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It seemed as if the slap had the desired effect, not only on Shun, but on herself and Lizzy as well. At once, the rising anger and aggression between their group was suddenly dispelled. Looking uncertain and ashamed--what in Jack's name had come over them?--Xiu slipped her arms around her spider demoness friend to return the much-needed hug.

She nodded mutely at Lizzy's suggestion, her ears and her tail drooping. Yes...yes, home was a nice idea. She turned to look at Shun for a brief moment, her attention focusing on the reddening mark on his cheek before she dropped her gaze down onto the ground.

"Sorry for...that, aniki," She murmured, setting her head on Lizzy's shoulder, "I'm not sure why I--...Lizzy's right. I think we should all just...focus on the future rather than dwell on the past. If you really, really think that joining the Horsemen will work out better in the long-term, for both you and Mitsu, then I won't stop you, but...think about it carefully. Please."

She trailed off with a little shake of her head. She was tired, confused, frightened, and just wanted to get back to Amity. Looking hesitant, she turned her body slightly so that she could reach out and grasp the edge of her big brother's coat. "Let's just...do what Lizzy suggests and go back, okay?"

Chaos. It always ended with chaos, and a feeling of helplessness, and that things were just too big for Alexander, like he was just not meant to be a part of something so huge when he was just so very small and insignificant. Because surely he couldn't make a difference, could he? A surge of power, strong yet fleeting. Medea's words, always so cryptic and mysterious. An explosion that sent the zomboil throwing himself to the ground. All too big for him, all so much more then he had bargained for when he had agreed to thrust his hand into that pyre, when he had agreed to trust the head priestess, when he had gone and made himself obligated to help them.

Sometimes he had to wonder if it was even worth it. Sometimes he wondered how what he was doing was going to help.

But then he got to witness the return of the lost horsemen, a massive gathering of warriors in the various garb of their clans, all assembled, all with eyes focused on one thing and one thing only.

Hunters.

He pushed himself to his feet, his mouth agape, a surge of something akin to excitement coursing through his weakened an beat up body. Blood still stained his hands and face, dried into a tacky and congealed mess beneath his fingernails, in splatters up his arms and on his clothing. But none of that mattered now. He was staring at a most beautiful sight, one that only became even more so when the horsemen surged forward after the hunters, exacting revenge upon them. Elation welled up in him, and he realized that yes, it was worth it. For moments like this it was more then worth it.

And then he remembered where he was. That he was not just some innocent bystander to gaze on as though watching a movie. He was here, this was real, and there were others here to that likely shouldn't have ever come. He sought out those faces now. tearing his gaze away from the onslaught, finding Xiu with her friends and then the familiar flash of green and white hair of his sister, who he stumbled towards, grabbing for her and pulling her in for a tight embrace.

"I'm so sorry you had to see all of this. I promise I will explain everything. I promise." His voice was a rough and harsh whisper before he pulled away from her, nodding at both Mort and Belladonna when they approached and had their say, before they both made their way towards the now open portals, headed towards that of the lost clans lair.

"Let's go." He urged her, turning so that one pale eye was steady on hers. "You need to get back to the school. I can meet you there later." Of course, that meant that he was not going through the Amity portal with her, a revelation that he was sorry about, though it was one that could not be helped.

"But you won't be alo--" He tried to protest, but she just kept on going. He watched helplessly as the last of the students made their way through the portal, Xiu among them, then stared back at his sister again. Her determination and stubborn behavior made him wonder if some of his own personality was beginning to wear off on her or something, and and he simply shook his head at her.

She would not be going through that portal to the lair. Not as long as he was still standing, at least.

"This was not something that I wanted for myself, Sophie! You can't expect me to just let you...." His voice trailed off at the mention of calling their mother. Would she really do it? He narrowed his eye at her suspiciously, but he was tired, bone weary and beat up. Ofelia had sunk her stupid weapons claws into him a few times, but she had at least gotten what was coming to her from a horseman or two.

"Fine." He growled, clearly unhappy with the situation. She could come, and she could look, but she was most definitely not staying. She was not going to become another pawn in Medea's game. She would have no idea what she was really signing up for, even if she had seen a small portion of it tonight. Killing humans? Sophie? The healer? He just couldn't see it happening. He still had difficulty making himself go through with it, unless it was a hunter, which was completely justifiable in his mind.

He stalked after her and followed her through the portal, fairly certain that with all of the excitement surrounding the return of the fallen horsemen one little student missing the mark of the lost clans could go overlooked.

((exit through lair portal))