Several hours passed, and it was dark by the time the ringer on Casey’s work phone went off. He’d thought of shutting it off, but there was also a chance for things to start early, and he wanted to be available from all angles in case someone needed to contact him. But, as he and Trisha were in the middle of decompressing in total silent darkness in the back room of their home, the loud jingle went off and scared the Hell out of him. Nearly jumping out of his skin, Casey stared at the phone with hateful eyes. He didn’t even have to look down at Trisha to know there was tense expectation surrounding this situation. After all, he was [i]done[/i], wasn’t he? No more work like that… Yet, the phone was ringing and interrupting them. And worse? [i]He reached down to pick it up and answer.[/i] There was an immediate pause, and the vague silhouette of Casey’s face turned downward in frustration. Another moment passed, and he hung up the phone before clearing his throat. [color=577d06]”Honey… I think I’ve gotta go for a little bit…”[/color] he said quietly, something akin to sadness filling the statement as he shifted in the seat. [color=d1b300]“Why?”[/color] Trisha tried not to panic. She really did. And she didn’t want to sound accusatory, but the single word just slipped out. She didn’t want him to leave… But especially not when she didn’t know [i]why[/i]. It could be like [i]Halcyon Labs[/i] again. It could be something else dangerous. It could be something simple. But she didn’t know, and her mind immediately went to the worst, because it was his work phone. Why else would he be called on it now if it wasn’t an emergency? Or some horrendous job Lynette was forcing him to do right before they left. It was too difficult to suppress her anxiety around him [i]leaving[/i] and her fear that he’d get hurt or die. She promised she’d do her best to deal with the former, but it wasn’t easy when it was so suddenly like this. She didn’t move, just staring up at him with wide eyes, hands moving to subtly grip her sweater. She spoke again, trying to sound as calm as she could. She really didn’t want him to think she was trying to start a fight. She wasn’t. She just wanted to know. Had to. [color=d1b300]“What for?”[/color] He didn’t want to worry her. He didn’t want her concerned or upset, but he [i]really[/i] didn’t want to miss this chance. It’d be the real last chance, if everything went correctly. Yet, the words necessary weren’t coming out properly. Ultimately, he could only look at Trisha with a sad face, and he stuck both his hands out to the side, prompting her to come hug him. [color=577d06]”M-mom… Wants to see us.”[/color] he spoke quietly, lip quivering. [color=d1b300]“Oh…”[/color] Trisha frowned back at him, though she quickly shuffled forward to hug into him. It was an answer that didn’t really help any of her fears. It only eliminated the emergency option. Seeing Lynette could still mean being forced to do something horrible for her. It still involved [i]Lynette[/i]. [color=d1b300]“Us like all of you? Why?”[/color] She asked softly, before shaking her head and hugging him tightly. She didn’t want him to go, but she couldn’t stop him. She shouldn’t, because it would be his last chance to say goodbye. It would be selfish to keep that from him, even if it was because she was scared he’d have to do something he didn’t want to or would be in danger. If she’d been given the opportunity to talk to her Dad before he died, she would’ve taken it, and there was barely a relationship there in the first place. [color=d1b300]“S-sorry, I shouldn’t push you.”[/color] Not when he was clearly sad about it. Of course he was. She could deal with being a bundle of intense anxiety until he came back safely. She [i]could[/i], but she was also trying to be honest. [color=d1b300]“I’m just nervous… That something’ll happen and you won’t come back. N-not cause you don’t want to, because you can’t. I’m worried you’ll get hurt a-and I don’t want that.”[/color] [color=577d06]”I don’t know, Baby… Probably just wants to take the last chance to make sure we all know how terrible we are. I don’t know…”[/color] He just kept holding her, hands squeezing around her shoulders from behind as he fully engulfed her in his arms. She’d be able to feel him gently shaking. [color=577d06]”If… The five of us are together, and she wants to hurt us? It’ll have to be mentally. Because she won’t be able to hurt Leon and I.”