Defenders of the Glass

Nadya turned her dark eyes on her pale, angelic friend Annabel. The angel's skin looked pasty and her blue eyes looked dull, lifeless. They hadn't seen the sun in months and Annabel was clearly suffering from it. Annabel's face had once held so much happiness, hope and kindness. But their long imprisonment had left her face sad, dull and tired. Nadya couldn't stand it.

The Voodoo woman was rather thin now herself. The prisoners were deprived of many things including food and sunlight. The imprisonment had left her face set in a deeper scowl than it already was before the horrific events that Tobias had caused. Slaughtering their comrades, stealing their precious cup, it was all so insane and unexpected. Nadya was never fond of Tobias, but she didn't think he would have done what he did.

"Annabel," she called to her beloved friend from the next cell over. "Annabel!" Her gypsy accent was thick- something she'd picked up from her mother. The beautiful angel turned her eyes to her friend, but she didn't speak. Nadya was just glad to have her attention. "Annabel," she continued. "I will get you out of here, I promise." Nadya wanted nothing more in life than to know that Annabel would be safe and out of harm's way.

Nadya made that promise to Annabel daily. She couldn't recall how many times that Nadya had told her it. She didn't know how many days they'd been in there. She nodded in return to the statement, as she always did. She felt useless in this prison; there wasn't enough light to manipulate, and she was too weak to create her own. "I'm sorry I got us into this," Annabel replied in her sweet and small voice. "We should have joined a travelling circus or something, instead of the Guardians.. I'm sorry.." the angel sounded so broken, Nadya couldn't stand it.

"No!" She replied, sounding angry as she always did. "It's probably much worse out there than it is in here. I don't regret joining the Guardians with you. We will get out of here soon and fight back!" Though Nadya said this, she didn't really have a plan on getting them out of there. She didn't have Gunari with her, so she couldn't bite through their cells. Many people had tried to escape before them, but they'd all been punished for trying to escape.

It was silent for some time after that. It could have been hours before anyone spoke again. "Everyone, we're getting out. I found a way." It was Magnus, speaking with excitement in his voice.

Annabel's voice seemed to lift a little, sound more like her old cheerful self. "R-Really?" Her melodic voice called. "How? Where?"

"Yeah, how?" Nadya scoffed, her voice sounding annoyed and angry. "Every other time someone's tried to escape, they've been tortured or killed. I don't want to walk into a god damn death trap."

"N-Nadya, we'll never get out of here if you don't have hope.." Annabel said, trying to calm her friend from her location. "Magnus isn't as dumb as those others, his plan might really work. Just listen to what he has to say.."

Her face what set into a scowl, but Nadya kept her eyes on Magnus, waiting for his response- and those of other prisoners. She'd listen to what Magnus had to say for Annabel's sake. "Alright."

 

The soft clanging of metal hung in the air. Talus sat against the wall across his brother, Siven, who kept pacing back and forth to no end in his cell across the way. "There has to be a way out of here," he kept muttering, "There has to be." The half-wolf had pacing for days now, with little sleep and food to go off of. "Talus." He stopped and looked over to his kin, his once brilliant jade eyes now given a dull shine. "Can you think of anything?" Talus sighed; this was the fifth time Siven had asked him that. Shaking his head, he responded, "No, Siven. If there was one, we would have been long gone by now." Angry, Siven pounded on the iron doors, the rusty creaking echoing through the hall. His tail twitched erratically in annoyance. Talus, you've been really given up, haven't you? He thought. This isn't the time to! "There has to be a way!" he shouted. "There always is a way out of everything." Talus flicked his tail. "You can't climb out of hell, now can you?" Again, Siven glared at his brother. "Don't get all philosophical on me now." He flipped him off and continued pacing; Talus only shifted his weight and said, "Love you too, Siven."

He leaned forward. "But if I can have my say. What makes you think the outside is better than here?" Siven quickly halted, staring at the ground. Talus continued, "Tobias is using the Glass to destroy all the supply lines throughout the kingdom. What makes you think we wouldn't starve out there as well?" Siven only continued to ponder this; a few minutes passed before he resumed pacing. Talus sighed in exasperation and placed his head in his hand; sometimes the younger was so stubborn.

Siven's footfalls continued to sound off the walls until a new voice came through. Magnus claimed he knew a way out of this hellhole. "You hear that?" Siven exclaimed, his eyes shining once more. "There is a way out! HA! I knew it!" He jumped and raised a fist in the air, relieved they were finally escaping. Talus said nothing, rising silently and grasping the bars. "Well, it seems my doubting was incorrect. What do you have in mind?"

 

He was flying. Wings beating hard against the rainy sky and opposing wind. Thunder clapped angrily in the distance as lightning sheered through the sky. His heavy panting was the only other thing he could hear, other than the uncomfortable pounding of his heart. Thumping rough and violently against the inside of his chest. But the storm wasn't the thing that he was fleeing from. It was much worse.

