Chapter 32
Sophie's POV
We entered through the secret passages of the building and found an open bronze door and an agent of the Organization lying on the ground unconscious.
-Someone knocked out this guy.
Lok and Cherit, who could finally fly freely, watched the agent while I inspected the entrance.
-But who? Maybe we are not the only ones who follow them.
-We'll have to be careful.
Lok and I went through the tunnel, Cherit stayed behind with the agent, when he began to regain consciousness, he hit him with a statuette on his head, leaving it to fall again, he died enjoying doing it. All together we went through the stone tunnels illuminated by well-placed lights, they were a labyrinth, we walked paying attention to everything that could be a threat. Cherit and I saw a threat and after glancing at us Cherit warned Lok.
-We have a visit, ready to fight? - He whispered in his ear.
- It will not be necessary, calm, it is not an enemy. Right, Zhalia?
With that Lok turned and crouched, reached out and stroked the air at ground level, Gareon appeared enjoying the caresses of Lok.
-You have to improve the sense of direction.
Zhalia appeared at our back, Gareon ran out to join her, Zhalia returned him to his amulet. We turned a little surprised, or at least Cherit and me.
-How did you know it was me and not an agent of the Organization?- At Zhalia's question, Lok, he touched his nose with one finger, Zhalia rolled his eyes. -I should have guessed.
-What are you doing here? - He asked surprised of his presence right in the place where the Organization was, or at least that was my surprise.
-That we would like to know.
I asked crossing my arms, we always had to find her, why could not she simply disappear?
-I came to Vienna for this house and its treasures,- Zhalia answered a little defensively, -and I think the Organization too.
-What a strange coincidence.- At last I said what I thought was making Zhalia angry.
- Hey girl, just because...
-I know you like to argue- Lok interrupted -but we have to get to the titan before the bad guys.
-Yes, you have to hurry.
Cherit second, both advanced leaving us to Zhalia and me behind, I immediately went behind them making a small sound of annoyance as I passed by Zhalia. The four of us advanced in that order and with Lok and Cherit a few centimetres more distance. Suddenly Lok stood up, stuck to the wall and crouched hiding from Defoe and his subordinates. Defoe looked at a somewhat indecisive paper.
-They are following a map- Lok warned.
-So they know where they're going in the labyrinth. -I said.
-In that case they will guide us to the end- Cherit said innocently, while hiding behind Lok's head.
-Yes, and they will also arrive before the titan.- Zhalia said, when nobody had asked her, in her unbearable tone of always bitter Cherit and me.
-But if we get that map we will arrive first- Lok suggested as he got up when the Organization's agents found their way. Zhalia and I also get up- We cannot go behind, but what if we go over them?
-Above?- Zhalia asked incredulously.
-If you can distract them, Cherit and I will do the rest.
Lok asked me to carry out his plan, but it seemed very risky and in the end he found another solution. The Organization's agents continued to move forward with Defoe at the head. Zhalia and I attacked two agents who had left behind, their cries to receive our attacks alerted the others, we both appeared with Sabriel and Kilthane to our backs, Defoe ordered the other agents to catch us, three of them they launched themselves against us, an agent summoned a Redcap, Sabriel ran out with the sword ready to cut the Redcap, and she did so, returning it to his amulet. Another agent summoned his Mindrone who attacked Sabriel with the orange beam of his eye knocking her down, the agent was glad of his small achievement, but Kilthane was preparing to attack his titan and his joy vanished, Grier reacted by invoking Breaker, the bear caught Zhalia's titan as he prepared to cut the frightened Mindrone, Sabriel recovered from his attack and stabbed Breaker.
For my part, I was fighting the agent that invoked the first titan, a most elven elf, but it was not a rival for me, I punched her in the face causing her to turn and bend, I finished her with a kick in the back. I ran to meet Zhalia.
-We have to go back
Saying this Zhalia and I fled, Defoe did not want to lose his prey so he sent almost all his team to follow us.
Sophie's POV end
Lok's POV
Defoe was about to invoke his manta-ray titan when Freelancer appeared behind him surprising him and the agent who accompanied him, with his big fist, Freelancer hit the agent, Defoe looked up and saw me on the roof, which was very difficult and that would not hold much.
-Do not move.
Surprised by my appearance, Defoe put a hand to his chest while he turned his back on me and fell to his knees, and in two seconds he had Freelancer return to his amulet with his "Venomous Fang" beam and attacked me with a greenish orange beam making me fall. While I was falling I tried to use "Fall of a feather, but it was a failure and I crashed to the ground in front of my face, giving me a tremendous blow to the chest and stomach.
