[Chapter 59] Wise – A Desperate Chase

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“Something’s wrong.” A terrible premonition had struck Wise. “Where’s Hope?” He lead the others through the palace only to find her dimensional pouches on the gatehouse’s floor.

“It’s alright, she isn’t dead.” Rose exclaimed quickly. “We would’ve found her body. They must be afraid of Simon’s pendant.”

“The Underground Coliseum!” Free exclaimed. “If they kill her there, Simon won’t be able to intervene.”

Rose grew frantic, “We must find the passage. She’s just been taken, it might still be open.”

“Everyone to the Undercity,” Dawn declared. “I’ll go ahead with Rose and Wise.”

Grabbing them both, his sister leapt onto the palace and again towards the Pillar, summoning wings. She asked Rose, “Where’s the general location? I know you spent the day looking.”

“It’s a red light district.” Rose said. “I’ll point it out.”

They skydived, plummeting the interior with five phoenixes in their wake. Passing the pillar’s base, a scorched city came into view.

“There!” Rose signaled some rundown buildings. “We must check everywhere, especially inside buildings.”

Dawn and Rose channeled their full power, releasing waves of blue and red sprites. As they spread out, Wise concentrated. “Got it!” He shouted with mixture of relief and fear. “It’s behind machinery in a warehouse one layer down. It’ll close in forty seconds.”

“We’ll see about that.” Dawn said tersely. Following his directions, she dropped towards a large roof, wrapped her wings around them, and crashed through. Once the dust settled, they found a red fairy near an enormous rusted engine. Dawn flung it aside to reveal a bright passageway.

“Keep it open as long as you can.” Rose jumped outside. “I’ll have my firebirds release flares.”

While Dawn froze the doorway, Wise desperately searched. I know we’ll all make it inside, but will we reach Hope in time?