Alex Watson

Alex Watson the Village Guard/Paladin
This page is dedicated to the character Alex Watson, the boy from Arcad who went from being a lowly village guard to a Paladin, the greatest icon of justice.

Alex left the village of Arcad with Ellie. soon after a royal messenger visited with their elder requesting help. Help was formally denied, but Alex decided to leave on his own accord, having visions of meeting, and hopefully joining, the Paladins. Ellie tagged along, hiding away from them at first, but eventually being discovered and travelling together with Alex and the Messenger.

More details to come...

Chapters Taken From His Life
This section is where actual bits ripped from the story will be posted.

The Day Everything Changed

Alex opened his eyes to another peaceful spring morning. He sat up, yawned, and took a peek outside his window. The sun was shining, the grass was growing, and the sky was blue. -Ahh, Arcad...not a place like it in the world.- He smiled as he scootched himself out of bed. He spryly walked over to his dresser and pulled out his tunic for the day. He sniffed it. -MMmm...freshly cleaned.- He slipped on his clothes and grabbed his village guard armor and his sword. He hurried down the stairs for a quick breakfast of eggs, and went on his way to his post.

Alex enjoyed the life of a village guard. Sure, they occasionally woke you up in the middle of the night to defend against some bandit or rabid animal, but they never put up much of a fight. The rest of the time, he was able to be with his guard friends. He may have only been 16, but he made fast buds with the older guys of the guard. He loved listening to their stories, a trait he sustained from his childhood years.

He was walking while he slipped on his armor. There wasn't much, just pauldrons, greaves, forearm guards, and a breastplate. His helmet was kept at the barracks. He strapped on his sword, but it felt heavier today. He stopped and pulled it out of it's sheathe. He remembered the day he got this sword, when that unnamed hero came and saved him from that evil warlock and his demon wolves. He was proud to wield this blade. He sheathed it again, forgetting why he had drawn it to begin with, and happily whistled a tune on his way.

It wasn't long before Alex was posted for the day. He was with Tom, a fellow guard, but one who was much older than Alex. Tom was 28, and an exceptional guard. Tom was the guard that every other guard wanted to be like, to be as good as. Alex was the only one who could match Tom in a one on one fight in just about every aspect.

Alex was only as good as him because Alex had spent most of his childhood days training in the ways of the sword. Ever since that incident with the wolves all those years ago, he had dedicated himself to the sword and little else. He pretty much abandoned his schooling. It's not like he enjoyed that school anyway. Though, there was a reason for him to keep going back each day.

"Hey, whatever happened with you and that Ellie girl?" Tom broke in.

"What do you mean?" Alex replied, his head kinda tilted.

"Yknow, do you think you'll ever, oh, I don't know, marry her?" Alex was taken aback.

"You know as well as I her parents would never stand for that."

"Well, why not?"

"They would never let her be caught dead with the likes of me."

"But, you are of merchant descent, aren't you?" This time it was Tom with the tilted head.

"You'd be right, but it's not like I'm peddaling my wares to the roving thieves, now am I?"

Tom laughed. "Yeah, I guess you're right."

Alex looked over the grassy plains. They were so vast, just an endless sea of green, rolling in the wind, with just a single dirt path into town. He looked back into Arcad, and saw all the buildings and architectural wonders that just a few men and some dedication put together. It was hard to believe that almost a decade ago, this place was the center of a warlock uprising.

It was then that Alex heard Tom shout, "Oi, who goes there?"

Alex looked down and saw a man dressed in simple garb with a spear on his back. He seemed a bit out of breath, as if he'd been running. "I need...to speak...with the chieften..."

Tom and Alex exchanged looks. Alex nodded and turned his head back to the man. "I'll take you to him." Alex came down from his watch and led the man inside. As the two were walking, Alex decided to ask about his visit. "So, what business do you have with the chieften?"

The man simply said "It's something I need to speak with him about, and only him." Alex decided not to press the issue. He simply led the man to his destination.

It didn't take long for the man to exit the chieften's cabin. He came out with a negative look on his face. Alex decided to ask again. "Sir, could you tell me what you need?"

"I was just looking for some help with something, that's all." The man looked like he was about to leave.

"Sir, help with what?"

"That's not important. I didn't find help here, and that's all. I need to be on my way."