Fire-breathing dragons were tailing him. All much bigger and stronger than he. Though they were smaller, and the rain pouring against them. Their flames still bit hard against Drakken's icy wings. He had tried to outrun them but more seemed to be waiting in line for him. Ambushing him, one by one. It was a terrible situation for Drakken to be in.

Drakken had turned his head away from the enemy dragons, just for one moment. He needed to see if he could find a way out. But his swift calculations were much too slow and he quickly felt sharp claws grip into his side as another dragon forced its weight down on him. No sooner than he could react, Drakken's side was quickly met with the hellish flames that blasted into him, melting away his tough icy scales. The pain. It hurt. Was he going to die now? Fail his mission? Fail his siblings who all looked up to him as a role-model? He didn't want to. He couldn't give up.

But the next thing he could remember was hearing the thump of his body against something cold. Hard. Unwelcoming.

Drakken's eyes shot open as he heard people in the cells talk amongst one another. They were too noisy. Obnoxious even. The dragon hadn't bothered with conversing with them because he had been preoccupied with his own wounds as well as resting. Dealing with his own problems seemed to be more reasonable than trying to befriend other people. Especially those that are not of a dragon descent.

Next to him, silently sat the Anubis kid. He had been tending Drakken's wounds, with what little he had, to make sure that he would heal. It wasn't much as the pain of the burns were still there. Even as his human-form. Though, to see it, one must lift up Drakken's shirt. So far the only one capable of doing that without losing any limbs was Baruka.

"You kids are too noisy." Drakken mumbled between his clenched teeth. The pain was really starting to tick him off. But he kept his cool, literally, and tried not to be too snippy towards the others. He slowly lifted himself off the cot that he was resting on. Drakken noticed how Baruka stepped to the side, allowing room for him to stand. Nice kid.

"What's this about knowing a way to escape?" Drakken decided to ask. His voice was stoic as he clearly hid the fact that he was in utter pain from the burns. Even if they were a few days old, they still hurt like a son-of-a-gun.

Baruka silently walked over to hear better. Even if his ears were big enough to allow him to hear the conversation clearly, he figured to show himself. "...." He leaned inward a little bit, to make sure he heard everything loud and clear. If Drakken didn't hear it, he would relay the message to him. But to his surprise, Drakken had stood next to him, also trying to show some interest in the topic of escape.

"Humor me with your ideas." Drakken said to Magnus. It wasn't that he thought little of Magnus and the others. Nor was the escaping idea, beginning to sound absurd to him. Drakken was a bit prideful about his dragon heritage and he knew that dragons were very intellectual compared to many of the other species that existed in this world. He wanted to see if this Magnus guy, had brains.

Baruka on the other hand, was just intrigued by the idea that someone has a plan of escaping this wretched place. Maybe he could eventually return home? Though he knew better than that. Just simply escaping wasn't going to cut it. He felt that they were going into something much deeper than that. Something a lot cooler than just a simple, run-away gig. But the Anubis kept his mouth zipped shut, as he did not want to interrupt the others while they spoke. Ideas could lead into other ideas.

 

"Gah." Rosalina squawked as she was aroused from her sleep. Voices. It was always other voices that woke her up, it was never my herself. Rosalina sat up and looked about the cell. "I never can get good sleep." She said, drowsily. She nudged the man beside her, Voltaic. "Get up, sleepy. Do not sleep when I am not."
Voltaic raised his head. "B-but I'm tired." He legitimately was, after months in this desolate place. "I just want to sleep properly for once..."
"No." Rosalina said, nudging him again. "I will kick you. You want that" She said after, in her stern accent. "I am tire too. I don't get good sleep also. Deal with it."
Voltaic sat up and yawned. "So, what's going on today? Sitting around like usual?" He said with a droning voice. Then he heard Mangus. "Oh."
"Well, what is this idea you have gotten?" Rosalina asked Mangus, eager for the answer.

 

"So, we wait." Voltaic said, and relaxed again on the cell wall. "Just like usual." He longed for a paintbrush and paint.
"Don't worry. It will be longer than you think." Rosalina said, comforting him, then realising she had gotten mixed up again. "I mean shorter, I am sorry." Rosalina hugged him, and smiled.
Voltaic hugged back, "I hope so."

-------

"Don't tell me I got myself lost again..." The shrouded woman said to herself as she stumbled through the fog, sidestepping trees and roots. "Dammit..." She said as she pulled off her hood as looked around the clearing that she was in. She pulled a map out of her backpack and stared at it. "Dammit Quora, where are you?" She said to herself. She was heading to the palace. Her best friends had been captured, and she was off to save them. It had taken a while, a LONG time, to prepare herself to break into the palace. She was risking her life for them. They better appreciate it. Suddenly, but barley, she heard the loud thumping of someone running, and it wasn't herself. A guard? Quora took her blades off her back, and moved to the side of the clearing, hoping she wouldn't be seen. Then the fog started lifting...Shit.

