We enter the cool Villa and I finally feel like I can breathe again.

"We should stop by my room and grab some clothes first." Becky says. "Any time now the guards are going to be reporting your arrival, so you might as well get dressed before being summoned."

I nod and follow her down the hallway, Max close behind.

We pass by familar office doors, the same office that belongs to General Andre, Malia's brother and also the father of Cato.

I stop walking for a second, staring at the doors.

Could General Andre know what his son is up to? Or even worse, give the orders to Cato to hurt Malia? What if he's the real master mind behind this, and Cato is just his puppet?

Ugh this is going to take a bit longer than what I originally thought. Luckily it doesn't seem like we're not on a timer, but with Lager possibly hunting me down I'd like to finish this mission as soon as possible.

We walk down another hallway before finally arriving in front of Becky's room, which is almost an exact replica of the room I stayed in as well.

Becky walks over to the bed, where some clothes are strwen across it and rifles through it before picking out two, white robes. She tosses one at Max, who lumbers off to the bathroom, and hands the other to me.

"I'd like a very thorough explanation as to everything that's happened starting from when you left the Villa, but first you need to take a shower." Becky says taking a faew steps away, and I nod in embarassment.

I smell very strongly, to the point where if I move just a little I can catch a whiff of myself.

Max walks out of the bathroom a minute later after taking the fastest shower I've ever heard of, his blonde curls dark from the water and still dripping but at least he's wearing clothes.

"Your turn." He says, jabbing him thumb over his shoulder to point at the bathroom. "Your shoulder should be healed a bit, but I defenitely reccomend not putting it directly uner the water." He advises.

"Gotcha." I say with a nod while slipping into the bathroom.

A very careful shower later, and I'm combing through my wet hair with my fingers while exiting the bathroom, seeing Becky and Max lounging on one of the white couches in the room.

They immediatey sit up when I exit, at full attention as I walk over and sit in a chair, letting out a breath.

I begin the story telling.

Becky and Max listen closely as I tell them about the wild chase through the Villa, and my one-way ride down the garbage chute. Of course Becky snorts when she ehars about my trash-filled journey down the metal chute, but she's quickly quiet again when I get to the part where I run into Zero and Aella.

I tell them about what went down in the caves, and get a little sheepish when I recount how Zero and I got into a childish argument that spiraled way out of control and led to Lager appearing.

Surprisingly Max is quiet the enitre time I'm talking, listening intently isntead of flipping out like I thought he would.

I finish at the part where I'm hit with Aella's spear and black-out, waiting quietly as they both soak in all that happened.

"Okay okay, so that explains why you nearly died and Lager disappeared all of a sudden, but this doesn't explain why Lager still isn't here. Knowing him, he would be glued to your side at this moment, making sure you didn't injure yourself further." Becky says.

I look at Max, who also has a curious look in his eyes. That's right, he also doesn't know the full story.

"Are both of you familair with the history of Dalton?" I ask.

"Well duh." Becky responds. "We all had to take history class growing up.....although I may or may not have failed it."

I roll my eyes, leaning forward. "So you know how this island was created with the Core at the very center, but up until now you had no idea that Core, the pwoerful being and creator of Lightlings and Kinlings, even existed. Well what if I told you there was another powerful being, who was responsible for the creation of Darklings?"

"I'd say that's probably true." Becky says. "But what does hsitory have to do with Lager?"

"I'm getting there." I say. "Anyway this being's name is Dalton, same as the island, and he created the Darklings. Basically he was power hungry and he and Core had a brother's spat, before eventually Core sealed him away for the sake of the rest of the world. Do you still follow me?"

Becky blinks, and nods very slowly, which is obviously a sign that she doens't quite follow, but I don't think I have enough time to go fully into detail, so I move on.

"The seal is virtually invicible, but here's the catch. If enough human blood is leaked into the island, Dalton will grow strong enough to break the seal and wreak havoc."

"That sounds quite lovely and all, but once again, what does this have to do with Lager?"

"Just wait a little longer. As you can see," I say, gesturing to my shoudler with my other hand, "I recently got very injured, adn therefore spilled a lot of blood, which means that Dalton gained a whole lot of power."

"Has this 'Dalton' broken the seal then?" Max asks, gaze anxious.

"No not yet." I say, grateful that he at least seems to be taking this seriously. "But he's gotten stronger to the point of being able to manipulate the leader of the species he created, the Darkling High Commander."

"Woah woah woah, you're saying Lager is being cotnrolled by this Dalton person?" Becky says, raising a hand.

"Yes, remember End? Turns out End was Lager all along, except recently whenever Lager becomes End it's easier for him to be manipluated by Dalton."

Max's mouth drops open, but for some strange reason ebcky has an odd, resigned look on her face.

'Wait a second...," I say towards Becky, "Did you know End was Lager this entire time?"

"Of course," She says, before looking between me and Max with a defensive expression, "I mean it was pretty obvious. Only the Darkling High Commander would be able to turn himself into shadow, and didn't you notice how Lager was never there when End was around?"

Oh no, please do not tell me I just pulled one of those cliches; where you don't realize the true identity of a close person until it hits you in the face.

"Okay, well....moving on." I say, wanting to get away from the topic of my obliviousness as soon as possible. "You heard me when I said that Lager is starting to become controlled by Dalton, right?"

"So I'm guessing that means he's out to kill you then? Spill your blood all over the ground and all that?" Becky asks nonchalantly.

"I mean yeah, but did you have to say it so bluntly?" I question shaking my head and trying to get the image of me and my blood spilling all over the ground out of my brain.

"We could consider the fact," Max suddenly chimes in, turning our attention to him," That he won't kill you. Only make you bleed.....alot."

