Maidens of the Kaleidoscope
~Beyond the Border~ => Rumia's Party Games => Mystia's Stored Games => Topic started by: Oldmansour on October 04, 2014, 04:50:55 AM
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>You are Byakuren Hijiri, 18 years old, resident of the city of Mayoiga, caretaker (owner) of Rin Kaenbyou, resident of the Moonside apartments, and third year student of Mayoiga High. A few days ago, you were the most popular girl in school, one of the most well-known and liked girls around town. And then you touched a strange doll, and saw a world not your own. That was the day that everything changed, and you became Magical Lotus, the Hero of the Heart.
>After an eventful day at school, and more personally eventful evening in which Rin joined your cadre of heroes, you and your friend set off to investigate the other shrines of the city, to examine the sacred flames there, as well as, hopefully, making contact with the resident Gods, as you had with the Metal Tiger. The Black Tortoise shrine revealed no signs of the God himself, though there were a number of sensations you couldn't identify without transforming, which you felt you could not do at the time. You also made a number of your fans happy, and had a pleasant conversation with Sanae's mother Kanako. You also learned that your new powers can be used to help alleviate the symptoms of drunkenness from your run in with the unfortunate Elis.
>The Blue Dragon shrine, however, had a far more dramatic and otherworldly event. After witnessing a practice duel between your landlord Reimu and the head miko Tenshi, a somewhat bizarre meeting with a green haired shrine maiden involving a piece of jade, and a surprisingly nice conversation with one of Reimu's aides, you and Rin bore witness to the sacred flame turning blue, and a disembodied voice spoke to you in cryptic words, answering your questions in riddles and verse. And yet neither you nor Rin could sense whatever was speaking to you, and a conversation with Kiku came up with no conclusions on the matter.
>After a decent night's rest, you awoke to find your school cordoned off by the faculty and the police. To your dismay, you discovered a dark force within that was similar to that which you sensed from the demons and their youma. Disturbingly, you learned this dark force was your teacher Keine Kamishirasawa, or rather a dark power that had corrupted her and turned her lycanthropic form into something terrible, and dangerously feral. Alongside Rin and Lily, as well as Kaguya Houraisan, your classics teacher with a surprising array of both knowledge and magically empowered items, you entered the school and confronted the corrupted Keine. She put up a tenacious fight, but the light of your Violet Lotus expunged the darkness from her, restoring her mind and body to normal. Weirdly, your light appears to have left some residual energy within Keine's body, the extent and effect of which as yet unknown.
>You had no time to rest, however, nor investigate what caused this dark power to suffuse Keine's body, when a pair of newly arrived demons made their presence known, in force. You were obliged to do battle with the Champion of Ice, while the Fire Champion looked on. Ice was quite different than the other three demons you'd encountered. She seemed regretful for having to fight you, and you sensed within her an incredible sadness. After developing a new spell, you combined your powers with Lily and Rin and drove both demons off, but not before vowing to free Ice from Fire's domination.
>After a conversation with the school reporter Hatate on your way out of the school grounds, you met up with Kiku and learned that someone involved in this mess had access to Lunarian magic, a brand of magic very rare on this planet. As near as you can figure, this individual was Kaguya, though how she came to possess such power, you do not know.
>During this entire affair, you have also felt your ring react to the presence of Komachi Onozuka the police officer, as well as Hatate, in the same way it reacted to Chie days ago. Both of them seem to have the potential to wear one of your rings of Light.
>With the problems at school settled, you, Lily and Rin went to pay a visit to your captive demon, the Champion of Water, to have a little chat with it. You learned that she had a name, Louise, and that her people were residents of a world called Makai. This world, Louise claimed, was possessed of a kind of life, and was actively hostile towards the demons who lived on it, whom Louise referred to as 'Children', created and led by a being she called only 'Mother.' You got the impression that the demons had been fending off the assaults of Makai for ages, but that that this was changing. The reason for the incursion of the Demons into your world was the secure passage for the rest of their kind, so that they could escape Makai and survive in this world. But she maintained that coexistance between your kind and hers was impossible, not the least reason being the inevitable interference from a group she called Celestials, who you gathered were as adversarial towards the Demons as Makai itself is, though you are not entirely certain why.
>In between conversations about her world and her people, you found the time to introduce Louise to a treat unique to your world: ice cream. The demon seemed to enjoy the treat, and more, she enjoyed being able to have a meal without fearing for her life, for the first time in her life. Possibly the whole of her species' life since their arrival on Makai. And while the enormity of this idea may be a bit beyond your scope of understanding, you are more than a little pleased to have been able to bring some peace into Louise's life. Now, if you can have half as much success with the rest of her people...
>A conversation with Kiku led to the two of you linking your minds as you did with Lily once before, and the experience, while rather different with the tiger youkai, led to the discovery that Satori Komeji, the elder of the Metal Tiger shrine, appears to have been manipulating the minds and memories of the mikos at that shrine for years, ever since her arrival. How she came by this power, neither one of you knew, but at least you know that you can counteract it. And based on what you've experienced with Kiku, you may be able to combat that influence if you discover it in others more easily than was needed with Kiku and Lily.
>After that, you took Rin and headed into the park in the middle of the city to meet up with several magic using members of the community of Mayoiga to brainstorm some ideas about how to combat them, as well as exchange information. In fairness, most of the exchanging came from you, but as you seem to be the reigning expert on Makai and its people, this was not to be entirely unexpected. You found that the shrine maidens, especially the tall miko of the Bird shrine Haruka Sawashiro, were rather on your side, though you met a fair share of suspicion and derision from the arcane mage at the meeting, who turned out to be Patchouli's mother. She seemed especially reluctant to accept that the Champions were from Makai, a term which was known to her, but before you could continue the argument, the meeting was interrupted by the Champion of Air, who has a new youma to field. One which seems to be in another league compared to the last two you've fought.
>There's a shield on it. We will have to be a bit more subtle.
>That, or hit it harder. Rin answers boldly as she invokes another one of her flying wheels. As she does that, though, you sense a pair of surges of magic, and two bolts of water rocket forward from just beyond the edge of your vision. Both missiles strike the youkai in his lower torso, but neither has any more effect than Rin's attack did.
>Let's form a new spell. Similar to some of the things we did against the Champion of Water, let us create a a small mote that latches onto the target, and begins to drain power from it, both kinetic force and more mystical kinds of energy. They more they struggle or channel, the more it feeds; as is representative of the blind struggle against suffering leading only to further suffering. It will then use that energy to feed itself, and direct anything leftover toward a purpose we might have in mind at the time. For instance, drilling a hole in this barrier.
>In essence, you wish to create a sort of a mystical capacitor?
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>Let's call it that. Essentially, something drain force from a thing and then redirect it to our whims. But if it's easier to make it so it just pierces armor right now, then we'll do that instead.
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>Let's call it that. Essentially, something drain force from a thing and then redirect it to our whims. But if it's easier to make it so it just pierces armor right now, then we'll do that instead.
>A specific purpose would probably be the better of the two options at the moment, so as to insure it does what you want it to when you want it to.
Which leaves us, as it usually does, with the name of your pseudo-leech seed. Which I have to confess, I'm having a spot of trouble with, apart from the "Orange Lotus" part. Luckily for me the rest of it's up to you folks.
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>As it ultimately derives from the meaninglessness of ignorant struggle over enlightenment, and thrives upon struggle, let us call it Touch of Avidya.
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>As it ultimately derives from the meaninglessness of ignorant struggle over enlightenment, and thrives upon struggle, let us call it Touch of Avidya.
>Orange Lotus: Touch of Avidya has been added to your skill list.
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>Let us employ this on the youma, unless we feel we don't have time before it comes at us again.
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>Let us employ this on the youma, unless we feel we don't have time before it comes at us again.
>You do have time to employ the technique before it can strike again, you feel. However, at its range and the speed it demonstrated, it will be able to attack you before you can bring up another power barrier, even a small one.
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>Let's move back, and give ourselves some maneuver room, then prepare to dodge again.
>Can we ready it while doing this?
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>Can we ready it while doing this?
>You can indeed.
>Let's move back, and give ourselves some maneuver room, then prepare to dodge again.
