This hotel, much like the one in Atlanta, had a conference room in its basement with the intricate compass-like design, meaning it was also a gateway to the Caelum Terra.

“I thought you could teleport?” Marvin asked the woman, yawning. It wasn’t even six o’ clock yet and Maria had dragged him down there. Considering he also found her wide awake at night as well, the teen was starting to wonder if she ever slept.

“I can get myself to the Terra, yes.” sighed Maria. “But it’s something that I can only do so often and I can’t get you, or anyone else for that matter, unless of course I want to be discovered.”

“Is that why we are here?” asked Marvin, getting impatient. They were standing there for nearly ten minutes, apparently waiting for the room itself to do something. He thought that as hyperbole, but it wouldn’t be the weirdest thing he would have seen in his life.

“No. We’re waiting for someone. Someone who’s more than a little late.” said Maria, at that point sounding even more annoyed than Marvin felt.

As if on cue, the circle on the floor began lighting up, a golden heptagram appearing out of nowhere on top of the existing pattern, before white light momentarily overtook the room. After a moment of getting his bearings, Marvin saw the person they were waiting for.

Dressed in a black shirt and trousers, with a glove over his prosthetic hand, stood Eobard Kon. The man smiled at Marvin who ran up to him and hugged him like he was Annie and Eobard was Marvin himself.

“It’s been too long Marvin. Far too long.” said Eobard.

“There’s so much I want to ask you. To tell you.” said Marvin as they broke the hug, but still smiling at each other. Finally, someone that he could trust was there. All was going to be right with the world.

“Likewise, my boy. I know you might find some of the things I did, or partook in questionable. I promise you that I want what’s best for us all. And here.” said Eobard, producing a small white box from his pants pocket.

Taking it in his hands, Marvin opened it to see… an old coin? It was golden, with a heptagram engraved on one side, and unreadable symbols on the other.

“Is this one of those things that will turn out to be really useful down the line?” asked Marvin as he looked up at the taller man.

“Not to my knowledge.” laughed Eobard. “It belonged to Kara. Based on what she had told me, this is very valuable to a sorcerer. It is one of the most ancient conduits. It doesn’t do anything, but it’s old and rare. I figure you could keep it, or even sell it to help yourself start a new life once all of this is over.”

‘Once all of this is over.’ What was it that waited for the teen on the other side? Was it him going back to his training to become a sorcerer? He enjoyed practising magic, and he did want to finish his training, but could he really dedicate his life to it like Maria had done? Like Kara had done?

“The only problem is that I don’t know what that is.” said Marvin with a soft chuckle. “I need you, Eobard. To tell me what to do. What Kara would have done.”

“We can talk about this after everything is done. And we will.” said Eobard, putting his good hand on the teen’s shoulder. “But I want you to do what makes you happy. And I know that’s what Kara wanted as well.”

Marvin noticed an odd darkening in Eobard’s eyes at Kara’s mention, but he didn’t comment on it. The man was right. Before they could worry about what was coming afterwards, they needed to worry about what was coming now.

The circle on the floor lit up once. Noticing this, the trio jumped away from it and covered their eyes.

“Gleipnir plena laedendi modus!” said Maria before the white light was properly dispersed.

The spiked chains began heading towards the mysterious arrival, who called out “Murus Terrae!” and a solid dirt and stone wall blocked the chains before they reached the new arrival.

Eobard and Maria both put themselves in battle positions, obviously anticipating trouble. Although Marvin could swear that he saw the older man momentarily take out his phone and send some message. Both the wall and chains glowed gold after a few seconds before disappearing into golden particles.

Through them the identity of the intruder was found, and it was none other than Ava Mallory who was pointing her gun directly at Marvin. Her ring was also glowing softly, indicating that she was preparing to fire off another spell.

“It’s been a hot minute, hasn’t it Marvin?” smirked Ava, her light blue eyes constantly switching between the three people she evidently viewed as enemies.

“Ava please.” said Marvin without thinking. He just knew he couldn’t let this escalate. Annie and his grandma were in that building. And if anything were to happen to Ava herself, Marly would be devastated. “I-We are not your enemies. We saved you! We can talk, right? If not for me, then for Marly? Let’s solve this peacefully.”

