[center][hr][img]https://i.imgur.com/3HTxFO1.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/11gAoSU.png[/img][hr][/center] For the first time in a long time, Ella felt despair. She ran as fast as she could with Lisa’s broken body in her arms. Exhausted as she was, her healing was slow - keeping her alive, at least. Constant downpour made it difficult to see. She was soaked to the bone, freezing cold, and [i]felt empty.[/i] They’d had to abandon Yoko. Ella had [i]never[/i] abandoned anyone before. It made her feel useless. [color=DC143C]"We need to find shelter,"[/color] Saskia grunted, panting heavily as they leaned on Ella. She winced, pain searing from her acid eaten arm. [color=DC143C]"Heal Lisa properly."[/color] Ella nodded. It was difficult to see - where they were going, where there might be safety. Was anywhere safe here? She didn’t think so. [color=e77fbf]"I healed her enough she should wake up soon,"[/color] she said, the healing light connecting her arm and Lisa’s body the only light in their otherwise dull and grey surroundings. It was draining her too, but she didn’t let it show. She had to be the strong one. Saskia was suffering from blood loss, and Lisa wasn’t even conscious… she had to stay strong for them. She had to protect them. She couldn’t falter here. They were far enough away from the Samurai that Ella could drop her pace from a run to a walk. Just keep going. Walk until Lisa was healed enough to wake up, until they found shelter to rest for just a moment. Then they could go back for Yoko. [i]If she was still alive.[/i] [color=DC143C]"Stop, just a moment,"[/color] Saskia coughed. Ella paused as they bent over, hands on their knees and swaying slightly. They were so pale… and it wasn’t just the rain and cold. Ella knelt down to more comfortably cradle Lisa in her arms, increasing the healing going to her while they were still. She’d wake up soon. She had to. They all had to survive this. A metallic clanking pierced through the downpour. It was faint at first—almost drowned out by the rain—but it grew closer. Then, almost surprised, they could hear the metallic figures leveling their muskets at the three. One of the Autoknights spoke, its voice mechanical and devoid of emotion. "Surrender. Resistance will result in termination. Comply or face execution." Ella squinted up at the Autoknights, holding Lisa close to her, face wet from the rain (and definitely [i]not[/i] tears). [color=e77fbf]"We surrender."[/color] Saskia just silently put their arms up. “Now come with-” Through the rain, a blue light slowly emerged… Yoko dragged herself into view, a defiant sneer on her face as she raised the Yokai Killer. [color=fce420]”... [i]I’ve come to save you, friends![/i]”[/color] Yoko shouted… … Then collapsed, falling directly onto her face as the Yokai Killer clattered against the ground. [color=e77fbf]"Yoko!"[/color] Ella felt her heart sink as Yoko collapsed. She was alive, but barely… and Ella couldn't carry another person! She did sort of shuffle on her knees towards Yoko's prone body. Saskia looked at Yoko, then at the Autoknights, intoning, [color=DC143C]"she surrenders too."[/color] The Autoknights paused momentarily as the rain continued to strike all of them… “All individuals have surrendered,” One Autoknight casually noted. “[i]Detain them.[/i]” The other Autoknight stepped forward; its heavy frame made its footsteps as it approached Yoko and knelt, grabbing her and lifting her over its shoulder. Another Autoknight advanced toward Ella and Saskia. "Surrender all weapons, artifacts, and magical instruments." He paused, “Do not resist, compliance ensures survival.” Ella looked over at Yoko, eyes wide. What if she died from the way they were carrying her? But was there anything she could do about it? Not right now. She felt helpless. [color=DC143C]"Here."[/color] Saskia pulled her knife out, handing it over to the Autoknight. [color=DC143C]"My [I]Channeler.[/I] Want my bag too?"[/color] Ella handed over the Ice Scepter with trembling hands, before taking off a silver bracelet with a heart charm that had her name engraved on it. Hopefully they'd assume that was her Channeler… did they even know what that was? She wasn't sure, but it was better to be safe. She then awkwardly shifted her backpack to the side, pulling out the strange magic orb they'd gotten. After all of her magical items where handed over, she put her hand into Lisa's pocket and pulled out a roughly carved out wooden statue of Adora holding her. It was [i]oddly[/i] sticky. [color=e77fbf]"That's everything."