Ghost thrashed furiously. She knows she isn't going to die by Hunter...Yet...Ghost just needed to know the next plan of action. She needed to find someone aside from Lazul who could teach her magic. A way to reverse the curse that she placed on SkekEkt. Answers to the threat that lurks in Thra. All of it that she can't do while being carried off against her will. Ghost over to Lazul. "Lazul!" She screamed at the Djinn. "Get SkekMal to stop!"

"As you wish, mistress." With that, Lazul extended his arms out. One wrapped around The Hunter's neck. While the upper arms snatched the SkekMal's arms. The lower legs stretched to the nearest tree branches and coiled around them. It all came to an earth tumbling halt. SkekMal choked as the impact tightened his throat. His secondary limbs popped up just in time to lower the descent, but soon lost his grip on Ghost. As Ghost hovered in midair after regaining her balance and wing power, SkekMal hit the ground hard. His bone mask fell on impact. It flipped in the air before it got stuck on the ground teeth first. For a moment he lay still.

Ghost gasped. She glared at the Djinn. "Why did you do that for?! I wanted you to stop him, not hurt him!"

The djinn was dangling on a branch. He looked up. "I simply did what you asked me to."

Ghost fluttered down to the unconscious Skeksis. She knelt down to have a look at him. A hand moved slightly close to his beak. No injuries and breathing, she thought. That's good. Her eyes focused on something interesting. SkekMal had a plume of white feathers on top of his head. He looks barely aged compared to the rest. His skin was not as wrinkled. She almost reached for the secondary limbs to see if anything broke, but leaned back as he let out a groan.

SkekMal slowly opened his eyes. As his vision focused, he began to see Ghost. Her fragile form looked beautiful in the spotted light of the forest. The snowy white skin returned to its original state. Her heterochromatic eyes glittered with worry. SkekMal tried to reach for her but his arm didn't cooperate for a moment. "Oh...Thra…" He wheezed. "That hurt." He slowly got up to his feet.

"D-d-does anything hurt?" Ghost asked.

"No…" SkekMal said. He glared at Lazul. "Not as much as he's going to!" He marched over. He reached into his robe. SkekMal stopped. He fiddled with his robe. The Hunter let out a roar. "Just great! Now my weapons are gone!" He was surprised when Lazul and Ghost handed his crooked blades.

"Here…" Ghost lifted the weapons as best as she could. Her arms ached from the weight, but it wasn't anything she dealt with before. A brief memory of lifting SkekVar's dagger echoed in her mind. "I just wanted him to get you to stop dragging me away from the others."

"I can't stand petty squabbles." He grabbed his blades. SkekMal regretted those words as Ghost's eyes burned at him.

"What we heard back there isn't petty! I'm sure of it." She began to pace the forest floor. Unaware of the small sparks that were produced under her feet. "We're in a bad situation. Like it or not you're involved too! I don't like fighting or arguing as much as any Gelfling or you, but we need a plan! If we don't do something, all of Thra will die and all YOU care about is hunting me down and making me your-trinket!"

SkekMal growled at her. "Be thankful Mother Aughra asked me-"

"Is that the only thing that makes you kill or don't?!" Ghost bared her teeth. A small spark escaped her mouth. "When someone asks you a specific target?! Are you still planning to kill me after what you've learned of what the Chamberlain had done?!"

"I wouldn't have wanted to kill you anyways. Mostly because-"

"Because what? Say it! Say it! I don't know what other Gelflings say behind my back?! That I'm weak! Fragile! A sickly Gelfling that shouldn't be alive and a lousy half-blood to boot!" Ghost was on the brink of tears now. "I would always hear it from SkekSil when I'm not in the room. I would hear from some of the castle guards! It bothers me day to day. But you know what?! I got through it! So you have to deal with planning and strategy if you have to be with me! Deal with a weak Gelfling! Because I've dealt with death before so I'm not afraid by THE LIKES OF YOU!" Without realizing it, Ghost slapped SkekMal hard. She froze. Her hand stung, but not as much as the shock of what she had done. She never did that to anyone, not even to SkekSil.

