Chapter 54
Dante's POV
As we progressed I became more restless, the map the Holotome displayed seemed inaccurate. At first, I thought that the Holotome had misscanned the Organization map, although that would be very strange, but after reviewing the physical map I realized that the map was accurate, the Holotome had not made any mistakes.
-Is something wrong with the Holotome, Dante?
Wow, I thought I was hiding well, I seem to be losing my cool, or well, Sophie is observant and very smart, I shouldn't be surprised that she noticed. That explanation is better than thinking that the whole Zhalia thing was getting to me and I was neglecting to hide my concerns from the boys so they wouldn't be scared.
-This is the way, but it seems that the information is contradictory.
-It seems that those agents have not made the map well, are you sure they have not made a mistake when making the lines?
From what I could see, Lok's pessimism hadn't disappeared, although I couldn't blame him, this was the only clue we had about his father, besides, he had suffered a lot to get it, and it wasn't that it was a very juicy clue and the Organization would do everything possible to take it away from us.
-I don't think that's the problem.
Despite looking at the Holotome, I was able to notice the activation of a trap, I jumped with a somersault in time not to be trapped behind, or impaled by a grate that came out of the floor and one of the sides of the corridor. My team was not so lucky and stayed behind the fence and another one appeared behind them, waxing them. I thought I was lucky not to be trapped in that cage, but it turns out the lucky ones were the team. When I landed the ground split open and I fell into another trap, a rather deep hole. The moment my feet hit the ground, I tried to get out using "Feet-faire", but the only exit was closed with a grate, and from a hole in the ceiling a steady stream of sand started pouring down, I looked around expecting to find another exit.
Sophie screamed that she was going to choke me in alarm, and I can't blame her, I was alarmed and if the situation were reversed, I'd scream too. Lok tried to break the gate of his cage using "Electricbolt", but to no avail.
-The bars absorb magic!
-This is getting better and better...
I had to resign myself and see how it fell into the sand, it was almost up to my knees, at this speed I would drown in less than five minutes. I was scared and a little frustrated, my life depended on my team, and it didn't seem like Sophie was going to come out of her hysterical state and I wasn't sure if Zhalia was thinking of some plan in her head while on the outside, she was indifferent, although for sure, my suspicions, my life did not matter to him at all.
-Dante, can you come out?- Lok, it seemed like my only salvation.
-No, but there must be some mechanism nearby.
I trusted Lok, his instincts, surely, he would be able to find the mechanism, and if Sophie calmed down, it would be a great help.
Dante's POV end
Lok's POV
Everything was going wrong, since before I could go on this mission everything was going wrong, why didn't we pay attention to the signals? Well, that didn't matter now, the girls weren't going to be much help and the gaps in the gate were too small for Cherit to get out of, Dante's life was in danger, and everything depended on a mechanism that was up to the task ceiling and on the other side of the fence, and the trap Dante had fallen into.
-Even if we could get there, we don't have the key to free him.
I knew Sophie meant no harm, but she wasn't helping, even if she was right. I needed to think, but I was having a hard time staying controlled, I already noticed how I was beginning to breathe faster. Everything was a mess, first the Organization, then the zombie and now a cage, I was going to go crazy at any moment and that was not a good thing. I took a few breaths to try to calm down and get enough oxygen to my brain to think about something, and it worked.
-Wait! I have an idea. I stuck my arm out through one of the holes as far as I could so that the gate wouldn't absorb the summoning power of my beloved little squirrel- Help us, Springuer!
Springuer tried to move forward, but he wasn't able to get through the hole Dante had fallen into, so he couldn't get to the opening mechanism. As I was saying, this whole mission was a failure.
Lok's POV end
Dante's POV
The whole situation was very frustrating the sand kept rising, and it wasn't going to stop until we deactivated the trap or I drowned in sand.
-Wait! I have an idea. Help us Springer!
I felt like I could breathe, what an irony. Lok saying that only meant that he was going to stay alive, Lok's ideas always worked.
