"I'm sure there is a way to get through to your brother" Yumi said just before Stanley returned in his armour. She couldn't help but let out a gasp. "Wow Stanley, you must've been one heck of a knight, but this is useful" she said as she took in the sight of the armour. It looked very strong and almost unbreakable. "are you sure it even has weaknesses" she asked, finding the question rather stupid, everything has a weakness

"I... hope so," Eleven replied, although it was clear she doubted it. Stanley, upon hearing this, thought a moment.

"Eleven... when we met your brother. Was he acting as he normally would?" he asked.

"Well... he seemed harder. Why?" she asked.

"I see... it is possible he can be reached then. There is one more muse I did not mention, since it vanished long ago. But... it's Persuasion. With its power the king could easily brainwash... oh I had hoped that one wasn't true..."

"You mean... there's a chance?" Eleven asked, her tone brightened a bit.

"Yes, if you can somehow disconnect the magic." He looked towards Yumi, at her question.

"Of course it does," he replied. "In order for there to be movement, th3re have to be gaps in armor. Now then, usually this is covered by chainmail. Now then, here comes an interesting trick to counter. It can be done to any blade that shall listen. Now then, this one only listens to blood so don't be squeamish," he explained, as he slit the end of a finger and ran it across the blade.

"Nermostri de Cantos," he said, causing the edge of the blade to gleam a slight silver. "Catch that? This is a strengthening spell. Since most knights only bother to strengthen their blades, and not their armor ... it is quite effective," he told them. "Especially with weapons of a spirit nature. This spell basically enables ones will, ones soul, to strengthen their blade. Should either dim, so too shall the blade. So one must be careful using it." He paused. "If you have all of that, I'll show you the weakspots," he told them, making sure they were still with him.

(*fingers fall off from so much typing > >*))

Yumi looked at Eleven, she seemed hopeful "Stanley, how do you disconnect the magic" she looked at Eleven, if she would have her brother at her side, it would mean a great deal to her she was sure, plus, the could use another ally. "And isn't my blade a spirit blade" to much unanswered question were swimming through her head.

Suddenly she felt a lot calmer, as if her head had cleared up 'thank Evelyn' she told the Muse, recognizing her work.

((lowl :]))

"It is. So you will not have to worry so much about this technique. I am honestly not sure what sort of an effect it would have, if any. But the rules would be the same, since it is a spirit weapon," he added. When asked about how to disconnect magic, he pondered.

"It is tricky," he admitted, with a slight grimace. "First one, would have to startle him somehow, or rather his soul. Enough to get the attention of the true self. You would need a Spirit string, and you would need to tie this string to the inflicted's head. There is a rather long chant one must sue after.... now keep in mind this only works if the fellow is receptive. It can be easily broken, so it takes a lot of energy and will..."

"Whatever it takes," Eleven replied, giving a nod.

"I had a feeling you would say that, so when the time comes I will give you a string, and later write down and help with the spell." He then proceeded to show the girl's where an armor's weak spots were. Where one could slide a blade in easy, where one could use a bit of force to cut deep. Under the arms, below the chestplate, in certain spots on the side, and right behind the knees as well.

"Any other questions?" he asked.

Yumi was so happy for eleven when she heard that her brother wasn't yet lost, they'd just have to keep from hurting him badly.

She also paid close attention to Stanleys explanation. "Not from me, you've explained everything to perfection" she said still feeling happy, probably not only her emotions but she didn't object.

Suddenly she felt something, something coming, qand her intuiion told her to run, run the hell away from what was coming, but she refused to. "I.. I believe they are cmoing" she said in a soft voice

Stanley was quiet a moment after Yumi said this, as though listening for soemthing. Which he was really, and nodded a slight. "Indeed they are," he said with a sigh. He knew this battle he could not be in. He knew what it would cost... for himself and for everyone else here as well.

"Are you two ready?" he asked. "I shall remain here and watch over the muses, prepare healing aids as well. Kibwe will go with you as well, to counter Death. Everyone else runs too high a risk of being captured as well..." he said, looking to the muses who seemed to wish to protest.

