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𝗧𝗘𝗡     𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗡𝗘𝗫𝗧 𝗦𝗢𝗥𝗖𝗘𝗥𝗘𝗥 𝗦𝗨𝗣𝗥𝗘𝗠𝗘

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THE LAST TIME Cassandra experienced such intense agony was when Dormammu tortured her to join him. She vividly remembered her ears ringing with a reverberating thunder and every heartbeat of hers sent a surge of pain, as if her chest were being torn apart that day. She was laying on the ground, bloody and bruised, as the inter-dimensional being boasted that pain and torment cloud the judgement and weakens a person's will and most will succumb just to make the pain stop and keep their limbs intact.

That was what Kaecilius was about to do to her now.

But, of course, she wasn't going to let him trample on her.

Eyes glowing amber, she mumbled an enchantment to cut off Kaecilius' breathing. He choked, sputtering as he crashed on the ground. His hands were wrapped around his neck as he struggled to breathe. Just as he closed his eyes, Cassandra received a punch through her stomach, delivered by Lucian, one of his zealots.

The strike knocked the wind out of her and she rolled on her side, coughing. "Hello to you too, Lucian. Long time no... see. Is this really how you'll greet one of your instructors? I'm hurt. Now, where are my parents?" She managed to say before she was dragged upwards by her hair, causing her to screech in pain.

Cassandra was harshly pushed down on her knees, her hands and feet then bound together by Eldritch ropes, burning her wrists a little. She struggled to break free, but it was of no use. Her eyes swept from left to right, checking where Stephen was. Her heart began to beat wildly when she realized he wasn't around. Her instincts kicked in even more and she fought harder against her bonds. She needed to make sure he was safe.

"Just so you all know," She then smirked even though her vision was all blurry. She needed to distract them all since Wong and Karl were still laying unconscious behind her captors and Stephen was nowhere to be found. "This isn't the first time I'm on my knees."

Kaecilius panted, touching his neck. "You haven't changed a bit. Still fiesty and annoying as ever."

Cassandra flinched. "I'm funny as hell, just admit it. You dated me because of that, right?" She casually countered, now fully noticing the burnt symbol on his head and the skin around their eyes was dark purple and outlined with silver, cracked. "and holy shit, that is the worst eye make-up I've ever seen. Dormammu has no sense of style like at all."

"I know what you are doing, Cassandra. Stop it. You'll only hurt yourself."

Gritting her teeth, she stopped trying to free herself and instead looked at her former friend's eyes. "Where are my parents, Kaecilius?"

"Cassie -- "

"Don't you fucking Cassie me! You have no right to call me that, you asshole! Where are my parents? Where are they?" She furiously demanded. "Answer me!"

Unfazed by her outburst, he raised his hand and beckoned one of his allies to come forward. Kaecilius snapped his fingers and removed her magical bonds. "I preserved your father's body during the explosion for you."

At that, his female associate hurled the body of her father beside her. Despite of the overwhelming pain she was feeling, she pushed herself up and scrambled to get to her parent. "Dad! Dad! Wake up!" She lightly slapped his face, noticing how his lips were now blue.

He was incredibly pale like all the blood from his body had been taken away. She caught sight of his bleeding wound and hot tears began to well up. "No!" She screamed, shaking him awake. "No! Dad!" Frantic, she put two of her fingers above his wrist and checked his pulse.

None.

Unwilling to believe it, she placed her hand above his lips to feel any breathing.

None.

She swallowed, shaking her head. "No, no..." A great sob escaped Cassandra. Her fingers trembled and drops of grief flowed down her face like a river escaping a dam. "Dad... please, don't die. Please." The young woman begged, crying and for the last time, she reached out to check the pulse in his neck.

None.

It was as if her whole world crashed around her as she came to the realization her father was gone. At that moment, she felt like her heart had been ripped out. A state of misery that she couldn't see the end of the tunnel. A terrible weight fell onto her shoulders as she stayed knelt beside the lifeless body of her parent. It was as though a giant boulder landed on her and she couldn't straighten out.

Lost.

Shocked.

Empty.

Confused.

Sorrowful.

They were all mixed together, but that last emotion stood out among the others. She cried out in despair, but she couldn't hear her own voice. They were drowned out by the pain tearing her chest apart. It was as if her heart had been ripped into two. She screamed again, but this time, an uncontrollable surge of power coursed through Cassandra's veins and all of the windows in the library bursted synchronously, its shards flying everywhere. The ground beneath them started to shake and rocks from the ceiling rained down on them. Her hair billowed gracefully behind her as her eyes flashed a purple light then yellow.