[/color] he replied, trying to sound as confident as he could. Obviously, it wasn’t true. Maybe Leon would’ve been quick to overpower her, but if she was at her absolute best? She’d almost certainly be able to pick them off and cause a great deal of pain by doing so. His strongest confidence was that she didn’t have the same number of people behind her as she once did… So, at least they wouldn’t be collapsed in on by an army. He shook his head again, clearing his throat. [color=577d06]”It’s… A stupid thing to do. To go, and to play her game. But, if it’s the last chance I’m gonna see her? I [i]have to[/i]. And, I need you to do something for me too…”[/color] his voice warbled gently. [color=577d06]”Hari, Ed and Cass will still be here. I [i]need[/i] you to spend the night down there with them. At least until we get back. Because if something happens, you all need to be together for safety.”[/color] Trisha’s frown deepened, her head tucking in against his chest to try hide her face. But she couldn’t exactly hide the way she tensed or how her hands gripped onto him tighter. She didn’t want to, just like she didn’t want him to go. She’d have to put on a brave face and act like she wasn’t horrendously anxious. Suppressing her panic was always exhausting… But she wasn’t comfortable letting it all out in front of anyone else. Even if she’d slipped up before and probably would again, especially in front of Cass. Maybe she could just go into Casey’s old room. At least then she’d still be downstairs, but she’d also be alone. Because she couldn’t say no if it was for her safety. Even though she didn’t really want to be safe if the worst happened to him. [color=d1b300]“Only until you’re back. Then we’ll come up here together.”[/color] She agreed eventually, tilting her head back up to look up at him with an anxious frown. [color=d1b300]“I don’t want you to go, but I know that’s selfish… Because I understand why. Just- Just- Will you take a bee? Or a couple? Send them back to me if something happens- or even if it doesn’t and everything’s fine, just so I know. Please?”[/color] Casey tucked his head slightly, kissing against the top of Trisha’s head before pulling away slightly more. He wasn’t hugging her anymore, but his hands were still holding onto her arms. [color=577d06]”Of course. As many as you want. I… Just, if it’s fine, I’ll most likely be back before the bees can arrive home. But, yeah- A few bombers, so we know that if the worst happens, they’ll be durable enough to make it home safe.”[/color] He pulled himself up off the couch, holding Trisha’s hands now. [color=577d06]”And yes, when I’m back, we’ll come right back up here for as long as we can.”[/color] Trisha nodded, gripping his hands tightly. It helped alleviate her anxiety just a little bit that he’d take some of the bees. She wasn’t sure what she’d do if they got to her… But she’d figure that out. [color=d1b300]“Alright… Thank you for taking them.”[/color] She glanced away towards the side of the couch, where a few of the bomber bees were sleeping. She’d given up her wool sweater from the day to them, dumping it to the side and letting them play in it before they got tired. She sent out a gentle waking command to get them moving. [color=d1b300]“I hope nothing happens and you also get whatever closure you need. But I’ll be here for you after if it affects you badly… I love you.”[/color] Casey pulled her up and hugged her into himself again, shaking her gently and taking a deep breath. [color=577d06]”I love you too, Trisha… So fucking much. C’mon, let’s get your bag. That way if you need to make a quick getaway, you’ll have some clothes. Don’t worry, when we come back, I’ll take all your stuff back up so you don’t need to carry it. C’mon.”[/color] he repeated, tugging her along. [color=577d06]”We’ll probably use the portal on the office floor. We’ll be able to take it back just as easily if everything’s fine.”[/color] [hr] The Temple itself was cold and dark. There was still a hole in the roof where Ruby had blasted her plant magic, with reinforced vines still growing in a thick cluster that was getting longer and wider. It was starting to crawl across the ceiling too, curling around one banner’s fixture or another and causing them to hang at an angle that gave the impression they were being possessive. Leon, Casey and Mia had all come here together, and had agreed to keep one another safe no matter what happened. There was a hope that it was going to be Lynette’s concession; that she’d call all of this foolishness off, and they’d [i]maybe[/i] have a chance to fix all the worst crap she’d forced to happen. Leon’s biggest concern was the Aberrational community, who were only growing more radical as their leader and her testudine companion began their yearly brumation process. Suddenly, cool heads were at a premium around people like Walderman or Felicia. Walt was… [i]Vehement.