[h1][u]Ciara Ventura[/u][/h1]
[i][color=gray]Iris Record, Third Floor, Mysterious Cathedral -> Second Floor [/color][/i]
[@Nanaya], [@AThousandCurses]

[hr]

It worked. It had actually worked. Tasted [i]awful[/i], but had worked. The reptiles’ numbers decreased, and none were actively trying to eat them, having been eaten by Ciara. She ran her tongue over her teeth, making a face. 

[i]Gross.[/i]

Clutching Davil closer, Ciara kept moving as fast as she could towards the darkness of the entrance. Her skin pickled at the back of her neck, and she looked back just in time. An orb, crushing even the light rays towards its epicenter as it rolled towards them. Davil immediately felt pulled in her arms, as if he was magnetically attracted to the orb. She twisted, facing the orb head on as she backed up. Tentacles that were stronger than her arms wrapped around and held tight to Davil as she cursed under her breath, gritting her teeth. Its pull was becoming too strong. Rebound cut across her chest and face as tentacles increased their grip on Davil.

She refused to let go of Davil. Damn the rebound. Damn this power! If it was going to take him, it would take her too.

[b]“I-I'm… sorry.”[/b] Ciara gritted out in a low voice to Davil, confident these were their last moments.

Until another object collided with the gravity orb, cutting off its power, rocking Ciara back on her feet with the sudden lack of resistance. The tentacles dispersed, and once more Davil was held merely by Ciara's clutching arms.

Ciara's eyes widened, catching the cold glance of the Head Advisor.

Instinctively, Ciara swallowed nervously.

[quote=Head Advisor]"Leave now, and we will speak of things later, Ventura. Your final judgment is yet to come. Go!”[/quote]

[b]”...Right.”[/b] Ciara spoke low, her face held in an unconscious wince. With a quick glance to Davil, she spun on her heels and once again dashed towards the entrance, ignoring the blood seeping from her rebound cuts.

[quote=Chunji]"Ciara! Stay near me. We'll go down to the second floor and I can provide basic first aid to Davil.”[/quote]

Ciara's head spun, catching Chungi's gaze just as the both of them entered the darkness of the hallway once more. 

[b]”Got it!”[/b] Ciara growled out.

They were almost there. They were gonna make it. Davil was gonna make it!

Small feelers spread out from Ciara's feet, eliciting a groan from her as another cut slashed across her body. However, the feelers alerted her to the shapes of the hallway, and she was able to reach the stairwell after a minute or so. Abruptly, darkness fell away, and the blinding lights of the stairwell leading down into the second floor greeting them. Ciara’s feelers melted away, and she stumbled briefly, leaning against the wall with Davil.

Heavy breathing. Then gritting her teeth again, redoubling her efforts to carry Davil dutifully down the staircase. 

Her eyes glanced to Chunji. He too, didn't look hot.

[b]“Chunji…?”[/b] Ciara's voice had a slight panic to it.  He looked like he'd pass out at any moment.

Her gaze dropped to Davil. His blood covered her. How close was he to death?

Making a desperate grunt under her breath, Ciara stared down the hallway and opened her mouth, yelling as loud as she could, nearly ripping her vocal cords out.

[b]“Guards! Guards! We need a medic!”[/b]