Forums Fantasy: Chapter 5

Our footsteps echo through the empty passage as we venture deeper into the darkness, our only guidance being a small, flickering red flame in a dirty lantern. Nobody has said a word since we got released, and it's starting to make me uncomfortable. I wish I had my precious little Espurr to keep me company. Take my mind off the fact that we might be walking into a trap and if we do and we die then it's all my fault and then I'll have to deal with Chris bringing us both back from the dead just so he can say I told you so and-

"Not much farther," Zero tells us, his voice booming through the silence, destroying my eardrums.

"U-Uh, okay," I reply quietly, my throat sore from not talking much. I'm not sure if my captor even heard me because he doesn't respond. He just keeps walking. And I continue to follow to my possible doom.

"So we never properly introduced ourselves," the white haired man states after a bit, making me jump once more. "I am Zeronis Therin Exzerion The 3rd. Zero is easier though. This kid that has the attitude is E."

"E," I repeat with question.

"Yeah," the one named 'E' states gruffly. "Got a problem with that?"

"No, no," I exclaim quickly, shaking my head despite him not being able to see me. "I'm just wondering what it's short for."

"It's not short for anything," he snaps back. I don't accept that answer.

"Elijah," I say, getting an aggressive grunt in response. Not that… "Ezekiel?" Another grunt no. "Emmet?" No. "Esteban?"

"Stop," E groans, tired of my guesses. I ignore his pleads, more concentrated on figuring his name out.

"Elizabeth," I guess, getting a very offended gasp from the bulky brunette.

"That's a female name," he barks, clearly upset by that.

"Hey, you never know," I respond, making an innocent gesture. "Eliza?"

"Just stop," E begs desperately, not even having an attitude anymore.

"Yeah, I'm with him," Chris says, backing up the boy. "You're on my last nerve."

"Alright, fine," I say with a defeated sigh. "Anyways, I'm Cal and my friend here with me is Chris."

"Good to officially meet y'all," Zero tells us. Although I can't see his face, I'm pretty positive he's smiling as he says that. "Oop! We're here!"

I hear the sound of keys jingling and a lock clicking. Then a doorknob jiggles and a large, heavy object drags across the ground, causing an awful screech to blast through the hall. I cover ears my ears tightly as my body writhes with pain.

"Voilà," the magician suddenly exclaims as the noise dies down. "Y'all's Pokémon are right in here!"

He holds the lantern out to show that there is an opened room that is hidden in the shadows. I stand there for a moment, looking at Zero and E (or at least the parts of them I can see) as I wait for them to continue to lead. They don't, though. They just stay there, watching me and Chris expectantly.

"Wait, we go in first," I ask with surprise as I finally piece that together. They just nod silently, and while normally that would be perfectly fine, the way their faces are illuminated by the red light of the fire makes the action feel very ominous. "W-Why?"

"The room is only big enough for two people," E answers with an agitated tone. "Just get in the room already! We don't have all day!"

This is a horrible situation to be in! We were led to a torture room! I can feel it! I screwed me and Chris over so badly! It's over! We're doomed!

But it is too late to back out now. I take a deep, calming breath and nod. "Alright," I state through gritted teeth, trying to keep myself steady. "Let's go, Chris."

— — —

Yes, most of this was fluff

I'm trying to get things going but I don't want to rush things!

@Shadow_Sylveon @BSDuck @UnovanZorua @PokeMom244 @PikaCarter2025 (the requester!) @Evolve8eon

Enjoy peeps!