I couldn’t help but feel I had stepped into a fantasy novel upon entering the tavern. Lively music played from the band across the room, which could be heard surprisingly well despite the chatter. People were talking, but seemed to keep their voices down. The tavern itself was made of stone and wood—the hardwood floors creaking every few steps we took.

  Maverick pulled out a chair at a table and sat down and—

  “Oh no you don’t!” I immediately slammed my hands down on the table before he could put his feet on top. Unsurprisingly, he just placed his feet next to my hands.

  “Dude. That’s gross.” Marge cringed.

  “If I took my shoes off, maybe you’d think otherwise.” Maverick smirked.

  “I’m sure they’re doubly gross.”

  Zephyr elbowed Maverick’s feet off the table, much to his dismay, and sat next to him to keep feet watch. A waitress soon came over and placed menus down without saying a word and left.

  I sighed when I realized once again these words meant nothing to me. Grilled sabjorn, ghirella, and boiled chorgan.

  “Can I have a translation?” I sighed, looking up at my friends.

  “Ehhh, your guess is as good as mine.” Marge shrugged.

  “W-what’s whackadoodle?” Aidan glanced over at Finn who shrugged.

  “It’s a type of bird,” Maverick explained.

  “Have you been to Caelut before?” I asked. “Errr, Vafir?”

  “Briefly. The empress unsettled me, so I cut my stay short. Rosalie’s the expert. Too bad she’s not here.”

  Two waitresses came back, placing what I could only assume were alcoholic beverages in front of us. I grimaced, remembering I was well under the drinking age.

  “Uh, aren’t we a little young for this?” I kept my voice low after the servers left.

  “What do you mean?” Maverick raised an eyebrow.

  “There isn’t a specific age you have to be to drink in Etheria,” Finn explained.

  “Is there one on Earth?” Aidan asked.

  “Yeah, twenty-one. Meaning Maverick is the only one of us old enough to drink,” I answered. Zephyr’s eyes widened as he spat his drink out back into his cup.

  “That’s so weird!” Marge smiled after taking a sip of her drink.

  “H-how many kids are running around drunk…?” I blinked nervously.

  “Not many, I’d think,” Maverick explained. “Usually parents will step in before it goes that far. Besides, it’s not like kids are being given flasks of alcohol. It’s just a tiny bit. And it’s watered down.”

  I thought back to holidays with my family and how I would be given a couple sips of nasty wine. I supposed that made sense.

  “I don’t feel comfortable with this.” I pushed the mug away from me.

  “Suit yourself.” Maverick shrugged before downing half his mug.

  “Hey, no ears! Are you new around here?” A Vafiran pulled up a seat between Maverick and Finn.

  “No ears?” Marge narrowed her eyes.

  “Forgive me!” The woman closed her eyes and bowed her head. “It was a slip of the tongue. Where do you hail from?”

  “Meridia,” I answered absentmindedly.

  “And that’s… where, exactly?”

  “The continent to the west,” Zephyr explained.

  “Ah! Iola.” She clapped her hands together. Of course they would have their own word for our country as we did theirs. “How did you cross the sea of clouds without pegasi?”

  The rest of us glanced at each other, a silent conversation on whether or not we should be truthful. Avaline had said that magic wasn’t a secret here.

  “M-magic,” Aidan answered.

  “Oh! Magic, yes! What is your Affinity?”

  “Affinity?” Marge blinked.

  “She means our Talents,” Finn answered.

  “Sixth sense,” Marge answered. “I can predict the future, but no more than two days ahead. The more useless the information, the more likely I am to see it.” She sighed.

  ”I haven’t found my talent yet…” Aidan glanced down into his lap, sadness apparent in his eyes.

  “And you?” The woman looked at Finn.

  “Eh, why don’t we keep that a surprise for now?” He forced a smile. Smart, not immediately trusting her.

  “Cross-world teleportation is mine,” Maverick answered. “I believe that was the answer you were looking for originally.”

  “Oh! Yes, that makes a lot more sense. Forgive me, I have yet to introduce myself. Myolia.” She bowed her head to us.

  The rest of us introduced ourselves, offering bows in return. I assumed it was their custom.

  “What brings you to Vafir?” Myolia asked. I totally wasn’t going to get tired of everyone asking this question.

  “You know, just seeing the sights,” Finn answered casually. He seemed a lot calmer now than when we had met with Avaline.

  “I imagine you’ve already met with the empress?”

  “Yes, we’ve met with her imperial egocentric— Ow.” Maverick was cut off by Zephyr elbowing him in the side.

  “Did she warn you about the ghula?” Myolia's tone suddenly became serious as she leaned over the table.

  “The what now?” Marge blinked.

  “Ah, she must have forgotten. It’s so common to us that we sometimes forget newcomers don’t automatically know. That’s how most of them die.” Her calm smile did not match her words.

  “Uh, good to know…” I replied.

  “What is this ghula you speak of?” Zephyr asked.

  “It’s an ancient word for the plague that has slowly been consuming our kingdom.” Myolia’s expression was dark and concerned. “I take it you’re familiar with the concept of ether poisoning?”

