Theo was starting get used to the occasional weird experiences, but maybe that was because they were over within a few minutes. Following Psyche through the dark forest with eerie noises from time to time for about fifteen minutes straight was more than he could handle.

He knew it was a little after midday but the darkness in the forest seemed to be playing some kind of trick on him, making him see things that were not there. He wasn't sure whether he was hallucinating or not anymore.

Psyche had stopped talking again right after laughing too and it didn't help that both of them looked like drowned rats in a sewer pipe. Every so often, Theo sprang up some topic, anything random, just to see if he could trip Psyche into talking again, but she ignored him.

On the other hand, he was grateful for any generosity she had to not leave him behind and guide him out, but the silence was still killing him. However, there was nothing he could do about it.

As he stepped over a root of a tree, a pain shot through his temple like a surge of electricity, stopping him. Shocked at the sudden pain, Theo brought his hand to his forehead to curb it away. Then, a voice spoke in his mind, making him feel nauseous and dizzy.

It was scratchy and demonic, like nails scraping across a black board. Theo had to suppress a shudder to hear it reciting something out what felt like a storybook. Its words echoed through his head, burning in his memory.

"It happened very suddenly, their mother, as if a changed person began treating their children coldly.

As soon as their father went out, their mother dragged her daughter and son out into the woods, and told them this,

"There's no more food for you. You can't come back home.""

When Theo blinked, he saw two children, a boy and a girl, hand in hand. The boy was about an inch taller than the girl, wearing a white buttoned long sleeved shirt, black shorts with suspenders and a pair of black shoes. The girl wore similar clothes to the boy but instead of black shorts, she wore a black tartan skirt.

To Theo's annoyance, their faces were a blur, a hole in a picture. He couldn't tell if he knew them in present life or in the past one. However, he was sure they were twins. Even if he couldn't distinguish their faces, something told him that they were fraternal twins.

"Are you okay, Theo?" Another voice asked. Theo recognised it as Psyche's. The worry in her voice brought him back to his senses. When he looked up, his Scabbard was giving him a dubious look. Judging from her expression, Theo could assume that he was the one who heard the voice and saw the image.

"... I am... fine..." Theo said after a couple of moments. "Just having a little headache. Lack of sleep I think."

Psyche narrowed her eyes and Theo knew that she wasn't convinced. To his relief, she didn't press on the subject and turned her attention back to navigating them out. After a while, Theo almost tripped when Psyche spoke, breaking the ice for the first time.

"So what were those pesky humans bothering you about?"

Theo stared at her as if she had gone psycho, no pun intended there.

Okay maybe slightly intended there.

"What?"

"I asked what those humans was bothering you about." Psyche repeated. "Wolves if that fits your language."

"Oh..." Theo said, getting it, but at the same time, he felt his eyebrows rise in incredulity. "You call wolves, humans?"

"Why do you think we call you Lillin then?" Psyche asked without missing a beat. Theo found that she had a fair point there.

"Ah..." Theo started, unsure where to start. "I don't really know. Picking on me I guess. Calling me Goldilocks and such. Nothing different from my old school."

Psyche hummed to herself and silence reclaimed the air again. Theo felt uncomfortable with it. He didn't know how the girl was able to endure it or how he was able to bear with it before, but right then, it was suffocating. The pressure of the sound of nothing was crushing him.

He wasn't that much of a talker, but he felt the urge to say something, something to make Psyche talk. He wanted something to fill the void of silence, a noise to distract him. Yet, the only thing he could do was follow her without uttering another word.

'Why don't you tell her about your secret identity?' Alazne spoke again, filling his senses.

He frowned, contemplating on its suggestion while some part of his mind was starting to worry that he wasn't perturbed at the fact that there is an actual voice speaking to him through his mind.

No wonder Hugo was intrigued by his quick acceptance of this new world. He was going with the flow as if being attacked by black monsters, his own Shadow and bullied by three wolves called humans was normal.

