Chapter 20: Eternia

“Eternia...” Orko was overwhelmed.

“It’s beautiful,” breathed Vivi.

“Hey, Orko, is that the same swamp where you lost your wand?” Dregan asked, pointing.

“Yes,” Dregan grinned.

“Natar, land nearby. I want to see this swamp.” The Twilight Dragon landed obediently on the largest patch of solid ground as close to the swamp as he could get, and the four slid off his back.

“It’s just a swamp,” Orko said. “Why do you want to see it?”

“You’ll see.” They entered, and were soon retracing the same path Orko and Adam had walked when the Trollan had first arrived. If any of the plants that had harassed the Trollan that fateful day meant the four ill, the sight of Dregan and Zentarou's swords kept them at bay. Soon they came to the end of the road. The swamp looked up before them, but was no barrier after a brief levitation spell on the three earthbound mages.

"This is it," Orko said after a bit. "This is where I first met Adam and Cringer." The other three were silent, and Orko began to suspect they were speaking with the pendants but excluding him. Then Dregan placed a hand on Orko's shoulder, and casted. A wavy image appeared of the events that had happened, as if through Orko's eyes. Zentarou watched intently, especially where the wand-chomping monster vanished into the fetid water and mud. He studied the swamp, slowly hovering over it, before smiling.

"Should be here," he announced as the image faded.

"What are you three doing?" asked Orko. But he got only mischievous smiles for answers, as Vivi lifted his staff. But, for once, his spell was aimed not at himself, but at the swamp under Zentarou's feet. Carefully a ring of flame formed on the surface of the muck, which began to burn away. Dregan floated over.

"See it?" asked Zentarou, focusing on a spell.

"Yeah. Here goes." Vivi and Zentarou still focused on their spells, and Dregan enacted one of his own, holding out his arm towards the ring of fire below. Yellow light rippled around his hand.

"What are you doing?" Orko asked a second time, beginning to have a funny feeling he knew, but it didn't seem possible.

"You'll see," Vivi chirped cheerfully.

"Almost... little on out to me..." Dregan coaxed, focusing hard, straining as if pulling against the grip of the swamp gunk. Suddenly something shot clear of the swamp, nearly beaning a leaning-over Zentarou in the head, and nicking Dregan's outstretched hand as it shot high into the sky. "Ooops," chuckled the elf, shaking his hand a bit as Zentarou felt his fur, grinning. "Too much pull, hehehe." Easily, he reestablished a telekinetic hold on it and brought the muddy item to him, and then they floated back over to Vivi and Orko. Then, with a grin, Dregan extended his hand to Orko.

On his open palm rested Orko's long-lost wand.

Orko was speechless, eyes wide as he saw that which he thought was gone forever.

"We talked about it a few nights ago," Vivi explained. "We decided that when we got here, if we could, we'd find your wand."

"This is it, right?" asked Dregan, ruby and gold eyes twinkling playfully. Orko nodded, finally able to reach and take it.

"It's... my wand... Trolly-molly..." His hands trembled as he wiped away the last of the swamp goo. It felt warm to the touch, no damage in the least, and for the first time since it's loss Orko felt whole. At last he was able to pull his eyes from it, to look at his mage friends. "Thank you."

"Now the next time something tries to mess with us," Zentarou quipped, "they'll have to deal with the Bretheren Arcanum at full strength." One of the plant-beasts made an attempt at Vivi, and Orko, on instinct used his wand and blasted it to nothingness.

"Yay!" he cheered. "My magic is working again!" The other three laughed along with him sharing in his joy, as he flipped a quick loop. "Lets hurry to Eternos City," the Trollan encouraged as he darted back around the path," so I can tell everyone: Orko the Great is back!"

Author's Note: Another post-note again. I'm really not sure if the whole thing with Orko and the swamp is accurate, but from my best memories and a few screenshots I"ve seen, that's what happened. And I couldn't resist returning his wand to him. After all, he should be able to cast as well as the rest of them. It's only fair. Plus, I can never seem to resist doing that kind of thing, returning lost items or mending old friendships, in my fanfics. When I update a few older ones, and post them, you'll see what I mean.