Qan turned theminto a fire elemental again, modified their shape to a fiery orblike the dragon constructs and then mingled with the otherorbs.
‘It’s working.’ said Ignatius. ’I’ve got no idea which one youare. Remember the gateway closes five Astaria minutes after youenter. If you need longer than that I can always go to the controlroom and open it for you.’
‘Thanks, I should be able to open it.’ replied Qin.
‘However, if I don’t come out within ten minutes after itcloses I would appreciate you opening it.’
The dragonconstructs began filing through the gate way Qin guiding them inthe middle of the group, followed, after advising Astaria that hewouldn’t be long.
The dragon denwas a large, roughly oval shaped dark rock chamber about 400 paceslong and perhaps 200 wide bathed in a purple light. In the chamberwere the bodies of eighteen rock dragons similar to Granitedistributed in two rows curving around the walls on the far sidefrom the gateway. In the centre of the chamber on the floor was acircular tiled area with an image depicting the sun.
Qin and Qanimmediately recognized it as the same as one he had seen outsidethe temple in the jungle on Mudrun. However, this tiled area had aglowing purple crystal pyramid standing as high as a Newman on topof the sun image.
As he stoodwatching, he noticed that in sequence, each dragon became a fierymass; a single fiery orb moved from the group, joined with thefiery mass and the resultant combined fiery mass died out. Thewhole process took only about 2 minutes leaving Aquitain as thesingle fiery orb left in the room. Nothing happened for a furtherminute and then the gateway suddenly closed earlier thanexpected.
Qin and Qanfound themselves in a mind arena in their large green crystalbodies standing opposite an orb of light. Qan quickly duckedout.
‘Who are you that invades the sanctity of this haven.’demanded the orb.
‘I am Aquitain, Warden of Moonmist, Lord of Astaria. I camehere not as an invader but as a seeker to find answers to problemswhich affect both Moonmist and Astaria.’
‘You have a most unusual body. One that is yet to be recorded.To verify your claim I must examine your spirit aura. Do youobject?’ said the orb.
‘Identify yourself first then I might accede to your request.’replied Qin.
‘I am Obphiscon, Collector and Historian to the Dragons ofCrystalhaven.’
‘How do you survive in here by yourself?’ he asked.
‘That is irrelevant. I will ask the questions. Are you goingto show me your spirit aura or do we fight?’ said the orbangrily.
‘Okay have it your way. I will reveal my spirit aura but onlyfor a short time.’ said Qin.
Qin quicklycontacted Qan, to get ready for possible trouble. He asked Qan torelax control on their fiery orb body allowing it to revert totheir Zenostruct form, then create some eyes and see if he couldspot Obphiscon’s physical body.
Obphisconlooked and then quickly said.
‘I’m extremely sorry for invading your privacy, My Lord. Howmay I help you?’
‘I came here to find out what happened to the dragons.’replied Qin a little curious as to why the orb had so quicklychanged its attitude.
‘They are alive in a manner but they are trapped by somepowerful magical effect.’
‘How long have they been here?’ asked Qin quitesurprised.
‘For 155 Astarian years or 342 Crystalhaven years.’ said theorb.
’Ever since they were captured by a very powerful Newman andplaced here to serve his will.’
‘Have you tried to wake them?’.
‘Of course! Over the years I have tried everything that Icould think of.’
‘What about that pyramid in the centre of the room what doesthat do?’ asked Qin.
‘What pyramid?’ asked the orb.
‘Ah. Now I understand. They are being controlled from theother side.’
‘What other side?’ asked the orb.
‘You cannot see it but there is a purple crystal pyramid inthe centre of the room. I believe it is located in the realm of thespirits but somehow fixed so that it remains in this room. Thedragons are being controlled by messages from the pyramid.’ saidQin.
‘That sounds incredible, My Lord. While I don’t disbelieveyou, I would value some physical proof for my records, My Lord.’replied the orb.
‘I can show you if we leave this arena.’ repliedQin.
‘Perhaps later My Lord. I have many questions that you mighthelp me with.’ said the orb.
‘Qin, the gateway has just opened and Ignatius has charged in.There is trouble on Astaria’ yelled Qan.
‘I’m sorry Obphiscon I’ll have to go. Qan we need a pure heartto eliminate this arena.’ said Qin.
Moments laterthe mind arena evaporated and Aquitain headed off to talk toIgnatius.
‘What’s happening?’ asked Qin urgently.
Ignatius wasstanding in his Newman form looking around.
‘By the powers, this looks exactly like I remember it hundredsof years ago.’
‘Protect your mind.’ yelled Qin but it was too late. He sawIgnatius’s eyes glaze over.
‘I’m sorry Obphiscon but I have to go and I need Ignatius atthe moment.’ said Qin and had Qan change to their big green rockyhalf dragon body form, which grabbed Ignatius bodily and ran offthrough the gateway. Ten paces on the other side of the gate Qinput Ignatius down and waited for his eyes to clear. When they didclear he pointed behind Aquitain. Hovering there was a silvery orbabout two arm spans in diameter.
‘I still have questions My Lord.’ said Obphiscon usingmindspeak.
Qin dropped thepure heart protection and quickly slammed a mind arena on the orbthen through their mindlink said to Qan.
‘I’ll keep the orb busy. Can you talk to Ignatius and Astariaand find out what’s happening.’
‘Okay.’ said Qan. ‘Leave it to me.’
Suddenly thegateway closed.
‘What’s happening, Ignatius?’
‘What have you done to that thing.’ said Ignatius pointing atthe orb.
‘I’ve used half my mind to side track it while I find outwhat’s happening. Now tell me why did you come through the gateway?You said before it would be too dangerous for you.’
‘I had no choice.’ said Ignatius.
’Something very powerful dominated my mind and said I was togo through the gate and get you to return quickly.’
‘By the Powers, I hope Adonis hasn’t got in here.’ repliedQan.
‘Qin, we have to leave this pathway. Your arena will disappearwhen we do. Obphiscon will be left trapped in pathway five. Tellhim it’s an emergency. He will
