Emily's POV

I clambered through the vast flatlands of tree growth, passing trunks filling the length of outstretched arms. Their close-knit nature made it strenuous to move through without the usual dirt-paved path. Will insisted that a closer look over the wave breaks just north of the drop-off zone would provide more cover than the exposed palms. The four of us had discussed it all morning before heading out to our designated hunting area.

"Where do you think he's gone?" Will wondered out loud from the front of our filed-out line. "It's just so unlike him to leave. And to do it so suddenly...it doesn't make any sense."

"Wherever Pan is, it's far enough that he's unable to keep a close watch on us," Ethan reasoned. "You should be thankful Felix is the only one we have to worry about."

"That pet," Will scoffed, turning his head back. "Did you see his face last night? He was scared. Not even he knew what was going on. Even after Pan gave him his orders, he could barely speak! And now look at him. This morning he announced his newly appointed position as if he had been crowned a new king or something."

Ethan sighed, "He's still not going to make this any easier for us."

Last night we had overseen Pan and Felix's meet. Hidden well in the dark and out of the moon's light, we began stalking Felix through the jungle, trailing after the fiery glow of his torch flickering within the trees. We had almost retreated when Pan walked out of the shadows. He could have sensed we were there, picked us all out the second he noticed, but there was an urgency tempting his stone features and haste to his voice that distracted him, keeping the four of us listening carefully.

The mention of the shadow calling Pan away was what left an equally terrifying shiver running through our bodies. We had all encountered the shadow. I could never forget the night I had seen it. That creature…its black, sheer outline was nothing more than a stolen copy of a human form, its trancelike eyes washing my senses, taking me away from the world I once knew with no knowledge that I had left at all. It was rarely spoken of among the boys, only to rial up those around the bonfire ensuring sleep-less nights to any who heard. The thought of staring into the endless eyes of that figure of night still caused a dead-like cold to wrap itself around my bones.

I hadn't been the only one. The others were undecided between keeping their attention on Pan or watching the treetops, expecting the shadow to appear before us at any moment. It became an unplanned distraction which only ended in the four of us missing the importance of Pan's short conversation, leaving us with more questions. But one thing was clear. Pan was gone.

My fingers had brushed the ferns, my curiosity keeping me from hearing the exchanged whispers of confusion from the three beside me. I had caught something that left a known feeling weighed over my shoulders. I observed Pan from the distance between us in a way I hadn't before, carefully picking out smaller things I would have otherwise ignored; the tight pull of his red scour lips, the subtle pressing of his nails burying deep into his skin, and an abstracted flicker in his eyes. These were hard to place, they didn't make it any easier to break through his impassive front until I found the slight change in his expression. I couldn't miss the familiarity. I had seen it before in the gateway, the one he denied to exist yet showed so clearly. I had the feeling I was the only one that had noticed.

"Where's Ben?"

Ethan suddenly paused in his tracks and I almost walked into him. His attention set fixedly behind me, washing away Pan's face from my mind. Will turned back with a frown. I followed their gazes to see nothing more than a sea of green with no sight of Ben.

"I thought he was right behind me," I mumbled then sighed, turning back to the other two remembering Ben lingering around the stream, muttering something about getting revenge on a fish. I left him to it thinking he would follow along. I guess it was naïve of me to believe Ben would do anything that's asked of him when his mind is set.

"He got caught up at the stream."

Will let out a groan. "I know he was thirsty, but it was only meant to be a short break." He smacked his forehead. "And why did I even bother trusting him to carry the supplies."

"He'll catch up eventually. We shouldn't waste any more time," Ethan decided giving one last look between the distant trees before turning his back.

The single-file continued as we finished trekking through the heart of the jungle. I found my throats closing as I panted, my boots leading after the two in front. The morning rain had long passed since its downfall, drenching the island in a thick steaming haze of warm air. Water droplets stuck to every surface, their clear, green globes moving their way down the tightly closed canopies, dropping with light taps onto my dampening clothes. It made for heavy travel weight, but it wasn't long until the mazed root system of these trees began to disperse leaving a steady trail ahead.

"We're almost there, just up ahead," Will called from the front.

A salt-filled breeze prickled my nose, confirming Will's claim as a gust of wind swept through the lower branches indicating our destination would soon be reached. Will and Ethan both stationed themselves in the distance having found a generously protected cluster of overgrowth. I ducked beneath a few ferns, settling myself beside the two on a bed of moss. The green walls around us made a cave-like structure, sealing us except for the opening overhead which showed the underbrush of the trees above.

"This should be close enough," Will said as he stripped off his cloak.

Ethan and I promptly followed his action as the blanket of humidity that clouded the island began to close in, crawling under our skin.

"I still don't think we will get a clear view from here," Ethan said after pulling a top layer over his head. "We're well protected, but out there, they have an advantage we don't."

I wiped a sleeve across my sweat covered forehead only to pause my movements as I heard a sharp snap of a branch behind us. Will and Ethan picked out the noise too, a dagger already drawn in Will's hand while Ethan tilted his head up to the trees with a frown. The three of us refused to move when another snap sounded only a few steps away.

I caught the leaves floating down around us, exchanging confused looks to both boys. The rustling of branches brought us quickly to our feet, all eyes directed up to the trees above expecting some kind of animal to appear. The howl that erupted only brought a choir of annoyed groans.

"AWOOOWAHHHHH."

"There's no need for that," Ethan called up to the trees in a deflated voice.

"There really isn't," Will agreed as he searched the cluttered growth, putting away his dagger.

There was no way of telling where he was until laughter bounced down around us. The crowd of leaves tore open as Ben leapt from his secluded branch, seeming to glide down between stems of wood, landing before us effortlessly on two feet, managing to cross his arms in a boastful ta-da kind of way.

"Been climbing?" I asked as he shook the leaves from his hair.

Ben shrugged with a grin. "What other way is there to get around?"

"Did you at least pick up some food on your way?" Will grumbled from behind the fern, busy keeping his attention beyond the short span of trees ahead.

"Sure did!" Ben tossed the satchel strapped around his shoulder. Ethan extended his arm, promptly catching it before it could smack Will over the head.

"So, I see you got the fish," I pointed out the slimy, ugly looking thing impaled onto Ben's crafted spear. Its mouth was larger than its head, barbed teeth open mid-attack before its timely death.

"A snack for later!" Ben said enthusiastically while I could only stare in horror.

"Sure."

His face twisted in realisation. "Here, hold my fish!" Ben hurried, shoving the spear in my hand which I instantly retracted as far as I could.

"Wait-where are you going?" I asked finding him wading over weight-height overgrowth, disappearing back into the jungle before I could get in another word. Rustling could be heard from a few strides away, then a relieved sigh.

Oh.

I turned on my heal, placing his speared devil fish against a nearby tree before joining Will and Ethan.

"He'll be a minute," I insisted, helping myself to the strange-looking fruits peeking out of the satchel.

Besides the animals thrown over the bonfire, fruit was the only striking abnormality I have eaten. They were unlike anything I was used to, even the berries grew to be the size of large marbles, their flavours mixed and matched, distinct with every bite. Sunbursts were probably my favourite, their rough, burnt-like, spiky shell protected the soft inner layers of sweet fruit inside. They grew in the highest of trees making them a rare treat for any that would risk their lives climbing that high. That's why Ben was able to grab a handful at once.

