A/N: I apologize in advance for this part.

The hall came crashing down with a blinding light. Vespera was forced off of Tam, who fell to his knees, putting his hand around the cut on his neck. He tried to find Keefe in the light, but it was so intense it was impossible to see. Then, with a massive CRACK, Tam was buried in cascading rubble, and everything went dark.

Tam's ears were ringing as he came to. He brushed the rubble off of him, coughing up dust. His bindings laid in pieces around his wrists. He shook his head to orient his thoughts, wincing as the cut on his neck stung. Then the reality of what had happened hit him, and panic filled his mind. He shakily stood up, his eyes darting around frantically. He was overwhelmed by the destruction he saw. Endless piles of rubble stretched as far as Tam could see, which given the thick haze of dust wasn't very far.

"KEEFE!" he called out, his voice rough. He was met with only silence. "LINH! ANYONE!" There was still no response. He limped around the aftermath, trying to find someone. At one point he saw the crushed body of a Neverseen, and hoped none of his friends had suffered the same fate.

After what felt like hours of searching, Tam came across a clearing. All the wreckage seemed to be spreading out from it. As the dust cleared slightly it revealed a figure lying on the ground on the center of the clearing. Tam's heart dropped into his stomach as he recognized who it was.

"Keefe!" He gasped, rushing to his side. Keefe's face was drained of color and expressionless. "No, nonono," Tam whispered, shakily grabbing Keefe's wrist to check his pulse.

There was nothing.

"No, Keefe, please," he croaked, tears beginning to slip down his face. He lifted Keefe's torso onto his knees, cradling Keefe's head in his arms. He bent his head down, his body racking with sobs.

Why had he resented Keefe for all those years? The time they spent as friends was too brief, but Tam had grown to care for Keefe as much as he cared for his sister. He couldn't bring himself to believe Keefe was really gone.

"Please come back," he whispered, stroking Keefe's hair. "I'm so sorry."

Tam didn't know how long he sat crying with Keefe in his arms. He didn't want to get up and move on, not without Keefe.

An eternity later, Tam heard movement coming towards him. Looking up, his vision blurry through tears, he saw the outline of his friends. He was too disoriented to process if anyone was missing.

Upon seeing Keefe, Ro screamed and started throwing everything in sight. Tam barely heard Sophie's cry of anguish as she knelt by Keefe's other side. Linh silently sat next to Tam, holding Marella's hand. Tam laid his head on his sister's shoulder, tears still pouring down his face. Biana clung onto Sophie, mumbling: "Not both brothers, not both of them." That's when Tam realized Fitz wasn't there. He couldn't even properly process the thought. He looked over at the others standing by them.

Wylie was comforting a sobbing Dex, his own tears rolling silently down his face. Meruca and Stina were standing in shock. Grady's eyes were brimming with tears, full of disbelief and regret. Mr. Forkle was nowhere to be seen.

They all stayed there for an immeasurable amount of time. At some point Ro stopped hurling bits of rubble and crashed to the ground, shaking in rage and anguish. No one could move or speak. Only the sound of sobs could be heard.

Suddenly, a figure materialized out of nowhere, placing their hand on top of Keefe. Within an instant, they were gone, taking Keefe's body with them. Through his tears Tam was able to catch a glimpse of a Neverseen cloak.

Tam, Sophie, and Ro simultaneously screamed in outrage. Tam tried to stand, but he was so full of grief he collapsed into Linh. He held onto his sister, afraid that if he let go he might lose her too.

"We have to find him!" Sophie cried, her voice shaking.

"Sophie," Grady began. "He's gone." Sophie shook her head, tears pouring down her face.

"No. No, he can't be," she said, her voice breaking. Behind her, Ro punched the ground, then stood up.

"We have to split up and find him," she said, her voice rough.

"I don't know if that will do much good," Grady said. "For all we know, he could've been taken to a completely different world."

