As Para walked the massive, vaulted halls of the palace he once called home, memories began to flood his mind. The small silhouette of a boy with dark hair, pale skin and bi-colored eyes, clad in blue and purple, dashed in and out behind the pillars that lined the halls, holding up the ceiling, creating arches in the marbled walls.

He would wait for the king and queen to pass before jumping out with a battle cry, startling the pair, in which resulted in a scolding. His heart longed to see his parents again, even if he didn't agree on how they ran their kingdom.

King Obsid and Queen Dai would rather make the lower class citizens of outside cities run the mines below the keep, instead of allowing Melaina's own citizens to run them. The miners were also under paid.

All the grandeur was to be given to Melaina's citizens and those who would pay a hefty price from outside the mountain's walls. The fortitude and natural barrier of the mountain kept the system in tact. There was only one way into the mountain and two ways out.

The main gate was the only entrance, unless you were a dragon. Para shivered at the memory. Villagers rushing past him and into the mines to escape, the other exit besides the gate. The mines went below the mountain and branched out, but one of the tunnels was an escape route that opened up near the Ashgahr River.

Far enough away from the mountain that whoever escaped would be safe, if they were targeted by trackers, they could easily plunge themselves with the river's water and avoid being snuffed out, plus the rafts kept near the river would provide further escape, making it seem as if they had given up and jumped into the river to their deaths, but the Melainians were clever. There was no doubt in his mind that his people were safe, for the time being and he would find them.

But why was Askerian afraid of getting caught by the drake? As the thought entered his mind, he reached the royal study and entered the large room through the emerald doors, walking over to a golden desk. He picked up a paper from the tall stack that lie there, needing to be done still. He was in his father's study.

Will it ever be the same? Something in his gut told him it wasn't over. I don't like this feeling. He thought to himself, just as a loud boom from a grandfather clock shook the walls.

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Up in the guest chamber, Àskérian stood by the large window at the back of the large common room. Soft blue moonlight cascaded the room and its inhabitants into an ominous color through Sapphire blue drapes that parted to reveal the night sky. A feeling of uneasiness kept him awake.

He glanced over at the wooden door that separated him from Ardent, feeling uneasy as he remembered their quarrel from hours ago. Sighing, he looked back out through the tall window and at the dark backdrop.

Up on the mountain top, especially from an upper floor of the castle, you could see the moon and stars without the trees blocking them. It gave a really nice view that stretched on for miles. The forest below met with the edge of the sky, the trees aglow in the pale blue moonlight. The moon sat proudly as it cast it's light on the world below. One more night and the moon would be full.

The loud resounding of a bell echoed throughout the palace, snatching Àskériàn from his thoughts. It sounded like the chime from a grandfather clock, the noise brought an suffocating air with it that slithered it's way up and across Àskériàn's skin. Once daylight came, they had to leave and he would make sure of it.

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Ardent awoke to a finger being pressed into her cheek. Opening one brown colored eye, she contemplated biting the appendage off of it's owner.

Àskériàn stood by her bed, his cloak in his other hand. "Well good morning to you too." She said, annoyance laced her voice.

"Get up. We need to leave." He ordered as he tossed the dark material at her.

"But we just got here!" Came the muffled reply beneath the fabric.

"Something isn't right." He said.

She pulled the fabric over her head to see the cloak laying there.

When she glanced up at him, his dark auburn eyes were scanning the massive room for what, she was uncertain of.

"Umm okay, why?" She asked, pulling the cape around her shoulders.

"We already got what we came for. We know the bear king is alive, but he is not here, so we will look elsewhere, but we need to return to the realm first."

She sighed at his words. He was right even if she wouldn't admit it. "Fine. Your logic makes sense." She got up from the queen sized, four poster bed and pulled the hood over her head.

Out in the kitchen, Ardent examined the smooth marbled countertops and glass stove.

"Who would of thought one could cook from something like this." She muttered.

"Its not ordinary glass." Para explained as he walked through the entrance of the guest wing. "A seer enchanted it. After all glass is just another form of mineral. It is made from tiny crystals being melded together. This glass just has a more magic property to it. So it will never melt."

