Escape From Tickle Tower

28

The three women thanked the doctor of the small village for letting them stay. “I should be the one to thank you. After all, you agreed to help get my wife back from the skull gang.” The bald man has said while smiling at them.

“You helped us more than we could ever imagine. The least we could do is help you get her back.” Rachel said with a small smile. “We'll get her back. I promise.”

The bald man smiled at them and nodded. Slowly, he turned around and began to walk towards his home again. The three women turned to each other, smiling before walking out of the small village that housed them. “You doing well?” Alice asked Perrine.

“Yep. Better than I expected.” Perrine said happily as she stretched her arms above her head. She stretched her back, letting them see that she wasn't affected by it. “Still, I'm shocked by how deep they went.”

“They were long. It's like they grew inside you.” Rachel stated as they walked deeper into the stone labyrinth. The three of them retraced their steps back to the fork in the road. “It's nothing that we’re used to.”

“It was like magic, but not with a wand.” Perrine responded.

“Aren’t there laws with magic? Or restrictions?” Alice asked while peeking her head out so that Perrine could see her.

“There are. It does depend on the spell though. Typically there are rules, but even with them in place, I don't know how they were able to make small knives grow in length. Not without a wand.” Perrine responded.

“So we're still in the dark, huh? That sucks.” Alice complained as she hung her head in disappointment.

“We'll figure it out. We have to if we want to stand a chance against them.” Rachel responded in an optimistic tone.

“Uh, guys. We're back.” Perrine said, interrupting the two of them. The three of them looked up at the walls with drawn skulls. Their eyes narrowed as they stared at the path before them. “I don't think there are any traps.”

“Doesn't mean there isn't an ambush.” Alice responded as she pulled her sword out, holding it in front of her. “Same plan as the pirates?”

“Just knock them out. I much rather not force people to die.” Rachel responded as she took out both of her knives.

“Fine by me.” Perrine said as she took out her wand and held it in front of her. “You first.” She said as she looked at Alice. The older woman turned her head to the brown haired magician. Her eyes rolled before facing forward and walking down the path. Rachel and Perrine followed behind her as they slowly made their way down the unknown path.

The further they walked, the less cautious they became. Eventually, after the fourth turn, the three of them lowered their weapons. “Are we really expecting an ambush?” Rachel asked.

“I guess not. I would've done it as soon as we entered. Would've been the best opportunity to hit anyone.” Alice responded.

It was then that they heard something break in front of them. Suddenly, a white gas began to spread around them. Rachel looked down, noticing a small broken sphere in front of them. The red haired woman was the first to cover her mouth and nose. “Cover your mouth!” She yelled through her hands. However, Perrine was the first to collapse. Her body fell to the ground next to the village woman. Rachel’s eyes widened as she turned to Alice who was tiredly walking out of the smoke and coughing. Rachel quickly followed her out, escaping the gas. She removed her hand from her face, noticing that her vision was getting hazy. “W-what is it?” She asked Alice, noticing that the older woman was on her knees.