[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/cNtrvII.png[/img][hr][hr][b][color=009fff]Event:[/color][/b] Zaqhoria Nightmares [b]|[/b] [b][color=009fff]Location:[/color][/b] Bedroom, Ersand'Enise[hr][hr][/center]
[center][youtube]https://youtu.be/XWIGbHhSsGs[/youtube][/center]

[color=d3d3d3][i][color=ffdead]"The rest of you,"[/color] Jocasta quickly murmured, [color=ffdead]"get out of here. Now."[/color][/i][/color]

Ayla tossed and turned; she curled up tighter upon the bed. The linen sheets wrapped so tightly around her, as if clinging desperately for their warmth.

[color=d3d3d3][i]Heart hissed. [b]"For that, I shall extract a toll."[/b][/i][/color]

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

Asier had moved over to Ayla as he licked over her face to wake her. The poor girl woke up to the aroma of puff lion cub breath and drool over her facial features as she looked up at him. [color=009fff]“Cielos, Asier, how do you keep escaping.”[/color] The lion cub looked toward her, before he started to puff up again.  Ayla quickly put up the sound dampener around the room before she was blasted with the roar. [color=009fff]“Asier! No roaring when people are sleeping. Jocasta has already threatened to turn you into a pair of mittens, and never heard her threaten twice before.”[/color] She sat up as she hooked the lion cub under her arms as she moved him over to his bed. [color=009fff]“Now stay.”[/color] he looked up towards her expectantly as she stared toward him. She sighed as she moved over to the counter where she had some leftover chicken, bringing it over. [color=009fff]”Good, Stay Asier.”[/color] she cast the chicken into the food bowl beside his bed. The cub ate upon it greedily. 

Ayla went over to the handbasin as she starts to wash down her face. Every night. The exact same nightmare. That monster rears its ugly head. That snarling grin. Those long sharp teeth. She returned to the bed as she made an observation, [i]The candles were already lit again[/i] came the thought as she moved to dampen them. She peered over searchingly to the lion cub who seemed to retire happily to his bed after his fill. [i]Perhaps one simply forgot.[/i]

She slipped under the linen covers again as her head rested against the pillow after a drink of water and valerian root. This last week has been one trial after another, mentally and physically, with both her and her peers unable to rest. She wondered about her friends, if they are suffering or afflicted with the same nightmares or worse.

She breathed in the scent of lavender upon her pillow as she returned once again to a deep slumber.[hr][color=d3d3d3]

[center][youtube]https://youtu.be/G_Dtn9V7SWQ[/youtube][/center]

Then, it stalked towards the group, incandescent with eagerness. [b]"Nnnnow, mmhhhhy turn!"[/b] A wicked smile split its face. [b]"Deeeatttth!"[/b] hisses the monster.

Ingrid who tried hard, desperately pleading for their lives was caught unaware, the monster came after her and it decapitated the Eskandish girl with a single slash of her inhuman claws.

Ayla called out after Ingrid, though there were no words. She wanted to help. It was as if her mouth was sealed shut, her access to sonic magic appeared completely cut. Powerless. Helpless. The tall girl’s body just dropped to the floor with a thud.

Heart turned towards Ayla, that damned smile formed upon her lips as she grinned evilly at the girl paralysed in fear. [b]"Not even a challenge"[/b]

[i][color=orange]Powerless.[/color][/i]

Jocasta had been angered and is now using her overwhelming power, as immense energies converged upon the monster. The being with a flick of her wrist shattered Jocasta's kinetic hold, treating her as if she was nothing but a fly as the blonde was swotted across the floor of the arena in return.

Jocasta looked up scared, she was truly frightened, [color=ffdead]"I have met her before, or a... version of her. In the desert. A demon.”[/color]

The being tilted its head to the side at Jocasta's comment. [b]"A demon!?"[/b] It shook its head. [b]"I am no demon, girl."[/b] She glared.

[i][color=orange]A demon...[/color][/i]

Heart raised her hand towards Jocasta as the blonde pulled into the air. There was an ear-piercing screech from her mouth as her body started to contort, as if being crushed by invisible talons. [b]"You are strong enough to be insolent. Perhaps I should break your arms too"[/b] she hissed. Jocasta was flung against the wall like a rag-doll, her body crumpled as she lay unconscious.

