Golem led Rain through the small castle as they walked down the long corridor from the throne room. When they reached the main entrance, he led her up a flight of stairs that stretched outward in opposite directions, one section went to the east and the other to the west. They took the west staircase and continued onward.

The same scarlet and gold carpet crawled up the stairwells and outward down the long hall that met them at the top. The mahogany banister and railing was encrusted in golden intricacies of bears and flora. A golden chandelier hung in the center of the stairwells.

Brilliant flames danced from golden sconces, each shaped like bear's claw. Red gems gleamed from the claws, highlighted by the dancing flames. The same banners from the first floor, gray, embroidered in red and etched a golden bear, with hung from the railings.

Rain followed Golem down the hall, mahogany doors lined one side, along with paintings, large vases with bears in fight or slumber painted on them, and mahogany tables that held golden artifacts.

Large windows took up the other side, accompanied by red satin curtains that caressed the golden panes. Rain almost bumped into Golem again as he came to an abrupt stop in front of one of the doors.

"Here we are." Golem said. “The rest of your people are in other rooms along this wing, but this room here is the guest lounge.” He knocked on one of double set doors.

Sir Christopher's voice answered, “Hello? You can come in."

Rain's heart raced with excitement at the sound of her friend's voice. Three sets of eyes widened as she entered, her three companions stared in shock at the sight of her.

"Rain!" Solar shouted as he stood from the mahogany and velvet loveseat he was sitting on. Colorful sprung up from his spot at Solar’s feet, and several others turned their attention to the doors, surprise and relief on their faces.

Outside the village borders, Squad Alpha was conducting their search for their lost friend. "Why would he send us to look for her?" Jae complained.

"Probably because we are the only ones who know that she's really an angel." Micraspher answered as he scanned the tree line.

"It's been awhile since we saw her last. I wonder if anything has changed." Ellie's voice was peaked with curiosity.

"I doubt it, it's only been a few weeks." Sark retorted as he stepped deeper into the trees.

Ardent's heart began to pound harder in her chest. She was hoping the familiar faces didn't see her, she was starting to feel the effects of the atmosphere, her lost feathers a testament to that.. She stepped back into the foliage a bit more to conceal herself.

Sark grew closer. Don't come any further. She pleaded in her heart. It was too late, Sark had noticed the feathers. He knelt down to examined them more closely.

"Over here!" He shouted at the others, their heads whipping in his direction. The other three joined him at the forest's edge.

"Ardent. Come out. I know you're there." Sark demanded.

"Tch, these are probably the feathers of a bird." Jae spat.

"No." Sark said. "I can feel her. She's here."

"What do you mean you can feel her?" Jae asked coldly.

Sark punched Jae in the arm. "Incase you forgot, I'm a wizard. I can sense the magic of others you idiot." Sark bit back.

"Ardent!" Sark shouted some more into the trees. The others stared into the forest with doubtful faces.

"Don't make me use my magic to pull you out." Sark shouted.

"She's not here, this is a waste of time." Jae turned and stalked off towards the village. "I'm going back to the palace." He said over his shoulder.

"Jerk." Ellie mumbled under her breath as she watched him stalk back into the gate, the squeal of the iron sounded as it closed behind him.

"Don't take it to heart. I think he's just angry that she kept her identity a secret." Mikra replied.

Sark stood up and held out his staff. "I'm going to ask you one more time. After that I'll have no choice Ard. Come out."

He poised himself ready to cast the first spell. Then the sound of ruffling foliage caught his attention.

Sark smiled as a silhouette appeared as Ardent emerged from the shadows of the trees. “Found you!" Sark shouted with joy.

Ellie tackled her old friend with a hug. "It's good to see you again." She cried. Ardent gave her a half hearted smile.

"We need to take her to the palace." Mikra reminded them.

"I can't wait to rub this in Jae's face." Sark laughed. "Always doubting me." He mumbled.

"He doubts everyone." Mikra reminded him.

Inside the palace, the king was discussing another mission with a certain ninja. "Have you sent word to Omendusk?”

"No." Nevixx replied.

"We must find it. We have to figure out where the beast will strike next." The king explained.

"And I'm working on it. It isn't easy to do this kind of mission alone." Nevixx admitted.

"Then why don't you send me with him?" Jae asked marching into the throne room, cocky as ever.

"I don't need your help!" Nevixx spat in the newcomer's direction, squaring his shoulders in defiance.

Jae placed his hand on the ninja's shoulder, a smirk on his face. "Nonsense, we work well together and besides, looking for a false angel is kinda boring." He retorted.

Alexander watched their exchange, he was used to their behavior, a little irked that Jae wasn’t where he was supposed to be, but upon hearing the knight’s suggestion he did contemplate in allowing it.

"King Alexander!" Golem's voice interrupted his thoughts. "Squad Alpha has returned from their search." He announced.

The king stood from the golden throne. Jae's eye grew wide at Golem's words, he casted a glance at Alexander and flinched at the stern look casted his way, he’d be paying for his stubbornness later.

"Ha, you were saying?" Nevixx laughed, earning one of Jae's famous scowls.

"Bring them in!" King Alexander commanded.

"As you wish." Golem replied with a husky voice. He opened the gilded doors to the throne room.

In walked Ellie, at her sides were Sark and Micraspher. Directly behind her was Ardent. They were walking in their old formation only, Ellie and Ardent had switched positions.

"You can't be serious!" Jae said exasperated.

"And you doubted me." Sark retorted. Jae shot him an apologetic glance.

The formation came to a halt at the base of the dais leading to the threshold of the throne.

"Good work, Squad Alpha!” Alexander Congratulated them, “ Except for you, Jae."

Jae, who was momentarily filled with elation, stiffened. Here it comes…

“You will be leaving immediately with Nevixx to locate Omendusk. As punishment for breaking orders.”

“Yes sir.” Jae said stiffly.

With that, Alexander dismissed them.

As Nevixx and squad Alpha left the room, Ardent watched them go. She longed to go with them, to speak to them, but she stayed put.

Shock ran through her being as the king pulled her into an embrace. She thought she would never feel this again and she hugged him back."Hello dear." She said in greeting.

"Where did you go?" He asked. “You just vanished. I thought-“

"About that, we need to talk." She said breaking their embrace.

"Whatever it is, it can wait. You're here!" He interrupted. "You should go to our old chambers and get a change of clothes. Tonight we celebrate!"

Before she could get his attention, he rushed from the room. She watched in dismay as he disappeared beyond the mahogany doors, the sound of his heavy footsteps carrying down the hall.