"You seem quiet, my Selene," Lena tried to smile.

They were on the train back north, the howling winds whipped around the rickety boxcar causing it screech in protest. Selene kept facing her window, it was pitch black outside that she couldn;t see even the outlines of the mountains.

"Leave us, Bastian," Lena dismissed her guard. "Now that we're alone, maybe you'll tell me."

Lena had such a charm about her, it made Selene feel at ease, she was comfortable with Lena.

"I worry."

"About your daughter?"

"About everything."

Lena scooched closer to Selene on the seat.

"David and I are capable of keeping the Lycans at bay while you find her."

"I do not doubt you or David. I know the coven is safe in your hands."

"Then what troubles you, my Selene?," Lena reached a handout to place it on top of Selene's.

"She told me not to look for her," Selene squeezed Lena's hand.

Lena was quiet for a moment then spoke," You worry she does not want you to find her?"

"Yes," Selene admitted with a heavy heart. "If she does not want me to find her, she will continue to hide," she paused. "I worry that she is hidden away in some cave in the woods, preying on animals. These past years, what if she was so scared she regressed? Micheal struggled with his powers at first and now she is a hybrid too. She never had anyone to hold her, she was raised in lab!"

"Shhh," Lena pulled Selene's head to her chest. "Be still."

Selene couldn't stop herself from crying. She was so scared that her daughter was out there terrified with no one to trust. Everyone is hunting her and no one has her back, even her own mother abandoned her.

"You cannot hold the blame for this," Lena whispered. " I seen your pain, you must let it out."

"I never even knew I was pregnant," Selene cried into Lena. "Micheal never got meet her, he never got to..."

"Shhh," Lena rocked her slightly. "You will find her. The day I touched her hair, I knew she was alive and to this day I still feel it."

After Selene calmed herself she pulled from Lena, "I need a favor Lena."

"Of course, my Selene, anything!"

"I need to go back to the Sacred World."

Lena straightened and her eyes sharpened, she placed her hands in her lap and looked down.

"What? You yourself have ventured there many times."

"This is true."

"Then what? What aren't you telling me?," Selene demanded an answer.

"What do you remember of Valissa?," Lena answered her with a question.

"My ladies, we arrive at the ridge," Bastian entered the room, cutting off Selene's answer.

"Thank you, Bastian," Lena stood but looked to Selene. "We have much to discuss when we reach Var Dohr."

The troupe departed and climbed the icy slope to the hidden enterance of the Nordic coven's castle. They had just come upon the door when Lena was greeted with an overpowering hug.

"My daughter," Vidar cried happily. "I mean, perhaps I should bow and greet you as the Elder you are," he stepped back and bowed his head.

"Father," Lena smiled and stood him up so she could hug him properly. "No such formalities are needed between us."

He looked lovelingly at his child and Selene felt a pang of jelousy, would this be how her reunion with her daughter would be? Smiles and hugs? Is it possible her daughter missed her as much as Selene missed her daughter?

"Ahh, the lovely Selene," Vidar bowed to his Elder. "How pleased we are to see you again."

"I am honored to be back," Selene followed him into the entryway.

"Am I to assume you will be staying, my Lena?"

"Father, I would love to talk more and catch up with you, but Selene and I must..."

"Say no more," Vidar smiled. "Buisness of the Elders is far more pressing. Please come to me when you are able," he bowed and then left them.

Lena turned to Selene," Come," she beckoned, leading Selene towards the pools in the lower portion of the mountain hideaway. Selene followed silently, but she wanted to know why Lena had reacted the way she had. Why did she seem so unsure when Selene requested to go back to the Sacred World? They enetered the large room and Selene could hear the way lapping along the edges. She felt her muscles relax, it was a familiar sense of peace that she was accustomed to when at the Nordic castle. There was only one body suspended in white wraps from the ceiling, it represented the other person on their journey to Valissa.

"Tell me," Lena submerged her hand into the water. "What do you remember of Valissa?"

"I remember this feeling, this eternal loop of life flowing inside me. It was constant, no beginning or end, just forever flowing."

"Yes, that is the Becoming. Each trip to Valissa gives clarity, I have gone many times and now can see into people, their pain and pasts. Do you recall anything else from your journey?"

"Not really... it's all so fuzzy."

Lena nodded and submerged her other hand, she seemed extremely focused on what she was doing.

"Why? What does that mean," Selene pressured Lena to answer.

Lena sighed, removed her hands from the water and turned to Selene.

"You're first venture to Valissa was not one of your chosing. I sent you there and through the powers of the Becoming you returned back to our world. This trip will be very different if you chose to take it. Since your body was granted life by the Valissa, returning will be extremly painful. This will be one of the hardest things you have done in your life, Selene."

