Time continued to whisk away as everyone waited on the three of them to emerge. The wait was especially killing the children, who sat anxiously surrounded by armed orcs. The lord was so spineless that anything could be happening behind closed doors. He could've had King hanging up slaughtered somewhere and be preparing to finish them off.

All of those thoughts vanished though as the dungeon door was pushed open. A grinning Lord Xhair strutted out, followed by an expressionless King and Aadhis.

Lord Xhair stepped to the edge of the platform and sneered down at the teens on the ground. Then he gave a menacing smirk and ordered, "Release them."

The orcs and everyone watching looked around in confusion.

"My lord?" R'gug questioned in shock, looking up at the lord.

Lord Xhair just sternly nodded his head.

R'gug turned to his men and let out a roar. They each untied the teens bound hands yet left the collars on.

King lifted a questioning brow towards the lord.

"I still do not trust you." Lord Xhair commented. "We will escort you out and only then shall we remove the collars. Everyone else are to return to their homes. Your presence is no longer wanted."

Everyone that wasn't an orc paraded off, heeding to the lord's order.

With reluctance, King nodded along. "That's fair enough" Then he finally gave his kids his attention.

They looked horrible with cuts, bruises, and blood marring their skin. Though, that was enough to make King angry, it was their eyes that had his blood boiling. They were so vacant, so withdrawn. Nobody should ever have his children looking so, so... Dead. He grinded his teeth behind clenched jowls.

Lord Xhair gestured to the orcs and some went to grab ahold of the teens, rather aggressively yanking them to their feet. With Rockie being unconscious, he had to be carried.

Lord Xhair started walking.

King was so wrapped up in his children that he was jerked back to reality when a nudge to his back sent him stumbling forward.

"Get moving," he heard Aadhis hiss out.

Suppressing a growl, the master lifted his foot to follow the lord.

They all trekked on until they approached the bridge that was built into the grand walls. Lord Xhair barked orders to the orcs guarding the portcullis.

The orcs started churning a metal wheel which powered the gate as it started to slowly rise.

King slowly turned to retrieve his children but was stopped when Lord Xhair raised his hand to halt the orcs.

His eyes were hard as he peered at King, "I do not go back on my word. I do hope that you are loyal to yours."

"I'm dead serious about our deal." King said, itching to get the kids and leave this place.

"Right. I'll have my eyes on you." Lord Xhair settled, eying the man up and down, then signaled the orcs to release the teens.

Maya, K.O, and Belle were shoved over the threshold after their collars were removed and King quickly grabbed Rockie into his arms. He released a breath feeling the light thumping of the boy's pulse.

King looked to the lord one last time. "Thank you."

Lord Xhair just watched King as the gate rolled down and locked in place, separating them.

Intro: Brick by boring brick, Paramore

26

Never speak of this

King arranged Rockie along his back and prodded the other three, who were still in a trance like state, to get them moving. He was determined to rid him and his family away from this foul place.

They walked on along the medieval like bridge, which towered over murky water, that ended at the forest.

Once they had completely crossed the bridge and stepped onto the first blade of grass, it was like a warm aura hit them giving them room to breathe. King suddenly stood before them and knelt down. He studied them intensely, hesitating before he laid his hands to fret over their bruises.

The teens jumped as if they were shocked back to life.

"Ya'll alright?" The master asked, worry filling his orbs.

They stared at him for a minute trying to absorb his question, then nodded.

King nodded his head along, "Okay. That's good." Then he stood to his feet turning his back to them. "Let's get moving then. You've been gone long enough."

He started walking off with them slowly following behind.

The walk home seemed longer than the walk there. What was only probably a day seemed like an eternity since they had been gone. The walk was long and quiet leaving the teens to stew in their thoughts.

"Ya know," King finally spoke into the silence, "I had to lie to madukes about where you were and where I was going. Just... putting that out there."

"How'd you find us?" K.O asked lowly.