>Eager to put a bit of distance between you and the youma, you quickly backstep again.
>The beast does not follow you, nor does it turn to face the three women attacking its sides. Instead, it sticks its head out towards you, opens its mouth wider than its anatomy should allow, and unleashes a cone-shaped stream of flame from its gaping maw.
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>Start moving the moment that mouth opens.
>"The rest of you, get out of here!"
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>Start moving the moment that mouth opens.
>"The rest of you, get out of here!"
>The youma's gout of flame's speed is about on par with your own, so you can't quite manage to get to the edge of it before it catches you, giving you a sensation of heat washing across your left ribs and thigh. But the sensation is not great nor very painful. You've had worse.
>"Not on your life!" Lillian's accented voice answers, and the reptilian youkai, her arms glowing blue, actually charges at the youma. The shrine maiden actually seems to be grinning. The other miko has a talisman in her hand and seems to be preparing another spell, while White Rose has taken to the skies, riding her flying wheel.
>I tried, Mistress, they won't listen. your kasha says, rather apologetically.
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>Not your fault.
>Does it seem like they are going to have any effect other maybe being a distraction?
>How's that spell coming?
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>Not your fault.
>Does it seem like they are going to have any effect other maybe being a distraction?
>How's that spell coming?
>It's actually hard to say. As you saw, divine magic of their sort can, in fact, affect youma, as Kiku's magic affected Air's second youma. On the other hand, neither their magic nor Rin's has had any effect on this youma so far. It's possible that one or more of them could have their own way of penetrating, or possibly even negating, the shield around this youma, but at this point you just don't know.
>You can deploy your Orange Lotus at will.
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>Let it fly if we're not being immediately threatened
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>Let it fly if we're not being immediately threatened
>Pointing your sceptre at the misshapen equine, you call out the name of your new attack, "Orange Lotus: Touch of Avidya!" This one takes a much less dramatic appearance than any of your other attacks. A single orange sphere shoots out of the tip of your sceptre like a bullet, striking the youma in its humanoid chest.
>The bullet impacts upon the youma's aura of armor and disspates harmlessly, having no more effect than the miko's magic or Rin's technique.
>The youma's mouth spreads into a savage sneer. "You're all weak." it growls at you.
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>Even though we were aiming for the youma itself, rather than the armor guarding it's basic essence?
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>Even though we were aiming for the youma itself, rather than the armor guarding it's basic essence?
>Evidently.
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>Curious; does it seem to have suffered any effect at all?
>It the shield something we could physically touch, were we so inclined?
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>Curious; does it seem to have suffered any effect at all?
>It the shield something we could physically touch, were we so inclined?
>You seem to have made the youma itself think less of your powers, but its aura appears undisturbed.
>You're not sure. It only registers on your secondsight, but that doesn't mean it doesn't have physical form. Lillian looks to be about to punch the thing, so you may be able to find that out through observation very shortly.
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>For now, let's beat her to the punch and find out ourself. But for this, we shall need something new.
>Can we turn our magic toward self enhancement, in particular speeding up perception and dexterity?
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>For now, let's beat her to the punch and find out ourself. But for this, we shall need something new.
>Can we turn our magic toward self enhancement, in particular speeding up perception and dexterity?
>Couldn't very well by Byakuren without that, could ya now?
>In a sense, you've already experienced something like that. The speed you acheived in sprinting towards the horse stable was unlike anything you'd ever acheived before, and you've demonstrated the ability to completely dodge some very fast attacks, both melee and ranged. Your endurance has been increased as well, as evidenced by the various impacts you've absorbed during the past battles. It's entirely possible that your physical strength has increased as well.
>If however you wished to employ your Light powers for a more deliberate physical enhansement, you believe that this is possible. However, with an increase in physical prowess, you would suffer a reduction in the effectiveness of your ranged capabilities. Essentially, you would be trading magical and ranged abilities for agility and brute force. At this point, you don't have the power for both.
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>We can make this switch, but rather than brute force let's opt for agility and magic. We don't need to drop a three-star punch on it, just get inside its offenses and keep it busy til we can solve this.
>Have we any idea how frequently we can mode shift?
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>We can make this switch, but rather than brute force let's opt for agility and magic. We don't need to drop a three-star punch on it, just get inside its offenses and keep it busy til we can solve this.
>Have we any idea how frequently we can mode shift?
>An enhansement to your speed will still result in a less effective magical offense, but it can still be done.
>At a guess, you can swap stats whenever you have the time for it. This act in and of itself shouldn't produce too much strain on your body or power. But it isn't a quick process, not something you can do on the fly.
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>Regardless, let's do this for now and then get closer. Occupy its attention, and try to see if we can get find out more about this shield. If it protects the whole youma...
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>Regardless, let's do this for now and then get closer. Occupy its attention, and try to see if we can get find out more about this shield. If it protects the whole youma...
>It actually doesn't protect the whole youma. As you noted earlier, the youma's defensive aura does not cover its head.
>Holding your scepter two handed before you, your body is surrounded by a gentle violet light. You feel yourself getting lighter, more sprightly and flexible than any work out you've ever had has yielded.
>While your body shuffles the orientation of its powers, Lillian the Water miko, who is at least a foot and a half shorter than the youma, leaps at the end of her charge and takes a swing with her glowing blue fist at the youma's jaw. Like the other attacks launched against the beast, this one connects. Unlike all the others, this one has a visible effect as Lillian's blow makes the things' head rock to its side, a gob of brackish liquid flying out of the corner of its mouth.
>"How's that for weak?" the croc boasts as your power finishes rearranging itself, but she barely has time to finish her sentance before the youma takes a backhanded swing at her with its left arm. Lillian brings both of her arms together in front of her, and the sound of the limbs colliding is like two trees cracking against each other, and the shrine maiden is forced backwards under the force of the blow.
>This distance allows you the opportunity to get in close to the huge creature, closing the distance between you and it exceptionally quickly. Belying its size, the brute returns its attention to you very quickly and nimbly kicks out at you with its clawed front legs.
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>Duck up it's legs and try to get to its side, between its front and rear legs, so that it will need to move in order to get us.
>Reach out and touch it, to see if we can feel that shield or not.
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>Duck up it's legs and try to get to its side, between its front and rear legs, so that it will need to move in order to get us.
>Reach out and touch it, to see if we can feel that shield or not.
>It's nimble for its size, but you're nimbler still, ducking beneath the beasts' front legs and rolling to its right side between its two front legs and two rear legs. This, however, still leaves you in range of its two middle legs, the right one of which catches you firmly in the gut with a stiff kick. The air escapes your lungs almost at once as the blow sends you skidding backwards. The youma does not follow up, however, as Lillian once again takes a swing at the thing, this time her fist impacting harmlessly against the things horse-half. This however affords you a good look at what happens when someone hits the thing. It SEEMS that Lillian struck the thing on its body proper rather than any aura of armor, but that could mean the aura is skin-tight. It would look the same, even to your enhansed eyes.
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Fucking typos, I meant around.
>Let's do this again, without trying to go between its legs, but instead going around its side.
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>Let's do this again, without trying to go between its legs, but instead going around its side.
>The youma's attention now seems fully taken by Lillian, as the crocodile struck at its face again. The youma and the miko lock hands with each other in a test of strength as old as wrestling itself. Despite her magical arms, the big youkai probably won't be able to hold up for too long against the even bigger youma. But this does give you a chance to get into position unassaulted by claw or hoof.
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>Reach out and touch it; can we feel the shield, or just it?
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>Reach out and touch it; can we feel the shield, or just it?
>You carefully stretch a probing hand towards the youma's hide, coming into contact with its bristly torso. You touch naught but flesh, or whatever passes for flesh on this youma, but you do get a sensation of a kind of warding power radiating from the area touched. You would guess from this touch that the aura your othersight shows you is a sign of some inherant property of this youma's body, if not complete being.
>You then hear the sound of a very heavy tail flying through the air, heading in your direction.
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>Duck under that tail.
>Do we feel we could use a bit of magic, and our enhanced brutality stat, to physically grab onto this protect aura and rip it away?
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>Do we feel we could use a bit of magic, and our enhanced brutality stat, to physically grab onto this protect aura and rip it away?
