Arkain looks at Axel pondering over his idea. "Hummmm. Her parents. Yes, getting their help does makes sense. They would know more about the castle and why it's so important for Lord Xeron to marry Crystal inside this castle at this particular time."<br/>He looks at Gold. "I trust Axel. I believe that Crystal sent him here specifically for us to free her parents instead of her. They must be a very important reason Lord Xeron is keeping her parents locked up. No, we have to risk it for Crystal's sake." He walks over to Gold and rubs his back. "That's why I am entrusting you and Wendy to do what ever is necessary keep the guards busy even if it means knocking down some of the castles walls. The more troops they send to fortify the front the fewer we have to deal with."<br/>He steps back when Wendy starts to spin her staff. He shudders feeling the power just emanate from her staff.  He jumps back when her staff hits the ground and it cracks open a large pipe suddenly works its way out of the ground. He grins when Gold catches Wendy. "Nice catch Gold." He walks over to the warp pipe. "Wow, now that IS impressive Wendy. He nods listening to you. "Heck close enough is good enough for me. I trust you Wendy. If you made it Wendy I feel totally confident that the pipe will get us right were we need to be. I say let try it." He walks over and gives her a warm nuzzle.<br/>Suddenly he cringes and doubles forward in pain. He looks up at the sun. He sees a dark sliver start to form around the edge of the sun. "Nooo. Its not possible. Its starting. A legend foretold one of the signs of the time of great darkness is the eclipse sun during the time the wedding of the dark king and a special bride. If there is an alignment of the certain planets at the peak of the eclipse and the wedding is completed at the same time, the power released will free the crystals dark powers giving Lord Xeron the power he needs to cover the earth in total darkness forever. At least that's what I heard legends say. Wendy, we have no choice we have to go NOW."  Arkain quickly walks over to the pipe and closes his eyes and jumps in feet first into the dark pipe.<br/><br/><br/><br/>Lord Xeron chuckles deeply rubbing Crystal's chins some more. "That's what I want to hear from you my dear." He sits back and chuckling deeply. "What am I expecting from you? I am expecting nothing less than your total loyalty to me or your precious people will pay a dear price. But for now, sit beside me dear." He points to the queens chair that's next to him. "Be happy. Its your wedding day. Enjoy it while you can." He lets out cold laugh.<br/><br/>He glares at the succubus. "We will see how through you are succubus when the time comes. That dragon. Ha. He is too late." Lord Xeron laughs. "Enemies! There will be none. Any who dare to stand against me will be turned to dust. Fear. Fear will keep the rest in line. My power will reign supreme. You will see succubus."  He lets out a loud cold laugh. He lets out a gasps and looks up at the crystal when starts to glow brighter at the top of his staff. Then he looks up into the sky and sees the total eclipse start to begin.  "Yes! Its beginning. The crystals power is building. Soon, yes, very soon. Soon a new era will be upon us. An era of darkness. Succubus. Get the minister here NOW and the witnesses. We must have witnesses. They will play a very important role in the ceramony. We want our wedding to be binding don't we my dear." Lord Xeron laughs again and puts his hand on Crystal's but it doesn't feel like a bear paw. It had a cool almost scaly feel to it.<br/><br/>((I didn't mind waiting at all. Glad you are back.<img alt=":-D" src="./images/smilies/icon_biggrin.gif" title="Very Happy"/>I also appreciate everyone's patience. too.<img alt=":D" src="./images/smilies/icon_mrgreen.gif" title="Very Happy"/>))