“In your world, do you also have constellations like ours?” Aer said.

“Sure. Some have unique names. Orion’s Belt is one of them,” Finnian explained.

“And it’s belt-shaped? Who gave him such a name? And why a belt?” Aer inquired, coming up from the floor to look at him.

“No idea. Why have they called Titanus a constellation?” Finnian added, doing the same.

“Because it has the shape of the great titan of the earth, of course!” Aer said, rolling his gaze.

The dinner and calm they found there gave free rein to something they had been ignoring for a long time: tiredness. They fled from High Sword almost at midnight and spent hours walking in the Ellery Forest, recovering forces while walking. Staying at the Shrine reassured the elthean, and even Finnian ended up accepting that feeling. While the others entered the tent, Aer remained outside with him, lying on the floor, too nervous to sleep. The night sky was darker than ever, perfect for stargazing, which was tricky in Madrid. Thus he learned that they had almost as many constellations as in their world or that Elthea had three moons: One white (the largest), one blue and one yellow (the smallest).

“Do you see that star from there? The one that shines the most?”

“Aer, they all shine a lot,” Finnian said, frowning and hiding a yawn with his arm.

“That, sleepyhead,” Aer said, moving his head and pointing with his free hand. “We call it the Sensitive Star. It tells us the east and the way we have to take to the Galya.”

“Sensitive? For the Frionach like Ead?" Finnian asked, to which the elthean nodded. “They are some kind of guides, right?”

“More or less, although it’s the first I’ve met,” Aer admitted.

The good side is that he wasn’t the only one who was experiencing all those new things. Aer told her some details of her childhood, how he had been raised alongside Rune since they were born. That Ailfryd, among others, cared for them and the life they had in the Galya.

“I’m sure they’ll get shocked with our disappearance,” Aer said, more thoughtful than ever.

“It’s something you are at least clear about,” Finnian admitted, releasing a sigh. “What will have happened in my world?”

He already told them what he remembered about his arrival there, but now that he could sit down and think about it calmly... Would they have noticed his disappearance? Or would they remain in the darkness?

“Everything will be in place; you’ll see it,” Aer grinned.

“Why are you so secure?”

“Finnian, you’re not the first Signer to come here. When you return to your world, everything will go well,” Aer assured him.

He wanted to believe that, although there was a slight doubt. Would he remember what he experienced there? Or would he forget it, thinking it was nothing but a dream?

Tired and almost falling asleep, the calm of the field was interrupted by a very particular sound. It was not the noise of any insect or any other elthean, but music. It was loud and clear as if coming out of giant speakers that also came closer to where they were. Rune, Leith and Ead appeared out of the tent, more asleep than awake but equally surprised. Then it was when someone approached the boundaries of the sanctuary, accompanied by that rock song.

“Who is there!” Finnian exclaimed.

“I love that you ask that question.”

A loud and melodious voice answered him, being illuminated by what was to be a trailer sledging by two triceratopses. In front of them emerged what initially seemed like an adult because of its high height, exceeding two meters. However, he soon realized his mistake, as his appearance was quite different. With tight blue trousers and a long black coat, instead of skin, he had cream coloured fur. His face was a mixture of lion and human, with snout where the nose used to go and yellow eyes shining with their own light. His dark brown melena was as prominent as his animal version, wearing a pirate hat over her.

“Wow, so the rumours are true. The Signer has finally arrived!” applauded the elthean.

“Yey, thank you for pointing out the obvious,” Finnian said.

That one gave off energy unlike any he had seen so far and did not refer to danger. It was something that could not be perceived just by looking at it because that way so civilized only half-hidden a considerable threat.

“You are a sassy one, right?”

“Are you not going to introduce yourself?” Aer intervened.

“I’m Ariel, the most powerful of all the elthean! Although you may know me as the Lord of Calamity,” he said, widening his smile.

Seriously? Were they just resting, and now he appeared? Of all the elthean, it had to be that one!

“Do you want to fight?” Aer said, lifting both fists.

“As if you were going out of the Sanctuary to teach me your best moves,” Ariel made fun of him. “Moreover, your current power is ridiculous. Why waste time with you now when I can leave you for later? I prefer to look for the Eroder, a worthy rival!”

“The Eroder?” Finnian repeated.

“Have you not learned?” Ariel said, laughing eagerly. “There is an elthean that destroys everything in its way. How dare he try to take my seat off!”

“Wow, do even the Lords of Calamity have competition?” Finnian said with sarcasm.

“No, It should only be me. And some foolish gets in where it shouldn’t,” Ariel exclaimed with anger.

