The Kingdom of Layfette

Archive Four







Idre sniffled as she looked up at the crystallized royals in front of her. Dyllin's face was a portrayal of shock and anger, and Samiya and Anaita were clutching to one another in fear. Anaita's eyes were closed, her hand clasped around Samiya's between their close chests, her head bowed. Idre wiped at her teary eyes and put a hand against the glass-like surface of their encasement, then turned back to her sisters. "I can't sit here and wait anymore, sisters... what if Aarin isn't coming back? We have to go find him." she whimpered, clutching at her chest painfully. At the same time, though, she didn't want to leave Dyllin, Samiya and Anaita here undefended for Reise to come back and destroy.

Sein watched Idre with a sad frown then listened as she spoke. She shook her head quickly then motioned to her two sisters and Ihara before pointing at the door to show they should go. She then pointed at herself then towards the frozen royals. "I will stay here to guard them." she mouthed silently looking determined. A part of her hoped Reise would return. She had a better chance of getting Eon back that way.

Iswe tilted her head to the side and stared at Sein. "I think she means to stay here... to protect them..." Iswe fiddled with her braid for a moment before nodding her head and sighing. "Okay but... how do we find him? We dont really know where he is."

Idre fidgeted a little as she watched her sisters. "I could speak to the plants? Ask them where he is..." she said meekly. She had only tried that particular talent once before in the past, and that was to find Aarin as a toddler when they'd lost him in the garden maze. It had been only slightly beneficial, having given them a broad idea of his location. She looked back up at Dyllin and Samiya's frozen faces and sniffed. "It's worth a try..."

Sein nodded then moved to Idre and gave her a tight hug before stepping back and placing a hand under her chin and raising her face up to look at her with a smile. "You can do this. You are strong sister." She spoke silently to her before hugging her again then moving to Iswe and hugging her as well. "Now go and be careful. Take care of each other." She mouthed hoping they would understand. "I will stay and protect Dyllin, Anaita and Samiya. Reise will not harm them."

Iswe returned Sein's hug enthusiastically. Smiling, she grabbed Idre's hand and tugged gently. "Come on. I have a good feeling about this. It'll work." Giving Sein a small wave, she sighed and carefully ushered her sister out of the castle. "We should probably ride into the woods a little ways to get a better reading, don't you think?"

Idre smiled at Iswe and nodded. "I agree." she said softly and looked at Ihara as he sat on Iswe's shoulder. "Don't worry, your highness... we'll get this straightened out." she whispered, lightly petting his head with her fingertips. She then straightened up and headed out of the castle, with only a last prayer that Sein would be okay. It was a horrible idea to leave her alone. But they also couldn't leave the royals alone either. This was the best way. She flinched a little when the sky boomed with lightning and thunder as they stepped outside, gasping and gripping to Iswe's arm a little as she did. She whimpered and gulped, then took a breath and tried to straighten up again. She had to be strong. She looked around, then headed towards the gates of the castle. The entirety of the castle grounds were completely devoid of life... no guards, maids, butlers, soldiers... no one. She felt nervous about that fact.

Iswe looked at the small frog on her shoulder and frowned. "I'm so sorry Ihara... I shouldn't have left..." Tears brimmed her eyes. She wondered if she could communicate with him. Frogs were creatures of the water. She doubted it. Turning back to her sister, she watched as she looked around and sighed. "It's kind of creepy out here... Come on... let's find our horses and get out of here."

Scabbar landed a little heavier than he intended, because he didn't intend to land at all and had been rather unceremoniously thrown into these circumstances. He cursed, blood coming from the lips of the body he was controlling, mixing with the alcohol dribbling from them. He'd cut himself on the broken glass of the bottle. No matter, they weren't his lips anyway. He looked around, searching for any sign that Reise was along for the ride in this mission. When he saw none he let out a soft "Fucking fine job this ain't it?" and made his way towards the door of wherever the hell he'd been transported to. It smelt like the privy, but most things did these days.