>Very doubtful. This invulnerability effect seems effective against physical force, magic and Light powers all. The only thing that's affected it at all is when Lillian punched it in the jaw, since the defensive effect doesn't seem to include the youma's head.
>Duck under that tail.
>Adroitly you make yourself shorter, and the brute's tail misses your head by inches. The youma then bodily hauls Lillian off the ground and pivots its torso impossibly around, hurling the reptilian youkai into you. The shrine maiden's body didn't hit near as hard as the youma's hoof, but carries a lot more mass, and the two of you are sent sprawling backwards, collapsing in a heap. The youma rears its tail back again, but the call of "White Retainer's Fire!" rings out and twisting stream of orange and white flames lashes down from the sky, striking the beast on its upper back and neck. The youma grunts and staggers slightly at the assault of your kasha.
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>Try to get back up to our feet
>"Please, let me handle this!"
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>Try to get back up to our feet
>"Please, let me handle this!"
>"Hey, you're gettin' your butt kicked, too." Lillian grumbles as the two of you disentangle from each other.
>The youma roars its defiance at Rin's assault and spins its upper torso around a hundred and eighty degrees, its whirling arms warding off White Rose's flames. As that attack dissipates, however, Makie's spell manifests, as a quartet of tendrils of water spring up from the ground. Two of them wrap themselves around the youma's thick arms while another binds its front legs, the last of the four coiling around its neck. The youma all but shrugs off the first three, scattering them into harmless droplets, but the fourth tendrill seems to give it some trouble.
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>Let's take this opportunity to hop up on it's back; close to its torso so that it cannot easily reach us with the tail, and will have a hard time turning to grab us. Latch onto it's shoulders, and see if we can sense where the edge of that barrier is.
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>Let's take this opportunity to hop up on it's back; close to its torso so that it cannot easily reach us with the tail, and will have a hard time turning to grab us. Latch onto it's shoulders, and see if we can sense where the edge of that barrier is.
>Boldly, you leap forward, landing heavily on the youma's back just as it swings one of its arms through the water binding its neck, scattering the liquid harmlessly. The sensation of clinging onto a warder youkai like this is uncomfortable, like melted tires being rubbed against your skin. The hulking beast pauses as you further scan its defensive warding, glancing over its shoulder at you. "You realize you're only making me angrier." it snarls at you.
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>"Mere anger will not serve any purpose."
>Prepare another Touch of Avidya. We'll make a literal touch of it! Play defensively in the meantime.
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>Smile, and prepare another Touch of Avidya. We'll make a literal touch of it! Play defensively in the meantime.
>Your up close and personal scan of the youma shows what your eyes had revealed before: the creatures' head and neck are not protected by the force keeping the rest of it inviolate. Seems an odd place to leave unprotected, but then again, you didn't build the thing. With this knowledge in mind, you ready your scepter in order to ready another Orange Lotus attempt.
>The trouble with your positioning on the things back is, while you do seem to be out of range of its tail, that puts you in range of its long arms. The youma reaches both of its arms over behind its head to reach you. You lean back as much as you can, but the beasts arms are too long for this alone to suffice, so you have to release your grip on its upper back to put more space between you and its arms. Unfortunately, this puts you back in range of its bulky tail, which you can hear swinging in front your left, an upward swing this time.
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>Does there seem to be a way that its arms cannot bend that we can exploit to find a blind spot?
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>Does there seem to be a way that its arms cannot bend that we can exploit to find a blind spot?
>Not from what you can see. Any place that would keep you safe from its arms puts you at risk from its tail, and vice versa.
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>Duck down, then, and force it to reach. Once it gets close, snap our free hand up and grab one of its arms by the wrist and give it solid enough tug to pull the youma's upper half off balance, then favor that side against the other hand. If the other gets close; catch it between our occupied elbow and knee, counting on the awkward positioning to deprive it of strength and leverage, and pin them til the spell is complete.
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>Duck down, then, and force it to reach. Once it gets close, snap our free hand up and grab one of its arms by the wrist and give it solid enough tug to pull the youma's upper half off balance, then favor that side against the other hand. If the other gets close; catch it between our occupied elbow and knee, counting on the awkward positioning to deprive it of strength and leverage, and pin them til the spell is complete.
>The youma's tail coming up at the angle it was, shortening your profile may have made you a smaller target, but not quite small enough. The heavy club at the end of the youma's tail strikes a glancing blow against your ribs, but even this reduced impact feels as bad as its kick did. The blow sends you reeling to the side, and despite your best efforts, the impact carries too much energy for you to maintain your grip, and you end up tumbling from the back of the youma and onto the ground.
>The brute's bony tail is still alarmingly in sight above you, but before the youma can bring it down on you, you find yourself and the beast surrounded by a dense mist. "Get outta there!" you hear Lillian shout from behind you as the Youma snarls in confusion.
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>Is the spell ready yet?
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>Is the spell ready yet?
>Your Orange Lotus? Yes, you may fire when ready.
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>Tap it on the head with our wand and cast, then leap away.
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>Tap it on the head with our wand and cast, then leap away.
>You cannot reach its head while you are prone.
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>Do it as part of the standing and leaping away, then.
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>Do it as part of the standing and leaping away, then.
>While the youma's powerful tail remains dangerously above you, it seems at least momentarily vexed by the dense cloud of fog that appeared around you. You can make out its horse head swishing back and forth, giving you a prime target to poke with your scepter. So, boldly, you pull yourself back to your feet and evoke your Orange Lotus as you thrust your scepter up at the youma's cranium. Your spells' discharge casts the mist in a brilliant tangerine glow, and the node of Light leaves itself attached to the youma's head.
>Unfortunately, this also reveals yourself to the confused youma, whose fist catches up to you as you try to get out of its range. The stiff blow strikes your stomach in nearly the same place its hoof did, and over the sound of flesh being struck you swear you can hear the sound of a bone breaking. The last two impacts had to have at least bruised a rib, but this time you're sure that at least one is broken. The punch also takes you off your feet and sends you flying out of the fog bank.
>You don't fly too far, though, as a pair of powerful arms catch you, breaking your fall a lot more comfortably than hitting the ground and rolling would do. "You okay?" Lillian asks from behind you.
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>"I'll live, for now."
>Can we feel the spell doing its thing?
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>"I'll live, for now."
>Can we feel the spell doing its thing?
>You take a couple of seconds to catch your breath as much as you can before answering the reptilian youkai. You really don't want to take any more of those shots.
>"You manage to dent that thing?" Lillian asks as the youma roars from within the mist.
>You can, but the flow is power is quite minimal at the moment. Your Orange Lotus was designed to draw more power when its victim expends more power. The youma hasn't done that yet. But at least it's working.
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>"Give it a moment."
>Do we feel we might be able to repair some of these injuries; or failing that temporarily reinforce them til we have time to be hurt?
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>Do we feel we might be able to repair some of these injuries; or failing that temporarily reinforce them til we have time to be hurt?
>Outright healing your damaged ribs feels possible, but it will take more time and energy than simply warding off the pain of the injuries. The latter would seem to be the better of the two options at the moment, at least until the youma finds someone else to pick on for a minute.
>"Give it a moment."
>The reptilian youkai has enough time to grin before, with another tremendous bellow, the youma stamps out of the dense cloud surrounding it. Angrily it looks about until its eyes fall upon you and Lillian, and the brute unleashes another burst of its flame breath at the both of you.
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>Then let's do a temporary reinforcement, so that we can function without trouble, but without making the wounds worse for it.
>BUT FIRST: Are we in a position where we can get ourself and that reptile youkai out of the way? If so, let's make it happen.
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>BUT FIRST: Are we in a position where we can get ourself and that reptile youkai out of the way? If so, let's make it happen.
I'll answer this one first, in the event you wish to delay your first command to do something else first.
>In the event the croc doesn't want to move on her own, you could use your Sapphire Lotus to move her. She's much heavier than you, you can tell, so a simple shove wouldn't be certain to do the trick.
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>Move and have faith she will do the same. If it does not seem like it, try to erect a shield in front of her.
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>Move and have faith she will do the same. If it does not seem like it, try to erect a shield in front of her.
