*We last left our heroes after bringing Lierlo back to life, but he is now feeling unwell.*
Laurenza: *Looks at Lierlo.* Maybe we should let him get his rest.
Roreille: Yes, we should. Cassandra, are you coming?
Cassandra: Yes, I would like one.
Laurenza: What?
Cassandra: A cup of tea, milk, no sugar.
Laurenza: Well, there's a kettle in the kitchen...
Roreille: Actually, a cup of tea sounds very nice right now.
*Roreille and Laurenza leave.*
Thorn: Hmm. Come on, Cassandra, let Lierlo sleep.
Cassandra: I just want to look at him.
Thorn: Why?
Cassandra: Because he might be the one.
Thorn: The one... you were searching for?
Cassandra: Yeah, and he's blonde. So he gets bonus points.
Thorn: Err... yeah. Look, Cassandra, why are you searching for this person?
Cassandra: *Looks around.* This is a very nice room.
Thorn: Don't change the subject.
Cassandra: Because... because sometimes I feel that someone's missing. It's like a big hole that needs filling in. I have to find them so there will be no hole.
Thorn: And... it's not just anyone, it has to be a specific person that makes you feel a certain way?
Cassandra: I don't know. But I will know when I find them.
Thorn: Well, I wish you luck. *Leaves the room.*

*Cassandra stayed in Lierlo's room for the next couple of hours, only leaving once or twice. Lierlo is still fast asleep. She comes into the room from one of her little excursions and places a large block of cheese and a parsnip on the bedside table.*
Cassandra: I'm back. I thought you might be hungry so I brought some snacks. You don't want them...? Oh... more for me then. *Sits on the end of his bed.* I live in the Spirit World with my mum and dad. You live here? *Shifts towards Lierlo and gently moves his head into a nod. She puts on a deep, mock-male voice.*
Cassy-Lierlo: Yes I do, Cassandra.
Cassandra: Since I was little I've always wanted to find the person who was missing. Everyone thinks I'm slightly mad. Do you think I'm mad?
Cassy-Lierlo: *In the same voice.* No I don't, Cassandra.
Cassandra: Good. I think we could be best friends, don't you think so too?
Cassy-Lierlo: Yes I do, Cassandra.
Cassandra: I'm glad. I don't have many friends... Well, there is my one special friend, but no one else understands her like I do.
Cassy-Lierlo: I like to read and dance.
Cassandra: Really? Me too!
Lierlo: *His eyes flicker open.* Unh...?
Cassandra: I also like skipping games, don't you?
Lierlo: *Looks at her through bleary eyes.* What?
Cassandra: Do you want your snacks now? *Hands him the cheese and parsnip.*
Lierlo: I'm not hungry...
Cassandra: *Takes the parsnip and pokes him with it.* You should eat something, 'cos you puked up and your stomach'll be all empty.
Lierlo: *Closes his eyes again.* I'm not hungry...
Cassandra: Don't go back to sleep. Conversations aren't half as good when people are asleep!
Lierlo: *Climbs out of bed and stumbles out of the room. He heads towards the bathroom, clutching his stomach. He reaches the bathroom, only to find the door locked. The sound of running water and singing can be heard. He knocks on the door.* Who's in there?
Kuja: "Oooh ooh ooh la la la..." Wait your turn!
Lierlo: Please, hurry up!
Kuja: Go behind a bush or something!
Lierlo: *Slumps against the bathroom door.*
Kuja: Kicking the door won't make me go any faster. "La la la LAAAA!" Man, I'm good! I could get a record deal.
Lierlo: *Brings his knees up to his head and buries his face in them.*
Thorn: *Comes round a corner.* Lierlo? Are you okay?
Lierlo: *Shakes his head.*
Thorn: Are you going to be sick again?
Lierlo: I feel sick, but there's nothing to throw up.
Thorn: Come on, you can use Laurenza's ensuite...

*They go to Laurenza's room and Thorn has the joy of hearing the sounds of Lierlo vomiting in Laurenza's bathroom. After a couple of minutes or so he comes back out, again pale and shaky, and his eyes watering slightly.*
Thorn: Are you okay?
Lierlo: Stop asking me that... I feel awful.
Thorn: Sorry. You should get a proper meal… you haven't eaten in ages...
Lierlo: I'm not hungry.
