Hey, guys. I'm back with chapter 8.
Before I continue with the story, there's something I need to say. One of my closest friends just got appendicitis, and…. Thankfully, she's better now, but it was actually really hard for me to write this chapter, because every moment I just kept praying like crazy that she gets well soon. But I wrote this chapter anyway, and so I'm dedicating it to her, because she's awesome and she means so, so much to me.
If you read this, thanks. On to the story.
P.S. Sorry, I forgot to mention. Ella's POV in this chapter is set immediately after she's kidnapped. However, when you read it, you'll understand why I had to wait so long to write it.

Six

I swear under my breath and draw away from the exit, dragging Nine and Marina with me. The force-field is currently rapidly changing colour, turning from a pale green to a clear blue, and finally a dark red.

That can't be good.

I let out a string of curses, specifying in colourful terms exactly what I'm going to do with Setrakus Ra, the next time I see his ugly face. 'It doesn't matter.' I say to Nine and Marina, trying to reassure myself as much as them. 'We're invisible and perched on the ceiling. They won't find us here. We can wait the lockdown out.'

'Yeah.' Marina agrees, though she sounds just as unsure as me. 'How long can a lockdown last, anyway?'

'Um, actually…' Nine begins hesitantly.

Below us, in the cavern, a gigantic machine groans to life. Its face swivels upwards, pointing directly at the ceiling near us. A robotic voice sounds out.

'Activating infrared scanner now.' it beeps.

'That's going to happen.' Nine finishes grimly. 'Anyone have any ideas? We've got maybe ten seconds.'

'Maybe we can…' I begin, then pause. 'Marina, what are you doing?'

The temperature around us is dropping fast. Suddenly, I'm shivering, and every breath I release mists in front of me. Frost begins to form on the ceiling at our feet.

Marina replies through gritted teeth, and I can almost imagine her eyebrows furrowed in concentration as she speaks. 'Trying to lower the temperature.' she says. 'If I can hold it there long enough, maybe I can hide our heat signature in order to fool the scanner.'

'Marina, have you been taking lessons from Nine?' I ask in disbelief.

Just then, the machine beeps. 'Infrared scanner activated.'

I hardly breathe as the scanner slowly swivels about, gradually turning towards us. I'm certain that, despite Marina's brilliant idea, the scanner will detect us anyway. And even though I'm not afraid of a battle, I still know for sure that fighting an army of Mogs in their own base is a bad idea.

The scanner swivels to face us…. And continues without so much as pausing.

'Scan compared to camera feed.' the scanner beeps. 'No intruders detected.'

I release a sigh of relief. 'Brilliant idea, Marina.' I say warmly. 'You saved us.'

'Thanks.' she replies softly, sounding pleased. 'I…'

Just then, the machine beeps again. 'Scanning for Legacies in use.'

I glance towards where I estimate Marina is standing, clutching my hand. 'Got any more brilliant ideas?' I ask.

Marina

'Release my hand and grab hold of my arm instead.' I command.

'What?' Six asks, sounding confused. 'How will that help?'

'Just do it.' I say firmly. 'I need something from my pocket. And deactivate your invisibility.'

Six obeys, and I stuff my hand into my pocket, searching for the Xitharis. 'Here!' I say triumphantly, holding it up for them to see.

Six's eyes widen. 'That's John's Xitharis!' she hisses in shock. 'Where did you get that?'

'There's no time to explain.' I say, closing my eyes in concentration. 'Nine, deactivate your anti-gravity.'

'What? No!' he protests. 'Are you mad? We'll fall!'

'Do it!' I hiss.

Nine obeys reluctantly, and we all start to tumble towards the ground, just as the scanner swivels to face us.

With a jerk, we grind to a halt as I draw on Five's Legacy of flight to keep us in the air. Six and Nine clutch my arms, trying to keep themselves from falling. The strain of holding up three people is almost too much for me, though, and I can feel my consciousness start to fade.

'The scanner detects Legacies that are in use.' I explain, my entire body tensing with the effort. Sweat beads on my forehead, and I can feel my consciousness slipping. I can't hold on much longer. 'But maybe it doesn't detect our Inheritance.'

The machine beeps. 'No intruders detected.'

I let out a groan of relief. 'Nine.' I gasp. 'You can activate your Legacy now.'

