The sky looked brighter. It wasn't, she was sure of it, but somehow it looked like a brighter blue. Maybe it was the relief of having her friends beside her despite everything or maybe it was because she finally got that load out of her chest. If she thought about it suddenly the idea of them not liking her anymore was absurd. Why was she so worried?

— Hey princess! Talking to the new guys? You two are very kind but you don't need to pity her. — Oh, right.
— Pity? I'm afraid I'm not following you. — You'd think Malroth would have the deadliest glare out of them, but Lulu had a special ability to express disgust without words. She knew that look well, nothing good could come out of it.
— Do you know them? I can-
— No, don't, please, it's ok. They're just my…classmates…
— You know, she's not the most friendly person around. It's ok, I'm pretty sure she enjoys being alone anyways. — Dante continued his conversation.
— Well I'm sorry you don't know her as well as i do. Hela is not only friendly but a lovely person. And we've friends for a while before arriving here, so take that "pity" with you on your way out.
— Really? Are we talking about the same girl? Princess here only sits in benches silently and stares. It's ok, i get it, we're pretty to look at. — Andrea bursted into the conversation.
— Guys, we should just let them talk. We don't want to give a bad first impression to the newbies, right?
— You know, that's a good point. I hope we all get to be friends in the future. In fact, Mona here — Dante pointed at Mona, who looked around nervous — is throwing a party later. If you're interested I can text you the location.
— I'm sorry — Lulu was confused about what "text the location" exactly meant but they wouldn't catch her dead showing it. — but we actually have plans for today. Right, Mal?
— Right! Plus we don't- — Lulu punched his arm — Hey! What was that for?
— C'mon, it didn't hurt
— I know but still-
— Point is, we're busy, but thanks for the offer.
— Alright. Well then. We'll take our leave. — He didn't look happy. Pissed would be the closest word. What was he planning inviting them to the party? Who knows, but Lulu couldn't care less.

— Some nerve they have! Who do they think they are?! —Lulu was infuriated.
— I don't know, but they don't like me.
— And i can't beat em up because…?
— Because we'd get in trouble Mal. And i want to avoid that. My father would freak out.
— And why does he have to know? I can beat em up when we're outside.
— Malroth…
— Ok, ok. I won't i guess… Why do they not like you anyway? You're great.
— Aw, thanks Mal. And i don't know, i guess they just don't like me? I've never done anything to any of them, they've just been like that since I arrived.
— Well they're not going to treat you like that anymore, not while we're here. Right Malroth.
— I think this is the first time we agree.
— Thanks guys… You can't get in trouble beating them up tho.
— Awww ok.

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Going back home was usually quiet. Looking at the shops, thinking about exams. She thought she was gonna miss having someone next to her to talk to when she realized that she was back but now…

— …And then Rosie told me to just stick to ruling. Can you believe it?
— Please Lulu, i don't think she was trying to be mean. Beside she's kind of right, plants are not really your thing.
— Hela, how could you! I feel betrayed. — Lulu was sometimes that very dramatic friend. Diva was a good word to describe her, but diva in a good way.
— What? It's true. Malroth handles plants way better than you do, just as you handle people better.
— Exactly- hey! — Hela laughed at Malroth's reaction.
— C'mon I don't mean it in a bad way. You both are still very popular.
— Yes, I guess we are! I just hope everyone is ok without the three most popular people in Lulutopia there to guide them.
— You mean the Evisceration Empire?
— What did I even name it isle of awakening for? — Hela laughed — I missed your bickering tho. I was so busy building in the isle lately we barely had time to talk..
— It's alright, we were the ones who ask for renovations in the bar anyways.

Walking and chatting down the street they were almost at Hela's house. She was going to go shopping with Bessy but now that her friends were here she had to re-think her plans. She was glad they were there with her but it wasn't just as easy as they come here and stay. That in fact arises a question:

— Hey guys, where are you planning to stay? Because you said you slept in benches last night.
— Oh yeah, that… I mean i Don't mind sleeping on benches.
— Absolutely not, we'll find something. I'm not doing that again.
Do you guys even have money from this world? — Silence —... I'm guessing that's a no. — Hela sigh. — Well, you can't stay at my house, my dad would know. Well, he did leave for a business trip this morning so maybe… Hold up, wait for me here.

Hela opened the door of her house and called out for Bessie. She was the only maid working that week, since the other one was taking a few months for maternity and she insisted she would be able to do all the chores by herself. Mr. Eide didn't question her.
— Bessie, my father left this morning for a business trip, didn't he?
— Yes he did. Why?
— When do you think he'll be back?
— I am not sure but he'll be out at least two days, I think?
— Perfect.
— Why the sudden questions?
— UHM… You see, I may or may not want to bring a couple friends for a sleepover today. I-i know father would not want me to bring people but-
Bessie's face lit up when the word 'friends' exited Hela's mouth.
— Friends? That's delightful miss Hela! You don't need to worry, your father won't find out about it, I'll make sure he doesn't.
— Wait- Really? Are you sure it's ok?
— Why Ofcourse! I'll make dinner. Do they have any dietary restrictions?
— No, in fact, i think they'd eat anything-
— Perfect! I'll start cooking now!
— Now?! It's- it's barely 3PM!
— Don't worry about it! Oh, but i did promise to take you shopping-
— It's ok Bessie, I'll just go with my friends.
— Ok then aaaahm… Dinner will be ready about 8PM, have fun!
— Thank you Bessie. — Hela went running back to her friends— Ok so, you can stay at my place today!

