16 Chapter Sixteen

"I have a serious question for you." Carina mumbled as her eyes sagged with drowsiness and she winced in pain. I managed to bind her wounds with the scraps of her shirt that hung from her frame. Unfortunately the tearing in her shoulder was ragged and unclean. Despite my best efforts of clogging the bleeding with cloth, I had to ransack the office space. My quest had left me with a container of floss and a poppy left behind from a distant Remembrance Day. Now I sat there, stitching my friend up like a ragdoll chewed up by a ambitious puppy. I had so far managed to get the back of her shoulder mended and stitched and was currently working around her collar. Through the pain she remained as chatty as ever-- a feat that I was most impressed with. I hummed for her to continue like Michael had imprinted on me to do as I continued to mend her broken and torn skin. Some dark venom oozed out with the blood that slipped through my fingers and made me cringe. She told me that it would not be fatal; the venom coursing through her system would be counteracted by her mixed blood. I felt like she was lying to me but I refused to question her. Until the venom dissipated I could not heal her wounds, including those made by the glass.

"If all stories are made by people looking into other worlds," She winced at the icy lick of the needle that cut through her skin again, "Who do you think is writing ours?" I cracked a crooked grin at her inquiry.

"You know, that was the first question I ever asked myself when I was here." I finished up the final gruesome stitch and we both deflated.

"I'm glad that someone thinks like me." Her voice sounded like autumn leaves sliding against pavement and it made my heart sink. I tied the floss around my finger and broke it. The banging of the beast had ceased a long time ago which left us sitting in the dimly lit room, patiently waiting for a rescue or a catastrophe.

"What do you think was in those cocoons?" Carina asked weakly. My back tensed as I looked at the tattered girl in bemusement.

"What cocoons?" I asked softly as I took a leftover shred of fabric to clean up the dried blood around her wounded back.

"They were on the ceiling in the other room. There were about two or three of them hanging there around that spider." She let out a sharp gasp and I retracted my hands in fear that I hurt her.

"Two half-naked girls and a giant spider trapped in a warehouse. Sounds like the setup to a bad joke." Carina coughed and a little blood trickled down her broke lip. I mustered a small smile as if I was trying to hide my terror behind a thin glass of humour. A sudden force struck the door again causing the two of us to jump.

"I will get in there sooner or later you little brats!" The spider hissed from outside. The hairs on the back of my neck stood up at her tone as the banging continued. Something began to trickle down my cheek, and I realized that I had started crying. The both of us were shaking like newborn calves. I felt an intense pressure sitting on my chest, like an invisible entity was pressing down on it to squeeze out the air residing in my lungs.

"I don't want to die." I whimpered softly and buried my head into my hands. Carina nodded in empathy and joined my quiet sobs.

"I'm okay with dying as long as one thing happens." Carina cried and turned her head to me. Her eyes were puffy and red, stained with tears but she had a smile on so bright it could light New York. I expected to hear some incredible words of wisdom, or some regret about not confessing to a boy. What she said completely changed my perspective on the girl before me.

"As long as that spider busts down the door and says 'here's Johnny'." She snorted. I went silent as the air was squeezed out my lungs like a balloon that had been popped. My throat clenched as did my stomach and I began laughing hysterically. I was in the grievance of accepting my own death, and she could still crack a joke. A sickening crack ran through the room as the door- and the blockades in front of it-- exploded into a cascade of debris. Before I had time to react to the astounding incident something silky but strong wrapped around my ankle and yanked me back. My head cracked on the floor, dazing me for a mere handful of seconds. Than my voice ripped from my throat as I started to scream like a banshee and clawed at the linoleum floor. Glass embedded itself into my arms, stomach and legs and the monster dragged me across the stone floor. Desperately I clawed at the ground for freedom, but to no avail. Carina was being dragged too but the force had caused her to blackout. I remember screaming for Michael to save me, but he did not appear as I disappeared into the abyss of the warehouse.

