The doll's cracked, crumbling frame could not withstand further abuse.

Its torso fracture, shattering, pieces of porcelain and wood scattering to the ground. Kayliss's kick knocking the head clean from its shoulders, its neck joint shattering from the impact.

But even then, it seemed something was happening.

From the base of the head, spiderlike legs unfurled, curling outwards, each tipped with a needle-like blade. Indeed, the construct didn't seem to be quite finished. Its head might have been crackled and fractured, but it could still attack.

Its mouth opened, and-

"No more."

Its damaged structure was no longer so sturdy.

A flash of Starshine's blade split it cleanly down the middle. In an instant, Velvetica's blade cleaved it apart, slipping into the cracks and cutting its structure again and again, leaving nothing but scattered fragments to hit the ground.

The lower half of the doll collapsed to the floor with a faint creaking noise. When it landed, it let out no further sound. What remained of it was entirely still.

The Steel Princess lowered her sword at her side, her sky-blue eyes shifting from the doll's remains to the witch.

"I believe we've passed your test, Witch."

A waste of time. A waste of time that could have been spent searching for the prisoners. Searching for evidence of where they could have gone. While the Witch seemingly had no ill intent in spite of sending killer dolls after them, at the same time Velvetica could not hide her frustration.

And yet there was Tabitha, clapping cheerfully.

"You did, you did~! Congratulations~" she declared, cheerfully, entirely unbothered by the destruction of her constructs, "You deserve a reward~"

Velvetica sighed. On one hand, she wasn't particularly interested in a reward from the Witch, so much as she wanted to find the prisoners. On the other, it could be valuable, and it was possible that the Witch would become annoyed if the prize was rejected.

"First~"

Reaching behind herself, Tabitha produced another doll. This one, however, was not one of the blank automatons they had done battle with thus far.

It was far more like the Witch herself, albeit more appropriately-sized for a doll. She had blue hair of a similar shade to the Witch's, and her bright eyes held a similar sign of life. But she looked far more childish, and wore a black-and white, frilled dress as opposed to the gray outfit adorning Tabitha.

"This little one will be assisting you and your forces," she said, gently pushing the doll's back. The doll anxiously peered over her shoulder, before approaching Velvetica curiously.

"... What... I... why? She's-"

"Questioning a gift from a Witch? Surely you can guess what use she may be, hm?"

Velvetica couldn't help but sigh again, as the doll came to a stop in front of her, peering up at her. She was even smaller than the nem, surely she didn't have any direct combat application. Perhaps Gisela could figure it out.

"And secondly..." the Witch continued, "You'll find the prisoners to the southeast of here. They aren't far~ Ah, and they were purchased by strangers from across the sea."

Strangers from across the sea? This information was far more immediately valuable. Across the sea...? As far as she knew, the Asharaadi did not keep slaves, though she supposed mercenaries of Asharaadi descent could turn away from the law in the same manner as those of Velt could turn away from the Goddess's will.

But that was not the only possibility.

Unfortunately, the Doll Witch didn't seem to be inclined to offer further information. Indeed-

"I'll see you around~ Take good care of the little one~"

-With a fading blue light, she was gone.

[@Raineh Daze][@AzureKnight][@Psyker Landshark][@The Otter][@VKAllen][@Eisenhorn][@Crimson Paladin][@Conscripts][@HereComesTheSnow][@Octo][@PigeonOfAstora]