chapter 22

"What are you guys doing here?"

Kicking the now unconscious guard away, the trio then faced the next group. One who looked at least in a better condition than they themselves would admit. 

" The advisor trapped us here under the pretense we were going to hurt them."

(Kevin POV)

There goes diplomatic relations

As Julius continued to tell us of the current situation, I couldn't help but grit my teeth. All because of that man, William was now being a simple puppet.

What the hell would you do?

So far, Reius and other royal members still don't know about anything, Lidel hasn't returned and William's conditioned was worsening. 

"Let's get out of here before the guard wakes up." I said as I dumped the guard in the cell, bound and gagged. Everyone nodded before proceeding into the passageway, Alexander's light spell and a torch grabbed by Claude leading us through.

(3rd POV)

As they ventured on, Alfred couldn't help but asked, " Does anyone here have any weapons, in case for emergencies?"   This caused the group to stop in their tracks. 

"Currently, we already have a gun and some knives but how about you three?" asked Alexander as he remembered the explosion stunt.

Searching through their pockets, Julius, Claude and Maximilian produced, a small dagger from Maximilian, a revolver from Claude and both from Julius.

"At least, we'll be able to protect ourselves for a while."

Walking along, they found themselves at crossroads, turning left they find themselves in a dark room. Concentrating, the ball of light brightened some more till the whole room could be seen. 

"What the heck."

Before them, was a single pit. Blocks with different inscription floated within. Each one of them glowing  softly with blue light. At the other side was an entrance, green moss covered the walls making the entrance harder to see.

(Julius POV)

"Looks like we have to get over this pit to continue." commented Claude as he examined the area.

I couldn't help but twitch, geez how many traps did the al Abbas royal family set.

Carefully, each one of us slowly jumped over each one of them.

"BE CAREFUL!"

The moment my foot landed on one square, a loud creak could be heard as the block started to fall. Extending his arm, I grabbed onto Kevin's arm, pulling me up in the process.  Who the heck makes such a mechanism, are they crazy?!

"Your highness.."

"Yes?"

"Please go on to another block. You're too close to me."

Stopping my thoughts, I looked. Indeed, we were only inches away from each other that it kinda looked like we were hugging.

"Are you two done acting lovey dovey." taunted Alexander as he looked at us amusingly.

"Of course! After all, I'm not married yet!"

With that, I removed myself from him before skipping towards one right next. However, another loud creak could be heard, this one much louder than before.

Damn I hate my luck

The blocks all stopped glowing, everyone's eyes on me as the blocks started to crumble causing us to fall into the pit.

"ALEXANDER YOU IDIOT!"

(Timeskip: 3rd POV)

It had probably been hours since the group been stuck.

Swallowed in the darkness, they fell into a cave. Unfortunately, the landing did not break their  fall.

There was no light but rocks and dust. Everyone's clothes were torn exposing some scratches and wounds, blood bleeding out. 

"Your highness, maybe you should take a break. After all, you used a lot of magic." said Alfred as he helped Alexander lie against the rocky walls. Out of everyone, it had seemed Alexander had gotten the worse. Dust and mud could be seen smeared on face as blood flowed down his cheek. His clothes were torn and dirty, his hair a mess and his breathing raggedy and panting heavily.

"No, I can keep go-urgh!" clutching his heart, Alexander felt pain sweep over his body.

"Go to sleep. We'll need it later so just take a break" ordered Julius . He felt bad for being the cause of everything and no matter how much Claude and Maximilian said that he shouldn't take the blame for everything, he still felt bad.

Deciding best not to argue, Alexander finally closed his eyes, falling into a dream.

(Alexander POV: Dreamworld)

Don't tell me this is another nightmare. 

Looking around, the landscape was pure white. small drops of snow could be vaguely seen falling.

Suddenly, I heard a light jingle, turning around I followed it. I didn't know why but it felt so familiar. Each step I took suddenly became faster until I started running. Finally, I reached the source or sort of. In front of me was a group of people. Their appearances shadowed but I could visibly tell they were a group of adults mixed with Children.

A soft laughter filled the space, fun and cheery.

A tear couldn't help but slide down my cheek.

Huh? why the hell am I crying. I tried to wipe them away but the tears wouldn't stop. The image then changed to a room. Barren but full of books. The figure of two people stood in the centre of the room, one of them looking over an iron barred window.

A smile formed over the figure's shadowed face before mouthing the words,

"Hurry."

My blood suddenly ran cold.

A cackle cold be heard, as everything started to shatter away like glass. A dark shadow formed from the darkness. The only thing visible from its wavering form was its white doodled like eyes and twisted smile.

"Did you enjoy this memory? Unfortunately, this won't be for long and I will finally retrieve what's mine. Isn't that right-"

"YOUR HIGHNESS! YOUR HIGHNESS! PLEASE WAKE UP!"

(Return)

Opening my eyes, I sprung from my position. Gasping for air, my eye's wide.

"Are you alright?" asked Maximilian, his face contorted in worry

"Yes." I said as I supported myself against the wall, my body still ached but it had seemed I had managed to get some of my energy.

Julius steps forward and heaves me up, carrying me bridal style.

"WHAT THE HECK ARE YOU DOING?!" I exclaimed blushing

"Quiet down, we found a mine cart. It might lead us to an escape."

"And if it doesn't?"

"Then we'll just  starve and die." he said as he dropped me in before jumping in, himself.

The rest was a mess, all I could see hear was swirls and screams.

"CLIFF! CLIFF!"

Shit!

Using My Magic, I boosted us forward, allowing the cart to land on the track moving forward.

Finally, we stopped.Shaking our heads as we tried to rid ourselves of the nausea. I looked around, nothing.

"dead end."

"Um guys. what's that." we turned around, Claude was pointing towards a heavy darkness on the other side. Three pairs of glowing green eyes stared at us.

Stepping away, three figures emerged. All of them were young women, their gaze malicious as they looked at us.

"The bridesmaids." muttered Julius as he readied his sword.

I really didn't want to kill anyone but we were nearly out of time. My eyes landed on a rock on the ground. Picking it up, I used some magic to cast an illusion over it.

"Hey ladies!" 

Their ominous looking eyes stared at me. I could have sworn I peed my pants but holding it in, I raised my arm, bouquet in hand. The bouquet glowed as it floated above their heads. Their glowing eyes hypnotised as they followed it.

"Catch"

And with that, I flunged it over at the other end, possibly 30m or so away from us. And like dogs they followed.

Too easy

"Let's figure out a way out before those girls come back." said Alfred

we nodded when suddenly a loud noise could be heard.

"Please don't tell me this is another trap."

the ceiling then caved in, leaving a hole in the centre.

Huh?

A head then stuck out. At that moment the same thought filled everyone's head,

A DONKEY?!