A WEEK LATER

Ever since Marcelos sat down on the throne of Axrax, the whole world begins to be ae in darkness. There was no nothing like day and night any longer, it is just a dark sky or a darker sky. The dark sky represents the reign of Marcelos in the world making his armies powerful and intelligent wherever they went but the people just see it as a dark sky except for the people that have seen the reign of Marcelos once and they are getting prepared to face Marcelos and his armies.

NIGHT

Hemdal, the princes, the princesses, Hawk, and the people camped somewhere in the forest after traveling for a week. Inside Hawk's tent was Hawk, Hemdal, the princes, and the princesses seated. Hemdal said ''it's been a week now since we have been traveling with no destination. For how long are we going to keep that going''.

''As long as we can and until we are sure we are safe from Marcelos and his armies'' said prince Mike.

''But we all know that we can never be safe from Marcelos as long as he remains alive'' said prince Kinsley.

''Yeah, you are right. We have to keep moving'' said princess Tracy.

''Or maybe we take the people to the dryads' place'' princess Camelia suggested.

Prince Redrick scoffed and said to princess Camelia ''and how do you think the people will react when they see a tree that speaks and thinks like a human? Do you think they will just smile and say it is okay? That is a fucking bad idea''.

''Yeah, it is. But for how long are we going to keep running and we won't eventually get tired? We can't stay in any town or village because we know we are not safe because of Marcelos'' said Noah.

''How about we take them to my kind?'' Hawk suggested.

''The shapeshifters?'' said princess Kylie.

''Yeah'' said Hawk.

''But we know the shapeshifters are not in a friendly relationship with the humans. There is no way they are going to accept the people in their homes'' said Noah to Hawk.

''Why don't you leave that to me? They are my kind so I will find a way to convince and reason them'' said Hawk.

''If that is so then we off to the shapeshifters home'' said Hemdal.

''We leave tomorrow at dawn then'' said Noah.

Ramsay and Lilia haven't had rest and peace of mind ever since they ran away from Marcelos. Marcelos' armies have been hunting day and night which lead to Marcelos' armies massacring towns and villages Ramsay and Lilia visited and ran from. Ramsay and Lilia never stopped running knowing what will happen if they are caught nor do they decide to drop the dark crystal which was the thing they were being hunted for, and even though Marcelos was trying to reach them from that range with his mind power, Ramsay was using his magic to severed the influence that the mind power has on his mind and brain, and that of Lilia's.

AXRAX

Marcelos was in the palace library of Axrax checking out books in the library, most especially the ones that talk about him and the late King Damon when Zussorader and Philip walked into the palace library then walked toward Marcelos where he was sited reading books. Upon getting to Marcelos, Zussorader, and Philip stopped in front of Marcelos as they bow to him saying ''Master''.

Marcelos asked the two of them ''have you located them?'', as he continued reading the book he was reading.

''We are still unable to locate the whereabouts of Hawk, the princes, the princesses, and the people. Since we don't know where they are headed or where they might be heading, it is hard to find them'' said Zussorader to Marcelos.

''Lilia and Ramsay also seem to be very fast and smart which has made it impossible to catch them'' said Philip to Marcelos.

Hearing that, Marcelos stopped reading and smiled. Zussorader and Philip wondered why Marcelos smiled then Marcelos said to the both of them ''do you think the princes, the princesses, Hawk, and the people of Axrax is the only problem we have got to solve? They are other people and creatures that we need to take care of too. Ramsay, Lilia, the princes, the princesses, Hawk, and the people can not run out of Earth. They can only keep running around on earth and for how long is that gonna be? They are not going to last long because we will now begin to purge every living thing that lives on earth''.

Zussorader and Philip were glad to hear that then Philip asked Marcelos ''What about the princesses, the princes, Hawk, Ramsay, Lilia, and the people of Axrax?''.

''Leave the princes, the princesses, Hawk, and the people of Axrax but keep hunting Ramsay and Lilia. I want my dark crystal back. They did something to Ramsay when he was captured and then he did the same thing to Lilia which was why they both betray me and are trying to sever my link with them. Nevertheless, they can't run forever from me. They are still mine. Gather all the armies in Axrax'' said Marcelos to both of them.

''Yes, Master'' said Zussorader and Philip in a union with a bow.

In the Axrax palace compound were Zussorader, Philip, and all of Marcelos' armies standing with their weapons and on their rides, and Marcelos opposite his armies standing a few paces from them.

Marcelos said to his armies ''we have finished the first task of our mission which is why we have acquired the great kingdoms, and am very glad about that. But we can't rest until we have finished our mission to eradicate humans and every other living thing on Earth. Their eradication will be our victory. Now we will begin to purge Earth of those monsters and evil that call themselves humans and creatures. Let rage hell upon them kill. Kill them like that took everything from you. Show them terror and let no one survive or live to tell the tale''.

After hearing what Marcelos said, Zussorader, Philip, and Marcelos' armies cheered happily.

Ramsay opened his eyes and met himself standing in space and front of him was their world. Ramsay was first scared of his surrounding thinking it was Marcelos that summon him there then princess Esther suddenly became visible in front of him and Ramsay was relieved. Ramsay said to princess Esther ''what the fuck am I doing here?''.

''There is no hug or happiness after seeing me? Is it that worst?'' said princess Esther (surprised) to Ramsay.

''The old me would have done all of those things so don't complain. Am sure you know what is going with me since you are the Sa'er'' said Ramsay.

''I know but at least you should be glad after a while of not seeing me'' said princess Esther.

''Can we please forget that and you tell me why you brought me here'' said Ramsay.

''Okay. I need you to join with the others'' said princess Esther.

