[h2][color=ed1c24]Maddox[/color][/h2]

[color=ed1c24][I]Oh no,[/I][/color] Maddox thought to himself as Grane began venting, or that was how it appeared to Maddox. [color=ed1c24][I]That bright flash was the Anima. I didn't think that legend still existed.[/I][/color] His red eyes settled on Masahiko before going back to Grane. [color=ed1c24]"Assigning blame won't get anything done, sir,"[/color] he said aloud, to get the attention of both the Magic Council members. He looked up at the ceiling, bringing a hand to his chin. [color=ed1c24]"Anyone above us would've been sucked in too. We need to regroup and see who is missing."[/color]

Now he looked back over to Grane. [color=ed1c24]"Rather than thinking about how to punish Phoenix Wing, we need to think of how to get the others back without bringing Shutler back."[/color] Then his eyes went to Masahiko. [color=ed1c24]"But Grane does have a point. The Magic Council seems ill-equipped to handle people like Shutler, if there are others. That shouldn't be our focus now, but it is something to think about once this task at hand is dealt with."[/color] The red-haired mage waved everyone over to him, motioning for them to approach. [color=ed1c24]"Let's just get out of this building. Grane and I can get everyone out with the magic we have left. No point in taking our time to walk out."[/color]

[h2][color=92278f]Beatrix [/color]and [color=red]Edo-Maddox[/color] and [color=662d91]Edo-Beatrix[/color][/h2]

The giant Legion landed outside White Hydra's hall, next to the stables. Edo-Maddox jumped down, giving Beatrix a glare for her to follow. She first scowled and flipped him off before getting down from the flying creature. [color=red]"You'd do well to mind your tongue here,"[/color] he warned, walking towards the hall. [color=red]"Each and every one of my men is a hardened killer. There is a reason neither the Royal army nor the guilds dare challenge White Hydra, though by myself I am more than enough for either."[/color]

[color=92278f]"Sounds pretty bullshit,"[/color] Beatrix grumbled, causing Edo-Maddox to stop. [color=92278f]"They don't challenge you but you haven't challenged them either until you got your hands on some magic. That makes you their equal, not their superior."[/color] The snake-head staff reached out and tapped against her forehead, a seemingly light and almost playful tap. But the very contact made Beatrix fall backwards and scream in pain, grabbing the afflicted area. [color=red]"False. I am smarter than to challenge either, as defeating one would leave me vulnerable to the other. With magic, I can defeat them both at the same time. The power gap has increased. I am undeniably the most powerful human being, but soon I will also have the most control."[/color]

The back doors to the guild hall opened and several people wandered outside, curious about the scream they heard. In the midst of the forming crowd, the trio that included Edo-Beatrix pushed forward. [color=662d91]"We accomplished the mission, Maddox!"[/color] Edo-Beatrix proclaimed, holding several papers in her hand. It took her a second but she soon spotted the Earthland version of herself. The two locked eyes and Earthland Beatrix jumped to her feet. [color=92278f]"You work for this man!?"[/color] Beatrix questioned in a threatening manner. In an equal tone, Edo-Beatrix retorted [color=662d91]"What's wrong with Maddox!?"[/color]

[color=92278f]"He murdered our... I mean my father and friends! My guild! Earthland White Hydra was decimated by Maddox!"[/color] Everyone was silent, before chuckling began to rise from the crowd. Even Edo-Beatrix began laughing. The only people that weren't laughing were Beatrix and Edo-Maddox. [color=aba000]"You fool,"[/color] Ursus said from the crowd, stepping forward. [color=aba000]"Your world isn't ours. We don't care about it. And besides, it shows that your White Hydra was weak. The weak die, the strong prevail."[/color] Edo-Beatrix shoved Beatrix onto the ground while the girl wasn't paying attention, with an expression proving she clearly enjoyed the violence.

[color=662d91]"It's a miracle he didn't kill you along with the rest of your guild, then. If you're from Earthland... you must be pathetically weak without your precious magic... Wait a minute..."[/color] Edo-Beatrix turned to Edo-Maddox. [color=662d91]"If the Maddox from her world spared her... that means he has feelings for her... which means you mi-"[/color] [color=red]"No. Time to stop fooling around. Throw her in the dungeon and get the slaves to start working on those designs."[/color] Edo-Beatrix had a disappointed look as her master began walking away. While the crowd of assassins began to drag a kicking and angry Beatrix into the hall, Ursus caught up with Edo-Maddox.

[color=aba000]"If Earthlanders are appearing in Edolas..."[/color] he began, [color=aba000]"What if your Earthland version arrived? Do you think he would pose a problem, considering that he is you?"[/color] Edo-Maddox looked over his shoulder at Ursus, his expression as neutral as it always is. [color=red]"In his world it is highly likely that he is strong. But in this world he will be just as weak as Beatrix is. They rely on magic in Earthland. I have no worries about any of the Earthlanders. What worries me most is Phoenix Wing. As they are, they can't stop me. But if they ally with the Royal army, as unlikely as that is, there will be difficulties."[/color] Edo-Maddox looked out over the cliff. [color=red]"That guild is too small and too weak. The Kingdom is too stupid and too uncoordinated. We don't need them combining strengths and covering each other's weaknesses."[/color]