Storm Call

Crisis Averted

Several minutes had passed since Ender first asked the question, his hands now fully shrouded by pure magical energies. His crowd of cats and the others had fled since then, leaving only Azazel, his crew, and himself in the living room. Each step taken forward by him, one was taken backwards by the group, fearful of what could happen if he reached them. Nocha was the first to try speaking to him. "Ender, we didn't come here to upset you," she started, noticing that a few cats had returned and began to surround her.

"Then why come with him?" he softly snarled, trying his best to not drown in anger. More of his cats began coming back and circling the others separately. Gana was the second to try, but couldn't manage to speak properly. As he began to inch towards Azazel, he felt a strong force pulling him back shortly before seeing Enzefer standing before him, arms crossed.

As his other half began to stand up again, time was stopped. Enzefer tapped him, allowing him to move again. "Do you really think revenge is the best thing to do? Especially when we know Navomi's the one doing all of this?" he asked, shaking his head. "If you do something that drastic in our condition, we could die from the shock and realization of it." Ender had since stood, thinking of what he'd been told.

"Fine. I won't kill him, happy?" he grumbled, more annoyed than anything. Enzefer stared him down, waiting for him to change his answer to a more suitable response. "If you want us to be friendly with him again, that's not happening now, and you know damn well why, so quit giving me that look." He received a sigh, and watched the reactions of the room as they noticed a new body. Soon, the magic covering his hands faded away, and the cats began to vanish once more as he made his way to Azazel. "I'd always wonder what I'd do to you if you ever showed up again," he began, keeping a level tone. "Had it been before now, I might've forgiven you more easily." He grabbed his arm before yanking him up from the floor. "Now, tell me what you know about the scroll, I'm sure he's told you things. And make it quick. I don't want to resort to biting to get things done faster, but I will." He bared his teeth, sharpened by magic, to back up his new threat. Ender got a confused look in response.

Biting? What kind of a threat is that? he thought, not noticing his hand being lifted. A second later, his entire arm lost feeling and smacked his side, limp. He stared, now noticing the puncture wounds left from the quick bite on the back of his wrist. "You... you actually...", he stammered, the pain finally registering. "T-this... isn't permanent, right? Right?!" Ender gave no response, only glaring into his eyes as he watched him begin to crumple under the effects of the curse. This isn't normal! What the hell is going on? Why can't I move most of my body anymore?!

"Info. Scroll. Now," Enzefer ordered, breaking his silence. "Otherwise, he'll let it go on until you die. Do you hear me, Aza? Ender will kill you, and I can't do anything to stop him. Not anymore." A soft thud was heard, followed by a muffled yelp - no longer able to stand, Azazel had fallen to the floor. "Listen, if you don't talk now, it'll only get worse. I suggest telling before the curse reaches your heart," he told him unflinchingly.

Gana finally spoke in an attempt to interrupt. "He never entrusted Azazel with that kind of info in case he ever tried to talk to you again," he shouted. Everyone looked at him in surprise before he added, "I'm the one keeping all the secrets, but you won't be getting them-". Time had once again been frozen, leaving Enzefer the only one able to freely roam. He sighed as he came over to Gana before placing two minor curses on him. As he walked away, he activated them as time resumed. "- without a..." he continued, noticing that his body was now floating and in it's natural cat form. "How did you manage this? What, are you gonna try biting me too?" he snarled, fur raising as he was drawn closer to Ender.

"I know that curse wouldn't work on a pure cat, idiot. That's why I make sure to carry at least one void stone on me," he answered, his face darkening as he showed it off. The others began backing away, leaving the two cats and Azazel in the center of the room. "If you don't tell me what we need to know, I'll go ahead and take us both out!" he shouted, raising the stone above his head. He slowly began to pour his magic into it, watching it as it grew and began emitting a dark energy. In seconds, the room had grown both colder and darker, and by the time anyone moved, their breathing was visible. Shortly after that point, ice began to form and cover the area.

Gana began to panic, shivers snaking down his spine. "Void essence isn't something to take lightly, Ender!" he shouted, his words drowned out by the sharp winds that had begun to blow. "Fine! You wanna know about the scroll?" Flames began to appear around him, giving him a dim glow as the darkness continued. "Save the place, keep your magic, and drop the hell-stone!" He charged, claws digging into the ice with every step. Ender, in his natural form, backed away, leaving the stone to fall. Once it slammed into the floor, the illusion faded, letting the warmth and light return. However, neither of them stopped, leading to them both crashing into one of the couches.

It took a moment before someone spoke again. "Tell him, Gana. We're done doing his dirty work, and we're done working for him," Azazel ordered, now able to stand properly. "I'm glad cat curses break whenever you go back to your normal forms, I thought I was gonna die!" The two looked at him shortly before returning to human form. "How about you start with the curse he never wants to talk about?"