Morgen paced impatiently. It was taking way too long. The machine should've been fixed by now. She wished she had some mechanical background so she could check Libby's work and make sure Libby was actually doing something. Libby had been at it for three weeks now, and she still didn't have the thing working. She noticed that when she stood over Libby and watched her work, Libby messed up a lot. If she wasn't around, Libby seemed to get more work done. At least, she had assumed Libby was working, but now she wasn't so sure.
"Madam Knight?"
Morgen turned. One of her minions dared to approach her.
"What is it?" Morgen demanded.
"Here is that information you requested." The minion handed her a folder full of papers. As Morgen flipped through the pages, her smile grew.
"You may go," Morgen said, closing the folder.
The minion bowed and hurried away. Morgen slammed the door open, making Libby jump and drop the tool in her hand.
"Enough." Morgen grabbed Libby's chains and dragged her away.
"I-It's not ready," Libby pleaded.
"I know. Clearly, you are incompetent, and my patience has worn thin. I'm going to bring in someone who knows what they're doing."
Libby cried as Morgen dragged her back to her cell.
"Shut up! You've had your chance. I'll deal with you after I've cleaned up your mess." Morgen slammed and locked the cell door as Libby wailed.
Morgen hoped this new person would actually know how to make her machine work. Libby was the fourth person to work on it, and she had tested it on many elemental masters, many of whom did not survive. In fact, she was running out of potential Guinea pigs. She went to her chambers and pulled out her list of all known elemental masters.
"Who's still out there? Let's see… Amber, deceased. Form, deceased. Mind, deceased. Wind, unknown. Gravity, deceased. Metal, known. Time, lost. Water, known… Water… That just might work." Morgen, papers in hand, stormed over to where her minions were waiting for their next orders.
"Madam Knight?" They stood to attention.
"I need more test subjects. Bring me the Masters of Fire and Water."
Libby couldn't sleep. She couldn't. She had no idea what Morgen had in mind for her, and it scared her. She feared Morgen would test the machine out on her.
She jumped when she heard movement outside her cell.
"Karlof said to take vengestone chain off! Karlof will crush heads like grapes!"
"Karlof will wait here until Madam Knight says so. Don't even think about trying to escape. Madam Knight has a special job for you. Do not disappoint her. You will regret it."
Libby heard a door slam shut, and laughing as the guards walked away. She heard Karlof yelling. He sounded like he was close to her. Were there other prisoners? It wouldn't surprise Libby if there were. She wondered just how many people Morgen had locked up in this cave system.
She couldn't sleep. She stared at the light that escaped into her cell from under the heavy metal door. She thought about her husband and son. The thought of potentially seeing them again is what kept her going. She knew Cliff would never stop looking for her. One day, he would find her and take her home. They would catch up on all their lost time together. She would get to see her son again. She wondered how old Jay was now. It was hard to keep track of time when you didn't even know if it was day or night at any given moment.
She remembered the last time she saw her boys. She wanted to check in on an old friend. She hadn't heard from the Master of Ice in months. It wasn't like him to not return her calls. She was worried. The man was like a father to her. After several failed attempts to contact him, she decided to go over to his house and make sure he was still alive. She told Cliff he could handle Jay for one day. Jay hadn't wanted to let her go, and it broke her heart when he looked at her like she had betrayed him. Still, she couldn't bring him today, and she knew Cliff would distract him as soon as she was gone.
The door was locked when she arrived. She knocked and rang the bell, but no one answered. Eventually, she decided to pick the lock. Once inside, she noticed everything was in disarray. Books and scrolls were scattered everywhere. She picked one up and leafed through it. It was one of Wu's books on transferring elemental powers to another person. There were various tea bags scattered on the coffee table. Tea bags from Mystaké's shop.
"Ice?" Libby went upstairs and found it just as empty. She made her way back downstairs. She was about to call the police when she heard a noise outside. She stealthily made her way outside and went around to the back of the house. There was a guy standing in the middle of the yard.
"Ah, Master of Lightning. I'm so glad you're here. Madam Knight will be pleased to make your acquaintance."
"What?" Libby turned when she sensed someone sneaking up behind her, but they held a rag over her mouth and nose. She struggled, but she felt herself growing weak. Everything went black.