Kithreid smiled as the HighBreed attacked, opening his arms wide lest the opponent by some miracle miss, and waited for death.<br/>"Family? Bah!" He spoke in low tones, more to himself than anyone else, "You took them from me. Vanya, Uncle, an' I don't know how but your kind destroyed Talic's mind. My victory is protecting what's left. As long as I die with this smile, I win, scrapheap."<br/>He laughed as the mechanical monster leaped into the air for the final strike, "As long as she has my face, she will remember me. As long as she remembers me, she will pursue your utter destruction." He ripped the shirt loose from his waist and threw it to the wind, watching as the bloodied garment fluttered away, a scarlet bird.<br/>His only regret was that Celris didn't know how the last of her three brothers still lived, the broken, empty-minded 'Nephilim' of the desert, but, perhaps, it was for the best.<br/><br/>Celris waited for her brother, long after Oz had heeded the call of the Feral living in the home.<br/>The HighBreed had cautiously approached and spoke, just out of sight within the darkness. "Miss, we're waiting for a third, and my countenance is not an appreciated one at that."<br/>Celris, still stalwartly waiting at the ambush sight, whimpered as the smell of smoke reached her nose.<br/>Oz felt a shudder in the air, and turned in the direction of the city. "Celris...Coralzane...his energy has diminished. I think he's dead."<br/>Celris didn't react, she kept staring towards the buildings, waiting.<br/>Oz saw how small and desperate she looked, especially in her brother's armor, and went to her side. He grabbed her and carried the shaking Feral to the hovel.<br/>"Miss, I fear she may be ill."<br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">He's coming back. He's coming back. Please, come back.</span>Celris squirmed when the HighBreed tried to take her into the shelter of the hut, and outright shrieked when he tried to move her out of sight of the city.<br/>"Lemme down you stupid rusty bucket of bolts!" She swiped at him with her claws, and cringed when her hand connected with the metal. She was shaking now. "Kith will need to know where we are!" She gave the HighBreed a kick in the chest and rushed back outside to maintain watch.<br/>Oz had already reached his conclusion, it was much too long for the brother to have returned. The enemy's energy was gone, and there was no sign. The smoke, though alarming, was not helping Celris' brother's diagnosis.<br/>Celris kept watch, making promises; "Come back and I'll forget how you kicked me out of the family for reading Alune books and wanting to see the world. I'll forgive all those noogies. I'll forgive your teasing of Vanya. I'll forgive you! I will! I'll do whatever you want brother...just come back. You're the only one left."<br/>This low muttering was disturbing Oz greatly, and he cycled from keeping an eye on the Feral and trying to get Celris inside to wondering distantly what had transpired, and how Coralzane had been slain alone.