Nathan headed deeper into the fighting, he needed to find Iris and she would have undoubtedly tried to find Master Gareth. He found Iris in the trials chamber, covered in blood (no way to tell if it was hers or her enemies') she was cradling Master Gareth's head in her lap. Tears were streaming down her face as she listened to their Master's last words.

[color=00BFFF]"...you are the elder now...consider this your trial...you must...protect the others. You must...you must..f-"[/color] Gareth was unable to finish what he was saying before he died.

Iris shook him in her arms as though she couldn't believe he was dead. [color=228B22]"I must what? Master? M-master? I can't do this alone! I don't know how!"[/color]

Iris was sobbing uncontrollably when Nathan gently touched her shoulder. [color=FF4500]"We have to go, my friend. It isn't safe here for us anymore! The younglings and anyone else who survived are waiting for us in the forest. We have to go![/color]

Iris wiped her eyes and steeled her resolve, she grabbed her hammer and angrily headed back out into the fray. She knew she couldn't fight them all off, but any who got in her way trying to get to the younglings were going to meet a very sticky end. She swung her hammer with such force that she was caving in the enemy helmets and breastplates as her blows connected. Nathan kept urging her forward, she had better control of her emotions by the time they made it to the forest.

[color=228B22]"How many made it?"[/color] Iris asked quietly.