She was mad. Her eyes were flaring. They were white. 

Leonidas watched as the woman aimed the sword toward his friend. He could see what was going through her mind. She was going to kill Festus. She knew exactly where to slash for him to go down. She knew many spots but her eyes were set on his throat. He could not let her do it. He would not let her kill him.

When the woman surged forward, Leonidas stepped into her path. She looked him over before pressing the tip of the sword against his chest. He flinched, knowing full well it had broken his skin. Even so, he held his ground. 

"You cannot kill him." 

She said nothing.

"I will not let you kill my friend."

She remained silent. 

He grasped the blade between his fingers and lowered it. She let him lower it and pry the blade from her fingers. He placed his hands on her shoulders to turn her, and gave the woman a gentle shove away. She obliged, though he did not know why.

Leonidas turned to the two men. He looked over his friend. "I do not know why you have such an interest in her, nor do I know who your friend is, but I would advise you stay out of her way." His eyes narrowed. "I may not be able to stop her next time."

Festus gave him a curt nod. "Keep her," he said. "I can't guarantee your safety." With that, he vanished as though he was never there. The other man, grinning, did the same.

Leonidas turned his attention to Amneris. The woman was shaking. For a moment, he thought it was from the sudden cold. Then she turned her head slightly to face him. No, it was not the cold, it was rage. Amneris stormed up to him and punched him in the face. 

"Why did you do that?" she screamed. "Why did you stop me?"

He raised his hand to his mouth, flinching at the feel of blood. "You would have killed my friend."

"Your friend is Terpolite. He would kill you in a heartbeat."

"Who are these Terpolites you keep talking about?"

Amneris tilted her head back, laughing at the sky. "You Humans really know nothing about the way the worlds work, do you?" When he said nothing, she continued. "I'm Lyriumian. Your friend is Terpolite. The Terpolites are my enemies. Always have been, always will be."

Leonidas shook his head, attempting to stop the world from spinning beneath him. "Why?"

"Because that's the way it works." She braced her hands on her hips. "They are the source of all evil throughout the worlds, and yet you welcome them. Your lot are no better than they are."

 He managed to sit up. "What have you got against Humanity?" 

"Everything!"