Over the next few days Sophie alternated between visits to the health centre and research into the oppressor.

She was in Havenfield when her transmitter rang and she picked it up.

- Hi Sophie! It was Linh, how are you? Sophie did not answer his question and continued to leaf through an encyclopaedia she had found.

- I take it that you're not well... Sophie, you really should get some sleep or get your mind off it, you look terrible.

- I can't... Not until I've found out how to defeat the red phantom.

- Sophie, you're going to die of exhaustion. It's been almost a week, we're worried about you, we hardly see you anymore... Even Edaline and Grady are worried. Biana can't stand your silence any more, she thinks she's done something wrong and that you're giving her the cold shoulder.

- ... I didn't mean it that way... I'm sorry, I just... But I've got to find a way to beat the red ghost.

- Sophie, one day more or less won't make any difference to your research. Even visiting Keefe and Oralie every day... It won't help their condition.

- I...

- We'll make a compromise, Sophie. You'll stop searching for two days. You'll clear your head, rest and spend time with us and Grady and Edaline, and we'll help you search, I promise. You have my word.

- All right, Linh, you're right.

- In an hour on the tidal square in Atlantis! You'd better not be late.

- All right, an hour then.

Sophie sighed and closed the book which she put on the table. She went to the bathroom and came out about ten minutes later after taking a hot shower and putting on a dress.

( the dress in question ↑ )

She had tied her hair in a high ponytail .

The inflictor grabbed her cloak and went downstairs . Edaline and Grady were not in the house, so she went out and approached Sohaila's enclosure. Sophie pushed open the door of the enclosure and approached them. The little dragoness heard her and ran towards Sophie. The young woman scratched her belly.

- Sophie! cried Edaline, rushing to hug her daughter. The telepath responded to her embrace.

- If you only knew how much we've been worrying, said Grady.

- I... I'm sorry .... But I really wanted to find out how to defeat the red phantom. That I forgot the rest.

- Don't ever do that again, please. Edaline begged, taking her husband's hand.

- Yes, I promise, I'm going to Atlantis, I've got a meeting in an hour with my friends.

- Have fun, girl, and don't be too late!

- She kissed her adoptive parents and went to the cliff where she teleported. It had been a while since she had set foot here, at least since the ball. The young woman walked through the steep streets of Atlantis, where hundreds of people, elves, gnomes, goblins and other creatures were crowded. After a few minutes of walking, Sophie finally arrived at the meeting place. She sat down on a bench and waited for her friends, she got lost in her thoughts.

- BOUH!

- Ah! Sophie turned around with a start. It was Biana, with Linh, Marella, Maruca, Dex, Fitz, Wylie and Tam, you scared me! she exclaimed.

- This way we'll be even! We haven't heard from you since the ball, if you only knew how worried we were.

- I'm sorry, shall we start our exit?