With a thrust and a slash, the last of the dark crystals was destroyed, paving the path open towards Nemain.

Morgana didn't waste a breath. Seizing the moment, she charged.

The Skull Witch coolly placed her arm in front of her, pulling a demonic skull from the shelves into her grasp. With a crackle of energy, an ethereal body grew from the base of the skull just as irises of deep purple emerged from the shadows of its eyeholes.

Morgana sidestepped lightly, evading the massive fist of the strange beast, and cut the abomination's stomach horizontally.

However, instead of falling, the creature merely wavered slightly as its body reconstituted itself.

But that moment was enough.

Morgana leaped, her laser blade pulsed towards Nemain's throat.

Nemain raised a hand.

Light and darkness clashed in a brilliant frenzy, illuminating the faces of the two women.

The female knight's weapon was incapable of penetrating the shield of dark magic that formed at the witch's touch. But it didn't need to.

Falling to the side, Morgana spun and escaped through the open trapdoor.

Nemain sighed. "You just had to make things difficult for me… no matter. Run while you can. I'll flush you out like a rat in a maze."

The Knight of Roses dashed through the battered stone corridors.

She had to retrieve the Blaster Blade.

…

Llew froze.

He felt a hand press on the back of his neck, followed by a slight disorientating sensation.

"You're clear," said the voice as the hand detached itself.

Turning and raising his sword, Llew caught sight of a girl who seemed to be about the same age as him. She was dressed in obvious Royal Paladin garb, but instead of the knights, she was clad in the robe of a scholar.

"Woah, woah, easy there," she motioned with her hands wide. "I'm not gonna hurt you."

"Who are you and what did you do to me?"

"It's only proper for a knight to introduce himself first, don't you think?"

Llew hesitated. "I'm Llew. A knight of the Academy."

"That's better," the girl placed a fist on her chest proudly as she proclaimed. "I'm Marron, number one disciple of the one and only Sage of Guidance, Zenon."

She paused for a moment, waiting for Llew's reaction.

"Uh.. right. So what's a sage like you doing all the way out here?"

"I could ask you the same question."

Llew made no effort to mask his exasperation at her attitude. "My friends and I were travelling to Angel Feather territory and decided to camp here overnight. But when I woke up, they were all gone. And I lost my.."

"Lost your?"

"…nothing. It's not important."

Marron raised her eyebrows suspiciously but probed no further. "Well, lucky for you, I sensed a weird energy signature in the area and came here to investigate. And if it's your friends you're looking for.. they're a little faint, but I can feel their presence. Three humans, two high dogs, a horse and a Goldbeetle right?"

At this, Llew's eyes brightened. "You can find them?!"

"But of course," Marron wagged a finger as she grinned to herself smugly. "Just follow the master."