She actually laughed at that. “Don’t waste your time shorty. Marly knows to stand with her family. Although she does like you a lot, so maybe she’ll learn some lessons about trust once she learns about your betrayal.”

“Trust!?” spat Eobard, clenching his fist. “Has your grandfather told either of you the truth then? Does she know what she is? Do you know what you are, Ava Mallory?”

“Of course.” chuckled Ava. “And Marly does too, so don’t try to act all high and mighty. You work with petty criminals and traitors. So as far as I am concerned, you can all go straight to hell. Starting with the biggest traitor and biggest threat.”

Before she could fire, the teleporter activated for the third time that morning, blinding everyone in that room, taking out .

Adam and CB in their human forms were revealed to be the newcomers this time, sending a wave of relief down Marvin’s spine. Adam had managed to grab Ava’s weapon, while CB was trying to immobilise her. From where Marvin stood however, it looked like he was almost hesitant to go against her.

“Snow Blade.” said Marvin quietly, the sword made specifically for him appeared in his hand.

Ava mumbled something, and a gast of air blasted CB away, giving Marvin the opening he needed. Noticing his approach, Ava called a generic sword of her own, and the two began dueling.

“Marvin!” yelled Eobard. “Stop this, now!”

The teen blocked one of Ava’s attacks, before thrusting at her. She blocked his attempt at attacking before locking her blade with his. She used that chance to get close and headbutt him, causing Marvin to lose his balance.

“Enough!” came a growl from behind Marvin and he felt a hand grab at the back of his shirt and throw him to the side. From the corner of his eye he could see that CB-now in his werewolf form-had grabbed him by his left arm, using his right to punch Ava in the face, knocking her back.

“Why, you overgrown dog?” said Ava as she spit out a bit of blood. “You won’t get within a ten metre radius of my sister.”

“Ava!” said Eobard in a tone that was akin to a military commander. A tone Marvin didn’t need even half a hand to count the number of times he’d used it before. “You can’t win here. There’s five of us. Just give yourself up, or leave for all I care.”

The blonde woman looked around the room before putting her hand up. “I’ll pick option three. A time-out. I have an actual reason for coming here. A message.”

“And what is it then?” asked Eobard, as he stood in front of Marvin protectively. “Did your grandfather send you, or the Magesmiths?”

“Neither.” smirked Ava. “Marly wanted to give the casanova here a letter. That’s right. A letter. And being the good sister that I am, I figured I’d help her out.”

“Give it here.” said Eobard. “If you hurt or kill me, know that it will do you no good.”

“Oh, I know.” chuckled Ava. “And even if it did, I’m not some cold-blooded witch.” she said, looking at Maria. A heptagram appeared on her hand, an envelope above it before dropping on her palm.

“You may leave now.” said Eobard after she gave the envelope to him.

“Wait!” said Adam, sounding more desperate than Marvin had ever heard him. “I have something to ask you.”

Ava turned to him without speaking. Crossing her arms, she nodded at him to begin.

“Why?” said Adam, tears threatening to spill from his eyes. “Why were you willing to abandon us? I heard you talking to the commander. I know that we were just a couple of thirteen year olds, and pretty annoying I’d wager, but we looked up to you. Like the big sister neither of us ever had. Did you really just-just not care at all?”

Everyone in the room was stunned to silence, even Maria Rockwell looking like she empathised with the boy. But what Marvin didn’t expect was Ava herself. She looked almost horrified at Adam’s accusations.

“Adam. Of course I do.” she said, looking almost ready to cry herself. “Marly’s my sister. And my grandpa told me to look after her. I couldn’t-I just-please understand that I did-that I’m doing the right thing. Adam, CB, you’re both like little brothers to me too. But I have to help and protect my actual family. Please. When this is all over you’ll see that this is what I’m supposed to do. I promise you!”

Instead of answering her, Adam chose to look down at his shoes, completely silent. CB, in a move that would be considered fictitious a few months ago, transformed back into his wolf form and hugged Adam.

After another few moments of silence, Ava decided to leave on her own, putting up no resistance.