"We have to go!" yelled one of Kaecilius' companions, opening a portal for them to escape. Its end showing the entrance of the New York Sanctum. "This whole place is going to collapse!"

Kaecilius stared at her for a moment, remarking, "The One was right. If he can't break you physically, then he'll break your spirit instead to join him."

Cassandra heard his words, but she still didn't stop, she couldn't. She lost control. She was so consumed by her grief that she didn't notice they would be all buried alive if she doesn't stop. The woman didn't care anymore about the consequences that will follow.

"Cass! Cass!"

She heard someone call her name. Her ears were still ringing, but she still heard it like they were trying to reach her.

"Cassandra! Stop!"

It was Karl, her friend, trying to call her back to reality, but she still didn't stop. "Cassandra!" He finally reached her for his voice became more distinct and clearer. He shook her shoulders. "Listen! This is what Dormammu wants! This is what they want you to do! To destroy Kamar-Taj on your own!"

That made her pause and everything around her stopped shaking. She noticed Wong had finally gotten up and he held the back of his head while looking around in shock. Broken glass and rocks were suspended in mid-air because of Cassandra's magic. Karl's hands cupped her face, apologetic. "Please, stop this."

She was always thankful of Karl not judging her past since he was a person who strictly abided by the rules. She remembered how the Ancient One commented that Karl's inflexibility would one day become his flaw for he was unwilling to bend the laws under any circumstances, nor willing to tolerate others to do the same regardless of the reasons. Yet, when Karl first heard about what she had done, he only held her in his arms and calmed her down like any older brother would do, assuring her that it was alright.

Cassandra watched Wong slowly make his way close to her father, tears coursing through his ashen cheeks.

"He's gone, Karl. My father is gone..." wailed Cassandra, collapsing against her friend's chest.

"I know, I know." soothed Karl, patting her back. "I am so sorry for what happened to your father, Cass, but we have to go." he said. "We have to protect the remaining Sanctums and this temple from Kaecilius. We have to save everyone."

A great tremor overtook Cassandra and she couldn't hold the heartbreak no longer. Her grief poured out in a flood of uncontrollable tears. "I can't." she muttered. "I can't do it."

"Yes, we can. We must, Cassandra. Listen, the world needs us right now. We can't save it without you." Karl gripped her shoulders, looking behind her. "Where's Stephen?"

As if she was snapped out of her reverie, she began to frantically search for him. The future Sorcerer Supreme was nowhere to be found and Kaecilius was in the New York Sanctum. Anger curled hot and unstoppable in her gut, like a blazing inferno that wanted to burn her from the inside out. She clenched her fists angrily and her body temperature rose to the point she could almost feel her blood boiling.

"I have to go look for Stephen." She stood up, no longer feeling the searing pain on her back. "Karl, bring all the novices to the courtyard. Lock the whole compound and have the apprentices and disciples guard the whole vicinity."

Her friend nodded, standing up. "Keep an eye on her, Wong."

"I will."

"No. Wong, I need you to bring my father to the hall then check on the London Sanctum. See if my mother is there. Then, prepare to defend the Hong Kong Sanctum."

"But -- "

"I can handle myself. Go." She assured, pursing her lips. Wong nodded just as she summoned a portal to her room. Tilting her head down, she knelt beside her father, looking at his face. "I will come back for you, dad. I just have to take care of something." She kissed his cold forehead, finally standing up. Stepping inside the gateway, she immediately snatched her dagger from her table. Her green cloak was nowhere to be found, and she remembered she had put it up beside the Cloak of Levitation in the Chamber of Relics. She glanced at the blade in her hands, observing it carefully.

It gleamed white for a moment before transforming into a long silver staff topped by a glowing purple orb. It was given to her by Dormammu and ever since Cassandra cut her ties with dark magic, she had ardently tried to discard only for it to return to her. When she received her first artefact, the Flaming Sword of Acala, the dark mystical object immediately attached itself to it like a parasite and her sword would suddenly transform into the staff if it senses her rage.

The staff emitted large amounts of dark magic and Cassandra could feel it calling out to her like a mother telling her child to come home. The young woman shut her eyes. "I am still in control so fuck you, Dormammu." she cursed the entity, twirling the staff around to revert it back to its sword structure.

