Keefe stayed silent pushing the stone on his panic ring again and again, waiting for Sophie to do… whatever she was planning on doing, and stood there, trying to prepare himself to leap into action, hoping Dex would get there before it was too late. He wasn't going to grab Biana and leap away like Sophie wanted. No matter how sure Sophie was that everything would be okay, how smart and brave she was, Keefe couldn't just leave her. Not here, not here with Lady Gisela. It was too risky.
"Hmm. I see you're finally learning to keep your mouth shut Keefe. That's a turn of events that I did not foresee." Gisela was still smiling, though her eyes looked calculating. Like she was studying him, sizing him up. Trying to decide whether or not he was a worthy opponent.
Okay, I think I'm ready. Sophie's voice drifted across his mind. Three… He decided to try and keep his mum as distracted as possible, so he started to talk.
"What tests were you talking about again?" He asked her, making her turn her head towards him. Good. If she was looking at him, she wasn't looking at Sophie. Two… Keefe was dreading the moment she was going to cause the distraction, he knew she would hate him for not listening to her.
One! Sophie twisted away from Biana and pulled a Goblin throwing star out of one of her hidden pockets in a fluid, practiced motion. Gisela moved to stop her, but the psionpath hadn't lowered the force field yet, and she couldn't do anything.
"YOU FOOLS! LOWER THAT FORCE FIELD!" Gisela was screaming at the other members of the Neverseen, but they didn't seem to hear her, too busy trying to get everything under control.
Sophie threw her throwing star at the Mesmer, but missed as Biana ran at her, pushing her against the force field. Keefe shouted out, his hand twitching, but there was nothing he could do for now. Gisela seemed to have the same problem. Sure he could have leapt away, but he wouldn't leave Sophie. And Biana. Biana was important too. He stood there, staring, as Sophie shoved Biana away, and threw another two throwing stars. They both hit their mark, and Biana fell to the ground as the Mesmer stumbled back, nursing their bleeding shoulder, and the force field flickered away as the psionpath fell to the ground, throwing star embedded in their forehead.
Keefe felt just as sick as Sophie looked, but Gisela almost looked impressed. "Vespera did say you had it in you, that you could embrace your ruthlessness, but I'll admit, I didn't think you would do it Sophie."
"She can do whatever she wants to!" Keefe yelled at Gisela, earning him a glare from Sophie.
"I know she is quite capable Keefe. That's why I said I didn't think she would, not that I thought she couldn't. You really should learn to listen son."
"I'M NOT YOUR SON!" Keefe yelled, and Sophie transmitted to him again. Keefe what are you doing? This isn't part of the plan. Grab Biana and leap away! Keefe shook his head, forgetting about his mum.
"I know you guys are talking. In fact, I even know what you're talking about." Gisela said, getting some confused looks from Keefe and Sophie.
"What do you mean?" Keefe could tell that Sophie genuinely wanted to know what Gisela was going on about, but he knew she was just bluffing. "It's that thing you were testing out, wasn't it?" Sophie asked. Keefe hadn't thought of that.
"Clever girl. Yes, that is ONE of the few tests I was hoping to run, and I'm pleased to inform you that it was extremely successful." Keefe was increasingly suspicious of all the information they were getting out of Gisela, and he was sure Sophie could feel it too. Keefe GO NOW! You need to-
"No one will be going anywhere!" Gisela interrupted, before Sophie could even finish the thought. Keefe decided maybe she could tell what they were saying after all.
Keefe gasped as the Mesmer jumped at Sophie, holding her in a chokehold and pulling out a knife. Keefe tried to move, but he was stuck in place. He screamed as the Mesmer dug the knife into her beautiful skin and dragged it through her flesh. Fountains of blood streamed everywhere as a jagged wound was formed on her arm, spanning from her shoulder, all the way down to her wrist.
"I'm going to cause you just as much pain as you caused me, little girl." He laughed as Sophie paled. "Not so strong now, are we?"
Tears streaked down Sophie's cheeks, and Keefe collapsed on the floor, writhing in pain, even though he knew he was feeling only a fraction of the agony Sophie was enduring. The Mesmer twisted the knife around, cutting through Sophie's arm. Keefe screamed out again, doubling over and vomiting all over the floor when he saw the white of her bone splintered and shattered, shards buried in her deformed flesh. He glanced at Sophie, she was gritting her teeth, refusing to show her pain.
Gisela looked at Keefe, lying there on the floor, and walked past him.
"I think that's enough. For now." Keefe's mum stood next to the Mesmer and grabbed his shoulder.
"We have everything we need." She raised her crystal to the light, and leapt away. Keefe was helpless to do anything, he just watched as Gisela glittered away, along with the Mesmer, and Sophie.
