At End's Gate

HELP

After a few minutes of talking Paige explained to the others what Erin had done to his father and her teacher. They all found it a bit hard to swallow. They processed it after a while." He was truly alone," Alexis commented.

"It's a shame that he didn't know that the gate was just an illusion," Lisa added.

"Dukilian played with his mind," James said scratching his chin.

"He just fell prey to a mirage. He thought he would survive. He thought the gate was his way to redemption," Blake said with a serious look on his face.

"Dukilian is turning people into his puppets and they don't even know it," Paige said tying her hair.

"He's truly evil and really hateful," Conner commented.

"So what now?" Alexis asked.

"We go to the central part. We'll try to use the underground tunnels and try to trigger an escape tunnel."

"This time we aren't putting the lives of innocent people at stake," Paige said.

"What do you want us to do?" Conner asked.

"We're going to save them. We'll help the civilians before we trigger the route. Dukilian wants to mess with us. Let's ruin him."

Conner smiled." Let's."

"How do we know which trap he has planned?" Alexis asked.

"That's the problem. We don't know. We're just going to have to deal with whatever is thrown at us," Paige said with a serious and angry face. She was deflecting all her emotions to rage and determination. She didn't want to waste time moping.

Alexis looked shocked by that response. She gulped, fear clearly present on her face. Blake was completely fearless, devoid of any emotion on his face." I'm game. I'm willing to do whatever it takes to save those people. They don't deserve to suffer for us. They might end up doing things that are crazy but we have to save them because they don't deserve to be held hostage." He looked at Alexis." I promise I won't let anything bad happen to you."

Lexi smiled at him. Lisa and James were both serious." Let's do it," Lisa said gently scratching her arm.

"Are we going to tell them that the gate is a trap?" James asked.

"They have to know don't they?" Paige said.

"Wait," Conner said clearing his throat," they wouldn't believe us plus we risk putting them in more danger."

"So we don't tell them?" Lisa asked.

Everyone fell silent." How about if we tell them without telling them?" Alexis suggested with a devious smile on her face.

"What are you suggesting?" Blake asked.

"Let's take a page out of Dukilian's playbook. Let's write a warning message down and give the hostages secretly before we leave. At least they'll try their best to find options to secure their survival. Dukilian gave us threats in a painting. We give them survival tips on a paper."

"That's brilliant Lexi," Paige commended.

"Yeah Lexi. That's amazing," James commented.

Lisa gave her a pat on the back before she looked at everyone else." I wanted to say something. I know due to the rise of certain turn of events," she looked down. Paige understood that she was implying the Erin incident. Lisa then started to continue," I know we're angry and determined but let's try our best to not let the anger get the best of us."

"Yeah true. If we allow ourselves to be fueled by rage we won't think clearly," James agreed." I know both of you probably are thinking otherwise," he said looking at his siblings," but truth be told we're more vulnerable if we operate on emotion. I'm pissed too. Erin was my friend too and I would like Dukilian to suffer for turning him into a monster but it's not worth it if we operate recklessly and stupidly."

The two nodded simultaneously in agreement. "Don't worry. I won't go crazy and let emotion cloud my judgment," Paige said with her tone slowly becoming calmer.

"I won't too," Blake said with his face still devoid of emotion. This was a bit scary because no one could predict his actions. He was a loose cannon. No one could anticipate how far he would go with his actions.

"Okay. Let's hit the hay. We have a long day tomorrow," Conner said before they went to sleep.