Goal One Complete

“So… that was strange,” Ryan mumbled, walking into the open area, her silver-violet Demon eyes continuously scanning the area. Her silver and dark grey, tiger-like ears stood up straight while her dark honey, diamond face showed just how much focus was invested into her listening. Anna followed with her hand on Ryan's bare shoulder since her deep green eyes were closed. Once inside the open area she squeezed Ryan's shoulder blinking her eyes open, heading towards Londra who had just lowered her privacy walls. They hugged while sharing a private conversation through glances and shrugs while using the wall to keep them upright. The others followed walking backwards, ready for battle. Marrow was the last in from their team. His dark brown, muscular body so tense the undertones of yellow looked cream. Wiping his moist hands on his dark yellow shorts he joined the others since nothing was moving but them.

“Never had M-Ms just let us stroll by,” Iris added, understanding Ryan’s quandary and stiffness. “This is going to be wild,” she added with a fake smile on her almond, diamond face. With a nervous hand she shook out her damp, short, green hair with black highlights while the other hand reached for Momo’s hand. He looked up into her face since she was in her Elemental form, which was ten inches taller, but she could shrink down to his height of five-six when she wanted to. He had a thin smile on his oval, deep honey face while his silver eyes showed hints of concern. Rus and Zeke were walking slowly but trying to appear that nothing was wrong, while Zerina and Cala followed holding the Feline Drakes watching their males holding each other up.

“What is the plan?” Zerina asked, scanning the open area. With a slight frown on her long, cinnamon face. Her deep blue eyes outlined with white, red, and silver focused on all the members that were barely standing. She jumped when Rus ran a brown hand through her short, turquoise hair to help free some gore. He then closed his oval, dark silver eyes leaning against her for a moment. She sighed, hating that there was nothing to be done to help him or her friends. Alpha rubbed against her before jumping down to join the other Feline Drakes gathering towards the middle of the open area.

“We should group up near walls so nothing can come from behind,” Robbie started taking inventory of the group trying not to watch Anna slowly moving with Londra near the back wall of the open area. His green eyes were still clear while there was little evidence that he was even in any purification battles since his buttercream skin and short, auburn hair were clean. Most around him still had green poison, brown-green blood, or sweaty blood moving down their bodies towards the ground to be purified.

“Nope,” Londra and Anna said in a strange unison leaning against each other. They stopped moving along the wall and headed towards the middle of the open area smiling at their furry friends. "Here," they said in unison again. Both nodding enough their long braids swayed.

“Circling up would be asking for failure,” Robbie started, looking around seeing many agree with him. He looked directly at Helen who shrugged with her light beige shoulders, her hands moving across her short, pleated, orange skirt drying the moisture with a bit of air magic. She was standing by Alex trying not to worry while her long, left, Elven ear was stiff. "How would we dodge if we are all together? Apart but within the same room gives us the chance to use small domes of protection until we get our breath back. There are not a lot of fighters, so this is the best chance for victory."

“Nope, hate walls. They are unforgiving and sharp during a battle. Not standing next to them until we are done to help hold me up.” Londra mumbled squeezing Anna's hand as Delta and Trinity circled their legs, careful not to tip them over. Delta carrying the lamp on his tail which made her smile. Another reason to choose a lamp.

“Mara, what do we have?” Delta asked innocently, letting Londra lean against him. Theda shrunk into his cat form jumping into her arms and snuggled with her and Anna.

“I can start,” Ryan chuckled, “he earned his snuggle.” Her tiger tail was gone with her ears now, showing that she was ready for an intense battle. Her short, black hair was stuck to her dark honey, diamond face in a way that made her look fierce. Her silver-violet Demon eyes were closed while Marrow held her hand. “There are eighty left… three Robbies, and four Fentens both with around a hundred soul pieces inside. Never thought it possible. Those M-Ms must be old and strong to have that kind of tolerance.”

