Author's Note: Well, here comes another chapter, and I have to say I'm excited to see the reactions you will all have.

But before we begin, I must say thank you to all those that have followed me in these last few weeks, I'm still growing, and that's beautiful. I must also acknowledge that I have finally more followers than the story Fireworks by Booky230. For those of you who don't know, this was one of the first LWA on this site, like mine. It's a Diakko, and dare I say, one that I enjoyed. That's right, your boy RomanViking likes a few of the older Diakko stories, those ones were written right. Go check out that great fanfic for a great time.

But even if mine was the 6th fanfic here, Fireworks predates mine by almost three years. If my story is old, then that one is ancient. So that's a major achievement, one I'm proud of.

A single tear streaks down my cheek, dripping off my chin as I hang my head low.

Really, I have every reason to be ashamed, nothing went right and it's entirely my fault.

After agitating an issue, attempting to become closer with Hannah and Barbara, not only did I jeopardize Diana's close friendship with Hannah and Barbara, and potentially hurt my own relationship with Diana, but I made Lotte bear witness to the entire breakdown, all she could do was stand and stare as a spectator, and it was all for nothing.

It's not like Diana was pressing me to try and be friends with them, in fact she stressed to let it naturally occur, but I didn't. I tried to rush things, and it only blew up in my face, and the faces of those two most close to me.

Here in the dorms, sitting on my bed alone in a pitiful state, I deserve it all. Sitting in classes, biting my lip, trying to keep myself composed and together as minutes stretched into hours, was a horror in and of itself. Worst of all, I didn't see Diana all day.

Although my own emotions are clear as day, I have no idea what's become of Diana. I hoped that she would've shown up to class, maybe then we could've talked about what happened the day before, but no. She wasn't there, not at all, absent from class for the first time since I've known her.

Her perfect attendance streak ruined, all because of me…

My door creeps open, and I feel my heart skip a beat as only one person comes to mind.

"Diana?!" I cry out, perking my head up.

Has she finally come to talk with me?!

However, what I see before me is not Diana, but Faralda, leaning against my doorframe, her expression slightly grim as she looks down on me.

"Lotte told me what happened." She informs me, tilting her head. "I thought I'd find you here."

I sigh to myself, the very mention of Lotte's name taking me back to that terrible time yesterday.

I have no idea what she's feeling as well. She did show up to class, and we did exchange a few words, but the air was too awkward, the walls too thick to be penetrated.

"I finished with my classes for the day." I weakly sigh to her, returning my gaze to the floor. "I just needed some time to myself…"

Without any invitation, Faralda walks into my room, taking a seat next to me on the bed.

"Ted." She addresses me, myself barely summoning the strength to look at her.

With a strong expression, clashing with my own frail and defeated appearance, she states

"You're not to blame for how Hannah and Barbara treated Lotte."

"I am the one responsible." I tell her, doing my best to choke back my emotions. "I planned out the spirit communication, I asked Lotte to help out Hannah and Barbara, I led them into her room. Now Diana is hurt, Hannah and Barbara hate me even more, and Lotte had to witness the whole thing. None of this would be happening if I had just let it go like you said."

She nods at my words, pondering them briefly.

"Yeah, with Diana gone, it seems like the strongest ones are falling apart. I noticed she wasn't in class today, and judging by how sad you were, I put two and two together. It's not every day that someone like Diana can fall apart."

At the mention of a depressed Diana, my gaze once again weakly falls to the floor.

Putting an arm on my shoulder, Faralda narrows her eyes at me.

"But that's why you have to be strong now…for her, and everyone else. No more self-loathing. Fights and conflict are a natural part of relationships, but they still hurt nonetheless, especially when it involves someone you love."

She stretches her neck, a slight pain in her voice as she continues.

"There's no way you could ever be ready for it. We all try to be, but we can't. I have my own experience...People lash out when they're angry and confused, they go through a flurry of emotions right before your eyes. Believe it or not, when Croix abandoned Ursula, she lashed out at me on several occasions. She didn't mean it, and I knew that, but it still hurt."

