Tusund took Leona to the room were he had been camping. Outside of the room’s sliding doors, there was a rack holding long canisters clear masks. In a cabinet besides those, there a box of mesh masks lay ready. Not wanting to cause more harm to her back, he instructed Leona to put on one of the mesh respirator masks. They had a longer one for draconians that fit her perfectly. Next Leona was given a set of goggles to protect her eyes. With the mask covering her face and goggled eyes she almost looked like a dragon prepared for a high-altitude flight.

  They entered into the room together passing through a small chamber that sealed them off from the next room. Air buffeted them from each side. Tusund explained the process of decontamination to Leona. It was nothing new to him since had worked in a lab before. When the second door opened red spores flowed into the chamber.

  The room was a greenhouse with the brightest florescent lights overhead. Several smaller pinkish lights added to the sickening glow. Leona squinted through their intensity. There were dripping shelves of plants that she had never seen before. That shocked her, having lived in a jungle city her whole life.

  The plants had long since overgrown their containers. Their roots draped down from the shelves, wrapping along the wheels of carts, and clogging the drains below. Cloudy water puddled under the carts. The linoleum tiles were moldy, but that was not as bad as the fungi bursting from the walls.

  Pealed back layers of paint revealed an oppressive colony of little pink and violet mushrooms. They were the same as the ones that had over taken the Dead Lands. Leona was thankful to have her mask on, keeping the red spores from entering her lungs. She only hoped that her ribbons had sealed her wounds tight enough to protect her from infection.

  “This is where I have been spending my time in the Voidlands. It was more abandoned than the other areas down here, and I figured that the dangerous spores would keep any monsters out. I’ve got great bark, so it doesn't trouble me,” Tusund said, settling down on top of a sheet of plastic. “The plants still get water, and the light is good here. I was hoping to hold out for some time and continue looking for you.”

  Warm humidity from Leona’s breath was gathering under her mask. Despite this, she was parched. her Leona stared at the water dripping into the layered shelves. Thirst licked at her dry lips. She wanted to tear off her mask and drain a lake.

  “Do not drink anything in here. There are some plants that you can take out and eat. They have filtered the water, somewhat.”

  Tusund crossed his legs entering into a meditative state. Leona could see his soul, an orb of golden and viscous honey. He spread his leaves out to catch the light. His soul brightened with new energy.

  Leona continued to look around the greenhouse trying to distract herself from the pain that was flaring up from where her wing used to be. Whenever Leona moved around obstacles she had always adjusted her wings together. Now, even with the lopsidedness, it felt like her wing might still be there. A limb connected to her but cut-through into another dimension. Weaving through the shelves, Leona continued to give herself the extra space that she no longer needed.

  When Leona could do nothing but focus on it, her pain only got worse. It was a different flavor from when she was nearly killed by Ozceron. Her lost wing seemed fuzzy, itchy, and inflamed. Lev was not there to restore her. There was no fixing this damage. What would Mom and Dad say?

  Behind her glass goggle lenses, Leona’s tears were hidden. She swayed on her way over to Tusund. Sinking to the ground next to him, she hugged her legs to her chest. Muted whimpers came from her.

  Leona had been so consumed in her pain that she did not notice her ribbon limbs reacting. The ribbons on her wounds had tightened while the unused ones had retracted and dissipated. She had regained some level of subconscious control over them.

  Tusund remained in his meditation for a length of time. When he opened his eyes, his soul flared like a golden sun. “Sorry, that took too long. I haven’t been feeling well down here, but the lights help. You are in a bad place too, much worse than me. I’ve got more energy now, may I see your wounds?”

  Leona turned her back towards Tusund so that he could see her missing wing.

  “Forgive me, I wish I had gotten to you sooner,” he said removing her ribbon and placing his palm on her wound. Warm sap coated the stump, sealing it.

  Instantly, Leona’s pain was relieved. It’s oppressive hold on her fell away and she was filled with gratitude.

  “How about your arm too?”

  Leona eagerly offered up her arm.

  Tusund held it, so small in his hands. He unraveled the ribbon that had tied it off. While he unwrapped it he asked her about her transformation. “You skin is so cracked. Does that hurt?”

  Leona shook her head.

  Tusund sealed the cut on her arm. He exhaled, having exhausted himself. The radiance of his soul remained, but the magic around it was diminished. “That should protect your wounds. They will heal much faster. That is my skill as a grand mage.”

  “Thank you, Tusund,” Leona spoke softly, holding her arms out, she invited a hug.

  They both embraced. Leona rested her head on Tusund's arms.

  “I’m exhausted all over again,” Tusund said, letting go. “What would you think about staying here tonight? It’s safe from anything out there. The respirator mask should keep you safe from the spores. We also got food and safer water through that food.”

  Tusund gestured to the shelves of green, overgrown and ready for picking.

  Leona’s fatigue from escaping the arena and the eye monster was profound. It was in every strained muscle, in her stressed beating heart, and in her mind, which had lately been filled with the pain of lifetimes. Leona was already curling up over a bed of moss. Her last wing covered herself like a blanket. Sleep overtook her….

