2Chapter 3: King's Stockades - Hope

Just as it seems it was certain death for Catherine under the jaws of savage mice, fate had other plans. All Catherine felt was the shudder as the door to the stockades slammed open. All she heard was maniacal laughter. All she saw was a rectangular object been thrown in before chaos took over completely.

There was a flash, and then smoke and dust stirred to cloud the entire dungeon. Beams of orange and black instantly started to pour in, causing the cell to be instantaneously filled with squeaks and squeals of confusion.

And then all Catherine could smell was the charred and dying flesh of mice.

Suddenly, a tiny figure appeared in front her through the smoke, startling the girl. Yet, what greeted her was not the blood lusted face of a rodent, but a cute little fellow wearing a tiny black beret. Interestingly, it was carrying a crate that was twice its size and was seemingly beckoning Catherine to follow it as it danced nimbly in front of her face. It was almost amusing if the situation had not been that dire.

Catherine was about to heed the little mouse when a sudden nagging voice of suspicion rang through her mind at the latter's motives. Besides, she deserved to die to atone for what had been her mistake. It was instantly shot down a moment later when a voice not of her own echoed through her ears.

"He will help." The familiar sound of the wind told her. "Do not let Mojo's lesson be in vain."

It was all Catherine need to get back on her feet. Indeed, the Master of the Dojo had taught her how to live again. It would be extremely foolish to give up her will to live so easily when there are still things to be done.

"Nyahah woman. Crevice will laugh at how easily you give up and pick up on things. " Catherine muttered her best imitation of Crevice's mocking face. She rolled her eyes as she followed the mouse out of the cell under the cover of the smoke and dust with a spring in her steps . Her old self was back and this time, there will be no more emo-ing around.

Yet, a new voice roared above the chaos in a bid to retain order, this time belonging to the Terror Knight. "She is escaping! Stop her!"

It was in vain. The mouse swarm did not go far when an explosive base landed right on their feet and detonated, throwing up furry bodies with a spray of blood and steel fragments. Another was thrown and right after, there was another until all of a sudden, it was all silent. Amidst the fading dust and smoke, the terror knight stood impassively looking at the deciminated ranks of his underlings, the hard truth just penetrating his mind.

His mission had failed and he would fall from grace from the Hand of the Council should he report back. He would be at worst, killed and humiliated before the rest of his brethren. But no, he, Xylak, the greatest of the Terror Knights would never fail. With a fluid slash of his terrible blade, he started to slay the remaining survivors of his once great mouse swarm until only him and him alone remain. They were witnesses of his failure and for that they must die.

Xylak exited the cell when the last of his followers collapsed into a bloody heap, his red eyes glinting with a madness previously not there. He would complete his mission. He would have his prey.

He would not be denied.

************

"Such a cute little guy." Catherine murmured as she patted the little mouse now furiously working to sterilise and bandage whatever scratch or bite wounds she had been inflicted with supplies from his crate.

"His name is Haiti."

Catherine raised an eyebrow. "How did you know?"

"I just knew." Came the answer, which did not really answer the question.

There was an awkward silence between them as they rested in the obscure aclove they found in the tunnels, the only sound coming from the muffled clinking of bottles as Haiti rummaged through his crate.

"So, why did you come and save me?"

"What? I just kicked the door open, dropped a grenade or two and started shooting like craz..."

"No, I mean why, not how."

There was a distinct blush creeping up Crevice's cheeks.

"I.. uh.. I mean... that time Larry asked me to take care of you, so..."

Catherine searched her mind for the memory. "And when did he do that? I was there, and I did not hear anything of that sort."

"I...uh... Ah! He told me when our eyes met!" Crevice declared.

Upon Catherine's dubious look, he hastily added.

"Male communication, ya know."

Catherine did not reply to that.

"Here take this," Crevice said as he detached one of his portal guns and tossed it over to Catherine. "You need something to protect yourself with."

Catherine was taken aback in abrupt shock. Was that tender concern she just heard in his voice? What was with this Crevice Zugzwang? Did someone killed him and took over his identity? Catherine fiercely shook her head. Nah, it must be that male communication bullshit that he told her just now.

Her thoughts were suddenly interrupted as she noticed the boy staring at her peculiarly.

"Umm no...nothing?" She stuttered as she tried to hide the blush on her face.

Awkward.

The boy showed no sign of seeing her embarrassment however and instead took a small satchel out of his pocket.

"Here, take this too. It was lucky I took it before the King's men stripped your house for anything valuable. It belonged to you after all." He said.

Catherine could already guess what was in the pouch, and was not surprised when she fished out the only thing within - one half of a stone of the darkest black, the True Onyx Stone. As she stared into the pure darkness, she was forcefully reminded of Larry who had exchanged his life for this one stone. Tears begged to be released, but she hastily force them back. No, she had to be strong. She made that promise earlier.

But she couldn't restrain herself enough.

"I will miss you Larry." She whispered as she clutched the half- stone tightly in her hands.

All the melancholy was suddenly broken by a loud drawl. "Can we get a move on yet?"

There, at the entrance of the alcove, Crevice stood with an impatient look on his face. Haiti the Hope mouse was already on his shoulder with its huge crate. It seems as if the Old Crevice was back and was already pissed off with her.

"Ye.. yes. Coming!" Catherine broke into an apologetic smile before rushing towards them.

While Larry had died and Gnawnia had forsaken her, she still had someone she could trust. Her father was still out there somewhere and her mother would be patiently waiting at home for both of their return. Somehow, she would find a way to right that wrong. Somehow, she would return home and she would introduce Crevice and Haiti to both her parents.

Indeed. She was not alone.