We were out of breath by the time we reached Valri's lagoon. We were also laughing, which did not give our lungs an any easier job. I looked up at Valri's home, taking in the sights and sounds of the place that I used to love. I sighed.
"It's been... so long! I can't wait to take it all in!" I skipped through the swampy place, still remembering the knee deep places to avoid. From the outside, the place looked like an ugly swamp that no one would want to enter, but after living there for many years, I knew better. As soon as we crossed the border...
       "We should be in soon." Stirkel's voice cut through my ecstatic thoughts. I raised an eyebrow and looked at him.
        "How long do you think I've lived here for? If you don't know, it was the entire time I lived in this world, until I was able to leave to another. That was about, I don't know, five years?" Stirkel held up his hands in surrender.
         "Okay, okay! Just trying to be helpful!" He scratched the back of his head and flew forward a bit, taking in a sharp breath. "I found it..." He looked around, amazed despite the countless times he'd been here. I felt the same way as I ran forward, passing through a wall-like thick substance. The view had transformed from a swampy marsh to a beautiful mermaid lagoon. The water was crystal clear and deep, yet you could see the bottom. There was a cave off to our northwest side, and there was a figure moving inside.
        "Valri!" I couldn't help but squeal as I pulled off the tunic, revealing a slip underneath. I took off my boots and hat, and put down my weapons as well, eager to see the girl I hadn't seen for nine years. I dove into the lake and swam to the cave, details becoming clearer every second. I saw green scales, a tail, and... "Valri! I'm back!" I climbed into the the cave, shivering slightly in the damp chill, even though the water had been warm. The girl turned, looking at me with her black irises.
         "Jazmine? Yay, you made it! I've been waiting here ever since I heard you were coming. It's so nice to see you again!" She bubbled happily. I hugged her, feeling the smooth scales of her back that the lavender crop top didn't cover. She hugged me back tightly, as if I would fly away if let go of. I stepped back and scanned her. She was wearing a lavender crop top that had sheer flowing fabric hanging down from the back and a wrap skirt of the same color. No shoes, as always. I could tell she was inspecting me too, until her eyes darted up to above my left shoulder. A squeak from behind me confirmed what she was looking at.
"Stirkel! How nice to see you! Did you bring Jazmine here for me?" She giggled, playing with the little knight peeking through what was left of my hair. He was trying to hide, but I knew Valri well enough she was only teasing him.
"Oh, you little pixie, she's not that scary! Just because she looks a little different doesn't mean she's going to eat you." I plucked Stirkel out of my hair and sat him in my open palm. Valri tilted her head to get a better look. Stirkel pulled off his helmet and held it under one arm, shaking out his brown hair. I laughed and smoothed it down.
         "Hey! You don't mess... With the hair!" He shouted indignantly, fluffing it out between words. Valri went over to a big rock.
"Sit down, Jazzy!" Let's catch up!" She patted the spot next to her. I set Stirkel on my shoulder and went over to her. She draped one scaly arm over my shoulders and I leaned my head on hers.
"Why did they bring me back now?" I wanted answers, and I knew she was the one to give them to me.
         "Oh... Yeah... Well, you know how the Wizards do things. They think there will be a big war against who knows what and they wanted everyone here to fight for them."
          "But what if I'm not going to fight for them? What if I don't want-" My words were cut off by a hand over my mouth.
          "Shh! Me neither, but you don't go around saying that out loud! The Wizards could be watching you, no matter where you are." Valri whispered, pulling her hand away. She wiped it on her short skirt. Picking up her tail, she delicately stroked the tip. Her momentary seriousness dissipated, and she became her usual self again, the happy girl that I used to know.
          "That's all good and well, but how was life in the other dimension?"
          "It's called 'Earth'. And it was amazing! Our dimension is a game in their point of view, something that they play with fake characters. But we know they're real. It's all real. I even..." My voice cracked with the emotion of what I left behind. Setting down her tail, Valri rubbed my back soothingly.
          "I would say 'it's okay', but I won't because I know it's not." She stated. It was the most profound thing I had ever heard her say.
          "I had a best friend. Her name was Wil, and she was amazing. We shared everything - every dream, every thought - but I was ripped from her. Thanks to the Wizards." I reached out into the air in front of me as if I could hold her hand, even though I knew she wasn't there. Valri cleared her throat, deciding what to say.
          "That's... Sad. You had your whole life ahead of you there, then it was taken away. Just remember that I'm always here for you, sis."