He growls softly.

She takes a deep breath, slowly opening the door.

(I'm going to be evil here even though you may not know why...)

They stood at the entrance of an enormous garden, the door creaking as it swung away from her. The smooth iron walls surrounding them were topped with jagged spines, silhouetted black against the open sky. Trees lined a stony path, but they were all made of metal, their branches twisted and sharp. Birds watched them from the steel limbs. When they fluttered their wings, it sounded like knives scraping against one another.


In the center of the garden, where all the paths converged, a fountain stood. Made not of marble or plaster, but of different-size gearheads, turning sluggishly with the waters flow. On the bottom cog, lying on his back as the gear slowly spun him around, was a figure.


It was Ash.

Lin frowns, but doesnt say or do anything.

A cry escapes her, she nearly falls to her knees right there, she sprints forward.

He'd been chained to the cog, wrapped in metal links, spinning round and round in an endless circle. One leg dangled over the edge; the other was folded beneath him. His shirt had been ripped to shreds, the skin a shocking contrast of pale flesh and vivid red claw marks. The flesh where the chains touched him was raw and crimson. He didn't appear to be breathing.

Kerri swiftly starts trying to break the chains.

She stops at the gears, her hands beginning to clench into fists as her eyes glow a bright green, her sword was able to be seen through the vines, it was glowing the same green. "Where is he?" She suddenly growls out, her voice was cold and full of hatred.

His body was limp, unresponsive. After a moment of silence, his lips parted, and a broken sigh escaped him. "Claire?"

She gasps, falling to her knees. Her eyes stop glowing as she stares at him. "A-Ash..."