Lin had lost her awareness of everyone and everything surrounding her for the time being. Since arriving here, she had not been her usual upbeat self. The events that brought them to this location were a blur; she recalled running, inner flames being utilized to repel some people that were no doubt enemies, and then nothing more. What made things worse was that a few familiar faces were missing. Sleeping on the job was uncommon of her and she was disappointed that she was so out of it. Had she been awake with the others she may have been able to assist them. Now that stranger, Gavin, was lost as well. Her sadness at losing him to the Empire was overwhelmed by her confusion. Worse yet, no one had said anything to her about it. They had been unaware that she wasn’t able to recall everything down to the letter, even if it happened within the last hour.
She glanced upward from the table before her and looked among her comrades, paying enough attention to catch what Rika would be up to. If there was no mention of anyone else, then that meant that Gavin was the only possible casualty. All they needed to do now was endure the waiting period, giving time for Rika to locate the core and call them in to assist when needed. That normally would have brought comfort or excitement, instead she continued to feel out of place. It was time to ask, if no one would ask for her.
“Hey …um,” Lin didn’t know the best way to put it. How was she meant to explain that she had no idea what she was really doing up until this point? Hesitation would not provide an answer, and the last thing she could do now is have a seat and just meditate. After a moment’s pause she had attempted to continue, this time concluding her thoughts. “Do any of you happen to know how I got to you? I remember running, but I don’t remember waking up. I can’t even remember what I’ve said until we got here …how did we get here again?”
~-~
“Are you sure you want her to do it alone?” Alem murmured to Rika. The pair waited nearby the staircase after Asahina took to wandering off. At first Alem was going to ask her what she intended to do on her own, especially without any existing knowledge of the palace’s layout, much less the dungeons, until Rika held up a hand and smoothly pressed a finger to her mouth. He didn’t say a word from there.
“She’s gotta learn how to take some initiative sometime, it may as well be now.” The assassin said in a hushed, pleasant tone, “Besides, I can hear her, and everyone else nearby. I think I know where they’re keeping the prisoners, and Asahina can handle one guard – the only guard – by herself.”
Alem waited to see if it was true. In a short amount of time Asahina had returned holding a set of keys, keys often kept at the side of a jailer. He did not know how she managed it by herself, but judging from the expression on Rika’s face after she had heard something he could not, she had the potential to become very capable in situations like this.
“Well, we could probably slice through the bars but it was a good effort on your part. You sure you’re not part Masaki?” Rika teased before swinging the loop of keys around with her right forefinger and hustling to the location of the prisoners. With the rest of the way clear for them, Rika had guided them further into the musty, depressing dungeons.
“How can you be certain they’re down here?” Alem asked.
“Their heartbeats. When they’re all grouped together like that, it’s impossible to ignore. Not like I need to strain my ears to listen either, especially with this place so silent.” Rika explained. Disruptive noises might have had a greater hand in distracting her ability. “Did I mention how easy this has been so far?”
“You have.”
“Oh. It’s easy.” Rika said for good measure.
The closer the group had gotten, the faster Rika seemed to move. Rounding a corner resulted in them being face-to-face with said dungeon, where ahead of the trio lied a cell. The darkness had made it difficult to see, but it was thanks to the light from nearby torches that she could manage to prove for certain that they were in the right location. Only their lower halves were exposed with a certain set of legs quite smaller than the others.
“H-hello? Is …is someone there?” Came a meek voice from within the cell. Alem had immediately tensed, something that had not gone unnoticed by Rika. The latter utilized the keys – if only to have Asahina feel more accomplished – and slid the cell doors back. Taking a nearby torch from the walls she had stepped inside the cell, illuminating several rough faces. Among them rested the Sultan, nestled between what Rika assumed were guards of various impressive sizes. Covered in dirt and closing their eyes tightly at the sudden appearance of light, what followed were small groans of pain. All were bruised except the Sultan himself who appeared perfectly unharmed.
“Not Jasmine, but just as good.” Rika moved to the shackles that bound the group together. As she did this, the guards took to asking questions as a ray of hope began to show.
“What day is it?”
“Is the Empire beaten?”
“Do you have any water?”
“Gentlemen,” Rika cut in firmly, “one thing at a time, please. Alem, you got this?”
Alem’s hardened stare had not left the Sultan. Once attention was diverted to him, the guards all examined him as closely as they could. His demeanor was not as warm or ecstatic, yet around him they were more comfortable given he was a native to this world and one they knew fairly well. A scuffle with them was rare. It was known that Alem only engaged guards who abused citizens, and all those inside the cell considered themselves very fair and honorable. The Sultan looked fearful of Alem’s gaze and tried to avert his eyes only to fail in finding some level of comfort. When this young man stared at you, you felt it sharper than any dagger.
“There is a servant here who can guide you to water, as well as weapons. Today is the day you receive your freedom and fight against this Empire. We’ve waited long enough.” Alem gestured towards the exit. “His name is Rafiq. Once he sees you, he should be able to assist you in getting on the outside.”
“B-but wait a moment,” The Sultan, now freed thanks to Rika, rubbed his wrists and nodded in thanks, “what about my daughter, Jasmine? I haven’t seen or heard from her since I was placed in here. We need to save her—“
“I assume these men stayed loyal to you, while traitors roamed upstairs. They chose to defend you over their own well-being, and I think you lack the gratitude you owe them.” Alem said harshly, “We will locate Jasmine ourselves, she is likely still in the palace in its deepest, darkest corners. Let these men get out of here and prepare to fight on the outside. They can help secure the palace if they are strong enough.”
The Sultan appeared defeated for a moment, but determination had appeared within seconds. If they had not located Jasmine yet, he’d just need to help them. There were places within the palace he could help guide them through.
“Then allow me to come with you. The guards will do as you said,” He looked among them, “and I am very thankful that you all stood by me in our darkest hour. I’ll reward you however I can once this is over.”
“A reward is often the deed itself,” Alem muttered
“Speak for yourself, handsome.” Rika winked at him and tossed the keys to one of the guards. “We’ve got a princess to save, so get going you guys.”
Offering words of thanks as they departed, the several palace guards bolted to the exit in order to locate Rafiq and find necessities; water, weapons, and information best suited to helping them beat the Empire back. This left the Sultan, Rika, Asahina, and Alem in the dungeons below.
“I remember witnessing plenty of strange beings travel through here several times, heading down much farther than this place. If Jasmine is still here, she must be farther below this place somehow.” The Sultan adjusted his pants and hat, hobbling out of the cell with the other three close behind. He still felt Alem’s eyes on him intently, but a brave face was better than a scared one. “There were times I often heard stones shift and …what I believe to be harsh yells in the dead of night. I don’t know what’s went on outside of my cell, but I do know that my daughter needs my help – our help!”
Rika cleared her throat and held up a hand. Locating a secret passage was nothing new to her, and Alem was probably capable of finding where they needed to go, too. Instead of all the easiest options available, the blonde turned to Asahina.
“Okay, you’re up again. Think you can find a way for us?”
They were surrounded by walls, yet if what the Sultan said was true then this passage could not have been far. In spite of what she suspected, this dungeon was not extraordinarily large. If this was meant to be the lowest part of the palace, then it made sense for the Empire to craft a means of getting down even lower to conceal their core.
Taka
Dane
erikh