Ezra's grip tightened on his weapon as the Kultrop inscriptions came alive once, the blade pulsed with with eerie whispers as he charged straight for Matilda with enhanced speed. His blade was plunged into Matilda's heart with breath taking speed.
Ezra's gaze hardened at 'Matilda's' body before jumping away, with the spot where he once stood now beset by explosions. He had fallen for one of Matilda's illusions and wasted no time popping a pill into his mouth. Matilda's hands danced gracefully through the air, sending cards which exploded once they got close enough. She refused to offer Ezra a moment of respite.
From the midst of the explosions Ezra darted forward once more, his weapon no longer simply giving of the eerie whispers but glowing a bright red. Its state caused Matilda's eyes to widen, but she could barely prepare any counter measures once Ezra slammed the weapon into the earth and caused an explosion which sent debris right for her.
With a quick tuck and roll, Matilda managed to jump out of the way however she lost sight of Ezra, her eyes darted from side to side in hopes of finding her opponent only to stop once she felt a sharp pain in her chest .
"Had you not employed the Distortive Aether Prism a shield array would have extended this fight. Alas this is your end heretic." Behind Matilda stood Ezra with the blade of his weapon plunged into his chest, Matilda slowly turned to face him with a look of disbelief in her eyes.
With a cold look in his eye, Ezra observed as Matilda burst into flames. Her screams of pain caused a small smile to appear on his face, this smile did not last long however as he felt his arms and legs stiffen. With the abrupt change in his expression Matilda's screams came to a halt as she stared at him with a bored look.
"It would seem this truly is over" Matilda's voice echoed from behind Ezra as the 'Matilda' before him maintained the same bored look. He tried to turn his head around but came to a frightening realization, he had lost total control of his body. His mind now a prisoner in his very own body.
"Do not attempt a pointless struggle, your resistance was impressive I must admit. This took a bit longer than I wanted, but once you laid eyes on me your defeat was all but assured. Sleep and wake no more". With the end of her words the 'Matilda' before Ezra vanished into nothing as the real Matilda walked to stand before him, the Distortive Aether Prism at hand and looking as pristine in her green dress, as she was when this all began.
Ezra wanted to move, speak, scream to do anything. He wants however went unanswered as his very mind soon disappeared as well, with the last thing he ever saw being the bored look upon Matilda's face.
.....
Ethan had finally managed to make it far enough that there were no more visible enemies rushing. This did nothing to lower his guard however as he continued to sprint with the oblation on his shoulder and the cloaked figure behind him. They turned down another corner and made for an alley when he was forced to a halt.
A figure rose from the earth to stand before Ethan, He was garbed in black from head to toe with a distinctive red gas mask on. The figure was none other than Rubedo, the cloaked figure jumped out and sent a punch towards Rubedo with no hesitation but the fist simply went through his person.
The very sight caused Ethan to still, "a battle doll?" a distorted voice emanated form Rubedo who remained still as he observed the alchemical creation. With another order from Ethan, the doll's hand shifted and transformed into a canon releasing a blast which took out a major part of the alleyway.
"Tsk, that would have attracted some attention for sure. We need to get out of here now". Ethan took a step forward and prepared to continuing running but stopped once the distorted voice made its way to his ears, "impressive craftmanship, I take it you took inspiration from the star folks weaponry. It might not be entirely similar but... still... alchemy truly has come a long way."
Rubedo held on to the doll's hand which had transformed into a canon analyzing its structure. "However whilst its offensive power is quite impressive its defense leaves much to be desired" Rubedo's hand phased through the dolls chest, in the next moment the doll simply turned to dust.
Shaking the dust off his hand, Rubedo focused his attention on Ethan. "What now?" the distorted voice was heard once more as Rubedo tilted his head to the side, "Your group invade the crown regions and left unscathed even with the ruckus you caused. We expected more, if this is all you have my trip here would have been a waste of effort" the disappointment practically rolled of Rubedo.
With gritted teeth, Ethan dropped the oblation and pulled out his lighter prepared to engage the threat before him and have revenge for the destruction of his doll . "Who are you?"
"You may call me Rubedo"