[/i] Not even someone like Ed, whom the guy was close as any sibling to, couldn’t dissuade him from at least pushing the notion that they shouldn’t give in for free. Casey was far more worried about making it home to Trisha than any of the consequences that could result in the action of the coming days. After all, his entire part to play in this was to be absent. They weren’t trying to encourage lawless behavior among the ranks, so much as it was the symbolic abandonment of the institution they’d been raised in. People who would usually tow the line under the threat of “The Blade” and the edifice that surrounds that position. Furio had been a boogeyman for years: A mad cap that would go off for things that seemed plain illogical… Until, of course, it became clear that he’d had some sort of reason to be suspicious, at least. It was basically every time, with an impressive track record over twenty years. Few but Casey and Lynette knew it was never random. Lynette habitually blabbed to Clarissa, who in a panic would immediately sick Furio on whomever Lynette had a bad dream about that night. Obviously, trusting the woman who can see the future meant his seemingly random acts of violence would be justifiable to the community within the Upper Crust. But if people weren’t afraid of that power anymore? If they were allowed to actively avoid Furio and Clarissa, rather than being forced to engage them out of reverence or traditional respect? Suddenly the people who would do something if they could, [i]just did.[/i] He was a lot more in favor of letting people like Walderman, or even Theo, get a piece of revenge they deserved. [color=92278f]”Took you guys long enough! Did you forget what the accelerator looked like, Casey?”[/color] Junior was sitting up at the head of the congression, ass on the pulpit with his legs swinging like he was a big toddler. [color=577d06]”I did enough rushing to bullshit in the Army, Max. Enough rushing for a lifetime.”[/color] [color=92278f]”I guess it’s just convenient that you all live in the same building. It’d be morning by the time you got here otherwise.”[/color] [color=C67C12]”I smell Elise, but I don’t see her.”[/color] Leon spoke up, far more interested in rushing than anyone else was. After all, he only had so long with Cass. Whatever this was didn’t compare to pelvis shattering sex, and probably wouldn’t even compare to a pelvis-shattering accident in terms of fun levels. He was expecting frustration. Frustration, and grief. Mia, on the other hand, had fallen in line behind Casey and Leon, hoping their massive frames would block her from having to see her closest brother. His was never a face she wanted to see. [color=92278f]”Seals smell Elise and go crazy. I’m surprised you aren’t barking up the salmon tree.”[/color] Junior’s vulgarity knew no bounds. He’d happily say whatever the first thing that came to mind was, and if he thought for a second that it’d hurt someone’s feelings, he said it out loud with pride. [color=577d06]”That’s your big sister, pondscum. Show a little courtesy.”[/color] Casey snapped, having slowly separated from Leon to saunter a bit further into the building. He’d already washed the place in his magic, and found nobody around them trying to form an ambush. [color=92278f]”She could show a little courtesy by washing!”[/color] he laughed. [color=92278f]”What’s the deal with all the women in our family being filthy? You, me, Leon… I mean, sometimes I take two showers a day! But, fucking dirtball over here? Mimi, when’s the last time you saw falling water that wasn’t from the sky?”[/color] She ignored him like he wasn’t there, but still clung to Leon vaguely in an attempt to be as hidden as she could be. [color=C67C12]”Max… Give it up. Please? For five minutes?”[/color] Leon pleaded, hoping that there was even an ounce of humanity left in his brother. Junior tilted his head back and laughed sharply. [color=92278f]”Four minutes and fifty nine! Fifty eight! Seven! Six!-”[/color] he chided back, voice hitching on five until he couldn’t hold it anymore. [color=92278f]”Fffffffffffffff-fuck you, Leon. You’ll see me dead before I stop calling these women out for their nasty lifestyles. I mean, come on, you’ve got an open hole into your body, you’d think-”[/color] [color=8882be]”Ehem!?”[/color] Junior jumped out of his skin so badly he nearly fell off the pulpit, catching himself just in time to prevent catastrophic collapse, but still sliding off the wood pylon and onto his feet. At the top of the stairs that lead down into the maze beneath the Temple, Lynette and Elise both stood in stark contrast to one another, yet side by side like two halves of the clock. Elise was dressed for the weather, her long white and green coat covering her pajamas that she’d been in when Lynette woke her up with this. She’d been the first one here, and had been there a significant amount of time longer than the others. She looked tired, worn down, and very frustrated. Opposite her, Lynette looked as she always did. Hair perfectly combed, dressed in a dark black and purple gown that looked part Asian, and part European monk. Her face was fresh, and eyes wide with what Casey recognized as mischief. It wasn’t his favorite sign, and felt like a physical manifestation of her ever-increasing level of mania as things got closer to the proverbial end. [color=8882be]”Play all you want when we’ve concluded, Max. Leon, Casey, Mia? Welcome. Come. All of you. We’ll speak in the innermost sanctum.”