And it works.

The cocoons crack. They are small and hard to make out. But big enough for my magic to penetrate. It slips through the holes my classmates have made for it. It spreads within the shadows and forms a protective wall between the souls of the Lux and the power that tries to control them.

They slow down and finally stop. Some are already up to their necks in water. But they are not free yet. If I withdraw my magic now, they will continue.

I let my magic shine. Very weakly at first. It fights against the shadows that try to devour it. The silver-blue light flickers under the black power.

Concentrate, Micah. You can do this, a strange voice whispers to me.

It is the same voice that told me that Lucca is still alive. I don't know who it came from, but it gives me the strength to hold on and give my magic another powerful boost of energy. It glows brighter, the cocoons crack larger and become weaker, and with a shock like an explosion they finally burst completely.

My magic falls on us like snow in gentle flakes. My classmates wake up from their trance, come to and look around in confusion. Voices get louder. They talk wildly, looking for an explanation as to why they are at the lake in their pajamas. Their memories seem to have been wiped clean.

In front of my still closed eyes I see their colorful souls flickering excitedly in a variety of emotions and strengths. Silver-blue sparks are still falling on them. If the whole situation weren't such a terrible one, I could enjoy the sight.

I let my magic slide back into me. I get every little spark back and patch it together inside me with the remnants that are left behind. Only when I am sure that I have collected everything and the shadows are really gone do I open my eyes.

The usual groups have now formed. Everyone is still talking wildly. Nobody knows what happened, but everyone wants an answer. Only now do I notice that not only students have been enchanted, but our teachers are here too.

Those who were already in the water try to dry themselves. I look for my friends with my eyes, but I can't find them.

Has the night gotten even darker?

The world around me begins to spin. I stagger and try to keep my balance, but the ground has other plans. It disappears beneath me and I can no longer stand upright.

Someone calls my name.

Someone takes a breath in shock.

Someone screams, someone cries.

I only perceive everything from a long way away, I have difficulty keeping my eyes open.

Cold hands touch my arms, brush strands of hair from my face, shake me gently. My name keeps coming through to me, but I don't know who is calling me. Someone needs help, someone should stay awake, not go, not give up, not stop fighting.

I fight against the darkness, but it is stronger than me. My attempts to save my classmates have made me weak. I try not to fall asleep, but the tiredness is too great. It tempts me, tells me that it will be easier if I just give in to it.

I feel someone lifting me up and carrying me away. I am vaguely aware of the worried looks of my classmates. My body hangs limply in the strong arms. I do not have the strength to lay my head on his shoulder, let alone defend myself. The exhaustion still tempts me with promises.

»Hang in there, Micah,« someone whispers in my ear.

I try, I want to answer, but no words make it past my lips. The wind picks up and goosebumps cover my bare arms.

My body shudders. I am pressed closer to the muscular chest. Then the wind dies down and a pleasant warmth spreads around us. I can see candlelight through my flickering songs.

It is brighter than it was just a moment ago. We have arrived in the main building. The babble of voices still follows me, but I can only make out fragments of words.

»What happened...?«

»Why doesn't she come to...?«

»...the king and queen...«

»Lay her down here.»

Someone gently lays me down on a bed, careful not to hurt me. I feel someone examining me. The tiredness is stronger than me and takes me into the darkness.

Hello Micah. I've been waiting for you. You did well.

Who are you?

Have you still not figured it out?

I have a suspicion.

Have you ever been disappointed by your feelings?

No, never.

Then why don't you trust them?

I'm afraid.

Of what?

Of you.

She laughs. You don't have to be afraid of me.

How can I be sure?

Have I done anything to you before?

No, but you haven't been here long either.

She laughs again. My dear Micah, I thought you were capable of more. Don't you remember me?

But you were there when I fell asleep in the grass. You told me my sister was still alive.

That's not what I mean. Dig deeper. Remember. You can do it.

You can do it...I've heard that sentence many times before.

Yes, but when did you first hear it?

I was about to leave the academy.

Before.

When I was supposed to fly on a Pegasus for the first time.

Before.

The first day of remembering.

Before.

The day the shadow warriors attacked our palace, when Enis died.

Before.

When my sister and I first used our powers.

Before.

There is no back in the day. That was the first time I heard you.

That's not true and you know it. Remember. It's important. You can do this.

You can do this...When I was born. My eyes were closed, but I could see my sister, my parents, the Lux, the land, everything very clearly. And there was something else. It was hiding from me, trying to avoid me.

That was you. You were there when I was born. You were always there. Hidden in the shadows of my soul.

I wouldn't call it hiding. But yes, I'm always with you.

Why? Who are you?

We already had that, Micah.

You didn't answer me.

Because you already know the answer. Why should I tell you something you already know?

I don't know, Aurora. I don't know.

Are you sure?

Yes...No...I know. You're Aurora.

She nods and steps out of the shadows. She shines in silver-red light. Her fiery red hair floats around her body like a cape in the wind. She's wearing a long silver dress with red flame patterns.

