Elaine didn't know how it was possible to consider it weird or odd for her to be comparing her current kidnapping to her previous. They were certainly different. When Descole first kidnapped her, she awoke to find herself in a horse driven cart at night with her hands bound with rope and a fabric material covering her eyes until she managed to discretely move some of it off her eyes. Now, she awoke in the back of a car with her hands handcuffed in front of her. It looked to be a little after dawn outside unless she was mistaken so she couldn't have been out long. Assuming that is, this wasn't the day after.

Of her other observations, she didn't know which to be more concerned about. The lying git named Leonard Bloom sitting on the other side of the back of the car, or the fact that outside she could see tanks, jeeps and copters of some kind.

Needless to say, Elaine was a little perplexed by how this all managed to escalate so quickly. It just seemed so… sudden.

"… Am I permitted to know where exactly we're going?" Elaine questioned, looking out the window.

"The Infinite Vault. It appears Descole was successful in rising it." Bloom responded back. Elaine was a little surprised that he actually answered, but reasoned that it was only because he had no intentions of her escaping. Typical, given Elaine's luck as of late.

Elaine didn't say anything else as the drive went on. She didn't really care as to why she was here, so she didn't bother to ask about that. At least Madeline was likely safe now, along with Angela. Hopefully Henry wouldn't hold any grudge against her. Not a strong one anyway. Though Elaine wouldn't have blamed him if he did. He would probably forgive Randall though. Elaine was certain of that. Henry put too much hope in Randall's return to just throw it away now.

Managing to look towards the horizon they were heading towards, Elaine noticed a line of dark grey that slow rose towards the sky, showing more and more of its thick body that contrasted against the rest of the desert land they were in. Its shape from what Elaine could see reminded her of the Roman coliseum, though as they drew closer it seemed more fortress-like.

The Infinite Vault of Akbadain. Elaine could only imagine where exactly Descole was. Maybe somewhere at the top to look down on his findings. It seemed like something he would do. She could only imagine what his reaction to all of this would be. Probably not a good one, given his history with them.

The car did stop. Elaine only noticed now there were two soldiers in the front when one stepped out with a gun while the other stayed put in the driver's seat. Elane stained her head to look over the seat in front of her to look out the window. She saw Bronev get out of the car in front of their's, microphone in hand. In the car, Elaine found it a little hard to hear the old man's orders. But she got the basics of it.

This Azran structure was property of Targent now. Whoever was on it had to leave.

Elaine wasn't sure what response she wanted. She wanted rescue and to be back with… Back with Descole (Elaine never thought she would ever think that). But there were so many soldiers, weapons. It was just Descole, and presumably Raymond. They couldn't on all of these people!

But she heard his voice. She couldn't make out his words, but he was angry. Elaine knew nothing good ever happened when he was angry.

She never expected to actually jump down to the ground, cloak free, and running towards soldiers as they shot towards him! Elaine would never admit to it, but for a moment she did close her eyes. Expecting to hear Descole's screams and see him stained crimson. But she dared to open them to see that he got past them (miraculously) and was now running towards Bronev! Surely Descole could throw a punch easily towards that man!

But instead, the Bronev easily dodged his punch, and somehow managed to send Descole to the ground.

"No…" The word slipped from Elaine's mouth before she could stop herself. For one moment, she felt entirely helpless.

"Don't worry. I'm sure your cells won't be too far apart when we get back to HQ." Elaine clenched her jaw in frustration at Bloom's remark, before something just seemed to snap inside her. She was absolutely sick and tired of appearing as some kind of damsel in distress, locked in a tower!

Looking down at her feet, Elaine tugged her skirt up just enough to prevent movement of her legs being constricted and slipped her feet out of her shoes. No need to leave heel shaped wounds.

"Monsieur Bloom? Did you know I was on my college's kick boxing team?" Elaine questioned, smiling lightly to herself.

"And what does that have to do with anything?" Bloom questioned, raising a brow when Elaine looked to him.

"I got the nickname 'Elaine the Pain' after I accidently kicked someone's teeth out." Elaine's smile took a slightly more sinister appearance as Bloom slowly began to frown.

"Let's see if I'm still worthy of that nickname~?"

It happened so quickly Elaine almost wasn't sure what happened. She shot her foot out towards Bloom just as he was pulling out a gun. Kicking the gun out of his hand, Elaine moved so she was sitting across the seat and gave Bloom another kick to his head and shoulder.

"What the-!" Hearing the still present driver speak, and looking shocked by this sudden attack, Elaine quickly turned her attention to him and sent his face at least three (maybe more) kicks before returning attention to Bloom and kicking his hand when he reached to pick up his gun and sent another two high kicks to head.

It left him leaning against the car window, bruises beginning to develop on his face.

Cough, cough!

Elaine looked back to the driver. His nose was bleeding now and there was some blood seeping out the corners of his mouth. He coughed and spat something white into his hand, and a look of shock came to his face.

"You knocked my tooth out!"

Elaine didn't bother responding and just sent another kick to his face, though she was a little surprised herself. Either way, that last kick seemed to knock him out for good. And while she didn't necessarily have to, Elaine did send another kick to Bloom's head. A bit of justice, in Elaine's mind.

But she then focused on her next move. Getting out of the car. She her focus to the door and went to get it open only for it to be thrown open. She probably did bring attention to herself when she showed off her 'Elaine the Pain' worthy kicks.

