Trinity grabbed her spear and headed out the door of her home. She walked along the tunnel that was the main street for the Arianan population. The Arianan’s were the keepers of the crystal, ever since the battle of Kairi and the evil Alexi, who had tried to use the crystal for his evil plans. In return for guarding the crystal, the Arianan’s were given certain gifts. Some share the same gifts, but to different degrees. One of the gifts Trinity had inherited, was that of the warrior. She was nimble and quick as lightning, fast reflexes and her strength was greater than that of the men in the villages. Trinity turned into a passage that led to a set of stairs that would take her to the surface. Once at the top she opened the door and stepped out of the tree. The Arianan’s were feared by the villagers because of their gifts, and had on many occasions been attacked by bands of men. They kept their population hidden from the villagers by living underground.

Trinity ran softly down the hall and fumbled for the door handle. Once inside the room she locked the door and ran over to the window. Peering outside, she could see that the room she was in was three stories up. Too high. Definitely too high. She had to find James and Alia and then escape this place. Trin sat down on the floor to rest. She had to be at full strength if they were to be rescued. Clasping the crystal around her neck, she concentrated on her breathing. Her heart started pounding as she heard footsteps approaching the room. She held her breath as they passed her by. That was too close, she had to get out of there. She would have to rest and power-up later. Trinity stood up and listened to check if anyone was outside. Unlocking the door, she crept outside. Making her way down the hallway, she focused all her remaining energy on finding James. She sensed his energy-force on the floor below her, but was puzzled that she could not sense Alia. Trinity reached the stairs and sent a mental probe to locate the exact room James was in. She made her way stealthily along yet another dark hallway and entered the room to find James tied up in the corner. She mentally untied the ropes and motioned for James to follow her. A torturous scream sent her halting to a stop. The scream echoed inside Trin’s head and she wanted to vomit. James grabbed her hand. " Are you okay?" He whispered.

" That scream. I can feel the pain. It is unbearable. It’s…." another scream cut her off.

" It’s Alia isn’t it?" James looked as bad as she felt.

" Yes. I have to go to her. She is in pain. Only I can help her." Trin started off in the direction of the screams. James grabbed her arm and pulled her back.

" No. Alia can wait. You have to get out of here. If Ariel gets his hands on you….." Trinity knew what he was about to say. But Alia needed help. It was Trinity’s fault and she had to do something. She shook off James’ hand and turned to face him. "You can come with me, or you can find your own way out. But I have to do something. It’s my fault." She turned around and started off down the hall again. She was somewhat comforted when she heard James following her. Going down four flights of stairs, Trinity and James ended up in the basement. They slipped behind a cupboard and Trinity peered round to see Ariel and Alia. Trinity gasped when she saw Alia’s hand. She was holding it to her chest, and Trin could see it was covered in burns. Ariel reached over and grabbed the fire poker from in the fire. He started walking over to Alia. Trinity had to do something. Alia’s pain was radiating from her body and Trin was too weak to stop the waves from seeping into her. The pain was almost unbearable. She went to step out from behind the cupboard, but James stopped her. "You can’t do it. You can’t sacrifice yourself."

Trinity watched Ariel grab Alia’s other hand and force her to hold red-hot poker in her hand. The screams were agony. Finally she could stand it no longer.

" Stop!" Trinity climbed out from behind the cupboard. " It’s me you want. Let her go." She was surprised at the confidence in her voice.

" Trinity, what an unexpected surprise." Ariel turned to face Trinity, luscious red lips spread in a smile across his tanned face. He was so tall and handsome. Trinity had an almost unresistable urge to run up and kiss him. The only thing that stopped her was Alia’s look of pain. Ariel was and always had been a monster. Trin was startled by the look on his face. It seemed as though he could read her mind. "And I see you brought a friend." She whirled around to see James being pulled from his hiding spot by one of Ariel’s muscle-bound henchmen. It was now or never.

" Ariel. You and I both know that you can’t do anything with these two. It’s me that you want. If you let them go, I will surrender myself to you."

Ariel thought for a moment. "So you’re saying I let these two go free and I have you all to myself. That is an offer I can’t refuse. But how can I be so sure that you will keep your word?"

" How can I be sure you will keep yours?"

" Very true. Take them to the front and let them go." The henchman holding James and another holding Alia started towards the door.

" Wait! Can I say a last goodbye?"

" I guess it will do no harm. I know you are an honourable Arianan, and I trust that you will keep your word. I will be waiting." One of his men gave him a questioning look. Ariel waited until the trio had left the room. " Those two won’t make it through the forest. The wolves will have them for dinner!" He laughed with his men.

Trinity followed the henchmen to the door and stepped outside with James and Alia.

" You two listen to me. If you don’t follow my instructions exactly, we will all perish. Now, when you enter the forest follow the path until you come to a tree with pink flowers. Don’t worry, you can’t miss it. It is the biggest tree in the forest. Walk around to the other side and find an ‘A’ carved into the trunk. Press it and a door will open. Go down the stair case and find a door with this symbol on it." Trinity took the locket from around her neck and pressed it into Alia’s hand. " Knock on the door and ask for Calista. Give this to her and she will know what to do. But, you must do this before sunset, any later, and you will have to contend with the wolves. Do you understand?"

James and Alia nodded. " What about you. Will you be okay?" James sounded concerned.

" I can take care of myself. Just do as I say and all will be well. Our lives depend on it." She looked at Alia, still nursing her hands. She reached out and took them. Placing both hands gently around Alia’s, she closed her eyes and concentrated. Alia felt a heat building, almost to an unbearable heat. Just as she was about to yell in pain, Trinity let Alia’s hand go. Both James and Alia were amazed to see Alia’s hand was perfectly healed. "I must go. May the spirit of Kairi guide you and keep you safe." Trinity turned and walked back up to the door and disappeared inside.

James and Alia started on the path that led from the house through the forest. They travelled along in silence, both thinking about what would happen if they didn’t do as Trinity had said. Alia gasped and came to a stop. James looked up and stared at what Alia had gasped at. There, in front of them, stood a huge tree with the most beautiful pink flowers growing on it. They walked around it, and finally found the ‘A’, barely discernible, carved into its trunk. James pressed the place where it was carved and a staircase appeared before them. James was the first to descend the mysterious staircase, with Alia at his heels. At the bottom of the stairs they came to a tunnel and started walking along it. The tunnel was dimly lit by what seemed to be crystals embedded behind glass in the walls. They eventually found the door they were looking for and knocked. A short lady answered the door.

" What would you like?" Her voice was full of impatience.

" We need to see Calista."

The lady shut the door and it was sometime until the door opened again. This time a tall lady opened the door. She had long, dazzling white hair falling in curls about her face. Parts of it were pinned behind her head with glowing crystal imitations of the flowers on the giant tree. She held a spear in one hand and this together with her clothes, reminded Alia of the ancient Amazonian warriors.

" Are you Calista?"

" I am she." Calista’s voice was full of superiority, but it had a familiar tone.

Alia handed her the locket. " Trinity sent us."

Calista examined the locket for a moment and then looked up and studied them. " My sister sent you?"

" Trinity sent us."

" Come inside. You must tell me everything. Is my sister in trouble?"

James and Alia disappeared into Calista’s home to relate that night’s events to Calista.