"Saved you the last one before someone ate them all," Ethan mentioned, gesturing over to the number of cracked shells beside Will. I smiled, reaching for the stained, sticky rock and began chipping away at the tough shell.

These fruits had been thrown into that concoction made by the boys a few nights ago, the very one I used to poison Pan. That seemed so long ago after all that has happened. Now that I had the time to think about it clearly, I couldn't believe my mind had been so torn up, invaded and made hostage. All those nights of lost sleep watching nightmares appearing before my eyes, fearing having to close them again...and now it was all gone. I was free. But I was also burdened by what it had all left behind.

Sunlight began breaching the treetops, casting down abstract beams of streaming light around us. The plants engulfing the small clearing turned up to the sun, bathing in it, showing green skeletons. The smell of sap and the musty smell of wet dirt filled my nose making it crinkle. I stared down at the pealed sunburst in my hand, my smile fading as white light burnt my skin, piercing through the ripened, translucent fruit glowing in my palm.

There was no difficulty in finding the similarity to the image now burned in my brain, the one she put there, the one she showed me. It was the same size and weight as the stone. I blinked slowly, blurring through bronze rings and unknown carved symbols finding my conscious easing once I forcefully split the fruit in half, its contents clear, the ones in my head still dancing for answers.

"We can't get any closer. Not right now," Will started or rather continued off what had been mentioned in my short, distracted absence. "You know what they're like, Ethan."

"I do, which is why I am asking you in the first place. To be expected is one thing, getting there is another."

Will turned away from the distance he reserved his attention on, eyes flickering absently. His nails clicked as he flicked them against each other, fiddling while he tried to think. That's what he does with Fin's crystal.

"Why don't you ask Fin?" I suggested. The clicking stopped and he tilted his head up to me. "You said he helped before. I'm sure he wouldn't mind doing it again."

"He would be helpful," Ethan agreed. "After all, he got you this far."

Will loosened his stiff posture, his face easing. I offered him half a sunburst and he smiled, eating the last of the fruit. It promoted him to find the satchel lying on the grass and to find the boy that was no longer wearing it.

"Where is he?" Will asked with another sigh.

I gestured behind me with my thumb and Will rose to his feet, stumbling out of the hidden greens, mumbling under his breath. Ethan and I bit back a laugh as Will swore having discovered the speared fish.

"Of course he had to get the bloody fish," Will muttered to himself before his voice broke into the clearing. "Ben! What the hell is taking so long! What are you doing back there!

I wasn't surprised that Ben's voice reached us as it held the same tone and volume that was teenage irritancy.

"Shut up, I'm PEEING!"

"Well pee faster! We don't have time for this!"

"Don't you rush my bladder; it won't make it run any faster!" Ben must have paused for a quick breath, refusing to let Will chip in. "Do you know how much water I drank trying to kill that stupid fish!"

"I told you not to!" Will shouted back.

Ethan and I both made our way out of the towering plants hearing their voices rise. Will turned to us, outraged as he cast out a hand to the jungle, presumably indicating to wherever Ben was.

"Can you believe him!"

I just can't believe he's been peeing this whole time…

"Honestly, how hard is it to stick to the plan. All we need to do is stay hidden and keep watch so none of the other boys can find out what we're up to, and he's bloody peeing in the open!"

Ethan sat back on a fallen tree, unfazed as he rested his elbow on a propped knee. "If he's caught doing his business, we'll know if someone's coming. He'll get scared and scream like a pig."

"Probably spray them if we're lucky."

I grimaced and shook my head hoping that would be enough to rid that unnecessary image out of my head.

"Guys! There's a spider!" Ben cried. "Someone kill it!"

Will smirked and turned his back, satisfied that he could save his voice.

"Ethan, come kill it! Please!"

"Why don't you just piss on it and see if that will work."

A scream much higher than any I could pull off filled our ears. After a few seconds, Ben came hurdling out of the jungle, panting through long breaths before stretching his back.

"Unbelievable," Will muttered.

Ben put his hands up in defence. "I know, I know, but it wasn't all for nothing. I found a tree!"

"Congratulations," Ethan said, dully looking around at our surroundings. "Care to elaborate?"

Ben shot him a side glare. "Yes. I found this beauty on my way here." He crossed his arms with confidence. "Trust me, you'll get a good look at the lot of them."

Ethan held a grin of approval, passing it over to Will who stared, contemplating the tempting offer and eventually abandoning his hide in the jungle, tossing the satchel over his shoulder with a grumbled, "Fine."

Ben smirked through the smugness on his face. "Follow me."

Ben led us into the jungle he trampled through, our short walk leading over the masses of tree roots until we were able to climb on top of them, wiring and weaving as they ran flat against the earth, extending up to the sky to form one giant trunk of a tree. We stood under the giantess, its branches unfolding above us creating sturdy rails and loopholes embedded into the firm, protective outer layer.

My mouth opened as I trailed up the length unable to see past the cluttered branches that merged in with their neighbours. I thought I had seen the tallest of these mountain greens. Despite their size, they hid in plain sight, waiting to be discovered by new arrivals and their dumbstruck faces staring up at them.

"Did you have to find the biggest tree on the island?" Ethan asked with a follow-up groan as he tilted his head back up to the endless growth, its size unchanged. "You're going to make us climb this thing, aren't you?"

"Hey, your method clearly wasn't working out. It's time for you to experience a new way of travelling," Ben encouraged, pushing Ethan against his begrudgingly heavy steps towards the tree.

"I would prefer to suffer my way through snake vines than try my hand at tree jumping."

"It's an exciting and freeing world up there, Ethan."

"Imminent death would disagree with you."

I watched Ethan make a start for the lower branches, gripping and hurling himself up higher above the ground, rolling his eyes at Ben's cheers from below. They seemed to be large enough to stand on without the worry of slipping, but after competing in the tournaments and getting thrown around by that enchanted, giant oak tree, I don't trust them. But I do sort of trust Ben and his weird yet useful habits.

"This might just work," Will admitted, causing Ben to extend his arm back, pointing a finger in our general direction without taking his eyes off Ethan's footing.

"I heard that! Now get your asses over here!"

Will clicked his tongue before walking over to Ben. I followed after so Will wouldn't see the grin creeping its way across my face. It didn't help that Will spotted a stained mark by the bottom of the tree; his face blank as he turned it to Ben who still held a smug expression, crossing his arms over his chest.

"I mark my territory well."

"Alrighty," I clasped my hands together, walking between the two, turning to Ben feeling a looming shadow behind me. "So. Man. Any advice on how to climb without falling to my death?"

Ben's smugness slipped from his face as he turned it to me, shaking his confusion away. "What?"

"You always call me woman," I pointed out with a light chuckle then waved my hand. "Oh, don't worry, just give me a lift."

Will's laughter could be heard among Ben's grunts from him throwing kicks at the other to shut him up. I managed to pull myself up to the first lowered branch as Ben's cupped hands left my foot. Thankfully I could save myself the embarrassment of almost falling without having started the climb. I left the two behind knowing they would eventually sort it out themselves and began trailing across the same branches from Ethan's starting point.