Regardless, he brushed the suggestion aside, letting it off as an over the shoulder thought and shook his head. There was no way Psyche would believe him.

"We are here." Psyche said, cutting through his thoughts like a knife slicing butter.

Theo froze, blinking out of his daze. He looked up and blinked in surprise to see the familiar sidewall of the castle. They were at the edge of the forest.

Then to Theo's astonishment. Psyche turned around and started walking to the opposite direction.

First off, he was terrified with what she had done. She had broken the one rule Oracle had warned him not to break. Then again, Psyche did say she deal with Shadows so maybe it is not that much of a deal for her.

Second off, where in the world did she think she was going?

"Hey!" Theo cried, grabbing her wrist.

For a moment, he felt something nebulous pulsating in his finger tips again, but it soon solidified to a definite form. Psyche glanced back, letting out an irritated sigh and raised one eyebrow. She didn't say anything and she didn't have to. Theo was able to decipher her silent message from her actions alone.

"Why are you leaving?" Theo asked. At the same time, he thought of several things to persuade her to stay. Wandering around in that forest and dealing with those black ooze beasts in every second of her life can't be healthy, even for a strong Scabbard as her. He decided it was time for her to have a day off.

"Why do you care?" Psyche asked, her voice clipped.

Theo had to refrain himself from rolling his eyes as he reminded himself that she had every right to behave this way. The whole school had disguised her as a heartless being and even mixed up her gender. Even so, her constant acts to self-isolation was beginning to both upset and concern him.

"Look, can't you come hang around at least?" Theo asked. "Besides, I still need someone to help guide me-

Theo was cut off when the most startling noise blew out. It sounded like thousands of trumpets blasting off all at once. Then, to his disbelief, two to three rockets pierced through the sky, slowing down before it burst into an array of vibrant colours.

Before the sparks faded away, Theo watched in awe as those sparks started moving, lining together in military fashion. It continued to join, forming words until Theo saw the whole message.

It's Tea Time!

The messaged flashed in different colours of the rainbow, one at a time, before it disintegrated to nothing.

"Tea time?" Theo asked as he turned to look at Psyche, who was glaring daggers at his hand that was still wrapped around her wrist. He could tell that she wanted him to let go, but he didn't relinquish his grip. In fact, he tightened it more. He felt like if he released her, she would disappear, for good, and it terrified him.

"Isn't it still like three in the afternoon?" Theo asked, trying to divert her attention to somewhere other than the fact that he was being a nuisance to her.

"It's tea time." Psyche said with a scowl. "Time flows differently between the forest and school. It's six o'clock over here."

"...Oh..." Theo said. "Well...Uh... Can't you join me to tea?"

Theo must have said something wrong because just as the question was uttered out, Psyche's eyes widened in what seemed like stupefaction. She stared at him in aghast while Theo stared back at her, curious at why she was making such an expression.

"Can I?" Psyche asked after a while. Her voice was so soft, Theo would have missed it if he wasn't listening. It was Theo's turned to look stunned. Then, he felt pitied the girl. She must have gone through a lot if she assumed that she had no right to have tea with others.

"Of course you can." Theo said, chuckling. "I mean, there is no rule saying you can't, right?"

Even though it was a rhetorical question, Theo watched as Psyche shifted from one leg to another before giving a hesitant nod. It made him wonder what Psyche's daily lifestyle was like. He knew then that if she wasn't in school, she was in the forest.

Nevertheless, what did she do to get food there? Where did she sleep? Where does she train to be that strong? Most of all, does the Oracle or even Flint knew about it? If so, why did they let her? Shouldn't they be more responsible for letting a girl venture in the forest alone?

Knowing that he would get more questions than answers, Theo brushed all his thoughts aside and let go of her hand, smiling.

"Well then, lead the way." Theo said to which Psyche gave another silent nod. She stepped out of the forest. As she did so, Theo felt his eyes bulging out of its sockets. From knee down, she was transparent and distorted, reminding him of a ghost. When he blinked though, Theo was astonished to find that she was solid from head to toe.