Thorn: Lierlo, you've got to eat.
Lierlo: I don't think I'll be able to keep it down.
Thorn: I'm sorry. I can't make you feel better.
Lierlo: It's okay. I'll probably feel better in a few days or so. It's most likely just a... *Pauses to wince and clutch his chest, and then falls unconscious.*
Thorn: Lierlo! *Kneels over Lierlo's body.* Lierlo! *Slaps his face a little.*
*No response.*
Thorn: Damn...*Lifts up Lierlo and takes him back to his room.*
*Cassandra is still in there, now joined by Roreille.*
Roreille: Thorn! Is he okay?
Thorn: He was vomiting and then he just collapsed...
Roreille: Oh Lierlo... *Strokes Lierlo's hair and one of her fingers catches the symbol on his forehead.* Oh... that's odd...
Thorn: What?
Roreille: He feels different... I mean, his aura feels different to what it did before he died... It feels like... like something is not all there...
Thorn: You think we did the spell wrong?
Roreille: No... not the spell. Just a moment... That Neko girl, Kitzie, split Lierlo into his two different sides, am I right? Lierlo told me she did that. But his dark side did not come with him into the bird's body... That means he is... only half a person...
Thorn: Oh my god...
Roreille: Lierlo... he cannot survive as only half a person...
Thorn: Isn't there some way...?
Roreille: If we could find his dark side and put it back in him...
Thorn: But wouldn't that mean that his dark side would haunt us every night?
Roreille: That may happen, yes, but would you rather have him... like this? *Gestures to the fainted Lierlo.*
Thorn: *Shakes his head.* I don't know...
Roreille: *Sternly.* Well, I know what I would rather have. A person's essence is like energy. It cannot be destroyed, only transformed into something else. You may think it has gone, but it has actually become something very small and hard to notice. Therefore, Lierlo's dark side must still be around somewhere. Perhaps I should check the Spirit records to see if he has become a sun... *Smiles some.* But if he is anything like his other half, he will not have abided by the rules...
Thorn: *Nods.*
Roreille: I will check them nonetheless. I shall be back soon. *Teleports to the Spirit World.*
Cassandra: *Tries to lift Lierlo's bed.*
Thorn: He won't be under there.
Cassandra: How do you know?
Thorn: Because... evil Cielnoir Spirits don't cower under beds.
Cassandra: But didn't you listen to what that Loonybra said?
Thorn: Loonybra? Her name is Roreille!
Cassandra: Ok... Didn't you listen to what Roreille said? He might be the bed, you know?
Thorn: Just... I don't know.
Cassandra: Don't you worry. I'll go look around here on a special mission to find him! *She walks out the room.*
Thorn: *To himself.* I'm sure he'll make himself more visible come nightfall...

*A few minutes later, Cassandra returns. She has brought with her a pot plant, a tube of toothpaste, a pair of underpants, a badminton racket, a light bulb and Kitzie.*
Cassandra: All of these looked very suspicious to me.
Thorn: Kitzie?
Kitzie: Hey Thorny! I'm on a special secret mission!
Thorn: Look, this is insane! You're both... child's play is not going to get this done! *He storms off outside the castle.*

*Outside in the grounds, Tifanel, wearing beige overalls, is doing some gardening.*
Tifanel: *Leans on his rake.* All right, Thorn?
Thorn: *Sighs and shakes his head.*
Tifanel: What's up?
Thorn: It's Lierlo...
Tifanel: Ah... Laurenza said the little guy's not fairing so well. I'm sure he'll get better though.
Thorn: It's... not that simple. It's something to do with his... Cielnoir side. We know they got separated that night and now we've brought him back it's like he's... half a person.
Tifanel: Whoa, that's no good...
Thorn: Roreille's doing what she can.
Tifanel: Goodo. *Turns back to his gardening and spots something moving among the plants. He lifts his rake ready to hit it.* Damn, the bugs here get pretty big...
*From among the leaves, the small, flat head of a snake pokes through.*
Tifanel: Wahh!
Thorn: What is it? *Sees the snake.* Oh...
Tifanel: Kill it! Kill it! Kill it! *Hits it hard with the rake.*
*The snake recoils, momentarily dazed. It then shakes itself off, lunges at Tifanel and sinks its fangs into his arm.*
Tifanel: Eeee…
Thorn: *Grabs the snake by the tail and wrenches it out of Tifanel's arm. He then cracks it like a whip on the ground, breaking the its back. He drops the snake and goes to Tifanel.* Are you okay?
