Garnet Pentagon

Chapter 5: The Fire and Ice

"Why would he run in here, it's not that much warmer than outside!"

Trudging through the dark and slippery cave, the only audible sound besides the dripping of water onto the rock floor from the melting snow that the group could hear was the sound of Gaius' annoying and redundant questions.

"This werewolf guy," Gaius continued to speak. "is really trying to make our job more difficult, whatever it is."

Jin sighed but gave no response. Starting a conversation with Gaius would only fuel him to talk more. He and Eri were both silently hoping he would grow tired of it after a while.

Unfortunately, it seemed to them like he never would. "He's avoiding us!" he declared loud enough for his voice to echo through the cave."Yes that's it, he's-"

All of a sudden, a loud noise came from further in the cave which made all three of them freeze in silence. They listened out for any further noises but only silence followed. Until a sudden clear voice shouted from directly behind them.

"Hey!!"

Both Eri and Gaius jumped in fright at the voice amplified by the cave and quickly turned around in defence. There stood a tall, fit man who seemed a similar age to the three of them. He had icy silver hair long enough to be tied back into a short ponytail accompanied by a black ninja-like headband beneath his long fringe and clothes which appeared to have just been thrown on a couple of minutes ago which gave off a bad boy vibe about him.

His silver eyes struck fear into their hearts. This was clearly the werewolf they fought in the forest. "What are you doing here?!" He growled angrily. "Get out."

Jin, who was unafraid unlike the others, stared at him with a solemn expression. "Illarion Romanov?" he asked.

"I said get out!!" Illarion shouted as his voice echoed through the cave.

Gaius was trying to hide the fact he was trembling. "Oh well we tried." He started to walk away but was stopped by Jin who pulled him back using his jacket.

"Listen up Mr Werewolf, or Romanov, or whatever your name was!" Eri's hair was glowing red as fire lit up in her palms. "You have no idea what we have been through just to find you!! I went on a long helicopter ride, I put up with dreadful temperatures without being dressed appropriately for it, I face planted into the snow..."

At the mention of Eri falling into the snow, Gaius burst out laughing at the memory of it.

"Oh shut the hell up!" Eri shouted frustratedly as she angrily shot a ball of fire towards him. With a cry, Gaius fell to the cave floor in a way that brought a smile to Eri's face.

"Man down! Man down!" Gaius kept repeatedly exclaiming, leaving Jin no choice but to help the poor guy out.

Eri turned back to see Illarion staring at her. "What the hell are you?!" he exclaimed in shock upon seeing the girl light up in flames.

"There is nothing wrong with me!!" She cried.

"Hey."

Everyone stopped what they were doing and looked towards Jin, who hardly ever raised his voice. His voice was quiet compared to all the shouting going on, but however became much louder by the amplified cave.

Taking a deep breath, Jin moved closer to Illarion to face opposite him. "Let us not forget the true purpose we came to the godforsaken place."

Illarion's eyes were cold like the outside temperature as he glared at Jin. Jin didn't show any signs of feeling threatened by the werewolf.

"We've come to kidna—" Jin quickly stopped himself for a few seconds to find the correct words. The words that would put him over the line to be beaten senseless or be successful. "......recruit you."

Eri and Gaius watched on as Jin took on the wolf by himself. They wanted to be able to contribute and help him out, but just like Illarion both Eri and Gaius were in the dark about what they were being recruited for. With Gaius no longer being on fire and Eri no longer angry enough to set people on fire, the two stood back and watched on, listening carefully.

Jin didn't lose eye contact with him and remained solemn. "You intend to dwell in this cave forever Romanov? I must say I have read your file back at headquarters. If we leave you here I guarantee you will continue to mope about this cave and this forest avoiding contact with anyone who tries to get close to you."

Eri felt uncomfortable. Jin was getting really personal into Illarion's life in a very threatening manner. She was unsure how the short-fused werewolf would react.

However, he didn't. Illarion didn't stop glaring at Jin. It had become obvious to them that he was now very pissed off. "You heard what I said."

Jin took a step back. "Fine, I didn't want to have to do this, but......"

'Uh oh it looks like he's getting serious.....' Eri thought to herself as she looked at Gaius who was standing beside her. He looked back at her, thinking the same thing.

"There is an army going around capturing people such as us. Surely you've heard of them, and they are planning on coming after you too. We're just giving you the chance to join our side, rather than being stuck with theirs." Jin explained. "I know you don't get along with the other werewolves. I suggest that if you do not want to be stuck with them, join us."

Eri was surprised. She hadn't heard Jin talk this much before, it was a new experience for her. Her mind cast back to the news report she heard before she went to school the day she was captured. So all those people did have something in common after all. They were all supernatural beings and they were needed for an army. But if Jin or The Director weren't the capturers, then who were?

She looked towards Illarion, who seemed as if his hatred for the other werewolves had gotten to him. He remained silent for a few more seconds as his glare died down.

However before he could respond, a sudden rumbling sound flooded their ears.

"What is that?!" exclaimed Gaius, covering his ears.

Eri looked towards Jin to see him with a concerned look on his face. "They're here."