Hello again to the best folks on the planet; the Whale Pitters. Lovely to see you all again; hope you've had a fabulous life since last we talked. Sorry this update took longer than usual, but I think you'll be happy with the finished product. And if you're not, I don't wanna hear about it! Just kidding…I wanna hear anything you have to say.
Okay, first a big thank you to all the reviewers of Chapter 20: Blaze (chocolate sundae for being the first…and I'm sorry I can't say anything right now about the voice in Irma's noggin); Visigoth (as always, an entertaining and insightful review); Nisa (I hope you like rollercoasters); Spyder (keep that suspicious mind working); Pita Girl (keep chanting cuz BW isn't annoyed yet); Prince Vince (thank you for your prayers milord); KiiroK (Oh come on…Irma had it coming); Azhure (I couldn't do this without you…and I don't mean the writing); Rokz (get up my friend, you don't need my forgiveness); Irma 1 (My Prrrrrrrrrrecioussssssss). I also received a couple of PM's from Nats (shout out girl); Lord of Darkness (good to hear from you again); and Orion (Irma is the bomb). Now a big Whale Welcome to our newest Pitters Krystal of Nol (author bows humbly); and Stormrider7 (there's a fungus among us); welcome to da Pit ladies.
Donut Club: Pita Girl because she's not feeling well and she gave me a very nice plug on her profile; Blaze for posing a theory about "The Voice;" Visigoth for being his usual insightful self and plugging the forum all the time; Spyder for being suspicious of………damn near everything; Prince Vince for praying for me; Irma 1 for picking up on something subtle she doesn't even know she picked up; and Azhure for……hell I don't even know where to start, so I'll just say everything.
Whale Pit Forum: okay Pitters, the Forum is up and three of us have been having a lively discussion for the past week or so. As much as the three of us enjoy one another's company, we would really love to hear your ideas as well. I apologize for being inept and not posting a link to the Whale Pit, but thank goodness Azhure knows a rookie when she sees one. She's got me all straightened out now, so here's the link: h t t p / w w w dot fan fic tion dot n et / f / 1107529 / . I have to be a little sneaky to throw this by but you guys are all really smart; you'll figure it out.
On another note, I always respond to all my reviewers and all my PM's; but for you folks who review anonymously, I cannot answer you directly. You folks have entered with some very thought-provoking questions and it would be a shame if I couldn't respond to you. My suggestion: post these questions as a topic on the Forum. I haunt the Pit all the time, as do my Moderators, so you will receive responses. It's a lot of fun. Get your butts in there; y'all so do not know what you're missing.
Ok, we're almost ready to commence with an obscenely long chapter, but before we do:
WARNING: This Chapter contains some serious graphic violence and it is most definitely not suitable for youguns. Mind the Warning kids…this one might be a little tough to read for some of you.
Alright, thanks to everyone; you give me inspiration! I love you all!
Chapter 21
Nerissa smiled to herself as she walked the corridors of Candracar. Everything was moving along perfectly; better than perfect in fact. She had not expected the Guardians to show up in Candracar to visit their friend during her recovery; but instead of delaying or ruining her plans, the Guardians had become unwitting assistants. Nerissa nearly laughed with evil glee as she recalled the Guardians wrestling their friend to the ground, leaving her completely helpless against her enemy. Of course in their defense, Nerissa supposed she had stretched the truth a little; just enough to play on Will's feelings of inadequacy, uncertainty, and guilt. Nevertheless if her enemies were foolish enough to show their weaknesses to their adversary, Nerissa was going to make them pay for their stupidity. Because the fools had been so willing to help her, Nerissa had been able to attack the Water Guardian's mind more viciously than she had originally planned; now the girl would truly never recover. Eventually she would go insane and her friends would have no choice but to lock her up or put her down. This time Nerissa really did laugh; it was just too good to be true.
"Yan Lin?" a voice called out behind her.
Nerissa almost ignored the voice; her happy recollections nearly making her forget about her new disguise. It would be only a matter of time until the Guardians discovered they had been duped. When that happened, two things would occur: The Mage would become a hunted woman; and the Guardians would be looking for revenge. As such, Nerissa had chosen a new glamour; for the Mage would not be able to walk freely among the inhabitants of Candracar for much longer.
Nerissa turned and smiled at Halinor. "Halinor, I was just looking for you."
Halinor caught up with her longtime friend. "Looking for me? What for?"
"There is something that requires the Council's attention."
Halinor's gaze narrowed. "The Council? What is wrong?"
Nerissa shook her head. "It's better if I tell everyone all at once. Would you please help me assemble them all?"
Halinor nodded. "Of course; I'll get Althor and Luba. Tibor will of course be with the Oracle."
"Thank you my friend," the imposter said. "You have always been a source of great strength to me."
Halinor looked closer at the oriental woman. "Is there something else Yan Lin? Something perhaps you would like to say in private?"
She smiled gently and squeezed Halinor's hand. "I'm just worried about Irma, dear friend. She seems to be getting worse, not better. Ever since the Mage…" Nerissa pretended to be unable to finish and settled for staring at the floor.
Halinor put her hand on her friend's shoulder. "I thought that might be it. Ever since we heard what happened, I've been looking for you. It wasn't your fault Yan Lin; you couldn't have known. Nerissa can be very manipulative; you know this. None of us suspected the Mage could be an imposter, not even the Oracle."
"And yet Irma knew…and we did not listen to her." Nerissa said quietly, still staring at the floor.
"Linny, don't take this wrong, but Irma is not thinking straight right now. She attacked Luba; she even mistook you for Nerissa when you first arrived. Luba said Irma has been seeing things, reacting as though she were still in Nerissa's hands. She attacked a holographic Lerden and referred to him as Frost the Hunter. She thought she was on fire more than once while she was training with Luba." Halinor paused to let the information sink in. "Ever since the Joining, Irma has not been herself; and while that's completely understandable under the circumstances, it still makes her word less than trustworthy."
"But she believed it Halinor; she believed Nerissa was attacking her; she believes even now that her friends betrayed her. We have no way of knowing what Nerissa did to her during that attack; but I would bet a boatload of fortune cookies that it was nothing good."
Halinor chose her words carefully. "You're right Linny, we don't know exactly what happened; and somehow I doubt Irma herself knows either. But that still doesn't make you any more responsible for what took place. What's done is done; we can't go back and undo it. All we can do is try to help the future in whatever way we can. Dwelling on the past is not good for anybody."
The former Guardian sighed and raised her head. She graced Halinor with a grateful smile. "You always know what to say Halinor; thank you for your friendship."
Halinor smiled and patted Nerissa's shoulder. "Will you be okay if I go get Luba and Althor?"
"Yes, I will be fine now; thanks to you. Let's meet in the Assembly Chamber as soon as possible."
Halinor nodded, then turned and strode away.
