Bloodwrought Valor

Rush

The group stood outside Violet's mansion, or at least they presumed it was seeing as it was the only one with explosions coming from behind it. It may have looked magnificent in the shining sun, but now it looked nothing more than a twisted villain's stronghold

That was all Nora could really get through her mind when she was looking at it. They had just gotten here but now it was if she had gone blank. She could hardly think at all. A cacophony of emotions in her head disrupted all logical thoughts

A tap on her shoulder brought her back, it was Adrianna. "What should we do? Are we going in to fight or to extract?" She asked

Nora hadn't quite thought about this. At first she wanted to fight, but now her thoughts of it have changed. Of course what she wanted above all else was to make sure Alexander got back safely. But on top of that it would probably be best to try and knock out Violet whenever possible and kill her whilst they can. Although, Vivian was still missing so one of their at least half decent fighters was still absent

But she knew the risks of that too. And so did Adrianna, judging from the feel of her gaze. It's true, none of them had ever really fought mages before: Especially not one as powerful as Violet

Nora still didn't know how she felt about Adrianna even after all this time. She still remembered Alexander's words about her before his vanishing, they echoed every time she was in eyesight. "She's curious and still learning what it's like to be free, she's a strong ally and to me I consider her a friend."

And now she was caught between a choice to back the side of the people she'd been with since the beginning, or back the 'friend' that her own good friend trusted with all their lives.

She closed her eyes and tried to imagine what Alexander would say to her right now, what his advice would be...

"I vote we should fight." Kolin said almost instantly. Shaneen seemed hesitant, but raised his hand along with her causing Kolin to smirk at Adrianna

Adrianna shook her head at them, "You guys-"

"Nope, shut up murderer. I'm not letting you kill any more people." She said defiantly

Adrianna shoved Kolin off balance and shouted, "You idiot! You say that but all you're going to do is get all of us killed and who knows how many others!"

"Well if you die that'll just be a blessing on us all now won't it?" Kolin exclaimed

"SHUT UP BOTH OF YOU!" Nora roared

Kolin and Adrianna stared in shocked silence at Nora's outburst. Nora glanced at Katerina who looked a bit startled herself; but instead of shock Katerina raised her thumbs and grinned with pride

"We will extract rather than fight, UNLESS an opportune time comes around. If we get there and Violet's on a mad rampage, we get the Hell out and regroup. If she's weakened, we go for it. Got it?" It wasn't a question, she was demanding

Adrianna looked pleased, Kolin seemed satisfied but annoyed that Adrianna was pleased, Shaneen appeared indifferent, and Katerina was still swelling with pride at Nora

"Now, who knows how long it'll take to navigate this horrid place, SO LETS GO!" Nora yelled whilst Adrianna and Katerina whooped with support

"If you don't know what to do or don't trust yourself, you can always trust me. And I'll always say to find the middle ground and take charge."

"Thank you Alex," Nora whispered under her breath

(Back Courtyard)

"I wouldn't suggest fighting, I can crush you in an instant and you know it." Violet teased smugly