One of the ominously cloaked figures stepped forward. He tossed back his hood to reveal Gethen's smug face beneath.

Tam took a step closer to Valerie to protect her.
"You didn't think it would be that easy, did you?" He smirked.

The boys tightened their grip on their weapons.

"There's no need for that." Gethen spoke calmly. "You couldn't fight your way through all of us."

Tam stared down the seven figures standing behind them. "This is ALL of you? I'm disappointed."

Gethen glared at Tam, but kept his composure. "Hand over Project Balefire and we'll make your deaths quick."

Valerie winced at the name.

Wylie held up a goblin throwing star. "She's not your project."

Dex brandished a strange device. "You're gonna have to go through us to get to her."

Gethen's grin spread wider. "I was hoping you'd say that." He lifted his right arm, raising a melder.

On cue, every other figure raised a melder of their own.

Gethen aimed his at Dex.

Valerie pushed past the boys to the front. "No!"

"Valerie!" Wylie failed to keep a hold of her.

Valerie raised her arm protectively and the Neverseen froze, all of them, immobilized. Then, they collapsed unconscious to the ground.

"Woah." Tam stared in awe at Valerie.

Legs buckling, she collapsed.

Tiergan caught her before she hit the ground. He gently carried her unconscious body out of the base with the others following on high alert. Soon, they were outside.

Grady held a crystal to the light and they leaped away.
————
A bright light greeted Valerie as she drifted back into consciousness. She squinted as a flash changed the light to a green.

After a barrage of multicolored lights, the orb vanished and Elwin's smiling face stared down at her. He flipped up his glasses. "Welcome back."

Valerie scanned the room. She was in the healing center. Elwin wore a blue tunic covered in feathery neon orange dinosaurs. Her eyes settled on the new picture hanging from the wall. It was a photo of her at the opening ceremonies wearing the extravagant silver cape and an almost stern expression. She'd never liked the opening ceremonies. They just seemed like another way for the elves to show off.

She smiled at the sight of her photo next to Sophie's. "I take it I've visited one too many times."

Elwin followed her gaze, chuckling. "Well, it's a few more than that, but... yes. You're catching up with Miss Foster."

Valerie grinned. "Well, it's an honor to be displayed on your wall of fame."

Elwin rolled his eyes. "It's nice to see you haven't lost your sense of humor." He handed her a bottle of youth. "You think you're up for some visitors?"

Valerie took a deep breath. "Bring it on." She was SO over solitude.