Nerissa wrinkled her nose and curled her lip. Halinor……always the goody-goody; always trying to solve the world's problems. To think I once called you friend…but where were you when I needed help? Where were you when the Heart corrupted me? Where were you when the Oracle stripped me of my power? Where were you when Cassidy...Nerissa stopped her silent musings and closed her eyes; it was useless to continue this way. Cassidy was gone; the Heart of Candracar had seen to that. It had corrupted its Keeper, it had used her; then it had thrown her away like garbage, betraying her for another. It had wanted her to destroy herself; it had forced her to turn on her so-called friends and to murder Cassidy; the Heart was responsible for Cassidy's death, not Nerissa.
Nerissa shook herself; there was no time for this, she had to get medical supplies to the real Yan Lin before Halinor summoned Althor and Luba. She proceeded to her destination and gathered what she thought would be helpful in relieving the Water Guardian's injuries. She packed bandages, ointments, and creams into a small sack and moved quickly back towards the Elemental Chamber of Water. It had been more than mere coincidence that Nerissa had happened upon the former Air Guardian as she exited the Elemental Chamber of Water. Nerissa knew Yan Lin would go to her young charge; that girl was like the old woman's own. She also knew Yan Lin would have to leave the Chamber sometime, so she had waited patiently for dear old "Linny" to alight; and Yan Lin had rewarded Nerissa's patience by being alone and lost in thought when she exited the Water Chamber.
It had been a simple task to mesmerize the old woman and then assume her form. Even simpler had been probing the smaller woman's mind and learning of the Water Brat's fresh injuries. Nerissa smiled to herself as she continued on her way to the Water Chamber. She could hurt the Water Guardian anytime she wanted, thanks to the other Guardians' aid; things were just too easy now. She supposed she ought to thank the little urchins, but there would be ample time for that later.
She approached the small room where she had stashed Yan Lin and opened the door. There was the former Guardian sitting on a small sofa, exactly as Nerissa had left her. Yan Lin stared blankly ahead, her dark eyes seeing only what the Queen of Darkness wished them to see. Nerissa took Yan Lin's hand and pulled her to a standing position. She led the old woman out the door and into the corridor. Placing her hand on Yan Lin's face, the old crone intoned an incantation that would cause the former Guardian to remember nothing of her encounter with the evil one. She placed a suggestion in Yan Lin's mind that she had already fetched the sack of medical supplies and was now returning to the Elemental Chamber of Water. Then the evil sorceress disappeared down the hall; for she had an appointment to keep with the Council.
Nerissa had scarcely left Yan Lin, when she heard the sounds of grief-stricken sobbing. Hay Lin, Nerissa thought, it has to be. Sounds like you've just had a nasty run-in with your so-called best friend. Oh how wonderfully predictable you are, Water Guardian; it almost makes me want to sing.
Nerissa continued on her way to the Assembly Chamber, moving quickly through the hallways of the fortress. She arrived in the Chamber to find it empty. Good, she smiled evilly; this will make things much easier.
Taking a deep breath, the former Keeper raised her arms straight out to her sides, palms facing outward. Closing her eyes, she began to chant softly in an unknown language. Purple magic began to glow at her fingertips as she chanted. Feeling the magic burning within her, Nerissa began to intone louder as she raised her arms higher. She threw her head back and continued chanting even louder, the magic within her threatening to overcome its mistress. Just when it seemed she would be consumed by raw power, Nerissa shouted to the skies and released the magic. Her body trembled violently and her fingers clenched against her will, so powerful was the raw energy of the spell. Lethal lightning shot through the Assembly Chamber, bathing everything in a dark violet light. The walls and ceiling crackled with energy, the floor glowed with power.
The spell finished, the energy released, Nerissa sank to the ground as the violet light began to fade. Breathing heavily, the old hag, still in the form of Yan Lin, staggered to her feet. She looked around the room and nodded satisfactorily; the enchantment had worked perfectly. Now all she had to do was activate it when the time was right. With this happy thought, Nerissa set off to fetch the follicly-challenged halfwit and his faithful dog.
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Halinor entered the Assembly Chamber, Althor and Luba in tow. They had arrived before the others, so they waited. Althor shifted impatiently from one foot to the other, while Luba tried not to be irritated by the short little man. Halinor gave the Caretaker what she hoped was a bracing smile, but Luba merely frowned deeper and turned away.
"Halinor," Althor said finally, "what is it Yan Lin wants of us? Why have we been summoned?"
"Patience, Althor; we shall all know the answers soon."
"I don't like secrecy," Althor grumbled, "too much room for mistakes and misinterpretation."
"Not everything deigns to bow to your will, Althor," Luba said crossly. "There are times we must all learn to exercise restraint and trust in one another."
Althor barked with laughter. "Like you showed great restraint when you slashed the Water Guardian? Or like the trust you place in her and the other Guardians?"
"Do not question my loyalties dwarf-man," Luba snarled. "My feelings and my methods are mine alone; the Water Guardian needed to be taught a lesson about consequences. Beyond that, I refuse to defend myself to you."
"Then maybe you should defend yourself to the Oracle," Althor replied, his voice barely above a whisper.
Luba closed the distance between her and the smaller man. "I have already explained my actions to the Oracle; something I suspect you already know. So why do you continue to beat about it, short one?"
"The Guardians are to be respected Luba; not attacked by those who would claim to be their allies." Althor was doing his best not to be intimidated by the feline-woman; a task made more difficult by the Curator's extended claws.
"I did not attack the Guardian, fool!" Luba thundered. "I defended myself from her attack."
"Like the child poses a realistic threat to the great Luba," Althor snarled.
Luba was about to show the diminutive one what a threat really looked like, when Halinor stepped between the two. "Luba, Althor, please; calm yourselves. We are all feeling the stress of what has happened over the last several weeks, but fighting amongst ourselves will only make things worse."
Althor continued to glare at Luba, but he saw wisdom in the words of the former Fire Guardian. "Halinor is right; we should save this for another time."
Luba nodded, a dangerous gleam twinkling in her eyes. "Another time then Althor; another time," she growled softly, retracting her claws.
Halinor was about to suggest that Althor and Luba shake hands, when the doors opened. The Oracle strode into the Chamber, followed closely by Tibor and Yan Lin. It was Tibor's duty to always be at the Oracle's side; a duty the bearded one took very seriously.
The Oracle, as always the picture of serenity, addressed the small assembly. "Thank you all for coming so quickly; I understand the Honorable Yan Lin wishes to address us at this time."
The Oracle nodded to Yan Lin and stepped aside. Nerissa bowed deeply to the smooth-skinned man and stepped to the center of the room. "Honorable members of the Council, it is with grave concern that I bring troubling information."
Nerissa pushed her hands inside the ample sleeves of her long robes and continued. "We are all aware by now that the Mage was not who she said she was."