“Or they had Anna's and Londra's magic to keep shoving them in. Next,” Iris continued watching Momo pull his swallowtail wings inside. “Male version of Londra, Anna, and Sasha. Only four of Sasha… fifteen of Londra, and eleven Annas.”

“Too many,” Mara sighed but nodded in agreement trying not to frown. She pulled her black wings in since Julius was mostly stable. Her violet-navy horns slightly glowing to aid in her magical vison. The glow softened her oval, ivory face with undertones of violet that was trying to create a fake smile. Her navy-blue Demone eyes were still moving around the area while Julius was swinging her long, blue-black hair to amuse himself. “Two Trentons and two Alexes. Then we finished with fourteen Zekes, twelve Juliuses, ten Ruses, and three Peters.”

“Sounds about right,” Londra nodded. “Okay, we need to do this fast. First, the master mind behind this is Robbie. So, whatever he thinks we should do the opposite. We are circling up; it is not up for discussion I am playing my Captain card. Trust me. Robbie is in the center of our circle. The nine of us start out behind the fighters, but that is a trick. Once the fighting starts… here is the hard part, you let us fight until we can’t anymore. Fenten will be with the fighters but needs to look drained. Robbie will be purifying until he can’t. Calla, Momo, Belle, and Alden are the main purifiers with Zerina and Helen adding if needed but those two should be fighting. Our Demons will only use physical attacks because we need to save the three of you to get out. I love you Trenton, but you are not teleporting, so feel free to use your magic as you see fit. Our female Felines will help with purifying and dispelling magic. Male Feline Drakes, your only job is to watch the Robbie look-a-likes. When you have a true opening take it. Momo, Iris, Fern, and Fenten will be taking on the Fenten look-a-likes when it is time, until then help where you are needed. We need to look pathetic when it starts. Fenten will be the only one that is acting.”

“No problems there,” Julius sighed, his hand in Mara's. His square, light tan face getting paler by the second wiping away sweat from his brow and pushing back his short, red hair. “Yea, I get it. It will make the fake Robbie mad that we are not following what is logical. I got a few in me…maybe until three are taken out.”

“I can handle five out of fourteen,” Zeke said with conviction, and closed golden eyes. His muscular body was ridged but his long, honey face looked relaxed as a true warrior's would. “Then I will sit and be dizzy while I silently cheer because if I open my mouth, I will toss up my breakfast. I should be able to use a few skills to help those around become stronger.” He held Calla's hand tight, encouraging her to smile with his fluttering golden eyes. She couldn't help but do so. Her light violet eyes tried not to focus on his worn features but just his relaxed face and lovely eyes. His other hand moved her long, golden braid trying to flirt a bit.

“It is a good plan,” Alpha stated showing his clean, white chest and black ears after he grew to his panther size. His amber eyes were daring anyone to disagree with Londra. He pushed Zeke and Rus towards their spots as they started to circle up. Zerina's nervous hands stroking his black back.

“Oh, Delta, your job is to move us back when we are done so the others don’t trip on us. Theda, Beta, and Alpha can handle the Robbies,” Londra said, sitting down behind Helen hoping she could get up when the time came. Helen nodded to let her know she was there to help when the time came. Helen took her stance, glancing one more time at Alex.

“I can help with magic when I go dizzy. Who needs to see a spell to counter it,” Anna stated, sitting down behind Ryan. “I think three or four mes then dizzy to the extreme and quiet. Don't want to lose more of my breakfast until after we are done with this mess.”

“I don’t like this plan,” Robbie sighed, standing in the middle of the circle with Momo, Calla, Belle, Alden, and the female Feline Drakes around him. The outside of the circle was Fenten who was pretending to look dazed, for what reason he didn't know but that is what Londra had told him to do. Iris, Mara, Ryan, Marrow, Zerina, Fern, Helen, and the male Feline Drakes finished up the outside circle. While the nine were sitting in between the two circles, looking and feeling horrible but slowly regaining a bit of strength from the togetherness.