Becky and I both give him flat stares.

There's a knock at the door, and I stand up, walking to go open it while I hear a thump and Max's 'oof' as he probably gets hit over his head in back of me.

Islowly open the door, and a pair of familiar violet eyes greets me.

"Iris!" I say happily, throwing the door all the way open.

"Ashley!" She greets back, a huge smile on her face that turns anxious. "I was so worried when you disappeared all of a sudden! Where on Dalton did you go? And what happened to your shoulder?"

"Oh um I may have ran into some trouble, don't worry though I'll be fine. My shoulder's mostly healed now anyways. You must be here to escort us to see Malia," I say, nodding to Becky and Max who both stand and approach us.

"About that...," Iris says, her expression turning somber and sad. She glances down the hallway, before looking back at me with wide, pleading eyes. "Do you mind if I come in for a moment?"

"Oh sure." I say, hurriedly stepping aside and gesturing for her to enter. This doesn't look like good news.

Iris steps in and shuts the door behind her before turning to face us, expression more anxious than ebfore.

"This has to be kept top secret, only certain individuals are allowed to know, but I trust you all so I'll tell you. These past couple of days Aunt Malia has been bed-ridden."

My eyes widen and I can hear Max's sharp inhale.

"Her sickness has already gotten that bad?" I ask in shock, and Iris nods.

"I don't know what to do. We've had the best of the best Lightling healers come in, and they seem to heal her temprorarily, but within the hour Aunt Malia is back at square one,a dn it's only getting worse." Iris splays out her hands, looking helpless.

Now this for sure is odd. If Cato has been gone, supposedly looking for me, then why has Malia's condition been getting worse?

Or, what if my theory earlier was right, and General Andre really is the true culprit while Cato is his puppet? That would explain a lot of things.

General Andre could have sent Cato out to hunt me down, while he himself stayed here and sped up the process of killing her.

Either way I need to see Malia. I may not know who the true culprit is, but it defenitely has soemthing to do with Cato. If I inform her of this maybe we coul figure out how she's being harmed.

"Is there anyway we can go see Malia?" I snap out of my thoughts, taking Iris by surprise at my sudden question.

"I don't know if that's allowed..." Iris hesitates.

"Please, Iris, it's urgent. I need to tell her soemthing immediately that could help save her." I plead, and Iris pauses for a moment.

"You know what could save her?" She asks, her vocie low like someone may hear from otuside.

"More like I may know who's behind harming her." I reply back, whispering cause she's whispering.

"Do you think you could tell me?"She asks, looking like a little puppy begging to know and I isntantly feel guilty.

Iris has probably been so worried this entire time, and I'd hate to tell her that her cousin and uncle may as well be murdering her aunt, but of all people I thinks he deserves to know the most.

"Some days ago, I was chased by your cousin, Cato. I think he or your Uncle Andre may be behind all of this."

Iris blinks, seeming to take a few seconds to think, before her eyes widen. A bit of a delayed reaction, but who am I to judge? The girl just got told her own family members may be trying to kill her Aunt.

"He chased you? Is that why you're injured?' She asks, almost like she can't beleive it.

"Well sort of. he didn't injure me, but if he had caught me I may very well have been dead meat." I say with a grimace.

"I can't beleive this." Iris mutters, shaking her head, before straightening, determiantion in her eyes. "If you're one hundred percent certain Cato has something to do with this I'll take you to Malia.

I remember the fear as I was being chased, the orange eyes and figure of the person I had glimpsed.

"Yes, I'm sure." I finally say. Even if I'mw rong, better to tell Malia and be safe than sorry.

Iris nods and turns opening the door.

I turn quickly to Becky and Max and we all fist bump vicotriously, before somebring up and turning to follow Iris out the door and down the hall.

I don't attempt to strike up conversation with Iris, thinking it would be best to give her some space to conduct her thoughts. Instead I walk side by side with Becky and Max, both of them also thinking hard.

"So, do you think General Andre has something to do with this as well?" Max whispers to me, breaking the silence.

"It seems very likely and possible." I mutter back, and Becky leans in so she can hear as well.

"It has to be General Andre." Becky says admantly. "It makes sense...besides I never liked him anyways, the dude was a jerk."

I roll my eyes as Max nods in agreement with Becky.

"He never got me any birthday presents." Max complains,making me almost chcukle, but I hold it in. Now is defenitely not the time to be laughing.

We follow Iris down many halls, passing by the Dining Hall, and asecding a huge, marble staircase all the way to the top floor of the Villa, where a pair of very large, white stone doors sit. I'm surprised to find no guards by the doors, which is odd. Maybe they're on break?

Iris approaches the doors, before turning and facing us.

"Malia should be resting, but I beleive she'll defenitey approve of talking with you. I ask that you please don't stress her out though or put any pressure on her, it's been reccomended that she relax as much as possible."

I nod with max, before elbowing Becky who's luckily on the side of my good arm. Becky gives a small 'ouch' before nodding along with a huff.

Iris smiles softly, before turning to the huge doors and pushing one open.

I follow her into the room.





Dear readers, another chapter out and it didn't take a month! Ashley is getting closer and clsoer to resolving this, but she may face another problem or two along the way cause what would plot be without trouble and twists? If you guys have any theories please share, I love reading them! This chapter is not edited, so please don't think I'm an illiterate twit for all the grammar mistakes! I type pretty fast and don't really read over what I type most of the time sooooo that causes me to be in a pickle when it comes to errors lol. Vote, comment, and get those brain cells back into gear cause school should be starting soon if it hasn't already started for most of you all. Lots of love,

Dangeroustoken