The guards placed blades against Tiffany, Ken, and Rose's necks.

  Rose walked while worriedly looking at the blade while Tiffany and Ken silently thought things through to find a way out of it.

  Luke couldn't do anything as long as his friends' lives were on the line, and so he had to comply with their orders.

  The knights continued to carry them through their tunnels.

  Rose: (frightened) Uhhh... Tiffany. Where do you think they are taking us?

  Guard: Silence!

  Rose shut her mouth quickly and frightenedly.

  It was at that moment that the same question was asked again, but this time from inside the minds of her comrades.

  Other than telekinesis, she had the power to send her thoughts to the minds of others.

  She created a mind link between her and the rest of them so they could communicate in secret.

  Tiffany: My guess is, to a Wolfram.

  Rose gulped.

  Ken: This is not the kind of mission we should be doing on a Monday. Sheesh. What a pain!

  Luke: Are you joking? You're not the one who has to drive you all back home.

  Rose: B... but how are we gonna get out of here?

  Tiffany, Luke, and Ken all exchanged glances.

  Ken: It's alright, Rose. I'm sure our fearless leader will come up with something.

  Tiffany: Mmmmmm.

  Luke: Something wrong, Tiff?

  Tiffany: It's just... if we try and fight our way through, one of us could die. Well... except you, Luke. What we need is a distraction. Something they wouldn't expect.

  Ken: Oh brother. These guys are like robots. Surprising them isn't easy.

  Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

  Tiffany: I know, it's just... even if we break free, I'd like to sleep tonight knowing we at least managed to get some work done. But no, our lives take priority for now.

  Ken: So the plan is to wait for a distraction.

  Tiffany: Hmph. If a moment comes, I'll sound a signal. Rose, can you keep the channel open till then.

  Rose: Uh huh.

  Tiffany: Great! Just a little patience.

  It was mere seconds after that that right before they walked across a mechanised door that another guard popped up from behind them.

  Guard 1: Hey, I just received orders from the boss.

  His voice was a bit odd. They all shared glances in surprise. It wasn't monotonous like the others. Instead, it was gruff.

  Tiffany: That guard...

  Ken: Yeah, he's not... speaking like the rest of them.

  Rose: Yeah.

  Luke: Hmph.

  The guards walking with the prisoners stopped immediately.

  Guard 2: Speak.

  Guard 1: He said he wants all the guards except those holding the prisoners to go back to the mines immediately.

  All four of the prisoners were shocked.

  Tiffany: Why would Wolfram... ask for that?

  Ken: Beats me.

  Guard 2: Impossible. If he wanted to send us such a request, he would simply send it to us through our crystals.

  The new guard seemed stuck for just a moment before he continued.

  Guard 1: Are you questioning the methods of our great and invincible leader?

  The other guards froze for a few seconds, and Tiffany, Rose, Ken, and Luke also froze. This would be the perfect time to escape, but the entire situation was so shocking that they just watched.

  Guard 2: I see. Carry on.

  The majority of the guards left all leaving towards the mines, leaving only the guards who had blades up the prisoners' necks.

  Guard 1: And make sure to tell anyone coming here the same!

  Guard 2: Sir!

  Once the guards were well out of earshot, the other guards continued towards their destination before the first guard walked up to them as well.

  Guard 3: Are there orders for us as well?

  Guard 1: Yes, of course.

  Guard 3: What are they?

  Guard 1: Drop your weapons.

  They surprisingly did that immediately and without question.

  Guard 3: And what...

  No sooner had they dropped their weapons that they all got beat up by Tiffany, Ken, and the one behind Rose was punched by Luke.

  Rose: We did it!

  Tiffany: Not so fast!

  Tiffany picked her blade up from the fainted guard and pointed it at the odd guard.

  Tiffany: Who are you?

  Luke: Yeah, since when are you guys on our side.

  Ken: Don't move a muscle.

  Ken's eyes were bright red. He was ready to fire.

  Rose hid behind the group.

  Guard 1: Why, I'm glad you asked.

  The guard took his mask off, revealing a smirking Max Hunter, much to all of their surprise.

  Max: Ta da! It's me, guys!

  He smiled cheekily as he said this.

  Tiffany: What the...

  Ken: No way...

  Luke: Huh?

  Rose: M.. Max?

  In the silence of the caverns, a great explanation was about to take place.