Beyond Sight.

Chapter Eighteen:

Angel sighed, she hated this and no matter what she seemed to try she couldn't find out anything about the others. She hadn't even be able to sneak past the guards to see Duke, Mallory and Candy to make sure they were okay, although she'd seen Duke get carried past on a stretcher a few days before but Blade would have told her if he'd been killed. She had a few nicks and bruises herself but she had done all this before so she knew how to survive a battle with the other gladiators all hungry to show their usefulness. Right now she was in the waiting cells listening to the cheers of her 'adoring fans'. Not that they actually liked her of course just the blood thirsty killer they saw in the arena. She bit back a cry of frustration knowing there were guards listening and they would do anything to tell Helena that she was upset and angry and she certainly wasn't going to give the old hag that pleasure. The cheers escalated indicating that either she and Blade were about to be summoned or the previous gladiators got a kill. Currently there was a match between a few of the novices and some of the weaker monsters Helena collected from the barren wilderness of her forsaken planet. It was here the novices' bottle was tested; many of them died and in her opinion they were better off, but then if they survived it showed they had a will to survive that overrode their fear of the creatures they so very often faced.

"You're on gladiator." one of the guards came to the door and opened it to allow her through. As she approached the gladiator entrance to the arena she saw two novices being taken away on stretchers with barely any life left in them. Then she saw Candy who was covered in blood, but only a few scratches, walk past her. Angel raised an eyebrow, she'd had no idea Candy would have been good enough to last the gladiator training let alone the first match and to be in one so quickly meant that she showed real potential. Angel shook her head and reminded herself that she had a job to do then went to her partner's side.

"Know what we're up against?" she asked him looking at the door.

"Caltrax demon," he said then smiled grimly, "I suppose the customers wish to see if we still have what it takes."

"Lovely." Angel said then kept quiet as the doors rose and she walked through the doors to be met with a sea of people all screaming for her and Blade. For a while this arena had been the only place she had felt worthwhile people came to see her, came to see what she could do. Then she'd been pitted against another gladiator, she'd won but it had been different from killing a simple beast that wanted nothing more than to rip her head off. That time it had been a person, the other gladiator had been the best and there had been call to pit him against Helena's 'Angel of death'. Angel had won and the crowd had adored her for it but a part of her died that day and she wished she had refused, or allowed the Baron to slay her.

"Here we go." Blade snapped her out of her thoughts and she looked up to see three monstrous beasts charging her way. She jumped to her right and avoided the claws as she ran to get a better vantage point, Blade did the same and they ended up at opposite ends of the arena. One split from the group and followed her whilst the others went after blade. She flipped out of the way landing on one of the various platforms placed up through the stands that allowed the more experienced fighters to get better blows from above. She lunged at one and sliced through it's flesh nearly severing one of it's limbs then got onto another platform to watch for another opening. Out of the corner of her eye she realized she was right next to Helena's personal box and nearly faltered when she saw who she was using as her personal guards. Wildwing and Canard stood in full guards armor. Around their necks were gold collars that were infamous throughout her guard, they were considered training aids by those loyal to Helena used only for those who were 'stubborn' and wouldn't accept their new roles. Wildwing's eyes flickered towards her and their eyes met for a brief moment before she had to dodge an attack from her Caltrax demon. She wasn't sure but she thought she'd seen concern in his eyes. She quickly dispatched the already injured demon and glanced back up at the stands, "Why would he worry about me?" She murmured to herself then went to help Blade who had already killed one of his and was trying to see an opening in the remaining monster's attack. She smiled and then she reached to her belt where a small dagger was secured in the small of her back and threw it at the base of it's neck where a small nerve bundle should have been and the monster screamed in agony before Blade used his own namesakes to finish the creature off. Only a few moments passed by before the crowd roared their approval and Angel left with Blade through the same doors they entered through.

"I saw two more of my friends," she said as they walked along the corridors to their cells, "she's got controllers on them and she's using them as her body guards."

