Ika feels something about her reality fundamentally shift, as if three versions of herself all congealed into one. She expected a headache, but it just... was not there. She looked at her surroundings - indeed, it's the observation room in the dome, with The Lady still desperately trying to pull away from the Rift's suction. She looks at her sword - the black band, that *shadow*, was her confirmation that she did something right for once. She holds out a hand, letting The lady grab it, before violently yanking her into the room, crashing against the wall. With similar force, the husk of the guard is picked up and tossed *out* of the room, into the Rift, allowing it its final meal. It retracts for the final time. The Lady is bruised and battered, but instead of talking with her annoying voice, it appears to sound a lot more mature. "I... Ika, was it...? Why would you save me...?" "Because,", she replied. "It's only right if I do it myself." Ika calls out into the dome, asking for Edgie's assistance in lowering the two of them down. They oblige, allowing Ika and her enemy to hover down on an ornate glass platform, before Toby and Mako grab The Lady by her arms, dragging her into the hallway. You would think she'd be kicking and screaming, but she seems to have resigned to her fate. Edgie walks ahead with Ika, as the other three tail behind. Ika has some worries, though. "Do you think this is a bit macabre, Edge?" "The name is Edgie", they point out. "But, no. This person needs to be eliminated, sacrificed to the Knights, to clear The Plane's name." Ika thinks for a bit. "No, I mean... I was thinking of doing a public execution." "I think that would be best for everyone." After a tense elevator ride, everyone makes it down to the outside of the Casino. There's a lot of people waiting - a whole crowd has gathered just outside the steps, and the occasional spotlight from a helicopter illuminates our heroes. There's some whispers from the audience - "Is that Era?", "What's The Lady doing down here?", "Is that a *Mage* in the city?" Ika speaks up. She needs to get this right. She's about to take care of her past, casting it away forever, in favor of a better future. But she needs people to understand where she's coming from. "Good evening, everyone. My name is Ika, but you might know me as Era. I used to work for The Lady as a strategist and combat leader." A pause, to make sure everyone can hear her. "Aeons ago, I cast aside that role. I gave myself up to Aether Labs, and they stripped me of my memories. I awoke in a forest, taking on a new name and identity... that doesn't fix the horrors I've dealt to the Cyborg community, but it also doesn't change who is responsible for those horrors, either." Ika motions for Mako and Toby to show everyone The Lady. She's still hanging aloof, not saying anything. Her eyes are closed, actually. "This woman here fundamentally changed my life. Instead of giving me a proper childhood, she forced me into combat training, she forced me into a life of destruction, of murder, of betraying The Knights. You might wonder how many people I've killed - it doesn't matter. The fact that I've even taken *one* life is horrendous beyond a wild degree. I intend to fix that, starting today." Ika draws her blade. Again, she purveys the crowd - nobody has any complaints so far. "I have been given strict orders from the council of mages, On High, that the elimination of The Lady is essential to restoring the balance and our trust with The Knights. I understand if you have qualms, but truly there is no other way. After that happens, I will be working closely with the council to make sure Synth City and the surrounding desert are properly restored to a former glory." Ika draws a breath, but just before she can say another line, a familiar face emerges from the crowd - Velvet, in the flesh. "Ika. I appreciate all that you've done for me. But, can I help too? I really want this to be a group effort." Before she can say anything, Yolk also comes up the stairs, hurriedly. "I want to help too! This seems really important to you, Ika." Mako also chimes in. "I guess if we're volunteering... I'd love to be your assistant, sweetie." Edgie is monotone as ever, but still. "I have no shortage of Magic Hand casts, Ika." Toby stays silent. He's got his own thing going on. Ika bows, cordially. "I appreciate the offers, everyone. We will discuss this after I take care of what I need to. Mako, Toby, can you drop her?" The lady is dropped, and Ika approaches, sword in hand. She wants to at least be kind about the whole thing. "Do you have anything else you'd like to say, ma'am?" The Lady is silent for a bit, but eventually answers. "Ika... I know my time is up. But, I hope you find peace in your life, as I will in death." Ika chuckles a bit. "Oh, trust me, Lady, no amount of therapy will make this alright." There's only one option left. ### -> [[End]] it!!