Even Angels Lose Their Way

[TwinCast]

(Closed.)

Aislinn’s heart raced even as she continued with her day. The events of the morning more than enough to bring her through the morning wondering just what had happened. Even her students could not help but see the change in their consummate teacher, as she seemed to be elevated to a position she had long denied herself. In all their time, Aislinn had never once hinted, let alone confessed any of her emotions. She kept her private life just that, and yet with Adolph entering the room, it seemed something had been kindled in the witch.

The witch sat upon her table without so much as a care, eating her lunch, comprised mainly of soup. While the chef had often tried to deny her the very thing she was eating, she had managed to work out an arrangement. When going out into the forest she would pick the freshest of ingredients he required, and in return she got to taste the results of her labor. While normally she wasn’t much a fan of liquid meal, she had to admit the man had a knack for making even water with a few ingredients taste like the best meal she had ever had.

So, she of course made sure as part of her morning meditations to gather a few herbs and turn them in before her students would arrive in the morning. It was a rigid and structured life she lived now, and some days she wished she had left long ago, yet there were perks to staying, one of which was time with Mr. Gretzel. What had begun as a friendly relationship had somewhere taken a turn for something more, something that even now she wasn’t sure what would come of it.

They had met in Valdta, the town that marked the first victory for the Ixian Knights in the coming war. Taking command of the small village Adolph had kept the spirits high and through his charismatic leadership had won over their hearts. Valdta could have rolled over and died, another village that Sei would later mourn, and yet Adolph had somehow managed the impossible. With the help of Harold Andres and Artemis Eburi he had kept the town in the fight, taking a dear toll from those who would prey upon the weak.

With the beating the forces were given at Valdta it had allowed the Ixian Knights a bit of freedom. Though they were officially at war, and skirmishes were being fought out, Aislinn had thankfully been out of the thick of the fighting. However, that one battle, perhaps the only one in which her students gained field experience, had shown Aislinn that Adolph Gretzel was more than a war mongering behemoth of a man. There was something more to him, and it intrigued her. She had listened raptly to his account, to every word as he talked of the defense.

Needless to say she kept her distance, but continued to watch the man. He was an enigma to her, and slowly yet surely she found herself falling into the trap. Soon they were talking, and Adolph’s fiery demeanor seemed to evaporate the ice she had kept around her heart. Unlike Jensen, who she could talk to about anything, she felt that when she talked to Adolph it wasn’t upon deaf ears. He of course would admonish her childish concerns, and once again confirm she was an adult. She couldn’t hide behind fear, she had to go beyond it and accept that failure was always possible. He spoke to her in a manner she had often chided herself in, and seemed to echo the more rational part of her heart.

Then, this morning she had seen Adolph off in a way. The Head Chaplain of the Ixian Knights was requested by General Taka of the Mercenary Company to help in another hopeless situation. Felicity had of course teased her sister about the growing relationship between the two, and had forced them into close quarters for more teasing from his peers in the Knights of the Apocalypse. They talked for a moment before Aislinn had pulled him aside, and they had kissed.

Her head was still swimming from the emotional high. It was nothing at all like the passionate kisses of some trashy romance novel. It was soft and chaste, a promise of things to come, and yet at the same time it forced her into a childish mindset. She had a perpetual smile on her face following it, and even her students picked up on her lightened mood. What had begun as a typical day had turned anything but typical, and in the wake of Adolph’s departure she wondered just what would develop between them next.

She highly doubted anyone could dampen her mood.

[Requiem of Insanity]

The shadows were always a nice place for Cassandra to dwell. Inside them she felt warm, protected, and above all else, at home. Something about the way the shadows would hide her from the world that did not understand her was always a prospecting appeal to her. It was the very reason why she adopted so many grim monikers to show her thanks for the shaded regions she dwelt in. It was also why she proceeded to purchase a sneaking suit that completely hid her when inside her sanctum.

Today was not the day for the shadows though.

Cassandra walked in broad daylight down the stoned cobbled pathways of Ixian Castle, a destination in mind as she sparred no time for any of the menial servants or watchmen. After Zerith Dracosius baby was kidnapped by her father and Andy Rorton, Sei had redoubled his efforts for the guards. The Knights of Dawn declaring war on the Mystic Race had not made matters any easier for security either. And of course, for the occasional spat between Jensen Ambrose and William Arcus, guards were needed. Not to detain the two brutish incompetent fools, but to protect the people who were caught in their wake as they fought for the stupidest of all things, a Twice Baked Potato.

A flight of stairs placed her upon a white carpet that led down to the hospital wing. The smell of different healing herbs growing along the walkway, followed with the bright atmosphere of all the white sheets made the Gisela Reaper pause to reflect on just exactly how different life was from death. Her sanctum was still resided inside Sei’s tomb, the complex network of tunnels that could go anywhere in the world, if one had the patience to learn them and the skill to survive them. The path to her door was littered with her own grave marker, agonizing screams of one being tortured, and the color black was a common theme of her Wetworks team.

She paused a moment to feel the wind push against her as the plants seemed to take in a deep breath, the foliage shifting ever so softly. Cassandra had heard rumors that Aislinn Orlouge, Chief Medical Officer to the Ixian Knights, had made several pacts with the so called gods of the Winds, and in return they helped to make sure her plants grew well, her patients would survive, and some other hocus pocus garbage that quite frankly never made much sense to the Carthage Calamity. Why stop the suffering when you could prolong it? She sighed lustfully, supposing she would never learn as she cupped one of the flowers, watching it softly droop into her palm as if the life inside it was softly being drained.

Turning towards the doorway of the medical ward once more she bridged the distance with confident, eloquent steps. Several staff members walking between wards would spot her and avoid her at any cost, while others just looked, gawking at the beauty of one who was also so very disgusting to behold. She rather liked that compliment. To behold Cassandra Remi was to see the two shades of a soul. She was beautiful, and she was vile. Equal parts to a perfectly balanced soul. Yes, she was divine, she supposed with a small grin.

When she reached the doorway to the Medical Officer’s personal quarters she felt a powerful sense of joy and happiness. Cassandra grinned as she reached her knuckles up, rapping them upon the door swiftly six times before lowering her hand back to her side, adjusting her shoulders to alleviate the strain the satchel to her side was causing. Aislinn angelic like voice called out, a hint of joviality coming from her tone as soft padded feet moved towards the doorway.

The door opened and Cassandra watched the smile that could never fade slowly dwindle, before Aislinn Orlouge became confused.

“Hello, Ms. Orlouge,” Cassandra said stepping forwards to enter her room without permission. Not that she needed it being one of Sei’s generals. “I have a proposition for you…”

[TwinCast]

Aislinn had been so happy for once, and in the course of only two seconds, Cassandra Remi had destroyed any sense of levity in her. Always on the defense against the Gisela Reaper’s advances the two had formed a sort of duality in the Knights. Cassandra was someone dedicated to destruction and death, Aislinn of construction and life. The two had been polite at best to each other, and at worst, well there were rumors of a curt insult or two thrown when the other wasn’t looking.

The woman reeked of Shyish, wind of the grave, and Ulgu, wind of shadows. They wrapped about her in a suffocating blanket, and even if the contemptuous murderer had tried, she could never have snuck up on the Witch. Ulgu was by far the one Aislinn was most familiar with, and Shyish everyday waited for the moment Aislinn would breach her Doctor’s vow to not kill. Still as the woman paraded into the Witch’s room she merely gestured to a small table and chair set before she spoke, “By all means, come in please. Make yourself at home General Remi.”

“Please, Aislinn, we don’t have to be so formal, you can call me Cassandra,” The blonde vixen said even as she sat upon the chair. Aislinn carefully gripped her own chair, before in a deliberate move she pulled it back, sat upon it, then pulled herself in closer to the table. Resting her arms on the table she looked about the room.

It was then she noticed, that thing.

“You are more than welcome in my quarters General Remi, your pet is not. If you truly wish to talk to me, you will dispose of it, now,” Aislinn replied stiffly. What Aislinn spoke of was the rumored imaginary friend of Cassandra Remi. Though the Witch had no way of describing it, she could feel the vileness in its presence. It too was heavily influenced by Ulgu, and she could make out the humanoid shape of it. What she could only guess as its hand rested comfortingly on the killer’s shoulder, and Aislinn noticed she idly was leaning back, almost into the creatures sick embrace.

“Anything you have to say to me can be said in front of him. He is of no consequence to the meeting,” Cassandra replied stiffly.

“I do not think you heard me General Remi, your pet leaves, or the both of you leave. There will be no talk if you continue to insist that it stay,” Aislinn replied firmly.

Cassandra seemed to sit up with those words, her demeanor changing as a look of irritation crossed her eyes, even as her lips kept that seductive smile. A smile that dared one to come closer and be taken by the vile poison Aislinn knew had to be brewing in her heart, if she even had one. She looked back over her shoulder, looking at the twisted construct of the darkest whims humanity had to offer, before she said softly, “Go, I shall be with you soon love.”

Both women remained quiet as Aislinn watched it leave through the shadows. She waited for awhile before she asked, “Can I get you something to drink?”

“You are being quite formal for this,” Cassandra once again tried to lighten the situation before she sighed.

“I know what you are, how could I not keep on guard around you,’ Aislinn replied haughtily.

“Oh, whats that? A simple monster that preys upon the weak and the cruel in this world?” Cassandra said mockingly.

“A heartless jackal preying upon the fears of the Ixian Knights, until my Uncle sees through your clever disguise and realizes you cannot be redeemed. You are corruption itself that worms its way into the hearts of all you see, and I will breath easier when I see you gone from this castle and the tombs below it once and for all,” Asilinn said, her words starting softly before they rose in pitch, her anger at the woman rising with every syllable.

“You only say that because of what I did to Jensen,” Cassandra teased.

“The point of your visit?” Aislinn replied sternly, brokering no room for more idle chatter.

“Ah, yes, I forget myself at times,” Cassandra replied sitting up to a regal height, “I have in my possession a book. This tome is something rare, and difficult to come by. Because of this, few people recognize the language it is written in, and further, know how to translate it. I have heard a rumor that you may be able to divine the true translation. If this is true I offer a deal.”

“And why, pray tell, should I help a monster do the job of death any better than it already does?”

“I could order you. It would be quite simple as the prophecy actually puts me below only Sei in the pecking order,” Cassandra countered. Aislinn opened her mouth to counter argue before the Akashiman moon Demon pressed her point, “That line of you being beholden only to Sei may work on every other General in this army Lady Orlouge, but you put yourself in a fine cage. However, the truth of the matter is, if a General asks you to help them in some manner, you are to help yes?”

Aislinn’s eyes narrowed before she spoke, “I help only out of my own desire-”

“I am hearing only an argument not an answer,” Cassandra teased.

“Yes,” Aislinn replied tersely.

“Good, now we are getting somewhere,” Cassandra purred. She then smiled before she said softly, “I however, like to give my subordinates a reason to work. I find the work gets done far quicker, and far more efficiently when they are rewarded properly. So, I come with this, lets lay our cards on the table so to speak.”

“If you wish,” Aislinn replied firmly.

“This book,” Cassandra explained placing a large and dusty tome from her satchel, “Is the one in question. There are twelve pages that no matter how hard I try, I cannot find a translator who can understand it. Can you do what they cannot?”

