Dungeons

[Pandabaking, Lieutenant Panda (Second in command)]

"Yes they can. There are several tribes in the desert infact they live completely separately from our society and have very dark skin. I wouldn't be surprised if they have different beliefs about the cursed as well." Levi explained. "I'm surprised they didn't find the twins."

"We heard voices but we atayed down in the burrow and silent. We didn't know who those people were so we stayed away." Rowan shrugged. "They spoke in a different tounge to the area we had just been in."

[DuskFox, God of all Cursed (Creator and Head Mod)]

Aelic's eyes went wide. He had never seen anyone with dark skin before. And they lived in the desert! Wow! 'But how can they live there? Deserts are inhospitable aren't they? Are they all Cursed then? And why do they stay? Why don't they move? What language do they speak in? Do you know anything about their culture?' He asked in rapid fire, his mind going at a million miles per hour, caught up in a whirlpool of curiosity.

[Pandabaking, Lieutenant Panda (Second in command)]

"None really knows they are nomads." Levi said with a frown.

"The tounge we heard was difficult to explain. It sounded similar to our mother tounge but it was too different. Sister said she was starting to understand them but they left before she fully understood it." Rowan explained.

[DuskFox, God of all Cursed (Creator and Head Mod)]

'Oh.....ok' He said sadly, wanting to know more but seeing that neither Rowan nor Levi had any answers. He would study this later! Aelic decided, before choosing another topic. 'Speaking of languages and cultures, what about your own? I do not know much of your language and, whilst I studied your culture, I am sure there is much more you can tell me.' He said, looking expectantly at the other boys though knowing that most of the answers would come from Levi.

[Pandabaking, Lieutenant Panda (Second in command)]

"Sister is really the one to ask she remembers so mch more than I do and knows the tounge better." Rowan sighed.

"Every year my town when the farm was would gather as a large group and sample beers, Wine and cheese." Levi said fondly. "I don'tknow if the twins village ever did it since I don't know which town they came from."

[DuskFox, God of all Cursed (Creator and Head Mod)]

Aelic nodded, intrigued. 'Why would you gather? What's the point? And why specifically alcohol and cheese?' He asked, perplexed. Commoners could be so strange at times!
I can't wait until Arlin wakes up, I have so much to ask her! He thought to himself, cocking his head to the side as Levi answered.

[Pandabaking, Lieutenant Panda (Second in command)]

"It was a chance for everyone to get together. We woukd take the chance to get to know our fellow villagers." Levi explained.

[DuskFox, God of all Cursed (Creator and Head Mod)]

'Didn't you talk to them all the time? My tutors always said that villages are so small that everyone knows everyone else.' Aelic said, not comprehending the size of villages or towns.

[Pandabaking, Lieutenant Panda (Second in command)]

"Yes but some of us were so far away that we rarely came into town so this was a way for us to do it without worrying about the farms or anything because we stopped exports for the week. It was a town holiday." Levi explained.

"Some towns do it in winter when its cold." Aelin mumbled sitting up.

[DuskFox, God of all Cursed (Creator and Head Mod)]

Aelic frowned, confused. He knew stuff about exports and trade and economy etc, but... 'What size is a farm?' He asked, cocking his head to the side.
However, the moment he heard Aelin wake up, he straighten and whipped his head around to see her, then burst into a smile. 'Yay! You're awake! I have so much to ask you. The others were kinda useless.' He said matter of factly, almost bouncing up and down with excitement.

[Pandabaking, Lieutenant Panda (Second in command)]

"Hey I've been more use than Huntsman." Levi scowled as Aelin mived to wedge herself between the bars and her brother. "Farms vary in size depending on what they are farming and how much they are growing."

"Cattle farms are huge."Aelin yawned. "What did you want to know?" She asked rubbing her eye.

[DuskFox, God of all Cursed (Creator and Head Mod)]

Aelic thought for a second then nodded in agreement, 'True.' Levi had been of more use than Rowan (though they were both still a bit useless). He nodded again at the information, still having trouble visualising it but having less trouble than before. 'So what's the biggest farm? And what's the smallest? What's the average? How much do people usually grow?' He asked, then remembered that Aelin was awake and what he wanted to ask her. 'Snow! Huntsman said you know more than he about your culture and mother tounge? Can you teach me?' He asked excitedly.

