Mana Academy (IC) (Open, Fantasy)

[Finsternia]

Allistor sheathed his rapier as the medics did their work. He can't help but feel low at what is happening. Rabbit is on the bed, his black blood staining the pristine white sheets. Rabbit who was one of the strongest willed and bodied teachers of Mana now struck low by their opponent. Rabbit who was a proud eagle that soared the skies with his magnificent wings. But now his feathers were clipped, his talons were cut, his wings struck my lightning and were burned to a crisp. Now he was a dying magpie on the ground, clinging on life's dangling thread. Glacia made her way up his leg and settled back around his neck. His left hand involuntarily stroked the snake's snout, finding some solace on the cold hard scales. "I'll... I'll be guarding outside..." He said as he made his way towards the doors.

"What the fuck happened here...?" A weak raspy voice called to the teachers and student (and one snake) in the infirmary. Artosh still looked shit. His hair looks like a bird made its nest on there, his eyes sunken in black circles, and he was still clearly weak. Mikhailov's ritual had left him in the worst state as he spent much of his willpower in controlling the Arcane from wrecking havoc. His blood still sang the painfully sweet song of magic and the bitter harmony of his medications. One hour of rest isn't enough to bring back his same strength and him waking up will just make his health worse. He slowly limped towards them, every single movement made him grunt with pain. "Allistor... Cecily... Hestia... John..." His eyes looked at them as he took note of their injuries. "Was there an attack...? Rabbit... Rabbit, what happened to him? The... The children... Don't tell me you all left them..."

Cecily turned to Artosh, and her eyes widened as she saw him. He should not have been out of the bed, since he was still recovering. She could tell even now that he could hardly stand. "Artosh, you need to get back into your bed now. We will explain everything that has happened soon enough. In the meantime, do not interfere. We are trying to heal Rabbit," she ordered quietly.

In the meantime, they eventually removed the final stake-the one in Rabbit's heart-and John began to send oxygen into his heart. Knowing this might cause him to bleed more if they were not careful, since his heart was still healing, he ordered Cecily, "Cecily, start healing over his heart. We don't want the increased flow to cause him to bleed-out." She hurried to his side and began to focus on this, keeping her head down as she worked. Slowly, her efforts to stabilize Rabbit's heart, and John's efforts to stabilize his lungs, began to work.

Rabbit was no longer bleeding-out, and now if one leaned over his nose and listened, they could hear soft, rhythmic breathing. His awful wounds, however, had only been stabilized and thus would have to finish healing on their own, especially Rabbit's heart. Dark Mana Beings constructed their own bodies, after all, and were ultimately the most responsible beings for their wellbeing. Hence, Rabbit's heart would have to reconstruct itself slowly, while his body's Manastream flowed around and reconstructed the other places that were wounded. Even so, he was still unconscious, and he did not respond when John checked him for stimuli.

"...He's still out...usually at this point, the body starts to respond when you tap it or when you touch it...but he's not even moving...and yet he has a pulse..." John muttered. He was far more used to working with people than he was used to working with Dark Mana Beings, and even the sight of all that black blood outside had chilled him. He was glad, however, that he and Cecily were able to at least stabilize his wounds. Now they would have to clean him up, and let him rest. "...I can at least say this, he's going to be in bed for a few days..." he muttered.

Cecily nodded her head in agreement, and then turned to Artosh. "If you do not get back into your bed, I will carry you back myself. You are in no condition to be standing and trying to walk. Now get back in your bed and go to sleep," she instructed, more firmly now. Considering the students were mostly by themselves, however, she then turned to Hestia. "Hestia! Go check on the students. Make sure they are all safe," she instructed. She did not know what was happening with them, but she wanted for all of them to be safe.

Artosh walked towards Rabbit's bed, close enough to see Cecily and John work but far enough to not get in their way. Rabbit's black blood made Artosh feel quite uneasy and dizzy. For some reason his mind thought of a squid's ink. He felt a pull towards it, a gentle hum that says he should touch it or give it a taste or sniff. He shook his head. 'Perhaps these are the side effects of that time... Or my meds...' He sat down on the bench beside Rabbit's bed and was entirely relieved when he saw that Rabbit was in a more stable condirion than he was before. His mind wondered about what threat is looming over Mana. He can sense great magical activity and the tinge of corruption in the air. "John... Was it Katelyn...? Were we too late to save the girl...?"

[Luminesa]

Cecily turned to Artosh, and her eyes widened as she saw him. He should not have been out of the bed, since he was still recovering. She could tell even now that he could hardly stand. "Artosh, you need to get back into your bed now. We will explain everything that has happened soon enough. In the meantime, do not interfere. We are trying to heal Rabbit," she ordered quietly.

In the meantime, they eventually removed the final stake-the one in Rabbit's heart-and John began to send oxygen into his heart. Knowing this might cause him to bleed more if they were not careful, since his heart was still healing, he ordered Cecily, "Cecily, start healing over his heart. We don't want the increased flow to cause him to bleed-out." She hurried to his side and began to focus on this, keeping her head down as she worked. Slowly, her efforts to stabilize Rabbit's heart, and John's efforts to stabilize his lungs, began to work.

Rabbit was no longer bleeding-out, and now if one leaned over his nose and listened, they could hear soft, rhythmic breathing. His awful wounds, however, had only been stabilized and thus would have to finish healing on their own, especially Rabbit's heart. Dark Mana Beings constructed their own bodies, after all, and were ultimately the most responsible beings for their wellbeing. Hence, Rabbit's heart would have to reconstruct itself slowly, while his body's Manastream flowed around and reconstructed the other places that were wounded. Even so, he was still unconscious, and he did not respond when John checked him for stimuli.

"...He's still out...usually at this point, the body starts to respond when you tap it or when you touch it...but he's not even moving...and yet he has a pulse..." John muttered. He was far more used to working with people than he was used to working with Dark Mana Beings, and even the sight of all that black blood outside had chilled him. He was glad, however, that he and Cecily were able to at least stabilize his wounds. Now they would have to clean him up, and let him rest. "...I can at least say this, he's going to be in bed for a few days..." he muttered.

Cecily nodded her head in agreement, and then turned to Artosh. "If you do not get back into your bed, I will carry you back myself. You are in no condition to be standing and trying to walk. Now get back in your bed and go to sleep," she instructed, more firmly now. Considering the students were mostly by themselves, however, she then turned to Hestia. "Hestia! Go check on the students. Make sure they are all safe," she instructed. She did not know what was happening with them, but she wanted for all of them to be safe.

Artosh walked towards Rabbit's bed, close enough to see Cecily and John work but far enough to not get in their way. Rabbit's black blood made Artosh feel quite uneasy and dizzy. For some reason his mind thought of a squid's ink. He felt a pull towards it, a gentle hum that says he should touch it or give it a taste or sniff. He shook his head. 'Perhaps these are the side effects of that time... Or my meds...' He sat down on the bench beside Rabbit's bed and was entirely relieved when he saw that Rabbit was in a more stable condirion than he was before. His mind wondered about what threat is looming over Mana. He can sense great magical activity and the tinge of corruption in the air. "John... Was it Katelyn...? Were we too late to save the girl...?"

"...Katelyn is...well...possessed. And currently we're trying to hold her down, so we can exorcise her...She's not making it easy," he answered, as he walked to the bathroom, got a wet rag, and then cleaned Rabbit's face. He worked cautiously, trying not to get any of it on his hands. He also cleaned whatever blood remained on his skin, moving in front of Artosh to get to the wounds on Rabbit's back. "...Hence why Hestia needs to head back with them," he suggested, "...We don't need anyone else to get hurt like this..."

"And hence why you need to go to bed," Cecily ordered again, walking over to Artosh and clamping a hand on his shoulder. She stared at his eyes, and saw that he was in some sort of daze. She presumed it was from exhaustion, and also from grief. After all, she knew that he and Rabbit were close friends. Calming down a little, she whispered, "...You're tired...and you're scared...and your body is recovering...so is his...Please...go to bed...He just needs to sleep, he's going to be fine in the morning..."

Yet, as Artosh sat in front of Rabbit, the Dark Mana indeed hummed in his ears. At first, the "frequency" of the Mana had caused him to feel dizzy and uncertain, but then it changed. Now, it almost seemed to make music, as though a faraway person in Artosh's mind was playing on a flute and trying to lull him to sleep. The Dark Mana relaxed him. It seemed to call to him, as it had done to Ruta, as though the Mana itself was a manifestation of Rabbit's loneliness. The music slowly became louder, the longer Artosh sat next to him, and the hum seemed to take a more prominent, sadder tone...

...Please...don't leave me...

Please, don't leave me alone...

...I'm scared...I don't want...

...to be alone anymore...

[Finsternia]

Artosh walked towards Rabbit's bed, close enough to see Cecily and John work but far enough to not get in their way. Rabbit's black blood made Artosh feel quite uneasy and dizzy. For some reason his mind thought of a squid's ink. He felt a pull towards it, a gentle hum that says he should touch it or give it a taste or sniff. He shook his head. 'Perhaps these are the side effects of that time... Or my meds...' He sat down on the bench beside Rabbit's bed and was entirely relieved when he saw that Rabbit was in a more stable condirion than he was before. His mind wondered about what threat is looming over Mana. He can sense great magical activity and the tinge of corruption in the air. "John... Was it Katelyn...? Were we too late to save the girl...?"

"...Katelyn is...well...possessed. And currently we're trying to hold her down, so we can exorcise her...She's not making it easy," he answered, as he walked to the bathroom, got a wet rag, and then cleaned Rabbit's face. He worked cautiously, trying not to get any of it on his hands. He also cleaned whatever blood remained on his skin, moving in front of Artosh to get to the wounds on Rabbit's back. "...Hence why Hestia needs to head back with them," he suggested, "...We don't need anyone else to get hurt like this..."

"And hence why you need to go to bed," Cecily ordered again, walking over to Artosh and clamping a hand on his shoulder. She stared at his eyes, and saw that he was in some sort of daze. She presumed it was from exhaustion, and also from grief. After all, she knew that he and Rabbit were close friends. Calming down a little, she whispered, "...You're tired...and you're scared...and your body is recovering...so is his...Please...go to bed...He just needs to sleep, he's going to be fine in the morning..."

