This wasn’t good. Whether the woman before them was a Witch like Morgan or some other magical being, She was clearly dangerous. The miasma in the room seemed to circulate around her, and despite the calm cold of her voice there was an obvious blade of malice hidden within.

But before Lin could even move or say a word, webs suddenly shot up from the ground around her and Morgan.

“Uwa-!?”

Like coiling snakes the threads wrapped around them, binding Lin’s arms and legs before pulling her down to her knees. She opened her mouth to object, only to have it silenced by even more web.

“Don’t talk, listen,” said the Purple-Eyed Witch, gliding across the floor towards them. “I don’t know why that rodent brought you here, nor do I care. What I do care about however is that girl on your back whom you’re trying to steal away from me.”

A flick of her hand created in her palm a purple flame, that which she then hovered over Lin’s face. “I’m going to remove my web from your mouth. And when I do, I want you to choose your words very carefully.” The fire in her hand roared as it increased slightly in size, its heat pressing dangerously against Lin’s skin.

“Leave the girl behind, and in exchange I will let you go. Simple enough, no?”

The light of the fire reflected against the dark of Lin’s eyes, clashing against the fire that shone through her own glare. Even as the webbing over her mouth fell, she already knew what she was going to say long before the demand was made.

“Open!”

Once again the light around her focused brightly at her command, and in response to the golden aura the bindings ebbed away into the darkness. With no time to waste she bolted to her feet, and with Morgan still hoisted behind her she bull rushed forward both past the witch and her fire.

“Fool.” With a simple wave of her hand, the fire from the Witch’s hand gained life, and like a serpent flew at its escaping prey.

“Aaah!” Lin fell to the ground, dropping Morgan as pain ripped through her shoulder.

“Did I not make myself clear?” The tall woman towered closer. “Your life for hers,” a finger pointed at Morgan’s unconscious form.“I’ll give you one more chance to turn away and leave. Or are you actually foolish enough to believe there’s something you can actually do?”

“I’m not foolish enough to believe the impossible…” Lin gritted her teeth, staggering to her feet as a hand clutched the sizzling hole in her now torn sleeve. “But whether it’s possible or not…” The light around her pulsed rhythmically. “There’s no way that I’m leaving my friend behind!”

“A fool to the end then.” Fire pooled into her open palm, and with an explosion of power it shot forward at Lin with a thunderous roar.

There was no time to dodge, no time regret. Instinctively Lin closed her eyes and stuck out her hands in defense. But instead of pain like before, there was in its place a comforting warmth.

She opened her eyes and found the light around her had pooled over her outstretched hands. As if being purified, the dragon of purple fire’s flames turned white, twirling up around her in a cloak of magical fire.

“What-!” The calm in the Witch’s purple eyes now showed signs of panic. “Is this that rodent’s… Is this Avalon’s magic?!”

From the pillars of dancing fire whispered voices of old and lore. Picking out their words, Lin repeated their incantation aloud:

"Resound, Resound, the Bells of Fate.

Forsaken by Destiny, My Heart! My SOUL!”

The room shook as the world itself seemed to tilter. The fire once surrounding Lin now smoked from her in a mystical aura. Her clothes had, for a lack of a better word, transformed, and her attire now imitated that of the Witch’s down to the dress and gloves. In fact, the only difference in their fashion was Lin’s stark white dress, contrasting her black.

It didn’t take long for Lin to assess the situation, and with a now confident smirk a ball of white fire formed in her raised hand.

"Well, then… I think it’s time we do things my way.”