"That's it," Varian breathed, his blood running hot in his face. "It has to be."

"It's so…cold," Martin observed quietly, his brown eyes narrow with concern. "Like a graveyard."

Shay said nothing, but her gaze burned, and her arms were wrapped tightly around herself. Varian managed a glance in her direction, which had no effect, and he kept his mouth shut.

The animals began to grow restless as they drew closer to the ominous castle in the distance. As the curve of the world shifted beneath them, a sinister canyon emerged, a massive crag curving in a chilling crescent, cutting the castle away from the rest of the land. The black rocks were out in force, piles of clusters blanketing the cliffs, shooting up in jagged, mountainous peaks from the canyon's depths. Varian could see light emanating from somewhere beneath the castle foundations – magma. The castle was built over a volcanic vein. This is insane. Never in any text, storybook or historical record, had such a sight ever been described to him before. No wonder there wasn't a soul to be found…

Except there, at a building at the lip of the canyon – a cable had been strung across the wicked chasm, from which a rickety, age-worn gondola was moving. Varian didn't have to see who was in it to know who its passengers were. Shay was right; he could sense it, like holding his hands over a fire, like sunlight on his skin.

"That's them," he pointed, his finger shaking. "That's the princess, there."

"We need to land this thing now," Martin grabbed Varian's shoulders, forcing him to focus. "How do we do this?"

Varian shook his head, trying to clear it. "Right. We, uh…we need to decrease the temperature of the air inside the balloon."

"Okay," Martin dashed to the balloon, then stopped when he reached it and whirled around. "So, how do we do that?"

"That's the problem," Varian said, his voice barely below a panic. "The heat's supposed to disperse naturally. We don't really have an artificial way to cool it down. If I had some kind of agent, then maybe –"

"Can't she just cool it down with magic?" Martin stammered, gesturing urgently in Shay's direction. "If we miss our landing, we'll either end up somewhere in that chasm or be completely separated from the castle!"

"Don't you think I know that?!" Varian exclaimed. "We can't just cool it down all at once. An atmospheric change that drastic will tear the envelope in half!"

Martin ran both hands feverishly through his hair, his eyes wide as he tried to think. "There's…wait. What about teleporting?"

"Not this again," Varian growled. "I told you, we're not –"

"Wait." Shay interrupted, stepping between them. Her reservation was gone, abandoned to the urgency of the situation. "I think he's right. It's our best chance of getting there, now."

"Thank you!" Martin said sharply.

Varian jabbed a shuddering finger at Shay. "I'm not letting you risk what happened last time!"

"It won't be like that," Shay objected. "Look, I can see where we need to go, and it's nowhere near as far as last time." She pointed up into the evening clouds – through a swathe of fragmented sky, the moon was visible, full and filled with light. "Your connection to the Celestial can help maintain the spell's structure. If we can just get everyone together, we can make this work!"

Varian didn't like it. The very idea made his jaw clench and his fists bunch. He tried to think of something, anything else they could do. Their only other option was to circle around the castle as best as they could until they drew low enough to land, and that was only if the wind decided to cooperate with them. It all came down to time, and they just didn't have enough.

"Rudiger!" He snapped his fingers. "In tight, now! Everyone else, grab what we need. Let's go!"

The animals gathered: Beth made her wobbly way to Martin's side, and he grasped her mane with a tight hand. Killy bolted between Shay's legs, seating himself on her foot with his long brown ears laid flat over his skull. Rudiger's head loomed over them all, his panting breath filling the air as his tail swept around them.