He started to leave when Alex grabbed his arm. "Maybe I'd like to help."

The man looked Alex over after releasing himself from Alex's grip. "Are you sure you'd like to help? You'd have to leave all this behind."

Alex thought for a moment, then looked back up at the man. "Yes, I'd like to help."

The man looked around and asked Alex if there was a tavern nearby. Alex nodded and motioned for the man to follow him.

"Ok, there has been a great disturbance in the lands to the east."

"What, the patchwork lands?"

"I guess, if that's what you call them." The man took a sip of his water. "There's an evil of unspeakable power rising, and I've been sent out to seek help from these lands."

Alex listened intently to the man's story of duty and rejection. He had been all over the western plains, searching for help. "So, when do I need to be prepared to leave?"

The man looked up at him. "By early tomorrow morning."

"Can I say goodby to anyone?"

"Only if you don't reveal the details of the mission."

Alex nodded as he paid for the man's night in the inn. Tomorrow...his world changed.

It was late and the sun had set when Alex was relieved of duty. He was so anxious to get home that he almost knocked Ellie clean on her rear while he was hurrying home.

"Oh, I'm so sorry!" He reached out and grabbed her arm before she could fall and pulled her back up.

"Well, it seems you're still as absent minded as ever." Ellie poked.

"Well, excuuuuse me, but I'm in a hurry to get home."

"And why, pray tell, would that reason be, hmm?" Ellie folded her arms.

"Well, there was this man today. He and I are going to be leaving tomorrow, and I need to get my supplies ready."

Michelle looked at him oddly. "And...where are you going?"

"Uhh...east. Some city in the east." They walked toward Alex's house. "And I'll be leaving early in the morning, so I need to get as much rest as possible." Ellie looked away in a bit of disappointment.

"Sooo...how long until you come back?"

Alex and her stopped walking. "I...don't know. But I know it will be a long time." He turned to her and gave her a hug. "Since I don't think you'll be awake when I leave, I want to tell you goodbye now." He broke the hug. "I'll see you when I get back." He took off for his house. It was going to be a long night, and he was not going to get any sleep.

On The Road

Alex and the man walked quietly down the dirt road. The man had formally introduced himself earlier that morning when they left the village of Arcad. He said his name was Joe, and that he was an envoy of the queen herself. Alex wouldn't have believed him if the scroll he read didn't have the seal of Her Majesty on it.

"So now that we are far enough from the village, will you divulge more details about this mission of ours?" He asked Joe, not batting an eye from the road ahead.

"I wasn't given many details, to be perfectly honest. I was just told to seek out potential heroes and employ them in Her Majesty's service for a mission of dire importance out in the east." Joe shrugged. "That's all. I know that it is very dangerous."

Alex had thought about it all night in his bedroom. An epic quest for glory and honor to save this vast kingdom that might end in his very death. Just what a paladin would do. He would have daydreamed about the astounding ballads the bards would sing about him for much longer, had Joe not grabbed Alex by the arm. His head spun back, and Joe only put up a finger to his mouth.

"We're being followed." He mouthed. Alex's eyes went wide. He was a little excited about this. He had been trained in multiple forms of armed combat as a guard, but this wasn't the village anymore. This could be a group of bandits. Small enought not to have the guts to attack a settlement, but plenty to attack two men.

The two of them spun around, their senses firing on all cylinders. They scanned the surrounding grass. Each blade was at least up to Alex's shoulders, and there were trees dotting the landscape as well. Someone could easily hide if they stayed silent.

Joe heard the noise first and pointed toward a patch off to their left. Alex drew his sword and ventured forth first, Joe arming himself with his spear and staying back.

With some effort, Alex managed to move the grass out of the way to catch a glimpse of what was in the grass. Some material...not something you'd make armor out of. And it wasn't dirty enough to be a bandits. This was high class silk. He knew because his father would sell it in Arcad. And he even remembered this design. They had sold it to...

"Ellie!" Alex shouted in surprise and the body stiffened a bit. He waved back to Joe and sheathed his own weapon before going a bit further and confirming it. The pair of them walked out, Ellie dusting herself off and curtseying to Joe.

"Now what are you doing out here? Why are you following us?"

Ellie looked physically uncomfortable, but she knew that she would get caught eventually. "Well...er..." She looked around, as if hoping to find an answer in the sky or the grass.