Now, armed and ready, she turned around, catching a glimpse of herself in the mirror. Her hands were still violently shaking from the events earlier. She balled his fingers into a fist, her fingernails digging into the flesh of her palm. A boiling fury swelled inside of her and her breathing became heavy.

In an instant, she became a different person like a switch had been turned off. Her eyes no longer held the blue-green color that Stephen once mentioned was one of his favorite things about her, they were a bright amber. They were the color of fire, of a raging inferno.

She was ready to burn everything in her path for there was nothing in her mind now, but her duty and revenge.

Cassandra was going to make sure Kaecilius wish he never crossed paths with her.

RAGE WAS A fickle thing. It can consume, blind, and double one's heart rate and shorten their breath. It can make a person's head pound and hands tremble and focus all their strength into their limbs until they're ten million times stronger than their usual self.

It was blinding.

It was dangerous.

It can make a person do stupid things.

It was the only thing running course though Cassandra as she made her way to the hallway of the New York Sanctum. Turning around a corner, she immediately encountered one of Kaecilius' female Zealots and unhesitatingly parried, blocking her attack and slashing her abdomen open. The blonde Zealot groaned in pain and she kicked her aside.

"Stephen!"

"Cassie!"

And there he was, crouched down to a fighting stance, summoning two mandalas though the one on his right hand flickered and died out.

"Oh, gods." Cassandra grimaced.

Right at that moment, Kaecilius, who was hanging from the ceiling upside down, flung his space shards directly right at her which she deflected her sword in a cascade of sparks and went after the leader. With a loud cry, she leaped to one side and swung the sword in a flashing arc, but he was able to dodge her attack. Using his new found power, he warped and twisted the landscape around her, causing her to lose her balance. She slammed against the wall, and hit her head hard, disorienting her for a moment. She gritted her teeth, angrily.

She was now heavily considering tapping into her dark magic to match Kaecilius' strength, but decided against it in fear it may corrupt her again. Catching sight of Stephen with a blade-wielding Lucian behind him, she invoked a ball of flame and hurled at Kaecilius then swiftly evaded him to kick the Zealot attached to the wall. Their connection to the Dark Dimension had given them the power to manipulate space and reality. They were even disregarding gravity. If she wanted to keep Stephen safe, she had to get him away from them. He could only do so much to protect himself from their enhanced magic.

"Lucian! It's me again!" greeted Cassandra, sarcastically as he spun around.

"I've always hated you."

Cassandra rolled her eyes. "Do I look someone who gives a shit?" And with that, she twisted around and struck the hilt of her sword on his nose although he was able to deliver a strong punch to her cheek, one she was sure would bruise later. She stumbled a bit backwards, attempting to regain her momentum.

"Cassie, duck!"

And because she was still a bit dazed, she thought he mentioned the animal so she yelled, "Where?"

That's when she saw the sparking whip heading toward her. "Ah, shit." She bent her body backwards, avoiding the strike. It hit the other Zealot, whose name she remembered was Estelle, sending her rolling across the wooden floor.

She then stood back on her feet and whirled her sword, transforming it back to its dagger form. Cassandra grabbed Stephen's hand to lead him out of the hallway and away from Kaecilius. Unfortunately, their enemy had no plans of letting them go easily. He whirled his hands, twisting and warping their surroundings, resulting in them getting thrown around like rag dolls. She and Stephen crashed against a window and both of them got sliced by the glass shards.

Desperate to stop it, she casted a spell that brought forth strong, gushing winds. A strong breeze blew them all away and Kaecilius and his Zealots were thrown off their feet because of the strong blast. Cassandra and Stephen slid down the floor and instinctively reacting, she latched onto a wall lamp and grabbed her partner's hand, not letting him go.

"Hang on! I'll cut off the wind!"

"No!" objected Stephen, looking below him. "You have to let me go!"

Cassandra furrowed her eyebrows. All of her senses were on high alert. There was no way on Earth he was going to put his life in danger. "What? No! I can't do that! I have to get you out of here, Stephen!"

"Trust me!"

Although reluctant, she released him and Stephen tackled the female Zealot, sending them both to the Rotunda of Gateways. She watched Lucian and Kaecilius follow him and without wasting anymore second, she hurled herself to her ex-boyfriend and wrapped her arms around his neck, putting him in a chokehold. He slammed his fist on her forearms, but she only wrung her arms tighter.