"Keeping her enemies as close as ever I see," Blade said glaring at a guard who looked like she was about to tell them to be quiet, "with those control collars on it'll take more than just a rescue, we'd have to find the control key, she keeps that thing on her all the time."

"I know that but we have an ace in the hole," Angel said looking around making sure no one was listening too intently, "one of the ducks in the novice camps is an ex-thief. If we can spring him and the other two out of here we can get Wildwing and Canard out after."

"And once we've rescued them we can concentrate on finding the rest of your friends." Blade finished, "when should we do it?"

"Soon, you know how much the 'customers' like blonds," Angel thought for a moment, "tomorrow night there's a match with Lothar and Baltrax. If we can sneak out then and rescue Duke, Mallory and Candy the majority of the guards will be watching the match on the vid screens."

"Then it's settled, we had best sleep well tonight," Blade said as he left for his room, "goodnight Angel."

"Night Blade." They separated and headed to their own rooms in the gladiator complex where the outer perimeter security was very tight but inside the gladiators were allowed to walk around as they pleased.

Nosedive shook his head trying to clear the cobwebs out from the drugs the women gave him. The one consolation was that he didn't remember whatever the customers wanted him to do. He shivered and tried to think of something else, like how he was going to escape and find the others. The women that took care of him were very sweet but they were petrified of the guards who had a free reign to do what ever they wanted provided none of the slaves were allowed to escape. From what he'd heard he'd worked out that Tanya was in a room on the other side of the building so he would have to take her with him. He eyed the door suspiciously and walked over to it and almost shouted out in excitement when the handle moved and the door swung open easily. He peered around to make sure no one was about then slipped out, hoping no one would notice his absence soon. He walked in the direction he was sure he'd overheard one of the guards saying Tanya was in and tried a few rooms, most were occupied by other slaves sleeping off the drugs and at the end of the hall he finally came across one where the inhabitant had a beak, he moved closer and gently shook Tanya who's eyes snapped open and she backed away from him.

"It's okay Tanny it's just me girl." Nosedive soothed and she relaxed, "we gotta get out of here before everyone else wakes up!"

"But . . .but the g . . .gua . . . guards?" Tanya stuttered.

"Are all sleeping off the alcohol they drank last night," Nosedive grabbed a robe from the side and handed it to the older woman and she wrapped it around herself, "but they won't be asleep for long so we gotta hurry!" Tanya nodded and followed him out of the room and to her right where he led her through a maze of corridors and eventually they came to a door that Nosedive stopped and tried, "I thought I saw some stairs here the other day." he said to himself triumphantly and beckoned for her to follow. They got about halfway down when they heard a squeak of alarm from above them.

"No you mustn't you don't know what they do to people who try to escape!" A young girl in a maids uniform said with wide eyes.

"We have to!" Nosedive protested looking at her then back down the stairs, "We have to find our friends and get home. Please just say you didn't see anything." The girl sighed and walked down to them.

"I can do better then that," she said, "listen you'll never escape that way you have to go down to the lowest level where you will find a painting of a kind looking old man with long silver hair. In the bottom left hand corner part of the frame will push inwards and an opening will appear. The tunnels behind will lead you to a small village where you must ask for Jerez. He'll be able to help you find your friends. But be careful, and mention the tunnels to no one. If Jerez is suspicious then you must tell him Suriye sent you, he will help you then."

"Thank you." Tanya said gratefully.

"Good luck." The girl spun on her heels and carried on up the stairs to one of the higher levels to the one she'd started on whilst Nosedive and Tanya climbed down them as quickly and as quietly as they could. They found the painting where she had said it would be and did as they were instructed. Inside the tunnels was pitch black and they had to run their hands against the walls to make sure they didn't go into anything ahead of them, not that it stopped them going into anything on the floor but it was better that than a headache. After what seemed like an eternity of stumbling around they began to see a small slither of light ahead of them which grew larger as they neared it. They found a grate just large enough to fit them through which seemed to go out onto some sort of street. That was currently deserted.