Three minutes after they were in position the M-Ms began to flow in, slowly circling the team but waiting for instruction. As if they were afraid to act without orders. A white, male, M-M came in last looking around then let his body change. He now had wings like Robbie’s. A light beige and cream-colored M-M did the same gently flapping to keep their feet off the ground to look important. The ceiling was only twelve feet up so they couldn’t fly too high. Four others stood away from the circle around them, all dark blue in color. A moment later they were strange versions of Fenten, flying near the others.

“What a stupid plan,” the white M-M started smoothly, his voice so close to Robbie’s. “Must have let the females decide. Don't know why, they don't do anything for you. Too weak to get past their pain and serve their males. Well, we get to have fun today!” he motioned while the others cheered. “Snakes and lizards work with a few fat mages and make the ceiling higher, now!”

The tunnel began to moan and vibrate while pushing against the Holy Barrier. They all heard tunnels collapsing while the dust in the air became thicker. Now the ceiling was twenty-five feet from the ground yet still within the barrier. Robbie and Fenten had created the barrier to be thirty feet, so there was still a bit of room but the pull on their magic had both sighing.

“Better but not great,” one of the M-Ms with a Fenten face commented. “Why don’t they look afraid? Why does the feathered one and the fairy just look dazed. Did we not use enough pieces in the battles above to weaken them? You said they would look afraid when we showed them the faces of the pieces within us. Don’t tell me we should have listened to the slimy females.”

“I see nothing that changes the plan,” the light beige Robbie commented. “We kill Londra, Anna, Robbie, and Trenton then play with the others. It will be fun since they are all warriors. That is why they are not showing the fear building inside. But it is there, within their weak eyes as they look at us and see friends. So hard to fight a friend when they had none for so long!”

The cream-colored Robbie continued, “It will be fun to watch them loose their will to fight. The others above may win… for now. But when you all fall, they will be trapped in darkness and create so many high-level soul pieces. Then we will take their souls. This HIVE will grow even more powerful!” Now the others were cheering.

“Quick Idea,” Londra started. “Send a purifying wave out through the level. We may not get them, but maybe any items left. Plus, it will piss them off.” Nobody moved but she felt the magic of everyone combining with hers. She sent out the pulse, but it was so precise and well-crafted thanks to Anna, that the M-Ms didn’t seem to notice. But Mara nodded, meaning she didn’t sense any items left but the lamp in Delta’s possession.

“Attack!” one of the fake Fentens yelled. Fire, ice, and earth spikes hurled towards the circle, but they were being created… and destroyed almost instantly. Helen offered a hand to Londra who accepted it to stand, then did the same for Alex with a slight smile. The others had help up too. The nine that should have been worthless, stood and moved forward. Peter’s white ears twitched as Zeke, Alex, Julius, and Rus began to wager who would take a head first. Sasha changed forms, she would never be ashamed of her lovely snake tail again, especially when Londra was right there smiling at her. Trenton stood near Anna, helping to control the magic being hurled towards them. No reason for him to hold back on using magic since he wasn't teleporting them out.

“No! They shouldn’t be able to stand!” the white, M-M of Robbie yelled. Two M-Ms of Zeke, one of Peter, one of Rus, and one of Julius had been beheaded and the Purification Flames were pure and steady. There was pain but no fear in any of them. He flew towards the cream version and took its head. The real Robbie moaned and fell to his knees, but rainbow flames wrapped the M-M before it could regenerate. Katie rubbed against Robbie as her flames burned true.

“Get ready, Fenten. He is about to order the versions of you to shrink and start beheading to weaken us. Like we wouldn’t guess that,” Anna said through their link. She looked back to see Robbie struggling to stand while the others focused on the M-Ms.

“I am still going?” Momo wondered since he was purifying. “The link is a bit staticky.”