“How he dare to do that!” Aer joked.

“Yeah! We should fight, but that Eroder does not stop making more chaos in your domain,” Finnian said, trying to hide the mockery in his words.

“Sassy and clever, what a combination you are!” Ariel said when he was interrupted by one of his subordinate elthean with a hybrid-like appearance between hyena and human. “Although you are lucky, I will not end up with you today. I have the trace of that “Eroder”, and I plan to give him what he deserved.”

“Good luck?” Finnian said, increasingly confused with everything. “It bothers you to call him like that, huh?” Finnian added. “It’s cool, although there’s nothing better like “Ariel, the rock calamity.”

“I like it. You have a good eye, human. Pity that we are on opposing sides,” Ariel said, observing him with curiosity. “See you soon, dwarf!”

Returning to his trailer, the music was heard loud again as Ariel roar in joy. After that scandal, he soon disappeared from his sight and, fortunately, from his ears as well. Aer looked at him, just as he did with others, ignoring how to react to such a peculiar situation.

“What the hell has happened?” Finnian said.

“We could say that,” Rune replied, crossing his arms. “Talking about the weather with the Lord of Calamity?”

“It was that or shouting to him that he couldn’t defeat us. What would you prefer?” Finnian defended himself.

“You are natural enemies. You can’t trust him,” Ead said seriously.

“I don’t, but better avoid him or now. Imagine if he decided to camp here in front,” Finnian said.

“Elthea is becoming a crazy world,” Aer said, denying with his head. “What will we find now?”

“Mmm… Gummy ghost?” Finnian proposed.

“If they were sweet… why not?” Aer said.

“Come on! Go to sleep,” Rune said while turning around and head to the tent, not without adding. “What a pair. Ailfryd is not going to believe all this. Elthea will be doomed if we keep going like this.”

To Finnian’s surprise, he opened his eyes when the sun was already high, feeling he could sleep at least a week. I hadn’t dreamed anything, which was strange even to him. Being alone inside the tent, he peered his head out and ensured they were there. When they notice him, they also smile while having breakfast.

“We thought we would wake you up later,” Aer promised as soon as he saw him leave. “You looked exhausted from last night.”

“You had a good time staring at the stars and telling stories. What did you expect?” Rune said, rolling her eyes.

“You should eat something. You need to recover your strength!” Leith added, moving the tail with joy.

Magical companions with all kinds of skills, food of extravagant flavours and a world to explore. Even in his best dreams, he had imagined anything like this, and although his first steps were not very successful, he was still there with all the limbs. And even after talking about the Lord of Calamity, they decided to go another route, trying to avoid him.

“There’s something we must talk about before we leave,” Finnian said as soon as he finished eating. “Aer, Rune and I headed towards Galya, but you and Ead can follow your path. Maybe find the rest of your group?”

He knew the most critical thing Leith told him. She was travelling with other dragons, who were later attacked and separated, fleeing the Dragon Hunter. Her friend escaped, and after that, she was trapped in the Ellery Forest. Her hunter may have given up when she finished there, although that was a question they had no answer to.

“It was a pleasure to meet you, but I can’t decide for you what you’re going to do,” Finnian admitted.

“Also, two elthean are already pursuing us: Ariel will come back when he gets bored,” said Aer.

“If the Eroder doesn’t make him sly before,” Rune murmured.

“Our journey will be more dangerous. You are now in time to follow your path,” Finnian said, pronouncing a slight smile.

He didn’t know what would have happened to Theri and the rest of the Little Warriors, but they helped him without imagining that an enemy like that demonic elthean would attack them. He would love to have the ability to come back in a blink to High Sword. At least know if they survived! But he would not have that possibility, not with the luck he was having.

“We want to go with you,” Leith said after staying a few seconds in silence.

“Do you think I’ll miss the opportunity to accompany a Signer?” Ead said with such enthusiasm that it shone louder for a few moments. “This is my first pilgrimage, and I plan to take advantage of it!”

“And you gave me your power. I managed to evolve,” Leith added solemnly, raising one of his legs. “I want to do the same for you, for Aer and Rune.”

“Are you sure? “Aer said.

“Without a doubt,” the dragon smiled. “You’ll see that Calamity. He will find out what we are capable of!”

“I suppose our group is growing from now on,” Finnian said, this time looking at Rune. “Don’t have anything to add?”

“Not at all. Between how particular you are and that danger always follows you, we will need all the help possible,” Rune said.

She wasn’t wrong. How he was supposed to defeat so many enemies if he didn’t even know how to help them? At least they had time until they reached the Galya. And with a dragon on his team!