The next morning, I was called to Sylvis’ office. To my surprise, Rosalie and Maverick were already there.

  “Am I in trouble again?” I asked, nervous why I was suddenly called. Maybe they made a mistake and I wasn't immortal after all!

  “No, no! Quite the opposite,” Sylvis assured me. "There's... something I've been debating telling you. The real reason why Rosalie returned.”

  Reason? She didn’t want to just… come home?

  “As you know,” Rosalie began, “I can predict the future of several worlds. Most recently, I have foreseen the destruction of the world you call Earth.”

  I froze, and my heart stopped. Earth was... going to be destroyed? What about my friends, my family?! Would they all be killed?!

  I felt warm hands grab my cold, iced-over ones and noticed it was Rosalie. Her hands flowed a faint red, likely using fire magic to warm mine up. “I’m not going to let that happen, Elaina.” Her eyes were so gentl,e and her expression was so innocent. I was surprised by how much she comforted me.

  “Thank you.” I wiped away the tears that had just fallen. My hand was warm from hers. “But… How would Earth even be destroyed in the first place…?”

  “Members of the Magus of Historia seem to be targeting Earth for reasons I cannot foresee. All I know is that their magic destroys your world.”

  “Rosalie obviously is going there herself to do what she can, but I’m sending Maverick along with,” Sylvis explained.

  “You’re what?” Maverick asked quickly. Clearly, she hadn’t informed him beforehand. Did he even know why he was there?

  “I’m also sending you, Elaina.”

  “Me?!” My jaw dropped. “But I don’t have any magic!” Wait, why was I protesting this? Send me home!

  “I thought it might be easier if Rosalie and Maverick had someone to guide them. Being from Earth, there must be plenty of things you know that can help. Plus, Maverick will be there to watch over you in case your magic gets out of hand. You’ll leave tomorrow.”

  Tomorrow?! Was this her giving me a chance to see my home again? Had she only sent Maverick so that I might have this chance?

  “T-Thank you.” My eyes teared up. “I won’t let you down!”

  To my surprise, Maverick stormed out of the office, slamming the door behind him. I quickly chased after him and was surprised he hadn’t teleported away. Did he want me to follow?

  “Maverick! What’s wrong?” I grabbed his wrist, but he quickly shook me off with a force that sent me flying into the wall.

  “What's wrong? I get to babysit you again.” He sent his fist flying into the same wall I had, punching the surface inches away from my face. “Do you understand how frustrating it is that I have to drop everything just so you get to see your precious home again?! Rosalie’s already going to be there; why do I have to go too?”

  Maybe this trip wouldn’t be so great after all. Did I seriously have to spend all my time with Maverick, someone who clearly didn’t want to be within a sixty-foot radius of me?

  “I-I don’t know…” I answered quietly. I genuinely didn’t know why Sylvis had appointed him to be my personal babysitter. Was she counting on Rosalie being too busy to watch me?

  “Whatever.” He teleported away this time. I sighed and slumped down until I was sitting on the floor, and I allowed my eyes to close. This was going to be a fun homecoming.

  “Are you okay?!” Finn’s voice caused me to open my eyes. I noticed he was looking between me and the hole in the wall. His features went from concern to understanding. “Congratulations on getting to return home. Can’t say I won’t miss you, though…” He frowned as his eyes stared deep into me. He wore a bittersweet expression.

  “Hey, it won’t be forever. As soon as Rosalie’s done saving the world, I’ll be back here most likely.”

  “Unless your magic somehow awakens back on Earth.” He shrugged. “Then I might never see you again. It sucks that we don’t even get a proper goodbye.” He sighed, closing his eyes. Then to my surprise, he opened them, a look of realization as he beamed at me. “I know! Why don’t I just come with you?”

  “W-What?!” I practically shouted. Why did he even want to come with me, to begin with?! What about all of his friends here?!

  “You don’t really want to be alone with Maverick all that time, do you?”

  “Definitely not, no. But will Sylvis even let you come with?”

  “I’ve already made up my mind.” He winked at me. “My magic is perfectly under control. She’d have no reason to stop me if I asked Maverick to take me with.”

  “Who says Maverick will even do that?” I sighed.

  “Then I’ll just have Ernest shrink me and I’ll travel in your pocket.” He winked again, and I found myself blushing.

  “No! That’s too weird.”

  “Ella, I’m serious about coming with you." He changed his tone to match what he said. "I’ll do whatever it takes to find a way to be with you.”

  Why did that make my heart flutter? Never before had I heard someone say that to me—not even Matt— Matt! How was I going to explain everything to him?

  Was it just my imagination, or had Finn’s expression shifted into something indiscernible before shifting back? “I guess you’ll have a lot to explain to everyone back home. Don’t worry — I’m sure you’ll come up with something.”

  “You’re really leaving?!” Aidan looked at me in shock. We were sitting in the dining hall with Marge. I really was going to miss this place after all…

  “It’s just for a while. As soon as my world is saved, I’ll be back. Probably sooner rather than later,” I explained.

