There were no ceremonies; not even Anwil took them to a hidden cave where they could find the mysterious door. They would have expected it, especially for all the headaches it gave them. How could it not find itself well protected and away from onlookers? Instead, however, they didn't even move from their home, remaining in that little room. He supposed it wasn't always necessary to go to ancient ruins with ever more complex symbols to decipher, although he wouldn't mind visiting something like that when he had the chance.

"The key was created to protect that very egg and prevent anyone but its true partner from reaching it," Anwil said.

They took care that the same thing would not happen again in the Silver Orchid or any dorean, but such an egg could encourage rumours that did not benefit them. For that reason, Myrd's sorcerers helped the previous Signers to produce the key he now possessed. They had a way to protect it and keep it away from spectators or anyone who had ill intentions with the egg.

"Why? It wouldn't do them any good if it didn't open? "Finnian said.

"You can't imagine what some people do with eggs," Anwil said.

And from the way they all nodded without adding anything else, he didn't just mean cooking. Elthean eggs possessed a vital power, and specific individuals even tried to take them away from the unborn. They regarded them as sources of energy, as ingredients for complex spells, and that was scratching the surface.

"That's why you went to so much trouble to protect it," Finnian said.

"We don't know what might come of it, especially if it falls into the wrong hands. In yours, it would have a different fate," Anwil said.

"No pressure, right?"

Although he smiled, his nerves made his stomach shrink, feeling a heavier weight than he now experienced. He had already gotten the idea of the Signers' mission, of his role in that world. However, it was all at a level beyond his eleven years of age. Neither his parents, school, nor anything else had prepared him for something like this. While improvising might be okay, he felt anxious about so much uncertainty. Besides, what Lelile had explained was true, though his concern went beyond that. How did the Eroder know that Myrd was guarding the artefact? Because he had attacked them, he would almost have gotten the key, but even owning it would have been of no use to him. Perhaps he was unaware of its usefulness and only sought strength, the same one that Lelile wielded and which had nearly consumed her.

"Don't worry," Aer reminded, tapping him on the shoulder.

"We're with you all the way. You know that," Leith added next to him, just as Rune did the same and Nero wagged his tail.

"I wouldn't want it any other way," Finnian admitted.

Perhaps he depended on them too much, especially at times like that. But that was why they were partners. They helped each other, and they were there for the good and the bad, the fun and the boring. This was more than a mission, but an adventure they would never forget in their lives.

"Then let's not waste any more time. May I?" Anwil said.

The key reacted to Anwil's presence, recognizing him as the Orchid's guardian. It was a different sight from what had happened in Ellery Forest, for the mythical artefact glowed dimly, almost as if accompanying the sunset of the day. Instead of absorbing light, magic or energy, it gave it off steadily and surely. What seemed like particles from a pulverizer, the power it emanated soon began to take hold. Anwil staggered but held out a hand, gesturing that he was all right.

"I'm just pushing the clock, that's all."

"What do you mean?" Aer said.

"You don't look so good," Nero admitted.

A tingle ran down his back; his heart raced as a light frame appeared where the key had been. It was curious that it was only enough to get there to find it, primarily because of the number of dreams in which it was the protagonist. But there were more, feelings so different that even Finnian did not understand. Excitement at the unknown, but fear for what they might find. He did not know where the portal would send them, although it was evident that they had to go through it if they wanted to move forward. It was enough to look at it to feel the call of something, or someone, maybe the same creature that visited him in his dream. However...

"There is nothing to worry about," Anwil insisted as he smiled at them, though he gave the impression that he was struggling to stand from the look on his face. "Only you will be able to cross it. No one but the Signer wielder and his partners would have access."

"When we're sure you're all right," Rune said.

"The clock has already started. It would be best if you went through that portal now. It's not something you can open just by willing it," Anwil said.

Perhaps they had no time limit, for the key remained with him for days without activating the magic. However, the well-being of one elthean could not compare to those of everyone in that world. Elthea was suffering enough without being kept waiting any longer. Besides, anyone with a bit of logic would understand that something like this could not be repeated often. If all went well, it would open again when they were done.

"I'll stay with him," Ead said. "Go in quietly."

"You've been dying to know what the key was hiding since we found it," Leith said.

"You're part of us, whether you like it or not," Nero added.

It was true that they didn't share the same kind of connection, but that didn't make their relationship any different or any less important. The hummingbird not only contributed to their survival but had become a loyal friend who was always on their side. They knew him; they understood the curiosity he had to understand and experience it all, but even the frionach knew where he stood in this adventure, and he wasn't the only one.

"We'll tell you about the experience when we leave," Finnian promised him as the others looked at him. "Someone has to stay behind, doesn't it?"

"You'd better keep an eye on everything. I'll want details! I'll tell you about the same ones when you get back," Ead said, so sure they would see each other again. It's not like they're going to the end of the world!

"Especially since Leander will have questions, and I won't be able to ask them on as usual," Anwil said.

Then what neither of them imagined happened. Anwil ended up on the ground as soon as the sunlight faded. Without waiting for a second, they went to his aid, aware that something else was happening to the guardian that he had not revealed. His pulse was stable, he was breathing without problems, but they failed no matter what they did to wake him up. There was a magic in him that he did not understand, something that made him fall asleep so that none of those present could reach him.

"Go," Ead insisted. "I'll take care of him."

"What's going on here isn't even normal," Aer began to say.

"I know, but you can't solve other people's problems right now," Ead said.

They had reached that point where they had to focus on them and no one else, even when it meant leaving him stranded in the middle of his house. Would Ead find someone to help him?

"I guess we've come here to get in, haven't we?" Finnian said.

"Of course. Remember when we first met," Rune said.

"A couple of cats tried to eat me. You don't forget those things," Finnian smiled.

"And what about Ellery Forest? We came out of that one all right, too," Aer said.

"That's where we met. I didn't think we could get away from that one, or not me at least," Leith said.

"But you did, and we didn't become spiders' dinner. See how you never give up hope?" Ead said.

Not even at times like this, let alone when there were so many things they didn't know about and couldn't control.

"Your stories always end with kidnappings or attempts to turn you into food. How do you do it?" Nero, shaking his head.

"Natural talent," Aer smiled bravely.

"I wouldn't have thought I'd end up challenging Sköll to a duel," the wolf admitted. "I don't know if you're a good influence or not, considering."

"It depends on who you ask," Finnian nodded.

"But we were in all of them together. That's why we trust you," Rune said.

"We have from the beginning," Leith said.

"And now will be no different," Aer said.

He couldn't ask for anything better than to have them. Each of the elthean were unique in their way. They had taught him many things since he had arrived there, and if it weren't for them, he wouldn't even be in the Orchid now. Then, before he was lost in thought again, those present cleared their throats and smiled at him as soon as he looked up.

They had the door to their destiny in front of them. That was the point of no return, and everything, even their presence there, would be different from what they had experienced so far. Standing in front of the portal, the light blinded them to find out what they would find, but they walked simultaneously, passing through it without delay.

Because if there was one thing they had learned, they always had to work hard to get what they wanted. And even in that particular case, everything was complicated; what couldn't they overcome as long as they stayed together? However, as soon as she opened her eyes, none of the elthean was around him. He was not even able to perceive their presence.

Whose fantastic idea was that? Was someone laughing at his expense? Would they feel the same way if they had to experience it all themselves?