Ximh quickly dispatched of the two who'd appeared before us. Lexian had helped too...but there was something very bad afoot. Lexian had claimed that those two had been copies...to make a copy wasn't something JUST ANY nobody could do...no...not at all. Kyxsha and Ximh stared at us unsure about what we were talking about. Perhaps there would be a moment to tell them. Now was not the time.
Kyxsha went to the portal and tried to listen. We all mimicked her movements...as though we'd be able to hear as well. Suddenly she pushed us through without warning. We landed before the castle.
"WHAT THE HELL WERE YOU....!!!" I yelled...but suddenly was silenced by Kyxsha's hand over my mouth. I slanted my eyes as I looked at her and she quickly removed it as we ran off. I imagine it was very cold...she shook it off and rubbed it slightly. I smirked and pretended not to notice.
"Put your hoods up." Lexian directed us. We did as told. This way we would blend in. Kyxsha seemed hesitant to put hers up. First, I tucked my hair in the back, to make sure none would stick out. I wondered what the most efficient way to move forward would be.
Whispering I addressed them. "Kyxsha...we can avoid guards with your hearing right??"
She nodded. I put my finger on my lip and thought deeply about our next move...
"Alright. We'll move together as a group...but if something happens and we get separated...don't go looking for each other. That'll just distract us. Our goal is to find Nyx...so...first person who does, get her out and cause some sort of disturbance...that way, we inside will know. If you hear the disturbance, portal back to base immediately! Remember...we only have to be stealthy getting in. Not retreating. Same goes if you're in danger. Portal away immediately. We aren't here to fight and get ourselves killed." I looked at Kyxsha. She had a strange expression. She couldn't look me in the eye. "Kyxsha...?"
"What?" She shook her head. "I didn't come to kill that numbskull...I came to save Nyx..."
"Then why can't you look me in the eye when you say that?" I asked.
"We aren't here to fight. We'll be outnumbered immediately if we start anything." Lexian argued. "There'll be a time for your battle. Please Kyxsha...don't do anything rash."
Kyxsha looked sullen. "Fine. Just lets get moving..."
We walked into the castle...all of our mouths dropped. Endless paths...stairs leading every which way...doors in random places. There was absolutely NO ORDER to this place....
I giggled. Lexian looked at me...he knew exactly what I was thinking.
"It is the opposite of Castle Oblivion right?" He whispered in my ear. "None of Triskix's "order" here..."
I smiled. Kyxsha and Ximh wanted in on it...but we didn't want to risk being loud. Moving forward...I pondered splitting into two separate groups. But wouldn't that be risky?
"We should do it...we'll cover more ground..." Lexian confirmed...once again reading my expression.
"Fine. Kyxsha...stay close to Lexian. I know I can count on him to protect you if you should need it. I'll look after Ximh. Besides, our elements compliment each other..." I ordered. No one argued, and we split into two groups. One headed up the Left set of stairs and one heading up the right.
This wasn't right...our staircase seemed to be changing directions...it shifted and moving...or was that all an illusion. I didn't like it. Looking back at Ximh...he seemed indifferent to it all.
"You're looking for him aren't you?" He mumbled.
"What?"
"He was holding you...didn't look like an enemy to me. I mean, you didn't even fight back." He added.
"And what about you? 'Brother?'" I recoiled. "Think I missed that? You're looking for that guy as well."
We both fell silent. Finally the stairs stopping ascending and leveled out. A long hallway lay before us now. Several doors on either side.
"How in the world are we supposed to find her?" Ximh said it...I was thinking it...
"So many doors..." I stumbled. "We'll search for her energy. Do you remember it?"
Ximh nodded. Yeah...he'd mentioned Nyx ordering him around...I doubt he'd forget that quickly. Taking a deep breath we stepped forward. The floor beneath us collapsed...forcing us onto opposite walls. We sighed a breath of relief...until suddenly the wall flipped...turning Ximh onto the inside.
A TRICK WALL! I thought rushing towards it. So much for my grand planning...it won't open and now we're separated...the only option now is to keep moving forward. Ximh can take care of himself.
Preparing myself for any more traps or pitfalls...I moved forward down the long hallway. I didn't sense Nyx anywhere near this place...I didn't even sense her in this CASTLE....which was bad. I was near the end of the hall when suddenly the door that I'd just passed swung open. It seemed as though things were moving in slow motion...as I turned back all I could see was an organization uniform...a pair of arms reached out, grabbed me and pulled me into the room. The door slammed and everything went dark.
~RaXi