I squint my eyes, my mouth slightly ajar at her words.

It's hard to imagine someone as kind and considerate as Ursula giving into fits of anger, especially directing them at someone like Faralda. Croix must've really hurt her.

But still, I can't help but question her.

"I thought you told me that I shouldn't strain myself, or put myself in an emotionally damaging situation, just to please someone else. I didn't follow your advice, and this is what happened."

"Yeah, well, sometimes you can ignore that." Perhaps finding that double standard amusing, she lets out a faint smile at her statement before returning to her serious expression. "But I don't do that for anybody, just people that I love, the worthwhile people, Ted."

"I love Diana." I state, nodding at her. "And I'm willing to ignore that rule too. But how do I go about that, and have it not blow up in my face?"

My throat tightens as I speak those final words. Really, I'd do anything to avoid such a situation from happening again.

She chuckles at my reaction, standing up from the bed, and taking a seat at my tableside chair, stretching as she gets comfortable.

I leer at her with expecting eyes, not breaking contact with her as if I'd lose valuable information by merely blinking.

"I need to think of what I want to say next." She explains to me, catching my expression. "I don't exactly have all the answers at a moment's notice. I'm only human."

I nod at this fair point, Faralda reaches into her pocket, pulling out a small white and red rectangular container. Pulling out a cigarette with her lips, she applies her wand to the cylindrical tube. Reciting a quick incantation, her cigarette is lit by a small, conjured flame. Taking a deep drag, Faralda observes the smoke absentmindedly, pondering what to say next.

Rather than being annoyed at her for smoking in my room, a question comes to mind.

From what I've been told, nicotine is good for calming a person down. I could really use that.

"Can I have one?" I ask, breaking the brief silence.

"Well, well, well." She smiles, the cigarette bouncing between her lips. "I didn't know you were a smoker."

"I'm not."

Shrugging at my simple replay, Faralda fishes the pack from her pocket, leaning over to me.

"Sure, just don't tell Finnalin." She states as she lights another cigarette before handing it to me. "She'd tan my hide for sure."

Taking an experimental puff, I feel the smoke slightly agitate my throat. Blowing out a silver stream of smoke, I feel myself growing slightly lightheaded, but calmer, nonetheless.

"Look at you." She jokingly sneers at me. "You've done this before."

A reign of silence dominates my room, save for an occasional cough from me and the sounds of Faralda exhaling her own smoke. Whether it's the conversation with Faralda, or perhaps even the nicotine flowing through me, I can't but feel slightly calmer than before. Rather than lying in bed, barely able to raise my head, at least now I can actually function, even if it is to fulfill something self-destructive like smoking. I have to admit, something as simple and stupid as this is nice.

"I wasn't always a teacher, you know." Faralda suddenly breaks the silence. "After I graduated Luna Nova, I mean."

She turns to me, taking another puff as she continues.

"Becoming a teacher isn't something that happens overnight, Ted, even if yours truly is especially gifted in Destruction Magic. I did odd jobs, some that I enjoyed and some not so much. Ursula, bless her heart, never had to do that. The money she made in her Shiny Chariot days was more than enough to pay for college tuition."

With the cigarette now burnt down to the butt, Faralda casually tosses it out the open window before brining yet another white cylinder to her lips, lighting it as she continues.

"When Ursula was too busy getting her own degree to hang out, and I was going through a particularly hard time, I used to read these stupid inspirational short stories to get me through the day."

Faralda scratches at her red hair, sighing to herself as she recalls those days.

"There was this one that always stuck with me. A young woman was going through a hard time, and told her mom she wanted to give up. So, her mom went to the kitchen, and started boiling three pots of water. She put a carrot in one, an egg in another, and ground coffee beans in the last. After they boiled a while, her mom said, 'Look, all three things went through the same boiling water. The carrot went in strong and came out soft., the egg was fragile and came out hard, but the coffee beans changed the water itself.'."

