Chapter 5

"Alright guys! according to the cordinants we received, Myrta and Bishop's team's last known location is right on that ridge. I don't think the ship will fit down there so well have to land on the other side and walk down." Timmy announced from his place at the controls.

"According to my map there should be a sort of walkway leading right to it from the west side. Getting there from that point should be no problem." Tecna said and Timmy, taking her instruction, maneuvered the ship to the west of the ridge. Once the ship landed the Winx and the Specialists gathered their gear and exited the ship.

While the path leading to the ridge was clearly carved the journey was not as easy as the group had hoped. The width of the path could only hold one person, meaning one wrong step would have them plummeting down into a seemingly endless chasm. That, and the scorching weather made the already long trail, seem endless.

Wiping the sweat from her forehead, Flora kept her eyes on her feet and kept moving forward. After an hour of walking in strained silence, Flora, still actively watching her feet, ran straight into Brandon's back as he made an abrupt stop. Feeling herself fall backward her mind started to panic but she calmed down when she felt Helia, who was standing behind her, grab her arm and steady her. Looking up at him she smiled her thanks and then turned back to see what had made Brandon stop so abruptly.

The group had finally made it to the bottom of the seemingly endless chasm only to discover another path. This one small, dark, and leading straight into the wall of the canyon.

"These are the exact coordinates. Myrta and Bishop must have radioed Faragonda before entering this cave," Sky deduced. "Come on guys lets keep moving. Stella? Do you think you could give us some light?"

"Sure thing Sky. Its what I do best you know." Stella laughed as she made her way to the front of the pack.

Not long after they had entered the cave Flora began to realize with dread that the floor seemed to be at a slope, like they were walking into the earth. She loved nature but she also knew how dangerous it could be. She didn't like the idea of being trapped inside the earth and had to fight every instinct she had, that was telling her to turn back. Myrta was down her somewhere and Flora was determined to find her.

"Hey guys there's a light up ahead!" Stella yelled "I think that's the opening!"

"Is that?... Hey do you guys hear that?" Musa asked and they all strained their ears to try and make out any sounds.

Roy was the first to reply "it sounds like music. I hear drums at least."

"Music? who the hell would be having a party in an underground tunnel?" Layla asked in a snarky tone.

"It doesn't matter Layla. If there's music then that means there's people. we have to be prepared in case they aren't friendly." Bloom declared "Girls transform!"

All the girls agreed with bloom and changed into their sirenix transformations. once they were done, they set off again, reaching the end of the tunnel in no time and no one was prepared for what they saw.

The tunnel opened up to a huge city flourishing in the confines of a ginormous cavern. The first thing Flora noticed was the trees. Everywhere she looked she could see green popping out between the walls and stone floor. it was beautiful. Even more beautiful was a flowing waterfall that flowed directly into the middle of the city. Once she noticed the city's beauty however, she began to notice other things as well. Everything about this town seemed completely old fashioned. Flora noticed no electricity or modern inventions anywhere and all the houses were built out of dark clay that matched the caverns walls. The inhabitants were dressed in a colonial fashion with the women in long full skirts and bonnets while the men wore cloth breeches and peasant tops. All of them wore the same color scheme of brown, navy blue, khaki, and maroon. Everything about their clothes and expressions were dull and uninteresting, showing signs of sadness and fatigue.

"Wow! this place is a shithole." Riven said, finally breaking the group's silence.

Suddenly the music stopped at they heard a loud booming voice to their left. "Welcome, my friends, to Kanuse!"

A young man in a duster walked towards them with his arms spread wide in a greeting. He was insanely tall and had long dark hair that hung straight down his back. He walked with confidence and fluidity, making him the very picture of grace. On his head was a simple iron diadem and on his chiseled, handsome face, was a pearly smile that seemed to light up the dreary room. "I am Mikahl! The King of this magnificent City!"

Sky stepped forward and greeted Mikahl "greetings your majesty! I am Prince Sky of Eraklyon and these are my friends; Brandon, Princess Stella of Solaria, Roy, Princess Layla of Tides, Tecna, Timmy, Riven, Musa, Princess Bloom of Sparks, Flora, and Helia. We are sorry to intrude but we are on a mission to find some friends we believe to have passed through here."

