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Tag, Ginny, and Rachel are going to confront the looming threat. Will they be enough? Or will Ginny lose herself to the puppet master pulling her strings? Will all of Noxumbra fall, or will our rag tag band be able to overcome their most dangerous challenge to date? Find out in this emotional finale!\n\nI will have a big announcement for this series coming with the epilogue. Stay tuned this Sunday!\n\n[b]Chapters[/b]\n[url=https://inkbunny.net/s/2919475]Case 1 - The Wolf[/url]\n[url=https://inkbunny.net/s/2937556]Case 2 - Noxumbra[/url]\n[url=https://inkbunny.net/s/2953837]Case 3 - Hydromancer[/url]\n[url=https://inkbunny.net/s/2964544]Case 4 - The Favor[/url]\n[url=https://inkbunny.net/s/3084693]Case 5 - Ancient Stalker[/url]\n[b]Case 6 - Hoard Master[/b]\n - [url=https://inkbunny.net/s/3246341]Part 1[/url]\n - [url=https://inkbunny.net/s/3246343]Part 2[/url]\n - [url=https://inkbunny.net/s/3246345]Part 3[/url]\n - [url=https://inkbunny.net/s/3246347]Part 4[/url]\n - Part 5 <~ You are here\nEpilogue\n\n- - - - -\n\nA massive thank you to my top tier subscribers:\n[fa]booleangemini352[/fa] | Sedyna | [iconname]typhoonthesuicune[/iconname] | [fa]Kaden22[/fa] | [fa]jafferroshak[/fa] | RoleplayCentral\n\nIf you would like early access to my stories, polls, monthly commission raffles, weekly previews and updates, behind the scenes talks, and other bonus content, please consider subscribing to my [url=https://subscribestar.adult/xp_author]SubscribeStar[/url]", "description_bbcode_parsed": "The showdown. Tag, Ginny, and Rachel are going to confront the looming threat. Will they be enough? Or will Ginny lose herself to the puppet master pulling her strings? Will all of Noxumbra fall, or will our rag tag band be able to overcome their most dangerous challenge to date? Find out in this emotional finale!

I will have a big announcement for this series coming with the epilogue. Stay tuned this Sunday!

Chapters
Case 1 - The Wolf
Case 2 - Noxumbra
Case 3 - Hydromancer
Case 4 - The Favor
Case 5 - Ancient Stalker
Case 6 - Hoard Master
 - Part 1
 - Part 2
 - Part 3
 - Part 4
 - Part 5 <~ You are here
Epilogue

- - - - -

A massive thank you to my top tier subscribers:
\n\t\t\t\t\tbooleangemini352 | Sedyna | \r\n\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t
\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\ttyphoonthesuicune\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t		\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\ttyphoonthesuicune\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t
| \n\t\t\t\t\tKaden22 | \n\t\t\t\t\tjafferroshak | RoleplayCentral

