Okay! So this is going to be the beginning of the end. There aren't too many chapters for the main plot left guys! However, I do plan to keep going with Mnem x Ari bits or a flashback from Vreagon with his past lover, depending on what you guys want and what you're comfortable with. I probably will continue to write Minecraft fanfics, but if you play any of the other games that I have listed sooner or later, put me on your Alert list! I'll be very glad to hear from all of you even after this story is finished.

On another note, I am obsessed with Nephew right now, in particular "Ordenspoliti" I do suggest it.

Anyway, on to the chapter!

Edit: Thanks LittleFireDragon for pointing out my mistake. c: If anybody sees any more, let me know~

Mnem paced back and forth, clutching his hair in his hands. Where was she? How was she? When had she been taken? Why was she gone?

Vreagon, as well, panicked in the background, his eyes closed as he clenched his teeth. He didn't want to admit his nervousness… yet he really had no choice. He was reluctant to admit his panic but it was more than obvious… Mor, on the other hand…-

"I will destroy whoever has her!"

"Calm down." Mnem spoke softly, frowning. "If my theory is correct you have no chance at all."

"Theory?" Mor laughed bitterly, "You've been bringing nothing but trouble around here since you showed up!"

"…Yes, I realize this." Mnem looked away, closing his eyes and holding one of Ari's fallen arm bands. The feathers fluttered in the wind as Duck clucked madly and Rio meowed somewhere in the camp. "Believe me, it was not intentional. They were so… so damned quiet. I thought it was safe."

"Clearly you were wrong."

"Clearly." Mnem sat down on the ground against Ari's empty home, his hands against his head. Mor shifted slightly and sighed, watching his brother join the man sitting, taking a short breath.

"…It isn't really your fault you know. None… none of us really saw it coming, so-"

"It is my fault. I shirked my duties and this is my consequence. I just hope I can figure out where to go to stop it."

Vreagon grunted and closed his eyes, sighing heavily and running a hand through his hair. "Anything we can do to help?"

"Think of all the caves you've been in, from your old home to now."

"Aah…"

"Was there anything you remember that looked… odd?"

"Aside from the single blocks?"

"Yes. Aside from the single blocks."

Mnem watched as Vreagon spaced out in thought, tracing over his steps. He couldn't remember anything particularly odd…

"I do."

The voice was sudden and familiar, though it was strange to hear it.

Renel stood in the dying light of the day with a smug grin on his face, his weight carried on his left foot as he shifted his hips slightly, his sword slung over his shoulder. Mnem glared at him but couldn't exactly argue – it was better than nothing. If they had a place to start, then it would be just a matter of time before they found her.

"Oh? Why don't you share with the class." Mor snapped irritably, and Vreagon glanced at the other as he chewed on his lip, frowning at the strange turn of events. So, Ari was kidnapped by creatures they never knew existed (if not killed, he couldn't be sure), Mnem was guilty for it and Renel knew where she was? Nothing could make it any weirder.

…or perhaps he spoke too soon. They dropped into the stronghold following Mnem as the man landed catlike on his feet, looking around nervously with the torch in his hands.

"Alright, we have to move carefully. There are probably traps everywhere, not to mention the Silverfish."

"…Silverfish…?" Vreagon ventured, frowning at the new information. Now was one hell of a time to warn them of something dangerous…

"Aah… trust me, you'll know when you see them and when you do, don't let your skin come in contact with it."

"Why?"

"Just… listen to me. Don't. It isn't a good idea and I have nothing that can pry it out of you."

"Pry it- Oh…" Mor wobbled slightly as he grimaced, leaning on Vreagon for a moment before the man pat him on the shoulder and walked just behind Mnem-

"Oi. Can we move any faster? We were sort of in the middle of a dig." A man called, and Mnem spun on his heel, pushing through both Mor and Vreagon to grasp the man's collar. He stared at Renel's buddy and yanked him closer, snarling,

"A woman's life is at stake here, pal. The entire world is in danger and if we don't find that portal, and the girl with it, everything's fucked. Capiche?

