The Blue Moon

[Silver Swan]

Infirmary Nursery

[ What had just happened!? Not the temporal riptide, though that was offputting ENOUGH even for someone like Sharon, but this BABY. She was at a true loss...in more ways than one. She survived that violent outburst of energy, but others in the delivery room had not been so lucky. But now, the baby seemed to be ..."normal".]

Delilah.....

[The mutate was somber. Delilah had died, just as Alison said she would and there was NOTHING Sharon could do about that. It was beyond her power! But...everything before that, as far as Sharon could tell, suggested Delilah's physical body was strong enough & prepared to deliever this baby! She was a mutant, so her physical constitution was naturally STRONGER than that of a normal baseline human. She'd taken the proper care, used amazonian midwife techniques, followed Sharon's directions. They hoped to avoid Harbinger's vision of Delilah...they KEPT it from Delilah so as not to upset her and risk adverse reaction to the pregnancy...and all of it had seemingly been for nothing....they failed. SHE failed. It didnt even matter that the mansion was still trembling violently anymore, Silver Swan found herself feeling rather powerless. AGAIN. just as she had all those years ago in Arklay when she lost her own husband and son. What would she say to the Six when they got down here? Would they even GET down here? If THIS part of Harbinger's vision had come to pass...what of the rest of it? ]

[ This baby. WHAT WAS IT? Mutant? HUMAN? something ELSE all together?]

He finds Sharon, who appears to be doing a medical exam on the baby. The baby had lost the dark aura he could tell. But there was something around the bed it lay on – a forcefield not unlike the one that had imprisoned him in his hospital room when he was last on Aerie.

He questioned her urgently, though not angrily. He was still afraid of what she might do – not unwaware of her enmity for himself, nor her strength and past record in losing control of it.

“Sharon? Sharon, what are you doing to the baby?”

She didn’t answer him.

“Is the baby okay?”

Again she didn’t answer.

“At least tell me if it’s a boy or a girl.”

[ The monitors continued to feed results to the screen as Sharon studied them with her silver eyes. the forcefield held strong and the baby looked curiously, perhaps DECEPTIVELY calm and peaceful at this moment]

....

Bishop...

[ She says in a cold, airy tone]

I'm very sorry about Delilah.

There was nothing I could do to save her.

This is a horrible loss.

I'm afraid that we may not even be AROUND long enough to go any further into it, for i this part of Harbinger's vision has come to pass...and with that temporal riptide effect we just experienced, along with the mansion trembling so violently even down to its foundation...Circe may soon destroy us ALL.

[ He wants to know about the baby]

...

The baby is...by conventional standards as well as amazonian tests...health, alive and well as you can see. But WHAT it is, is what I'm trying to determine now. Mutant...human...human with an anamolous genetic structure...or perhaps...

[images of her son flash through her mind's eye as she pauses]

Something else all together...

For your protection and the baby's, until i can be sure, I have placed it inside of an isolette with a forcefield.

[ She didnt have to be a telepath or a precog to know what was coming. She was, @ least @ one point in her life, a HUMAN, a parent, a MOTHER. Bishop looked at the baby with curiosity, pain and longing. He wanted to see his newborn child, hold it. Sharon understood ...but was it safe? She looked up at Bishop, standing at the counsel. She'd wait for him to ask what was clearly on his mind and tongue]

 

[MorningStar]

The Astral Plane

She was someplace new.

There was some sort of haze around her mind but she knew this was not a place she had been before. How she got here, she didn’t know, nor how long she had been here. Everything was a blur.

What was the last thing she could remember? She thought about it. Bishop. He told her he loved her, but she was too weak to say anything. She didn’t feel weak now. She felt STRONG. LIGHT. FREE. CALM.

She reached her hand down to rest on her stomach. There was no bulge there now – it was as flat as a washboard. That was strange. She knew there was something not right about that but she couldn’t quite put her finger on why.

Wait.

She had been on Aerie. But this was NOT Aerie. And it was not Ororo’s garden, either. If something had happened to her, that’s where they would have taken her. To heal her. But no, this wasn’t that place. That’s where she had gone when she had…

Died.