>Disengaging from Lillian, you sprint to the right to get past the edge of the cone of flame. The miko does not in fact move, but she doesn't stand there helpless either. The big youkai brings her glowing arms together and her magic surges. The blue glow vanishes from her arms and a shimmering barrier seemingly comprised of bubbles appears a couple feet in front of her. The flame and the damp barrier collide with an evil sounding hiss and a gout of steam. Lillian's shield seems to be doing its job, but since you're not sure how strong the muscular youkai's magic is, you set up a blue shield of your own behind hers, in the event hers fails. The shrine maiden looks your way and gives you a quick nod of thanks.
>Before the steam cloud dissipates completely, the youma bellows and starts to charge you again, but doesn't get more than two steps ahead before another one of White Roses discs comes flying in from the left, striking the brute in the side of its head. The youma staggers to the side under the heavy impact of your partners' attack, and you spy another weakening of the blackness surrounding the youma's core of darkness.
>The agile can youkai lands on the ground to Lillian's left after thirty feet away, watching the youma try to get its feet under it again. "It's head." she mutters before looking back and forth from where Makie is and you. "Aim for its head! It's soft there!"
>With an enraged roar, the centauric youma turns on Rin and unleashes another of its weapons. The yellow line on its horse torso splits open, like a second mouth, and a quartet of yellow tentacles fly out of the orifice towards White Rose.
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>Do we feel that White Rose should be able to handle this?
>Does our spell seem to be working?
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>Do we feel that White Rose should be able to handle this?
>Does our spell seem to be working?
>She's lost the advantage of flight at the moment, but you know from experience that it doesn't take her long to create those discs of hers. And she may be agile enough to dodge them, though you're much less certain on that front. So long as the youma doesn't have anything else up her sleeve, White Rose should be able to handle those tentacles. Hopefully.
>Your Orange Lotus is still gathering energy, yes.
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>Let's place a barrier between the tentacles and White Rose. While we expect they can go around it, the idea is to buy time; and force more exertion.
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>Let's place a barrier between the tentacles and White Rose. While we expect they can go around it, the idea is to buy time; and force more exertion.
>With a quick flick of your scepter, you send out a simple shield to intercept the youma's tentacles, while Rin visibly braces herself like one about to start tumbling. The youma doesn't bother to try to send its quartet of tentacles around your shield, it simply sends them straight into it. The four appendages strike the shield almost as one, shattering the thing without slowing all that much. Flickers of black energy run up and down the tentacles when they contact your power shield, and you have a sense that these weapons may be the best the youma has to throw at its enemies.
>Your shield did have one positive effect, though. The tentacles all came very close together when they penetrated the shield, and remained so on the other side. This means that White Rose has, for the moment, only one attack angle to cover. The agile catwoman leaps backwards through the air, gaining a very surprising amount of altitude in the doing, as the gathered tentacles slam into the ground where she had been standing, sending debris flying at great speeds. Your kasha narrows her eyes at the tentacles and holds her arm over her head, palm up. "White Retainer's Cutting Wheel!" Another disc of power grows out of the palm of her hand, this one a mixture of grey and red, and edged with numerous cutting edges, looking for all the world like a magical buzzsaw. It even sounds like a massive buzzsaw when it starts spinning, and you're sure that if the youma can feel fear, it would be at least a little dismayed at the sight of that terrible blade and its awful noise. You certainly would.
>While Rin has been employing her new attack, the two mikos have not been idle either. Lillian slaps two talismans on both of her arms, and the magical glow returns to her limbs as the enhansement spell takes a hold. The bank of fog, meanwhile, swirls about as though it was stirred, and begins to reshape into two pillairs of damp mist.
And since, I admit, I forgot to address this part earlier:
>Then let's do a temporary reinforcement, so that we can function without trouble, but without making the wounds worse for it.
>After you enact your floating shield, you take a moment direct some healing energy into your lower torso. The pain of your damaged ribs ebbs, but your breathing is still a bit more labored than normal. It's about the best you can manage on short notice, but at least it didn't seem to draw too much power.
-
>Do we feel we could enhance ourself, to continue to be a distraction to the youma and force it to exert more effort?
-
>Do we feel we could enhance ourself, to continue to be a distraction to the youma and force it to exert more effort?
>Define 'enhance yourself'.
-
>Essentially what we did before, but moreso.
-
>Essentially what we did before, but moreso.
>You believe so. But it would blunt your magical capabilities in proportion to the emphasis you put on speed and strength.
-
>Let's do this, emphasizing dexterity and reflexes, and get in there.
>"Don't worry about attacking it, just keep it busy!"
-
>Let's do this, emphasizing dexterity and reflexes, and get in there.
>"Don't worry about attacking it, just keep it busy!"
>The youma presses the attack against White Rose as you focus on rearranging your stats again, swapping magical ability for speed and strength. The quartet of tentacles seperate as the youma pulls them out of the dirt and sends them forward again, heading towards Rin from different angles. The kasha merely stands there, defiant, increasing the speed and the noise of the buzzsaw over her head. You hear her say something that you can't quite translate before she rears back and lets her Cutting Wheel fly. Three tentacles are in the path of her flying cutter, and three tentacles are chooped up by White Rose's attack, a dark purple ichor spouting from the appendages as the kasha's attack cuts them to ribbons. The youma howls in pain, the last tentacle wavering in its path, forcing Rin to do no more than take a small step to the left to evade it. The disc presses on like an errant chainsaw, cutting through eventually all of the tencles' flesh before striking the main body of the youma. Only then does the Wheel stop, dissipating harmlessly against the brute's invulnerable torso, but not before leaving several dozen chunks of tentacular flesh between it and Rin.
>The youma, visibly shaken by the attack on its tentacles, reels the ruined appengages back into its second mouth as the two mikos resume their attack. "How's this fer busy?" Lillian quips as she punches her two fists forward, discharging fist-shaped bursts of watery aligned magic towards the youma. Diverted by the pain of its damaged tentacles, the brute makes no effort to dodge. The first fist is a bit off-target, striking the youma harmlessly below its neck, having no effect. The left fist however smacks the youma squarely in its jaw, staggering the thing. Makie's attack comes just after, the manta-winged youkai having shaped her fog bank into two long pillairs of water and fog, resembling the sacred onbashira poles, and launching them at the youma. The first pole impacts the youma in the temple, wrenching the thing's head sideways, and the youma falls to its foreknees, causing the second pole to fly over its head harmlessly. Nevertheless, your allies attacks have clearly taken their toll on the youma.
>"It's down! Blast it, Lotus!" White Rose yells as you charge the thing again with your newly enhansed speed.
-
>Does its armor seem to have taken any effect from that? And how is our spell coming along on chipping away at it?
-
>Does its armor seem to have taken any effect from that? And how is our spell coming along on chipping away at it?
>The invulnerability aspect of the thing's body seems undisturbed, both by this pummeling and by your Orange Lotus. However, the swirling darkness protecting the youma's core has thinned a bit. Not quite enough, you think, to leave it susceptible to your Violet Lotus, but definate progress. This may be one of the few cases where it's easier to knock down the second layer of defense while the first layer is still intact.
-
>Well then, let's get in there an make the thing work up a sweat! Try to fake it into thinking we're leaving openings while trying to aggress on it, so that it attacks on our terms, and we can more easily dodge around such.
-
>Well then, let's get in there an make the thing work up a sweat! Try to fake it into thinking we're leaving openings while trying to aggress on it, so that it attacks on our terms, and we can more easily dodge around such.
>Despite White Rose's urgings, you do not attack the youma, contenting yourself to merely approach and taunt it. The centauric creature, recovering from the effective attacks from your companions, takes a backhand swing at you which you skip back away from easily.
>"What are you DOING?!" Lillian yells, almost at the same time as White Rose shouts, "What're ya doin'?"
-
>To Rin: I've placed a spell on it to draw its own power when it acts and turn such against itself. You can see why I don't want to say this out loud!
>Keep up the baiting. Float like a Muhammad Ali!
-
>To Rin: I've placed a spell on it to draw its own power when it acts and turn such against itself. You can see why I don't want to say this out loud!
>I guess. But why don't ya just shoot it in the head. Bein' that close to it's the worst place you can be.
>Rin's urging is echoed by Makie, who you sense is preparing another spell. "Get away from it, Lotus, before it nails you again!"
