"Where are they?" Queen Goodfey asked as she paced around the stronghold's living room. After Proxima had called Arkayna, Arkayna had called everyone to meet at the stronghold, Queen Goodfey bringing King Darius with her. Em and Piper were the only ones who weren't there.
"The Library of the Eternal Equinox is kinda far away," Zarya said. "They should be here soon, though."
As if on cue, Piper and Em rushed into the stronghold. "I'm so sorry it took so long," Em said. "We hurried back as soon as we could."
Arkayna looked at Proxima. "Now that everyone's here, you said you know how to save Zarya?"
Proxima adjusted her glasses. "There is a potion that can reverse any life-drain spells, even those that came back. The only problem is that the ingredients aren't easy to get, and as far as I know, there's no place that sells it pre-made."
"What do we need?" Arkayna asked.
Proxima looked at her phone. "Julas root, Laris berries, Zil moss, and water from Ossum Pond." She looked at Aunt Yaga. "We'll also need a very powerful spell to activate it. I found the spell, but it can only be done by a demi-god."
"I can do it," Aunt Yaga said.
Nova Terron thought for a moment. "Those are very rare ingredients. I only know one place to find each of the ingredients, and they are far apart."
Queen Goodfey looked at Zarya. "We don't have much time."
"We could split up," Piper said quietly.
Everyone looked at Piper. "That could work," Malvaron said.
"Excellent idea," Nova Terron said.
"Where do we have to go?" Arkayna asked.
"Zil moss grows in a cavern just north of Rudick's hollow," Nova Terron said. "However, the cavern is old, and there's a risk of cave-ins."
"I'll go," Em said. "My mech suit has a solariate drill, just in case."
Nova Terron nodded. "Laris berries grow on a orchard in Grannak Village in the south," Nova Terron said. "But I heard that the orchard's owners are highly protective of them, and won't just give them away."
"I'll go," Arkayna said. "I'm sure I can reason with them."
"Alright," Nova Terron said. He looked at Doug and Malvaron. "Julas root isn't far from the old Astromancer retreat. However, it is now taken over by criminals." He frowned. "And you two do not have reliable transportation, do you?"
"We could take the griffins," Malvaron said.
Nova Terron looked at Proxima. "Would you allow me to take the star ship?"
"Of course, Star-I mean-Nova Terron," Proxima said.
"Sounds good to me," Doug said.
"I guess that leaves me with Ossum Pond," Piper said.
Nova Terron nodded. "The terrain is rough, so watch your step."
"I'll help to," Zarya said. She tried to get up, but winced in pain.
"You need to rest," Queen Goodfey said.
"She's right," Aunt Yaga said. "This spell is taking a toll on you, and you won't be much help to your friends."
"Queen Goodfey and I will stay with Zarya," King Darius said.
"Once you get the ingredients, come straight here," Proxima said. "I'll get the potion ready."
"And I'll stay here with Proxima to help make the potion," Aunt Yaga said. "And learn the spell that I need to cast."
"Alright," Arkayna said. "It's magic hour."
As soon as they left the stronghold, Arkayna pulled Piper aside. "Will you be O.K.?"
"I'm not a little kid anymore," Piper said. "I can do this."
Arkayna gave her a small smile and hugged her. "I know."
XXX
It was fairly quiet at the stronghold. While Aunt Yaga and Proxima were getting the preparations ready for the potion, Queen Goodfey and King Darius were with Zarya in the stronghold. Zarya was lying on the couch, as she had recently became too weak to sit up for long. Queen Goodfey and King Darius were on either side of her, and Choko was lying on the floor under her.
Seeing how much pain her daughter was in, Queen Goodfey suggested that they watch a movie. She frowned slightly when both Zarya and Darius agreed on an action movie, but as distracting Zarya from the pain she was in was her main concern, she figured a movie that Zarya liked would be best.
Queen Goodfey fought back tears as she looked at her daughter, She couldn't believe that Zarya was going through this, especially so soon after they were reunited. As much as Queen Goodfey hated to admit it, it was possible that she could lose her daughter.
"Why don't I make us something to eat?" King Darius suggested.
"I'm not hungry," Zarya said.
"It may help keep your strength up," Queen Goodfey said to Zarya, She then looked at King Darius. "How about something light?"
"Alright," King Darius said. With that, he left.
For a couple of minutes, the only sounds in the stronghold were the occasional sound coming from the study and the movie playing. Queen Goodfey wasn't paying much attention to the movie, and the vacant look on her daughter's face made Queen Goodfey think that she wasn't paying attention to the movie either.
"Hey, Mom?" Zarya asked.
"Yeah?" Queen Goodfey said.
"The others will be fine, right?" Zarya asked.
"Of course," Queen Goodfey said.
Zarya shifted slightly. "It's just that we never really split up in single groups before, at least not like this, I don't want them getting hurt 'cause of me."
"Your friends will be fine," Queen Goodfey said gently. "Nova Terron's with Doug and Malvaron, and while Arkayna's mission isn't dangerous."
"What about Em and Piper?" Zarya's asked.
"Em's not far from Rudick's Hollow," Queen Goodfey said. "If you want, I can ask her parents to see if she needs help."
Zarya smiled. "Sounds good."
Queen Goodfey took one more look at her daughter before heading to another room. Zarya looked at her phone, and she realized that, I'm all the chaos, she didn't get a chance to tell Kitty about the curse. Taking a deep breath, she called her starmate.
"Woah," Kitty said as soon as she saw Zarya. "What happened?"
"Life-drain spell," Zarya said.
"Why didn't you tell me sooner?" Kitty said, tears in her eyes. "I'm coming over."
A thought came to Zarya. "Wait, there's something else I could use your help with."
"What is it?" Kitty asked.
"Piper's going to Ossum Pond on her own," Zarya said. "I know she can take care of herself, but..."
"Say no more," Kitty said. She turned to face her crew. "Set sail for Ossum Pond."
Zarya smiled. "Thanks, girl."