The wind blew through Ragna’s hair, and she looked around. The tower had returned to its usual structure.

In the sky, the albatross shouted. It had spun its wings, and its yellow-black eyes glanced at them for a second. A smile formed on its beak. The albatross beat its wings and flew away to lands unknown.

Altera, Eric, and Jareth looked around as well. The realization, what they had accomplished seemed to seep into their minds as well.

“We did it.” A laugh escaped Ragna’s lips as they formed into a smile. Altera smiled as well, and Eric pumped his arm into the air.

They had cleared the eighth level and finished all trials. It was over. With this, she could find her father and clear her name.

“Dammit.”

Ragna’s eyes switched to the floor’s center. Quin and Nephthys were clapping, and Geißel had sunk into his throne. He stared at the sky, his limbs limp. He raised his arm to his jacket’s breast pocket and took out a pack of cigarettes. His fingers were trembling. Geißel nipped against the cover for a few seconds until he managed to open it. He took out a cigarette and a lighter, lit it open, and took a puff.

Geißel straightened his body, and a smoke cloud came out of his mouth. His face had become dark. “I hate to admit it, but you bested me.”

“So, you’re going to tell us where my father is?”

Geißel nodded. “A deal’s a deal. Long story short. Drake Griffin's currently in the city of Avalon.”

“What, Avalon?” Ragna raised her eyes open, and her shoulder dropped. “It will take ages to get there.”

“I fail to understand the problem,” Jareth said.

“Boy, do you come from a village?” Nephthys giggled and performed a pirouette. “Since the end of the Great War, Avalon has closed its borders. No one in, no one out. Unless you got a special permit.”

“But why? Isn’t Avalon this utopian isle? The fabled and fantastic isle of apple trees where all beings under the sun will live in harmony and equality regardless of race or ideology. Shouldn’t it be open to everyone?”

Altera's and Eric's eyes shifted for a second towards Jareth's mask. They looked at each other before their gaze returned to Jareth.

“If you let everyone inside, then the magic would go away.” Nephthys winked. “Avalon’s this top exclusive VIP lounge, and they ain’t gonna let anyone on the guest list.”

“What?” Jareth tilted his head.

“So, is there any way to get the permit?” Eric pulled his hat down. “You’re the Chieftain.”

Altera shook her head. “My brother’s a persona non grata in Avalon. Even the rest of Utgard’s high command can only enter the city for special occasions.”

“We would have to try our luck on the black market.” Ragna crossed her arms.

After everything, they wouldn’t be giving up. If a chance existed, they would grab it.

“Don't worry 'bout that."

Everyone's attention turned to Nephthys.

"You don’t need a permit cause there’s a much better way.” He pointed his finger at the sky. “We're gonna fly, baby.”

“Seriously?” Ragna smiled.

“As you heard that idiot.” Geißel gave Nephthys a stern eye, who, in turn, bobbed his body while standing on one spot. “A plane will be ready tomorrow morning.”

“But how is that going to get us in?” Altera asked. “Isn’t the patrol going to check? Flights are restricted right now, and a plane from Utgard would be especially suspicious. You really soured Utgard’s relationship with Avalon.”

“I don’t care about these tea-bangers.” Geißel shrugged. “They’ve been pissin' on my lawn way too much.”

Everyone else besides Quin and Jareth stared at Geißel. No one could voice a word.

“As you can see.” Quin unfolded her fan and concealed her lower face. “Our dearest Chieftain has not the most sophisticated opinion regarding Avalon.”

“Hey.” Geißel growled. “You try dealin' with their genocidal asses twenty-four-seven and tell me what you think of them again.”

“Anyway.” Quin continued without giving her husband any attention. “It’s true if we landed on Avalon, they would find you fast. That’s why we won’t land. We’ll drop off from the sky. Despite international travel having become increasingly difficult, we should get the clearance for flying above Avalon. We'll simply tell them that we are on a diplomatic flight to Vaix – which would be true anyway – and while we’re above Avalon, we’ll drop you off. Using your Fylgja and runes, you should be able to land there safely.”

“Thank you.” Ragna bowed her head.

She wouldn’t celebrate yet. Too many parts of Quin’s plan could go wrong. Only once she faced her father and cleared her name would she rest.

“Now that this is over...” Geißel stood up from his throne. He waved with his hand, a black vortex appeared next to his feet, and a canine jumped out of it.

The puppy reached to their ankles. Its fur mixed night-blue and silver, and its head looked into every direction, at every new face, and every amalgamation of pixels it had never seen before. The puppy barked, and before it could jump around, Quin picked it up and held it in her arms.