 

Talus gave Magnus the blankest of stares at his proposal. "That's your plan?" he said, clear disappointment in his voice. He scoffed and leaned up against the cell wall, making them clink. "And you had me believing we could get out." He stopped to kick away a small rat. "Cobalt is dead as far as we know. Those guards would have gotten to him by now. Your boyfriend isn't coming to save us." He turned away. "Not like he ever has."

"Dammit, Talus!" Siven shouted, punching the iron bars that separated him from the narrow walkway between cells. "This isn't the time to be pessimistic! We have a way out, we're going to use it!" The half-wolf was fuming at his brother's statement. "If Cobalt's alive, then he's alive, and we still can stop Tobias!" He truly wanted to believe with all his heart that they could get out. Just then, Magnus managed to form a communication connection with Cobalt, proving that he was alive and well, and even hidden just outside their location. Siven's eyes brightened at this, calling to Talus, "I told you! We are escaping this god-forsaken place!" Talus sighed; it wasn't unusual for Siven to be so optimistic, but he really needed to consider the facts. "Siven." he started. "Listen to me. So Cobalt is alive and he is coming to rescue us. There are many guards outside this dank place. They would most likely kill him on the spot and leave us without an escape route. Even if he does manage to get here, what next? Where will we go?" Siven opened his mouth to reply, but nothing came out of his throat; he didn't have an idea of what had happened outside the prison walls. Talus was right, what would be their next move? And what could be their safe haven after the escape? The questions of his brother forced him to be silent and sit down onto his own bunk. After a few minutes, the half-wolf turned back to Talus and spoke, "I don't know. But right now, we need to place faith in Cobalt getting us out of here." He stood up and grabbed ahold of the bars. "Just like we put faith into others on risky missions."

Talus looked up into Siven's cell, not entirely bewildered by his words. "Are you not hearing me? We are doomed. Cobalt is most likely going to die by those damned minions and Magnus is an idiot for coming up with this half-assed plan." He spat onto the ground; he hadn't put enough sincerity into his words because he had to reconsider their situation. They hadn't heard from Cobalt in so long, Talus had assumed he was dead. But could it be true? Was Cobalt still out there? We're all riding this one on you, he thought, Don't foul this up.

 

So many voices whispering around her. It was annoying. Nadya grunted, irritated by all the people around her. Some of them sounded so chipper and she couldn't understand why- they'd had the same day everyday for the past few months. She waited, sort of patiently, for the twits around her to shut up so that Magnus could speak.

Once he'd told them the plan, Nadya was outraged, her accent thick. "You mean to fucking tell me," she spat. "We've been sitting here for I-don't-know-how-many-months, and you've just now decided-or realized- how to contact your little boyfriend?"

The foul-toned Talus also seemed to look negatively at the plan. "I agree with him." Nadya continued on, her dark eyes sweeping over Talus. "Who's to say he'll even make it down here? Especially since you're just now contacting him. We're all going to die here."

"Now now, Nadya, don't let an angry scowl screw up your pretty face." Ezra's smooth voice was heard from a dark cell in the corner. All that could be seen were his brilliant amber eyes. Nadya's scowled deeper. A few muffled noises were heard before Ezra's hooded figure came into view. In his hand was a tin cup, which he rattled against the bars. "Cut the guy a break." He nodded towards Magnus.

"Even if he did just realize that he could contact this Cobalt, he's not the only one who just realized a way to escape." A faint smile appeared on his lips. "I just realized I might could fit through the bars and steal a key if I turned into a crow." He cocked his head to the side. "No idea where the key would be, though. Plus to many guards."

"You just sound lazy." Nadya spat, still seething.

"Nadya, calm down." Annabel called from her cell. "Anger will get us nowhere. We should be thankful that Magnus is willing to help us all get out, and not just himself. Thank you, Magnus." Her pretty voice wafted from her cell. "I'm sorry for how angry Nadya's being.."

"We should all try to be optimistic like Siven." The angel continued on. "We're gonna get out of here, and when we do, we'll all work together to defeat Tobias! C'mon everyone, let's all prepare for our escape!" Her small feminine voice sounded strong, despite her being without food.

Ezra chuckled darkly. "Prepare how? None of our weapons and belongings are here, they've taken them. I assume that's our next move; finding where our weapons are?" His hands fidgeted with the tin cup in his hand. He was anxious to get his own belongings back, and perhaps those of others.

Annabel blushed, embarrassed at his comment. It was true: There really wasn't a way for them to prepare for their escape. She dusted off the skirt of her dress, hoping that no one was still paying attention to her. From the cell over, she saw Drakken and Baruka. Drakken seemed grumpy as ever. "Drakken, how are you feeling?" she asked shyly. She knew the guy was a dragon, which could possibly be a huge help in their escape.