"Portal will open the door and from tehre on out... it will be up to the two of you. Good luck..." he said. "These men will mean business." He paused a moment, before walking over towards a nearby desk. Jotting down a note, he passed it to Eleven. "All you will need for your brother will be in there. I cannot promise the outcome... so be prepared just in case," Stanley added. He took his helmet off then giving a formal bow to the girls.

"Remember, you are not fighting alone," he added. "Your muses shall be beside you the whole time." One might note now, after having the helmet removed, on the eye Stanley had bandaged up before now had a patch over it. A grave reminder, indeed, of the serious nature of what they were about to face.

Yumi nodded, and then she silently embraced the power of the muse. She didn't like to speak in a moment like this, she feared it would break the spell of the last bit of safety she felt before she might not feel it again.

She walked through the portal, to face the knights, and to face her destiny, as she raised her sword and summoned the panther and the newly obtained lynx. She thought of Stanley's words, 'you are not fighting alone'
Your so right Stanley, Evelyn is beside me and I know that in thought, you will be beside me also She made a silent prayer for the Muses and for Eleven and Karik before she took an offencive stand toward the approaching knights

Eleven was quiet as well, turning to her muse, Celeste. No matter what happened.... they were in this together. "We can do this!" Celeste told her, which made Eleven nod. This could do this, all they needed to do was trust in each other. And, just as Stanley predicted, there were three knights waiting for them on the other side of the portal... including Kerik. Two other muses sat in the trees, perched and waiting the battle's outcome.

"Traitors to the crown!" Kerik pronounced. "Shall you give in, or face execution where you stand for your crimes?" Eleven, taking a breath, shook her head.

"We'll never give up!" she said. Her brother arched a brow, smiling a slight.

"Then prepare yourselves!" he pronounced, as the three knights drew their blades and advanced...

* * * * *

Stanley watched them go, giving a slight wave before heaving a great sigh. 'Please be alright...' he thought, his eyes closed. Obi nuzzled him, and a moment later he was joined by nearly all the muses in the room. Stanley smiled a slight.

Noone was really alone here at all...

"Go!" Yumi shouted as the summons ran toward one of the knights. She herself charged Kerik. "you will be the one I'll fight" her goal was to knock him out and get him out of the way so eleven could do the chant on him later.

She charged with her sword, always being careful not to wound him, or at least not too much

Kerik countered with his blade, eyes narrowed as he looked towards Yumi with narrowed eyes. "You're holding back," he said, almost in a growl. "Give it everything you have girl! Or is your case that weak? Show me a challenge!" If one was observant... the tone of his voice was different than before. Lower perhaps.

There was a good reason. He was Bonded to War. As their blades met, he set his foot for leverage and pushed down hard. Hoping to break the hold and land a few good slashes in. He wasn't holding back... and his strikes were solid. But, in his current state, would they land?

Kibwe meanwhile surged forward to meet a knight, the one he knew held Death. An orb grew between the muse's ears, but it wasn't large enough yet. He needed a bit more time for it to grow! That was when the spirit summons started to arrive. The knight brought his blade out to greet them, outnumbered. Would Death magic work upon summons? Probably not but the Knight still tried out of sheer instinct...

Eleven meanwhile took to the skies, her bow ready in hand. The weakspots... she would have to fly close to reach them. She darted in and out, trying not to be touched as well. Her muse wished to keep her safe. It knew Decay, who they were against, could do great damage if allowed. The knight lowered his blade, and Eleven dodged to the back, shooting an arrow through the spot under his arm. The Knight yelled, swinging back again with a terrifying speed the girl barely dodged. It was a trial by fire once more it seemed... and the heat had been turned up!

"I will not take orders from the king's servant" she fired back at him, but she still didn't give it her full, she had a plan, but she needed a good opening fort that. For now she only went for below his neck. She hit him once in the wrist, but the armour did it's job well and it was only dented. Suddenly she noticed he was acting weird, he was stronger, and more reckless and he definitely had less to say than the last time, did he? she had no more time to think for she was in a battle, and she was fighting.

The lynx and panther meanwhile were circling around the knight, not even charging, when the panther got hit by death. It got swung away for a few meters, but being a spiritsummon it didn't die or get hurt by the beam. It only got hurt from the landing. The panther raced toward the knight with astonishing speed and bit him in the side, one of the weak spots.

