Chapter Synopsis: When everyone reencounters Alexis, “deadly” doesn’t even begin to describe it… Yet, “world-shattering” can, in STEVE’S case. ******* Chapter Title: There’s No Going Back Now… ******** Steve may be glancing toward the ground, but he’s no less alert to his surroundings. Some demons already made the mistake of jumping at the seemingly unaware target, but he’d send them packing or falling dead to the ground in an instant. In fact, he preferred having some baddies to take out his frustrations upon. Just… How…? HOW could Alexis feel that way…? Ever since highschool, he’s done his best to make her happy and be the most devoted lover possible: he’s prioritized her wishes, he’s stayed by her side and helped her however she needed… But no, she wanted the REAL goat of her dreams! Has she felt this way the ENTIRE time?! Would she have even convinced her parents to take Steve in and help him when he lost everything, if he didn’t bear that uncanny resemblance to Seve…? … Okay, perhaps he’s going a bit too far with his inner accusations: it’s not like Alexis would leave some random person at a car accident’s aftermath and go about her day, just because they didn’t look a certain way. Still, he’s not sure what exactly to think of her anymore: for all he knows, this relationship-- this MARRIAGE was all built on a lie… Honestly, a lie he would’ve been happy to remain unaware of and continue life as was. But no, all of this demon shit had to go down, Alexis’ REAL love interest just had to show up and help her spill the beans… What was so special about that jerk that Alexis needed to find the perfect copy of him?! Do girls and women truly just go for the “bad boy” types who treat them like utter crap? After all, she claimed Seve as some “selfish prick,” so why should she still care-- especially when Steve’s always been the complete opposite? Or, maybe it’s apparently just the fact that Steve (and possibly Daisy) just isn’t worth a single damn? Oh, Alexis LOVES that he gave her everything she ever wanted, but that’s a matter of capability over anything more personal… Hell, even some random little mutt-thing matters more to his wife than her actual husband! If Claire truly is dead, then Steve doesn’t care: let it be something to serve Alexis right with her little favoritism game! Steve swears, if she tries crawling back to him for comfort or falling back on her original (and ACTUAL) kid to fill the Claire-shaped hole… … No, that’s not fair… Claire never tried stealing Alexis’ affections from everyone else, her favoring attention and accompaniment stemmed from finding Alexis the most soothing; and it’s not even fair to Seve, as it’s not like he’s an actual bad guy and he can’t control someone else’s feelings for him. Still, Steve can’t deny it’d be nice to have something or someone else to blame, rather than simply not being able to make Alexis love Steve himself and FOR himself… Should he honestly even try to salvage their marriage if Alexis wished she had someone else? Then again, what about Daisy: is Steve supposed to tell their little girl that Mommy and Daddy are divorcing because Mommy never really loved them? Regardless of Alexis’ actual feelings, Steve knows his own sentiments about his child: Daisy is his “sweet little flower” and she’ll always be cared about. Perhaps he should at least try fixing things with Alexis, as it’s unfair to scar a faultless Daisy with the separation of parents. But what exactly is he supposed to do and say here…? He can’t even think of LOOKING at Alexis right now, let alone how to answer that question! “You there, please help me…” Steve perks up and turns his head toward some fallen building debris… which lays atop some strange person: it seems to be a man and he resembles Claire a bit, minus the animal parts. … Wait, is this one of those “full-humans” she mentioned? So, that’s what they looked like when purely human: fleshy hands of five digits and rounder ears on their head’s sides. … Not really much in terms of difference, honestly; then again, if it’s someone from the same world as Claire, they probably shouldn’t look all that alien to her. He DID look a bit more intimidating, however, especially those red eyes; but that’s no reason to leave someone an easy target for these monsters. “Sure, buddy…” Steve helps free and stands him, “So… you’re one of those ‘human’ guys…?” “In the very form,” the other motions a hand over himself, “What might YOU be then?” he holds his chin, smirking, “I don’t exactly see one-horned creatures so often…” “I’m a goat, I just happen to have only one. Where’d you come from, though? No offense, but you’re basically a fish out of water around here.” “All I know is that I was traveling along, and I suddenly wound up in an area where demons terrorize helpless souls everywhere. I was fortunate enough to have you pass by after I became covered in that plaster.” “Sheesh, you humans must be pretty tough if you’re walking and standing just fine, after something like that…” “Endurable, I’ll admit; but also not very