p>All of them blocked off the world ahead as they yowled and cried for Luz, and Luz cried back as he sprung forward and rushed ahead!</p><p>He leaped up and slashed through a dragon's chest with a quick slice! A faint flash of when he slashed through an Arkeyan robot with that worn metal disc came to him, and he jumped up as the dragon snapped its head down after him!</p><p>Another memory came to him, this time of how Fintster leaped up and bashed down on that same robot with his pipe, and Luz sprung himself forward. He shot with the power of light, and moved faster, fast enough that he tackled right into the dragon's head! His shield smashed into it first, rammed its head in, and shot a beam of light that slashed right through the dragon's body.</p><p>The dragon erupted into plumes of cobalt smoke. The other monsters growled as they closed in and parted the smoke.</p><p>That ache in Luz's side throbbed a little harder, forcing Luz's eyes shut as he cringed…</p><p><em>Luz bit his lip. His eyes drifted down to where one of the Arkeyan soldiers grazed his side and left a stinging cut on his chest, but he shook his head. Instead, he turned it up towards the Arkeyans that circled him. He stepped back, and the Arkeyans raised their weapons, fully ready to swing—but a harsh creak sounded and one toppled over on its own feet!</em></p><p><em>"Try picking on someone your own size!" Fintster cried.</em></p><p><em>All eyes turned to where Fintster stood behind the downed Arkeyan. The other robots sprung for him, and leaped over Fintster the way a lion leaped over prey.</em></p><p><em>Luz grunted and flung his disc forward! The disc warbled as it flew through the air, and whipped up currents that propelled it forward with even further speed! The speed and power melded together as it burst into the Arkeyans, slashing through their necks and beheading them in a blink!</em></p><p><em>The disc itself twisted around and returned to Luz's side. He snatched it out of the air right as the beheaded bodies collapsed on the ground. Their heads fell after them and dented as they hit the floor.</em></p><p>"<em>That was awesome, Luz!" Fintster cried as he hopped over the bodies. "You hit them like it was nothing!"</em></p><p><em>Luz blinked, chuckled and glanced down at the disc. Even though he didn't know the first thing about fighting, the moment he picked up that disc, it was like he was one of those super-fancy soldiers out fighting with the best! He wasn't sure how or why, but it was like the disc was a part of him, and bent to his will.</em></p><p><em>For that matter, Fintster fought super well with that pipe! It was like he was a knight who rode into battle with that as his sword! They both grinned as they loomed over the broken robots they destroyed, but then, the ground shook, and they turned around…</em></p><p>And Luz growled as his eyes narrowed. They fixed on the commander with no care for the melting, dispatched corpses of the shadowy beasts he summoned. The commander sputtered out pleas and half-hearted warnings as he dangled the pendant in front of Luz like some kind of taunt, but Luz only screamed as he rushed forward!</p><p>The commander threw out his hands as blasts of solid darkness came forward, but Luz tossed them off with flings of his shield. The ground below him shuddered, and turned shaky and unstable as his vision blurred and his footing slipped. He stumbled down for a few moments, but pushed himself back up.</p><p><em>The ground below him shook and Luz dropped his shield in an instant. He cowered by Fintster's side as he glanced at the massive shadow that cast over the town, and the beast that cast it.</em></p><p><em>Before him laid the biggest Arkeyan robot he had ever seen! It was as tall as two large houses stacked atop one another, no, even bigger than that! Its red and gold metal shone with polish against the flames around it, its eyes glowed white with a tranquil fury, and its whole body shook the ground with every step, every movement! It smashed through houses and tore down the mightiest trees with only a sway of its hand, as if to demand respect for its presence.</em></p><p>"<em>What is that thing, Fintster?" Luz whimpered as he clutched Fintster's tunic.</em></p><p><em>Fintster quivered a bit, yet his shaking subsided as he realized Luz clung to him. "I don't know," Fintster whispered back as he thrust himself closer to Luz, putting his body in front of Luz's own. "I've never seen a robot that big!"</em></p><p><em>The ground shuddered underneath as the robot stomped, and Luz and Fintster separated as the tremors knocked them both back. The shadows grew as the robot stomped further and further towards them, yet Luz and Fintster scrambled back to each other in turn.</em></p><p><em>They both embraced each other, prepared for the end, but a heat brushed across their back! It was warm, but not in a painful way. No, this one was welcoming, almost gentle in its touch as it swept them off the ground!</em></p><p><em>Luz opened his eyes, and found himself staring at a tall, kind of grizzled and tanned man with tired eyes and fiery red hair! His burgundy cloak fluttered in the breeze as he dashed off with such speed that a trail of flames burned behind him, but it quickly extinguished as he came to a stop.</em></p><p>"<em>You two get to safety," the man said as he dropped them behind some boxes and well out of the robot's sight. He tapped his heels, and flames ignited as they</em> <em>ate away at the bandages wrapped around his sandals. "Just leave the fighting to the adults."</em></p><p><em>He was off like a comet! The sizzling trail of fire stretched behind him, and lit up the darker depths of the alleyways as he ran!</em></p><p><em>Luz blinked a bit as he crept out of the boxes' safety, just in time to catch the flames as they extinguished. He knew that man told him to stay hidden, but his curiosity got the better of him. A couple of footsteps from behind showed that Fintster was intrigued as well. The two of them crept back through the alleyways, following the ashy trails left behind by the man's footsteps.</em></p><p><em>Once again, they were at the mouth of the alleyway. They propped themselves behind some stray barrels, their eyes peeked over the barrels' rims, and what they saw was beyond explanation!</em></p><p><em>That mighty titan of a robot, the one that lorded itself over the village, and crushed it like sand just moments earlier… It was held back! </em></p><p><em>All sorts of mighty titans, from a burly ent to a golem made of solid lava and fire, fought it off like nothing else! Their flames and beams of light stripped away the solid metal of the robot. It tilted off-balance while comets of bright, solid light in all sorts of the colors smashed into the robot's other leg! It stumbled a bit, quaking the earth once more, but with the energy of the fight, Luz barely even noticed!</em></p><p><em>"Who are these beings?" Luz gasped, his voice barely even a whisper. "How can they fight like this?"</em></p><p>"<em>It's the Elder Elementals! I knew it!" Fintster cried, and his smile went wide as he shook his fists. "Go get 'em!"</em></p><p><em>So </em><strong>these</strong><em> were the Elder Elementals Fintster talked about? Luz gasped, and glanced back to where their fight continued. </em></p><p><em>The world grew unbearably hot from the flames and the burning lights that danced along the fields, yet Luz didn't even break a sweat as he watched. The way they fought was strong and swift. The remnants of their magic ate away at the robot's armor like it was mere kindling, and slashed through it like leaves! That Leviathan of a robot, the one that towered over the ground and shook the entire world with just its footsteps, it collapsed to the ground with a mighty thud! It laid slunk over, and its eyes dulled while sparks shone from its chest in a flurry!</em></p><p><em>Some shout of some kind came from the ent as they all crowded around the robot's front with weapons drawn and ready to fire. They lifted them up, but lowered as the sparks flying from the robot's chest burst out in a fiery fury. They backed away as the light from the robot's chest grew thicker, brighter, almost like a sun.</em></p><p><em>A sharp, cracking sound, one so loud it practically blew out Luz's eardrums, burst next. The world around grew bright, so bright that the heat burned into him. He and Fintster cowered behind the barrels—not that it mattered, for some strong blast lashed against them next! It smashed the barrels to splintered bits and blasted them across the alleyway. </em></p><p><em>The hard stone tore at Luz as he tumbled across. It left him sore and barely able to register his own existence one moment, and only able to cower and shudder so furiously that he was sure his body would come apart the next. Somehow, the pain subsided enough that he could stand up, just barely. </em></p><p><em>The world shuddered and spun around him as he stumbled through the alleyways' depths. His ears rang so badly that he couldn't hear a thing, and his vision was so, so, blurry, enough that all he could make out were the shadows on the walls.</em></p><p><em>His vision cleared just a little as he found himself back at the alleyway's gaping mouth. It was clear enough that he could at least make out the faint shapes of those Elder Elementals and some smaller figures. They stumbled and ran about as that massive robot stood back up and stomped once more! It shook the world and knocked Luz back on the ground…</em></p><p>A sharp blast knocked the side of Luz's head, and what he hit next was cold, hard steel. He nearly phased through it, if not for how his pendant knocked against the floors. He grunted and pushed himself up; his head throbbed and pounded, but not enough that it blocked out the commander's goading laughter.</p><p>"What did I tell you?" the commander crooned as he summoned another blast of darkness and stroked it like a precious gem. "You're far too weak to even dream of getting your brother back!"</p><p>Luz gritted his teeth. He wanted to cry in protest, but his head numbed again. His blood rushed so quickly into his ears that he could only barely make out the sights and sounds around him. That throbbing feeling in his side returned, and this time it spread from his hip to his chest. It washed over him in a strong, numbing wave.</p><p>He fell to his knees as the commander strode closer to him, or maybe he was still far away, and the way his vision warped made that commander seem closer. The commander drew closer, raised a hand charged with darkness, and as he did, the cobalt glow that beamed from his chest faded just a little. A pained whimper hit the air from a voice Luz recognized all too well…</p><p><em>And Luz sprung to his feet, finding himself safe in the alleyways once more. Before him, those Elder Elementals and those strange people still fought against the robot, but their attacks were shaky, disoriented, even. They constantly missed as they stumbled about, or hazily scattered out of the robot's way. The robot slammed the ground with a searing hot laser, and a blow of fire from the Elementals' group meant for the robot's head swerved aside!</em></p><p><em>Luz cringed, but a soft hum from beside him drew his attention to Fintster. Fintster seemed almost contemplative as he watched the battle, so transfixed that he even parted his bangs to reveal his deep brown eyes.</em></p><p>"<em>Fintster, what're you thinking about?" Luz whispered.</em></p><p><em>Fintster hummed again, held out a hand and pointed towards the robot's shoulder. "Look over there! That robot's smoking and stuff!"</em></p><p><em>Luz peered up to where Fintster pointed, and found that Fintster was right! The space between the robot's shoulder and neck was clouded by thick plumes of gray smoke. They billowed out into the skies, and were only barely disguised by the smoke and fire from the destruction all around it. That wasn't the only part smoking, either! Its other shoulder smoked as well, and so did the spaces between its knees! The smoke there may have been thinner, but it was there!</em></p><p><em>"You see it, right?" Fintster chuckled when Luz nodded. "I'll bet that big attack that robot did took a huge toll on it! Those parts are probably its weak points now!"</em></p><p>"<em>So if it gets hit there…"</em></p><p>"<em>It'll do a whole lotta hurt!"</em></p><p><em>Fintster chuckled a bit more, but his smile faded. "But, that robot's so busy attacking that I don't think the Elder Elementals know that yet…"</em></p><p><em>Fintster grinned and snatched Luz's hand.</em></p><p><em>"So, we're gonna help them!"</em></p><p><em>Luz blinked, shook his head and yanked his hand from Fintster's.</em></p><p><em>"Us?" Luz cried. He gaze snapped from him and Fintster, to the lumbering, colossal robot before them that gave even the Elder Elementals a run for their gold, in a state of almost disbelief. "But how? That thing'd squash us!"</em></p><p>"<em>We don't have to fight it. We'll just distract it a little! If we get its attention, the Elder Elementals will realize its weak spots in no time!"</em></p><p>"<em>But how would we even get to it? There's no way it'd spot us all the way down here!"</em></p><p><em>Fintster frowned and rubbed his chin. "You do have a point. Maybe, if we climbed the rooftops…"</em></p><p><em>A strong, cool breeze blew across Fintster and Luz, and left them both shuddering. Something cold, here? When everything burned up? Where would that even come from?</em></p><p><em>The breeze blew again, and Luz turned to find a collection of winds so solid that their azure light shone against the flames. Their winds roared like lions, propelling themselves in the skies. Now that Luz thought about it, he could've sworn that he saw one of those humans with the Elder Elementals flying around the skies like a bird with that same glow. Did that person make this?</em></p><p>"<em>A wind current, perfect!" Fintster cried. He snatched Luz's hand with one hand, gripped his makeshift sword with the other, and turned to Luz with the utmost of steel seriousness. </em>"<em>I've heard of wind currents like those! They're magic ones that can take you super high up! The Elder Elementals would use them all the time when they fight, so that's what we'll use!"</em></p><p><em>Luz bit his lip, and glanced over at the robot as it shook the earth once more. By all accounts, he should've ran off, should've taken cover, should've trusted every instinct in his gut to run. But, when he was with his brother like this, saw the confidence in Fintster's eyes, and had him safe in his grasp, it was like all that fear went away!</em></p><p><em>So, Luz nodded, and the two of them </em><strong>ran.</strong><em> Their bodies still ached in places and begged to rest, but somehow, the pain they felt only barely registered as they bolted towards the wind current! The ground rumbled below them, tossed their steps off-balance and left them stumbling, but their small size meant these little fumbles were hardly a concern.</em></p><p><em>The robot didn't even see them, and instead focused on fighting the Elder Elementals. The cry of lasers shot, shouts of pain, and frantic orders barked rang in the air. </em></p><p><em>Luz only barely glimpsed behind at the ongoing battle before the lash of cool winds grew closer! He turned around, and the wind current roared its loudest as he and Fintster came within inches of it!</em></p><p><em>They two of them bent down, leaped in, and before they knew it, the winds launched them right into the air! There was nothing underfoot, nothing around but his brother, and the entire town stood eclipsed underneath them as the fires spread. Luz's head spun at the sight, but a quick hand squeeze from Fintster brought him back to his senses.</em></p><p><em>Thus, Luz turned his attention to that robot, the one that now rested just a few feet below them. The robot hadn't noticed them yet, nor did it notice the growing amounts of smoke from its limbs, or even the few sparks of flame that burst from its joints. It was still too preoccupied with the Elder Elementals, still so set on bashing them in and burning them to a crisp!</em></p><p><em>"If we just shoot down and hit it from here, that'll distract it for sure!" Fintster cried. He grinned and turned to Luz. "You ready, Luz?"</em></p><p><em>Luz gulped and slowly, hesitantly nodded. "Ready when you are."</em></p><p><em>The two of them nodded and leaned down. Their eyes locked on the robot as it swung its fist. They breathed in, out, and with a single pump of their legs, they shot off like rockets! </em></p><p><em>They flew so fast that the winds burned and lashed at them. It stung Luz's face and numbed his whole body, but not once did he let go of Fintster's hand. They came in closer, and shot towards the robot as it slowly turned around and creaked.</em></p><p><em>Luz raised up his disc like a makeshift shield. The closer they came in, the bigger and scarier that robot looked! It loomed over them the way a lion loomed over hapless lambs. The robot stepped forward, raised its hand to strike, and Luz gulped as he held up his makeshift shield. It all happened so fast, from them rushing in to the robot coming to kill, and he didn't know what to do!</em></p><p><em>But, he knew one thing: he wanted to protect everyone. He wanted to protect his home, his family, in the way he couldn't do back then! Even though the rest of his body went numb, he could still just barely feel Fintster's hand in his, and that tight grip showed him that Fintster felt the very same way he did!</em></p><p><em>"We're not scared of you!" Luz cried as he raised his shield. His eyes narrowed and focused on the burning, bright light that emitted from the robot's eyes. "Come on! Hit us with all you've got!"</em></p><p>"<em>Yeah!" Fintster cried beside him. "We're not gonna let you ruin our home!"</em></p><p><em>The robot whirred. Its eyes burned their brightest as laser light gathered together, and the light shot out right for Luz! Luz held his shield up the best he could, in hope that somehow it would dampen the blow.</em></p><p><em>The blow never came.