>Keep up the baiting. Float like a Muhammad Ali!
>Heedless of your comrades advice, you narrowly duck under another wild swing from the youma. As you do, though, you start to feel as though they just might be right. Even with your enhanced speed, you're not moving as fast as you'd want, not with your damaged ribs impacting your breathing. You've already been on the receiving end of several blows from this youma, one more could prove disastrous. And you're not sure how much longer you'll be able to stay ahead of it's swings. It's already come closer than you'd like.
-
>I guess. But why don't ya just shoot it in the head.
Yes, why don't we? Why are we giving the youma yet more opportunities to inflict damage upon us (which it has done quite successfully multiple times already!) so that we can charge some means to maybe punch a hole in its shield when a large hole already exists, and has been known to us since before anyone fired a single shot during this battle? To say nothing of how many times we've been directly warned here that remaining within reach of it is significantly ominous for our continued health. Any hope of impressing the 'futility of its actions' upon it seems substantially undermined by its actions having been repeatedly quite successful so far, and with no sign that this is about to change!
>How long would it take us to switch our magical abilities back to full power?
>Does the youma seem still impaired enough to give us time to do so and then take our shot, at least if we were out of range of its limbs?
>Our Orange Lotus accumulates charge as the youma uses its energy, but does not noticeably dull the power of attacks that it makes with that energy, yes?
>Where has Air been during all this, anyway?
-
>How long would it take us to switch our magical abilities back to full power?
>Does the youma seem still impaired enough to give us time to do so and then take our shot, at least if we were out of range of its limbs?
>Our Orange Lotus accumulates charge as the youma uses its energy, but does not noticeably dull the power of attacks that it makes with that energy, yes?
>Where has Air been during all this, anyway?
>Between 20 and 30 seconds, approximately.
>Despite the pummeling it has taken, it doesn't appear to have lost any of its combat potential. You'd need either a lot of distance or a distraction in order to put your stats back to their default layout.
>Not as far as you can tell. It certainly doesn't seem to have lost any of its striking force since you stuck it with your Orange light.
>You haven't noticed it do anything. You've had your attention elsewhere, after all.
-
>Well, we may not have had much time to pay attention, but has it still been roughly nearby, observing? We would have noticed if it had flown off and was busy being magical elsewhere, yes?
>We can't easily repurpose the energy accumulated by Orange Lotus for anything else on the fly, can we?
>Just how impaired do we think our magical offense is at the moment? Would a Scarlet Lotus probably still at least distract it?
-
>Well, we may not have had much time to pay attention, but has it still been roughly nearby, observing? We would have noticed if it had flown off and was busy being magical elsewhere, yes?
>We can't easily repurpose the energy accumulated by Orange Lotus for anything else on the fly, can we?
>Just how impaired do we think our magical offense is at the moment? Would a Scarlet Lotus probably still at least distract it?
>Not necessarily. The youma has virtually dominated your attention since it first charged you.
>Not with your magical ability blunted the way it is.
>It might distract it, but it wouldn't do any signifigant damage.
-
>Would we have any openings for a good solid parting boot/fist to the head without exposing ourself unduly to reprisal, if we were to immediately withdraw out of range afterward? Or is its reach and speed too great to feel confident in this?
>Is the effectiveness of our barriers similarly impaired by our stat shift?
-
>Would we have any openings for a good solid parting boot/fist to the head without exposing ourself unduly to reprisal, if we were to immediately withdraw out of range afterward? Or is its reach and speed too great to feel confident in this?
>Is the effectiveness of our barriers similarly impaired by our stat shift?
>The youma has proven vulnerable to being temporarily stunned by strong enough blows to its head before. With your enhanced strength, a solid enough blow to its head could knock it off balance enough to enable you to get beyond its arms, legs and tail.
>Yes. You can now physically block blows better, but far less so at doing so magically.
-
>Give the youma a quick, but fierce punch to the head between the first exploitable gap in its own attacks. Put as much force into it as we reasonably can without sacrificing our agility: let's make this strength bonus count for something.
>Then quickly get the hell away from it and out of melee range. Put a comfortable amount of distance between us.
>Then let's reverse our self-enchant and get our full magical power back again
-
>Give the youma a quick, but fierce punch to the head between the first exploitable gap in its own attacks. Put as much force into it as we reasonably can without sacrificing our agility: let's make this strength bonus count for something.
>Then quickly get the hell away from it and out of melee range. Put a comfortable amount of distance between us.
>The centaur-like youma, snarling and growling in frustration at its inability to connect with you, takes another savage backhanded swing at your head. Very narrowly you duck beneath this blow, the hairs on the top of your head tousled badly by the air displaced by the massive limb. Deciding that enough is enough, you finally answer back. With your right fist wrapped in red and white light, you though a stiff uppercut at the youma's jaw, before it launches another attack at you. The graceless youma, enraged by your display of agility, takes your glowing fist squarely on its equine chin, and its head rocks back like Frazier smoked him one.
>With the youma momentarily stunned by the force of your blow, which also weakened its dark core further, you quickly turn and beat feet away from the monstrous centaur, back in White Rose's general direction. The kasha beckons you on when you hear the brute behind you bellow, and then you hear the sound of its flame breath being launched. Right away Rin's arms move to create another wheel of hers, but before her technique forms you feel a rush of water magic behind you. Makie has casted again, and based on the sound of steam hissing angrily, she has erected another watery barrier, shielding your backside from the youma's flame and enabling you to make good on your escape. White Rose tosses the miko a quick wave of thanks.
>Then let's reverse our self-enchant and get our full magical power back again
>Once you feel somewhat comfortable about the distance between you and the youma, being just behind Rin's position, you turn your focus inward again, shuffling your stats back to their normal layout. You don't get a chance to finish this though before the youma bellows again and charges forward, plowing through Makie's wall like it was made of thin paper. Your eyes show you a curious thing about its dark heart. There are cracks forming both on its dark core and the heart it is corrupting. But you don't have time to think about it with the youma bearing down on you. White Rose and Lillian dash forward to intercept the thing while you try to catch your breath and adjust your powers. White Rose dashes on all fours, like the cat she is, and proves to be quite spritely over a short distance. When she gets close to the youma, she veers off to her left, trying to distract the thing from you. Her attempt fails, and the centaur continues its bullrush towards you. Lillian, however, is more direct. Planting herself to the right of the incoming youma, she waits until the thing draws close, then swings her own powerful, glowing tail at the youma's head. The magically enhanced appendage connects with the side of the youma's head, making the brute stagger and collapse forward, digging a trench in the damp grass as it skids to a halt. The cracks in the youma's heart worsen after this attack, but it does give you just enough time to finish your stat shuffling.
-
>Are these cracks in the thing that has BEEN corrupted and not in the corruption itself? In other words, does it look like we are doing more damage to whatever lies beneath this youma's being than the darkness that grips it?
>Do we think the darkness around the core is weakened enough for Violet Lotus to affect it?
-
>Are these cracks in the thing that has BEEN corrupted and not in the corruption itself? In other words, does it look like we are doing more damage to whatever lies beneath this youma's being than the darkness that grips it?
>Do we think the darkness around the core is weakened enough for Violet Lotus to affect it?
>You can't be sure, you've never seen this in a youma's core before. But it does definitely appear that both the heart of the creature corrupted and the dark core that is doing the corrupting are taking damage. Which, you realize with a certain chill, makes a kind of sense based on what you've been told. Both Ran and Haruka have said that, apart from the power you've demonstrated, there is no way to save something or someone that's been turned. Conventional attacks, such as the term applies, would lead to only destruction, and that's all that's been hitting the youma.
>Again, you can't be certain, but you believe so. And you certainly HOPE so, since you're not sure just how much more of a pounding this thing can take before something tragic occurs.
-
>Then we better make this count. Let's give it the strongest Violet Lotus we can muster. We will not let this creature die here. We will make things right. We will save it.
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>Then we better make this count. Let's give it the strongest Violet Lotus we can muster. We will not let this creature die here. We will make things right. We will save it.