strong, you could say…” “So, you’re more like living tanks than powerhouses? Eh, I guess it’s better to only be good at taking hits, than just suck at fighting or surviving in general…” “My, my, you seem quite down… I know, I know: it should be obvious when we’re in a situation such as this. However, YOUR sorrows strike me more as heartache than the familiarity of pure terror… I’d suggest GRIEF instead, but you seem a bit too furious and far too mournless to validate that assumption,” the man puts an arm around Steve, “Come, why don’t you tell me all about it? It’ll help you focus more on your surroundings, once you’ve let it all out, and you can agree that’d certainly help survival.” “I dunno, man… I think you’ve got enough to worry about, without some random guy dumping all of his problems onto ya.” “I insist. You helped me, and I’d like to help you. Perhaps I could even offer a solution to whatever it may be?” “Okay, but it’s a LONG story…” “The most interesting and worthwhile tales always are…” Steve recounts the events, as the other man never changes that intrigued smirk nor gazes elsewhere. “Oh dear, she doesn’t sound very grateful…” the man puts a hand on Steve’s shoulder, “You gave her companionship all these years, a child even, but she still has her heart belong to another. I can only imagine how you must feel.” “I just… I don’t get it…” Steve sighs, “Sure, we’ve had arguments before and all that other stuff most couples go through-- but that’s exactly it: they’re things EVERY couple does, so I don’t know why she’d still want to be with HIM instead…” Steve feels his face, “Then again, I guess appearances can only keep up the illusion for so long…” “... An illusion she crafted indeed.” Steve raises an eyebrow and slowly lowers his hand, looking toward the strange human. Why did he say it like he knew something…? The stretching of that smirk cemented it as more than just a simple agreement. “... What’s with that look?” “... I’m contemplating if I dare say anything about her,” the man turns away, “After all, ‘Ignorance is bliss,’ they say…” he looks back, “I’d say you could use a little of that ‘blissfulness,’ after all you’ve recently gone through…” “‘Say anything’?” Steve huffs, “What, did Alexis make you ‘pinkie promise’ on something? No offense, pal, but I seriously doubt you’ve even met my wife before; let alone spoke with her about any ‘big secrets.’” “Oh, I’ve come to know a few interesting things about her… For one thing,” the man puts an arm around Steve, “she got into magic, around the time I first spoke to her. When was that…? Oh, right, it was 15 or so years ago when she started her craft, wasn’t it?” Steve’s eyes widened. “Not enough for you?” The man continues, “I also know she moved to your town one day, instead of always being there from the start… But you didn’t officially meet until after the alleged ‘car accident’ that saw you ‘orphaned and homeless.’” “W-What…? W-Who…?” “You may call me: ‘Viktor,’ a person who’s quite reliable when it comes to these ‘big secrets’ I offer. But I warn you, they truly ARE hard to swallow.” “... How exactly did you meet Alexis and find all of this out…?” “Who needs to ask, ‘How?’ when they can instead ask, ‘Why?’ Case in point: ‘Why does Alexis not value me as much… and why do I look so much like the man she prefers?’ Strange, isn’t it: someone entirely random and without the slightest relation, but you could easily pass for twin brothers? Hmm, not very different in names, either: ‘Steve,’ ‘Seve,’ just a single letter… It’s like Alexis wasn’t even being all that creative-- but I suppose she WOULD want you as close to the original as possible.” “Okay, just what the hell is this supposed to be?!” Steve forces Viktor to face him, “I don’t exactly appreciate this creepy and cryptic shit you’re pulling…” “Allow me to just be harshly straightforward then… You’re not ‘real,’ Steve.” “‘I’m not real’; what are you talking about?! I’m standing right here, aren’t I?!” “I didn’t deny you’re alive. … At least, NOW you are.” Steve grips Viktor’s shirt and pulls him close, but the human still smirks. “Listen ‘Vik,’ I just said I’m not doing this little song and dance of yours… Whatever you wanna tell me, just spit it out!” “You’re a walking corpse, Steve-- and I don’t mean it like your dear wife magically revived you after that so-called ‘accident’...” “... You’re saying I’m a ‘zombie’ or something? Do I look like I just crawled out of some graveyard?!” “No, you were stolen from one.” Steve glares at him in silence, before releasing him. “... Okay, you’re clearly just screwing with me here, and I don’t know why…” “Oh, but those other truths I’ve shared weren’t simply fabricated: your wife’s magical start and your parents’ premature ‘deaths’?” Steve narrows his eyes further, clenching his teeth. “I know,” Viktor raises a finger, “why don’t we go see what your wife herself has to say? … In fact,” he turns, “I think I hear her now…” ******* Billie continued trailing behind the other three, deep in thought: her mind went beyond fears of