She would push for as long as she could, only failing when there was nothing else she could do.

Starlight winced and gasped as she was slammed down, knocking all the air from her lungs and buckling her torso armour.

It also pushed her arms down to the stone, keeping her from fighting off the slayer for a few short moments.

Still, the Gnome had fight in her eyes, and seemingly no fear.
>

around her neck, calling on her oath to cast burning hands, trying to scorch the slayer's hand. Maybe then she'd be able to plot her escape.

There was a clatter of steel and a yelp from the Gnome as she was slammed down into the stone altar.

Her halberd slipped from her grasp and fell to the floor as she attempted to put her strength into pushing the clawed hand away from her body.

One hand grasped the symbol of vengeance>

leading to her forgetting all about the other cultists, as well as the shackles on the stone.

It would be easy to lock her down, and worse still, if they dampened her magical abilities this fight would be over before it truly started.

What in the name of all the Gods was that? Orin was a monster inside and out, but this was a terrifying visage of the true slayer.

Though her confidence faded she held her ground. Death did not scare the Gnome Paladin, so if this was her end she'd meet it head on.

Her full focus was on Orin now, >

to avoid the Bhaalspawn's touch as much as she could.

"Now step back and let me leave. All of you. Nobody needs to get hurt."

Starlight was confused. Her somewhat sheltered upbringing meant she wasn't particularly aware of innuendo or suggestive language.

In her mind she was picturing Orin turning her into some sort of puppet on strings.

"I'm not something you can play with. I'm a grown woman."

She shot back, trying >

figures approaching the altar.

The Paladin was prepared to take as many of these Bhaal cultists down with her as possible, already preparing to channel a thunderous smite into the sharp blade of her Halberd.

"You never took her..."

Star, you foolish girl. The realisation dawned on her as Orin revealed Minthara's actual location.

At least she was safe. That was all that mattered to the protective Gnome.

"Then why did you trick me into coming here? Just to kill me?"

She asked, looking at the hooded>

was an angle for the devil in all this. She could leverage something, maybe even trick Star into a contract or something...

Starlight looked like a malfunctioning Steel Watcher as she stood there, trying to process what Mizora had said.

"But... Why?"

The gnome was attracted to the Cambion - as any with eyes would be - but she didn't understand why she was being chosen for this.

Or, what the catch was.

Surely there >

asked as she looked at the pale, psychotic woman.

Despite being alone, Star wasn't afraid. She stood firm, climbing onto the altar to get higher ground.

Starlight pulled her halberd up and squeezed around the shaft, holding the weapon defensively.

The laughter mocked her every breath, making her feel like a stupid little girl. Maybe she was, but in this instance she'd come out of loyalty to her missing friend.

"Where is she, Orin?"

The gnome >

slightly.

Her guard was down for a split second and only now was she starting to realise this was a trap.

Far too late...

Spotting the Drow, Starlight raced down the stone staircase to the altar, ready to cast Lay of Hands if her companion showed signs of injury.

It wasn't until she reached to feel for a pulse that the illusion became a reality to her.

Her hand passed through Minthara causing her to stumble back>

holding her halberd as she rushed towards the central chamber, looking at the massive skull sculpture, and then down at an altar.

"Minthara?! Are you down there?"

Star called, holding her weapon tighter in her gloved hand.

She couldn't see anyone as she descended the staircase.

a thing or two.

ever had in her life.

"I---well... o-okay. Please... Yes, umm, mhmm... A-all of that..."

The young Gnome Paladin nodded her head eagerly, her breathing getting a little heavier as she was pulled closer to the Tiefling.

She didn't have much experience, so was sure Marith could teach her >