After resolving to skip school, Jasmine couldn't wait to meet up with Nick's allied group the next day. The meetup was confirmed via social media, and by midmorning, the crew had gathered at Pizza Inn.
As they settled, Jasmine stood and introduced herself.
"Hey guys, I'm Jasmine. I know we're all here to talk about rescuing Elizabeth—my best ally—and Nick, your recently wedded friend. Along with Mikal. They've been captured. And... there's also a dragon. Yes, a chained dragon that needs to be freed!"
She paused, letting the weight of her words settle.
"They gave me a list of the weapons we'll need. Also, I'm supposed to guide you to a witch—Madam Jezebel—who might help us fight the villains. There are traps too… a lot of them."
Jenny quickly interjected.
"Yeah, we saw some of that. The long nets? Dragged to a dark dungeon? Someone uploaded photos. We saw the dragon. And the three of them. It's all still pinned online. But seriously—how the hell did they get caught up in all this? We need the full story."
The rest of the group nodded in agreement.
Jasmine hesitated, eyes lowering, before she finally confessed.
"Okay... I'm sorry we kept secrets. But Elizabeth, Nick, and I were on a mission. We were searching for four ancient gems—and a puzzle book."
"Four gems? Puzzle book? What are you even talking about?" Jenny asked, stunned.
Jasmine took a breath.
"The gems are each guarded by different secret societies. The puzzle book contains clues, guidance, even maps to locate them. Recently, Elizabeth, Mikal, and I visited Madam Jezebel. She used our blood in a ritual to create temporary wall writings. That's how we each got personalized maps. I still have mine."
"What about Nick?" Jenny asked, brows raised. "How was he involved?"
"Elizabeth never told me. But I think Nick and Mikal secretly joined her in searching the Mansoon basements. Maybe that's what their monthly leave was really about. But why right after the wedding? That's still a mystery."
"This is wild," William murmured. "But I'm worried. Those villains—they're setting us up. I can feel it."
"Yeah," John added. "Remember that ambush we barely escaped last time?"
"No more guessing games," Jenny said firmly. "This isn't like our last mission. The Mansoon basements are dangerous—probably full of traps, soldiers, maybe worse. We need to be prepared. And we can't involve the authorities. They're compromised."
"Let's consult Madam Jezebel," Jasmine suggested. "She might know how to enhance our weapons."
"No," Jenny disagreed. "Not yet. First we plan. I'll pull up the pinned location and sketch a map."
Using her phone, Jenny began outlining the routes on paper.
"There are two options. A direct path—and an indirect one. The indirect path is safer for sneaking in, but still risky."
"How do we avoid the traps?" Lama asked.
"Research," Jenny replied. "Let's look up historical forest traps and how to spot or avoid them. History might repeat itself."
Everyone got busy on their phones. Minutes later, Jasmine shared her findings.
"We'll need limping boots, experimental rats, and we should watch for things like marked tree barks."
"What about weapons? Chainsaws? How do we get all that?" William asked.
"We'll make a shopping list," Jenny said. "Then we hit labs, weapon shops, hardware stores—whatever's needed. Don't worry about costs. I can get a loan from my dad's company."
The group eagerly prepared a budgeted shopping plan and successfully gathered everything they needed throughout the day.
That evening, Jasmine walked the group out.
"Tomorrow morning, we meet here again at 8 a.m., then head straight to Madam Jezebel's. Don't be late!"
Later, Jasmine called Nick.
"Hey Nick, just calling with updates!"
Nick's voice came through, barely a whisper.
"I have to whisper… Can you hear me?"
"Yeah, I can. We've got the rats, jumping boots, chainsaws, daggers, and guns. Only thing missing is UV-infused weapons. Hopefully Jezebel can help with that."
"What are the rats for?"
"To detect traps. They'll trigger anything hidden."
"That's smart. So, when's the mission happening?"
"Right after visiting Jezebel tomorrow. Don't worry—we've got your back. Like the saying goes, 'Through prayer and supplication, let your requests be made known to the divine.'"
"Almost there, huh? Sounds familiar…" Nick sighed. "Reminds me of when my dad said he'd show up to my childhood basketball finals. He never came."
"Aww, Nick. Unlike your dad, we'll be there. You're insured by our friendship."
"Thanks. Just… be careful, okay?"
"Always. Can I talk to Elizabeth?"
Nick passed the phone.
"Hello?" came Elizabeth's voice.
"Elizabeth—why didn't you tell me everything?" Jasmine said, her voice cracking.
"I didn't want to ruin Nick's wedding with all this. If word got out about the gems and the mission... it could've fallen apart."
"You didn't trust me?"
"I'm sorry. After last time, when you took Tiffy's side… I didn't know if I could count on you."
"That's old news. I forgive you. We're working on your rescue now."
"Thank you! I promise, no more secrets. Just hurry… please."
"We will. And Elizabeth—what about your parents? Do they know anything?"
"I told them I'd be away. Please distract them—say it's a honeymoon, or a long vacation. Tell them I forgot my phone."
"I'll do my best. Just hold on—we're coming."
"Bye, Jasmine. I love you."
"Love you too."
Elizabeth wept quietly, grateful to hear her best friend's voice. Life in the dungeon was harsh—one meal a day, no sunlight, limited freedom—but Luca, the dragon, lifted spirits with legendary tales. For Nick and Elizabeth, the myths of childhood were becoming terrifying reality.
The next morning, the group met again at Pizza Inn, then followed Jasmine leadings to Madam Jezebel's place. Thankfully, the landmarks were still there.
"Welcome back, Jasmine," Jezebel greeted. "New faces today. Are they after the mappy spells too?"
"No. We're here to rescue Nick, Elizabeth, and Mikal. They're trapped near the Mansoon basements."
"Take a seat." Jezebel gestured.
"They left without a word," she muttered. "That worried me. But I'll help—though my magic may not be enough."
"We brought weapons. Can you infuse them with UV?"
"Yes. I have a locust or uv potion. It's not much, but it should help."
"These are Nick's allies," Jasmine said. "They came for the wedding. We got notified through social media. The sacrificial deadline is in a week—we're running out of time."
"Do you have the location?"
"Jenny has it pinned."
Jenny held up her phone. "Right here!"
"Then let's infuse those weapons," Jezebel said. "We'll leave together this afternoon."
The infusion process began—UV chemicals, packed torches, gear prep. The group packed up everything else and left shortly after.
"For the rescue!" Jasmine declared.
"For the rescue!" the group echoed, voices sharp with resolve.
But as they ventured further into the forest, Jasmine noticed Jenny lagging.
"Jenny? What's up?"
Jenny looked up from her phone. "Guys… we have a problem."
Everyone stopped.
"I can't connect. No signal. No internet. We're completely cut off."
"Try calling Nick!" Jasmine urged.
Jenny tried. The phone rang… then abruptly stopped.
"They have Nick's phone," she muttered. "We've lost communication."
"They're working with the government," William whispered. "This is big."
Jasmine turned to Jezebel. "Any idea how to find the way without the map?"
"I know the general Mansoon area, but not the exact path. We'll have to guess our way once we get close."
"Then let's move," Jasmine said. "Six days left. We can't waste time."
She tightened her grip on her torch. She knew, from basketball games and school deadlines, that every second mattered. And now—more than ever—time was life.