Meihui lead Michael deeper into the ancient part of town-- the side of town that was often the source of multiple malicious actions over the course of history. The Incantatio District was the old home of the Star-Bloods, a place where they could rest and practice their magic away from prying eyes. Now it was a decrepit tomb that acted as a sanctuary for those who were lost in their own way. Runaways, convicts, dealers and mercenaries alike haunted these shadows. Michael felt like he was one of them-- as if someone had lit a thousand fires around him and covered him in the ashes. He did not fit in, he was seen as dangerous and he was a monster. He clutched at his bare throat before realizing that his beloved pendant was not around his neck like it had been since birth. Salayria had it; and with that thought his mind was soothed.

"We're almost there." The voice of Meihui cut through his thoughts like a hot knife through butter.

"Who are we meeting?" Michael demanded as they passed under a stone bridge.

"Oz." Michael felt his legs turn to lead.

"Oz? The Oz?" Meihui nodded, her tiger hair flowing behind her like a cape.

"The mercenary Oz? The one who use to be a Seven Sin and decimated a Sink?" Michael was starstruck as they weaved through the labyrinth of walls.

"The one in the same. He's the only man I know who would be able to track her." She halted at the mouth of the wall as clenched her fists. Michael felt his heart throb painfully and his fingers coiled to strike at any movement.

"Oz! Show yourself! You owe me you bastard, now I've come to collect!" Crows flew and squawked above them. Other than the sound of laboured breathing and crows fleeing nobody made a sound.

"Oz West, you--"

"Quit screaming." The voice growled from behind Michael. Without missing a beat Michael felt a splintering cold shoot down his hand and cradled his left hand. From his fingertips liquid silver coiled out like blood and twisted around into the familiar shape of his hollow sword. Blue fire encased his hand as he gripped the hilt as it lit the inside of the weapon with a eerie light. He twisted his back around and pointed the blade at the perpetrator. There with an emerald smirk painted on his face was Oz. His white faux hawk hair was nearly cut from Michael's swing, but the boy had taken a quick step back.

"Oz you scared the shit out of us!" Meihui growled and clutched her chest. Michael's sword did not waver as he glared at the boys venomous eyes.

"Meihui, it's nice to see you too. Glad to see that you're still waving that little 'incident' over my head." His voice dripped with sarcasm as he crossed his arms over his white wife beater and rusty flannel. Oz's eyes scanned over Michael as Michael's stayed burrowed on his face.

"You must be Michael. I dare say, you're no younger than myself." Oz scratched the side of his face before flicking Michael's sword in disrespect. Anger bubbled in Michael's chest and he was coiled to strike before Meihui rested her hand on Michael's free wrist.

"We need your help. The Sta--"

"The Star-Blood has gone missing, I know." Oz gave a small smirk before cocking his head to the side, "Personally, I don't care. And I'm not going to help you because I fulfilled my end of the bargain already. Now leave, before I stick my pets on you." Oz began to walk away as low growling was heard from above. Michael's throat clenched but he refused to look up.

"Oscar Zoroaster Phadrig Isaac Norman Henkle Emmannuel Ambroise Diggs, you get back here right now and listen damnit!" Michael flinched at the woman's harsh and personal words.

I'm dead, He thought to himself, Oz's name has been hidden since the Gale incident, and Meihui is throwing it around like it doesn't matter!

Oz paused and the growling turned into whimpers.

"How many times have I told you not to call me that? It's Oz!" His snarl reflected in a hideous green light that poured from his emerald eyes. Michael took a step back with his heart constricting in his chest. Meihui started to walk forward with a powerful air and took a protective stance against the Great and Terrible.

