[center][img]http://i.imgur.com/tKFjLAr.png[/img][/center]

[center][img]http://i.imgur.com/ytkwQgc.png[/img][/center]

"I think we're getting closer," Harper mumbled as the forest suddenly came to an end. The ground beneath their feet was dry and cracked and the trees that remained were charred and smelled of soot. Some were cut down and others were bent at ridiculous angles.

He watched as the blue wisps continued to flutter onward, into darker territory.

"Someone special?" Riley laughed, "I'm not exactly close with my parents. Erm, before finding the train I kind of ran away to live with a friend. Not exactly the best example, I know." She laughed a little at how excited Martini looked for information. "I lived with my friend Kim, she's like family, but as for someone special," the girl lit up. "Well, I've got a friend who works at a bookstore, he's cute, but bleh we're both stuck in the friendzone, don't know if we really want to step out of it." She shrugged before giving the mermaid a devious looking grin. "What about you, Martini? I bet the most famous fashion designer in Nowhere has a ton of guys swarming around her shop."

"That does sound very possible," Leon chimed in with a laugh.

Hakuren though continued walking on with a smirk on his face. He didn't find anyone special, but he had his fair share of flings with lovely ladies. Too bad, he never called them afterwards, but the sea was filled with fishes anyway, so it didn't really matter.

The humans began talking about the queen, but the guides pretty much rose to her defense. Harper trusted the queen, but after seeing those news cutouts, he was starting to have his doubts. He decided to remain quiet though and instead quickened his pace.

Songbird and Avian got into a little spat and it seemed as if the former were a tad tipsy. Riley arched an eyebrow at the scenario that was taking place before them, then pretty much hopped between the two to prevent them from quarreling. "Enough you two, this is very mature." She stood on her toes to fix Song's hat then tapped both men on their shoulders. "So we know Avian is married, but what about our resident item hunter?" She turned to look at Brandy, "any juicy tales? He travels Nowhere, right, so I'm sure he must have met interesting Nobodies." Riley would have continued to chatter but before she could say more she bumped right into Harper. 

"Hmm, what's the hold--Oh." The wisps vanished and in the distance stood the Stone of Sacrifice.

[center][IMG]http://i57.tinypic.com/e13l1i.jpg[/IMG][/center]

A giant sword shaped stone came forth from the dry land, as dead looking vines snaked around it. Several broken pillars were scattered across the barren field and a charred house stood not too far from the wreckage. It was dark and there appeared to be no signs of life. "This must be the place," he stated, his hand instantly reaching for the hilt of his sword. It looked abandoned, but if Nowhere had taught him anything, it was that looks could be very deceiving. "Let's approach with caution."

Leon narrowed his eyes at the stone and the burnt down house. "It looks really...empty? Maybe someone else already came here and burned them at the steak." He tried to sound braver than he really felt. "Songbird, you've been to this side of Nowhere, right?"

"They might want us to think it's empty." Haku muttered before he turned to look at guides.

This time they were told to stick together and investigate. The plan was to find the witch quietly, and hopefully gain the element of surprise. Riley stuck by Leila and whispered a question. "Where should we look first? And if you were a witch, where would you hide a cloud dragon?"

Harper unsheathed his sword, and held it out in front of him. "I don't know." He turned to the guides. "Where would you?"

Little did they know, the witch had already heard about their arrival from a certain grumpy, old tree.