Chapter 11
Maria and Daisy
"That's better." Erk said to Maria and Daisy. The two were sat in a strange room, somewhere beneath Castle Reglais. The rooms itself was similar to a cave, but with a bed, table, two sofas and some bookshelves. There were also various crystals in brackets of the walls, and a red orb on a pedestal. Upon entering, Erk had touched the yellow crystal, and the roomed began to glow as if by candelight. Maria, Daisy and Eraf were sat in the middle of the room, meditating. "Good." Erk breathed. "Feel the magic, all around you. Feel how it flows, how it touches your body, your mind, your soul. It is a living being, just like us. It breathes, it tires, it feels."
"It wishes to befriend us." Nino said, in an almost hypnotic voice. "You must understand how the magic feels, if you want to be friends with it. It is a fiercely loyal friend to those who understand it. It will do whatever we wish, if we use it correctly."
"It has a mind of its own. It has moods. Others cannot understand these moods. In times past, the magic had only one mood, one thought. To display its power. Now, its mood changes. Sometimes it wants to display power, other times control, others kindness. You must understand this, if you are to use magic effectively. Do you feel the magic?" Eraf and Daisy nodded, but Maria frowned. "Something wrong, Maria?"
"I can hear the magic," Maria said slowly, "But I can't feel it. It's like it's nearby, but it's afraid to come closer." Erk and Nino didn't reply, staring at each other. "I'm sorry. I'll try harder."
"Maria, listen to the magic." Nino told her, her eyes glittering. "What does it say?"
"Say?" Maria asked. "Um..." She focused for a moment. "It's telling me that I'm wrong. That I shouldn't be what I am. What does that mean?"
"Do not open your eyes." Erk snapped, as Maria's eyelids twitched. "Ask it what it means." Erk closed his own eyes, asking the same question. "ah." He sighed.
"It says... my body is changed. That I shouldn't be like this."
"Incredible." Erk sighed. "That you can listen to the magic so soon. Tell it... that you need its help to change back."
"I will..." Maria mumbled, frowning in concentration.
Magic, listen to me. Maria thought, casting her thought to the entity that hovered nearby. I know I am changed. I am different to how I should be. I need your help to change back. Will you help me?
I will help you, Altered One. A voice whispered in Maria's mind. The voice was both male and female, young and old, wise yet stupid. It was an amazing voice. Maria gasped suddenly as the magic embraced her body, stroking gently against her face, her neck, her legs and arms. It held her like a child would hold a mother. Like a person would hold a lover. It was an incredible sensation, and Maria shuddered at the touch. It felt amazing. Erk stared at her throughout this, smiling.
"Do you feel the magic now, Maria?" He asked her.
"Yes." Maria gasped, face flushed. "It's amazing."
"Really?" Eraf asked, not moving. "Feels like wind to me."
"It feels friendly to me." Daisy said. "Why d'you feel so good about it?"
"Perhaps this is her first experience?" Nino suggested.
"It's mine, too." Daisy reminded her. Erk frowned in thought.
"Maria." He said to the woman. "Ask the magic its name."
"Name?" Maria asked. "It has a name?"
"Ask it."
Magic, do you have a name by which I can call you? Maria asked the sweeping energy that caressed her body.
I have no singular name. The magic replied. Magic, Arcana, Power. I have been known by many names over the years.
I mean... a name for you as a being, not a force. The energy paused in its touching.
I... have not. No-one has ever thought to name me as a being for a long time.
"It has no name." Maria told Erk. "No-one ever named it like a living thing."
"Wow." Erk gasped. "I didn't think you'd be having a conversation with the magic so soon."
Name me. The magic begged Maria.
Name you?
Please.
"It wants a name." Maria said, shocked.
"Then name it."
I name you... Vahlia. Maria told the magic, stringing together random letters. There was a sudden rush in the room, as the magic grew in size and intensity. Erk gasped.
"What the?!" He cried, as the force buffeted around the room, the candlelight flickering.
A name!! A voice howled happily. After countless millenia, a name! And the same as last time!
"The same as...?" Nino squeaked. There was a sudden flash of light emanating from Maria. The light blinded Erk and Nino, making them shield their eyes. Daisy and Eraf covered their eyes, too. After a moment, the light disappeared, and all was black. Erk fumbled his way to the red orb, touched it, and the room lit up again.
Thank you. A voice whispered. Thank you, Traveller. Everyone stared at Maria.
