Sasha continued on with Lazarus, but stopped as the saw the fights in progress. One council member appeared to be down, but Mayt appeared to be hurt as well. Damian was fighting still, and Jamie was fighting what appeared to be a large Lizard Man. Maddox stood with a book. The book? And then all thought fled as she saw Penny. Battered, and not appearing to move. ### "PENNY!" The scream tore out her throat with her sisters name, and not caring that she was near two fights, Sasha darted in. She crouched by her sister, almost too scared to check for a pulse, but she made herself. Some fear left her when she found one, replaced by anger. The cuts across her sister's body weren't bleeding, which was a blessing, but there were so many bruises, so much swelling it was impossible to tell what injuries she had sustained. Looking around, she could see that Mayt had similar injuries, if on a smaller scale. _If the attacker had been successful_, Sasha thought, _then they'd both be dead_. Someone who aimed to kill, to murder even in a battle, was one of the lowest creatures she could imagine. She rose slowly, just in time to see Master Jamie throw a series of attacks towards his opponent. "Who did this?" Her voice was as cold as her ice, and pierced through the noise about them.

[James] James was right behind Lazarus and Sasha, spotting the latter over her wounded sister. Rushing over, he sheathed his sword and stowed his shield and began to cast Healing Hands on her. "Sasha, this is battle. Damian could tell you all about it, I'm sure. People kill each other for their own cause and in this case, whoever did this to her did it because he thinks his cause is the right one." While healing what he could of Penny's wounds, not willing to use Healing Light on her for fear of draining himself too soon, he noticed the big lizard guy. *He's the one I"ll bet, but I can't let Sasha know...* "Sasha, you need to stay here. You're too low on magic energy."

Amy rune knights that got in their way, himself and Sasha cast aside, marching onwards. They finally had reached the action, where there were some pretty horrific scenes. Both penny and mayt were well and truly.... well.... fucked. He clenched his fists. Even though they knew something like this would happen, it filled him with anger. He spoke softly, yet broken. "Who.... did this?" He exclaimed. When they were answered, his eyes narrowed, and he turned, to watch Jamie in battle. He grasped James by the arm. He spoke in a manner that would strike fear into the hearts of many a man. "Come on James. We are going to support our master in battle. Whether Jamie likes it our not." He grunted. "We will do anything for family until the very end, even if we die in the process." He knew he didn't have much magical power left, but he would give it everything he had. He yelled out before managing to force his wings to be formed. He was shaking, and sweating, in order to keep them sustained. Panting, he held a fist out for a bump to James. "Till the end..?" He nodded. He turned and arrived near Jamie's battle. "Lords protection!" He cast a shield in front of Jamie to help block any oncoming attacks. It truly was draining. He was now exhausted, but he would keeping trying. "We're with you till the end of the line master!" He nodded, trying to keep his shield formed.

Grane noticed Jamie's sword and her transformation seem to have no affect by the nullify magic and still retained their magical abilities. *Interesting, theres no point wasting my magic on something that does not for this situation.* With that thought in his mind, Grane drop the nullification in the room and reequip his [spear](http://fc00.deviantart.net/fs71/i/2011/351/b/2/the_dragon_of_a_lancer_by_koutanagamori-d4jfd4e.jpg). With it, he was successful in blocking Jamie's attack but leap back a far enough distant to talk. "Impressive strength guild master, I guess that was not just a title that you just self proclaimed yourself. But still, you alone cannot defeat me." He noticed one of Jamie's guild member and possibly another approach beside their master. "You should all be aware of your own current state. You are like insignificant sand about to be washed away from the ocean's tide and into a endless deep." He glanced at the girl how demanded to know who was responsible for their fallen comrade's demise. "It should be obvious, girl. It was me who already defeated two of your comrades. Why do you ask? Do you only seek vengeance for what I did, to show me the pain they might of felt as they fell beneath my hand." Grane tried agitating Sasha in hopes that she becomes careless enough to become even more vulnerable by actually attacking Grane and possibly endanger their group by changing their focus of Sasha or Grane.

