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[b][u]The Library[/b][/u]

The lost souls had all gathered in the library, and once there, Avian began fussing over them.

Hakuren placed a finger on the band aid on his cheek then laughed, soldier boy actually made a pretty good mother hen. He flitted from person to person, checking on them much like a father would a young child or a duck its young. "That was pretty exciting," he quipped.

Harper shot Hakuren a glance, was there nothing he found frightening? The boy then turned to look at people in the opposite group. "Did you guys see anything strange?" He didn't know if they had ran into something weird either, but most of them looked a little worse for wear and even Songbird and Brandy looked a little ruffled up.

"We saw the midnight man and lived," Riley stated in an attempt to lighten up the mood. "We all deserve a slot in Nowhere's newspapers, ain't that right guys?" Hakuren nodded his head in response to this statement. "So Avian," she stared at the shiny sword group one had managed to retrieve. "What are we supposed to do with the sword now that we have it? And how exactly is this psychopathic shadow going to tell us about the stone?"

Leon made a face, "I don't think I want to see him anytime soon." He turned back to Lesley and Songbird before his eyes lit up at the mention of an Alpaca hat. "That sounds unique, you nobodies have one of the best wardrobes I've ever seen." He smiled at Songbird, "I'm quite envious of your hat, and Martini's stunning wardrobe. I wouldn't mind wearing the alpaca hat or anything you want me to." He leaned in towards the mermaid, starstruck. "Lesley probably wouldn't mind either, right?" He turned to look at Song, this was the most excited Leon had ever seemed to be. "Hey Songbird, where did you buy your hat?"

Hakuren chuckled, they were thinking about hats at this moment? Oh well.

"We really appreciate the help Avian, but we're fine, there's no need to worry." His made sure to check everyone when they regrouped, and the most any of them had to deal with were scratches and bruises. He gave the soldier a smile then watched as the dragoon paced around the room, a thoughtful expression stuck on his face. 

The soldier stopped by the fireplace and placed the sword on the mantelpiece.

As soon as he had done that, a soft chuckle resonated throughout the library. On the opposite side of the room, seated on one of the chairs was a dark shadow that was humanoid in appearance. It had red slits where its eyes and mouth should have been and it looked like it was smiling. Not a sinister smile, but a content one. "Good job, humans." He crossed his legs and laughed. "I've been waiting for justice for so long. You'll deliver it won't you?"

He disappeared, only to reappear on top of one of the shelves, legs swinging back and forth like a child on a swing. "If you follow the light, it'll lead you to the Stone of Sacrifice." He clapped his hands together and out of nowhere, blue wisps flickered to life. "Keep your eyes on them at all times and when you get there, you must be very careful." They could see outlines of a frown on his face. The shadow brought a hand to his chest, voice nothing but a soft whisper. "They stabbed me right here here. Sometimes, I can still feel the cold steel buried deep inside me."

The shadow's voice grew raspy. "Destroy their hearts for it is wicked beyond repair," he faded away, and only the wisps remained.

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[b][u]The Forest[/b][/u]

After the midnight man finished his little speech, the wisps flickered, growing even brighter as they exited the window.

The rain had ceased to pour and the little wisps of light waited for the humans and nobodies to catch up with them. As soon as everyone was out the door, the tiny lights fluttered deeper and deeper into the forest. The trees grew fewer in numbers, the deeper they went, and those that remained were crooked with branches that looked more like skeleton limbs than anything else.

It was a part of the forest they had never seen before.

"Y'know, we battled a dragon." Riley didn't exactly feel sure of herself, but it was best to do something to lighten up the mood. "We've gotten this far, so there's no way were going to let a bunch of old hags beat us."

"You know what," Harper turned to look at her, and the girl half-expected some kind of retort, but what he said next, pretty much made her grin from ear to ear. "You're right. We turned a chaotic star into confetti." He grinned at Leila, Jasper, and Hakuren, the people he had been with since day one. "We fried a mushroom man," he gave Inadi a smile then turned to look Ace, Lesley, and Leon. "And we tamed a dragon." The boy's eyes fell on the guides, "we've got them watching our backs too, we'll be alright."

Riley laughed, "you never struck me as the brave type, let's go get that witch, aye? Then Lesles and Leon can volunteer for that modeling thing Martini's been offering them." She quickened her pace, eyes focused on the wisps. "The sooner we get this done, the sooner we'll be able to attend on of the queen's balls." She elbowed Lesley lightly in the ribs. "I bet there'll be a ton of guys in suits, so let's give this our all!"