Bloom had never made a truly rational decision.

People always say that you can't let your heart lead you, because the brain holds all of the logical thinking. But, in Bloom's case, she could never listen to anything other than her heart. Most of the time it damned her, or led her into uncertain, borderline dangerous situations, and yet each time she somehow made it out alive.

Watching Stella transform into her Enchantix to free her parents was similar. Realistically, she knew that this decision would majorly turn her already hectic life, around. Her parents had been trapped for 19 years and nothing in the magical dimension was the same anymore. She was freeing them into a world that not only hated her but also exiled her. Their royal bloodline was tainted, their kingdom was in ruins and their only living heir was currently in the hideout of their greatest enemy. Not to mention that she had no idea how to even begin to explain Valtor's involvement in all of it. Probably because she didn't fully understand it either.

Where the hell was he?

They would hardly, if ever, accept that Bloom was far closer to being his ally than that of the Magical dimension. That no matter their royal status, the society would never welcome her back after all that she had done. When they last saw her, Bloom was just a baby, and now she was not only almost 20 years old but a murderer too. She had brutally killed one of their strongest allies. Their friend . What normal person could ever forgive her for that?

Bloom never stopped to question all the time that had passed since Shadowhaunt until this moment. It had been more than two years since she took Darkar down, two years since Sky had died. A shiver went down her spine. How much she had changed from the teenager who spent her days hoping that magic was real.

She knew in her heart that her parents would probably be quicker to hate her than to love her. And even though it ripped her apart in ways that she couldn't fully process yet, she had to accept it. Whatever their actions, and whatever their thoughts, they would not be in their prison anymore. Not when she sacrificed everything to get them back. So, even if they came to loathe her, at least they would be free while doing so and she will forever live with the knowledge that she made the right choice by giving them that freedom.

Stella held the vial containing her fairy dust and watched Bloom with something that looked like pity and curiosity. She was waiting to see if Bloom would change her mind, and Bloom couldn't blame her for it. Stella was probably just as afraid of the aftermath as her, after all, she had spent so much to find her way to Bloom, that it would destroy them both if they had to separate.

Bloom exhaled deeply, letting out all of her frustration. She walked to the statues and gave her friend a firm nod. And as she watched Stella chant the spell that activated the fairy dust, her heart squeezed within her chest.

This was it.

The goal she fought so hard to reach had now been completed.

So, as the magical particles fell upon the figures and Bloom started to imagine just how much her life was about to change, she exhaled sharply and smiled.

"How long exactly do you plan on sulking in here?" Abby's voice greeted him as Valtor pushed the doors to the common space open. He rolled his eyes at the sight of the Solarian designer, it just reminded him of the insufferable fairy currently taking residence within his very hideout. The place was otherwise quiet, all of the other residents probably sleeping in their rooms. But, no matter how hard he tried to do the same, sleep just wasn't in the cards for him.

"It's called rest, not sulking," he tossed back as he headed for the bar in the corner. There was no one tending to it now, so he just reached behind it and pulled out an unopened bottle of whiskey. If he couldn't sleep, he might as well make some use of all the free time on his hands. "Well, that's a lie," she replied as she took a seat on the stool right next to him.

He was surprised she was even talking to him. During his many stays at Paxesion, they exchanged maybe a handful of meaningless conversations. Hell, he would think she would hold some kind of grudge against him for conquering her home planet. Instead, Abby's face held mere curiosity and maybe even a hint of amazement.

"Didn't you just defeat the Magix fairy school? You have more power now than you had during your first reign, so why aren't you wasting your time here when you could be out there?" she motioned to the space in front of them.

When he said nothing, Abby took the bottle from his grip and took a long gulp. She handed it back and waited as he mimicked her action, barely feeling the sting of the alcohol against his throat. It took finishing the bottle for someone to speak again, and of course, it wasn't going to be him.

"So, what is the big bad Valtor running from?"

He snarled at the question, having flashbacks to his conversation with Lyrion. Why were all of them stuffing their noses into something that did not concern them? All he wanted from this place was some peace and quiet after finding the sun fairy at Cloud Tower. And he couldn't get any of it.

Typical.

"This conversation is beginning to feel like something to run from," he said, popping open another bottle and taking a swig. This one was definitely better and he enjoyed the slight burn it left in its wake.

