Kaskia: A Hero's Awakening

Chapter 23

"There's the signal." Squishy whispered as he saw Jr. gesture to them.

Without a word, Arlington slung his bow across his back and began his ascent up the rope, only taking him a few seconds to climb to the top of the tower. Squishy was the next to climb the tower, holding Ellie against his chest with a rope around the two.

"You're next." Teddy said, patting Aiden on his shoulder. "Do not worry, stay focused, and everything will be alright."

Taking a deep breath, Aiden began climbing the rope. Sword in its sheath, shield on his back, he thought about the fights to come, mentally preparing himself. Aiden imagined using his sword to take down his enemies. Every fight he has been in so far, has always been in self-defense. This time, however, he was the one assaulting others. Although he did not like the idea of taking a life, he knew that if it came to those he cared about, he would not hesitate to slay an enemy in his way. Looking up, Aiden saw Squishy reaching down to help him over the edge of the tower.

Aiden looked around the tower, seeing two unconscious guards resting in a corner, out of sight. Grape stood at one opening to the north wall, Arlington stood at the opening to the west wall, both watching for the patrols. Ellie stood watching over the unconscious guards, he wondered why she left them alive. Glancing backwards, Aiden saw Squishy assisting Rina to the top of the tower, followed by Teddy who immediately walked towards the two unconscious forms, kneeling next to them and placing one paw over their foreheads.

"Incoming." Arlington told the group, indicating that the west patrol was on their way.

"Everyone, stay hidden." Squishy replied. "When they get close, take them out."

Aiden watched as Arlington stood with his back against the stone doorway, ears twitching. He wondered just how good the Kaiine hearing was. Before Aiden knew it, Arlington had moved into the doorway, releasing an arrow that was followed by two thuds. "Two?" He muttered to himself, then looked across to where Jr. was standing on the roof, bow drawn as if he just shot his own arrow. (That's why they make such a good team for tracking... They can communicate from so far away.)

"Aiden!" Squishy said, breaking him from his thoughts. "Help bring the bodies in!"

Squishy and Aiden quickly went on the south wall to drag the two bodies back into the cover of the tower as Arlington and Jr. continued to cover for any further enemies.

"Got it!" Teddy exclaimed triumphantly. "Your mother is here, and I know where!"

"How do you know where she is?" Aiden asked.

"I read their thoughts, not an easy task." Teddy replied. "She is being guarded by seven soldiers, near the center of the prison."

"I should be able to cover you most of the way." Arlington stated, looking over the prison from the tower.

"Incoming!" Grape told the group, indicating that the patrol from her side was nearing.

Where Arlington and Jr. took out the guards from the west wall, from a distance, Grape made a noise to lure the guards into the tower where she and Squishy quickly dispatched them before they knew what happened.

"We should be clear from any interruptions on this tower now." Squishy said.

"Then let's get moving!" Grape replied, waiting by the staircase that led down the tower from within.

Ellie quickly ran to her side, sniffing the air before heading down the spiral staircase with Grape. Ellie stopped half way down the stairs, fur standing on edge, growling quietly. Grape looked below, seeing a soldier standing by the door that led to the prison. The man looked bored, leaning against the wall, back towards the stairs. Grape signaled for the group to wait as she quickly ran down towards the guard, who never heard her coming. Aiden watched as she reached around, covering his mouth with her paw, as her dagger dug deep into his back.