"It's because you run so fast, while the rest of us take longer to get here," Nakia sighed, looking at the feline.
"Come on, let's save the questions for later. Help me search through the rubble before someone comes to check the area because of that alarm," Mok urged, quickly taking charge.
The butler began digging with the help of his knives, lifting large stone blocks and disintegrating them with his sword. Meanwhile, Lukeandria started searching in another area, moving debris with determination. It was then that she found something: a hat and a black scarf. They appeared to belong to Doctor Ribeus. But what truly shocked her was finding a familiar ring—the Water Ring that Mok had lent to Alita.
She called Mok and the rest of the group, handing over the ring with trembling hands. Lukeandria still couldn't believe it. The two kids, whom she had initially teased with sarcastic remarks, had earned her respect during their journey. And now, knowing they were gone deeply pained her, though she tried not to show it.
Seeing Lukeandria's state, Mok stopped searching in his area and focused on where she had found the ring. He dug with more urgency, desperate to find additional clues. However, there was nothing but dirt and some puddles of dark liquid scattered across the ground. Just as he was about to continue digging, they heard footsteps approaching in the distance.
"We need to get out of here, meow!" Toco-Toco warned, his tail twitching nervously. "A large contingent of Shadow soldiers is coming!"
Lukeandria remained motionless, lost in her thoughts. She mentally berated herself for not being firmer when Zor had taken Ron and Alita. Her mind was filled with regret.
"There's no time, Lukeandria! Let's go!" Mok insisted, taking her hand to snap her out of her trance.
Finally, the group retreated the way they had come, making sure not to be detected. Once safe, Lukeandria leaned against a wall, hitting it in frustration. Tears threatened to spill from her eyes as she murmured:
"It's my fault… I shouldn't have let them take them. Paltio will be devastated."
Mok tried to comfort her, placing a hand on her shoulder:
"Calm down, Lukeandria. It's terrible to see that they're gone, but we must stay strong for Paltio and support him in his mission."
Nakia, unable to contain her sorrow, cried openly:
"I can't believe my student is… dead. It can't be…"
Toco-Toco, his voice softer than usual, added:
"Even though they liked to tease me by treating me like a cute pet, I liked them. I can't believe they're gone…"
Mok, with sadness in his voice, concluded:
"We should return to Paltio. There's nothing more we can do here."
They began walking in silence back the way they had come, burdened by the news they would have to deliver to the prince. As they moved, Mok reflected silently:
"Who would dare attack them like that, knowing how powerful these Purple Shadows are?"
Meanwhile, Paltio heard his name echo faintly in the distance:
"Paltio! Paltio!"
The young prince wiped his eyes, trying to focus on who was calling him. It was Kilibur, running toward him with a worried expression.
"What happened?" Paltio asked, quickly getting up, ready to face whatever news awaited.
"Glad you're awake," Kilibur said with a smile as he held a small flame in his hand. "Your boots went out during the fall, but luckily I conjured fire so we could see something."
"Daddy, daddy! I'm so glad you're awake! I was worried…" Rykaru said, floating near Paltio with a mix of relief and joy in his voice.
"You didn't get hurt, did you?" Paltio asked, looking at the little creature with concern.
"No, I clung to you... Besides, you protected me during the fall!" Rykaru replied with an innocent smile.
"That's good," Paltio said, gently rubbing his head before standing up completely.
After a moment, Paltio looked around and asked:
"Where are we?"
Paris quickly interjected:
"I don't know. The last thing I remember is falling, and then we ended up down here, in what seems to be an abandoned underground well."
"What a fall!" Chiki exclaimed, shaking himself as if to brush off imaginary dust. "I would've liked to have a cushion, but I jumped between the walls before landing. I tried to lift you all, but you wouldn't wake up. Look, there's some kind of path over there. I didn't go further because I stayed to protect you."
"Thanks, Chiki," Paltio said sincerely, giving the dog a small smile.
"I healed you all with my powers," Kilibur added. "That fall must have hurt a lot."
"Thank you, Kilibur," Paltio responded, nodding gratefully at the young fox.
"For now, there's no way to get back up," Paris pointed out, looking upward where only darkness was visible. "The best thing to do is to continue along that path."
"But what caused us to fall in the first place?" Paris asked, frowning as she tried to recall more details.
"I don't know," Golden replied seriously. "Something fell on us and caused everything to collapse."
With no other options and nowhere else to go, they decided to proceed through the underground tunnel. Paltio reignited the lights on his boots, illuminating the path ahead.
As they advanced, Paltio felt a familiar vibration. The three scepter pieces he already possessed began to glow intensely inside his bag.
"So we're close," Paltio said with determination. "It wasn't literally in the old barn, but here in this place."
Just as they were about to move forward, something enormous landed in front of them. It was a massive creature resembling an earthworm, but with arms and legs. Its size was comparable to that of an elephant, and its purple eyes glared at them with unmistakable fury. The gigantic beast began to rise and advance toward them, slamming its fists into the ground with devastating force.
"Watch out!" Chiki shouted, quickly positioning himself in front of the group to block the attacks with his tiny legs.
"Wow, that dog is strong!" Paris commented, impressed as she watched Chiki hold his ground without retreating an inch.
"Not bad for an underdeveloped worm! But I'm stronger!" Chiki exclaimed, launching himself back into the fight with renewed energy, using his small legs like a professional boxer's fists.
The worm began to retreat under Chiki's fierce blows, but what the dog didn't know was that this was all part of a trap. Suddenly, additional eyes and a mouth full of sharp teeth emerged from the front of the worm's body, revealing its true nature.
"Be careful, Chiki! That monster is a decoy!" Kilibur warned urgently, his voice filled with concern as he detected something strange about the worm. "It's like an illusion is hiding it."
"A decoy?" Chiki repeated, pausing for a moment, visibly confused.
Before he could react, the worm split in two in a sudden, violent motion. Each half came to life on its own, moving exactly like the first, but now there were two identical creatures. Both began to speak in unison with deep, sinister voices:
"Foolish dog… Don't bother. You're just an appetizer. We have other prey in front of us that will satisfy us."
"That thing talks now!" Paris exclaimed, instinctively backing away as her face reflected both astonishment and fear.
"We are the protectors of this place. We are the Twinpillar," the creatures declared in unison, continuing to transform. Giant boxing gloves emerged from their arms, glowing with a menacing aura. Without warning, they launched a swift and coordinated attack on Chiki. The dog tried to dodge, but it was too late. The blows hit with devastating force, burying him under an avalanche of rubble.
"No, Chiki!" Paltio shouted, running toward where his companion had fallen as despair gripped him.
The worms, now identified as the Twinpillar, revealed their sharp teeth with an evil grin, clearly pleased with the success of their ambush. They looked hungry, eager to continue their hunt and devour the rest of the group.