Lights shot out from the tower in all directions, filling the dark with a never ending stream of colour. It snaked through the sky in all directions: east, north, south and west. The wind howled outside, chilling me to my core. A shiver passed through my body, but I wasn't sure if that was because I was cold or because I was nervous. Maybe a bit of both. I was sitting on the steps in North's workshop, just before the globe with the blinking lights on it. I sighed remembering the last time I had sat here. I was sitting beside Jack the last time and had fallen asleep. I frowned. I had to believe that Jack was still good. I just had to.

I kept what Jamie said in mind: tell someone. So I did. I had flown all the way to North's workshop and told him everything: my dreams and about Jack. Immediately, North pressed the large red button and the northern lights had erupted from the workshop. Even now, the lights didn't cheer me up. I felt empty inside. I just couldn't cope with the fact that Jack turned on us. He was our friend- why? Why would he do this to us? To me? It wasn't fair.

Twenty minutes later all the other guardians, bar Jack, were standing around me in a semicircle, waiting patiently for me to tell them the problem. There was Katherine, Nightlight, Sandy, Mund, Tooth, Seraphina, and North and even Alvern. Tooth had taken the time out to even bring Bribry. I would thank her for that after I had told them. Seeing all their faces, I just couldn't bare to tell them. It would hurt them more than anything and I didn't want to do that to them. But I had to. I had no choice.

If Jack was being held against his will, or he really has gone to the dark side, then they had to know. We had to save him.

So, I began to tell them everything. My voice trembled and I saw their expressions change from curiousness to horror. I saw Tooth shaking her head in disbelief; Mund was glaring at the ground; Alvern crossed his arms over his chest, a look of surprise on his face; Sandy looked so sad and hurt that it broke my heart; Seraphina looked outraged; Katherine was also shaking her head; and Nightlight just stared blankly at the wall behind me.

"I don't even know where he is," I said. My voice was small. "I don't know how to save him... And I... I can't lose him. You have to help me."

"Sophie, I promised if anything would happen I would help you. I meant that," Mund told me. I looked gratefully to him. I knew Mund would help me; he always did.

"I'll help you too," Katherine announced.

Slowly, everybody said they'd help me save Jack. My heart felt like it swelled in emotion. My eyes burned as tears threatened to pool out of my eyes, but I blinked them back. Bribry sat beside me and I stretched out and rubbed his ears. Already the fox had grown large in size. He looked fiercely at each person individually. At least I knew he'd sat by my side when trouble came. Eventually, the chatter of determination ceased and I breathed in heavily.

"Does anyone know where Jack last went? Maybe that's where he's gone." I looked hopefully around the crowd who all shrugged- except for Seraphina.

"The last place he went was in Ireland," she told me.

I took a deep breath. "Then I guess we're going to have to go to Ireland. As soon as possible."

-.-.-.-

Compared to America, Ireland was a small country- almost just an island- at the most West Point of Europe. It was mostly wet and cold, and had a population of around 4.2 million people. The land was green, apart from a few large cities such as Cork, Belfast and Dublin. Sera said that Jack was in the south of Ireland, and hadn't gone up to Northern Ireland yet.

I found myself frowning as we approached the coast of County Kerry in the Munster Region. This is where my friends believed me to be staying: in this small country. I wondered did they think of me. I shook my head; I was here on important matters. I couldn't be thinking about my past life anymore. I had to focus on Jack and the fact that he might be here somewhere.

We landed on a beach, the waves crashing against the shore. I inhaled the salty air. A minute later, North, with his sleigh, landed beside me. Mund stepped quickly out of the sleigh, glaring at it. He really didn't like flying at all. He was followed by Katherine who looked mostly delighted, Bribry, who sniffed the ground, then by Sandy who was smiling contently to himself.

The rest of us had flown here. Tooth looked exhausted as she touched down on the sand. It wasn't because of the flying that had tired her, but from the long night she spent collecting teeth from the children.

"Where do you suppose we look?" Nightlight asked as he stepped beside me. It was extraordinary how much he looked like Jack; he had the same white hair and was just as tall. You would swear they were long lost brothers, but I knew they weren't.

"I..." I racked my brain for an idea. Although the country was small compared to other ones, it would take us a very long time to scope the entire country. Plus, Ireland had ruins older than the pyramids that Jack could be kept hidden in. "I'm not sure exactly yet, but we have to start somewhere. In my dream the place was always dark and had a long hall. I'm not entirely sure. That could be absolutely anywhere."

Sera sighed on my other side. I swivelled around the look at her. "Ireland is home to many creatures. Although, most of the spirits roam in the otherworld, or what we know as, the Underworld. Every now and then, a creature, demon and spirits, escapes from the Otherworld. Sometimes even ancient gods and goddesses do, though that is rare."

"What type of creatures do the Irish have?" Alvern asked her.

