Vivian had offered to aim one of her arrows at the lever to make their escape. The four huddled in the back, Hugo and James now slashing out a frame that would be enough for all of them to squeeze out from. Once a suitable frame big enough for them to crawl through was formed the two put their swords away and turned back to the girls.

James went up to Vivian giving her a quick kiss, creasing her face and giving her an encouraging smile. Vivian smiled back.

James then turned and hugged his sister and placed a kiss on the crown of her head, "I know you got this!"

Sofia nodded back, hugging him just as tight. She turned to Vivian and also gave her a hug.

"Please be safe, Sofia," Vivian murmured.

"I will," Sofia whispered back, rubbing her back.

Hugo smiled and grabbed Sofia's hand squeezing it.

"We'll know our fate in the next twenty-four hours I guess," Hugo saluted.

The four readied themselves for escape. Vivian aimed her arrow and breathed, she had to make every arrow count, she didn't have a full set of 13 or 26. She steadied her arm against her shoulder, motioned it in target and released it. The arrow shot off and hit the lever with just enough strength to start the doors opening. The four didn't waste any time pushing past the gaps of the wood frame as their diversion distracted the gargoyles.

Sofia and Hugo made sure to keep low as they ran for their horses that were on the right side of the forest edge.

Whereas James and Vivian made a dash for their horses that were tied up behind the stables. They knew that Sofia and Hugo's escape depended on them. They quickly mounted their horses and dashed around, they knew it wouldn't take long for the gargoyles to realise they had escaped around the back.

They got as far right as they could, away from the other two, and soon after, a flock of gargoyles were coming down and trying to attack. James slowed his horse down and protected Vivian from the majority of the attacks. He slashed two gargoyles by their wings and took one more down, when it had decided to attack, by flinging him around. Another decided to make an attempt with its claws, James blocked the first scratch and swung his sword up, but it did little damage against the stone. Their wings were their weaknesses, at least enough to slow them down. James took another slash against the flat of his sword and used the momentum to push that gargoyle against a few others causing a ripple effect of bumping into each other and slowing them down.

While she may have not been the best at hand to hand combat, she was quite steady with a bow thanks to her musical talents. She used this to her advantage to shoot down some of the gargoyles by their wings, while it was definitely harder on a horse, she still had enough stability to have 3 of her arrows hit.

She drew another arrow, making sure to aim it well, she breathed, aimed and released. Unfortunately, however, this arrow just missed her target. One wasted arrow, and they still had a way to go before they could get back up.

Surely, there had to be some clue as to how to immobilise the gargoyles. Vivian racked her brain knowing she knew the answer, it's just her brain decided to blank. Vivian tsked as she dodged another flying gargoyle and aimed another arrow.

James clashed his sword against a gargoyle's claws, he pushed his sword against the palm of the stone hand and used his strength to tumble the gargoyle forward, he whacked another's wings on the right. By now the number of gargoyles had decreased, but just as they thought victory would be theirs, a new group of gargoyles rolled in from the Mystic Isles.

"You've got to be kidding me," James groaned.

"Let's just run for now," Vivian shouted back to James.

Vivian and James both flicked their reins and sped up. Their horses jumped over the little creek and made their way to a clearing. Whilst this was happening, Vivian was still racking her brain for the answer.

She readied another bow, but because her horse was going a little too fast, it was hard to balance the bow whilst making sure she didn't fall off. Her arrow slid against the bowstring, causing an off tune A to be produced. The head of the gargoyle snapped at the sound. That's when it finally clicked for Vivian. She remembered what she had learnt all those years ago in music class. Gargoyles were receptive to music. It was stronger if it was an instrument, and it was bewitching if it came from a magical music box.

Vivian turned around shouting out to James, "James! I figured it out!"

What Vivian had failed to notice was that a gargoyle had flown in low and in front of her, scaring her horse. Her horse halted and skidded. Vivian lost her balance and found herself falling straight for the ground. She braced for contact.

She peaked her eyes open and found herself in a strong grip. James had just managed to catch her before she had a chance to yell. He pulled her up and placed her in front of him.

"Are you alright?" he asked, his tone a little fierce.

She nodded her head, sheepishly smiling. Her bad.

"What were you doing that you weren't watching where you were going?" James questioned her, whistling to her horse, getting it on par with his.

"I was trying to call out to you, I figured out how to get rid of these gargoyles all at once!" Vivian turned back as she told him excitedly.

"Really? How so?" James asked, a little bewildered.

"I learnt in a music class, gargoyles are receptive to music, if I play them a tune they'll leave us alone." She answered him. Grabbing onto the horse for balance.

"That's perfect, one issue however, how are we going to play music without an instrument?"

