Note:

Chapter 71: Boy Banshees

Tinsir stared out at the horizon, deep in thought. Her brow furrowed, Squall looked at her in thought as well. He wanted to know what was goiung to happen, and as his son lay in his arms asleep, worry plaqued our hero's mind.

Tinsir entered thier room from the balcony, and opened her mouth to speak. But she quickly shut it, wondring how to put things exactly.

Squall: What's wrong?

Tinsir: I know things... Things one should never know beforehand... Squall, promise me something.

Squall: What is it? Anything.

Tinsir: That you will not come after me should things go wrong. That you will take the others to safety, and not return for me.

Squall: What did you see? Why are you saying this?

Tinsir: If you come back for me... You'll die...

Squall: What will happen to you? Tell me!

Tinsir: Shh. You'll wake him. He's so precious... To lose you would be too much.

Squall: Tin-

Tinsir: Have faith. Don't take things into your own hands all of the time.

Squall: ...

Tinsir: Also keep your other promises as well. You know them...

Squall: (holds her hand) Don't do anything stupid to get yourself killed.

Tinsir: I will not do anything stupid. You shouldn't either.

Squall: ...

Tinsir: I'll fix the crib for him.

Squall: Don't... He's so peaceful here...

Tinsir: All are at ease in your arms. Let you be at peace in another's.

Squall: (nods, and puts Aelin in crib) ...

Tinsir (sitting at head of bed): Come here.

Squall sat next to her, and she guided his head onto her lap. Running her fingers through his hair, she began to hum a long forgotten song. His eyes grew heavy, and soon sleep enrapt him in its gentle arms.

_+_+_+_+_+_+_+

A woman screams...

Tinsir jolts awake, drawing her dagger from her hip, and jumps to her feet. Squall fell to the bed, and drew his gunblade in defense of the unkown terror.

Selphie runs in through thier door, the others closely behind. The door slams, and Aelin is awakened, and crying. Quistis took the child inti her arms, Dewn in Ellone's.

Tinsir: What's that stench?

Siren: The Banshees are here!

Tinsir: Huh?

Shiva: They are here.

Tinsir: I'll take care of this.

Squall: I'll go with you.

Tinsir: No, I will not risk them killing you.

Squall: And you will not be at risk.

Tinsir (smirks): I still have a few aces up my sleeves. (goes into hall, and closes door behind her)

_+_+_+_+_+_+_+

Tinsir goes down the hall, dead bodies of thier victims scattered like limp dolls on the floor. She walked around them, making sure not to step on any of them. As she walked past the victims, they arose, alive. Soon Death was being pushed back, and the Banshees sensed it. Angry that thier work was being reversed, they searched for their enemy.

Tinsir: (perched on a stair rail) (In bad ass mode) Hi, boys.

Lead Banshee: What are you doing here, Daughter of Hyne? Lost your soul again?

Tinsir: No, but you have.

L.B.: Why have you interrupted our pleasure?

Tinsir: Oh, well, let's see. You invade my home, scare the hell out of my friends, wake my child, and scare my daughter. You know what that incites.

L.B.: Death... Are death. Have not you heard of the new order being set up?

Tinsir: Yes, I have actually, Ynef.

Ynef: Then you should know why I am here.

Tinsir: There are many reasons that would bring you to my doorstep. Specify.

Ynef: There are many. A little bit o' fun... and to take you with us. Seems you forget your place in our system now o' days.

Tinsir: Seems you forget my place among things as well.

Ynef: Aw, you aint the Chosen One. That prophesy stuff is nothing but bull.

Tinsir: I am not sure about that, but you are in the presence of me, a direct descendant of Hyne, and Geae themselves.

Ynef: You also should know that doesn't matter anymore.

Tinsir: Ah, yes, my sisters' corruption of all things heavenly. The fools. And so I am left to clean up the mess.

Ynef: And, well, maybe we can (runs his fingers down her arm) come to an agreement for the mortals being spared, and you being let be here another day, or so.

Tinsir (takes his hand): If you ever, ever touch me again, you will die.

Ynef (takes away his hand): You leave me no choice.

Ynef banshee screamed in her face, her hair whipping behind her by the force. His jaw drops, and in his cry, the sound unbearable. She smirks, and cries back, a cursed spirit herself. Ynef backs away a little, and stares at her in shock. His men line up on his sides, ready for a fight. She drew her sword, and held it at an angle with one hand, in a stance. Her other hand beckoned them, and they charged at the Fallen One.

Withing a moment, she cut them down. They held eachother together, scattered limbs, and blood splattered about the hall. Ynef stood, his arms crossed, he never charged. She licked the blood from her lip, and called the spirits from the wounded Banshees. They went into her mouth, being comsumed as a delicacy.

Ynef stood, and drew his sword, ignoring the scene that took place before him. He walked casually to her, his sword held by his side. She walked as well, removing the dagger in the back of her pants, the fatal weapon to the immortals. He charged at her, and as his arms went to strike her, he froze. A look of terror swept across his face, and he acked away. Tinsir held a bloodied dagger in her hand, the red life dripping from her hands, and his wound.

He dropped his sword, and fell to his knees. A once childhood friend turned enemy, he looked upon her for who she was, and begged to be spared of forgiveness. She knelt next to him, and her hand moved gracefully across his vision twice. On the second pass, he fell, and died. "Goodbye, " was trembled from her lips, a friend gone by her own hand.

Tinsir rose, brooding hate for herself resurfacing. She resheathed her weapons, and walked back to her room. She leaned against her door, not noticing the people staring at her. Squall walked over to her, and she swiftly drew a blade to his throat. Her breathing rapid, her chest quickly rose, and fell as she stared at him with distant eyes. He moved closer, and the cold metal punctured his flesh, a small wound gushing blood from his throat.

Tinsir realized what happened, and quickly fell into his arms, her hand on his throat, begging forgiveness. His arms wrapped around her, and told her to hush quietly in her ear. He body trembled, sobs exuding from her as she realized that she was a monster herself.

She walked into the bathroom, and turned on the shower, clutching the blade that could end her life.

Tinsir: *If I can hurt, or even kill my beloved, and my friends... I am not worth living, or to be saved...*