The orc dropped the final blow, and Hraktar slumped to the ground. Alejandra had tears streaming down her face as Akshi glared at her. “Doesn’t matter, we have time.” The crime lord turned toward the bigger orc. “Did you knock him out like I asked, or did you attempt to kill him?”

  “Can’t tell,” the bigger orc said, placing his axe on his shoulder again. “Hraktar the Runt is always too delicate.”

  Alejandra’s throat was clogged as she was prompted to do a death saving roll. “He’s dying.” The words were strangling inside her. “Please, I just rolled a nat one. If he gets another fail, he’ll die.”

  “Mmm. Can’t have that,” Akshi said, letting go of Alejandra’s wrists and walking toward Hraktar. Her wrists still left the ghost of his hands on them. She stumbled forward as Akshi uncorked the vial and dropped it on Hraktar’s face. He sputtered as some of it entered his mouth. He opened his eyes, coughing. “Once again, strip him of his clothes. We’ve got to leave. Now.”

  Hraktar didn’t fight as the orcs started ripping off pieces of his armor.

  “Hraktar,” Alejandra said. Akshi instead threw the tank top and shorts in her direction. “The distraction is done. You need to wear these, or you’re not wearing anything at all.” Akshi rolled his wrist and the dimension door appeared. “You’re choice.”

  Alejandra doubted she would ever stop crying.

  ***

  Derek drove into Mr. Stower’s driveway, and Rafael was already out of the car.

  “Alejandra!” Rafael shouted, sprinting toward the front door. Ezekiel appeared next to him, and Derek instinctively teleported Milo, too. This was incredibly dangerous, but if Akshi was there, they’d need all the help they could get.

  Rafael picked up a rock and threw it against one of the windows. The glass broke, and Derek winced. Rafael was on a mission, and no one was going to stop him.

  Rafael and Ezekiel climbed through the hole they made, with Rafael checking the phone. Derek and Milo followed behind, stumbling through the house.

  “Alejandra!”

  Derek didn’t bother telling Rafael to keep it down. He heard, in the silence of the house, his worst fears.

  Rafael threw open a door and stumbled in. Derek was right behind, flipping the lights. It was completely empty of carpet, of furniture, of everything. There were two piles of clothes, one of Alejandra’s with her shoes on top of them, the other of Hraktar’s. The phone was on top of his armor.

  “No,” Rafael said, his voice full of pain.

  Derek covered his mouth. Milo knelt down at the two pairs of clothes. “They’re still warm,” Milo whispered, glancing up at Ezekiel. “They’ve been gone minutes.”

  Police entered the house. Rafael covered his face. “Too late. I was too late.”

  ***

  Nick cracked his eyes open. He heard the beeping of a machine as he stared at the ceiling.

  “Alejandra,” he whispered, trying to get up and was met with a mountain of pain. Nurses came in, fiddling with him. “Alejandra,” he kept mumbling, even though they didn’t hear him. He was desperate to hear news of her.

  It was all a blur. People asking him questions he wasn’t in the right mind to answer. He didn’t want to answer questions about himself, he wanted answers about Alejandra. No one seemed to understand who he was talking to. Or he was ignored, like they couldn’t hear him.

  “Get away from me!” That was a very loud noise from a familiar voice.

  “Sir, you must stay in your room,” one of the nurses said.

  “Like hell I do,” Grizzizzik said.

  “Griz-” Nick couldn’t finish the sentence, he was too weak. Grizzizzik had come with him somehow. It was hazy, but Nick remembered him getting hurt also hurt Grizzizzik.

  There was a crashing sound, then he watched Grizzizzik walk by the hospital room with his bag of clothes wearing nothing but the hospital gown.

  “Sir, if you don’t get back to bed, I will have to call security,” one of the nurses said.

  “I’m not sick,” Grizzizzik said. “Here’s for your trouble.”

  Nick noticed a gold coin disappeared from his inventory as he tossed it over. The nurse caught it, and Nick wasn’t sure what the nurse saw, but no doubt it was a huge wad of bills.

  “S-sir. I… can’t. I can’t! You can’t bribe me like this.”

