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Valkon felt glorious. Not only were Chronos and Az back, the entire castle had been returned. He would not have to start over on his animal shapes. He could continue and at his leisure.

Before that happened though, Valkon needed to go back to Priyal. He wanted to check the watches as well as the holes again. Perhaps there was a way to use them to trap others for Az. He would have to think on this but the first thing to do was retrieve them.

Shifting to crow form, Valkon took to the air, moving quickly over the trees and waterfall. When he was above the spot where they had fallen in, he landed gingerly on a solid spot. Valkon searched the area checking the ground. There were several places he was certain would fall in if he moved over them. With a bit of work, he soon had the holes covered once more with brush and a few sticks. Those that fell in would not be leaving that way.

Valkon leaped into the air again as a crow. Turning towards the town, he drifted high overhead. If the festival was over, then perhaps he would find something else to do. But his intentions were to check the watches. He was curious if Chronos could use them again. Perhaps not in the same way, but they should not be left to other hands.

The first one he moved towards was the temple. The watch still lay in the palms of the statue. Taking it, Valkon examined it to see that it was still in the shape it had been. It was. Noone had even noticed it or touched it from what he could tell. Stepping outside, the yokai changed shape again, flying to the top of the clocktower.

He studied it for a long moment, then very carefully landed on the hands of the clock, changing shape to a rat as he had that night. He tried tugging the watch free but it seemed to be stuck for a moment. Tugging harder, Valkon pulled it forwards. Whatever had hold of it finally let it go and he stared at the watch and the piece of cloth that was stuck to it. He wanted to look at it further, but instead changed to a crow, holding it tightly in his clawed foot.

Flying to a spot nearby where none would notice him, Valkon pulled the fabric free. He had seen this somewhere before. But where?

Thinking back over everything that happened at the festival and their returning, Valkon frowned as he contemplated how it got there. It almost looked just like the cloak that Watcher wore. The texture and color were the same. Watcher?

"Is that a piece of Watcher?" His eyes narrowed in thought. He was tempted to toss it aside, but instead tucked it into a pocket. He would think about it later. "That's two. Now for the third watch."

Slipping beneath the dock, Valkon looked around for the timepiece. It hung lower than last time but it was still there. Perhaps it was a good thing he had decided to get them back. Awhile longer and the watch would have been in the water and rusting if not swallowed by something.

As he began winging his way back to the castle, the yokai wondered what Chronos would make of them. He was definitely interested to see what was created. It would not take long to return to the castle now that he had the items he wanted. And now the fun would begin when he returned home.

Valkon dropped down on the balcony, a smirk appearing on his face as he shifted to his normal shape. It had seemed easier to shift since he had found the body of the panther god in the tunnel. And he could tell he had far more control over them than before. At times he almost seemed to know when animals around him were in danger. It was one reason he frequented the glade so much. They knew they were safe there, especially when he was around.

"I brought you back a few souvenirs, Chronos." He winked at Zion, ruffling his hair as he walked over to stand beside his friend. "Zion, you look well. Dad teaching you new things?"

Reaching into his pocket, he felt around for a moment, shoving the cloth aside. Pulling his hand out, he held in his palm all three watches. "I thought you might want them back. I found something else, but I'll show you that in a moment. Noone even noticed they were there or that I took them today."

"So... " he asked, watching his friend's face. "Think you can do anything with them?" Valkon's amusement showed in his face. They were watches after all and it was Chronos who manipulated them when others could not.

Valkon laughed. "I bet that was fun. I might have to do that for Hawke only I think I'll make him hold on while I take him around. It'll be more fun for me. So long as he doesn't fall off." His grin widened as he watched Zion and Chronos. Their relationship was about like his own with Hawke.

Folding his arms, he stood waiting to see what would happen. "Hmm... a dark shadow? That would be... Watcher perhaps?" Valkon asked, not really expecting a reply. "If so, I owe him for a thing or two."

His eyes flashed with a bit of annoyance aimed at the being known as Watcher. "Speaking of him, I found this scrap of cloth. I'm thinking it belongs to the busybody." He suddenly grinned widely and smirked as he joked.

"I guess I own a piece of him now." He fished the dark scrap of fabric out of his pocket, letting it lie in his palm. "I thought I'd hang onto it just so I could tease him next time I see him."

"Two? Hmm... that would not be Watcher." Valkon frowned as he thought about the things going on that night. He did not remember seeing much that looked out of place. But then he was busy doing other things, like placing those watched. His lips twitched upwards when he saw Chronos tuck them away. He had been certain there was more to them than he could see.

Valkon nodded, releasing the scrap to Chronos. "I was certain there was more to him than seen. He's got the ability to push memories of the past down on us also. As in lives. I still owe him for that one. Very irritating. Seems to feel nothing either, but then that makes it all the more fun for me trying to get a reaction."

His tails twitched for a moment as he thought about Watcher shoving the memory of his father down on him. He planned to investigate that a bit further, but when he was ready to. Now was not the time.

At the sound, the yokai turned, a frown flickering across his expression. He had never noticed such a sound before. His eyes narrowed as he glanced back over at Chronos and then watched Zion a moment. He saw nothing but there was a pressure of... something.

When Chronos said 'track him, possibly to summon him', Valkon forgot about the noise momentarily. " Now that is an interesting idea, Chronos. I would certainly like for that to happen. I would definitely have a chance to tease him then."

"Another watch... " he nodded. He wore the other one all the time not simply for what it was anymore. It was a mark of his friendship with Chronos more than anything else now. A second one would be handy and he did like them. "That could come in handy, Chronos. Go for it. I'll find a use for whatever you make." A grin sliced across his face at the thought of summoning Watcher to him.

His eyes turned towards Zion. The boy was bothered still by something. He was afraid. "Zion, are you alright?" he asked, eyes turning to glance towards the door. Upon hearing the chains, he turned entirely to watch the door. Chronos seemed to be unbothered by it. "Do we have a new resident, Chronos?" he asked, scowling suddenly. "If so, I really don't think we need to be haunted. We do the haunting."

Valkon heard Zion move more than saw him. His scowl deepened as he stared into the darkness there. Whatever it was, it had the boy frightened. That was a good indication that they should be on the alert for whatever was coming their way. The watch was forgotten as he glanced towards Chronos and his son.

"Whatever that is, Chronos, I do not think it is supposed to be here." Valkon said softly. He readied to change shape and back Chronos up. The yokai had no doubts that he and Chronos could take care of it. His feline shape was fast and strong and would give them an advantage.

His eyes strained to see it through the darkness. He could hear it easily and there was a pressure- an oppressive smothering sensation coming from that direction. Valkon knew no other way to describe it, and even though he could not see it, he could feel it. Obviously Zion might be able to both see and feel it. Chronos might have to check his son's abilities later.

Listening to Zion without turning, Valkon watched the area in front of them. A cursed spirit? Well, that would be the reason for chains which they had been hearing.

Valkon blinked when she appeared, but it was her words that surprised the yokai. Chronos my love? He glanced over at Chronos quickly before turning back to watch her warily. Her voice had the opposite effect than he would have expected. He winced as Chronos' entire attitude tensed up.

This woman was no love of his.

She was the opposite and an enemy to be dealt with. Chronos would definitely need backup and looked as though he were ready to attack her instead. Valkon was not about to be fooled by her. He moved a bit closer to Chronos and Zion. She would have to go through both of them to get to the boy if that was her intentions.

"Somehow I doubt that," Valkon stated as he watched her. "I'd say my friend wants nothing to do with you. I agree with him even though I do not know why."