Chapter Seven


10:00 AM

The fresh grass crunched beneath their feet as the group continued to walk, Jarl staying close to the back while Rythian and Zoey stayed up front – Ruby and Teep in the middle. Rythian was quiet, while Zoey just messed with her robot arm – uncomfortable with the silence. "So…what's the plan?" Jarl asked, breaking the silence as they continued to walk – the trees shading them from the sun.

Rythian didn't answer, making the group go silent once more. Zoey sighed, unable to bear the silence any longer, "We are close to his castle now, let's see what he has to say." Jarl smiled and Teep roared quietly. But Ruby and Rythian were quiet, Rythian focusing on the task at hand – while Ruby was being quiet for her own reasons.

The ground started to shake, an explosion not far from where they were. Everyone stood still, crouching almost instantaneously. Someone shouted, words unable to be identified by how distant the voice was. "That's him…." Rythian growled… crawling along the floor.

Zoey crawled beside him, Jarl and Teep behind them. Ruby stayed back, sort of hesitant about what lies ahead. He wants us to go there, she thought. But because of her hesitation, someone crept up on her and quickly cupped a hand over her mouth. And as she was going to react, a hole appeared below her and she fell through – landing on cold iron flooring.

She groaned, slowly getting onto her knees. "Welcome back, Ruby," a voice in front of her spoke before she even rose her head. Ruby froze, not wanting to see the owner of that voice. The voice chuckled, a hand gently caressing the bottom of her chin before moving it upwards to see him. "Missed me?" The man looked at her with a smile, his short blonde hair looking un-kept compared to the white, clean lab-coat he had buttoned over the rest of his clothing.

Ruby just stared, keeping her mouth shut as she looked deep into those blue eyes of his. "Well? Nothing? Ah wait…yes now I remember. 'Silence is always the best option in any situation.'" Ruby's eyes widened, backing away from the man quickly. Only her father would say that to her whenever she was talking about an argument she had, Ruby thought, but then again, that was all she remembered of her father. Just that sentence… and the man in front of her said it exactly the same way…

The man, no… Duncan, grinned at her reaction before taking her hand and helping her to her feet. "I must thank you for bringing your friends here… though the one with black hair I don't know," he said with such a gently tone it sent shivers down the back of Ruby's spine. She looked away from him and whispered something that he couldn't hear.

"Hm? Pardon?" the scientist questioned, leaning closer to hear her. "Their….idea…by…themselves.." Ruby whispered again, some of the words still inaudible. But Duncan had enough clues to theorize what she meant. "So they decided to come here…" Ruby looked back at him, scared of what he has planned. He muttered to himself and let go of Ruby's hand, turning around and walking off – beckoning Ruby to follow.

Even though it was probably the wrong thing to do, Ruby really had nothing to do but follow him. Duncan stretched, revealing his own robotic arm. "Ah I can't wait for them to reach the gate!" he exclaimed when all of a sudden you could hear Rythian shouting from somewhere.

The man grinned, grabbing Ruby by the wrist tightly – making her wince as he dragged her along. "Let the show begin…" he whispered, locking two iron bands onto her wrists before chaining them to a wall – right beside a throne of sorts.

He snapped his fingers and sat on his throne, a smirk on his face as the front door to his castle opened and in came Rythian, Zoey, Teep, and Jarl. He laughed as they ran inside, skidding to a stop when they saw Ruby chained up next to him. "Wasn't expecting that, now were you Rythian?!" The scientist exclaimed, standing from his throne. Jarl's eyes were wide with shock, same with Zoey. But Teep just held a grim face, his bow drawn. Rythian growled as his eyes tinted with purple, "You…"

"What?" Duncan asked teasingly with a smile, "Did I do something wrong?"


Did I? Really? *grin*

Sorry to leave you guys on a cliff hanger but hey, that's what we do best right?

~Lack