Sterling and Roanna had decided to walk to the dungeon instead of teleporting. Something about exercise and Rowen and Cye's ranting and raving. Both were annoying.
"I hope those two have calmed their friends down. I was starting to get annoyed."
"They should have been able to do something by now."
At that moment, a young man ran up to them.
"Excuse me." He said.
Roanna turned to him and her jaw promptly hit the ground at her feet. "How'd you get out?!"
"Eh?" he blinked twice.
"How'd you get out? And where are the others?"
"What are you talking about? Where was I before?"
"You're supposed to be in the dungeon!"
"I am?" Rich turned toward the other of the two. "What is she talking about?"
"You were injured while fighting and taken to the dungeon."
"No I wasn't. You are probably thinking of someone else."
Sterling turned to Roanna. "You must have hurt him worse than you thought."
"Yeah." Pause, blink. "What happened to his armor?"
"Now that you mention it...Hey, Kid, what happened to that blue armor you were wearing?"
Rich's eyes narrowed. "I'm. NOT. Strata." He ground out.
Sterling gave Rich a closer look. "Are you sure? You look exactly like him."
"I'm one hundred percent sure that I am absolutely not Strata! I'll even prove it to you!"
"And how would you do that?"
"Take me to the dungeon. All your questions will be answered then."
Roanna gave Rich a highly suspicious look. "How do we know this isn't a trick?"
"Only one way to find out."
By this time, Mia and Kayura had caught up with them. The girls waited as Rich talked a little longer with the two before talking with them, themselves.
Mia cleared her throat. "What's going on here?"
"These two think I escaped from the dungeon!"
"But you did!"
"Roanna." Sterling looked straight at Kayura. "Did he?"
"No, he's been with us the whole time."
"Thank you Lady! See? I told you I didn't escape from the dungeon!"
"You're quite welcome, Strata."
"STOP CALLING ME THAT!!"
"No. It's true, so I won't. Now then, are we going to the dungeon or not?"
"Of course." Without looking back to see if he was being followed, Sterling continued walking toward the dungeons.
Mia, Kayura, Rich and Roanna decided they'd better get a move on if they didn't want to be left behind.
--
"So when are you going to talk to your son?" Anubis asked impatiently.
"You've taken too long already!!"
"You need to relax, Nubes. You are too high strung these days."
"I am not and don't call me Nubes!"
Sage rolled his eyes. Gah, He thought. These guys really need to get separate vacations or I'm gonna go insane!
"Anubis is right, Cale. When are you going to contact Sterling? We've been waiting for almost two hours!"
"Would you guys please get off my case?! For your information I've already talked to him!"
"You have?" Sekhmet blinked. "How? You never left."
"Oi Sekh, you are lame! He's already told you, he didn't need to be face to face in order to talk with him! Pay attention why don't you?"
"Well, you don't have to get uppity with me, Sage. I have feelings too, ya know!"
"Fine, I'm sorry."
"Accepted. Now then-"
"Hey!"
"Thank you Mr. Interruption!" Sekhmet rolled his eyes. "What is it, Cale?"
"Where's Dais?"
The others looked around and, sure enough, the ex-warlord of Illusion was no where to be found.
"Great. This is just great!" Sage yelled. "Where is he and why didn't he tell anybody where he was going??"
Anubis shrugged. "Maybe he had to go to the bathroom."
"They why didn't he tell us?"
"He was embarrassed?"
"That is the stupidest thing I have ever heard, Anubis!"
"So sue me, Sekhmet!"
"Who'd want to? You don't make that much money."
"Stay out of this, Cale!" They both yelled at once.
I have to get out of here! Sage thought. "Ok guys, listen up." They continued to fight. "Guys!" No answer. "GUYS!!" Sekhmet, Cale, and Anubis each stared at Sage, who I might add, is looking pretty pissed. "Now that I have your undivided attention..." He paused. "This is what we're going to do. I am going to go look for Dais while you three," Points to them. "stay here and wait for the others." After giving the ex-warlords their orders, Sage turned on his heels and stormed off.
"Well," Anubis said, after he left. "that wasn't very nice."