[/color] [color=577d06]”I’m not stupid.”[/color] Casey piped up immediately, protesting the idea of being trapped underground in a magically protected stone box. But Leon’s hand reached out, grabbing Casey’s shoulder. They had to have one another’s back. [color=ed145b]”I agree with Casey! Why would I go down there with you? How could any of us trust you?”[/color] Of course, Junior didn’t hesitate. He made way for the stairs the moment Lynette told them where they were going, and didn’t stop walking to wait for anything. He’d already stirred the pot enough that anything he said would get a rise out of the others, which was satisfying enough as a button to be able to press. Anything else would have to be saved for the basement… As he brushed past her and Elise, Lynette gave a small look to the three nervous people, eyebrows raising up and down in a taunting fashion. [color=8882be]”At least someone around here trusts their mother.”[/color] she replied before turning and following him down. Elise scoffed as Lynette descended, and quickly made way for her remaining siblings. [color=f0cd8d]”As far as we’ve gotten, she wants to work out the will. But she’s being stubborn about everything. So, come on. Lets just get this shit over with so we can all go home and not be here. Please…”[/color] Casey gritted his teeth, but wasn’t the first one to speak. [color=ed145b]”This doesn’t have anything to do with what Dad left us, does it E?”[/color] Mia asked, voice sounding not only fearful, but desperate. [color=f0cd8d]”No…”[/color] [color=ed145b]”Then I’m not doing this! I’m not, there’s no point, I won’t let her [i]or[/i] Max make me feel like this anymore. I don’t care what she’s leaving behind, I don’t care about what she wants to say, and I’m done getting hurt every single time I open up even a little! It’s over!”[/color] She was already turning and making way for the door when Elise stopped her. [color=f0cd8d]”You’ll miss Dad…”[/color] Leon and Casey’s gazes met one another quietly, and in an instant they both understood that neither was experiencing shock. In a single nod, they wordlessly confirmed to the other what they suspected, and looked at Elise in tandem with the expectation of finding the same nervous understanding. So now, it was only new to one person… And she didn’t turn around immediately. Leon could smell the saline-like compound of tears building up, and Casey looked for the immediate tell of panic in Mia’s left hand, which trembled as two knuckles crooked and bent her middle and ring finger toward her palm. It was subtle, but he’d seen it a thousand times now. [color=ed145b]”Dad’s… Dead.”[/color] [color=f0cd8d]”Do you want to spend your entire life not knowing?”[/color] There was another pause. Mia slowly turned, and tears were streaming from her face… But she wasn’t sobbing. Just staring with burning fury. [color=ed145b]”You’re sick for this.”[/color] [color=f0cd8d]”Unless I’m telling the truth.”[/color] Elise replied calmly, eyes scanning to her two brothers who clearly knew. Leon was the first to pick up the slack, moving to Mia and taking her hand tightly. [color=C67C12]”Come on, Lilly Mimi… Come on. We’re here.”[/color] Casey looked to Elise, who looked back with equal intensity. [color=f0cd8d]”We’re all with you. Not to hurt you… To help. I… I’ve done some awful things to you too… Jealous things. I can’t make up for it unless you let me start. [i]I’m[/i] begging you.”[/color] Suddenly, Casey understood the situation… It made him nervous… But he didn’t want to vocalize what he was thinking for fear of causing panic to spread. The sole consolation was that, if Lynette got her way, none of them would even remember why they were mad in the first place… [hr] The five siblings were gathered in the Inner Sanctum, where Leon and Casey had both given strong speeches advocating for a new generation, and an end to the oppressive nature of the structure around them for good. Each kneeled upon the front stage, cushions beneath their legs being the only comfort therein. It was easily apparent that they were configured in a pattern, with Casey recognizing the alchemical symbol of Venus being vaguely referenced in chalk on the floor. Which made being in the circle at the top rather awkward for him… Like he was being targeted… But, he couldn’t [i]guarantee[/i] that this was part of what he thought it was. After all, Lynette revered Venus as a powerful aspect of White Lux. The femininity, and the lunar aspects; all esoteric perceptions that somehow or another drove her image of what reality was, and what reality [i]would be.