BANG.
The room falls quiet.
Everyone knows what that sound means. The loud 'bang', like a firework, denotes the sound of a spell going wrong - although recently it's held a new meaning for the members of Set-Merut. Whenever Mallos makes an offhand attempt to magically penetrate the borders of Apeliotes Island, the noise sounds as an indication of his being repelled. Every time that bang sounds, Mallos has narrowed down his breaking and entering options. Aura has admitted that fairy forts aren't impenetrable, and it's only a matter of time until he stumbles across a way of getting in. If he does succeed, there will be no warning.
A creak, like feet on a wooden floor, is heard by everyone in the silence. All eyes turn to the only door in the room. They all seem to be holding their breath.
Something collides with the door from the outside, causing a loud crashing noise which makes several people jump and Patrick scream and leap into Joel's arms. Joel promptly drops him with a scowl and edges closer to Nimueh, who had sunk, quivering slightly, into a chair. Adonis moves slightly in front of Aura and makes eye contact with Arthur, who has already drawn the sword from his belt. The door handle rattles ominously. Penguin retreats under the table with his tail between his legs, but Itzal and Elle crouch down, ready to fling themselves at Mallos. There's another crash as whatever it is collides with the door again, and this time (probably thanks to the rattling of the doorhandle) it bursts open.
Arthur, determined to protect his mother, leaps to the forefront of the group and tightens his grip on his sword as a body flies through the air and lands at his feet. He doesn't so much as spare it a glance - already he's running for the door, weapon raised. The Mjolnier is confused by the sudden appearance of a whole group of people - while it blinks and tries to get its wits back, Arthur neatly decapitates it. The monster is dead before its head hits the ground. Arthur wipes his sword on his tunic and turns back to the group, who have all crowded around him. Several people congratulate him on his quick actions while others wonder aloud how the beast got in. Over the hubub, one extremely sour voice silences all the rest.
"Typical. I tramp across half the island to get here and you're all more interested in a dead monkey."
Poppy picks herself up and dusts her combat trousers off. She waits until every eye is on her before shrugging and spreading her arms.
"By the way," she adds with a wicked grin, "guess who's back, losers?"
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