Chapter Twenty-Six: Escape Route

Keiko busily jammed a piece of wire bended into the crude shape of a key into the lock. Dark ruby runes were etched into its slender sides, it glowed brightly like the flames it represented. Haku sighed when the gate swung open when he pushed on it with his weight. "I told you it would work and you wouldn't believe me." Keiko told him. Natsuko and Yoshiro were standing next to her, both had transformed into their dragon forms using the last bit of energy they had.

"I guess I should have trusted you," Haku told her smiling, "well you're the one whose been going out for nightly excursions. So how do we get out of here?" Yoshiro snorted looking at Keiko intently.

"Well…there I found a hidden tunnel a bit a ways down from here that we can use to rest for a while. I've been storing food and such in there so we can stay in the tunnel if need be. I also was able to find some charcoal and a bit of paper that I used to draw a general map of the area, the guard rotations and everything are also put on it."

"You thought of pretty much everything, I'm impressed."

"Thanks Haku," she said shyly, "but we really must get going before the guards notice that we're out of our cells." Haku nodded and stepped out of the cell, as planned he transformed into a dragon once he came out and stood by the other two dragons. Keiko closed the iron gate carefully and locked it, to make it appear that they had somehow disappeared from their cells.

Knowing that the dragons would appreciate it if she didn't sit on their backs, she walked to tunnel six cells doors away in the direction of the interrogation room. Her friends followed her as was expected of them, but they became suspicious when they found the tunnel to be close to the interrogation room. "I swear I'm not kidding," Keiko insisted upon their angry glances at her, "I found that the route leading to the exit requires us to sneak behind the interrogation room by the way of the tunnel." Haku and Natsuko seemed half convinced, but Yoshiro started to snarl at her. Luckily for her, Haku managed to block a blow from his brother aimed at her. Natsuko growled something and he stopped his attacks and frequent snarls.

Wonder what she told him. She thought to herself as they came upon the dark shadowy tunnel. Whatever it was it sure calmed him down. "Well here we are guys," she told them as they crept into the tunnel, "feel free to stay in here for as long as you like. The guards don't tend to visit this area as much as our cells so we should be safe for a while."

The dragons snorted in reply, their eyes focused hungrily on some food she had managed to salvage from the kitchen located far from there. They hungrily devoured three apples and a limp carrot she had found one day before laying down to rest. Despite her gnawing hunger, Keiko forced herself to eat only half of the seven remaining apples reminding herself they would need to last for however many days it took them to escape and arrive at a place where they could seek shelter for a while.

I wish they could fly out of here, but they're probably too weak from the torment and conditions here that it would be suicide to even attempt doing that. Oh well, I guess I'll have to sneak over to the kitchens and steal some food for us while they're resting. Keiko thought wryly to herself as she pulled out a rather dingy-looking piece of paper from underneath some rags she had found. On it were the crude shapes and lines representing passageways as well as descriptions written next to certain areas written in her neat hand. It's a wonder I'm still able to write and understand Japanese after all that I've been through, and besides there really hasn't been a need to study it at all. After making sure that her friends were sleeping soundly, she crept out of the tunnel carrying the map with her.

Without gazing upon its surface she adeptly walked along the cool and slightly damp hallways of the dungeon. Dark stones glittered whenever the light of the torches that dotted the hallways touched them. Hearing voices she stopped and hid behind a wall, it wasn't until they had passed that she dare emerge from her hiding spot and swiftly yet silently run down the hallway towards a large imposing door. Remembering a secret entrance she had found, she slipped into an empty cell next to the kitchen. Its iron bars bended in a gap large enough to squeeze through. Inside the cell she found a hole large enough to crawl through in the far left corner.

She crawled through the damp tunnel, moss and mold lined much of the stone. Water and other liquids tended to gather in small pools at its bottom, and it wasn't before long that her hands and legs became lined with a cold slimly liquid. Keiko grimaced, as she did every time she used this passageway to get to the kitchen. She always wished for a better way to sneak into the kitchen, but so far she had found none except for the tunnel.

Bones of the creatures that dared wander through the grotesque tunnels into the kitchen beyond were scattered throughout the tunnel at random places. They were mainly mice, rats, and voles though a few cats were found there as well as the rotting corpses of two dogs. The smell was unbearable and the first time she had gone this way she nearly screamed when she crushed the alabaster bones of a few mice heaped into a small pile.

Keiko still shuddered when she felt a pile of cold bones collapse underneath her weight. Just a few more feet and I'll be in the kitchen. She thought to herself as she crawled towards a candle placed near the exit of the tunnel. Carefully Keiko clambered out of the tunnel once she reached the kitchen, a large dimly lit room filled with an assortment of kitchen accessories and a variety of edibles.