SkekSil stood there. His rage vanished like a puff of smoke. Replaced by pure shock. He's seen Gelfling get angry, but not like this. The strength in her slap felt like her own emotions hit his core. A sense of defiance that he's never seen before. Raw. Powerful. Was it the otherworldly power that was doing that? No. It was all her. He opened his beak to say something, but the words were left empty. What is Ghost doing to me, he thought.

Suddenly, screeching and barking was heard above them. The two looked up and were surprised at what they were seeing. Fearless and Grumble barking at a fuzzy green blob that was scrambling away to distance itself. Pecking at Lazul's arms. "Mistress. With permission, remove this destructive creatures before-" The branch snapped and they all came tumbling down. Ghost was able to catch Grumble, Lazul and the mysterious green creature while SkekMal had Fearless land in his claws.

"Sidetic!" Ghost's eyes widened in amazement. The little green creature was none other than the one from SkekTek's lab. She hadn't seen the creature since she left the letter. "What are you doing here?!" The white Gelfling giggled as the creature cooed and nuzzled against her cheek. His kisses a wash of relief followed by Grumble's. Her laughter soon died as she turned her attention to Fearless. Her lips turned inward with worry. Last night, she managed to keep the fierce Fizzgig away from the Skeksis in order to prevent these conflicts. Now it was in the claws of the most hot-tempered Skeksis she's ever met.

Fearless sniffed for a moment. She stared at SkekMal's eyes. She didn't whimper or growl. The Hunter himself wasn't responding to the creature. Without warning, Fearless kissed the Skeksis. She soon hopped onto his shoulder and gave a contented bark.

"Get off of me!" SkekMal roared again.

Ghost stared in amazement as the grey Fizzgig got off without a fuss. She set Grumble down and allowed Lazul to crawl back onto her back. Her eyes watched SkekMal as he reached his mask. "That's a first. Normally Fearless would always growl at everyone she meets. I was the only one she'll ever get near let alone touch." Ghost tilted her head. "How come you always hide your face underneath that?"

"That's none of your concern," SkekMal grumbled.

A flutter of wings was soon heard. Deet arrived with Razz by her side. Her cheeks were flushed. Her breathing was a bit harsh. She fluttered down. Deet knelt down with her hands on her knees. "There you are….It took me a while to find you." She pointed to Razz. "Razz was able to spot you after your accident. Are you ok?"

"A bit…" Ghost admitted. "Just had a stern talk with SkekMal is all." She waited for SkekMal to protest about her slapping his face but it didn't happen.

Razz fluttered onto Ghost's shoulder. "Good. Now count three."

"What?" Ghost blinked.

"Just count."

"What is the significance of that?!" SkekMal growled.

"Count!" Razz's feathers were raised now. Crest forming on his head.

"I'll go!" Deet offered. "One…."

"Two-Wait a minute!" Ghost shook her head. She turned her head to Razz. "What happened with Maudra Fara and the others?"

"Say three and you seeeee."

SkekMal growled. He was about to raise his sword when one look at Ghost made him freeze. I'll prove you wrong then, my little prize. He sighed and sheathed his weapons. "Ugh...Three." He cried out when a flash of white swooped out of nowhere and grabbed him, Deet and Ghost in a matter of minutes. Wind whistled around him as he was tossed up and soon landed in a seat. Ghost in front of him. "What in Thra?!"

"What's going on?" Deet asked.

"Just a new form of travel we're working on." Gurjin smirked. His thick braids waving in the wind. Rian was in front of him, holding on to the white feathers of the Starbird. The young Gelfling were now dressed in clean clothes. Rian turned around. "It took awhile to reach an agreement,though."