  Zephyr nodded.

  “Ghula is a more extreme version of ether poisoning. Many beasts have already been contaminated. Come into contact with them, and the ghula will spread to you. First your body, then your mind. You will seek the destruction of others, including those you love, before finally destroying yourself.”

  “Well… That’s dark…” Marge took a long sip of her drink.

  “C-can we go home now?” Aidan squeaked, and I almost agreed with him.

  “Is there a way to purify the ghula?” Zephyr asked.

  If you spot this story on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  “Powerful magic might be enough if the ghula hasn’t spread, or the contamination isn’t severe,” Myolia explained. “We had someone quite powerful try to purify it not too, too long ago. Unfortunately, she failed. She granted them a swift mercy.”

  My heart sank at this thought. Was the ghula so bad that death was considered the better option?

  Finn’s eyes lit up in surprise, but he remained quiet. Whatever it was, I would have to ask him later.

  “Should we go home?” I asked, mirroring Aidan’s concern.

  Maverick shook his head. “I’m not too concerned, honestly. With our power? We won’t even let it touch us.”

  “Yeah… I guess you’re right.” I fiddled with my thumbs.

  Myolia wished us well and excused herself from our table. As if on cue, the waitress came back and took our order. To my surprise, Finn got out of his chair, dragged it out, and dragged Aidan over to where he had been sitting before, replacing his own chair where Aidan had been next to me. There were many angry protests, and I didn’t miss the small burn on Finn’s thumb.

  “Want some help?” Finn whispered to me, pointing at the menu.

  “You know what this stuff is?” I asked.

  “Our waitress is hungry.” He smirked at me. “Do you trust me?”

  “Uh, yeah?—”

  “She’ll have the alukarp.” Finn beamed at the waitress. I couldn’t help but flash back to Maverick ordering for me when I had first arrived in Etheria, which made Finn grimace.

  The waitress simply nodded, took his order, and moved down to Marge.

  “You’ll like it, trust me.” Finn smiled at me.

  “When you said ‘help’ I thought you were going to explain the menu items to me.” I frowned.

  “Sorry… That would have taken too much time.” He scratched the back of his head.

  “Can I at least know what you ordered for me?” I asked.

  “It’ll be a surprise.” He smirked mischievously. Every day he was turning more into Maverick. He sighed at my thought and rejoined the conversation at the table. I could see Aidan’s beady eyes intently watching us. The jealousy was never going to end, was it? It’s as if people forget I have a—

  Right… I didn’t have a boyfriend anymore, did I?

  The food arrived sometime later. I was pleasantly surprised by the fish Finn had ordered me.

  “See? What did I say?” Finn smiled at me.

  “Explain the other menu items to me so I know what to order next time.” I winked.

  He shook his head at me and continued eating his own food.

  “Where to next?” Marge asked, stretching as we left the tavern.

  “I could use a nap.” Zephyr yawned.

  “N-no! I-I want to see more of the city!” Aidan exclaimed.

  In truth, I wanted to take a closer look at that fountain from earlier that I had rudely been kept away from. “There’s something I want to see.” I beckoned the rest of them to follow me.

  We sprinted to the fountain, garnering many stares from people who clearly weren’t minding their own business. Hmph. …Okay, I couldn’t complain. I was literally staring at them earlier.

  The fountain was even cooler up close! The flowing lava looked just like water, except much thicker, and you couldn’t see your own reflection, and it all kind of morphed together… So basically, nothing like water. It also made a weird glug sound, very unlike water unless it was being poured out of a gallon. Hm, maybe it had more in common with water after all.

  “Careful. It would be a shame if you fell in.” I could hear Maverick’s smug voice from behind me. I quickly turned to face him, not trusting him to not push me in.

  “Relax, if he moves so much as a finger, he’s going in.” Marge smiled confidently, and I felt some relief.

  “I’d like to see you try.” Maverick narrowed his eyes at her.

  Marge moved to grab Maverick by the arm, but found her own arm grabbed by Zephyr. “Now, now, there won’t be any throwing of anyone into smoldering fountains.”

  “Yeah, yeah.” Marge yanked her arm away and scooted back.

  “I-I want to explore the upper levels!” Aidan chimed in. “A-and get as far away as possible from this fountain…” he added quietly.

  “Do you think we’ll get to ride a pegasus?” My eyes lit up with glee.

  “No!” Maverick’s loud voice could’ve been a shout.

  “Why not?” I huffed and pouted my lips.

  “Because I don’t want to.”

  “Let’s just focus on exploring the rest of the city first, ‘kay?” Finn smiled at us earnestly. “I’m sure we’ll have plenty of chances to see the pegasi when Maverick isn’t looking.”

  “Can we maybe, um, not ride the elevator again…?” I asked, remembering how traumatizing the last ride was.

  Maverick sighed and created wind magic, launching himself up in the air until he reached the level almost directly above us. He beckoned the rest of us to follow. The others quickly followed, but I hesitated.

  “Come on! You have magic now! You can do it!” Finn beckoned me with his hand.

  I took a few steps back, nervousness churning my stomach. My magic had only just awakened, and I was being asked to launch myself several feet into the air. What if I missed and fell back down?

