[center][img]https://txt.1001fonts.net/img/txt/dHRmLjEwNi4wNjhjOGUuVEdsc1lTQkNiR0ZqYTNkdmIyUSwuMA,,/gritluefdemo.regular.webp[/img][/center]
[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/MyKmatB.png[/img][/center]

Lila saw the dragon come out of the portal and a command was sent to every last crow to fly as far away as they could from it.  As the dragon approached Lila thought through her options.  She could probably out fly it and the fire it breathed, but that would put her new friend in danger.  She killed this new friend, they had been through so much already.  Lila had been stung by bees for her, drew gunfire for her, and was currently the only one protecting her.  The only one.  Which Lila knew meant that if she left then she was likely going to die.  Lila did not like her new friends dying, she never liked it when her old friends died.  

But what could she do?

Her first thoughts were her transformation magic.  Maybe she could transform into something bigger and stronger that could take the fire and fight the dragon.  Yet Lila knew that if she did this she’d be practically inviting more permanent and potentially threatening changes to her body.  The next thought was whether or not her curse magic could force the ground itself to transform around her to protect her.  Lila also knew that this was very much untested and there was a possibility that she’d have to use so much magic that she’d be exhausted, and prime for a takeover from the bird bitch.

Which meant there was only one thing she could actually do.

[color=DA70D6]“Don’t worry I got you,”[/color] Lila said as the dragon lined up its attack.  She tightened her wings around herself and Liz, making a near completely enclosed bubble of feathers overtop.  Stormy’s shield would need to take the brunt of the impact but her durability meant that if anything got past she’d be able to withstand it for a moment.  She then her chest and arms overtop Liz a moment before impact to give her yet another layer just in case.

Lila felt the heat of the strike as it hit all around her.  While the shield stopped most of the fire, a few stray bits still impacted her wings.  If she were any less durable it would have been quite painful.  But this new form was durable, and with the strong emotional field of The Maiden she was able to survive the fire.  Still, as the seconds dragged on she felt the pain grow in intensity.  Still, her wings were more or less out of action as the amount of feathers lost was enough to keep her grounded.

Lila’s vision was suddenly filled with different angles of a massive Spirit Bomb flying through the air and noticed it had a green glow.  Hallow Blast.  That meant that the Lava monster, and the dragon, were likely in a lot of trouble.  You can’t dodge a nuclear-like explosion after all.  Lila pulled her wings in even tighter and took a deep breath.

And then it hit.

[hr][hr]

[center][h3]Cyrus in the tunnels [/h3][/center]

The sound of a chainsaw revving filled the air, originating from behind Alexander.

It revved, and revved as Cyrus took a few steps towards Alexander.  He had kept his distance from the rest of the artifact crew for precisely this reason.  It was obvious to him that something would eventually go wrong with this plan, and he wanted to see how the chaos started before he made his move.  

[color=FFDEAD]“Oh well done,”[/color] Cyrus said as he continued to walk forward.  He revved the chainsaw again.  [color=FFDEAD]“Your plan to draw us in was perfect down to the cocky slow clap reveal,”[/color] Cyrus paused as he revved the chainsaw again.  Thus far he had not pumped any of his lux in the machine yet so he would not alert the veil yet.  [color=FFDEAD]“But you forgot to check if anyone was laying a trap for you,”[/color] Cyrus paused as he summoned his purple lux and the Chainsaw of Ash began to pull at it eagerly.  

In his mind he knew that the beacon was already lit by this trap being sprung so he did not mind being the one to trigger the veil.  Suddenly an incredibly loud explosion was heard on the island and Cyrus felt the foundation of the building shake.  Dust fell from the walls and the ceiling as the shaking continued.  As it shook he revved the chainsaw, activating its ability, and he began to sprint down the hallway at an impossible speed thanks to this powerful artifact.