Yet, as Artosh sat in front of Rabbit, the Dark Mana indeed hummed in his ears. At first, the "frequency" of the Mana had caused him to feel dizzy and uncertain, but then it changed. Now, it almost seemed to make music, as though a faraway person in Artosh's mind was playing on a flute and trying to lull him to sleep. The Dark Mana relaxed him. It seemed to call to him, as it had done to Ruta, as though the Mana itself was a manifestation of Rabbit's loneliness. The music slowly became louder, the longer Artosh sat next to him, and the hum seemed to take a more prominent, sadder tone...

...Please...don't leave me...

Please, don't leave me alone...

...I'm scared...I don't want...

...to be alone anymore...

Artosh Luxenia

Artosh looked down on his open palms as he heard the news. "I see... We were too late..." Just like what he though, the incubation period for the demon has been finished. It could have been prevented but here they are staring at the aftermath. "We've been too lax and too ignorant of our students' and staff's conditions. This is the second time that we've got a demonic incursion here..."

As Cecily instructed him to go back to sleep, he started to hear the music of the blood. It was like a sweet lullaby, like the song of a siren calling to him. He paused for a moment and the voice called to him.

'Please don't leave me alone...'

Artosh's eyes widened and he stared towards Rabbit who was in the middle of an operation. "B-Bunny-chan..." His hands held onto the protective rails of the hospital bed. "He... He's calling to me... Bunny-chan I'm here. I won't be leaving you... Don't worry I'm here..."

[Luminesa]

"...Katelyn is...well...possessed. And currently we're trying to hold her down, so we can exorcise her...She's not making it easy," he answered, as he walked to the bathroom, got a wet rag, and then cleaned Rabbit's face. He worked cautiously, trying not to get any of it on his hands. He also cleaned whatever blood remained on his skin, moving in front of Artosh to get to the wounds on Rabbit's back. "...Hence why Hestia needs to head back with them," he suggested, "...We don't need anyone else to get hurt like this..."

"And hence why you need to go to bed," Cecily ordered again, walking over to Artosh and clamping a hand on his shoulder. She stared at his eyes, and saw that he was in some sort of daze. She presumed it was from exhaustion, and also from grief. After all, she knew that he and Rabbit were close friends. Calming down a little, she whispered, "...You're tired...and you're scared...and your body is recovering...so is his...Please...go to bed...He just needs to sleep, he's going to be fine in the morning..."

Yet, as Artosh sat in front of Rabbit, the Dark Mana indeed hummed in his ears. At first, the "frequency" of the Mana had caused him to feel dizzy and uncertain, but then it changed. Now, it almost seemed to make music, as though a faraway person in Artosh's mind was playing on a flute and trying to lull him to sleep. The Dark Mana relaxed him. It seemed to call to him, as it had done to Ruta, as though the Mana itself was a manifestation of Rabbit's loneliness. The music slowly became louder, the longer Artosh sat next to him, and the hum seemed to take a more prominent, sadder tone...

...Please...don't leave me...

Please, don't leave me alone...

...I'm scared...I don't want...

...to be alone anymore...

Artosh Luxenia

Artosh looked down on his open palms as he heard the news. "I see... We were too late..." Just like what he though, the incubation period for the demon has been finished. It could have been prevented but here they are staring at the aftermath. "We've been too lax and too ignorant of our students' and staff's conditions. This is the second time that we've got a demonic incursion here..."

As Cecily instructed him to go back to sleep, he started to hear the music of the blood. It was like a sweet lullaby, like the song of a siren calling to him. He paused for a moment and the voice called to him.

'Please don't leave me alone...'

Artosh's eyes widened and he stared towards Rabbit who was in the middle of an operation. "B-Bunny-chan..." His hands held onto the protective rails of the hospital bed. "He... He's calling to me... Bunny-chan I'm here. I won't be leaving you... Don't worry I'm here..."

Cecily stared over at Artosh, now genuinely concerned. Was Artosh hearing something? She knew he was exhausted, and the medicine that Rabbit had told her to give him was still working. Was this one of its side-effects? She tightened her grip on his shoulder. "...Artosh, you're exhausted...you can barely stand...please, go to bed..." She tried carefully to pull him away from the bed, nervous about what was happening to him.

...It hurts...it hurts...

I'm scared...I don't want to be hurt again...

...Please help me...

The soft, flitting tone of the music changed into more words. Now they were higher-a child's voice. A child somewhere was afraid for their life, hugging their knees and hiding their face. It was cold, and they were shivering. They had realized for the first time that they were alone. The pain was overwhelming. Nobody was around to fix their wounds. They had no warmth around them. This disembodied memory played in Artosh's mind as music, sweet and melancholy. It was almost as though the curse itself was reaching Artosh and begging for help, for comfort.

John was entirely focused on healing Rabbit, in the meantime. His kimono was ruined, between the stab-wounds and Allistor using multiple pieces of cloth as tourniquets. He sighed. "...Allistor, if you're still there, go get me a hospital gown for him. Get a medium. He's going to need something clean to sleep in, this is not going to do," he ordered.

[Finsternia]

Artosh Luxenia

Artosh looked down on his open palms as he heard the news. "I see... We were too late..." Just like what he though, the incubation period for the demon has been finished. It could have been prevented but here they are staring at the aftermath. "We've been too lax and too ignorant of our students' and staff's conditions. This is the second time that we've got a demonic incursion here..."

As Cecily instructed him to go back to sleep, he started to hear the music of the blood. It was like a sweet lullaby, like the song of a siren calling to him. He paused for a moment and the voice called to him.

'Please don't leave me alone...'

Artosh's eyes widened and he stared towards Rabbit who was in the middle of an operation. "B-Bunny-chan..." His hands held onto the protective rails of the hospital bed. "He... He's calling to me... Bunny-chan I'm here. I won't be leaving you... Don't worry I'm here..."

Cecily stared over at Artosh, now genuinely concerned. Was Artosh hearing something? She knew he was exhausted, and the medicine that Rabbit had told her to give him was still working. Was this one of its side-effects? She tightened her grip on his shoulder. "...Artosh, you're exhausted...you can barely stand...please, go to bed..." She tried carefully to pull him away from the bed, nervous about what was happening to him.

...It hurts...it hurts...

I'm scared...I don't want to be hurt again...

...Please help me...

The soft, flitting tone of the music changed into more words. Now they were higher-a child's voice. A child somewhere was afraid for their life, hugging their knees and hiding their face. It was cold, and they were shivering. They had realized for the first time that they were alone. The pain was overwhelming. Nobody was around to fix their wounds. They had no warmth around them. This disembodied memory played in Artosh's mind as music, sweet and melancholy. It was almost as though the curse itself was reaching Artosh and begging for help, for comfort.

John was entirely focused on healing Rabbit, in the meantime. His kimono was ruined, between the stab-wounds and Allistor using multiple pieces of cloth as tourniquets. He sighed. "...Allistor, if you're still there, go get me a hospital gown for him. Get a medium. He's going to need something clean to sleep in, this is not going to do," he ordered.

Artosh reached for Rabbit's snow white hair and stroked them tenderly. "Cecily... He's hurt... He's crying for help..." He can hear the black blood call to him and he saw the vision as a young Rabbit curled into a ball. "Bunny-chan... I'm here... I'll help..." Raw Arcane flowed out of Artosh's fingers, eliciting a sharp intake of air from him. It hurts, like fire coursing through his veins. He wasn't supposed to do any physical activity and the idea of using magic should be thrown out of the window. But here he is, pushing himself beyond his limits as he supplied mana to his friend. "Bunny-chan... I'll heal you I promise..."

Allistor tried to move in and pull Artosh from the bed when John asked him to get Rabbit a change of clothes. He gave a concerned glance at Artosh before going to another room where they keep the linens and gowns. Picking one that would fit Rabbit and would give him quite a lot of room to move, Allistor went back to Rabbit's room with a neatly folded tower of hospital garments, a change for the bedsheets and pillowcases, and a soft white blanket. "Here you go sir."

[Luminesa]

Cecily stared over at Artosh, now genuinely concerned. Was Artosh hearing something? She knew he was exhausted, and the medicine that Rabbit had told her to give him was still working. Was this one of its side-effects? She tightened her grip on his shoulder. "...Artosh, you're exhausted...you can barely stand...please, go to bed..." She tried carefully to pull him away from the bed, nervous about what was happening to him.

...It hurts...it hurts...

I'm scared...I don't want to be hurt again...

...Please help me...

The soft, flitting tone of the music changed into more words. Now they were higher-a child's voice. A child somewhere was afraid for their life, hugging their knees and hiding their face. It was cold, and they were shivering. They had realized for the first time that they were alone. The pain was overwhelming. Nobody was around to fix their wounds. They had no warmth around them. This disembodied memory played in Artosh's mind as music, sweet and melancholy. It was almost as though the curse itself was reaching Artosh and begging for help, for comfort.

John was entirely focused on healing Rabbit, in the meantime. His kimono was ruined, between the stab-wounds and Allistor using multiple pieces of cloth as tourniquets. He sighed. "...Allistor, if you're still there, go get me a hospital gown for him. Get a medium. He's going to need something clean to sleep in, this is not going to do," he ordered.

Artosh reached for Rabbit's snow white hair and stroked them tenderly. "Cecily... He's hurt... He's crying for help..." He can hear the black blood call to him and he saw the vision as a young Rabbit curled into a ball. "Bunny-chan... I'm here... I'll help..." Raw Arcane flowed out of Artosh's fingers, eliciting a sharp intake of air from him. It hurts, like fire coursing through his veins. He wasn't supposed to do any physical activity and the idea of using magic should be thrown out of the window. But here he is, pushing himself beyond his limits as he supplied mana to his friend. "Bunny-chan... I'll heal you I promise..."

Allistor tried to move in and pull Artosh from the bed when John asked him to get Rabbit a change of clothes. He gave a concerned glance at Artosh before going to another room where they keep the linens and gowns. Picking one that would fit Rabbit and would give him quite a lot of room to move, Allistor went back to Rabbit's room with a neatly folded tower of hospital garments, a change for the bedsheets and pillowcases, and a soft white blanket. "Here you go sir."

Cecily saw what he was doing, and she pulled him away. Grabbing both of his arms, she held him away from Rabbit. Using too much of his Mana would cause him to die, and this could not be afforded. "Artosh, no! You need to get back to bed! We know he's hurt, but there's nothing you can do!...Ugh!..." Using her superhuman strength, she managed to lift him off the ground, and she carried him back to his bed before placing him there. "...You are not to get up unless you need to go to the bathroom, do you understand? Stay in bed." she ordered.