The old woman twiddled her hidden fingers in complicated gestures as she spoke. "Worse, she has managed to severely compromise one of the Guardians."
Nerissa finished her gestures and now held her hands in clenched fists. "With the Guardians thus weakened, I believe an attack is imminent."
Nerissa gathered her magical energy and prepared to speak the word that would activate the spell. "Worse, I believe the attack will land right here, in the fortress at the heart of...CANDRACAR!" As she shouted the final word, she pulled her fists from her robes and discharged a hellish current of magical power.
A blinding flash of amethyst light filled the Chamber; startled Council members gasped and shielded their eyes. It took only seconds for their eyes to readjust; and what they saw chilled their very bones.
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Luba was the first to adjust her vision to the change in lighting. Blinking several times, she gazed around the Assembly Chamber, trying to locate the source of the intrusion. What she saw was impossible; yet it was right in front of her view.
Nerissa and the Knights of Vengeance had infiltrated the fortress; they were here in the Assembly Chamber. Worse, not one member of the Council was anywhere to be seen. That light must have teleported the Council away and shifted the Knights into the fortress at the same time.
Luba knew she was alone against them, but she was never one to back down from a fight. Extending her claws, the cat-like woman snarled and launched herself at Raythor. Eight deadly claws plunged into the startled Knight's chest, blood spewing forth in crimson geysers. Raythor screamed as Luba pulled her paw back to strike again. Before she could attack, however, she was bowled over by Miranda.
The spider-creature opened her mouth, saliva dripping from her lethal fangs. She clamped those fangs around Luba's neck and tasted the feline's blood. Luba howled in pain and anger, struggling to throw the abomination off. She finally succeeded in separating the spider-creature from her throat and slung the repulsive thing against the wall. With a sickening crack, Miranda slid down the wall and lay still.
Luba rose to her feet and used her paw to check the damage to her neck. The bleeding was severe and Luba knew she would soon faint from blood loss, if nothing else. She flexed her claws, determined to take as many of her enemies with her as she could. She felt herself hit from behind, as she was tackled to the ground. Twisting her head, she glimpsed Tracker pinning her to the cold floor.
Tracker punched the cat in the ribs several times; each time he was rewarded with her growls of pain. He closed his hands around her neck and squeezed. Luba struggled to roll over and free herself, but her efforts were in vain. Tracker's grip was too strong, and her injured neck was already starting to take its toll. Her ribs cried out in protest with every movement, but still the Caretaker fought with everything she had. As she felt blackness descending, her thoughts turned to the Guardians, so vulnerable right now. She began to wheeze as she thought of the fractured relationship between them. This horrible realization gave her renewed strength; with a cacophonous howl, she hurled Tracker from her back. His head slammed into the floor and he saw stars; nevertheless, he rose almost immediately to his knees. Luba didn't wait for an invitation and slashed Tracker across his chest. The Knight began to bleed and his hands flew to his wounds. Luba kicked him under the chin and readied her claws for the kill. She never got the chance; she howled in agony as her flesh was seared by an unknown source. She fell to her knees, panting heavily, the blood from her neck wound pooling on the floor beside her. Painfully she raised her head to look her killer in the eye; it was Nerissa. Luba snarled defiantly as the evil crone extended a wrinkled hand. The blast of lightning struck Luba square in the chest, knocking her backwards. Luba tried vainly to rise, but fell. Her last thoughts before the darkness took her were for the Guardians; for how could they hope to stop the Knights of Vengeance alone?
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The Oracle was caught off guard by the blinding flash of light. He rubbed his eyes and tried desperately to see what had happened. His vision was just beginning to adjust itself, when he felt himself driven to the ground by an elephantine force. He barely had time to register Frost the Hunter sitting on his chest when the huge beast buried his double cleavers into his robed chest. The Oracle cried out as his blood gushed from the wounds. Instinctively, the Oracle erected a shield and allowed himself to succumb to darkness. In this comatose state, he could heal himself. Had he remained conscious, he would have observed Miranda tackle Frost and latch her teeth onto his neck.
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Halinor cried out as she was blinded by a flash of light. Staggering back, she felt her back press against a wall. She took comfort in its firmness, and leaned against it as she struggled to discover what had happened. Pandemonium filled her sight as she saw Tracker slam into Frost and punch him repeatedly. She shook her head and pressed her fists into her eyes. When she opened them, she saw Frost slash Tracker across the chest with a cleaver. It was then that Nerissa blasted Frost from behind, driving the brute to his knees. She noticed the big man was bleeding heavily from somewhere as Nerissa walked around to face him. He growled as the old sorceress blasted him backwards. He did not rise again.
Halinor's gaze narrowed in confusion; why were the Knights attacking each other? How had they managed to enter the fortress? Where were the Members of the Council? No answers manifested themselves, so Halinor resumed watching the chaos around her. Raythor was lying unconscious on the floor, blood oozing from his chest. Miranda was twitching against the wall and seemed to be slowly recovering from some sort of trauma. Tracker was rising unsteadily to his feet, his hands still clutching his bleeding chest. Frost lay motionless nearby, having just been blasted by his mistress. Then Halinor noticed Nerissa staring at her. She barely had time to gasp in surprise before she was toppled by a blast of lightning. Clutching her chest, Halinor looked up from the floor and watched as Nerissa left the Chamber. The former Fire Guardian had no time to wonder what the ogress was up to, as she suddenly found herself staring at a pair of black boots. Her gaze followed the boots upward towards their owner; Tracker growled and reached a murderous hand for the old woman.
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Nerissa reveled in the bedlam around her as the Council of Candracar attacked one another. The Glamour she had cast on the Chamber had worked perfectly; the members of the Council all believed the others were Knights of Vengeance. Now they were attacking each other with unabashed enmity. The irritating feline clawed the bald maggot and then was tackled by the dwarfling. She nearly laughed when the dwarf gashed a large section of the cat's neck with his knife. Her near laughter turned to trepidation as the Caretaker threw the small man into the wall. Even as the maggot's mongrel cur began to strangle her, Nerissa knew the feline was too strong; she could not allow the cat-woman to ruin her plans. As the warrioress defeated the Oracle's pet, Nerissa blasted her from behind. The evil witch might have been impressed with Luba's strength under different circumstances, as the Caretaker refused to stay down; now she merely found the little mouser annoying. Aiming her hand at Luba's heart, she gathered all her power into one murderous jolt. As the energy collected at her palm, the evil witch fixed her lips into a snarl of fury and loathing. A fantastic display of heliotrope light preceded the deleterious bolt that finally struck the furball down.
The Fallen Keeper turned to leave, when she spied Halinor watching the scene with great perplexity. Always the thinker, Halinor just might figure out what was going on; and Nerissa couldn't have that. She aimed a deadly bolt at her former friend and watched as the woman crumpled to the floor. Smiling with evil satisfaction, she turned her back on her former allies and exited the Chamber.
