Book 4 | Agent 34 and the Last Gem

Chapter 42 | Escape from the Zena

Agent 34 withdrew his sword, trying to make his eyes adjust to the darkness quicker.

"I lived down here for an entire month in the darkness. I have developed night vision from my own survival as well as my own powerful Black Magic. Fear me!" His voice called to them from the darkness.

Agent 34 felt a punch slam into his cheek, knocking him back a little. A laugh sounded throughout the room, the elf tensing up quickly.

He felt a hand grab his shoulder and rip him into the air. He flew up the stairs, the force pulling him with it with quick speed.

When they emerged into the light of the Zena, it wasn't Deathbringer that had pulled him up. It was Ismara. She was out of breath from running up the stairs, still holding onto his arm.

With a face of determination, she pulled Agent 34 into an embrace and locked lips with him, taking him by surprise. He didn't pull back or hesitate and let her do it. When she pulled away, she smiled at him. "I had to do that. In case we die,"

He smiled back at her. Agent 34 was wondering how the two of them could smile in times of danger.

Deathbringer bolted up the stairs and out at them, taking flight. The pair broke their embrace but locked hands as they ran, staying close to each other. Grime ran the other direction, their opponent keeping close to the elves instead of the Ar'gual.

"Come on, Linx," He hissed from behind as he chased them. "I thought the Traverials never ran from the face of danger,"

Agent 34's body tensed as he ran. Quickly, he turned on his heel and jumped into the air, shooting his fist out at Deathbringer as he flew towards them. His fist was thrown straight into his face, knocking him out of the air and onto the ground.

The elf picked up his pace, running after Ismara again. Deathbringer howled in rage, getting off the floor and chasing them both.

Venon, we need help! Now! Agent 34 sent a mental message to the dragon who patiently waited outside.

He turned on you?

Yes. We are nearing the exit. Grime fled the opposite direction as us and is deeper in the Zena.

I'll be waiting. Hurry.

Agent 34 grabbed Ismara's hand as they ran, pulling her towards him. He swept her off his feet and began to run faster, the cloaked villain approaching them ever so quickly.

As he turned a corner, Agent 34 slammed his elbow into the wall. The cracks of the destroyed Zena grew bigger as they reached the ceiling, creating a hole in the roof and debris falling down from it. Deathbringer stopped himself from being hit by it, growling as he flew over it and was now a little father back from the pair of Destigems.

He reached the exit, running across the pavement and onto the grass of the Zena's torn up lawn. Venon sat there, waiting for them. The elf threw his friend atop the dragon, turning around on his heel to face their foe.

"Agent 34, get on now! We are getting out of here!" Venon called.

"No!" He told them. "I'll hold him off. You two go find the city by the sea. Find that gem,"

"No," Ismara said as Venon took off. "No! I won't leave you!" Her voice trailed away as the dragon flew eastwards, behind the Zena.

He huffed and puffed, out of breath from running from Deathbringer. Agent 34 held onto the hilt of his sword tightly, not daring to let go of it when his opponent faced him.

Soon, the man in the torn red cloak emerged from the Zena, hovering slightly off the ground. He had small pieces of rock laying on his shoulders still from Agent 34's first attack.

"Where are your friends?" He asked.

"They're gone," Agent 34 told him. "They left Renya. For good,"

"Don't lie to me," He threw his right hand towards Agent 34, a black ball of energy forming in it. The elf began to lift into the air, a force being pushed onto every side of his neck.

"Let me ask again," Deathbringer told him. "Where are your friends?"

Agent 34 didn't answer. The force began to push more, his eyes beginning to water. Agent 34 began to gasp for a breath when no more came.

A clunk sounded from behind Deathbringer. His body limply fell forwards onto the ground, Grime standing behind him with a giant chunk of rock in both hands.

Agent 34 fell out of the air, the force that had a grip on him disappearing. Breathes came to him all at once, the elf taking it in largely.

"We got to catch up with them, so come on," Grime told him.

The pair left the unconscious Black Magic user lying in front of the Zena as they began to run behind it, in the same direction that Venon and Ismara had gone.

As they left, Deathbringer sat up, rubbing his head. He spotted them running away and quickly picked himself up and flew after them.