“Where were you?” Maggie thundered impatiently. “And what took you so long?”

“Please don’t fight...” Ruth pleaded. “This isn’t the best time for—”

“Don’t worry, the dinosaurs’ not dead,” Antonio stated. “Just has its spiritual energy taken away.”

“Is that any better?” Maggie raised an eyebrow. “Wait, how do you know that?”

The Orso Looba also noticed something odd about the situation.

None of the Miletis did anything or fought back, even though Antonio stood there, not doing anything.

“What do you think you’re doing? Hurry and get us out of here!” Maggie thundered.

Just then, she spotted something in Antonio’s pocket. He pulled out an object that looked like the purple crystal from before. Maggie’s eyes widened in shock.

“I got more of those crystals you asked for,” Antonio said as he turned to face the darkness and raised the object high.

“Excellent work.” The voice complimented. “I feel like my powers are getting stronger by the minute...”

“That’s great to hear mistress,” Antonio replied with a bow.

Maggie’s blood boiled. “Why... you ungrateful rotten traitor!” She roared, shaking the cage.

“How could you do this?” Ruth cried.

“It appears my powers are weakening.” The embodying voice in the dark interrupted. “I must rest. While I sleep, bring me more crystals and dinosaurs...”

“Yes, mistress.” Antonio turned to bow before her.

Once the glowing purple eyes disappear, Maggie, Ruth, and Antonio continued their conversation while the other Miletis stood by, watched, and listened.

“Ooh, when the others find out about what you’re doing...” Maggie started.

“That’s why you’re not going anywhere.” Antonio taunted. “You won’t be able to tell them a thing. If Tommy and Amy were to find out, then they wouldn't want to join our side. Of course, someone like you wouldn’t understand Maggie.”

“What are you going to do with us?” Ruth asked, darting his eyes back and forth.

“Simple.” Antonio turned to the Miletis and did a thumb down motion. “Drop them down into the fog.”

The Miletis nodded as they pulled down a lever, opening up the bottom hatch in the cages, which caused Maggie and Ruth to fall and land onto the ground.

After rubbing their sides, the two looked up from the gap between them as Antonio stood on the edge and watched them with a smug grin on his face.

“Hello down there,” Antonio said in a mocking tone.

“Are you seriously going to leave us down here?” Maggie questioned.

“For the time being, yes.” Antonio turned to the Miletis. “You guys stay here and watch these two, in case they try to escape.”

“Oh, great idea. One Mileti replied.

“We knew it was an exquisite idea to recruit you.” The second one complimented. “This Antonio has proven to be useful for us and our benefits.”

“We’ll be right back to get more materials.” Antonio and another band of Miletis headed to the mine shaft, leaving the rest inside the cave.

Ruth looked up and frowned, seeing that the others wouldn’t probably leave anytime soon.

“Oh man, what do we do now?” He turned to Maggie and asked.

He looked up at her, attempting to climb the Cliffside while the Miletis were distracted by chatting with one another. The hill was steep; the fog was thick, and Maggie had a hard time lifting herself and slipped up, causing her to fall off and land on the ground.

“Dang it.” She muttered through her teeth.

“Are you ok? Don’t push yourself too hard...” Ruth whispered, placing his paw on her shoulder.

“Hey, be careful down there.” One of the Miletis called out from above. “We’re not responsible for any injuries.”

“Sorry, but that’s just how it goes...” Another Mileti added.

Maggie slumped on the walls and sighed. Ruth walked over and gave a pat on her shoulder and a reassuring smile. She just sighed and turned away; they didn’t know what to do or how to get out of this area now.