Vivian smiled cheekily, "you know James, a voice is also an instrument."

"What are you saying? You'll sing?" He probed.

"Exactly!" Vivian told him confidently.

"Okay but how will you get your voice heard against all this flapping and galloping?" James thought aloud.

"Easy, I'll use my hands as a way to amplify my voice," Vivian explained.

"Okay. But we're riding this way, and it's not smart to stop," James trailed, looking ahead of the path.

"Don't worry, I'll be facing them while you ride, I need you to hold me steady though," Vivian stated.

James gave her a look of bewilderment, again.

"Just trust me, okay?" Vivian smiled.

James rolled his eyes but nodded, "Okay, what do you need me to do?"

Vivian shifted herself so that she was facing James. Then steadily she rose up, James grabbed her waist and held her steady. He used one arm to support her back, with his palm open wide to give the small of her back all the support, and the other to control the reins. Vivian used James' shoulders as a way of balance at first. Then when she was steady, she cupped her hands around her mouth and began to sing. She sang a song that was a classic around the world, the story of this piece was one that made people calm.

She sang the tune in sounds of "ahs" but the main melody, the chorus if you will, she incorporated "oos" and "ees". Although it was a song mainly hummed, she had no choice but to actually sing it, if she wanted it to be heard.

As soon as she started singing, she noticed the effect that it had on the gargoyles, their flapping slowed down and they began to settle. Vivian tapped James' shoulder, signifying for him to slow down. Soon in the open field, Vivian was there singing and a group of gargoyles had landed in an open field. After seven minutes, the gargoyles had all settled down and had fallen asleep.

Vivian ended the song and settled back down in front of James, smiling.

"You did it!" James whispered.

"Hehe," Vivian puffed, blushing.

They quietly high fived and galloped away. They planned to come back with guards with a net made of fire to ensure these gargoyles would cause no more trouble than necessary.

While all this was happening Sofia and Hugo had made their way onto their horses and now were reaching the entrance of the Mystic Isles. They flew their horses to the Isle of Protectors, there they landed their horses and made their way to the where the prison was located, the scene that unfolded their eyes when arriving was one that was worse than they could imagine.

Over 100 prisoners had escaped and were all battling the protectors of the islands. Not only were the protectors in battle but other mystic isle creatures were also in battle using what strengths they had. As they ran past fallen comrades and enemies, they grimaced. They made their way to Vega and Orion, noticing all the prisoners and creatures knocked out from the battle. Sofia grimaced yet again at the scenes, but continued running. What had happened, had happened, right now she needed to focus on the future and what she had control over.

They ran in the chaos around them, dodging and leaping over any obstacles. Right now, they knew this was a diversion, they didn't have time to take part in it.

"Vega! Orion!" Sofia shouted over the chaos.

"Sofia? Hugo? What are you both doing here?" Vega questioned, dodging a punch.

"We, well, uh it's a long story actually. We need to gather, and figure things out together so we can come up with a plan," Sofia urged.

"Right, we would love to, but right now, it's, well look around," Orion gestured to the battle before him.

Hugo had already seen this coming, it wasn't exactly easy to just up and leave a battle, especially since some of their warriors were just citizens of the isles, in the long run they would be no match for the prisoners.

"I was thinking actually, what if we blended in with the prisoners, we just need to group together for ten minutes to discuss what's going on, and how to proceed. We'll meet in front of the prison doors, in five minutes." Hugo pressed.

Before he could even give them the chance to think about it, Hugo tossed them prison jackets that he had picked up while running over to them. He chucked one on and ran over to the doors, avoiding battle where he could. Sofia followed his lead, grabbing a prisoner's jacket and throwing it over herself loosely.

Without a choice now, Vega and Orion tossed the jackets over themselves and made their way to the prison doors. On the way over, all four knocked out prisoners where they could. Most of them lowered their guards when seeing the familiar uniform, only to be surprised when they saw a flying fist come their way.

Hugo made it first, Vega, closely behind him, with Orion and Sofia arriving not too long after. Inside, they meet up with Chrysta who was waiting for them in the security room.

"Oh my! Sofia, Hugo! It's been crazy!" Chrysta exclaimed when she noticed them.

"Yeah, I know, but we don't have time to be discussing these idle things; to get to the point, we're at war right now." Hugo claimed sharply.

"This isn't just a mere prison break, this is a distraction to throw the entire world off." Sofia continued, hands folded.

"What do you mean?" Orion asked.

The air in the room got heavy as the next points of discussion were spoken.

"This is the final phase of attack, Alex and Ichamura are going after the law and order of this world, their aim is chaos, I'm afraid," Chrysta finished.

"What-what are you talking about?!" Vega shrieked. Vega fisted her hands, her knuckles turning white.

