(Third Point of View) 

In Lyra and (Y/N)'s world, in a far away land, in a lonely hut in the middle of the wilderness, a hooded shaman sat just outside his hut holding up a toy rabbit. He stroked it tenderly, thinking of the girl whose life he had saved four years ago. 

Holding it up and rubbing his tattooed fingers over its head, he chanted: "Lee Scoresby. I call yee. And declare yee now. Come to me. Come to the item which belongs to your child. Return. Return. Return,"

His voiced echoed across the land, over the leaves and across the river and into the sky. The winds caught his voice. Feeling the power surging from its speaker, the wind speed quickened. 

Lee, Hester and Iera were taking a well-deserved nap in Lee's balloon. They had spent the past few days searching for Gruman so he could help the girls that they cared about. But there was no sign of this person. 

The journal of Lee's beloved wife had somehow no accurate location as to where to find him. Reading it had reopened a hole in Lee's fragile heart. Reading his wife's beautiful writing had brought him grief so much but he knew he had to fight those emotions in order to do what's right for their daughter and the girl who his child loved like a sister. 

Hester was dreaming about Aster when she suddenly felt a power force rocking the ballon. She woke up. 

"Lee we're moving," she hopped down from her seat to join him. "The wind is a-whistling! Lee! Iera! Wake up!"

Iera woke up. "I do not like being woken up,"

"Forget about your rest! We're moving!" Hester shouted. 

"Mmm?" Lee's eyes enlarged. "I was just having a lovely dream,"

"Lee! Your daemon is right. We are moving faster," Iera notified. "This is the first time in a while that the winds have been on our side since Bolvanger!" 

Lee sat up and rubbed his eyes, regretfully discarding the dreams of his wife who he would give anything to kiss. 

Hester poked over the edge. "That's weird. We weren't heading for Yenisei," 

Lee stood up and look out to the land below. There was a small town with smokey chimneys and a long river right in front of it. "Looks like the kind of place a famous explorer might wind up,"

"That's what you said about the last three towns," Hester whined. 

"Hey. Meera's journal held those locations. I remember this town was in one of them. We must keep searching. Cause if we don't..."

Hester looked up to him. 

"Then she died for nothing. And I can't have that," Lee pushed a lever down. "We're on our way Mr. Gruman,"

"I would suggest landing on the outskirts of town," Iera advised. 

"I will do just that," Lee said. "And Iera...I believe it would be best if you stayed inside the balloon,"

"I promised to keep you safe,"

"I doubt the locals would take kindly to a bear being here. And with the Magisterium becoming more and more power-hungry by the minute...it won't be safe. I just want to keep you safe. Do it for Iorek," he implored. 

Iera went into deep thought thinking about the bear who she loved. "Very well. But if you are in danger and you do not come back soon, your captors will pay,"

"That - seems fair," Lee had no choice but to agree. 

(Lyra's P.O.V)

I woke up a little early the next morning. I rubbed my eyes. I ushered Pan to get up, remembering my promise to Malone. I was about to move when I saw (Y/N) across the room. Her body was shaking and she was tossing her head from side to side on her pillow. She was having another nightmare. 

(Y/N)!" I cried. I rushed over to her shaking her shoulders. "Wake up! Wake up! Wake up! it's okay!"

Her eyes opened and she managed to relax. 

"It's okay," I said gently. "You're alright,"

"Lyra..." she breathed. She looked so shocked. Scared too. Helping her sit up, I saw tears in her eyes. She must have relived a horrible memory. 

"It's okay," I hugged her tightly. "It's alright,"

At our feet, I saw Pan gently touching heads. It was alright between us. 

I stroked her head as she pulled back. "Are you alright?"

"I'm fine," she said. "It was so horrible. I remembered that night...four years ago...when Will's father rescued me. I was so scared. It was so dark. I couldn't see what destroyed my village. And then I had this strange vision in my head. I think...I think I heard him calling out my father's name," 

I frowned. "John Parry was calling to your father?"

Before she could answer, we heard feet pounding from below. (M/C) appeared upstairs. "Everything alright? Someone having an nightmare,"

"No," (Y/N) answered quickly. 

He playfully frowned. "You definitely did,"

I was surprised. 

"I can tell when someone's lying," he came over and sat in front of us. "It's alright to have nightmares. I get them too. You alright?"

(Y/N) nodded. 