[Pandabaking, Lieutenant Panda (Second in command)]

"The larger farms tend to be livestock. So cattle and sheep. Followed by chichken farms then vegetable farms. Most cattle farms tend to be about 280 hectares which one hectare is 2.4 Acres." Levi explained "i can't really tell you much about the Veg farms though but we had an ocharad on site which was about 40 hectares."

I can't teavh you the tounge right now but most of the villages did enjoy a good stein. And they enjoyed a vegetable dish called sauerkraut. I liked it on bratwurst with mustard." Aelin said trying explain the food.

[DuskFox, God of all Cursed (Creator and Head Mod)]

Aelic watched Levi as he explained, eyes wide with fascination. He wished he could see a farm. It sounded amazing. Big and busy and diverse. His wide emerald green eyes then travelled over to Aelin as she took up the explanations. He giggled at the names, childish glee evident as he absorbed the knew information. 'Those names are so weird! What are they? What are they made of?' He asked, wishing he could ask how it tasted and yet knowing that would be an impossible question to answer.

[Pandabaking, Lieutenant Panda (Second in command)]

"The sauerkraut is finely shredded cabbage sprinkled with salt and is then left to ferment. Normally in the southern villages it is then cooked after fermentation and served with pork or sausages." Aelin explained.

"What's fermentation Snow?" Levi asked sounding slightly shocked that Aelin knew that word.

"Umm its hard to explain but it generally make beer and wine. It is when item A so the cabbage breaks down a bit. Its still cabbage but the water has come out and gone sour tasting like vinegar. You should know this even brother knows this." Aelin frowned.

"I do I was just checking that you knew too." Levi defended. "I never really enjoyed Sauerkraut but I did help Mum make it when I was little by burrying the pot in the ground. It would last for months." He said reminiscing about the past.

"Mmhmm they had other ways to preserve food too whoch tasted good too." Rowan offered. "I liked the Sauerkraut after the juices had been drained and the cabbage washed slightly. It tasted very good with frankfurteh...." he started before he frowned.

"Frankfuter Würstchen. They were good too in fresh sourdough." Aelin filled in.

[DuskFox, God of all Cursed (Creator and Head Mod)]

Aelic almost wished he could take notes! He had never heard of food being fermented before (only alcohol). And he was just as surprised as Levi that Aelin knew what fermentation was. Surprised but pleased. 'Wow! That sounds amazing. I want to try it!' He said excitedly. When they escaped from here he would go around Aiden and try lots of different foods. Meet lots of different people and see their cultures. That would allow him to better understand his people. 'Snow, what stuff do you know about the desert people?'

[Pandabaking, Lieutenant Panda (Second in command)]

"Their tounge is very different from our mother tounge but it is the same and the same time. It confused me but I had almost figured it out I heard one of them say something like look down there. What is down there? They were close too they must have been near to the entrance to the burrow." She said in thought. "If I am correct they were also saying something about two lost children that were blessed and they must be underground to stay out of the heat. Don't take me on any of what they said though I am just making my best guess." She sighed frowning. "The group was maller than most villages around 100-250 people men women and children."

[DuskFox, God of all Cursed (Creator and Head Mod)]

Aelic was momentarily stunned by her knowledge. Languages are exceptionally hard to learn and she managed to pick up that much from just a close encounter with them. It was remarkable! 'That's amazing! Seems you have a nack for languages Snow.' He said appreciatively, before frowning a little as Ada nudged his mind. Then she sent him a thought which had future promise, much future promise indeed. 'They call you Blessed' she whispered. Not Cursed! Perhaps reaching out to these people would be beneficial for him. He would need all the supporters he could gather if his plan was to work. Once Aelic acknowledged the thought and promised to talk more to Ada later, he focused again on his surroundings. 'What more?' He asked curiously, before feeling a unknown heat signature approach. It veered to the side but lingered. If it got any closer he would tell the others, for now though, he wanted to learn.