She purses her lips as she states the final sentence, as if amusing herself with its conclusion.

However, I find myself unable to understand the message. Although I can make basic sense of what she means, how exactly am I supposed to 'change the water itself'.

"You're supposed to want to be the coffee beans." Faralda explains, smirking at my lack of understanding. "Sitting around with your hands in your lap, and defeat on your face isn't going to change anything, being inactive isn't going to solve the problem."

"This is different from the advice you gave me earlier." I point out to her. "I believe you told me that I shouldn't stress myself with things outside of my control, and that some things in life I just have to accept."

Does she just say whatever she thinks sounds good in the given situation, or does she actually have a clear-cut way of thinking? Not that doing the former or latter is necessarily a bad thing. I know that some people will say whatever they need to get what they want, even if it goes against their own principles. I have plenty of family members like that.

"Although I stand by what I said earlier, that you shouldn't burden yourself with things outside of your control, you also need to understand that nothing is absolute. You can't just stick to one set of principles and expect it to guide you through life. The fact is that times change, and people change too. You have to adapt to that, learn to apply what to where and when not to. Just because you treat an enemy with one doctrine, doesn't mean the same should apply to others."

"If that's the case, then when do you think I should act?"

"I'd act on it sooner, rather than later." She answers. "The more you wait, the more time these negative feelings will fester in Diana and her friends. If you want to change their minds, it's better to do it quick and clean, like pulling off a band aid. Talking to Diana would be a first good place to start. It's time that you stopped trying to do things all by yourself, and collaborate with others. After all, teamwork makes the dream work."

She finishes this line with a smirk, exhaling another cloud of smoke, spinning the cigarette coolly between her fingers.

She's right, as always. I was so hell-bent on doing this myself, behind Diana's back, wishing to resolve the issue without her even knowing, that I kept her completely in the dark. If anyone knew how to befriend Hannah and Barbara, it would be their best friend. Diana likely had a wealth of information, knowledge, and tactics to use, and yet I never took advantage of that. But now, now it's different. Two heads are better than one, after all.

I can't help but let a thin smile escape my lips, perhaps it's hope in a noble resolution to this entire mess.

"Thank you, Faralda." I bow my head towards her in respect as I stand from my chair. "You know, I think you might officially be one of the most mature teachers on campus."

She chuckles at my statement, perhaps not believing it herself.

"Thanks, kid, but don't let Finnalin catch you saying that. She'll throw a fit."

Walking towards the door with newfound determination, I tell her.

"I'm going to see Diana now, and fix this."

"I'd leave, but I'm comfy right here." She states, leaning into the seat to emphasize her point. "You won't mind if I smoke a few more in here, do you?"

"Not at all. You can rub your ashes in my pillow if you wish."

Really, it's the least I can do to show my gratitude.

"Will do, buddy." She chuckles at me as I exit my room. "Good luck, champ."

Standing outside Diana's door, a million thoughts fly through my head like a swarm of bees.

One side of me wants to honor Diana's wishes, to leave her alone until she decides that she's ready to come out. I just have no idea when that is, but it doesn't matter. For the other side of me wishes to not wait any longer, especially after the advice that Faralda gave me. Really, it makes sense. Letting the emotions of what transpired fester may only cause more damage.

With my mind made up, I gently knock on her door.

Waiting a few seconds, I receive no response.

Once again, a few raps on the door yields nothing from the other side.

Giving the door knob a few experimental wiggles, I find that it is, in fact, unlocked.

Knowing full well what I need to do, I take a deep breath, and turn the knob, stepping inside.

Although the room itself is dark, I have no problem spotting Diana, her beautiful blond hair giving her away almost immediately. Laying on her stomach in her bed, her face is buried into her pillow.

I'm surprised that she doesn't look up to face me, perhaps asleep, or maybe even, lacking the motivation to look at whoever entered her room.

The sight before me makes me want to run to her, to give her a big hug, kiss her, and tell her all will be well. However, I know that all will not be well unless Diana and I talk about this, with as clear and cool heads as possible. We can hug it out when this issue is taken care of. It takes me a few seconds to find the right words.

