Everyone was having fun at Zann's party.
His parents had returned from the palace just in time to greet the first guests.
Boz, Teplo, and Saffa had arrived a little late, but they all seemed to be enjoying themselves now.
The delicious food and fancy decorations that Zann and his parents had conjured made the house look festive.
"This is great, Zann!" Perda said. "Your First City friends are really nice."
"Thanks." Zann had invited several kids from his new school, and most of them had come.
Mari hadn't shown up yet though. He hoped she wasn't insulted because he'd invited her at the last minute.
"Over here, Zann!" Gliss called from nearby.
"We're going to play Conjure and Vanish."
Zann smiled, forgetting about Mari. Conjure and Vanish was one of his favorite party games. He and Perda hurried over.
"It's your party, so you go first," Gliss told him.
"Okay." Zann rubbed his hands together to create magic friction.
He closed his eyes and focused on the object he wanted to conjure—a swamp shiner.
That was a type of lamp he'd used when exploring the swamp back home.
He then used a Vanishing spell to make the lamp invisible before anyone could see it.
"Are you ready?" a kid asked eagerly.
Zann opened his eyes and nodded. "Gliss, you can go first," he said.
She reached for the invisible item, feeling all around it. "Is it a drinking glass?"
"Nope." Zann grinned and pointed to Perda. "Next?"
Perda smiled as soon as she felt the object. "That's easy! It's a swamp shiner.
You made them all the time when we used to sneak out at night to look for flash fish."
"Right!" Zann grinned at her. "Now it's your turn to conjure something."
The sun went down, and everyone was still having fun.
Some kids danced while others talked and ate snacks.
One group of kids played a game of exploding dominoes.
Zann was drinking some airberry punch when his father hurried over.
"Your mother and I just got called back to the palace for an emergency meeting," Nax said.
"Another one?" Zann said. "What's going on?"
His father looked distracted. "We'll tell you later.
Right now, just keep having fun with your friends."
He zapped away with Zann's mother. Zann suddenly noticed that Boz was nowhere in sight. Neither were Teplo or Saffa.
Then he spotted Perda standing by the door to the backyard.
Seeing her made him feel happy and sad at the same time.
He was glad that Perda and his other friends were there.
But they would have to go home in a couple of days.
How long would it be before they were all together again?
He hurried over to Perda. "Want to get some fresh air?" he asked.
"Sure." She smiled.
They went out onto the patio. The air was cool, with a slight breeze that ruffled Perda's hair.
"Wow, you look—," Zann blurted out, and then stopped himself.
"What?" Perda asked.
Zann gulped. He'd been about to say that she looked pretty.
But suddenly he felt awkward about saying that.
"Uh, you look older," he said instead. Then he laughed. "Two months older, I guess."
Perda blinked, seeming confused. Before she could respond, the door burst open.
"There you are, Zann!" a kid from school exclaimed.
"There's a huge protest starting outside right now."
"Yeah!" Another schoolmate came up behind him.
"Laddno said it's going to be the biggest one yet! Let's go check it out!"
The pair rushed for the front door. Perda started to follow.
"Wait, where are you going?" Zann asked.
"We should see what's going on," she said.
Everyone headed out the front door. Zann sighed, not very interested in another protest.
But his best friends were following the crowd, so Zann followed too.
"It's at the palace square," one of the kids called.
"Let's zap there so we don't miss anything."
The kids from First City started disappearing. Perda grabbed Zann's hand.
"You'll have to zap us there," she said.
"I don't remember how to get to the palace."
Zann nodded, grabbing Gliss with his free hand.
She was already holding onto Darb's arm.
"Zap!" Zann cried.
When they landed, Zann saw a massive crowd in the square outside the palace. People waved signs and shouted.
"Wow," Perda said. "This is crazy!"
Zann nodded. "I can't believe the king and queen are allowing a protest like this so close to the palace."
Just then Laddno stepped into view near the palace doors.
"This is an important day!" he shouted. "Please welcome my esteemed guests."
The palace doors opened, and the king and queen walked out.
"What's going on?" Gliss said. "They're not joining his movement, are they?"
"We have an important announcement," the king said. His voice sounded shaky.
The queen took her husband's hand. "The king and I are stepping down as your leaders—immediately."
Zann felt stunned. Some people shouted out in dismay, while others cheered.
"Wow," Perda exclaimed. "This is really—"
"Aah!" Another mysterious Share suddenly seized Zann.
Images of rolling waves filled his mind.
He heard the voice again. Who was it?
Zann squeezed his eyes shut and tried to focus on the voice. A terrified-looking face flashed into view.
Zann gasped, and his eyes popped open. His friends were staring at him.
"Did it happen again?" Perda asked.
"Yes," Zann said. "I know who's trying to contact me."
"Who?" Gliss asked.
Zann gulped. "It's Ello!"
"From Skellia?" Darb exclaimed.
Zann nodded, thinking back to the drowning world they'd visited and the boy who'd helped them escape from it.
"Ello is still stuck in Skellia," he said grimly. "And he needs our help!"