

The Mirage

Sequel to The Star

By C. Warner-Thompson

Book Two: The Mirage

First edition © 2013 by Clemy Warner-Thompson

Front cover design by Brad Covey

Original cover interpretation by Ida Jannson

Edited by The Word Weeder, Flannery Winchester

All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof  
may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever  
without the express written permission of the author.

Printed in the United Kingdom

First Printing, 2013

ISBN - 978-1-291-61395-7

### When the path ahead is clouded

### And your heart is giving way,

### The sun's light no longer matters,

### Darkness draws you in.

### Your strength begins to wane

### As the Light pushes on,

### Allow it to fight for you,

### Reach out for its hand—

### Move on from Shadow

### And find your way.

### Never forget your power

### Or the faith to drive you on,

### Become more than an echo,

### Become the Light.
One

Since Maria had attacked the Everglades with hordes of Shadows and the strong elemental Taro at her side, Abbii had struggled to keep focused. Even when she was asleep, her thoughts would become so muddled that tears would often build in the corners of her eyes, though she didn't need to cry. It was more for the fact that she didn't know how to show the emotions bubbling inside of her.

Nate had stayed by her side since the attack, offering his shoulder whenever it was needed, though he noticed that Abbii was still not willing to let him get close to her. She made more of an effort with him, holding his hand and embracing him, but there was still something between them, keeping them apart. He didn't push her, choosing rather to be there for her, making up for lost time.

The nights had grown darker now that the moon was waning, and the air continued to blow its ice-cold touch. It had not stopped snowing since Abbii had learnt of the future threat of the Darkfields opening. Four days had passed, and yet her senses still felt on edge, as if the attack was to come in the near future. The truth was, however, that it had come and gone, and their opponents had been defeated. Both Taro and Maria had died so there should have been no one left to fear. Even so, Abbii's heart was filled with fear and nothing she did seemed to ease its growth. Her nightmares returned, poisoning her sleep, though her mental images of the future were dull and colourless, blurred beyond recognition. Abbii wanted to know what it meant, but as long as his face didn't appear every time she closed her eyes, she would be thankful.

Jake Christian.

He had met Abbii four years beforehand and they had become close friends, regularly meeting at The Everglades pool. They had shared so many times together that Abbii found it difficult to remember anything before being taken to The Everglades. She had enjoyed Jake's company and his ability to make her laugh no matter what. When he had been taken from her, grief and pain had consumed her whole and affected everything in her life, even her powers. Several times she had wished for Jake to return and now, after so long, her wish had come true, but in the one way that she had never expected.

When the Shadows—vile creatures with slanting eyes and jagged teeth—had attacked Jake, piercing his chest with a sharpened edge, Abbii had run as fast as she could into the College. She had raced into Daniel's office, hiding in the corner, hoping that the creatures couldn't reach her again. Many days had passed and Abbii had continued to grieve for the loss of her best friend, but not all was as she thought it was.

Jake had died that day, but his body had been consumed by Darkness and pulled into the Darkfields. The powers within his body, revealed only to Abbii when his mother had explained, had revived him, and he had existed within the Dark since his death. Abbii had only come to realise the truth when her powers had reached their limit, revealing what had happened that night. She had watched how Jake's body disappeared and how a second materialised in his place—a young man whom Daniel had carried into the College building.

Nate Edwards.

When he had started studying at the Everglades, no one had suspected anything suspicious about him, though Abbii knew he was special somehow. She had been drawn to him, watching the way his muscles adjusted when he moved—the way his hazel eyes always glistened whenever he looked at her—but the truth was that Nate was in fact part of Jake, part of his soul. At least Abbii would always have a part of Jake with her.

She lay in her bed, staring at the ceiling. A sliver of light beamed across the room, creeping in through the gap at the side of her door. It had been blown from its hinges in the attack, and she and Max had done the best they could with the repair. As long as it opened and closed, it didn't really matter.

Moving to the edge of her bed, Abbii could hear banging echoing through the corridor. She sensed some of the students outside moving large pieces of debris from the floor. The College repairs had begun almost immediately, though after the four days that had already passed, not much had changed. Those with magic had helped by using their abilities whenever they could and those without worked just as hard.

Standing up, Abbii pulled her hoodie on, zipping it up to her chest. She pushed her feet into the pair of old grey boots on the floor and then looked in the mirror. Her room was still dark due to the fact that her blind remained closed, but her heightened eyesight allowed her to see that her skin was pale. She grasped the mass of her scarlet hair and tied it into a messy bun, glancing briefly over her reflection.

She was wearing a pair of dark skinny jeans—they were her favourite, even with the large tear over her knee. Her hoodie ended just below her waist, hiding her T-shirt from view. The angel pendant at her neck drew her attention briefly, though she didn't focus on it long, fearing that her emotions may show. Her skin was pale, dark circles surrounding her eyes. Several small cuts bordered her cheek and neckline.

Abbii had not sustained many injuries in the battle, and those that she had were almost healed. Some of them would scar because she had used her powers at the time of her skin being cut, but others were simply taking their time in fading. She rolled her shoulders slightly, feeling the scarred tissue across her back move awkwardly. The claw marks that had cut through her shoulder blade when entering the abandoned factory on the outskirts of Pennyworth had healed, leaving a blackened shape in their place.

She believed that she would soon be a walking Shadow. Her wrist and her shoulder were now permanently marked by her enemies. She wondered how many more scars would stain her skin. Lowering her gaze, she sighed loudly.

At least I'm still here.

No matter what had happened, Abbii was glad to be back at The Everglades. She had missed it and all of the other students there. The thought made her smile. She used to hate the College, its grounds and her small dark room inside of it, but now that everything around her had seemed to turn upside down, she was thankful that she had a place to stay; a place she could call her own.

She pulled open the door, hearing it moan in protest, and then made her way into the corridor, acknowledging the students outside with a nod. She smiled. Allowing her feet to take her wherever they desired, she soon reached the doors to the Old Hall. They had been closed and the students were not allowed access due to the damage that the space had sustained. Char marks stained the floor as well as several of the wooden panes. Abbii pushed on the door, expecting for a brief moment to be met by a blast of Taro's magic. The room was empty: cold, but empty.

Noticeable char marks were burnt along areas of the walls and fallen debris. She stepped inside, taking in the details of how their magical confrontations had ripped up several layers of the wood, though parts of the glass roof remained intact. Bars of coloured light beamed across the floor. Abbii moved under the one closest to her, feeling the way the light reacted to her skin. Her powers formed, causing her body to glow like a fallen star. She closed her eyes, glad that she had a moment of silence.

A hand slipped into her own, causing warmth to fill her. She opened her eyes and turned to meet Nate's gaze. He smiled as his eyes glistened. "Aren't you cold?" he mused.

She shook her head, looking down at her hand. Her fingers were entwined with Nate's and he was stroking her knuckle with his thumb. It felt strange, almost foreign, but she loved the feel of Nate's skin against her own.

"Did you sleep?"

Abbii looked up as her cheeks reddened slightly. "A bit." It would take her a while to get used to the fact that someone cared about her. "Did you?"

He smiled. "Yeah. My powers seem to block everything out when I want them to. There's no sound, no movement, no dreams." Nate watched Abbii stare at him, realising that she longed for such a night. "I'm sorry."

She looked ahead, focusing on the large hole that dominated the far wall. The trees outside were moving with the wind, their roots covered by a thick blanket of snow. "Maybe you can show me one day?" The words left her lips before she could contain them.

An awkward smile spread across her face. He returned the gesture and then wrapped his arms around her tightly, laying his head against her shoulder. Abbii, feeling his heartbeat against her back, loved the way that he embraced her from behind. She didn't know how long it would take her to let Nate get close to her fully, but he deserved it. Only time would tell how things would go. All she knew was that Jake still meant a lot to her, but in what way, she didn't know.

"I'll leave you to it."

Abbii could feel his warm breath against her skin. It sent waves of electric through her, warming her cheeks. She wanted to turn and kiss him, but something inside stopped her. As he moved back, she turned. "I won't be long," she said quietly.

Stroking her cheek with his palm, he smiled again. "There's no rush. Take as long as you need." He moved towards the hall exit, pushing the door open to step into the corridor. Abbii watched how the muscles in his back contracted as he moved, causing his T-shirt to pull taut against his skin. His hair moved in the gentle breeze, brushing against the soft skin on the back of his neck. She wanted to stroke her hand along his neck, feeling his hair brush against her fingertips. Her lips wanted to kiss his skin. Her ear wanted to lie against his chest, feeling his heartbeat.

A strange gathering of snow pulled her from her thoughts.

The truth was that they had a limited amount of time. Abbii could feel it. Something was going to happen, something in connection to the Darkfields. They would have to spend many hours of researching to find out as much as they could about the Darkfields, as well as Jake's method for opening it. Abbii also believed that her friends, as well as the others who had discovered the existence of magic, would need training.

She doubted that they would let her fight by herself if it ever came to that. Nate would never allow it, and Daniel would argue against even a mention of the idea. She smiled, realising that she had made several friends that had started to mean something to her. She wished that she had known them longer so they could have developed their powers together.

There was no real difference between her and her friends, not now that Abbii had come to realise that she had given away her ability of resurrection. The only difference was that she and Nate had control over all types of magic—elemental, teleportation, empathic, those of a Warrior and a Mystic, and the ability of seeing the past and future as a Seer. Her friends had one set of abilities each.

Max was a Warrior. He was capable of learning a style of fighting from simply witnessing it or seeing pictures of its techniques. Abbii didn't know if he was capable of learning different magical skills by the same way, or whether that was beyond his magical strength. Nevertheless, Max would love the opportunity of waging into battle to save everyone around him. He was a typical 'save the world' kind of hero. Abbii smiled.

Alice, on the other hand, was much more reserved. She was quiet and kept to herself, though her magical strength was beyond comparison. She was a teleporter, able to disappear and reform her body wherever she desired. It was a useful skill that Abbii had witnessed, as it saved large amounts of time when it wasn't something that they necessarily had. In all the art classes that Abbii had attended, not once had she ever thought of Alice having powers, but then again Abbii had not imagined herself having such abilities either.

She inhaled a breath, walking across the hall. The wind moved the hair from her shoulders, causing it to dance in spirals. She had the strange feeling that someone was watching her, but when she turned and glanced back briefly, she saw nothing. An image of Jake formed in her head. She tried not to focus onto it, steadying her breathing instead.

Once she had reached the doors to the corridor, she continued on, focusing on the canteen entrance ahead. There was movement coming from the inside. Abbii saw Sythe lifting something. She could see that it was a table as she drew closer to the open doorway. She stopped and looked in. Several students were helping Sythe move the canteen tables back into their rightful positions. Abbii liked the idea of having normality within her surroundings—she couldn't wait to be able to sit down, looking out of the window towards the large masses of trees in the distance. Every morning she had loved to watch the sun rise in the sky.

"How 'bout a little help?" Sythe stopped in his place, turning to look in Abbii's direction.

She smiled. "I think you're doing pretty well by yourself." Pursing her lips, she contained her laughter.

Sythe went to reply but was interrupted by some of the students who were helping him. "He's barely doing anything," they chimed. "We're the ones moving everything."

Meeting Sythe's gaze, Abbii raised her brow as if to question him. He blushed and then turned away, continuing on with his work. All of the students laughed. Abbii smiled. She was glad to see that Sythe was happy. She had sensed so much pain from inside of him that it was good to see him smile, though there was still the task of freeing his sister. Abbii remembered that Sythe's sister was captured somewhere, but she didn't know where. She had never asked. Sythe would broach the subject when he felt ready. She let the thoughts fade and continued on down the corridor.

Several other students were clearing debris from the floor. They all smiled as Abbii passed, some of them asking how she was and what would happen now. It was a new experience for her, as whenever she had passed through the College before, everyone had ignored her. Some had even shouted abuse, though she didn't think it had been because of the way that they were, but rather what had been expected of them in the 'student' code. There always had to be lions and lambs among the students.

Turning left to enter into another corridor, Abbii hesitated in her place, seeing someone that she didn't expect up ahead. Colleen Middleton and her friends, Susan and May, were moving pieces of lockers and discarded paper from the floor. They were tidying up—something that Abbii had never seen before. The thought made her smile.

"Hi, Abbii!" Susan caught sight of her and smiled, waving girlishly.

Abbii raised her hand awkwardly. She moved through the corridor towards them, meeting Colleen's gaze. Immediately feeling flushed, she stopped in her place and fidgeted with her feet.

Susan moved to her side, allowing a large grin to spread across her face. "I never knew this place was a college for magic!"

"Did Daniel and Sophie tell you?" Abbii asked.

Nodding in response, May straightened her back, exaggerating a yawn. Abbii presumed that she was trying to show that she had been hard at work with the others. "So how come not everyone here has magic?" May's question was unexpected.

"Well..." Abbii took a moment to think, realising that she didn't really know the answer. "This place isn't just to teach us how to use magic... I think it's to protect people until their powers develop."

May inhaled a breath. "So, do you think—?"

Colleen shuffled in her place. "So...do I have magic?"

Abbii, feeling uneasy talking to Colleen, swallowed a lump that started to build in the back of her throat. They had spent so many years arguing and trying to beat each other. Times had certainly changed. She hoped that they could both push their differences aside and help each other.

She's trying...

Hearing Susan's voice enter into her thoughts, Abbii looked at her, seeing that bright light had spread across her irises.

Give her a chance.

It was strange hearing others in her thoughts. Abbii had only ever heard Nate's and Tricia's voices in her mind, and she had not realised at the time that it was due to the fact that magic was, or had been, part of their lives.

She looked at Colleen. "When you reach eighteen, we'll find out."

Colleen met her gaze. She looked almost frightened. "What about the creatures? The ones I keep seeing...will they come back?"

Without a doubt, Abbii knew Colleen was referring to the Shadows. She realised that her fellow student must have been haunted by Shadows as well. Perhaps that was why she had acted so tough for the years that Abbii had known her. Abbii may have acted differently back then if only she had known.

"You'll be safe here."

The three girls looked at her as if they waited for some type of reassurance. It was strange—Abbii had barely spoken to them over the years, but now she was explaining magic and all things linked.

"The students are all back from the B&B," May explained quietly.

Abbii nodded. "We'll be fine. As long as we stick together, we'll be fine, okay?"

Susan smiled, pleased at the amount of effort that Abbii was using. She entered into her thoughts again. Are you on your way to see Daniel?

Holding Colleen's gaze for a moment, Abbii watched her turn and leave, May following her closely. It would take time for her to change her ways, but Abbii was pleased that she was willing to try. She looked at Susan. "Yeah. Where are Max and Alice?" She didn't have the concentration to communicate telepathically. She had too many things on her mind.

"Nate went with them to the infirmary. Daniel's resting."

"Okay. Keep up the good work." Abbii smiled and continued down the hallway, leaving Susan to continue with her tidying.

It had only been four days since Abbii had returned to the College overrun with Darkness, but already things were starting to change. The students were all helping each other out, whether they had magic or not. She wondered how the College would progress. She wondered if other magical students would be moved to study there, or if the building would remain just for those that were already there. Those with magic had been kept from those without for a long time. Abbii hoped the differences between the two sides would eventually disappear. She hoped the future would be bright for those with and without magic.

As she came to the corridor leading directly to the white infirmary doors, Abbii could see that Max was waiting outside. She remembered the last time that she had followed the same pathway. After sleeping for three days after Jake's death, Abbii had had to visit the infirmary due to a cut to her leg. She had met Sophie and then Nate a little while later. Looking out through the large glass windows, giving a full view of the College grounds, Abbii could see that the weather had not improved from the last time that she was there. A thick layer of snow covered the ground—at least only leaves had decorated the grass before. The air had grown considerably colder, and winter was evident everywhere.

Max moved to her side. "Things change quick, don't they?"

Turning to see that he was looking straight out of the window, Abbii glanced to the infirmary doors. She could sense Daniel's aura—it was weak but steady. Max met her gaze then. He seemed strangely serious, as if he didn't know what to say. Very unusual, Abbii thought. She inhaled a quick breath and moved towards the white glass doors, pushing into the room as she reached it. She watched as Sophie and Alice moved from Daniel's bedside and made their way towards the doors. Sophie paused at Abbii's side, placing her hand on her shoulder.

"He's weak, but he'll be fine." She squeezed her fingertips against Abbii's shoulder before leaving.

Looking up, meeting Nate's gaze, Abbii moved over slowly. She approached the opposite side of the bed, holding her breath. Daniel looked so frail. His skin was pale, and the darkness around his eyes seemed to engulf the entire colour of his irises. He pushed his eyes open as Abbii reached his side. She had to gasp for a breath, keeping the tears from falling across her face.

"Daniel..."

"I-I'm glad you came," he stuttered.

Abbii leaned forwards to take hold of Daniel's cold hand. "I'm sorry. I should have come to see you before."

She met Nate's gaze briefly. He nodded, entering her thoughts telepathically. I'll wait outside.

Focusing again on Daniel, Abbii sat on the chair at his side.

"You did all that you could, Abbii. You saved them all."

She squeezed his hand, seeing that his blood had soaked through his bandages. His chest had been cut open. Raising her hand towards his wound, Abbii allowed a spark of light to ignite at her fingertips. Daniel raised his hand, however, and lowered her arm. She tried to push against his resistance, but when he didn't let go of her arm, she met his gaze.

"Your magic can't heal this."

"But I healed Nate..."A tear rolled across her cheek. "All this happened because of me. I'm so sorry."

Daniel inhaled a sharp breath, steadying his heart. "You know of Nate?"

Abbii nodded.

"And Jake?"

Hesitating briefly, she nodded again but looked away. Part of her was annoyed that Daniel had never felt the need to tell her about Jake, but part of her also understood that he had only tried to protect her. Her emotions had been so unstable of late that he had thought it best to keep it from her.

"I'm sorry I couldn't tell you."

She breathed in quietly. "It doesn't matter. You need to rest."

Trying to sit up, Daniel sighed. "I feared that you would try and find Jake whilst you were still weak." He watched her closely. "Nate cares about you, Abbii, and it is not because he is part of Jake."

"I'm going to have to find him though, aren't I?" She imagined meeting Jake again, wondering how she would react. She hoped that she would run to him and throw her arms around him, but something inside of her heart warned her that that was not necessarily going to happen. Jake would have changed since last being at The Everglades, though she hoped he was still himself.

"Yes, but not yet." He smiled briefly. "I'm so proud of you, Abbii. Your strength has grown well. You truly are the Star. Nate is part of you now. Your powers share the same source." Daniel coughed again.

"But..." Abbii moved her hand from Daniel's and placed it onto her lap. "I've given the same power to Jake as well, haven't I? I'm going to have to find him...to fight him." A sharp pain stabbed at her chest. She vowed that she would never fight Jake if it ever came down to it.

Daniel leaned against the bed rest. "Not unless you choose to. There are things that need to be done beforehand. The other students will need training. They will look up to you now."

"I can't do everything by myself, Daniel."

He smiled caringly. "You're not alone. Your friends are with you—they always will be. You won't lose your way like Maria." Abbii wondered why Daniel was speaking about their enemy, but she remained silent. "You'll protect them...all of them. Won't you, Abbii?"

She held her breath, allowing several tears to fall across her skin. Daniel waited. He watched Abbii's tears glisten like falling stars. He had watched her grow for many years, even before she had been sent to The Everglades. The gathering that he had been a part of had given him orders to protect her, and he had done, even before she had known it. His thoughts entered into her head, and she realised how much he had done for her. She inhaled a deep breath and held Daniel's gaze.

"I'll protect them. I promise."

He smiled then as his eyelids closed silently.

"Daniel?" she gasped. "Daniel!"

She pushed herself to stand. Her friends entered into the room as she started to sob. Max and Alice moved opposite her as Sophie moved calmly to Daniel's side. Nate hugged Abbii tightly. A moment passed by, but no one spoke. They all looked at her. She didn't understand why none of them were upset. Moving from Nate's arms, she met his gaze. He was smiling. Her brow arched in confusion.

"He's just sleeping," Sophie explained. "He needs his rest."

Abbii sighed loudly, wiping the tears from her face. She smiled and looked at Daniel, noticing the slow rhythm in which his chest raised and lowered. The truth was that Abbii couldn't take the grief of losing someone else. She already felt as if part of her had been lost to the hollow feeling inside of her. The people around her were all that kept her going. She was grateful for their support.

Max grinned childishly at Abbii. The four of them left Sophie tending to Daniel's wound. She had to change his bandaging regularly to avoid infection. The four of them moved into the corridor silently, stopping by the large glass windows. After a moment, Max started to fidget.

"Can't stand the quiet!" He started to pace, causing Alice to roll her eyes. Abbii smiled, feeling Nate take hold of her hand. She wanted to push him away but didn't. Max huffed loudly, seeing the way his friends looked at him. "What?" He shrugged his shoulders, exaggerating his confused expression.

"You could always help with the repairs," Alice said clearly, shaking her head as a look of disgust covered Max's expression.

"Again? I helped earlier!"

Abbii smiled. "We'll have to sort the building out before we can do anything. We can't live in the cold." She tried not to laugh aloud.

Max straightened his posture, glancing briefly at Alice's stern expression. He seemed to hesitate in his place, winking as Abbii looked at him. Lunging forwards, he puckered his lips to kiss Alice, but falling clumsily, he kissed her cheek. Alice, annoyed with his childish behaviour, raised her fist.

Moving back, edging away slowly, Max swallowed. "I'll see you later then?"

Alice scowled and ran at him.

Turning quickly, he started to run, waving his hand over his head. Alice followed in hot pursuit, dashing out of sight as they turned a corner. Not able to contain her laughter anymore, Abbii smiled, allowing a large grin to spread across her face. She moved towards the window, releasing Nate's hand.

"She's going to hurt him one day!"

Nate remained quiet for a brief moment, seeing the way Abbii's aura danced when she was happy. He was glad that her thoughts weren't always taken by the Shadows and everything that had happened. Wanting to run his fingertips along her neck, he hesitated in his place and chose to lean against the wall instead.

"What are your plans now, Abbii?"

She turned to face him directly, light shining within her irises. "Train the students to the best of their ability." She looked outside, watching an individual snowflake dance through the sky. "It's what Daniel wants. We have to keep as many of them safe as we can."

"And the Darkfields? Jake?"

Breathing in, trying to keep the sadness from her face, Abbii started to count her fingertips, though she kept her hand out of sight. She hated when Nate spoke of Jake. "As long as the portal is closed, we have time." She wished that she could believe her words, but she was haunted by her own fears. There's so much to learn and you've given me so little time, Jake. I hope I can find you.

She looked at Nate, realising that he was waiting for her to answer fully, but she had no desire to speak. She started to walk slowly away from him, and it was not until she had reached several strides away that he spoke. "I'm here if you need me."

Feeling regret bubble inside of her, Abbii wished that she treated Nate better. All he wanted was to get closer to her, but she always had to keep him at a distance. She wanted to know why, to understand herself better, but that could wait. The students were priority, and then the Darkfields needed to be stopped from opening. Jake would have to wait too, though not as long as everyone else believed. Abbii wanted to see him as soon as possible. She needed to understand why her heart was still full of grief and loss when she knew that Jake was still alive.

Was it the fact that he wasn't by her side, the fact that there was so much distance between them both—distance that Abbii didn't want?

Forcing a smile as she glanced back at Nate, she made her way through the corridor, not looking back again. She could feel his heavy gaze upon her, and it made her feel hot under the collar. Even her mind felt his presence wherever she was. She didn't mind him being around or the fact that he cared so much; it was just the way his eyes watched her, the way they reminded her of Jake.
Two

The air still remained cold, but the essence of Shadow that had constantly polluted the horizon seemed to fade. There had been no sightings of Shadows since the attack, and no members of the Forgotten had tried to avenge their leader's death; Sythe had explained that they would remain in hiding until a new leader was chosen for them. Having him by her side proved to be a great help when Abbii needed it. She was glad that he had chosen to fight alongside her and not against them. The thought of having him as her enemy caused her to close her eyes briefly. She would need all the help that she could get.

Twisting her leg over the broken wall that once separated the two college gardens, Abbii continued moving, feeling the snow sink under her weight. Several snowflakes clung messily to parts of her hair, but she let them be, focusing onto The Everglades pool instead. The long reeds that surrounded it seemed to have grown thin, falling in on themselves to create a natural net over the bank. Ice had frozen parts of the water, but every so often a section had melted, allowing the ducks to swim without difficulty. Abbii smiled, wishing that she could walk upon the ice without the risk of it breaking. She continued towards the bank, and once she had reached it, she remained still for a moment, thinking of everything that had passed.

She didn't feel as if Maria had deserved to die in the end. All she had wanted was revenge, was for someone to pay for the three men that had attacked her all those years ago. Abbii understood some of the feelings that had consumed Maria. The hatred of the men that had attacked her had caused Maria to hate all of mankind. The betrayal of her parents and the other Elders had caused her to withdraw from the world, sinking into loneliness—Abbii would have followed suit if not for her friends, though they didn't understand how she felt.

Abbii hadn't felt herself since being abandoned by her mother, who, as it turned out, was supposedly an Elder. The thought made her shiver. If it was true that her mother was one of the last generations of the Elders, then Abbii didn't understand why she had forced her own daughter out of the safety of her life, pushing her into an unknown college without explaining what had happened or what was supposed to happen in the future.

Neither did Abbii understand why Daniel and Sophie had never told her about her powers. Not once had they mentioned or even hinted at the fact that things would all change for her. Abbii sighed, not wanting to resent those around her. It was true that they had kept many things from her, but she had not been the only one to suffer. Due to the College being attacked, many students had either lost their lives or had them changed by the appearance of magic. Max and Alice were two of them, but Abbii knew there were more. Sythe, too, had suffered since discovering he had magical potential. He had been taken under Maria's wing at a young age, though Abbii did not understand why, since Sythe had an older sister. What had happened to tear them apart? Had Maria influenced their lives in some way so that Sythe had had no other path than to join her?

The Darkness had influenced too many, including Nate and Jake.

It was difficult for Abbii to think of them as separate people when each of them reminded her of the other so regularly. The shape of Nate's eyes and his ability to make her smile reminded her of Jake every single time she saw him, and when she thought of Jake, which was often, his aura proved to be identical to Nate's. The wind stirred Abbii's hair.

She knew that if Nate honestly knew how she felt torn between the two of them, even knowing that Jake may be their enemy, he would feel let down. He hated the fact that Abbii still thought of Jake. She could often see the tension in his jaw whenever they discussed things that had happened. The fact was, though, that Abbii thought of Jake every morning when her eyes opened. Every time she walked through the corridors of the College, she expected him to jump out and make her laugh. A tear rolled across her cheek as her grief seemed to boil over all at once.

"Abbii."

She gasped, wiping her face quickly. Sophie had approached without her even realising it. Fidgeting in her place, she wiped her cheeks again and swallowed the lump that had built in the back of her throat. She looked to the side briefly to see that Sophie had moved opposite her.

"I am not here to judge you, Abbii." Lowering her gaze, Abbii didn't respond. "Grief is one of the hardest things to let go of when it latches onto you, but you can't keep it contained. It will eat you from the inside if you don't talk about it."

A sob echoed through Abbii's throat, though she tried to force it back down with a deep breath. "I don't know what to do."

"What do you want to do?" Sophie turned directly to look over her.

Trying to keep her breath steady, Abbii raised her gaze to the water's frozen surface. "I want to find Jake. I need to know why he chose to leave." Sophie nodded, expecting Abbii's answer. "He couldn't have just accepted the Darkness because it was in his blood. He wouldn't!" She met Sophie's gaze directly. "Would he?" The emotion in her voice was evident now, stealing her breath. Her eyes glistened with tears as she awaited Sophie's reply.

Choosing her words carefully, Sophie looked over Abbii caringly. "You never truly know someone on the inside. I won't lie to you. The Darkness would only have been able to take him if he had wanted it to."

Abbii closed her eyes tightly, pushing a tear across her cheek. A tingling feeling pushed into her mind then, and she sensed that Nate was watching nearby. She wiped her cheek. "Everywhere I go, Nate is always there."

"He's worried about you. Grief can change the mind."

"I'm not going to hurt myself, Sophie!" Abbii's fists clenched as a spark of light emitted from her scar.

Raising her arm slowly, Sophie took hold of Abbii's hand and watched as her magic faded. "We all care about you, Nate included."

Abbii released a heavy sigh. "But what I am supposed to tell him?"

"Tell him how you feel."

"I don't know how I feel!" Abbii pulled her hand free and looked out over the water, feeling burdened.

Sophie allowed her arm to fall to her side. "Then that is where you need to start. You cannot love another whilst your heart is already broken." Feeling as if she had said enough, Sophie inhaled a breath. "All that matters at this moment in time is that the students with magic are trained, ready for when the Forgotten choose their new ruler."

"But how am I supposed to train them," Abbii began, "when my own magic is still new to me?"

"Perhaps you all need to learn at the same time. If the Darkfields open, the students have to be ready to fight, not only against the Forgotten and the Shadows, but also against the creatures that lie waiting in the Darkness."

Turning, Abbii absorbed Sophie's words. "Isn't stopping the Darkfields from opening more important than the students?" She hated the way her statement sounded, but it had to be said.

"Time will tell how important the Darkfields are. I am going to Pennyworth to find out as much as I can about its opening. Nate and Alice are accompanying me. We'll be gone for a few days."

Abbii's brow arched inwards. "Nate never said..." She looked to the floor. "When are you leaving?"

Sophie smiled as Abbii raised her gaze for a second time. "As I said, he cares about you more than any other. We'll leave tomorrow at the earliest. You'll have a chance to say your goodbye." Turning, Sophie began her walk back to The Everglades. As she opened the white glass door, she turned back briefly to meet Abbii's gaze and then entered into the corridor.

A quiet sigh left Abbii's lips. She watched as the cold air grasped it tightly, forming a white cloud which soon faded. She wished that she knew what the future held so that she could prepare herself for what was to come. If she was going to lose anyone else, she wanted to be ready; she needed to be.

Moving towards the water's edge, she noticed a flat stone that had sunk into the moist ground. Abbii had placed it there the day before. She had felt as if the small amount of goodness inside Maria deserved to be marked. Feeling that a grave would have put some of the students on edge, Abbii had chosen to lay an unmarked stone so that no one would realise that it marked Maria's fall.

I wish things were simple.

Focusing on her fingertips, which she raised towards her face, Abbii could feel the magic pulsing through her veins. She had always resented the fact that she had been given magic, but since the attack, she had realised that she was always destined to have powers. Because of her parents supposedly being Elders, the union of their own powers had conceived Abbii: a child blessed with indescribable magical capability whom would be known as the Star. Abbii hated the title.

She had first heard the term 'the Lasting Star' from Daniel when she had first been taken to the Everglades infirmary. Abbii had not known its meaning, but she had learnt more and more about herself since then, including the fact that she was titled and her powers were fierce in comparison to all others. She had been constantly hunted by the Shadows and the Forgotten. Her fate was to be hunted by them always.

I want everything the way it was.

The wind began to circle her and her hair danced. She raised her eyes to the water and stepped towards it. Her fingertips began to glow as a light built across her wrist and soon spread towards her elbow, mirroring the movement of the light which also absorbed her opposite hand. Abbii's whole body was consumed with heat, melting snowflakes that fell towards her. Her hair shone so brightly that her aura pulsed outwards. She leaned her head back and shouted, "I want my life back!"

All evidence of the light across her skin surged out from her body. Waves of its energy washed over the snow-covered ground, and the frozen surface of the water started to melt. The air immediately warmed. Even the trees lost their white colouring, swaying as Abbii's energy soared past. She lost her breath, wrapping her arms around her body.

She could sense Nate nearby, but she didn't care. If things were going to change with or without her, she had to try to make a difference. She had to remember that nothing else mattered except keeping her friends and the students safe. Once they were trained and the others had travelled to Pennyworth in search for answers about the Darkfields, Abbii could then focus on Jake. She had to talk to him, try to change his mind.

It would be difficult to find him, but that was not what Abbii worried about the most. Once she had found him and found out everything she needed to know, there was no guaranteed chance that Jake would give up. In reality, Abbii knew he wouldn't. She would have to fight him, but the thought made her shiver. She didn't want to fight him. She just wanted him to be by her side.

"The students come first, Jake. And then, when it's time, I'll search for you." Closing her eyes, Abbii vowed that she wouldn't cry for Jake again. "I promise I'll find you."

*

The evening and the night that followed seemed to pass so slowly that Nate found it difficult to relax. He knew that he needed his sleep for the training which was to start in the morning, but his mind was so active, his eyes barely closed. It was not only Abbii that he thought of, but also their situation.

He longed for the day that he could place his lips against Abbii's, feeling her warm breath against his skin. She grew to mean more to him through each passing day, though he doubted whether she realised it. Nate understood that her mind was confused and unanswered questions often fuelled her thoughts, but he wished that she could open her eyes and actually see him.

They held hands and often wrapped their arms around each other, but Nate felt as if she simply reciprocated his own actions, rather than making the decisions herself. She still found it incredibly hard to let people close to her; he had to remember that it was not just him that she struggled with, though he wished there were no struggle at all. Lying in his bed, clasping his hands behind his head, he stared at the ceiling. He still occupied Jake's room, but they had emptied it and placed all of Jake's old things into storage. Abbii had not been told yet, and Nate had instructed Max not to tell her—if she were to discover that everything had been moved, she would be upset.

Nate closed his eyes as a dull ache throbbed against his temples. He presumed that his body was warning him that he needed sleep. Breathing in, he cleared his mind and tried to forget everything. Eventually he fell asleep, though his dreams made him want nothing more than to be awake. It didn't take long for fire to slash at his senses. He could smell the flames as if he were watching them burn. An image of clouds filled Nate's mind, and he saw black tainted edges begin to pollute them. Shadows stretched up from the ground, poisoning the white space with their evil. Their eyes targeted Nate, and they began to leech towards him. The hairs along his arms and neck stood up. His breathing became shallow, but his eyes would not open. He watched as a large black portal seemed to open up in the centre of the space, releasing a thick layer of black mist to seep outwards. A figure dressed in a black hooded robe appeared, followed closely by three more. Nate could sense their powers and the essence of evil flowing through them.

Two of them were female, obvious by the shaping of their bodies. Their hoods did not cover as much of their faces as their companions, revealing their brightly coloured hair that surrounded their faces. One of them had light features, blonde lengthy hair and grey eyes, contrasting perfectly against the other; her hair was short and blue and her eyes were pale, bordered intricately with a coloured pattern. They smiled as they seemed to look at Nate directly. A glow of light began to warm their hands as the two remaining hooded figures moved ahead of them. Nate looked past the three who seemed to focus onto him, feeling drawn to the first figure that had entered into the area. He knew without a doubt who it was.

A sudden pain jostled Nate awake and he gasped for a breath. He moved to the edge of his bed, placing his head in his hands. The last thing he had seen was a sharp edge piercing his chest and Jake meeting his gaze with determined eyes. A smile had caused his face to lift, sensing the pain which coursed through his enemy.

Nate held his breath, sighing reluctantly.

The Forgotten have their new leader. We're running out of time.

The problem was- how was he going to stop Jake from throwing the world into Darkness, when he knew that Abbii wouldn't fight to stop him?

Three

Standing in the centre of the old hall, Abbii was pleased to see that the walls had been repaired. The students had obviously been working throughout the night in preparation for the meeting that had been announced to the college. She was thankful that the room no longer allowed the snow to fall in; it was able to retain some heat.

The glass parts of the ceiling had been covered with large boards of wood, melded into place by one of the students—Abbii guessed Nate—which prevented the whistling of the wind entering into the large space. Areas of the floor had also been covered with boards and pieces of wood, concealing the damage Abbii's powers had caused. She briefly thought of the battle with Taro, but when a knock came at the door, echoing throughout the Hall, Abbii allowed her thoughts to fade. She had no idea what to expect from the students, whether they would even follow her suggestions or ideas. There was still so much doubt inside of her mind that she wondered why Daniel had chosen her to lead the training. At least it would keep her busy.

The first students to enter into the Hall were Abbii's friends Alice and Max. They approached her and moved to one side as the rest of the students filed in. Abbii recognised Susan and Colleen in the group. She also recognised some of the students from her art class. Sythe followed a moment later, choosing to remain by the door and lean against the wall next to it. Sophie and Nate then followed, but they seemed deep in conversation. Abbii wished she knew what they spoke of.

Remembering why they had all gathered, Abbii breathed in and watched as Sythe closed the door. She glanced over the students' faces, seeing looks of confusion. Fear and pain were also evident in several of their expressions. Abbii understood what they were feeling; when her powers had first materialised and visions of the future had consumed each of her dreams, she had been frightened of herself.

She could see that some of the students hadn't entered the Hall; they had chosen to leave the College without making a scene. May was one of them and Abbii could sense that she had already said her goodbyes. There would have been many more to train but with the students who had chosen to leave, as well as those that had lost their lives, the final group was smaller than Abbii had hoped.

An awkward silence filled the Hall as the students looked up at her. Some of them waited in anticipation, but others did not seemed pleased to be there. She glanced to the door, wishing that she could run from the sets of eyes targeting her, but when she met Sythe's gaze and he smiled, she felt reassured. He believed in her, not only to do what was right for the students and the College, but also in regards to his sister, who Abbii had promised to set free—from where, though, was her dilemma.

She cleared her throat. "Do you all know why we're here?" Her voice wavered slightly, as if she had just woken from a deep sleep.

Some of her audience nodded in response, others seemed to shake their heads hesitantly, Colleen included. Abbii believed that she did know what they had gathered for, as Susan and May had been told directly about the meeting, who undoubtedly would have passed the information onto Colleen. But perhaps she wanted to hear the reason again, to understand better.

"Right," Abbii began awkwardly. "Where to start?"

A student from the centre of the group inhaled a breath. "Why did they attack us?"

"Why didn't you tell us about magic?" a young girl shouted.

Several others joined in as well, shouting questions about the College and why some of them had been taken there when they had not developed magical powers.

Abbii lifted her hands as if to surrender. "One at a time." Her cheeks flushed, but she remained focused. Originally she had planned to write a speech that would include all of the information she had learnt to pass onto the other students. But, deciding it would be better for morale if all of them were included, Abbii had decided to base her speech on a question and answer format. "Right. Does anyone know what the College is for?"

Susan nodded. "It's a place for those with magic, right?"

A young man—named Lewis, Abbii remembered—shouted in response. "But some of us haven't got magic!"

Abbii raised her hands again as the students became restless. "Susan's right. This is a college for those with magic, but not everyone knows that. Some of your parents may not have been aware of the building's true purpose when they sent you here."

"So my mum could have sent me here because she knew I was going to get magic?" A girl with dark hair and dark eyes, who was standing at the front, fidgeted in her place. Abbii could sense a slight magic flowing through her. Her name was Lyu-Xang, but everyone called her Lyu.

"Most likely," Abbii replied. "But there are two ways to get magic. One is that it's in your blood. It runs through your family." Thoughts of Abbii's mother spiralled through her mind. She wondered where her mother was and whether she would ever find out if she was an Elder. "And the second is if you are wounded by a Shadow." The students started to shuffle, glancing at one another to see whether they had been scratched. "Who's been injured?"

A murmur echoed through her audience, but no one raised their hands.

Surprisingly, a hand rose from the crowd then, which Abbii had not expected. Colleen looked at her feet briefly as those stood next to her seemed to lean closer, trying to find where she had been scratched. A silent moment followed, and then several others raised their hands. Abbii counted five altogether.

Colleen lowered her hand again, meeting Abbii's gaze directly. "Why did they attack us?"

Feeling as if they all looked at her, Abbii dropped her gaze for a moment, trying to gather her breath. Alice stepped forward to take her place, something which Abbii was thankful for. "The Shadows are controlled by the Forgotten—those with magic who have been taken by the Darkness. Originally this building was to train and use those with magic as the Light's last defence against the Dark, but now it is simply a college to teach and protect magic users from those that would do them harm."