Tifanel: Yeah, I'll be fine. If it was poisonous, it don't matter. I'm immune to most poisons and stuff, which is one upside of being what I am.
Thorn: What you are…?
Tifanel: Doesn't matter.
Thorn: *Nods.*
Tifanel: *Goes back to raking.* I hope there aren't many more of them around. I've just never had much love for snakes.
Thorn: They're okay, if you know how to kill them.
Tifanel: Obviously not with a garden rake.
Thorn: Hmmm.
Roreille: *Appears suddenly.* Oh, there you are, Thorn. I wondered where you had gone. Cassandra thinks you did not like her efforts to help us and she is a little upset.
Thorn: Well, she's just being stupid.
Roreille: She doesn't think she is.
Thorn: Well, she's insane.
Roreille: Just because some see the world in a different way to you do, it does not mean they are insane.
Thorn: ...Maybe not. I'm sorry. I guess I'm just a little agitated.
Roreille: Well, I have some good news, I think. The records do not say anything about a new sun being created in the last week or so.
Thorn: So where could Lierlo's other half be now?
Roreille: That is the bad news, I suppose. He really could be anywhere, most likely residing in the body of another, like Lierlo did.
Thorn: Wouldn't some kind of location spell help?
Roreille: Will you be able to home in on his essence, even if it is part of another?
Thorn: Essences aren't destroyed, right? They're just moved... I should be able to.
Roreille: That may be the answer, then. *Spots the snake carcass and goes to it for a closer look.* How did this die?
Thorn: I broke its back.
Roreille: You should be a little more careful. How do you know this animal was not the one carrying Lierlo's essence?
Thorn: I... didn't.
Roreille: *Picks it up and looks it over.* You were lucky this time. There are no special features or markings. If he had been in this animal, he would have left some kind of recognisable sign on it, such as the gold plumage on the sparrow.
Thorn: Right.
Tifanel: *Drops his rake.* Ooops. I've been squishing bugs all morning. I hope he wasn't one of 'em...
Roreille: Perhaps this location spell should be performed so we can stop worrying?
Thorn: Right. *Starts to perform his location spell. He kneels down and waves his hands in a circular motion on the ground.* Reveal to me, let my mind see…*The circle of ground starts to glow and a liquidy picture of what appears to be a nest of sorts is shown, full of snakes.*
Thorn: He's in there.
Tifanel: Ugh... what a place to choose.
Roreille: *Squints at the image.* Is that in Loliusin Hollow?
Thorn: Maybe.
Roreille: Well, there is only one way to find out. *Jumps into Thorn's circle.*
Thorn: *Jumps in too.*
Tifanel: They must be crazy... *Returns to his gardening.*

*The two arrive in Loliusin Hollow. Although it has lost its cloud of darkness, they are quite deep in the forest so little light can penetrate the thick canopy of trees. They are surrounded by a large amount of the same kind of snake Tifanel found earlier on.*
Thorn: How do we tell which one is the one we want?
Roreille: Look for one that stands out, but be quiet, I think they are all sleeping. *She slowly walks forward, examining them.*
Thorn: *Starts to look at the different snakes.*
Roreille: Oh, look! *She points to a sleeping purple snake, coiled up among the mass of green ones. She steps towards it and treads on a branch. It cracks loudly.*
*The purple snake opens its eye and they are a startling orange. It hisses and spreads two blue wings. Rapidly, the other snakes also awaken and begin advancing towards Roreille and Thorn.*
Roreille: Oh dear.
Thorn: *Jumps up and wrenches a branch of a tree. He ignites the end of it with Magick and waves it at the snakes.*
*The snakes back away from him.*
Roreille: *Begins knocking back the snakes coming towards her with wind Magick.* Thorn, can you try and get to the purple one?