>Having now the opportunity and the power to fully unleash your power upon the wounded youma, you twirl your scepter before you and, pointing it at the stricken creature, and call out "Violet Lotus: Realizations of the Wanderings!" The shaft of violet light that emerges from your scepter is larger and more intense than the previous times you have employed it, and you can sense that this is not just because of the intent behind its present usage. Your powers have grown stronger since you added Rin to your ranks, you are sure of that. But you'll have time analyze this later. Right now there's a living creature that needs your help, and you pour every ounce of will you can draw upon into your spell. To hell with damaged ribs, they're irrelevant now.
>Damaged or not, this youma's still much better made than the ones you've fought before, and its dark core doesn't give up easily. Stubbornly the dark core within the creature resists your light even as it suffuses the lifeform around it, and beads of sweat start to trickle down your forehead into your eyes. Lillian and White Rose look on, amazed at the energy you put forth. You hear Rin breathe something in Eire as she gazes at you. You're fairly certain she said 'beautiful'.
>Uncertain still if your power will be enough to get the job done, you recall the Orange lotus drawing power from the youma is still intact. Reaching out with your mind, you tap into that reservoir of power, channeling the power leeched from the youma itself into your Violet light, and the beam grows even more wide, even more intense.
>The youma's black seed is stubborn and well made, but the veil of darkness protecting it has simply taken too much damage to keep your Violet light off the core, especially reinforced with Orange energy. Brighter and brighter the core glows, and the youma howls one more time, yet the sound is muted and altered, the whinny of a horse as much as the bellow of the creature it had become. With one final push from you, your Violet light finally scrubs the dark seed away, dissipating it into composite molecules. The youma, like those before it, yells out, "The light takes me...!" as its body is subsumed in the brilliant glow of purification. The silhouette of the demonic centaur melts and shrinks, and when your light fades, a large dull white horse with a diamond shaped patch of discolored hair on its muzzle lies on the ground, unmoving and unconscious, but still very much alive.
>And then you promptly sink down to one knee, sweating and panting, momentarily drained.
-
>Let's catch our breath and try to collect ourselves. We did it!
>But try to spare at least a little attention to get a sense of where Air is and what they might be doing. This isn't quite over yet.
-
>Let's catch our breath and try to collect ourselves. We did it!
>But try to spare at least a little attention to get a sense of where Air is and what they might be doing. This isn't quite over yet.
>Despite being winded, you spare a moment to smile. Things were pretty touchy there for a while, and it took everything you had to spare, but you saved that horse. That's worth a moment's pride.
>But you put it out of your mind quickly as you steel yourself, looking around for the Champion of Air. Beating the youma may have been only have the fight. However, neither your eyes nor your mystic senses show any sign of the Air demon's presence.
>White Rose doesn't seem to share your sense of concern, as she lets out a cheer, which Lillian is quick to mirror. "We did it!" The kasha quickly runs to your side and places her hand lightly on your left shoulder. "You okay, Mi- Lotus?"
-
Short version? Because things like that didn't work before and I'm reasonably bewildered as to why they worked now.
>"Yeah, I'll be fine."
>Let's make sure that reinforcement spell keeps up, though. No need to collapse into a wounded mess.
>"But we may not be quite done yet. Do you see the Champion of Air anywhere?"
>Let's take a more active look around. If we can't see if, perhaps we can see some sign of where it's gone.
-
>"Yeah, I'll be fine."
>Let's make sure that reinforcement spell keeps up, though. No need to collapse into a wounded mess.
>"But we may not be quite done yet. Do you see the Champion of Air anywhere?"
>Let's take a more active look around. If we can't see if, perhaps we can see some sign of where it's gone.
>No longer needing to put power into offense, you redirect your power towards your aching ribs. You think you'd like to lie down for a while to let them heal, or at least have Rin tape you up when you get home. The pain subsides once again, though your breathing is still a little labored.
>"That demon-bat flew away once we started fighting the youma." White Rose informs you as she helps you to your feet. A bit surprised, you take a longer look around. Sure enough, there is no sign of the Air Champion, either with your eyes or your mystic senses.
>"Probably didn't want to mess with ya." says Lillian as she steps towards you, grinning a toothy grin. "You, girl, have got more power than I thought. Why didn't ya blast it like that in the first place?"
-
>"I misread it. Can anyone see traces of that bat?"
-
>"My Violet Lotus isn't able to reach the youma's core unless the veil shielding it is sufficiently damage beforehand. This one was... much more durable than I have been accustomed to."
>No sign of Air at all on our magical senses? How far out can we be confident of this?
-
>"I misread it. Can anyone see traces of that bat?"
>No sign of Air at all on our magical senses? How far out can we be confident of this?
>White Rose shakes her head while Lillian scans the sky. "'It didn't seem like it wanted ta stick around." the former woman offers. And you can be reasonably confidant in your ability to sense living beings auras within some distance. You were able to sense Air as soon as it revealed itself this time, after all.
>Although by the same token, you had no sense of its approach. It's much better at concealing its presence than Fire is. Given that Air doesn't seem to have a great deal of subtelty about it, you feel reasonably secure in Rin's judgement that the thing simply flew off, but you can't completely rule out the possibility that it's simply in hiding, lurking somewhere about. For right now, though, all you hear is the sound of voices from some distance behind you, and what you believe is someone running in your direction.
>"My Violet Lotus isn't able to reach the youma's core unless the veil shielding it is sufficiently damage beforehand. This one was... much more durable than I have been accustomed to."
>The big reptile seems a bit confused. "You kinda lost me."
-
>"Simply put, my purification magic cannot reach the center of the corruption which created a youma as powerful as this one unless that youma is weakened first."
>Reach out of the Purpose: Purpose, do you have any idea where Air went?
-
>"Simply put, my purification magic cannot reach the center of the corruption which created a youma as powerful as this one unless that youma is weakened first."
>Reach out of the Purpose: Purpose, do you have any idea where Air went?
>"Ahh. Well, good to know that brawling wasn't for nothing." the bog youkai replies.
>As you send your thought out to the Purpose of the Barrier, the thus-far unnamed police woman jogs past you, dropping down to her knees at the fallen horses' head, a look of tremendous concern on her face. It was traveling in a northerly direction, but I have lost the sense of its presence. the Purpose answers.
-
>About how far away was it from here when you lost it?
>Concentrate our senses in that direction. Can we pick up anything at all?
-
>About how far away was it from here when you lost it?
>Concentrate our senses in that direction. Can we pick up anything at all?
>Not far at all. Perhaps fourty of your feet?
>A tight scan of the indicated direction reveals nothing of any interest, excepting of course the magical auras accounted for around you.
-
>And then its presence simply vanished abruptly? No sign of it perhaps doing something?
-
>And then its presence simply vanished abruptly? No sign of it perhaps doing something?
>It was not abrupt, it faded out of my awareness, much as it did the previous times it has revealed itself.
-
>Then I fear we may have let it get away again. Nonetheless, thank you.
>Sigh
>"I'm afraid that Air seems to have escaped; I can no longer detect its presence anywhere nearby."
-
>Then I fear we may have let it get away again. Nonetheless, thank you.
>Sigh
>"I'm afraid that Air seems to have escaped; I can no longer detect its presence anywhere nearby."
>I have noticed, however, that your power has increased substantially since your last confrontation with the Air Champion. the Purpose tells you.
>"We'll get 'im next time." White Rose says quickly.
>In this time, Makie the miko has walked over to your assembled little group, her eyes fixed on the normal horse on the ground. "I can't believe you did it. Some of the most powerful beings on the planet couldn't restore a youma after it had been created."
>The resonant voice of Haruka answers her, "Magical Lotus it seems is full of surprises."
-
>"I am just glad that I was able to save it. Being turned into a youma is a fate no one should have to suffer through."
>Does working on mending our injuries take too much focus to be able to carry on a light conversation during? If not, let's get ourselves a bit more comfortable and start to work on that.
-
>"I am just glad that I was able to save it. Being turned into a youma is a fate no one should have to suffer through."
>Makie the miko bows to you with profound respect.
>"Then, she really did it?" the kneeling officer asks not you, but Haruka, who is approaching behind you. "She made him normal again?"
>"Yes she did." Haruka assures her. "I sense nothing at all remaining of the demon's power. Your friend will be fine." The big youkai smiles gently. "Though I admit, it's quite possible he'll wake up with a headache."
