Okia did not let Lody get far, using a bit of the stone floor to trap her foot. "Care to repeat that, Lody?" She said through a forced smile.

"There's a teeny, tiny, itty bitty chance that it couldn't work?"

"How tiny?"

"Um… like… most likely?"

"No." Okia shook her head. "Mama wouldn't let that happen." She rounded on her uncle, glowering. "What's the plan?" She demanded. Erseus frowned at her.

"You're not coming."

"You can't stop me."

"Yes, I can." Pressure on her feet- he had trapped her like she had Lody. She tried dispelling the rock, but his influence was greater. "Right," Erseus said, looking at the others, "let's go."

"Do you even know where you're going?" Okia protested.

"Ni's quite good at tracking people." Erseus replied evenly, not looking at her. Ni nodded once, trying to pry Char from him.

"Get off, you horrible child."

"No!"

"Char." Okia called miserably. "They're going to help Mama and Papi."

"OK." The boy let go, holding his hands up as if surrendering. Ni sighed and put him down. He bounced away, skidding to a halt before his sister. He puzzled at her ensnared feet, pointing and looking at her quizzically. "Stupid."

"It wasn't me."

"Who?" He spun around wildly, landing an accusing finger on their uncle. "Rock Man! Fight fight!" He declared, bunching his fists. Okia reached out, scruffing him and hoisting him from the floor. "Nooo!" He protested. "Fight fight!"

"No fight fight." She corrected. "Apparently we're not good enough for fight fight." Erseus sighed, rolling his eyes.

"That's not what I said-"

"I'm coming."

"You're not." He ordered, locking a steely frown on her. Okia tipped her chin up defiantly. He wasn't going to stop her. His influence over the earth may have been greater, but she had her mother's stubbornness.

The rock around her feet crumbled into pebbles and she stepped forward, smirking. A flicker of surprise dashed through his eyes, hurriedly quelled. "You're staying here." He repeated, turning away. He gestured to Ni and Pip. Pip motioned to Okia, stay put, offering a reassuring, nervous smile. Ni just stared at her, calculating.

A hand fell on Okia's shoulder. She looked up, ready to protest, but only met with W's weary face. He smiled, tired, shadows under his eyes.

"Stay here." He requested softly. "You're safe here."

"I can help."

"I'm not saying you can't. But Isa may remove some heads if you go."

"She wouldn't."

"She would." W said. Ni said it too. And Erseus and Pip and Abeth. Okia stared at them, bewildered and annoyed. W put his arm around her shoulders, squeezing in a one-armed hug. "Listen, it's better if you stay here. We need you to manage that little demon."

"I am demon!" Char agreed, making claws with his hands and snarling playfully. "I cute though!"

"Looks are deceptive." W patted his head. Okia set her brother down, sighing. "Come and help me." W encouraged.

"I'm not a healer."

"But you are her sister. It'll be comforting to her, if she knows you're with her." Okia looked at her sister. She still hadn't woken up. There was very little blue left in her marks. She welled up, sniffing and roughly wiping at her face. She heard the group leave, utilising her indecision.

"Will they get back in time?" She asked quietly.

"Bibi's strong. As are you." He nodded at the pebbles. "Keep Erseus on his toes."

"Oh, I intend to."

"Um, hello?" Lody waved, having patiently waited, revising her book. "Can I have my foot back?"

"No."

"Okia…" W warned.

"Fine." She waved her hand. Lody took off instantly, kicking her legs and relishing in the freedom. "This sucks though."

"I'm sorry I'm not more entertaining." W sighed solemnly, feigning. Okia elbowed him. Char latched onto his leg, grinning. "Mm, you're trouble, aren't you?"

"I'm lovely!"

"Yes, yes. You are a perfect blend of the walking headaches you call parents."

"Thanks!"

"Anytime, little man. You staying there?"

"Yep!"

"Alright then. Let's go." And W limped off, swinging a giggling Char on every other step.