Douxie jerked awake, his body held back by magic ice. He looked around frantically, trying to recognize his surroundings. The previous night came rushing back to his mind, and he realized what had happened.

Skarel and Bellroc! They took me!
Struggling in his hold, he realized he was stuck. Douxie couldn't move, couldn't use his magic. He was truly, and utterly useless. He sighed, his fight seeming to evaporate. " Douxie?" A soft but familiar voice called.

Nari!

He lifted his head, hope sparking in his chest. " Nari?" he answered quietly. A small, green humanoid came scurrying out from behind a pile of rock, her brown antlers sticking out in the rather dull backdrop.

She hurried over to him, her small stature only reaching Doux's waist. " You're alive!" She gasped, reaching out and touching the ice increasing his body. A green light flashed, and the ice shattered, making Douxie stumble as he fell out of his trap.

Nari grabbed his hand, making him crouch. " You have to hurry! They brought a few other people, I think they might have magic too!"

Doux gasped.

Claire!

" Where?" He demanded. Nari pulled him in the direction she had come from. Douxie looked around again, trying to get a hold of this setting. He was in a tunnel, much like a natural cave. Nari led him past rooms and other tunnels, and eventually stopped at the entrance to a particularly large cavern.

Peering in, Nari cautiously took a step, and then ran. Being jerked forward, Doux tripped but managed to catch himself, and jerked his head upward.

Three more people were iced to the wall, and they were all unconscious.

Claire, Toby, and Arrrgh!.

Nari scuttled over to Claire. Her head was hanging, and her hair was a mess. The small green Sorceress touched her ice, and it shattered, Claire falling to the floor.

Hitting the rock ground, she awoke, her eyes flickering open. " ACK!" Claire jumped up, and then slipped on a piece of ice and fell again. " Douxie!" She gasped, standing up more carefully.

Claire sprinted over and ran nito Doux, almost knocking him over. " You're okay!" She exclaimed, holding her teacher in an embrace. Douxie patted her back awkwardly and she pulled away, looking him up and down.

" Are you okay?"

Nodding, Douxie smiled. " Yeah, I'm fine. But, how did you get here?"

"Those stupid scorcerers! They kidnapped us!" Then Claire looked at Nari, who was touching another piece of ice, which Doux noticed was holding Toby. " Well, the other two."

" Okay, tell me what happened." Douxie offered, and Claire jumped into it.

" Alright, so we were waiting at your house because we wanted to surprise you, but you never came home. And we saw your calendar so we knew you were on a date with Krel-"

" Wh- date!? It wasn't a- a date!" Doux protested. Claire just gave him a knowing look.

" Anyways, so me, Tobes, and Arrrgh! all went to Krel's house to try and find you. He had no idea where you were, so then he came with us, and then we found your bike and were looking around, and then we found the message you left in the earring, and then we were all cap-"

" WAIT." Douxie barked. " They got Krel too!?" Claire nodded. " Yeah, at least I think. They got the rest of us so I'm guessing they got him too."

No. This wasn't right, they couldn't take Krel!
He would've gotten away! He can't be in this place, that's not- Doux felt panic rising in his chest. Nari had gotten Toby and Arrrgh! Out, and they were all standing a ways away.

Nari slowly joined them, and put a hand on Douxie's leg. " You are distressed." She noted, her voice soft.

" You think?" Doux snapped, glaring down at the little person. He was! The Order had gotten Krel! Doux's soulmate was here somewhere, he had to be found.

" Let me calm you." Nari suggested, her voice reaching the troubled depths of Douxie's brain. He almost said yes, but he had to find Krel. If he was calm, he wouldn't try as hard. " No. I need to feel this way, so I can focus."

Claire gave him a dubious look. " It's pretty hard to focus when you're stressed." Nari nodded. " Yes, please just let me calm you. You are at your most concentrated when calm."

The small sorceress had a point. It was getting a little tricky to listen, with his mind running wild. Doux nodded, reluctantly though. Nari closed her eyes and paused, her breathing deepening.

Suddenly, Douxie's feelings changed. He felt more still, like he could actually focus. His brain was clear again, and one thought was on center-stage.

Finding Krel.

Nari's hand was still on his leg. She looked up, her eyes open. " Interesting. You and this Krel are bound in a way that holds over lifetimes." Doux chuckled, feeling his cheeks warm up a bit.
" Wh- what do you mean?" Claire gave him a suspicious look. " You two are s-"

" OH HEY LOOKS LIKE WE BETTER GET GOING. To find Krel, and all!" Douxie yelped, cutting Nari off. THe small humanoid just shrugged and walked away, leaving a cold spot on Doux's leg. Claire continued to give him a look.

" What!?" Douxie asked, trying to look bewildered. All she did was point two fingers at herself, then Doux. He laughed uncomfortably, and joined Nari, Toby, and Arrrgh!.

" So, where do you think they took Krel?" Toby asked, his eyes wandering around the cavern. " I don't know for sure, but we do have another place to hold our… "guests". He might be there." Nari answered him, her expression thoughtful.