Orion put a hand on her shoulder, "explain, in detail."

Hugo nodded, "we know for a fact that Ichamura is the real villain behind the chaos that has been going on, not for the last few months, but years."

Vega gritted her teeth.

"She was the one that was behind the fire that killed Alex's family, she used this to control and manipulate him into doing her dirty work. He ended up stealing the emerald of Vesta and has taken just enough to destroy the law and order of this world. However, Ichamura is the one behind the scheming, she's been telling him exactly what to do, when and where. We also know that Ichamura is the daughter of Feliona the Ferocious, and she's after one more thing, us." Sofia outlined.

"Excuse me?" Orion scoffed.

"Unfortunately, we carry a bloodworm which has been passed down for 1000 years, the attacks that Alex has been recently making are aimed at us, aimed at making us weak. So that they may use us as the final piece of their plan of destruction." Hugo finished.

"So then why are you here, if anything, you guys should be the last ones up here," Orion theorised. A little irked.

"No, unfortunately, if Ichamura is free, she'll do anything to make sure she can take our blood, it's better, we pretend to fall for her trap." Sofia stated, frowning.

"That's why we're here, to strategize a battle plan, we were hoping that you could give us some more information on Ichamura so we can plan out for all possible outcomes. We've already come up with a plan to get Alex, but Ichamura seems like she'll be trouble." Sofia begged.

"Ichamura has one weakness and one weakness only; her soul." Vega professed. "About 20 years ago, we noticed that her soul had disappeared, it had the Mystic Isles in a choke hold for a few years, but when nothing extreme happened, over time it became less talked about, but I never forgot." Vega hissed.

"That night, that night, I lost my brother, all because of the chaos her soul had, but one thing I'll never forget that my brother told me; a soul cannot exist without a host." Vega paused, "if there's one place it would be, it would be a body, and one she would keep close to her, there's a good chance her soul would be in Alex's body, and he wouldn't even be aware of it."

"So, how do we proceed from here?" Chrysta asked.

"Ichmamura isn't dumb, she's been living for eons, she's watched others and how they've failed, you'd have to out do her wits and get her in a way she doesn't expect. You have to lower her guard." Vega answered.

"Okay, how?" Sofia asked.

Vega gathered them together and began telling them of her plans.

"Is that clear?" Vega asked.

Everybody nodded.

"Okay, let's-," Hugo got cut off.

"Wait, Hugo, I have something for you," Orion announced.

He pulled out from his belt a sword made of Stygian steel, it was pure black, with a clean reflection, it was double edged, and clearly just sharpened. When Hugo took it from Orion it was light weight, making it easier to wield more attacks, compared to his usual sword.

"Are you sure?" Hugo asked, mesmerised.

"Of course, not only do you deserve it, but you need it if you're going to win," Orion smiled.

Hugo grinned, saluting his trainer. He discarded the old sword form the stables and placed the sword in his belt. The group of five saluted each other. They made their way to the front, weaving through the corridors. They reached the doors that would lead back to the battle. Sofia and Hugo were the first ones to make their way out to their horses. They would be the only ones to engage with Ichamura, the other three would make sure to defend them till the bridge.

Hugo wanted to test his sword out first, just to get used to the feel of it. He saw a group of five prisoners circling one protector, without hesitation, Hugo sprung forward using a fallen prisoner as a jumping board. He swung for the two with their back to him. The airiness of the sword made it easier to manoeuvre, and before anyone knew what happened, in one swing, the two prisoners fell. Hugo landed, nodding at the agility of his new sword.

"Hey!" one of the other three prisoners shouted.

This one lurched forward, but Hugo used this to his advantage, shifting his weight, he stabbed forward and pulled out in a quick motion. Hugo was really liking his new sword. Knowing now the movements of it, he had no time to deal with the last two prisoners. He ran forward, barely making a swing, the two fell to their knees, barely registering the fact that they had just been slashed.

Sofia on the other hand played defense, it was just a waste of energy to engage with enemies that had no real power in the real destruction of the world. Plus there was no point when her fellow protectors were right in front of her paving a path for her. She watched as the three engaged with the enemies, she thought about the clean up for a second but shook her head. First she needed to win, plus, she trusted her friends to handle it by themselves and lock them back up.

Hugo made his way to Sofia, where she had arrived at their horses. In less than minutes they had crossed the field with minimal battle necessary, thanks to the efforts of Chrysta, Vega and Orion who had defended any attacks that came their way.

They saddled up, took one last look at their comrades. Sofia locked eyes with Chrysta, her eyes saying; trust in us, we will win.

With that they flew off, time was a foe right now, and a sentence Sofia thought was cliche but fit so well right now, time literally depended on them.