The Rising - Ennead 1

Act 10

Carlos Estevario

The darkling horde within the courtyard pulls back, reluctantly but almost immediately when our back up rolls in. I don't know why they're pulling back, but honestly I just need a break from the endless carnage.

The shimmering bands of light that connect the members of the Kaspar's dreams are brighter now than they were when I first saw them. The reason behind the difference is obvious. Spider.

The Asian looking kid, the lead singer, he's still the central node of whatever freaky shit the light show represents. Now, however, the bands of light all reconnect into a tangled mess than hovers around Spider's neck like an ethereal scarf.

I unfocus my magus eyes, as August calls them. The bands of light are pretty and all, but I have to keep my head in the game.

I have to admit. I'm faintly impressed at what Temi has managed to pull off. Maybe, just maybe, she's kind-of-sort-of made up for putting the Number 4 in a coma.

Spider wipes blood from beneath her nose. She's breathing heavily, and for the first time since I've known her, she actually seems tired.

"That bad?" I murmur, not trusting a 'sending to leak to the other members of her weird hive.

She nod slowly and grins, "U.O.E.N.O"

"What happened?"

"Wayyyy too much to handle. You're ok though, right?"

She actually seems concerned. "I'm good - you came right on time."

"You?"

"I'm ok." She smiles, wan.

I fight the urge to ruffle her hair. She sure can look like an adorable little waif when she wants to.

Her 'sending rushes through us all without warning - forceful, commanding.

"PUSH THE DEFENSIVE. THROW THEM OFF BALANCE. I HAVE A PLAN AND I NEED YOU ALL TO COVER ME!"

Adorable has fled the stage. Impenetrable, indecipherable, cocky and bossy - Spider is back!

Temi Adeola

I'm not ok.

I quite literally feel like crap. Every muscle that has the free time is seizing up. My chest feels as if my lungs can't get enough air - and my skin, it still hurts where the shattered fragments of Mad's dream sliced as I covered for him on his way out.

It does feel good to be a hero. Again. Is this why so many Knights die in the line of duty? Saving the day definitely has its own sort of rush.

I start pulling in the threads. If I can link my threads to everyone here, maybe... No. Scratch that. I will be able to pull everyone out of this dead zone. I just need to maintain focus.

My fingers start twitching - bad habit. It's best if my abilities are not preceded by a tell. I shove away the warning bells in the back of my mind. As dangerous as this is. It's the only way out.

I sense his presence before he speaks. That odd, almost unintelligible accent. The rough gentleman from earlier.

"Whoz 'appnin?"

"Mr. Connelly."

"Yes ma'am?"

"I need absolute concentration to get us out of here. Can you make sure I get that?"

His fragile mind is still doused in the effects of my Speaking. He's also seen what I'm capable of. I'm not surprised to find him blocking off a space around me. The temptation to do that to more people? I try not to think about it.