Chapter 23

Lok's POV

After separating from the team, I began to browse the various roads, deviating from the main route. I found a small tunnel that forced me to crawl on the ground a bit, but since I'm not Sophie, it does not bother me to get dirty. Stones that I removed with a bit of difficulty blocked the end of the tunnel.

-Cherit, around here- I left the tunnel and Cherit flew over me lecturing me.

-I would say that this is not the way Dante told us.

-There is only one way to find out.

I sat on the edge of a ledge and slid down the stone slope to the ground.

-Well, look at this place; nobody has been here in a long time- I walked in any direction while removing the cobwebs.

-I'm supposed to make sure you do not get into trouble, Lok.-Cherit followed.

-Quiet, you will not believe that Dante expected us to follow that route, right?

-Yes.., you're probably right.

Once I convinced Cherit that he was not doing anything wrong, we continued walking until we reached a completely dark place. I used "Electricbolt" to illuminate the place, the electric sphere stayed in the air and followed me as I moved. The light showed me a wooden sign that was on a group of skeletons with armour, where it was written: "Freedom, Equality and Fraternity". When I read it aloud I started to meditate where I had heard that before.

-That sounds to me, is it from the French Revolution? - I asked Cherit without being completely sure.

-Exact boy. Even that I know, and that I'm not very good at history.

-Not that I was a genius- I kept walking until I entered another room and sat next to a uniformed and armed skeleton- I suppose these people came to hide here during the revolution.

-What are you thinking, Lok?- Cherit sat on the floor in front of me. -Are you okay?

-It's hard to explain- I raised my hand and reached for my "Electricbolt" by pulling it towards me, I wrapped it with my hands and I hit it to my chest-When I was little, my father brought me incredible things from his adventures, and I tried to imagine the places where I had found them.

-Well, now you're here.

-Yes... here I am- we stayed silent for a while- Cherit, could you do me a favour?

-Of course, what is it about?

- I do not understand much about the magical world, or the world of search engines, their history, the types of creatures, how to deal with certain people ... I would like someone to explain things to me a little, but Sophie is very busy trained or trying Impress Dante, Dante has better things to do and Zhalia would laugh in my face if I ask him. So, could you explain or try to solve the doubts I have?

My question remained in the air, Cherit was thoughtful. Shuffling things in his little head.

Ask Dante or Sophie, and if they do not answer you or they are not helpful, I will gladly answer them as many as I can. You have to keep in mind that my memory is not what it used to be.

-Grandfather.

-Don't go on- Cherit said in a mocking tone. Cherit and I laughed- Now we are on a mission, so when we finish we resume the conversation.

-Thanks, Cherit.

I let the sphere fly away; turned to a column where it illuminated a new part where there was a skeleton of a civilian in the middle of several boxes and books.

-Hey! Look at that- I got up and went to that area. I started to browse everything around us.

-This was not a soldier,-said Cherit, pointing to the skeleton.

-They are archaeological tools,- I said as I picked up a pick and a kind of axe from a box that was full of them. -Do you think the soldiers knew these catacombs well?-

-I do not remember many things from those times. All revolutions are very similar.

I left the tools and knelt before a box, it was locked.

-It's time to try something- I said while taking the amulet from my new friend from the belt- Springer!

With a violet flash Springer appeared a little absent-minded. He is turning his back on me and looking at the ground. I touched his tails to get his attention. Once caught, without saying anything, he jumped in front of the padlock, touched it with one of his sentry boxes, pulled the padlock and tried to open the box, then scratched his head in bewilderment. I started to consider Springer's abilities. Finally, Springer put one of his booths in the keyhole and moved it a little. It began to shine in a bluish violet until it clicked and opened. Springer returned to his amulet in a ball of violet light. I opened the box, I was disappointed to see that it was full of old, mouldy and dusty books, just the ones that Sophie likes.

-These soldiers were normal people- I looked at Cherit- they needed a guide to hide here.

-So this guy is, bony, he was an archaeologist.

I picked up one of the books in my hands and as soon as I lifted it into the air of disintegrating dust, I coughed and shook the air in front of my face to get rid of the cloud. I looked again inside the box and saw a parchment covered with dust, after taking it off I took it. It does not evaporate.