"Hey, Diana."

Upon my greeting, she lifts her head from her pillow.

Judging by the moistness in her eyes, and the wet spots on her pillow, I imagine she's been crying as well. I feel a sharp pain in my heart seeing her this way. This is probably what I looked like to Faralda.

"Hello, Theodore." She greets me with a weak and hollow voice.

I wince at her words, her outwardly negative state sending chills up my spine.

Attempting to hide my discomfort, I take a breath, saying.

"We need to talk."

She doesn't answer me, but still stares with a sad and tired expression, as if waiting for me to speak further.

Taking her silence as permission, I enter her room, closing the door as I sit next to her on the bed, just as Faralda did for me.

"Where were you today?" I ask her. "I didn't see you in class all day."

"I thought I'd take a day to myself." She briefly glances away from me, as if ashamed. "I would be of no value in an academic setting in my current state."

So, my previous suspicions were correct. Damn, it's not like Diana at all to miss class or any kind of academic schoolwork, doing so is against her religion.

"I just had a long chat with Professor Faralda. She told me that not talking with you, and trying to solve the issue myself, was a big mistake. Thinking about it, I believe her. So, let's talk."

Nodding at my statement, Diana's eyes slowly glance around the room, as if the right words would manifest themselves before her.

Practicing this technique for several seconds, Diana closes her eyes, sighing to herself, her throat tightening ever so slightly as she says

"The more I think about it, the more I think they were right about one thing…I think they were right…about you being mean to them…"

The way Diana is talking, the hint of hesitation, herself dragging out her words as if it pains her to say them, perhaps she's nervous of how I'll react to such a statement from her.

As much as I may not like this comment, I find no issue keeping a level head around Diana, her very presence providing more serotonin than anything that Sucy could brew.

Getting frustrated isn't going to help anyone.

"But how?" I ask her. "I barely talked to them. They never really seemed to like me, so before we started to date, I just left them alone."

Seeing that I'm able to take her criticism, Diana soon loses her tone of voice, straightening her back in a manner more normal to herself.

"Perhaps it's not good enough to just not be mean to someone. Perhaps you have to be nice?"

"But I was. You saw how I bent over backwards, and bit my lip for them."

Upon hearing this, Diana lets out a light sigh, as if expecting such a response from me.

Honestly, I'm just glad that talking about this with me already has lessened her depression.

"I believe that's your problem, Theodore. You're too focused on a select few words. Those were the ones that hurt the most, so it's only natural, but you haven't considered the big picture of their side. I will admit, spending the majority of the day in my room, I've had time to think about this, and the more I think back, the more I find myself asking one question.

Once again Diana closes her eyes, as if attempting to summon the strength to ask me what's been on her mind.

"Did you mean it?" She finally asks, opening her eyes. "Were you nice to them in a genuine way, or simply because you felt you had to?"

As much as I want to say that I was being nice out of genuine good will, that would only be a lie.

"No, I wasn't." I admit. "In my mind, all that mattered was pleasing you, and I thought being friends with them would be the best way of doing that.

"I thought so." She nods at me neutrally, neither angered nor pleased by my response at all. "I have to admit, I was delighted to learn that you were taking steps to become better friends with them, but I didn't know you were taking such extreme actions. If I had learned that you planned to do a spirit communication session with those two and Lotte, I would've highly discouraged it. At the very least, I would've participated with the four of you."

"You're absolutely right, Diana." I tell her in confirmation, nodding my head. "Faralda discussed this subject with me earlier. I should've talked to you about it before hand. Being their best friend, you being there could have only helped the situation. You could've given your input, advice, just as you always have been."

One of her blonde brows is raised by my words, mouth and eyes open in slight puzzlement as she speaks.

"Theodore?"

Perhaps knowing that I can occasionally act defensively, my response is surprising to her.

At this moment, despite how different in may be, I can't afford to let my arrogance cloud my judgment and words.

