[img=http://i.imgur.com/eeX4Zmf.png]

[b][u]Thaum: Group A[/b][/u]

It was incredibly fortunate that Marcus was there, as not only did Selan know she wouldn't be able to keep up with them on her own, but he was also able to talk Estelle out of trying to fight him. There was no doubt that Estelle had improved her swordsmanship since Tabul, but something told her that a fake Gaoh Capuello probably wouldn't act the way they would expect. The rules seemed to be different here.

As she felt the agility spell wash over her, she turned to run after Marcus and Estelle. But first she paused to look towards Don, to make sure he wasn't thinking of fighting Gaoh Capuello either. Even if it was just an illusion of some sort, the sight of his father had to be hard on him--

"Don[i]aaah![/I]...!!"

Don scooped Selan up by her waist and placed her over his shoulder, and perched Trixie on his other. "RUUUUUUUNNNN!" he screamed, dashing with long strides after Estelle and Marcus.

Selan was facing the other way, and could see exactly who and what they were running from. She saw the white-hot energy collecting in his cannon before it eventually released, and her vision was filled with a white light as they turned into an alleyway just before the beam shot across the street. When the light faded, there was nothing left but black and gry ash.

They could hear Gaoh's laughter following after them, but they continued to run as quickly as they could. Even with Marcus's spell enhancing their speed, it seemed like he was always just around the corner, grinning smugly and holding his cannon in the air.

"He's going to shoot again!" Selan cried, batting at Don's back to get his attention. The barrel of Gaoh's arm cannon was glowing white again.

---

[img=http://i.imgur.com/aBIXoi8.png]

[img=http://i.imgur.com/eXdw1If.png]

[b][u]Thaum: Group B[/b][/u]

Lisette looked fearful at the sight of the foes that surrounded them. A giant skeleton and an incredibly large and powerful-looking Firon...

[I]"That place is our best bet,"[/I] Atlas said, appearing in front of them. [I]"Don't look back![/I]"

"Let's go every... [I]Aaahh!![/I]" Lisette screamed and sidestepped the Firon's attack, dodging the flames but still feeling the blazing heat against her skin. Kapi curled up in her arms in fright.

She was all too relieved when it turned out there was no plan of attempting to fight them off, as Syed grabbed her hand and pulled her to follow after Atlas. They ran for a short while when something yanked Syed back, causing him to let go of her hand.

She stopped and looked back and saw Moira still standing in the same spot, surrounded by flames, and seemingly transfixed at the sight of the monsters. Syed shouted her name, and Lisette waited, refusing to leave without them. Much farther ahead, Aria and Atlas were still racing toward the tower.

Thankfully, Moira turned towards them and began to jog forward, and Lisette, the faster of the three, was running nearly backwards to make sure they were keeping up. She had her bow drawn as well; she didn't want to waste arrows, but the least she could do was be prepared.