We had not even reached the FoxWoods when we came across the cloud cover for the third time. Like the first time we saw it, we stood and stared upwards. I was starting to wonder how it had progressed this far, so quickly.

"If it is spreading at this rate, we should move faster," Rona said.

"What about the FoxWoods?" I asked. "If we haven't reached the treeline yet, then that means the entire FoxWoods are under darkness!"

"Not a problem… We'll get through it." Rona took the first brave step into the cloud cover. I looked back at all the others: they all watched me. I turned back around and followed Rona into the clouds. The smoky haze that blocked my vision inside the clouds led into a near pitch-black forest. Rona stood very still, his eyes glowing in the dark. The others came through not too long later. I felt someone bump into me.

"Just when I though the FoxWoods couldn't get any darker," Vegance said aloud.

"I would be careful," Rona cautioned. "There could be anything lurking in this darkness." He pushed aside some overhanging limbs and pushed further into the trees. The rest of us followed. I especially held firmly to my sword just in case anything should attack us. Ryth jumped when a bird call sounded off above us.

"Ryth, it's just a bird," I whispered.

"Can't be too careful," Ryth whispered back.

"Yeah you can," Keia whispered to both of us. "If something scares you and you take off someone's head, there'll be problems… Calm down a bit."

"Sorry," Ryth mumbled.

We continued through the Woods until we came upon the Fox Spirits' center. To my surprise, several black masses danced around the throne. Rona was offended by this. His eyes narrowed with anger and he leapt into the crowd. He killed several at a time until none remained. Breathing heavily, he dropped his katana to the ground. Vegance started to go to his aid, but I held her back.

"Vegance, just give him a moment," I said. She clawed my hand and pulled away. I stood there in shock at the blood that ran down my fingers and dripped to the unseen ground. I made no noise, though, and instead wrapped my hand with a piece of cloth. I looked up to see Vegance with her hand on Rona's shoulder. Rona was nodding. Soon enough, they joined us again.

"Are we going to move on now?" I asked. Vegance nodded. Again we headed into the Woods.

The darker part of the Woods where Rona lived was now pitch-black. Trees could not be seen, and the only light came from Ryth and Rona's glowing eyes. I had a feeling that stopped me from moving. This feeling was one of impending danger. I heard a quiet creaking off to the side of us, which Rona pointed out was his house. It was old and returning back to Nature at a fast pace. I ensured everyone that we must stoop. I jerked my head to the side as the creaking got louder, but now, a stomping sound could be heard.

"Rona, your house… Is it supposed to stomp?" I asked.

"Not usually…" The stomping quickened, and then it occurred to me that it was growing nearer.

"Quick! Everyone, get out of the way!" I shouted. Half of us ran one way and the other half dove in the opposite direction. We moved just in time as a large structure ran past us and into a larger tree. It turned to face Rona. His house had sprouted legs and was rampaging towards us!

"What's going on?" I shouted.

"It appears that the darkness has corrupted my home into a dangerous creation," Rona calmly replied.

"What can we do?" Vegance asked.

"Distract it. I'll take care of it," Rona directed. "It's my house, and that means it's gonna follow my rules." The house reared its leg and prepared to charge again. Vegance, Rona, and I appeared to be its primary targets right now. We all dodged its stampeding by our own means. Ceae, Ryth, and Keia were staying out of the battle. I watched the house in preparation for the next attack. Suddenly, Rona called my name. I rolled out of the way as the house flew past me, and then I hurried over to Rona.

"I had an idea," Rona told me. "Stand here, beside me, so it will charge us… You get out of the way and I'll get inside. I know how to stop this beast." I nodded and waited. The house turned and, I guess, stared me down. Rona and I both waited. The house kicked its foot backwards and then charged again. I dove out of the way, but Rona dove inside through the window. The house, apparently confused, stood very still. In about a minute, the legs dropped out from underneath it and it crashed to the ground. What had once been Rona's house was now a scattered mess of wood, stone, various belongings, and glass. Rona moved aside a couple of boards and lifted himself from the rubble. He shook his head and dust flew everywhere.

"Whooooooo!" Rona screamed. "That was lots of fun! Gimme another house, maybe a brick or iron one, so I can show who's the housemaster! Yeah!" I lifted an eyebrow in confusion. Rona stumbled from tree to tree as though he were drunk. He dropped to his knees and sat there. Vegance rushed over to him and knelt down beside him.

"Rona, are you alright?" Vegance asked with a slight chuckle.

"I showed that house…not to mess…with…Rona…" Rona fell to the ground and lay facedown.

"By Rysta… Rona!" Vegance shook him. He was motionless. She shook him again anyways.

Ryth walked over to us. "Here, allow me," he said while holding a small stick in his hand. He bent down and tapped Rona on his ears with the stick. "C'mon Rona… We need to get going… Wake up…" Rona's ear twitched, but he still lay there. "Wake up!" Ryth shouted. Rona jerked, flew to his feet, knocked Ryth to the ground, and held his sword to Ryth's neck. Ryth shyly waved and squeaked, "Hi Rona." Rona put his sword away.

"What'd I miss?" Rona asked.

"Oh, not much," Vegance told him.

"Just a psychotic breakdown," Keia said.

"These Woods are doing something to your head, Rona," Ryth said.

"I just want out of here," Rona mumbled.

"We're pretty close, so let's move," I said. We continued once more through the Woods.

We came out through the other side of the Woods into a familiar sight: the perpetual darkness of the Dark Lands. Looking out on the horizon, I could see the Keep rising against a full moon. I had imagined it moved closer, but it was just my imagination telling me that our goal was so close at hand.

"There's Necril's Keep," I said and pointed towards the horizon. "Our goal is so close by…"

"It seems so menacing, once you fight for the other side," Vegance said. "It feels like something totally different altogether."

The grass around our feet began to glow. "Hopefully, we can end this by morning," I said. "We have all that we need… Which reminds me. Vegance, I need the Water Key."

"Oh, right! I forgot to give it to you." Vegance pulled a small blue sphere from one of her pockets and handed it to me. A swirling whirlpool of water filled the sphere. I dropped it with the other seven.

"Now we have all that we need… Let's get through those gates."

"Agreed!" everyone shouted. We marched almost rhythmically in the direction of the Keep…