[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/houzIW1.png[/img][/center] No sooner had Ashley raised her defenses, then the starving thralls crashed against them, her shield and full-body energy barrier glowing as clawed hands desperately sought to break through. And break though they [i]did[/i], for although the Knight of Tomorrow could withstand the assault of two or three such opponents, far more assailed her now, and she soon found herself overwhelmed by their sheer weight of numbers. Her full-body energy field having completely faded under the relentless torrent of blows, Ashley batted away a crazed thrall aiming for her throat, before several more pulled her to the ground. At this point, the high-tech heroine was in serious trouble, and she gasped in pain as the frenzied mob clawed at her legs and gnawed on her arms. While her injuries were currently at the level of “mere” cuts, bruises, and shallow puncture wounds, Ashley knew that if she didn’t quickly find a way to escape, she would meet with the exceptionally horrific fate of being eaten alive… It was then that one of the thralls crawled atop her, its knees pressing against her ribs and pinning her to the floor. As the malnourished creature reared up, Ashley was able to see that the thrall was only a young teenager, and as it’s weeping visage shifted between revulsion and hunger, its cracked lips mouthed two simple words- [b]“Save me.”[/b] . .. … “Save me, sis!” her brother begged, as he barged into her room. “I’ve got a big science test tomorrow, and if I don’t pass it, Coach says I’ll be suspended from the team! Help me, O’ Sorceress of Science,” he added, dropping to his knees and clasping his hands together. You’re my only hope!” [color=MediumSpringGreen]“How can I say no to a request like that?”[/color] Ashely asked with a giggle. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“So, I take it you haven’t studied at all, huh?”[/color] she asked with a knowing smirk. “I-I have,” her brother protested. “It’s just that Mr. Elderman hates us, so he puts stuff on the test that we never covered in class,” he explained. “So, uh, could you please go over the chapter with me, and help me prepare for anything unexpected he might throw at us?” [color=MediumSpringGreen]“Sure,”[/color] Ashely told him warmly, as she patted a soft spot on her bed next to where she was sitting at her desk. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“Let’s start by making sure you understand the core concepts, then we can work on some derived applications for them. Don’t worry,”[/color] she reassured him as she ruffled his hair affectionately. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“The Tomasville Tigers won’t have to play without their star pitcher,”[/color] she added with a confident grin. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“At least, not if [i]I[/i] have anything to say about it!”[/color] “You’re the best, sis!” the young teen cheered, while jumping up to give her a hug. “I don’t know what I’d do if I didn’t have you here to save me!” … .. . [b]“Save me,”[/b] the boy repeated as his trembling form slowly descended upon her. Ashley couldn’t help but weep at the sight. Not for herself, but for the boy above her. This boy, who could have so easily been her own little brother. As painful as the starving thralls’ attempts to devourer her were, they paled when placed against the pain she felt for [i]them.[/i] They did not ask for this, they did not [i]want[/i] to do this to her. They were merely victims, victims she had come here to save, but, in the end, she had been powerless to help them. They had [i]needed[/i] her, and she had [i]failed[/i] them… [color=MediumSpringGreen]“I’m sorry,”[/color] she whispered, steeling herself for what she was about to do. The boy’s momentary hesitation had allowed her to glimpse the possible path to her salvation, the opening of a garbage chute, directly above her. However, if she were to reach it, she needed to act with decisiveness. Even if she could not save these poor souls, she could at least ensure that no one else would suffer their cruel fate. Closing her eyes and gathering her strength, Ashley raised her glowing techno-wand, before slamming it into the ground with all her might. Immediately, an expulsion of emerald energy surged outwards, engulfing all the thralls within five feet of the prone esper. Since she was so close to her targets, the Knight of Tomorrow also experienced no small amount of discomfort, but it was no greater than what she had already experienced, and it was significantly less than what the thralls would feel… With the energy pulse momentarily stunning the pitiful creatures, Ashely would force herself to her feet, before leaping up into the garbage chute, whereupon she would begin slowly working her way along the narrow passage, her back and knees braced against its cramped walls, while bitter tears flowed down her cheeks. Justin would [i]pay[/i] for what he had done, for what he had forced [i]her[/i] to do. She would make sure of it… [hr] [center]18 | Female | GEMINI | Vision of Tomorrow Implements of Tomorrow | Wand, Shield | Arcane | Tune of Tomorrow Raiment of Tomorrow | Stride of Tomorrow Light of Tomorrow | Light | Power of Tomorrow [Reveal (2), Purity (4)], Damage (2), Damage X (6), Shield (4), Reflect (4), Heal (6), Major Heal (18), AoE (2), Powerful (0), Piercing (2) DAMAGE: C | SPEED: E | SENTINEL: D | 750 [Bronze Touch][AoE][Damage X] = -80 mana PHYSICAL: E | ARCANE: D | CHAOS: C | 454[/center]