Heroes and Masterminds Part Two:

Claudia was doing more scrubbing and cleaning when Saleer walked over. "The king has requested you to be taken to your chambers. He says you've done enough work for today and need rest,"

Claudia blinked. That's strange. On the other hand, she was relieved that she didn't have to do any more work that required so much physical work without the use of magic. "Tell him I say goodnight,". She walked off towards her chambers. Saleer turned his head and Viren and Soren came out from behind the corner. Viren smiled, glad Claudia was gonna be out of harm's way for what was about to come next.

"Why are you keeping her in the dark?" Soren asked.

"I am doing what is best for humanity," said his father. "And I don't want her to get involved in what's about to come,"

"So you're going to lie to her again?"

Viren spun around and pinned Soren again the wall. "I am doing this for her own good. Just as I have done everything for the good of humanity. Don't let me down,". Soren anxiously nodded. He turned to Saleer. "Gather the soldiers. They die tonight,". He looked at his son. "You will guard these corridors. If you see them, kill them. Don't you dare fail me,"

Behind another corner, Opeli gasped. She had to act fast.


Raylan and Caroline watched helplessly as Nyx was carried out. "She can't get away with this!" she cursed.

Down below, Ethari growled as Nyx made a run for it. He was not gonna have it. He compelled his mouth to go forward and it did. He pulled out his bow and arrows and shot two arrows into the sky. One of them grazed Nyx's wings and she growled in pain. But she wasn't gonna go down so easy like that.

Zym! Barked Felix, frightened for his life.

"He can't shoot her down," said Raylan. "It's no use,"

Carol knew there had to be a way. Just then she got an idea. "Turn around Ray,"

"Why?" he asked.

"Just turn around!" she shouted. Confused but trusting her, he did. She pulled off her royal dress, exposing her sleeveless, underdress underneath.

Ray turned around slightly. "Why are you unchanging?"

"Don't look at me!"

"Okay! Okay!"

Carol tried searching for some ink or paint and to her luck found some amongst Nyx's things. She painted six runes, three direct ones down each arm. "Okay," she took in a deep breath. "Manus! Pluma! Vilantis!" Nothing worked. "MANUS! PLUMA! VILANTIS!" she shouted. It wasn't working.

"Carol…this isn't gonna work," said Raylan. "It's hopeless,". But Carol wasn't gonna give up. There was only one thing she could think. She closed her eyes and took in a deep breath and breathed out slowly. Suddenly she ran, jumped onto the ledge of the saddle seat and leapt. "Carol!"

Carol, with her eyes closed, chanted: "Manus. Pluma. Vilantis,". Her arms turned into a pair of wings. She opened her eyes and flew into the air, her wings carrying her above the sand. "I did it!" she cried out. "I did it!"

Raylan and Ethari were amazed.

Felix barked, cheering for his person. The Adoraburrs jumped for joy.

"You did it!" cheered Ray. "Get Zym!"

Carol narrowed her eyes and instantly shot after Nyx who looked back and gasped seeing the human mage with wings. "No,". Zym saw Carol flying after them and his eyes enlarged.

You did it.

"Give me back Zym!" Carol's eyes burned like lightning.

"No!" Nyx wasn't going to give up him. She flapped faster, going high up into the clouds. "Hard to catch what you can't see!"

But Carol wasn't afraid. She soared upwards but the moment she dove up, she couldn't see anything. "Zym!" she cried out.

Carol. Use our connection to find us. The closer you are, the strong it is. Zym called back. You can do it. Close your eyes and focus on me.

Carol flapped her wings and closed her eyes, focusing only on Zym and their connection. And she felt him. Not far away. She opened her eyes again and shot forward.

Nyx cackled as she came out of the clouds. "Lost her now,"

But in his gag, Zym smiled. Then suddenly out of nowhere, came Carol's diving down towards them. By the time, Nyx looked up she saw a boot hit her face and she dropped Zym. "Zym!" Carol dove after him as he couldn't fly as he was still bound up. He plunged towards the sandy desert below.

From where they were Raylan, Ethari and the Adoraburrs looked in shock as they fell from the sky. "Come on, Carol," prayed the Moonshadow teen.

Zym was only metres away from crash-landing. Ten metres. Eight. Six. Four. Two… Carol turned enveloped him in her wings and they crashed into a dune, landing without breaking any bones.

"Carol!" Raylan found a rope and swung down from the saddle of the mighty beast to Ethari below. They galloped forward on the mount to reach her.

Carol cringed, feeling pain all over. Nothing was broken. But she was quite bruised. She unfurled her wings and saw Zym, safe and sound. She turned her wings back into arms and undid his bindings before hugging him to her chest. "Are you okay?"

Am I okay? Are you okay?

"I'm fine," Carol cringed.

That was so cool. When he looked over her shoulder, he saw Nyx about to snatch him from behind. Carol! Look out!

