Zel frowned as he saw a familiar tumble of blonde hair and white robes rush past him. "Larea!" he called, holding out a hand as she rushed past him. As she stood right where their scuffle was about to be, the expression on her face said everything. She didn't want any fighting here; fighting meant loss. Zel understood that she was worried... and so scared she was literally shaking, but he... well... for some reason, he actually<span style="font-style: italic">wanted</span>to help her. As if... it was more than just an obligation now. Either way...<br/><br/>His thoughts were interrupted when another familiar mass rushed past the both of them. Now it was the brotherly Ahmaht here to save the day. Good god. Perhaps none of them had ever fought a magical opponent before? Actually, the odds were slim. If it was the world falling to chaos that was robbing his powers, perhaps it was happening to all the other mages... Except, apparently, this Cethin.<br/><br/>"Larea," Zel called calmly. "Look around. We all want to fight for you. And allowing yourself to be taken now isn't going to put us in any less danger. We'd just go after you anyway." Zel then turned his head to look at the seething Ahmaht.<br/><br/>"Ahmaht!" Zel called. "Do control yourself. The situation can still be resolved... on friendlier terms. Besides that, I get the feeling you've never fought against a magical opponent before. I do have a proposition," Zel called, more to Cethin now. Looking over the gold-clad man, Zel saw no weapon. He made his way to Sigrun and *ahem*<span style="font-style: italic">acquired</span>her halberd, after a bit of negotiation. Afterwards, he calmly approached their enemy and held out the weapon.<br/><br/>"Best me with a weapon," Zel said, a playful smirk tugging at his lips. "If you succeed,<span style="font-style: italic">I</span>will no longer resist. If on the other hand you should fail, or give in to your impatience and use your magic, you will have to endure a full month before you next approach us." Zel smiled. "I assume a man wishing to create paradise is a man of his word. Will you accept my challenge and fight honestly?"