[Pandabaking, Lieutenant Panda (Second in command)]

"They said something else. I can only tell ypu what I heard and smelt which was sand. I only smelt sand there was sand everywhere. But they said something. Children...kan jy ons hoor. Children..... sny 'n kaktus vir wasser. Geseënde Children kom hier dan sal ons julle nie skade." She started with a frown.

"That does sound similar to our mother tounge but I understood very little of that like three maybe four words." Levi said frowning.

"Children can you.... smell us. No thats not it. Hear us they were calling to the lost children. Children. syn 'n kaktus vir water. Ugh its so hard to translate." She groaned burrying her face into her hands pulling at her hair.

"Snow easy. Stop. Breathe. Think. Take it to our mother tongue then to the common tounge." Levi said patting her shoulder.

"If you can't translate it to the common tounge sag it in another and I can help you." Roean offered watching his sister struggle with the odd language. "I snuck out one night and they had a fire going. They liked to dance around and there was a basket of food left near our burrrow. It was tough and hard but food is food."

[DuskFox, God of all Cursed (Creator and Head Mod)]

It was amazing that Aelin could remember the exact words they said. But as she and Levi said, translation is hard. She was evidently getting frustrated but Aelic wasn't sure what to do. Luckily for him, Levi and Rowan stepped in. Thank goodness they know how to deal with that stuff, cause Aleic has no clue! (Some social interactions etc still escape him). 'You're amazing Snow.' He said with a gentle smile, hoping the girl could hear the sincerity in his words (words that brought a warmth to his chest and cheeks but quickly dismissed). 'What sort of food do they eat?' He asked Rowan, cocking his head to the side in thought (deserts are called inhospitable for a reason, you can't grow anything there!)

[Pandabaking, Lieutenant Panda (Second in command)]

"Dried meat that was very hard. Odd fruits from plants that must be from a cactus....." Rowan started with a frown trying to remember the food when Aelin intrupted him.

"Children cut the Cactus to find water." She blurted out. "Blessed children come out. Give me a minute." She mumbled before looking in thought again.

"Any more smart moments when im talking?" Rowan asked and Aelin playfully hit his shoulder.

"You were the same for that small western village at the base of the mountain." She countered making Levi shake his head.

"Focus Snow you are so close. Huntsman keep going." He commanded softly and the twins gave a small nod before Rowan continued.

"There were also some nuts or seeds they were nice actually and some sandy coloured seeds that were nice too." Rowan listed. "Thats it though."

[DuskFox, God of all Cursed (Creator and Head Mod)]

Aelic nodded, listening attentively. He almost started when Aelin started talking, so engrossed he was (he didn't though). Eyes wide, he felt Ada smile and curl in happiness in his mind. These desert people. They really do call us Blessed! They wanted to help the twins. These would be brilliant allies indeed. They thought together with a smile, happy that the possibility of more help in the future was high. He smiled as the twins playfully nudged one another and bantered, interested about this 'western mountain village' but deciding not to ask right now. Levi was right, it seemed Rowan's recollections were helping Aelin to translate (remarkable!).
To keep Rowan talking, he asked more questions. 'What do they wear? What is the social structure like? You said you watched them dance. Why were they dancing? What did they sing?'

[Pandabaking, Lieutenant Panda (Second in command)]

"The bright light from the fire cut out too much of my vision to be of any use. I think they were just having fun dancing around the fire like one large family." He frowned watching Aelin get up on uneasy footing.

"Blesses children come out we...... we will not.....not hurt you???.... they said Blessed children come out we will not hurt you. That can't have been us. We are not blessed but cursed." Aelin sighed. "They sounded nice though."

[DuskFox, God of all Cursed (Creator and Head Mod)]

Alec just nodded, a little disappointed but knowing that he would have to visit these people with out a doubt! They sounded nice....he thought sadly, wishing briefly that he could have a family like that before pushing the thought roughly out of his mind (it is a useless dream and will only hurt, pay attention to the here and now).
'You should have went with them.' He said with a sigh. 'We were not always Cursed you know. Ada told me that we were once called Blessed. It seems these tribes at least have kept to the old ways.'

