"So." Lloyd leaned on the round table, his associates with him again in the study, with Skylor among them. What have we learned so far?"

"The chief of the Hypnobrai tribe shall talk with the other chiefs, so that's a start," Misako informed everyone.

"How long till we get results?"

"Not long. Hopefully by tomorrow." The young lord then turned to Skylor.

"So, what did Chen tell you, Miss Skylor?"

"Chen fished the Realm Crystal from the ocean, off the coast of a village called Stix. A man named Ronin works for him there."

"Ronin is more of a third party than an actual threat," Cole pointed out. "There's no need to deal with him. What else?"

"That's all he's told me," the mage finished. "Should there have been more?"

"No, it's alright Skylor." Master Wu told his pupil. "You may go. However please come back tomorrow, for we may need to fish out more unseen information." Skylor stood up and gave a short bow. She headed out the room and it was the four of them again.

"So, back to the matter at hand," Lloyd continued. "We now know where the Realm Crystal was found, the Serpentine have considered our demands, and I can finally get some sleep." He let himself lean back on his seat, his rear slowly sliding off the cushion.

"It's been a long day," Misako told everyone. "I suggest everyone to get some rest." Everyone stood up to take their leave. Cole bowed first and walked out the door with long, powerful strides.

"Are you staying for dinner, Wu?" Misako followed her brother-in-law out of the study.

"I'm afraid I cannot," the old man replied softly. "I need to tend to the school. Please understand."

"Of course. Have a good night, then." Both turned away until Misako called after him again. "Before I forget. I need to ask something of you."

"What is it?"

"After your battle at the Wailing Alps, did you happen to find any magical objects of any sort?"

Wu began stroking his snow-white beard. "As a matter of fact, I did. Clouse's spell book."

"What did you do with it?"

"I tried to burn it, but Clouse must have cast a spell that rendered it immune to flames. I'm currently looking for a way to reverse the spell, or find another way to destroy it."

"I see. Where is it now?"

"Back in the school in my office. Why do you ask?"

"I just became curious. With the interrogation of the Serpentine chiefs, their desired spell maybe in those pages."

"Which is why it is very urgent for me to return and find a way to destroy that accursed book. I bid you good night, Misako." The old man gave a curt bow and left. Misako sighed and went back inside the study, just in time to see Lloyd snoring silently in a not-so-comfortable position. Her lips creased into a smile as she approached her son and lightly tapped on his shoulder.

"Hmmmm… Mom?" the lad groaned.

"Come on, son. Off to bed with you." Lloyd slowly got on his feet and walked with his mother to a separate wing that led to their quarters. Misako opened the door to her son's room and Lloyd immediately went in.

"Lloyd," his mother called. The young man turned around. He felt his mother's warm lips on his forehead and her right hand cupping his cheek.

"You did great today, my son."

"Thank you, Mom." Lloyd suddenly felt a surge of emotions. His eyes slowly became red as he put his hand over his mother's. "Think Dad would've been proud?"

"Of course, Lloyd," his mother also starting to sob. "He's always been proud of you."

"I miss him…" Lloyd couldn't hold back. He cried in front of his mother. Misako wrapped her arms around her son and rested her chin on his shoulder.

"Me too, Lloyd. Me too."

It was midnight. Everyone was asleep. Except for one woman. Misako slipped from her bed and wore a leather vest, a pair of thick trousers and leather boots. Grabbing a black cloak from her wardrobe, a satchel, and a small knife, she snuck out of the mansion. She started climbing the steps toward the academy within the mountain. When she reached the stone gates, they automatically opened the moment she came toward it. True to his promise, Wu commanded that the gates automatically open at the presence of his relatives. Misako slipped in and briskly walked along the fields until she reached the magnificent school building. The lights were out, save bubbles of illumination that hovered like fireflies around the area. Misako looked around for an opening by scanning all the windows and doors. As she entered the stables, she spotted a service entrance connecting the stables to the kitchen. The lock was old and a bit rusty, like no one used this door in a while. Grabbing a nearby shovel, Misako struck the lock with the shovel's sharp edge until it broke. The horses started to get restless and began to bray softly. She had to be fast. She slipped out of the kitchen and walked through the dark hallway.

