"We're back!" Reyn announced cheerfully as they filed into the darkest cell on the block.
The prisoner's eye twitched, cheeks puffed out as he slowly chewed the food the princess had given as a reward.
He was really contemplating spitting it out now.
"Yeah, bro, take your time," Reyn waved at him, prompting him to swallow it immediately.
'What?'
Noah was expecting him to be annoyed. He glanced at Alexis.
"Ok, listen, punk," She strode up to him, digging her nails into his jaw as she made him look up at her. "This may be the last friendly visit so I suggest you co-operate, okay?"
She let go, searching through her pocket. The prisoner was more shocked than her friends, looking away as his face heated up at the invasion of personal space.
"We found these names at Arden's," She finally pulled out the piece of paper. "Sound familiar?"
She rattled off from the list, pausing to pronounce the harder ones. She was almost to the end before he had a reaction.
Noah felt a jolt through their mental connection. "Lexi.. Read that last one again."
"Elin... Dated 3rd of May.."
"After you were caught but before Arden was archivist.." Markus looked at her.
"Who dat?" Reyn crowded in for a closer look, only to be held back by the guard.
"Wait... 2nd of December.. That's when Arden visited you, right?" The princess divulged critical information like it was nothing. She pointed at the date. "I saw it in Freddie's record when I signed it."
Alexis held the list closer to her face. "That would make you.." She looked at the corresponding name. "Cain I-Iga- Damn, how do you pronounce-" She pointed it out to Markus.
"Cain Igarashi," Markus completed, a little miffed that she ruined a dramatic moment.
"You..were part of the ritual?" Noah stepped back a little, eyes reflecting fear.
'Not willingly.' He growled in frustration. 'I doubt the others were too.'
"So... What happened to the others? Did Arden.." He trailed off, not wanting to upset him further.
'I don't know.' He sounded resigned.
"Wait, hold on," Alexis rubbed her eyes, slowly catching on. "So, Arden used the blood of, I'm guessing more Arts users and somehow turned Noah into one?"
Cain looked like he wanted to say something but decided against it, settling for an affirmative head tilt.
"If the kingdom finds out," Markus trailed off silently, not wanting to complete the sentence.
"Nah. No way. We just have to find a way to reverse that." She smiled that demented smile. "Easy."
"Normally, I wouldn't discourage you, but.. how?" Reyn asked, a little distracted as she tapped a finger on Markus's bicep.
'I'll.. do it.'
"Wha-!" Noah whirled around, not believing what he heard. "You'll help?"
"Holy shit," Alexis whispered.
"No. He obviously wants something first." Markus was ever optimistic.
'Yeah. Let me go.' He tilted his head up, issuing a challenge.
"He probably wants us to let him go." He looked to Noah for confirmation.
"Yeah, no dice, buddy." Reyn pulled out a sweet roll from one of her hidden pockets. "How about a better cell and a whole lot of food?"
'Let me go back..home,' His paused a little at the last word. 'And I'll help you from there.'
Noah repeated it, even though he was unsure.
"That would mean Noah has to go with you," Alexis folded her arms. "There's no guarantee you'll let him back."
Cain closed his eyes, tensing up for the first time as he thought about it.
"He's more desperate than we are." Markus whispered to Alexis. Made sense, considering he'd probably be executed soon.
'What if I come back with you?'
"Y- Huh?" Noah had no idea how negotiations worked but he knew this was unusual. "You'd come back with me?"
"Wow. You're really bad at bargaining." The princess was unfazed even as she was subjected to his glare.
"So you're saying, we let you go back to wherever you guys hang out. You help Noah and then you just come back to this lovely cell?" Alexis was seriously considering it.
"Why would you do that?" Markus was not easily swayed.
Cain shrugged, plastering a smirk on his face.
"Fine." Alexis folded her arms, staring him down. "But I'm going too."
"Lexi," Noah laid his hand on her arm, "You don't have to-"
"Yeah, and neither of you should be going alone."
"So tag along, Markus." She said, half-joking.
"Fine." He returned her stare with an eyebrow raise. "But how do we know we're not walking into an ambush?"
Cain shook his right hand slightly, rattling the chains.
"You want to shake on it?" Alexis was a bit amused. She considered it for a while then reached for him.
As soon as their hands touched, Cain whispered under his breath, a raspy sound that sent a chill down her back.
"Yo, what the hell?" She tried to pull her hand back as she felt something like a quill dragging over her palm.
Cain didn't let go until the spell worked.
She glanced down at their hands. Identical black marks now decorated the centre of their palms.
Alexis silently cursed as she gazed at her hand.
'If I go back on my word... I'll lose the arm.'
"Woah, that's a little extreme." Noah turned back to him, surprised at how calm he sounded. He repeated it so the others could understand.
"Man, whatever you're going back for must be worth it." Reyn inspected Alexis's hand, tracing the design.
Cain didn't answer.