[Pandabaking, Lieutenant Panda (Second in command)]

"They must be very old tribes then." Levi sighed and the twins nodded before Rowan got up watching Aelin closely.

"Sister are you ok?" He asked looking at her pale face as she wiped sweat from her brow.

"Standing and walking are harder at the moment. I'll be fine." She said waving Rowan off as she sat back doen next to Levi. "I'm staying here till lunch." She said putting Rowan and Levi at ease.

[DuskFox, God of all Cursed (Creator and Head Mod)]

Aelic nodded in agreement, silently looking forward to spending some time amongst these wise old tribes. Watching as Aelin stumbled over to Levi under Rowan's watchful eye, he breathed a sigh of relief when she sat down and said she wouldn't be moving for a while. Whilst Aelic knew that she would have to move around eventually to build up her strength again, it was to soon and she still needed the rest. All of the boys worried about her but knew she would be fine in the long run (still sucked right now though).
Stretching, Aelic moved into a splits position to get some stretches done (might as well whilst they waited). '88, tell us a story.' He said absently (he wanted to know more about the other cultures but the others could probably only take it in small doses. He would learn more later).

[Pandabaking, Lieutenant Panda (Second in command)]

Levi smirk leaning against the back wall nezt to Aelin and spun an old story from his youth even using different voices because his twins were there and they were like his children. They day moved on smoothly and it was now Levi's turn to fight though he was more tense than usual. Aelin had been gone for an hour and even Rowan was tense.

"She should be back by now." Levi muttered as another guard walked past.

[DuskFox, God of all Cursed (Creator and Head Mod)]

Aelic spent the next few hours listening happily to Levi's stories and the twins chatter. It was surprisingly fun and relaxing. The only damper had been the unusual presence that lingered at the edge of his senses. All day it stayed, barely moving. Not close enough to cause alarm but close enough to make him uncomfortable every time it moved.
Finally, the clock spun its tale and all to soon it was Levi's time to fight. They had had fun earlier in the day, but the looming battle had brought them all to silence, everyone mentally and physically preparing themselves for what was to come. No one was surprised when two guards appeared and took Aelin away with barely a word. What was surprising though was that she never returned. Everyone was tense, but this change in schedule had made the tension skyrocket. It was practically palpable. Aelic was worried, as usual, but what made him on edge even further was that, the moment Aelin was taken, the mysterious heat signature had left to. It followed her. Sitting in the middle of his cell, cold emerald eyes locked on the arena, Aelic thought. He didn't want to worry the others unnecessarily, especially when he had such little information. But he needed to warn them all the same. 'They've broke pattern. Something is different. Something has changed. Prepare yourselves.' He said to the others in a detached voice, every fibre of his being silent and still and locked onto the arena.

[Pandabaking, Lieutenant Panda (Second in command)]

"They aren't even trying to trigger me. What are they up to?" Levi asked with a frown. "They can't have changed the set up. Erwin said I was fighting today. I haven't eaten today."

"I'm sure sister will be fine she can take care of herself and Petra did say that we would see her later." Rowan said trying to look unfazed by the situation even through he was mentally tearing this castle apart brick by brick.

"Captain are you ready to fight?" Eld asked walking in making Levi frown.

"Where is Snow?" He demanded. "I have a deal that the twins will be safe in between matches."

"Shes fine we have Janet with her. Janet is just making some new clothes for Snow White." Eld shrugged.

"They have never made clothes for us whilst we are down here. What is the Game Master planning Eld?" Levi asked glaring looking ready to kill.

"No one knows he just said to take Snow White and take her to Janet. He said he will not start the fight until she had returned." Eld explained making Levi's glare harder.