</em></p><p><em>The light split as it hit his shield, and instead wrapped around him and embraced him like warm sunlight. Not once did his body burn or melt underneath its blanket, nor did he himself ache; it was just as comfortable to him as sleeping outside in the aestival season! Something cold brushed against his hand, and when he turned aside, he found that Fintster was gone. Instead, a large cloak of shadows draped over him, and hid everything but the hand he gripped Luz with from view!</em></p><p><em>Their light and darkness merged together as they came in closer to the robot. They both cried out as they pivoted aside and slammed right into the robot! The light and darkness consolidated in the front, rammed into the sparking, smoking shoulder joint, and exploded!</em></p><p><em>It boomed across the area and flung Luz and Fintster back! The echoing boom had blown out Luz's ears, and the dizzying fall numbed his eyes and his head, but as he and Fintster collapsed, Luz smiled. </em></p><p><em>Right before him, the goliath of a robot that once towered over their village stumbled backwards and collapsed onto the ground!</em></p><p>Luz shook his head. The heat faded from his face, and his senses cleared as he stood back up. Before him, the commander slammed into the end of the halls, slunk down and panted heavily as he tried to stand. Luz grunted, grabbing his shield. Just one more blow, that would be enough to knock this guy out and take back Fintster.</p><p>Luz grunted as he ran his fingers against the shield's spiky rim, and the numbness spread to Luz's head, pushing him to the floor once more! Luz hacked, his coughs rattling his body as he struggled to stand. Another cackle rang from the commander as he stood. Luz growled, for he wanted to stand so badly, to do anything, but he was pinned. His body was too numb, and the world around him spun as he aimlessly patted around as he tried to get a grip on his shield.</p><p>"Well, looks like you're down for the count!" the commander sneered as he drew closer. "Not surprised. This is what happens when kids like you try to play hero—you get burned!"</p><p>The commander cackled, his laughter ringing in Luz's ears. Luz gritted his teeth. His whole body felt like it faded away and prepared to give out on him, but the sight of his brother fading as he laid imprisoned on that commander's neck, the sight of this commander as he goaded over Luz… It caused the pits of anger to burn within him, and Luz finally pushed himself up as he snatched his shield from the ground.</p><p>"Give… Him… Back…" Luz hissed.</p><p>The commander raised his brow. "What was that again?"</p><p>Luz hissed out hot air and slammed his shield into the ground, tearing through the metal floors. The air around him heated up. It burned up further as Luz planted his hands on his shield, and spun it with every ounce of strength he had left. The familiar shriek of his shield grew shriller, faster, higher with every labored, pained spin. It glowed so bright that its light spilled over its rim, and Luz fell to his knees and panted.</p><p>"GIVE. BACK. MY. BROTHER!"</p><p>Luz slammed his whole weight into the shield, and every bit of light charged into its heart vomited out! It shot all across the room and coated it entirely in hot, harsh light! The commander's pained screams only barely registered above the shriek of light.</p><p>Amid the blinding white and yellow, Luz barely caught that commander's shape collapsing, and Fintster's wheel falling from his neck and rolling away! Luz stumbled out from his shield, ran forward, but collapsing on the ground right as he met with Fintster's wheel. He snatched it off the ground as quickly as he could, gasped as he brought the wheel to his eyes, but then he himself groaned and collapsed.</p><p>The wheel slipped from Luz's hands, and rolled for a moment before it collapsed right in front of him. It was so, so dark, for only the faintest cobalt light pulsed from it in slow, faint beats like a dying heart. Surely, all that attacking must have drained Fintster dry of all his magic energy. He probably barely hung on.</p><p>Though Luz didn't look back at himself, he knew he was in the same position. Half of his body laid crushed together, the other half spilled out of him, and the whole world was blobby and unrecognizable. He could barely keep his eyes open, and just breathing squeezed his chest so badly that his ribs dug into him. He, he was dying for good, wasn't he? They, they both were, weren't they?</p><p>Luz whimpered, but forced himself to crawl closer, just enough to shield Fintster. Just those little crawls took so much energy that he completely collapsed, but at least he and his brother were together again.</p><p>"Hey… Hey, Fintster…" Luz croaked. His voice was so weak and hoarse that it was barely a whisper. "It's me, your, your lil' brother Luz…"</p><p>Luz sniffled, and his head collapsed, falling to the floor.</p><p>"Hey, do you remember that day? The one where those Arkeyans came to… To our place?" Luz gently brushed his finger around Fintster's wheel. "I, I bet you were thinking about it too, huh?"</p><p>Luz sniffled. His head throbbed enough that it forced his eyes shut…</p><p><em>And he opened them once more. He found himself in the safe houses' halls, where that distinct scent of herbal medicine and blood reeked in the air. He had to cover his nose so he wouldn't pass out, but then he removed his hands. His eyes now laid on the bandages wrapped around his arms. A small cough came from beside him, and he found a similarly-bandaged Fintster, who hacked as he fanned away dust.</em></p><p>"<em>Man, those nurses gave us an earful, didn't they?" Fintster scoffed as he crossed his arms. "If we hadn't knocked that thing out, they probably wouldn't be standing here!"</em></p><p><em>"Yeah, but, that was really dangerous," Luz replied as he crossed his arms. "If that windy guy hadn't caught us before we fell, we could've died!"</em></p><p><em>"But we didn't!"</em></p><p><em>Luz rolled his eyes. He felt that Fintster was a bit obstinate, but with the somber air of the area around, he wasn't exactly in the mood to protest. Instead, he just peered into the room beside him, wincing at the sights within.</em></p><p><em>Amid others, Gramps laid bandaged from head to toe in a bed, and all of Luz's siblings choked out the room as they surrounded Gramps' bed. The oldest ones offered Gramps food and water that he rejected with only a raise of his hands, and they only held their heads as they left it on the stands. Gramps, he looked like a ghost! He was all wrapped in white and so small-looking without those baggy robes he always wore. He might've become one for real, if he and Fintster hadn't intervened!</em></p><p><strong>No, </strong><em>Luz reminded himself as he bit his lip. </em><strong>If those Arkeyans hadn't come here in the first place, if they hadn't torn the whole place down, none of this would happen! Nobody would have to rebuild, everyone would be alright, and, and…</strong></p><p><em>A hand rested on Luz's shoulder, and he peered up to find Fintster, who stared at him with a sort of somber tone.</em></p><p>"<em>Hey, Luz," Fintster started, "what do you think those magicians meant?"</em></p><p><em>Luz blinked, and rubbed eyes stung with unshed tears. "Meant by what?"</em></p><p><em>"When they said that we were like them, what do you think they meant by that?"</em></p><p><em>Oh, right. Luz only barely remembered how those humans with the Elder Elementals said something like that before they brought Luz and Fintster to the safe houses.</em></p><p>"<strong>Those boys… Could they be like us?"</strong></p><p><em>He was sure that the lady with the purple hair said that, actually, but what did she mean? Were they also beings who lost things to the Arkeyans, or did they mean something else? For that matter, Luz still wasn't sure what went on with that weird attack he and Fintster did to that robot. He was glad they pulled it off, but, how did they even do it in the first place? They weren't magical, not like them!</em></p><p><em>"Luz, Fintster!" called a voice from within the room, a familiar, aged voice they knew well!</em></p><p><em>Luz and Fintster shot one glance at each other, gulped and entered their Gramps' room. Getting closer now, Luz got a better glimpse of Gramps. He spied the bloody cuts and nasty bruises underneath Gramps' bandages, and he nearly passed out. In spite of that, Gramps just smiled and laughed with that same, hearty laugh he always had.</em></p><p>"<em>What's with that face, Luz? You look like you've seen a ghost!" Gramps chuckled.</em></p><p><em>Gramps continued laughing, yet, Luz couldn't find any of this funny! He sniffled a bit, tried to hide his tears so badly, but then Fintster burst forward crying and Luz completely broke! The two of them rushed right to their Gramps' side and hugged him tight. They sobbed their eyes out just from seeing him!</em></p><p><em>A couple of the younger kids started sobbing behind them. The older ones panicked as they tried to hold back their own tears and comfort the little ones, or scolded Luz and Fintster for crying so much. But, Luz didn't care! Everything that happened today finally set in, and he could barely keep himself together! He nearly lost his home again, he nearly lost his family again, he fought a bunch of those weird Arkeyans, may or may not have weird powers, and it was just too much!</em></p><p><em>It was all he could do just to hold Gramps and sob his eyes out, his tears staining the blankets and Gramps' robes. A wheeze came from Gramps, and Luz immediately jumped back as Gramps coughed again. Had, had he hurt him? Luz gasped and covered his mouth, but Gramps cleared his throat and smiled back at him.</em></p><p>"<em>Don't worry about me, Luz, just a bit of a cough," Gramps said. His smile turned somber as he folded his bruised, wrinkled hands, and then he pursed his lips.</em></p><p>"<em>What you boys was really dangerous. You know that, right?"</em></p><p><em>Luz gulped. A lump formed in his throat and kept him from speaking, but he didn't need to.</em></p><p>"<em>Of course it was, Gramps!" Fintster shouted back. His voice strained and cracked as the tears poured down his cheeks. He sniffled a bit, and took a moment to clean the tears from his face. "But I had too! If, if, if I didn't, then—"</em></p><p>"<em>I'm not mad at you two, you know."</em></p><p><em>That single sentence shocked both Luz and Fintster into silence. The two of them glimpsed back at each other, and then at their Gramps. He, he wasn't mad at them? They were sure just then they were gonna receive an earful.</em></p><p>"<em>Hey, why don't the rest of you go help out around here a little?" Gramps said, turning to the rest of Luz's siblings. "I'd like to be alone with your brothers for a bit."</em></p><p><em>The older kids nodded and herded the entire group out of the room in hushed whispers. Their torn robes and clothing formed a mottled sea of color as they flooded out the doorway, but soon, even the last of the kids left. They closed the door behind them so that is really was just Luz, Fintster, and Gramps.</em></p><p><em>The room turned deathly silent. Its cold quiet grabbed Luz by the throat, and choked him so badly that he could barely breath through his snotty tears.</em></p><p>"<em>Take a seat, you two."</em></p><p><em>Luz and Fintster both nodded as they took a seat on some stray stools by Gramps' bedside. They both gulped as they watched him, for they expected his tranquility to melt into anger any minute now—but, it didn't. Gramps just laid there with that same smile on his face as he watched Luz and Fintster.</em></p><p>"<em>So, boys, what happened back there?"</em></p><p><em>Luz opened his mouth, but not a single word came out. He found himself gasping and grappling for air instead with not a single word slipping. He tried to say something, anything, but all those memories raced back to him, flooded his senses and washed him away. So, he just went silent; he buried his face in his hands and sniffled as his head spun instead. Something rubbed against his back, and he looked up to find an equally-shaking Fintster</em> <em>trying some silent attempt at comfort.</em></p><p>"<em>I, I'll start," Fintster croaked out, his voice trembling and quiet. "Well, after you all ran off, I got that robot to follow me, and…"</em></p><p><em>Luz gulped as Fintster recalled everything that happened prior: the fights, that giant robot and the Elder Elementals showing up, them going on and knocking that robot down… It honestly felt surreal to hear all that coming from Fintster like it was fact. It was like some tall tale, really. Two kids fighting off a whole swarm of Arkeyan robots like nothing, calling upon the power of light and darkness itself, and</em> <em>toppling an Arkeyan the size of a building like a meager castle of sand.</em></p><p><em>And yet, it all happened. The memories played back in Luz's head with every word Fintster spoke, and Gramps seemed equally stunned, going by how his brows raised.</em></p><p>"<em>And, after the Elder Elementals beat up that robot, that man that rescued us took us here, and, well, you know the rest," Fintster finished.</em></p><p>"… <em>My, you boys went through quite a lot, then," Gramps said at last, his voice a bit shakier than normal.</em></p><p>"<em>I, I still can't believe we even did all that, Gramps!" Fintster leaned forward, nearly fell out of his stool, but leaned right back and quickly regained his seating. "We just fought those things like nothing, and all that weird light and darkness stuff came out of nowhere, and, and, they…"</em></p><p><em>"They what?"</em></p><p><em>Fintster gulped and turned his head away. "They, I heard some of those magicians saying weird things when that man was taking us here, saying that we were like them, and I have no idea what it means and, and, and…"</em></p><p><em>Fintster's words turned to strained gasps as tears streamed down his face, but the streams shut off as Gramps chuckled and wiped them away.</em></p><p>"<em>Luz, Fintster, remember those bedtime stories I'd tell the kids?" Gramps asked.</em></p><p>"<em>The ones about those really powerful magicians who would protect Skylands from evil way, way, long ago?" Luz asked at last.</em></p><p><em>Gramps beamed and turned his attention to Luz. "That's right, Luz." </em></p><p><em>Drawing his hand away from Fintster, Gramps sat upright with his hands laid on his blanket. </em></p><p>"<em>You see, even today, there's a lot of beings born with magic power unlike anything other. We don't know why, but if you ask me, I think beings like them are given that kind of power to protect those weaker than them, to help protect those that can't protect themselves from harm. What you boys did today was what those magicians do. They go around protecting others from the Arkeyans when they don't have the strength to fight back themselves."</em></p><p><em>Luz and Fintster both blinked and turned to each other with stunned silence. It was true, they did all this to protect their home and their family, just like how the Elder Elementals always protected others from the Arkeyans. So, did that mean that strange power that came to them was the same as the powers they held, too? They weren't sure, but, the look Fintster had in his eyes told Luz that he was entranced by this the same way Luz himself was.</em></p><p>Luz's consciousness came back to him at last, just enough to glimpse at Fintster's wheel. Fintster's light was barely there. It was just a tiny flicker that occasionally danced like candlelight. He, he wasn't gonna last much longer, was he? Luz's brother was dying for good right before his eyes, and he couldn't do a damn thing about it!</p><p>He could barely even move, his head throbbed so badly that he could barely process the world around him… There was no way he'd be able to get help at this rate, so he just sniffled and crawled over. Grasping Fintster's wheel in his hands, Luz sniffled and clutched Fintster close to his chest.</p><p>"Guess we weren't able to keep our promise to Gramps and the rest of them after all, huh, Fintster?"</p><p>His vision turned spotty again, so Luz collapsed as a single memory flickered back into his mind.</p><p>"<em>You're out of your minds, do you realize that?" Gerdie cried. "Running off to join the free magicians? Do you realize the kind of danger they get in? You'll get yourselves killed!"</em></p><p><em>"Yeah!" Pepi protested as he clung to Fintster's cloak. "We almost lost Gramps already, and we can't lose you too!"</em></p><p>"<em>I don't wan' you to leave!" wailed Eurydias. Tears and snot streamed down their face as they hugged Luz's leg. "Please, please stay!"</em></p><p><em>Luz and Fintster both backed away as their siblings all swarmed around them, their tears, cries, and shouts of protest ringing in their ears. Luz himself tried to raise his voice, but it seemed like every time he spoke a word, they all crowded him out! Beside him, Fintster attempted to peel Pepi from his cloak, but to little success as a few of their other siblings attached themselves to him.</em></p><p>"<em>Everyone, calm down!" Fintster shouted. "I know this is a little sudden, but—"</em></p><p><em>"But what?" Gerdie shouted. "You must've gotten hit in the head or something if you think you're big heroes now 'cause you fought a few robots!" Gerdie's voice cracked, and tears streamed down her face as she clutched her dress. "I, if you die, I, I'll…"</em></p><p><em>"Everyone, calm down, now."</em></p><p><em>Gramps' voice rang loud and clear throughout the air, and the shouts drew to a close as all their siblings parted in time for Gramps to walk in. Though he still leaned into the wooden cane the medics gave him while he recovered, and he looked a lot smaller as a result, his presence still commandeered respect from all of them. His eyes fell on Luz and Fintster, and the siblings that clung to them released their grip.</em></p><p>"<em>Luz and Fintster have already made up their minds, and stopping them won't do any good," Gramps said. "If they want to join the free magicians, that's their choice."