-Breaking news, Springuer is not a flying squirrel.- Zhalia, why are you like this? I know that my death would solve many problems for you, but you could hide it a bit.
-Yeah, well, at least I have ideas.- It's wrong, due to the situation of imminent death towards me, but I couldn't help but smile and think Zasca! At that moment I realized that I spend too much time with teenagers.
-Is it a good idea Lok! Springer just needs some help! - I dug myself up and jumped up the wall, until I reached the fence, I was scared to see that the distance was really short compared to when I fell. I stuck my arm through one of the holes with my winged friend's amulet- Slowing!
I fell back into the sand and sank up to my waist. This whole experience was horrible, the mission was a disaster and on top of that, Zhalia's betrayal knew that it was imminent, it couldn't be worse, better not to think about it or verbalize it, because knowing the universe things would get worse. Through my link with Slowing I asked him to pick up Springuer and take him wherever he told him to. I saw them walk over the trap, I could only hope I didn't die. I could hear my team, but it was getting harder and harder, barely keeping my head out of the sand.
-Come on Springer! We run out of time.
-And if you don't get it?
-Well, Dante will have to learn to breathe sand.
She wasn't sure, but it seemed to me that Zhalia was worried. Then I could think about that, or so I hoped. Zhalia's idea wasn't bad, but I didn't have time to evolve into a vampire who breathed sand as well as oxygen. Okay, I was definitely delusional, what kind of normal person gets to think about that when he's about to die?
Without expecting it, the sand stopped falling and the fence returned to its original place. I was alive. Lok came through the trapdoor and tossed me a rope so I could climb up. I sat on the edge and breathed in enjoying the oxygen.
-How are you, Dante?- Lok was kneeling beside me as the girls stood, Sophie watching me and Zhalia looking back the way we had come.
-Yes, calm down. Although I don't remember when was the last time I thought I died.
Springuer and Slowing joined us. Springuer began to pace the edge of the trap uneasily and dived.
-I thought Springuer found something.
Lok grabbed a part of the rope I was coiling and launched himself after his titan. At least he had the decency to wait until I was on my feet, that way I was able to hold the rope and prevent it from falling into the sand.
-Lok, wait!
-But what do we have here? If they are the agents of the Foundation.
I couldn't help but grit my teeth, and I wasn't the only one, Zhalia so little was very happy to see the Organization. I looked at Lok and then at my back, I didn't want to turn my back on our enemy, nor leave Lok alone, although luckily Cherit was with him. I had no choice but to tie a knot at the end of the rope and fit it into a crack to prevent Lok from falling. We better get the mission going, because I really wanted to tell Lok off once we got back to our shop.
Returning to the urgent topic, the Foreman and a group of five agents were approaching us in a threatening way, unfortunately for us, they had the advantage, the tunnel was narrow and the girls and I had nowhere to go, nowhere to take cover attacks, they outnumbered us and they didn't have a puppy hanging from a rope in a hole. We had no options, we had to fight.
- Lok! Whenever you want you can go up. We have problems up here. - It was nice to know that Sophie remained in her usual state.
- I found something! There is a secret passageway!
-We'll meet you, Lok!
I was relieved to know that Lok's stupid jump hadn't been in vain, I should have a little more faith in him, but the problems one by one. I got into a defensive stance and summoned Calibam, now that Lok was away from the Organization and Claus I had less to worry about. Besides, the space was small and I wasn't going to allow the Organization to have the first move, I wasn't in the mood for games. Sophie followed closely behind me, summoning Icarus.
-Excellent, we are more than them.
It was very evident that the Foreman was enjoying the situation, but I knew that he would soon stop doing it, he just had to pay more attention to the current situation and stop thinking about the benefits of our capture. The Foreman summoned Heart Eater Ammit, another of the agents reacted quickly and summoned Sekhment. None of the other men summoned titans. He didn't want to give them much time to react, that was one of the keys to victory in a fight, and today I wasn't in the mood for games, I wanted to find the sceptre and get the boys out of here.
