Watchers - IC [Closed]

[MEGA ULTRA DESTRUCTO LORD TOPIA]

He turned to face the two, a broken smile across his face. The hall way darkened with a sickly green, and the holy sword disappeared.

"But it matters not. No matter what Void does, or any of you do, Merlin's destined to die. Though it is surprising that those others made it pass. I will stop your advance, and by extension stop your friends."

"Do you mind?" Everton asked with derision. "We're having a moment here, and you just basically ruined it. Can't take a step back and just appreciate it? Jeez," he continued, standing up and leaving Kiri on the floor, his arms slipping from around her. "Do you have to use the whole ugly green equals sickness or disease or whatever cliche? Why don't you just go with red for anger or black for fear or something like that? Maybe be a bit more original, would you Dream Walker?"

He grinned. "No such thing as destiny, Mr Evil Merlin Remnant thingy, just luck and skill. Not to be overconfident, but I think we're going to save Merlin." He suddenly cut himself off. "Crap. I'm monologuing, just like you. Yet another habit I need to break. At least I'm in my element against such a serious and self-assured enemy."

Kiri shivered at the sickly tone the new Merlin had taken. This wasn't the voice of Merlin, but the voice of a monster. Kiri stood from the floor and readied herself. This creature would try to stop them from rescuing Merlin, she didn't want that to happen. Kiri reached her hand behind her jacket, searching for her weapon. Nothing, damn she really needed to pay attention to what she carried and what she didn't. Slowly letting her hand come back to her side, she took a guarding stance, each foot planted firmly against the ground. She raised her hands pathetically in front of her ready for the attack to come. Kiri glanced at Everton, he reassuringly stood tall at her side refusing to stand down against the Alter-Merlin before them. Kiri slowed down her heart and took long breaths of air. Her feet began to glow slightly, a gentle throbbing yellow light. focusing her eyes on the creature before them she exhaled. She was ready to fight.

[Faal Lot Himdah]

Alter-Merlin

"Go on. Keep talking. The longer you talk, the closer the Dream Walker gets to winning the game. The closer it gets to claiming all of you. So please. Keep with the monologues." He smirked, "Look at you. Confident, thinking that you have the advantage here. What advantages do you have? Everything Merlin knows about you, I know. The environment, it is on my side. Power, it fills me. You have no advantage here."

He then noticed the light at Kiri's feet, "I for one don't like this. The idea of beating on a little girl, and a powerless man. Good thing I don't have to. I just have to keep you from getting this." A silver key appeared in his hand, "Come and get it."

[MEGA ULTRA DESTRUCTO LORD TOPIA]

Alter-Merlin

"Go on. Keep talking. The longer you talk, the closer the Dream Walker gets to winning the game. The closer it gets to claiming all of you. So please. Keep with the monologues." He smirked, "Look at you. Confident, thinking that you have the advantage here. What advantages do you have? Everything Merlin knows about you, I know. The environment, it is on my side. Power, it fills me. You have no advantage here."

He then noticed the light at Kiri's feet, "I for one don't like this. The idea of beating on a little girl, and a powerless man. Good thing I don't have to. I just have to keep you from getting this." A silver key appeared in his hand, "Come and get it."

"No need to tell me twice!" Kiri grunted as she swung into action.

She tensed her legs and dashed forward in a moment, accelerating towards the Alter-Merlin. Channeling her energy into her legs, Kiri charged, leaping into the air and kicked out with both feet at the creature's chest. She landed onto it's torso below it's neck and winced at the force behind the kick. Using the residual anti-momentum she pounced back into a back flip skidding away with her feet using her hands to keep her balanced. Kiri stood from her crouched position and stared down the creature. The force of her kick obviously had an effect with the Alter-Merlin's as it's eyes were wide in surprise. Kiri took a quick look at it's feet and smiled, it had been forced backwards, not far, but enough to give her a boost of confidence. Kiri's smile widened.

"Well... You said you knew everything Merlin knew?"

She straightened out the hems of her jacket and shot Alter-Merlin a cold stare.

"Then you would know nothing about me."

[True Refuge]

"No need to tell me twice!" Kiri grunted as she swung into action.