Idre nodded in agreement with Iswe and held her hand tightly as she pulled her towards the horse stalls. She opened the door, but frowned when she didn't hear any sounds of moving horses inside. She peeked her head in, but gasped and put a hand over her mouth. "H-he... He changed all the horses into wooden toys!" she yelped, backing out of the stables and into her sister, her eyes wide. In every stall stood a single, wooden and painted horse on tiny wheels. She whimpered and felt sick, her skin going pale quickly. It made her ill to know that Reise had no hesitation in ruining the lives of so many living creatures. She turned back to her sister to push her out of the stables and back outside, but as she turned, she noticed movement out of the corner of her eyes. She turned her head, and suddenly her eyes were drinking in the looming form of a very familiar hood and the shimmer of an axe that punctuated her nightmares. Her eyes went wide with horror and she shoved Iswe hard. "SCABBAR!" she screamed, pulling Iswe into a run.

Iswe shrieked loudly as Idre tugged her along. "But... but we have to stop him... he could hurt someone..." Iswe looked back over her shoulder and frowned deeply. She let her sister lead her away and growled. "By the way... the horses.... that's just terrible. They didn't do anything wrong." But she knew that was why Reise had done it.

"Screaming." Scabbar said, his head whipping around so fast his neck cricked "My cue." He took off after them, pushing this new body of his onwards... Perhaps Reise should not have looked in a bar however, bars were full of strong men who weren't very fit, and this body was thundering along at a not so agile pace. He would hurt anyone he ran into, including a door, but it wasn't a body for chasing.

Idre gripped Iswe's hand, pulling her along at a sprint, especially when she looked back over her shoulder and saw the lumbering form of Scabbar thundering after them. She yelped and raced across the front lawn of the castle grounds, heading for the hedge maze around the side of the building. "We'll lose him in here!" she said, pulling her inside and around several bends and twists. She knew this hedge maze like the back of her hand. After all, the plants told her which ways to go.

Scabbar cursed as he skidded to a halt just outside the entrance to the maze. Great, he wouldn't find them in there. He looked down at his hands, one hand the axe and the other... Well, maybe he wouldn't have to find them. The contents of the alcohol bottle was sloshed across the nearest hedge, spilling across the floor as well until the bottle was dry. Throwing it to the floor, Scabbar grunted as he looked around, finding and picking up a rock from a little way away. With rock in hand and axe positioned carefully, he began to spark. He was going to try and burn them out.

Idre panted and whimpered as she pulled Iswe deep into the hedge maze. She had stopped hearing Scabbar's thudding footsteps behind them after they'd gone inside, but she had known better than to stop. Then there was the sound of liquid hitting the bushes... then broken glass... and now the sounds of two hard objects striking one another. She frowned in confusion, her hurried steps pausing as she looked in the directions of the sounds. "Do you hear that?" she asked Iswe, gripping to her hand. "What is he doing?"

Iswe listened but shook her head. "I'm not sure but I doubt its a good idea to stop. Come on, lets keep moving." Iswe strained to listen for any signs of where Scabbars was or what he was doing. Pulling Idre close, she walked along. "Idre...I don't know where I'm going. I need your help." Frowning Iswe looked up at the sky and frowned. Could they do this alone? Just the two of them. Looking.to her shoulder she realized how much she wished Ihara was here... as an elf. Sighing she shook her head, she had to stay strong. She'd been without him for 18 years and she could do it now.

Smoke. Then fire. The leaves of the bushes were plump and moist, they didn't burn well, but in all the pruning and sculpting the insides had grown dry and spindly. When the fire caught the inside it was like it hit kindling, and began to spread quickly. "Time to repay you girls in kind for what you did to me." Scabbar grunted as he started his way into the maze. He didn't care about the fire, he would find these girls in the maze.

The instant the fire began to eat away at the leaves and branches, Idre felt it. It was a searing pain in her arms and legs, pain that made her stumble and cry out, tears brimming her eyes. She clutched at her chest and shrieked again, trying to catch her breath, trembling all over, and opening her eyes up to Iswe. "I-I can't move!" she yelped. There was so much pain and death in the plants all around her. "Go!"

Iswe nibbled on her bottom lip as the fire started. Frowning, she turned to her sister and shook her head. "I'm not leaving you... are you psycho?" Carefully she lifted Idre up into her arms, bridle style, clutching her tightly as she glanced around. "I don't know where to go..." Iswe whimpered softly, she was lost and a bit scared. Taking a few deep breaths, she calmed herself enough to remember that there was a fountain on the other side of the maze. Closing her eyes, she willed her spirit to find it, knowing it would lead her out of the maze. Taking a few steps, she smiled and opened her eyes, slowly making her way through the maze and to the fountain. Setting Idre down she turned around to face the maze that was slowly being engulfed in flames. "Oh gods..." Drawing power from the fountain behind her she used it as a hose and aimed water at the flames, extinguishing them.

