(Jasmine's P.O.V.) - A week later; January 24th, 900-

We have finally made it into the region of Arendelle a few days ago, after some traveling through towns and villages, quite not very surprised when we heard that the monsters are getting more bold and dangerous, and of course, many people warned us all to stay away as it was said that the monsters would kill any intruder, animal or human.

We haven't reached the boundaries of Arendelle Village yet, but with aid of Emma's maps, it looks like we have a day's trip to make it through the pass, especially with the mountains attempting to scare and convince us to avoid the occasional storm that has been happening at night up there.

I knew that Arendelle often gets storms, thanks to having read books about the history of each region within Enchantia, but not this often, every other night or so. Emma theorized that Queen Elsa has been doing it with her winter magic, and everybody else seemed to agree on that, with Logan saying that the big question is why.

That stumped everybody for a bit there before Pippa spoke up in place for Mushu, saying that the scent of dark magic is here faintly, and with every stop upon camping, it has been getting steadily stronger.

I was surprised at that, but when I went to focus on mediating one time like how Genie has taught me to, I can feel the aura of dark magic, and I reaized that Pippa has spoken the truth.

Genie didn't dare to teach me when he was Jafar's slave, not wanting Jafar or anyone loyal to him catch Genie or me in the act, so it wasn't until we were free of Jafar, and Genie got freed, thanks to my third wish, he was then able to help me with his method of detecting dark magic.

It's different in the strength of aura, and the taste of it, really... Jafar's dark magic was terrifyingly intoxicating and powerfully potent, almost like it was luring people into a false sense of security, and the taste was the dangerously pleasing scent of saffron.

But this dark magic here, it feels like horrifyingly primal and savagely cold with a feeling of unending emptiness, almost like it is warning people to be alert, and the taste is the strangely familiar scent of leather with a hint of horseshit.

I told my new friends of the discovery, and Emma realized that for the past two years, Arendelle has been locked down by this dangerous person, and has put a curse upon the land and its residents. Jason then said that the monsters must be like vampires, having to feed on blood to live another day.

I was horrified when I heard the descriptions of those fabled vampires from their old world, and realized that the monsters are similar yet different in everybody's perspective including mine as I heard rumors of the monsters being big as Pippa's dragon form, and furry hunters like wolves.

Which right now, close to dusk, I feel them watching us as we set camp, not tying up the horses or donkeys as we have seen them stay close to the two campfires, somehow sensing that the monsters are out there, and are sticking together in twos or threes.

And for the rest of us, like the last few times before, we went into shifts to keep a eye out throughout the night, but unfortunately as it seems that we are edging too close to the boundaries of Arendelle Village itself, the monsters has decided to be very intelligent.

Somehow, at the perk of moonlight, the monsters has bought water, dousing not one, but both campfires, bringing absolute darkness, making almost all of us blind to fight back, hearing whinnies and shrill hawking in the process.

Only Pippa was immune to the darkness, thanks to having dragon eyes at will, and she fought bravely, but I could never forget the roars of pain and the snarls of anger, flashes of fire and teeth, realizing that the monsters were doing teamwork to overwhelm Pippa.

With the remaining guns and pistols, Logan and the others drove them off, making them see that they couldn't handle the power of gunfire at the same time while fighting Pippa. We quickly went to bring back the campfires, and I wish I didn't help with the campfires when I saw her.

Pippa was back to human, too weak to be in her dragon form after the battle, but it wasn't what horrified me, but rather her wounds. I thought getting punched, bruised, and slapped by Gaston was bad, and seeing the somewhat wounded Fantasia soldiers was terrible, but this, seeing Pippa wounded from monsters, it's horrifying...

I thought Adam's roaring scream back in Maleficent's fortress when he thought that he was to lose Pippa to immediate death was really sorrowful, but right now, his face guilt-tripped me, looking so aghast, horrified, desperate, and then that human scream of his, running while calling out to Pippa who is giving out whimpers and yelps of pain, it was so despairing to hear it all.

Haku went to work, immediately bringing out loads of bandages and other first aid supplies while I overheard Zuri speak to Jason, "And I thought the torture scenes of Hermione in the book and movie was really traumatic.". I was bewildered by that comment, but I think I understood that Pippa being in extreme pain must be very traumatic on her body and such.

It took a long time until the tension in the atmosphere vanished, with Haku informing that Pippa is out of the woods, safe now to rest and sleep, and I saw so many faces change from concern to relief, including mine, feeling my body finally release out so much guilt. It was my shift, my fault that all of this happened when I was too alert, having thought I saw something in the corner when they doused the campfire behind my back...

Everybody else told me that it wasn't my fault, and that the monsters was looking for a opportunity to do so, and took it. Logan was the only silent one yet his eyes were full of something I didn't realize until he came to me when I was alone in my tent.

I was appalled that he said that it was his fault, not mine. If he hadn't asked me to take the next shift, he would have warned us all in time when he would realize that some of the donkeys has been taken by the monsters, and we could have fought them off sooner, and Pippa wouldn't have gotten so terribly wounded.

Of course, I told him off about thinking like that, and that it wasn't anybody's fault. I was annoyed when he gave me that smug smile, and told me that I was right. I was surprised, being taken off guard by his aloof attitude, and thought back on my words, realizing that this situation would have happened anyway no matter if the circumstances were different or such.

When I mentioned this, Logan gave me a sort of look that expressed to be a mix of approval and acknowledgment. He then said that he's going to simply sleep here, just for his peace of mind that I'd be okay.

He was worried that I might have gotten hurt in the battle, but turns out that I am a natural at swordsmanship, and I didn't even get scratched, only a few bruises here and there from falling down and being pushed down.

So, with the dwarves proclaiming that they'll take over the few remaining shifts until dawn, the rest of us went to sleep, healing and resting from that vicious battle. I only pray that Pippa can heal fast through the next several hours with breakfast and such. One dragon against monsters, even with help from the rest of us humans and dwarves, it isn't a fair fight.

I was quite exhausted that I didn't even hear Logan move out of his handmade sleeping bag through I swore I heard his voice speak out in confusion, "Pops?". When I woke up later, a bit after dawn, I saw his empty sleeping bag, and got out of the tent, seeing others waking up and stroking the fire.

I didn't see him anywhere, and thought he was just out to do his business, and asked after him, but when I heard that they didn't see him earlier, and I realized that after hearing Adam's story about Pippa disappearing on him and receiving that amulet necklace, the same thing is happening again!

I told everybody of this realization, and after a moment of agonizing that Adam isn't a beast anymore, with a still worn out Pippa replying that Mushu will lead the original United Talons, even when I can't see him, not being a bonded mate to anyone of the group like Adam is with Pippa.

I followed anyway, worried and anxious to see where Logan went, and after a few miles of hiking up a hill and through a stream, Emma called out, pointing to something in the distance. I could make out a shield, shimmering, and resembling to be like the Night Rainbow or 'The Northern Lights' as Logan and the others called it, and it's hiding a sort of building.

Through the glimpses, it resembles a mix of castle and some sort of ancient building. Jason replied that it looks similarly to a Viking Longhouse, and Emma told me that we have to wait for him to complete his tests and return back with his chosen dragon, amulet.

Pippa replied that in speaking for Mushu, it feels like a longer session this time than it did for her, perhaps with each found amulet or such, the tests may be harder for Logan and the rest of United Talons. I was myself concerned, hoping that Logan succeeds through this, and perhaps, having him as a dragon to help Pippa out, it might just even the odds against the monsters.