This felt like every nightmare he ever had only this time it was very much real. Nightfall had come by so fast and before any of them knew it they were by Drekmore. Behind these walls was there long lost friend.
"There should be a path near by that can help lead us directly into Drekmore. Don't fall behind. Stay focused. Most importantly prepare for anything. I know your going in there to see Gusto but he has to be treated like any other enemy. It's been so long that I'm not sure what he'll do if he sees us. Ask what you need to ask and then will leave. If we get separated we'll meet back here. Understood?"
"Yes."
"Ok. Here we go."
It was very evident that nobody had used this path for years. The path was overgrown with bushes and swarming with various insects. Tummi reached the castle walls ripping vines out of the hidden door's entrance way. He creeps his fingers into the cracks to push the door open. Gruffi had to jump in since the door was proven to be more trouble then it was worth. With both there efforts the door soon opened. The hall way was pitch black.
"Ok It's straight up from here. Stay close."
No turning back now.
The two bears step into the darkness. He wasn't prepared for the smell of ogres. A horse stable had a much more aroma appeal then this place. The cramped space and horrid smell could make any person want to turn around and forget this mission but not him. He strived on forward towards the ever growing light that was ahead of them.
"We're here. Now we need to be careful. Just because Igthorn's gone doesn't mean it's not surrounded by ogres."
He pushes the floor tile up. He climbs out with Gruffi in close pursuit.
The castle still reeked of ogre. It was a huge castle so the trouble was where to exactly begin. Tummi took the lead.
"Follow me."
"Wait! Where are you going?" Gruffi asked nervously.
"What do you mean? Where else would he be but in Igthorn's throne room?"
Was it really that simple? This is all Gruffi had to do to see his friend again?
Making a turn around the corner Tummi is quick to jump back. There were two ogres headed there way.
"Quick hide!"
He grabs Gruffi and runs randomly back into a room.
The two remain quiet.
They waited for anything.
The ogres had sparked up a conversation right by there door.
The situation was annoying Gruffi. He had waited this long and now these two ogres were keeping him from Gusto.
There voices grew louder and clearer.
It was another voice that had peaked his interest.
"Could it be?"
He couldn't make out what the new voice was saying but the Ogres were loud and clear.
"Yes sir!"
They could hear the ogres leaving. Gruffi taking that as the all clear signal rushes to the door.
"It is!"
"Gruffi wait!"
He opens the door to find the hallway now empty. The corner of his eye catches a shadow rounding the corner.
But as he rounded the corner it was enough for Gruffi to see a quick glimpse of blue fur.
"Gusto…"
He runs towards the direction the blue bear had left to.
Tummi was afraid this would happen and runs after his friend.
"Gruffi!!"
Rounding the corner Gruffi sees the doors to Igthorn's throne room close.
Out of breath Tummi catches up to Gruffi.
"He's in there Tummi."
"Gruffi! You can't just run off like that! What if an ogre had seen you!?"
That wasn't important right now.
Behind those doors was what he's been seeking all this time.
How he prayed this wasn't a dream. By Gum, don't allow this to be a dream.
He walks up to hold the knob of the door.
Tummi sadly looks on. He knew how important this was to Gruffi and he secretly hoped it didn't end the same way it had for him and Cubbi.
"Ready Gruffi?"
Slowly nodding his head he opens the doors.
The doors open to reveal the huge throne room.
It wasn't as gloomy as the other rooms. Paintings hung on several parts of the room.
It wasn't as strong as it used to be back in the waterfalls but he could smell paint.
No doubt about it Gusto lived here.
"Toadie! Have you seen my-"
In the middle of getting dressed the blue bear had appeared in front of the pair donning a silk red robe.
This had to be a dream. There he stood right in front of them only a couple of feet away. Gruffi's heart felt as if it was going to explode.
He had aged well. His hair maintained the same style. Besides the scar on his chest it was as if he had never left. Same bear just different attire.
"Gusto."