Zak stood in the dark and dank room. It was large, and seemed to have a water exit. From what he could tell, there were many Nagas here. He stood still, not wanting them to strike him if they actually meant him no harm. The door behind him opened. Argost walked in with his servant Munya.

"Mr. Argost," said Zak respectively giving a small bow, "I… what are you doing here sir?"

Zak did not want someone as powerful and influential as Argost as his family's enemy. But Argost smiled. A chill went down Zak's spine.

"My dear boy, Argost is fine. And your name is Zeke?" he asked with his eyes burrowing in on Zak.

"No," he said through clenched teeth, "My name is Zak Van Rook."

"So you are Van Rook's child," said Argost with little interest, his eyes still focused on Zak, "Tell me, what ever did happen to Van Rook's other apprentice? Before the girl?"

"He was a traitor. He left us to rejoin his family he didn't know was alive."

Argost looked at him with great intent. He reached into his pocket and tossed whatever was in it at Zak. Zak held it in his hand a small brown package.

"Open it dear boy. Consider it a gift from Uncle Argost."

Zak shivered a bit but opened up the package. Inside was the hand of Tsul 'Kalu. Zak crinkled his nose and looked back at Argost.

"Why?"

Argost opened his mouth but was interrupted by a large explosion. Smoke filled the air. Zak felt something grab his waste. Arms. But not ones he recognized. Not Abbey's thin yet firm arms. Not Van Rook's large and overly protective ones, and not… and not Doyle's warm and inviting arms.

No. These were thin and cold. Almost like a fish.

"Damn Nagas," he heard a voice say. It sounded close. And it sounded young, "Doctor Saturday was right, this place is infested."

Zak soon realized he was between a rock and a hard place. Argost and a Saturday/Traitor's ally. His brain said Argost was a better choice yet his gut told him that the stranger would be safer. Not that he could really make a decision because whoever was holding his had a tight grip. Zak was pulled out of the smoking building and brought outside.

Zak coughed violently. His vision was slightly blurred and he was still being carried by someone. The grip hurt his abdomen. He eventually grabbed the arm that was holding him and tried to pull it off.

"Stop struggling," said the person, "The nagas will see you dead otherwise."

Zak finally looked at whoever was holding him. He sounded young. He looked up and saw a pale grey kid. Zak couldn't help but stare. Goggles covered his eyes. Another person stood next to him. He was…

"You're an Atlantian," Zak couldn't help but say. Which was pretty true. The other boy looked like a fish.

"Yes. I am Prince Ulraij. And this is my… acquaintance, Francis," he said. Zak couldn't help but notice that they had a similar voice but different personalities. A royal commanding air to the prince and a following orders from anyone but you air to the other.

"Um," Zak said. He then remembered he knew those names. Francis worked for the grey-men who seldom did business with his Van Rook. That was the only times they didn't try to arrest him. And Ulraij had made a pact with the Secret Scientists. Neither groups were his allies, "I should be heading home. Long trip to get back and all."

"We'll take you home," offered Ulraij. Francis moaned. Zak shook his head.

"No. You really wouldn't get along with my dad. And my aunt should be around here somewhere."

Francis gave him a look.

"Don't look down on us. I've been training since I was four."

"I was raised to be king since I was four as well."

"I've been trained to be a cruel heartless mercenary by two people since I was able to pick up a gun and nearly killed one of them," he said in response immediately regretting his words.

Short chapter but I'm not giving up this story. Please review.