-Outside the Castle of the Crystal-

Everyone nearly stumbled out of that hole. SkekAyuk had to be pushed hard by Shield and Hup in order to get out. Just like Ghost had said, it led them all to safety. As much as the Skeksis hated having to listen to a traitorous Ghost, the lizard-like creatures knew they had no choice. They weren't prepared for that onslaught and were lucky enough to cross the waters to reach the Stonewood Forests. So far, Ritual Master,Collector and Emperor were the only ones that had been injured.

The group went further and further until they reached the safety of Stone-In-The-Wood where Maudra Fara and the other denizens were already attending to some wounds. However, only five individuals began running back to the castle. SkekMal took the lead. Deet trailed behind him. SkekTek, Rian and Hup all ran as fast as they could on the ground. Huffs and growls filled the air. Suddenly, a loud explosion and a screech erupted. A shockwave sent everyone tumbling back.

"What was that?!" Rian said.

"I don't know…" SkekTek said, he shook the leaves off his robe. He got onto his feet. He squawked as he saw a bright light blaze the sky. "Ghost!" He ran with SkekMal close behind him. He followed the light until he reached a clearing. The Scientist gasped at what he saw before him.

There stood a large, white bird. It was owl-like as the previous ones. A regal barn owl. In the center of its chest was the pure Crystal of Truth. On top of it's head was Razz and Orchid, both creatures trying to understand what had just happened. It stood there, protecting Ghost and SkekEkt. Both Gelfling and Skeksis unmoving, but breathing slightly. Both bearing ugly wounds.

-(Stone-In-Wood)-

Ghost's body screamed. Her chest felt like fire. It felt heavy like something existed along with her own heart. She wanted it to stop. A wave of warmth and cold swirled around her. She wanted to speak, but no words came out. Her mouth felt dry. Yep, she thought. I'm definitely alive. A squeak escaped her throat when light blazed into her vision. She tried moving her hand, but it refused her command. Like last time, the colors swirled until her eyes focused on the ceiling of a house.

Rian and Deet loom over her. Both had a look of relief washed over them. Rian was the first to smile. "Ghost! You're finally awake!"

"How do you feel?" Deet asked.

Ghost moaned for a moment. "Like a bunch of Fizzgigs went to bite me, then trampled by a large herd of Landstriders." As if "Fizzgigs" was a magic word, a few yaps were heard. She gave a weak smile as Grumble and Fearless came into view. Ghost let out a hoarse laugh despite herself as they licked her. Deet moved them aside so they could see her. Razz's grey head soon popped into view. Orchid crawled onto Rian's head.

Rian groaned. "Could you please stop doing that?"

Orchid huffed. Excuse me! The last time I tried to be on your shoulder, your father swatted me. It's the only way that Ghost can see me.

Ghost smiled. "Orchid...I'm glad you and Razz made it."

Orchid hopped off. Shh! Don't talk now. Best have some water and food before any questions.

Deet gave a confused look. Rian did the same. Only Razz fluttered over to a tray and grabbed a cup with his claws. He dainty pressed it to Ghost's lips. Rian and Deet soon helped Ghost angle her head so she wouldn't choke. Razz shook his head. "You Gelfling need learn Arathim."

Suddenly, there were footsteps thundering over. Rian and Deet gasped. The light that was leaking out of the window now had two large shadows darkening the room. Ghost glanced over and realized it was Scientist and Hunter. The Scientist had bandages on his neck. He looked tired. His golden eyes were red and puffy. The Hunter wasn't any better. The bone-wearing Skeksis looked irritable. Like he would tear apart or eat any Gelfling that looked at him funny. They both turned their heads to see Ghost fully awake.

"Wonder!" SkekTek cried. He struggled to bring his arms out to hold her. It was his little nickname for her.

Something about that nickname not hearing it for so long brought Ghost so much joy. And so much sorrow. Her heart twisted as she recalled what the Emperor said. Despite this, she could say one word to him. "Blue…" She then looked at Rian and Deet. "What happened? How long have I been out?"

"You've been out for a few days." Rian answered. "As for what happened. Well...A lot happened really. After we got back, things went crazy. We managed to get you and the Oranmentalist back to Stone-In-The-Wood. Your injuries were bad. Also...We found out about what happened to you...the crystal...the skeksis...Right now, my father and Maudra Fara are trying to calm down the hostilities upon learning the truth." He pointed at SkekTek. "Even Scientist got into a fight with the Emperor." He lifted his hand.