 

The answer that he was hoping for, wasn't quite as what he had expected it to be. Magnus insisted that they wouldn't die. Plus he did point out a valid fact that they are being fed and well kept--like the townsfolk are. Feeling somewhat unimpressed with the unexpected answer, the dragon just nodded. There was no more need to continue the conversation with the stranger in the cell. Even if they had talked to one another several times before, Magnus was still a stranger in Drakken's eyes. He turned away to walk back to his bed to sit.

Baruka's ears twitched as Talus began to speak up. The anubis glanced over at him as the bitter comments poured out of the male's weary mouth. The depression loomed over the place like thick smoke in a burning building. Baruka only sighed as a response. It was a pretty grim plan. How could they escape, easily? Tobias is surely going to have some sort of ambush waiting somewhere. And without the proper stretching exercises and weapons at their whim, things might get a little hectic for them all. Of course everyone has special abilities but would Tobias do something to prevent the group from using them? He only shook his head again.

Drakken grumbled between his tightly clenched teeth. He flopped onto his bed and rolled over. The dragon's back was facing the others, in attempt of ignoring them. The bitter talk was really beginning to gnaw down on his nerves and fuel his short temper. He wanted to snap at them, at this moment.

Baruka went to say something but Drakken shot up in his bed, startling the young warrior. The anubis quickly jerked back, afraid that his cell mate would spit ice out at someone. And with his luck, he'd get nailed with some of that bitter cold. He winced when Drakken decided to talk.

The loss and the upsetting conversation fueled the anger in the dragon and made him rather ticked. He was tired of hearing about the depressing thoughts of being stuck in these cells forever. A dragon was to never give up. Bide his time until a better idea came to mind. If he were a bulky dragon, he would have plowed the walls down already but alas, Drakken was not bulky nor big. He let out an irritable snort of which his breath had created a cold cloud emerging from his nostrils. "If you're at such a loss and such a depressing state of mind. Do us all a favor and silence yourself. Perhaps you could do this with the assistance of that brick wall there and maybe a couple of helping hands." He meant for Talus to knock himself out by smashing his head against the wall. Or even better, by killing himself.

Drakken quickly glared at Baruka and snorted once more. His exhaling released another cloud of irritated but cold breath. "Don't even think about saying anything. I'm not in the mood to be listening to helpless squabbling."

Baruka sighed and turned his back to the angered dragon. He too thought the sudden idea of escape was crazy. But if this guy seemed so certain that it was going to happen, Baruka was not one to judge. He simply nodded to Magnus. Crazy as it is, if there was some hope in this escape or in life, he was going to hope that they all made it out in one piece.

Drakken hissed under his breath as his cellmate didn't seem to bother with coming up with any form of reply. Baruka was a good cellmate because he never spoke. Silence was a bliss. So Drakken never had much of a reason to complain about him. But as he started to simmer himself down, someone spoke, directly, to him. He lifted his eyes and looked at the beautiful young woman, Annabel. She seemed to be the braver one, asking such a simple and yet useless question. Drakken couldn't help but give her a smirk. Amused.

"Nice of you to ask, young and pleasant one. I suppose that I am alright." He would have told her about his pain from the burns. But he figured to not discuss the topic with her since she wouldn't have been able to do anything about it anyways. So it would have been useless to complain about it. "Though I wish, he would shut his yap once in a while." He pointed over to Talus.

After the conversation between Cobalt and Magnus happened, Magnus stated that Cobalt was going to help them get out. Drakken wanted to laugh but he refrained from doing so. He saw the determination in Magnus' face. It seemed surreal and real at the same time. He looked both determined and sure that this Cobalt guy would get them out of this situation. "I'll be waiting." He said to him. His tone seemed a little lighter toned compared to the previous words he had spoken.

Baruka nodded. He was showing signs of enthusiasm in his subtle smile that he bore. If he could just get his hands on his beloved weapons, he'd be able to show those punks that they should never mess with one from Egyptian heritage. He felt a firm pat on his shoulder and he glanced up. Drakken seemed to be feeling the same positive feelings as well. Baruka nodded with a smirk.

 

Nadya hissed at Magnus. His attitude was annoying. He'd said that Cobalt was older than her, which he wasn't. She was a year older than Cobalt- she wasn't going to say anything about that, though. Women aren't ones to tell their real ages!

"Watch your tone with me," she spat back, huffing as well. "Would be a shame if a hex was put on you, or cursed your weapons." She tossed her dark hair behind her before moving towards the back of her cell, rubbing away the Voodoo markings she had put on the wall. Why she had wrote them there, no one knew.

"Oh, just ignore her!" Annabel said with a nervous giggle. "She's just in a bad mood from err-lack of food! She won't curse you, ehehe!" She waved her hands in front of herself, in hopes to ease the tension.

"You're welcome!" Annabel replied softly to Drakken. The older and grumpy dragon continued on to say he wished Talus would shut his trap. Annabel stifled a small giggle. She found it funny that everyone was seemingly angry at Talus, though only Magnus got grumpy with Nadya! Maybe it was because Nadya was a woman, and they figured she was PMS-ing or something. 'We're all rather grumpy and gloomy from being cooped up in here for so long," Annabel breathed. "Maybe he'll be less of a bother to you when we get out of these cells!"

