Kasai glared at the maze. "You have got to be kidding me."

The walls went all the way up to the ceiling, so she couldn't fly over. What scared her most was the fact that it was more than likely for there to be booby traps hidden throughout. She took a deep breath and ran into the maze.

... and she was right about booby traps. The moment she stepped in, golden spikes sprung up in front of her, causing her to jump back.

"You. Have got. To be kidding me."

She waited for the spikes to go back down before racing forward again, this time jumping over whatever triggered the spikes.

She didn't like this at all, but the sounds of rattling chains, quiet whimpers, and the knowledge of the fact Fuego needed her kept Kasai motivated.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ • ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Meanwhile, Hitze was talking to a small group.  There was a masked griffon and two young dragons.

"So do you zink you can help?

"Of course." the griffon said, giving a brief nod.  "You can count on us."

The two dragons nodded eagerly.  "Finally, something exciting!" the younger female one said, bouncing up and down.

"Oh, calm down." the other muttered, rolling his eyes.

"Both of you, cut it out." the griffon ordered.  The two dragons immediately closed their mouths.

"As I was saying... we'll be sure to keep watch and help as much as we can."

"Danke.  Thank you." Hitze said with a small nod, running off again.

"So when do we get going?" the female dragon asked.

"Now is as good a time as any.  We don't know when this 'Kasai' girl could use our help."

They both nodded, and the griffon led the way to the lair.