Azure's POV

It had been a restless night, but I had managed to get the entirety of the message onto paper. I had stayed up for a while, writing down the code, and making sure I missed nothing, now all I had to do this morning was translate it. I felt Bow stretch next to me, and I could hear him yawn. I felt a hand on my shoulder and looked up at him.

"Morning." He greeted quietly, and I smiled sleepily as I sat up.

"What's that?" he asked gesturing to my small notebook I had carried for the occasion. I shook my head and ran a hand though my hair as he looked over it.

"Just news. Our worldwide network connection of light." I said quietly so as not to wake my brother, Adora or Glimmer.

"Oh right, the Northern Lights." He said looking up at me before handing it back.

"Hey, Noah-" Bow started, but I quickly clamped a hand over his mouth, and shook my head. I pointed out the small glint of sliver clutched in Noah's hand, and I nodded my head towards Glimmer. Bow smiled knowingly and leaned over Glimmer.

"Good morning Glimmer." He said quietly to Glimmer who groaned.

"It's too early, five more minutes." Glimmer groaned, pulling her cloak over her head.

"It's a beautiful morning." Bow tried to reason.

"Today is canceled. Go back to bed" Glimmer grumbled back. Bow stared at her fondly.

"I can feel you staring at me." She said, coming out from under her cloak.

"Why is it the one who snores, is the first one to fall asleep?" She asked rhetorically.

I hid a snicker in my arm.

"What? I don't snore." He said indignantly. Glimmer looked at me for back up.

"Yeah, you do Bow, you snore." I said, and he rolled his eyes, and looked past Noah.

"Adora do I-" Adora was not there. I looked up to see her by the trees, and I motioned towards her.

"Adora?" Bow asked aloud.

"Go talk to her, I'll... I'll wake Noah." I grumbled, and Glimmer grabbed bow, and teleported him over.

She bumped into Adora and apologized. "Sorry, heh, too early to teleport."

I took my water bottle out of my bag and spared a handful of it to throw onto Noah's face. He jolted up and swung the knife around. I rolled my eyes.

"Noah, you're such a deep sleeper, you'd have been dead about fifteen minutes ago." I exaggerated.

"Shut up." Noah grumbled, and stood up.

"I got it all down last night." I said and held up the notebook. Noah looked over it and nodded.

"We can decode it with Noah, and Petra when we get back to Bright moon." I nodded and looked down.

"I just- I hope everything is okay." Noah nodded, and embraced me.

"Okay, I know you're on edge because of what happened with Entrapta's infected robots, but it's all over now." Glimmer was saying as they walked towards us.

I could smell the paranoia off Adora.

"You've got to relax; you need a vacation. Which is why we're going to Mystacor." Glimmer grinned.

"Mystacor? No way!" Bow shrieked happily.

"Wait, what is Mystacor?" Adora asked.

"It's a secret floating kingdom That's home to all of Etheria's sorcerers." Glimmer explained, and I exchanged a glance with Noah.

All I really needed was to be back in Bright Moon and finish decoding this message.

"It's got Tranquil gardens. Beautiful beaches, and healing springs." Glimmer sighed in bliss.

"My aunt Castaspella, just happens to be head sorceress there." Glimmer said proudly, and Bow nodded vigorously.

"You'll love it there Adora. Plus, you will not have to worry about evil things in the woods. Mystacor is protected by an invisibility spell, so evil can find it!" Bow said happily, he was clearly a fan of the place.

"It's the safest, most peaceful place in Etheria. We'll have you relaxing in no time." Glimmer said confidently as Bow picked up his quiver, and bow.

Noah was rubbing the back of his neck, communicating with me though the feelings in his eyes, the rise, and shift of his brows.

He did not want to go; he wanted the message decoded sooner rather than later.

"You know I've never relaxed in my life." Adora was saying.

"Well there is always a first." I chimed in.

"We're about to change that. Just wait." Bow said excitedly, and we started off. Noah held me back.

"We need that message, Azure. We should get back to Bright immediately." He hissed, and I shook my head, pulling my bag onto my shoulder.