Without a word, they readied themselves. Varian reached for Shay's hands, and Martin's fingers curled in a warm grasp on Varian's healed shoulder. Shay looked beyond the balloon, eyes fixed on the spot where they needed to go: the steps leading to the castle gates. She took a few deep breaths, the other passengers waiting agitatedly for her to begin. She started to recite the spell, her grip tightening as she silently called for Varian's aid. Varian closed his eyes, concentrating on the replenished well of power inside him. Violet light spun in ribboned sheets around them, forming bands of flashing color and sound. Varian felt Martin flinch, and the animals cried out instinctively as the gondola beneath their feet suddenly vanished, replaced by the stomach-dropping sensation of falling…

Then solid ground met the soles of Varian's boots, and his knees nearly collapsed as the spell dispersed. He opened his eyes to see that it had worked, and the Lunarian castle now loomed ominously overhead, black rocks filling the sky with their treacherous points. The group spread out, breathing in panicked bursts as they recovered from the spell's effects. Shay wobbled on the spot, releasing Varian's hands as she reached to cradle her head.

Varian reached to steady her. "You alright?"

Shay smeared her hands over her face, panting. She managed to focus enough to meet his gaze, and she gave a stiff nod.

"Good." Varian let her go a little too quickly as the tension between them returned. Even now, in this place, it was still heavy, thick enough to cut with a knife. He suddenly found it very hard to look at her, both out of anger and out of guilt. "Martin," he tore his attention away. "You good?"

"Yep," Martin grunted, his hand over his stomach. "Trust me, that was nowhere near as bad as last time. At least my pants are still on."

Varian stared. "You lost your pants last time?"

"Took me forever to find them, too," Martin waved a dismissive hand. "Anyway, what's –" He squinted in the distance at the balloon drifting away, carried in the opposite direction by the wind. "Do you think we can get it back?"

"Maybe," Varian said, his voice cracking with the tight word. "I'm a little more concerned with that, though."

They looked to see where he was pointing. The gondola traveling on the cable stretching across the canyon was now hanging by a single winch, dangling precariously over the darkness below. Standing on top of it was what looked like…

"Is that a bear?!" Martin gaped.

"It's a man," Shay squinted. "A very strong man."

"You don't think…oh my gosh," Martin gulped. "That's him. That's the crazy king, guys!"

"Perfect!" Varian blurted. "Come on, we can't waste this chance!"

They turned and ran for the gates, scrambling their way up the steps. Varian couldn't help but note the stone's composition as the ground sped by beneath his feet. "Yep," he muttered cheerily under his breath as he watched Rudiger swiftly take the lead. "This place is definitely built over a mass of volatile volcanic activity. Fabulous!"

Martin had unclasped his cloak, casting it aside to quicken his pace. "I believe it. You can feel the heat!"

The castle doors stood tall before them, carved from obsidian and reflective as oil. Varian gulped at the sight of them, his stomach clenching. "Okay, those are big," he observed.

"Yeah," Martin skidded to a halt at his side. "Someone was compensating." Shay almost ran into him, and they exchanged perturbed glances at each other before he continued. "I doubt there's a way from the outside to open them."

Varian frowned. "No," he agreed. "But we've come too far to be stopped here." He reached for his back, grabbing the Mad King's axe. He hefted it in his hands, the weapon warm in his grip as he held it out before him. "My name is Varian, son of Quirin! In the name of King Creighton and by the will of the Lunar Celestial, I seek entry into the halls of Lunaris!"

Silence filled the air after Varian's declaration. Rudiger sneezed, and Killy scratched behind his ear. Beth actually rolled her eyes.

"Nothing's happening," Martin droned. "Did you rehearse that?"

"No!" Varian snapped. His face was almost purple with embarrassment. "…Maybe."

"Wait," Shay spoke, taking a few steps back. The others did the same as a crack of light split through the doors' seam, blooming outwards in an arc of white. There was a loud crack, like thunder, and then the doors slowly began to slide open.

"Ha!" Varian laughed with triumph. "It worked! It…" He coughed, shrugging his shoulders. "I mean, of course it worked. Whatever, it's cool." He freed one of his hands and gestured wildly forward. "Right, everyone, get inside!"

