Sophie wandered the town, observing the small shops and stands. People stood and stared, whispering to one another. Sophie smiled at the townspeople as she walked past. In the town square she found a clothing shop.
Sophie stepped inside the small building. Mannequins sat along the walls, donned with dresses and other garments. "Welcome, is there anything you're looking for?" The woman at the counter said, smiling.
"Do you have any clothes or dresses or something that would be perfect for travel or a battle?" Sophie asked the woman.
"Ah, so I see that you're the woman of nature. You look different than I imagined. Follow me. I think I have just the thing needed for your journey," The woman said, leading Sophie behind a beaded curtain.
Behind the curtain, a room lined with shelves stood. Each shelf was filled to the brim with dark and bright colored fabrics. In the middle of the room stood a mannequin. On the mannequin sat a dress. The dress was purple and gray with a see through purple shawl connected to a brown belt sewn on the top. The skirt was a light gray with a slit down the middle, perfect for lots of movement. "Is it suitable for your journey?" The woman asked.
"It's perfect," Sophie replied, smiling. With the help of the woman, she undressed and put on the dress. Looking into the mirror she saw how different she looked. She looked at the woman and said, "Thank you so much." The woman nodded and left the room.
Sophie walked to the far edge of the village with a horse, given by the stable boy. With Akila's scythe in her hand she rode away from the village towards Kasai's fort.
Far off into the distance the towers of Kasai's dark stone fort shown over the trees. Kasai looked out the window and smiled. Waving his hand the image of Sophie riding through the forest showed in each and every room her and Nathan's family was in. Nathan saw it first. Staring at the image he yelled, "Sophie!! No! Stop! Don't do it!"
Alina, Lyle, Akila, and Charles are saw the same thing too. Their exclaims and worries were none too greater than Nathan's, for he... he didn't want the girl he loved to die for his sake.
Sophie continued to ride as Kasai's fort came closer and closer. "I need to find my friends and family first! Kasai comes last!" She said to herself, her hair blowing in the wind. The entrance to the fort seemed to just jump in front of her. Sighing, she jumped off her horse and held the scythe in her hand. "I guess it's now or never," She said walking through the open gates. Suddenly she was whisked into Kasai's throne room.
"Well hello there Sophie. It's nice to see you," Kasai said, sitting on his throne and smiling, 'Would you like a spot of tea?"
"Where is my family?! Where is Akila and Charles?! Where is Nathan?!!" Sophie exclaimed.
"Skipping right to the point, huh. They are here somewhere in the castle. Trapped in their own minds I'll give you a chance to find them all I guess. You have 4 hours to find your friends and family. If you don't find them all within that time, they will perish here," Kasai said, standing, "Your time starts.... now!" Sophie was transported o the dungeon under the fort. She saw her parents, Akila, Charles, and Nathan all sleeping, unresponsive to Sophie's cries and force.
"Wait... he said trapped in their own minds. But how do I get in there?" Sophie questioned. Suddenly the scythe started to glow. She raised it up, confused. All the light went to the tip of the blade. "Do I tap it on their he-" Sophie tapped the tip of the blade lightly on her mother's head and was whisked into her mother's mind.