Quinn and Edward were gone by the time the girls got there. They waited outside the castle waiting for Quinn to return.
In the forest, those in the mountain were able to swiftly find the way out thanks to Leo's ability. As they emerged, Vorden noticed the sun glint off something. When he picked it up, he noticed it was Lana's hair piece with the blue-sparkly side up. He picked it up. He started looking around for her and noticed her coming toward them with that unknown vampire and Fex. He didn't like her hanging out with this person. He didn't know him and he was a vampire. Fex grew on him eventually but this other guy? He was trouble in Vorden's eyes.
"Hey guys! Let's get back quick. We need to find out what's going on," Lana said with a smile.
Fex saw the look in Vorden's eyes as he stared at the vampire standing behind Lana. "We can play a game while we wait for news!"
Vorden never did find Fex's humor to be funny but it did usually disarm everyone.
Vorden held up her hair tie, "explain this?"
Lana looked at it then felt the top of her head. "It must have come out during a spar this morning. Can you put it back in for me?" She turned around so he could, not waiting for a response. He wasn't happy about it but he did it.
She turned around and smiled at him. "Race back or walk fast?"
He shook his head, "walk fast."
Soon they joined the girls in front of Quinn's castle.
Not long after, Quinn walked up and said, "guys, I need your help." He looked concerned. He asked everyone to step inside the castle then noticed there was an extra person. Lana and Fex vouched for him then Quinn explained the tenth was requested to bring in the humans dead or alive and it was the leader of the second base, Paul Sneallert, with around 200 soldiers who had arrived. Everyone readily agreed to join in. Lana looked to Vorden who shook his head.
Sadly, she gave her response to Quinn, "I'm sorry Quinn, I must decline," she glanced at Vorden, "I have to head to the market anyway and get an ability book for Shalt here. He swore to protect me so now I have to make sure he gets strong enough to uphold his vow." Turning to Edward, "Edward, I know things have been topsy turvy here but do you think you could give him some martial arts training? I'm not satisfied with what he knows."
Edward looked to Quinn. "We'll discuss it when we return."
Lana nodded. "Since I'm being denied, Max, I need you to do me a favor." A familiar black smoke came out of her stomach. A large black bat formed in the open area above their heads. This was the first time all the friends but Vorden had seen she had a familiar and she heard gasps but she ignored their reactions.
"Yes my master?"
Lana giggled, this was all still new to her and she had not yet abandoned all her childish ways. "I need you to follow Vorden. If he looks to be in great trouble, you are to pick him up and get him out of there and back to me. If you can keep yourself hidden while observing, that would be ideal. The people out there don't need to know about you."
Max responded. "I can go invisible but what I'm carrying cannot."
Lana nodded then turned to Shalt, "Shall we go shopping?"
Quinn finished sharing the rest of the details and plans with the group, they grabbed their masks and quickly headed out the door. Vorden was last to leave with an unhappy look. Lana and Shalt finally headed off to see what would make him stronger and an asset to her team.
They perused book after book. She then noticed a book with a dusty cover. She blew the dust off and read the title. It was in an interesting font, different than the others. She showed it to Shalt who thought it interesting. "Do you have any other levels of this book?" Lana asked the salesperson.
The answer was no but the cost was three advanced tier crystals. Shalt thought it looked strong and unique so he was all for it. She gave the man the crystals and returned to the castle. She could see through her link with Max the battle was still ongoing. She took Shalt to the second floor and allowed him to take any room he wanted. He chose the one closest to the stairs so he could respond if she needed him. He then followed her to the garden where he sat on a tree-bench and began learning how to turn himself into liquid metal.
Lana decided to sit down on the grass nearby and focus on what her familiar was seeing. She didn't know if she should be happy or appalled. Vorden had gotten an earth ability from one of the soldiers and was going around encasing them in earth by causing them to sink down to their neck. They could not get themselves out because they needed to move their hands. There was a huge smile on his face. She chuckled and her own smile matched his. Being here had taken a toll on all of them but those out there more than her. She prayed something would change soon and they could go back to what was currently known as home. Suddenly, Vorden stopped attacking. The vision of Max backed out as he had been focusing on Vorden only and Lana could tell the soldiers had surrendered. She smiled even bigger. Not only did they do well, Vorden didn't get hurt.
Lana told Shalt she was going to the front of the castle. He could stay there if he wanted but he refused. He did follow her while reading. This ability was quite interesting. It affected only a specific part of the body at a time with a maximum of 50% coverage at higher levels. It didn't turn the body into liquid metal per se, it was a transformation ability where it appeared to be liquid metal while giving the body the strength of being metal. For example, he could transform his lower arm into a sword or dagger. He could turn all of his skin into metal for a time which would mimic Nate's hardening ability. Whether it was as strong or not remained to be seen.
It seemed to take forever but they all finally arrived back. The girls all went to visit Amy once again and returned later that night. The boys all went to the lab to make preparations in case a memory wipe could not be avoided. Lana looked at Quinn, his knights and Arthur who had gone to battle with them, "Can we talk about Shalt?"
Quinn shook his head, "no need for now." He then looked at Shalt, "go get your things. I want you moved in here and we will then talk." The four then went downstairs.
Shalt looked to Lana, "do I listen to that?"
She nodded, "for now if anyone asks, say Edward had agreed to help you grow stronger."
He nodded and smiled. "I'll put my book in my room first."
Within the hour, the castle had one more person living there.