Keji carefully reached for Kiyoshi, thinking to pass her to Lyra. He met the hiss of an angry guardian.

"The battle is over," he said, his white eyes narrowing. "Let us help her." The scent of blood and anger filled the air, and it was making Keji sick. "You don't have to do this alone."

Sephiroth knew they were suggesting what was right. Still, it was hard to give up the woman he held. The silver-haired male finally loosened his hold on her, allowing Keji to lift Kiyoshi and pass her to Lyra. The guardian ignored the lingering heat from the surface elf's skin. If anything, he didn't mind it. Not that much.

Keji muttered something about the elf being lighter than a human girl. Passing her to Lyra, the elf frowned. "Are you sure you can carry her?" Esshy could do it, after all. Or . . . hopefully. "We have a long ways to go."

Shara spat, looking annoyed. "The smell of blood be drawing the predators, yes? We be moving now." The metallic-skinned creature headed back the way they'd come.

Keji merely wrinkled his nose and headed after her. "Follow my voice, Lyra. You're strong enough to make it there."
-

Sephiroth stubbornly refused help of any sort. After he was on his feet, the tall elf grit his teeth and ignored the pain that surged through him. He'd been slammed around a bit, and there was a row of claw marks running down his chest. He was sore. He was bleeding. But he was more interested in getting Kiyoshi to safety.

Obviously, this group knew the way out. There must have been a place where they'd entered the caves. They were ready, and that meant they could be free.