"So how do you think we find this Jerez anyway?" Nosedive rubbed his neck and looked around the empty streets then spotted some laundry on a line, "at least we can disguise ourselves for a while." He said rushing over and grabbing a couple of cloaks and some clothes for them to wear and they took turns in changing in a alley way using on as a look out whilst the other changed, both pulled up their hoods and left the alleyway. Before long traders began appearing and setting up small stands on the edges of the street and putting out their goods.

"Maybe we should ask one of them?" Tanya asked shrugging.

"Hey mister?" Nosedive caught the attention of one of the traders who had a large beard, dark hair and emerald green eyes, "do you know where we can find Jerez?" The man looked at him then at Tanya.

"And what might you be wanting with the likes of him ey?" The trade said taking some money from his first customer and handing them the change.

"We're looking for some friends and someone told us he could help." Tanya said not liking the huge man in the slightest.

"Well if ye go down the street over there and find the Cutler arms then they'll probably be able to tell you something useful." The man said gesturing with his hands for them to go away, "now go before you scare me customers away!" Nosedive and Tanya left and headed down to the Cutlers arms and entered the tavern. They found a lot of different races milling around making a lot of noise and not one of them paid either of them any notice so they made their way to the bar.

"Um we're looking for a guy called Jerez?" Nosedive asked the barmaid.

"Second floor third door to the right." She replied without even looking at him. Tanya and Nosedive looked at each other and followed her directions. When they got to the door they looked at each other again and Tanya knocked on the door.

"Enter." a man said from the other side of the door, Nosedive grasped the handle and opened it to reveal a plain room with a simple table in the middle a small bed to the left and a window with a dresser underneath the sill on their right. Standing by this dresser was a tall man with long brown shaggy hair and orange fur. "And you are?"

"We were t . . . tol . . .told you could help us." Tanya said staying close to Nosedive.

"Help you with what?" He turned from the window to reveal a bearded face and magenta eyes

"Our friends are still prisoners of Helena," Nosedive said pulling down his hood, Jerez raised an eyebrow, "we have to rescue them and find a way home."

"Many have tried," the orange furred alien said with a small smile on his feline like lips, "but most have failed, only one managed to escape her and she has been found. Fortunately for her she was a favorite with the customers."

"Angel." Nosedive whispered, realization written all over his face.

"I remember her first battle," Jerez carried on, "she was better than any gladiator ever seen, Helena's only task was to turn her into the blood thirsty killer the crows craved."

"And how did she do that?" Tanya asked glancing at Nosedive who didn't look too comfortable with the subject. He and Mallory had been the closest to Angel and she wasn't sure if Nosedive could take hearing the wonderful things sick people could do, especially considering what he'd been through in the camps. She still remembered the shadow of a boy that Canard had brought back when he'd found him and his brother in the camps on Puckworld.

"Torture, rape, you name it she'd try it to get her gladiators scared or angry enough to kill for her," he glanced out the widow and scowled, "that witch will do anything for her paying customers."

"H . . how do we save them?" Nosedive asked in a wavering voice with his fists clenched.

"With difficulty," Jerez walked over to a small painting beside the bed, he took it off and revealed a small iron door, taking a small golden key from around his neck he opened it and pulled out a metal box, "in here are the plans to her main quarters, also the plans to her gladiator camp. Two of your friends are being used as her personal bodyguards through use of controllers that cause them intense pain if they refuse to do as they're told. Helena finds them most useful and has even used them to make fathers kill their own sons." He clenched his left fist and put the box down then opened it, "the rest of them are being trained as gladiators."

"And Angel?" Tanya asked.

"She is a fully fledged gladiator again," Jerez laid out the contents of the box on the dresser, "there is little possibility of saving her."

"No!" Nosedive yelled, "No," he said more quietly, "we have to save her too."

"I can help you with the ones like you but it would be suicide to try to rescue her." Jerez told them and pressed a button on the wall beside the window, "I have friends that can help we can hit all at the same time. That will minimize the risk of Helena using any of them as collateral."