  “Oh! Maybe your magic will awaken while you’re gone and you’ll get to stay!” Marge smiled at me.

  “Don’t say that!” Aidan snapped to my surprise. We both looked at him wide-eyed, and he shrank back into his seat. “A-Aren’t you going to miss her, Marge?” He was back to his normal voice.

  “Of course I will! But Ella’s been wanting to go home ever since she got here. As her friend, I want to support her.”

  “Thank you, Marge…” I swallowed. This was going to be harder than I expected… Deep down, there was a small part of me who hoped that my magic wouldn’t reawaken. Or at least not until I returned here.

  “So… This is goodbye for now?” Aidan asked solemnly.

  “For now,” I repeated.

  “I-I’m… I’m really going to miss you.” He rapidly blinked. Was he holding back tears?

  “I’ll miss you too.” I gave him an earnest smile. “My time here would've really sucked without you, so thank you.” Oh, that came off a little harsher than I meant. “Um, what I mean to say is, I’m really glad I got to meet the two of you. I consider you true friends, and I’m always going to remember you. Oh gosh, I’m speaking like I’m not gonna come back. Uh, I’ll see you guys real soon!”

  The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

  That was way harder than it should’ve been…

  We talked for a bit longer before I decided to head back to my room. I wonder if there’s anything I can take with me… I don't think I held an emotional attachment to anything in my room. I hadn’t received gifts from anyone here, either, that I could take home.

  “I heard you’re going home,” a familiar voice interrupted my chain of thought. I was surprised to see Zephyr in the hall of the seventh floor. Was he looking for me?

  “Yeah. It’s temporary, though,” I explained.

  “Are you sure?” Zephyr asked. “This could be another one of Sylvis’ tests. If you perform admirably, she may drop the requirement of having your magic under control.”

  Everyone was so set on the idea that I wasn’t coming back that it was starting to scare me. All this time I was ecstatic about returning home, and suddenly now I have cold feet.

  “I’m not going to hold my breath,” I replied.

  “This world of yours… It doesn’t have magic, that you know of.”

  “No. I really doubt it does. Why?”

  “I see. Perhaps I could thrive in such a place…”

  “Huh?” I raised my eyebrows in surprise.

  “I’ll have to ask Sylvis about accompanying you. Though after recent events, I imagine she’d be hesitant.”

  “You’re going with?!” Aidan interrupted the conversation. He must have been heading to his room. “T-Then I’m coming, too!”

  “What about your sister?!” I asked, shocked that he’d leave her behind for me.

  “I-I’ll have Marge look after her. B-Besides, we’re not going to be gone for that long, are we?”

  “We could be gone for years for all I know! Or it might just be a few days. Either way! Do you seriously want to be separated from your sister for that long? I doubt Maverick will send you even if you stroke his ego.”

  “You’ve done so much for me, Ella. The least I can do to repay you is to be there by your side.”

  Why was everyone being so nice to me? Besides Maverick, that is.

  “W-We don’t even know if Sylvis will let all you people come with me!” I geared up a bit.

  “W-Who else is coming?”

  “Finn.”

  “Finn?!” Aidan gawked. “W-Why’s he coming?!”

  “I don’t know!”

  “What about Aqua?!”

  “I don’t know!”

  “W-Well, it’s a good thing that I’m coming then.” He crossed his arms and looked away.

  “Why's that?” I asked, genuinely confused.

  “N-Never mind!” He quickly shook his head and turned away. Was he blushing?

  I spent the rest of the day saying goodbye to Aqua and Marge. Aqua seemed happy for me until she realized Finn was coming with. She looked hurt and taken aback when he told her. I still couldn't wrap my head around why he was so insistent on coming with me. He could obviously read my thoughts, but he wasn't answering any of my questions. Sigh. I guess I'll find out eventually...

  Marge spent a good portion of the evening with me in my room. It reminded me of the sleepovers I'd have with Rose and Carol.

  "Elaina? What's wrong?" Marge suddenly stopped rambling about some rumor of Zephyr having a secret girlfriend and looked at me with concern.

  "H-Huh?" I asked, confused.

  "You're crying!"

  I rubbed my eyes with the back of my hands and realized I was, in fact, crying.

  "It's not fair!" I committed to the tears. "I shouldn't have to choose between staying here and going home! It's not fair that once I've made my decision, I can never go back! I don't want to leave you and the others! But I also don't want to never see my friends and family again! It's too much!"

  Marge pulled me into her arms and stroked my back the same as Rose had done for me many times.

  "It's going to be okay, Ella." She whispered into my ear. "Whatever you choose, you have people who support that decision. I don't know your friends or family, but I think they'd want you to make the decision that makes you the most happy. That's what friends and family are there for. Sure, it hurts, but at the end of the day, it's your decision to make."

  "Thank you, Marge..."

  Night fell, and I had a difficult time sleeping. Part of me was excited about finally going home, and the other part felt terrified of leaving. In the month or so I had been here, this place had turned into my home. I found people who welcomed me with open arms and did everything they could to support me.