"I saw her there," Selene finally admitted.

"Saw her?"

"I saw Eve."

Lena looked anything but shocked as she contemplated Selene's words.

"It is common to see memories on the journey."

"No, it wasn't a memory, Lena. It was her. I saw Eve there."

"You believe your daughter was also in the Sacred World?"

"I'm not sure, but she was there Lena. I remember her more than anything."

"Tell me what you remember."

"The ice," she closed her eyes. "I'm sitting on the ice and I can feel it. It's so cold. I never remember the snow being this cold."

Selene took in a deep breath recreating the scene in her mind. The ky was a dark indigo and white fog sits in the air around her. She is outside the Nordic castle, sitting on the frozen water, her fur clock wrap around her but cannot shelter her from the harsh elements. She can feel the cycle of everything, the Becoming is channeling through her and she opens her eyes. There is the horizon behind the mist is a hooded figure, it strides forward on the ice, pushing through the dense clouds towards where Selene sits.

"And... I see her."

"And you're sure you've never seen her like this before?," Lena questioned.

"Never, she's wearing a cloak and she looks older. Last time I saw her she was only 11 years old, here she's a teenager."

"I always saw that she was a special child."

Selene opened her eyes," So she really could be there."

"There are many ways to Valissa, but for her to be there at exact time as you seems..." Lena let her sentence fade before finishing it.

"I've made my decision, Lena. I want to go there."

"Then we must prepare. I'll get the ritual started, I need to find my father first. We should be able to get it all ready before sunrise."

Lena knew how important this must be to Selene, she needed this before begining her journey to find her daughter. Lena would do all she could to help Selene and she was grateful for the distraction. Her heart was throbbing as she missed David, she had to hold in her regret that she did not kiss him a final goodbye. Lena tried her hardest to force down these feelings, but it was hard for her because she had always been a creature of love. She spoke her mind and lead her life with honesty as the Becoming had taught her so many times.

Lena found her father and explained the need of the ritual. Lena was blessed that her father had always been so caring and kind, so of course he trusted her judgement and helped her assimlate what was necessary. He asked if she needed any help, but this was familiar process to Lena, and she knew Selene would be comfrotable if they were alone. In some cases, when preforming the ritual the enitre coven would come to watch them begin their journey, it was believed that this would make it easier for a traveler to make it back home.

Lena returned with wraps and small vial, she then went round the room lighting every candle. Selene knew she needed to take this journey if there was any chance at seeing Eve again. Lena helped Selene strip naked, all the while Lena was singing softly a song Selene had never heard before.

"Praise the moon when it rises. Praise the sun when it falls. Seek a cleansing in the light and in return feel the breath of life. Praise the cold as the wind surrounds us. Praise the snow as it protects us. Praise the roots that grow. Praise the flower that blooms."

Lena stopped singing and reached for the vial. It was an emerald colored glass vial that was cut to look like a jewel itself with a cork on top. Selene had never seen it before and looked to Lena for answers. Lena said nothing and popped off the cork.

"What is that?," Selene asked her as she boright the vial up to Selene's mouth.

"Poison."

"Nightshade?"

Lena shook her head, "A poison that holds no name."

Selene kept her eyes locked on Lena's as she opened her mouth to drink from the vial. She trusted Lena. This is what needs to be done, she reminded herself. The liquid tasted like nothing, but Lena only put a single drop on her tongue. Could that be all?

"Now come," Lena took her hands and lead her to the water. "Go and find her," she whispered finally before stepping away.

Selene stepped into the water, wading deeper and deeper until she was submerged to her shoulders. Lena had started humming behind her, it was building in the room. Selene could hear it reverbirating off the walls and then it was pulsating into the water. Selene was consumed by the noise, she didn't try to fight it and dove into the pool to be completely surrounded. The water was murky, tinged with white and there was a light from the far end. Selen used the intense pulsing to propel her forwards, swimming towards the blinding light. She closed her eyes it was too bright, she nearly screamed as the pounding got louder and more intense.

Suddenly she emerged on an icy lake, one she had seen before. Wind whipped around her violently, if she was adversed to the cold, she would have succumbed to death. Selen stood, she feel the rough shards of ice beneath her feet and looked out inot the dsitance. There was no fog, no smoke, the wind had cleared it all away. She waited, Selene hoped Eve would appear at the far end. Selene could feel the slip of time, the far stretches of her mortality and rebirth of her mind. She was in the Sacred World, she had no doubt. She could feel the Becoming tingle inside of her, spreading warmth to her fingers.

Eve was not here.

Selene waited. This was the place she had seen Eve last over a year ago. As time passed, Selene started to doubt her previous journey. Could Valissa have forged this memory, created her daughter as she had hoped to see her? What limits does the Sacred World have?

