"We have to move very quietly so we don't alert her." Smith continued in his quiet tone. "No sudden movements, either. She can go from tame to wild in mere milliseconds." He moved one foot, waiting a moment before he moved his other. Xena followed after him, being used to having to be quiet. Xephos glanced at the two, thinking about how stupid they looked for a moment, before he began creeping along. The trek across was seemed like a small room began to drag as they had to constantly check the dormant girl's condition. Xephos glanced ahead of him, seeing the tendrils lazily crossing where he would go. "Careful!" The hiss from the green man startled Xephos, but more importantly Nano twitched. The three held their breaths, the tainted girl now directly facing them. The tendrils had frozen, reared slightly. After a few tense moments, the tendrils relaxed, snaking around again. Xephos half glared at Smith, wondering why the hell he did that. "You don't want to touch them. They'll infect you." He added quietly. Xephos gulped. That's why. He carefully made his way over the tendrils, glancing back at the girl. She had become calm again, her eyes staring at where he used to be.
"Smith..." Xephos asked quietly. Smith glanced at the dark-haired male, his eyes narrowed slightly. "What do you mean by...wild?" He whispered. "What...happened to her?" He stood next to the taller male, his eyes drifting back to the girl lost to taint.
"...Why don't you ask your scientist friend?" His tone held clear bitterness, not meeting Xephos' gaze. He was watching Nano, who stood motionlessly. "..." Smith turned away. "...Let's just go." The three were on the other side of the room when a loud shattering sound came from behind them. Slowly they turned, and the tendrils were high in the air. Nano was glaring at them, the taint on her body seeming to move. "...Uh..." The mage gulped, the tendrils and the host moving towards them. She moved lightly on her feet, wherever they landed leaving a few spots of taint behind. "We'd better start...running." Xena stumbled back into Smith's arms, and the three continued backing away. That was, until the taint crawled up the doorway and sealed it shut. Their backs connected with the sealed door, and fear spread into their eyes. "...Shit." He whispered under his breath.
"...A̹̜̺̻̥le̺̰̻ͅx?" The word was hushed, barely sounding over the slithering of the taintacles. Smith's eyes widened, his throat tightening from hearing the word – his name. "...He̤͓lp̳ me..." He absently tightened his grip around Xena, causing a small gasp to escape from her. He released his grip from the smaller girl, taking a cautious step forward. This hesitation was all the tainted being needed, a taintacle instantly wrapping around his right wrist. The male growled, trying to pull his hand back. Symbols started glowing on his right forearm, causing the taint to retreat. A cry echoed in the room from Nano, the sound of a sword slicing through a taintacle accompanying it. The girl instantly turned around, allowing the three to see the owner of the sword. The hybrid was glaring daggers at the fluxed girl.
"I wondered where you had slithered off to." He muttered. "Leaving taint wherever you go...corrupting my friend and hurting another." He ripped the sword from where it was lodged, causing another groan from the girl. "Oh...you are in a bad place right now." Trott warned, his dark eyes seeming darker than usual; even darker than those when he was 'The Knight'. The three shared a bond unlike any other; the sons of the Palace. Even when one is lost, the other two will stand strong. "Whether you are possessed or not, I will end you for touching him." His voice was hushed, creating a darker tone. He pointed his sword towards Nano, remains of taint dripping from it's blade. With a flick of Smith's wrist, the sword blade was alight. The two shared a smirk, before the hybrid dashed towards Nano. Xephos, finally snapping out of his little daze, also took his sword to attack. They moved and attacked skilfully, matching each other as they had just mere months ago; now they were on the same side. Their gazes met as the tips of their swords pressed firmly against opposite sides of Nano's neck, not quite piercing the skin. Around them lay ripped off taintacles which were dissolving to nothing. Xena unconsciously moved closer to Smith, her inner self showing. Usually she was a City guard, strong and without emotions. Now...she was the girl she truly is.
"Maybe I should duel you again one day, Trott." The smirk couldn't help itself from forming on Xephos' lips. "I might beat you next time." The hybrid returned the smirk, scoffing as if it were ludicrous.
