Through the Crystal Expanse [Chapter I]

[Solomon]

Solomon's head snapped as he spun around upon hearing the screams of Miracle up ahead. The woman that had fought along their side all this time has turned against them as now no thanks to her the High Preistess was in a world of pain. Reacting quickly the Knight of Aircano ran over to Miracle and picked her up in his arms as the Legendary Dark Knight approached Amoura. Solomon nodded towards Sparda and then broke into a sprint for Hallowton to get the child safe and give her time to heal the wounds that Amoura had inflicted.

[Clash]

Clash's leap missed wildly, leaving him sailing through the air with fins flapping wildly with indignation. This "Other" had stolen Clash's friend, and now Sparda was going to solve the problem with fisticuffs, what was the world coming to!? Fortunately Solomon had grabbed Miracle and was running for safety with her, then again with a wound like that she'd live up to her name if she even got half-way to their destination in these conditions.

Clash watched Sparda and Other trading blows as he once more vanished beneath the surface of the ground. His eyes could see Amoura's demon form as she fought Sparda. Hehehe, she was nekkid. Dammit Clash, no time for that now, He had to do exactly the right thing, and Other was unaware of Clash's one advantage over Amoura. With expert timing, as she was spinning to throw the demon knight, Clash poked his head up from the ground and promptly nudged Other mid-step. He doubted she'd be ready for his intrusion and he'd trip Other up intentionally as he accidentally tripped Amoura before.

"bump!"

[Miracle]

Miracle felt cold and it wasn't the Crystal Expanse that was causing it. Her eyes fell upon the blood that touched the snow. Her blood. Before panic could completely overtake her Miracle felt the warmth of her friend Solomon's arms holding her after lifting her up from the ground and running off. The High Priestess fought just to stay awake knowing that if she allowed her eyes to close shut she may very well never wake up. Not in this condition.

While being carried on the rush to Hallowton Miracle said a quiet prayer to her Lord. Through his mercy the wounds inflicted upon her by Amoura was beginning to heal and the smell of fresh blood ceased as the wounds closed over. For the time being she was safe but could no longer keep her eyes open. For better or for worse the child's eyes finally closed shut as she gave into the fatigue that had overwhelmed her.

[Sparda]

Just as Other was about to launch her opponent, Clash emerged from the ground beneath her and shunted her leg, quite effectively throwing her intended arc. Sent higher into the air than she seemed to have intended, Sparda was quick to right himself, skidding to somewhat of a halt upon a long platform of hardlight energy that materialised underfoot. The demon planted a hand against the platform and threw himself into a spin that pivoted on it; he caught a glimpse of Solomon retreating with the wounded Miracle upon his shoulders and felt a little of his previous sense of urgency lift from his mind.

Returning his attention to Other, he fixed her with a glare as his spin brought his body to face her, then extended his right leg and threw a sharp kick in her direction. It looked as if he had panicked and hurled a random attack that was way out of range; but with the distraction of Clash, what Other hopefully wouldn't notice was the enormous hardlight foot that had materialised behind her, identical to Sparda's except for its great size and moving as his leg did to deliver a brutal kick straight to the back of her head.

[Silver Eyes]

That damned shark! Other didn't expect this to happen and lost her balance which caused her to throw Sparda much higher than intended. Where the fuck did that fish come from?! And why didn't he exist in her world? Amoura apparently had tripped over that thing before but she didn't expect to suffer the same fate!

A swift kick to the back of her head stopped all thought process.

Other made no sound as she fell face down into the snow and laid still. The demon form she had taken faded, leaving the original Amoura as a vampire. That fight had ended quickly but who knows what it'll take should control be seized at a later date.

[Clash]

Clash emerged from the ground again, the sound of moving parts as his metal body once again folded in on itself, revealing a human form under the sharky exterior. Once again he stood as a human with his sword at his belt, his cheeks flushed rapidly as the cold bit at his form. Sparda had rendered Other unconscious, and Amoura with her. The Refugees were stunned into silence as one of their protectors had become the most successful assailant of their holy child Miracle. Clash didn't care, his friend wigged out and needed to be put down, she's got some 'splaining to do!

He dropped to one knee and carefully scooped Amoura up in his arms, then started to walk again, following the trail of Solomon, a breeze pulling his clothes and draping the powdery snow over the tracks left by the knight of Aircano. People slowly started walking again, the cold wind reminding them of the peril still around them. Clash rolled his shoulders a little, his arms shifting and ensuring he had a good grip on his cargo. He kept walking, Hallowton was near and his balls were starting to hurt from the cold.

[Sparda]

Finally, it seemed, the chaos was over. Other slumped limply to the ground, unconscious, and Amoura's body reverted to her vampire form now that her alter ego's control had been wrested away. Sparda dissipated his platform and dropped to the ground, closing his eyes and heaving a sigh; watching as Clash transformed into a human guise and carried the unconscious vampiress away, he picked up his coat and dusted off the snow.

"Thanks for the help, Clash," he called out to the cyborg shark. The strange being had rather endeared himself to Sparda back in Dominion, and even proved himself a capable combatant. Clearly, not much had changed. The Dark Knight pulled on his coat, then retrieved his gloves from the pocket of his waistcoat and donned those as well. Adjusting his monocle, he fell into step behind the crowd of refugees, encouraging the stragglers to keep moving. They had weathered the worst of the storm, but there would be time to rest and to mourn the dead once they reached the safety of Hallowton.

I'll need a very stiff drink after all this...