"I am not the one who gifted you with that name, that was your mother. I am not the one who sent you to the Emerald city, that was the Judges. I am not your lover who had green skin and was killed trying to protect you, that was the Wicked Witch of the West. I am not the one who turned those three princes into a scarecrow, a tin man and a cowardly lion, that was you. I am not the one who ransacked your castle and stole your only way of returning home, that was Dorothy Gale and the rebels. I am not the one who wrote a false story of events around the incident and who made the villain into the hero, that was the writer. I am the one who got you home, who nursed you back to health. I am the one who stood up for you when the Judges disbanded you as a Sin and traded you in for Lark. That girl has done nothing wrong to you, and now I am asking you for help. I am asking you to do what I did for you-- put aside your pride and wrath and do the right thing for once!" The air stilled around the three of us as the fire in Oz's eyes died. Her breath was ragged after her long winded speech as she looked up hopefully at the man. Scratching was heard from above that slowly got farther away as his minions disbanded.

"Alright Meihui, I'll help you out. Do you have anything that belongs to her on your person?" Michael blinked at Oz's change of heart but felt his own sink.

"No I--"

"Here," Meihui reached into the pocket of her coat and pulled out Salayria's deck of cards, "Eclair gave them to me in the meeting. They were left on her nightstand." Handing the smooth cards over to Oz Michael began to relax and released his sword. It reversed its process and melted back into his skin. Oz inspected the cards thoroughly and gave a faint nod to the two of them.

"This will do nicely. Come with me, I have an idea of what to do." Oz headed past them and to the mouth of the alley that Meihui had been before. A emerald light poured from the space the closer they got. The center of the circle looked bare, the only thing in sight was the openings from other paths in the maze. As Michael stepped into the circle with Oz the image of a greenlit bare circle hazed and melted away, revealing a large and cozy room. Couches laid out near a roaring fire and a glowing green devil's mark in the middle of the floor. Books lined the shelves and floor and Oz had to do a small dance of jumping over open books to make his way over to the shelves. A loud shriek from the ceiling brought Michael's attention skyward. The ceiling was lined with glowing green crystals held up by gold railings. Along the railings were small alcoves and circular gold plates as tall as Michael. A silvery head covered in fur bared it's fangs at Michael and Meihui.

"Is that a baboon?" Michael asked aloud as Oz let out a chuckle. The baboon screeched as a pair of large speckled wings of a martial eagle spread out behind it.

"It's a flying monkey. Haven't you ever read the story?" Oz was bending over and flipping through three dusty books intently as more heads popped over the disc and other surrounding discs.

"My mother told me when I was younger that all stories were true. She told me when I was older that all stories had at least a grain of truth. Some stories only had a generalization of the actual events that occurred. A generalization is a half-truth; and a half-truth is a lie. So while the characters and creatures are real, the story might have been told incorrectly." Oz smiled sweetly at Michael's words.

"Your mother is Eclair isn't she? She's a wise woman." Michael flinched at Oz's words, taken aback by the wizards kindness.

"This shouldn't take too long. Just give me a few moments." Oz's face contorted into that of concentration as books flew off the shelves and landed open in front of him. Michael glanced at Meihui with curiosity and anxiety.

What had really happened in Oz?

I did not want to open my eyes. I felt soothed by the silky feeling around me as I moved around to feel more of the material around my body.

What is this? Curious I opened my eyes. I was met with almost pitch black, the glow from Michael's pendant lighting the confined space. My body was frozen in abject horror. Bits of glass were embedded in my stomach and legs but I could not even feel them digging into my flesh. What I had mistaken for a sheet of silk encasing me was actually a white cocoon. It took me seconds to realize that it was made from the webbing of the spider that had dragged Carina and I out of the office before everything went dark. I did not have much room to wiggle; I was curled into a fetal position which was starting to hurt my legs, and I had about the circumference of my arm for room. I took up most of it with my body with enough leftover room to shift side to side a bit. The air was warm and moist like it gets when one stays under a blanket for too long. The webbing was letting only minimal air in which was starting to make me feel dizzy. I began to flail around wildly, trying to escape my silk prison.

"What do you think was in those cocoons?" Carina asked weakly. My back tensed as I looked at the tattered girl in bemusement.

"What cocoons?" I asked softly as I took a leftover shred of fabric to clean up the dried blood around her wounded back.

"They were on the ceiling in the other room. There were about two or three of them hanging there around that spider."