Lewis piped up again. "They were after Abbii, weren't they? She's something different—the Star!"

Sighing quietly, Alice glanced at Abbii, seeing that she wished to continue on. "Yes, I am the Star. The leader of the Forgotten, Maria, wanted my power."

"What powers do you have?" Lyu asked. "Will they be back? Will they attack us again?"

Abbii breathed in. "I don't know."

"If they're after you," Lewis snapped, "why not go to them, then? Give yourself up!"

Some of the students obviously agreed with Lewis's statement as they all started to nod and shout in agreement. Susan turned to face them all. "What are you talking about? Abbii was the one that saved us!"

Everyone fell silent.

"If Abbii leaves and they come back, we will lose!" Susan turned once everyone had fallen quiet and nodded for Abbii to continue.

"Everyone has their own opinions, but please just listen. Maria was defeated, but the Forgotten are choosing a new ruler as we speak. Once they are chosen..." Hesitating, Abbii lost her words.

Nate stepped in. "Once they are chosen, they want to open the Darkfields—the realm where the fallen creatures of the Darkness dwell—to cover this land with Shadow." He glanced briefly at Abbii and then continued. "If that happens, everyone will be taken by Darkness—not just those with magic, but those without as well."

"So the question is," Max added, "who's going to fight with us?" The glint in his eyes shone as the thought of battle entered his mind. Abbii believed he liked to fight just a bit too much, but the thought made her smile nonetheless.

"That's why you are all here," Abbii explained. "To train for the battle ahead." Before anyone could interrupt, she spoke again. "But not everyone has to fight. If you don't want to, you don't have to."

None of the students shook their head.

Sophie moved from the wall and approached the head of the group, keeping her head high. "The first thing we need to do is differentiate your skills. You will all have different abilities." She met Abbii's gaze.

Abbii expanded her mind to fill the entire space of the Hall. She allowed her voice to telepathically spiral through the air. Who can hear my thoughts?

Several of the students glanced at each other; they had obviously heard Abbii's voice. Colleen and the other three looked at her as if to wait for her instruction. The other students watched in confusion as they didn't understand what had happened.

Abbii lifted her hand. "Right, now who can sense their fear?"

Most of her audience was taken by confusion, not understanding what she had meant, but when Susan nodded in acknowledgement, Abbii knew that she had understood. "Susan, you go with Colleen and the others. Sophie will be your teacher." Glancing briefly to her side, Abbii seemed surprised that Sophie accepted her decision without faltering. She had no powers herself but seemed happy to help. The four students and Susan moved to the right side of the hall, following Sophie, and then looked back at Abbii.

Glancing around, Abbii met Max's gaze with a smile, watching as he moved forwards. He went straight to the point with no explanation. "Right, any of you Warriors?" When Abbii's eyebrows rose, he sighed loudly. "Have any of you ever been able to do something that you've seen, even though you've never been taught how?"

A tall young man moved through the crowd and approached Max's position. He stopped several strides in front of him. "I can back flip. I saw it on TV."

Max's face was consumed by a large grin. "Yes!" It was obvious that he was pleased with having a student. He and the young man moved to the left side of the room, acting as if they had always been friends.

"Why can we make fire?" The voice came from the centre of the group, causing the students to turn and look inwards. A boy and a girl, aged no more than twelve or thirteen, moved towards Abbii, mirroring each other step by step.

They were twins, evident by the same shaping of their faces. Abbii could see that their eyes were identical lilac swirls of colour. "What are your names?"

The young boy stepped forwards, pointing to his chest enthusiastically. "I'm Aeron. This is my sister Violet, but we all call her Vee."

Aeron was dressed in a pair of light jeans which Abbii could see were held up with coloured braces; they were too big for him, but she could sense they were his favourite. His hair was short and choppy, and Abbii could not quite tell what colour it was. From one perspective it seemed light brown, but whenever the light met with Aeron's hair, it became lighter still, almost blonde. His pockets were overflowing with various things—Abbii spied a whistle dangling from his back pocket.

It was the same with Vee. The large pocket at the front of her dungarees was full to bursting. Again, Abbii could see the shape of a whistle, and she wondered whether it symbolised something special to the twins. Vee seemed the quieter of the two. She had a thick fringe which ended just above her pale eyes, and her posture seemed slouched. Aeron stood slightly in front of his sister, proving the strong protectiveness he had for her.

"It's nice to meet you two." Abbii smiled.

"So, why can we make fire?" Vee asked. Her voice was soft.

Breathing in, Abbii made sure that the twins would understand her explanation. "Well, you two must be Elementals. You can make fire, air, earth, and water."

"Wow!" Vee's face lit up.

Aeron jumped in the air. "Really? Cool!"

Abbii couldn't contain the laughter rising through her throat. She loved the twins already; their ability of lighting up any room was obvious. Glancing to Nate briefly, the small sparkle in her irises faded. She nodded. Moving towards the twins, Nate took them both by the shoulder. "Well, looks like you'll be with me." He smiled as they looked up at him.

After watching the three of them make their way to the side, Abbii focused on the small group of students left. She could sense that four of them didn't have powers and two of them were teleporters. Alice collected the students who could teleport, moving them to the side. The four students without magic were led from the room into the canteen—Abbii didn't know what to do with them.

That left Lyu and Lewis. Approaching these final two students, Abbii looked at Lewis first. "What can you do?"

"This is stupid!" he huffed.

"You don't have to be here, Lewis."

He narrowed his eyes. "Fine by me." Turning to leave, he stormed into the corridor and disappeared out of sight.

Abbii sighed reluctantly, but when she raised her gaze to see that Lyu was looking directly at her, she forced a smile. "What about you, Lyu?"

She must have been a similar age to Abbii and her friends, but she seemed more withdrawn than the rest. Her clothes were simple with no patterns or differentiating colours evident. A silver bracelet decorated her right wrist, and Abbii could see that Lyu often played with a shaped pendant that hung from the bracelet's chain. She shuffled in her place, glancing to the floor.

"You don't have to be afraid." Raising her hand, Abbii placed it onto Lyu's shoulder but was forcefully shoved back as Lyu stepped away.

"Please," she whispered, "don't touch me."

The feeling of Lyu's aura against Abbii's skin remained. A strange tingling sensation spread throughout her body. She felt dazed and vacant, but after a moment or two, the feeling faded.

"I'll train her." Sythe had moved from the wall and now approached Abbii. He smiled at both of them before focusing onto Lyu. "You don't have to be afraid."

"But I don't know what it is."

Abbii's brow arched inwards. She didn't understand what they were talking about. "Sythe?"

He raised her hand and offered it to Lyu, watching how she shook her head fiercely and stepped back. "Please, take my hand. You will understand."

Glancing briefly at Abbii, Lyu extended her hand and touched Sythe's skin. Nothing happened, and Lyu released the breath that she had been holding. "But..."

Sythe smiled. "See?" A moment passed by. Lyu released Sythe's hand and then smiled as he motioned for her to move to the side. He looked at Abbii then, seeing her puzzled expression.

"What was that all about?" she asked.

"Lyu can control people with a single touch."

Abbii inhaled a sharp breath. "What?" She glanced at the fragile girl. "Is she safe?" she whispered.

Sythe laughed. "As safe as I am."

She met Sythe's gaze, realising that she had never known what powers he controlled. Now she did. Sythe and Lyu were able to control people with one touch of their hand. She could sense no threat from them so accepted what she knew. Turning to glance around the room, she could see that all of the students, as well as her friends, looked to her as if to wait for instructions. She smiled, moving back towards the stage. "Who wants to introduce themselves first?"

Aeron jumped up and ran to the front, beating Abbii to the stage. His sister followed him closely, accepting his hand as he pulled her up. The two of them turned to see that the small gatherings of people had moved together. Vee suddenly appeared nervous and shuffled in her place, but Aeron held his head high. "I'm Aeron." He smiled as Abbii motioned for him to continue. "Me and Vee used to live near London, but mum and dad preferred the country so we moved out here."

"Did they know you had powers?" Lyu asked quietly.

"Erm...not really." Abbii thought his answer seemed vague. His face saddened slightly, and he glanced back at Vee. Something had happened to them, Abbii guessed. They had lost their family. "Anyway," he shouted, "we've been here about a year. We love it here, right, Vee?"

She nodded shyly. "Yeah, everyone's really nice."

"Our birthdays are on Christmas. We can't wait! We'll be thirteen!" Aeron glanced at his sister, nudging her playfully. There was a strong connection between the two of them, which Abbii could never imagine breaking.

Chase moved ahead of the crowd as the twins decided to leave the stage. He chose to lean against it, however, rather than standing out too much. "I'm Chase. Been here a couple years now. My granddad told me to accept my power. That's when he brought me here."

"He knew about your powers?" Colleen asked quietly.

He nodded in reply. "Me and my granddad used to train, but we never knew what type I had. Thanks to you guys, I know now." Glancing between Max and Abbii, Chase smiled to show his gratitude. He moved back to Max's side as Susan made her way towards the front. She pulled Colleen reluctantly with her, turning to face the others once she reached the stage. Like Chase, she and Colleen didn't climb onto it but remained level with everyone else.

Susan laughed. "There's not much to say 'bout me. I've been here as long as I can remember. I used to live down south, near York, but hated it there. Found my way here, met the others, and then that was it." She glanced at Colleen who had grown nervous under everyone's gaze.

It was strange for Abbii to witness, as for so many years Colleen had made everyone suffer at the College. She had been so obsessed with self-importance and making sure that no one challenged her that she wasn't used to being with so many people.

"Colleen was here when I arrived," Susan continued. "I remember sensing this place every day, so I decided to find it. I didn't know about the whole magic thing, but I had nowhere else to go. My parents weren't all that receptive."

"Nor were mine," Colleen added quietly. She smiled as Susan looked at her and then made her way back to the others. As the two of them returned, Abbii looked over all the others that remained. Only Lyu and Sythe were left, but something inside of her made her think that they wouldn't want to introduce themselves, especially when Lyu seemed so anxious.

Looking over the crowd, Abbii moved to the front again. She felt more at ease now, but there was still a constant ache affecting her temples. She wondered if it was due to the fact that her consciousness could sense all of her friends' past memories, all of their pains. Nearly all of them had lost their parents, whether it had been due to the Shadows and the Forgotten or the fact that they had abandoned their children out of fear. Abbii didn't know exactly, but she found the similarities between her friends strangely alike, almost as if they had all been brought together purposefully.

She let the thought fade and smiled. Some of the students were waiting for her own introduction, but the truth was that she didn't exactly know what to say. How do you put your life into a few words? She thought of her parents and the small house they had once owned. Abbii had loved it there until the Shadows had attacked that night. Her father had already left by then, and the relationship with her mother had grown rocky, but that night had changed everything. Abbii was taken to The Everglades by her mother and left, alone and misunderstood. But then she had met Jake, who had thankfully eased her transition into College life. They had been so similar that Abbii had looked forward to each time they arranged to meet.

Her heart started to ache, and it felt as if her head was trying to split into two. She used all of her momentum to keep her breath steady, and then she once again glanced over the student's faces. When she met Alice's gaze, Abbii made sure not to engage in a telepathic conversation. If Alice was to ask if everything was okay, Abbii doubted whether she would be able to keep herself together.

"You've earned a break," she told everyone quickly, signalling for the group to make their way towards the corridor. "Ten minutes."

The students, talking amongst themselves about their powers, filed out of the room and entered into the canteen. Abbii sighed, gasping for a large breath. "Great start," Alice said, smiling as she met her gaze. She didn't ask what was wrong.

"Thanks." Abbii glanced across the faces of her friends, feeling as if she had gotten off to a great start—only Lewis had made a scene. "What are we going to do with the four without powers?" she asked curiously, glancing at Sophie. She tried with all of her strength to push away the thoughts of Jake.

Sophie stood deep in thought for a moment. "Perhaps it would be best if they went home. They have no magic in them, and they haven't been scratched. If they remain here, the Shadows may taint them."

Abbii nodded in agreement and watched as she turned towards the door. A thought came to mind though, pushing her to speak. "I thought magic only appeared if you were eighteen or if you were scratched? Aeron and Vee and some of the others are a lot younger than eighteen. Why have they got powers?"

Stopping in her place, Sophie turned to reply. "Some are born with magic, as you all were—the powers inside fuel your actions and emotions. If you age with no turmoil or pain in your childhood, then your powers will manifest when you reach eighteen. Many lives today do not make it through childhood without painful events taking place. If you are meant to have magic, but you are scratched or met with extreme moments of turmoil before turning eighteen, your powers will manifest early."

Looking to the floor, Abbii understood clearly. She had sensed many of the students had seemed to have painful memories. All of them had lost family members, homes, belongings. She wondered why her own powers had not materialised before her eighteenth birthday when she had been attacked in her childhood, but she realised that she already knew the answer—she had had powers before turning eighteen, but she had not been ready for them to materialise.

Whilst Abbii sat on the edge of the raised platform, Alice and Max started to question Sythe about his powers—more Max was asking the questions and Alice was keeping him from getting too excited. Nate made his way towards Abbii and sat by her side. Her breath started to falter as his aura brushed against her own, but she focused, not allowing any emotion to show.

"You did well."

She smiled but didn't turn to face him. "Thanks."

"Are you all right?"

"I'm worried about them, Nate. All of them." It was true—she was worried about what could happen to the students and the friends she had made.

He wrapped his arm around her shoulders caringly and pulled her close. She didn't resist, feeling as if she would upset him. "They've made their decision. They'll stand by your side wherever you go."

"That's the problem. If they go into the Darkfields, some of them won't make it back. Aeron and Vee are so young compared to us." She leaned back as Nate removed his arm. "There's too much going on. Not only do we have to work out how to stop the Darkfields from opening, but also how to stop the Shadows from coming back, as well as training and explaining everything to the students. We have to stop the Forgotten. Plus, I promised I'd save Sythe's sister and the spirits of the dead! There's just too much." And Jake has made it that one bit harder...

Nate understood her point, though he wished he could help her feel more relaxed when it was obvious that her thoughts were muddled and confused. "You have to prioritise as much as you can, Abbii. In the end, we will have to split up if we want to accomplish everything."

"I can't prioritise my friends, Nate!" She moved to her feet, watching as the others in the room fell silent.

"You just have to do the best you can. When we leave for Pennyworth, we'll find out as much as we can about the Darkfields and everything connected."

She turned to face him. "Why didn't you tell me that you were going to Pennyworth?"

"You've had a lot to deal with. I didn't want to add to it."

Lowering her gaze to the floor, Abbii didn't know what to say in response. "I think it will do us well...to have some time apart." As she raised her gaze, realising what she had said, Abbii watched pain pierce Nate's eyes. She also realised that Nate's hopes were that she would have accompanied him. "I'm sorry," she whispered.

He stood up hesitantly. "Just because I'm leaving for Pennyworth doesn't mean I'm leaving you." Abbii opened her mouth to speak but was interrupted by the students' chatter as they made their way back into the Hall. Aeron and Vee were the loudest. "We'll talk about this later," Nate stated, brushing past Abbii as he spoke.

For a moment, she wondered what was happening. Why was she fixated on their problems when they had been progressing so well? She wanted to turn and run to Nate's arms, but something stopped her in her place. A cold sensation passed through her, and she lost her breath.

"You okay?" Vee asked.

Startled by her question, Abbii straightened her back. "Yeah, I'm fine." She watched as Vee smiled and made her way back to her brother. The strange feeling faded from within Abbii's body, and she focused ahead. "As we train, we need to watch everyone learn. Each group will take it in turns in front of the rest, okay?"

The students didn't seem fazed and nodded in response.

"Can we go first?" Aeron and Vee asked enthusiastically.

Abbii smiled. "Of course. Show us what you know."

The remaining students sat on the edge of the raised platform, some crossing their legs. Sophie and the rest of Abbii's friends leaned against the walls at either side of the students. Nate stood far to one side, closer to the twins than to Abbii.

Aeron looked at Nate. "We can do fire, but that's about it."

Nodding in agreement, Vee jumped in her place. "Yeah, watch!"

The two of them raised their hands ahead of them, outstretched as if waiting to catch something. A spark of light ignited in each of their palms, and fire consumed their hands. Vee closed her fists, which resulted in her magic fading. Aeron's disappeared as well as he dropped his hands to his sides. They both looked at Nate.

"That's good," he replied. "Fire is all that you can do?"

They nodded. Vee lowered her head, expecting Nate to tell them off, but Aeron explained, "We've never tried anything else."

"Right. Let's try something. Watch me."

The twins, as well as everyone else in the room, all looked at Nate. A bright light began to map out across his skin. As he raised his arm, a flame appeared in his palm, flickering due to the slight breeze in the air. He narrowed his eyes as he concentrated, and the fire rose from his hand, detaching from his skin. It remained there, even when he lowered his arm and moved to the side. He could see the amazement across Aeron and Vee's face. Abbii, too, seemed drawn in as she had not yet seen him use his powers in such a way.

"Try it."

Immediately, the two of them raised their hands, and fire appeared across their palms. Vee flexed her hands taut as she tried to will the fire to move. As she glanced towards Aeron she could see that his fire had already risen from his skin. He lowered his arm, watching as the magic remained, and then smiled at Vee. She slouched her shoulders and her magic disappeared.

"Well done, Aeron," Nate called.

The grin across his face spread. "Thanks!"

"Yeah. Well done, Aeron." Vee's voice was quiet, almost at a whisper.

Turning to look at his sister, Aeron saddened slightly. "Come on, try again, Vee."

After a moment of hesitation, Vee raised her hand and called upon her magic. The fire returned across her skin, casting light across her face. She narrowed her eyes again to try to command the magic to move, but it stayed still. "I can't do it."

He smiled. "You can, Vee. Imagine it's like the fire at home. You know when the wind used to whistle down the chimney, and pieces of the fire used to go up?"

She nodded. Thinking back to their old house before coming to The Everglades, Vee pictured the fire perfectly. She used to love sitting in front of it, feeling its heat wash over her skin. The wind used to whistle and the fire used to flicker and rise up. She remembered how she and Aeron used to watch it.

"Look, Vee!"

She smiled. The fire was hovering above her palm, no longer attached to her skin. "I did it!" Her grin widened until her eyes had become small lines in her skin. She lowered her hand and watched as the fire remained. The other students clapped, making Vee blush. Her magic faded as she looked at Aeron. He smiled, making her giggle. She glanced at Nate as he spoke.

"I want you to practise that. You need to be able to do it without thinking." He watched as the twins nodded in unison. "And if you can, see if you can make ice, okay?" Again the twins nodded.

As they moved from the centre of the space to find a seat, Abbii watched as they stuck their thumbs up to her. She smiled, pleased that they were happy. As Nate moved to lean against the wall again, Abbii glanced to the side. "Max?"

He jumped up excitingly, followed by a casual movement of Chase. Alice tried to contain her laugher as Max moved childishly into the centre of the hall. She rolled her eyes though, when one of the students looked at her.

"Right, well, Chase is a mighty Warrior," Max began. Vee and Aeron giggled at him.

Chase glared at Max. "I thought I was going to explain?" His voice was rough but not too deep. His aura danced as a teal colour. He smiled as he returned his gaze ahead. "I'm a Warrior."

"What's a Warrior?" Vee asked.

Susan leaned forwards from the group to meet Vee's gaze. "If they watch someone's attack, they can do it themselves."

"So Chase could use the same magic as the twins just did?" Colleen's confusion was evident in her voice, but Abbii was glad that she was willing to participate.

"No," Max replied. "Only physical skills can be learnt, not magical. We'll show you." He glanced at Chase and smiled, nodding to say that he was ready.

Abbii was excited to see what they had prepared. She imagined it would be an eye-catching show, considering Max didn't like to do anything small. He glanced at Chase and then raised his fists. Their audience inhaled a surprised breath. Max ran at his student, punching through the air. He lunged for Chase's shoulder and then kicked along the ground. Dodging the two attacks well, Chase then parried a third blow before back flipping. Once he had landed to his feet, Max jumped into the air and kicked, watching as Chase dodged his attack again, raising his own fists in retaliation.

Chase ran at his tutor with his fist outstretched, but when he saw that Max was raising his foot to attack, he jumped through the air and rolled as he landed. Turning as if not surprised by Chase's movement, Max grabbed at his torso. Moving his palms downwards, Chase pushed Max away and lunged for his throat. Max kicked his stretching arm away and then back flipped, landing perfectly on his feet. Both men paused in their place, taking a moment to catch their breath. They were focused entirely on each other, raising their hands exactly the same, poised ready to attack with a style of fighting Abbii had never seen Max use.

"What are you doing?" Aeron asked.

The two men's concentration was severed and they relaxed, stumbling with laughter. They turned to look at their audience, seeing the confusion across their faces. Again, Susan leaned forwards to answer. "Chase has never fought before today."

"What?" Vee gasped. "But did you see what he did?"

"But I thought he said he used to train?" Lyu asked nervously.

Alice met Max's gaze briefly, seeing a glint in his eye. "In the canteen, Max explained some martial arts to Chase and showed a demonstration. As soon as Chase had witnessed Max's skills—" She glanced to Max briefly, seeing the way he straightened his back with big-headedness. "—Chase memorised them. He'll never forget any skill he witnesses. When he used to train with his granddad, he only ever practised household skills and everyday abilities, like cooking and hunting."

"Cool!" Aeron shouted, raising his fist into the air.

"Right!" Max agreed, allowing a grin to spread across his face.

Sophie moved from her position. "I believe it's our turn, Max."

He sighed reluctantly and followed Chase back to their seats. They were still laughing at the confusion which had spread across their friends' faces. Susan and Colleen stood up, following Sophie's movements, though Colleen seemed anxious. Abbii remembered that there had been more students who had accompanied Colleen, but she could sense that they had no interest in learning how to use their powers. Sophie had allowed them to remain at the canteen with the four students who had no magical capability.

"How are you going to show us your abilities when they are all in the mind?" Lyu's question was in everyone's thoughts, Abbii's and Nate's included.

Susan, knowing a lot more than anyone had anticipated, answered in reply. "Well there's a slight difference between Colleen's power and mine. I'm an Empath, whereas Colleen is a Mystic." Glancing at her friend, Susan watched as she fidgeted in her place. "Colleen, you want to show them?"

Nodding almost in reluctance, she faced her audience, never allowing her eyes to meet theirs. She breathed in and remained still. Abbii knew what she was planning on doing. The only thing that Colleen could do was to enter into people's thoughts. Everyone except Abbii, Susan and Nate, registered Colleen's intrusion into their mind. Some of them fidgeted uneasily, but when Colleen allowed her powers to fade, they remained focused. She looked at Vee and Aeron.

"Your house was big. You loved it there, didn't you?"

Vee looked to the floor, but Aeron remained positive. "We'll go back one day."

Allowing a slight smile to curve her lips, Colleen then focused onto Max. "You had a dog, didn't you? His name was Rolo."

Feeling strange hearing someone talk about something so personal to him, Max cleared his throat awkwardly and nodded. For the first time, Alice and Abbii saw how serious Max could be if he wanted to. It was strange for them to see. Chase, too, seemed serious, almost guarded when Colleen mentioned his parents and their annual visit to the beach. Lyu and Sythe took her comments with a grain of salt and then watched as Colleen focused onto Abbii.

A moment of silence followed as the group glanced between them both. Colleen seemed to hesitate as if she was unsure what to say. Moving her gaze to Nate and then back to Abbii, she realised how out of control their thoughts and feelings were. She turned and focused onto Susan, nodding for her to show the group her powers.

Breaking the silence which had filled the air, Susan smiled. "As I'm an Empath, I can sense people's feelings and use them."

"Use them?" Max questioned.

"I'll show you. Think of the happiest moment that you can remember."

Taking a moment, Max pictured the day when Rolo was born. Max had only been six or seven, but he had cradled the puppy like a baby. Meeting Susan's gaze, his brow arched inwards as her skin had started to glow. Glancing to the side, he could also see that the others had started to glow. The memory faded as he stood up.

"What's going on?"

The glow from his friends disappeared and Susan smiled. "I allowed the happiness that you felt to fill everyone's mind."

Max's cheeks flared scarlet as the group looked at him. The two twins were giggling and Alice was eyeing him sceptically. He looked at Susan. "What else can you do?"

"I can do the same with unhappy memories as well."

Sophie added her thoughts. "In time, Susan will be able to use her own feelings. The stronger the emotion, the more power she will have."

The group nodded in understanding and watched as the two girls and Sophie moved towards their seats. Lyu and Sythe were all that remained, but when Abbii looked at them, they both shook their heads. Understanding that they were not ready, Abbii moved forwards and faced her friends. "You've all done great. We'll let you go now. Practise as much as you can, and I'll see you back here tomorrow." She went to turn to leave, wanting some time alone, but a voice stopped her.

"What about you, Abbii?" Vee had jumped to her feet.

Sighing, Abbii looked at her friends. She had hoped that her own powers would not enter into the training, but all of them, including Sophie and Alice, seemed to lock their eyes onto where Abbii was standing. They obviously wanted to see how well she had progressed.

"What can you do?" Aeron's curiosity began to build, causing him to fidget.

"Well...I'm a bit of everything."

Lyu spoke next. "You can do everything?"

Nodding, Abbii glanced to the floor briefly. "Pretty much. That's what I get for being the Star."

A silent moment followed, causing Abbii to glance across her friends' faces. Not one of them asked her what 'being the Star' meant, what it was, and then she realised why—Sophie must have said something to them whilst they were in the canteen. Abbii sighed.

"Will you show them something?" Sythe asked.

Abbii didn't want to disappoint anyone. She felt hot and uneasy, but she doubted whether a little magic would hurt. "What do you want to see?" she asked, looking at the twins.

Nate edged forwards. "You don't have to Abbii, you—"

"I said I'll do it!" Her reply was sharp.

The group fell silent. Abbii inhaled a breath, not understanding why she felt so fierce around Nate recently. She didn't want to be near him, hear his voice or touch his skin, though she didn't understand why.

"Can you show us something bright?" Vee's voice was almost at a whisper.

Abbii nodded. "Like a star?"

The twins nodded and watched her intently. Breathing in, Abbii stepped back and allowed her magic to form. It took her little effort to cover her entire length of skin with bright light. Her scar and eyes were brighter than the rest, and lines of energy radiated off her skin. She watched the twins' faces light up; the grins across their faces grew. A strange throbbing started to beat against her temples however, and she started to sway.

"Abbii?" Nate moved towards her. Sophie, too, moved from where she stood.

A sharp burst of energy pierced Abbii's mind, and an image appeared in her head. She saw a line of Forgotten surrounded by Shadows, approaching the town of Pennyworth. The pain was indescribable, pushing her to her knees. The faces of the Forgotten were unfamiliar to her, but she could sense their power. Tricia flashed across her eyes, blood covering her hands.

Rushing to her side, Nate grabbed her shoulders tightly. "Abbii!"

The image of Pennyworth faded, replaced by a white carpet of cloud. No sound was evident, but Abbii could see a figure waiting. The female shape started to turn, her dark hair swaying in the breeze, but she was consumed by fire before meeting Abbii's gaze.

A scream echoed through her thoughts and Abbii lost consciousness. The last thing she saw was her friends rushing to her side.
Four

Nate paced at the foot of Abbii's bed. He couldn't bear to hear her moans of pain and discomfort. Sophie had explained to him that Abbii had had a vision, though she didn't understand why Abbii had been affected by so much pain. They had moved her to the infirmary, and the rest of the students had been told to keep practising.

The air was warm in the large space, causing Nate's skin to redden. He hated not being able to help. It was true that Abbii had been different recently, but nevertheless, he would do anything to help her. Moving to her side, he thought about entering her mind to see what she had seen, but the thought faded as a voice spoke out.

"She deserves so much better." Nate looked at Daniel to see that he had moved to the side of his bed. Bandages still bound his chest, though he didn't look as pale as he had been. He stood to his feet slowly and made his way to Abbii's bedside. "I wish visions had never tainted her."

Nate sighed. "What are we supposed to do? Her visions and the pain that accompanies them are growing stronger."

"Perhaps it is connected to the person that she keeps seeing in her visions?"

Closing his eyes briefly, Nate clenched his fist. "Do you think it's Jake?"

"Possibly. Without a doubt, Jake is affecting Abbii's thoughts, though I don't believe he has the power to change her magic. Only she can do that. If her visions are getting stronger, perhaps she is growing weaker."

"But why?" The emotion in Nate's voice caused it to waver.

"Grief can change a person."

He sighed. "I know she still grieves for him, but he is our enemy now. There's no doubt that Jake has become the new leader of the Forgotten. One day, she will have to fight him!"

"Maybe that is the fear which keeps her withdrawn. Only Abbii knows what Jake means to her."

"What's that supposed to mean, Daniel? I—"

He sighed quietly. "A heart already broken by love cannot learn to love another." Daniel looked up and met Nate's gaze directly. Pain pierced his eyes.

"She thinks we need time apart."

"If that is what she has said, you have to stand by it. When she awakes, we need to learn what she saw and then we can decide what actions to take. You said it yourself—in order for us to accomplish everything that needs to be done, we will have to part ways."

Nate looked over Abbii's face, seeing that she had settled. "I hoped that she would come with me." He remembered the last time she had smiled. "The weaker she grows, the closer she falls to Darkness...the closer she falls to him."

Meeting his gaze directly, Daniel spoke aloud. "In the end, she may choose to fall into his arms, whether it is right or wrong for her to do so."

"And I'm just supposed to let her?" Nate looked over Abbii's still face, wishing that he could hold her.

"Yes. Maybe that is all you can do, though it is obvious that she cares for you as well, not only Jake."

Nate turned from the bed and faced the door. "I'm not letting go of her." And with nothing more said, he pushed through the doors into the corridor. He stopped and watched the snow glisten outside. "At least not with my heart." Moving into a hasty walk, he followed the corridor, turning a corner before heading for his room.

*

Several long moments passed.

"Has he gone?"

Daniel sighed loudly as he looked over Abbii's face. "What are you doing?"

Sitting up in her bed, she looked to her lap where she realised that her fingertips were counting. "I don't know what to say to him anymore. I feel strange."

"Darkness is tainting you."

She raised her gaze to meet Daniel's. "But I don't want it to. I want to be me."

Sitting down at the side of her bed, Daniel took a moment to think of what to say. "What's most important right now is that you stop whatever is going to happen. You and Nate will have time afterwards to sort out your differences."

Knowing that he was going to ask about what she had seen in her vision, Abbii leaned back until her head met with the wall. "I saw Pennyworth. The Forgotten are heading towards it, Shadows as well."

"Why?"

She shook her head slightly. "I don't know—I couldn't see. Tricia was there. She was bleeding."

"What else did you see?"

Looking up to see that confusion had spread across Daniel's face, Abbii continued to speak. "I was surrounded by clouds. The pathway, the walls, everything was made of clouds. There was someone there...she started to turn." A tear rolled across her cheek.

Daniel leaned back in his chair. "Luminum."

"What's that?"

"Luminum is the realm where the Elders originally existed."

Abbii's brow arched inwards. "There are other realms?"

"Yes, both Luminum and the Darkfields are elemental realms. One holds the beings of Light, the other beings of Darkness."

"Who created them, though? They would know how to open the Darkfields. We could stop the Forgotten! I could find Jake!"

Shaking his head, Daniel slouched in his chair. He didn't know the answer to Abbii's question. "We need to research as much of this as we can. Now that you have had a vision of what is to come, we don't have enough time to continue the training as we had planned."

"But they are not ready to fight, Daniel!"

"They will have to learn along the way."

Abbii huffed. She knew that Daniel was right, but she hated the fact that she could not have helped the students to train more before being thrown into battle. "They could stay here," she suggested.

"You and Nate can't defeat everyone. You need the students by your side. They're your friends now. The only question is—where is their destination?"

Looking down at her scar, Abbii thought of all the things that she had to do. She had to stop the Darkfields from opening; finding Jake and confronting him was their first priority; but she had promised to save Sythe's sister, as well as the spirits trapped at Pennyworth. She raised her gaze to Daniel. "There are so many to save."

"You have to prioritise, Abbii, now."

Inhaling a deep breath, she started to plan. "Sophie, Alice and Lyu can go to Pennyworth. They need to research about the spirits, as well as protecting the people from the Forgotten. Then..." She raised her hand to her forehead, hating how burdened her shoulders had become. She wished that Daniel was in charge, but he would be in danger. "Me, Max and the twins will find the Elders. That way I can ask about the Darkfields." The thought of approaching the Elders caused a surge of anxiety to spiral through her. There was a slight chance that she could meet her mother. Abbii hadn't seen her for over four years, though the anger against her still remained inside of Abbii's heart.

Daniel nodded in understanding. "What about Nate? Surely he should stay by your side now?" He sighed, knowing it was difficult for Abbii to decide where to take her friends. He didn't push on the matter. She wanted to keep them all safe. "What about Chase, Susan and Colleen? Sythe as well."

"Erm..." Abbii willed her mind to work faster. "They can stay here."

"But that is a waste of their skill!"

"You need protecting, Daniel! Plus if you stay here, you can try to find out as much as you can from this library and tell us anything you learn."

He breathed in. "They won't stay here when their friends are going to battle."

Abbii sighed. She knew without a doubt that Daniel was right. "They could free the spirits...if only we knew how."

"Those travelling to Pennyworth will find the information we need regarding the spirits. You need to concentrate on finding the Elders and the Darkfields. You need to go to Luminum."

"But how?"

Daniel smiled, causing his eyes to glisten. "I know exactly what the other four can do. We need a distraction."

*

It didn't take long for everyone to be gathered the next morning. Abbii and Daniel had stayed at the infirmary, resting and discussing each of their ideas. Most of the students had started training early that day, with Chase and Max deciding that they would rather 'chill' in the canteen. Once they were all gathered, they listened closely.

Abbii and Daniel explained where they all needed to be and found that almost everyone accepted their decisions without faltering. Nate remained silent in the far corner, keeping his gaze lowered. She could sense that he was angry with her, but he would have to wait. She explained to the three that were going to Pennyworth about the information they needed.

"We need anything that you can find about the spirits, the Darkfields or anything connected." They nodded and then continued to listen. "There will be Forgotten there, Shadows too, so you will need to protect the people of the town as well."

Sophie and Lyu said their goodbyes and headed for the College's entrance. They knew what they needed to do. Nate hovered in the doorway, and Alice remained still, listening to Abbii as she continued. "Alice, I need you take care of them for me. Call me if you need my help. I'll come as soon as I can."

Smiling understandingly, Alice pulled out a phone from her front pocket. Although both had telepathic abilities, neither of them knew whether their powers or their mobile phones would work between realms. "Don't worry. Everything will be fine. We'll be in contact." She glanced to the side and shared a brief smile with Max.

Nodding as she watched Alice place the phone back into her pocket, Abbii followed her to the doorway. Alice said goodbye and then made her way outside, heading for a Jeep that was parked at an angle. Abbii realised that they must have hot-wired one of the old cars from the side garage. She looked to the floor as Nate straightened his posture.

"Abbii..."

She breathed in. "I wish I knew who I was. Then things would be okay. We'd be okay."

Stepping towards her, he stroked her cheek. "I have faith in you to become who you are meant to be, even if that means I'm not by your side."

"What? You're still leaving?" she whispered. "You're giving up?"

Inside, Nate felt as if his heart was breaking in two. He didn't want to leave Abbii's side, neither did he want to say goodbye, but his decision had been made, and he would stick by it for her. "You didn't name me to go with them, but you haven't asked me to stay."

"But..."

"You said it yourself; we need time apart."

She gasped for a breath, meeting his gaze, feeling warmth spread from his skin. His aura met with hers, washing over her body. She realised that she didn't know whether she wanted him to go. She held her breath as Nate leaned towards her. His warm lips kissed her forehead as she squeezed her eyes shut. She opened them again as the warmth of Nate's aura moved away. Anger boiled inside of him, irritated by Abbii's lack of decisiveness, but he kept moving.

"Fine, leave!" Abbii shouted after him. "I don't want you here anyway!" She watched as Nate continued walking. Not once did he turn back. Remaining in the doorway until they had driven out of sight, Abbii held her breath, annoyed with the fact that Nate had left with little to say. But he had chosen to leave—she wasn't going to stop him. I don't need you...

"What are we going to do?"

Abbii turned to see Sythe and Susan. Chase and Colleen stood slightly behind them, waiting for her to speak. Not having a chance to, however, she looked to the side as Daniel stepped in. "Abbii needs a distraction."

Sythe's brow arched inwards. "What type of distraction?"

"She needs to go to Luminum."

The colour drained from Sythe's face. Susan, sensing his fear, shuffled in her place. "It's that bad?"

Sythe looked at Abbii, amazed. "You're going to try to ask the Elders for help, aren't you?"

She nodded. "They might know something. Daniel said Luminum is where they live."

"It's not just where they live. It's where they trapped the spirits of the dead originally!"

Abbii's didn't understand. "The Elders trapped the spirits? Why?"

Shaking his head, Sythe looked down. Susan, too, lowered her gaze. Neither of them had the answer they needed. "Let me come with you." Sythe's voice was almost at a whisper.

"You have to stay here. You need to look after Chase and Colleen for me. Susan too!" Abbii urged. He looked up at her. "Please. I need you to do this for me."

Filling his lungs with a deep breath, Sythe glanced at Daniel. "You need the Elders to leave so that a portal opens, right?"

Daniel nodded. "Once they enter into this realm, a portal will appear, granting access to Luminum. Then Abbii and the others can enter and ask for their aid when the Elders return."

"They won't help her. Abbii is too drawn to the Darkness inside of her, inside of Jake."

Abbii narrowed her eyes, angered by the way Sythe spoke about her as if she weren't there. "I have to try." She looked at him and held his gaze, surprised to hear Jake's name escape his lips. "Besides, Jake has nothing to do with this. This is my choice. We're going to Luminum!" A spark of red light built in the corner of her eye.

A moment passed by and Sythe nodded. "We'll do what we can, but you have to be ready."

Abbii understood. She calmed, releasing the tension in her hands. "How are we going to draw the Elders out?"

"With our powers," Sythe explained. "They are drawn to high volumes of magic. If all of us call upon our powers, one of them will come."

Everyone understood. They made their way back into the hall, meeting with Max and the twins, explaining their idea to them. With no reason to disagree, the three of them offered their help. As they prepared to call upon their powers, Daniel leaned towards Abbii.

"Is it really safe for the twins to go with you?"

"We want to go with her!" Aeron shouted.

Vee glared at Daniel. "Don't change her mind!"

Abbii knew they were young and what they were planning would be dangerous, but the twins deserved to have their part of the story. She had only known them a short while, but she could already sense their determination and strong will. They were two allies that Abbii and her friends could not do without. Even if she left them behind, she knew without a doubt that they would find a way to follow anyway.

"Ready?" Sythe glanced over the faces of his friends. To Daniel, he said, "You'd best get Sophie, just in case." Understanding that it would not be safe for him to remain close, Daniel left the hall quickly.

They all summoned their powers. Those that could not manifest their magic physically consumed the large space of the hall with their mental consciousnesses. Abbii and the twins called upon their elemental skills, with Aeron creating ice for the first time. The large space oozed with magical presence, causing rays of light to shine through the parts of the ceiling which had not been broken.

A strange ripple of energy passed through the group, proving that something had changed. Sythe glanced at Abbii and pointed to the corner of the room. "If they see you, they'll know what we're trying to do."

The twins and Max crouched in the corner, but Abbii hesitated. "What about you?"

Susan smiled. "We'll be fine. They won't harm us unless we pose a threat."

Chase and Colleen smiled, showing that they agreed. Abbii wished that she and Colleen could have been friends for longer. "Keep in touch!" she shouted, heading for the corner just as the door was blown open. Thankfully she was out of sight before the being entered.

