The secret dungeon served as a shortcut to the Crapaud zones. Normally, it would take them a whole month to reach there, but using the shortcut routes, they cut the journey down to about twenty days. However, Jenny's pregnancy pains worsened as the days dragged on during the train ride.
"Guys, please have mercy on me! I'm pregnant and experiencing pains! I need to stay comfortable under these conditions!" Jenny pleaded weakly.
"Shut up, you good-for-nothing short lady! You're not allowed to move! How many times must I tell you—you're under arrest! Even if you have health issues, we don't care! You reap what you sow!" one of the hybrids snapped harshly at Jenny.
"But please, have mercy! I need fresh air. The baby could come any time! I ask for nothing but kindness—please be merciful!" Jenny begged further.
"We must stay busy. Our job is to guard our territories. If you waste time poking your nose in others' business, then you must suffer the consequences. It's not about mercy, it's about common sense and learning lessons the hard way. How do we know your 'selector' won't keep making mistakes and bringing in new faces to meddle with our affairs?" the hybrid growled.
"That's exactly the problem! This isn't a game where lives are thrown away for substitutions and new faces. No one sent us here — we escaped the Sultan's military camp on our own! We have no selector to dehumanize us like that. We're on our own. Jenny just needs space for her dire condition. That has nothing to do with your business! Please, have some humanity left, even in your hybrid forms!" Nick begged as he spoke firmly.
"If you want humanity and rights, take it to court! We are hybrids, not humans. Humanity isn't in our vocabulary!" the hybrid retorted coldly.
"How rude! Imagine if she were your wife in such state—would you treat her this way? Hybrid or not, this has made you so insensitive that you put yourselves above humanity. Alright, how about a deal? I'll take in forty lashes if you let her get fresh air at the window!" Nick offered.
"Forty minus one lashes on your back, deal," the hybrid sneered.
Nick was stripped to the waist and lashed out as the hybrid counted strikes. He groaned in pain but endured it all for Jenny, who was finally allowed to breathe by the window.
For days, Jenny stood by the window, holding her womb closely, before they arrived at the secret dungeon. The group was thrown inside the dark cell.
"Guys, I don't think I can take this anymore!" Jenny groaned painfully.
"Is the baby coming?" Nick asked anxiously, then the group gathered to support her.
"Yes! Labor pains are getting worse!" Jenny cried.
"Alright, everyone, take your positions. We need to help her deliver safely!" Jasmine commanded. The group quickly set to work.
After a difficult labor, Jenny gave birth to a healthy baby boy. Elizabeth gently held the tiny, squirming infant who stretched and contracted like a dark rubber piece. Jasmine tied off the umbilical cord and cut it.
"It's a son! Congratulations on the safe delivery!" Elizabeth smiled warmly.
"Just relax, Mom," Elizabeth soothed as she handed Jenny the baby.
"I'm grateful to have my son," Jenny breathed out, exhausted. "I don't know who the dad is, but Nick here looks like he takes after him—eyes, ears… guys, you can judge before Nick explodes over the accusation!"
The group compared Nick's features to the baby's, nodding in agreement.
"Nick, it's clear to everyone—you're the dad," Jasmine said with a smile.
"What?! How did you all fall for this? I can't even remember the last time I slept with Jenny!" Nick said, confused.
"Nick, you have to face reality. We respect your space and your situation with Tiffy, but you need to accept this responsibility. You can't keep running from it!" Jenny said softly.
Nick sighed deeply. "I guess I've been out of it because of my mental health. But you're right — I have to accept responsibility. Still, we need DNA tests for certainty."
"That's madness! People have accepted their fate without tests, even into old age. No DNA 'bank' can change that. Are you being paid to play special or insolent?" Jenny snapped.
"Why would anyone pay me to betray you? Bribes? I'd never do that. I'm loyal, even here in prison. Friends and family come first — that's not a gamble!" Nick defended himself.
"Then why deny what's obvious? Are you ashamed of me? Of your friends and family? Of your humble roots, unlike Tiffy and her high-class life?" Jenny argued.
"No! Class doesn't matter. I'm not ashamed of you or your family. Maybe your dad is strict, but this is about Tiffy, my legal wife. I just don't want early stress," Nick replied.
"Like it or not, this child will bear your Putian name. How about Billy Putian? I'm confident the DNA will prove it," Jenny said firmly.
"Enough!" Elizabeth intervened. "Let's stop the DNA quarrels. We have to survive together in this hell."
"It's not about bribes. Nick's been good to us. I trust him," Jasmine added, and the others nodded.
"Okay, we need to prepare for the open court session in two days. No lawyers, no favors. Only hope and divine help," Elizabeth said.
"How about a challenge? We face their strongest fighters without weapons. If we win, it'll prove divine intervention. If not, then our fate is sealed," Nick suggested.
"What do you mean?" Jasmine asked.
"In Liputian tradition, during festivals, we fight champions by hand. Maybe we can suggest this for the court trial. If their champions beat us, we lose. If we win, we gain freedom," Nick explained.
"Did your granddad teach you this?" Jasmine inquired.
"Yes. He told me stories about Liputian festival games. It might be our only option here," Nick said.
"Good idea! But who fights? And how do we plan?" Elizabeth asked.
"We suggest our best men fight theirs in a ring. The rules might be unfair, but we have to believe in ourselves. When a deal is too sweet, be cautious — we might trick them into letting us go," Elizabeth explained.
"The more fighters we have, the better our chances. Our team spirit has won before," Jenny said, holding her son.
"We have to train here and hope the judges agree," William said. The men began training while the women helped Jenny with parenting.
Two days later, guards noticed Jenny's clandestine birth. After two days of feeding, they were summoned to court.
"Everyone, to the courtyard!" the escorting guard ordered.
Outside, they sat in the designated area, tension rising.
"Remember, we're in Crapaud zone now!" Jenny said, holding her newborn.
"Where do we start? Any ideas, my queen?" Nick asked.
"I don't know… maybe the girls can try to learn the palace layout during breaks. We might get escorted to the washrooms and could try to seduce guards for info," Jenny suggested.
"Good idea, but the palace is heavily guarded. You'll need backup," John said.
"We get the locations, then return to our seats. If we win release warrants, we can move out—and get weapons!" Jenny added.
"We steal the keys to their armory. Guys, you focus on the battle tests. Girls, handle the subtle plans," William said.