"Noah, Being at Mystacor we could decode as quickly as we could back in Bright Moon. I don't like it any bit more than you do, but right now I feel like splitting up isn't safe." I said shaking my head.

"Let's just go to Mystacor." I said with a note finality, and followed the others...

I thought thee rout would be quick, and with Bow's constant, 'Almost there' updates it started to feel way longer than it was.

We climbed a set of carved stone stairs into the mountain and arrived at the top of a mountain flat.

"We're here." Glimmer chirped looking out over a cliff.

"Uh, we're on a cliff, overlooking a thousand-foot drop." Adora stated, obviously.

"Yes, we are, but not for long." Glimmer said giddily.

She nodded at Bow, who grinned at me like he was crazy, took a running leap, and they both jumped off the cliff. I froze, and Noah loomed over the edge, with a strangled gasp.

"Uh, guys?" Adora called worriedly, panic rising into her throat. I regained my composure, knowing Bow, and Glimmer would not be as stupid as to jump off a cliff.

As if on cue of my realization. The clouds bellow us parted, and up though them came Glimmer, and Bow, riding a chunk or earth that rose into the air. Its white marble base glinting in the sunlight. It came up on us, and I locked eyes with first Glimmer then Bow. I backed up and took a running start. With a powerful kick from my legs, I made the gap, and landed on the grassy top, stumbling to a stop. Noah landed next to me not a second later, and I looked back to see Adora, who still was in shock.

"Come on Adora, jump." Bow shouted over, arcing his arm to replicate the jumping motion.

Adora took a running leap and shot through the air. For a moment I thought she would land fine but then she gasped and fell in a tangle of limbs onto the floating island.

"Oh ouch, are you okay?" Bow asked, and I helped Adora up tentatively.

"I'm fine. I thought I saw- no, I'm just stressed." She said, looking back at the cliffs we had jumped from. I walked up to Adora, and I had her count how many fingers I held up.

I checked her hearing too. I worried about a concussion and came back with no signs of any head injury, other than a bruise on her elbow which was already developing.

I then turned to Bow and punched his shoulder. Not too hard, of course.

"Are you trying to give me a heart attack. I can only take so much." I grumbled as he laughed, Noah chuckling with him.

We passed through an invisible wall of sort, and I took in the large city that had not been there a second ago. I awed at the majestic towers, the color palette, and the shimmering glass dome. With a groan from the ear bellow me, and a jarring shudder, we stopped. Glimmer, and Bow stepped off the little island, and I followed until we stood on the green grass of Mystacor.

"We rode a flying mountain though clouds, it never gets old!" Bow said, and I laughed a little.

"I'd imagine it wouldn't." I said.

"Yeah, sure, heh, it was great." Adora said unconvincingly, and I gave her a thoughtful look as she passed.

"Just so you know, my aunt Casta can be a lot. But don't worry, I know how to handle her." Glimmer said exasperatedly.

"Is that my Glimmer?" A woman called.

I took in the black hair, the brown eyes. King Micah must have looked a lot like that.

"Hi aunt Casta." Glimmer smiled as she hugged her.

"It's been so long since you've come to visit." Casta said, and stepped back to take Glimmer in.

"And Bow." Casta said, hugging Bow as well.

"Who are all these lovely people?" Casta asked looking from Adora to Noah, and me.

"These are my friends. Adora. She sometimes turns onto an eight-foot tall warrior named She-Ra. So, don't freak out when that happens." Glimmer said.

"Adora, it's so nice to see that Glimmer is finally making some new friends. We were all so pleased when she started bringing Bow around. I was sure she had made him up at first..." Casta said, and I could see Glimmer out of the corner of my eye.

Her mouth was open, and she looked angry that her aunt could even say such a thing. Glimmer couched loudly into her elbow, and Casta looked at her.

"Oh, you've done something to your hair." Casta noted disappointingly.

"Yes, I cut it." Glimmer said, misinterpreting the tone of Casta's voice.