>"Sorry 'bout that." Lillian says with a toothy grin.
>Does working on mending our injuries take too much focus to be able to carry on a light conversation during? If not, let's get ourselves a bit more comfortable and start to work on that.
>Coping with the pain of your injuries doesn't take too much of your power or attention. Actually healing them will take a bit more focus and energy.
>"Are you girls all right?" Haruka asks you and your fellow combatants.
-
>"I believe that last hit I took broke a rib, but I should be fine."
-
>"I believe that last hit I took broke a rib, but I should be fine."
>"I'm not surprised." says Lillian. "That thing was probably strong enough to put a dent in the side of a tank."
>"Yes. I was wondering about the wisdom of staying that close to the youma by choice." Haruka muses. "But that aside for the moment, we can help with that injury, if you'd like."
-
>"Please. Was anyone else hurt?"
-
>"Please. Was anyone else hurt?"
>Both White Rose and Makie shake their heads, while Lillian answers, "Naw I'm good. Hero here took all the real abuse."
>Haruka, after asking for your assent, probes your side experimentally, locating the damaged rib in short order, and with minimal discomfort you note with appreciation. "Definitely one broken. I think the rest are just bruised, fortunately." The big youkai produces an ofuda and utters a short spell, making the talisman's edge glow a soft blue. "Place that charm over the broken rib. It'll make the damage heal significantly faster." she explains, offering the paper talisman to you.
-
>Do this thing!
>"Thank you."
-
>Do this thing!
>"Thank you."
>"If I may ask." Haruka says as you place the glowing ofuda atop your damaged rib. The talisman adheres to your skin and straight away you feel a very cooling sensation spread through your midsection. It feels like water element magic, which strikes you as a bit odd since the Bird shrine represents the Fire element. "Wouldn't it have been a better idea not to stay that close to the youma for so long in the first place? I gathered from what I saw that your powers function at range as well as in melee."
-
>"In retrospect, that is almost certainly true, but I am afraid that the enhancement to my strength and agility I performed earlier in the battle left my other magical abilities impaired until I could find sufficient time to reverse it. A tactical misjudgement, I fear."
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>"In retrospect, that is almost certainly true, but I am afraid that the enhancement to my strength and agility I performed earlier in the battle left my other magical abilities impaired until I could find sufficient time to reverse it. A tactical misjudgement, I fear."
>Haruka nods, understanding. "It can happen during a battle, even to the best of us." The big youkai then squares her shoulders. "I don't want to offend you, especially not after you saved that horse, but would you mind if I made an observation?"
-
>Nod
>"Please feel free."
-
>Nod
>"Please feel free."
>"From what I observed, I would guess that while you have a tremendous amount of power, you haven't seen a great deal of combat since you found it. Nor have you had any kind of organized training with it. And if I may further guess, I would say that whatever you do in your off-days, for lack of a better term, they don't involve combative pastimes such as martial arts. Am I correct?"
-
>"This seems apparent to you?"
-
>"This seems apparent to you?"
>"Not certainly so, but apparant enough to guess. It's a skill I've had a great deal of practice with in my years."
-
>"It is... true that my experience in this area is more limited than I should wish, given the current state of affairs. But if the result of this battle has left you in doubt of our readiness to handle what worse there is to come, I assure you I do not plan to make the same mistake twice."
-
>"It is... true that my experience in this area is more limited than I should wish, given the current state of affairs. But if the result of this battle has left you in doubt of our readiness to handle what worse there is to come, I assure you I do not plan to make the same mistake twice."
>"The result of this battle, Magical Lotus, has left me with a potential opportunity to help both of us." Haruka counters.
-
>"What do you propose?"
-
>"What do you propose?"
>Haruka spreads her wings a little. "We of the Four shrines train extensively at combating supernatural threats to our world. On behalf of the Fire Bird shrine, I invite you and your comrades to train with us."
-
>Glance at Rin
>What do you think? We may have ended up the resident experts on the demons, but it is true that neither of us have trained for anything quite like this and they have.
-
>Glance at Rin
>What do you think? We may have ended up the resident experts on the demons, but it is true that neither of us have trained for anything quite like this and they have.
>I like the sound of it. your kasha informs you. This fight coulda been a lot worse without Lillian and Makie's help. But I wonder about Kiku. If she's trained like the others have, Hakura might recognize it, and that might give her secret identity away.
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>That may be true, but presumably Kiku would also have much less to gain that she has not already spent many years practicing. This may be more for the rest of us than her.
>To Haruka: "That is an interesting offer, and I have certainly appreciated your aid already today. Did you have something specific in mind?"
-
>That may be true, but presumably Kiku would also have much less to gain that she has not already spent many years practicing. This may be more for the rest of us than her.
>To Haruka: "That is an interesting offer, and I have certainly appreciated your aid already today. Did you have something specific in mind?"
>True. Unless she wants to practice her new powers.
>"Now that we know more about our enemy, I plan to adjust our training to accommodate combat against youma. And now that I know we have you, who can do more than simply destroy them, I intend to focus my Sisters more on containing and disabling a youma if they encounter one, whenever possible."
>"Speaking of containing." Chisato interrupts her big sister, hovering in the air above. "I hate to interrupt, Haruka-sama, but either of you have any idea why the Air demon would take off like that, instead of having it out with the rest of us?"
-
>"In our previous encounters, it also seemed to prefer to leave the fighting to its youma, and withdrew after they were defeated. This appears to be a favored tactic; I cannot say if this is because its direct combat abilities are significantly below those of its kin, or it simply prefers not to dirty itself directly."
-
>"In our previous encounters, it also seemed to prefer to leave the fighting to its youma, and withdrew after they were defeated. This appears to be a favored tactic; I cannot say if this is because its direct combat abilities are significantly below those of its kin, or it simply prefers not to dirty itself directly."
>"Both could be true." says Haruka. "Or neither. I divined a great deal of power from that demon, but power doesn't always equate to combat prowess."
>"It doesn't?" Lillian asks, blinking in confusion.
>"Hardly. But either way, I was a bit relieved to see it fly off. The situation would only have been made worse if it got involved. There'll be a next time, I am sure of that."
>"And that is what I mean to prepare us for." she adds, returning her attention to you and White Rose. "I teach my Sisters how to combat a wide variety of opponents. Those that are physical powerhouses, those who attack from afar, those who strike in less conventional means. I speak from experience when I say that youma can take a great range of forms, depending on the person making them. And we have potentially five demons making them. I want my people to be ready to face a youma in any form it comes in, and I believe we can help you both with that as well. In addition, if we both chose to operate independently of each other, there's every chance we would end up fighting alongside each other anyway. It would be better to have a level of coordination and camaraderie between you and your forces and ours."
-
>"Agreed. How should we go about starting to organize this?"
-
>"Agreed. How should we go about starting to organize this?"
>"I'll need to consult with my temple head before setting anything down in stone. And she, I believe, will want to consult with the other three temple heads about how to handle this invasion. That won't take place until tomorrow morning."
>"Why tomorrow?" Lillian asks her.
>"Because Satori-sama won't be available until tomorrow. And she will be at the meeting tomorrow, mark my words." she adds, a note of determination in her resonant voice.
>Hey, that sounds good for us. Rin says silently. If Satori's gonna be at one of the other shrines tomorrow for sure, I mean.
-
>Just because Haruka intends it does not mean it will necessarily happen. Nor can we be entirely sure of the time.
>"I apologize if I am prying into internal affairs, but you sound almost as though you anticipate some difficulty with this?"
-
>Just because Haruka intends it does not mean it will necessarily happen. Nor can we be entirely sure of the time.
>"I apologize if I am prying into internal affairs, but you sound almost as though you anticipate some difficulty with this?"
>Yeah, that's true. Rin concedes.
>Haruka folds her wings in. "A little. The head of the Metal Tiger shrine, Satori-sama, can be somewhat reluctant to leave her shrine save when she needs to."
>"We see a lot more of Kiku than her." Chisato adds. "That's her second in command, Kiku. I still don't know why the chiefs promoted Satori-sama ahead of her."
