UNNOTICED
RISE
Chapter 7: Rescue Mission Part 1
It was already night time, the skies had darkened while the moon along with all the stars had illuminated. The city itself had now shined while its people were seen walking on the streets.
Somewhere, where there was not a person in sight, a manhole's lid was seen slowly opening as a dark silhouette moved in great speed and approached an abandoned building.
The silhouette had then materialized itself into a young man with a fedora like hat as it gently placed a tiny mouse onto a window sill.
Juleka looked confused as she observed the area before meeting her eyes with the shadow's red orbs.
Is this the place?!, she asked-shouted to which the shadow had nodded.
She tilted her head as she slightly recognized the area many times during her mother's sails. And although she was standing on a stoned window sill, if her memories served her correctly, then it was likely that they were at the old abandoned warehouse.
The warehouse by itself had been abandoned since probably before she could even remember. But other than that she had totally no knowledge about the building's history. To her it was simply just one of those things that one sees but would immediately brush off only a second after, it kind of reminded her of herself she mused.
It was only until recently that the old structure gained her attention when reported hauntings were being rumored. She even made plans just to check on the place herself next month.
Rex had even suggested once for Kitty Section to do a gig there
But that was another story.
So you're sure his in there?!
The shadow nodded.
And… Granny Spooks?!
The shadow stiffened.
The mouse felt slight guilt after that. She then sighed before meeting her eyes with it's again.
Thank you., she spoke modestly, I'll take care of it from here. (hopefully)
Despite not understanding on what the mouse had said the shadow looked at her as it nodded its head before dissolving back into a silhouette and left.
Juleka stared as the shadow disappeared.
She then made a deep exhale before making a brave face, determined to find her fellow classmate and get him out of there.
Deep within the confines of a small dark cell, Nathanael, who was still currently positioned in his side of the chamber, sat there quietly while hiding his head between his knees.
It had been hours since the redheaded boy last spoke, to the point where his saliva had now tasted funny. In addition to that, he was also now hungry, thirsty, his cloths were now practically covered in sweat, and his thoughts were now a jumbled mess. For in his mind, the young artist was still struggling in processing of what his two cellmates had told him, about him being magic.
Magic, in all honesty sounded quite odd and unbelievable, and hearing him self be referred to as a "magical creature" was a tad bit too "fantastical" for his liking.
It just sounded too… off.
Like as if someone was calling him an alien or a stranger, or like he was being compared to figures such as Santa Claus or the Easter Bunny.
Granted magic was the usual explanation that Ladybug and Chat Noir often gave whenever they were being asked about the nature of their powers, but he had always thought of that as simply just them attempting to keep the subject matter as vaguely as possible. After all, aside from protecting the city and defeating Hawkmoth, keeping secrets had always seemed as if it was also one of their most sacred priorities, or at least that was how he had always taken it.
In fact he was also fairly certain that everyone in his entire class (with the probable exception of Rose and Alya) had ones at least confessed that they never really bought into the whole "magic explains everything" excuse.
For although he and everyone else did trusted them, they were also very much aware of how secretive their local superheroes could be, the chances that they were actually being truthful on that part was honestly quite surprising to him.
But if he assumed for just a moment that magic was indeed real, than that would also make magic as the perfect explanation for what was happening to him.
For if he were to consider that all the strange anomalies that were happening around him was truly due to the work of magic, than the only question left was "how?"
How on Earth did he get involve with something so… bizarre, something so… supernatural, something so out of place. It simply just didn't make sense.
However, to his unfortunate fate, that part wasn't truly all that was bothering him.
As he sat there and clutched his hair out of frustration, the boy abruptly heard the sounds of coughing, causing him to jolt and raise his head slightly, then turning towards the direction of one of his fellow cellmates. Melanina, who he'd watched as the young naiad had curled herself further into a ball, body shaking, skin becoming gray, her haunting glow slowly fading.
Once again guilt was shot straight to his chest as he observed the weakened state of the strange being lying down not that far from him.
He looked at her in sympathy, while his previous thoughts had now been washed away by shame.
He shifted his eyes away from her as he accidentally turned towards the leprechaun who was currently biting off his shackles with his teeth in attempt for escape, though his efforts had obviously remained fruitless.
The leprechaun continued on before his pupils took notice of a certain redhead staring at him.
He then stopped from what he was doing before facing Nathanael fully, his expression showing annoyance.
This would probably be a lot more productive if you were helping me.
Nathanael snapped out of his blankness as he flinched a bit, before turning his blue orbs down towards the floor. Not daring to say a word.