She tensed her legs and dashed forward in a moment, accelerating towards the Alter-Merlin. Channeling her energy into her legs, Kiri charged, leaping into the air and kicked out with both feet at the creature's chest. She landed onto it's torso below it's neck and winced at the force behind the kick. Using the residual anti-momentum she pounced back into a back flip skidding away with her feet using her hands to keep her balanced. Kiri stood from her crouched position and stared down the creature. The force of her kick obviously had an effect with the Alter-Merlin's as it's eyes were wide in surprise. Kiri took a quick look at it's feet and smiled, it had been forced backwards, not far, but enough to give her a boost of confidence. Kiri's smile widened.

"Well... You said you knew everything Merlin knew?"

She straightened out the hems of her jacket and shot Alter-Merlin a cold stare.

"Then you would know nothing about me."

Pride flowed through Everton as Kiri engaged in a small flurry of her rather unique personal style. It was always interesting to watch, and this was a far better test than that one time at that freight station with the Uncivil. The thought drew him away, bringing with it wonders of where exactly they'd disappeared too. He quickly snapped out of it. Disappearing was what mercenaries did, nothing to worry about especially now. Distraction was another thing to add the long lists of problems Everton had in fights.

Thankfully, he managed to stay in the moment. His Cane was drawn without barely a shuffle, and its many, many runes glowed a bright red in the disgusting green. The weapon was rapidly lengthened, and its ends changed to a rather stubby shape similar to a flanged mace. "The advantage is yours, I admit. But I've got all the cockiness in the world, and no honour."

He advanced slowly to stand by Kiri and let off a wide grin. "Well, come on then. Stop me from getting it."

[Faal Lot Himdah]

Alter Merlin

He started to laugh, harder and harder. He looked right at Kiri and grinned, and waved the key, before looking to Everton and started to laugh again.

"Pride. Confidence. Both things that can be used against you. They are strong things, but are also very fragile." he said and snapped his fingers and green markings appeared on Kiri's ankles, and it started to climb her leg. She would feel a sharp, almost immobilizing pain coming from the markings.

"Under the same premise Kiri, you know nothing about the Dream Walker, or about Merlin. And Everton..." Alter Merlin said, standing there, not willing to move, "I have no reason to play the aggressor."

[True Refuge]

Alter Merlin

He started to laugh, harder and harder. He looked right at Kiri and grinned, and waved the key, before looking to Everton and started to laugh again.

"Pride. Confidence. Both things that can be used against you. They are strong things, but are also very fragile." he said and snapped his fingers and green markings appeared on Kiri's ankles, and it started to climb her leg. She would feel a sharp, almost immobilizing pain coming from the markings.

"Under the same premise Kiri, you know nothing about the Dream Walker, or about Merlin. And Everton..." Alter Merlin said, standing there, not willing to move, "I have no reason to play the aggressor."

Everton stared down at the runes encompassing Kiri's skin. "You're really trying to combat the work of a Master Runesmith? I would think that you, acting all high and mighty, would be smarter than that," he said accusingly. "Try a little better, would you?"

With a slightly more hidden and cautious glance at his apprentice, he paced forward a few steps and raised the revolver, held with one hand. Its barrel pointed at the monstrosity's head, and yet more sigils gleamed across its length, charging slowly. Everton cocked the gun, and the loud telltale click emanated from it, spreading through the hallway. "Of course, this is going to do nothing, though it is worth a shot, if you forgive the pun."

The line of symbols lit up brightly one by one as magical energy consolidated into the revolver's chamber. Inside, the copper and lead of the bullet was glowing just as brightly. Everton's pointer finger fell behind the trigger guard and rested on the trigger itself. Just before he fired, his aim shifted slightly.

Sparks flew wildly from the end of the barrel with a deafening crack, more so than an ordinary gunshot, and the bullet ripped the silver key out of the Alter Merlin's hand, sending it flying down the hallway. "Really, man, you have to make it less easy," Everton chuckled as he primed the revolver again and gripped his Cane even more firmly. "Go on," he said as he began to walk past his adversary, not even offering him a glance, "Stop me from reaching the key. You're doing a pretty shit job so far."

[MEGA ULTRA DESTRUCTO LORD TOPIA]

Alter Merlin

He started to laugh, harder and harder. He looked right at Kiri and grinned, and waved the key, before looking to Everton and started to laugh again.

