"Those guys were members of Charon. They're Styx's muscle. Their job is to nab overblotted mages and ship 'em off to the Island of Woe," Leona explains.

Everyone is shocked to hear the statement.

Leona continues, "They ferry wayward souls to the island. It's why people started calling 'em Ferrymen. Generally, magic marshals or the Arcane Response Unit handle overblot cases... But some are too much for them to handle. That's where Styx comes in. They're blot specialists. ...Who show up no matter if a country asks them to or not. I imagine there was some kind of emergency when I saw 'em before."

"And what is Styx?" Riddle asks.

"It's an independent organization," Leona answers. And explains, "They don't answer to any country or government. People know they study magic and blot, but how big they are? Who works there? What exactly their research entails? All confidential. It's generally assumed their HQ is on the Island of Woe. And that island's location is so secret, it's not on any maps."

"So it's forbidden territory," Jamil replies.

"Thing is, I thought the Ferrymen only went after certain overblotters. In particular, the ones past the point of no return," Leona says.

Vil then speaks up, "Now, hold on. We've all been freed from that horrific state. We went to medical mages, who gave us proper counseling and treatment. They've monitored us over a period of time and found no issues. So why would these Ferrymen show up out of nowhere and take us by force?"

"And what about Briar? She never experienced an Overblot before. So then why did they go after her? Riddle adds.

"How should I know?" Leona questions.

"Hmm..." Azul thinks for a bit and says, "This just gets more and more puzzling. There is, of course, the matter of our abduction... But what's the relationship between Idia and this clandestine organization?"

"I'm wondering about that myself," Briar says.

"From what Leona just described, it's apparent that people in high places... would be bound to run into Styx at some point. And I believe Idia's family is just as wealthy as Kalim's," Vil says.

"Wait, what?!" Briar and the boys question in surprise.

Then Vil explains, "I know it's hard to believe given how he acts, but I'm fairly certain... that the Shrouds are part of the family that runs the Jupiter Conglomerate, which made its fortune in offshore oil and rare metals."

The boys exclaim in shock, "BWHAAA?!" making Briar cover her ears.

"The Jupiter Conglomerate?!" Azul questions in shock, "That's the parent company of Olympus Inc.! They developed the biggest operating system and search engine on the market!"

"I knew the Shroud family was involved with the Jupiter Conglomerate, of course... But I had assumed it was pure coincidence that Idia had the same surname!" Riddle says.

"They say the Shrouds pull strings from behind the scenes, and never take any front-facing roles that involve media exposure. I never imagined Idia was one of them," Jamil adds.

"Why would someone from a distinguished family attached to a huge conglomerate act like... well, like he does?" Riddle questions.

Azul holds his head, "I feel dizzy. Oh, if only I'd known sooner... I would have tried harder to get him in my debt!"

"Really Azul? Is that all you have to say about it?" Briar questions with a straight face.

Riddle sighs, "You really do have a one-track mind."

"Still, it's odd that someone in his position would attend school without any aides..." Jamill says, but soon realizes, "Oh! Of course. That explains why the school granted special permission for Ortho to be present."

"It would hardly be surprising if that kind of family was connected to a top-secret organization in some way. Who knows? Maybe Idia could put in a good word and get them to release us," Vil says.

"Well, this does provide SOME relief," Azul says, relieved.

But Leona says, "...I wouldn't bet on it. We're 'subjects to them. Lab rats. There's no telling what they might put us through. I read this history book a while back at the palace... And it said that apparently, no mages have ever come back once the Ferrymen take them to the Island of Woe."

Everyone remains silent after hearing the statement. Briar grows worried, if what Leona says is true, then she and Grim can never go back to the school again, and might have to remain here forever.

Then Briar asks, "But still... why do they want me here? I never went overblot before, not since I got here..."

"True, however, maybe it's because of the opposite," Leona says.

"Opposite?" Briar asks, confused.

"It's possible. Because throughout this school year, slowly releasing your magic, you've been able to help us when we all Overblot. It's almost like, you've been able to heal us," Jamil says.

Riddle agrees, "I think Jamil is right. All five of us have gone into overblot, but for some reason, you've been able to heal us."

Briar realizes, "Just like that monster back in the mines. I was able to purify it, but it disappeared soon after. You all revert back to normal."

"Seems so. And I believe they've noticed it as well, and want to know how and why you have that kind of magic," Leona says. "I wouldn't be surprised that Idia and Ortho became aware of this ability of yours as well."

Suddenly, the metal door begins to open.

"I'd say that shaking means we've landed," Vil says.

Then they hear someone say, "Cargo hold pressure adjusted. Releasing the airlock."

"Was that Ortho just now?" Briar questions.

Soon the door is being opened, and the light is blinding that everyone is shielding their eyes.

"So bright... Where are we?" Vil questions.

Soon, the light clears to reveal a hallway of some kind. The halls are dark blue, with dimmed lighting along with liger blue colors

Suddenly, they hear someone say, "Uhh, hey, everyone. Welcome to the dark and gloomy Island of Woe—and Styx headquarters."

The group becomes shocked to see who it is.

"It's you..." Vil says, stunned.

And appearing before them is Idia, dressed in a different outfit.

"Yep. Idia Shroud, acting director of Styx," Idia says, and shows an eerie grin on his face, "Whee hee..."