Idre had clutched at Iswe tightly as she was lifted and transported, whimpering and screaming in pain as the fire ate away at the plants around her. She sniffled and cried, sobbing angrily as they reached the other side and she was put down. She was in agony, her body paralyzed by the pain and sadness. She watched through burning eyes as Iswe tried to put the flames out, but she knew that would just lead Scabbar to them. "S-stop... Iswe..." she coughed and groaned, reaching for her. "Don't!"

A smoke signal, wonderful. The extinguished fire was more than enough to guide the way, and the shouting was quite loud as Scabbar made his impatient trek through the maze. Of course he didn't know their exact path, but he was cheating with his axe, so being completely perfect didn't matter. The blade of his axe took a little bit to hack through the necessary hedges, but he was relentless, and soon Idre and Iswe heard a crunch to their left as Scabbar attempted to cut his way through a partially burning hedge.

"Oh no..." Iswe hadn't been thinking. She'd just reacted, wanting to stop her sister's pain. Cursing she shook her head. "We have to move." Picking Idre back up she wasted no time in darting into the opposite direction as Scabbar. "We have to find Aarin." Growling softly she glanced around. They clearly weren't going to be getting much help from anyone or anything in the castle. "What should we do..."

Idre whined heavily in Iswe's arms, her entire body shaking, both with pain and fear. She hiccuped a sob and grunted, then wriggled free of Iswe's arms so she was on her own two feet. She then gave Iswe a firm shove. "R-run! Go! Find Aarin! I-I'm... gonna stall him.." she panted, her face streaked with tears. "GO!"

The top of Scabbar's hood was lit like a candle as he shoved his way through the hedge. This would have been funnier if he hadn't been there to murder everyone in front of him. He was covered in scratches and mild burns, his body already quite the ruin as he dragged himself through the hacked hole and towards Iswe and Idre. "It'll be over quick." he called out towards them as he walked closer.

Iswe began to argue with her sister but as she looked into her eyes she realized that there was no point, she wouldn't win this argument and there wasn't time to hash it out. Sighing she embraced her sister and kissed her forehead. "I love you, be safe!" She cried as she forced herself to run in the opposite direction. Grabbing Ihara from her shoulder, she clutched him to her chest as tears rolled down her cheeks. "I so wish you could help me..." She whispered softly, running.

Idre whimpered and panted in pain as she watched Iswe run off, tears in her eyes. "I l-love you too..." she whimpered softly, making sure she got far enough away before turning to the oncoming Scabbar. "Bring it on!" she said as toughly as she could. She stood up as straight as she could muster, though one arm was still wrapped around her ribs painfully. She felt ill. She had to stand her ground though. She glared at Scabbar, and gritted her teeth. "You won't get any--ugh--further than this.." She fell to her knees in the grass then, and pounded a fist into the dirt, growling as the ground began to rumble and shake beneath his feet. Heading his way was a massive fissure in the earth, splitting wider and wider as it headed towards him like a shark on a kill.

Scabbar took off running, straight towards Idre. He launched himself towards her, axe blade first, trying to leap as the ground shifted out from beneath his feet. He would either land on Idre, plunging the axe blade into her body, or he would sink the axe into the earth and be able to stop himself from falling into the abyss... Or he just might miss and fall straight back into the earth which he had escaped not too long before. His leap looked frighteningly accurate however.

Idre gasped and looked up as Scabbar leaped and came flying towards her, his axe poised to strike her down. She wouldn't have enough time to get up and run, especially with as little energy as she had. So in the split second where she wondered whether or not he would actually make it, she instead fell and rolled to the side away from him, keeping her arms tucked in tight to her body. Once she was out of the line of fire of his axe, she pulled herself to her feet and let out a coughing whimper from all of the smoke coming from the hedge fire before trying to make a run for it, away from the direction Iswe had gone.

Scabbar grunted as he hit the edge of the split, legs scrabbling on the dirt as he attempted to get some purchase. His blade was stuck in the floor thankfully, so he wasn't tumbling right into the abyss, but it took him a while of desperate kicking and tugging on his axe handle until he flopped down onto the dirt. The only noise he made was a growl of anger as he picked himself up and trudged after Idre. She could die first.