I committed what I could to memory but up here at this height, I was just going to have to go with my gut. I let my hands and feet lead the way as I moved in to the trunk of the tree feeling like a miniscule ant with the world towering above my head. I should be keeping my eyes on my next steps but they had a habit of drifting up the giant structure, enlightened by new possible directions to take.

The ground stretched down moving further away from my ascending climb. A few minutes could have passed when I heard Will and Ben's voices from below. The branches began thinning out, their sturdy, gripped path remaining unchanged the further I climbed, allowing a comfortable walk along the extended passages. The hanging vines were a good relief too as I fought against the tightness brewing in my stomach each time my eyes flickered past my boots, over the edge to the unseeable drop below.

It was strange to have it settle once I pushed through the disarrayed leaves. My hair tangled on concealed flower buds as I pushed through the last clumps of leaves, reaching the enclosed branches that presented the worthy crown top of the tree. I stared in awe as I scanned over every inch of the space, following the bend of each branch curving their way out from the middle of the trunk, their smooth surfaces broken with short stems of white and yellow blooming flowers.

"It's not so bad up here after all," Ethan said from behind me.

I turned to find him seated comfortably on the outer branches.

"Yeah, I think Ben has it all figured out," I said breathlessly as I lifted myself to sit into a carved bend, resting my blistered skin.

Ethan's hand pulled back a branch, his head tilting into the peeking light to see out of the patched wall. "He sure has this part figured out."

I leaned over to see the tops of the trees surrounding their successor. A much cooler breeze swept around us, holding the mixed sent of salt and fresh green cuttings as it drifted over the high ends of those a few paces below, rustling their leaves, lifting wings above the tree-line. The everlasting spree of bumpy hills ran in every direction as far as the eye could see, over to the small mountain peaks in the north running down in a cut, wavy line where the jungle met the beach.

The branches holding our weight were as sturdy as their roots planted underground, providing comfort in the air. The nature weaved floor that closed off the climb began to rustle when Ben busted through the pool of closed leaves below our hanging feet. A contented grin filled his face, his blue eyes lit proudly. "What do you think!"

"I'm struggling to find the words to tell you that, Ben. It is amazing up here."

"Ethannn?" Ben called fishing for the others obvious approval.

Ethan didn't face him but I could see the smile on his face.

"Yeah, you've really outdone yourself, bud." Ethan's praise was soon replaced by a frown, giving the other his attention when Will's groans could be heard.

"Don't worry, I didn't hurt him too badly," Ben assured before Ethan could roll his eyes.

"Yeah, right."

Ben pulled Will up from the enclosed leaves causing another groan of pain to escape him, his face emerging, pale and creasing as he glared at Ben, proceeding to use him as a branch to climb to a spot in the tree.

"The little shit missed my balls by this much," Will muttered to Ethan holding a gap between his thumb and forefinger. The other could only stare blankly between the two.

"What do we do now?" Ben asked as he leapt from branch to branch, flying through the air in a way that made my stomach turn and my breath hitch.

Will lifted a small crowd of branches, gazing out of the opening. I followed past the treetops to the cutaway of jungle where a thin line of white sand could be seen stretching around the small bend of our habited part of the island. But it was what was out on the water that kept the four of us staring intently, patiently. This had been it, the major mark in Baelfire's plan that Will had explained, an unsettling, dangerous part that would be the entryway to our foretold success.

I couldn't wrap my head around it until I came to the very late realisation that this fairy-tale really did exist, that not only did it throw an unimaginable reality in my face but smother it in my eyes so I was forced to see it no matter how much deniability I could muster up against it. Just like everything else, nothing was what it seemed. Nothing was as sweet as storytelling. This reality left a bitter taste in my mouth. It broke down every beautiful lie I had been told and replaced it with a far more sinister truth. And just like everything else, they were included...the pirates.

Will's POV

Even from this distance, I could see their dark figures moving up the masts, coats mimicking the comical wave of their topmost flag. I couldn't distinguish how many or who I studied from afar, but that didn't matter. They were there. They were watching, just as we were. Our waiting game had commenced long before any of us could figure out we were already playing. They had the upper hand; only now will we be finally settling on even ground.

"We run through what we know," I said in answer to Ben's question, taking my eyes away from the anchored ship and around to the others sitting inside the canopy. "This will do nicely, Ben. It provides plenty of cover and keeps us off the ground. It will be a perfect rendezvous point."

Ben raised his chin in acknowledgement of his work done.

"We'll still need to carry out the usual days' work if we don't want to attract unwanted attention," Ethan began explaining. "Felix will be monitoring every gathering and hunting groups retrieving's with a stick up his ass. He won't tolerate anything else which means we of all people need to bring back enough to keep him off our backs."

"I'm sure that stick will remain in place with a few herb gatherings," Ben said dismissively, tearing a dry twig from a branch.

Ethan's eyes narrowed as he went on adamantly. "He will count the rarest first – make sure we do our jobs better than we can, and if we screw it up once, he won't leave us alone." He pinched the bridge of his nose. "Especially since I got us this spot in the first place."

Ben's brows raised and he abandoned his twig, swinging forward in excitement with his toes handing off the edge of his branch. "You got us this spot?! What exactly did you tell him?"

"I have ways of getting what I want. It's not exactly the most desirable spot on the island. It's also the most secluded and furthest from any of the other groups, meaning if we somehow pull this off, we won't be disturbed."

"So how many did you beat up?" Ben asked with a devilish grin.

"I didn't beat anyone up. I don't have to. They're smart enough not to question it, and I have a means of agreement which doesn't provoke people, unlike some," Ethan said gesturing to Ben who had been nodding in agreement until the words registered in his head, his glare now set on Ethan.

"Ethan's right," I said, turning myself to the others. "He will be with the hunting groups, but we'll have to do routine checks around our section at midday in case Felix does decide to pay us a patrolled visit."

"What about Pan?" Emily spoke up from the other side of the tree, her eyes distant, face staring distractedly before she heard the question she asked and faced the three of us. "How do we know this will work if he's gone?"

Ethan and Ben followed her lead, turning their heads to me in search for the same answer. I pulled my hand out from within my wrapped cloak, holding Fin's crystal out in my hand. I watched the flickers of sunlight beaming off the clear, blue crystal. There was no glow, no hint of his presence so I concentrated on Fin's last message, recalling his words in my head. "Trust in what you have been told and you won't fail."

"Because Fin will help us," I assured, the confidence clear in my voice as I lifted my eyes from the crystal. "He can see more than we can, he can sense if something is wrong through me. When we need it, he'll be there. I know he will." My eyes flickered over their faces, relief filling my own to see trust in theirs. "He's led me this far. He won't let us down."

I tucked the crystal away after one last glance of its transparent, blue glass, still no glow in sight, but that didn't falter my drive to go ahead with this plan. If anything, I need to push it further.

"We still don't know why Pan's gone, but we can't let this time slip away. That's why we need to get there after midday."

"What!" Ben exclaimed. "In the middle of the day! You said it yourself, Felix will be coming here to check on us and you want to leave!"

"Will, what if someone sees us?" Emily asked.

"I don't like the idea of leaving in broad daylight, night cover will be a lot smoother," Ethan added, his brows pulling in a knot of concentration.