"Yes, I can see that. I can also see you're not wearing the sweater I knitted for you. Don't you like it?" Casta asked worriedly.

"Sure, I like it. it's great. Its just- a little warm for sweaters right now, don't you think?" Glimmer said quickly, grasping at excuses.

"But you'd tell me if you didn't like it." Casta asked quickly.

"Yes, I'd tell you." Glimmer said.

"I'm wearing the socks you sent me." Bow quickly put in, holding up his boot.

"I've always been found of this one. So, what brings you all the ways our here to visit your aunt?" Casta asked.

"Is it once in a blue moon already?" She added then turned to walk off, laughing loudly at her joke.

"We're on a diplomatic mission, auntie. We're rebuilding the Princess Alliance-"

"My goodness, then you must be starving. I'll have a feast prepared." She assured us.

"I'm sure your mother hasn't been feeding you." Casta added as she led us away.

Glimmer then introduced Noah, and I.

"Aunt Casta. This is Prince Noah, and Princess Azure of Lupin. You know, the people who turn into these humongous wolves?" Glimmer said, and Casta nodded, and frowned at Glimmer.

"Glimmer dear, it's Alpha, and She-Alpha. What do they teach in school these days?" She moaned and turned away.

"How to say alive." I said sarcastically under my breath, and Noah chuckled.

"Decoding, prism reflections across vast distances, even globally?" Noah added, and I snickered as well.

We passed peopled practicing magic and doing spells. Children playing and laughing in the fields.

"You've come at the perfect time. There is an eclipse this evening. I am headed there right now to inspect the Lunarium for the ceremony. And nothing would make me happier, than to give my niece, and her friends a tour." Casta said in her sing song voice, the two locks of black hair that framed her face bobbed and swayed as she walked.

"Uh, Bow, and I have already had the tour, and we don't want to get in your way." Glimmer said, not wanting to take said tour again.

"It's alright Glimmer. Adora, Noah, and Azure have not seen it. It'll be fun." Bow said encouragingly.

Glimmer gave him a look, and he gave one right back...

"Oh well, I guess it's up to Adora then. What do you say my dear?" Casta asked Adora. Oh well she has a favorite doesn't she.

"Uh..." Adora trailed off trying to read Glimmer's face.

"Sure." She said, and Glimmer slumped.

"Ooh I like her." We followed Casta into a large building, and Bow held the door for me.

I gave him a grateful, yet shy smile, and walked in. It started as a tickle, but then it felt like fire. I jolted with a gasp, and just caught myself on a pillar. Blue, everything was blue, burning bright. I furiously blinked my eyes and regained my current sight. I could feel fresh cuts on my neck, farther to my shoulder.

"Whoa, are you okay?" Bow asked, and I nodded standing up.

I looked guiltily into his eyes, finding worry, and fondness.

"Yeah, yeah I'm fine, sorry." I chuckled lightheartedly.

"I think it's the altitude, not used to being up so high you know?" Bow seemed to buy it and smiled with me.

"Yeah, I get it. If you, umm- need me to help you, with anything, I can. Ahem- I'd like to help." Bow said after stuttering, and I blushed hard.

"Of course. Thank you Bow." I said.

I felt his hand slip into mine, and we walked forward again. We were showed into a large dining hall, a training room stocked high with staffs, and other weapons.

Bow cleared his throat and looked down at me.

"I had something a little different in mind, but... would you like to see the eclipse, with me?" He said, gaining more confidence as he spoke.

"Of course. And Bow... remember, we were friends first, so you don't have to be different for me, okay?" I told him, hoping I was not being too bold.

He breathed a sigh of relief and leaned on me.

"Thank goodness, I was really worried you wouldn't like the me-me as more than a friend." He said, and I blushed at the words.

"Of course, more than a friend." I said, and Bow smiled, and hugged me.

I hugged him back, smiling so wide I thought my cheeks would split.

We walked into a large room, full of crystals, hanging suspended in the air, forming walls around a large raised, circular marble floor.

"Wow." Adora gasped.