Alexis’ reaction to another encounter, also worrying about Steve’s mention of Claire being around for “two months” in this world… How could it have been for THAT long? It was barely half a week since she and Seve had reunited from all worlds merging, yet Claire met Alexis and her family a good while before it? Were there others who also found themselves prematurely whisked away to a foreign environment-- including the more dangerous? That horrible idea stayed nagging within Billie’s mind the moment it appeared, and she wondered about the possible reality of this destruction being widespread-- and successfully genocidal or even without the smallest rubble to remain. It only DOES take one threat that a world has no idea how to handle and has no outside help on… Of course, she also worried over the reverse-- the “VISITOR” being the one to suffer death or worse from their unfamiliarity --but it’s clear which option holds greater terror. Once they’re done with Alexis, they NEED to scout this new combination of territories… Seve’s own mind remained on Alexis and Steve: he hurt the former more than he realized, and the latter was bound to have a mental breakdown at actually being “Seve 2.0.” Seve recalled his own “bedroom rampage” when finding out about Serra’s original plans to abort him, but that was a tantrum over checkout aisle candy compared to finding out you’re not even a “real” person… Of course, Seve agreed that emotional and mental capabilities earned the title of “person” through formed sentience and sapience, but a right to said title could barely lessen the blow of such a world-shattering lie. Would Steve even want to go back to Alexis after that-- if he could even LIVE with such knowledge? And what about their daughter: she may just be a little girl, but how would she react at the notion of not being a “real” child or an offspring born from a “fake” father? Seve knew Alexis could do some rather outlandish things, but she’s REALLY done it this time… Right, Alexis herself… Seve will need the epitome of apologies to even BEGIN mending things with her. He needs to apologize for: disregarding her to the point of feeling unloved, that willingness to abandon someone known for years in favor of someone recently met, and all the other things he’s done to push her this far. Of course, he also wants to give her a piece of his mind about this whole imprisoning of Claire… Seve doesn’t care if Alexis stayed trapped in literal Hell this past decade and a half, NOTHING she went through nor felt could justify making another suffer like that. It twisted Seve’s gut further when recalling Claire as just some innocent little pup who already dealt with being “abducted” from her world and possible family… and because of him and Trevor, no doubt. He needs to give her a proper apology, too-- and especially for forcing her to reface her captor. Fortunately, the pacifying spell still held strongly: when Claire felt rested enough, she simply examined all three goats near her and willingly remained within Ally’s hold. Claire gazed at Seve, finding him the least interesting because only the clothing differentiates him from the constantly-viewed Steve. She particularly watched Billie, her being the other bi-horned goat she’s seen in a while and adoring her lavender coloring, and her own big blues; and Claire certainly took an interest in Ally’s wings. “Yeah, you impressed?” Ally smirks and flaps them a little, “At least, I hope you’re actually trying to get a better look and not planning to climb over my shoulder instead… … I take it we’re not exactly a common sight ourselves, huh?” Claire shakes her head, making Ally chuckle. “Yeah, I guess that’s fair… After all, YOU’RE the odd sight to us, so you probably don’t get goats walking around a whole lot back home, huh?” Claire thinks for a moment, before holding up a paw and tilting it about. Ally raises an eyebrow, deciphering the gesture. “... Sort of ‘yes,’ sort of ‘no’: I’m guessing any goats would look more like YOU, huh?” Claire nods, lowering her arm. “Are all those other chimera-people also as much of a trouble-maker as you are? They better hope they’re just as cute as you are then...” Ah, what the hay? Claire’s in a calmed state, so a little “bullying” isn’t immoral: especially not when Ally just grabs Claire’s cheek and stretches it out, before letting it snap back into place. Claire gives a half-lidded frown and hangs her ears-- she didn’t ask to be chased and didn’t even try taking their crystal-thing in the first place… Unfortunately, that was one downside to Ally: if she had something she could prank or tease someone with-- especially if that “someone” caused her hassles or poked first --she’d always use any perfect excuse. However, perhaps she didn’t need any REAL “excuse,” as she often ran from a pranked Seve and laughed: “I just couldn’t resist!” Plus, it simply should’ve been illegal to have faces this adorable never look so grumpy nor pouty; although, Ally couldn’t tell if she liked the expression better on the imps from her old world