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The wall was blown down like she asked. Good. "Now everyone get out!" The order went dismissed because it appeared the witch had gotten to them already. She was fast. She rushed to help Lesley and then Inadi, but she was too slow. She couldn't keep up with the witch. The teleporting was too much. Ace frowned and tightened her grip on the sword. No. There was no time to think like that. They had an injured dragon rider and an injured bird. Not to mention all the injuries the humans had gotten from the short amount of time. She looked over seeing Jasper and the guides were still safe. The rabbit was still helping. 

This was nothing like she was taught. None of the skills she learned could match up with the witch. But there was no time to think like that. There was no time to stop. She had to act. Ace has to help. Swinging her sword around wasn't working, and it only wasted her energy. So, she helped everyone else. At least try and get to safety. Her heart was beating through her ears at this point. She had to keep up though. There was no way Ace was about to lose. Not now. Not ever. 

Suddenly, Leila spoke. More like, she yelled out. A small smirk broke the frown she had. [I]'Alright Leila, just act on that anger. Fight. Help us win.'[/I] But the thought was silenced when she saw Leila sinking. Ace was close, but not as close as Haku was. For some reason, it seemed like the home got larger. Maybe that was because it wasn't much of a home at all. More like a foundation and maybe two walls standing weakly. All the open space gave way to the tree army they were surrounded by. But Ace wasn't backing down. Just as Haku went to help Leila, she followed behind. 

"Leave her alone!" Ace yelled out, planning to make a quick detour to the witch's heart instead of going for Leila. She jumped to reach, but as soon as she landed, she stumbled forward and couldn't move. "What the-!?" Roots were grabbing at her ankles. She pulled as hard as she could, and tried to burn them off. But it was all to no avail. That adrenaline was still running through her. Leila was still sinking, but she couldn't reach the girl. Maybe if she reached out far enough- 

[Quote=Witch] "You're merely playing heroes," She turned her head and held eye contact with Ace. "But can any of you really save each other?" The witch's voice faded in and out in a manner reminiscent of TV static, "WHEN YOU CAN'T EVEN SAVE YOURSELVES?"[/quote]

Ace met eyes with the witch. The redhead held a glare that none would believe such a cheerful person could muster. "There's no way I'm going to die because of some old hag like you! Stop being such a coward and face us then! We'll show you who needs to be saved." Her grip was unbearably tight on the hilt of her sword. Her knuckles turned white as she held it. Ace felt herself sink down a little, but her eyes never left the witch. The adrenaline was going to overdrive as she challenged Ace. The girl was downright furious. [I]'I can save him! I can win! I will win!'[/I] Her thoughts screamed out as she finally managed to tear free from the roots. She lunged at the witch only to be tossed back, earning herself a piece of wood jabbed into her left leg. Ace winced but pulled it out and stood up. 

She went to attack the witch again, but was suddenly paused when she heard 'Time's up'. Her eyes went wide as she tossed Leon out to the trees. "No..." Her voice was barely over a whisper. She could've saved him. Ace knew she could. There was...always....a way- and in seconds, Leon, the boy she started her adventure with... He was gone. 

[Quote=Witch]"You can't save anyone."[/quote] 

"I-I.." Ace was still staring where Leon had disappeared. "I'm sorry..." What was this sudden pain she was feeling? Why did it hurt so much to see what just happened? Ace had seen many, countless deaths before. Some, the members of the gang she knew..but not once did she cry. Not once did she feel pain. This... The feeling was sickening. "I c-can save them..." Time slowed down and everything went silent. It felt as though the last of her energy was pulled out of her. Ace staggered to one knee, but that was because of the pain she started feeling shoot up her leg. 

Everything was in slow motion. When she turned, Leila was sinking and Haku- He was fighting the witch. She tried to say something. Ace tried to move to help...but it felt like something locked her in place. She couldn't move. And then... 

Haku was dead too. 

"No..No... I can..." Ace's hands went over her head for brief seconds. [I]'I can save them! What's- What's wrong with me!? Move! Leila needs help! I can't sit here!'[/I] A yell snapped her head up. It was Harper. He broke her out of the hellish trance she was put in. "HaRPER NO!" Ace jumped up, though ended up falling back thanks to the debris the witch flung again. This time, it managed to pierce her shoulder. She couldn't get to Harper in time, but Leila still needed help. She would save her. Harper was stronger than that. Ace wasn't counting him out just yet. He was their team captain, he had to survive. She jumped up again, staggering to get her balance. 

"As...As long as I can s-still breathe...I-I can still fight. I will help them."

Her head was lowered a little, a shadow casting over her eyes thanks to her hat. Ace was not going to cry. She refused it. Like hell she would make the witch feel better than her. As fast as she could, she ran to Leila, grabbing the one hand she could and yanked her upwards. It only made the pain in her body worse, but she didn't stop until Leila could at least climb out on her own. "You're not- dying with them!" 

Feeling Leila was safe for the most part, Ace looked down at her amulet. She had little to nothing left. But she was going to do something useful. If it wasn't killing the witch, then it was going to be killing her minions. 

"H-Hey Riley... What do you say... to causing a forest fire?" She gestured towards the evil trees at the back wall and gave a weak smirk. If they moved fast enough, they could get past the witch while the trees burned. Once at least two caught on fire, it would have a domino effect on the rest...... Not saying she ever caused a forest fire. 

She had to trust that the others, the ones that came up with better ideas, could figure out how to stop the old hag. As much as she wanted the glory of killing the witch, she would let the others have it. They were smarter, and much better at planning than she was. She would just have to learn from them eventually.