"If we get out of these cells." Ezra's smooth voice echoed from his cell. "He's still not arrived yet, you know."

"We will!" Annabel called to him, stomping her foot. She tried to imitate Nadya's pissed-off-all-the-time-look, but it wasn't working. She just looked like a pouty child. "Have faith in Cobalt! He'll save us, just you wait!"

And they did wait. They waited for what seemed like hours to Ezra. He sat in his cell, humming a little tune and day dreaming about all the riches he'd steal once he got out of this hell hole. He secretly anticipated Cobalt's arrival, but kept the I'm-not-expecting-Cobalt-to-show-up-look.

After awhile, some clatter was heard nearby. Magnus starting freaking out, calling out to him. "Be quiet!" Nadya seethed. "If guards here you, they'll know about our escape!"
But soon enough, Cobalt was there, firing off portals and opening their doors. Nadya bit the inside of her lip, holding her tongue about how wrong she was. Ezra merely strolled out of his cell, taking the lock as he went. It might come in handy later. "Cobalt, you're here!" Annabel said, her voice like a happy melody. She hugged him quickly as the others got out of their cells. "Thank you for coming, thank you so much!"

"No time for a happy reunion, we need to get out as soon as possible. We'll do all this later." Ezra said firmly, before making his way to their weapon room. Cobalt opened the lockers, revealing all of their belongings. Ezra's eyes gleamed as they found his magical pot. He snatched it up quickly, attaching it to his side. Along with their tools were the tools of other prisoners- god knows where they were being held. Ezra helped himself to their weapons and belongings, storing them away in his bottomless treasure pot. "Not a bad stash here, heh.." he whistled.

He glanced over at Cobalt, topaz eyes glowing brightly. He dipped his head, which was rather hidden beneath his hood. It was his way of saying thanks. He turned back to the weapons, admiring Annabel's as she waved her sword in her hands.

"Ssss..." Gunari, Nadya's croc skull hissed in pleasure as its owner neared it. "Gunari," Nadya responded to the hissing, her voice sounding just as pleased. "Good to have you back." It opened its jaws slowly, puffs of poison leaking from its mouth.

There was a clang behind them, and Cobalt had passed out onto Magnus! Being who she was, Nadya had to make a comment. The way Cobalt landed on Magnus looked like he was trying to make out with him or something. "Now is not the time to get frisky!" She barked.

"Nadya, he's passed out!" Annabel said, worry in her voice. "He must be so exhausted. Can you carry him okay, Magnus?"

"We could always store him in my jar if needed," Ezra snickered quietly.

Cobalt merely responded with a "Come on!" Before sprinting. Everyone followed his lead.

Annabel panted as she ran, not used to running anymore due to their imprisonment. She called out to Magnus through pants and huffs. "M-Magnus!" She puffed. "W-we can't just continue to blindly run around this forest! Where are we going to go?" Worry was clear in her sweet voice.

 

Indeed, Drakken was a rather grumpy dragon. It wasn't often that he smiled or did a joke. He seemed rather humorless. Especially now since he has deep burn wounds plastered against his side. He may be one tough cookie but when it comes to fire burning him, he becomes irritable and sore for a while. Drakken did think about going into his meditative state, coating himself with ice and easing the pain. But the area seemed too dangerous and he would have been a perfect target for a simple killing. As being in his meditative state, he wouldn't have enough time to react. Plus it took energy. And if Cobalt showed himself to save them, he would need the energy to make a run for it.

To Drakken and Baruka's surprise, Cobalt made his appearance. Even though they were a bit happy to see that Magnus was right about Cobalt, they didn't do any small talk. Now was not the time to do so. If they were to escape, they needed to leave as soon as possible. If not, Tobias would have caught on and captured their only way of escape and they would be trapped there. So Drakken stood back up and moved over to Baruka. The two waited to see what plan, Cobalt had in store.

Just then, portals appeared in their cells. Baruka was taken aback at this and stepped away from them. Almost as if he cowered behind Drakken. This was new to him as he never seen a portal like this before. Drakken on the other hand, didn't budge one bit. He heard about portals. Skilled wizards seemed to use them when they were feeling lazy and didn't want to walk or fly to their destination. That, or they figured it'd be the best strategy to try and sneak up on a dragon. But that usually resulted in the dragon not being too friendly towards them. "It's only a portal you coward." Drakken grabbed Baruka's shoulders and shoved him forward. "Though if you die in the process, I know not to go in."

Of course, Drakken was only trying to scare Baruka into walking into the portal. The dragon knew that Cobalt wouldn't have killed either one. Baruka looked up at Drakken, worry in his eyes. But the Dragon didn't seem to care as he pushed the anubis into the portal. He popped through the other side, freaked out and rattled. Baruka wanted to snap at the dragon but figured to bite his tongue. Dragons were dangerous, even if they were wounded.

