A/N I know, it's been forever, I'm sorry. College has proved to be a lot of work and it's a completely different life, so I had to prioritize a little... but like I said, I really don't want to abandon this. So, I actually had to re-read the last couple of chapters of my own story to catch up on what's going on, and... yeah, here's the new chapter. Hope you enjoy and please leave a review. Thank you!

Chapter 22

Atreyu and Roni returned from the river, finding Bastian seated on a log, reluctantly boring a hole in the ground with the tip of his sword.

"Bastian.'"Atreyu eyed his friend, drawing his attention to them.

He lifted his gaze from the ground and let out a quiet sigh, standing up to his feet as he looked at Roni

"… I'm sorry. Okay?" he held up his hands for a moment "It wasn't your fault, I guess... guess I wouldn't have been too thrilled if you just went ahead and slit his throat without blinking either." he gave a small nod, shoving his hands into his pockets.

A light half-smile formed on Roni's lips "'It's all good." casting a glance at Atreyu, she walked to a nearby log and sat down, crossing her legs "So then... any ideas?"

Atreyu looked into space in front of him, crossing his arms, his face an expression of thought and concentration "Xander seems to have fled the castle for now. If we're gonna figure out where to start looking, we might want to search it."

Bastian looked up at him "You're not thinking that Xander just left his castle unguarded for anyone to drop by, are you?'

"No, I'm not. But I do think that if we've managed to fight off three Xanders just a couple of hours ago, we'll be able to take on whatever is to attack us."

"He's right." Roni slowly stood up from the log "I mean... it's not like we have much choice here. We have no idea where Xander went, so far we have it narrowed down to "everywhere"." she shrugged her shoulders "My vote's on searching the castle."

Bastian glanced at the two before getting up to his feet also, figuring there really was no other way out of it "Well then... let's get going." he said, placing Zikanda back in its sheath.

Not more than twenty minutes later they entered the castle once more, using the same small entrance Atreyu and Roni went through to get inside the first time. Even though Xander was no longer there, they still didn't feel like walking through the main one. Looking around, keeping their guard up for any sudden movements, they made their way along the corridors. Luckily Roni remembered the grand hall she ran from earlier and led Atreyu and Bastian to the big decorated double-door, which could have only been one thing- Xander's chambers.

They stood in front of it, silently studying it with their eyes for a moment. Bastian cautiously stepped forward and tried pushing the door open, but not at all to his surprise, unsuccessfully.

Roni nodded her head, confirming it must be held closed by Xander's magic and reached for the AURIN around her neck when suddenly Atreyu's hand covered her own, stopping its movement. She furrowed her eyebrows, giving him a confused look.

"Roni.." he replied to her questioning gaze "I wouldn't waste your wishes like that." he lowered her hand down, meaningfully eyeing Bastian.

Bastian turned his head to them, catching the look "Hm... yeah, he's probably right." he frustratedly rubbed the back of his neck "I mean, if we look back at my history with the wishing thing..."

Roni looked down for a moment, considering "But I'm only using it when there's no other way. Look at this door, it's Xander's chambers, clearly it won't open by itself and I highly doubt it can be broken through."

Atreyu looked over the door and took out his dagger, kneeling in front of the lock, his eyes narrowing in concentration as he attempted to pick the lock open. After several minutes of trying he breathed out in defeat and stood back up, shaking his head. "I can't open it. Maybe she's right." His gaze once again fell on Roni, a small frown crossing his features, making it apparent that he didn't want her to do it.

A ghost of a frown appeared on Roni's lips for a second also, but knowing full well that's what she had to do, she reached out and gave his hand a reassuring squeeze before closing it around the AURIN "I wish for the doors to open." she said in a firm tone as the amulet started glowing a bright light and the huge doors slowly opened up, inviting them into the luxurious suit that was Xander's quarters.

As expected, the room was nothing less than magnificent. With the king-sized bed, the golden-threaded cushions, the numerous paintings and extraordinary furniture, the room reflected perfectly Xander's self-centered and arrogant nature.

The three stepped in, taking in their surroundings before proceeding to walk all the way inside, their eyes scanning the room for any signs of clues. Roni walked forward, immediately busying herself with searching Xander's desk while Atreyu and Bastian fixed their attention on numerous drawers, Atreyu occasionally knocking on the wall for any secret passages.

Minutes passed in silence with only the sound of fumbling and knocking in the room.

Bastian sighed and closed another empty drawer, turning his head to Roni "Any luck, baby-doll?"

"Not really." came the response as Roni ferreted in the old useless scrolls and various objects. "You?"

Bastian let out a quiet huffing sound, signifying a "No" as he got back to searching.

Atreyu ran his dagger up and down the wall as he walked by it, when his gaze fell upon the rug on the floor. He stopped walking and intently fixed his eyes on it. The one thing he could trust at all times was his instinct, and right now it was telling him that he should lift that thing up. Without a moment of hesitation he stepped to it, grabbed the edge of the rug and flung it away, allowing himself a small grin at the sight revealed before him.

"Roni, Bastian." he called for the other two "Look at this."

They turned their heads, hearing Atreyu call and quickly walked to his side in hopes that he might have found something. And indeed, he has.

A map. A miniature map of the nearest parts of Fantasia was clearly drawn on the floor, right on the place the rug has been hiding. There was the Ivory Tower, the Swamps of Sadness, Perlin, the night forest, Xaide's/Xander's castle, and amongst all the other things, there was the one location with a tiny, barely-noticeable red cross marking it.

"Amarganth."Atreyu and Bastian said in unison, casting a glance at each-other.

"The Silver City..." Roni spoke, remembering her dad's stories about his time in Fantasia. "You think...?"

"I say it's worth checking out." Bastian stated, nodding his head. "Amarganth is the only place he's marked here. It may not necessarily be his escaping resort, but it definitely means something to him."

"Then that's where we'll be going." Atreyu concluded as he memorized the map.