[/i] In front of him, serving as the center of the cross, was Junior, while Elise and Leon took the east and west points. That left Mia at the front, totally exposed and unable to see the person who made her most nervous in the room, even though she had to deal with the fact that he was right behind her. The only solace she could gain was that she knew Casey was behind Junior, and he’d stop anything from happening… Which meant she only had to contend with their mother, who was staring directly at her, rather than looking anywhere else. The room had been silent for a few minutes now as the five of them simply sat and steamed in their own thoughts while Lynette fiddled around with whatever book she was messing with. But, now it seemed she was ready to speak. Her eyes first turned to Elise. [color=8882be]”I think I made my mind up about the last thing.”[/color] [color=f0cd8d]”Oh, good. I’m so glad you decided who gets your fucking sex toy collection, you freak of a woman.”[/color] Elise replied with frustration. [color=f0cd8d]”An hour over silicone that none of us want.”[/color] [color=92278f]”Speak for yourself… That’s Gravity Richoux’s sex toy collection, how much do you think it’ll sell for to some collector? Like Leon’s freaky ass girlfriend!”[/color] Junior piped up. [color=ed145b]”You’re fucking disgusting Max. Cass would never buy something like that.”[/color] Mia did her best to sound strong, which was fine except for Leon’s snicker. [color=C67C12]”No, no… I hate when he’s right, but if Cass just saw that as something to buy and had no context for the background, I feel like she’d buy it in a heartbeat.”[/color] Lynette laughed aloud. [color=8882be]”Which is why its yours, Leon. I’d rather it all get used than-”[/color] [color=f0cd8d]”Can you please skip this!? Put it in writing, or none of this matters [i]anyway[/i]! I’ve been telling you that for the last two weeks! It all needs to be fucking signed and notarized!””[/color] Elise snapped, very clearly sick of hearing about silicon dong. Lynette kept laughing, loving how prudish some of her children turned out to be. [color=8882be]”Christ… When we were raising you kids, I assumed that being open about sex would even you all out! If I knew you’d wind up embarrassed like a bunch of Gregorian Monks, I would’ve locked you in a box until you were an adult.”[/color] [color=ed145b]”It doesn’t occur to you that your kids don’t want to hear about their mom’s sexual exploits? It’s a step below incest!”[/color] [color=92278f]”You and Cousin Eddy know plenty about that!”[/color] Mia’s hand swept up to slap her own face and cover it in embarrassment. She wasn’t sure why she opened her mouth there, like she was practically inviting the insult. Lynette’s face pursed in genuine surprise and impression all at once, brows waggling sarcastically. [color=8882be]”He’s kinda right, Mimi… Swing and a miss, I’d say. Casey? You’re awfully quiet, love…”[/color] [color=577d06]”The pretense doesn’t fool me, obviously. If there’s anyone here whom you’ve given too much to, I’m the one.”[/color] Casey said calmly, not worried about most of the faffery surrounding the situation at hand. Lynette nodded, smiling. [color=8882be]”Well, just like I knew when you were a child… As soon as you Kindled, you were my favorite. I knew you’d be perfect.”[/color] [color=577d06]”You knew I’d be compatible.”[/color] She picked both hands up, palms out flat like she was weighing two options. [color=8882be]”Po-tay-to, po-tah-to. Same spud at the end of the day. At least you being a prude makes sense.”[/color] Leon cleared his throat. [color=C67C12]”Does this have anything to do with your will, Ma? Actually? Or did you just gather us all here to get one last look at the collection before check-out comes?”[/color] he asked, tone changing from something light to something far more frustrated and confused. [color=8882be]”Why on Earth would I bring you down here to talk about my fuckin’ will, Leon? Are we all suddenly dumber now that we’re not constantly playing Spy vs Spy vs Spy?”[/color] she asked harshly in return, the notebook in her hand hitting the podium she was at. [color=ed145b][b]”So then what’s the fucking point!?”[/b][/color] Mia snapped, clearly shaking at the head of the pack. Casey wasn’t close enough to comfort her, but Leon reached out, leaning forward and placing a hand on her left shoulder. At first she jumped, but looking behind her showed her who it was that was touching her, and she let him proceed with a feeling of love at the back of her mind. [color=8882be]”Everyone knows, but only one has all the pieces put together.”