The fear that hit Priscilla left as soon as it came. She went to her throne and retrieved a golden staff which had a red bulb attached to its end with leaflike wires. She handed it over to Jane and ordered, "Kill him."
"Yes madam." Jane nodded with a little bow before pointing the bulb end at Eddie. The women who were sitting cross-legged a moment ago rose and stood in a straight line just below the platform facing Eddie and Catherine.
"Eddie, until this morning I was of the thought that you were dead. However, I had my doubts and now, instead of a woman more powerful than myself doing it, you are going to be destroyed by the woman you truly love. You were a fool to come to High Shrine."
While Priscilla threw a mocking look at Eddie, Jane walked slowly towards them. As she drew closer, fear which intensified with each of her steps engulfed Eddie and Catherine.
"Jane, you do not have to do this, we only came here because we wanted to rescue you." Eddie pleaded.
"It is of no use, Eddie. She is under a powerful spell and from what I can see, they are using her love for you against you. My dear, there is no magic powerful than love. We should find a way out of this place before we are dead."
She took his hand and was about to pull him with her when the stick reached a meter before him. The bulb glowed almost blinding its onlookers. Jane opened her mouth to say some incoherent words. With her words, Eddie felt a tug on his heart giving him pain he had never felt before. It was as if she was holding his heart in her hands and violently riving it apart. He yawled as tears and sweat washed his average face.
Catherine, upon seeing the plight of her friend lifted up her hands to help with the little magic she had. However, Priscilla was seemingly just waiting for her. Her right hand was faster and just a wave of it sent Catherine to the wall behind her. She slammed on it taking a few stones with her as she fell unconscious on the floor.
The light on the bulb brightened and Eddie became weak as it did. His loud yawls slowly changed to weak mewls. The pain was becoming unbearable and when he thought he had had enough, the bulb touched his chest. A sizzling sound was heard upon contact. Where the bulb touched emitted white smoke which left his skin with the sweet aroma of a barbecue.
"Jane…I know you gave up on me, but this can never be you." He cried before dropping on the floor. As he sprawled on the floor, the sound of a metal rod falling sounded.
Since Eddie and Catherine walked in this hall, while Jane had been a little surprised at their sight, her look had been blank and even to a fool, it was clear she was not herself. This was especially so after Priscilla had given her the staff.
When the bulb started glowing, she had felt a sharp pain reminiscent of a spasm hold her heart. The pain was unbearable when she saw Eddie suffer and for some reason, she hated the fact that she was inflicting pain on him. She wanted to stop but the more she tried, the more she pushed the staff until it touched him.
While she could not feel what Eddie felt as the staff touched him, when she saw him, her consciousness which had been barely present came and she realized what she was doing. Her hands that held the staff became loose and as he dropped to the floor; the staff fell beside him. She fell on her knees, held the unconscious Eddie on her chest and wept ruefully.
"She has overcome the spell. Get prepared, this ends today." Priscilla issued an order and all the women started walking towards the weeping Jane and the comatose duo.
"He is the only one I have ever loved. I was stupid to fear Canya and that denied me moments with him. I have lost him once; I am not going to lose him again." Jane swore, laying Eddie carefully on a mat before rising. She picked the rod and stood to wait for the twenty or so women. Determination took over her face and her aura became intimidating, "If I cannot stop you, I will die trying."
She lifted the rod and the sound of thunder reverberated as white light filled the entire hall. There was no wind but Jane's hair fluttered, making her look even more fearsome. The approaching ladies showed no sign of fear as they hurried towards her.
When they got close, the bulb was pointed at them. From nowhere, they retrieved a few gadgets themselves and held them in front of them. She yelled as she dashed towards them with a quick swoop. A flick of the stuff sent the ladies flying in the air before falling one after another on the floor. Only priscilla was forced to retreat a few steps. Jane on the other hand fell on her feet but coughed a few mouthfuls of blood.
"You are wielding a weapon that you know not how to use. You are killing yourself child." Priscilla said as she walked towards Jane.