There we were, traveling the long road to Eldoria, the kingdom ruled by witches.
Witches were practically human… just with magic. Nothing too extraordinary.
"I hate this," I muttered.
"What?" Alphonso asked.
"Getting dragged into this. Being forced into a kingdom I've never even seen. Not being able to walk on my own. Just… everything."
"Well," he said thoughtfully, "Do you know exactly why wolves are terrible secret keepers?"
I blinked. "What?"
"It's cause we always howl about it"
I stared at him. And then, against my will, I snorted.
"That was ridiculous. I don't even know why I'm laughing."
I wiped the tears from my cheeks.
"Hey, how come witches never fail at school?" Alphonso asked casually.
I frowned. "I'm not sure."
"Well that's because they're good at spelling."
I groaned and covered my face. "Alphonso please stop."
But I was laughing again.
"Guys, keep going straight," Sabrina called from ahead.
Did they seriously not hear those jokes?
"Guys, my arms are getting tired," Ethan said. "Can we stop for a minute and switch Lyra around?"
We halted as Ethan carefully lowered Lyra to the ground. She groaned softly as he stretched his arms.
"Wow… I needed that," he exhaled. "I feel human again."
Lyra rolled slightly onto her side, curling inward.
"So… tired," she murmured.
"Should I piggyback her, or keep carrying her?" Ethan asked.
"Kepp carrying her," Payton answered gently. "Piggyback might be worse."
Ethan sighed. "Whatever you say."
He lifted Lyra again, settling her carefully against his chest. She winced, her breath catching.
"Lyra, can you hear me?"
"Mm," she responded faintly.
"Tell me if you feel like you're going to throw up."
She didn't answer, just rested her head against him.
"Please don't vomit on me," Ethan muttered under his breath.
The path narrowed, winding between tall trees.
"This road feels familiar," Sabrina said quietly. "Don't you recognize it Ethan?"
"Yes," he answered simply.
"How often did you come to Eldoria?"
"Whenever we were invited," Sabrina replied. "We tracked faster in wolf form back then. Ethan's close with Matthew, Britney's older brother."
"I see."
I had never left Lunaris before. Not once.
And already, I felt homesick.
Though… home didn't even feel like home anymore without my family.
"Are there any… troubled paths ahead?" I asked.
"Up ahead, expect a lot of twists and turns," Ethan said.
"And worse," Sabrina added, her voice tightening, "the Dark Enchanted Woods."
Payton squeaked.
"I forgot about that," she whispered, her ears flattening.
"What's the Dark Enchanted Woods?" I asked.
Alphonso leaned closer and whispered dramatically,"You'll find out."
"Hey, Payton, relax," he added more gently. "We won't reach it for a while. And you won't be alone."
She nodded slowly.
"You know your big brother will protect you," Sabrina said, rubbing Payton's head.
Payton gave a nervous smile. "Right."
A brief silence settles over us.
"Do you know why shadows don't win arguments?" Alphonso suddenly asked.
I sighed. "What now?"
"Because they can never face the truth."
"Okay. That's it. No more jokes for you," I said.
Payton giggled.
"Thanks, Alphonso," she added softly. "You helped."
"Well," he said proudly, "that was my entire purpose."
Payton smiled and leaned closer to Sabrina as we continued down the winding road.
"Alphonso," I whispered.
"Yeah?"
"Please don't ever change."
He looked at me and smiled.
"Wasn't planning on it."