Kai gasped as he was suddenly catapulted into consciousness. If he had to put his finger on it, he would say that he lying down, although he wasn't entirely sure.

Cold, dense air prickled his skin and his body ached. His head was spinning deliriously.

He tried to open his eyes, his eyelids heavy as if waking from a deep sleep and found that he was surrounded by what looked like green mist. He tried to raise his head to get a better look but it made him feel even more disorientated than he already did and his head fell back onto the floor with a dull thud.

Next, Kai moved his hands. The floor below felt smooth and shiny, he tried to glance sideways and saw it glimmer strangely in the misty light. Finally, he managed to roll his head to the side. There, he saw a girl lying besides him on the floor.

Who was she? Kai tried to sort through his thoughts, which felt as if they were trying to wade through sludge. Isobel? Yes! That was her name. Why was she here again?

Why was he here?

Kai's head rolled back to face the mist above.

Isobel was here because she had brought him here.

He gasped for breath again. Weird, had he forgotten to breathe? He took another long deep breath in and out, and again.

How long had they both laid here like this?

Again Kai tried to look around the room, he thought he could make out what looked like a door, ten foot away at least. He stared at it and the vague recollection came back to him that he and Isobel had toppled through that door mere moments ago. Or was it? How long had he been asleep, or unconscious?

Then it all came back to him. Isobel had taken him on a dangerous adventure through a system of caves which had very much tried to kill both of them.

He had to get out of here.

Kai glanced over at Isobel again. He couldn't leave without her.

"Hey," he said, voice coming out hoarse. "Hey!"

Isobel did not rouse.

Was she breathing? He couldn't tell. Kai tried to reach for her but his arms felt like lead weights. He tried, desperately, to move, eventually managing to roll onto his front. As he did so, another thought occurred to him. Where was his beyblade? He scrambled around, finally locating Dranzer a foot or so away near his feet. He shoved her into his pocket, feeling relieved and then returned to the task at hand.

"Hey, Isobel!" he croaked as he agonizingly pulled himself along what he now realised was a black and white checkered marble floor.

Kai paused to stare at it. Who on earth would lay such opulent stone in a cave?

There was no time to think about it now.

"Isobel!" he said, a little louder before succumbing to a coughing fit- the mist was making his throat tickle.

Kai gave her a little shake. "Isobel!"

Nothing.

He was starting to get worried.

He tried to check her pulse, but in his delirious state he wasn't sure he was doing it properly. Was she breathing? He put his hand in front of her mouth in an attempt to feel her breath and then, growing impatient, tried to place his ear against her chest to listen for a heartbeat.

"What're you doing you perv?" said a sluggish voice.

Kai jumped, immediately regretting the movement as it felt like his sinuses were trying to explode his head.

"I was just checking you're alive!" he snapped, feeling both annoyed and relieved.

"Ugh," groaned Isobel, "I feel like I did after the party the other night, but like ten times worse!"

"I think this mist is poisonous," said Kai as he pushed himself up so that he was in a sort-of sitting position.

"How long have we been lying here?" Isobel moaned, anxiously glancing around.

"I've no idea." His mouth was so dry, and he was about remark on it when Isobel let out a gasp and suddenly tried to get to her feet but promptly flopped back down onto the floor.

"Stay here!" she said sharply, wobbling as she finally managed to pull herself up onto her knees.

"Wha-"

"I said stay here!" she demanded as she reached for her beyblade and pocketed it, still clumsily trying to get to her feet.

"We should try and get our strength back before we-"

"No, we shouldn't!" And she rose from the floor on quivering legs and began to walk onwards into the mist.

There was a few long seconds where Kai merely stared after her before quickly coming to the realisation that if he did not get up off the floor and follow her, he would lose her in the mist.

"Wait!" he said, climbing agonizingly to his feet.

"I said stay there!" she called.

"We should stick together!"

"I have shit to do, alone!" she snapped breathlessly, her footsteps on the marble floor growing quicker.

Kai could not think of why she could possibly want to risk being lost alone in this eerie mist. And what if he couldn't find his way back to the door without her? What if she couldn't find the way back to the door without him?

Motivated by this thought, Kai managed to drag himself up and follow her.

They wandered for a long time. Both of their footsteps clacking on the floor as they went. Kai was starting to feel slightly more alert, after a while he gazed around at his surroundings and was finally able to take in what he was seeing.

He was unable to see the ceiling for the mist, but every so often there were large ornate marble pillars that matched the floor and stretched high above them.

Isobel had clearly given up on trying to convince Kai not go to with her. Or maybe she was too exhausted to argue. Either way, it worked in Kai's favour.