or the pup in her current one. She’ll make Claire pout even more, by pressing on her nose and emitting a personal buzzer sound, just to be sure… It’s arguable if Ally’s smirk or Claire’s annoyed frown were larger afterward. “Claire…? Claire…!” There she was: Alexis. Even when pacified, Claire understood the danger that doe now is: though more calmly, she tries to push free from Ally and flee again. “NOPE,” Ally locks an arm around her neck, and the other around her arms and abdomen, “You’re staying right here.” “Stay with us, Claire…” Billie assures, “Alexis won’t do anything to you, I promise.” “It’s also three against one,” Seve adds, “Even if she’s got some magical powers now, I don’t think she’d be able to take all of us on if she tried anything. Not that we’ll let things get THAT far, anyway. I know her better than anyone, so I’m sure I can get her to listen and agree to settle things easily; we just need you to get her attention first…” He takes Claire, deciding himself and her the best combination to approach, while the other two wait. He winces and sucks air in through his teeth, when Claire's own sharp dentures sink into his butter-like shoulder. Still pacified, but just as desperate… What all did Alexis do to this poor kid? “Hey, knock it off, before I put you to sleep instead…” “Claire?!” Alexis runs up, her face back to that big old grin since forever; however, it fades back into that hateful, cold stare when she sees who's holding the pup. “Oh, you again…” she huffs, “I can see you found her, so if you wouldn't mind…?” “Hold on,” Seve moves Claire away, “Alexis, we need to talk first…” “Haven't we had enough of annoying each other? Just give her to me, then you can go back to your precious Billie sooner…” “I'm not just giving this kid back to someone who locked her up, Alexis. You're going to tell me why I should, before I do anything like that.” “I already told you: she's the only one--” Alexis falls silent and her eyes widen. “... Wait, what…?” Seve harshens his narrowed glare. “You heard me, Alexis… Why should I give her back, when we all know what you did to her?” Alexis grins again, but underneath a furrowed brow than joyful eyes-- eyes that now focus on Claire. “... Claire, sweetie… What did you tell him? You know I only did whatever I had to because I love you, right…?” Alexis wasn't sure how someone verbally challenged managed it-- did they have their own notepad and pen to offer? --but she couldn't deny the evidence of betrayal. Seve then sighs, as he closes his eyes. “... There's also something about STEVE that needs to be done.” “Yeah, I get it, Seve…” Alexis rolls her eyes, “You want me to apologize…” “... No, we want your help in telling him where he came from.” Alexis stiffens. “... What the hell are you talking about? Besides, I already helped him find out where he came from: he’s just some guy who grew up on a farm…” “Alexis, we know you reanimated a body. It’s also why he looks like me…” Alexis’ gaze fell toward Claire again, her irises vibrating and her pupils constricting. “Oh, Claire… Claire, Claire, Claire… You really HAVE been a bad girl, haven't you? And you wonder why I did what I had to…” Seve grimaces again as Claire sinks her nails into his arm next, to increase the chances he'll release her. He'd hate to see what happens if the pacify spell fully wore off… He then steps back as Alexis approaches, moving Claire away again. “Stay back, Lex…” Seve warns, “I won’t hesitate to--” “So it’s true then?!” All eyes fall upon Steve, after he runs up to them. He stares Alexis down, preparing to analyze every last movement and the accompanying tone she’ll use. “Well, is it?!” Steve demands, “Am I really just some random dead guy, who’s nothing more than some… some cheap copy?!” “I thought you were going to check on Daisy…” “Answer me!!” Steve storms up to her, “Am. I. This. ‘Clone’?!” “... Well, the cat's definitely out of the bag now, thanks to a certain little someone… So yeah, you are.” Steve steps back. It wasn't bad enough she still wanted Seve apparently, now Steve's finding out he really IS just “Seve 2.0”?! As for Seve himself, he's far more livid than his glare suggests… How could Alexis just be so nonchalantly blunt?! Yes, there's no point in hiding what's revealed, but she could still practice the slightest tact in such a devastating truth! But what WAS Steve even doing here…? This was far too convenient (or IN-convenient) to just be by chance… Then, Seve saw HIM: Vadrigar, smirking satisfiedly from the shadows he remained in, the red glow of irises the only thing not hidden by the coating shadows. Billie knew he'd weaponize something like this, hence her greater fury than surprise when also spotting those illuminating irises and their hosting form. Ally didn't seem any happier at the demon's presence. Claire hadn't noticed herself, focusing instead on the furious one-horned doe and distraught goat-man. Steve looks at his shaky hands, then feels his face and upper body. It couldn't be, it just COULDN'T… His marriage, his existence-- all