Calmly Drakken walked out of the portal with a smug look on his face. "Didn't kill you." He patted the guy on the shoulder and walked away. Baruka then took off to grab his beloved weapon. It was like reuniting a kid to their parents. That's how happy he was to be with his weapons again. But the joyous moment was cut abruptly as he knew that they needed to flee the area.

Running through the forest, Drakken and Baruka were in the rear. Baruka wanted to make sure no one was going to try and do a sneak attack. If they were, he was going to be the first to react with attacking them first. Sneak attacks were bothersome and obnoxious. Kill it before anyone notices. That's what he was hoping to do.

As for Drakken's reason for being in the back; was due to the burn wounds he obtained from his capture. Dragon fire breathing always seemed to be more painful than a natural flame. Plus his mind kept worrying about his wounds, taking his thoughts off of fleeing from the castle and running through the forest. His pride was far too strong as he refused to ask for help, despite the utter pain. To him, he was a dragon. A mighty and powerful being. Asking for help would only make it seem like he wasn't tough or capable of taking hits.

"Where exactly are we running to?" Drakken managed to ask. He tried to make it sound like that he wasn't in pain. He decided to add; "I hope you have a destination in store."

 

Cobalt's portals appeared in each of the cells containing the group. Siven cheered silently. "I told you Talus! He is alive!" Talus, surprised, stood up and walked toward his portal. "It appears you were right," he murmured. Siven ducked into his portal as well. Upon exit, Talus noticed Cobalt slouched in Magnus's arms. "I was wrong about you. My apologies." He heard footsteps running down the corridor. "Hope you're fit to run, Cobalt. We need to move." He dashed down the corridor, his robe flowing out behind him like there was a breeze. Siven merely said, "Glad to have you back, buddy," before following his brother down the hall.

They soon reached the weapon containment room, where both of the half-wolves' swords gleamed brightly. Opening the door, they retrieved their weapons and swung them around briefly. Siven infused fire into his blade, making it burn a hot scarlet. "Looks like they haven't tampered with our weapons, Talus." Talus looked over his sword carefully, checking over every detail to ensure Siven's claim was true. Slinging his ammo bag over his shoulder, he said, "Let's move," Siven grabbed his shoulder and stopped him from moving. "Hold on. Where to Magnus?"

Talus sheathed his sword-gun. "Yes, where are we going? The forest sounds ideal, but suppose Tobias has set up patrols out there. If we get caught, we're all getting thrown back in here." He looked at Cobalt. "Not to mention some of us are extremely tired."

 

Drakken didn't think that was a good enough explanation as to why they should head in the said direction. But he wasn't going to complain about it. He was just going to keep going because there was one thing on his mind. This dragon did not want to be cooped up inside of that castle again. A dragon should not ever be contained in a cell as small as that! Even if he was considered to be a relatively small dragon. So he kept his feet going, running and following the others down their selected direction. "Whatever you say."

"Another method of getting away? Hah. Too bad I wasn't one of those pig-headed red dragons everyone knows about." Drakken released an amused snort. His mind was cutting off the pain that he was feeling from the burns. It was great! He noticed Baruka gave him a questioning look. "What? Us Ice Dragons are one of the smaller kinds dragons. But we're much cooler than they are--no puns intended."

Baruka let out an amused laugh. So the guy wasn't such a hard-ass after all? The Anubis heard something moving behind him and he pulled out his weapons. Drakken took note of this and he too slowed down to help stand by the Egyptian creature. They both were going to defend the group! As Baruka snarled, showing his fangs and pinning his ears back; Drakken calmly held out his hand and it was quickly engulfed in a cloud of cold mist. An icicle began to form in the palm of his hands which grew into a staff. He twirled it in his hand before he got himself into a battle stance where his feet were spread and firmly planted into the ground.

Once one of the minions showed themselves, they had launched an arrow at Baruka. Just at the last second, Baruka slashed at the arrow, slicing it in half with one of his blades. After that, he started running at the enemy with the blades held tightly in his hands. Leaping into the air, he did a quick scissor-kick and knocked the being down onto the ground. They were down for the count. With his back turned towards the forest behind the group, another opponent appeared behind him. They made for a sneak attack, trying to kill Baruka without him knowing.

Drakken took his staff and hurled it at Baruka. The Anubis thought Drakken was trying to kill him. He tried to move but his feet were planted firmly on the ground. He couldn't move out of the way! Baruka closed his eyes and waited for the impending doom. But it never came. Once he opened his eyes, he heard a thud on the ground behind him. Quickly, the anubis turned and saw that another enemy had fallen to the ground, dead. They had a staff to the head. Baruka wanted to thank Drakken but the dragon was already distracted.

"Yeah. I already hear more coming. So we do not have much time." Drakken informed as he turned away from Baruka. "I may not be big and powerful, but those of you who struggle to keep up..." He let out a sigh, not really wanting to do this. "I will turn into my normal form and give you a ride. But I will NOT fly."