“That is probably because of the pain they are in,” Fern responded, quickly looking around. She fisted her fawn-colored hands and closed her vivid blue eyes for a second. “I say yes. Remember to let Fenten behead his first. That way Delta can move him back before he is unable to move. Trinity is ready to take over for you.”

"Yes, I can handle lots of purification spells," Trinity said in her slow, happy way.

“I am ready too,” Delta added, rubbing against Fern's legs. “The ladies have this. All four of them are wonderful at purifying. Unlike us who can only do a little bit.”

“Speak for yourself,” Alpha stated, his large black tail playfully hit Delta. There were a few chuckles that pushed the white M-M over. The screams echoed throughout the hive, so they all laughed to irritate the M-Ms more. Now the words came out, sharp and nasty with brown-green blood being flung at them, to which they just protected their faces. Then the anger boiled more as they spit poison while continuing with their onslaught of grotesque words.

“Go small and start beheading! If they can’t purify them within the time limit, they will come back stronger. If they can, it will take out the ten fighting, and the others will be alone. Nobody can dispel the fat mages spells other than the fat females,” it spat. “Go!”

Fenten smiled, nodding to Fern who was trying to stay positive then motioned to Iris and Momo. His oval, accented caramel face showed he was far from ready, but the smile was real since he was looking only at Sasha. Her evergreen eyes caught his light blue ones, so he tossed his short indigo hair with an almost steady hand causing her to smile through her own pain. 

Fern wondered if her cousin was brave or just crazy but nodded back with a slight smile on her soft-fawn, oval face. The nod was a bit dramatic, causing her violet braid to sway as her vivid blue eyes darted between Fenten and Trenton. Iris put a hand of comfort on her bare shoulder with conviction in her blue-indigo Demon eyes.

Fenten took off in his human size, letting all see his glorious, cicada shaped, transparent blue wings before shrinking quickly, knowing the others were right behind him. He zoomed towards the one he had set his sights on. With a lot of fancy flying, it was able to behead two while dodging Fenten before losing its head. Delta brought Fenten back to a waiting Londra. She touched him in just the right spots to turn him back to his human size with his wings inside. “Wow, lightning bug. You didn’t get anything on your wings. Too bad your face and lovely indigo hair is covered in yuck. Work on your breathing.”

Anna chuckled, watching Theda and Beta work to take her spot. She then interrupted the spells coming at them with a thin smile on her heart-shaped, pale, light tan face. "Like I can't handle those easy spells," she whispered.

“How… can … you… even… talk,” Fenten whispered, noticing that Helen had taken Londra’s place. She was good at dispelling magic too, but he could also tell that Londra was doing most of it with Anna. He closed his light blue eyes to help with the pain and dizziness attacking him.

“Your turn, Marrow,” Zeke moaned, sitting down next to Nala whose violet tail patted him while she was concentrating on purifying. He ran a shaky, honey hand down to the end of her violet tail while nodding to her with a fake smile. His long face full of pain.

“They had to take out three at the same time,” Sasha moaned, motioning to Ryan. Ryan helped her sit, before jumping over her snake tale and taking the front line. Ryan let her ears and tail out to better gage the fighters around her since the battle wasn't as intense as she predicted. Beta helped to move Sasha towards Londra who helped her turn back into her human form.

“Zerina, go get them… the Zeke ones,” Rus grumbled sitting down next to the smug Alpha. Before he could close his oval, dark silver eyes Alpha’s sword beheaded another M-M that looked like Rus. “Ha, Ha…” he moaned.

“I am done,” Peter sighed, gasping for air as Iris took his place. He gently collapsed on the ground, just so dizzy. His dark pink eyes focused on his Belle who had all kinds of power flowing off from her. Enough her long, platinum braid was dancing with her precise movements. 

A M-M with Anna's face came flying towards the middle only to be stopped by Robbie's barriers. He couldn't purify anymore but he would protect the ones that were doing it so effectively. It made him happy that Calla, Momo, Alden, and Belle didn't flinch at the ones trying to jump into the center of the circle because they believed in him.

