Escape From Tickle Tower

40

The parry of three slowly walked up the staircase. As they did, Alice and Perrine were staring down at the steps. “Are you okay?” Perrine asked as they kept walking up. “You both have been quiet.” She mentioned.

“It's nothing.” Alice responded as she kept leading them up the stairs.

“We're just a bit frustrated that we were knocked down during that fight.” Rachel responded softly, not willing to take her gaze away from the path ahead of them. “I'm sure we'll feel better once we put Shade in his place.” She said with a smile.

“Then we'll need a plan of attack.” The magician responded.

“We know that he's able to use claws and that they can easily pierce skin.” Alice began to say.

“We know he can spawn them anywhere, and that they can grow to ridiculous lengths.” Perrine added.

“And we know that he's able to create more than just what's on his fingers, and that they can easily deflect weapons.” Rachel said, finishing their recollection. “Now, how do we beat him?”

The three kept walking in silence as they thought about how to proceed. After a few minutes, Rachel spoke up. “All I can think of is hitting him all at once. I doubt he can guard everything.”

“I mean it's one way.” Alice responded in an annoyed tone.

“I don't think we have any other choice.” Perrine said just as they approached the door.

The three of them stared at the door. Each looked on, nervous about what was on the other side. Rachel took multiple deep breaths before turning to the others. “Are we ready?” She asked.

“Yeah. We have to keep moving.” Alice responded while calming herself down. Perrine could only nod, refusing to say anything as she stared on. The redhead nodded at her teammates before walking in front of everyone. Slowly, she grabbed onto the cold steel doorknob before turning it. She opened the door, allowing everyone to see a large single room with multiple tubes all around the edges.

Slowly, the three women entered the floor. Their eyes were fixed on the tubes filled with liquid. There were six in total, each connected to different computers. Alice and Perrine started examining the tube's while Rachel walked further in. Slowly, she examined the last container in line. She looked up at the towering contraption, staring off. Moments later, her eyes widened as she remembered the dream she had. “I-.....I know this place.” Rachel said softly as her eyes widened.

“Seems my dear sister finally remembers.” Shade said as he walked into the room. “But to think that she's been against us this whole time.” He added. The three women quickly gathered together and brandished their weapons. Shade only smiled as he walked out so that he was directly across from them. “I didn't even know you were related to us until recently.”

“ENOUGH! WHERE IS ZAC?!” Alice yelled out while pointing her sword at him.

“He's getting a few more adjustments done. Mother says he'll be done soon.” Shade said as he smiled at the three of them.

Alice gritted her teeth, but Rachel put her hand out in front of the warrior, forcing her attention to the redhead. “Who is mother?” Rachel asked as she took a step forward.

“Someone who made us for starters.” Shade explained as she smiled at the trio. “But, I guess I should explain some more. She's someone that controls the tower. She watches over it and has made multiple adjustments so that it may function. She's created the laughler, the five of us, well, I guess six now. She even made the floors what they are. Everything was in her design.” The brown haired man said as his smile grew.