Sythe and the others let their magic fade as they turned towards the stranger. He was an Elder, dressed in a white robe. His hair was long, braided in small sections near his crown. Those with telepathic ability could not enter his mind. He narrowed his eyes suspiciously. "Why have you called upon our presence?" His voice was deep, reverberating around the hall.

"We wanted to meet an Elder," Sythe explained.

Abbii moved from the corner of the room and slipped out through the door. She pushed herself against the wall in the corridor and glanced back. No one had seen her movement. She signalled for one of the twins to follow her. Aeron pushed his sister towards her, keeping his gaze focused on the Elder. Again, he didn't notice their movement. Signalling again, Abbii waved for the others to follow her. Max and Aeron started to move, but as Max made it to the door and turned, he noticed that Aeron had tripped.

Panic rose in Abbii's throat. Vee was kept in her place by fear. She was shaking, and her body started to glow. "Aeron!" Vee shouted for him, gasping as her friends glared at her.

The Elder, hearing the outburst, turned to focus on the four of them. He narrowed his eyes as he recognised Abbii. "You!" Stepping towards them, he raised his hand. "You have been tainted. You must be cut down!" A sudden wave of energy passed through the Elder's body, making him turn. Susan and Colleen were using their telepathic abilities to distract him.

"Go, Abbii!" Susan shouted.

Sensing that they had planned something, the Elder turned again to glare at Abbii. He watched as she shuffled backwards, and Max and the twins headed for the portal at the end of the corridor. Realising their intention infuriated him.

Abbii met Sythe's gaze, mouthing that she was sorry.

"Go!" he shouted.

"But—"

Max pulled at her wrist. "Come on, we have to go. They can keep him busy!" He pulled her towards the portal and jumped in, allowing its cool energy to consume him. Abbii looked back only briefly before stumbling into the light.

Stay safe, everyone.

Sythe prepared his stance as the Elder glared at him. Colleen and Susan stood slightly back, and Chase edged forwards. None of them had ever challenged such a strong opponent before, and the uncertainty was clear on the students' faces. Sythe was the only one who had been in the presence of an Elder before; he understood their temper and their indescribable strength. He raised his clenched fists as the Elder straightened his back.

Sensing that Daniel was approaching through the corridor hastily, the Elder forced the hall doorway to close, held in suspension with his magic. "You cannot defeat me," he mused. "It is a wasted effort to try. I am Fury."

"He's a Teleporter," Susan explained. She gathered her breath, shying away slightly as Fury turned his focus onto her.

He narrowed his eyes. "Four weak magic bearers cannot challenge me and succeed. You all must wish for death." Glancing between the four of them, Fury watched as Sythe and Chase edged forwards. A wicked smile spread across his expression, and he suddenly disappeared from sight.

The two girls gasped as he reappeared, knocking them to the floor as a surge of energy echoed out from his body. Chase jumped to avoid it, seeing that Sythe had also moved out of its path. The two men ran at their opponent. Sythe was the first to reach him. Spinning on the spot, Fury raised his foot and crashed it into his chest, throwing Sythe from his feet. Chase lunged at the Elder with his fist, knocking him off balance, but he soon recovered, narrowing his eyes in irritation.

Teleporting again, Fury kicked Sythe in midair, throwing him to the floor before he could land. He then turned on the spot, creating a ray of energy to shoot at Chase. The young man moved to avoid it, though he gasped as a second ray shot towards him. It was deflected without warning, crashing into the wall at the side. Chase breathed out in relief, glancing at the girls to see that they had protected him with their telekinetic energy. Running at the Elder again, Chase grabbed at his body, twisting Fury's arm.

Shouting aloud, Fury retaliated by twisting Chase's own arm, seeing the pain consume his face. Fury punched him in the chest and then knocked his feet from underneath him. As Chase fell, Sythe jumped over his comrade and crashed his foot into the Elder's body. Fury stumbled but didn't fall, frustrated as he sensed the girls' powers try to affect his concentration. Sighing aloud, he turned robotically and approached them.

Susan concentrated and formed a visible aura of light around Fury's body. It slowed his movement, but he continued to push on. She inhaled a deep breath as she raised her arms, intensifying the energy that surrounded him. Colleen aided her by giving her extra energy, but as she could see that it was making no difference to Fury's approach, her fear began to grow. She edged backwards, her powers fading.

"Colleen, help me!" Susan shouted, sensing her energy levels drop.

The aura of magic faded from Fury's body, and he disappeared from sight just as Sythe raised his fist. He stopped in his place, glancing to see that Chase had cut his leg. A high-pitched whistle echoed throughout the space, and Fury reappeared with a blast of light. Both Sythe and Susan were pushed into the wall forcefully, and they fell to the floor. Chase tried to push himself to stand as he watched Fury approach them, but the pain was overwhelming.

Susan gasped for a breath as a splinter of wood pushed into her side. She tried to remove it, but the blood was obstructing her view. A tear rolled across her cheek as she looked at her friends. Chase's leg was badly wounded, and Sythe remained on the floor. The skin above his brow had been split. She looked at Colleen, who had edged back into the corner. Fury had dismissed her with a look of disgust and now approached Susan directly.

"Death is all that awaits you," he stated matter-of-factly.

He continued his approach as Susan pushed herself to stand. She had no energy left to fight with. The breath she inhaled stung her lungs, but she remained upright. Meeting Fury's gaze, a tear rolled across her cheek.

"I can sense your fear," he smirked. "You are your own enemy."

Stopping in his place, he raised both hands and gathered his energy in front of him. A sphere of magic started to grow, flickering with instability once it had brightened. The light of his magic danced across his irises as he commanded it forwards.

Susan inhaled a sharp breath, regretting nothing that she had done.

The magic collided into a body, but it was not Susan that fell to the floor lifeless.

Fury disappeared into a second portal as Daniel and Sophie burst into the room. The look of sadness which crept into his face was the first thing Susan saw when she opened her eyes.

No! She fell to her knees as her gaze lowered.
Five

It didn't take long for Nate's group to reach Pennyworth. The addition of a car greatly decreased their travel time. The students had never realised that there was an abandoned garage in the College's basement, but now they were pleased to have been told.

The ground leading up to the small town still remained scarred and barren, but something had changed the Veil. It was still visible, and a cool stream of air flowed through the group when the car passed through it, but no images appeared in their minds. No warning or pain affected them. Although Nate was the only one that had expected an effect from passing through the Veil, Sophie met his gaze briefly to show that she had also felt an absence of some kind.

No one except Nate had entered into the small town before—evident by the way Alice and Lyu looked around their surroundings. As for Sophie, Nate knew without a doubt that her research and reading must have made her familiar with the town, the Veil and the Great Battle which had consumed the land. Her turning to meet his gaze when they had entered into Pennyworth proved his assumptions to be true.

As the car began its gradual decline, the beach, no more than a mile from the centre of Pennyworth, came into view. It seemed different, however, polluted with a black substance. Nate pulled the car to the side of the road and examined his surroundings more closely. The water that lapped onto the sand was dyed black, and a strange mist was rising from its surface. A coloured aura was affecting the sky, radiating with layers of energy.

"Is that because of the Veil?" Alice asked, leaning forwards in her seat.

He shook his head. "The Veil has always been here, though the water has never been black. The air is different. Shadows must be trying to enter."

"Nate." He glanced to Sophie to see that she had a book in her hands.

"What is that?" he asked curiously.

Sophie breathed out. "This was the only book I could find in the College that speaks about Pennyworth. It keeps referring to the 'Doorway'."

"Doorway?" Lyu questioned.

"Do you think it's the Veil?" Alice asked.

Nate took a moment to think. "Doorway to where?"

"It doesn't say," Sophie explained. "There's an image, though." She lifted the book at an angle so Nate and the others could see. It showed the town of Pennyworth, the Veil and the beach identical to present day. "Perhaps the Shadows are not just trying to enter into Pennyworth, but also trying to get rid of the Veil?"

"That would make sense," Nate began, "but they would need to get rid of the Veil in order to enter the town in the first place, so that can't be creating the fluctuations."

Alice leaned back in her seat. "I thought Shadows had entered into Pennyworth before, when they attacked Abbii?"

"They did," Sophie replied.

"We never found out how it was possible." The irritation was obvious across Nate's face.

"Well, however they managed it, surely they'll use that way again to attack Pennyworth, rather than wasting time and energy to get rid of the Veil when it isn't necessarily stopping them." Alice's point was on everyone's mind

Lyu shuffled in her place. "What if the Veil is stopping them from doing something else, other than entering into Pennyworth?" The others all turned to look at her; Nate peered at her through the central mirror. "Maybe it has something to do with the Darkfields? If the Forgotten want to open a portal to the Darkfields above anything else, they wouldn't waste time on something like the Veil unless it was stopping them...would they?"

"No, they wouldn't." Nate started up the car and accelerated as they neared the first building of the town. "We need to find out as much as we can about the Darkfields, as quickly as we can. Understand?"

They all nodded.

Nate suddenly braked, jolting them in their seats. Before they could ask what was wrong, they saw two cars race past them, bursting with various household items. A moment later another passed them, overfilled with people; Nate counted six in the back seat alone.

"What's happening?" Lyu asked.

A sudden pain echoed through Nate's mind, causing him to increase his grip on the wheel. He gasped for a breath as his mind created an image of the beach. The black substance had thickened, spreading towards the first building of the town. An area of the horizon had grown darker, causing ripples of energy to pass over the Veil.

"Nate?" Sophie placed her hand on his shoulder, pulling him back to reality.

He glanced at her, his face pale. "The Shadows are here. The more they enter, the weaker the Veil gets."

"Which is allowing the people to leave. Maybe that is what's best for them."

Ignoring her statement, Nate pushed his foot against the accelerator pedal and sped towards the town. He pulled up outside of the shop that he and Abbii had visited once, pushing his door open to step outside. The others followed him, waiting for his orders.

"The people are priority." Nate's statement was clear.

Alice and Lyu glanced at one another. "We'll head for the beach."

Nodding in acknowledgement, Nate watched as the two of them were taken by Alice's magic. They were consumed by yellow light before disappearing. Focusing onto Sophie, he hesitated slightly. Where will she be safe? I can't protect her and fight at the same time.

Sophie decided, "I will head for the church to start my research. Any survivors I find, I'll take there. Are you going to help the girls?"

He shook his head. "I have to find Tricia first. I'll bring her to the church once I find her."

The two of them shared a look before they each turned and ran. Nate knew the town well, turning into a long alley which he knew led to the abandoned school. Once he had reached it, ignoring the presence of spirits he could sense in the air, he followed its land left until he came to a second long alley. It led directly to the beach, but Tricia's home was at the end of one of its right arms. He turned into it and ran, pumping his body to move faster as her home came into view.

Parts of the roof had caved in, and the front door was no longer standing. The trees that had once bordered the one side of the house were now dead, charred black by the misty substance escaping the water's edge. A breath stalled in Nate's throat as he thought of Tricia. She wasn't his true parent, but nonetheless, he felt that he needed to save her. Jumping over the fence that had fallen inwards, he ran to the door and pushed through several pieces of thin debris. He could see that the hallway had remained intact, though the two rooms at either side had collapsed inwards. Nate expanded his mind to search for Tricia's consciousness, but finding that he couldn't sense her, he ran towards the stairs.

Taking two at a time, being careful not to stumble into the damaged area in the centre of the stairway, Nate tried to catch his breath as he reached the landing. He could see that the black substance had oozed through the windows, creating a strange layer of tissue to cover the floor and walls. It seemed to react to his presence by stretching towards his feet. His magic formed, creating a blast of fire to consume the substance. At first it made no effect, but then a sudden change occurred, allowing the black layer to rise up and lunge towards his body. He quickly moved to the side, calling his magic to fade, watching as the strange life force consumed the stairs. It stretched across them, rising and lowering like a heartbeat.

Nate leapt over the main section of its body, using the wall to steady his landing before glancing into the room at his side. The room was intact but empty. "Tricia!"

Jumping over another section of the floor, Nate glanced into the second room but again found that it was empty. He looked ahead towards the last remaining doorway to see that the black substance had created a strange organic surface across the space. Nate remembered seeing a similar display at The Everglades when he had found a student consumed by black energy. Raising his hand, he created a ray of light that beamed outwards, causing the surface to solidify before cracking.

Using the wall to guide him, he leapt up and kicked through the air, falling through the substance which shattered into several pieces. He rolled to absorb his landing, raising his gaze to see something he had not expected. Like the student he had seen in The Everglades, Tricia had been pinned against the wall, consumed with the blackened form. Her eyes were closed, though she was breathing. Standing to his feet, Nate realised that he should have known where Tricia would have been. Her face was pale and bruised, but she was alive. He edged forwards.

"Stay." He stopped in his place as Tricia spoke, her eyes opening ever so slightly. "Don't come...any closer."

He was glad to hear her voice. He tried to think of something to do to free her. At first he thought of creating a surge of light to cause the blackened form to crack, but he feared that it would harm its captive. He could see that the strange surface had consumed the entire wall and parts of the ceiling. A thought entered his head. He pulled a carpenters knife from his pocket and stepped forward, extending his hand towards one of the largest veins he could see. Lunging towards it, the blade severed the artery, though it caused a reaction that Nate had not expected.

Tricia screamed in agony, wriggling beneath the layer of darkness now constricting her more tightly than ever. She closed her eyes tightly as a sob echoed through her lips. "Don't..."

Nate breathed in, feeling saddened. "What am I supposed to do?"

"Leave...now. Help your friends."

"I'm not leaving you!" Extending his hands, he started to rip at the substance, feeling parts of it pull away from the wall. Each piece that he threw to the side appeared to cause more pain shooting through Tricia's body.

"Please," she sobbed.

He stopped in his place.

"The pain..."

Nate stayed still, eyeing the blackened shape closely. He was trying to find a weakness of some sort, though it was proving difficult due to the energy radiating from its surface. He tried to keep his breathing steady, but as he met Tricia's hollow gaze, the pain stabbed at his chest. Uncertain whether the pain rightfully belonged to him or whether it was affecting Jake and therefore passing on to him, Nate couldn't quite tell, though he wasn't going to leave Tricia to suffer.

"A form of Jake c-came..." His jaw tensed as Tricia stuttered on her words. "He appeared...with Forgotten."

Nate's face was filled with anguish as he spoke. "He's our enemy." He watched a tear fall from Tricia's eye.

"The window..." Not understanding her statement, he narrowed his eyes to search for the answer in her irises. "The air...will help."

He looked to the window at the side and noticed that the black substance seemed repelled from the cold surface of the glass. He raised his hand, creating a shock of electricity to smash through it, causing an effect he had not expected. The black substance screeched and pulled towards Tricia's body, withdrawing from the icy touch of the wind. It blew into the room, caressing the Shadow's surface with each blow. The creature continued to recoil from the cold, restricting Tricia's body like a boa constrictor.

Realising that the substance could no longer hold Tricia's body weight, Nate extended his hands and caught her as she fell. Moving to his knees, he held her in his arms, watching as the blackened substance seemed to disappear all at once, except for a small area across Tricia's face. One of her cheeks and one eye remained tainted with blackened energy, which had caused her skin to split. The scar that would be left in its place would be ragged and ugly.

"I didn't think you would come..."

Nate looked over Tricia's pale face, regret bubbling inside of him. "Abbii had a vision. She saw the Forgotten coming here."

"The Forgotten are not yet here. Shadows have come..."

His brow arched inwards. "The Veil is still keeping them out, isn't it? Why are they trying to break it?"

"They need to enter the town...they need the Artefact..." Tricia's head fell slightly as she lost consciousness. A quiet sigh left Nate's lips as he thought about her words.

What artefact?

Allowing his powers to form, Nate breathed in as Jake's room faded from sight. The air around them brightened. As it started to fade, the inside of the church formed. As he raised his gaze, Nate watched as Sophie made her way towards them. The last of Nate's powers faded as she reached their side.

"What happened?" she asked, then immediately concentrated onto Tricia's injuries.

Nate sighed. "They were trying to turn her."

She hesitated a moment, glancing to her side. Nate followed her gaze to see that several other bodies were laid on the floor. All of them had sustained injuries to their skin, tainted with black. "All of them have tried to be turned," she whispered.

Nate asked directly, "Will they become Shadows?"

"It is a possibility. Depending on how much Darkness they have absorbed, their bodies may or may not transform. None of them will gain magic from their injuries, though. Somehow, the Shadows are no longer causing magic to materialise in every one of their victims. They are choosing who gains magic."

"They're weakening...but surely they would come after us if they needed power. Why are they attacking people with no magic?"

Sophie shook her head gently. "I am uncertain." As silence fell between them, a moan of discomfort seeped through Tricia's lips. "Come. Carry her to the front." She stood to her feet and made her way to the raised platform at the front. Nate followed her, carefully laying Tricia down once he had reached Sophie's side.

He hesitated in his place, scanning Tricia's face.

A hand lay on his shoulder. He turned and met Sophie's gaze. "You did the best that you could, Nate."

"Why are they doing this? Why are they attacking innocent people?" His fists clenched in anger as he turned to face the room. A sudden pain stabbed through his shoulder, causing him to grasp at his skin. He lost his breath, staggering slightly.

Alice?

"Go," Sophie instructed. "Save as many as you can."

Nodding in acknowledgement, Nate inhaled a deep breath and his magic consumed him. Heat pricked against his skin as his irises glowed with power. His feet left the ground behind, and a few moments later, sand replaced his foothold. The chill air of the beach stung his lungs as he breathed in, though it was the sight ahead of him that caused his breath to falter the most.

The small length of the beach had been consumed by the same black substance that had constricted Tricia Christian's body. Long vein-like tendons had reached up and scarred the declining bank of sand. Some of them had even stretched as far as the houses on the outskirts of the town, including Jake's old home. Nate could see that waves of energy were constantly spreading out from the black substance. Bodies of Darkness were also moving outwards, forming as Shadows once they had risen from the sand. No portal or doorway seemed to sit upon the horizon. The sea was only marred due to its constant connection with the sand. Nate wondered where the Shadows had come from and how the Veil, which was still glowing brightly, was not keeping them out.

A stinging sensation spread along his ankle, breaking through his thoughts. He looked down to see that a stray vein of Shadow had reached for his skin. He kicked it away quickly and staggered back, watching as it followed his movement. Raising his hand, he created a layer of fire to consume the substance, which stopped its advance. He stood up and stamped his foot aggressively against it, watching it shatter beneath his weight.

Two Shadows caught sight of him then, screeching loudly as they oozed towards him. He straightened his back and ran at them, jumping into the air when little ground separated them. Rolling to absorb his landing once he had moved through the air, he kicked the creatures' legs, causing them to fall to the ground. Sharp fingers of ice pierced their bodies, causing them to wriggle and screech in pain. Nate commanded his magic to spread fluently, and without much warning, the Shadows disintegrated, leaving only remnants of the cold matter behind.

He looked around briefly to search for his friends. Alice was near the water's edge, stopping as many of the Shadows as she could from reaching dry ground. Lyu was nowhere to be seen. A lump built in the back of Nate's throat as he thought of how timid and reserved Lyu was. She wasn't ready to fight—he had to find her.

Running towards a stray Shadow that seemed dazed, Nate grabbed at its head before it could retaliate and twisted its neck. Its body fell to the ground limply as he continued to run. Small tendons of the black substance stretched towards him as he moved, though he easily avoided contact with them, following the declining beach. The air strangely grew colder as he neared the water, proving that the Shadows thrived in the cold, though he didn't understand why the Shadowed form that had taken Tricia's body had recoiled from the cold wind. Nate guessed that the metamorphosis process of changing a human into a Shadow needed warmth.

A body collided into Nate with no warning, knocking him from his feet. He inhaled a quick breath to compensate for the hastened exhalation and then moved to the side to see who it was. Alice was on her back, trying to catch her breath as well. She leaned her head to the side and met Nate's gaze.

"N-nice of you to join me," she stuttered.

He struggled a smile and moved to his feet, extending his hand. She stood up with his help and then took a moment to look over the beach. So many bodies, Shadows and humans, littered the sand. Her magic formed quickly. She turned and started to run towards the largest of the creatures.

"Alice, wait! Where's Lyu?"

Turning on the spot briefly, her irises were overcome with light. "We parted ways." And with nothing more said, she disappeared from sight, materialising a moment later on the back of the creature. Nate ran towards it, calling upon his magic.

He had never seen such a large creature before. Its legs were strong and well built, ending in sharpened talons ready to kill. Masses of fur surrounded its neck and underside, creating the illusion of black skin, though Nate could see that its colour was closer to maroon. It roared ferociously as Alice stabbed at its neck, and it grabbed at her body harshly. Ideally Nate would have left to search for Lyu, but Alice needed his help. He created a blast of heated energy which surged ahead of him as he continued to run.

### The magic collided with the creature's body, causing it to stumble. It raised its claws to slash at Alice, and she was forced to grab the fur at its neck to stop herself from falling. Pushing against its throat, she leapt backwards, allowing her magic to consume her. A bright flash of yellow took her place as she teleported high above the Shadow. Gravity pulled at her immediately, and she thrust her dagger into the creature's spine as she landed upon its skin.

### Nate, taking the opportunity to attack, created a flash of light to slash at the thick, muscular legs of their enemy. Blood sprayed out at awkward angles. The creature roared in annoyance, tilting its head back, which caused Alice to tumble backwards. She landed harshly against the sand, making her gasp for breath. The creature turned, raising its foot above Alice's body. Dashing ahead, Nate created a veil of fire to burn the creature's back. It roared but didn't remove its focus from Alice. She called upon her magic, allowing a subtle glow to warm her skin, but was interrupted as the Shadow stamped against her. Her breath was forced from her lungs, and several bones fractured.

"Alice!"

### Closing his eyes as he took a deep breath, Nate raised his arms, causing the sand at his feet to rise. It circled the creature ferociously, ripping at its skin. The Shadow tried to swipe through the barrier of sand but stumbled in its place as its eyes stung painfully. Nate extended his arms outwards, allowing cold energy to follow the movement of the sand. It created a misty silhouette, almost obstructing the creature from view.

### Slashing at the sand only caused the Shadow further pain as several of its fingers were bent backwards by the force. It tilted its head back and roared, creating a pillar of flame that blasted into the sand. Nate's magic retaliated, wrapping its cool energy around the creature's body, restricting its movement. It continued to tighten its embrace, forcing the Shadow to its knees.

"Nate, look..." Her voice was only just above a whisper as she spoke, but Alice pointed ahead.

### Glancing to the beach, he could see that only a few Shadows remained, and they all headed towards him. He assumed that they were drawn in by his powers. The largest creature once again focused onto Alice, seeing her through the fragments of sand. She shuffled backwards as it faced her directly. Nate, kicking a smaller Shadow from his side, moved his hands ahead of him as if to clap.

### His magic gathered between his raised hands and then pulsed outwards as the largest Shadow returned to its feet. Nate fell to his knees as the force of his power shot outwards. The Shadows disintegrated almost immediately, decaying into ash that the wind blew from the sand. The air settled a moment later as the last cries from the Shadows silenced. Nate gasped for a breath, steadying his balance with his hand, glancing up briefly to see that Alice was moving towards him. His eyesight blurred as bile moved through his throat, but he swallowed and tried to regain his breath.

"Are you okay?" Alice asked, kneeling by him.

### He nodded, unable to raise his gaze again. His temples started to throb, causing him to feel faint. Never had he used so much power before, and now he regretted it. The air in his lungs seemed inadequate each time he breathed in.

"What was that power?" She noticed that a flickering light washed over the Veil.

### Sitting properly, Nate leaned his arms against his knees. "Abbii can do anything she imagines...it looks like that's been passed on to me."

### They both glanced over the sand, seeing that the Shadows' bodies had faded. Even the largest of them had disintegrated. The horizon began to lighten, though the sand remained tainted. Nate wondered how Shadows had been able to enter into Pennyworth when the Veil still existed. He glanced to Alice as she moved.

"Your arm."

### She was holding her arm against her chest, unable to move it. Her fingers were numb, and a trail of blood ran across her hand. The radius had pierced her skin. "I'll be fine," she replied quietly. "It will heal in time. We need to go and check on Sophie."

### Nate nodded. "Maybe Lyu's with her."

### They both stood slowly, not wanting to overbalance, though both of them seemed to hesitate in their place. Concentrating onto the beach, they realised that if the tainted substance in the sand were not visible, then all would have looked as it should. Only the damaged buildings gave away the fact that the small town had been attacked. Both of them were perplexed at how the Shadows had appeared so quickly, but Nate believed he knew who had controlled them.

### I'll find you, Jake.

### Alice extended her uninjured arm and raised her gaze to meet Nate's, not understanding when he turned without taking her hand. At first, she thought he was angry with her, but she smiled, realising that he was only thinking of reserving her magical energy. If they had teleported to the church, it would have saved time, but since Alice was injured, she needed her energy.

### Nate glanced back and smiled, glad that Alice had understood. "Come on. We can check out the town as we go." Her smile spread as she followed him up the sandy bank.

### Only the buildings near the beach were damaged. They had fallen in on themselves. All other evidence of the black substance had faded from the town. Even Tricia's home was no longer affected by it. There were unusual bursts of energy through the air as Nate and Alice made their way through the town, but they couldn't sense what had caused them. Neither of them shared their thoughts but remained quiet as they moved.

The streets were empty. An eerie silence consumed the area as the derelict school came into view. It had decayed more since the attack—the entire ceiling had collapsed inwards, and the surrounding fence had been lost among the fallen debris. Nate's heartbeat began to speed up. How can the Shadows do this? His fists clenched in anger.

"Look." Alice stopped in her place as a figure came into view. The person was staggering, leaning against the brick wall with all of their weight. The darkness of the alley covered most of their shape, but they were human.

### Nate saw that they were male and that there was blood flowing from the side of his neck. He went to run towards them but was stopped as Alice raised her uninjured arm, preventing him from moving. He didn't question her but rather remained still and looked ahead, noticing that a second figure was hiding in the darkness of the alley. They stepped into the light.

"A Forgotten!"

### The man staggered forwards, extending his hand. "Please...help me..."

### The Forgotten was female. Magic was glowing across her skin, and when the Forgotten stepped towards the injured man, a smile crept across her face. Nate raised his hand, wishing to call upon his magic, but when Alice glanced towards him, he sighed reluctantly. They were both weakened from the battle that had just passed—the Forgotten would have the strength to overpower them. Seeing the way Nate narrowed his eyes, allowing his magic to fade, the Forgotten moved towards the injured man and extended her hand, creating a sharpened edge to pierce her victim's back. A shrill cry echoed from the man's throat, and his body fell to the ground, as the dagger was removed from his body.

### Feeling his heartbeat drum against his chest, Nate looked over his enemy. "What do you want?"

### The Forgotten laughed aloud.

### Nate's senses could not visualise her appearance. He summoned his magic, creating a blast of energy to soar ahead of him. It weakened his body further, and as it glided through the air, he was disappointed that the Forgotten simply moved aside to avoid it.

### Stepping back, allowing the shadow of the alley to cover her figure once again, the Forgotten clicked her fingers, resulting in a portal appearing behind her. She spoke aloud, but her voice sounded distorted. "Soon your magic will not be enough. I suggest you hold on to what you have a little while longer. You have already lost two students." She raised her arm just enough to reveal a ribbon in her grasp. It was purple, moving in the gentle breeze that spiralled through the air.

### A quiet gasp escaped Nate's throat, and he started to run, raising his hand to attack. The Forgotten laughed aloud and stepped backwards, allowing the portal to engulf her. All evidence of her figure faded away. Nate stopped in his place, turning a moment later. Alice had slouched to her knees.

"Alice?" He made his way back towards her, kneeling so that she could lean against him. "Come on, I'll get you to the church." Placing his hand against her knee, he allowed his magic to warm her skin. Only one thing remained on his mind.

### I'm sorry, Lyu. I couldn't protect you.

### The ribbon that the Forgotten had been holding was Lyu's. She wore it wrapped around one of her wrists like a bracelet. Now that the Forgotten had it within their grasp, Nate didn't know what to think. Would they keep her prisoner, extract her powers? Or had they already killed her for challenging them? The Forgotten had told him two students had died, but the question was who?

### He believed that she was dead. He had let her down.

### Six

### The air in Luminum was clean, and sunlight shone brightly. Abbii couldn't believe what she was seeing. She had expected layers of cloud as her vision had showed her, but the truth was that Luminum was beautiful. Long fields of poppies and wheat spread out from where the group stood. Areas of grassland bordered the pebbled path in front of them, leading towards a large building in the distance. Abbii could see that it was a type of castle, though she didn't recognise anything about it.

"Look!" Vee pointed ahead, drawing everyone's gaze.

"Didn't expect that," Max replied.

### Men and women were working among the healthy fields, using old tools to harvest the wheat. The men were swinging scythes to cut the crops down, whilst the women bundled it up and carried them in large wooden baskets on their backs. There were horse-drawn carts waiting on the road. The women moved between them and the fields, stacking their gathered wheat on the wooden trailer at the back. Small children were running through the flowers, chasing the coloured butterflies that danced through the air.

"Who are they?" Aeron asked, turning to look up at Abbii.

### She hesitated, gathering her breath. "They all have magic."

"All of them?" Vee challenged, causing her voice to go high-pitched.

### Nodding in reply, Abbii started to walk, feeling the small pieces of stone beneath her feet adjust to her weight. It was true that all of the beings she could sense had some type of magical power flowing through their veins, but she had never imagined so many gathered in one place. She extended her hand to the side, brushing her palm over the varying flowers which bordered the path that they were on. The urgency that had filled her before leaving The Everglades had faded. Her mind had calmed, allowing her to forget most of her troubles. Nevertheless, she hoped that her friends were safe.

### Vee and Aeron nudged each other and then started to run, laughing excitedly. They started to play chase, tagging each other when they were caught by the other. Abbii couldn't help but smile. The aura of Luminum seemed to ease her every pain. She glanced at Max, who also seemed at ease, and then followed the twins.

### They could hear running water as they moved, and as they reached the edge of the wheat fields, they could see the origin of the sound. A large, flowing river cut through the land. Its water was perfectly clear, allowing Abbii to see the bottom even in the deepest parts. Brightly coloured fish darted through the body of water, causing the sunlight to create bars of colour. Several carved bridges arched over the river's shape, and healthy trees pink with cherry blossoms bordered each side. Their petals danced through the air like skating figures.

### To the far side, Abbii could see several layers of water falling into the main river. The largest source was a waterfall that seemed to pierce the blue sky with its height. A second waterfall, which was much smaller than the other, also entered the river, but this time it escaped one of the large turrets that decorated the building ahead. Abbii could now see that it was a castle as white as snow.

### She moved towards the bridge closest to where she was standing, extending her hand to caress its wooden surface. Her fingertips could feel no blemishes or splits in the wood; it was perfect, with no knots disrupting its smoothness. Aeron and Max were leaning closer to the floor, tracing their fingertips over the decorative design that was inscribed into it. Vee had reached the other side, though she remained still, looking up towards the castle ahead.

### Making her way towards her, Abbii also stopped when she reached the other side, raising her gaze like Vee. The castle was elegantly crafted with each separate area shining as brightly as the last. Small pieces of crystal decorated each of the many windowsills, as well as the tiled roofs of each turret. Flourishing flowers and vines had spread across the lower parts of the building, adding further depth to its shape; even the large drawbridge leading towards its entrance was covered with flowers.

### Max and Aeron moved to the girls' side, but it was not until they had all looked ahead that they noticed a figure standing on the drawbridge, waiting. Losing some of the calmness that she had gained from entering Luminum, Abbii started to walk forwards, the others following her closely. She could sense no threat from the figure but nevertheless sensed their power.

### Passing under some arched branches, the group continued their approach. The twins regularly glanced towards Max and Abbii, keeping their senses alert. Abbii stopped as she reached the edge of the large drawbridge, seeing that the figure now approached them. They were female, with an appearance not much older than Abbii herself, though she could sense that her age was far higher than her features suggested.

"Welcome to Luminum, the Realm of Light. My name is Elaine." The woman bowed her head slightly and then straightened her back to take in the details of the group. "We have long awaited the arrival of the Star."

### Abbii fidgeted in her place, analysing Elaine's clothes. She was wearing a long, red dress which met with the floor, contrasting perfectly against her brunette features. She wore intricately designed jewellery which decorated both her hands and neckline. Crystals, similar to those within the castle walls, shone against her skin. Aware that she was not all that she seemed, Abbii remained in her place, sensing Elaine's powers.

"I suggest you follow me. Your arrival has attracted an audience."

### Turning around, the group realised that the wooden bridge they had crossed was now full of people, eyeing their visitors closely. Abbii had thought at the time of her arrival that no one had sensed them, but it was obvious that they had. She glanced at Max and then back at the people who started to shuffle towards them.

"What do we do, Abbii?" Vee asked quietly.

### Meeting Elaine's gaze, Abbii took a moment to use her powers; she could sense no threat from their greeter but still believed that she was not what she appeared. Trying to enter into her mind to find what she was looking for, Abbii was surprised when her psyche was denied access. She returned her focus to Elaine.

"Please follow me. You will learn all you wish to know." Turning, she started to walk as the gates to the castle opened.

### Abbii followed with the twins close at her sides. Max hung back slightly, feeling a small pain dart through him, but he ignored it and started to walk. As they passed through the large castle gateway, the drawbridge rose from its resting place until it met with the glistening wall of the building, where it remained still. Glancing back, Abbii inhaled a breath.

### There's no going back now...

### The path beneath their feet was made from clear pieces of stone, glowing beautifully in the sunlight. Small flecks of colour decorated some of the stone, though Abbii was not sure whether they were simple reflections of the flowers consuming the walls. She could see people watching them pass by, standing at their windows, refusing to move. Others were standing in the streets, quietly talking to one another as Abbii and her friends passed. It was strange, but she felt angered by their response.

### Elaine continued to walk without looking back, passing two armoured soldiers guarding the entrance to the castle's main area. Abbii met the gaze of one of them but quickly lowered her head as she passed. She felt as if people were talking about her, judging her before hearing what she had to say.

"First, we will give you time to rest. Then our Mistress would like to greet you." Pausing in the centre of the empty corridor, Elaine turned and gestured towards a closed wooden door.

### Patterns had been inscribed into its surface, and areas had been embossed with thick black lines, adding further depth to some of the shapes. Abbii could sense a warming energy from the wood, realising that something magical was waiting beyond the door. She glanced to Max, sensing that he, too, could feel its aura. Hesitating in her place, Abbii looked at Elaine.

"We don't need to rest."

### Breathing out quietly, Elaine held her posture. "The room will not harm you."

### A silent moment passed as Abbii expanded her mind. She entered into the room with her psyche, searching its space. A large mirror hung on the far wall, thrumming with energy. Its magical presence immediately welcomed Abbii's gaze, glowing with a shallow light. As she moved closer to it, examining its simple but elegant form, a strange throb began to beat against her temple. She withdrew her mind, stepping back.

"We must cleanse you before you approach our kin," Elaine said clearly.

### Vee and Aeron shuffled in their place, glancing at each other before raising their gaze to Abbii. She was glaring at Elaine, her eyes narrowed. "What do you mean 'cleanse us'?"

### A smile built across Elaine's pale face. "Your powers must be contained for you to continue your approach through our city." She extended her arm, spreading her hand for Abbii to take hold of.

### Surprised, Abbii stepped back, raising her glowing fist. Several of Elaine's thoughts entered into her mind, showing what had happened in the past. All of the villagers that had been drawn to Abbii and her friends' arrival had all stood in front of the magical mirror at one point in their lives; all of them had fallen to their knees, losing the colour from their faces.

"Abbii?"

### Drawn from her thoughts by Max's voice, she stepped back. "We're leaving."

### Elaine, seeming unsurprised by Abbii's decision, allowed her smile to remain. "Please, there is nothing to fear. You have come here for a reason, have you not?" She stepped towards them, again raising her hand.

### In response, Max moved adjacent to Abbii and raised his clenched fists. He didn't know what was happening, but if Abbii had decided that leaving was their best option, he would follow her no matter what. Abbii quickly turned, facing the direction they had come from. A quiet gasp escaped her lips. Four armed soldiers now barred the exit. They held spears, glowing with a metallic gold. Armour decorated their entire bodies, leaving only small gaps so that their limbs' movements were not restricted. Two of them started to approach the group, taking each step silently.

### Abbii glanced to her side, seeing fear begin to spread across Vee's features. Aeron, too, seemed pale. She focused onto the soldiers again, raising her hand to attack. A blast of silver light collided into one of the armed men, knocking him from his feet. The remaining three soldiers moved from their positions all at once, running at Abbii.

### Jumping into the air, Max kicked one of them in the chest, feeling their armour cave inwards due to the force. He then punched him in the face before he could stab with his spear, knocking him from his feet. The point of the soldier's spear pierced his arm but he remained focused. Abbii's powers surged through two of the men, allowing Max to gather his breath.

### A spear's point cut the outside of her thigh, causing her to gasp for a breath, but when she could see that a soldier was running directly towards her, she teleported out of sight. Materialising behind him before he could realise what was happening, Abbii grabbed him by the neck and raised her gaze.

### She gasped.

### Elaine was grasping the twins' arms tightly. A subtle glow had spread across her skin, warming her features. Her aura had brightened considerably, and Abbii realised that her face had aged, revealing her true appearance. Without a doubt, she realised that Elaine was one of the original Elders. Abbii sighed reluctantly and released her victim. Something collided with the back of her head, and she fell to her knees.

"Abbii!" Vee shouted. She was trying to pull herself free from Elaine's grasp, but she was not strong enough.

### Both Abbii and Max had their wrists tied with magical restraints and were forced to their feet by the soldiers. One of them remained on the floor, and Abbii realised it was due to a wound that he had sustained. She raised her gaze to Elaine, narrowing her eyes. Bile had risen in her throat, and her balance had faded. "What do you want?"

### Turning her back, Elaine started to walk, dragging the twins along with her. She reached the end of the corridor and then glanced back briefly. "Once you are cleansed, you will follow." She then turned the corner and disappeared from sight. All that Abbii could hear was the twins trying to pull themselves free.

### Silence followed a moment later.

### The soldiers pushed their captives towards the wooden door, and as they neared it, it swung open. Abbii didn't struggle as she was pushed into the room; her balance had still not recovered fully, and a ringing echoed through her ears. Max, on the other hand, tried as hard as he could to get free, but with no success. He, too, was pushed into the room, and the door was locked behind them.

"Damn it!" Max raised his foot and kicked the door. He sighed, hearing the soldiers' footsteps reverberate through the corridor. At least one of them remained outside of the locked door. Turning, he noticed that Abbii was leaning against the wall. "You okay?"

### She was struggling to catch her breath, using the wall as support. The blow to her head had surprised her, and the pain still coursed through her body. Closing her eyes briefly, Abbii wished that she had never left The Everglades. Not only did she leave her friends in danger, but now she had placed the twins and Max in peril as well.

"Abbii." Max moved to her side, ducking low to meet her gaze.

### She looked at him, not knowing what to say. "We shouldn't have come."

"We had no other choice, did we? The Elders are the only ones who have what we need: information about the Darkfields!" He held her gaze. "We're not the only ones who will struggle. Alice and the others aren't safe either!"

### For the first time, Abbii could see a flash of fear across Max's eyes. His whole expression had tensed—seriousness that she had never seen from him before covered his face. It was obvious that Max was worried about them, about Alice. He moved from her side and paced across the room as Abbii looked to the floor.

