Arcanus

[16]

The battle spiraled out of control. Resistance against Kakine was futile, but the heros still attempted to hold their ground.

Katrina fought, her silver daggers flashing as she threw them. Sometimes they hit wood. More often, however, they flew back at her which she barely managed to dodge.

Mari's sword sliced were deft and quick, but not quick nor strong enough to cut Kakine.

Lis' bright blue magic was elusive and strong, but not strong enough to break through Kakine's raging madness of blood and sweat and death. Even their combined efforts resulted in not even a dent in his armor. Perhaps it was just them, but each swing and blow seemed heavier than usual, each attempt left them more drained.

Hali stood still, as if rooted to the spot. Slowly, color drained from her cheeks as she watched the events unfold.

"Heh...heheheh...heheh...."

Katrina glanced back, worried for her friend's safety.

Hali's dress had changed from the sparkling golden one to one darker than the night sky on a new moon. A black diamond tiara perched on top of her matted dull yellow tresses and her neck was fitted with an extravagant choker. She looked like a queen, but her eyes were crazed with madness.

"Your Highness," she breathed out, her slender, pale hand reaching out to touch Kakine's mortal one. The battle fell as they drew close to each other.

A cruel smile played at Kakine's lips as he reached down to kiss her hand. "You've done well, Hali. Truly, I believe no one but the Enchantress saw through you,"

It was then that Katrina noticed someone was missing from the group. Tanya had disappeared from the tower. However, she was unable to comment on this when black magic rose from the floor

"...Hali?" Mari inched nervously as the jets of black sparkles shot out from under their feet. Katrina and Mari evaded it just slightly. Lis was repelling it for the time being with her blue magic but every second longer she held the shield, the more exhausted she looked.

"You can't escape," Hali smiled eerily, her mouth contorting as it stretched across her face. "There's no escape,"

"Damn right there isn't!" Katrina whipped out her blades, still untouched by Kakine's blood, and she disappeared from view, moving faster than the eye could see.

Hali didn't blink as she thrust her hands out roughly to the side. A semi-circle of darkness expanded around her, a force field to protect her.

"Hali, my dear, enough playing around," Kakine dodged each swipe of Mari's sword easily. "It's time you just knocked 'em all out,"

"As you wish, master," Hali bowed, barely missing Katrina's blades.

Then it all went dark.