"Pride. Confidence. Both things that can be used against you. They are strong things, but are also very fragile." he said and snapped his fingers and green markings appeared on Kiri's ankles, and it started to climb her leg. She would feel a sharp, almost immobilizing pain coming from the markings.

"Under the same premise Kiri, you know nothing about the Dream Walker, or about Merlin. And Everton..." Alter Merlin said, standing there, not willing to move, "I have no reason to play the aggressor."

Everton stared down at the runes encompassing Kiri's skin. "You're really trying to combat the work of a Master Runesmith? I would think that you, acting all high and mighty, would be smarter than that," he said accusingly. "Try a little better, would you?"

With a slightly more hidden and cautious glance at his apprentice, he paced forward a few steps and raised the revolver, held with one hand. Its barrel pointed at the monstrosity's head, and yet more sigils gleamed across its length, charging slowly. Everton cocked the gun, and the loud telltale click emanated from it, spreading through the hallway. "Of course, this is going to do nothing, though it is worth a shot, if you forgive the pun."

The line of symbols lit up brightly one by one as magical energy consolidated into the revolver's chamber. Inside, the copper and lead of the bullet was glowing just as brightly. Everton's pointer finger fell behind the trigger guard and rested on the trigger itself. Just before he fired, his aim shifted slightly.

Sparks flew wildly from the end of the barrel with a deafening crack, more so than an ordinary gunshot, and the bullet ripped the silver key out of the Alter Merlin's hand, sending it flying down the hallway. "Really, man, you have to make it less easy," Everton chuckled as he primed the revolver again and gripped his Cane even more firmly. "Go on," he said as he began to walk past his adversary, not even offering him a glance, "Stop me from reaching the key. You're doing a pretty shit job so far."

Kiri attempted to run after the key but was stopped by a tug at her waist. Looking downwards she sighed. Green symbols bumped and tumbled across her leg, slowly making their way up and across her thighs. Quartz's runes were also present, swatting away unwanted intruders and waging war against the invading walls of unbeknownst text. For the time being, she couldn't move.

"Oh dear..." Kiri sighed

[Faal Lot Himdah]

Alter Merlin

The Alter Merlin just smirked as Everton walked pass, and Kiri attempted to come at him. He chuckled slowly at first, and then was laughing uncontrollably as the key disappeared from the ground and reappeared in his hand.

"Oh, that's funny. You think that you can simply shot the key from my hand. Not only that, you think those pathetic runes have any real power here." the Alter Merlin said, and snapped his fingers, causing the green markings on Kiri to push harder. He disappeared, and then reappeared behind Kiri. His empty hand on her shoulder as his head peeked over her shoulder.

"Oh dear is correct. Such a young mind. The Dream Walker will love to claim you as one of its toys..."

[MEGA ULTRA DESTRUCTO LORD TOPIA]

Alter Merlin

The Alter Merlin just smirked as Everton walked pass, and Kiri attempted to come at him. He chuckled slowly at first, and then was laughing uncontrollably as the key disappeared from the ground and reappeared in his hand.

"Oh, that's funny. You think that you can simply shot the key from my hand. Not only that, you think those pathetic runes have any real power here." the Alter Merlin said, and snapped his fingers, causing the green markings on Kiri to push harder. He disappeared, and then reappeared behind Kiri. His empty hand on her shoulder as his head peeked over her shoulder.

"Oh dear is correct. Such a young mind. The Dream Walker will love to claim you as one of its toys..."

Kiri shivered at the surprisingly gentle touch of the Alter Merlin. She still couldn't pull away thanks to the magic symbols binding her, the more she tried to escape, the tighter the symbols became on her body.

"Ummm. Can you please stop touching me?" Kiri said hesitantly.

"I don't really want to be a toy. I don't think anyone wants to be a toy. So... Uhh... can you let me go please?"

Kiri tilted her head so she could look into the Alter Merlin's face.

[Faal Lot Himdah]

Alter Merlin

The Alter Merlin smirked, "Oh, you are cute. You think you have a choice. As we speak, the Dream Walker is slowly claiming you. You have no choice. All beings are toys to Vokun. It will have fun with you." he said and patted her face. More green symbols appeared on him, and all over his face, "But maybe I could have a little fun first."

