Musa tentatively walked over and slung his arm around her shoulder as she helped him stand up. She could feel him trembling, and his skin felt cold.
"It's okay... it's all over."
He looked at her, completely exhausted - she was truly a sight for sore eyes, and as he gazed upon her, his past feelings for her began to resurface. Musa gave a small smile as she recognised the kind spark that she knew and loved. He then looked at the others, and he was horrified by what he saw - piles of debris strewn all over the place, Bloom bruised and singed, Stella nursing her injured shoulder, the Specialists bloodied and beaten, and...
"Riven?"
He looked over at his friend, who was struggling to his feet with Charlotte's help despite his broken ribs and fractured arm.
"Oh no..." he whispered.
He took his arm from around Musa's shoulder and started to back away.
"No! What have I done?" he said, his voice quivering as he stood staring at his own hands in disbelief.
"Teggy, it's not your fault." "We understand." "Yes, we know what happened." "You're not responsible for this."
Everyone did their best to reassure him, but in his tired, confused state, he just couldn't take it in. He staggered backwards until he was up against a wall.
"Teggy, please calm down, it's okay." said Musa, getting more concerned with each passing moment. But he wasn't listening - instead he stared upwards, transfixed by a nearby torch. Its flame seemed to be getting bigger and brighter, as though it was threatening to reach out and take him. Panic trickled into his soul.
"No! Get away!" he yelled up at the flame.
"Teggy!"
"NO!"
In his terror he turned and started to sprint away, but just as he was about to exit the chamber, a portal opened up in front of him. Frantically he tried hard to stop but it was too late - once again, just when Musa thought she had her beloved back by her side, he was gone.
Musa looked on, shocked. Discorda smiled. "There," she said with a great deal of satisfaction.
"Discorda? Did YOU do that?" Musa asked. The pixie nodded.
"But... why? I was so close to getting him back. Why would you do that?"
"I'm making sure this never happens again. Don't worry - he's perfectly safe."
"But where is he?"
Discorda chuckled. "I'm sure he'll be very happy to tell you when he gets back to Alfea."
Musa sighed with disappointment.
"Come on," said Bloom as she put her arm around her friend. "There's nothing else we can do here - let's go home." She turned to Discorda. "Thanks so much for your help - we couldn't have done this without you."
"That's perfectly alright. Believe it or not, I'm just as concerned for him as you are - that's why I did what I did. I think you'll be pleasantly surprised when you see for yourself!"
And so the friends said their goodbyes and made their way home. Musa sighed again - there was no point getting upset or angry. All she could do now was sit and wait.