Kerik did not seemed phased by his armor denting, his eyes narrowed with the heat of battle. Instead, he seemed fascinated by it, encouraged... enjoying it. Before when he had fought, it had been about duty. But this certainly... it was different. He offered no words as he dodged a strike and took a step back, before taking a vicious lunge towards her side. But, if it missed, this was the sort of strike that would leave his own side vulnerable for a few moments...

The knight yelled out his pain, and it was in this moment Kibwe acted. Jumping into the air, it landed upon the man's shoulder. The orb of light between its ears it directed into the knight's open mouth. There was an explosion of light then, and moments later the knight laid upon the ground. beside it, there was a pink and white feathered Muse, Death. Kibwe smiled at it.

"Our quarrel ends here," Kibwe told it, and leapt forward. Death leapt as well...

Decay's knight brought his blade up once more, but in hat moment Eleven fired another arrow. As he was tunned, staggering backwards, her bow started to gather energy. Gritting her teeth, she released a massive light arrow...

Yu7mi got hit in the side, but that didn't stop her from digging her blade in Kerik's, as she fell on her knees she managed to hit him hard on his head with the side of her blade, in an attempt to knock him out before she feinted. Holding back had cost a lot of energy and that blow was of the last of her strength. And with that disappeared the power of the muse.

******

The lynx got hurt from the explosion and was tossed far back, the panther however was unharmed, but the sudden disappearance of the power that binded him to this world made him vanish to go where he came from along side his friend.

With that, even with armor, Kerik was out cold. Noone really could stay awake after such a blow, even one partnered with War.

In the meantime, there was another burst of energy that shook the battlefield, as both Kibwe and Death vanished together. The shockwave hadn't affected Eleven in the air, but it had affected Decay's knight. Eleven had the perfect chance to strike, which she did. Piercing the chest.

Of course,with all the players out but her, she blinked with confusion. "YUMI!" she called out, rushing to her friend's side. Kerik too... not dead but out cold. "Oh Yumi...Kerik..." she whispered quietly.

"Stanley! I need some help!" she called. Moments later, the former knight came through the portal. "I'll work on healing Yumi first... you have that envelope right?" Eleven gave a light nod, pulling it out.

"Yeah..." she said, and knew what to do. Meanwhile Stanley took Yumi back inside, lying her down on her bed and bringing a few herbs and potions, drinks. He started addressing to her wounds first, before tilting her head back a slight.

"This will renew your strength...." he told her quietly. At least a part of it. He felt a terrible guilt however, that she had landed herself in such a position...


* * * * *
Meanwhile Disease and Famine left their perch to make tehir report to the king...

Yumi opened her eyes a bit, still felling weak "how.. how's Kerik" she asked in a soft and weak voice, she smiled at them, showing she was okay, even though her side stung and she felt the blood that had dried on her skin.

"Did.. did we... win?" she asked, she opened her eyes full now and saw the expression on Stanley's face was ful of worry "I'm okay... just tired" she assured him

By this time, Stanley had been able to move Kerik into this place as well. He knew it was taking a risk, and had a muse standing by to ensure if things went awry they would be fixed. "He's still asleep... we we'll know when he wakes up," Stanley replied. His sister stood guard over him as well, talking with him. Stanley knew that was an important part as well.

"You guys won..." he added quietly, smiling softly. "I'm very proud. Now, just relax okay? Take a nap... you guys have the time now to relax."

'I'll ensure it...' he thought to himself. Poor girls... things had become outright war now and they were in the middle of it. How complicated...

she nodded and closed her eyes. 'we won' she thought proudly, when she had feinted she had slammed her sword against Keriks head. But she wasn;t sure if it had worked, and she thought she was done for, not knowing if Kerik was still awake, intent of killing her, or if Eleven was still holding up with her knight, or if Death wes still running. It has seemed a chaos all around her. But when she woke up she had found herself in safety. With that thought she fell asleep.

