HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!!

Disclaimer: Well. I have four other chapters of disclaimers. If that's not enough to make the copyrighters happy I don't know what is. Thus, this is the last time you will see the word "disclaimer" in my story. ^_^

Tetheus: *comes in doors dragging Rath and Rave behind him* I found these two out scouring the country for demons.
Rave: LIES!! All Lies! *whispers to Tetheus* Tattle tell!
Alfeegi: And here you are weeks after christmas! We should be ashamed of you! Really! Do you know how worried we've been.
Rave: Hmph. Worried. Looks more like angry. And anyways I'm sorry. Computer problems. Family issues, not to mention crisis' between friends.
Alfeegi: Well, I'll forgive you this time . . . (Rave: ^_^) . . . As long as you didn't spend anything.
Rave: -_- Oy!

Really really am sorry guys and gals. Been a little preoccupied. Writer's block for one. That's always a good excuse and unfortunately a true one. I HATE WB. Grr. Anyway. Here's the next chapter. Not very much in my opinion. Hope no one is too mad at me.

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The Crystal Prison

Book One

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chapter five

The "hideout cave" was nestled in the base of a towering cliff. According to Sa'an the thieve's headquaters streached the full width across, allowing for enough thickness in the rock walls to keep the cliff from collapsing on them, and at least four levels high with staircases sculpted into the hard granite. There were two pairs of guards at the entrance, "but you won't see them." Sa'an informed. Then within there would be sentinels posted at the most important doorways. The Stairwells, the rooms of the leaders, the safe-hold for their treasure, among others.

"So basically this place is Fort Knox?" Thatz said, nodding his head towards the front. The four of them were crouched behind some high bushes not too far away. (A/N: In case you don't know what Fort Knox is it is a place in Kentucky that holds a shit-load of Gold and has very high security. I have no clue why I'm using it in a DK fic.)

"Basically." Sa'an said. "We have to be careful. I have a plan, but I'm not sure whether it will fully work or not. It depends upon how much information the rest of them have been given about this situation. If this is a matter for the higher-ups then we have a pretty good chance at dupping them, if not we're fucked."

"So what's your genius plan?" Rath asked wryly.

Sa'an raised his eyes to the Fire Dragon Knight momentarily. It was very apparent that this boy didn't like him. He could understand it to a point but he had agreed to help them and had so far proved himself in being truthful. What else was Rath hiding? "Well, I'm going to go strike up a conversation with the guards. They know me. I'll explain that after my run in with Avinir today I realized that I wanted to return to their ranks. Naturally they wouldn't dare turn me away less Avi find out about it."

"What about us?" Rath was suspicious. It sounded like Sa'an was trying to bail on them, just trying to get away with the appearance that he was trying to assist them. Next thing they knew Sa'an could have the whole party of thieves out there after their asses. He wasn't going to have that. "We're going, too, you know."

"You guys are coming with me. You're going to be right there. I will explain that I made some new friends that I think could be of potential use to them and want you to meet Avinir. If it works out well we'll we inside in a snap. Getting in is the easy part. Getting past Avinir, now that's going to be a problem."

*~*

"What do want with me? Why did you bring me back?" Sadea demanded. Q didn't answer her but circled, almost like a predator, his thin lips curling in a devilish smile. Psyche landed on her shoulder. The two of them made a great team, but Sadea knew that without weapons she wouldn't have much of a chance. The main reason being the large sword strapped to Q's side. He could probably have that out and half-way through her before she could land one hit.

"There is a time and place for everything and I really don't think now and here are appropriate for those questions of yours. Let's just say that you are very valuable for my Master. That should be enough for now." He ran his fingers over the mantel over the fireplace, his slender fingers picking up layers of dust. In distate he wiped them off and turned to her. "My name is Queiin, and for the time being you will be my ... guest."

"I didn't know guests were kept locked up in their rooms. I thought you called those prisoners. Why release me from one prison to throw me into another one?"

"Because you're worth more alive and in this dimension. Now," He waved his hand in dismissal. "I tire of your foolish inquiries." He walked to the door, long robes trailing behind him. "I will send something for you to eat soon. Get comfortable. You're not leaving." With that he slammed the door shut and locked it. His footsteps vanished down the hallway and Sadea was left with a new sense of despair. She had returned to her own world, so close to going back to her friends, and here she was, trapped, and they had no clue...

*~*

The first part of Sa'an plan went without a hitch. After a short conversation with the guards Sa'an led them into the hideout and into a back passageway. "This leads to the only stairway going to the fourth floor. That's where Avinir will be, and surely his client, too. There we should be able to retrieve the Crystal. Hopefully we'll be able to snatch it without them knowing, but if now then we're fighting our way outta here."

"I have no problem with that." Rath said.

"If that's what we have to do." Rune replied, giving Rath a look out of the corner of his eye. He hoped his fellow knight wouldn't do anything rash. "Remember, be careful. We really don't know how many Yokai are here."

"It won't really matter." Rath muttered, "because after I'm through there won't be any." Sa'an and Thatz gazed at him in surprise, Rune was more shocked. After a moment they continued but Rune held back and grabbed hold of Rath's wrist, pulling him back with him.