If you would like early access to my stories, polls, monthly commission raffles, weekly previews and updates, behind the scenes talks, and other bonus content, please consider subscribing to my SubscribeStar", "writing": "[center][b][u]Noxumbra Files[/u][/b][/center]\n[center][b]Case 6: Hoard Master[/b][/center]\n[center][u]Part 5[/u][/center]\n[center]By XP Author[/center]\n\nTag strode down the hall that had become unfortunately familiar, his heart thumping in his chest with nervous anticipation. As he got to the end, he nodded to both of the guards standing in front of the heavy vault door. He had come down enough times in the last few days to learn their names. The fox was Steven, and the snake was Tebeshi. Tebeshi slid her way forward. \"Back again, Tag?\"\n\nHe nodded. \"Yup. Another round of questioning for Ginny. You know how it is.\"\n\nThe snake nodded. \"Yeah, I do. Still, the director should be here with y-\"\n\nHer words were cut off as a klaxon suddenly started to blare from seemingly all over. The lights in the hall suddenly got darker, and much more red. The voice of the director filled the air, somehow louder than the blaring alarm. \"Attention all staff and personnel. Lockdown is now in effect. Get to your stations immediately. You will receive further instructions from a commanding officer or senior Noxumbra staff member on site. I repeat, Lockdown is now in effect.\" The message continued from there in a loop, obviously pre-recorded.\n\nThe two guards looked at each other in a panic, both resting their hands on the pistols in their holsters. Tag tilted his head. \"Well? You heard her! Get to your stations!\"\n\nSteven blinked. \"But... this... is our station? I thought?\" He looked to his partner. \"Right? Or do we go to the front?\" Tebeshi just shook her head, unsure.\n\nTag rolled his eyes. \"See, this is why you don't skip training. All guards are to report to the front, in the case of a breach from the main entrance. If you're going somewhere else, your XO will direct you.\"\n\nThe snake looked at the large door they were tasked with guarding. \"But...\"\n\nTag pointed down the hall. \"Go! I'll keep watch. I'm technically not staff, anyway, so I'll just get in the way. Besides, this vault is the most secure prison on the planet, right? And that door won't open from the inside. And someone has to get through the whole facility to get here. There isn't a safer place in the whole compound.\"\n\nTebeshi nodded again. \"Yeah, that's true. Worst that happens is we just make a round up and back down here.\" She thumped her partner's chest. \"C'mon. Let's go.\" She then prodded Tag's chest with a finger. \"Don't you dare open this door until the lockdown is over! Any questions you have for the prisoner can wait until then!\"\n\nThe jerboa smiled, holding his empty hands up. \"Hey, I'm just trying to stay out of the way. You think I want to get on my mother's bad side doing something that stupid?\" The snake scoffed, but accepted that. She slithered down the hall, the fox following at her side, both moving at a quick pace. Tag let out a heavy sigh, then winced as the sound from the alarm was starting to really get to him. The downside of big ears. He waited for another two minutes after the guards were out of sight before he was convinced they weren't coming back. He quickly turned to the door, punching in the access code he had been given. \"C'mon...\" The panel made a beep, the light turning green. A moment later, there was a loud series of clacks as the door unlocked itself. It opened with a hard tug.\n\nGinny stood on the other side of the door, hands on her hips, a big smile on her face. \"Alright, I'm impressed.\" She was still cautious to take a step out into the hall, half-expecting to have her mind suddenly assaulted the moment she was out of the protective shell of the vault. When that didn't happen, she visibly relaxed, though only a little. \"Okay. Now what?\"\n\nTag smiled to her. \"Now we sneak out of the facility.\"\n\nThe rat frowned. \"And how do we do that? Didn't you just say that all the guards were to report to the front?\"\n\nThe tall man just chuckled. \"Easy. We take the secret back door.\"\n\n[center]* * *[/center]\n\nSneaking through the place was strange. All the usual hustle and bustle in the halls was gone, leaving them empty. All the lights had been turned red from the lockdown, bathing everything in an eerie glow. The alarm still blared away, though the message had stopped looping at some point. As the two moved, they didn't run into anyone. It felt almost like the place had been abandoned within minutes. Though they both knew that was not the case. Most of the non-combat personnel was locked into their labs or workspaces, or into the dormitory rooms. The combat personnel was either at the front, or guarding the various rooms with the non-combat staff.\n\nGinny followed Tag closely. He seemed to know where he was going. They continued to ascend higher in the facility, until they reached the top level. This should have been the most active area, but the halls were still empty. Tag glanced around a corner, seeing the hall that led to the front. A small hoard of people stood at the far end, all facing away from him. He smirked, then made a motion for Ginny to move. He pointed at one specific door. The Director's office. As soon as the rat opened the door, Tag shoved her inside quickly and shut the door behind himself. \"Finally made it?\" His mother, Beatrice, sat behind her desk, staring at both of them.\n\nHe shrugged. \"Had to make sure. No one saw us.\"\n\nGinny looked around. \"Okay. So now we're trapped in a room with the whole base's guards just down the hall. How does this help?\" She looked down at her still naked self. \"And can I please get some clothes?\"\n\nBeatrice nodded, pointing at a bundle of folded clothing at the corner of her desk. \"Yes, please do cover yourself.\" As Ginny grabbed the clothing, the director stood up from her chair. \"As for being trapped in a room, that is quite far from the truth.\" She moved over to the wall behind her. She waved her hand, casting some spell. With a shimmering in the air, a small panel appeared on the wall seemingly out of nowhere. She pressed her hand against the panel, and it made a soft beep. Then the whole wall slid away into itself, revealing a narrow hallway just behind. \"At the end of this hall, you'll find the director's private elevator.\"\n\nThe rat scoffed as she tugged the loose shirt down. \"Figures there's a secret escape for the head honcho.\"\n\nBeatrice shrugged. \"Actually, I mostly use it to go lower into the facility. But it does also lead out to the surface in the case of emergencies. Or for the use of clandestine operations to sneak exceedingly dangerous creatures out of the building instead of keeping them held in Zeta.\"\n\nGinny, now fully dressed in ill fitting jeans and t-shirt, nodded. \"Yeah... yeah, sorry. And... uh... thanks.\"\n\nThe director frowned. \"Thank him.\" She pointed at Tag. \"I'm officially against this. But we've got no better options, and, as he's said, running out of time before this lich just decides to go on an all out offensive.\" She stepped out of the way as the two moved into the hall. \"Rachel will be waiting for you at the surface. You're on your own from here, so good luck.\"\n\nTag smiled back at his mother. \"Thanks. We'll need it.\"\n\nJust as he turned to continue down the hall, he heard her speak again. \"And Victor...\" He glanced over his shoulder, seeing the typically hard expression replaced by one of worry. She opened her mouth to say something, but the words would not come. She just sighed. \"Be careful.\"\n\nHe smirked. \"I know, Mom. I will be.\" He gave a nod to her, and saw her nod in response. The wall slid shut again, and he turned to follow Ginny, who was already waiting in the elevator at the end. He took a deep breath and pushed the button for the surface. \"Here we go then.\"\n\nOutside, Rachel leaned against the brick wall of the old, long abandoned paper mill. The grey-furred mouse flinched as the rusted dumpster beside her suddenly started to slide to the side on its own, revealing a rectangular hole in the ground. A moment later, a tall, metal box slid up out of the hole. The doors opened, and the two occupants stepped out. \"Well... that's one way to hide a secret entrance.\"\n\nTag smiled at her, resisting the urge to reach out and hug his girlfriend. \"Noxumbra's specialty.\" He looked at Ginny, who was taking several deep breaths of air. Despite not actually needing to breathe, she still took a moment to get her lungs full of fresh air... well, as fresh as the city's air ever was. But it wasn't pumped and cycled through a dozen filters into the prison she had been trapped in for some time now. \"You good?\"\n\nThe rat nodded. \"Yeah. Just good to be out in the open again.\" She turned to look at the other two. \"So, where do we go from here?\"\n\nTag and Rachel looked at each other, the mouse speaking up. \"We... kind of hoped you would know...\"\n\nGinny blinked. \"Me? I've been in a box for days! How the hell would I know?\"\n\nRachel shrugged. \"Well, you're the one with a lich in her head.\"\n\nTag stepped forward. \"Maybe... just pick a direction. I'm sure he's already aware of your sudden freedom and eager to get you into his clutches. So... he might be calling you somewhere?\" He held up a hand. \"Or I could see if I get something with a vision... but that might knock me cold for a while, and I won't be much help.\"\n\nThe rat scoffed. \"Not that you'll be much help as it is.\" He smirked at her verbal jab, happy to see her acting more like her old self again. She took another breath and let it out. \"Alright. Uh...\" She looked up and down the old street. \"I guess... This way?\"\n\n[center]* * *[/center]\n\nAfter two false starts that resulted in the trio turning back, Ginny seemed suddenly very confident in one particular direction: Southwest. They walked for a while, following streets, side-streets, and back alleys that snaked their way through the older part of Alta Ferro. Tag was a little on edge walking through the back streets of this part of town. Gangs and various organized crime groups mostly controlled this area. Police almost never came here, the place mostly guarded by the various violent vigilantes that liked to perform their own version of justice, though it still mostly boiled down to assault and murder at the end of the day, no matter how justified it might seem to them. Then again, considering what he had been doing with Noxumbra for the last few months, he probably shouldn't be one to judge.\n\nEventually, the buildings got smaller, and father apart, until they were behind them entirely. In front was the wilderness, such as it was. Years of pollution in the air, soil, and water had mostly killed the plants, with only patchy grass growing here and there. Though they were still technically within the city limits, this area was long abandoned, looking more like vast, empty plots that had gotten somewhat overgrown from the grass. Every so often, they would pass by a poorly kept drainage grate, leading to the city's sewer system. Old, abandoned, rusted metal storage crates sat among the grass, covered in gang tags and graffiti. Tag got the feeling that this was like a modern day no-man's-land. It felt like stepping into the dystopian world of a bad 80's movie. Or a comic book.\n\nSince they had started through the alleys, Ginny had been quiet. Now she walked with an even pace, staring ahead silently, the two following her. Tag and Rachel had also gotten quiet, both feeling a kind of pressure in the air... though it may have just been nerves. There was no doubt that they were going the right way now. And soon enough... they were there. A large patch of dirt with no buildings around. Instead, there was the rubble that used to be buildings, their purpose long forgotten. Tag recognized the place instantly. It was where he had witnessed the ceremony in a vision, where the horse had been branded and sent to kill him. He spoke quietly to Rachel. \"We're here.\" She just nodded.\n\n\"Indeed you are!\" All three stopped as a voice spoke, dark and echoing from all around them. A figure stepped forward, as if emerging from shadows. Tall and gaunt, wearing a black robe, the hood only slightly hiding the angular face of a jackal. In one hand was a gnarled staff, the top shaped like a crescent moon with a green flame floating unnaturally above it. Arcanos Athanatos stood before them. \"Welcome to my domain. And I thank you for bringing me my prize.\" He held out his empty hand. \"Come, Genevieve. Take your rightful place at my side.\"\n\nTag looked at the rat. \"Ginny?\" She didn't respond, instead she started to step forward, in an almost robotic fashion. \"Ginny! Fight him!\"\n\nAthanatos cackled, a dark and sinister sound, like the rasping of rusted nails. \"She cannot hear you, psychic. She now only listens to her true master, as all undead should.\" He turned his burning gaze down to the rodent as she moved to stand in front of him. \"Isn't that right, my revenant?\" She nodded slowly.\n\nRachel stepped forward, her hands raised as she prepared a spell. \"Then I guess we'll just have to break you to break your hold!\" She stopped as Tag put a hand on her shoulder. \"Tag?\" He just shook his head.\n\nThe jackal chuckled. \"A wise choice. Your mate knows how outclassed you are here. You do not stand a ch-\" A black-furred hand suddenly shot out, violently thrust into his chest with the sound of cracking bone and ripping, old flesh.\n\nGinny looked up, a wild smile on her face. \"Gotcha, bitch!\"\n\nThe jackal simply shook his head. \"Unfortunate.\" Ginny's grin faded, and she realized there was no blood on her hand, despite her claws deep enough that she should be able to grasp the man's heart. But there was no heart to hold, as if his internal organs were simply not there. She ripped her hand free, looking at it in surprise. \"You think a mere hole can stop a lich? Foolish child.\" He allowed her to step away from him, until she had backed up to stand near Tag and Rachel. \"You thought to spring a trap on me. Allow me to show you what folly that is!\" He grasped his staff and struck it against the ground.\n\nThe trio was nearly knocked from their feet as the ground rumbled, green energy seeming to flow all around the lich as the very earth cracked around him. Then a hand sprung from the dirt at his side. Then dozens more. Then even more, each in some state of decay, some more skeletal than others. Soon, bodies clawed and climbed their way out of the ground. Dozens upon dozens of zombies and ghouls of multiple species, some even mystical. Tag spotted a multi-tailed fox, and a serpent not unlike the lamia that had nearly eaten him. It might even be the same one. All the while, Athanatos cackled in sinister joy.\n\nRachel was suddenly in front, her hands up and casting a shield of light in front of her to protect them. \"Tag!\" She blinked when she saw the smirk on the tall man's face. \"Tag?\"\n\nThe jerboa laughed. \"Hey, Art!\" The jackel's laughter faded, replaced by a low growl. \"You were right that we set up a trap. But did you think that Ginny was it?\"\n\nGinny looked at him. \"What? I thought I was!\"\n\nTag shook his head, reaching into his pocket. \"Nope. You were just the bait and compass to lead us here.\" He pulled a small, orange pistol out of his pocket. \"This is the trap.\" He held the flare gun up, firing off a single shot. A burst of red-orange fire shot into the air, streaking high above, only to pop into sparks some 30 feet above them. As soon as it did, the trio were no longer alone in the field. The very air shimmered and wavered, shadows suddenly melting away. Stepping forth was... everyone. Soldiers of Noxumbra, mages, mystic allies, and even mechanical golems of metal and stone. As he tossed the spent flare gun to the ground, Tag just smiled at the lich, his own army appearing more and more behind him. \"Did you really think my mother wound send me out here alone?\"\n\nRachel still held her shield up, but looked over her shoulder as all of Noxumbra stood arrayed behind her. \"How... the hell?\"\n\nBeatrice stepped out in front of the gathered soldiers and mages, wearing what looked like a set of fitted mage robes, complete with pointed hat. \"You think you're the only mage that can bend light?