Nightingale's POV
The twins and I didn't waste any time to train, now that we're heading to the Dark Dungeon. There, every one of us needs to fight and defend ourselves because I myself won't be able to protect anyone of them. The Dark Dungeon is a heavily guarded place, storming in without a decent plan is suicide. And also, we must lessen the risk of breaking into the place knowing that evil criminals reside in that place. If one cell is broken, it will take a domino effect breaking everyone free. It will get harder for us to find our comrades or even escape.
Rumple and Harley's training is not only from me but from every one of us. After they got to train under the others, they will face me and try to beat me. They've already tried many times and I can say that every time we fight, they always have new things under their sleeves, they grow, they learn, they get stronger, and smarter.
I've had them fight with Apollo and Hale, a one on one fight. Apollo and Hale had a hard time and almost lost. The next was Roy. It's a two against one. They were able to make him take them a lot more seriously. From then on, they challenge any of them to see how they have improved.
I was surprised to see and know how Andre fights when they challenged him. He's as skilful as Hale and as strong as Apollo. The next was Tyra, my boys took it a little hard to attack her. Her defence is too strong. I had her fight Apollo, then Hale. Both can't lay any bruise on her. Even my brother, she just dances all their attacks away and counter at the same time. These guys, they're wolves hiding under the sheep's skin. Then I taught them everything I know on a fight and it's up to them on how they will use it.
We bought weapons for those who don't have any, blades and guns, along the way from the sea merchants.
"We're here" Cougar said after hiding the submarine under an underground cave at this island.
"Hale, scout outside"
"On it"
"No one's here" he said after a while so we all came out. It's already evening. We found a way out leading us to the right wing of the dungeon. The walls are not easy to climb, it's full of poisonous plants and traps beneath.
"Rumple, Harley. Have they replied yet?" I asked as I look for some way in on these walls.
"They're at the left wing, at the deepest floor" Rumple answered.
"I see, then I really need to give you the map" my brother said then an image of the blueprint suddenly came in to me.
"How did you know the blueprint of this dungeon?" Andre asked.
"I'm the one who designed it" he simply answered.
"Ask him later, we need to get in now" I told them. There's only one safe route to get into the dungeon. It's a thing only we, Ethereal, can do.
"I summon thee, appear before me, Ancient Gate of the Bull" Apollo chanted and let his blood reach the ground through the cut from his palm. The gate of the Bull appeared before us attaching itself on the wall of the opening of the other end of the cave. He fitted his ring on his finger on the gate. A red line was again seen and drawn the sign of the Bull and it was opened. When we got on the other end, we found ourselves in front of the left wing of the building.
"I can't break through. There must be some kind of barrier protecting this building"
"Yes, it is being protected by some powerful priest but I can't say if he's on our side or not" my brother informed.
"Then we have got no choice but to sneak in. Let's go" we all concealed our presence and sneaked in. We had a hard time avoiding the guards, thankfully, some of them slack off making it easier for us to go down. Tyra and Roy was left at the other end of the cave. Harley, Cougar, Andre and Ethan are left outside. And I have Rumple, Apollo and Hale with me. I've split the three earth signs so we can use the Gate after we rescue Echelle and Verseau, and after we got Faith. She's the main objective of the two other groups. She can either be camping outside those walls, inside, or even in the dungeon. We're not sure where we can find her because Roy can't get a hold of her, even Ethan.
"They're at the end of this hall" Rumple said and pointed a very dark hall where no single torch is placed inside. The light ended up on the mouth of this hall and even on the other halls.
"Let's go, just follow me" I told them and used my ability to see in the dark which the three of them haven't mustered yet. Rumple held my hand and Apollo and Hale on his free hand.
"Why do I have to hold your ugly hand?" Apollo whispered with bitterness.
"Just count yourself lucky, I only hold hands with the person I want but that doesn't count you" Hale told him with the same bitterness.
"Shut up" I told them as I stopped walking making them stop too.
"Some men are coming this way" I told them as I can see eight men walking beside us opposite to where we are going. We all held our breath. They are not assigned here if they don't have the ability to sense or see anything in the dark. We've concealed our presence but the chance of them bumping to us is highly anticipated since they're all walking spreading themselves on the wide hallway. Darn these guards. I squeeze myself on the gap catching the scent of blood. Rumple is not a problem but these men are. The guards are about to bump on them when we heard footsteps outside.
"We have intruders" one said making them break their formation and ran outside. That was near but we need to hurry before they catch any of those outside.
"Run" I whispered. I know they can hear me because the Ethereal has enhanced senses that differs us from mere hominids. Rumple slightly illuminated himself so the others can follow him as he leads the way. When we got there, we found Echelle and Verseau on the verge of death. I quickly melted the lock of the gate by heating my hands on a tremendously high temperature.
"Echelle, Verseau, can you hear me?" I asked
"Who's there?"
"It's me, Belier. We're here to rescue you" I told them and heard their silent cries then this dark hall suddenly got illuminated by a blinding light showing Faith.
"No one's going to be rescued and no one's going to escape. All of you and your comrades" Faith said and wore a smile that I had never seen before. It's a smile only those evil can wear.
"Faith... is that you?" I uttered.
"You know me? But I haven't seen you before" Faith answered that gave me one possibility, her memories are altered.
"You all go on ahead. I'm counting on you" I said as I give a stare on Apollo.
"Huh? I told you right? No one's going to escape" she said and drew her sword out. I pulled out my stick-bound blade and held it in front of me.
"I'll give them some time" I told her and blocked her attacks before she could get nearer to the boys.
"You're a tough one, I guess I'll give you a try" she told me after seeing my comrades run away. She's become a lot stronger than before. She's able to wield a sword now. She doesn't have any guns with her which is her specialty.
"What's going on missy? Come and attack me!" They've turned her into her complete opposite but she's still weaker than me. She keeps on laughing as we fight like she's enjoying it but I have no time to entertain her any longer. I targeted her weak points, abdomen, chest, and neck putting her into sleep. I handcuffed her hands and feet and tied her tightly. I carried her on my shoulders and went on a sprint going up.
