It wasn't hard for Jasper to find where Cerana had gone. Besides the shouting, there were several people running for their lives, ducking inside storefronts and homes, and dodging bits of rubble that had come to litter the street in the chaos. As he approached a large intersection with a stone fountain in the middle, he saw Slade go flying through the air and sliding across his back on the ground. He lay still for a moment before readjusting his grip on his sword and dagger and climbing onto one knee.

Jasper ran over and lifted him to his feet by one arm. Looking in the direction the mercenary had been flung from, he saw Cerana whipping through the air while Rogue John launched arrows and the professors cast spells to try and bring her down. Ryujin launched a fireball from his mouth while Udai climbed the buildings and threw himself from balconies in several attempts to land kicks. The dark elf always managed to land lightly on his feet like a cat, rolling into his landings and avoiding counterattacks from the demon.

"She's giving us a hell of a fight," Slade said, panting. The one-eyed man looked at the young wizard and said, "Jasper... I don't know if we can take her alive..."

Jasper didn't take his eyes away from the street where everyone was fighting. He said, defeated, "Artie's dead." He walked towards the battle, and Slade, having no words, followed.

Jasper's wand was now in hand. He did not yet know what he could do, if Cerana could be spared and Ba'arith cast out, but he knew he couldn't let her kill any more of his friends. She wouldn't want that, and she would want him to stop her. But how?

Jasper strode between Isidore, Qreleus, and Dedalis. He stopped and screamed: "Cerana!"

The battle ceased, and she stopped mid-flight, flapping her wings to hover in place. Her eyes locked on him immediately, and he could see that her expression was one of agony and pain. He knew then that she was fully aware of what she was doing, but that she wasn't in control.

"Cerana!" he cried again, tears welling in his eyes. "Come down here!"

The professors and the others were surprised when the demon obeyed, drifting slowly to the ground like a leaf falling in a calm breeze. None, however, were as surprised as Jasper. He stepped out to meet her, away from the others, who all tensed and prepared to jump into action.

"Jasper..." The tears flowed as she spoke to him. "Please, help me."

"What can I do?" Jasper asked.

"Go to hell!" Ba'arith's voice choked through.

"No!" Cerana screamed, clutching her head.

"Artie's dead," Jasper said.

Cerana blubbered and cried more. "Kill me, Jasper, please!"

"I... I don't know if I can."

"I'm begging you!"

Jasper stared her in the eyes, his hand shaking as it clutched his wand.

From beside him, the energy ropes snaked through the air and wrapped around Cerana. She yelled and fell to her knees, crying. Dedalis and Qreleus came from either side, while Isidore shuffled past Jasper and stood between him and the demon while chanting her spell. While the screams changed from Cerana's voice to Ba'arith's and back again, Slade, Rogue John, Udai, and Ryujin came up next to him. The dragonborn put a massive clawed hand on his shoulder and squeezed.

"Come on, friend," Slade said. "You ought not watch."

"No, I'll watch," Jasper said, setting his jaw. "Be ready. Professor Isidore said she could draw out a minor demon. We'll have to kill him once and for all."

The others were silent, watching Dedalis and Qreleus hold the demon still while Isidore spoke the words of her spell, getting louder and louder. Cerana's voice was completely gone, the screaming all Ba'arith. Suddenly, the demon burst into flames, and Jasper could tell by Isidore's reaction that this wasn't part of the spell. The professor stepped closer, her wand almost touching Cerana's forehead.

"Something's not right," Udai said.

"No shit," Rogue John said, nocking another arrow on his shortbow.

"Look out!" Ryujin said, pulling John, Slade, Udai, and Jasper away and throwing them to the ground.

The demon's screaming reached a fever pitch, and then the flames swelled out in a massive explosion. The dragonborn threw himself in front of his friends, being the only one immune to fire. Isidore was thrown through the air, her body charred and smoking. Qreleus was sent crashing through the window of a nearby store, while Dedalis was flung down the street and collided with the stone fountain.

Cerana stood, though the smirk on her face told that Ba'arith was once again in charge. Ryujin slumped over his friends, breathing deeply. The others got to their feet.

"Are you all right?" Rogue John asked.

"I will be. Just got the breath knocked out of me," the dragonborn replied.

"Jasper, we can't keep doing this," Slade said. "She has to die."

Before he could respond, the demon took off, rocketing straight for them.

"Get down!" Jasper shouted, aiming his wand and firing a bolt of lightning at Cerana without thinking.

The bolt struck true, hitting her directly in the face and sending her flipping backwards through the air and crashing into the street.

"Go!" Jasper shouted, leading the charge.