-I have not caught the nerve to this power.
I mumbled as I turned around, before I could react Defoe grabbed me by the neck and lifted me up into the air, thankfully I did not squeeze too much his grip and it did not cut my breath too much.
-Your friends will not be able to save you.
He said with a terrifying reddish glow in his eyes. I looked around looking for a way out of this and found it, I saw Cherit beckoning to me from his hiding place.
-It's just that you have not guessed, all this is part of Dante's plan.
Defoe's face was a poem, as soon as he heard Dante's name his face filled with fear, his eyes lost that reddish glow and he ducked his head pensively, then raised it up again angrily.
-You lie!
-If he lies, why am I behind you?
Dante's voice terrified Defoe causing him to loosen his grip, he turned surprised and terrified, but was more surprised to see Cherit. I took advantage of his distraction to kick him in the belly with a smile that made me let go and that he doubled over in pain on the floor, I removed the map and ran along with Cherit along the corridors leaving Defoe on the ground catching his breath. I knew that this would make me pay the next time we met, but for the moment I enjoyed my victory.
Once away from the Organization I sat on the floor to interpret the map, which I could not, it was very difficult and I did not even know where I was, so little did I know where the girls were.
-We've escaped, but what about Sophie and Zhalia?
-Quiet, they are very good, they will find us at any time- Cherit said very calm and animated.
-And the Organization also if you do not have more care- Zhalia entered the room where we were going down some stairs, Sophie went down behind her and stood beside her- As for the henchmen and Grier, we have finger them corners.
-Tell me Lok, how could you, Cherit and you, escape Defoe?"-Sophie asked in surprise.
-I have done what I thought Dante would do. I wish Dante were here.
-I understand.
-And I- Zhalia's answer surprised us all and we looked at her without hiding it, first for empathy and second, I wanted Dante to be with us.- That is, he is a good seeker and could be useful.
-And if Dante were here, we could scan this map in his Holotomo.
-That's no problem Lok- Sophie stood next to me- Summon Saiperdex! - A blue Holotomo appeared in Sophie's hands.
-I did not know you had a Holotomo.-Sophie sat next to me.
-The Holotomes are just copies that have the foundation of this, the Saiperdex, my family has used it for generations. -Sophie took the map from my hands taking advantage of my distraction with the Saiperdex. She placed the map on both screens to scan it. - And forget about it, it's not a toy.
I moaned when I knew I could not play with him, Dante so little left me his Holotomo, I do not know why they teach me such cool toys if I was not going to be able to play with them.
-The groups of seekers have something like that, the Organization so well- Zhalia explained.
Lok's POV end
Third person
Unknown to the three seekers and his titan friend, a Mindrone observed them hidden in the shadows of the roof, the image of what he saw through his eyes was projected on the black Holotomo of Defoe, who watched his prey with great enthusiasm.
-I already have them where I wanted to have them. -Defoe's eyes focused on the figure of Lok-Soon I will chase you, and I will avenge myself.
Third person end
Dante's POV
I had just arrived at my destination, the gardens in front of a very elegant palace. In one of the banks was my contact, an older man, dressed in black, with a black hat and a white scarf, was a human who had made his way into the magical world with his black market products, now also trafficking in objects magical On his feet was a palette identical to mine, he was feeding the pigeons. I approached the man, I left the briefcase next to his and I sat down next to him.
-I think you have a friend in bed that is not very well.
-The chicken broth works miracles. What have you brought me?
The man took my briefcase, placed it in his lap and opened it, checking that the money was the right one.
- Here you have what you have asked me.
I took the briefcase and did the same as him, inside there were many jars with different contents.
-We'll see-I got up- If there's a problem, you'll answer to me.
With that, I went to the safe house leaving the man behind. I made sure no one followed me.
-I swear I'll heal you anyway.
Dante's POV end
Sophie's POV
-Saiperdex show us the labyrinth.
"Sorry, my lady, you cannot do the scanner, it's impossible"
- What now? - Asked Lok
-Well, go with the Saiperdex of the Casterwill.-Zhalia protested with a very annoying tone.
-No wait! There is a mystical blade that blocks the scanner - I put my hand on the map-Breakspell!
-That explains why it was not scanned Defoe.-Said Zhalia now according to me, I should go to be looked at bipolarity.
-Vale Saiperdex!, try again.