[/color] Producing a long piece of cloth from under her robe, Lynette held it steady as if there was something wrapped within. [color=8882be]”Thankfully, God is good… As usual. In His Will, even my enemies who plot against me are inadvertently my greatest supporters.”[/color] Unfolding the cloth, the black and silver shimmer of metal gave way to a sight that none of them expected… Suddenly, even Junior had reason to be concerned. [color=92278f]”W-wait… Ma? That’s not what I think it is, is it!?”[/color] She grinned wider, and peeled back the rest of the cloth to reveal a beautifully shaped and sculpted chef’s knife, its cutting edge gleaming in an otherworldly fashion. [color=C67C12]”Wait… No! He… He relinquished that to me! Where did you-”[/color] [color=8882be]”He gave you [i]a[/i] knife. Sure, it’s got some pretty unique entities sealed away inside. But this one? This one’s [i]different.[/i]”[/color] Lynette replied with a deep grin. Leon tried to move his knees off of the cushion, only to find himself suddenly trapped below the knees by some imperceivable force. His struggle caused Mia to panic, and Elise to begin channeling her own spell in a desperate Wildcast, as her channeler was rooms and rooms away from her. [color=8882be]”Ah-ba-baaaaah… No magic!”[/color] Lynette’s hand holding the knife flicked forward, and the blade sung out across the room with a loud pop before bursting through Elise’s chest. She coughed, choking rather than screaming as she grasped at the open wound. [color=92278f]”Oh, holy shit!?”[/color] Junior exclaimed, not expecting that to have happened. It was an incredible shock, only magnified by the response that it got from Mia. Her scream was that of horror and desperation mixed with abject hatred for all of existence as Lynette simply twisted her own hand and recalled the knife in a puff of black smoke. [color=8882be]”See- Daddy made this one! It’s a genuine Richoux Artifact: The Butcher of a Thousand Beasts.”[/color] Elise struggled against the pain, surging forward until her forehead was pressed against the floor and she choked for air. The knife had totally ruptured the left lung, causing it to pool until it couldn’t anymore and forcing it to leak into the chest cavity in turn. She’d die very soon if there was nothing done… Casey [i]had[/i] his channeler, having received it earlier that day in a form that would just about always be with him… But he was more than amazed to find that as he attempted to gather Lux, he received nothing. It was only then that he realized how intricate this binding circle was, as every single inch of its makeup had been carved of miniature runes of Lux Hoarding. And he was in the center of it… The chances were, they were put in the sections that they had been strictly because of the fact that each section was formed out of different runes to prevent them all from taking immediate action. [color=8882be]”Casey? Aren’t you glad you’re the favorite now? You know what’s coming, right? You should be thrilled that you’re the only one who will walk out of here!”[/color] This had [i]not[/i] been what he expected. He imagined that she’d utilize Absolution’s innate powers of forgiveness to plant a justification in her children as to the nature of her plan… A reason for all of them to forgive her, and hopefully enough that they’d all agree to let bygones be bygones! A reason for them to all get on the same page, rather than… [color=577d06]”You’re sick! No! No, no, you’re fucking evil!”[/color] [color=8882be]”Five people with the same blood should be enough to guarantee my passage. The Lord told me so. Five in blood, and the essence of an apology.”[/color] Behind her, the massive mural wall began to slide and scrape against the surrounding stone, falling back and into a couple of waiting slots as a metal thumping sound echoed from the cavernous hallway behind it. [color=ed145b][b]”Elise! Eliiiiiise!”[/b][/color] Mia screamed, doing her best to try and leave her part of the binding only to have the parts outside the boundary begin to burn like a thousand razors were being dragged across her flesh at once. Leon was doing his best to transform, or to do much of anything, but there was the familiar feeling of the Leash’s sealing effects causing him to lose track of both himself, and Lelou in spite of her violent trashing against the structure within him. Junior had heard [i]five people[/i], but trying to do the math when Casey was supposed to be able to leave drove him to a fervent panic like a rat trapped in an overturned can. His head spun to face his older brother. [color=92278f]”You!? You’re the one!? You fucking loser!? No, no! Mommy, no, don’t, please! I thought-”[/color] [color=8882be]”Shut the fuck up! Daddy’s home at last!”