I growled at Roland after we were forced to sit down in peace. Eli looked at us all in shock. "Honestly, what is wrong with you guys? Skai and I leave you all for five minutes, five minutes. And you three are at each other's throat!" He continued scolding us like children.
I glanced at Roland and Nico, who were barely listening to him as they kept their glare at each other. The twins came downstairs and stiffened at the tense atmosphere. I couldn't blame them, but that didn't seem important now. What did matter was that we got out of here as soon as possible.
"Roland, just give us the car." I glanced at Nico, hoping he wouldn't start another fight.
"Like I said, not without a price." Roland frowned and picked at his cuticles lazily. I guess I now know why Nico hates him.
"Fine, what's the price?" I seethed.
He looked up and smiled sinisterly and pointed to Skai. "Him."
Oni immediately dragged his brother out of the room and away from this psychopath while all of us just got up in anger.
"You know what? I don't think I'm gonna ask anymore." I growled, slowly walking up to him. "So, you're gonna tell me where the hell you keep your keys and then where your van is, got it?" I grabbed his collar, glaring daggers into his eyes.
His smirk just widened, and he chuckled. "Yeah, no I don't think so. I don't give up my things for nothing, Vanitas. It's the kid for the van or nothing." He shoved me and relaxed into his seat again, his eyes gleaming the same mischief that Rosaline carried. "I don't see why you want my van, seeing that you came here in a limousine. Or did that belong to someone else too, and since they won't give it you need my van?"
"That's not important." Nico stared at him darkly.
"Oh, but it is. After all, if you all are already in deep trouble, it's best if I keep myself out of it," He tilted his head to the side, painting an innocent look on his face. "Don't you think so?"
"In all honesty, none of us give two shits about what happens to you, Roland." Ash frowned. "So just give us what we need, and let us go."
"Hmm, no." The blonde boy dropped his smile and stood up. "You all may be more powerful than me, but." He started walking towards the direction where the twins had run off. "When it comes to brains, I stand to be the best." My eyes widened when I noticed the small watch pocket appear in his hands. "And when I want something, I get it."
"Shit, Oni-!" I yelled, only to feel myself freeze in position. He walked out of the room, laughing. "I have to say, I thought you'd realize sooner what us Bircusmiks can do other than make machines!"
I watched in anger and frustration as he returned with Skai, smiling like a maniac. "Now if you excuse me, I need to get to the market soon. They're gonna be auctioning special hybrids there!" And just like that, we watched Roland get away with Skai.
I fell after his element wore off, screaming in anger. "DAMMIT!"
"They couldn't have gone far right?" Crimson asked, shaking off the paralysis and grabbing her weapons.
"Like hell. He said 'market.' There's only one damn market he could have gone to." Ash seethed, small flames sparking off her.
"But it's impossible to get to the Mizukai Market! No one but high- end criminals know the place!" Jay panicked.
"Well now I don't have to worry about missing that little son of a-" Nico began.
"Not the time to be cursing a jackass like him. Now come on." Crimson interrupted as we all ran out of the house, Oni tailing behind.
I could see Roland's vehicle in the distance, and frowned. This would have been easier if Oni had more control on his ice. If he had tried to use it now, he could injure his brother in the process, or worse. Yeah, not a good idea.
"Ash, Keith, Zane," I looked at them. "I need you guys to try and create some beasts for us to ride." I glanced at Sholto as the snow tiger watched the vehicle with sharp eyes. "Sholto, you can choose if you want to run or ride. Mune, Jay, Lina, you guys are going to make your way back to the mansion, get a vehicle from there and head to the airport. The rest of us will meet you there after we get Skai back. Everyone got it?"
They all nodded and we went our ways. It almost exhausted them, but the three of them managed to create eleven beasts, enough for the siblings and Jay to get back to the mansion while the rest of us chased after the vehicle.
If there was one thing that Roland was right about, it was that he was the smartest amongst us all. He kept making sharp turns, and didn't stop the car once, keeping the distance between us and tiring out the three's abilities.
Even trying to get inside his head was impossible; every time I tried, a barrier would form around the car, making it impossible for any element to interfere with them. We had no choice but to continue following the Bircusmik and hybrid until they finally stopped at a run down building.
Before we could continue, Kieth stopped us. "Something's not right here."
"What could possibly be wrong about this other than Skai's situation?!" Nico growled.
"He's right," Zane explained. "No royal actually knows the location. Even Rejitaags don't know where it exists. So for Roland to have even a fraction of an idea where the location is, or what they're selling at the market doesn't add up." We all glanced at the door with hesitation.
"But-" Oni began. "Skai's in there. Even if it's not really Roland, he's still in danger. If we manage to catch them, we can stop them from taking my brother, and we can find the other hybrids taken too! Right?" He looked at me curiously.
Of all the times he chose to be smart, thank god it was now. "If we're going to catch them, we need you to stay outside," I got off the beasts with the others, the elemental creatures disappearing immediately. "You're not experienced in battle, so you'll just get in the way. Unless one of us calls you in, do not think about entering the building."
The young hybrid opened his mouth, before closing it and nodding slowly. "If Mune and the others arrive before we return, go with them and return to your families." Before he could argue again, the eight of us headed into the large building and left him outside.
Big mistake.
When we entered, Ash and Keith shot rows of fire across the first floor before we continued. They continued this technique until we reached of the twentieth floor, where a black substance surrounded each of us the moment we stepped foot onto the floor, entrapping us and holding us in place. Every time one of us moved, it creeped up and swallowed us into it's inky body.
A loud chuckle could be heard in the shadows in front of us, freezing the eight of us in place.
"My my, this was easier than I expected." A familiar voice rang through our ears. "In all honesty, it surprised me when Rosaline wasn't answering my calls, until a servant had informed me that her home now had 'a new master'," Yuuto walked out and smiled coldly at us. "And, well- when I asked who the new master was, they said it was you. You, of all people! Ha! I never expected you to want to live a rich life so soon."
From behind him, Roland stood there smiling alongside that psychopath. Nico growled at him and tried to fly out of the substance trying to get to him.
Roland only laughed as his face melted like wax, slowly dripping down on the floor and spreading like oil. It wasn't long before the light pale color of skin was stained with dark, glistening yet thick blood as it fell across the wooden planks. I watched in horror as his hazel eyes hung loosely from their holes, while his teeth and jawline shown in the soft light. To say it was gruesome was an understatement.
As if time was slowing down every minute, we were forced to watch Roland melt itself to nothing but bones, the sound of the bloody skeleton falling to the ground, before another figure stepped out of the shadows. A Kitmok. They looked at us dully before glancing at Yuuto. "My part's done here, can I go now?"
He gave them a quick look before shrugging, his smile never leaving his face. "Sure, why not? I don't need you anymore. I've got all the kids, you'll get your payment soon."
My eyes widened in fear. Kids, he means us. If he has all of us- "You bastard! What did you do to the others?" I yelled.
Yuuto just. Kept. Smiling. Oh the joy I will feel when I bash his face into a wall and- "The humans are safe, don't worry. As for the other hybrid, he leaves quite a mess when he tries to run."
"You son of a-!"
"Silence." He dropped his smile and glared at me. "You've become a nuisance for me, Vanitas. I hate having nuisances, you know that." He walked past us and opened the door behind us, revealing the advanced fighters. "They'll take you back with the others while we go get the last one. Do me a favor and don't cause me any more trouble, hm?"
I didn't have the courage to talk back as he walked away while the fighters slowly entered, dark looks on each of their faces.