-Stupid! Summon more titans!-The Foreman shouted in shock when he saw Calibam attacking them.
-But boss, there is no space in this room.
Calibam was fighting Heart-Eater Ammit, thanks to Icarus, who shot a beam of light at him, Calibam was able to get the upper hand, punching him in the jaw causing him to fall on top of Sekhment. The Organization agents didn't expect to lose so quickly, and thanks to not being given time to react, they had no backup plan. Despite Sophie's warning, I ran towards the agents together with Calibam. The Foreman ordered an immediate retreat, but I didn't want them to run away, I needed something to relieve my frustration and unfortunately for them, they had come at a bad time. I didn't hold back in the slightest, I kicked the nearest man in the jaw, which was the poor bastard who didn't have time to run away.
-Zhalia! Don't just stand there, help me!
Zhalia came running and together we attacked the two titans with our powers, they both flew out of the corridor. That was our opportunity, the map was no longer helpful, so we went down a side corridor, which we did not know where it led.
Dante's POV end
Lok's POV
Crawling through the passageway wasn't too complicated, luckily it was the perfect size for a person to crawl through, but it wasn't made for someone with so much hair and two slightly larger wings than usual. When I came out of the passageway it was covered in sand.
-And I was relieved that I wasn't the one who fell in the sand trap. Do you know how much it's going to cost me to get all this sand out of my fur?! I'll die before I can do it!
-Come on Lok, look on the bright side, I think we've found a secret part of the tomb that the Organization didn't draw on their maps.- Cherit looked around from my shoulder.
-Now that you mention it… you're right, it wasn't on the map Dante scanned.- Although seeing that it was false, we cannot trust that they do not know these corridors.
-You have to be careful. AAAHHH!
I was a little surprised at Cherit's fright, but then I started laughing. Springuer had climbed up my back and pushed Cherit away, unhappy that he didn't have his place.
-I'm sorry Cherit, but according to him that's his place.
Cherit frowned and had a little glancing duel with Springuer, although Springuer wasn't really into it, he settled on my shoulder. I started to walk in the only direction I could, Cherit following me flying. I tried to brush my tails and hair off a bit, the sand made my whole body itch, and without fresh water to rinse it off I would end up with a rash. Am I the only one who has realized that this mission is a complete disaster? We're all in a horrible mood and want to go home, and even I can't believe I'll find anything to do with my father here.
Springuer yawned into my shoulder, and I decided to return it to his amulet.
-Leave it alone
-The fact that?
-To think that way.
-Now you read minds?- Cherit overtook me and got in front of my face.
-Yours is easy to read. You are worried, and overwhelmed.
-And covered in sand.
-Lok, missions don't always go the way you want.
-I know, but… this whole mission arose from a clue about my father, we don't even know if my father was really here, and everything has gone wrong. Dante is very strange and Zhalia too, Sophie has problems that are worrying her, and the Organization is on our heels. Also, I have a feeling something bad is going to happen.
-Lok…, my poor boy- Cherit shook her head- Forget about it, one problem at a time. Also, I don't know what's up with Dante, or Zhalia, but Sophie's problems are being worked out, and if the team didn't think there was a chance your father was here, we wouldn't have come, and it's clear that the Organization at a pimple on the ass that won't be easy to get rid of, but whenever we can we kick his ass.-I couldn't help but laugh.
-Cherit, don't let Sophie hear you talk like that, or she'll think you're a bad influence.
-Of course, that you have a trucker's mouth is my fault.
-Shut up, I behaved very well.
Good thing I had Cherit with me, he had cheered me up quite a bit, and now I was a little more optimistic. Although I had to focus on what I was doing, I couldn't stop worrying about the team, even though I know they are amazing seekers, the Organization had brought a lot of agents to this dig.