All the students were asleep, but Master Wu's office was nearby. Once Misako reached it, she hoped that it wasn't locked. She held her breathe and squeezed on the knob. It gave a soft click. She opened the door and went in. Lighting a small lamp found on his desk, the woman began her search. She started with the desk and its drawers, moving to the huge book case afterwards. She then noticed that the bookshelf was a bit unstable. Grabbing onto the side, she pulled and pulled. Finally the shelf began to budge and swung open. A vault was mounted into the wall. There was a small lock with intricate designs of nature. It had no ke hole but was no doubt a lock nonetheless, Misako twisted and jerked it, but it won't budge. It was obvious that this object could only be unlocked by magic. Feeling her efforts were in vain, she banged her fist on the vault in frustration.

"Looking for this?" Misako turned around to see Wu holding up a thick piece of leather: Clouse's spell book. The old man eyed his sister-in-law and noticed something strikingly different about her: her dark brown eyes had become crimson red.

"Give that to me, now."' Misako held out her hand and placed the other on top of her knife.

"You know I can't do that, Misako. Or should I say, chief of the Hynobrai tribe?"

"Clever old man you are," Misako replied, casually moving around the table, trying to get closer to Wu, who was slowly backing away.

"I knew something was off when Misako invited me to stay," Wu said aloud. "And you have just confirmed my suspicions."

"Give me that book!" Misako hurled the knife at the wizard who deflected it with his staff. Misako immediately pushed the old man, locking her hands on the book. Both wrestled over the object, Misako pulling with all her might. Wu dropped his staff to get a better grip of the book. Misako kicked the old man in the knee, causing him to kneel on impact. Using her right hand, the woman delivered a punch to Wu's left cheek. Wu tumbled to the floor, but his grip was still strong. With all of his strength, he charged forward, knocking Misako to the ground. He quickly pinned her to the ground with one hand, and with the other, he waved it over Misako's face, while chanting a disenchantment spell.

Meanwhile, in the Serpentine cell, Skales was sitting on the floor facing the wall, his eyes had become crimson red, linked to everything his host saw. The back of his hands were resting on each knee, and Misako's doll was in front of him. Controlling someone was no easy task, and his inmates were not being helpful either.

"What's taking so long?" whispered Pythor.

"Shut up if you don't want us to get caught!" Fangtom corrected.

Skales was struggling to keep his host under his control. It was a battle of mind versus magic. With Wu's spell undoing his work, the Serpentine chief had to think of something before he lost Misako for good. He surveyed his surroundings as he noticed that the dagger that he threw wasn't that far. He summoned Misako to use her free hand to hit Wu again. This time the wizard stumbled back rubbing his chin and Misako scrambled to her feet to grab the dagger. Wasting no time, she jumped the old man, digging the blade on the side of his back. Wu grunted from the sting, but Misako wasn't finished. She jabbed his back repeatedly with her elbow before clasping her hands together and clubbed the back of his head. Wu's whole body ached in pain with blood slowly soaking his tunic. He fell on the floor unconscious and finally let go of Clouse's spell book.

Skales exhaled in victory as his host bent down to grab the leather-bound book and tucked it inside her satchel. She then took a handful of Wu's snow white hair and hoisted the wizard's head. Carefully placing the dagger over the man's throat, she prepared to slit him open.

A knock on the door broke Skale's concentration. He let go of the old man and hid behind the door. The hinges slightly creaked and a new figure entered the room.

"Master? Are you in here? I heard a commotion. Is something-?" Skylor stopped in her tracks. Her master was unconscious and bleeding on the floor. She rushed to his side and performed a healing spell. Skylor looked around to find her teacher's assailant and saw that no one was there.

"Misako?" The wizard muttered under his breath. His eyes wandered the room but all he could see was his red-haired student.

"It's me, Master. It's Skylor. What happened to you?" The wound slowly closed and Skylor swung Wu's arm around her shoulder. She carefully led the old man to the couch where he could lie down, but Wu swerved towards the door.

