ㅤㅤNeo felt a heavy pain as the blast made him fly backwards, and the man in front of him did the exact same in the opposite direction. People screamed as dust and debris filled the air, crashing down in a column and uprising more ash. He slammed against the floor, feeling his form shift and change. He looked down, coughing in the smoke, and saw his white suit ruined with soot.
ㅤㅤWhen the explosion had gone off, Christopher shouted a single word in Latin, and he saw white energy boil in the palms of his hands. Neo saw him fly backwards as well, and when he managed to sit up, he saw Christopher picking himself from one of the tables hosting food. Ice stood in a full circle around the people, protecting them from the brunt of the explosion.
ㅤㅤAt the same time, Quilliene had stumbled forward and nearly rotated her ankle as she shouted also in Latin - tueri. It surrounded herself and many others with luminescent tendrils of violet that encased them all in bubbles. When enough debris stopped falling and proving to create more than a couple injuries, Quilliene fell to her knees, soon surrounded by guards.
ㅤㅤNeo managed to realise he was back to himself, but everything hurt. How was he not dead? He saw tendrils of black covering his chest, slowly slinking away to an inky void. Had something smothered the explosion? The devil Daileth had mentioned... He looked up, seeing a figure running through the mess that shifted from human to a small flying creature, and he quickly jumped to his feet.
ㅤㅤ"Seize them!"
ㅤㅤQuilliene's voice shouted from above, and before he knew it, one demon guard was at either side of him. They grasped his arms, pulling him back before he could run, and he started to struggle. One of them hit him in the temple with the pommel of their sword, and he winced, his vision growing distant and blurry.
ㅤㅤShoved up the stairs forcibly, he slowly came back to his sense as he passed people, who were gasping and shivering in awe of the display of magick. A guard, Kyrana specifically, was helping Christopher out of the broken tables and brushing him off. Circe, in a beautiful green dress, was rushing off for the entrance.
ㅤㅤFinally, the two demons pushed Neo to his knees, and he hadn't realised he was forced to kneel in front of Quilliene until he looked up to see her stumbling to her feet. She panted, looking around. The public found out about the blessing of the Nameless, and now, there seemed to be a lot of mixed reviews. That wasn't always the best sign.
ㅤㅤQuilliene looked down, seeing only Neo in front of her. That meant the other party had escaped, or was dead. He did have a bomb on his chest, from what she saw. That was another bad sign. Using a guard as a crutch - Raemith - she judged him by the almost pleading expression on his face, and immediately knew.
ㅤㅤThat wasn't the same man who threatened to let a bomb loose. This was the man who had kissed her. The one she saw - his eyes were too wild. Too insane, if she was keen enough to say, and the one who stared at her now in a silent begging gaze for her to understand... they weren't one and the same. However, she had to make a decision, and quick. The decision that would be safest for her people.
ㅤㅤShe looked past him and to the ones below. "I apologise profusely for the events that have taken place, but we urge that you must return home at once! It is not safe here, and the festivities are over. Guards, please, usher them out safely!"
ㅤㅤNo one moved, though, despite the guards ushering to help people out. She took a deep breath. "I will repeat myself," She said slowly, then her voice echoed across the room. "Leave!"
ㅤㅤThen everything burst into motion. She looked down at Neo, a solemn apology in her eyes. "Take... Take Neo down to a cell. My brother and I will speak to him shortly. I want this contained, and the press handled before the night is over."
ㅤㅤThe guards nodded, beginning to drag Neo away, but he called out desperately. "Liene!" He shouted, struggling. "Liene, wait!" He tried to speak quick, but in a manner she would understand. "Get out of here, it's not safe! He's here - he's alive!"
ㅤㅤShe felt pain, seeing him pulled away. Taking a deep breath, she patted Raemith's hand for assurance, who spoke slowly. "Yer majesty," He said with care. "Forgive me for intruding with my opinions, but... Oi think somethin' was off about that whole thing. Oi'unno what that was... but it ain't have been Neo. It can't have been."