Lok's POV end
Zhalia's POV
Everything was going so wrong, but what had happened? The map was fake and had led us into a trap, and Dante had nearly died. The worst thing is that I couldn't do anything, I was in shock and I couldn't think, and as always when I don't know what to do, resort to sarcasm, the boys were doing everything possible to save Dante, the adult is supposed to be me, I should have been the one to do something and them to help me, but I let Lok deal with it. And I know, Dante knows that Claus and I are related, I know he suspects, those if he doesn't have some proof already, this will probably be my last mission as a team, and I didn't know if Dante would turn me in and end up in a Huntik Foundation prison.
Finally, after running through this horrible labyrinth of corridors, we managed to lose the agents that were chasing us. The Foreman was not happy, since "the boss", Claus, was going to be angry, and he has no idea how angry he is going to be. The moment Claus saw me, he knew that I had withheld information from him about the team's movements, I had not warned him of our intention to come to Egypt, although in my defence, he had told me so little about the Organization's mission or the discovery of Nefertiti's tomb. Also, I must have assumed that he had lied to him when I told him that the boys were in hiding and that I had been the one to return the money to Sophie. So yes, the Foreman was right, Claus was very angry.
Zhalia's POV end
Lok's POV
The corridor ended in a wall that acted as a door, with a little effort I managed to open it. I was cautious, the Organization was inside the tomb looking for us, and I had no intention of being caught. Claus was scary, I preferred to be captured by Defoe or by Grier, but for this zombie…, I prefer to avoid it as much as possible.
After verifying that the room was completely empty between. Apart from some hieroglyphics there was not much else. I stood in the centre of the room and watched It some more. There had to be something here.
-This is as empty as my head on the day of an exam. Looks like someone has looted it.
I went to the wall opposite the door, there were a lot of hieroglyphics arranged in order carved on the stones. Cherit continued to walk around the room, until he stared thoughtfully at something on a wall, with a hand on his chin, it seemed that he was deciphering some mystery, instead of helping me look for whatever it was that was in the room that was so strange important enough to create another passageway.
-Maybe it was someone you know.- Cherit's face had lit up. -Come and look at this.
Cherit was very happy and excited, so I approached curious. My eyes widened when I saw some drawings of toys engraved on the wall, I felt my heart sink and my eyes filled with tears and they did not take long to fall. I couldn't help but run my fingertips over it, so many memories suddenly filled my head.
-Dad… yes you were here
-A bicycle, a baseball bat and a toy robot. It looks like the letter of the wise men from some child.
-It is, it was mine, from when I was about 4 years old. I can not believe it…
-This has to be a message, one that only you can decipher, Lok.
-The fact is that they didn't give me anything I asked for. Dad had been on a trip and had come back a few days before Christmas, I didn't care much, I was happy that he came back, but my father gave me a bird as an apology.
-Isn't there an Egyptian hieroglyph in the shape of a bird?
-No idea. Let's see!- I ran to the wall with the hieroglyphs arranged and there it was- Here it is!-I tried to remove the stone but I couldn't even move it a little- There is no way to move this stone.
-Well, it seems that it's time for you to learn a new power.
-What are you talking about, Cherit?
-Dante and I were thinking of teaching you a new power, one that all seekers can use and that comes in handy for this situation.
-Did you think we could only use powers according to our nature?
-Let's leave that lesson for when we get out of here. Now focus, put your hand on the stone and say "Farslip".
I did what Cherit asked me, my hand glowed green and the stone did the same, I was surprised to see that the stone slid easily. Cherit congratulated me. The stone turned out not to be a block, but a kind of drawer, inside there was a cylinder-shaped puzzle made up of disks made up of squares, similar to a Rubick's cube, and a triangular base, it also had a square hole in one of the rows. I carefully pulled it out and examined it.
-Your father should have left that puzzle for you, Lok.
-It's as if he knew I was going to be a seeker. Hey, look at this drawing.- I started to take the diary out of my bag.
-Have you seen it before?
-It's the same as the newspaper. This is a clue from my father. I hoped it would take me closer to finding him.