"The One wants you to uphold your deal with him." He choked.

"He hasn't conquered Earth yet."

"He will soon. We will make sure of that and you... you are going to help us."

"Over my dead body." She strangled him. "The Ancient One won't let it happen. We'll all kill you first."

"You still have... no idea, do you? She's lying!" struggled Kaecilius, grabbing onto her robes.

"Your marbles are lost!"

Kaecilius elbowed her side twice, making her let go of him. "It's you who is lost!" He vociferated. "You're blind! The Ancient One fooled you all! I only seek to save you, Cassandra!"

This irked Cassandra. "Save me? You killed my father!"

"A decision I made to achieve my goal."

"You deserve to die!"

The two then duelled in the hallway, casting different spells and delivering kicks and punches everywhere. From the way they were attempting to kill each other, no one would believe they once loved each other.

Cassandra wanted to believe she could still save her former friend. That he still wasn't consumed by his quest for vengeance, that he was still there inside. However, the murder of her father was proof he was already far too gone to be saved.

Deflecting the space shard he sent in her direction, she grabbed his neck and kneed his groin, punching his jaw at the same time. She didn't notice the space shard he had conjured and had only little time to dodge his attack. This gave him enough time to mumble an incantation, one she recognized was associated with dark magic, and when his pointer finger touched her forehead, she was out like a light.

IT WASN'T TOO long that Cassandra found herself waking up in the Chamber of Relics, broken glass spread everywhere around her. Across from her, she heard grunts coming from two men, Stephen and Kaecilius who were battling each other using their magic. She watched the blue-robed sorcerer summoned Eldritch whips as his defense to his enemies Space shards.

"You're not taking her anywhere!" Stephen shouted as he defended himself, making her realize that Kaecilius attempted to take her -- probably to hand her over to the lord of the Dark dimension. Cassandra couldn't help but chuckle despite the situation. It was very ironic that Stephen was the one currently protecting her when it should be her doing that. The young woman slowly stood up from her lying position, sharp pain filling her body and radiating through her back and head.

A soft fabric was wrapped around her shoulders and she glanced down to see it was her Invisibility Cloak. Cassandra turned around and saw the Cloak of Levitation floating in mid-air, free from its glass case. "Thank you." She muttered, spinning around just in time to see Kaecilius punch Stephen twice before his back met the railing of the stairs.

"No!" Cassandra cried as she tried to reach Stephen, but she was too late. He slipped and fell backwards just as the red cloak dove after him. The brunette felt her heart stop at that moment as her mind only registered one thing: she failed to keep the next mystical protector safe.

But, there he was, a second later rising from the flight of stairs like a miracle was Stephen Strange. The red cloak billowed behind him, lifting him off the ground. The light coming from the window created an aura around his figure. Stephen stood gracefully above the stairs, despite his strong frame. He no longer looked afraid as if he gained a new surge of courage and boldness.

At that moment, Cassandra no longer saw a student, a disciple in front of her.

She saw the next Sorcerer Supreme.

Winding his hands around his head, he conjured another Eldritch whip, but she noticed that it flickered once again. Stephen was still struggling with mastering conjuration of weapons. Refusing to watch anymore like some spectator, she threw her hand forward, giving some of her Eldritch magical energy to empower him. Her eyes glowed a fiery gold as she enhanced Stephen's magic. She didn't care that it would immsensely tire her later because their priority was subduing the enemy. Her lending of magic worked and Stephen lashed out at Kaecilius.

Their opponent only blocked the weapon using his space shard and pulled the rope with all of his might, resulting in Stephen getting tossed across the room.

Cassandra then took this opportunity to lunge at Kaecilius. They continuously duelled one another, sparks flying out of their hands. The woman growled as her enemy countered her attacks with ease. "Go, Stephen! Run now!" Cassandra snatched her blade from her scabber and slashed at Kaecilius' legs, incapacitating him. He conjured another weapon out of matter and space and tried to pierce her with it, but she rolled out of the way.

She ran straight ahead once she recovered and sheathed her dagger. She then saw Stephen holding the Crimson Bands of Cyttorak relic in his hands. "Why are you still here? I told you to run!"

"I'm not just going to leave you behind!"

She groaned. Dammit! "Why do you have that?" The brunette pointed to the relic, catching a glimpse of a marching Kaecilius in her peripheral view.