[DuskFox, God of all Cursed (Creator and Head Mod)]

Aelic just listened as the other boys voiced their confusion. Levi was right in the fact that he was definitely fighting today. The change was something different. Something to do with Aelin. But not her fighting...what were they up to?! Everyone was trying to hide their worry (especially Rowan), but it was obvious. Although Aelic didn't bother to look as Eld walked in (he had been tracking his heat signature for a while), he felt the human flinch slightly at the thickness in the air. See! Even a human could feel it!
Listening carefully, he briefly wondered what Levi traded for that deal before focussing on the more important aspects of the conversation. It didn't explain everything, but he picked up much and it had him hissing with anger, cold snake eyes burning a hole through the walls. They weren't making her fight, they were dressing her up like a puppet! Like a pet dog on a leash! This was not going to be physical torture today, but psychological. Brilliant. Now the only question was, what were the making her wear? 'Have you seen these new clothes Eld?' He asked quietly, voice lilting and sounding vaguely curious, but hiding a chasm of cold anger and threats.

[Pandabaking, Lieutenant Panda (Second in command)]

"No Janet only saw it this morning but a couple guys are changing the areana." Eld sighed.

"Eld what are you doing here?!" A man called making Eld straighten his back.

"Making sure Captain has had some water today. If the champions don't get water they are likely to pass out." He said quickly before he was dismissed and four men walked up to Levi's door.

"Snow White is waiting for you Captain." One of them sneared as they opened his cell and pulled him out. "Don't worry we wont let any harm come to her after all she is our Queen." They said pulling Levi away.

[DuskFox, God of all Cursed (Creator and Head Mod)]

Aelic just hummed noncommittally, knowing the other man was, unfortunately, telling the truth. He had been watching a few guards come and go in the arena for an hour or so but hadn't been able to figure out what they were doing yet. Speaking of guards, here came another. Although Aelic knew he was coming, he still tensed when the human yelled at Eld. And the tension didn't leave his body because even more guards then appeared and were in front of Levi's cell, wearing malicious smirks. He caught Levi's eye as the man was pulled out, silently wishing him luck, before turning away with a apathetic, bored sigh. The moment they were gone, Aelic turned to look at Rowan, all cold apathy gone, replaced by genuine concern for his friend. 'You ok?' He asked softly.

[Pandabaking, Lieutenant Panda (Second in command)]

"Where is my sister?" He asked looking away at the arena as the gate opened and Levi was forced in.

"Welcome Captain have you come to entertain your Queen today?" The game masters voice boomed making Levi whip his head to the side where Aelin was now standing in a floor length dress with a crown on her brow and throne behind her as she stood.

"Come to me Captain." She said innocently as if this was her first fight.

"No. This is worse than fighting by hand how could they have....." Rowan sputtered trying to figure it out as Levi kneeled before Aelin watching her with careful eyes.

[DuskFox, God of all Cursed (Creator and Head Mod)]

