Chapter II

Chris's Point of View

I opened my eyes very weakly, I had no idea where I was, all around me there was nothing but endless darkness, almost as though I had dropped into a bottomless pit. I tried to move, but that stench had been so strong that I couldn't gain the strength to do so yet. "So you are at last awake..." the masked man who had taken me smirked, the lights flickered on and I found myself in an old-looking warehouse, minus the cell I found myself in "Good, I can't be having my hostage die from my little knockout powder..."

"W-Who are you...?" I managed to ask, the man let out a cold, eerie laugh that made my skin crawl.

"So Jared has not told his best friend about his worst enemy..." the man grinned at me so mellicously that I felt my own eyes widen with fear "That's right kid, you're in the power of the master of dark magic himself..."

"That can't be you're dead..." I choked "Jared celebrated your defeat!"

"Oh yes, he did kill me..." the man turned his head away from me "Why do you think I wear this damn mask!"

"You'd better pray that Jared isn't on his way here right now!" I stated gruffly "He'll kill you for what you're doing!"

"How can you kill someone that is already dead?" the dark master laughed even more coldly, approaching me, slowly he took a dagger to my throat "Come on little mortal, you're coming with me..."

"And if I refuse!"

"Then I will kill you here and now..."

I nodded, feeling the dagger pressed against my back as he led me down the dark hallway. I had to get away, but it was useless, where the hell was Jared, I'd think he'd be looking for me by now. I closed my eyes, and waited for the torture I knew was about to take place to begin.

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The Dragon's Spine Pub

Jared pulled the goblin off of his chair and slammed him onto the table, blade outwards at his neck. "Where have they taken the mortal Rizoth!" he snapped "I know a scumbag like you has to know where they took him! So don't even think about playing dumb!"

"What does it matter to you Jared!" the goblin said, his voice reluctant.

"That mortal happens to be my best friend... And unless you want to end up like whoever took him, I suggest you start talking now while you still can!"

"V-Very well..." Rizoth replied, terrified "They've taken him to the black hand... Under the Prince's orders..."

"Bullshit!" Jared was pulled back by his three friends.

"Jared, he did come back remember...?" Max whispered.

"But what the fuck would he want with Caleb!" Jared snapped.

"A hostage..." Rizoth suddenly piped up "He said something about the brat being all that he needs to keep you out of his way... They were holding him hostage..."

"You're lucky that information was useful..." Jared stated angrily "If that information is wrong, I will be back..."

"I hope your friend is alright..." Rizoth stated "Don't get me wrong on that, I might be scum sometimes, but you know me... I hate seeing someone defenseless hurt..."

"I know Rizoth..." Jared calmed himself and looked at the goblin, his friend, a spy who he had just threatened for information, he wouldn't do it again "Please, if you hear anything more tell me..."

Rizoth nodded and they exited the pub and back into the Magical Underground, Jared held a picture of himself and Caleb when they were maybe five years old. That had been the day he had told Caleb what he was, and he had been the only mortal to accept him, he held the picture close to his heart, they weren't just best friends, Caleb had been adopted, in fact, so had Jared. They had grown up in an orphanage together, grew up outside it even though they were adopted by seperate families. They were like brothers, his heart sunk slightly. Please Caleb... Be ok... Send me some kind of sign that you're alive... he thought to himself.