Carol spun around and saw Nyx with black right eye about to descend upon them. She drew a ruin. "Fulminus!" her lightning struck the Skywing elf and she plunged down the dune into a large sandy pit. She breathed slowly in and out.

"Carol!" cried out Raylan's voice. They turned and saw him and the others galloping towards them. He dismounted her and fell to his knees, embracing her. "You're okay,"

"I'm alright," she assured. She realised she was still wearing her underdress and chuckled nervously. "Sorry. I had to paint the ruins on my arms. That's what I was missing,"

Raylan chuckled nervously back.

"Let's never mention this to anyone. You were incredible," he said proudly.

"You truly are gifted Princess Caroline," complimented Ethari with a fond smile.

Carol!. Felix bounded over to her and licked her face. I was so worried.

"I'm alright buddy," she assured.

Zymmie! Felix jumped on Zym and they rolled around in the sand together whilst the Adoraburrs jumped for joy in Carol's hands.

Raylan stroked Zym. "I'm so glad you guys are safe," he said relievedly.

"We need to get back on the Ambler before…" Ethari was cut off by the shouting of Nyx.

"Help me!" she cried. They looked down in the pit and they saw her, her skin and wings all smoky. "My wings are hurt! I can't fly!". To their horror, Soulfangs came out of the sand, ready to attack. They gasped. Even though she had betrayed them, it was still an awful way for someone to die like that.


In Ezran's bedroom, he and Willow were eating jelly tarts. Willow felt much in the need for a snack after being separated like that. She ate slowly. "You okay?" her brother asked.

"I'm just worried about Pyrrah. I can't bear to think of how lonely she must be feeling,"

"We're gonna get her back," promised Ezran, giving her a side hug.

"Where's Bait?" she asked.

"I gave him to Barius to look after," he said. "I won't deny this Willow. Whatever happens next could be very dangerous. I wanted to keep him out of harm's way. And now I want you to as well. When we go see Aanya, you should stay in Duren,"

"No. I'm going to help you save the others," said Willow with determination. Though ten and the youngest of the family, she was determined to be by their side no matter what. Before her brother could argue, the doors burst open and they saw Caldor coming into the room.

"Caldor.." Ezran was taken by his shock.

"We need to get you guys out," he said, rushing over to the window. Outside he saw numbers of soldiers outlined everywhere. "Dang it. Soldiers everywhere,"

"What's going on?" asked Willow.

"It's a coup," he whispered loudly.

"A coup?" shouted Ezran.

"Shush!" he hushed. "We have to get you guys out of here. Now,"

They heard loud footsteps outside. The children were scared. Ezran pushed Willow behind him protectively. "Take these," Caldor pulled out two long cloaks. "Put these on," she tied the around their necks. "These are moon robes.. They will make you invisible. When you get the chance, run for it," he gently nudged them towards the wall. "Opeli and Gren are waiting in the forest with horses,"

Before the children could argue, he pulled the hoods over their heads and they turned invisible. He stood back, pulling out an ancient blade of moon-energy. The door barged open and Viren and Saleer marched inside with some soldiers.

"Oly you would stoop too far to betray your king like this," sneered Caldor, bearing his blade.

"He has pushed me to this," the traitor downplayed his actions. "It is Viren who will lead us on the right path,"

"Where are the children?" demanded Viren.

"I will never betray the true king and his sister," Caldor would fight to the death if he had to. "This is how you repay Sarai, our beloved queen, Lord Viren? She gave her life for you and now you dare to take the life of her beloved children?"

"It is for the good of humanity. Then once we invade Xadia, I will kill that step princess and that devil baby dragon,"

Ezran and Willow in their invisible capes tiptoed out of the room, both looking back with scared eyes as Caldor faced the men who wanted to kill them.

"Where are the children?" demanded Saleer.

"I'll fight first before talking," Caldor bore his blade.

"As you wish," Viren clicked his fingers and the soldiers lunged at Caldor. With no choice, the children down the hallway, keeping as quiet as they could. As they did, more soldiers were everywhere looking for them. They fled past a row of standing armour. Suddenly Ezran's clock got caught on an armoured hand and his cover was pulled off. A soldier spotted him. "There he is!"

"Run!" Ezran grabbed Willow's hand and the soldier pursued them. Suddenly another appeared out of nowhere and attempted to make a grab but ended up grabbing Willow's cloak and pulling it off as well. They turned another corner but before they could continue running, they were pulled behind a curtain. It was Corvus. He gently shushed them. They heard the guards running past them. "Come on,". They followed him down the corridors, doing their past, going as quickly but quietly as possible.

They were almost at the hall when Soren appeared. Corvus pulled out his hook and chain. "Move," he ordered. But Soren didn't look ferocious. He didn't even pull out his blade.

"Soren!" shouted Viren's voice. "Do you see them?"