Aelic sighed, also wishing he knew where Aelin was. But before he could do or say anything, he heard the squeal of the gates being opened and focused instead on the arena. Oh. Now everything makes sense. Aelic thought absently, absolutely frozen, eyes wide with horror. Whilst Levi was being led in one side of the arena, on the other side, Aelin was being led in and made to walk up the platform the guards had built earlier. Although this situation was horrible, Aelic couldn't help the thought that flashed through his mind with surprising intensity. She was so beautiful. Instead of the normal Aelin, in her place was a princess, a queen. Her floor length dress, styled in the royal fashion, was a lilac purple, just like her eyes. The skirt was plain, except for a strip of fabric right in the middle that was a darker purple and pink with a beautiful design, emphasised in gold trim. The corset part of the dress was the same darker purple and pink with a beautiful design as the strip on the skirts. Around her waist was purple strip of fabric with a white gentle frill at the bottom. The middle was connected to two hanging strips of purple that hung around each of her hips then connected up at the middle of her back. The sheer purple sleeves, connected to the dress by a dark purple strip of fabric that pinned at the centre of her chest, fell nicely around her arms and cut just short of her hands. The back of the dress incorporated a clock of dark purple fabric edged in the dresses pink design. Around her wrists and neck glinted delicate silver chains and upon her head, a beautiful silver crown rested. The metals' gentle swirls and flowers only accentuated the light pink and lilac gems that complemented her dress beautifully. Aelin's hair had been washed, brushed and straightened so it looked like a waterfall of starlight. Makeup had covered all her bruises and accentuated her beautiful eyes and facial features. She walked with an uncommon grace, even at the side of two burly guards. She was so beautiful. A mental nudge from Ada brought him out of his enraptured stare, forcing him to focus. The game master shouted gleefully at Levi, forcing the man's eyes up to him and Aelin. Aelic could see the moment both Levi and Rowan recognised her and watched as the same horror he had felt before flooded their faces. They knew now. This fight wasn't just for Levi. As Aelin called innocently to Levi, Aelic forced himself to stay calm and rational. Logical and analytical. Emotions will do no good here. He recognised the tall silver and black throne behind Aelin. It was an old throne for the queens of Aiden, back when his family still used this as their palace. It must have been forgotten and abandoned in the move. It was only one of many missing family heirlooms, all of which he had been shown numerous paintings of. Aelic barely heard as Rowan spluttered, trying to understand. It was in moments like this that Aelic hated being as smart as he was. He had figured out before that they were going to be using her as a puppet, as a pet. And the moment he saw her he knew the game masters angle. She was the Red Queen after all. Snow White, Queen of the Games and the Dungeons. They will humiliate her, mock her name, remind her of the deaths at her hands. Then, they would make her order Levi. Put more deaths on her head. Make her the torturer, the game master. It made Aelic feel sick. And they could do nothing. He could do nothing. As smart as he was, knowing all this, he could still do nothing.

[Pandabaking, Lieutenant Panda (Second in command)]

Levi couldn't do anything other than watch as Aelin raised her hand out to Levi who took it and kissed the back of it. This. What they were making her do. This was beyond torture. Forcing his little girl to command him to fight. This would shatter what was left of her humanity. "Captain why am I dressed like this?" She whispered lips barely moving as Levi tapped her wrist with his finger. He didn't know why they had dressed her like a queen but it only made this crueler than it had to be.

"You summoned me my Lady." Levi stated knowing it was better to play ago as Aelin raised her free hand to cover the lower half of her face to make her look sweet and innocent.

"Yes I have grown bored and wish for some entertainment. Could I watch one of your practises with one of the othe guards?" She asked lowering her hand.

"You can Mi'lady is there anyone you had in mind?" Levi asked this was killing him and he could tell that Aelin had buried herself deep down trying to keep to the here and now.

"Marco does seem to give you some trouble because he can jump higher than any man." She said forcing a giggle. As the other gate opened and a tall freckled boy walked out with a shield. Like Levi his curse wasn't that bad something hidden away from unseeing eyes.

[DuskFox, God of all Cursed (Creator and Head Mod)]

Aelic just kept breathing evenly, suppressing his emotions, lest he shatter. Right now, he had to be strong for them all (even though it was killing him inside). However, it was not easy and he wasn't even aware that his rage had made his breathing become shallow, his muscles tense, and his pupils thin in cold silent animosity. Unable to do anything else, he watched and catalogued. Most of the time he loved his almost eidetic memory, now, knowing that he would remember this forever, he hated it. Levi played along, even as Aelin tried to question him. The spider knew that if he answered her, it would only get worse for them all. Aelin also seemed to pick that up, as she too began to play along, pushing her questions (and herself), down deep. Aelic only glanced his way as Aelin introduced Marco. A quick glance was all he needed to know that Levi would win (how could he not win against a hare) and anyway, he had to watch his friends. He had to (as if keeping them in his sight would keep them safe). Ada curled closer in his mind, trying to help in any way she could, and yet also knowing that she could do nothing. Stay calm, stay logical, stay analytical. It's the only way to survive at times. Marco, 15, Hare guardian. Tall, wirey, doesn't look strong but will have some muscle. Strengths: Fast, high jumper, good instincts, direction control. Weaknesses: Ears (down and hidden in his long hair), easy to spook, hard for him to stop. Levi would win and Aelin would die a little.

[Pandabaking, Lieutenant Panda (Second in command)]

Levi fought the boy Marco for a bit and their fight was harsher than when the twins fight. He has no claws or weapons besides his fangs so he fights with kicks and punches. He fought till he had the child down and Aelin raised her hand as she sat in her throne.

