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[center][h1][i]Fire and Brimstone[/i][/h1]
[h3][i]Part 3[/i][/h3][/center]

[center][b]Location: Sherman Square – Lost Haven
Time: Hound Ambush on Sherman Square[/b][/center]
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Amidst the chaos, Lady Hex failed to account for her surroundings. Her station near the Sherman Center was far from secure; armored trucks and vans filed in from every possible entrance. Though she had managed to slow the advance of forward moving Hounds, those behind the center remained largely unscathed, the force of her storm their only hindrance. It was this oversight that nearly cost Hex her life. 

In a flurry of wind, rain, and dancing lights, the Alchemyst came charging through with might and steel. With powers strange and a thrust of her staff, Hex’s assailants were rendered unconscious. All the while, Madalena remained unaware to the threat on her life. Only in those final moments when the Alchemyst’s voice broke through the roar of gunfire did Maddi understand the debt she owed. 

Soon thereafter, a second wave of encroaching foot soldiers forced Charlie’s hand. Hot vapors began to poor from her hands, enveloping the two in a thick veil of steam. Now aware of her surroundings, Lady Hex did her part, wielding her cane like a club and crippling the blinded Hounds who dared draw near. Feats of strength were not among Hex’s gifts, but the thorns running down the length of her elder wood scepter were enough to stun assailants. 

[color=honeydew]”Stay close! I need to make something for Pantheon! He’s not going anywhere fast fighting these shits barehanded.”[/color] The Alchemyst shouted frantically as the cloud of steam began to evaporate.

Madalena nodded, moving with haste to Pantheon’s side, staying as close to Charlie as the situation would allow. Their mad dash didn’t go unnoticed, however.

Two flares spiraled toward Lady Hex and Pantheon, signaling a change in strategy. Hex couldn’t hear the Judicator’s orders, but she noticed small groups of Hounds switching ammunitions as they marched forward. She was yet unsure if the Witchfinder General had lent any of his men to this assault, or if the Hounds were simply using his expertise to their advantage. Either way, Madalena could see that their slow advance would spell danger for herself, Charlie, and Pantheon, the latter of whom was heavily preoccupied. 

[color=BE1359][i]What do I do?[/i][/color] Hex thought to herself in panic. She was fortunate to have remembered the storm calling charm moments ago, but would her powers of fascination be enough to halt a wall of bullets? What’s more, the ground began to freeze around them thanks to the Hound’s walking machinations of destruction. What could she possibly do that wouldn’t cause more trouble for the gathered heroes? 

An idea! Hex hatched a risky idea, one that would take more time than she had, but there was little choice. If the Alchemyst had time enough to write her formula and perform complex transmutations in the field, Madalena could find a way to make her spell work.

[color=BE1359]”Char-Alchemyst!”[/color] Hex cried, grabbing Charlie’s attention. [color=BE1359]”Can you give us a little more steam cover?”[/color]

Lady Hex quickly ran a short distance away, making sure that she was not in direct line of sight of any approaching Hounds. She reasoned that if none could see her, her natural gifts of misfortune would obscure their aim and keep her safe. A dangerous assumption, but it was the only assurance she had.

Using her cover, Madalena marked upon the stone with the end of her cane, tracing a figure like Puck’s symbol, but with a different incantation surrounding the central imp. Much to her delight, the image appeared in a faint red light with each movement. 

Quickly, Lady Hex place a small square of cloth at the center of the glyph, shielding her work from the rain with her cloak. The sound of bullets whizzing past gave her pause, but none managed to find their mark. She had to be swift.

Next, she added a small amount of powdered iron oxide, kept on her person as a talisman against ornery fey and small curses. To this, Lady Hex added a few parts ergot and dried snakeskin, both used in works of malice, as well as a small shard off a black cat’s femur. Finally, Madalena used the thorns along her cane to prick her thumb, letting a few drops of blood to pool on top of the other ingredients before wrapping it tightly in the cloth with a length of cord left over from the sailor’s knot. 

Lady Hex took a step back, revealing the small pouch. Holding her cane perpendicular to her body, Hex concentrated, feeling the malice pool inside her body, hearing the subtle chime of the hex bag and its contents atop the glowing imp’s head. Another bullet zipped past her head, threatening her concentration. Intuitively, she knew that Puck had taken measures to ensure her safety in this battle, he wouldn’t have sent her if he wasn’t sure she’d make it out alive, but to be dancing in the flames as opposed to viewing them from afar was a harrowing experience. Even so, Lady Hex had to make herself known.

The hex bag suddenly burst into flames, producing an ethereal, amber smoke that held a subtle glow. This enchanted haze quickly grew into a pillar of red smog. Lady Hex directed the smoke with her cane, spreading it into every direction as a whirling tendrils. The smoke gathered around the Hound’s various machines; several trucks, mechs, remaining helicopters, even around weapons. It filled every cavity and crevice it could find, producing a thick layer of rust and wear that yielded many functions ineffective. 

A stray Hound broke through the layer of steam separating Hex from the group, but to his dismay, his gun refused to fire and the blade at his waist had grown dull. This was much the same for others on the field. Lady Hex waved an arm, sending the Hound flying into the fray. She struggled to stay upright, having expended more energy than originally intended. Such was the way of one so unused to exertion. Her power and knowledge was to her team’s advantage, but her lack of experience was to her detriment. 

Despite her fatigue, Madalena hoped that her spell would level the playing field, contributing to what she prayed would be a swift victory.