Shifters

Attempted Rescue

Strained ears poked forward as both Josh and Cassandra continued to listen in on the ongoing struggle. As the vigorous shuffling of feet died down, a low groan echoed through the building followed by a sharp crack. Commotion finally coming to an end, they looked on with bated breath as footsteps travelled slowly in their direction. Josh, who was still uncertain of Cassandra's earlier prediction, didn't dare to hope that the approaching person was indeed a member of The Resistance's rescue party. As a broad shouldered figure strode cautiously through the door, Cassandra let out a muffled cry of relief. Standing in the doorway was Herman, eyes surveying the massive temple's interior. 

"Herman!" Cassandra called out, as the large man's eyes swept past their position, "We're over here!"

Herman however, gave no indication that he'd heard Cassandra's voice and continued to investigate the area until shaking his head in disappointment as he proceeded to exit the dust-filled ruins. 

"Why isn't he helping us?" Josh asked, facing Cassandra. 

"Maybe that Saintess or whatever put an enchantment over the cage," Cassandra surmised, biting down on her lip hard as their best chance of escape was walking away. 

"Herman, we're over here!" Josh shouted, ring vibrating as he called out to the man. 

Suddenly, Herman whirled around, surprise written clearly all over his face as he rushed back inside. 

"Josh?" Herman called out in a confused voice, "Are you in here?" 

"We're both here!" Josh shouted, ring still vibrating, "Can't you see us?" 

"Isn't that obvious?" Herman replied, slowly making his way over to them, using Josh's voice as a guide, "Am I getting any closer?" 

"You're literally right in front of us," Cassandra said, however, just as before, Herman didn't respond to her words. 

"We're a few steps ahead," Josh said, repeating Cassandra's words. 

"I don't see you," Herman stopped, scratching his head as he looked around, "Are you sure I'm in the right place?" 

"We're right here!" Josh shouted in frustration stretching his hand through the bars of his cage. 

As he did so, his ring suddenly hummed as it vibrated violently on his middle finger. Simultaneously, a sound similar to that of breaking glass  rang through their ears as an invisible barrier suddenly shattered before their eyes. 

"What was that?" Herman asked as both he and Josh jumped back in surprise. 

"Looks like some sort of barrier," Cassandra explained, "Now why don't you get us out of here!" 

"Cass!" Herman exclaimed, "It's good to see you're still alive and well." 

"Oh is that right," Cassandra smiled, "You didn't seem to be in an answering mood when I called out to you earlier."  

"I only heard Josh's voice," Herman said staring at Josh who nervously tapped his left hand at his side before nodding. 

Herman nodded his understanding back at Josh, glancing at the ring, before rushing towards the wooden cage. 

"Step back a bit," Herman ordered as he unsheathed his knife, "I'll get the two you out of there in no time at all." 

Obeying his command, both Josh and Cassandra retreated to the other end of the cage as Herman slashed at the wooden bars with his wickedly sharpened knife. Slicing through them with relative ease, Herman beckoned for Josh to step through before repeating the same process on Cassandra's side. The moment, she stepped out of her confines, Herman wrapped the now jovial redhead in a suffocating, bear hug.