After traveling a great deal the five heroes found themselves in a field of tall grass.
"I can't believe we've fought the Mutant of Mistwood." chuckled Erigg "Such a legendary creature, fought and defeated by we."
"Please, how long must hear this story?" groaned Rain.
"The only thing that would top this is defeating the Muckman of Raynemire." said Erigg, excitedly, thinking of the idea of fighting such a beast.
"I think one legend is enough." said Leo.
"It's no legend." Ixnus chimed in "The Muck Man is very much real."
"How do you know this?" asked Rain.
"The Shadowlord had made many deals with him before." explained Ixnus "All to stop anyone from traveling to his territory."
"I don't understand." said Leo "If no one allowed on his territory then why does he roam the earth destroying numerous places that are not part of his territory? What exactly is his goal?"
"His goal is to strike fear into the hearts of many." answered Ixnus "Somehow that fear makes him stronger."
"If that's the case then all we must do is to not fear him. He'd easily be defeated." said Rain.
"I'm afraid it will take much more than that to defeat the Shadowlord." said Ixnus.
Suddenly two knights, wearing white armor and riding white horses appeared out of thin air and circled the heroes, pointing silver spears at them.
"Where did these guys come from?!?" yelled Rain, trying to calm his frightened horse.
The two knights got behind the cart Erigg and Wick were mounted on, and pointed their spears as if they were forcing them to go somewhere.
"There's five of us, only two of them, let's take care of 'em." said Rain, pulling out his club.
"No!" said Erigg.
"Why not?" asked Rain.
"I heard stories of these knights. They're stronger than they look." explained Erigg "I think it best to just do as they say and ride."
In the a cleaning at the edge of a forest there stood a large silver castle. The heroes approached and were led inside by the knights. Inside the building it was pure white. Silver cogs aligned the hall and the ceiling. The heroes entered a large open door where they saw a man with long white hair and a white coat, leaning next to a table full of gadgets.
"Professor Honeycutt?" said Erigg.
"I recognize that voice."
The old man turned around and faced the heroes. His eyes widened when he saw Erigg standing amongst them.
"Erigg."
Erigg ran to the professor and embraced him.
"Erigg, my friend it's been so long." smiled the Professor.
"Yes, it has." said Erigg.
"Who are these four you have with you?" asks the Professor.
"That is Wick, my personal assistant." said Erigg, pointing to Wick.
"Greetings Professor." said Wick, waving to the Professor.
"The big one beside of him is Rain."
"Hello sir."
"That is Leo."
"Hello."
"And lastly, that is Ixnus."
"Salutations."
"I must say..." started the Professor "You all look as if you've been through a lot."
The four of them look down at their tattered clothes.
"I'll have my assistant take you to get some better fittings." said the Professor "Kala."
A tall woman, wearing a white dress and orange hair walks up to the four heroes.
"Come this way please." says Kala, leading the four to another room on their left.
"Erigg." said the Professor, grabbing Erigg's attention "Tell me... why did you bring them here?"
"I didn't bring them here." responded Erigg.
"How did you remember my knights?"
"You know... the stories."
"Erigg."
"Okay. I knew exactly where we we're going. But I didn't want to tell them."
"You're afraid of what they will find out?"
"I'm afraid of what I will find out."
"Fear creates an illusion. It makes things seem much bigger than it truly is. Once you understand that fear it will be easier to walk through it as if it weren't there."
Erigg sighed and closed his eyes, as the Professor created a handful of white powder and put it in his right hand.
"You see this powder?" asks the Professor.
"Of course." answered Erigg.
"When I begin sifting it through my fingers it is liable to cause a massive explosion as soon as it all hits the floor."
"But it's just powder."
"That may be so..." said the Professor, sifting some powder betwixt his fingers "But how will be certain?"
Erigg looks at the Professor and then down at the powder in his hand. Erigg reaches for the powder and begins sifting it through his fingers until it's all on the floor around him.
"You see?" asked the Professor.
"I think I understand." said Erigg "Thank you."
After the five heroes equipped themselves with better clothing and gear they all followed the Professor to his balcony, overlooking the valley.
"Everyone, please hold on tightly." said the Professor, before the balcony unattached itself from the building and began floating in the air.
"Woah. Wasn't expecting that." said Rain.
"Tell us Professor, why are you bringing us up here?" asked Leo.
"I'm showing where your destination will lead you." answered the Professor.
After a few moments the balcony came to a slow and steady halt. Beyond the eyes of the heroes was a canyon, Rainmire, and a vast ocean.
"Beyond that ocean lies the Shadow Realm." said Professor Honeycutt.
"It seems pretty far." sighed Rain.
"It is... but if follow in the direction the beam of light is showing you... you'll get there in no time." said the Professor.
"Beam of light?" asked Rain "What beam of light?"
As soon as Rain asked his question a beam of light streaked through the sky from the flying balcony.
"A straight and narrow path." said Leo.
"But a treacherous one." the Professor reminded "Which is why I made you all some special potions to help on your journey."
The Professor reached into his coat pocket, from it he took five vials of red, purple, blue, orange and white liquid.
"These are some special potions I have created to help you along your journey." said the Professor, handing the blue potion to Leo "For you Leo, vitality."
Leo took the blue potion.
"For you Ixnus, speed."
Ixnus took the purple potion.
"For you Rain, strength."
Rain took the red potion.
"For you Erigg, magic."
Erigg took the orange potion.
"And for you Wick, well, you'll see."
Wick took the white potion.
"But remember..." started the Professor "You must only use them when you need it."
After the balcony flew back towards the building, attaching itself to it, Erigg turned to the old Professor and thanked him.
"Erigg, I should thank you."
"Why?"
"You will see."
As the five left the building and headed for the direction they were told to go, Erigg stopped for a moment and looked back only to find the building had disappeared.
"Goodbye... father."
Within the murky depths of Rainmire, both the Shadowlord and Hun waded through the mud to find the Muckman feasting on a lamb.
"Muckman." spoke the Shadowlord, getting the horrid Muckman's attention "I have a proposition for you."
"Give me sheep... fresh meat... living souls... I will drown them in my muck!" slurped the Muckman.
"No sheep… but instead you shall have turtles." said the Shadowlord.
"Turtles? Like turtles… make soup… taste good." drooled the Muckman.
"Four to be exact." said the Shadowlord.
"Plus one human." added Hun.
"Four turtles?!? Human not sound appetizing… but drown him in mud… four turtles… delicious delicious!"
"I will lead them straight to you. All you must do is wait."
"Yes Lord of Shadows… yes… delicious turtles… turtle soup… yes… delicious…"