[Diana]
As the footsteps and voices drew closer, I started to look for anything I could possibly use to defend myself or any possible exit. Above me was another vent, however, I couldn't reach it and I was too tired from all that running. There was nothing next to me that I could use to fight the men off, it seemed like I'd have to fight with my fists then.
That's when something unexplainable happened.
The wall to my left suddenly rippled and a hand emerged, which was soon followed by a face.
"Hey, you want to get out of here, right?" The face spoke.
I jumped in fear from how fast and sudden things were going. I couldn't even respond to the face's question because of how much I was shaking.
"Just take my hand, I'll bring you somewhere safe," Urgency filled its voice.
I didn't know what to do, I was frozen in place. The footsteps grew even louder and my anxiety grew exponentially.
"Creator above!" Without warning, the hand grabbed onto me and pulled me into the wall.
Everything turned pitch black and I could barely breathe. Claustrophobia gripped my mind as the surroundings grew even more constricting.
"We're almost there, just a bit more!" The voice said.
I was on the brink losing consciousness; my vision was getting blurry and my breaths were getting sharper. But just as my vision continued to blur, I saw a faint light emerging from the darkness; and with every second in this abyss (or whatever this place was) the light grew brighter and brighter. Then the darkness faded, the constriction disappeared, and everything was back to normal.
When my eyes finally adjusted after being blinded with the sudden flash of light, I beheld an indoor garden or park; and before me was someone I didn't expect to see.
"Samina!" I exclaimed as I grabbed my friend into a tight embrace.
Fresh tears came rolling down my cheeks as she embraced me back. The pressure, the fear, everything just dissipated.
"W-why are you here?" I asked.
"We knew something would happen since my H-band was tapped by the Imperis Bordrois, so I asked Thomas to come with me and get you and your family to safety," Sam explained.
I glanced at the guy beside her, he was taller than Sam and I but only by a few inches. He had a handsome face and a good build... he also seemed familiar.
"Oh, and this is Thomas; he was the one that dragged you through the wall," Sam added.
"T-Thank you, for saving me..." I said.
"No problem," He grinned sheepishly.
"By the way," I let go of Sam and smoothed my clothes, "Where's my family?"
"That's the problem," Sam said shakily, "The Battavyesch have them..."
"W-well, can't you guys just do what you did with the wall again?" I asked.
"It's not that simple, Diana," Sam paused, "Summoning that portal takes up a lot of energy for the one who summoned it."
"Not only that, when the object or being is bigger, the energy needed to summon the portal becomes greater," Thomas added.
"And I have very limited sources of energy around, aside from my Menyott staff, so I would have to use my own metabolism to actually cast the spell."
"I-I'm confused... but I kinda get what you mean, with all the energy and stuff," I paused, "So does that mean there's nothing we can do?"
"Not exactly, the operation the Battavyesch was trying to pull off can't be called 'successful' unless they have you in their custody," Sam explained, "Only when they have you can they return to Luminaris Prime, so we still have time to actually get your parents out of here and take you to somewhere safe."
"So where are they? We have to go and get them!" I exclaimed.
Thomas hushed me and said, "We're working on it, don't worry."
Sam nodded and added, "I asked my mother and grandmother to help me with getting you out of here, so, they sent me, Thomas, a few Acolytes, and some menyotts, to safely bring you and your family to Luminaris Prime before taking you guys somewhere safe."
"Wait, what are Acolytes and why would your mother and grandmother want to help me and my family?"
"We'll explain on the way, but for now, we have got to get out of here," Sam stated.
I nodded, "Alright, lead the way."
And we were off, back to going through the winding halls of the building to get out of here.
"Mom, Dad, Alexei... please stay safe," I thought to myself.