"Don't get so easily offended," she replied and rolled her eyes. Abby never struck him as a type to enjoy banter, and he realized he could even somewhat appreciate it. As a response, he handed her the whiskey.

"Last time you were here with that redhead of yours. Bloom, right?"

As soon as the name left her lips, Valtor stiffened. He knew she noticed it from the way one of the corners of her mouth went up.

"Struck a nerve there it seems," she said and smirked.

When he refused to comment, Abby continued: "What? Did she finally come to her senses and return to her little fairy friends?" She seemed to contemplate that reasoning for a second before shaking her head. "No, that can't be it. Is she dead?"

Valtor scoffed at that. "I'll take that as a no," Abby continued, watching his face for any sort of indication if her words were striking their target. He hated how obvious it was that Bloom's absence affected him. Worse, that people around him could notice it and were noticing it. He could go on convincing himself that it was all nothing, that it meant nothing. But it being visible to a person who barely knew him only served as a reminder that he had to get his priorities in order.

"Well, she clearly left for something, otherwise you wouldn't be brooding in here like some kicked puppy," she went on and watched as his lips pulled into a straight line at the mention of the word left. Valtor took another swig, refusing to comment on any of it, and that in itself was her answer. "Ah, it's even worse then. You let her leave," she paused and noted him avert his gaze. "Didn't you?"

Valtor's grip on the glass tightened, and a small crack started to appear along the rim. "That's enough," he said, voice collected, but Abby could hear the coldness within it. Valtor stood abruptly, the effect of the alcohol washing over him all at once. It's been a while since he drank enough to actually feel it. Abby merely sat there, staring back at him.

"You could make herself forget her," she cocked her head to the side, her hair partly falling in front of her eyes. He watched her with narrow eyes as she stood up and was getting closer until their bodies were practically touching.

"What's a little distraction for someone like you?" she continued, letting her eyes wander from his chest to his eyes and then holding his gaze. Her hand moved toward his face, but before she could touch him, he abruptly caught her by the wrist. The grip was harder than necessary, but he could recognize this charade for what it was.

"Tell Lyrion to try better than this," he snarled and put a little pressure on the hand until Abby released a whimper. "Both of you are only embarrassing yourselves." He let her go and she cowered, walking a few steps away.

"We are not blind Valtor," she said quietly, not meeting his gaze. "Whatever is happening with you and the fairy, it's affecting you more than you know."

His eyes snapped to hers and he walked forward, backing Abby into the wall. She was much smaller and frailer than him, so he was surprised that she dared to look up at him. "Don't you think I know," he whispered into the space between them, "Just how much she is engraved in my existence?" He exhaled and saw how his warm breath sent goosebumps forming along her skin.

"Get away from her," Lyrion's voice carried toward them. Valtor didn't move when he looked toward the older woman and smirked. "Why, of course, how rude of me," he mocked and made a single step backwards, enough for Abby to squeeze past him. She hurried out of the room and down the hallway, disappearing from sight.

Lyrion stared him down as if he were a disobeying child. "You used to be more creative with your tests Lyrion. That was pathetic," he said and sat himself on one of the sofas. There was no point in pretending Abby was suddenly magically interested in him, or worse wanting to understand him. She crossed her arms at her chest.

"I merely worry about you," Lyrion replied and her eyes softened slightly.

"There is no reason to," he said with a shrug.

And then she started to cough, a heavy cough that sounded like it was ripping apart her throat. Red dots of blood lay splattered on her sleeve. Valtor moved toward her instantly, chanting a healing spell. But it did little to calm the wretched sound coming out of her mouth. He sat her down on the sofa, crouching next to the pillow.

"Seems like I'm getting old," she said after it ceased, her breathing calming down at last.

" That sounds like something to worry about," he gave her a look which could only be read as barely holding himself from going on a rant.

"Not at all," Lyrion replied when she stood up as if nothing had happened.

"What is-" Valtor began to ask when he felt it. A small, yet powerful, spark of Dragon Fire. It was undeniable and even with his shields entirely sealed, he could feel it on the outside. The warmth, the pulsing energy.

Bloom.

Bloom was-

She was back.

She was alive.

His chest tightened as millions of different scenarios played out in front of his eyes.

"You look like you've seen a ghost," Lyrion put a hand on his forehead as if to check the temperature.

He did not move, could not move.

Couldn't think, couldn't speak.