Was she dead? How could she be dead? Didn’t anyone try to save her?

She was panicking. She started turning round and round, looking for anyone, ANYTHING familiar in her surroundings. She blinked to clear her vision and then:

Suddenly, she was someplace she had seen before. Been before. But it hadn’t looked like this.

Shit, this is the Parthenon.

Not as it was today, but in all its former glory, before it had been whitewashed by the ages and destroyed by war and pillage.

Delilah’s breath was taken away, and the calm feeling of earlier washed back over her. There was something in the air, a presence…

Someone was coming…

 

[Bishop]

Aerie - The Nursery

Sharon seemed calm enough. Cold as an iceberg as usual, but calm. She even apologized. He wasn’t sure if he believed her but at least she made the pretense. His eyes flicked between her and the baby. His muscles tensed, readied themselves just in case…

She was telling him that the baby was healthy. It surprised him how relieved that made him.

The baby is...by conventional standards as well as Amazonian tests...healthy, alive and well as you can see. But WHAT it is, is what I'm trying to determine now. Mutant...human...human with an anamolous genetic structure...or perhaps...Something else altogether...

“WHAT IT IS, Sharon.”

He took a slow step forward.

“Is my child. It’s not a THING or a science experiment. It’s a person.”

He touched his fist to his chest, over his heart.

“It’s ours. Delilah’s and mine.”

For your protection and the baby's, until i can be sure, I have placed it inside of an isolette with a forcefield.

“I don’t need protection from my own child. Let me hold him, Sharon.”

He reached out, eyes imploring.

“Please.”

 

[Hecate]

The Parthenon

<< A silhouette looms and casts across the floor, catching Delilah's eye. She turns, as the winds blow and lower toned mystic chimes sound. Hecate stands before her, in a long, flowing purple gown. Delilah remembered....purple was the color associated with Hecate...with MORGAN, her FRIEND.>>

<< Hecate was here...would the other goddesses be here as well?>>

Delilah...

<< The goddess of witchcraft spoke in a far gentler tone than she was known for as she came closer to Delilah.>>

Don't be afraid. I'm not here to harm you, or even upset you.

I....we're here to help set things right.

<< The goddess looked more serene than she was known for. Usually she looked as though she were ready for a catfight, or to cause someone anguish, but in this time and place, she seemed very gentle in her approach and she looked beautiful as ever.>>

 

[MorningStar]

The Astral Plane - Athena's Parthenon

At first, she thought it WAS Morgan. But no, it was Hecate. Her body immediately went tense, she took a half step back with one foot and her hands raised into a defensive stance. Delilah had never trusted Hecate, even if she was Morgan's ancestor.

She glanced around her. Where were the others? Were they here to kill her? Or if she WAS already dead, destroy her spirit somehow? Was this some plot to get at The Six?

Don't be afraid. I'm not here to harm you, or even upset you.

Yeah, right. But Hecate's voice...it was different. Almost as if she were a different person. Could this be a trick?

I....we're here to help set things right.

Delilah relaxed - just a bit - and stood straight. She looked Hecate in the eye, raising an eyebrow.

"We?"

 

[Athena]

The Parthenon

:: the toll of a gong is heard as a ray of golden light beams down in front of the massive statue of Athena. The form of a woman, Athena HERSELF, emerges from that golden ray of light. With her golden hair gathered up and her head adorned with a golden leaf crown, the goddess strides forward in a flowing, sparkling white gown and on her slightly raised arm is perched her beloved feathered companion, Bupol the owl::

:: Fidgeting a bit after their arrival, Bupol settles as Athena takes a moment gently pet him and he coos softly::

Greetings, Delilah Trelevan.

I am here as well. Not only because this is my temple, but because you have found favor in my eyes and the time has come for Hecate and myself to help you in a clear, fair and just manner.

:: The goddess of wisdom and war now stands beside Hecate and the both look upon Delilah::

 

[Silver Swan]

Infirmary- Nursery

She was telling him that the baby was healthy. It surprised him how relieved that made him.