[/color] Slowly, surely, the form revealed itself as it stepped through the threshold of the newly opened passage. Most of it was covered by some kind of armored suit, which Casey instantly knew was doing the work… This was a show. This wasn’t real… But the sheer fact of the moment was that it was working… Not on him, but on everyone else it had to work on… Mia’s scream of abject horror filled the area with such an ear shattering cacophony that even Leon came back to his senses long enough to look up and see… The pale, grey, mummified face of Maxwell Richoux III: Gravity, no longer bound to his timeless form within a stasis bubble. The suit which carried the near-corpse aloft began to kneel. And Lynette let her free hand run through the dry, cracked remains of her husband’s hair, looking down at it with a smile. [color=8882be]”None of you will appreciate the expertise that’s led to this moment… Coaxing the soul of a living being into Ascension is [i]not[/i] easy. But, it is rather rewarding! [i]Absoluuuuutiooooon?[/i]”[/color] From the body, and the suit surrounding it, the most eerie pale blue glow began to get brighter and brighter. Unbidden to the pageantry, Casey’s head swivelled to Elise. She was still moving, and still struggling… [color=577d06]”Lees!”[/color] he snapped, shortening her name and pushing the sound through gritted teeth. Thankfully, her head snapped around to meet his gaze, bloodshot eyes screaming for oxygen. She was met with a beautiful sight. Sliding across the floor until it hit her in the thigh was a thin green straw trapped in a plastic wrapper… Having nothing but a bad feeling about coming here, there was no way the dedicated soldier would ever leave home unprepared. As Elise scrambled for the package, Mia’s screaming and Lynette’s own hubris kept their actions concealed while the latter focused on her ritual. With each call, the apparition known as Absolution became more and more apparent. Its massive frame resembled their father’s almost exactly how they remembered him last, though it completely lacked any visible arms. Rather, fins; something like a ray, or a skate, bulged from either side and made the entity look less like a man, and more like the hood and face of a massive cobra snake. Atop it’s “head”, a crown of burning glass formed a steaming ring that hissed and sizzled like water brushing against a lava flow. [color=34ebb1][b]”Ab-so-lu-tion…”[/b][/color] it burbled from itself, neither mouth nor gills moving to produce the syllables. [color=8882be]”God you’re an ugly ghost, Max…”[/color] Lynette intoned with calm observation. [color=34ebb1][b]”Ab-so-lu-tion?”[/b][/color] [color=8882be]”Of course, I forgive you…”[/color] Her hand wrapped around Max’s mummified face, slowly dipping down until their mouths pressed together. Casey could only watch in horror as the hand still brandishing a knife plunged into the space between the armor and his father’s head. He’d been under the impression that his father [i]was[/i] dead… So this was something even more horrifying that he hadn’t bargained for mentally. The tail connecting Absolution to Gravity began to splinter, like bow strings ripping apart from friction. They frayed, popped, and all at once, the Apparition before them was free. At the same time, Elise felt the refreshing agony of Key Lime Pie in its most concentrated form literally dragging her blood back into her veins as the coagulation process did a complete hundred and eighty degree twist. At the same time, almost so quick that the blood didn’t have time to crawl in, her lung was dragging itself back together under its own power. Mia’s screaming was relentless, but very quickly drowned out by the howling of physical agony that came from Elise’s deeper contralto voice. And that brought everything screaming to a complete halt. Lynette spun upon hearing, twisting her head back to stare at Elise who simply [i]shouldn’t have been screaming like that.[/i] And in the same moment, the smooth transition she was supposed to make that would’ve bound Absolution to the Butcher’s knife, simply didn’t happen. Lynette stared, slack jawed, before realizing all too late that Absolution was [i]running[/i]. At least, he was… [color=f0cd8d][b]”DADDY! I’M SORRY! HELP ME!”[/b][/color] Leon was still practically catatonic, with Lynette having focused most of the power in the binding to preventing Leon’s apparitional powers from freely manifesting. Which made it far too late to swap the polarity and prevent what came next. The fishlike movement of Absolution took it darting toward Elise. [color=8882be][b]”NO!”