Selene stood and once she did she was suddenly clothed. Her skin tight suit and corset had been returned to her as if she had never left them off. She had on her boots and her furred cape, she was wearing her most comfortable outfit. Valissa must have sensed if Eve was not coming to her, she was going to find Eve and gave her clothes. Selene strod across the ice, determined and unfazed by the fierce winds. She reached the end of the lake, on Earth it would have cascaded down into a snowy cliff. Not here. She looked out and there was pure whiteness, no drops, no sky, no weather. It reached endlessly in front of her with no clue as to what she was supposed to do next.

"I will find you," she vowed and then jumped.

Selene had no fear. She fell down surrounded by the whiteness until she hit pavement. She landed in a crouched position and looked up, she was now in a city. Building surrounded her and filled the once empty void. Was she still in Valissa? She looked around, she saw the skyscrpaers with gleaming windows and cars lined on the side of the street. Something was wrong. She walked down the sidewalk and then she finally understood this eerie feeling. The city was empty. There were no people, no cars driving, not even a bird flew over her head. Where was she?

The city didn't seem familiar to her, the buildings and churches looked like any other she had seen. It was something in the distance that caught her eye, she ran for it and once she arrived at the pristine green grass, she knew this place. It was a famous landmark she had seen once. Behind the grasss stood a large stone structure with three arches, on top of that was green statues of horses and soilders. On either side of the arches spanned a long building, similar in it's architecture. A breif wind pulled the flag that lay in the center arch, sporting a single vertical black, gold, and red strip.

"Belgium."

Why was she is Belgium? More over, why was this city deserted? She must still be in Valissa.

A laugh rang in the air, Selene reached for her gun, but found she had no weapons at all. She spun around the see who was here, but there was no one. The laugh came out again, but Selene still saw no one.

The laugh wasn't malicious, it seemed genuinely happy and almost... young? It was definielty a woman laughing, but perhaps a girl? Could it be Eve? Selene ran down the road, checking every side street for a sign of Eve. Was she really here? Again she heard the laughter of a young girl, it was pulling her further from the park and into the city.

"EVE!," Selene called out in desperation. "Eve, are you here?"

The empty streets echoed her words back to her, then it disolved into silence. Why did she hear that laughter?

"Jamais! Je ne serais pas surpris en train d'embrasser Peter." (Never! I wouldn't be caught kissing Peter!)

The words floated around her, but the voice was familiar. She would never forget that voice, it was Eve. Selene had no doubt it was her daughter, but why was she speaking French? Was she nearby? Selene kept trying to follow the sound of her voice, wherever it was leading her until she saw abuilding tucked into the street. All the windows has lights on inside, the only sign of life in this empty city.

Selene approached with caution, she had no weapons and no idea what was inside. The building was labeled 133 and had a large iron gate door, but the fram eof the door was glass and has intricate designs woven into it. Beside that was a plaque that read ' EIM: Ecole Internationale Montgomery'. A school? Selene stepped back and looked at the building once more, there was a large three piece window with stained glass, she could break inot that if she needed to. It was then she heard her daughter voice.

"Non, je ne pourrai pas y aller, mon oncle me fait étudier." (No, I won't be able to go, my uncle is making me study)

Selene had run out of her patience, she opened the door with no issue, she didn't even need the security code. Inside was set of stone steps that she climbed eagerly until reaching the main threshold. There she saw a large wooden staircase with a complete banister climning up to higher floors and polished pristine floor. Was this really a school? There were no signs of children playing or teachers, the halls rang with stillness. She climbed the stairs tot he second floor, looking for a sign of Eve. In one room she saw green chairs and cubes used for reading, but no Eve so she kept on the search. Another room must have been the library, it was filled with rows of books on shelves and tables meant for studying or reading.

"Si j'obtiens à nouveau une mauvaise note, je pense qu'il pourrait me tuer." (If I get a bad grade again, I think he might kill me)

It was so close, Selene left the library and went to the room across the hall, she opened the door and was half expecting to see another empty room. To her surprise this room was like none she had seen. The light was on, she could see the children in their seat all talking to one another. She heard laughter and even saw a teacher sitting at his desk.

"I'm sorry," she began to apologize for her intrusion, but no one had turned to her. She was invisible to them it seemed as neither the student or teacher looked her way as she enetered the room.

She looked voer the faces of the children, more adult then children, all of them in their teens at least. Then in the back row, huddling in a group of three, she saw one girl with long dark thick hair. She was facing away from the door, whispering with the others, Selene walked around the desks to see her face. It had to be Eve. There was no way it could be anyone else.

"Vous devriez essayer leur yaourt, ils ont tellement de saveurs!" (You should try their yogurt, they have so many flavors!)

