It took about a week to reach Eidenstchaflin, and it was filled with a lot of awkwardness. Creation wasn't talking to me much, not ever since the campground incident.

The city was bustling, and there was complete ease at entering the city. And then I remembered what I had accepted from Sylvan. "I need to find Carden." I stated as I stopped in the middle of the road.

Creation turned around, his face gleaming through the gaps of his helmet before nodding. "Sure, I'm sure we'll run into Carden here, unless he's farther ahead." he replied, and his tone was a bit more colder than what I had been used to.

"What's with you?" I inquired, my arms crossing.

"What do you mean by that?"

"You haven't been the same since the first night."

"Is that supposed to mean anything to me? I'm always this way."

"He's right there mun!" Trevor replied, and I shook my head.

"You were much nicer then."

"That's because you were lost, weak, and helpless." He continued to walk forward as he said this, and I reluctantly followed him, unsure what to say next.

"Luckily for you," Creation piped up, "I may happen to know who Carden is... And If he's the one and the same..."

"Then...?" I felt anticipation grow as he seemed to be silent.

"He may be at headquarters."

"Oh great, another reason to head there." I remarked sarcastically.

Creation seemed annoyed by this and he turned suddenly, "Look kid, I'm here to guide you safely to headquarters because you decided it was a good idea to follow Gusts into a deep cave network into Mendwall. It's fine by me if you don't like me, and to be frank, I don't care whether or not you do. I just want to get this job done so we can go back to the main plan." He seemed to be angry, and I felt the vibes emanating from him to match his tone.

"Fine then, I just want to go home already! My-" I shut my mouth before it could betray me.

"Your..." he inquired, and I shook my head. "Suit yourself then." He then paused in front of a small building, and walked inside of it's swinging doors.

I paused and hesitated in front of it, unsure as to whether or not I wanted to do this. Trevor then flew to the space right next to me. "After you." He politely mentioned as he tilted his body forward, as though he were bowing.

I gave him a look of confusion, and I walked inside the building. It was barren for the most part, but I could tell that it was fake, as it gave off the appearance of a Hollywood-styled shack-too clean, and far too organized to have been abandoned by the inhabitants of Mendwall.

Creation stood at the very back of the room. "When I was younger, my mother would tell me that Mendigo have their own realm, and I never really believed that..."

"How come?"

"Mendigo are an old wive's tale, and it just so happens to be true..." Creation then proceeded to tap on the back wall in a rhythmic motion.

There was not a single sign of movement, and I shook my head in disapproval, when suddenly, the wall shifted open like a secret door. It was loud, and the entire building shook.

Inside the now open wall was what appeared to be a wooden structure. And when I took a closer look... It reminded me of an old fashioned elevator, and I felt my jaw drop in awe.

"That is so..." I began, excitement rushing throughout my body.

"Cool?" Creation asked, seeming to finish my statement, glancing back at me.

"That's one way to put it." I replied. Creation just looked at me, his expression dull, as if he was waiting for something. "What?" I asked him.

"Ladies first." was all he said. 'Huh,' I thought, 'So I guess chivalry isn't as dead as I thought.' I then proceeded to walk inside the shaky elevator, Trevor in tow.

It didn't take Creation too long before he decided to follow suit, and I complied with allowing him to come aboard last, and he closed the security gate, and he operated the crank that was in the back of the room.

The elevator then seemed to creak down into the deep, dark abyss below us. We were lowering into this abyss for what had seemed to be half an hour, and Creation stopped turning the crank. "We're here." he called out to me, and Trevor flew out of the elevator after Creation turned to look at him.

All Trevor gave him in response is giving him a glare before he flew off in a northern direction. I then decided to follow him, but Creation put an arm out in front of me. I glared at him, and he just mentioned "Be careful around Geist, he can be cunning. Be clear as to what you say, or you'll regret it."

"And why are you telling me this?" I inquired of him.

"Because as much as he's trying to help, Geist can be somewhat of a... Con man of sorts."

And with that, Creation relaxed his arm and exited the elevator. I stood there, my gaze on the ground, my thoughts wild, my nervousness visible as I felt myself shake. I then clenched my fists tightly as I calmed my nerves.

'Was this what I wanted?' I thought to myself, 'To rely on others to get back?' I then shook my head and slapped my cheeks. "I have to do this," I thought aloud, reaffirming my resolve, "Or else I can't go back!"

And with that, I stepped out of the elevator, and I felt my jaw drop. The sight was something that would pop right out of a fantasy book, as it appeared that people of various sizes and shapes roamed around, all of them wearing the same similar outfit that Creation wore, and helmets to obscure their facial features.

I wandered around the large room, and I saw all of the magical things that I thought weren't real. Objects levitated, foreign languages were spoken, none of which I recognized. I then stopped when I was in an exploring daze and I thought 'Wait a second, where do I find Geist?!'

