On reaching Jezebel's place, they were warmly received, but she exclaimed with a laugh, "What are you guys doing here dressed like commandos?"
"We were heading to the Mansoon basements," Nick explained, "but I realized we're not fully ready to face the hybrids—especially after what happened last time."
"So, are you camping here or planning to train?"
"Just two days of training here, then we'll resume the mission."
"Alright then. Take your time—but don't turn this place into a war zone," she said, half-joking.
"We'll be careful. Thanks, Madam Jezebel," Nick responded.
Over the next two days, they trained rigorously—martial arts, gymnastic drills, and survival tactics, all under Nick's military-inspired regimen.
On the third dawn, Nick shook the others awake. "Alright, time to go. You're ready now."
"Wait, we need to let Jezebel know we're leaving," Elizabeth said.
"We'll wait for her to wake up," Nick replied, "but I don't want dusk to catch us out in the wild."
"Why are we hanging around like she's some savior?" Mikal suddenly muttered.
Elizabeth turned sharply. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"I mean, she helped us, yes, with those spell-guided maps and all—but we're wasting time! What if she sleeps until noon? We can't just wake her up."
"So, are you saying we should sneak out?" Elizabeth asked, uncertain.
"It's not disrespect. We'll explain everything later," Mikal insisted. "Right now, we need to move."
After a reluctant agreement, they crept out silently and resumed their journey toward the Mansoon basements.
"She's really been good to us," Nick said thoughtfully. "Not like that bloodthirsty witch from Revelation 17 myths, who drinks the blood of saints… she's a true protector."
The others nodded in agreement.
Later that afternoon, they entered a thickly canopied forest. Sunlight barely filtered through.
"Think this is the place?" Nick asked, squinting at the map.
"According to this, yes," Elizabeth whispered.
"It's the perfect spot for a hybrid ambush, even during the day. Stay alert," Nick warned.
Suddenly, a net dropped from the trees, trapping them all.
"We're caught!" Nick yelled, struggling.
"Help! I can't move!" Elizabeth cried, wriggling in panic.
"Calm down, Elizabeth. You're making it worse," Nick tried to soothe her.
She collapsed into the net, weeping. "I knew it… we're going to die out here. My family… they'll never even know what happened."
Nick moved closer. "Hey, we'll be okay. I'm here. We'll find a way out." He pulled her into a comforting hug.
"Look!" Mikal pointed. "Someone's coming!"
A guard, tall and armed with a spear, approached them. "What brings you to our sacred grounds?" he demanded.
"We're just explorers! We lost our way!" Nick pleaded.
"Lies. You're sacrifices to our gods."
"What?!" they gasped.
"You'll be held in the dungeon. In seven days, the ceremony begins. I'm off to inform the council."
As the guard vanished, Mikal panicked. "What do we do now?!"
"We cut ourselves out! Hurry!" Nick urged.
But after many attempts, more guards arrived.
"It's over…" Nick muttered grimly.
The guards hauled them out of the net and tied them tighter, escorting them to a towering hall where the leader sat.
"You dare enter our domain?" the leader boomed.
"It was an accident! We mean no harm," Nick replied.
"No one leaves alive. Choose: transformation into our army or sacrifice?!"
The three exchanged nervous whispers. Finally, Nick said, "We… we choose sacrifice."
"Very well. Take them to the dungeon. The ritual is in seven days."
The dungeon was pitch black. Elizabeth shivered. "It's too dark…"
"I've got a torch," Mikal said, flipping it on.
The beam revealed a chained dragon-like creature curled in a corner. Its eyes opened slowly.
"We're gonna die…" they whimpered.
"Relax," the creature said calmly. "I'm Luca. I won't hurt you."
"You talk?!" Elizabeth gasped.
"Yes. I'm not a hybrid. I'm a mutated forest creature, a product of ancient magic. But my kind is being hunted to extinction. I was captured for sacrifice too."
"That's awful…" Nick muttered.
"Can we escape?" Elizabeth asked.
"Maybe—with a plan. I can fly. I can breathe fire. But I need to be freed."
"You… you'd help us?" Mikal asked, skeptical.
"Of course. I'm no enemy."
"He hasn't attacked us yet," Elizabeth said. "We should trust him."
"Fine," Mikal agreed. "But how do we break those chains?"
They examined the restraints—steel, tightly secured.
"We need a chainsaw. Or… we call for help," Elizabeth said.
"My team is on vacation," Nick replied. "Even if I call, they won't find us easily."
"Post your location. Send pics. Ask Jasmine to take them to Madam Jezebel. She might know a way!"
"Yes!" Elizabeth added. "Jasmine knows how to reach her."
Nick nodded. "I'll make the calls."
After an hour, he returned. "They're in. Jasmine's skipping school to guide them. Jezebel's on board. I sent everything—maps, traps, photos, the ritual deadline."
"Thank God," Elizabeth whispered. "Now let's hope they make it in time."