### Nate...

### It felt like so long since Abbii had thought of Nate. The truth was that it was only a matter of hours since he had chosen to leave for Pennyworth. She hated the fact that he had chosen to leave her, but then again, she realised that she had never asked him to stay. Both of them had blame upon their shoulders. In Luminum, it seemed as if everything had cleared in Abbii's mind. She realised how hard she had been on herself, as well as Nate, when it was obvious that they shared a strong connection. The Shadows, the Forgotten, even Jake had clouded everything that she shared with Nate...the problem was, however, that she didn't know if that was what she wanted.

### Straightening her back, Abbii looked over the room. Other than the mirror hanging on the far wall, the room was empty. No furniture or colour decorated the space. Remnants of a fireplace were evident to the right of where Abbii was standing, but it had been removed, replaced with nothing. The char marks from the burning wood still remained. Max was examining the mirror, leaning close to its surface.

"Careful." Abbii watched as he moved back and looked at her. She made her way across the room, stopping at Max's side. "There's magic inside the mirror. Can you feel it?"

### He looked at her, confusion spreading across his face. "Magic? Is that what I can feel?"

### She nodded. "I think it absorbs powers and keeps them contained. I saw Elaine's memories—the people of the city had to all approach the mirror."

"But I thought you said everyone outside had powers?"

### She met his gaze. "Did you see anyone using them?" His silence proved his answer. "I sensed magic from them, but I don't think they can use their powers anymore. I think the mirror...absorbed them."

"Absorbed them?" Max shuffled backwards slightly, wary of getting too close.

### Abbii tried not to smile. "If the mirror wanted your powers, it would have taken them."

### Almost embarrassed by his behaviour, Max straightened his collar and leant against the wall behind him. "I knew that." He winked as Abbii looked at him. She rolled her eyes and then focused onto the mirror.

"I wonder what it does with the magic inside of it?" She approached it slowly, leaning her head to examine it closer.

### Small, almost unnoticeable lines were carved into the mirror's golden edge. They swirled over one another, creating whirlpools that called to Abbii's gaze. She lifted her hand, running her fingertip over the decorative design. A smile crept across her face as a slight heat escaped the metal, warming her hand. Max moved towards it as well, noticing that a glow began to leak out from the mirrored surface.

### Without warning, a burst of light escaped the mirror, jumping onto Abbii's skin. It consumed her hands, causing her to move back. Her body met with the wall, and she lost control of her breathing. The magical light surged across her skin, covering her arms and most of her torso in less than a moment. She tried to call upon her powers to reflect the light, but her magical restraints stopped them from forming. Both she and Max tried to wipe the light from her skin.

### He gasped as the glowing substance split into two, spreading along his hands and wrists. Neither of them was in pain, but the fact that they didn't know what the light was caused them to panic. Abbii tried to break through her restraints before the light could engulf her fully, but even as she turned and twisted her hands, the restraints did not falter. She gasped for a breath and glanced towards Max, narrowing her eyes as something caught her attention.

### The magical light was gathering in one specific place. His arm had sustained an injury from one of the soldiers' spears, and that was what the light seemed drawn to. She glanced down to her own injury, noticing how the tear in her thigh had begun to close. Max continued his struggle, kicking the mirror.

"Wait!" Abbii shouted.

### He turned, his brow arching inwards.

"It's healing us."

### Glancing over his body quickly, Max soon realised that she spoke the truth. No cut in his skin could now be seen. He relaxed slightly, watching how the light caressed his skin, feeling its warmth penetrate his body. Looking up as the last of the light on him faded, he noticed that two specific areas of light were all that remained on Abbii. One dominated her entire right shoulder, and the second was her wrist. The scar that had marked her skin for four years was overcome with magical energy.

### Abbii watched, intrigued, hoping that the scar would fade. It had marked her skin for so long. A part of her wondered if her powers would disappear if the scar didn't exist—part of her wanted it to be so. She watched the light begin to massage her skin, and she felt its magical energy sooth her damaged wrist. A cool gust of air spiralled through the room, and all evidence of the light faded.

"No way," Max stated matter-of-factly. He leaned in towards Abbii's wrist to check that his eyes were not fooling him. "It's gone."

### She didn't know what to say as she fixed her gaze onto the place where her scar had once been. The breath she inhaled was shallow, and tears built at her eyes. A part of her felt relieved, thankful that all evidence of the Shadows had faded from her skin. Without warning, the magical restraints from her wrists fell to the floor. Max looked at his, expecting his own to do the same, but when they didn't, he raised his gaze to meet Abbii's. Neither of them spoke for a moment, but both of them knew that her restraints had only removed themselves because of one clear reason.

### Abbii still didn't know what to say. She edged backwards until the entire length of the room separated her from Max. Raising her hand silently, she stretched it in front of her face. Nothing happened. Her heartbeat hastened as it realised that part of her was missing.

"Nothing?" Max shuffled towards her, stopping in his place as Abbii looked at him, shaking her head.

"My powers...they're gone." She dropped her hand to her side, regretting the small part of her that had wanted her powers to disappear.

### Choosing his words carefully, Max scratched his neck. "Everything'll be fine."

"How, Max? Without my powers, I can't help anyone, let alone fight against the Forgotten and the Shadows!"

### He edged towards her. "You don't need powers to find out about the Darkfields."

### She held his gaze, realising that he had a point. "But still, I can't sense anyone. I can't sense my friends...or Nate."

"He left, and that was his choice. Now we have to do what we came here to do." For once, Max remained serious. Even as he approached her, placing his hand against her shoulder, his expression remained tense. "Finding out about the Darkfields is all that's important, right?"

"The Elders won't help us..."

"Then we find out why and make them!" As she looked up, he smiled. His usual self returned quickly. "Come on, we can do anything! Let's make them tell us!"

### A quiet breath escaped her lips. "We have to find the twins." She spoke as if she were trying to force herself to keep going. "I have to find them." Her determination began to build as she pictured their faces. She looked up and met Max's gaze, seeing the way his grin widened.

### Without warning, something slammed into the door from the opposite side. Max and Abbii glanced at each other before focusing onto the wood. It shook as something collided into it again. The door to the room was unlocked. Some commotion echoed through the corridor, but everything fell silent after several moments. Abbii approached the door, peering through the keyhole to see what had happened.

"The soldiers..."

### Max moved to her side and peered through the gap when Abbii straightened up. He could see that the guard had collapsed to the floor, his own weapon piercing his body. Moving back, meeting Abbii's confused expression, Max shrugged his shoulders. He raised his bound hands and pushed on the door, watching as it swung open silently. The soldier's body prevented it from opening fully, but the gap was big enough for the two of them to sneak through.

### Moving into the corridor, Abbii looked over the unconscious guard. He was alive but wounded. Max leaned down and took hold of the dagger that hung from the soldier's belt. Lifting his leg, he tucked the blade down the inside of his boot. Abbii looked at him sceptically.

"What? It'll come in handy until I get these things off." He raised his bound hands to illustrate his point. Glancing up the corridor, he remembered that Elaine and the twins had turned left.

"What do you think happened?" Abbii tried to piece together her thoughts. She wondered who would risk going against the Elders to save them. Her friends wouldn't have been able to enter into Luminum—she didn't even know if they were wounded from their battle—and no member of the Elders would go against their leader.

### Sighing as Max ran up the corridor, Abbii wondered why he loved to fight so much, though one thing was for certain—she was glad of his company. Reaching the corner, he turned and waved, signalling for her to follow. She was not used to staying back from the head of the group, but without her powers, that would be somewhere she would have to stay. She followed Max closely, pausing at each cross section to make sure that no one would see them. It felt strange to her, not being able to sense who was ahead. Her hearing and eyesight still remained finely tuned, however, offering her a slight advantage, though she doubted whether it would make much difference when approaching the Elders.

### Max paused at a corner, peering around cautiously. He turned a moment later and waved for Abbii to follow. She ran after him, seeing a shape out of the corner of her eye. Slowing until she had stopped, Abbii looked left and then right, seeing no one in either corridor. She lowered her gaze for a moment, feeling strangely alone.

"Hey, you all right?" Max called. He made his way to her side, lowering his voice. "Abbii, what's wrong?"

"Don't you think it's strange that there's no one around? We haven't seen a single person."

### He smiled. "It'll be fine. We have to keep moving before someone sees us." With nothing more said, he turned and jogged up the corridor, passing several mirrored panels. He paused again, waiting for her to follow.

### Abbii remained still for a moment, listening for the smallest sound that she could hear. A large grandfather clock started to beat. Each sway of the pendulum caused the walls to reverberate. As it sounded, a cool chill spiralled through the air, moving Abbii's scarlet hair over her shoulders. She started to breathe hastily, wishing that she could call upon her powers.

"Run!" Startled, she raised her gaze to see Max running towards her. The panic across his face was clear. "Run, Abbii! Run!"

### She stepped back, seeing several soldiers turn the corner in pursuit. Counting at least ten, she turned and started to run. Max caught her up, moving alongside her. She pushed herself to move faster, glancing at Max's body. The shackles around his wrists were glowing brightly, and she guessed it was due to the fact that they were absorbing his magic.

### He stopped abruptly, grabbing Abbii's wrist. She grew to a standstill with his aid, gasping as a second group of soldiers appeared ahead of them. They glanced back, seeing that the soldiers following their movement had slowed, walking forwards cautiously as they extended their spears. Abbii looked around, panicked, catching sight of a door slightly ahead of them.

"Come on!"

### She started to run with only the door in her sights. The soldiers, realising her intentions, also started to run. Max followed Abbii quickly, jumping into the air to avoid a swipe of one of the soldiers' spears. He kicked them to the ground before pushing on the door. It gave way easily, throwing them both into darkness. Max pushed against the door, trying as hard as he could to keep the soldiers out.

### Abbii, realising that the room had no light at all, pushed herself against the wall behind her, splaying her hands so that her fingertips were spread wide. She tried to think of something else, but fear began to bubble inside of her and consume her whole. Her mind was taken over by the memory of her first attack. She remembered the Shadow that had come for her, piercing her wrist with its sharpened claws. The pain coursed through her, stealing the little air her lungs could grasp. She moved to the floor, crawling into the corner, guiding herself with her hands.

"Max?" she whispered.

### He continued to push against the door, but the soldiers' strength was proving too much. He glanced into the room to try to see where Abbii was, but the dark didn't allow him. "Abbii, get over here!"

### She wrapped both arms around her knees, laying her forehead against her legs. Her breathing had not improved, and she was beginning to feel faint. Max's voice was just a whisper as she closed her eyes. The cool shiver across her skin caused the hairs along her neck to stand up. This was the first time that Abbii's fear had incapacitated her so quickly. In the dark forest when the Shadows had surrounded her, fear had bubbled inside of her body, but it had not consumed her whole; now, even her heart seemed consumed by fear.

"Abbii!" Max shouted, pushing his foot against some type of furniture to gain more leverage.

### Tears started to fall from Abbii's eyes as images of Shadows entered her mind. It was as if she was having a vision. Pain and emotion flowed through her at a hasty pace, but without the use of her powers, she had no control over her own emotions. Darkness was all that she could see inside of her mind. For the first time since her powers had formed, she felt helpless, alone. Jake and Nate had both left her side.

Abbii. The voice was delicate, cutting through the Darkness.

### Opening her eyes as she lifted her head, Abbii felt her heartbeat began to calm.

### Your friends need you.

### She didn't recognise the voice, but that was due to a slight humming which radiated through its tone. Abbii leaned her head against the wall as a small flicker of light sparked ahead of her.

### Darkness feeds on your fear. You don't need to be afraid. Come, help those in need of you.

### Abbii watched as the spark of light created a hazy figure. It had no features, except a thin light which mapped out its shape. A hand extended from it, with each finger clearly made up of light.

### I have faith in you. Strength comes from the heart.

### Forgetting all traces of fear, Abbii extended her arm and took hold of the figure's hand. She was pulled to her feet by a rush of energised air. The light and all evidence of the figure faded.

"Abbii!"

### Startled by Max's shout, she turned to look in his direction. She realised that even in the dark, her irises could make out shapes of furniture and Max's body. A line of light surrounded the door, seeping in from the corridor outside. Without hesitation, she ran to him and pushed her body against the door.

"You all right?" he asked, worry obvious in his voice.

### She nodded, realising that the light from the corridor had lit up part of his face. "I'm sorry. I'm fine."

### Changing position, Max faced the door, pushing with both hands firmly against the wood. "I can't keep this up."

"What are we going to do?" Abbii tried to think of a way to help now that she had no powers, but no ideas came to mind.

### Max tried to catch his breath. "See if there's another door."

"But can you hold this one?"

"I'll be fine. Just don't take as long as last time." He forced a smile. Even in the hardest of times, Max tried to keep his spirits high.

### Abbii darted from the door, extending her hands so she didn't walk into anything. She realised that most of the room was filled with abandoned pieces of furniture. Chests of drawers lay on their sides, and large tables had been split into two. Chairs had been scattered across the floor, but Abbii was careful not to trip. She placed her hand on the wall to her right and followed it around, hoping that she could find a way out.

### Her fingers passed over a gap of some kind. She stopped in her place and stepped back, allowing her fingertips to feel a stretch of material. There was a hole in the wall, a joining of some kind. Abbii raised her hands to feel how far the material stretched, realising that it was kept in place by several hooks. Grasping it tightly, she pulled and dropped the material to the floor. A wave of dust spread outwards, causing her to cough, but the light which met her skin drew her attention.

### The material had been covering a tunnel. A shallow breeze was flowing through it, and a small amount of light warmed its pathway. It was just enough to let Abbii know that it was a way out. She ran back to Max and told him about what she had found.

"Where do you think it goes?" he asked.

### Abbii shrugged her shoulders, adding her strength to hold the door. "I'm not sure, but there's light coming from the other side."

### Max huffed. "What if it leads us straight to them?" The soldiers barged against the door, splintering the wood.

### She knew what Max meant—if the corridor was to lead away from where they had been held, it may lead them directly to the Elders. "We have to find Aeron and Vee. We're not leaving them!"

"As soon the door opens, run!"

### A spear cut through the door, splintering Abbii's shoulder. She gasped but didn't move. "I'm not leaving you Max."

"The two of us won't make it."

"Yes, we will. Once the door is open, this room will fill with light. You'll see where we have to go."

"Abbii..."

### She grabbed him by the shoulder. "I'm not leaving you!"

### The soldiers' force began to build, and the door started to edge open. Max tried as hard as he could to keep his resistance up, but he was tiring. He inhaled a breath. "Ready?"

### Abbii released his shoulder and nodded. "Ready."

### A second spear crashed through the wooden door, splintering the entire left panel. Several pieces of wood protruded outwards, cutting Max's shoulder, but he knew it would distract the soldiers for just long enough. "Go!"

### Without delay, Abbii dashed across the room, glancing back briefly to see the door swing open. Light flooded into the space and the soldiers barged in, hesitating only a brief moment as one of their comrades removed the spear impaling the door. Max followed Abbii's movements, ducking his head as they entered into the unknown tunnel. The light behind them was brightest, but as they continued to run, they could see that the tunnel was leading directly to sunlight.

### Max looked back to see that several of the soldiers had followed them into the tunnel; they had to hunch their backs slightly due to the armour which decorated their bodies. It amused Max at how strange they looked, but he pushed himself to run faster, seeing that Abbii had stopped ahead. She glanced towards him, meeting his gaze and then looked ahead again, sunlight shining over her face. Max couldn't work out what was wrong, but as he neared her and the sunlight washed over him, he realised that the tunnel ended.

### Forcing himself to stop, he had to skid across the dirt floor. The pathway ended, dropping away to reveal a high cliff. The castle walls spread out from either side of them, and flowing water spewed out from above where they stood. All that was beneath them was a large pool of water. Abbii didn't know how far down it was, but she could barely make out the shapes of the trees at the water's edge. She looked at Max.

"What are we going to do?" The panic in her voice was obvious.

### Max looked back at the soldiers as they were drawing close. He sighed, looking down at his shackles. If he was able to use his magic, he would have been able to give them another way out, but his restraints would not allow him. "We have to jump."

"What?" Abbii looked down to the water, trying to find another way. She leaned out to search for any footholds in the rock that would allow them to climb down, but she found none. Turning his back to the soldiers, Max met Abbii's gaze. "What about the twins? We can't leave them!"

### He smiled. "We'll find them as soon as we land, all right?" Light shone in the corner of his irises as he tried to stop himself from smiling. "Ready?"

### Abbii looked back at the soldiers. One of them had thrown their spear into the air, and it soared towards her. She swallowed the lump that had built in the back of her throat and inhaled a ragged breath. Darting towards the edge, she closed her eyes and jumped. Max followed her closely, avoiding the tip of the spear as he moved.

### The air whipped against their skin as they fell. Abbii found it hard to keep her breath steady. Her hair absorbed the moisture as they glided through several of the waterfalls escaping the castle wall. She gasped for a breath, fearing their landing. The water neared them. For a moment, she wished that she were back at The Everglades. She wanted to hear her friends' voices. She wanted to laugh with them, spend time with the family that they had become.

"Take a deep breath!" Max shouted, fighting against the air resistance which threatened to steal the air from his lungs.

### Inhaling a deep breath, Abbii closed her eyes, seeing something that she didn't expect. She saw an image of her friends in her mind, as if her consciousness were soaring past each of them. Sophie and Daniel passed her by first, followed closely by Alice and Susan. Sythe, followed then by the twins, acknowledged Abbii's passing with a smile. The new students, Lyu and Chase, appeared next, though they didn't form fully as a shape replaced them.

### Abbii saw the mirror which had taken her powers. It was glowing as she neared it, and as its surface came into view, she saw someone that didn't surprise her. Jake was in the mirror's reflection, smiling with his hand outstretched. Abbii felt drawn to him, extending her hand to take his. She had longed for his return and doubted whether she'd let anything stop it.

### A shape appeared behind Jake, though his gaze remained fixed on Abbii as she neared him. She glanced to the side to see the shape take the form of Nate. Her breath faltered. She could see that he was running towards her, raising his glowing hand. Jake smiled as Abbii's fingertips touched his, and a rush of power enveloped her.

### Nate's shout was all that filled Abbii's ears as she collided with the water's surface.

### Seven

### Standing watch over Alice as she slept, Nate looked over the thick layering of bandages which bound her arm. A steady flow of blood had seeped through the gauze, but the wound had started to heal ever so slightly. Due to the nature of the injury, it would take longer than normal for Alice's powers to restore the use of her arm. She simply had to wait.

Nate leaned against the wall as he thought of the Forgotten that they had encountered. If only I'd been at full strength... He resented the fact that he had not fought them, but he had been too weak at the time. The magic he had used against the large Shadow had stolen his energy for a short while. His body had now recovered, along with his anger.

### Turning to face the large space of the church, he counted several dozen bodies. Some were moving, though others were not. Innocent lives had been taken, and Nate still didn't understand how the Forgotten had been able to enter into Pennyworth when the Veil remained intact. It was weakening—he could sense it—but not enough to allow their enemy access.

### A body near to him had fallen silent. It was a small boy. No injuries or wounds marked his skin, but a black mark stretched across part of his arm. The way it had marked his skin proved that the Forgotten had tried to turn him, angering Nate further. If their enemies were willing to attack small children, as well as their parents and the other adults around them, they wouldn't stop until everyone they came across was turned. Raising his gaze, Nate saw that Sophie was tending to another victim of Pennyworth.

### She looked up briefly but lowered her head again to continuing stitching the skin of her patient. Nate thought how lucky they all were that Sophie had joined them. Without her, many more lives would have been lost; although, the longer they spent tending to the people of Pennyworth, the less information they could gather, and that was the main reason for them travelling to the small town in the first place.

### Nate clenched his fists and made his way towards the large church doors. He needed to find out why the town was no longer safe. Extending his arm to push on the door, a sudden stabbing sensation pierced his chest. He stalled in his place, struggling to catch his breath. His hand clutched at his chest as he turned, vivid images flashed across his eyes. The pain grew, pushing him to his knees.

### A small child who was nearby approached him slowly. She saddened as she watched Nate fall to his knees. Using as little energy as he could, he raised his hand and pointed towards Sophie, who had her back to him. Nodding to say that she understood, the little girl ran over and pulled at Sophie's arm. Sophie turned to glower at the girl, but as she ran towards Nate, the nurse moved to her feet, gasping. The little girl hesitated, glancing between them both.

### He struggled to keep his breathing steady as his chest started to glow. Sounds filled his ears, reminding him of running water. He could also hear his heartbeat drumming. Abbii's thoughts filled his head. He felt her fear. Her pain and anxiety were overwhelming.

### Sophie moved to his side and knelt to her knees. She placed her hand against his shoulder but seemed to be repelled by the shallow light across his skin. "What can you see?"

"Abbii. Running."

"Where?"

### He shook his head, unable to catch his breath. The images in his mind suddenly faded, and the pain subsided. He moved towards the wall, using it as support to stand. Sophie followed his movement, noticing how the glow from his skin also disappeared.

"What else did you see?" she asked. "Did you see the others?"

### Nate hesitated. "Abbii's lost her powers."

### Shock spread across Sophie's face. "But how can you—"

"It's not only Abbii in danger. The others, I can't sense them."

"At all?"

### He shook his head. "The Forgotten will return here. We have to go back to The Everglades."

"What about the people? We can't leave them."

"We'll have to take them...with our powers."

### Sophie lowered her gaze. "We came here for information. We need to know about the Darkfields."

### Straightening his back, Nate inhaled a deep breath. "Tricia will know the information we need."

"How can you be so sure?"

"She tried to tell me something." He met Sophie's gaze directly. "We need to go, now!"

### She looked over the room. There were too many to take all at once; Nate and Alice would have to take small groups. He moved from the wall, approaching the small girl from before. "Will you get Alice for me?" The little girl turned to face Alice's direction, proving that she knew who to go to.

"Nate." Sophie's tone had lowered. "This won't be a minor task. Alice is injured, and you are—"

### He turned. "I'm fine. If we don't take them now, they will all die." The truth was that Nate felt cold, still overwhelmed by the level of fear which had spread into him from Abbii.

### At that point, Sophie realised that Nate had seen much more than he had told her, but she didn't push the matter. She hurried towards a small group of survivors—they seemed to be wounded the worst. Nate would take them first and then the children.

### Alice moved across the space with the little girl following her closely. She could tell by the look in Nate's eye that something was wrong. He didn't give her the chance to question him, however. "We're moving everyone to The Everglades. The dead stay here." He held her gaze to make sure she understood.

### Lowering her gaze to her bandaged arm, she knew it would be difficult. Her energy was not at full strength to begin with, but transporting so many people would drain her further. She raised her gaze and nodded. "I'll take the children and the badly wounded." Turning, she then ran towards Sophie.

### The floor started to shake.

### Nate balanced against the wall, sensing the return of Shadows on the beach. He nodded at Alice as she allowed her magic to consume the first group. The little girl who had woken her clung tightly to her uninjured arm. As soon as they were out of sight, Nate ran towards the second group of injured people, seeing that some of them were dead. He hesitated a moment, but as several men and women looked at him, he called his magic to form.

Its glow washed over the peoples' bodies and they faded from sight. Nate remained in his place, not needing to follow them. Alice, Sophie and the others would organise the other side. A thought stopped him for a moment. The others. I couldn't sense them...Sythe, Chase, Susan and Colleen. He hoped that they were safe.

### As the ground shook for a second time, a small gathering of women shrieked. Nate ran to them and explained what was about to happen. They all watched him closely as his powers formed. The air from his lungs was stolen, but he remained focused, sensing the townspeople arrive at The Everglades. He immediately inhaled another breath, seeing a bright flash of yellow form on the opposite side of the room. Alice didn't hesitate, moving hastily towards the final group of people. She glanced at Nate, lowering her gaze slightly before fading.

### In that single moment, Nate realised something had happened. Even as Alice disappeared, he could sense that she was holding something back. Someone had been hurt.

### The ground shook beneath his feet, and part of the ceiling began to cave in. Nate glanced around to check for any survivors, noting that Tricia was the only one left. She had staggered towards the doorway. "Tricia!" Nate ran towards her, dodging a falling piece of debris.

### She didn't turn even as he reached her. Her gaze was firmly set on the town. Nate called upon his powers to form but hesitated a moment more as he followed Tricia's gaze. The small town of Pennyworth had collapsed inwards, engulfed by a black cloud. Shockwaves of light still emitted from the Veil, but they began to weaken. It had never been his hometown, but Nate felt saddened that he couldn't have saved it.

### Tricia stepped forwards, wanting so much to be able to save her home.

### Nate sensed her emotion, consuming her body with his magic before she could protest. She disappeared, and Nate sensed her arrival at The Everglades. He would have followed her then, but he caught sight of several lights at the outer gate of the church grounds. Jumping over a hole in the ground which threatened to engulf him, he ran towards them. As he neared the gate, he recognised the lights as spirits in human form. He counted six of them, standing with their backs to the church. A bright glow escaped each one of their bodies. One of them turned, followed silently by the rest.

"You have to go," he stated aloud.

### The spirit that Abbii had spoken to on her arrival at Pennyworth smiled. "Are the people safe?"

### Nate nodded. "We've taken them to The Everglades. It's the closest place."

### Lowering her gaze, the spirit sighed. "Once this town falls, the hand of Darkness will soon spread across this land. All those that are living will turn into Shadow."

"Why is the Veil falling? How do I stop it?"

"You can't. Our strength is no longer enough to uphold the Veil. The spirits have been taken to the Darkfields, one by one, and made to empower the Forgotten." She stepped forwards, still remaining on the outer side of the church grounds. "Now that this Veil has fallen, all that remains between this realm and the Darkfields is the realm of Luminum. The Forgotten will gather their strength and destroy all evidence of the Light before entering into this realm. Now that the Star is not herself, we spirits can only do so much."

### The ground started to quake. Nate watched as the last buildings of Pennyworth fell. The dark cloud began to spread, and he could make out small shapes emerging from within it. "Shadows!"

"You must stop the Darkfields from opening!"

### Nate focused onto the spirit, seeing that her face had brightened with light. "How do I do that?" he asked.

"Fulfil your promise, and even those of us that have turned to dark will honour your will. We have been made to serve as the gates between realms, but the dark creatures of the Darkfields will overpower us. They will destroy Luminum and eventually this realm as well."

### He knew what the spirit spoke of. Abbii had promised to set them free. He tried to sense her, hoping that she was safe, but a strange thought entered his head. "Abbii's in Luminum...?"

### Nodding in acknowledgement, the spirit held Nate's gaze. "Remember, the strength of one's free will will always prevail. She may need to do what's wrong before doing what is right. Give her unparalleled space so that her heart will realise the truth." All of the spirits, except the female who spoke, faced the dark cloud. She moved into the church ground and approached where Nate was standing.

"What about her powers? She's lost them!"

### The light of the spirits brightened beyond compare as the dark cloud engulfed them. Nate watched as the opposing forces met. The spirits raised their hands, causing shockwaves to emit outwards. The female raised her hand and stroked his cheek.

### Power comes from the heart, Nate. You and your friends will evolve beyond that which we have expected. Find the Artefacts that are so close to being in your grasp and free us. Fight for your friends.

### A sudden blast of energy consumed him.

### The dark cloud engulfed the entire church as he faded.

### Colours flashed across his eyes and he landed on his feet, reforming in the centre of The Everglades hall. He saw no one around him, which filled his body with urgency. Inhaling a deep breath, ignoring the fact that he felt slightly weakened, Nate expanded his mind across the entire length of the College. The victims of Pennyworth had been moved to the infirmary. Alice, Sophie and Daniel were there too, discussing all the things that had happened.

### Several of the townspeople had died, but Nate realised that was not the reason for the sadness across Sophie's face. Expanding his mind further, examining each bed individually, Nate found Tricia alive. The little girl who had assisted them was also alive, looking out of the window. His mind stretched throughout the room, pausing as he reached a dark curtain which had been pulled across the width of the space.

### Nate's heartbeat began to drum faster. He allowed his powers to transport him and he formed at the dark curtain. Alice and the others had now entered into the room, meeting his gaze as he turned briefly. Sadness pierced her eyes. Extending his hand, noticing how it was shaking, Nate pulled at the curtain. His jaw tensed as he lowered his gaze, anger boiling inside of him. Alice and Sophie approached him but didn't speak.

### There was a single bed in the quarantined area of the infirmary.

### A dead body lay above the sheets.

### It was Colleen.

### Eight

### The cold water overwhelmed Abbii. It pulled her under, pushing her with its current. She was frantically trying to kick herself to the surface, but the fierce movement of the water prevented her from reaching it. Her eyes opened, causing a stinging sensation to fill them. She could make out the shape of Max's body ahead of her, seeing that the channel had begun to narrow considerably, pushing them both through a small entrance.

### Struggling to contain the deep breath that she had inhaled, Abbii allowed some of the air to seep out of her lips, causing small air bubbles to rise to the surface. As she was forced through the narrow channel, coming out the other side, Abbii could see the space had now opened up again. Light beamed through from the water's surface, and no fierce rapids grabbed at Abbii's skin. She started to kick, realising she was running out of breath. Faster and faster her feet moved, and she used her arms to pull herself up.

### She pushed out of the water and gasped for a breath. Her lungs were filled to capacity and then she exhaled, inhaling a second deep breath almost immediately. Kicking with her feet so that she remained afloat, Abbii looked around for Max. She couldn't see anyone in the water. Turning around, she glanced over the wide span of water, feeling her heart begin to race.

"Max!"

### No reply came.

"Max, where are you?"

### Fearing the worst, Abbii inhaled a deep breath and pushed her head under the water. She searched for him on the riverbed, but no shape could be seen. Rising to take another breath, she repeated her movement, scanning the opposite side. She couldn't see Max anywhere. Pushing to the surface again, Abbii started to hyperventilate. She stopped when something caught her eye.

### In the near distance, she could see a shape being pushed onto the sandy shore by the water. "Max!" Starting to kick, Abbii pushed herself to swim faster, using her arms to help. The water seemed to part easily, and she soon reached the shore.

### Able to lift her feet out of the water to run, Abbii dashed to Max's body, turning him onto his back. A surge of pain shot through her, and colours flashed across her eyes. She ignored it and focused onto Max, realising he was still. Gasping for a breath, she tried to remember some of the first aid training that Sophie had briefly taught her.

Breathing. She leaned forward and placed her hand above Max's mouth. No breath warmed her skin. He wasn't breathing.

Stay calm. Stay calm! "What did Sophie say next?" she started to speak aloud so panic didn't overwhelm her.

### She thought back to the many times that she had visited the College infirmary since her powers had manifested. On each visit, she and Sophie had had regular talks about first aid and what do to when her friends were unconscious or not breathing. Sophie had warned Abbii not to rely on her powers too much, just in case there was ever a future situation that her powers couldn't be used to save her friends. Abbii was thankful that she had listened.

"Mouth to mouth," she whispered. Breathing in, Abbii leaned towards Max, tilting his head back. She placed her fingers over his nose and then breathed into his mouth. She repeated the process every few seconds, keeping his nose shut.

### Without warning, Max started to cough and water ran from his mouth. Abbii helped him lean over, allowing the water to clear his throat. She waited anxiously to see if he lost consciousness again, but found that he didn't. He lay back on the sand, moving his head slightly to meet her gaze.

"I hope you didn't kiss me," he said clumsily, though it made him smile.

### Abbii sighed in relief and also lay down against the sand. She was just glad that she had paid attention to the conversations she had shared with Sophie. "You're welcome," she replied, panting.

### He nudged her side with his arm, showing his thanks. "Let's never go swimming again."

### She smiled. "That was only my second time. But I agree."

### Max sat up slowly, gathering his breath. He coughed to clear his throat and looked around, realising that their surroundings were much different than before. "This place..."

### Abbii also sat up. No castle or fields of flowers were visible. They were completely surrounded by clouds—the ground, the sky, even the far distance was blanketed by them. The sand only stretched a few metres before changing into white. Turning swiftly, Abbii looked behind them to see a large span of clouds. Nothing else was there. She stood up without a word.

"Abbii?"

"I had a vision of this place."

### He also moved to his feet. "You have your powers back?"

### She lowered her gaze slightly, answering Max's question. "No, but before we came here, I had a vision of clouds. There was a figure."

### Max looked ahead but couldn't see anything. "Who do you think it was?"

"I don't know." Abbii started to walk. She didn't know where she was going or whether anything except clouds was ahead, but she didn't stop. Max followed her closely, feeling reluctant to leave the sand. It reminded him of The Everglades, of Alice.

"Maybe we should go back."

### Abbii paused and looked at him, seeing anxiety across Max's face for the first time. "We can't go back without my powers."

### He looked down, realising that she was right. Without her teleportation, they wouldn't be able to leave. "What about the figure?"

### Sighing quietly, she faced Max directly. "Say it."

"Say what?" He shuffled in his place.

"Say what you're thinking. I might not have my powers, but I know you."

### Raising his hand to the back of his neck, Max looked away. "What if it's Jake?"

### She had expected Max's statement. "What if it is?"

"You can't approach him without your powers, Abbii!" His fists clenched.

"And why not? We don't know anything. What if he's trying to help us?"

### Max's face was consumed with confusion. "Help us? He's the leader of the Forgotten! He won't help any of us!"

### Turning her back, she started to walk. "He won't hurt me."

"How long are you going to keep kidding yourself? He's our enemy."

### Ignoring Max's outburst, Abbii continued to walk. "You're just like Nate. You don't know him."

### Without warning, Max ran at her and grabbed her shoulder, pulling her around. He was going to shout at her, try to make her think clearly, but when he met her gaze, he sighed. There was no anger in her expression, no malice of any kind, only pain and sorrow. She looked up with tear-filled eyes, causing him to release her shoulder.

### Abbii remembered when Tricia Christian had revealed one of the reasons why Jake had been taken by the Shadows. He had seen a vision of them killing Abbii and he had approached them to take her place. A lump started to build in her throat. "He was taken from me, Max. Only now have I realised how much he meant to me."

### He breathed in. "That's why you came here."

"The Elders will know how to get into the Darkfields. I need to find him—I need to bring him back."

"What about Nate, Abbii? He may have left, but that wasn't what he wanted."

### Lowering her gaze briefly, she inhaled a deep breath. "No, it's what I wanted. I can't be with him Max, not when Jake is so close. I see him in Nate's eyes every time I look at him."

"And that is why your powers have been taken from you."

### Turning quickly, Abbii saw that several dozen soldiers surrounded them. A hooded figure stood slightly ahead of her. Max moved in front of Abbii slowly, raising his bound hands.

"We wish you no further harm. Come."

### Narrowing her eyes slightly, Abbii recognised the voice but not the face that went with it. She tried to think back to where the voice had come from but couldn't remember. The figure's body emitted a shallow glow, and Max and Abbii were engulfed by their magic.

### A brief moment later, they reformed in the castle. The room was the largest that Abbii had ever seen before, bigger than both the halls she had trained in. Tall, stone statues lined each wall, depicting hooded figures. Writing was inscribed throughout the stone, but Abbii couldn't decipher the words. She scanned her eye ahead of her, noticing that the soldiers were no longer surrounding them. Several white marble seats were at the far end, and she could make out a small group of people. She and Max started to walk.

### Abandoning the conversation that they had just shared, they remained focused ahead, noticing that the air of the space was warm. Even without her powers, Abbii could feel the essence of magic spiralling past them. She counted four hooded figures at the far end of the hall, with two figures cowering behind them.

"Vee! Aeron!" Abbii shouted. She started to run towards them but stopped several metres from the group. She now counted five figures, though she couldn't see the face of their leader. "What do you want with them?"

### Raising both hands, the leader removed her hood and slowly turned. Her face was wrinkled and aged, but a sense of youth sparkled from her irises—they were the brightest blue Abbii had ever seen. She realised that she had seen them before, the same set of eyes. Reeling through her thoughts, she remembered when the Shadows had chased her from The Everglades, when she had run from the smashed streetlight across the road towards the B&B. The owner had helped her stand.

"Evelyn."

"I am glad to see you again, Abbii."

### At the time, she had thought it was strange that Evelyn had not reacted to her glowing skin, but she could never have imagined Evelyn having magical powers; she could never have imagined her being the leader of the Elders.

"You're a Seer," Abbii realised. "Aren't you? You see the future."

### Tilting her head ever so slightly, Evelyn moved towards her chair, which was a large mass of marble carved into a natural, curving shape. When she sat, her robe draped over the marble, revealing most of her body. She was wearing a white dress, decorated with detailed stitching—very different from the old mortal clothes that she had worn when Abbii had first met her. A faint glow escaped both of her hands and her irises remained bright.

### Abbii glanced to Max and then towards the twins. Neither of them had been hurt, but the Elders showed no evidence of letting them go. She lowered her gaze briefly, feeling suddenly pressured. For so long, Abbii had wanted to confront the Elders about everything that had or would happen in the future, but now that she was in front of them, able to say whatever she wished, there was no specific thought that she could conjure. She met Vee's gaze.

"They are unharmed," Evelyn stated.

### Drawn from her thoughts, Abbii raised her gaze to meet Evelyn's. "Why did you take them?"

### Moving forwards slightly, Elaine glared at Abbii. "Show some respect!"

### Evelyn raised her hand to silence her, glancing only briefly to the side. Elaine moved back again, removing her hood. Meeting Abbii's stern gaze, Evelyn replied to her question. "If they had remained by your side, they may have come to harm. We knew you would not leave without them."

### Abbii tensed her jaw. It angered her that Evelyn spoke as if she only wanted what was best for her and her friends. She thought of the room that she had been imprisoned in, the mirror which had taken her powers.

"Your powers were taken from you so that your soul was saved."

"You had no right!" Abbii shouted.

### Elaine shuffled in her place again but remained silent.

"Since the day your powers were given to you," Evelyn began, "you have not believed in them or your capability to use them. And so, now that you are falling closer to the arms of Darkness, we have removed them."

### A sigh escaped Abbii's lips. She didn't know what to say in response to Evelyn's statement. The fact was that she had never believed in her powers and probably never would, but she felt empty without them now. They had been part of her. She raised her gaze. "I have said it once and I will say it again: I am not falling into Darkness." There was no threat in her words, only clarity.

"The closer you draw to Jake's side, the more your judgment is clouded. He was taken from you for a reason."

### Abbii glared at her. "I've had enough of people telling me how to feel. I'm not letting go of him!"

"And as a consequence, your friends will suffer."

"I don't care!" As the words left her lips, Abbii suddenly realised what she had said. She glanced at Max briefly, but it was not his gaze that pierced through her the most; Vee and Aeron both looked at her, shock obvious across their faces. "I'm sorry...I didn't mean it."

### Evelyn stood from her seat. "You place all those with magic in danger. That is why we will prevent you from leaving."

### A quiet gasp escaped from Vee. "You won't let us go?"

### Turning, Evelyn's gaze seemed to soften and she knelt to the floor. "You are free to leave when you are ready."

"And what about Abbii?" Everyone turned to look at Max, even Abbii. She was surprised to hear him speak.

### Evelyn straightened her back. "She is free to roam our lands, but we will not allow her to return to the realm of Pennyworth."

"What?" Max went to protest but stopped as Abbii looked at him.

"If that is the only way..." she whispered. Taking in a breath, she met Evelyn's gaze. "We came here for information."

"Yes. In regards to the Darkfields and the Spirits, our libraries will serve you well, but the information you will find will only cause you distress."

### Abbii swallowed the lump in the back of her throat. "We are free to research?"

"If you find the chance," Evelyn said quietly.

### Elaine, obviously disapproving of her choice, moved forwards. "But if information of the Artefacts is found—"

"They are free to research all that is required."

### Storming from Evelyn's side, Elaine left the room as her skin started to glow. Silence followed. After a moment, the remaining Elders also left, releasing the twins, but they seemed reluctant to return to Abbii's side. Evelyn approached her. "We mean no harm to the Star, but we will not watch the same fate become reality again. The Darkness is growing. The town of Pennyworth has already been affected."

"Affected?" Max questioned.