Idre whimpered as she ran, her steps stumbling and clumsy. She was still in a lot of pain. She could see a tree ahead. But the edges of her vision were blurring and she was feeling breathless. Her foot caught on something and she fell, skidding to a stop in the grass on her front, breathing hard and trembling all over. It was over for her now. "G-go ahead... kill me." she growled, knowing Scabbar would hear her. "But you won't win."

"I'll tell you the truth." Scabbar said, breathing deeply as he made his slow way towards Idre as she lay on the ground before him "I don't care about winning. I'm just here for the killing." He gripped her by the hair, carefully straightening out her neck before him, brushing away dirt and hair, almost with care as he prepared her for the chop. "Last words?" he asked as he moved beside her, raising his axe up slowly.

Idre grunted with pain as her head was lifted by her hair and manipulated to straighten out her neck for him. She winced and glared up at him as best she could, coughing a little from the uncomfortable angle of her neck. She didn't know what to say to him as her final words. In fact, she wanted to surprise him. So she simply closed her eyes and waited for the bite of the axe blade.

"Lady, I am a professional. You get your final words, and that's all. Since you're throwing them away... fine... It'll be quick." Scabbar said, before swinging the axe down at speed. If it hit, the cut would be fast and clean and he'd make sure to move the head away so she didn't spray blood all over her own head. It wouldn't be painful, not like his death, it would be a slash and she was gone.

Keeping her eyes closed, Idre waited for the blade to strike her. She could hear it whizzing through the air, amplified by her near-death moments. Then time seemed to stop. "Not yet." a soft, female voice chimed in her head. She gasped, and was swallowed up by something... a magical energy that was not her own. It didn't feel like it belonged to either of her sisters, or even Anaita. So who was it? Time moved slowly then, and within seconds of Scabbar's blade striking, her form changed. She went from being human, to her natural form as the earth sprite: a flock of multi-colored butterflies that narrowly avoided the blade. They fluttered around him for a moment before they all took off to the skies.

Scabbar stood there, axe in the floor, very still for a couple of seconds as butterflies flapped around him. After a moment to recover, he started to curse loudly. He wrenched his axe free, slashing at the air in anger. "HE SENT ME TO KILL DAMNED BUTTERFLIES!?" he yelled over the roar of the burning hedges. He had almost killed one... and then... butterflies.

They fluttered away, then they were gone. But another sharp presence of energy could be felt. Dark Eon was nearby, watching curiously from the shadows of one of the castle towers, his red eyes watching Scabbar as he shouted and waved his axe at the sky. Somewhere else, Reise was watching, and laughing hysterically at the ironic change of events. "How clever. Someone is helping." he said, rubbing his chin in thought as he leaned closer to his crystal ball--a sort of copy of the one Jollel used to use, and the one Anaita had in possession currently. "But who could it be?"

Scabbar was angry, to say the least. He'd wasted booze burning down a maze he was currently stuck in the middle of, and he hadn't even got a kill at the last second. He was carving his way back out of the maze, slamming his axe into the hedges, crumbling the burnt branches and forcing his way through without caring about injury. This was getting ridiculous.

Reise watched Scabbar through Eon's eyes, giving a crooked smile at his struggles, and then sighing as he leaned back in his chair. "Oh my... He seems so disappointed." he laughed. "I guess I should give him a reward for being so obedient and getting so close to the prize." Suddenly, he was standing in front of Scabbar, and the shift in energy from his appearance was strong enough to extinguish the flames in the hedges instantly. He grinned at Scabbar and chuckled. "Don't be discouraged, Scabbar! She was the weakest one of the bunch anyways. Someone came to her rescue, which means she wasn't much worth the killing." He snapped his fingers and a bottle appeared out of thin air, sloshing with fresh alcohol inside. "For you."

Scabbar glared at Reise, at least it seemed like he was behind the hood. Then he swung, blade whistling through the air. Scabbar grunted as the top of the bottle of alcohol in Reise's hand smashed to the floor. It had been a very risky way of opening up the bottle, the blade had come within inches of Reise himself. Scabbar grabbed the bottle, really wanting to kill something right about now.

Reise hadn't even flinched when Scabbar's blade came whizzing within centimeters of his fingers and inches from his face. He heard the top of the bottle hit the ground, then pushed the bottle into his hands. "You seem a little wound up. I think someone needs a vacation!" He grinned widely, then pointed towards the village of Layfette. "I hear the city is wonderful this time of year."