Baruka nodded before he started off, chasing after Cobalt.

Drakken waited for a reply. If anyone knew they weren't fit enough, well enough, or even fast enough; he would give them a ride. If this happened, he would transform into his dragon form. A mystical glowing white light would emerge from his hands, surrounding him in a wispy cloud-like manner. The air around him would grow a little colder than the normal temperature. There would be a crunching crystal-like sound. And before they know it, there stood a white dragon with scales that reflected the sunlight in a way that made it appear rainbow-like on each scale. He then would bow down, allowing whoever it was to hop onto his back so he could follow in pursuit.

If no one took up the offer, then he just ran after Cobalt, without saying much of anything.

 

Gunari hissed at Magnus due to the way he spoke to his master. The hiss was low and deadly, and a purple, poisonous mist seeped out of its jaws. Nadya smirked as she ran behind Magnus and beside Annabel. "Watch your mouth, Maggie." She seethed. "Or I'll have Gunari tear at your leg."

The pasty Annabel panted hard as she ran, barely able to keep up with the others. Still, despite her condition, jumped to try to keep things cool between Nadya and Magnus. "Don't..don't lis..ten to her.." Her blue eyes began to look dull for her exhaustion. "She wouldn't..."

Nadya fierce gaze turned to Annabel, which immediately softened. "Annabel," she called in her thick foreign accent. "Let me carry you."

"No.. I can do it!" Annabel said weakly, though there was determination present in her voice.

It frustrated Nadya, and she needed someone to take her frustration out on. Magnus was the one, of course. She seethed. "Hurry up and find us someplace to stop or I'll take Annabel and leave." Nadya didn't play around. Annabel was lacking strength due to starvation and Nadya knew it.

"Hey, you can't go leaving us if I'm not allowed to leave." Ezra's slightly panicked voice was heard. "It'd be unfair." He winked at her.

Just as he said this, Magnus stopped in his tracks, and Nadya bumped into him, her bosom smooshed against his back. She grunted. "Urgh." She stepped away quickly and looked behind them to hide her blush. She quickly overcame her embarrassment when she saw that there were enemies behind them. She glanced at Annabel, who had stopped and was panting.

It was good that Annabel could catch her breath, but bad that there were enemies coming. Nadya stood firmly in front of Annabel, jabbing Gunari into the ground. "Gunari, go." She said. The croc's head hissed loudly, before the staff magically began to stretch, and the skull was charging full speed at an enemy, poison oozing from it is jaws.

Gunari caught one man's neck in its jaws, and instantly the life left the man's eyes. His skin sizzled where Gunari's poison drenched jaws had touched. The magic skull dropped the man, and moved onto its next target.

Ezra just stood and watched. Sure, he could've helped, but they had it all under control..for the most part. He just stood and caught his breath, before saying. "We can't stay here long. More will come after them; we need to get a move on."

Annabel looked up at him with exhaustion, but put on a brave face and stood tall. "Y-yeah!" She continued to pant. "Let's move, everyone!"

They group trekked on. Baruka and Drakken strayed back a little bit to help with the fighting. Annabel looked back, wanting to help to, but she knew Nadya wouldn't allow it. It totally bummed her out that she wasn't strong enough to do anything yet! She went to focusing back on running, hoping that Baruka and Drakken would catch up later.

It wasn't long before they were back and Drakken was in his dragon form! Annabel admired his pretty scales. He offered the ones who struggled to keep up a ride. "Annabel," Nadya called to her. "Ride on Drakken."

"No!" She huffed angrily (and from being out of breath) in reply. "I won't be dead weight! I can run just like everyone else!"

"I wouldn't mind a ride." Ezra's sly voice was heard from the side. He could easily run, he was just being lazy.

"No, you're just a lazy little shit!" Nadya snapped.

 

Siven nodded at Magnus; heading in the direction of the castle was the best shot they had to him. Talus shook his head in dismay, though. "I'd prefer it if we had an actual destination," he said flatly, "but it seems we have no choice." The pair took off after Magnus and the rest of the group. Nadya's staff was rather angry at something, probably Magnus himself. "Keep that thing under control, will you?" Talus snapped. "We can't turn on each other now." Siven turned to his brother, a bit confused at the statement. "Who said anything about that? Everyone here knows we need to stay together." Talus sighed. "Never mind."

Soon after emerging into the clearing, more guards appeared and attempted to stop them from escaping. Siven turned to face them, stopping dead in his tracks. He launched a fireball at a guard rapidly approaching him. The flesh of the guard sizzled and burned in an inferno as he tumbled to the ground, frantically rolling around on the soft earth. Talus looked back as he stopped about a yard away from his brother, about to yell at him to keep running. I forgot how painful it looks to be burned like that. How can Siven stand it? He cleared his throat. "Siven, we need to move-" His voice was cut off as he ducked under a swipe at the back of his neck. He pulled out his sword and hammered it into the guard behind him, blood spurting out from the wound. He wrenched it out and took aim at a few other charging guards. With a flick of his finger, the gun on the sword echoed like thunder, bringing down the first of the small group. Talus took aim again and pulled the trigger, only to hear a soft click. Son of a bitch, he thought, It had to jam now of all times? The half-wolf retreated, calling for Siven to do the same. The silver-haired half-wolf turned and nodded, taking off after Talus.