[/color] The Autoknight grabbed them, before going from the left to the right. “Let’s go,” The Autoknight said with a nod. “The King will judge you.” [hr] The red sky loomed over them like an oppressive, all-seeing eye. They were loaded up into one of the Autoknight Airships, and brought to the Kingdom as planned. However, they were handcuffed and chained together, stripped of all weapons and artifacts. They were marched through the streets of the Kingdom, a chaotic amalgamation of different eras and styles. Gothic spires lined the skyline, while the neighborhoods were lined with monolithic stone blocks that leaned at impossible angles. Buildings were stacked on top of each other, some of which were completely different styles and sizes yet somehow fit perfectly. The people were misshapen, either some sort of Aberration or soul long broken by the Pit. At the heart of the Kingdom was the King’s castle - less of a structure and more like an abomination spawned from this hell. Its jagged towers stretched unnaturally upwards, constructed from a chaotic mess of black stone, eroded metal, and hunks of stone… Ella looked around with slightly widened eyes. This place was… strange. Horrible, with the way the people seemed. But they were in the Kingdom. Chained, but there… and Lisa and Yoko were awake. That was the plan. Get inside. Now they just needed to get out of the chains. She carefully moved her arms close to her body, hands twisting around. Her fingers curled inwards, a hot beam of light coming out of one and starting to cut through the chains linking the handcuffs. It was covered by her hands and body… as she did that she looked behind her at her friends - namely Lisa and Yoko. Trying to see if they were prepared to break free - and Yoko nodded back, the chains around her arms and legs began to stretch and extend. Lisa just shrugged. Ella looked back forward, light cutting through the chains on her arms. The ones on her legs were more of a problem… she could probably just crush them, but then she’d need to light up her eyes. But… It was now or never! Her and Yoko could totally take these Autoknights out even if Lisa and Saskia weren’t immediately free. Her legs lit up with a rainbow light, strengthening immediately. She stomped on the chain with an enhanced foot, easily crushing it. At the same time there was a sickening crack as Saskia completely broke her wrists. Then Ella spun around. [color=e77fbf]"Lisa, above your head!"[/color] A beam of heated light came out of her finger, aimed just above Lisa. She raised her hands and the beam burnt through the chains. Yoko slammed the expanded chains on the ground and they shattered. An Autoknight attempted to stab her with a spear but Yoko put her handcuffs up and blocked the strike. She quickly swung the remnants of the chains at the Autoknight and it struck with an ear-piercing sound and the Autoknight hit the ground seconds later. Yoko pointed at one up ahead, [color=fce420]”He has the Yokai Killer!”[/color] [color=e77fbf]"I’ll retrieve it for you!"[/color] Ella shouted back. She ran forward, launching into a jump kick at the Autoknight, hard as steel rainbow foot slamming into his side. The Yokai Killer clattered against the ground, and Yoko appeared right over it in a burst of speed. She grinned as she grabbed it and firmly grasped it. [color=fce420]”They might have the rest of our artifacts! Take them out!”[/color] Yoko commanded. [color=e77fbf]"Yes Sensei!"[/color] Ella shouted. She spun around, moving onto the next nearby Autoknight - another strong kick at it, followed up by a heated beam of light slicing across its body. Saskia just watched, holding up her hands to show them painful cracking back into place. The ground shook as spiders burst out of the ground like a geyser and went in all directions. Meanwhile Yoko was slicing them to pieces with the Yokai Killer. She paused and glanced over her shoulder at Ella, [color=fce420]”Lightning Rush!”[/color] Ella nodded, eyes locking with Yoko as she said it. It was enough for them to synchronize their breathing and energy. Ella jumped forward first in a burst of speed, kicking and punching so fast it left afterimages, before she swapped out for Yoko. Who swung the Yokai Killer so fast it temporarily left before a blue blur with every swing, and Autoknights crumbled to rusted messes in seconds. Ella then swapped places with her with another series of punches and kicks, a sort of swan-like dance they replicated for a few moments before Yoko stood by Ella’s side for the finale. A final group of Autoknights hunkered together, placing their shields in front of their with their spears and swords poised to stab. Ella locked eyes with Yoko, complete understanding between them. It was the finishing blow… the strongest attack. They launched forward together, swift enough to avoid the spears and sword and with enough power to blast through the shields. Launching them away and utterly decimating their formation. Yoko grasped the Yokai Killer… She glanced over her shoulder, [color=fce420]”Find your artifacts!”[/color] Before looking up at the looking castle in the center of the Kingdom. [color=fce420]”... Because we are going to need them!”[/color]