  ~ ~ ~

  Back in Oak Port, Spinner was up early to help Hawk prepare for the games. They were walking outside through the Honey Inn’s vast courtyard. Hawk lead Spinner over to a quite patch of grass. Their spot was plenty distant from the other guests partaking in their morning tea. The abundance of dew on the grass today would help him reduce the strain of drawing the water element up from his soul.

  Spinner crawled onto an aluminum table-top. Hawk laid out a book on magic in front of him. When instructed, Spinner would use his lines to turn the yellow pages of book and read out-loud to his mage.

  Spinner read, “casting in one element involves a mage tightening the lense around their soul. Chaotic magic is then focused into an element of the mage’s affinity. This lense could be strengthened like any physical muscle.”

  Hawk was biting his tongue, trying as hard as he could to collect the dew from the grass. He extended his hand like it was a magnet. The little drops of water began levitating. Sweat was drenching the back of his jacket.

  “Wonderful job, sir! You are moving water and simultaneously producing buckets of it!”

  His focus was unbreakable. “Gee, thanks Spinner,” Hawk said, sarcastic. “Next Page.”

  Spinner read, “mages that cast beyond their capabilities risk being overtaken by chaotic magic. Stained lenses channel a hodgepodge of magic around the soul. The damage this inflicts upon the body is well known to lead to death.”

  Sweat ran down Hawk’s face and dripped from his dark hair. Maintaining his focus he removed his jacket and coat, leaving himself in his light pink dress shirt. At his hands, dew from the grass had coalesced into a sizable orb. He was straining himself again.

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  “Be careful, sir,” Spinner warned.

  Hawk squeezed his eyes shut. Taking in deep breaths, he split the orb into three. He opened his eyes and began juggling the orbs. With each pass the water splashed into his hands, losing form. It regained its shape again when he tossed it. His open-mouthed grin was so wide Spinner could see the points of his molars.

  “Nice show, but not quite award winning,” Spinner heckled. Earlier, Hawk had insisted that Spinner should be difficult. It was something about hearing the bad stuff outside being better than holding it inside his head. Spinner would do whatever Hawk deemed as useful.

  “Do you know what the book does not tell you?” Hawk asked Spinner.

  “No, sir.” Spinner shook his head.

  “The stronger the mage, the worse the toll of their curse is, right?”

  “Yeah?”

  “For stronger mages, that means losing control of their body and turning into a monster. Truly, a fate worse than death,” Hawk said, grasping his purple amulet. “The line to power is painted in blood. So few survive the trek, they do not know that even a curse can be bent to one’s will.” Hawk’s eyes were dark. His water orbs were growing into a stormy sea. The waves encircled him crashed in the air. Shadowy wisps were steaming off of Hawks shoulders and his dark wings opened.

  Spinner abandoned the book. He shot a line into the tree above Hawk, swinging off the table. Hanging above the choppy sea, he could sea Hawk in the middle conducting the storm. Illusionary ships sailed around him. Each one carried a copy of his mage.

  Lowering himself towards Hawk, a giant wave slammed into Spinner, throwing him into the water. “Stop, Hawk, stop!” He screamed. The waves pushed him underwater. His little legs could not carry him to the surface. Underwater, little copies of Hawk were drowning. Ships sinking all around.

  Hawk was laughing. The power was freeing. He felt his soul cracking out of a shell. He pushed the water up and down. Waves swelled around him. He spun and the sea spun. It was so fun. Then he heard a little voice squeaking in his ears.

  “Help! Help!”

  The sea burst apart. Water muddied the field. It didn’t matter how dirty he would get. Hawk got down onto his knees, looking for his friend. Spinner was hanging off of a dandelion. He was alright.

  Hawk reached out his hand.

  Spinner bit him.

  Hawk recoiled. Numbness spread from his finger all that way up to his elbow. “Why did you bite me,” Hawk hissed, shaking limp hand.

  “You’re an idiot!” Spinner snapped. “You could have died, and I was going to drown.”

  Hawk’s mouth hung open. He was covering his amulet. Light was leaking out between his fingers. He attempted to apologize, but Spinner did not listen.

  The little Silkin paddled thought the mud. Hawk tried to help him. Spinner raised his limbs, threatening to bite again. “You can finish training by yourself today,” Spinner said, his tone turned harsh. “I’m going to clean up, sir.”

  Alone, Hawk sat at the table. Cursing, he hid his head in his arm. His numb hand hung off the table’s edge. The rising sun passed thorough the tree. It’s rays warmed his back and the mud started to dry up.

  A family with a little girl walked by.

  “Mommy!” The little girl exclaimed in the way that little kids do to let everyone know. “What’s that sad guy?”

  Hawk cringed at her voice.

  “Honey, that’s an elf. And he’s not sad; he’s just sleeping,” she explained politely.

  “What’s an elf?”

  Island kids must be very isolated.

  “Elves are really big fairies that use magic to protect their fairy family,” she said, voice diminishing.

  The little girl asked even more questions that Hawk could no longer hear.