  Nick got a prompt to roll for stealth. He wasn’t sure how this would go, but he knew Grizzizzik would not handle being here. The dice landed on fifteen. With Grizzizzik’s +6 in stealth, there was no doubt he’d disappear.

  Once Grizzizzik disappeared, there was silence. Nick heard the gold coin drop to the ground as the nurse turned around and went back to her station. At first Nick was worried about that gold coin and what it meant, but once he saw the gold coin return to Grizzizzik’s inventory, he just rolled his eyes.

  “Nick?”

  He turned to see Evelyn walking into the room. “Alejandra,” Nick said again.

  Evelyn played with her hands before glancing down. Nick’s throat swelled up at this action, and he closed his eyes. They hadn’t found her. He was left far weaker than before. He couldn’t let this happen. And yet what could he do?

  It didn’t matter if he was stuck here in the hospital. He curled his fist, knowing that Akshi would rue the day he took Alejandra.

  ***

  Alejandra sat, curled with her legs up against her chest and chained to the wall. She had no idea where she was. Akshi had used dimension door to transport them here. She caught glimpses of higher level creatures, so she had to figure they were outside the bubble.

  Hraktar was next to her, bloodied and bruised. This time they knocked him out. The whole thing made Alejandra’s stomach churn. She didn’t want this. Any of it. Hraktar’s loneliness and pain was radiating from him. She had lost track of time here. Every minute felt like an hour. Whenever Hraktar healed enough, Akshi was back, trying to figure out the bond between Alejandra and Hraktar. Trying to touch into that connection. No doubt to try and exploit it.

  Hraktar knew this. He had reverted back to talking little. And he didn’t fight back. Alejandra swallowed, feeling sick to her stomach. The crime lord of Osvoroth could, if he wanted to, disappear with his minions and never be found again. He was literally hiding under everyone’s noses in Osvoroth. It wouldn’t be that hard to imagine him having that ability again here. Especially considering no one on earth really knew who he was.

  With Hraktar panting next to her, his breath ragged and pained, Alejandra realized there was a good chance no one would find them.

  ***

  Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.

  “Alright,” Tyler said, hanging up. He was still pacing, not looking at anyone. Neal will come with his army of private investigators, but since they have to be reminded every hour about who Alejandra is, I don’t have much hope in them.”

  “Nick’s in the hospital,” Evelyn said, arms folded. “We can’t possibly hope to attack Akshi when we’re down one member.”

  “Nick can still roll from the hospital,” Derek said.

  “Akshi knows where Nick is,” Evelyn said. “He also knows about the marks on our skin.” Evelyn’s fingers brushed over her stomach. “Which means some of us are in serious danger the moment we step foot in Akshi’s lair.” Evelyn glanced at Tyler’s neck. “He’ll know you’ve been marked the second you step in there.”

  Tyler sighed, rubbing his neck. “It would be better if we could cure these before we attempt to rescue Alejandra.” Tyler glanced at Milo. “The sooner the better.”

  Milo grunted. “I mean, I could try.”

  Time froze for Derek, and he got a prompt to roll for medicine. Derek flinched, knowing that wasn’t Milo’s highest. He was pleased when it landed on a seventeen, giving it eighteen total. He watched, expectantly as time moved forward.

  Milo closed his eyes to think. It took a second before his eyes flew open again. “Deities above, I’m a complete idiot.”

  “Well, not a complete one,” Grizzizzik said.

  Milo ignored the jab and his gaze shot to Clarissa. “Princess. Moonsparkle.”

  Clarissa frowned, tilting her head to one side. “Sorry?”

  “Your unicorn? It should have an abundance of healing properties. Now that these kids are adjusting to the two worlds we should try it. It’s worth a shot,” Milo said. He glanced around at the others. “If a unicorn can’t heal you… I’m not sure what else can.”

  “Yeah, okay, but…” Derek cleared his throat. “But… I’m a man.”

  “Same,” Tyler said, glancing at Clarissa. “Will Moonsparkle be okay trying to heal us?”

  Clarissa let out a breath. “It depends on how pure your heart is. Moonsparkle will be able to sense it, and she’ll know if your lying. As long as you haven’t disrespected women, you might be able to be healed.”

  There was a pause, then everyone’s gaze turned to Derek. He wanted to say something, but he was pretty sure he’d end up with his foot in his mouth.

