[02] Age of Wyrms!

[Tamsin]

Without another word, the group made haste through the hallways that formed the Tower of Ishal. Although debris was scattered at places, the tower mostly showed the same degree of craftsmanship as the rest of the fortress and withstood the countless years of decay and natural elements quite well. However, the Grey Wardens had little time to think of that as their minds were preoccupied with what they had just learned. Kazuya said nothing more, however, taking point as to avoid looking at the people that had eavesdropped on her mere moments ago.

Following behind her was Tamsin, who observed the ebony-haired woman. Tears were flowing down her gentle cheeks as her heart swelled in ache in light of what the halfling had confided her. Having lived her entire life under great expectation of others, the prodigy normally had a great deal of mental fortitude. However, the story of the female warrior touched her deeply, remembering how her master was haunted by his own demons as well. The fact that Kazuya reminded her of her late mother only served to lengthen the maid's sympathy towards her.

Suzaku had felt that something serious was troubling Kazuya, something beyond the Darkspawn, already back when they had departed from the camp. However, she did not previously know what the issue was, nor did she know how to help the woman. That was the reason she hugged her prior to leaving for the tower. Suzaku even suprised herself with such an act, since the maid normally strictly followed proper etiquette. However, the girl felt that her adult counterpart needed some consolation for whatever was troubling her, which prompted such a gesture.

But now that Kazuya revealed to her just how deep the problem is, the servant knew that a mere hug would not suffice...yet she did not know what she could do. The halfling had been forced to contend with her troubles for many years all alone....yet, it seemed like there was nothing Suzaku could do to aid her. "Uzumaki-sama...." the girl sadly mumbled, her own helplessness only serving to make her feel even worse regarding the whole matter. But Kazuya did not respond, either being unable or unwilling to do so. Juno saw how the maid cried for their companion, but said nothing on the matter.

Much to their suprise, the group encountered little remaining resistance as they proceeded up the tower. They merely encountered an ocassional Hurloc and the creatures were quickly cut down either by Kazuya or Xenia. Soon enough, they found themselves on the top floor, which was a sort of circular stone chamber. A large hole on the ceiling allowed them to hear the thunders of battle that raged below them and served to remind the Grey Wardens of their task.

Noting that there were no more signs of Darkspawn, Xenia commented: "Alright, we cleared the tower. Now let us light the beacon and get out of-" But the Saiyan princess was interrupted by the sound of a strong air motion, a large shadow appearing over the crack on the roof. Fearing the worst, her onyx-haired counterpart yelled out: "Quickly, move out of the way!"

The Wardens seperated from one another and not a moment to soon as something crashed into the chamber. The sudden impact threw all of them off their feet, the falling parts of the rooftop threatening to bury them. As dust settled down, the fallen Wardens were able to make out an enormous figure. Standing in the middle of the chamber was the very being they were tasked to slay, a large reptilian creature, the leader of the Darkspawn....the archdemon.

Turning it's head around, it screamed resoundingly. But what shocked the warriors more then the scream was that they heared words mixed in, the Darkspawn blood they consumed allowing them to understand the ancient language: "Sense.....presence...."

Turning it's massive body, it faced the direction where Uzumaki was lying. Weighted down both by her armour and the demon inside her, she tried to get onto her feet. As the dragon observed her every motion, he screamed once more: "Hadoken......come......join...." The oriental woman, in spite of her resistance, felt her body being drawn to the archdemon and she began to draw closer.

"NO!" a shout suddenly interrupted the exchange and Tamsin suddenly appeared between the two as the adolescent realised what was happening. It was unbelievable. She had only known Kazuya for a short time, yet she could not just stand and watch her turn into the monster she was fighting. The girl was not there to save Amaya Suzaku, she was not there to save her mother. Now that someone similar faced impending doom, she could not turn their back on them.

"Do......not......defy........will......!" shouted the archdemon and it charged towards the maid. Suzaku did not know what she was thinkining. Fear gripped her entirely and all her senses were telling her to run. Yet, she stood her ground, knowing that her frail body was the only thing that prevented the archdemon from calling out the demon inside Kazuya and allowing him to take complete control of her.

"Suzaku-chan.....no!" came the weak call behind her as the dragon opened it's massive jaws. But Tamsin did not respond, her mind and heart freezing.......Had death come to claim her?