Your brother Oberon said hesitantly.

Hell come around, Valerie said. Then, timidly, she asked the question that still burned inside her. Is my mother alive?

Oberons face collapsed, and she saw a flash of how old he really was. No. Our plan was for her to take you and Henry to Earth. We were being hunted by the Fractus, who could not forgive me for betraying them. We were sure they would never find you there.

What happened?

All I know is that she used blood to call blood, and returned to Earth through her connection with her mother"your grandmother. We were meant to meet afterward, but I never saw her again. Chern found me and told me that he had seen her killed, along with you and Henry. He swore he would help me avenge your deaths if I returned to his side.

Did you take him up on his offer?

Oberon shook his head. I promised your mother I would never help the Fractus again. To break my oath would have dishonored her. For my refusal he took my sight.

Maybe shes still alive somewhere, like Henry and I are, Valerie said, her hope like a stubborn flame inside her that she couldnt stamp out.

Though that is the dearest wish of my heart, I cannot see how it could be. Nothing would separate her from her children if she had remained on Earth, and if she were on the Globe, we would have found each other. I have some minor psychic powers, enough that I would find her beloved mind if she were on this world. And then there is the matter of your sword"Pathos, Oberon said.

Valerie sat down on his front steps, stunned. Adelitas swordshes my mom.

He nodded. She had always planned to leave it for you and Henry to find when you came to the Globe. She left your grandmother with a book that told the tales of King Arthur so you would recognize what it meant when you drew the sword from the floor of the Great Pyramid.

Her breath hitched. I had that book my whole life. I didnt know it was from her.

If she made it to the launch chamber, she must have returned to the Globe. And when she made it here, someone killed her. Oberons eyes swam with tears, and he sat down next to her.

Valeries little flicker of hope that she might meet her mother died. It made all of her grief rush back at once, and her eyes stung with tears. Images of Midnights agonizing death flickered through her mind like a horror movie, and she couldnt hold herself together any longer. Her father tentatively put his arm around her shoulders, and she turned in to him, releasing her sobs into his chest.

There werent enough hours in existence to cry away all her pain, but eventually Valerie ran out of tears. Her fathers face was streaked with dried tears as well. When his eyes connected with hers, she knew that he understood loss, maybe even more deeply than she did.

How did you get your sight back? Valerie asked, her voice hoarse.

Oberon shook his head a little ruefully. When I tackled Chern through the window back into the Black Castle, he was furious. But he still wanted me to lend him my power. When I promised to consider his offer, he returned my sight. He never intended to let me escape, but I know his castle almost as well as he does, and was able to return to Arden. If I had known you were there, fighting, I would have stayed to protect you, he said earnestly.

I know you would.

She leaned her head on his shoulder.

Finding you and your brother is more than I ever dreamed. Is all this real, or have I descended into madness? Oberon asked.

Youre not crazy, Dad. Im here to stay.

The next day, Valerie left her fathers cottage to see Henry and her friends. It was surreal to walk back to her old life. In spite of the pain she would always carry with her, she had something to counterbalance it"love. She had never dreamed such riches would be hers"friends, a brother, and now a father.

Val! Cyrus spotted her first as she was crossing The Horseshoe. He sat with Henry, Kanti, and Dulcea on the steps of the Society of Imaginary Friends, sharing some of Dulceas amazing neon pastries.

You look different, Henry said, examining her closely.

Im not an orphan anymore, she said simply.

Oberon told us everything. Cherns nowhere to be found, but you can bet hell be back, Henry said.

The fragile peace that Valerie had achieved after talking to her father wavered. Lets worry about that tomorrow, she begged. Besides, well fight him as a family now. And Dad is so powerful"hell stop Reaper in the end.

Cyrus grabbed her by the elbow and turned her to face him. Youre not off the hook, you know.

What do you mean?

Just because Oberons your father, doesnt mean hes taking over. Youre still going to have to lead the charge when we take out the Fractus for good.

And theyre on Earth now, too, Dulcea added.

Valerie took a breath, trying to repress the panicky urge to run away from the conversation.

Sheesh, can you let her enjoy her peace for one freaking minute? Kanti asked.

Henry gave Kantis hand a squeeze. Sorry, everybody, she wanted to meet up for lunch instead of breakfast so shed be her usual charming self, but I couldnt wait that long to catch up.

Cyrus shook his head. No, Kantis right. Were all allowed to relax.

And grieve, Valerie added softly.

Sounds like someones in need of a shot of unadulterated hilarity, so here I am, Jack said, rounding the corner of the building. He sat down next to Dulcea, who was rolling her eyes at his comment. What are you dorks doing here, anyway?

Trying to enjoy the morning, Dulcea replied, and gave him a shove when he sat too close to her. No offense, but you werent invited.

Im not here for you, beautiful. That was a happy accident. Im meeting the big cheese herself.

Who do you mean? Valerie asked curiously, happy for the change of subject.

He gestured to the open area of The Horseshoe, and she saw Azra gliding across the grass, her iridescent mane fluttering in the wind. She trotted toward their group, her hooves seeming to leave a trail of glitter behind her. The sight left everyone silent with awe.

Welcome back, children. Gideon told me of your adventure, and I have never been prouder. I only wish I could have seen it for myself.

Valerie rose to stand next to her, breathing in her aura of peace along with the scent of lilacs.

Did he tell you everything? Lives were lost under my direction, Valerie said quietly.

Many more were saved. You do not need absolution for your sins, because you have not committed any.

But Midnight Valerie couldnt even complete her thought aloud. Shed been too late, too weak, to save her. And now she had lost her friend, and the Globe had lost one of its best leaders.

I loved her, too. But she is part of us all now, in the air we breathe. We will remember her. And we will avenge her. Azra tossed her mane defiantly, and hearing her words strengthened Valeries own resolve. The Fractuss reign of terror will end at last. We will do it together.