"We should escort her back, her family must be worried sick."

Ellie's eyes went wide. "Wait! Please don't take me back...I don't want to go back. And I left a letter explaining what I was doing for my parents. So please...I want to go with you."

Joe eyed Alex cautiously. "Did you tell her about our mission?"

Alex shook his head. "Only that we were heading east. That's seriously everything I told her."

Ellie perked up. "Mission?" She got visibly excited by that word. "Ooo what kind of mission? Is it dangerous?"

Alex could only laugh at the spectacle. She was just the same way he was, always wanting to go on adventures, being the tough tomboy. "Yup, very dangerous." He teased.

Joe looked at him irritatedly. "So I'm guessing you plan on bringing her?"

Alex nodded. "Yeah, and don't worry. She's not as helpless as that dress implies. She can hold her own in a fight." He turned to Ellie. "As long as the village knows, then I don't see a problem with it. It will be nice to have someone I know there."

She smiled big and took Alex's arm. "Then let's go!" She pointed down the path and they walked.

Ellie stretched back and yawned as she sat on the stump. She looked at Alex and Joe, her two travelling companions. It was only a few days ago that everything was the same old grind. Now she was on the road with her best friend and a messenger from the queen. 'What a change of pace...' She thought to herself.

Life on the road was quite a bit harder than she had imagined. Since she didn't bring any supplies with her in her haste, they had to split up whatever they had until they hit the next village. There, she had sold her dress and got travel worthy clothes: A simple tunic with a leather breastplate, a pair of pants not unlike Alex's, and some sturdy boots. They had asked if she wanted a weapon, but she declined. When they asked how she would fight, she merely winked and said "Now that's my secret," And laughed.

'I hope we don't fight anything on the roads.' She thought to herself. But she had heard the tales of bandits and brigands on these roads. Her peace of mind was only afforded to her because of men like Alex, willing to risk life and limb to keep peace and make everyone happy. He was really good at his job, to. Apparently he was the best swordsman. It reminded her of how they met in school.

Ellie was a new kid in school. Just moved from a big city to this out in the boondocks village. She wasn't used to all the dirt and grass and trees and such. It was a nice place, with cobble roads and wood cottages. She just wasn't used to this place yet.

And as such, being the new kid, she got picked on just for being new. "Oh look, it's little miss fancy curls! Didja get lost and wind up here? You gonna cry?" The other kids would laugh, even though it made no sense. She would just not pay attention to them, and they would go away eventually.

She had to study hard, because she wanted to be smart. She was always told that smart girls got what they wanted, and she wanted to be her own person. She hated that she was always picked on and defined by her parent's wealth. She vowed to make her own way.

Well, she was walking home one day in the rain when three of those bully kids blocked the road. "Where ya goin?" The prodded into her business.

"I'm going home to study for the test, like you three buffoons should." She tried to walk past them.

"Oh, that's a big word for such a small girl." They laughed again and grabbed her book and opened it. "What's in here? More big words?"

"Don't open that, you're gonna ruin the pages!" She tried to snatch it, but one of the bullies smacked her away from it.

"No grabbin from Matt!" He yelled, his voice very nasaly from his sinuses.

"Oi, there's nothing worth learning in this book!" Matt threw the book at Ellie. "You wasted my time! And that makes me angry! Do you know what I do when I'm angry?" He started walking towards Ellie.

She was about to say something when, through the rain, she heard "Oh, I dunno, throw a tantrum in the corner?" She looked behind her to see a boy with a stick, holding it like a sword, pointed at Matt.

"Oh, Alex got a smart mouth now?" Matt pointed at him. 'Alex...?' Ellie thought. 'Isn't he that failure of a kid in my class?'

"Matt, you leave this girl alone, or you answer to me: Alex the Paladin!" This sent Matt and the other kids into uproarous laughter, and even Ellie chuckled a bit.

"Paladin?! Man, what a loser!" Alex spit in Matt's direction and charged at him, swinging his sword over his head and bopping it on the bully's head. "Ow!" Matt went spiralling down to the ground, konked out. The other two raised their fists and ran at Alex. Ellie managed to trip one and his face smashed into the cobblestone road. The other got a side smack from Alex's stick.

