Chapter 6

The crystal blue moon shone full that night, which meant that their chances of sneaking out minimized. The trio, Michael, Triton and Thomas, scampered through the facility, while glancing left and right to ensure that they did not catch any guards’ attention. They heard a footstep, and immediately, retreated into the darkness of the corridors.

A distant voice spoke, “I most definitely heard something this time. I think it came from over there.”

“These kids just don’t know how to be disciplined. Taking them to the military camps would be a wise thing to do.” came another more harsh voice.

“Guards, be silent…” whispered Michael.

“Said the man who raised his child in the library.” mocked the first guard.

“Humph! Your child did not do any better… Anyway, there’s nothing here, let’s go. I’ve wasted enough time in my life.” sneered the second guard. With that, the dimming footsteps of the guards sounded the corridors once more, along with some murmuring that the trio could not comprehend.

“I told you this was a bad idea. Why did you have to drag me into this?” hissed Thomas as he gave Michael a nudge.

Michael just placed a finger on his lips, giving Thomas a serious look. Thomas had no other choice but to keep his frustration to himself. Michael slowly rose and scanned the hallway. Then, when he was satisfied he signaled the rest to follow. They wandered through more corridors and the journey seemed forever.

“Do you even know where we’re going?” questioned Triton with frustration.

“Yes I do and if you could do me a favor, please be quiet!” There was a tone of annoyance in Michael’s voice. Thomas knew it was not Triton, but the fact that he really was lost. Triton just rolled his eyes and followed closely behind.

Finally, in the shadows, they saw the gate at which they each had once entered, and now seeking to exit it. Although in the night, the gate still shone in the moonlight, with golden harpoon-like bars that protruded out of the ground and the walls. On both sides, there were two guards standing, each with a spear in their hands. They had a red crest on their shoulders which signified that they were indeed elite guards and are not to be trifled with. A sense of accomplishment and worriment stirred inside of Michael. He turned to Thomas who shrugged.

“We need to think of something to get past those guards.” muttered Michael to Thomas.

“Who goes there?” shouted one of the guards who was now looking in their direction.

Immediately, Michael dragged Triton and Michael behind a wall. Thoughts emblazed his mind, “By Ior, these guards are like supercharged! How could they have heard me from this distance?”

“I am giving you 3 seconds to reveal yourselves or I would put you under arrest!” hollered the guard whose voice challenged Triton’s.

“My God, they must have seen us! What to do…what to do?” the thoughts in Michael’s mind ran about in a frenzy.

“Hey, you do know how to get us out of this, do you?” whispered Triton, who looked at Michael hopefully.

“ONE!” shouted the guard.

“My powers and skills aren’t strong enough to subdue an elite guard let alone two!” muttered Michael fearfully.

“Neither am I” admitted Triton who has already unsheathed his weapon. Michael’s expression became frantic and then the grabbed Thomas by the shoulders.

“TWO!” another shout was heard.

Michael’s expression became frantic and then the grabbed Thomas by the shoulders.

“You…You are an alchemist right?” mumbled Michael and Thomas nodded his head immediately, “Then could you please help us find something… anything that could subdue them?”

“I …I don’t know” babbled Thomas.

“LAST CHANCE!” hollered the guard.

“Just try…please.” said Michael as he let go of Thomas, who began searching through his pouch which hung from his waist.

Michael exited the confines of the wall and revealed himself, mind still a blur.

“Hey, hey… let’s not get violent here. Me and my friends just want to go out o the Arena for a short while.” said Michael as he tried to calm himself, “Would you, handsome young gentlemen, let us through?”

“On what reason?” spoke the guard in a softer but still serious tone.

“Emm… Well, Frederick asked me to go out to fetch some crystal wine from the nearby Tavern outside.” Explained Michael while keeping his composure, “You know how he likes his wine…must be fresh from the Tavern.”

“Then he should have given you a letter stating permission that we allow you to leave this facility, where is it?” demanded the guard, hand raised out.

Michael paused for a moment as he glanced back and forth, left and right. Then, almost instantly he unsheathed his sword and charged towards the guards.

“A runner! Raise the alarm!” screamed the guard to his partner. The partner nodded and ran for the lever which would sound the alarm.

Michael rushed towards the lever as well, but the other guard struck him from behind, leaving him on the floor in seconds. He quickly got up, avoiding a deadly blow which would have left him unconscious. He exchanged blows with the guard, struggling to keep up with his speed.

The sound of metal clashing reached Tritons ears, who mumbled under his breath, “That idiot…” He rose and left Thomas to search for something that would successfully subdue the guards.

Michael saw Triton approaching and shouted, “Don’t worry about me, get the guard who is activating the alarm.”

“Where?” replied Triton, who found himself parrying with the same guard as Triton.

At that moment, a loud screeching siren filled the hallways.

“Great, now look what you’ve done!” shouted Michael who just dodged a strike from the guard’s spear which could have impaled him.

“Me? It was you who pissed of the guards!” yelled Triton, as he backed away from three blows from the guard.

“Found it!” cried Thomas behind the wall.

“About time!” barked Triton who was fighting the other guard who had returned to help his partner.
Thomas ignored Triton words and took out a seemingly small and empty bottle and threw it at the first guard which exploded a cloud of white gas. The guard screamed as he held his hands onto his eyes and collapsed to the floor. Thomas then threw another smaller vial which contained a dark blue liquid towards the second guard. It exploded like the bottle but it poured out the liquid onto the guard, nearly hitting Triton. The Guard started burning at the touch of the liquid and fell to ground shrieking.

Triton backed away and shouted at Thomas, “A little closer and I may be a fried chicken!”

“What did you do to them?” Michael asked, sheathing his sword.

Thomas was about to reply when they heard loud footsteps coming their way from the left hallway which illuminated brighter and brighter, most probably from a torch.

“No time, let’s go.” said Thomas as he rushed out of the gate with Triton. Michael took one last look at the Arena and followed Thomas into the wilderness.