</em></p><p>"<em>But, but Gramps!" Wardiya cried. "They, they—"</em></p><p><em>"They know what they're getting into." Gramps turned his eye to Wardiya, silenced her with a single glance, and smiled as he turned to Luz and Fintster. "Isn't that right?"</em></p><p><em>Fintster gulped and nodded.</em></p><p>"<em>Ever since those Arkeyans attacked, I've been thinkingm" Fintster said. "We all thought we'd be safe from them, and we were too far away for them to get us, but then they came here and nearly took everything from us!" Fintster stepped forward and slammed a hand on his chest. "I, I don't wanna leave you all either, but, I don't want that to happen ever again!"</em></p><p><em>His siblings backed away with eyes wide, and Luz cleared his throat.</em></p><p>"<em>Gramps told us that beings like us have these special powers so that we can protect beings who can't protect themselves," Luz said. "As long as those Arkeyans are still running around, none of you are gonna be safe! So, we're gonna go out there and fight them so they'll never hurt any of you ever again!"</em></p><p><em>With that, their entire crowd of siblings fell silent; their eyes and sniffles turned from the ground.</em></p><p>"<em>But, but, I don't want you to go," sniffled Eurybiades.</em></p><p><em>Fintster sighed and fell to his knees.</em></p><p><em>"Hey, Eury, come here."</em></p><p><em>Eurybiades nodded, warily stumbled over and hugged Fintster tight. A few sniffles came from them, and Fintster shushed and hugged them.</em></p><p>"<em>Luz and I are gonna be gone for a while, but, think of it like us going on a trip. We'll be gone, but once the Arkeyans are all gone, we'll come right back home!"</em></p><p><em>"You promise?"</em></p><p>"<em>I do" — Fintster smiled and turned up to Luz — "and so does Luz. Right?"</em></p><p><em>Luz smiled and nodded. "You bet! Once the Arkeyan Empire falls, we'll come right back home!" Luz proclaimed, a smile crossing his face. "While we're gone, if you ever hear about the free magicians fighting the Arkeyans and stuff, just remember that's us, fighting for you all!"</em></p><p><em>Eurybiades nodded and drew away. They rubbed their tears from their face as they forced a smile. "O-okay."</em></p><p><em>Gerdie only huffed and crossed her arms. "You, you better not die out there, or else I'll never forgive you, you got that?"</em></p><p><em>With their siblings' voices rising in a crowd of goodbyes and well wishes, Luz and Fintster nodded and made their leave. Even though everyone called out for them, wished them well and promised all these things… Neither of them could find the words to say.</em></p><p><em>It felt almost wrong, hollow even to promise they'd come back alive, cause truthfully, Luz had no idea if they would, nor did Fintster. The free magicians got into all sorts of dangerous stuff, and that stuff didn't always end with a surprise being saving the day—and they'd been fighting the Arkeyans for years. Who's to say if he and Fintster would come back home alive, if the Arkeyans would fall? </em></p><p><em>It felt wrong to say anything, and it almost made Luz want to change his mind. But then, he remembered his old village as it was razed to the ground, he remembered the screams of his neighbors, he remembered Gramps getting hurt and his siblings crying and screams… </em></p><p><em>And right in that moment, Luz's mind was made.</em></p><p><em>Luz gripped Fintster's hand, and the two of them trailed out to the town outskirts, where the stone paths and houses made way for rich, thick forest. Gramps always told them not to go there by themselves, saying there were always monsters and stuff lurking there, but now, he didn't even say a peep. Had they grown up in his eyes?</em></p><p>"<em>I'm telling you!" cried a voice, a deep, smooth one filled with rage. "I don't care how talented they are, they're only boys! We can't get children involved in this!"</em></p><p><em>"Our ranks are lower than ever, Vatra!" cried another voice, one Luz recognized as that of the man who saved him and Fintster. "Our magicians have been dropping like flies, and we need to take on new apprentices if we'll ever have any hope of keeping up efforts! You saw those boys! They took down a Conquertron with a single blow!"</em></p><p><em>"A half-broken Conquertron, Vaayu! I don't care what you say—"</em></p><p><em>Passing a few bushes, Luz's eyes fell on where those two men from before stood. The two of them were deep in conversation; their eyes were tense as they shouted back and forth while a muscular man clad in blue awkwardly looked away. It sounded like they talked about Luz and Fintster, and Luz honestly considered shying away from how angry he seemed to make them—but Fintster cleared his throat, and Luz forced himself to look at them.</em></p><p>"<em>Uh, hello?" Fintster started.</em></p><p><em>The two men's brows raised, and both of them gasped as they found Luz and Fintster! The windy man (Vaayu? Is that what that guy said his name was?) beamed the moment he laid eyes on Luz and Fintster, but the other man with him, the one clad in red, seemed less than pleased.</em></p><p>"<em>Ah, you're the boys from the other day!" the windy man said as he knelt down to their height. "It looks like the stars have—"</em></p><p><em>"I already told you, Vaayu!" the man dressed in red shouted as he pushed the windy man out of the way. The man dressed in red crossed his arms as he loomed down over Luz and Fintster. "I don't know what nonsense he put in your heads, but you boys need to head back home. We're not taking kids into our ranks!"</em></p><p><em>Luz relented a bit as the man in red's fiery gaze burned in him, but Fintster didn't budge a bit. Figures, he was always the one who handled errands and stuff, so he probably had a lot more experience in times like these.</em></p><p>"<em>With all due respect, mister," Fintster said, putting on his best respectful "talking to the adults" voice, "my brother and I have already made up our minds. We're going to fight those Arkeyans, no matter what!</em></p><p><em>"Yeah!" Luz shouted. "We, we almost lost our home and our family, and I don't ever want that to happen again! If I have to fight Arkeyans for the rest of my life to keep them safe, I'll do it! In fact, I'll do anything! I'll clean, I'll fight… Whatever it takes to keep those guys from hurting anyone else!"</em></p><p><em>"Yeah! We'll do whatever it is you need us to do if you take us in, and if you won't take us in, we'll just find someone else who will! We'll even do it ourselves if we have to!"</em></p><p>"<em>Gotta admit, the kids have spirit," the man in blue said with an approving nod.</em></p><p>"<em>I told you, Vatra," the windy man said as he got back to his feet. "These boys are just what we've been looking for! You said it yourself. We need to take on new apprentices if we want any hope at defeating the Arkeyans, and two prospective ones have practically fallen into our lap!"</em></p><p><em>Vatra frowned. A low, contemplative hum rumbled in his throat for moments as he scanned down Luz and Fintster. Finally, after a few moments that seemed like an eternity, he sighed and went down to his knees. He laid a hand on Luz and Fintster's shoulders as he looked them in the eye, and that burning feeling he gave off seemed… Sad, almost.</em></p><p>"<em>I'll only say this: what we do isn't just some game. These Arkeyans are ruthless, bloodthirsty, and above all power-hungry tyrants. They won't hesitate to hurt you, or even end your lives just because you're children, and as much as I hate to say it, we won't always be able to guarantee your safety. Do you understand this?"</em></p><p><em>Both Luz and Fintster nodded, and Vatra lifted himself to full height.</em></p><p>"<em>Come, follow us, then." Vatra beckoned for them as he turned around. "We'll take you back to our strongholds and discuss things further there."</em></p><p><em>Luz and Fintster glanced at each other with a feeling Luz couldn't discern, but both nodded as they followed Vatra down the forest path. Still, they sneaked one last glance at their ruined hometown before them.</em></p><p><em>The place were they grew up, the place where they spent all their time, was still half in ruins and ashes from the days prior. It wasn't the best picture to leave it on, but they both knew that once the Arkeyans were gone, it'd be the most beautiful place in the world! It would be beautiful, if only because they'd come back victorious, knowing they succeeded. At least, they hoped that would be the case…</em></p><p>But Luz knew it wasn't. He was half-dazed, and barely had a grip on his thoughts, but before he knew it, he'd rambled off everything to Fintster: waking up in Skylands, meeting that strange kid, learning of Arkilles's revival…</p><p>And now, this.</p><p>"Well, I know it's hard to believe all that time passed and all, but, it looks like they're all right. Ten thousand years came and went, and now, we've just got each other," Luz croaked, every word he said a knife in his throat. His whole body burned as if it would evaporate, and he sniffled as he clutched Fintster's wheel. "Everyone else probably died a long, long time ago, and I guess we'll be joining them soon."</p><p>Luz sniffled, his tears dripping down on Fintster's dimming wheel.</p><p>"Hey, Fintster. What do you think the afterlife's like? Do, do you think everyone's gonna be there, waiting for us? Do you think they'll be happy to see us? Will they hate us for leaving and never coming back?"</p><p>Luz's voice cracked. His words lodged in his throat, and made even crying a hoarse pain that burned away at his ghostly body. Just the sight of his brother dying before him without even getting a chance to break free, of losing the only family he had left… This, this was too much!</p><p>Luz collapsed before he knew it. His head planted to the floor as he sobbed his eyes out! The waterfalls of tears burned against his face; they ate away at his skin as he curled around Fintster, shielding him in his dying moments.</p><p>"I, I'm sorry, Fintster! I'm, I'm a terrible brother! I couldn't protect you when we died, I couldn't protect you now, and now we're dying, and, and, and it's all my fault! I, I said I'd protect you, I'd protect our family, but in the end I was too much of a failure to do anything!"</p><p>Luz's tears clouded his vision as his throat strained. His whole body burned, ached, numbed, but it couldn't have been as bad as the pain Fintster endured right now! The world started to darken, and his head grew so, so heavy that even just keeping it on his shoulders felt unbearable. The rest of his body numbed so badly that it was like it wasn't there at all, and Luz could just barely see Fintster still.</p><p>"I, if we really do go to the afterlife, Fintster, please, make sure our family's there. I, I don't deserve to see them."</p><p>That unrelenting heaviness in Luz's head lightened at last, and he could barely speak anymore. Is this what death felt like? He barely even remembered the first time he died, for it all happened so quickly—so he guessed this is what dying was like, then.</p><p>Luz just closed his eyes, let his consciousness fade away, but something warm brushed against him! It was a familiar, warm embrace that he knew too well!</p><p>"Hey, what's all this about dying, Luz? You sure know how to make a fuss!"</p><p>Wait, that voice! Luz popped his eyes open…</p><p>And there before him knelt Fintster! Fintster, he, he was alive! Well, he was a ghost, but he was alive! His brother was here right before him!</p><p>His brown skin was free of cuts and bruises, and his black bangs cascaded over his eyes and his long nose while the rest of his hair trailed down his back. He was gangly as ever, but his cobalt tunic with its white and black-crossed belt and his black and white boots still stuck firmly to him with no cuts. Even his pendant, once dim like a dying heartbeat, sparkled with brilliant cobalt life! He smiled as he knelt before Luz and ruffled his hair, the same way he always did!</p><p>"FINTSTER!" Luz wailed, flinging himself into Fintster's arms.</p><p>Fintster grunted and nearly toppled over, but collected himself long enough to wrap Luz into his arms. Just the feeling of his brother's hug, so warm and welcoming, melted Luz down. He broke down sobbing before he knew it, and buried himself into Fintster's chest as he sobbed. He sobbed tears of joy to have the brother he nearly lost back, tears of relief that all this amounted to something, tears just to cry now that it was all over…</p><p>"Hey, calm down, Luz," Fintster whispered, though his own voice cracked a bit and betrayed his own relief. "It's okay, it's okay. I may not know what's going on, but we're together, and that's what matters, alright?"</p><p>Luz just whimpered, and shakily nodded his head before he held his brother tighter. He wanted to say something, anything, but after all this, he just couldn't find the words. So, he just opted to hug Fintster as tight as he could, and cried his eyes out till he was satisfied.</p><p>"Looks like we arrived just in time!" proclaimed Ninjini's voice from behind him.</p><p>The surprise voice was the only thing that broke Luz's concentration, and he turned around to find the rest of his team behind him! They were covered in scratches and reeked of oil, but, aside of that, they were alive and fine! Dej and Vaayu's eyes grew wide the moment they saw Fintster, but neither of them said a thing. They backed away as Ninjini floated over to Luz.</p><p>"You two were barely hanging on," Ninjini explained as she knelt down. "If I hadn't got to you when I did, you would've been done for, I'm sure!"</p><p>"Ninjini?" Fintster asked as he broke from Luz's grip and stood up. "Where, where are we? What's going on here, anyways? One minute we all fighting Arkilles, then the next I black out and Luz says a ton of time passed, and…"</p><p>"We'll get you caught up on the way." Ninjini turned around a bit, and motioned for Fintster and Luz to follow her. "While we were fighting those goons back there, we found out where the head of this operation is, and now we're going to stop 'em!"</p><p>Luz blinked, wiped away his tears and nodded.</p><p>"Whaddya say, Fintster?" Luz finally asked at last as he grabbed Fintster's hand. Luz cracked a smile, and a kind of bravery swelled in him, just like the very day they awakened their powers.</p><p>"Feels like bashing some bad guys' heads in, just like old times?"</p><p>Fintster frowned for a moment, and in the next, he smiled. His sword of darkness came to him with a flick of his hand, and with the other, he squeezed Luz's hand right back!</p><p>"You bet!"</p><p>Laughing together for what felt like the first time in an eternity, Luz and Fintster raised their weapons to the skies and rushed forward. They raced past the others' ranks and out the door.</p><p>"Follow us, everyone! We're gonna beat those guys' heads in!"</p><p>"Luz, Fintster, wait!" Vaayu called from behind. "You don't even know where you're supposed to go!"</p><p>But, neither of them cared. They just turned to each other and laughed, and their smiles brimmed with confidence as they held each other tight.</p>(Skylanders/CHS) Chihiro Hatsuki's Skylanders: Here Come the Giants! Chapter 16: Molekin Mountain Part 1 (Part 2)<p>Luz panted so heavily that he practically heaved as he bolted along the beaten stone pathways before him. His shield held up to his shoulder as the blows of exploding plants rang around him.</p><p>Behind him, the cries of the others rang out. The rounder balloon cacti of the paths behind tossed them to and fro, and they shielded themselves from the spikier, orange prickle plants that lined the stone paths Luz ran on. They were common pests, and he'd dealt with them plenty while tending to Gramps' gardens.</p><p>Luckily, they weren't strong enough to withstand a little sunlight. Luz pushed his shield off of his arm and spun it around in a half-circle. Its core charged up and flung a beam of sunlight across the area, one that fanned out and blanketed everything, leaving only singed plants in its wake. With his opposition gone, Luz fixed his shield back on his arm and ran ahead; his breaths grew more shallow as he ran.</p><p>"I almost can't believe this is the same Luz," Luz barely heard someone whisper behind. "He's never this serious!"</p><p>Luz winced, and clutched his shield as he sprung another mile ahead. Of course he was being serious! This was his brother at stake! His older brother, the only family he had left, his, his…</p><p><em>Luz shuddered and hit the cold, hard floors. Except, what he felt wasn't stone, but a carpet of leaves and dirt, one harsh despite being soft to the touch. The world around him was bigger, wider, and thick with forest, and he was so, so small by comparison. His shield vanished from his hands, and left him with a sack mostly emptied of its contents at this point. He couldn't quite remember how long he'd ran for at this point. It felt like days passed, but that couldn't be right, could it?</em></p><p><em>Whatever it was, something in him was so, so, tired. He wanted to collapse and sleep, but the sounds of rustling and stomping around him forced him to run. He had to, for surely they, those things, they were looking for him! They'd find him, and they'd hurt him just like they did the man from his village!</em></p><p><em>That's right, his village—what happened to it? Was it completely destroyed? What happened to his neighbors, or the other kids he was sent to hide with? What had happened to his parents, his mom with her bright smile, and his dad with his kind eyes. Did he have those? He'd been on the run for so long, and Luz grew so, so, tired. </em></p><p><em>He, he couldn't even remember their faces anymore. </em></p><p><em>Luz shuddered again. He wanted so badly to sit down and cry after everything, but more of those rustling noises forced him back in a run.