Crystal Folly

After-party and Lightning Strike

Everyone was back at the hotel in the suite, deep in conversation about Ender's new wings and the events with the seal caster. Luna had fallen asleep on the way upstairs and was resting on the bed closest to the door.

"So how did this happen?" Arthur asked after Ender transformed into his cat form and jumped up on the bed. He, along with Luna and Milo, was among the few that hadn't heard him explain it.

"Remember when Runise told us that the caster might have unintended side effects? My guess is this is one of them, but it's better to have this than to have my magic stripped from me or something," Ender answered. "I know Stella would definitely not enjoy that." Upon hearing that, she nodded in agreement.

"We should probably get some rest, guys, we need to be ready for anything tomorrow," Johann told them, thinking ahead of what might happen.

"I'll be gone in the morning, I have some business to attend to in Gaylord, so I'll be leaving tonight to make it there in time," Arthur announced. Everyone was surprised that he hadn't mentioned it earlier, considering that most of the time these things were a big deal to him and his family.

"Is anyone else going with you?" Sadie asked. Her pajamas had small printouts of famous hunters and looked strange whenever she moved.

"My mom trusts me enough to go out for these things on my own," Arthur replied. "I just hope that snowy thunderstorm warning was just a warning." He looked outside and saw that it had begun to snow lightly, leaving him with a suspicion that it may be true.

"Well, good luck on the trip," Stella quietly shouted from the bathroom. She came out in pajamas with a snowflake pattern on the pants and stitched icicles on her small undershirt, which fit her snugly. "I know I will in my dreams," she yawned as she slipped into a nearby bed and underneath the sheets.

Ender was staring out the window, looking for some movement he noticed a second ago. It looked like a leopard, but he couldn't really tell. He looked away when they called his name.

"So what's your favorite part about this whole thing so far, Enzy?" Stella asked, curious as to what his answer would be.

He thought about it before answering. "Probably that I can be out in the cold longer than before. It's prettier in person," he meowed. Most of the group weren't very surprised, as he stayed outside for about an hour after they got back. "What's yours?"

"Phasing through walls in either form, duh!" Stella giggled. She yawned shortly after. "It does kinda make me tired though, does it do that to you guys too?" The Klouden siblings shook their heads. "Well, in that case, how about we get a decent sleep before we get too tired to do anything?"

"You guys go ahead, I'll just be over here packing up my things for the trip," Arthur yelled from the bathroom. When he came out from changing into something comfortable to fly in, they had already fallen asleep. As they all began quietly snoring, Arthur grabbed the rest of his things and walked down to the lobby. He was surprised to find that Caroa was still awake at this hour of night.

"I wasn't expecting to see you here, but I should be back before noon. I've got a business trip to attend to," Arthur told him. He continued to head out the door and into what was basically a blizzard. Seriously hoping there isn't lightning. Don't wanna be struck on the way there. He took off and almost immediately cast a white flame to engulf him and his travel bag to keep the snow from getting on everything. Once he got high enough above the ground, he zoomed ahead in his wyvern form, slipping through the falling snow at impossible speeds. He continued doing this for about five minutes until he heard the first clap of thunder. At this point, he decided to continue the journey in his human form. Snow began to fall all over his hair and face and melted upon contact, chilling him more than it normally would. Another clap of thunder roared not too far away, only half a second after the lightning struck. So much for that hope, Arthur immediately thought. I should probably get lower to the ground. Unfortunately, the instant he began his descent, the next bolt of lightning hit him in his left wing, severely burning the area around the strike and tearing a large hole before the thunder roared in his ear.