### Abbii breathed in, understanding that all Evelyn wanted was to prevent another Star falling victim to the Dark. "Show us." She approached where Evelyn was standing.

### Inhaling a breath, the leader of the Elders raised both arms. A bright glow surged out from her skin, morphing the entire hall into the Pennyworth street that led to its church. The sounds, the smells, the way the air seemed heavy with Shadow—Evelyn's vision seemed so real. Abbii could see that part of the church had fallen in on itself, but other than that, its structure remained intact. The buildings around it, however, had not; they had been destroyed with no mercy. Dark ash layered each piece of debris. Many bodies lay hidden beneath the rubble.

### Vee marvelled at the sight. "What happened?"

### Abbii looked to the floor. Yet again, she had to watch another place that had taken her in burn to the ground. The Everglades had suffered because of her, and now Pennyworth, one of the few places which reminded her of Jake, had also been destroyed. She was angry, full of raw emotion.

"If your powers had not been taken from you," Evelyn began, "your mind would have revealed the townspeople's fate. You would have seen the life leak out from each of their eyes." Abbii raised her gaze as Evelyn continued. "Your emotion is what controls your powers—you have no control over them, and that is why they were taken."

### Aeron stepped ahead of his sister, who still scanned her eye over the state of Pennyworth. "My mum said that magic comes from the heart. Abbii's heart is bright."

### Turning to focus on Aeron's rounded face, Evelyn seemed to soften again. Her stern expression fell away. "Abbii's heart is different."

"Different how?" Max questioned.

### Straightening her back again, Evelyn returned to her chair before meeting Max's irritated gaze. "Abbii's heart is no longer her own. It beats not only inside of her, but also in Nate and the Forgotten leader, Jake Christian."

### Max dropped his gaze for a moment. He wished that he could challenge what she had said, but the truth was that Abbii's heart wasn't her own anymore. They all knew it, even Vee and Aeron, though not in as much detail as the others. He looked to the side to search for Abbii's gaze, but she walked away from him, drawn to something specific.

### Ahead of her, partially hidden by burning debris, Abbii could see a body. It was still. The man had suffered, evident by the pain which was slashed across his face. She looked up slightly, noticing a second body in the doorway of the nearest house. A female had buckled over on the doorstep—a mother holding her baby child. The pain that began to stab at Abbii's chest was indescribable. Tears stung her eyes and she started to shake. Not only had the people of Pennyworth suffered, but they had had their lives ripped from them. The spirits trapped there had suffered as well. Max moved towards Abbii first, noticing that she had slouched to her knees, followed by the twins, who seemed worried about her. She started to sob as they drew closer. Feeling a hand upon her shoulder caused her to gasp. She pushed Max's bound hand away from her as she stood, stepping back.

"Abbii?" Vee whispered, edging closer.

"Stay back!"

### Vee glanced at Max, who shook his head in response. She looked down briefly before meeting her brother's reassuring gaze.

"Abbii." Max edged closer still.

"Don't come any closer," she urged, moving until her back met with the wall.

"You won't hurt us—we're your friends!"

### She squeezed her eyes tightly, pushing tears across her cheeks. "But look what I've done."

"It wasn't your fault! You couldn't have stopped it!"

### Evelyn inhaled a deep breath. "If her powers had never been split in the first place, the town of Pennyworth would have been saved. Your life would be as it was. The Forgotten would not have a new, stronger leader. They would have lost their formation and disappeared into Darkness."

"But Jake would still be dead!" Abbii shouted in response, glaring at Evelyn. A shallow glow pushed itself through her skin, but she remained focused onto Evelyn's face. Her friends edged back from her.

"You would choose to sacrifice a whole town for one person destined to be overcome with Darkness?" Evelyn challenged, standing to her feet. As she moved, the image of Pennyworth faded. "Such thoughts should not belong to the Star!" Raising her hand, a bright shockwave of energy pushed Abbii against the wall. Her skin started to split as Evelyn approached her.

"Stop it!" the twins shouted.

### Max ran at Evelyn but was suddenly thrown from his feet. He landed awkwardly, twisting his leg. Part of him could see why Evelyn was doing what she was, but he couldn't let Abbii die—they were friends.

### Less than a hand span separated Evelyn from Abbii. She didn't struggle against the Elder's magic, just watched it brighten. The light from her own skin started to fade, and she lost all will to fight. She didn't know what to do, what to say. Would she have chosen to given the town of Pennyworth for Jake if she had had the choice? Was she falling into Darkness?

### A hazy image appeared in her mind then. It consumed her consciousness whole. She saw Jake ahead, glowing with magic. He turned to face her, his eyes shining with light. "Are you giving up already?" he asked.

### A tear rolled across her cheek as Jake smiled. She wanted so much to hold him, to feel his body against her own. The longing that she felt for him felt no more foreign than the air that she was breathing. It seemed so long since she had seen him. It was a shock to her senses to see him now. All the questions that she had wanted to ask him, all the things she had wanted to say, faded from her mind. "Jake, what did you do?"

"I freed the spirits of Pennyworth, for you."

### She gasped for a breath. "Why did you kill all of those people? That wasn't what I wanted!"

"We needed more spirits. The stronger I become, the weaker my enemies will seem. Even Luminum will fall."

"The Elders won't fall to you Jake. If you challenge them, you'll die."

### A large grin spread across his face. "I died once already, remember?"

### She sighed, lowering her gaze. "Why can I see you? Hear your voice? You're meant to be in the Darkfields!"

"We are connected, Abbii. Your heart beats in my chest and mine beats in yours...though Nate shares the same connection. We will see how long that lasts."

### Abbii looked up. "What do you mean?" Moving away, Jake's figure began to fade. "Jake!"

### He paused in his place, turning back only briefly. "When Luminum falls, Abbii, I want you by my side. You will have a choice to make. I suggest you choose right." And with nothing more said, he disappeared, and Abbii's mind went blank.

### Gasping for a breath, she opened her eyes and saw Evelyn's glare. Her magic was still grasping her neck tightly. Max and the twins were shouting for the Elder to release Abbii's body, but Evelyn seemed unfazed, watching the life drain from the teenager's eyes.

Evelyn. Not having enough energy to speak aloud, Abbii allowed her thoughts to strengthen, knowing that Evelyn would be able to hear them whether she had powers or not. She didn't fight against her grip. She knew that Evelyn was stronger. All I want is my friends to be safe...to live, to find the home that has always been out of their reach.

### A sudden tremor caused the ground to shake. Evelyn did not remove her grasp from Abbii's throat but lowered her gaze, showing that the tremor had been unexpected. She seemed to lose herself for a moment, expanding her mind to find the cause of the tremor. Due to the physical connection through Evelyn's magic, Abbii saw what it was that caused the movement.

### Dark shapes were pushing through the clouds on the outskirts of Luminum. Now that Pennyworth had been destroyed and the Veil was no more, Abbii realised that Luminum was open for attack. The realm's defence had fallen weak due to the loss of the Veil. Abbii had never been told that the two places had been connected, but that had to be the only answer.

Evelyn. The Elder raised her gaze in response to Abbii's voice. This isn't about you and me now. The Shadows are coming. I can help!

### Evelyn narrowed her eyes as she spoke aloud. She knew that Abbii would not be able to hear her voice now that her powers had completely faded. "You wouldn't help us, those who condemn your life! You'd leave in search of him! You'd fall into Darkness!"

Abbii struggled to inhale a breath. I will help you.

"I will not return your powers. I will not watch you fall into Darkness."

### I will help you anyway...please...

### She raised her hands to her throat to try to wriggle herself free, but Evelyn's magical grip remained. The colour from her blue eyes targeted Abbii directly. After a moment, she nodded and released her grip, allowing Abbii to fall to her knees, gasping for a breath. Max and the twins ran to her side as Evelyn made her way towards her marble chair.

### Abbii sat up, raising her hands to her throat. Her skin felt heated with fever. She tried for several long moments to catch her breath, wishing that her powers were still within her grasp. Max and the twins waited for her to speak, but it was obvious that they were worried. Looking up, she glanced first at Max and then focused onto Evelyn. There seemed to be no urgency in Evelyn's body language. No fear or anxiety was obvious in the way she was sitting. Abbii scrambled to her feet, leaning against one of the stone statues that depicted the Elders, except Evelyn herself. She closed her eyes for a moment and inhaled one deep breath. Something was not as it seemed.

"You...knew this would happen...didn't you?" Abbii had difficulty forming her words cohesively, but Evelyn turned nevertheless. "You knew the Shadows would come here. That's why there's no urgency in you. How did you know?" Max and the twins remained silent, glancing between Abbii and Evelyn. They didn't understand what she was referring to, but they waited for it to be explained.

### The Elder dropped her gaze for a moment. She seemed reluctant to respond to Abbii's question, but she saw the determination in the teenager's eyes, which were fixed directly onto Evelyn's chair. "I will explain all I know, but once the words have left my lips, I will offer you no more."

### Abbii nodded. Allowing her body to slouch, she sat, with Max and the twins following her movement. Evelyn remained silent as they moved, but once they had settled, she straightened her back and began to speak. "Your world has existed with magic from the very beginning. It is the life essence that pulses through all of nature's extending vines. People do not realise that the magic power that they pushed from their lives, which in turn has created irreparable damage, has pulsed through their planet for all eternity." She seemed to pause a moment, as if waiting for someone to comment, but they remained silent, and she continued to speak. "When magic began to form as elements that could be controlled, people shied away from those that were different. We, the Elders, were chosen to hold the power of magic within our grasp. We tried to guide men and their lives."

"You tried to become something that you weren't," Abbii responded. "The people didn't need leaders. They needed an explanation."

### Aeron shuffled in his place. "Why did you get magic?" The others glanced towards him briefly but then returned their focus to Evelyn as she replied.

"We do not know why we were chosen, but we accepted our gifts with open arms. We began to build the town of Pennyworth. We tried to show men the power that we had been granted, but their hearts changed. They hated those with magical capability. They began to hunt them, killing their brethren."

### The room was consumed by a hazy image of Pennyworth before it had been destroyed. Abbii could see that the sky was bright and no essence of Darkness tainted the land. People were living out their daily lives with no thought about the magic pulsing around them. There was no Veil, no need for protection. As the image zoomed in, Abbii and her friends could see that not all was as it seemed, however. People's houses were being ransacked. Those who seemed different from all others were hunted, killed. Abbii realised that not all those that had died had magic—innocent people had died. Their attackers had simply been overwhelmed by the fear that magic would overcome them, and they had killed all those that were different, no matter what the differences were, whether their victims had shied away from society, was marked by natural flaws in the skin, or whether their family had been known to control magic. It didn't matter. They were all killed.

### Abbii had to gasp for a breath as the image of Pennyworth faded slightly. It didn't disappear entirely, but it was not clear enough to focus onto. "All those people..." She glanced towards the twins to see that fear had spread across their faces. Aeron was doing his best to comfort Vee, but it was obvious that they were both frightened.

"I will continue on," Evelyn said clearly. She inhaled a breath and focused onto Abbii. "The more those with magic intervened and tried to protect those that were innocent, the more the hunters killed. Soon, the town of Pennyworth was overrun with fear, and the land became tainted. We tried to assist the people, but it made no difference. Then Maria was conceived."

### Glancing at Abbii briefly, Max met Evelyn's gaze. "Didn't you notice that she was just like them?"

"You don't understand, Max," Abbii replied. He narrowed his eyes, shocked at her response. "She was good, but then men attacked her."

"Yes, you are correct." Evelyn's voice remained clear, though she seemed to sadden briefly. "Maria would have grown to be our strongest ally, if not for our mistake. We did not understand what had happened, and we sentenced her to death." As not to cause any unnecessary discomfort for the twins, Evelyn created an image in Max's head. She showed him the night of Maria's attack and how her death had followed. He remained silent, as if trying to work out if what he was seeing was true.

### Abbii breathed in, glancing briefly at Max. "What did Maria do?" Something inside of her, something unexplainable, caused fear to build inside of her body. She had no powers, but she could almost imagine the many people that Maria had killed.

### Evelyn sighed quietly. "As you can imagine, she despised not only those with magic, but also those without. She killed all those she came across. Many of her victims were children, as she wished to expunge men altogether."

### A quiet gasp escaped Vee's lips. Abbii glanced briefly at Evelyn and then at Max. He in turn looked at Vee, standing to his feet. "Come on, how 'bout we go outside?"

### Aeron glanced at everyone individually. He refused to stand, preferring instead to make eye contact with Evelyn. It was obvious that he wished to stay and hear more. Raising her hand, Evelyn signalled for the door to open and watched as Max and Vee went outside. It was strange, but Abbii felt no need to worry about them. She continued to listen to Evelyn's story.

"As the people that remained began to grow restless, we did all that we could."

"Is that when you made Luminum?" Aeron asked quietly.

### She nodded in response. "Yes, we created Luminum to offer those that survived a place to live."

"And you created the Darkfields to contain the evil, right?" Abbii queried.

### Again, Evelyn nodded. "Indeed, those that were tainted beyond salvation were imprisoned in the Darkfields."

"But what about Pennyworth? It was left in such a state. Everything was tainted. Why did you surround it with the Veil? Why did you imprison all the people that remained?"

"The town would never have been the same again. Once its lands had been tainted, its people would never turn to the Light again."

"How do you know if you never gave them the chance? The Veil imprisoned them, as well as the spirits of those that died there!"

### A strange look spread across Evelyn's face. She narrowed her eyes as she held Abbii's gaze. "You have contacted the spirits?"

"They contacted me!"

### Lowering her gaze in thought, Evelyn inhaled a breath. "The spirits can only be seen by those who hold the right."

"The right?" Aeron questioned. "What's that?"

### Abbii, too, waited for her reply but found that she remained silent. "Evelyn?"

### Drawn from her thoughts, the Elder met Abbii's gaze directly. "Magic is changing day by day, evolving for each of those who hold its powers. That is the reason why you and your comrades share so many similar skills. Each magical ability should have remained separated, but you and your comrades are different. Surely you have noticed?"

### Reeling through her thoughts, Abbii knew what Evelyn spoke of. From the first time she had realised that some of the other students had powers, Abbii had seen them call upon skills that should not have been possible. Max could enter into his friends' minds and talk telepathically, but it should not have been possible for him to do so, as he was a Warrior and nothing more. Alice, too, had shown magical capability far beyond that which should have been possible. Abbii wondered what would happen next.

"Will all those with magic evolve like us?"

### Evelyn shook her head. "No. Your friends have only evolved because of you. You all share a strong connection. Destiny has called upon you all."

"What's the right, Evelyn?" Aeron wasn't going to let it go.

"It is said that one day far in the future, a bright light will warm all those that are tainted, and the land will accept those that stand upon its surface. There will be an individual that the planet will call upon to save all life. They will hold no mark, no specific power, but they will hold the right—the right to stand against all of Darkness for those that are innocent." She focused her gaze onto Abbii. "I have believed for many years that you were that individual, but I can no longer see your future. Your senses have been tainted with feelings unknown to me. I no longer know of what is to come."

### Noticing how Evelyn seemed to be drawn into her thoughts, Abbii stood to her feet. "How do we stop the Darkfields from opening?"

"You can't."

"What?" Aeron shouted.

### Abbii clenched her fists. "There has to be a way! If the Darkfields open, all land will fall into Darkness!"

### Evelyn closed her eyes briefly. "Yes, and magic will take the form of all evil. Once this realm falls—as I have seen that it will—there will be nothing separating Darkness from the land. The trapped spirits will empower the Dark realm far into eternity." She sounded lost, defeated almost.

"I'm not giving up, Evelyn! I said that I would free them, and I will!"

### Opening her eyes, the Elder seemed drawn to meet Abbii's determined gaze. "Now that the Veil has fallen and Pennyworth has been destroyed, the Dark essence of the town will begin to spread. Once Luminum is no more, there will be nothing to stop the Darkness from consuming all life."

"I'll stop it!" Abbii shouted.

"Without your powers, you will fall."

"Then give them back!"

### Aeron stood to his feet. "We won't give up!"

### Moving from her seat, Evelyn allowed all evidence of the hazy image to fade. She started to walk, keeping her gaze lowered. Once she had reached Abbii, she stopped and met her gaze directly. "I will not watch the Star fall into Darkness. Not again. If the Dark is to come for you, then you will remain mortal. I will not return your powers." She continued to walk, pausing in her place only when Abbii spoke.

"I won't let this world fall into Shadow. Whether I go to Jake or not, this land comes before all else. If you won't help me, Evelyn, then I will do what I can by myself. I have to free the spirits that are trapped in the Darkfields!"

### Seeming to hesitate, Evelyn reached the door. "You are free to roam this realm, but I do not give you permission to leave, and neither may you approach the outer realm."

### Abbii stepped forward, not satisfied. "Why is it that the Shadows and the Forgotten can enter into Pennyworth and Luminum?" she challenged. "The Veil should have kept them out—why did it fall?"

"Shadows venture where they are permitted," Evelyn replied. She turned and faced Abbii directly. "Even when the Veil was standing, Dark creatures could still enter if they were given permission. There are Forgotten hiding among men. If they call upon their powers and contact the Shadows lurking between the realms, the creatures have permission to spread across the land. There is a Forgotten allowing them entrance."

### Abbii tried to keep Jake's face from appearing in her mind, but it didn't work. His eyes glistened as they formed in her memory. She realised that he must be somewhere inside of Luminum in order for the Shadows to enter.

"Jake is not the perpetrator. He simply waits, imprisoned in the Darkfields."

### Confused by Evelyn's statement, Abbii looked up, her brow arched in confusion. "If it's not Jake, then who—"

"Even when they appear separated from the Dark, those that were once shrouded by Darkness can never fully change their ways. Even if it seems that a promise of emotion keeps them in the Light."

### Aeron looked up at Abbii. "What does she mean?"

### Leaving the room in silence, Evelyn pushed the doors open. She met the gaze of Max as he rushed to enter and then disappeared into the corridor. He made his way to Abbii's side, Vee following him closely. "Abbii?"

### She staggered in her place, realisation dawning. To begin with, she had not understood what Evelyn referred to, but now the pieces were falling into place. For the Shadows to have been able to enter into Pennyworth, a Forgotten would have had to be present. The same for The Everglades; a Forgotten must have given permission for the Dark creatures to enter into the College grounds. And now, even Luminum was falling victim to the Shadows' Dark essence, again because of a Forgotten being present. There was only one member of the Forgotten that could have been present in all three examples. He may have appeared good, that he had left the Darkness behind, but Abbii had been wrong—it was Sythe. It had to be. He must have followed them into Pennyworth and Luminum.

### She remembered when she had first met Sythe. He had attacked her, but she had sensed no real threat from him. The power that was under his control could have easily overpowered her, but he had not used it. Instead, he had appeared only when Abbii was vulnerable, to make it appear as if he was helping her, but the truth must have been that he was only trying to fool her into believing in him, believing that he was good.

### Ever since she had seen Pennyworth fall, Abbii had felt strangely cold. A throb had consumed her temples, and it was only now when she stopped talking that the pain began to affect her. She believed it must have been proof that her friends had been injured. She couldn't sense them or Sythe, but something must have happened.

### Everything about his sister being trapped...was it all a lie? He tricked us.

"Abbii?" Max shook her by shoulder.

### Returning to reality, she gasped for a breath. She met Max's gaze directly. "How are you feeling, Max?"

### His brow arched inwards, not understanding her question. "Fine. Why?" Though he had answered truthfully, Abbii could see a slight colouring warming his cheeks, as if a fever was building.

### She then turned to look at the twins. If Evelyn had been right and they were all connected, then Vee and Aeron would also feel unwell. "Are you two okay?" Without hesitation, Aeron nodded, exaggerating his movement, though Vee shuffled in her place. "Vee?" Abbii knelt in front of her.

"I have a headache."

"For how long, Vee?"

### Max still didn't understand. "What's wrong? Why are you asking how we're feeling?" He didn't receive an answer.

"Erm...since we were taken by Elaine," Vee responded to Abbii. "Then when we saw Pennyworth, it got worse." She glanced at Aeron as Abbii stood up, noticing that a look of disappointment had spread across his face. They usually told each other everything, but Vee had not wanted him to worry.

### Turning her back from the twins as they began to talk quietly, Abbii signalled for Max to lean in closer. "What's going on?" he asked.

"Sythe tricked us. Pennyworth and The Everglades were destroyed because he gave the Shadows permission to do so."

"That son of a bitch!" He immediately quieted his voice as Abbii glanced between him and the twins.

"I think the others are in danger. That's why you have a fever and Vee has a headache. Ever since we jumped into the water, I've had a feeling that part of me was crying out in pain. I thought it was about Jake, but it isn't. I think the others are in danger. I don't know if they made it out of Pennyworth...I don't know if they're alive."

### Max straightened his back. "They'll be fine."

"But how can you be so sure?" she whispered.

"As soon as we find out how to get you out of here, we'll go."

### Abbii sighed. "You might have to leave without me, Max."

### He looked at her, holding her gaze. "You're not thinking about helping the Elders are you? We have to get Sythe before he causes more trouble. I'm not leaving you here."

### She could see that there would be no way to persuade him. "I have to help them. If Luminum falls, our realm is open for attack. Pennyworth is already gone."

"And this isn't about Jake?" He narrowed his eyes for a moment, being met with Abbii's stern gaze. "Then we need to find a way to get these things off." He raised his bound hands to show what he meant.

### Abbii looked at the twins. "I think we already can."

### Aeron, Vee and Max all looked at her. "How?"

### Nine

"Where are Sythe and Susan?" Nate didn't wait for the others to speak.

### Sophie inhaled a slow breath. "I'll be with Chase if I'm needed." Turning to the door, she stepped into the infirmary, closing the door behind her. A moment of silence followed as Daniel and Nate remained in the corridor. Chase had sustained several minor injuries in his fight against the Elder, but he had helped Sophie with the wounded townspeople. Nate had not had a chance to question him about what happened.

### A loud sigh escaped Daniel's lips as he turned to look out of the window. "We believe they have followed Abbii into Luminum."

"I thought you said we couldn't enter without a portal?" Nate's frustration was evident. He had only discovered fully that Abbii had left for Luminum on his return to the College. He regretted leaving her.

"Abbii entered into Luminum by a portal that the Elder had created to enter into our realm. Sythe and Susan must have used the same technique, but rather using the Elder's exit portal to enter into Luminum."

"And you just let them?"

### Daniel turned and met Nate's gaze directly. "They were injured. We didn't expect them to leave. Chase only remained because he couldn't keep up."

### Lowering his gaze, Nate looked to the floor. His breathing had grown shallow. He kept his hands at his sides at all times. "You shouldn't have let Abbii go there."

"It is not as if she cannot protect herself. Max and the twins have accompanied her."

"She's lost her powers!" Nate shouted. "And now Sythe and Susan have followed her. They were never ready for battle!"

### Shocked by Nate's statement, Daniel remained still for a moment, absorbing the fact that Abbii no longer had her powers. "With no magic, she—" He lost his words, not wanting to think of her probable fate. "What are we going to do?"

### Nate sighed loudly as he leant against the windowsill. "We have to do what we can. Now that the Shadows have focused onto Luminum, we need to find out about the Darkfields." Nate had learnt of the Shadow's movements when the black cloud of Pennyworth had collided into him. He had only spoken it aloud now.

"The Shadows are focusing onto Luminum? But why?"

"The Elders' realm must be all that's stopping the Darkfields from opening." Straightening his back, seeing a look of despair build across Daniel's face, Nate breathed in. "Tricia spoke of an Artefact. I think it might be the key to the Dark realm. Where is she?"

"She's been moved to one of the students' rooms. Room 46." Nodding in acknowledgement, Nate turned, stopping briefly when Daniel spoke again. "Colleen...I would have gladly taken her place."

### Not knowing what to say, Nate allowed his powers to form, transporting him to the corridor leading to the room he was looking for. He would have walked, but a sense of urgency had begun to fill him. He couldn't waste time, not now that even Luminum, the Realm of Light, was beginning to fall. Raising his arm, he extended his hand.

"Come in." Her voice spoke out before he had chance to knock.

### Pushing his way in, he could see that she sat in the windowsill. The sunlight was shining into the room brightly. He made his way across the space, watching as Tricia put down the cup that she was holding. She turned then to meet his gaze, the sunlight warming her face. Nate's breath caught in his throat. The black markings that had stained her face remained, cutting through her eye. No swelling affected the skin, but scar tissue had begun to build around it. Small areas of blood had dried, but the black substance had not changed in any way. It was still as striking as when he had found her.

### Instinctively, he raised his hand to her face. The longer he spent in Tricia's company, the more he felt like her son. She smiled, moving to the side. "My skin will heal in time."

### Nate felt saddened as he knew that it wouldn't. He sensed that she, too, knew her face would never change. His arm moved to his side, and he watched as Tricia returned to the window. For a moment, he didn't know what to say. He didn't know how to ask how she was.

"You need not to worry about me. There are other pressing matters that need to be discussed." She turned, motioning for him to sit. He made his way towards the chair opposite the bed, moving to sit as Tricia did the same. "What do you know of the Darkfields?"

### Pushing all anger and emotion to the side, Nate concentrated on the issue at hand. "Only that the Shadows reside there and it's Jake's prison."

### Tricia nodded. "The Darkfields were created at the same time as Luminum, but for a different purpose. Those that were overcome by Darkness during the Great Battle were imprisoned there, out of the reach of those that had chosen the Light. Over time, their imprisonment has weakened, and in turn they have grown stronger, forming the hordes of Shadows that are leaking out from its barrier."

"Barrier?" Nate already knew that the Shadows came from the Darkfields, but he had never heard reference to a barrier.

"Yes. There is a gathering of energy that separates each realm from the next. The Veil of Pennyworth separated this realm from Luminum, and in the outer realm, the outskirts of Luminum, there is a second barrier separating it from the Darkfields."

### He thought for a moment. "Then what is it that Jake hopes to accomplish by destroying the Veil?"

"Without the Veil of Pennyworth, the barrier of Luminum will disperse." Sadness crept into Tricia's eyes, but she remained focused, meeting Nate's gaze. "Shadows may pass between any realm and barrier before them, as long as they have permission to do so. Members of the Forgotten, however, cannot. With the Veil of Pennyworth destroyed, the barrier that separates the realm of Luminum from the Darkfields weakens considerably."

"Which is allowing the essence of the Darkfields to seep into Luminum. If the barrier in the outskirts of Luminum falls, Jake will be free." Nate closed his eyes briefly, picturing the outskirts of Luminum. He could see that a dark shape was spreading across the white layering of cloud. Shapes were rising from it.

"If Jake continues to command the Shadows, soon the Darkfields will no longer be separated from the other realms. Darkness will spread throughout our land; even those with magic will not survive it."

### Nate inhaled a shallow breath. "How has his strength progressed so much?"

"Because of you and Abbii." The look of confusion that spread across his face pushed Tricia to explain. "The three of you are connected to each other. Imagine that Abbii is the centre point of a triangle. She is the strongest. Her powers flow from her into you and Jake, who stand as the opposing points of the triangle. The stronger she grows, the stronger the two of you will become."

"But she's lost her powers..."

"Your powers are strong; even through the different realms, you can both still sense each other." Tricia, not seeming shocked by his statement, continued to speak. "Now that Abbii has returned to mortality, the triangle has tipped. The constant feed of strength that passes through each one of you has faltered. One side has been overwhelmed with power due to the Shadows' constant attack, and now Jake is the highest point of that triangle. He is the strongest, though not all is as it seems."

"What do you mean?" Nate queried.

"The Elders didn't realise that by taking Abbii's powers that would then lead to Jake's strengthening. Although, Jake is not strong enough to uphold his position as the highest point. He was created by Abbii's powers, but he is not power himself like she is. He will need to absorb his strength from another to keep his power."

### Tricia held Nate's gaze. Nothing was said for several long moments, and the air of the room became tense. Neither of them broke their eye contact. Nate stood, fully understanding what Tricia meant. Now that Abbii no longer had magical strength, Jake could not absorb his strength from her. He would have to take it from another, and Nate was the only one strong enough.

"You can already feel the effects. Your breath is harder to keep. Your heartbeat is uneven..."

### Nate turned, causing Tricia to fall silent. "This stays between us."

### She moved to her feet. "If things continue the way they are progressing, Jake will absorb your entire life essence. You will grow weaker until your life ebbs away from you completely." Pain pierced her eyes.

### Sighing loudly, Nate calmed. He understood that Tricia had already lost her son; she did not want to lose him as well. Moving towards her, he lifted her face. "This stays between us."

### Nodding quietly, she moved towards the window. The sunlight washed over her face, warming her skin. "What are your plans?" Nate had not really thought about what he was going to do. Tricia faced him briefly, smiling. She had expected nothing less. "In the heart of the Darkfields, there is a chamber of spirits locked into place. They were the victims of the Great Battle."

"Go on."

"The Elders believed that out of fear and pain, the spirits would turn to Darkness on the eve of their eternal sleep, but it is not as they assumed. These spirits, like the ones that were trapped at Pennyworth, are afraid. They wish to be freed. Every life that has been taken by the Darkness since the Great Battle has also been imprisoned there. The Darkfields are absorbing spirits to keep their strength."

"So if they're freed, the Darkfields will collapse."

### Tricia turned. "Exactly. Without the spirits to empower it, the Darkfields will cease to exist. All spirits that are imprisoned there will be freed, and our enemies will be forced into destruction."

"But how can we free them when we can't enter into the realm?"

"Once Luminum has fallen entirely, there will be nothing stopping you from entering the Darkfields, but that is not the problem. You need the Artefact before deciding to enter, before Jake leaves."

### Remembering that Tricia had spoken about the same thing when he had found her during the attack on Pennyworth, Nate pushed for answers. "What is the Artefact?"

"Unfortunately, no one knows." Before Nate could question her response, she continued to explain. "It is said that an item of pure emotion must be brought before the chamber of the spirits in order for them to be released. It is known as the Artefact. It is also said that the Artefact's power must be earned, being granted only to those who believe in its strength."

### Nate started to pace across the room, frustrated that Tricia didn't know more. The truth was that he didn't know what to do. Not only were Abbii and their comrades all in danger now that Luminum was starting to fall, but they had no way to stop Jake and the Darkfields from growing stronger. Lyu and Colleen had already been taken from them; he couldn't allow the other students to die as well.

### A hand lay on his arm, and he raised his gaze to meet Tricia's brown eyes. "I'm sorry I can't help more."

### He smiled and laid his hand on top of hers. "As long as Abbii is safe, nothing else matters."

"What of Jake? She'll be drawn to him."

### Nate breathed in but continued to hold Tricia's gaze. "I can't force her to stay away from him. If I'm not the one she wants—"

"But all the things he has done, the people he has killed—even I have trouble believing that there is good in him. If she goes to him, it'll be because she will not know of your weakening. You might not see her again before you are drained completely."

### Removing his hand, allowing it to fall back to his side, Nate looked towards the window. "People are only drawn to someone through love. It is no different for Abbii." It pained him to admit, but Abbii's heart was drawn to Jake for a reason. "If she goes to him, it will be her decision."

For so long, she had tried to grieve for Jake and Nate had always tried to push her into it, but she would move on only when she felt ready. Maybe she would never move on from Jake. Nate remembered what the spirit of Pennyworth had told him. She may need to do what's wrong in order for her to do what is right. Perhaps they were referring to Jake. Perhaps Abbii's future was to find him.

### A fleck of colour seemed to hover in front of the window then, and Nate recognised it as a white butterfly. It was late in the year for a butterfly to be present, but he smiled. Even in the darkest of times, there was always a glimmer of light. This butterfly was proof of that.

### Ten

### The people of Pennyworth had suffered endlessly during the day that had passed. Some of them had lost their lives whilst sleeping. Alice had her arm taken care of and she held it close to her chest, a sling of material keeping it in place. Sophie and Daniel had left Nate to his own company.

### He had removed himself from the College, clouded with the stench of death and sorrow. The water's edge was the only place he felt he could sit without feeling uncomfortable. Everyone seemed to look up to him on what to do next, but the truth was that he had no idea what would happen. He often closed his eyes to be met with scenes of violence and Darkness, envisioning a hard future for the people to deal with, but he constantly fought against the images, forcing his eyes to open. Sleep could wait as long as his mind was filled with such visions.

### The water was still, even as the wind blew. Many of the trees had lost their leaves to the cold winter's touch, creating a layer of fallen colour across the bank. Leaves that had fallen onto the water's surface spiralled, creating small ripples. Ice had threatened to engulf the pool within the Everglades ground, but its remnants had been wiped away with the bright sun. At least there was still evidence of light in such dark times. The snow had completely faded.

### Nate's mind felt pressurised, and for the first time, he realised how hard things must have been for Abbii to deal with. When her powers had first materialised, she had struggled. For so long, she had not had faith in herself, and then when Jake was taken from her and her life spiralled into chaos, her feelings of uncertainty had only grown—learning of Nate's true identity must not have helped. He had been hard on her, as well as others that they knew, but he wished that he had helped her more, helped her feel at ease.

"Abbii..." Closing his eyes, he saw her face, pained from the fact that she had lost her magic. He could see her, even sense her presence, but he couldn't contact her. He had tried to contact Max as well but had failed. A strange type of magical barrier prevented him from hearing his thoughts. He wished that he had said goodbye to Abbii properly before leaving. He wished he hadn't left out of anger. If things had been different, perhaps she would never have entered into Luminum to begin with. He had no idea that that was what she had planned to do.

### His fists clenched as Colleen's body flashed across his eyes. Anger soon consumed him and he started to hyperventilate. He was annoyed with himself for leaving the students behind. When he had left Abbii to venture into Pennyworth, Nate had never thought of what could happen in his absence. He had had dreams before leaving of faces contorted in pain, but he had never focused enough to identify them as the students. His thoughts had been too preoccupied.

### They had lost Colleen and Lyu in the battle of Pennyworth. He lowered his gaze, relaxing his hands. Nate would never forgive himself for letting Lyu down. He hoped that Sythe and Susan had reached Luminum safely. He hoped that Abbii, Max and the twins were safe.

### Footsteps approached him, and as he turned, he saw that Alice was standing at his side. She immediately sat by him, being careful not to jolt her arm. She didn't speak, but rather respected Nate's privacy and remained quiet. The wind danced around her playfully, evidence that the evening was approaching.

"I don't know what I'm supposed to do, Alice. All I can think about is Abbii." He raised his hand to his forehead, feeling that his skin was fevered. An ache was spreading across his scalp.

"You need to leave her to make her own decisions. She chose to leave for her friends. The Elders, if anybody, are the only ones who will know how to stop the Darkness."

### Nate sighed. He thought of the Forgotten that had appeared in Pennyworth, as well as the dream that had shown him their new casters. "I keep seeing them..."

"It is an advantage if you can see our enemy and know their plans. You shouldn't fight it."

"I feel so close to them, though. I wanted that with Abbii..." His heartache was now becoming apparent. He was having difficulty in keeping it contained. Perhaps it was due to the strange weakness that was constantly stealing his energy.

"Tricia has told us about the Artefact." Nate turned to meet her gaze, not at all surprised, though he could tell by the way Alice looked at him that she didn't know of his constant weakening. "Are you going to search for it?" she asked.

### He looked out over the water. "I wouldn't know what I was searching for. It could be anywhere, any of the three realms."

"Perhaps a member of the Forgotten would know?" Nate's brow arched inwards. He had never thought about the fact that their enemies might know where the Artefact was. He glanced at Alice as she spoke. "Don't lose your confidence, Nate. Without it, we will all fall."

### It was true that he was losing confidence, but he realised that that wouldn't help. Breathing in, he met Alice's gaze. For the first time, he could see emotion glistening in her eyes. She was worried just as much as he was. She wished that their friends hadn't left; she hoped that Max was safe. The wind moved her hair and she focused onto the water.

"We have to have faith in them," she whispered. "They will do all they can."

### Nate nodded. "Then it's our place to focus on the Artefact." Falling victim to their emotions would only add further confusion to their situation.

### A sudden pain stabbed through Nate's temples. His eyesight blurred and he lost his breath, but before Alice could question him, a large image formed over the water's surface. She moved to her feet quickly, followed by Nate once he had gathered his breath. They approached the pool's edge, seeing that the image was brightly coloured. Nate ignored the presence that he could sense in his consciousness and focused onto the water.

### Tainted sand was all they could see, stretching into the horizon. The sky was bright, but hazed with grey clouds. Nate and Alice recognised the scene as the beach of Pennyworth. The entire coast had been tainted with blackened sand and the small towns occupying the edge of the land had all burned. Billowing smoke polluted areas of the sky. Nate realised that the Veil of Pennyworth must have protected the entire stretch of coast, rather than just the small town itself. He extended his fingertip towards the hazy aura of the image.

### Without warning, the sand rushed by, stealing Nate's breath. It was as if they were moving as fast as the wind. The movement stopped abruptly and a small building came into sight. Wooden slats had built up at its entrance, but the pathway was open. Small houses surrounded the building, revealing that thick layers of plants had grown across its surface. It looked like its pathway led underground. Alice guessed it was one of the other towns of the Pennyworth coast.

### Again, the image soared past, blurring everything that they could see. The sunlight seemed to fade and the inside of the entranceway formed. One small light was visible. Nate and Alice both drew closer to see what it was. They could see a podium, a glowing sphere hovering above it. A magical essence seeped out from its surface, and strange glyphs marked its glowing aura. Nate extended his hand, seeing a clear similarity between this sphere of energy and the blue protective magic that had once protected The Everglades College.

### The image faded entirely, making Nate and Alice cover their faces from the bright burst of energy. Once they had recovered, he realised that he was standing in the water up to his waist. He looked back to check on Alice, making his way towards the bank. They held each others gaze for a silent moment, allowing their individual thoughts to form before speaking. Nate's head no longer felt pressurised, and the strange feeling that had accompanied the image had also faded. It no longer felt as if someone had intruded into his mind. He breathed in, sensing that Alice was going to speak.

"Do you think that was—"

"The Artefact?" he queried.

### She nodded. "But why did we see it? Do you think it was because of Jake?"

"The feeling that someone was in my mind...it had to be him, but I don't think he was aware of it."

"If Jake knows where the Artefact is..."

### Nate sighed. "I don't think he does. I think he's searching for it. The Forgotten are attacking every small town on the coast. He must know that the spirits would be freed if it was ever found."

### They looked at each other, a smile spreading across each of their faces. A slight glow warmed their irises as they realised that they could significantly change the outcome of their battle if the spirits that were empowering the Darkfields were set free.

"Tell Daniel and Sophie," Nate instructed. "I'll meet you at dawn."

### Alice nodded in understanding but spoke aloud before Nate could turn his back. "I won't be able to teleport there without knowing where it is."

### He glanced back briefly, a smirk forming across his lips. "That's what a library is for. It has to be one of the towns near Pennyworth." Turning his back then, he ran towards the College.

She smiled, realising his point. If they were to find out the name and location of the place that they had seen, Alice would have no difficulty in teleporting there. Glancing over the water, she inhaled a breath. Keep her safe, Max. Stay with her.

### *

### Nate ran into the corridor and headed towards the large staircases that led to the library. He dashed up them, taking two at a time, and then pushed through the closed door before heading for the far side. Reaching the last computer which seemed to still be on, Nate sat down and immediately moved the mouse so that the screensaver faded. He hovered his hands above the keyboard and then breathed in.

### He thought back to the image that he and Alice had been shown. The tainted beach of the coast had been the first thing he had noticed, then the blue sky polluted by blackened plumes of smoke. Finding the names of every coastal town near Pennyworth would be the best place for Nate to start his research. He doubted that there would be many.

### Typing with both hands fluently, Nate waited for the search engine of the computer to show its results. It didn't take long before images of the eastern coast appeared across his screen. He scrolled past the images and focused onto the list of links that had appeared, trying to scan for names he recognised from the British coast, though he decided that going back to the images was his best chance at finding where he needed to go. He roughly knew the shape of land near to Pennyworth. Using his finger to guide him, he focused on the stretch of land between Lowestoft and Felixstowe.