"In your dreams. Even without cheating, I'll definitely beat you." He replied. Nano remained still between them, not daring to move an inch for fear of a sword in her neck. "You might be able to beat Ross. Never has quite gotten used to using one. He goes on about how he prefers to build. That's right, isn't it Smith?" He called over Nano's shoulder to the green male. Smith smirked, leaning on the wall slightly as he nodded.
"Sure is. Little architect, he is. Well, I guess not so little anymore." The four laughed. With a dangerous being between them, it seemed like they were almost mad or didn't care anymore. Maybe they weren't scared of her now. Well, that was, until she dared to move. A taintacle ripped through one of Xephos' gloves, coming into contact with his skin. He tried to pull away but it was too late. The memories rushed into his mind, clearing everything else away. He saw everything. Some memories were more focused on, however; particularly when she met Sjin. It continued quickly, showing how she was tricked by him and Sips, before she found Lalna. It was almost like an old movie playing; shadowing around the edges. Nano was hovering above the glass orb, looking down at it. She slipped, with a single hole in the sphere, and landed inside with the unstable flux. At first, it seemed like it had no affect. But, after Lalna locked her away for 100 days, she was at least showing physical signs. The madness hadn't quite taken her yet. Soon it did; just as she was claimed by the former king. They had taken her at the moment she needed Lalna, yet he turned away. He betrayed her, leaving her as she screamed his name. The last moments of that particular memory was the swish of Lalna's white lab coat as he disappeared out of the door. Next she was chained up, unable to move even slightly. At first she tried; she tried so desperately to move, to run, to escape. But it was no use. Eventually she gave up, letting the voices take her. Past that point, everything became splashed with purple and slight red. Voice...voices other than the madness could be heard. Her head lifted, looking at the door. In crept three young boys: a human, a hybrid and a green...thing. Such a weird combination, she thought. They would talk to her, trying to ask her name or where she came from. Nothing...hurtful. Usually others would say 'monster' or 'freak'...but not these three. Xephos was suddenly ripped from the memory, his head colliding hard with the floor. His senses muffled, bringing his hand to the back of his head. He cradled his head with his hand, Xena helping him sit up. When Xephos next looked at Nano, her head was no longer connected to her small torso and the tainted parts had melted away. It left only the human parts, mangled and disfigured. It brought a tear to his eyes. She was innocent. She couldn't help it. It was Lalna who was to blame, wasn't he? HE let her fall in, HE didn't protect her from the king, HE didn't try to save her. Lalna...maybe this is what the others meant, Xephos thought. Whenever they mentioned Lalna's other side, was this what they meant? Why was he like that? That wasn't like the Lalna today. Why was he different now?
"We'd better get going." Trott pointed out, helping Xephos to his feet. "You alright?" The dark-haired male shook his head, leaning heavily on the hybrid. "Must've been affected badly." Trott murmured. "Would it be wise to go to Ross now, with him in this state?" He asked.
"I-I'll be alright." Xephos replied. "J-Just give me a moment." He whispered, and a chuckle soon followed. The four glanced around, and saw a man in black and gold hovering in the air. His legs were crossed over each other like he was sitting in a chair. Xephos smiled, seeing his friend. "R-Ridge...I didn't k-know you were here." His knees became weak, his body collapsing under itself again. The demi-god flew down, kneeling beside his wounded friend.
"Of course I am. I'm always around for you." He murmured, running his hand over the hole in Xephos' glove. A deep gash was there. "The memories...it was hard, wasn't it?" His voice was quiet, only being heard by the man next to him. Xephos nodded, his head tiredly resting on Ridge's shoulder. The demi-god ran a hand comfortingly through his dark strands, his other working on healing the wound. "Xeph...are you sure you can take him?" Ridge's gaze met Xephos'. "I don't know what he could possibly be planning. You need to be ready for anything." Xephos placed his hand on Ridge's shoulder in place of his head.
"I'll be find, friend. I have my friends to help me." He glanced up at the other three. He then stood with Ridge's help; he was still a little shaky on his feet. "We have to hurry, so that we're not too late." Xephos added. The three nodded. Xephos leaned on Ridge for support; letting the other three go ahead. None wanted to look back on the mess in the room; especially not the one who had seen her memories.