There were about a hundred ways this could have gone. A million reasons she could be back. Marion and Oritel might actually be free, Bloom might have managed to escape by herself, she could be injured, she could be devastated-

But a single thought outweighed all the others. One thing that his mind kept spinning around.

She was alive.

Bloom had survived the darkest dimension known to fairykind.

He reached for the bottle and drained it entirely.

Layla stood at the edge of the grave, watching as another one of the people she cared for got put into a nice little box and buried.

One more victim of this unnecessary war.

One more soul lost to Bloom and Valtor's actions.

Collateral damage, one of the news articles wrote. As if her friends and her mentor were just some pawns in a greater game. Her fingers curled into fists at her sides.

She hated it all.

Hated how the good ones always seemed to suffer, while people like Bloom and Stella got away unscathed. It wasn't fair. This war could have been stopped, Bloom could have been stopped.

If only all these people weren't blind, Faragonda would still be alive. Brandon would be working on a new strategy to improve Eraklyon's army. People's lives would have been saved.

Instead, they had this.

A bag of dirt spread in front of a fancy stone. Their entire lives brought down to a few carved words.

She saw Brandon's parents on the side, his mother crumbling as the coffin was lowered into the ground. The Red Fountain staff stood with all the remaining specialists in one group. They held their artificial pistols to the air and fired. Once. Twice. Three times.

Three times for all that had fallen.

She understood that people needed a period to grieve, but at the same time, it was ridiculous. They were already so vulnerable that there was no point in exposing themselves to Valtor even more.

Musa stood to her side, squeezing her hand tightly. Flora and Tecna were behind them. The loss of Stella was palpable, even now. Even if Layla knew that if it came down to it, Stella would choose Bloom. And she did so on the expense of their school. Her former boyfriend's life. Her friends' lives.

Layla couldn't understand it.

After the funeral, she was more anxious than ever to return to Andros, since Alfea was no longer safe. Nowhere in Magix was safe, even if Valtor hadn't attacked for a couple of days. Patrols also didn't report any movement in Cloud Tower, the castle looked almost abandoned.

The fairies were forced to retreat to their native planets. This was the first time she had seen the girls since Alfea fell. And now she had to leave them again. Her eyes darted to Musa, who was still waiting for an aircraft to Melody. Flora and Tecna had bid their goodbyes a few minutes ago and the rest of the attendants scattered as well.

Musa looked back toward her, a small smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. Layla stood next to her, not even knowing how to hold a proper conversation anymore. "Hey," Musa said slowly, testing the grounds probably. "Hey stranger," Layla replied softly. She hated to be leaving her again, to separate from her. Her heart ached at the thought.

Gods, her eyes were blue.

"We're going to survive this, aren't we?" she whispered, her voice quivering as if she was holding back a sob. Instinctively, Layla wrapped her arms around her, letting Musa's head rest on her shoulder. "Of course we will."

Musa pulled back and held her friend's gaze.

"You promise?" she extended a pinky.

Layla gulped but did not hesitate to respond: "I promise."

In the distance, an aircraft for Melody slowly landed.

"That would be mine. I will write to you, okay? This is not a goodbye."

Layla could barely nod, wanting more than anything that she could just keep her there.

Musa smiled before heading toward her ride, along with several people from other directions.

"Musa?" Layla called out. She wanted to tell her so much. Needed to. Who knew when she would see her again? But, a lump formed in her throat as soon as Musa turned back.

"Yeah?"

Layla shook her head and forced a small smile. "Travel safe."

Musa nodded and waved before climbing into the aircraft.

Layla stood behind as the graveyard emptied. She could summon a portal to Andros whenever she wanted, but something propelled her to stay a little longer. She walked around, looking at all those names. All the souls lost to time. She wondered how many of them Valtor had killed.

It was sinking in. Just how hard of an effect the loss of Alfea had had on everything. She walked a little farther, leaving the graveyard behind and finding a small bench.

She debated how much of this was fate. How many of their paths were prechosen for them? Had Bloom always meant to kill Faragonda? Had Layla's own destiny always been to become a leader no one expected to get?

She didn't want to believe in any of it, and yet, it seemed impossible for it to be any other way. And she hated it. Everything about it, from her place in the group to the war they were yet to face. There was no way to undo it.

A single tear broke through her hard-shaped mask.

She didn't try to stop the next line of tears as it came.

Layla looked at the approaching evening sky and dropped to her knees.

