[center][b]Raven >Outside Grand Hall entrance/exit >> Near Tordred Maze<[/b][/center] A defeated sigh escaped Raven’s mouth as Tyler tried to gain entry to the Grand Hall with no success. [b]“The doors are too thick--blocks out much of the sound.”[/b] She commented with a frown and once again began to nibble on a painted index fingernail. Even though she felt relieved in a sense, it would be Tyler who missed out on the masquerade and she felt terrible. After a moment in silence Tyler began to speak but abruptly stopped mid-sentence as a frightening sound caught both students attention. Adrenaline coursed through the otherwise skittish woman and though she wanted to ignore the plea--how could she? She shot a look of persistence to Tyler before bolting toward the call in a matter of seconds. Knowing good and well that running in such attire would be impossible; Raven stepped into action by tearing off the bottom of her dress above the knees and kicked off both heels in mid sprint. She rushed toward the alarmed Liam and stopped to gasp at the sinister scene. A bloodied woman lay lifeless in a decrepit fashion with black veins covering alabaster skin. It was a setting in a nightmare come true, and Raven quickly turned her head not wanting to look upon it. What a coincidence however, while occasionally peering past the decayed lady’s face it’s profile appeared rather familiar. This was one of the Juniors who had taunted Tyler not long ago…did Liam have something to do with it? No, that would be impossible…he couldn’t have—could he? [b]“What…happened Liam?”[/b] She grimaced while covering her mouth and nose with a shaky hand, the stench of rotten flesh already lingering through the chilly air. --- [center][b]Terra >Grand Hall Balcony<[/b][/center] Terra felt herself stunned for a moment gazing down at the unconscious woman but had to pull herself together. She could not afford to panic under the watchful eyes of these Freshmen. What kind of Guardian freezes up at the fight sign of trouble? Not a very prepared one... [i]"Hey, do you need help? If so, what do you want me to do?"[/i] Inquired a blond boy with ether blue hues. [i]“I'd like to help too.[/i] A vibrant woman added in a mere whisper but the voice that rang out above them all donned an Irish accent attached to each syllable. Arty or so he claimed barreled toward the small group, and soon scolded the blonde haired male about his approach after introducing himself. Yet, the onyx haired Junior remained perfectly still not really acknowledging their concerned inquiries until Arty spoke of death. [b]“There’s already been a death”[/b] Terra mention emotionlessly almost to herself. [b]“Patricia, a Sophomore.”[/b] A slender hand elevated the back of the Headmistress’s skull while the other fanned her. She was not supposed to admit or even say such things about the matter but she did not believe in concealing said information. These strangers would find out later by someone else anyway or worse yet--vanish just like Patricia had without any warning. [b]“None of you know what you’re getting into.”[/b] She vented cruelly without so much as glancing to the eager to aid students. The Headmistress finally came to but barely. Gradually fluttering curled eyelashes open only to shut them slightly again in a surge of pain. Terra’s hardened facial expression lightened a bit, a small glint of hope flashed within them. Now was a better chance than ever to attempt moving the leader of CTS. [b]“You two, help her walk. I’ll show you the way to her room.”[/b] Terra easily lifted the feeble woman to her feet; in fact, she could have carried the woman along the long corridor herself but figured that was unnecessary at this time. [b]“There is no nurse here, we have never needed one.”[/b] She added bluntly to the Irish bloke, sure that the pupils would arch a brow at her questionable statement. She opened one side of the double doors to let the mini crowd through while slightly observing the quiet girl. Her soft spoken demeanor did not match how flashy she appeared. [b]“Hold open the other side of the door.”[/b] Terra demanded of the woman. This was not meant as a demeaning order but rather so the flame haired girl would feel a part of the process of assisting. Terra held a gift for making others feel inferior but only as a means to not become attached. She had put friendship above guardianship once, and lost someone as a consequence…not ever wanting that to happen again. Once they were through she let the door close itself, and began slowly leading the way down paneled walls and extravagant marbled floors. She paused for a brief moment to peer back at the doors, halting in the middle of the hallway as though waiting for something. [b]“Stop.”[/b] She commanded of both men, and lightly lifted the headmistress’s head. [b]“Headmistress.”[/b] Terra said while flicking silvered orbs toward the doors. This little gesture woke the woman for a moment, she weakly nodded and a heavy duty lock could be heard twisting. Both doors seemingly locked by themselves and she turned to start again. The Headmistress could barely pick up her feet; her head slumped forward as she expelled a single breath. All too soon those same locks snapped open, lights from chandeliers and wall sconces trembled on and off. A rumbling sounded throughout the whole Academy shaking the very foundation. Terra looked back to the doors and then toward the ceiling with wide eyes. [b]“Shit…”[/b] she mumbled under breath. [b]“Quickly!”[/b] Her stern voice raised shouting to all three to pick up the pace but it was too late by then. A massive gust of wind threw open the double doors slamming each side into the painted walls with a quaking bluster. This force of air so strong it made Terra take a few steps backward to adjust her footing. Wind was one of her many weaknesses. This abnormal force was caused by a woman taller than Terra in a white skull mask who appeared seemingly out of the blue. She took a few steps forward with arms at both sides. Unnaturally long nails were pointed like claws, which flickered in agitation. A sheer cape wrapped around the woman’s shoulders hiding something underneath. Obscured eyes examined each student before belting out an ear shattering scream that shattered vases and light figures throughout the hall. This shriek loud enough to temporarily deafen those close enough but luckily no one was within her vicinity. Terra winced at the sonic scream from the creature while holding both arms in front of her ire stricken face. Both extremities began altering to stone and took over her entire being; she was frozen like a stone stature while the shards had no effect on this dermal armor. She would not be able to protect any student’s skin from these pieces unfortunately, and hoped that they would be able to duck down just in time to miss the majority of the damage. In a blink of an eye the masked woman stopped, seeming irritated by Terra’s supernatural ability and took another step closer. Terra let the armor dissipate to give a warning to the possibly frightened group. [b]“Set the headmistress in the room on the left and leave. Go to your dorm rooms now!”[/b] They were probably wondering how on earth they would be able to pass the masked woman but Terra would distract her at all costs. Besides, this creature did not want ordinary people with no source of power anyway. What would she gain from regular students…or so she thought. Terra took a defensive stance while the woman readied another swift attack. She shredded the cape to expose feathers along her arms. She looked exactly like those creatures in Greek mythology—a harpy. This creature lunged toward Terra in abnormal speed. The Guardian prepared herself for the impact but hopefully was able to witness the students escape through the doors before evolving into her second form. --- [center][b]Unknown male in skull mask >Inside Grand Hall<[/b][/center] A male in a shiny black skull mask managed to slither his way into the Grand Hall entrance amidst the chaos since all doors were currently unsecured. Nimble fingers slipped a key into the lofty double doors to confine all Freshmen within that space. How he managed to obtain one was a mystery. This unknown individual then turned around to scan the room while waiting for something or someone to make itself known. For a moment vibrant jade hues turned serpentine with silted pupils instead of round ones. Like a serpent he blinked horizontally—it was quite disturbing to witness. This oddity could be easily seen through the slightly exposed mask. With another crashing rumble came a smug smirk that crossed his lips. The commotion upstairs was gratifying to listen to, and he figured the harpy would be a difficult battle for a stone golem. His cocky demeanor soon shifted to shock when a figure flew off the balcony and tumbled through the air. The harpy had been chucked through the open doors like a rag doll by an imposing seven foot tall stone giant. Unfortunately the bloodied bird woman managed to slow her fall by the feathers poking out of her arms…but she was now downstairs with the students panting heavily in rage.