The song for this chapter is: Stupid in Love by Rihanna (This song was in Alone in the Wild, but I wanted to use it this chapter. It works!).

Marley POV

"You see, I come from a low society. We aren't respected much, especially from others around us," Chase begun his story, "There has been this one group against my father, the leader of our group. They try to stop us no matter what and destroy us all. My father hates their commander. He's conceited and has this obsession… I shouldn't get into it…"

"No, no, it's fine. I want to hear about your life," I replied.

"Oh. Okay. Well, I'm eighteen. I'm a part of one of the biggest empires in the universe. Practically no one but our rival group stands any sort of chance. That's my father's opinion. Honestly, we are too out in the open. We're luring them towards us so they can kill us."

"What kind of group do you belong to?"

"It's a bit… personal?"

"Okay then. Go on."

"My father has always wanted me to grow up to become the leader. Of course I've never wanted to kill a soul, but that's what he wants for me. I have no choice when I'm with him. But when I come back from a quest I'm doing for them, I'm leaving."

"Why?"

"I hate the guy. He's… sly… and slimy… not really."

"What else?"

"I've known that I'm different. No one around is the same as me, and I always feel left out. There's only one person who understands, and he's not even super close to me. How about you? How'd you get in the Squid HQ?"

"Long story short. My dad's also a leader of a giant empire. But he's been gone for about a year. I miss him. I know that he's doing right. He and my uncles are saving us all from a world-wide apocalypse."

"Apocalypse?!"

"'The day when the sky falls' he always says."

"Sky falls… that sounds awfully familiar."

"It probably is. If you're from the Overworld, or… I won't even mention it…"

"And?"

"I'm sixteen. Kinda been an outcast. No one really talks to me, except my cousins, and most of the time at least one of them is teasing me. I had one friend, but she didn't talk to me much either. Her name was Carter."

"Was?"

"She was murdered."

"I'm so sorry."

"It's fine. I think Adam's a bit more depressed at that than me."

"Adam is your cousin, right?"

"Yeah. He's your age, actually. Eighteen."

"Do you think I could meet him?"

"Sure. If we can find them…"

"Chase!" a voice called out. All of the sudden, a navy blue squid appeared, holding his tentacles to his sides.

"Who are you?!" I screamed at the squid, "Leave us alone!"

"Marley, calm down," Chase first told me and then turned to the squid, "Derpioso, what do you want?"

This squid spoke in fluent English, "It's Derpus. He knows that you left HQ with the girl. You know he won't stop until she's dead and you're in the hands of the squids again."

"Dammit." Chase growled and faced me, "We've gotta go."

"Chase. One more thing."

"Yes?"

"Don't forget me."

"Of course."

"And when you come back with Adam and Tristan, kick some serious squid butt."

"You sure you're feeling okay?"

"I saw how you looked at her. You're in love. But… she's freaking Sky's heir!"

Chase glared at the squid, Derpioso, his mouth wide open, "What?"

"She's Sky's heir!"

"Your father is Sky?" he asked me. I hesitantly nodded. "No… no… no… this can't be happening… I actually like her!"

"Dude, chill. We can work it out. As long as Derpollous doesn't know that you're in love with her, it'll be fine. I can distract Derpus while you make a getaway."

"I can't thank you enough, Derpioso."

"What are friends for?"

"Best friends, actually."

"Best friends." Derpioso smiled the best that he could and slid off into the trees. I tried to understand what had happened in that conversation.

"Who was that?" I questioned.

"My best friend. There are some things I haven't told you and I know that you haven't told me."

"Like that my dad is Sky, the Budder King?"

"And my father is… Derpollous… the Master of the Squids."

We were silent for a few moments until he spoke up, "Well, this is a bit awkward."

"You said you liked me."

"Hm?"

"You said you like me."

"Uh… yeah. I guess. You're pretty and sweet and all..."

"Thanks. I like you too."

"Really?"

"Really, really. As long as Adam, Tristan, and my dad don't find out about your past, they'll like you. I can tell."

Chase smiled and held onto my hand. He led me away from the clearing of dead brown grass, the only spot in the forest.

Next thing we know, we're surrounded by a group of archers pointing their arrows at Chase. He fell back and put up his arms in surrender.

"I won't do anything. I promise," Chase told the archers.

"Why are you with her?" One of the archers, a man with black glasses and oddly colored clothes asked, his eyes stuck to Chase.

"He's not hurting me!" I objected, "Who are you anyways."

"Adam and Tristan are at my base. They're safe with me."

"You never answered my question."

"My name is Chimney Swift, but call me Chim."

"Okay... Chim... How do you know us?"

"Do I really have to go over this again?" he groaned, but Chase interrupted.

"Marley, don't bother. He's already got enough on his plate."

"Thank you… whatever your name is…" Chim replied.

"Chase."

"Chase. We have to take you to our base for interrogation cause we don't know if we can trust you."

"Fine."

"Chim! If you're decent, you should tell that Chase won't hurt us!" I burst, infuriated.

"Not right now…" Chim smirked. Two seconds passed and I noticed the gleam of an obsidian sword. I held onto Chase's jacket.

"What's going on?" I asked him.

"What?" he responded, searching around the area. The green grass became a light brown, shriveled up. This confused me because the sun was hidden through the trees. Chase, however, figured it out immediately. "We need to leave! Now!"

"Don't tell me what to do, boy!" Chim demanded.

"Trust me this one time. It'll save your damn life!"

Chim growled at Chase, "Again! Don't tell me what to do! I do what is right for my Swifters!"

"How about getting kidnapped by squids?!"

He became dead silent as leaves cracked violently around the clearing.

"You were saying?" Chim whispered, nervous.

"Leave now."

"What about you?" I questioned.

"I'll be fine. Go with them."

"No. I'm staying."

"Go!"

"Chase…"

"Please. I love you."

"Okay."

"Hiya!" Chim cut through the throat of an incoming squid.

"It's too late!" Chase called out. He grabbed my hand and we ran past Chim and the Swifters. I took one last glance at them being unhanded by the ferocious squids.