  “Glad I don’t have marks,” Rafael mumbled.

  ***

  Evelyn walked with Clarissa in the dark. It had been almost two full days since Alejandra was kidnapped. If they were going to do this, it had to be now. They needed to be prepared at a moments notice, and Evelyn would certainly feel a lot better if the marks were gone.

  Moonsparkle walked forward. They were near the outskirts of town, with Tyler and Derek in the car about a half mile away.

  Clarissa started speaking to Moonsparkle in elvish. Evelyn waited, feeling worried. Moonsparkle gave a soft noise, then approached Evelyn, sniffing. Evelyn didn’t move. Moonsparkle gave another whinny.

  “She needs you to take off your shirt so she can see them better.”

  Evelyn’s heart plummeted, then she glanced at the car a half mile away. Clarissa walked between Evelyn and the car, holding out a cape. “You’ll be fine.”

  Evelyn nodded, then did as required. Moonsparkle studied the marks again before placing her horn against Evelyn’s heart. She felt a warmth throughout her body, then she gasped as she felt the coldness of the marks. The warmth quickly overcame the cold. Evelyn glanced down, seeing the marks gone.

  “It worked,” Evelyn said, relieved. “It worked!” She quickly put her shirt back on before pulling out her phone. “I’ll text Derek.”

  Moonsparkle said something else, and Clarissa listened. “Let them come one at a time. She also wants you to stay with her. Your relationship with them is a huge factor on whether or not this will work.”

  Evelyn nodded, then relayed the information.

  ***

  Derek didn’t know what had happened to cause him to be shirtless in front of a unicorn, but honestly? It was still pretty wild. The unicorn was so bright it was hard to keep his gaze on the coat. Instead he braced his face as the unicorn and the elf talked to each other. Evelyn looked just as confused, but Derek wondered why it wasn’t nearly as hard for Evelyn to look at the unicorn.

  “Where did you get these marks?” Clarissa asked.

  “I got them while standing in front of Milo. Trying to protect my character,” Derek said, still not looking at the unicorn.

  Clarissa translated this back to Moonsparkle as Derek gave a nervous glance toward Evelyn’s direction. Evelyn gave him a thumbs up as the conversation continued.

  Nothing more was said as Moonsparkle clopped over to him. Derek held his breath as the unicorn placed her horn on his chest. Derek was aware that if things could go wrong, one of his gray marks would appear again. With how deep Nick’s were, he remained as motionless as possible.

  Once Moonsparkle stepped away, Derek glanced down at his body with one eye. He opened the other one when he saw all the marks were gone. Derek let out a huge sigh of relief and shoved his shirt back on himself. “Thank you. Thank you so much,” Derek said. Still aware of how deathly that horn was, he backed away while keeping Moonsparkle in sight. “I really appreciate this.”

  “Go on. Go get Tyler,” Clarissa said.

  “Yep,” was all Derek said before hurrying back to the car.

  ***

  Evelyn kept gnawing at her cheek, even though she knew she shouldn’t. Tyler approached carefully, even giving a short bow to Moonsparkle. Evelyn noticed that with Derek, Moonsparkle and Clarissa were having a quick but back and forth conversation. Moonsparkle seemed to stare at Tyler, then turned her head to look right at Evelyn. Despite it all, Evelyn felt her cheeks flush a deep scarlet. Moonsparkle let out a noise, and Clarissa glanced at Evelyn too, a slight smile on her face. Evelyn glanced at Clarissa, not sure what she should say. She did know, however, that both of them now knew of her crush.

  “Moonsparkle needs your shirt off,” Clarissa said, glancing at Tyler.

  Tyler nodded, then quickly slipped it off. Evelyn could not contain her burning cheeks now, and she was more than grateful for Moonsparkle being here to take all of Tyler’s attention.

  “How did you get them?” Clarissa translated for the unicorn.

  “I was captured early on by Phantom. He tried to torture me, but none of his weapons touched me,” Tyler said.

  Evelyn flinched. True, Tyler was shirtless, but she almost couldn’t tell with how many marks there were on his body. It seemed completely made up of marks criss crossing his torso.