"I have enough magic to be of use" Sasha said, knowing that James was trying to prevent further injury, she spoke kindly. "But We cannot just stand by and watch this. He's already hurt two of our own. And I won't stand here and do nothing" She took one of Lazarus's hands and said, "You can barely stand. Please, stay with Penny. See that Mayt is okay." She gave him a smile, and said, "Let me protect you for once" Jamie kept the sword at the ready, listening as Grane talked. "A guild master is nothing without their guild. It is my guild that gives me strength, and my guild that will continue to shine. We will defeat you" She shifted slightly, aware of what was going on. Sasha simply stared at Grane as he tried to goad her into attacking. "You are stupider then you look, Lizard Man. I do not need to go near you to attack you. My ice magic enables me to fight close, or from a distance" She said, "You think we are nothing. That we are here because we want to take down the council, to destroy it. And maybe that's true now. But we are here to save a friend, a combrade, a brother. ANd you will never understand that, because you think we are nothing!" She took a step forward, and as Master Jamie made a gesture for her to step back, Sasha shook her head. "You can't do everything alone, Master. We're better together" And that being said, Sasha raised her arms, "Ice make: Floor!" The ice spread towards Grane, even as she continued to another attack, "Ice make: Bird Bombers" She stuck with the attacks that wouldn't use up too much of her remaining magic. Her bear shield, still present from before, was near her, ready to defend. She spied Master Jamie using her bird Bombers to get closer to Grane, jumping from one to the other as they fell, and then jumping towards Grane with his sword.

[James] Having done what he could for Penny, he pulls Sasha back and sits her next to her sister. "You move and I'LL kick your butt when this is done. I've got plenty of magic energy to spare for the time being." He then makes Lazarus rest as well. "Don't overdo it. Stay with Sasha and keep her out of this. Divine Shield." The soft glow envelopes both Master Jamie and James and one on Damian for good measure. "Mighty big words for someone who's been following a corrupt government blindly, Grane. Angelica has been summoning demons across Fiore for months. How could you trust her?" He'd spoken with Damian on multiple occasions and Angelica had simply fit the picture he'd imagined.

Lazarus refused. "I will not rest until we are all safe James." He grunted. "What's the point in having magic if I can't use it to save my friends?" He judge and turned back to the battle. "Lords protection!" He cast another shield influence front of Jamie to reduce her chances of getting hit. Grange was way out of everyone's league bar Jamie. So his shields probably weren't much. But they were something, and he was willing to give it, to help his master, his friend.

"I might agree to you to a certain extent girl, but I would not agree since I now know the magic that you use. Your comrade's magic might actually be helpful me." Grane remembered the red hair's magic. Fire Transformation magic, he seen other variations of that kind of magic and decided to use one that could suit this situation. With the incoming ice attacks and Jamie's leap over Grane, he quickly covered his body into that of blue flames, the hottest spot within an actual fire. The heat that he shot out of his body melted the incoming ice and when Jamie came into her attack, Grane blocked and pushed her back with his spear and thought to himself *Darn, that guild master weighs a lot. I better not let that weight become his advantage, but if strike from the air again, it should not be too difficult to block. Right now that support wizard will become more of a pester if he continues what he is doing.* After pushing Jamie back, Grane his looked at him and teleported away and appearing behind James. Realizing before that he could only support his allies and not himself. Grane still had his body with the blue flames and with his free hand, he focused and concentrated the flames to act as a blowtorch. keeping his hand flat, Grane thrust his hand towards the armored boy, melting the armor. Once his blowtorch hand could break through the armor, He hoped the heat would either scare the turtle out of its shell because of the heat traveling and heating him inside or just cause him to fall from extreme heat exposure. "Angelica might of not been the shining star of the Council, but associating her with the masked fiend by just mere assumptions and ridicules."

[James] "Your mistake." The flames hit the Divine Protection spell, buying James the time he needed to prepare Holy Might. Just as the flames broke through and started melting his armor he finished the chant and his sword sprung to the size it had been when he used it on Angelica and he swung, forcing Grane back. He used his magic to repair his armor, muttering about the damage. "You should know I'm not some simple support mage." For emphasis, he shot at Grane with a Divine Light from his shield before casting Divine Shield Wall and increasing his own physical defense. "I am a Paladin, a light in the Shadow and vanquisher of such. You have chose to fight for one who spoke with and summoned Demons to this world, you are therefore my enemy." Spinning his sword, he sets it along the top of his shield. "I will not be intimidated."

Sayuri nods at Maddox as he telports away. Turning to look at Wes, "I need to ask before trying to explain anything," She looks him over not noticing any changes since she last saw him, "You're the Wes I grew up with right? Madd said you were different but you look the same to me," She watches him losely hoping for the best expecting the worst, *'We hanen't seen each other for a while so I assume it was possible for him to be replaced but he did say he was raised by the Council,'* she takes a few steps closer moving on to the current subject, "They do need the book and you have knowledge that could help them bring back their friend!"

