"All right," Rye said as the others left their room, leaving Rye and Ryou alone, again. "What is it you're hiding from us?" She asked him, her voice sounding stern.

"I find it a miracle you're talking to me." He said without thinking.

"Stop trying to change the subject," Rye said, annoyed. "I know you're hiding something."

"I'm not hiding anything, Rye." He said simply. He stood up in front of Rye, he was close, too close. Rye took a step backward, as if avoiding a hungry spider's gaze. Ryou stared at Rye, Rye was staring at the floor. She didn't want to meet his eyes.

"OW!" Nina exclaimed.

"SH! Be quiet they're gonna know we're here!" Fine scolded her.

They were outside Rye and Ryou's room, eavesdropping on their little conversation. They couldn't help it. They knew there'd be a love team forming in their group once more. They all stood there, ears pressed to the door of their room, listening in to whatever they can listen to. Kaye was looking through the key hole, Rye and Ryou were already standing up, facing each other.

"Just remember what I told you and the others," he started, now holding Rye by the shoulders. "Run, run when I tell you to. If anything goes wrong-."

"Nothing's gonna go wrong, Ryou," she said, trying to fight back tears. This might be the same peanut head she met on the first day, but she grew so attached to him now…

"What are they talking about now?" Fine asked, they were still outside, ears pressed hard to the door. But they still couldn't hear the whispered conversation they were having inside.

"I dunno," Kaye said, scratching her head. "Something about porridge I think." The two girls turned to look at Kaye, expressions of great annoyances on their faces.

"Kaye," Nina began. "They couldn't possibly be talking of porridge. They're obviously talking about tomato soup!" The two murmured their agreement.

Tomato soup wasn't one of their favorite topics, really, but they decided to listen in anyway. They had just had dinner, they basically had nothing to do anymore. They were already packed for the flight, all they had to do know, was eavesdrop…

Kaye turned her attention back to the keyhole, she just put her eye to it for one second, when she let out a squeal- no, not a squeal, more like a fangirl scream. The two looked at her questioningly. All she did to answer their unasked questions, was to point at the keyhole. Nina and Fine took turns, looking through the keyhole, and giving out a fangirl scream. They were giggling, rolling on the floor, so astonished by what they saw.

Ryou's arms were wrapping Rye in a tight hug, Rye was looking up, Ryou down, their faces moved slowly towards each other until their lips met, they were making out…

Rye's insides were burning, she felt safe in Ryou's arms, like nothing could get at her. She never felt this way about anyone before—well of course there was her kindergarten crush, Reynold, but it was like he doesn't exist anymore. He's nothing to Rye anymore, especially with Ryou there. Their kiss lasted a minute, Fine's, Nina's and Kaye's giggles lasted all through out the kiss.

They woke up the next morning when the sun hasn't even risen yet. Caileigh would bring them to the airport, by unicorn again, as if there was nothing strange about that… Rye and Ryou said nothing the whole ride towards the airport, but they weren't arguing, they weren't mad, they were happy.

Fine, Nina, Kaye on the other hand, couldn't stop talking. But of course they had to make codes so that Rye and Ryou wouldn't understand.

"I can't believe tomato and porridge are together again!" Fine exclaimed as they dove past the thick white clouds.

"I know, can you believe it. It feels just like yesterday they didn't taste good together." Nina said as she let out a sigh.

"That just sounds gross…" Kaye said at Nina's comment. Rye and Ryou were both wondering why on earth would they want to put tomatoes in porridge? That would be absurd.

Their seats in the plane were together, but it came no shock to them when Rye and Ryou decided to sit together. But they'll have to save the clinginess for later, right now, they had other things to worry about… Ramon was just sitting at the seat, 3 rows away from them.

"You guys think Sasha's here?" Kaye asked, eyeing Ramon with displeasure.

"I don't think so," Nina started, she, unlike Kaye, could see through Ramon's identity as Sasha's minion. She could see Ramon had a heart… A heart that would belong to me if it hadn't been for Sasha! She thought. "Sasha could teleport remember?" She continued.

