Escape From Tickle Tower

38

The three of them entered the next floor, being met with rocks and gold surrounding the walls. They looked shocked, noticing a small village not far from the staircase. Slowly, the three of them walked further in, noticing a guard standing there. “Three more prisoners?” The guard asked. 

“No, we actually won.” Rachel said, attempting to lie her way out of the situation. 

The guard rolled his eyes as he looked down at the pedestal. “I've heard that before. Now follow me, we must fit you for work.” He said as he turned around. The other three looked around, noticing multiple other guards stationed all around the station. The party shrugged their shoulders before following the guard through the village. As they did, they saw multiple large buildings all throughout. A couple of them had laughter seeping out of them. 

“What do you mean by prisoners?” Rachel asked the guard. 

“You lost so many times that Ms. Olissa has decided to send you here to work off your debt.” The guard explained as they made it to a small building on the far side of the village. He opened the door, letting the three of them see the walls filled with pickaxes and anklets. “Grab an anklet and a pickaxe. I'll get the paperwork sorted.” 

The three women looked at each before turning back to the guard. All three of them immediately jumped him, swiftly knocking him out and restraining him. They left the guard alone with anklets shoved in his mouth like a gag and the stone floor being used as cuffs to keep him in place. Once he was restrained, the two of them walked out of the building and began to explore the village. “I wonder what this floor is for?” Rachel asked. 

“Feels more like a slave camp.” Alice responded as she glared at any of the guards that looked their way. Each time, the guards shook as if they were in the presence of greatness. “We should just move on. It'll be better that way.” 

“I agree. We still need to reach the top.” Perrine responded as she quickened her pace. 

Moments later, the three of them heard frantic laughter coming from one of the buildings. All of them quickly snuck up to the door and listened to the session happening. “Just remember, this is what happens when you decide to go against orders. You mine, you don't try to escape.” They heard someone say. Rachel recognized the voice. Slowly, she cracked open the door, allowing her to see the other two inside. The one doing the tickling was the blonde woman named Wind. She was using a set of hairbrushes to brush away at her poor victim. The other was the brown haired man named Shade. Rachel gritted her teeth as she watched them torture an unknown woman. 

“Have you heard anything from Cleave?” Shade asked as he watched the woman before him being reduced to tears. The woman was begging and pleading for the tickling to stop, laughing hysterically as she wiggled her feet. However, the brushes kept going, focusing on the soles and arches specifically. 

“Nope. I figured she was still hosting another one of those tournaments that she loves so much.” Wind responded over the hysterical laughter that filled the room. “What about mother’s new toy?” 

“He’s still undergoing modifications. But I don't think it’s right to discuss that here. You never know when a rat may be in the walls.” He said as he looked towards the door. 

As soon as he did, Rachel’s eyes widened before frantically running away. “RUN! NOW!” The redhead yelled to her companions who hastily followed her lead. The three of them quickly ran away from the building just before the door was kicked down. 

“Seems we got quick rats in the building.” Shade said before shooting out metallic claws from his fingertips. 

Perrine's eyes widened before swiping her wand from the ground to the ceiling. Immediately after, a wand formed between the trio and the two enemies. The claws struck the wall, lodging themselves into the stone. Immediately after, the three of them were right by the entrance to the floor. “Where to?” The magician asked. 

“Well, we did say we could only go up.” Rachel said before running off further into the cave. The other two followed after her, smiling as they ran past multiple people mining away at the walls. Before their eyes, the stone seemed to regenerate before their eyes with some even providing gold or other rare minerals. 

The three of them kept running for a few seconds before being met with a minecart and railway that led deeper into the floor. “Looks like our best way to use this.” Alice said while looking at the minecart. 

“Seems big enough for all three of us.” Perrine added before looking behind them. Suddenly, they heard the sound of stone collapsing to the ground. 

“Fine by me. Let's go!” Rachel said just before jumping into the cart. The other two followed suit. Once all three were inside the minecart, Perrine held her wand away from the railway and propelled them forward. The three of them rode the mine track for a couple minutes, smiling as they flew down the track. “Seems we'll get there in no time.” Rachel said with a smile. 

It was then that Perrine saw another minecart catching up to them. “Uh, guys?” She said in a concerned tone, forcing Alice to look behind them. 

“You're kidding me.” The older woman said as the two of them saw Wind and Shade riding a minecart towards them. The minecart was being propelled by stones pushing it forward. The two women watched as Shade was preparing to summon more claws at them. Alice got out her sword, preparing to deflect any oncoming attacks. 

Moments later, metallic claws rained down on them. Alice and Rachel swiftly swung at the bombardment of metal, deflecting every one of them. Perrine did her best to not get in the way, still propelling them forward. The two women were stuck deflecting every attack that came their way, leaving Perrine to control where they went. 

After a few seconds, Wind’s cart shot forward. She quickly pulled Shade back, putting an end to his relentless attack. “Let's do this!” She said before raising her hand into the air. 

Moments later, Rachel could see a rock wall form directly in front of them. "Jump!” The redhead yelled just before jumping out to the left. Perrine and Alice followed suit, with Perrine landing next to Rachel. They turned around to see the minecart come to an abrupt stop with the wall. Immediately after, Wind and Shade followed suit. The blonde woman landed nearby Rachel and Perrine while Shade landed by the warrior.