Excaelum was in awe. How can something live there, and how did it know his name? He looked to Kishi, he was calm. A white smoke came from the shadows and formed into a dragon. It said,"Are you prepared?"

"Prepared for what?" Excaelum replied.

"You are not. You are terrified of your brother, Orcusin."

"I am not."

"You don't have to hide the truth. I know everything about you and Centerra. There is no point in lying to me." The white smoke dragon circled them. Occasionally going over them with its wings.

"What are you?"

"A dragon, like you. Only I'm dead.

"What race of dragon are you? Star?"

The smoke dragon chuckled,"What a compliment." It stayed still in front of Excaelum. It was a few feet in front of him."No, I was a Time dragon."

"How are you still here on this earth if you died?"

"To tell you of Star Kismet."

"I don't care for a star."

"Fool! That's merely an expression."

"How does the 'star' affect my life? Tell me something of importance dragon."

"Do not talk to me as if I was lower than you! You are far too lucky to be here so, don't test me hatchling."

Calling another dragon a "hatchling" was an insult used by close to ancient dragons. Excaelum finally realized who he was up against,"I apologize for my juvenile attitude."

"Good. Centerra or rather Kishi is more polite than you. He speaks no word of insult and thinks no word of insult. I can see all that goes through your minds."

"Is that a metaphor also?"

It smiled,"No. I see the memories created by all dragons. I can even foretell the future by looking at glimpses of the future memories. I see the past as if I were, so clear inside my head. The future is distorted and complicated."

"How can you see it?"

"When I died I was forced this task. My task to ensure you complete this half of your journey to becoming the 'true' King of Dragons because you haven't seen a dragon from the underworld. The real original dragons."

"So my father is an imposter? I would watch where you are treading."

"You can't kill me. No, your father was simply misguided. Being one of the first dragons to walk this earth's earth, flying the skies. He was one of the few set free. Believing they were the only dragons, they thought they were the first. No matter, this tale has no importance. Want to hear of the war?"

"The outcome."

"It's only the end of the beginning. The guardian of the underworld, Cerberus, will be released leaving the keyhole vulnerable. The activation of Magnus Lumen will insert the key. The victory of neither side will turn the key. The time frame of opening the door is unknown to me and the other." The smoke dragon changed its tone,"When you leave, you can not say anything about this experience. Excaelum, Centerra it will only bring panic and unreasonable death if you do." It turned back into an ominous smoke, destroying its dragon appearing.

"Wait, who's the other and your name?"

"A mark bearer. Ironic, I can see memories but, can't remember my own name. When your task is done, prepare. I fear a terrible power will wake from its slumber." The smoke dissipated and in its place was a gem. It was shaped like a pentagon. Excaelum picked it up, it was small and clear and filled with white smoke. Excaelum looked at it and saw something missing. A place for a star in the front.

"Come, Kishi." Excaelum turned back around and moved forward. When they were both outside of the crevice they turned to look for a faint white light. They saw nothing. "Remember, not a word." He looked to Kishi,"Not even to Lord Chronin." Centerra nodded.

They flew back south, on their way back to the frontier.

Shadow was on the deck of an unnamed ship headed back to the mainland. Lacoden was below deck, in the brig. Shadow went to the helm where Garren was ordering a Changeling around. "What of the griffon we found at the pit?"

"She is alive. When Lacoden returns you can see the other prisoner."

"That's right. You have Dust's sister captive."

"She is very polite." Lacoden came up to the helm,"Especially to me."

"I will see for myself." Shadow descended the wooden stairs at the side. Below deck, in the brig, the griffon was crying for help. Neither her or Retina were chained up. Lacoden let them free of their chains before she came up to the helm. The brig was cold, dark, and wet. Lacoden was In charge of the brig. She kept it this way to bring down her prisoners mental stability.

"How many times do I have to tell you? Master Lacoden is talented in isolation spells. No one can hear us pass these bars. Only a more powerful magic can break her spell. Someone is coming."

"Who is it?" The griffon shouted.

Shadow appeared from the corner. He was familiar to the griffon. He said,"Are you Dust's sister, filly?"

Being a pegasus there was no way for him to break a spell the griffon thought. Maybe Lacoden lifted the spell. She didn't care, it was a a voice other than Lacoden's."Yeah she is."

Shadow lowered his head next to the bars,"What's your name?"

"Retina. You are Shadow." Retina got up and went to him. She kept her eyes closed.

"How long have you been here, sweetie?"

"4 years, seven months, 67 days."

"Have you been down here since?"

"Yes, Master Lacoden won't let me leave."

"How old are you?"

"13."

"Do you miss Dust?"

"Yes."

"How come you won't open your eyes? Let me see them." Shadow scolded. She opened them slowly, they were completely white."You're blind." Shadow left and returned with a lantern,"Let me see your coat." She went closer to his voice. Her coat was pale as her eyes."You weren't kidding. I will bring you two on deck tomorrow, so you can get some sun. I can't believe she keeps you like this. Griffon, you are not used to this as she is but I want you try and not escape. They will have you killed. Understood?"

The griffon nodded,"Why are you nice?"

Shadow answered by smiling. He began to walk away but Retina called to him, he came back and she said,"Your mark. It doesn't make sense to you now does it?"

"How can you see it?"

"Don't worry. It goes well with your white coat."

Shadow didn't know how to respond to that,"Thank you." Came out of his mouth. He again turned back and walked away. A flash of light came from their cell. Shadow ran back and saw the griffon missing. "Where is she?"

"On deck. Go now."

He complied and when he was at the top he saw that he was surrounded by Changelings. He looked to the helm and saw the griffon being held down by Lacoden."Now I don't know how you did it but you broke my spell on the bars. Why?!" Lacoden shouted.

"I didn't know you had a spell on it."

Lacoden changed the subject,"You have strong feeling to griffons, for killing her. What changed?"

"I killed the one responsible."

"Animals don't change. They're all the same." She threw a hoof-sword to Shadow,"Put it on." He did. "Good." She threw the griffon down the stairs."Kill her."

"Why?"

"Make up for breaking my no-sound spell. You are still with us aren't you? Prove it."

"Where is Garren?"

"Behind you." Garren had Retina's throat against his sword."Choose the death of a griffon, remember griffons killed Starflare, or both."

Shadow thought this out and he had no choice. He went to the griffon and kicked her to the center mast. He grabbed hold of her head and tilted to back,"Forgive me." He flipped the sword out from lock and put the sword against her neck.