Xornoth's Perspective-

Crystal Cliffs was our next stop. All I knew about this empire was that it was full of magic.

"Xornoth." My father said, causing me to look at him, "Make sure to let me do the talking this time. If there's something important, like say you notice someone with the crystal, then you may speak. But please, let me handle this."

I nodded.

"I don't know if we're any closer to The Lost Empire," Wallis sighed, "but I know Azar would not like you getting too close to Joey."

"Why?"

My father sighed, "Well...he prefers to stay away from creating allies. He likes to protect himself and not really have to care for anyone else."

"Oh..." I trailed off, thinking about Joey.

"Now come on, we're here." My father said, stepping out of the carriage.

I took a deep breath and followed my father.

My eyes widened as a dragon flew over us.

"What the-?!"

My father chuckled and smiled.

"Another reason why I wanted you to tag along was so you can see the other empires." He said, winking.

We walked up to where a woman with ginger hair stood, holding a staff.

"Hello Rose." My father said, nodding at the woman.

She turned and smiled, "Hello Wallis. What are you doing here?"

"Well, I needed to ask you something important."

"Go right ahead."

My father sighed, "The crystal...it's gone."

Rose dropped her staff, her eye twitching.

My father smiled nervously.

"It's gone?!"

"Yes, someone stole it. We cannot find it in Rivendell and Azar said you may know where it is."

"How would I know where it is?" She asked, picking up her staff.

"Well, you crystalized it."

"That was a long time ago! If it breaks and the demon takes over the user, it may be close to impossible to crystallize it again! That demon's probably been getting stronger while it's been in the crystal." Rose hissed and I gulped.

"How- how fast can the demon take over the user?" I asked nervously, my voice cracking a bit.

Rose sighed, "We're not sure."

"O-oh." I said, looking down.

My father patted my back, "It's going to be okay."

"How will this be okay?" Rose asked and my father glared at her.

I looked down, noticing how my hands were shaking.

Cod...I really fucked up.

-

I stared at the ceiling, feeling my fingers slowly twitch, but it wasn't from the cold.

My eyelids grew heavier as the night grew on and I eventually fell asleep.

-(switch to third person POV)

"Where am I?" Xornoth asked, looking around.

It looked like a long tunnel that was covered in red vines and leaves, and there were pools of lava on the floor.

He stepped forward and heard something crunch. He slowly looked down and his eyes widened as he saw a body of bones.

He stumbled backwards and he heard a demonic voice laugh.

"You're weaker than I thought. Guess you really can't judge a book by its cover, hm?" A demonic voice said.

Xornoth gulped.

"Who's there? Show yourself!" He shouted.

"I'm right behind you."

Xornoth jumped as he felt a hand on his shoulder.

"You helped free me, the least I can do is repay you."

"I didn't mean to! Leave me alone!"

The demon rolled his eyes, "Look kid, this is just how it's done. You help me, I help you."

"Help me with what?"

"Whatever you like."

Xornoth narrowed his eyes and the demon smirked.

"I can give you unlimited power. You can be strong, not fear about failing Rivendell."

"How can I trust you?"

"We all gotta take risks at some point, kid."

Xornoth sighed, "No. now let me go back."

"Oh, I can't make you go back. You have to wake up."

"What?"

"You could be trapped in this dream forever."

"N-no, you have something to do with this."

The demon smirked, "The only way I can help is if you promise to do something for me in return."

"L-like what?"

"Nothing much. Just letting me take a turn in doing what I want sometimes."

"No, you need to tell me exactly what you want."

The demon sighed, "Listen, I've got a plan. The only way I can help you get out is by you promising to help me later."

"No." Xornoth said sternly.

"Fine. But know that I'll end up taking over anyway. I'm just a couple blocks away from getting exactly what I want. Lose your emotions again and it'll be bye bye to little shy guy." The demon said, smirking.

Xornoth gulped and stepped back, falling into the pool of lava.

-

Xornoth gasped and shot up in his bed, feeling his heart racing.

He took a couple deep breaths before shakily getting up and pulling out the box from under the dresser.

He opened it and saw that the shards were sprouting a couple of red corrupted leaves.

That had to have just been a dream...please.