I took the bottle and opened it. Like the other three, there was a note inside.

"The Nimbus Forest is where
The hellish winds rage
By testing your endurance
You will be center stage
To find the Cyclone Crystals
Go into the eye of the storm
Once obtained, run, because
They will attack in
A swarm like form."

"Looks like we're meeting Farcilia now." Spencer said.

"Yup. Well Yukiya, it was great seeing you again," I said.

"Right back at you, little sis. The others and I will wait for you at your last trial," he said.

"So... how are we going to get to Nimbus Forest?"

"Heading north from the valley, you'll see a friend who will be happy to fly you to Nimbus Forest."

Spencer and I looked at each other with confused faces.

"What kind of friend?" I asked.

"Don't you remember Tempest?" Yukiya asked.

The name hit me hard in the chest.

"By any chance, is Tempest... a pegasus?" I asked.

"He definitely is," Yukiya replied.

"You remembered." Spencer said.

"Yeah, guess so."

"Well, you two better get going. Say hi to Farcilia for me, will you, Courtney?"

"Will do, but call me Allegra next time, big brother."

Yukiya smiled and nodded. Spencer and I waved goodbye and started heading north of the valley. The smell of flowers getting stronger by the minute. Then, I saw something in the distance. I walked closer to it, and saw a jet black horse, munching on some grass. I then realized that it wasn't a horse, it was a pegasus.

This must be Tempest.

I walked closer to him and called out his name.

"Tempest." I called out.

He rose his head and turned to me. When Tempest saw me, he trotted over. Tempest reared and spread out his obsidian black wings. I placed my hand on his muzzle and stroked it.

"It's so good to see you again, buddy." I said.

Tempest snorted.

"Think you can fly us to Nimbus Forest?" I asked.

Tempest nodded. Spencer and I hopped on as Tempest spread out his wings. With one flap of his wings, we were in the sky in a heartbeat, on our way to Nimbus Forest.

"So... do you have an answer yet?" Spencer asked.

"No, but I'm piecing it together as we go." I said.

Spencer sighed and nodded. It wasn't too long until we arrived at Nimbus Forest. It was far north, and it was kind of cold. When Tempest landed, we couldn't even see the ground. Nothing but fog, as far as the eye could see. We got off Tempest and looked out into the forest. I placed my hand on his muzzle and stroked it.

"Thanks for taking us this far, Tempest." I said.

Tempest nuzzled his cheek against mine. He backed away and flew off. I sighed with content as I watched him go. I looked out into the foggy forest and swallowed a lump in my throat. I then took hold of Spencer's hand, so we don't get separated.

Who am I kidding? I'm freaking scared out my mind!

Then, a giant gust of wind came in, and almost blew us away. I turned my back to the wind as I protected Spencer from being blown away. When the wind finally died down, I turned around, and saw that the fog was getting thicker.

This is going to be hard...

"You okay?" I asked Spencer.

"Yeah, and you?" he asked back.

"Yeah..."

"The note wasn't kidding when it said Nimbus Forest would have hellish winds."

"But it didn't mention any fog, needless to say thick fog."

Spencer sighed deeply and nodded. I released him from my embrace and took hold of his hand again.

"We should put up a light spell, you know, to see better." Spencer said.

"Good idea." I said.

I held my hand out into the distance and recited the light charm.

"Lumos!" I said.

Then, a bright flash emitted from my hand.

"Let's go." I said.

Spencer nodded and we started walking.

"So where did the note say to find the Cyclone Crystals?" Spencer asked.

"In the eye of the storm. Wonder what that could mean?" I asked myself.

"Hm... well, if our endurance is being tested, we need to gain some info on this place, and how the wind works around here."

"I know a little bit about Nimbus Forest's history. Nimbus Forest wasn't always this foggy. In fact, it wasn't foggy at all before. Some say this place is like Wandering Woods... an endless maze, but it does't actually LOOK like a maze like Wandering Woods. But many Meldarians get lost in this forest. Some say that the wind blows away the only way out, and the fog here are the souls of the Meldarians that didn't return. Others say that once you go in, you never come back out, even if you just stepped into the forest."

A chill ran down both of our spines when I said that last part.

"But what confuses me about the note are the last two parts. Once obtained, run, because the will attack like a swarm... who's they?" Spencer asked.

"Don't know, but I'm hoping we don't meet them..." I said.

Then, another gust of wind came in. I held onto Spencer's hand tight as we continued to walk. Up ahead was a cliff, and the path ended there. I looked over the edge and shuddered a little. We couldn't even see the bottom, because there was so much fog. Then, I heard the sound of rushing wind above us. I looked up and saw a cyclone.

You're kidding me...

A leaf blew past us and drifted over the edge. Then, it immediately got sucked up into the cyclone. I then saw something sparkle in the cyclone. The Cyclone Crystals.

In Meldaria, cyclones are somewhat like vacuums around here. If something is under it, it gets sucked up. And apparently, the only way to get the Cyclone Crystals is to get sucked into the mix.

I tugged on Spencer's arm and led him to a tree near the cliff.

"Lumos Shield!" I said.

A bright flashed from my hand and engulfed Spencer. Next minute, he was inside a barrier of light.