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9PM. They had a fun day. Fun. They went to a mall and Malroth and Lulu freaked out about almost everything they saw. Hela laughed so much that afternoon her stomach hurt. When they came back Bessie was thrilled to see that the friends Hela said she was bringing were in fact real and "not just an illusion". Fun statement, if only she knew…

— So this is your room? — Lulu looked around— it's very… elegant
— Why is it so empty?
— Yeah, I can't keep the act either. Hela, this doesn't feel like you at all.
— I thought your room would be full of stuffed toys, you love those things.
— I do love em… but my father is a bit of a minimalist and he's the one who arranged the room for me. Besides i haven't been here that long.
— If you say so..  But a bit of pink would look good in this room. You know? Maybe giving it a coat of paint-
— An army of slimes! — Malroth interrupted Lulu
— What?
— Well, stuffed toys but, an army of slimes!
—... You know for once I'm going to have to say I agree. It would add some color to this room!
— I doubt you'll be able to find slime stuffed toys in this world, guys.
— Since when does that stop you from anything? You made a hammerhood stuffed toy when we were in skellatraz.
— Yeah, I guess I could try and make one… I'll think about it later, I don't have the energy to go buy the materials and make anything right now.
— … You. Not having the energy to "make anything". You. The girl I had to force to go to bed because she would stay up building.
— Yeah… it's complicated. And UHM, look at the time! We should go to sleep, there's class tomorrow.
— But-
— Seriously, it's nothing Mal. And we have to wake up early tomorrow so-
— Ok ok, if you say so…

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1AM. The night was cold and silent. The only source of light were the starts and a bunch of streetlights poorly positioned down the street, most houses were in complete darkness and the blinds were down. Except for one. A white house with a green door. Colorful lights flickered and they turned down the music. The party in Mona's house had ended early due to a little accident with a pool table and a few very drunk teenagers. Dante and Andrea had stayed to help her clean up.

— Well, it was a good night. — Dante was trying to get the remains of the poor table out of the house.
— A good night? My parents are going to kill me when they find out what happened to the pool table.
— Relaaax. They'll be out for two more weeks, right? We'll figure it out.
— How?!
— I don't know. Andrea, stop playing with the lights, look up pool tables on Amazon.
— On it… Oh! They have the exact same model for 749,95$.
— See? We'll just get a new one.
— How exactly? I know I have a generous allowance but it's 500$, we'd still be missing 349,95$.
— Well, that's a problem for tomorrow's us. And today's Andrea is tired so let's just finish this and go to sleep.
— I-! But-! — Mona sighted — Ok, i guess… but you two are gonna help me pay for the pool table, this was your fault.
— We knoow we know. Don't worry Mona, when have we ever let you down? — He said as he pushed the last part of the table out of the house.
— Do you really want me to answer that?
— You hurt me Mona, I thought you'd trust us a bit more by now. — Andrea lied down dramatically ok the sofa
— Yeah yeah… get up and clean, will you?
— Oook…. Hey, what's that outside?
— What's what-.... Oh my god, what the hell is that?!

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Malroth woke up in the middle of the night with an annoying whistle in his ears. He didn't know what was happening but he could feel something was wrong. He stood up and looked for Hela in the darkness. He walked up to her bed and aggressively shook her awake.

— Hela, wake up! Something 's wrong.
— What- what do you mean…? What's wrong?
— I don't know, but something's happening, I can feel it.
— And what do you want me to do?
— We have to go check.
— At this hour? … Ok, but don't wake Lulu, she'll complain if we-
— Lulu, wake up you too, something's happening — He poked Lulu's shoulder.
— The sooner I speak…

They sneaked out of the house, following Malroth's instinct through the streets. They weren't sure what he was following exactly, but he was focused. Not even Lulu's complaints about the hour and her ruined beauty sleep could shatter his focus.

— I can't believe you two draged me outside in the middle of the night for this. What are we even looking for?
— I don't know, but it's near
— You interrupted a good dream so it better be something important.
— Lulu please, let's just see where he's taking us and then we can go back to slee- … oh my god, what is that?!

A swirl of blue light floated in the middle of the street, absorbing its surroundings like a black hole. A few people were fighting being sucked by the portal. They rushed to try and help them but a few steps ahead and the force of the portal was already affecting them. The nearer they got to the portal, the more the cerulean light blinded them. If they didn't act soon…

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Yes, that's where I'm leaving it! I hope the next one doesn't take this long, I'm so sorry everyone! I hope you enjoy non the less, things will become more interesting from now on (or that's what I plan anyways)

Love you all! 💕