Echo nodded, and turned around to leave.
"Wait!" the commander called out, continuing "You could use help. I'll brief Sebastian, and check the dungeon. Damon might want to break out his right-hand before leaving… and don't forget to report back!"
"Yes, sir!" Echo replied, she gave him a nod, and rushed out of the room, putting her mask on.
Jasmine turned her gaze from the door to her husband. "Is she okay? I never expected her to…"
"She was trained by the witches, what do you expect? I won't be surprised if she was killed and brought back to life several times during her training," the commander replied. He glanced at his wife, who's face looked horror stricken. "I'm pretty sure that didn't happen." He hugged her, and then kissed her forehead.
Jasmine was once again able to speak. "Do you really think…?"
"No!... Go back to the ball, okay. Everything will be fine… we'll get everything in order before the witches arrive," he hugged her again. At this point he was not sure if he was only comforting his wife.
The commander pulled away from Jasmine, and the two left the briefing room.
—
Echo arrived at the dungeons. She cautiously made her way to the cell Kaia was in. To her relief, Kaia was still inside the cell.
"Got bored at the party?" Kaia asked her. When she did not get a response, she continued, "Oh! What's wrong? You lost the boss?"
Echo remained silent, while the demon kept mocking her. She was worried, because if the witches were invited, they needed to clear things up soon, and find Damon. The witches were not the most friendly and forgiving. Once someone crossed them, they were always punished, most of the time fatally.
She glanced at Hunter who was right next to her. Echo began controlling her breathing to calm down. Being stressed was not going to help anyone, and she might miss an important clue.
"Echo!" Damon called out, stepping towards the cell.
Echo whipped her head to see him, but what she saw was not what she expected. Damon's eyes were dark, a black smoke surrounded him, and he had his sword in his hand.
"Damon!" Echo turned to him, blocking his way, "What are you doing?"
"Move! Don't make me hurt you," he replied.
Echo stood in place without moving. Damon glared at her, in a second he raised his hand, using his telekinesis push. Hunter jumped in front of Echo, creating a magic shield in front of her.
"You can't take him on. He's stronger than you think 'Chosen Warrior'!" Kaia mocked.
Echo mumbled her spell, her clothes changing, and her sword appearing in her hand. She charged forward, clashing with Damon. The two shared blows, and both sides defended themselves. Echo blocked, and failed a counter attack.
"I'm sorry!" Damon mumbled, while their swords met. He stretched his hand to her stomach.
Echo felt heat radiating from his hand. Looking down, she noticed he was using his fire powers. She kicked him back, ignoring the pain in her stomach that was excruciating. Her outfit regenerated in the place she had gotten burnt.
"What are you doing? I thought you trusted me," Echo replied, gripping her sword.
Damon glared at Echo, he sent a fireball at her that she evaded. He rushed at her, and the two clashed once again.
Hunter rushed to her master's side, and blew fire from her mouth at Damon. Damon tried to use a fireball on the cub, but the cub was much swifter, and jumped on his hand.
Echo kicked Damon, punching him in the face, in hopes of not injuring him fatally. Damon tossed Hunter aside, who crashed onto the wall, and fell unconscious.
"Hunter!" Echo called out, turning her full attention to the cub.
Damon took advantage of the situation, dropping Echo to the ground, and pointing his sword at her. "Stay down! Please, I don't want to hurt you anymore," he begged.
"Isn't it a little too late for that?" Echo asked, staring at the sword pointed at her, and then at Damon.
Damon took his sword away, "I'm sorry, but I promised Finn that I won't hurt you, and I can't bear seeing you get hurt, by me."
Echo stood up, blocking the door to the cell, "If you want to rescue her, and get out of here, you have to go through me."
Damon sighed, his eyes turning back to normal, and the smoke around him dissipated. He was beginning to question his actions. Was he really going to hurt her, and get Echo out, or would he just talk to her and explain everything? The choice he had to make was eating at his brain. He did not want her to get involved in his problems, she seemed like she already had enough to handle. Then again, what would a relationship be without sharing problems with each other.
"Damon! We can't stay here. They'll kill both of us," Kaia tried to manipulate him to leave.
Echo gave him a concerned look, and took off her mask, "I won't let them hurt you… you know that, right?"
Damon stared at Echo without replying. Echo stared back at him, and Kaia looked impatient.
"You looked pretty in that dress," Damon complimented Echo, smiling as he took a step back, and put his sword away. He remembered what the commander had told him 'You're free to go, but remember! Whatever you do, she'll be responsible for you.'
He thought that maybe that was why she was not letting him go, because she was afraid for her life. If that was the case, maybe he could talk to her, and explain things more to find some common ground. He could then help her escape with him.
"Damon… Are you really going to stay?" Echo asked, taking a few steps towards him.
Kaia pulled on her chains in anger, her eyes turning dark, "You choose her over me!" she screamed. "You monster! She'll leave you once she finds out who you are! You're a monster!"