Hector put Kel down in front of the group. He was red and sweating. He had ropes tied tightly around his wrists and ankles, though the other end of the ropes looked like something cut through it. There was a cloth gag in his mouth as well. He wore cold weather gear.

"Oh no!" Basil yelled.

"We need to get him some water and shade, NOW!"

Kim looked around and spotted something.

"Hey! I think I see a tavern over there!" She said. Indeed, there was a tavern. Ritiro grabbed Kel and the group ran to the tavern. They slammed the doors open, and before the bartender could yell at them, Ritiro shot him a death glare. One of the staff noticed Kel, and they were given a room, cold towels, and water. All they could do was wait.

While waiting for Kel to wake up, each person took turns keeping him cool. They'd put another cold cloth on his head every few minutes.

Eventually, Kel woke up.

"No…Hero…spider…school…photo…weird…hyp…no…sis…" he said while waking up. It didn't really make sense, but photo and hypnosis? That could be trouble.

"Hey, don't push yourself." Ritiro said. She then gave him a glass of water, which he drank on less than a second.

"Ritiro? Basil? What are you doing here?" He asked.

"We came to find the photos, what were you doing out there?!" Ritiro asked. Kel suddenly looked shocked.

"HERO! He's in trouble!"

"What?"

"Yeah, see, after leaving Hitherplace, we arrived home. Only, Someone was there. A Spider-like woman named Arachne. She runs an all-boys boarding school, but all her students come out more like drones. Anyway, she came to get Hero to join. He was frozen with fear. I told her to leave, but mom and dad told Hero he was going to be leaving with her tomorrow! So, I was suspicious and spied on her. That night, she was on the phone with someone. All I heard was 'so all I need to do is hold onto this blacked out picture and I can have these brainwashing powers? Well, the traditional way is more fun, but they are useful for acquiring a fine specimen like Prince Hero.' So I was creeper out, but decided to steal back the photo when she slept. And I almost had it! Then, some of her students grabbed me, she woke up, and she told them to kill me! They gagged me and tied me up and dressed me in these cold weather things and snuck me outta the castle! Then they took me out to the desert, tied me to a rock, and left. I tried to escape, but it was so hot and the ropes were so tight and I couldn't call for help. I must've passed out 'cause next thing I know, I'm here! Now that I think about it, if-if you didn't bring me here then... I'd probably be...dead..."

Kel somehow managed to say all of this in only a few breaths. Everyone was stunned silent for at least a minute. Then...

"What's Hitherplace?" Kim asked.

"THAT'S your only question?!" Ritiro said.

"See, since we call Sabbia Regno Overland, they call us Hitherplace, but the country is actually called the Grasslands " Basil explained.

"OK, we need to get to the castle, and quick. This Spider lady, who knows what she'll do to the Prince!" Vance said.

"Plis she has one of the photos, " Ritiro added. Kel attempted to get up, but collapsed.

"Hey, maybe we should stay the night?" Basil suggested.

"No! What about my brother?!" Kel demanded, "I don't know what she'll do with him..." Kel looked like he was about to cry.

"Kel, you can barely sit up, much less make the trek to the capital." Ritiro said. Kel wanted to argue, but couldn't.

"I'll see to getting us some rooms. I think I have enough Clems " Ritiro said, as she left the room and went down the stairs.

The bartender noticed her.

"Hey monochrome girl! I couldn't help but notice you and your friends don't have charms, or strong weapons, or even healing items! I happen to have some for sale~"

Ritiro looked at the selection.

Some Cactus Juice and Pieta Bread, a steel bat, a thorn crown adorned with flowers though all thorns were on the outside to prevent the wearer from getting hurt, boxing gloves, a bowling ball, a teddy bear that made you happy, a locket that made you sad, and a music disk that made you angry.

"I'll take one of everything " Ritiro said. She had no Clems after buying all that and rooms. She went and told everyone their room numbers. She was sharing with Basil.

"Hey Kim, I got you and Vance these gloves!" she said and handed them one boxing glove each.

"Um, thanks?" Kim said.

"Oh and I got Vance a locket."

"Why?" he asked but Ritiro ignored him. She went to Kel's room, where he was asleep, and placed the Bowling Ball next to his bed and put the Teddy Bear in his bed with him. She then left and closed the door.

She took out the Steel Bat and Music Disk.

"And these are for me!"

"Nice stuff!" Kim said as she and Vance admired the objects. Ritiro smirked.

"Anyway, I'm headed to bed, Basil's already in our room." Ritiro said.

"Alright, Goodnight!" Kim yelled as she and Vance went to their room.

Ritiro entered the room. It had two beds with pink blankets, a small window in a corner, a desk, a fridge and the walls looked wooden. Basil sat on one of the beds. Ritiro flopped on the other.

"Hey Basil, got you this thorn crown." She said and gave it to Basil.

"Thank you"

Both got into their beds. It seemed they all had a long journey ahead of them

Hey, Eway here. This part will be spread across multiple chapters, sorry that this one is so short though. I'll try to make the next chapter longer. Though I might not be able to update it tomorrow, I will Thursday! Please read and review, and let me know any questions you guys have. You all are the best