[i][color=orange]You are strong.[/color][/i]

Desmond looked toward Heart as his body shook, the pistols trembling in his hands. [color=gold]“Aww Shiet, son…”[/color] He turned to Ayla, [color=gold] “I will distract her, help them. Get out of this.”[/color]. He grabbed a hold of his guns tighter, as if building his resolve. [color=gold]”Hey, big and ugly. Over here.”[/color].

Heart bemused by the significantly weaker Desmond challenging her, the being is now distracted. Ayla made her way over to Jocasta as she checked her airways, breathing shallow, weak pulse… she is alive. Barely.  Zarina came up to the pair, looking very concerned, though softened at the signs of life. [color=gold]“I’ll take her, Kitty Cat. You’re too weak and powerless.”[/color]

[i][color=orange]But you’re weak.[/color][/i]

Heart having grown bored with Desmond hurling iron pebbles at her. [b] "Learn some decorum, child. Strike me again, and you shall know suffering, truly.”[/b].

Desmond smiled wide, and mischievously at her. [color=gold]“Yet, sadly, some things must be done”[/color] 

The boy draws back upon his hands as he begins to summon an artefact. A great, significant shape appears before him, almost dwarfing the monster herself. The shape of a 20ft 17tonne, magnificent super cannon.

Ayla with almost no knowledge of warfare instantly recognized it for what it is. [i]La Llama Sagrada! The Great Torragonese Bombard of Varrahasta![/i] Even Desmond would be unstoppable with that.

Zarina called over to Ayla as she carried Jocasta upon her back. [color=C78A2C]“Hurry, you are only slowing us down.”[/color]

[i][color=orange]You slow them down.[/color][/i]

[color=gold]“Those who are dead have no fear."[/color] Desmond saluted with his hand towards his friends, chopping it downwards as he fired the super cannon.

La Llama Sagrada released a fierce explosion as a jet of fire erupted from the muzzle depicting a Roaring Lion’s head. The 25 inch (63cm), 1 tonne (2256 lb) iron shot propelled at hypersonic speeds towards Heart.

The being attempted to brace as she was thrown through the wall of the chamber, leaving a massive crater in its wake. Everyone in the room were thrown to the surrounding walls themselves also, as the arena fills with smoke, debris and dust.

There is a deafening silence as it begins to clear, there was hope. The group takes a moment to rest before a silhouette of the Being begins to appear within the dust cloud. Heart flinched for a moment, flaring its nostrils. [b]"Not bad, boy."[/b]

Desmond began trying to stand up shakily until he is fully erect as looked at the being, [color=gold]"Well fuck."[/color] After a few more breaths, she raised her head and looked right at him. [b]"Well, fuck."[/b] she mimicked.

Heart reached out as the cannon seems to crumble within her grasp as if it were made of paper, scrunching it up into a ball then crushing the wreckage on top of Desmond.

Ayla was in shock as she looked towards the being. Such unfathomable power within her hands that it even stopped the La Llama Sagrada itself.  It would have to take someone like Alizée herself to stop something like this.

[color=C78A2C]“Kitty cat, wake up!”[/color]

[i][color=orange]Wake up.[/color][/i]

Zarina looked up toward the being as she kissed the platinum Darhannic pennant around her neck. Her fingers wrapped upon the hilts of Il-Halim and Il-Kabus as she kissed upon the blades. 

[b]"Your friend does not seem to agree,"[/b] she hissed. With the snap of a finger, as Ayla tried to stand up, the being flicked her back upon her behind as she slid back against the wall. [b]"Do not presume."[/b]

Zarina drew her blades as she moved at a great speed, attempting to distract the Being with an assault upon her senses with chemical magic. The Virangish girl's body flicks, bobs and weaves, moving with great finesse.

Heart appeared frustrated as her attacks missed their mark. The claws attempting to embed themselves into the shadows where she once were.

Zarina sensing the opportunity, moved to strike. [color=C78A2C]“Eat this!”[/color]. She hopped onto the beast’s arm, using it to springboard into the air with a twirl, the blades primed as she delivers [b]death from above[/b].

