Queen Of The Ventils

XLIV

Once again, I have used music to write this scene. Except this time, I actually wrote the whole thing around this song; it'll make sense if you listen to it at the same time. Enjoy!

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We made our way to Area 49-B on Krel's hoverboard; I was incredibly uncomfortable the entire time, scared I would fall and brutally injure myself as I looked at the trees speeding by us, but I endured it so we could travel quickly.

More Ventils in Arcadia? This doesn't make sense, I shook my head. First the Cougar in the woods, then the Shark loitering outside of the Water Ventil's den, now this...what is going on?
I wish I could tell you, Eclipse sighed, and for once, she sounded worried. All I know is that you must get these Ventils to tell you what is going on. I nodded, and Krel turned to me, confused. "Conversation with Eclipse," I supplied, and he nodded, turning back to keep his eyes on the road.

The minute we arrived at the base, I staggered along after Krel while I grew accustomed to walking on solid ground again. I barely had the time to admire the base's exterior—little huts scattered around, composed of stormy gray walls and roofs made of metal—before Krel was hurrying me towards the largest building in the back.

My friends and the other Ventils were already there, pacing nervously in the room I remembered so vividly from my time in the tank. I noticed it, sitting harmlessly empty across the room, glowing a faint orange. I couldn't help but growl a bit when I saw it, but a hand on my shoulder from Krel made me keep walking.

When the team saw Krel's Akiridion form next to me, they paused in confusion, the other Ventils getting into defensive positions, but once Krel let them know what had happened, they relaxed. "So I assume you got Toby's texts, right?" Douxie asked, and we nodded.
"Have you seen any of them?" I asked, hopeful; maybe it was someone I knew, and it would be easy to convince them to talk to me about what was happening.

"Not yet," a voice from behind us said, and I whirled around at the sight of the shiny shirt man once again. He jumped back when he realized who I was, trembling behind his clipboard (as if that would protect him if I decided to attack). His hair had grown back nicely from where I had torched it off; I could barely see the handprint shape anymore. When he noticed the other Ventils, he turned a lovely shade of white and nearly collapsed, if his trembling legs were anything to go off of.

"Sargent Costas, this is Lunalis," Archie introduced me, and I gave a curt nod, eyes narrowed. He shakily waved back, before standing upright again and consulting his clipboard. "We've got at least seven of them in there—"

"SEVEN?!" we all shouted at once, and I turned pale. There were never large groups of Ventils allowed outside of the den at a time; the most permitted would be a mere three, for hunting. The only reason I could think of more was if they were searching for something. Or someone.

My knees felt weak as Costas read off the rest of his report, but I barely focused on that. They had come; the Ventils in my pack had come for me. I was a danger to everyone I knew and loved. I would have to leave. I—

Krel, sensing my rising anxiety and tension, wrapped his arms around me and squeezed; it felt so like Araidne's hugs, I was torn between comfort and more stress. "Right now, they're hiding in a mist just like...uh, Lunalis, here," Costas explained, voice shakier when he mentioned my name. "We haven't sent in soldiers to investigate, because...well, you know how much trouble she was. I don't want to risk lives."

Ah, yes the scientists; I'd forgotten about the ones who had encroached my prison unannounced. In my own defense, they knew they were dealing with something dangerous; it was their choice to bait the Ventil, and the Ventil was not amused. "A wise choice," Insanity purred. "For once, you've made an educated decision."
"We need to go in there," I blurted out, and everyone immediately stared at me.