"The Lunar Lenses. We use them in a monthly ceremony to renew Mystacor's magic defenses and keep us hidden from the outside world." Casta said, folding her hands reverently.

"You will be coming to the Eclipse Ceremony tonight, won't you?" Casta asked excitedly towards us.

"Aunt Casta I've seen the ceremony dozens of times, and we're all really tied from traveling. Maybe we'll skip it this time?" Glimmer asked, trying to put it delicately.

"Nonsense. Your friends haven't seen it, and it's quite a sight to behold for newcomers." Casta said and pulled Noah towards her in a half hug.

Noah looked a little uncomfortable, and I could only raise my eyebrows at him, teasingly.

"Besides, don't you want to spend more time your auntie?" Casta asked, trying to guilt trip Glimmer.

"Of course! But we also really wanted to show Adora the beach." Glimmer said hurriedly, worried her aunt might be hurt by her words.

"Well, if the beach is the only reason you're here, I really shouldn't keep you, should I? Wouldn't want to waste your time." Casta said, closing her eyes, and looking away.

"I didn't mean it that way Auntie." Glimmer said to her upset aunt.

I looked up to see Adora walking away, her heart rate elevated. Bow, and Noah noticed too.

"Adora?" Bow called after her as she bolted down the hall. "Well, she's enthusiastic." Casta said cheerfully.

I quickly took suit, and followed Adora out into a large, sun lit hall.

"Ah yes, the Hall of Sorcerers. These are the great ones that lead Mystacor through the ages.

"This is Micah, my brother. We used to train in these very halls. Glimmer looks just like him, you know?" Casta said as we stopped at a stone statute.

It looked remarkably like the one painted on the walls in Bright Moon.

"He had a beard." Glimmer objected, gesturing to her chin.

"Wait, Glimmer's dad was your brother?" Adora asked, and bow leaned over.

"Adora, do you know what aunt means?" He whispered behind his hand to her.

"No. I was hoping someone would eventually explain." Adora said with a sad smile that looked almost teasing.

"Auntie were going to avenge my dad, and make sure the Horde never hurts anyone else. My mom believes in me, and She-Ra." Glimmer said, and Casta smiled a little.

"Well, if your mother believes, who am I to not? After all she is an angelic being, and I'm just a common sorceress." Casta said dully, and Glimmer groaned.

"Ugh, please not this again." I exchanged a glance with Noah. I missed family drama, but I got plenty of it back at Bright Moon.

"She never writes, you know. Send letters, but do I ever get a reply?" Casta trailed off, and we started walking again.

A little farther down the hall Noah stopped in front of a statute. Ashy black instead of the pristine, milky marble of the rest of the statures.

"What happened to her?" Noah asked, and Casta looked over at us.

"Light Spinner, a scar on Mystacor's past. She sought power, and complete control over all else, and was cast out. Some say she never really left. That she is biding her time, waiting to exact her revenge!" Casta said dramatically.

The hall went silent, and Noah cocked his head.

"But those are only children's tales of course. Anyway, on with a tour! Are you hungry?" Casta asks, and I looked at Noah hopefully.

"Quiet aren't you two?" she asked us, but I was not sure if she was really asking us, as her voice was barely above a whisper.

"I had the dining room redone since you were last here, Glimmer." Casta said and faded away.

Adora gasped and looked frantically around. She was seeing things, stressed out of her mind, and I desperately needed to relax as well, but friends co first. I held onto her arm and looked her in the eyes.

"I'm not buying it; you need to tell me what's going on." I said my brows furrowed in plain worry, and Adora sighed.

She tensed up again immediately as Glimmer popped up with Bow.

"Okay, aunt Casta has gone to fix us a big dinner, and its finally beach time!" She squealed, and I watched Adora, her tense posture noticed by the others, and Bow looked to me for an explanation, but I gave him no sign of one, telling him silently, that I didn't know either.

"You okay?" He asked, and Adora lowered her fists, trying to relax.

"It's worse than we thought. You need warm sand, and calming waves, stat." Glimmer said, and started to lead Adora out of the building, and we followed.

