Chapter 15-Surprise

“I’m surprised little rabbit. In just a short amount of time…”

Anjou did not wait for Takrin to finish. She ran over and threw a right jab through his head, literally. Takrin’s form faded and reformed as her fist and body went completely through him. She then pivoted and shot another punch at him, but that too connected with nothing but air.

“A hologram?” Anjou asked.

Takrin smirked. “As much as I despise your kind, I do enjoy the words that you bring along from your worlds. I’ll assume that a hologram is similar to my illusion skill.” He held up his left wrist. On it was a silver bracelet with a clear monster core inlaid onto it. “Despite not being able to consume it, it is still a useful tool.”

“You’re a coward,” Anjou spat. “Mark my words. I will find you and I will repay you with everything you deserve. She stood up straight and walked through Takrin’s illusion to Cereza.

Off in the distance there was an echoing boom and the cave began to violently shake, nearly knocking Anjou off her feet. Cereza stayed glued to the wall.

“I’ll admit,” Takrin said as the shaking stopped, “that not everything you just said is wrong, but you will not be leaving. Even if it was unintentional, you nearly discovered our base and we can’t let that information get out. So, well,” he shrugged, “I’m sure Danji will be happy to have a new toy to play with. As for the princess, I wonder what your mother would be willing to trade for your safe return.”

Cereza scoffed. “Ha. My mother will never allow that to happen. She’ll send…”

“Send who? The guard? They’re much too soft and weak. I’d wager that the entire might of the Esterin guard wouldn’t be able to even kill a low level Carnage Beast. And if you mean the other two eaters, we’re well prepared for them as well. My men are on their way now from the entrance. So if you would do me the courtesy of waiting for them and we can escort the rest of the way. Doing so will make the process much less painful for you and me.”

“Like hell,” Anjou said. She ripped Cereza away from the wall and put her on the ground. “Let’s go.”

Cereza crossed her arms. “Oh, now you care?”

“Your life is in danger.”

“That wasn’t going to stop you earlier.”

“I wasn’t going to really leave.”

“Of course you weren’t,” Cereza said sarcastically. “Fine, I’ll follow you but let it be known that I’m only doing it because I have no other choice at the moment. And when we return, we’ll see if I still want you around.”

This story has been unlawfully obtained without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

Anjou sighed. “Fine.”

Takrin merely laughed as both of them ran through his illusion and into the passageway.

—

“We’re already lost?” Cereza asked, breathing heavily. They had been running for about ten minutes and it was obvious that she wasn’t used to that kind of exertion. Anjou, on the other hand, was, so she wasn’t nearly as tired, even after the fight with the frog.

“That’s not helpful,” Anjou shot back.

“Neither is running around in random directions.”

Anjou was going to argue but stopped herself. Cereza was right. Running around like a panicked chicken was not going to get them anywhere. In an effort to regain her composure, she closed her eyes and took a deep breath. They were currently underground in a series of maze-like tunnels and they needed a way to escape.

Anjou opened her eyes and clapped. “That’s it.”

“What?” Cereza asked.

“Our way to escape. There’s a method I heard of back home. You take your right hand and place it on the wall. Then you keep your hand on the wall as you follow it and eventually it should lead you to the exit.” She expected a snark from Cereza but she just shrugged and motioned for Anjou to lead the way.

She placed her hand against the cool wall and began walking at a brisk pace. Even though it was a small break, the fact that they both had a second to catch their breath and take more stock of the situation made the traveling a little less daunting. As they walked, the tunnel curved and dipped in places while also forking once or twice, but Anjou never let go of the wall. She continued to follow it with Cereza trudging behind in silence.

For a little bit it felt like the plan was actually working. The cave system began to open up more and the air became less stagnant. Ahead the darkness of the tunnel, which was currently only being illuminated by Cereza’s light, began to lighten little by little. There was even a light breeze.

“See,” Anjou said excitedly. “I told you it would work.”

“But didn’t that man say we were near his hideout. What if it's that?”

“That man is a coward. He was most likely saying that to scare us. No one in their right mind would build…” She was interrupted as they turned the corner and were greeted by four large men wearing heavy leather, and Takrin.”

“That’s another thing I hate about you eaters,” Takrin shook his head. “So over confident.”

“Only when it’s earned.” Anjou took up her fighting stance and activated Stone Hands. In several of her boxing matches she had to take on women three times her size, so she knew she could take out these men. Not to mention she was prepared for any of Takrin’s tricks this time. Only, Stone Hands didn’t activate. “What the? But how?”

Takrin threw his head back and laughed in an overly dramatic fashion. “See, it’s your over confidence. And unlike you, I’m not dumb enough to explain how we are able to negate your eater skills. But I will tell you this.” He held out his hand and opened it revealing a tiny black misshapen ball. “You better hope the dreams this gives you are pleasant, because from here on, they’ll be anything but.”

Takrin threw the ball on the ground and it exploded in a shower of purple smoke and ash that instantly covered the entire area, blinding Anjou and burning her at the same time. She screamed in pain but it quickly receded as everything faded.