With a smile and small thanks, Vastra went back to the group of children. A familiar sea breeze tickled Layla's horn, prompting her to turn around to see the Brine King, standing before her.
"It's been centuries since I've seen her like this... How I wish it could be like the old times again..." murmured the Brine King as he had a small sad smile.
The Dragoon sighed and turned around to shout at Vastra.
"Oi! The King of your dreams is here to see you!" yelled the cheeky Layla as the Brine King quickly covered her mouth with his claw.
The Mother of Webs froze and looked before breaking into a big smile.
"Go on, you dumbo... I'm not going to stand in the way of your love life. I've got my own to find, you know?" said Layla, pushing the King towards his Queen.
Arakaali rushed back to give a big kiss to the Brine King, shocking the poor guy. But much to the Dragoon's confusion, Vastra went back and vanished into the light with the kids, leaving the Brine King alone.
"What happened? I thought I let you go with her? Does she not love you?" questioned the worried Layla.
"No... On the contrary, she had been deeply in love with me despite the fact I was trying to behead her earlier. However, she sent me back to you because without me..."
"Hm?"
"You would die."
Layla felt her heart sink and hands shake...
"What do you mean?" asked the confused Dragoon.
"Your soul and mine have been too intertwined for me to leave you just like that. So, for you to continue living, I need to stay with you. Unless you hate me..." pouted the Brine King.
"I don't hate you... But I still feel bad for separating you and your lover..."
"Vastra was my past. You are now my present..."
The Dragoon's eyes widened as she covered her mouth.
"Not like that! Anyway, it's time for us to wake up. Oh yeah, don't get scared when you wake up with small changes to yourself," warned the King of the Dead Sea, as Layla woke up.
"How many times do I have to change my appearance..." grumbled the Dragoon.
"I have no clue but I like what you've done to your hair," answered the Loplin as he ruffled the girl's hair.
Layla glanced at her once purple hair, now with streaks of aquamarine amongst the tangle of violet. She then instantly shot up and grabbed the poor bunny's shoulders in shock.
"What happened?! Where's Teemo?" yelled the girl, still confused.
"I'm... Not... Sure... Please stop shaking me, I might hurl," pleaded the Loplin.
"Teemo is still alive, but I'm not sure if he's coming towards us or if he has won the fight because both lifeforms are still active in my vision," explained the Ankou as he remained vigilant at the Mother of Webs' corpse.
"You can keep your weapon... She is gone now..." said the Dragoon, sadly.
"I am not letting down my guard until Teemo is back with us."
"Now I know I've always joked about being the ruler of hell and whatnot but I didn't expect the Ferryman to wait for me with his scythe raised," answered a familiar Felidae within the shadows.
Layla smiled as she tried to rush towards the cat, only to fall back down as she couldn't feel her legs anymore. Luckily, Matt was there to catch the girl.
"Careful now... You used up quite the strength in your legs to perform stunts against the spider. You should rest first..." instructed the Loplin as Teemo walked towards the group.
"Your opponent isn't dead," said the Ankou as he pointed his weapon at Teemo's face.
"I know. I had no intention of killing someone as beautiful as her. She just happened to be at the wrong place, at the wrong time. When everyone turned their backs on her... Everyone treated her like nothing but a pile of flesh to play doctor with."
"The Mother Of Webs saved her before things could spiral out of control..." explained the Felidae as he gently lowered the scythe to move towards the Dragoon.
"And since when do you care about others' back stories? From the years that I've known you, you've never shown any ounce of remorse or mercy to your enemies. Was she that beautiful until you've fallen that hard for her?" mocked the rabbit, as he raised his eyebrows.
"Perhaps... But I've got no clue. Something about her was different and besides, I guess I can feel a bit guilty about her situation."
"Teemo, what truly happened with the Tenguis?" asked Layla, not believing the Felidae's dismissive words.
Teemo sighed as he recounted what happened after he'd struck his opponent, leaving a huge gash on her left shoulder down to her abdomen.