That morning Finnian felt like his birthday, although it would take several months for him to celebrate. After breakfast, but before getting clean, Lunaluz arrived like the rest of the days, carrying a wooden box. By simply removing a small bow made from Galya’s leaves, he could appreciate it in more detail. Long, with a grip on the top, comparable to a tool and jewellery box hybrid, the end finishes were softened, making them pleasant as the warmer blanket.

“You know that the interesting thing is inside, right?” Lunaluz said, amused at his reaction.

Not to mention the marked runes. While there were only four compartments at a glance: Two at the top and the remaining on each side, the symbols marked were by a curious function. That little box was enchanted like his backpack, so he could store more things inside it than it initially seemed. Its purpose? Store the food that would be taken with them, protecting them and allowing them to stay fresh as long as possible. From the fruit and berries on one side to kitchen ingredients and ready dishes or snacks, everything could be helpful on the road they would have to travel.

“Supplies food exist for something, and although you can get tired of biadhe like any other, at least you need to be prepared,” Lunaluz said.

It wasn’t the only thing, though. A similar box in appearance, but slightly smaller, was designed for potions and other ingredients. After all, it was not advisable to use the same space for your daily foods with something whose effects could be too varied to keep them away. In addition, maintaining the same temperature meant that its content could be used in other scenarios.

“Last but not least, I’d like you to try this on,” Lunaluz said, laying out a thick package.

His clothes had increased very little during the two weeks he was in Elthea. Aside from the magical garments that replaced his pyjamas, he had an extra he used to train and nothing else. At first, he was uncomfortable not even changing with the same frequency as at home, but he soon learned certain tricks since he arrived at the Galya that helped mitigate that burden.

The package contained, apart from underwear, an ochre and white long-sleeve hunter, with matching trousers and t-shirt and even boots, along with gauntlets to finish off that outfit that would serve him where he was heading. After all, even when they were in summer, the weather could change, so the appropriate attire was a must.

After suiting up, Finnian not only found that they fit him and were comfortable at the same time, but they did bother nothing.

“They’re enchanted to protect you from the journey and make it a little easier,” Lunaluz said, pronouncing a small smile and then putting the green and white scarf on his neck, similar to the one she was wearing. “This is to remind me.”

“I don’t need a gift to do that,” said Finnian.

“It’s possible, but you’ll have something to hold on to when you need it most.”

He did not even consider it and simply embraced her for a few seconds. How could he not remember all she had taught him? Perhaps his time there was short, but his memories and words would not fade like the wind. Although, of course, he would not even get rid of a new practical class that morning.

“The last is the best,” Lunaluz said with her eyes shining with emotion.

“Why do I get the impression you missed our workouts?” Finnian said, unable to hide a smile.

Whatever Lelile might instruct him, no one wanted to be replaced, not even from a position they did not initially seek. Perhaps that was due to something more of the information the witch was not unveiling but rather to her origin. Because Myrd, while sharing knowledge and advances, like other cultures, was too focused on his floating island to stay tuned for what happened in the rest of Elthea. That made them the target of injustices, although not all will look for their navel.

“I think her presence means that soon things will change even there,” Finnian said.

“I hope so. Now more than ever, it is in our best interest to gather as many allies as we can,” Lunaluz said.

After a slight reverence in the backyard, they started that class, even though it was not one as such. Even Lelile appeared as both wanted to appreciate if he continued to remember what they had taught him. Even though he wasn’t a worthy opponent against any of them, he would not hide behind his partners the first time he encountered a problem.

His initial surprise came from Lunaluz’s movements. Instead of creating circles, the elthean planted her feet on the ground, creating a slight tremor that did not seek to destabilize him but to distract him. A second later, after a new stomp, a ground projectile was fired, dodging it quickly.

“She doesn’t behave like other times,” Finnian thought.

“This is more than just a test,” Aer reminded him, watching alongside the others.

However, those words were cut by a windy strike. That magical block kept Finnian away from his partners and the support he could give him, even if it was emotional. Theri and the alasdair also took part in the presence, followed by Embar, Kuel and Onyx, all observing without adding a word.

The land resented under his feet, although Lunaluz barely made significant gestures so that he had to run. He might dodge them with circular movements, but she was not allowing him to act. He tried to manipulate the air, find the path of least resistance to destabilize her, but the firmness and strength of the elthean were comparable to that of the trolls.

Under pressure increasingly, he did the only thing that was available to him in the end. With two quick gestures of the arms, he left aside the control he always held over his magic to flow. Two air streams currents emerged from nowhere, fast and powerful, blocked by an earth’s shield by Lunaluz. However, that was not the only thing he could do.

After making a spin, he did not fear falling for once because of his lousy coordination. The water came to his claim, creating a thin water ring around him. After drawing an arch with his right hand, a whip of the fluid element took shape, directly toward the legs of the elthean. However, instead of tumbling her, the blow managed to freeze her where the water hit.

“Well, I see that something has stuck with you after all these days,” Lunaluz said, turning off the ice with a quick gesture of his hands. “But remember, what your eyes see is only a small portion of what you can do. Remember your limits, but don’t tell your opponent.”

Maybe it wouldn’t last long against someone with more experience, but it was the maximum that anyone could get in two weeks. While Finnian had unorthodox and accelerated learning, part of the way was the journey. His friends also knew enough to continue teaching him, although the circumstances and place could not be more different.

So, after an instant, Lelile approached them, having two things. The first was a scroll whose letters revealed how to go to Myrd. They disappeared as soon as Finnian managed to read them, although he could see that the information was kept within him.

“It’s my way of helping you remember it,” the witch smiled.

Her next present was similar to her rod, although she was pretty far from it. The cane, made of wood from the Galya forest, had been hardened by magical methods to ensure its integrity. The best thing was it could retract it and seem like a regular grip.

“I don’t recommend trying its hardness, but it should help you while you walk.”

“For a moment, I thought it would become a broom or something like that,” Finnian admitted, letting a nervous laugh escape.

“I ignore how things will be in Myrd, but I will be back there as soon as I regain my strength,” Lelile said. “There are many changes we need to make, and that’s where our relationships with the rest of the world come in.”

“Will you participate in the fight against the Lord of Calamity?” Finnian said.

“We’ll do what we can to stop him, but that’s a task that’s up to you alone,” Theri said.

The alasdair, although far away, were also on their side. Perhaps they were of the few elthean on their side, supporting their mission and not becoming a real obstacle in their way. That flood of gifts and advice weighed him down, mainly because there were some days left until they continued their journey.

“You have to enjoy every moment, Finnian,” Theri said, letting out his characteristic laugh.

Because he never knew. He doubted that they would attack them in the middle of the night, although Finnian did not express it aloud. After all, he learned from the wrong way that things usually didn’t go concretely. The present was written as they travelled, and only thus could they find out what the future was waiting for them.

It was dark, full of pain and suffering, caused by enemies who only intended to destroy everything that mattered to them. Or one where the balance will return, returning each one to a life that would no longer be the same as ever. How could he return to Earth? To his school routine, when all that was part of his life? Would he remember that? Or would that adventure end up in oblivion, being turned into a story that he would only remember when he was an adult?

Finnian didn’t know those answers, nor didn’t really want to find out them yet. Because he was there and he still had many experiences to live with his elthean.