Chapter 11! Sorry for updating this chapter lately, I fell sick some days. I am feeling better now.

Enjoy!

Chapter 11: Castle of the Shadowlands

The next day, we continued our journey. I was reading the book - "The Belt of Deltora" when I was walking.

"How can the Belt of Deltora be in the Shadowlands?", Lilly asked.

"Yeah, it's impossible!", Alyssa agreed.

"Maybe the belt and the gems lost their powers.", Geraldine said.

"Geraldine, you are a genius!", I suddenly shouted.

"What?", Geraldine asked quizzically.

"Neridah must had cast a spell and made the belt and the gems lost their powers, so she can toke it.", I explained.

"But the Topaz still has its powers.", Geraldine asked.

"I know. Maybe the gems got back their powers.", I answered.

"But the gems may had kill Neridah.", Lilly said.

"Maybe. Maybe not.", I replied.

"Come on, let's get going!", Alyssa shouted impatiently.

In the Shadowlands Castle, Neridah created a crystal hung on her chair.

"When the time is ready, the crystal will absorb all of the gems' powers to me and I will be the most powerful leader of the Shadowlands!", Neridah said.

"Are you sure that is gonna happen? You could get yourself kill.", Lief joked. Everyone laughed.

"Wait.", Neridah said. The six gems on the chairs began to shine.

"She is here. Find her!", Neridah said.

"So this is the Shadowlands?", Geraldine asked.

"Yes. Whoever went in there, they will be gone forever.", I said.

"Really? Killing them?", Geraldine asked worriedly.

"Not really. But they imprisoned them.", Lilly answered.

We walking into the Shadowlands. It was very dark.

"I can't see anything except for Crystal!", Alyssa shouted.

"Me too!", Lilly shouted.

"Me three!", Geraldine shouted too.

I didn't shout. I was trying to find a way to see.

Suddenly, a light purple bow with the rainbow appeared on my eyes. I can clearly saw it.

"Hey guys! Follow me!", I shouted and ran. They followed me.

It's been a while to get to the Shadowlands...Castle?

"A castle?", I asked myself.

"Strange.", Alyssa said.

We saw some Ak-Babas flying on the sky. They were Grey Guards guarding outside the castle.

"How are we going to get into the castle?", Lilly asked.

"Leave it to me!", Geraldine said.

"Geraldine, no! It is too dangerous!", I shouted.

"This is your only chance to save Deltora, Crystal. I have to do this.", she said.

"But...", I said worriedly.

"I'll be fine.", she said and opened her wings. She flew to the sky.

"Hey, Ak-Babas! Catch me if you can!", Geraldine shouted and flew away. The Ak-Babas chased her.

"Quick! Let's go!", I shouted and Alyssa, Lilly and I ran towards to the castle.

"Get ready your swords. Keep them busy! I will go in there.", I said. They nodded.

They beat the Grey Guards while I went in the castle.

Not long after I went in, Alyssa, Lilly and Geraldine were captured. I can't help them, I had to go and stop Neridah.

I sadly went towards to it.

Neridah wasn't very strong yet, so she decided to take all of the gems' powers. Then, she can be the most powerful leader in the Shadowlands. Such a strange idea! The gems could kill her. But, Neridah had the Shadow Lord's power, so the gems were not that powerful to kill her (only the gems are back into the Belt of Deltora).