  “You can just catch yourself with more wind! Can you believe you’re still within range of my magic? See, it’s not that far!” Finn’s words of encouragement were anything but encouraging, considering he had to cup his hands around his mouth for me to hear him.

  I slowly inhaled a breath and took a running jump…

  …And looked utterly stupid jumping two feet in front of me, no magic. My cheeks heated up in embarrassment.

  Maverick’s facepalm was so loud I could hear it from down below, and then quickly realized that wasn’t him, but the sound of someone’s sandals smacking the floor and its wearer’s foot.

  “Ella! You can do it!” Aidan cheered me on from above. His excited cheers and extravagant motions made me chuckle, but did little for my fear.

  I backed up a few steps and took another running leap that led nowhere.

  “Have you forgotten that to use magic, you have to actually use magic?” Maverick’s tone was annoyed and impatient, only making me feel worse.

  “O-of course I know that! I just can’t get the timing right!” I shouted back. “If I do it too soon, I won’t reach the platform, and if I do it too late, I’ll hit my face on the rail!”

  To my surprise, Finn leaped over and landed directly next to me, his lance breaking his fall. Dude, just use wind.

  “I could tell you the same thing.” He chuckled at me. “Let’s do this together, okay? If you miscalculate, I’ll correct it.”

  He grabbed my left hand in his and wrapped his right hand around my waist, giving me a warm and fuzzy feeling in my back and my stomach. “Whenever you’re ready.” His words were kind and patient, unlike a certain someone else’s. “Oh, and uh, maybe don’t take a running jump this time?” He chuckled.

  I nodded. I sucked in air as if the air I was breathing in somehow contributed to the air magic I would be creating. As I exhaled, my magic went off. …And raised us way too high into the air.

  I clenched Finn’s hand as tightly as I could while my other hand desperately reached for his other arm that I could not find.

  “Hey, it’s going to be okay,” he softly spoke into my ear. “You do know that you don’t have to force your magic out now, right?”

  “No! No, I don’t! I don’t know how to use magic! I just got it!!!” I cried.

  He pulled me closer to him as we started quickly descending. I started to panic and momentarily wondered if I would vomit until we slowly started descending, a strong yet gentle breeze guiding our movements onto the platform that everyone else was standing on. I think by now I should just expect Aidan to look jealous.

  “Show off,” Aidan mumbled as he shoved his hands into the pockets of his hoodie.

  “Can we finally get going?” Maverick sighed impatiently.

  “Yeah… Sorry…” I mumbled. I really had overthought it. All of it. My technique, how much power to use… If it weren’t for Finn, I would have never reached the platform. I probably would’ve cried into the elevator.

  Walking around the capital was surreal. I couldn’t help but periodically look down from where I was to watch the people milling about throughout the lower two sections. I was grateful for the railings keeping me from accidentally tumbling over. I was also grateful for friends watching to make sure Maverick wouldn’t push me over.

  We entered several shops selling a mix of clothing, knick-knacks (of which Marge bought a slizor plush), and weapons.

  “What are the weapons for if you make your own?” I whispered to Finn and Zephyr.

  “In case you run out of ether or simply want something else,” Zephyr answered. “Or if you’re like Zuri, who seems to enjoy learning multiple weapons.”

  Zuri… I wondered what Lumi and Zuri would think of Vafir.

  “Would you like a weapon?” Finn asked me. “Since I doubt you’ve had any luck summoning yours.”

  I held out my arm in front of me, picturing a sword or whatever weapon was supposed to come to me, appearing in my hand—

  “Not here!” Finn’s voice was so rushed and panicked that it nearly made me knock something over in my own panic!

  “Here.” Maverick casually threw me a switch blade that I was very thankful was still folded. I was also surprised that something like this existed in Etheria.

  “Did you pay for that?” I asked.

  “Just did.”

  We exited the shop, the sun having long since set. My eyes widened as I watched balls of light swirling around in the distance, creating images such as trees and flowers, and forming words I couldn’t understand.

  “What is that?” I pointed to the mysterious lights.

  “A light show!” Marge smiled at me, casually leaning against the rail as if there were no chance of her falling twenty feet to her demise. “We have them in Meridia, too, usually to signify the end of the season.”

  “According to those people back there,” Finn motioned with his thumb to the couple standing a respectable distance behind us, “they do this every night.”

  “It must get boring after a while.” Maverick crossed his arms and leaned back against the store we had just left.

  “Speaking from personal experience?” I asked.

  He nodded.

  “It’s getting late. We should rest for the night,” Zephyr suggested.

  “Any chance of us staying at the palace, you think?” Finn teased.

  “I hope not… T-that place gives me the creeps…” Aidan lowered his voice for the last part. It made me wonder if Vafir had any laws about disrespecting royalty.

  “None that I know of,” Finn answered my thought.

  We headed to an inn, where I was grateful to spend the night with Marge and Aidan. It had been rather lonely sleeping by myself in New York. Dimitri didn’t count.

  Maybe tomorrow we would meet the pegasi… If we could wake up before Maverick, that was.