"Its very nice to meet you! we do not get very many visitors here in Kanuse! Come, Come. We will go to my palace and discuss your missing friends!" and with that he turned around and walked off, his duster flaring out behind him. Together the group followed King Mikahl down some winding roads to a tall rectangular building built out of the same clay as all the other houses.

"Sheesh! He calls this a palace? This place is probably smaller than my closet!" Stella whispered to Bloom who's only response was a silencing glare.

The inside of the 'Palace' was even less impressive with only two rooms and mismatched wooden furniture. It was however, more spacious than the other houses, which allowed them all to fit comfortably inside King Mikahl's Palace.

"Now. who are these friends you speak of? Are any of them beautiful Fairies like your selves?" King Mikahl asked as he reached out and stroked Musa's wings. "hey!" Musa protested as she blushed and shrank back into Riven.

"Hey man! Hands off my girl!" Riven growled and threaded his hand through Musa's.

"My apologize young man. I did not mean to offend. It is just that in this city we very rarely see such beauty and magic. We are a simple people who enjoy secrecy and hard work but we are cut off from the world and enjoy any novelty when it comes our way."

Riven just continued to glare and Musa, clearly the most uncomfortable in this situation cleared her throat and said "Umm.. about our friends..."

"Yes, yes. my apologies! Please describe your friends! I will try and be of some help."

"It was a group of six. There were three girls and three boys. Leading them was a red haired Fairy named Myrta and a purple haired young man named Bishop." Bloom described.

King Mikahl sat thoughtful for a moment and then recognition spread through his face. "Yes actually! I do believe your friends passed through here a little over a week ago! they too said they were looking for some friends! I haven't seen them since however."

"Can you lead us where they went?" Roy asked.

His face grew grave and King Mikahl ominously replied "Yes, but like I told them, I do not recommend you follow."

"Why?" Flora asked sheepishly

"Because, my sweet fairy, they went into the catacombs. They are a dark and endless tunnels that go on forever. No one who has entered those tunnels have ever returned; your friends included. They are gone forever. You all should leave well enough alone and forget about your friends."

The winx and specialists exchanged looks of determination. "We don't care your majesty. We have to try." Helia declared.

"Fools!" King Mikahl yelled throwing his hands into the air, startling the group. "If you have a death wish then fine! Guards! Lead these fools to the catacombs!"

All around the city they group had seen these statues, made from the same clay as the houses, of armored guards standing against walls and doors. Well, at least they thought they were statues, seeing them move forward now, they realized they were real.

Flora let out a startled gasp and stared in awe. She had sensed, and still sensed, no life coming from those statues; but they were moving.

Mikahl laughed maniacally "Surprised young Fairy? Just wait! There are even greater surprises waiting for you in those catacombs." and with that he stormed off.

"come." one of the statues rumbled.

The group once again exchanged glances, this time uneasy ones. "We have to follow them guys... its the only lead we have on Myrta and Bishop." Brandon said warily.

"Hes right. we can handle this guys!" Sky encouraged, and with that they all followed the now animated statues to the catacombs.

After a short walk one of the statues grumbled "Here" and another one said "leave"

Stella strode past them with her nose up "Hmph!" she walked into the entrance of the catacombs, similar to the entry way of the city, and illuminated her hand. "come on guys! I can tell when we are no longer welcome!" everyone else silently strolled past the freaky statues and followed Stella into the catacombs.

Looking back Flora saw the statues move in front of the cave entrance; creating a wall. They were trapped, with no way to go but deeper into the earth.

"Flora?" Helia asked and Flora turned around to see him holding his hand out to her. "Come on. were falling behind my love."

"Helia... this doesn't feel right. Mikahl he.. something is wrong." Flora pleaded looking deeply into Helia's eyes. Understanding shone in them. "I know Flora but what choice do we have. they are blocking the entrance now and, even if they weren't, we couldn't leave Myrta, Bishop, and the rest of their group trapped down here."

Sighing "I know." Flora grabbed Helia's hand and, together, they followed their friends deeper into the darkness of the catacombs.