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Earthshaker leapt straight into the belly of the beast, right into the thick of its teeth, as if wanting to be swallowed by it. As useless as she was, Ember knew that she could always escape if things turned tougher than she expected, or just arrange one of her bodies properly to call for help before jumping back into the thick of it. While phoning each other remained an option, it was inconvenient and so the decision she had made was between a body or two or a valuable member of the Detention Club lost to foul play.

Unfortunately, neither of Ember’s companions saw it that way. Nyxia, having seen the schemer’s weakness first-hand, likely spoke up based on it and supported Earthshaker taking the threat head-on. Fortunately, Ember had not shot all of her shots yet.

[color=red]”While I would agree with you in most circumstances, there is very little that we are aware of in this situation. While my suggestion may seem foolish at a first gla-”[/color]

[color=teal][i]”Ember!”[/i][/color] Sylvia’s mental shout almost swept the schemer away. She could not even finish her sentence as the protector’s voice filled their mental space. [color=teal][i]”There’s something wrong outside! I feel it!”[/i][/color] Ember’s eyes widened in response to that as she processed the warning and she shifted her gaze towards Earthshaker in order to try and figure it out.

The next second, it happened.

Shuuko’s body exploded into motion without Ember’s input. The everyday appearance burned away in a shower of reflective mirrors, transforming into Shatterscape mid-motion. Magic flared brighter than it had any right to, similar to when Hotaru boosted the body’s strength by channeling it through Shatterscape’s body so her strike could behead her foe. Pain flared. Flesh changed.

Agony. The protector could not, or would not shield her comrades from it.

Through the window. Outside. Towards Earthshaker. No time for words, only actions. Grab her shoulder. Throw her away. Green eyes - not red, or sprinkled with green - met Roche’s.

The pain reached new heights as a beam of light pierced Shatterscape’s torso. Barely an inch thick, it nevertheless blew her open and immediately cauterised the wound, almost separating the body’s shoulder from its collarbone. Indeed, had Earthshaker remained in place, kept busy by Morganite, the attack could have found its mark anywhere, disabling or even potentially killing the tribal girl. It would have only taken two attacks from different directions; Earthshaker’s shield could not have defended against both of them.

Or at least such had been Sylvia’s panicked logic when she blitzed towards Roche. Now that it was done? It did not exist anymore. Only poisonous fire remained where her body used to be, consuming all of her mental strength as she tried her best to shoulder the experience. It still bled through to everyone, including Hotaru. And while the warrior may have refused to help the other two so far… Everyone had their limits.

[color=#D8CD9F][i]”I will strangle that bitch!”[/i][/color]

Shuuko’s body changed hands two times in as many seconds as the warrior seized its lips in order to form a wolf-like howl, then smashed into the ground like a meteorite. With Sylvia taking on the pain, Hotaru could blitz straight towards the source of the beam, right arm stretched out to tear the light girl into shreds, even while her left dangled uselessly at her side.