After all the bullies were on the ground, Alex walked over to where Ellie was sitting. She had turned around by this point, her entire body soaked from the rain. He had offered a hand up, but she threw a rock right by his head. He heard a familiar "Ow!" and he turned to see Matt lying on the ground again. Alex laughed as Ellie picked up her stuff off the ground. "Thank's for the help, but I coulda handled them." She turned to walk away.

"Here, let me help you." Alex walked up beside Ellie and took a few books from her. "My name's Alex, and I'm gonna be a great Paladin one day. What's yours?" She huffed. "Ellie."

"Well, Ellie, if you ever need help, you just call for me, got it? I'll come and help whenever you need!" He smiled, some of his teeth missing from all the fights he got into. And Ellie did. Whenever she got into trouble, Alex was always there to help out.

Ellie was snapped back to the real world when Alex squatted by her side and put his hand over her mouth. Her eyes went wide and looked down at him, but he only put his finger up over his mouth to tell her to remain quiet. She obliged and scanned around in the darkness. Nothing stood out, but obvoiusly there had to be something amiss.

Alex quickly pulled her off the stump as an arrow whizzed by her head. They landed with a thud as Joe disappeared into the grass and a manly death scream was heard throughout the night. He returned with a bloody spear and a grizzly head. It was dirty and hairy. "We have brigands on our trail."

Another arrow protruded out of his knee. He looked down in shock, his blood dripping from the flint arrowhead. He looked back up at Alex, and nodded in a direction before dropping to his uninjured knee so he could tend to his wound.

Alex peered out over the grass, and saw a glint in the darkness. He ducked just in time as another arrow flew over head. "Hey, why don't you come out and rob us like men, not cowards?" Ellie merely rolled her eyes at that line.

As if on cue, three men and two wolves appeared out of the tall grass. "Well, if you'd rather die by our blades."

Alex drew his blades. "I would." He smirked. "Ellie, stay back out of this."

She nodded and the brigands whistled. "Well aren't you just the pretty one. We might just keep you alive afterwards." The second brigand clicked his tongue and the two wolves lowered their bodies and leapt at the guard.

Alex sliced them down easily, they weren't trained like he was. The first cut passed through the wolf's mouth, getting lodged in it's spinal cord. Feeling the resistance, he let the blade go and grabbed the hilt of his second sword. He brought the flat side down hard on the second wolf's back, breaking it. He looked up at the brigands while pulling his first sword free. "How about you three next?"

The bandits each sweated a bit, but realized there were three of them. "We'll take you down with numbers, kid!" As he said that, a knife whistled through the air and lodged itself in the eye socket of the third hairy man. He fell to the ground, dead. Joe laughed. "I may have an arrow in my knee, but that doesn't make me useless!"

The other two men looked at eachother, and decided against waiting any longer. The one charged Alex with his axe, swinging wildly. "That sort of untrained attack will get you killed!" He grabbed a log that was part of the fire and swung it at the advancing man, catching his long and scraggly beard on fire. He screamed and fell face first onto the ground, and Alex easily sliced his head off.

The other man had ran towards Ellie, hoping to grab her and retreat. What he didn't know was that Ellie was far from helpless. She closed her eyes, concentrated, and a ball of dark energy enveloped the two wolf corpses. Once the forms were recognized, the ball split into two energy wolves. They easily pounced on the afraid man, and gnawed out his throat and guts.

When they were finished, the two wolves disippated into thin air and Ellie wiped her brow. She turned toward Alex and Joe, both looking a bit concerned and frightened of her now.

"Um...Ellie? What the hell was that?" Alex asked, more than a little weirded out. Joe looked ready to dispatch her with a throwing knife.

"Hold on, wait! That was my magical talent!" She threw up her hands and explained. "I've always been able to do this!"

"When did you learn to control it like that?" Alex asked, not any visibly calmer.

"That night, all those years ago. Remember the uprising?" This didn't serve to make her story any more solid. "Allow me to explain, but plese put the weapons away!"

They all sat around the fire, and she told them the story of how she learned her magic. Joe had struck out to take the night watch, knowing that this was a personal story. Alex questioned him, but he simply waved his hand in dismissal and told him to pay attention. This was important.

Ellie was running as fast as she could through tall grass. Her parents had bid her to run, telling her that nothing else mattered besides her safely getting to the next village. She was sent running with nothing but her clothes.

