Michael had been in one fight before. When he was in high school two guys started a fight, over what he never found out, but his instincts kicked in. He could be just like an action hero. He tried to jump in and pull the two of them apart. His interference must have been worse than whatever started the fight because they both turned to attack him instead of each other. He was going to be a hero and end the fight, but instead, he ended up with a broken nose and a series of bruises all over. No one had his back, and he even got in trouble for fighting the same as the other two.

Michael thought to himself that it looked like fight number two was going to be even shorter. Even if he could manage to fend Triddian off somehow, he knew there was a literal army below that was ready to jump in. “Life’s not fair.” He sighed under his breath.

Triddian’s clawed hand closed in, but just scraped Michael, drawing faint specks of blood with shallow cuts. He could’ve sworn those claws weren’t there a moment ago, but he also swore that the claws were coming straight for his face.

“Like is that how you repay people who totally helped you out!”

Carolyn, Sharon, and even Avialian had jumped into action almost instantly. Carolyn and Avialian knocked away Triddian’s arm, while Sharon started chanting, and causing spikes to pierce up through the ground and forcing Triddian to move back to avoid becoming impaled.

“Such a shameful display for the one who is claimed to be our greatest leader.”

“Maybe we don’t all adapt to the void as well as you have.” Triddian’s eyes were still filled with determination, but his face looked wild. Like a bear given sentience and a hatred of humanity. “Besides, I am not so foolish as to miss what you left out witch.”

Sharon scowled, “Crystal hear my plea…rise in shambles…rise in anger…rise to strike down…the enemies of this land…” More spikes rose up as Sharon kept chanting. She seemed too busy to really respond.

“Or maybe like she was trying to help you dummy!”

“Nothing will hold us back anymore. I will not let us fall back into fear. We will surpass the gods themselves. We will claim our right as the rulers of the stars again no matter the cost.”

Triddian roared, and a thundering sound could be heard from the pit.

“I think it is high time that we left. Clearly we are not welcome in these halls any longer.”

“Huh? I mean it just seems like he wants me, I’m sure you guys could…”

“Like don’t be more oblivious than normal Mikey. We’re all like way too self-respecting to stay in a place that’s like attack you for god powers or whatever.”

“Carrie is quite right. There are many things that should be placed above power, and certain actions can make it quite clear that a place is no longer for you.”

Sharon simply nodded, as she was too busy with her chanting to speak still, and likely would be until they were safe again.

Michael was still stunned from everything happening. His senses were practically being overwhelmed as they tried to catch up with what was happening. Betrayal, salvation, abandoning paradise, running for their lives. Wait, that was it, he needed to start running. His mind went into crisis mode and tried to focus on what he needed to do in the moment; and the thing he needed the most right now, was to be out of the range of those claws.

So, they ran. All four of them went as fast as they could. No backways this time. The shortest direction back to the hall of ancients, or where it would’ve been in Avialian’s time. Triddian followed just behind them, though the seemingly random onslaught by spikes sent by Sharon kept him at bay. But running while constantly chanting was taking its toll on her. Michael noticed and in a swift move, picked her up onto his back, and gave her a piggyback ride as they continued onward.

Now and then a two-pronged spear would land near them and create a small crater after it landed. Avialian and Carolyn managed to fend off any of the spears that came close enough to actually hit one of them. Knocking it to the side or catching it and sending it back towards the attackers. One landed far in front of them, and as they ran past, Michael picked it up. Instead of throwing it back like the girls were doing, he kept it in his hand as they ran.

Finally, they made it to the hall, and another spear nearly missed them. This time Carolyn picked it up and threw it at the ceiling near the entrance to the hall. It knocked down several chunks of stone and seemed to seal them inside. Sharon finally had a chance to catch her breath as she wheezed and practically hacked up a lung.

“We should press on. If we give them the opportunity, they will simply follow us back. I do not believe Triddian will let something so paltry as a risk of death stop him from trying to obtain Michael.”

“Heh, finally popular huh?” sputtered Michael as he put his hands on his knees and struggled to catch his breath. “If I’d have known it was this much of a pain, I’d never have wished I had it in the first place.”

“Like, I’m glad you can joke around.”

“What, things too serious now?”

“No, like I thought you didn’t have a sense of humor. Cuz you were so never funny on the Golden Ducky.”

“Could we perhaps leave the ruins of my former home that are now run by a mad despot before we begin the banter? Need I remind you that he can manipulate the crystal in the same way Sharon can. That means if we do not leave out of his sight, that there should be nothing stopping him from following us into that accursed place.”

“Don’t worry I…have an idea…”