a LIE. If not for Alexis' pregnancy and delivery, he'd dare consider his own daughter a lie, too. Well, assuming Alexis didn't secretly and somehow impregnate herself by another means, if his revived form wasn't capable… Steve honestly doesn't know WHAT part of his “life” is true anymore-- if anything IS. The only thing he knows is true right now: he has to get away-- and take Claire with him. If Alexis lied about Steve's own existence, then he's having doubts about this “magical sickness” or however she described Claire… Oh God, no wonder the poor kid was so desperate for him when he came into the attic. Steve doesn't want to know what Alexis did to her-- recalling that she was chained is sickening enough! Steve needs to get them both away from her… Seve tries, “H-Hey…” It's all he can muster, before Steve suddenly charges into him and yanks the pup away. Seve grunts as a little blood flies from the bite and claw marks Claire left behind, holding his arm. Steve runs and holds Claire close, practically barreling through the surprised Billie and Ally. Alexis’ eyes widen and then glare. “Where do you think you're going?!!” She slams her staff onto the ground and chains the escaping duo. “I already warned you, if you try to take her--!!” Seve charges into her, tackling her onto the ground and dispersing the chains. “We're not done here, Steve, but just run for now!!” Seve preferred to solve things, but tensions are clearly too high for anything peaceful… The best bet is to let Steve take Claire to safety (Seve doubts he'll hurt her), while also giving the man a chance to calm down and ensure his own protection. Alexis is far beyond reason. She radiates a red aura that reflects her irises’ own glow, before she grips Seve's throat and her palm blasts him into an opposing wall. Billie and Ally scream his name, as he coughs and feels his smoking neck. Surprisingly, he'd shaken off far worse… But “worse” perfectly described Alexis' planned onslaught. “Alexis, don’t make us do this!” Billie draws her sword, “You might be Seve’s friend, but--” Billie slices through a flaming skull sent her way, causing her to grit her teeth. “... I guess we’re doing this then.” Even Ally knew this called for brute force. She didn’t want to hurt her brother’s dear friend and the person she herself came to like; but this isn’t the baby shower nor other calmer times, it’s now a matter of life and death. With furious magentas like that, the only thing to stop this is bloodshed or incapacitation. Right now, they're focused on the trio before their owner: the ones who'll undoubtedly continue the interference with reclaiming Claire from Steve. She summons chains to bind around them all and pull them down. Billie casts a transparency spell onto herself, her spectral-like form able to pull out from them; while Seve roared and lit himself up, his flames melting off the restraints. Ally wishes she held onto that crystal, as she desperately pulls and even gnaws on her chains. Unfortunately, Billie nor Seve have time to help, not when Alexis focuses on them-- particularly Billie. As Billie solidifies and opaques again, Alexis pounces in the hopes of crushing her underneath the staff's head. Billie holds up Divine Intervention to deflect the staff, then attempts to hit Alexis with a sleep spell. Alexis responds to Billie’s raised hoof by launching another chain into Billie’s gut, sending her flying away. Seve swings a coil of his own magical chains, wrapping them around Alexis. She slams the butt of her staff onto the ground by falling to the side, making the earth rumble. Seve is jumped by emerging corpses that either grab hold or sink their sharper points into his body. Alexis slips out from the loosened and disappearing link, looking back at Seve. As he blasts them off with another fiery discharge, Alexis slams her staff down again and morphs the ground into a pair of golem hands that clasp around him. Billie reaches out a hoof and manages to grip a building’s corner flag, stopping her flight and flinging herself back toward the fight. She fires an ice spell from Divine Intervention’s tip, freezing Alexis in a solid block and landing beside her. Billie cuts Ally free from her chains, then they both rush over to smash Seve free from his imprisoning grip. Alexis watches from within the ice, still fully aware of her surroundings. That other doe… That DAMN other doe…! Alexis could’ve run off by now and gotten Claire back from Steve, but no: Billie just had to return and turn the tide into THEIR favor, meaning it’ll take longer to catch up now-- if Claire isn’t entirely gone by now! Billie already took Seve away; and by God, she is NOT causing Alexis to lose Claire, too!! No more playing around… If Seve also got hurt, too bad! He made his own choice in whom he really wanted… Everyone turned their heads toward the blocked goat, red energy forming around her concealed body. The ice shook and Alexis’ eyes shone even brighter, her screams heard as she unleashed a powerful shockwave that scattered shards far away. Billie’s