The grass whacked her in the face as she kept up a pace that burned her legs and chest. Her shoes weren't made for running, either. She had abandoned them, and wasn't sure if she regretted it or not. They offered protection from any rocks, sticks, or small animals in this ocean of dark green, but they also gave her annoying amounts of pain and restricted her running. She decided that losing the shoes was the best bet.

The screams of the village were fading behind her, the red glow of what she could only think was fire seemed quite a fair distance away from her now. She had remembered that the village guard was rousing late at night, and the alarms were going off. That wasn't anything new. There were plenty of brigands who tried to raid the houses. But her parents woke her up especially for this. Something was wrong.

It had turned out that many of the sages in the village used bad magic. Dark magic they called it. They were rising up, tired of being repressed for so long. They were going to take over. It was a rebellion, they called it.

Ellie didn't care what it was, she was scared. She ran, just as her parents had told her. She was far enough away now...no one should be able to find her. She slowed her pace and realized she was very cold right now. She turned around, and realized that she may never see anyone she knew again.

She almost ran back, right then and there, but she had to obey her parents. She needed to get to the neighboring village. Maybe get some help if she could. That was when she happened upon a clearing.

It was a small hut in the middle of a circle of the grass. It looked nice, a log cabin with some more wood piled outside. It had a chimney with smoke billowing out of it. She almost stepped out of her cover, except she heard some voices. They were angry.

They weren't immediately near her, probably around the front of the house. She tiptoed as quietly as she could towards a corner and peered out. Nothing. She crept towards the front of the house, and the voices grew louder.

"I understand that you decided to take up residency in solitude, but we need you! The uprising is happening, and you must help us!" A voice spoke, obviously very mad.

"I don't help those who call themselves your betters anymore. I cast off that cause long ago. Now I'm just a hermit. So please, if you are finished with you're babbling, I would appreciate it if you removed yourselves from my sight. The sooner, the better." That one sounded older than the other two. Much older.

"Fine, then if you aren't going to help us, then we were instructed to see you as an obstacle! We won't let you survive the night!" Another voice this time, different from the other two.

"Oh?" The older voice spoke, sounding pretty amused at that statement. "Here's a tip for you to consider in your very short lives." Paniced gasps and screams came from the two men. "Never tell someone you're going to kill them. It takes away the surprise, and allows them to...oh what's the word...I forget. I'm sure you'll think of it in your deaths." The screams grew muffled.

Ellie had poked her head around the corner just in time to see the two robed men sink into the ground, and the dirt fill in over them as if they didnt lie just beneath the surface. The older man saw Ellie...well, not really saw. More like sensed. "I'm assuming you're from Arcad as well?"

Ellie shirked back behind the corner, pushing herself flat against he wall and holding her breath.

"Now, if that's just not the rudest..." The old man sighed and walked closer. "You have nothing to fear from me, child." Ellie didn't believe him. She shut her eyes tight and got as tiny as she could. She was motionless. She couldn't run. As she felt the old man come close, something happened. Something that hadn't happened before. A small squirrel appeared infront of her.

She looked at the squirrel. He wasn't like any of the other squirrels she had seen, but he was really friendly. He looked...dark. Even for it being night, he looked dark. When the old man turned the corner, the squirrel jumped at him. In his surprise, he stumbled back, but he managed to grab the creature.

The old man brought the creature up to his face for closer inspection. Turning it around as it seemed to be paralyzed, much like Ellie. "Hmm...you're not just a normal little girl, are you? I think you should come inside for a nice hot drink." He smiled in a grandpa-like manner, and turned back to the door. Ellie finally stood up and slowly followed him in.

The inside was much like the outside. The walls were all wooden, as was the roof. The floor was made out of carpet. What the carpet was made out of thought, Ellie didn't know. There was a bookshelf lined with books, a makeshift bed, and a rocking chair facing a roaring brick fireplace. The old man sat down, then waved his hand as another rocking chair appeared nearby. "Come, take a seat. I would like to speak with you, if that's ok." Ellie caught her breath, but still walked over and sat in the summoned chair. "You, my dear, have a rare gift. You can summon things."

Ellie looked at the man as if he were crazy, which he quite possibly could be. "I...can use magic?"