"Did you hear Felix this morning?" I asked the three who exchanged questionable glances. "He's changing the curfew, running it later than nightfall, and he'll have boys on rotation between tasks. With that much going on he won't be able to keep track of everyone. We will show up when we need to then be gone before anyone notices we've left."

"That might work if you can figure out if Fin could help with timing it, but there's just one little problem," Ethan turning to me. "How are we going to get to them?"

I retreated to my jumbled mind, shuffling my numbed legs against the smooth bark when my ankle slipped between the nook of two separating branches. I hissed as the pain eased into a familiar throbbing sensation, one that hadn't really gone away. My eyes widened. It came over me so quickly I nearly slipped trying to stand to my feet.

"I think I know a way," I mumbled as I began moving through the canopy, over to the cluster of leaves we came through.

"You think?" Ben asked.

"I have a feeling."

"Oh boy. I swear if you make us swim there."

"No swimming will be needed. How did you say this worked again?" I pulled down on a tangle of vines, separating one from the mess caught together in the highest part of the branches.

Ben fixed it around my waist when Ethan grabbed my arm.

"You're coming with me," I said before he could say anything, giving him a subtle hinted tone that eased his grip. I looked up at Emily and Ben. "You two stay up here and keep watch until we get back."

"Are you going to tell us what your sudden revelation was or are we guessing our way through this whole plan?" Emily asked, leaning her arms over a branch with her chin resting on her hands.

"What she said," Ben gestured his head back to Emily while fastening another vine to Ethan. He gave a tough yank to the bundle at the top which loosened their tightly-knit group.

"It's a surprise," I grinned and Ben's face lit up.

"Oh, I love surprises!"

"I don't," Emily grumbled before her eyes examined the vines. "But I'll go with it to avoid whatever contraption that is."

"Good idea!" Ben agreed. "I've only tested this method a few times."

"As opposed to?" Ethan asked wearily.

"Jumping down."

"Right."

I kept a good grip on the vine hanging at my side, failing to believe in Ben's optimism just this once.

"Don't worry it's completely safe and it'll get you down fast!"

"I don't doubt that," Ethan sighed, latching tightly onto the vine.

The first steps down through the crowd of leaves seemed easy enough until the contents of my stomach decided to hitch a ride to my lungs. My nails pierced into the flesh of the vine as we propelled down at a speed that felt like falling, branches flying past in every direction as we dipped down alongside the growing trunk. I had almost shut my eyes when the ground approached but the vine gave in and slowed our descent, running to a timely stop for us to land on our feet. I tried to ignore the uncomfortable turning in my stomach while Ethan hunched over, cutting away the vines with his dagger, his breath stuck in his throat.

"I'm gonna kill him."

"At least he was honest," I said earning a glare from Ethan.

I cut through the plant strapped to my waist then helped Ethan to his feet. I fumbled for Fin's crystal once more, holding it out to light the way as it did in my dream. Ethan composed himself once he saw the crystal, following my lead over the roots of Ben's tree. I didn't have to look at Ethan's face to know he was expecting an explanation.

"You're going to think I'm crazy, and maybe I am for dream walking–"

Ethan's cocked his head to me, his brows pulling together. "You let yourself dreamwalk? Will, you do understand what happens when you can't tell the difference."

"I know, I'll be trapped in my sleep. But it wasn't like that, I could feel something was different," I tried to explain while keeping my attention down to the small object, waiting keenly for a flash of light. "The crystal was guiding me to something. Fin knew it would be waiting for me to find. I just wasn't sure if it had all gone to my head or if it was really out there waiting..."

My face fell when I caught the slightest spark of blue light emitting from the glass in my hand. Everything rolled to an unnatural freeze. I could barely manage another step forward when Ethan turned me to face him, pulling me out of my distracted trance.

"How? To find what?" Ethan cut in drawing my focus to him.

My palm filled with a sustaining warmth and we both looked down as I held the crystal out in my hand. The blue light beamed in full then disappeared to its original state becoming the same tiny beacon that guided me in my sleep. Ethan was at a loss of words as he stared down at the rhythmic glow, his face becoming pale under the light.

"Come on," I said hastily as I extended my arm for Fin to lead the way.

We picked up our pace under the jungle trees, running faster as each flash pulsed with our steps. I could feel the overgrowth rising to our waists, thorns stinging our skin until eventually, we were moving under the towering ferns. Fin's crystal blasted light in our eyes, the glow steady and complete. I held an arm out catching Ethan before he could make the same mistake I did as we both came to a sudden stop. The slope down was guarded by dark ferns, sunlight struggling to breach down onto the emerald bends of the plants before us.

It was still there, peaking in the darkness, waiting just as I had first discovered it. I could tell Ethan had a rough idea of what was staring back at us as his panted breaths stopped altogether, disbelief running a strong course in his mind. He approached it slowly, moving its coverage to the side, staring down at the small vessel.

"How did it get here?"

"I don't know," I answered truthfully as I watched Ethan examine the imprinted markings in the wood. "Do you think it will work?"

"Oh, it will get you there. Once they see it is one of theirs and the marks of their blades and blood have been permanently engraved, it might not get you back."

"Then I'll have to convince them."

Ethan turned away from the grouped ferns. He wasn't taken aback by my audacity but challenged it, running through the endless possibilities of this going wrong, just as I had, that a plan made up of secrets, lies and chance is no plan at all.

"Do you really think we will be able to take one step on that ship without a sword slashed to our throats, that a whole history of spilt blood will be erased? Have you forgotten they don't share the likes of children, and you think a few words will change their minds?"

"No, I don't. Words won't be enough, that's why I'm willing to do whatever it takes, and if I do that, then what Fin and Baelfire sacrificed won't have been for nothing."

Ethan's face remained unchanged; his eyes trained on me as he walked away from the vessel.

"I'm trying to stop you from getting yourself killed."

"So am I, which is why you're going to stay here on the island."

His shoulders fell, his sharpened features softening. Through the tearing of his shirt, I could just make out the tips of the faded scars scattered faintly to his collarbones. I never intended for Ethan to come with me, that was clear once I found out the truth of what he had been hiding. He had grown stronger overnight, perhaps found a way to fight off the fatal attacks chained to his heart, but that won't be enough. We both knew it.

"You can't fool me into thinking you were healed overnight."

He tilted his head to the ground, dark hair covering most of his features until he pushed it through his fingers. His knuckles clenched until they were white with the lines of bone. This only proved my suspicion.

"Baelfire was the one who healed me. He seems to have a way of finding people at the right time which I couldn't make sense of until you confirmed it last night." He lifted his hand to his chest, pulling the loose material down with one finger, revealing the scars that marked him. "He knew about his too, more than I did, about me…about her. He knew about a lot of things, but nothing will stop a cursed heart."

I could hear the hollow acceptance in his voice. I didn't know enough to convince him otherwise. If Baelfire hadn't known what to do, if he had done what he came here to do, to try help save him and that wasn't enough, I was out of my depths. I could only come up with false hope and Ethan would despise me if I did.

"The tonic Baelfire gave me feels as though he put it to sleep. It saved my life. I just don't know what will happen if it awakens again," Ethan said as he looked me in the eyes, cutting me off before I could speak. "Don't you understand, Will? No matter what you do, no matter what changes…this won't. It's more permanent than a scar, and not even you can do anything to change that."