...Wait!...Please, get me out of here!...Get me out of here!...Please, look at me!...I can't die here...I can't die here...no...no...no...

The child had seen people outside the dark, cold building, walking past silently. They had rushed to the window, banged on it with their fist, and screamed for their life. The screams were soft and fragile, however, and as the people walked by, the screams broke into a soft sob. The child slid against the door and sat against it, shivering.

...I don't want to die...I don't want to die...I can't...I'm scared...I'm so scared...Mama...Papa...

John noticed that things were quite wrong with Artosh, but once again he decided this was a secondary problem. He lifted Rabbit, put him on another bed, and then grabbed the sheets and clothing Allistor had gotten him. Nodding gratefully to him, he made the bed and then walked over to the bed Rabbit was lying on. He opened the curtain to block the view of the others, and then he changed Rabbit's body into some other clothes.

As he noticed the markings in his back once again, he shuddered, but did not waste time questioning what had happened to make these. Rather, he finished changing him into the plain, white, cotton gown, and then placed him back on the newly-cleaned bed. Turning to Hestia, he ordered calmly, "Cover your hands in Mana, like gloves, and bring those sheets to the laundromat in the back. Those will have to be cleaned specially. The kimono goes in the trash, it's unwearable, unfortunately."

[Finsternia]

Artosh reached for Rabbit's snow white hair and stroked them tenderly. "Cecily... He's hurt... He's crying for help..." He can hear the black blood call to him and he saw the vision as a young Rabbit curled into a ball. "Bunny-chan... I'm here... I'll help..." Raw Arcane flowed out of Artosh's fingers, eliciting a sharp intake of air from him. It hurts, like fire coursing through his veins. He wasn't supposed to do any physical activity and the idea of using magic should be thrown out of the window. But here he is, pushing himself beyond his limits as he supplied mana to his friend. "Bunny-chan... I'll heal you I promise..."

Allistor tried to move in and pull Artosh from the bed when John asked him to get Rabbit a change of clothes. He gave a concerned glance at Artosh before going to another room where they keep the linens and gowns. Picking one that would fit Rabbit and would give him quite a lot of room to move, Allistor went back to Rabbit's room with a neatly folded tower of hospital garments, a change for the bedsheets and pillowcases, and a soft white blanket. "Here you go sir."

Cecily saw what he was doing, and she pulled him away. Grabbing both of his arms, she held him away from Rabbit. Using too much of his Mana would cause him to die, and this could not be afforded. "Artosh, no! You need to get back to bed! We know he's hurt, but there's nothing you can do!...Ugh!..." Using her superhuman strength, she managed to lift him off the ground, and she carried him back to his bed before placing him there. "...You are not to get up unless you need to go to the bathroom, do you understand? Stay in bed." she ordered.

...Wait!...Please, get me out of here!...Get me out of here!...Please, look at me!...I can't die here...I can't die here...no...no...no...

The child had seen people outside the dark, cold building, walking past silently. They had rushed to the window, banged on it with their fist, and screamed for their life. The screams were soft and fragile, however, and as the people walked by, the screams broke into a soft sob. The child slid against the door and sat against it, shivering.

...I don't want to die...I don't want to die...I can't...I'm scared...I'm so scared...Mama...Papa...

John noticed that things were quite wrong with Artosh, but once again he decided this was a secondary problem. He lifted Rabbit, put him on another bed, and then grabbed the sheets and clothing Allistor had gotten him. Nodding gratefully to him, he made the bed and then walked over to the bed Rabbit was lying on. He opened the curtain to block the view of the others, and then he changed Rabbit's body into some other clothes.

As he noticed the markings in his back once again, he shuddered, but did not waste time questioning what had happened to make these. Rather, he finished changing him into the plain, white, cotton gown, and then placed him back on the newly-cleaned bed. Turning to Hestia, he ordered calmly, "Cover your hands in Mana, like gloves, and bring those sheets to the laundromat in the back. Those will have to be cleaned specially. The kimono goes in the trash, it's unwearable, unfortunately."

As Cecily dragged him away, Artosh continued to scream. "Cecily...! He's dying...! I... I... I need to... help him...!" He was squirming and struggling against the medic's superhuman strength as he was dragged away from Rabbit. Summoning his remaining shreds of Arcane power, Artosh blindly casted a healing relic. The totem materialized atleast three feet in the air and dangerously crashed near Rabbit's operating table. As it anchored itself on the floor, it started to release waves of healing magic, the first wave gave Artosh some sense of calm and stopped the whispers of the black blood. "Cecily... Help him..." He said as he was laid down his bed, his eyes succumbing to the stress, tiredness, and his medications.

Allistor could only blink at the scene as his hand held his rapier's handle. He looked at John nervously and towards the healing totem in the middle of the room. "S-sir... Is Professor Artosh alright? What happened to him?" As he glanced at his injured teacher, he can atleast feel some solemnity in the masked professor. "Mana's been wounded and beaten too much huh..."

[Luminesa]

Cecily saw what he was doing, and she pulled him away. Grabbing both of his arms, she held him away from Rabbit. Using too much of his Mana would cause him to die, and this could not be afforded. "Artosh, no! You need to get back to bed! We know he's hurt, but there's nothing you can do!...Ugh!..." Using her superhuman strength, she managed to lift him off the ground, and she carried him back to his bed before placing him there. "...You are not to get up unless you need to go to the bathroom, do you understand? Stay in bed." she ordered.

...Wait!...Please, get me out of here!...Get me out of here!...Please, look at me!...I can't die here...I can't die here...no...no...no...

The child had seen people outside the dark, cold building, walking past silently. They had rushed to the window, banged on it with their fist, and screamed for their life. The screams were soft and fragile, however, and as the people walked by, the screams broke into a soft sob. The child slid against the door and sat against it, shivering.

...I don't want to die...I don't want to die...I can't...I'm scared...I'm so scared...Mama...Papa...

John noticed that things were quite wrong with Artosh, but once again he decided this was a secondary problem. He lifted Rabbit, put him on another bed, and then grabbed the sheets and clothing Allistor had gotten him. Nodding gratefully to him, he made the bed and then walked over to the bed Rabbit was lying on. He opened the curtain to block the view of the others, and then he changed Rabbit's body into some other clothes.

As he noticed the markings in his back once again, he shuddered, but did not waste time questioning what had happened to make these. Rather, he finished changing him into the plain, white, cotton gown, and then placed him back on the newly-cleaned bed. Turning to Hestia, he ordered calmly, "Cover your hands in Mana, like gloves, and bring those sheets to the laundromat in the back. Those will have to be cleaned specially. The kimono goes in the trash, it's unwearable, unfortunately."

As Cecily dragged him away, Artosh continued to scream. "Cecily...! He's dying...! I... I... I need to... help him...!" He was squirming and struggling against the medic's superhuman strength as he was dragged away from Rabbit. Summoning his remaining shreds of Arcane power, Artosh blindly casted a healing relic. The totem materialized atleast three feet in the air and dangerously crashed near Rabbit's operating table. As it anchored itself on the floor, it started to release waves of healing magic, the first wave gave Artosh some sense of calm and stopped the whispers of the black blood. "Cecily... Help him..." He said as he was laid down his bed, his eyes succumbing to the stress, tiredness, and his medications.

Allistor could only blink at the scene as his hand held his rapier's handle. He looked at John nervously and towards the healing totem in the middle of the room. "S-sir... Is Professor Artosh alright? What happened to him?" As he glanced at his injured teacher, he can atleast feel some solemnity in the masked professor. "Mana's been wounded and beaten too much huh..."

John sighed, as he finished with Rabbit, and he looked over at Cecily, hands on his hips. He had considered Artosh's behavior, as he had worked, and now he was beginning to wonder if perhaps Artosh had mishandled Rabbit's blood, at some point. Perhaps this was due to the ritual he had partaken with Rabbit? He shook his head. He communicated his concerns to her with his eyes, before turning to Allistor and explaining, "...Professor Luxenia is mostly likely just exhausted and worried for his colleague. Once he's had some rest, he'll be back to functioning normally. Are you hurt anywhere, Allistor?"

Cecily understood the concern, as well, but she knew that Artosh probably had no idea if he was infected by the black blood. Such a condition was similar enough to other forms of psychosis that it had to be examined in a very particular way. She could not do this with Allistor and Hestia in the room. Even further, Rabbit would probably be the only person to know for certain what had happened. Hence she would only be able to get the answers they needed once he awakened. Tucking Artosh into bed quietly, and then turning to Rabbit's bed, she swiped the healing totem and reduced it to mana. This way, Artosh would not be indirectly draining himself further. "...Allistor, I have another question for you, when you've answered that. Do you know anyone else who is...particularly close to Rabbit?..." she inquired.

[Finsternia]

As Cecily dragged him away, Artosh continued to scream. "Cecily...! He's dying...! I... I... I need to... help him...!" He was squirming and struggling against the medic's superhuman strength as he was dragged away from Rabbit. Summoning his remaining shreds of Arcane power, Artosh blindly casted a healing relic. The totem materialized atleast three feet in the air and dangerously crashed near Rabbit's operating table. As it anchored itself on the floor, it started to release waves of healing magic, the first wave gave Artosh some sense of calm and stopped the whispers of the black blood. "Cecily... Help him..." He said as he was laid down his bed, his eyes succumbing to the stress, tiredness, and his medications.

Allistor could only blink at the scene as his hand held his rapier's handle. He looked at John nervously and towards the healing totem in the middle of the room. "S-sir... Is Professor Artosh alright? What happened to him?" As he glanced at his injured teacher, he can atleast feel some solemnity in the masked professor. "Mana's been wounded and beaten too much huh..."

John sighed, as he finished with Rabbit, and he looked over at Cecily, hands on his hips. He had considered Artosh's behavior, as he had worked, and now he was beginning to wonder if perhaps Artosh had mishandled Rabbit's blood, at some point. Perhaps this was due to the ritual he had partaken with Rabbit? He shook his head. He communicated his concerns to her with his eyes, before turning to Allistor and explaining, "...Professor Luxenia is mostly likely just exhausted and worried for his colleague. Once he's had some rest, he'll be back to functioning normally. Are you hurt anywhere, Allistor?"

