One word repeated itself in my brain, over and over like a broken record.
"Move...move...move...move..." The voice whispered, getting more and more frustrated.
"Move...move. Move. Move." I tried to ignore it, exhausted and worn down. I was so tired. I just wanted to rest.
"Move. Move. Move! MOVE!"
But I couldn't remember why I was sleeping, why my brain so urgently screamed at me to get up.
It quieted, and for a second I thought I had finally earned a reprieve. But then the loudest voice of all shrieked.
"GET UP! THEY NEED YOU!"
My head shot up with a gasp, finally regaining consciousness as the pain of the fight shot through me. My legs were currently dangling about three feet off the floor, all my body weight being held up by the massive thorn embedded through my chest and into the wall behind me. Dozens of smaller thorns had broken off into my arms and legs, leaving me a virtual cactus. I started prying myself free, ignoring the burning pain in my upper body as I pushed off the wall, slowly sliding along the length of the bloody point.
I fell forward, trying to catch my breath as I glanced at the destroyed ballroom before me. The room was ablaze, brilliant blue flames having consumed the halls. The floor was cracked in several places, vines having sprouted from the ground and shattering the tiles, their burnt remains scattered around the room
Catherine and Dorothy were huddled in one of the farthest corners, a great glowing shield erected like a dome as the great wizard held a staff out, strain on her face as she blocked out the fire and thorns from approaching. Catherine was kneeling in front of Miranda and Poro, glowing light infusing them both as the saint tried to reattach Miranda's severed leg and seal the numerous wounds dotting the whimpering wolf's body. The berserker growled with impatience, desperate to get back into the fight, clutching onto her axe as she stared daggers into the conflict raging in the center.
Jeanne stood opposite from Belle clad in shining white plate and a plumed helmet as luminescent blue flames engulfed her body. It wrapped around her like a burning shield as she stomped towards the thorns and vines, the plant life shrinking back as if it feared to confront the holy fire. Leaf fluttered behind her, spurring on the fire with great gusts of wind as she cackled maniacally, the great blue flames becoming a storming inferno as it swept the hall. Belle stepped backwards hesitantly, the flames enclosing on her as she began to run out of space.
A few dozen feet away Red stood before Adam, disrupting the great wolf as he attempted to breach the fire and rescue his mismatched lover. Several gashes ran along the wolf's body, claw and blade alike slashing into his flesh letting crimson blood flow onto the ground around him. Red clutched a knife in her left hand, holding it underneath her other arm as blood dripped onto the blade. Her right hand was missing, blood flowing freely from the stump. If the wound bothered her, my companion did not show it. Her blood solidified around the jagged knife, hardening and extending it into a crimson colored sword as she faced her massive foe. A second blade was gripped between her teeth, her eyes narrowed with focus as she stared Adam down.
With a snarl the wolf leapt, rushing forward as he tried to trample over Red and intercept Jeanne, but Red once again fell backwards, sliding low and slicing through Adam's forelegs as he strode over her. I was already charging forward, blade in hand, when I realized that Adam wouldn't fall for the same trick twice. As the girl slid under him his rear legs readjusted and stomped down hard, the sound of Red's knees shattering like broken twigs piercing my skull. With a roar of equal parts satisfaction and pain, Adam then kicked backwards like a horse, sending Red slamming into the wall.
