Lexie's first conscious thought was that someone was holding her hand. She didn't know who it was, but the touch felt familiar, warm, a bit shaky, and firm at the same time.

She tried to squeeze the hand experimentally, and it made the holder go still and gasp.

"You were right," a male voice said. "She's waking up."

"Lexie," another, younger male exclaimed. "You're awake!"

Lexie groaned, and her eyes barely managed to open. She blinked several times to clear her vision, and even just that felt effortful. The first person she saw was a man standing at her bedside, with brown hair and hazel eyes that were overflowing with anxiety.

"Do you know who I am?" he asked slowly.

She was about to shake her head, then stopped as recognition dawned.

He was Aiden. Her father.

The memories flowed back into her mind, steadily weaving through the fog, and she said, "Dad?"

Relief flashed in his expression, and she felt like several people in the room let out a sigh of relief. "That's right. I'm your father. Do you know where you are?"

She glanced around at the blocky walls, the beeping tubes, and the monitors around her scanning her heart and health functions. Though she'd never been in this room before, she had a fair idea of what it was.

"The school infirmary," she said.

"And what school is this?"

"Victoire."

Another chorused sigh of relief, most prominently from her father.

"Thank the system. You're okay."

"Yeah." She looked around. Dewie was on the other side of her, and she gave him an attempted smile, too. "Hey, Dewster."

"Lexie." His eyes were wide and red like he'd cried. "I was so scared."

"Sorry." She touched his hand with the back of hers. "What happened?"

"That's what we'd like to know," a man in a lab coat stepped forward. "Your friend here found you in your bed unresponsive. He alerted nearby staff, and they got you out, but no matter what we tried, we couldn't wake you up. We alerted the headmaster, and he brought in Professor Madswick, who informed us that you were trapped and ensnared by a dark creature's dream magic."

"Oh." Lexie's adventure with Naem was coming back to her in bits, too. She remembered meeting the tree creature and being ensnared in its soul, but what happened at the end was a little fuzzy. Had she passed out while still in the soul? Naem had warned her before they started all this that staying inside a soul for too long was dangerous. Was that what happened? How did she get out of it?

"Your father said you were prone to soul injuries, so we were afraid that something had happened," he continued. "But Professor Madswick here already scanned your soul, and nothing was amiss."

She looked at the professor, who was hanging back with Stein, Headmaster Journeyman, and another teacher she didn't recognize. Madswick was giving her a knowing look. He sent her a wink that concerned her.

"What happened, Lexie?" her father asked, but her little dream excursion with Naem wasn't something she could expose so easily.

"I'm not sure," she said. "I got tired and slept, and then I woke up here." She gave her father a look she hoped was enough of a hint that she didn't want to talk about it. He probably got it because he patted her head.

He turned to the other people. "I think my daughter needs to rest. You all came to find out if she would wake up, and now she has. You can question her later."

"I can probably tell you what happened," A new voice from the doorway said, and it pushed open to reveal Lionel and Xena standing there. Before anyone said anything else, Xena shot forward to Lexie's side and threw herself over her body, hugging her tightly.

"Is this what we're doing now?" Xena muttered. "I try to leave, and you manage to knock yourself unconscious for five straight days."

"What?" Lexie was startled by the news and also shocked by Xena's presence. "Hold on, if I've been out for five days, then how are you here? You were supposed to be in Planet Fae."

"I thought so too, but then plans changed. My Uncle Varus called off the trip."

"What do you mean?"

"The creature stopped plaguing them. It left on its own."

Lexie gaped. "That happens?

"Almost never. He said it was the strangest thing he'd ever witnessed, and they're not sure why it happened, but they want to study the phenomenon extensively. Whatever, they didn't need me anymore."

Lexie shook her head in confusion, but as more of her memories floated back, that confusion turned into a different burning suspicion that almost had her gasping before she schooled her expression into mere curiosity.

"What kind of creature was it?" she asked. Lexie remembered Xena mentioned something about it making sprites cry until they died, and that seemed to track with what she saw in her dream, but that couldn't be…could it?

"I'm not sure what it's called." Xena shrugged, and Lexie didn't ask again, but she knew. She knew she was right. She'd entered the creature's soul and done something to it that made it leave them alone.

How? The creature had been on a rampage seeking vengeance, but whatever Lexie did managed to calm it down and cause it to recede. What had she done? She thought she had created a card, but what was it? And why had it caused her to black out?

"As I was saying," Lionel walked into the room, his voice louder and drawing the attention of the adults. "I think I know what's wrong with your daughter, Professor Sparrowfoot. I think she's being haunted by an Eldritch creature with powerful dream magic."

"Oh?" Aiden was very good at pretending because his voice reflected genuine surprise. "Really?"

"Yes, I smelled it on her the first time we met, and the scent is thicker even now. I'd placed some charms to ward it off in her room, but it seems like it wasn't strong enough. You might need to call a Saintess."

"Of course," Aiden said. "I shall get right on that. I can't believe this wretched creature is haunting my poor little girl."

Okay, Dad, Lexie thought wryly. No need to lay it on that thick.