“Awwww. It’s soooo cuuute.” Ragna’s voice became a high-pitch. Her eyes were glued at the mutt rocking back and forth in Quin’s hold and trying its best to escape. “Actually, its fur kinda looks like Orichalcum. It’s like a mini version of your dog.”

“This little nether wolf is one of his puppies. He just has been weaned.” Quin stroke the nether wolf’s head, and it started to yap. “It’s custom of Utgardian royalty to give a netherwolf to allies. Thus, to honor your accomplishments and – despite what my husband might say – to seal our bonds as allies in the future – we will give you this little mutt. Isn’t he a cutie?”

“Eh, thank you.” Altera blushed. “But we can’t accept him. Our journey’s dangerous. We can’t guarantee his safety or ensure that we can meet his needs.”

“Don’t be like that.” Ragna pouted. “We should take him.”

"I don't know." Eric crossed his arms. "Can we really take care of him?"

"A netherwolf would be a formidable ally." Jareth raised his hands to a scale.

“But I feel a hidden purpose swirling within this nether wolf puppy.”

"Yeah, I don't think you should be talking," Eric said. "What's your deal anyway?"

“Didn't I tell you already? My deal with Ragna is that I become her sidekick in exchange for my glove. But I understand your reasoning."

"Huh?"

"Since I'm the newest in this group, I'll refrain from further implementation of opinions until after I’ve managed to reach equal status within this group.”

Eric groaned. "Great. Another looney toon."

Jareth titled his head again. "I can assure you that my body's based on the rules of the three-axis world." He stopped for a second and rubbed his chin. "Or maybe, are you questioning the status of my fictionality? Perhaps I've become a fantasy. What separates fiction from reality often is a matter of perspective and can be debated in great length."

Eric gave Jareth an incredulous look. "Has your mother dropped you on the head when you were a child?"

"I can assure you that's not the case." Jareth's tone became cheery. "I have two wonderful fathers."

“I wouldn't give him to you if I didn't trust you.” Quin pushed the puppy in front of Altera’s face. Having no choice but to stare at the netherwolf’s eyes, Altera gulped.

The netherwolf barked. He pulled out his tongue and licked Altera’s nose.

“We...must...stay...strong.” The blush widened across her face.

“But in all seriousness.” Quin continued. “There won’t be any danger to him. Netherwolves belong neither to the realm of humans nor to the realm of Mana. They’re creatures living in-between states, neither fully here, but neither fully there. They can corporeally shift their bodies to the Mana realm and back. So, at any sign of danger, he can shift to the other realm and escape harm. And as for food, please show the puppy your finger.”

“Eh...okay…” Altera did as Quin told her and pointed her finger at the netherwolf. He barked and bit into the finger.

“Au.” Altera pulled her finger out and rubbed it. “It bit me.”

“It got a taste of your Mana. From this moment on, you two have bonded. This recently born puppy will siphon some of your Mana, and that’s all he needs. Of course, he won’t say no to a steak. And don’t worry, you’ll easily regenerate the amount. And in exchange, you’ve got yourself a strong and loyal companion. A nether wolf will stay with you until you die and perhaps even beyond. I’ll also send you a list of everything else he needs for care. It’s manageable even when traveling.”

“T...Thank you.” Altera grinned. Tears formed in her eyes. She took the puppy in her arm and ruffled his fur. “Hi, I’m Altera. What’s your name?”

“He doesn’t have one yet. You can name him.”

Altera stared at her new companion. Her expression grew tense, displaying the utmost concentration. Eventually, she spoke. “From this moment on, I shall give you the name of...Moon Moon.”

Everyone on the platform froze. All jaws dropped to the floor, and Altera looked at those around her in confusion.

"Isn’t that the coolest name ever?” Altera grinned, her face showing nothing but pride and confidence at having aced the task with flying colors.

Ragna glanced at the puppy. Moon Moon barked in joy, unaware of what had occurred and what fate would befall the netherwolf.

At least, she had to give him a proper nickname. Eminem or Munem didn’t fit a nether wolf. Then, maybe Nevo could. Yes, she would call him Nevo.

And with this, Moon Moon – or Nevo, as Ragna had named him – had joined the party.

Geißel slowly clapped his hands, his mouth frowning. “And now that we've sorted this out, I’ve to confess. I don’t want to, but Quin left me no choice. So, listen," he said without any passion. Any moment he might yawn. "It’s been two months since you arrived in Utgard. And oh yeah, the world thinks you guys died on the Verne.”

"What?" Ragna asked, and the group raised their eyes. "Wait, it's only been..."

Wait? How long have they been staying in the tower? Haven't they been there for a few days at most? Or was it weeks? Or maybe it all had happened within a day?"

"It seems you've realized as well," Quin said. "Both time and your sense of time become out-of-sync in the tower's realm. While you have been clearing the trials, two months have passed."