He immediately scanned it and showed the 3D shape of the tunnels indicating where we were and our goal. I gave the directions to the others and we set off towards the titan. We were relieved that the Organization could not find us without the map. We had not made much progress when two Redcap downed Zhalia and me, Cherit was shot down by a Mindrone beam. Lok tried to invoke Freelancer, but as soon as he got his amulet, Defoe hit with "Raypulse" Lok's wrist causing the amulet to fly out and fall into a bag that Grier was holding, Lok turned to know it had been his titan's, when he looked back he found himself face to face with Kretualk, and he fell to the ground in fright. Defoe approached him.
-I hope the map has been as useful as I have been. Idiots, I was the one who covered the map with an anti-scanner sheet, after having scanned it, of course. A bright trap.
Defoe positioned himself on top of Lok and placed one foot on his chest pushing him against the ground, causing his wings to jingle against it, in the same way that the glass does when struck lightly with a spoon. Lok was not happy to see him, fear was in his eyes, and his whiskers began to emit electric sparks, however Defoe was not electrocuted, as had happened on another occasion. Lok's eyes widened at being helpless.
-Searched?, I learned the lesson after you electrocuted me, rubber soles, this way you cannot electrocute me.-Defoe smiled maliciously- I have been told that you give off electricity when you are scared, you praise me, they have also told me that you are playful I love playing, but I think we like very different games. I finally caught you- Defoe took Lok's Springer's amulet and put it in Grier's bag - You'll be separated from your dangerous toys for a while. Stop them all!
Two agents took each of us and tied all three together, while a Redcap had Cherit trapped in its clutches.
Sophie's POV end
Dante's POV
I arrived at the safe house wanting to rest and relax, but when it was empty inside the house, I turned on the light in the main room, which was the dining room; I left the briefcase on the table and looked around.
- I have not been invited to the party.
I went into Sophie and Zhalia's room, and then I went to Lok's and mine, their suitcases were on their beds.
-It is neither the Saiperdex, nor the newspaper.- I went back to the dining room and approached a plan that was on the table.- This is the map that Zhalia was looking at.- I went to the exit, I turned off the light and left, waiting that Slowing, who was outside looking through a window, would accompany me- If it's a party, I'll have to sneak in.
Dante's POV end
Lok's POV
So that we could walk they handcuffed us all together, they even handcuffed my right hand to Cherit, the poor guy was hanging him like a dead weight. We reached the room where the titan was, the lighting was different from the rest of the labyrinth, like the colour of the stone, went from gray to reddish brown, two agents guarded the door, three of us with Grier and Defoe, in addition, a Redcap and a Mindrone came and went through the room. At the end of the room there was a mural of a lizard, it was partially covered by a very thick violet curtain.
-You two!- Defoe pointed at the agents guarding the door. -It's time for the final act, raise the curtain.
-Yes sir!
Both officers ran out obeying the orders of their superiors, one of the agents, the snake to be exact, showed me his fangs when he passed by my side causing a discharge to travel all over my back. Both agents approached the curtain and began to move revealing what hid. They had not finished moving it when one of them stopped and looked at the mural, a violet light came out of it towards the agent, causing it to turn into stone showing terror on his face, the other agent ran away from his hissing partner. Everyone in the room was horrified by what we had just seen, all but Defoe, who seemed to have fun.
-Oh, pity, what a tragedy, we need more guinea pigs. -All the agents of the Organization retreated one step terrified- Luckily the Huntik Foundation has donated a few.- Defoe looked at us, it seemed that he was going to eat us. - The sly fox and the brat Casterwil will be the first!
The agents removed the handcuffs, handcuffed Zhalia's hands behind her and let Cherit fall to the ground, then pushed Sophie and me forward.
-You like puzzles, do not you?-Defoe asked funny.
-The mortal not, I'm fine right now.-Two agents threatened us with their powers.
-Come on, it'll be fun, like your old shit.-Defoe's gaze went from amused to angry.
-We have no choice Lok.
Sophie and I made our way to the wall, past the stone man.
-I recognize that I'm not going to miss him- I pointed to the stone demon.- But I do not want to end up like a statue.
-If we remain calm and think well, we can free ourselves.-Sophie tried to reassure me.-Besides, think about how stupid Defoe has been.
-What do you mean, you brat?- Defoe interjected.
-Oh come now, have not you noticed? - Sophie giggled and I smiled.
