The band drove through the afternoon and back south until they reached the base of Mount Rock. The looming volcano spewed lava bits overhead and rained down dangerous shrapnel along the solitary road leading to the castle atop the summit.

They unloaded their instruments and took in the view above. The evening sun was beginning to set and under any other circumstances this would have been a sight to pause and admire.

“That is one heck of a back porch,” Key Gullz said looking toward the summit.

“Once we find the unicorn pearl somewhere around here, we’ll need to take our ascent slow to watch out for those lava meteors,” Thad Penguino said.

“One hit and the van will be a burnt pancake,” Sir Taco said.

“Never mind that. Where exactly is the pearl?” Candii asked.

Thad Penguino checked his GPS. “It’s not far. Actually, see that boulder over there? It might just be right behind it!”

A large black boulder sat in the middle of the road. A huge roar shook the band as they approached it. They stumbled to the ground.

The roar happened a second time and they covered their ears.

“What is that!” Candii screamed.

From behind the boulder, a large ogre emerged brandishing a huge guitar in the shape of a sharpened medieval battle axe. Ingrained in the fretboard of the axe was the unicorn pearl. The ogre glowed eerily with magic.

The ogre pointed at the band. “You’re The Non-Traditional Key Gullz!”

Candii rose to her feet and gripped her guitar. “That’s right! What’s it to you?”

“You’re here to disrupt the Queen’s plans!”

“Wow. Nothing gets past you.”

“I won’t let you! I will protect the Queen!” He gripped his mighty axe and strummed a single chord. It sent bone rattling waves of sound through the band. Dirt and pebbles blew past them as they braced themselves, barely able to stay standing.

Candii and the band gripped their instruments and turned the amp volume so high they cracked the knobs. They were rocking at level eleven!

“This is it, band! This is the last obstacle before Morgana herself!” Candii rallied.

“No!” the ogre bellowed. “The Queen deserves her peace!”