They hurried in, the doors shifting loudly closed behind them. At first, all anyone cared about was that they were safe, for now. Then Shay said something, almost too quiet for the others to hear. "Look at this place. It's…"

It took a moment for Varian's eyes to adjust; the castle interior was dark, almost unnaturally so. Once he could see, he knew exactly what Shay meant. The hall was…frozen. Not in the literal sense, but everything was still and static, as if some spell had blanketed the entire area, trapping it in time. But Varian knew the feeling of magic well enough by now to tell that there was no enchantment over this place.

"It's empty," Martin gazed around at the dusty windows, the tall ceilings overhead. As they walked forward, they saw stone tables left vacant, corridors lit by dim and dwindling candles. There was no sound except for their breathing and the steps they took, Rudiger's claws clicking on the floor, Beth's hooves clacking in hollow echoes. "Lifeless."

Varian agreed. Lifeless was the perfect word. It was as if anyone and everyone who had once lived in this palace had disappeared without a trace. "Just like the record said. They really left, all of them."

"King Edmund has lived here for twenty-five years…all alone?" Shay stared, her red eye flickering as she blinked once.

Varian glanced at her, the words pushing their way out of his mouth before he could stop them. "Makes seven years seem short, doesn't it?"

Shay ducked her head, her jaw tight.

"Looks like the main hall's up ahead," Martin jutted his chin. He reached to unsheathe his sword, his brow hard as a rock as he took point. "Varian, let me lead from here on. We don't know if the king has…other friends."

Varian kept Creighton's axe in his hand, even though he much preferred swapping with his father's bow instead. He didn't argue as Martin led the way, the guard's muscles locked tight with apprehension.

The main hall yawned into view, pillars towering tall as they stretched upward into the darkness. Suits of black armor flanked the walls, each bearing a symbol Varian was now very familiar with. There was no carpet to greet their entrance, or if there had been, it had long since been removed or destroyed. As Varian followed Martin towards a flight of stairs, he paused in his tracks, his heart beating fast in his chest.

Martin sensed Varian stop, and he turned around with alarm in his eyes. "What's wrong?" Shay had frozen too, concern creasing the bridge of her nose.

Varian turned his head left and right, slowly taking in the scene around him. "It's just…this is where my father lived. This is where he served, where he worked…He was my age once, standing right here in this hall." He gazed up at the ceiling, where a stained-glass skylight could be seen. The moon was framed there, silver and blue, cold and depthless. "I wonder if he would have ever told me about this place. Would I have grown old without knowing where he came from?"

"I guess…" Martin reached for his shoulder. "You'll just have to ask him, sometime."

Varian looked at him, a wry smirk stretching across his face. "I guess so."

"These steps," Shay whispered, her hand reaching to clutch the fabric of her dress. She looked down to see Killy's nose twitching. "We're getting close."

"Yeah, we are." Varian could feel it, too. It made the blood in his veins hum with anticipation. "Lead the way, Martin."

"Right."

They made their way cautiously down the steps, watching warily for any sign of trouble. Varian relied more on his ears than his vision, and more on Rudiger's hearing than his own. The racoon's ears twitched sporadically, but they didn't stop moving. Shay's eyes were wide and unblinking, searching for dangers the others couldn't see.

But nothing came to halt their progress, and at last the steps spilled out into an expansive throne room. The ceiling was higher than before, to make room for the giant statues that stood in a circle around the kingdom's emblem. Each statue had been carved in great detail, depicting the line of Lunarian kings, each carrying their watchful vigil over a set of ornate double doors.

The moment Varian laid eyes on the doors, he knew immediately what lay beyond them. His scalp prickled as the streak in his hair flared, lighting the cold sweat on his brow.

"We're here," he told the others. "We finally made it."

"And you'll take not a single step further!" A voice boomed from behind.