Princess Esther saw that Ramsay was disappointed with what she just said like he was expecting her to say something else. Ramsay said ''Oh gods. I thought you were going to say that you have found a way to sever the link between me and Marcelos and make my mind free''.

Princess Esther smiled and said ''do you think that it is very easy? Even if I wanted to, I can't do it in this state. My spirit only has the power of going through time while my body possesses the other powers. So sorry, I can't help you in this state''.

''Oh, I see. But why do you need me to join back with the others? Am doing fine on my own you can see that'' said Ramsay.

''I don't think so. Luck is what has been helping you. If you continue on this path alone with Lilia you will be captured and I don't think that is a good idea. And besides, only you can't protect the dark alone you need the others'' said princess Esther.

''Okay. And what makes you think am not strong enough to keep the dark crystal in my custody? Am sure you saw we have been surviving well on our own'' said Ramsay.

''Yeah, but that is still luck. Your powers can't stop Marcelos forever from taking control of you and Lilia back. Don't be stubborn, Noah, and listen to me. The others need you and you need them. Together you are all undefeatable and only together will I be able to get Marcelos off your back and that of your lover'' said princess Esther.

Ramsay thought for some seconds before saying to princess Esther ''okay. Am only agreeing to this because only you can free our minds from Marcelos. Where do we find the others?''.

''Once you wake up you will know how'' said princess Esther.

''Okay. Send me back now'' said Ramsay.

''For real? There is no thank you or hug?'' asked princess Esther surprised.

''I don't have time for that just send me back or wake me up'' said Ramsay.

''I miss the old Ramsay'' said princess Esther.

Lilia's head was placed on Ramsay's chest as they were both asleep on the ground inside the cave they camped for the night. Ramsay woke up and opened his eyes to see someone standing in front of them in the cave but was unable to identify the person's face because it was dawn. Ramsay was scared upon seeing the person thinking it was someone sent by Marcelos making him stand up quickly to get his sword and in the process of getting up he woke Lilia up from her sleep. Immediately Ramsay took his sword, he face the person asking who the person is and at the same time, Lilia opened her eyes and saw what Ramsay was doing and heard what he said then she asked Ramsay ''what are you doing and who are talking to?''.

Ramsay was confused upon hearing Lilia say that to him then he said to Lilia ''don't you see him or her right in front of you?''.

''Who? There is no one here. Are you okay Ramsay?'' asked Lilia, thinking Ramsay is acting weird.

Ramsay was surprised that Lilia couldn't see the person then he asked Lilia ''can you really not see the person?''.

''Are you telling me that I am blind or what? There is no one here. Hope this is not the side effect of the mind power because you are far away from Marcelos. I pray you are not seeing things now'' said Lilia, just then person move closer to Ramsay while Lilia stood up.

Just as the person move closer to Ramsay, Ramsay tried to slay the person with his sword but was surprised to see that his sword just went through the person without hurting the person while Lilia was worried that Ramsay might now be seeing things if he was just attacking the air. Lilia quickly went to Ramsay asking him what was wrong with him while the person walked past Ramsay and Lilia outside the cave as Ramsay looked at the person bewildered. Ramsay left Lilia not minding her and went after the person, followed by Lilia who was worried.

Upon getting outside the cave, Ramsay saw princess Esther waiting as she stood looking at both him and Lilia that came out of the cave. Ramsay (confused) asked princess Esther ''were you the one that was in the cave just now?''.

''What do you think?'' said princess Esther to Ramsay.

''Then why didn't you say something?'' Ramsay asked princess Esther.

''The old Ramsay would have recognized me but you are dumb'' said princess Esther.

''Don't call me that. Why are you even here?'' asked Ramsay, just then Lilia fall to her knees unhappy saying to herself ''Oh gods. Ramsay is now seeing things, this is really bad. How do I save him?''.

Hearing Lilia say that made Ramsay say to Lilia as he touch her shoulder ''no, no, no. Am not mad or seeing things. Am perfectly okay'', but Lilia gave no response to him and she kept saying ''what am I going to do now?''.

Ramsay move closer to princess Esther and asked her silently ''why is she not seeing you?''.

''Because she can't. Only you can see me because you are linked to me by blood. So get her up and let us begin the journey in finding the others'' said princess Esther to Ramsay.

''Why didn't you tell me you were going to be the one leading the way to the others?'' Ramsay asked princess Esther.

''In case you don't know, am not really here. This is just another version of me I sent to help you. I know you wouldn't understand that so don’t bother asking'' said princess Esther to Ramsay.

''Okay. How do I explain to her these? As you can see she thinks am going crazy seeing it as the mind power side effect'' said Ramsay.

''I don't know. Just let her know you are not crazy so we can begin the journey'' said princess Esther.

Ramsay kneel in front of Lilia and calm her down then said to her ''am not seeing things, Lilia. It's just that... you can't see who I am seeing but I can tell you who it is. Am sure you know Esther. She is the Sa'er you once kidnapped and am sure you have known her in the palace also and heard of her powers. You can not see her because you are not related to her the way I am. She is here to help us get away from Marcelos and free our minds from him. So we need to go on a journey with her''.

Lilia was surprised to hear that and asked Ramsay ''are you telling the truth?''.

''Yes, I am. Believe me. I trust you, so can you trust me now also?'' Ramsay asked Lilia.

Lilia nodded her head and asked Ramsay ''where is she?''.

''Right there'' said Ramsay to Lilia, as he pointed toward princess Esther's direction, then said to Lilia ''Let's go get our things".

Ramsay and Lilia get their things in the cave then together with princess Esther they began their journey to find the others.