"How

"How?" Aileh was suspicious. Nothing could heal Naga-venom, right? But his father knew that he wouldn't come if it was a lie.

"You can heal her." Romanov had to suppress a smile at his son's face. "A nega could heal Naga-venom. Don't you know that?"

"But the healing powers disappeared long ago, didn't they?"

"They did, yet You can heal, because you fit into the exception the witch gave."

"The exception?"

"Yes, 'Only if one of the highest falls too low, he will be able.' It fits to you, my son."

"I am?" Aileh didn't understand his father. "One of the highest? A Cobra?" A nod. "And the lowest? Wait… Love!?" Another nod. His mouth fell open and he turned towards Din. Hope was in those bleu eyes.

Din almost didn't dare to hope. Hope that he could once again hold an ALIVE Faragonda. Aileh kneeled down in front of him, carefully pulling Faragonda out of the silvery tail that held her tightly.

Aileh located his energy in his hands and prayed to every god he knew that it would work. It did, partly at least… The bite wounds closed, but Faragonda did not return to the living.

"I'm sorry, Din. I'm not strong enough."

"You tried…" Din looked down at the woman in his arms. "At least you tried, Aileh."

Aileh couldn't bear to look at the broken naga in front of him. He turned his head away and gasped. He hadn't noticed his father had come to stand next to him.

Romanov looked down at them and did the only thing he could do. It took only one movement of his mighty tail to send both naga flying. His son landed in the middle of the girls and his former friend near one of the pillars of Alfea. It was a swift movement, almost to fast to see. Now he stood with his hands raised to the sky and his eyes closed. He opened them again and looked at the white light, coursing through the sky. It gathered around his hands, slowly gaining more strength. It became blinding, yet he did not cease. He knew he needed it all. His hands moved on their own accord, bringing down the light towards the body in front of him. The body rose into the air, high enough for him to simply scoop her into his arms.

"Hello, headmistress. Slept well?" A dark naga grinned down at her. She immediately recognized him.

"I would have, had it not been for your new captain." Faragonda carefully put her feet beneath her again. "It took you long, you know."

"My son tried first, but he was unable too. I told you so."

"Faragonda?" Din couldn't believe his eyes. "How?"

"Did you really think you were the first to fall in love?" Romanov grinned. "I too found love once."

"So that is the reason why you ignored the Counsel?" A male mirror image of Egina emerged from the crowd.