They whirled about to see that another door had opened on the far side of the room, revealing a large, hulking man in a suit of heavy black armor. He wore a fur cloak over his right shoulder, and a wicked-looking axe was grasped tightly in his gauntleted left hand. The bear mask they'd seen him wearing before was gone, revealing a surprisingly normal-looking face. Varian had expected to see wild eyes and scarred skin. Instead, he saw a gaze filled with loneliness and regret, a well-groomed set of facial hair, and a strong, flawless nose. Next to him stood a white-haired woman Varian didn't recognize, her face marked with striking red paint, her eyes narrow as needles, her fur trappings wrapped tightly around limbs she had clearly honed into lethal weapons. Strapped over her shoulder was a blade that Varian didn't believe could exist – a sword gleaming with a shimmer only the black rocks could give.

Standing out from behind the king, Rapunzel finally appeared, her travel clothes streaked with dirt, her bare feet calloused, her green eyes wild with fear and uncertainty. Her golden hair was glowing, vivid strands straining to break free from their unkempt, floor-length braid. Standing at her side was Eugene Fitzherbert, the Flynn Rider of folklore, his travel clothes creased, looking disheveled and stunned beyond words.

One more person emerged into view, and the sight of her made Varian's lungs freeze. Cassandra was dressed in a full suit of iron, her hazel eyes burning under her dark bangs as she pursed her full lips in determination, staring out across the throne room with her piercing gaze.

"We are so screwed," Martin hissed.

"Varian?" Rapunzel's voice was like a clarion call across the room, though she barely raised her voice. "What are you doing here? How did you get here?"

"Isn't it obvious, Blondie?" Eugene shoved her behind him, his face hardening with rage. "He's after the Moonstone so that he can cause more trouble!"

"Wait!" Varian stammered, his heart hammering against his ribcage. "If you just listen –"

"We don't have to listen to you!" Cassandra's voice cut through the air like a razor, slicing Varian's sentence in half. "We don't know what your game is, but any plan you might have for the Moonstone is over."

"Wait!" Rapunzel broke her way out from behind Eugene, taking a few steps forward. "I…" She stared at Varian and his friends, taking in the sight of the animals. "Rudiger? What…And who…wait." Her eyes stopped on Shay, her eyebrows creasing as she tilted her head. "I know you. I've seen you before."

"Rapunzel, what are you doing?!" Eugene exclaimed.

Rapunzel held her hand out backwards, a sign for Eugene to be quiet. Her eyes hadn't left Shay's startled face. "In my dream, there was a woman with red hair. She had a little girl with her, with eyes just like yours…that was you, wasn't it?"

"Shay," Varian gasped. "What is she talking about?"

"I-I don't know!" Shay's voice was almost a whimper, terror paralyzing her. "I swear, I don't know!"

Rapunzel's gaze suddenly softened, and she moved her hands in front of her, palms facing outward. "Easy," she said, her tone of voice higher than before. "Easy, we don't…" She dropped her hands to her sides, her green eyes finally shifting back to Varian's pale face. "We don't want to cause any trouble. Right?"

"Princess…" Varian swallowed twice, his arms shaking. Creighton's axe was still in his hands, his knuckles white against the leather grip. "I can explain. I swear, I don't mean you or anyone else any harm!"

"Says the child who has breached the walls of my home and desecrated my halls with his sacrilege!" King Edmund lunged forward, axe in hand, the sorrow in his eyes replaced by a burning rage.

"Edmund, wait!" The white-haired woman moved forward, trying to stop him, but the king had already closed the distance, ignoring her words.

A flash of movement, and Varian was tossed unceremoniously aside. Martin had grabbed him, throwing him out of harm's way as he raised his blade to block the mad king's blow. The force of the attack made Martin's knees buckle. On the ground, he rolled forward between the king's knees, scrambling to his feet from behind. The king whirled, axe streaking for Martin's neck, but the guard blocked again, his forearm pressed to the fuller - one of the riskiest and most desperate techniques anyone in the room had ever seen.

"Rapunzel!" Eugene's voice shot across the room. "We have to get to that Moonstone!"

"No!" Varian dashed to the princess' side, breaking free of the panic that had gripped his legs. His voice broke with desperation, his vision replaced by the scene in his memory: an empty palace corridor with a snowstorm raging at the windows. He could hear Rudiger snarling on the other side of the room, ready to jump at a moment's notice, his back arched as he kept the other animals away.

