Chapter 11:
"So why do we have to stand out here? I'm freezing cold." Tam grumbled for the tenth time. But everyone was in the same boat. "Listen," Biana said, "I promise you, they are almost here." After a few more minutes, a flash of light appeared and two young elves, not over the age 15, stood in its place. "Meet Nova and Cormac Heks," Biana said, dragging her friends up to them. "H-hi." the girl, who must be Nova, said. She had curly light brown hair and dark blue eyes. "Looks like a beanpole," Sophie muttered to herself, thinking about Stina. Cormac stood by his sister, not meeting any of their eyes. He had black curly hair, pale skin, and blue eyes just like his sister's. "I found them yesterday at the market. You'd be surprised at how many elves visit this kingdom." Biana said, putting an arm around both of them. Dex looked at the siblings warily. "You are sure you can take us into the Lost Cities?" Cormac nodded. "But that's it. I have business with the council after we help you enter into our city. People like you don't belong there." Sophie resisted the urge to roll her eyes. She now knew where Stina and Timkin got their sassiness from. "He means to say we would be happy to escort you into the Lost Cities," Nova responded, elbowing her brother. "Alright, everyone ready?" Biana asked. When she got the thumbs up, Nova opened the light path and off they went.
"Wow," Linh said when they reached Lost Cities, "it's beautiful." She was right. Not much was different from their time, the only difference being there weren't as many buildings. The scenery looked a little greener, and there was a herd of Alicorn's grazing nearby. "Welcome to our City! If you need anything, we'll be in Atlantis." Shining another light path, Nova and Cormac disappeared. Suddenly out of nowhere, Wylie's hands started to glow. "Huh?" he asked as the glow disappeared. Sophie stared wide-eyed at him. "Wait, were those your powers?" she asked excitedly. Biana vanished and appeared next to Linh. "Guys! Our powers are back!" An explosion of happiness exploded throughout the team. "Let's go find Vespera," Linh said with a new energy. Suddenly a rumbling came from beneath their feet, and all six fell through the ground. Landing hard on a piece of concrete, Sophie had to fight the urge to cry. Standing up she looked around. "Um, where are we?" she asked as everyone started getting alongside her. "This is the Neverseen's hideout," Tam responded, walking towards Sophie. "But where's Vespera?" Biana asked, placing her hands on the wall around them. Tam grimaced, "they will come to us, just wait." Just then a path through the wall appeared, and three figures entered in. "Welcome, Black Swan," they said in unison. Sophie nodded towards Wylie and Dex. They charged towards them, yelling at Sophie to go. Running towards the hole where they entered from, she got through just as the doors closed. "That was close," Biana said, gasping for air next to her. "Biana?" Sophie wheezed. "I'm a Vanisher, and you'll need my help." Smiling, Sophie and Biana walked through the path. They finally made it to a giant room where Fitz, Marella, and Keefe were. But something was different. Marella was thrashing on the ground, Fitz was still with tears streaming down his face, and Keefe was on his side sobbing. "What happened?" Biana whispered as they walked towards them.
Behind them, Vespera cackled. "I was wondering when you were going to show up."