Chapter NineThe Mysterious WarriorWhen the light of the explosion turned black, everything stopped. All the activity and commotion on the wasteland came to an abrupt halt. All noise of arms and movement stopped, as far as the eye could see; the skeletal army was frozen in place. "What's going on here?" Willow asked after a moment, her voice so dry she could barely speak. Jack looked around him at the hordes of motionless skeletons with mesmerized bewilderment and relief. “I have no idea?” He took a deep breath and shook his head. “But I don’t think we should hang around here to find out!” At Jack's command, they left the skeletal circle and slipped into a long, narrow corridor that had opened between them. They walked carefully and cautiously through a mass of broken skeletal bodies that littered the desert floor, bones crunching and crunching beneath their feet in a frightening silence with each step. A little further down the trail, a colossus of a man dressed in a red bulletproof vest appeared against the burning wreckage. Jack and Willow walked side by side and didn't take their eyes off him. They were barely able to believe their good fortune, while at the same time trying to ignore all the faceless skulls that were swiveling in their direction, their strange eyes glowing wickedly in the moonlight with frustration and rage. Blaze walked a short distance behind him and he didn't seem bothered by them at all. He looked around at the two thick walls of faceless skeletons surrounding him, his dark eyes darting from one skull to the other. "Mmmm, hmmm," he muttered to the mass of skeletal soldiers as he strolled casually through them, observing each on...... middle of paper ......e far from the band. “And hey, who knows. Maybe the next time we meet we will have the opportunity to repay you. » “I hope so,” the warrior replied quickly. “Now, children, proceed carefully and good luck in your quest.” He shook his head and hesitated for a moment. "I'm afraid you need it." » In the cold silence of the Silverwood Forest, the young group of Earthlings and Elves continued their way around the edge of the lake, admiring all the new sights and smells. They were content to let down their defenses now that the hardest part was done. The departing warrior disappeared into the trees. As he did so, his blue eyes narrowed like those of a satisfied hunter. Oh, I wouldn't worry you too much about how to reward me, my young friends, he thought darkly, casting a quick glance back. You won't have long to wait before seeing us again. I can assure you. Your quest will fail…