Valerie and her friends stared at the unicorn with awe. She was a force of nature, and hearing her words was like seeing the future.

We will, Valerie agreed, and for the first time, she believed it, and knew that she would be the one to lead them.

Azra turned her eyes to Pathos, which was strapped to Valeries side. The magic in your weapon has evolved. I have never sensed so much power in a single object.

Valerie drew her blade, remembering the oath that she had made with her friends. Yeah, we promised on my sword to never lie to each other, and there was this flash of light and there are new words on it. What does it say?

Azras eyes skimmed the symbols, troubled. Once by duty joined, once by the golden cord, the Pillars of Light are honor sworn to fight for the Balance, bound together unto death.

What did we get ourselves into? Henry asked, a little breathless.

It is a binding spell, a powerful one that cannot be broken. But even I have never heard of the Pillars of Light or the Balance. A weapon like this would only be woven with new magic in times of great chaos.

Its another sign that something big is coming, Kanti said.

Which we all kinda knew already, Cyrus said, trying to lighten the mood. We already said we wouldnt lie to each other. This just makes sure we cant.

And whatevers coming, were in it together, Valerie added.

Azra nodded thoughtfully, but then, with a little shake of her mane, seemed to let the stress ripple off of her back. We know change is coming. But thanks to you, Valerie, we have a slight advantage.

What do you mean? Valerie asked.

The orb that you ignited in the Black Castle was placed there by my husband long ago. He lost his life putting it there, though I never learned who killed him.

Valeries heart clenched at the knowledge of how brutally Azras love had been torn from her.

What does it do? Cyrus asked.

It absorbs dark magic. Any Fractus who are within a radius of several miles will find that their powers are significantly dampened. It also defuses the magic that hides the castle from the rest of the world. We will never need an invitation to return if we need to. If we fight Reaper on his own ground, he will be weakened.

And if we fight him on our turf, we still have an advantage, Kanti said with a grin. Way to go, Val. We should start thinking about our next plan of attack now"maybe we should try to surprise him before the Fractus have a chance to regroup.

Valeries fingers turned cold at the thought of returning to the Black Castle. She had hoped to never see it again, though her instincts told her she wouldnt be that lucky.

Enough talk of war. Today I am here to meet your courageous friend who escaped the Fractus to make a new life for himself. He has asked for my help in developing his natural magic. Come closer, Jack.

Jacks usually snarky expression had been wiped off his face and replaced with wonder, making him look younger, like the kid he really still was. He approached slowly, and, almost as if he wasnt conscious of what he was doing, he slid his fingers through Azras mane.

Can you sense the spark of your power inside you already?

He nodded, his eyes a little glazed. Like a candle flickering in the darkness.

Thats exactly what magic is at its best. A light in the chaos, truth that dispels the lies, and hope that drives away despair.

The truth of Azras words washed over Valerie, reminding her why she would continue to fight the battle against the Fractus to the bitter end. They had to protect magic as a force for good in the universe. And she didnt have to do it alone. She never loved her friends more than at that moment.

Weve got our work cut out for us if we want to make sure that those words stay true for the next generation of humans and Conjurors. Are you guys up for it? Valerie asked with a smile.

Her friends nodded, and a sense of purpose and determination filled her. Protecting all that was beautiful and good about magic was what she was meant to do with her life, the positive mark shed leave on the universe.

The adventure continues. Count me in, Cyrus quipped. She couldnt agree more.

Epilogue.

You sound different than last time you visited, Tan said to the tall, robed man who was visiting him while he walked across campus. Chern, he thought the man had said his name was.

Thats because I was pretending to be a bumbling but well-meaning fool for Thai. Though you share the same genes, in you I see much greater potential. Your brother is someone that I manipulate for his own good. But I can tell you the truth and trust you to understand, Chern said smoothly.

Thais a good guy. But youre right that sometimes he cant see whats right in front of him. Like how hes torturing himself over that girl, Valerie. Move on, already! Im sure shes on to the next guy by now, Tan said with exasperation.

I didnt come to talk about such trivialities, Chern replied, his tone sharp. Then he softened his expression. I came to issue you an invitation.

To what?

To the Globe. I have a way to bring you here, right away, if you wish.

But Thai says thats not possible anymore, Tan said, stopping in his tracks to stare at this strange man.

I let him think that the Excision was completed, but there are still ways to travel between Earth and the Globe. Thai doesnt need to know that yet, Chern said.

Even if thats true, hell still never go for it. You told him about that prophecy that says if he goes to the Globe, Valerie will die.

I told him what I needed him to hear.

I get it. To break him up with Valerie. I guess I owe you one, since I dont have to see her annoying face around our room every day, Tan said. But then his eyes narrowed suspiciously. Why are you telling me all this?

I rule a powerful army, and I could use a general with your strengths whom I can trust.

Tan sat down on a nearby bench to get his bearings. Then well have to tell Thai the truth now, or Ill never convince him to come to the Globe.

I dont want Thai by my side. I want you, Chern said.

Tan was at once uncertain and flattered. But he was shrewd enough to recognize an opportunity when he saw one. What do you want from me?

I want you to get close to Valerie and her friends. There are things I need to know that shell never tell me, but she might tell you.

I cant stand that girl. Why would I ever agree to abandon my brother to spend time with her? Tan said, trying to hide his eagerness.

Because Ill give you what you want. What none of your friends or family could possibly give you.

The memory of Venu touching him with his poison, almost killing him, filled Tans mouth with a bitter taste. His heart rate accelerated as he considered what Chern was offering. You know where Venu is?

Better. He is my subject. And his life is yours in return for your help. That and much more.

Tan didnt need to consider the offer for long. Im in. What do I do next?