There was a hissing noise from outside. The Shepherdess leapt to her feet.

"Where's my crook?" She asked sharply.

"It's back on the beach." Evereldette answered.

"They're coming. What about the baby crow?" She hopped over to Serendipity.

"He's used enough of his powers!" Alikus answered.

The Shepherdess walked slowly to the exit.

"Don't make a noise. Get over here." She ordered.

She backed to the wall, the others following.

The hissing got louder as a shadow passed across the entrance.

Why would someone steal my powers? Is it for the same purpose as the souls they were harvesting?

She didn't even notice as the shadow came right up in front of her.

It was a small fragment.

Why did she have such... Mixed feelings towards it at this moment?

What was going on? She just stared at it.

The Shepherdess grabbed a spare cloak, flinging it over the shadow and tying it up.

"Alikus! Are you okay? Did it get you?" Ginkgo exclaimed.

"It got really close." Evereldette added, somewhat frantic underneath his constantly solemn expression.

"I'm fine." She replied.

"You!" The Shepherdess pointed to Evereldette. "Use your eyeglass. I know what your powers are. There could be demons out there."

"Demons?" Alikus asked as Evereldette formed the eyeglass.

"Curse of the shadows. It's what killed everyone at my home." She answered.

Alikus blinked. What on odd word- but why did it feel so familiar?

Evereldette put down his eyeglass.

"Sorry to interrupt- but I need to go outside for a second." Qulow murmured, striding out of the cave.

"Yes, there's demons." Evereldette replied. "They're mostly by the Tree of Ec-"

"NO!" The Shepherdess grabbed the eyeglass, staring through it. "There's no time. We have to go quick."

Qulow, hearing the commotion, came back inside.

"Alikus. Come with me. You'll ride on my back, as I can fly the fastest." The Shepherdess ordered.

Alikus hissed quietly, nodding reluctantly. She climbed onto the large bird's back.

"I'll be back." She told the others. "Hopefully without her." She added under her breath.

The albatross took flight, soaring very smoothly into the air as Alikus rode on her back.

Her flight was surprisingly smooth and fast. She barely flapped.

"There. They're swarming around the tree." She dove down, Alikus holding on tight.

She alighted on the ground, grabbing a stick.

"Ilu." She recited, and the stick lit on fire. She grabbed it in her beak, taking flight again.

Alikus flew up, grabbing into her feathers, and they landed shortly in front of the tree.

Alikus's heart sunk as she saw the demons.

They were like the pictures of giraffes her mother had showed her. But made of shadows.

But at the same time... Why was she happy?