Chapter 21

Zev had found himself unable to sleep until the sun rose. He had to think of a plan to bring the news to his comrades. The only problem was his twin. Now that the telekinetic realised how much Faye was affected by Blake, he didn't want the damage to go further. Once the two met again, things needed to change drastically for everyone's sake. The fire wielder had his suspicions about his behaviour, but he didn't imagine that his lost friend was behind the closed doors. 

As Zev was roaming the hallways, Noah appeared before him. He was munching a muffin while holding two books under his right arm. Upon seeing him, the air wielder stopped dead in his tracks.

"Man, are you alright?" he gasped. "You look terrible. Did you even sleep last night?"

"Long story." Zev replied.

"Buddy, wanna talk?" 

The white-haired male raised an eyebrow. 

"Zev, you're my friend, but you scare me sometimes. Is it something you want to get off your chest?"

"Where are you heading?"

"My room. I've been in the library for two hours and I want to take a break. I'll check these books later."

"You don't need to. Do you mind if I come with you?"

Noah pointed with the chin the direction. Zev wasn't sure, but at the moment, he seemed to be the most adequate choice. It would have taken some time to explain Faye's return. His priority was to keep her safe from being bombarded with questions and letting herself be overwhelmed. Once they arrived in Noah's room, Zev made sure nobody was passing by the door. The room was a mess. The desk and nightstands were filled with books about magic, fighting and wielding techniques. Most of the things were out of place, because Noah practiced his wielding. It was sometimes eratic, similarly to Rishima's. The green-haired wielder sat on the bed, waiting impatiently.

"Noah, please, I need you to keep your voice down."

"Buddy, have the assassins infiltrated in the kingdom?" he panicked.

"No, it's something else."

"Then what is it? I'm on pins and needles!"

"Faye is back."

Noah's mouth fell open. 

"You cannot be serious!"

"I wouldn't lie about something like this."

"Goodness, how? I thought that... What the... No way! I can't believe this!" Noah exulted.

"You idiot, keep quiet! No one knows yet."

"Dude, how can you keep your mouth shut? Faye is back! Everyone needs to know right now!"

"She's not alright." Zev confided in a small voice.

"What do you mean? What's wrong?" Noah pleaded.

"She's been through a lot." the telekinetic continued. "More than we could imagine..." he whispered the last part, looking at his hand. "I think it would be a good idea to leave her alone for a few hours until she regains her strenght a bit."

"Does Blake know?"

"He saw me exiting her room, but he doesn't have the guts to check it. I made sure he won't."

"That's your style, Zev."

Since the sun came up, Edra and Rishima have spent their time in the kitchen, baking. Not too long ago, they had served a muffin to Noah, who seemed to be in a relatively good mood, although very tired. It wasn't unusual for the princess to be seen in the kitchen. Whenever she had the opportunity, she would prepare treats for her friends when they had free time. Now she thought it would be a good idea to boost their morale a little with something sweet. While Rishima was decorating the rest of the muffins, Edra sighed. It was almost noon, the noon of another fruitless day.

"How in the world am I supposed to solve this?"

"You're not alone in this, Ed. How many times do I have to repeat myself?"

"I'm just stressed out."

The princess grabbed a muffin adorned with whipped cream and chocolate chips.

"If it were to follow Faye's mindset, chocolate chips would be a form of currency. She adores them that much." she laughed.

"I wish she would be here to enjoy them with us." Rishima added.

Their conversation was interrupted by Zev's arrival. The telekinetic stared awkwardly at Edra for a few moments, then opened his mouth.

"Your Highness, there's something you need to know." he announced.

"Formalities again? What have you done so bad that you look like I'm going to sentence you to life in prison?"

"You must have this. Drink it. It might help you get your powers back."

Zev gave her the antidote, earning a dubious gaze from the girl. She couldn't believe the words she heard. So much time had passed since she lost her powers that she became used to lacking them. Her state was vulnerable, as she was previously able to detect the locations of their enemies with a higher accuracy. Being presented with the antidote, Edra enquired the ways in which it had been prepared. The conditions were impossible, only a miracle could make it a reality. She hesitantly took the bottle and emptied it in a single gulp. 

"EDRA!" Zev screamed as he rushed to catch her.

A strong wave of coldness engulfed the princess and she began to shudder. She was panic-striken and desperately grabbed her friend's shirt. Her pained groans alarmed Rishima, who was throwing her hands in the air agitated.

"What have you done? What have you done?" the earth wielder yelled. "The king is going to kill us!"

"Keep quiet! I know what's happening!"

In a few moments, Edra's pain ceased and she felt as if she was reborn. She tried creating flames on the tips of her fingers. To her surprise, the fire materialised and it seemed stronger than ever before.

"You damn wolf, how?" Edra asked in disbelief.

"Come with me. Firstly, I need to caution you. Keep your composure. It's all I ask of you."

Edra followed him suit, leaving Rishima behind to take care of the last batch of cakes. They stopped in front of Faye's room, but the leader had no reaction. Zev knocked on the door twice and put his ear on it to hear if something was happening inside. Assuming it was alright for them to enter, they proceeded. Waiting for them, still wearing the dress that she came to treasure, was Faye. She was pacing nervously around the room and Edra's coming caught her off-guard. Edra covered her mouth with one hand and with the other, she rubbed her eyes.

"No way..." she almost shrieked.

"E-Edra, I'm so-"

The princess threw herself in Faye's arms and sobbed hysterically. She was indeed back. It wasn't her imagination. Her friend, whom she considered to have died, was alive. Edra didn't try to stop her tears. All her emotions were pouring out like a cascade. Her joyful cries were the only sound in the room. Zev gave the weather wielder a reassuring smile, as she was struggling to find her words.

"Don't..." Edra started after a few moments. "Don't you dare apologize, do you hear me?"

"But, Edra-"

"Don't you dare apologize!!"

Faye was startled. She inched backwards, but her friend firmly grabbed her face in her hands. Edra studied her closely. The spark in her eyes was almost dull, as if clouded by all the terror she had experienced. The princess took her by the shoulders and was stupefied to realise that her bones have become more prominently. 

"Oh my god..." Edra gasped.

"It's alright. I'm- I'm fine."

"Don't lie to me... Don't apologize to me..."

"But, I failed. I didn't manage to-"

"You came back alive!" Edra protested. "Thanks to you, I regained my powers! How could you say that you failed?!"

"It's not enough. I should have done more to end this mission as soon as possible."

"All we wanted was to find you. I wanted to see you again with my own eyes, not just in my dreams and memories. I wanted my best friend back! Yet the first thing you say is that you're sorry? You did nothing wrong! This entire ordeal must be solved right now, with the entire team, and I will make sure that everyone pays attention to what has to be said."

Edra hugged Faye one more time. The purple-haired girl glanced at Zev, who later joined their embrace.

"Faye, do you feel better?" he asked.

"I'm slightly better, thanks."

"Is it ok if we gather the team? I don't want to stress you even more, that's why I'm concerned for your health."

"You needn't worry. I'm fine. I can't wait to see the others again."

Faye forced a half-smile. She knew who she was the most afraid of seeing again.