ㅤㅤShe nodded firmly. "I know." She said, leaning on him. "I... The man that enchanted me tonight was not the same man who caused all of that chaos. I just... I just wasn't sure what to-"
ㅤㅤQuilliene stopped dead, putting a hand up to her heart as she grunted and nearly stumbled once more. She felt a pain within her chest as a cry rang in her head, into her ears, and through her very soul. They were crying for her - screaming for help. Soon enough, she also let out a wail of anguish as she almost fell to her knees. Her eyes glowed a violent dark purple, the same colour running down her face like tears as she clutched onto Raemith desperately.
ㅤㅤ"No!" She screamed. "No, no, no! Kyrana!" She shouted for the first demoness who came to mind, looking around for her in panic, but nonetheless took a deep breath. The name that left her lips was whispered dangerously. "Pulchra."
ㅤㅤA darkness erupted from the floor below. A scream of pain, as if the words invoked a terrible agony, but it all stopped as suddenly as it came. A flash of red, and then Kyrana was in front of the queen, her eyes - instead of blue - a glowing scarlet hue. Her form was different - she had a short crown of horns around her head, and her skin was an ashen grey, dark shadows enveloping her.
ㅤㅤ"I am here, your majesty." Kyrana whispered.
ㅤㅤQuilliene reached out, and Kyrana took her hand, and they were downstairs in less than a second. In the hall of the Nameless. The ground was covered in soft moss, and flowers were growing from stone wedges, courtesy of the pixies as Daileth had promised. However, as they inspected the area, something was terribly off.
ㅤㅤMost of the Nameless were crowded into one cell, baying, crying, and squawking in fear. To what, it seemed, happened to be the masked figure in black that had been in the middle of the ballroom before. Their hand was on the body of a collapsed antelope stag, white fur loosing its shine. One who Bows with Grace was on the ground, kicking weakly as the life left their eyes.
ㅤㅤKyrana released Quilliene, shooting forward at the speed of light, still enveloped by shadows. She tackled the man, slamming him into the ground. He yelled and struggled as she hissed and spat, sharp talons clawing at his face and ripping off his mask. As Quilliene watched the mask clatter away, she saw burned and scarred features, matching with angry green eyes.
ㅤㅤHis gaze travelled over to Quilliene, and now pinned fully by Kyrana, he smiled. "Your majesty!" He said maliciously. "What a pleasure to make your acquaintance again! Did you miss me? I see you've brought a new... pet!"
ㅤㅤWith the last word, he transformed, shifting and contorting into the very image of the Nameless that he had just slain. Kyrana was shoved off, but she attached to the ceiling like gravity had simply switched for her, hanging on by all fours. However, none of this swayed or surprised Quilliene as she took a step forward, a second voice layering over her own.
ㅤㅤ"I suppose neither of us know how to let sleeping dogs lie." She seethed. "And I can only assume you were the one who impersonated Neo and caused all that ruckus. An interesting trick you have, making people switch forms as well as your own, but not that impressive." She raised her eyes to Kyrana. "Pulchra - don't play with your food much longer."
ㅤㅤKyrana bared her teeth at the sound of her true demon name - Pulchra. When spoken, a contracted demon was brought to immense power, especially if said by their master. The only reason why she hadn't done that with Raemith, who was right next to her, was because he was young and inexperienced. Kyrana - or Pulchra - was a century and a half old.
ㅤㅤPulchra the demon growled lowly as she launched off the ceiling like a spider, attaching to the back of the shapechanger. Reeling her head back, she bit into his elongated neck, tearing out a chunk of flesh and spitting it out. He howled in pain, trying to buck her off, but she set her talons to work and raked across his spine.
ㅤㅤFinally, he managed to shake her away, and he shifted back into his original form and gripping his bloody shoulder. He sent a harsh glare at Kyrana, then turned wildly upon Quilliene. Kyrana stalked up on all fours as if to attack again, but the queen held up a hand to stop her - this bastard had something to say, and she wanted to know what.
