They appeared at the same place where they went through the portal. Anwil’s house was easy to recognize even if they had only been there a short time, although it was a relief to see that he was in one piece. Both Finnian and the elthean looked around, surprised that no one was around to greet them. It gave the impression that it was the same as when they left, though they had a feeling that wasn’t quite the case.

Before they could move, however, Ead appeared, glowing brightly, just as he always did when he was excited.

“You’re back - at last! We were beginning to worry.”

At last? The urgency in his voice was unquestionable, but those words were enough to make them wonder about their time inside. Even when Nana confirmed that it went at a different pace there, he hoped it wouldn’t affect the rest of Elthea. They had been too lucky to continue that streak.

“One week?” Aer and Rune repeated in unison.

“You’re not joking,” Leith said, not entirely convinced by such a revelation.

“Of course not! Do you think I would do it with something like that?” Ead said, with his tone of voice increasing the more he spoke. “When two days passed without news, Anwil tried to get the door back or find out what had happened to you.”

With not much success, though. Without the key or him, Anwil did not have a clue that could serve as a guide to initiate his magic and verify if they were still alive. They had not given up hope, but that did not stop them from worrying. Those seven days were time they would not get back, and why things in Elthea changed more than they would have liked. It was not a big surprise, especially after what they had experienced getting the egg.

It was enough to brush against his pendant for it to appear in his arms. Ead twinkled more intently, his way of showing pride because they prevailed, even if there was much they should talk about. He hid it back in his mark with a gesture that only confirmed going through the portal was for more than just getting it.

“Do you want to know the details?” Finnian said, uttering a big smile.

The hummingbird lived up to the last words they shared, especially how reticent they were with that information. However, things had happened that not everyone in Elthea should know about, and unfortunately for the frionach, they had other priorities. Anwil was not around, but Ead confirmed that it would not be long before they would find Leander. His friend met him shortly after they left, assuring him of his existence, though there were details he did not share either.

“This is Leander’s business, not mine,” Ead said, calculating his words.

What was happening to Anwil was not exhaustion but something more significant. The elthean could get sick like humans, although the Guardians had to take care of themselves because of the implications of their position. Those details were not revealed to them, for it was not their friend’s business, but there were others they should have known. The latest reports told them that both Ariel and the Eroder had continued their activities, not stopping on any given day. They must have found out that they disappeared, even if they were unaware of the reasons, but they used that time.

“Messengers arrived from Aurean. The Eroder tried to attack recently, this time doing more damage,” Ead said.

“What would he want with something like that?” Leith said.

“To display its strength?” Aer suggested.

The motives no longer mattered, though. Ariel was beginning to gain influence in the south, but the north resisted strongly. Those places they had been and the elthean they met knew they would not disappoint. What would they think if they knew the whole truth? However, that wasn’t the only one of their problems. It wasn’t as if they had gone on vacation!

“Something is coming this way! Leander has sent several scouts to determine the threat.”

“Why couldn’t they do it already?” Nero asked.

The chaos. Their absence had allowed it to spread, causing even tracking magic to fail. What was clear to them was that it was a powerful presence and that it was not Calamity.

“Do you know where that trail came from?” Finnian said.

“At the north exit,” Ead said.

“Find Leander. Have him withdraw his scouts and alert as many as possible to prepare for possible battle,” Nero said.

“Why?” Ead exclaimed.

“There’s no time to explain,” Aer assured him.

“We must make sure, though we don’t want to be caught off guard,” Leith said.

Their good intentions were not gone, but neither would they be so innocent as to think they would have no problems. Without wasting more time, they separated from fulfilling their task, taking the path Ead indicated to them. Being in the Silver Orchid centre helped, not to add that getting on top of Nero would make everything faster. Shortly before they reached the barrier, they followed his plan, leaving him and the wolf alone.

“Do you think it will work?” Nero said.

“We’ll soon find out,” Finnian replied.

It was enough for them to leave the protective dome to feel exposed. No sound accompanied them, even at that time of night. It was as if the whole world had gone silent, waiting for anything to happen. And then, after they left the rocky terrain and finally found themselves in the open, they found Blanche and Ark.

