Alexia took a leave from work. She hoped to retrieve her professional career when things calmed down. She still intended to take her exam to become a judge. She had studied a lot for that, and she felt like she could be approved. Maybe the escape wouldn't last for all the eternity... In her mind, that situation was too fantastic to be real. If only she could access Verena's memory! That way, she would be aware of the risk she was really taking that moment.

As for Philip, he suspended his activities as a language teacher and was paid his fees.

He said goodbye to everyone with whom he developed bonds of friendship and affection at the hostel where he lived.

"Remember us, son. Send news from wherever you are," said Anette with affection.

"Where are you heading to, Phil?" Asked Franz, curious to know more about the strange boy who always had sunglasses on.

"Actually, I haven't decided yet. I may spend some time in France. I'm going to enroll in a tourism course and work for a French travel agency."

He tried to mislead his whereabouts. He was sure that the hostel would be the first place where his enemies would seek information about him. However, he didn't foresee that Anette and Franz's lives were also at risk.

Philip embraced the couple who always had his back and treated him so warmly and gently. Diego and Elina also came to say goodbye to him. Elina, who liked the boy in a different way, said:

"I hope that when you return to Florence you remember to pay us a visit."

"Of course, I'll come by. I'll miss you all, guys."

Elina was sad to say farewell.

A few minutes later, he came down the stairs carrying his suitcase. He waved his right hand in a goodbye gesture. Nobody knew for sure for how long he would really be away. Only time would tell.

Juan had no need to say goodbye to anyone. During all the time he lived as Jonathan, he dedicated himself entirely to looking after Alexia and his protégé. He had only a few friends with whom he spent some time playing cards.

The taxi driver stopped in front of the hotel. He helped Philip put the suitcase in the car. Then they headed to the train station.

Once there, Philip stepped out of the car, put the suitcase on the floor and hugged Juan, who was now in Jonathan's clean and shaved face with short grey hair. Juan didn't want to call anyone's attention. He had a hat and a pair of dark brown square-framed glasses on. All he wanted was to go unnoticed. Alexia cut her hair in a Chanel style, and then dyed it with a dark brown color. She and Juan found it funny when they saw Philip not only wearing his traditional sunglasses, but also with a cap on his head. But what really looked weird was the beard he had magically grown.

"Who are you? It seems like I know you from somewhere..." Alexia asked, even though she did recognize Philip.

"I could have never guessed this young man is Philip, not even in a million years," Juan said, smiling.

Philip hugged Alexia. He thought of all the things that had been revealed to him about her during the past few hours. He kissed her lips for a few seconds. The wizard cleared his throat at the sight of so much affection, interrupting a moment Philip had longed for ages.

She wore a pair of jeans and a strapless pink blouse, a combination that Philip really liked.

"I know the lovebirds would like to enjoy a moment of affection, but this is no time or place. We must hurry..."

"Okay, then. Pardon me, I got carried away."

"We'll have plenty of time, hon," said Alexia, trying to make things appear less dangerous.

A few minutes later, they boarded the train, carrying their passports, international travel insurances and a desire to visit London. The trip would take about 14 hours, with two stops. They would have to cross France. Inside the train, Juan began to feel something strange, and so did Philip. Nearby, on the top of a Gothic-style cathedral, two gargoyles were standing. One of them opened its eyes and moved its head. Then the statue came to life and flew over the train like a winged dragon. The second gargoyle appeared, flying behind the first one and watching the train's departure.

"Philip, I'll be gone for a few minutes. My body will remain here, but not my soul."

"Wait, Juan. I've had the same feeling. I guess I know what you're going to do. I'm going with you."

"Hey, guys, where do you think you're going? You can't leave me here alone... I'm getting scared."

"Don't panic, dear! The danger is out there and we can feel it getting closer."

Philip took his sunglasses off. His eyes burned in flames, like it always happened when he sensed that some spiritual threat was around. Alexia looked at him, afraid. She had seen his eyes like that before, but she still wasn't used to something that looked insane to her.

"We have to go now... Our bodies will be still here. Keep our tickets with you."

With the duplication spell, Alexia looked at them and saw their twins. But which were the real ones? Two of them suddenly disappeared. The other two remained there, standing still like marble sculptures, looking down with their eyes closed, as if they were sleeping. She touched them both, but they didn't move an inch.

Meanwhile, up in the sky, the pair of gargoyles was still flying over the train. Even though they had their attention on the vehicle, neither noticed when two high-speed giant eagles came flying behind them. Juan was mounted in one, and Philip on the other. Both wizards kept their eyes on the beasts, ready to attack them.

Down in the train, the clerk knocked on Alexia, Juan and Philip's cabin door. He obviously had come to pick the tickets. First, he addressed Juan, whose body was completely static.

"May I have your ticket, sir?" He asked.

"They are both asleep... My grandfather falls asleep almost anywhere, so does my boyfriend. It happens a lot during train trips. You know, the nice swing and all. Even I feel like taking a nap," she said, opening her mouth in a big yawning. "Anyway, here are their tickets."

Alexia showed their tickets and then the clerk left but, before, he took a real good look at the petrified men. Juan's body was leaned by the window. Philip's was rested on the opposite bench by the window.

Meanwhile, up in the sky, the gargoyles turned to their backs when they finally realized they were being seized by a pair of giant eagles. The colossal birds grabbed the creatures and then deviated their flight towards the river. One of the gargoyles managed to escape before being thrown out by the eagle. The gargoyle and Juan's bird faced each other while Philip, with flaming eyes and white hair, withdrew Night's Fury from the air as if it had always been sheathed right there. The magical sword was on fire, and Philip used it to fight the other gargoyle. The creature retaliated by flapping its sharp wings against him. Juan's eagle and the first gargoyle fought in the air using their claws.

Philip cut off one of the monster's wings. The creature was free falling when Juan cast a spell in German that commanded the gargoyles to turn into statues.

"Wasserspeier! Verwandle dich in Statuen!"

The monsters returned to their previous forms and then fell into river Amo, which ran across the city.

"Good job, friend eagles. Now you must return to your nest to look after your offspring."

The exquisite birds squeaked as they flew higher, leaving Juan and Philip behind. Alexia was still looking at them when their bodies suddenly moved. She got so startled that she jumped to the side.

Juan opened his eyes and smiled. Philip moved away from the window, then opened his eyes. His face looked normal.

"I think we're good for now... But not for long."

"Those creatures were no match for us," Philip said, looking at a scratch on his arm left by the monster he had fought against.

"It seems to me that you were both in danger," Alexia said as soon as the noticed the wound on her lover's arm. She picked some gauze and a bottle of medicine from her first aid bag to clean the injury.

"Baby, I'll always protect you from any threat."

"I guess I'm really Verena. It sounds like I've heard it before. Like in a Déjà Vu or something."

"As much as I enjoy an adventure, my bones are tired. I don't know for how long I'll have enough vitality," Juan said as he stretched his arms up.

"You're stronger than you think," the young man said.

"I really would like to share your optimism, Philip. Anyway, I think we're safe at least for now," replied the old wizard.

Down in river Amo, the waters where the gargoyles had fallen into became troubled. Two shadows of women emerged and then flew. At the top of a building, two materialized beings met the two women. Klaus' emissaries then entered a portal that led them to the cave he was in. Fratello and Silene were also there. They anxiously waited for the latest news.

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Read Heirs of Planet Life 2 - The Origin Of Life by #ChaieneSantos