-It seems that this one is in a better state- I deployed it. In it was a drawing of a kind of compass- Hey! I think I've seen it before.

-Day Lok, can you have seen it in your father's diary?

-Yes, you can- I took the diary out of my bag. I opened it and found a page with the same drawing-they are the same. My father had a copy of this drawing in his diary. It must be important.

-Here! There is light-notice an unknown voice.

After an "oh oh" I took the parchment and put it in my bag along with the diary. I ran to the next room. Cherit took a bucket and hid my "Electricbolt", then followed me.

Lok's POV end

Third person

The agents of the Organization, accompanied by two Redcap, entered the room where Lok and Cherit had found the parchment. The agents spotted a figure moving in the dark with his night vision goggles.

-Raypulse

When the beam struck the subject, it exploded into pieces.

-It's just a skeleton- Said an agent picking up the skull from the ground.

-There!- Another agent yelled, pointing to another figure moving rapidly.

One of the Redcaps jumped on the figure knocking down another skeleton.

-It's trying to distract us so we can escape.

Unexpectedly the Redcap that had just knocked down the skeleton was removed and returned to his amulet by Freelancer's spear.

- Attacks us!

With that behind the agents appeared three black feathers that electrocuted the agents leaving them stunned.

Third person end

Lok's POV

After using "electric pen" and knocking out the agents I ran between them.

-If you excuse me -I took out the ring, I threw it into the air and I took it- I have something to protect.

With that I left the room while dodging attacks. The agents chased me; they were so busy launching attacks that they did not see a table full of things. The three fell to the ground wrapped in dust.

-Lok, Freelancer is in danger!

When I looked at Freelancer I was being attacked by another Redcap and was about to return to his amulet.

-We cannot beat Redcap without him. What can we do?

-I can try to give you an energy bath. I can use it to recharge it. Look.

With that, Cherit spat his multi-coloured lightning bolt at Redcap, which flew into a wall. Freelancer remained on the ground. Cherit approached him, lifted his helmet and skipped the beam again. Freelancer activated and got up while I was taking Cherit, I was really exhausted. I called Freelancer to his amulet and ran out with Cherit in my arms.

Lok's POV end

Third person

A quartet of suits, three men and a red-haired woman were looking for the Huntik team through the corridors of the catacombs. The woman, a new agent in the field, separated from her colleagues to investigate a noise she had heard in one of the side corridors. When she was distracted, a hand covered her mouth and pushed her back, hiding her in the shadows.

Third person end

Zhalia's POV

I took advantage of the fact that an agent had left her group and was coming in my direction to catch her. I covered her mouth with my hand and dragged her to my hiding place.

-Shhh...

I left her unconscious and I dressed like her.

- Where is the new agent?

-There is no one here.

I came out of my hiding place and caught the attention of the remaining agents imitating the French accent. I turned around and prepared to continue through the tunnel.

-Hey, wait- an agent came up to me- is that the ring?

I turned around and raised my hand.

-The one that is trinket -I said with him settled. Then I took my hand to the wig and took it off.

-It's from the Foundation. To her!

-Good seen guys- I said without it settled. I held up a thumb - But too late.

With that, I ran down the hall. The agents chased me, forgetting their partner back.

Zhalia's POV end

Sophie's POV

A group of agents came running down the hall where I was; I quickly hid behind a column. I sighed relieved when they passed by. It was the fifth group of agents that I had met since I had separated from the group. I hoped that others would be better. Dante had decided that Cherit went with Lok to babysit and kept him safe, while I was exhausted and helpless and all I wanted was to get out of the catacombs as soon as possible. Now I know how Lok felt after his first meeting with the Organization and the following days. I would have to apologize for being so hard on him in training despite telling me he was tired.

-They are everywhere-I shook my hair - Lightbolt

A pink sphere of light appeared in my hand and I let it guide me through the corridors.

-I'm very tired.

My sphere guided me to vertical stone stairs from which natural light came. I looked at it full of hope. I went up the stairs and out through a square hole that led to another underground chamber. When I left full of disappointment, I felt that the fatigue was stronger. I kept walking until I came to a large room full of more graves. I started down stairs when something creaked under my feet and I fell into a huge hole followed by my Lightbolt.