"Ma..." Eraf gasped. "MARIO!!" She howled, throwing herself around the person who sat in Maria's place. Mario spluttered for a moment, then looked at himself.
"I'm... me again." He gasped. He pulled himself free of Eraf's hug, and stood up. "I'm me."
"The magic... sorry, Vahlia, changed you back." Erk told him. "To show its' gratitude." He closed his eyes for a moment. "It's still here."
"Yeah." Mario replied. "She's all over me."
"She?"
"Well, it feels more like a girl to me." Mario shrugged. "And she won't leave me alone."
"Devil!" Eraf gasped. "You're mine!" She hugged Mario again, as if to prove this.
"I think..." Erk murmured. "We may have our first Warlock in a long time."
Vahlia. Mario called out to it.
Yes?
Do you know why I wish to learn magic?
To defeat the Evil One. To return home with your mate. And also to be who you once were.
Yes. However, if I asked, would you allow me to change into a girl again?
If... you should so desire. But, I thought you wanted to be male?
I do. But, the girl me is helpful sometimes.
Mario, be careful here. Erk's voice murmured, his presence appearing alongside Vahlia's. Vahlia will do anything you ask now. If you ask it to follow your every command while you're here, it will. Ask it to kill someone, it will.
I will. Vahlia replied. What would you asked of me, Traveller?
I ask... Mario thought for a moment. That I have the ability, regardless of world, to change back and forth between my girl form.
Mario! Erk gasped. Think carefully of your decision! Surely asking for Vahlia's service would be better-
No. Mario replied. I want to be able to change at will. It will help me now, and it will be good for the future. Vahlia, that is my wish.
It shall be done. Vahlia replied. It gathered itself, all of itself in the castle, and swirled around Mario.
Mario! Erk snapped. Think of Eo. Of what you fight to protect. Are you sure that this is wise?
No. Mario sighed. But it is what I want. I will learn to use Vahlia's strength as a normal Mage. I will fight Eo fairly, not with the force of magic itself at my command. To do that would prove that I yearn only for power, like Eo. That's not how I am.
I understand. Erk said, then his presence disappeared.
I will help you how you desire, Traveller. Vahlia whispered. You have had your wish, but I still want to help you. The Evil One must be stopped. If you call upon me, I will lend you my power.
Thank you, Vahlia.
You are most welcome, Traveller. Mario felt energy building up inside him. He felt Maria's presence in his mind, ready and waiting to be released. Maria's face appeared in his mind, and smiled at him.
Thank you. Maria's voice whispered. For allowing me to be part of you. Then, the face disappeared.
I love you, Mario. Vahlia sighed, then floated away.
"So... what happened?" Nino asked. "Erk, I saw your eyes go like Lakitu's when he telepaths. Did you telepath?"
"Kinda." Erk replied. "I'm not sure if it's the same as Lakitu's though. Anyway, Mario is now able to turn into Maria any time he wants, any where he wants. Even in his homeworld." Eraf gasped, then giggled.
"You really like Maria, don't you?" She asked Mario, still clutching his arm. Mario nodded.
"She has her uses." He grinned.
"Right." Erk said suddenly, drawing all the attention back to him. "You can all feel the magic now. It's time to start learning how to use it. Mario, it will be alot easier for you, since Vahlia's so smitten with you."
"Smitten?" Eraf asked.
"Never mind." Mario told her. "Hey, can I just practise changing? Get used to it, you know." Erk nodded. Mario closed his eyes, wondering how exactly he would change.
I am here. Maria's voice said. Shall we swap?
Yes. Mario replied. Mario glowed for a moment, changing. The glowing stopped, and Maria stood in his place.
"Wow." She sighed. "That felt good. Better than when I drank the magic water." She looked around. "I never really realised before, but Maria's taller than Mario."
--
Nino sat in her room, some time later. She thought about what had just happened. Mario, or Maria, could converse with magic so easily. Erk could, and so could Nino, to a certain extent. But, it had taken them years to be able to. Mario had done it in an hour, maybe less.
Vahlia? Nino called. She hoped for a moment.
Mage-girl. Vahlia replied.
Why did you answer Mario so quickly?
He smells of a home I once had. My essence in that world is weaker now. No-one uses me. Mario is from that world, and I wanted to be able to have a stronger conscience in that world.
Oh. You want Mario to take you to an old home?