Aislinn looked upon the tome, seeing the stitching and the ancient look to it. Her eyes narrowed as she looked upon it, before she heard it, soft yet ever present. It was whispering, coming from the winds as they moved through the book carefully. They seemed to dance and play amidst its pages while she looked upon it thoughtfully. She opened it, only confirming her suspicions, it was written in a cipher of sorts, one that only those versed in magic could pierce, and even then only those who did not restrict themselves to any single wind of magic. One would have to be able to converse with each wind to translate the relevant portions of the text. She sighed before she nodded softly, “Yes, I can.”

The book snapped shut before Cassandra smiled, something sinister lurking in her eyes before she spoke, “Good. Then since I can confirm that you can indeed translate it, I need all twelve pages transcribed into common word for word. Let not a single passage be paraphrased I need the literal translations. In return, I offer you something you’ve been looking for quite some time now.”

“And just what is that?” Aislinn asked cautiously. Already the change in the killer’s demeanor was offsetting.

“A cure for your sister of course…”

[Requiem of Insanity]

Aislinn really did have a lot of trinkets, the Serial Killer noted as she casually looked around her room. Several fetishes hung in a corner, not to mention her staff she used when forced to combat. Several books lined her shelves all neatly alphabetized and arranged in subject matter with her personal readings held at the top and medical tomes held at the middle. She had a rather cushy bed, but it looked hardly ever used as not a single wrinkle marred its surface.

The answer that Cassandra gave the medic had astounded her to mild shock. It was, after all, the very thing the witch had set out to find all her life. It was not a secret the woman kept, as when she had first arrived in the tombs of Sei she had made it violently clear she would repay her debt and be off on her search once more. The Black Isle Desecrater supposed that Sei’s legendary charisma had won her over just long enough to keep her for his silly war. That or the fact she was starting to have a normal life when she found a friend in Jensen Ambrose had rooted her ambitions to the castle she nested in. Either way, the matter was still not enough to have her stop her searching.

“A…cure?” Aislinn whispered confusedly. She had narrowed her gaze and cocked her head to the side, looking at the Gisela Reaper with a lack of trust. It was only fair for her to think that, she did have no reason to trust her. Anticipating that this would be a talking point, the general lifted herself upwards to her a more professional height, but kept her shoulders relaxed as she crossed her leg over the other, resting one hand tenderly on her thigh while the other rested on the armrest, fingers softly tugging at her hair as she played with the tips.

“I did not stutter, I believe,” Cassandra replied with a genuine smile. Aislinn shook her head in disbelief as she began to laugh.

“No, you did not,” Aislinn let her laugh fade as she looked right into the hazel orbs of the killer. “I flat out think your full of it.” She smirked a bit as she leaned forward. Cassandra had studied body language, and learned how to capture an audience. It was a skill one like her needed when being a murderer. It would also help at negotiations. Aislinn leaned forwards for a reason. Simply, despite the words she spoke, she wanted to know more.

“I am not,” Cassandra said lightly, as if her insult meant nothing to her. She tilted her head to the side and looked at her fingernails for dirt. As she kept them meticulously clean, she found none. “Despite popular belief, Ms. Orlouge, I do not lie.” Aislinn lifted an eyebrow in challenge. Cassandra allowed herself a sheepish grin. “Well, I do, but not as much as you’d think. I only lie when I’m on the hunt. It is perfectly reasonable in my line of work to maintain a set of carefully woven lies to conceal my identity. Though thanks to this stupid army, the need to perform when hunting has changed. He’s plastered my face all over the blasted news and told the world where I live and it puts a cramp on my style.”

“Not so easy when all eyes are on you,” Aislinn said leaning back. Cassandra tried hard not to grin in satisfaction. With Aislinn now at ease the news she spoke would entertain the notion she was being truthful. Cassandra felt confident to pursue her goal again.

“The point however, is the matter of your sister.” Cassandra patted the tome. “Do you know what this book is?” Aislinn looked to the ancient pages and shook her head. “It’s called the Orior Ab Glarera. A very powerful book that can, as I am living proof of, bring souls back from the dead.”

“Seems it worked a little too well,” Aislinn said in jest. Cassandra allowed her the jabs at her, it did not matter what she thought of Cassandra, only that she would obey. “Book of the dead, that is the literal translation of the title.”

“Exactly. It has several rituals for raising the dead, controlling the dead, poisons to affect the dead, rituals and forms of wonderful things. It has within the pages the very cure you need for your sister.” Aislinn looked to Cassandra with bewilderment, before her eyes narrowed.

“You are implying that my sister is dead,” Aislinn said slowly. “How would a book like this help bring my sister back to normal.” Cassandra knew she had Aislinn’s attention at this point. Leaning ever so softly forwards to match her the Gisela Reaper gave her a solemn smile. She said nothing to the Witch, and in the silence a thousand words were spoken. Aislinn quickly retracted herself as she stood, turning her back to Cassandra as she began to shuffle papers on her desk in a vain attempt to look like she had other things to do. Standing up she walked over to stand before Aislinn as the Mystic turned her head to glare at the general.

“You do know it, right?” Cassandra asked, a hint of amusement in her tone. “I mean,” Laughing weakly Cassandra looked to Aislinn as if there was some joke being played. “You honestly don’t know?” Confusion lined the brow of the Witch as she looked to the Gisela Reaper. A small, triumphant feeling in the back of her mind started to giggle as she realized convincing Aislinn would be far more simple than she thought.

“What,” Aislinn said, her tone dark and hidden with venom. “Are you saying?” Cassandra smiled vilely to the Medical Officer, a pearly white smile showing all her teeth and matching her venom, but she had none of the added effects she usually did. In this rare instance, Cassandra had no ulterior motive in her eyes, nor hidden meanings in her tone. She spoke with crystal clarity and a finality that meant the words she was about to speak were truth and nothing could change it.

“You suspect me of being a pathological liar, Aislinn, but the reality is far closer to home than you think. Maybe you shouldn’t put as much faith in your friends and family as you do.” Aislinn still had that glimmer in her eyes of doubt. She still clung to the lie fabricated by the very ones she loved and trusted. Yet it was fading, the once roaring fire of her passion and knowledge in the false truth was slowly dwindling down. One little push and Cassandra would snuff it all out.

“Aislinn,” Cassandra said plainly opening her arms in a trusting fashion. “Felicity is dead.”

“Get out,” Aislinn said pointing to her door. “You are no longer welcome here if you plan to spread your lies!” Cassandra turned slowly, walking forwards with a swish of her hips before stopping at the doorway and looking at Aislinn as she held herself looking to her feet.

“The truth can sometimes hurt, but rest assured. There is yet hope,” Cassandra preached. “When you are ready to accept it.” With a vile laugh she walked out of the medical ward to leave Aislinn to her own thoughts.

[TwinCast]

Aislinn trembled with rage. Her frame shuddering as she watched the vile woman leave her room. The door shut with a click, leaving her to stew in the words said by the General. Aislinn sat down almost immediately, not trusting her legs to hold her up under her own weight. Eyes closed as she shook her head softly, trying to get the Gisela Reaper’s words out of her head. Finally with a sigh she had calmed down, and managed to finally see the medical reports her students had left for her. It was at this time a knock came on the door, and Aislinn shouted for the person there to come in.

“Hey Ais!” The sounds of her friend Jensen Ambrose filled the room as she breathed a sigh of relief and smiled softly. Looking up she saw Jensen and Felicity, her twin sister, who had mysteriously become a cat in their shared past. Felicity was part of the reason that Aislinn was here after all, having gone to Sei Orlouge when the Witch had gotten in trouble. She looked upon her sister however in a new light. Perhaps Cassandra was lying but there was a kernel of truth in every lie, wasn’t there?

Sis Her sister immediately leaped from Jensen’s shoulder before landing next to Aislinn on the table. Aislinn idly reached out and began to scratch her sister behind her ear, eliciting a purr from the elder Orlouge. She eventually turned her head, giving her access to the area she truly liked being scratched as Aislinn continued to muse over the problem.

“You alright there Ice Witch?” Jensen asked. He was wearing a smirk as he looked upon Felicity before he shot, “I think we got ourselves a love sick puppy!”

Felicity seemed to purr more as she looked over at her sister, Is is true sis? Did you finally find yourself a keeper?

“No, nothing like that,” Aislinn countered even as Jensen continued on the attack;

“You hear that fuzz ball? She’s denying it. I don’t think that she wants to admit she’s hot for a priest. What’sa matter Ais? You miss your wittle aiddy waddy?”

“Not even close Jensen, I just had to talk to Cassandra Remi,” Aislinn explained finally.

“Ah, say no more-” Jensen began.

Yeah, Remi is enough to put anyone off their game, Felicity continued. Aislinn had to wonder how close her sister had gotten with the Immortal. It was odd, as they were at the point of finishing each others sentences. It was getting to the point that even Aislinn wondered who Jensen was in love with, but then again, if she couldn’t cure Felicity, it wouldn’t matter.

“What did that bitch want?” Jensen sassed.

“Amazingly enough she said she wanted to trade,” Aislinn said firmly.

Sis, you gotta be careful with Cassandra, she’s not someone you want to-

“Listen, Ais, you don’t want to deal with her. She’s probably lying through her teeth for the first part. Also, if Remi wants it, it’s probably not worth giving it to her. Last thing we need is Cassandra running around being even creepier than normal,” Jensen said putting an end to the conversation.

“She said she could give me a cure for you Felicity,” Aislinn finally admitted. Both looked at the Witch as if she had grown a second head and revealed that she was actually a cleverly disguised Ettin.

“See what I mean about being a liar? If you have been doing this for sixteen years and you still haven’t figured out what’s wrong with Felicity, what makes you think that she knows?” Jensen said pointing at the Witch. She nodded thoughtfully, feeling reassured that she was hearing the words she herself had thought only moments prior to their meeting.

“I suppose you are right, what on Althanas would the Book of the Dead have to do with your condition Felicity?” Aislinn ventured. Jensen stiffened, even as Felicity looked worriedly at her sister.

Listen Sis, don’t take anything that bitch says seriously. She’s lying to get what she wants out of you… Felicity looked worriedly at her sister, even as they locked eyes for the first time since the conversation began. Aislinn looked upon her sister for the longest of times before her eyes narrowed;

“What are you hiding Felicity?” Aislinn commanded.

Nothing, why would I be hiding anything?

“Felicity Anastasia Orlouge, what are you hiding? I am your sister. You can not possibly think to hide something from me, not after all we have been through,” Aislinn immediately stood up, towering over her sister, who began to back up on the table. She backed into Jensen before meowing pitifully to the Immortal.

“Jigs up fuzz ball, I told you you’d have to tell her sooner or later!” Jensen said holding his hands up, as if to wash his hands of the situation. Aislinn’s face darkened as she looked upon the two people she had implicitly trusted at the start of the day. The two people in this castle she knew would have never hurt her or lied to her face.

Cassandra’s words echoed through her mind as she regarded her sister with a mask of barely restrained fury, “How long have you known!?”

If I said from the beginning, how angry would you be with me? Felicity finally managed. Aislinn closed her eyes, looking down even as a few of the fetishes in her hair clattered against each other, sending a chiming tone through the air.