“WHAT IT IS, Sharon.”

He took a slow step forward.

“Is my child. It’s not a THING or a science experiment. It’s a person.”

[ Sharon removes her silver eye mask and looks at Bishop directly, eye to eye. She eyes him in "that way" that often unnerves others, including Delilah, studying him, looking THROUGH him. Finally she responds]

The baby is female. And I'm not experimenting on her, Bishop. I know what it is to be..."experimented upon", so did my son. I would not do that to another innocent living thing...person or otherwise.

He touched his fist to his chest, over his heart.

“It’s ours. Delilah’s and mine.”

That she is. But she's also something OTHER than merely human. Or did you not notice the energy emmiting from her body VAPORIZE 3 innocent people in that delivery room?

“I don’t need protection from my own child. Let me hold him, Sharon.”

Did you not hear what I just said? Did you not see what just HAPPENED in there? Unlike like the knowledge of this baby's status...it is a FACT that YOU are a normal baseline human and as such, completely unprotected against ANYTHING like what happened in that room.

He reached out, eyes imploring.

“Please.”

[ Sharon pauses. She looks at him again with that eerie curiosity in her silver eyes. she then turns to look at Ruby, who's standing in the door way. Sharon nods for Ruby to stay put.]

Be prepared, Bishop. This may be the last thing you EVER do.

[ She warns with a solemn tone as she lowers the force field and disengages the lock on the isolette. She stands aside and gestures for Bishop to step forward and see, take hold of his baby. She places her silver eye mask back over her eyes as well. Watching with an uncertain facial expression ]

 

[Bishop]

Aerie - The Nursery

Sharon just stared at him. He stared back. He was not afraid of her. He was tired. Though he was sure he could take her down if he needed to, he didn’t have the energy to fight her. He was a man with nothing left to lose.

Be prepared, Bishop. This may be the last thing you EVER do.

He smirked at her.

“Do you think I’m afraid of dying?”

He stepped forward, and reached down into the bassinette. He lifted the tiny bundle, he cradled it in his arms. He gazed down into the little face. She had his dark hair, and Delilah’s blue eyes…

Bishop smiled.

“Alexia Morgana…”

He could not takes his eyes off her, though he explained to Sharon.

“We talked about it once, a long time ago. Just a hypothetical – nothing we ever thought would become reality. Her fallen teammate and her best friend.”

He just stood there, smiling down at his daughter, gently rocking her in his arms.

 

[Prophet]

Minerva's Observatory

As soon as it began, it had ended.

"Circe isn't messing around. The last time I felt something like that was during the INFERNO!"

Everything slowly was returning to normal as Cameron fought back feelings of naseau. But he had no time to worry about as a TEAR in the atmosphere began to OPEN up as a creature unlike anything Cameron had ever seen. THE WRAITH CREATURE.

Charope: It's a WRAITH. They are inter dimensional worms that grow into powerful, ruthless predators! They feed on the flesh, blood and MARROW of humans, especially mutants! They...

Before she could finish speaking the wraith CHARGED Alycia as it shot BLASTS of glowing red energy at the Amazon, to which she promptly dodged with the aid of her Feminum bracelets. It was breathtaking to see Alycia in such a place of power. She may have been merely human but Cameron had never really seen her that way. She was a TITAN in every field she ever entered, and that alone showed the power that she had.

The beams shot out once more, but Prophet did not move forward. They were in lines for a reason. He had no idea what else could appear before them and if they exhausted themselves early on, they would most certainly fail. So now, he watched, in amazement as Charope and Arsenal took on the first line of defense. Prophet stood his ground, his telekinetic katana CRACKLING and swirling with electric red pure and RAW PSI Energy as he could feel the heat from Firebird behind him.

 

[Firebird]

Observatory

It was rare that Blaze felt like she wanted to get off a ride at an amusement park, especially one that moved SLOWLY!? But as the temporal warp subsided, she felt VERY queasy as she lowered herself down on the ground

"Yuck. Not fun."