\"\n\nGinny smirked. \"The lockdown. It was a ploy to gather everyone!\"\n\nTag nodded. \"And make Art over there think that Noxumbra was just bunkering down. In case he was reading your thoughts.\"\n\nAthanatos growled. \"Do you think this means you've won already? Do you forget! I am Archanos Athanatos! Master of death!\" He held his hand up. \"You have only come to me for the slaughter!\" He cackled again. \"I thank you! Now, my minions! KILL THEM ALL!\" The array of undead suddenly let out a ghastly wail of pure aggression, rushing forward with inhuman speed.\n\nBeatrice also shouted. \"Noxumbra! ATTACK!\" There was a cheer from everyone gathered, and they also charged forward. Within a second, the two armies clashed, and pandemonium followed. Mages stood at the back, throwing blasts of fire, shards of ice, spikes of metal, and blasts of pure arcane energy. The golems charged forward, grasping at the gaunt bodies and hurling them away, or smashing others into the ground, while yet more started to crawl upon them to bring them down. Soldiers fired guns or swung swords, clashing with their foes and matching their ferocity.\n\nTag pat Rachel's shoulder. \"Give 'em all you've got, girl!\" The mouse smiled, and he lost sight of her as she charged into the fray, using her magic to cleave any in her way. He turned to Ginny. \"You too. But you have a goal!\"\n\nThe rat growled, holding her hands out at her sides, her fingers seeming to suddenly be elongated, ending in wicked claws. \"Yeah! I'm going to tear that fucking jackal's head off!\"\n\nHe smirked. \"Yeah, well, that's a start. You need to keep him distracted while I look for his phylactery! Cage for his soul. If I can break that, then we've won! And he can't go far from it.\"\n\nGinny glanced at him. \"Do you even know what it is?\"\n\nHe nodded. \"Yup. I've been inside of it.\" She just gave him a curious look, but didn't question it. \"Go. Keep him busy so he can't stop me.\" Ginny nodded, flashing jagged teeth ready to tear into flesh. \"Gladly!\" She launched herself forward, gleefully twisting her body to become a visage of violence. Her claws ripped through anything in front of her, tearing through the decayed flesh, shattering bones, and ripping pieces free of anything that dared try to stop her. She held none of the aggression and violence back, releasing everything that Athanatos had been building inside of her for decades.\n\nTag shook his head. \"Well. Glad she's on our side again.\" It had been a risk bringing her here. If she hadn't managed to break the control, that ball of death would be their worst nightmare. But he had other things to focus on. Pulling his silver-shard pistol from his pocket, he tried his best to stay out of the main fighting. He kept himself low as spells shot above his head from both directions. Some of the undead hoard were also spell casters, it seemed. One blast of fire hit the ground nearby, sending burnt dirt flying over him, peppering him with ash and embers.\n\nHe moved to the rubble of the collapse building. If there was a place that the lich would keep his most prized possession hidden, it would make sense it was under a bunch of debris. Before he got there, he heard the shattering of rocks. He looked to see the center of a stone golem blown away by a spell. He cursed and had to dash forward to keep from being crushed as the now inert boulders came raining down around him. He ended up running right into a shambling group of... he wasn't sure what they were anymore, their bodies too decayed. The stench alone was almost enough to assault him. But they certainly weren't going to stop with that as they each started at him with a wail of anger.\n\nHe rose his pistol up, focusing to send a charge of electricity into it. Blue arcs danced over the barrel as he aimed and fired, sending supercharged pieces of metal hurtling forward. Each struck something, many missing and sparking the ground uselessly, while others impacted the undead before him. He continued to fire as he moved to the side, sticking more and more of the little toothpick-sized shards of metal into the creatures. Lightning started to arc between them, causing the already atrophied muscles to start spasming and locking. \"Fucking... fall over you assholes!\" He channeled all he could into his hand and launched a blast of electricity forward. It slammed into the middle, bursting with blinding light and a crack of thunder, sizzling and crackling as it sparked between all of the pieces of metal he had shot. The bodies in front of him started to blacken and fry as the lightning arced and dance back and forth in a feedback loop.\n\nFinally, the undead fell to the ground as their burnt flesh and bones could no longer support their weight. Though they still tried to claw at him, scraping across the ground in an attempt to shamble at him. Then they were gone in an explosion that nearly sent him flying backwards. He still stumbled away, his ears ringing. A hand gripped his wrist and pulled him back. He blinked, ready to fight off whatever grabbed him, only to find it was the hand of the snake, Tebeshi. \"Persistent fuckers, huh?\" In her other hand she held a massive weapon, some kind of grenade launching device. \"You okay?\"\n\nHe smirked at her, nodding. \"Yeah.\" With her help, he managed to get stable on his feet.\n\nShe pushed past him, firing off another grenade, though this one exploded not with fire, but ice, freezing a few shambling bodies to the ground. \"Get going and do whatever you're here to do, skinny. I'll hold them off.\"\n\nHe nodded. \"Thanks.\" He turned and started off to the debris pile again.\n\nThough he did still hear her call to him. \"You owe me a drink for that lie earlier, though!\" She fired again, another explosion in the distance.\n\nHe laughed. \"I'll get you two!\" He turned away and went back to his job. Somehow, the fighting had been kept away from the debris pile. Probably Athanatos' doing, keeping his own army away so that the place didn't get hit by a rogue blast or explosion. Though that all but confirmed that what Tag was after was hidden in there. Though now he has the task of actually finding the thing. Bent metal beams, rusted through with age and exposure, and piles of broken rock and concrete sat before him. \"Right... here we go.\" He rubbed his hand and started to heave the rocks he could out of the way.\n\nThen the rocks and metal started to move on their own. He had to duck as one particularly large mass of detritus flew past him. He glanced to the side to see his mother, her hands held out and glowing. \"You looked like you could use a mage hand.\"\n\nHe rolled his eyes. \"Bad joke, but yes.\" He returned to hurling the smaller pieces away while his mother did her part to move the bigger ones.\n\nShe grunted as she lifted a large chunk of what had been a wall up, sending it thudding to the side and out of the way. \"What are we looking for, exactly?\"\n\n\"A lantern. And old oil lantern, with iron curl patterns. Probably lit.\" He threw one bolder away.\n\n\"And you're sure it's under here?\"\n\nHe shook his head. \"Nope!\" He didn't stop digging anyway. \"Just following a hunch...\" Then an idea hit him. \"Under...\" He started to scrabble at the dirt. \"UNDER!\" He started to dig as fast as he could, as if he were trying to create a burrow for himself.\n\n\"VICTOR! LOOK OUT!\" He looked up as he heard his mother shouting, just in time to see her practically launch her body in front of him. Something large and black suddenly collided with her in the air, both hitting the ground and tumbling away into the cast off debris and dirt.\n\n\"Mom!\" He scrambled to his feet, only for something hot to suddenly strike his side and send him crashing to the ground beside his mother, and what he now recognized as Ginny. He tried to push himself up, only to cry out as pain lanced through his side, his left leg twitching painfully. He risked looking down at himself. \"Ah... shit.\" The side of his coat was completely burnt from where what he assumed was a fire blast had hit him. Though it wasn't just his coat, but quite a bit of fur and flesh looked singed, oozing some blood. \"Fuck...\" He grit his teeth and forced himself to move anyway, willing his leg to move properly. \"Ow...\"\n\nGinny grunted, rolling off of Beatrice and pushing herself up to her feet, though unsteadily. \"Fucker... Throwing me like I'm a fucking doll!\" She looked down to see the woman she had collided with. \"Director!\" She leaned down, seeing blood on the woman's head where she had struck something in the fall. Though she also saw the woman's chest moving as she breathed, if somewhat raggedly. \"Alive.\" Her attention was then to Tag. \"Dammit, not you, too!\" She rushed over, reaching out to grab his hand and help him up, only to flinch away when he cried out in pain. \"Tag!?\"\n\n\"I'm fine!\" He gripped her hand again, letting her drag him to his feet. \"Nothing fatal. I think.\" He winced and grunted as he stood up, nearly falling over again, but managing to stay upright. He looked at his mother. \"Is...\"\n\n\"She's alive. But out cold. Hit something when she caught me.\" Ginny moved to stand in front of Tag. \"More importantly, Arty is not happy.\" Tag looked over to see the lich staring at him with a burning fury that was almost physical. The skeletal man strode purposefully at them, completely ignoring the pitched battle happening around him, spells and bullets almost bouncing off of the air around him.\n\n\"Well. That means I'm right.\" He grunted as he stepped forward. \"His phylactery is buried under the rubble. I'm not going to be able to dig it up like this, so I need you to-\"\n\n\"On it!\" She was instantly on the ground, using her large claws to hurl large clumps of dirt away.\n\nTag smirked. \"Right...\" He reached into his pocket, pulling his shard pistol out again. \"This is going to suck.\" He raised the thing and charged it as much as he could manage, firing several shots of electricity at the approaching lich. Each one of them struck nothing, bouncing off and sending sparks scattering.\n\nAthanatos continued to stride to him. \"You think your petty tricks and novice spells can stop a [i]lich!?[/i] You are a pathetic weakling! As are all of your people! Every member of your precious organization that falls is another soldier added to my command!\"\n\nTag chuckled, forcing himself to step out around the debris. \"Yeah... well, you're ugly.\"\n\nThe jackal shook his head. \"And you are dying. A useless weakling. Not even worthy to join my ranks. I will let your body rot and fester here on this ground, food for maggots and worms.\"\n\nTag forced himself to smile. He dropped the gun onto the ground and held his hands out. \"Well. Do it yourself! If I'm so unworthy, then why waste your magic on me! Kill me with your own hands!\"\n\nAthanatos grunted. \"At least you know how to die well.\" The jackal stepped forward and lashed his hand out to grasp at Tag's throat, nearly crushing it instantly.\n\nHowever, the moment they touched, Tag gripped the man's wrist. \"G-otcha... bitch!\" He saw the realization within the lich's burning gaze, but it was too late. Suddenly, Tag's world was taken over by a blinding white light. Before his senses were completely lost, he heard the most horrible scream coming from the thing holding him. Then there was nothing but white.\n\nWell, not entirely nothing. There was also the lich. Now just a flame of green in front of him. \"WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO ME!?\"\n\nTag smiled... or thought to. He had no body anymore, floating as nothing in a void of nothing. \"Little trick I thought up. When I first touched your mind, I thought I was the one trapped. But I realized something. I dragged you here with me.\"\n\nThe flame in front of him roiled with fury. \"You think to trap me here!? I will not be bound by your little tricks, rodent!\"\n\nTag thought to shrug, however that worked like this. \"Then go ahead and leave.\" He felt the power of the being surge, struggling against him. \"Well?\"\n\n\"What have you done?\"\n\nTag laughed. \"You don't get out much, I see. You really should read more. Or see some movies. In a lot of ghost stories, there's always a psychic that is the undoing of the thing. Sometimes a target at first, but by the end, the psychic is the reason they get trapped. My experience these last few months has told me that there's always a nugget of truth to stories like that. Seems this one was true.\"\n\nThe essence raged again. \"[b]RELEASE ME THIS INSTANT![/b]\"\n\n\"Tsk tsk. You didn't say please.\" He waited. \"Go on. Say please.\" The essence just roiled in anger at him, but said nothing. \"No? Then I'm keeping you here as long as I am able.\"\n\nAthanatos let out a low growl. Then a chuckle. \"You think you can withstand me? For how long? I can already feel your mind struggling to maintain this hold.\" Tag wished that wasn't true, but the feeling of exhaustion was slowly starting to creep into him. \"I will break free of your little trap soon. And if you think my being trapped like this has given your friends time to damage my body, I remind you. I am undying. I am a [i]lich![/i] Not some petty creature to be so easily extinguished. I am at the cusp of godhood itself!\"\n\nTag scoffed. \"Well, you certainly have the ego to match it.\" He felt himself weakening quickly, silently hoping he held the guy long enough. \"So. Gonna snap my neck the moment you're free? Or are you going to take your time? I'm only asking to know how much to brace myself.\"\n\nThe flame flared up for a moment, then calmed again. \"I will take my time with you. I will make sure your suffering is long. You will be left wounded, weakened, but alive. You will watch as each and every one of your friends and allies dies by my hand...\" There was a low laughter. \"Or better yet. By the hands of the creature who loves you so much. I will regain my control on her, and force her to kill everyone dear to you. She will be happy to do it. Revel in their blood. And then, once your will and mind are broken, only then will I allow you the gift of your death.\"\n\n\"How kind. Just one problem.\"\n\n\"And that is...?\"\n\n\"Ginny's not yours.\" He struggled, but felt himself losing his grip. \"Let's see what she has to say, huh?\" The white light overtook him again, and once more he was cast out into nothingness. For a fleeting moment of panic, there was only darkness. No feeling, no physicality to anything. He wondered if the lich had already broken his neck, and his mind was now lost between living and death with nowhere to return to. But then there was pain in his side. He had never felt so happy to be in agony. Though he also noted there was no pain on his neck.\n\nAs he came back to his body, he found himself not held aloft by the undead jackal, but laying on the ground. He was also aware of an arm around him, and a chest pressed to his back. A familiar scent came to his nose, and he heard a heartbeat that he was sure he knew. He smiled as he opened his eyes slowly, seeing the air in front of him shimmering with pale light. \"Hey, Rachel.\"\n\n\"Oh, thank the gods! I saw the two of you standing there like statues!\" She had one arm up, holding up her shield. Tag forced himself to sit up, only to wince. The arm around him gripped him harder, and he suddenly realized that the chest pressed against his back was... wet. And he smelled blood that wasn't his own.\n\n\"R-Rachel?\" He turned, despite her trying to keep him still. \"Oh... gods!\" The front of her was torn open by what looked like a series of deep gashes, ripping through her from her left shoulder down almost to her right hip. Blood was soaking through the tatters of her clothing. \"Y-you're...\"\n\n\"I'm fine!\" He could see the arm held up to keep the shield active was trembling. \"We're not done!\"\n\n\"Yes we are.\" Ginny spoke up nearby, stepping in front of the two. \"Arty. I have something of yours.\" She held up her hand, showing an old, oil lantern. The corners had curled, vine-like patterns along the smoky yellow glass. Inside, a small flame flickered desperately.\n\nThe lich turned, glaring at the rat. \"You.\" He held out his hand. \"Give that to me, rat! NOW!\" He seemed afraid to try and snatch it from her, for fear of breaking it.