• There was nowhere to go, at the edge of the water. The earth dropping down into a cliff at his feet, his back to the fitful lake, Cyrus faced them calmly. Black umbrella held in his leather gloved hand, he nodded to them and said calmly, "Behold the putrid water where we dump our waste," he said, gesturing to the water within the confines of the umbrella shadow.

    "If you give yourself up, Cyrus, we won't have to join you with that water," Kaspar said, padding forward and lowering himself for a fight.

    "Your threats are useless," Cyrus said, turning his head away to adjust his sunglasses. "You should know by now that I won't give myself up to the scientists." He paused, before asking, "You're not incredibly stupid, are you? I'd hate to think so lowly of my opponents."

    Kaspar let out a small growl, and a smirk played about Cyrus' lips. "Please, continue your threats and anger. It amuses me."

    "You won't find my claws in your neck amusing," Aidrian snarled, lunging forward. Kaspar caught him around the waist and dragged him back, hissing into his ear.

    "Do be careful," Cyrus' said, staring a little over Aidrian's head. "With all the transforming that you do, we don't want you reverting."

    There was a small silence, before Kaspar said quietly, "It's best not to discuss this here."

    "Why? It's going to happen to all of us, sooner or later. Some of you have all ready begun," Cyrus said, his eyes lingering on Kaspar. "And some of you will revert very soon." Mae shifted uncomfortably under his eerie, hidden gaze. Running her bony hands through her black hair, she averted her pale gray eyes and moved slightly behind Kaspar.

    "Leave it be," Kaspar said abruptly, and Cyrus bowed his head before smoothing his gentlemen's jacket.

    "As you wish." Another small silence, before Cyrus' guessed wryly, "I suppose you're going to apprehend me now." Kaspar nodded, and Cyrus exhaled slowly and deliberately. "Very well then. Let's get this over with."

    After a nod from Kaspar, Mae darted forward, leaping for Cyrus in a flying tackle. Ducking at the last second, he twirled away and stopped to watch her as she went careening over the cliff's edge.

    Twisting like a piece of ribbon, she spiraled upwards and just beyond the edge of the cliff. Hanging there, she smiled and spun a little higher. A breeze began to stir and kiss the faces of those watching her. "It's starting," Cyrus murmured, stepping away from Mae.

    Mae flew, rising and falling with the wind. Spinning like a leaf caught in a dust storm, she let out an exhilarated laugh and threw herself higher and higher.

    "Mae! Come back here!" Kaspar shouted after her.

    "She won't hear you," Cyrus said idly, tilting his head to watch her ascent. "She's begun her reversion process. She'll be gone within a few minutes."

    "No!" Kaspar shouted, running to the edge of the cliff and reaching desperately for her.

    Oblivious to the scene below her, Mae flew higher and higher, shrieking with laughter and spinning like a top. Her hair spun about her like a small rain cloud, brushing against her nearly translucent skin. The wind was picking up now, whipping Kaspar's short hair across his face as he called out to Mae, begging for her to come down.

    For a moment, it seemed as if she had heard him. She began to descend a little, drifting closer to Kaspar's outstretched arms and slowing her spirals. But they could see that as she slowed down, her skin was turning blue. It was baffling, until they realized she was growing clear. Kaspar cried out her name, fingertips just about to reach her when she shattered in a rush of wind, like a popped a soap bubble blowing the remaining gossamer bits of her into Kaspar's face. And she was gone.

    Shaking his head, Cyrus gave a small bow to each of them, murmured, "My condolences," and left them standing there at the edge of the cliff, staring blankly into the vast open air where Mae had just been.