What are you doing here?

I'm with you. I already told you.

That's not an answer. Why are you with me?

You should know that better than anyone.

You're speaking in riddles.

You say I'm speaking in riddles. But you understand very well what I'm trying to tell you. Don't be stupid, Micah. You're far too smart for that.

You're my ancestor, my powers connect me with Aquilia and the ghosts of the past, and therefore with you too.

See. Was that so hard?

I don't know.

Stop saying that. You know a lot more than you think.

That doesn't make sense.

You often believe that, but I can assure you that everything that happens has a meaning, serves a higher purpose.

Even the death of my sister?

She is not dead, you know that.

Why? Why did she have to go? Why did she have to leave me?

Do you remember what you were like?

What I was like when?

When you were with Lucca.

That was so long ago. I don't remember.

That's a lie. Micah, I am a part of you. You can't lie to me, no matter how hard you try. But I will help you out. After all, it can't go on like this forever. You were always the little sister, always in her shadow. She set the tone, she pulled you along. She didn't let you mature, grow, blossom.

I'm not a plant.

And yet you grew into a beautiful and strong flower.

And my sister had to die for that? So that I could step out of her shadow?

She's not dead. How many times do you want to hear that from me?

Until I believe it again myself.

You never stopped believing in it.

»Come on, Micah. You have to wake up, we need you here. You can't do this to me.«

Who is that?

You've been here too long. Your memories of your life are fading. Our time is running out. Listen to me carefully. Your sister Lucca is alive. You have to find her and bring her back to Aquilia. She has to go to the academy and learn to control her powers. Only together can you stop the shadow warriors before they destroy the Lux and all life on Aquilia.

Stop the shadow warriors? They've been stopped long ago. And where am I supposed to find my sister? I've already searched all over Aquilia. She's not here. Aurora, don't leave me with so many questions. Please answer me.

Trust in your friends, trust in your magic.

Aurora, wait, I can't do this without you. You chose the wrong one.

But she didn't hear me anymore. Aurora and her light are back in the shadows from whence they came. I am alone in the darkness of my mind.

Why am I here?

Memories roam my mind. An empty arena, prepared for the final exams. A red-haired boy lies laughing in the sand. A young girl stands frozen over a crying boy lying on the ground. A girl with black hair lies laughing in the grass and looks up at the stars. A boy sleeps under the starry sky. Hot tea burns my tongue. Someone is pacing restlessly above me. Two girls come into the room laughing, freeze and go outside. There they join others and walk stubbornly to the lake.

The enchantment, the spell.

I broke it with my magic before they died and must have passed out afterwards.

How long ago was that?

But a few hours at most.

I have lost all sense of time. I try to fight my way up through the thick veil of darkness. Like viscous slime, it sticks to me and keeps me from waking up.

Then differently.

I don't go up, but let myself fall deeper, deeper and deeper into my soul. A silver-blue glowing fire welcomes me, ready to do anything I command it. What we are going to do this time, I have done many times before.

I enter the flames and let them envelop me until I have merged with them with every fiber of my being. I feel how they long for more and beat higher and higher, how they fight against the invisible cage with which I keep them under control and try to break through it.

I spin a single thread out of the fire again and guide it gently through the barrier. Only with my guidance is it possible for my soul magic to leave this cage.

The thread winds effortlessly through the dark slime and takes part of my consciousness with it. We leave my body and float above him in the room.

He is lying in the only occupied bed in the infirmary. There is an empty chair next to the bed, probably for visitors. I take a closer look at myself.

My skin is paler than usual, my hair is illuminated by the moonlight through the window opposite and flows over the pillow like a silvery blonde waterfall. My eyes are closed, but my songs flicker slightly. My hands are neatly placed next to my body, which looks sunken and weak in the white sheets.

Has more time passed than I thought?

Have I missed the exams?

The certificate presentation?

The graduation ball?

Is it already the holidays and no one is at the academy anymore?

No, that can't be, then I wouldn't be here either. My parents would have had me brought back to the palace long ago. There would be doctors bustling around me day and night.

Or has that already happened?

Was my body brought back to the academy because my parents have already died and the new royal family doesn't want me in the palace?

My fear is growing and I am increasingly losing control of my magic thread. He is drawn back into my body, along with my consciousness.

The images are replaced by darkness, which in turn is driven away by the silver-blue fire. My consciousness is in one piece again. I carefully separate it from my magic and leave the flames.

I could stay here now. Disappear in the heart of my soul and in unconsciousness. But then I would never find out what happened. And I wouldn't be able to bring my sister home.

The shadow warriors would overrun the Lux and destroy Aquilia. I can't let that happen.

I leave my magic in its cage and move slowly through the darkness. I know my goal. It is clear before my eyes. Fighting through the slime is much more difficult alone, without magical support. But I'm making progress. One step at a time. I won't give up that easily.

For my sister, for my friends, for my parents, for my people and the future of all of Aquilia.

I open my eyes.