"Let me check." Nari bent down and went quiet, her breathing almost ceasing. Suddenly, green root-like lights under the floor began to stretch from her, pusing like a heartbeat. Doux knew that they stretched all across the Earth, and that Nari could sense all living souls.

The lighting continued, until Nari opened her eyes. " I can not sense his soul." A cold fear filled Douxie from toes to his head.

What!?

" Wait, so is Krel de-" Toby didn't finish his sentence, as Claire whacked his arm. " OW!" He protested. " What was that for!?" Claire just pointed at Doux, who was staring at the ground, his body shaking.

Douxie's breathing was ragged. His hands shook violently. Dead? Krel couldn't be dead! Doux had seen him only an hour or so before! His mind whirled. Yes, Doux didn't know his soulmate that well, but what he did know, he liked. No, loved.

All of his calmness had left him, and only fear ruled his heart. The only thing he could think about was Krel, lying on this rocky floor, his life leaving him. The lifeless look in Krel's eyes changed something in Douxie.

Nari jumped towards him and pressed her hand into his leg. She was obviously trying to calm him, but Doux wouldn't let her. He grabbed her arm, almost all of his restraint gone, and shoved her away.

" Douxie! Calm down! It's okay!" Claire's yell was only barely audible. He turned to her.

" No. I will not. You- you let him get killed!" Claire winced, but Doux felt no remorse. Turning he stepped to the exit, intent on finding the rest of the Order.

They must pay.

He drew in a breath, and then was pulled back, a large stone hand over his mouth. Squirming in Arrrgh!'s grasp, he screamed furiously into the troll's hand. Arrrgh! leaned against a wall, holding Douxie back with as much strength as he could without crushing the wizard.

" Calm," Was all the large troll said. Toby and the others ran up, all of them looking concerned. " Doux! Calm down, man! It's okay!" Toby said, trying not to be loud. Nari gasped, realization dawning in her eyes.

" Wait! I cant feel his soul, because he's not human! He doesn't have a soul-" Arrgh! took his hand from Douxie's mouth. " WHAT!? KREL DOES HAVE A S-" Arrrgh! put his hand back.

" What I mean is that he has a core, not a soul like you and me." Nari corrected herself. Although his rage was still boiling inside of him, something dawned in his mind.

That… makes sense. He's not human… but, what if he is dead?

The thought made Doux's heart hurt. He still felt angry, but he stopped struggling. Arrrgh! cautiously put him down, keeping his large arms at Douxie's sides. " So, Krel might be alive?" He asked. Nari nodded.

" Most likely. Skarel likes to keep his- uh. Test subjects alive for as long as possible."

" TEST SUBJECTS!?" Nari cringed and nodded.

" That's just why we have to find him faster!" Claire put in, getting everyone's attention. " So, stop freaking out, and yelling, so maybe we can go find your boyfriend!" She added, looking straight into Doux's eyes.

" Wh-" he began, but Toby beat him. " WAIT, you two are a thing? My Akkiridion friend and my wizard friend, dating?!" grumbling under his breath Douxie stormed past them and to the hallway, everyone else trailing behind him.

Were not- not dating! It was one dinner! Why does everyone think that!? Nari grabbed his arm and tugged him the other way, changing Doux's course.

The small sorceress led them down the hallway, back the way she and Douxie had come. After passing his previous holding room, she continued down, pausing from time to time and making everyone duck as either a Gumm-Gumm or one of her siblings themselves passed.

" Why are those dudes down here?" Toby whispered after one of the trolls passed them. Nari looked around again, before starting her pace up again.

" After Gunmar's defeat, most were destroyed. But the few that survived came to us, and now are Bellroc's henchmen." Everyone shrugged and they followed her.

Nari finally stopped a few minutes later at the mouth to a cave even bigger than the previous one, and voices could be heard.

" Stay still! Do you know how often we get wizards like you here? This is a delicate process!" Another voice screeched in reply.

" LET ME GO! I don't care about your stupid process! AGH!" A hard, but shaky feminine voice caught Doux's attention. Sounds of a scuffle broke out, and were then silenced with a growl.

Nari peeked in, before whipping her head back, panic visible in her gold and green eyes. " Skarel is in there. I saw Krel too. He's trapped." She whispered. Douxie nodded, trying to think of a way to get his soulmate out of there.

" Calire," He began quietly. " Could you possibly distract him?" The Shadow Mage gave him a dubious look. " Me? Why?"

" Because you can teleport out of there if you need to." She nodded, but he could tell Claire still didn't want to. She was standing right next to Doux, so she just slipped past him and Nari, pausing before stepping out into sight. " HEY CREEP!" She called, and the previous murmur from the room stopped.

" You? How did you escape!?" Skarel's voice was filled with shock and annoyance. " I have my ways," Claire replied nonchalantly. She began to inspect her nails, shooting a look into the room.

" Get over here, worm!" Skarel shrieked, and Claire glanced up, surprise glittering in her eyes. Gasping and turning sharply, Claire slipped a bit on the smooth floor but managed to stay on her feet, and began to sprint down the hall, yelling over her shoulder.

" Ha! You couldn't catch me if I stood still!" Nari suddenly shoved Douxie into the rocky wall. Toby and Arrrgh! followed his lead, and soon Skarel came hurtling out of the room, his staff nowhere to be seen.