"The most known creature is called the Banshee. She is an ugly hag, mostly, and is seen just before death. Her wails are heard from miles away." Seraphina looked at us all. Nobody knew what to say. This made me curious again: how many creatures of mythology were actually real? I wasn't so surprised anymore. If legendary figures were real, why couldn't creatures and gods and goddesses of mythology be real? It made sense and that scared me. I was interested in mythology and my stomach dropped as I recalled many creatures of chaos that I had read about before.

"Well, ain't that nice," Mund muttered, breaking the silence.

I let out a breath I had been holding in. This wasn't nice at all. This was actually horrible. "Basically you're saying that any Celtic mythical creature could have him hostage here?"

Seraphina nodded. "Yes. But I have an old friend here who I would love to visit. He's known as the leader of the Irish race, and also the Lord of the Dead and I believe he may know something about the whereabouts of Jack."

"Where exactly are we in Kerry?" Katherine asked, glancing around the place. Time zones annoyed me. We had left at around twelve, midnight, Eastern time, but Ireland was five hours ahead of us. That means it was only about five in the morning. I knew it would be a long time before we saw light. The winter shortened the days an incredible amount.

"Dingle. Close to the entrance of the Otherworld," Seraphina told us. "Tech nDuinn, is the island on which Donn resides. The island was always known to be to the west, and I believe we are close. However, once we enter be careful. Donn... Is a difficult character lately."

"Why?" I asked her.

"The spirits have become restless lately," she explained. "Ancient creatures have escaped from their chains and roam the country freely. The war goddess has also become a little irritated. Avoid her if you can. Also, stay away from The Shadow, Scathach. She would kill you in a second if she feels threatened by you."

"Goddess?" Alvern exclaimed. "We're going to meet gods and goddesses!? That's... They're all myth!"

"Alvern," Seraphina said firmly, "just remember that you too were thought to be a myth. It's not a nice feeling to be thought of as nothing but a legend."

"Sorry," he muttered. "So, let's go meet Donn, then."

"This going to be fun," North said, grasping the hilt of his sword firmly. "I've always wanted to meet war goddess, Badb," he muttered to Mund and I. I smirked. Of course North would ignore Seraphina's warning. "Oh. And Scathach too! Even better!"

My smile faded. I just hope that Donn could help us. What if he couldn't? What if Scathach felt we were a threat? Would she kill us before we could speak? I shuddered at the thought. Surely these people- immortals, whatever- would be reasonable.

"Wait, hold up." Alvern held his hand up in a T for timeout. We all turned and looked at him. His face went slightly pink with all eyes in him. "Does this... Mean... That Greek gods, roman gods, Egyptian gods and all other mythology is real?"

"Did you really think we were the only immortals alive?"

"Nicholas Flamel?"

"Alive."

"Artemis? Apollo?"

"Alive."

"And why weren't we told about this until now? Why was it kept from us?" Alvern asked sounding annoyed.

"If Egyptian gods and roman gods met, don't you think that would mess up the system they have?" Seraphina tested him. He huffed and nodded. "So, it's best to keep away from other immortals. We are of children's tales, so we are together. They are of other stories and mythology," she explained. "But for now, it is safe to talk to the Celtic gods." She smiled. "I doubt it would mess up the system too much." Her lip twitched. "And, if we can, and if needed, we should ask for Scathach's help."

North's eyes widened. "The warrior help us?" he exclaimed. "I've always wanted to see Scathach in fight. Her skill is legendary."

"We can't waste time," I snapped. "We need to go. Please, Seraphina, show us the way to.. Um... Tech what's-it."

"Tech nDuinn," she replied. She sighed and began to lead the way to the entrance to the Otherworld.

What awaited us? I wondered. Hopefully Donn wouldn't think we were spirits waiting to enter the Otherworld. I'd rather not find myself in that realm.

I hope Jack isn't down there. I doubted they had halls in the Otherworld. But still...

Jack would be okay. I had to believe that.

I hope that you find this okay. :) Sorry, I really love mythology so.. Sorry. I'm also reading a book called the Alchymest series (I'm on the second book) and there's a lot of mention of Celtic mythology which is why I really wanted to include this- and also because I'm Irish and love the Celtic mythology. :)

Poop-ney: Alvern isn't evil! xD It was Jack that was in the hall. And in the next few chapters you'll find out! :) THANK YOU SO MUCH! I'm glad you like the story. :)

ARAAW: Hey! xD Thank you! I'm glad you are enjoying it! :D

Elizabeth: Hm... Answers will be found eventually! xD :) Oh! I forgot about that! I love Harry Potter & the OOTP. :) Best book ever! :D Hope this was soon enough so you didn't go crazy! xD

Thanks for all the reviews guys! :) Please review for more! :) Hope you are okay with the Celtic gods and myths thing! (sorry again!). :)