Ghost wordlessly took it and began to dreamfast. In a flash, she saw everything. The bird with the crystal showing a blurry image through its wings. SkekTek facing off with SkekSo. The Scientist let out a roar of rage. He tackled SkekSo with ease. The silver beak cover flew somewhere Ghost couldn't see. The fight got so bad that all the Skeksis had to intervene. So far, Chamberlain was not in any of these memories. Once she was done, Ghost fell asleep. But not before her eyes were filled with tears.

-(The Next Day)-

Ghost woke up again. This time with the smell of food. Her body didn't ache as much so it was easy to sit up and take in the spoonfuls of soup. The warmth gave her a sense of relief. However, she wanted to talk to SkekEkt and SkekTek. Questions burned in her head as well as her heart. She took a moment to feel her chest. It felt unusually warm further up where her heart is supposed to be while the other side felt cool. Ghost closed her eyes. Then, she heard it. Two other heartbeats. Both of which weren't her own. She gasped as she remembered her discussion with the two spirits. They somehow put their own hearts through their bites. "But why?" She asked only to herself.

"Why what?"

Ghost nearly jumped when she saw SkekMal stick his head out. She was quite surprised that he was able to do so while still wearing his bony headgear. "Hunter! You came back? I thought you don't like being involved with squabbles."

SkekMal sighed. "I don't. If anything I would like to leave this village with you since you're my trophy...However...There are two things that keep me from doing that."

Ghost tilted her head. Her mouth tightened at the word "trophy". "And what pray tell would that be?"

Suddenly, it looked like SkekMal was actually embarrassed to answer. He was silent for a moment. "I want to make sure that no one mocks Skeksis, but...Mother Aughra says you'll know how to keep us all alive."

Ghost nearly dropped her spoon. She shook herself. "Wait...Did you say...Mother Aughra? As in the one from those stories about her? The one who can see the future?"

"The very same."

The door opened in front of Ghost. In walked a thing of legends, Mother Aughra. Her ram horns showed great power. Her gray hair curled and wild as the vines out in Thra. Her dark skin went well with her blue-multi layered dress. Her third eye that was believed to see all paths to the future remained shut. In her hand was a staff. She crouched down to avoid bumping into the ceiling. She walked over to Ghost. Her one orange eye looked Ghost over up and down. She tsked at the sight of her. "You poor Gelfling. The SkekSo's cruelty seems to have cost you a great deal of pain." She draped her arm over Ghost gently.

The white Gelfling looked up to her. She tried to swallow the pain. "Um...Nice to meet you..I wish it was under better circumstances." Her hearts hammered as Aughra knelt closer. The enormous head listening closely. She sighed as Aughra backed away. However, the soft grunt made her freeze.

"You seem to be given power not of this world. From what the others had told me it isn't a normal capability to summon fire or ice at will. Or change a Skeksis into a Podling."

Ghost gave a blank look. "I change a what into a what?"

Mother Aughra looked at the doorway. Standing there was a peculiar Podling. "Come on now. We don't have all day." She eyed the cloaked Podling. Taking in every step. The shame of the bowed head. The pudgy fingers gripping the hood. Finally, the Podling reached the bed. Mother Aughar pulled hard on the hood. The Podling had a strange white tint to his face. The hair was nearly gone. The gentle, round face was covered with wounds. Dark eyes filled with shame as Ghost narrowed her eyes as she saw strange puckered lines that went down the neck.

Ghost reached out. Then, she felt pearls around the Podling's neck. A necklace that she was all too familiar with. She looked at the Podling again. Her eyes widened. "Ekty?" When the Podling silently gazed away, her answer was confirmed. Tears welled in her eyes. She hugged him despite the pain radiating along her arms and back. She gazed back at him. "How did this happen? I don't remember doing anything to him except…" Ghost began to explain what had happened during her time in limbo and freeing SkekEkt from sinister vines unaware that it was starting to draw a large crowd.

Mother Aughra went grim. "It's worse than I feared." She got up from the bed. "You're facing a danger that is as old as I." She sighed. "I can't help you as of right now. Thra's voice has left me since I spent time in the stars. However, I was able to hear your voice and a cry that summoned me back here."