She ran her fingers over the smooth edge." You know, something, I've met a seer--"

"Ah! This should do the trick." Àskériàn said, purposely interrupting her, taking his own pack from the counter. "Thank you." He glanced at Para.

"Are you sure, you don't want any help searching for your people?" Ardent asked again.

Para shook his head. "Its my people, my duty. Not yours."

"But Alexander--"

"Prince Para is right, my lady we need to get back to the realm, you don’t want another incident to happen do you?" Àskériàn cut her off for the second time, earning him a look that could rival a dagger throw.

"If I see the bear king, I'll let him know that his wife was looking for him." Para spoke softly.

With her shoulders slumped, she nodded her head, taking her pack from off the couch in the living area. "Thank you for the supplies. Are you sure you don't want to come with us to the realm?" She asked, not wanting to leave the prince alone in the vacant city.

"I believe we both have different missions to worry over right now." He said warmly.

"Very well." She replied giving in, reluctantly.

He smiled. "I could offer a tour of the palace, but because of the importance of our current situations, it would be a waste of time."

"If we come across your people, we will let them know its safe to return." Àskériàn replied, ushering the girl towards the door.

"Right, well, I will at least escort you out of Melainan territory." Para offered as he led them out into the main hall.

As they treaded down the long corridor with its pale walls and high ceiling adorned in an array of gemstones, paintings and ornate banners, they passed a marbled grandfather clock.

Ardent stopped in her tracks, mesmerized by the golden inlay of the hands and face of the clock. Each number was golden, but underneath lay a different gem for each one, set in a wooden circle, bringing out the colors and contrasting with the marbled frame.

A slow tick-tock resounded from the structure, pulling Ardent in. She didn't even notice the others were already at the end of the hall. Then the clock let out a loud chime.

Àskériàn spun around to face the unwelcomed noise, so familiar from the night. His gaze fixed on Ardent who was standing next to the clock in what seemed to be a fixed trance.

Para stiffened beside him.

"That's odd." Para said, " that clock shouldn't be going off like this."

Àskériàn glared at the prince. "So you heard it last night ?"

Para gave him a nod, puzzlement stretching across his features.

Heavy footsteps echoed through the hall as Àskériàn made a mad dash for his leader. His leather boots beat the scarlet velvet carpet. He grabbed her by the forearm and pulled her down the hall, trading her arm for her white clad hand.

"The heck was that?" She said breathless, breaking free from the trance she was in.

"You're not safe anymore." Àskériàn gritted through his teeth.

"I want us out of here. Now!" He ordered Para. The confused prince nodded. "Follow me." He said, dashing around the corner and down the flight of stairs.

"You." Àskériàn huffed, glancing to Para. "Its not safe for you either, come with us."

Ardent gave Para a pleading look as her knight pulled her along.

Para gave both of them pensive glances.

"I.. don't know." He said as they reached the bottom of the stairwell.

Suddenly, one of the chandeliers hanging from the ceiling began to sway, catching Àskérian's attention. He shoved Ardent toward the massive doors.

"Too late. Make your choice now!" He spat out at Para in frustration. They had wasted too much time. If only he had woken Ardent up sooner.

"I accept."

Àskérian threw open the massive doors and ushered Ardent forward. "Finally, lets go!" He shouted to Para over his shoulder.

When they stepped outside, they bolted down the main road through the city, heading straight for the mountain’s entrance. The sound of ominous laughter filled the air. It seemed to come from every direction.

Whoever they are, they are toying with us. Para thought to himself, taking mark of the enemy's tactics. He hated this type of fighting style. It was much better and more honorable to fight without cheep tricks.

As they reached the gate, he looked back over his shoulder to see small silhouettes rise above the buildings that lined the main road. "We may need to pick up the pace!" He called to the two in front of him.

Àskérian began cursing under his breath as they bolted through the stone opening.

Para gave the gate a longing look, but he knew it wouldn't stop the intruders. They had wings after all.

The group of heroes dashed as quickly as they could down the stairwell that seemed to stretch onward for miles in the dark. Ardent taking the lead with her sword out, flames dancing up it's blade, acting as their light source.

Irritation prickled against Àskérian's skin at the sight, she was either going to give away her identity, kill herself without trying or he was.

Finally they reached the wooded area at the base of the mountain, exiting the tunnel. Ardent stopped in her tracks, gasping for air.

