The druid ring was bustling with travelers, as the Griffon finished coming through the portal that Baldorhic opened for them. Everstar went ahead to scout, and the other Griffons prepared for the journey toward the tunnels. Everstar was just out of site when Aristo told the others that he knew where Krall might be hiding Nikiny, but didn�t want Everstar rushing in and doing something to endanger her. Meanwhile back at the cave, Krall had Nikiny standing inside a drawing he had done on the floor. To Nikiny, it looked like a translocation ring. She had seen circles like these in the old ruins within the city of Ak�anon. Nikiny�s gaze at the writting on the edge of the ring had Krall's attention. �Do you know what it says?� he questioned her. �Yes, I know what you intend to do. Krall I am your friend why are you doing this. Why must you send me away?� He replied with a stare and turned to walk away. Nikiny did not know why he would do such a thing and began to chant softly, calling upon Everstar once more. �Ever my love, can you hear me. I do not know how long I can withstand Krall�s stare, He beckons me to submit and I cannot. I feel his anger and fear and it drives him. Ever, the only way to defeat him is to deceive him. You will find me my love fare well.� Everstar heard her and his heart wept. Aristobulos and the other Griffons were minutes away from the castle when Everstar ran back to them. He was out of breath and to the Griffons; he was carrying a heavy heart. He told them what Nikiny whispered to him, and that he saw strange guardsmen at the entrance of a cave to the East. Dags mentioned this cave to Aristobulos and they all agreed that Krall was hiding her there. They gathered on the hillside to the entrance. There were four guards with guardian swords. Markk and Aristo took a few Griffons and ran to the flank, while Dream and the other casters processed to advance. Periden stumbled on a branch and alerted the guards. Soon a large wall came crashing down sealing the cave entrance and three more guards came from the shadows. Inside Krall and the other mages heard the wall come down, he cast eye of zoom. He could see the Griffons charging his guards and chuckled. �They will never defeat them.� A mage dressed in a blue robe came to Krall�s side, � Master, the time has come.� Krall followed the mage back to where Nikiny was; she was still in the center of the circle. Nikiny was on her knees chanting, Krall heard her and shouted at her to shop but she did not. Outside three guards were slain, and Dags and Aristo were coming to help Dream with one that had broken through the lines. As they slashed the one on Dream, Nataliee called for help. Markk was standing there taking a beating from the last two guards. With grand magic, the remaining guards were dead. Breathing hard and with sweat beading down their faces, they look at the massive wall that lay in their path. �We have to get in Now!� Everstar cried. With the direction of Aristo, all the casters conjured fireballs and flaming arrows aimed at the wall. It crumbled slightly, so they continued to plummeted the rock. Krall was hurriedly gathered the spices and throw them in to a cauldron of fire. Great plums of bellowing smoke and mystical flames covered the caverns ceiling. Nikiny�s chanting became louder as she heard the Griffons breaking through to get to her. The mages where walking in circles around Nik following an invisible line as they chanted. �They will never reach you in time Nikiny!� Krall exclaimed. The Griffons had made an opening in the wall and proceeded into the darkly lit cave. Krall knew they were inside and began to raise his hands as he chatted to the gods. Speaking in an unknown tongue, Nik�s chatting continued. As she spoke memories of the wizard wars filled her mind. Krall picked up a stone and threw it at Nikiny; it stopped by an invisible force that incased her and fell to the floor. �It�s working!� Krall cried. Fantastic swirls of color and smoke began to cover the circle making it visible to the naked eye. The mages stopped and faced the doom shaped cage and kneeled before it continuing to chant. The Griffons could hear the sound of faint voices in the depths of the cave. It was musty and smelt of brimstone. The path they were on, branched off into three paths with fire torches marking the pathway. Aristo with Dream and Markk went down the left side, torch in hand Aristo told the others to break up and search the cave. Everstar, Nataliee and Periden went toward the center path, while Trulight and the other Griffons went down the right path. Krall walked toward the bubble and raised his hands over his head, while swirls of red flames gathered in his hands. He brings the ball of fire close to his chest and shoving it at the bubble making it glow with red and yellow fire. The mages chanting continued but was faster. Nikiny had sweat run down from her brow as she stood and raised her hands over her head and a white cloud formed within the bubble. Krall, thinking this was a normal occurrence, continued to chat and cast. Aristo�s group came to a dead-end and was met by two guards. Markk dispatched them in a hurry and the three ran back to the opening. Trulight and the other Griffon came to a hall that held slaves. He called out and six voices cried out. Twenar, Soliara, Thayos were in one cell, while Marira, Morpheos and Yanaba were in the other cell. They thanked the Griffons for saving them and asked to help in anyway they could. Trulight explained that they were looking for a wizard named Krall and the group of slaves showed them his main hall. Everstar�s party saw light coming from a side room on the path ahead. Ever told the others to wait as he scouted the lighted room, he saw Krall standing at a bubble formed on the floor. He waved the other Griffons to come to him and they entered the room. Krall saw them and stopped to cast a spell of freezing on them. They stood frozen as he continued to cast on the bubble. Everstar�s eyes watched as the bubble pulsed and with a flash, it disappeared. Krall laughed and shouted �I DID IT!� Just then, the Griffon became free and Everstar rushed Krall and grabbed him by his arms. �Where is Nikiny, you foul beast!� Laughing Krall replied, �Gone from this time you fool you were to late.� Krall looking into Everstar�s eyes and he vanished. Ever was confused and turned to see the Griffons fighting the mages that circled the bubble. As they defeated the mages, Nataliee saw a cowering mage in a corner. She walked over to the frightened boy and asked were Nikiny was. �Krall sent her back to the wizard wars. She was in the Translocation bubble that Krall created. I�m scared please don�t kill Me.� �OH! The Gods, she was in the bubble where did it go?� Ever cried. As the smoke cleared the room, a light mist covered the floor. The Griffons puzzled they walked over the mist. Aristo and Trulight�s parties came in the room. The slaves startled the other Griffons but Trulight explained that they set them free from Krall�s grasp and they were welcomed into the Griffons. Dags returned from the shadows and saw a shimmering beneath the mist. He reached down and picked up a gold ring.
