Chapter Eleven

Drake at his tower, spying on the girls and scheming against Jade�

Pass the exit of the Mystic Caves, and the rest of the miles of the Forbidden Forest, was a destroyed land, where there remained no life at all. Except, of course, Drake.
In the center of this barren waste land was Drake’s Tower; a tall, dark gray tower, made all of stone with uncovered windows about five feet in length and three feet in width.
Just looking at this structure gave any normal being the chills. It had a look to it as if it was cursed. Whoever lived in there was considered crazy or damned.
There were hundreds of stairs and thousands of rooms. It was just like a maze, just as it had attended to be. A maze, so that if anyone even made it through the surrounding areas, and passed the guards, they would be lost forever within that maze.
Drake’s main chamber was at the top of the tower. His whole room consisted of silver, gold, black and blood red silk. A balcony was to the right of the room, giving him a great view of his corrupted land.
At the moment, sitting on his black throne behind his table, was none one other then Drake. He was looking into his crystal ball, which was held by three prongs on a metal stand.
Drake stared into the ball with his ice-cold eyes. “I see that they finally got out of the caves and Jade is finally up and walking again. In that condition she should be no match for Gilabarous…”
He stood up, still looking at the crystal ball now showing a close up view of Tygra. “Now, I might have some problems with her.” He smiled to himself and laughed again as an idea crossed his twisted mind.   “But then again, she might come in handy. Yes, the beautiful and elegant Tygra. She will be my card against Jade. Maybe I can stop her before it s too late after all.”
He took one last look at her, and then walked out onto the balcony; the projection within the crystal ball slowly fading away.

                  *   *   *

Just passed the exit of the Mystic Caves, was Tygra, Jade, and Star walking to their next destination.
A chill went down Tygra’s spine, stopping in her tracks, looking around the dark scene, feeling as if someone was watching her. Star and Jade stopped walking as well, turning around to face her.
“Tygra? Is something wrong?” Star questioned, taking a step towards her, noting that Tygra’s face was pale, as if she saw a ghost.
“Tygra?” asked Jade a little concerned.
“Hmm? Oh! Sorry! I . . . I’m fine. I just got the feeling as if someone’s watching us.” She said, walking towards Jade and Star.
“Yes, you’re right about that. It does feel that way.” said Star, getting a chill down her spine as well.
“I bet that I know who it is.” Jade turned away from Tygra and Star. She smiled and stuck her middle figure in the air. She turned back around, still smiling seeing that Tygra and Star were laughing once she faced them.
“I bet I know too.” said Tygra when she finished her laughter. “But, he’s not going to scare me away, just by watching me and giving me the chills.” She walked over towards Jade.
“You’re right. He’s not going to stop us now. We came too far to lose now.” said Star and quickly walked over to Jade and Tygra.
“We can only do this together.” Tygra said putting out her hand.
“Together or not at all!” exclaimed Star, putting her hand on Tygra‘s.
They both looked at Jade who was still standing where she was.
“Well, you guys are right.” Jade said and put her hand on theirs. “I guess that I’ve been hanging around you two for too long. You’re beginning to lighten me up!” Jade exclaimed and the three of them began to laugh.
“Let’s go! If we stick together, we can do it!” Tygra stated happily.
They walked side by side, with Jade in the middle, Star on the right, and Tygra on the left. They followed the path before them, determined to let nothing stand in their way.