Ghost looked up at her as the old woman walked toward the door. "What do I need to do, Mother Aughra?"

Mother Aughra glanced over to her. "For now, heal and rest up. You can't help anyone with those injuries you've sustained." Then, she glared at the Skeksis. The hardest landed on SkekSo, who bore a black eye. "You lot better take care of her! Ghost is already going through enough suffering as it is!" With that, she left in the middle of town. The faint whispers of Stonewood Gelfling barely made a melody in the forest.

Ghost then glanced back at SkekEkt. Only to see the Podling slip away from the bed and replace the hood up. Ghost wanted to ask more questions about what happened but from what Rian showed her and how SkekEkt acted, she could already knew the answer. She finally realized that she wasn't alone. Without saying anything else, she went back to her soup. Once she finished, she decided to let that one question fly. "So...Did Mother Aughra give that black eye to the Emperor?"

SkekLach was quick to answer before anyone could stop him. "Actually...That was Scientist who did that." He quickly ran away as SkekSo let out a roar of rage. It didn't take long for SkekOk, SkekZok and SkekVar went after them. Leaving only SkekAyuk and SkekTek in the doorway. The Gourmand only gave a solemn stare and soon joined SkekEkt. SkekTek only gazed down in embarrassment. He even shrunk at the glare of The Hunter.

"Don't try anything else. You already sold us out to the Gelfling." Hunter bared his teeth. He lowered his head. Refusing to remove himself from Ghost. To his surprise, Ghost gingerly put a hand. He looked. Even the white Gelfling didn't understand why she did it. However, he had no desire to jerk away.

"What are you talking about?" Ghost asked.

SkekTek nervously fiddled with his synthetic limbs. "Well...I...told the Gelflings the truth. All of it."

Ghost leaned on SkekMal in shock. "You actually told them everything. Even some of the stuff you made me promise to keep?" When SkekTek nodded, Ghost found her lip trembling. She sniffed. Her eyes filled with tears again. Ghost had figured many of the Gelflings would be angry with her since they kept that large of a secret from them. However, SkekTek risked his status for her. She should feel happy...but something else crawled into her heart. Her skin chilled as cold fingers touched her head. "Wait...What happened to my hair?" She looked around and saw a mirror. Ghost picked it up and gasped in shock. Her hair was completely gone.

"I put that mirror up when you were finally able to notice," Ordon said. The older Stonewood warrior walked in with Maudra Fara at his side. He walked toward her. "Glad to see you moving again, Ghost." He glared at the Hunter. "Sorry you're stuck with him. We tried to keep him away from you, but he's only a few miles away to hunt before he returns again." He ignored the Skeksis' dangerous growl.

"There's also something I need to ask you." Maudra Fara sat at the edge of the bed. She looked hard in Ghost's eyes. Fara was very young. Maybe a little younger than the All Maudra. Both suffered the loss of their mother at a young age. Having to take the role of leader was no small feat, but she managed. By the bags under her eyes, sleep seems to be the one thing she's battling right now. "I know about your sight through SkekTek and right now Aughra needs to restore hers. We're dealing with a few thieves that have been robbing us."

Ghost shook her head. "I'm afraid I won't be able to help you. I'm still understanding how it works. As far as I know, it only predicts the disasters of...those I'm close to." She looked down at her hands. Ghost wanted to do more. The mysterious powers that course through her. How she wanted an answer. Then, a thought occurred to her. "Did you find anything they dropped? I'm sure that SkekMal will find them for you."

"What?!" SkekMal looked at her. His head bumped hard into the ceiling. "YOU want me to hunt a bunch of weaklings?!"

Ghost snorted. She crossed her arms in defiance. "Well. That didn't stop you from hunting me now, did it?"

At that, SkekMal growled. "Only because of Chamberlain. He-"

"I know that he's involved. He's weaker than you, but you still followed his order. Right now, there are thieves stealing not just the food supply of the Stonewood Gelfling but also from your fellow Skeksis. It would be a disgrace to let it go further right?"How Ghost wanted to kick herself for sounding a bit like SkekSil right now.

