[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/io96cQp.png[/img][/center]

[center][@Izurich][@Villamvihar][@Sonnambula][/center]

[color=LightSkyBlue]“Oaths?”[/color] Olivia echoed. [color=LightSkyBlue]“Hmm… Let’s see… Let’s see… Oh, I know!”[/color] she exclaimed happily. [color=LightSkyBlue]“I, Magical Maiden Ethereal Rose do solemnly vow to keep my dear friend Wilhelmina safe during the upcoming conflict!”[/color] the azure-clad beauty declared with a confident smile as she placed a reassuring hand on the maritime maiden’s shoulder.

[color=MediumBlue]“And I, Thyerg’Xolys, Master of Xhar’doth, do solemnly vow to ensure the abominable foe before us is thoroughly vanquished!”[/color]

[color=LightSkyBlue]“Are those acceptable?”[/color] Olivia asked with a hopeful expression.

A moment later, Lucette, or rather Lumiere, declared that they would be engaging the towering Pageless in the air, noting that Wilhelmina could either ride upon Xolys or Nessie’s broomstick. Of course, neither of these options seemed like they would be particularly pleasant for the maritime maiden. The broomstick looked rather small for two people, while Xolys had already proven to be rather terrifying to poor Wilhelmina. Still, Olivia’s eldritch companion would perhaps be the safer choice, and so Captain Goodhope had reluctantly agreed to allow the Master of Xhar’doth to serve as her transport. 

Although it would certainly be safer for the maritime maiden to be carried in Xolys’s arms like Olivia, the otherworldly beast did not wish to give the clearly horrified girl any additional psychological trauma, and so he allowed her to ride atop his massive shoulders instead, even going so far as to use his spines and chitinous carapace to form a staircase of sorts in order to facilitate her passage. Once he had ensured she was secure, Xolys coiled his many tentacles beneath himself and sprung up into the turbulent sky. Where normally, his twisted wings only permitted mere gliding, thanks to the additional power flowing through him from Goodhope’s blessing, the Master of Xhar’doth found that his mighty pinions were now strong enough to permit full flight, and it wasn’t long before he was soaring through the air alongside Lumiere and Nessie.

As they approached the colossal Pageless, the glowing, unblinking orbs that counted for its eyes briefly flickered. An instant later, and a mighty wind blast struck Goodhope, knocking the maritime maiden off of Xolys, and sending her hurtling to the ground below.  

[color=LightSkyBlue]“Helmi!”[/color] Olivia cried in alarm.

Immediately, a dark tendril shot forth to wrap securely around the plummeting maiden, before reeling her back in to where Olivia herself rested in the relative safety of Xolys’s bosom.

[color=MediumBlue]“Do not worry, my love,”[/color] the Master of Xhar’doth reassured the azure-clad beauty. [color=MediumBlue]“As promised, I shall allow no harm to come to either of you. Still, this is [i]very[/i] peculiar…”[/color] Xolys noted, his calm voice sounding somewhat perplexed. [color=MediumBlue]“This is the first time a Pageless has shown hostility to one in such close proximity to you, my sweet Rose,”[/color] the eldritch being added. [color=MediumBlue]“I fear this foe may prove to be a truly exceptional challenge indeed…”[/color]

[color=LightSkyBlue]“Goodness, darling, you’re right!”[/color] Olivia gasped. [color=LightSkyBlue]“But don’t worry, Helmi,”[/color] she hasted to add, while wrapping her arms around her friend in a protective embrace. [color=LightSkyBlue]“My darling Xolys and I will make [i]extra[/i] sure that fascinatingly large and powerful Pageless doesn’t do that again!”[/color] 

[color=MediumBlue]“Indeed,”[/color] Xolys agreed, before turing his attention to Wilhelmina. [color=MediumBlue]“And although I know you find being in my presence somewhat unnerving, Captain, please allow me to fully shield you from that vile fiend’s predations.”[/color]

Not waiting for a reply, the eldritch beast raised an additional pair of hands up to cover the two maidens, while numerous smaller tendrils wrapped around their bodies, ensuring they were firmly secure.

[color=LightSkyBlue]“See, Helmi?”[/color] Olivia asked with a smile. [color=LightSkyBlue]“Dearest Xolys will keep us safe and snuggly! Oh, but, um, if you happen to have a flying ship, then this might be a good time to summon it…”[/color] she added as she glanced up at the gargantuan Pageless, which seemed to be growing even larger as they approached.

And once again, its eyes were beginning to flicker…

[color=MediumBlue]“Please brace yourselves,”[/color] Xolys instructed his passengers as he prepared to take evasive action. [color=MediumBlue]“Things may get a bit rough…”[/color]