Karn grunted a little as they landed, his mind muddled and his vision fading in and out a bit. At the feminine voice, his nose twitched as he sniffed a bit. The scent was of a female, but also of a Transformation Wizard. Much to his disappointment. Even if he was eaten, it would of been nice to see a real dragon in his last moments. He wasn't able to copy a wizards magic, so he couldn't copy the dragon form of this wizard. She was so lucky. Still, despite his dissapointment, he was very impressed with her ability to transform into a magnificent dragon. As he was ordered to get off, he tried sitting up, but only to have his rib cage area to shoot a arrow of pain and simply ended up falling off, landing face first into the ground. Grumbling a little he slowly managed to stand as he looked with bright glowing excited green eyes, almost as if he wasn't injured at all. **"Wow, another Transformation wizard! How can you pull off such a impressive form? Is it hard?"** he said excitedly, obviously ignoring his bleeding wounds in his excitement before pausing in realization as he looked around. Seeing he was no longer in the city, he tried to think about what happened last. Remembering that his attacker so easily knocked him out in one blow, he frowned briefly before looking at the stranger with a bright thankful smile. **"You must of saved me back there.. Thank you so much Miss!"** he chirped happily. --- At the library, the cloaked masked figure from before appeared above, sitting on top of a book shelf. They swung their legs slightly as they rested their head against their hands. Seeming to simply watch the people below, but not having any intention of entering the fray.

Master Jamie darted forwards, between himself between Grane, and the others, unable to do so with James, but knew James would prevent Grane from landinf an attack. "I never accuse based on assumptions, and never said outside my guild that she was the masked wizard. There's hints and clues all over the scenes. Shadow magic leaves a...taint" she said, stepping up beside james. Sword ready

Trinity sighs inwardly. The two here didn't seem to notice her, which was a touch depressing for the minstrel. In her line of work, she prefered to be noticed. Oh well. This was a combat situation, so she should count herself fortunate. She slinks off to hide herself within the room, and find herself and advantageous position. Sayuri, she recognized, but she didn't know this other figure. Was this the person they were looking for or not? From the conversation, she just couldn't tell. Should they... catch him? She could try using a Net Arrow, since she could concentrate on it right now. Fire arrows were the only ones she could produce under pressure currently. But... wasn't she forgetting something? Ah! That punk ass kid! Dammit! She'd have to tell someone what she'd seen here if she saw them, but for right now, she had a task. She slips out of the room quietly and runs off down the hall.

An angry sneer formed on Maddox's face. He looked down as the book in his hands started to glow before a seal appeared. _Damn, I didn't take it quick enough,_ he thought to himself. Then the words appeared on the cover, saying the seal would be released if the Magic Council was to be defeated. _That means..._ He looked up to the fight, as now James, Sasha, and Lazarus joined Jamie in the fight against Grane. His brow furrowed as he held the book to his side with one hand. **"Hey!"** Maddox started walking forward after his shout, casually towards the combatants. "You guys are doing well," he began, stopping next to Sasha. He held the book out for her to hold. "You should all rest. He is the last obstacle between us and Wes." Maddox continued walking forward now, heading directly towards Grane. "I haven't had a real fight in _so_ long..." His red eyes showed no emotion as they locked onto the lizard-looking Council member. "Before we fight, Grane, I need to know something." Maddox stopped, making sure to not stand so close as to be easily sucker-punched. "Right now... Are you following your beliefs.. or are you following your pride?" Maddox made a wave of his hand to Jamie, as an indicator to back off. "Oh, and I think we should take this fight somewhere else. Somewhere with less..." He looked over at his guildmates, all of them in various states of exhaustion and pain. "Collateral."

Mithera narrowed her eyes a little, how could he tell she was a mage? She shook her head a little, before returning to the conversation. "I guess you could call me a transformation Wizard." She flicked her tongue out briefly. "And achieving this form for me is a lot more difficult than it would be for *you*." She put a good deal of annoyance into her voice, indicating she was somewhat irked. "Seeing as it takes me days or weeks to change forms, and it takes you all of *seconds*." She growled a little, but was a little off-put by the kid's enthusiasm, as she was expecting someone somewhat groggy for being thrown through multiple floors of a building. "As for saving your life, I did it only so I'd be the one to get to kill you." She moved her head menacingly towards him a bit, before puffing out a bit of smoke and seeming to smirk. "When you're better that is. Wouldn't be fun otherwise." She let herself relax a bit, looking him over, before flatly stating. "Our magics works differently." Then watching to see if he figures it out for himself. --- Melina picked up a book, flipping through it quickly before putting it back, leaving blood stains on the book before she continued down the line. She picked up another, and groaned. "Another philosophy book." She was less careful in putting this one back. The library was labeled poorly, and she kept moving on down the line, she pulled a book at random, reading over the first few pages before putting it back. "At least I'm in the right section now. Now, blood magic... Blood magic..."

