VISIONER

Visioner pounded against the thick vines, trying again and again to escape with his fire. However, every time he managed to burn his prison down, they just came up again, stronger and harder to break than before.

He'd caught a glimpse of Jasmin dodging and attacking vines, trying her hardest not to get killed. Everyone was in a frenzy, except for the students who didn't know anything had gone wrong yet.

Where's Moonwatcher? Where's Firefly?

They could help. They could get her out.

Brightness...she could stop this madness. She could end it with her magic.

Magic.

Visioner froze.

Who else could enchant vines to imprison me? Who else could set an evil, dead HiveWing on Jasmin? Who else to enchant a knife to kill Tsunami, the most ferocious of the Dragonets?

Who had left the academy with Peacemaker?

Everything made sense. And it just made Visioner feel terrible. He buried his head in his talons, overwhelmed with guilt.

I'm so sorry, Mink.

DARKSTALKER

How was his magic not working against Brightness? He was impossible to kill. He was immortal. 

No animus could ever set their magic on him.

Darkstalker roared, struggling to stop his own wings. He could smell the sea, the tangy, salty air that blew past his eyes.

He had heard that cold, dark spell in Brightness's mind.

Enchant Darkstalker to drown himself in the ocean.

She set me free to use me, Darkstalker though furiously. And I didn't see it.

Brightness had unpredictably betrayed him. She was impossible to foresee. 

How did my protection spell not work?

Darkstalker knew the answer as he thought the question. Because my spell doesn't count animus dragons in the future.

He was hanging directly over the ocean now, where the new, non-hidden palace was in view.

Fathom...I guess I'll be joining you soon.

A twist of hatred yet longing seared his heart. How innocent and happy they had all been.

My dearest Clearsight. Perhaps you were right.

He plunged into the water, closing his eyes as the stinging seawater hit his body.

Animus magic is the death of me.