</em></p><p><em>Light poured from outside the path he took, and when Luz rushed out, loud, cheerful noise greeted him. The sights of the forest around him disappeared, and replaced with a busy town where tons of beings ran around. The smell of food was in the air, and with all those beings talking, surely there had to be somewhere he could sleep, right? </em></p><p><em>Something in him snapped from seeing all these strange beings in a place he didn't recognize, or from being alone and lost after running so long. All he could do was cry as he ran ahead, and he didn't even look at the faces of those he passed! He sat down in a cold, dark space between two houses and cried, still clutching his mostly-empty sack tight. He was so hungry, so tired, so cold, and so, so, worried. All he wanted to do was go home, but he was sure his home was gone, and so were his parents, and everyone he knew, and, and—</em></p><p>"<em>Here, you look hungry. You want this?"</em></p><p><em>Something smooth nudged Luz's face. He opened his eyes to find a smooth, shiny, and fresh red apple right before his eyes! This, this couldn't have been a dream, right? He looked up, and…</em></p><p>Luz grunted as held his head, and finally collapsed to his knees as he reached the top of the path. One, one of those memories again? He shuddered, but quickly gripped his shield and traced circles around its surface. The warmth of its body pulled him back into the present. As he finally regained the strength to stand, Luz clutched the shield tight and narrowed his eyes.</p><p>Before him was a large, stone platform with a few sparse houses atop it, but nothing interested him so much as what rested in the center.</p><p>That cyclops, the one that kidnapped Fintster, laid on his knees in the heart of the platform. The cyclops wheezed and clutched his side while his bruised skin rose and fall with every breath. He was so weak that there was no way he could fight off Luz; he was basically a lamb in the lion's wake!</p><p>Luz scowled and clicked his shield. Light formed around his heels, and his whole body warmed underneath the sunlight. He bubbled with heat until he was so hot that he might've melted, and jumped up to find himself right above the cyclops!</p><p>The cyclops lifted his head, his eye wide and his jaw gawked in an off-guard fashion. Luz fell down as the cyclops gawked, and shot his hand out, reaching straight for Fintster's wheel! It was so close, he could just feel its smooth crystal as it—</p><p>No, it wasn't smooth. It was <em>soft</em>!</p><p>Luz brushed against the cyclops, and the cyclops completely dissipated into puffy, soft, dark clouds. Luz crashed against the floor and rolled on his side. Cackling, ugly, snide cackling rang in the air as Luz pushed himself up and grunted, but footsteps and shouting from the other side drowned it out. Good, that had to be the others.</p><p>Luz grabbed his shield and spun it a few clicks. As its light charged, he held it into the air and shot a beam of light. The beam spewed like a fountain, rained light all across the area, and created a barrier of solid light that rose in front of every possible escape route. Its light poured over the area, and that cyclops, the real one, appeared right before Luz's eyes!</p><p>He laughed his head off still, but Luz would fix that soon enough. Lowering his arm, Luz leaped forward, swung his arm around, and bashed his shield against the cyclops's side! The cyclops hacked out a tooth as he collapsed and screamed, clutching his side still.</p><p>He staggered up and gasped the moment he laid eye on Luz. "What, you, you—" the cyclops sputtered, the shock so immense it sent him into a coughing fit.</p><p>The cyclops snatched the wheel from his neck, and wispy, dark clouds slowly churned around him. They swirled like a tornado, but right before he could escape, a breeze flew in and blew them away!</p><p>The cyclops fell on his back and growled as he staggered up. His eye moved from Luz to Whirlwind as she flew up and glared him down. No party said any words, and the only sounds coming from small steps and growls as the cyclops yanked up the pendant.</p><p>"Alright," he hacked. His fingers trembled as they struggled to hold grip of Fintster's wheel. "So you're not intent on letting me escape! Fine! I'm not a general in her majesty's army for nothing!"</p><p>The pendant shimmered with cobalt light, glowing the brightest Luz ever saw, and the cyclops held it the highest he could.</p><p>The light quickly faded, almost stopping Luz's undead heart for a moment. Murky clouds formed in its surface, spewed out of the wheel and consolidated around the cyclops.</p><p>The clouds morphed, shuddered and pulsed as they formed limbs and heads. Their smoke and puffs smoothed themselves out while the took the shapes of an entire wilderness's worth of animals: massive boars, sleek cheetahs, graceful, tall birds and more all stood before the cyclops. Their eyes laid devoid of light, and their stances were statue-like, a chilling reminder of their status as illusions.</p><p>"Come on, you beasts! There's some fresh meat for you to try!"</p><p>The animals screeched and howled as they rushed past the cyclops. Their footsteps pounded against the ground as they charged right for Luz!</p><p>Luz stood frozen, his body completely chilled and unwilling to move itself—but why? He pushed, he thrust, he tried his best to press forward, but his legs wouldn't move. Did they lock themselves in his memories, too frozen with fear to move? Did he exert himself too much?</p><p>Luz's trembling hands reached for his shield and he started to spin, but he lowered it as the pained wail of a boar rang in his ears.</p><p>Right before him, Terrafin punched the boar out, and its body dissipated as he bounced across the floor. He jumped in front of Luz with fists raised. His footsteps were short and spry, full of energy as he punched aside the next few boars, and he hopped aside while bursts of flaming volcanic rock shot forward and knocked out another.</p><p>Terrafin smirked, and stepped back as his back pressed against Eruptor's. The rest of the singular came in for them, but Eruptor simple stepped aside.</p><p>Terrafin leaped in the air and punched the ground below with such force that it buckled and cracked! It formed firm cracks that knocked the boars off-balance and sent them on their sides. They flailed their stubby legs around as they tried to get back up to no avail,</p><p>Terrafin huffed and stepped aside as Eruptor took his place at the cracks' head, but his neutral expression turned a bit warmer as Eruptor clapped his hands. Eruptor sent out spewing lava that flooded the cracks, the light emanating from it burning away the boars like fire. Flames spewed from the lava, but a massive torrent poured in and drenched them quickly enough.</p><p>Was that Whirlwind again?</p><p>No, it was Gill Grunt, Luz realized, when Gill Grunt flew through on his jetpack. Gill Grunt aimed his cannon towards a flock of swans that crowed and raised their wings. He clicked the trigger, and another burst of water blasted them away before some suspiciously-gray clouds that lingered in the otherwise clear skies absorbed every last drop.</p><p>The clouds zipped away, and grew larger in girth as they lingered closer to the ground where Whirlwind backed away from a clowder of large cats. She smiled, not intimidated in the slightest by how they surrounded her, and flicked her wings. The rain poured out from the clouds, and pounded against the cats as they yowled and dissipated into smoke.</p><p>Whirlwind smiled and flew away, but right as she turned, a shriek came! She craned her head as a cheetah leaped from the storm, its claws bared and ready to slash! Whirlwind snarled and lowered her horn as it crackled with electricity, but a sword slashed right through the cheetah's middle.</p><p>The cheetah's severed halves disappeared into smoke as Whirlwind craned up to where Ninjini blew the smoke from her wishblade. The both of them glanced over the battlefield.</p><p>Surely, that had to be the last of it, but the smoke still lingered around the battlefield. It grew thicker and stronger with every second it stayed. It pulsed like a heart, and snaked along the ground as it fused right around the cyclops.</p><p>"What, did you think I was done?" the cyclops remarked, and staggered up as he tossed an empty potion bottle to the ground and smashed it underfoot. Now that Luz looked at him again, his bruises all cleared from his skin, and he seemed a bit more spry compared to when Luz found him. "I'm afraid shadows aren't as easy to get rid of as that!"</p><p>Luz cringed, but finally regained the strength to step back and growl as he reached for his shield once more. Before him, eyes formed in the smoke as they rose in mass and numbers. The shadowy masses towered over even the buildings as they rumbled and shuddered in places. They were big, but, he'd fought bigger—and he'd fight anything, even the worst of foes, just to get his brother back! He clicked his shield, ready to fight.</p><p>Before he could, Brawl charged forward, and pinned one of the shadowy masses to the wall. The shadowy mass Brawl pinned formed into a muscular, hulking cyclops dressed in armor and animal skins! The two grunted as they pressed against each other, but Brawl growled and turned around as he held off another, identical cyclops before it could strike him.</p><p>His strained, and his pained gasps for air grew louder as both cyclopes grabbed his arms and twisted them. The arms' metal strained underneath the weight, but the searing sound of a laser's screech and agonized screams from the side forced Brawl and the cyclopes to relent. Before them, a line of silver light shone through the middle cyclops, and its halves fell apart and exploded into smoke.</p><p>Eye flew forward and zapped the first cyclops in the shoulder! The cyclops yowled as Brawl pushed it against the wall once more, and Eye zapped holes in its surface. Both, however, remained oblivious to how the smoke from the middle cyclops slunk off and rose!</p><p>The smoky remains of the middle cyclops formed more of those bulky cyclops warriors. These warriors only reached up to the waists of the others, but they were far more numerous in numbers. They joined with another tall cyclops as they charged right for Swarm and Ninjini! Swarm and Ninjini snarled as they stabbed the larger cyclopes right through the chest, drew back their blades and flicked the smoke. The larger cyclopes staggered away, and both Swarm and Ninjini shot quickly glances down below.</p><p>"Dej, Vaayu, go get Fintster!" Ninjini cried as the smoke started to rise. "We'll take care of things here!"</p><p>Luz's eyes fluttered as he bore witness to Swarm and Ninjini fighting, but he quickly shook his head, and bolted right for the cyclops holding Fintster's wheel.</p><p>He jumped back as one of the taller cyclopes stomped down, and rolled aside right as Brawl punched it back. Luz staggered up and ran forward as he tapped his feet. Surely, he had enough in him to call upon the speed of light still, just enough that he could jump in there.</p><p>He closed his eyes, and a cool breeze brushed against his skin while his body grew lighter underfoot. The ground became slicker, faster, like he slid rather than ran! Luz opened his eyes, but he didn't find the harsh light that normally enveloped him, nor did he feel the sensation of heat. Rather, the ground below him turned to sleek ice, and a powerful breeze propelled him forward. Luz barely caught a glance to the side, but the sight of Dej skating alongside him, and Vaayu flying beside Dej, told him all he needed to know!</p><p>That cyclops cackled for a moment, but as he turned around and found Luz, he gasped and gripped the pendant! Darkness started to shield him, its wisps swirling like clouds around his body. The darkness almost consolidated right as a large circle of ice pillars burst from the ground with speed so great that the clouds immediately dispersed!</p><p>The cyclops staggered back a moment, and Luz charged his shield, shooting a string of laser beams inside the pillars in the cyclops's moment of weakness. The lasers seeped into the glassy ice of the pillars; the moment they hit, they glowed so brightly that the cyclops screamed and clutched his face! The cyclops fell on his knees, completely weakened and unable to strike!</p><p>Luz gasped, but something clutched his side. He turned around and found Vaayu smiling right beside him.</p><p>"Bring him home, Luz," was all Vaayu whispered as he tossed Luz into the air.</p><p>A powerful gust met with Vaayu's toss, throwing Luz well above the cyclops and the ice pillars. Luz gripped his shield as he pushed himself forward and crashed down!</p><p>He raised his shield, and screamed at the top of his lungs as his eyes fixed right on the pendant that hung from the cyclops's neck. Just one strike, that would be enough to knock the cyclops down and steal back Fintster, to get his brother back, to, to… Have his family back.</p><p>The cyclops turned to Luz right as he raised his shield, and—</p><p>"<em>Here, you look hungry. You want this?"</em></p><p>The vision of a boy, a young boy with tanned skin and long, black hair holding an apple towards Luz came to him. For a moment, Luz found himself in the past. Then, the vision cleared, and he met with the cyclops, who stared in horror as he just barely held Fintster's pendant away from the spikes of Luz's shield!</p><p>Luz gasped, and he thrust his arm aside so that it only grazed against the wheel's surface. Luz tumbled aside and slammed against the searing ice pillars. A cracking, shattering sound hit the air as something both hot and cold stabbed into Luz's back and helplessly fell from his armor. Luz rolled aside and knocked into someone's legs. Struggling to keep his eyes open, Luz clenched his teeth as the proud stance of that cyclops dangling Fintster's pendant laid in front of him, just to taunt him further.</p><p>But then, the cyclops jumped back as Dej slid in and slung a punch! The cyclops hopped away as Dej kicked for him next. Vaayu flew down beside Dej as the cyclops reached for a weapon, and slammed into the cyclops's back! The cyclops fell to his knees and coughed, but he flicked out his arms instead of relenting.</p><p>Both Dej and Vaayu stumbled back. They clutched their eyes while black smoke seeped between the gaps of their fingers, and then, and then, and then…</p><p>The smoke, the cyclops, he was escaping!</p><p>Luz stumbled to his full height and ran after the cyclops as smoke enveloped him. Luz reached out his hand as he stumbled over his own feet, and ran as fast as he could. He resisted the ground's attempts to trip him over it, but by the time he got close to cyclops, he—<br> He disappeared.</p><p>Luz just blinked and he was gone.</p><p>Luz slipped and collapsed in the center of the ground. His face burned and tightened as tears poured once more.</p><p>"I, I was so close," Luz croaked as he pounded his fist against the earth, as if hitting it would somehow bring Fintster back. "It, it, it's not fair! It isn't fair, I, I…"</p><p>"There, there, Luz, deep breaths," Vaayu whispered as he pulled Luz from the floor.</p><p>Luz whimpered, nodded just a little bit as he wiped his tears, and breathed in… Out… In… Out. Taking his last breath, Luz pushed himself to stand, sniffled just a bit, and steeled his glance as he clutched his shield.</p><p>"Now, if I had to guess, maybe the locals would know something about these cyclopes," Vaayu said as he crossed his arms. "We should probably ask around."</p><p>Luz nodded, and wandered off towards a shop decked out in stars, suns, and moons.</p><p>He pushed the door open, and met with shelves that held all sorts of potions and other magical stuff he barely understood. It was all lit in ominous green and purple tones while smoke filtered out. A smell of roses and cinnamon so thick that Luz's eyes watered just from its scent lingered in the air, but Luz shook the tears off and stormed through the halls.</p><p>"A love potion kit?" Vaayu mused behind him. "'Use this potion kit to unveil the identity of your true love! Just pour the completed potion into a dish and state your heart's desire…'" A disgusted scoff came from Vaayu next. "Who would buy something like this? A mere potion can't discern what true love is!"</p><p>"I'm pretty sure those things are just for party activities," Dej remarked behind him. "Then again, Ninjini's the magic expert, not me."</p><p>Rolling his eyes slightly, Luz pressed forward towards the back of the shop. There, a molekin dressed in wizard's clothes sat at the back of a desk. Their large alabaster claws folded together, and a kind of expectant smile rested on their face as they hummed.</p><p>Luz went to speak, but the molekin just tsked.</p><p>"I already know why you're here. You're in pursuit of one of those wretched cyclopes, aren't you?" the molekin proclaimed.</p><p>Luz relented a bit, nodding slightly. "So, do you know where he is?"</p><p>"Of course I know! My scrying abilities are the best in the village! I could find him without even batting an eyelash." The molekin raised a brow. "Of course, though, my services aren't for free. I'll need a little, compensation if you wish to know more."</p><p>Thinking of money at a time like these, when these guys messed with this molekin's home? Luz had some thoughts about that, but he quickly pushed his own irritation aside and waved a hand. He crafted a prism right before the molekin's eyes. He had to admit, it was one of his better ones. Its clear surface had all sorts of colors painted on it, even ones Luz wasn't even sure <em>were </em>colors, and its body shone like a diamond.</p><p>Judging by the grin on that molekin's face, they seemed to agree. "Ah, yes, this will do quite nicely!" the molekin proclaimed as they snatched the prism, clapped their hands and dove underneath their desk. "Now, I just need to get my pondering orb."</p><p>The molekin huffed as they dropped a shiny crystal ball on the desk. They waved their hands, and grinned as its surface flickered and shimmered. A few flashes of light sparked on it, and its reflection changed to the mountain! Yeah, that mountain Luz saw coming in now shone on the crystal's surface.