Chapter 21

Dante's POV

I walked calmly to the altar.

- Are you looking for me?

The agents and Defoe were a little surprised by my appearance. The agents ran down the sides of the banks to surround me, Defoe and Grier remained at the door, which was open.

-Dante Vale, as presumptuous as ever, but you know you cannot beat us alone- I looked to the sides watching the agents who had finished placing- Surrender. And I'll take you in chains before the Professor.

Defoe said arrogantly. I had to stay calm and distract them; I could not let them discover my team. I started walking down the bank corridor as sure of myself as ever, although I was actually quite worried.

-I start to think you've gone crazy Defoe, do you really think you can capture me without a fight?

-What does that matter if you cannot beat us?

Grier went ahead of Defoe when he saw me approaching him in his direction, I did not understand why Grier took so much trouble to protect Defoe seeing the way he treated him and the other agents.

-Agent, attack when ordered. This time you will not escape Dante Vale.

Dante's POV end

Lok's POV

I had listened to Defoe's stupid speech and it made me sick, how could someone like him be so arrogant and stupid? Sophie, Cherit and I were trying to open the trapdoor while Zhalia was watching so no one would find us.

- How can we open this? It's a giant block of marble, -Sophie said, full of concern.

-There must be some mechanism somewhere- I said stressed; I knew that Dante could not keep the Organization busy for long.

Lok's POV end

Dante's POV

I was prepared to face the agents of the Organization, but I knew that Defoe was right, I just could not fight and beat so many people, and less with a great variety of demons like there was, each one different and with different abilities, that without counting Grier's vampire. I needed to think about something and soon.

-If you are so sure, why do not you fight with me?

-Your ability is useless against my power.

-That's why you fled like a coward in the gargoyle's cave, and you left your men there.-The agents and Grier looked at Defoe with contempt and doubt; Defoe was surprised at my comment. -Besides, what power are you supposed to have?, You are a simple human!

-You're wrong, I'm a seeker, one of the best! And I did not run!

-Let's go Defoe, you and I alone, show your men the kind of boss you are.

Grier stepped out of the way and left room for Defoe and me to fight, I put myself in combat position and signalled Defoe to attack. Defoe's face when he saw that Grier was not going to protect him I liked him a lot, he was full of panic, he knew that Defoe was not a fighter and if what Lok said in Lore's tomb was true, he would not have a very powerful repertoire of powers.

Dante's POV end

Lok's POV

Sophie and I were still lost, we could not think of a way to open the passage, and we found little way to open it.

-What are we going to do?, they are a lot! - Sophie exclaimed

-Dante needs me- Zhalia said looking at us while still watching.

-No Zhalia, he told us to keep looking for the Arco ring.

Sophie protested, Zhalia turned completely in a bad mood, with her arms folded and frowning.

Lok's POV end

Dante's POV

After a few seconds Defoe finally reacted, took Gar-goul's amulet out of a pocket and lifted it into the air.

-Well, with my new friend I will take revenge. Gar-goul!

Defoe shone in violet as he invoked his new titan. Gar-goul appeared with a roar, he did not look very happy. I prepared myself too; I took out Calibam's amulet.

-You want the revenge? You will have it! Calibam!

As soon as I summoned Calibam, Gra-goul spit a jet of water, Calibam stopped him with his sword and ran into the enemy, kicked him in the face and sent him flying with Defoe, who could not believe it. Defoe seeing that his titan was going to fall on top, ran to his right, hiding behind the columns that surrounded the church. I followed him. Defoe put both hands on his back while avoiding confronting me.

-Redcap!

Defoe made his second move invoking two Redcap, who so little seemed happy to see me. One of the Redcaps threw himself at me, making me back up while dodging his claws, grabbed a long candelabrum and used it to hit Redcap. Nothing else hit him I had to flee from the second Redcap. I jumped on a wooden bench, nothing else to support me began to creak, luckily and misfortune I did not stay long in that bank, I had to jump to the back, and then to the other and the other..., while dodging the attacks of the second Redcap, Who crashed and broke all the banks, in a stupid attempt jumped against me to capture me, I dodged jumping backwards and landing on the ground squatting. I was glad that no member of my team had seen how pathetic I was jumping on the banks; they would never have allowed me to forget it.

Defoe had placed himself again in front of the door, which was still open, I do not know who was more stupid, if passers,by who did not hear the noise, or saw anything, or Defoe's henchmen for not closing the door.

-I see that despite your words you are afraid, Dante Vale.

The agents of the Organization threatened me by creating rays of power in their hands.

