The Ichi Army laughed as Anisa shouted words that didn't belong in the vocabulary of a princess. Luna turned to Shinzo.
"Can't you do something?"
Shinzo turned his head to face Aziz, the prince biting his lower lip and scowling at the ground. "Your majesty, do you know a ruler without his limbs is far more useful than one that's dead."
Aziz stared at him wide eyed. "What are you saying?"
Shinzo grinned. "If I break off my hand, I'll easily get out of here."
"Shinzo now is not the time," Luna said. "How can you ask the prince to cut off body parts?"
"I don't think I made a mistake," Shinzo said. "After all, the question is on how far he is willing to go for his country."
Aziz bit his lip at Shinzo words, digesting it all while Luna spoke up. "Even if you break your limbs, nothing is going to happen."
"Why die because some stupid organization wanted to kill me? I'd rather die moving forward that die sitting down," Shinzo said.
"I thought you wanted to become the greatest martial artist," Luna snapped. "Don't waste your life on something stupid like this."
"Stupid." Shinzo laughed. "You can only say that because you lack the drive to move. If I can't use my body to fight, I'll become so strong that I won't need it."
Luna couldn't bite back at him, the words hitting deeper than it should have.
"Is that guy serious?' Alexandrite asked.
Abrielle scoffed. "He's probably just bluffing. No one is foolish enough to actually do that."
Aziz chuckled. "You're really something, Shinzo. For a moment, I almost forgot what I stood for." He raised his cuffed hands. "I'll do it."
"You can't be serious," Luna mumbled.
Shinzo's smile didn't leave his face. "I'm always serious, Luna."
"These guys are crazy," Abrielle mumbled as Shinzo placed his hand on his wrist.
Before they could do anything, heavy and fast footsteps made their way towards where they stood. Team four turned their heads to face the issue, nearly falling over at the sight before them. Octavius, Paolo and Cairo charged towards them, loud cries escaping their lips.
"What the…" Abrielle said, staring at the three of them.
Paolo cracked his knuckles. "Octavius, Cairo, let's go."
"Alright!"
"Maa!"
Luna grinned. "Paolo, Octavius!"
"We're going to avenge Cairo," Octavius said.
"And while you're at it, I want you to skewer these people," Anisa said.
Paolo grinned. "Of course, your highness."
"Paolo you have to help us, if you don't hurry, the pillar will explode in ten minutes."
He turned to Shinzo. "So, you're in trouble huh."
Shinzo scoffed. "Not really since I found a way out, but since you're here, I'll let you rescue us."
"What are you talking about?" Luna snapped. "You nearly pulled out your hand."
"I actually fractured my wrists while I pulled."
"This guy…"
Shinzo smirked. "Anyways, I'll leave this to you, so don't mess this up, captain."
Paolo snickered. "Of course."
Hugo gritted his teeth. "These people don't seem to have any respect for us
"Let me finish him off," Alexandrite said.
Hugo clicked his tongue. "Why would I leave things to you?" We sent you to kill them, but they're still here… I guess I have to do everything myself."
Hugo waved his arms in the air, shooting an energy beam at Paolo's legs. He stumbled to the ground, a translucent green cuff round his feet.
He shot another one, but Paolo was able to dodge it. He crossed his arms, adapt.
He broke the energy cuffs at his feet with his super strength and charged back at Hugo. He created a force field, but Paolo smashed through it and punched him in the face.
Hugo skidded down the dirt path, his men calling out his name.
"Hugo!"
Luna smiled, the minutes on the timer reduced to seven. "Good job Paolo, now gets us out of here."
Paolo suddenly scowled; his brown eyes dulled. "No."
"What?"
"What do you mean no?" Aziz snapped. "Stop fooling around."
"Paolo please," Anisa begged.
Paolo shook his head. "I don't want to do it."
Abrielle smirked, her blue eyes glowing brightly. "Mind control complete."