Molko continued to look at him irritated before proceeding back in biting through the shackles.
What was the use anyway., said Nathanael in his thoughts as he closed his eyes.
There was no way of escaping this nightmare.
He slummed himself against the wall behind him all while closing his eyes and letting out a deep and heavy exhale that in which he didn't know he was holding.
Nathanael opened his eyes ever so slightly in order to glance at the ceiling above him.
He then recalled of about earlier ago, when two of Granny Spooks' shadow monsters appeared out of nowhere, staring at them with their demonic blood red eerie eyes before leaving as immediately as the second they had came in.
The hairs behind his back stood up at the simple thought of what their intentions might have been, no doubt having something to do with Granny Spooks.
The thought of him ending this way scared him.
Once again the redhead let out a sigh as he once more clutched his hair out of frustration.
He grabbed his inhaler which thankfully was still in one of his jacket's pockets before placing it into his mouth then pressing the button.
If you guys are watching me right now. Please. I really need you're help on this one.
After finding herself an entrance, Juleka wandered through the insides of the warehouse, searching for any possible clues that could lead her to her fellow classmate.
As like what she imagined of what the internals of the building would look like, the mouse saw several wooden crates stacked on top of one another, some spider webs and dusts from here and there, and a looming darkness surrounding the scenery which was only countered by the few lights entering the warehouse's windows, a typical setting for any haunted area.
However the longer she stayed and searched around, the more she grew to be disappointed. For not only couldn't she find of Nathanael or Granny Spooks' whereabouts, but the more she seemed to realize that the reportedly haunted stoned structure appeared to be a little less haunted than the rumors made it picture.
She began to wonder if the shadow monster that helped her simply just sent her to a wild goose chase for its own sickening amusement. She even wondered if it was there right now, laughing at her.
While she was thinking that, her ears had instantly perked in alarm and she heard some noises coming her way.
In alert, Juleka immediately sprinted and hid herself behind a stack of near by crates. Once she did, she panted her breath out before calming down a bit and making a small peek to what had abruptly disturbed her search.
The mouse glanced and saw three of the shadow beings materializing from the ground into their ethereal form.
The three showed worry based on their expression as if they were afraid of something.
That part caused Juleka to remember that the shadow she met showed the same exact expression as well. Making her question of what it was about the crone that made them afraid of her.
The three stared into each other before silently nodding at one another. They then proceeded by turning back into silhouettes and quickly made their way under a particular crate.
Once she made certain that the coast was now clear, Juleka immediately ran towards the same crate that they disappeared into.
She touched the wooden crate with her left forepaw, and she quickly deduced that there might be something hiding below.
However that thought left her with only one more question.
How was she supposed to push it?
Suddenly her ears instantly perked up again causing her to hide once more.
When she peered into what it was she saw another one of the shadows expressing the same nervous look that the others had displayed. But the difference about this one was that this one seemed to be carrying something.
It then lifted up the thing it was carrying at face value, revealing a white colored rabbit staring innocently at it. The shadow sighed before pushing the crate, revealing that a flight of stares was hiding underneath as it went down in the form of a silhouette.
Juleka quickly leaped and ran, accelerating her speed the moment she saw that the crate begun to automatically close it self again.
She scurried with all her four paws until she finally made it, dropping to about three steps of the stairs until the crate above closed itself shut.
Although quite dark the small mouse still managed to have gone down the steps carefully.
When she finally made it down Juleka saw a huge wooden door in front of her.
She tried to think of a way for her to get passed that until her eyes suddenly noticed the small amount of light coming from underneath it.
An idea begun to form, but it wasn't to her liking.
With an annoyed sigh the girl begrudgingly scurried back for a little bit. She made a position for her to get ready, and with one last huff, the mouse ran before managing to get her head through to the other side of the door.
She squeezed herself from under it till the force of her efforts caused her to roll all the way to the wall ahead of her.
Juleka rubbed her head at the sudden jolt of pain as she struggled to regain herself.
Once she shook her head the girl returned back into focus before scurrying through the mysterious halls, coming back to her mission.
Searching for the whereabouts of the redheaded boy.
While wandering, Juleka managed to have observed the details of the halls.
It was long, but its appearance wasn't all that impressive, looking as if it would easily collapse at any moment, making her house look like a 5 star hotel by comparison. There she could also find piles and piles of wood, glass, roofs, and other such materials loitering around the halls, she had even spotted the "Candy Cabin" sign from earlier, sitting on the floor.
There was also some furniture, tables, ornaments which stood on their position as she passed by.