\n\nGinny smirked. \"You didn't say please.\" Tag chuckled.\n\nThe lich growled at her menacingly. \"Please.\"\n\nGinny blinked, then laughed. \"Wow. This must mean a lot to you, huh?\" She shrugged. \"Okay. Since you asked so nicely.\" She suddenly chucked the thing at him as hard as she could.\n\nHe cried out. \"[b][i]NO![/i][/b]\" The thing struck him across the head, shattering into a dozen pieces of bent metal and broken glass. The flame from within suddenly caught on his robe, and the thing ignited almost instantly, covering him in flame within seconds. He let out a scream of... laughter. Cackling as the flames coating his body shifted, no longer orange-yellow, but turning an almost ethereal green. The same color that had been floating over his staff.\n\nSuddenly things clicked for Tag. \"It's not the lantern! It's the flame!\" He pushed up, despite Rachel trying to keep him down. \"Ginny! It's the fire itself! That's his soul!\"\n\nAthanatos laughed again, his voice suddenly booming around them. \"Very good, little psychic! And you have only joined me with it, rodent! You-\" Suddenly Ginny was grappling with him. \"What are you doing! Get off of me!\"\n\n\"Ginny!\" Tag shouted.\n\nThe rat grunted, latching both arms around the lich and somehow keeping his trapped at his side, even as the flames started to spread to her own fur. \"Rachel! Cap up with a shield! Trap the air!\"\n\n\"WHAT!\" Athanatos tried to throw the woman off, but it was almost like his power was adding to her own strength.\n\nGinny shouted \"DO IT! I can't hold him forever!\"\n\nRachel nodded. \"Okay...\" She struggled to lift her other hand up, and soon another shimmering dome of light appeared, enclosing Athanatos and Ginny within.\n\nTag looked at Rachel. \"We need to help her! He'll kill her in there!\"\n\nRachel shook her head. \"She's dead either way. He is her anchor... with him gone... his flame snuffed...\" Despite all the differences she had with Ginny, she still felt tears in her eyes.\n\nHe hated that she was right. But he also saw her struggling to even stay conscious, let alone keep two shields up. \"Drop the shield around us! Just focus on the one. You're burning too much of your mana!\" He looked down at her chest. \"And losing way too much blood. You can't keep this up!\"\n\nAs if to prove why she kept the shield around them as well, a spell bounced off of the thing just behind Tag's head. \"I'm... fine!\"\n\nTag shook his head, turning to look at the struggle behind him. Athanatos was screaming, but as the fire burned the air away within the shield, there was no sound. The flames had spread across both his own body and Ginny's, her clothing gone, her fur likewise charred away, leaving her blackened skin and exposed muscle burning against him. Yet she refused to let him free, even as he thrashed about within the light. The flames started to flicker and sputter, almost like they were struggling to keep going. And yet, they could not go with no air, and soon, they started to fade away little by little. The last was a flame that flickered and sputtered atop the jackel's hand. Then it die in a whisp of smoke.\n\nAthanatos suddenly let out another soundless shriek, his body started to fall away within Ginny's grip. He crumbled away to ash, floating to the ground, until there was nothing left of him but a pile of dust. All around, the undead let out a wail of anguish in unison, then fell limp, most crumbling to dust, others simply falling limp to the ground. Rachel lowered the shield, a gust of air rushing forward to fill the spot where there was none. The pile of ash that had once been Arconos Athanatos was caught in the breeze, and blown away. Scattered across the field and lost among the dirt and blood.\n\nRachel lowered her hands, dropping the other shield around both of them. \"G-go... to her...\"\n\nTag winced, but nodded. He rushed out to Ginny. The rat stood where she had, her body blackened and burnt, looking almost nothing like she once had. Her eyes stared at the sky, as if looking at something only she could see. \"G-Ginny!?\"\n\nShe slowly looked at him, smiling. \"Tag.\" Her voice was soft, almost wistful. \"I'm... calm. The anger is gone.\" She let out a weak laugh. \"His voice is gone. He's gone. Forever.\" She suddenly seemed to start wavering a little.\n\n\"Ginny!\" He rushed forward, only to stop as she shook her head.\n\n\"Don't... touch me. Not yet.\" She smiled at him. \"Before I go, there's one thing I should say. Never got the chance before.\"\n\nHe nodded. \"I know.\"\n\nShe shook her head. \"I need to say it.\" She took a breath, though it sounded rough and harsh. \"Victor. I lo-\" Her body suddenly crumpled.\n\nHe rushed forward to grab her. \"GINNY!\" He turned her over, and saw there was nothing he could do. Her eyes stared up at the sky, at that point only she could see, but there was no life in them anymore. Despite all the damage done to her body, for one of the first times ever, she looked fully at peace. He felt tears in his own eyes, gently setting her down onto the ground. \"Goodbye... Genevieve. Get that rest you wanted.\"\n\nRachel coughed, and it was a rough, wet cough. \"Tag...\"\n\nHe looked up, seeing her slumped over fully now. He rushed over, grasping at her. \"Oh... gods no! Not you, too! I can't lose both of you!\" It was the first time he had actually looked at the wound. Three deep gouges were carved into her, much of her flesh hanging as limp as the bloody fabric of her shirt, and he could see exposed bone at her shoulder. It was amazing that she was still breathing, let alone conscious enough to cast those spells. She had probably used more magic to keep going, but it had all taken everything she had from her, and now she was fading fast. He looked up, shouting in panic. \"[b]MEDIC! HEALER! WE NEED A HEALER![/b]\" The healers were already rushing around what had moments before been a battlefield, tending to the wounded.\n\nHe felt a grip on his arm. \"Tag... it won't... help...\"\n\nHe looked back down at her, feeling his tears burning at his eyes. \"No! Don't... don't say that!\" He shouted again \"[b][i]I NEED A HEALER RIGHT NOW![/i][/b]\"\n\n\"Tag!\" Rachel's voice was weak, yet still firm, grabbing his attention again. \"Look at me!\" He turned back down, though his vision was blurred from the tears. \"There... is... a way to bring her back...\"\n\n\"B-bring... What are you talking about?\"\n\nShe nodded. \"Ginny...\" She held something up. A tiny glass vial, around the size of a bullet. Within was a dark blackish-red substance. He recognized it instantly as one of the things Ginny had given them to help with the vampires, filled with her undead blood. \"I can... bring her back with... this...\"\n\n\"W-what are you-\"\n\n\"But!\" She interrupted. \"It... is necromancy... and requires... a life. A willing life...\"\n\nHe stared at her, then his eyes went wide. It felt like someone just punched him in the gut. \"No! NO! Use mine! If someone has to, then I'll-\"\n\nShe interrupted him again. \"Tag. I'm... not... going to make it. It is okay.\" She reached up, resting her palm against his cheek. \"I love you, Victor. I just want you to do one thing... three things.\"\n\n\"What!? Anything!\"\n\n\"Live. I know you love her, too, so treat her well, like you've treated me.\" She smiled. \"Promise me that.\"\n\nHe nodded. \"That was only two things. What's the third?\"\n\nHer smile widened. \"Kiss me. One last time.\" Without hesitation, he brought his lips to hers. He gave her a kiss that said more than he ever could with words. He felt the tingle of magic around him as she kissed him back, telling him of her love for him, of all the things she wished she could say to him in return. He heard the glass of the vial shatter as the magic swirled around them, whipping up the wind and scattering ash and dust around. He never broke the kiss, holding her to him tightly as she cast her spell. Even once the wind slowed, he held her. Even as she went limp against him, his lips remained against hers. His tears ran from his eyes, soaking into his fur, and her own.\n\nA hand rested against his shoulder. Only then did he finally break his kiss. With tear-blurred vision, he looked at Rachel, her own eyes closed. He gently set the mouse down, and felt the touch on his shoulder wrap into an embrace. His mother. She said nothing. She just held him as he wailed his anguish under her.\n\nA second hand touched his back. Someone knelt beside him. They stayed quiet for a long time, not wanting to interrupt his pain. Though he did sit back to look. Ginny sat beside him, fully healed once more, a tattered robe wrapped around her. A look of sadness covered her face, one he had never seen on her before. \"She... brought me back?\" Tag nodded. \"Why?\"\n\nHe shook his head. As he sat up, his mother leaned back away from him, tears in her eyes as well. She looked pretty banged up, blood soaked into her forehead from where she had struck something. He looked back down at Rachel. \"She... was going to die... the wounds were too deep.\" He took a shaky breath. \"Too deep to heal. S-so, she...\"\n\n\"She didn't want you to be alone.\" Ginny summarized everything in those few words. \"She loved you too much to see you suffer. She doesn't want you to wallow in sadness, or... or do worse.\"\n\nHe looked at her in surprise. \"How...?\"\n\nThe rat shook her head. \"I don't know. I... think... a piece of her is with me now.\" She reached out, gently brushing the mouse's hair with a finger. \"I... feel her grief that she had to leave you. But her relief that... you're not alone. That you have me.\" She let out a snort. \"Yeah, that doesn't sound self-centered at all, does it? Thanks, mouse.\" Tag couldn't help but smile just a little. She still gently brushed through Rachel's hair one last time. \"Thank you, Rachel. I won't waste the gift.\"\n\nHe looked at her. \"So... how does this work?\"\n\nGinny shook her head. \"Dunno. I'm... I don't know. I'm still... not alive.\" She tapped her chest. \"No heart beating in there. But all the anger is... gone.\"\n\n\"So, are you a lich now or something?\"\n\nThe rat chuckled. \"No. That's a really complicated process to do. Plus, I still don't think I can use magic like that. Not that I'd want to.\" She shook her head again. \"But I'm not a revenant anymore, either. I dunno. Something new?\" She took a breath and let it out. \"Something to find out about.\" She looked at him. \"With you at my side?\" He nodded slowly, though still felt very numb. She looked at Beatrice. \"And I'm still with Noxumbra, too. If you'll have me.\"\n\nThe woman nodded. \"You proved yourself today beyond any shadow of a doubt. We'll be honored to keep you as one of our agents, Genevieve.\"\n\nShe winced. \"Still not a fan of being called that.\" She looked at Tag. \"Hey. Let's get you patched up. You took a pretty bad hit there, too.\" He just nodded, leaning against the rat as she put an arm around him, letting her help him up. He took one last look at Rachel's peaceful expression, then turned as he was led to the healers.\n\n[center]* * *[/center]\n\nThe funeral service had been... nice. As those sorts of things went. All told, 27 members of Noxumbra had died. 89 had been seriously wounded and put into intensive care, 6 still in a coma. The rest had suffered mild to moderate wounds, and most were healed or healing well. The service had been for all 27 members, including Rachel. She had been given some kind of honorable medal or something, her name to be recorded among the honored of Noxumbra for her critical part in taking down Athanatos. Tag also got a medal, as did Ginny. The Cross of Marius. Named for one of the founders of Noxumbra or something. As he understood, it was the equivalent of a medal of honor for the group. It didn't really mean much to him, though.\n\nChrista, his assistant, had also been at the service. The old panda had cried almost more than he did. Then they all went out for drinks. Christa even managed to get him to smile with her constant questions about how Ginny could eat and drink, or why she bothered with them if she didn't need to. But he still felt like he was... detached. Not quite all there, even when Ginny squeezed his hand. It didn't trigger a vision, at least, so it was nice to have some contact. There had already been some talk about what would happen with Ginny. She was now an unknown. In the end, thanks to her efforts against Athanatos, it was decided that she would remain at Noxumbra, and still be a field agent. Though the magical research team was already planning a battery of tests.\n\nAfter the service, after the gathering, after everyone had gone home for the night, Tag was alone again. He had wanted to be alone all day, and now... now he wanted anything but. He found himself on the roof of the building his office / home was located in. He rarely ever came up to the roof. The night air was cool, and a little damp, smelling of oncoming rain. A beat-up old reclining lawn chair had been set up on the roof by one of the other tenants, a well-used ashtray and a trash bin full of empty beer cans sitting beside it, none of them his. He just sat there, looking up at the night sky, watching the clouds moving high above to obscure what little stars could be seen from the city. Then he heard a sound behind him. \"Hello, Ginny.\"\n\nShe chuckled as she finished pulling herself up from the outside of the ledge behind him, having climbed up the side of the building as she liked to do. \"I'm losing my touch.\"\n\n\"I'm just getting used to the sounds you make.\" He didn't look over as she sat down on the ground beside him. \"Did Christa send you up to look after me?\"\n\n\"No. Well, yes. Before she went home, she said to make sure you weren't on the edge or something. I'm sure she was joking, but... not entirely.\" She shuffled a little beside him. \"And... that's not why I came.\"\n\nHe just nodded, not saying anything. The silence grew longer, save the sounds of the city below. Long enough that it became a little awkward. Eventually, he asked. \"Why did you come, then?\"\n\nGinny looked at him, then looked up at the cloudy sky he was staring at. \"Because I wanted to.\" He just chuckled once. The silence returned again. Ginny broke it this time. \"I... never did get to finish telling you what I was going to say. Before I... died... again.\"\n\nNow he finally looked at her. \"Yes you did.\" He reached out, putting a hand on her shoulder.\n\nShe smiled, reaching up to rest her hand on his. \"Not really.\" She shifted closer to him, so she could somewhat rest her head against his side. \"I wanted to say that... that I love you. And have for a while.\" She took a deep breath and continued. \"But, if you think it's a bit too... awkward... to keep working with me, or to... be around me... then I can give you some distance. Some time to... grieve and mourn. I know you loved Rachel... a lot... I felt that... feel that... from her still. That piece of her is still in me, a part of me now... and she... still...\" She sighed. \"Gods, this is hard to say out loud.\"\n\nTag couldn't help but smile and let out a little laugh. \"I get it. And... yeah, I might need a little time.\" She looked down, nodding slowly. He gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze. \"And... uh... I... um...\" He frowned, not quite sure of his words. \"Sorry...\"\n\nGinny just smiled up at him, shaking her head slowly. She reached up to take his hand from her shoulder and hold it in her own. \"I know. You don't have to say it back. Or... or ever. I get it.\"\n\nHe let out a sigh, a thankful, yet sad smile on his face. \"Yeah... Like I said, it'll take some time. We'll figure out whatever this is between us.\"\n\nShe nodded, giving his hand another gentle squeeze. \"I'm not going anywhere.\"\n\nHe returned the squeeze, lacing his fingers with hers. \"I'm glad. I could use the company right now.\"\n\nThe two of them got quiet again, but this time it wasn't awkward. They just sat beside each other, holding hands and staring up at the sky as rain clouds slowly moved closer from the distance. Whatever it was between them, they would figure it out eventually. For now, they just kept each other company, silently remembering their fallen friend.\n\n[center]* * *[/center]", "writing_bbcode_parsed": "
Noxumbra Files