Thorn: Right. *He starts dodging through the snakes, beating them off with a series of fire stick and Magick blows.*
Roreille: Wind Tunnel! *Traps a few snakes in a triangle of wind and reaches the purple one. It coils around her leg and trips her up.*
Thorn: Roreille...*Jumps again and grabs an overhanging branch. He uses it to swing over to her.*
Roreille: That was not nice! *Wrenches the snake off her ankle and throws it against a tree.*
Thorn: Careful… We can't kill it, remember? *He takes off his jacket and wraps the snake in it, tying it up.* I just hope it won't get out. Come on. *He teleports out of there.*
Roreille: *Teleports after him.*

*Back in the castle grounds, Tifanel is still there.*
Tifanel: What've ya got there, Thorn?
Thorn: Lierlo's Cielnoir side.
Tifanel: He's a jacket?
Thorn: ...He's in the jacket.
Tifanel: Don't tell me... He was one of the snakes?
Thorn: Yes.
Tifanel: Take it inside. Keep it away from me!
Thorn: Roreille, what should we do with it now?
Roreille: Perhaps we should take it to Lierlo.
Thorn: Right.
*Thorn takes the snake inside the castle and up to Lierlo's room, with Roreille following him.*

*In Lierlo's room, Cassandra is still there, once again talking Lierlo who is out cold.*
Cassandra: And then in year 3 I found out I like to dance... Oh hello, Thorn and Roreille. What have you got in your jacket?
Thorn: A snake. It's very probably Cielnoir Lierlo's new form.
Cassandra: *Grabs Thorn's jacket and opens it, taking hold of the snake.* It's not a snake. You know, he looks just like a friend of mine.
Thorn: *Rolls his eyes.* Really?
Cassandra: It's a Cywyrm and it looks just like my friend Syleshia.
Thorn: So... it's not Lierlo.
Cassandra: *Holds the Cywyrm loosely, letting it bite her fingers.* I said it looks like Syleshia, not it is Syleshia.
Thorn: Right.
Cassandra: *Puts the Cywyrm on Lierlo's bed.*
*The Cywyrm instantly coils itself around Lierlo' shoulders and a dark light shoots from it into his chest.*
Cassandra: Wow, that was super-neato. Do that again.
Lierlo: *Slowly opens his eyes.*
Thorn: Lierlo?
Lierlo: Hello… *Rubs his eyes.*
Thorn: Are you okay? *Looks at his chest.* Did your two sides join together again...?
Lierlo: What? What do you...? ...Oh yes, yes they have...
Roreille: Are you okay?
Lierlo: I'm feeling much better now than I was, all except for one thing.
Thorn: What?
Lierlo: All my evil thoughts and feelings are back. *Sighs.* But I guess that's always how I'm going to feel, I'll just have to learn to deal with it.
Thorn: We'll help you.
Lierlo: Thanks, I think I'm going to need it. *Shivers a little.* Ooh, is it just me, or is it a bit chilly in here?
Cassandra: *Climbs into bed next to him.*
Lierlo: *Gives her a strange look.* Um... this isn't a public bed.
Cassandra: I'll keep you warm. *Puts her arms around him.*
Lierlo: Help...
Thorn: Cassandra, get out of there.
Cassandra: But he said he was cold. I'm nice and warm, so I'll share my warmth.
Roreille: But are you not stepping over a few lines just climbing into bed with him like that?
Cassandra: Not really.
Lierlo: It's okay... I'll put on a jumper. *Slips out of bed and backs away slowly from it.*
Thorn: You should get something to eat now you feel better, Lierlo.
Lierlo: That sounds good to me. I'm starving.
Cassandra: I've some cheese and parsnip left if you want it.
Thorn: I'll ask Tifanel to make us something. Come down to the dining hall.
Lierlo: Okay, I will. *Gives Thorn and Roreille a look that seems to say: 'Help! crazy woman!'*
*They both smile back at him and then head down to the dining hall.*

*They sit down at the table. All the while, Cassandra has been holding on to Lierlo's arm and refusing to let go.*
Lierlo: Please get off... *Tries to pry her off him.*
Cassandra: But your arm looks so empty without someone holding on to it.
Lierlo: Why me? Why me?
Cassandra: Because you're blonde.
Lierlo: So? Lots of people are also blonde. Li is blonde!
Cassandra: Don't care. Your blonde is the most super-nice-pretty-sweet.
Roreille: I would start to worry if she sets up a fan club for your hair...
Lierlo: It's not fair. You don't know anything about me, how do you know you like me?
Cassandra: Because you're blonde.
Lierlo: Argh!