“Your turn,” Julius sighed, holding Mara’s hand for a moment before she jumped into battle. “So beautiful. I wish I wasn’t dizzy. I don’t get to watch you in all your glory often. All that is missing... your lovely wings. You are so tall and beautiful and mine... oh, and I love your violet undertones.”

Mara smiled beginning to go head-to-head with a black, male M-M with Londra’s face. “You say the best things, and I am glad to be yours, because you are mine, adorable human. This is creepy, by the way... Londra's face on a male, M-M body.”

“He is a sweet talker,” Fern agreed taking her place beside Mara. “Poor Alex, both within seconds of each other. Glad Delta could move him back. I did not like chasing and beheading a fake Fenten any more than fighting a fake Trenton.” Her swings showed anger but were still precise.

“Look up,” Helen grumbled with a frustrated smile on her sharp, oval, light beige face. “He is enhancing them all.” She noticed that Delta was moving the others around. Londra was now leaning against Julius with Alden's legs holding her up, while Rus and Zeke were near Calla, Peter and Alex were beside Belle, with Anna leaning against Robbie who was still in the center of the circle. Fenten and Sasha were before Momo. The four female Feline Drakes stood before them just in case.

“Damn,” Marrow said, moving out of the way of fake Londra’s blade. Sweat was actually dripping off from his short, pale-yellow hair. His hand occupied with defending, so he tried to shake it out of his long, dark brown face. Which didn't work but it caused Ryan to chuckle at his failed attempt. She was close enough that her tail did what his hands couldn't. Making the M-Ms angrier. More screams that echoed through the chamber. “They were half exhausted, yet I can’t get my second. At least there is a reason. Then again, she could take me on any day.”

“Wow,” Iris added, blocking a blow from a fake Anna, switching her feet to push back. It took all she had to keep up with this M-M. She was in her true, Elemental form giving her more muscle and magic, but it still didn't seem to be enough. She used air to cool her sweating, almond face with hidden blue undertones, while her blue-indigo Demon eyes looked for an opening. The M-M laughed at her which didn't help. “He really enhanced them. Guess I forgot how great of a supporter Robbie is. Ideas?”

“We need to get rid of him then the others will be easy,” Ryan purred. Hoping it would anger the white M-M wearing Robbie’s face. She was back-to-back with Marrow, one of her favorite fighting stances, if she could only slow down enough to breath. This M-M was quick and had the power of Zeke at times. "Oh, we have our own enhancements now, so nice and warm."

"They are a mix from Robbie, Zeke, Rus, Anna, and Londra," Calla stated while purifying. She didn't dare look away from the M-Ms since there was so much to purify in each. Momo gently bumped his hip into hers with a smile. They glanced down for a second to see the others near their feet slowly regaining their ability to breath. She nodded, keeping her mind focused while thinking of Zeke's smile, even if he wasn't smiling now, he would be when this was over.

“Nice try,” Fern and Mara said in unison as they both had to evade their fake Londas. Their battles practically the same other than Mara's height. Fern wasn't using her wings but was floating until a hit was too strong then she used her body to help take the hits until she could push back.

“Jackie,” Trenton started softly, pulling back from the fighting. He had taken a few heads off but nothing like the others had done since his mind was elsewhere. He was basically helping with canceling out the magic and defending himself. “Can you make it so…”

“Don’t have to, you already did when we came together,” Jackie stated precisely. “Get ready Alpha and Delta. You two have the best vantage points. Use your power, your way Trenton!”

Nobody had touched the two versions of him hiding in the back watching. He hated that. He closed his deep green Demon eyes and concentrated to send the spell throughout the open area. “Stop! Circle up before us! All of you!” With that all the M-Ms stopped for five seconds and the versions of him with four others wearing Anna and Londra's faces came to join the fighting. It took both Alpha and Delta, but the head was removed from the leader, while Trenton took out two Anna look-a-likes before moving back. Marrow and Iris had taken out the ones that looked like him. He sat down next to Jackie as the pain and dizziness started. Fern paused just long enough to squeeze his strong, golden pecan shoulders before heading back to the battle, what was left of it.