  Hawk lifted his head up to look at his amulet. The crack was growing. He was running out of time. Magic was going to tear him apart again. He should have been more careful.

  ~ ~ ~

  Leona woke up sore. Her skin had turned gray around her bruised ribs. No doubt, Void was flowing through her veins. Leona touched the spots that Tusund had covered with sap. The sap was sticky and wet. Thanks to it, Leona’s wounds remained mercifully numb. She got off the moss bed like an old woman, trying not to make any wrong moves that would agitate her wounds.

  Lev’s orange eye was still open and frozen. Maybe Lev was gone. Leona had not heard a whisper of her soul’s voice in her mind for so long. Her danger sense was silent, but she would not be sure of that unless she crossed another threat. As for her ribbon arms, Leona seemed to be in full control again.

  Standing before a shelf of alien herbs, Leona practiced dulling and sharpening her shadow limbs. She stared closely, mesmerized. The shadow limbs pulsed with each transformation. Wide then narrow, turning over and over like playing cards. It looked familiar. They were black snakes, dark vines, tendrils from a purple eye.

  A stabbing sensation traced the edge of Leona’s wound. Visions of the purple eye infiltrated her mind. All over again, she watched it. The slimy thing waiting for her to move. Void tendrils, sharper than razors launching overhead. Her wing cut off. It flew away from her, returning to the office with the monster. Falling. Evil eye. Mutinous wing.

  Tusund shook Leona. She snapped out of the vision. All around her the greenhouse planters were cut into clean pieces. Purple and orange flowers were spinning to the floor. Damp soil tumbled out of split pots. Water from the drip lines were set free to flow. Metal racks were divided. The tiles at her feet opened up into fissures.

  “I cleaned off some food for you,” Tusund spoke gently. In his eyes: fear.

  Head down, Leona stormed out of the greenhouse. On a bench below the rack of respirator masks, her food was waiting for her. She tore off her mask and threw it aside. Kneeling on the ground below the bench, she tore into the food.

  Bitter roots and tubers coated her taste buds. She was ravenous. It might as well been a pile of candy to her. Each tooth, a knife to slice through. She ate the juicy fruits with their rinds and seeds. Her mouth had been so dry. Crisp-crunchy leaves re-hydrated her. She licked the sticky juice off her hands. It was a feast for the ages.

  The decontamination chamber hissed. Tusund stepped out holding his bag. He set it down next to Leona. She continued to devour the plants he laid out on the bench. Next to her, Tusund began to lay out playing cards. He remember the order of the cards left by the Voidlings back at the Moon Shadow Inn. It was a pattern.

  “I fell down here with your things,” he said, arranging the cards. “It was a long fall, I thought I would snap against the rocks. Luckily, I tumbled down the steep cliffs outside. My sap was able to slow my fall.” He waved his hand in Leona’s face, grabbing her attention.

  Leona growled. She turned to him, chomping on more veggies.

  Tusund continued to speak. “In-between my expeditions looking for you, I came back here for the water and light. While resting, I have been studying this pattern.” He straightened out two rows of cards. “I am positive that they are dates. See, the second line is a day that is coming up soon. And the first line is one from the past.”

  Leona looked at the playing cards. She set down her food and cleared her throat. “That’s my birthday!” She exclaimed, pointing at the first line.

  Tusund’s mossy eyebrows rose in shock. Leona mirrored his expression.

  “What’s the date on the second line?” She asked.

  Tusund tapped his head. It sounded like a little woodpecker. “I have a guess.”

  Leona shoved more food into her mouth. She was ready for an explanation.

  Leaning against a wall of lockers, Tusund displayed a slight wood-cut smile. “The elder of my tribe remembers events from long before any of our lifetimes. There was a comet that used to pass over Vestra every millennium. Some years ago, its path changed dramatically. The elder said that its set to appear more frequently: once every one-hundred years.” He pointed at the second row of cards. “This is the day the comet returns.”

  “I still don’t know what those Voidlings were trying to say with this,” Leona mumbled, chewing her food.

  “I can only guess,” Tusund said shrugging. “We should try to get out of here before then. I don’t want to find out what the Voidlings have rigged up for us.”

  Leona nodded, approving. She finished her meal.

  “The day of the comet is approaching fast. Luckily, in my exploration, I found a lift. That should save us a lot of time.”

  Leona stood up, saying, “lets not waste anymore, I want to get out of here.”

  “Agreed,” Tusund said, slinging his bag back over his shoulder.

  Leona packed her mesh mask and shoved one of the clear masks fitted with its small oxygen canister into Tusund's bag. She thought it would be good to have them, just in case.

  Tusund looked back at the garden, longing. “I haven’t seen any more good light up ahead. I could get very sick, and we’ll be too far away to turn back.”

  Battered and bruised, Leona held a look of rugged determination. “We won’t stop climbing. We have to see the sun again, so we will.”

  Resigning himself to fate, Tusund lifted his hand from the door panel, sealing the greenhouse behind them. He had packed mountains of greens into his bag to last until the phoenix comet arrives. Hopefully, that would be enough.

  “Let’s go,” he said.

  Together again, they set out to ascend from the Voidlands.