Capiche…? Vreagon thought, frowning before rolling his eyes and making his way over several stones, wincing and grunting with the effort.

"You've yet to tell me your name."

"And you've yet to tell me what you want with me."

The two brunettes glared at each other, the female trapped inside a small cage as the male loomed over it threateningly.

"I am not required to tell you anything."

"Then neither am I."

"Your cockiness is beginning to irk me."

"Good. Perhaps you can go back to whatever you were doing and release me?"

"So you could run off and tell my son?"

Ari scoffed, looking away, but she couldn't exactly say he was wrong. She felt her chin grabbed by the man and her face being pulled toward him with a painful snap of his wrist. She winced at tried to pull away from him, but the cage was simply too small to do so.

"What do you want?" Ari murmured, staring into the white eyes.

"To put it simply?" he smirked and phased through the cage, causing the girl to yelp and jump back, pressing against the wall in fear as he stepped closer. "You."

Mnem grumbled angrily at each word or phrase that was uttered by both Renel and the man's friends. He quickly regretted stating that having help would be a good thing – he'd rather do it on his own.

Though lets face it, we may as well if those hopeless dolts are with us.

Vreagon walked closely behind him and he glanced back, feeling the hopelessness in the man increase. He felt terrible – clearly Vreagon was looking back on some tragedy, as his eyes misted over as he walked.

"Hey." Mnem called to him, and while Renel and his band of idiots talked away, Mor paid attention stealthily, "Penny for your thoughts?"

"…just… worried."

"I understand. I am too."

"I'd bet."

Mnem winced at the bitterness in the male's voice, shifting uneasily.

"…is…is this even about Ari?"

Vreagon bristled, glaring at the man, "Listen, what I worry and think about it none of your business."

"I just want to he-"

"Well don't. I don't need your help."

Mnem nodded slowly, looking away and rounding a corner.

He jumped, hearing the crashing behind him. "Oh, really? Renel, you and your friends-…"

Shit. Shit, shit, shit. They were running. The glints of silver warned Mnem to get Mor and Vreagon and the few men that stayed behind with them in their confusion away. "Back up!" he shouted, and Vreagon gasped, watching one come toward him.

"The hell-"

"Silverfish!"

"Oh God!" Vreagon kicked it away and it attempted to burrow into his shoe – Mor saved his ass by shooting an arrow at it, hitting it with a thunk and a shriek. The Silverfish fell to the floor and Vreagon felt warm blood on his feet, surprise registering in his eyes. He hadn't felt any pain – yet the bottom of his foot was skinned and blood soaking the bottom of his shoe. Mnem had him sit and told Mor to keep an eye, looking at the bottom of the male's foot.

"Might get infected."

"Don't you have anything to help!"

"Yes, actually… I think. Give me just one moment…"

"Uhh, Mnem…!" Mor called, backing up. "…I don't think I have enough arrows for this…"

"What are you- Oh we are…" the rest of Mnem's curse was broken off as Vreagon jumped to his feet, uncaring of the pain, and grabbed his sword, looking at the massive swarm of Silverfish heading toward them, some coated in blood and others simply thirsting for it.

Ari screamed just before she was dunked in the liquid once more, her flesh burning with it. Her lungs ached and her throat was raw, but she couldn't stop. The hundreds of purple eyes stared at her each time she was pulled out of the 'water' once more, and she looked hopelessly at her clothes on the floor. She attempted to cover herself but couldn't seem to gain any control of her limbs. She couldn't understand why this was happening to her… What had she done to deserve this treatment?

Another drop and Ari held her breath, watching the dark sky ripple and move through the water, her eyes closing slowly. She was pulled back up, gently this time, and dropped onto a table, her form shivering violently. The man watched her in demonic glee, raising his arms toward the inky sky. Ari watched the stars and felt her eyes close, her exhaustion taking over.