"We have a saintess we work with at the association," Headmaster Journeyman said. "Dearra Smith."

"You mean Saintess Dee?" Xena asked.

"You know her?"

Both girls nodded.

Aiden explained. "She attended to an incident in Hovelton. The girls met her there."

"It's good that you're acquainted. I'll summon her immediately, and she'll be here within a few days, provided she's not very busy."

"Are you sure she'll have time for that?" Lexie said, because she couldn't imagine it being a good thing for her partially Eldritch soul to be purified by a Saintess. "I know Saintesses are very in demand."

"Yes, but hero students get priority," he said, and rather than comfort her, it left Lexie with a bitter taste in her mouth.

An entire town of mundanes in Hovelton went without a healer for months, yet one Hero student falls ill, and a saintess is immediately summoned for her within a few days. How unfair was that?

Lexie met Xena's eyes, and from the curl on her friend's lip, it looked like Xena felt the same distaste toward the situation.

However, all Lexie could say was, "Thanks. I guess that's fine."

Shortly after, the room cleared out of everyone except Lexie and her father.

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She wanted to tell him everything that had happened in her dream, but she was concerned that they were being listened to.

She didn't know how to bring it up, and she was wondering if they would be able to get away with talking in code when she heard a loud and familiar voice speak inside her mind, Lexie.

She jerked in bed and glanced around in alarm until she met her father's amused gaze.

Relax, it's me. The voice said again.

Dad? she asked, and he nodded, putting his hand over her head

Outwardly, he said, "Just rest, honey bee. We don't have to talk. I'll be here for as long as I can."

Lexie instantly caught his drift. He wanted her to pretend to be resting so it wouldn't seem as odd for them to just be staring at each other, in case anyone was watching.

Lexie closed her eyes as her dad continued petting her hair.

How are you doing that? Lexie thought.

Mind magic, he said, and she sensed amusement. I've been experimenting, and it turns out I'm actually quite good at it.

<But…how?>

It wasn't easy, even with daily training. I just managed to get the hang of it in the last couple of days, motivated by the sheer need to figure out what was wrong with you. I thought if I could look into your mind, I might be able to tell from your memory what happened. I didn't quite manage that, but I got this Mindspeak ability instead.

<That's insane.>

Yeah. It would have been even harder without the alchemy aspect, but the alchemy made it easier. Now, I can create a link with my mind temporarily and send and receive messages from it. It does take time to set up, though, and I spent most of the time I was here with you establishing that link.

Oh. Lexie wondered if she could sense him in her mind, like she did with Monty, but she couldn't. His presence was completely shielded. Incredible. She couldn't believe her father beat Monty at his own game. She was proud.

And then worried.

So you can read all my thoughts? She asked him.

No. The skill is not quite mind-reading. There's a lot of noise in everyone's mind, and your thoughts are merely a buzz that I can't discern at this stage. The difference is, with this channel, I can send you messages, and whatever you send me is amplified by the channel to be louder than the rest of the noise. It takes some intention to transmit the message. You have to be thinking of sending it to me, in the direction of the channel. If you're simply thinking in general, I wouldn't understand.

<Wow. That's amazing, Dad.>

It is. You're not the only one who's been hard at work building your skill.

<Uh-huh.>

Lexie wondered how her father was managing his training with his teaching and also his investigating. He was being pulled every which way. No wonder he always looked downright exhausted.

Can you tell me what happened now? He asked her.

<Yeah, but I'm not sure myself. Naem and I travelled to meet this Eldritch creature that was sort of the embodiment of grief. I was supposed to attach to its soul and… things got messed up.>

How?

<I'm not sure. I think it was terrorizing a small Fae village, the one Xena was just talking about. Weird, huh? It could transfer its consciousness into the plants there, and it was using them to exude pheromones that were making everyone super sad. While I was in its soul, I ended up influencing it in some way that made it stop. I think I made a card and …yeah, I'm not sure what happened after that.>

Aiden didn't say anything for long enough for Lexie to ask, Dad?

Yes, I'm still here. He responded. Do you have the card you made?

Let me see. She opened her eyes to pull up her inventory and checked her card. She stared at it.

It was there, but it also wasn't. It was weird, shimmering in and out of existence, crackling, black instead of her cards' usual transparent nature. What did that mean?

It's here, but it's weird, she told her Dad. She tried to materialize it, but nothing happened. It also can't materialize, so I can't show it to you.

That's strange.

<Right?>

I'm not sure what it means. I tried calling Naem to my dream, but he didn't answer, which makes me think that there's some serious business he had to attend to. Whatever you did might have caused more consequences than he intended.

Oh no. Lexie had to fight for her expression not to change. I'm sorry. I didn't want that to happen.

It's not your fault. He should have done more to explain the risks to you, done more to protect you.

He tried, Lexie explained. It's not his fault either.

Maybe, but I'm not very happy with him right now. Aiden sighed and faced the window. Is it possible for you to stop the soul exercises for now? Please? I know you're looking for a way to 'fix' your Eldritch, but can you just trust me to handle that?

<Do you have something?>

Maybe, he said. I'm getting close to something. I can feel it, especially with my Alchemy growing at this rate. Very soon, I'll be able to fix you, Lexie.