He suddenly let out a yell as he tumbled to the ground. Pain shot through his foot, and he looked down to see an arrow protruding from his heel. "Talus!" he shouted. Siven attempted to stand up, but fell down as the fiery pain continued to burn in his leg. He gazed around, trying to see if anyone would help him out. Talus, now returning, hoisted him up by the collar and half-dragged him away from the battle. Siven continued to yelp as his leg was jostled on the ground, bursts of pain running up his shin and foot. Nearby, Drakken had changed into his dragon form, and while it was quite a sight to see, they had more pressing matters at hand. Carefully, Talus helped Siven onto Drakken's back, making sure he was ready to go. Annabel had refused to ride, and Nadya seemed rather angry about it. Siven offered the angel his hand. "Just get up here, will you?" His eyes glanced up at the rushing guards. "We don't have time to argue." Talus nodded in agreement, dashing for the cover of the forest.

Talus gasped for breath as he reached the treeline and leaned on a tree close to Magnus. "Yeah, great plan, Magnus," he growled. He wasn't particularly angry, just tired and cranky. "Now we have an injury. Good going." Cobalt suddenly took off for who knows where, his boyfriend in tow. "Where are you going, dammit?!" He had no choice but chase after them.

 

"N-no, I refuse!" Annabel continued to be defiant. She didn't want to ride, she wasn't inured! She'd look weak if she rode, seeing as the only ones riding were injured. "N-Nothing against you though, Drakken! Your back looks nice and comfy, it's just that-"

Magnus and Cobalt had stopped abruptly yet again around a few scarce trees. They ushered the group to hide in them. Nadya put her hands on her hips. "They'll know we're hiding in there!" She said through huffs of breath. "There aren't any other trees around, so I'm sure they'll check within these hollows."

Ezra pulled his hood lower over his face. "Turning into a bird and flying off is sounding better and better right now.."

"Do that and Gunari will snatch you in his jaws." Nadya snapped. If she couldn't leave, he couldn't leave! "We're sticking together."

"And Siven's hurt!" Annabel said with worry clear in her melodic voice. "We have to help him! Nadya, can't you do something?"

"Not out in the open like this," she sighed. "Those hollows aren't enough cover either." She gave a devilish grin. "Especially with the screaming he'll be doing."

"S-She doesn't mean that!" Annabel said, sweatdropping. "I've worked with her before, I won't let her do anything crazy!"

"I dunno," Ezra snickered. "She's got a crazy look in her eye." Nadya shot him an angry look.

As Cobalt continued on about hiding in the hollow, a voice called out from above. Everyone was instantly put on edge, looking about for who it was who spoke. Gunari even grunted. Ezra's amber eyes flickered about, uneasiness set in.

At last, the woman revealed herself. Annabel gasped when she saw her. It was the woman who had captured her! "It's you.." she mumbled. Nadya gave her a puzzled look, to which Annabel didn't reply.

The woman introduced herself as Kuro, the capture of Magnus, Annabel and a few others. Apparently she was there to save them, after she had captured them months ago. Months that they could never get back. Nadya was furious, but she kept her mouth shut because there was nowhere else for them to go, and she knew Annabel needed rest along with Siven- who also needed medical attention.

"T-Thank you for your hospitality, Miss Kuro." Annabel said. She didn't like that the woman had captured her before, but she was quick to forgive, plus Kuro was offering them shelter.

As they neared her spacious cave home, she turned and spit acid at them. Any wrong move, and they'd get slashed! Ezra shifted his amber eyes to Kuro, who had been eyeing him for a few seconds. He shot the pretty woman a sly smile, as he raised his hands above his head. "Don't worry; you won't get any trouble from me." He said with a wink.

"Do you think you can heal him, Nadya?" Annabel asked her friend as she avoided Kuro's traps. Nadya merely marched through, hoping she wouldn't hit a trap.

"Should be. The most painful thing will be ripping out the arrow. I have herbs for the pain and needle and thread for stitches. " She glanced back at Talus and Siven. "One of you rip out the arrow. I really don't want to be kicked in the face trying to- WAH"

Ropes found their way around her ankles, wrists, and waist along with just under her bosom as she was lifted into the air from a rope trap. Her face heated as she felt her bosom begin to slip from her frilled white undershirt as she felt the rope slide up underneath her. She huffed at Magnus in front of her. "J-Just don't stand there. GET. ME. DOWN!!"

Ezra snickered from beside Kuro. "Hehe, how's it hangin' Nadya?" Annabel rushed to cover her friend.