"I…" My face fell as I realised what I have done. "I made it worse…I started this plan…I did that to you."

"No," Ethan said firmly, his angered tone not directed to me but in defence of my actions. "She did this to me, not you."

The rustling of leaves in the treetops sent a warm breeze down on the ferns above our heads, speaking for me. They said more than I could, more than I wanted to. I parted my lips and Ethan watched them closely.

"We can find a way, there must be a way–"

"Will, I'm not changing my mind so don't think you can do it for me."

I looked at him questioningly and he sighed resting a hand gently on my shoulder.

"I'm already apart of this, just as the others are." He managed a grin squeezing my shoulder to ease my fallen features. "By the looks of your plan so far, you're going to need all the help you can get. Come on, help me lift this thing."

I shook my thoughts away, placing them somewhere I knew I would come back to before clearing my mind. I moved between ferns joining Ethan to his opposite side, squatting down and digging my hands beneath the damp soil. The lift was surprisingly easy, the weight manageable between the two of us as we walked it up the short slope. It was only once we turned it over that I saw the two planks of wood within the slender inside. Two seats were all it held.

"Looks like I won't be coming after all," Ethan joked.

I gave him a look of reassurance. "You'll be safe here," I said after a moment, trying to convince myself of the words that left my mouth.

He nodded with a smile. "I know. And you'll be safer out there knowing someone here is watching your back."

We both reached for the curves of wood along the sides of the small boat, our grips steady as we lifted again and begun walking back to Ben's tree, discussing the new changes and details in depth once over.

Emily's POV

I eased gently off the branch, sitting up to acknowledge the presence before me. It flashed triumphantly in streaks of blinding yellow and orange, binding together in a wall of fire. Creeping up from below, it engulfed every life source in a single breath, its uniformity untamed as its wave set a course of destruction around me.

The heat drowned the air thin creating a surrounding transparent ripple to look through. I stayed unfazed by this discomfort for I knew it was a staged display for only my eyes to see. My audacious assumption was treated with immediate correction as a burn singed my skin, reminding me of my vulnerable place. I hissed, placing my shaking hand over the singing part of my arm, taking in short breaths until my lungs burned. I waited a moment, staring at the flames trying not to change my indifferent front.

I accepted my mistake and the wildfire grew, reaching the ends of the giant tree without resistance. What had been living now burnt away to a timely death. Cavernous lines tore through branches, splitting them in two, revealing red glowing cores while others burst apart into thin needle-like splinters. Above was the gathered smoke, darkened like a night sky blanketed with thick clouds. I tilted my head up to it, watching the fine, black specs fall down like snow relieved of its purities, landing back in the flames below to be reborn again.

"Show me what I need to see," I asked the whirling storm of fire. "I'm ready."

The circling flames only grew, unhinged unlike their faint bursts of light presented to me the night before. I took the time to study it, render it in my mind so it was all I could focus on, and when it finally showed itself, I maintained the fiery blaze so it would forever burn, so I could find what I was looking for. I knew it was in there, waiting. I just had to figure out how to get it. If only it were that easy.

From what I could gather so far, it moved and breathed as if it were alive. There was rhythm to it, a sanctimonious nature inflicted in its heated waves, reciting the one message she left behind. She had let me see it. Now I could only catch a glimpse of the light within the wall of flames, distorted and unclear. It was safeguarded within its own destruction, enclosed in a fortified barrier I proved myself worthy of breaking through at the cost that my life would be spared. That front was only concealing the real threat ensconced inside it...the one she called the sempiternal stone.

My eyes widened as a tear ripped through the surrounding fire like a newly lit firework. That very stone appeared before my eyes, levitating within the flames, its own fire living inside the sealed, burnt amber stone. A gentle chime filled my ears, sounding above the crumbling, breaking wood leaving an entrancing ringing echoing after it. The timeless cracks and bends within the stone claimed hold of the bronze frame where the pattern of unidentifiable symbols marked a perfect ring around it.

"Finally," I whispered, my eyes set on the glow inside the flames.

Now I could see it in all its glory. I drew closer towards it, the soft ringing quickly becoming distant as though I were being dragged further away from the stone. Only after listening carefully did I catch those sounds evolving into whispers. They were quiet, bouncing around in the fire before their soft, alluring voices reached my ears. That's when I heard them humming in my head.

"Your time grows thin, but ours is eternal," One whispered, fading away when another took its place. "What you seek is no stranger. You have felt the depths, seen the markings...you have the gift. Time will do the rest."

I frowned at the glowing orb. "I don't understand," I mumbled faintly, my voice no louder than those emitted from the stone.

Before I could say anything more, the whispers swirled their way out of my ears leaving the unique chiming behind, its faint noise barely audible. No, not yet...I still have so many questions! I wasn't sure how long it would stay or when it would next appear. I couldn't let it vanish again, I had to know what it meant...what all of it meant.

I reached out to the stone, my fingers brushing the fire around it, but in a flash, everything retreated from my touch, the fire whipping down in all its fury, vanishing before my eyes. I blinked through the sting, my eyes watering as they opened to see Ben above me, his face strained. His voice was distorted at first then it flooded my ears at once, the chime long gone as Ben shouts struck down on me.

"Are you crazy!"

My breath caught thick in my throat as I found myself hanging in the air, the branch I was sitting on now taken by Ben who hung over it, his grip on my hand straining to pull me up. I quickly reached for him as he pulled me beside him before collapsing in relief, his hand over his chest.

"Did I fall asleep?" I asked in disbelief.

"Woman, I don't know what you did, but don't do it again." Ben drew a long breath. "You gave me a heart attack."

I found another crook in the branch, resting still against it with a firm grip.

"Thank you...for catching me," I managed as he stretched up to stand on the branch.

A welcoming smile lit across his face when a breeze whisked its way through the treetops. He turned his nose up, breathing in the strong scent of the jungle's trees before his features creased. He leapt back over to the other side of the giant tree, shifting the folds of branches down keeping a close observant gaze ahead. I rested my head back against the smooth bark trying to catch my breath.

I was so close...what happened?

The sound of Will's shouts from below nearly sent me down a second time as I jolted upright. Ben hadn't seemed to notice or chose to ignore Will's call as his attention kept distractedly out of his created open window.

"Ben, they're back."

"Go on without me, I'll be down in a minute," He answered without a glance.

I jumped down to a sturdy branch below, reaching the crowded leaves. I chose a vine from the pile, wrapping it around my waist following the same pattern Ben had weaved for Ethan and Will, folding a loop before securing it tightly in a knot. My feet slid across the flat branch, dipping into the leaves where I took one hesitant step after the next as though I was walking into a pool of ice-cold water. Soon enough there was no more branch to follow.

I bit my lips, shutting my eyes and shaking my head. This is crazy. They're all crazy. This whole damn island is crazy! And I'm about to jump from the top of a tree with nothing but a magical suspending vine to keep me falling to my death. I am crazy!

"Stop telling yourself you're crazy and jump already," Ben called over his shoulder.