Sophie's POV end

Third person

Defoe had gathered all his agents in one room. I was furious. His face had turned red and a vein in his neck had swollen.

-I cannot believe it! You must think I'm a very gullible fool. It is not like this?

-No sir- all the agents had lowered their heads. Defoe started pacing back and forth.

- Do you expect me to believe that you have seen all the members of Dante Vale's team separately?

-Yes sir.

-I see. And they all wore the Arco ring? - Defoe stood before an agent and grabbed his tie- Stupid, they have cheated you, and have escaped again! I ordered you to capture all the team members!

-Yes sir- All the agents responded at the same time I made a military salute.

-Traffickers. Although thinking about it, Vale must wear the ring. It would not endanger the other members. Tell Grier.

-Yes sir.

- Trap the brat, get the diary and get the ring.

-Yes sir.

With that the agents of the Organization left running to fulfil the orders of their superior.

Third person end

Sophie's POV

I had managed to grab a ledge while it fell. It was close to the edge of the surface, but I did not have the strength to fly. The ledge began to break.

-It's useless. I'm exhausted- Try to reach the edge with the other hand to have better grip- I can not take it anymore- Just when I managed to reach with the other hand, the ledge broke. I managed to keep both my hands on the ledge- Dante! Lok! Someone help me!

Sophie's POV end

Lok's POV

-Dante! Lok! Someone help me!

I heard Sophie's cry for help. Immediately I turned around and ran to its source.

-Cherit, it's Sophie.

-It's coming down there.

I came to a huge room; in the centre there was a gigantic hole. From it came a pink light that could only be Sophie's.

-Who's there?

-Sophie? - I peeked through the hole and saw Sophie hanging from a ledge- Oh wow.

-I cannot use my spells, or fly. Hurry up and get me out of here!

-Oh no! Use the rope to hang those skeletons. -I wailed out loud.

-Lok hurry please!- As soon as the sentence was finished, Sophie's hands broke loose.

-Sophie!

Without thinking much I jumped into the hole grabbing a hand on the edge and with the other reached Sophie's wrist, pulled her up and grabbed her by the waist, Sophie grabbed me.

- Do you want us to kill ourselves?

-Yes, that is, no, I mean ... what is this?

-A common grave. All those who could not pay for a funeral were thrown here.

-Well, I do not want to end up like this- I leaned my harvest on the wall- Electric-jump!

I managed to push both of us to the surface. Sophie fell on her back and I faced.

I rolled on my side and turned around, I was face to face with a group of agents of the Organization.

-You have no escape. An if you surrender.

-I suppose I was not the only one who heard you?- I sighed.

-You should not have come, Lok. It could have been a trap of the Organization.

-I knew it was you.

- How were you so sure?

-Easy. You have asked Dante for help, then me, and then no one else. You have not mentioned Zhalia.

-Stop talking and give us the Arco ring!

I was calm that they did not love me. It seemed that not all the Organization knew that they had to capture me. Sophie and I gave him our rings.

-And that's it? Sure, here you have them.

Sophie and I got up.

-These are false, if they were the real ones you would not give them to us.

-Oh, you're too smart- Sophie said with a mocking tone.

-We already knew it, brat. Take them and then we'll go for the others.

Goodbye to my relief. Luckily Sophie thought of a plan.

-Don't come closer. Or you will taste the fury of my anger.

-It's a Casterwill, I advise you to join us- Sophie and I were having a lot of fun.

-Look children- He began to explain an agent as if we were children of six years- You cannot beat us, we are many.

-Who said we want to beat us? - Sophie asked.

-Yeah, all we want is to entertain you so that Dante and Zhalia can escape.

-What? - Said the agents at the same time.

-I have to assume that your superiors are going to punish you very hard for letting that happen- Sophie said with a warning tone.

-It's the worst thing we could do to you, right? We have also heard that Defoe has a very bad character- I said with a lot of fun.

-It is evident that they are a decoy- Commented the smartest of the agents.

-Not worth it. Let's get out of here.

With that the agents left where they had come in search of Dante and Zhalia. I sighed relieved. I had thought they were catching me. I felt a little pity for those agents, the moment Defoe or the Professor found out that they let me escape, very bad things would happen to them. Help Sophie to stand

-Let's rest a while.

-No, we cannot.

Lok's POV end