Had he imagined it?

Regardless, it was the same drill again. Psyche led the way and Theo was all too happy to follow. After a few twists and turns, Theo saw students making their way towards a grassy area. It must be where he and Psyche was going too. As they walked side to side, he ignored the curious looks from others that were boring holes on them.

He would have done the same too because here they were, two drenched teenagers, walking together as if it was the most normal thing to do. Well, at least Psyche was dry, altering her body frame to that of a guy's again. Theo was still soaking wet. The gentlest breeze made him shiver, making Goosebumps rise on his arm.

After a while, they reached where dozens of picnic tables were aligned in a messy order. There was a table filled with sprites, a table filled with satyrs, a table filled with witches and many more. There was even a table filled with so many pixies, he pitied the one tiny fellow that was hanging at the edge of the seat. He was sure that with one little push, that fellow would topple right out.

Judging from how each table seemed to have creatures of the same species, Theo deduced that the seating arrangements were according to their cabins. If he were correct, that would mean he would be sitting with Hugo, and with Psyche too if she stays. Speaking of which, where was that elf?

That's when Theo noticed that they were moving further and further away from the other picnic benches and more towards the outskirts of the picnic area. As they passed through a few more tables, he noticed a table that seemed gloomier than the rest.

It gave off an aura of doom and misery and for a second, he was convinced that area was possessed by another Shadow. What convinced him otherwise was the lone person sitting there, all by himself, tapping his fingers on the wood in some pattern. Theo could not mistake that beanie hat anywhere.

"Hugo!" Theo cried out without thinking before shutting his mouth. He bit into his tongue in the process when dozen more pairs of eyes rested on him. Two of them belonged to Psyche and Hugo, who were gawking as if he had gone bonkers. Even so, Theo couldn't hold back the grin that crept on his face.

"Don't klank with me!" Hugo yelled back, standing up before marching towards them. Theo almost snorted when he saw dirt flying behind him as the elf stormed over. Once the elf was right where they were, Theo flashed him a smile. Hugo flashed a smile back, and there was nothing happy about it. It didn't even last a second.

"Where the klank did you two disappear to?" Hugo demanded. "Know how much I was freaking out to see you go poof like some sort of ninja do you? Almost shank my pants I have! And why in the name of dangfering mishur are you both wet?"

"Me shoe? Your shoe?" Theo asked before realizing his mistake.

"Answer the dangfering question you klank!" Hugo bellowed.

There was now a circle of audience around him. No doubt, they were making a scene, but Theo couldn't bring himself to care. They could stare if they want to. It was none of their business.

At the corner of his eye, Psyche looked like she wanted to walk away or slap her forehead for dealing with his stupidity. Sometimes Theo wanted to whack his brain too. It was a professional in picking up needless information before the important ones. He wondered if he had ADHD.

"Theo..." Hugo hissed in a dangerous tone, lacking the word Lillin he used to call him.

'...Oh, right, answer the question.' Theo thought.

"How about we sit down first?" Theo said, knowing full well that it would annoy Hugo more as he was prolonging his answer. He was right because right then, the elf's eyes glowed.

Theo gulped when he saw fire beneath them. Hugo looked like he could slaughter Theo then and there. He was so angry, his face had turned a sick shade of purple and something beneath his beanie hat quivered. He guessed that it was his elfin ears.

To Theo's luck, Hugo soon let out a grunt and every sense of murder in the elf faded away.

"Fine." Hugo snapped and stormed back to the depressing table. Theo chuckled as he jogged after him, relieved that the crowd started dispersing after they found out nothing more exciting would happen.

Hugo still looked ticked off when Theo sat next to him, but it vanished the moment Psyche sat across him. The elf's eyes widened and his jaw fell to the ground. Psyche looked like she noticed, but she didn't react. The blonde lad would have burst out laughing if it weren't for the fact that this was an awkward situation for both the elf and his Scabbard.