“Fuzz ball told me after our little dating fiasco, and made me promise not to tell you, guess the cats out of the bag now?” Nervous laughter filtered from Jensen’s mouth before Aislinn spoke, her voice hoarse;

“Get out.”

Sis?

Soon Aislinn’s voice raised for the second time within the hour as Aislinn roared, “Out of here, the both of you!”

“Hey don’t lump me in with Fuzzball here-”

“You are just as guilty as her for propagating the secret! Both of you out of my room! Now!” Her voice wavered as the pain of betrayal seeped into her words, underlying their meaning as she pointed to the door, her face a mask of rage.

The door shut only moments later before she collapsed in her chair, her hands trying desperately to hold back the tears as the pain of the betrayal began to set in. She looked upon the books she had read, the things she had done, everything for her sister, only to realize she had lacked important knowledge from the beginning. Her shoulders shook as a sob escaped her, unaware of the students who even now gathered around their teacher’s door, listening for any sign of their mentor.

Some days it didn’t pay to be the strong one.

[Enigmatic Immortal]

Jensen felt the coldness of the world around him as Felicity sat pawing the door to her sister’s room. What had started as another fun filled day of lazing about had taken a sinister turn for the worse. Of course, all these events were perpetuated by the Gisela Reaper, and thus he was torn in what to do now.

“Sis,” Felicity had rarely ever used her cat voice to punctuate a point, but today had served such a need to. She was meowing, rather stupidly, at the closed door as she softly ran her claws against the wooden surface. Jensen looked to the Orlouge cat, before shaking his head reaching down and scooping the cat up.

“I told you already,” Jensen sighed. “The jig is up, she knows now, and I told you to tell her!” Felicity looked to the immortal and did a small sigh from her cat nose. Pawing at his chest he brought her in as she climbed up to his shoulder, perching softly as she nuzzled his neck, purring.

“I don’t mean to intrude,” Felicity began, but she could not continue before Jensen lifted his hand to her nose and rubbed it gently.

“Yeah, it’s cool fuzz ball, you can stay with me and Stephanie.” The two turned to head for the mess hall as the immortal and the cat remained lost in their own thoughts. He had none Aislinn for a while now, nearly a year or so, and to see her so upset made him rather upset. She was his friend, the first one to offer the olive branch to him in a long time, but now she hated him. Once again it felt like it was the cat’s faults, but this time the joke just was not there.

When he reached the dining hall he found Tobias and Stephanie eating at a table, and with a somewhat sulky smile he sat with them and ate while Felicity sat on his lap, playing with the chicken pieces his love gave to the small Orlouge. He said very little while they ate, and looked to his food with less than enthusiastic care.

“Something wrong, love?” Stephanie asked as Tobias looked to the cat and poked her finger out under Felicity’s chin, scratching it.

“Seems Fuzzball here is down in the dumps too.” Tobias lifted to grab Felicity, but the cat just avoided her grasp as she sunk into Jensen’s lap.

“I’d like to just be alone, if that’s okay,” Felicity thought to everyone as she ran off. “I’ll come scratch your door tonight when I’m ready, Jensen.” Jensen watched her trot away out of the hallway when he turned back to his fiancé. With a heavy sigh he began to speak in a defeated tone.

“Cassandra felt it was necessary to let Aislinn in on the secret about Felicity.” Stephanie growled at the mention of his most hated foe. Needless to say, the people at the table disliked Cassandra Remi just a bit less than Jensen’s full blown hatred. They both nodded in understanding, one of the few who also knew the secret that Felicity swore everyone to keep.

“How is she doing?” Stephanie asked looking towards the medical ward, as if she could see through walls.

“What do you think?” Jensen replied sourly. “She’s pissed as all hell!” Lifting himself up he turned towards Aislinn’s room.

“What are you going to do?” Tobias inquired. Jensen shook his head.

“To help my friend,” He muttered. The immortal stalked past the Soup cook, ignoring his rants about how amazing his food was, and headed right towards the medical ward. The breath of the Ixian Castle could be covered easily by the main courtyard, and that was his intention when he bumped into Pierce Hawk, the surrogate father of Aislinn. The man looked to Jensen with worry, flagging him down as the knight made his way towards him.

They stood looking at each other, the man’s face full of concern as he bit his lower lip. Without even saying a word Jensen knew what the man was thinking. Aislinn called him into her office, asked what he knew, and lied to her face claiming he knew nothing. Then Aislinn probably lost it, learning yet another friend, no, her father lied to her as well. With a heavy sigh Pierce looked to his feet before speaking.

“I didn’t know she knew,” He whispered. “God help me, I wanted to tell her, but every time I was about to, I’d look into her eyes and realize,” He seemed to tear up at the thought and Jensen patted the older man on the shoulder.

“She’d seem like it would kill her. And it is, which is why I’m going to go talk to her.” Jensen felt Pierce’s gaze look up to him, feeling his eyes bore into his soul with pleading.

“Will you please break through to her that we all were thinking the best for her! I can’t imagine what we did to her, but I can imagine that right now she’s in desperate need of a friend!” Jensen nodded as he started to head towards the medical ward. Pierce grabbed his coat gently, pointing to Sei’s tower.

“She went to talk to her Uncle,” His tone dwindled as he looked to Jensen, before he sighed in frustration again. “To see if he knew as well.”

“And Sei did…he and Anita, and Kyla…fucking hell,” Jensen muttered rubbing his nose in irritation. Cassandra Remi had once again destroyed a life, and this time the torture method was using Ailsinn’s own friends and family against her. He could only imagine how much sick satisfaction the Gisela Reaper must be getting from this. Angrily he headed towards Sei’s tower.

“Don’t bother,” Sei’s voice spoke through the air into Jensen’s mind. The immortal and Pierce turned to look over a hedge, seeing the estranged Mystic relaxing on the grassy knoll looking up to the sky. Jensen mirrored his look, seeing the afternoon clouds rolling by as the white clouds listfully drifted away. “She wasn’t any more pleased with me than she was with you. I have never seen my niece so short tempered in my life, and I regretted not speaking sooner, but as you both have claimed, it was too much a burden to say anything. Maybe in this case we have all failed…”

Jensen sighed as he stamped his foot. “Fucking Remi!” He cursed, cracking his knuckles. The immortal glared to the sky as he fumed, before looking at Sei. “Where did she go?” Jensen asked. Sei merely pointed behind him towards the area where the entrance to his underground caverns was located.

“What do you plan to do?” Sei asked tilting his head to the immortal. Jensen headed towards the last known area Aislinn walked.

“I don’t know, but I promised her that I’d be there for, and sitting around with you guys isn’t keeping that promise.”

Though the immortal did not know it, when he started the journey to go save his friend, he had already been to late...

[TwinCast]

Boots scraped across the gravel as the footsteps of the witch delved deeper into the darkness. It had taken her only a few minutes to figure out just what she needed to know. Perhaps she had known it all the long, but the confirmation did nothing to quell her anger, it only enflamed it. Was there anyone in the ixian knights who did not know of her sister’s condition? Did her students know? Did the guards? Did Adolph?

She froze briefly at that last thought. If in fact Adolph had known, how could she look him in the eyes anymore? Everything about him had at one time comforted her, and here she was fearing and revolting at the thought of the only man who seemed to understand her. Perhaps her anger was hasty, but the fact remained that she had been betrayed from the get go, roped into an inconvenient oath for someone uninterested in getting help at all. How could Felicity have not told her? How could she have allowed Aislinn to deal with that hag, to learn the secrets and put herself in danger, just to put her in an impossible task?

Moving slowly through the tunnels under Ixian Castle Aislinn had begun her descent into darkness even as she felt the presence of that thing. It moved about her, studying her almost curiously, before she hissed, “Tell your master that I need to speak with her.” It stopped before her, seeming to question her presence. The two stood in the passageway for what seemed like forever, the creature not moving. Finally Aislinn brushed a few strands of hair from her face before she snapped, “I have no tolerance for your petty games General Remi. I know you are far better than to let this pathetic cretin wander too far from your apron strings.”

“My, has the Witch lost her cool? You seemed only so happy when I met you. What on earth has possessed you Lady Orlouge,” The cold words of Cassandra Remi seemed to echo in the darkness, even as Aislinn closed her eyes and perceived the flow of magic in the Area.

Without preamble she spun on her heels and stopped facing to direction she knew the General to be before she spat, “Enough General Remi, you wanted to deal, so let us make a deal. You have something I want, and I have something you desperately need.” Cassandra seemed slightly amused at the Witch’s power play before she moved out into the light of the tunnel. A small predatory smile on her face before it disappeared jsut as quickly. She had not changed for the day, and so Aislinn could see everything about the woman, and how much she disgusted her. Eyes of burning hate ruled in the Witch as she glowered at the ever closing companion of the General. With a hiss Aislinn held up a hand and spoke deliberately, “Give me a reason and I will tear you apart you malformed shadow loving miscreant!”

“My love, no need to be so pushy with our guest, she did after all come a long way from her nice safe place amongst the Knights to join us,” Cassandra cooed. Aislinn’s attention reverted to the serial killer before Cassandra continued, “I suppose I should assume we’re reopening the bargaining table, and if this is the case, then I shall have to make clear the stipulations.”

“Drop the act, we both knew when this began that we both had power over the other. If that is no longer true you wouldn’t even be opening up the deal again. A fair trade if there was one,” Aislinn retorted the anger underlining her words. Her hair shifted sending the chime of her fetishes through the air. Cassandra seemed to smirk at those words before she nodded softly;

“But of course Lady Orlouge, but of course. Is there anything you require before you work?”

“A cot, I am not leaving until I have completed the task. If I need to rest I shall do so down here. You will feed me, and that will be all,” Aislinn replied tersely. A vile grin seemed to cross Cassandra’s lips before she nodded.

“I see you are eager to begin. Right this way,” Cassandra said as she beckoned the Witch.

[Requiem of Insanity]

“AISLINN DON’T!” Jensen’s voice rang down the hallway as his breath panted to keep up with his charging form. He slid on the dirt, nearly tripping as he tried to catch his breath. The woman turned to her friend, her eyes filled with rage as Cassandra retreated a step into the shadows.

Like a cat purring on a windowsill she watched the two, lifting her arms to cross just under her breasts as she smiled tantalizingly. Here was the knight in shining armor, the one who would protect Aislinn from the Midnight Monster’s mind games. He looked to her, eyes lit with determination to save a friend as he lifted himself upwards to his full height. He did not back away from the woman’s stern gaze, instead lifting a hand to her as if he would take her away.

What Jensen did not realize was that the knight who would save her was gone on Taka’s mission, far away in Akashima.

“Don’t do this Ais,” Jensen repeated, but his tone was more respectful. “You can’t give into that bitches whims!” Aislinn sneered as she looked to the Gisela Reaper with scorn.

“She was not the one who lied to me,” Aislinn spat. “That was what hurt me the most.” She looked back to Jensen and despite the noble bearing she always forced upon herself, Aislinn did something Jensen and Cassandra had never even heard her do before. With a sniffle she began to speak with tears, as all her defenses started to crumble. Reality was bearing down upon Aislinn, the real world she was living in was all just a façade, and the concept that the last sixteen years had been a waste of her life.