"Rapunzel," Varian begged, "if you touch that stone, you'll die! That's why I'm here! I'm the only one who can touch it! You have to believe me!"

Rapunzel looked torn, her jaw slack as her thoughts reeled. She opened her mouth to speak, but she broke off as Martin's body slid across the floor, coming to a stop less than a foot away. Varian saw the king surging forward again, closing in to deliver the guard another blow. He was stopped abruptly in his tracks by a strand of red light, straining against his chest. Shay was trying to stop him, using the first and only spell she could think of. Her arms shuddered, her eyes wide with undiluted horror as she realized the horrible mistake she'd made.

"Sorcery," King Edmund reached for the strand and wrenched it away, breaking the fragile spell in half by force of his own will. Shay's own inertia toppled her backwards, gasping with fear. She was too slow to even think of a way to stop what happened next. Varian watched the king approach, almost in slow motion, ready to bring his axe down on Martin's prone, unconscious form. He didn't think, didn't look, didn't bother to process what could happen. He threw himself in front of Martin, raising the only thing in his hand that could stop his friend from being killed.

"Varian!" Shay screamed.

That's enough!

King Edmund's axe struck down, locking against his ancestor's weapon with enough force to drive Varian into the ground like a nail. But Varian didn't move. In fact, he barely felt the strike. He realized he'd scrunched his eyes closed, flinching at the impending damage he was prepared to take. He opened them, looking to see what had happened.

Two ghostly hands had wrapped themselves beside his own, gripping the axe with a strength Varian didn't have. Varian let go, stumbling backwards, and an icy sensation engulfed him as he passed clean through the spirit of the Mad King Creighton. He tripped over Martin's foot and fell over, the wind knocked completely out of him as he landed hard on his back.

Rapunzel gasped, cringing at the sight of the ghost. In an instant, Eugene was at her side, sweeping her away. Speechless, they stared at the scene, watching as King Edmund stood frozen in place.

"What in…" the king ripped his axe away, his anger replaced by rigid surprise. "Wait. That axe. It's…"

My axe. King Creighton hefted the weapon over his ghostly shoulder, glaring at his descendent with his ethereal white eyes. Which this boy so graciously retrieved from my chamber after a phantom had decided to camp on it like a squatter.

"Martin," Varian groaned, rolling over onto his side. He dragged himself up and crawled over to where Martin lay, grabbing the guard's shoulders. "Martin, can you hear me?"

"Uunngh," Martin stirred, blinking his bleary eyes. "Ow. I…oh no, there's a ghost again."

"Hey, Mr. King-who-claims-to-be-my-dad," Eugene demanded. "Who in the heck is the ghost?!"

Everyone's brain stalled. "'Dad'?" Rapunzel gasped, her face lighting up.

"Yeah, yeah, we're related, let's everybody get on the same page here," Eugene scoffed. "Anybody mind answering my question?!"

The ghost of King Creighton turned to look down at Varian, gesturing once with his free hand. On your feet, boy. As my Lady Moon promised, no descendant of mine will hinder you this day. Stand down, all of you! The time has come to hold your vigils fulfilled!

Everyone looked to see the king's spirit address an entire circle of ghosts that had appeared around them, drifting forward from the statues' stone depths. Each was a king or queen from times long past, gazing in reverence and admiration at the first of their line. Without a word, they knelt, sweeping their hands before them as they placed their pledge of loyalty on their breasts.

"Okay," Eugene swallowed thickly. "I guess that's as good an answer as I'm going to get."

Varian helped Martin back up onto his feet, steadying him before turning to the Mad King's spirit. The ghost held the axe out for him to take, his white eyes solidifying for an instant.

Destiny is written by our own hands, he said, dissipating as the axe settled into Varian's grasp once more. The other spirits followed suit, fading out of sight like smoke on the breeze.

"Impossible," King Edmund stated in a bewildered tone. "No ancestor of mine would allow some whelp to trespass in this castle."