-(Flashback)-

"Absolutely not!" Muadra Fara shouted. She gave an apologetic look at the slaves that curled up in fear at the sound of her voice. "I will not allow you travel through the forest to Ha'rar and endanger the All Maudra!" She glared hard at SkekSo. Her lips formed a thin line. Her hand steady on her sword.

"The All Maudra is already in danger!" SkekSo pointed out. "With Chamberlain working with them, it would only be a matter of time before he spreads more lies."

Rian walked up to the Emperor. "The same sort of lies you've told us and Ghost? We're better off going to Ha'rar without you!"

SkekTek cautiously walked in between them. "Um...If I may point something out...What happens if we don't show up at the All Maudra's Castle? The Vapran Clan and the rest of Thra would think we were killed during the raid and might have SkekSil as the new Emperor." He flinched as they all turned to him. He cleared his throat. "It would be his word against ours. And if we stay here, we might be in more danger since they seem keen on getting the box and Ornamentalist. But...um…" SkekTek palmed himself. "I can't believe I'm saying this. We could try riding these Starbirds and get ahead of them."

"What?" SkekVar and Ordon asked in unison.

"N-N-Nova offered a safe ride on our backs. She said that they fly to the next town easily. Far better than a carriage."

SkekSo and Maudra Fara glanced at Razz. The Bladewing gave an annoyed look. "It true. Starbirds were once partnered with mighty beings. Rode on their backs a few times. Considered old legend."

"Well...If that's the case." SkekSo turned to the white Starbird. He approached it. "Let's end this argument and go on with them. It would save trouble." The Emperor flinched when he saw the feathers flared. He leaned away. The Starbird gave a fierce hiss. Beak clacking.

SkekTek gulped. He fiddled with synthetic claws. Why can I understand them? This is beyond any scientific logic. "I-It seems the Crystal doesn't want you or any of us on his back."

"Preposterous! Why-" The Emperor was only met with more hissing and glares from the Gelfling. He cleared his throat. He smacked his robe. The black cloth was now lined with mud. No Podlings to wash it this time. No help from Ghost either. Something about that thought made his beak become painful underneath the cover. "Never mind."

Nova jumped up from SkekTek's shoulder. Wings flawed. A bright light temporarily blinded them for a moment. Then, the creature grew back to the original size when the first encountered her. Wing extended to SkekTek. Warbles and coos filled the forest.

"Y-you want me to get on your back?" SkekTek looked at the wing. He blushed as the coos reached his mind. He fiddled with his claws. "Tha-That's a bit of an exaggeration…"

"Exaggeration?" SkekLach tilted his head. "What's she talking about?"

"JUST GET ON THE STUPID BIRD!" SkekSo commanded. His response was met by a fierce hiss.

SkekTek took a deep breath. He walked closer to the wing. He placed his hands on the wing. He shivered. His body felt a strange sensation through his body. Not the same sensation when the crystal was draining his essence. It felt comforting. Safe. SkekTek flinched as a small tap hit his neck. His eyes turned to Orchid. The Threader urged him. He climbed up. His legs settle around the neck. He felt like a childling riding a Landstrider for the first time.

"There now we can-" SkekSo was suddenly cut off. His robe caught in Nova's beak. His bare feet flailed in the air. "What the-Get me down from here!"

Nova began to lurch forward. Razz cackled as the group of Skeksis were making a frantic effort to bring their Emperor down. Her steps cautious but quick as she avoided the laughing Gelfling and the awed slaves. Shield gave a strange noise that resembled laughter. Even SkekTek was able to have a laugh. Suddenly, Nova flipped the Emperor over and began picking up the other Skeksis with ease.

Ordon cleared his throat. He turned to Muadra Fara. "I better be going then. I am the Captain of the Crystal guard. Even if it was a farce." He felt a hand on his shoulder. Ordon turned to Rian. His son's blue eyes remind him of his wife's.