"This red cape here wanted me to -- woah!" Stephen failed to finish his sentence for Cassandra pushed him down, delivering a roundhouse kick at Kaecilius.

Twirling around, Cassandra broke Kaecilius' balance by pulling him straight forward, then slid into a supine posture between his legs, with the sole of one foot placed against his stomach area. The young woman then swiftly carried her rival's body over her own head with that leg, and threw him to the floor.

"Now, Stephen!"

Alerted, the disciple flung the heavy relic over to Kaecilius. It immediately wrapped around his body, trapping him and forcing him on his knees. Cassandra panted, loudly just as Stephen let out his hand for her to pull. He helped her up and they both shared a glance at each other before she patted his back. "Thank you. Good job." she praised his work just as she unsheathed her dagger and within three large strides, she held the knife inches from his throat. "I'm going to kill you..."

"Cassie! Cassie! Stop! What are you doing?"

"This bastard killed my father, Stephen." She contemplated ending Kaecilius' life then and there. She could feel the searing pain in her heart. Her throat tightened and she took a short intake of breath. "He's dead... because of him."

Stephen pulled Cassandra's shoulders, slowly removing the blade her trembling fingers. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." he comforted her, enveloping her in his arms.

Just then, Kaecilius' muffled voice reverbrated through his mouthpiece, interrupting them.

"What?" Stephen harshly clarified, walking over to remove the metal from his lips. That's when Cassandra started to realize he was muttering the counter-spell of the relic so he could free himself. "Oh, stop it. I said stop it."

"Shut up, Kaecilius. You're not getting free from that relic. It's futile to even try, you know that, you dimwit."

"You cannot stop this, Mister Doctor, Cassandra."

"I don't even know what this is." implied Stephen, raising his arms.

"It's the end... and the beginning." replied Kaecilius, opening his eyes. The many becoming the few becoming the One."

"Look, if you're not gonna start making sense..." Stephen interposed, lifting the mouthpiece. "I'm just gonna to have to put this thing back on."

"Tell me, Mister Doctor -- "

"My name," the sorcerer beside her interrupted, a bit annoyed. "is Doctor Stephen Strange."

"You are a doctor?"

"Obviously, he is." sardonically responded Cassandra, raising her eyebrow. She was still heavily thinking of just killing Kaecilius, but since her weapon was in Stephen's hands, she couldn't do anything... yet. Problem was, Cassandra had never murdered anyone. Sure, she had always defended herself from rogue sorcerers and evil witches, but she never considered ending their lives. Another thing was that Kaecilius was her former friend. She knew him. She had an idea why he was doing all of this. Can she hurt someone who had been once her friend?

But then, earlier, she vowed to make sure he will suffer so why hesitate now?

"A scientist." concluded Kaecilius. "You understand the laws of nature. All things age. All things die. In the end, our sun burns out. Our universe grows cold and perishes. But the Dark Dimension, it's a place beyond time."

Cassandra snatched the piece of metal from Stephen. "That's it! I'm putting this back on."

"This world doesn't have to die, Cassandra. This world can take its rightful place alongside so many others, as part of the One. The great and beautiful One. We can all live forever."

"You really think you know all about the Dark dimension?" She hissed, bending down to his height. "I had been there once. I had experienced first-hand the horrors that place has. Trust me, it's not pretty. Everlasting life? It's just never-ending suffering there."

"Cassie..."

"Don't you call me that! You lost the privilege to call me that when you betrayed us all!" cried out Cassandra.

"Betrayed you all? I'm only here to free you from the curse of time. I want to offer you the salvation The One has given me. Dormammu wants you to come home."

"You're delusional! Whack! You don't need enlightenment, you need a psychiatrist!"

"Cassie? Wait, you call her Cassie?" Stephen mentioned, confused.

At this, Kaecilius smirked. "She hasn't told you? I was the first one who called her that." He raised his chin slightly, proud. "Did she ever mentioned that I wasn't just her former friend? But, also her lover years ago?"

Stephen inclined his head to Cassandra. "Seriously? You dated this guy?"

"In my defense, I didn't know he was a sadist and a potential megalomaniac." The brunette responded in a low voice. "But, now is not the time to talk about that! You, you murdered my father for your goal, Kaecilius! Don't you ever think I'm going to let that go!"

"I had to! Harry had to die along with the Sanctum for it to fall!"

"You piece of -- "

"And what do you have to gain out of this New Age dimensional utopia?" Stephen interjected, setting aside the mouthpiece.

