[center][img]http://i.imgur.com/tKFjLAr.png[/img][/center] [center][img]http://i.imgur.com/ytkwQgc.png[/img][/center] "Do you smell that Rhianon?" The thinner witch cackled as her eyes darted around the room. The humans were hidden behind two boulders, ah how adorable. If she and Melissa had time to spare she would have suggested toying with them. Every witch from the dark side of Nowhere knew that human blood was a key ingredient to most dark spells, and every witch knew that a human head above their fireplace was a sign of victory.Those pests were always protected by guides, tch, it was such a shame they needed to hurry. "It's the smell of fear, some of them are ready to wet their pants, can you believe that Ri?" There was shrill giggle, "our little baby is deeper inside the tunnel, I smell it." She tugged on her friend's arm as if urging the older looking witch to move forward. "I smell royal dragoons as well," Melissa sounded delighted now. "They call themselves the best of the best, but isn't it funny how they're hiding with their tail between their legs? Such a sad thing the war between Aven and Sol, I've heard there are at least three hundred dead by now. It's a shame one of Aven's dragons attacked Sol and sparked the war." The witch was just plain gloating now. Rhianon chortled, "indeed, if that dragon hadn't killed the Xeusthon family this war never would have started, right?" "And remind me again dearie, who made that dragon attack?" Both witches broke into a fit of laughter. "Your mind control spells are getting stronger and stronger, Ri. First Sol and Aven, next the ice cream lakes and sulfur mountains." They're voices began to grow distant and before the humans could let it all sink in, the witches disappeared into the dark tunnel. "They caused this..." Harper's heart was hammering inside his chest. What was there to say? He glanced at both Avian and Victoria...that revelation, it must have stung at least a little. He wished he could say something, but he couldn't utter a single word. Riley looked absolutely furious and she made it clear by the look on her face. When Inadi had motioned towards the spear, she was still grinning a little and she even gave him a thumbs up, but now she was staring silently at the dark hallway that lead even deeper into the cave. "Can you believe this?" Serenade immediately grabbed onto the girl and clamped a hand over her mouth. "Avian, Victoria, Zephy I think it's time we left. We'll need to tell Tobias about this, things have become far more complicated than we thought." Witches from the dark side, what were they even doing here? Things like them were meant to stay on the other side, so why had they crossed over? Serenade dragged Leila and Jasper by the arms and ran out, motioning for the others to follow, when they had a good enough head start she caught her breath and began to speak to the other guides. "How is this happening?" She almost couldn't believe it. Witches were behind the war between Aven and Sol, witches were somehow mind controlling Aven's dragons and attacking Sol. These were creatures sentenced to roam Nowhere's dark side, but here they were, alive and breathing. Tobias needed to know! The Queen needed to know! "We're heading back to Sol. This situation has gotten ten times worse." --- [b]Meanwhile in Sol...[/b] [center][IMG]http://i58.tinypic.com/vdpit.jpg[/IMG][/center] The wall had been broken down and the north side of the city had been burned badly, the smell of soot and blood lingered in the air. When the guides and lost souls returned to the city they could do nothing but gape. They had been away for only a moment, yet half the city had been destroyed. Serenade rushed towards a few of the soldiers and Avian and Victoria gave them a quick talk. The man turned pale, whatever the guides said had spooked him and before they knew it they were ushered into the throne room to greet a soot-covered and determined Tobias. "Rally the men, we're chasing after that fire dragon." "You're not coming with us." The head guard frowned. Tobias wouldn't hear any of it, "my people are dead! The city has fallen and you're telling me I can't help?" The prince's eyes were the size of pinpricks and he felt almost hysterical. He had to help them, he had to! "The royal dragoons have something important to tell you, your majesty." The prince quieted down then waited for them to enter. The news they gave him rendered him speechless and he could do nothing but stare at the floor with wide eyes. "Is this real?" The soldiers from Aven and the dragons weren't their foes at all. It had been the witches all along, it was insane. "We saw them!" Riley yelled before looking at the other humans for confirmation. The throne room went silent. "The dragon on the mountain..it wasn't under the witches' spell, right?" Harper shook his head and Tobias gave everyone a determined nod. "We're going to put an amulet on it, one that will allow us to communicate. We'll tell them all about this, the witches, the war, and everything." He looked at the guards, noticing the hesitant looks on their face. Tobias gave the humans and Zephy a nervous smile, "maybe if we do this things will be okay." "You're saying we're to head back and place that amulet on the baby dragon? What if the witches are still there." Serenade's ears twitched and she looked afraid. "Then we'll just have to hold them back and take the dragon. We can't stay here for much longer or they might take it." Tobias asked one of the guards to go and get the amulet before making his way towards the humans and the guides. They were going to climb the mountain again, but this time they would have backup.