Karn listened intently to the dragon's words, his eyes wide with curiousity, tilting his head to the side at the mention on for her it takes days to even get to the form she is in now. Odd, he wasn't used to seeing someone who didn't have as much ease as he did. Then again, he didn't exactly see many Transformation wizards. Master Rian had the same ease, with smaller forms at least. Though she did say it took longer with giant forms since they consumed large amounts of energy. However, if what this dragon said was true, she had trouble with transforming speedily in general. Still she got to be a dragon. For that he was a bit jealous, though he could understand that her handicap would be annoying, especially when seeing him who shifted between big and small forms with ease. At the threat, his expression was neutral for a moment before smiling brightly at her, seeming unfazed. **"Well, then it's very kind of you to not take advantage of this situation, bough I don't know why you want to kill me. I don't think I can fight a dragon form like this."** he chuckled before pondering a little at the mention that their magics work differently. He could come up with many , but there was one he wanted to ask the most. **"In your forms, can you lose your mind to them?"** he asked curiously.

When Grane got pushed back he noticed the guild members starting to assemble more of themselves. "Perhaps I did underestimate you ruffians, then I guess I should stop with the being merciful with how I've been acting." He let out a heavy sigh and closed his eyes for a second, then opening them with a glaring look. However, instead of performing his next attack, a red hair boy appeared between the battle. The boy spoke with what seemed more genuine for him to believe and listened. "Of course I fight for my beliefs, but with how your allies treat and use their magic to oppose our power is unforgivable. Our view may not be the same, but I believe that what we are doing will prove to have some major positive effects in the long run. This fight is just a obstacle that I see that must be over come by any means. So about that offer of a duel between you and I. He looked over at the four rouges who do appear quite exhausted. I agree to that offer and I know of a place that we could begin our match." Grane teleported in front of Maddox with his hand on his shoulder and with that the both vanished form the room. Below the Magic Council was the giant aquifer with the bottom half of the Council building hanging from the ceiling and above a small lake in the huge cave. The two teleported in and Grane teleported several meters back. He thought to himself *Dealing with this rouge one on one should help change the playing level since the numbers before were proving the be persistence. This should help make a fight with him easier.* "Before we start, why not introduce ourselves. I am Grane Falo, one of the seven council members of the Magic Council and some times called the Protector of the Council. Now, who are you? and after that, we can commence the battle with your first move." --- "I'm the same Wes, the same one that last saw when you left to become stronger." He said as he looked into Sayuri's eyes showing his full honesty. "I won't lie to a friend. If they need the book, fine, They already shown how much they need it. But I have to go check something immediately, I can't risk it with what's going on right now from I think is going on outside on the surface of the building." Wes ran off, descending deeper in the hanging building.

Mithera stared at the boy a long moment, trying to figure out why he was so... Happy. It was almost unnerving. But she sighed, relaxing and deciding it was best just to talk for now. She hesitated at his last question, pondering it for a moment, before replying. **"No, I technically can't lose myself to my forms. Mostly because they aren't the actual thing, they are as accurate look-alikes as I can make. I don't copy a form, I have to make the form myself, from scratch, with only what the end product looks like to work with."** She paused, thinking. She was explaining her magic more than she wanted too, but she was hoping he'd explain his afterwards. **"It's like, building a model from a model kit, but losing the instructions before you start. and you only have the picture on the front of the box. It's not easy to replicate. It took me thirty years to get this form as you see it today. Granted, I started a long time after I last, and first, saw a dragon. A real one, so it was not only just an image, but a memory as well."** She closed her eyes for several long moments, not speaking. **"So no, my forms do not have instincts of their own and therefore I can't 'lose' myself to them. But I can become, in a sense, feral."**

Masahiko looks at Damian and smiles blocking the attacks, "Seems we can make this into more of a friendly duel. A small contest to see who wins. With Grane here He will destroy all of you or he loses and I am the last member who remains. Either way our the war will end with that battle. How does that make you feel," he finishes as the blade come flying he catches two and uses them to block the others. Dropping them he dashes forward gathering and maintaining electricity around his fists attacking with a flurry of blows that steadily gain speed. He leaps back after a particularly vicious counter. The smile he's had widens, "Been a long time since I had this much fun in a fight. That was a sparing match with Spencer and Carrie. Hey after all this is over would it be a problem if I studied your magic?"

[Damian] Damian stood ready, but he had to agree, it was a good match. "I guess that depends on how this whole thing plays out. Answer me this first though. You know Angelica was up to something dark and evil. And now she's not here to manipulate you. Why keep fighting?"