Good there's no one here. She thought to herself as she plucked a few apples from the neatly arranged platter on an intricately carved wooden countertop. Keiko then wandered to another part of the kitchen and grabbed six handfuls of berries into a basket she had found lying near by the tunnel entrance. Next to the berries she placed the apples she had stolen.

Spotting potatoes and other vegetables in a burlap bag, she walked over to it and chooses a few vegetables to put into the basket. Hearing voices Keiko scurried into the tunnel. "They're so demanding!" she heard someone, a female, say. "I'm just glad that they haven't yet asked for us to cook them such meals every day."

"Well," a male replied, "it supposed to be an important dinner. He's trying to impress someone, probably found someone to spend his time with."

"It could be that He returned." Another female muttered, shuddering. "You know how they tend to act when He returns." The other two mumbled their agreement.

"Great the rats returned," the first female muttered a few minutes latter after examining a burlap bag. That's my cue to get out of here. Keiko thought to herself as she crawled through the tunnel, clutching her precious basket of food protectively. The darkness of the tunnel made it hard for her to see where she was going, and even harder for her to locate where she had placed the basket of food. Yet she managed to be able to carry the basket out of the tunnel without incident and quietly snuck through the hole in the cell door. The map placed safely beneath the pile of food she had managed to gather.

When she returned to the tunnel entrance by their former cells, she found her friends still resting. Quietly Keiko dumped the basket full of goods onto the other food she had managed to gather. Haku stirred at the noise and opened his eyes. He glanced sleepily at her and snorted quietly before falling back asleep. She could sense his questioning thoughts and answered them thus. I was out gathering food for you guys, after witnessing you devour most of the apples I managed to flinch. I decided that it wasn't a bad idea to gather more apples, and a variety of other foods. We'll need them for our escape anyway as it might take a while before we can find a safe place to seek shelter in.

Keiko, you've really thought of everything. Haku told her sleepily before falling blissfully asleep. Keiko nodded and looked at the three dragons; she too was tired and wished that she could rest. She knew that she couldn't though, if someone found the tunnel and its inhabitants all would be lost. All of her plans would be useless.

She sighed, leaning against the cool stone wall of the tunnel. Taking out the map, she aimlessly scanned its dimly lit surface. Quietly she reviewed the plan, making sure she took note of all things that could befall them while trying to escape. Every detail, no matter how miniscule, mattered while trying to escape. If someone spotted them, no matter if it was friend or foe, they would lose their badly needed advantage.

You look tired; do you want me to take over? Keiko turned to face Yoshiro who was starring at her with soft eyes.

Hmm, no it's okay. I really don't mind, you can go back to sleep now. Keiko told the dragon. Yoshiro considered it for a moment before clambering over the other two dragons to get to her. He looked her over, his eyes considerate and questioning.

I've always wondered what it is about humans that entrance my brother so much. He's hasn't been quite the same after Chihiro left, and I've always wondered why. First I thought that it was just a weakness of his, but now I understand that's not why he is attracted to them or at least Chihiro in particular. Perhaps it's their strength and determination to succeed. I found that in Chihiro and now I find that in you.

Um…yeah that might be it.

You're opinion wasn't asked for Keiko!

Sorry I just assumed that you wouldn't mind me…

It's alright though, I understand. Yoshiro looked at her and snorted. Do you want me to wake the others? You would be given a chance to carry out your plan before we waste too many of your valuable supplies or are found in this tunnel.

No it's alright; they're tired and need rest. You do too. Keiko told him wearily. He looked at her and snorted, before crawling back to the spot next to Natsuko and falling back asleep.

Maybe I should have let Yoshiro take over, but he's more tired than I am. He's usually found sleeping along with Natsuko; the interrogations tire those two out the most. She thought about the events that had led her to this moment. Keiko sighed and looked about herself, besides her she were placed the four keys she had used for their escape. Runes were etched upon their sides, each glowed a different color and with it a different element. Hearing voices coming towards them she hastily wakened the others. She quickly packed the variety of supplies, including the keys, into the rags as well as a few baskets and had her friends help carry them.

The voices grew louder and footsteps could be heard as the four friends dashed into the shadowy tunnels never looking back. As the darkness of the tunnel enveloped them, a dim shout of surprise could be heard. Keiko winced instinctively; the guards had found out that they had escaped. The dragons sensed it as well and gave a low growl. They dashed swiftly towards the end of the tunnel, Keiko following closely behind despite the speed of the dragons that she was forced to match.

Her legs began to ache soon after because of the tiresome pace they were running in. Sleep must have really helped them. She thought to herself dryly, nevertheless she didn't complain knowing the danger that lay behind them.

Keiko, you've explored this tunnel before, which way do we go? Natsuko asked suddenly. Realizing that the dragons had stopped and were inspecting a fork in the tunnel she stopped and nearly crashed into Yoshiro. He snarled at her.

"Sorry Yoshiro," Keiko apologized quickly, "the right tunnel leads to the exit." Natsuko and Haku bolted into the right tunnel, their eyes glistening at the thought of the freedom that lay beyond. Yoshiro and Keiko followed closely behind.

