They didn't have to deal with many Phantom Walkers as they approached the outskirts of the castle. Christopher followed Anastasia's lead since she seemed to know where she was going. Even though this could lead them both to their deaths. Christopher quickly put the thought aside. He couldn't afford to think like that, not when Cinderash needed him most.

He had been inside a castle like this before, only this one was much smaller than the one in his home region. Since his father was in charge of the guard in Gardeaniour, every so often the ruler of the region would invite all the best knights and guards from across the regions for a feast. Most times, his father could take somebody with him. Usually he took his wife but one time, when Christopher had wanted to become a member of the guard as well, he had tagged along. Christopher was treated with lots of laughter and a wonderful meal.

As soon as they stepped into the castle, they were greeted by a corridor as well as some Phantom Walkers which were easily disposed of. They walked past a small room before heading up the stairs. Many long tables, most were broken from the middle or the legs had snapped off. Cobwebs and dust covered the tables, walls and floors. He could almost imagine seeing people meeting here to celebrate after matters had been discussed; laughing and having a great time, unaware of what was going to happen.

They headed up a fairly wide staircase that created a spiral shape as he glanced up. Christopher counted about three levels in total. Four including the top landing.

Anastasia stopped abruptly, Christopher almost running into her. They had almost reached the top landing of the castle. He looked in the same direction as Anastasia and found a human-like figure standing in the centre of the open area. Thick smoke circled around the person's feet, almost as though it was calling all the darkness towards itself.

'Oh no.' Anastasia gasped. 'That's Abel!'

'Abel?'

'It's Maynard's son. He's the leader of Cinderash. We have to save him.'

The plan was simple; Christopher chants the spell whilst Anastasia distracts the Lich. But something made Christopher feel uneasy, like he was going to do something wrong. He glanced down at the spell book and opened it to the spell used to destroy Skobex — turn him back into his smoke-like essence.

'Destroy?' Christopher thought. He had a sudden realisation.

'I think I have the wrong spell prepared.' Christopher blurted out.

'What do you mean you have the wrong spell?'

'This spell destroys the Lich.'

'Isn't that the spell Helena used last time?'

'I don't believe so, however its purpose is to destroy the Lich.'

'Isn't that what we want?'

'If I use this spell, Abel will be destroyed along with the Lich. I need to find a banishment spell or similar. Only then I can use the original spell.'

Anastasia stood in silence as she averted her gaze to the ground. Christopher knew that she didn't want to hear that. She looked towards Skobex— Abel— before moving her eyes straight at Christopher.

'How long will it take?' Anastasia asked.

'Not long.'

'It better not be long. We have to fix this now!'

'I'll ensure it.'

'We can't let Skobex regain more strength. I can't battle with him forever either, I'll only hold out for so long.'

They agreed to the terms. Anastasia began her movement toward Skobex whilst Christopher found another spell.

Anastasia's hands were trembling. She didn't want to do this, but she felt obligated. Her and Christopher had an unbreakable bond between each other—they had to work together if Cinderash wanted to be saved from Skobex. She knew she had to do this, but seeing Abel made her stomach knot.

'Ah, I've seen you've finally arrived.' Abel muttered with his back still turned. His voice seemed deeper than usual— it sounded like Skobex's. The voice made her shudder.

The Lich turned around to face her. Abel still looked how she knew— beige top and shorts, both embroidered with navy blue around the bottom edges. There were only some minor differences what what she could see. His skin looked paler than usual and streaks of purple were seen over his arms. His eyes, instead of being the light green colour they usually were, they were solid black.

'It's the Lich. It isn't Abel.' Anastasia thought to herself.

She charged at Abel—Skobex— with her sword drawn. She thrust the blade at his arm. He dissolved into the smoke that surrounded him before she could land the strike. She looked around and realised that he re-appeared behind her. More thick purple smoke sprouted at his feet.

'You have to make more of an effort at that.' Skobex smirked. 'I know your friend is close by, maybe I'll send him a few friends to play with.'

'No!' Anastasia shouted before charging at the Lich again.

This time her sword was blocked. A sword made of darkness formed in Abel's hands. This began a sequence of cuts, parries and thrusts. She managed to land a strike on Abel's leg which caused him to wince in pain but it didn't seem to slow him down. He managed to land a strike on her right arm causing a deep gash. She hoped that Christopher wouldn't be much longer and could come help her. Or he could just quickly finish up the spells, that would work as well.

'This is frustrating!' Skobex said between strikes. 'This is taking too long.'

