A little over a day and a half of hiking didn't make Finnian fall in love with nature, but it was better than nothing. He had barely been there for more than a week and learned and adapted to this world while walking. Also, having a group as varied as theirs made everything more fun and enjoyable. Rune no longer was as sarcastic as in the beginning, and fighting with Leith seemed to bring them together more. Even Aer was more than comfortable with everybody, and having Ead fluttering around him and talking about the Hawell region, made that group more united than ever.

The weather was good for them at all times, with a sun that made them sweat at every step they took, always closer to that giant tree. The Great Galya Tree was surrounded by a circle of mountains that had already crossed, thanking the landscape for not being so monotonous. It was impossible to overlook it, and it was not only because of the colossal size that would rival several skyscrapers but because of its lush glass and the vegetation that had to be at its feet.

They consider flying over there to reach Galya more quickly but are dismissed immediately by Rune and Ead. Both had become the reasonable voices in their group, or Finnian thought when they dispatched band anything he suggested. Evolving and flying would make them visible and draw too much attention. Now more than ever, they should go unnoticed.

"Until you get stronger, it's time to walk," Ead said.

"You have longer legs than us. Take advantage of them!" Rune said.

They repeated those words so many times that Finnian ended up counting them. Half to take it as a game and because of how bored he was sometimes.

"How many? "Aer whispered when they weren't paying attention to them.

"Eleven," Finnian replied, curling his lips in a smile.

"Do you think we could raise that number? "suggested the elthean, containing the urge to laugh.

But they soon get tired of that game, and after leaving behind forests and mountains, they had a perfect view of the Great Galya Tree at dusk. Beautiful and glorious in all its majesty.

The sun had almost gone, but that didn't take away the charm of the landscape. That Dorean was impressive and gave off a distinction that he had only seen in the big cities. If they had been closer, camping outside wouldn't be even considered, but both Aer and Rune preferred to wait at the first light to finish their journey. But at least they were there!

"I was wondering..." Aer began to say as they dined. "Do humans evolve? No, right?"

"I've never met one who illumines like you, but it depends on what you consider to 'evolve'," Finnian said with a bit of laugh, and then looked at Rune and Leith. "What do you feel when you transform yourself?"

Unlike the previous nights, where they took turns to make a guard, they did not split up on that occasion. He assumed that the closeness of their home impatient them, just as it would happen to him. What would he feel when he returned to his own? A week had passed so suddenly. How would your parents be? Or would everything still be covered by shadows?

Finnian rubbed his arms, feeling cold even though the atmosphere wasn't that bad. The weather was not significantly different from your world, but not having the sea so close was noticeable. Now, a gentle breeze accompanied them in their conversation. They did not even bother to make a fire and instead remained camouflaged in the dark, enjoying the night sky lying down. They used to do it every night, and they always spoke in a low voice, almost as if they didn't want anyone outside their group to listen to them. It seemed impossible to find places where they were so quiet! If the surroundings were like this, Finnian was dying to see the Galya with his own eyes.

"Strength, more than before," Rune admitted after a while in silence.

"And the ability to face almost anyone," Leith added.

"That's what it means to grow. You are still very young," Ead said, "but you will live it sooner or later."

"It would be interesting to see Finnian a little bigger. Can you picture that?" Aer said.

"It wouldn't be bad. Maybe he would be more intimidating!" Rune said, laughing eagerly.

"Wow, and I thought I would get rid of any teasing today…." Finnian murmured, rolling his eyes. "It is impressive when you evolve. You rules more than some adults I know."

"That's because the eltheans are great," Aer added with his usual good humour.

"It depends on what elthean," Finnian titled.

Spiders were not his favourites, nor did the cats want to make him the main course, while those pumpkins were more volatile than you could imagine for a vegetable. Oh! And that they should not forget that forest witch with domination's desires. They spoke of all the elthean they had met, of Kay and Fee, of Theri and how the Little Warriors would be. Ead told them more about the Frionach, where he grew up until they started yawing frequently.

Although he knew he should enter the tent, he had found such comforting support on Leith's spine that it would not give him any trouble staying out. They were like that for a bit; he didn't know for how long until one of the elthean moved. It took a short time to recognize Aer's voice, who asked him to wake up and see something marvellous.

Sensing no danger, as soon as he opened his eyes, the small blue elthean asked him to look forward, just where the clearing that separated them from the Galya. Around the tree and its surroundings, there were fireflies. Far from resembled those of heaven, the world in front of him was gaining strength for moments.

"Come. Let's get ahead; you won't be sorry," Aer said, pulling his arm. "The others will be fine."

"I will watch over them. Be careful!" Ead said in his usual serious tone.

Going down that hillside with that illumination was a challenge, but Finnian didn't want to end up eating earth. But Aer's haste and presence made him forget almost everything, reaching the low ground in a few minutes. While it was confirmed that it felt smaller, the glow worms that shone dimly but continuously were not only numerous but seemed to react upon its arrival. They moved, almost as if they were dancing, illuminating the road to the Dorean area. But above all, Finnian felt that it was the place he had to be for the first time.

"It's... Like a sea of stars," Finnian said without being able to hide his smile. "Are they elthean?"

But Aer shook his head, running around him, trying to catch some without any success. Perhaps they were part of the magic of that place. Did it matter? Rather not. Who could understand what he was living? Only him and nothing else would know that world and everything it showed him. He was a Signer. He was there for a reason, and even if it wasn't to catch fireflies, now nothing else mattered.

However, before he could laugh or continue to enjoy that show, a blur crossed his path, causing him to lose his balance. They were not alone.