Ten minutes later they were done. Privacy walls were erected by Theda for those losing their breakfast while the others were soaking up the cold from the ground. Mara was standing near the kneeling Londra who was trying to stand. “Nothing left. Our pulse in the beginning purified everything but the lamp on Delta’s tail. Can you handle ending it?”

“With pleasure. I am sure we can start the shower when everyone is ready. We should wash completely since all I want is bed. I will join after checking in,” Londra said a bit softer than normal. Mara helped her stand and waited to make sure she was steady. The others helped pull each other up while she moved away, not noticing the others moving closer. That way she wouldn't have far to travel, and they could make sure she didn't fall. Once again, Theda brought up walls for not only privacy but to help the exhausted stand. There wasn’t much talking this time, just sighs. She pulled out the box to see that everyone was now done. She hoped they weren’t waiting for them... then again, at this point she didn’t care. “Level Ten, finished and purified. Sound off.”

“Nine, finally finished,” Captain Rozile said through the communicator. She sighed, “That was a lot… glad we didn’t take two. Had some that took on your faces... they were a challenge. We haven’t showered yet… they are working on setting it up. We finished about three minutes before you. I am not fond of more than two heads. A few had four with six arms! What monstrosities…”

“I agree with that. We are at the showering part too. Going to really wash so we don't have to when we get back instead of just purifying our skin and clothing,” Londra responded looking back to see them setting it up. She smiled since they were only a few steps away and there were only three walls so she would just have to stumble into someone's arms. She could smell the different shampoos and soaps. She heard the guys in the square to the left mumbling.

“Seven and eight are done,” Captain Richard confirmed. “We just finished our shower since the others just confirmed. We had the same thought so now we are good to sleep when we get back. There is a difference between being purified clean and soap clean. Glad we started with eight, a few familiar faces there… made seven feel a bit less... but still far from normal. If there is a normal? Who can tell. Just glad to be done.”

“Five and Six are done,” Captain Elizabeth stated. “We finished only a few minutes ago, as well. We are finishing our showers now. I don’t want to see another M-M for at least a week. I am glad you told us about the mirage spell. Had a few, not many. Most took on the form of Zeke, Rus, and Fenten. Little Fairy M-Ms are so annoying!”

“I hear you! We also had a few Robbie look-a-likes. Wow were the wings strong, my ears are still ringing,” Captain Rison agreed. “I know that you all had bigger ones but there were so many little… anyway, done and purified with the shower finished. We all smell nice now. It is interesting how a purification shower doesn't get rid of body odor.”

Londra chuckled softly, closing her hazel eyes for a moment. "I will not tell Anna that until we have slept. I am sure she will want to explore that. But I agree." 

“Yes, so many and we had a few that used the mirage spell. I am glad it only lasted for a few seconds. When Peter's face was on a M-M it was so fast and strong. The Trenton look-a-likes were extreme. Had a few with Robbie's face too. Never knew how powerful his wings were or what they could be used for other than flying,” Captain Vitus sighed. “We have never seen so many. Plus, they didn’t eat each other, which didn’t help. Something I never thought I would say because watching that is always unnerving. We were done first, but it was only eight minutes ago. We have both types of showers done as well, since everyone was almost done at that point.”

“Thanks for checking in,” Londra said softly. “We are going to take ten for the shower. Be back soon to finish this thing.” With that she moved towards the warm water, being caught by Belle who handed her to Mara. Belle then unbraided her long, sable brown hair. Anna was leaning against Ryan while Calla was helping to support Sasha. The smell of apple and lilacs surrounded her. It was one of Zerina's favorites, but they all liked the smell. She reached out to stroke Trinity who was clean, fluffy, and smelt so nice. Looking around after she was dry and clean; everyone was ready to get out of the tunnels. Mara, Ryan, and Iris signaled they were ready since everyone was leaning against each other in a tight circle.