Yoshiro, noticing that Keiko was tiring, asked her, do you want be to carry you on my back? It would be less tiring and we would go faster.

No it's fine, besides I'm sure that you're tired from your ordeal.

Oh really… hurry up and climb on I don't have time for this. He stopped and Keiko did as she was told.

You sure that you want to do this; I don't mind running you know.

Of course I want to do this! Now hold on. Keiko tightly gripped the long ivory horns protruding from his head and he dashed to catch up with the others.

I thought that you detested humans Yoshiro. Haku teased his younger brother when he saw him.

I did and still do; I'm just doing this for the sake of Keiko. She was tiring. Yoshiro replied calmly.

Will both of you please be quiet? At least it's faster this way, though I'm sure either your brother or I won't mind carrying her if you get tired or tire of Keiko. Natsuko snapped at the two brothers. The youngest grunted in reply, while the eldest simply snorted.

It wasn't soon before they could hear shouts coming from the area a head of them. Everyone's spirits rose as they slowed down a bit, they had neared the end of the tunnel.

A few feet before the tunnel exit, Keiko suggested a break. The others agreed as she climbed down from her position on top of Yoshiro and shifted through some bundles until she found three apples, for which she gave to the dragons. For herself she chose a berry from a cache she had hidden in one of the bundles. The dragons rested for a few seconds after their meals, their excruciating run had tired them as well though not as much as Keiko.

She didn't realize how fast she had gone until afterwards when they were resting. Her legs ached greatly, the strain she had placed on them was immense and it hurt at times to stand, her stomach felt like it was punched multiple times. Keiko winced when she touched it.

Aren't you glad that I offered to let you ride on my back? You probably wouldn't be able to move, much less stand if I hadn't. Keiko turned to see Yoshiro standing behind him. His emerald eyes glistened smugly.

You're right I wouldn't be able to move if you hadn't let me ride you so thank you. I hope I haven't tired you out much though. She asked him.

I'm fine Keiko, I assure you.

If you say so.

Guys I hate to interrupt your conversation, but we're leaving soon. Natsuko told them. In response Keiko climbed onto Yoshiro after making sure that the bundles were placed securely onto the dragons. They slowly walked to the exit; people were running beyond it their faces grim as they scurried along the hallways.

Once the hallways were clear of any people they dashed out of the tunnel. Stealthily the four friends crept in the hallway to the far left of the four visible from the tunnel exit as Keiko told them. The hallway was like many others with cells lining its cold stone gray walls. What was different about this hallway was that many of the cells were empty; the few cells that were occupied held a variety of different spirits captured within the Spirit Realm and a few from the Human World. A few were chained to the walls with iron chains, their hands and feet shackled.

Those who were chained hung limp from their restraints. Those who weren't chained sported large gapping wounds, much of which were still bleeding profoundly. Some, to Keiko's horror, were dead because of these wounds. Their limp corpuses lay on the damp sandy ground, some in the process of decomposition, others just beginning to decompose. The stench of death was present in the air, however faint.

It was very fortunate for the four, though they did not realize it at the time that not many choose to wander down that particular hallway. As the hallway lead almost exclusively to the exit and there wasn't many other hallways stemming from that one they could have very easily become trapped if anyone was to find them there.

It didn't take them long to reach the large wooden doors that symbolized the exit to the dungeon and the grassy fields beyond. Keiko clambered down from on top of Yoshiro in order to open the doors, which opened with a slow and thunderous moan. Once the door had opened wide enough for the four to slip outside, they did so. Voices could be heard from within the building growing louder as they neared the friends.

Keiko clambered onto Yoshiro and they ran swiftly away. They didn't dare rest until they were a good distance away from the dungeon. "How long do you think it will be until you can fly again?" Keiko gasped once they had stopped for a rest.

A few weeks or so and we should be able to take to the skies. Much of our energy was drained while we were in the dungeon and we need this energy to fly. Natsuko told her sourly as she stared at the endless plains in front of them.

Judging from the view that I'm getting, I'd say that we're trapped within an immense field. I really do hope that we'll be able to make this food last for the duration of our escape. Yoshiro said his voice grim.

Well at least I still have the bracelet. I could contact Chihiro and hopefully she'll come to rescue us. Haku told them.

If she can find us, besides we don't even know where we are besides an absurdly huge plain. I'm sure that there are several plains such as this in the Spirit World if I remember correctly. Natsuko reminded him. Everyone had to agree it would seem an impossible feet for Chihiro to find them and rescue them. Keiko stared at the sky, her thoughts swirling around possible means for escape.

I wish this was a dream that I could just waken from. She thought dryly, for the first time since the idea for escape had first befallen her. It seemed as though what she wished to accomplish would just become an unachievable dream that would lead to the downfall of all four of them.