Josephine walked until her steps came to a halt before a massive, glimmering river. The moonlight cast a silver glow upon its waters, and a mist hovered just above the surface. Seliora held her hand tightly and tossed a small stone into the river.
"Jojo," Seliora whispered gently.
Josephine bent down, picked up a larger rock, and dropped it into the river with a splash.
"Jojo!" Seliora called again, almost like a warning, but Josephine only smiled faintly at her.
Far away, in the Dark Forest, Xavi's vision clouded. Though he had the ability to see nearly everything, Josephine was hidden from his sight. Frustration crept across his face. Meanwhile, King Hendrick, King Nereon, and the rest of the family were already journeying toward the Kingdom of Noctara.
Tess noticed Xavi sitting at the forest's edge, watching in silence.
"Xavi… it will take nine days for Jojo to return," Kara said softly.
"She said four," Xavi replied firmly.
"That's not possible," Kara argued.
"Nothing is impossible for Jojo," Ceillie cut in.
"I can't see her in the forest," Xavi muttered, rubbing his eyes with his hand.
"Come with me," Kara urged, "let me show you how we can see her."
Xavi hesitated. His mind raged: I don't want to leave this position… but I want to see how she is.
At last, he stood and followed. Inside, Kara began chanting an ancient spell. Her eyes glowed a piercing red as a glass window shimmered to life. It shone with pure white light, forming a brilliant beam—and suddenly Josephine appeared within its vision, happily throwing stones into the river.
Relief washed over Xavi.
"Jojo!" Adris cried, clapping his little hands.
But Seliora frowned. "This is not working. She's supposed to come out now!"
"Jojo!" she called again, her tone sharper.
Kara's voice echoed in Josephine's mind: Jojo, hit your leg on the floor two times.
"Jars said the same thing," Kara added in thought.
Josephine obediently struck her foot against the earth—once, twice.
The river erupted. Bubbling water foamed wildly, then burst open as a massive creature rose from the depths. A siren—towering, black and green, with hair flowing like seaweed—emerged, her voice shaking the air.
"What the bloody fuck!?" Theron and Piere shouted in unison, both staring wide-eyed. Then they glanced at each other.
Xavi's gaze, however, remained locked on Josephine, who was too thrilled by the sight.
"Hendrick," Xavi said dryly, "your daughter is too excited about this. She thinks she's making friends."
"Jojo!!" Adris called again.
"This isn't about friendship right now," Ceillie warned.
"Yeah, it's not," Sophina agreed.
"WHO DARES TO DISTURB MY PEACE!?" the siren roared, her voice shaking the trees.
"Hey, Iris," Seliora said casually.
"I… Seliora?" the siren gasped, her voice softening.
"Iris!" Seliora exclaimed.
"Oh my days! I haven't seen you in ages!" Iris cried, glowing brightly as she shrank to her normal size. She turned and caught sight of Josephine. Her eyes widened.
"Hetragon? I thought you were dead?" Iris whispered.
Seliora explained quickly. "She is Hetragon reborn. She needs the weapons."
"Then she must find them," Iris replied. "But first, she must answer the riddles."
"She can't speak—she's mute," Seliora reminded her.
But suddenly, Josephine was gone.
"Where did she go?" Kara gasped.
"Josephine? Jojo!?" Kara's voice echoed in her mind.
"I found them!" Josephine's voice rang in Kara's head.
"What!?" Kara exclaimed out loud.
"What's wrong?" Anesthesia asked anxiously.
"Josephine found them—even before answering any riddles!" Kara declared.
Everyone sighed with relief as they saw Josephine carrying the weapons, jumping in excitement like a child with new toys.
Iris rolled her eyes. With a wave of her tail, she lifted Josephine gently and carried her across to the other side of the river.
Seliora vanished, leaving Josephine with Eryndor. He reached out for her hand, and she smiled, placing the weapons safely into her large camping bag. From the bag, she pulled out doughnuts, handing one to Eryndor. The two sat, eating cheerfully as the family watched through Kara's spell.
Still munching happily, Josephine skipped onward to her next trial. She entered a glowing emerald forest, where two artifacts awaited: the Emerald Leaf, a deadly blade shaped like a fan, and the Silent Night, a guitar strung with shimmering black chords.
From the shadows emerged the Verdant Spirit, Kao.
"Who are you!?" Kao demanded, his voice booming.
"Eryndor. And Queen Josephine," Eryndor answered confidently.
Josephine, meanwhile, was focused on her doughnuts, gazing curiously at the weapons.
Night began to fall.
"You must beat me," Kao announced, "in a game of Tic-Tac-Toe."
Josephine dropped her bag and sat across from him. She made the first move—an X. Kao placed his O. She calmly blocked him with another X.
Kao laughed. "Clever."
Josephine smirked and continued blocking him. Quiet giggles escaped her lips.
"Come on, Jojo!" Hendrick's voice echoed.
"Jojo!" Adris clapped from Xavi's arms, pressing his small hands to Xavi's face.
Josephine had no idea her family was watching her every move through Kara's magic.
"You have no chance. You will lose!" Kao boasted.
Josephine laughed again, softly shaking her shoulders.
"What is funny, child!?" Kao barked.
With a final move, Josephine marked her X, completing a straight line.
She won.
"YES!" Callum cheered.
"WHAT!?" Kao roared, shocked.
Eryndor burst into laughter. "A child beat you at your own game—for the first time in centuries!"
Josephine picked up the Emerald Leaf, using it to fan herself.
"That's not a fan—it's a dangerous weapon!" Kara exclaimed in her mind.
"Yeah, but I'm hot and tired. I need it," Josephine thought back cheekily.
Kao softened. "Rest here tonight, little one. By sunrise, continue your journey."
Josephine set down her sleeping bag, peeled a banana, and ate in silence. Her thoughts darkened.
I am scared. Very, very scared, Josephine whispered in her mind.
Xavi heard her clearly—Kara had connected him to her thoughts.
"Don't be scared, Ms. Josephine. Get some sleep. Continue your journey at sunrise," Xavi said gently into her mind.
"Night night, King Xavi. Night, baby Adris. Night, everyone," Josephine murmured, drifting into sleep.
Exhaustion overtook her. She looked peaceful, but her journey was only beginning. Tougher challenges awaited at sunrise.