Reunited

You rush into the hall, sword at the ready, with Sarah right behind you. To your surprise, there seems to be no reaction to your escape, despite the noise. No alarms, no guards rushing in, nothing. Looking down the hall, you see why. The door to the guard station stands open, and through it you can see someone on the floor, unmoving.

You motion for Sarah to follow you, and you make your way down the hall. Besides the sound of your footsteps, it’s quiet. When you reach the guard room, you find two bodies, though you can’t tell if they are dead or simply ****. There’s not a mark on them, and no blood, but you don’t have time to investigate further, as you hear footsteps approaching through the next doorway.

Pushing Sarah behind you, you ready yourself for a fight. The door swings open, and you immediately recognize Kaeli, and behind her is Ferra! Stunned, you stand unmoving for a moment, and you see behind Ferra is the rest of the girls, and Victor as well. You drop your guard as Ferra gasps, and leaps on you before you can react, nearly bowling you over.

The golem girl clings to you, and you’re surprised to hear a muffled sob as she buries her face in your chest. You embrace her tightly, while smiling at the rest of the girls. They all look happy as well, although there’s obvious strain in Melora’s eyes. Even Victor gives you a smile and a nod. You see their eyes turn curiously to Sarah, who is standing behind you.

Still holding Ferra, who refuses to let you go, you nod. “Well, it’s certainly nice to see everyone again. I suppose introductions can wait until we’re out of here, but this is Sarah, everyone. She’s coming with us.”

Before anyone else can speak, Kaeli responds. “Yes, you need to go. I can get you out of the palace without trouble, but beyond that, you’re on your own.”

You look at her. “And why are you helping us? You’re part of the council.”

Kaeli sighs. “My reasons are too complicated to tell you quickly. Let’s just say that I knew Victoria before she became…this. She was once like a sister to me, before the corruption.”

This close to her, you can see the veins of black corruption around her eyes, something her dark skin had hidden at a distance. “I see. And Niran?”

She shakes her head. “Even if he was good once, I never saw it. Now he’s little more than a walking plague. Which is all of our fate, without the Great One. He keeps the worst at bay, though I doubt he remembers that.”

You sigh. “Even your answers give me more questions.”

Kaeli nods. “I know. But we don’t have time for more. Even now, the Great One attempts to break into the seer’s mind. Should he succeed, all her secrets are his. You must escape the palace before he does.”

You glance at Melora, who nods. “I’m holding on for now, Nicholas, but it’s hard.”

You finally disengage yourself from Ferra, who seems to be collecting herself. “Fine. Get us out of here, then.”

Without a word, Kaeli pushes past you, heading back up the hall to the blank wall at the end of the row of cells. She places a hand on the wall and concentrates, and you hear a clunk followed by a grinding sound as a portion of the wall swings away, revealing a small chamber. Inside is a circular, metallic platform, which glows in the dim light.

Kaeli turns back to you. “I’ve been here a long time. I created this in case I needed to escape someday, but that’s not an option I have anymore. Stepping on this platform will transport you out of the city. Good luck. Perhaps next time we meet I can give you the answers you’re looking for.”

You offer her your hand, and after a moment, she shakes it. “Thank you, Kaeli.”

She shakes her head. “You have a long way to go. Get out of here, and stay off the main roads. There will be search parties soon.”

You nod, and turn to the platform. Both Sarah and Ferra each take one of your hands, and together the three of you step onto the platform, the rest of the group following close behind. Once you’re all gathered, Kaeli lifts her hand, and her eyes glow blue for a moment. Even you can feel the magic building up below your feet, and you tense up, feeling the others do the same.