Cecily understood the concern, as well, but she knew that Artosh probably had no idea if he was infected by the black blood. Such a condition was similar enough to other forms of psychosis that it had to be examined in a very particular way. She could not do this with Allistor and Hestia in the room. Even further, Rabbit would probably be the only person to know for certain what had happened. Hence she would only be able to get the answers they needed once he awakened. Tucking Artosh into bed quietly, and then turning to Rabbit's bed, she swiped the healing totem and reduced it to mana. This way, Artosh would not be indirectly draining himself further. "...Allistor, I have another question for you, when you've answered that. Do you know anyone else who is...particularly close to Rabbit?..." she inquired.

Allistor Abendroth

'Exhaustion isn't enough to warrant such behavior...'

When John asked him if he had any injuries, as if on cue his bruises and wounds started to flare up with pain, eliciting a sharp hiss from his mouth. "Yeah... Kinda... Shadow mom nearly cut me in half and knew me a few feet away. And I think I heard my skull crack when Annice slammed that sword across my face..." If he would take off his clothes, he would have some gashes and bruises on his back and a large bruise on his right arm. "A healing potion could fix the minor ones but I don't know with my head... Seems like the mana potion that Glacia gave me awhile ago helped with clarity."

Allistor looked at Cecily with a confused look on his face before answering. "Shaun, I think. He's been getting close with Sir Rabbit for some time now. Henry's also been a close friend to him. It's not that hard to get close with someone as kind as Sir Rabbit." He sat down on one of the chairs and leaned back, slightly wincing from the pain from his back. "That's what I can think of, really."

[Luminesa]

John sighed, as he finished with Rabbit, and he looked over at Cecily, hands on his hips. He had considered Artosh's behavior, as he had worked, and now he was beginning to wonder if perhaps Artosh had mishandled Rabbit's blood, at some point. Perhaps this was due to the ritual he had partaken with Rabbit? He shook his head. He communicated his concerns to her with his eyes, before turning to Allistor and explaining, "...Professor Luxenia is mostly likely just exhausted and worried for his colleague. Once he's had some rest, he'll be back to functioning normally. Are you hurt anywhere, Allistor?"

Cecily understood the concern, as well, but she knew that Artosh probably had no idea if he was infected by the black blood. Such a condition was similar enough to other forms of psychosis that it had to be examined in a very particular way. She could not do this with Allistor and Hestia in the room. Even further, Rabbit would probably be the only person to know for certain what had happened. Hence she would only be able to get the answers they needed once he awakened. Tucking Artosh into bed quietly, and then turning to Rabbit's bed, she swiped the healing totem and reduced it to mana. This way, Artosh would not be indirectly draining himself further. "...Allistor, I have another question for you, when you've answered that. Do you know anyone else who is...particularly close to Rabbit?..." she inquired.

Allistor Abendroth

'Exhaustion isn't enough to warrant such behavior...'

When John asked him if he had any injuries, as if on cue his bruises and wounds started to flare up with pain, eliciting a sharp hiss from his mouth. "Yeah... Kinda... Shadow mom nearly cut me in half and knew me a few feet away. And I think I heard my skull crack when Annice slammed that sword across my face..." If he would take off his clothes, he would have some gashes and bruises on his back and a large bruise on his right arm. "A healing potion could fix the minor ones but I don't know with my head... Seems like the mana potion that Glacia gave me awhile ago helped with clarity."

Allistor looked at Cecily with a confused look on his face before answering. "Shaun, I think. He's been getting close with Sir Rabbit for some time now. Henry's also been a close friend to him. It's not that hard to get close with someone as kind as Sir Rabbit." He sat down on one of the chairs and leaned back, slightly wincing from the pain from his back. "That's what I can think of, really."

"Let me see your wounds, then," Cecily said, walking over to Allistor and examining his injuries. She used her Mana, and she began to press down on the injuries on his arm. She would move to the ones on his back in a few moments. "...So Shaun, Henry, and...anyone else?...And...while you're thinking about who has gotten close to Professor Rabbit, including...Professor Artosh, who we know is a close friend of his...do you know how close any of them have gotten to him?...I know this is an odd question, but we need to know..." she explained.

John stared over at Rabbit, who now slept peacefully in bed. His lungs were functioning normally again, and his breathing was regular. His eyes had closed, his slightly-smiling mouth had relaxed and closed, and his face had turned sideways onto the pillow. He was genuinely exhausted. He then turned toward Artosh, who had just fallen asleep. His breathing had been quite fast a few moments ago, as though he had been in a panic. Now he was knocked-out. "...Specifically...have you ever seen them with any...black blood on their clothes?...On their bodies?...Just wondering," he inquired.

[Chrome Legion]

Catherine de Sanguine Vivere


Catherine didn't bother to watch the end of her twin. She could feel the effect of eating the construct on Erebus. Instead, Catherine watched the demon, and her own comrades. So Rabbit and the other teachers were forced to flee the field. This was now the students battle. Catherine focused on the demon only now, waiting to see if it would make a move. She had no idea what other tricks it might have in store. Catherine couldn't dive in recklessly like she had against her clone, she doubted the demons attacks would be as ineffective from what she had seen so far.
The arm shard returned to Catherine after dispatching the false her, ready to fend off any other attacks from Katelyn, or Eve, which ever it was now. Catherine wasn't about to commit to an attack that left her open with this little knowledge of the demon's actual fighting abilities. From the mind games that had been played so far, she couldn't even be certain that this was the demon's actual form, and not some sort of projection or image. A conservative probing attack would be the best approach, and maybe she would open up some sort of weakness that the others could exploit.
Slowly moving to the left right flank of her opponent, long trails of blood formed from Catherine's hands. The tendrils snapped outwards, drinking in the light and air as they ignited with Blackfire, streaking lines of boiling nothing striking towards "Eve". The Blackfire would serve two purposes to add to the damage the blow could inflict, and also to protect the whips of blood, attempts to block or dispel them would now also have to deal with the coating of all consuming flame.

[Finsternia]

Allistor Abendroth

'Exhaustion isn't enough to warrant such behavior...'

When John asked him if he had any injuries, as if on cue his bruises and wounds started to flare up with pain, eliciting a sharp hiss from his mouth. "Yeah... Kinda... Shadow mom nearly cut me in half and knew me a few feet away. And I think I heard my skull crack when Annice slammed that sword across my face..." If he would take off his clothes, he would have some gashes and bruises on his back and a large bruise on his right arm. "A healing potion could fix the minor ones but I don't know with my head... Seems like the mana potion that Glacia gave me awhile ago helped with clarity."

Allistor looked at Cecily with a confused look on his face before answering. "Shaun, I think. He's been getting close with Sir Rabbit for some time now. Henry's also been a close friend to him. It's not that hard to get close with someone as kind as Sir Rabbit." He sat down on one of the chairs and leaned back, slightly wincing from the pain from his back. "That's what I can think of, really."

"Let me see your wounds, then," Cecily said, walking over to Allistor and examining his injuries. She used her Mana, and she began to press down on the injuries on his arm. She would move to the ones on his back in a few moments. "...So Shaun, Henry, and...anyone else?...And...while you're thinking about who has gotten close to Professor Rabbit, including...Professor Artosh, who we know is a close friend of his...do you know how close any of them have gotten to him?...I know this is an odd question, but we need to know..." she explained.

John stared over at Rabbit, who now slept peacefully in bed. His lungs were functioning normally again, and his breathing was regular. His eyes had closed, his slightly-smiling mouth had relaxed and closed, and his face had turned sideways onto the pillow. He was genuinely exhausted. He then turned toward Artosh, who had just fallen asleep. His breathing had been quite fast a few moments ago, as though he had been in a panic. Now he was knocked-out. "...Specifically...have you ever seen them with any...black blood on their clothes?...On their bodies?...Just wondering," he inquired.

Allistor Abendroth

Allistor took a deep breath as Cecily's healing magic did its work on his wounds. His mind wandered over Rabbit's close friends in the Academy. Artosh was already given. Shaun, Henry, those two became quite fast friends with the white haired professor. But who else?

"I can't say that much... Perhaps Soleil and even Sir Ruta. They've been there during the bar fight in Paris. In general, Sir Rabbit's been close with the students and the faculty." When the topic of black blood was brought up, Allistor gave a sigh. "No... I know nothing of that. And black blood..." His eyes gave a quick glance at Rabbit's unconscious body. "Is Sir Rabbit what I think he is?"

[Kingdom of Irhk]

Once the girl appeared, Oliver winced back a bit and listened to her speech calmly.

"Well... That's great and all, but I don't have the problem of mercy here. I hardly know anyone here.
And since you clarified it so well that no one needed to hold back their blows... I won't either, especially now that I don't have to bother about worsening the problem you made.
It's needless bloodshed again but honestly..." He paused, taking his spear into a throwing stance, he sent it hurling towards her.
"I'd be a hypocrite if I said it meant anything to me."

The throw was noticeably faster than a regular human's, thanks to the effect of his oath and his metal manipulation, however he knew that staying away from his weapon for too long would bring side effects.
Rather undesirable ones too.
As soon as it hit either his foe, or the ground, he'd make it come back, however, it'd change. And it would be plain for all to see.

It was then that Dominique spoke about his love of the forest, then followed Rabbit's speech.

"I've had enough of this heathen, I had to bring it out of its hiding place. Plus it helps us contain her, helps Rabbit's plan too. It also helps me pull some moves too without hurting the forest too much." He answered briefly before a chain started to appear around his arm. It sparked with electricity.

The spear hurtled towards the girl, who simply stayed where she was, looking as if she wasn't even paying attention, just waiting, waiting, waiting--

Until her hand shot out and wrapped around the shaft, halting its flight with its point only inches away from her skin.

"Cute."

Her grip tightened, and the shaft splintered under her hand, snapping like a dead twig as she smirked. Her hand opened, and the broken weapon fell to the ground.

"But not good enough."

The remnants of her previous attacks disintegrated, drawing back to her in streams of swirling black and making her remade eye glow even brighter than before. "You want to rip me apart? Go ahead and try. I must say, it's nice to see that dear Katelyn was right about you, though, Rabbit. You really don't care if she lives or dies, do you? And now you're going to kill her, all for the sake of proving a point that isn't even true. And I can tell from your voice that you're going to enjoy it, thinking you're killing me, thinking you're saving her. Even if I do die... it's going to be fun watching you as you realize what you've really done."

She smiled thinly, and lifted her arms. Shadowed silhouettes sprung into existence around her, each of them created for one of her opponents and one alone, each of them exactly the one person that said opponent would want to see harmed least of all.

And, as the colors filled in and the creations became more and more real, it became clear that each of them was also armed with a very, very deadly-looking weapon.

