Some say that cowardice is what helps us survive, that running away from danger is how we live to breed the next generation. Let's just say, when you risk electrocution, fighting back isn't exactly the first thing you think to do. Fight or flight, and believe me, I could have been confused for a land harpy with how fast I was going. Unfortunately, running along by myself wasn't the best idea considering I didn't know the museum layout.

Fun fact: all the wings have exit doors in case of emergency.

Fun fact 2: at night, all the doors are locked.

I found that out the hard way. Needless to say, I ended up between a metaphorical rock and a hard place. Behind me, a locked door. In front of me, certain soon. Well, I've lived a good life. Not long, but good. Or at least somewhat decent.

I take one final look at the deadly figure coming towards me before closing my eyes, preparing for the inevitable bolt of electricity building up in power. Behind my closed eyelids, I can see the light growing brighter before I feel a warmth envelop me. A few seconds pass before I realize my mortality is still intact. I'm still alive? How?

Opening my eyes, I see…bars? No, it's some kind of visor.

"Do not worry, my master. I am here to protect you."

Ok, a voice in my head. Now I know Damaris was right. I am crazy.

"If I may assume, Damaris was the steed with you. Is that correct, master?"

I looked out through the metal grating of the faceplate to see Tesla charging another strike. Only this time, when I tried to move out of the death zone, I surprised myself by ending up behind him in moments. An opening was right in front of me, and by the gods, I was going to take it.

Clenching my fist, I drove a punch into his back with all my strength behind it, going straight though leaving nothing but a waxy hole and some severed wires where the midsection of his torso used to exist. Tesla fell to the marble floor, motionless. I looked at my hand, observing the wax coated metal gauntlet where skin should be. Gauntlet. Visor. So far, evidence suggests I'm wearing armor. Pretty sure I'd remember suiting up though.

"Master, may I suggest that we find your allies? I can sense your worry."

Fine, but you need to explain yourself, mysterious voice in my head. I start running back to where I left Damaris while the voice explains.

"You may call me Gwendolyn. That was the name my first master gave me. I have been following you this night, waiting for you to require my services."

Ok, so you can obviously hear my thoughts. Cool. As for following me, I haven't seen anyone except Damaris and…wait… That's when it occurred to me. You're that girl in the armor!

"Correct, master."

Wait, so your first master…was King Arthur?!

"Correct again. He released me before his death to find another master. I have waited centuries for you to come along."

So if you're in the armor, and I'm in the armor, how are you in my head. I pause, hearing hooves on marble. Also, how did we get back so fast? You know what? Never mind. Let's kill the first president.

Seeing Damaris struggle, exhausted, against a tireless robot is what have me the idea. I grabbed her and used her body like a springboard to launch myself over and at Washington's head. I was rewarded with the squish of wax, the spark of electricity, and a squeal of shock and embarrassment from the female centaur from metal hands grabbing too close to her tail end. Before she could say anything about where I touched, I interrupted.

"You can express your embarrassment and anger later. We have to go. Now."

I take off running, Damaris close beside me. Have to admit, keeping pace with a centaur is a new experience for me.

"Any chance you know where the κορίτσια are?"

"The what now?"

Simultaneously, I received two responses.

"The girls."

"The girls."

Oh. "Not really, but I have a bond with Cerys that'll lead me to her. I can feel it."

"Master, not to criticize, but that's stupid."

My witty retort was cut short by Damaris' question.

"I must ask. Where did you find that armor? It looks similar to the one we saw earlier."

I chuckle sheepishly, unsure how to answer. "Well, it's…kind of the same one." I feel a tug deep in my core. "Cerys!" I turn down a seemingly random hall finding myself in the Egyptian section.

Cerys and Ortensia sat a few feet away from me, speaking and laughing with someone just out of sight. They heard the sound of my footsteps as well as Damaris' hooves and looked over, their eyes widening at the sight of an armored figure approaching them.

"Who are you? Are you the ghost from earlier?" Fear tinged Cerys' voice as she tried to put on a brave face for the cowering Ortensia hiding behind her. From the side, where the girls were previously conversing, came a bandaged wrapped figure.

"You shall not harm them. I command you, foul armored spirit."

Gwendolyn, could you release me for now? They need to know it's me.

"As you wish, master."

I blink rapidly as the slight chill of the air conditioned exhibit hits my skin, causing a shiver to run down my body.

"Chris!" Cerys yelled as she ran towards me, fear quickly melting away to excitement. "Where have you been?!"

Catching her as she leapt onto me, and beckoning towards Ortensia, I released the stress and worry I was carrying the whole night. "I've been looking for the two of you. I was worried all night." I figure I'll keep the murderous 'robots' to myself for now.

Ortensia looked at me, and to my surprise, asked a simple question. "You were worried?"

Nodding, I touched one of her leaves gently. "Of course. You two are my family. Why wouldn't I worry about you?" Looking up, I ask. "So who's your friend?"

Cerys gasped. "Oh, I almost forgot!" She hopped back down to the floor and over to the new...human...? "This is our new friend, Sadeh. She's a princess."

"Ah, so you must be the male these young ones were telling me about. It is as she stated, my name is Sadeh, and as you can see, I am a mummy." She waved an arm, some of the bandages starting to come loose.

"It's a pleasure to meet you. Anyway, Cerys, I saw you both on camera running away from something. What was it?"

"Oh! That's right! We were going to tell you. We saw a body that was missing a head!" Cerys' excitement slightly comical compared to Ortensia's obvious fear at the thought of what they saw. "We ran away because the body got up and started chasing us. So we ran in here and met Sadeh."

"A...headless body?" Needless to say, I was confused by that. Looking at Damaris, I see her expression mirroring mine.

"Let me explain this." From the shadows, Cym steps out with another being behind him. "What, or should I say who, they saw was this one," he states, gesturing to the person behind him. "This is Siodhachan. He's a dullahan, thus the reason they saw him headless. It's unfortunate, but his body has narcolepsy when it's separated from his head." Pulling out a file seemingly out of nowhere-How does he do that?-he pulled a sheet with a card attached. "Before I forget, this is for you."

I take the paper and look it over. "Wait, this says..."

"Yep. Sadeh is coming to live with you now. The papers are all filed." He shrugged. "Froth thought it was a good idea, at least." Looking warily at the armor, he sighed. "That armor, on the other hand, has to stay here until we get the forms through."

I nod, and turn to Sadeh. "Looks like you're part of the family now. Sorry about not being able to bring you home too, Gwendolyn." No response, but I didn't really expect one. "Let's get out of here. I'm ready to go home and relax." An assortment of agreements echoed through the room as we headed back towards the entrance.

Cymrian gestured for Siodhachan to stand next to Damaris. "Now that they're gone, I'm to propose something to the two of you." Another file appeared in his hands. "My boss is assembling a team..."

Hey, it's the end of this arc. Finally. But enough of that, it's time once again for more character profiles. See ya next chapter.

-CymrianDragul

Name: Damaris
Race: Centaur
Home: Rome, Greece
Age: It's rude to ask
Cup size: I asked, she got mad.
Occupation: Security Guard

Name: Sadeh
Race: Mummy
Home: Egypt (That's all she said)
Age: She glared for asking
Cup size: D
Occupation: Princess

Name: Gwendolyn
Race: Living Armor
Home: England
Age: Old enough
Cup size: A
Occupation: Current museum exhibit