"Love, do you know the way out of this dump?" Eliron asked as he scouted the place.

"It has been quite a while, but..." she jumped down from his shoulder and ran towards the wall.

Eliron and Alex walked up to her to inspect the place. It looked just like any other wall, not even a single distinguishable feature in sight.

"It should be around here..." she began tapping the wall and walking forward, until they heard a hollow sound.

"Bingo." She drew an X on the spot and hopped atop Eliron’s head, nestling herself in his long hair.

Eliron unsheathed his sword and stepped back, just before driving it right into the spot.

Bang!

The stones crumbled, falling right into a small hole, one that Eliron couldn’t see the end of.

It was just large enough for a person to slip through, but it allowed for little to no movement. If they got stuck inside, there would be no escape...

Eliron was not claustrophobic, but right now he was feeling just the way they did.

Both he and Alex glanced at each other, then at Love. "Love, are you sure about this?" Eliron asked.

"Mmhm, I can assure you it is the way out."

Eliron sighed. "Alright then. I’ll go first, Alex, come in ten seconds after so that we don’t crash into each other at the exit..."

Alex nodded. "Good luck."

Eliron slipped into the hole, leg first, and then he slid right through the dark orifice. For a few seconds, all he could hear was his body sliding through the hole, his clothes further burning, and then after some time—

Pop!

Eliron saw a pale light, and then he saw the moon gleaming up above. Never in his life had he been so grateful to breathe fresh air.

Splash!

He landed in a cold river and swam up, taking a huge gulp of air.

"Ahh, finally..."

A few seconds later, Alex flew right out of the hole as well, crashing into the water with a large splash.

Eliron took a moment to observe his surroundings as Alex emerged from the water beside him.

There were several large mountains around, as well as thick vegetation. The hole that they had come out of was on the side of an extremely large mountain.

’So he hid his tomb in a mountain, hidden among mountains.’ Eliron smiled.

’Thank you for keeping your treasures all these years..."

His smile broadened. "For me!"

"Please do not make a habit of talking to yourself, or madness will encroach on your mind." Alex sighed, wringing his hair.

"Tch." Eliron snorted. "Let’s go..."

<•••>

Yennefer’s head drooped down, just before she felt a tap on her hand, her head snapping back in place and her eyes shooting open.

She stared down at Tsukiko, who had woken her. The fox was curled up in her arms, giving her a disappointed stare.

"Hey, you can’t blame me for falling asleep." Yen pointed at the clock. It was 5 AM and she had managed to stay awake all this time, waiting for Eliron to return.

’I hope he is alright though...’

The king and the guards confirmed there was no one in the treasury after the door was destroyed.

Yen knew Eliron could have vanished in various ways. But he had been gone so long that it was worrying...

A few hours ago, Tsukiko had begun to act... differently, to say the least.

Normally, she would have been fast asleep, but she was as alert as a night owl. Her eyes were raised, the fur on her back spiky.

She did not let Yen have even a wink of sleep. It was almost as if she was concerned about something.

Since she and Eliron had a bond, it only served to deepen Yennefer’s worries.

"There is no need to worry, I’m sure he will be here soon." Artie placed a hand on Yen’s shoulder.

"Tell it to those two..." Yen pointed at the two people pacing around the room.

Ciera looked panicked, Yen doubted she had ever been separated from the prince this long. Her worry was written all over her face.

Ash, on the other hand, was not worried. He was standing due to other reasons, something about not wanting to rest while his lord was hard at work...

Yen stared at the door and sighed. Since they were in the annex he had been given, very soon...

"He will walk right through that door—"

Click!

The door was suddenly pushed open and Eliron and Alex stepped right in.

Everyone immediately got to their feet.

"Welcome, my lord!" Ash had the widest smile on his face as he approached him.

The moment Ciera saw Prince Alexander, her worried expression faded, replaced by a fake lack of concern.

"I see you have finally returned from your escapade."

Alex scratched his head. "Good evening, Ciera..."

"It is morning..."

"Huh?!"

"It took you long enough." Yen sighed, folding her hands across her chest. "Do you know how long I had to stay up, waiting for you?"

"She’s right." Artie chuckled. "Yen has been awake all night."

"Ahh, I see. Sorry to have worried you all. A lot of ’unexpected’ things happened."

A strange look flashed across his face when he stared at her, one that Yen could not place.

Maybe he was just tired?

They looked like they had been through quite a lot. Even from his voice, Yen could tell he was exhausted.

But perhaps the strangest thing was the animal atop Eliron’s head.

"Tsukiko?!" Yen’s eyes widened, then she glanced at the fox on her shoulder. The second Tsukiko was glaring at the first one, displaying clear hostility.

Yen doubted her fragile heart could handle the two cuties! "Eliron?" Her eyes were already filled with excitement. "C-Care to explain?"

Eliron grabbed the second fox from his head and raised it forward. "It looks like Tsukiko comes in a pair of seven, great right?"

"S-seven??"

’God help me!’

"What’s up, big sis?" The fox spirit cooed, wagging her many tails.

"She can talk??" Yen was shocked. "Wait, does that mean Tsukiko can talk too??"

"Precisely." Eliron frowned. "Tsukiko is apparently just too lazy to do so."

All attention was fixed on Tsukiko and the little Kitsune frowned, looking in the other direction.

"Tch! You fool, just how much have you told him?"

Her voice was smoother than silk, pleasant to the ears, but strict all the same. It was the type of voice that demanded attention.

Yennefer plopped down on the couch, lifting the Kitsune up from her shoulders.

She had thought Tsukiko was cute already, but now....

She bit her lower lip, her golden eyes sparkling.

"C-C-C-CUTE!!!"

Tsukiko rolled her eyes. "Oh my goodness..."

She jumped down to the floor and walked up to Eliron, gesturing for the kitsune to come down.

Following her instruction, she leaped to the floor, her head bowed as she approached her other self.

Artie raised a brow, looking slightly confused. "Why is she acting like—"

Bonk!

"Oh..."

Tsukiko smacked Love across the head and held her by the ear with her teeth.

"We have a lot to discuss before the assimilation. Don’t wait for us..."

Yen watched as the watery-eyed kitsune was taken away.

"Scary..." she muttered, feeling a shiver run down her spine. Tsukiko reminded her of her own guardian...