"Go ahead, now," she said flippantly, tendrils of crimson and black energy writhing around her. "If you don't care about Katelyn, well... let's see how you do against these. If you do well enough, I might even let you have the fun of a real fight!"

Henry Von Kressel

The shadow twisted itself many and many times, until it became clear to Henry who was going to appear there. The cane, the beard, the voice... everything seemed equal to his master and deceased uncle, Vladimir. Henry would need to focus on the fact that his uncle, the figure who raised every trace of his current personality was dead and the one who stood in front of him was an illusion.

"Henry, Henry... Do you really think that your little spear will actually do anything to me? You were always a little apathetic mess..."

Henry's eyes focused on the shadow. His will was deceived by the image that the shadow had, as he continuously tightened his grip around the spear. His biggest fight wasn't physical: It was inside his mind, who made a continuous effort to dissociate the shadow from the good memories he had from his training years.

With a jump Henry shortened the distance between himself and the shadow, while his opponent dodged and hit form behind. The battle got more technical with each blow exchanged between them, in the battle between master and apprentice that never happened. And even if tired Henry greatly, the youngest would come out victorious, effectively piercing the heart of the creature. However, the true moment when rage struck Henry would be minutes after. When he saw a wounded Rabbit being carried away, there were no meditation that could hold him from exploding.

Once more, his eyes changed, and his mana production became dangerous to sustain for prolonged amounts of time as he stared at Katelyn with furious eyes.

"Eve, isn't it? Eve... Eve... You just did something you shouldn't... You want attention, don't you? You want all of the spotlights turned to you after all. So, you want attention? You got mine."

Soon as he saw Catherine's movement around the flanks, Henry knew that he had to work on a direct attack if they wanted to do some damage to her. Knowing this, Henry cast six pillars of lava of the ground, and floated around him as he molded their ends with sharp ends. At the same moment, all of them were shot towards Katelyn, with impressive fury, trying to open space for Catherine's attack.

Basil Smith

Meanwhile, the teacher returned to the battlefield, a strong wind following his every moment. With a voice that echoed in all directions possible, the calm professor was now angry at the whole scene, as his voice became quicker and more intense as each minute passed.

"All of you: Make her tired. I know what to do."

Disappearing once more, a massive windstorm started to form around them, creating a circle of strong winds around the battlefield, that would allow teachers to enter, but effectively restrained Eve into an arena of sorts. Basil's idea was risky, but if played properly, could be the solution for their problem: A problem with an impressive force.

[Luminesa]

"Let me see your wounds, then," Cecily said, walking over to Allistor and examining his injuries. She used her Mana, and she began to press down on the injuries on his arm. She would move to the ones on his back in a few moments. "...So Shaun, Henry, and...anyone else?...And...while you're thinking about who has gotten close to Professor Rabbit, including...Professor Artosh, who we know is a close friend of his...do you know how close any of them have gotten to him?...I know this is an odd question, but we need to know..." she explained.

John stared over at Rabbit, who now slept peacefully in bed. His lungs were functioning normally again, and his breathing was regular. His eyes had closed, his slightly-smiling mouth had relaxed and closed, and his face had turned sideways onto the pillow. He was genuinely exhausted. He then turned toward Artosh, who had just fallen asleep. His breathing had been quite fast a few moments ago, as though he had been in a panic. Now he was knocked-out. "...Specifically...have you ever seen them with any...black blood on their clothes?...On their bodies?...Just wondering," he inquired.

Allistor Abendroth

Allistor took a deep breath as Cecily's healing magic did its work on his wounds. His mind wandered over Rabbit's close friends in the Academy. Artosh was already given. Shaun, Henry, those two became quite fast friends with the white haired professor. But who else?

"I can't say that much... Perhaps Soleil and even Sir Ruta. They've been there during the bar fight in Paris. In general, Sir Rabbit's been close with the students and the faculty." When the topic of black blood was brought up, Allistor gave a sigh. "No... I know nothing of that. And black blood..." His eyes gave a quick glance at Rabbit's unconscious body. "Is Sir Rabbit what I think he is?"

"...A Dark Mana Being," John answered simply, staring back toward Rabbit. Allistor was probably aware of the easily-spottable symptom due to being from a Nobleblood family. Most of them seemed to love playing with magic that they shouldn't, and this aggravated John. Why did people have to toy with forces that would get them unnecessarily killed? "...You saw the fight against Solaine, right?...He's not human...And I'm worried that...his blood may have somehow reached Artosh and...well...tainted him. But I don't want to lay such a charge against your teacher with Jaegars around. I do want you to keep an eye out for any strange emotional outbursts like the one Artosh had. Can you do that?" He knew that Allistor was being weighed with information that could prove to be dangerous, but given that they needed to find whether or not Rabbit was unintentionally harming others, doing so was necessary. This was not to mention, of course, that Allistor had figured this out mostly on his own.

[Saldinado]

Dominique Corleone

'What are you going to do? Hide away from me as always baby? Seeing as that's all you were good at doing.' The shadow spoke in a condescending tone as she moved closer towards Dominique as he slowly backed away from her. "V-Veronica come on. You knew that it wasn't my fault. I tried to tell Dad that it was nothing, but he didn't listen to me. I didn't want to hurt you or your family. I'm sorry that he did it, but...you hurt him and his family. You'd hurt me..." He said softly looking up at with pleading eyes.

'Tsk tsk. You think that you can just say you're sorry now sweetie? Well it's too late for that. You've destroyed the Morenzo family, and your one true love, so now you will see what you will have to deal with; you reap what you sow you little bastard.' Soon, she came charging towards him as a small sword quickly developed in her hand only to have the sound of metal clinging in the air as Dominique met her attack with a quick defense of his dagger. His strength keeping her from advancing any further. Her sword however did manged to make a small cut into his wrist, making him bleed even more. This was one of the most bloodiest fights that he's been in, and with one of the most memorable people that he's been with. Breathing heavily as he was growing tired from all the fighting, he looked deep inside of her emerald eyes as he saw all the great memories that they shared together.

Why? Just...why? Why must I be the one to meet you? I never deserved you, and you knew it. So why did you chose me of all people?

'Baby please let's stop this okay? I know that you're tired. Maybe you can get some rest. Just let me take care of you baby so that you can sleep. And then, we will finally be together. I've changed baby; I'll be a better person, I swear. Just let me help you rest...' This time her voice sounded soft with a sincere tone being emitted. Soon a small smile crept on her face as she continued trying to push forward onto Dominique. Dominique looked at the expression on her face and remembered those words. I've changed; I'll be a better person, I swear... His eyes widen as he felt a deep and old rivet inside of him creak and creak until it suddenly broke.

"No." He whispered as he closed his eyes and weakened his stance, allowing her to push him back some more before her movements were stopped fully in her tracks. A small growl filled the air. "No. You said that last time. And the last last time. And the time before that, and again and again, but every time you did, you just kept on doing it!" He exclaimed as he opened his eyes to reveal to her a golden honey flash in his eyes as they were filled with anger, sadness, and exhaustion. His mana surging inside of him and traveling through his blood and body as it filled him with strength and removed her sword from her hands as she too was shocked.

'Huh? What's wrong baby? We can be together, remember? Like we said that we were.' She said calmly with a hint of nervousness in her voice. Dominique moved towards her slowly and grabbed her until he placed his hand around her waist and pulled her closer to her. His eyes still keeping his expression, as they were now filled with emotion and reminisce. Soon he leaned in and kissed her deeply and passionately as this time he was not burned. After about half a minute, he leaned into her ear and whispered to her. "I'm sorry. But no more."
Dominique then raised up his dagger and pierced her abdomen as it went through and through. The shadow let out a small gasp in shock and pain as Dominique removed the piece of metal from her body and let go of her as she fell on the ground and looked up at him with a sly smile on her face.
'Heh. So you finally had the balls to do it huh? Well then. Death for a second time isn't that bad now." And soon the shadow disappeared into the abyss leaving only an empty dark spot on the ground.

Dominique looked at the spot for a few seconds before looking up at Katelyn with fury and passion that was unlike him at all. It was like he was an entirely different person as his eyes glowed a soft dim golden color that contrasted the darkness of the night. He watched as Catherine and Henry moved in on her to hopefully try and do some damage to her and heard the voice of Basil filled his ear as he appeared out of the forest with a force of wind and saw what he was doing. "Huh? Oh..." He said to himself softly as he tried to help speed up the process. Looking at the trees around Katelyn, he raised his hand up at them and forced the trees to cut off the release of oxygen in their photosynthesis process to help remove any more of oxygen and create a bubble around Katelyn. He knew what he was doing and could just reverse the process if he wanted to; but did he really wanted to do that? After all that happened, should they even allow this to happen?

[Finsternia]

Allistor Abendroth

Allistor took a deep breath as Cecily's healing magic did its work on his wounds. His mind wandered over Rabbit's close friends in the Academy. Artosh was already given. Shaun, Henry, those two became quite fast friends with the white haired professor. But who else?

"I can't say that much... Perhaps Soleil and even Sir Ruta. They've been there during the bar fight in Paris. In general, Sir Rabbit's been close with the students and the faculty." When the topic of black blood was brought up, Allistor gave a sigh. "No... I know nothing of that. And black blood..." His eyes gave a quick glance at Rabbit's unconscious body. "Is Sir Rabbit what I think he is?"

"...A Dark Mana Being," John answered simply, staring back toward Rabbit. Allistor was probably aware of the easily-spottable symptom due to being from a Nobleblood family. Most of them seemed to love playing with magic that they shouldn't, and this aggravated John. Why did people have to toy with forces that would get them unnecessarily killed? "...You saw the fight against Solaine, right?...He's not human...And I'm worried that...his blood may have somehow reached Artosh and...well...tainted him. But I don't want to lay such a charge against your teacher with Jaegars around. I do want you to keep an eye out for any strange emotional outbursts like the one Artosh had. Can you do that?" He knew that Allistor was being weighed with information that could prove to be dangerous, but given that they needed to find whether or not Rabbit was unintentionally harming others, doing so was necessary. This was not to mention, of course, that Allistor had figured this out mostly on his own.

Allistor Abendroth

Allistor tried to recall the battle against Solaine. Rabbit with his tendrils sprouting out of his back, like a malevolent demonic spider whose legs were tipped with claws that could rend a mortal soul. "That explains it... But he seems different... He's too... human, I would dare say." As Allistor talked, Glacia looked towards Artosh's bed where the sickly professor laid down. Her forked tongue came out, as if tasting the air and the scents in the air. In her serpentine eyes, Artosh is enveloped by a bluish-whitish-purple aura. It is common for healers and Arcane practitioners to have such distinct aura but there's a different scent to it. Just like what John said, he is tainted by a faint mist of black. A black that denotes past dark magical activities or the infection of the black blood. If snakes could smile, Glacia probably is now.