Lok's POV end
Zhalia's POV
After getting rid of the Organization we were able to stop and take a breath. I felt a little more relieved, we had taken a great weight off our shoulders, now we could find the right path to the sceptre with a little calmer. We had to go around a few times and get lost a couple of times, but in the end we reached a room with a very high ceiling. The room was not very wide, in the centre there was a long table with a bowl filled with sand and a scale.
-What if Claus finds the sceptre before we do?- I really wanted to give up the mission, but I needed to know the consequences of giving up.
-In that case, we will have to dedicate ourselves to something else- Dante was irritated, although he almost died and his jet was lost, it was normal.
-Not only would they find the ancient amulet of will, they would also find all the legendary titans.
-And against that power the Huntik Foundation would not last a day. Furthermore, Lok would end up in the Organization's hands, and along with him many magical creatures.
-Forget that, the world would fall into the hands of the Organization.
Well, apparently my idea of proposing to find Lok and leave had been compromised by the need to save the world. Goodbye to my chance to save my relationship with the team. With no choice but to find the sceptre before the Organization, we scanned the room for clues. Dante approached a wall with a kind of engraving, Sophie followed him and they both began to study it, I focused on the table, I didn't like that bowl full of sand and that scale.
-What are those marks?- Sophie asked as she tried to decipher them.
-A riddle- Dante pointed to the ceiling without taking his eyes off the engravings- The ceiling will fall on us if we don't solve it before trying to open that door.
-Tempting- This mission was getting worse and worse- And what does it say?
-"The power of my command is like the void. My physical strength is ten thousand times greater. Take that power in grains of sand and weigh it."
-We have to count grains of sand?, but how many? At least ten thousand.
Sophie began to think out loud. I believed that she does it on purpose because she knows it drives me crazy. Dante smiled and went straight to the lever located on the door that led to our target and started to lower it.
-Dante, what are you doing?
-It's a trick question, the answer is on the wall.
-Dante, I hope you are sure of this, because if you make a mistake we will end up crushed and your pup is still lost in a place infested by the Organization.
-Don't you trust me, Zhalia?- Dante fixed his gaze on me penetratingly.
-I didn't say that, and you know it…- I saw Dante hesitate, but about what we both knew was happening.
-Nefertiti, she was not a warrior, she was a manipulator, a leader. – Dante began to explain his reasoning more calmly, but without taking his eyes off me. -But his physical strength was like emptiness, nothing, zero… - Dante pulled the lever and the whole room shook, Sophie and I prepared to be crushed , but only the door opened.- Ten thousand times zero, it's… zero.
-Dante, you've done it!- Sophie was excited, I was content to stay alive.
-Unfortunately, I think the next puzzle is not going to be that easy…
The room was very deep, the floor was obviously a trap, it was made up of poorly placed tiles, and of different sizes. The sceptre was floating on a pedestal on the other side, enveloped in blue light.
Zhalia's POV end
Lok's POV
After going around many times and ending up a few times in corridors without exits, I finally heard the voices of the others, debating about some math…, even in Egypt I don't get out of class…
I freaked out a little when I saw the room, Dante was kneeling on the floor examining the floor tiles, it was clear that whoever had put them was not going to live building roads. Sophie and Zhalia were around him looking at the ground too. Right now, I didn't care about the ground, I just wanted to tell you what I had found.
-Dante, there is a secret chamber, and a puzzle of my father, he has left me clues...
-Lok, I'm glad you're here, we need you.- It hurt a little that they ignored me.
-Don't you want to know what I found?
-Sure, Lok- Okay, that was super false, why do I feel like he talks to me like a child? -But if we don't find the sceptre we'll have problems, and we thought we don't have much time left. -Okay..., something happened here what I didn't know about.
-Okay, what do you need?
-You have to go for the sceptre.- The way Sophie said it sounded easy.
-The ground is a trap.- Thanks Dante, I already know where the trap is-We will guide you so that you know where to step and that nothing happens to you.
-Er..., is it me, or do I always have to do the most dangerous parts?
-Yes, take it.
-Thank you Sophie. Why don't you fly up and get it?
