Catch up.

You hurry over to your bound and flustered redhead. Quicky, you slice her bindings, and raise your hand up to the confused Niki nearby. "Hey, hey. This is Rose, leader of Shadow Garden. She's with us."

Rose stands up, frustrated. "What kind of magic was that?" She doesn't seem pleased.

Niki laughs nervously. "I was caught up in the moment. I didn't really have time to think."

She shakes her head and takes a deep breath. "I can't be angry. Not after such a spectacular rescue."

"I told them to meet us in Avana. Turns out that was a good idea," you say. "Though how did you all know to come here? I didn't even know I'd be here at the time."

Alice steps forward and bows politely. "It was good fortune, I suppose. We had no idea where you meant us to go either, so we simply came to one of the only places we would know about. It was either that or wait outside in the outskirts. I am glad we did not stay. For one of me to be here..." she says, glancing over to the ALICE.

"You're not the same as them," you reassure. "And thank you."

Lynx may be clothed again, though barely. Her top was cut, so all she can do is hold it against her muddy body.

You walk over behind her and place a hand on her back. "Mend," you whisper, and the article of clothing sealed up again. "I'm glad we're all fine after that."

"Speak for yourself," Vivi says, still covered in white goop. "That was disgusting."

Mina, who definitely got it worse, nods her head. "I agree."

"So what are those?" Niki asks, pointing at the topless ant bound up with the rest.

"Formica insectrin," you answer. "They're similar to Luna, Summer, or Taiga, except instead of moths or bees, they're ants. So, small but strong. Be careful. If they didn't get caught up in all that mud, and their leader wasn't defeated, we might have had more of a fight against them. In physical strength, they're like a bunch of short Nikis, minus the durability buff."

"They don't look very tough."

"Meti, the jinn, was here at the start. She must have fled after summoning those monsters. Maybe she isn't enough of a fighter to want to stay, and somebody needs to report back to Elok too. Damn. Well, we should get some information here."

"Let's start with her," Rose suggests, pointing a finger at the cleric. "I'd like to hear her whimper again."

With her arms bound, all the cleric can do is swallow nervously. "I will... never talk," she says.

Eva suddenly looks very proud. While you expect her to bring up the spell she can cast due to the magic star she carries, instead, she reaches into her top and pulls a small cylindrical device from her breasts. Pop! "You're going to be so proud of me, Kyle. I decided to bring this with us when we went out on our quest, just in case. Yeah it was just to hunt some monsters, but we never have this handy when we need it, right? Well look and behold... the Fib-Not!"

Amara claps. "Very nice."

Niki holds out her hand and takes hold of the item. "Leave it to me, guys. I know what needs to be done."