Ebony looked at the group she talked to. "That's what happened to me."

Mica scoffed. "So, all of this because you needed to feed? That's fucking BULLSHIT! You didn't deserve to die!"

Ebony calmed herself before saying, "Mica, I killed a child. In cold blood!"

Shadow shook his head in disbelief. "It wasn't your fault, Valerian forced you to."

Ebony began to cry. "He was an innocent little boy! I killed him with my bare hands." Shadow then got up from where he sat and held Ebony's boby hands. "You tried to control yourself, you were forced to. It wasn't your fault."

Ebony cried as her hollowed out eyes gazed at him. "Thank you." She then hugged him.

Rose shook her head. "Another piece of knowledge to confirm how ruthless she is."

Zack sighed. "I agree." Suddenly, he found himself staring at Max, who finally came back. Everyone looked up at him.

Shadow smiled. "Hey, you alright?"

Max nodded. "Yeah." He looks at Shadow, then said. "You were right, I HAVE been selfish.....I'm sorry." Shadow nodded too. He got up and embraced him, patting him on the back.

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Zack looked at the group. "Should we get Matthew back into consciousness and bring him home?"

Shadow nodded. "Yeah, let's do it."

Ebony then grabbed the blond boy's shoulder. Shadow looked up at her. "We need to find the crystal and smash it.....it'll break the curse. I attempted to coat it a long time ago, but Valerian ruined that chance for me!"

Rose nodded. "Okay, can you sense where the crystal is hiding?"

Ebony held her skull back and then looked at Rose. "It's around his neck."

Shadow sighed. "This better be the last time we enter this castle....I'm already starting to get sick of it."

Max laughed. "I agree......you guys need to be spreading out though..."

Shadow tilted his head. "What about you?"

Max gave him a determined look. "I'm the reason he's like this....I need to set things right with him. Who's coming with me?"

Zack raised a hand,and joined Max. Mica and Ebony exchanged glances. Rose looked at them. "I'm going to hunt down Valerian. Would anyone like to seek vengeance with me?" Ebony smiled and nodded. Mica proudly stood in between them. "I'll accompany you guys....you need someone to protect you!"

Shadow scoffed, and Mica glared at him.

Max then looked from Zack to Shadow. "The black wolf is coming with us!" He declared.

Shadow shot a surprised look at him and turned pale. "What.....what about the Necromancer?"

Max and Zack exchanged glances. Max then turned back to him. "Eh, the black wolf!"

Shadow then muttered, "Fuck me.", under his breath as he walked towards them. He looked at Max. "But, I'm a witch! Witches are good protectors!"

Max looked at the sky in thought. "Mmm, yeah, but we need the black wolf."

Shadow sighed. The group split into two and they went their separate ways towards the castle. Max and his group decided to make a bold move and go through the castle entrance, while Rose, Ebony and Mica took the tunnels.