Okay, folks. Sorry for the wait. Forgot to upload my recent chapter yesterday. Well, actually, I did remember, but I uploaded the wrong one. That'll teach me to have two copies of the same chapter lying around. I'm sorry for those of you who were eager to read my update and discovered I had placed the same chapter as before instead of a new one. I have deleted the copy and set up the actual chapter, kay? Please review. I feel ashamed of my work if I feel no one likes it.

Pai is hesitant to dodge. Despite the fact they made it through the past Three fans, they were nearly chopped to pieces twice. "DODGE!" screams Candy. Who knew that someone who doesn't have to breath can scream so loudly? Pai didn't. But he lunges forwards anyways. He can feel the metal nudging his foot through his shoes, but he makes it safely across. 'Note to self: always avoid having a ghost guide who can walk through walls give you instructions on when to dodge deadly sheet metal,' Pai thinks.

Lettuce is having the same problem. Last time, her jacket almost got stuck, which would have rendered her immobile and possibly caused her untimely demise. "Okay. You guys suck at this," says Candy. "But not to worry. Just keep it up and you'll make it out alive. Maybe minus a few limbs, but alive nonetheless." Pai and Lettuce consider shoving her in the path of the next geisha's fan and see how she likes it. The sheet metal really does look like a geisha's fan. It has ruffled, sharp edges, and is shaped like a sideways fan.

Candy expertly dodges one of the sadistic fans. It withdraws. Lettuce and Pai tense, waiting for the command. "DODGE!" screams Candy. Lettuce lunges forwards. So does Pai. Pai's ability to fly gives him a bonus, but he is prepared to help Lettuce if need be. Lettuce, in turn, makes it across. Pai, however, nearly has his foot chopped off. But he twists away. For some reason, he can't teleport at all. "It's the town. It'll do that to you," Candy had informed them. "Okay, troops," says Candy. "4 down, three to go. Just survive these, and you'll be on the other side." Lettuce nods wearily, and Pai just sags. "Okay," they both say.

They're gonna be here all night.

Meanwhile, Melody is doing just fine. The choker around her neck gleams in the light, and the pendant is still safe and sound with Melody. Artemis is walking alongside Melody, lost in thought.

'She really isn't an ordinary girl,' Artemis thinks. 'Somehow, she isn't normal. The necklace wouldn't react to her if she was. And look at the room of clay. It wasn't at all the dead room it was supposed to be with Melody there.'

Melody is happily oblivious to Artemis's growing wonder. She is content to just study her gem and walk down the halls. The choker feels comfortable on her neck. The air is nice and just warm enough. Melody can't think of anything that could make this better, other than her Mother and Mr. Khipf being here too. Once again, she hopes they are alright. 'I wonder where they are,' she thinks absently. 'Hopefully somewhere nice.' Of course, Melody doesn't know about hallway of geisha.

If she did, she'd be quite concerned for the two. I mean, in the past hour or so, they nearly lost their legs 4 times. And that's a lot of near-death experiences.

Artemis is still pondering the mystery that is Melody. She can't understand it. 'She has to be the one, But I can't be completely sure. I mean, I suppose the necklace might be reacting to strong emotions, or maybe a lot of willpower. You never know,' Artemis thinks.

But the signs are all there. Melody couldn't make them more obvious if she tried. And Melody isn't trying. Things just happen around her. She didn't know all this was going to happen. Melody is just along for the ride, and enjoying every second of it. But still, Artemis can't help but feel that Melody is HER. And if she is, then she must find the sorceress, somehow. Maybe that is where they're going. They are looking for the sorceress.

"Is everything alright?" asks Melody, noting Artemis's troubled expression. "Yes," says Artemis. "But I have to leave soon. Can you handle it?" Melody nods. "I'll be okay, Artemis," she says. "When I was aboveground, I even defeated a demon. He wanted my youth, but I just hummed a song I know, and he ran away." Artemis is surprised. 'It has to be her,' she thinks. "That's very good, Melody," says Artemis aloud. "Do that again if you see a demon down here. It may take a while, but don't give up, alright?" Melody nods and smiles. Artemis smiles back, and begins to fade away. With one last wave, she is gone, leaving Melody on her own.

The girl is sitting on her mattress. The gem has been found; she can feel it in the very air. 'But by who?' she asks herself mentally. She cannot think of anyone she knows who could make the gem work. Possibly Artemis, but then again, Artemis probably wouldn't pick it up, if she saw the pendant. Artemis was always like that; other peoples possessions should not be touched without permission. Of course, the girl wouldn't mind Artemis borrowing the gem. 'What are friends for?' she thinks.

Maybe it is The one. Maybe she has finally come. The girl smiles. If she has found the pendant, she must be reasonably close. That thought makes the girl smile as she rests her head upon the pillow. You never know...