The points of the blade stab into the monster’s neck from both sides as Zarina attempted to decapitate her upon the spot.

The metal only grazes, only the tip sticking as they became stuck

Zarina uses all her might to try to finish the job, pushing everything into her kinetic abilities.

[b]“I do enjoy fast food.”[/b]

Heart wrapped her claws around Zarina to keep her still, her jaw dislocating and stretching similar to that of a snake as she lowers the girl like a Virangish Pepper into her maw.

[color=C78A2C]“No no no!… If you just listened … Ayla, you idiot!”[/color]

[i][color=orange]If you just listened.[/color][/i]

The voice of Heart once again echoed through her mind as she watched in horror as she begins to consume her best friend. [b]"I am no demon, girl."[/b] 

[color=orange]“But I am.”[/color]

[center][youtube]https://youtu.be/lB9LJJQ8wzw[/youtube][/center]
[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/mihLnaY.png[/img][/center]

A new mysterious being appeared in their magnificent glory. A woman whose hair and body is clothed in fire, sporting what appeared to have long curled horns like a ram upon her head. Her mouth appeared in a cruel reflection of what is meant to be a soft and gentle smile.

[color=orange]“So why don’t you stop her?”[/color]

The woman stood there, looking towards Ayla expectantly. The scene of Zarina continued at a pace slightly slower than what would be expected as the bones in feet and shins crunched as she is being compacted, consumed alive. It spectated the sight of Zarina as she commented upon it. [color=orange]“Ooo, that would have hurt…”[/color]

Ayla looked toward this new Being incredulously, one which seemed to spectate and take delight and treat the situation as if it was one big game. [color=009fff]“There is nothing this one can do. My friends have died because of me.”[/color]

The being clicked her tongue, [color=orange]“You are not wrong. Kind of what happens if you don’t listen and deny your birth right.”[/color]. She wore a coy smile as she moved around as she leans against Ayla’s back, perching upon her as a makeshift resting post in this new position. [color=orange]“You even ruined that beautiful hair of yours.”[/color] she pinched upon it, examined it then cast it aside as she expressed a look of disgust.

[color=009fff]”We do not deny who we are. For this one is Ayla Arslan, the Lion Cub of Varrahasta, the Unburnt…”[/color], [color=orange] “... Alizée Arslan reborn, yes, yes, so cute of you.”[/color] she moves her fingers to pinch upon Ayla’s cheeks like an overly tactile aunt and gives them an overly rough tug.

Ayla shivered, [color=009fff]“That is not one of my titles”[/color], she pushed back against her, breaking free as she moved in front, turned toward her angrily. [color=orange]”Aww, little lion cub baring her fangs. Shame you are too occupied with being weak to bother saving your friend… who… oh, won’t be using her legs for a while.”[/color] The woman wagged her finger as she updated the situation.

Zarina is seen to fruitlessly try to push back against that snake like mouth, crying out, cursing. [color=C78A2C]“... Kitty Cat!”[/color]

The woman grinned widely, [color=orange]“So much for being the lion cub, more like a petulant kitten who is just walking around purring and hugging everyone.”[/color] Ayla, frustrated as she shouted at her.  [color=009fff]“Save her! You are clearly able to do something.”[/color] her voice turned pleadingly towards the strange woman.

The woman responded with a sigh as she moved her hand upwards to examine her finger nails in a bored manner. [color=orange]“You are weak and pitiful. You brought your friends into this mess, and you killed them. It is your duty to make this right. If you are weak, make yourself strong. Might makes right.”[/color]

Taunted, Ayla strutted over to Heart as she made her attack, and for the hundredth time failed again. She finds herself standing in the dark void again, though this time not waking up from her nightmare. Behind her is the sound of clapping, it seemed like she wasn’t alone in here.