Dante's POV end

Lok's POV

Sophie and Zhalia had continued arguing, leaving me alone to solve this riddle, since Cherit preferred to use my shoulder to see the girls' argument.

-Do I bring you popcorn? Cherit.

Cherit smiled shyly and shrugged. I rolled my eyes, sighed and looked up; when I saw the light I remembered the trap in which Peter made me fall, and the way he had activated.

-Girls! Do you remember the first trap of Joan of Arc? - I pointed up, where the mirrors that Dante had spoken to us must have been. - Only the light of a seeker allowed us to pass. Let's try to illuminate the mirrors up there!

-But they will discover us! - Sophie said worried.

-Hey, we must do something and hurry. How long can Dante resists.

Lok's POV end

Dante's POV

A Redcap had cornered me against a column; I avoided the blow by causing the sharp claws to be buried in the column, giving me time to escape. I ran to the opposite wall, while the Redcap was following me, I ran along the wall, jumped on the titan and used Touchhot to smash it against the wall. I did not have time to recover, Gar-goul flew at me, Calibam interposed between them and struggled with Gar-goul, during the struggle, the tail of Gar-goul hit me making me fly a few meters and fall back.

Dante's POV end

Lok's POV

-Only we have an opportunity, as soon as we use the power they will discover the agents and us will come for us.

-I know, but time is running out. Try it Sophie!

-Okay, but remember that this is your idea. Lightpulse!

With that, a beam of light came out of Sophie's hand, hit the glass and turned towards us, hit one of the tiles causing a circle to bend revealing a secret tunnel.

-It has worked!

Sophie exclaimed, Zhalia joined us.

-Agent, come with me!

Grier's voice echoed through the church, they had discovered us and were approaching.

Lok's POV end

Dante's POV

A huge flash, which came from the hiding place of my team, caught my attention and that of Grier.

-Agent, come with me!

Seeing that they had discovered us, I used "Feetfire" to arrive before the Organization. When I arrived at the hiding place, I saw the tunnel open and that my equipment had disappeared, so they must have already gone down. With one last look at the Organization, where I could not hide my smile of satisfaction, I jumped into the tunnel.

I ran a few meters and saw the team waiting.

-Are we going to face them here?-Zhalia asked.

-No, the Arco ring comes first. If he has as much power as I believe, we will use it against the Organization.

I heard the Organization approach so I used a "Touchhot" to derive the tunnel part and block the passage to the enemies.

-Why is the Arc ring so important?-Sophie asked, genuinely interested. -What is it?

-I'm not sure, but the most powerful titans are always in the rings.

I took out the Holotomo and started looking for the map I had scanned in the hotel room.

- Do you think that the Arco ring contains a legendary Titan?

I just made a noise so Sophie knew I was right. I started to walk in the direction indicated by the Holotomo, the others followed me, Sophie was very close to my back, she looked like my shadow, then I went with Cherit Lok and watching the rear-guard was Zhalia.

-We are already in the catacombs of Paris.

-Yes, the researchers of the Foundation believe that here there are secret parts still undiscovered.

-Not discovered until now. And can you know what these catacombs are? -Lok asked, looking around, it was normal that he did not know and luckily, Sophie explained it to him while I was watching the map

-They were originally stone quarries, but in the 18th century they buried their dead here.

-Halt!- I ordered the team while still following the map. -There is something strange about this place.-I observed the four tunnels that opened before us.

Dante's POV end

Third person

The agents of the Organization were lined up outside the Church, in front of the door, which was finally closed. Defoe paced from side to side with his hands in the pockets of his green jacket and a look of anger on his face.

- That they do not escape this time, they must not escape! Call all the members of the Organization in France! To each and every one, we will register the catacombs from end to end until we find them!

Defoe was startled when he saw that a black Sedan was arriving, from which an agent was loaded with a folder full of papers.

-Take it, sir.-The agent handed Defoe the folder, who took it badly.

-And what is this?

-A detailed map of the catacombs.

-The catacombs?!, Perfect, I want an army there. Hurry up!

At the scream of his superior all the agents ran away, Grier was the only one who remained in his place.

Third person end

Dante's POV

Once I made sure it was safe, we continued on our way. We were walking along a path full of crystals of different colors on the walls. Zhalia stopped a few feet away from us.

-Hey! Look at these stones; they are great- Lok said as he approached some blue stones.

-They are called crystals- Corrected Sophie

- These notes say: "Touch the stone of light and the pure of heart will pass"

I placed my hand on one of the windows and the tunnel was illuminated thanks to some crystals that were in the ceiling. We continued walking, the boys also touched the same glass as me and the ceiling lit up in the same way. When Sophie touched him, a door opened too.

