The dark castle was distinct even in the difference, looming up ahead of them. A black speckle against the land, shining in the dim light filtering in through the clouds. It was actually quite beautiful as unnatural as it was. Something out of this world, terrifying but entrancing. Had Edge wanted to make a castle like this with him before, Pa-Relin wondered softly to himself. Then pushed the those thoughts out of his head, skidding to a stop as Regnum did. Everyone else followed, coming to a stop just a short distance away from the fortress. They gathered around Regnum who dug into the brown leather satchel hung around his waist, fishing out a fluorescent white shard, no bigger than his palm. To each he handed a three, then dropped the satchel on the ground for it was useless now.

 Relin stared down at the shards, clutching them tightly. They radiated warmly, glowing as he poured his power into it. Elerium. The rarest of all crystals and perhaps the most dangerous of them all. Highly Radioactive to normal human skin though only with the touch of a dragon, since it was extremely sensitive to such power. It was also the only thing that could immobilize a hydra completely. Attracted to their energy, it could grow rapidly engulfing a hydra as it fed on it's power. Relin knew all about then since they had been, right from the start, formed, grown and nurtured underground where the elders had slept, designed only for this exact purpose. Defeating the hydra since killing them would only give them a problem to deal with later.

 He shook his head, realizing he had paused for far too long and the other dragons were already ahead of him, ready to storm the castle. He caught up to them, still human though because the castle was far too small to accommodate the size of a full grown reptile and the walls were far too strong to just storm. So they would have to take a risk and go in like this. "Keep close.." Regnum growled as they reached the large doors. They were already open..almost invitingly..

 Cautiously, the elders stepped inside, Relinquish lagging a little behind. They had not taken but a few steps before the doors slammed shut, but they had expected that. What they hadn't anticipated was the floor springing up to form high walls, dividing the group. Regnum with Sanare. Ferrum with Sila. Terra with Anemoli and Relin. Sanare was the first to bang on the wall, biting her tongue to avoid crying out as she hit hard stone. The castle truly had become a maze and already, they were all separated from each other with no choice but to continue on throughout the path laid for them, twisting and turning, forked and running up and down a few levels. 

 Relin knew though, exactly where to go to find the king. "Follow me." He gestured to both Anemoli and Terra. The quiet dragon of the wind was willing to follow unlike Ferrum who would no doubt have protested if he was made to follow someone but Regnum's orders. Perhaps it was better they were separated. Trailing his hand along the stone wall, Relin closed his eyes and followed his senses.
---
 They barely had time to ask any questions when there was the loud sound of the walls coming up on the lower floors. Leo yawned, lazy to get up as he watched Beezlebub stand first. A scowl on his face, getting ready to face their enemies. Blizzard came third, finishing off her biscuit and getting ready to head out and face the dragons. 

 Sleipnir jumped at the sound, staring up at Edge, "Daddy, what's that?..." He asked softy, watching everyone else push out their chairs and stand. Suddenly hostile now, even the most docile looking of them were radiating some sort of menacing aura. Not directed at him, but at something...he wasn't exactly sure what, but it frightened him slightly. "Daddy, what's going on now?"