"Don't say that, father," Rian said. "You're a great warrior and father. Ghost would think that too. We should be with her right now." He cautiously looked in the distance. "I wonder where she and Deet are."

Gurjin and Hup glanced around. The duo grimace. Gurjin tightened his fist. "The Hunter is gone too. We should've kept a better eye on him."

"It wouldn't have mattered," Maudra Fara said. "Our guards tried to do so, but he was able to keep himself hidden or appear when he needed to."

Razz fluttered over. "I go find. You hop on Crystal Bird. Bye Maudra Fara. See soon." With that, Razz flew into the trees.

Gurjin laughed. "I got to admit. He's starting to grow on me." He rubbed his shoulder. "Though I wish his claws weren't as painful." Gurjin saw a white wing presented to him and Rian. He smiled. With confident strides, he began walking up. Then, he heard a few noises. Gurjin turned around and saw Shield. He waved the Silk Spitter over. "Come on you. Ghost would be upset if you're left out."

Shield gave an excited whirl. He quickly clambered up with ease. He sat a little further toward the tail to allow Rain and Ordon to sit in front. Shield even gave the slaves a few comforting pats. This is going to be exciting! He said. I've always wondered what it's like to be in the sky.

Rian groaned as he sat down. "Razz is right. We really need to learn Arathim." Both he and Ordon laughed. His blue eyes then turned to Maudra Fara. "I'll protect Ghost. I promise."

"May Thra protect you all." Maudra Fara said as the Starbirds took to the sky.

-(End of Flashback)-

Ghost stared in amazement. She looked to her left. Her smile grew bright as she saw Nova flying in the sky. SkekTek having the time of his life. She even laughed as SkekSo clung on to the feathers as if he would fall by the billowing winds. Ghost shifted her gaze to everything around her. The forest and the Crystal Desert behind her. The fallen castle to her left. The fields of Spriton plains beneath her. Landstriders running with ease. Her right holding the swamps of Sog and the north showed Ha'rar and the Silver Sea. Her ears tickled at the sensation. Her wings popped open immediately. Hunger for flight.

Rian grabbed her arm. "Careful Ghost. You've never been this high up before."

"That's not entirely true." Ghost held up her hand. Once Rian touched it, she gave the memory of escaping the Hunter by flying high in the air. When the Dreamfast was done, Rian stared at her with a shocked face.

"I can't believe you did that!" Rian exclaimed.

Ghost laughed. "If there's one thing Ordon taught everyone is that you never underestimate your opponent. I had to practice defending myself if I want to...to…" Her words died in that moment. Tears brimming her eyes.

Gurjin looked at the horizon. "Oh! Look there, Ghost!" He pointed at the horizon. "There's Ha'rar. We'll be there in no time."

"Yeah," Rian said. "I'm sure Brea would be excited to see you."

Ghost frowned. "That is if SkekSil's lies reached her too."

Deet gave a small smile. "Come on, Ghost. I'm sure she'll-" Her words were cut off as a blaring sound like a fierce trumpet reached their ears.

Shield and Hup looked at the sky frantically. The three slaves cowarded. Their forms hunched over to make themselves smaller. What is that?! Shield spoke. A large shadow covered the sky. Everyone looked up. A grotesque creature loomed over them. Fins that resembled wings. Long shark-like tail at the end. Massive teeth that were big as the pillars of the castle. A shark shaped head with Lionfish patterns arched in a menacing angle.

"No…" Razz's feathers raised. "This bad! This really bad!" He got off of Ghost's shoulder and plunged for the trees. "Follow! Get to lower ground!"

"What is that thiiiiinnngg?!" SkekTek screamed. He clung onto Nova as she made a plunge for the ground.

