Surrounding the two visitors was what could only be described as dark and dreary. Shadows crept up every leafless tree, filled every nick in the unstable ground, and even the light above was too far away to brighten the place. There was no wind, not even a whisper or a breath of any sound anywhere.

     "Here we are," Slick said quietly, "The Shadow Kingdom."

     Hunter brushed his shaggy black hair back from his face as he got to his feet, "Where's Carnirus? Is he around here?"

     "He's most likely in the Shadow Castle," Slick replied, stepping forward into the shadows, "Kiara will be close to him- she's too valuable to be anywhere else. Night is falling, so we have only tomorrow to save her. I do t like our chances."

    Hunter rubbed his head, "My body feels weird... and it aches a lot."

 "I told you it would be painful. Just be glad it didn't kill you," Slick shrugged, continuing off into the darkness, his boots clicking on the shadowy stone as he headed towards a distant peak of shadows.

     They walked for a little while, but with each step, Hunter became more and more weary. "Why haven't we run into any shadowbeasts yet? Shouldn't they be storming the place?"

     "Maybe they're with Carnirus, planning something," Slick replied cheerily, continuing on, "Though this place is kinda creepy. Your thoughts?"

    Hunter's eyes fixed on the distant castle ahead, but didn't say anything. He tried not to think about what might be happening to Kiara at this very moment, but he was willing to bet it wasn't good. The castle remained a few hour's walk ahead, so nightfall would have come upon reaching it. They could use the cover of night to sneak in, find Kiara, and sneak out without anyone noticing, hopefully without a hitch.

      Glancing upwards, Hunter noticed the sky was dimming already with the shadows of night.

       "We should probably hurry," Slick commented, shoving his hands into his jacket pockets, "Shadowbeasts are free to wander at night- they'll eat us alive. Well, theyll eat you alive, but they'll just consume my soul 'cause I'm already dead!" and he laughed as if that was funny to him.

    Hunter felt suddenly sick. "So they really do just eat souls and maul the bodies for fun? That's really twisted."

     "Very," Slick agreed. "I'm hungry."

         Hunter frowned, "I talk about mauled bodies and you say you're HUNGRY?"

       "I am," Slick shrugged, "Also, my finger hurts."

     Hunter put a hand over his face, "You're just as bad as Raxus. So if shadowbeasts get more active at night, we need to get in now? Well be caught in seconds under the cover of the dark."

     "You'll be caught in seconds anyway," a voice hissed behind them, and they whipped around to see a small, cloaked person, just sitting on the ground nearby, poking a stick at the burning flames of a black fire.

     She tilted her head back, staring up at them. Her face was young, no older then twelve. But her whitened eyes shone with an elderly expression.

      "Wh-who're you?" Hunter asked, stepping quickly back and staring at her in shock.

     The small girl shook her head slowly, "I am forgotten. That's who I am. A spirit used to transition the dark... a failure at what she needed to do. A fraction. A mishap. Useless. I could go on."

    "Uh...okay." Hunter glanced back at Slick, confused at this.

      But the poltergeist flicked his hand dismissively, "She's not important, let's just leave her to sulk." he tugged on Hunter's arm, but he resisted.

    The girl poked at the fire again, "It only makes sense you wish to leave. I know too much...but I know nothing."

     Hunter crouched down in front of her, "Do you know anything about Carnirus? He's the Shadow King here, and he's trying to come back to life."

     "Back to life for his revenge, this I know," the girl sighed wearily then beckoned him closer with a scratched hand. He leaned closer, and she whispered into his ear, "I'm the remains of a lost soul. I was used in an attempt to ressurect Carnirus, but it failed, for there was not enough black magic. Hallows Eve with no full moon. I am seen by few, and I feel to tell you something."

     "What?" Hunter asked, and she breathed her reply into his ear:

     "There was a crystal...found in the shadow realm. Carnirus attached it to a staff and uses it to hold his prisoners in his grasp. Your friend will be there- and the only way to release is to be told by the Shadow King. You will not triumph unless you use his permission."

     Hunter's face paled, "He'd never do that, not when so much is at stake!"

     The girl smiled placidly at him, "I sense you are a clever boy. You will find a way... perhaps your friend knows the other way to be freed."

    Hunter stared at her, "There's another way? What is it? Tell me!" he leaned forward eagerly, but she shifted away, giving him a small smile.

     "Tell Kiara that Melody says hi..." and with a whisper, her body faded away as if she'd been blown away.

     "H-hey, wait!" Hunter shouted, but it was too late. He turned to Slick, "What the heck was that? What did she mean?"

     Slick sighed, shaking his head, "All I can tell you is to be patient. Sooner or later, we'll find out the secrets this dark place seems to hide."