<How?>

I don't know exactly how yet. I have a few ideas, but I know that I certainly can.

He said it with enough confidence that it was bordering on arrogance.

Lexie mulled it over, closing her eyes again. The soul exercises have been very helpful. They're also good for helping me find intent, and that way I can create more powerful defensive cards. So I can use them when we go find Max.

Lexie–

<Dad…I'm going with you to find Max. Whether you want me to or not. I'm not a little girl anymore.>

She heard him sigh. Alright, Lexie. But think about what I said.

<Sure. I will.>

***

Aiden left campus that evening, and Naem didn't wait long before coming to visit Lexie. The next time she fell asleep, he was right there in the dream world, sitting on a throne of darkness, with his arms crossed and looking away from her.

"Hey, Naem," Lexie greeted. "Dad said you were busy."

"I was," he said, while examining the outer darkness.

"Was it my fault?"

"Yes."

"I'm sorry," Lexie said. "I didn't intend to get you in trouble. Or get myself in trouble, too, for that matter. But at least I'm awake now."

"I can see that." He still wasn't looking at her, and he radiated displeasure.

"I would ask how it went, but you'd probably tell me it was private Eldritch business."

He didn't dignify that with an answer. He simply harrumphed.

"Oh, come on. Are you that mad at me?"

"Don't be ridiculous," he practically snapped in a voice that was just a teeny bit louder than his usual monotone drone. "It's absurd to think the Lord of the Eldritch would be angered by a mere tiny human soulspawn. I don't even have that emotion within me anymore."

"Right." But he was still pointedly avoiding looking at her. Yup, he was definitely mad.

"I'm sorry, Naem," Lexie said softly. "Really."

He finally turned to her, with a look she could only describe as scathing, and a wash of fear assailed her.

"That was a foolish thing you did. I nearly did not get you out in time, and you would have been consumed by the creature. Your soul would no longer exist separate from it, do you understand? I had to denature it to free you."

"What?" Lexie exclaimed, eyes widening. "But I thought...I mean, I was calming it down, wasn't I?"

"Yes, you got it to retreat, but in the process, it was devouring your soul and refusing to let go. I needed to intervene."

"Oh no." Lexie felt heartbroken. The poor thing. It didn't deserve that. Hot tears pushed at the back of her eyelids. She didn't want that to happen. This was all her fault.

"If it makes you feel any better, it died happily...or at least approached whatever happiness an Eldritch can achieve."

"It doesn't make me feel better."

He paused, and his demeanor seemed to soften. "It was the only way to keep it from consuming your soul. Don't ever do anything like that again."

"I won't."

He grunted. "At least you got a reward for it."

"What do you mean?"

"The card you created. Do you know what it is?"

Lexie shook her head. "No. Do you?"

"It's a hybrid. The first of its kind. I looked at it, and it seemed to be a kind of void card, but I'm not sure of its exact function."

Lexie wasn't sure either, but she had a feeling. After all, she was very aware of the intent that combined to make it.

"It's weird, though," she said. "I can't pull it out of my inventory."

"You can, just not physically," Naem said. "The card itself is linked to your soul, so no one else can use it, and no one else can see it."

"Wait, I can do that?"

"Apparently." Naem shrugged. "It's a surprise to me, too. I have never seen such a thing."

"How did I make it?"

"I'm not sure," he said. "It wasn't just the Eldritch side of your soul that was active. I think the human side did something too."

It took a second for it to click for Lexie. "Do you think I have magic in my soul? My human soul?" Maybe she was like Xena and Dewie.

"No. There was no magic on either of your human souls when I stitched them together. You did not have human magic in your soul. I'm not sure what happened this time."

Another possibility occurred to her. "What if this is about being in the Chosen soul program? What if they did something to my soul there?"

"I would have been able to sense it," Naem said. "In any case, we have bigger things to worry about. I'll be gone for a few days, to continue dealing with this mess that denaturing the creature caused, and also to decide what to do about your new development."

"What do you mean?"

Naem's expression turned grave. "What happened then should not have happened. It was dangerous on many levels. At best, it was a fluke. At worst… it might mean that you might be cutting off from me and starting a brand new soul line. And that...we don't want that, Lexie. We don't want it at all."

***

Lexie woke up to a visit from Dewie, Jett, Xena, and Jace, all of whom were muttering over her sleeping frame while simultaneously trying to shush each other. She simply listened to them bicker for a while, amused, but finally decided to reveal that she was awake.

Later that day, she got a visit from Anais and her friend Bryan, Torin, and Kai Skysoarer (who carried a message from his cousin ordering Lexie to come watch her first match back, or else), and Stein again. Madswick didn't stop by, thank God. Lexie knew it was only a matter of time before he did, and she was bracing herself for it.

She thought her luck had finally run out sometime in the evening when the door opened, interrupting her sleep.

But it wasn't from the necromancer as she expected. It was from Lionel.

"Hey," Lexie said, uncomfortable with his presence.

"Hey," he responded, looking just as uncomfortable. "I'm just going to cut to the chase so we don't waste our time. What exactly are you?"

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