Sarah cast her glance around the strange surroundings - the air was full of a dense, glittering blue mist that made it impossible to see into the distance. A slight breeze stirred the air, and it toyed with strands of Sarah's hair as it swirled. Balls of intense white light would occasionally whizz playfully past her head and on into the unknown distance. This was a magical but cold place.

"Where am I?" she asked, confused.

"This is part of the Crossworld," replied Epona

"I don't understand, why am I here - why did you help me?" Sarah was disoriented by the fact that not five minutes ago, Villdon had almost taken her life. Now she was here, and Jareth was still in danger.

"So many questions," smiled the faery, "I was sent to save your life, because you are the only one that can save the Underground."

"Sorry to disappoint you, but I'm just a mortal - Jareth is the one you should have saved. You got the wrong person."

"I have the right person - you underestimate yourself and things that you are capable of. Now, Llynton will not take long in breaking my spell over the mirror, you must listen to me very carefully."
Epona turned to her left and stroked her hand upward through the mist. As the air stirred, it revealed a small but solid oak door.

"This door will lead you to the Guardian's Domain. You must find the Guardian, as he is the only one who can help you." She gestured to Sarah to open the door. Sarah obliged and turning the heavy iron handle, pushed the door on it's hinges. As the door opened, sunlight cut through the mist - Sarah gasped as her eyes adjusted to the brightness and fell upon a beautiful lush forest; it's greens and earthy browns a dazzling, intoxicating contrast to the coldness of her current surroundings. Endless petals rained from the sky and flowed down a gushing stream that reached deep into the trees.

"This is so beautiful!" Sarah cried, "Llynton told me that the Crossworld was a horrible place, but this..." Eager to take in the forest, she stepped over the threshold, though was at once pulled back by Epona.

"Sarah, there are some things you must know before you go in there," urged the faery, in a stern tone.

"Can't you tell me on the way?" Sarah interrupted, eager to follow her gaze into the forest.

"I cannot go with you, so you must listen to me now, carefully, for the magic has already started to bewitch you." Epona shook Sarah by the shoulders to keep her attention, Sarah's eyes kept fleeting over to the forest, a look of longing hidden deep within them.

"Sarah, this is not a simple journey, it is a test for you and you alone. The Crossworld appears differently to everyone who enters it, it's a unique experience based on the traveller's mind. It would no doubt appear unwelcoming to Llynton, as he is overrun with evil and dark thoughts. For someone as gentle and good-natured as you, it will be a warmer, friendlier place. But you must beware... everyone has a dark side, everyone is capable of evil thoughts and nightmares, even if they manage to control them most of the time."

"I don't understand, what am I being tested on?" asked Sarah, still impatient to explore.

"You must earn your right of audience with the Guardian, and prove yourself worthy of his gift."

"What gift?" asked Sarah. Epona seemed irritated by the constant questions and interruptions, and it began to show in her voice.

"The gift of immortal magic," she hurried impatiently, as though Sarah should have known. "The Guardian does not bestow this lightly, and you must prove that you are worthy of it - you must show him that you can control your dark thoughts and not be tempted by evil, or you would use your magic for destruction, and become a monster like Villdon."

"Magic?!" Sarah cried with childish excitement. She smiled gleefully at Epona before turning her attention back to the forest. She laughed as her hands shimmered in the sunlight as they danced, the sparkling dust from the Throne Room still embedded on her skin and dress. Epona was frustrated, and showed it by trying to shake Sarah out of her delirium.

"Jareth is depending on you!" cried the faery.

"Hmmm?" asked Sarah with a drunken grin. "Oh, I..." she shook her head to try and clear it. "I'm sorry, I don't know what happened to me..."

"The forest is bewitching you, luring you in. It will try and tempt you away from the path but you must resist. You must follow the stream, it will take you to a fountain and the Guardian will be waiting for you there."

With a deep breath, Epona's intense features relaxed, and she positioned Sarah in front of the door. 

"Things aren't always what they seem in the Labyrinth," she whispered, "and it's no different in there, always remember that." With a gentle push, Sarah stepped onto the mossy forest floor. She took a few steps forward, though spun round to see the door closing behind her.

"Wait!" she shouted, "how do I know if I have passed the test?" There was no reply save the door thudding securely into it's housing. It faded into nothingness, and Sarah was left staring at endless forest.

Sarah took a deep breath and sighed, looking at her surroundings. Upon hearing the door shut, all her feelings of wonder and amazement had disappeared. She felt small and insignificant among the domineering trees, and incredibly alone. Save for the stream, there was an eerie silence, no breeze rustled the leaves, no birds sang their song from the branches. She shivered as her skin began to crawl with the creepy feeling that she was being watched. Her eyes fleeting from tree to tree, she gathered her long cream dress in her hands and began her brisk walk alongside the stream.

***

"Escaped?" commented Villdon with a disturbing matter of factness. Llynton could not meet the eyes that were burning into him. "I see."

Villdon walked away from him, casting a vicious glance in Jareth's direction, as he and Kardallen smiled defiantly at Sarah's success. "I see you underestimated my Sarah," stated Jareth smugly.

"The only thing I underestimated was Llynton's competence," Villdon responded, turning his attention back to the cowering half wolf. "I cannot have incompetent men behind me, Llynton, you know that," sighed Villdon, in a tone that almost sounded like regret.

"I'll find her," Llynton growled angrily, looking up at Villdon through his furred brow, "and when I do..."

"Yes, thankyou," interrupted Villdon, "spare me the details, but do bring her back in one piece... she's far too important to waste."

Llynton spun on his heel and was half way across the Throne Room when Villdon stopped him. 

"Wait... take this," he commanded, holding out a black velvet bag. "If you were not equipped to catch an injured mortal girl, then Lord knows how you expect to break the spell on the mirror. I will not be inconvenienced again."

Llynton snatched the bag from Villdon, suppressing a husky groan in his throat. He didn't like to be degraded, especially not in front of others. He leapt up the stairs and was gone... he would break the mirror spell and then Sarah would pay...