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Will, Taranee and Cornelia marched through the aisles of Candracar; each Guardian's face a mask of intensity. They had been lied to and played for the last time; Nerissa had overstayed her welcome and the Guardians meant to show her the door. If that harridan thought her psychological guerilla warfare was going to break the Guardians, she was sorely mistaken; and Will Vandom was going to make her pay dearly for that mistake. She stomped along, her clenched fingernails digging into her palms. Her friends had been attacked, tortured, abused, deceived, psychologically mutilated; Will was through being on the defensive…it was time for some serious offense. Look the hell out you uber-bitch, she thought; here comes the Judge!
Taranee stalked purposefully behind her leader, staying slightly off her right shoulder; Cornelia was behind and slightly off Will's left shoulder. It was their way of showing Will she was in charge and they trusted her. They would follow her anywhere and Taranee hoped the reluctant Keeper understood that. She noticed how stiffly her leader was holding herself, and Taranee sought to contact the redhead telepathically. When Will didn't respond after several attempts, the Fire-user started to worry. She knew Will could get very emotional, and that this situation was particularly personal to her. Taranee didn't know much about being thrust into a leadership role you never wanted and didn't feel qualified to fulfill; but she did know that uncontrolled emotions often led to mistakes and disaster. Taranee really didn't want to become part of a disaster, so she attempted to make contact with Cornelia.
Corny, can you hear me?
How many times do I have to tell you to stop calling me Corny?
Sorry Corny…lia; but I just tried to contact Will, and she didn't answer.
And-?
And I think she's too emotional right now to hear me.
Can you blame her?
No of course not; but I think we should all take a step back and re-think this whole thing.
Why? Don't you want to bitch-slap the Bag Lady from Hell?
Yes, but with the emotions running so high I think it's likely we've missed something. It's a disaster waiting to happen.
You worry too much Firestarter; besides, I think it's about damn time Will got a little mad. I don't know about you, but I'm ready to deliver some serious P-A-I-N, Blonde-Bombshell style.
We all want to take Nerissa out, but…
Listen Taranee, we've got it covered alright? Hay Lin will pull Irma off the ceiling, we three will send Nerissa crawling back to whatever demon spawned her.
Taranee was about to respond when they saw Hay Lin's tiny grandmother hurrying towards them. As one, the Guardians stopped and waited for the old woman to approach.
As she reached the group of Guardians, Yan Lin reached out and took Will's arm in a vice grip. "Guardians," she said breathlessly, "thank goodness I found you."
"What's the matter Mrs. Lin?" Will asked. "Is there something wrong with Irma?"
Yan Lin shook her head. "No, Hay Lin is with Irma, they're both fine. It is Nerissa; she has summoned the Knights of Vengeance to attack the fortress!"
The Guardians gasped. "No way," Cornelia said. "Those mega-skanks totally bought it when super-hag's digs collapsed."
"I know nothing about that; all I know is that the Council is under siege at this very moment from Raythor, Miranda and others. Will, you have to stop Nerissa before she breaks Candracar's defenses."
The Keeper nodded and set her jaw firmly. "Just take us to the fight Mrs. Lin; it is so past time for some payback."
"No Will, you do not understand," the small woman said desperately. "You must stop Nerissa; leave the Knights to us."
"Us?" Taranee asked.
"I will fetch Hay Lin; we shall go to the Council's aid. Girls, we can hold off the Knights for a little while, but if Nerissa is not stopped it will all be for naught."
"Alright Mrs. Lin, I understand," Will replied. She held up a clenched fist and narrowed her reddish-brown eyes dangerously; when she spoke, her voice was quiet and sinister. "Where is she?"
"I do not know exactly, but I think I know a good place to start. There is an aviary deep down in the fortress. I will take you to it; follow me, quickly."
"An aviary? Perfect, now we can give that heifer the bird while we trash her," Cornelia said excitedly.
"The aviary has not housed birds for many years, Cornelia," Yan Lin replied.
While Cornelia looked disappointed, Taranee spoke up. "Why would she go to the aviary Mrs. Lin?"
"It was once a favorite respite for Nerissa before she…changed. It was where she felt most at peace."
The four women moved swiftly through the passageways of the huge fortress. They passed myriad empty hallways and closed doors. They descended deeper into the fortress for what seemed an eternity. Finally, they emerged into the empty aviary; a large cage that reached skyward as far as the eye could see. It glistened with varying shades of gold and pink under what had to be an artificial sun. Grass and multicolored shrubbery spread across the floor; the scent of lilac and honeysuckle permeated the air.
Cornelia's mouth dropped open and her breath caught. She wandered into the middle of the cage and stared all around. Kneeling down, she buried her face in the nearest flowers and inhaled their sweet scent. She bounded to the beautiful orange and red shrubs and threw herself into the middle of the bushes. They were as soft as lamb's wool, and Cornelia breathed a happy sigh. Closing her eyes, she stretched her arms wide and let herself be captivated by the sheer beauty around her.
"This is amazing," Taranee breathed, as she reached out to touch the cage. The bars were neither cold nor warm; they felt metallic and satiny at the same time. Taranee smiled in spite of the desperate situation; the substance itself seemed a stark violation of the laws of physics. Rather than be confused by it, Taranee instead found herself utterly fascinated.
Will turned her face up into the artificial sunlight; everything about it seemed so real, yet they were so deep inside the fortress, it had to be simulated. Nevertheless, the warmth felt genuine and the calming effect the light had on the Guardian leader was most definitely intrinsic. For a moment, Will allowed herself to feel nothing but the warmth of the rays as they lovingly caressed her face; for a moment her troubles vanished, cleansed by the beams of fire; for a moment she felt reenergized by the sympathetic radiance of the pseudo-star.
Yan Lin stood in the doorway watching the girls bask in the beauty of the aviary. The Guardians continued to be distracted by various foci, garnering a smile from the former Air Mistress. It wasn't a smile of mirth; rather one of malevolence, as her small form began to enlarge. Her kempt hair lengthened and became wilder. The wrinkles on her skin deepened, and her kind eyes turned cold.
With a wave of her hand, the door clanged shut and the lock fell into place. The three Guardians jumped and spun around. Three pairs of eyes widened in shock as they fixed upon…not Yan Lin, but Nerissa.
The fiend gave her enemies no time to react; she hurled three deadly bolts of lightning towards the flat-footed Guardians. The bolts struck the trio and crushed them into the unforgiving bars of the cage. The girls cried out as their backs absorbed the jarring impact. Nerissa's black magic kept them pinned against the bars, as bolt after devastating bolt crashed into their chests; piercing screams of agony saturated the air.
The evil villain laughed as she viewed the suffering Guardians. She closed her eyes and issued a thunderous howl of triumph. "At last! The Guardians will soon be no more!"
