The afternoon had settled in when Mr Lordi and Amen returned to the monster Manor with Kalma. They had told him everything they saw and heard. Kalma was delighted to hear that his thoughts about Mantis were right. This had to make his brother understand, and after that he'll be able to learn from this mistake. Necromancers were not to be trusted, how many times had he said that? Mr Lordi's wicked smile hadn't left his face since he discovered Mantis's true intentions, and he was glad about what should come next for her.

They entered the Manor and they heard the sound of broken glass and smashed windows, and then high pitched screams.

Hella and Mélissa.

They ran to the second floor, but it was too late. Through the shattered windows they saw the Doll and the little girl, being kidnapped by creatures with bat-like wings. Mr Lordi grinded his teeth in anger, he couldn't summon his powers under broad daylight. Amen looked at the room and only saw a huge mess. The two girls had struggled against their foes. Strands of Hella's hair and Mélissa's plush were on the floor. The Mummy felt his heart tighten, as he feared for his friends. Mr Lordi turned around, only to see Mantis, her back leaning on the corner of the room. A cut on her cheek was slowly closing, and she removed little plastic shards from it before the skin healed. Apart from that, she looked suspiciously fine.

Mr Lordi: What the hell happened here?!

Mantis: They took them away! I wasn't able to stop them!

Mr Lordi: Like I would believe you.

He took Mantis by her throat and lifted her from the floor. She struggled to free herself, but with no powers she was just like any mortal on this earth. He threw her on the ground hard, her moan of pain pleasing him greatly. She tried to get up, but she felt the coldness of the sharp axe against her neck. Loud footsteps rang in the corridor, and the massive frame of the Hellbull appeared.

OX: What the hell is going on in here?

Mr Lordi: Hella and Mélissa have been kidnapped, and it seems our dear Mantis here is no stranger to this case.

Mantis: How the fuck could I let my own sister be taken away? I'm not part of this!

Kalma: If those creatures are your fellows then your sister should be fine, the same can't be said about Hella.

Mr Lordi: Where is she?

Mantis: I don't know! I know nothing about the intentions of these people! I was just minding my own fucking business in the bedroom next door!

Kalma: What about the plastic shards on your face?

Mantis: Hella had her arm broken when they pushed her to stop me!

Mr Lordi grabbed her hair and pulled her head up, exposing the delicate flesh of her neck. The Lord was delighting himself once more with her small cries of pain. He leaned in and whispered in her ear.

Mr Lordi: Such a web of lies.

Mantis: I am not with them!

Amen: Then what were you doing with that strange guy in the street, hmm? And what about your behavior of these last days, and most of all, that call you received. You were talking about us, weren't you? Weren't you?!

Mantis gasped. She looked at the Mummy with fear in her eyes and he smiled wickedly. OX stared at her with despair and when she realized that, she felt horrible.

OX: Is this true?

She bit her lower lip and wanted to look away, but Mr Lordi made her look at him.

Mantis: It is…

The Minotaur froze for a moment, then slowly approached the young woman. He studied her, the wound on her face, her forced submissive posture, and those eyes staring at him. Without warning, his large hand came crashing on her cheek, slapping her. Mr Lordi's disappointment showed. He hoped it would have been strong enough to dislocate her jaw. Mantis was forced to look at OX again, blood dripping from her mouth.

Mantis: They blackmailed me! They wanted you all in exchange of Mélissa's life. I knew they wouldn't keep their promise so I refused to abide!

OX: SHUT UP! I'm not prone to believe you anymore!

Mantis: I'm telling the truth!

Mr Lordi let go of her and slapped her. He had wanted to do that for so long. Wiping the blood from her lip, she looked defiantly at them.

Mantis: I see I'll have to take care of this myself. You're giving me no other choice.

The necromancer closed her eyes and her body started contorting erratically. Both her hands found the floor, giving her back balance. The two sons of Death gasped when a pair of thin wings sprouted on Mantis's back, ones just like the kidnappers. Using her last bits of power, she kicked Mr Lordi in the jaw with such strength he dropped his axe. The monster's anger was beyond anything his fellows had ever seen.

Mr Lordi: You fucking whore! Seize her!

Running to the broken window, she jumped, trying to take flight. She was about to leave when a cold hand grabbed her right ankle. As the burn spread she screamed in pain. Her bat wings disappeared and she was now hanging loose in the empty. The skin under Kalma's grip burned and blistered and she kept on screaming. OX, who couldn't stand this display anymore, left the room and ran to his. He locked the door and stayed there, heart-broken and completely distraught.

Kalma nodded to Mr Lordi, who swirled his axe round to the floor. The Unholy Ghost stared at the woman before him and laughed devilishly.

Kalma: Goodbye baby!

And he dropped her. Her voice echoed in the air, and she ended up landing on the ground painfully. But when she opened her eyes, she wasn't before the Manor, but in complete nothingness. Around her were just darkness and shadows. Mr Lordi had opened a portal to the Monsterican Dream, and there was no way out. She was trapped.