Bloom stared at the statues for what seemed like hours as if they might disappear if she let them out of her sight.

Stella's fairy dust had definitely weakened whatever spell was trapping them because the colour started to come to their faces moment by moment. Her mother's hair was only a shade darker than her own, and her father's face was a mirror image of Daphne's.

"Bloom, how about you try to get some rest?" Stella asked gently, sitting beside her and occasionally going outside to check the wards.

"I want to be here when they wake up," she replied, eyes trained on them, ready to step up if she noticed even the smallest of movements.

Stella's eyes softened and she handed her a cup of tea, to keep her hands busy, otherwise, she felt like all this waiting might smother her.

"It's an old spell," her friend was telling her, "It will probably take the fairy dust a while to wear it down."

They've been under there for almost two decades, Bloom couldn't imagine how it would feel to finally move again, let alone to see just how much things have changed. And she still had no idea where to start in telling that story.

She got up and went closer, reaching for her father's shoulder. It was still cold to the touch and she was about to let go when the memory pulled her in.

Oritel was sitting in the palace's royal library, sorting through the papers regarding the upcoming material transfers with King Radius when a light knock sounded at the door. He averted his gaze and instantly smiled as Marion's rich red hair peeked inside. "I hope I'm not disturbing," she said and by the Great Dragon, he swore he could listen to her speak for hours and never get tired of the sound.

He shook his head. "You could never bother me."

Marion's hair was braided, falling across her shoulder while her eyes seemed to shine like a million little diamonds. She closed the doors behind her and practically sprinted toward his desk. Oritel embraced her instantly, pulling her as close to him as he could. Every day was another glorious reminder of just how much he loved this woman.

"You're mesmerizing," he whispered as he locked eyes with her, still holding her hands in his. Pink appeared on her cheeks and he found it beautiful that even now, after they had been together for years, she still blushed at his compliments.

"I needed to come see you at once," she said quickly as if whatever she came here to do was just bursting out of her. "What is it?" he asked, offering her another encouraging smile. Something, deep within his heart could guess, but hearing her say those words almost made his whole soul explode.

"Oritel, I'm pregnant," tears of pure joy glistened in the corners of her eyes, as she brought his hand to rest on her belly. Oritel had known that he loved her, that she was his entire world, but as those words left her lips, he also knew that this feeling expanding in his chest was pure and utter adoration.

"I love you," he breathed and kissed her.

Their child. Their little wildfire.

As Bloom opened her eyes again, she could feel the prickle of warm tears that were spilling down her cheeks.

"Are you okay? It looked like you had entirely zoned out," Stella asked, her eyes narrowed slightly. Bloom nodded as an idea came to her.

She took her father's hand with her own and her mother's with the other and let the memory flow into the invisible bond between them.

Bloom stood in the ruins of Domino's palace and in a place that should have become her room. She was clutching an object in her hand, an oval pendant with the crest of Domino. Bloom brought the small instrument towards her face and opened it.

A melody surged from it, soft and familiar.

A lullaby.

The only connection she had to her birth parents.

The sequence ended and Bloom stepped away, noticing two very significant things at once.

First, was the slight movement of her father's shoulders.

The second was a figure that now stood in the hallway behind them.

Her chest tightened at the sight of him and all of the emotions she was trying to keep buried threatened to rush up to the surface. Their eyes met only for a split second, but enough for her to notice that tiny shimmer. Before his eyes snapped to who now stood next to Bloom. Thankfully, with their backs turned to him.

Oritel blinked once, then again, as if he couldn't believe that he could actually see. His eyes went to Marion, who looked equally weary and perplexed. She instantly gripped his hand, eyeing the room around them and the two girls who stared at them with the same amount of bewilderment.

When Bloom cast a look to the hallway, Valtor was gone.

But her parents, people who she had gone to hell for, now stood before her. Bloom made a single step toward them, trying to find proper words.

She wasn't sure what emotions were in their eyes, but she knew that they didn't know who she was, so every move and word had to be calculated.

She was about to introduce herself when her mother's hand flew to her mouth, stifling a scream as her eyes filled with tears. She looked to Oritel with so much love that Bloom's chest squeezed. And he understood, just from that single look. Both of their gazes went to Bloom, who couldn't stop the flow of her tears even if she tried.

"It can't be-" Marion whispered.

"Hi, mom."