The undead nightmare turned itself around, the confining brambles going bright with flame as it trampled through them, making the air hot and thick with ash.  The stench of rotting and burning flesh nearly overwhelming but Xavier didn't have the luxury of trying avoid it, he had to react immediately.  He dropped and rolled to avoid the saber like teeth as it turned and snapped at him.  He was on his feet almost as quick, sword up more defensive than offense but alert for any potential weakness that might show itself in the hideous beast.  He had incurred its wrath and didn't know how much longer he could evade the teeth and claws of the thing.  While he would hate to admit it, he was likely saved by a most unlikely distraction.  The thief gave a shout and a dagger very much like the one that had killed the guard plunged into one rotten eye of the walking death.  It was enough of a distraction to let Xavier live a few more heartbeats.  He had been in enough battles though to know that every heartbeat counted.<br/><br/>Xavier soon learned that sharp teeth and claws were not the creatures only weapons.  He found himself facing his own nightmares, an overwhelming sense of despair fell upon him like a dark heavy blanket.  It was as if the very evil the Order fought against was concentrated in this four legged abomination, yet the visions that seemed to flow from its foul maw had a familiarity that seemed almost a part of him.  The evil was palpable, as if he could reach out and touch, hold it, even control it. If only he would let himself give into it, it was as if it were calling him home.  He paused a moment, the tip of his sword that had been poised to strike again lowered ever so slightly.  If only he would embrace the darkness he could mount the beast like the stead it had consumed.  He could imagine himself riding such a nightmare, who could possibly stand against him?<br/><br/>Xavier had faced temptations before, and failed as often as he resisted, but this was too far.  It was one thing to bed a whore, or take a bit too much pleasure in punishing the wicked, but this was evil incarnate.  He shook his head and looked up as if erupting from the water for air, his mind cleared  and he swung with all his might, this time burying his blade deep in the upper shoulder of the creature.  He expected the fell beast to strike him down but suddenly noticed it was restrained by shadow.  He couldn't see the naked girl whose shadow did the binding as she was on the far side, but it was enough for him to release his sword and step back.  It was then that he saw Dolly and something he couldn't quite explain as a black blob challenged the nightmare even as Dolly held out a hand as if to offer it like one might an unfamiliar dog.<br/><br/><span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(84, 172, 210)">"Are you mad?"</span>He shouted at Dolly, he would realize later the redundancy of his question, thinking it almost certain that even restrained the beast needed do little more than lower its head to devour her whole.  Xavier leaped at the mad witch, his full weight driving her off her feet as they both fell back just out of reach of the gaping maw of black teeth.  He landed on top of her, his face in her cleavage, shielding her with his body as if he were her personal bodyguard.  It took just a moment to realize just how intimate a position he was in with her.  He raised his head, still staring at her bosom for a moment before saying<span class="fixed-color" style="color:rgb(84, 172, 210)">"Pardon me."  </span>He was obviously embarrassed even in the midst of so much danger but he quickly shook it off and raised himself, turning back at the creature as if prepared to defend Dolly to the death.