Dante picked up a piece of wall that had fallen and threw it into the air, a green beam came from the ceiling and destroyed it.
-Therefore. Also, Lok, you are the fastest, and with good reflexes, Sophie will tell you what to do, I will keep you safe holding a rope for your safety and Zhalia will watch. Cherit, I don't think you'll spring the trap, go to Lok to see the riddles, fly low just in case.
Dante gave Zhalia a very strange look, I knew something was wrong, something wrong. I just hoped it wouldn't affect the mission, my life was going to depend on it.
With a long enough rope tied around my waist I psyched myself up to try not to die. The intention was to move across that unstable floor as directed by Dante and Sophie, but the moment I stepped onto the tiles an Ankh cross materialized out of the air glowing red so it looked like it was on fire.
"The power of fire belongs to God Set himself"
-In Egyptian numerology fire is represented by a one, and three is the power of the God Set" Lok, four lose! Fast!
I ran four stones following Sophie's instructions, it was horrible to feel how the stones I stepped on were breaking under my feet. I had to stay calm, the Organization couldn't go far, we had to do it fast, so I concentrated on doing what they told me and not dying.
"Osiris was divided into many parts"
-Osiris was cut into 14 parts, the divisor is 2. 14 divided by two is 7
As soon as Sophie told me the answer I ran away, I wasn't going to stop to think about the conclusions of the riddles, the only good thing was that I was learning new things about the Egyptian Gods, and the bad thing, well, the rest of the situation. Every time we had to solve a riddle, a related symbol would materialize that would shoot lightning at the tiles and destroy them. The last tile broke earlier than I had planned, which was that they would break the moment I was off my feet, I almost lost my balance and fell to my death, although instinctively I flapped my wings, and managed to propel myself far enough like to stabilize myself.
-Lok!- I motioned to Dante to let him know I was okay. -Quick Cherit!
Another riddle and another answer. Unfortunately the lightning that launched the infinity symbol hit my bag and started to burn.
-Drop the bag!
Dante was crazy, inside was my father's diary and puzzle, I wasn't going to lose them. While Cherit was reading another riddle, I looked for a way to save the bag. Zhalia, standing near the edge of what was now an abyss, was the only one who could help me save the ball. Sophie yelled another answer, and I had no choice but to run.
-Zhalia, save it, please!
Zhalia is surprised that she throws the bag at her, but she reacts in time and she jumps to catch it as she throws another rope at Dante. I couldn't focus on it too much, I had to move again, but I could see that Zhalia had picked it up and was trying to turn it off. Though Dante was a bit busy, he had to keep Zhalia and I safe from falling while also giving me directions. Multitasking was not easy and the reply and prompt did not come in time, I had no choice but to cheat. I used "Electric-jump" to boost me what was left of my way, I had to reach the sceptre or everything would end.
In the process of jumping, the lightning aimed at removing the tiles burned the rope that held me, leaving me without the only chance of survival that I had. The distance to be covered with the jump was too long and I didn't have enough momentum, I grabbed the edge of the tiles where the sceptre floated with one hand. I am glad to know that these tiles would not disappear as I came face to face with a wall, although I still had the abyss under my feet.
-He's done it!
Okay, Sophie is definitely jinxed, she just managed to grab me with both hands, why did she have to speak up when I just saved my life, couldn't she do it after I was safe? The edge I was holding on to broke and I started to fall. We all screamed, and kept screaming until I managed to break my fall by grabbing my claws against the wall, like I did in France when I fell through the trapdoor. Silence fell.
-Lok, are you okay?
-Wonderful Sophie, I'm fabulous. Why don't you sign up?
-What have I told you about sarcasm in moments of life or death?
- And what have I told you about asking stupid questions in moments of life or death? NO! Sophie, I'm not okay.
-Can you come up?- Dante was alarmed, he must have thought of some way to save me, although I don't think he could think of any.