Mélissa's head hurt like never before. She slowly opened her eyes and saw only black, and she began to panic. Her arms were bound with metallic shackles and they cut her tiny wrists as she struggled to free herself. Even standing up was impossible for her. When she tried to sit properly, her feet knocked on something. It was plastic she felt under her fingers, and it moved when she removed her hand.

Hella: Mélissa? Is that you?

Mélissa: Hella, where are we?

Hella: I don't know, my child. Are you shackled too?

Mélissa: I am. It think that those men with wings are not here.

Hella: Yes, and we seem to be in a cellar or something, the floor and walls are made of cold stone.

Mélissa: Hella, I'm scared.

The Forsaken Doll held the little girl close with her valid arm, the other one being broken from her fight with the kidnappers.

Hella: The boys will find us, and they will kick those men's butts. We'll be free again my child, don't worry.

She looked tenderly at Mélissa, and worry filled her thoughts.

Kalma turned away from the window and realized his brother wasn't here anymore. Maybe gone thinking alone about this huge misunderstanding. Kalma sighed and walked towards Mr Lordi.

Mr Lordi: Oh boy… It feels good now that she's gone.

Amen: Guys, really? You could have let me play with her before sending her in the Monsterican Dream…

Kalma: You'll never change… There are plenty of other women to spend a night with. She's at her rightful place now.

Mr Lordi: Well said. Don't sulk my friend, your time will come. Now we have to do something about Hella.

Amen: What about the mess here?

Mr Lordi: We'll take care of this later, our friend is in danger.

Kalma: I'll have my best men working on the case, we'll find her.

Mr Lordi: She's tough, I know she'll survive until we intervene.

Amen: I know I drift from the subject, but anyone has seen Mana recently?

Mr Lordi: He's with his maggots, he'll be back soon.

Amen: He's closer of Hella than we are, since they arrived together here. I can imagine what his reaction would be.

Kalma: Wait and inform him of the situation. About OX, well let's wait and see if he emerges from his room. Don't hesitate to force him out, in the name of the friendship we all share with Hella. I'm off to the Realm, see you.

The Unholy Ghost tipped his hat to his friends and jumped through the window. He never touched the ground, as he literally vanished in thin air.

Night passed and the morning was ending when Mana showed up. Speaking and listening to his beloved maggots had taken more time than scheduled, but he had accomplished his task towards the devotees and it was all that mattered at that moment. When he entered the Manor he immediately felt that something had changed. Mr Lordi was waiting for him, along with OX, who had decided to get out of his room, and a drunken Amen. The Mummy was half asleep on the couch, and OX pushed away his feet from his coat. The Hellbull was still upset, but Hella was his friend and he has to help her despite Mantis's betrayal.

Mr Lordi: We were waiting for you, my friend.

Mana: It's about Mantis, isn't it?

Mr Lordi: Indeed. Hella and Mélissa have been kidnapped by creatures who happen to be Necromancers according to Kalma's researches. We are pretty sure Mantis is part of this despite what she said.

Mana: What she said?

Amen: We spotted her having a call with someone. She was talking about us and her "not being given any choice". She didn't deny it, but kept on saying she wasn't linked to this case.

Mana: And you're sure she meant to get rid of you?

Mr Lordi: Well no, but we had to make sure. If she's an enemy then everything is resolved. She's actually trapped in the Monsterican Dream.

Mana: I thought you wouldn't act on an impulse, and waited for more proofs.

Amen: She seemed really upset when I admitted we witnessed this call, and she tried to escape.

Mana: Well, that sounds legit after all. What about Mélissa?

Mr Lordi: If those Necromancers are with Mantis then she's safe.

Mana: Again with the "if". Don't you think you acted too quickly, without consideration? If's are vague to describe a situation.

Mr Lordi: For fuck's sake Mana! If you know better than us without even having been there, then do what you want. Just don't forget that Hella is in trouble!

Mana: I don't forget it at all! I just don't like it when one comes with a hasty conclusion.

Mr Lordi: Fine!

The Lord left the room, followed by Amen. Only OX remained, but stood up and faced the Pastor.

OX: You really think she might be innocent?

Mana: It could be a possibility. It's not because she's born a Necromancer that Lordi had to judge her according to it.

The Minotaur walked away, but stopped half way.

OX: I somehow hope you're right… But who am I kidding.

And he left silently.

Mana sighed and looked around. He caught the sight of a black butterfly flying around him. This kind of insect usually didn't roam around him, it was far from ants and coleopters. He welcomed the tiny insect in his palm and approached it to his eyes. The pastor, also known as the insector man, could understand the language of those little beings, and what he learnt from the butterfly made his eyes widen in surprise.

Chain of tears, handful of trust, in a world of dust…

Chain of tears, handful of dust, in a world which can't last…

Mantis was singing to herself when she saw a bright light coming from behind her. She turned around and saw a hooded figure, welcoming her. She smiled devilishly and followed the silhouette out of this world of nothingness.

