Everyone gathered their belongings after another night of rest. Mingi's call had finalised their resolution.

They would seek the Crystal Sphere once more. Try to penetrate its gloom and make it to the ruins of the castle. If the legends were true, Seonghwa awaited them there, trapped in the maw of a slumbering dragon.

Morana was exhilarated to see the place she belonged, even when she knew it wouldn't be the same. She whispered to Aodhán while the others packed their bags and her brother warned her to listen to the adults. Even if something riveting happened, she shouldn't be swayed. He told her she might hear so many voices there. Even understand the animals. But she had to stay strong while their uncles and fathers sought the one they missed so much.

Pebble sat by their side, looking oddly defeated. Her moss looked lifeless and Morana figured it would need sunlight to be pretty on her. Morana felt great after the few days in the warm cave, but Yeosang also noticeably wilted.

Yunho and Buddy were also glad to leave the eternal winter of the Ruby Glacier. Hongjoong packed the fastest, for obvious reasons.

After Wooyoung, San and Mulberry brought everyone outside and back onto the cliff, the trek began anew. Fresh snow covered their footpath from last time. Mingi's breath was white in the air as he tilted his head to the overcast sky. He didn't shudder, looking mighty in the snow that melted around him.

Morana slipped her hand into his shyly.

"I will guide you," she offered, and Mingi peered down at her. In the light, he looked less scary. His skin and hair were dark like a beautiful night and though Morana was puzzled by his tail since she didn't have one, she wasn't scared of him anymore. Tentative affection blossomed between them so easily. Mingi held her fingers with gentle caution.

"Thank you."

On his other side, Yunho did the same with more conviction for the demon's safety in case he stumbled. He had Aodhán on the other hand, and together, they looked like one happy family. Morana grinned from ear to ear beneath her hood.

Holding onto her father, Morana didn't get cold. She got to look at the mists hovering among the towering mountain giants and the trees bending under the weight of the snow. She was nervous about the future, unsure how to act around her real parent. But Yeosang and Wooyoung silently cheered on her, and Morana knew she would always have her best friends with her.

Onyx sailed overhead to inform them once they left the territory of the dwarves. Pebble was carefully restrained in Mulberry's saddle bag, looking defeated anew.

Travelling with so many people was a lot of fun. Morana could hear Wooyoung bickering with Hongjoong and watched the swish of San's cape dancing through the air. Couldn't they always be like this? Together, exploring the world?

But no. They were hunted. Morana shouldn't forget that. Danger lurked around every corner and while she didn't know what was after her life, she also didn't dare risk finding out.

Mingi's shadow fell over her, protecting Morana from the sun checking up on them. Aodhán's hair lit up like a torch to glow like spun gold, and Yunho helped him put on his hood.

"Morana, what... What do you like to do?" Mingi asked her, and Morana thought about it. She never had been asked such a question and was flattered by it. Though they had been apart for so long, Mingi cared about her and wanted to learn.

Having a father was so much fun.

"I like to watch Wooyoung fly around with Mulberry and I like to fight."

"To fight?" He repeated, looking alarmed. But Morana played it down with a snicker.

"I always feel so powerful when I win. My belly cheers for me."

Though he smiled at her, he looked depressed at the news.

"That is your demonic side. Our kin likes to torment and to battle for dominance. Each other and weaker people. It's natural for us to make those submit who never wanted to get hurt." Mingi sighed and lowered his head.

Somehow, Morana knew he wasn't like that. That he didn't like to fight, even with his scary horns.

"I also enjoy talking with the trees," she offered to make up for his woe. She intended to look like a strong and worthy demon in front of him, but it backfired.

Now he perked up again. The tips of his ears peeking through his hair were pointed, though not as tall as hers.

"You do? Do you hear them sing?"

Morana hummed her yes when she realised Mingi wouldn't see her nod. Wooyoung didn't. She knew Yeosang talked to the trees and always smiled when she told him about their melodies, but he never mentioned a song.

That tentative hand squeezed her fingers. Their steps fell onto the soft snow, and Yunho showed Aodhán a bird in the distance. The two looked all blue from the cold, but their smiles were bright.

"Seonghwa was like that, too. His soul sang like yours does. And everything around him also did. Thanks to him, I could tell where I was in the castle."

Awed by their difference in perception, Morana played with the next question in her mind before asking. Mingi was unstable right now, but she was so curious about his story. He and Seonghwa must have been so unalike. How did Morana come to be, and as the heir to the throne, no less? Yunho was so bright and lively, he seemed like a good choice to father a child. But Mingi was the night to his day.

Bold since she waited so long to ask her father this question, Morana committed.

"Did you love him?"

Mingi's smile was directed into a far distance. He wasn't looking at the fog hanging over the valley. Didn't ponder the glittering snow. He saw things no one else could perceive.

"With all my heart. He was my home and my saviour. You were his greatest gift for me." He lowered his eyes. "I'm ashamed to have left you behind. To have shunned you when you were born from him and I."

Helpless with that topic, Morana shrugged.

"You came back to us now. Everyone else was worried about you." It sounded natural for her since Yeosang and Seungyoun always worried about her, but Mingi turned his head in Yunho's direction. His surprise was so open and so vulnerable. His soul so gentle. Was that why Seonghwa had liked him?

"You did?"