  Moonsparkle walked up and placed her horn against his heart. Tyler closed his eyes, no doubt feeling the same warmth Evelyn felt. She watched as the marks melted off his body, and she couldn’t help but give a sigh of relief.

  Moonsparkle walked away, snorting. Clarissa laughed as Tyler glanced at her. “What?” he asked.

  Clarissa smiled, shaking her head. “It’s nothing.”

  Evelyn tried to cool her cheeks as Moonsparkle again looked at Evelyn.

  “Nick should be back from the hospital. Can you heal him, too?” Tyler asked, slipping on his shirt.

  “Moonsparkle has healed both of you, so we feel pretty confident she will heal Nick, too. It might need to be closer to one or two in the morning, so she’s not as disturbed by all the cars.” Clarissa glanced at Evelyn. “Can you bring Nick then to the park?”

  “I’ll try.”

  ***

  Nick was managing the pain well enough. When Evelyn talked about the possibility of it going away entirely, he knew he needed to try. For Alejandra.

  They crept through the house, completely dark and quiet. There was a very real possibility of Walt finding out, but at this point Nick didn’t care. If he could get these marks gone, he would. If they healed the deep wounds on his body already, all the better.

  They walked out the front door, then through the streets. Clarissa met them half way, helping Evelyn steady Nick as they approached Moonsparkle. Evelyn and Clarissa helped him ease his shirt off as Clarissa and Moonsparkle had a conversation.

  Nick felt his knees weaken, and he tried to stand steady and sure. Moonsparkle walked forward, placing her horn on Nick’s heart, and he almost collapsed onto the unicorn. Warmth filled his body, and strength returned to his legs. He stood more sure, letting out a breath. He glanced down, seeing his body completely healed. He let out another breath.

  “Thank you,” Nick said.

  Moonsparkle let out a whinny before galloping away.

  “We will get Alejandra back,” Clarissa said.

  “Yeah.” Nick shoved his shirt back on himself. “We will.”

  ***

  Alejandra hated this. It must have been days. She doubted it had been weeks. Not even one week. But it felt like an entire lifetime. Hraktar had been beaten more times than she wanted to keep track of, and she didn’t want anything more to happen. Her cheeks would undoubtably have canyons from all the tears she cried.

  There had to be a way to stop this. The longer she stayed, the more likely she would be stuck here until death. Despite holding out hope that maybe someone else would come save her, she knew the truth. She had to save herself.

  How, she wasn’t sure. The chains were heavy on her wrist, and her fighter was beaten and chained with her. She closed her eyes, wondering…

  Quetzal? She couldn’t be certain, but she felt a connection. Much like the connection with Hraktar. Could she teleport the little drake to her? Somehow she doubted it. But she couldn’t deny this connection.

  Quetzal. Come find me. Quetzal, I sense you. Please, come find me.

  She wasn’t sure if that would work, but she was bound and determined to call for Quetzal for as long as she needed.

  ***

  Rafael had his hands in his hair. He loathed this feeling of helplessness. Quetzal was on the couch. He’d never seen the happy drake so depressed before. It was like he could hardly lift his body to eat at times. Rafael was worried about that drake.

  All at once, Quetzal lifted his head, making a noise in the back of his throat.

  “Quetzal?” Rafael asked.

  The drake made another noise, almost like a call. Rafael stood up, walking toward the drake. Quetzal was stiff, muscles ready to leap at a moment’s notice.

  “What’s going on, boy?” Rafael asked.

  The drake leapt off the couch and headed toward the back door.

  “Whoa, wait a moment,” Rafael said, trying to race after the drake. At the same time, he felt a flicker of hope enter him as he pulled out his phone. “Don’t loose me, Quetzal. I need to know where you’re going.”

  ***

  *They leave and follow Quetzal, finding Alejandra and Hraktar. Grizzizzik kills his father, Alejandra and Nick kiss.

  *It end with them knowing there is still an apocalypse coming, but they are more ready for it than ever.

  when I get back to it after an unknown amount of time has passed, I'll imagine I'll do a rewrite of these first few volumes. I have an idea that I'll just post here when the new rewrite is done with a link to the new upload, though I still don't know when that'll be, and cannot promise it'll be soon. We'll see what happens.