He was beginning to wonder how far they had walked, for all he knew they could be under an entirely different part of London at this point. He was about to ask how much further they would have to go when a set of stairs emerged in front of them.

Isobel let out a triumphant noise.

"Stay here," she muttered, putting her foot on the first step.

Kai ignored her.

There were only five steps, and he followed her up each one. She threw him an annoyed look. "What do I need to do for some privacy?"

"I don't think its a good idea for either of us to be alone in here," Kai muttered as the outline of a huge, towering statue loomed into view.

A stone face, unlike that he had ever seen was blinking slowly at them through the mist.

Kai froze and Isobel fell to her knees.

"Kneel!" she hissed at him, her head bowed.

"Uh," and he too knelt down and bowed his head. He could feel the statues eyes on him.

"Hello." Whispered the stone face. Its voice came out as a hiss, and the mist around them swirled in tandem.

Kai could not keep his head down. He stared at the face, it was speaking. He immediately tried to rationalize this. After all, bitbeasts existed, surely this was not outside of his usual realm of belief.

"Hello," said Isobel, as clearly as she could muster with her voice hoarse as it was. "Please, I am Isobel Olgivy, I'm searching for a fragment of bitbeast that I believe you are in possession of."

There was a long silence as the stone contemplated her, head still bowed and staring at the floor.

"Yes, you are, aren't you?" it hissed. "I do have the fragment that you are looking for."

"May I have it back, please?" asked Isobel. Kai could detect a small flicker of hope in her voice.

"You may," said the stone, "but in return, I require a piece of your soul."

Kai's head snapped up and he stared in alarm from the stone face to Isobel. A piece of her soul? Really? Surely nothing was worth that.

"My soul?" she said anxiously. "Forgive me," and Kai watched as Isobel's back straightened a little. "I was hoping, given that the fragment does not belong to you, that might give it to me freely."

The stone chuckled lightly, sending the mist around them swirling again.

"Freely? But I have cared for it for these past few years. I'm afraid that is my price."

Isobel let out a long breath.

"Although," said the plaque, "there is one other option I would be satisfied with."

"What is it?" she asked quickly as a feeling of foreboding swept over Kai.

"Your father came here asking for the very same thing you now seek."

Isobel's eyes widened in horror. "Wh-when was this?" but the eyes did not answer her question, instead it continued in the same mild voice.

"He gave me part of his soul without hesitation. I confess, I have regretted it ever since. There is a particular evil that now dwells here in these caverns since I took it, it has made my home a cold and miserable place to rest. Take his fragment of soul away and I will gladly give you what you seek."

There was a long pause.

Kai thought that both options sounded horrible. Was there not an option where they could both leave, unharmed?

"I don't want his soul anymore than you do," said Isobel quietly.

"Yes, I sense that."

Kai wondered what Isobel's father had done to make her so reluctant to take his soul.

"What about your friend?" asked the eyes. "Perhaps he would take it in your place."

Isobel spun around and glared at Kai as if he had done something to prompt this.

"No!" Her voice was strained. "No! Absolutely not, no! I would far rather you take a piece of my soul in exchange for the fragment of bitbeast!"

"Hmm," pondered the eyes, "well, if that is what you wish."

"No!" said Kai, speaking finally, unable to contain himself any longer. He knew this was none of his business, but Isobel surely couldn't sacrifice a piece of her soul. Was anything truly worth that?

"I do wish it!" Isobel insisted, ignoring Kai. "In fact, the part of my soul trapped down here can battle it out with my father forevermore. I can't deny at least part of me deserves it and it will surely provide you with decades of entertainment."

The stone chuckled at this. "Oh yes, I'm positive your soul will bring some sort of equilibrium. Very well."

Kai still wasn't convinced.

"Your going through with this?" he demanded, "a part of your soul? What does that even mean? Will you still be the same afterwards?" Kai wasn't sure what sacrificing a fragment of soul might do to a person, but he was sure it could be nothing be good.

"This is why I told you to stay where you where!" Isobel hissed.

Kai ignored this. "Wont you lose some of your- I don't know- humanity?" he asked, desperately.

Isobel merely chuckled. It was eerily similar to the way the stone face had moments before, sending a chill down his spine. Kai surveyed her in horror, she was standing confidently in front of the stone face as if she did not have a worry in the world. Maybe he should just let her do it. A small voice at the back of Kai's mind floated into consciousness; this was none of his business. It was up to Isobel and Isobel alone what she did with her own soul. He had no part in this brutal decision. But then another thought occurred to Kai. What would he do if it were Tyson in Isobel's place? Or Tala? What about Max or Ray? Even Hilary, Kenny and Daichi. He was quite sure that Bryan's soul was made of vodka, but even so.