Tifanel: *Walks in, apron clad, with a tray covered with a lid.* This is my secret, most special recipe.
Roreille: Chicken doria? Shrimp au gratin?
Tifanel: Nope. *Lifts the lid.* Bacon butties. *Grins.*
Lierlo: Mmmm.
Cassandra: I'll take mine with gherkins and chocolate spread.
Thorn: *Shudders.*
Tifanel: Yeah... I'll leave you to fix your own... *Hands the sandwiches to the others.*
Lierlo: *Eats very quickly.*
*The Cywyrm is still coiled around Lierlo's shoulders. It lifts its head up and takes a bite out of a fold of bacon that is poking out the sandwich.*
Tifanel: Eeee… *Moves to a seat further away from Lierlo.*
Thorn: Err... Lierlo? Do you really want to have that snake with you?
Lierlo: *Looks down.* Oh, I didn't notice it was there. Go on, shoo. *Tries to coax it off him, but it won't budge.* I don't think it wants to move.
Thorn: Roreille? Could that snake being there have something to do with keeping Lierlo's dark side in his body?
Roreille: It might do.
Cassandra: *Walks up to Thorn and pokes him hard in the chest.* It's not a snake!
Thorn: Oh, yeah... sorry, Cywyrm.
Cassandra: Better. *Goes back to clinging on to Lierlo's arm like a barnacle on the hull of a ship.*
Lierlo: I thought I was free for a moment, but no such luck...
Cassandra: *Grabs Lierlo into a full hug.* We're best friends. Best best best best best friends!
Lierlo: Will you just get off me, you creepy little weirdo?! *Stands and throws her off him.* But I'm sorry, you must be deprived. They probably don't let you hang all over people at the institute.
Thorn: Lierlo!
Lierlo: Hmm?
Thorn: You can't just talk to her like that... well, not to her face, anyway.
Lierlo: *The symbol on his forehead flickers purple.* You can't tell me what to do.
Thorn: Oh my god...
Roreille: Lierlo!
Lierlo: *It changes gold again.* Yes?
Roreille: Are you... feeling all right?
Lierlo: Yes, why?
Roreille: Do you not remember what you just said?
Lierlo: I said, 'you can't tell me what to do.' It was only two seconds ago. What's the matter Roreille? Hit your head and you're losing your memory?
Thorn: And you don't think you did wrong to say those things to Cassandra?
Lierlo: It's not like you don't say those sorts of things yourself.
Thorn: But... it's not like you to say them. I think... what we're trying to get at here is... I think your dark self is showing his face...
Lierlo: *Finishes his sandwich.* Mmm, best bacon sandwich I've had in a long time. Now if you excuse me, I need to go and do something. *Leaves.*
Roreille: Thorn...
Thorn: I know.
Roreille: It's like he's... do you think he's suffering from schizophrenia?
Thorn: No. I just think it's his dark and light side taking turns.
Cassandra: I like dark chocolate.
Roreille: How nice for you.
Cassandra: *Humming to herself, she walks out of the room.*
Thorn: So... I don't think there's anything else we can do.
Roreille: *Sighs.* I guess that is the way he is going to be.
Thorn: He'll learn to control his darkness. I know I did.
*Just then, Adrienne, Alicia and Laurenza walk in the room.*
Alicia: Woo! Bacon butties! *Grabs one.*
Adrienne: *Goes up to Thorn.* Hi honey!
Thorn: Hmm... Hi.
Adrienne: We've been teaching Miss First-Timer here how to use Spirit Beast powers.
Alicia: She's crap!
*Adrienne hits her gently.*
Alicia: Uh, I mean, there's room for improvement...
Laurenza: *Smiles some.* We passed Lierlo in the corridor just now. It's good to see he's up and about.
Thorn: In a manner of speaking...
Laurenza: What do you mean?
Thorn: His dark side is showing... We really should get a message board. I just keep having to explain... Oh, sorry.
Laurenza: Oh...
Alicia: I'm gonna go home now, sis.
Adrienne: Okay, take care, sweetie.
*They hug. Alicia pockets another bacon sandwich and teleports away.*
Adrienne: *Goes back to Thorn and squeezes him.*
Thorn: Hmmm...
Adrienne: Cheer up, darling.
Thorn: I'll try. I guess Lierlo can just be told he's a good person deep down by the person he loves. That might help...