"I'll get you some water," I said. I trotted downstairs and started filling four cups with water. I brought them upstairs on a tray. I paced upstairs quietly to the first floor, hoping not to wake up Will Parry in his makeshift bed next to (M/C)'s. I left one cup on a nearby table before proceeding to the second floor. 

Sitting near (M/C) and (Y/N) again I gave them their cups and we drank from them. 

"Feel better?" I asked. 

She nodded. "Thanks. I really needed that," she smiled a little but her face soon transformed from happiness to sadness. "I really miss my father Lyra. I never realised how much I'd miss him until now. I really wanted to go back to him...but I didn't want to abandon you like Asriel did. Now...I feel like...I abandoned dad,"

I clasped her shoulder. "You didn't abandon your father. You did what you thought was right. I think he would be proud of your decision,"

My words seemed to have little effect; she felt a little touched though. 

"Come on (M/C)," I spoke up again. "We have to get going,"

"Wait? Now?!" (M/C) retorted.

"What are you talking about?" (Y/N) questioned, her sad emotions replaced by ones of curiosity. 

I turned to her. I couldn't keep secrets from her. "I promised the scholar Mary Malone that I would come back today. She also wanted me to bring (M/C). I think bringing (M/C) would actually help him,"

"Lyra...this is crazy! Why on earth would I interact with people who experiment with this...Dust which gives me horrible migraines and nightmares?" (M/C) retorted. 

"Because communicating with it might actually help," I did my best to sound reassuring. 

"I'm going with you," (Y/N) declared. 

"No. It's too dangerous for you," I refused to see her in the hands of a policeman again. "The police will be looking for you and Will. It's best if (M/C) and I go on alone,"

"But I promised...to let nothing happen to you,"

"And I promised you I'd get you back to your dad. I can't do that by taking to a place where you'll be in danger,"

(Y/N) still didn't want to agree. 

"It'll be okay," I assured. "Trust me,"

She sighed. "Okay. Just promise me you'll back,"

"I promise," 

(M/C P.O.V)

Lyra and I dressed up in some smart casual clothes. Together she and I played that game which she and (Y/N) entertained themselves with. I couldn't believe I was saying this but it was actually quite a joyful pleasure. 

(Y/N) packed us a few snacks and drinks in a bag and Lyra took the bag. Together we walked towards the gate which would lead to the hole in order to take us to Will's world. 

Lyra turned to me. "Ready?"

I sighed. "I'm ready,"

"And remember..." her tone tightened. "If you see that man...don't go and try to kill him,"

Once again I did my best to retain my irritation. 

"It won't take the pain away and you'll probably expose us," she said again. "I truly am sorry about your loss...but this won't change anything,"

Holding back my tears, I nodded. "Okay,"

Lyra turned to a worried (Y/N). "Hey. We'll be back soon,"

(Y/N) reached over and hugged her tightly. "Be safe,"

"We will," Lyra patted her back. 

"You're the best friend I've ever had,"

I see Lyra's colours warming up. After they parted, (Y/N) turned to me, seriousness overpowering her worrisome. "You'd better take good care of her just as she is trying to take care of you,"

"I will," I promised. 

Sharing a final glance at her, together Lyra and I walked through gate, then through the window back into the new world. 

Lyra clung on tight to my hand leading me through this city called Oxford. Quite an unusual name. I thought. 

After a sudden rush, we decided to take it slowly. Every step close we came to meeting this scholar who studies a strange substance which brings a burden makes more and more scared by the minute. 

"Hey. You okay?" Lyra asked me. 

"I'm scared," I said. "For so long, I've had such terrible nightmares and migraines from this stuff. Now that you're bringing me to this scholar to communicate with it, I'm more terrified. What if..." I pause, slowing down and breathing slower too. "What if it brings me more pain?"

Lyra came in front of me and clasped both my hands. Her soft skin somehow made me feel very touched. "Everything will be alright. I know it hurts. I know what pain is like. I will be right with you the whole time. I promise. I won't leave your side,"

In her eyes, I saw committed superintendence. She was the one of the first people in my life who actually cared about me. She reminded me so much of my best friend. 

Clasping my left hand, the kind girl pulled me further on and we arrived at the building. I felt Lyra's free hand sooth my shoulder allowing my nerves to relax. I don't know who she is but she has a heart of shining gold. She has a way of influencing people both with intelligence and love. I ever never met anyone like her before. 

What did you all think? I have an announcement to make. Because I'm starting university, updates may yet be slower. But I will still write whenever I can. Thank everyone for your support and please keeping sending reviews. I hope you all are enjoying this story.