"G-guess a-gain, douchebag," Will gasped out. With a miraculous effort, she summoned the Heart of Candracar. Gathering all her remaining strength, the Guardian Commander conjured an energy shield around herself and her teammates. The evil lightning struck the shield and dissipated harmlessly.
Taranee and Cornelia collapsed onto the floor of the bubble, while Will struggled to remain upright. She knew if she fell now, the shield would fall with her; they would be at their foe's mercy.
Nerissa doubled the intensity of the lightning attacks, hoping to shatter the shield that protected her enemies. Again and again she hurled the lethal bolts against the screen, but was unable to penetrate it. With a pained growl, she began to gather all of her magic into one colossal onslaught.
While the witch hesitated in her attacks, Taranee opened her mind to her friends. She could feel her teeth still rattling from the lightning bolts, and she knew the others must be just as jarred. She felt Cornelia's consciousness fighting to take control of her pain; she felt Will battling to maintain their protective barrier. If the other girls felt as rocky as she did, Taranee knew that talking would require more effort than any of them could muster right now. Though it was painful to even think, the Fire Guardian concentrated on her telepathic link.
Will, Cornelia, are you guys okay?
Define okay.
Taranee almost smiled with relief; Cornelia sounded as perturbed as always. Will, however, didn't answer at all.
Will? Will!
Little…busy here T.
Taranee could hear the effort in Will's thoughts; she was certain the redhead would have been speaking through clenched teeth had she voiced her response aloud.
What's the plan Will? Issue your orders through my telepathic link; it should take less effort.
Kick…her…ass!
With that, Will was unable to maintain the shield any longer. With a groan, she collapsed to the floor. The bubble held its shape for a second then began to disintegrate. Cornelia scooped up her fallen leader and fluttered her wings. She and Taranee hovered in the air as the protective bubble vanished completely.
At that exact moment, Nerissa unleashed her mammoth barrage. A gigantic column of ebony light flashed towards the weakened Guardians. With a cry, Cornelia and Taranee dodged. The light smashed into the cage, causing the entire room to shake violently. The thunderous boom nearly deafened the two conscious Guardians. The enormous backlash knocked the demoness off her feet.
Cornelia descended quickly to the ground and laid her injured friend in the soft grass. Will moaned softly and pried open her eyes. She tried to sit up, only to have Cornelia push her back down.
"Just take a load off for a bit; let us handle the incubus."
Will put her hand to her throbbing head, barely aware of what Cornelia had said. She rolled over onto her stomach and pushed herself painfully to all-fours. She closed her eyes and gritted her teeth, waiting for the world to stop spinning. Erecting that shield had drained her considerably; she wasn't sure what did the most damage, the lightning, or her subsequent heroics. From somewhere far away, she heard a scream of agony. Forcing her head around, she was horrified to see Cornelia in serious trouble.
The blonde Guardian had commanded several of the bars to disengage themselves from the cage. Angrily, she had hurled the heavy rods at her adversary. By force of dark power, Nerissa had stopped the missiles and turned them back towards their mistress. Now they wrapped themselves around the startled Earth Guardian and began to squeeze. Cornelia screamed in anguish as her chest was crushed by tons of metal. She felt her ribs ground into powder and struggled to breathe as her lungs absorbed the punishing embrace. Her eyes bulged as her oxygen was cut off and terror filled her heart. The pain too excruciating, the Earth Guardian was soon overcome, and she plummeted to the ground. Still, the death-hold did not abate, but Cornelia no longer cared; oblivion had already claimed its prize.
Taranee watched in powerless horror as her friend was constricted to death. She struggled to break her mental link with her teammate, but it was already too late. She felt darkness crashing upon her; she screamed in pain, her hands clawing pitifully at her head. She plunged to the ground, impacting heavily on the grass. Still clutching her head, she curled into a ball and moaned softly.
Seeing the carnage, Will cried out in fury and exploded to her feet. Thrusting her arm towards Cornelia, she shouted "Quintessence!" Immediately, the strangling metal crumbled into dust, freeing the unconscious Guardian. The enraged redhead turned next towards Nerissa and hurled a bolt of lightning in her direction. The hag deflected the attack and countered with one of her own. Soon the air was sizzling with electricity, as the two combatants battled for supremacy.
Taranee, meanwhile, had managed to control her pain enough to haul herself to her feet. She moved shakily to Cornelia and checked for a pulse. Amazingly, the grievously injured girl was still alive; but her pulse was rapid and weak. The Earth Guardian's torso had turned a livid reddish-black and blood seeped from her mouth. There was an eerie bluish cast to her normally rosy skin and she felt cold to the Fire Guardian's touch. Taranee pushed on Cornelia's abdomen and despaired when she felt its rigidity. Taranee knew it was imperative to get Cornelia some help; to this end, she attempted to contact Will.
Will, we have to get out of here!
The only response was a cry of rage as the Guardian hurled more bolts towards her enemy. Taranee gritted her teeth and tried again.
Will we are getting ass handed to us here; we have got to go!
But Will was past listening to reason; all that mattered was exacting vengeance. Taranee tried to think; what could she do to help? She couldn't take the chance of getting between the two aggressors, but she had to do something. Just then, one of Nerissa's bolts found its way through Will's defenses, striking her full in the face. The Guardian cried out and twisted painfully in the air. Nerissa shouted in triumph as her magic ripped another bar from the cage. Dark Energy cocooned her enemy and forced her body to stretch itself stiff. Will tried to struggle, but her body was no longer her own. The demon-spawn danced the gleaming rod above Will's exposed midriff, savoring the moment of victory. Will's eyes locked onto the deadly spear and she gasped in sudden comprehension.
Taranee screamed in horror and unleashed a deadly barrage of flames. The burning spheres struck true and the Fire User was certain the evil woman had been consumed. To Taranee's dismay, the sorceress remained unscarred by the attack. Cold orbs met terrified pools as the evil beast raised the rod several feet above her captive.
"NO!" Taranee shouted as she concentrated all her fiery energy on the metal bar. A myriad of heavy explosions impacted against the lethal metal, but somehow Nerissa had managed to shield it. Taranee could only watch helplessly as the witch rapidly lowered her hand. The Fire Guardian looked away as the spear impaled her dear friend through the stomach. She tried to block out Will's sickening scream of agony and terror as the unforgiving metal pushed through flesh, bone, muscle and tissue. She tried not to listen to the crack of bones as they were shattered by tremendous force. She tried not to imagine the geyser of blood that bathed the grass beneath her leader. But she couldn't fail to notice as the deadly lance screamed towards the ground and buried itself in the earth, her best friend skewered like a shish-kabob. Will writhed pathetically, whimpering softly. She wrapped her hands around the shaft protruding from her stomach in an attempt to keep herself from slipping further down the pole.
