Veil of Shadows

Chapter 23. Equinox

"Greetings, Patch."

Jolting awake, Patch locked eyes with Shadow and Caken. Taking in her surroundings, she found herself trapped in a cage. Glaring at Shadow, she growled "What do you want with me?"

Shadow chuckled and replied "You? I want nothing from you. You are but a human. It is your mentor I am after." After that, it was easy to piece together that Patch was on the verge of exploding.

"Just because I'm human doesn't mean I'm an invalid!" She protested defiantly, and Shadow raised his sword and slammed it against the bars of the cage, causing a deafening clang.

Patch flinched, and Shadow smiled. "Who is your mentor, anyway?" He asked, sheathing his sword. Patch didn't drop the glare. "Wouldn't you like to know."

Caken stepped forward. "Unfortunately, our Code prevents us from using...other methods...of extracting information, so you will remain in the cage until you decide to talk."

Patch smiled sweetly. "You'd better pack a lunch, then. It's going to be a while."

"Oh, we won't be here," Shadow said "we'll be elsewhere, planning another unfortunate accident for the Hero Squad."

Patch lunged at the bars of the cage, pounding on them with all her might. They didn't bend a millimeter. Shadow inclined his head slightly and said "Have a nice stay." And they left.

It wasn't until the door was closed and the room was in pitch darkness that Patch realized she wasn't alone. "Who might you be?" She jumped a little at the voice.

It was definitely male, but it sounded like a kid, no more than twelve. "My name is Patch. Where are we?" Patch replied, trying to get as much information as possible about her new surroundings.

"We're in Shadow's high security dungeon. This is where he puts all the hybrids and humans and mobs who are serious threats to the safety of his people." The boy explained.

Patch nodded, even though the boy couldn't see it. "What's your name?" She asked. After a moment's hesitation, the boy replied "I don't know my real name, but I call myself Equinox."

"Who do you call yourself Equinox?" Patch asked. She didn't know why she was asking so many questions, but she supposed it was necessary to learn as much as her ability would allow.

Suddenly, the room was filled with a golden light. At the center of the light was the boy Equinox, who was also locked in a cage. "This is why." He said quietly.

Equinox had short hair with alternating patterns of black and white. He wore a turquoise cape with an insignia of a sun and moon on the back, and a white formal tuxedo covered a white vest and undershirt.

All of which were ragged and featured a light layer of dust.

Grey dress pants and black knee-high riding boots were pretty much all Patch could see, as Equinox was sitting against the wall with his knees drawn up to his chest.

Slowly, he looked up. His eyes startled Patch. One was bright gold, the other was pure black. "Shadow mentioned the Hero Squad." Equinox said quietly. It was a question, not a statement - and Patch was happy to answer.

"I'm Ranger's apprentice. She's my mentor." Patch replied, and Equinox's eyes widened slightly in shock. "You...you're a member of the Hero Squad?" Equinox breathed.

Patch nodded, paused, then added "Technically I'm still an apprentice, but I guess it doesn't matter now."

"Are they going to come and rescue you?" Equinox asked, and Patch replied "Of course they are. I can't imagine Ranger is very happy at the moment." Equinox smiled and shook his head sadly.

"It's called the high security dungeon for a reason. The guards are specially trained for this. Since the day this place was created, nobody has gotten in...and I've tried many times, and I still haven't gotten out."

"Well that's reassuring."