The morning sun rose, shining through a dusty window and landing on a desk full of ancient paper and texts. Streaks of light shine on a pile of jewels, creating a plethora of colors that display around the room. The door to the room opens rapidly as a young woman soon enters. A woman who appears to be twenty is actually one of the oldest sorcerers in Noth Mildor. She runs to the stack of unkempt papers on a large wooden desk, hurriedly but carefully removes the papers, revealing an old man underneath, with a blue gem inside his mouth.

"Javier wake up. Wake up." The woman yelled as she shook the dust and debris off him.

The old man sits up and looks around, questioning what's happening. "What's going on Gongju? Who took my blanket?"

"It happened again. The vortex opened."

As soon as the words left her mouth, Javier rises to his feet and grabs an old leather bag.

"Quick, to the automobile." Javier shouted, as he pointed to the driveway.

"Most people just say car nowadays." Gongju said as she shook her head and pulled out her keys.

Javier rushes downstairs and opens the door, jumping inside the large silver minivan that would take him to their destination. As Javier sits there shaking with excitement, he couldn't help but tap his foot as Gongju checks her mirrors and buckles up.

"Aren't you going to buckle up?" Gongju said while changing from park to reverse.

"I don't need the help of this belt." Javier said, as he hit the seatbelt.

The engine roars as Gongju speeds off down the driveway and onto the graveled road. The tires screeching as it tries its best to speed up as fast as possible.

As the van zooms forward, they both are instantly pulled back into their seats, glued to the interior as the van accelerates at an alarming rate. She opens the sunroof, letting in a rush of chilly morning air. As the sun shines off of Javier's shiny bald head while Gonju's long black hair waved behind her, almost touching the second row of seats. The strong breeze helps remove the dust and loose hair from Javier's thick mustache and beard as it rushes off of him and out through the open window above.

"So, where did it happen?" Javier asked.

"You'll never guess."

"Instead of saying you'll never guess, why don't you just tell me instead?"

"That's true. Why do people say that?" Gongju asked as Javier shrugged his shoulders.

"On the set of that show." Gongju said as Javier looked at her with a shocked expression. "From the surveillance footage it was a young lady, probably the same lady that arrived here eight years ago.”

"But we checked almost everywhere. Where was she this whole time?"

"I don't know. It's possible she checked in after we called all the hospitals."

But the weird part is, she also took twelve people with her from the show."

"What about the writer? I bet he has something to do with this."

"I wouldn't be surprised, but he's nowhere to be seen. The address he has listed only has a few pieces of furniture in it and every time we stalk the office, we never see him leave or enter."

"Hopefully, there's still a trace of the spell left. I need it if there's any hope of going back.”

"We must hurry. Can't this thing go any faster?"

"We're already driving two hundred miles per hour."

"Two hundred? Per hour?" Javier said, as he scoffed at the shamefully slow speed of this automobile. "I could run from kingdom to kingdom in half that time."

"Then why don't you get out and do that, old man? It's your fault I had to get a new one." Gongju said, getting fed up with his insults towards her car. It took months to find a car and with the limited amount of funds they had, she had to settle for an almost unusable one at the junkyard. "I have to use my energy just to make this go at a decent speed. While all you do is fill it with dust."

"Dang, you're harsh. Besides, you know I can't. I wouldn't want to create unwanted attention by a short old man jumping and running around the place. Plus, that would take an unnecessary toll on my body."

"Then shush. We're here." Gongju said, slamming on the brakes while pulling into the warehouse. As the car stops suddenly, the momentum takes Javier and slams him into the dashboard in front of him, nearly cracking the windshield.

"I told you." Gongju said as she stared at Javier, rubbing his now bruised head while she shakes her head in disappointment.

The warehouse is now filled with reporters and parents, all asking questions about what that light was and where the missing people have gone.

"Does this have any relation to the similar light eight years ago?" A reporter from a local news reporter asked.

"What would you say to the people saying this is all just a publicity stunt to help the show?"

"Where is my daughter? I demand answers. We have a full schedule and we don't have time for this." Mei's mother shouted.

Gongju and Javier exit the van and look at one another, nodding their heads firmly and heading to the trunk. Javier opens the trunk door and pulls out a couple of coats, hats and sunglasses. They close the door now wearing an attire resembling a 1930s detective. They walk confidently to the entrance of the warehouse, holding their fake badges an inch away from anyone who looks at them.

The entrance is packed with officers all in front of the door, guarding the entrance from the chaotic crowd. Gongju and Javier walk toward the yellow tape, trying their best to portray as much confidence as possible as they raise their badge simultaneously to the officers. The officers inspect the badges and after verifying, raise the yellow tape, letting them through.

"These things really come in handy. I admire your craftsmanship." Gongju said while looking at the fake badges around their neck.

"Thank you. Did you forget I was one of Noth Mildor's greatest craftsmen and enchanters?"

Gongju rolls her eyes as she looks around. "No, because you always tell me."

"Quite so."

They walk toward the door and open it, immediately feeling the energy pulsing throughout it. Gongju and Javier walk slowly, scanning the warehouse that is still filled with leftover food, equipment, miscellaneous items and a broken set that tumbled with the force from the vortex.

Javier closes his eyes, feeling the surrounding magic, trying to get any information he could.

"It was definitely here."

Gongju adjusts her thick classes and observes the aura around the room. The enchanted glasses easily pick up the strong trace and energy that almost suffocates the room. She takes out a clear container and opens it, trying to get a sample of it for later research.

"Yeah, there's no doubt. I can feel and see the enchantment signature all around. But there is another scent and trace I feel, a powerful energy. This might be the answer to creating the spell to return home." Gongju said, while feeling the debris on the floor, rubbing her fingers together, still able to feel the energy coursing through it.

"Are you crazy? Do you realize how dangerous that is, especially a spell of that magnitude?" Javier shouted, sending an echo through the empty warehouse.

"What choice do I have at this point? Wydell is still out there, fighting who knows what. It's our fault we lost them. I must try." Gongju punches the ground, cracking the surrounding concrete. "And I was hoping you would be there for me when I do." Gongju rises to her feet and looks at her friend with sorrow.

Javier extends his arm and forms a fist. "Of course, I'll be there. Who knows what trouble you'd get into without me?"

Gongju let out a laugh and slammed her fist into his. Grateful she had a companion she can count on. "Be prepared. This might get a little chaotic."

Javier looks at Gongju with a smirk. "When has it not been?"