SkekMal was silent. However, a heavy breath and heat radiated off of him. A low growl radiated up to the point it was going to shake the house. Anger burned in his eyes. Yet, also embarrassment. He silently lifted his head. He turned his gaze to Maudra Fara. "Do you have anything I can use?"

Maudra Fara sat there, shocked. Eyes wide. She looked at Ghost before she pulled out a chain link. The metal black and foreboding. The Stonewood Maudra shivered at its grim weight. "One of the guards found it."

SkekMal moved his head. His nostrils flared as he took in the scent of death and mud. "I'll find them and make them regret coming here." He turned to Ghost. "I'll deal with you later." With that, he vanished.

Maudra Fara stared at Ghost. Even Ordon finally dropped his jaw at what he just witnessed. The two just exchange glances at each other for a moment. Then gave a questioning look at her. SkekTek, who was still standing in the doorway, even gaped at how Ghost handled the most feared among the Skeksis.

Ghost sighed. "One of the benefits of growing up with….the lords…" Her mouth went bitter at those words. "You know how to talk to them in a way that gets the point across."

SkekTek fiddled with his synthetic talons once more. Guilt strewn across his face. "Y-you do it a bit more nicely than most would do. Though...Hunter isn't the "talk to reason" type." He went away from the house for a while until he returned with a mysterious box. He lowered his head as he made his way. He showed it to her. "I thought you might know something about this."

Ghost tilted his head. "What do you mean?" She looked down at the box. The carvings were strange. Even the fancy starfish lock proved to be quite interesting. She took in every detail. Her eyes blinked for a moment. For some strange reason...the lock began to move slowly. Am I imagining it, Ghost thought.

"I wasn't able to study it after we retrieved you from that...cursed castle." SkekTek explained. "When I did, I found that these carvings are old. Some of this language does come across as something that is familiar to me, but I can't put my finger on it. However, I noticed it gives a peculiar reaction when it gets close to you. Perhaps this power that Mother Aughra spoke of might have a clue as to why that is. Or the intended purpose."

Ghost trailed her fingers against the carvings. She shuddered. Ghost couldn't explain why but she could feel something alive underneath the wood. Gargled voices heard in the background. Her hearts felt like they were ready to jump out of her chest. Then, to her shock, the lock snapped open its eye. A lighter shade of blue that matched her eye as well as a star-shaped pupil. Darker blue arms with golden flecks reached out of Ghost. She tried to pull her hand away only to have it coil around her wrist. A yelp only escaped her as the creature suddenly leaped onto her chest.

Ordon, Muadra Fara and SkekTek frantically tried pulling at it but only clung tighter. Ordon reached for his sword. He was about to use it but was stopped. "You might hit Ghost!" Maudra Fara hissed. She soon held Ghost's hand, feeling a small vibration in her arm.

Ghost felt the arms wrap around her whole body. Every curve on her back made her flinch in the areas where SkekSil stabbed her are still tender. What was strange was that her body began to feel a bit more relaxed as if she knew right away that it wasn't going to hurt her. Her breathing began to feel even. Then, she saw a strange image. It felt like dreamfasting but instead of seeing a Gelfling's memory. In a dark throne room, she could see King Neco surrounded by a strange group of creatures. No doubt his court. Then, she heard a hiss. Suddenly, weird bubbles filled the room. Ghost could hear filthy remarks about her. Something about them made her blood boil with rage. Claws suddenly sprang into view. "How dare you!" Shouted a voice that wasn't her own. It was actually the Ornamentalist. "Don't you talk about my beautiful jewel like that!" The memory faded like water and she was back in bed, trying to understand what just happened.

The starfish slithered off her chest and rested at the foot of the bed. It curled up and shut its eye. However, one arm gently wrapped around her foot. Almost as if it wishes to anchor in her soul. It paid no mind to the shocked individuals that were staring at it.

"A-astounding…" SkekTek said.

"What in Thra was that?" Maudra Fara said.

"I don't know…" Ordon looked back at Ghost. "Ghost, are you alright?"

Ghost nodded slowly. Her body felt cool. The wounds didn't sting as much. Her body just felt slightly lighter now. Almost as if she can actually walk. "I'm fine. The wounds aren't affected. However, I don't think he'll want to leave me any time soon."

"He?!" SkekTek shouted.

"What are you talking about?" Maudra Fara asked. Suddenly, she was interrupted by a soldier. She turned back to Ghost. "We'll talk more later." With that, she left.

