Lucy took a deep breath before she entered the casino. Even with Esrin's directions, it had been hard to find, but Lucy assumed that was the point. Walking through the doors, Lucy kept her head low and took a moment to look around. Men in nice suits and women in beautiful gowns bet with looks of excitement and anticipation. A dark headed woman stood by the bar, and her eyes found Lucy's. A small smile formed on her face as she turned and walked to a set of doors. The woman waited by the doors with an inviting look.

"That's her," Anti whispered, and Lucy jumped in surprise.

The woman raised her eyebrow at Lucy with amusement, and Lucy warily walked over to the doors. The woman opened one of the doors. Inside was completely different from the casino. The bright chandeliers of the casino contrasted with the room's dark and foreboding nature. As the door closed behind Lucy, she realized that this wasn't a room. It wasn't part of the casino at all.

"I apologize for the secrecy," the woman said with an accent that Lucy couldn't quite place. "I assumed that you would want to speak in private. There are prying eyes in the casino… and its mirrors."

"So you know about him?" Lucy asked and felt some unexplained relief. "Dark?"

"Yes, although I did not know his name. Not many creatures, even dark ones, will challenge me so openly. However… I can see why," Esrin said and walked around Lucy, observing Lucy with appraising eyes.

"Why would that be?" Lucy said and kept her eyes on Esrin as she circled the room.

"You are a strange one. The spirits have told me of your coming, but I did not expect… What have you come here for?"

"I came here to learn about the light of the soul," Lucy said without hesitation.

"Because you read about it on the internet? I have little use for modern technology, but I do know that not all information is true. Although we both know that is not what led you here."

Lucy glared at Esrin, who glanced at Lucy's watch, and replied evenly, "And I think that we both know that you set that up knowing I'd find it and find you."

"Yes, I suppose that would be correct," Esrin replied wearily. "Why do you want to learn about light magic? I can see inside of you, and I know… you are far more inclined to the darkness than the light. Light magic only works if you have more light, more hope, inside of you. Otherwise… your darkness will feed the darkness that you so fear."

"So… you're saying all of this was a waste of time?!" Lucy yelled, startling Esrin. "You lured me here… just to tell me how utterly hopeless I am?!"

"I called you here to answer your questions. You want a weapon that can defeat this Dark."

"No, I want to protect someone from him. I don't care what it costs. You can use this light magic, right?"

"Yes," Esrin said although her eyes looked doubtful. "Who is the one that you want to protect? And why?"

"What do you want to do it? I don't have much right now, but I can get some money."

"You need to tell me why," Esrin said sternly. "Why is one person so important? Why would this Dark want to hurt a human?"

"Why does he want me? Who knows? Who cares?"

"I can see why he desires you," Esrin said thoughtfully. "You do contain far more darkness than light inside of you… but there is, without a doubt, some light. You have a strong will. It is what released you from Time and gave you power in a world that is not your own."

"He wants me because… I'm stubborn?" Lucy asked impetuously.

Esrin laughed and replied, "That is a piece of it… despite your darkness, you strive to do the right thing. So why is saving one person the right thing? Or at least… why is it so important to you? That is the price that I am asking for… before I give you anything. Prove to me why I should."

"Because… he is important. And Dark… he knows how important Barry is to me. I had a family," Lucy explained as her voice began to break. She composed herself before she continued, "I had a mom and a dad and a little brother. I was normal… and happy. And then suddenly they were gone. I tried to forget them. That didn't work, so I planned to outwit an evil genius and get her to end my suffering… and that failed too. But in failing, I found strength. In her. When I first got to this world, my first thought was how to get back to her. Then I found him."

Lucy took a second to compose herself and continued, "He's so much like him… my little brother. They look the same, talk the same, hell, they're even in love with the same girl. And he's not my brother, and he'll never be. But he gave me something that I haven't had in a long time. Hope." Lucy looked to Esrin with teary, pleading eyes and went on, "I'm not hopeless. Not anymore. I'm no longer running from my past but now running towards what I can be because I saw what he can be. What he will be."

"And what will he be?"

"A hero," Lucy said with complete certainty. "I don't see everything. Just brief flashes of what will be, but it's enough. He doesn't just need to be saved. He deserves to be saved, not because he is like my brother but because he'll give everything he has to save others. If this light magic works on hope, then I can assure you… Barry is more than deserving of your good faith… he has all of mine."

A tear ran down Lucy's cheek, but she let it fall. Dropping to her knees, she lowered her head and pleaded, "Please, help him. I don't care about the price."

"You believe in this Barry to that extent?"

"Yes, I believe in Barry Allen," Lucy said and felt a soft hand on her cheek. Esrin looked at her with a small, sad smile.

"Please stand. I know of a spell that will protect your Barry Allen, although there is a price and a challenge."

Lucy quickly wiped her face and looked to Esrin with hope. She asked, "A price and a challenge?"

"Yes, to successfully use this spell you must fight this Dark, face to face. If your belief in this boy is as unshakable as you have led me to believe, then you will succeed… if not, the darkness will overwhelm you, and Dark will be able to take you into his world."

"So that's the challenge? What's your price?"

"Not my price. The spell's price. If you are successful and this boy is everything you believe he is, then this world will owe you. I cannot use this protection. Not only do I not interfere in the affairs of mortal, but I lack what will make this magic truly strong. Magic is much more than incantations. It is hope, intent, strength of will, and sacrifice. After you use this spell, you cannot come back to this world after you leave it. That is the price."

Lucy clenched her fist but nodded. She would be going back to trying to find her way back home after all, but her heart still hurt.

"Good, but I do wonder about that abomination that you are keeping with you," Esrin said, nonchalantly looking at the watch. "He may end up being your next foe."

"Then I'll deal with him when the time comes," Lucy said resolutely. "But… I don't believe that he will. And his name is Anti."

Esrin gave Lucy another judging look before she pulled out a talisman on a golden chain and said, "Place the talisman on the boy's chest above his heart. There are no words to repeat, just place you hand on the talisman and think of your intent. Dark will likely sense this and confront you. Maybe even take you to a different world, but the talisman will not vanish. Keep your focus on that. Do not let him persuade you to take your hand away. Your friends will not be able to help you in this. This is your fight alone."

Esrin gave a meaningful look to Lucy's 'tie,' and D'Artagnan made a worried sound.

"I can do this," Lucy said and took the talisman. "Thank you. How will I know when it's… done?"

"You will feel it."

"Well, that's helpful," Anti muttered.

Esrin gave the watch a reproachful look and explained, "I am not trying to be vague to discourage or confuse you. That's simply how magic works. You will feel the surge then the ebb of the magic, and you will know that it's done. And Dark will be unable to hold you in his world if you do this correctly. Just keep focused on Barry. Do not let your hope in him waver."

"It won't," Lucy stated with confidence.

Lucy gave Esrin a small bow before she went back inside the casino. She left the casino with her head held high. A smile danced on her lips, and the talisman glowed with warmth inside Lucy's hand.