</p><p>"Ah, so it seems that the one you're looking for is hiding out in Mount Mechanogear!" the molekin proclaimed. They grinned as the view changed to a cavern filled with crystals, and then to a cave's open mouth on the base of a stone hill. "It looks like the entrance you seek is just ahead of here!"</p><p>Luz nodded, turned around and slammed his hand against the desk. The sudden sound brought Dej and Vaayu's glances to him. Vaayu frantically put away some pendants and other things covered in hearts while Dej whistled.</p><p>"He's in that mountain with all the gears," Luz proclaimed as he swept past them and made his way for the door. The sunlight poured through, and dimmed the eerie colors of the shop within as Luz left, not even turning back. "Come on."</p><p>Luz turned his attention past the shop, and towards an open cave with crystals poking out of its mouth that wasn't that far ahead. That was probably the entrance to that cave, he reasoned.</p><p>He pressed ahead without acknowledgment of his other teammates or the world around him. He hardly noticing as the light above him dimmed before they returned in a whole rainbow of colors! The light brought his attention to the sights around, and met him with a large tunnel where crystals in all shapes and sizes poked out of its surface. Tall crystal wands, smaller formations, and even some that were sleek and reflective like a mirror.</p><p>Luz glanced in one, but the reflection of him he saw wasn't of him as he saw now. Instead it was his younger self, all wide-eyed, teary, and worn from all the time he spent running.</p><p>"<em>Luz, hey, Luz!"</em></p><p>Luz gasped and turned around.</p><p>"Fintster?" he cried, but his face fell as he realized it was just Gill Grunt shaking his arm.</p><p>Gill Grunt gave Luz a weary smile, and Luz glanced behind him to find the others examining the crystals or talking amid themselves. Heaving another sigh, Luz just glanced back in the mirror crystal to find him and a younger Fintster. His and Finster's younger selves ran together as Fintster lead the charge. Luz jolted a bit as Gill Grunt's cold hand wrapped around his arm.</p><p>"This Fintster person means a lot to you, doesn't he?" Gill Grunt asked.</p><p>"He's my brother, of course he does!" Luz retorted, wanting to lash out all of a sudden. What kind of a question was that?</p><p>Luz glanced in the mirror to find that the illusions of him disappeared. What he saw now was surely a younger Gill Grunt, singing in a rocky lagoon to a mermaid as she laughed. Luz glanced at Gill Grunt to find an almost wistful, kind of yearning look in Gill Grunt's eyes. Had he lost somebody important to him too? Luz's anger quelled, and the two of them stared together as the mirror's reflection faded.</p><p>"Well, no use standing around here," Luz remarked as he strode off. "Come on, he's not gonna sit around and wait for us."</p><p>Luz lowered his head and tried to block out the world around him. Though, the thundering footsteps of Swarm and Brawl behind him, and their whispers, were hard to ignore.</p><p>"Of course this means a lot to Luz! He and Fintster were practically the best of buds!" Swarm said to a party Luz couldn't discern. "I'd never seen siblings get along as well as they did! But, I never really got along with my sibs, so…" Swarm's tone faltered a bit, turning almost sad as his wings started to buzz. "Sure wish I at least apologized to them before I left. I can't imagine any of them are still around. I wonder if Ambrosia was still mad at me for hiding her favorite tiara that one time."</p><p>Luz lowered his head further, but a soft pat on his back lifted him up again. He turned his head around, and found himself lifted in the air as Swarm held Luz up to his face with a beam.</p><p>"Hey, chin up, Luz! We're definitely gonna get him back!" Swarm chirped before his tone turned a little softer. "After all, he's your family."</p><p>Luz nodded, but couldn't bring himself to say a word. He just clung to Swarm as Swarm ducked underneath the cavern's exit. He found himself on a ledge overlooking the mouth of a giant mountain, where a cavern's entrance rested on the other side.</p><p>Cyclopes littered and lingered around the entrance as far as the eye could see. Some of them dressed in armor and wielded axes, others rode atop slobbering muttici, and some much bulkier than the others stood around and orders. If Luz needed any more sign that this was the place, that was it.</p><p>"Just let me handle this," Luz said as he floated out of Swarm's grip.</p><p>Behind him, Luz barely heard the sounds of the others sheathing their weapons and lowering their attacks, and took it as a sign to step forward.</p><p>Luz breathed in as he laid his hands on his chest. The light flowed through his body as it warmed and cooled his skin. He closed his eyes, took a breath, and opened to find that his body had disappeared from view—perfect.</p><p>With a snap of his fingers, he teleported down onto the ledge and hid behind a rock for a moment. None of the cyclopes took any notes or strange glances, so Luz nodded and stepped out. He clapped his hand, and the sunlight around turned hot and harsh as it shone down over the cyclopes. Its light was now a searing white that shielded them away, and only their shouts marked their existence!</p><p>Luz dashed along the floor. He stomped down while pillars made of solid prism rose with every stomp, until they formed a vaguely star-shaped formation among the cyclopes! Luz dashed back to the first prism pillar, held out his hand and winced. The invisibility spell already started to wear off! He'd better act quickly!</p><p>Shooting a rainbow from his palm, Luz stepped back as the white light shifted in a rainbow of bright, eye-bleeding colors. The screams grew even louder, but then, both the light and the invisibility spell faded. All that was left was Luz, who now stood on the edge of an entire platoon of burnt, twitching, semi-conscious cyclopes.</p><p>Luz turned back to the ledge and signaled off to the others, but didn't linger for long. No, he dashed straight ahead into the cavern's mouth, and its darkness was a comforting blanket that washed over him as he ran.</p><p>"I'm coming, Fintster," Luz whispered, "just hang in there for me."</p><p align="center">§</p><p>Chihiro winced as she fell into a room before she even had a chance to speak. Her legs gave out in the moment, leaving the rest of her to collapse on the floor. She groaned as she pushed herself up to her knees, and rubbed her eyes as she glanced around at the decor—or the lack thereof.</p><p>With all the dresses, robes, crowns, and other things that surrounded her, the whole place looked a bit more like a dressing room than something she'd expect to find in a temple.</p><p>She wasn't going to complain. Rather, she wanted answers! What was with that cursed mist? Who were these ghost girls, and what were they doing with her and Spyro? Why was everyone fighting each other? How was that mist monster thing completely immune to her attack? Well, judging by the look Payiz gave her, it seemed Chihiro would get her answera soon.</p><p>"So, I'm sure you've seen that cursed mist, right?" Payiz asked as she floated in and closed the door behind her. When Chihiro slowly nodded, Payiz nodded in turn and floated off towards the clothes.</p><p>"That's the curse of the Odivia, a monster that feeds off of hatred. It uses its magic to instill hate in beings' hearts, and turn them against one another so it can feed and grow stronger. Ages ago, it awakened in our town, and a ritual was performed keep it sealed—"</p><p>"I feel like there's a big but coming in all this," Chihiro remarked.</p><p>"<em>But</em>, the seal itself needs to be reapplied every year by a couple with a strong, unwavering love for one another to stay." Payiz sighed and pulled a colorful dress from the racks. "Normally the high priest and priestess perform the sealing ritual, but they" — Payiz winced and put the dress away — "had a dispute. So, we'll just have you and your partner do it in their steed!"</p><p>"But, is that really gonna work?" Chihiro stood up and scratched her head. "I don't know anything about ancient rituals, and when we tried to fight it, it didn't work at all—"</p><p>"That's because fighting and conflict is the stuff it feeds on! Rather, it needs a special display of love~" Payiz giggled and spun around with all the glee of a schoolgirl as she clasped her hands. "A passionate dance, ending in an act of the couple's passionate romance!"</p><p>An act of passionate romance? Wait, would that mean Payiz thought Chihiro and Spyro were… Chihiro gulped and shook her head, for that feeling of having cold water dumped right on top of her suddenly returned right in that instant. The thought of them being seen as a couple left her stomach churning once more, but, if she didn't do this, that monster would keep raging around and make everyone fight! But, surely she wouldn't have to do <em>that</em>, right?</p><p>Well, before Chihiro could even protest, Payiz pushed her towards the clothing racks with the widest grin. Payiz jumped from rack to rack as she shuffled through the fancy robes, and pulled out a long, flowing gown colored in shades of minty green and white, with layers upon layers of jewels laid over the neck. She pressed the gown to Chihiro, her smile wide with expectancy, and dropped it in Chihiro's arms.</p><p>"Of course, you'll have to look the part, too!" Payiz proclaimed. "The high priestess wore this robe for last year's ceremony."</p><p>So this was the girl's outfit? Chihiro didn't really know why, but something about wearing the girl's one specifically didn't really sit right with her. Judging by the look on Payiz's face, she seemed to understand as well. Payiz gently lifted the gown from Chihiro, put it back on the rack, and grabbed a white gown. This one was a bit tighter compared to the other, and had a red jacket over the chest, a fancy hat, and its own lion's share of jewelry.</p><p>"Of course, you could wear the high priest's outfit if that doesn't fit."</p><p>Chihiro narrowed her eyes as she ran her hand along the smooth fabric of the new robe, but something about that didn't really sit right with her either. She glanced back at the high priestess's outfit as it sat on the rack, and then at the high priest's outfit as it sat in her hands. Maybe, she could do both?</p><p>Chihiro hummed, grabbed the high priestess outfit from the rack, and rushed towards a small door at the back—probably the changing room. When she opened the door and her suspicions were confirmed, Chihiro jumped in.</p><p>Moments later, she jumped back out in the high priestess's robe, with the high priest's jacket and hat fitted over it and its jewels laid around her neck. The fabric was comfortable and loose while not being overly likely to trip her on her fancy new attire. She couldn't help but twirl around a few times in it!</p><p>"Much better," Chihiro proclaimed.</p><p>Payiz clapped her hands, took Chihiro by the hand and floated down. "If that's the case, follow me. We'll meet up with your partner and walk you through the dance."</p><p>that feeling of unrest bubbled in Chihiro's chest as they walked, and she frowned and clasped her hand.</p><p>"Just one question. You and your friend seem to know a whole lot about this ritual and stuff, so can't you just perform it yourselves?"</p><p>"Afraid not." Payiz turned a little more solemn as her hands clasped tight together. "It needs a pair of lovers specifically, and neither of us are in a relationship. There's someone I've been wanting to confess too, for a long, long time, but she…" Payiz shook her head. "It wouldn't work, not for this."</p><p>"It can't just be anyone then, can it?"</p><p>"No, hatred like that of the Odivia's requires a strong romance to beat. The high priest and priestess were in love for so long, and they were one of the most passionate couples around, so they'd always taken it down before the night even began! Them fighting out of nowhere, and on such short notice, took us all by surprise. In fact, we'd been looking for them when we found you! I'd much prefer to try and have them do it, but it seems we'd run out of time."</p><p>Chihiro kinda would have preferred getting them to do it too, but it seemed she had no options. With one more step, Payiz lead her into the heart of the temple, where Nemir, Havîn, and Spyro all stood and talked.</p><p>Spyro got decked out in all sorts of gold bracelets and necklaces adorned with sparkly jewels since. The whole outfit was brought together with a sparkling gold circlet atop his forehead! She had to admit, he did look really nice in it all. It was like he came straight out of a story.</p><p>"Looks like they're here," Nemir said.</p><p>Havîn and Spyro both approached Payiz and Chihiro, but Spyro shied a tiny bit away from Chihiro's glance while his wings twitched. His tail restlessly swayed from side to side. Was he as nervous about this as she was? She was sure of it, so she knelt down and adjusted his circlet's position a tiny bit.</p><p>"You know, you look good in jewels, Golden Boy," Chihiro remarked.</p><p>Spyro chuckled and lifted up the brim of Chihiro's hat. "You look pretty nice yourself!" he beamed, his tension seeming to relent a bit.</p><p>They both giggled, but a chilling touch on their backs quickly quelled their laughter. They turned to Havîn and Payiz, and found them both in a close embrace with hands held tight as they prepared to dance. Looks like it was time to practice, so they both warily nodded at Havîn and Payiz before they could even ask.</p><p>"So, first you start by moving like this," Havîn said. She drew closer to Payiz while they both swayed back and forth, hands held tight against their waists. "Squeeze each other tight." Havîn drew Payiz close, so close that their faces were only inches away. They released as they both floated around each other, not once taking their eyes off of the other. "Now, just spin into each other's embrace…"</p><p>Chihiro couldn't help but smile a bit as the two of them danced. They didn't say a word, yet she could tell that they must've loved each other a lot. They looked at each other so sweetly, so tenderly, and they held each other with such care. Could Havîn had been the being, er, ghost Payiz was telling her about? She couldn't have guessed otherwise.</p><p>The two of them smiled and drew in close. Payiz pulled in like she was going to kiss Havîn, but her eyes went wide, and they both furiously blushed as they drew back.</p><p>"As you can see, that's what you have to do," Havîn explained, and blushed furiously as she snatched glances at Payiz. "You try it, then!"</p><p>"Ah, young love," Nemir whispered, folding his hands together. "Makes me think of when I was a boy."</p><p>Chihiro chuckled, turned to Spyro and held out a hand. "We might as well get some practice in too, while we're here."</p><p>Spyro chuckled and took Chihiro's hand in his paw, his grip soft and gentle as he held her tight. Now, they swayed back and forth first, right? The two of them swayed as she remembered Havîn and Payiz did. Chihiro took a small glance back as Havîn and Payiz glanced over and grinned back at them. They nodded furiously, like they urged her to continue.</p><p>Chihiro beamed, and she and Spyro continued their dance as she recalled Havîn and Payiz did. Honestly, it was kind of fun! The world around them disappeared, and she and Spyro danced together with the biggest grins on their faces. They laughed, and spun around without a care in the world…</p><p>"Alright, now for the big finale: the act of a passionate romance!"</p><p>That single call froze every bone in her bone. Chihiro stopped midway through her spin with Spyro, left wide-eyed like a deer in the headlights. She stared at Spyro while he bore a similar expression. They, they had to do something romantic, right? Oh god, she just couldn't do it! The thought of romance, it, it was just too much!</p><p>Spyro winced and drew away, but cleared his throat as he turned to Havîn and Payiz with a weary smile. "We'll, uh, we'll save that for when the actual ritual happens," Spyro said, but Chihiro could tell from the tone in his voice that he lied. Not that she complained, for clearly, he was as uncomfortable with the idea as she was.</p><p>Havîn and Payiz both nodded, frowned and turned to each other as they whispered something at such low volume that Chihiro could barely make it out. Were they leery of her and Spyro now? Was this not going to work out after all? Chihiro winced as the two of them drew back, and Payiz drew something purple and cloudy from her pocket.</p><p>"This is a ball of condensed malice. We'll use it to lure the Odivia here," Payiz explained as she floated off. "Follow me. We'll lure it just outside the temple, just so we can have somewhere to go if things go south."</p><p>"But, will it actually work?" Spyro asked as he flew after Payiz. "That thing could be anywhere by now!"</p><p>"Oh, it will." Payiz phased right through the barrier of the temple, and paid no mind as it warbled behind her. She laid the orb on the ground and held out her hands. "This stuff's like catnip for it. It can sniff it out from a mile away."</p><p>With a clap of her hands, the orb expanded and bubbled before finally expanding. It let off a scent akin to thoroughly-burnt, smoky food as its remains floated into the sky, and sent trails of smoke amid the clouds. It seemed as though nothing happened at first, for the area around remained just as tranquil.</p><p>Just then, the ground rumbled, and the sounds of angered shouting faintly rang in the air. Stones and dead twigs bounced on the ground like it was a trampoline as the rumbling grew louder. It was only barely drowned out by the shouting and angered insults. The familiar roar of a monster rang in the air, nearly leveling the plants around! The rumbling turned to pounding footsteps as something pink, blue, and smoky tore through the alleyways.</p><p>With one last thud, that, that monster, the Odivia, landed right in front of them!