-Sophie is right, I wonder what the Professor will do to you if your loved one becomes a stone, besides, for once you manage to catch me, you waste it for your ego, since you cannot stand being deceived.
- Enough already!
The order came from Grier not from Defoe, it seemed that he was processing the information, or thinking about what the Professor would do to him, he had a very funny face.
-Only the one who looked up turned into stone- Sophie warned me.
-I bet the head is there- We both look at the mural.
-In the legend of the Basilisk, the creature turned them into stone with their eyes.
-Hey, maybe we can look at the problem reversed, like when I solved the puzzle with the mirror.
-A mirror- Sophie's eyes widened at an idea- that's it. That thick curtain absorbs light and blocks the trap.
-But a mirror is the opposite, it reflects the light.
-And the trap against itself will return.
-And where will there be a mirror in this underground labyrinth?
-Maybe it's small- Sophie pulled a compact out of a pocket of her skirt- But it reflects.
-Do you want to prevent us from being turned into stone with that little mirror?
-Do you want to try your with your brilliant personality? I bet on the mirror- Sophie seemed upset at my doubt in her mirror. We both stand right in front of the curtain-For what you like most; do not open your eyes.
I nodded, I went to the curtain and I grabbed it with doubts and fear, if it does not work we could end the snake that. Sophie opened the compact and lifted it over her head, when she closed her eyes, I closed them too and pulled the curtain to expose the head of the mural, I crouched down and covered myself with my arm so that the violet light did not affect me. The idea of Sophie worked, the floor rumbled and I opened my eyes a little, the mural had filled with cracks and shone with a very intense red, then collapsed covering Sophie and me in a cloud of dust. When it dissipated we could see another camera. We did not have time to react, an agent grabbed Sophie and took her away and Defoe grabbed me by the neck as I had done before, although this time I squeezed more. Defoe began to glow with a terrifying green light.
- Since you have done the dirty work to me, we will continue where we had left it.
-You do not understand, this is part of Dante's plan.
-I'll grind you for trying to deceive me with such a simple lie twice- Defoe's brightness increased with his anger, passed from him to me, I felt my strength and breathing go away. Defoe was enjoying it very much.
-If he lies, why am I behind you?
Defoe turned to Dante's voice, this time it was him and they looked at Defoe with amusement. Defoe released me but grabbed my neck again with my arm placed in front of him as a shield, when Dante stepped forward, Defoe pulled out one of those blue pistols and pointed it at my head with that. I tried to escape, but I was stronger and taller than me. Slowing flew by causing Defoe to drop the gun and let me go, letting me fall to the ground. When he saw Slowing he got even more angry, and summoned Kreutlak, who launched himself at Slowing. Dante summoned Calibam and went to face Defoe while his titan faced Kreutlak. Grier invoked Breaker making Dante's plans change, Caliban faced the titan of Grier and Dante to him.
Lok's POV end
Zhalia's POV
I took advantage of the distraction of the agent who was guarding me to kick him in the stomach and throw handcuffs, which I had already freed a while ago thanks to a fork.
- Now this gets interesting.
Sophie and Lok were fighting against several agents, it goes without saying that Sophie was doing better than Lok, kicked in the face of one of them and with "Lightpulse" got rid of a Redcap attacking her from behind. Two agents and their titans and then Sophie cornered Lok and Cherit as well. I sent Gareon to help them in what I was dealing with something else.
Zhalia's POV end
Sophie's POV
Lok, Cherit and I had been cornered against a wall.
-I do not like it, we cannot fight without our titans- Lok said nervous and scared.
-A Grier has dropped the bag there- Cherit pointed us to the place.
- It's not here!
Lok screamed panicking. The agents attacked us with "Raypulse", my reflexes are fast and I protected Lok and Cherti with "Light-shield", but the rays were very strong and I could not take much. Gareon appeared on Lok's shoulder and in his tail brought the bag, I will never recognize him before Zhalia, but I was very grateful. We quickly take our titans and invoke them. Nothing else to appear Sabriel cut a Redcap in half returning it to his amulet and Freelancer to a Mindrone.
Sophie's POV end
Dante's POV
Calibam did what he could against Breaker, dodging his four arms and trying to stab him. I managed to catch the arm of his seeker when he tried to punch me, I bent his arm and put it on his back, but he managed to get loose quickly and we went back to the fight.