"Sasha could practically do anything…" Kaye said with a deep sigh. They all frequently turn to check on Ramon through out the flight. Nothing suspicious had happened. He just sat there, like an ordinary passenger… "Well, one thing's for sure. If Ramon's here, then we're sure Sasha has a lead to the crystal." Fine said. She didn't want to believe her own words, but they knew it was true.

"Look on the bright side," Ryou inserted. "At least we know we're still on the right track."

Fine was sitting farthest from Rye and Ryou, but she was the first to notice them holding hands… Right here on the plane, in plain view of them 3. It was like they were making their relationship public. Fine elbowed Nina, she nodded her understanding, she saw it too.

They checked in to a hotel in Iceland, not far from the cave Ryou had mentioned. They were glad not to be camping for once. But they couldn't stay in the hotel for long. Tomorrow, as the sun sets, they'll head for the Chiaramente crystal, letting no one come in their way. Sasha was here, they needed to get it before her. If they fail, all hope was lost. They only needed two more crystals, one of those was on the very same land they're standing on now. The other, they don't know of the whereabouts at all. Hopefully, Sasha won't know either, but they know her enough to be sure she at least has a head start.

Room assignments went as usual, no surprise. It was only lunch time when they had finished settling into their rooms. They decided to go out and eat at some restaurant. They said as long as they're traveling practically the whole world, they might as well try the different delicacies each country offers.

They went into a restaurant that looked like it was famous here, Laekjarbrekka.

Fine was forced to eat fish, it was the only thing close to vegetarian there. They all served meat. As they quietly ate their lunch, a guy approached their table.

"Hey," Ramon said.

"We don't associate with enemies." Fine said. Nina was taken aback.

"Guys! He saved my life, here! Can't we trust him?" Nina exclaimed. They all stared at her, even Ramon. She bowed her head and ate her chicken, blushing.

"He's still working for Sasha, Nina. We can't be sure if he's trustworthy." Ryou said, glaring at Ramon.

"Guys, I'm sorry. But I had no choice but to join Sasha."

"No choice to join a diabolical woman—." Rye said.

"She's seventeen, Rye! You five combined, I'm sure you can beat her." Ramon argued.

"That doesn't change how wrong your decision is, Ramon." Kaye said, proud of her logic…

"If you guys just hear me out-!"

"We won't be hearing from any of our enemies," Ryou said as he placed 40 dollars on the table. "Come on guys, we have planning to do." Fine, Kaye and Rye stood up without hesitation, they had to pull Nina along to make sure she doesn't stay behind and associate even more with Ramon.

They stayed in Kaye and Nina's room this time, particularly because Rye and Ryou's room was near some unwanted guests. They looked suspicious to the five, Rye could've sworn she saw a hint of red in one of the men's eyes.

"So why exactly do we have to leave at night time?" Fine asked for the hundredth time. The four sighed. They were tired of explaining it over and over again.

"Because the cave only opens at Christmas time, exactly 12 midnight. We have to get out before the sun rises." Ryou explained again.

"Or we'll be trapped there for another whole year, if we're lucky enough to even reach next Christmas." Rye continued again.

If it weren't for all the Christmas decorations around the entrance of the hotel, even reaching up to the rooms, they wouldn't believe it was already Christmas. They've been gone for so long, but their absence wasn't a nuisance. They're this close now to stopping Sasha. It might mean that they'll miss Christmas with their family and friends, but at least they can make sure that this will not be the last Christmas they'll spend. Plus, knowing that they'll spend Christmas with one another lightened up their moods a bit. Today was December 23 and it was 7:43pm. About 29 hours from now, they would leave the 'safety' of this hotel, and venture into the dark cave.

Safety wasn't really the right word to describe the hotel, since at this point, it was crowded with red-eyed men who looked prepared to start a fight at any moment.

"I told you to get as much information from them as possible!"

"I'm s-s-sorry my master-." The guy stammered.

"SORRY? YOU LET VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION SLIP AWAY FROM YOUR HANDS WITHOUT EVEN A FIGHT?" The woman snarled.

