Xavius released his enormous shadowy hand, and Ysondre's body fell to the ground. Her soul drifted out.
"Ysondre! We'll avenge you!" Taerar roared in grief.
Ysondre's weakened soul drifted over to Taerar and the others. Then, filled with hatred, she said, "Taerar, Emeriss, Lethon, Xavius is too powerful. We're no match for them. We can't help at all in this battle. I have an idea."
Taerar hurriedly asked, "Ysondre, what is it?"
Ysondre looked toward Shawn in the distant Temple of Remulos and said firmly, "Mage Shawn has a Long Staff. You've all dwelled inside it before. We've all lost our bodies, and our strength has fallen far too much. But if we draw on that staff's power, we can become one with Shawn. With our souls, Shawn can transform into a green dragon stronger than any of us. Then we'll be able to join the battle!"
Taerar hesitated. "It's a good idea, but Shawn is only a mortal. How could he withstand all four of our souls? He couldn't even withstand one of us! Our powerful souls would burst him apart. He'd die!"
Ysondre gritted her teeth. "That's because we're all independent, with no connection to him! If we're willing to bind our souls to that staff forever, never to leave again, we can use its power to merge with Shawn and turn him into a green dragon. It will work! Are you willing?"
The three green dragons fell silent.
Binding their souls to the Long Staff forever meant they could never leave again or return to the Emerald Dream. They would lose their freedom and become Shawn's personal possessions. The price was far too high.
Ysondre roared, "We've all lost our bodies! And Xavius is to blame! We fell into corruption once. We all committed terrible wrongs! We