Xander's heart skipped a beat at this new revelation. "You're my what?" Xander asked in shock. The old man's expression remained unchanging. "I know it's a lot for you to take in but this is the truth." He said calmly. "No no no... Xander shocked his head quickly, unable to believe what he was hearing. "This is not true. None of my family exists!" Xander said strongly. "You're right Xander. None except me." The old man was relatively calm and collected as if he was just having a casual conversation with a friend. "I am truly your great grandfather Xander. I am Tobias and I've lived all those years." "But how come you never tried to reach me? How come you never tried to help when I was constantly chased by the dragon gang? You were the proud keepers of the ring a long time ago, right?" Xander asked breathlessly. The old man sighed and for the first time, Xander saw a different emotion wash over his face. The man looked remorseful with his eyes sad and downcast. "Yes Xander we were

"You mean you signed your own daughter off to a stranger just because of money?" Xander exclaimed. He was in total disbelief. How could they do this? "It was either that or we become homeless." Dr Rasher defended their actions. "We were really desperate." Xander was simply at a loss of words at this point. He was totally disappointed in Dr Rasher's actions and he really pitied Ariel wherever she would be. She really didn't deserve this. Without warning, Mrs Rasher fell to her knees in front of Xander with her hands clasped together. "Please help us." She pleaded, tears running down from her eyes. "Please help us find our girl. I know you can do that. Please help us."Xander's heart was torn at her words. Despite his anger, Xander felt bad standing there and listening to her please. "I really have a lot going on right now Mrs Rasher." Xander replied slowly. Mrs Rasher prostrated with her hands clasping Xander's feet. "You can do it Xander, I have faith in you." She sobbed. "We're

At the mention of Ariel, the Doctor's wife ran out of the kitchen where she was. "Ariel? Did you say Ariel?" She asked in alarm.Dr Rasher was simply caught in his own emotions and for a moment it seemed that the doctor was unable to talk again and the call was still on.Swiftly, Xander snatched the reciever from his hand. "Hello Ariel, this is Xander." He spoke into the receiver calmly."Xander..." Ariel called and then broke into sobs at the other end."Easy Ariel, easy.. take it easy." Xander said in an effort to calm the terrified girl down. "Please help me... Get me out of here Xander." She pleaded."Calm down Ariel calm down. I need you to tell me exactly where you are." Xander asked."Somewhere in Crested Butte Colorado." Ariel replied urgently. "Please Xander, please.... I need help!""Just stay tight Ariel. I'll come and get you." Xander promised. "Please hurry. I don't think I can last another month here in this horrible place." Ariel cried out. "I need to go now. They're

"Eric, I knew you would come." Xander smiled, acknowledging the arrival of Eric. Eric plopped into the bench beside Xander. "What's this all about?" Eric demanded immediately. "Damsel in distress Eric." Xander replied. "What? And what do you mean?" Eric asked, clearly confused. Xander went on and explained everything to him. "So I really really could use your help Eric." Xander said after his explanation. "Really, how could I be of help? Everyone thinks I'm a fat loser, my own mother even more so." Eric said, his eyes downcast. "Honestly speaking, that's how I saw you too." Xander replied. Eric raised his eyebrows. "That's clearly not the type of motivation I hoped for." He said. "What? You wanted to hear something motivational and inspiring?" Xander asked. "I'm not a motivational speaker Eric but I'm glad to say I've finally gotten to know the new you. You're fat and because you spend most of your time indoors doing nothing but video games everyone thinks you're a loser. But

Xander and Eric stood up immediately and turned round to see the general on the stairs observing them with keen eyes. The man was a middle aged man with a head that was partially bald. He stood tall and straight with broad wide shoulders."Who are you?" He asked in a deep voice that resonated throughout the room.Eric looked at Xander, imploying the latter to answer the question. With just a look at the general, Xander knew that before him was a no nonsense man. This would be a man that would be difficult to reason with."Hi. We are distant relatives of Ariel." Xander began. "We are here to see Ariel please." As Xander said this, he stretched and offered his hand out to The General for a handshake.The general considered Xander's hand with weary eyes and then he reached out tentatively and shook Xander's hand, covering the latter's hand with his huge and hard palm. Xander's ring emitted a faint yellow glow.Eric saw this and looked quickly at the general's face but the man showed no