“Finnian?” the girl exclaimed, unable to hide her surprise. “Is it really you?”

“Of course I am. Who could I be?”

“We thought you were dead!” Blanche said.

He and Nero looked at each other; Nero sniffed him while Finnian touched his arms and abdomen.

“No, we’re very much alive,” Finnian said.

“You disappeared,” Blanche said, moving closer to them. “Ariel and the Eroder have come a long way in your absence.”

“But you were there, weren’t you?” Nero said, looking at both of them.

“One Signer is not the same as two.”

That’s why they believed their enemies managed to get so intense. Without someone to undermine their power, at least by coexisting in Elthea, they had the opportunity to continue with their plans.

“It’s a relief to see you unharmed. Where are the others?” Blanche said.

“Doing reconnaissance, we didn’t think we’d find you here,” Nero said.

“It was the last place you were seen. I thought it would be a good area to start looking for you,” she admitted, shrugging. “So you found what you were looking for, did you?”

“What do you mean?” Finnian said.

“Whatever happened to you in there has changed you. You’ve done it, haven’t you?” Blanche said, looking him up and down with unusual attention.

That was what they needed to confirm their suspicions.

“Did you find her?” Finnian said.

“They use the night to hide,” Rune said.

“There is more magic active than usual at this hour,” Leith said. “Few elthean would have the audacity to do such a thing.”

“Unless they have a purpose,” Aer said, aware of the gravity of their situation.

“Be alert,” Nero said.

A smirk emerged from Blanche. Not as broad as the one she had seen a few minutes ago, though he could see it as more genuine. She was using her magic to analyze him, trying to find out what he wasn’t telling her while being attentive with his gestures to what he might reveal.

“They’re not far away, are they?”

“Of course not. We thought we’d run into trouble,” Finnian said.

“We should take the egg somewhere safe to avoid the worst. Where have you got it?” Blanche said.

She knew from the beginning. Blanche may not have known the details, but she was aware of their mission and why they had gone there. After saying those words, Blanche closed her eyes, finally realizing what a big mistake she had made.

“I’ve been too insistent, haven’t I?”

“You would have gotten an A,” Finnian said.

Then she applauded him and even bowed.

“Very convincing. What a real hero would have said,” Blanche mocked, then clasped her hands together. “May I? Before you start giving me the talk?”

“Go ahead,” Finnian said.

“See, that’s what I liked about you. You’re a good listener,” Blanche said. “That’s why I always thought you’d understand me of all the people I could meet here. Wouldn’t you want to stay in Elthea? “

“Wow. Is that what you’re going to try?” Finnian said.

Did she really not know him? Not even a hint? Were friendships at school like that? They were classmates who saw each other every day but were unaware of what the others were really like, and didn’t even care.

“We have the power we need, Finnian. We’re somebody here. Have you never thought about it? “

“You’ve done it yourself, and this isn’t the first time.

“But I’m sure you could do it with that egg,” Blanche insisted, her smile growing in excitement. “We wouldn’t need to go back home. Elthea could be our home.”

Their time together in Elthea was nothing more than a lie. The trauma of the attack and her reluctance to fight or help others were indications he saw from miles away. He tried to change her when he must have seen what was right next to him in reality. After all, meeting someone from his world made him believe that they could get along, although it wouldn’t be possible after that night.

“We never told you about the egg. Who was it? Kali?” Finnian said, looking around. “Where is she? Don’t tell me she’s still afraid of me, is she?”

Then he let out a laugh that lasted several seconds. How could she be so awful? Or worse, how did he forget what he had witnessed her doing at school day in and day out?

“You’re the Eroder,” Finnian said.

“Bingo,” Blanche replied.

“It’s about time!”

Someone else appeared, emerging from nowhere in the middle of the night. His friends were approaching swiftly, but with superior ability, she overtook them. It was as tiny as Ead, with a high-pitched voice, as annoying as her former friend. Kali appeared floating next to Blanche, clearing the illusion that concealed her so far.

“At least I won’t have to play timid anymore.”

“I should have trusted my instinct about you,” Finnian said, unfolding his staff.

“A mistake you may not have the chance to repeat,” the fairy added.