Then a monstrous, ugly creature literally came out of thin air, tearing its way into their space! Firebird's apple green eyes stare in disbelief as the creature makes itself known to be large and wanting to be in charge.

She tightens her stance and battle readiness, hearing Alycia's warning about the creature until...

"ALYCIA!"

The creature attacks with deadly eye beams. Alycia parries and deflects the blasts with her feminum bracelets!

"ALRIGHT!"

The fire elemental was relieved to see Charope evade the attacks!

Alycia was holding his initial attacks at bay but nothing this big ugly would stop there. Firebird was ready to assist if necessary. She'd barbeque big, tall and ugly! She saw Prophet, he was ready too. But they couldnt afford any impulsive moves. Circe's evil magick might unlease more surprises and they had to keep the blocking of the witches tight to make sure they could defend the mansion and the island from the vicious magick storm outside and all around this place.

"Be ready for ANYTHING!"

She calls out to Prophet as she keeps her apple green eyes focused on the hideous monster

 

[Rampage]

Rampage and Spellbinder make their way deeper into what now seemed to be a magic-fueled labyrinth. As they made their way farther into the building, the sounds of magic began to minimize until there was quiet. Actually, more than quiet. DISQUIET.

He could hear whispers as they entered a stony room. It was not long before he pinpointed the source of the whispers. This was literally a macabre trophy room. A room dedicated to those that fought Medusa-if we can call it that-and LOST.

These statues...there's more of them here than anywhere else that we've seen so far...

<< She inspected one closely...and as she GENTLY touched it with her gloved hand...she thought she heard the cry of an OLD MAN [Nicolas sensed the consciousness of a man petrified by Medusa LONG AGO] as the statue seemed to SNAP from its cemented place on the ground beneath, fall back and SHATTER>>

<< She cries with a start as she stumbles back a bit...>>

I ...I barely touched it...I

I know Spellbinder. But it is no normal stone, it...SHH!! Follow me and be very quiet.

Nicolas 'felt' her before he heard her, but just barely. MEDUSA. And she was on the hunt, a hunt that she had won for centuries. And he HAD to find a way to make her lose this one. He extended his shadow to obscure them and used his psionics to help them blend further. But she was a visceral, primal hunter. She used her hearing, smell, sight to hunt and kill. And she was getting CLOSER.

A SNAKE!? and it sounds so...CLOSE....and LARGE...like...

SHHHH!!!

He had to do something. Morgan was not the silent type.

<< She looks at Rampage with anxiety and ANGUISH in her violet eyes as he moves her back behind and then backs them up, positioning them behind a large pillar, with another STATUE just to her immediate right. her violet eyes shift to the statue, then to Nicolas before peering over his shoulder to see...>>

HECATE!? what...what is THAT!? NICOLAS!?

<< She WHISPERS with a fearful tone as mystich chimes sound off and she grips her Soul Sword tightly...>>

This was not going to work. He had to handle this himself and AWAY from Morgan. He looks into her face and mouths, STAY HERE.

Nicolas teleports across the room, emerging from a shadow and picking up a rock. Tossing it with practiced skill he hits Medusa HARD in the side of the head. She is far too powerful t be seriously injured, but not so tough that her temple was not cut and bleeding. She hissed with anger as she turned to find...NOTHING. Nicolas had already teleported back beside Morgan, motioning for continued quiet as he moved her a bit farther away from the Titan. He then leaned in and whispered.

You must stay hidden. I have a job to do. Be ready to disk out should you be discovered. Be right back.

Nicolas left in a shadow...

...emerging now to the other side where he fired off a psionic bolt. Now THAT was going to hurt. He spoke to the Titan.

MEDUSA!! Time to die.

He had moved again in the shadows by the time she had even registered the voice's direction.

 

[Arsenal]

SHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIT!!

