"She'll turn worse if this goes on...," mother exclaimed in a low voice, shedding tears. My sister lay on the bed still, but conscious. It was as if she was still breathing, but lifeless. But even with her expressionless face, I could see her trying to hold back her tears. 

I recollected back the happy memories we had ever since we were kids...playing together, having fun with the forest wisps, helping each other in times of need, leaving Valeria hand in hand...

'No!' I screamed in my head. 'I will save her at all costs!' 

With a determined mind, I stood up and placed my hand in my sister's while she looked back at me with her eyes in confusion.

"I will find a cure for you, Shandris. I shall not return till I find one. I promise you," I told her firmly.

"No, Irina," she said in a weak voice and coughed right after. Mother brought the glass of water to her lips and she drank it while staring into my eyes in a pleading way.

"I'm sorry sister, but I can't bear watching you like this. I want you back, I want the real Shandris back."

"Irina..." she spoke dejectedly, "be careful.'' She said before closing her eyes.

"Take rest, sister." I smiled and kissed her cheek, whispering' I love you' in her ear. I shot a quick glance at my mother who had sat there quietly, listening to our short conversation. 

She slowly nodded to me and I took a deep breath before setting off to the forest with my companion wolf Zaphira.