[color=orange]“Woo hoo! You go kitty cat, you tried again. Though, you know, the definition of a fool is constantly repeating the same mistakes.”[/color] She walked around before her as she waved her hands as if sealing up the mysterious dark clouds that were present last time. [color=orange]“We don’t want any interruptions this time. Told Ipte to take a rain check and that you were with me today. A daughter of Eschiran preaching love is just yuck. So unbecoming of an Arslan.”[/color]

Ayla raised her eyebrow, [color=009fff]“You give the Gods orders?”[/color] the woman only smiling sickly sweet in response to this question. [color=009fff]“So, what could be different? Not even Jocasta could stop Heart, and she is the most powerful student in the academy.”[/color]

The woman clapped her hands together and points towards Ayla. [color=orange]“Now, if you were not being obtuse, you would recognize that answer.”[/color] she uses her hand to cast aside the cloud to display a scene of a woman with a child, surrounded by nurse maids. [color=orange]“Let me walk you through it little one, back when your mother held you in her arms after you were born and proudly declared you to be Alizée Arslan reborn, a naturally gifted lil’ Arslan Arsonist who was born a fireblood. They were so proud of you.”[/color] She sighed as she dismissed the scenery, [color=orange]“Such a waste of potential, a squandered gift.”[/color]

Ayla bristled at the statement, [color=009fff]“[b]I[/b] chose to go a different path. [b]I[/b] wanted to be something better.”[/color]. The woman waved her hand dismissively side-to-side, [color=orange]“More like Maura chose it for you. Boo hoo, she was so frightened you would burn her like those others.”[/color] as she mimicked crying. Ayla shook a moment as she could feel her emotions rising, [color=009fff]“That is cruel.”[/color], [color=orange]“It is not as if they didn’t deserve it.”[/color], [color=009fff]“They did not deserve that. No one does.”[/color]

The woman smiled as she clapped her hand as if reality was being rewound in front of them, the pair being brought back into the start of the scene. [color=orange]“Good, use that fiery temper of yours and roar for me, kitty cat. Allow me to show you what you could have been.”[/color]

[center][youtube]https://youtu.be/Nx-x_1lIXh4[/youtube][/center]
[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/mXMYAJs.png[/img][/center]

Ayla looked down upon her figure as she was now burning brightly, her appearance taking the manner of the strange woman as her own figure is clothed in fire. She could sense an overwhelming surge of arcane and chemical energy burning through her veins as she has been blessed with a significant amount of [color=orange][b]fire[/b][/color]power.

[i][color=orange]Now take this for a spin. Imagine how things could have been different[/color][/i]

Then Heart stalked towards the group, incandescent with eagerness. [b]"Nnnnow, mmhhhhy turn!"[/b] A wicked smile split its face. [b]"Deeeatttth!"[/b] hisses the monster.

Ingrid who tried hard, desperately pleading for their lives was caught unaware, the monster came after her and stopped in its tracked as a wall of flame shot up between her and the Eskandish girl. Heart flinched as she stopped herself from entering it.

[color=ff2a04]“Who gave you permission to harm my friend, Demon.”[/color]. Ayla stepped forward as Alizée Arslan reborn, she flicked her hair as tendrils of fire start to spread along the floor of the arena.

The being tilted its head to the side at Ayla's comment. [b]"A demon!?"[/b] It shook its head. [b]"I am no demon, girl."[/b] She glared.

Ayla’s smile spread upon her face widely as she acknowledged the Being’s comment. [color=ff2a04]“How unfortunate for you. [b]I[/b] am the daughter of the Grand Demon Hetraxa herself, Alizée Arslan, the Daughter of Eschiran, the Vengeance of the Tourrare.”[/color] She stepped forward as the tendrils flick along the ground as they scorch the stone flooring.

[i][color=orange]Ooo liking these titles a lot more.[/color][/i]

An immense fang-filled maw opened before her. [b]"HHHHHHHUUUUUUUMMMMAAAAAANNN."[/b] She could feel great nostrils snorting towards her. The voice was immense, sepulchral, regal. Heart has transformed herself into the beast they first encountered as they entered the arena.

Jocasta, Desmond, Zarina, Ingrid… the four of them stood back as they watched in horror at the monstrous form before them with only a petite fiery haired girl standing between them and certain death.