[/b][/color] The moment Absolution dove through the barrier surrounding Elise, the entire binding circle began to crumble… Lynette’s feet mashed against the stone beneath her, taking her toward Elise with the knife held ready to plunge… But it was too late. And for the first time in some time, Lynette realized that she’d chosen the wrong vision to trust. It was a complicated vetting system, after all… Not everything was going to be right… But most of the time, she believed in the fifty-fifty shots that she was presented with. After all, Elise had so much pride in her magic! Being a White Witch seemed to be every bit of Elise’s personality, from the aloof nature she carried herself by, to the way that she was always looking ten steps ahead. But this? Pure desperation. And then there was her little outlier. The only child she knew she couldn’t lay a finger on. Why [i]wouldn’t[/i] he throw as many wrenches as he could? It was her fault for not just killing the girl. Her fault, that she’d simply raised her “mini-me” to be too strong. Too good at seeing the future… Because that’s what she’d been channeling. That’s what the knife had interrupted. She saw just far enough to move, so that the knife would miss bursting through her heart. It wasn’t some kind of Orange- All five children were gone. In the blink of an eye, they’d been tucked into a massive blue blanket and whisked away… Lynette knew where, but she wasn’t going to get there in time to make a difference. All alone, Lynette turned her head to stare at her husband’s corpse. There was a moment of brief pause… Then with a single scream, she drove the knife into the skull, twisting once, twice, until like the stem of a tomato, the fifteen-year decayed husk gave up. The spine buckled, snapped, and the paper thin flesh ripped up until she had the head on the end of the knife… And then her teeth sunk into it like an apple… [hr] Outside on the main ground of the Temple property, the five of them found themselves sat outside of Gravity’s tomb. The only mausoleum with a completely enclosed coffin, nobody had ever asked any questions about why Max’s body wasn’t fit to be displayed… Obviously, because the story had always been that he’d just disappeared. There’d never been a body to take care of. Now, all of his children understood why. And among them, his Apparitional Spirit clung to its new host with fear and terror in every fibre of its being. Elise flung herself at Casey immediately, hugging into him and sobbing uncontrollably. And Mia was right behind her, both of them suddenly clinging to him like he was the warm little center of everything. He’d had a gun as well, and thought that this would end in the culmination that would be their final fight. He’d been so ready, even while Leon had insisted that they’d be fine. It was enough of a shock that even he had to cling to his apparitional partner just to feel right. As for Junior? Shocked and confused didn’t begin to describe what’d happened. But he knew that his Mother had just about killed him along with his siblings, like they were all in the same basket… [i]She’d told him that he was special![/i] So, why was Casey suddenly the favorite!? [color=92278f]”F-fuck this! Fuck you, and you, and you two Aberrant freaks! I… I hate you! You all made her do this! She wouldn’t be this desperate if you assholes didn’t go around laughing about her dying like she’s some comic book villain! She’s out Mother!”[/color] [color=C67C12]”Shut up, shut up, shut-”[/color] Leon’s body moved like lightning, elbow bashing Junior's face and dropping him to the ground before following up to begin pounding his youngest brother’s into the ground like he’d wanted to for so many years. But before he could, Casey was there… His arms scooped under Leon’s pulling him back as much as he could against the strength of the Wolf of Gluttony. [color=577d06]”Don’t! Don’t, Leon, or it’s- You’re better than this!”[/color] From the side, Mia’s body mashed into Leon. Then Elise, and the power of Absolution’s blue blanket that forced them all further away. It was only a few dozen feet, but the distance was enough for Junior to get up and begin running. [color=92278f][b]”I hate you! I hate you all! You’ll fucking suffer for this, I swear!”[/b][/color] he screamed, sprinting off toward the Temple and leaving those remaining in a pile of comfort… They knew this was still hostile territory, however, so the jumbled assortment of apologies and affirmations could only live so long before they had to rush back to a vehicle. It was a no-brainer that they’d all return to the same place, with Elise’s strength almost completely drained from the adjoining process. It was only through sheer force of will that she’d been able to muster anything at all, and with the threat now re-engaged upon their peace, the plan’s timetable seemed more pertinent than ever. Something had to be done soon, or they’d all wind up as part of a sick, sick plan. Casualties in the war over an innocent woman’s autonomy, and a couple’s ability to live in peace without the mistakes of the mother returning to haunt her son, and his children after.