"Misako. She, attacked me. I'm afraid the Hypnobrai chief Skales has her under his control." He reached for the door. "Which is why she took Clouse's spell book." Skylor's eyes widened and opened the door. She prompted Wu against the doorpost and dashed out.

"Where are you going?!"

"I'm going after her!"

"Wait!"

Skylor sprinted to the stables. One stall had been emptied. She ran to the nearest horse and opened its stall gate. Not even tacking her horse, she rode toward the stone gates. By now, half the school was starting to wake up from the noise, and their headmaster had just activated an alarm signal. The girl's steed galloped as fast as she could push him. In the distance, she could see a cloaked figure closing in on the entrance. The stone gates slowly opened at Misako's presence and sealed shut once she reached the stairs' threshold. The young mage summoned the doors to open as her steed slowed to a canter. The doors opened again and they moved down the steps. It was hard for horses to move at top speed down the steps, especially at night. Even if each tread was wide enough, the dim lighting can make one easily lose their footing if not careful. She carefully guided her horse down the mountain. Misako was now a lot farther than she was earlier. When the young mage finally reached the bottom, she leaned forward and gave her steed a short kick, urging him to quicken his gait. As she neared the estate, she could see Misako entering the gates upon the guard's permission.

"Who goes there?!" One of the guards drew his spear forward as Skylor trotted toward them.

"I have to talk to the young lord." Skylor dismounted her steed. She decided not to tell the guards her real agenda, knowing they wouldn't believe her over the late governor's wife. "I fear we are grave danger." The guards looked at each other; but instead of putting their spears down, they gripped them even tighter and pointed them towards the young mage.

"We have orders not to let anyone in at this hour. Go home, miss."

"From who?" She didn't have time for this.

"Lady Misako." Great. She's been locked out. Skylor gave a short nod and prepared to walk away. When she was about a few feet from the guards, she spun around and blasted ice on them, freezing them in place. She then froze the gate's lock and kicked it open, sprinting inside.

"Intruder!" She could hear the guards screaming as she maneuvered her way to the nearest door. She burst inside and barred the door with the nearest furniture she could find. Using her memory, she made her way back to the dungeon. She was sure the guards were now expecting her by the time she got there. Running down the hallway, she collided with another person.

"Hey, Miss, you alright?" Dareth asked. Skylor looked at him and a thought came to her.

"I'm sorry about this," Skylor told him and grabbed his wrists and swung them behind his back. Using the belt on her tunic she tied his hands together.

"Owow what are you doing?!" Dareth squeaked while Skylor pushed him around like a human shield.

"I need you to get me to the dungeon. Lady Misako's been possessed!"

"You've gotta be kidding me, Miss!"

When she got to the dungeon, the guards barred their weapons.

"Put down your weapons, or I'll kill this man!" The girl threatened.

"WHAT?!" The man screamed in a high-pitched tone. Skylor fought the urge to roll her eyes and placed her hand under Dareth's throat. Water formed around her wrist, taking the shape of a blade.

"Please do it! Please do it! Don't let me die!" Dareth squirmed. The guards, however, didn't back off, until a loud explosion was heard in one of the cells. All the guards ran toward the Serpentine cells and kicked the door down. The room was now empty and with the assigned guards unconscious on the floor. All cell doors were opened, and a big dark hole was found in the center of the floor. Skylor pushed her way through the soldiers, who were too dumbfounded at the hole there. Without a second thought, she jumped in.

The fall was longer than she thought. She curled into a ball and rolled against the moist floor. A flame appeared on her palm and she waved it around to survey her surroundings. At the corner of her eye, a spark was seen flying towards the hole from where she came in. A loud sound exploded and rocks came crashing down, forcing her to run. When she got in the clear, she was greeted with five towering figures and cold eyes before feeling a heavy but sharp blow in the head. Her mind went black and her body met the ground.

"Pick her up. She'll be of use later." Pythor commanded the chief of the Venomari tribe. Acidicus scooped the mage in his arms and swung her over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes.

