After much deliberation, it was decided that Milo, Lila, China, Nasri, Kaden and Zafaria would continue researching a way to reverse the demon spell, along with China's most trusted students. Anton, Ghastly, Skulduggery, Tanith, Fletcher, Valkyrie, Dexter, Sam, Rania and Saracen would go save the Flame and the Arrows. Ten sorcerers against twenty seven warlocks. 2.7 warlocks per sorcerer. Dexter groaned at the statistic as he geared up, banishing thoughts of Ethel out of his mind. All things considered, ironically she was probably in the safest place right now.
Everyone gathered in the once-tidy but now well lived-in mirror room. Those who were staying to research were already set up; coffees and teas and energy drinks were mixed in with ancient artefacts and yellowed, worn books, parchments and scrolls. Those who were about to leave were geared up, some carrying weapons, some in obvious armour, some in normal clothes. Fletcher and Skulduggery had scouted the area discreetly yesterday. One large, cement warehouse in the middle of nowhere in rural Ireland.
"The plan, once more. We've paired up; one person offence, one person defence. Killing all the warlocks isn't necessary, saving all the girls is. Each time you manage to get a demi-goddess, head to Fletcher who will teleport them here then teleport back. Are we understood? Any questions?" Skulduggery said evenly, informatively. No one said anything. Some of the sorcerers fidgeted, some completely still. They linked up.
Sam & Fletcher
Fletcher stood still as everyone split as soon as they were in the warehouse. It was dim and grungy and grimy. Sam stayed close to Fletcher, the Scotsman's hands flat, palm down. Fletcher could see the translucent sheen of orange around them, so faint it was almost invisible unless you knew it was there. It surrounded them in a bubble. The sixteen Demi-goddesses were in literal, actual cages. The warlocks were caught off guard, and not all twenty seven were there. That was good. There was maybe ten or so, but they shouted as the ambush began. Fletcher and Sam were told to stay put, so stay put they did.
Skulduggery
Skulduggery broke off immediately, fire ball in hand, throwing it to the nearest warlock as he and Valkyrie pressed forward. The fireball hit the angry warlock in the chest and sent him whirling back. Valkyrie felt lightning cackling at her fingertips, begging to be released, and that's just what she did. She sent it into a warlock, lifting him off his feet and slamming him down, stunned. They made it to a cage, where a small girl was hunched over. Skulduggery used the air to manipulate the lock and Valkyrie helped her up, holding her arm and running to Fletcher, ignoring the absolute carnage taking place around her. Ghastly was helping another girl to Fletcher. The teleporter grabbed the Demi-goddesses' hands, was gone, then back again alone.
Rania and Anton
Rania was, for lack of a better word, surprising. Her power was seldom used, much like Anton's. She just had to look at someone and their body twisted and convulsed into inhumane shapes, bones breaking, ligaments tearing. It wasn't her decision, but Serpine got what Serpine wanted during the war. It had been centuries since she used her magic. Anton ran straight for the cages, releasing three at a time, trying his best to ignore the cracking and squelching that happened to anyone who got near to him. The girls were panicked but didn't object or resist. Anton guided them to Fletcher, where he brought them to safety then reappeared. Anton turned around and saw Rania's eyes glow a faint purple while someone let out a blood hurdling scream, his legs bending the wrong way.
Tanith & Ghastly
Things got very messy very quickly, Ghaslty observed from his new position on the ground, a Warlock on top of his broad chest. Ghastly panted, driving his fist into the warlock's face. The warlock clutched at Ghastly's neck, cutting off his air supply. Spittle flew from the warlock's mouth, and Ghastly felt the hands around his neck become warmer and warmer. Ghastly grunted, trying to push the nasty thing off of him. The heat was becoming unbearable. Ghastly tried to push him off with a strong gust of air but the warlock held fast. Where the hell was Tanith? There was a thud and then the heat stopped, the hands loosened. Ghastly lurched when he saw the dismembered head on his side, the matching body crushing him. Tanith stood above them, her sword dripping. "There you are." Ghastly wheezed as he pushed the body off of himself. Tanith swiftly moved and unlocked two cages, pushing a Demi-goddess into Ghastly and dragging the other by her arm. They ran to Fletcher, where he took the girls to safety.
"Seven down! Nine to go!" Fletcher yelled when he returned.
Dexter & Saracen
Dexter blasted an oncoming warlock with dazzling energy as Saracen weaved between them. Dexter heard gun shots, screams, sizzling, cackling, bones breaking and quesy squelchy sounds. He tried not to think about what was happening. Dexter was in a corner, Saracen unlocking the cages. Ghastly and Anton helped Saracen unlock the cages, and Skulduggery, Rania,and Dexter covered them. Tanith and Valkyrie took care of any newcomers. Once the remaining cages were unlocked they all moved as one, an impenetrable force. They all surged towards Fletcher and the warlocks were running towards them but then they were in the sanctuary, in the all too familiar mirror room. Dexter gazed around to see the injuries and was surprised that there were only some scrapes, bruises and burns. All things considered, a tidy mission. Hera and Artemis were there, checking each girl. The girls ranged from early teens to mid twenties, all varying heights, ethnicities and accents. All beautiful; all strong. One of them came forward. She was small, maybe about 13 years old, with a small, round face and cropped blonde hair. She smiled softly, her brown eyes sad.
"I don't know who you all are, but I thank you for your service." She said, confidently but quietly. Skulduggery nodded his response, his blue eyes tired. Another girl stepped up, her skin dark, her hair darker. She older than the first girl. "We owe you our lives, literally. If ever you require our services, please let us know." She said, her accent foreign and thick.
Hera stood with her arms around as many girls as she could manage, softly stroking hair and backs. "I have offered our help already. We will fight alongside them. I also spoke to Ethel; she will fight along side us from the inside." Hera said sweetly. Formalities over, China called for Tipstaff to lead the Arrow and the Flames to their rooms to bathe and rest. The cafeteria is always open and to help themselves.
Dexter found a spare seat next to Kaden and sat down, exhausted. It'd been a while since he had fought it had taken more out of him than he cared to admit. It'd been even longer since he fought without Ezra by his side. He ran a hand down his face, wincing as he realised he was cut. "Did you find anything?" Dexter asked, looking to Kaden. Kaden looked as tired as Dexter felt.
"A few things that could maybe help us. It's like a giant puzzle, but we don't know what the picture is. Or how many pieces there are. Or what kind of puzzle it is." Kaden said sadly. Dexter slapped a hand on the demon's back, then picked up a closed book, grabbed a can of energy juice and slouched into his chair as he opened the book.