I feel the familiar but disorienting shift in my sense of direction as I fall flat on the ceiling, spent completely by the effort of keeping Nine and Six in the air. They gently lift me to my feet, and I rest my weight on them, trying hard to stay conscious.

A Mog's voice sounds out below us. 'They obviously aren't in this room.' he says gruffly. 'Call for reinforcements and make sure they don't leave.'

'Lockdown deactivated.' the machine sounds out.

That's the last thing I hear before I black out.

Ella

Setrakus Ra stands in front of me. He's about to execute Sam.

In the distance, I can feel John's presence fade away. I try to cry out to him, beg him not to leave, but I can't. I'm not in control of this dream. I just watch helplessly as I see him become transparent and then disappear.

Setrakus doesn't seem to notice. He's raising his sword, ready to strike down Sam. Ready to kill the last person fighting for Lorien. I try to scream, look away, anything, but I can't even move.

His sword comes crashing down. Sam has no chance. He's killed instantly. His head, separated from his body, topples down the stairs and comes to a halt at Five's feet.

Five. His betrayal was perhaps the most shocking discovery of today. At least now I know that he's a traitor. And hopefully, John does too.

I shudder as Setrakus turns to me, smiling cruelly, showing off his disgusting teeth. 'Well done, my heir.' he says, before seating himself in the throne next to me.

I lean as far away from him as I can and wait desperately for the dream to come to an end. Normally, after showing me how he conquers Earth, and worst of all, how I help him do it, he lets me wake up. But this time, instead, the scene changes.

I'm standing near the doorway of a gigantic room. The walls seem old-fashioned, made of stone instead of brick. A fire crackles merrily in the fireplace, the smoke curling out through the chimney. Couches and easy-chairs are scattered near the walls. In the centre, a man and a woman stand arguing.

'Sir!' a voice calls out. 'Myra seems to have caught what Olivia had. Her shape-shifting has gone awry.'

I stiffen. I know who spoke.

I turn to face the doorway, suddenly trembling. I can hear footsteps in the corridor outside, approaching the doorway to this room. I find myself shivering with anticipation.

Crayton enters the room, smiling. Swaddled in his arms, covered with blankets and snoring gently, is a baby.

'And Ella is asleep.' he adds. 'Should I take her to her room?'

The man and woman turn to face him. They both have smiles on their faces, though they seem a little forced, like they aren't done arguing.

Crayton doesn't seem to notice. He carries the baby to the couple. They lean down and kiss her forehead in turn, and then the man nods. Crayton walks the other way this time, exiting through a door at the other end of the room that I hadn't noticed before.

Then, once more, I turn to face my parents.

They both have scowls on their faces, and they speak in low voices, hissing at each other like they don't want to attract Crayton's attention. I try to move closer to hear what they are arguing about, but before I can, the scene changes.

I'm in the same room, but this time, it's burning. My parents are staggering towards the door opposite, making for the room I saw Crayton take me into.

Suddenly, Crayton emerges from that door, carrying the baby in his arms. The man nods at him. 'Go.' he says. 'Take her like we decided.' He gestures at my mother.

Crayton nods and disappears through the doorway, taking me with him.

The moment he's gone, my mother rounds on my father. I've covered for you long enough.' she hisses. 'I know you caused this, and I won't forgive you for it. You have taken advantage of me because I loved you. No more.'

My mind races. I try to figure out what my mother is saying. For some reason…. For some reason, she seems to be blaming my father for the invasion.

I have to find out more. I draw closer to my parents, but just as I reach level with my parents, the dream fades away.

I wake up with a jolt. I'm in a large unfamiliar room. It's instantly obvious that this is not Nine's penthouse. However, that doesn't bother me yet. In fact, I hardly even notice it. I'm staring disbelievingly at something else altogether.

Sitting by my side, at the edge of my bed, is my father.

Sorry! I actually should have said this before I started the chapter itself. I just got 50 reviews, and I'd like to thank all my reviewers for making it happen. Thank you so much, guys. A special thank you to thesecondgarde, scone104, EpicLoric24 and Colemet Milinia for reading and reviewing each and every chapter and supporting me so much. I love you guys, and can't thank you enough.
Next update will be by Monday. Thanks for reading, and please review!