Yes. I am pleased with what he asked. My magic will follow him when he returns, and I will be able to strengthen the parts of me there. The Fairy also has access to some magic. Hopefully she will try to call on me. I will be able to grow strong again.
I see. Nino sighed. Might I take a few more moments of your time?
For teaching Mario of me, so that I may return home, you may. I am very grateful to you. What would you speak of, Mage-girl?
Okay. Something that just entered my head...
You ask why I call Mario by name, but all others by title? Because I love Mario. He named me.
Right. So, why the-
I am older now. Vahlia replied before Nino could form the question. I age, like living beings. My tastes and desires change, as all living beings. I tire of showing what a powerful force I am. I want to prove that I am also tender, loving, kind.
I thought as much. But, those old magic-users...
Are not worthy of my strength. They are too set in what they know. They cannot change. I refuse to lend my power to such stubborn fools. Nino giggled at that.
So, why do you allow me and Erk to use you?
You tried to understand how I have changed. The Teacher also tries, but his mind is older, less able to adapt. I hope he learns soon. I enjoy him. He uses my energy so well, much like the Spellweaver.
Who?
You know the Teacher as Pent, and the Spellweaver as Erk.
You like them?
Very much. Nino felt Vahlia smile. I like you, too, Mage-girl. All three of you use my power well. It gives me great pleasure to see my power used in such skillful ways.
Thank you, Vahlia. What of Mario?
He will learn. His grasp on me is raw, untrained. But, I will help him as much as I can. Maria, too, of course.
Of course.
Will that be all, Mage-girl?
Do you tire of me already? Nino asked, feeling a little hurt.
Yes. I prefer the company of Mario. I mean no offense, Mage-girl, but I am enjoying the feel of an old home. It is nostalgic.
I understand. I am done.
Farewell.
--
Pent stood atop Castle Reglais, looking out across the land. A small army seemed to be approaching. Pent called upon the magic, hoping it would come. He wanted to cast a spell that would allow him to see far. The magic didn't come. Pent sighed. For a moment, Pent had felt a familiar tingle, like when he cast magic before. It reminded him of his many battles. As soon as he thought that, the feeling disappeared.
What am I doing wrong? Pent asked himself. Every time I remember fighting, the magic disappears. Has it really changed? He called upon the magic again, asking for far-seeing vision. Again, he felt the tingle. Pent forced himself not to think of battle. Instead, he thought of teaching Erk, and how proud he had been when Erk mastered control. Suddenly, the small dots on the horizon grew in size. The spell had worked. Looking out, Pent saw what he had suspected; a small army. Were they marching on Castle Reglais? Why? The peace agreement was surely still in effect. So, why on Elibe would an army be marching toward his castle? He quickly jogged down the stairs, planning to ask someone to approach the army and find out.
Nino
Nino frowned. She had been trying to enter the Void, like Erk had done just minutes previously. Why could he do it, and not her? What was she missing? Erk had tried to explain it to her, and she had done exactly as he had asked. Focus, think of a peaceful place, will yourself to it. Keep calm, let nothing distract you. It just didn't work. Nino sighed, leaning back in her chair. She could feel Erk floating around the Void, looking for anything strange. How she wished she could help. All she could do was be his Maiden, to make his task a little easier. She knew that Erk didn't need her at all. Still, it made her happy that he asked. She sighed, and closed her eyes. She thought of her and Erk, a couple still, even after all these years. They had had no fights or arguments, as though they were meant to be. Some disagreements, some difference of opinion, but never an argument. She smiled as she remembered the time when she had tried to win him over. The summer ball, all those years ago, had been the huge first step towards their relationship. Her smile widened as she remembered their first night together, in the Aura Room, where Erk had taken Mario and the others to train. She and Erk had laid on the bed, holding each other, enjoying each other, sharing each others' bodies. It had been so wonderful. A dream come true. A dream she had dreamt for a long time beforehand. Now, Erk was hers. That night had been the most magical night of her life. She had been so happy, holding Erk against her bare body, as he kissed her lovingly. She sighed happily, and opened her eyes. Sudden panic took her. She wasn't in her room. Where was she? Looking around, she saw blackness. A few glowing orbs moved slowly through the dark.