Maturity, I guess it happens to us all sooner or later.

"You told me not to force it, and that I should just try and let it happen naturally, but I didn't listen to you, Diana, I couldn't. I tried to go about this issue alone, when it should've been a collaborative effort. Maybe it was pride, or maybe not wishing to burden you with this situation, but I didn't want you to be involved. I didn't want your help, but I do now."

Whether it be Diana's familiarity with her, or perhaps sheer dumb luck, it doesn't take long for us to find Hannah.

Her iconic auburn hair and yellow bow makes her stick out like a sore thumb in the school hallway.

"Hannah!" I cry out, Diana and I both running to her. "Wait!"

Upon hearing my words, Hannah twists around to face us, her eyes narrowing at me.

"What do you want?" She growls at me. "You've got some nerve talking to me after the stunt you pulled."

Although I immediately wish to get down to business, I can't help but notice that there is one witch which is missing from this equation.

"Where's Barbara?" I ask.

It would, after all, be much better if she were here as well.

"Ha, wouldn't you like to know?" She scoffs at me, anger rising in her voice. "What? Are you here to gloat that you have Diana and we don't? Did you bring her along just to show off?"

"Hannah, we've come to make amends." Diana states softly, attempting to come off as non-confrontational. "Harsh words were spoken on both sides. We all made mistakes yesterday, and we've come to correct them. Please, let us talk."

The witch huffs at this statement in suspicion, glaring at Diana, and then back to me.

"Well, it looks like you've already corrupted her. You probably bawled your eyes out, talked sweet to her, demonized Barbara and I, made it seem like you're the victim in the whole thing. Crocodile tears! Nothing but crocodile tears!"

She emphasizes this by shooting a pointed finger in my direction, sharp enough to pop a zeppelin.

"But there are two sides to every story, Ted! To you, Barbara and I are the bad guys, but our best friend was ripped right out of our hands, and fell into your clutches, and now we have nobody! That's what happened!"

She's right.

From their point of view, all I did was enter into their close three-way friendship, and in the end, Diana left those two, and now they're hurting as a result. Without Diana, there must be a vacuum left behind, a hole in their hearts. The gaping hole that Diana left may never be filled unless we do something about it.

"I know how you feel, Hannah." I tell her. "I had only one friend back home. When I came to Luna Nova, I was alone. I knew nobody."

"I'm nothing like you!" She cries out, jabbing another finger in my direction. "And I'm not lonely, because I have a mirror!"

Quickly realizing the oddity of her words, Hannah scratches her head almost sheepishly as she mutters

"That sounded less lonely in my head…"

"I'm sorry, Hannah…" I temporarily trail off, choosing my next words carefully. "I just wanted us to be friends. I never wanted it to escalate this far…"

"You're not sorry!" She roars at me, her face growing red in anger. "You're just trying to look good in front of Diana! Do you really think I'm going to believe a single thing you say after you destroyed what we had?! Diana was one of my best friends, and you tore it apart! Now you're going to play the hero?!"

Her throat trembling, Hannah's mouth twists open, throwing her head forward, as she violently shouts

"I HATE YOU!"

Wincing at this scream as it echoes in the hallway, I cower back temporarily.

This is bad, she's really not holding anything back.

Every time she shouts, pouring her emotions out in her frenzied state, the walls between us only grow larger. I can feel pressure in my chest, similar to being squeezed, as if trapped in an ever-shrinking box.

But still, Hannah's devotion to Diana, the ability and willingness to protect her from what she sees as a threat, even at the cost of her own best interests, reminds me of something similar.

Sighing to myself, not one of defeat but one of weary anticipation, I voice my thoughts with Hannah.

"I had a friend…his name was Bruno. I think about him every day, I don't talk about him."

Knowing full well who I'm referring to, Diana's stilts her head slightly, her brows sagging as the painful memory of what she saw in the aftermath comes back.

Perhaps sensing the sudden mood change, Hannah's mouth closes, her expression furrowed towards me. Although her face is still red and furious, she allows me to speak.