### Something told him that was where he needed to look, but there was no sign of Pennyworth or the other small towns that Nate had seen along the coast. He wondered if he was focusing too far down on the map—but then why had his heart started to beat faster?

### Opening up another screen, he searched for old maps of Britain to see if anything changed. The names of the cities and towns had clearly changed, but again, there was no evidence of Pennyworth. Inhaling a breath, he raised his finger and placed its tip against the screen. A strange surge of energy passed through him then, creating a vision in his head. It was at that point that he realised that Pennyworth wasn't a town or city; it wasn't even the land that made the east coast of Britain. It was, in fact, the realm in which they lived.

How am I supposed to find the Artefact now? He tensed his jaw, curling one hand into a fist. Abbii's face appeared in his mind, pushing him to sigh. He couldn't give up. His friends were in danger now that Luminum was open for attack. Stay safe, Abbii.

"Nate."

### Pulled from his thoughts, he looked towards the doorway, seeing that Chase stood there awkwardly. Several bandages wrapped around his thigh, and a small tear had cut through his eyebrow, but other than that he seemed at full strength. Nate was reminded of Colleen's fate, causing him to face his computer again. His heart started to beat faster, but he closed his eyes, forcing himself to relinquish his anger again.

"You should be resting."

### Silence passed through the room as neither of them spoke. Nate leaned his elbows against his desk and held his head in his hands. He was thinking of Colleen and hoping that the other students were safe.

"I tried to save her."

### Lifting his head, Nate turned and looked at Chase. Regret had consumed his entire face, and he had turned to look out of the window. It was obvious that he had tried to save Colleen, but had failed to make a difference.

"Chase, the Elders can't be challenged."

"When Abbii and the others disappeared into the portal, the Elder turned on us." He fidgeted in his place, limping from the doorway to stand at the window. "Sythe and I tried to make a difference, but we were thrown aside. The girls screamed..."

### Nate sighed. He could hear the pain in the student's voice, but there was a light in Chase that he could never put out. "You did the best you could."

"But it wasn't good enough!" Chase turned quickly, glaring across the room towards Nate. "I couldn't follow the others into Luminum, not after losing Colleen."

### Turning in his chair, Nate watched Chase slouch. He understood how he was feeling, but he couldn't let the student fall victim to his own regret. "You have not learned how to harness your powers yet. Soon you will have the strength to fight back."

"I'll fight for Colleen whether I am strong enough or not."

### Looking down for a moment, Nate inhaled a slow breath. "Revenge won't solve anything. You understand that?" He raised his gaze to meet directly with Chase's. "Revenge won't help. It will absorb your energy and make you feel as if nothing else matters than fulfilling that revenge." Jake's face appeared in his head. He looked at Chase, realising that he had said too much. "You should rest."

### Chase breathed in. "I'm here to help." There was no uncertainty within his voice, and Nate knew that he would not be able to sway the student's decision. He huffed, leaning back in his chair as Chase spoke. "Daniel said you're looking for a key."

### Nate could just imagine Daniel, Alice, Sophie and Tricia discussing what needed to be done. Chase had obviously been told as much as he needed to know. "It's called the Artefact. We think it will destroy the Darkfields."

### Moving across the room as Nate turned to face his computer screen, Chase sat on the desk behind him. "The Shadows' realm, right? But how?"

"It's a long story."

### Understanding that he was prying for information that Nate wasn't necessarily going to share, Chase focused instead onto the news site that he was now searching. A filmed news report was playing, but the sound was down low so Chase could barely hear it. Nate had decided to see how the events of Pennyworth and Luminum were affecting the length of the coast as well as the rest of Britain. Shadows had been seen several times throughout the towns and rural areas. Reports of people being attacked were filing in dozens at a time. Nate understood what the creatures were trying to do.

### Now that the containment of the Darkfields was weakening, the Shadows could follow the Forgotten's demands wherever they wished. They would be weak, however, so gathering magical strength for the Shadows to absorb would be their first priority. That was the reason for attacking so many people. They were searching for those with magic but also creating others to manifest so they could return to kill the new casters as well. Nate's jaw tensed. He knew the Shadows could not move without permission, meaning there had to be two people giving the creatures orders: someone from the inside of the Darkfields to allow the creatures to return, as well as someone on the outside allowing them to plague the land of Pennyworth. Jake was certainly involved.

"There's loads," Chase whispered.

### Nate kept his gaze on the screen, reading a small paragraph of text that was beneath the video. Shadows had been appearing all over the world. Germany, China, and even more remote countries like New Zealand and Japan were reporting that dark creatures were attacking their cities. Armed soldiers and military were growing in numbers. There were even speculations that the Shadows were disguised terrorists—the leaders of the world were struggling to identify their true enemy. A throb started to build at each of Nate's temples, and Jake flashed across his eyes again. Remembering that Chase was next to him, he closed the screen down and looked at him.

"Our priority is the Artefact. If the Darkfields open completely, more people will die." He held his gaze. "Our friends need our help."

### Leaning back slightly, Chase sighed as Nate stood. He nodded to say that he understood. The truth was that many more people were going to die if the Darkfields weren't destroyed. Chase couldn't let himself be distracted. He had to do what he could to help. He moved from the desktop and seated himself in the chair at the side.

### Placing his palms flat against the computer's desk, Nate breathed out, closing his eyes tightly. His palms started to sweat as flashes of colour darted through his mind. He didn't allow any of them to materialise as shapes, as he chose to focus onto Abbii's aura instead. He could see her face, the multi-coloured light in her irises. He wished he had never left her side. A sharp pain stabbed at his heart, pushing him to open his eyes. He straightened his back and looked at Chase, who cleared his throat awkwardly.

"We're not going to make it, are we?" he asked clearly.

### Nate understood Chase's lack of confidence—there were just too many things to do, too many people to save. He also understood how Abbii must have felt, struggling to prioritise the things she needed to do; he was struggling himself. Firstly, he had tried to save the town of Pennyworth but had failed, losing track of one of the students at the same time. The chances of finding Lyu alive were slim—he was almost sure she was dead. The spirits trapped in the Veil had been freed, but their destruction had ultimately been the price.

### Now Nate had discovered that Luminum was also beginning to degrade, and Shadows had already started to plague the outer areas of the realm. The barrier separating it from the Darkfields was weakening due to the fall of Pennyworth's Veil, and that was placing Abbii, Max and the twins in danger. Now Sythe and Susan had also entered into the Realm of Light, unknowingly walking into the Shadows' path. Nate wished he could follow in their footsteps and fight by their sides, but even if the Shadows were destroyed, Luminum would still fall due to its weakening barrier. Nate was now the only one who could find a way to stop the Darkfields—the others had no way of leaving the Realm of Light. Travelling to the coast again and finding the Artefact was the only thing left for him to do.

### He lifted his shoulders, filling his lungs to their capacity. "We have to do what we can." Facing Chase directly, he realised for the first time that the student was afraid.

"I want to help." No clear reply formed in Nate's head. He dropped his gaze, not knowing what to say. Chase pushed himself to stand, more out of irritation than anything else. "I couldn't save her, but I will save the others."

### Sensing the regret surging through Chase's body, Nate knew that he spoke of Colleen. The same pain stabbed at his heart in connection to Lyu. He placed his hand onto Chase's shoulder. Chase stood, not putting too much pressure on his injured leg. Uncertainty crept across his features as he noticed that a shallow light was emitting from Nate's skin, spreading across his own.

"What are you doing?" He tried to pull away but couldn't. The light spread across his body, rushing fluidly towards his leg. His entire thigh started to throb with magical energy. He was so drawn to its beauty that he didn't even realise that Nate had removed his hand.

"We will need you at full strength." Nate smiled as Chase raised his gaze in confusion. Turning, he made his way towards the library entrance. He turned back only when Chase had removed the bandage from his leg, seeing that no injury now marked his skin. His leg was perfect. No pain affected him.

"Thanks." He raised his gaze with a smirk.

### Nate nodded in reply and watched as Chase started to run and jump across the library space, testing that he could put all of his weight on his previously injured leg. Leaving the student to it, Nate descended the stairs, pausing when he reached the large window at his side. His head was throbbing, and his hand had started to tingle. His magic had drained his energy more than he had expected.

### I'm running out of time, Abbii. Don't give up...keep fighting...

### He sighed and made his way down the rest of the stairs, turning right once he had reached the corridor. Continuing on, he passed several children running in and out of the canteen. Their laughter filled the College with a sense of calm, though Nate remained on edge. Reaching his room, he entered only briefly to pick up some clean clothes and then continued down the corridor towards the showers. He wondered what the Forgotten were doing, what they were planning; it had been so long since they had attacked or even shown themselves that Nate had grown worried.

### The feeling that someone was intruding in his mind had returned, though he doubted whether it was Jake. His strength was not enough to pass through Luminum, but as soon as the Realm of Light had fallen, Nate knew that Jake would do all that he could to cause more chaos. It angered him that every time his heart beat, a small sliver of his energy was feeding Jake's strength. He wished things were different.

### Entering into the shower room, Nate pulled the T-shirt from his body and discarded it on the floor. He paused in front of the large mirror, realising that his skin had grown awfully pale. He arched his back so that he could see his shoulders in the mirror. All the scars that marked his skin seemed to be protruding outwards. Dark veins were spreading out from each one. Nate lowered his gaze and focused onto his previously injured wrist, noticing that that, too, had started to rise from the surrounding skin. He placed his fingertip against the large scar.

### An image of Jake appeared in his mind. This time, rather than allowing it to fade, Nate focused. He breathed in, seeing that Jake started to turn. Once their eyes met, Nate's heartbeat grew rapid. Jake smiled. "You look weak," he said clearly.

### Nate swallowed the lump that had built in the back of his throat. He didn't understand how Jake could contact him when he was still imprisoned in the Darkfields, but he let the thought fade and concentrated. "What do you want?"

### It was strange, but for a brief moment Jake seemed to sadden, though the look across his face was soon replaced with a grin. "I want Abbii."

"You killed all those people. She'll never come to you."

### Jake huffed. "Abbii wanted the people of Pennyworth to be freed."

### Anger boiled inside of Nate's body. "She doesn't want you!"

"Each step she takes leads her closer to me. She knows it, and yet she keeps going." His statement was clear.

### Nate sighed quietly, feeling a tingling sensation spread throughout his shoulder. "I won't let you hurt her."

"Abbii is in no danger from me. I won't watch her fall, but I can't say the same about you."

### A silent moment passed between the two men. They held each other's gaze but neither spoke. It was not until Nate breathed in that the silence was broken. "You speak as if you want to keep her safe."

"I do," Jake replied, "but I am not letting her powers choose you!" A bright surge of energy burst out from Jake's psyche, consuming Nate's body. It stabbed at his chest like a thousand knives, and his mind fell blank.

### He gasped for breath as he returned to reality, grasping the sink basin to stop himself from falling. His breath was impossible to catch as he looked down at his chest. Several cuts were layered across his body, but it was not until he raised his gaze to the mirror ahead of him that he realised that his injuries were not new to his skin. Several old scars had opened, allowing the blood to flow. Filling the sink with cold water, Nate bathed his hands and then splashed the water over his face. Small droplets landed on his chest, stinging his skin.

### I won't let you get to her.

### Grabbing his T-shirt from the floor, Nate bathed his wounds, grimacing each time the water entered into his skin. He continued the process until the bleeding slowed and then pulled a second T-shirt from his bag and over his head. It immediately absorbed the water, clinging to his body, but due to its dark colour, the blood could not be seen. He changed his jeans before leaving and then made his way back into the College.

### Once he had reached the entrance, he could see that everyone was waiting. He breathed in, preparing himself, and then made his way down the steps. Alice was the first to notice his approach, and when she turned, everyone followed her movement. "Do you know where it is?" she asked.

### Nate sighed. "We'll have to search. There are two places it could be. Jake knows where the Artefact is." He met Alice's gaze only briefly and then looked away, as she seemed to arch her brow inwards, analysing him.

"Whilst you're gone, we will continue to keep the people of Pennyworth safe," Daniel explained.

### Sophie nodded in agreement. "We will also bury the dead. The others should be present, but events will not allow it."

### Shuffling in his place as he thought of Colleen, Chase breathed in. "We're ready when you are." He stepped back and then moved to the side, followed by a reluctant Alice. She still seemed fixed on Nate.

"Stay safe," Tricia said. As she approached, Daniel and Sophie headed back towards the College, having said what they needed to. Once Tricia had reached him, Nate could also see that she analysed his physique, but she didn't comment. "Here, take this." She extended her hand towards Nate, laying a small object in his palm.

### He could see that it was a ring, embedded with a single clear-cut stone. Without a doubt, Nate knew that it had been a gift from Blane; it was her wedding ring. It had been hung on a plain piece of black leather for him. He raised his gaze. "I can't take this."

### She smiled. "Please, don't forget who you are. I may not have given birth to you, but you are my son." Raising her hand to his face, she smiled lovingly.

### Nate closed his fingers over the ring in his hand and vowed that he would always wear it. A tear fell from Tricia's injured eye. "We'll be back." He placed the necklace around his neck, tying it into place.

"I fear that your strength will not hold on long enough," she whispered.

"This isn't the final battle. I won't give up."

### She accepted his answer and stepped back, watching as he made his way to Alice's side. He looked back only briefly before disappearing from sight. A yellow silhouette was all that remained, until the wind carried it away.

### Eleven

### Vee's confusion spread across her face. "But Max can't use his powers, so how is he supposed to free his hands?"

### Her brother, Aeron, tried to explain in terms that she would understand. Abbii's explanation had obviously not done the trick. "We have to use our powers against the metal, Vee."

"But won't it just bounce off?"

"We have to try," Abbii added. "We have to help this realm. Max needs his powers now that mine have gone."

### Max could clearly see Abbii's desire to help the people of Luminum even after Evelyn had tried to kill her. There would be no way that he could change her mind; he'd be wasting his effort to even try. A smile spread across his face. "You can do it Vee—just like when we were training, remember?"

"Yeah," Aeron jumped in. "We both need to call our magic and see if we can break Max free, okay? Abbii said our powers are stronger than we think."

### It was obvious that Vee doubted herself, but when she looked at her brother to see the excitement across his face, she seemed to pick herself up. She lowered her gaze briefly to the silver whistle that hung from her dungaree pocket. A matching whistle could also be seen in Aeron's possession, suspended from his trouser leg. They had never used them before, but nevertheless, Abbii felt they symbolised something special to them, something unbreakable.

"Ready?" she asked.

### Vee and Aeron both raised their hands above Max's, focusing their energy on the metal restraints that bound his wrists. A spark of light built in Aeron's palm almost immediately, and it only took a brief moment for Vee to follow. Red light consumed her palms as blue energy radiated from Aeron's skin. A cool aura washed over Max's skin, freezing the metal still. Aeron narrowed his eyes, concentrating the ice formation on the weakest areas of the metal. It began to adjust slightly, creaking under the pressure.

"Go on, Vee," Aeron encouraged.

### Breathing in, she watched as the light across her palms brightened, glowing at her fingertips. She began to struggle almost straight away, but she stepped forward anyway, laying her hand completely across the metal of Max's restraints. A surge of fire pulsed outwards, colliding with the ice. The metal, not able to withstand the magical presence, cracked into two and fell from Max's skin. Vee smiled as her magic faded. She looked at Aeron, and he grinned in response.

### Max massaged his uncovered skin, seeing that several burn marks had been left. He looked at Vee. "Well done." She grinned childishly, pleased with herself. Max then looked at Abbii. "I thought you said the restraints prevented magic being used?" He, too, seemed a bit confused now that he had thought it through.

"The metal only stops the caster from using magic," Abbii explained, "not those around them."

"But, what's the point of—"

### Abbii knew what he meant. "Evelyn must have known that we would break through them."

"That makes it sound like she never wanted to cuff me!"

"She didn't," Abbii whispered. "I think Evelyn knew this would happen. She's a Seer, remember? I think nothing surprises her. Even the Shadows that are entering Luminum—she knew they would come."

### Max's brow arched inwards. "Yeah, but if she knew we would help, then why take your powers?"

"It's like she said; she doesn't want another Star to fall into Darkness. Because she knew the Shadows would come, she was protecting me by taking my powers. The Shadows won't hunt me whilst I'm mortal. We need to help her!"

### For the first time, Max agreed. "What about Sythe? We need to tell the others."

"Sythe?" Vee questioned.

### Abbii glared at Max, making him fidget in his place. He raised his arm to his neck and turned away awkwardly. "Nothing's wrong with Sythe," Abbii lied. "Don't worry. Come on, we have to go."

### Vee accepted her answer and looked at Aeron. He seemed a little less convinced in what Abbii had said but pushed his suspicions aside. They turned to face the door but remained in their place, unsure if that was the direction they were going to go. Abbii glanced at Max. "We'll contact Nate when we can. As long as you can sense him..." For a second, Abbii's heart ached at the thought of losing Nate.

### Max nodded. "He's fine. I can sense them all." The truth was that he could sense pain in every heart of their friends. Alice was injured, and Nate seemed vulnerable somehow. He could also sense that they had planned something. Sophie and Daniel were taking care of the people of Pennyworth, but even they seemed saddened. Max knew that someone had died.

"Max?" Pulled from his thoughts, he realised that Abbii and the twins were staring at him. "Are you sure everything's all right?" The worry across Abbii's face was obvious.

### He nodded and forced a smile. "Of course, but where are we supposed to go now?"

### Without warning, a sudden tremor caused the ground to shake. Small cracks began to spread along the marble walls and floor. The air had become strangely heavy, and Abbii knew without a doubt that it was due to the Shadows. "They must have formed fully now. We have to head to the outer realm. That's where the Elders will stand against them."

"But I thought we had to look for information," Aeron urged.

"We haven't got time!" Abbii shouted in response. "Come on!"

"Do you know the way?" Vee asked.

"The Shadows will show us once we're outside." She wished that she was able to teleport. Time was not something they had. Racing towards the doors, Abbii ran into the corridor, the others following her closely.

### Immediately turning right, she followed the corridor, passing several armed soldiers that were running the opposite way; they showed no desire to chase them as they passed, since the Shadows were the real threat now. Abbii reached a crossroads in the pathway, glancing left before looking straight ahead. "Which way, Max?"

### He stopped at her side only briefly before dashing ahead. The others followed him without hesitation, passing two injured soldiers. Abbii felt guilty that she couldn't help them, but reaching the outer realm and standing against the Shadows was the best way that she could make a difference.

### The group reached a wide set of stairs, which they descended quickly, leading them into a long corridor. Mirrored panels decorated each wall, showing distorted reflections of the group as they passed. Vee didn't like them, but Aeron smiled as the mirrors stretched his figure. Max and Abbii ran side by side, keeping their focus ahead. As they reached a second crossroads, Abbii didn't stop this time, continuing on straight ahead. She recognised the space that she had entered.

### Vee stopped a moment, trying to catch her breath. Abbii also drew to a standstill, followed by Aeron and Max. The room which he and Abbii had been imprisoned in stood to their left. She edged towards the door. "Stay here," she whispered.

"Where are you going?" Aeron called.

"I need my powers back." Her reply was just above a whisper, but she didn't care if Aeron had heard or not. It felt like her heart was being pulled—the room was drawing her in. She passed the body at the door without a hesitation and inhaled a breath, though when she had passed through the door, she saw something that she hadn't expected.

### A figure dressed in white stood with their back to her. They were facing where the mirror had once stood, but the mirror was no longer there. Abbii stopped in her place, glancing back to Max through the open doorway. He immediately sensed that something was wrong, but when Abbii shook her head slightly, he remained in his place. He was there if she needed him. Abbii stepped forwards, analysing the figure.

### The figure was female, due to the shape of their body. Dark hair escaped the edges of her hood, contrasting perfectly against the plain white robe that draped over her. Only a bit of colour was present, forming a single line around the waist. Abbii remained still, keeping her breath steady. She realised that it hadn't been the mirror that had called to her senses—it had been the figure.

"Who are you?" she asked.

### In response, the figure turned. The robe adjusted easily to her movement. She raised her hands to the hood that covered part of her face, unveiling her skin.

### Abbii gasped. "No..."

### The woman's features were elegant but simple. Dark hair and eyes contrasted beautifully against her pale skin. She wore a dark dress beneath her robe that flowed against her body smoothly. Jewellery decorated each of her wrists and her neckline, but Abbii was drawn to her eyes. Although dark, there was an essence of light within each of her irises. A swirl of colour created an illusion of multicolour. She stepped forward, allowing a smile to soften her features.

A tear rolled from Abbii's eye. She gasped for a breath, stepping back, realising somewhere inside of her that the figure ahead of her now was the same one that had helped her when the fear of the Dark had incapacitated her. The voice filled her head again. I have faith in you.

### Max sensed her distress and ran towards the room, but it was closed before he could enter. Abbii pushed it closed and leaned against it to stop her comrades from entering. She continued to cry, not understanding why of all times and places, her mother would return now.

"Abbii, my darling." She smiled.

### Gasping for a breath, Abbii felt a tear follow the curve of her cheek, running down her neck. Her mother moved forwards, extending her hand. "Get away from me!" she shouted.

### Her whole body started to shake as her emotions grew. She was happy to see that her mother was safe, thankful that they had met after so many years apart, but anger soon consumed her. Her face tensed, and she wiped the tears from her face, straightening her back sternly. She thought back to the night that her mother had abandoned her at The Everglades, remembering the look on her face when she presumed her daughter had cut her own wrist. For four long years, Abbii had hated her parents for leaving her. She hated them now.

"This realm is falling," Celine said clearly. Abbii glared at her. "I understand how you must be feeling, but please—"

"You understand nothing! You left me!"

### Celine's face softened. "I only left to keep you safe."

"Safe?" Abbii challenged. "It's because of you that I'm part of all of this! Because of you, I had powers!"

"Your powers would have manifested anyway. You know that. I left only to protect you. I am an Elder, Abbii. I could not be by your side!"

### A quiet sigh escaped Abbii's lips. She lowered her gaze, feeling alone yet again as she thought of her friends. The people that she wanted in her life seemed to be the people that she couldn't reach. "What do you want?" she asked quietly.

"You have to leave this realm as soon as possible. It is falling, collapsing in on itself."

### Raising her gaze, Abbii breathed in, filling her lungs to their capacity. "I'm not leaving without helping them."

### Celine wanted to approach Abbii, but she hesitated in her place. "Evelyn and the others can hold them back."

"You expect them to fight by themselves? If the Darkfields open, they will all die!" Abbii huffed. "But I suppose you don't care, do you? You're only thinking about saving yourself!"

"Abbii!" the twins shouted through the door. A blast of energy caused the room to shake. Shadows were trying to enter into the building.

### Her mother's eyes softened. "Without your powers, you are vulnerable. I set you free so that you could leave."

### Stepping away from the door, Abbii contained her anger. "It was you? You were the one that let us out of here? The one in the Dark?"

### A high-pitched shriek filled the space as Shadows banged against the main entrance. Vee shouted for Abbii, pushing the door open now that she had moved from against it. The young girl looked at Celine and then at Abbii, seeing that remnants of tears remained on her cheeks. She smiled as she looked at Celine again.

"Thank you for saving us earlier."

### Abbii's brow arched in confusion as Celine made her way to Vee's side. Her eyes smiled as she knelt to her knee. "You're welcome."

### Frustrated with her mother's behaviour, Abbii leaned forwards and grabbed Vee by the shoulder. She pulled her to her feet and dragged her backwards, challenging her mother, "How do you know Vee?"

### Breaking free from Abbii's grip, Vee frowned. "She was the one who made Elaine let us go earlier. Before we reached the big room, Elaine wanted us to show them our powers, but we didn't have to because Celine helped us. We were hungry too, so she made us some food." The young girl looked between mother and daughter, but as a second shriek echoed through the space, she remembered her urgency. "They're coming in, Abbii. We have to go!"

### Glancing back into the corridor, Abbii could see that black shapes were staining the castle entrance. They were slowly oozing through the wood. Max and Aeron stood ready with their powers, but Vee remained at Abbii's side, looking up at her for guidance. Abbii suddenly felt pressured. She had so many people to save but no strength to save them.

"Power comes from the heart." She looked at her mother. "If you have faith, your powers will return. The mirror is part of this realm; it was a way to keep the people here safe. Without magic, evil cannot harness its strength, and it dies. Evelyn wanted the people here to live without discrimination. She made everyone the same. You hoped that by breaking the mirror your powers would return. They won't. The mirror has faded into the realm."

### Abbii swallowed the lump in the back of her throat. "Then how do I get them back?" She realised how lost she felt without her powers. She even missed the presence of the scar on her wrist. She raised her gaze to her mother, willing herself to let go. "How do I keep them safe?"

### Celine smiled. "They will soon have the strength that they need. You need to worry about yourself. You must understand the real reason why your powers have dispersed."

### Several shrieks reverberated through the area as the main entrance started to fall inwards. Shadows' faces were forming, their claws escaping from the blackened wood. A woman and child ran across the courtyard, trying to gain as much space from the creatures as possible. Vee ran to her brother's side as the drawbridge gave way, collapsing to the floor. A blanket of black oozed outwards instantly, and shapes started to rise from it.

"Abbii."

### She looked at her mother, struggling to keep her breath steady.

"When you reach the outskirts of the outer realm, two portals will appear, granting access to the realms of Pennyworth and the Darkfields. You must follow your heart."

"The Darkfields..." Abbii immediately thought of Jake. Finally, there would be a way to reach him.

"Once you enter, the portal will close. It is up to you what happens from there, but the second time a portal opens from the Darkfields, it will be the last time. Once it is opened, it cannot be closed."

"Why are you helping me? Why tell me how to get there?"

### Celine smiled. "Your decision to find him was made long ago, and I will not try to change your mind. Only you are capable of mapping out your life. You must make your own decisions and follow them with your heart, even if mistakes are made."

### Abbii nodded. She went to turn, but something kept her in her place. "What about you?"

### She smiled. "The presence of the Elders is needed to uphold this realm."

### Shuffling in her place, Abbii glanced at the Shadows, seeing that they had now fully formed and headed towards her friends. Abbii needed to know something as she thought about what could happen to Luminum. "Will I see you again?"

### Celine moved towards her, raising her hand to her daughter's cheek. "I am always with you." Without warning, she disappeared, leaving only a faint trace of light in her place. As if she had been unable to inhale a breath, Abbii gasped for air. She looked at her friends. Max was glowing with magic, preparing himself for the upcoming battle.

### Making her way towards him hurriedly, she glanced over her other friends' faces. The twins seemed anxious but ready. Max, too, had prepared himself. Abbii didn't feel as ready as the others. She felt afraid. Without her powers, she couldn't imagine defeating anything, let alone a horde of Shadows. Looking back to the room that she had come from, part of her resented the fact that her mother had left again, but her heart was telling her that she would see her parent again. Maybe she would even see her father as well—he, too, had been an Elder, though Abbii didn't know what type. She inhaled a breath, raising her gaze.

"Here." Max extended his hand, not questioning her about what had happened. Reaching out, she instinctively uncurled her hand and allowed Max to lay something onto her palm. She realised that it was the dagger that he had previously removed from the soldier's body. "You'll need it." Meeting his stern gaze, she felt a tear welling in her eye, but she quickly wiped it away and smiled in appreciation.

### The group spread out as the Shadows continued their approach. Vee and Aeron remained side by side, each glowing with varying colours. Max, too, was glowing, though his irises seemed to absorb most of the colour. Abbii tried to keep her breath steady, tightening her grip on the dagger in her hand. Part of her was screaming out, telling her to run, but a more dominant part was telling her that she was ready. She would continue to fight and save as many as she could.

"Let's go!" she shouted.

### Twelve

### Max was the first to move, choosing to reach the Shadows before they could reach him. He ran towards the largest gathering of them, pushing himself to run faster, raising his glowing fist as he drew near. Throwing himself into the centre of the group, he punched the creature ahead of him, bringing his elbow back to crash into the Shadow approaching from behind. He turned, kicking his opponents to the floor, feeling a set of claws slash at his shoulder as he moved. Clenching his teeth, he avoided another set of claws before pushing the Shadow to the floor.

### Parrying a second attack from the same creature, Max attacked in retaliation, causing the Shadow to screech in annoyance. Its lips parted ever so slightly, revealing its pointed teeth that wanted nothing more than to sink into fresh skin. The Shadow slashed at Max's arm with its saliva-soaked tongue, and Max twisted as he tried to avoid it. Due to his movement, the razor sharp edge pierced his side instead, cutting the skin above his ribs. A flash of magic stopped the creature still, however—part of its body was frozen into place. Moving his arm swiftly, Max watched the creature's tongue crumble into pieces. A high-pitched squeal pushed itself from the Shadow's lips as Max jumped into the air, raising his foot. He collided into the creature's chest, and its body disintegrated due to the force. Aeron smiled as Max met his gaze, winking in appreciation for his magical support.

### Abbii killed a stray Shadow, raising the dagger in her grasp until it had pierced the creature's chest. The pain caused its fingers to spasm, but it fell to the floor lifeless a moment later. A layer of blood covered Abbii's hand and wrist, but she pushed on, reaching Max's side. Vee followed her closely, reluctant to call upon her own magic. She was afraid of the Shadows, but also of using her magic. Aeron enjoyed the use of his powers, loving to watch their colours sparkle and grow with energy, but Vee wanted to be normal. She missed the days where her mother had taken them to the large fields of flowers that they had often visited. She missed her home.

### A Shadow stopped her in her tracks, causing her to shriek.

### Her brother was quick to reach her side, though, smiling as he met her gaze. He killed the creature on the right with a surge of fire and then watched as Vee destroyed the second, as she noticed that it was creeping up on her brother's side. She would always use her powers to protect her brother, no matter how frightened she felt. The colour of her irises seemed to brighten considerably now that Aeron was by her side. Killing a Shadow that was moving towards Abbii, the twins then concentrated onto a four-legged creature.

### Moving out of the path of several Shadows, Abbii twisted the neck of the closest one to her. She wished that she could teleport as she was fighting, so that her skin would have sustained fewer injuries. Her arms, side and thigh had been cut by rows of claw marks. She jumped to avoid a Shadow's spiked tail, stumbling when it seemed to follow her movement, wrapping around her ankle. Falling awkwardly to the floor, she gasped for a breath as the air was pushed from her lungs. Max grabbed her opponent by the arm, throwing it into a second creature at his side. He met Abbii's gaze as she hurried to her feet, glancing at the twins to check that they were safe.

### The creature that had approached them was different to the others. It had four muscular legs and smooth, black, panther-like skin, which seemed to reflect the sunlight. Each step it took made no sound. Vee and Aeron watched as it approached, trying to decide how to tackle it. Hesitating in his place, Max glanced at Abbii to see that she had returned to fighting and then looked at Aeron again, wondering whether it was safer to help the twins. Aeron smiled and raised his thumb. They could take care of themselves.

### Calling upon his powers, the youngster created a contained explosion that crashed into the creature's side. It growled in frustration as it started to run, bounding over the dirt floor. Vee moved to the side quickly, and her skin started to glow as Aeron rolled out of the Shadow's path. She raised her cupped hand, a ball of fire within her grasp, though she didn't release it until Aeron had returned to his feet. He, too, created a fire ball, but one in each hand rather than a single orb. The twins threw them at the creature's sides as it bounded between them again. It was knocked to the floor forcefully as parts of its skin boiled. Aeron then created a veil of ice to cover its body, causing it to fall silent. Vee saddened slightly as she watched the ice solidify, eventually cracking into segments. She raised her gaze and looked at Aeron, intrigued by his new skills. He smiled.

### Max's leg twisted awkwardly. He gathered his balance before punching his opponent, dislocating its arm as it tried to grab at his body. Abbii twisted its neck before it could retaliate, causing it to fall into a lifeless heap at her feet. She gasped for a breath as a set of claws pierced her thigh, making her stumble. As she fell, she raised her dagger. Max summoned his powers at the same time, but both were surprised as the Shadow was destroyed before they could do anything. Aeron and Vee exaggerated their smiles as they met each other's gazes. Max was glad that they were using their powers. He glanced at Abbii, seeing that she had remained on the floor.

"I n-need...my powers," she stuttered. "My skin...it stings so much." Several cuts marked her leg as well as her side. She was finding it difficult to keep her breath steady.

### Max sighed, leaning against his thighs now that they had a moment to spare. He looked out towards the drawbridge, seeing that a second gathering of Shadows were making their way towards the castle. "There's too many."

### Abbii knew that he was right, but she couldn't just leave the people of Luminum open for attack. They needed someone to fight for them whilst Evelyn and the other Elders were fighting at the outer realm. Abbii and her friends had to help. They may have resented her, even been afraid of her and the possibility that she was falling into Darkness, but Abbii and her friends had to save of many of them as they could. She glanced over the castle courtyard, seeing that stray Shadows were searching the houses. A shrill cry echoed from one of the open doorways as someone was attacked.

"We have to try, Max."

### Meeting her gaze directly, he knew that Abbii's decision had been made. Part of him understood her decision, but the remaining part, the one that always thought of Alice, wanted to return to Pennyworth. He missed the home it had become. He glanced at Abbii and then the twins. "Search the area. I'll keep them back as long as I can." Aeron and Vee seemed to nod before they realised what Max had actually meant. A confused expression spread across their faces. Only Abbii had started to move, and Max had stayed put, clenching his fists as several Shadows began to draw near.

"Max?" Aeron questioned him, but it was Abbii who spoke in reply.

"He's guarding the gate. We need to search for survivors." She turned then and started to run, but noticing that only Vee had followed, she stopped again and turned. "Come on."

### Vee looked at her brother, seeing that he had moved to Max's side. "Aeron, we have to save the people."

"I'll be fine, Vee," he replied, glancing towards her briefly.

"But I don't want to leave you."

### Abbii understood Aeron's decision—he had decided to stay, to fight alongside Max. She turned Vee gently by the shoulder and smiled as she noticed that tears had built in the young girl's eyes. "He'll be fine, Vee."

### Max turned with an exaggerated grin. "I'll keep him safe."

### Glancing between her friends' faces, Vee focused onto her brother last. She held his determined gaze, seeing that coloured light had started to spread across his skin. It felt strange not to have Aeron directly at her side, and Vee didn't like it. She looked down, feeling her heart begin to beat faster. A memory formed in her head, showing her mother's face. Vee also saw her old home, burning. Aeron had saved her from the flames.

"Vee."

### She breathed in, trying to contain her sobs. Not once had she ever been away from Aeron's side. She knew they would still be close, only a shout away, but Vee felt alone, frightened. Looking up, she met Aeron's gaze. He was smiling.

"You know what to do."

### Aeron was overcome with light as he took hold of something from his backpack. Vee knew immediately what it was. Lowering her gaze to the whistle that was hanging from her dungaree pocket, she wiped her face and smiled, seeing that Aeron was returning the gesture. Grasping the silver whistle tightly, Vee turned with Abbii and started to run as their comrades' magic caused the air to vibrate.

### Abbii looked at Vee as they moved. She could sense the strong bond that she shared with her brother. Leaving him behind had been hard for her. Vee still grasped hold of the whistle tightly, but Abbii didn't question her about where it had come from. The sadness which pierced Vee's eyes reminded Abbii of Jake, and of the fact that she could never have imagined not having him by her side. She missed him more and more each day, and she wanted to have him in her life again.

### A scream pulled her from her thoughts, and she could see that a woman ahead had been pushed against the wall forcefully; a Shadow was leeching on her skin. Abbii reacted quickly, throwing her dagger through the air to pierce the creature's back. It screeched in agony, releasing its grip, which allowed the injured woman to fall to the floor. She scuttled backwards, trying to gain as much distance from the Shadow as possible.

### The creature ran at Abbii, raising its sharpened claws, as Vee threw an orb of fire into its chest, quickly creating another as the Shadow leapt into the air. Abbii moved to the side to avoid its landing and then kicked it back. It stumbled, crying out in pain as a second blast of magic collided with its body. The heat was unbearable, pushing it to its knees. Seeing that it was vulnerable, Abbii twisted the dagger further into its back, cutting horizontally across. The Shadow fell to the floor lifeless as she withdrew her weapon.

### Abbii wiped the blood from her hands onto her trouser leg and then raised her gaze towards the injured woman. Both her arms had been wounded by piercing teeth but other than that, her body seemed at full strength. "Head for the castle," Abbii suggested. "It's the safest place."

### The woman didn't speak in reply as she pushed herself to stand. Whether it was due to the shock of what had happened, or rather the fact that it had been the Star who was destined to fail that had helped her, Abbii couldn't quite tell. It didn't matter though, as long as she was safe. Glancing over Vee's body to take in the details of the subtle glow which was escaping from her skin, the woman ran towards the castle. Vee didn't understand why she hadn't thanked them, but she pushed herself to continue on as Abbii headed towards a burning building.

### Flames had consumed it whole. The vines and plants which had covered the home had blackened, scarring its surface like skin. A charred body was lying in the doorway, but Abbii couldn't tell if it was human or Shadow. They pushed on, running as they saw three men who were challenging a four-legged Shadow. Vee seemed reluctant to call upon her powers, but Abbii was quick to raise her dagger.

### Before she could intervene however, the Shadow was forced to the ground as one of the men snapped its leg inwards. It retaliated by slashing at his skin, which didn't seem to faze him. Abbii met the man's gaze briefly, watching as he dipped his head as if to bow. She nodded in response and continued to run, knowing that the men could take care of themselves.

### Confused by the fact that Abbii hadn't helped them, Vee hesitated in her place. Her brow arched inwards as she watched her comrade continue to move away, and then she focused onto the men. The Shadow could no longer move due to the injuries that it had sustained to its legs. It constantly slashed at the men's limbs, stretching to pierce their bodies but without succeeding. One of the men twisted the creature's neck, causing its body to fall silent. They kicked at its carcass to check that it was dead and then turned, slightly shocked by the presence of such a young fighter.

"Come on, Vee!" Abbii had stopped in her place, waiting for her. Vee started to run, catching up with Abbii when the three men had moved on. The two of them continued onwards, killing two stray Shadows that seemed to be looking for their next victim.

### Vee noticed a set of drag marks separating the gravel with deep channels. She guessed that they were what Abbii was following, as she turned left to see where they led. The youngster tried to think of something that could have caused such lines in the gravel, but she couldn't think of anything suitable. Abbii, on the other hand, had many thoughts about what could have caused the gravel to part.

### Her first thought was that a body had been dragged across the ground, and the channels in the gravel had been caused by the heels of the victim's feet. There was no blood though, and no evidence of a body being present. Abbii thought about the possibility that the channels could have been caused by a confrontation or fight, but the lines were too straight and parallel. If a fight had caused the movement in the gravel, it would have been in one place. She thought briefly about the Shadows and whether the gravel displacement could have been caused by one of the creatures, but the channels were too deep and wide, larger than any Shadow that Abbii had ever seen.

A gasp escaped Vee's lips, and she pulled at Abbii's wrist to stop her from walking ahead. Abbii didn't need to question the youngster about her reaction. She looked ahead, seeing that the drag marks had been created by a Shadow, though a species that she had never seen before. Finding what she was seeing hard to believe, Abbii glanced at Vee to see that her young face had grown pale and her gaze was fixed ahead.

### It was real.

### The Shadow was real.

### Its body was twice as big as any human, and its torso was well built, muscles bulging out from every limb. Thick tufts of fur stuck out messily from its spine and neck, matting together with blood and perspiration. Its entire chest and abdomen was also covered by a thick gathering of fur, which seemed to shine with some type of static energy. The sunlight was absorbed by the creature's purple skin, not at all injuring it like the Shadows that the group had encountered previously.