"I don't care," Sophie said. "We will find him. Now let's go." She helped Biana up to her side. Everyone took the initiative to group off, heading in different directions. Wylie led Dex, who was still distraught, while Stina and Meruca took off the opposite way. Grady went with Sophie and Biana, probably to make sure they didn't do anything rash. Linh lifted Tam to his feet before taking Marella's hand.

"Will you be okay with Ro?" she asked quietly. Tam could barely nod. He hugged his sister one last time before she and Marella left.

He turned his head to face Ro. She jerked her head in the direction they were going, her jaw set with determination. Tam followed her into the abyss of destruction, tears still rolling down his face, pleading with his last hope for Keefe to come back.

With a gasp, Keefe jolted awake. Everything hurt, and he felt completely drained. He thought he was dead, he had to be. But he was definitely breathing. He slowly opened his eyes to an unpleasant sight.

His mother's face looming over his. She was covered in her own blood, barely alive.

"Are you kidding me?" Keefe rasped out.

"Did you really think it was over?" Lady Gisela asked weakly. "I knew you'd find the motivation to use your gift properly."

"Only because your psycho boss was about to stab my friend," Keefe paused as he mentioned Tam. His brain flooded with worry. Lady Gisela felt his concern.

"If it makes any difference, I doubt your friends survived the destruction you caused."

"Yeah, that helps loads," Keefe replied sarcastically, trying to contain his anger. If he'd had the strength, he would've punched his mother in the face. "I'm assuming you're the only one left?"

Lady Gisela's face darkened. "It doesn't matter now," she snapped. "I have all I need to carry out the plan." Keefe's breathing eased a little knowing the rest of the Neverseen was gone.

"How am I alive?" Keefe asked, not sure if he wanted the answer.

"Because of me. I used the residual power from the elixirs I took all those years ago to jumpstart your body."

"But why?"

"I need you Keefe. Together we can change the world with your power."

"For the millionth time, absolutely not," Keefe said. He didn't mention it out loud, but he didn't even know if he still had his ability, or if he had used all his power saving his friends.

"You don't have a choice anymore Keefe."

"Like I ever did in the first place." Lady Gisela glared at Keefe.

"That's enough, we're leaving now," she growled, trying to lift Keefe up. Keefe used what little strength he had to resist her. But it wouldn't last for long.

Lady Gisela pulled out her leaping crystal and was about to hold it to the light when a blade suddenly protruded from her chest. Her eyes widened in shock as blood began to pour from her mouth. The blade pulled out of her chest and she fell over, revealing its wielder.

Fitz.

Keefe stared at him in shock. He was caked in dirt and blood, his eyes losing their light. There was a massive gash across his chest and stomach. He collapsed to the ground, dropping the knife. Keefe scrambled to his side.

"Fitz… How?" he gasped. Fitz looked at Keefe, his eyes shining.

"I saw you… and I had to… I had to save you," Fitz said, his breathing labored.

"Fitz, stay with me. Please," Keefe begged, his voice breaking.

"Keefe… I'm sorry. I've been a jerk to you."

"It's okay, Fitz, It's okay."

"You've been… a brother to me since we were kids. We're family."

"I know," Keefe whispered, his throat closing with emotion. "Please don't go."

"Tell everyone… I'm sorry… and-" his breath hitched, and his eyes became wide with fear. "I'm scared, Keefe," he whispered, his lip trembling as he struggled to hold on. Keefe gently placed his shaking hand on the side of Fitz's face.

"I'm here, okay?" he choked out. "You don't have to be scared." Fitz stared into Keefe's eyes, suddenly calm, the rage gone.

"Thank you, Keefe," he breathed, and then he was gone. Keefe bent his head over Fitz's chest, tears blinking down his face. He stayed there for a few minutes before gently closing Fitz's eyes with the palm of his hand.

"Goodbye Fitz," he mumbled, momentarily resting his forehead on Fitz's. Then he shakily stood up, fully taking in the destruction he caused for the first time. He couldn't see anyone through the dust, and hoped the rest of his friends were out there somewhere, safe and unharmed.

He slowly set out across the rubble. He had to find them. He had to find Tam.

A/N: So yeah, that was kind of sad, oops. There's only one part left!