“You were supposed to be my friend,” Aislinn whispered in anguish. “You were supposed to never lie to me, Jensen. But I expect that behavior from you. It’s who you are. But I never expected lies from my sister, my father, my uncle, my nieces! Thayne’s dammit all to the pyre! My own family betrayed my trust! All of them!” She shrieked now, one hand gripping herself as she the other held onto the smooth stone surface for support.

“We just didn’t want to hurt you,” Jensen said softly. Aislinn sniffled before turning her back on the immortal.

“Well,” She said stroking her hair irritably. “You have done a fine job of failing at that.”

“Aislinn,” Jensen insisted, but Cassandra let the full force of her wave of dread hold him back as she stepped back into the picture. Now it was her time to play her part as she smiled to the immortal standing between the two.

“She has made up her mind,” The Moonlit Mistress said sternly. “Unlike you, I have been up front with her in all my dealings. More than you can say, Ambrose,” She smiled vilely to the man she hated the most. Jensen’s fingers began to flex into each other, making two balled fists as his knuckles turned pale white. Cassandra flashed him a seductive smile, her teeth showing to him as she invited him to take that swing into her face he so desperately wanted to do.

“Then I suppose I’ll be upfront with you,” Jensen lowered his voice so only she could hear. “If anything, anything, happens to Aislinn, I’ll be coming down here to destroy you personally.” Cassandra turned walking away, leaving the immortal as she stepped next to Aislinn.

“If anything happened to Aislinn, it will be by her own volition. Come now, you have work to do.” Cassandra said to the Witch. Aislinn looked back to Jensen, her eyes filled with grim determination as she nodded and moved in time with Cassandra. She turned back to Jensen when she reached her tombstone, knocking on the stone with a soft giggle letting the enchanted statue move to allow Aislinn inside.

“Inform Lord Orlouge that Aislinn will be working with me, and we are not to be interrupted for any reason, little dog.” Jensen lifted one finger to Cassandra, spitting towards her as she laughed and slammed the portal shut. She looked to Aislinn, watching how the Witch began to shiver in the cold as the dampness and the wave of dread washed over. Cassandra drank in her despair as she moved ahead of the Medical Officer.

“Please, make yourself at home,” Cassandra laughed as she left Aislinn alone, letting the full fury of her Dark Ambitions welcome her to her sanctum.

[TwinCast]

Work seemed to drain the Witch far more than anything she had done previously. When she had set up the Ixian Medical Ward, it had been a tiring process that saw her often passed out from the fatigued of sorting through even more details, and yet even that paled in comparison to this. No matter how hard she tried, she could not manage to dredge up anything but a neutral feeling as she worked on the book. There was no joy in potentially saving her sister, that feeling was defeated by the heat of rage of only recently being told what the Witch had required to accomplish her task.

Then there was the feeling of hopelessness every time she looked upon the pages. They were so heavily encoded she couldn’t even tell where to begin. It had taken her a full day just to get a full feel for the scope of the project before her, a dauntless task that threatened to be next to impossible, even with the help of the Winds of Magic. Their knowledge could have surely unlocked it in due time, but time was a commodity that seemed in sparse use. The witch needed to get this done quickly, she didn’t know why, but the feeling of urgency seemed to plead with her.

Day two had not been much better, having passed out at the table, she had been awoken by the slamming of a tray of food upon the table before her. She had jerked awake to find a solemn Seth Dahlios dropping off the tray before he wandered off to go bicker with Cassandra. It seemed the only person capable of feeling anything other than anger or depression in this accursed place was Cassandra herself, and yet Seth stood defiantly against her through the days. It seemed he got his pleasure from enraging the Midnight Mistress, who in turn seemed ever more determined to sink her knives into the Lavinian Demon.

The negative emotions between the two were enough to nearly overwhelm the Witch, who continued to work and had at least begun to slowly decrypt the pages. A cipher of sorts was forming slowly as words became known to her. It wasn’t until day five that she even began to be able to decipher the words without needing to ask the winds. By day Seven, and the end of her first week she felt feeble, and drained. No matter how hard she tried it seemed that the caves that had once been her home were slowly draining the life out of her. Seth continued as he always did, making sure to be the one to give her her food, and trying to keep Cassandra from talking to her. She found it endearing in a big brother sort of way, but odd none the less.

By the end of day ten she had finally deciphered a full page of the text, and things were not looking up for the Witch. She found herself unable to focus anymore, especially since Cassandra had taken to moving about normally as if Aislinn had not existed. This only seemed to reinforce the feeling that she had to escape this place quickly. Yet the more she dove into the work, the less and less she was feeling like herself, it was as if with each word Aislinn was forgetting a piece of who she was. Slowly yet surely the Witch was being erased as she continued to write down the words on the page.

Then, Cassandra got a playmate.

It had started with Seth being forced to go fetch the man. He had been yelling at the Lavinian Demon who took the tirade with a stoic grace. He had roughed the man up, but as ordered had not done anything lasting to the man, that was Cassandra’s job, not his. He was merely the delivery boy in this farce of a job. Cassandra had gone to work as soon as the Lavinian had finished tying the man to her torture table. All of this was going on in the very room Aislinn was attempting to decipher the seventh page of text. It broke her concentration and shattered her heart to hear the man beg and plead, making deals the Lavinian knew were only a desperate bid for freedom.

It seemed Seth was immune to those.

Knocking the man out, he gestured to the figure before he spoke curtly, “There, I got you your damned toy. Now get off my back witch.”

“Temper temper Dahlios, I merely asked you to do something for once,” Cassandra cooed as she began the process of stripping the man. Even Seth couldn’t dampen her spirits, as who she was exposed itself and reared its ugly head to all who witnessed. Seth merely shrugged as he turned his back and muttered something. Cassandra seemed to freeze at the words before she looked at the Demon;

“What did you say?”

“I said you’re such a good host, playing with your toys in front of company. At least have the god damned courtesy to do it in your room you harpy,” Seth replied.

Cassandra managed a look at Aislinn before she snorted and looked at Seth, “I don’t think she minds, do you Aislinn?”

Aislinn felt like she was caught between two parents, one obviously horrible, the other obviously working in her best interest. To choose Seth would have saved her even a little, but drawn the ire of Cassandra, and to be so far into this deal and anger her employer seemed to endanger all she had done down here. Her voice was hoarse from misuse, almost to the point of forgetting she had one at all before she managed to say, “No, it is quite alright. I will manage…”

Cassandra smiled a predatory grin before she looked upon Seth and spoke, “See, just as I said, she doesn’t mind. Don’t you have some family member to go kill now Dahlios?”

Seth looked at Aislinn, ignoring Cassandra who gleefully went back to her work. It seemed that she was ignoring everyone else as she prepared for what was to be done, and Seth only continued to look at Aislinn, who could not help but look away. She felt shame for the first time since coming down here, shame at not having the spine to say no. Shame at not having the courage to try and stop what was going on. It ashamed her to see how far she had fallen, and to look Seth in those eyes, those eyes that seemed to know what she was thinking. She could not bring herself to do it, she couldn’t bear to see those eyes that seemed to underline what she knew in the core of her being.

Seth’s look, was not one of disappointment, nor was it one of pity, it was one of sorrow and forgiveness. Aislinn didn’t know why he gave her forgiveness, but she had it, and it scared her. She had nothing to be forgiven for, she committed no wrong. That was her family and Jensen, though even that anger was muted in the depression as she heard Cassandra let out a sick and twisted giggle, a true perversion of joy. There would be nothing between her and Cassandra’s art. She would bear witness to one of the most horrifying sights Althanas had to offer.

Aislinn realized she was dying slowly, and if she did not hurry, she would never escape these caves.

[Dissinger]

“I tell you, everyday that Aislinn is down there I want to punch that god damn bitch in the face,” Seth muttered. The throngs of people moved about the area as they sat with their meals. Seth was sitting in one of the central tables surrounded by what appeared to be a mob. Jensen Ambrose, Tobias Greenleaf, Stephanie Odara, his wife Liliana, even Felicity seemed to crowd the Lavinian as he spoke his words and sighed, hunching over his plate before digging in.

“Then that settles it, I’m going down there and getting her out,” Jensen said cracking his knuckles as he prepared to get up. He only managed to get halfway before a gauntleted hand grabbed him by the shoulder and forced him back down to a sitting position so forcefully, there was a sound of a crack as the bench held, yet probably was not wholly stable anymore. The immortal looking at Seth with a look of anger, “You just said my friend is suffering and now you want me to sit around with my thumb up my ass Seth?”

“I never told you that you had to go in there. As it stands I’m the closest thing she’s got to a friend down there. Even then I have to watch what I say or do or that stupid imaginary pet of hers runs off to play tattletale. If I get too friendly with her, she’s going to turn Aislinn against me, and if you think it was bad when she turned on you, when she realizes she can’t trust anyone, she will break. She’s so close I can see the cracks. She’s holding on only by her hatred of you guys for doing this to her in the first place. You give Cassandra one more solid chance to break the girl and it wont matter if Adolph himself goes down there, there won’t be anything left to save.”

“So what do we do? Sit there and watch her kill herself? That’s a great plan Seth, only it sucks Rev’s balls!” The enigmatic immortal shot back.

“Seth, you have the best grasp of the situation, what can we do for her? Is there anything we can do?” Liliana asked. A gentle hand ran across the thief’s shoulder as he seemed deep in thought, his mind racing with possibilities before they would be shot down.

His eyes seemed almost to glaze over before he spoke up, “Best I have is the longest shot I’ve ever seen.”

“Long shot is better than no shot, even you know that Seth,” Tobias offered up.

“We gotta get Adolph into the picture, though as we all know he ran off with Taka. Was one of Cassandra’s big plays in this whole farce. She was the one who reminded Taka that Adolph had experience in defending towns, and the Akashiman jumped on that information because he hasn’t exactly had the most self confidence following the Concordia incident,” Seth offered up.

“Knowing Taka-sama-llama-ding-dong he’s probably gotten most of the town killed by now,” Jensen groaned.

“Yeah, not needed right now Jensen, we need to think positive,” Seth countered.

“So we sit around and wait for Adolph to get involved? That’s a great idea Seth, how about we hand Aislinn a knife when she gets ready to kill herself too! I don’t see anything wrong with that!” Stephanie spat.

“So, we need to proxy his presence,” Seth said pointedly. Everyone frowned looking at Seth before Jensen said;

“Look, I’m not putting a mop on my head and shouting at Cassandra, as funny as that would be, I don’t think it’s going to work,” Jensen reported. While it did generate a few chuckles. The somber mood of the Aislinn Rescue Committee quickly killed the levity of the joke.

“Right, so we need to get Cassandra to do something that’ll remind her she has Adolph and even if she can’t trust you guys, she still has a knight in shining armor. Problem is, Cassandra has pretty much forbidden me from speaking to Aislinn more than to get her to wake up to do her job and eat. So, if I so much as mention Adolph I’ll get tossed on Duffy’s team faster than you can say ‘fuck’,” Seth replied.

“So we get the bitch to complain about Adolph, that would give Aislinn enough fuel,” Stephanie offered up.