He soon realised that the elf wasn't the only one who was shocked at Psyche's presence, most of the other tables were staring at her too. Some of them started to point fingers, most of them started whispering to themselves.

The whispers then turned louder, as if someone had cranked up the volume. Most of the words were incomprehensible since they were drowning in other people's words. He knew Psyche didn't socialize much, but he didn't know that it affected to this extent.

His Scabbard must have noticed too but there was no reaction from her. She just sat there, quiet, returning to her mute self.

"Lillin, mind explaining what the klank is going on?" Hugo asked, turning Theo's attention to him. The elf looked so lost and confused, Theo felt bad for stalling him.

"I am not sure what happened but when I came to, I was in the forest." Theo answered. "We were both attacked by a Shadow but, Psyche here saved my sorry life by beating it. She then guided me out of the forest and to here."

At the mention of her name, Theo saw Psyche shrugged and shrank to herself, as if she was trying hard to disappear. Hugo stared at Theo and glanced at Psyche, before looking at Theo again. He then spoke in a voice so low, Theo wondered if he was trying to tell him something in secret without Psyche's knowledge.

"She?"

Theo swallowed a laugh that came out a snort instead. He nodded at Hugo and if the elf's eyes weren't wide before, it was wide now.

"Are you klanking with me? How?" Hugo whisper screamed, taking a sly glance at Psyche before turning back to Theo.

"For reals?"

"For reals." Theo repeated, nodding his head. Hugo slumped back on his chair, looking betrayed. Psyche stared at the elf before turning to Theo, as if finding some clarifications from him. Theo just shook his head, implying that it was nothing.

"Why does it look like you two came out from a storm?" Hugo asked after a brief moment of silence, a little louder than before. Psyche didn't respond but Theo stiffened. He felt his cheeks grow warm at the memory of discovering Psyche's true gender and sputtered. This encouraged Hugo to raise one eyebrow.

"Do I even want to know?" Hugo asked.

"Do you?" Theo asked, scratching the back of his wet head with a sheepish smile. When Hugo gave him the look of doom, he caved in.

"We kinda fell to a river..."

Hugo blinked. He then turned to Psyche, who nodded in confirmation. This seemed to have surprised the elf as he did a double take. He blinked twice before he relaxed again. Theo could tell that the elf was still having a difficult time to digest that Psyche was with them from the way he was shifting from his seat.

Their table grew silent for another painful minute. Theo was about to say something random again, when he heard everyone starting to squeal. He frowned at the noise when in a flash, several trays of food appeared on their table, filling it from one end to the other.

There were delicacies capable of making one's mouth water. There were rye bread, marinated chicken, grilled beef with lemon, smoked sausages, pineapple glazed ham, mounds of fragrant wild rice, potatoes, diced pumpkin smeared with butter.

Countless cheeses went with baskets of crackers and bread rolls shaped as seashells. All sorts of varieties of salads and side dishes were there too. Two tureens contained either hot soup or hearty casserole.

Last but not least, there was a tea pot with six empty tea ups accompanying it. For some reason though, three of them were broken, sort of at least. They were halves of a cup were cups that were cut vertically, each of them having a handle while the other half went missing. Theo had no idea what happened to the other halves but for now, it wasn't there.

Overall, it felt like it was a feast fit for a king.

Author's note: Sorry for the late update! Life happened, school happened, minor existential crisis happened and slow internet happened. Took me a while to get this edited xD Contrariwise and Bicksby (same person) beta read this for me so I thank her for her feedback.

You guys should check out her story too! It's called Blame the Pants (Bicksby's account) and its the most hilarious, awesome and epic thing ever. I promise! I am not being biased because she is my friend. I am really serious when it comes to stories and this one will tickle you pink. Please, please, please go check it out!

I dedicate this chapter to LonelyBookWorms because she was the first to notice the Bridge to Terabithia reference xD If you see any mistakes we may have overlooked, please notify!

Oh and don't forget to vote!