Allistor, meanwhile, has a grimace on his face. "If anyone would have been in contact with Professor Rabbit's blood, it would be accidental. That's what I can only think of. Sir Rabbit's not a malevolent nor a hostile person. I can't think of any desire to corrupt someone with his blood." And then, an idea struck in his mind. "Sir, Maam! Do... Do you think Katelyn has came in contact with his blood? The aggression, the paranoia and destructive fear... It is a possibility..."

[Charlia]

The attacks were coordinated well, and although Eve could have dodged Catherine's or Henry's alone, when they were together she could only choose which attack she was going to take. Catherine's looked much more ominous, so she avoided it, and allowed one of Henry's 'pillars' to strike her. Fortunately for her, however, she was able to keep it from hitting her straight-on, although when it was finished, her left arm--Katelyn's left arm--was left hanging limply, the sharp edge of the pillar having torn a deep gash into it. She started the restorative process, but it was slower than usual--she was having enough trouble focusing on her opponents and trying to gauge what their responses would be.

For the first time, she was beginning to think that perhaps she had made a mistake.

Why did the little brat have to come to this school at all? I could have done whatever I wanted somewhere else... Why here, why the one place where there are people... who might actually be able to beat me?

A look of what almost seemed to be fear crossed her face, but it settled quickly as she remembered. "That's right," she said quietly. "You're all so kind and caring, aren't you? Even after all poor, dear Katelyn did--now, that was entertaining--you still wanted to save her. So you can't kill her, can you? You can't kill me. Because if you do, she dies with me. You might beat me, but I'll still have won in the end, won't I? Ah--"

She tilted her head for a moment, and then her form glowed black. "There's one life lost. I guess dear, sweet Himiko-chan couldn't take what she did. And it's two, if you count poor Hikari-chan... but no one's going to count her, are they? No one seems to care... Well, she was just a whore anyway, who's going to cry for her? And then there's all the people I burned at that other school, I can't even recall its name anymore... I've still racked up quite the kill count with Katelyn here, haven't I?!" she crowed. "Good enough! I've ruined lives, taken them, and just had fun in general, so even if you manage to defeat me, I don't think I've really lost at all!"

She really was more like a child than anything else. Trying to have her own twisted version of fun, and not caring about anyone but herself.

"But now that I've got a little more of myself back," she continued, "I can show you something else."

She lowered herself to the ground, and lifted her right hand, wrapping it around something as red light began to curl and twist into what appeared to be some sort of weapon.

It almost looked like the hand of a clock, really. A bizarre thing to have as a weapon, but it was razor-sharp and looked like it could do some damage. She took a fighting stance, and declared, "I think it's time I let you have a real fight. Anyone want to try?"

[Serah]

The attacks were coordinated well, and although Eve could have dodged Catherine's or Henry's alone, when they were together she could only choose which attack she was going to take. Catherine's looked much more ominous, so she avoided it, and allowed one of Henry's 'pillars' to strike her. Fortunately for her, however, she was able to keep it from hitting her straight-on, although when it was finished, her left arm--Katelyn's left arm--was left hanging limply, the sharp edge of the pillar having torn a deep gash into it. She started the restorative process, but it was slower than usual--she was having enough trouble focusing on her opponents and trying to gauge what their responses would be.

For the first time, she was beginning to think that perhaps she had made a mistake.

Why did the little brat have to come to this school at all? I could have done whatever I wanted somewhere else... Why here, why the one place where there are people... who might actually be able to beat me?

A look of what almost seemed to be fear crossed her face, but it settled quickly as she remembered. "That's right," she said quietly. "You're all so kind and caring, aren't you? Even after all poor, dear Katelyn did--now, that was entertaining--you still wanted to save her. So you can't kill her, can you? You can't kill me. Because if you do, she dies with me. You might beat me, but I'll still have won in the end, won't I? Ah--"

She tilted her head for a moment, and then her form glowed black. "There's one life lost. I guess dear, sweet Himiko-chan couldn't take what she did. And it's two, if you count poor Hikari-chan... but no one's going to count her, are they? No one seems to care... Well, she was just a whore anyway, who's going to cry for her? And then there's all the people I burned at that other school, I can't even recall its name anymore... I've still racked up quite the kill count with Katelyn here, haven't I?!" she crowed. "Good enough! I've ruined lives, taken them, and just had fun in general, so even if you manage to defeat me, I don't think I've really lost at all!"

She really was more like a child than anything else. Trying to have her own twisted version of fun, and not caring about anyone but herself.

"But now that I've got a little more of myself back," she continued, "I can show you something else."

She lowered herself to the ground, and lifted her right hand, wrapping it around something as red light began to curl and twist into what appeared to be some sort of weapon.

It almost looked like the hand of a clock, really. A bizarre thing to have as a weapon, but it was razor-sharp and looked like it could do some damage. She took a fighting stance, and declared, "I think it's time I let you have a real fight. Anyone want to try?"

What's that weapon even? I can't see anything less practical than that. Why so many spikes? He thought, expecting to fall right then and there, however something he didn't expect happened out of nowhere.

Seemingly, the Armads had been cancelled, and instead returned to his hand.
It wasn't a bad thing, the mana used was also returned to his body, he didn't know why. It was a reasonable portion, it'd keep him alive for a bit, maybe three, four minutes at most, assuming he didn't use it the same way he did once again. He made the chain disappear, to spare as much as he could.
Although this form was tiring him, slightly wheezing, he shouted again.

"What the fuck do you mean, nice and caring?! I can't give less of a damn about your shitty drama and attempts at keeping us from attacking your weak ass! You speak of whores and friends and people I've never even heard about! What I know is that at the end of the day, everyone one will stand proud that they killed you! As I've said before..." He seemed to stumble a bit, but kept himself up, he had to. If he fell right now, he wouldn't have achieved anything.

"I won't save you. I'LL END YOUR MISERABLE LIFE HERE, AND NOW!" With that, he lunged forward, using what little energy remained to keep himself up and running to an acceptable degree.

He swung the axe single handedly with little to no effort, as if it weighed nothing. That feeling wouldn't last long.
It first blow came from above, the second seemed to be more of a defensive feint, bracing for a potential impact with the sheer size of the axe.

[Luminesa]

"...A Dark Mana Being," John answered simply, staring back toward Rabbit. Allistor was probably aware of the easily-spottable symptom due to being from a Nobleblood family. Most of them seemed to love playing with magic that they shouldn't, and this aggravated John. Why did people have to toy with forces that would get them unnecessarily killed? "...You saw the fight against Solaine, right?...He's not human...And I'm worried that...his blood may have somehow reached Artosh and...well...tainted him. But I don't want to lay such a charge against your teacher with Jaegars around. I do want you to keep an eye out for any strange emotional outbursts like the one Artosh had. Can you do that?" He knew that Allistor was being weighed with information that could prove to be dangerous, but given that they needed to find whether or not Rabbit was unintentionally harming others, doing so was necessary. This was not to mention, of course, that Allistor had figured this out mostly on his own.

Allistor Abendroth

Allistor tried to recall the battle against Solaine. Rabbit with his tendrils sprouting out of his back, like a malevolent demonic spider whose legs were tipped with claws that could rend a mortal soul. "That explains it... But he seems different... He's too... human, I would dare say." As Allistor talked, Glacia looked towards Artosh's bed where the sickly professor laid down. Her forked tongue came out, as if tasting the air and the scents in the air. In her serpentine eyes, Artosh is enveloped by a bluish-whitish-purple aura. It is common for healers and Arcane practitioners to have such distinct aura but there's a different scent to it. Just like what John said, he is tainted by a faint mist of black. A black that denotes past dark magical activities or the infection of the black blood. If snakes could smile, Glacia probably is now.

Allistor, meanwhile, has a grimace on his face. "If anyone would have been in contact with Professor Rabbit's blood, it would be accidental. That's what I can only think of. Sir Rabbit's not a malevolent nor a hostile person. I can't think of any desire to corrupt someone with his blood." And then, an idea struck in his mind. "Sir, Maam! Do... Do you think Katelyn has came in contact with his blood? The aggression, the paranoia and destructive fear... It is a possibility..."

...Who...who are you?...

The voice spoke to Glacia, and in her mind's eye she saw a small child. Rabbit as a child. He wore the same mask that he usually wore, but his body was small and girlish. He was dressed, however, in a small child's kimono, dark-blue and decorated with red butterflies. He spoke very softly, and meekly, as though he was speaking to an adult.

...You won't hurt me will you?...Please...Please don't hurt me...I-I'm sorry if I hurt anyone...

The child immediately drew away, as he sensed how powerful Glacia was, and he bowed his head slightly. He fiddled his fingers, and he blushed behind his mask. The child also shivered. He was cold, due to Glacia's being an ice spirit. As disturbing as the black blood was, here it appeared as something vulnerable, as it had done in Artosh's mind to get his attention. Now it seemed even more afraid, in the face of a being it couldn't dream of defending itself against.

Meanwhile, outside Glacia's mind's-eye, John sighed and nodded. "Rabbit let Katelyn stab him at the hotel is what I heard. She probably got some on her weapon, and then possibly on her hand. But a drop won't cause that much psychosis, unless she's weak-willed enough to begin with it," he explained, "...As for the others, though, they seem fine. You'll have to bring each of them here so we can speak to them."

[Finsternia]

Allistor Abendroth

Allistor tried to recall the battle against Solaine. Rabbit with his tendrils sprouting out of his back, like a malevolent demonic spider whose legs were tipped with claws that could rend a mortal soul. "That explains it... But he seems different... He's too... human, I would dare say." As Allistor talked, Glacia looked towards Artosh's bed where the sickly professor laid down. Her forked tongue came out, as if tasting the air and the scents in the air. In her serpentine eyes, Artosh is enveloped by a bluish-whitish-purple aura. It is common for healers and Arcane practitioners to have such distinct aura but there's a different scent to it. Just like what John said, he is tainted by a faint mist of black. A black that denotes past dark magical activities or the infection of the black blood. If snakes could smile, Glacia probably is now.