Ayla tilted her head back towards her friends and smiled warmly towards them. [color=ff2a04]“Sorry for having kept you all waiting. It is my turn now.”[/color]. Jocasta nodded appreciatively in return, [color=ffdead]”Right.. Everyone stays behind my shield as we let her do her thing.”[/color]

[b]"DEATH!"[/b] screamed the monster. [b]"DEEEEEAAAATHHH!!!!"[/b]

[color=ff2a04]“Then [b]I[/b] have to grant it you!”[/color]

A cyclone of flame engulfs Ayla as she burns brightly, the hot air making her rise in the air and floats, looking down towards the beast defiantly.

Heart inhaled as she took in a deep breath as powerful energies start converging within her maw. Ayla responded by doing likewise, as flames spiral into her hands as she gathers her magical energy. There is a moment of silence, then a boom as a highly charged explosion of atomic fire headed towards Ayla.

The girl closed her eyes for a brief moment as she prayed. She prayed for her to have the strength to overwhelm her foes, to have a determination to do what is needed, to have the courage to overcome all obstacles.

[color=orange][i]{Shift in Tone.} Granted![/i][/color]

Ayla opened her eyes as the atomic fire headed towards her and drew harder. The flame pulled into the swirling mass of Ayla’s making it larger, stronger, as it ignites into an inferno. Heart giving everything she has into the atomic fire blast, attempting to overwhelm her with flame.

[color=ffdead]“Ugh… it is so hot.”[/color]
[color=C78A2C]“Kitty cat, it is too much! Jo cannot keep up”[/color]
[color=purple]“I am feeling so thirsty…”[/color]
[color=gold]“Hotter than your mama in here”[/color]

Ayla turned towards them, [color=ff2a04]“[b]I[/b] am not a kitten, [b]I[/b] am a Lioness… Hear my ROAR!”[/color]

Heart could only look on as Ayla drew back upon her hands, lifting the inferno above her head, the vortex of fire burning brighter than five suns as she slams it down upon the Monster.

The Being roared back defiantly as it braced, doing its best to hold off the empowered meteor strike, [b]“WWEEEAAAAKKKKK!”[/b]

Ayla continues to struggle, as she concentrates to directly contain and control the energies against the creature. Heart steps forward as she is holding ground, the pair of them hand to hand with the massive fiery vortex held between them.

[color=orange]Don’t Waver[/color]
[color=ff2a04]”…too much.”[/color]
[color=orange]You have the strength![/color]
[color=ff2a04]“... my friends”[/color]
[color=orange]Will be spared from the Beast[/color]

Ayla grits her teeth as she reforms her resolve. Her eyes burning brightly as she draws upon the strength of her ancestor. The flaming tendrils run along the floor towards the abomination as they impale through her scales, one after another,  burrowing deep as the flame pours into her body. The dragon’s scales smoking and burning as they start to ignite.

[color=ff2a04]“Become Ash!”[/color]

The deep soulless blackness of her eyes stared piercingly towards Ayla as it screamed out in its own terror, it’s maw splitting apart in anguish, [b]”NOOOOOOOOO!!!”[/b]

The blaze of five suns crash down upon the Being. It’s flesh boiling, hissing, and steaming as all that remains is an ashen crater where she once stood.

Ayla smiled brightly in triumph, [color=ff2a04]“[b]I[/b] did it! [b]I[/b] defeated her! [b]I[/b] saved everyone! Jo, Zazzy, Ingy, Des, it is over!”[/color]

[color=orange]{Maniacal Laughter}[/color]

Ayla puzzled, turned towards them.

No.

She screamed.

[/color][hr]

Asier clawed at Ayla again in frustration, the puff lion cub breathed in to release an almighty roar once again towards the girl.

Ayla groggily wakes up as she feels the pain shooting along her body, the trickles of blood from the scratching.

[color=009fff]”Asier…”[/color]

The air thick with smoke and burning. The linen like charcoal all around her as the room is on fire. The Puff Lion cub looking towards Ayla with desperate eyes.

Ayla uses her kinetic magic to draw in the air quickly and suddenly, depriving the fire of its much-needed sustenance as she extinguishes it, as she casts the blazing heat out of the room.

She tugs Asier into her arms as she cuddled the puff lion cub close, soothing it as they take their moment to breathe in the far cooler air which rushes in from outside.

[color=009fff]”… we have been igniting the bed again, haven’t we?”[/color]

She sighed out. It has been years.

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