"Sleep well Yumi," Stanley spoke, before nodding his head and heading towards the storeroom. There he took off his armor at last, breathing a sigh of relief. "If things had turned out differently... you'd have gone out tehre anyways wouldn't you?" Obi asked, nuzzling Stanley.

"I honestly don't know," he replied, shaking his head. He headed back to find Eleven had fallen asleep on Kerik's shoulder as well, and smiled slightly.

"The least I can do for them now is to keep watch," he added, sitting down in his chair once more. They had gotten really lucky today, and he prayed that luck stayed with them.

Yumi woke up and sat up, but immediately fell back again, a sharp pain in her side forced her to remember what had happened. She tried to sit up again, this time slowly, and it helped alot. It was morning and most of the muses still slept.

She stood p, if she did everything slowly., her side would hurt less, and looked at Kerik. She couldn't believe he was laying there, it seemed such an idle hope back there, that they would actually get him here, but there he was with Eleven. she smiled at the sight of those 2

"Easy now, don't overdo it," Stanley told Yumi gently from his chair. "You took quite the injury there, I don't want you to overdo it..."

It wasn't too long after this however, that Kerik started to stir. He blinked a moment, as though very confused, and glanced around him. "W-where am I?" he asked. He looked beside him at Eleven sleeping and blinked once more.

"Eleven?" he asked, as though incredulous. Last thing I remember was coming before the king and..." His eyes widened a slight. "Oh god..." he said, as he started to remember. He looked back at Eleven.

"Kiddo, Im so sorry..." Eleven opened her eyes then,hugging him tightly.

"Its okay.... you're back and that's what counts." Kerik blinked, recognizing Yumi from the fight. "Are you alright?" he asked, before seeing Stanley as well. "You're here too? No wonder's the King has been all worked up..." Stanley nodded but didn't elaborate. truth was, his position in his knight days had been a slight bit more important than he had let on...

Yumi sat in front of the two, crossing her legs. "You gave us quite some trouble" she said but she smiled at him, than turned to stanley"Stanley I'm fine stop worrying" she told him as she turned to Kerik again "I'm fine, the cut wasn't that deep, how are you though?" she asked looking at the wund she had given him

Stanley blushed a slight at being corrected. "I can't promise you that," he replied with a slight sigh. But, he decided, to watching things instead. It was in his nature to worry, but somehow he could curb it a slight for now right?

Kerik blinked. "Still a bit fuzzy... got a nasty knot on my head, wrist is a bit sore... but really. I'm okay. Really, okay, thanks to you two. Last few weeks I hadn't quite felt like myself, but I wasn't sure why. I... I wonder if all the knights are like I was..." he added quietly. "Are my comrades all brainwashed too? Or do they go along willingly. I was sent to the king after having a small disagreement with the royal adviser and..."

"It's okay brother," Eleven said, still hugging him tightly. "We know it wasn't your fault!" But... OH!" he exclaimed, his eyes wide. "Oh dear... this isn't good at all! Since none of us knights will be coming back, the king will just push harder! I-" He stopped, holding a hand to his head as a dizzy wave washed over him.

"Easy..." Stanley said calmly, bringing over a cloth and wrapping it over Kerin's head. "Just relax."

Yumi blushed "those would be my fault, I sorta hit you in the head to prevent you from killing me"she admitted, though it sounded a bit funny

"Well at least if they come for us, we'll have one number more" she said smiling at him. "Stanley do you still have those herbs a gave you and Eleven? I think it would help my wound"

Kerik rose a brow to her, and laughed. "I suppose that makes sense then!" he replied, quite amused. He knew it was serious business, but he could not help but be amused anyways.

He thought upon this a moment and nodded. "Yeah... what they're doing is pretty..." He looked towards Stanley. "I know why you left now Sir. But you know, it really frazzled the king when you did. Even moreso than he was before." Stanley nodded to this.

"I know." Looking towards Yumi he nodded. Walking away from the group, he came back with a few herbs which he handed towards her. "I figured we might need them later," he admitted.

"I won't need all of them" she said as she took a little bit and put it in her mouth, she was used to it's bitter taste and just chewed and swallowed. "Do you think that Stanley's depart from the kings side would have driven him to mess with your head and maybe others too?" she asked, it was possible