Christopher read all the books for the rest of the day and continued into the middle of the night, even when everyone else had retreated to their beds. In Helena's diary, he found evidence of a spell she used in her fight against Skobex. He decided it would be best to read through all the pages of the spell book to see if anything matched what he read in the diary.

It also didn't help that he could hear growls and other noises coming from outside. Chirstopher narrowed the sounds down to the Phantom Walkers that patrolled the town. He was worried to look outside to see how many had emerged from the ground and smoke.

'Can't sleep either?' Anastasia asked as she sat across from him at the table.

'Not even a wink.' Christopher replied.

They both remained silent as he kept flicking from page to page using his flashlight to illuminate the book.

'Listen, Christopher. Can I ask you something? Be honest.'

He looked up from the book. 'Yes, of course.'

'Are you worried? Maybe even scared?'

'I'll admit that I am scared. I usually do well when I'm thrown into a situation, but it never was like this.'

Christopher was terrified. He kept questioning himself and any choices he decided to make. He was constantly paranoid that he would do something wrong and make matters worse. He had to remove all the town's problems involving Skobex.

'Trust me, I know. I'm terrified. I've been worrying over the fate of Cinderash and everyone in it. Even you, Magic Boy.'

'I don't know if I like that name, Annie.'

'Did you just call me—'

'Yes. Names work both ways.' Christopher smiled.

'Please don't call me that. I promise not to call you Magic Boy.'

'Deal.'

They both let out a small laugh.

'How about we take a break for a little while? Talk about things other than the Lich.' Anastasia offered. 'Since I will probably never get to see the outside world, tell me about where you grew up.'

Christopher slid the thin diary between the pages in the spell book before closing it and looking at Anastasia.

'I grew up in Gardeaniour. It's a fairly small town compared to most of the other towns I've seen so far, slightly smaller than Cinderash. We grow a lot of produce to sell across the continent, our largest crop is Nightfern.'

'We have a small amount of Nightfern here.' Anastasia beamed. 'We must've received some before the curse was laid over the town.'

'I thought I smelled it when I first arrived. When I was younger, I used to help my mother with the gardening whilst my father was on patrol. My mother always said that when I helped, the plants seemed to grow faster.'

'Maybe that's true, since you know you're a sorcerer.'

'Possibly.'

'It looks like you didn't become a gardener by trade. What made you decide to explore?'

Christopher took a deep breath. 'As I got older I aspired to be like my father, like all the other boys my age. He was the head commander of our town's guard, always putting his life on the line to defend our town and the Oceanspire region. I had a number of lessons with both my father and with a local swordsman. We thought we lost him one time, and after those terrifying seven days I no longer wanted to follow my father's footsteps. It was from that time onwards that I pursued all means of becoming an explorer.'

Anastasia looked like she wanted to say something but held back as Christopher stood from his seat. 'I want to show you something.'

Anastasia followed Christopher and his light source to the room he was staying. She sat on a part of the bed that wasn't cluttered with his belongings. He rummaged through the pile and pulled out a knife. She couldn't see it very well in the light but she knew it was the same one that she saw when she snooped around his possessions when he first arrived.

'When my father first knew that I wanted to follow his career he gave me this knife as a gift. It was custom made by the best blacksmith on the continent. He was proud of me then.'

Anastasia heard a sniffle. She encouraged Christopher to sit next to her as she placed her arms around him. She rubbed her hand in circles on his back. A drop of water landed on her hand.

Christopher wiped his eyes. 'Sorry about this.'

'It's alright.' Anastasia replied softly. 'We'll find a way to fix this. We'll make sure you get back home.'

'I'm not usually like this.'

'That's alright. If you ever need to talk or to just take a break from saving the town, let me know and I'll be there.'

'Thank you. You're so sweet and caring, even after all the times I've put you in danger.'

'I will probably never forgive you for all those times.' Anastasia replied with a smile. The two of them let out small laughs. 'I think we're at four now.'

'I believe it's only three.'

'Either way I don't think you're done trying to kill me yet.'

'Christopher!' Juliana yelled. 'Have you seen—'

Juliana opened the door to Christopher and Anastasia jumping up from being on the bed.

'Do I want to ask?'

'We must've fallen asleep.' Christopher explained.

'It's not what it looks like.' Anastasia added.

'Alright...' Juliana replied hesitantly. 'Putting that aside, you both need to see what's happening outside.'

They all ran out toward the window and watched. The number of Phantom Walkers had multiplied significantly. The already grey, dead land had turned almost black. Many of the crops that Anastasia could see were wilted. The curse looked as though it was getting worse. If they waited any longer, the curse would spread past Cinderash's borders, expanding the domain that Skobex ruled over.

'Christopher, we need to act fast.' Anastasia urged.

'Skobex is gaining power rapidly.' Juliana added. 'I fear that if you don't act with haste, Cinderash will plunge into the darkest times it has seen. The curse could spread further than the borders of Cinderash.'

'I believe I've found the spell to destroy Skobex.' Christopher explained. 'I also read about a spell used on the sword. It's enchanted to destroy darkness— like the Phantom Walkers and hopefully the Lich. I believe I can enchant more swords so the others are able to help. I can try it on the sword Anastasia brought yesterday.'

'I don't know how much help the town will be. Everyone's fearing Skobex's powers.' Anastasia said. 'I guess the plan is worth a shot. First of all, you need to do something about our new vine door.'