Taranee nearly vomited; first Cornelia, now Will. She surveyed the brutality around her; Cornelia's ribcage had been thoroughly pulverized, the fragile organs beneath severely damaged. Will was not bleeding much, the rod on which she was impaled acting as a deterrent. Taranee could hear Will's breaths coming in short gasps; shock was her deadliest foe now.
Staggering away from the calamity, Taranee's thoughts turned to her own survival; after all, how could she help her friends if she were dead? She needed reinforcements in the worst way.
Hay Lin! We need help…NOW!
She dodged a lightning bolt just in time as Nerissa resumed her attack. Countering with a wall of fire, Taranee called desperately for more help.
Irma! Help!
Nerissa easily dissolved the wall of flames and sent more deadly missiles rocketing towards the remaining Guardian. Taranee performed several complicated aerial maneuvers and managed to evade them all.
Taranee, where are you?
I'm in the aviary Hay Lin! Just get to the deepest part of the fortress and use your ears.
I'm on my way.
Taranee was purely defensive now; she had to wait for Irma and Hay Lin to arrive. She knew there was no way she could defeat Nerissa on her own, so she contented herself with dodging attacks and counterattacking when she could.
Where's the party Taranee?
The aviary, deepest part of the fortress. Hurry Irma, I don't think I can hold out much longer.
Keep it together Glow-worm; I'm coming.
Taranee dodged another heavy bolt of lightning; unfortunately, she hadn't been creative enough. An electric missile slammed into her chest and dashed her to the ground. She hit her head hard; she moaned as dizziness set in. She did not notice Nerissa's approach, and only realized she was nearby when a foot planted itself into her chest. She tried to look defiant as the evil mage smiled down at her malevolently, but she was certain she only managed to look terrified.
The sorceress extended a clawed hand and began chanting in a strange tongue. Suddenly, Taranee's body burst into flame; she cried out in surprise. The Fire Mistress wasn't burned by the flames, but she was a little afraid of what was going to happen next. The orange fire began to ascend into Nerissa's wrinkled hand, and Taranee began to feel colder. She tried to struggle, but she felt so weak and frail. Within minutes, Nerissa had absorbed every last ember of fire, and Taranee began to shiver violently.
The witch smiled in satisfaction; the Guardian's skin had grown paler, the usual glow that accompanied any Fire Guardian had dissipated. Nerissa knelt down next to the shaking girl and brushed her cheek. The terrified child jerked away from the contact, but she could not move anymore than that. The evil magic-user laid her hand over Taranee's heart and began to summon her lightning power. As the first jolts began to strike the girl's heart, Nerissa suddenly felt herself hurled away. She landed heavily on the ground, several feet away from her victim.
Hay Lin was sickened by the sight that greeted her, but not enough that she was paralyzed into inaction. She blew the cage door off its hinges, then called a strong wind to throw super-bitch away from Taranee. She didn't wait for the evil wench to recover; she summoned a hurricane to whip her around mercilessly. The Guardian used her powers of air to pin the demoness against the bars of the cage, as she slowly advanced towards her enemy.
Nerissa howled in anger as she found herself helpless against Yan Lin's brat. Her only chance was to disrupt the flow of air, and to this end she directed her defenses. She erected a shield of lightning around her body that interrupted the constant air flow just enough to allow her to free herself. As she did so, she sent a gale of her own to slam the Air Guardian against the cage. Using Quintessence, the evil one wrapped several bars around the Guardian's slender body, effectively strapping her to the cage.
"Yan Lin's granddaughter; too bad that backstabber wasn't a better teacher," Nerissa gloated as she advanced towards her captive. Hay Lin struggled with all her might, but she was trapped.
The witch raised her hand and aimed for the helpless Guardian's chest. The wrinkled fingers began to close slowly; as they did so, Hay Lin's sternum began to crack. The young Guardian gasped in terror and gritted her teeth against the pain. She pulled at her bonds, but was unable to break free.
Nerissa raised her other hand and extended a long finger, pointing it at the struggling girl. A thin bolt of lightning drove towards the captive and began to carve up her stomach. Hay Lin shrieked in agony, as she watched her flesh begin to peel away.
Just then, a tidal wave splashed into the evil crone and sent her sprawling across the grass. Irma lowered her hands and strode into the aviary, her face twisted with indignation.
"Is this a private party or can anyone crash it?"
Nerissa rose heavily to her feet, a smile playing at her lips. "Ah, Water Guardian; I was beginning to think you would never come."
"And I was beginning to think that age brought wisdom; you've proven me wrong though. What sort of a half-wit would try to attack us here, at Guardian Central?"
"The type of…half-wit that has managed to destroy you and your friends perhaps?"
"Are you cracked? Do I look destroyed to you? You did your best and you failed; now you're gonna learn what payback feels like!"
"Oh give it time Water Guardian, give it time. There are so many delicious ways to destroy a person; and not all of them are instantaneous."
"Alright mush-for-brains, enough of the talk. Let's get it on; hit me with your best shot bitch!"
"If you insist," Nerissa drawled. She fired a lethal bolt at her foe, but Irma dodged it easily. The Guardian countered with a blast of water that dissipated harmlessly against the former Keeper's shield.
Irma spread her hands out to her sides and called down a wicked column of water to pound the evil sorceress. Within seconds, the area around Nerissa was flooded and she stumbled. With an uttered oath of anger, the witch floated up into the air. Irma charged her, dodging two deadly bolts before she impacted the shield. The Water Mistress bounced harmlessly off the barrier, but did manage to topple the hag.
"Argh, blast it all," Nerissa cursed, rising to her feet. "Alright Guardian, no more parlor tricks. Let's see what you do with this." The ogress waved her hand and stared intently at Irma, as she looped around and prepared another dive-bomb.
A wave of psychic energy struck the angry young woman; with a loud grunt, Irma halted in mid-air and grabbed her head. Shaking her auburn locks violently, she plummeted to the ground, landing hard on the grass.
No, not now, Irma wailed silently. I can't do this now!
Come on girl, you can fight it; concentrate. You gonna let that wrinkly old prune beat you like that?
Irma clenched her fists and forced her head off of her chest. Nerissa had descended to the ground and was advancing towards her target. Irma pushed herself to her feet and glowered at her enemy.
"I'm through being afraid of you; you can't scare me anymore!"
Nerissa laughed, "Are you so certain of that, child?"
Yeah that's telling her!
Irma shook her head to quiet it down and continued to stare-down the old hag. Nerissa stopped a few feet away and smiled widely.
"What is fear? Is it the absence of courage? Is it the insecurities of the mind? Is it the lack of knowledge?" She raised her hand and pain slashed through Irma's brain. She cried out and fell to one knee.
Nerissa began to walk forward. "Fear is powerful; fear is debilitating; fear is all-consuming." She slashed the air and Irma cried out again, falling on her hands.