[True Refuge]

Alter Merlin

The Alter Merlin smirked, "Oh, you are cute. You think you have a choice. As we speak, the Dream Walker is slowly claiming you. You have no choice. All beings are toys to Vokun. It will have fun with you." he said and patted her face. More green symbols appeared on him, and all over his face, "But maybe I could have a little fun first."

Everton grunted in deep frustration when the key reappeared. Nothing was really going his way today, something he wasn't particularly used to. Not at all. As expected, the sickly variant of Merlin did its own disappearing act to end up behind Kiri. Its motion of laying a hand on her stifled Everton's approach. A guttural growl resonated from his throat.

"Get your filthy son of a bitch hands off her," he muttered, "or I'll actually start trying."

[Faal Lot Himdah]

Alter Merlin

"Oh, look at you. Trying to be all threatening, and such." The Alter Merlin said as his empty hand began to explore Kiri's body."It's already to late. It's been decided. Kiri will become Vokun's toy along with the rest of your lot. Merlin will die."

[True Refuge]

Alter Merlin

"Oh, look at you. Trying to be all threatening, and such." The Alter Merlin said as his empty hand began to explore Kiri's body."It's already to late. It's been decided. Kiri will become Vokun's toy along with the rest of your lot. Merlin will die."

Muscles tensed,eyes narrowed and twitches flicked in rage as the monster and its hand began its sickly adventure. Adrenalin was released in great gushes, surging through Everton's bloodstream, further shaking his usual cool. "You little shit!" he shouted, pouring all the anger into the exclamation as the revolver appeared and his Cane was pointed at it, flanged ends glowing a bright crimson that meshed with the purple Essence into a horrible blossom of dark red-violet that swirled around the metal surfaces.

The rapidly losing-it Everton glared down at the Essence seeping through the weapon, curling into tear drops that threatened to fall but right before doing so they dissolved back into the mass.

Cuts through anything except other Essence, she had said when they arrived, when Matthew put on that ridiculous "Let's do this" face.

"Thank you Liai," he growled as the Cane was swung from behind his head with incredible speed. Runes, their effects made negliable by the nature of the realm and the Dream Walker's wishes, sputtered sparks that singed The stubby end colliding with the Alter-Merlin's temple, and the momentum sent it against the wall, releasing Kiri from its clutches. A disgusting crack sound resonated down the hallway as the Essence hardened impossibly during the contact, sending waves of energy through the Cane into the apparition's body. Everton grinned manically at the sound and with one gripped his stunned adversary's green-tinged silver hair. He placed the other on its uninjured temple facing away from the stone wall.

With these in hand he thrust it against the wall, again striking an already injured head and skull. Everton stamped a foot down on the Alter-Merlin's chest and bludgeoned the wrist of the hand that held the key, and rested the Cane's end on its neck.

"Stay down."

[Faal Lot Himdah]

Alter-Merlin

Alter Merlin smirked and grabbed the cane. With an unexpected strength, the Alter Merlin broke the cane and then turned to dust. A red and gold door appeared down the hall way, and the symbols disappeared from Kiri's body.

[MEGA ULTRA DESTRUCTO LORD TOPIA]

Alter-Merlin

Alter Merlin smirked and grabbed the cane. With an unexpected strength, the Alter Merlin broke the cane and then turned to dust. A red and gold door appeared down the hall way, and the symbols disappeared from Kiri's body.

Kiri collapsed in a heap on the floor, as a child she was often abused, yet. It still felt disgusting. Even remembering Alter-Merlin's cold fingers sliding across her skin disgusted her. She rolled over and attempted to move her legs. No good, they were still numb. She turned to face Everton and gave him a wink. She was alright. He was alright. This was a good thing. Inside this mind labyrinth who knew what could've gone wrong. She lifted her hands and waited expectantly for Everton to carry her.

[True Refuge]

Alter-Merlin

Alter Merlin smirked and grabbed the cane. With an unexpected strength, the Alter Merlin broke the cane and then turned to dust. A red and gold door appeared down the hall way, and the symbols disappeared from Kiri's body.

Everton was left clutching the two halves of his Cane, which were rapidly reverting back to their ordinary wooden existence. Wisps of magical energy trailed out of the broken ends, evaporating and fading away. They clattered loudly as they struck the wall, throwing up a magic spark or two from what was left in them.