Adrienne: Smile for me.
Thorn: *Smiles.*
Adrienne: There you go. You're much cuter when you smile.
Thorn: Heh heh...
Lierlo: *Comes back into the room, blushing slightly.*
Thorn: Lierlo? Something wrong?
Lierlo: Cassandra just kissed me...
Laurenza: *Turns to Roreille.* I told you she liked him.
Roreille: Be quiet.
Lierlo: I tried to push her away but she was very insistent!
Cassandra: *Coming back into the room.* Why'd you run off?
Lierlo: Gah! *Hides under the table.*
Thorn: Cassandra, leave Lierlo alone.
Cassandra: But he's blonde!
Thorn: That isn't an excuse to chase him around and force him to do things he doesn't want to do...!
Cassandra: But we're the bestest best best best friends!
Thorn: So you'll respect what he wants and want good things for him. Which is why, if you really are his friend, you should leave him alone.
Cassandra: Oh, okay... *She sits down on a chair, looking a little sulky.*
Roreille: Lierlo, will you come out from under there? I want a word with you.
Lierlo: Is it safe?
Roreille: Yes, now come on.
*Lierlo comes out from under the table, and he and Roreille go and stand in a corner. They talk.*
Adrienne: *Sits on Thorn's lap.* So, what have you been up to?
Thorn: Nothing much...
Adrienne: Miss me?
Thorn: Of course.
Laurenza: Isn't funny how you are able to do things and not know you can do them? I didn't know I could change into a giant flying cat.
Thorn: Yeah, well, life's full of little surprises.
Adrienne: Heheh, maybe I should change into my Hell Hound form and chase her around the castle. Woof!
*Lierlo and Roreille come back to the table. Roreille is now in tears.*
Thorn: Roreille? What's wrong?
Roreille: *Sniffles.*
Lierlo: Oh, come on. It's not as if I'll never see you again. *He turns to Thorn and the others.* She wants me to come back to the Spirit World, but I refused.
Roreille: But I will miss you so much, Lierlo. I have been missing you since you left...
Laurenza: You're welcome to stay here, Roreille.
Roreille: Thank you, but I have duties in the Spirit World.
Lierlo: *Hugs Roreille.* You take after father, duty before friendship...
Roreille: *Kisses Lierlo on the cheek.* I love you. *She then goes to Thorn, gets Adrienne to shift and hugs him.* Thank you for all your help, Thorn. Please look after Lierlo... *Kisses Thorn on the cheek.*
Thorn: I will.
Adrienne: *Scowls.*
Thorn: *Sees this and kisses Adrienne on the cheek.*
Roreille: Take care of yourself, Lierlo.
Lierlo: Come and visit us sometime.
Roreille: I will. Goodbye, everyone. *She teleports back to the Spirit World.*
Cassandra: *Bursts into tears.*
Laurenza: What's the matter, Cassandra?
Cassandra: *Sobs.* Roreille cried and Lierlo hugged her, so if I cry he'll hug me!
Lierlo: Um... there there... *Pats Cassandra on the shoulder.*
Cassandra: *Glomps him.*
Lierlo: *Tries to struggle out of her grasp.*
Adrienne: Isn't that adorable?
Thorn: Err...
Laurenza: Need a crowbar, Lierlo?
Lierlo: Might be useful, yes.
Laurenza: Oh Lierlo, I've just remembered. *Holds out her wrist and undoes Lierlo's chain.* Would you like this back?
Lierlo: Yes, thank you, Laurenza. *He takes it and puts it on his own wrist.*
Cassandra: *Screams some.* That chain!
Lierlo: What about it?
Cassandra: *Grabs his wrist and puts it next to her own arm. She rolls up her sleeve to reveal an identical chain.*
Laurenza: Hey look, you match.
Cassandra: *Turns her chain over. The inscription reads, 'CASSANDRA.' She turns Lierlo's chain over, to show 'APATHY.'* It's you! It's you! It's you! *Hugs Lierlo tight enough to suffocate him.* Apathy! Apathy! I've finally found you!
Lierlo: *Chokes.* I don't understand...
Cassandra: *Lets him go.* You're the one I've been searching for! Mother said that my chain was one of two but never said who the other belonged to... You're the missing person! Apathy Ververte!