"Let's move, we don't have much time," Skales told them dragging a hypnotized Misako behind him. She was carrying explosives which she stole from the armory. The Serpentine followed a straight line with the Constrictai chief Skalidor leading the way. In his hand was a heavy stolen hammer which he used to dig through the walls with his brute strength. Although shorter than the rest of the chiefs, Skalidor was bulkier and physically stronger than the rest. Pythor walked behind him with a torch for light.

"Are you sure you know where you're going?" Pythor asked him.

"We Constrictai know the ground like the back of our hands." Skalidor swung his hammer again. "This rock is part of the mountain wall. It will take me some time to map our way through and exit out of the mountain but away from the village."

After several minutes of walking and digging, Skalidor finally hit a softer wall. The rocks crumbled immediately and a breeze of fresh air blew in their faces. Pythor took a peek and saw that they were at least three kilometers from Jamanakai village, just in time to see the protective barrier appear and lower to the ground.

"Let's go!" Acidicus trudged against the grassy plain.

"We'll never get far on foot," Pythor told him. "We need horses."

"Leave that to me." Skales began to pluck some grass. He crafted it into a doll and held it up in front of Skylor, who was still unconscious.

"Well you better hurry," Fangtom pointed at Skylor, who was beginning to stir.

"Give her to me," Skales handed Misako to the Fangpyre chief as Acidicus put the girl down. The Venomari chief then bound the mage's hands with rope.

"Light." Fangtom shined his torch over the girl's face while Skales placed his two hands on Skylor's cheeks. At his touch, the girl opened her eyes and was horrified to see the Serpentine chief's face so close.

"Look into my eyes, child." Skylor couldn't look away, neither could she close her eyes. Something in Skale's eyes compelled her to obey. Skales then plucked a hair from the girl's head and tied it to the grass doll he just made. Chanting a Serpentine incantation, he waved the doll in front of Skylor's face. The girl's eyes slowly changed from green to crimson. Acidicus removed the restraints and stood still, waiting for her new master's orders.

"Now, teleport there, and grab some horses for us." The young mage moved forward and with a bright light, disappeared in front of everyone. The chiefs then ran to the opposite side of the mountain to hide and wait for their rides there.

Skylor appeared in the giant barracks' stables. Her knees buckled in exhaustion and her body met with the ground. Even though she could perform a teleportation spell, it required so much energy from the user, especially when they were not frequent users of such an advanced spell. And for the red-head, she had only performed it once her whole life and that time she fell unconscious for several hours. Her body still wasn't used to the magical energy she was dispensing. Had she had control of her body Skylor would refuse to move. She would wait for a passerby to pick her up and carry her to safety. But her will was bound to the Serpentine chief, and his orders to her were law. Ignoring the pain coursing through her system, the girl pressed forward, slowly walked toward the horses, who were still there but in full gear. The soldiers weren't around, but probably outside patrolling the village. Grabbing a nearby noose, she tied them on the bridles of five horses. She then shot several fireballs at different parts of the building, letting the flames consume the hay and eventually reaching the wooden posts. The horse began screaming and kicking trying desperately to escape. Mounting the lead horse, Skylor led the five steeds out of the stable at top speed. She didn't bother looking at the residents who tried to get out of the way of her stampede, or the people who rushed to the barracks to douse the flames. She galloped through the village with only the barrier as her last obstruction. Using her magic like before, she tore open a huge hole for her and the horses to pass. She didn't see the eyes of a certain blacksmith look at her with confusion, nor did she hear him call out to her.

When she returned to her captors, they immediately mounted the steeds she had brought them.

"I'm assuming we still need these women?" Fangtom asked as he mounted his horse while the others did the same. Skales nodded and held his hand out to Skylor. The mage took it and swung her leg over the horse's back, wrapping her hands around the Hypnobrai chief.

"We can't have Garmadon's wife telling where we'll be going." Pythor lifted Misako aboard his horse as well. He steadied his horse as everyone held their reigns tightly, Their eyes fixed in the same direction.

"Brothers, to the lost city... Of Oroboros!" With a kick and smack, the chiefs galloped into the night.