Rogue John ran and fired arrows at the same time, while Jasper continued to launch bolt after bolt to imbue the halfling's missiles with lightning. Three of the arrows stuck before Cerana was able to dodge to the side in a large, sweeping arc with her wings. Udai leapt forward and kicked the demon in the stomach, spun, and followed up with a flurry of punches to the face. Cerana grabbed the dark elf's arm and lifted him into the air, throwing him into a nearby wagon that had already been busted in the battle.

Ryujin and Slade rushed in together, blades drawn, slashing and piercing. Cerana twisted and shuffled away from some, but other caught her on the arms and the chest. Slade was able to bury his dagger deep into her thigh before spun and slashed him across the face with a clawed hand. Ryujin tried to cut her from the side, but she moved in close and caught his arm. She whipped her head back, using her horns as knives to catch the dragonborn under the chin and rip a few scales off his face, blood splattering over her.

If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

Rogue John had abandoned his bow and was running at the demon with two knives drawn. He threw one, which she deflected with her horns. With immense strength, she lifted Ryujin by his breastplate and threw him into the halfling, sending them both to the ground.

Jasper waved his wand and a stalagmite shot up out of the ground at Cerana's feet, hit her in the face and sent her into the air. Udai used the rock formation to vault up and spin, kicking her in the face and sending her back to the ground. Slade came from the opposite side with sword raised, but Cerana was back on her feet and used the mercenary's momentum to send him careening into Udai, the two of them jumbled together and hit the door of a building.

Jasper stood alone, his wand leveled at Cerana, who stood only ten feet away. She stopped, blinking at him.

"Will you kill your friend?" Ba'arith asked, snickering.

"Don't make me," Jasper replied, steel in his voice.

"Ha! Show me what you've got."

Cerana dove for him, propelled by a flap of her wings. Before Jasper could cast, he was tackled and pinned to the ground. His wand slipped from his grasp and clattered across the street.

"Pathetic!" the demon said, raising a clawed hand and preparing to slash open his throat.

Before the attack could be made, someone grabbed the arm and twisted it behind the demon's back, pulling her away from Jasper and knocking her to her knees with a swift kick to the back of the leg. Jasper's eyes widened when he saw Master Sano jerk the demon's head back by the horns, speak words in a language he didn't understand, run his thumb down the demon's face from its forehead to the tip of its nose and then slam the edge of his open hand into the top of its head.

Following that up with another open hand strike to neck, Sano grabbed the horns with both hands and slammed the demon into the ground. There was a loud crack like thunder, and a gust of wind. Cerana lay sprawled in the street, unmoving, wings spread out, one of them draped over her like a blanket.

Jasper struggled to his feet and shuffled over to her. He could hear his friends stirring and coming to, panting and groaning at their aches and pains. Sano stepped aside and let Jasper see that Cerana was still breathing. He looked up at the monk, who was staring back at him.

"What did you do?" Jasper asked.

Sano said, "I came because I knew there would be trouble. I was sure I would have to kill the girl and all of you, but seeing you all fight so desperately to save her made me realize that I was living in fear, while you all had hope."

"But you were right. Using the mask was a mistake."

The monk clasped his arms behind his back. "Sometimes doing what's right results in bad consequences, but we cannot allow that to stop us from doing good any time we can. I had forgotten that... Besides, you achieved your goal."

"What?" Jasper was incredulous.

"Your friend here will be fine. I used the same magic that I had used on the tomb to imprison Ba'arith. She will always have this form, and she will always hear his voice in her mind, but he cannot take over her body any more."

Jasper looked at Cerana's unconscious form. "You're sure?"

"I am. I hope that this is some comfort to you, because I'm afraid you will still have many consequences to deal with."

----------------------------------------

A week later, Jasper pushed open the false fireplace beneath the Church of Rhore. It was nearly impossible to do so quietly, as the stone ground against stone. He opened it just wide enough to fit through and peek around it. Looking amongst the rows of chests for any activity, Jasper could tell that Quimby had been busy organizing the treasure. He still had a lot of work to do, but he had made a great start since Jasper had seen it before.

It didn't appear that Quimby or any of the other monks were in the room, so he stepped out. The torches were lit just like last time, and it was deathly quiet. He took a few cautious steps into the room, marveling once again at the amassed wealth.

"Quimby," Jasper whispered. No one stirred, no sound made.

"He's not here," a soft voice said, startling him.

Jasper turned to find Cerana drifting down towards him. She touched the ground and her wings folded behind her. She was dressed in a yellow dress, the back modified to accommodate her wings and tail. He studied her a moment, and was happy to see that despite the horns, tail, wings, and dark red skin color, her face was the same softness he had come to expect from her, though this time it was solemn and downtrodden.

