@BananaWhile Xoxi set to work creating the shadow and infusing the items to it, Claire set about installing a looping song within it. It wouldn't play out loud, but if one listened carefully, they'd hear the music from within the shadow. This music would allow it to shape and control light and darkness to its own will, allowing it to conjure up almost anything it wanted. It took a bit of power to do this, but Claire was happy with the result.
"
Xoxi and I made them. I figured we could use all the help we can get. With the current state of things, I wouldn't be surprised if they were gathering together to make it easier to take us out. If that's the case, we'd probably be boned."
Claire was glad that she didn't say it while that other shadow of Xoxi's was out. For some reason the music goddess felt that that one loved puns. In any case, Claire picked Xoxi's unconscious body u. She'd bring her over to Yuki's unconscious body to rest. They'd probably feel a lot better waking up next to each other.
Before heading off, she looked to Tlevran, and said,
"
Look...As much as I hate you, I have to say this, otherwise I'll feel like a prick...Thanks for helping us."
Meanwhile...
"
That doesn't sound good. Any idea why?" replied Yukiko, jumping back onto her feet.
She asked the question casually enough to seem as if she didn't really care, but in reality, she immediately took action when Ixox told her to bring Clarice here. One doesn't just take their lover's warnings for granted, after all. At least, Yukiko doesn't anyway. As soon as she got up, the clone began dancing. She overpowered the winds, and forced them to take her to Clarice. In an instant, she was gone. She appeared in what was once Greece, where she found her sister waiting alone, looking up at
a statue of Terpsikhore ( or "Terpsichore", as others spell it).
"
Let me guess...Something big happened?"
Yukiko said nothing as she placed herself next to her sister.
"
I felt her use her power, sister. She's got a trick up her sleeve, but whatever she's doing is weakening her. If we get close enough, whatever she's doing won't be enough. We'll be one...and we'll be whole."
Yukiko was slightly confused about what her sister was talkng about, but then remembered what they had pledged. She remembered what their dream would be, and smiled as Clarice laughed. She danced again, and the two were back in London.
Clarice stopped laughing, and walked over to Alias. The other bandits froze in shock, with the exception of Resin who looked more curious than surprised. The clone of the Music goddess had simply shoved her arm into the body of the Duskician, starting from his head, and descending downward further. His gurgled voice could be heard as the lights that made up his eyes faded out. The Duskician's body looked as if it had been absorbed, as only the clothes he once wore was left hanging onto Clarice's arm.
Smiling, Clarice took a knife out of her pocket, and cut one of her fingers off. She infused some music into the finger, and tossed it to the ground. The music started to play...
The finger began pulsing, and twitching, and growing. It began to shift into something else. Darkness and Light began to rush toward it from nearby and far-away. They mixed together as they surrounded the finger. The familiar form of Alias returned, but it wasn't finished. As soon as his form returned, his legs exploded, and the excess entered his head. New clothes formed around what was left, and a new hat covered his head. The body writhed as changes took place.
Two horns ripped their way out of his head and hat, twisting along the way. His once-glove-covered hands were revealed, and became somehwat demonic. From his back, incomplete wings rapidly grew, with feathers that didn't quite reach all the way. The light of his eyes returned, and the music that played began to fade into his new body. Alias was recreated into something more. He was floating. He was flying. He had more power than he had ever thought would gain.
"
Not bad for a rushed upgrade."
Alias took a moment to regain himself. Then, seeing what looked like his race's creator missing a finger, he mixed two different healing spells together. The goddess' finger grew back quickly. While he looked surprised at this, Clarice smiled and turned to Ixox
"
Well, Ixox? Do you have a way to get us to them? I'd like to get this over with before they have any more time to prepare."