I stopped my wiggling as I came to a horrific truth. I was hanging from the ceiling in the warehouse and if I broke it I would start falling to my death. I started to scream in terror, my legs tingling from the fear.

"Help me!" I cried as I tried to stay as still as possible. I started to pray slightly, squeezing my eyes shut in fear. Michael had once told me that he was a knight in black armor-- and now I needed that dark knight more than ever.

Michael was bored and decided to burn some time before returning home. He sat in a little cafe he had heard some women chatting about-- the Rabbit Hole. He was sitting at his table and sipping on the black coffee he had ordered from the flustered barista. It was peaceful; so peaceful in fact that he was almost daydreaming. Michael almost never daydreamed-- he thought it was a useless activity for a warrior like him. He would not let his guard down for the sake of dreaming of some useless fantasy. He was rudely torn from his peace from the door of the cafe being ripped open violently as a chestnut and grey ball of energy hopped in and skidded to a halt at the barista. No one other than Michael seemed fazed by the girl; some even cracked a smile at her.

"Hey Polly!" She grinned. As if a spell was dusted over him Michael went stiff. His heart let out one loud thud in his ribcage, his blood roared in his ears as he stared at the girl. Everything was drowned out at his tunnel vision on the girl. Her honey eyes trapped behind her glasses captivated his own blue one, her chestnut hair looked silky and soft. Her face was aglow with happiness and it was beautiful. Even her sprinkle of acne mixing with her starry freckles were beautiful. She had a bit of a muffin top and was a little bit more on the pudgy side but she was perfect to him. His eyes followed her as she took her seat at the booth and started to enjoy her food. She seemed a little stiff and uncomfortable and Michael's legs started to shake.

I gotta go talk to her, His mouth went dry as her friends joined her and started laughing. Their eyes turned to him and the redhead started to blush. She whispered something to the girl. The girl turned an adorable scarlet chewed nervously on her croissant. He went to stand but he felt as if some invisible force was holding him down. The best he could do was watch her as she conversed with her friends before leaving roughly an hour later. Embarrassed by his shy behaviour he stood up as he left and stalked outside. The car they piled into drove away in the direction of the closest high school. Feeling his heart slow down he closed his eyes. His skin pricked and tingled as his body melted into a new area. When he opened his eyes he saw the large glass and brick building and patiently waited. He sat down on the grass belt across from the school until the yellow Bug pulled into the parking lot. Like a gunshot the girl was racing across the field while her friends roared with laughter. Michael straightened his legs and looked both ways before striding across the street. Following a straying path he ventured all the way around the building until rows of glittering cars came into view. He was perplexed as to why a school required two parking lots and he stood in place. How would he find that girl? He managed to look up and saw students lined in the windows before he smirked.

If he couldn't find her himself, he would just ask someone, and he had already thought of the perfect plan to talk to her.

He had been beating around the bush for far too long. Yes he had been mildly stalking the girl, but he could not stop himself. After the small encounter he had with Melody and the girl in the library, he grew too nervous to face her. He was now seated in his usual position at the cafe, watching the girls as they ate and drank. She turned and saw him before offering a small wave. Michael abruptly stood up, pulled to the table by some invisible force to the table.

"Good morning ladies," He stood closer the the girl sitting next to the one he had his eye on. The cute girl's shoulders raised to her ears as she turned to him which made a grin spread across his face. She took a shaky sip of her coffee and began to avoid eye contact. The adorable action sent Michael's heart aflutter-- something that had never happened to him.

"H-Hello there!" The redhead squeaked. The girl beside him was almost drooling, but Lilith looked more annoyed by him being there than anything. She had a devilish glint in her eye that made Michael wary of her intentions.

"How tall are you?" She blurted, raising one eyebrow.