The Watcher was left without a Cane, at least until they resurfaced from the Dream Walker's realm. A massive pain since if his Cane, especially one with Essence or whatever, didn't work, than nothing else would. That fight then seemed to be somewhat a waste of effort, apart from gaining the key where the Alter-Merlin had disappeared. It probably led to another fight, unfortunately.

Kiri collapsed in a heap on the floor, as a child she was often abused, yet. It still felt disgusting. Even remembering Alter-Merlin's cold fingers sliding across her skin disgusted her. She rolled over and attempted to move her legs. No good, they were still numb. She turned to face Everton and gave him a wink. She was alright. He was alright. This was a good thing. Inside this mind labyrinth who knew what could've gone wrong. She lifted her hands and waited expectantly for Everton to carry her.

He glanced down at the cheeky Kiri and sighed tiredly before reaching down and complying to her obvious wishes.
"Fine," he muttered."
With his apprentice in his arms and key in hand, he moved to the door and unlocked it.

[Faal Lot Himdah]

The Three Lock Door

As soon as Everton touched the red and gold door, it opened and sucked the two into it. They then appeared in the same room as everyone else. But before anyone could say anything, the key flew from Everton's hand and entered the last lock. With a loud click, all three locks unlocked, and the door swung open. When they opened, a bright light blinded them all.

Once the light faded, they found themselves looking at an outdoor circle stage. In the centre of the stage was a chained up Merlin. Two poles on either side of him, chained to each pole. Then the flying purple and green orbs came to view, and started circling him, sometimes one left the swarm and flew straight through Merlin. Each time that happened he screamed.

[Charlia]

The Three Lock Door

As soon as Everton touched the red and gold door, it opened and sucked the two into it. They then appeared in the same room as everyone else. But before anyone could say anything, the key flew from Everton's hand and entered the last lock. With a loud click, all three locks unlocked, and the door swung open. When they opened, a bright light blinded them all.

Once the light faded, they found themselves looking at an outdoor circle stage. In the centre of the stage was a chained up Merlin. Two poles on either side of him, chained to each pole. Then the flying purple and green orbs came to view, and started circling him, sometimes one left the swarm and flew straight through Merlin. Each time that happened he screamed.

Charlotte's eyes widened, and narrowed.

Is that--is that the real--He's in pain!

She closed her eyes for a moment, trying to think. Okay. Every time one of those orbs touches him, he screams. The orbs are causing the pain. If I can block them...

...This is going to hurt, isn't it?

No matter. I know pain.

She ran forwards, unfurling her wings and wrapping them around the chained boy, using her own body to block the orbs from reaching him.

She closed her eyes, and waited for the pain.

[Luminesa]

The Three Lock Door

As soon as Everton touched the red and gold door, it opened and sucked the two into it. They then appeared in the same room as everyone else. But before anyone could say anything, the key flew from Everton's hand and entered the last lock. With a loud click, all three locks unlocked, and the door swung open. When they opened, a bright light blinded them all.

Once the light faded, they found themselves looking at an outdoor circle stage. In the centre of the stage was a chained up Merlin. Two poles on either side of him, chained to each pole. Then the flying purple and green orbs came to view, and started circling him, sometimes one left the swarm and flew straight through Merlin. Each time that happened he screamed.

Ichiru saw Merlin, and he felt a slight sense of relief...

Or did he? It was hard to tell what was real and what wasn't, in this dream realm. Stepping forward, he noticed the orbs floating around Merlin, causing him pain. "...What are those?" he muttered. Seeing Charlotte fly forward, however, he knew she was recklessly throwing herself into danger. As soon as she ran forward, he grabbed her arm and pulled her back.

"Wait a second, before you charge into the unknown," he warned her, keeping a tight grip on her upper arm. She wasn't too big, thus she wasn't very strong. However, that was another reason he didn't want her to fly into battle so soon. He wasn't sure if those orbs could possibly kill her or not.

[Charlia]

The Three Lock Door

As soon as Everton touched the red and gold door, it opened and sucked the two into it. They then appeared in the same room as everyone else. But before anyone could say anything, the key flew from Everton's hand and entered the last lock. With a loud click, all three locks unlocked, and the door swung open. When they opened, a bright light blinded them all.

