Arkain nods and starts to head into the tunnel but he quickly notices how long and dark the tunnel appears to be. He has heard how some of these castle tunnels can be mazes. He decides the best thing is to let Axel take the lead. He steps back a little and looks up at the sun. He has never seen an eclipse before. It was very eerie especially with it getting darker with the sun now 1/2 covered and a cold wind is starting to pick up. Even the birds and farm animals were getting quiet thinking it was sunset. Arkain shake his head. "Axel, I will let you lead the way. You know these tunnels. We really have to hurry if we are going to help save Crystal." He jumps back when some of the wall blocks fly past them. "Whhoooh! And get out of their way."<br/><br/>One of the sentries in a tower who was watching for their arrival hears a loud noise coming from the stables side of the castle and quickly sticks his head around side of the tower. He gasps seeing Wendy and her metal chomper heading to the front of the castle. He quickly yells out "INTRUDER ALERT. INTRUDER ALERT.  STABLES SIDE!" He sees Wendy aim her staff at him. He lets out a howl and falls back feeling this terrible itchy feeling come over his body. He tears off his gloves and starts to itch at every place he can reach. The Captain of the guards hears the noise. Then he sees Wendy and Chompy come around the corner with Gold not far behind heading to the gate. "How did they get there?” He falls backwards against a wall from the force of Wendy’s blow against the wall and her chomper against the door. He yells out. “Call in more soldiers. Reinforce that gate. "He grabs a soldier."You, tell Lord Xeron that a Coopa and dragon somehow are AT the front walls and gate and are attempting to knock them down. The walls are holding but we need more help now if we are going to protect Crystal.  Now move soldier."The soldier salutes him and takes off to the grand hall at a full run. He hopes that Lord Xeron will send the succubus to help them. He calls out to archers. “Archers! Fire at will at the Coopa and the dragon. You others form teams and get the rocks from the trebuchet and throw them at them.  Drive them back. Protect our Queen!”<br/>The sound of arrows being released fills the air. The Captain grabs a long metal spear and go to the wall and takes careful aim at joint of Chompers jaws attempting to jam them so they don’t work. He draws back and releases the spear with great force right at Chompy.<br/><br/>Lord Xeron sits at the throne with a dark grin on his face feeling the dark power of the gem flow through his body. He feels the shudder of the walls from the attack. He chuckles lightly and mutters an enchantment that greatly strengthens the wall. The spell allows parts of the wall blocks to crumble from the blows but not fall apart to give the appearance they are making progress getting through the wall to keep them busy so they don’t interfere with the wedding. He knows the soldiers are under his mind control and will fight to the end thinking they have to protect their precious princess.<br/>He growls when he hears the news from the Succubus. He gets ready assault her mind then stops. He can sense your link with Crystal he can sense some tension between the two. He would listen in but he knows she would sense he was there.  He knows it’s important that the Succubus stays loyal to him. He takes a different approach. He softens his tone a bit and masks the darkness that’s filling him. “Succubus, come to me.” He points in front of him and waits till she walks around in front. He looks into her eyes like he use to long ago when they were lovers.  “My precious Succubus. Are we starting to have doubts?  You wouldn’t be attempting to delay the wedding would you?  Have you forgotten who it was who released you from the gem?  Who was at your side you when you were sad and lonely? That’s right. Me.  Are you feeling sorry for the Princess? I will keep my word that she will be kept safe and unharmed.  You know your place is at my side. They fear you. They only want to see you locked back away inside the crystal. By my side that will never happen. It’s our destiny we will rule the world. By the end of this day those who have been looking down at us will be bowing at our feet.”  He grips the staff tightly fighting to control his contempt and anger in front of the succubus for all those who ridiculed him across the years but it was he who was going to have the last laugh.