Drift of the Leaf

**Drift of the Leaf** is the third book of the Fantiverse. The POV is Zayn.

## Summary

Zayn’s childhood friend returns to Salamvalley, and Zayn has to cope with his new relationship with him.

## Plot

Springtime in Salamvalley, Zayn gets up early to be greeted by Fyrinem, who attempts to drag him to a Tayon Swirl concert. Zayn is rather vague about his response, although seems relatively okay with going. However, their conversation is cut short by a text from Hari saying that he's coming back, instantly sending Zayn into a panic, as he wonders what Hari could be coming back for, panicking about how to act around him. This culminates in Zayn talking to his friends about it over text till they give him a pep talk. Later on, however, when Hari does arrive, Zayn goes to greet him, which results in incredible awkwardness between both of them as clearly neither of them know what they want in their new relationship. Hari sleeps outside in his tent, and Zayn seems too eager to get to know him again. Later that day, Rolo is hosting a Pulsepauser watch party at her house, to which Zayn decides to invite Hari, something that Orris, Fyrinem and Rolo agree with. Once Hari gets there and they start watching, the group ends up having a wonderful time altogether, bonding over the show and discussing it. Zayn is incredibly happy to have Hari back, and it seems like things are going well. However, once he and Hari walk outside to go back, something odd happens but Hari is quick to dismiss it, and Zayn doesn't seem to know how to deal with it.

That night, Hari asks over text Zayn if he knows anything about Hevu. Zayn tries to do some research on him, which gets him nowhere. Hari dismisses it and the two of them head to sleep. The next day, Zayn talks Javier, who encourages him to ask Hari to hang out, which Zayn ultimately does, inviting Hari to watch a movie with him that night. Zayn has to go through a session with Nazia in which the two of them talk about Zayn's worries and insecurities about Hari leaving, leading to Zayn feeling bad for his wanting to be around Hari, yet also guilty for his inability to help. This culminates until Hari arrives, and so he and Zayn begin watching "Frosted" in which they bond again, have an amazing time, and Zayn feels truly hopeful once more. However, once he walks Hari back to his tent, he notices something incredibly strange happening, and realizes that Hari is being possessed by a demon — Hevu. Zayn fights off Hevu temporarily, knowing that he'll come back eventually, and Hari confesses that the reason he came here was because he was dying, and he wanted to spend his last few days with Zayn.

The next morning, Zayn, Orris, Rolo, Fyrinem, Sana, Moonbeam and Hari discuss what is the best course of action, ultimately pushing Hari to say that he doesn't need help. At being prompted, Hari reveals that the reason for this was because he previously got his entire family killed and doesn't want the same to happen to them, leaving them all behind. Zayn feels defeated for some time until Orris texts him, and the two discuss what to do. Zayn finally decides it's time to come out with all the feelings, something that's only accelerated once he sees that Hari was just going to leave, essentially letting himself die. Zayn says that after they help him, Hari can leave, promising he won't try to stop him. Hari ultimately agrees to this, letting Zayn and his friends rescue him. So that night, they all prepare, Rolo using some of her gadgets to fight Hevu, but it ends up not working well, and Hevu comes out stronger. However, Zayn converses with him, distracting him while also revealing some of his more insecure aspects, which ends up gathering enough time for Sana to punch him as they destroy his form - although, it is apparent that this won't be the last they see of him, just the last that Hari will likely see of him. As Hari starts to leave, Zayn offers him to stay the night at least, which Hari agrees to. The next morning, Zayn, with no argument, helps Hari pack up, sticking to his promise that he'd let him go without protest. As all his friends and family wish Hari well, Zayn leads him to the edge of the forest until Hari says he'll go alone, where the two of them share a long, heartfelt hug. Zayn watches as he leaves, Hari promising he'll come back someday. After this, Fyrinem shows up and apologizes to Zayn for what happened. In spite of this, they're able to have some banter as Zayn agrees to watching Tayon Swirl, internally remarking that even though Hari's gone, he still has a wonderful friend group with him right now that's worth cherishing.

## Characters

Zayn

Hari

Fyrinem

Orris

Rolo

Sana

Hevu

Moonbeam

Nazia

Javier

Natasha (mentioned)

## Music

**Dryad's Dream by Vindsvept**

**Investigations by Kevin MacLeod**

**Look Busy by Kevin MacLeod**

**Wanderer by Vindsvept**

**A Night at the Eolian by Vindsvept**

**The Fae by Vindsvept**

**Daylight's End by Vindsvept**

**Carefree by Kevin MacLeod**

**Season Unending by Vindsvept**

**Sleeper by Vindsvept**

**Distant by Vindsvept**

**For the First Time In Forever Reprise by Kristen Anderson-Lopez & Robert Lopez**

**Gathering Darkness by Kevin MacLeod**

**Invocation by Vindsvept**

**Sombre by Vindsvept**

**Sacrifice by Vindsvept**

**Distant, part two by Vindsvept**