The multiple Rens continued to giggle, creating an echo of laughter that, in all honesty, added to the creepiness of the library. Grant continued to shoot them down, though for every one that was shot, another two popped up. He felt like he was dancing, constantly having to be on the move to avoid the many, [I]many[/I] vines that dared him to stop so they would trap him. The library was beginning to look more like a jungle at this point, though Grant wasn't sure if a creepy jungle was any better than a creepy library.

He stepped on something that wasn't the floor, and promptly slipped; in that moment, he really took a hard look at himself. Honestly, there were so many things he should have done better. Maybe he would have taken over the world or something. That thought went flying out the window as he let out a yelp, the vine ensnaring his ankle and promptly pulling him upside down into the air.

"[color=darkorchid]I'm starting to think the universe hates me,[/color]" He called out to Wesley as he continued to shoot.
[hr]
Emiri landed on the ground with a hard thud, though she had no time to even think as she would roll to the side, Ren's vines stabbing the ground where she was just a moment ago. For someone so meek and withdrawn, she was dangerous, her vines giving the pair more trouble than either woman wanted to admit. Shion sliced through the ones sent at her, sending her own vines towards Ren, though the latter would prove the attack futile as with a snap of her fingers, they would all temporarily dissolve.

"[color=springgreen]I had sort of hoped getting a taste of her own medicine would have gone better,[/color]" Emiri admitted as she jumped to her feet.

"[color=deepskyblue]I don't have the same mastery she does,[/color]" Shion would explain. "[color=deepskyblue]Ren is a more recent recruit, I've only known her for a few years.[/color]"

The brunette gave Shion a look. "[color=springgreen]So you're telling me [I]she[/I] taught [I]you[/I]? I thought you knew everything,[/color]" Her last sentence probably shouldn't have come off as sarcastic as it did, but damn it, the one time she wanted Shion to be a showoff and she was being a massive disappointment.

Unfortunately for Emiri, Shion seemed to have gotten the hint. "[color=deepskyblue]Let's see [I]you[/I] rip out a piece of your soul and see how you come out, hmm?[/color]" She was quick to snap.

"[color=springgreen]You seemed eager to do it![/color]" Emiri replied, although before she could continue, she noticed Ren charging up her next attack. "[color=springgreen]I'm open to any ideas, O Great One![/color]"

This was one of the few times where Shion wasn't quite sure what was coming next. The Creature's possession of Ren had quite a few tricks up its sleeve, making use of her powers in ways even she couldn't imagine. Taking in a breath, Shion leaned forward, touching her katana to the ground as she closed her eyes. As she opened them, she burst forward, a blur to those who hadn't seen it coming. Swiping her blade across the air, the attack rushed at Ren, who dodged it with surprising ease, though the attack sent several bookcases crashing to the ground. Ren herself smiled, extending her hand as several dozens of vines erupted from behind her.

Shion's eyes widened, bracing herself, though as something touched her arm, everything would freeze in place. To her surprise, Emiri had taken a hold of her arm, though as she moved to get away, Emiri held on tighter. "[color=springgreen]If you let go, things will resume for you,[/color]" She explained, though it was obvious this was a painful experience. "[color=springgreen]This used to be really easy, but now...[/color]"

"[color=lime]But now, things have changed, haven't they?[/color]" The pair froze as Ren's voice rang out.

What?! Emiri let out a cry of pain as a vine pierced through her left shoulder, and time would resume for the pair. As the vines came after Shion next, the woman tried to cut Emiri free, only for Ren's vines to take a hold of her katana. Wonderful. Shion released it, the katana dissolving into mist as she jumped back.

"[color=lime]See, you have to think of it this way,[/color]" Ren decided to educate Emiri as she approached the two. "[color=lime]Originally, it was through the Espers that you channeled your mist through to use your reality-bending-time-manipulating powers. That connection, however, became corrupted by Zodiark in an attempt to get himself free. To protect you, Mitron essentially severed your connection to them, but in turn, you no longer have any outside sources for your powers. You'd be surprised how much time manipulation takes out of a regular hume.[/color]"

"[color=deepskyblue]And being a creature of the mist exempts you?[/color]" Shion asked warily, placing a hand on her hip. She noticed Emiri's sword closeby, though kept her attention on Ren. Still, another opportunity was before her, and she found herself needing to confirm Venat's words. "[color=deepskyblue]You must be something special for that, the thought probably thrills you.[/color]"

Ren shook her head at Shion, though she smiled. "[color=lime]You wound me, Shion. Centuries come and go, and you're still as arrogant as ever,[/color]" She stated bitterly, although as she stepped forward, she was coated in darkness. Ren fell back to the ground, unconscious, though in her place stood a dark figure, slowly forming features until a [url=https://data.whicdn.com/images/51975956/original.png]man[/url] stood before them. His eyes were as dark as his hair, a stark contrast to his pale skin, and for a moment, Emiri thought it was Keiran before them. "[color=slateblue]Come on, darling, I thought you'd be happier to see me?[/color]"
[hr]
And to think she was about to pat herself on the back for a job well done.

The chill was bad enough, but Savayna had gone berserk. Nadeline gripped the rod tightly, though she could already feel the freezing effects. Raising her rod, she channeled Fire magicks, though it didn't seem to be any match against Savayna's mastery of ice. Nadeline changed tactics instead, using the same flames she had instead to temporarily enhance her Shell to shield them, if only for a moment.

"[color=coral]I suspect that would be the next phase,[/color]" She admitted to Jaakuna. "[color=coral]Fire versus Ice is the only way this will go down. I will make the attempt to dispel whatever hallucinations she is carrying as you go on the offensive.[/color]"