Now how do we do that? Felicity spoke up for the first time since the beginning of the meeting. While everyone had avoided making eye contact with her, she had seemed keenly focused on Seth. Everyone knew Felicity was at the heart of this plot against Aislinn, no one knew how the General knew about the cat's secret or why Cassandra had targeted Aislinn to begin with. It was something that had confused the entire group, but Seth only figured it was Cassandra trying out a new torture method. The fact it was tormenting Seth as well had seemed to brighten the Genral’s mood considerably to the point that Seth had nearly thrown everything away to put a knife in her gut.

“We got Harold,” Jensen offered up. Everyone looked at the Immortal for a second before he stroked his chin and nodded, “Yeah, we get Harold to basically treat Cassandra like she needs to be treated. We start the day with Seth arguing with her like he normally does, going at each others throat. Then Harold starts yelling at the Bitch, and that’s certainly more than enough to cause Cassandra to grumble about the Chaplains, she might slip and mention Adolph too!”

“That’s a real long shot Jensen,” Stephanie said firmly.

“Yeah but it’s the only one we can take right now. If we don’t get this done soon, like I said, there won’t be anything left to save. I’m pretty sure Cassandra is purposefully throwing her pet at everyone’s favorite Witch and making it impossible for her to do anything other than give up hope of anything. I mean it’s her anger at you guys that keeps her going, and the frustration that she won’t let sixteen years of work go to waste. Once she has it, then what? She has a solution, but does she even want it at that point? I don’t think she has any clue about what’s coming down the pipe,” Seth said firmly.

“Two days?”

“More like tomorrow,” Seth countered, “Despite the fact she’s become lethargic from her depression, she’s still progressing, and she’s on page eleven of twelve. If we don’t finish this before she finishes the job she’s toast. I’m pretty sure the only reason Cassie hasn’t gone for the kill is the fact Aislinn is doing this for her.”

“I’ll go talk to Harold, I’m sure he’d do anything for Adolph,” Stephanie said getting up.

“Jensen, go talk to Sei, get Tobias in on it, he likes her and maybe that’ll let him ignore this little fuck up with his General,” Seth said pointing at the two. Jensen saluted before he got up, this time not being reunited with the bench as he ran off down the halls, Tobias in tow.

Felicity looked at the husband and wife before she moved closer. Seth idly stroked the older Orlouge’s fur before he said softly, “I know Felicity, I know. It’s all I can do to keep her afloat, but without any real interaction, even that’s a problem.”

Thank you Seth, I know you put a lot of effort into this, Felicity said firmly.

“No problem fuzz ball,” The Lavinian Demon said looking at his wife before back at the cat, “Truth be told I wouldn’t have even needed Jensen to beg me to do it. I just let him beg because it’s funny in a cruel sort of way.”

Yeah, I can imagine seeing the Immortal on his knees begging is a bit of irony you won’t pass up, Felicity countered.

Liliana hugged her husband before she whispered, “I’ll keep an eye out for Adolph and if I see him, I’ll be sure to let him know Jensen or Felicity need to talk to him.”

[Requiem of Insanity]

Cassandra awoke with a startle as she heard the muttered whisperings of her desires. It was early even for her standards, as she usually awoke before the sun rose a half hour later. But something in the tone of the musing of her Dark Companion made the Serial Killer stir out of her bed groggily before she listened closer, eyes fluttering as she listened to the sweet nothings her lover spoke to her heart.

At first she thought it was a warning about another tirade from her Lord of Ixian castle. She had received more than an ear full from Sei Orlouge regarding the matter of Aislinn‘s well being, including threats of violence and, as silly as it sounded, torture. But in the end Aislinn continued to choose her self imposed exiled lifestyle over rejoining her family and friends. Sei could bark all he wanted, but if the woman did not wish to leave, then she would not leave. Her progress was slow, slower than Cassandra had wished, but the fun of watching the Mystic degenerate slowly each day was its own bonus she allowed in exchange in lack of production. One page was all that was left, but Aislinn was so far gone it would most likely take another two weeks. And at the end, she would be broken and useless, cast aside by her own volition. Aislinn was an angel that would lose her way.

Thanks mostly in part due to her devious desires from her companion. The constant wave of dread he pushed upon her kept her rooted and doubtful. Not even the feeble attempts by Seth Dahlios could un-warp the brain damage and mental destruction of Aislinn’s psyche. Besides, it should not be the Lavinian Demon to save an angel. Yet as she grazed upon that thought, her lover poked her mind and began to hiss. She listened to his irritation, felt his desire to shed blood, and allowed herself a sly smile as he lovingly floated away to go and harass Aislinn some more. The children grew concerned for their friend, Aislinn, it seemed. Seth orchestrated a plan, a loose one at best, with the idiot immortal and Witch’s comrades to somehow stop the damage from happening.

She quickly changed, leaving Aerith’s sleeping form on her bed as she began her day….

~*~*~

“Dear child,” Cassandra cooed as she cupped Aislinn’s sleeping face. “You work yourself to death, you do!” The Mystic’s eyes fluttered open, the lack of sleep and appropriate rest evident in her bloodshot eyes. With graceful movements Cassandra dropped a tin tray filled with eggs and cooked bacon, smiling sweetly as she sat across from the Witch.

“You…cook?” Aislinn’s voice was degrading each day, her ability to think clearly was even coming into question at this point. Cassandra purred at the thought of just how well this little torture party was doing. She shifted herself back, relaxing as she ate from her plate. Her fork skewered several yellow scrambled eggs and the hot sauce she dripped onto it softly fell to her plate, splattering the white porcelain. Aislinn squirmed as she saw the splatter, images of Cassandra’s alone time with her playmate haunting her very memories.

“I do, though I’m not very good at it. I know enough to keep me happy and away from the mess hall. It seems smarter and better use of my time to remain down here. Not everyone can see the me you see without wanting to kill me.” She flashed a smile to Aislinn, who merely played with her food as she hadn’t even the energy to fight back. What spunk she had when this all began, she thought whimsically.

“What the hell is going on?” The gruff voice of Seth spoke from the shadows as the Lavinian entered the work area. He was already dressed and looking ready to kill, eyes challenging Cassandra as he prepared to speak. Before he could get a word in Cassandra rose, lifting her plate of bacon and shoving it into his chest. He clumsily grabbed the food and looked to her as Cassandra flashed him a seductive grin.

“You both have been working hard for me today. So I thought I’d cook breakfast for Aislinn, and for you,” Cassandra said bringing forth her full wave of dread onto the demon. He didn’t flinch from her, nor did it seem to affect him but the message was clear from her show of power. Seth’s eyes faltered as the realization sunk in.

“I want you to take the next twenty four hours off, Seth. Go spend it with your wife. I don’t want to see you, hear from you, and learn you been doing anything but spending that time with Liliana,” Cassandra ordered him. He glared at her, prepared to speak, but Cassandra lifted a hand to prevent him from speaking. “You are ordered to do this, Seth, or I will discuss with Duffy how exactly those fancy shock collars work!” Cassandra turned from him, giggling.

“Besides Seth, you earned this day off!” She flashed him a wicked look, her smile full of venom and uninviting as she lifted one hand to usher him away. “Now get going, Seth!” Her eyes narrowed as the wave of dread removed itself from Seth and returned to Aislinn.

“You…” Seth growled. Cassandra turned to him, crossing her arms to just under her breast as she stood defiantly in her stone home. She cocked an eyebrow, waiting for him to make his move. Cassandra knew full well his anguish and all his plans. His desire to kill her, but being forced to work under her. Sei had spoken of having a mean streak, a dark kindling within him. Turns out he did when she found out Seth would be her lap dog.

Seth looked to her with all his malice and hate, but he sagged his shoulders looking to Aislinn. His eyes looked back to Cassandra with defeat as he turned and walked away from the scene with frustration building within him. To vent his anger he lifted his hand back and slammed it into the door, blowing the wooden plank off this hinges as it fell onto the floor.

“FUCKING BITCH!” He bellowed as he walked down the hallway where the surface could be found. Aislinn stared at the scene with wide eyes, and with the gentlest of caresses the Gislea Reaper stroked her hair and titled her face back to her works. Cassandra waited a moment and heard Seth stop as another pair of boots softly treaded on the gravel making a soft crunching noise. The Gisela Reaper smiled as she walked forwards to interrupt Seth’s little conversation. “I’ll be back Aislinn. Be a good girl and Aerith will attend to you.” Aislinn looked to her retreating form, before in a zombie like trance began to translate the final page.

Cassandra’s steps took her to stop as Seth and Jensen Ambrose looked to her, both eyes wishing upon that elusive wishing star for the chance to shed her blood, to beat her, to break her mind, body and soul. Yet her defiant grin, her infallible smirk as she laughed at them as she passed told them all the news they still refused to accept.

Cassandra Remi had known their plan, and they could do nothing to save their friend.

[TwinCast]

Coldness, it enveloped the witch. She had been cold for so long it was almost the norm for her. She had been without light and heat for so long that she had forgotten a life that included such things. She had forgotten many things, as slowly her mind began to retreat into itself. She had a name, she knew it at one point, had been proud of it, it had given her strength. It had been a fine name, as good as anyone could have.

She had a life, perhaps a family? What was that like? She couldn't remember. Was it good? Was anything good? What was good? Was it something you could touch, feel and taste? She couldn’t remember, she didn’t know much, only that the words before her were important. They were so very important to the woman. Then there were the people around her, so odd, were they her family? Where they her parents? If so why did the Man break down the door while cursing at the Lady? What did the Lady do to deserve such treatment?

The words, they were important.

They spoke of many things, and she had help in figuring out what they meant. The people that helped her, where were they? Were they gone? Had they liked her? Had she angered them? Why were they gone? Did she do something wrong? Yes, she must have done something wrong to be down here in the cold. She had to have done something horrible to be punished such, otherwise she wouldn’t be here. While she had no concept for good, she knew bad, bad was what had put her here. Bad was what had made her sit here in the dark looking over this book and slowly figure out the weird words on the pages.

Her eyes drifted around the area, looking about the caves as she found herself alone. It was cold, so very cold. She had never felt so cold in her life, and yet she knew it had been worse, so much worse. The shadows themselves had attacked her once, or perhaps they were now? It made no sense, only hurting her head, it hurt to do anything now a days. She wasn’t sure she liked that. Hurting was a bad thing, and yet she knew it was a punishment. That was why the lady had hurt the man on the table. He was a terrible person, he had to be punished, and the Lady had, before she put the man to sleep forever. Still, why was she hurting? Shifting on the seat hurt, doing anything other than sleep hurt. She was tired, so tired. Why was she tired?

Perhaps she should take a nap, rest her eyes and take a break. The words hurt her brain, and she couldn’t figure out what was going on anymore. She lay her head back on the table as she felt peace. Sleep was her only solace down here, things didn’t attack her when she was asleep. So, she lay her head down, though something in the back of her mind shouted, it railed against her, warning her not to sleep. That was silly, why was sleep so bad? Sleep was the only time she was safe, why would it hurt her?

And yet, the voice shouted. She couldn’t make out what it said, only that sleep would kill her. The voice sounded so strange, it spoke of things she didn’t understand anymore. Things that it said were good. It spoke of friends and family, of needing to escape, and leave the Lady and the Man. Why did she need to leave? She deserved to be down here, otherwise why was she here? The voice was so soft, so quiet, she was sure it wasn’t important, if it was, she would have heard it clearly. No, she would sleep, and then she would be safe again, safe from the Lady and her knives, safe from the Man and his temper against the Lady.

