A/N: We're getting closer to get this part of the arc wrapped up. Let me know what you think!

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Several more weeks passed without incident. The food Xellas was giving them, the food that showed up mysteriously in their quarters three times a day, was very good, but they had little else to keep them occupied. It could be worse, Alfred would often say, but Lecia didn't see how. One day she had asked him exactly what he meant, and he replied, At least we're not in a cold, dark, damp, rat-infested dungeon.

Alfred had a point, she had to admit it. Still, being trapped in a cold, dark dungeon with something to do would have been better, in her opinion, than being trapped in a well-appointed suite with nothing to keep them busy. She supposed that the idleness was all part of the psychological torture.

she growled, slamming a fist down on the table. Daddy's in here somewhere, I just know it, and we can't get to him. If only we could find him. I know he would have a way to get us out of here.

Only because your dad knows everything, Val grunted, scratching a cheek. This really sucks.

You say that every day.

Because it's true.

You're not the only one that's bored.

The only one that's not bored is Gorran, Alfred interrupted. And he looks unduly pleased with himself right about now.

Lecia swiveled her head to see Gorran coming over to them. He was carrying a sheaf of papers in his hand. Okay, I'm finally ready, the boy said, his amethyst eyes glinting as he grinned.

Ready for what? Lecia asked.

Ready to get out of here.

Lecia stared at him. You weren't before?

Gorran shook his head, his short, ruddy curls bobbing with the motion. Daddy has a lot of interesting books, he replied. You should have spent your time reading.

Lecia shrugged. Too late now. What do you have for us?

Gorran looked down at the papers in his hand. First, I think that Mom's looking for us.

Kerra came up beside him. What? You never told me that?

Gorran sighed, eyes fixed on the floor. That's because I wasn't sure it was true. I've been feeling her getting closer, though, so she must have figured out where we went.

Lecia cried. Mom will get us out of this!

Gorran shook his head again. No, she won't be able to find the pocket dimension. We're all on our own with this one.

Kerra seated herself on Alfred's lap, pulling on her dark ponytail. So now what do we do?

Gorran pulled out a blank piece of paper and began to sketch. I think that the door has to go somewhere.

But we can't get it open, Val said.

It's the only door we can't open, Gorran replied, And so it has to go somewhere we're not supposed to go, such as the corridor of Grandma's lair.

But we're in a pocket dimension, Lecia reminded him.

Right, and I think that the door is the portal between our regular dimension and this one.

Oh, you're so smart! Kerra giggled.

We already tried to blow up the door, kiddo, Lecia sighed. Even if our dimension IS on the other side, that door is in our way.

A crafty smile spread across her brother's face, a smile that gave her the chills. That's because that doorway, that portal, is based on regular magic, he explained. I think I can use a different kind that will get us out of here.

Lecia stood, knocking her chair over. Then let's do it! she cried.

Gorran didn't respond, instead looking at the floor. The light in his dark eyes flickered, and he didn't move a muscle. There's a problem, Kerra replied for him.

Lecia asked.

Kerra's dark blue eyes began to look watery. If he does it wrong, he'll die.

Lecia felt the blood leave her face as she heard the boys gasp. she breathed, her heart suddenly pounding within her chest. Well, that's not worth it.

But Lecia! Gorran cried out, his young face contorted in desperation. If I don't, we'll never get out of here, we'll never see Daddy, we'll-

she murmured, throwing her arms around him and holding her close. She noticed that the top of his head hit the middle of her chest. How quickly he was growing! Her heart lurched inside her chest. There really was no question of what she would choose. I won't risk you, Gorran, she whispered.

You're everything to me. Mom and Daddy will come and go, but we'll have one another forever. Do you understand?

Gorran leaned against her heavily for several moments, the papers clenched in his fists as he squeezed her back. But I have to, he replied softly. It's our only chance. Please, Lecia.

I'd rather grow old and die here than live a day without you, she said. And that's that.

I agree, Val said. It'd be stupid to risk yourself. After all, it's not like we're being treated badly. We're just bored. Besides, you never know what might happen. Maybe Uncle Xellos will somehow get us out of here. He's tricky, after all.

Gorran shook his head. Daddy would have escaped already if there were a way. It has been a long time, though.

Alfred sighed. Well, maybe your mom will be able to convince Xellas. All the Monster lords are afraid of her, after all.

That's right! Lecia cried, releasing Gorran and pointing her finger at the ceiling. Mom will just call down the Lord of Nightmares, and that will be that!

Kerra slid off of Alfred's lap and went over to the boy, taking hold of one of his hands. Do what you feel you need to, she began softly.

Whatever she was about to say next was forever lost as the whole room shook with the effects of a distant explosion. Items rattled against tabletops and books fell out of the shelves. What the hell? Val cried, leaping over the table and hovering next to Lecia, wings sprouting from his back and covering her like an umbrella.

Gorran shouted, and flung himself at the door. I don't care what happens, he growled, suddenly tracing symbols on the door. We have to help her find Daddy!

Gorran, no! Lecia cried, but Alfred had wormed underneath Val's wings and was holding her tightly around the waist.

The symbols Gorran was drawing on the door began to glow, the dark wood vibrating. The low sound echoed throughout the room, even as they were shaken by another far-off explosion. Gorran turned towards them, eyes wide, and began to sprint away from the door. The symbols began to glow and there was a deafening noise, the single scream her brother let loose the only sound Lecia was able to hear clearly. she screamed, but suddenly wooden splinters filled the air and her eyes were filled with a terrible light before everything faded to black.