"This fight bores me Captain. I call it done for now." She called and Levi got off Marco and walked over to Aelin. His lip split and knuckles bloody white pants and shirt stained with the Hare's blood.

"What?! I was promised a chance to leave. I won't stay here." Marco called as he got back up and grabbed his sheild making Aelin stand up and glare in the boys direction. The boy ignored her and walked forward as Levi stood between them.

"Captain we do not stand for insubordination here." She stated calmy. "Off with his head." She said and Levi nodded as you could see the light darken and die in their eyes as he charged forward to attack again.

[DuskFox, God of all Cursed (Creator and Head Mod)]

Aelic didn't want to watch Levi destroy the child, didn't want to watch as Aelin descended further into darkness, but morbid curiosity and fear wouldn't let him turn away. He almost sighed in relief when Aelin called off Levi (like an attack dog doing his masters bidding), and almost hissed with sad frustration when the Hare protested. Stupid boy! He has just signed his own death sentence! Aelic thought to himself, wishing it wasn't true and yet knowing it was. Aelin rose, regal and cold like the icy caps of the Kawal Mountain Range. She would make a good queen, he thought absently to himself as he held his breath and waited, knowing what they would make her say and hating every second of it. And in that instant, Aelin and Levi turned from unwilling captive champions, to cruel merciless game masters. Just like the true monsters wanted. A quick scuffle, a flash of bright red blood, then the hare child Marco's body fell. Lifeless. Levi's eyes, lifeless. Aelin's eyes, lifeless.

[Pandabaking, Lieutenant Panda (Second in command)]

Levi let his full humanity drain in an instant and used his fangs to kill the child before it was beheaded drinking deep from the child's n cl as a spider would before he tore the head from the boy. "I'm sorry forgive an old man." He whispered in the child's ear before he fell lifeless at his feet before he wiped his mouth with his sleeve and walked back to Aelin knowing something wasn't right. "Did that please you my Queen?" He asked feeling sick.

"It did Captain thank you for showing your men how a fight is truly won." She said softly watching him with unseeing eyes. Rowan turned to Aelic once the hares body dropped pressing his hand to his nose.

"That boys blood smells fowl. Captain will be sick." He said with a frown as Aelin took Levis arm and walked away towards their cells and pulling Levi into her own behind her.

"Captain stay here you don't sound so good your stomach in churning and heart racing." She sighed making him sit down not caring for her dress as Petra walked in to check on the two.

[DuskFox, God of all Cursed (Creator and Head Mod)]

Aelic saw Levi whisper something to the dead child. He couldn't read the spider's blood coated lips, but knew what he said anyway (there is only one thing you could say in this situation). As Aelin and Levi continued the game, Rowan spoke for the first time since Aelin had appeared. Frowning, Aelic listened closely, looking into the distraught eyes of his friend. Oh great. Now, not only will they have to deal with an emotional destroyed Aelin and Levi, they will also have to make sure Levi doesn't die of sickness. Just great! Thanks stupid Hare! (Even though it's not Marco's fault). Finally, the game ended, and Aelin and Levi came back to the cells. He was thankful when Aelin used a little bit of her remaining power to pull Levi into her own cell without the guards protest (though they were to busy celebrating to notice anyway). Being in the same cell would be good for them he hoped. As Petra came in he scanned all his friends, taking in all their physical, mental and emotional trauma (as usual). Yup, the next few days were going to be rough. He sighed softly, unheard by any of them, pushing aside his own encroaching emotions and fatigue once more. 'Petra, the Captain ate something foul. He will need something to settle his stomach. Ginger perhaps? Or something stronger if you have it.' He said to the human, trying to be nice but, consid ring the mood he was in, unable to stop the cold tone that came out. At least he didn't hiss at her.

[Pandabaking, Lieutenant Panda (Second in command)]

"Unfortunately what Captain ate is stronger than Ginger or Mint and we have to wait for this to pass. I will leave a bucket for him since he may need it." Petra sighed sweeping Levi's long fringe out of the way to feel his temperature.