I then heard a chuckle from behind me, and I turned around to fin Creation to have been behind me the entire time.

"Don't forget what you're here to do," he laughed off, "Come on. Geist is this way." He motioned for me to follow him and he led me to a dark wooden door.

I cast him a nervous glance, and he just nodded. I then walked up to the door and I rapped my fist on it. There was a moment of silence.

And then the door opened up, beckoning me to walk inside. As I began to walk in, I looked back at Creation. He shook his head. "This is yours. Remember what I said."

He then backed up, and waited for me to enter the room.

And when I did, the door slammed shut.

I took a deep breath, preparing myself for what I would face. But what surprised me was that it was in the middle of an argument.

"What do you mean 'I'm being positioned somewhere else'?!" Trevor exclaimed to a man dressed in a similar outfit to Creation was seated in a wooden chair that was behind a slick desk. He had graying brown hair that hell to his ears, and he appeared to be tired, as bags formed underneath his blazing red eyes, which hid behind a set of round crudely-made glasses.

"Gust, your job was to make sure that your householders never find out your identity, and yet, not only did that happen, but it happened here on Mendwall of all places." he replied coldly.

"Could you not move me from there Geist, I am so close to finding out the location of the Seventh Son of #7!"

The man paused for a moment. "If you could just give me more time-" Trevor continued.

"But time is not on our side Gust, and you of all people should know that. Besides, we also have to look out for the Purest of all Mendigo before we can find the Keeper if we want to save Mendwall." the man cut off Trevor. He then looked at me and gave me a stone-cold stare. "So this is the Mendigo you've lived with for the past decade?"

I pointed at myself, and Trevor looked back at me. He sighed, "Yes," he replied, "She's one of them."

"She does look young indeed. Perhaps in her late teens by Earth years it appears, so young. Her parents are well I hope?"

"Uh, not quite sir. Y'see, about nine years ago, her father disappeared."

"Where exactly?"

"By the Coddomore Rift sir."

"So he can be anywhere at this moment?"

"Uh excuse me," I interupted their conversation, and they both looked at me, "I just want to go home."

"Has she?" The man asked. Trevor shook his head slowly. "I see. Excuse me for my rudeness, I'm Carden 'Geist' Carbonelli."

My eyes widened in revelation. "I-I see I'm Skylar," I replied, "And Sylvan said hello, and that they miss you." I then began to back up, but Geist held his hand upwards.

"Don't you want to go home young one?" he asked, and I nodded. He paused for a moment to think. What was this guy's deal I tell him his son said hi and that they miss him, and he just brushes it off like its nothing.

"I see that you're disturbed," Geist replied, "Is it because of my mysterious presence, or more likely of the fact that I didn't respond to my son's message?"

"Probably both."

"Sorry for said mystery, but my son is that way, and I don't want him to be involved if I am caught. Now, do you want to go home or not?" he repeated his question.

"I do." I replied.

"How long has she been here?" Geist asked Trevor.

"About a week or so." Trevor replied.

"And she hasn't had it yet?"

"To be frank sir, we haven't been in a situation that calls for her to exhibit the ability yet."

"I see," Geist then turned back towards me, "I'm afraid that we just can't let you leave yet." he frowned.

"Wait what?!" I exclaimed, confusion present as I said so, "What do you mean by that?"

"Simple, you'll stay here until your ability manifests. After all, we don't want you to expose the existence of our world to yours just because you didn't have an ability before you left. Besides, the king will be after you, so you'll need to be able to put up a fight."

"So you just see me as weak right now don't you?" I inquired.

"I do," Geist sighed, "I'm not saying that you won't go home, I'm saying that we can't let you go yet."

"What do I need to do to be able to go home then?"

"Skylar, I don-" Trevor got cut off by Geist.

"It's simple really," he replied, "All you have to do is to gain your ability."

"How can I do that?"

"Sadly, this is where it becomes tricky. You see Skylar, there are only theories as to how a Mendigo gains their ability. Some say it's through a harsh experience, others say it stems from the deepest desire of the Mendigo. But as I said, they are only theories, as there is ample evidence for the argument to go both ways."

I paused to think. What if I'll never get it? What if they're wrong and I'll never get an ability?

I laughed softly. "Fine," I started, "I'll do just that then."

Geist showed no sign of approval, or anything for that matter, "Alright then, feel free to explore around a bit, I have a feeling that you're going to come here very often."

And with that, Geist waved his hand, and I proceeded to walk out of the office, to only find Creation standing outside leaning on a wall.

And I just stood there and looked at him, and I felt my fists shake.

He nodded, and I let myself go.

For I knew that is be here a long time, and I cried.