Case 6: Hoard Master

Part 5

By XP Author


Tag strode down the hall that had become unfortunately familiar, his heart thumping in his chest with nervous anticipation. As he got to the end, he nodded to both of the guards standing in front of the heavy vault door. He had come down enough times in the last few days to learn their names. The fox was Steven, and the snake was Tebeshi. Tebeshi slid her way forward. "Back again, Tag?"

He nodded. "Yup. Another round of questioning for Ginny. You know how it is."

The snake nodded. "Yeah, I do. Still, the director should be here with y-"

Her words were cut off as a klaxon suddenly started to blare from seemingly all over. The lights in the hall suddenly got darker, and much more red. The voice of the director filled the air, somehow louder than the blaring alarm. "Attention all staff and personnel. Lockdown is now in effect. Get to your stations immediately. You will receive further instructions from a commanding officer or senior Noxumbra staff member on site. I repeat, Lockdown is now in effect." The message continued from there in a loop, obviously pre-recorded.

The two guards looked at each other in a panic, both resting their hands on the pistols in their holsters. Tag tilted his head. "Well? You heard her! Get to your stations!"

Steven blinked. "But... this... is our station? I thought?" He looked to his partner. "Right? Or do we go to the front?" Tebeshi just shook her head, unsure.

Tag rolled his eyes. "See, this is why you don't skip training. All guards are to report to the front, in the case of a breach from the main entrance. If you're going somewhere else, your XO will direct you."

The snake looked at the large door they were tasked with guarding. "But..."

Tag pointed down the hall. "Go! I'll keep watch. I'm technically not staff, anyway, so I'll just get in the way. Besides, this vault is the most secure prison on the planet, right? And that door won't open from the inside. And someone has to get through the whole facility to get here. There isn't a safer place in the whole compound."

Tebeshi nodded again. "Yeah, that's true. Worst that happens is we just make a round up and back down here." She thumped her partner's chest. "C'mon. Let's go." She then prodded Tag's chest with a finger. "Don't you dare open this door until the lockdown is over! Any questions you have for the prisoner can wait until then!"

The jerboa smiled, holding his empty hands up. "Hey, I'm just trying to stay out of the way. You think I want to get on my mother's bad side doing something that stupid?" The snake scoffed, but accepted that. She slithered down the hall, the fox following at her side, both moving at a quick pace. Tag let out a heavy sigh, then winced as the sound from the alarm was starting to really get to him. The downside of big ears. He waited for another two minutes after the guards were out of sight before he was convinced they weren't coming back. He quickly turned to the door, punching in the access code he had been given. "C'mon..." The panel made a beep, the light turning green. A moment later, there was a loud series of clacks as the door unlocked itself. It opened with a hard tug.

Ginny stood on the other side of the door, hands on her hips, a big smile on her face. "Alright, I'm impressed." She was still cautious to take a step out into the hall, half-expecting to have her mind suddenly assaulted the moment she was out of the protective shell of the vault. When that didn't happen, she visibly relaxed, though only a little. "Okay. Now what?"

Tag smiled to her. "Now we sneak out of the facility."

The rat frowned. "And how do we do that? Didn't you just say that all the guards were to report to the front?"

The tall man just chuckled. "Easy. We take the secret back door."

*     *     *


Sneaking through the place was strange. All the usual hustle and bustle in the halls was gone, leaving them empty. All the lights had been turned red from the lockdown, bathing everything in an eerie glow. The alarm still blared away, though the message had stopped looping at some point. As the two moved, they didn't run into anyone. It felt almost like the place had been abandoned within minutes. Though they both knew that was not the case. Most of the non-combat personnel was locked into their labs or workspaces, or into the dormitory rooms. The combat personnel was either at the front, or guarding the various rooms with the non-combat staff.

Ginny followed Tag closely. He seemed to know where he was going. They continued to ascend higher in the facility, until they reached the top level. This should have been the most active area, but the halls were still empty. Tag glanced around a corner, seeing the hall that led to the front. A small hoard of people stood at the far end, all facing away from him. He smirked, then made a motion for Ginny to move. He pointed at one specific door. The Director's office. As soon as the rat opened the door, Tag shoved her inside quickly and shut the door behind himself. "Finally made it?" His mother, Beatrice, sat behind her desk, staring at both of them.

He shrugged. "Had to make sure. No one saw us."

Ginny looked around. "Okay. So now we're trapped in a room with the whole base's guards just down the hall. How does this help?" She looked down at her still naked self. "And can I please get some clothes?"

Beatrice nodded, pointing at a bundle of folded clothing at the corner of her desk. "Yes, please do cover yourself." As Ginny grabbed the clothing, the director stood up from her chair. "As for being trapped in a room, that is quite far from the truth." She moved over to the wall behind her. She waved her hand, casting some spell. With a shimmering in the air, a small panel appeared on the wall seemingly out of nowhere. She pressed her hand against the panel, and it made a soft beep. Then the whole wall slid away into itself, revealing a narrow hallway just behind. "At the end of this hall, you'll find the director's private elevator."

The rat scoffed as she tugged the loose shirt down. "Figures there's a secret escape for the head honcho."

Beatrice shrugged. "Actually, I mostly use it to go lower into the facility. But it does also lead out to the surface in the case of emergencies. Or for the use of clandestine operations to sneak exceedingly dangerous creatures out of the building instead of keeping them held in Zeta."

Ginny, now fully dressed in ill fitting jeans and t-shirt, nodded. "Yeah... yeah, sorry. And... uh... thanks."

The director frowned. "Thank him." She pointed at Tag. "I'm officially against this. But we've got no better options, and, as he's said, running out of time before this lich just decides to go on an all out offensive." She stepped out of the way as the two moved into the hall. "Rachel will be waiting for you at the surface. You're on your own from here, so good luck."

Tag smiled back at his mother. "Thanks. We'll need it."

Just as he turned to continue down the hall, he heard her speak again. "And Victor..." He glanced over his shoulder, seeing the typically hard expression replaced by one of worry. She opened her mouth to say something, but the words would not come. She just sighed. "Be careful."

He smirked. "I know, Mom. I will be." He gave a nod to her, and saw her nod in response. The wall slid shut again, and he turned to follow Ginny, who was already waiting in the elevator at the end. He took a deep breath and pushed the button for the surface. "Here we go then."

Outside, Rachel leaned against the brick wall of the old, long abandoned paper mill. The grey-furred mouse flinched as the rusted dumpster beside her suddenly started to slide to the side on its own, revealing a rectangular hole in the ground. A moment later, a tall, metal box slid up out of the hole. The doors opened, and the two occupants stepped out. "Well... that's one way to hide a secret entrance."

Tag smiled at her, resisting the urge to reach out and hug his girlfriend. "Noxumbra's specialty." He looked at Ginny, who was taking several deep breaths of air. Despite not actually needing to breathe, she still took a moment to get her lungs full of fresh air... well, as fresh as the city's air ever was. But it wasn't pumped and cycled through a dozen filters into the prison she had been trapped in for some time now. "You good?"

The rat nodded. "Yeah. Just good to be out in the open again." She turned to look at the other two. "So, where do we go from here?"

Tag and Rachel looked at each other, the mouse speaking up. "We... kind of hoped you would know..."

Ginny blinked. "Me? I've been in a box for days! How the hell would I know?"

Rachel shrugged. "Well, you're the one with a lich in her head."

Tag stepped forward. "Maybe... just pick a direction. I'm sure he's already aware of your sudden freedom and eager to get you into his clutches. So... he might be calling you somewhere?" He held up a hand. "Or I could see if I get something with a vision... but that might knock me cold for a while, and I won't be much help."

The rat scoffed. "Not that you'll be much help as it is." He smirked at her verbal jab, happy to see her acting more like her old self again. She took another breath and let it out. "Alright. Uh..." She looked up and down the old street. "I guess... This way?"