</p><p>Long ears like a bat's stretched from a thin muzzle with insectoid eyes and a pointed snout. Its body was bulky and muscular with clawed paws and torn wings stretching from its back, and its foggy mass formed into something a bit more like fur. A sharp tail with a fin shaped like a pair of intertwined circles with a cross pointing from the bottom end of one and an arrow from the top of the other hung from its rear. Something akin to glowing marks or runes reflected in its fur as it salivated out mist and let out low growls.</p><p>Behind it, a whole village's worth of red-eyed and angry ghosts trailed behind it. Just how many beings did it get to? However many they were, their eyes set on Spyro and Chihiro as they stepped out, and the Odivia stepped out in turn as it roared!</p><p>"The ritual, quick! Start it!" Havîn cried as she waved her hands.</p><p>Spyro and Chihiro glanced at each other, and for a moment, Chihiro saw a bit of hesitance in his golden eyes. Nonetheless, they both gulped and took each other, hand in paw, once more as they began swaying. Maybe it was the high expectations of before, or the fact that everyone's eyes were on them, or maybe just the fact that a giant, salivating monster of raw hatred currently loomed over them, but Chihiro just couldn't move like she did before!</p><p>Chihiro stumbled over her own feet, nearly tripped over herself as she swayed and spun with him, and then, right as they went to spin again, Chihiro accidentally stepped on Spyro's paw and he yelped!</p><p>That was the sole signal the Odivia needed, for it screamed as it launched itself right for Spyro and Chihiro! The two of them gasped and rolled away as it pounced. Chihiro winced as the sound of tearing fabric ripped in her ears. She glanced down for a moment at a gash that formed in her attire's jacket—but before she could mend it, Spyro pulled her away!</p><p>The sound of the Odivia's growls drowned out a few screams from behind as it lashed out, slashed at thin air, and turned back to her and Spyro as they backed away. Chihiro glanced behind as the area behind them grew smaller and smaller, whether the unnatural world or the Odivia blocked them off. She glanced at Spyro. His own gaze was tense as his eyes shifted in a kaleidoscope of colors, like he debated on how to fend off the monster before them off.</p><p>They completely bombed it, but they did just fine moments ago! In fact, it was almost like the world around them disappeared… Wait, that was it!</p><p>"Spyro, listen to me!" Chihiro cried as she pulled him close, taking his paws in her hands once more. "Don't think about the Odivia, or anyone else, or anything else—just focus on you and me, alright?"</p><p>Spyro's eyes fluttered, but he made a small nod nonetheless as he wrapped his toes around Chihiro's hand.</p><p>"Good! Now, let's take it from the top."</p><p>Chihiro took a deep breath in, released, and slowly swayed back and forth as she closed her eyes. Spyro's own grip melted in hers, and he pressed his warm, scaly body against her own as she held him close. She spun away as the Odivia slashed once more.</p><p>Spyro's eyes flashed open, but the moment he laid them on Chihiro, he smiled and swayed along with her. The two hugged tight, and his grip was warm and familiar against her own, easing the last of her nerves. They smiled as they spun backwards, and then forwards as they landed in each other's grip. She had to admit, he seemed a lot more radiant than he usually did. What little light resided in the Dinya Mirin glistened off his scales, and left them a richer purple than they normally were. Heck, it almost seemed like he glowed for a moment!</p><p>A growl came from behind, but it didn't seem like the angered growls she heard before. No, it seemed more like a growl of pain! Chihiro and Spyro glanced back at where the Odivia lingered behind them, but no longer did it rage and lash out. Instead, it whimpered like a dog and clutched its shaking head. A warm, welcoming glimmer shimmered off of its body, reflected by the glowing runes on its fur in a sweet purplish color. Chihiro raised a brow, glanced back down at herself and Spyro, and found the same color glowing off their bodies!</p><p>"It's working!" Chihiro cried as she glanced up and turned to Spyro. He grinned just as widely as she did, and they both held each other once more. "Let's keep this dance party going!"</p><p>But wait, what was she supposed to do next? Chihiro grimaced, bit her lip as she tried to rack her brain, but then shook her head. It didn't matter what they did as long as they danced and kept the momentum going, right? She spun around once more, her steps light and bouncy as she swayed, leaped, spun, and danced the day away. Spyro laughed his head off by her side the entire time.</p><p>The world around her faded away, and all that was left was the two of them. They just enjoyed themselves like they hid away back on Ancient's Peak with not a single eye to see. The cold air of the Dinya Mirin warmed around them, and that warm glow that shone over them grew brighter and richer as they spun together, holding each other close.</p><p>Cheering came from beside them, and they both turned around and grinned.</p><p>The Odivia grew weaker by the moment; its body shrank and bubbled as it whimpered in pain and clawed its ears. Beside it, the curse lifted from the villagers!</p><p>They all cheered, lifted their fists, and shouted in glee as they watched Spyro and Chihiro dance. Seems like they sought for a grand finale, and by god, Chihiro was gonna give it to them!</p><p>She turned to Spyro and chuckled, and he in turn smiled back and lifted up her arms. The two spun in wide strides as they danced their way around the fields, the cheering around them growing louder. They both spun away as magic pooled by their paws!</p><p>Sparkling lights bubbled up from the ground as Chihiro spun away and stomped her foot, tinting their pink shades in brilliant purples and whites instead! Spyro did the same as he fell to all fours and flapped his wings. he leaped forward and glided towards Chihiro, and she in turn lifted her skirt up slightly as she spun forward.</p><p>The two came close, brushing dangerously close to a crash—but instead of colliding, Chihiro spun at just an angle that Spyro swept into her arms, and she dipped him low to the ground with a grin. The two chuckled, and they both spun around and stretched out their arms as the lights shone even brighter!</p><p>Behind them, the crowd roared with cheers and applause, and the Odivia wailed at the top of its lungs! Even that wasn't much, for the Odivia's cries grew strained with weakness. The Odivia was barely able to stagger forward and snarl at the crowds while they cheered. It fell to its side and whimpered; its paws twitched as it barely pressed itself up.</p><p>"It's weak now! Quick, finish the ritual!" Havîn cried. "Do the act of passionate romance!"</p><p>"Yeah, the act!" Payiz cried.</p><p>All of a sudden, Chihiro's heart stopped. The lights around her and Spyro faded as they glanced at each other in cold sweat and wide eyes. All around them, the once-welcoming cheers of the crowd turned demanding. They pounded and screamed against Chihiro's eardrums as they echoed in all sorts of talk about romance, so loud and demanding that the ground shook underneath her. Actually, was that her legs trembling at the thought?</p><p>"Come on, give us the act! I wanna see some fiery romance!"</p><p>"I don't know where they found this new couple, but they're so cute! Why don't we act like that anymore?"</p><p>"I wish I had a boyfriend like that. What's a girl got to do to find a decent guy?"</p><p>"What'll they do? Will they kiss?"</p><p>Spyro shuddered, for Chihiro could feel it in the way he barely clutched her hands. They both glanced around, gulped and closed their eyes.</p><p>"Better make this quick," Chihiro whispered.</p><p>Chihiro drew in. Her stomach churned like she was going to throw up, and her body trembled as she came in closer, closer. Her teeth chattered, her face went numb in parts, and then…</p><p>She opened her eyes, and met Spyro's still wide-open ones. His jaw laid slightly ajar, and his wings twitched and trembled with the rest of him, just as much as Chihiro did.</p><p>"This, doesn't feel right, does it?" Chihiro whispered.</p><p>Spyro whimpered and shook his head. She knew it, he felt as uncomfortable with this as she did. She only drew him into a solemn, shaking hug, and let him bury himself and make himself as small as he could in her grip. The two fell to their knees, still shaking from the sudden pressure and everything else.</p><p>A roar shook the ground around them. and knocked them on their backs!</p><p>Spyro pulled Chihiro close as they hit the ground, and they both pulled themselves up as the Odivia lurked closer to them. Its body grew larger and larger as that sinister glow returned to its body, and something that sounded vaguely like mocking cackles spat from its throat. It flung its head up, howled to the moon as it grew taller in size, and lashed out with another yowl, flinging its tail at Spyro and Chihiro!</p><p>Chihiro pulled Spyro right out of the way. They held out their hands and shot blasts of raw magic energy at the Odivia, but just like before, the blasts harmlessly exploded off of its pelt and it grew even larger! The Odivia growled, but instead of attacking further, it turned its attention to the cowering and panicking masses of undead crowds below.</p><p>It spat out a massive miasma of mist that blanketed the crowds! The crowds' red eyes and angered expressions from before fell over them ones more. The Odivia sneered and flicked its tail, pointing them right towards Spyro and Chihiro!</p><p>The crowds screeched in anger as they charged for Spyro and Chihiro, but one by one, their ranks all groaned and fell unconscious. Low snores came from a few of the mob's ranks, but before Chihiro could figure out what happened, something yanked her and Spyro back into the barrier's safety!</p><p>They both grunted and collapsed on the ground right as the Odivia charged forward. It pounced on the barrier, but bounced off like it landed on a trampoline! Chihiro winced as the Odivia snarled and ran off, and turned back to find Havîn and Payiz frowning. Payiz held the remains of a fading talisman of some kind in hand, and they both looked so disappointed in her, it seemed. They couldn't even look her and Spyro in the eye.</p><p>"I, I'm sorry—" Spyro began to sputter, but Chihiro pushed him aside.</p><p>"No, it's my fault." Chihiro admitted as she hung her head. "I, I tried but the thought of kissing someone, it just made me so sick to my stomach, and—"</p><p>"You don't have anything to apologize for," Havîn said, her tone as gentle as the weak smile that formed on her face. "If anything, we're the ones at fault for putting you on the spot like that. I'm sure even a couple super deeply in love would freak out at something like that."</p><p>"I guess I should've figured just grabbing two random beings off the street wouldn't fix the high priest and priestess's absence," Payiz remarked as the last of the talisman's remains faded from her hand.</p><p><em>We're not a couple! </em>Chihiro wanted to scream, but she still shook so badly that she couldn't even speak, so she just wearily nodded.</p><p>She glanced at Spyro, who nodded in turn with that same timid, shaky glance Chihiro herself held. The sight of him so scared was almost painful—especially when she knew the reason why, and even more so that she felt the same way and couldn't do anything about it.</p><p>It was then that Nemir stepped in, and hummed to himself as he rubbed his chin.</p><p>"It's the high priest and priestess who typically perform this ritual, correct?" he asked as he turned to Havîn and Payiz.</p><p>"Correct." Payiz nodded and rubbed her hands. "Every year, they've performed this ritual to keep the Odivia at bay—but, lately, the seals have been growing weaker and weaker, and it's been making them so tense that they blew up at each other and had a huge argument!"</p><p>"They split up and ran off right before all this happened, too."</p><p>Spyro and Chihiro both hummed. They glanced at each other, and then at Nemir and the glint in his eyes. They two of them grinned and leaped to their feet! It startled the others enough that all eyes fell on them, but Spyro and Chihiro smiled.</p><p>"Then we'll just have to find them and help them make up!" Chihiro proclaimed.</p><p>Havîn grinned a grin shared by both Payiz and Nemir, and she flew over as she took Spyro by the paw.</p><p>"Spyro and I will go look for the high priest—Payiz, you and Chihiro should go look for the high priestess!" Havîn proclaimed before she glanced up. "Good king Nemir, if it's not too much trouble, could you—"</p><p>"I'll make sure to keep the temple safe," Nemir said. "Do not fret."</p><p>"Then it's settled!" Payiz cried as she took Chihiro in hand. "We'll regroup back at the temple, alright?"</p><p>"Right!" Spyro and Havîn shouted as they made their way past the barrier.</p><p>Chihiro and Payiz both nodded to each other. They rushed through the barrier, taking only a moment to glance back at Spyro and Havîn before rushing onward.</p><p align="center">§</p><p>Within the heart of the mountain, the first sounds that came to ear were that of the crystals as they reverberated and buzzed. The crystals' bodies shook from the churning of the gears that could only faintly be heard as they whirred inside. Beyond that, even one's own footsteps couldn't even be heard underfoot.</p><p>It was a perfect cover for anyone planning for a sneak attack, and it seemed that Luz's entire group knew this. Their eyes bounced and dashed across the room, as if they waited for a cyclops to jump out and cleave their head in half at any moment. But, nothing came from even the deepest cracks in the walls, so they trailed forward.</p><p>Of them all, Luz was the antsiest as he fiddled with his shield; he pushed it back and forth from where it rested on his arm as he scanned the area.</p><p>The only things that caught his eye were the crystals that lined the walls as they glimmered in all sorts of colors, and the shiny, churning gears that looked to be made directly from crystal themselves as they cranked away. The soft hum of the crystals melded with the much louder cranking and churning of the turning gears. It blocked out all the sound in Luz's ears, yet it seemed as though he heard something else as he glanced around with wide, expectant eyes.</p><p>Luz sighed and hung his head. "Please let him be okay," Luz whimpered, his head still hung low as he stepped forward. "If, if he dies, I—"</p><p>"Luz, look out!"</p><p>Luz grunted as something yanked him back by the back of his chestplate, and he found himself pressed against Dej in a matter of moments.</p><p>"Hey, Dej, let me go!" Luz shouted as he pushed himself free of Dej's grip and shook his head. "What was that for, anyways?"</p><p>Dej scoffed and nudged Luz's arm. "Just trying to keep you from getting sliced in half! Didn't you see those buzzsaws?"</p><p>Luz blinked a bit more furiously, shook his head and turned back to the path ahead. There, shiny crystal buzzsaws infested the once-tranquil stone paths as they bounced from side to side, left to right, up and down... A few even curled in circles. They all glimmered with such intensity that Luz shielded his eyes with his shield, but soon he frowned and lowered his shield.</p><p>"Just give me a minute," Dej said as he stepped forward. Frost formed on his knuckles as he cracked them. "I'll have these things frozen up in no time—"</p><p>"But I can't wait for that!"</p><p>Luz sprinted along the path at the speed of light, and went so fast that all that could be seen was the trail of golden light he left behind! He was sure he heard somebody calling his name, or telling him to look out, but the shriek of the buzzsaws as they trailed along their chosen path numbed out the sound.</p><p>Instead, Luz swerved around one buzzsaw, but jumped back as another burst past him! He stumbled backwards as both his feet planted on the ground, just barely avoiding the graze of another saw.</p><p>His eyes flickered. Before him, he almost saw visions of his younger self, who smiled as he walked hand in hand with Fintster while they both laughed.</p><p>"<em>Now, just turn around this way,"</em> the younger Fintster said as they both side-stepped another buzzsaw.</p><p>Luz blinked as the buzzsaw ahead of him passed by once more while the illusions disappeared. He hopped along the path, wedging himself into a free space between two of the buzzsaws. When he turned ahead. there were those illusions, hopping and skipping right along the path with not even a scratch!</p><p>"<em>Take the third street,</em>"</p><p>Luz teleported behind them, inched away from one buzzsaw, and his whole body pushed forward without him even thinking about it. He trailed along after the illusions once more, and the buzzsaws' screeching noises started to numb a little in his mind as he followed after them.</p><p>Now that he thought about it, he remembered this. It was when Fintster took him home for the first time, wasn't it? He couldn't bring himself to say a word, or do anything but follow. If he reached out, if he said something, surely they'd disappear, so he just quietly followed. His footsteps barely pattered along the path as he trailed forward, and dodged the graze of oncoming buzzsaws.</p><p>"<em>Skip right across here!" </em>Fintster chirped as he bent down and leaped across a small gap, one where a buzzsaw whirred back and forth. He giggled a bit, but his smile faltered as the younger Luz whimpered and stepped back.</p><p>"<em>But, what if I don't make it?" </em>the young Luz asked.</p><p><em>"Don't worry, I'll make sure you don't fall! Just jump!"</em></p><p>The younger Luz gulped. As the buzzsaw passed by him once more, he hopped right across, eyes shut and cheeks puffed the whole time…</p><p>And as he landed on the other side, and swung his arms around, he popped one eye open to find himself on solid ground! He released his breath and beamed as he glanced up at Fintster. His grin only grew wider as Fintster ruffled his hair.</p><p>"<em>I did it, I did it!</em>" the young Luz cried as his body filled with bright yellow light and slowly dissolved into glittering specks.