"The same as you. The same as everyone. Life. Eternal life. People think in terms of good and evil, when really time is the true enemy of us all. Time kills everything."

"What about the people you killed?"

"Tiny... momentary specks within an indifferent universe." Kaecilius retaliated and Cassandra remembered that it was also Stephen's words when he first arrived in Kamar-Taj. The sorcerer's expression beside her changed as if he recalled it as well. "Yes. You see. You see what we're doing. The world is not what it ought to be. Humanity longs for the eternal... for a world beyond time, because time is what enslaves us. Time is an insult. Death is an insult."

The woman clenched her fist.

"Doctor, Cassie," his eyes fluttered to Cassandra, softly. "we don't seek to rule this world. We seek to save it, to hand it over to Dormammu, who is the intent of all evolution, the why of all existence."

"The Sorcerer Supreme defends existence."

Cassandra wasn't going to lie. Hearing Stephen declare those words made her feel a swell of pride in her chest.

"What was it that brought you to Kamar-Taj, doctor? Was it enlightenment? Power?" The sorceress observed how Stephen's hands trembled again and he clenched them, refusing to let Kaecilius see them, but he already had. "You came to be healed, as did we all. Kamar-Taj is a place that collects broken things. We all come with the promise of being healed and instead The Ancient One gives us parlor tricks. The real magic she keeps for herself. You ever wonder how she managed to live this long?"

Cassandra furrowed her eyebrows, realizing what Kaecilius meant. He was implying that the Ancient One drew power from the Dark Dimension to become immortal, an act which Cassandra knew she herself forbade.

The sorceress shook her head, unwilling to believe their own mystical mentor would betray and deceive them in such a way. The Ancient One had been her teacher for years, becoming almost like her parent. She would've admitted the truth. "Liar! The Ancient One would never do that! She enforced those rules on us all!"

"She had been secretly harnessing energy from the Dark Dimension to prolong her life, Cassandra. Yes, she told you everything, except... the truth of where she drew her immortality because she knew you and your family will leave once you uncover it. You all follow her like some shepherd when in reality she is nothing but a wolf, luring you all to your deaths."

"You're lying!"

"I saw the rituals in The Book of Cagliostro." Stephen confessed, bowing his head.

"So, you know." The man turned his attention to him. "The ritual gives me the power to overthrow The Ancient One and tear her Sanctums down. To let the Dark Dimension in. Because what The Ancient One hoards, Dormammu gives freely. Life everlasting. He's not the destroyer of worlds, doctor. He's the savior of worlds."

"Bullshit."

"The universe is using you, Cassandra. They forged your path, giving you no freedom of choice. They trapped you in this life, but Dormammu and I can free you from your destiny."

"I have a choice!" Cassandra countered, recalling the times her parents would remind her that she can choose for herself. "And I choose to defend the natural law and fulfill my purpose in this world."

"They made you think you had a choice!" stressed Kaecilius. "They lied to you, manipulated you but The One... The One can give you freedom. You can be whoever you want. You have a choice to leave this life and join us, Cassandra. You don't have to live your life only protecting the next Sorcerer Supreme." he then continued. "You can be free. I remember you asking me what would your life be if you weren't a master or even trained here in Kamar-Taj. I didn't have an answer at that time, but I do now. You can be anything you want, whoever you want."

But, Cassandra was resolute and immovable. She had chosen this life for herself. Not because it was what other people wanted, but because it was what made her feel at ease. "I can already be whoever I want at this time, you asshat. I honestly cannot believe that after you killed my father, you expect me to join you. Are you insulting me?"

"Yeah, I mean, come on! Look at your face." Stephen noted, causing Casdandra to snort. "Dormammu made you a murderer. Just how good can his kingdom be?"

Kaecilius then gave them a mischievous grin, one that said victory. Cassandra narrowed her eyes and she instinctively inched closer to Stephen.

'You think that's funny?" the former neurosurgeon hissed.

"No, not that. What's funny is that you've both lost your Sling rings."

Alarmed by this revelation, Cassandra patted her belt to check her relic, but suddenly heard a crackle of electricity split through the silent air. She spun around to see it only to be stabbed by a Space shard in the shoulder. Stephen beside her was also pierced by the mystical weapon, but in the chest instead. A glowing gold portal, spitting flame-coloured sparks revealed a smirking Lucian, who leisurely ascended the stairs.

"Shit."

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