"You've met him, then?" Jasper asked.

"No. I think he knows I'm here, though I doubt he suspects what I am," she replied. "He comes down for a few hours a day and does his organizing. Sometimes he whistles while he works, sometimes he sings."

"I'm glad you decided to stay," Jasper said. After the ordeal was over, Cerana had planned to leave the city. "I promise I'll find a better place for you soon."

"Maybe I'll just stay here. Pretty ironic... Who would have thought a demon would take up residency in a church?"

"You're not a demon, Cerana."

"Good luck convincing anyone else of that. Look at me." She held her arms out while simultaneously spreading her wings. Her severed tail snaked around her waist like a belt. "I never should have put on the mask."

"I'm so sorry," Jasper said, hanging his head.

"I don't blame you, Jasper. You were just trying to help, and I greatly appreciate that. At least I'm healthy now, even if I'm a monster."

"I'll figure something out. I'll get you a normal life, I promise."

"Jasper... maybe you should stop... stop trying to fix my problems and focus on your own life." She put a hand on his shoulder. "You still have college to think about."

Jasper looked her in the eye. "I dropped out."

"You what?"

"This whole thing was too much... Artie might still be alive if I hadn't pushed us so hard... Professor Isidore barely made it out alive, and I couldn't bear the thought of staying in that place."

Cerana recoiled her hand. "How do you think I feel, Jasper? I'm the one who killed Artie and nearly killed the professor. And you think you can just give up because you're sad? Now you're being selfish. Artie wouldn't want you to quit."

"I can always go back later. I just need some time..."

There was silence between the two of them. She stared at him, he stared at the floor. He was surprised when she let out a chuckle.

"I know why you dropped out," Cerana said.

He looked at her quizzically and she was grinning a fanged grin. "Why's that?" he asked cautiously.

"You've no one to do your homework."

Jasper let out a surprised laugh. "I didn't expect you to make a joke about it. Artie would be happy we're laughing. He always said it's the best medicine."

"You two always kept me laughing, and I think that's why I was able to hold on for so long." They chuckled together some more, but after it faded away, Cerana said, "Take the time you need, Jasper, but you need to go back to the college. You're too great a wizard not to."

Jasper shook his head, a small smile tugging at his lips. "Nah... I got rid of my hat and slippers a long time ago."

Cerana smiled and wrapped her arms around his neck in a tight hug. Jasper wrapped his arms around her and squeezed. He took a deep breath and smelled the sweetness of her hair.

"Cerana...I love you..."

Cerana let go of him, stepped back, and shook her head. "Don't, Jasper... It would never work..."

Jasper took another deep breath and nodded solemnly. "I understand." He stuffed his hands in his pockets and gave her a sad smile. "I'll see you soon."

Just as he reached the fireplace, Cerana called out to him: "Jasper, wait... If... if it could work, just know that I... I would say I love you, too."

Jasper's smile shifted to a warm one. He nodded again and pulled the fireplace shut behind him.

----------------------------------------

That evening, Jasper walked into the back room of Slade's tavern, where Slade, Rogue John, Udai, and Ryujin sat, enjoying a drink. He wasted no time joining them in their cups. It didn't take long for his spirits to lift.

"Well, how is she?" Slade asked.

"She's better than I expected, but it'll be a long time before she's all right," Jasper replied.

"That girl's been through hell," Rogue John said, "She's tougher than any of us!"

Udai said, "She'll need your continued friendship."

Jasper nodded. "Anyone got any ideas where I can set her up? She can't live in the basement of that church forever. I don't see that going well."

"I would pay to see what chaos that would cause," John said, laughing before knocking back his cup.

"Haven't you seen enough chaos the past few weeks?" Ryujin asked. "I've had my fill for a while."

"I don't know of anything, Jasper," Slade said, "but you'll be the first to hear when I do. What will you do now that you've dropped out of the wizarding college?"

"Before you answer that," the dragonborn interjected, raising a clawed finger to silence everyone, "remember Dellevant said he had work for 'capable individuals' such as ourselves."

Rogue John said, "I'm in!"

Slade shrugged and added, "Vesper seems to have the hang of things here, so I have a little more free time."

"I have my family to think about," Udai said, "though I'd be lying if I said I hadn't enjoyed our time adventuring together once more... I'll see what I can do."

The four of them looked to the young wizard for his answer, and Jasper smirked. "Least I can do is hear what the man has to say."

The room erupted into cheers and the pounding of fists on the table as another round of drinks was poured.