Abel beat the sword against Anastasia's, causing them to lock. She put all her effort into pushing him back but she couldn't seem to move him. The darkness that swirled around his feet seemed to make him stronger. He pushed his sword forward causing Anastasia to stumble backwards. In that moment, Abel held his hand up and pushed it forward. Anastasia was thrown backwards against a cobblestone pillar. Her sword skidded to the side about five metres away from her— not anything close she could grab.

As Anastasia stood up she noticed Christopher creep up the stairs. Luckily, Abel has his back toward Christopher as was focussing all his attention on Anastasia. He mouthed something to her but Anastasia didn't catch what he said. Christopher walked as fast as he could behind one of the collapsing pillars, without being caught.

'I'll finish you before your friend arrives.' The Lich commented. 'One less headache for me.'

Abel mumbles some words and something built up in a sphere in his hands. Darkness, perhaps. Black and purple swirled around him and gathered in his hands, getting larger. She attempted to run for her sword. Abel launched the Lich's attack as it barrelled straight towards her. Anastasia closed her eyes and braced for impact. She didn't feel anything touch her skin. She didn't want to reopen her eyes, afraid of what she would see, but did anyways.

She jumped as she noticed the Lich's attack surrounded her but none of it came close to her. A thin bubble of gold laid between the darkness and Anastasia, a giant shield. Anastasia's protection didn't disappear until all the smoke and darkness had cascaded off, retreating back to the smoke that laid across the ground.

'Impossible!' Skobex bellowed. 'Curse you, Sorcerer!'

Anastasia stood back up and grasped the hilt of her sword. Christopher had saved her from being crushed. It had to be him who did it. She felt relieved that he wasn't consumed by the Phantom Walkers that Skobex had sent as a present, but she was also angry that he used his energy for the shield opposed to the spells. She wanted to run toward him, embrace him tightly, thank him and possibly punch his arm but she controlled herself. She didn't want to expose his location, however the Lich seemed to have other ideas.

'Where are you young sorcerer?' He asked as he looked around the roof. 'I know you're here somewhere.'

Anastasia took this moment to charge at Skobex. He was distracted. It was the perfect time. She closed up on him and sliced her sword at his legs. His knees bowed together before he regained composure. The two wounds she caused seemed to heal themselves with the smoke around him.

He flicked his left hand and Anastasia flew backwards again.

'Foolish one! You can't hurt me.' He laughed. It was deep and exactly like the one she heard before. Another chill rolled down her spine.

Her vision blurred after her head impacted the wall. She couldn't tell if Christopher was in major danger. She wanted to close her eyes and let her vision fade into darkness but willed herself to remain awake. Cinderash needed her. Christopher needed her. She couldn't let herself go that easily. But she couldn't hold on for any longer. Her eyelids closed and she slumped to the ground.

Christopher hung in the air, struggling against the invisible hold. Skobex had found where he hid and brought him into the central area. He didn't have the chance to finalise the last few words of the spell.

Christopher found it hard to breathe properly as the grip around his neck became tighter.

Skobex cackled, a deep howl that all of Cinderash would've heard.

'Any last words, Sorcerer?' The Lich asked. Abel had an evil smile across his face.

Christopher felt the grip lessen slightly around his neck.

'Skobex, Begone!' He yelled.

Christopher dropped like a heavy sack of rocks. He was surprised that he didn't break anything from that fall. Perhaps it was just adrenaline; if that were the case, he'd feel it later.

A gold ring formed around Abel's feet. Black smoke and shadows seeped out of his skin as the intensity of the gold glow increased. The darkness that left Abel's body seemed to be consumed by the gold that enveloped him.

Christopher took the opportunity to scramble away and fetch the spell book. He quickly flicked to the required page.

Abel's body laid on the ground next to the fading gold ring. All the smoke, shadows and darkness that fell across Cinderash beckoned to Skobex's call. It gathered at the shadow figure that now stood in the gold ring. Christopher assumed it would be his attempt to gain as much of his power as possible.

Christopher didn't wait for him to gain anymore power. He recited the spell, one that could destroy him.

Flashes of gold and white light appeared on and around the Skobex's shadow body. Fires appeared around the Lich's feet as the spell took effect.

'Stop it!' The deep voice yelled. He held his hands out beside him, both holding balls of swirling purple and black darkness. 'I will—'

A burst of brightness erupted from Skobex before he could conclude his threat. A wave of light spread across Cinderash, but Christopher closed his eyes in case the brightness would affect him.

Christopher felt himself tumble backwards. All the spells he had summoned now took its toll. His vision faded as his eyes slowly closed. He needed to make sure that Skobex had been destroyed, hopefully for good. He also wanted to check on Anastasia and Abel, but his body betrayed him as he remained on the ground like a pile of tree logs. He hoped it worked the way it's meant to and everyone had been saved.

He couldn't fight the exhaustion any longer, letting his eyes drift shut.