[Center][h2][color=teal][b]Mora Kingsly[/b][/color][/h2] [I]Interacting with[/i] [@Jinxer] [@Wolverbells] [@FrostedCaramel] [I]Mentioning[/i] [@Poi] [@LordVoldemort] [@letmedostuff] ---[/center] There had been an audible pause in the air between the trio—like the acceptance of death itself, but that was the life the cadets had signed up for. Wasn’t it? Mora grimaced as her mind poured over the details. The mysterious titan still loomed large before them, setting her already fraying nerves on fire. She felt blistered and raw from the emotions that raged inside, her mind dashing at thousand miles per minute. They needed to run, hard and fast if they were going to make it out of here alive. [I][color=teal]We’ve got to make it through this,[/color][/i] her mind hissed. She needed to stay alive, needed to make sure that Lauren was okay. The guilt only built up further within her, if only she was a little bit faster. Pressure snapped Mora back from her thoughts, as the titans hand wrapped around the trio. Her mind burned as she silently cursed herself. This was it, it was going to crush them with a single blow—all because she put her faith in Tanner's judgement. Mora burned with self loathing as she believed her hesitation had just cost the them their lives. But the pressure faded as the mysterious titan released them upon it’s broad shoulders. Mora blinked once, twice—looking at Tanner in sheer bewilderment. [Color=teal]”Oh.”[/color] she said in shock. Her fellow cadets looks at each other in mirrored surprise, Tanner shouting something above the heavy crunching of the titans footfalls. It didn’t make sense, this was nothing like what they were taught. And it went against everything Mora believed in, but there was something new rising in her. A surge of hope. A hoard of titans came into view as they neared HQ and Mora let out another shiver. How many were still alive? Dead? These questions buzzed in her ear despite her best intention at squashing them. Death was a way of life, a hard truth she was forced to face that day. It took indiscriminately, but the horror it inflicted never lessened. The weight of each soul settling on her shoulders. [I][b]'Hero.’[/b][/i] Shultz’s voice tumbled through the back of her brain. He was an ass, but his lessens burned deep inside of her. His brutality had nothing on the reality the surged around them. The titan lifted the cadets off its shoulder and set them down once more, Mora quivering beneath the sheer strength and gentleness it showed them. But the hoard of titans were not shown the same mercy, as she watched it turn and dismember them one by one with grim satisfaction. [B] "Right, Mora, Mary. You've... ah, heard the Titan. Let's go inside."[/b] Tanner explained, still somewhat confused as the Titan knelt down and protected the main entrance. She nodded her agreement and followed the duo inside. An air of tension was thick inside, everywhere she looked there was death or carnage. People huddled together, seeking a brief moment of respite in the madness. While others glared at the trio—as if they had brought the plague straight to their doorsteps. But Mora didn’t have time to quell their fears, or indulge in their sorrow. Her eyes hungrily swept the area. [I][color=teal]Where is Connor and Lauren?[/color][/i] [B]”Mora!”[/b] a voice called out over the gloomy din. [B][color=teal]”Law?”[/color][/b] she answered, turning to face another unknown cadet. [I][color=teal]Oh . . .[/color][/i] her mind trailed off in disappointment. [B]”Your help is needed, it’s urgent,”[/b] the cadet said as she motioned her to follow. Mora nodded and followed behind. Her eyes fixated on the back of her head as they wound a little deeper into the heart of HQ. The scent of blood lingered around her, sharp and foul. She couldn’t help them. The severed limbs and corpses that mingled around the living. [I][color=teal]Someone will need to clean this up,[/color][/i] she thought dryly. Someone would need to collect the dead, chart their identities so that their family could be informed. Mora shut her eyes as she pushed away her thoughts. She didn’t want to imagine them, the pain that would crease their faces as shock and despair shot threw them like hot lead. There was enough sorrow around her, she didn’t need to add to it with her imagination. The familiar site of Jade and Emil's back came into view and tears of relief sprung to her eyes. [I][color=teal]They’re alive![/color][/i] her heart cried out, a small blessing among the carnage. But something was wrong. They were huddled around a fallen cadet, as they neared a sense of dread filled her. The stain of blood was the first thing to catch Mora’s gaze. Fresh and bright against the whiteness of her uniform. Lauren's pallid face, drawn and slick with sweat was the second. Mora's heart skipped a beat. She was here, alive, but on death’s threshold. Grant's voice caught her attention, she hadn’t noticed him at first—stuck on the sight of Lauren before her but his voice was clear and calm. It rose above the bleakness that pressed around them and spoke of a plan that flirted with sheer insanity. But he wasn’t wrong; the plan was solid, if not entirely crazy. Mora paused long enough to let give him a moment of respect. Grant wasn’t known for being the most vocal but he had a good head on his shoulders. She respected him for that. As the place set ablaze with fevered chatter, she jogged ahead of her messenger, fingers trembling as she bypassed Jade and Emil. [B][color=teal]”Law!”[/color][/b] the words came out with an edge of panic as she knelt beside her. She needed a medic. Mora glanced up at her friends, worry painted in their features. Her mind raced, they had called for her—to help. [I][color=teal]Be a hero, Mora.[/color][/i] Her mind raced as she tried to recall Lauren’s teaching. The girl’s mouth quirked in a smile as she started to say something. [B][color=teal]”Hush up. Talk later, first we need to look at your wounds,”[/color][/b] Mora forced a confidence she didn’t feel. She peeled back Lauren’s jacket, her shirt soaked with fresh and old blood beneath. With careful fingers she began to peel away the slick fabric, pausing every time Lauren took in a pained breath. Below, her flesh was mottled with blooming bruises, a coat of dried blood mingled with sweat and dirt. A long gash split Lauren on her side, reaching from her rib cage to her hip. Mora couldn’t tell the depths of the wound beneath the oozing fresh blood, she needed to get it cleaned. [B][color=teal]”Jade,”[/color][/b] Mora's voice wavered as she spared a glance to look up at her. [B][color=teal]”I need you to fetch me some water and bandages. Antiseptic cream if you can, I can’t—” [/color][/b]she hesitated to wet her lips. [B][color=teal]"I can’t see how deep. We may need to stitch the wound but I need to clean it first. Can you guys do that for me? Please?”[/color][/b] her voice clouded with emotion as she shot her a pleading look. It would be faster if she went to look, Lauren had been thorough with her teachings but nothing would tear her away from the wounded cadets side. [I][color=teal]Oh, Law.[/color][/i] Mora brushed the girl's cheek with blood stained fingertips.