*     *     *


After two false starts that resulted in the trio turning back, Ginny seemed suddenly very confident in one particular direction: Southwest. They walked for a while, following streets, side-streets, and back alleys that snaked their way through the older part of Alta Ferro. Tag was a little on edge walking through the back streets of this part of town. Gangs and various organized crime groups mostly controlled this area. Police almost never came here, the place mostly guarded by the various violent vigilantes that liked to perform their own version of justice, though it still mostly boiled down to assault and murder at the end of the day, no matter how justified it might seem to them. Then again, considering what he had been doing with Noxumbra for the last few months, he probably shouldn't be one to judge.

Eventually, the buildings got smaller, and father apart, until they were behind them entirely. In front was the wilderness, such as it was. Years of pollution in the air, soil, and water had mostly killed the plants, with only patchy grass growing here and there. Though they were still technically within the city limits, this area was long abandoned, looking more like vast, empty plots that had gotten somewhat overgrown from the grass. Every so often, they would pass by a poorly kept drainage grate, leading to the city's sewer system. Old, abandoned, rusted metal storage crates sat among the grass, covered in gang tags and graffiti. Tag got the feeling that this was like a modern day no-man's-land. It felt like stepping into the dystopian world of a bad 80's movie. Or a comic book.

Since they had started through the alleys, Ginny had been quiet. Now she walked with an even pace, staring ahead silently, the two following her. Tag and Rachel had also gotten quiet, both feeling a kind of pressure in the air... though it may have just been nerves. There was no doubt that they were going the right way now. And soon enough... they were there. A large patch of dirt with no buildings around. Instead, there was the rubble that used to be buildings, their purpose long forgotten. Tag recognized the place instantly. It was where he had witnessed the ceremony in a vision, where the horse had been branded and sent to kill him. He spoke quietly to Rachel. "We're here." She just nodded.

"Indeed you are!" All three stopped as a voice spoke, dark and echoing from all around them. A figure stepped forward, as if emerging from shadows. Tall and gaunt, wearing a black robe, the hood only slightly hiding the angular face of a jackal. In one hand was a gnarled staff, the top shaped like a crescent moon with a green flame floating unnaturally above it. Arcanos Athanatos stood before them. "Welcome to my domain. And I thank you for bringing me my prize." He held out his empty hand. "Come, Genevieve. Take your rightful place at my side."

Tag looked at the rat. "Ginny?" She didn't respond, instead she started to step forward, in an almost robotic fashion. "Ginny! Fight him!"

Athanatos cackled, a dark and sinister sound, like the rasping of rusted nails. "She cannot hear you, psychic. She now only listens to her true master, as all undead should." He turned his burning gaze down to the rodent as she moved to stand in front of him. "Isn't that right, my revenant?" She nodded slowly.

Rachel stepped forward, her hands raised as she prepared a spell. "Then I guess we'll just have to break you to break your hold!" She stopped as Tag put a hand on her shoulder. "Tag?" He just shook his head.

The jackal chuckled. "A wise choice. Your mate knows how outclassed you are here. You do not stand a ch-" A black-furred hand suddenly shot out, violently thrust into his chest with the sound of cracking bone and ripping, old flesh.

Ginny looked up, a wild smile on her face. "Gotcha, bitch!"

The jackal simply shook his head. "Unfortunate." Ginny's grin faded, and she realized there was no blood on her hand, despite her claws deep enough that she should be able to grasp the man's heart. But there was no heart to hold, as if his internal organs were simply not there. She ripped her hand free, looking at it in surprise. "You think a mere hole can stop a lich? Foolish child." He allowed her to step away from him, until she had backed up to stand near Tag and Rachel. "You thought to spring a trap on me. Allow me to show you what folly that is!" He grasped his staff and struck it against the ground.

The trio was nearly knocked from their feet as the ground rumbled, green energy seeming to flow all around the lich as the very earth cracked around him. Then a hand sprung from the dirt at his side. Then dozens more. Then even more, each in some state of decay, some more skeletal than others. Soon, bodies clawed and climbed their way out of the ground. Dozens upon dozens of zombies and ghouls of multiple species, some even mystical. Tag spotted a multi-tailed fox, and a serpent not unlike the lamia that had nearly eaten him. It might even be the same one. All the while, Athanatos cackled in sinister joy.

Rachel was suddenly in front, her hands up and casting a shield of light in front of her to protect them. "Tag!" She blinked when she saw the smirk on the tall man's face. "Tag?"

The jerboa laughed. "Hey, Art!" The jackel's laughter faded, replaced by a low growl. "You were right that we set up a trap. But did you think that Ginny was it?"

Ginny looked at him. "What? I thought I was!"

Tag shook his head, reaching into his pocket. "Nope. You were just the bait and compass to lead us here." He pulled a small, orange pistol out of his pocket. "This is the trap." He held the flare gun up, firing off a single shot. A burst of red-orange fire shot into the air, streaking high above, only to pop into sparks some 30 feet above them. As soon as it did, the trio were no longer alone in the field. The very air shimmered and wavered, shadows suddenly melting away. Stepping forth was... everyone. Soldiers of Noxumbra, mages, mystic allies, and even mechanical golems of metal and stone. As he tossed the spent flare gun to the ground, Tag just smiled at the lich, his own army appearing more and more behind him. "Did you really think my mother wound send me out here alone?"

Rachel still held her shield up, but looked over her shoulder as all of Noxumbra stood arrayed behind her. "How... the hell?"

Beatrice stepped out in front of the gathered soldiers and mages, wearing what looked like a set of fitted mage robes, complete with pointed hat. "You think you're the only mage that can bend light?"

Ginny smirked. "The lockdown. It was a ploy to gather everyone!"

Tag nodded. "And make Art over there think that Noxumbra was just bunkering down. In case he was reading your thoughts."

Athanatos growled. "Do you think this means you've won already? Do you forget! I am Archanos Athanatos! Master of death!" He held his hand up. "You have only come to me for the slaughter!" He cackled again. "I thank you! Now, my minions! KILL THEM ALL!" The array of undead suddenly let out a ghastly wail of pure aggression, rushing forward with inhuman speed.

Beatrice also shouted. "Noxumbra! ATTACK!" There was a cheer from everyone gathered, and they also charged forward. Within a second, the two armies clashed, and pandemonium followed. Mages stood at the back, throwing blasts of fire, shards of ice, spikes of metal, and blasts of pure arcane energy. The golems charged forward, grasping at the gaunt bodies and hurling them away, or smashing others into the ground, while yet more started to crawl upon them to bring them down. Soldiers fired guns or swung swords, clashing with their foes and matching their ferocity.

Tag pat Rachel's shoulder. "Give 'em all you've got, girl!" The mouse smiled, and he lost sight of her as she charged into the fray, using her magic to cleave any in her way. He turned to Ginny. "You too. But you have a goal!"

The rat growled, holding her hands out at her sides, her fingers seeming to suddenly be elongated, ending in wicked claws. "Yeah! I'm going to tear that fucking jackal's head off!"

He smirked. "Yeah, well, that's a start. You need to keep him distracted while I look for his phylactery! Cage for his soul. If I can break that, then we've won! And he can't go far from it."

Ginny glanced at him. "Do you even know what it is?"

He nodded. "Yup. I've been inside of it." She just gave him a curious look, but didn't question it. "Go. Keep him busy so he can't stop me." Ginny nodded, flashing jagged teeth ready to tear into flesh. "Gladly!" She launched herself forward, gleefully twisting her body to become a visage of violence. Her claws ripped through anything in front of her, tearing through the decayed flesh, shattering bones, and ripping pieces free of anything that dared try to stop her. She held none of the aggression and violence back, releasing everything that Athanatos had been building inside of her for decades.

Tag shook his head. "Well. Glad she's on our side again." It had been a risk bringing her here. If she hadn't managed to break the control, that ball of death would be their worst nightmare. But he had other things to focus on. Pulling his silver-shard pistol from his pocket, he tried his best to stay out of the main fighting. He kept himself low as spells shot above his head from both directions. Some of the undead hoard were also spell casters, it seemed. One blast of fire hit the ground nearby, sending burnt dirt flying over him, peppering him with ash and embers.

He moved to the rubble of the collapse building. If there was a place that the lich would keep his most prized possession hidden, it would make sense it was under a bunch of debris. Before he got there, he heard the shattering of rocks. He looked to see the center of a stone golem blown away by a spell. He cursed and had to dash forward to keep from being crushed as the now inert boulders came raining down around him. He ended up running right into a shambling group of... he wasn't sure what they were anymore, their bodies too decayed. The stench alone was almost enough to assault him. But they certainly weren't going to stop with that as they each started at him with a wail of anger.

He rose his pistol up, focusing to send a charge of electricity into it. Blue arcs danced over the barrel as he aimed and fired, sending supercharged pieces of metal hurtling forward. Each struck something, many missing and sparking the ground uselessly, while others impacted the undead before him. He continued to fire as he moved to the side, sticking more and more of the little toothpick-sized shards of metal into the creatures. Lightning started to arc between them, causing the already atrophied muscles to start spasming and locking. "Fucking... fall over you assholes!" He channeled all he could into his hand and launched a blast of electricity forward. It slammed into the middle, bursting with blinding light and a crack of thunder, sizzling and crackling as it sparked between all of the pieces of metal he had shot. The bodies in front of him started to blacken and fry as the lightning arced and dance back and forth in a feedback loop.

Finally, the undead fell to the ground as their burnt flesh and bones could no longer support their weight. Though they still tried to claw at him, scraping across the ground in an attempt to shamble at him. Then they were gone in an explosion that nearly sent him flying backwards. He still stumbled away, his ears ringing. A hand gripped his wrist and pulled him back. He blinked, ready to fight off whatever grabbed him, only to find it was the hand of the snake, Tebeshi. "Persistent fuckers, huh?" In her other hand she held a massive weapon, some kind of grenade launching device. "You okay?"

He smirked at her, nodding. "Yeah." With her help, he managed to get stable on his feet.

She pushed past him, firing off another grenade, though this one exploded not with fire, but ice, freezing a few shambling bodies to the ground. "Get going and do whatever you're here to do, skinny. I'll hold them off."

He nodded. "Thanks." He turned and started off to the debris pile again.

Though he did still hear her call to him. "You owe me a drink for that lie earlier, though!" She fired again, another explosion in the distance.

He laughed. "I'll get you two!" He turned away and went back to his job. Somehow, the fighting had been kept away from the debris pile. Probably Athanatos' doing, keeping his own army away so that the place didn't get hit by a rogue blast or explosion. Though that all but confirmed that what Tag was after was hidden in there. Though now he has the task of actually finding the thing. Bent metal beams, rusted through with age and exposure, and piles of broken rock and concrete sat before him. "Right... here we go." He rubbed his hand and started to heave the rocks he could out of the way.