The walls of the halls were also painted in red, many numbers of closed doors with some only slightly open, and the ceiling had some light bulbs lit on as she went on further.
Suddenly Juleka's ears perked up once more when she heard the shoutings of a familiar sounding voice.
She followed the direction to where the voice seemed to have been coming from as it lead her into coming closer to one of the only few doors which were left open.
There she hid behind a wall near the doorway before releasing a breath and peeked inside.
In there she saw Granny Spooks, along with many of her shadow minions bobbing their heads down in shame and nervousness as the old hag threw various near by items from the dining room while ranting and scolding at them with utter rage.
HOW DARE YOU ALL COME HERE EMPTY HANDED!, she cried out furiously., YOU LOT BETTER BE PUNISHED FOR YOU'RE SLACKING!
Just then one of her shadow person's bravely moved forward while holding the little white rabbit in hand.
Granny Spooks gave out a puzzling look then asked,
What is this?
The shadow person, though remaining nervous, spoke in its alien sounding language then gesturing to the rabbit it was holding.
Granny Spooks' curious face later changed into that of irritation.
You. Really. Think. That THAT would be enough to satisfy my hunger?
She sniffed the small furry lagomorph before making a disgusted expression.
BLAH! It's not even settling. Heck it's not even NEAR to what I want!
She looked at the shadow with intimidating eyes, causing it to flinch.
Why in the world would you bring such a pest into MY domain?
She swiped her arms out causing the innocent critter to get flung from the shadow person's arms and into the other side of the wall where Juleka was hiding.
It dropped itself down after colliding with the said wall, but fortunately it showed no signs of damage as it immediately went back into all four of its legs, shaking its head to elevate from the sudden pain, then hopping outside the room as if nothing had ever happened.
The hag then returned her scowling face back towards the shadow person's, showing absolute annoyance for bringing such a useless thing into her lair.
Somebody outt'a teach you a lesson for being such an idiot., she spoke in a low yet irritated tone., Fortunately I know just how to take care of little foolish dearies such as yourself!
The hag grabbed hold of the red pendant hanging around her neck, making the shadow person flinch. It then begun begging and pleading towards the hag for mercy, however unfortunately the pendant had already started to glow.
All of the other shadow people flinched as well, some even looking terrified for their fellow friend and comrade as they were about to get forced into watching one of them get sucked into the piece of jewelry like a noodle getting slurped by a human.
As Granny Spooks was about to get ready into punishing the shadow person, two other shadows then appeared and materialized into both her sides, with one whispering something into the old crone's ears.
The hag smirked in delight.
Is that so?, the hag asked the shadow person, this time with a much more pleased tone.
Well then, we don't want her to "expire" now, don't we?
She let out a sigh of happiness before turning back to her minions.
Listen up. You all got lucky this time. But next time I don't want anything like this to ever happen again. Do I make myself clear?
All the shadows quickly nodded in response.
Good., she said smiling., Now, dinner is up in one hour, so I want all this to be cleaned up by then. Ok?
All of the shadows nodded once again.
With that the hag then made her way into leaving her minions to do their work. She then saw a jug of half full water inside and decided to grab and carry it with her as she left.
Unbeknownst to her, a tiny little rodent was following her pace.
Juleka crawled quietly and gently in order to avoid the hag's detection but suddenly the hag stopped and started sniffing out the air.
The crone turned behind her, and Juleka immediately ran and hid behind the leg of a near by table.
The hag continued to sniff the air curiously after she felt as if she caught a familiar smelling scent. However she can't seem to recollect of what it was.
Juleka's breathing patterns escalated as she felt the hag nearing her. She heard her footsteps get slightly louder and louder while as now her entire body had become paralyzed by the fear.
The hag had then crouched down coming closer to where she was.
She closed her eyes and her exhales started to heaved. Chills went down her spine as she knew of what was going to happen next.
The sounds of her breathing was becoming more and more visible.
But just as Juleka was about to embrace her impending doom a white figure suddenly appeared out of nowhere, startling her and the hag.
It was the rabbit from before, now wandering aimlessly throughout the halls.
They both watched it hopping around until it was no longer in sight.
The hag groaned in annoyance.
Meh. I'll take care of that later., she stated.
She stood up once again and grabbed the jug she temporarily placed on the floor as she went back on her trail.
Juleka sighed in relief, silently thanking any higher power before returning to following to where the hag was going to.
It was silent back inside the chamber where Nathanael and the two other prisoners were currently at.
The darkness inside the small room grew as Melanina's glow was slowly fading by the second. The two boys were forced to watch her, knowing that there was nothing that they could do.