"I'm six-five." He chuckled, scratching his head mindlessly."Would you mind if I sat with you?" He leaned on the table and grinned at his quick retort. All the girls but the one he was curious of were gawking at him. The red head girl stood up to make room from him to sit. The catastrophe happened so quickly the Michael barely processed it. Liquid went flying and the curious girl shot forward with napkins and caught a flying cup. The embarrassed redhead was ushered away by the other two and Lilith winked at Michael as they left with the barista. As the girl cleaned off her glasses he began mopping up the mess with some napkins. His heart pounded painfully and his mouth struggled to for words.

"They seem interesting," He managed to say and looked up at the girl. She was wiping off her glasses and having trouble scraping the sugar off the lens. Michael moved automatically and sat next to her. His skin brushed her skin as he gently took her glasses and gave himself goosebumps. Quickly fogging up the glasses her cleaned them off easily with the hem of his shirt.

"How's your sister?" She asked in a low voice. He felt his heart quiver at her words and his stomach clench in happiness.

She remembered Melody, he thought to himself as he tried to rid the sugary spots from the lenses.

"She's doing well. She's been seeing my grandparents for the past two days," He chuckled with a dust of pink on his face,"Here you go." He grinned, placing them back on her face.

"Thanks," She muttered and sipped her coffee, her face dusted pink. Michael decided to try and ease the tension with some humour.

"My name is Michael,. I'm twenty a virgo-- although I am not a 'virgin'-- I enjoy long walks on the beach, and--" She spat up some of her coffee, a bit of it trickling out of her nose.

"What are you doing?" She scowled and wiped her mouth, her face growing even redder than before.

"I'm introducing myself, calm down Peanut." He snickered growing comfortable next to the girl. Peanut looked up at him in defiance.

"Don't call me Peanut, you freaking Behemoth!"

"I got it!' Oz's voice yanked Michael out of his memories. He used to believe that daydreaming was useless, but after seeing the dreaming look on Salayria's face he decided that it may not be so bad.

"Where is she?" Michael barked and started dancing through the maze of books.

"Oh I don't know where she is, but I found the spell that the kidnapper used." Oz seemed content but Michael was fuming.

"How the hell is that suppose to help us!" He screamed and kicked a book at the wizard's head. The book sailed over Oz's head and he did not even raise his head from his book.

"Well now that I know what spell was used I can track her, moron. The spell has a safety measure- a flaw. It holds a predetermined location that leaves a subtle fingerprint on things the kidnapped person has. As long as you know the spell, you can transport to the same place. " Michael stepped on a book and fell forward. He landed painfully on his knees as he sat there dumbfounded.

"Well what are you waiting for?" Michael yelled from his knees. Oz just smirked at his fallen form.

"So this is what a archangel is like?" Michael's anger flared at Oz's sarcasm.

"Enough!" Meihui roared over the bickering boys. The two froze on the spot at her booming voice as she began walking towards them.

"What do you need?" She asked Oz who unfroze from the stop.

"I already have what I need. It's just a simple incantation,"

"Then why are we still here?" Meihui and Michael screamed as one, each of them whipping a thick book at his head. Oz disappeared into a green plume of smoke that shot towards one of the couches. The weapons fell harmlessly to the ground and the smoke twisted around the edge of the couch until it formed a Cheshire Oz. He was grinning cruelly as he sat atop the couch with his elbows on his knees.

"I thought you would want to gather some reinforcements before we go." A devious grin spread across Michael's lips as he stood up from the floor.

"You think that I hadn't considered that?" Michael took the whistle in his hand again and blew silently. The fire crackled and sparks flew, but other than that silence filled the room. Oz was about to start mocking him before a booming bark broke the silence and froze his voice.

"In coming!" Someone screamed as a large shadow came bounding through the corridor and breaking the magical seal.

"Is that--?"

"Here comes the cavalry!" The shadow skidded to a halt, scattering the books further on the floor. Mitch, Lindsey, Gabriel, Red and a surprising figure sat atop the beast.

"Atropos?" Michael gawked at the olive toned girl one the three headed bus-sized doberman. He yipped in excitement as cargo hopped off and he bounded over to Michael.

