??????! - ?????

'Hearing that makes me realize that you are a strong woman, Neith.' He can see that her head comes up. 'I also understand why you were against war and that you didn't want to choose. It makes perfect sense.'

'I hope nothing will go wrong, but if it does,' she sighs deeply. 'It's all on her name. The company, the apartment, financially, it's all hers. I do have one question, would you keep an eye on her? Through me, you are like family to her. Don't deny her that.'

Nash puts his hand on her knee. 'Of course.' 

Dumon had no idea what happened, but this is something he could never imagine. 'It takes courage and strength to face what you faced. Yet you came out of it and were able to see your family again. War will always have victims on either side. Believe it or not, but war shaped you into the woman you are now. Anyone who would have you as a partner should count himself lucky.'

'Neith, about Kite,' starts Nash. 'If he would want to be with you then he would make time free and spend it with you. That's what I would do if I have feelings for someone. If you are willing to do that, but he doesn't, then reconsider. You are eighteen years old and have a life ahead of you.' One look at the clock and he gets up. 'I have to go back. Rio will be home if she isn't already. I won't tell anyone. Not even my sister, only you can because it's your past. I'll see you later.' Nash disappears.

'I promised Mizar I wouldn't make it late either.' Dumon holds his hand on his glass to stop her. 'Sweet to offer wine, but I'm good. I do hope that you will get your night rest back.' One last hug follows. 'Try to get some sleep.' He tucks her hair behind her ear. ''You're going to a chaotic city, that can't be easy.'

***

Even said goodbye, Celeste is in school on the advice of Neith. 'She's right that I can't do anything.' Biting her finger, she waits for the rest to show in class. She keeps her eye on the time. For now, she has to wait.

'No.' 

A voice sounds behind her, and she turns her head. 

Alito sits down. 'What are you doing here, Celeste? Aren't you suppose to be with your sister? She leaves soon, right?'

'I can't. I said goodbye this morning...' 

'And that is enough? Go to her.' He shakes his head while interrupting her. 

She sighs. 'And do what? Be in the way while they start everything up.' 

Alito thinks. 'And after that? Are you going to her?' 

Celeste shakes no. 'To stay by a portal? There's nothing that I can do to help her. I'm not that technical.'  

'Celeste?' Vector pops up behind the two. 'I heard from Dumon. Well, I heard him talk with Mizar. I didn't expect to see you here today.'

Alito wants to get his tablet out but changes his mind. 'Forget it.' He puts his bag over his shoulder. 'Get in her way, if that's the only way to be close to her. She's leaving and within an hour. Let's go.'  

Vector jumps up and runs away. 'Mizar!' 

'What!' Mizar turns to him. 

'Celeste is here.' Vector is a little out of breath. 'Alito wants to take her to Neith.' 

Mizar looks inside the classroom. 'Dumon?' 

Dumon moves his head to him while getting his tablet out of his bag. 'What is it?' 

'Celeste is here.' Vector shows his head around the corner. 'And Alito wants to take her to her sister.' 

Mizar pushes him away. 'Do you want to talk with her?' 

'I don't want to be here either.' Dumon gets his bag and hurries to Celeste's classroom. 'Celeste?'  

'I tried it.' She knows that there's no way of concentrating. 

Dumon nods and walks away with the girl. 

Vector almost jumps on Yuma's desk. 'Neith is going home...' 

'What are you doing?' Mizar stops him. 'You couldn't stop Neith, and there's nothing you can do. Other than waiting for her to come back.' 

Yuma is surprised. 'Neith would go home without Celeste?' Looking at Tori, he knows that she's ready to leave. 

'That can't be easy for her.' 

'Will you stop talking.' Mizar sighs. 'Neith is going to return something. She will be back. She won't leave Celeste behind,' he ensures them. 

That feels like a relief for Tori. 'It can't be easy for Celeste. Her sister is going to a different place through a portal. Not to a different country here on this planet.' 

'Then let's go.' Yuma won't let anyone talk him out of it. 

***

'Neith!' Celeste runs inside. 

'Celeste?' Neith turns around. A second later, she can feel the arms of her sister. 'There's nothing to do for you.' 

Nebula stands by the computer and keeps her eyes on the charging process. 'Fifty percentage. Fifty-five.' It counts up slowly and steadily. 'All is stable.'

'You did this all by yourself.' Celeste is impressed by seeing the portal. 

'Me and Nebula.' She answers while seeing the others come in. 

Dumon nods to himself when he sees the portal. 'How long did it take to build?' 

'Seventeen days.' Nebula comes between. 'Miss?' 

Neith knows and hugs her sister. 'I will be back.' 

'You better.' Celeste let's go. 

Neith walks up and steps inside the portal. Her eyes go to Dumon, who stands with Mizar and Nash while being lifted. 'I promise to come back, Celes. This is home for us.'

Nodding, Celeste comes closer to the portal. 'I don't know what I'd do without you.' 

'You still have us.' Alito comes closer. 'Good luck.' 

With her eyes on Nebula, she turns around. In the next moment, she can feel the difference and is being launched forward. Flying through a tunnel of energy when she sees a light coming from her cards. 'We're going, Rise Falcon. I'm taking you home.' 

*** 

Here we go! Neith is back in her hometown.