"I relax most when I do my job." Scabbar said, pushing the bottle under his hood and taking a swig. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand and muttered "But working for you has made it real hard to get anything done." Yes, he wouldn't mind going out there into the village and ending a few unfortunates, but he was being challenged by these sprites, or whatever they were. They'd always just managed to escape him. He wanted them dead.

Putting a hand to his chest and reeling back dramatically, Reise looked at Scabbar as if he was offended. "Me? My dear Scabbar, I had nothing to do with her escape! Perhaps if you had taken the swing when you had the chance instead of giving her the opportunity for last words, she would be dead instead of escaped." he said, giving him a crooked smirk. "But let's focus on the matter at hand instead of pointing fingers, shall we?" He cleared his throat theatrically, then pointed at the castle. "One of the sprites is still inside. The fire sprite. She has no voice to give last requests with, so perhaps you can dispose of her more cleanly?"

Scabbar grunted and looked around at the burning hedges. "Maybe we should wait until these have died down..." he muttered "Don't want to give her more power than she already has." He'd hate to see her disappear into a puff of smoke or something. He was pretty sure that even if he hadn't let the sprite have any last words, someone was just waiting for the moment to get her out of there.

Reise hummed a little at Scabbar, folding his arms and sighing whistfully. "Well, I see there is no pleasing you then. Perhaps I should go up there and visit her myself?" he asked, tilting his head. "I mean... the royal family is all trapped up there too... completely helpless and trapped in crystal. Didn't you want to see them?"

Scabbar grunted, moving his way past the man... if Reise could still be called that. "Fine." he muttered, mentally adding that even if others called him insane, Reise was a psycho. It wasn't like he'd forgotten his desire to cut Reise into little pieces, he just... knew that he had to wait.

Reise gave a giggle and clapped like a giddy little girl as Scabbar moved to follow him into the castle. "Oooh, I knew you couldn't resist that!" he said and almost skipped into the castle. He led Scabbar through the many hallways and staircases, his hands folded behind his back as he admired things, like he was strolling down memory lane. He paused at a portrait of his brother and Samiya when Aarin was still just a baby, and he leaned close to it, rubbing his chin a little. "Such beautiful likenesses!" He then gave the giant picture a swipe with his yellowed, claw-like nails, easily ripping the dry paper down the middle. "That's better!" He laughed insanely, then turned and carried on. When they finally got to Dyllin and Samiya's tower bedroom, he kicked the doors in roughly with a bang, looking around for Sein. "Honey, I'm home!"

Sein who had been standing by one of the large windows over looking the castle's courtyard, jumped at the large bang of the doors then spun round with eyes narrowed when she heard Reise's voice. She quickly moved protectively in front of the crystalised royals and as always her hands erupted in flames ready to strike if needed. "Get out!" She yelled wordlessly before suddenly throwing a fireball at Reise to show she had no problem killing him.

Scabbar had followed rather reluctantly through the halls of the castle, looking around at the walls and paintings as he trailed mud and ash after him. Now Reise was attacking paintings. Wonderful. The man needed to get his act together or they'd never kill anyone. As Reise banged the door open Scabbar paused just outside the doorway, waiting. Then came the fireball aimed at Reise. This was going pretty much how he expected with Reise leading the way.

Reise let out a laugh as she shot the fireball at him, and he merely batted it away into a nearby wall like it was merely a fly. It singed his hand, turned it red and made it burn, but he didn't really seem to register the pain. He barely even grimaced. "Oh, Sein! Not so happy, hm? Is it because your sisters abandoned you here?" he asked, stepping into the room again with smooth strides. "Well, worry not, my dear! I have someone with me who is very happy to see you again!" he grinned, then turned back towards the door. "Scabbar!"

Scabbar stepped out from the doorway, rolling his head and cricking his neck as he turned his eyes towards Sein. He wasn't sure if he'd get the kill... after all, the other one had disappeared, but soon they would find out. He couldn't help but wonder if this one was going to suddenly get whisked away.

Sein's eyes widened at the sight of the familiar hooded man stepping through the door. Didn't we kill him? She thought then quickly composed herself before they realised her surprise. Her eyes darted between Reise and Scabbar, trying to make sure neither left her eye line. Her hands burned hotter and she raised one and pointed at Scabbar. "I killed you once before..I can do it again." She warned soundlessly.

