[b]Lexianna[/b]

She didn't listen which means my options are limited. As much as I want to save her I cannot risk the lives entrusted to me below. The best outcome I can fight for here, is destroying her arsenal to force her into retreat, earning a second try at a later date.

So be it. By force it is. When the armada fires, I launch the blazing projectiles I had afloat crashing into the ships. This next bit is going to take the rest of my fading energy. I land next to Baruss. 

" Please Sir Baruss, lend me strength?" I extend my scythe to him. 

For what comes next my scythe's waning power isn't enough, so I let it draw from my life force. Black spots wink in and out of my vision but I cannot stop yet. I draw on everything in me to stand firm and reach out. I feel it all. The large bombardment of shells being fired. I can feel each one and the air around it. The shells all freeze half way to the ground, turn and fire back on the ships which were also just hit by the previous projectiles. I sink slowly to the ground as chunks of ship start hailing down.



[b]Li-Li[/b]

Rather serendipitous that we're back at The Oasis. It's exactly were I planned to leave them. "Alright pack listen up. I have some business to take care of alone. You two are to go nowhere while I'm gone." I point to The First Lotus. "You, keep an eye on him and stop him from being stupid by disobeying me." I don't wait for an answer. I open my timescape and warp to the coordinates that were whispered to me.

[b] The First Lotus[/b]

I curl up on a rock and make myself small. Too much confusion on how I feel and the source is my charge.

Things use to be much simpler. He was the only one who could make me laugh. The only one who understood my duty-bound drive. Or...a part of him did. Sin.

I can't allow myself to start down that path...missing him. Instead I strike a compromise. Talk is decent distraction. "Do you miss her? The current Lotus?" I don't look at him. I look straight at the ground.