"So, you just, like, lay here?" Adora asked as Glimmer, and Bow set up beach towels on the rocky shore, as cloudy waves of foam lapped the land.

"Yes, letting your cares melt away." Glimmer said peacefully.

I lay on my blanket between Bow, and Noah, looking up at the sky. The feeling of being only a few centimeters from the ground felt so familiar, like I was back on my blanket in the Taiga.

"Didn't you do something like this to relax in The Horde?" Glimmer asked, and I looked down.

I felt guilty, even as refugees, we had been given the luxury of time to relax in. Adora never had that, and I felt sorry.

"Uh no. We hit things." Adora said, and Glimmer sighed sitting down.

"This is so much better, right Bow?" Glimmer asked as she sat down on her towel.

Bow did not respond as he was fast sleep, drooling even. I smiled at him, and then looked over to Noah.

"Just try it, okay?" Glimmer said.

"Okay." Adora agreed.

Noah was wide awake and staring up at the sky. The warmth of the air washed over me, and I flipped onto my back, opening my notebook, as I grabbed a pencil from my bag, and set it above my towel. I studied the writings for a little while, deciphering the code quickly.

Underground, Hiding place secure, no Horde in the area. The following cities have joined the ashes after we fled. Elmira, Aylin, Aura, Bracken, and Blight. All occupants safe, twenty casualties in total. Send news of whereabouts by Aurora, join your sisters, and brethren soon. Stay alive.

Five cities had burned from the rage of The Horde, but at least the people were safe.

"This isn't working for you, is it?" Glimmer asked the struggling Adora.

"No, can I move now?" Glimmer sighed.

"Yes." Adora shot up, gasping, and shook herself.

"Clearly we're going to have to take this relaxation thing to the next level. Bow wake up." Glimmer clapped, and Bow groaned, sitting up.

"What?" he asked, limbs flailing.

"Come on, we need to show Adora, the steam grotto." She did not laugh after she said that, so I sighed, and shook Noah who opened his resting eyes, and I handed him the paper.

He looked it over, and looked up at me, frowning.

"Five." I confirmed, and he stashed away the Notebook, and took control of the bag for now.

"Whoo! Steam grotto!" Bow whooped happily.

We made our way to a steamy hot room. We dressed in separate rooms, and I slid a fuzzy, warm robe around my shoulders. I felt comfortable, and I walked out with ease. I wore, under the robe, a one-piece swimsuit. It was pale lavender, high necked with long sleeves, and the leg slits rose a little higher than the top of my leg.

"I know right?" Glimmer was saying. They ripped off their robes and showed off their swimsuits. I gently took off the robe and folded it before placing it down on the floor.

"The pools are full of magic minerals, Sorcerers use them to cleanse themselves of worry, and fear before big ceremonies or spells." Glimmer said, as Adora, and herself joined Bow in a pool.

Noah emerged from the same pool and stretched out.

"Come on Azzy." Bow beckoned, and I looked in. To my surprise there was plenty of room.

"Now just clear your mind, breathe deeply, and focus on the warmth on your skin, and let your body go, perfectly..." Glimmer instructed Adora.

I slipped into the pool, and noticed Noah already sleep. His arms looped over the edge, and his head lolled back. Bow beckoned me towards him, and I slowly slid through the warm water, and sat near him.

There was a light swoosh of water as I was pulled into Bow's vice grip. I relaxed as the water countered my panic, and I breathed in the scent of his coco skin. He smelled like the earth, like outdoors. Which I guess is where we had been for days. I wondered why his sent appealed to me so much, and I wondered if my sent was the same for him. I knew I probably stunk like the grave, but he did not show any signs of thinking that, so I just stayed there, unmoving. A leg tangled in his, and I closed my eyes, I would feel his hand rest on my shoulder, and I could feel his touch more sensitively. I had chosen this concealing swimsuit for that reason exactly, but I could not focus anymore, and I fell into a deep sleep, far from the nightmares that plagued me...