Soren stiffened, hearing his dad's voice. He glimpsed again at the nervous children with the protective Corvus. "I just saw heading towards the front gate!". Their eyes opened. He was lying. He was buying time for them. Soren pointed a finger to his right and then rushed off the other way. Corvus and the kids shared glimpses. Was he really on their side? The boys facially asked Willow, expecting her to have seen a vision but all she simply did was shrug. It seemed like there was no other choice. Quickly they fled down the way, their unexpected savour had spotted and to their relief, his mislead had drawn many guards away from the back gate. They fled across the bridge and into the forest to safety. But Willow stopped and looked back, fearing for Caldor. Ezran did too.

"There's nothing we can do for him," said Corvus regrettably. "We must go. Otherwise, his…sacrifice was for nothing,"

With no choice but to hope that he would somewhere make it, the two siblings pursued him to safety.


"Please!" Begged the helpless Nyx. "You have to help me!"

The travellers stared down, witnessing her about to meet her doom. Carol shared a glimpse with Ray; he nodded. "Get Carol and Zym back to the Ambler Ethari," he into action. Ethari helped them onto the mount and took them back to the Ambler where they climbed onto its tail and were lifted back up.

Nyx cowered behind her wings, accepting her fate to the Soulfangs. But she heard the slices of heads and saw Raylan swiping his blades, beheading the snakes, doing acrobatic tricks to avoid their bites. He landed in front of her. "Stay right behind me,"

"Okay," Whilst Raylan took care of the snakes, Nyx climbed up the dune of sand and then after taking care of the last one, her saviour caught up after her.

He grabbed her shoulder tightly. "Don't make me regret this," She fretfully nodded before pushing her towards the Ambler who held them up to the saddle again where they were met with the angry faces of the others staring at Nyx who chuckled nervously.

"You're lucky we still need you to cross this desert," said Ethari distastefully. "But betray us again and I will put an arrow through your throat,"

"Got it," said Nyx nervously. She glanced at Carol, glaring coldly at her. "How did you do that?"

"That's what I've been wondering myself," she said. "I didn't even think I had that kind of power. Touch Zym again and I will do more than zap you again,". Zym bit at her with electricality in his jaws. And Felix growled, igniting his tail with fire and making the top of his head burn up in flames as well.

"You know you're in your underdress," Nyx pointed at Carol and chuckled but Raylan cracked his neck, facially warning her to back away. Carol pulled back on her dress, making a mental note to herself to not mention this to anyone.

Raylan pulled up some rope. "Why did you save me?" asked Nyx. "Even after I tricked you all and betrayed you all?" she got an idea. "It's because I'm charming right," she flirted with the teen elf. "Despite it all you can't help but like me?"

Raylan scoffed in disgust. "That's not it. I don't like one bit,"

"Then why?" she questioned again.

Carol smiled. She knew the answer. "It's because Raylan is a hero,"

Raylan raised his head. "What?"

"Raylan saves people. He's brave. He does what's right even if it endangers his life. And even if he knows his own people might misunderstand or turn against him, he still does it because he knows in his heart it is what's right," as she spoke, Ethari smiled deeply, very proud of the man his foster son had become. But he was prouder of what was happening right before. "Raylan is selfless, strong, and caring. That's what makes him a hero," she said proudly. "That's what makes him….Raylan," As she spoke, a spark bloomed between them.

Ethari glanced down at Felix, Zym and the Adoraburrs and nodded. They backed away with Ethari pushing Nyx away as well to give them some privacy.

Raylan and Caroline stood together, facing each other like back at the oasis. Ray saw how beautiful she was as the moon appeared behind Carol. "You are so…" he leaned forward and kissed her. He pulled back. She blinked. "Oh my. Sorry, you were just standing there and my lips got carried away…"

"Shut up," said Carol. She grabbed his collar and pulled him into another kiss before they pulled apart.

"Wow," breathed Ray as their foreheads were next to each other. They leaned for another more passionate kiss as they held each other in their arms. At that moment, love had bloomed between two beings of two separate lands of one wonderful world. It was a sign that Xadia and the human kingdoms were meant to live harmoniously together in prosperity and love. As they separated, the couple stared up into the sky, Ray's arm snaked around Cary as she leaned against his shoulder.

Ethari turned to them and smiled deeply. He had detected a connection between them when they came to the Silvergrove and he realised now that it was the spark of a deep endearing love between them. Felix and Zym nuzzled heads feeling so happy for them; they had known that they were falling in love with each other the entire time. And it felt so good to be true. The night passed and everyone but Nyx fell asleep. The couple lay in each other's arms, feeling the determination to complete their quest. Not just for peace. But for the possibility of a wonderful life together. And that was the future they were going to fight for.


At last Raylan and Carol have confessed their feelings for each other. How beautiful. What did you all think of this chapter? Please let me know what you all thought. I am really looking forward to using all the ideas for Seasons 4, 5 and 6. Please could you put down in some reviews what you think will happen in Season 6 and how Aaravos will be freed? I would love to hear any other ideas as well. So it seems Soren is on their side but what will happen to CAldor? We'll have to wait and find out. See you all soon in the next chapter which will be a made-up episode.