Faust noticed that Ryo had started following him after spying on him.  The crow knew that Aria would be mad if Ryo came before she was ready.  She had a special plan and Faust didn't want to be the object of her anger. The crow tried desperately to lose his pursuer by flying faster and faster, dodging this way and that.

'What is up with this bird?' Ryo thought. 'It's acting really weird, almost as if it knows I'm following it and it doesn't want me to.' Ryo's face grew more determined. The bird flew fast and the terrain soon got rocky, making travel harder for Ryo. He ended up losing the crow because he flew over a cliff and Ryo couldn't get over it in time. He reached the top of the cliff in time to see a faint outline of the retreating crow. Ryo almost gave up, but then noticed were he was.  The Shadow lands.

Ryo stood there shocked. 'I thought we were done with this place. But I have a feeling this is where I'm going to find Sakura.' Ryo would have kept going, but he used his head.

"If they were able to capture Sakura there must either be a lot or very powerful. I better go get the others." He said aloud as he ran back to the house.

*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

The crow continued flying at his speedy pace till he made it back to Alanna. Perching on her outstretched arm she quickly turned and headed towards the castle. Alanna headed straight for the throne room, knowing that was where Aria spent most of her time. Once inside the throne room, the crow flew over to his master, Aria and perched on the arm of her chair. Taking the medallion off Faust's neck she observed the image of Ryo wallowing in sadness and his determination to find Sakura. She also noticed Ryo following Faust until he got left behind on the cliffs.

"He's seen Faust and is growing suspicious. There is no time to waste." Aria said. "We must do it now. Bring me the girl!"

Sakura was sitting in her cell when four burly men came and dragged her struggling to Aria. Sakura had a bad feeling that Aria didn't want to talk. Sakura was held tightly in front of Aria's throne.

"It is now time to extract my revenge." Aria said standing.  She moved over to the box were she had placed the crystals and took out one. Sakura gasped.

"So you're the one who wants the crystals." Sakura said aloud.

Aria smiled evilly as she made her way over to her. "Yes, I have great need of them."

"What do you plan to do with that?" Sakura asked suddenly fearful not liking the look in Aria's eyes.

"Well, I need to keep you in something." Aria said grinning as she held out her hand over Sakura's head. Her hand started glowing green as did Sakura. Sakura was then glowing green and sucked into the tip of the crystal. Aria looked at the place where Sakura had been and then at her pounding on the inside of the crystal. Aria's eyes smirked and then suddenly changed into shock as the crystal containing Sakura soul started to grow cracks and blue magical energy shot out from the cracks, causing the crystal to break. Sakura glared at Aria who looked at her in surprise.

"You aren't the only one with magic." Sakura said in a low voice.

Aria's eyes resumed their victorious look. "No matter, you may have magic also. But it is nowhere near as strong as mine!" and with that she grasped Sakura's arm tightly and sent a surge of her magic through her. Sakura screamed in pain and struggled to loose her grip. Aria held on and soon Sakura's struggles stopped. She was now under Aria's control. Alanna stared at the now glazed over look in Sakura's eyes.

"What happened to her?" she asked trembling.

"Since I couldn't keep her soul in something, I just had to take possession of her mind. It requires so much more magic, but I think I like it this way." Aria said looking happy.

"Yes, I just got the most brilliant idea for Ryo when he gets here. Yes, I will have him fight as I originally planned. But it will be so much sweeter when the person he is fighting… is his girlfriend."