Chapter 17: Progress?

The Dragon Castle

Rath surveyed the armory's entrance with a strong desire to go inside. He wanted to save Ruwalk from the pain he was most surely going through.

A hand landed on his shoulder and Rath turned to see Tetheus standing a few scant inches behind him. The look on the taller man's face seemed to show pain and turmoil, but also a strong resolve was in his eyes to keep Rath safe.

Rath sighed, and then brushed the hand off of him with a smile.

"If I can't hunt demons here than can I at least deal with them outside!" He whined, trying to get some joy out of the situation. Tetheus shook his head with an amused chuckle and led Rath back up the stairs with an iron grip on the young man's arm.

Cesia smiled as she finished grating the small plant into a fine powder. She still wasn't quite sure what it was to be used for but it was going to be useful.

I didn't go through that frigid horrible place for nothing! This thing is going to work!

She thought with determination. Kitchel then walked into the small room and rolled her eyes. Cesia has that weird look on her face again, I hope she won't want my help. Maybe I can sneak out before she-

"Come 'ere for a sec, Kitchel. I have an idea!" Cesia said abruptly, giving the young thief a feeling of dread.

Nadil's Stronghold

Ruwalk stood poised behind the room's heavy door he was situated in. In the middle of the room, the young woman with firey hair was laid out on the floor. A purple skinned yokai saw the unconscious girl through the bars of the cell door and froze. He then quickly ran over, and opened the door.

A swift kick to his stomach knocked the wind out of him and another to his head brought him down and out for the count.

Ruwalk had to steady himself on the door and survey his handiwork for a moment.

"Good job." Hikaru said, as she easily got up and walked over to the Dragon Officer.

"Yeah, your painful medicine made me almost as good as new." Ruwalk said, slightly more cheerful than he'd been before.

Hikaru sighed, her eyes on the slightly crusting blood that flowed down Ruwalk's body.

"It only stops the pain you're receiving for a while; it isn't going to heal anything. I just stopped you from noticing so don't go getting hurt more." She admonished, with hope that he wouldn't overdo it and his body collapse.

"I know. Let's go quietly, you said you know the way?" He asked, looking down at the girl.

"Yes, to the right. I believe is the way to go with the least guards."

"Good. Lets." Ruwalk said.

He had put the spiked gloves on a little earlier, but seeing how bloody his own hands were he wasn't fully sure if he should try and use them. He surely didn't want yokai blood mixing with his own.

They had been walking for a while and Hikaru told Ruwalk the way to the best of her abilities. They slowly made it through without encountering any enemies. Stealth was becoming their best friend.

Ruwalk's walking started to slow after a bit more time, and he started to lean on walks for support.

"Told you it didn't last long." Hikaru said, slightly worried.

"Well, then we'd better hurry and get out of here. Why is it getting darker, are we going deeper?" He asked, feeling unhappy.

"We're not far before we should end up in a town. The castle is well guarded near the entrance, I can't go there."

"Oh." Ruwalk whispered. Light then came to his eyes when they broke through the last passageway and heard cheery voices.

"Maybe it's Chantel."

It's been a while since I updated but I still think about this story. Really I do!

Reviews would be nice, and comments. I wonder how that ransom thing will go without the victum?

Hehe,

Krylancelo