"Fear is a hunger that must be fed; fear traps all hope and leaves only despair; fear crushes the soul and leaves only an empty shell!" Another slash of her hand, and Irma was knocked onto her back.
"Fear comes from our minds; fear is nurtured by our memories; fear is whatever you create." Nerissa placed her hand on Irma's head and stared deep into her wide turquoise pools. Every terror the Guardian had ever experienced suddenly surfaced and multiplied hundreds of times. She screamed, paralyzed with terror.
Grotesque images flooded her mind and came to life; in the center of it all stood Nerissa. "Fear is what allows me to control you; your mind will turn against you eventually. You will become suspicious of everyone, of everything. Sleep will never come easily, and you will see danger and foes wherever you look. Your terror will destroy you Guardian; of this I have made certain. You will never be free of my grasp; you will be my prisoner forever!"
"No, no; I'm not a-fraid of y-you," Irma whispered.
Nerissa laughed again. "Oh but you are child, you are. Do you know why? It is because I can make you do anything I desire. Your freedom is but an illusion, Guardian. Even your dreams come to life now don't they?"
Irma closed her eyes and tried to block out the horrible truth of Nerissa's words.
"Do you remember how it felt to have the electric fire coursing through your veins; boiling your blood?" The hag placed her hand on Irma's chest and shot white-hot lightning into the Guardian. Irma screamed in agony and writhed helplessly on the ground.
"Oh that hurts doesn't it, Guardian. You would do anything not to have to experience that again wouldn't you." She shot more deadly bolts through her victim. Irma screamed again and began to shake all over.
"You can make it stop Guardian; it is within your power. All you have to do is ask me…nicely. Beg Guardian; beg for my mercy!"
She can't talk to you like that.
Yeah, stand up and show her who's boss.
Quit quivering on the ground and be a Guardian already.
No way! You do that and she'll kill you!
Just do what she wants; it's safer that way.
Safer? You think anyone is safe with this lady running around?
Shutup…
Listen to me doll, you were chosen for a reason, you have to-
Just shutup…everyone just "SHUT-THE-HELL-UP!"
Irma exploded to her feet and blasted Nerissa with a veritable monsoon. The witch tried to raise a shield, but it was too late. The water struck her in the chest and threw her across the aviary; her back struck the side of the cage and she slid to the ground.
The enraged Guardian rushed towards the fallen sorceress and aimed a kick at her ribs. Deceptively agile, Nerissa rolled away and conjured her shield at last. Undeterred, Irma charged at the demoness and crashed into the barrier. It exploded spectacularly, and both women were thrown backwards.
Nerissa rose almost immediately to her feet and regarded the Water Guardian with confusion. She couldn't understand what had made the brat so powerful, nor what had broken through her fears. One thing she did know for sure, was that this was an unforeseen side effect; one that would spare the Guardian's life…for now. She raised her arms and, in a flash of light, she was gone.
Irma stared at the spot where the Queen of Evil had been just a moment before; she had escaped and Irma was angry.
It's okay, she can't run forever.
I can't believe you let her get away!
Irma slapped herself alongside the head, and was relieved to hear silence. With a heavy sigh, she raised her eyes skyward. "That's right super-bitch, run; but you had better be nowhere near me when the fit hits the shan."
"Irma," a small voice called weakly. The Water Guardian looked around, finally spying Hay Lin several feet off the ground, bound to the side of the enormous cage.
"Hay Lin," she whispered as she flew towards her sister. The Air Guardian's stomach was raw and red and she was breathing shallowly. Upon closer inspection, Irma could see three strange symbols had been seared into her best friend's stomach. Irma had no idea what they meant, but she knew who had put them there.
"Hay Lin, are you alright?"
"I don't think so," Hay Lin answered weakly. "My chest; my stomach…"
"Shh, don't try to talk now Hay-Hay. Let's get you down from here."
Hay Lin nodded slowly and closed her eyes. Irma placed her hand gently on the Guardian's cheek; she patted it tenderly. She knew Hay Lin had to be in serious pain because she wasn't grinning that goofy grin she always wore.
Irma pulled at the metal rods, but they were too strong. Then she got an idea, but she would need Hay Lin's help.
"Hay-Hay, I think I have an idea, but I'm gonna need your help babe."
Hay Lin opened her eyes and nodded. "What…..need?" was all she managed to gasp out.
Irma grimaced; she hated to put her injured sister through this, but it was all she could think of to do. She grasped one of the rods firmly and used her powers to moisten it. "Hay Lin, can you make this thing freeze now?"
Hay Lin blew on the moistened rod as best she could; it was enough. The rod froze.
Irma smiled and rubbed her friend's cheek. "Great job Hay-Hay; good girl." Grasping the weakened rod again, Irma snapped it in half. Perfect; now we just have to get the rest of them.
She went to drop the broken rod, but found it had stuck to her hand. She shook her arm violently several times, but the rod remained stubbornly attached. You have got to be kidding me, Irma raged silently. She would have to figure it out later; there were more important tasks at hand now.
Irma and Hay Lin repeated the process several more times, only Irma used her elbow to break the rods. Finally, the last rod gave way and Hay Lin slipped towards the ground. Irma caught her and eased her to the grass. Hay Lin groaned; she wrapped her arms around her middle and pulled her knees to her chest. Irma placed her free hand on Hay Lin's shoulder and tried to figure out what was wrong.
"The……others," Hay Lin gasped.
"Others? Other what?" Irma asked.
Hay Lin didn't respond; she was unconscious. Irma became alarmed and frantically checked for a pulse. She breathed a sigh of relief when she felt the steady pounding.
"Come on sis; let's get you out of here." Irma was about to scoop up her teammate when it suddenly dawned on her: the others. She had been so intent on Nerissa, that she hadn't noticed anything else around her.
A sick feeling rising in her chest, Irma turned slowly. The carnage before her was unlike anything she could have imagined; not even in her wildest nightmares. Taranee lay curled in a ball and unmoving. Even from this distance Irma could see that her skin was no longer a deep, rich brown; it looked somewhat bleached, as if a painter had added too much thinner. Cornelia lay just as still, her stomach severely blackened. And Will…
Irma's jaw fell open and she rushed to her friends. She reached Taranee first and fell to her side. Irma emitted a small scream when she saw her friend's face; Taranee's eyes were darting all around, wild and unfocused. Her lips were moving, but no sound came out. She was shaking violently and her skin was like ice. Irma tried to get the injured Guardian to focus on her, but Taranee acted as if she didn't know anyone else was there.
Her panic multiplying, Irma moved to Cornelia. She could see now that the blackness on the blonde's stomach was massive bruising. Her skin was blue and cold. Irma placed her hand against Cornelia's side to check for broken ribs, and gagged when her hand just kept going. She pulled back and looked at her friend in shock; her ribs were completely gone! Unable to hold it anymore, Irma vomited in the grass. She coughed and wrapped her arms around her stomach. Turning back to the blonde Guardian, she tentatively reached out a hand and checked for a pulse. To her surprise, she found one; it was very weak, but it was there.