"Yes, you are a mage. But, you use a magic that is shunned in this world and called Dark Magic." Ellie shirked from the phrase. "See? Even a user of it like yourself is scared of your gift. But do not be afraid, your magic is benevolent in nature, as far as I can tell." He looked at the girl, then back at the squirrel. "Did you recently see a dead squirrel?"

Ellie thought back. "Yes..." She croaked quietly. "A few days ago...it was in the road dead and it smelled bad..."

"That would explain it. See, summoners can only summon forth creatures that they have seen dead. Since this squirrel was in your subconcious, you brought it forth. And not bad for someone who didn't even examine it closely." The lifeless squirrel disappeared into a black flame. "I am also a summoner, much like yourself. Those two buffoons were trying to gain my assistance in some 'uprising'. Bah, people are already scared of us, why give them more reason to hate us? Just let them forget about the 'Dark Arts' and bring them back years from now as an ancient discovery! But those fools are too short sighted to understand." He sighed quite audibly.

Ellie just awkwardly rocked in her chair. "So...does that mean I'll be shunned to?"

"Unfortunately, yes. If you summon something in town, you will more than likely be cast out of the village, like I was. But, if you would be will..." He was interupted by Ellie.

"I forgot! My village is being attacked by those guys!" She yelled quickly.

"Calm down, sheesh. No need to scream. I know for a fact that nobody will be hurt in your village. This event will pass with no casualties and life will resume as normal."

Ellie was confused. "You mean...no one will die?" The old man nodded. She slumped in her chair and sighed. "How do you know?"

The man grinned again. "A friend of mine is visiting your village. He's...shall we say, a hero from an age long past. He will save your village."

Ellie smiled. "So...what did you want to ask, mister?"

"I was just going to ask if you would like me train you so that you can keep your magic hidden from narrow minded idiots." He shrugged. "Or I could make you stronger. Or we could to both, if you prefer."

Ellie thought for a moment. "I..." She thought back to that day she met that kid named Alex. How she couldn't do anything to help. "I want to be...stronger." She looked at the old man, who shrugged.

"Alright, it's your call. I'll let you spend the night here, but tomorrow you're going back to your family. And once a week, you'll come out here to train with me. Ok?"

"But...how will I find you again?" She asked.

"I will cast a spell on you so that you will remember the exact way here. Now let's get you tucked in." He motioned to the bed and Ellie yawned. She was very tired, so she sauntered over to the bed and fell asleep almost instantly.

The next day, her family welcomed her home, and she managed to catch a glimpse of the hero who was leaving. She was gonna be strong enough to protect this village one day. With dark magic.

"So that's why..." Alex said, a bit in awe. "You did it to protect the village."

Ellie nodded quickly. "Yes. Though, once I was powerful enough, the man's spell broke, and I forgot where his house is. He's alone again." She sighed.

"Well don't worry, you know I'm here for you when you need me." Alex quickly scrambled up and struck a heroic pose.

Ellie giggled. "Yes, yes you are." She smiled, and he smiled bigger.

They got what little sleep they could, and struck out again at morning light. The faster they got to the capital, the better off the world would be. But little did any of them know, this was going to be a brutal, arduous, and dark journey for those present, and those yet to be known. But they had to prevail...for the sake of all life on this planet.

Fight of the Insane Witch

"AHHHNOMAKEITSTOPMAKEITGOAWAYMAKETHEMGOAWAY!!" The screams echoed through the large hall. The corners reverberated with the intense pain that the small mage was experiencing. Her entire being was being erased and all she could do was bellow and rip out her own hair.

The blood started streaming down her face...only it wasn't just blood, it was also her magic. The physical manifestation of her magical power was streaming down her face as she screamed, wide eyed and curled into a ball. Alex quickly knelt beside her. "Tabitha, what's going on?!" He reached for her, his breath short. "StAYawAY fROM me..." She merely glanced at him and he went flying across the room and slammed into a wall. He slid down and slumped over.

Genn saw Alex flying and didn't hesitate. He grabbed Ellie as they dove behind some rocks. Ellie screamed "ALEX!!" as they thudded to the ground behind safety. The sheer density and weight of the surrounding air made it very difficult to catch her breath.

Tabitha slowly rose up, straightening herself out in midair, and turned towards the slouched Alex. Another wave smashed him against the solid rock before a shadow wolf lunged towards her. She smacked it away as it dissolved into smoke. She whipped her head back to where Alex was, and the spot was bare.