-Juana de Arco knew a lot about crystals and light- Lok commented.

-Don't forget that she had visions, for something they are called seeing the light.

Zhalia ran to join us, but before she could pass a pile of stones fell from the ceiling.

-Zhalia!

Sophie screamed and went to help Zhalia, Lok and I followed her. We started to remove the stones; luckily Zhalia was fine, and just as good as ever.

-I can occupy alone. Leave it. Enough

Obviously none of them listened to him, Lok and I continued to remove stones and Sophie helped him up.

-We are all in this together, like it or not- Sophie said.

Lok and I took Zhalia's last stone, which crushed her leg.

- Are you okay? - I asked.

-Yes-Zhalia started to dust off her pants- Let's go now.

Dante's POV end

Third person

The Organization had managed to find an entrance to the catacombs thanks to the maps Defoe had and they were on their way to the Huntik team

Third person end

Lok's POV

We continue advancing between the tombs and the chilling skeletons. I did not like this place, it made me want to change shape and transform into a fox to flee from there to a safe place, but that would be a very humiliating one, and two unprofessional ones.

-The ring chamber should be right in front

Dante said pointing a direction. I looked to where Dante had pointed, but something different from the right path caught my attention. In a side room there was a small wooden box that looked like a puzzle on a stone pedestal.

-Hey look at that! - I pointed to the box and walked in his direction -I've seen that before.

-Lok wait, we have to follow the directions on the map- Sophie said pedantically, again.

-I know, I just want to observe it.

- Hurry to take it, time is running.

With the blessing of Dante I approached the puzzle very happy. Once I took the puzzle, a fence fell on the entrance to the room, the pedestal where the puzzle was found on the floor and spikes appeared on the walls, which began to close.

-Oh oh.

I said full of fear, I did not like being locked up, or small spaces, or needles, or die, and this place had everything. Dante fired a Touchhot against the grate, but when the dust that had released the impact dissipated, the grating remained intact.

-Lok get out of there!-Sophie yelled.

-Of course, give me a moment to come out the back door.

For a few seconds Sophie looked at me very seriously and I looked at her.

-It's not time for sarcasm!

-Let me think! -I looked around and finally at the box in my hands- The active puzzle trap ... must also deactivate it.

I started playing with the puzzle to try to solve it. Zhalia had turned away from the door and looked away.

-I cannot look- Sophie said moving away too.

-Hold! - Dante yelled searching his pockets. -Let us your Metagolem strength!

Once Metagolem manifested, Dante gave him the order to free me. The rumble of Metagolem's body crashing into the grate deconsecrated me, and seeing out of the corner of my eye the spikes coming closer and closer only made me feel that I would transform or that I would go crazy. After the third attempt Metagolem returned to his amulet.

-Come on, come on,- I was mumbling to myself.

-We'll be crushed.- Cherit said suddenly, I did not remember him despite being on my shoulder all the time.

-Cherit go.

There was no response from Cherit. The walls were getting closer and my hands were moving as fast as I could. The walls were too close however I did not stop placing the pieces in their correct places. When the walls were so close that I had to shrink my body, roll the tails forming one, and stick my wings to each other in a very uncomfortable way so they would not reach me, the puzzle came out a "click" making all the pieces were embedded in the box, shone with a white light causing the walls to recede and return to their corresponding places. I heard Dante sigh in relief.

-Lok- I raised my eyes still scared.

-Yes, he has solved the puzzle!

Cherit shouted, full of joy for not having died. The puzzle shone again in my hands and flew, once in the air the box disappeared in the form of light, which fell into my hand forming an amulet with a violet gem. As soon as I touched my hand, there appeared a very cute squirrel with two foxtails. He winked at me and returned to his amulet.

I ran out of the room, now that the grate had returned to its place too, Sophie was very happy, Zhalia indifferent and Dante smiled broadly.

-The puzzle contained a titan. He has formed a bond with me- I gave the amulet to Dante.

-Well done. We will look for your new friend in the Holotomo-Dante placed the amulet in the Holotomo, once scanned appeared a card with an image of the squirrel that I had seen- You have found Springer. It is a titan expert in putting together puzzles and complicated traps. It seems that you both have a lot in common.

Dante gave me back the amulet. An explosion shook the catacombs, we all turned around in awe.

-We run, the Organization is following our steps.

At Dante's command we all ran in the direction he had pointed out before the incident. We reached the end of the hall and Dante opened a wooden door.

-The Arc Ring- Dante said

-All right. We already have it

-We are not finished yet, Lok.

Lok's POV end