Finally, after what seemed like FOREVER, he could move. He wished it was all good news. Unfortunately, what looked like a praying mantis from hell came out of...uh...NOTHING and started looking for someone to hit. Alycia made like Encyclopedia Arcana and described it down to its favorite foods (marrow? REALLY?) and then proceeded to deflect the LAZERS from its eyes.

Firebird! Prophet!! Hold until I say different, stay with the witches and hand tight!!

Mike threw out what looked to be three strange disks under the creature. After a second, the three disks discharged electricity that arced into the creature, damaging the right forelimb and appearing to stun it a little. Arsenal fired hellfire at the other forelimb and motioned for Charope to flank it so as to limit exposure to its beams as they wore it down.

 

[Silver Swan]

Infirmary- Nursery

He stepped forward, and reached down into the bassinette. He lifted the tiny bundle, he cradled it in his arms. He gazed down into the little face. She had his dark hair, and Delilah’s blue eyes…

Bishop smiled.

“Alexia Morgana…”

He could not takes his eyes off her, though he explained to Sharon.

“We talked about it once, a long time ago. Just a hypothetical – nothing we ever thought would become reality. Her fallen teammate and her best friend.”

He just stood there, smiling down at his daughter, gently rocking her in his arms.

[ Sharon looked on, silently exhaling and standing down her own personal alert as she saw that Bishop was not vaporized by the baby's energy aura. Indeed, the baby girl seemed to respond to him positively]

[ It was touching, even to the mutate, to here Bishop explaining the naming of the baby. For moment, she thought of her own son, Kyle Kelly. The months she spent carrying him inside of her. The moments RIGHT AFTER she gave birth to him. All the hopes and dreams she and Robert had for their baby boy. She remembered his big bright blue eyes...and his little rosy cheeks. She remembered....she could never...EVER...forget.]

It's very touching. An honor to Alexis Quartermaine, her fallen teammate; and to Morgan Victoria and the lifetime of friendship they've shared

[ Here now, seeing Bishop with his and Delilah's baby, listening to her name...it was A testimony to Delilah's friendship with Morgan and also their fallen team mate, Alexis Quartermaine, a confirmation of Delilah's own private hopes and dreams for a future, something she had obviously shared with Bishop in times past. Now that future was here...though sadly she was not here to see the dawn of it herself.]

But the heartbreak that Morgan and the others will feel...

[ And why? THAT was the question that still lingered in Sharon's mind. The baby didnt destroy Bishop and though Sharon was well nigh invulnerable, her dark energy signature hadnt manifested since the moment of her birth and Sharon took her away from the delivery room after the three of the attending staff were lost]


[ Sharon looks at Bishop and the baby. Her facial expression HAD softened a bit but once again hardened back into the serious, cold countenance she was now known for. She placed her silver eye mask back on]

Clearly that wild manifestation of dark energy in the delivery room was some kind of REACTION, a RELEASE of some sort. The baby is a mutant, as was her mother. But typically, mutants do not manifest their abilities until the onset of adolescence or puberty. There is something odd about this infant. And Delilah's death...it shouldn't have happened. Her body was prepared for childbirth. She had a stronger physical constitution than a normal baseline human...and I spent months training and preparing her using amazonian midwife techniques.

Something happened...for the sake of her friends and family in the Six...I must find out what.

You may stay here with the baby, but for the safety and security of the staff, the infirmary and to avoid possible danger from ABOVE...do NOT leave this nursery with her, is that clear?

[ Satisfied that Bishop understood, she turns on her silver high heel and exits the room. Where she's going, he can't be certain. But she will return soon enough]

 

[Spellbinder]

Medusa's lair

<< Spellbinder's Soul Sword reacts to the extreme danger that is now in the auditorium, this creature, Medusa...Spellbinder had only heard of her in stories and myths...but she had also learned many times over that things, people and even CREATURES often considered MYTH by the general populace, usually were REAL or had some basis in reality. Medusa was no exception...how unfortunate and TERRIFYING for Spellbinder.>>

<< Rampage remained remarkably composed as he did his best to keep her hidden and QUIET. Spellbinder nodded with understanding as she remained still and quiet as this creature moved about the room. Every SOUND of Medusa made Morgan tighten and tense up with FEAR ...especially the slithering...the rattling of that large rattler on the end of her large, long serpentine lower body...and that growling she did. She was a MONSTER in every sense of the word!>>

RAMPAGE!?

