I wasn't so ignorant to believe that this tide could be stopped. We are helpless to halt them, even with our combined power. Crimson was dripping, the revolting flavor blossoming into existence. For the moment these dark spirits are all around me. Breathing hot down my neck and raking their fangs along my spine; it was out of necessity that this soul had already set its jaw to deaths black eye. Perhaps they sensed my willing heart, self sacrificing desire. For a fraction of a moment I wondered what would become of little Neve and Fina, they'd hardly had a chance to live.

Then all at once they change their course, the wraiths seize Seele. I spun around to defend her...but even before I'd taken a step it was already too late.They slashed soft meat, unrelenting. Such a rage came over my soul, it burned the inside of me -- how dare these unworthy beasts of hell arise to mark her. Words are frozen in my throat. I charge at them, swinging my crown left and right. Aiming to kill. Foam is hanging from my mouth, perspiration clung to every curve.

When they vanished from sight I stopped, but my heart continued to race. A cough. The raspy sound lured my crown to turn and see a broken body dashed on the ground. The folds of my throat seized together, and somewhere deep inside, the fading light of hope grew cold.

She was speaking.

I walked to Seele, her tattered body. Tis the voice of a dying woman, and I don't want to acknowledge that she has reached a point of no return. "Shhh," I coaxed, a tiny fake smile glittered its painful lies behind the steel around my face. "Save thee strength, ye will be fine." Fina soared in a tight circle around us, keeping watch for the wraiths -- should they return. "Thee is going to live," I dropped beside her, fanning my wing over her battered frame. Steel retracted upon itself and folded back into the form of a collar. Ivory pinions pulled away blood. I frowned, unable to maintain something so false, "We will stand before this clan once more, ye will have beautiful babes one day. A family worthy of ye." Why...couldn't we save this single soul? "Only fight Seele," don't leave me here alone, my crown lowers to her tattered neck. "Please."