Des was the first person up and in Sera's room. Sera was still asleep when he came down. There was a nurse sitting by Sera's bed. The nurse saw Des enter and she quickly left. It was just Des and Sera now.

He sat down in the chair the nurse was just in. He took Sera's hand in his.

There was a new strength in it. It was still small. Her hand has always been small and thin compared to his. But now there was a new strength to it.

Her hair was sticking to her forehead from sweat. He took his hand, and brushed it out of her face. She didn't stir. He kissed her head, and she still didn't stir. It was still to early for Sera. Des continued to sit by his sister's side holding her hand.

After what felt like an eternity of holding his sister's hand Sera woke up.

Her eyes fluttered slowly before opening. She gave a soft moan as the light hit her eyes. Des sat a little straighter as Sera began to adjust to the lights. Once she did she moved her head to see her brother's face.

"Hey," she said softly.

"Hey," was his reply. "How are you?"

"I've been better. Not gonna lie there."

Des gave a quick laugh. "It's good to have you back."

"You weren't worried were you?" Sera said with a small grin making its way across her face.

"No. Not at all. It wasn't like I had a ton of nervous breakdowns, and nightmares of losing you," he gave a small smile.

"Aw. The big brother really does care for his little sister."

"I'll always care for you Sera. Always. It's something I will always do. I want to protect you Sera. You're my little sister. You always will be. Even if you're regina."

"I know. I would never porously give up. I only stop fighting when I can't fight anymore. You more than anyone should know that."

"I know. But those last few days had us all very worried. You looked like you had already died."

"I felt like it. It was hard at the end." She tries to sit up a little more than she was. Des helped her.

"We were all wondering if you heard any of what we were saying. Some things got a little embarrassing."

"Very few things. I could only make out a few words. It felt like a dream though. I couldn't tell if it was real or not. Once I woke I could separate the dream and what I really heard. But I could hear you and Mahdi the most."

"I figured you could." Des smiled at his sister. "Sera, you really scared us. When we found you on the floor you were so pale. You were covered in blood, with a spear all the way through you. I didn't know what to do or think other than I knew that I was going to lose you. We've lost mom and dad. I didn't want to lose my little sister too."

"I know. But no one could've known Luica was in the room with me. Let alone call upon the darkest magic ever."

"I know. I just don't want that to ever happen to you. You scared me. You really did."

"I know. I probably scared Mahdi just as much."

"Try more than me. He hardly left your side. The first week he wasn't down here. Then when you didn't wake up he never left. Neela and I had to pry him away from you."

"What about you?"

"I was down here a few times. After the doctors brought you back from the spear I wasn't worried so much anymore. Then the last few days I couldn't stand it. I was ready to crack if I lost you Sera."

Just then the door flew open and there was Mahdi. Sera moved her head to see him. She smiled, and he smiled back at her. He swam over to the other side of the bed.

"I better get back. I'll make sure you won't have to do anything until they release you," Des said as he stood.

"Thank you. I'll see you later," Sera said.

Des leaned over and kissed Sera's head. "I love you."

Des swam out of the room, and closed the door behind him. Now it was just Mahdi and Sera in the room.

"I thought it was only a dream that you were awake. I had to come down and see for myself," Mahdi said swimming closer to the bed.

"It wasn't a dream. I'm really here," Sera said.

"I know. Sera I missed you so much. I was so scared I was going to lose you."

"No one could've known Lucia was in the room with me. Stop blaming yourself."

"You heard all of that?"

"Bits and pieces. It was a dream like state. Then I slowly pieced it all together."

Mahdi shook his head. A silence fell over them. Then Neela came bursting through the door. "Oh my gods! Sera! You're awake!"

"Yeah. I'm awake," Sera said.

"Thank the Gods!"

Mahdi slowly backed out of the room as more of the girls swam in. It was their turn to see Sera. She was back. And she was going to stay this time.