Chapter 24

Dante's POV

I had been walking the corridors for a while without meeting any of the Organization's agents. I was worried that it was because the rest of my team had run into too many. I came to other of the innumerable rooms full of tombs, Grier, was standing in the middle of it, seemed a bit lost.

-Grier- I approached him calmly- I wanted to face you- Grier looked at me angrily. I threw Calibam's amulet as if it were a coin, when it fell on my hand I called it- Calibam!

Calibam appeared with his characteristic blue light and stood in front of Grier with the sword ready to charge against him at my command. Grier invoked Breaker. The titan bear threw himself against Calibam, who punched him in the muzzle causing him to back off and hit him with the sword's handle on his chin causing the bear to fall to the ground out of combat. Calibam placed himself in front of Grier.

-Too slow. Redcap!

The Redcap attacked Calibam jumping on him causing the two to roll on the ground.

-Let's match the bets- I said with the Freelancer amulet prepared- Freelancer!

Freelancer faced Breaker while I faced Grier. I caught Grier with a punch in the face, Grier tried to hit me back but I jumped on him landing a few meters away.

-Grier, I have a feeling there's something else in you. Something you're hiding from me- despite my mocking tone and my big smile I felt it was true.

-And says the Man who always hides things from others. Dragon fist!

I grinned when Grier attacked me with his fist glowing yellow, it looked like he had gotten a little angry over my joke. I jumped again, dodging the attack. Now Grier was angrier. Breaker stood in front of me blocking my way.

-Rayfire- The roof above Breaker was broken by crushing the bear- Today you are concentrated. Is it because we do not have an audience?

Grier punched me on the left side of my face, knocking me against one of the tombs. The Arco ring fell on the flight and it rang with a tinkle when I touch the ground Grier came over and took the ring.

-I only carried orders. And it's already

-You have bested me.

Grier looked at me doubtfully, took the ring to his mouth and bit him. The ring broke.

-Other fake ring. There is only one-person left who can have the authentic one.

Grier left, leaving me behind. What did he say, did it mean that two members of my team had been caught?

Dante's POV end

Zhalia's POV

I ran down other stone stairs.

-There is an exit above.

-Not so fast junk from the foundation- Three agents blocked my way-We know who you are.

-That I doubt it.

-Raypulse! - They shouted at the same time

-Dark speed

Shine in a violet colour, I ran at a high speed and disappeared from the sight of my enemies. I placed myself behind an agent, knocked him unconscious and collapsed on the floor. I jumped and kicked an agent in the face just as I was invoking a Redcap. The last agent confronted me directly, although I did not know I would lose. After trying to hit him a couple of times, jump backwards.

- Give yourself!

-Mental vision.

That power allowed me to know the movements I would make before I made them. I dodged without difficulty his pathetic attempts to hit me.

-I know where you're going to hit before you do it.

The agent tried to punch me, dodge, raise his leg and kicked him in the chest.

- Those powers. You must be ...

-That matters. You will not remember Simple mind!

My eyes shone in red and those of the agent too. I ran out wanting to get out of this damn place once. Unfortunately, while I was leaving, a yellow beam passed over my face. I turned around.

-What a pity Zhalia Moon-Defoe, several agents, Kreutalk and two Mindones had trapped me- you were so close. Pity.

-Come on, come for me. But while you're wasting time with me, Dante escapes with the ring.

-Oh! How intelligent, but I know you have the authentic Arco ring. You see we already have the other three false rings.

-But they cannot do anything right.

-Destroy it!

The agents reacted to Defoe's order by attacking me at the same time. I jumped to dodge the attacks but still end up on the ground.

Zhalia's POV end

Lok's POV

Sophie, Cherit and I were walking in another of the many corridors. Sophie was already better and the first thing she did when I recovered her strength was to scold me for messing me up and for giving the Organization rings.

-The decision to deliver the rings has been very hasty, and very brave for someone who doubts so much in the test type tests.

-Look Sophie, despite what Dante said, he would never give us the real ring.

-If that would be too dangerous- I confirm Cherit.

-Well, and now we're useless decoys.

-We must try to get to the street. Do not forget Lok, that the Organization still wants to capture you.

-Yeah ...- Look at the wristwatch I wore- Wait, there are only five minutes left. Listen maybe Dante and Zhalia are still fighting against those evil ones.

-If there are only five minutes left they will not be able to leave before the ring breaks my spell.

-We have to find them.

- Yes, they may need help.

Sophie and I went running in search of our companions, Cherit grabbed one of my tails and let me drag it.

Lok's POV end

Zhalia's POV

I had been dodging attacks for a while, but they kept coming. I fell to the ground with the attack of a Mindrone and Kreutalk prepared to attack me with his acid pushing me backwards.

-Fight for your lady Kilthane!

Kilthane appeared to my rescue. The agents of the Organization invoked their titans as well. One Jokuol and two Redcap. Kilthane took care of the Jokoul. The Redcap were preparing to attack me.

-I know how you are Defoe. You've had an easy life, have not you?

-Surround it.

-That's why you think you're better than anyone and you think you have the right to lead them.

-To her.

The agents and Defoe attacked with powers that crashed into Kilthane's shield. I turned around to face the two Mindrones who had climbed the wall.

-Arrive them Strix!

