Lise was right. They had both heard Isiea. Ash was rushing for the trunk and the arrow beneath. His hand closed over the wood and he spun back, only to see a cable slice through his defenses and slam into his shoulder, staking him to the ground. Ash howled, swinging his sword weakly, but another cable knocked it from his grasp.

Lise sighed and bolted towards Ash. She wasn't going to let him die right in front of her.

Isiea goes over to Machina and tugs firmly (a little harder than what's probably necessary) on his arm.

Ash tried to put the broken arrow into Lise's hand

For a moment, his attention was riveted on Ash, but then his gaze snapped to Isiea, lightning flashing in the depths of his eyes.

She took the broken arrow. " Come on Ash. " She extended her other hand for him.

"We've decided." She repeats calmly. "I'd suggest you quit ignoring that, or else I might change my mind."

"Go...finish him off..." Ash couldn't move. He was still staked to the ground.

"Of course, my dear. But your prince is destined to die, one way or another. Might as well just get it over with sooner than later."

She got down next to him. " What about you? "

"Let him die later, then." She rolls her eyes. "Anyways, I'll be your queen. But Lise is going back home."

"I'll be...fine," he ground out. "Just go...he's distracted."

"Ah, but my dear, that wasn't the agreement. I said that your brother would get to go home. Not your sister."