"I wonder if you'll last longer than that other one." Scabbar said as he took a slow step forward. His body was not his own, but the hood had been enough to scare the girl. He rather liked that. He was him, no matter what body he was in "She didn't put up much of a fight in the end."

Reise let out a laugh, waving his hand at Sein dismissively. "Oh, stop! You're too much!" he laughed. "Dear, your threats are so much emptier when you don't have a voice to fill them!" He moved to a plush chair nearby and sat down, lounging back and propping his feet up on a nearby table, his hands folded neatly in his lap as if he was preparing to watch a great show. He smiled at Scabbar, then waved at him to continue. "Please, proceed."

Other one?! Sein thought in panic before narrowing her eyes at Scabbar. "If you've hurt either of my sisters I will make you pay, you got that?" Her eyes flitted to Reise when she heard him speak and glared at him. "Once i've finished with him, you're next." She told him silently with a point of her finger before turning back to Scabbar and motioning for him to move first, raising her flaming fists ready to fight.

"I guess you'll have to come make me pay huh?" Scabbar grunted, adjusting his pants with one hand while walking forward, dragging his axe along the wooden floor. He was just approaching her, slowly, taking his time to approach the girl. "How good are you at killing girl? Killed people? What about elves? Ghosts? Sprites?" Scabbar smirked, at least, his hood seemed to somehow suggest a grin "I've done my fair share. How about you?"

"I prefer to not kill anyone but for you..i'd make an exception." Sein mouthed as her eyes remained fixed on Scabbar, a heavy frown set on her face. "Now if you're done talking i'd like to get this over with. I've got other things to do once i've finished with you two. So come on axeman, make your move." She motioned with a fiery finger for him to continue towards her, refusing to make any movement towards him herself. She wanted to make sure this fight was on her terms and that she was always in control. Lets hope I can take this guy on my own.. She thought trying to forget that last time it had taken all three sprites to defeat him. Of course I can win this..i'm fire.

Scabbar was approaching still, taking his time as he did, as if he was on a casual stroll and not about to try to murder a magical being. This one was fire right? He knew what to do to fire. As he approached his enemy he set his new hands on the handle, finding them thankfully stable. First thing to do is test Sein's reflexes, taking a speedy step forward and jabbing the head of the axe towards her belly. Even if it landed it would only wind her. He would save his real strength for later in the fight, if he even needed it.

Reise watched with a big grin from his seat, his hands folded in his lap and his eyes wide in excitement for a real fight. "Ooooh my! This is going to be good!" he cheered as he watched Scabbar take his first step forward and jab at Sein with the axe, his blood racing with the wonder of what she would do.

Luckily Sein had seen the attack coming and as Scabbar had jabbed the head of the axe towards her stomach she had quickly sidestepped away from him and swung a flaming fist around to strike his face. I'll burn that hood clean off him..then he'll have nothing to hide behind. She thought as she gritted her teeth, hoping she could land the shot before he noticed.

Scabbar tried to roll away, but the blow glanced off the side of his head as Sein struck out. Scabbar managed to come away without any serious injury, but Sein had showered him with sparks. Scabbar's hood was smouldering as he swung his axe around, stabbing his axe towards Sein's gut again. He just needed to get in and get a good blow or two in, even if it meant getting smacked about a bit and getting set on fire.

Sein grinned triumphantly as her blow connected but was caught off guard at how quickly Scabbar regained his composure and this time she wasn't so quick to dodge. She stumbled backwards, gasping soundlessly for air after the head of the axe jabbed her painfully in the stomach. But knowing she couldn't pause for even a second she raised a hand and blasted a fireball at Scabbar hoping to chase him backwards as she clutched her other arm over her bruised stomach.

Scabbar took the fireball straight to the gut, which usually wasn't a good idea, but it wasn't as if Scabbar cared about this body right now. He let out a scream of pain, sure, but he threw himself forward, trying to dive on top of Sein as his chest burnt. His clothes were either ablaze or melting against his flesh, and the skin and fat of his body were running like a candle. He was trying to press his axe handle under Sein's chin, trying to push her down and suffocate the fire out of her. It didn't matter if he burned, if this body was cooked, he would find another one, he was sure.