"You think I have humanity?" said Isobel, "Remember, I brought you here, didn't I? To this death trap." She gestured around at the misty room. "I could have got you killed!" and she barked out another laugh. "Anyway, I told you earlier, this is none of your business so please allow me to maim my own soul in peace!"

Kai stared at her. Maybe she was dead inside already.

"Please do it now," and she turned back to the stone as she reached into her pocket and pulled out her beyblade. "I'm ready."

"Very well," said the face.

Kai gaped as the air went cold and small glittering speckles began to pour from every inch of Isobel's skin. She breathed heavily, her head tipping backwards and her eyes closing as she was lifted into the air. The glittering gradually turned into a stream that reminded Kai of dry ice, similar to the mist but black instead of green. It poured from Isobel like glimmering stars and drifted through the air until it was absorbed by the stone faces glowing eyes, trickling up into its tear ducts as if it were crying backwards.

There was a frown creasing Isobel's brow. Was she in pain? Kai couldn't tell.

She floated higher in the air, arms spread. It was eerily silent. Kai wasn't sure what he had ought to have expected, but this was downright creepy. Tyson and Kenny would probably be crying if they were here.

Then, Kai watched in horror as the sparkling mist began to fade and Isobel's beyblade clattered to the floor, swiftly followed by its owner.

"Isobel?" He darted to her side and tried to lift her, not caring about remaining in his kneeling stance before the stone face. Isobel's head lolled lifelessly as he pulled her into his arms.

"Is she going to be OK?" he demanded, but the stone face said nothing. Instead, smoke began to pour from its eyes, smoke which was slowly absorbed by Isobel's beyblade.

"You're worried about her," observed the eyes as the last remains of smoke was inhaled by the blade. The stone face was speaking directly to him.

"O- of course I'm worried." Why did everyone, even this sentient statue seem to think he was made of stone?

"Is this normal?" Kai asked anxiously. No, nothing about this was normal. "Will she wake up?"

How was he going to get her out and back to the hotel? Would he have to take her to hospital? He was in London, he didn't know where any hospitals were. Maybe he could find a pay phone and call an ambulance, or the stadium! The stadium had a hospital. First however, Kai would have to find his way out of the mist, and then climb over the moving rocks and somehow push an entire boulder out of the way, and then figure out how to get up the broken staircase, all while carrying Isobel. How on earth was he going to manage it?

"She will wake soon." Said the face, interrupting Kai's train of thought. "Whilst we wait, is there anything you desire? Kai Hiwatari."

Kai stared at it, he found the fact that the face knew his name far less concerning than the question itself.

"Anything I desire?" he contemplated frenziedly, still trying to figure out how to get out of this mess, all the while trying check Isobel for signs of life.

Despite being the owner of a bitbeast that defied all laws of science of reason, Kai did not believe in wishes or magic. This however, this was beyond anything he had ever seen. Was there anything he desired, anything at all? Well, yes. There were a lot of things that Kai desired. He wanted to win the championships, and more than that he wanted to defeat Tyson. Then with a swooping sense of dread he remembered the BioVolt investigation. He would certainly like that to go away, and perhaps perhaps even that one day he may live a normal life. One where his grandfather, god forbid, actually cared for him.

Kai let out a deep sigh and grimaced, pushing the thought out of his mind.

Currently, he wanted to get out of this damn situation alive. With Isobel, if he could. He couldn't bare the thought of leaving her behind. That was what he had done to Wyatt.

"It may help to know that every wish comes with an equal price," said the stone face.

Kai frowned, well, at least that made the decision easier.

"Then no," he said, hoping very much that he wouldn't come regret it and that Isobel would wake up without him having to wish it and pay the price. "There's nothing that I want!"

"I see. A wise decision. Very well."

Isobel jerked awake, gasping loudly as if she could not get enough air into her lungs.

Her eyes snapped open and she wriggled free of Kai's grasp as she fell again to the floor and began to regain her breath.

"Did it work?" she gasped, spitting blood onto the floor.

"Oh yes," said the stone face.

"Good!" she said, snatching up her beyblade staring at it. When Kai tried to look she snatched it away, pocketing it before returning again, with difficulty, to a kneeling position.

"You have a strong friend here," said the face, its blank eyes, though immovable, appeared to glance towards him.

Kai froze.

"Don't feed his ego too much," she said as she wiped her mouth on her sleeve. Kai couldn't help but feel a pang of annoyance. Even in this state she was able to poke fun at him.