<< She unexpectedly SHOUTS to him, allowing him to HEAR her thoughts! THAT was something he wasn't expecting....and the unintended distraction would cost him DEARLY in a few seconds.>>

WHAT, in the goddess' name are you DOING!? don't antagonize her!!! she's a dangerous monster! she'll....

<< Spellbinder gasps as Medusa ATTACKS!>>

 

[Seer]

Medusa

Nicolas 'felt' her before he heard her, but just barely. MEDUSA. And she was on the hunt, a hunt that she had won for centuries. And he HAD to find a way to make her lose this one. He extended his shadow to obscure them and used his psionics to help them blend further. But she was a visceral, primal hunter. She used her hearing, smell, sight to hunt and kill. And she was getting CLOSER.


He had to do something. Morgan was not the silent type.



This was not going to work. He had to handle this himself and AWAY from Morgan. He looks into her face and mouths, STAY HERE.

Nicolas teleports across the room, emerging from a shadow and picking up a rock. Tossing it with practiced skill he hits Medusa HARD in the side of the head. She is far too powerful t be seriously injured, but not so tough that her temple was not cut and bleeding. She hissed with anger as she turned to find...NOTHING. Nicolas had already teleported back beside Morgan, motioning for continued quiet as he moved her a bit farther away from the Titan. He then leaned in and whispered.

Nicolas left in a shadow...

...emerging now to the other side where he fired off a psionic bolt. Now THAT was going to hurt. He spoke to the Titan.

MEDUSA!! Time to die.

He had moved again in the shadows by the time she had even registered the voice's direction.

<< Medusa's rattler indicated her increased level of agitation, ANGER and agression. She raised up...after recoiling in PAIN and crumbling when being hit by Rampage's psi bolt. But not even THAT was enough to bring her down permanently. As she raised up...she looked this way and that, drawing her bow and an arrow, preparing to let it fly.>>

<< She lowered herself just a bit, growling as she continued to search...nothing yet. But prey NEVER escaped this place with their life.>>

<< Suddenly, by a most unlikely wind of chance, Rampage is DISTRACTED by a very emotional Spellbinder, who is nearly beside herself at t he thought of a giant snake creature stalking her about the halls of this place. She calls out to him, allowing him PAST her psi screen so that they don't have to TALK and be heard by the creature. But the suddenly awareness and "HEARING" of thoughts from a source he hasn't been able to touch in some time, coupled with her "SHOUTING" with such fear and distress distracts him long enough for Medusa to catch his location and FORM.>>

<< She moves with an odd "grace" about her motions and takes aim, FIRING her arrow as it zoom, slicing through the air and into Rampage's ARM. The deadl neuro toxin SHOULD paralyze him long enough for her to FINISH him with her deadly power. So she expects, as she quickens her speed and approach toward him>>

 

[Rampage]

RAMPAGE!?

<< She unexpectedly SHOUTS to him, allowing him to HEAR her thoughts! THAT was something he wasn't expecting....and the unintended distraction would cost him DEARLY in a few seconds.>>

WHAT, in the goddess' name are you DOING!? don't antagonize her!!! she's a dangerous monster! she'll....

This voice in his head...MORGAN?!

Morgan, try to relax, what I am doing is very dang--URK!

He is staggered as the arrow slips into his arm. He reacts quickly to extract it, but not quickly enough as the beast is moving upon him at a rate that seems to be mor quickly than he can burn through the legendary toxin...he speaks back through the interface between them.

RUN Morgan!!

 

[Spellbinder]

Temple-Medusa's lair

<< Even as Rampage responds and admonishes Spellbinder via their newly established (by her choice) telepathic rapport...he is PAINFULLY ambushed and struck by Medusa's arrow.>>

NICOLAS!