Seins eyes had widened when the axeman suddenly threw himself on top of her so soon after being injured by the fireball. One arm remained trapped between their two bodies clutching her stomach but her other was free and as Scabbar began to press the axe handle painfully against her throat she quickly reached up and under his hood wrapping her hand around his throat. She tightened her grip as she felt the axe handle restrict her ability to breath but she tried to ignore this as she focused on what she must do. Her eyes suddenly blazed red and like tears small specks of fire rolled from them before quickly spreading across her cheeks and face and moving down her neck towards her arms and body. She was engulfing herself in fire and even though she knew its strength would be a lot weaker because of her fatigue she hoped that Scabbar would not wish to lie upon her flaming figure.

Scabbar was screaming as he remained on top of Sein, his flesh blackening as he pushed down hard on the axe handle. It hurt, it always hurt, but he had been burnt before. He had to push through the pain, use that pain to press down against Sein's neck and suffocate these flames out of her. "REISE!" he screamed as he tried to shift his weight and realized that his legs had suffered so much damage that there was no chance he could stand up if he wanted "YOU BETTER GET ME ANOTHER BODY FOR THIS!" The fire was spreading up his clothes, blazing up towards that hood of his.

Reise was hooting and hollering with every move the two made across the room. At one point, he stood and moved to stand beside the crystallized royals, leaning against where Dyllin was frozen and laughing loudly. "Did you see that, brother?! Oh, this is exciting!" He looked up at Scabbar's shout and grinned widely, but rolled his eyes. "Oh please, Scabbar, you make it seem like I have bodies in stock, just waiting for you to possess!" He paused, rubbing his chin, then laughed again. "Oh wait, I do!" He laughed insanely.

Why isn't he running from my fire?! Sein thought as Scabbar continued to press the handle of the axe against her throat. She could feel herself weakening and she knew it wouldn't be long before her flames completely extinguished. Finally she dropped her hand from around his throat and began pushing against his chest in the hopes of freeing herself as the only thing that burned now was her hair and eyes. "Why are you doing this?" She mouthed wordlessly as she watched Scabbar. "Stop this and join me! Be good for once!"

Scabbar's chest practically sucked on Sein's fingers as she pressed up against him, liquid flesh running down her fingers and boiling blood flooding down her arm. As Sein was being extinguished, Scabbar blazed, even his hood had caught fire now, despite the filth and sweat that usually saturated the cloth. "The world... is... cruel!" Scabbar yelled down at Sein as he pressed down harder, as if trying to just break her neck "And so am I!" The hood was burning away now, and the cut up lips of the dead man Scabbar was possessing appeared, spitting blood, and even flame; all that alcohol that Scabbar had been drinking was coming back out as licks of flame.

Sein let out a silent scream at the horrific sight before her and she quickly averted her gaze away from Scabbar. Her hand finally fell to the floor as her body grew weak and she gasped for breath. Her eyes fell on the crystallized form of the royals and a small tear trickled down her cheek. I have failed you.. She thought guiltily. I'm sorry sisters.. She closed her eyes and waited for the final blow.

Scabbar was burning above her, melting over her, and Sein was feeling herself draining of energy and the will to continue, with Reise dancing about and laughing manically in the background. But just as Sein would feel the world blanketed with black around her vision, a voice slid into her head. It was deep, female, and strong, but it wasn't anyone she knew. "It is not your time yet." it said softly, just as it had told Idre. The balcony doors suddenly burst open by a gust of wind, strong enough to shatter the glass panes all over the floor. The wind rolled into the room invisibly, and swept over Scabbar and Sein, extinguishing them both of the flames that licked at them. Then, in a flash of light, Sein's body was suddenly nothing but ashes beneath Scabbar. His axe blade hit the floor with a loud Clang! as her body vanished, and the wind carried the ashes back out of the room and into the sky.

Reise's laughter was subdued from the moment the doors flew open. Now he stood in bewilderment, his eyes wide on where Sein's body had flown away through the doors, just pieces of soot and ash riding on the wind. He reigned in his expression of surprise and straightened up, moving towards Scabbar's smoldering body with calculated steps. "Well, well, well... It seems there is a new opponent helping them." he grumbled, stroking his chin as he moved to Scabbar and reached a hand towards the axe. As he did, Scabbar could feel his soul leaving the tortured body and back into the blade. "Let's find you a new body and prepare. We're going to make a change in plans."



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