</p><p>Fintster's body dissolved into smoky black clouds, but he didn't even notice. He just laughed with the younger Luz as they both dissolved.</p><p>What had been across there when Luz first arrived? He was sure it was a river or creek of some kind, one that was probably long dried up at this point. Luz hadn't even seen his childhood hometown since he left to train amid the free magicians with Fintster. Was it even still the same place? Was the place he once called home even standing still?</p><p>Luz shook his head, hopped across the gap as the buzzsaw finished rushing past, and grunted as he landed. Once he got back Fintster, he'd find out everything: what happened to their home, their family, to everyone!</p><p>Luz huffed, and turned around towards the still-whirring and traveling buzzsaws. He spun his shield the fastest it could, until the heat and light it accumulated burned against his skin. The heat grew as fast as the seconds themselves passed, and when it grew too hot to even embrace, he yanked it off and flung it away!</p><p>It spun so fast that it burned like the sun, and sliced through one buzzsaw after another as it disappeared further down the path. Only sharp, shattering noises and sparkling crystal shards remained on the path. The faint light that burned near the end of the path was the sole sign of the shield's remains.</p><p>Slowly, the light grew brighter as the shield flew back to Luz, and he lifted his arm right as it came in. It attached back with a click, and after that, soft talking resounded through the cavern. He supposed the others were probably going to make their way in soon, but he couldn't quite wait.</p><p>Luz turned around and gritted his teeth as a different kind of talking came from the path ahead, one that vaguely sounded like the idle chatter of guards as they lingered about. He stepped forward, but stopped as something kind of hard, but warm, brushed against his shoulder.</p><p>"Now, don't tell me you were gonna go ahead and take out all the guys yourself?" Swarm teased behind him. "I knew you were hot-headed, but I'm not letting you get busted up like that!"</p><p>Oh, seems like they all came back. Luz turned around and blinked as Swarm smiled back down at him. He grunted as Swarm brushed a finger against the side of Luz's head.</p><p>"After all, we can't have you getting beat up before you and Fintster meet up again!"</p><p>Luz forced a smile, and Swarm gave him a kind of weak one before they both glanced down at the halls.</p><p>Swarm removed his finger from Luz's head and squeezed his hand. When he opened his hand, a small swarm of bees formed in his gigantic palm, and flew off with a surprising low volume despite being bees. They were so tiny that Luz couldn't even tell if they had left or not, but he didn't really need to. They came back just as quickly as they left, and swarmed around Swarm's antenna as buzzed.</p><p>"Uh-huh, yeah, yeah," Swarm mumbled as he tilted his head and flicked his antennae. He nodded a bit, grinned as the bees disappeared, and turned his attention down to the others. "The bees say they've only got a few guards down there. This'll be a drop of honey!"</p><p>"That's good enough for me!" Luz shouted as he stormed forward.</p><p>His footsteps thumped against the stone floor while the blue and yellow crystals that lined the wall glistened. Their light brushed against Luz's face, and warmed it as he lifted his shield and took it into the shield's core. If there were as little guards as Swarm said there were, surely, one light wave would be enough to put them out of commission! His feet hit the end of the tunnel, and Luz found himself in a much taller sections of the caves free of crystals, but with a few sparse cyclopes dressed in armor littered around the floor</p><p>"Intruder!" one cyclops cried. "Quick, get the defenses ready!"</p><p>Luz snarled, smacked his hand against his shield and spun it around. All it would take was one little wave, just enough to wipe them out. The cyclopes rushed for a wall near the back and pulled on something, and in turn the wall itself opened. Luz just spun his shield further and faster, the shriek of burning light crying away in his ears! The cyclopes turned back at him and sneered, and Luz held up his shield in response, its metal burning against his skin once more.</p><p>"Just one shot, just one shot, that's all it'll take!" Luz hissed under his breath.</p><p>The light shrieked and burned away as it funneled into the core. A bright, intertwining laser of blue and yellow light shot for the cyclopes—but at the last minute, something rushed forward and shouldered the blow!</p><p>A large red and gold robot, undoubtedly an Arkeyan by the looks of its body, fell on its side, slunk over and collapsed. A hole burned through its core and wafted with steam, and around it, the cyclopes sneered and drew their weapons. A few meager beeps came from the robot as the cyclopes swarmed around and over it. They trampled it underfoot as they ran to the back of the rooms, but with its massive size, the most they did was flip it on its back.</p><p>Luz stepped back a bit, the smoke wafting from his shield's core and clouding his vision. He barely managed to keep focus on the cyclopes. They all jeered at him, but he could barely discern their mocking cries as more large, lumbering red and gold things stormed out from the back of the room.</p><p>The robots' faces glowed with dull red lights as they took labored steps forward, and Luz shook his head as he gripped his shield, ready to strike. A sharp, swinging sound came from behind him and he immediately hit the floor!</p><p>The sound of metal splitting and screeching rang in his ears, and Luz lifted his head to find that the large Arkeyan robots that once marched for him tumbled and stumbled over their own feet. The robots were barely able to keep balance thanks to the swords and stingers that lodged into their chests!</p><p>"Luz, are you alright?" Ninjini asked as she floated in and knelt beside him. When Luz gave her a simple nod and stood, she smiled back and lifted herself to full height, a wishblade appearing in her hand with a single snap of her fingers.</p><p>"Hah, that all you got?" Swarm asked as he flew in and sneered, his arms crossed tight to his chest. "That wasn't even a challenge! I'd dealt with stinkbugs worse than that!"</p><p>The cyclopes stumbled back in turn. Their eyes were wide, and sputtered nonsense billowed from their mouths as they glanced at each other, and then back to Swarm and Ninjini. One cyclops decorated in slightly fancier armor than the rest stepped forward and frowned as he crossed his arms behind his back for a moment. His eye fluttered and he dashed back to the panel.</p><p>"It's them! The beings Her Majesty warned us about!" the decorated cyclops cried as he slammed a big, red button on the wall. "Looks like it's time to call in the big guns!"</p><p>The button sank into the wall with a single click, and the room rumbled as parts of the ceiling crumbled down, and dripped on everyone's heads like rain!</p><p>Swarm and Ninjini winced and covered their heads.</p><p>Beside them, Luz bounced away as a particularly large rock crashed down, and splintered into many more right before his face! He grimaced a bit, and gasped as someone gripped his arm. When he turned around and found that it was just Vaayu, who ran in with all the others behind him, Luz quickly breathed a sigh of relief.</p><p>"Just what's doing all this?" Vaayu demanded.</p><p>A single, red light flared from the depths of the open space in the wall, one high enough that it even met Swarm and Ninjini's gazes. It followed up with groaning machinery and even more lights, some red and some gold, that flared out from the wall's inner workings. The ground thudded, knocking the cyclopes and a few of the smaller members in Luz's group off their feet. Something that sounded vaguely like the whirring of a machine ruminated from the cavern as a clawed, red and gold hand emerged from the depths, and grabbed at the air before it.</p><p>That single thud was with another and another as a giant Arkeyan robot, about the same size as Ninjini, labored its way out of the cavern! Its red and gold knight's armor shone in the light the overhead lights had to offer. Its red eyes glinted with fury as it grabbed a shiny broadsword from its back, and charged forward!</p><p>"That's one big Arkeyan defender!" Swarm shouted as he flitted back.</p><p>"Eye've never seen one this size!" Eye cried out as he popped off of Brawl's head.</p><p>"This is only a taste of what Her Majesty's benefactor offered her if she agreed to get her the high priest!" the decorated cyclops cried as he puffed out his chest. He chuckled to himself, but quickly shook his head. "And just to ensure you don't wreck this one, too…"</p><p>The decorated cyclops whistled, and slobbering, huffing noises came from the back of the cavern. A trio of slobbering muttici stormed out of the cavern's depths, and knocked the cyclopes onto their backs! The cyclopes sneered as they took the reins and whipped out crystalline axes. With a snap of the reins, the muttici were off! Their drool pooled below their feet, and steamed away as they charged for the giant defender's feet, yet not once did their steps slip!</p><p>Swarm and Ninjini grimaced and charged forward, Ninjini wielding her swords and Swarm wielding his blades the entire way. Just as they came within inches of the defender and prepared to strike, something bit into Swarm and he collapsed to his knees!</p><p>"That stung!" Swarm cried as he glanced down at his ankles. "Who did that?"</p><p>The answer? A simple mutticus that gnawed away at his foot. The cyclops that rode it slashed away at the wound the mutticus created, just to salt it. Swarm whimpered as he yanked the mutticus from his ankle and tossed it away, but right as he stood, the defender's broadsword swung in for him and he rolled back!</p><p>Swarm slammed into the cavern walls. He cracked it enough that a slab of stone slammed into his head and knocked him down, and the defender lifted its sword as it charged for him again!</p><p>Swarm lifted his head just as the blade came in once more, and Ninjini zipped in, shouldering the blow with her wishblades! Her blades and the defender's sword clanged against each other; their shouts echoed around the cavern as they smashed together. The defender hesitated, and Ninjini went to strike its neck, but stopped midway as something gripped onto her skirt and gnawed away!</p><p>She grimaced and glanced down as two of the muttici sank their teeth into her skirt, dangling from it like leaves on a tree branch. She snarled and turned around right as the defender laid its blade on her! She threw her blades up once more, but floated back as something slammed into the defender's side and knocked it to the ground!</p><p>"You think you're pretty hot stuff, don't cha?" Hot Head chuckled as he lifted a flaming hand and prepared to lunge. "Well, so am I!"</p><p>Hot Head chuckled as his flames puffed and burst, but the sounds of acid burning away rang in the room and his eyes went wide! Hot Head screamed as green flames burned away at his heels, rolled right off the defender and blew them out. All the while, he frantically wiped away the gooey green slobber that fueled the flames as it seeped into his lava veins. He panted as the flames atop his head flickered in and out, patted them a few more times, and finally breathed a sigh of relief. The flames extinguished at last, though his foot was now a bit tattered in appearance.</p><p>Just as he started to catch his breath, more green flames burst from his hand and he screamed! He frantically blew away at the fires. It was in that moment the defender completely bodied him into the wall! The flames coated Hot Head's body quickly burst as he collapsed on the ground.</p><p>With Hot Head incapacitated, the defender turned its gaze on Eye and Brawl. It heaved up its broadsword and wrapped its fingers against the handle as it charged forward. Its blade slashed just barely against Brawl's chest. In turn, Eye popped off of Brawl and zapped the defender in the face!</p><p>The defender reeled back just a bit. It stumbled backwards while its sword nearly slipped from its hand, but it quickly reclaimed its grip and changed direction, swinging the blade for Eye instead! Eye grunted, and hopped up just before the blade could slice him, but the defender twisted it and sliced for him again!</p><p>Eye panted and flew off just as the blade missed him again, retreating to a corner of the room. He zapped the defender's head once more. The defender charged forward, and Eye flew back into the open gap in the wall as he zapped again—but the defender stabbed its sword into the gap!</p><p>Eye grunted again as he bounced around the confined space within. He panted shallow breaths while he ducked and flew into every corner he could. Like a bouncing ball, he sprung from one corner to the bottom, but finally, his balance slipped and he tumbled right out of the corridor! He landed right below the defender's foot, groaned, and rolled himself back upright as the defender turned around.</p><p>The defender hovered its foot right over Eye, but just as the foot landed, a purple shield formed right around him, and caught the foot in midair! Eye rolled backwards as the defender lifted its foot, and Brawl yanked him right from the floor. He popped Eye back on his head as he slid forward, and punched the defender right in the chest!</p><p>The joints holding its shoulders and legs in place started to spark, and a tiny gasp left not just Brawl and Eye, but those below them as well. The defender creaked as it raised its fist and swung a punch. Brawl blocked it with his fists before he jumped backwards. The rest of their team watched in silent awe as Brawl and the defender both punched away, eyes trained on the sparking joints.</p><p>"Those have to be its weak points!" Ninjini shouted as she summoned a new pair of wishblades. "Come on! Once we slice them off, it'll be down for the—"</p><p>"Hold it right there!"</p><p>A volley of arrows rained down, and formed a barrier between where Brawl warred with the defender and the rest of his group. At the other end of the barrier, a cyclops stood and sneered. The bow he wielded changed to an ax so large he could barely hold it, and the cyclops blew all the arrows away with a single strike before he charged in! He leaped in the air, and underneath him, Luz, Dej and Eruptor split right before he could cleave them!</p><p>"You're not scrapping our fancy new robot just yet! We still haven't had enough time to play with him!" the cyclops proclaimed, and his eye turned to where his fellow cyclopes chimed in agreement.</p><p>He sneered as the cyclopes' cheers echoed around, and heaved up his ax as he dashed for Vaayu—but Vaayu chuckled and swept out of the way!</p><p>"Oh, whoops! Looks like you missed me that time!" Vaayu remarked as he clasped his hands while wisps of fog curled around his fingers. "You're not going to see me any more, I'm afraid!"</p><p>With one more clap of his hands, a thick coat of fog billowed over the cavern floor, coating everything underneath Brawl and the defender's waists in solid mist! Even those above it could barely see a thing underneath the tightly-packed clouds that obscured their footing. The thick coat of fog chilled the air a little, leaving the once-warm cavern cold as a rainy day. Even with its thick exterior, the shouting from those below still pierced through!</p><p>"Hey, what happened?" demanded the ax-wielding cyclops as he yanked up his ax. "Who turned out the lights?"</p><p>"Forget that, where's the robot? I can't see a thing in all this fog!" shouted another cyclops.</p><p>A few lights blinked in the distance. They were bright enough that they burned like stars even through such a thick fog, and the third cyclops gasped as they pointed back to the lights.</p><p>"Over there!"</p><p>The cyclopes fumbled with their weapons as they drew closer and closer to the ever-blinking lights. Around them, the fog started to clear! Their smiles grew wider the closer they got, but as the fog cleared, those smiles faded. They screamed and leaped back, for what faced them was Luz's group!</p><p>"Can't believe you fell for the fog-lights trick!" Luz chuckled as he lowered a still-glowing palm. He smiled for maybe one of the first times since he began that mission. "That's one of the oldest tricks in the book!"</p><p>The cyclopes growled, and the one that led their group glanced back to where Eye-Brawl and the defender traded blows still. Brawl and the defender's feet twitched, and they lifted them up before they stomped down.</p><p>As they did, a thick wall of ice surrounded the cyclopes' battling grounds! Its shiny, solid exterior completely blocked the outside world save for an open gap in the back. The world inside turned to a proper arena within—much to the cyclopes' irritation as they raised their weapons and charged!</p><p>Two cyclopes riding on muttici came in first, and Eruptor clapped his hands as he cast spewing pools of lava! The seething heat of the lava was unlike any other, so hot that it crackled and formed bubbles that popped with large, booming noises. They were loud enough that the muttici shook their riders off, and ran up the walls, scaling them like ice climbers!</p><p>The cyclopes both shouted out as they flew through the air. Terrafin leaped up and joined them, punching the cyclopes in the face and knocking them into the wall! A shattering noise came as they slammed into the ice wall, cracked it, and popped off as they planted on the floor. The damage they did was apparent enough, for the wall cracked further, the cracks spreading around the wall and glistening in the light!</p><p>Dej grimaced, froze over the ground underneath him, and brushed his hand against the walls. His eyes slowly turning around them as the cracks slowly filled. The sound of footsteps came from behind, and he formed a pair of chuí out of ice. He turned forward and struck a third cyclops as it swung its ax for him!