"This is weird," Zann thought. "How can this woman not know about the Niffian towns we've seen?"
"We're sorry to have bothered you," Perda said, her voice shaking slightly. "Come on, you guys. Let's go."
She rushed away. Zann and Zing followed.
"Wait up," Yarb called. "Don't leave me in this smelly place!"
When they reached a meadow, Zann stopped. "Why don't we stay here for a little while and rest?"
Perda shook her head. "Not here. Not until we figure out what's going on."
Zann barely had time to grab Zing before Perda zapped the whole group to the wormhole. Soon they were back in the vortex.
Zann wasn't sure why Perda looked so scared. But now he was starting to worry too. Nothing about the worlds they'd found made sense.
"There's a wormhole," Perda said, reaching out to grab it.
When Zann pulled himself up beside her, he saw a world with purple trees and green grass. "This is Wyssa's home world!" he exclaimed. "I'm sure of it!"
They pulled themselves out. "Who's Wyssa?" Yarb asked.
Zann barely heard him. "This world has very weak magic," he said, remembering their previous visit.
Perda nodded. "It should be enough for us to create food and refresh our energy though. Let's look for people."
On their previous visit, Wyssa had purposely landed in a deserted area. She had been shunned by her people and didn't want to see them. She hadn't even told the kids the name of this world.
"Wyssa is so powerful," Zann said as they walked, with Zing flying overhead. "Maybe someone here knows how to contact her. We could ask her to take Yarb home, check on Mellis, and point us toward Magica."
They reached a small settlement. Several people emerged to greet them.
"Welcome!" an older man said. "Are you visitors to Roxo?"
"Is that the name of this world?" Perda asked. "Thanks for the welcome. We're from Magica."
"Magica?" The man furrowed his brow. "Is that a settlement in Niffia?"
A woman laughed. "Of course not," she said. "They have noses! They must be from Illumos or perhaps Skellia."
"No, we're from Magica." Zann was surprised that nobody seemed to recognize the name. "Well, except for Yarb," he added. "He's from Terrica."
"Terrica," the man said. "Isn't that the world you discovered a few years ago, Tassa?"
A young woman stepped forward. Zann blinked. "Wow, you look like a younger, taller, friendlier version of Wyssa!" He immediately regretted saying that. What if these people were still mad at her?
But Tassa didn't look mad. She looked confused. "Who's Wyssa? Is she a friend of yours?"
"Sort of," Perda said. "She helped us a few times. We think she was born in this world."
The Roxons traded looks.
The older man shrugged. "I don't know anybody with that name."
Zann was surprised. He was certain that this was Wyssa's home world and that she was well-known.
"You've been to Terrica?" Yarb asked Tassa eagerly.
"Yes," Tassa replied. "But only a couple of times, since it doesn't have magic. I advised a woman I met there on some basic potions. I hope she was able to help her people by using them."
"Was her name Zira?" Perda asked.
Tassa nodded.
Perda gasped. "That's why Zira believed we came from another world, Zann! She already knew other worlds existed!"
"You're right," Zann said.
"This also explains how she knew how to make that purple healing potion she used on your arm," Perda said.
"Yes, I left her a supply of oogberry seeds I picked up in Niffia," Tassa said. "The berries make any magic stronger."
Perda smacked herself in the forehead. "I knew those berry bushes in her courtyard looked familiar! We saw Wyssa pick oogberries in Niffia, Zann, remember?"
Zann nodded. "If those berries make magic stronger, it's no wonder Zira got so good at magic so fast."
Perda looked grim. "I saw purple marks on some of her goons too," she said. "This explains why Zira has been letting Vilkor pretend to be leader. Those bushes are still growing. She's probably just waiting to gather enough oogberries to help her take total control over Terrica!"
Yarb looked confused. "What are you talking about? Who's taking over Terrica?"
"We'll explain in the vortex on the way back there," Perda said.
"What?" Zann was surprised. "I thought we were going home to Magica!"
"Now that we've guessed Zira's plan, we have to warn Mellis," Perda said. "Those berry bushes are growing fast. There's no time to waste!"
Zann imagined how nice it would be to reunite with his parents, Boz, and Darb. It would be even nicer to hand over all the problems in Terrica to the adults and let them take care of everything.
But he knew Perda was right. They had to help their friend.
Perda looked at Yarb. "We'll take you back with us," she told him. "Unless you'd rather stay here where it's safe."
"Yes, you are welcome to stay," the Roxon man said.
"Thanks, but I want to go home," Yarb said. "If Terrica is in danger, I want to help save it."
"Good," Perda said. "We'll tell you about friction on the way. Then you can share that knowledge with all your friends. The more people who know the truth, the less power Zira will have."
Tassa and the other Roxons looked slightly confused. But Tassa agreed to guide them back to Terrica.
"I'm the most skilled at navigating the vortex," she said.
Zann peered at her. "Are you sure you aren't related to someone named Wyssa?"
Tassa chuckled. "I'm sure. But I like the sound of your friend's name. Now let's get going."