“Okay, I see everyone is ready. Do the burst for a count of twenty, barrier makers lessen your spells so the purification can seep into the ground. Push it as far as you can. Once we hit fifteen purify your item while continuing to twenty. Remember that your teleporters are to save their mana. We are almost there,” Londra stated before counting out loud. It was amazing that she and Anna had any mana left. They did the bulk of the purification while looking at their friends. Alden's hand gently on her hip defiantly helped with positivity and strengthening her mana. “Okay, twenty. I am not sensing any negative energy, go us. Okay, barrier makers unweave your spells. Teleporters be ready. Don’t look or listen to the tunnels filling in, just concentrate on getting your team out after the barrier makers give the signal. Let’s have a little contest to see who gets out first. I so want out of here. Ready, go!”

Londra, Iris, Mara, and Ryan watched Robbie and Fenten remove their barriers, leaning against Marrow and Zerina. Once the two nodded and Londra confirmed that everyone above was moving, they were out. They were third, smiling at the two Templar Captains whose teams tied for first. The others were only seconds behind them. They all did the same thing first... took a large, deep breath of the clean air and looked up at the bright, beautiful blue sky with fluffy white clouds.

Londra surprised herself by moving towards the cliff edge. She didn't know she had that kind of strength left but her feet just head that way. She didn’t expect anyone to follow but they all did. Someone erected a railing so nobody would fall, yet it didn't disrupt the gorgeous view. She watched the waves crash into the colorfully rocks below, “this is beautiful. More so now for some reason.” The breeze had their loose hair dancing around their faces. Alden's hand captured some of her hair as she pushed more of it back, holding his hand for a moment.

“Great for this too,” Zeke added with a partial smile, his clumsy hands loosely capturing his long, mahogany hair in a tie. He then straightened his spine by putting his hands on his hips, slightly leaning against Calla. “Goal One finished!” he yelled as loud as he could. Thinking he would be the only one but to his surprise, everyone must have figured it out because their voices overlapped causing a bit of laughter. The other parties also chuckled but watched the party that was more a family. “We conquered the Green Goblins, but Manifestations of Malice fits them better,” he added loudly. “We are some of the greatest Adventuring Parties ever!” he finished. The rest of the party echoed the last part turning to look at their comrades who were smiling while being exhausted.

“Another race,” Rus started loudly, his dark silver eyes struggling to stay open while holding Zerina's cinnamon hand like a lifeline. “I am in need of bed and don’t care if it sounds old! To the skiffs! Oh, drivers we are ready!” he added looking at the three Elves who were part of Archduke Dristen’s knights. The others agreed, everyone moving towards the skiffs that had brought them with exhausted smiles and partially fake laughter.

"Oh," Helen started loudly with a precise voice causing everyone to pause. "Make sure everyone drinks the Rejuvenation Potion once they are on board the skiff. I think the ride will put many to sleep. Better to drink it now." Everyone agreed chuckling at how relaxed she looked.

Archduke Dristen and his knights watched the Adventuring Party that they had nurtured practically crawl towards the skiff that brought them. Their smiles were fake and the light in their eyes was fading. Some of them were worse, needed help up the stairs to the flat bed of the skiff. Most crawled once their hands and knees made contact with the padded bed towards the cab so the others could get on. His thick, fluffy, dirty blond hair accented with silver was moving with the breeze coming from the cliffs while his large, arms were crossed before him. He didn't want to frown, but concern could be seen in his blue eyes, and square, tan face. He was so intently watching that the hand on his shoulder startled him.