Ordon sighed. "Better go join her. I have a feeling there's going to be another fight with the other lords at any moment if I'm not out there. I'll make sure Gurjin and Rian come visit you." He glared at SkekTek. His amber eyes cold with hidden fury. "Don't try anything...Scientist!" He stormed off.

SkekTek stared at Ghost. A heavy silence filled the air. "So...What was the sensation like?" He was met with silence. "Do you feel dizzy? Nauseous?" Silence again. "Maybe I should look at those wounds again to make sure you're ok?" He reached for Ghost's hand. She retracted it. He looked at her with a hurt expression. Then, he just simply sat on the floor to the best of his abilities.

"It would be best not to irritate my mistress further. It seems that you're making her really unhappy."

Ghost and SkekTek jumped. They looked around for the source of the voice. It sounded smooth. Like it belonged to a noble. A slight hint of spending time under the water. No one was there. Did they imagine it?

Ghost cleared her throat. "I...appreciate the gesture, but I'm quite alright. I was simply startled by this strange creature. That's all."

"Far from it." There was the voice again. Just as monotone as ever.

"Who are you!" SkekTek roared. "Show yourself!"

"No need. I'm right here." A heavy pause as they looked around. "On the bed."

The duo did just that. They blinked. Did this starfish creature talk to them? In their language? Without thinking, Ghost poked him. His skin rippled. Ghost proceeded up the eye with one of her fingers. "I wouldn't try, mistress. It might make for a more unpleasant day than it already is."

Ghost and SkekTek screamed. It didn't take long for SkekMal and a distressed SkekEkt, who was grabbing a windowpane for support, to arrive at the room. Deet, Hup and Rian all ran into the hut. Rian drew out his sword. The tip nearly nicked SkekMal's face. Panting filled the air. "What's going on?!" Deet cried.

"I-I was just showing her the box Collector and I retrieved." SkekTek shouted. He bumped his head as he was getting up. "Then, this thing came to life and talked!"

"I'm not a thing." The creature corrected. "I'm a Djinn. I specialize in sensing thoughts and emotions of the one I bond to. I can also learn to speak your language through the blood I've ingested and memories." He stretched out a tentacle to SkekEkt who let out a soundless shriek before he fell out of view. "The one you call 'Ornamentalist' was the one where I managed to take information from."

"That's horrible!" Deet shouted. She marched over to the starfish. "How could you even think that?! Don't you know what hurt you've done? Don't you care at all what your power will do?"

The eye stared at her. Unblinking. "We Djinn don't feel anything. We can identify emotion, but we're not able to utilize it." He soon began to shut his eye. "Our only purpose is to serve those who are worthy of our power. Ghost...has...something...of interest." He spoke no more as he soon went into a deep sleep.

Rian stood there confused. He withdrew his weapon. "What in Thra was that about?" His blue-eyed gaze turned to Ghost. "Ghost, do you know what's going on?"

Ghost didn't pay him any mind. Her attention turned back at the box that nearly fell over the bed in her shock. She put her hand on it. Her arm began to vibrate. Something alive is in that box. It might need help. With ease, the lid gave way. She soon felt SkekTek kneel beside her. Rian, Hup and Deet huddled close to her. A soft sobbing from SkekEkt made her original heart twist. SkekMal looked at the box like a predator ready to pounce. The lid creaked as she pushed it open. Inside were heart-shaped stones. Each light vibrates in a different color. Soft whispers of loneliness and fear touched her ears. Then, she felt a pull from an unknown force. She pushed the stones aside. At the very bottom were four different colored pelts. One was orange-red with tufts of yellow wool and rough to the touch. A black wool pelt with subtle hints of blue when hit with the sun. A pure golden wool pelt that was surprisingly soft. The one that caught her eye was the silver-white wool with twists of purple and light blue. It mimicked the stars in the sky.

"What is this?" Rian asked.

"This is so beautiful." Deet breathed.

SkekTek was silent for a moment. Then, he finally spoke. "One of those deformed creatures at the prison mentioned that this...Djinn was to help remove the pain that others bear." He picked up one of the stones. "Could he mean these?"

"Bigger Question." Hup said. "What deal with pelts?"

That's it for this chapter. Stay tuned and please review.