It had been a few days since the beast had attacked his home, and Prince Paradox waited by the exit to the hiding spot he had chosen, listening for sounds outside. His people had fled their home and he wondered if he would ever see them again.

Feeling that the coast was clear, he pushed the stone away from the opening in the ground, the rumbling sound that action made was the soul reason he had waited so long to leave the hiding place. Sunlight blinded him at once as it filtered downward and into the tight space, his eyes had gotten used to the darkness.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he emerged onto the ground above. Stillness filled the atmosphere, a sure sign the dragon was gone.

He examined the remnants of his home, the natural barrier of the crater from the mountain's peak had protected most of the buildings.

Castle Jewel, the magnificent structure built from marbled stone that faded into a rainbow of colorful gems, was still in tact. Its spires and parapets glittered against the sunlight while the back of the castle bled into the crater walls that barricaded the rest of the city in safety, or was supposed to.

The courtyard was also in tact as well as the stables, except the horses were not there anymore, set free during the chaos. The lush winter gardens were as beautiful as ever, the flowers and plants untouched. The atmosphere surrounding the castle almost gave the impression that nothing had happened. Almost.

Passed the palace walls, the city was flecked with stones that were tossed about on the snow covered ground. A few broken windows here and there while several signs in the market district had tumbled over, a few barrels were on their sides, a splattering of color spilled from them as tiny gems of all colors and sizes flowed out in heaps. It looked as if Melania had suffered a small earthquake rather than a dragon attack, the city took most of the damages.

A shiver ran down his spine as realization set in, he could possibly be the only Melanian left. The cold wind blew against the empty city, a whisper of protest of what had occurred.

Golden shutters clanked against gilded window sills that lay within the marbled structures of the buildings that made up Melaina's once bustling streets, while powdered snow blew across the empty expanses, taking loose papers with it, their rumpled sound breaking through the eerie quiet.

As he walked along the vacant stone path, a sense of dread washed over him. He didn't have time to help his comrades when the attack started, he remembered the day it happened, a few days ago to be exact, the bear king came seeking aide in a war.

And before they had time to react, the dragon whom they had waged war on attacked, his people fled in a frenzy and all he could do was hide and wait. Now both the bear king's men and his own people were nowhere to be found, along with the bear king.

The lack of bodies gave him a sense of hope, he would find them and make his home whole again. The sound of footsteps in the distance pulled him out of his stupor.

Stepping out from between the first few buildings at the edge of the city, he drew closer to the sound. He realized it was coming from Melania's main entrance, the golden gate lay open, clinging to its hinges, perhaps it was left open from the Melanians fleeing. Someone or something was coming through the tunnel.

He quickly hid himself in the shadows of the stone pillar attached to the golden gate, releasing his sword from its purple sheath. The color matched the vibrant color of the amethyst wards that once guarded the entrance to his kingdom, laid in waste by Etah.

As the sound grew closer, he realized there were two sets of footfalls. He pulled the eight foot gate shut, the clanging noise echoed in the still quiet, and then he wedged the locking mechanism with his sword, blocking further entry. The two figures came into view and stood frozen in the gateway as they met his hostile gaze.

One figure, a tall, lithe man with dark hair that fell in waves and dark eyes that held a fire in them was dressed in black raiment, a dark sword clung to his waist by a black leather belt. The second figure was small and adorned a black cape, only the pale feminine face and auburn eyes were viewable, somehow seeming familiar to him.

"State your business." Prince Para demanded.

The cloaked figure looked over at their tall companion who met their gaze.

"We aren't a threat." The person replied, revealing a feminine voice that reminded him of the bear king’s wife, but he wasn’t about to expose his suspicions just yet, not until he saw her face.

"State your business!" He repeated.

"We are looking for someone. We just need some information." Her companion explained, peering out at the city beyond the gate. "By your reaction, I take it we're too late.” he finished.

“And who might that be?”

Askerian eyed the man warily, but then a vision of Ardent’s memory flashed in his mind, and instantly, he knew who the man was.

“We’re looking for the bear king, King Alexander of the village of Alexand.” He answered.

“And who exactly are you to be looking for Alexander? Did the dragon send you?” He asked, accusation heavy in his voice.

“Wait.” Ardent spoke, she lifted the hood off her head, getting a murderous glare from Askerian, which she ignored.

Paradox’s facial features softened immediately, he knew the person was familiar. “Lady Ardent. What are on Gaia are you doing here?”

She was supposed to be in that realm of hers, safe away from the dragon. It was something Alexander spoke of often, almost all of Gaia knew where she had disappeared to.

“I’m looking for Alexander and my Alexandians.”

Para lowered his guard, seeing the familiar face on the other side of the gate. He removed his sword from where it kept the gate in place. “They were here.” He spoke as he worked the gate loose from its bindings, allowing them access to the city behind him. “But, I’m afraid you won’t find them now.”

“Why not?” Ardent spoke, her voice full of concern.

“Take a look around. Even my people have fled this place.” Para spoke solemnly.

“What’s happened Para?” Ardent met his saddened eyes.

“Etah.” Askerian spoke then, gaining a confused and suspicious glance from Para.

Ardent’s expression grew grim, she stepped past Para and strode toward the vacant city, the jeweled castle glimmering in the distance beneath the snow and ice above the roof tops.