Suddenly the quietness was broken once they heard the metal door making noises.
The door in question then opened loudly, with Nathanael and Molko having to close and squint their eyes at the sudden amount of light coming in.
Once their visions were cleared their bodies instantly flinched as they saw a certain hag, carrying what seemed to be a jug, entering.
The hag turned her head around the chamber to inspect her three prisoners, her furrowed face had then transformed into a mischievous grin as she saw of how pathetic they were all looking.
She then placed her attention on the naiad as she watched her breathing heaved.
Her face was unmoved, but she did take out the lid from the jug she brought and dropping all the water of onto her.
Melanina jumped at the abrupt feeling and quickly sitting up with a surprised face.
She observed the room surrounding her, trying to trace the past events of how she got there from memory.
Her eyes then landed on the hag in front of her, and quickly jerking and moving back as she remembered the sight of Granny Spooks.
The hag simply grinned sadistically at her reaction before turning back towards the two boys.
I suggest both of you dearies say your goodbyes to your friend over here before supper time. If you know what I mean?
All three prisoners' eyes widened and an awful and dreadful silence filled the air, fully aware of the hag's message.
Granny Spooks then begun to cackle uncontrollably as she left them, wiping out a tear in the process.
A loud metal shut was then made as Granny Spooks relocked it using her golden colored key connected through a hoop shaped keychain, her face still showing some of the remnant laughter she had inside.
Just then a shadow person appeared, ready to serve its mistress's commands.
The hag tried to recompose herself before turning to her minion, a small but still noticeable smirk remaining on her face. She tossed the keychain to the shadow person nonchalantly as she begun to walk away back, speaking her order to it as she did so.
Be a deary would you and put this in my room. You already know where to hide it.
With that the hag disappeared, along with the shadow but on a different direction.
Once she was sure that they were gone, Juleka immediately sprinted from her hiding spot and onto the steel door.
Back inside the chamber, the three prisoners had still remained stunned and quiet at the hag's sudden declaration.
All of them had looked down fearfully, especially Melanina who was still too shock to even say a word.
What are we going to do now lads?, Molko asked as he broke the silence.
All three face towards the floor below them.
Nathanael!
Nathanael jerked when he suddenly heard his name being called. He directed his peripheral vision towards the door where the voice had came from and saw a little mouse entering from underneath.
Juleka?, he questioned, shock evident in his voice.
As Juleka managed to have squeezed herself from under the door, the tiny mouse quickly scurried towards Nathanael.
Nathanael, who, still stunned and perplexed of what he was seeing right now simply stared at her with his eyes almost appearing as if they were about to bulge out.
When she finally went close to him, Nathanael responded by placing an open palm at her level. Juleka immediately understood of what her classmate was implying and hopped towards his hand. He then slowly elevated her until his face was now directly meeting hers.
Nathanael's mouth was still hanging open, forming into an "O" shape while as his blue eyes remained unnaturally wide.
Juleka however did not take notice of this behavior of his, instead she released a sigh of relief as she smiled at him.
I'm so glad you're still alive., she said thankfully, but it was quickly replaced with an unsure look as she asked., You are still alive now, right?
Umm…yes?, Nathanael answered awkwardly, tilting his head slightly at how out of place her question was.
Good., said Juleka, again with gladness and relief., Otherwise all this would have been for nothing.
Ahhh… who are you talking to?
Both the boy and mouse glanced towards the speaker of that question and saw the puzzled looks of both Melanina and Molko. Both shifted their eyes a bit and saw the small mouse standing on the redheaded boy's hand.
Molko raised an eyebrow as he questioned.
Where did you get the rodent?
Nathanael blinked curiously before he processed the leprechaun's question to him, he then shifted his eyes to Juleka and back towards the two of them as he cleared his throat.
Oh. Ah… Guys. This here is Juleka., He then turned towards Juleka and was surprised at how she was looking. There standing on his palm was the girl in a shock state, frozen at the sight of the two entities that were with them at the chamber.
Nathanael understood of what she might be feeling right now as he tried to find the right words to explain.
Juleka., he said., this here are Melanina and Molko. They kind of been keeping me company.
He returned his eyes back towards the leprechaun and the naiad, and was surprised again to find them displaying the same baffled expression.
While still stunned the water nymph managed to have opened her mouth and asked,
So, is she like… your pet?
Nathanael's shoulders jumped in reaction to her question, while Juleka was snapped out from her frozen state when she heard that.
What? No. No., Nathanael explained., She's… actually a classmate of mine.
