11. THE ESCAPE

CHAPTER 11 THE ESCAPE Worm says he can't transport us out of here," Drake told the others. "I think it's because this is a magical space." "I told you," Vanad said, and he moved away from them, drifting. "We are not giving up," Jean insisted. "There must be some way out of this Shadow Realm."

Drake and Jean looked around at the shadow desert. There was no sign of life in the distance. Above, the sky was covered in shadow. "What if Argent tried to fly out of here?" Jean asked Vanad drifted toward them again. "You cannot fly back to the real world. Only magic can break you out of here. And what's left of my wizard magic is not strong enough." Suddenly, Jean's eyes lit up. She turned to Drake. "It's time for a sword lesson!" "What? Now?" Drake replied. "Vanad's magic might not work, but your sword is magic, Drake," she reminded him. "You created a portal with it once, remember?"

Drake's eyes widened. He'd made a portal before to travel from the evil wizard Maldred's magical hideout to the Silver Lair. "The sword is connected to Argent's energy," he said. "Right!" Jean agreed. "And Argent just used his powers outside the Temple of the Shadow Dragon. I think the sword can connect to that energy." Drake held the silver sword in both hands. "It's worth a try," he said. He moved the sword in big circles in front of him. He made circle after circle.

Finally, the air swirled with silver light, and a portal appeared. Through it, Drake could see the steps of the temple. "You did it, Drake!" Jean cried. "Let's go!" Jean and Argent jumped through. Drake and Worm followed. But Vanad did not. Drake looked back through the portal. "Vanad, hurry!" he urged the wizard. "I can't go back," Vanad replied, and his body flickered once more. "I am a shadow now. Go! Find the Star Dragon! Save Aruna and Chaya— and the world..."

"Vanad, no!" Drake cried, but the wizard's body transformed into a wispy gray figure. Then the portal closed. "He... he turned into a shadow," Drake said, still stunned. He remembered the time he had stuck himself with a magical shadow thorn. He had turned into a shadow, and it had felt very strange.

I can't imagine being a shadow forever, he thought. Jean grabbed his arm. "Drake, we must get to Vanad's house and find that scroll! Drake nodded, and he, Jean, Worm, and Argent headed to the wizard's home. Behind them, twelve shadow phantoms followed, reaching toward them with ghostly arms...