  They supported me so much that they were coming with me.

  Right, I didn't have to panic. I was still going to see them.

  But then I felt guilty about that. If it weren't for me, they wouldn't be leaving their friends and family behind! Whatever. This was their choice to make, and I need to respect that.

  “Y-You’re all going?” Sylvis’ eye twitched as she stared at the five people before her.

  “They wouldn’t let me talk them out of it.” Maverick crossed his arms, looking unamused.

  When I arrived in front of Sylvis' office, I could already see Maverick arguing with Zephyr, Finn, and Aidan. They were dead set on coming with me, and I couldn't help but be touched. I was also surprised by how happy they looked to see me. I really did have the best friends ever... I wonder how they would get along with my friends back home?

  “E-Ella’s been there for me when nobody else has. I-I think it’s only fair that I return the favor,” Aidan was the first to speak.

  “We’re talking about the Magus of Historia here — a group of powerful people with magic. Do you think Maverick alone will be able to protect her? Especially when she can’t even protect herself?” Finn argued. He admittedly had a good point. I don’t want to die.

  “I suppose you have a point, Finn.” Sylvis sighed. “And you, Aidan. Are you fully aware that once you’re gone, you won’t be able to return until Rosalie has finished her mission?”

  “Y-Yes,” Aidan answered as surely as he could.

  “I suppose I can make an exception for the two of you. But you…” Sylvis cast her gaze on Zephyr.

  “I finished the work you assigned for me last night. There has been a question on my mind lately: How do I want to proceed with life? It seems that my magic has caused nothing but trouble for those around me. Perhaps in this magic-less world, I may be able to glimpse what life would be like without such burdens.”

  Sylvis closed her eyes and leaned back against the desk, taking a moment to consider Zephyr’s words. “Very well. It was I who pressured you into using your magic when you didn’t want to. Perhaps in this way, I can atone.”

  Zephyr’s eyes lit up as he nodded.

  Sylvis let out a loud sigh before shaking her head and smiling at the five of us. “When you get to Earth, you’ll find an apartment ready for you. I’ll handle your finances, so please do not hesitate to purchase anything you may need. If I find you spending money wastefully, I will have a stern talk with you.” She crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes at Finn, who simply scratched the corner of his mouth sheepishly. “If there is anything you need, Maverick will relay it to me. Won’t you, Maverick?” She asked pointedly.

  “Yes, yes.” Maverick rolled his eyes.

  “Good. I will give you some time to pack your things, and then you’ll be off—”

  “Actually, we’ve already packed.” Finn opened the door to reveal several suitcases stacked on top of each other. There were more than four, so somebody definitely overpacked.

  “Y-You’re certain you need all of that?” Sylvis’ eye twitched again as her lips quivered.

  “Quite,” Finn answered proudly. Ah, so it was his stuff. And here he was going to travel in my pocket!

  Sylvis sighed once again. “I would usually ask if you’re certain you have everything, but clearly there is no point in that now.”

  “Oh, actually, I forgot—”

  “Goodbye.” Sylvis smirked before snapping her fingers. “And be safe,” I could hear her voice echo as my vision turned white and the usual nauseous sensation overcame me again.

  When everything settled, I noticed we were surrounded by skyscrapers as far as the eye could see. Loud honking and engine revving seemed to startle Aidan. We were clearly in some sort of city, but which? It didn’t look like LA to me. It definitely didn’t smell like LA.

  "Interesting. This is not how I expected Earth to look." Zephyr straightened his glasses. "It lacks greenery."

  "I assure you, most of the world doesn't look this way," I replied.

  "I-Is the rest of the world this loud?" Aidan covered his ears. It didn't help that birds were squawking, adding to the noise.

  "Uh, that depends." I thought back to my neighborhood, where the occasional motorcycle would drive by at high speed in the dead of night. Stupid motorcycles.

  "It could definitely smell better." Finn shifted his weight from foot to foot, seeming uncomfortable. "I've smelled better in Maverick's room."

  "Excuse me?" Maverick narrowed his eyes at Finn as he raised his palm before realizing he couldn't, or rather shouldn't, use magic here. To my surprise, Finn narrowed his eyes back and seemed unusually angry. I watched as he balled his fist before loosening it and balling it again. Was everything okay?

  "Where are we, Elaina?" Zephyr asked, breaking my train of thought.

  I frantically looked around for some sort of landmark, and my breath got caught in my throat.

  The Empire State Building.

  "We're in New York."

  Ephemeral

  Elaina has returned to Earth not to live there, but to save it from total destruction. She must act as a tour guide for her friends as they track down the elusive Magus of Historia. Adapting to a magicless world proves challenging not just for her friends, but for Elaina herself, given that her magic is still unpredictable. Friendships form, crushes get crushed, and drama ensues. Should Elaina gain control over her magic, she may not have to return to Etheria.

  And what's this mysterious gaming device that has everyone addicted?