Christopher held the sword in his hand as he chanted the spell. Once he was done he looked at the sword he held. Anastasia noticed three symbols that weren't there earlier. She couldn't work out what they meant or read, but they were definitely the same as the ones on the sword she found in the basement.

'I believe it's done. We are going to need to see if it works. Anastasia, grab the original sword. We're heading out.'

Christopher touched the vine door with his hand. The vines and branches retreated back into the ground and frame. He clutched tighter on the spell book as it held its place under his arm.

'Be careful, both of you.' Juliana said. 'I'll head out once you have enchanted more blades.'

They both nodded in approval before stepping outside. Anastasia led the way to the armoury. They only had to slice at three Phantom Walkers before reaching their destination. They were glad to find out that the sword Christopher enchanted worked against the creatures.

There was a number of swords around the small building. Christopher wouldn't need to enchant them all but had to convert as many as he could.

'You need to do your thing.' Anastasia looked back and saw a number of Phantom Walkers approaching their location. 'I'll hold them off, but don't spend forever.'

Anastasia turned her back and went straight to swinging her sword, thrusting and lunging at any Phantom Walker that came close. She had to fend them off. They couldn't lay a hand on Christopher. He was Cinderash's hope and salvation, even if everyone feared him or had trouble trusting a stranger.

'Hey!' Anastasia called out. She yelled out loud in order to get the attention of people in the houses next to her. She had a feeling that no one would hear her. To her dismay, a number of Phantom Walkers advanced on her— suddenly taking special interest.

'Come,' The Phantom Walkers seemed to say as they glared at her. 'We must have your life.'

She hadn't noticed it before but the creatures all had hollow eye sockets. They just looked like an endless pit of darkness. A pit that could consume her in an instant. She felt her stomach knot as she felt a chill go down her spine. She averted her gaze to avoid looking at their lifeless state.

She had about a dozen thoughts occur at the same time as she slowly discarded the creatures. It was almost as though staring at the creatures caused her to think the worst. She pushed them aside and brought another up to the surface. One that brought her a small surge of hope.

'I can do this,' Anastasia thought. 'Cinderash will be protected. We can't lose.'

'This is for my father.' She shouted.

She felt her strength increase and her fatigue fade away as she attacked the undead creatures. No matter how many she transformed into smoke, more kept approaching. She was becoming surrounded by the lifeless creatures. She knew at any moment she wouldn't be able to hold out for any longer.

Her hope burnt brighter as some of the creatures that surrounded her were knocked back by both the blade and hilt of a sword.

Christopher had just finished his enchantment. He stumbled but caught himself before he could fall on a sword. The spell book landed with a loud thump on the ground. He glanced out toward the land and realised that Anastasia was being consumed by the amount of Phantom Walkers that surrounded her.

'I've got to help her,' He thought.

Just as he took a step toward her a man approached next to her. The man with the blue sash—the person that had sentenced him to death previously. Christopher had forgotten to ask Anastasia who the man was, but he concluded that he is Cinderash's leader. He held a sword but it was having no effect on the creatures.

Christopher grabbed a few swords that he had enchanted and ran outside.

'Use this!' Christopher called out as the sword was thrown towards the man.

The man seemed confused but he quickly exchanged swords to help Anastasia fend off the creatures.

'You will not be taking over this town!' The man proclaimed. At the top of his lungs he yelled, 'For Cinderash!'

Christopher headed straight toward the two of them. He noticed a few doors crack open a fraction to see the battle. A few people creeped out of their homes and onto the battlefield. All of them carried no weapon but Christopher had a sudden realisation.

'Come over here!' He called out. 'If you want to defend this town you're going to need a useable weapon.'

He dropped three swords on the ground where he stood before he stabbed a nearby Phantom Walker.

'Do as he says!' the man with the blue sash ordered over the battle. 'We cannot win back Cinderash without his blades.'

The four men and one woman ran up to grab either a sword he dropped nearby or followed Christopher back to the armoury to grab their weapon. They all charged into battle. He knew they couldn't all know the art of sword fighting; this was made clear with random motions they made as they swung their swords. This was most likely the first time they ever held a sword. Whatever they did, it seemed to be working.

More people increased as they filtered through the battlefield to grab their sword. Among them, Christopher saw Juliana.

'I can't just let Cinderash fall.' She said. 'It's my home, my family's home. We have to preserve what's left of it.'

Anastasia made her way toward Christopher. She stopped in front of him, breathing heavily. She glanced back and realised how number of people that came to help.

'I don't know how or who,' Christopher began. 'But half of Cinderash is helping us with this battle. You're an inspiration to them.'

'I highly doubt I am. We should get moving. The people that are helping us should be able to hold off for a while.'

Christopher picked the book off the ground. He realised that Anastasia had reopened her wounds from the previous day. He also noticed a few more scratches along her other arm.

'You're hurt.'

'We don't have time—'

He reopened book to the healing spell he found last night. He placed a hand on Anastasia as he chanted a few words. Before his eyes, Anastasia's wounds all began to clear up. In no time, all the cuts and scratches left without a trace. Not even a scar was seen.

He stumbled forward but luckily Anastasia caught him before he became a meat skewer.

'No more spells,' She ordered. 'It's draining you. We need to go to the castle right now. You're going to need all the energy you have.'

With the book of spells in one and an enchanted sword clutched in his other hand, Anastasia and Christopher headed out from the armoury and straight toward the small castle.