There are protected places in Helovia. Sacred temples and caverns that spirits are forbidden to cross; but they are far from here. Armored points strike nothing at all, blades slice and miss their mark; surprise is followed with a sickening dread. How was it this smoky creatures could become visible to our eyes, but invisible to an attack? Their breath is ice, felt even through my armor. It shakes resolve and plants a seed of fear in my heart, terror that they water with super growth. I fall back to earth. Fina finds no success, she roars her fury at also having lost an attempt.

The foamy healer is swinging madly about; her spear is near but also failing to land even a single blow. The specters pass through sand and bodies like there was nothing there at all. My magic wavers and falls back to dirt, a useless waste of energy. I hear a scream and in this confusion it is impossible to place the origin. Hopefully yon child had fled.

Suddenly their presence vanishes for a moment, I swirl round. Teeth clinched and war in my eyes. The shadows come again, for me. Above is the sound of fire, racing toward their attack. Sand flies forward, spears form in rapid succession, they fly and soar straight through those wispy bodies. Nothing penetrates them. Strength is precious, and they'd see me spent. Another cry, this one born from the spirits. I pause, breath is raspy and hard to draw. Their words are heard, though I don't understand the reasoning. I'm trembling, sweat is already foaming beneath my steel as they circle, like an elk surrounded by wolves. I wait. They draw near, Fina circles me from above. Seeking opportunity.

My crown lowers, chin tucks toward my throat to defend that vital part. They come forward and I hold fast, until their ghostly touch becomes something more than an icy mist. No longer are yon spirits invisible, their forms take a solid look. A thing that might be wounded. Fina! She dives and circles me, driving her wings into those shadowy shapes. I spin on heel and tuck my head low, golden pinions stretch, the blades glimmer as I jerk into a sharp turn. Seele is screaming, crying. These ears hear her faintly; why hasn't she fled with the child? Why didn't she leave?

Her form passing in front of my vision, drawing dangerously close to blades and fire. I'm forced to pause or risk injuring the dark girl I'd been trying so passionately to protect. Her words catch my heart though there is no time to acknowledge them. Golden toes skid to a stop, "Go!" I roar, turning toward the shades as Fina regroups and gains altitude. "Follow the child," Words are rushed and raspy. These beasts might seize my life, but perhaps I could save kin by giving them as much time as possible.