She lay her head on the table, and closed her eyes, looking for just a little more sleep, when she heard it. Rumbling and booming, the sound of a knock upon the door. Her head lifted from the table with a confused look, before she shook her head slowly. Was the Man back to yell at the Lady?

[Enigmatic Immortal]

He had heard of the news, heard of what happened to the one he cared about. He listened to every detail, every angle of the story without speaking as he took in all the facts. When he had heard the last testament to what had happened he had gathered his weapons, turned to the tunnels of Sei’s tomb, and told the rest to wait.

The underground was cold, colder than he ever had felt in his short span within the hand carved walkways. The loose dirt clung to his boots as he strode forwards, and when he went further into the tomb he felt an undeniable wave of dread wash over him. It pushed at him, clawed at him and made his purpose try to stray. He was being foolish if he thought he could do anything. He was an idiot for thinking that he could match wits with the Gisela Reaper. Turn back now, that was the only way to avoid making the biggest mistake of his life.

All those thoughts only spurred him forwards with more determination as his heart burned with the righteous anger only matched by the demonkin William Arcus. He grabbed the chains around his wrist, holding them forwards without even looking to them as he gripped the present given to him by his closest friends. The Maul dubbed Crozius clipped to the steel links, the symbol that the man was ready to do battle.

When he reached the gravestone to Cassandra Remi’s hidden sanctum he took his weapon and slammed it into the headstone of the angel that guarded her realm. The stone shattered into a thousand little fragments, the pebbles crumbling to the ground as dust erupted from the debris, the ornate structure crumbling upon itself into a heap. Now more than ever did he feel the hatred of the Dark Companion as it verbally abused his soul and clawed at his thoughts. He felt hill will being sapped as he entered into the woman’s domain eyes cast forwards as his robe rippled from the baleful wind that tried to make the Chaplain deter his steps.

His steps were purposeful as he walked the long hallway deep into the depths of the area Sei had once locked away. The stench of dried blood, decaying flesh, and rotting organs assaulted his nostrils, causing him to lower his head into his sleeve as he wiped the air in front of him, but still his feet did not stray. He looked to the front doorway, noticing the wood was fresh and new, the scent of sawdust upon the frame with the lacquer finish combating with the other horrid scents. He looked to his right and found a small red headed teen toiling over a vat of what he could only assume was some new vile poison. The Robot Laconic stepped forwards towards the door, shutting it from his prying eyes. Not that he cared what they did. His purpose was for the woman he set to save.

When he was within four steps of the door it was flung open, the beauty and vile nature of Cassandra Remi revealed to him. She was dressed in her sneaking suit and it clung to her flesh like sap to a tree. Every curve of her body was his, if only his imagination would wonder a few steps. In her hand was a knife, and on her face the most hideous smile, yet unbearably enticing look he had ever seen from the Serial Killer. He slowed to a stop in front of her as he eyed her hazel orbs, feeling the compelling desire to drop to his knees and beg forgiveness for crimes he had not committed. He looked to her, then attempted to look inside when he found the wind blowing yet another door shut. That was where she was, he concluded looking to the last obstacle in his way.

“You have a lot of nerve to destroy my barrier,” Cassandra breathed in spite as she leaned forwards to intimidate the man. He felt the hairs on the back of his raise to full attention like trained soldiers, and his heart skipped a beat. She was everything he had ever expected, and more when it came to her powers. He knew full well not to underestimate the head games the Gisela Reaper would play.

Pity she was underestimating the Reclussiarch of the Ixian Knights, Adolph Gretzel.

“My apologies for shattering your little angel. I will personally pay for a replacement and have one created by Lord Dorian’s crew and have it installed within the month. Now that we have discussed that matter and closed it, I have need to see the Chief Medical Officer.”

“She is busy, and not to be disturbed.” Cassandra shot back as she stepped forwards to once again try and intimidate the man who would not be bowed. Adolph narrowed his eyes on the woman, and he could hear the cackling lunacy of her darker desires within his ears. Fear her, give into her beauty, beg for forgiveness.

“I do believe that matters of life or death can supersede even your authority when it comes to the medical ward. I was told the task she is doing is nothing more than a favor to you, and thus she can easily return to her task when she completes her other ones. She has been gone for more than a month, and her post requires her attention immediately.” Adolph spoke diplomatically, but with the backbone of a man who would not let Cassandra deter him.

She leered at the Chaplain, before turning lifting a finger up to her hair, playing with the stray strands as she smiled vilely. “You have no claim to her. If she chooses to stay, then she’ll stay. It was her own request to stay down here until the job was finished. I am afraid not even Lord Orlouge can make her move if she does not wish it.” Adolph sighed, looking down to his feet as he felt Cassandra’s mirth. She had a point. If Aislinn did not wish to leave on her own accord, than who was he to force her?

“MOVE!” Adolph lifted his head back up, taking a step forwards and shoving Cassandra out of his way with his chest as he entered her home. “This is not some petty game we are playing! This is not some verbal jousting contest and a wits war. I am taking Aislinn Orlouge from this hell hole and that is the end of the matter!” Adolph violently barked to the woman, her eyes lifting in shock as she fought to keep her vertical balance.

“Your tone and actions are pushing a thin line, Adolph Gretzle!” Cassandra threatened him as she ran to stand before the door, lifting a knife from her side. “I will not allow you to take her-” Adolph lifted Crozius and slammed the maul’s tip into the blade, snapping the little kitchen utensil in two pieces and sending both shards flying off into a dark corner.

“GET OUT OF MY WAY!” Adolph bellowed with the full fury of the horsemen he worshipped. His eyes were cast wide, and his lips let spit fly out of his mouth as he bore down upon the frail frame of the Moonlit Monster. Cassandra actually shied away from him, head titled back as she arched her back. With feeble attempts to regain her composure Cassandra stepped aside. Without even looking to the coward he gripped the handle and pushed the door open so it bounced off the cavern wall.

There upon a desk was the confused eyes of the woman he swore to protect. Eyes were sunken in, body looking timid and fragile. She had lost weight, considerable amounts of weight, and off in a corner was a torture rack with a dead body that looked recent. Adolph turned to find Cassandra looking at him, and he once again narrowed his eyes glaring to the woman.

“You tortured someone in front of her? Have you no heart?” Cassandra flashed a toothy smile, but before she could speak Adolph lifted his gloved hand out and grabbed the scruff of her sneaking suit. He dragged her forwards, much to her protesting as he placed his forhead against hers, eyes matching as he whispered in a low tone. “So help me, if I hear that you ever do something like this to another of my friends, I will be down here so fast and kill you myself and drag your carcass to the surface and let the vultures feast upon your flesh!”

Cassandra said nothing, but her anger quickly turned to another smile, another Thayne be damned vile smile as she giggled. Adolph lost his patience shoving her away as he turned to Aislinn, who still looked to him like she was but a child meeting a stranger.

“Come, Ms. Orlouge, I am taking you away.”

“But…work…” She whispered looking to the papers. “Must….work…”

“Aislinn,” Adolph said to her as he knelt before her, grabbing her hand that held the writing utensil. She tried to pull away, but he lifted his other hand grabbing her shoulder. “Look at me!” Aislinn weakly obeyed. “This is no place for you to be, I’m taking you away now.”

“I…finish,” Aislinn said looking to the papers again. Adolph nodded his head getting up and he smiled to Aislinn grabbing the paperwork.

“Yes, you will. You made a promise and you should keep it, but you also promised to make sure the medical ward was in order. Now it is not, so you must put this on hold.”

“I…will…return here?” Aislinn said, her voice gaining strength as Adolph lifted her up. She took a wobbly step to reorient herself. She gripped his hand tightly, and he gently closed his grip to hers.

“There is no reason for you to, Aislinn. You can easily do this task anywhere else in the castle. Come now, I have a medicial emergency that you need to take care of.”

“You are hurt?” She looked to him with such speed that he nearly laughed, her eyes scanning his body for harm.

“No, I just have a booboo,” He whispered to her. “Right here,” He pointed to his lips. Aislinn’s eyes softly watered, before all the life within them returned as she let out a laugh, the first sound inside this tomb that was not heralded by vicious screaming or agonizing yells.

“That is all?” Cassandra spat as she entered the room.

“Yes, I am afraid this situation could only be solved by the Chief Medical Officer,” Adolph said in the most sarcastic voice he could conceive. Aislinn nodded her head.

“Yes, I think I will need to personally attend to him for a few days.” The more she spoke, the more the color in her body returned. Adolph smiled as he turned to walk away. Cassandra blocked their path as Aislinn turned to grab her notes and papers.

“I will have your head for this, Adolph Gretzle.” The Chaplain merely shrugged his shoulders as he gripped Aislinn’s hand and waked out towards the surface.

“By all means, Lady Remi, if you take umbridge in what I am doing, take it up with Lord Orlouge.” He continued to walk and suddenly stopped, looking back to the Gisela Reaper, seeing her face contorted into a sneer. He smiled to her, bowed respectfully, and then turned to walk away.

“Remember to smile, Lady Remi,” Adolph joked. “We are saving the world.”

[TwinCast]

Aislinn felt warm for the first time since coming down into the tunnels. Everything was slowly returning, the feeling of pride, and sense of self. The way she had endured the torment that Cassandra Remi had put her through. Though, with every passing moment that she awoke from her nightmare, with it came the realization that the dream would slip away. She would never fully remember what had occurred down there either. Still she was grateful to the chaplain, who helped her move through the tunnels, each step tiring her more than the last. She shook her head before she saw a door, old and familiar at the same time.

“Through there,” She said softly. Adolph frowned and looked at her before she gestured at the door. He nodded softly as they moved through the doorway, and she saw the once familiar room. At one time this had been her home, at one time this had been her sanctum. Before her lay the infirmary that she had begun to train the students in. Now, there was only the lone cot and desk, standing silent vigil to the times. Adolph moved her over to the desk before she sat upon it, resting as she was unused to such strenuous activity.

It had only been a month, and she was more than certain she looked worse than when she had shown up on Sei’s doorstep.

Adolph was looking her over, the concern evident on his face. He seemed on the verge of saying something and she only nodded her head, answering the unspoken question. At the confirmation of his suspicion he finally spoke, “I know that you aren’t at your best, but I have to yell at you as well.”

“I figured as much,” The witch answered, “I have suspicions you will not be kind in your assessment of the situation, so please go ahead.

Adolph straightened to his full height before he spoke firmly, “Aislinn Orlouge, I have known you for many months. In that time I had seen an individual who was both level headed, and far more mature than the rest of this castle combined. If even half the stories of the past month can be considered true, this is by far the most immature and childish I have ever heard you.”

“I will admit, I was…hasty in my actions,” Aislinn brushed a strand of hair from her face in discomfort before she looked into those eyes. Those bright blue eyes that seemed to be full of sadness and disappointment.