"This is no whelp, your Majesty," the white-haired woman approached, leveling her steely gaze at Varian. "Well, I can't speak for his companions, at least. But this boy is of Quirin's blood."

"Quirin?" the king blinked, staring down at Varian with new eyes. "Quirin…It's been so long, but…there is a resemblance."

Varian had enough wits about him to raise his eyebrows. "Really?"

"You have his shoulders. And your grandfather's teeth. But it doesn't matter," King Edmund's axe was still gripped firmly in his hand. Varian noticed for the first time that the king's right arm was missing, the fact concealed by his heavy cloak. "Quirin was a good friend, and a distant cousin on my father's side. The fact that you're here while he's not tells me that he failed his duty. A shame."

"No," Varian said firmly, ignoring the stares of everyone else around him. "No, he didn't fail. He didn't tell me a thing, about any of this." He glanced down at the axe in his hands, saw the kingdom's emblem etched into the blade. "He did everything he was told. But I didn't. I failed him. But I'm here to put things right." He glanced at Rapunzel, forcing himself to meet her eyes. "With everyone."

King Edmund frowned, taking a deep breath. Varian wasn't sure what he was going to do, worried that he might attack again. The king raised his axe…and slid it into his belt, folding his arm over the head with his fingers loose.

"You bear the axe of King Creighton," he said, loud enough for everyone to hear. "I don't know if that necessarily proves your claim to the Moonstone…but to see it with your own eyes is another matter." He stepped away, bringing himself before the chamber doors. "My son, my old friend, and my kinsman's posterity, all here to witness what brought our kingdom to ruin."

He pushed the doors open, revealing a large chamber filled with black rocks. They coated the entire space, almost like the first Celestial chamber, except the rocks here protruded wickedly, a strong communication to keep others out. In the center of the chamber, standing on an isolated pedestal, was a strange container filled with light. At its center was a glowing opal, rippling with otherworldly energy, its surface shimmering in hues of pink and blue.

The king turned to look at everyone, his eyes dark with resolve. "Let whoever the Moon chooses decide how our fates unfold."

"Rapunzel," Eugene breathed, watching as the princess' shining hair finally broke free of its hold. The golden strands floated upward, as if in water, pooling on the ceiling like honey. "This is it."

"You can't!" It was Martin who spoke. He was holding his side, trying to ease his bruised ribs, but his expression was pressed with grim determination. "Princess, you don't know me. But I once took an oath to protect you, even if it means giving my life to do so."

"You're a member of the royal guard," Eugene blinked, snapping his fingers in rapid succession as he drummed his memory. "I remember from that stint with the Captain…Marvin Elric, wasn't it?"

"It's Martin Edrick," the guard replied sourly. "But my name doesn't matter. All that matters is that you don't touch that stone."

"Why? Because of what Hair-Stripe here says?" Eugene glared accusingly in Varian's direction; Varian flinched, but he didn't look away. "I don't know what he's told you, but you do know that you're in cahoots with a wanted criminal who's escaped from the capitol prison, right?"

"Why else do you think I'm here?" Martin jutted a thumb at Varian's hair. "And in case you didn't notice, 'Hair-Stripe' here is glowing just like the princess is." He looked at Varian, his mouth set in a firm line. "He saved my life. If that's not just as good as any oath I've ever taken, I don't know what is." He looked back at Eugene, his eyes narrowing. "So, you'd better let him do what he has to do. For Heaven's sake, we're trying to save your lives!"

"We've been tricked by him before, Rapunzel," Eugene asserted, grasping her shoulders. "I won't let him threaten you again, no matter who vouches for him."

Rapunzel was a woman torn in two, her face a mask of pain. She looked around at the others, taking in everyone's faces. Her eyes fell once more on Shay, who had been so still and silent, she had gone completely unnoticed. "What about you?" she asked the girl. "What do you have to say about all of this?"

Shay didn't move, didn't blink. They waited for her to speak. She didn't say a word. Varian felt her silence settle over his ears like a shroud.