ㅤㅤ"You wench!" He yelled. "You can try to stop me, but you have no idea what's coming! There will be more like me that hunger for your power!" He gestured at the body on the ground. "I was just stopping by to get a taste. You have the gift, but I have everything else."
ㅤㅤHe grinned dangerously. "It was fun playing with your little crush, but I have a world to reshape." Axelius glowed a bright green, the bleeding gashes seeming to repair and heal. "Look how quickly I've gotten used to it." He said with a low laugh. "I'll be seeing you soon... your majesty."
ㅤㅤWith that, he changed shape quickly into a shadowy falcon, making for his escape. Kyrana shot for the sky as she slashed at a wing, leaving a blood trail as he flew out into the stairwell with a squawk and disappeared. Kyrana stopped, panting, standing next to Quilliene. Slowly her form started to stop swirling with shadows, but then she sniffed the air.
ㅤㅤA look of shock and horror passed her face, and she turned and bolted to one of the open cells, past the body of the Nameless. She skidded to a stop, eyes wide and mouth gaping at what she seemed to see. Quilliene frowned, beginning to limp her way forward as Kyrana ran into the room, calling out a name desperately.
ㅤㅤ "Circe!"
ㅤㅤWhen Quilliene reached the room, she saw Kyrana crouching down beside Circe, a hand on her cheek. Circe was huddled up against the wall, grasping her side in pain. She smiled lightly up at Kyrana, her face contorted in agony but also awe. She was next to one of the Nameless - One Who Mends All Hearts. A large, sheep-like creature who seemed to be brave enough to help her.
ㅤㅤ"I-I knew it was stupid," Circe mumbled. "But I thought I saw him come down here, after the explosion. Things got a little... messy." She grunted as she rearranged, only to look up at Kyrana again. "You... look so beautiful."
ㅤㅤKyrana seemed to be unable to stop from smiling, but she was still trying to help Circe. "You'll be okay, I promise." She looked up to the Nameless, biting her lip. "I know our kinds haven't always mixed, but... do you think you can help her?"
ㅤㅤOne Who Mends All Hearts nodded before shaking its floppy ears. It wasn't long before bright white energy surrounded the spot where Circe had been injured. She shuddered, gasping, before the light stopped and she lifted her hand over the spot where she had been hurt. Within seconds, the bleeding had ceased, and the only remnant of it was a tear in the fabric. She gave Kyrana a gentle kiss, but that was when Quilliene turned away.
ㅤㅤShe stepped carefully towards the body. Slowly, she fell to her knees, hand travelling over the stark white fur. It wasn't long before she began to weep, her head resting in the fur. Her tears had long since run from dark violet to a clear liquid, but the pain was still there. She hadn't quite cared in the moment to go after Axelius, or to even attack him. She simply wanted him out - to leave her with the sorrow of losing her now former friend and mentor.
ㅤㅤA loud thumping and scraping of claws against stone was behind her, and she looked up. The bear-boar approached carefully - One Who Bares Their Tusks. The Nameless who had first been upset with Quilliene, and had been protecting the last experiment, who Quilliene could only assume was Alexandria. They were wounded, apparently having been protecting the other Nameless, but now they were limping their way towards the queen.
ㅤㅤSilently, the creature laid down next to Quilliene, nuzzling under her arm gently. Only their nose fit, but they laid their head down anyway. This was the first time One Who Bares Their Tusks had shown affection to her. The others followed suit, coming up and encircling her, cuddling her gently - even One Who Mends All Hearts came to the forefront.
ㅤㅤBays and whines and chirps filled the air. The sound of mourning that seemed to take on a soothing, musical manner that was kind to the ears. Quilliene felt Kyrana and Circe watching, but she didn't look back. Her eyes were laid on One Who Bows With Grace, one hand one the still, breathless form, and the other resting on One Who Bares Their Tusks.
ㅤㅤShe took a shaky breath, lost for words, but embraced the moment nonetheless. Feeling the pain, the anguish, the dread. Every single Nameless felt it with her, and though she was surrounded by those around her that completely understood this hollow, empty feeling inside her chest... she still felt something missing - because Neo wasn't there with her.