“Go,” Archduke Warren said to Dristen. “You want to talk with them and the rest of us want to make sure it is all done. They look horrible, even if they are laughing.” Archduke Dristen nodded, motioning to his knights that they were driving the skiffs back and leaving one for the rest of them.

“They did it,” Archduchess Elizabeth said, holding her husband’s hand tightly. Her green eyes never left the place where the hive had been as her short, brown and yellow hair twirled around her cognac, oval face. Nathaiel moved a long, black finger to capture the tears that had come from her eyes. Now she looked up briefly to see a partial smile on his oval face while his gold eyes darted around the area. His long, braided, dark red hair with yellow highlights only slightly moving while his long Elven ears, five fingers from head were stiff and listening. She motioned to her knights that two thirds should go with the skiff while the others stay for their journey back. Which is what the others were doing as well. "Dristen's knights are good, but they will need help getting the exhausted Adventures into their beds. No reason they all should stay with us. Besides, a nice, tainted animal battle would loosen up my tense body right now."

"It must have been taxing," Archduke Nathaiel commented, watching their knights help the exhausted party members of Horns onto the skiff. Dristen's Knights waved and headed towards Twilight Star's skiff. "I wonder what happened." 

“Just hope they can do it again,” Archduke Harold sighed watching his knights help Purgatory onto the skiff. He knew the others were focused on where the hive had been so with a bit of concern in his silver eyes he watched his Adventuring Team. They had surprised him in the best ways as if Captain Rozile knew, she waved at him. He returned the wave with enough enthusiasm his lean figure swayed while a smile formed on his thin, long, beige face. His long, brown hair that was perfectly braided swayed.

His wife, Archduchess Isbella stopped his swinging braid with her long, ivory fingers. Her turquois eyes watching them all with a neutral look on her sharp, oval face. Her stiff long, Elven ears held back her long, platinum hair perfectly.  “I don’t sense anything… and I hope the second will be a bit easier. They all looked triumphant while beyond exhausted.”

“It is strange how fast the ground beneath us and the cliffs healed,” one of Archduke Harold's Knights added. “I don’t know if I could do what they just did. I have watched but…”

“I like watching the forests just pop back up,” another laughed with a few others. Watching the six skiffs pull out with a smile on his face. "Can't imagine how creepy a tunnel filling in would be."

"I knew that Twilight Star's first goal was to find a way to purify the Green Goblins," Archduchess Isabella started. "What are their other goals?"

"Besides not being enslaved by my stupid cousin?" Archduke Warren grumbled, fisting and relaxing his hands. His short, golden hair was a mess from his hands running though it nervously but his sky-blue eyes and light tan, softly accented, oval face showed a bit of anger towards the situation. He sighed, "The trials would be the next, I think. Nothing easy for them."

"Third is to free Alden and all of Golden, at least that is what my sources say," Archduchess Karren added watching the skiff caring her knights and Darkest Knight fade. Her ivory diamond face held a slight smile. She looked over the unchanging landscape with her piercing green eyes again, before facing her husband Richard who captured a strand of long, wavy red hair. He then took her hand.

"That is true, still working on getting them there," Archduchess Elizabeth sighed, leaning against Nathaiel. "They use the king and our laws as a shield to hide. We haven't had access in over five years. Sound familiar?"

"Yet, the darkness around the town and the lack of trading shows they need help," Archduke Nathaiel added. "Don't know any other goals except to stay together." 

"If I lived through the Challenge, and could face the Manifestations of Malice... I would try something else that was said to be undoable," Archduke Richard stated, in his no-nonsense way. His square, copper face still facing forward while his deep brown eyes scanned. The breeze had his short hair containing yellow, red, brown, green swirling as he let go of his wife's hand. He reached down to touch the ground. "I don't feel anything. Like it never happened... plus there is a positivity within the ground that isn't anywhere else in this continent. They did it. Goal one for Twilight Star is compete, even if it is ongoing. Bless them with good dreams."

Thanks for reading! Find the next part of their story in: Twilight Star: The Trials