Although this is a very painful subject to talk about, telling the story may be the only thing that'll make Hannah understand just where I'm going from.

"He died years ago, on Filicudi, when it was overrun." I continue, trying to retain a collected expression as I recount this painful past. "His soul was claimed by a god, and it was put into the body of a dog, and he kept Bruno as a servant. He sent Bruno to seek a student from Luna Nova, to assist in his resurrection from the statue he was bound in. Bruno found me, and although at first we went along with this god's orders. But before long, we realized his intentions were not that of a holy god, but of a devil. He kept me safe, and in the end risked his life and died, so I could live. He made the ultimate sacrifice for a stranger."

"Who are you trying to fool?" Hannah questions. "There's no way that happened."

"He speaks the truth, Hannah." Diana supports me. "I beg you to listen."

I see Hannah's face no longer twisted in aggression. It's much softer now, her brows raised in inquisitive sorrow. Perhaps it's due to Diana's wishes, but at least she's finally listening to me.

"Those kinds of things don't happen every day, meeting someone who is willing to put themselves in danger, to keep you safe from harm even at the cost of themselves. It takes a lot of love and courage to do something like that, and I witnessed just that from you and Barbara yesterday."

I take a step forward, coming closer to Hannah, her body tensing in response, but making no protest. At this point, it's all or nothing. While I have Hannah, I need to make her understand that my relationship with Diana is true, and can exist in conjunction with their friendship.

"Hannah, you and her were willing to risk your relationship with Diana to protect her from what you thought was a threat. I can't blame you for that. In fact, I would have done the same. I understand, Hannah. I can be a jerk sometimes, a real jerk. I've done some things that I'm not proud of. I thought I was justified, but looking back I'm only ashamed of my actions…"

I trail off as I recount my long list of regrets in my life, although two specific ones come to mind.

There was the incident with those kids in the marketplace. Although they confronted us, I escalated the situation too far. They may have been looking for trouble, and all I did was look for blood. I'm glad I didn't seriously hurt anyone.

But perhaps my worst regret is my poor treatment of Akko when she accidently cast a sickness spell on Diana. I should've known better. Those two may butt heads, but Akko would never do something like that purposely to her. I didn't make the situation any better, all I did was lash out, and leave her alone with her own self regret.

Returning to the conversation, I cast a glance to Hannah, at this point a few tears welling in my eyes, the tension and anticipation almost killing me.

"I'm sorry that my relationship with Diana has put such a strain on you and Barbara. I never intended for it to happen. Please believe me."

Silence hangs in the air again until I hear her take a deep breath, falling to her knees with as much grace as a sack of potatoes.

"We were wrong…" She croaks out, shoulders sagging weakly, as strained tears drip down her face.

Although her back is turned to me, on her knees, I can still hear the pain in her voice as clear as day.

I see Diana instinctively extend a hand to her friend, the harsh words shared yesterday now forgotten about, the sounds of Hannah crying obviously breaking her heart. However, Hannah doesn't seem to notice, leaving Diana hanging as she continues to sob.

I know I'm responsible for this situation, and I know at this point I can't do much to help. If either of them feels ashamed by their past actions, then I feel all the more so.

After a few seconds of nothing but the stressed and strained breathing of Diana, and the sorrow of Hannah, the auburn girl speaks, choking on her words.

"W-when we first met you at orientation, I thought it was weird that a boy was here…but didn't think much of you. I-I was beginning to notice how close you and Diana were getting, how you would occasionally hang out with the three of us, and then you two suddenly started going out. I thought you were using her for your own benefit, when I saw you two getting so close, we became j-jealous."

"Please don't be too hard on yourself." Diana warmly requests, leaning down towards her. "Even the best of us get jealous on occasion."

"But it's no excuse..." She addresses Diana with wet eyes before glancing at me.

"All I wanted was for Diana to be happy, and I thought her breaking up with you would do just that." She sighs to herself, reflecting on the situation. "I was her best friend, I wanted to protect her, but all I did was hurt her, you, and myself."