Melanina made a questioning look at what Nathanael said while Molko raised an eyebrow.
How can a mouse be your classmate?, the leprechaun asked.
Nathanael and Juleka looked onto each other's eyes with the later nodding her head after briefly hesitating. Both made a silent agreement as the redheaded boy turned back once again before continuing.
He then told them about his tale, from the Eris incident, to him having strange happenings following around him, to Juleka waking up this morning as a mouse, to him running away from school, to how they had unexpectedly managed to have bumped into each other in a rather unorthodox way, down to finally having separated due to Granny Spooks and her shadow minions.
The boy's fellow prisoners had looked stunned after Nathanael had finished his story.
A brief silence filled the air before Melanina decided to break it by clearing her throat.
Well… I guess that was something?
Yeah., Molko agreed, his face still clearly in shock., I've heard of bad luck following people around for an entire day but this is just taking it to a whole new level.
Melanina nodded.
This clearly is weirder than that berserker's story.
Her eyes then sparkled as a smile crept around her face.
Hey, you guys don't mind if I could write down your story on "How I Discovered I Was Magic" won't ya'?
Juleka tilted her head at the strange set of words that the pale girl used.
Magic?, she whispered out, barely audible but enough for Nathanael to hear.
He looked sympathetically towards her, aware of exactly how it felt hours ago when it was suggested that he himself may be magic.
With a sigh Nathanael thought that perhaps it was best if he did told her, and so he begun explaining to the mouse, to the best of his ability, carefully selecting each word that came out of his mouth.
Juleka listened and heard, resulting in her entire form to return in a state of shock and frozenness.
At first she thought he was joking, but given the circumstances it was likely that he was not.
She gulped.
So, are you saying, that we're-
I'm not entirely sure yet., the boy answered, his voice calm but obviously under extreme stress., But, it's the only logical explanation that we got right about now. So until then, I guess we should just take it as one of our best options.
The girl nodded in understanding. But it was clear that she didn't take the explanation any better than he did.
In her mind she had always been fascinated with topics like witchcraft and ghosts, but never did she considered for something such as magic to actually being real.
Sure she may have dabbled in reading books and articles about spotting near by hauntings from time to time, but those were mostly just for fun, nothing else and nothing more.
To discover that magic exist was (for a lack of the better term) mind blowing, and dare she say it, amazing as well. However at the same time, a little bit disturbing too.
Disturbing, in that it also opened the possibility that she her self may be paranormal.
Normal., she thought. That was anything BUT her.
And now with the lingering idea that she herself may somehow be involved in whatever the stuff magic was, caused a feeling of dread from within her.
Freak! Freak! Keep away from us! Freak!, those words echoed in her mind as she recalled them while her face made a nasty and hurt expression.
She then raised her head to look onto Nathanael then onto the others. Her visions immediately wandered around until her attention was caught by the metal chains. She followed them until she noticed that the chains were there to restrain her classmate and his fellow prisoners from escaping.
Quickly, the girl widened her copper eyes as she realized and remembered of why she was doing there in the first place.
This is no time for these., she told herself mentally while she shook her head and focus her eyes towards the boy.
We need to get you out of here., she stated out of nowhere, causing the young artist to look at her in surprise before returning his expression again to that of hopelessness.
But how?, he asked with a depressing tone.
Juleka's eyes once again widened as her ears lowered before she placed her left fore paw under her lips, seemingly in deep thought.
The two other chained up individuals simply just stared at them once again, appearing to be quite curious at what the other two had been conversing about.
No longer taking of not knowing, the leprechaun decided to speak.
Well. It kind of appears that you are quite capable of talking to your classmate over there. M-mind please telling us of what it's about? You know if that's ok with you that is?
Nathanael's dreadful look changed to that of confusion as he raised his brow and ask,
Wait. So you guys can't understand her?
The leprechaun shook his head while the nymph placed her right arm onto her left chest as she proudly explained.
Well, actually, I am quite capable of speaking to fishes and other variety of animals, but sadly, mice aren't exactly one of them.
Her tone dropped on the last parts, admitting that she too can't hear of what Juleka was saying.
Nathanael meanwhile nodded mentally in understanding. Realizing that, just like in the comics and movies, even magical creatures had their own certain limitations, probably depending on the particular species that in which they belonged with.
But that thought managed to have raised one question though.
Which magical race did he fell under.
It was a rather disturbing question on his part, as he was still very much reluctant to believe or accept that he was one. However assuming that there was a slight probability that he was what they say he was, which kind was he?
He recalled of the many magical creatures that in which he had heard from various different sources.
