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[center][sub]Time: 3:01 am - The Forest[/sub][/center]

[hider=Lilie/Ben]

Once the last object slid into it’s pillar and the family crest appeared, the grinding came again as Geoffrey turned to face the pair. Ben’s vision returned. The statue’s empty hand closed and returned to his side. [color=deepskyblue] “With the families kneeling at my feet and their armies mine to comm―”[/color]

Geoffrey cut off suddenly as he clutched his throat. The marble cracked and flaked, pouring off him like sand. The colors of his clothes changed, the black lined with silver. A new form was taking shape, a head and a half shorter and far more diminutive with a silver viel hiding the top half of her face. Her dress was simple and a lace shawl hugged her shoulders. The Sinnenodel family crest carved itself on viel. The woman brought the scepter up for inspection.

[color=deepskyblue]“We of snakes care little for conflict, our cousins’ silly wars for naught. Time consumes all that feels and soon it will be gone. We care naught for that which withers, only for that which grows, a mind beyond the grasp of time and our passionate throes. Our games are far more complex than swords and magic might combined so sit and play and earn our trust as equals of the mind.”[/color] Her voice was soothing and sweet but she looked straight at the pair in front of her and crushed the scepter. [color=deepskyblue] “No man may [i]make[/i] me kneel, no vampire [i]demand[/i] dominion.”[/color] The bush rew back over her and the light shimmered around the pillars again, turning back into trees. 

All of it, the bushes, the trees, even the grass, looked withered and dry. 

The woman’s voice echoed out of the dead bush again. [color=deepskyblue]“The exit waits in lying down paths that are vying for light amongst the underbrush. But opposite of it, a clear and even path, if skill is what you keep and introspection what you seek.”[/color] Ben’s vision disappeared again.

[/hider] 

[hider=Salem/Victor]

The mage screamed as the glaive found its mark, piercing clean through him. He collapsed and the vines slapped harmlessly against Salem before tumbling limp to the ground. The vampire behind him collapsed as well and the only suggestion it was still alive was the skin trying to heal sluggishly around the vines but soon enough, even that stopped as the vampire turned to dust. 

Lord Astorio watched Salem silently the entire time until, with the same apathetic expression he wore, he clapped twice and headed into the woods..[/hider]

[hider=Maddie/Amaris] 

[color=FC8686]“I believe she is a strong option. Regardless of how we interpret it, her family has signed off on any executions. I would just hope there aren't as many possible deaths in a war.”[/color] Contemplating the body count of a vampire, not to mention a Princess, made her uncomfortable. She wouldn’t imagine thinking about that outside of this and now she has been faced with the fact that she never wants to again. 

Of course, now there was another dilemma. Should she point out that it’s probably safest to hedge their bets on Ryner and the other vampire family they failed to eliminate. She didn’t know the Countess well enough yet to know if she would react poorly to the fact they had yet to eliminate her own house. [color=FC8686]“We should bet on Ryner.”[/color] She said, instead choosing to let Ari come to that conclusion on her own.[/hider]