My Strix pierced the eyes of the Mindorians causing them to return to their amulets. One of the wasps was against Defoe who asked for help, how weird. A Jokoul stood in his way being traversed by my titan. The Redcaps surrounded me and prepared to attack me, but Kilthane protected me with his shield and cut them with his sword. Kretualk spat a stream of green acid against Kilthane, leaving him very weak.

-Is that all, Miss Moon?

Suddenly a Redcap was destroyed by Calibam. Dante appeared very calmly.

-That's a great word for a guy as ignorant as you.

-Dante. I have tried to distract them.

-What does that mean?

-Zhalia, go ahead, give him the ring- I obeyed Dante and I threw the ring to Defoe, it fell on his feet and he started to catch it.

-Cannot be! Another fake. Which one of you has the real ring?

I dropped with my arms crossed on the wall behind me with a smile of satisfaction on my face. Dante also smiled satisfied that everything was as he had to go.

-None of us, of course.

-What?!

Lok, Sophie and Cherit came running and full of worry.

-Dante! The thirty minutes are over, we have to leave! - Lok shouted scared.

-The real ring is somewhere in the Foundation for about ten minutes.

Lok and Sophie were puzzled, but the best was Defoe's face.

-That's impossible!

-In reality it has been very easy. When we separated the Gareon de Zhalia took the authentic ring and mocked your defences. Gareon has the power to become invisible for short periods of time, that, combined with our distractions, allowed him to surface and reach the Huntik Foundation's hiding place with plenty of time. "Dante explained to everyone present.

-That means.

-What have you lost, one more time?

-That's our Dante Vale- Cherit congratulated. The guys celebrated too.

-If I cannot take the ring, I'll settle for capturing the child.

-Great- Lok cringed a little at his words and seeing the power that Defoe was accumulating in his hand.

-Defoe,- Dante continued. -There's another very interesting factor in my strategy that I planned just for you,-Dante warned with a menacing tone.

-Tell me what it is.

-Your forces are scattered throughout the catacombs- We started to approach Defoe all together- While mine are here.

The Organization agents ran away scared.

-Bad cowards. See you soon, Dante Vale.

With that Defoe ran after his agents. I raised my hand ready to knock him down, but Dante stopped me.

-Let him go, we have to deal with something else.

Zhalia's POV end

Dante's POV

Finally we left the catacombs and went to the cathedral, it was already dark and there was no one in the streets. I explained to the boys that Zhalia and I had devised the plan while Sophie was unconscious and Lok took care of her. When we arrived, I led the children through an area of the cathedral that is always closed to the public, where we arrived at a large room full of books. The Gareon de Zhalia was very happy to see her and immediately jumped into her arms. Zhalia and I went to a table where a Huntik operative was waiting for us. Sophie picked up a book and sat on a red sofa, Lok and Cherit looked at the place and later the books.

-I know you got my message.

-Yes, I was not sure what was happening, but prepare the reliquary just in case, and it seems to hold it.

The agent explained. He opened a chest that was on the table and showed us the ring of Joan of Arc resting on a purple cushion inside it.

-Good- Zhalia said while caressing Gareon -But can you tell us what it is? An amulet perhaps?

-I do not think It's one of the legendary titans, if you mean that. I think it's just a normal ring with a curse.

-With a curse so strong not even the best search engine could appreciate a titan inside.

-Well, I will consult with the Huntik council and we will find out.

-Until then do not let the ring get out of here.

Dante's POV end

Lok's POV

I had taken one of the books and tried to read it, I swear, I swear I tried, but I did not understand anything. I approached Sophie with the doubt written on my face.

- Are you sure that seekers learn new powers studying all these books?

-Of course, how do you think I learned mine?

-Aaj, it's very hard- I turned around and left the book in its place.

-Lok- I turned around-did the ring show you visions or something?

- Yes, some were good and others bad.

-The mine were all bad- Sophie cringed on the couch- Very bad

-ehh, those visions mean nothing- I placed my hands on his shoulders -Looking at the future is a legend.

-Yeah right. It was just a cursed ring.

-You know- Cherit intervened- you both have done very well today.

-If Sophie, the spell you used you only read it and it was your first time. You've been great!

-And what about you? You cheated the agents and jumped from the pit. You are a true Seeker!

-Thank you, but do not say it so surprised. I'm sure that one day I'll be better than you, maybe even Dante's

- Yes of course that will be when Cherit will win a pulse to Calibam.

Lok's POV end

Third person

In Prague, Defoe was being scolded by Rassimof, the second in command after the Professor, who had his back to both men in his office looking at one of his many bookshelves.

-Rassimof, let me explain.

Rassimof, a pale man like a dead man with black hair as well as his moustache and beard, stared coldly at the man who was kneeling in front of him. He wore a kind of green tunic, brown gloves, beige pants and brown shoes.

-I'll be very clear Defoe. I speak on behalf of the Professor, since he is too angry to see you.

-But sir...

-Listen to me! Seeing your failure to capture the child and losing the Arc ring, you have been replaced. Be glad that I did not ask you to end up with you, for now.

Rassimof left, leaving Defoe still on the ground. Defoe left for his home in Prague. He sat on a stool thinking about everything that had happened.

- Damn Dante Vale. You have beaten me again!

Defoe unleashed his anger on a table full of glass jars, hitting it with his power-filled hand, causing an explosion. He went to the window and looked out to see Prague.

-With or without the Organization, I swear I'll finish you off.

Third person end