"Let's just say a little squirrel left me a clue and I'm glad that it did. Can you imagine if I had been a few seconds late?" King responded carrying on, then looked over his shoulder. "Huh? Can you?" He asked the children behind him sardonically but received no answer. "You can't right. I thought so. But I know what would've happened. You would have been dead, and your family would have been so lost because we didn't know anything."

Belle couldn't escape the horrible thoughts running around her mind and suddenly it had become too much. A sob got caught in her throat and she stopped, wrapping her arms tight around her torso. While her head shook furiously, tears rolled down and flew from her cheeks.

"I'm sorry, it's all my fault." She let out with a gut-wrenching cry that sent her body trembling. Her knees gave out from under her, and she knelt to the ground. She then proceeded to repeat herself.

Maya and K.O bit into their lips to fight back from having an episode of their own.

King closed his eyes, tilting his head back to feel the sunrays against his skin. He then inhaled deeply and softly released it.

"Even though I can't say I disagree on that," King said stepping up to the teens. "I have to say I'm sorry, too. I'm sorry you had to go through that."

"No, no." Belle dismissed, hastily shaking her head refusing to let him take any blame for what they did. "It's my fault. I should've never gone back there." She said between hiccups.

"Then why did you?" King sternly asked, peering at Belle, then moved to the other two.

They froze up, knowing eventually he was going to ask that of them. When King received nothing from them, he let out a weak chuckle.

"Let me guess. It was his idea?" King asked, indicating to the boy on his back. He knew he had his answer when the teens diverted their eyes everywhere, but on him. "Look. I'll deal with him when we get back. As for ya'll, all I'm going to say is this. I understand you not wanting to put your brother on the hot seat. I do. I was young and immature once too, getting myself into big messes I couldn't get out of. But with age comes wisdom. I raised you to be vigilant individuals who always map out their actions before you do it. What ya'll did was negligent and irresponsible, and to be real I can't even express how hurt I am right now."

He paused to take a breath, then a look of hurt spread over his face. "You should've got anyone, even if you didn't feel comfortable coming to me, instead of taking measures into your own hands. Because of that I came so close to losing you."

"T-thisisallwrong...," Belle fretted in a rush. "We're no-not supposed to be here. We...we were dead, why aren't we dead? Whyarentwedead?" She said then growled up at King. "What did you say to him?"

"I got you off didn't I, so we're good." King said with a shrug.

"Wha- I? There is no getting off with that psychopath. He cares for no one, s-so I don't understand."

"Come on, Kisses. Calm down." King urged using her little nickname in hopes it'll settle her nerves. "I would never put you in harm's way. I'll do anything to protect all of you. Your lives are way more important to me. Always remember that."

Then, King stepped up and pulled them all into a hug. "I almost was too late." He kissed each of their heads, biting back tears. "I am sorry for what you went through, but you are right. I can't trust the bastard, so we need to get moving."

King leaned back then wiped away Belle's tears. "Stop crying. I got you now."

His face then frowned grimly. "I did lie to ya mom, so I'm gonna ask you something that hurts me more than you. When we get home, I want you to act like none of that ever happened. Nobody else can know about this. Especially, not your mother. Can we keep daddy's little secret?"

They agreed and the group started back on their way.

Belle paused, then turned slightly to glance back at the wall. She closed her eyes and lifted her head to send up a silent prayer for her people. One day, a blessing will come for them. When she had finished, a breeze fluttered by her, caressing her skin.

One day.

She turned to catch up.

Doc's clinic...

Doc's clinic was a small clay hut behind the guild, outside of the training field, covered by a grass roof. The walls of the hut were painted in vibrant colorful shapes, blending together perfectly. The inside of the clinic only had four patient tables. In the back was a table covered with herbs, spices and jars. Along the clay walls were other varieties of spices, and herbs and jars containing body parts.

Rockie scrunched his already closed eyes tighter when his consciousness slowly started to return to him. Feeling came next and the first one to hit him was pain.