Fairies, elves, sprites, unicorns, but non of them actually fitted the bill.
He was a bit too physical to become a fairy, and he was also certainly sure that he wasn't a unicorn.
Which one did he belong in?
It was then that a thought had came unto the boy, a thought that he had been thinking about but only now realizing.
The thought carried with it feelings of uncertainty, unsurety, a feeling that made him felt somehow shaken about.
For the first time in his life he now questioned, What was he?
What was he?, Who was he?, it was a theme explored in many of the comics he'd read but only now did he truly understood of how deep and dreadful that question can actually be.
Did he really know who he was in the first place?, Was everything that ever happened to him a lie until now?
It was similar to earlier when he discovered of magic's existence along with the possibility that he might be a magical creature himself, except this time it was more personal, more clear yet more confusing, like a religious person being so sure that his proof of God was within the very fact that the Earth that he was inhabiting in was the sole planet that could ever sustain life, only to discover that there were many other exoplanets that could do that just as well, leaving him to question the true nature of reality as opposed to his beliefs, but also to question on who exactly he was in the grand scheme of things.
It was an overwhelming feeling, and to begin to describe it as "overwhelming" was an understatement.
Who was he?
What was he?
Was he always like this?
Did anyone even knew?
Did his mothers even knew?
Did his-
He suddenly stopped, his dilating pupils widening in surprise, his hands that had been subconsciously clutching his hair had lowered as they let go.
A flash from a small memory from the past had appeared in his mind.
A small child sitting alone in a bed within pitch black darkness looked down, appearing to be disappointed as his eyes were covered by his red bangs. He then clenched his teeth and his body slightly tensed upon hearing the door creaking open with a silhouette of a person entering.
The scene would suddenly change as the child now stood up barefoot. He watched as the silhouette left with the door slowly closing. Once it shut, the child raised his head, revealing one of his blue eyes in the process, staring at the very door where he had last saw the figure.
His own eyes snapped open after that as he suddenly jerked and looked at both of his hands. His hands, which had now became a sort of scapegoat for him since the anomalies started, reminded him about the fact that now he was different from everyone else he knew, that he was practically alien to them. He glanced at them in a sort of dread.
Both his hands were shaking as he recalled of the distant flashback.
Did his-
His face, once filled with the expression of hopelessness, suddenly changed to one of determination.
He had to know, he just had to know, if this anomalies, if all this "magic" that were happening to him, could actually have stemmed from them.
Juleka, who was standing on the floor became perplexed when he saw Nathanael's sudden change in mood.
The young artist then faced the naiad and the leprechaun, like the mouse, they too became surprised at the redheaded boy's expression.
Tell me, the redhead said, his voice wavering with slight unsurety., this… chains, is their like… some kind of a way to like… overpower the spell?
The two beings blinked for about two times before the naiad asked,
How did you about know that?
Nathanael raised a brow in pure confusion before replying,
What do you mean? Aren't this things supposed to be magic?, he pointed at the shackles that were locked on his left wrist., I mean I'm pretty sure their magic, otherwise you guys would have gotten away from the very beginning you got in this place?
Again the two beings stared at the redhead dumbfounded, appearing as if he had just spoken the first logical thing since they met him.
The leprechaun lightly snickered as he said,
Good observations lad, and here I thought that all you were good for was slumming around and sitting silently.
The three shifted their attentions to him.
I kid!, said Molko., I kid! Just really surprise, that's all.
I have to concur, Melanina interrupted., that does sound like a pretty good idea, but-
Her amusement transformed into a frown.
I… I don't really think that would work.
Why?
The creature in the green coat lifted his right arm and pointed at some drawings printed on the chains.
See this lads.
The mouse and the boy nodded, indicating for the leprechaun to continue.
These here are Dwarfic writings. Which likely means that they were likely made by dwarfs.
The room went fully silent when he explained that.
And?, the boy asked anticipatingly.
And… what?, the leprechaun questioned., That's all there is to it.
Oh you got to be kidding me?!, Nathanael cried., That's all there is to it?! How can THAT be all there is to it?!
Because dwarfs are famously known for their crafts., explained Melanina with dread., Once they make something with enchantment, you can guarantee that it would function the way it should with little to no weaknesses. To find a way to break their enchantments would be like searching for a needle in a hay stack. That's just the way they operate you know.
Nathanael tensed at her explanation.
So… there really is no way then?, he asked.
Both did not speak, but their silence answered everything.
All looked down in defeat with Nathanael clenching his teeth while doing so.
I'm afraid that there really is no key for our victory here., Molko muttered.