Then the rocks and metal started to move on their own. He had to duck as one particularly large mass of detritus flew past him. He glanced to the side to see his mother, her hands held out and glowing. "You looked like you could use a mage hand."

He rolled his eyes. "Bad joke, but yes." He returned to hurling the smaller pieces away while his mother did her part to move the bigger ones.

She grunted as she lifted a large chunk of what had been a wall up, sending it thudding to the side and out of the way. "What are we looking for, exactly?"

"A lantern. And old oil lantern, with iron curl patterns. Probably lit." He threw one  bolder away.

"And you're sure it's under here?"

He shook his head. "Nope!" He didn't stop digging anyway. "Just following a hunch..." Then an idea hit him. "Under..." He started to scrabble at the dirt. "UNDER!" He started to dig as fast as he could, as if he were trying to create a burrow for himself.

"VICTOR! LOOK OUT!" He looked up as he heard his mother shouting, just in time to see her practically launch her body in front of him. Something large and black suddenly collided with her in the air, both hitting the ground and tumbling away into the cast off debris and dirt.

"Mom!" He scrambled to his feet, only for something hot to suddenly strike his side and send him crashing to the ground beside his mother, and what he now recognized as Ginny. He tried to push himself up, only to cry out as pain lanced through his side, his left leg twitching painfully. He risked looking down at himself. "Ah... shit." The side of his coat was completely burnt from where what he assumed was a fire blast had hit him. Though it wasn't just his coat, but quite a bit of fur and flesh looked singed, oozing some blood. "Fuck..." He grit his teeth and forced himself to move anyway, willing his leg to move properly. "Ow..."

Ginny grunted, rolling off of Beatrice and pushing herself up to her feet, though unsteadily. "Fucker... Throwing me like I'm a fucking doll!" She looked down to see the woman she had collided with. "Director!" She leaned down, seeing blood on the woman's head where she had struck something in the fall. Though she also saw the woman's chest moving as she breathed, if somewhat raggedly. "Alive." Her attention was then to Tag. "Dammit, not you, too!" She rushed over, reaching out to grab his hand and help him up, only to flinch away when he cried out in pain. "Tag!?"

"I'm fine!" He gripped her hand again, letting her drag him to his feet. "Nothing fatal. I think." He winced and grunted as he stood up, nearly falling over again, but managing to stay upright. He looked at his mother. "Is..."

"She's alive. But out cold. Hit something when she caught me." Ginny moved to stand in front of Tag. "More importantly, Arty is not happy." Tag looked over to see the lich staring at him with a burning fury that was almost physical. The skeletal man strode purposefully at them, completely ignoring the pitched battle happening around him, spells and bullets almost bouncing off of the air around him.

"Well. That means I'm right." He grunted as he stepped forward. "His phylactery is buried under the rubble. I'm not going to be able to dig it up like this, so I need you to-"

"On it!" She was instantly on the ground, using her large claws to hurl large clumps of dirt away.

Tag smirked. "Right..." He reached into his pocket, pulling his shard pistol out again. "This is going to suck." He raised the thing and charged it as much as he could manage, firing several shots of electricity at the approaching lich. Each one of them struck nothing, bouncing off and sending sparks scattering.

Athanatos continued to stride to him. "You think your petty tricks and novice spells can stop a lich!? You are a pathetic weakling! As are all of your people! Every member of your precious organization that falls is another soldier added to my command!"

Tag chuckled, forcing himself to step out around the debris. "Yeah... well, you're ugly."

The jackal shook his head. "And you are dying. A useless weakling. Not even worthy to join my ranks. I will let your body rot and fester here on this ground, food for maggots and worms."

Tag forced himself to smile. He dropped the gun onto the ground and held his hands out. "Well. Do it yourself! If I'm so unworthy, then why waste your magic on me! Kill me with your own hands!"

Athanatos grunted. "At least you know how to die well." The jackal stepped forward and lashed his hand out to grasp at Tag's throat, nearly crushing it instantly.

However, the moment they touched, Tag gripped the man's wrist. "G-otcha... bitch!" He saw the realization within the lich's burning gaze, but it was too late. Suddenly, Tag's world was taken over by a blinding white light. Before his senses were completely lost, he heard the most horrible scream coming from the thing holding him. Then there was nothing but white.

Well, not entirely nothing. There was also the lich. Now just a flame of green in front of him. "WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO ME!?"

Tag smiled... or thought to. He had no body anymore, floating as nothing in a void of nothing. "Little trick I thought up. When I first touched your mind, I thought I was the one trapped. But I realized something. I dragged you here with me."

The flame in front of him roiled with fury. "You think to trap me here!? I will not be bound by your little tricks, rodent!"

Tag thought to shrug, however that worked like this. "Then go ahead and leave." He felt the power of the being surge, struggling against him. "Well?"

"What have you done?"

Tag laughed. "You don't get out much, I see. You really should read more. Or see some movies. In a lot of ghost stories, there's always a psychic that is the undoing of the thing. Sometimes a target at first, but by the end, the psychic is the reason they get trapped. My experience these last few months has told me that there's always a nugget of truth to stories like that. Seems this one was true."

The essence raged again. "RELEASE ME THIS INSTANT!"

"Tsk tsk. You didn't say please." He waited. "Go on. Say please." The essence just roiled in anger at him, but said nothing. "No? Then I'm keeping you here as long as I am able."

Athanatos let out a low growl. Then a chuckle. "You think you can withstand me? For how long? I can already feel your mind struggling to maintain this hold." Tag wished that wasn't true, but the feeling of exhaustion was slowly starting to creep into him. "I will break free of your little trap soon. And if you think my being trapped like this has given your friends time to damage my body, I remind you. I am undying. I am a lich! Not some petty creature to be so easily extinguished. I am at the cusp of godhood itself!"

Tag scoffed. "Well, you certainly have the ego to match it." He felt himself weakening quickly, silently hoping he held the guy long enough. "So. Gonna snap my neck the moment you're free? Or are you going to take your time? I'm only asking to know how much to brace myself."

The flame flared up for a moment, then calmed again. "I will take my time with you. I will make sure your suffering is long. You will be left wounded, weakened, but alive. You will watch as each and every one of your friends and allies dies by my hand..." There was a low laughter. "Or better yet. By the hands of the creature who loves you so much. I will regain my control on her, and force her to kill everyone dear to you. She will be happy to do it. Revel in their blood. And then, once your will and mind are broken, only then will I allow you the gift of your death."

"How kind. Just one problem."

"And that is...?"

"Ginny's not yours." He struggled, but felt himself losing his grip. "Let's see what she has to say, huh?" The white light overtook him again, and once more he was cast out into nothingness. For a fleeting moment of panic, there was only darkness. No feeling, no physicality to anything. He wondered if the lich had already broken his neck, and his mind was now lost between living and death with nowhere to return to. But then there was pain in his side. He had never felt so happy to be in agony. Though he also noted there was no pain on his neck.

As he came back to his body, he found himself not held aloft by the undead jackal, but laying on the ground. He was also aware of an arm around him, and a chest pressed to his back. A familiar scent came to his nose, and he heard a heartbeat that he was sure he knew. He smiled as he opened his eyes slowly, seeing the air in front of him shimmering with pale light. "Hey, Rachel."

"Oh, thank the gods! I saw the two of you standing there like statues!" She had one arm up, holding up her shield. Tag forced himself to sit up, only to wince. The arm around him gripped him harder, and he suddenly realized that the chest pressed against his back was... wet. And he smelled blood that wasn't his own.

"R-Rachel?" He turned, despite her trying to keep him still. "Oh... gods!" The front of her was torn open by what looked like a series of deep gashes, ripping through her from her left shoulder down almost to her right hip. Blood was soaking through the tatters of her clothing. "Y-you're..."

"I'm fine!" He could see the arm held up to keep the shield active was trembling. "We're not done!"

"Yes we are." Ginny spoke up nearby, stepping in front of the two. "Arty. I have something of yours." She held up her hand, showing an old, oil lantern. The corners had curled, vine-like patterns along the smoky yellow glass. Inside, a small flame flickered desperately.

The lich turned, glaring at the rat. "You." He held out his hand. "Give that to me, rat! NOW!" He seemed afraid to try and snatch it from her, for fear of breaking it.

Ginny smirked. "You didn't say please." Tag chuckled.

The lich growled at her menacingly. "Please."

Ginny blinked, then laughed. "Wow. This must mean a lot to you, huh?" She shrugged. "Okay. Since you asked so nicely." She suddenly chucked the thing at him as hard as she could.

He cried out. "NO!" The thing struck him across the head, shattering into a dozen pieces of bent metal and broken glass. The flame from within suddenly caught on his robe, and the thing ignited almost instantly, covering him in flame within seconds. He let out a scream of... laughter. Cackling as the flames coating his body shifted, no longer orange-yellow, but turning an almost ethereal green. The same color that had been floating over his staff.

Suddenly things clicked for Tag. "It's not the lantern! It's the flame!" He pushed up, despite Rachel trying to keep him down. "Ginny! It's the fire itself! That's his soul!"

Athanatos laughed again, his voice suddenly booming around them. "Very good, little psychic! And you have only joined me with it, rodent! You-" Suddenly Ginny was grappling with him. "What are you doing! Get off of me!"

"Ginny!" Tag shouted.

The rat grunted, latching both arms around the lich and somehow keeping his trapped at his side, even as the flames started to spread to her own fur. "Rachel! Cap up with a shield! Trap the air!"

"WHAT!" Athanatos tried to throw the woman off, but it was almost like his power was adding to her own strength.

Ginny shouted "DO IT! I can't hold him forever!"

Rachel nodded. "Okay..." She struggled to lift her other hand up, and soon another shimmering dome of light appeared, enclosing Athanatos and Ginny within.

Tag looked at Rachel. "We need to help her! He'll kill her in there!"

Rachel shook her head. "She's dead either way. He is her anchor... with him gone... his flame snuffed..." Despite all the differences she had with Ginny, she still felt tears in her eyes.

He hated that she was right. But he also saw her struggling to even stay conscious, let alone keep two shields up. "Drop the shield around us! Just focus on the one. You're burning too much of your mana!" He looked down at her chest. "And losing way too much blood. You can't keep this up!"

As if to prove why she kept the shield around them as well, a spell bounced off of the thing just behind Tag's head. "I'm... fine!"

Tag shook his head, turning to look at the struggle behind him. Athanatos was screaming, but as the fire burned the air away within the shield, there was no sound. The flames had spread across both his own body and Ginny's, her clothing gone, her fur likewise charred away, leaving her blackened skin and exposed muscle burning against him. Yet she refused to let him free, even as he thrashed about within the light. The flames started to flicker and sputter, almost like they were struggling to keep going. And yet, they could not go with no air, and soon, they started to fade away little by little. The last was a flame that flickered and sputtered atop the jackel's hand. Then it die in a whisp of smoke.