The Void! She thought to herself. I did it! She looked around, and saw Erk nearby. He was staring at her, smiling. He gave her a quick 'thumbs-up', then flew away, still looking. Nino willed herself forward, and found herself flying through the Void. She took a moment to get her excitement under control, and remembered why Erk was here. Unusual activity. Like worlds spiking, or people being here who shouldn't be. Of course, Nino didn't know who was or wasn't supposed to be, beside herself. She flew around for a while, looking at the various worlds. None of them spiked. How did spiking look, exactly? Her question was answered a moment later, when a world far off in the distance spiked. A large spike, protruding from the orb, stretched out into the Void. A moment later, a figure appeared, glowing. A barrier of blue light pushed the spike back into the orb. Nino wondered how to push the spikes back. She wanted to learn. To help. To no longer be a spare part. Her thought was abruptly stopped as a group of glowing lines shot toward her. Lost in the wonder of the glow, and what these lines were, Nino didn't move in time. The lines shot through her, and the glowing orbs span around her at a blinding speed. Some even seemed to move different places, but Nino couldn't quite tell with all the spinning.
Erk! She gasped in her mind. Her lips also mouthed the word, but there was no sound in the Void. Erk, help me! She cried desperately. A few moments later, she regained her bearings. She willed herself out of the lines, and watched as they raced by. What was that? She asked herself, shaken. She decided to ask someone when she got back. She flew toward a world, which she somehow recognised as home. Erk had said that to return, you simply have to fly into the Elibe's orb. Nino did so, and felt a yellow light bathe her. When the light faded, she was back in her room. But, it looked different. Her table was on the other side of the room. Her single bed had been replaced by a double. The curtains were different. What was this? Had someone redecorated without telling her, for a surprise? Nino walked outside, and began looking for Lord Pent to ask her. As she walked, some children dashed past her, giggling and laughing.
"Erk, you loser! Where are you?" One of them yelled. Erk? Who were these children, and why were they after Erk? Nino walked over to a window, and looked outside. It seemed to be early morning. But, it had been evening when she left. Had she been gone the entire night? Then, something else caught her eye. Erk, walking in the gardens.
"Erk!" She called to him. Erk ignored her, and scurried past the window. "Erk?" Nino asked, confused. Why would Erk ignore her like that? She dashed down the stairs, and outside to where Erk should be. Then, she gasped. This wasn't Erk! Well, it was, but... younger. Several years younger. A child. Then, another gasp. Daisy? A girl who looked exactly like Daisy, only younger, walked toward Erk.
"Erk." The girl said, hugging him gently. "How are you?"
"I'm fine. Those brats are still chasing after me." Erk sighed. "They won't let up."
"Just because you're Lord Pents' favourite." The girl sighed. "How are you doing with the Thunder spell?"
"Almost got it. It's a little hard. Thunder's so erratic. I can't keep a tie on it."
"You'll get there, Erk." The girl told him, patting his shoulder. "I believe in you."
"Thanks, Ella." Erk replied, smiling widely. Nino felt like she would faint. Ella! The girl who Erk had loved, all those years ago. This was her? Why did she look so much like Daisy?
"Hey, Erk!" Another voice yelled.
"Damn, they found me." Erk hissed. "I'll see you later, Ella." He hugged her briefly, and Ella planted a quick kiss on his cheek. Nino bristled. Then, Erk dashed past her, inside the castle. The group of children appeared a moment later. One of them stopped by Nino.
"Seen the loser?" He asked her.
"Yeah, that way." Nino told him, pointing somewhere across the gardens. "I think he was going to the greenhouse."
"Cheers." The kid clapped her on the arm, then dashed away. "The greenhouse!" He yelled.
"Hey, thanks." A gentle voice said next to her. Ella. Nino hissed the name in her head. "Thank you for protecting Erk."
"No problem." Nino replied, trying to keep her voice level. "I'm not about to let some brats mess him up."
"Thank you." Ella hugged her gently. "I do wish they'd leave him alone. He means so much to me." Nino felt anger and jealousy building up.
"Me, too." She said, before she could stop herself.
"Oh, do you know him?"
"Uh, no." Nino gasped. "I just... never mind."
"Alright. Keep your secrets. I won't pry."
"Thank you. Are you... Ella?"
"I am." Ella replied. "Who are you?"
"Just a stranger." Nino sighed. "You look alot like someone I know."
"Really? Poor girl. Looking like me." She sounded sincere about that.
"Hey, c'mon. You're pretty. She looks just like you, only older."
"Oh? How interesting. What's her name?"
