An agitated, angry yell escaped Vitra's lips as the Foxkin tried to take me down, her powerful mana splashing harmlessly against my barrier and exploding upon contact with Shatter, driving the Foxkin Noble mad.

"Why won't you die already?! Just die! Die die die die DIE!"

The bolts of pure mana became even more condensed and abundant as the woman drew from the deepest reserves of her Core, squeezing everything she could from the organ and causing blood to leak from her lips, nostrils, ears and eyes as all seven orifices took damage from her overexertion of her body, though she didn't seem to care as she snarled at me, watching as another bolt exploded on the edge of Shatter.

I remained silent as I focused on the attacks sent my way, my speed and control barely able to keep up with the bolts as more and more of them hurtled from the demented woman's hands, her determination and desire to kill me oozing from her body in the form of a deep chill and scent of violets as her body went haywire with all the different changes occurring.

Cutting the bolts out of the air was a difficult task, but each bolt I sliced or deflected was another second that I bought for the others to arrive, their presence growing ever closer as they made their way into the Manor to aid us, forgoing the caution they previously had upon hearing and seeing the Wisp's signal.

Even now, in the midst of a deadly dance of blades and magic between Vitra and I, I could feel the familiar, soothing presence of Jahi growing closer and closer as she rushed through the Manor, so I did my best to hold my ground and get everything ready for when she arrived.

Behind me, the Wisps fought valiantly against the Phantasms, while Cali kept Tza'Delira occupied as more and more of her prowess returned, the Arch Fiend flexing her muscles further as the fight continued to go on.

"Argh! Damnit! You're ruining EVERYTHING! EVERYTHING!!"

Her eyes shone with a dangerous light as I drew ever closer, each step I took gained through defending myself from at least four bolts, and I hastily rolled away as I saw her lips part again, mana coalescing on her tongue as she spat "[Sharp Vocation!]" at me, the blade of compressed mana slicing into the floorboards and further destroying the room around us.

I could hear the guards and servants scrambling away from the room, the various mana signatures and sounds of battle startling the people and triggering their instincts to run, though I could tell that some were brave enough to come forwards, only to freeze at the edge of the room as they witnessed two Fiends fighting against one another.

"[Thunderclap!]"

Another shout from Vitra drew my attention, and I barely managed to block the wave of mana that washed towards me, the barrier from Protective cracking beneath the pressure as Vitra glared at me hatefully, her green eyes ablaze with fury that didn't abate even as she coughed up a gobbet of blood, further staining her lips.

Internal damage was likely mounting rapidly inside her from the constant straining of her mana pathways, yet the woman didn't care as she snarled "I was finally supposed to have everything MY WAY! It was supposed to happen FOR ME! Not them, but ME! So why?! Why must you be so..?! SO..?! ARGH!!"

Dozens of mana bolts rained from her outstretched hands, making my eyes widen as the volley was unleashed on me, chewing through the mana barrier in front of me swiftly.

Pouring more mana into Protective, I planted my feet and grit my teeth, funneling what felt like gallons of mana into the dagger and straining the enchantment, bolstering the barrier and watching as it was cracked and shattered beneath each bolt.

As I was getting barraged by the bolts, I felt the presence of my lovers just outside the room, and the comforting warmth of a Fire Cloak mixed with the familiar feeling of harsh tingling that came with a Light Cloak, informing me that they were in fact here now.

The barrier thickened instantly as my body was further strengthened by my lovers spells, allowing me to more efficiently protect myself and shout "Grab the necklace from her necks dn be careful! Don't let her say anything!"

I wasn't able to turn to observe the efforts of everyone else, relying on my hearing to paint that picture for me as I continued to focus on what was in front of me, even if that tugged at the back of my mind as I wondered what was happening now that they were here.

I wasn't the most trained, disciplined woman in the world, but I had been through enough battles now that this curiosity no longer broke my focus and endangered me or anyone else, so I continued to watch as Vitra descended into the throes of madness, one of her hands clutching at the necklace with a death grip as she heard my words, fear sparkling in those emerald eyes.

Anput appeared beside me, slipping behind the barrier with me before muttering "I'll try to keep her alive, but... she might lose that hand."

Not giving me a chance to respond, the Jackalkin lowered herself and took a sprinters stance, her olive skin slowly becoming covered in silver as she stared at the Foxkin expressionlessly, her usual lust for battle long gone.

The Jackalkin shot forwards with incredible speed, her scimitar arcing around her as she flickered into existence besides Vitra, who gasped and tried to utter an incantation, only to scream as the arc of silver cut through her wrist and severed her hand neatly, allowing Anput to reach forwards and yank the necklace from the Foxkin, causing her to slump to the ground instantly, unconscious.

Vitra wasn't the only one to scream, as two women standing fearfully from the outside of the room stared at the unconscious Foxkin with ghastly expressions, tears streaming from their eyes and causing them to tremble, the older woman collapsing as she fainted from the shock.

Anput stood idly beside the body of Vitra, her eyes focused intently on the chain dangling from her hand while her scimitar was loosely held in her other hand, the Jackalkin not moving a muscle as she remained where she was.

Sensing that something was amiss, I lowered the barrier and kept my focus entirely on Anput, my daggers held at the ready on either side as I approached my mate, my stance low as I quietly muttered "Anput..? Are you alright?"

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