Make it Count

"Darn it, can't this thing move any faster??"

The knight angrily shook and jangled around the chain, hoping in vain for haster movement to contrast the sluggish progress they were making. The female knight spun around, directing her fury to the hunter who had his arms crossed behind them, a smirk on his face.

"What the hell did you do that for? You're supposed to bring that in secured and under containment."

Leone shrugged, looking away in dismissal. He didn't see a reason to play into their squabble, however amused he was at their annoyance. This did as he had intended, fueling the fire in this woman as he ignored her. Her clenching fists were proof of her restrain from letting him have it. The male knight pushed her shoulder, redirecting her focus as they arrived in time to find two of the lesser guards sleeping on tbe floor.

"Huh, look at that. Guess you do have things under control."

"Stupid hunter." She grumbled as they stepped through before someone's throat was cleared. Glancing up ahead they were met with Syri, sat on her butt with her legs crossed. She licked her paw and brushed her hair briefly before paying any attention to them.

"What's the matter, scared of a little pussy cat?"

Leone stepped back as his eyes drifted toward the ceiling, with both knights drawing their swords and stepping forward.

"Remember, he wants them ali-hhngh!" The knight turned to find her ally being strangled by two fluffy tails from the ceiling above. Shocked, she reached for her sword when another tail coiled around her wrist, pulling her to the side. She stumbled with such force when a paw connected with her visor, sending her helmet flying. The other knight kept his hands around the tails, pulling as hard as he could before his final breath was squeezed out when he felt his helmet lift up and exposing him.

Reta winked back before swinging his helmet to his head, knocking him cold. The tails released him as he fell feet first before toppling onto the floor next to his ally. Descending from above was a tired KuliKuli massaging her tails lightly.

Reta leaned back as the others revealed themselves behind her. "Didn't think you'd stick like that."

"Claws help but owwww!" KuliKuli groaned, kissing her throbbing tails. "These are sensitive."

"And delicate!" Syri added, helping her older sister.

"And now they're sore." Reta snorted, looking over to the Hunter standing on their only way out with his arms crossed. "I take it you're switching sides now."

KuliKuli frowned and looked up as Leone shrugged and raised his hands.

"My hands are clean from this as far as my contract says, ergo-"

"Ignore him." KuliKuli huffed, marching forward and wrapping her tails around her waist. "Where's Mom?"

"We shouldn't go there." Dimyri warned, "This man has like, everyone we know down there. All of our clutter just waiting for his command."

"I thought people can only have one mate?" Syri wondered.

"They're not mates, more like his pets." Leone answered, stepping away from the exit. KuliKuli looked forward while walking past him before the other girls entered as well. "Which way?"

"Up."

"Down." Both KuliKuli and Dimyri locked eyes with Syri's ears lowering in worry.

"Uh oh."

KuliKuli's eyes narrowed as her older sister placed her hands to her hips.

"We need to save Mom, no question about it."

"I agree, but we can't save her the way we are now. I hate to say it but we need to save ourselves first."

Reta turned to give Zimi a cocky grin as KuliKuli began to reply.

"Well, we can't turn you back to normal without Mom. Didn't you say that?"

"I did, we can ask Dad for details along the way but as much as I want my body back it's not happening like this. We need to go now."

"He's not my Dad, and you guys wouldn't leave without Mom just like you wouldn't leave without me before! Remember?" As she looked around, Syri awkwardly turned her head with her shoulders raised, and Zimi stood beside Reta staring back.

Leone cleared his throat, glancing at the two fallen knights in case they made any sudden movement. Na'Vi coughed, her ear flicking as everyone awkwardly sat around the two sisters at the center of the wheel. With a grunt, Leone reached in and pulled one of the chains.

"Hey!" Both girls cried out as he lifted his hand to silence them.

"You don't have time to squabble around for dominance, you're getting out and that is final." KuliKuli growled to which he lifted a brow in return. "Sit."

"Make me."

Reta slipped in between them, pushing KuliKuli aside. "As hot as angry Kuli may be, I've had my fair share of fights on this wheel."

"We'll come back for her and everyone else, right?" Syri asked, hugging Dimyri's waist.

She patted her sister on the head before hugging her back. "I promise."

A moment passed by as they continued moving upward in this tunnel, with KuliKuli keeping beside Na'Vi and Zimi whilst glaring at Leone with eyes seemingly in flames. He ignored her, turning his head while keeping her in his peripheral vision whe Dimyri approached him.

"So, when can I get this spell thing off me and change back to my normal self?"

"Better you shouldn't just in case. I'm sorry, but the spell was meant to conceal you in plain sight. His awareness of your true form complicates things, but the plan remains the same should we fall back on it."

She nodded, leaning back when Syri tilted her head, wondering before asking, "I don't remember this spooky cave, when did we go through here?"

"I don't remember much after going through the front door." KuliKuli added.

"It has to do with those jewels he puts on them, the purple ones that glow."

"Only when you approach them." Leone added, catching their attention. "He has a name for them but it slips my mind. Once you girls had left the area those gems didn't look as pretty as before."

"Meaning what, they're demonic too?" Reta asked.

Zimi stepped forward. "The Devil's Glory, or Demon's Eye. It's the man's trump card, his checkmate move so to speak. Like a moth to the light, only more versatile."

"Well they don't have an effect on me." Reta stated, puffing her chest.

"I too can resist the effect." Dimyri mentioned.

"So long as you stay in that spell." Leone stepped forward as their wheel came to a stop at an empty floor. "Perfect. Okay, good luck forward."

"What?" They cried out in percect unison.

"Where are you going?" Syri asked.

"If he catches me he'll have me bring you back. Better if I hide myself so that I'm not an obstacle for you just yet."

"But... what do we do now?" Dimyri's voice trembled as she squeezing her hands shut.

"You were prepared for this, so do what you were taught best. This is a one time opportunity, don't waste it." He reached in and pulled the right chain before stepping away.

"This won't fix everything." KuliKuli said, feeling a lump in her throat.

"I don't expect it to. Make it count." He waved as they continued back upwards. KuliKuli rubbed her eyes as Dimyri stood facing forward, feeling a heavy weight on her shoulders as the others now looked up to her.

"So what now?" Syri asked, her tail reaching for Dimyri's hand. Dimyri squeezed her tail and swallowed as they were soon to arrive to the next floor.

"We make it count."