Mr Lordi was asleep on the sofa, a can of Pepsi in hand and snoring loudly. He suddenly woke up when he felt a strange sensation, a cold shiver running down his back, along with a feeling of emptiness. Something was wrong. He put his can on the table, and realized what was wrong when he laid his eyes on his axe. It was misplaced. Someone had used it. He reached for it and traced a circle on the floor in order to take a look in the Monsterican Dream. The Lord saw with horror that it was totally empty. He dropped his axe and ran to the stairs.

Mr Lordi: She has escaped! Mantis has escaped!

Amen: What the…? Wait WHAT? No one can leave the Monsterican Dream.

Mr Lordi: And yet she succeeded, with the help of some accomplice maybe. Someone used my axe to open the portal! The wench couldn't have possibly done this alone.

OX: I still have her black snake with me. She didn't try to take it back.

Mana: She would have fled without taking back her powers? That's strange.

Mr Lordi: Mana, don't start with that bullshit again! OX my dude, after what she did to you, that's understandable since she wanted to keep living.

Amen: Hold on guys, if she fled then maybe she's after her sister, who's with Hella. Maybe we could ask Kalma to follow her.

OX: That's a very good idea. I'm going to get him.

Mr Lordi: Well said. Amen, Mana, get ready.

They all went to their respective task. Mr Lordi caressed the sharp edge of his axe and smiled. This time, he thought, she would not escape or live long enough to see another day.

With her very last bits of power and strength, and the precious help of her benefactor, Mantis had found were the hideaway was. Her wings disappeared like smoke when she landed on the ground. She'd known this island for years, coming here often on holidays. Sweet memories, she would come here with her pregnant mother and step-father. She tried to bring Mélissa here, but time was running dry between concerts, travels and studies. The old castle hadn't changed in almost a decade, just as tumbledown as before. But underneath these ruins, were trapped her sister and Hella. She prepared a little ball of shadows in her hand as she entered the building. Looking around her, she felt the air grow colder. She got ready to fire when she spotted two men walking slowly towards her. Seeing at how pale they were and what their clothes looked like, she concluded that those men were part of the Necromancer Temple. They let their hood fall on their shoulders, revealing their faces. Mantis clasped her hand, making the shadow ball vanish, and smiled wickedly.

Mantis: Lucas! Mars! It's nice to see you after so many years…

The two men smiled.

Kalma: I came here as fast I as could. So this vixen has escaped?

Mr Lordi: Someone helped her out. We think she's gone to the place where Hella is being held prisoner.

Kalma: Yeah I know, OX told me everything. Glad you came back to your senses, brother.

The Minotaur did not answer and looked away.

Kalma: I brought everything we'll need: My map and quartz crystals. What we need is something that belongs to her.

Amen: She left all her things in her room. Do you need something in particular?

Kalma: Every woman has a comb or a brush, and hair works really well.

The Mummy went upstairs. Mr Lordi cleaned the table from the pile of Pepsi cans and Kalma unfolded his map. This one was a map of all the Realms that existed, including the Earth and his own Realm. Amen came back a minute later with the comb brush and a big smile.

Amen: She forgot to close her suitcase. Let me tell you she has really nice underwear…

Mr Lordi: We don't have time for your perversions. Give that damn thing to Kalma.

He handed the brush to the Zombie, who took a long black hair from it. Then he took a crystal and broke it in two equal pieces. He sealed the hair between the two pieces and it began to glow. He placed it on the center of the map and the four other crystals glowed bright. A ray of pinkish light hit the map in a very precise dot. It was an island in the gulf of Denmark, devoid of any inhabitants, with only a castle in ruins.

Kalma: There she is, there we must go. Lordi, can you teleport us?

Mr Lordi: Easy…

They all gathered around the Lord and he swirled his axe in the air. A flash of light bathed them and they disappeared from the monster Manor.

They arrived near a sandy beach of the island. Facing them were the ruins of a medieval castle, which probably served as a tourist attraction during the warm season. Kalma suggested they search the castle, but Amen stopped him in his tracks.

Amen: There is something underneath these ruins.

OX: How do you know that?

Amen: Look at the ground, it is different here and nowhere else. After all these tombs I robbed I'm an expert at seeing those things.

Mr Lordi: How many times do I have to tell you to hush your pride?

The Pharaoh frowned and they followed the Unholy Ghost to the patch of cobblestone that looked suspicious. Indeed, after a little manipulation from Kalma, the patch revealed stairs that led to a possible cellar. They got down and entered a huge room, cold and moist, lit by huge oil lamps. They immediately recognized Hella and Mélissa, both in shackles and gagged. The girls tried to speak but did not succeed in saying a clear word. What surprised the monsters the most is that Mantis was also shackled with golden chains and gagged with a piece of cloth. She saw them and struggled to remove the cloth from her mouth. When it came off, she screamed.

Mantis: RUN! IT'S A TRAP!

NOTE: The song is "No Blind Eyes Can See" by Lacrimosa (again!).