Chapter 405 - Time Crunch

"Wait for me. Don't let anyone take that exit. If he is here then chances are that he has friends hidding among your group or even in the people you saved." Ariana said as she slowly rose.

She then dropped to one knee as her vision started to sway. "Ariana!" Sheena shouted in a panic. "D-don't take the others down stairs. J-just tell them that you are getting the emergency exits started and hide them until you get a signal when they are ready." Ariana said as she panted. "What about you?" Sheena asked. "I will be fine. I need to do something first and when I finish I will be back and help you." Ariana replied.

"I know this, this sounds wrong but you can't save any more people. You have no way of knowing if they are friend or foe." Ariana continued then she pushed her body upwards. Her entire left arm was in view, her uniform sleeve was brunt off, her skin was covered in red, bloody splotches that reached up to the middle of her shoulder. "You have third degree burns...." Sheena mumbled as she finally raised her gaze. Tears were welling up, Ariana gave her a fierce glare.

"I need to go. Time is against me." Ariana said coolly then took a few shaky steps forward. "You can't leave through the front door. If anyone in the group outside is a foe they will know right away their friend has been taken down." Bruno said as he finished hog tying their prisoner. Ariana stopped moving and cursed. "I will help you get out." Sheena said as she got up. "Henry." She then called out and a small, marigold Sesiidae moth appeared.

'H-Hello.' Henry said nervously but Ariana stood there with her back facing them. "Henry, mimic yourself and make an exit for Ariana in the back." Sheena said gently. 'Yes!' Henry said sweetly causing Ariana to turn around. She caught sight of the Sesiidae moth multiplying itself and the group fluttered to the back corner of the shack. They landed delicately then started to chew.

'Done!' The group announced cheerfully. "Thank you Henry." Ariana said as she started to walk awkwardly towards the new exit. "Where are you going?" Sheena asked but Ariana didn't stop. "I'll be back, just wait for me." Ariana said then picked up her pace. Adrenaline was now fueling her. Then moment she stepped out of the shack she started to run towards the back.

"Come on! Just a little further!" Ariana encouraged herself. Her adrenaline was starting to die down, the damage done to her body was more severe then she wanted to admit and her vision was starting to blur. "Come on!" She shouted at herself and then she spotted it. The river of oblivion was closer to the slums then the town was. Ariana pushed her body and without hesitation jumped off of the ledge.

She closed her eyes as she fell head first into the dark waters. With a splash Ariana felt her body be engulfed by the cold water. She opened her eyes and watched as the light from the sun slowly start to fade as she sunk in lower and lower. Streaks of blue, pink and green lights flowed around her while miniature creatures started to surround her body with infectious giggles. 'You're hurt! You're hurt!' She heard as air filled her lungs.

'It's okay we can fix you! We can fix you!'

'But you have no magic?'

'It's okay!'

'Yes it's okay! We can help you!

'Yes! Help you!'

'But you need to sleep!'

'Deep sleep!'

Ariana's eyes rounded in fear. She quickly shook her head no as more miniature aquatic creatures joined in. Their neon lights glowed on top her body. 'No it's okay.' A small, neon orange seahorse said as he approached her face. 'Sleep, it won't take long. Sleep helps it move faster.' He said in a calming voice. Ariana started to relax and then gave a gently head nod. She closed her eyes and let a soft warmth take over her body.

....

"Ariana?"

"Ariana?"

"Ariana?"

"Sorry?" Ariana replied as she blinked her eyes a few times. "Are you feeling alright?" The Countess asked as she looked at Ariana with concern. "Mmmh, yes, I think so...." Ariana replied halfheartedly. She then looked around as saw that she was sitting by a the fireplace. Her grandmother was dressed in her ceremonial, red, black and gold military uniform. She was standing by a giant Christmas tree. "G-grandmother?" Ariana called out awkwardly and then she looked down at her own outfit.

Ariana was wearing a dress that was made of silk and tulle. It had a sweetheart neckline, bunched, tulle ruffled trim that held bundles of the fabric with tiny diamonds and butterfly brooches. "Ariana?" The Countess called out again. Ariana felt a cold chill run down her body. "What's going on again?" Ariana asked with a weak smile.

"You silly girl." The Countess said with a small laugh then walked over to Ariana and raised her hand. "You must be tired from waiting for so long." The Countess said as she placed her hand on Ariana's forehead. "No temperature... Maybe you should go to your room and have a small nap? Don't worry I will call you when everyone arrives. I'm sure they will be here soon." The Countess said and Ariana couldn't help but nod her head in agreement.

Ariana slowly rose and walked up to her room....

.....

Ariana opened her eyes and felt the warmth that had engulfed her body go into her heart. 'See we fixed you!'

'We did a great job!'

'Amazing job!'

'Come back next time to play.'

'Yes please come back to play!'

'Might not be for a while little ones. Ariana has to go start her mission.' The seahorse said as he gave the others a pitiful gaze. 'No fair!'

'Mission? What is a mission?'

'Is it fun?'

'Can we join?'

Ariana smiled as she took over the job to suspend her in the water. Ariana caught the seahorse in her hands and brought him to her lips. She kissed him and his body started to glow. Ariana let him go and swam back a little. The seahorse's body started to expand and the others stared in awe.