“Again, I have to say, I don't think they should be coming with us,” Kelly insists, but King Elnam isn't listening to her at all. He'd already said, several times, that he wouldn't put his full trust in Earth's marked, and that he wanted an Ariziadian presence. He said it was both in case we needed the support, but also to report back to him on what happens and about our world itself. I guess meeting us has made him curious.

“I have a parting gift for you, Mackenzie Crowe,” King Elnam says, pulling out a small, old book from inside his cloak. He holds it out for me, and I take it as he explains. “It is a book with all the marks we know about. All of you have received more marks than the usual twelve your kind are used to receiving, therefore you will need to learn about these new marks.”

“Thank you, this means a lot,” I say honestly, handing the book to Locke to put it in the bag he has.

“I hope you take this gift as a sign of trust, with hope we can build a future between Earth and Ariziadian marked one day. Since you returned with so many marks, the other clan leaders and I have spoken in great detail, and we have decided to count Earth marked as another clan. We offer our alliance, and our help if you should need it,” he tells us all, and I’m honestly shocked into silence.

“We have councils of leaders, and we will discuss this with them once the war is over. I can speak for the London council, of which I am a member, and accept this alliance,” Mr Daniels says, offering his hand. King Elnam slides his hand up Mr Daniels’ arm, so they shake elbows more than hands before Mr Daniels steps back.

“I still believe we don’t need any guards with us,” Kelly chimes in again.

“Just leave it, Kells. We can't waste any more time arguing,” I say, and she nods.

“You're right, and we need to go now if we're going to do this in time,” she agrees. “Portal it up, oh mighty chosen one,” Kelly says, holding out her hands dramatically, making me smile as I try and hold back a laugh.

“Thank you for your assistance, King Elnam. I will do whatever it takes to stop my father,” I promise to the king, and he nods. My eyes catch on Taelon, and I notice that he’s glaring at Kelly. Did something happen between them while we were at the Honzel? Is that why she doesn’t want them coming with us? Do they not get along? A part of me is a little tempted to dip into her mind and find out, but I know it’s none of my business. She’d tell me if she wanted me to know. I internally sigh, deciding to leave it for now.

“I hope you are successful in your endeavour, Mackenzie Crowe. I also hope you will not need to fall back into my world again. Your first portal was quite destructive, so I can only hope that your skills have improved for your journey home,” he responds, and I try not to roll my eyes. I hadn't seen any signs of destruction. “Not everything can be seen with your eyes, child,” he snaps, clearly having read my mind.

“I'm sorry, it was just a thought. I didn't mean to offend. Thank you for your generosity and allowing us to stay in your world unharmed until we could return home. We will offer the same courtesy to our guests,” I say, nodding towards the dragon guard he's sending with us. He nods, accepting my words.

“I wish you luck then, all of you,” he says finally, and I smile, stepping away to make our portal home.

To get us home, I think about my dads, and how much I love them. My real dads, the one who raised and loved me. I feel the portal coming into form and relax.

“Are you all ready?” I ask, and the guys nod confidently, having travelled through two portals now. Kelly grabs my hand, and I grip hers back, figuring she must be nervous. The Ariziadian marked all look nervous, but not to be shown up by our confidence, they stride through the portal first. I walk forward to pass through with Kelly next, allowing the guys to bring up the rear.

Now is the time. I will save everyone from my father, or I will die trying. The vision the Honzel gave me flashes in my mind; me dying, and my mum being the one to finish this, killing my father. I grip the spear in my other hand tighter. I’d called it out of the water before we’d stepped through the portal to get back to Kelly. I figured since it was in the vision, it was important, and so I wasn’t about to leave it behind.

Kelly squeezes my hand, just as we step into the blue shimmer, and then we fall back through the portal, into our home world.