Genn had managed to pull Alex out of the line of fire in the nick of time, but he was still dazed. "Alex!" Genn lightly shook the knight.

"wha...genn...?" Alex lightly whispered, his head swimming in pain. "cOMe on OUt friENdssss..." A boulder firmly embedded itself in the wall behind Genn. "whY ArE yoU lEAviNg mE AlONe WiTh tHe VoiCeS...?" Gen picked up the unconscious Alex and bolted back to where Ellie was keeping this new monster distracted.

Ellie dove between the boulders, using them as cover from her old friend. It didn't matter how many wolves she threw at Tabby, as they seemed to simply be absorbed. "wHy Do yOU WaNt to HUrt Me...?" -I don't want to hurt Tabby...but you're not Tabby anymore...- Ellie spun to the right as a flurry of small pebbles, each the size of her thumbnail, smacked against the wall and turned to dust. Another pack of shadow wolves descended upon the floating menace, but again they were turned into magical energy and absorbed.

Genn returned to Ellie's side with Alex in tow. "We need to get out of here. There's no way we can stop her, but maybe we can seal her in." Ellie brought up the idea, but Genn refused it.

"There has to be some way to turn her back! She's different from the other mages...she must be able to turn back!" It was at that point that the boulder they had pressed their backs against gave way. And when I say gave way, I mean was absorbed by the floating package of insanity that threatened to turn the trio into nothing more than a bit of energy.

"i fOUnD You...dO I wiN?" Her head jerked to the sides, then bowed forward, as if to fall off her neck completely. The magical energy dribbled onto the floor and melted it away, almost like acid.

Alex had regained most of his consciousness by this point and stood up. "I'll take care of her..." He turned to Ellie, her face in a state of shock. "You'll what?" She barely had time to finish as Alex shoved the two of them back to the wall. "Get out of here you two!"

Genn was about to protest, but Ellie beat him to it. "I'm not leaving you here, Alex! I'll stay and distract her!" Tabby simply floated there, the magical energy creating a rather deep pit.

Alex promptly drew his sword and pointed it at the pair. "No, it's your job to beat this evil that is plaguing the land. This is my duty, the duty of a knight, to defend his charge to their last breath."

Genn was about to run forward, but Ellie caught him. "He can't hurt her! I won't let him!" He flailed in Ellie's grasp, but she held him back with some magical help. "We have to...go..." She almost whispered as she dragged him to the door of the chamber.

"Tabitha!" Genn yelled out as the door shut. As if on cue, more debris fell in front of the door, sealing off the chamber. Alex looked up at Tabitha, a small smile placing itself upon his lips. "Let's play a little game, okay Tabby?" he said with a soft, almost brotherly tone. Twisted and distorted laughter filled the chamber. "siNcE I wON tHe LasT GaME, I GET To ChOoSe tHis tiME!"

Genn pounded on the door, willing it to open, but to no avail. "TABITHA!!" He pounded till his fists were red and throbbing before crumpling to the ground. "Tabitha..." Tears fell from his eyes. It had been too long since tears fell from his eyes...He had all but forgotten the warmth of them.

Ellie just collapsed with her back against the wall, her eyes focused on nothing in particular. "How could you..." Genn turned to her. "How could you keep me from helping her?!" He clambered to his feet. "I might have been able to help her turn back! I could have saved her! Alex can't do that! Now he's going to die for what? Nothing!"

He advanced towards Ellie. He started screaming obscenities at the girl on the floor. She merely looked up at him with her vacant stare and broke out into many tears, but she didn't sob. Her face didn't change, the tears just came out. "There was nothing you could do..." She whispered.

"What did you just say?" Genn picked up Ellie by her collar. "Did you just say I couldn't have helped her?!"

Ellie's eyes focused and stared deep into Genn's. "Yes, that's exactly what I'm saying."

Genn was appalled. "You...you bitch!" He brought his hand back, but Ellie was quicker and brought her fist up under his chin and sent him reeling. He flattened against the door, and fell on his bum.

"Now...if you're done having a mental breakdown...we need to get out of here..." Ellie's vacant stare returned. She turned and started slowly walking down hallway to leave. Genn decided that here was not the best place to stay, and took off after her.