"Hang in there Corny; I'll get you some help babe." Irma whispered.
The Water Guardian stood shakily and stumbled over to Will. She had to force herself to look at the grotesque scene; her dear friend impaled halfway down a metal pike. The shaft was slick and red with her leader's blood; the hands that gripped it were so pale.
Irma swallowed hard and turned to look in the Keeper's face; she gasped and jumped back. Will's face was so severely burned Irma almost didn't recognize her. The red eyebrows were gone, the brown eyes were seared shut, the beautiful lips were nearly burned away.
Irma couldn't handle it and she fell to her knees. Her best friends had been thoroughly destroyed, completely manhandled, ravaged beyond comprehension. And here she was, alone and expected to do something.
"What the hell am I supposed to do with this!" Irma raged at the sky. "I'm the freaking Water Guardian, not Dr. "He's-Dead-Jim" McCoy!"
You could start by finding the Oracle.
No, get Yan Lin; she'll know what to do.
Run away before they think you did this.
Irma ran her hand through her hair, grabbing a handful in her fist.
Try CPR…that always seems to work in the movies.
No idiot, they're bleeding. Do you wanna kill them?
You need to get that chick off the pike first; I'm sure it itches a little.
She'll bleed to death if you do that. Instead, why don't you-
"Could you all just pour yourselves a nice big glass of SHUT THE HELL UP!" Irma screamed, pounding her fist into the ground as hard as she could. She was relieved to hear nothing.
She closed her eyes and pushed herself to her feet. She gazed miserably at Will and placed her hand over the girl's heart.
"What are you doing Irma?" she asked herself. "You can't summon the Heart of Candracar; what were you thinking?"
That you love your friend and maybe if you-
Irma popped herself on the head with a knuckle; her head fell silent. Think Lair, think; how do you get the Heart to come out? Then an idea struck her; and it was just crazy enough to work. It had to; otherwise, the Guardians were doomed.
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Halinor gasped as Tracker's hand closed around her neck. The monster lifted her off the ground and held her against the wall, his inhuman smile chilling her bones. She kicked her feet in desperation, but she could not break his hold. Finally with no other choice, she summoned a small fireball and blasted him full in the face.
Tracker screamed and stumbled back, clutching at his scorched eyes. Halinor landed gently on her feet, coughing and clutching her throat. She gazed at Tracker and watched him stagger blindly around the room, his hands swinging about in front of him. He accidentally hit a newly-righted Miranda, sending her flying against a wall. She seemed to take offense to that, and leaped on Tracker's neck, sinking her fangs into his cloak. Tracker screamed and struggled to locate his attacker.
Nearby, Frost the Hunter was coming around, and he didn't look happy. His eyes landed on Halinor and he advanced towards the former Guardian. Each threatening step seemed to empower him even more and Halinor gulped. She readied a fireball and prayed she wouldn't have to use it.
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Luba awoke slowly, every bone in her body protesting. She took a quick inventory of her injuries and decided none of them were mortal. Groaning, she rolled herself to all-fours. The Caretaker squeezed her eyes shut and willed the room to stop spinning. When Luba re-opened her eyes, the first monster she saw was Sandpit.
Luba pushed herself to her feet and extended her deadly claws. Growling, she advanced on the walking desert menacingly. The evil creature raised his fist and didn't move. Luba launched herself towards her enemy and buried her claws in his arm. Disengaging her paw, she slashed at Sandpit again and again. Sand flew around the room and Luba smiled in morbid satisfaction.
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Halinor screamed as Frost slashed her with his cleaver over and over. She knew if she didn't do something quick, she was going to die. She wriggled her foot in between herself and her attacker and pushed with all her might. Frost flew backwards and landed on his back. He lay stunned on the floor.
Halinor pulled herself painfully to her feet, holding her injured arm close to her body. She wasn't about to let the brute recover; she unleashed another fireball, hitting her adversary in the stomach. Frost howled and rolled, trying to put himself out.
Halinor collapsed on the ground; using her powers had drained her life-force. She needed to rest, but she wasn't sure she had time. She breathed deeply, trying to restore her energy as quickly as possible. Unfortunately, Frost had other ideas in mind. He stood shakily and turned his attention back to the former Guardian.
As he advanced, his menacing cleavers gleaming, Halinor closed her eyes. She couldn't conjure another fireball, she was too weak. She wasn't strong enough to fight Frost the Hunter; he was much too powerful. She waited for the end to come, and only hoped it would be swift.
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Yan Lin moved serenely towards the Assembly Chamber. She had just handed a bag of medical supplies to her granddaughter; she had a feeling Irma would soften and let Hay Lin help her. She was so proud of her granddaughter, having the courage to return to her best friend's side; even after said best friend had cut her with cruel remarks. She knew Irma loved Hay Lin as a sister; eventually the girl would remember that.
Hay Lin would take care of Irma now, so the elder Lin had set off to find the Oracle. She wanted to discuss the events of the last couple of days, see what she could do to help. Perhaps together they could find a way to put an end to Nerissa's evil.
The old woman began to hum peacefully as she floated down the halls of the beautiful fortress. Surrounded by such wonder, how could she possibly feel anything but content? Even in light of the current circumstances, Yan Lin couldn't help but smile.
As she neared the Assembly Chamber, she heard strange noises; loud strange noises. She quickened her step and reached the huge double-doors. Throwing them open she walked into…total chaos.
Miranda was latched onto Tracker at his neck, the latter howling and trying desperately to dislodge the spider; Raythor lay motionless on the floor, his chest bleeding lightly; Frost was advancing on Sandpit, swinging his cleavers menacingly; Sandpit was sitting on the floor looking exhausted.
When the doors had opened, the combatants had all turned in her direction; each one now eyed her threateningly. Tracker had finally thrown Miranda to the floor and was now making his way towards the former Air Mistress. Miranda landed on her feet and leaped towards Yan Lin as well. Frost turned and charged recklessly at the new arrival. Sandpit remained on the floor.
Yan Lin's eyes grew wide as she backed towards the doors. "Ta ma de," she breathed as she raised her hands to defend herself.
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Wow, what a ride! Congrats to all of you who made it through. Here's a slice of Boston cream pie for you. If you leave a review, I'll make my famous brown sugar chili and serve you some. Extra cookies to the first reviewer who successfully translates Yan Lin's exclamation. Much credit goes to AzhureTigress for serving as my editor. She is also responsible for concocting the idea of the Battle Royal in the Assembly Chamber; I so could not have done this chappie without you Azhure; I cannot thank you enough my friend. Thanks to all you lovely readers; Cheers!