I gave him a quick, burning glare before shaking my head and leaping from the branch. My stomach twisted the moment I was airborne, my eyes shutting tight for the descent down. I tried to scream but nothing left my mouth until my feet collapsed to the ground. I tumbled over, hearing two pairs of feet rushing towards me. All I could do was breathe to stop myself from vomiting.

"Never again!" I shouted angrily.

"Yeah, that's what I said after my first jump too," Ethan sighed cutting away the vines.

Will helped me to my feet. "Are you alright?"

I nodded briefly, unsure of how I was managing to stand. My legs were stiff like concrete, my stomach giving another heave, thankfully keeping its contents down. It wasn't until I looked up to face the two of them that I found the old wooden boat resting beside them.

"Revelation," Will said, extending his hand to the boat.

"So that's how we will get to them," I mumbled while examining the boat.

I found myself staring at the indented cuts within the dark wood, suddenly finding it hard to swallow. The inside had not aged a day, presenting itself as a relic lost in the midst of the jungle, so out of place, it created an urge within me to put it back where it belonged. It was a strange and unfamiliar feeling. This vessel found its way to us, and we would be the ones returning it back to them. It was too convenient, too easy placed in something so complex that it made my skin crawl.

"About that," Will started as his gaze fell over the two seats. "There's been a change of plan."

I was about to question Will when the three of us jumped at the loud thud of boots landing behind us.

"I think we have a problem!" Ben began as he walked over quickly.

"What did you do this time?"

"I- HEY!" Ben fumed at Ethan before Will could bring his attention back.

"What happened?" He asked pulling Ben's curled fist away from Ethan.

"I saw them moving around the ship until it was only him watching," Ben explained, his anger seeping away. "He wouldn't move – he wouldn't do anything but watch."

Ethan and Will fell silent. By the looks on their faces, I assumed that wasn't what they were wanting to hear, but after a moment, Will walked back over to the boat.

"We have to go now," He said, turning back with Fin's crystal in his hand. It was glowing softly, the blue light blinking a steady pace. I couldn't help run my eyes along the trees expecting to see Fin standing close by, but there was no sign of him here besides the crystal.

"Alright, I trust the glowy thing even though it creeps me out," Ben admitted turning his eyes up from the light to Will, a frown quickly appearing on his face. "What's wrong?"

"Only two can go across," Ethan explained causing Ben's masked confusion to steadily grow in the unwanted anticipation of his next words. "We will stay on the island and watch their backs."

I felt Will's presence by my side the moment Ben inflicted his outrage on Ethan. He looked over apologetically, but I had already seen that expression many times before and knew what it meant. He had no need to apologise. I owed him this. But in another way, I had expected this. The struggle of figuring out Baelfire's last words was slowly unravelling, pieces were fitting together. I had a feeling only Baelfire knew what the end picture would look like.

"He knew it would be this way, didn't he?"

Will nodded, his hazel-green eyes brightening in the sunlight. "I wasn't sure how it would happen until the boat was turned over, but I do know why. Baelfire said it was the only way. Just promise me you won't react like that–" Will gestured over to Ben, "–when I tell you what he told me."

"That codfish can kiss my ass!" Ben growled.

Will shook his head pulling him away from Ethan. "That's why I can't let you go aboard the ship."

"Why not!"

"Because they need to trust us, not start a bloodbath before we can take one step on their deck." Will rested his hands on Ben's shoulders. "I need you here."

Ben let out a huff through his nose, his mouth opening then closing as he contemplated the truth of Will's words. He seemed to be closer to agreeing before he turned to Ethan.

"Then why won't you go?"

Ethan scoffed, taking away the dagger in Ben's hand for safekeeping, shaking his head at the weapon. "Someone needs to keep an eye on you, make sure you don't burn down half the island before they get back."

Ben crossed his arms, huffing without further comment allowing Ethan to continue.

"I've made negotiations with some of the other boys. They're happy to help out if Felix decides to bring hell on us. They'll give us a warning if he's coming our way, but that means we'll need to be there to meet him when he does."

"How do you know they will help you?" I asked. "I mean, this is Felix we're talking about."

"Trust me, we're not the only ones who are fond of his new leadership."

I nodded. "Can't argue there."

"Ben. We will walk a perimeter check around our section," Ethan went on causing the other to listen with interest. "If we are getting the help we need, Felix will be there and you can tell him to piss off for the day."

Ben smirked. "Gladly."

"I also found a few traps you can easily set off from the trees–"

"With fire?"

"What?" Ethan's face scrunched in disapproval. "No. What is with your arsonistic tendencies, just make sure they don't linger around too long."

"Right. Of course," Ben shook his head though his eyes trained on Ethan hoping for the slightest sign of him changing his mind.

"While we're doing that, Will and Emily will take the boat to the shoreline. We will meet them at the beach before sunset which–" He paused tilting his head up to the darkening treetops. "–will hopefully happen before this day ends."

"With our section clear we can ride out during daylight then use the nights cover to get back undetected," Will said. "Make it for the bonfire then get back here under the tree at nightfall. We won't be long after."

My eyes darted to the crystal in Will's hand. It's clear, luminous blue flashed in a timely rhythm, the pace hurried, giving a clear message that we should do the same.

"We should get moving," I warned, gesturing to Fin's crystal.

Will held it out for a moment allowing everyone to examine the flashes of light before we broke out in movement. Will tossed the satchel to Ethan who brought it across his shoulder, passing the dagger back to Ben who fed it into his belt loop. With one last confirming nod, Ethan and Ben took off in the opposite direction towards campus.

Will put away Fin's crystal, the flashes still beaming strong before they were tucked under his clothes. I helped Will lift the boat. We walked for a minute across the rooted bends with coordinated steps before making it to flat ground. I looked in the carved inside to see no means of getting across water. Will picked up on my uncertainty.

"The tides will pull us out and the current will bring us back in," Will explained then further added once finding the doubt on my face, "There's a reason we stay out of the water. Only some areas are safe, and even then, it's too risky to judge unless you want to drown."

"I guess I tested my luck swimming back here when Pan dropped me from the sky during that test," I said, locking my jaw at the memory.

Will turned to me in bewilderment. "He dropped you from the sky?"

"Afraid of heights," I added, muttering, "Wasn't the first time, but at least I could swim. That was when I saw the ship out in the distance ...I just thought I was imagining it at the time."

"I couldn't believe they had come back after disappearing for so long. Now it makes what we're doing seem unthinkable."

My eyes turned down to the ground, wondering over every little piece of the jungle floor, finding a sudden interest in the soil which slowed our pace. Will didn't seem to mind as he patiently timed his steps with mine.

"Are they really as bad as you all say they are?"

When I turned to him, he kept his attention ahead, his expression unchanged though his eyes became focused, drowning in unpleasant memories.

"I wish I could tell you they're not," he muttered then glanced over reading my expression faster than I could change it. "This is our only chance. I'm not going to let anything happen. Even if they're part of it, I won't let them screw it up."

Our feet sunk deeper with each stride, mimicking the same pitted emptiness I felt swarming in my stomach. The enriched dirt loosened, blending in with the loud crunch of sand until it sunk beneath our feet. Tiny, white grains seeped over our boots making each step carrying the boat more difficult than the next. It wasn't long until we were pushing the boat towards the line of palm trees, breaking apart the thick underbrush. The boat was set within the last group of palms, staring out longingly at the sea before it.