They were in a dark room, Sasha was standing on a platform, the walls were made of ice, but it was not cold, the floor, it was made out of pure crystal. Before her, knelt Ramon. He was shaking from head to toe, fearing what her master will do to her now.

"They know I'm working for you, master. They wouldn't dare talk to me." He more of whispered than said. Sasha glared at the boy.

How could the boy be scared of a girl only two years older than her? Surely, she must only be a harmless, innocent teenager.

Sure, anybody would believe that… Sasha was the exact opposite of innocent. She was purely diabolical (if you have missed that out before, well, now you know.). She plans to destroy earth, humans would be forced to pay her millions for a room in her newly built space hotel. She would become the richest woman on ear—space!

"And how do you think they found out, Ramon?" She asked, pure hatred in her voice. Ramon did not answer. He knew this was a rhetorical question. He wouldn't even get a say in anything, he knew a punishment was coming. Sasha didn't even bother to wait longer than five seconds for an answer, she clapped her hands and immediately two men wearing business suits, holding briefcases came at her side.

"You remember the ten men, don't you Ramon?" Sasha asked, sarcasm now was her intention. Ramon stared at the two men in front of him, there was his worst fear, standing two feet away from him, hi didn't dare move.

The ten men were called that for a reason, they were feared for a very serious reason. They look like ordinary business men, on a business trip, minding their own business—people are easily fooled.

These were minions of Sasha. They got the name 'Ten Men' for they are known to have ten different ways to torture information out of innocent people. Their briefcase, holds 8 of them. Two are within easy reach, a handkerchief in their pocket that can knock out the toughest man when it came too near to it. And their ties, used as whips on innocent by-passers who come in their way.

Ramon shuddered, he knew what was coming. His other co-minion had been tortured to death days earlier by these same men. "No… n-no!" he stammered.

"Why Ramon, you don't remember them?" Sasha asked, obviously amused by the reaction she got. Ramon stared at the Ten Men, then at Sasha, left and right his head was moving. He was facing his death, and yet, he did not dare move, for if he did, Sasha had worse tricks up her sleeve. His soul would be sucked out of him, leaving him alive, but soulless.

"Perhaps my Ten Men can help you recall what happened to Mark last week." She snapped her fingers and the ten men stepped forward. He knew what he had to do, he didn't even hesitate to do it—he ran.

He ran like his life depended on it, well of course it did. He ran faster than a cheetah, dodging all the pointed pencils the ten men were shouting at him. One pencil caused the diamond on the wall to break into pieces, yes, they were that sharp.

He ran through the long hallway under the very same hotel the five were sleeping in, deep in sleep, unaware of all the commotion going on underground. He climbed a steep ladder, and he emerged, unscarred. He was free now, free to do whatever he wanted, he was wrong. Just as he emerged from the trap door, two boney hands grabbed him by the arms, and dragged him back down to the room, his soul would be sucked out of him. And there was no escape. He took his final glance at the full moon before the door slammed in his face.

"Do you guys have the feeling like something wrong had happened?" Kaye asked as the others discussed strategies. They all shook their heads, looking utterly confused.

"I think we should call it a night," Ryou suggested. "We have a long day ahead of us." They said good night to each other and Ryou, Rye and Fine made way for their own rooms. Rye couldn't help but think about what Kaye asked, for she knew Kaye could see the future, she could predict any outcome, her dream flashed before her very eyes. The very same one she had nights before, bodies surrounding her and Ryou, but she couldn't make out their faces, Ryou stood beside her, almost every inch of his body was bleeding, but he looked determined. She saw Sasha at the other end of the room, a whole army of business men—business men? Behind her. It was it, it was the end, they had failed.

She sat up in a bolt; she had the same dream again. Ryou was awakened by all the fuss. She had been crying in her sleep again.

"Rye you should really tell us about that dream you know…" He said sleepily.

"I told you, it was just about a social studies test!" She argued.

Ryou was too tired to argue, he looked at the clock, it was 3:21am… He just rolled his eyes at Rye and went back to sleep.