"What's your problem, Rath?" He implored. "There's been something eating at you since we got here. What's with the attitude?" Rath turned away, refusing to answer. Rune reached up and turned his face. "Rath? This is important that you tell me. I don't want to get into the middle of something and have you in one of your moods. We know how that goes." He placed his hands on the dark-haired boy's shoulder's. "I need you at full capacity, that means letting go of whatever it is that is bothering you." Rath raised his eyes to meet Rune's, they seemed so wide and child-like, so vulnerable. "Rath? Please."

"Rune," Rath whispered, leaning his forehead against the elf's, his hands resting against each side of his face. "You don't need to worry about what will happen if we get into a fight. I promise." He tilted his head slightly and brushed his lips across Rune's. "Don't worry." He spun and hurried to catch up to the others. Rune was left, head spinning.

*~*

Sadea waited. There was really nothing else she could do. She had searched for a way out and found nothing. The walls, solid stone, no windows that she could see. The only exit was that locked door. She didn't know if there was a guard, or if that guard would be armed. "I'm royally screwed." She mumbled, leaning her head into her hands and tangling her fingers in her hair. She was sitting on the edge of the bed, Psyche close by.

:: Maybe not. :: Psyche held up a sign.

Sadea frowned. "What, you got a plan that can get us out of only God knows where?"

:: Yes. ::

Sadea raised an eyebrow. "I'm interested. Tell me more."

A bit later there was a tap on the door. "Miss, I've come to drop off your dinner." The door edged open. "Miss?" One of Avinir's lackeys named Tala entered. He glanced around the room to find the occupant and gasped as he saw a sprawled out figure on the cold floor. "Miss!" He ran to her and knelt down. Immediately he heard the beating of wings and as he looked up he only had a second to see the vase that was heading towards his head. Then he was out cold.

Sadea jumped to her feet. "Damn, they're really gullible here. Good job, Psyche." She gave a thumbs up. "Now. Let's get the hell outta dodge before the sherriff comes back." Psyche nodded and they headed for the door. As she exited she slammed straight into someone else.

"Hey! What are you doing!?" He cried, trying to grab her. She skirted his grasp and ducked past him.

"This!" She cried, bringing her elbows down into his back. He went falling against the wall and she turned and ran. Behind her she heard he calling out. Just great. The whole place would know she escaped!

*~*

The Foursome continued walking. They had only run into someone else a few times and they had been old friends of Sa'an's who were excited to have him coming back. Sa'an tried to make talk short, giving the excuse that he still hadn't spoke to Avinir yet. They quickly moved through the corridors and up the first couple stairways without incident. Sa'an knew it was luck, it was only a matter of time before they ran into someone that knew he was lying.

Sa'an and Thatz took lead with Rath behind them and Rune trailing some ways back. "Now. It's just up this hallway. The last staircase. I think we might have some trouble once we get up there, but don't freak out at first. I'll tell you when to freak." Someone, no doubt, was going to catch them.

As they reached the last corridor a cry went up. A warning. Someone, a prisoner, had eluded them. Rath snapped his head to look in the direction and saw a familiar figure fleeing down the opposite way, her long two-toned hair streaming behind her. He blinked. No, it couldn't be so. "Sadea..." he whispered, barely audible as she vanished around a corner, the man who had called out chasing after.

Rune was quickly by his side. "Rath, what is it?"

"I'm not sure." Rath said, "you guys go ahead just in case if I'm wrong. I'm going this way." He turned to leave, but Rune grabbed his arm, a look of confusion and worry plastered over his nearly angelic face. "Don't be concerned. I'll be back." He pulled free and ran off. The two other knights cried after him but soon he was gone, too.

"Let's go." Sa'an said. "We need to hurry. If one of you are going after him then do so, but make up your minds."

Rune gazed down the hallway, "Thatz, go ahead. I can't let Rath go off alone." And I want to talk to him by myself. "There's something he's not telling us." There's something he's not telling me - - or has he already said it and have I not been paying attention? "Okay?"

"Okay. Be careful, Rune." Thatz said. He and Sa'an disappeared up the stairs and Rune was off. He had to find Rath, and who ever he was after.

*~*

Queiin slammed the door open. "Avinir! What is going on!?" He shouted amidst Avinir's chaotic barking of orders. He didn't like this sort of confusion, especially when he didn't know what was happening.

"Sadea Ruvoi has escaped, sir." Avinir turned to him. "She tricked the guards and ran off. She will not get out of here, though. I can assure you of that."

"She had better not." Queiin snapped, quite displeased.

"Oh," Avinir grinned, "another thing. The Dragon Knights. I won't have to search them out. They've walked right into our hands. My dear old friend Sa'an brought them. One of my men spotted them early. Sa'an had gotten in using the excuse he was coming back to us."

Queiin's eyes lit up slightly. "Interesting. I suppose you want to take care of Sa'an yourself?"

"Of course. The other three, however, are all yours."

They both smiled.

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Rave: Well, hope that didn't suck too terribly.
Alfeegi: Awful. *still slightly tiffed about her lateness*
Tetheus: I thought it was okay.
Rave: *starry eyed* Really! *huggles* Will you marry me, Teth!?
Tetheus: Sure, just promise one thing.... that you won't talk much.
Rave: -_-

Cyas laters. I'll try not to make it too much laters. But ... Life is an unmapped road.

:: January 07, 2004 ::