I sat leaning against the side of the boat while we waited, my eyes set on the waves breaking onto the sand. Will checked Fin's crystal every now and then remaining composed at the lights steady beating pace. I dug my boots under the sand keeping them grounded, watching it slip and fall into new piles. I wasn't sure what to expect. I had to remind myself that's how it has been even before I ended up here. Though they were very different, the feeling of uncertainty was the same. That thought was enough to ease my mind. If I can handle everything that's been thrown at me so far, I can handle a bunch of old, drunk exiles on a ship.

"There they are," Will said pointing out to the right of the long span of sand.

I followed his gaze to see Ethan and Ben trailing along the palm line. Ben must have gotten his wish since a lasting smirk set on his face, his shoulders pushed back while Ethan shook his head.

"I told him to piss off," Ben announced.

"Yes that was the far less colourful version of what I heard," Ethan added to Ben's indifference. "But our section is clear, we walked the whole perimeter."

Now there was only one thing left to do before this all started. The four of us turned to the ship out on the wave breaks. The sun burned through the sky casting a deep yellow hue to fill what was once clear blue. It was beginning it's gradual fall to the horizon line leaving the ship swallowed in dark shadows.

"This could work, or it could go completely wrong," Will sighed seeming to be exhausted with his own optimism now that we were facing the ship.

"Don't worry, Will," Ben said putting a hand on his shoulder. "I have complete trust in you." Ben turned his head back to me at that very moment. "He has no idea what he's doing, we're all gonna die," Ben whispered before turning back to Will with the same comforting voice he started with. "All my trust…in you."

"Thanks Ben."

I shook my head letting out a tired sigh.

"Ignore him, he's an idiot," Ethan cut in from my other side. "Will knows what he's doing."

"Let's get this thing into the water," Will said breaking us away from the long sunset.

The four of us walked the boat down the beach to the shoreline, treading waist height in the shallows before Will and I climbed inside. We couldn't leave without an insistent, bone-crushing hug from Ben who quickly gathered himself, pushing his smug shoulders back, but even they sunk down once we started drifting further apart.

The oncoming waves did most of the work to push us out, their drawback pulling us further and further away from Ethan and Ben who stood on the damp sand of the shoreline. I waited until I could no longer make out their faces before turning back to Will. His light brown hair glowed red with his back to the sun, his distracted eyes lifting to mine before a light smile could reach his face.

"Will, why did you choose me to go with you?"

"Is it so bad that I like your company?" He wondered, words gentle before light, nervous laughter escaped him.

I smiled. "No, I just mean...Baelfire intended for me to go with you, didn't he?"

"Yeah, he did." Will's smile slowly slipped away, his eyes leaving to the water around us. "I should have told you earlier. I should have let you make your own choice."

"Will, none of us have a fair choice in this plan, that's the only way Baelfire said it would work; if we follow everything as planned. It's not your fault you were the one he told."

"I just don't want to lie to you any more than I have."

I passed him a reasoning smile."Keeping secrets is not exactly the same as lying."

"That's why you should know why Baelfire needed you to come with me." He pursed his lips, brows creasing together. "He said you would be worth their time, that if I went alone, I would get myself killed."

I furrowed my brows. "How could he think I would make any difference? I know nothing about them."

"Baelfire thought you would make an impression," Will said lowly, his voice bitter before a sympathetic look masked over his features. I wasn't sure why until he continued. "You're the only girl we've ever had here."

Will's POV

I let out an uneasy breath as I waited for her reaction, expecting anger to overcome her, but she was calm. She didn't say anything, and she didn't have to. I could see it on her face, an undisturbed acceptance of what would come to greet us shortly. Her eyes brightened in the sun, specks of honey-gold filling inside them which I had never noticed before. They were fiercely delicate and gave off a clear warning, a lasting impression to any wise enough to see it.

Despite what I had told her, she refused to let it change her stance, the trust I saw still remained intact. Looking back at my reaction to hearing this from Baelfire, it seemed laughable.

"I guess I'll have to make a good impression then."

I grinned at that but it soon slipped away. The water settled as we passed along the still surface, the rocking of the boat easing to a balanced drift leaving behind the creaking of wood back in the breakwater. The crashing waves seemed a long distance away, the only thing left was the calm stir of glass water around us, swirling in ripples as we glided through the reflective, dusk surface.

It wasn't long before I felt the warmth within my clothes die out. I had expected it yet it still sent a cold shock along my skin. After pulling back my cloak, I found no light emitting through the thick layers of material. I wish Fin had stayed longer, but I guess even he knew his role in this plan. We would have to ride the rest of this out alone. It was only once I found Emily's eyes locked over my shoulder that I turned around to see the ship there before our eyes, resting in the dark waters ahead.

"Emily," I spoke up after a long beating of silence. "Keep your hood on."

She followed my actions as we both pulled the hoods of our cloaks over our heads. Before we could get any closer she fed her fingers through her hair, plating away the long, wavy strands, tucking them securely behind her back. My eyes trailed up the grand wooden structure as we reached its side, drifting in its long casted shadow where the water turned a deep, obscured black.

At first, there was nothing, not the slightest sound of voices or feet moving across nailed wood, just the whip of aged-white sails, creaking bends, and the eerie trickling of water beneath us. It stayed this way for a long moment, the two of us staring up at the towering vessel, waiting for it to end. I wasn't sure if I had heard anything more than my shallow breaths when a fixture was suddenly thrown overboard above us.

It flew through the air, rigid as the length of it fell, hitting the side of the ship with a loud thump of wood and rope. I reached my hand out getting a hold of the end of the extended strands, tying it securely to our boat. It stopped swaying once I gripped the first rung, my eyes lifting up to the where it had appeared to see nothing but the side of the ship.

Emily had followed my gaze, her eyes narrowing ready to catch a glimpse of anyone who would show themselves, but nothing else came. She rolled over the hems of her sleeves. There was only one thing to do. After a silent exchange, we started our climb.

Pan's POV

The island set in a soft, gentle glow. I tilted my head up to the skies above to find this world coated in the deepest shades of red, washing it through the clouds above where not even the stars could claim their light. Darkness slowly seeped its way out of the shadows, welcoming the long passing of the sun into the unrest night ahead.

I turned back to the keeper of darkness, its eyes round and filled like that of two equal moons, its presence waiting before me, outline hovering weightlessly above the rock-covered ground below. I turned my back to the mainland, the shadow obediently mirroring my actions, guiding my path up the sloping hill of rocks.

What had torn from my body inside the gateway failed to mend its strayed connection. I could see every detail, but my senses were drained, my natural instincts running in overdrive to make up for the slow deterioration settling inside. This absence of magic had been emptied of its purpose, but here, I could hear it calling, I could feel it from its unreachable bonds; the other half, waiting to be restored.

I climbed the rock surface, following the shadows effortless glide through the air. Each step ignited a compelling, pulled force I felt emitting from the centre of the small island, leading me up to the caves that were merely holes in the side of the cliffs compared to the open mouth of the giant skull. It rested above all else, made up of the same jagged, tarnished rocks I passed, crushed to shape the gaping holes that were its eyes. They were run with ivy, glittering with pouring water that slipped out of the many cracks around the openings. Birds flew out from within the darkness, wings fluttering into the light, soaring over the blood-stained waves.