Once the light faded, they found themselves looking at an outdoor circle stage. In the centre of the stage was a chained up Merlin. Two poles on either side of him, chained to each pole. Then the flying purple and green orbs came to view, and started circling him, sometimes one left the swarm and flew straight through Merlin. Each time that happened he screamed.

Ichiru saw Merlin, and he felt a slight sense of relief...

Or did he? It was hard to tell what was real and what wasn't, in this dream realm. Stepping forward, he noticed the orbs floating around Merlin, causing him pain. "...What are those?" he muttered. Seeing Charlotte fly forward, however, he knew she was recklessly throwing herself into danger. As soon as she ran forward, he grabbed her arm and pulled her back.

"Wait a second, before you charge into the unknown," he warned her, keeping a tight grip on her upper arm. She wasn't too big, thus she wasn't very strong. However, that was another reason he didn't want her to fly into battle so soon. He wasn't sure if those orbs could possibly kill her or not.

"Let go of me!" she screamed. "I have to help him! I have to stop this! I have to save him... I have to do something... I need to... make things right..." she sobbed, trying to pull away. His grip was strong, though, and she only succeeded in making pain shoot through her arm. She didn't care. She had to get free. She had to help. If it hadn't been for her, Merlin wouldn't be suffering like this. She had to make it right. She had to make it okay.

She didn't want him to suffer.

"Let me go, Ichiru," she screamed again. "Don't try to keep me from doing what needs to be done!"

[Luminesa]

Ichiru saw Merlin, and he felt a slight sense of relief...

Or did he? It was hard to tell what was real and what wasn't, in this dream realm. Stepping forward, he noticed the orbs floating around Merlin, causing him pain. "...What are those?" he muttered. Seeing Charlotte fly forward, however, he knew she was recklessly throwing herself into danger. As soon as she ran forward, he grabbed her arm and pulled her back.

"Wait a second, before you charge into the unknown," he warned her, keeping a tight grip on her upper arm. She wasn't too big, thus she wasn't very strong. However, that was another reason he didn't want her to fly into battle so soon. He wasn't sure if those orbs could possibly kill her or not.

"Let go of me!" she screamed. "I have to help him! I have to stop this! I have to save him... I have to do something... I need to... make things right..." she sobbed, trying to pull away. His grip was strong, though, and she only succeeded in making pain shoot through her arm. She didn't care. She had to get free. She had to help. If it hadn't been for her, Merlin wouldn't be suffering like this. She had to make it right. She had to make it okay.

She didn't want him to suffer.

"Let me go, Ichiru," she screamed again. "Don't try to keep me from doing what needs to be done!"

"We do not need to rush straight into danger. Before we do anything, we need to know what those orbs are, exactly," he answered her firmly. He then gave her to Everton, and told him, "Hold onto her. Don't let her run just yet." He was especially worried, considering Charlotte's fragile mental state, that she could also be trying to hurt herself. If that was the case, she definitely needed to keep away from Merlin, for the moment.

Once Charlotte was with Everton, Ichiru turned and walked carefully toward the orbs. Drawing his sword, he watched the orbs as they flew by Merlin. He wasn't sure what they were, or why they were causing him pain, but he was about to find-out. Taking his sword, he poked one of them carefully, waiting to see how it would respond.

[Charlia]

"Let go of me!" she screamed. "I have to help him! I have to stop this! I have to save him... I have to do something... I need to... make things right..." she sobbed, trying to pull away. His grip was strong, though, and she only succeeded in making pain shoot through her arm. She didn't care. She had to get free. She had to help. If it hadn't been for her, Merlin wouldn't be suffering like this. She had to make it right. She had to make it okay.

She didn't want him to suffer.

"Let me go, Ichiru," she screamed again. "Don't try to keep me from doing what needs to be done!"

"We do not need to rush straight into danger. Before we do anything, we need to know what those orbs are, exactly," he answered her firmly. He then gave her to Everton, and told him, "Hold onto her. Don't let her run just yet." He was especially worried, considering Charlotte's fragile mental state, that she could also be trying to hurt herself. If that was the case, she definitely needed to keep away from Merlin, for the moment.