-I'll have to try
It's not like I have many options. I started to climb by digging my claws into the wall, I like climbing, but this was too hard, I depended only on my arms and the wall was sandy, as soon as I removed one of my hands it descended a little, I barely advanced, I needed more stability and more boost, bottom line, needed 4x4 drive. With my feet I managed to take off my sneakers and socks, it was a bit painful to see them disappear, but better them than me. Being able to use all my claws and with more strength and grip, going up was relatively easy. Climbing is a good exercise, no gyms, no training, that's nothing, if you want to get in shape you've climbed to the brink of death, it's a fabulous exercise, especially for the heart.
When I got to the top I stayed on my knees, gasping for air or for my soul, I still don't know, I didn't trust my legs to hold me up. I wiped the sweat from my forehead with my shirt sleeve, this had been a horrible experience and I had no intention of repeating it, I already knew where to send Dante the next time he asks me for something similar.
-Lok, I'm sorry to rush you to recover from your heart attack, but the Organization is coming.
-Thanks for the warning, and for the consideration.
With my legs trembling from adrenaline I stood up and walked towards the sceptre, I mentally prayed that there would be no more traps and that when I grabbed the sceptre it wouldn't explode or something like that. I closed my eyes and picked up the sceptre. Despite having my eyes closed, I noticed how the brightness of the sceptre increased and the ground trembled, when the brightness dissipated a path of blocks with hieroglyphics had formed, I did not want to waste time in case the path disappeared and I ran towards the team. I'm glad to see that Zhalia had my bag and despite it being a bit damaged by the fire, it hadn't hurt it.
-I knew that you were the most suitable for this mission
-Shut up- I struck Dante, I wished I had a laser look to disintegrate him- Take the damn sceptre- I stamped the sceptre on his chest and headed for the exit, I couldn't help but turn around exasperated- Next time you go!
-Come on Lok, don't get like that, it wasn't such a big deal.
-If it's not a big deal, I recommend you try it, Sophie. It will be very fun.
-Okay…, calm down, Lok
-Don't tell me to calm down, Dante, in case you haven't noticed I almost died, I'm barefoot and I'm going to be taking sand out of my claws for a month.
-I guess you have valid reasons to be angry.
-Why don't we leave?- Zhalia gave me back my bag- The Organization shouldn't be far
Lok' POV end
Dante's POV
With the luck we were having, it was clear that the Organization was scouring the grave for us. As we searched for the sceptre room, my Holotome had scanned the corridors we were walking through and those within reach, giving us a fairly detailed map of the tomb, which was supposed to lead us to an exit with the least amount of time possible risk of being caught, it was assumed...
Obviously, it was not. Following the map we arrived at a quite impressive room, it had a natural waterfall and a freshwater lake, Claus and three agents were on an upper platform, quite far from our reach, but they had us where they wanted us.
-Thank you for finding the sceptre, Dante Vale. You've saved me a lot of work.
I looked back, the Foreman and his agents had blocked the way we had come, we had fallen into his trap. Sophie was shocked, Lok's hair was standing on end and his teeth were showing, and Zhalia was... very surprised and a little scared, I wondered if she was acting, but the panic in her eyes couldn't be faked.
-I am here to deal with the enemies of the Organization, and their objectives and to put an end to this story. Now hand me the sceptre.
I hated his accent, I hated the way he looked and he referred to Lok and I hated his face. My intention was to fight, I had no intention of giving him the sceptre, not the easy way at least. I summoned Freelancer to help us, we were at a disadvantage, and in this slot, the Organization could summon whatever titans they wanted. Zhalia followed me invoking Kilthane, Lok and Sophie took out their amulets too, but they didn't have time to invoke them, Claus, he wasn't going to come down for us, it was clear that he was going to take advantage of the height he had to attack us from there, and so he did. The Organization agents started launching attacks on us, we had to take cover behind Freelancer and Kilthane's shields. The Foreman was more alert than in our last meeting, it is seen that he served him as a lesson, he ordered his agents to invoke Sekhment. Sophie and Lok recovered and summoned Sabriel and Limdor to face the three Sekhment. Zhalia launched "Raypluse" towards Claus and his agents, but the distance didn't allow her attack to reach them and it landed right at their feet. I really miss Claus's surprise, his face quickly changed from surprise to anger and he ordered to summon more titans, and the three agents that were with him summoned a Mindrone each.