"What did they feed that kid to make his blood so fowl?" Aelin asked in an emotionless voice.

"I dont know. Its something to improve their strenght and blood thirst since you three dont need it they dont give it to you." Petra explained before she stood up. "He just needs some rest and he will be fine." She said walking out and closing Aelins cell door. Once she had left Aelin walked over to Levi and pulled him into her lap resting his back against the brick wall and hers on the cell bars and held him close. You could see the lack of life in his eyes and the remaining torture that lay there. Trapped in his own mind as Aelin ran her fingers through his hair to calm him.

[DuskFox, God of all Cursed (Creator and Head Mod)]

Aelic sighed, sad that Petra couldn't give Levi anything, but expecting it anyway. He actually did hiss at Petra's words, angered that the guards could be so cruel and yet, again, it was expected. Aelic mirrored Aelin and sat down as Petra left. He was pleased that Levi had Aelin to help him through this, but you could see the blank glassy look in both their eyes. They both needed help. Not knowing what to do he did the only thing he could think of. He began to hum the song they had taught him.

[Pandabaking, Lieutenant Panda (Second in command)]

Rowan nodded in response to the Snake as Levi fell asleep feeling somewhat safe as Aelin clung onto him holding him close. She continued to run a hand through his hair giving herself something to do as she remained trapped in her own mind.

[DuskFox, God of all Cursed (Creator and Head Mod)]

Rowan's nod gave Aelic confidence. He hummed another verse then started at the beginning again, this time singing the words with only a little bit of help from Ada. As the song came closer to ending however, he looked back at Rowan with slight panic. His question was clear, 'What do I do when this is finished?!'

[Pandabaking, Lieutenant Panda (Second in command)]

Rowan jerked his head towatds Aelin who too had fallen asleep her frip on Levi still tight as his head slipped down and was now resting over her heart. It was still soothing to Levi and Aelin.

[DuskFox, God of all Cursed (Creator and Head Mod)]

Aelic sighed in relief and smiled at Rowan, finishing the song and letting the last note fade gently. Waiting breathlessly, he kept still, hoping Aelin and Levi would stay asleep. They did. Phew! Aelic smiled again at Rowan in thanks, then gestured towards his own hammock. The day had caught up with him and he was exhausted. Aelic crawled quietly into his bed and was asleep within moments.

[Pandabaking, Lieutenant Panda (Second in command)]

Rowan kept watch all night as Levi and Aelin slept. He watched as Levi was the first to rise drenched in sweat and looking pale. Aelin soon caught on to Levi waking up and woke up as well rubbing his back. "Captain your ok." She whispered eeaching out for th e bucket and bringing it closer to them just incase Levi had need of it.

[DuskFox, God of all Cursed (Creator and Head Mod)]

Although Aelic was exhausted, he couldn't help but wake up the moment everyone else started whispering. He was on edge, he couldn't help it. Groggily, Aelic sat up, trying to get his blood moving again. Something about Levi and ok, and was that a bucket. Oh yeah..... 'Mm?' He tiredly asked, trying to form words to ask if they were ok but not quite managing it.

[Pandabaking, Lieutenant Panda (Second in command)]

Levi blindly reached out for the bucket before promtly emptying his stomach into it till there was nothing left. "Captain your ok just breathe." Aelin said rubbing his back and supporting the bucket before Levi leaned aback against the wall panting.

"Oh well I have good timing don't I?" Petra smiled as she walked in carrying a bucket of water.

"Yes you do Petra." Rowan sighed.

[DuskFox, God of all Cursed (Creator and Head Mod)]

Well then, that answers my question. Aelic thought to himself as Levi threw up the contents of his stomach. Standing, he stretched and watched Petra come in with a bucket of clear water. Aelic's gaze was pinned on Levi and Aelin but as Petra walked into their cell he quickly looked over at Rowan to make sure he was ok. He wasn't sure what he could do without Rowan but the other boy looked exhausted. 'Go to bed. I got this.' He whispered quietly to the fox.