Ghost felt words forming in her mind. A name. Old. Much older than Mother Aughra herself. Suddenly, she noticed Deet lost her grip on the chest. It slipped ready to plummet to the earth. Ghost broke free as the name and warnings from the White Starbird echoed in her head. She felt Sidteec clamp at the back of her collar. Her hands reached out. The silvery-white wool felt out. Her wings flared out. In an instant, she grabbed them both. Her feet hovering a few feet above the treeline. She looked up to see the enormous creature heading towards her. Heart hammering, she tried to fly into the trees only to be knocked by the tail. Ghost regained her balance. She kept going to the trees, but each time she did she was knocked away or nearly chomped in two by massive teeth. For a while, it felt like an endless cycle until a flash of white grabbed her while a flash of blue clawed at the creature's back. A flash of lightning sparked around.

"Friend Ghost ok?!" Razz asked. His feathers crackled with electricity.

"Yes." Ghost blinked. "You can create lightning?!"

Razz nodded. "Part of our specialty since bound by storms. Razz learned it when got here."

"Then how come you didn't use it before?" SkekMal asked.

"Too risky." Razz sighed. "Plus not worth it on sorry beakies."

SkekMal rolled his eyes. Suddenly, he noticed that the two Starbirds were heading straight for the trees. "Look out!" He wrapped his arm around Ghost's waist. The world spun as they dodged them. The gravity pulls at them, making it difficult to hold on.

Ordon and Rian shifted. They soon noticed an opening that was starting to yawn before them. "There!" Ordon yelled. "We can lose him there!"

The two Starbirds lifted themselves up for a few feet. Then, they plunged into the hole that was large enough. Darkness swallowed them. Screams and roars could only be heard. Trees snapped. The earth thundered. Another roar. It felt like an agonizing eternity until silence ruled them. The cavern filled with heavy breathing. Gentle lights began to glow around them. Frantic hands grabbing onto feathers.

"Who...was that?" Deet whispered.

"The better question is what is that?" Rian said. His arm wrapped around Deet's waist. He turned bright red as he realized this. The dark, large eyes staring back at him. Only mere inches to his face. He pulled his arm away. "Sorry."

Ghost was about to answer. Suddenly, she found herself sinking. Her body was trapped in a dark place. Yet, it was very warm. Suddenly, a cold sensation rushed to her. Bright light flooded into her vision. Several large giants loomed over her. They all stared at her with pure awe. Pure love. She tried to hear what they were saying but it was gargled. Ghost was suddenly yanked back into reality by the firm arm of SkekMal and Shield's tapping.

Ghost, are you ok? Shield asked. He loomed over SkekMal's shoulder to have a better look at her friend.

Ghost nodded slowly. "Yeah...Everyone ok?"

Hup groaned. "World...spinning...Not good…" He heaved over the side. His garb was held up by Gurjin.

A loud groan followed. Everyone looked around for the source of the noise. It wasn't SkekLach that was for sure. When the groan came again, they realized it was from SkekOk. The ScrollKeeper adjusted his glasses that didn't fall off his beak. "Normally I would never agree with a Podling but considering the straining ride...I too am feeling...nauseous." He soon heaved over the side. To his embarrassment, it hit SkekZok. "Dear me...Sorry."

"Gaaaahhhh!" SkekZok used the sleeve of his robe to remove the vomit. SkekLach tried to hide his chuckle.

SkekSo growled. He tightened his grip on Nova. His blue eyes pierced through the darkness. He saw Razz fluttering in a few directions. His arms ached from the impact. His beak itched underneath the cover. "Bladewing! What was that creature in the sky?"

Razz gulped. His feathers flared. "Only heard story from Elder, but everyone know of Murkon. Evil god."

"A what?" SkekSo tilted his head.

"You mean a meaner version of Mother Aughra?" Ghost asked.

Razz nodded. "Yes. Big trouble. No doubt want to finish what he started."

"He's going to patrol the skies for us?" Ordon sighed. "Looks like our trip to Ha'rar got complicated."

Hope you've enjoyed this chapter. Ghost's relationship with SkekMal just got complicated.