"Calm down Snuffles." Michael laughed as the hot tongue of his pet roughly dragged itself across his cheek.

"Snuffles?" Oz snorted at the dogs ridiculous name. Snuffles barred all three of his heads at Oz and growled menacingly.

"Down boy. He ain't worth it," Atropos chuckled and rubbed his furry hindquarters.

"What are you doing here?" Michael asked as he stared at the ominous girl.

"Mitch asked her to come." Lindsey blew some hair out of her face. She seemed unimpressed by the girls presence; in fact she seemed more annoyed at it more than anything. Michael was unnerved by her presence, but grateful for it as well. Oz eyed the girl with curiosity, unaware of who exactly he was looking at. Atropos paid no mind to the uncomfortable stares everyone was burning into her.

"We should get going!" Her voice was bubbly but her stance was tense. Snuffles pressed two of his cold noses against Michael's arm and started to pant. Michael turned to the beast and rubbed the lone nose affectionately.

"No bud, you can't come with us." His ear bent back as he started to whine for attention. His breath acted as wind that viciously cut through Michael's hair and made it stand on end.

"I'll be back soon." He scratched each of his chins before sauntering through the books and over to Oz.

"Meihui, will you be joining us?" Atropos cocked her head to the side and her fingers twitched.

"I'll be heading back to the Cathedral to inform the Judges of the spell. We need to stop the Saints from raising the wall." She began to run to the door before Snuffles barked.

"Take Snuffles. You'll get there much faster." Meihui nodded in appreciation and carefully walked over to the beast.

"Here I'll help you on." Atropos offered and cupped her hands to help hoist Meihui up. Meihui hesitated for a millisecond before accepting her help. Atropos hoisted her up as Meihui swung her legs around. Without a word of thanks Meihui was off like a bullet. Snuffles pounded the ground as he ran around. The books on the ground jumped in the air with his stomps as bounded out of the barrier.

"Shall we get going then?" Mitch tried to break the tension. No one had the nerve to stand near Atropos until Mitch walked over to her with a smile.

"Why did you call her?" Gabriel growled as he eyed the monster before him. Atropos paid no mind to his rude behaviour.

"Am I missing something here?" Oz cut through the anger with his inquiry.

"Nothing that's important. It's a story for another time, but for now we should get going." Lindsey opened her mouth to say something with a frown on her face.

"Atropos is right! Oz, say the spell." Michael had grown restless of the bickering and tension. His anxiety had not rested for a second that Salayria had been gone. Without another word Oz began to mutter as Michael walked over to his brother who was quietly comforting Atropos. Her eyes were closed as she was breathing deeply.

"You okay?" Michael had heard that she had helped Salayria out on her adventure day, a gesture he appreciated greatly. She just nodded and grabbed the zipper of her signature hoodie.

"I was just contemplating on whether or not to take my sweater with us." She lied as she undid the contraption. The more skin she exposed with taking off her sweater the more prismic stitches were revealed. They lined down from her throat and down her chest, disappearing in the junction of her breasts. Part of her tank top had raised to show the continuation of the stitches on her navel. The stitches swirled around her arms like snakes that rested at her wrists. Her back was a grotesque like of what she called a 'corset piercing'. The lattice work of piercings looked like a corset and covered her entire spine from the nape of her neck to the small of her back.

"That is disgusting." Gabriel pointed to the piercings and ribbons that glowed with the same variegation as the thread in the front..

"You'd hate my legs then."She gave him a sarcastic wink as she slung her precious jacket over a rickety chair. Oz's chanting got louder and repetitive. The louder he got the darker it got. The air grew cold around them and the air became musty. Oz barked one final incoherent word and the world around them shattered before forming anew. He felt a sensation of falling before his feet hit hard ground. The sudden impact made Michael's knees crack and groan, causing a slight pain to radiate up his shins. Everyone around him seemed to of felt a similar reaching in their legs. Gabriel reached down and rubbed his shin to calm the cracks. Michael drank in his surroundings of a dark concrete warehouse with shattered glass along the floor.