"Daisy."
"Dais..." Ella paused, her eyes going out of focus.
"Um... Ella?"
"Huh? Oh, I'm sorry. Spacing out like that. Well, I wish you luck. I'm going to find Erk, and help him with the Thunder spell."
"Sure. Hey, wait a sec." Nino grabbed Ella's arm as she turned. "Tell him... Thunder only wants to return to the earth. That should help."
"Are you a Mage, stranger?" Ella asked.
"I... know a little about magic."
"I'll tell him what you said. Thank you again. Helping him so much, when you don't even know him." Nino flinched, but Ella didn't notice. "It means alot to me."
"Sure." With that, Ella trotted away. Nino sighed, closed her eyes, and entered the Void again. She floated around a little, then saw the lines again. What had they done?
Maybe going back through them will help? She pondered. Then, she dove into the lines, and flew along them as far as she could. After a while, she hopped out, and re-entered Elibe.
"No... way." She gasped. She had re-entered back in the gardens of Castle Reglais. But, it was different. Bigger. More majestic. She entered and looked around. More children, bustling about.
"He's coming!" Someone gasped. "He's judging the competition! Told you he would!"
"Yeah, yeah." Another sighed. But they looked excited, too.
"He's bringing his wife, too!" A third cried. "She's so beautiful, have you seen her?"
"No, I haven't."
"Oh, yeah. She got pregnant just before you arrived. The Lord's been keeping her in his room ever since. I can't wait to see her again."
Who're they talking about? Nino wondered, joining the audience.
"Hey, you're not from here." A kid snapped.
"Leave her alone. She probably came to see them.
"Yeah, leave her."
"Here they come!" Someone yelled, and cheers erupted from the crowd. Walking down the stairs where two adults, garbed in royal clothing. For a moment, Nino expected to see Pent and Louise. She gasped when she saw who it was.
"Lord Erk!" Someone cried. "Lord Erk!"
"Lady Nino!" Another cried. "Oh, my Lady you're so beautiful!"
"You're glowing, Milady!"
"Is it soon?"
"Lord Erk!"
"Is it a boy or a girl?"
"Now, now, children." Lord Erk raised a hand, and they all fell silent. "We're leaving the gender to being a surprise. I'm eager to find out."
"The baby is due in three weeks." Lady Nino said, smiling tenderly. She stroked her bulging stomach. "There will be feast." More cheers. Lord Erk raised his hand again, and they all fell silent.
"Please, Nino needs her rest. Let us judge the competition. We don't want to exhause my wife, do we?"
"No, Sir!" The children chorused.
"Let us..." Lord Erk paused. He looked directly at Nino. Not Lady Nino, but little Nino. Nino gasped, and forgot how to breathe. "Excuse me." He said to Lady Nino. He then walked toward little Nino. "Walk with me outside, child." He said gently to her. The children gasped.
"A favourite?"
"New student?"
"Relative?" The whispers exploded. Little Nino looked to Lady Nino, who smiled and nodded gently. Nino followed Lord Erk outside.
"So you came, just as you said." Lord Erk sighed.
"What do you mean, Er... my Lord?" Nino asked. Lord Erk chuckled.
"Just Erk to you, little Nino." He smiled.
"You... know me?"
"Yes. Many years ago, you told me about this. How you appeared here, and saw me and you as Lord and Lady of Castle Reglais. It pleases me to see that it was true. However, you should not be here. This is not your time."
"I know. I don't know how I came to be here."
"No worries. Adia is prepared. She will go with you into the Void, and take you home." He closed his eyes. A moment later, a girl appeared. She had light blue hair with dark blue streaks, and green eyes. She wore a purple sleeveless top, a black skirt, and black and purple striped knee-high socks. She had pointed ears, which stood almost upright, and very pale skin. She looked at Nino.
"Silly, silly." Adia sighed, swaying on the spot. "At least you got wiser as you grew up." She smiled, flashing small, pointed teeth. "Let's get you home, shall we?"
"Wait." Nino said. "Lord Erk." She curtseyed briefly. "How long have we... you... been married?" Lord Erk laughed.
"You said you asked this. Apparently, I answered. Myself and Lady Nino have been married for eight years. We married a mere year and a half after the Eo fiasco." He grinned. "And I won't tell you who proposes to who. Run along now, little Nino."
"What will you call the baby?"
"If it's a boy, Pent. If it's a girl, Ella."