She spoke and it was clear, this was her daughter. She was sitting in the back of a classroom, speaking French, and blending in better than Selene would have ever guessed. How had she been able to hide her powers? She had somehow found a way to control her anger. How could she be in school? Was she pretending to be an orphan? Could this be an orphanage?

She heard Eve laugh again, it surrounded Selene like a warm blanket. It was indescribable to be able to see her again, hear her voice and know she was truly safe. Selene let herself smile as she watched her daughter talk with her friends. She is getting a chance to be a normal kid, Selene thought. Selene knew that she would never have been able to give Eve that. Maybe she really is happier here without Selene. Eve has worked so hard to disguise herslef so she wouldn't be found. Selene fought with herself if she should shatter Eve's new life just to bring herself comfort. It's also about the Lycan, they are hunting for her and if they find her here she will be vulnurable. Selene hated that she was going to tear her daughter away from her new life, but she needed her to be safe behind the walls of the Eastern castle.

"I'm coming for you," Selene told her daughter, even if she wasn't able to hear her.

Eve sat up in her chair and looked around with her brows knitted.

Could Eve hear her?

"Eve, I'm coming to get you," Selene said again.

Eve's head snapped to where Selene stood, her eyes darkened as she glared right at Selene. Could the child hear her? Could she see her? How was that possible? Eve's blue eyes narrowed and then Selene saw total whiteness again. Selene was falling again, or was she flying? She felt nothing and saw ntohing until her vision was blasted with light. Light was pulling her without her contorl, she was trying to fight it but it was too strong. She slid along the ice becak towards the enterance, she looked around and she was back on the frozen lake in fron of the Nordic castle. She dug her fingers into the ice, trying to grip something, but it was pointless, the force was pulling her despite her many attempts to stop.

Selene sat up with a gasp, at leas she thought she did, but all she could see was white again. Where was she now?

"Selene!," Lena's voice echoed.

Selene was gasping for air, clawing at her own face, tearing away the wrappings.

"Selene! Be still! Selene, stop!," Lena unwrapped her face and Selene winced. It was too bright in the small cave, Selene had to gaurd her face. It felt like she was sitting in front of the sun before she was granted her powers. She felt like she was burning.

"Selene! Please!," Lena was trying to stop her from getting up.

"AHHH," Selene screamed at the agony, fighting to free herself.

Lena was trying to keep her from falling off the table. She had never seen anyone return from the Sacred World like this. What had happened to Selene while she was there?

"AHHH! IT BURNS!," Selene shouted nearly done removing the white clothes she was surrounded in.

Lena didn't understand, how could she be burning?! Lena then slid her off the table, Selene hit the floor with a thud and started kicking. Lena pulled her inot the pool, holding Selene's arms to her sides to keep her from thrashing. Selene was like a eel, slipping from Lena's grasp and fighting to get away, causing the water to spalsh all around them.

"Be still, Selene! Be still," Lena grabbed her firmy around the chest and pulled Selene to sit in her lap. Lena held on while Selene kept fighting, but after a minute, she began to relax into the cool water. She was still hyperventalilating and gasping, but Lena just wanted her to be still.

They waited a few more minutes until Selene started to breath more evenly and water settled around them.

"Selene, tell me you are alright," Lena tightened around Selene in fear she might lash out.

"I... I'm fine," she spoke raspily.

"What was that?"

"I... I don't kn- know."

"Do you still feel burned?'

"No... I'm fine."

Lena let go of Selene, who stood up quickly, then offered to help Lena out of the water.

"You must tell me of your journey. In all my time I have never seen such a return from the Sacred World."

"I saw her," Selene paced the floor while water dripped off her clothes. "I found her."

"I had no doubts," Lena wrang out her hair over the pristine pool.

"I saw her, she was living a life like a normal child. Laughing with friends and she looked happy."

"But it was not like last time? She did not see you?"

"She did... I think. I spoke to her and then I was back here."

"I knew that child was something special."

"You've never met her," Selene retorted.

"I can see how bright she shines from here. She shines through you, Selene. I still don't know why you came back in that way; most people awaken peacefully. Will you tell me of your journey, what you can remember?"

"I remember following her voice, I could hear he and... I just wanted to see her. Then I saw here and I wanted to hold her. I wanted to know she was safe with me. I told her I was coming to get her and then we locked eyes. Her eyes are so blue... just like Michael's. Then I was here again."

Lena thought hard for a moment," I have heard of others, when experiencing something so strong, the are sent back abruptly. The Sacred World is a place of balance, and feeling too much of anything upsets that balance."

"It didn't feel like that. It felt like she saw me."

"Will you still go to her?," Lena asked already knowing her answer.

"Yes. I will find her before the Lycans do."