The shadow tilted its head down to me, restrained in the air as I walked into the open mouth. It followed swiftly like a gust of wind, eyes lighting the way as darkness overcame every surrounding. I let in a deep breath feeling the cold, rock walls compressing the heat around my body. They were extracting it, ridding it with every breath allowing me to disregard the pestering warmth that had earlier buried itself deep within my body, burning away an unattainable, growing blaze.

"Through here," The shadow's husked voice filled the opening of a circular cave wall.

I let in a shuddered breath as I entered through the continued tunnel, my limbs stiffening as a long-forgotten sensation made its presence aware.

"What was that?" I asked the shadow as the pulse ran through my body, itching my feet to continue on their directed path.

"It senses you're here."

I followed the bends and twists keenly, venturing further into the maze of dark caves with the shadows light guiding the way. The further we ventured, the colder the air became. Soon enough, water trailed under my boots leaving a trickling echo over the sequential droplets falling on my skin. At first, there was merely a speck of light swallowed by the darkness, then it lit the rock walls around us, opening the entrance out to the great heights inside the skull.

The eyes became red windows, one pouring through the dusks light down to the depths below while the other wept with falling water, the crashing of its collision against the stone floor causing them to glisten, flooding into other rounded walkways.

It had been a great deal of time since I have set foot in here, though every inch of it marked a place inside my mind. They were not entirely distinct within these enclosed walls, but I could make out the sconces hidden in the darkness. With one sharp movement, they were brought to life, the click of my fingers echoing off the walls creating a sequentially lit fire around the space, each torch bursting to flames, flickering gold lights across the stones. There, I could see the passage on the far wall.

The shadow moved to my side, its eyes intent on the shimmering protective barrier before they flashed over me. I couldn't share the same concentration as I arched forward toward the stone wall, my chest rising and falling in harsh breaths. That same sparking pulse struck inside my body, erupting from my chest, spreading through to my fingertips. It did not hurt, it simply built until I could hardly focus on the stones beneath my feet.

"I must warn you, once you enter through the barrier, you must refuse the urge to give in all at once."

I scoffed, lifting myself from the wall as I let the surge settle inside me. "I cannot feel pain, I won't have anything to give in to."

The shadow's eyes narrowed. "This kind of dark magic knows no restraint. After it reads what is still inside you, you will find it hard to have the urge to stop."

I expected this. Confronting this magic was going to be easy, that was the problem. It had a persisting nature to savour who or what it could transfer to, use it as a vessel to grow its strength. For it to have its wish, it would become unattainable, everything it touched would perish. Time in this world is irrelevant but what was behind this barrier used it to sustain itself, to learn patience, and most dangerous of all, to wait for the day of my return.

I stood before the barrier, regaining my composure. The shimmering substance coated the entrance, moving before my eyes, dancing in rhythmical swirls. I tore them away, tilting to the shadow. "You will ensure that it will not happen."

The shadow bowed its head submissively. I raised one hand to the barrier, my fingertips brushing the glittering substance before sinking through it. I passed into the coating, stepping into the room I had not seen since the very beginning. Prepared by the shadow's words, I took the force of the power lacing within these walls, greeting it as I walked further within the caved walls.

The open space was the same as the other we had walked through, only this time it held a sealed coat of magic of my own making, a powerful layer embedded within these very rocks to keep its only prisoner contained. The only other like it kept the far side of the mainland off bounds, but in comparison to this, that was merely child's play, a warning filled with ghost stories I had no need of protecting.

The shadow floated to the other side of the cave walls, hovering before the protective cage. Green flashes filled the room, casting out from the seized magic sealed within the ground. It peered through the chains entangled around the large chest, streaming out of the dislodged windows of glass fitted around the unusual shape. I stood before it, my features creasing, unaware that I had walked right to it.

Through the glass, between the flashes of green light, I could see it entrapped inside, moving in a circular motion, unbound. It was just as I remembered it, made up of a black, sand-like texture, floating as a harmonious group yet untouched by a single grain. It moved like smoke, drifting smoothly within its containment, with a mind of its own, bending and thrashing around as though it were alive.

I lifted my gaze to the shadow. "How much will it take?"

"It will stop once what has been lost has been restored," The shadow explained, its voice filling the open space as it floated over the glass chest. "I bid a deal to overcome any weakness. I must warn you; this process is not an easy one to complete. It will take time."

I took in a deep breath, removing all else from my mind. For this to work, every part of myself must be ready to retrieve what is given, nothing else can interfere.

"Nothing will change my mind. I'll do what it takes."

I stood back allowing the shadow to come forward, its arms raising. I gave one last look to the glowing chest before meeting the shadows eyes.

"Only when you are ready."

I lifted my head, my curled fists easing.

"Do it."

The shadow's eyes locked down on the chest, its fingers lacing through the air at its sides, drawing up the black sand through the glass. It drifted around the shadow's hands, turning as the rest joined to form one single circling movement. Only then did the shadow cast its arms out, its hands outstretched in one sharp thrust, directing the dark magic to my chest.

My knees were the first to hit the stone floor, my body thrown down to the ground seconds after. My mouth parted with no sound escaping. The black smoke engulfed my body, pushing its way through my skin and inside my chest where it persisted to fill my lungs, building up to my throat leaving no room to breathe. It was as cold as the cave walls, freezing and tightening every limb inside until I froze rigidly. My vision, obscured by darkness, blurred the world around me. The only thing I could hear was the loud pouring of sand spinning around my head making my mind fall blank.

I wasn't sure how long it lasted, only that when it stopped, I collapsed to the ground, my hands breaking my fall. The smoke vanished from my burning eyes, clearing my vision. The faint sound of its presence could still be heard behind my ears as though someone was standing behind me, pouring it by hand letting each grain run down my back.

I lifted my chest as I coughed the air back into my lungs, panting once I could breathe again. I could feel it running thoroughly through my veins, tingling along my skin like sharp splinters, bringing warmth back into my body. The electric pulses eased and I lifted myself, pushing my hands away from the ground. Something began to stir inside, not only a need to fill what had been lost but a craving for more.

I stood to my feet, drawing in a deep breath letting it out in a breathless laugh. I tilted my head back, smirking up at the shadow before my gaze fell down to the glass chest, the green light summoning me forward.

"Let's begin."


Hi everyone!

It's been a long time, a really, really long time. This year for me, as I'm sure it was for many others...was pretty bad. Writing is my way of escape, but with everything going on, I really had no motivation to get this chapter done besides writing a little bit every now and then. I'm sure you guys can understand that, and I'm sorry I couldn't give you more.

I wish you guys happy holidays and a happy new year! If you are spending it away from loved ones or if you feel that you are, just know you have a place here to come to.

I hope you enjoyed this chapter! I've been figuring out the next few towards the ending that's why it's been pretty tricky to write, but I'm working through it so please bear with me! I really can't wait to see what you guys think of it!

Please let me know your thoughts, I love reading your reviews. If you have any questions ask away!

I'm so excited to write the next few chapters, hopefully, I can get another one out soon.

Thank you for reading, I'll see you next chapter!

- zimbardo