" GET BACK HERE!" He yelled, charging after Claire, who had passed behind a corner and out of sight. HIs ragged robe flipping in his wake.

"Hurry!" Nari hissed, jumping through the door, Doux and the others scrambling after her. The second he entered the room, a voice called out.

" Wh- how-? HELP ME!" The voice from earlier belonged to a girl a little older than Krel was strapped to a table that was upright, so she was vertical. She had short brown hair with striking blue eyes. Her gaze met Douxie's and they both paused, something changing in her expression.

Toby ran into Doux, knocking him out of the weird trance. " Dude! Come on, Krel's over there!" Toby pointed to the wall, where Krel was glued to the wall with ice, unconscious. He looked at Toby.

" Go get her out of there," He ordered, pointing to the girl. Toby opened his mouth to protest, but Douxie had already run over to Krel, who was still unconscious.

Nari reached out and put a hand to the ice, and it exploded. Doux stepped forward and caught Krel, who was in his Akkiridion state. The wizard huffed under his soulmate's weight, surprised by how heavy he was.

Douxie gently set Krel on the floor and tapped at his armband, selecting a glowing symbol and holding his hand over Krel's face. The alien sputtered, waking up with a start.

He flailed his hands around, smacking Doux in the stomach. The second Krel realized what just happened, he brought his hands in close to his body.

" Douxie?" He gasped, a surprised expression making his eyes wide. Doux didn't answer, only fell into Krel's arms, embracing his soulmate tightly.

They sat that way for a few moments, both of them shocked and happy. Douxie finally leaned away and looked at Krel's face, his black and blue eyes making Doux slightly insane.

They were so beautiful! So- he couldn't even think of the words. " I- I can't-" He stammered. Krel smiled, a smile full of gratitude and affection. " I know." He murmured. Krel leaned forward, and pressed his forehead against Douxie's. Krel took his soulmate's hands in his. They paused, relishing in the moment.

Pulling away, Doux looked up to see Claire, her eyes wide and sparkly. Kind of like an anime character. She must have come through a portal just barley, and she looked slightly winded. She looked down at them, obviously adoring what was going on.

" Awwww…" She gushed, making Krel blush profusely. They stood up, still hand-in-hand, and looked around. The girl was freed now, and was giving Douxie a strange look. Toby and Arrrgh! had led her over, and were standing on the other side of them from Claire.

" What- why- how did you all get free? How did you find Douxie?" Krel asked.

" Well, he actually found us. We were iced to the wall like you when he and Nari came in and saved us. Then-" Caire shot a look at Doux. " we came and found you." Douxie felt grateful she hadn't told him how freaked out he had been. That would be… awkward.

The girl came over, her hand clasped behind her back. " So…" Everyone turned to her, and she looked embarrassed. " Thanks for saving me. That freak was trying to take my ma- uh, I don't even know."

Wait- was she going to say magic? Is she- did I guess correctly?

Doux let go of Krel's hand and stepped forward, making her take a small step back. " What were you going to say?" He asked. She stepped back again, her hands no longer behind her back, but instead held out in a stopping gesture.

" I- nothing. I said what I meant to." Her voice shook a little, clueing in that she was lying.

Douxie decided to take a chance. He stopped advancing on her and instead lifted an arm, his eyes closing. He concentrated his magic and could feel it course through his veins. It made him almost giddy, in a way, the feeling of pure energy in his body.

He pushed his magic into his hand and thought of his staff, thought of it in his hand. Opening his eyes, a blue light flashed, and his staff appeared. It was a glistening black with a blue gemstone that shone like a star.

He clanged it against the ground and looked at the girl. Her jaw was open in amazement, and surprise. She opened and closed her mouth a few ties, trying to find words.

" You- you're a Wizard too?" She finally gasped. Smiling, Doux nodded. " Yep. Trust me, you don't have to hide who you really are." She nodded and looked at her hands, and a hard look of concentration filled her gaze.

A golden light emitted around her hands and she yelped, flashing her hands out in shock and pain. A gold ball of magic fire shot towards Douxie, and he lifted his staff.

The fireball hit it and vanished, only leaving a small wave of heat in its wake. She dropped both hands, her cheeks pink with embarrassment.

" Sorry, I'm still learning." Doux put a hand on her shoulder. " It's alright. You should've seen me as an apprentice! I was quite the nuisance." He laughed, and Skye joined in.

A screech of annoyance and rage echoed into their room, and everyone went stiff and quiet. " Claire," Douxie murmured to his friend. " I think that's our que to leave."

Nodding, Claire waved her hands and a portal appeared, its edges a swirling purple and black. Toby and Arrrgh! were the first through, followed closely by Nari. " Come on!" Claire hissed to Skye, and the other wizard nodded in assurance.

After giving Doux one last look, she jumped in. Soon, only Krel, Douxie and Claire remained. Pounding footsteps could be heard, along with Skarel's enraged screaming. " Come on guys!" Claire demanded. Krel shard a look with Doux, before quickly pecking him on the cheek and running through the exit. Hesitating for only a second, Douxie followed, Claire right behind him.