[h3][center][color=#BD3EC2]N[/color][color=#B344C2]o[/color][color=#AA4BC2]x[/color] [color=#9759C3]A[/color][color=#8E60C4]l[/color][color=#8467C4]i[/color][color=#7B6EC5]g[/color][color=#7275C5]n[/color][color=#687CC6]m[/color][color=#5F83C6]e[/color][color=#5589C7]n[/color][color=#5F83C6]t[/color] [color=#7275C5]C[/color][color=#7B6EC5]e[/color][color=#8467C4]r[/color][color=#8E60C4]e[/color][color=#9759C3]m[/color][color=#A052C3]o[/color][color=#AA4BC2]n[/color][color=#B344C2]y[/color][/center][/h3]
[sub][@Rtron],[@Lucius Cypher], [@May], & [@Luna][/sub]

Darell ignored the dagger-like shadows darting to him. His hand reached out for the crystal and feet moved forward. The last chance for anyone. Distracted, the plague mask doctor didn’t notice the ring's activation. Suddenly light flooded the room. Bright, distorting light engulfed anyone’s eyesight whoever didn’t shield their eyes. 

As the blinding effect faded, a recognizable being stood at the crystal. [url=https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1476278379l/32595847.jpg]Aarem[/url], the god of Nox and true lord of the Nox. 

Strains of his long, black hair flowed in a controlled chaos about his head. His lithe figure draped in orient uniform suitable to a general and made for war. Eyes glowed red as his attention twisted to the surviving Uth. The hooved creatures abruptly halted. Now their forms stood and waited for commands, no longer determined to kill the students. On Helena’s legs, her shadow becomes normal once more. 

The mage stared in disbelief. 

His foot stepped back causing Aarem to snap his head into the direct and give an unsettling smirk. His right hand raised upward. Shadows of the Nox shimmered and swirled around the man. 

“No…NO! Have mercy!” 

The cries had little effect upon the heartless God. His fingers slowly closed into a fist. The Uth shot forward and past the students, their teeth sank into the cloth and flesh of the fool. Shadows penetrated into the legs, arms, and torso, chaining him in place. His screams of horror echoed throughout the Nox while he was ripped to shreds before the God.    

Aarem inhaled then turned to the students. There was a hint of disgust on his features as he walked toward them. His arms folded behind him in his casual and unhurried pace. 

[color=8971b7] “A job well done, but don’t expect a thank you. Now… it’s time to send you back.”[/color] Came the distant reply. 

Cold shadows slithered up their sides, discoloring their flesh and darken their vision. Coldness slipped into their very being before everything went dark. 

When they woke, they would find themselves outside the cursed town. Each laying eagle spread with only hazy memories of the last few hours. Nearby, they would spot several Nox students awakening to the same dilemma. 

Shifting from one individual to the next, the Nox teacher checked each one for wounds. Everyone, including the volunteers, was alright. Any evidence of exhaustion remained in the form of overworked muscles. 

None the wise, they began their journey back to the College.   

[center][h3]Uncovering Shadows[/h3][/center]
[u] Hysteria (Djarkel)[/u]
[sub] [@Konan375], [@Demonic Angel], [@13org] and [@EliteCommander][/sub]
[hr]

[center] ~|Ssarak|~[/center]

“We’re dead if we fail this job.” 

The Esyire’s words didn’t reflect his emotional state. 

They were cold and distant, his mind fighting Ssarak’s influence. It wasn’t easy. In fact, the being was losing. A sense of foreign trust washed over him like a tidal wave and swept away the desire to fight. The chain’s momentum died causing it to swing like a pendulum at his side. 

His feet started to pull away. He waded deeper into the fumes, putting more distance between him and Ssarak. A spark of fear and panic conflicted with the pleasure Ssarak was trying to bestow upon him. Something was wrong. Underneath his cloak, something began to glow red. The cloth smoke smoldered from the shoulder then sparked into a fire. 

“No… NO! Please… This is your fault!” The Esyire cried. 

A spark of flame erupted from a hidden rune upon his uniform. It crackled and hissed. The weapon dropped from the Esyire’s grip as he shook. The pain eliminated anything pushed onto him. Ssarak, if he was still connected, would sense his actions had influenced the rune. 

A safety measure to ensure things ended favorably for their employer. 

Screaming in pain, the Esyire began to beat at the flames that cooked his clothing and scales. His figure rose to rush toward the nearest exit. The very door that Leith was at.   


[center] ~|Lieth|~[/center]

“Well, just shows you should just stick to that pretty college of yours.” She snarled. 

Readying her trident, her figure hunched lower and used the prongs to snag his arm. The fist stopped short of hitting her as she twisted it to the side. Her leg left exposed, took the slice into its muscle. It embedded deeply causing her to yell in pain. Wearing no armor made her lighter and quicker, but taking hits were dangerous. 

Instinctively she shoved the human backward. Blood dripped along her calf where the blade had struck. A slight limp could be seen as she hobbled backward. 

“Asshole. I’ll make you scream for that.” 

All conversation was ceased when a scream pierced through the warehouse. The elf turned her head. 

She caught the mobile fire rush at them, the slowly burning remains of her companion. Her eyes iced over. No compassion or loss over the display. In fact, she seemed to expect it.  

“That fool…” She hissed then jerked to Leith’s right, making for the escape. 

If any of the fire caught on the lamp oil, everyone would go up into flames. Both students and assassins. 

[center] ~|Lyn|~ [/center]

Lyn focused on the vines. Her teeth gritted at the effort to retain the strength in the plants, even while the Orc tugged and ripped at it. Something wet and sticky slithered from her right nostril. The metallic scent belonged to blood. Hers. 

Queasiness followed and settled into her stomach as she realized something terrible. She had lost track of how much magic she had cast today. The first thing every mage ever learns and she forgot it. Ignoring the warning signs of low arcanite in her blood, she continued to make the vines grow and thrive. 

Meanwhile, the orc woman tried to rip herself free. Her free hand jerked across her body and tugged harshly at the vines. They came off but regrow quickly, like weeds. Distracted, she didn’t notice Henri’s change in tactics. When his leg kicked her into the neck, she stepped back. 

Easily they wrapped about her neck as he managed to pull up onto her shoulders. Her blade came only to be blocked by Henri’s grip. It pushed at his arm with greater strength then he might’ve expected. 

In the background, Lyn’s knees crumbled. She fell as she tried to keep the vines growing.