"Thank you for giving what I asked for," said Isobel as she got shakily to her feet. Kai followed her lead, mainly because she looked like a new born fawn trying to stand for the first time.

"Please, would you allow us to leave in peace?" she asked.

"You ask even more of me when I have already provided so much?" said the stone face delicately.

A small pang of fear shot through Kai. Surely it was a bad idea to push it? Surely it would be better just to thank the face and leave and try their best to get back through the caves as best they could? but Isobel merely smirked and said, "what would be the point of giving me what I asked for if it would be impossible for me to leave?"

There was another long pause. The stone face chuckled. "You make a good argument. Fine, Isobel Olgivy, you and your friend may go in peace. I thank you for your sacrifice. Goodbye." And the stone eyes closed and did not reopen.

The mist around them started to fade as Isobel swayed on the spot. Kai grabbed her by the upper arm and steadied her.

He didn't know what to say.

Comfort? No, he was no good at that.

"I think the stone face likes me," he smirked.

"Oh shut up," she snapped as a her nose trickled blood.

"We should go, you need help."

"No I don't!" she snapped, pulling her arm free of him.

They walked across the room, it seemed much quicker than it had earlier, leaving Kai to wonder if they had spent an hour or so wandering in circles in the mist.

They made their way through the stone passageway, Kai kept having to steady Isobel which she appeared to take great offense to but she could not complain when he helped her climb back over the rocks which mercifully did not move this time. At points she appeared dazed and confused as Kai could not help but worry that she was not going to be OK, but whenever she caught him staring too long she snapped angrily and he went back to the task at hand, getting them both out of this mess. To both of their surprise, the boulder on the other end was open and the stairs at the top of the earth tunnel were miraculously fixed, as if they had never broken in the first place.

He would be so glad to be out of this strange place, he thought as they reached the top step, finally exiting the park shed. He took the key from Isobel and wound his hands around the iron gate to unlock it.

It was dark outside, so dark that all the street lights had already gone out.

"What time is it?" asked Isobel.

Kai thought it must be the early hours of the morning which was confirmed when they made their way back to the tube station only to find it closed along with all the bars and restaurant that had been alive with people earlier on that day when they had passed through with their little picnic. Kai could barely even believe that had been a mere few hours ago.

"We'll have to get the bus!" Isobel groaned and began to lead him down the road and then slumped down onto the floor under the cover of large glass bus stop that said 'Transport for London' on the side.

It felt like it took forever for the bus to arrive. When it did, Isobel asked the driver what time it was.

"Its quarter to four in the mornin' darlin," said the driver as Isobel handed over some money for both of their fairs, the least she could do really, thought Kai, plus he was glad that she wasn't so delirious that she couldn't count money.

The few people that were on the bus at such a late hour stared at them, after all, they were both covered in dirt, cuts and scrapes and Isobel was bleeding from the nose and mouth. Both of their hair was in knots.

They didn't speak as they neared the hotel. Kai wasn't sure if Isobel had fallen asleep, she was pressed up against his side like dead weight. Kai wondered how long the effects of having part of ones soul taken would last for her. He was still going over everything that had happened in his mind over and over again, reliving it as if he were still trapped there there, far under London in that creepy cave..

He was so tired it did not occur to him for a long time that he needed Isobel to tell him when they were getting off.

He prodded her, "hey." He did it again, more sharply this time. "Hey! When do we need to get off the bus?"

"Huh?" she blinked blearily. "Oh god, its the next stop!"

It was a good job he had asked.

It took them a while to get into the hotel, the security guard was reluctant to let them in, covered in blood as they were. It wasn't until Kai flashed his room card and said that he and Isobel had been out practicing for the tournament all night that the man let them in.

In the lift Isobel sank to the floor and cradled her legs as it zoomed upwards. When the doors finally dinged open Kai helped her up and guided her down the hall, even taking her key card from her after the fifth time she managed to miss the lock and jam it against the door frame.

"Oh come on, just let me do it!" Kai snapped.

She stared up at him in delirious innocence and he felt a jolt of nervous anxiety. Would she be OK?

The lock clicked open and Isobel stepped inside.

Perhaps he should follow her in? Maybe even make sure that she got into bed OK? He could get her some water, there might even be a first aid kit that he could-

"Goodnight," she said, her eyes unfocused as she made to close the door.

"Uh," he said, stupidly.

"Goodnight Kai!" she said, a little more firmly before slipping out of sight and shutting the door behind her with another click, leaving him standing alone in the hallway.

"Goodnight," he muttered.

Helloooo sorry its been a few months! Had this chapter planned in my head for quite a few months but never managed to write it down until now, hope you enjoyed it! Thank you for reading!