Al and the others finally approached Frazier Woods. They had still not seen any tracks showing Beth had come this way, but they trusted Katrina's knowledge.

"Dad, how are we going to find her? She could be anywhere," Juan said as they entered the trees.

"I don't know. You and Cassie try and see if you can sense her. We may have to..." Al began, until they heard Beth's voice.

"Kivar, son of Kanare, great sorcerer of Antar; I challenge you."

"That's her. We have to get to her before he does," Cassie cried.

"I accept your challenge, Sasheena, daughter of Kanare," A male voice echoed through the forest.

"Too late," Cassie whispered. Everyone looked at each other, then took off at a run towards the voices, each praying they would find them in time.

:-:-:

"Hello little sister. It's been a long time," Kivar said as Night Star walked further into the clearing.

"That it has brother, that it has. I see that you brought that foolish second of yours," Beth said pointing at Nikolaus who stood a few feet away from Kivar.

"Yes. But, why do you call him foolish?" Kivar asked leaning forward on his horse.

"Because, he thought the boy was me, when I was in the room with him," She said with a smile. "Ironic isn't it Nikolaus?"

"You? I don't remember you being there," Nikolaus told her.

"Really?" Beth asked as she removed her hood. "What about now? You know, you were closer than you thought to finding the Chosen One. Considering you went after my son," Beth said, her voice showing the anger she felt.

"Your son? But he was Velondria's son," Nikolaus cried as he noticed Kivar turn to him, anger in his eyes.

"You let her go! How could you make such a stupid mistake!" Kivar growled.

"But my lord, you yourself said that he wasn't the Chosen One, that he was a member of the Royal Four's line," Nikolaus said backing away from Kivar.

"That was true as well, you see, my son is also the son of Zan," Beth said with a chuckle, "So you see Nikolaus, you made a bigger mistake than you thought,"

"You let my sister's son; who, will not only inherit the powers I want, but is also the heir to the two thrones I hold; go!" Kivar cried as he lifted his hand, causing Nikolaus to rise from the ground. "Nikolaus, you have failed me one too many times!" Kivar yelled, before Nikolaus disappeared into thin air, leaving one tiny ash to float to the ground.

"I see you have gained some powers brother. How did you manage that?" Beth asked nonchalant.

"Let's just say that our families lost a few members," Kivar said with a laugh. "Fortunately for me, they didn't have any heirs to claim their powers."

Beth shook her head slightly at the knowledge of how much her brother had truly changed. "Well, that makes no difference. Let's get this over with. But first, to make sure that this is a fair fight, all of your men must leave the clearing."

"Fair enough," Kivar said raising his hand, and several men jumped down from the trees and left the area.

"Good, now let's begin."

"Fine, go ahead," Kivar said as he jumped down from his horse.

"Beth!"

Beth and Kivar turned towards the voice to see Al and the other's standing at the edge of the clearing.

"Oh hell," Beth said quietly as Kivar began to laugh, an evil laugh.