"Thank you." Tanya said before Nosedive could say anything else. She pulled Nosedive to the side, "Listen I know she's your friend but if what he says is true then she's a killer, you really want someone like that ar . . around you niece and nephew?"

"She needs help! We can't just give up on her," Nosedive said trying very hard to keep his cool, "you heard what he said she was forced to kill it wasn't her fault!"

"But she has killed Nosedive," Tanya insisted, "Hel . . . Helena said when she first bro . . .brought us here that she would kill in self defense. You know we never kill!"

"But . . ."

"She belongs here," Tanya resolved and turned, "what do we have to do?"

"You do nothing you are too recognizable and I haven't the resources to obtain suitable disguises." Jerez looked up as two figures entered the room. One was a feline of about five foot nine tall, her hair was jade green and she had amber eyes and jet black hair. The other was male he looked human apart form his pointed ears and light blue hair that hung half way down his back. "We need our most skilled agents to rescue their friends some from Helena's quarters themselves the others from the gladiators. It needs to be done quickly before word can spread of their escape." he indicated to the two ducks in his room and they nodded then left, then were replaced by a young girl who had the same orange fur and brown hair as Jerez, "ah my daughter Aliya, please make our guest comfortable, give them good food and drink and find them some better clothes to wear."

"Yes father," she looked toward them, "please come with me I will show you to your rooms then get you some food and clothes." Tanya and Nosedive nodded and followed her. Aliya showed Tanya to her room first then took Nosedive further down the hall to a room at the end.

"Um Aliya where are the gladiators held?" Nosedive asked as she opened the door, her eyes looked questioningly at him then she shrugged.

"Beyond the hills you can see through your window," she said pointing, "if you headed for the center of them all then you would find the arena and beyond that the Gladiators quarters. The training areas for the ones in training are further away from there so your friends will not be there unless they are due to fight."

"But the trained ones are there though right?" Nosedive walked over to look at the mountains and saw that they weren't amazingly far away, it would probably only take half a day to get to the mountains, maybe a little longer if you counted the mountains of course. The good thing was it didn't look too hard and as much as he desperately wanted to see his brother and the others if Jerez was true to his word then they would be safe and he wouldn't have to worry about it.

"My father is right," Nosedive looked at her, "it would be suicide to try and rescue her." She gave him a funny look, "Whatever your feelings are for her I would forget them. She's lost to you now, she escaped once. Helena will not let it happen again."

"Thanks for the tip." Nosedive tried not to let his voice sound nasty but failed miserably and nearly cursed when he saw she looked hurt. Aliya left quickly and he went back to looking at the mountains, "Maybe if I could sneak in as a servant or a customer?" Nosedive sighed and waited for Aliya to come back with the food and clothes. When she did she brought so much he didn't think that he could eat it. But then he got an idea, he changed his clothes, keeping the cloak with the hood and wrapped up as much food as he could then opened a few drawers and found a pen and paper, he wrote a note to Tanya then added one for Wildwing, he then placed it where it would be easily found and opened his window. Looking out he saw it would be simple to climb down so he turned and grabbed his bundle of food and tied it so it hung over his shoulders like a back pack then he pulled his hood up and climbed out the window and scaled down the side of the building. He jumped down to the ground and looked around, "I'm coming Angel." He made a move and walked into the crowd. Nosedive looked around at the people and it dawned on him that he may need money to get into the arena at least before he could figure out how to get into the part where Angel would be. The only trouble was where to get it, he looked around at the people again and noticed the ones with bulging pockets, "At least Duke'll be proud of me."

I took him a while but he managed to both pluck up the courage to take the money and gather enough of it that he thought would get him into the arena, he just hoped he understood the money enough to offer them the right stuff.

"Stop thief!" Nosedive didn't even turn to look at the owner of the voice he just ran in the direction of the mountains occasionally dodging people trying to grab him, before long though he was out of the city limits and was making his way towards the mountains.

Ta da another chapter! Wow this story goes on and on, it's one of my longest yet! I hope to update soon, hope you liked it! Toodles Angel xxx.