</p><p>The cyclops grunted as the ax flew back, its handle nearly slipping from the cyclops's grip. The cyclops grabbed it back, swung for Dej once more, but he jumped out of the way. Instead, the ax hit the cracks Dej just sealed, bursting open their wounds and leaving them deeper than before!</p><p>Dej gasped, but raised his chuí and blocked the next blow that came from the cyclops! He glanced from the cyclops as it swung its ax towards him, and then the growing cracks at the wall around with a grimace. The cyclops sneered, swung for Dej with his ax—but yanked it back as a group of fluffy gray clouds rushed past them both!</p><p>The clouds spread in a circle around the wall's edges. They blew cold air and snow into the cracks, and slowly sealed them until they were tightly-packed with crystalline icy snow! Though the walls themselves were now a bit off-color, they stood firm as ever. As their light glistened, the clouds nodded to each other and zipped back to their creator: none other than Whirlwind, of course!</p><p>She grinned, petted a few of the clouds as they disappeared, and nodded as their wisps faded away. With a flick of her ear, Whirlwind flew off and left Gill Grunt in her steed. She straggled over to the side, and smiled as he raised his cannon.</p><p>Gill Grunt spewed out a torrent of steaming water that washed away the cyclops who fought Dej! He drew back as the cyclops slid towards the other two unconscious cyclopes, and the torrent poured in soon after, leaving them all soaked.</p><p>Whirlwind flew ahead of him as lowered her horn, lightning crackling at its tip. However, it wasn't electricity that burst from it; Instead, a stream of storm clouds flew out, and hovered above the cyclopes as lightning struck from the clouds' undersides! The cyclopes screamed as the sudden shock jolted them back to life, the lightning conducting through their wet bodies. They jittered and collapsed once more.</p><p>"Hey, what's all this racket about?" exclaimed a bulkier cyclops as he rushed into the arena's open mouth with a whole fleet of cyclopes at his heels. "You grunts disturbed my afternoon—"</p><p>The bulky cyclops screamed as a massive wind current blew up from the ground below, tossed him and his underlings in the air, and juggled them like they were little more than toy balls! They screamed and shouted as they spun around in midair. They were unable to do anything more than flail their arms and legs in some faint attempt of breaking free. It was of no use, for the wind was too strong for them to break free!</p><p>The bulky cyclops growled as Vaayu strode up to him with the smuggest look on his face. The bulky cyclops went to shout, to scream and curse, but with a flick of Vaayu's hand, the wind roared stronger and blocked out his voice.</p><p>"Luz, how about you finish them off?" Vaayu asked as he turned his attention down to Luz below him.</p><p>Luz nodded, and with a click, he yanked his shield from his arm and flung it like a disc! The wind currents dropped a bit as the shield passed through, and slammed the bulky cyclops in the gut. It knocked the bulky cyclops back into one grunt, and then the next! They all flew off the side, smashed into the ice wall, and fell over each other in a pile. The bulky cyclops groaned as one of his grunts knocked him in the head, but quickly shook off the pain as Luz ran off beside him!</p><p>"Hey!" the bulky cyclops cried as he shuffled through the pile, and patted his around, reaching for Luz's foot. "Get back here!"</p><p>"Luz, what're you doing?" Vaayu shouted from behind.</p><p>Luz only spared them a passing glance as he spun his shield, and heated it up while hot light charged in its core. He held his shield towards the crack that formed in the wall from the cyclopes' collision, and shot a single beam of light that burned right through, forming a hole just big enough for him to crawl through!</p><p>Around the hole, the cracks spread across the whole wall, and shattered it completely.</p><p>Luz drew his shield back and spun it further, its whole body glowing in warm shades. He lifted his eyes towards the defender as it wrestled with Eye-Brawl. That thing was the only thing that stood between him and his brother. If he could just snipe out its weak points, he could get to Fintster!</p><p>Luz grunted, slid past them and flung out his shield. He popped it twice as he rushed right past the defender! Two hot beams of light smashed into the defender's leg joints, and shattering pierced the air as the lights and sparks in them dimmed. Luz slid around, and pushed himself up as the defender stumbled back for a moment. It was enough that Eye-Brawl stepped back in alarm, but the defender quickly regained its balance and turned its attention to Luz instead.</p><p>"Damn, looks like that wasn't enough," Luz panted. "Maybe if I take out the knees next?"</p><p>The sound of rattling, speeding chains caught Luz's ear. He lifted his head up right as a mechanical arm shot forward, and it yanked Luz's shield right off of his arm!</p><p>"Hey!" Luz cried as he leaped up and clutched his shield by its spikes. "I didn't say you could have that! Give it back!"</p><p>With a single flick, the arm tossed Luz off and knocked him on the ground! A sharp pain hit his back as he landed, and his whole body ached with dull, sore pains as he staggered up. He positioned himself just upright enough that he caught the arm as it fed into the defender's back, and dangled his shield right above the defender's face.</p><p>The Defender turned its glance at Luz as its eyes flashed red. Luz raised his hand, ready to fire—but the arm flicked his shield right back at him instead, and shot it so fast that it smashed right into his chest! Luz hacked as the shield fell and rattled right by his side; Luz himself rolled into something cold!</p><p>Luz let out another cough as something sat him against a particularly large rock. He found himself staring right in Vaayu and Dej's faces next. Vaayu's gaze was stern, and Dej's a little more concerned. Soon, Swarm joined the two of them as he smiled and ruffled Luz's hair.</p><p>"Just let us handle the big guys, okay?" Swarm chirped.</p><p>He flew off before Luz could give him an answer. Ninjini flew forward, joining Swarm and charging forward. Their eyes set on the defender as it turned around.</p><p>The defender's eyes flashed red again, and that back arm of its hid away in its back while it reached for its sword. Shining purple blades swung forward just before it could grab the sword, and hacked off its right arm! No longer bound to its body, the right arm fell as smoke and sparking electricity burst from its open end! The defender turned around, and glanced at the missing spot where its right arm once was for a moment. Something hacked off its left arm, and its eyes flashed before it pushed forward.</p><p>Sharp stingers skewed through its front like swords, and it stumbled forward as it unveiled Swarm at its back!</p><p>"Yo, Eye-Brawl, your turn!" Swarm shouted as he saluted.</p><p>Eye popped off of Brawl, nodded, and turned his attention down to the shadow the defender cast as it fell. Eye zapped the ground below! It glowed silver while bony brambles burst forward from the earth and stabbed the defender's front! It left the defender propped up, and it leaked out dull, bluish-silver oil as low, droning noises ruminated from its inside.</p><p>Eye popped onto Brawl's head once more, and the two of them slid forward as Brawl slammed through with a punch. He shattered the brambles and knocked the defender on its back! A sound like sharp, shattering glass came as fragments of shiny bronze glass poured from its limbs. With a stomp from Brawl, the defender's chest caved in and its eyes' lights faded.</p><p>Brawl stomped on the Defender's chest a few more times, and scoffed as he turned to where Ninjini helped up a dizzy Hot Head. Eye didn't join him, instead fixing his attention towards the empty space in the cave's wall.</p><p>"Is something wrong, Eye?" Brawl signed.</p><p>Eye hummed for a bit, and his wings flared as he did. "Eye think eye see something coming out of there!"</p><p>With that single line spoken, everyone's eyes latched onto the wall. Well, save for Hot Head, who cried out as Ninjini dropped him to the floor before she hastily picked him up. Their eyes narrowed as clapping echoed from the open space, and it paired with soft, barely-there footsteps as something stepped out from the wall.</p><p>The hairs of a blue mohawk poked out first, followed by a light chartreuse face with a single large eye closed in pleasure, and out at last stepped a cyclops! They were muscular in a lean way, and dressed in spiked leather armor with a cloth bag attached at their hip.</p><p>"Gotta admit, that was some fine fighting you did there," the cyclops said. They whistled a bit, gulped, and jumped back as all weapons pointed right for their throat. "Wait, wait, hold on! I'm not here to fight!"</p><p>The cyclops raised their hands in the air, their mouth held in a tight, cringing frown. They poked their eye open, and revealed it to be a sky-like blue as the weapons all lowered. They gulped as they glanced back, unsure if they were going to be attacked once more, but when the last of the weapons sheathed, they smiled and lowered their hands.</p><p>"If you aren't here for a fight, what exactly are you here for?" Gill Grunt asked as he crossed his arms.</p><p>The cyclops chuckled and scratched their head.</p><p>"Well, you see, the boss told me to guard his hideout from intruders and stuff, but Ancients, it's so <em>boring</em>!" The cyclops groaned and drew their head back. "All we do is sit around and stare at rocks! That's the most excitement I've gotten since we arrived here!" The cyclops chuckled and jostled the bag on their hip. "You know, I've been itching for a good game of Skystones, so, I have a proposal!"</p><p>The cyclops disappeared back into the dark depths of the wall's open space for a moment, and huffed as they ran back out with… A folded table? With another few short breaths, the cyclops set it up into a full-functional Skystones table, pushed a nearby rock forward and sat on it like a chair.</p><p>"If you beat me at Skystones," the cyclops said as they gestured towards the table, "I'll tell you where the boss is hiding!"</p><p>Gill Grunt, Eruptor, and Terrafin all exchanged wary glances with each other. Behind them, Vaayu and Dej crossed their arms.</p><p>"I'm not so sure about this," Vaayu whispered. "For all we know, that cyclops has a trick up their sleeve."</p><p>"Oh, I'm being perfectly honest here, sir!" the cyclops said as they raised a hand. "All I want is a good, clean game of Skystones!"</p><p>Vaayu winced, clenching his teeth tight. "They could hear me?"</p><p>A few other whispers echoed around, followed by a few grunts as Luz shuffled through and stood at the helms of the group. Taking a breath, Luz planted a hand on the table. It was true, this could be a trap—but, if it would give them a shortcut to where Fintster was, he wasn't going to pass up that chance!</p><p>"Alright, I'll do it!" Luz proclaimed.</p><p>The cyclops beamed and nodded as they pulled out their bag and rifled through, but Luz only gave them a stern glance. That is, until he faintly felt something tapping on his shoulder and turned around. He met with a worried Gill Grunt.</p><p>"Luz, do you even know how to play this game?" Gill Grunt asked as he raised a brow.</p><p>"'Course I do! When I was still stuck in that wheel, I overhead those pirates talking about how to play!" Luz replied before he turned back, and summoned a crystal chair as his seat. "I know the game inside and out."</p><p>Luz clenched his brows as the cyclops pushed some Skystones towards him, and reluctantly took them in hand. The cyclops sat before him, and smiled as they scanned over the Skystones in their hand. Just what were they planning? Luz wasn't sure, but he held his own stones close, just to be safe.</p><p>"I play my enfuego chompy!" the cyclops proclaimed.</p><p>Luz nodded, gulped, and pulled a skystone bearing a spear-wielding drow from the deck as he spiked it up.</p><p>"And I play my drow lance master!" Luz proclaimed as he dropped the drow skystone underneath the chompy. An illusion of a drow popped up and stabbed the skystone above, flipping it to Luz's blue, and Luz gulped as he turned up to the still-smiling cyclops. "Your move."</p><p>The cyclops chuckled, spiked up another stone, and dropped it at the top of the board's leftmost column. "I play my Blaster Troll! Special move: Cannonhead!"</p><p>Out from the stone popped a troll wielding a gun of some kind. Instead of shooting, it pocketed the gun, and whipped out a giant cannon! With a flick of its fuse, the cannon shot a cannonball that ripped through the row below, and flipped all the stones below to red! The troll chuckled as it disappeared, but its laughter lived on as the cyclops sneered.</p><p>Luz winced, but not from the jeers of his opponents. No, it was the whispers of everyone else as they crowded around him and talked! He glared up, shooed them away for a moment, and glanced down at his deck. He had to have something here that could help.</p><p>His eyes glanced over a stone bearing an Arkeyan Bomber, and he grinned as it spiked it up. He just barely recalled that this one had a special move, one some pirate used to con an unsuspecting gillman. Maybe it was a mabu? He couldn't tell by the voice alone, but either way, the poor guy definitely got tricked by this.</p><p>"I play my Arkeyan Bomber!" Luz proclaimed as he slammed it in the heart of the board. "Special move: Bomb Shower!"</p><p>An illusion of an Arkeyan Bomber burst forward from the stone's surface and tossed a rain of bombs down on the board! The bombs smashed into the stones and flipped them back to his blue! He smirked for a bit, but his confidence faded as a soft click came from the board. This time, a tall, green… Person? Zombie? Luz couldn't quite tell what it was, but it dressed in armor with spikes on its knuckles, and looked kinda grizzly as it landed on the board.</p><p>"I play my jawbreaker! Special move: Underground Pound!"</p><p>The jawbreaker slammed its fists and quaked the board, sending three diagonal fissures across and flipping two of the stones over to red! Three to two, huh? Luz winced, and quickly dropped another troll wielding a gun at the bottom of the center row.</p><p>"I play my d. riveter! special move: Burning Bullets!"</p><p>The troll leaped from the stone and shot its bullets across the board, but it only flipped over one stone before it disappeared! Well, at least Luz had the advantage now. He glanced down at the board again, yet shook his head as another gun-wielding troll snatched his troll and flipped it over! He lifted his head to find the cyclops sneering at him, but Luz just frowned and glanced over his stones. All he had left was an enfuego chompy… Hopefully, this special move would work.</p><p>"So, what're you gonna do next?" the cyclops smirked.</p><p>Luz breathed in and out, spiked up his enfuego chompy, and planted it in the board's middle-right section.</p><p>"I play my enfuego chompy! Special move: Festival of Fire!"</p><p>The enfuego chompy leaped from the board and danced around. Fire shot and spiraled from its footsteps; it moved across the board as the red stones trembled! One by one, they flipped over, and turned to a bright blue that shimmered like the sky on a warm day! The chompy flopped over and disappeared, but its stone was still in the grip of the cyclops's attention!</p><p>"Wow, pulling it off with just that," the cyclops whispered, before they shook their head and planted down their last stone. "Anyways, I play my d. riveter!"</p><p>The d. riveter shot off a few round, turning parts of the board red once more—but even so, the cyclops was outnumbered six to three! Luz won and there was no denying it!</p><p>The cyclops chuckled as the d. riveter disappeared. "Well, you beat me fair and square," the cyclops said as they leaned over and shook Luz's hand, "and I have to admit, that was the most fun I've had playing Skystones in a while!"</p><p>The cyclops chuckled, drew back as they swept the stones into their bag once more, and dug in forward as they pulled out a shiny orange key.</p><p>"There's a Tech Element gate just around the corner where our boss hangs out, but since most of us aren't Tech Elementals, we use keys like these to get it open!" The cyclops dropped the key in Luz's palm. "Just slot this in the mechanism beside it, and you'll be good to go!"</p><p>The cyclops chuckled, saluted Luz, and packed up the table as they drew into the shadows.</p><p>"But you didn't hear it from me…"</p><p>Luz only nodded as he drew back from his prism chair, squeezed the key and bolted off. He still wasn't entirely sure if the cyclops was tricking him or not, but still, he had to try! Fintster probably couldn't wait any longer on him!</p><p>Stowing away his worries with a bite of his lip, Luz rounded the corner, and a bright orange light brushed against his face! The bright sight was enough that it slowed his run to just a walk, and then a complete stop as the light glowed its brightest.</p><p>He turned to his left, and found a tall gate with sides made of gears, and a large, orange disc with a Tech Element symbol in the center. It blocked off the place ahead so well that the only notion he got of its identity was the sounds of working machinery behind it. To his right, there laid a round device with a keyhole inside. Luz plugged the key in, twisted it, and the gate shimmered as it unfolded to unveil a mechanical factory of some kind. It held cranking gears, steaming machinery at every angle, and more importantly, pictures of cyclopes plastered everywhere!</p><p>"This is?" Dej asked as he walked up behind Luz with the others in tow behind him.</p><p>Luz nodded and gripped his hand tight. Surely, Fintster had to be somewhere in here, and still in that cyclops's possession. Was he hurt? Strained? Whatever it was, it didn't matter! Luz was going to find him and bring him back home! He was gonna get his brother back, no matter what!</p><p>With that silent vow made, Luz rushed into the hideout.</p>