It took a while for Monk to take in everything that Martha had told him, how Ray had been knocked off due to the fighting between Van and Harry.

  "It seems like the shadow has affected your group greatly." Monk replied. "I wonder why it has never been able to take my own heart despite being so involved with them."

  "Ray said it might have something to do with our deep desires, it preys on that. Maybe your desire is too strong for it to be swayed, or it is unable to help you fulfill it. Monk, you have always been a strong person." Martha said, smiling at him.

  The two of them needed to leave it there. For now, Monk had to continue acting as the leader of the Dark Guild while helping out the Shadow, but at the right time, he knew he could get those in the Dark Guild to turn. Meanwhile Martha would have to pretend she knew nothing about it.

  ——


  The morning sun rose and both groups were ready to continue their investigation. After all, so far they had found nothing and still had no clue who was behind the attack.

  However, it didn't start as they expected, and there was a slow panic starting to settle in from those from the Redwings.

  Martha had woken up a little later than the others due to her staying up after speaking to Monk. When she left her tent, she could see Katie, Lenny and Jack speaking to each other with concerned looks on their faces.

  "I can't smell him anywhere, it is clear that he is not here." Jack reported.

  "And if he is gone, then we can assume the white crystal has disappeared with him." Lenny replied. "How did none of us see this coming, we are in the enemy base so of course it will have happened."

  Hearing the tail end of the conversation, Martha had an idea of what was going on. If they were talking about someone missing and the white crystal, they could only be talking about Van.

  "Please, update me on what has happened. Has Van gone missing?" She asked.

  Lenny nodded, and it seemed like her worst thoughts were true.

  "It has to be those from the Dark Guild." Katie scowled.?"The shadow knows how much of a threat the white crystal is to them, they have attempted to take it multiple times from us. You stated that Monk used to be a black slash knight, correct? One of the best. He could have easily snuck in during our sleep and taken both Harry and the crystal."

  Although what Katie was suggesting was probably likely, Martha knew that wouldn't be the case. Monk wouldn't have done anything, but it seemed like the others were already being swayed and thinking the same thing.

  At that very moment, there seemed to be a scuffle going on again. This time, a Redwing member who was asked to investigate was arguing with one of the Dark Guild members. Not being able to take their bad attitude anymore, the Redwing member swung his sword.

  It was unexpected for the Dark Guild member and Martha was too far away to stop it.

  "No!" She shouted, as if she was seeing the whole thing happening in slow motion. If blood was shed on either side, then it would be nearly impossible to make it so the two groups could cooperate.

  However, before the sword could strike, it was parried away, being crammed by another sword around in a semi circle, before the strength of the parry disarmed the Redwing member and his sword fell to the ground.

  "What are you doing attacking our people?" Monk asked.

  The other Dark Guild members who had witnessed this and drawn their weapons in reaction were ready for a scuffle. After all, their army was far larger than the Red Wings, and without their leader, they were sure they could win.

  "Monk, wait!" Martha called out. "One of our men has gone missing. I think this might just be a misunderstanding between our two groups. You haven't seen him around have you?"

  Putting his sword away, Monk tried his best to calm the tension and bloodlust between the two sides. "No, but before looking at our side, I suggest you should look at your own first. Hasn't there been problems within your camp?" Monk replied, trying to give Martha a hint.

  At that moment, she realised something herself.

  "Where's Harry? Has anyone seen Harry?" She asked.

  The others looked at each other and then looked around, now realising that it could have very well been a possibility. After their scuffle yesterday it was expected that this might happen.

  They were so focused and on high alert being close to the Dark Guild that they didn't look at the obvious in front of them.

  "Everyone, try to find Harry and bring him back!" Martha ordered, as she flew up in the air and started to scout ahead.

  ——


  Just as they thought, the real culprit behind Van's taking was none other than Harry. He had the white stone in his hand, and at the same time a beaten and bruised Van over his shoulder. For several days now a voice was speaking to him, one he was quite familiar with.

  It was the words of his father. It spoke to him, and was telling him what to do. Everything started when he touched the dragon bones. The voice told him of a secret path in the fortress, which would allow him to travel through tunnels. Those tunnels had led them back to the main fortress where the Shadow lived.

  When finally getting out of one of the tunnels, Harry could see it up ahead. A fortress larger than one had ever seen. It was big enough to be it's own city and had towering spikes to look menacing. However, the most striking part of it all was the spiral that wrapped around the entire fortress. It looked like a giant dragon had been carved as if it was protecting the building.

  "I've come here to deliver what you wanted."

  ******

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