Juleka however raised her ears as an idea popped into her head.
Key., she whispered to herself repeatedly., Key. Key. That's it!
What's it?, asked the redhead looking at her in surprise.
The keys. We need the keys.
It took a moment for Nathanael to understand on what she was saying until his eyes lit up as well. He made a smile and nodded, before turning to his fellow prisoners as he explained to them about Juleka's idea.
Their faces beamed before Melanina placed her finger on her chin.
But how exactly are we going to do that?
Both boys widened their eyes in realization while as Juleka put on a confident face and sighed as she looked towards the door.
I'll go get it., she stated simply, making Nathanael looked at her in horror.
What? No, you can't do that., he protested., What if she finds you? And even if she doesn't, you wouldn't even know where to start-
It's in her room., Juleka said., I've over heard her order one of her shadow lackeys to take the keys there.
Nathanael was about to continue before Juleka countered back.
Face it Nathanael., she started., As far as we know, this is our only chance for escape. You can tell me to just forget about you and leave like in the movies, but I refuse to leave with a dirty conscience. How can you expect me to live the rest of my life knowing that I was partially responsible for your disappearance? I just can't do that. I couldn't do that., she then sighed before proceeding., Look. The way I see it you want as much as I do for this torturous day to end. But in order to do that we first need to get out of here., she then sighed again., Don't worry, if I could manage to sneak into here undetected then I could also manage to find Granny Spooks' room, get the keys,, and return back undetected as well. Just, try to stay alive a little while longer till then okay?
Nathanael was speechless. For one part, it was actually the first time he had heard her say something that long (granted that he did rarely talked to her), in the other, although he wouldn't want to admit it, but Juleka had a point. She was the only one who wasn't chained and was also small enough to sneak around. He then closed his eyes and nodded reluctantly while saying the word, Okay.
Juleka smiled in appreciation and nodded her head back, she then ran straight towards the door, squeezing herself under before finally leaving the chamber.
As she wandered through the halls again Juleka put on another confident face, determined to find the keys.
How many closets does this old lady need?, she complained with her breath, taking a brief break after exiting the last door she had checked before scurrying on all fours again.
Her body was now exhausted (which obviously didn't help), but what was worst was that Granny Spooks' shadow monsters kept on appearing out of nowhere, making the little mouse's task harder than it already should as she constantly always had to halt, find a near by place to hide on, while also keeping herself in full alert.
She was thankful at first for her altered size as it helped in preventing her from being spotted, but then again it was because of her odd transformation that she was in this predicament in the first place.
She huffed in frustration.
As she continued on her way, the girl suddenly heard chatting sounds coming near her direction. She then ran onto a pile of wood supplies for cover as the noises came louder. Juleka raised her head from her hiding spot a little bit to take a peek and sighed in relief after seeing that it was simply just the shadow monsters again passing by the halls while speaking in their alien sounding language.
After she made sure that there was not going to be another disturbance on her mission, Juleka jumped from the piles of wood and ran straight to the nearest door ahead.
She squeezed herself under it and made it to the other side. She then, once again, sighed out of frustration after seeing that it was simply just another closet.
After a second or two the girl went back and squeezed her way out of the door again. As she did her ears instantly perked up once more after hearing another group of shadows approaching for another time.
She then once more hid herself from a table that was standing close by. As the shadows passed, the girl tried to calm herself before returning back to her search.
She went from room to room until her patience begun to waver. After a while she started to wander aimlessly around the halls, no longer finding any doors. As the mouse was about to prepare her self to give in, Juleka suddenly took notice that she had finally reached to the end parts of the hall.
She stood on her hind legs, gazing at the bricked wall in front of her, she then saw that there were two more paths at the left and right. One side lead directly to a dead end while the other lead to a large wooden double door with two steps of wooden stairs proceeded up to it.
Of course., she murmured.
She then ran towards it, climbing up the two steps then squeezing herself under the door.
After she entered she then gazed upon the large room she was now in. she glanced around with her eyes widened before she shook her head, still remembering the task at hand.
She crawled, trying to find of where the key could possibly be hiding. Juleka begun to search, but made a stop once she saw a skull sitting on the floor. The girl looked at it with particular interest.
Awesome. Wait, is this thing supposed to be real?
She stopped her paw before she could even touch it, stepping back a bit before turning around. There she managed to have spotted a wooden box sitting on top of the hag's drawers.
She smirked afterwards.
Juleka scampered, climbing up Granny Spooks' bed's leg, then scampering through the mattress, then to the pillow. She readied herself before making a large leap.