<< From behind the pillar, largely hidden by shadows, Spellbinder watches in horror, her violet eyes widen with dismay as the creature closes in on Rampage, who is struggling but not succumbing to the effects of the poison arrow.>>

NO! I've got to do something!

<< She didnt act on foolish impulse and rush out to confront the creature. In fact, the only reason she had not been turned to stone by now is because She and Medusa had not looked eye to eye yet. But seeing the form of this creature made Morgan's heart SKIP more than a few beats as she swallowed hard.>>

<< She steps to the side of the pillar, raising her soul sword and pointing out toward the creature. taking aim, she silently casts a spell of HELLFIRE, channeling it through her soul sword & its mystic flame. there's an odd rushing sound as the sword fires a BLAST of silver mystic hellfire at Medusa...but alas, Spellbinder's FEAR and trembling form causes her aim to be off! the blast MISSES hitting Medusa dead center, BUT it does graze her BACK just enough to cause her to divert her approach on Rampage. Now the creature is writing in pain as she recoils and pulls away. retreating out of sight. Spellbinder knew this wasn't over.>>

Nicolas!

<< She comes out from behind the pillar, preparing to come to his aid, not wanting to leave him to face Medusa alone. Nicolas is struggling with the poison from the arrow, but he's pulled the arrow out of his arm. She knows he has a HIGH level of resitance to a variety of poisons due to his pisonically powered mind and body...but he shouldnt be alone at this moment. Spellbinder wont leave him to stand alone against this monster gorgon.>>

 

[Rampage]

<< She steps to the side of the pillar, raising her soul sword and pointing out toward the creature. taking aim, she silently casts a spell of HELLFIRE, channeling it through her soul sword & its mystic flame. there's an odd rushing sound as the sword fires a BLAST of silver mystic hellfire at Medusa...but alas, Spellbinder's FEAR and trembling form causes her aim to be off! the blast MISSES hitting Medusa dead center, BUT it does graze her BACK just enough to cause her to divert her approach on Rampage. Now the creature is writing in pain as she recoils and pulls away. retreating out of sight. Spellbinder knew this wasn't over.>>

Nicolas!

Morgan!! HIDE!!

Nicolas was already feeling much better. Spell had bought him enough time with her salvo. But he knew she was scared to death...her aim was horrible. So back to the hunt.

Nicolas needed to find MEDUSA before she found MORGAN. Luckily for him he had a way to keep track...

 

[Spellbinder]

Terror

<< Spellbinder hesitated...and then...sensing that she should just do as she was told in this situation...she quickly hid behind another pillar, with a few statues near by, hopefully adding to her cover.>>

<< She felt like her heart beat was as loud as the crashes of thunder outside. But that was just her own fear magnifying her body's symphony of fright inside of her.>>

Oh Nicolas....she's TERRIFYING!

<< Medusa DID represent one of Morgan's worst fears, taking it to a new level. But she HAD managed to do what she could to help Nicolas, saving him from being killed by Medusa just now.>>

<< Rampage moved about the room...looking around, his own fearsome form made him as formidable as Medusa's but she could still turn HIM to stone with one eye to eye glance.>>


<< Morgan's mind raced. She thought of Blaze, her mother, DELILAH...minerva's aerie, the mansion...the vision...CIRCE... ALL of it. She had a job to do. STOP CIRCE! But how could she...when this MONSTER was now circling around them...HUNTING them!? An unfortunate side effect for NICOLAS now sharing a temporary telepathinc rapport with Spellbinder was that now Morgan's thoughts and FEAR were broadcasting louder than ANYTHING else on his radar of the astral plane at the moment. He knew how terrified she was of snakes or anything snake-like...and a LESSER telepath or empath could be swept up BY her fear at the rate her psychic resonance was broadcasting. But he was stronger than most. He held firm, determined to be the champion Athena, Hecate and Demeter knew him to be. Their words ringing in his mind, piercing through Spellbinder's fearful [and unintended] broadcast. >>

<< the moments passed like HOURS in her mind and honest, even Nicolas was perplexed. with every trace or sense he picked up of Medusa, he'd catch only the passing of her shadow along a wall, or the vibration of her movement across the floor. he avoided another shot from an arrow, which slammed into a statue, making it fall into the ornamental pool , ANOTHER one hits a floor torch before hitting the floor.>>

<< As Rampage reorients himself...he is overwhelmed with PANIC. Not his...but SPELLBINDER'S. Chimes sound off...>>

NICOLAS.....HELP ME!!!