His entire body hurt. He let out a drawled groan when he found moving any ligament sent spasms down his spine.

"I'm very disappointed in you." A deep voice coldly chided from his right, causing him to groan for a different reason now.

If King was here, then that meant he wasn't dead, and if he wasn't dead...

"Open ya eyes. I know you're awake." King barked out aggressively.

Rockie slowly opened his eyes, then slit them over to watch a very furious King.

'Here we go,' Rockie thought, rolling his eyes, then regretted it once pain struck.

"Look. At. Me," King growled, enunciating each syllable hard. When the ginger's eyes were on him, he spoke. "I don't want you to say anything. I just want you to lay there and listen. What you did was stupid and selfish and would've resulted in not only your death, but your sisters and brother as well. Are you really that pigheaded that you don't give a damn about your life or no one else's? How do you think we would've felt, huh? Rockie, I had no idea where you were. I had to lie to the family and then go to the forbidden land to save yo ass. The very thought that had I not been there, had I been just a second late, I would've found you with your heads stuck on pikes displayed outside of Fall border's walls."

"Sorry." Rockie mumbled out.

"I said just listen!" King roared angrily, shooting up and kicking the stool across the room which crashed against the wall. He took a couple deep breaths to get himself under control, before directing his attention back on Rockie.

"I could've lost you. Sorry doesn't excuse you for your actions. You are grounded until I say so. No missions. No errands. No fun. You are not allowed to leave this house, not even if it was caught on fire. Do I make myself clear?" King sternly asked, sensing the boy wanting to retaliate.

Rockie settled on a curt nod.

"Do I?" King restated, baring his teeth.

"Yes sir," Rockie said lowly, knowing that was what he wanted to hear.

King nodded, "I sure hope so. Get yourself healed up." He said tightly, leaving the boy's side and walking to the dark bead curtain for the door, then paused. "Oh, and don't say anything to anyone. What happened never happened."

"What happened to the kid?" Rockie asked before King got a chance to leave.

King just shook his head and said, "I don't know," before exiting the hut.

Fall border...

Aadhis and R'gug marched into the throne room. Lord Xhair was behind them being piggybacked in by the servant woman. She struggled under all the scrawny man's heavy muscle. Once they reached the throne, the servant fell to her knees and Lord Xhair got off and stepped to take a seat.

R'gug stepped up to Lord Xhair with a frown. "So what? You let them free?"

Lord Xhair let out a chortle, "So, that is what this is? You think I just up and let them go without so much as a reprimandation? With no punishment whatsoever?" Lord Xhair rested back in his seat. "Have you ever heard of the cat and mouse? The cat waits patiently for the mouse to make a move on its own, so that the cat can attack. However, if the mouse has no intention of moving, then the cat has to make the first move. It is the chase which makes it so thrilling."

"What is cat?" R'gug asked.

Lord Xhair burst out laughing, wiping a tear from under his eye. "Oh, you wonderful idiot. You make for good company; I do admire that." Lord Xhair praised the orc, whose confusion only made him laugh harder. "It means that this is far from over, and the one coming out victorious is me. In the meantime, let us get my people in order." Lord Xhair said with an evil smile.

... Brain break ...

Dove Clan Family

Parker Luralle

age: 18

weight: 141 lbs

height: 5'8", 172.72 cm

eye color: dark brown

hair color: brown

type: fairy

likes: healing and Champion

dislikes: pain

guild sign color: blue

You wouldn't believe that Parker was just a small country girl from Jericho, Jasmine. Shy, Parker is one of the newest members only joining a year prior. She's the only one in the guild to actually finish school with having a magic. Leaving her home and accent behind, Parker set out to become a doctor, but many places didn't accept her because she had magic. She then found Dove Clan and decided to use her gift to help them and study under Doc. She also has a major secret crush on Champion, which she is terrible at hiding by the way. She strives to prove that magics aren't all bad.