Hannah wipes a tear away from her cheek, and with a tremble in her low voice, states

"I'm sorry for everything…"

"I'm sorry too. I might have stopped being mean, but a certain blonde beauty made me realize I still wasn't very nice to you." I respond, a thin smile showing her I mean no harm as I clasp my hands together. "At first, I thought you and Barbara were just jealous of my relationship with Diana, but yesterday showed me that you two truly care for her. You were willing to put your friendship with her in jeopardy because you were afraid someone was taking advantage of her. You were willing to hurt yourself to keep Diana safe."

Kneeling down next to her, I offer a hand to Hannah.

"I could think of no people better suited to be Diana's best friends, and I would be honored to call you my friend."

Hannah glances at my outstretched hand, and then back to me, an expression of disbelief plastered on her face.

With a slight blush, her teary-eyed expression fades away into a genuine smile, the first I've ever seen from her.

Taking my hand, I help her back to her feet, Hannah immediately embracing me in a tight hug.

Although taken aback by this sudden display, I share in her embrace, hugging her back in sweet silence.

Glancing towards Diana, I hold a hand out.

She really should be a part of this.

Without another moment's notice, Diana joins in, the three of us sharing in our newfound bond.

"I'm sorry for losing my temper, Hannah." Diana apologizes, giving her friend a squeeze. "Your words cut me, and I lashed out in reprisal. I didn't even let you sleep in our dorm."

"Don't be." Hannah smiles, speaking in a soft tone. "We were way out of line when we started talking about your family."

"So, where is Barbara?" I ask, the certain black-haired witch only now coming to mind. "I think she should know that we've made peace."

I have to admit, it is weird not seeing the two of them together. Usually, they're inseparable.

"Oh her?" Hannah's brows tighten as she recalls. "I was just going to see her. Lotte never had a chance to close the link, so we've been having some cool conversations with the mirror."

"You have?" Diana asks, surprised by this information, before glancing at me.

Rubbing my head, a little embarrassed for forgetting common protocol, I admit

"Yeah, come to think of it, we did forget to do that."

In a characteristic sigh, Diana replies with

"Theodore, how could you forget the most basic rule of communicating with a spirit? You must always remember to close the link when the session is over."

The small grin Diana displays as she speaks indicates a more playful interpretation of her words than anything else.

"He seems like a really cool guy." Hannah continues to explain. "That spirit communication session yesterday was totally weird, but he said he was just shy, and not used to new faces after being stuck in a mirror for so long. We were chatting with him all night. Barbara and I were going to take the mirror to these caves in the forest, he said we could communicate with him better there, something about magical energies. We were thirsty, so I came back for water."

Hearing such a fact of caves in the forests around Luna Nova, only one thing comes to mind.

Feeling my face turn ghost white, I twiddle my hands together as anxiety slowly takes over, I avert my gaze from Hannah as I ask

"Caves in the forest?"

"Yep, that's what he said." She responds, nodding. "Caves in the forest."

I feel my heart skip a beat, sink into the pit of my stomach, and then rupture violently.

Turning back, I try to keep my expression as neutral as possible, not daring to reveal the whirlwind of fear rushing through me like a snowmelt river.

Attempting to sound as calm as possible, I clench my teeth together, biting down and speaking to her in a slightly muffled tone.

"Hannah, did he tell you what these caves were called?"

My heart pounds like a sledgehammer, it being felt in my throat.

Casting a glance towards Diana, I notice that her usually pale face has only lost more pigment, thinking the exact same thing I am.

Please, please, please don't let it be…

"Yeah, he did, The Big Caves." Hannah raises a brow, a bit concerned by our expressions. "Why do you ask?"

Author's Note: Did you know that the Diakko extremists demonize every chapter I make, because they're haters? It's crazy, I know. But do you know how you can support the story? By following and favoriting, and leaving a comment. Hope you guys enjoyed this chapter, and I'll see you in the next one.