Allistor, meanwhile, has a grimace on his face. "If anyone would have been in contact with Professor Rabbit's blood, it would be accidental. That's what I can only think of. Sir Rabbit's not a malevolent nor a hostile person. I can't think of any desire to corrupt someone with his blood." And then, an idea struck in his mind. "Sir, Maam! Do... Do you think Katelyn has came in contact with his blood? The aggression, the paranoia and destructive fear... It is a possibility..."

...Who...who are you?...

The voice spoke to Glacia, and in her mind's eye she saw a small child. Rabbit as a child. He wore the same mask that he usually wore, but his body was small and girlish. He was dressed, however, in a small child's kimono, dark-blue and decorated with red butterflies. He spoke very softly, and meekly, as though he was speaking to an adult.

...You won't hurt me will you?...Please...Please don't hurt me...I-I'm sorry if I hurt anyone...

The child immediately drew away, as he sensed how powerful Glacia was, and he bowed his head slightly. He fiddled his fingers, and he blushed behind his mask. The child also shivered. He was cold, due to Glacia's being an ice spirit. As disturbing as the black blood was, here it appeared as something vulnerable, as it had done in Artosh's mind to get his attention. Now it seemed even more afraid, in the face of a being it couldn't dream of defending itself against.

Meanwhile, outside Glacia's mind's-eye, John sighed and nodded. "Rabbit let Katelyn stab him at the hotel is what I heard. She probably got some on her weapon, and then possibly on her hand. But a drop won't cause that much psychosis, unless she's weak-willed enough to begin with it," he explained, "...As for the others, though, they seem fine. You'll have to bring each of them here so we can speak to them."

Glacia stared at the child for some moment before speaking. "A vision... A memory perhaps? Or a sweet honey trap for the flies?" In the scenery that the black blood has spawned, Glacia slowly crawled on the dusty and dirty floor. A thin sheet of ice slowly formed as she slithered on the floor, akin to a snail's slime trail, but it slowly spread outwards from the initial trail. The serpent raised her body off the ground to look at the masked child. "Or are you his subconscious? Very, very interesting if that would be it."

Glacia flickered her tongue out for a second and she slowly wrapped around the masked child like a warm winter scarf. "For me to also see visions of you, his blood is indeed potent." She then moved to face Rabbit's child form again. "Tell me, what is your name? And why are you in such a dark dark place with wounds on your being?"

Allistor nodded in silence. There's still some ringing in his head but he tried to concentrate. "Yes sir. Right after this battle." Allistor tried to internalize what John has said. "If a drop or smear isn't enough, what happened to Sir Artosh? Did he really got in contact with a sufficient amount?"

[Luminesa]

...Who...who are you?...

The voice spoke to Glacia, and in her mind's eye she saw a small child. Rabbit as a child. He wore the same mask that he usually wore, but his body was small and girlish. He was dressed, however, in a small child's kimono, dark-blue and decorated with red butterflies. He spoke very softly, and meekly, as though he was speaking to an adult.

...You won't hurt me will you?...Please...Please don't hurt me...I-I'm sorry if I hurt anyone...

The child immediately drew away, as he sensed how powerful Glacia was, and he bowed his head slightly. He fiddled his fingers, and he blushed behind his mask. The child also shivered. He was cold, due to Glacia's being an ice spirit. As disturbing as the black blood was, here it appeared as something vulnerable, as it had done in Artosh's mind to get his attention. Now it seemed even more afraid, in the face of a being it couldn't dream of defending itself against.

Meanwhile, outside Glacia's mind's-eye, John sighed and nodded. "Rabbit let Katelyn stab him at the hotel is what I heard. She probably got some on her weapon, and then possibly on her hand. But a drop won't cause that much psychosis, unless she's weak-willed enough to begin with it," he explained, "...As for the others, though, they seem fine. You'll have to bring each of them here so we can speak to them."

Glacia stared at the child for some moment before speaking. "A vision... A memory perhaps? Or a sweet honey trap for the flies?" In the scenery that the black blood has spawned, Glacia slowly crawled on the dusty and dirty floor. A thin sheet of ice slowly formed as she slithered on the floor, akin to a snail's slime trail, but it slowly spread outwards from the initial trail. The serpent raised her body off the ground to look at the masked child. "Or are you his subconscious? Very, very interesting if that would be it."

Glacia flickered her tongue out for a second and she slowly wrapped around the masked child like a warm winter scarf. "For me to also see visions of you, his blood is indeed potent." She then moved to face Rabbit's child form again. "Tell me, what is your name? And why are you in such a dark dark place with wounds on your being?"

Allistor nodded in silence. There's still some ringing in his head but he tried to concentrate. "Yes sir. Right after this battle." Allistor tried to internalize what John has said. "If a drop or smear isn't enough, what happened to Sir Artosh? Did he really got in contact with a sufficient amount?"

...I am Rabbit...I-I...I am...his form...

The otherworldly child backed away from Glacia, as she spoke to him. He shivered more, and he turned away from her, afraid. However, as she wrapped around him, he stopped and stared directly at her. He could not run from her. The child whimpered softly, fearing for his life.

...Please don't hurt me...please...I'm so scared...Th-They left me here...I wouldn't do what they wanted...They told me to hurt...innocent people...and I said no...I'm so scared...and cold...My clothes are thin, and they...they don't cover me well...Th-They took away my other clothes and told me...if I did not concede, they would send me away...They told me the people would...kill me...

The child then began to sob. The sobs were loud and pitiful, those of a child whose family was gone. He was in a cold, unfamiliar place, surrounded by cold-hearted people who refused to acknowledge his fear and desire for affection. Now he was afraid Glacia would simply finish him, and ignore his fear as well. After a few moments of crying, however, the child looked up, and stared at Glacia's face again.

...Did you and...the other one...hear me?...Was I really that loud?...I-Is that...why you are here?...D-Did you come to...help me?

Outside, John and Cecily continued to think. What other ways could blood be spread, and so quickly? Artosh did not have enough blood inside him for him to lose function, but he had enough that the blood could cause him visions. As John thought about what could cause such a reaction, Cecily finished healing Allistor's arms and moved to his back. "...Hmmm...John...um...you don't think..."

"...Think what?..."

"...You know...there's other ways to share blood beside touching a bleeding person..."

John thought for a moment, and then his eyes widened. "...Cecily, you can't be serious," he muttered. He knew they were in the presence of a student, but they had to figure this out for the sake of the students.

Cecily shook her head, as though to signal that he need not mention such an idea around the student in the room. She then added, "I'm entirely serious. But of course, that's just a suggestion. We don't know for sure."

"Which is why we need Allistor to bring the students here once this whole mess is finished. We need to figure how this blood is getting around...but we need to do this quietly. Again, there are Jaegars around..." he muttered, shaking his head. When he saw Glacia on Artosh, he groaned. Glacia was not friendly, and he was worried she would try to strangle the teacher. "Allistor, make sure you watch your snake, alright? She's...a little too close to him..."

...Please...help me...It's so cold...so cold...I want to be warm...Fire...I need fire...

[Finsternia]

Glacia stared at the child for some moment before speaking. "A vision... A memory perhaps? Or a sweet honey trap for the flies?" In the scenery that the black blood has spawned, Glacia slowly crawled on the dusty and dirty floor. A thin sheet of ice slowly formed as she slithered on the floor, akin to a snail's slime trail, but it slowly spread outwards from the initial trail. The serpent raised her body off the ground to look at the masked child. "Or are you his subconscious? Very, very interesting if that would be it."

Glacia flickered her tongue out for a second and she slowly wrapped around the masked child like a warm winter scarf. "For me to also see visions of you, his blood is indeed potent." She then moved to face Rabbit's child form again. "Tell me, what is your name? And why are you in such a dark dark place with wounds on your being?"

Allistor nodded in silence. There's still some ringing in his head but he tried to concentrate. "Yes sir. Right after this battle." Allistor tried to internalize what John has said. "If a drop or smear isn't enough, what happened to Sir Artosh? Did he really got in contact with a sufficient amount?"

...I am Rabbit...I-I...I am...his form...

The otherworldly child backed away from Glacia, as she spoke to him. He shivered more, and he turned away from her, afraid. However, as she wrapped around him, he stopped and stared directly at her. He could not run from her. The child whimpered softly, fearing for his life.

...Please don't hurt me...please...I'm so scared...Th-They left me here...I wouldn't do what they wanted...They told me to hurt...innocent people...and I said no...I'm so scared...and cold...My clothes are thin, and they...they don't cover me well...Th-They took away my other clothes and told me...if I did not concede, they would send me away...They told me the people would...kill me...

The child then began to sob. The sobs were loud and pitiful, those of a child whose family was gone. He was in a cold, unfamiliar place, surrounded by cold-hearted people who refused to acknowledge his fear and desire for affection. Now he was afraid Glacia would simply finish him, and ignore his fear as well. After a few moments of crying, however, the child looked up, and stared at Glacia's face again.

...Did you and...the other one...hear me?...Was I really that loud?...I-Is that...why you are here?...D-Did you come to...help me?

Outside, John and Cecily continued to think. What other ways could blood be spread, and so quickly? Artosh did not have enough blood inside him for him to lose function, but he had enough that the blood could cause him visions. As John thought about what could cause such a reaction, Cecily finished healing Allistor's arms and moved to his back. "...Hmmm...John...um...you don't think..."

"...Think what?..."

"...You know...there's other ways to share blood beside touching a bleeding person..."

John thought for a moment, and then his eyes widened. "...Cecily, you can't be serious," he muttered. He knew they were in the presence of a student, but they had to figure this out for the sake of the students.

Cecily shook her head, as though to signal that he need not mention such an idea around the student in the room. She then added, "I'm entirely serious. But of course, that's just a suggestion. We don't know for sure."

"Which is why we need Allistor to bring the students here once this whole mess is finished. We need to figure how this blood is getting around...but we need to do this quietly. Again, there are Jaegars around..." he muttered, shaking his head. When he saw Glacia on Artosh, he groaned. Glacia was not friendly, and he was worried she would try to strangle the teacher. "Allistor, make sure you watch your snake, alright? She's...a little too close to him..."

...Please...help me...It's so cold...so cold...I want to be warm...Fire...I need fire...

Glacia hissed, her fangs bared and her forked tongue wringling in the air. "Rabbit... Hmm... Are you this Rabbit?" Her serpentine eyes glowed like a predator's eyes in the dark and she projected into the child's mind the form of Rabbit on the hospital bed. "Are you his blood? That would make sense why I was caught in this vision."

