Crystal felt despair overcome her as the prison doors were closed behind her and the guards left. How could this have happened? How could those that had served her so faithfully in the past now leave her there to rot, and follow that evil man's orders? Was he so powerful that they didn't even had any seond thoughts about this? Lost in her thoughts, she didn't noticed the figure approaching her cell until it spoke to her.<br/>"Your highness... Is that you?"<br/>The dragoness immediately turned toward where the voice came from and immediately recognized one of her former bodyguards, as well as her closest friend when she was still royalty. And he certainly seemed overjoyed to see her.<br/>"Axel... Is that you..? Well, it looks like I have failed in the end... I'm sorry for abandonning all of you... I didn't wanted to put any of you in danger by bringing you along... Heh, and look what happened now? Where are the others."<br/>The other dragon's smile immediately faded and was replaced by a pained expression.<br/>"Of all your personal guard, I am the last survivor... The others were killed while trying to protect your father the King, and your mother the Queen. They have not be harmed, thankfully... But things are not going well. They have fallen ill with grief and worry. And now... Our time is running out."<br/>Crystal remained silent for a few seconds, but then, she smiled.<br/>"I have an idea. It is our last hope of survival. I need you to find the friends I have made while on my travels. I am prefectly certain they will help you."<br/>Axel looked at Crystal with a surprised expression.<br/>"But your highness, wouldn't it be a better idea to get you out of here?"<br/>Crystal shook her head.<br/>"Xeron will send the succubus after me again, and will get a much bigger watch on me. I will try to stall him as much as possible... But you must hurry, even I do not know just where I can hold..."<br/>Axel shook his head again.<br/>"But your Highness, I still lack the power to help them in any way... I was stripped of my weapons and armor after our defeat, I have nothing else to..."<br/>He was interrupted when Crystal gently took ahold of his head through the bars and closed her eyes. Immediately, a surge of power was sent through the elite guard.<br/>"This is the last of my strenght that I can give you... Use it to the best of your abilities, and conjure the weapons of my ancestors to do your bidding... Please, go now. Our time is running out. You are the last hope of saving this world..."<br/>Axel remained silent for a moment, then backed up and kneeled to the ground.<br/>"As you wish, your Highness. I am honored to receive such divine powers from you. Rest assured, I will come back successful." He paused before speaking a few other words.<br/>"Hang in there Crystal..."<br/>With this, he suddenly disepeared as he teleported himself at a close distance from where Arkain and the others were trying to make Gold recover.<br/>As she saw her friend disepear, Crystal sat in a corner of the room and closed her eyes. She felt relieved that hope was comming back, but... Just how long could she hold on anyway?<br/>"Please... Stay safe, my friends... I implore you, you must not fail..."