Athanatos suddenly let out another soundless shriek, his body started to fall away within Ginny's grip. He crumbled away to ash, floating to the ground, until there was nothing left of him but a pile of dust. All around, the undead let out a wail of anguish in unison, then fell limp, most crumbling to dust, others simply falling limp to the ground. Rachel lowered the shield, a gust of air rushing forward to fill the spot where there was none. The pile of ash that had once been Arconos Athanatos was caught in the breeze, and blown away. Scattered across the field and lost among the dirt and blood.

Rachel lowered her hands, dropping the other shield around both of them. "G-go... to her..."

Tag winced, but nodded. He rushed out to Ginny. The rat stood where she had, her body blackened and burnt, looking almost nothing like she once had. Her eyes stared at the sky, as if looking at something only she could see. "G-Ginny!?"

She slowly looked at him, smiling. "Tag." Her voice was soft, almost wistful. "I'm... calm. The anger is gone." She let out a weak laugh. "His voice is gone. He's gone. Forever." She suddenly seemed to start wavering a little.

"Ginny!" He rushed forward, only to stop as she shook her head.

"Don't... touch me. Not yet." She smiled at him. "Before I go, there's one thing I should say. Never got the chance before."

He nodded. "I know."

She shook her head. "I need to say it." She took a breath, though it sounded rough and harsh. "Victor. I lo-" Her body suddenly crumpled.

He rushed forward to grab her. "GINNY!" He turned her over, and saw there was nothing he could do. Her eyes stared up at the sky, at that point only she could see, but there was no life in them anymore. Despite all the damage done to her body, for one of the first times ever, she looked fully at peace. He felt tears in his own eyes, gently setting her down onto the ground. "Goodbye... Genevieve. Get that rest you wanted."

Rachel coughed, and it was a rough, wet cough. "Tag..."

He looked up, seeing her slumped over fully now. He rushed over, grasping at her. "Oh... gods no! Not you, too! I can't lose both of you!" It was the first time he had actually looked at the wound. Three deep gouges were carved into her, much of her flesh hanging as limp as the bloody fabric of her shirt, and he could see exposed bone at her shoulder. It was amazing that she was still breathing, let alone conscious enough to cast those spells. She had probably used more magic to keep going, but it had all taken everything she had from her, and now she was fading fast. He looked up, shouting in panic. "MEDIC! HEALER! WE NEED A HEALER!" The healers were already rushing around what had moments before been a battlefield, tending to the wounded.

He felt a grip on his arm. "Tag... it won't... help..."

He looked back down at her, feeling his tears burning at his eyes. "No! Don't... don't say that!" He shouted again "I NEED A HEALER RIGHT NOW!"

"Tag!" Rachel's voice was weak, yet still firm, grabbing his attention again. "Look at me!" He turned back down, though his vision was blurred from the tears. "There... is... a way to bring her back..."

"B-bring... What are you talking about?"

She nodded. "Ginny..." She held something up. A tiny glass vial, around the size of a bullet. Within was a dark blackish-red substance. He recognized it instantly as one of the things Ginny had given them to help with the vampires, filled with her undead blood. "I can... bring her back with... this..."

"W-what are you-"

"But!" She interrupted. "It... is necromancy... and requires... a life. A willing life..."

He stared at her, then his eyes went wide. It felt like someone just punched him in the gut. "No! NO! Use mine! If someone has to, then I'll-"

She interrupted him again. "Tag. I'm... not... going to make it. It is okay." She reached up, resting her palm against his cheek. "I love you, Victor. I just want you to do one thing...  three things."

"What!? Anything!"

"Live. I know you love her, too, so treat her well, like you've treated me." She smiled. "Promise me that."

He nodded. "That was only two things. What's the third?"

Her smile widened. "Kiss me. One last time." Without hesitation, he brought his lips to hers. He gave her a kiss that said more than he ever could with words. He felt the tingle of magic around him as she kissed him back, telling him of her love for him, of all the things she wished she could say to him in return. He heard the glass of the vial shatter as the magic swirled around them, whipping up the wind and scattering ash and dust around. He never broke the kiss, holding her to him tightly as she cast her spell. Even once the wind slowed, he held her. Even as she went limp against him, his lips remained against hers. His tears ran from his eyes, soaking into his fur, and her own.

A hand rested against his shoulder. Only then did he finally break his kiss. With tear-blurred vision, he looked at Rachel, her own eyes closed. He gently set the mouse down, and felt the touch on his shoulder wrap into an embrace. His mother. She said nothing. She just held him as he wailed his anguish under her.

A second hand touched his back. Someone knelt beside him. They stayed quiet for a long time, not wanting to interrupt his pain. Though he did sit back to look. Ginny sat beside him, fully healed once more, a tattered robe wrapped around her. A look of sadness covered her face, one he had never seen on her before. "She... brought me back?" Tag nodded. "Why?"

He shook his head. As he sat up, his mother leaned back away from him, tears in her eyes as well. She looked pretty banged up, blood soaked into her forehead from where she had struck something. He looked back down at Rachel. "She... was going to die... the wounds were too deep." He took a shaky breath. "Too deep to heal. S-so, she..."

"She didn't want you to be alone." Ginny summarized everything in those few words. "She loved you too much to see you suffer. She doesn't want you to wallow in sadness, or... or do worse."

He looked at her in surprise. "How...?"

The rat shook her head. "I don't know. I... think... a piece of her is with me now." She reached out, gently brushing the mouse's hair with a finger. "I... feel her grief that she had to leave you. But her relief that... you're not alone. That you have me." She let out a snort. "Yeah, that doesn't sound self-centered at all, does it? Thanks, mouse." Tag couldn't help but smile just a little. She still gently brushed through Rachel's hair one last time. "Thank you, Rachel. I won't waste the gift."

He looked at her. "So... how does this work?"

Ginny shook her head. "Dunno. I'm... I don't know. I'm still... not alive." She tapped her chest. "No heart beating in there. But all the anger is... gone."

"So, are you a lich now or something?"

The rat chuckled. "No. That's a really complicated process to do. Plus, I still don't think I can use magic like that. Not that I'd want to." She shook her head again. "But I'm not a revenant anymore, either. I dunno. Something new?" She took a breath and let it out. "Something to find out about." She looked at him. "With you at my side?" He nodded slowly, though still felt very numb. She looked at Beatrice. "And I'm still with Noxumbra, too. If you'll have me."

The woman nodded. "You proved yourself today beyond any shadow of a doubt. We'll be honored to keep you as one of our agents, Genevieve."

She winced. "Still not a fan of being called that." She looked at Tag. "Hey. Let's get you patched up. You took a pretty bad hit there, too." He just nodded, leaning against the rat as she put an arm around him, letting her help him up. He took one last look at Rachel's peaceful expression, then turned as he was led to the healers.

*     *     *


The funeral service had been... nice. As those sorts of things went. All told, 27 members of Noxumbra had died. 89 had been seriously wounded and put into intensive care, 6 still in a coma. The rest had suffered mild to moderate wounds, and most were healed or healing well. The service had been for all 27 members, including Rachel. She had been given some kind of honorable medal or something, her name to be recorded among the honored of Noxumbra for her critical part in taking down Athanatos. Tag also got a medal, as did Ginny. The Cross of Marius. Named for one of the founders of Noxumbra or something. As he understood, it was the equivalent of a medal of honor for the group. It didn't really mean much to him, though.

Christa, his assistant, had also been at the service. The old panda had cried almost more than he did. Then they all went out for drinks. Christa even managed to get him to smile with her constant questions about how Ginny could eat and drink, or why she bothered with them if she didn't need to. But he still felt like he was... detached. Not quite all there, even when Ginny squeezed his hand. It didn't trigger a vision, at least, so it was nice to have some contact. There had already been some talk about what would happen with Ginny. She was now an unknown. In the end, thanks to her efforts against Athanatos, it was decided that she would remain at Noxumbra, and still be a field agent. Though the magical research team was already planning a battery of tests.

After the service, after the gathering, after everyone had gone home for the night, Tag was alone again. He had wanted to be alone all day, and now... now he wanted anything but. He found himself on the roof of the building his office / home was located in. He rarely ever came up to the roof. The night air was cool, and a little damp, smelling of oncoming rain. A beat-up old reclining lawn chair had been set up on the roof by one of the other tenants, a well-used ashtray and a trash bin full of empty beer cans sitting beside it, none of them his. He just sat there, looking up at the night sky, watching the clouds moving high above to obscure what little stars could be seen from the city. Then he heard a sound behind him. "Hello, Ginny."

She chuckled as she finished pulling herself up from the outside of the ledge behind him, having climbed up the side of the building as she liked to do. "I'm losing my touch."

"I'm just getting used to the sounds you make." He didn't look over as she sat down on the ground beside him. "Did Christa send you up to look after me?"

"No. Well, yes. Before she went home, she said to make sure you weren't on the edge or something. I'm sure she was joking, but... not entirely." She shuffled a little beside him. "And... that's not why I came."

He just nodded, not saying anything. The silence grew longer, save the sounds of the city below. Long enough that it became a little awkward. Eventually, he asked. "Why did you come, then?"

Ginny looked at him, then looked up at the cloudy sky he was staring at. "Because I wanted to." He just chuckled once. The silence returned again. Ginny broke it this time. "I... never did get to finish telling you what I was going to say. Before I... died... again."

Now he finally looked at her. "Yes you did." He reached out, putting a hand on her shoulder.

She smiled, reaching up to rest her hand on his. "Not really." She shifted closer to him, so she could somewhat rest her head against his side. "I wanted to say that... that I love you. And have for a while." She took a deep breath and continued. "But, if you think it's a bit too... awkward... to keep working with me, or to... be around me... then I can give you some distance. Some time to... grieve and mourn. I know you loved Rachel... a lot... I felt that... feel that... from her still. That piece of her is still in me, a part of me now... and she... still..." She sighed. "Gods, this is hard to say out loud."

Tag couldn't help but smile and let out a little laugh. "I get it. And... yeah, I might need a little time." She looked down, nodding slowly. He gave her shoulder a gentle squeeze. "And... uh... I... um..." He frowned, not quite sure of his words. "Sorry..."

Ginny just smiled up at him, shaking her head slowly. She reached up to take his hand from her shoulder and hold it in her own. "I know. You don't have to say it back. Or... or ever. I get it."

He let out a sigh, a thankful, yet sad smile on his face. "Yeah... Like I said, it'll take some time. We'll figure out whatever this is between us."

She nodded, giving his hand another gentle squeeze. "I'm not going anywhere."

He returned the squeeze, lacing his fingers with hers. "I'm glad. I could use the company right now."

The two of them got quiet again, but this time it wasn't awkward. They just sat beside each other, holding hands and staring up at the sky as rain clouds slowly moved closer from the distance. Whatever it was between them, they would figure it out eventually. For now, they just kept each other company, silently remembering their fallen friend.

*     *     *
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