"Rapunzel," Cassandra said, her face a mask of strange serenity. "We came here for the Moonstone. That hasn't changed."

Rapunzel's eyes sharpened, and she looked at her friend. "You're right," she said firmly. "I don't know why Varian is here, or what he plans to do. All I know is that these rocks led me here for a reason…and I know that reason is to reach the Moonstone. To stop any more bad things from happening."

Varian felt helplessness rise up in his throat, ready to drown him. He wanted to scream, to throw something at her, to make her understand…but no. He would never do that, never hurt his friends again. He wasn't that person, anymore.

"Fine," he whispered. "Do what you have to do."

"What?!" Martin exclaimed, wrenching Varian around to face him. "Varian –"

"It's fine!" Varian barked, glaring at him. Each breath he took was like inhaling acid. "Let her try and take it. It wouldn't be the first time I've been vilified."

"Varian," Rapunzel said, breaking out of Eugene's grip. "We'll talk about this, all of it, when this is over. You'll have your say, I promise."

Promise. Varian said nothing. He refused to look at her. He had eyes only for the glowing stone in the far chamber.

"Let's go," Eugene urged. He and Cassandra escorted Rapunzel to the entryway, their frames silhouetted by the Moonstone's throbbing light. Varian and his friends watched as everyone else gathered to see the chamber react to the Sundrop's presence. Varian could feel the rock surge and warp, flowing like liquid to greet the princess' bare feet. He didn't even bother marveling at the phenomenon, though he knew in the back of his mind that it threw several of his theories about the black rocks out the window.

Maybe she's right, he thought to himself. Maybe this really was all just a mistake.

Stop her.

Varian heard the voice, clear as a ringing bell in his brain.

Stop her now.

"I can't," Varian answered out loud.

VARIAN, YOU MUST STOP THE ASHEN HAND!

Varian froze. "'Ashen hand?' What do you…"

He sensed something then, something dark pressing at the corners of his perception, like a thumb grinding into his temple. He felt himself moving forward, shoving his way past Adira, his friends close behind. He ignored their questions, ignored everything except what he saw.

"No."

Cassandra was there, standing at the pedestal, watching Rapunzel reach out to touch the exposed Moonstone. The handmaiden's expression was cold as ice as she reached for the gauntlet on her right hand and undid the straps, stripping the armor away. Varian's breath caught when he saw her withered flesh, blackened and burnt by a cause he couldn't begin to guess.

"CASSANDRA, DON'T!"

The ashen hand lashed out, snapping like lightning towards the glowing stone.

At the same time, Varian reached out, his fingers unfurled.

The Moonstone shot forward, leaping out of its cradle, hurdling towards his outstretched hand. A glimmer of hope, his heart surging…

Then it stopped, suspended in the air, quivering and sputtering energy. The black rocks were screaming all around him, grinding against each other as Cassandra's hand remained, reaching from where she stood for the Moonstone.

It was a tug-of-war, Varian straining against Cassandra's will, blue sparks scintillating as his entire scalp burst into a blaze of fiery blue. He threw out his other hand, wrenching with every ounce of willpower he had, fighting against a woman he couldn't begin to understand.

"What are you doing?!" Rapunzel screamed, her hair falling out of the air like a banner torn to the ground.

"I'm fulfilling my destiny!" Cassandra's voice was a command, a declaration of autonomy. She refused to let go, refused to let Varian win. She was desperate, he could see it in her eyes. She was almost begging him to let her have it, to let her have this one thing, just this once.

"Varian!" Shay cried out, her voice cutting through the cacophony in Varian's brain. Before he could tell her to stay back, her hand touched his shoulder. The instant her fingers made contact, her hair ignited in a plume of red, and the sparks splattering from Varian's fingertips suddenly burned rich violet. The sparks flew out in a bolt of electricity, a single ion cracking against the Moonstone's core.

With the sound of a glass chime, it split in two, and the chamber fell into chaos.