"There's blood on the floor." Red whispered and knelt of the ground next to the crimson droplets, "There's so little, they probably bound the wound." Michael's eyes scanned the warehouse and inspected the multiple doors lined up against the walls before laying a shattered door.

"Over there!" Michael yelled before his legs sprinted towards the door with the footsteps of his friends pounding the ground behind him. He stopped at the splintered door in horror. It was in shambles, office supplies and furniture in splinters with a dark stain of blood pooled in the middle of the room surrounded by bits of fragmented glass. Two lines of blood streaked down the floor-- one was considerably darker than the other as if two people had been dragged across the floor and one was badly injured. The lines merged at the door before disappeared all together.

"What the fuck?" Gabriel roared, tearing into the room. He examined scraps of cloth on the ground with Red and Lilith joining his inspection. Mitch eyed the blood streaks on the floor while Michael and the two monsters waited outside. Michael could not move; his heart was painfully beating in his chest and his breath was cut short. He raked his fingers through his hair and began taking deep breaths to calm himself down. Something warm and wet hit his cheek and rolled down. He touched his face, assuming that the anxiety had silently forced him to start crying. When he removed his fingers, however, they were stained red. His heart nearly stopped and his eyes grew wider than dinner plates.

"Is that…?" Atropos peered over to Michael's hand before her own eyes froze in place.

"Blood?" Oz took a stance beside him and stared. Everyone else had turned around at the commotion and stared at the red streak on Michael's cheek. Simultaneously the three outside looked up at the ceiling. Fear sped up Michael's spine like an off rail locomotive at the sight above him, its icy hand gripping his intestines. Five cocoons of silk were being held up by an intricate web on the ceiling. One was noticeably stained red and dripping blood and was the only still one of the bunch. The rest were wiggling around like butterflies trying to escape.

Escape…

"Salayria!" Michael screamed, the silver running from his fingers once more. Oz's hands started to glow with emerald fire and Atropos reached into her pocket and pulled out a scissor blade, the other half noticeably missing. She touched the charm strung around the blade-- a feather reflecting a spectrum of colours. The blade began to grow and fold until it was almost as tall as she was, the silver shining in the dark and the sharp blade swirling like water that had trapped a rainbow. The others rushed out at their stances and saw the horrific sight. Michael's blood thundered in his ears as the bloodied one started to move weakly in place.

"How do we get them down?" Lilith squeaked as her hands started to shake.

"You don't. You die!" A sick voice hissed from behind them. The turned just as a shadow made a lunge for them at an alarming speed. Michael's reflexes kicked in as he brought up his sword to deflect the attack as a green magic circle appeared in front of the group.When the shadow hit it and it hissed in pain as it flew back. The light faded at the command from Oz who wore a victorious grin. The darkness became visible as a monster we had all recognized from lore.

"Well, well, well. If it isn't a little angel boy and his band of misfits. Trying to take my dinner, eh?" Arachne hissed and clenched her fists. Everyone's muscles coiled and hardened at her raspy voice.

"I can use my magic to get everyone out of those shells. You need to hold that spider bitch off." Oz whispered to Michael and took a step back.

"Shouldn't you fight and let me do it?" Lilith seemed partially offended by his sudden decision.

"Our team dynamic is stronger with you than him." Gabriel muttered as the silver from his fingertips formed his longsword glowing a rosy-white hue. It was much larger in comparison to Michael's sabre to fit his personality, but it lacked the hollowness filled with magic and energy.

"Gabriel, help him get them down." Red growled as he pulled back the taut string on his scarlet tinged recurve bow. As if particles of raw energy were drawn to him, a blood red arrow of magic took the form of an arrow as he sent it flying. It bounced harmlessly off Arachne's scaly legs and she began to boil with anger. She stomped wildly as the ground began to shake and spat at the group.

"Don't you dare touch my food!" The spider screamed and launched herself at us. Michael's mind snapped in anger as he roared in rage with one thought ringing through his skull as he charged into battle.

Kill.