The serpent slowly wrapped around his neck in a comfy way, like a scarf for winter. It was odd that she would give of heat. Perhaps she's absorbing his coldness into her body. "Do not fear little child... This vision of yours was long gone in history... Perhaps you're afraid that your body has bled and you are now on the cold hard ground... Your tears won't solve anything."

Glacia flicked her tongue out again. "Clearly. The other one you are talking about has been driven into a frenzy because of your words. He was tired, exhausted beyond what his body is capable of. He's weak willed and he was influenced greatly by your whispers."

"You do not need to be afraid little one... For your body is now healing itself."

Allistoe blinked at the exchange between the two teachers. He knows that every single bodily fluid that a DMB has is replaced by a dark mana substitute. "Sir, Maam, Dark Mana Beings have their bodily fluids replaced by dark mana right? Like their tears or saliva." That would open a lot of interpretations now. When his thought process was interrupted by John asking him about Glacia, he almost never realized that she left his neck. Standing for a moment, he moved towards Artosh and Glacia and took the snake. He wrapped her around his neck snuggly and went back to Cecily to continue the healing process. "She might just be curious. She's not the kind of snake to attack without provocation."

[Luminesa]

...I am Rabbit...I-I...I am...his form...

The otherworldly child backed away from Glacia, as she spoke to him. He shivered more, and he turned away from her, afraid. However, as she wrapped around him, he stopped and stared directly at her. He could not run from her. The child whimpered softly, fearing for his life.

...Please don't hurt me...please...I'm so scared...Th-They left me here...I wouldn't do what they wanted...They told me to hurt...innocent people...and I said no...I'm so scared...and cold...My clothes are thin, and they...they don't cover me well...Th-They took away my other clothes and told me...if I did not concede, they would send me away...They told me the people would...kill me...

The child then began to sob. The sobs were loud and pitiful, those of a child whose family was gone. He was in a cold, unfamiliar place, surrounded by cold-hearted people who refused to acknowledge his fear and desire for affection. Now he was afraid Glacia would simply finish him, and ignore his fear as well. After a few moments of crying, however, the child looked up, and stared at Glacia's face again.

...Did you and...the other one...hear me?...Was I really that loud?...I-Is that...why you are here?...D-Did you come to...help me?

Outside, John and Cecily continued to think. What other ways could blood be spread, and so quickly? Artosh did not have enough blood inside him for him to lose function, but he had enough that the blood could cause him visions. As John thought about what could cause such a reaction, Cecily finished healing Allistor's arms and moved to his back. "...Hmmm...John...um...you don't think..."

"...Think what?..."

"...You know...there's other ways to share blood beside touching a bleeding person..."

John thought for a moment, and then his eyes widened. "...Cecily, you can't be serious," he muttered. He knew they were in the presence of a student, but they had to figure this out for the sake of the students.

Cecily shook her head, as though to signal that he need not mention such an idea around the student in the room. She then added, "I'm entirely serious. But of course, that's just a suggestion. We don't know for sure."

"Which is why we need Allistor to bring the students here once this whole mess is finished. We need to figure how this blood is getting around...but we need to do this quietly. Again, there are Jaegars around..." he muttered, shaking his head. When he saw Glacia on Artosh, he groaned. Glacia was not friendly, and he was worried she would try to strangle the teacher. "Allistor, make sure you watch your snake, alright? She's...a little too close to him..."

...Please...help me...It's so cold...so cold...I want to be warm...Fire...I need fire...

Glacia hissed, her fangs bared and her forked tongue wringling in the air. "Rabbit... Hmm... Are you this Rabbit?" Her serpentine eyes glowed like a predator's eyes in the dark and she projected into the child's mind the form of Rabbit on the hospital bed. "Are you his blood? That would make sense why I was caught in this vision."

The serpent slowly wrapped around his neck in a comfy way, like a scarf for winter. It was odd that she would give of heat. Perhaps she's absorbing his coldness into her body. "Do not fear little child... This vision of yours was long gone in history... Perhaps you're afraid that your body has bled and you are now on the cold hard ground... Your tears won't solve anything."

Glacia flicked her tongue out again. "Clearly. The other one you are talking about has been driven into a frenzy because of your words. He was tired, exhausted beyond what his body is capable of. He's weak willed and he was influenced greatly by your whispers."

"You do not need to be afraid little one... For your body is now healing itself."

Allistoe blinked at the exchange between the two teachers. He knows that every single bodily fluid that a DMB has is replaced by a dark mana substitute. "Sir, Maam, Dark Mana Beings have their bodily fluids replaced by dark mana right? Like their tears or saliva." That would open a lot of interpretations now. When his thought process was interrupted by John asking him about Glacia, he almost never realized that she left his neck. Standing for a moment, he moved towards Artosh and Glacia and took the snake. He wrapped her around his neck snuggly and went back to Cecily to continue the healing process. "She might just be curious. She's not the kind of snake to attack without provocation."

The child turned and stared at the image of his older self in the hospital bed. He gasped softly, as though he had never seen this image before. He clasped his hands, shocked, and then he started as he felt the snake tighten around his neck. As Glacia finished wrapping herself around his neck, and warmed him, however, he let out a sad sigh. He then nodded solemnly.

...Yes...that's me...And yes...I am...his 'blood', the substance you call it...I...was afraid...I was dying...I was calling for help...You came and sniffed me, and I thought you were...one of them...one of those men...But you're...not even human...You're not even a...normal snake...Snakes do not usually speak...

Rabbit turned and stared at Glacia's face. Her fangs were barred and her eyes glowed. Once again, he whimpered. When she mentioned that he had hurt Artosh as well, he sniffled.

...I...never meant to hurt him...I...knew he was a close friend...He is...kind...and...compassionate...I wanted him to protect me...I did not want to hurt him...Please...let me speak to him...Let me tell him that I am sorry...I want to heal him...I want him to be better...

He looked over at Artosh, and reached his small arms out for him, as though doing so would cause for Artosh to awaken and listen to him. His quiet, remorseful voice sounded almost like one of someone far older, and in far more pain. He was far too controlled, far too eloquent to be a normal child.

[Chrome Legion]

Catherine de Sanguine Vivere


Catherine used the time that the idiot demon was monologuing to consider her plans. She had to remain conservative in her use of magic. Her twin's attack might not have put her out of commission for good, but now she needed to maintain a level of mana to keep her blood actually flowing through her body. If she exhausted herself she would end up bleeding out before the others could help, if her heart was even in any condition to keep her alive before that happened. So no flashy displays of power, though those weren't exactly Catherine's forte any way. Catherine smiled slightly as she watched the way the demon chose to avoid her attack and take Henry's. Blackfire was something the demon wanted to avoid at all costs. Catherine calmed the flames as she recalled the tendrils of blood. As she did, Oliver launched into his own attack, this time it was Catherine's play back up. Her whips changed, a string of small beads connected by an invisibly small thread. As Oliver came up from below, Catherine hurtled the the beads down from above, only once they started their decent rekindling the silently raging Blackfire.

[Finsternia]

Glacia hissed, her fangs bared and her forked tongue wringling in the air. "Rabbit... Hmm... Are you this Rabbit?" Her serpentine eyes glowed like a predator's eyes in the dark and she projected into the child's mind the form of Rabbit on the hospital bed. "Are you his blood? That would make sense why I was caught in this vision."

The serpent slowly wrapped around his neck in a comfy way, like a scarf for winter. It was odd that she would give of heat. Perhaps she's absorbing his coldness into her body. "Do not fear little child... This vision of yours was long gone in history... Perhaps you're afraid that your body has bled and you are now on the cold hard ground... Your tears won't solve anything."

Glacia flicked her tongue out again. "Clearly. The other one you are talking about has been driven into a frenzy because of your words. He was tired, exhausted beyond what his body is capable of. He's weak willed and he was influenced greatly by your whispers."

"You do not need to be afraid little one... For your body is now healing itself."

Allistoe blinked at the exchange between the two teachers. He knows that every single bodily fluid that a DMB has is replaced by a dark mana substitute. "Sir, Maam, Dark Mana Beings have their bodily fluids replaced by dark mana right? Like their tears or saliva." That would open a lot of interpretations now. When his thought process was interrupted by John asking him about Glacia, he almost never realized that she left his neck. Standing for a moment, he moved towards Artosh and Glacia and took the snake. He wrapped her around his neck snuggly and went back to Cecily to continue the healing process. "She might just be curious. She's not the kind of snake to attack without provocation."

The child turned and stared at the image of his older self in the hospital bed. He gasped softly, as though he had never seen this image before. He clasped his hands, shocked, and then he started as he felt the snake tighten around his neck. As Glacia finished wrapping herself around his neck, and warmed him, however, he let out a sad sigh. He then nodded solemnly.

...Yes...that's me...And yes...I am...his 'blood', the substance you call it...I...was afraid...I was dying...I was calling for help...You came and sniffed me, and I thought you were...one of them...one of those men...But you're...not even human...You're not even a...normal snake...Snakes do not usually speak...

Rabbit turned and stared at Glacia's face. Her fangs were barred and her eyes glowed. Once again, he whimpered. When she mentioned that he had hurt Artosh as well, he sniffled.

...I...never meant to hurt him...I...knew he was a close friend...He is...kind...and...compassionate...I wanted him to protect me...I did not want to hurt him...Please...let me speak to him...Let me tell him that I am sorry...I want to heal him...I want him to be better...

He looked over at Artosh, and reached his small arms out for him, as though doing so would cause for Artosh to awaken and listen to him. His quiet, remorseful voice sounded almost like one of someone far older, and in far more pain. He was far too controlled, far too eloquent to be a normal child.

When the younger Rabbit tried to reach for Artosh, the white haired mage muttered and shifted in his sleep. His grunts and facial expressions seem to denote discomfort and pain. Like as if he was having a terrible nightmare. "R-Rabbit... It's alright..." He said in his sleep as he gasped and grunted at the pain. The Arcane seems to lash out every now and then in defense. It knows that the mage is injured and is acting erratically to fend off any perceived danger.

"He will be alright little one. He was tired and weak. Don't bother him for now. He's too exhausted and if you tried to reach him even more, he'll just be plagued by vague nightmares." Glacia flicked her tongue again and rubbed her snout against the kid's mask. "Now... You too must go to rest. Your body is in great care. You'll only harm yourself and others." Glacia watched back into the material world to look at her master before going back to the vision. "There is no threat. Go and take a good night sleep."

'Because I cannot afford you to spread your madness any further.'