Dante POV end
Zhalia's POV
I had entered the secret chamber leaving the team to take care of everything to gain time, I could still hear the ruckus of the fight behind me. I reached the end of the chamber where there was only one statue identical to the creature in the mural, its mouth was open showing its sharp teeth and forked tongue, its eyes were so intense red that it seemed that the look penetrated you. I approached the creature and placed my hand on its nose, the creature shone with a violet light. I squeezed my eyes in effort.
-It does not seem friendly, can I form a bond with him?
Zhalia's POV end
Lok's POV
Sophie had managed to get rid of another agent, we hit five and ran out with our titans, which Kreutlak had sprayed with a torrent of acid and had knocked them down, Sabriel and Freelancer were trying to get up while their armour was fuming, to make matters worse, Gargoul appeared flying and pierced them with his claws returning them to his amulets. Breaker managed to hit Calibam by throwing him against a wall, Dante shouted worried about his loyal friend, but he could not stop fighting against Grier or he would be knocked down too. Icarus, the titan angel of Sophie, set out to attack Gragoul with a ray of light, but Kreutlak eliminated him with his acid. Breaker caught Caliban and returned his amulet by crushing him. Grier and Breaker cornered Dante and Defoe and their titans cornered Sophie and me.
-Now I have you all- He sang Defoe very satisfied.
-Wait!- Zhalia caught everyone's attention as she left the secret chamber. -You'll have to fight with me.
-It's a bluff, look at it, it has not been able to bond with the titan. Grier!
Grier ordered Breaker to attack Zhalia and leave Dante alone.
-I would not be so sure. Make King Basilisk tremble!
Zhalia raised her hands with the amulet between the two and shining in violet King Basilisk made his appearance. It was a kind of dragon with thin legs and a broad chest with golden armour, wearing a kind of crown, its tail was long like its wings, had red eyes and sharp teeth and snake tongue, also had three horns, two on the sides of the head and the third on the forehead.
Breaker could not advance anymore since the look of King Basilisk turned him into stone, broke and returned to his amulet leaving the Organization stunned.
-Cray, have you seen that?! - I exclaimed full of astonishment and emotion.
-Impossible!-Defoe was not as happy as I was.
-You do not want to end up like a statue, right? -Zhalia approached the statue of the agent and rested a hand on it- You have two options, or you turn around and get out of here right away, or in the other room there is a pedestal waiting for a new statue.
The red eyes of the Basilisk glowed brightly. Defoe accepted the suggestion to leave and ordered his henchmen to retreat while threatening to capture me and kill Dante the next time we met. Zhalia returned the Basilisk King to his amulet in a flurry of violet light, Dante joined Sophie and me and Zhalia alike.
-Why have you let them escape? – Sophie demanded to know
-I had no choice.-Dante looked at Zhalia, as soon as she reached us she dropped down being trapped by Dante. -Summoning a titan as powerful as King Basilisk is exhausting.
-It was bluffing?, how cool! - I was impressed by the performance of Zhalia.
We made our way back to the safe house, Dante helped Zhalia to stand up, Cherit and Sophie were talking animatedly and I, I stayed behind when something caught my attention, lying on the floor, next to the door of the house. labyrinth, there was a key with a rectangular shape, I immediately remembered seeing it in my father's diary and did not hesitate to stop and pick it up.
-What is this doing here?
-Come on, Lok!-Sophie called me from the second floor, in a hurry.
-I'm going!
Once in the safe house, Sophie and Zhalia went to sleep, Dante Cherit and I stayed in the dining room, Dante was reading a book leaning against the wall, because he is that cool, instead of sitting in a chair or in one of the armchairs, like normal people, he remains standing against the wall. I was examining the key and talking to Cherit.
-This was in my father's diary, why did the Organization have it?
-I do not know, maybe the two of you were looking for the same treasure- Cherit suggested to me, not sure about anything.
-My father would not work for the teacher, right?
-Do not even think about it!- Cherit was quite shocked by my doubt. -Your father was a member of the Huntik Foundation, Lok do not ever forget that.
-He's right.-Dante joined our conversation. -Your father was a good man.
-Yes, but I had so many secrets, I do not know what to believe, or who to believe.
I was very discouraged and downcast, that night I did not sleep much and I kept thinking about everything. The little I managed to sleep I dreamed about my father and I remembered several things, my father teaching me to ride a bike, fishing, playing with me and brushing my tails on the sofa at home, especially I remembered how safe I felt in his arms and with him I felt that nothing bad could happen to me. I kept thinking about all the lies and secrets, even I was a secret that hid everyone, even his friends, a secret that took a lot of trouble to keep hidden, until he left.
Lok's POV end