She jumped from the bed and onto the top of the drawers, all four of her feet managed to have landed. She stood up and regained herself before turning to the box.
She stood upon on her hind legs as she used both her fore paws in order to open the said box. Her eight small fingers came to the part where the cover and the box's body met.
She then attempted and tried, lifting the cover with her back and back legs. Unfortunately however, no matter how much effort, the box would simply just refuse.
Juleka exerted her force, refusing to give in to the locked box, but as she continued on trying Juleka managed to have tripped onto herself as she fell from the table and onto the floor.
She landed and rolled, luckily sustaining little to no injuries. She rubbed the top of her head in order to elevate herself from the agony.
She groaned before she looked back up on the top of the drawers, furrowing her eyes in annoyance. As she did so, her copper colored pupils suddenly took notice the under part of Granny Spooks's bed. In her view it appeared like a large dark cave, one that would have thousands of bats, ghosts, monsters, and hidden treasures residing inside.
Hidden treasure.
She smiled on that thought as she remembered all the times when she and Luka would play pirates together back when they were children.
Making up maps with crayons and papers, hiding random items within various places, going on adventures from in and out of Liberty, speaking nonsensical words that they personally got from their mother, those were some of the great things she remembered growing up. Where her and her big brother would make up their own little world, where he would be her light.
And it wasn't just Luka, her entire family were her light, in a world that couldn't understand her, it was certainly a warm feeling to know that she always had a home to return to, always.
For the first time since today, she started to miss the comfort of her bed, the security of her cabin, her mother's burned eggs, her brother's tendency to steal desserts. She missed all of them, and with the chaos she's been having it somehow felt it had been years since she last felt their presence.
She wondered if she could even go back to that life once all of this was over.
She chuckled at how ironic it was for her to even desire for her former life to return.
Suddenly from the darkness that was under Granny Spook's bed, Juleka noticed something reflective was hiding beneath.
She went onto it and slowly she saw a lone silver colored key.
It didn't look the same as the one she saw earlier, but she did wondered.
Thinking that there was no harm in trying, Juleka decided to take it with her and carry it all the way to the box.
When she got to the bed's leg Juleka decided to tie the key's handle (the one shaped like a ring) with her tail.
Climbing proved to be more difficult however, with the extra loan she was now carrying. She even almost fallen a couple of times as she now depended entirely on her claws.
As she climbed some small mice scratches were made on the leg's wooden structure while she continued heading up.
Eventually her grip failed and she once again fallen to the floor.
She groaned as she attempted once more to climb all over again.
It had taken her a few attempts but with effort the mouse had finally made it up.
She panted and huffed with a slight crept forming on her lips in victory.
Scurrying proved to be easier than climbing, but when she got to the pillow, all that was left was one thing, jump.
Juleka took in the deepest inhale she could muster, closing her vision in concentration, and tightening her grip in the key with her tail.
With one last sigh, the girl took her chance, she ran as fast as she can possibly could until she leaped.
Her forepaws managed to have grabbed hold of the edge of the table, and she eventually had managed to climb up.
Like when she succeeded in climbing the hag's bed's leg, Juleka smiled at finally reaching the table with the key, although this time her smile was a little more wider as she continued on panting.
Wasting no time the mouse now carried the key on her shoulder, appearing like one of those cartoon mice that Rose enjoyed who were ready to save the princess from her locked up room.
She placed the key on the box's keyhole in a manner almost like a knight stabbing a dragon's hearth with a sphere due to fatigue.
With the sound of a click, the teenage girl had quickly placed her fingers to open it, hoping for the best.
She did, and the box had finally opened.
She came and saw of what was inside.
Various jewelry, gems, and gold coins were in there, but what had caught her attention most were the familiar golden keys connected through a hoop.
Smiling and letting out a small victory breath, the girl grabbed the keys and tied the hoop with her tail.
She then hopped down, managing to land perfectly in all fours, but the keys made sounds that caused her to gasp and look nervously to the door.
She smiled when nothing happened.
Now wasting no further chances the mouse ran, exiting the room with the keys tied to her tail, her ears perked up detecting sounds like satellite dishes just in case, as she proceeded returning back to where her fellow classmate was.
When she finally reached her destination, Juleka pushed the keys under the metallic door before entering inside herself. When she got inside her smile had immediately transformed to shock.
Within, she saw that the chamber had appeared a little more darker than when she last saw it with the two prisoners (Nathanael and the little one) looking at her in surprise as well.
She looked around and noticed that one was missing.
Wait. Weren't their three of you?