Parasols typically weren't designed for stopping the powers of darkness, but it was all Edna had left. Sorey had been knocked out after putting up a decent fight. Now the Hellion was focusing all of its attention on its real target. It closed in on Edna, spewing wave after wave of impurities in the form of a viscous black tar. Hellions were considered highly corrosive to Seraphim, and Edna wasn't thrilled about finding out how this one planned to corrode her.
The parasol was surprisingly effective as a shield. Or it was, until the tar began to seep through the canopy and each new splatter of liquid malice started to take its toll. Out of the corner of her eye, Edna thought she saw the Normin doll grin at her as it dangled upside-down from the tip of the umbrella. The steel frame began to warp and buckle, slowly forming what looked like jagged teeth. Edna froze in horror as the inside of the canopy opened into two glowing demonic eyes and snarled at her. Another bombardment of impurities caused the canopy to expand like a jellyfish.
And then it ate her. She was quite tasty.
Edna writhed helplessly under the angry parasol and a fresh sheet of toxic sludge. She clawed at her neck as she gasped for air. When she opened her mouth to scream, part of the membrane collapsed in her mouth and rolled down her throat. In a few short breaths, she was forced to inhale concentrated evil and exhale her own divinity. She was a small pebble slowly being changed by pressure and heat, but the diamond she was turning into wasn't going to be very pure. Her struggling gradually subsided.
The membrane shrank around Edna and allowed her new form to emerge. Her boots and her single glove were relatively unchanged. Her hair was damp and featured dark highlights. Mascara framed her haunting yellow eyes and her lips were painted black. She was wearing a studded collar around her neck, with what remained of the mutated Normin doll hanging from the clasp. Her new dress still had the color of vanilla and tangerine, but now it was partially transparent. It was more like a plastic raincoat trying to mimic the shape of her old dress. If nothing else, at least it seemed comfortable. Her entire body glistened under a thin, poisonous film of Hellion dew. Giggling ominously, she looked like an earth sprite going through a punk goth phase.
Sorey woke up too late to save Edna's soul, or his own. He pulled himself off the ground and glanced toward her. The Hellion they had been fighting was gone.
"What's with your clothes, Edna?" he asked in shock. "I can see your… your…" He pointed as he stuttered.
Edna knew what she had to do. She was a Hellion, and he was the enemy of all Hellions. She couldn't let him interfere any longer.
She waved her gloved hand, causing some of the black sludge to splash in his face. Sorey screamed in agony and clawed at his eyes. When she extended her bare hand, a stone spear emerged from her palm. She cured Sorey's pain and blindness by impaling him through the forehead.
"Nice knowing you, human." Edna spoke coldly. "I don't need you any more."
She retracted the spear back into her hand. The corner of her mouth curled into a tiny smirk as Sorey slumped to the ground.