breath hitched at that radiant glow… She’d seen such magical auras before and knew the dangers associated: the already-terrifying “magical meltdowns” even young children could produce, but especially the far deadlier rage that an adult’s latency could muster. Even worse, she wouldn’t be surprised to see such power radiate from Vadrigar himself. He’s certainly enjoying the spectacle, eyeing Alexis specifically-- in thought especially… “You’re just going to keep getting in my way, aren’t you?!” Alexis roars, glaring at Billie, “I’m sick and tired of you screwing up what’ll finally make me happy, and since you’re so hellbent on keeping up the act…!!” Alexis holds her staff in both hands, before throwing either hoof to the side: her obeying chains grab hold of Ally and Seve, throwing them far away from Billie. Alexis then slams her hooves back together, her staff’s gem glowing its brightest: her summoned transparent and turquoise barrier swirls around herself and Billie-- and she still has plenty of mana to spare. Billie readies her stance and narrows her eyes, knowing full well that punches cannot be pulled here-- nor sword slashes. She won’t kill Alexis, no self-respecting white mage would simply slaughter another, but she cannot allow Alexis to just kill her either. Seve and Ally both cry on the other side of the walls, banging with all their might-- but not even a morning star can hold much effect, let alone some chained knuckles. Magical and physical blows exchange, weapons clash, as Seve tries to find some way to intervene. Wait, he can dig! He spins into the ground, as Ally watches and tries hacking at the ground the barrier lies upon herself. “What’s this going to accomplish, Alexis?!” Billie snarls, slicing more launched flaming skulls, “All you’re doing is wasting our time and energy: we could be searching for Claire and Steve, and making sure we’re still capable of protecting ourselves on the way back to the ship! It’s not too late to stop and work things out properly, we can even help you work things out with those two!” “Shut your goddamn mouth already, you thieving bitch!!” Alexis roars, trying (and failing) to kabob Billie on raised earth-spikes, “You stole Seve from me, you’re letting Claire get stolen away from me…!!” she swipes her staff, each launched air-blade dodged by the other, “You don’t get to just talk your way out of things, not when there’s only ONE possible way I can make sure that you don’t cause any more loss!!” Billie switches to summoning her angel wings, flying around the small arena and attempting to snare the dodging Alexis in her summoned grass patches’ vines. “I’m not trying to make you lose anyone, Alexis-- I’m trying to do the OPPOSITE!! I want to help you redeem yourself to Claire and become friends again; I want to help you fix things with Steve and find a proper happy life together, despite what might’ve been done to ‘meet’ him…!” Billie manages to catch Alexis’ torso and her other grass patches latch on elsewhere, allowing Billie to finally land and approach the other. Billie raises a hoof to cast a sleeping spell, which starts to take hold and lessen Alexis’ struggles; while Billie puts her other kind hoof onto the side of Alexis’ face, and looks into the drooping magentas. “At the end of the day, I just want to help you-- and not just because I’m ‘supposed to’ as a white mage… I can’t do any of that, though, if you keep insisting on making an enemy out of someone who really does care…” “No… You… DON’T!!” Alexis clenched a fist, making a chain snag Billie’s neck and hoist her up. Billie kicks and grips the chain, physical instinct overriding common sense-- such as keeping hold of her weapon and Alexis! Alexis falls onto her hands and knees, before standing herself again and shaking herself out of it. She tightens the chain’s grip and makes another wrap around Billie’s ankles to pull, Alexis being fine with either strangulation or dismemberment… “NO!!” Seve didn’t hold back, socking Alexis’ jaw with his chained-covered knuckles and even sending a tooth flying. Billie is dropped, but needs to regain her barings after the oxygen deprivation and head-collision. As she lies there, Alexis focuses her sights onto Seve, it being arguable whose eyes held more resentment: Alexis for Billie fully “turning” Seve against her, or Seve himself for almost being cost the goat he thought he’d never again see? There’s no words, only roars and cries in their unleashed fury: Seve’s own spells and the physical chain-based attacks, while Alexis switches between standard melee and using her staff’s magic instead. Catching his breath after a particularly strong fireball blast, Seve notices Alexis screaming and flying at him with her staff. He naturally dodges-- but a sickening crunch and splatter follows regardless. Silence and stillness from all, even Ally halting her digging attempts to stare in wide-eyed horror. At least, EVERYONE remained frozen, until Alexis’ grin evolved into a mad, pleased laughter that chilled all within earshot. [End Chapter]