Then a voice exclaimed from the entrance to the garden, "Vel! Stop! Please!"

Nincy dashed towards Vel, pleading, "Don't do this! I love you!"

Vel cried out, "Stay out of this!"

Time seemed to freeze for Odile as she watched the scene unfold. It wasn't unlike when Siffrin broke down when he snapped. Vel was doing the same now. Aster demanded, "What's we do?"

Overwhelmed and unsure what else to do, Odile screamed, "I just WISH you wouldn't repeat their mistake!"

And with that everything froze in place, as if reality itself has been put on pause. Only Odile remained in this land frozen in time. Odile looked around, snapping in Vel's face to receive no response. Her family too was frozen in time. The concentrated Wishcraft Vel had in his hand turned into sparkling lights in a single cold breeze.

Odile turned to look back at her family, battered and defeated. There was a horrible cracking sound in the air as the world shattered beneath her. She called out for help to no answer as she fell into an infinite abyss of stars.

The stars seemed to look at her, watching her. Judging her. A wordless voice echoed from the infinite expanse of darkness and stars. "There is only one way to grant that wish. Know if it is granted there will be no further wishes."

"Are you..." Odile inquired, baffled by what she was seeing? She could understand the wordless infinity around and inside her even if it spike in a language that did not exist. "The universe?"

The universe demanded once more, "This was not the outcome we desired, but it is the one you have chosen. To save Vel and Aster, will you accept this outcome?"

"...does this mean Siffrin will-" Odile demanded, the thought alone nearly bringing her to tears.

"Will you accept this outcome?" The universe demanded once more.

"I..." Odile hesitated. She thought of her family. Of Aster and Bonnie, of all they had been through. She thought of how they still had each other. She thought of Vel, of how she, despite everything, had done much good for the world around her. Vel had made mistakes, but she had done her best, and she was loved. Just as Odile loved Yancy, Nincy loved Vel. Odile knew if she agreed she would never see Siffrin again, but... she had to do the right thing. "I do."

"The the gift of Wishcraft shall be revoked," the universe sealed the deal. "You have done well, Odile. You may rest."

There was a flash of blinding light, and Odile was returned to the garden where time began to flow once more. Everyone lay on the ground, awakening from unconsciousness. Vel came to his feet, looking at Odile.

She merely nodded, and Vel knew. Vel demanded, "What... what do I do now?"

"Forgive yourself and remember you're loved," Odile shrugged. "Like I did."

Odile went to tend to her family, Nincy walked past her. He whispered, "I owe you a great debt. Should you ever need anything..."

"Thank you," Odile nodded.

She continued to check on her family, helping Mirabelle, Bonnie, and Isabeu to their feet.

"Where's..." Isabeau demanded.

"...they're gone aren't they?" Aster inquired. They knew. They could feel the subtle change in the air, in the fabric of the world. Wishcraft was gone. Something truly beautiful has been lost.

"Who's gone?" A voice inquired.

That voice... it couldn't be.

Siffrin came from the brush and yawned. "Awww. Man I was beat. What we talking about?"

Bonnie started to cry and rushed over to Siffrin, hugging him. "You don't get to act like nothing crabbing happened!"

Everyone rushed to Siffrin, time freezing one final time as Odile approached. The worldless voice of the universe spoke, "Thus will be our final gift to mankind. You have done the right thing and shall be rewarded, but know, something truly valuable has been lost. If only you had found a better way. We wish you well, Odile. Farewell."

The family left Ka Bue not long after to continue their travels, Aster getting Siffrin up to speed along the way. Yancy and Odile promised to write on their way out, but there was this nagging feeling.

Wishcraft was gone from the world. The end of something wonderful.

Odile often lay awake at night, wondering if there was a better way, but alas, she was happy.

As for Vel and Nincy, no one was fully sure of their fate. Vel disappeared from the public eye. Rumor has it she fled Ka Bue in the dead of night leaving Nincy heartbroken, but others say she remains in that palace, hiding away from the world in self loathing. Some say this is wishful thinking of those that cared for her, but, there is no longer the means to wish in this world.

Thus ended their search for a wish, a positive end, but not the one the universe desired...