We were at a clear disadvantage, our titans could only keep us safe and it wasn't going to be forever, the Organization had us well trapped and things got worse, Claus took out the damn blue gun and pointed it directly at Lok's head.
-Let's stop fooling around, Okay. We all know you don't have a chance. Give me the sceptre and surrender to the Organization.
We were still, Lok was frozen in place of him, trying not to move, but I saw him tremble, although I didn't know if from fear or frustration. I had no idea how to get out of here unscathed and with the sceptre, if Claus fired Lok he would fall and they would have the advantage, and they would definitely catch us all, because not even dead would he abandon Lok and less in the conditions in which he would end up if that lightning struck him. And if any of us tried to protect him, it was clear that we would also end badly. I had no choice but to give up the sceptre, to save the boys. I showed Claus the sceptre again.
- Claus! You can keep the sceptre. But you will have to swim for it.
Throw the sceptre into the lake. Claus immediately lowered the gun in alarm and began giving orders to the agents to retrieve it. The Foreman and his men forgot about us and went after the sceptre. I took advantage of the distraction to jump into the water after signalling to the others to follow me. Once they got the sceptre they ran to give it to Claus, leaving us time to escape through a tunnel behind the waterfall.
Dante's POV end
Zhalia's POV
-Ough! That hurts.
-Stop complaining. It's not that bad
-I have burned the soles of my feet. It is awful!
-That wouldn't have happened if you hadn't taken off your sneakers.
-But if I hadn't done it now Lok would be dead.
-Thank you Cherit, it makes me feel better that someone understands my pain. Ough!
I wasn't quite sure how we managed it, but thanks to Dante we escaped the Organization, unscathed, or mostly unscathed. Lok got a bit of a burn on the bottoms of his feet walking to our tent barefoot through the desert sand. I leaned against the tent's folding table with my arms crossed as I watched Sophie apply Lok a cream for the burns and an aesthetic for the pain. It was a funny scene, Lok sitting on one of the beds hugging a pillow and pouting and Sophie, sitting in a folding chair opposite him with his feet in her lap somewhat amused at his complaints, while Cherit sat next to Lok looking on.
Now we were a little calmer, or at least the boys, and I don't think it was calm, but that they had found a moment to not think about the loss of the sceptre and the consequences that loss would have. Everything had been my fault, I had to fix it, at least, before everything was over for me. I hated the thought of missing out on more scenes like this, but it horrified me to think that, even if I wasn't there, they weren't going to happen because of Lok's capture and the destruction of the Huntik Foundation, it was something I couldn't allow.
-Zhalia- I startled a little when Dante approached me from behind- We have to talk, and you know it.- I knew this moment would come, but I didn't want it to happen, I was afraid. I didn't have the strength to respond, so I bowed my head and nodded. -Come out, we'll talk outside, not in front of them.-Dante nodded towards the guys. -I'll meet you in five minutes.
I dedicated myself to obey, and left the store, before dropping the entrance curtain I took one last look at what had been my team. Dante sat on the edge of the bed where Lok lay, he had a friendly smile on his face. I wondered how he could do it, but just a few seconds ago, I had the same stupid smile.
-How is the patient?
-He is a complainer
-Is not true.
-Did you get another pair of shoes, or do I have to give you a piggyback ride?- Lok grimaced horribly at Dante's proposal, while he, Sophie, and Cherit all laughed.
-I had brought another pair. Please, Dante, don't ever suggest that again.
-Dante already took you once, when Grier caught you.
-That was different
-In which?
-I was unconscious and I didn't have to be embarrassed.
I couldn't help but smile, as he walked away, I would miss them. I wish this wasn't the end.
Zhalia's POV end
No has terminado, falta añadir una parte POV de Lok que te comiste, vuelve arriba