“Hasty would have been yelling at your sister to get out. Hasty would have been to berate your family. Immature and childish, was your self imposed exile Lady Orlouge. You were the child holding your breath hoping that you would get your way. If it were not for the fact that the mission had been finished in the time expected, I fear you would have suffocated yourself,” Adolph said firmly. Aislinn opened her mouth to rebut, only to be cut off, “I know. I know that Felicity lied to you and only recently came to find out the nature of that lie. I understand your anger and frustration my Lady. I cannot, and will not, understand why you put yourself into the enemy’s hands so willingly. Cassandra Remi honeys her poisoned words and preys upon any moment of weakness she perceives.”

“I will admit, you are right,” Aislinn said looking down.

A hand reached out and gently caressed her cheek. She hesitated only slightly before the hand drew her face up to Adolph. He was smiling before he spoke, “You were foolish, and you’ll have to apologize to those you hurt, but I believe we can move beyond this. I would suggest starting with your sister and moving from there, the harder the person is to forgive, the more you should talk to them first.”

“You certainly have a cruel streak don’t you?” Her lips curved into a new smile as she drew him into a hug. Her arms wrapping about his chest as she leaned against him. His arms wrapped about her giving her a feeling of peace she needed at the moment, something to remind her that she was alive and this wasn’t a dream. They stayed there for a few moments before she whispered, “Thank you for coming to my rescue…”

“Are you ready to move on?” Adoph asked softly. His forehead resting against hers. Her blue eyes looked deeply into his.

“No, I just want to do one more thing here,” She whispered.

“What’s that?”

Her lips covered his, and this time, there was nothing chaste about the kiss.

[Enigmatic Immortal]

As morning rose Jensen felt the loving arms of the woman he was engaged to wrap around his torso, soft kisses lifting along his chest as they both awoke themselves. The sunlight had filtered through the glass window that they forgot to shut the curtains to, letting the illumination awaken them as they grinned to one another. There was always perks to Azza, their little daughter, having friends in the orphanage. She sometimes would spend the night, and when that happened Jensen and Stephanie usually did not get sleep.

Showering and changing into their clothes both warriors made their way to the mess hall as they sauntered out of the family district. Walking hand in hand down the stairs the two felt comfortable and perfectly content as the news that Adolph had indeed saved Aislinn from Cassandra had reached their ears from Felicity herself. That also meant the cat had slept in her own room, not theirs. He was grateful for that, for he was positive the cats dander was getting to his nose.

When they reached the final step of the spiral staircase Jensen felt a light shove on the back of his head tossing him forwards. The immortal spun and tossed out a few probing attacks in jest as Zerith Dracosius grinned, shuffling in place before Jasmine strode by saying her good mornings to Stephanie with their baby in one hand, the other lifting up and grabbing the Halberdier general of the army by the arm and dragging him outside.

Jensen laughed waving his friend and fellow roommate off, turning to Stephanie as she pointed to the end of the hall. He jumped at her, hooking his arms around his shoulders as he spun to look where she was and found Ta’gaz waving them down with the entourage he usually kept in the morning. Harold Andres, Adolph’s assitant, and the Oracle of Wind and Water. The Oracle of Wind was none other than Jensen’s father, and the usually crass nature of the man even far outweighed the behavior of the enigmatic immortal himself. The Oracle of Wind was an elf, and aloof was not even grazing the tip of the spear when it came to her very melancholy demeanor. Still, the woman was fast enough to steal from even Tobias Greenleaf, one of the best pick pockets in the Ixian Knights.

The two parties met getting in their morning greetings as they all made their way towards the mess hall, all talking in joviality as they entered the line for food. Today was special as Sei himself had made scrambled eggs for his troops, a village donating several chickens to the armies cause as well as baskets of eggs for a mission to save their home from bandits. The food smelled delicious and Jensen grabbed double shares as Stephanie ran off to go sit with Tobias Greenleaf who had reserved a bench for the large morning group. The immortal looked behind him to see Seth and Liliana enter the hall, and both men nodded to the other respectfully as Liliana found the breakfast club and waved to Stephanie and Tobias.

Lifting the tin trays upwards with a waiter’s grace the knight turned to the table and headed forwards dropping off his fiancés plate before her, sitting next to her as he said hello to Tobias. Though normally intolerant of all kinds of elves the immortal had made a pardon for the spunky happy go lucky elf he sat across from. Sitting next to Tobias was the Ta’gaz, followed by the Oracles as they dumped their food and went right for the tomato sauce. It was a strange site to see them battle with only their out reached hands, fingers darting and snatching the other’s to restrain them. They never brought the other hand forward as if this was some sort of morning ritual, and at last Nathanial Ambrose managed to hook his pinky around her middle finger, curl it and lock her other fingers back as his thumb and index finger grabbed the bottle.

“Never fails to amaze me how agile you are,” Stephanie muttered to her soon to be father in law.

“Yep, you’d be amazed what not being a fat sack of crap can do for the body. Speaking of which, chubby, you should work out with me sometime to lose those love handles. If you’re going to be my daughter in law, you’ll need to lose the weight. No fatties in the Ambrose family.”

“Strange,” The Oracle of Water said in a very monotone voice tilting her head to the side in contemplation as she patiently waited for Nathanial to finish with the tomato sauce. “I thought your fat heads were a family trait.”

“Oh we got fat ‘heads’ alright, Lilith! Am I right!” The elder man winked to his son, making Jensen cough as he nearly choked on his eggs.

“I was not referring to the size of your penis, Nathanial, merely your ego.” She corrected the Oracle of Wind, her tone never changing as she lifted her hand and took the bottle from Nathanial before he got the first bit of it to pour out over his eggs.

“Ya, that was the joke buzz kill,” Nathanial mentioned off handedly as he angrily dropped his elbow onto the table and placed his chin in on it waiting for the Oracle of Water to be done with the sauce. The table greeted Seth as Liliana took her spot next to Stephanie, Seth flanking his wife as they all began to eat. There was idle chit chat along the table as Nathanial and Lilith continued their back and forth game. Ta’gaz and Seth set up more sparring times as Tobias and Stephanie agreed they would go into Radansath and purchase new boots together.

The morning routine was interrupted when the final group managed to make it extremely late. Felicity ran into the Mess Hall and jumped right onto Ta’gaz’s shoulder, the burly man not even noticing her for a moment as he talked to Liliana about gardening techniques. Adolph and Aislinn slowly made their way to the table and with quick urging Jensen began a slow clap for them, whistling like a jackass. Stephanie and Seth continued this, before soon everyone in the entire mess hall was clapping for Aislinn Orlouge’s return to the land of the living. The Head Chaplin took his seat next to Harold and Jensen, the witch taking her seat next to Ta’gaz sitting across from Adolph with a mild grin as she began to eat her eggs, her cheeks turning a rosy red from the fanfare.

When the applause settled down Jensen fell back onto the bench and grinned to Aislinn as they all talked about how she was doing. She flashed a smile to Adolph, then proceeded to answer questions before she rose a hand to everyone to silence them for but a mere moment.

“I do truly thank you all for continuing to care and look out for me while I was gone. I have been told that you created a rescue committee and even went to so far as many length as to try and personally earn the ire of Cassandra Remi. That means very much to me, and I will be sure to repay you all in kind. In the meanwhile, I also want to apologize to you all for my actions. They were childish and brash, and never will I give you a reason to worry about me like that again. I make that a blanket apology, but I do plan to speak with you all privately.”

Jensen once again clapped like an idiot for Aislinn as the table laughed, pushing her apology aside. Things returned normal for awhile as Jensen listened to his father talk about exactly how the immortal was a failure at life, and where he went wrong as his parent. It involved not enough beatings, and leaving him to the wolves instead of the Knights of Apocalypse. Pierce Hawk, Aislinn’s own father joined the table, everyone on Jensen’s side scooting to allow the man room to sit. It was all in all a lively time before suddenly a voice spoke out, ruining the atmosphere with her soft spoken words.

“The witch has had sexual relations with the Chaplin.”

There was stunned silence as Adolph gawked to the Oracle of Water, Aislinn’s face turning beat red. Felicity looked to her sister, then to the Oracle and back again before Seth let out a riotous laugh. Jensen followed the laugh with his own as Stephanie peered at Aislinn. The witch shook her head as Ta’gaz and Nathanial both cracked grins.

“Now see, Jensen, you should have tapped that long ago. Very curvy she is. Full breasts, rich ass,” Nathanial looked to Aislinn like she were a piece of meat.

“DAD!” Jensen shouted lifting his finger in warning.

“Sis, did you really?” Felicity asked, her excitement clear in the way she spoke her thoughts. All eyes fell upon the two before Adolph spoke in his gruff, official tone.

“All Aislinn and I did last night was discuss things together about a potential relationship. Nothing more.”

“Exactly,” Aislinn said diplomatically. “There is nothing going on between us.” Stephanie pointed to the woman’s hair.

“You have something in your hair.” Stephanie pointed to the item and gingerly Aislinn tapped it with her finger. She lovingly let her middle finger stroke it before she smiled to the table.

“It’s nothing more than a fetish. I have several of them.”

“Didn’t know you had a fetish for Chaplin’s,” Stephanie countered as she reached to grab the trinket. The whole table whooped as she managed to distract Aislinn long enough for Tobias to swiftly grab it, holding it for the whole table to see. It was a small iron Heraldic cross, painted red on the inside and dyed black on the edges with white accents to make it shine. For a fetish, she really went all out in its construction.

“Hmm, roleplay eh, Aislinn?” Pierce said in a joking fashion. It was common knowledge the man, while in his late forties, was still very much a playboy.

“I would thank you all for leaving me alone,” Aislinn snapped grabbing her fetish from Tobias as the elf grinned. “Like I said, nothing happened.” She stuck her head up in a arrogant fashion before returning to her eggs.

“Right, cause if something did, Adolph would be a complete gentlemen to her,” Ta’gaz said ending the matter as he respectively nodded to the man.

“Correct!” The Chaplin said grabbing his water.

“You were a gentlemen to my little girl, right?” Pierce asked.

“Of course,” Adolph blurted, looking to Aislinn as her eyes softly widened. His own eyes widened as well as Jensen let out a roar of mirth, slapping the Chaplin on the back as the table erupted in laughter. The two’s faces had turned so red the color in their bodies seemed to pale. Even the Oracle of Water managed to smirk as Nathanial boomed with glee.

As they all laughed the sunlight in the room seemed to fade behind a solitary cloud, the table’s light fading fast as Liliana was the first to stifle her giggles. Soon it was followed by Tobias who began to cough as Seth growled loudly. This shook everyone out their revelry as Jensen turned to look at the head of the table before he snarled, Stephanie grabbing his hand and gripping it tightly. The Oracles both glared to her, something that rarely ever occurred, and even Ta’gaz managed to lift his lip in disgust. Felicity hissed and Harold and Adolph both stood up like trained soldiers, but neither one gave the newcomer a look of respect, but hostility.

Smiling to them all in the deepest pit of the shadows created by the blocked sun stood General Cassandra Remi.

[Requiem of Insanity]

“By all means, please do continue your breakfast. I wouldn’t want to intrude,” Cassandra flashed a toothy smile. The blatant hate she felt emanating from them was like a warm blanket on a hot day, and it made her lips curl vilely as she giggled, letting the full power of her Dark Companion cool her as she flooded the table with a fresh wave of ill will. Tobias had turned her head away as Harold felt it difficult not to look away. Even Liliana Dahlios and Stephanie could no longer look to her as they shied away from her gaze. Ta’gaz and his so called Oracles returned to their food, picking at it with their forks instead of eating.