"Abbii..." Vee pulled at her arm as the Shadow focused onto them. Its piercing red eyes narrowed as it opened its jaws slowly.

### Swallowing the lump that had built in the back of her throat, Abbii tried to keep her breath steady, but the truth was that she was afraid. Without her powers, she had no chance of defeating such a strong opponent. Moving in front of Vee as the enlarged Shadow stamped forward, Abbii gasped for a breath. "Get Max." Her instruction was clear. There seemed no urgency in her tone, but she and Vee knew that Max was needed—Aeron too. She turned and ran, heading back towards the courtyard. Abbii stayed put, analysing their target.

### The Shadow's features seemed so human that it caused a shiver to wash over Abbii's skin. Its irises were hollow with an outline of dark energy, as it curved its features into an evil grin. It was almost as if it could sense the fear that was bubbling inside of Abbii's body. It could sense her desire to use magic, but her powers had been removed. She was mortal. Its thick tail moved from side to side as it moved towards her, and Abbii realised its tail had created the channels in the gravel.

### She stepped back, not knowing what to do. If her powers still remained, she would have immediately teleported to gain as much distance from the creature as possible, but as she wasn't able to do that, she continued to step back instead. The Shadow seemed determined to reach her though, extending its clawed hand. As it moved, the glowing energy vibrating through its thick fur brightened considerably, creating electric surges to pulse outwards. Abbii quickly sidestepped to avoid the first and then turned quickly to avoid a second. It caught her side however, cutting her skin. She stepped back, feeling her body meet with the wall behind her.

### Looking around frantically, Abbii hoped she could find someone to help her, but no one was there. She had saved the only people that had been in the area. Lowering her gaze, she focused onto the dagger in her hand, raising it. She tightened her grip and pointed it towards the approaching Shadow, though she had no confidence in using the small weapon against such a large creature. She began to hyperventilate, feeling alone, vulnerable and broken.

### The dagger dropped from her grasp and pierced the ground at her feet, though she barely noticed. Her gaze was fixed directly on the creature which stamped towards her. It was only several steps away, but Abbii was frozen into place. Tears started to well in her eyes as she realised that Max and her friends must have been caught up in something. They weren't coming.

### Abbii.

### Gasping for a breath as the voice entered into her head, she swallowed. At first, she thought wildly that it was her mother, but the voice had been male.

### Nate?

Surprised not only by the fact that she could hear his thoughts, but also the fact that it had been Nate that had contacted her and not Jake, Abbii started to cry. Nate seemed strange though, not himself. She heard him cough. Don't give up, okay?

### Nate, I—

Don't give up. Keep fighting. His voice faded then and Abbii's mind cleared. She shouted his name in her thoughts, but it made no difference. Without her powers, her words could not reach him. She realised that it had almost been two days since she had last seen Nate, and since then, Pennyworth had fallen. Abbii had feared what had happened to her friends, but at least they were safe. Her heart started to calm and she focused ahead. Part of her had hoped that Jake would come to her aid, but she pushed the thought aside and picked up her dagger.

### Immediately moving to the side, she rolled to avoid a swipe of the creature's tail. Sharpened edges lined its long and slender form—she had to avoid them at all costs. She moved from the wall slowly so that the creature could not box her in. Each step she took, the Shadow followed her movement. Its eyes were continually locked onto her body. The saliva that built at its lips wanted nothing more than to taste her skin. It stamped its foot, causing the ground to tremble, and a coloured shockwave burst outwards.

### Abbii gasped for a breath, jumping to avoid it. The energy soared beneath her, catching the sole of her boot. She landed, steadying herself with her hands and then quickly stood, swiping the air with her dagger as the creature's tail moved. The Shadow screeched as the metal pierced its skin, knocking Abbii from her feet as its tail recoiled in pain. She skidded to a stop, feeling her skin tear due to the friction. Pushing herself to stand again, she was surprised to see that the creature had been drawn to something at her side. She turned quickly to see what it was.

### A young boy had run from his house covered in blood, but Abbii could see that it was not his own. She feared what he had been through, but she concentrated as the Shadow screeched. It began to run at him, causing him to freeze in place. He started to cry, glancing briefly at Abbii who dashed towards him. The creature raised its clawed hands to tear the child's skin. Bright energy built up in front of it, readying a shockwave to shoot outwards. Abbii wondered if they had a specific use or whether they were used to simply inflict pain.

### The young boy screamed, closing his eyes tightly.

### Abbii shouted aloud, diving from her feet. Without warning, a bright light warmed her skin, and she darted through the air. Pushing the child out of the way, Abbii's arms were pierced by the Shadow's claws, and she was pushed against the wall forcefully. The air in her lungs was forced out as her head met with the wall. She suddenly felt nauseated, though she watched as the young boy ran to safety. The glow from her skin had faded. She wondered whether her magic had returned, though when she tried to call upon them, nothing appeared.

### Pain spiralled through her as the Shadow leaned in towards her face. Its eyes glowed, amused by the fact that Abbii was suffering. It allowed its tongue to slither across her cheek, leaving a trail of hot saliva. She turned away from it, still feeling dazed by the impact against her skull. Due to how high she was being held, she could see most of the courtyard. She could see bodies and burning buildings. It reminded her so much of Pennyworth. People had suffered. People had died because of her, again.

### How was she supposed to help them now that she was mortal?

### How was she supposed to help those in need if all she could do was depend on her friends?

### Jake...Nate...

### For the first time, she thought of them both at the same time. Their faces formed in her head, causing a tear to build in her eye. Her heart felt as if it could no longer beat, could no longer push her body to keep moving. The truth was that she missed both of them. She knew Jake wasn't the person that he was before the Shadows had come for him, but nonetheless, he was part of her. Abbii's heart beat for him just as it did for Nate. She couldn't forget him. She couldn't leave him to suffer in the Darkfields.

### She inhaled a shallow breath, hoping that Nate was safe. He had reminded her so much of Jake when they had first met, but now she could clearly see the differences between the two of them. They both meant something to her. She just didn't know which one she could leave behind.

### What if her heart continued to beat for the two of them until her death?

### Could she really leave one for the other?

"Abbii!"

### Startled out of her thoughts, she tried to focus to see where the voice had come from. Her eyes wouldn't adjust quickly enough. She saw a flash of light, and then the Shadow cried out in pain as its wrist was severed. Abbii inhaled a quick breath as the creature withdrew its claws from her skin, allowing her to fall to the floor. It staggered back, several blasts of magic burning its abdomen. Abbii's ankle twisted, causing her to stumble. She raised her gaze to see that two casters were fighting the Shadow, though it wasn't Max or the twins.

### Susan created a surge of light that erupted from her skin like an explosion. It beamed outwards, burning the Shadow further. The creature roared in frustration, trying to slash at her with its claws, but to no avail. Bright sparks of energy gathered at its chest as the opposing magic faded. Susan quickly moved out of its path, watching as the heated power beamed past her, crashing into a house. She reflected a second surge of magic by creating a veil of energy to shield her body, but it began to increase in strength, making her call upon more magical power.

### The Shadow suddenly started to writhe in pain, and Abbii could see that Sythe had stabbed at the creature's neck with a sharpened object. It staggered backwards, trying to shake Sythe from its shoulder, but he remained steady. Raising its hands, the Shadow scratched with its claws, cutting its own skin as Sythe jumped from his perch. As he moved, he kicked the weapon into the creature's neck and twisted through the air. He landed perfectly and raised his gaze to see that the Shadow had started to sway. Susan deflected a surge of energy which beamed out from the Shadow's body and then seemed to relax as it continued to stagger back. A sudden surge of blackened energy engulfed the creature and it faded from sight, though the portal remained.

### Abbii stood to her feet, using the wall for support. "You..."

### Sythe and Susan turned, remembering that Abbii was injured. They started to approach her, but Susan stopped in her place as she met with Abbii's consciousness. She gasped. "She's lost her powers."

### Not at all surprised, Sythe continued his approach, extending his hand. "Are you okay?"

"Get away from me!" Abbii shouted, pushing him away.

### Sythe stumbled back only a step, not understanding her reaction. "I know it must be hard without your powers, but—"

"Don't talk to me!"

"Abbii?" Susan edged forwards, confusion across her face. "What's wrong? We're here to help." She seemed to sadden slightly, remembering what had happened at the college. "The Elder came...Colleen was...We had no choice but to come."

### Abbii's took in Susan's words. Someone else had died because of her. Her fists clenched as she glared at Sythe. "You betrayed us! Colleen's dead because of you! Pennyworth, The Everglades—everything is destroyed because of you! Even the Shadows are here because of you!"

"That doesn't make sense, Abbii." Susan glanced at Sythe. "What's she talking about?"

### Abbii straightened her posture. "The Shadows can't enter into a realm without permission from a Forgotten. He's that person. He's still part of the Forgotten."

### Sythe didn't seem fazed by her response, but his brow arched in concentration. "What did the Elders say?"

"They said it was you!"

"But I thought Jake was their leader?" Susan's point was clear.

"He is," Sythe replied quietly, still deep in thought. He raised his gaze and looked directly at Abbii. "What did they say specifically?"

"I have nothing to say to you." Turning on the spot, Abbii faced the courtyard to see that Max and the twins were heading towards them.

### Susan reached out and grabbed her arm, making her turn. "They were lying—they must have been. Sythe's helped us from the beginning!"

### Abbii turned in frustration. "Sythe's betrayed us from the beginning." She swallowed the lump in her throat and glanced at him. "His sister, his story, nothing was true. He probably sent me here so that my powers would be taken."

"But he tried to stop you from coming here," Susan challenged.

"He's lied to us all this time." Abbii looked at him, disappointed that he had betrayed them.

### Sythe lowered his gaze, stepping back. "I'm sorry I lied about Layla."

### Abbii glanced at the twins and then back at Sythe. "Go, before they get here."

### Susan gasped. "Where do you expect him to go?"

"I don't care!" she shouted. "Just go, before they reach us! Max won't give you that chance."

### Sythe stepped back again, glancing at the portal which had remained from the Shadow's disappearance. He looked at Susan as she spoke. "Tell her, Sythe. Tell her she's wrong."

### He lowered his gaze and turned without a word. The twins were shouting his name, but he didn't look at them. Walking towards the portal, knowing that it would take him to wherever the Shadows existed, Sythe inhaled a breath as he reached it. He turned only briefly, meeting Abbii's gaze. "I'm sorry." The portal engulfed him as he stepped back and it disappeared from sight, taking Sythe with it.

### Max and the twins reached Abbii's side then, surprised to see that Susan was there. Aeron looked around. "Where's Sythe?"

"Yeah," Vee added. "He was here before."

"Sythe's gone," Abbii answered clearly. Trying to straighten her back without paining her injured thigh, Abbii met Max's gaze. She could have easily broken into tears then, but she held his gaze, trying to keep her tears contained. He wished that he could comfort her, but all he could do was remain strong. "We have to head for the outer realm. The Shadows are still entering Luminum."

### Vee looked at Abbii. "Where's Sythe?"

### Before Abbii could reply, Susan had knelt by the youngster's side. "He's not part of our team anymore, Vee. He wanted to leave."

### Her face saddened. "But he didn't say goodbye."

### Aeron, seeming less convinced by Susan's statement, looked at Abbii and then Max. He knew something was wrong, but he had to protect his sister. He pulled Vee along and started to head for the gate. Susan and Max acknowledged each other, talking telepathically for a brief moment. She made him aware of Colleen's death and what had happened since the Elder had appeared at The Everglades, and then she looked at Abbii. Her body had sustained so many injuries that most of her skin was broken.

"Abbii..." She extended her hand.

### Moving out of her reach, Abbii started to walk, making her way past where Max was standing. "I'm fine."

"Abbii!" Startled by Susan's outburst, she hesitated in her place. She felt weak, in pain, and she knew the others could sense it. Susan sighed. "Without your powers, your body won't last if you don't take care of yourself."

### Max shuffled in his place, noticing that the twins had stopped to wait for them. "Our powers have grown..."

### Susan nodded. "We are all evolving. Our powers will soon be as diverse as yours. Let us heal you."

"I'm fine," she replied calmly, turning to face her friends. "I need to keep going. This realm is going to fall. We need to get to the outer realm."

"What's in the outer realm?" Max's tone made Abbii believe he expected Jake to be there.

"A portal back to The Everglades."

### Max narrowed his eyes, trying to determine if that was the truth. He nodded and started to run. Susan, too, started to move, placing her hand on Abbii's shoulder as she passed. "Nate, Alice and Chase are okay. I can sense them."

### Abbii nodded to say thank you.

### She inhaled a deep breath as she watched Susan and Max reach the twins. A tear rolled across her cheek as she thought of her mother, wondering whether she would ever see her again. She thought of Colleen then, hating the fact that her life had been taken so prematurely. Abbii wanted to feel whole again. She needed to find the pieces that she was missing—the family that her friends had become, a place to call home, the knowledge that the spirits of the dead were free.

### She longed to feel Nate's arms around her.

### She wanted Jake's lips on her skin.

### Thirteen

### As the group formed, Nate and Alice held each other's gaze. He knew that she could sense that something was wrong, but she couldn't decipher what it was. She narrowed her eyes, trying to enter Nate's mind with the telepathic abilities that she had learnt, but he denied her access. She opened her mouth to speak.

"Look." Chase was looking out over the coast.

### Reluctant to release Nate's hand, Alice sighed as he stepped back, severing their connection. She turned to ask Chase to repeat what he had said, but there was no need to once she had turned. Creeping towards the edge of the cliff that they now stood upon, Alice stepped to the side of her friends. "The ocean..."

### The large stretch of sea ahead of them had been completely consumed by Darkness. Even the sky seemed affected, creating a thick layer of mist which hovered in the air. Fish and seals had tried to escape the Darkness's grasp by heading for the shore, but they had been suffocated before reaching it. Their bodies lined the sand. Even larger creatures such as dolphins had also fallen victim to the dark waters. Nate could see that the entire shoreline was exactly the same.

### Chase turned to meet his gaze. "Why's the water black?"

"It's the same as Pennyworth," Alice said quietly. "It's spreading." She looked at Nate. "The weaker the realms are becoming, the farther the Darkness can spread. Soon, Shadows will emerge from the entire coast. The creatures that are appearing here are only weakened forms that have squeezed through the barriers with a Forgotten's permission."

Nate nodded in agreement. "When Luminum falls, this realm will slowly morph into the Darkfields. The gathering of spirits in the dark realm is the Darkness's strength. We need to free the spirits." He turned to the right to see the small towns of Lowestoft and Felixstowe across the coast, remembering Abbii's clear determination in setting the spirits free. If only he had listened to her. "We have to find the Artefact."

"Where do we need to look?" Chase asked.

### As Nate did not reply, Alice was the one who gave a response. "It was in an abandoned building."

"Where, though?"

### She sighed. "We don't know exactly. Nate was hoping to find the exact location, but—"

### Nate glanced towards his friends. "We had presumed that the Artefact was at Pennyworth and the reason the Forgotten destroyed the town was to find it, but it wasn't there." He looked beyond his friends to focus on the remains of Pennyworth in the distance. It would have saved so much more time if he knew exactly where the Artefact was.

"We gonna split up then?" Chase asked, feeling awkward due to the silence. "Cover more ground?"

"No." Both Alice and Nate had replied at the same time. Chase looked between the two of them, noticing how they held each other's gaze. Nate turned away and started walking. The student glanced at Alice briefly and then followed in Nate's footsteps, not wanting to ask what was going on, though he could feel the tension.

### Alice narrowed her eyes, seeing the way that Nate's aura seemed to flicker. It was almost as if it was losing its colour, losing its energy. She tried to enter his mind for a second time but he denied her access again, turning to meet her gaze. He waited for her to catch up. Looking out over the water, Alice knew that they didn't have enough time to waste to ask what was wrong with him. It could wait.

### Their first destination was Felixstowe. The town itself was quite small but well built. Houses were grouped together in parallel lines, each coloured differently than the next. Slight remnants of black marred the beach, but there seemed no essence of Shadows or Darkness affecting the town. The air was cool due to the approach of winter's harsh conditions, but the town itself seemed at peace. People were busy going on with their daily activities. They barely noticed the group's arrival.

### Bright lights decorated each house. Christmas lights were hanging from strung up pieces of wire which crisscrossed between the houses. Small fir trees, which were also decorated with bright lights, lined the entrance to the town. A golden star was perched on the top branch of each. Nate had lost track of time in the recent weeks—seeing the decorations reminded him that Christmas was near. It was the second week of December already.

### He looked across the vast stretch of fields surrounding the town. It was just like Pennyworth, but minus the dark aura which had once hung over it. With the beach on one side and bare fields on the other, Felixstowe couldn't have gotten any closer to isolation. Pennyworth and Lowestoft were only several miles apart each way, but Nate sensed there had been no interaction between the towns. He wondered if they had suffered because of the Great Battle as well—he could hardly imagine that they hadn't. Shadows had once shrouded the entire east coast of the land. Maybe they would again.

"So what are we looking for?" Chase asked nervously as they reached the first house of the town. Neither of the group had spoken since setting off from the cliff top.

"It's an orb of magic," Alice replied quietly.

### Nate nodded in agreement. "It'll be out of sight. The people won't know it's there."

"It might even be cloaked so that mortals can't see it." The two men glanced at Alice briefly as she spoke. They didn't realise how much she possibly knew. Nate wondered if her powers were feeding her information. "We don't have time to waste," she continued. "We'll start from the entrance closest and make our way through."

### Chase nodded. "Shall I go ahead?"

"See if you can find anything out. Ask the people." Nate was clear with his instructions, but Alice seemed tense. The student headed for the town then, making his way down the first alley.

"What happened to not splitting up?" Alice asked sternly.

### Nate sighed. "We're running out of time." He stepped forwards, surprised when Alice took hold of his arm tightly and pulled him back. Pain stabbed through his chest as his body twisted. He grimaced in pain as he gasped for a breath.

### Alice scanned her eye over his body, sensing that his chest was injured. "Show me."

### Pulling his arm free from her grasp, Nate straightened his back as he gathered his breath. "I'm fine. We need to keep going."

### Before he could stop her, Alice pushed her hand against his ribs. Again he grimaced in pain, bringing his hand to his side. She pulled her fingertips to her face, seeing that a red colouring had tainted them. "You're bleeding!"

"Alice..." He met her gaze. "I need to find the Artefact. I need to find it...before Jake."

"Did Jake do this to you?"

### He inhaled a shallow breath. "Once we have the Artefact, I'll rest. It'll heal."

### She narrowed her eyes sceptically, wondering why his wound hadn't healed to begin with. "Come on, we'll stay together." Watching as Nate turned to face the town, Alice raised her hands to assist him, but stopping in her place before her hands reached his body, she lowered them and followed her comrade. It was getting close to dusk. They had to keep going.

### It was strange that there was no evidence of Darkness within the town itself. As it was so close to Pennyworth, the group had thought that it would not have been in a much better state than Tricia's hometown. In reality though, it seemed in almost pristine condition. The people were slightly wary of the group's immediate arrival, but they soon forgot and continued on with whatever they were doing. Some of them smiled to acknowledge them. A gentleman even spoke to them, wishing them well. Alice and Nate exchanged a glance, sharing their surprise.

### The first alley that they made their way down was wider than they had originally thought. Houses lined both sides like coloured statues. Bright Christmas lights lit their way with multicoloured auras. Alice kept her senses heightened at all times, hoping that she could feel the magic essence of the Artefact. They reached a turn in the pathway. In the middle of the crossroads, Alice glanced left as Nate looked to the right. They scanned each side with their senses but could feel no essence of strong magic. Continuing on, they made their way to the centre of Felixstowe.

### Wooden stalls and carts lined the pathways and roads. Baskets of fruit and produce had been covered for the evening, whilst the carts had been queued neatly at the side of the large space. Alice thought how traditional the town looked—fresh markets, horse-pulled carts, few cars in sight. It reminded her of old medieval towns she had read about as a child. She was happy to see that not all of society was being turned into a modern machine.

### Nate stopped in his place, pulling Alice from her thoughts. She noticed that his gaze was fixed entirely on a small building at the side. He narrowed his eyes, believing that he could sense a magical presence. Alice, too, could sense something. They shared a moment of silence before approaching slowly, making their way towards the entrance hidden at the side of a small alley. Little light warmed the space, and as the two of them neared the wooden door, they could see that it was slightly ajar.

### Curling her hand into a fist, ready to call upon her magic if it was needed, Alice stepped ahead of Nate and extended her hand. The door opened without a sound. She edged in slowly, seeing that only a lit candle pierced through the darkness of the room. It was empty except the small wooden table that the candle was sitting upon. Alice glanced back to see that Nate had shut the door. He signalled to the side, and she noticed that another door was visible. They both made their way towards it, Alice slightly ahead. She pushed on the door with her glowing hand, seeing that a stone stairway led down from where she was standing.

A promising start, she thought. She glanced at Nate as her voice entered into his head and then began to descend the stairs. A light ahead of her brightened as she continued her approach. Its blue hue coloured the walls and floor. Alice could feel a strong magical presence.

### She inhaled a breath, glancing again at Nate who had moved to her side. He also breathed in, raising his fist. Dashing the last couple of stairs, the two of them burst into the room, narrowing their eyes because of the light. Nate sighed loudly as they saw something that they had not expected. He lowered his fist, annoyed that they had potentially wasted time. Alice, on the other hand, seemed to soften.

### The room itself was bare. A single bed was pushed against the far wall. No wood was burning in the large, open fireplace, and the window was blocked in with a thick blanket. The air seemed stale, almost unused. A man was standing in front of the bed, a small boy cowering behind him. The boy's eyes were glowing brightly, casting the blue hue across the space, though his father focused only on the group. Alice lowered her hand, allowing the glow from her skin to fade. Nate returned to the stairway, stopping in his place only as the man spoke.

"You aren't going to kill us?"

### He turned briefly and saw that the little boy's father was shaking. "No, you're safe for now."

### The little boy moved to his father's side and looked at Alice. "Are you like me?"

### Alice's features softened, and she crouched down. The little boy stepped back in response but then moved forwards again as she spoke. "What's your name?"

"William."

"We're like you, William. My name is Alice."

### He smiled with glee, looking up at his father, who still seemed on edge. "Where have you come from?" he asked sternly.

Nate ascended the stairs quietly. We haven't got time to waste, Alice. I'll be outside.

### Harry's father moved his gaze from the stairway and focused onto Alice who had now moved to her feet. "We can't stay. It was nice to meet you." She started to turn, but he grasped her arm tightly.

"Is it true about the Shadows? They're returning?" The fear was obvious not only in his voice but also in his pale face. He inhaled a deep breath as her eyes saddened. "Please, take him with you."

### Alice looked down at William briefly. His eyes were still glowing, and she guessed that he hadn't learnt how to control his powers yet. She noticed a small scar on the child's neck, and she knew immediately that a Shadow had attacked him. A tear threatened to fall across her cheek, but she raised her gaze nonetheless. "Stay inside. Lock the doors. When the Shadows come, we will do all we can for you."

### The man released her arm and pulled his son closer to him. "There are others hiding."

### She nodded in reply, knowing that he spoke of other magic holders. "I'll sense them as I go. If you see them, tell them that they will need to fight." Smiling as William looked at her, Alice turned and made her way towards the stairs, pausing briefly as she reached them. She looked back, saddened that she had to leave them. "If things go bad, head as far inland as you can."

### William looked up at his father to see that he was holding Alice's gaze. He nodded. "Thank you."

### Feeling her heart begin to ache, Alice ascended the stairs as quickly as she could. Once she reached the top, closing the door quietly behind her, she leant against it and tried to steady her breathing. Her heart started to beat faster as a tear rolled across her cheek. She wished that she could make a difference and save all those that were innocent. She thought of the students that they had trained, even they weren't ready for battle—there would be no chance of children surviving what was to come.

### Raising her gaze, Alice's eyes started to glow. She held her breath as a silhouette of Max and Abbii appeared ahead of her. Vee and Aeron also appeared, but they faded soon after. Similarly, Susan also formed but disappeared along with the twins. Alice could sense strong surges of emotion coursing through Abbii's body, and she regularly thought of Jake. Abbii faded from sight then and Max was all that remained.

### Max...

### Alice had never been one to openly show her emotions before, but her tears started to fall again as she wished that Max was there to make her smile. She missed him. She edged towards him but paused in her place as a thought came to mind. Max and Abbii were doing what they could in their situation, just as she and Nate were doing. It would be selfish of her to want Max back so strongly. She wiped her face dry and allowed her powers to fade, causing the light of the room to vanish.

"Alice?"

### She looked ahead to see that Nate was standing in the open doorway. "I'm fine."

### Nate looked at her for a moment, deciding it was best not to question her. After all, he understood how she felt. It was the same way that they were all feeling, him included. It seemed so long since everything had been all right. Only the first few days after waking up at The Everglades seemed normal, but since then, everything had changed. His relationship with Abbii had had good times and bad, and sometimes he wondered what would become of it in the future. If Jake reached Abbii, Nate doubted whether he would ever see her again. He hated the thought of losing her, especially when their parting had been filled with so much anger, but in the end it was her decision. It was just a shame that the students had suffered because of their situation.

### The students should have been trained a lot more before their group had split. Nate regretted cutting their training short. Lyu and Colleen had both suffered because of it. Perhaps if they had been trained adequately before going into battle, they would still be alive. Nate hoped that the twins were safe and that Max was keeping a close eye on Abbii. He understood that they had felt as if going to the Elders was their only chance of getting information, but he wished that they had told him their plans. They had waited until after he had left with Alice and Sophie to explain their idea. Nate wondered whether it was due to the fact that he would have gone against their decision, or whether Abbii's need to reach Jake had replaced her thoughts of Nate.

### He sighed, leaving the building. Alice followed him closely, but neither of them spoke. Dusk was well on its way, and they had wasted time. Both of them felt the need to rest, but it was not an option. They had to keep going until the Artefact was in their grasp. They couldn't risk it falling into Jake's hands. The two of them moved across the town's central point and continued on through the town. Now that they had met a magical member of the people, their senses could now pick out several more, which didn't help.

### When there had only been one source of magic that they were looking for, they could have detected it so much easier and searched for it, but now that they were aware of people who also had a magical presence, things had become so much more difficult. They couldn't waste time by searching each surge of magical energy, but they couldn't risk missing the Artefact either.

"We'll have to use our senses for each presence we feel. We haven't got time to search them all." Nate's statement was clear.

### Alice looked at him. His right arm was held against his chest, unable to move. She stood in front of him and met his gaze directly. "Why aren't you healing?"

"I haven't got time, Alice. We need to keep going."

### She didn't accept his answer. "Your aura is losing its colour. Your skin isn't healing. What did Jake do to you?"

### He looked around, feeling hot under Alice's glare. "We need to find the Artefact. That's all that matters."

"He's draining your energy, isn't he?" Surprised by her statement, he looked at her. She held his gaze firmly, not once breaking their eye contact.

"Alice, I—"

"Nate! Alice!" The two of them looked to the side to see that Chase was making their way towards them. He leaned against his thighs as he reached them, trying to gather his breath.

Alice looked at Nate, narrowing her eyes. We'll continue this later.

### Nate watched as Chase straightened his posture. "Did you find anything?"

### Shaking his head, the student looked around. "I found some people with magic, but other than that, nothing. What do we do now?"

"We move on. If it's not here, it's in Lowestoft." Nate glanced at Alice briefly and then looked towards the pathway ahead of them. It would lead them to the beach again so that they could continue on.

"Hey, are you okay?" Chase asked, realising that Nate seemed pale.

"He's fine," Alice replied quickly. "We need to keep moving. Come on." She started to move, persuading Chase to follow her. Nate inhaled a ragged breath and then followed in their footsteps, hoping that his energy would last just long enough. He was weakening faster than he had expected to.

### Once they had left Felixstowe, only two miles separated them from the next town. The cool air whipped at their bodies. The sky had grown dark, and not even starlight could penetrate the thick layers of cloud. Waves crashed into the beach regularly, carrying the black stain of Darkness. Something in the air made the group feel on edge. They felt as if someone was watching them, but they continued on nonetheless. Having a car in their possession would have been so much easier—it could have saved them time and energy, something that Nate didn't necessarily have.

### He found it difficult to keep his breath steady, but he had to keep up the pace. Alice and Chase were slightly ahead of him. She regularly looked back but didn't speak. Nate hated the fact that he hadn't told her what was happening to him, but the truth was that even he didn't understand why he was draining. Tricia had explained clearly about the differences between Jake and himself, as well as the strong connection that they both shared with Abbii, but Nate did not understand how or why it was that Jake was absorbing his energy to begin with.

### When Maria had been revived by the hatred inside of her and her mirage Anna had been created, there had been no tale of her weakening. There was no information about Maria absorbing Anna's life. It was said that she made her own life and had children. Nate believed that Anna hadn't weakened at all, though he didn't understand why. Was he draining because of his feelings for Abbii? Was it the fact that there were three of them connected, rather than just two, like when Maria had created Anna?

### The more he thought about it, the less that he felt he understood. All that mattered at the moment was finding the Artefact which would then give them a way of destroying the Darkfields. Then when it was in their grasp, they could enter into the Dark realm to confront Jake and the Forgotten. Luminum was all that was keeping them out. Nate hoped that Abbii was safe, but he knew deep down that she would be fighting alongside her friends, regardless of the fact that she had lost her powers. She would be fighting for her friends and for the people of Luminum. She wouldn't just let their realm die, even if that would help their situation.

### Although once Luminum had faded, there would be nothing between their home and the Darkfields. It would give them and their friends a chance to enter into the realm, to fight and destroy all of their enemies without limitations, but then there would be no barrier keeping their enemies contained. Shadows, the Forgotten and Jake could leave their imprisonment as soon as Luminum had fallen. The group would have even less time to gather their strength. Once Luminum had fallen, they would have to protect their own realm as well as defeating their enemies in the realm of Darkness. Nate doubted whether they could manage it.

"The sand..." Alice whispered.

### Pulled from his thoughts, Nate looked up to see that Lowestoft had come into sight, and his gaze was drawn to the sand. The tainted substance which had marred the entire coastline had faded from sight. No dark shadow threatened to stretch up from the sand. The water remained tainted, but it appeared lighter than before, as if the dark substance was fading.

"It must be the Artefact," Alice stated aloud, glancing at her friends. "It must be repelling the dark energy."

### Nate met her gaze briefly, nodding in agreement. That was the only reason he could think of why the dark substance would have faded. He looked away from the beach, focusing on the large stretch of fields which led to Lowestoft. A single road connected the towns of the coast, but the group found it was empty, almost unused. Only two cars had passed since they had set out. Nate was not at all surprised. Pennyworth, too, had been isolated.

### The group continued on, climbing a steep embankment. It stole the air from Nate's lungs, causing him to stagger slightly, but as he reached the top, inhaling the deepest breath that his lungs would allow, he pushed himself onwards. He was not going to stop and give up. He had to find the Artefact. It would give them hope. It would give them a way to get their lives back. If the Shadows were eternally locked within the Darkfields, as well as the Forgotten, the students would be free. All those with magic would be able to live the lives they wanted. They wouldn't be hunted by people that had lost their way into Darkness.

### Images of Abbii entered Nate's head as he pushed onwards. His vision had started to blur, bright lights flashing across his eyes like a migraine. The regret that he had left her out of anger played on his mind. It grew inside of him, bubbling uncontrollably. He hated to think that she had moved closer to Jake because of his actions. The truth was that he felt weaker than he had ever felt before. He wondered whether he would reach the Artefact. He doubted that he had the strength needed. Maybe he would never see Abbii again. Maybe he had lost his only chance.

Deep inside, Abbii knows what she wants. Don't give up on her until she gives you reason to. Alice's statement was clear. She hadn't even turned to face him as her voice had formed in his mind, but Nate knew that she could hear his thoughts.

### He realised what he was thinking then. He was giving up. He sighed, angered by his own thoughts. He pushed himself to keep going. As long as he had magic, he had a reason to fight. As long as his heart beat for Abbii, he had to keep going.

### It took them little time to arrive. Lowestoft was different from Felixstowe. No lights or decorations could be seen as the group reached the outskirts of the town. The roads and paths were empty. No streetlights lit the way. It seemed derelict and empty. Nate could sense no life at all. He stopped in his place as pain stabbed at his temples. Jake laughed, the sound echoing through Nate's mind.

"Nate?" Alice was looking at him worriedly.

"Can you...can you sense any life here?" He tried to keep his breath steady as he formed the words.

### Glancing briefly over the town, Alice narrowed her eyes, causing her irises to glow brightly. She scanned the entire space within a moment. The glow across her skin faded, but she didn't turn.

"Did you sense anyone?" Chase asked, beating Nate to it.

### She shook her head, turning slowly. "I can't sense anything."

### Nate lowered his gaze to the beach briefly before looking up again. "It reminds me of Pennyworth." He was surprised that no people lived in Lowestoft. He had expected to have to search house after house to find the Artefact, but there was no one—no life essence of any kind.

"Makes our job easier!" Chase allowed a large grin to spread across his face. He glanced between Nate and Alice, seeing that both of their expressions were stern, and then made his way childishly towards the first house.

"Wait!" Nate called after him. The feeling of Jake had passed, but Nate still felt wary.

### Chase stopped and looked back. "We've gotta start somewhere, right?" The way his words formed reminded Alice of Max. She looked at Nate.

"He has a point. If there are no people, that means there won't be any conflicting magical presence. We can search for the Artefact as we please." She met Chase's gaze and nodded, signalling for him to continue on. He pushed his way into the first house and disappeared from sight. Alice, too, made her way into the town, focusing onto the house opposite.

### Alice.

### She looked back to meet Nate's gaze.

### Be careful.

### She smiled playfully before entering into the house, leaving Nate alone in the darkness. He looked back, feeling as if something was watching him, and then sighed reluctantly. The hairs along his arms stood up, and his chest started to sting. He wished that he could go straight to the Darkfields and challenge Jake, but he knew if he did, Jake would defeat him easily.

### If only I had my strength...

"You're even weaker than before."

### Startled by the voice, Nate turned quickly. A silhouette of Jake shimmered ahead of him. "What do you want from me?" he shouted.

"I should think it's obvious." Jake moved forwards ever so slowly. "Soon you'll be dead, and Abbii will be by my side."

"If you think I am going to let you—"

### Jake's aura brightened. "You have no choice. You stole Abbii from me, and I will make you pay for it!"

### Starting to hyperventilate, Nate stepped back, trying to gather his breath. He guessed that Jake's emotions were bound to his life essence. He leaned against his thighs, raising his gaze. "You were the one that gave her up."

"I saved her!" Jake challenged.

### Nate straightened his back, narrowing his eyes. "You accepted the Darkness because it's who you are. You knew it wouldn't kill you because it's in your blood."

### The light across Jake's skin began to brighten as his fists clenched. "If I had known that her emotions would have created you—"

"You speak as if you only think of her. When she sees who you really are, she'll hate you."

"Not before she hates you. You've pushed her and pushed her. You shouldn't be surprised that she draws so close to me." He moved forwards again, a wide smile spreading across his expression. "Her heart beats for me. She longs for me."

### Nate looked at him in disgust. "Her heart beats for her best friend, the one that she lost, the one who accepted the Darkness over her. Just wait...when she sees you for who you really are—"

"She won't notice. She'll be making up for lost time." Glistening light sparked in each of Jake's irises as he laughed aloud. "Love is a powerful force."

### Looking up, Nate hated what he was hearing, but he knew deep down that Abbii did long for Jake. She wanted nothing more than to be by his side, feel his skin against her own. He met Jake's dominant gaze, watching how his tongue slithered across his lips.

"You want to hurt her?"

### For a brief moment, the light from Jake's skin extinguished, and his eyes seemed to sadden. "I will keep her safe."

### Nate felt his heartbeat quiver strangely, as if he was feeling Jake's emotions. He looked up and met his gaze directly, sensing that he, too, could feel Nate's emotions. Their hearts beat for one person: Abbii. "If you think you can give her the life that she wants, then give me your word," Nate stated.

"What good can words do?" Jake remained serious. The light did not return to his irises. "When Abbii reaches me, she'll be safe. You'll die, and she won't even realise. She'll be happy."

### Struggling to uphold his posture, Nate moved to one knee. "Give me your word...and you can take all the energy you need."

### Jake's expression was once again taken by a widening grin. "You'll die soon enough. I don't need your permission." Turning, he started to move away, fading from sight.

"We will find you, Jake!"

### Pausing in his place, he turned and met Nate's gaze directly. "You and what army?" he asked sceptically. "As far as I'm aware, your friends are dying as we speak." And with nothing more to say, he disappeared, watching as horror washed over Nate's face.

### It was at that moment that he realised Jake had appeared to distract him. He pushed himself to stand and looked over the town. "Alice! Chase!"

### No reply came.

### He couldn't even sense them.

### Pushing himself to run, he noticed that high flames had started to burn through several of the buildings. He briefly scanned each house that he passed but couldn't sense his friends. It was as if the fire was drawing him in. As he reached the first house that was burning, he had to raise his hand to protect his face. His breath faltered as he lost the capability to scan his surroundings. He didn't waste time however, pushing through the entrance.

### The large room was filled with pieces of furniture, which the flames dashed between. Framed pictures and photographs had melted, causing rivers of colour to run from the walls. Nate could see that the ceiling was beginning to bow. He moved over the space, hearing the wooden beams begin to creak. Seeing that there was only one doorway in the room, leading to a large set of ascending stairs, Nate removed himself from the house and made his way to the next. His friends would have needed to go into the basement to find what they were looking for—the Artefact had been in an empty room underground—but as there was no apparent space in the building he was in, Nate continued his search elsewhere.

### Dashing into the next building, burning his calf, Nate narrowed his eyes to search through the thick billows of smoke. "Alice! Chase!" The entire ceiling of this house had fallen in, blocking the path. Nate stretched to see over the debris, again noticing that only one door led off from the room. Removing himself quickly, Nate repeated the process twice more, though he couldn't find his friends. He leaned against his thighs as he stood on the pebbled pavement outside. The air stung his lungs, but he couldn't give up. The fire was spreading quickly.

### He raised his gaze, seeing something that he hadn't noticed before. The way the path curved between the groups of houses had caused Nate not to notice that a large building, much taller and wider than the others, was just up ahead. He guessed it was a town hall of some kind: the perfect place to hide something so valuable as the Artefact. Dashing towards it, feeling his skin sting in protest, he burst through the doors, aware that it wouldn't take long for the fierce flames to reach the hall.

### The entranceway was much larger than Nate had expected. It was dark and empty. A large set of stairs led upwards from each direction, though Nate didn't waste time trying to determine where they led. He moved to the back of the building, seeing that the side wall had started to darken due to the flames which were attacking from the opposite side. Without warning, a large section of the ceiling caved in, dropping to the ground. Nate leapt back to avoid it, feeling the heat of the fire seep into the large space. He would have immediately continued on if not for the fact that he knew the fire could not have pushed through the ceiling so easily, when the side wall hadn't even started to burn yet. Inhaling a shallow breath, he turned to be met with a member of the Forgotten.

### She had short, blue hair which spiked into her cheeks, and Nate remembered seeing a vision of her. He guessed that she wasn't much older than he was, but her strength was clear. A bright light was spreading across her skin as she met his gaze, smiling gleefully. She raised her hand, running her fingertips along the inside of her thumb.

"Where are my friends?" Nate's question was clear enough. He remembered seeing the Forgotten in his mind. There had been Jake, a hooded member, and two girls who shared the same blood.

"They're busy with my sister." Her reply was playful. "You have me. I'm Wren."

### Nate glanced around the room quickly, seeing that the fire was spreading ever so slowly. The doorway behind him was the only way that he could escape, but he doubted whether he could outrun a Forgotten. He edged backwards.

