Shayna Xanthrope
Attack ~ Haste (Temzi) ~ Haste (Shay)

The hesitation that the group was showing was not going down well with Shay. Between them and their way out (and a shiny yellow crystal) was some kind of giant crystal monster that she had now decided was the source of all her problems. The monster itself had nothing to do with the death of her little sister directly, but she had a feeling that because it was the biggest crystal fiend-like thing here, it should be to blame. Since they decided that sneaking was not the way forward, surely slaughtering it would be?

Yes, she very much liked that idea. But it hadn't seemed to notice them yet. It just lay there in the middle of the giant dome, possibly asleep, unmoving. She couldn't imagine such a thing would be able to breathe, so it was hard to tell if it was even alive or not. Quite frankly, she didn't care. She couldn't wait for the time when she'd get to see Pyreflies streaming out of it.

The others were talking, but she wasn't paying attention. Perhaps it was something tactical, but she didn't care. Her hands gripped her shuriken so hard her knuckles went white, she could feel the cold sharp metal wanting to break her skin, but it didn't because she still had control.

It crossed her mind for a moment before she stepped forward, breaking the ranks they'd created, that at this time she was no better than Lyra when she'd killed their mother's murderer. No, this was different, she decided, since this was not blind rage. This was the desire to escape from here so that she'd be able to have a moment to herself, away from the gaze of her friends, to mourn her sister's passing.

Nobody had ever seen her cry, and that was the way it was going to stay.

“Shay? What are you doing?” Selene asked.

Shay didn't dare turn around. Looking at Selene would make her think about what she was going to do and probably convince her not to. If they fought this beastie, she wouldn't have time to think, and that's what she wanted most.

“Getting revenge.” She answered simply, throwing both her shuriken at it.

Her weapons both ran along opposite sides of the monster's body, several loud clangs of metal hitting crystal echoing around the dome before they returned to her. She wasn't expecting to do much damage, but its crystal body provided so much resistance that they weren't going to quite reach her, so she had to run forwards a few feet to catch them.

Then the thing in front of her began to stand up and she realised just how foolish she had been. In fact, it wasn't actually standing up, more like ascending into the air where it floated menacingly. Whereas before it had looked like a giant crystal rock, it was now beginning to take shape. Its legs were huge, almost drooping down from its body, if it weren't for the fact it was so angular and rigidly cut, like someone had chiselled it roughly out of ice. Bright blue veins seemed to run through its structure, glowing much like the ones on Shay's arm were. Its eyes were set far apart due to the almost triangular shape of its head and body, rising to a sloped peak. She couldn't tell if it had a mouth, to be honest she really didn't want to know. This thing was about a million times bigger than her, she'd picked the wrong fight.

But that was okay, since she wasn't alone.

“SHAY MOVE!” Came the chorused voices of her friends. It sent this little wave through her brain that told her just what a prized dickhead she was being as she turned and scurried back towards them. Most went past her, actually, to begin their assault, but notably not Temzi.

Temzi remained with his feet planted firmly in place, gripping his halberd, her scarf still over his eyes. This would not do. He needed to move, to see, because none of them had the time to guide him and if he stood there he'd surely be targeted like a sitting duck.

“Temzi, I-”

“Lady Shayna... What just happened?” He shuffled his feet a little, obviously uneasy.

“I woke up this big crystal monster and-” She paused as the Dragoon shuddered, sighing. “Temzi, you need to be able to see.”

“I am quite content with my current lack of vision.” He replied, tightening the grip on his halberd.

“I'll do you a deal.” Shay wandered around behind him, tugging at the knot. “You give this back, I cast haste on you so you can run away as fast as your legs will carry you.”

Temzi stayed quiet for a moment, considering the options, before replying with a little hesitation. “And this won't impede on my honour?”

“No, not at all.” She tugged the knot free, wrapping the scarf back around her neck. She'd missed it. “So long as you don't scream like Adair.”

He smiled just a tad before he opened his eyes and it disappeared as fast as it appeared. Perhaps he'd made a bad deal after all... But true to her word, Shay cast haste on him. First time for everything, she thought; she'd never actually cast a spell on another person before... But the clock appeared at his feet and he zoomed off into battle.

Then it was her turn. If she couldn't really hurt it (since her initial shuriken throw had shown her that), then she could at least annoy it. She cast haste on herself too, joining the others, ready to zip around and provide distractions.

~~
For my last action, I pick Dodge.
968/29

http://www.comicbookmovie.com/images...odex_Image.jpg Here's the link to the monster I attempted to describe XD Except it is most certainly more crystal-like. And scary. Yep.