"My Lord Erk." Nino said, smiling. "You grew to be a majestic man."
"And you grew to be a beautiful woman." Lord Erk replied, nodding his head at Lady Nino. "All the children love you."
"Thank you, my Lord." Nino curtseyed again, then took Adia's outstretched hand. "Goodbye."
"Farewell." Then, the castle disappeared, and Nino found herself in the Void. Adia pulled her toward those strange lines again, and into them. Adia flew along for a moment or two, then back out.
We're here. Adia's voice said in her head.
Nino! Lakitu's voice cried. Lakitu flew over to them. Are you alright? Nino nodded. Adia, thank you for finding her. Adia nodded, tears shimmering in her eyes.
Thank you, Master. She replied. It has been a long time. I missed you.
Long time? Why, I only just... Lakitu stopped as he realised what she meant. The future, huh? Adia nodded. Let's go, Nino. He took Nino's hand from Adia's, and flew toward Elibe. Adia waved to them, then disappeared.
--
"Nino!" Erk cried as she reappeared in the Great Hall of Castle Reglais. He grabbed her, pulling her into a tight hug. "Oh, I was so worried!" He sobbed. "What happened?"
"Uhm..." Nino tried to unscramble her thoughts. "Well, Lo-" she stopped, about to call him 'Lord Erk'. "Erk, I think I travelled through time."
"Lakitu?" Erk asked the tortoise. Lakitu nodded.
"The Lines affect her. Nino, don't get to the Void again until myself or Adia say you can. We can't risk you being catapulted through time again."
"I'm sorry." Nino mumbled.
"Not your fault, Nino. You didn't know the Lines would affect you. You don't even know what they are, do you?" Nino shook her head. "You shouldn't have seen the future, Nino. But, alas, it has happened." Then, he sighed. "You went to the past, too, didn't you?" Nino nodded. "I thought so. Much has changed." He said.
"How?" Nino asked.
"Little things, all over Elibe, and in other worlds. Nothing major, nothing that changes too much."
"Well, what's changed?"
"Erk, Daisy, tell her." Lakitu sighed. Nino looked to Daisy, confused. Daisy walked forward, and held Erk's hand. Nino frowned, and almost growled at her.
"We know." Daisy sighed. Nino's frown disappeared. "I was Ella. I still am, in a sense."
"No..." Nino whispered. She feared that, by knowing this, Erk might go back to Ella.
"Yes, Nino." Erk said. "Ella told me, years ago, that a girl, a little older than her, said she looked like someone called Daisy. That name was familiar to her. Daisy just explained to me now that she never died; Lakitu took her home, to her time."
"How... how? What? I don't get it."
"Daisy got sucked into Elibe by a spike." Lakitu explained. "However, at the same time, the Lines ran through her. She came to Elibe today, and Elibe several year ago."
"Oh. But, why did she look younger then?"
"When Daisy was sent back," Lakitu explained. "Her appearance changed. She grew younger. The Lines affected her that much." Nino recovered her mind a little, to glare at Erk and Daisy's hands, still clasped together. "So, these two know that now." Nino looked at him. "Like I said, nothing major has changed."
"Nothing major?" Nino asked, feeling anger rising again. "What about... that?" He pointed at Erk and Daisys' hands.
"Nothing major." Erk repeated. "I'm over her, still. But we are close friends. We've been... getting to know each other again." Nino wheeled around, to stare at him. "Nino, you went to the future, right?" Nino nodded. "Did you see me and Daisy together there?"
"No. I saw me and you." Nino replied.
"Right." Erk then let go of Daisy's hand, and took both of Nino's in his own. "I still love you, Nino. I always will. We are meant to be together."
"I know." Nino whispered, gripping Erk's hands tightly. "We're going to get married. We're going to be Lord and Lady of Castle Reglais." Lakitu and Pent groaned.
"Not something you should reveal, Nino." Lakitu told her. "Alas, it's happened. I'm not going to tamper with the Lines when they're this wild." He sighed. "I take my leave now. Perhaps you three," He said to Erk, Nino and Daisy. "Should take some time to talk." The three nodded. "Okay. See you." He disappeared. Erk, Nino and Daisy looked at each other, then grinned.
"Say, Nino." Erk said to her.
"Yes?"
"You really helped, you know?"
"Huh?"
"Thunder only wants to return to the earth." He grinned. Nino gasped, then smiled.