"What's going-?!" Elaine didn't give the unfortunate soldier time to finish as she quickly kicked him in his… 'happy place'. Watching him collapse to his knees as he whimpered, Elaine shot another kick to his face and once he was down she shot out of the car.

It was a bit of a blur in her memory, what happened next. Elaine just sort of acted with unmerciful kicks and didn't think. But it all did come to an end eventually. Elaine was somehow tripped over and fell to her side, and held down by several soldiers.

Blinking, Elaine realised she was right next to Descole (also held down by soldiers). She could have sworn that for a moment, he had a look of awe or some kind of indication of being impressed. But that was before he began scowling as Bronev kneeled between the two.

"Now that we're finished with our interruption, let's see if you're who I think you are." As Bronev's hand came towards his mask, Descole struggled hard to get away him. But it was useless. Elaine's heart rate increased by the second, nearly exploding when Bronev touched the mask and slowly began to peel it off.

But then she saw a smoke ball roll land by them before it exploded. Creating a thick cloud of grey smoke to appear. She heard frantic running, like Raymond assisting Descole. Surprisingly, Elaine felt her arm grabbed by Descole and tugged away from the soldiers.

She was forced to run, following Descole's grip and ignoring the pricks of hard stones against the soles of her feet, now bare apart from tights.

Even out of the smoke, they hadn't gotten completely out of the lion's den. They were still near tanks but thankfully no people. Outside the circle of machinery, the group stopped to take a brief break.

"Are you alri-?" Elaine was cut off when she turned to look up at him, only to be cut off when he covered her eyes.

"I'm fine." He grunted. "Just let me lead you."

"Why? I can walk just fine." Elaine huffed.

"He stole my mask, and I don't like feeling so… exposed. Just let me cover your eyes so we can walk."

"… Fine." Elaine muttered bitterly, before allowing Descole to walk her to… Wherever they were going. A little fast at first, but eventually slowed to a reasonable pace. After some time of silence, Descole spoke.

"I'm glad you're alright. When Raymond told me what he heard, I wasn't so sure… You're back now. I can appreciate that." Elaine didn't respond, so Descole continued. "What happened in that car?"

"I kick boxed." Elaine replied bluntly, though a little dazed when she thought back to it. "I… I just snapped. I was sick of being the damsel in distress!"

"It showed." Descole mused. "I didn't realise you could kick so hard. I'm actually impressed." The slight flattery made Elaine's heart flutter briefly before she coughed to clear her throat.

"Erm… M-merci."

"There is one curious thing though."

"Mmm?"

"When Layton pointed me out, Angela and Madeline were with us. I already knew it was Madeline and not you and Angela was disguised as one of the hotel staff members. I'm curious as to how Layton found them, and the real Mask of Chaos."

"I just wanted to make sure they would be safe." Elaine shrugged. "Besides, obviously Layton figured out what to when 'e 'ad the Mask of Chaos if the Vault was up. So where was the Mask of Order?" Elaine felt Descole flinch a little. This was going to be rich.

"It turns out that… That the Masks and Chaos and Order were the two masks combined into one. In reality, we always had both masks."

"… I'm conflicted."

"How so?"

"I want to laugh because I know you're frustrated, but I want to yell at you for everything you put me through. It was for nothing!"

"Not… Not necessarily…" Descole didn't sound too convinced by his own words though. "Look, we'll get back to the cart, I'll get my spare mask, I'll use the bolt cutters to get your hands free and when we get back home we'll work on getting the cuffs fully off."

"Merci." The walking was nonstop and Elaine was starting to feel tired from the previous events. She just wanted to lay her head down and sleep.

Thankfully, they soon arrived at the cart, some distance away from Monte d'Or. Once Raymond handed Descole his spare mask, he uncovered Elaine's eyes and then took the bolt cutters out of a compartment and cut the chain connecting the cuffs.

"I suppose these could be a new bracelet design." Elaine mused as she looked at the cuffs still around her wrists.

"I think you have far better taste then that, dear." Descole said as he put the cutters back in their place. "I have your clothes with me. Do you want to change somewhere around here or wait until we're home?"

"I'll wait until we're 'ome. Too tired." Elaine mumbled. Descole nodded and helped Elaine into the cart before getting in himself.

"Ready, Master?"

"Yes, Raymond." The horses started moving, beginning the long journey home.

"… I'm glad you're safe." Elaine mumbled as she shifted in the seat a little. "I was… afraid that…"

"We're both alright. Descole cut across. "We're alright and there's nothing else to do except rest." Elaine hummed and leaned against him. Intending to use his boa as a pillow. She barely noticed Descole stiffen for a moment before slowly relaxing. "Tired?"

"Maybe." Elaine mumbled back. Descole was silent, and didn't do anything. But he then suddenly pulled some of his cloak around Elaine.

"Descole?"

"You might get cold."

"Merci." Elaine paused for a moment to think before she added. "Descole?"

"Hm?"

"I'm glad you're 'ere." Silence. Elain shut her eyes.

Suddenly, her chin was grabbed and she was forced to look up at Descole. His face looking all but soft.

"… I'm glad you're here, as well." He placed his lips against Elaine's for a few moments in a chaste kiss before pulling away. Elaine stared at him, unsure how to react until he face slowly began to heat up and she buried her face it his boa.

"You're so adorable when you're embarrassed." Descole cooed.

"Shut up!"