"Not so fast. You're not leaving yet!" Clicking her fingers, a blue shockwave of energy consumed the entire back wall. It caused the hairs along Nate's body to stand up. "Now then, where were we?"

"Where's the Artefact?"

### She laughed aloud, twisting on the spot. "You still think that's real?"

### Nate's chest deflated. "It's not here?"

"It doesn't exist, silly!" She sidestepped to avoid a falling piece of debris, clapping her hands childishly as her powers threw it across the room.

### Inhaling a breath, Nate went to dive to avoid the wood, but to his surprise it crashed far to his one side. Wren could have easily commanded it to knock him from his feet, but the fact that she didn't caused him to wonder. "What do you want?" he asked, hearing the fire crackle above him. It was now spreading across the wall.

"Well," Wren started to twist her hair around her finger. "Jake said I needed to keep you busy, so I guess I better do that." Before Nate could reply, Wren had moved towards him, raising her hand to stroke his cheek.

### He didn't pull away, but the disgust across his face was evident. Angered by his lack of appreciation, Wren kicked him in the shin and then brought her knee into his stomach. He fell to his knees, though she lifted his chin with her hand gently. The colour of her eyes was close to grey. They looked over Nate's body possessively. Seeing that his chest was injured, Wren crouched down and placed her hand against his damaged skin.

"You're hurt."

### Nate grimaced in pain as his chest stung, but he didn't reply. She narrowed her eyes, angered at his lack of response. Pushing against his side, Wren felt the pain stab through him. He didn't speak even as she stood to her feet, huffing loudly. As she turned her back, Nate raised his hand to his side. The pain had doubled.

"If the Artefact isn't here, what do you want?"

"We knew you'd come," she replied, walking girlishly. The movement of her hips was exaggerated, and she looked over her shoulder to see if Nate's gaze had been drawn to her body. To her irritation, he met her gaze instead. She sighed. "All we needed to do was give you a reason."

### Thinking back to when he and Alice had seen the vision of the Artefact, Nate remembered feeling Jake's presence. At the time, he thought it had been because of their connection, but now he understood it had been because Jake purposefully created the vision for Nate to see.

"We had to get you out here somehow." Wren stopped in her place and turned, raising her hands proudly. "A great welcoming party, don't you think?" His gaze remained stern, angering her further. Within a flash, she was in front of him again, digging her nails into his shoulder. "You should show some appreciation!"

### Nate watched the colour in her irises spark red. He was trying to work out what powers she possessed, but she had calmed again before he could find out. No glow formed across her skin. She withdrew her nails, paining him slightly, and then moved away from him again. Once she had reached a certain distance, she raised her gaze to the burning ceiling, seeing that the roof was close to collapsing.

"Almost time to go." Swinging her arms as she began to skip, Wren glanced at Nate, biting her lip in attraction. He didn't respond. "I hope you like your present."

### He narrowed his eyes, glancing around the room.

"Surely you've noticed." As she met his gaze, she signalled towards his chest, watching as he looked down.

### The skin across his side had healed. No wound or injury marked his skin. His chest and ribs had all repaired. Not understanding her motive, he looked up, confusion spreading across his face. "Why have you healed me?"

### Wren smiled, allowing her eyes to brighten. "Jake's not ready for you to die yet. He wants you to suffer," she replied matter-of-factly. There was no malice in her words.

"Surely leaving my skin to bleed would have done the same thing."

"Nuh-uh," she replied childishly. "Jake wants to meet you, wants to watch you see Abbii by his side. You would never have made it if your body had bled out." Hearing the walls begin to moan in protest, Wren could see that the fire had consumed the entire ceiling. "It's a shame I couldn't play with you longer. I have to go." Pushing himself to stand, Nate felt that his body had recovered some strength. He raised his fists but remained in his place as Wren looked at him. "You'll need your strength for entering the Darkfields...if you get there." She winked as her magic started to form.

### Nate dashed across the room, dodging several pieces of burning debris. "Where are my friends?"

As she faded from sight, Wren's laugh echoed through the space. She entered Nate's mind easily. I'll look forward to seeing you again, magic and all.

### Her voice faded then, leaving Nate alone. He didn't have time to think about everything she had said. The fire was burning through the building at a rapid pace. Now that he knew the Artefact wasn't there, the only thing left to do was to find his friends. He straightened his back and concentrated. Although he had been unable to sense his friends previously, he believed it had been due to his weakened body. He had recovered a slice of strength since being healed, though his breath still remained shallow.

### A weakened consciousness brushed against his mind, and his gaze was drawn to the doorway behind him. Wren's blue magic had now faded, leaving the doorway open. Nate ran towards it, seeing that a piece of ceiling was plummeting towards him. He jumped to avoid it, falling through the doorway. A splinter of wood pierced his back, but he continued on, realising that he was now in a slender tunnel. Its steep gradient caused his footing to slide, but he kept moving onwards, descending the pathway until he reached the next room. Thankfully the fire hadn't reached it yet.

### The stone floor was cold and bare. Even the walls had no colour. A cool breeze spiralled through the room, offering Nate's skin some relief from the heightened temperatures. He could sense a brief essence of magic but his gaze was drawn to the body crumpled into the corner. "Chase!"

### In response, the student opened his eyes. They were bloodshot and his arm had been badly wounded. "Alice..."

"Where is she?"

### Moving his head to the side, Chase signalled towards the doorway that led out from the room. He then looked back at Nate. A thick layer of smoke was bubbling through the air. The fire was slowly spreading through the descending tunnel. "There's a witch..."

### Nate nodded to say that he understood and then made his way slowly towards the door. As he moved, Chase pushed himself to stand, but Nate knew that he would only follow when he was ready. They had a little while before the fire reached them. Cautiously making his way into the next room, Nate immediately saw Alice. She was standing parallel to the witch Chase spoke of. Both of them had sustained small injuries but neither had retreated.

### The young woman had pale features and long blonde hair, which lay over her shoulders. She was undoubtedly Wren's sister. Nate could sense the connection between them, as well as the similarities in their faces. He tried to push his consciousness into her mind, but he was too weak. His powers were still in his grasp, but they drained his body's energy more and more each time he used them. He wondered whether his magic would stay with him until his final breath.

She's a Mystic. Alice's voice was clear as it entered into Nate's mind.

### He moved towards her slowly, watching as their opponent glanced between them both. "Wren's gone," he told her.

### Her sister narrowed her eyes. "She'll be back."

"You don't have to do this, Mia." Alice lowered her arms and edged forwards.

### Without warning, a high volume of energy burst out from the young girl's body. It collided with Nate and Alice, knocking them from their feet. She straightened her posture and watched as they pushed themselves to stand again. "I will complete my task."

### Nate gasped for a breath. "What are you fighting for if the Artefact isn't here?"

The ceiling adjusted due to the weight of the debris above it. Smoke was oozing in from the room opposite. Alice coughed to clear her throat and then looked at Nate. It's not here?

### He didn't need to answer—she already knew he spoke the truth. She looked at Mia, seeing that she was trying to decide what to do. "Why are you fighting us?"

### Mia huffed. "I was told to keep you busy, and that is what I plan to do. The Darkness is growing. Can you feel it?" For the first time, the others could see the evil in her eyes.

Glancing at Nate briefly, Alice concentrated. Do you think Jake's planning something?

### He appeared to me outside of the town. He wants Abbii.

Her eyebrows arched inwards. They are distracting us for a reason. I wonder...when Luminum falls, do you think Abbii will have the choice of where she wants to go?

### I'm not sure, but we can't let her fall into the Darkfields.

"Enough!"

### A surge of energy pushed Nate far across the room, severing his mental connection with Alice. He skidded across the floor, stopping just shy of the doorway. Meeting Chase's gaze briefly, he could see that he had tied a piece of material tightly around his arm, preparing himself to help. Nate stood quickly as Alice ran at Mia. They started to fight aggressively. Alice was more skilled with physical confrontation, whereas Mia was strongest with her magic.

### Alice teleported to avoid a surge of air and then kicked in retaliation. Her foot crashed into Mia's body, making her stumble, but she fought back by creating several shockwaves of cool energy. They cut at Alice's thigh as she tried to avoid them and then soared towards the two men. Alice teleported again, appearing behind where Mia was standing. She grabbed at her shoulder tightly, twisting her arm so that her magic veered off to the side. The surges of energy avoided Nate and Chase before crashing into the wall.

### The room started to heat up as the fire reached the end of the tunnel. It was gaining on them, threatening to engulf them all. Distracted by the approaching flames, Alice cried out as Mia's magic burst into her skin. She was thrown from her feet, pushing her against the wall forcefully. Nate and Chase ran to help her, but they found it difficult to keep focused as the plumes of smoke reduced their visibility. They grabbed at Mia's shoulders as they reached her, throwing her back. Alice fell to her knees, gasping for a breath as Mia landed on her feet and ran at the two men.

### Chase raised his fist, ready to attack.

### Nate inhaled a sharp breath.

### The room was overcome with dark clouds of smoke. Mia stumbled and then looked at her opponents. Nate was the only one who could see her. A flash of light sparked at her side, and Wren appeared a moment later. She took hold of her sister's arm and the two of them faded from sight.

### The temperature had reached unbearable heights, and the group were struggling to breath. Alice had remained on the floor, trying to keep as low as possible so that she could breathe in the remaining oxygen. Chase stumbled, falling to his knees as Nate moved to Alice's side. "Get us out of here."

### Laying a hand against each of her friends' skin, Alice called upon her magic. The flames pricked at her body just as they disappeared. Without a doubt, the entire room had now collapsed. They had made it out just in time. As Alice's magic materialised their bodies, the three of them were thrown to the ground awkwardly. Chase cried out as his arm was pushed against, and Nate and Alice collapsed to the floor, trying to gather their breath.

### Nate moved to his back, seeing that Alice and Chase both followed suit. He gasped for breath after breath, moving only when his head had stopped spinning. Leaning his head to the side to see where they had landed, Nate was glad to see The Everglades College just up ahead. Alice hadn't had time to transport them inside the building, but she had done well to get them so close.

"Next t-time," Chase stuttered, "can we have a safer landing...please?"

### Alice moved to meet his gaze with a slight smile. "I think I could manage that."

### He smiled in reply and then looked at Nate. "Now what?"

"Now, we wait to see what happens in Luminum."

### Alice agreed. "We can't do anything until it falls."

"But..." Chase hesitated with what he was going to say, but when his friends looked at him, he decided to say it anyway. "The Artefact wasn't there. How are we supposed to get into the Darkfields now?"

"That's not the problem," Alice replied quietly.

"No," Nate added. "When Luminum falls, we can enter into the Darkfields whenever we please. In turn, the Forgotten and Jake can do the same thing. The problem is we now have no chance to destroy the Darkfields before the Darkness escapes."

### Chase swallowed. "So what do we do?"

Nate moved to his feet, turning to face The Everglades. "Hope that the others have found another way." That's all we can do.

### The sky above the College seemed dark. Thunderclouds from the coast were spreading out over the land. Nate could feel the fierce bite of the wind against his skin as he stumbled in his place. He suddenly felt light-headed, and bile began to rise in his throat. Gasping for a breath and wanting to reach the College, he tried to push himself to move, but his body gave way. He collapsed to one knee.

### Alice and Chase quickly ran to his aid. They took hold of each of his arms tightly and steadied his posture, but he was close to losing consciousness. He remained on his knees, leaning against the grass with all of his weight. A flow of blood started to run from his nose, and the fever spread across his skin.

### He tried to think of his friends. He tried to picture Abbii's gentle face, but his mind fell blank as his life began to ebb away.

### It took only a moment for his body to give in, falling to the ground.

### Fourteen

### The sky was growing dark, crackling with thunder and lightning. All of the white clouds had dispersed, replaced with thick layers of fog and mist. The fields of flowers had decayed into lifeless areas of land. A black substance had spread across the crops, stealing their life.

### Shadows could be seen in every direction. Some of them still hunted for the few people that had managed to reach the security of the castle. Others seemed to wander aimlessly, spreading their dark auras across the land at their feet. It wouldn't take long for Luminum to fall now that Shadows had spread across the land. The only thing that prevented the Darkness from consuming everything was the Elders.

### The group made their way across the courtyard, dashing over the drawbridge as it began to move. Women and children ran past them, holding each other tightly. Several soldiers shouted orders from behind. It was obvious that they were going to close off the castle ground from the Shadows, now that they had repaired the gate as much as they could. Abbii and her friends understood, agreeing that it offered the people the best chance of surviving. Once they were over the drawbridge, glancing briefly to the castle behind them, they could see that everything had changed from their arrival.

### Each intricately carved bridge that crossed over the once fast-flowing river was now a collection of decayed wood. It looked as if acid had burned away at them. Some of them had fallen in on themselves, lost in the depths of the blackened water below. The water level had raised twice as much, splashing against the underside of each bridge that remained. Even the flowers that once decorated the pathways and buildings had decayed beyond recognition, staining the floor like dead veins. A shiver of regret washed over Abbii's body.

### Once again, the Shadows had followed her. They had destroyed another town because of her. She already felt lost within herself, and now that she knew more people had died because of the Shadows, she felt that it was almost unbearable. She felt responsible for leading them to Luminum. Every place that she had visited had suffered indescribably—The Everglades had been attacked by the Forgotten, and its grounds had been set alight fiercely; Pennyworth had been destroyed, and nothing remained of Jake's home; and now even the Realm of Light had started to fall. Abbii didn't know how she could help, but she had to keep going. Reaching the outer realm was the safest option for her friends.

### They dashed over the bridge closest to them and followed the winding path which would lead them to their arrival point. The gradient was much steeper than they remembered. Aeron and Vee started to pant early on, but they pushed themselves. They weren't going to give up. Susan marvelled at the land around her, sensing that it had once been beautiful. An image formed in her head as her consciousness brushed against her friends' memories, causing her to sadden. She didn't speak however, and instead carried on running. Max stopped once they had reached the highest point of the gradient, and Susan and the twins copied him, but Abbii was reluctant to stop. She paused in her place and looked back.

"We have to keep going."

### Max inhaled a deep breath. "We have to look for the beach, Abbii. That was where the outer realm began."

"The beach?" the twins questioned.

### Susan sensed what Max spoke of. She glanced around her surroundings again, looking for any evidence of sand. She found none. "How do you know it's this way?"

"There was a cliff, remember?" She looked at Max briefly. Turning her back, Abbii then continued to move without explaining further. She only moved for a short while and then abruptly stopped. Her friends followed her closely.

### Once they had reached her side, they could see that their path ended. Susan edged forwards and realised that they were standing on the edge of a high cliff, overlooking a deep area of water. Further up ahead, a line of sand marked the beginning of the outer realm. The sky in the distance was purple, and flashes of light continuously flared. Figures could be seen—the Elders were still fighting.

### Abbii took a step forward but stopped as Susan's hand grasped her wrist. "What about the twins?"

### Realising her point, she turned and looked at Vee and Aeron. "Can you swim?" Aeron was quick to nod in reply, but he saddened and looked at Vee. She had lowered her head, pushing her hands into her pockets. "Don't worry, Vee. Max will take you, okay?"

### Not at all expecting Abbii's proposal, Max glared at her. "You can't be serious! Look what happened last time—"

"Max!" Abbii had to shout to interrupt. She signalled to the twins with her eyes and then held his gaze. If she could have entered into his psyche then, she would have shown her anger. Sighing reluctantly, Max looked at Vee. She was looking at him in such a way that he knew she was frightened.

"We have to go!" Susan urged. A small gathering of Shadows had sensed their movement, edging up the steep gradient. One of them was glowing, proving that it had absorbed a magical presence. Abbii feared that one of the Elders had fallen. She didn't waste any more time. Inhaling a deep breath, filled with fear and uncertainty, Abbii leapt from the edge.

### She closed her eyes, thinking of where she would rather be. The Everglades pool soon formed in her mind. She remembered the way the water used to reflect the moon's image. The light from its surface had often danced in Abbii's irises. She had missed not sitting by the water's edge, but she had known that visiting without Jake would not have been the same. It would have seemed empty without him, a waste of time. And taking Nate there had been out of the question. Only once had they been together on the bank of The Everglades pool, and that had been the evening of Maria's death.

### Abbii had discovered Nate's true identity beforehand and then had raced to the bank. She hadn't had to confront Maria in the end, and she was glad. When Maria had taken her own life, after explaining about the Darkfields and the future threat of it opening, Abbii had felt numb. She had been told that the Forgotten had a new ruler and that it was Jake. She had never believed it, even when Nate had wrapped his arms around her, vowing that he would never let go. Coming back to reality, Abbii's mind went blank as the freezing water consumed her at the end of her jump.

### The others didn't follow straight away as two Shadows reached them. Max kicked one back, making it stumble. He glanced at Susan. "Go!" She nodded in reply and then took Aeron by the hand. It was obvious that he wanted to stay with Vee and help Max fight, but Susan wrapped her arms around him and jumped.

"Aeron!" Vee suddenly felt very alone. She started to sob as she looked at the closest Shadow.

### Max avoided a set of claws and then twisted the creature's head, killing it instantly. He kicked the glowing creature back as it extended its hand towards him and then edged towards Vee. As he reached her, he could see that she had started to panic. He took hold of her hand, feeling that it was needed to make her focus. "I won't let go." She looked at him, blinking repetitively to calm her tears. "Take a deep breath." And then without any further preparation, they leapt from the cliff's edge.

### The Shadows screeched in annoyance, but they soon faded from sight. Vee screamed as they fell, being engulfed by the cold water a moment later. Max immediately pushed her to the surface so that she could grasp at a breath, and then he looked around. His body stung from the impact, but his main focus was to find his friends. Vee called out Aeron's name as the panic started to rise inside of her. She swallowed some water, making her cough.

"Vee!"

### She looked around to try to find the source of the voice.

"Vee!"

### Looking to the right, she caught sight of Aeron swimming alongside Susan. He was smiling and waving for them to follow. Max helped Vee onto his back as she calmed and then glanced around to search for Abbii. To his surprise, she had already reached the beach, though she wasn't standing still. She was running—running towards the battle.

### Damn it, Abbii, what are you doing?

### She only looked back briefly when her friends entered into the water. She wanted to make sure that they were all okay before continuing on. Once they landed safely and pushed through the surface of the water, she had started to run, being drawn in by the bright flashes of magic. She could see four separate Elders fighting against hordes of Shadows, recognising Elaine and Evelyn among them. If all Elders were gathering in the outer realm, then Abbii's mother should have been there too, but she couldn't see her. Nor could she see her father who must have also been a member of the magical hierarchy.

### Pushing her thoughts aside, Abbii ran straight towards the first Shadow that she could see. All she wanted was to reach the portal which would take her to the Darkfields and to Jake, but first she would do everything she could to help Luminum and its people. She would regret not helping them. With or without her powers, she had to defend their realm.

### Grabbing the nearest creature to her, she kicked its feet and watched as it fell to the floor. She thrust her dagger into its chest quickly and then moved on without faltering. A surge of magic warmed the air around her as she passed the first Elder. He acknowledged her with a nod but continued fighting—Fury was not one to show support or appreciation. Abbii felt a set of claws cut through her arm before she twisted in her place. Extending her dagger as she moved, she severed the Shadow's head. She didn't have time simply to injure the creatures; each strike was for death.

### Abbii felt a second set of claws cut through her side. The pain of all of her injuries began to take its toll. She struggled to keep her breath steady, but she continued on. Killing her nearest opponent by thrusting her weapon into its chest, Abbii felt blood splatter across her face. She quickly wiped her eyes with the sleeve of her hoodie and then locked eyes with a creature.

### It was a four-legged Shadow like the one Abbii remembered seeing when they had fought in the castle courtyard. Aeron and Vee had melted it with fire, but without her powers, Abbii would have to make do with her dagger. The creature's tail sliced at her lip, frustrating her. She kicked it as it moved towards her body, twisting to the side as its tail sliced through the air. Abbii cut the Shadow's leg in retaliation, gasping for a breath as she noticed several other Shadows moving towards her.

### Her heart began to drum in her ears, and a cool shiver washed over her skin. She was thrown from her feet without warning as a smouldering surge of energy beamed past her. It killed the four-legged creature instantly and then split into several phoenixes which darted towards each approaching Shadow. They screeched and tried to slice at the magic, but their faces caved in due to the heat. Five bodies fell to the floor.

### Abbii looked to see where the magic had come from, not at all surprised when Fury's gaze was targeted directly onto her. He looked at her with disgust, like she was an insect and he a god. She scrambled to her feet, feeling uncomfortable under his gaze.

"Mortals die here," he said clearly. "You are no longer the Star."

### She edged back from him, wary of each movement he made. "I'm trying to help."

### Lifting his lip in irritation, he narrowed his eyes. "If we meet again on this plane, my magic will not stop if your body is standing before a Shadow."

### The way he spoke made Abbii believe he fought only for himself, but then it was obvious that he was trying to save as many as he could, even when he was acting so maliciously. "You stay out of my way, and I'll stay out of yours," she offered.

"How dare you speak to me—"

"Hey!" Fury's gaze was drawn to the side as Abbii's friends reached her. They were all glowing brightly, their magic ready to use whenever it was needed. The Elder looked at them all as if they were mere cattle, but Susan held his gaze, feeling revenge fuel her body. She did well to contain it as she spoke. "We're not here to help you! We're here to help the people—those who don't care about the differences between people with magic and those without!"

### Fury huffed out of frustration. "This realm will fall regardless of your help. Those with magic are weakened forms of themselves."

### Hearing him speak in such a way caused Susan to clench her fist. Max glanced at her, shaking his head, which helped her calm. She sighed. "So you'll need as much help as you can get then."

### He turned, calling upon his magic. He was the Elemental Elder. "All those weaker than us will fall eventually." Dashing ahead then, he challenged several Shadows at once.

"Come on!" Abbii shouted, drawing everyone's gaze. They could see that Elaine was struggling.

### Several Shadows, varying in sizes and strength, had surrounded her. She was coping well, killing each creature which moved. Two challenged her at the same time, slicing at her skin. Jumping through the air majestically, she kicked one creature to the floor, twisting to the side as she landed on her feet. She raised her hands to the neck of the Shadow which was now in front of her, twisting its neck. It died instantly, decaying into dust. Turning on the spot, a sudden shockwave of energy then surged outwards, slicing through each creature differently. Most of them lost their heads and limbs, and only two remained untouched. Elaine narrowed her eyes at them and created several hovering shockwaves which beamed ahead of her simultaneously. Neither creature survived.

### The group realised that Elaine was an Empath, able to use her emotions, as well as the ones of those around her, against her opponents. She was skilled with magic, having learnt how to channel her anger into her fighting skill. Susan marvelled at her ability, understanding that one day she could have as much strength as Elaine. As the Elder watched the last of her opponents fall, she glanced towards Abbii. From the first time they had met, Elaine had not shown any hospitality towards her and her friends. She and Fury were very similar.

"Evelyn is at the far end of the realm. She is weakening. I suggest you go." Although her tone was emotionless, Elaine had said what needed to be said. Not giving the others a chance to thank her, she continued fighting.

### Abbii and the others continued on. She stumbled however, seeming to lose her breath all at once. A sudden pain stabbed against her temples, though she did not know its source. She hadn't eaten or drunk for at least a day. Her body was injured, and it was losing energy. She wondered if Jake was waiting for her. She was so close.

"You can't give up now."

### Raising her gaze, she saw that her mother was standing in front of her, but something wasn't right. Celine's skin seemed pale, almost transparent. Abbii pushed herself to stand, feeling her leg ache in discomfort. She went to ask what was wrong, but her mother answered before she spoke.

"This realm cannot be saved. When it falls, all those that remain here will fade."

"What do you mean?"

### She sighed, seeing that Abbii's emotions began to build. "This is our home. The Elders cannot survive. The four of us that remain are losing power. Once we are mortal, the destruction of this realm will cause us to lose our way. I fear that some of us will fall into Darkness. One has already perished."

### Abbii remembered seeing the glowing Shadow before jumping into the water. She had thought at the time that it glowed due to one of its victims possessing magical power, but she had never imagined that an Elder had fallen. They really were weakening. She wanted to ask about her father and why he wasn't fighting with them, but she supposed it was because he had died. Something inside of her told her that Celine would never be from his side if they could be together. She swallowed her sobs.

"Why don't you come to the College?"

### Everyone turned to look at Vee. She shuffled in her place, regretting speaking out. Aeron nudged her playfully. "Go on, Vee, tell them your idea."

### She looked at Abbii. "Why can't they live with us?"

"The people here are not accustomed to living with mortals. They had the choice long ago to stay or go, and they chose to leave, to live here in Luminum," Celine replied, lowering her gaze for a brief moment.

### Abbii's fist clenched. "Then they'll die."

### Susan inhaled a breath, moving forwards. "Vee has a point. Why can't the people of this realm move into Pennyworth? We lived together once. Why not again?"

### The Elder's expression remained in deep concentration as she thought through the possibilities. "I cannot say what their reply would be, but I fear that it is too late."

"We have to save as many as we can! You either come with us and live, or stay here and die." Abbii's statement seemed harsh, but it was what she needed to say. "This is your chance to make up for everything." Mother and daughter shared a long glance. Abbii still resented her for leaving, but she didn't want to lose her again.

### Celine inhaled a breath. "Only Evelyn and Mason have the strength to keep this realm intact. Now that Mason has fallen into spirit form, Evelyn is all that remains. We must protect her. You must go! You must find him!"

"Mason?" Aeron and Vee glanced at each other.

"But I thought you said there was a portal back to The Everglades?" Abbii's confusion was evident.

"Once you reach Evelyn, it will appear. She does not wish to keep you against your will any longer."

### The twins moved ahead of everyone. "Come on!" They both started to run, a strange urgency pushing them onwards.

"Vee!" Abbii shouted.

"Aeron!" Chasing after them, Susan made sure to keep them in her sights at all times. Abbii glanced to the side briefly, seeing that Max had killed two approaching Shadows. Several more were making their way towards them.

### Abbii sighed, facing the horizon. Her mother had faded. "Celine?"

"Come on. We have to go now!" Max grabbed her by the arm harshly and pulled her along. They both dashed in the direction of the twins, seeing that they were making their way towards Evelyn. She had fallen to the ground, surrounded by Shadows.

### Abbii pulled her arm out of Max's grip and readied her dagger. She threw it into the creature closest to the Elder and then watched as the others called upon their magic. Vee and Aeron killed two more as Max decapitated a third. A Shadow tried to scratch as his skin but was held back by an invisible force field. Susan narrowed her eyes to concentrate, protecting each of her friends when they needed it. Raising her dagger, Abbii cut the neck of a Shadow before dodging a swipe of its tail. She rolled to the side, gasping for a breath as a set of claws cut through her back. The creature died before its claws could impale her fully, thanks to Vee and Aeron's quick use of magic.

"Susan!" Seeing that a creature was sneaking up onto her, Abbii shouted. "Behind you!"

### Realising that a Shadow was almost upon her, Susan inhaled a deep breath which caused a red glow to consume her skin. Using the pain and fear which marred all of her friends' bodies, Susan twisted on the spot. Her magic beamed outwards like a sharpened shockwave, and the creature was killed instantly. Several of its limbs detached before falling to the ground. Its body followed soon after. She sighed and met Abbii's gaze, smiling to say thank you.

### Vee was suddenly thrown from her feet as two creatures grabbed at her skin. She tried to attack them before they could reach her, but they moved quicker than she had anticipated. She twisted her leg awkwardly as she landed. Aeron was quick to run to her aid, freezing the two creatures once they had started to dash towards them. He glanced at his sister to check on her, helping her to stand.

### They were protected by one of Susan's magical fields whilst they gathered their breath. Max destroyed their frozen opponents by kicking through the air and then killed a third by crashing his foot into its body. He grabbed the arm of the nearest Shadow, feeling its claws slash at his wrist, and then threw it through the air. Abbii was quick to react, raising her dagger upright so that it impaled the entire length of its body. Blood spilled from its body as it passed over, landing to the floor silently. She turned and gasped.

### The air from her lungs was forced out as a muscular limb crashed into her body. She was pushed from her feet as the Shadow bared its fangs. Her skin stung painfully as she moved through the air, watching the large creature move towards Evelyn. The Elder backed away, but Abbii's view was obstructed as Max teleported beneath her, catching her body in his arms. He seemed pleased that he had learnt the ability right when it was needed, but Abbii forced herself from his arms and then ran towards Evelyn. She had been stabbed fatally, and the creature had disappeared.

### As soon as she had crouched by her, a flash of light spread outwards, and a large coloured portal opened up ahead of the group. The shockwave killed any nearby Shadows, leaving everyone several moments to catch their breath.

"Evelyn." As she looked over the Elder's injured body, she could see that her skin had grown pale. Her eyes had lost their glow, and her body started to show her true age. She was mortal. She was dying.

### Meeting her gaze, Evelyn raised her hand to Abbii's cheek. "The portal is open. You must go before this realm falls."

"I'm not leaving you! The people of Luminum can come with us. All of you can!"

### She shook her head slowly. "We cannot follow you." Gasping for a breath, she coughed awkwardly. "I am sorry for what I have done."

"It doesn't matter. I don't need my powers."

"If they had remained with you, perhaps Luminum would be saved."

### Abbii looked up, tears building in her eyes. She could see that Max and Susan were destroying any creature that approached them. The twins were looking around as if searching for something. The Realm of Light was no more. It was falling, decaying into a lifeless entity. "What can I do, Evelyn?"

"You must follow your heart and set the spirits free." A tear rolled across her cheek. "The Darkfields will test you. The fate of the world rests in your hands now. Find Mason, set him free."

"Mason? But without my powers—"

### Evelyn smiled. "True power comes from the heart. That is why we have lived so long. A hundred years of life. We, the Elders, want life no more. I trust you, Abbii. Now you must trust yourself. Celine never stopped loving you as her child. I understand why. You are the brightest of us that there has ever been."

"But..." Abbii looked around, searching for someone to help them, but every Elder had disappeared. Only a handful of Shadows remained, and they all seemed drawn to where they were. Max and Susan were killing any that approached. Abbii knew that the creatures could sense each of her friends' powers. "Evelyn."

### The Elder held Abbii's gaze, allowing her eyes to glisten blue. "I will never forget the look upon your face when we first met, when you escaped the Shadow chasing you."

### Abbii didn't need to ask when Evelyn was referring to. When Abbii had left The Everglades, choosing to head for Pennyworth to find out as much as she could about Jake, she had found herself resting at a quiet B&B, which Evelyn had supposedly owned. She understood now that the Elder had only appeared there to see how well her powers had progressed and to make sure that Abbii was rested to continue on. The Shadows would never have harmed her when Evelyn was close. If only she had known that at the time.

"You will always be the Star. Accept your destiny."

### Abbii was pulled from her thoughts as Evelyn tried to form cohesive words. "What am I supposed to do? If this realm falls—"

"Your world will fall into Shadow, but only if you let it." The Elder coughed, causing a drop of blood to land on her lip.

"How am I supposed to stop it without my powers?" Abbii didn't resent Evelyn's actions, which had ultimately led to her losing her powers. She just needed to know what to do. Evelyn was a Seer, and Abbii needed guidance.

### Elongating her blink, Evelyn inhaled a ragged breath. "You must accept your fate. Never forget who you are. Never forget the true purpose of your heart." Evelyn's hand fell from Abbii's cheek and landed lifelessly on her chest.

"Evelyn?"

### A voice stopped Abbii's tears from falling. "It is time." She looked up to see that Fury, Celine and Elaine were standing over her. They were all glowing. She wanted to shout at them, demand where they had been, but the way they stood caused Abbii to realise that their strength had almost depleted. They were all connected. If one was to die, the others would follow.

"Come on, Abbii." Susan and Max pulled her to her feet. She looked over her friends' faces before facing the Elders. The three of them had now moved to Evelyn's side, kneeling in respect. The people of Luminum had gathered behind them without Abbii realising. They had all made their choice to stay. No Shadows could now be seen.

### She edged backwards. "What's happening?"

### Celine smiled, allowing her skin to be overcome with light. "We have fused our powers."

"We will create a seal out of the realm." Elaine was clear with her words, but she did not meet Abbii's gaze. "It'll buy you more time. While this seal remains intact, the Forgotten cannot leave the Dark realm...though the Shadows no longer have restrictions."

### Fury spoke last. "You are not needed. Leave whilst you can."

### Susan pulled Abbii farther back as the people of Luminum dispersed into a blanket of light. Their figures faded from sight as their energy pulsed outwards. The colouring of the sky was wiped clean, and the beach faded from sight. Even the city was washed away. Abbii's skin warmed as the light bathed her body. She felt a hand meet with her cheek as her mother's silhouette formed. A tear fell from her eye.

### We are always with you, little Star.

### Remembering that her mother had used to call her that, Abbii wanted to run to her. She had spent so long hating her for leaving, but she had loved her more than any other. Celine and the remaining two Elders placed their hand above Evelyn's body, which created a mass of light surging outwards. Her body faded from sight, and the other Elders' silhouettes were consumed with colour. The realm fell silent. No people or Shadows could be seen. It was empty.

### Turning to face her friends, Abbii wiped the tears from her face. She could have easily fallen to her knees and allowed her emotions to go out of control, but there was something she needed to do. Her friends were everything to her. It was time that they were safe.

"Let's go home," she said quietly.

### The group looked ahead to focus on the magical portal that remained. It was oozing with energy, but none of them believed it would stay open for long. The twins seemed sad, as if they had never found what they had been looking for, but smiled anyway as Abbii looked at them. Hand in hand, they turned and started to run. Susan was close behind them as the portal reached out and engulfed their bodies. Bright light washed over them as they faded from sight.

### Abbii sighed as she met Max's gaze. "We made it."

### Max scratched his neck awkwardly. "Can't wait to be home!" He was looking forward to returning to the College. He had missed it as well as Alice's company. Somewhere inside of him, he knew he owed her an apology. Focusing onto Abbii, he met her gaze. Only briefly did he look away, drawn to see that a second portal had opened. He knew where it led to without even asking.

"I have to do this, Max," Abbii whispered, shuffling in her place.

### He clenched his fists but didn't know what to say in reply.

"You all mean so much to me, but Jake deserves his chance to be happy."

"What if he's not the person you think he is? What if this is the Darkfields testing you?"

### A tear rolled across her cheek. "You think I can just give up on him?"

"You need to let him go." Max was clear with his words, but no anger or frustration marred his statement.

### Abbii glanced to the two portals. The one on her right led back to The Everglades, the College that had become her home. She would be able to see her friends again, be able to hear their stories and to share her own. She'd have her room back. She'd be able to have a shower and a warm meal. She'd see Nate again and see the look of disappointment in his face. If she went back now, nothing would change. She would still feel like something was missing. She would still keep people at a distance.

### The portal on her left didn't offer as much as the other, but it was the one she was drawn to for the simple reason that it would lead her to Jake. It was true that he had been missing a long time, but Abbii couldn't believe that he wasn't the same person. If she was to enter into the Darkfields, she would know nothing of her surroundings or the enemies that she could face, but she wasn't going to give up on him. She wasn't letting go of him when his face was all that she saw when she closed her eyes. He had even become part of her dreams, sometimes showing things that could happen between them, how far their relationship could go. A strange yearning had built within Abbii's heart. She had to fulfil it one way or another.

"If it turns out that I'm wrong, I'll just have to tell you that you were right." A tear rolled across her cheek as she spoke.

"Abbii." Turning to face the second portal, she inhaled a deep breath as he spoke. "There's something wrong. The others...Nate, particularly...they're all weakening."

### She sighed, turning again to look at him. "I can feel it even without my powers. They're all weakened, but I have to do this. I have to find Jake. I have to tell him how I feel."

### Max lowered his gaze to the floor. "I promised I'd keep you safe."

"Max." He looked up reluctantly, meeting her gaze. She raised her hands to her neck and pulled the angel necklace from her skin. Holding it gently, she moved towards him and lifted his hand, placing the silver pendant in his grasp. She moved his fingers over it and smiled. "Take care of him." The angel didn't just symbolise Abbii's friendship with Jake, but it also reminded her of Nate somehow.

### He looked at the necklace and then raised his gaze. "You have two days."

### Abbii saddened, thinking of how much their group had bonded. "When you tell them, say sorry for me." She edged backwards, suddenly feeling unsure of what she wanted. Her mind started to turn and twist. She pictured her friends and Nate.

### She knew that they were all weakening—the constant ache in her heart proved it—but she didn't want to return to the College, to Daniel and everybody else, knowing that nothing would change within her. She wanted to feel whole and happy through each passing day. Whether Jake was able to give her that or not, that wasn't the point—she needed to fill the space in her heart with someone. Jake and Nate both meant something to her, but she felt as if she owed Jake something, as if their time together had been cut short. She knew that she would probably not be at Jake's side for as long as she would hope, and her heart beat for Nate as well. Both would accept her openly. She just had to choose which one she stuck by.

### Max turned his back. "Keep your eyes open. Don't just see what's in front of you." He started to walk then, heading straight for the portal. Pushing the necklace into his jeans pocket, he hesitated a moment before the doorway. "And Abbii?"

"Yeah?" The way her heart seemed to silence for a moment made Abbii realise that part of her hoped Max would ask her to stay, to go back with him, to return to Nate's side. Her voice stuttered slightly as tears rolled across her cheeks.

"Don't forget. We finish this together." With nothing more to say, Max stepped into the portal and allowed its light to take him. The responsibility of taking care of Abbii was no longer his priority. She had made her choice.

### As soon as he was gone, Abbii broke into tears. Part of her was screaming out, telling her to run after her friends, but a sliver of her heart wanted this. Jake was so close. She gasped for a breath, stepping back. The air around her started to blow, moving her scarlet hair into shapes. She could see that its bright colouring had started to fade, returning to brown. Her powers were gone, and her body was weak. It was like she was a different person, caught between her past and future. The town of Pennyworth had gone. The Realm of Light was no longer a beautiful city. Looking over the land that had been ruined by her presence, Abbii turned her back and raised her gaze to the portal.

### A sudden chill washed over her body, but she moved into it nonetheless, unaware of the hazy silhouette behind her. The female was hooded, and the wicked smile across her face would have been evident if only Abbii had turned. She clicked her fingers which created a shallow glow to consume her, as Abbii stepped into the portal. It was quicker than she had expected, arriving into the Darkfields as if she had passed through a simple doorway.

### No memories or words formed in her head. No essence of magic or power tried to contact her. She could sense nothing, no one. She raised her gaze once the portal had dispersed, but it was not the change in land that drew her attention. It was the figure ahead of her.

"Jake!"

"Took you long enough!" he mused.

### Abbii thought back to the last evening that they had shared. He had said the exact same thing when she had been late meeting at the pool. She smiled, repeating her own response. "Thought Daniel was gonna catch me again."

"Not this time." Jake extended his hand, seeing the way that Abbii started to shake. "You're here, Abbii. That's all you've ever wanted, isn't it?"

### She pushed herself to step forward, trying to contain her sobs. "I've searched for you for so long. Jake, I—"

### He started to move, taking each step cautiously. Abbii had lowered her gaze to the darkened floor at her feet. She started to count her fingertips, anxiously awaiting Jake's approach. Only a stride separated them as she looked up. His hand moved to her face, wiping the tears from her skin.

"Jake, will you do something for me?"

### Softening his expression, allowing his dark eyes to meet her gaze, he smiled as he stroked her cheek. "Anything."

"Hold me," she whispered. Moving so that no gap now separated them, Jake wrapped his arms tightly around Abbii's body. Her skin met with his own, and overwhelming warmth coursed through her. She cried aloud, overwhelmed by the relief of being at Jake's side again. "I've found you."

### He laid her head against his chest gently and stroked her hair. "I'll never leave you again."

### She tightened her embrace, absorbing his words. For the first time, she didn't care about how close someone got to her. Her heart no longer ached. She felt free.

"I'll never let you go, Abbii."

