Everyone knew that Miguel, London, and the rest of the Raven didn't waste a second. As soon as Giselle dealt with their opponents, they rushed outside the great hall to do what they had to do. But just as they thought they reached the exit of the royal palace, the door led them back to where they came from, the palace's great hall.
"How in the world…" Confused, Miguel looked around.
Conan, Dexter, and Marsella were still being pressed on the ground. Fabian was still standing in the same spot. Giselle and Aries, as well as Suzanne, stayed in the place where he had last seen them.
Was this an illusion?
No.
If this were an illusion, Miguel and Giselle would've felt it. This was something else.
The brief confidence that initially dominated Giselle's face faded. Coldness slowly coated her cloudy eyes, her jaw tightening as she secretly clenched her teeth.
"It seemed they made it in time." Fabian's confident voice broke the growing silence in the great hall. "And here I thought… I would be crushed to death."
Fabian trailed off when he felt an added weight on him. His eyes fell on the surface, seeing that the pit he was standing in grew bigger and bigger.
"Hehe. My skull will turn into many pieces if this continues," he remarks, almost making those who were hearing him wonder if he meant everything he had said. It sounded as if he was simply jesting.
THUD!
The other door suddenly flew open, revealing a man flying into it feet first. As soon as London got in, he looked around with furrowed brows. The confusion that immediately showed on his face was the same as everyone. After all, London almost left the gates of the royal palace, but just after hopping over the high fence, he landed on the door that suddenly appeared on the ground.
Now, here he was.
London turned his head in Miguel's direction before the two of them set their eyes on Giselle.
"Giselle, what is going on? Why are we back here?" Miguel shouted. "Didn't you say you will deal with them? This is a waste of time."
"London…" Giselle's voice was quiet, lowering her cloudy eyes as if she had already known the truth even before the truth reveal itself. "Can you create a route out of this labyrinth?"
"Huh?" Just before London could fully grasp what sort of ability trapped them in the royal palace, a figure suddenly bolted in Giselle's direction.
The person was faster than sound. Everyone only saw her shadow, recognizing her when she stopped with Giselle in her grip. The latter's feet left the ground with a hand clenched around her neck.
"Marsella," Miguel blurted out. "How did she —"
"Grandpa, I still want to see the chief leader's actual abilities. So far, all I've seen is her control over gravity." Suddenly, a young girl's quiet voice was heard. It was faint, but with the abrupt silence reigning the great hall, her adorable voice was clearer.
"It would be interesting to watch."
"Tony, this is not a game one could enjoy and make bets."
"But, didn't you make a bet with someone?" asked the little girl, and another person answered.
"He bet his throne for it."
Everyone shifted their gaze to the three people casually conversing. Their voices led everyone's eyes to the throne, where Abel was sitting on it with a little girl on his lap. Another man whose height was impossible to not notice stood behind the throne.
"See? You said it is not a game, but —" The little girl, Sunny halted as she noticed the gaze cast upon them. She turned her head, pursing her lips that made her round cheek appear tender and cute.
"Little Sunny, I told you to keep quiet. Now they found us out." The man standing behind the throne, Morro, frowned. "We plan to come and go without being noticed. You foiled our plan."
"Morro, I don't think that should be said aloud." Sunny pouted while Morro covered his mouth.
"Abel Grimsbanne…" Miguel's voice rumbled low, but Marsella's remarks swiftly stole his attention.
"Giselle… which bone should I start with?" Marsella raised her head, gripping Giselle's neck tighter. "I warned you. If you are going to kill me, make sure I will be dead. Because if you don't, I will pulverize your bones before setting your flesh on fire."
London's breath hitched as realization and reality sank in. His eyes veered from Marsella to everyone. Just a moment ago, Dexter, Conan, Marsella, and Fabian were immobilized. But now, Marsella was able to move again, Conan managed to sit upright, while Dexter was dragging himself up. Fabian was the only one who didn't change position, but one could tell the pressure he was fighting disappeared.
"It seemed I arrived just in time!" The tension immediately went to a higher bar as soon as Abel's voice echoed. "Good thing you are all present! That saves me the time from looking for you one by one."
Sunny instinctively hopped off of Abel's lap, jogging her way toward Aries.
"Pretty Grandma~!" called the little girl sweetly as soon as she stood beside Aries. But when Aries gazed down at her, she frowned. "You're not my pretty grandma. You are Mister Fabian's sword!"
"What an adorable little pig." Aries smiled before looking back at the throne. As soon as she did, Abel was rising from his seat and met her eyes only when he straightened his back. "It's been a while, Wrath."
"It has been. Though I'm not at all pleased having you occupy my wife's body."
"Will you hold a grudge about it?"
"I haven't decided yet." His eyes slowly shifted to everyone below the throne. "But I have decided this place will be their graves."
Boogsh!
Abel snapped his eyes ever so tenderly, gazing at the wall where Marsella crashed into. His lips curled up into a smirk.
"Serves her right," he mused, eyes back to Giselle. "Giselle, I apologize on my little sister's behalf. She is still ignorant and lacks education. Thus, she was impudent to have raised her hand to you."
"Enough with the act, Abel Grimsbanne." Giselle stretched her neck to get rid of the sensation Marsella left. "I applaud you for the elaborate plan you came up with, but that doesn't change anything."
Giselle swiftly raised her hand to the side, but a hand suddenly grabbed it. Morro smoothly slipped his fingers in between hers, stopping whatever spell she planned to cast.
"Your hand is just as small as Sony." Morro blinked. "How did this hand hide the dark ancient stone you had stolen?"
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