Once Charlotte was with Everton, Ichiru turned and walked carefully toward the orbs. Drawing his sword, he watched the orbs as they flew by Merlin. He wasn't sure what they were, or why they were causing him pain, but he was about to find-out. Taking his sword, he poked one of them carefully, waiting to see how it would respond.

Charlotte just stared at Ichiru, rage in her eyes.

"I hate you," she whispered. "How can you just watch him suffer like this?" Her voice pitched higher. "How can you all just stand here and watch like nothing's wrong? Am I the only one who's willing to do whatever it takes to stop this?"

Well, of course, a voice whispered in her mind. None of them have suffered like you have. Why would they care?

They don't know what it's like to live in a quiet hell where no one can hear you screaming save the devil himself.

"So these are the Watchers," she continued bitterly. "The almighty Watchers, who see their allies suffering and do nothing except stand there and watch! LET GO OF ME!"

[Luminesa]

"We do not need to rush straight into danger. Before we do anything, we need to know what those orbs are, exactly," he answered her firmly. He then gave her to Everton, and told him, "Hold onto her. Don't let her run just yet." He was especially worried, considering Charlotte's fragile mental state, that she could also be trying to hurt herself. If that was the case, she definitely needed to keep away from Merlin, for the moment.

Once Charlotte was with Everton, Ichiru turned and walked carefully toward the orbs. Drawing his sword, he watched the orbs as they flew by Merlin. He wasn't sure what they were, or why they were causing him pain, but he was about to find-out. Taking his sword, he poked one of them carefully, waiting to see how it would respond.

Charlotte just stared at Ichiru, rage in her eyes.

"I hate you," she whispered. "How can you just watch him suffer like this?" Her voice pitched higher. "How can you all just stand here and watch like nothing's wrong? Am I the only one who's willing to do whatever it takes to stop this?"

Well, of course, a voice whispered in her mind. None of them have suffered like you have. Why would they care?

They don't know what it's like to live in a quiet hell where no one can hear you screaming save the devil himself.

"So these are the Watchers," she continued bitterly. "The almighty Watchers, who see their allies suffering and do nothing except stand there and watch! LET GO OF ME!"

"Charlotte, you need to stay calm. The Dream Walker wants nothing more than for you to fall apart, to become so emotional that you lose focus. You know very well that all of this could be another trap, and that we could be nowhere near the end of this nightmare. Now stop this," he told her, gravely. He then turned away, to see how the orbs would respond to his sword's touch.

[Charlia]

Charlotte just stared at Ichiru, rage in her eyes.

"I hate you," she whispered. "How can you just watch him suffer like this?" Her voice pitched higher. "How can you all just stand here and watch like nothing's wrong? Am I the only one who's willing to do whatever it takes to stop this?"

Well, of course, a voice whispered in her mind. None of them have suffered like you have. Why would they care?

They don't know what it's like to live in a quiet hell where no one can hear you screaming save the devil himself.

"So these are the Watchers," she continued bitterly. "The almighty Watchers, who see their allies suffering and do nothing except stand there and watch! LET GO OF ME!"

"Charlotte, you need to stay calm. The Dream Walker wants nothing more than for you to fall apart, to become so emotional that you lose focus. You know very well that all of this could be another trap, and that we could be nowhere near the end of this nightmare. Now stop this," he told her, gravely. He then turned away, to see how the orbs would respond to his sword's touch.

"Don't be so naive, Ichiru," she said in a low tone. "You know as well as I do that the time of falling apart has long come and gone..." She smiled.

"She'll stay calm for now. But in the meantime, you'll have to deal with me."

[Luminesa]

"Charlotte, you need to stay calm. The Dream Walker wants nothing more than for you to fall apart, to become so emotional that you lose focus. You know very well that all of this could be another trap, and that we could be nowhere near the end of this nightmare. Now stop this," he told her, gravely. He then turned away, to see how the orbs would respond to his sword's touch.

"Don't be so naive, Ichiru," she said in a low tone. "You know as well as I do that the time of falling apart has long come and gone..." She smiled.

"She'll stay calm for now. But in the meantime, you'll have to deal with me."

"Unfortunately, it seems that is correct," Ichiru answered, while turning back toward Merlin. He then poked another orb with his sword, waiting for a response. He had seen angry people throw tantrums before. He didn't see Charlotte's response to his actions any differently.