<< He turns...as the WIND seems to SCREAM all around him... to find Spellbinder...and MEDUSA, who had silently lowered herself down, slithering down the pillar and now having spiraled herself AROUND the pillar...AND Spellbinder, trapping her TIGHTLY. PAINFULLY crushing her!>>

<< Spellbinder's heart rate, her mental processes...they are ALL in a state of PANIC, bordering on CATATONIA.>>

Spellbinder....Close your eyes! RIGHT NOW! Don't open them for ANY REASON!

<< Spellbinder shuts her eyes TIGHTLY...her face is contorted in fear and anguish...her teeth chattering....as Medusa slowly and silent twists around, leaning her upper body in close to Morgan, her face and her dreadful SNAKE hair now RIGHT beside Spellbinder's terrified, closed eyes and face. Spellbinder's breathing is erratic...even as Medusa seems to look upon her with curiosity, SAVORING this moment.>>

 

[Seer]

Medusa's last scare

<< Moments like these are the stuff or Spellbinder's NIGHTMARES. Only this time, there is no WAKING because it is REAL. Spellbinder has just been encircled by MEDUSA, the terrifying gorgon of myth, legend...FACT.>>

<< Rampage is staggered by the sheer WAVE of Spellbinder's PANIC. If Shadow Weaver and Firebird were not fighting for their very lives just now, even THEY, along with PROPHET, a high order telempath would register Spellbinder's utter PANIC across the astral plane!>>

<< But her CHAMPION is not faint of heart. The goddesses know that. HE knows that. Medusa is a fearsome foe indeed and NO ONE has lived to tell the tale of encountering her....but HE is a fearsome foe HIMSELF. A demigod not unlike ANOTHER myth/legend who probably just had yet to appear before the Six, PERSEUS.>>

<< Medusa hisses and then her face CONTORTS into a terrifying demonic visage, her eyes glowing a spectral BLUE/WHITE, that same light emitting from her opened, fanged MOUTH as well. ALL of the snakes that comprise her "hair" are following suit as well as she ATTACKS Spellbinder with her most terrifying power, the power to turn a person to STONE with one look! But spellbinder keeps her eyes shut TIGHTLY, CRYING OUT with terror.>>


<< Rampage's AXE called to him to be drawn as Medusa took a moment to inspect the nearly catatonic Spellbinder. If Rampage didn't connect with her via their telepathic rappor NOW, it would be too late. She would be completely unresponsive. He SHOUTS to get her attention, to SNAP her out of being COMPLETELY carried away by the wave of primal panic! >>

SPELLBINDER! LISTEN TO MY VOICE! ON MY MARK, TELEPORT! USE YOUR POWER & DISC AWAY! DON'T LET GO ...HOLD ON TO MY VOICE! 1.....2....3

<<FLASH!>>

<< 3 way horizontal view. MEDUSA attacking. SPELLBINDER, eyes shut tightly, her SCREAMING in terror. RAMPAGE, axe drawn, eyes glowing, SPARKING with red energy>>

GO! NOW!

<< Spellbinder's SCREAM is accented by a CRASH of thunder and mystic chimes...the kind that were heard the night the INFERNO began. A FLASH of light heralds the opening of a stepping disc! She TELEPORTS...the disc closes, she is GONE.>>

<< Medusa falls down but is IMMEDIATELY upright again, having FAILED to petrify Spellbinder, she IMMEDIATELY moves to turn and attack RAMPAGE, to claim HIM as another one of her trophies.>>

<< Here she COMES...in all of her ancient, unholdy, deadly gorgon FURY!>>