Of course. I'm an idiot. I completely forgot she’s being hindered by the atmosphere. Àskérian cursed himself, stopping to let her catch her breath. "We gotta keep moving." He reminded her.

Para caught up to them a moment later. "I'm..." she huffed. "I'm alright. Just a bit winded." She began running again, but their enemy was one step ahead of them.

Àskérian watched in horror as the tiny creatures emerged from the trees and grabbed the hooded woman. "What!?" She cried. "Let me go!" She demanded before being lifted into the air.

"You let go of her!" Àskériàn growled. His command was met with more ominous laughter.

"Found her! We found her." The fae seemed to speak in unison.

Found her? Àskérian thought. So they knew who she was? How was he going to deal with this now?

"Found me? What do you want with me?" Ardent spat. Two of the spirited fae began tugging on the cape. "Wait! NO! DON'T!" They didn't listen and pulled off the only thing keeping her identity hidden.

The fae cried out in a triumphant tone as they revealed their prize.

She shoved her right elbow at the fae. The more she struggled, the more fae attacked.

"Àskérian!" She wailed. He reached out to her only to have be pulled up higher into the sky. They were carrying her above the tree tops, climbing higher and higher towards a giant violet sphere sitting in the sky.

Àskérian cursed under his breath and then, he switched to half-dragon mode. Para watched as black dragon wings sprung from Àskérian's shoulder blades. What in Gaia? He asked himself.

He watched as the dragon knight flew upward after the angel as Askerian simultaneously fought against the fae while Ardent was pulled closer and closer the sphere. Both men watched in terror as the angel's body was engulfed in the purple mist like ball.

Àskérian edged closer. He reached into the atmosphere of the violet ball. Electrical impulses shot up his arm, burning his skin in the process. The fae used the opportunity to drag him downwards toward the ground. He had two fae creatures attached to each leg and three on each arm.

"Give her back!" He spat. His demand was only met with more laughter from the fae.

"No can do! No can do!" The fae spoke in unison. A larger fae creature flew in front of Àskérian's face and met him at eye level. The rest of the fae stopped pulling him down, holding him hostage in mid air.

"Master Etah has plans for this woman." The larger creature spoke alone. This one had to be a leader of the fae army.

"What do you want with her?" Àskérian asked, his voice full of rage.

"Make her suffer! Make her suffer!" The rest of the fae spoke in unison flying about. Where are they all coming from? He thought to himself angrily. It seemed their numbers just kept multiplying.

On the ground Para watched the chaos unfold before him. Then fae creatures began to attack him. " You look like fairies." He spat. "But you are not as beautiful!" He said, swinging his sword at them as they appeared and disappeared into thin air. "All you do is use cheap tricks!" He yelled. Their way of fighting only made his anger rise.

.

"Àskérian! Àskérian!" The fae roared loudly.

"How do you know my name?!" He growled.

The larger purple fairy creature that was still keeping eye contact with him began its explanation. "You will suffer as well, cursed prince." Anger welled up inside him.

"How do you know about that?" His question was met with more laughter. "ANSWER ME!" He growled.

The fae in front of him then spoke up. "We were there. We know everything." There was an ominous glint of amusement in it's turquoise eyes.

"Tell me, does it still hurt. The curse that the dragon placed on you? As long as Lord Etah lives, you will suffer the mark." The creature said. Àskérian had enough of its taunting.

"First the angel will die, and then we will deal with you." It said before disappearing into thin air.

A thought crossed Para's mind as he listened to the fae taunt the dragon knight in the sky. Moria.

He swung his sword once more, dispersing the last of the fae from around him. He glanced upwards at Àskérian. "You." He began.

Àskérian shot him a look over his shoulder. "What about me?" He spat, his tone still held his anger in it.

"Prince Lorn Àskérian of Moria. That is who you are." He continued.

"So you know of me. And?" Àskérian said his anger rising all the more. He fidgeted at the fae who held him in place.

"So the wings on your back. They’re from that mark? You managed to harness it and use it for good." Para said.

"Very perceptive." Àskérian said, beginning to calm. "I need to get to her." He said.

"Why are they after her?" Para asked from the ground.

"They want her soul."