It didn't appear that the blow had been sufficient to put the poor creature out of its misery, nor end what she could only assume was the twisted shrine's influence on the monsters and Kordelia itself.

But...

Even as Kordelia's transformation into something monstrous began, Aleksiya noticed something distinctly wrong. Not the transformation in and of itself, though it was rare that her fellow lord pushed any of the beastly alterations to this point. Rather the strained manner of speech, the way her head had jerked unnaturally, and the faint crimson thread that drifted from behind her.

The sudden arrival of the maid only prompted further doubt in the nature of the situation.

But Aleksiya's attention now turned from the twisted altar to that glint of thread behind what was now an enormous monstrosity.

"Dear me, Kordelia," she said with a sigh, "What an unpleasant makeover. Might I suggest you return to your previous look?"

Her words fell on deaf ears, naturally, as she took a step back, manifesting a razor-edged length of ice beside her right arm.

"I'm glad to see you find this amusing, observer," she added, addressing the maid, "I [i]certainly[/i] do not."

She pointed the ice-blade forward.

"Giselle. The thread, you saw it as well? I don't think I need to say anything more about what we should do."

And then she was off and running. Either cut the thread herself, or maintain the monstrous Kordelia's attention. Either way, she had to ensure it was severed.

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