"All the time. I asked Hongjoong about you until he threw a book at me," Yunho snickered before he realised what he had just said in front of the kids.

"I mean-" He began, but Aodhán already snickered along.

"Hongjoong is scary."

Morana agreed. Of all her uncles, he was the one she was most likely to respect. Though he had been a grumbly mage wrapped in a thick fur these past few days.

"Thank you for thinking of me," Mingi whispered, and his voice sounded so scratchy again, so overwhelmed by his feelings. In Morana stirred a need to take care of him. To tend to the wounds of his soul until his permanent frown evened out.

"Always," Yunho answered, perhaps a beat too fast. Morana thought he might save himself by ducking away, but he leaned right in, tip-toeing to press a kiss to Mingi's cheek.

Morana's mouth fell open.

"Were you always this tall?" Yunho muttered while Mingi grinned to himself, cheeks dark with his blush. His hand slipped from Yunho's to hug him to his side in gratitude and Morana's mouth opened even wider when she realised how small the tall human became tucked to his side. How narrow.

And how red his cheeks got.

"Mingi," Yunho giggled and Morana might as well be Pebble right now because she could only watch as her father grinned at Yunho.

"I missed you, too. You were in my dreams all the time."

When he smiled, Mingi was unfairly handsome. So mysterious and intimidating, but his grin was soft. Yunho giggled about it and intertwined their fingers again, but the two shocked kids exchanged looks.

"What was that?!" Morana demanded first, and Yeosang glanced over his shoulder at them. He walked with Hongjoong at the front while Wooyoung and San guarded their group from behind. Morana could swear she heard Wooyoung call her a chick.

"What?" Yunho snickered at her and she gestured wildly.

"You just kissed Mingi! I saw it!"

Treason! Weren't they all so dedicated to Seonghwa? Or was this them moving on?

Morana and Aodhán were siblings already, but somehow, it felt criminal to have their fathers get so cosy with each other. Perhaps for that very reason.

"Oh, I kiss everyone, dear imp. That is no news," Yunho brushed it off and Morana stomped her foot before hastening to match Mingi's steps again.

"That is true," Aodhán confirmed gravely. "I saw him kiss Hongjoong before."

Morana gasped even louder and the sorcerer also threw them a glare that gave away Aodhán had not been supposed to see that.

What was going on? Were they all deceiving each other?

"Do you also want a kiss? Come here." Yunho dashed around to snatch up Morana and, though she tried to run, she didn't get far. Yunho twirled her into his arms and smacked a kiss on her cheek even when she was mortified. With a happy yap, Buddy jumped over to them, also interested in kisses.

"How can you do that?!"

"I get to kiss the people I like, no? You are our princess, so I kiss you." Another soft kiss to her forehead. Morana shoved at him, deeply offended.

"Was my emmya only a game for you?! How can you kiss others when we are on the way to get him?!" With a huff, she crossed her arms. Yunho blinked up at her, finally catching on that she meant it. He politely put her on the ground, but Morana stayed rooted to the spot, angry with the lies. Why did everyone weep for her forgotten athair when they were ready to move on?

The group came to a brief stop, and Aodhán used the moment for a drink. Behind Morana, Wooyoung's cackles ticked her off. When she whipped around to glare at him, suddenly doubting he only went out to fish and didn't see other people, he braced his arm on San's steady shoulder.

"Oh, if only she knew," he teased, and Morana scowled at him.

"What do you mean?!"

Hongjoong had wandered a few steps ahead and now returned, shaking out his fully healed arm. His magic crackled around him and he looked too satisfied with himself to bother with their petty fight.

Morana wished Yeosang had taken her side. He was definitely loyal and not involved in everyone's games. Why did he stand away to the side to enjoy the show?

"Let's spend a night in the Sky-Reaching Highlands; it should be safest to camp there. I will have Onyx pick out some forest or cave and then we can plan the most useful strategy to get to the palace," Hongjoong instructed everyone, as if no serious rupture was about to split the group apart.

Who could Morana trust? Her brother? San? Pebble?

Surely, at least Pebble.

Giddy, Yunho nodded as if he was innocent. Morana could see right through him, and she scowled from between her horns.

"Sounds perfect. Perhaps we can ask for Jongho there? He would be a lovely addition to the bunch."

Lovely?

Morana narrowed her eyes. Her teeth flashed in fury.

Yet another person Yunho seduced and played his games with?

"Why are you standing there? Get a move on then." Hongjoong spun on his heeled boots, looking impeccable yet once more, as if his magic covered him with a glamourous sheen. He marched ahead and Yeosang followed, so Morana unwillingly picked up her pace. She watched like a hawk, but Yunho didn't touch her father anymore. His empty hands lifted into the air.

"All good. I'm not doing anything, you see?"

Morana had grown up with Wooyoung. She knew exactly what the mischievous glint in his eyes was.

"I'm watching you," she threatened before she grabbed Mingi's hand and led him along at a safe distance from Yunho. Making sure that the trickster wouldn't try to charm his sincerity away from Seonghwa. If they found him, Morana needed both of her parents together. She couldn't allow Mingi to stray off when they were so close.

How would Seonghwa feel about that after just coming back?

Prideful, Morana adhered to her duties and ignored everyone giggling about her. Her glare at Aodhán told him to keep his father in check.

If their adults lost their minds to the grief, the kids had no other choice but to step up.