"That way it'll be easier to spot you when I come back," I said.

"Come back from where?" Spencer asked.

"I'm getting the Cyclone Crystals."

"There you go with your suicidal thoughts again! Can't you do anything that doesn't involve you possibly killing yourself?"

"Why should I? It wouldn't be as fun."

Spencer turned away, trying to hide the obvious smile that was creeping on his face.

He knows I'm right.

He turned back to me and burst of laughing. I couldn't help but laugh as well.

"Don't die out there, alright?" Spencer asked.

"Promise." I said.

I walked away from Spencer and stood at the edge of the cliff. I looked ahead and saw the sun beginning to set. I stepped back a few feet to get a running start. Then, I sprinted forward. I began to get faster with every step I took. I then took a leap of faith and jumped off the ledge. When gravity was pulling me down, the cyclone yanked me upward. I looked up at the spiraling winds as it sucked me inside. As I past the clouds, I began to float, and drifted in the wind.

I should cast the flying spell so I can find the Cyclone Crystals better.

I held my hand over my head and recited the spell.

"Wingoreous!" I said.

Light blue particles rained down on me and I started to levitate higher. I quickly gained control of the effect and began my search. I saw all kinds of things that were sucked up in here. Potion bottles, spell books, and even wands.

Hope I don't find any bodies with all of these wizard items...

As I was flying, I soon saw something sparkle in the corner of my eye. I turned around and saw a chest, resting on a cloud. When I went up to it, it was the size of my hand. I picked up the chest and opened it. Inside were three oval shaped crystals. They were a light shade of purple and sparkled in the sun. I smiled and closed the small chest. When I put it in my back pocket, I heard screeching. I looked around me and saw nothing was there.

Maybe it's just my imagination...

Then, the screeching continued. I shuddered and swallowed a lump in my throat. A screeching came from behind and I quickly turned around. Behind me was a little bat. It was black with a blue face, blue wings, and blue ears.

These little bats are called Larkbats. They only live in either Nimbus Forest or Grimwood Cemetery. Wizards who specialize in Dark magic usually have these guys as familiars. A familiar is a type of animal or creature that is just like you.

I smiled and held out my arm. It screeched and instead of resting on my arm, it rested on my head. I smiled and scratched its head.

He seems familiar somehow...

Then, I felt him shudder, like he just got spooked. He screeched and hid behind my shoulder as he looked up at something. I looked up and my eyes widened. Coming straight for us were giant Larkbats.

Larkbats can grow as big as a dragon. Some Meldarians say that they are dragons, even though they're not... I got to get out of here!

I grabbed the little Larkbat and flew away. I ducked and dived into every cloud, but I just couldn't shake them. They screeched and roared as they were gaining on us.

Maybe this is what the note was talking about when it said they will attack like a swarm...? "They" are the Larkbats.

Then, the little Larkbat in my arms started to glow. I let it go, and then he started to grow bigger. The other Larkbats stopped and watched. When the light dimmed down, the little Larkbat was no more. He turned into a large Larkbat, even larger than the others. He was black with wings fading from blue to purple on the ends, and had piercing ice blue eyes. He growled at the other Larkbats and then roared. The others whined and flew away. I looked back at him and scratched his head.

"Thanks for the help, big guy." I said.

He nodded. I asked if he could give me a ride back down, and he was happy to help. I hopped on his back and he fell out of the cyclone. He perched himself on the ledge and I got off. I quickly saw Spencer and took down the barrier. He walked up to me, and then backed away.

"Uh, Courtney... I don't if you noticed but... THERE'S A FREAKING LARKBAT BEHIND YOU!" he cried.

"I know. He helped me obtain these." I said.

I reached into my back pocket and took out the chest. I opened it and showed Spencer the Cyclone Crystals.

"Alright! Four down, two more to go." Spencer said.

I nodded and snapped the chest away.

"Amazing work, Allegra." said a voice behind Spencer.

We looked and we saw a figure walking up to us through the fog. When it came into the light, we saw that is was a lady with light gray skin, silver hair, and pale blue eyes.

"I'm guessing you're Farcilia, right?" I asked.

"You remembered..." she said sweetly.

She walked up to me and hugged me. I smiled and hugged her back. When we parted, Farcilia couldn't help but smile.

"I'm so happy to see you're alright." she said.

"Actually Farcilia..." I began.

I then explained everything to her.

"I understand... well, it's a shame indeed, but the others and I will help you." she said.

I smiled and nodded.

"I see you reunited with Jet." Farcilia said.

"Jet..." I repeated.

I turned around at the Larkbat and he smiled.

"Jet... Jet... I remember you! You were only little when I first met you," I said.

"That's right. You rescued him when he was only a pup."

"Well, he saved my life just a while ago from some hostile Larkbats."

I stroked Jet's midnight black head and he purred.

"Speaking of which, I picked this up when I was coming over." Farcilia said, holding up a small bottle.

It was exactly like the others, but this one was yellow.

Guess my next trial is about to begin...

"Four down, two more to go... are you seriously letting her gather the Ancient Relics, sister?"

"Yes. Once she completes her last trial, we'll be waiting to strike."

"I hope you are right about this. Once she obtains the last artifact, she will be the most powerful wizardess in Meldaria..."