She turned to the two Chaplins and managed a small scowl as she recalled the events that happened between them. She lifted her hand up to Adolph, an envelope within her grasp sealed and addressed to Adolph. The Reclussiarch took the letter without removing his eyes from her, which made her flash her teeth in amusement before she spoke. A lesson was to be learned.

“You have recklessly destroyed the barrier to my sanctum, destroying several wards an enchantments. Your conduct, Adolph Gretzel, is unbecoming someone of your stature. You’ll find a letter within that envelope, signed by Sei Orlouge, to personally have two Chaplins at any time standing vigil over my domain in the tombs. As for you, you will personally make up for the damages by giving me your services for three weeks without question or complaint.”

Jensen, her most hated pet project, lifted himself to say something before Adolph pushed him back down. “Of course, Lady Remi. You are correct that I was out of line. This is only fair treatment for my brashness.” He bowed to her, much to the table’s ire, but what else could the man do. If he was to be a the shining example of what a good warrior was, than he had no choice but to obey in this public setting. One did not backtalk a superior. “However,” Adolph said looking to Harold, who smiled to his friend before looking back to Cassandra with a scowl lifting up his own letter. Ta’gaz then snapped his fingers as he reached into his pocket pulling out a crumbled paper, followed by Pierce and Tobias. Even Aislinn lifted up her own letter, all of them addressed to the General’s of the Ixian Knights.

“You once held power over any facet of this army, including the trainer’s,” Adolph said in his booming oratory voice. Why the fool felt the need to yell for every sentence was beyond her, but she listened with mock interest. She did not like the feeling that everyone in the mess hall was listening in on his every word. She did not know why, but she felt a shiver in her spine. “Now that changes. We have spoken to Lord Orlouge regarding the power of his general’s over us, and he has agreed that there was no need for such things. You, and every general under Lord Sei, no longer have the power to order us around. We are as of this moment considered equal status as head trainers of the Ixian Knights. The Chaplin’s, being the spiritual guardians of the Ixian Knights, have disassociated ourselves from the army as one of its arms. We act independently and all orders to request our aid must now go through Sei himself, as well as approved by me.”

Cassandra listened to those words before she realized what they meant. It was an insult to her, a ploy to show her that the power she once held over them all was gone. She could no longer force those simpletons to act on her whim. Sei Orlouge had taken the fun out of her job. Adolph’s smug face made her furious and she felt the need to draw her knife and cut him, but with the gentlest of whispers in her ear she kept her composure and smiled to the trainers.

“Oh, but of course. I never really felt a need to order any of you to do anything. This hostility towards me is really unfounded, but I asssure you it means nothing to me,” She turned to Aislinn with a smile. “However, that is not why I came here. I came here to speak with you, Aislinn. If you would please join me,” Cassandra said motioning for the Witch to walk with her. However, she did not budge an inch as she glared to the Gisela Reaper.

“No,” She said sternly. “Anything you say can be done in front of everyone.” The table seemed to stiffen and flex their muscles as one, like a bodyguard showing his intent to do harm if she took another step closer. This little trip was getting more annoying the longer it went on.

“Fine,” Cassandra said in a forced calm, losing his patience. “You have my final page complete, is that right?” Aislinn lifted her satchel, tossing it into Cassandra’s hands with effort. The weight of the tome made the Moonlit Mistress smile as she looked inside the burlap package. Inside was all her notes and the translated pages were put into a nice white folder. She smiled lifting it over her shoulder lifting up another letter addressed to her.

“Then in good faith I hand you this,” Cassandra flashed her a toothy smile. “It’s the ritual needed to make Felicity a human again.” Aislinn waited a moment before she took it, gingerly holding the letter in her hand before she opened it. Cassandra waited, still smiling brightly as she watched Aislinn read the ritual. There were four pages in all, with diagrams and the proper ingriedents required to make her sister human. Jensen and all her little friends looked to her, even Felicity stopped all her hostility to look to Aislinn.

“You…You bitch,” Aislinn whispered. Cassandra let out a cruel chuckle.

“What ever is the matter,” The Gisela Reaper mocked her concern as she cracked a sly grin. “Is it not what you asked for?” Aislinn looked to her with angry, tear filled eyes as she ripped the papers before her.

“It is Necromancy!” She whispered darkly. “It is a ritual to put her into another body, like a shackled zombie bound to my will! She would loose all her personality, all her soul in the process! You knew this when you made your offer!”

“I never lied to you, Aislinn Orlouge,” Cassandra said in a dark tone, all levity leaving her words as she spoke. “I promised you a cure for your sister. That was a cure to put her into a human body. Next time you make a deal with the devil you should be careful for what you ask for!” She turned on her heel to leave, laughing as Aislinn began to sniffle in frustration. Adolph ran to her, like a good lap dog as the table shifted to consol her, all save for one person.

“HEY REMI!” Jensen shrieked, laughing in a high pitch whine. Cassandra narrowed her eyes and turned her head, bringing forth all of her power to flood him with dread. When she eyed him she let out a gasp of shock, food slapping her into the nose and mouth. She flailed backwards a bit as she turned, ripping the egg off her face. When she looked up again she found more food hitting her in the face. “FUCK~A YOU!” He said with a giggle, tossing more food at her. The slimy eggs managed to find their way into her clothes as he continued to throw more and more food at her. Tobias had lifted herself and ran to other tables, grabbing their food trays as she tossed them to Ta’gaz who gave them to Jensen. Seth did likewise with the other half of the room as the entire Ixian Knights that were congregated in the mess hall gave their food to the maddened immortal.

“Shit Remi, don’t you know how to eat!” Jensen hollered, more inane giggling as he tossed food particle after food partcile. A blueberry muffin managed to explode off her forehead, smearing her face with the berries. She slipped on the eggs, arms flailing as Jensen called for more ammunition, the entire mess hall cheering the idiot on. Angrily she let her Dark Companion loose, but it did little good as still Jensen assaulted her with food.

“Does baby need a bib!” Jensen continued to taunt and tease her until at last the mess hall began to silence themselves. There was awkward shuffling as the entire room parted, and standing before Cassandra with arm stretched out was Sei Orlouge himself. She swatted his hand aside, standing to her full height.

“What are you going to do about this gross disciplinary problem that, that, INCOMPENTANT JACKASS,” She lost her self control as she turned pointing to Jensen. “Has with me! I demand you punish him severely! I demand you let me have him!”

“Jensen, what do you have to say for yourself?” Sei asked to the immortal. Cassandra breathed hellfire as she turned to him, eyes lit up with hatred and rage.

“Strangest thing I ever saw. She slipped and this weird chain reaction of food just flew in the air. Like magic. Maybe Ta’gaz farted, maybe Anita and Taka found the holy G-Spot. We don’t know. But I can tell you we all saw her trip and fall.” He looked to the table and everyone nodded. Cassandra flared her nostrils, smelling the disgusting combination of breakfast foods on her face. She turned to Sei and pointed to him.

“You see, he has no respect for authority at all! He’s a loose cannon and needs discipline!”

“I don’t know, Lady Remi,” Sei said with a grunting chuckle. “That was one ungraceful fall I saw you take.” There was a moment of silence as everyone processed what Sei had said. Cassandra’s eyes turned wide with shock, before she let out an ear piercing screech of frustration, storming out of the mess hall. Jensen laughed at her, his echoing madness booming in her ears as Sei turned to her. “Lady Remi,” Sei called after her with a smirk. She turned only because she had just enough self control to do so. “Do remember to smile, we are saving the world.”

Her screams of rage echoed throughout all of Ixian Castle.

~*~*~

It had taken several hours for Cassandra to even begin the process of calming down. She had destroyed her laboratory, spilled several vats of poisons, and even cursed out her own daughter, Aerith as she stripped out of the disgusting food encrusted clothing. She showered, ranting and raving about Sei and his stupid prophecy, about how unfair the situation was.

Yet one small touch to her shoulder. One tender and love filled whisper in her ear, and she smiled to herself as she let the droplets of water hit her naked body. Her devious, dark, deluded darling was right. Jensen could touch her only with food. She had killed him, taking her knives and slitting his throat in front of his own daughter. As far as the score went, she was well ahead of the enigmatic immortal. Not to mention the brainwashing of Anita Orlouge was complete. Now the daughter of the dragon was hers, with the merest twist of the strings granting her knowledge and information she would have had to drug out of Andrew Octane or Talen Shadowalker. Sei was not faring any better than he.

And in the end, she even managed to hold Aislinn over everyone’s heads like a little doll as well. That experience was well worth this trivial insult to her ego. What was the point of pride to her anyway? Her lover was right. She was fussing over nothing. What mattered was the present, and Cassandra stopped the water and went back into her room shutting the door.

She looked to the satchel with a wide childlike grin. The one someone had when about to open a present they waited so long for. She took the notes out and read them with her Dark Companion, his whispers of sweet nothings in her ear relaxing her muscles as he ensured her the witch was accurate. She read all twelve pages, smiling brightly as she let them fall on the table in heap before her. Aislinn had no clue what she translated, and thus had no idea the dangers of what she had done.

Cassandra looked to them, before she started to giggle. Her giggling grew louder and louder as she let out a cruel, vile chuckle. The more she looked to the ritual, the more amused she got as she began to laugh loudly with malicious intent. Her mirth echoed down the halls as she continued to laugh louder and louder. In mere moments she was in hysterics as she shot out of her seat slamming her fists on the table to each side of the papers. She continued like this for a few minutes before she calmed herself picking up the papers again.

“And with these I will never let those fools cross me again!” She whispered to herself, looking over the ritual of how one would achieve divinity and become a god.

[Silence Sei]

Story (6//10): A good story was written here, but it was pretty predictable what was going to happen.

Continuity (7/10): Everyone involved did well to give enough background on their character to satisfy me.

Setting (5/10): Coulda been worse, but it definitely could have been better. TwinCast, you were a better example of how things were described right than anyone else in the thread.

Creativity (7/10): Gotta say, the first steps to making Cass a Goddess were kinda cool.

Character (8/10): You each remained loyal to your roots, though I expected Aislinn to have much more of an inner struggle about what she had to do.

Interaction (6/10): The dialogue was good, but at times it slowed me down from reading and judging this thread.

Strategy (7/10): Cass is an evil mastermind, but I would have expected Aislinn to have some sort of safeguard up just in case of the inevitable betrayal. She should at least have a small bit of Sei’s mind for strategy in her.

Mechanics (5/10): I won’t tell you the mistakes you made here, because you both tend to make them in almost every thread. I also know Paul probably doesn’t want to hear the whole lecture we give him almost every thread again.

Clarity (6/10): Overall, I understood the story pretty well, but I had to re-read some of RoI and EI’s posts.

Wildcard (8/10): It was good and well thought out.

Total: 65

Twincast gets 1500 Exp, 100 GP (Sei’s salary to her)

EI gets 1975 Exp, 125 GP (Salary + a little extra bonus for trying to warn Aislinn.)

RoI Gets 1600 Exp, 50 GP (Salary)

Dissinger gets 500 Exp, and 150 GP (Salary + Bonus)

[Silence Sei]

GP-EXP Added.

Twincast Leveled.