[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/houzIW1.png[/img][/center]

Before Ashley was even fully aware of them, several events transpired in rapid succession. First, the partially healed Leroux was able to fire off a melody at the burly vampire, while Ashley’s own arcane bolt struck the skeletal centaur-thing and distracted it enough for Wukong to finish it off. This was followed up by Leroux’s blade sphere slicing the vampire in twain, thus releasing Breacher and Valkyrie from their blood prison. The sinister nun lingered for a moment more, before blinking away in a burst of blacklight. In a matter of seconds, the smoke and flames that had so filled the chamber dispersed and extinguished to reveal that the G.E.M.I.N.I. strike team had apparently succeeded in securing the foyer, but that wasn’t [i]all[/i] their absence revealed…

Ashley fell to her knees as she realized with increasing horror that [i]none[/i] of the hostages had survived, the Knight of Tomorrow’s breath catching in her throat as she understood with utter, agonizing certainty that these twenty-four innocent men, women, and children would not see another... [color=MediumSpringGreen]“N-No…”[/color] she whimpered, bringing a hand to her mouth as tears streamed down her cheeks. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“T-They couldn’t… [i]I[/i] couldn’t save [i]any[/i] of them…”[/color] Squeezing her eyes shut, the young esper’s body trembled as she continued to weep for those who’s lives had been so cruelly taken, who’s futures had been so irrevocably turned to ash. All their rich possibilities, all their untapped potential, all their hopes, all their dreams, all now amounted… to [i]nothing…[/i] [color=MediumSpringGreen]“W-Why…? W-Why do I even [i]have[/i] these powers, if I can’t [i]help[/i] anyone with them?”[/color] she sobbed. 

[i]But you [b]can[/b]…[/i] a voice echoed in her mind. [i]And you [b]will[/b]…[/i]

[color=MediumSpringGreen]“W-What…?”[/color] she whispered.

[i]You are still young, merely a student. You have [b]much[/b] to learn, and experiences like [b]this[/b] can help you…[/i]

[color=MediumSpringGreen]“H-Help me? H-How?”[/color]

[i]All the emotions you’re feeling right now, the sorrow, anger, [b]pain[/b]… They can fuel your growth in ways you cannot even imagine. I know you’re hurting, but remember, while life may be painful, pain is nothing more than weakness leaving the body… You have great things to accomplish, Ashley, you’ve [b]seen[/b] them, but to do so you need to be [b]strong[/b]… Tell me, Ashley, what is the [b]source[/b] of your anguish?[/i] the voice inquired. [i][b]Who[/b] has caused you to feel this way? Who is [b]really[/b] responsible for all of this suffering?[/i]

[color=MediumSpringGreen]“[i]Justin…[/i]”[/color] Ashley hissed, her voice dripping with hatred.

[i]Yesss…[/i] the voice confirmed, seeming quite pleased with Ashley’s answer. [i][b]He[/b] is the one who caused all this to happen, and [b]you[/b] can be the one to [b]make him regret it[/b], to make him experience all the suffering he’s inflicted on others. [b]You[/b] are the Knight of Tomorrow,[/i] the voice continued. [i][b]You[/b] are the one who decides what tomorrow brings to those under your care… Hope? Or [b]horror?[/b] The choice… is [b]yours[/b]…[/i] 

[color=MediumSpringGreen]“Yes,”[/color] Ashley agreed, her previously distraught countenance now filled with a look of fierce determination. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“It [i]is…[/i]”[/color]

Rising to her feet, the Knight of Tomorrow deactivated her visor and wiped the tears from her eyes. The emerald eye shield quickly flickering back into place, she made her way down to the first floor to do what she could for her teammates. Of primary concern was Agent Wukong, who had suffered some fairly substantial injuries from both the flames and the undead spider centaur. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“Here, let me patch you up,”[/color] Ashley offered with a kind smile as she reached out a glowing hand and allowed healing energies to flow through it and into her fellow agent. [color=MediumSpringGreen]“There, does that feel a bit better?”[/color] she inquired. 

[color=MediumSpringGreen][i]We may have gotten a little beaten up,[/i][/color] Ashley conceded as she glared up at the obnoxious portrait of the master of this wretched manor. [color=MediumSpringGreen][i]But not enough to stop us from ending your thrice-damned life![/i][/color]

[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][Heal] = -48 mana

PHYSICAL: E | ARCANE: D | CHAOS: C | 334[/center]