>"I'm sure they had their reasons for changing their plans." Haruka says quietly. "But this incident is on a level of magnitude beyond which we normally deal. Satori-sama is the head of her shrine, so she will be there."
-
>Nod
>"And then I guess we will be in touch after you decide how you plan to approach this matter."
-
>Nod
>"And then I guess we will be in touch after you decide how you plan to approach this matter."
>"As we currently lack a way to get in touch with you, that would seem to be the best option."
-
>"I'm afraid I don't actually have a contact number I can give you at the moment, or I would; I hope to change that in the very near future."
-
>"I'm afraid I don't actually have a contact number I can give you at the moment, or I would; I hope to change that in the very near future."
>"I can put you in touch with a good landlord." Chisato offers, then chuckles at her own joke.
-
>Smile
>"Thank you, but what I could use more in that regard is a good cellphone."
>One that isn't in my own name.
>"A rather unfortunate and slightly embarrassing oversight in present circumstances, but one I mean to rectify as soon as I can."
-
>Smile
>"Thank you, but what I could use more in that regard is a good cellphone."
>One that isn't in my own name.
>"A rather unfortunate and slightly embarrassing oversight in present circumstances, but one I mean to rectify as soon as I can."
>Rin laughs a silent mental laugh.
>"Well, at least you know where to find us." Haruka says.
>"Can I ask you something, Haruka-san?" White Rose asks the big youkai.
>"Of course."
>"Why didn't you and the others with you join the fight? I saw you standin' outside that door, watching."
>"Ah, that." the golden eagle says with a smile. "You may have been wondering that yourself, Magical Lotus?"
-
>
I might have, had I actually been there myself to pay attention to where everyone was....
>"In retrospect, I suppose yes. I fear I was somewhat preoccupied at the time."
-
>I might have, had I actually been there myself to pay attention to where everyone was....
>"In retrospect, I suppose yes. I fear I was somewhat preoccupied at the time."
>Next time, buy a tent with some windows.
>"Mostly, I was giving you a chance." she explains. "You claimed to be able to purify a youma, but the best any of the rest of us could do would be destroy it. I wanted to give you every chance I could do that without risking killing the youma. That's why I kept Chisato and the officers out of the fight."
>"That, and the aforementioned lack of coordination would only have made things worse had five more people got involved in the fight. It would have been chaos. I estimated that if all nine of us got involved, there was as good a chance at one of us hitting another with a stray spell or blaster bolt as there was hitting the youma. Of course I was ready to jump in if I saw the need, which I have to admit I nearly did when I saw you charge the youma instead of shooting it. But that proved to be unnecessary."
-
>"Understandable. And despite Air getting away once more, I suppose things have ended pretty well, all things considered."
>Madam Knowledge is nowhere to be seen among the onlookers, correct?
-
>"Understandable. And despite Air getting away once more, I suppose things have ended pretty well, all things considered."
>Madam Knowledge is nowhere to be seen among the onlookers, correct?
>As Haruka nods solemnly, the female police officer stands up from her crouch in front of the fallen horse. "Yes they have." she says, her voice very thick. She bows deeply to you. "Thank you... so much."
>Correct. Neither she nor the man who had been attending her nor the Blue Dragon miko Giada is anywhere to be seen. You don't see Komachi or the other officer either, but you can hear their voices coming from the stables. They appear to be attending to the other horses within.
-
>Smile
>"I'm just happy we were able to help."
-
>Smile
>"I'm just happy we were able to help."
>"But why her?" the officer asks. "Why Majesty?"
-
>"Do you mean the horse?"
-
>"Do you mean the horse?"
>She nods. "I named her myself." she says, a mote of pride in her voice.
-
>"Well, in the past, the youma I have encountered were made from objects that bore a great deal of significance to someone; there was an engagement ring that was rejected painfully, a piece of jewelry gifted from one to another and treasured... I suspect that means Majesty is quite dear to at least one person as well? However, given she's also a living thing, perhaps there is more to it than that? I didn't have as much time as I wanted to try and understand the youma, things were too hectic. I assume the two of you are close?"
-
>"Well, in the past, the youma I have encountered were made from objects that bore a great deal of significance to someone; there was an engagement ring that was rejected painfully, a piece of jewelry gifted from one to another and treasured... I suspect that means Majesty is quite dear to at least one person as well? However, given she's also a living thing, perhaps there is more to it than that? I didn't have as much time as I wanted to try and understand the youma, things were too hectic. I assume the two of you are close?"
>"She was the first horse born after I transfered into this city. I was lucky enough to be there. The stable hands knew I was a horse lover, so they gave me the honor of naming her." She looks down at the horse, smiling fondly. "Of course I care about every horse I work with, but I'd be lying if I said Majesty wasn't special to me."
-
>"I imagine that would be it."
-
>"I imagine that would be it."
>"But that's not going to change, so, does this mean this could happen again? That demon could come back and target Majesty again?"
-
>To our knowledge, can something be made into a youma twice?
-
>To our knowledge, can something be made into a youma twice?
>You do not know. You certainly hope not, though, the thought that the demons might come after Marigold in her current form gives you chills.
-
>"I can't say for sure, but...they tried once and failed. I don't think it would be efficient to try it again, rather that looking for a different and better vessel."
-
>"I can't say for sure, but...they tried once and failed. I don't think it would be efficient to try it again, rather that looking for a different and better vessel."
>The officer then looks to Haruka, but the big youkai only shakes her head. "I don't know any more myself. There's never been a case of something or someone being turned twice, but that's only because nothing survived the first time. Before Magical Lotus came along, I mean. Every youma created during the Lunarian war was either destroyed during the war or dissolved at the end. But I agree with Lotus, I don't think they'll be back. It would just be bad tactics."
-
>"I'm sure she'll be safe and sound."
-
>"For what it's worth, I suspect the targets chosen to become youma were partially of convenience, and Air holds no attachment to them that would motivate it to seek them out a second time in particular - it was not even familiar with what a horse was. So if there is any threat, it is only the same as that which Air continues to pose to any of countless beings within this city."
>Shake our head
>"Small consolation, I am sure."
>Do we think we could shape our magic into a kind of 'homing beacon', which we could plant on a target to allow us to track their location beyond the reach our senses would have otherwise?
-
>Do we think we could shape our magic into a kind of 'homing beacon', which we could plant on a target to allow us to track their location beyond the reach our senses would have otherwise?
>Possible. But you're not sure the beacon would remain once you return to your human guise.
>"I'm sure she'll be safe and sound."
>"For what it's worth, I suspect the targets chosen to become youma were partially of convenience, and Air holds no attachment to them that would motivate it to seek them out a second time in particular - it was not even familiar with what a horse was. So if there is any threat, it is only the same as that which Air continues to pose to any of countless beings within this city."
>Shake our head
>"Small consolation, I am sure."
>"It'll do for now." the woman replies. "At least now we know more about how these things operate."
-
>We'll have to practice that one later
>Nod
>"And it should be clear enough why putting a stop to these actions is a matter of some urgency - no one should have to suffer through that."
>Approach the stable; let's see if the youma appears to have caused any more damage before it came out to fight us.
-
>We'll have to practice that one later
>Nod
>"And it should be clear enough why putting a stop to these actions is a matter of some urgency - no one should have to suffer through that."
>Approach the stable; let's see if the youma appears to have caused any more damage before it came out to fight us.
>You make a mental note.
>"Agreed. Though I fear the next time may be worse than this." Haruka cautions. "If that demon had the power to turn an animal into a youma, it can do it to a person, too."
>With that ominous note ringing in your ear, you and White Rose make your way towards the open end of the stable. It's a spacious building on the inside, well-lit and simple, lined off with stalls. There are three other horses in their stalls that you can see, two chestnut colored and one a dull grey. The french officer is standing in front of the grey stallion talking to the animal in a calming voice, while Komachi is standing farther back towards the other end of the stable. She seems to be talking to another horse, but you can see none in the stall she's standing in front of. You can, however, sense the vague aura of her sorcery at work.
>The youma left some deep hoofprints in the floor of the stable, and one of the stall doors on the left hand side of the building seems to have been forced open, but apart from that, the building seems undamaged. It is broad enough inside to permit the passage of even a bruiser like that youma without scraping the walls, like Keine did earlier in the day.
-
>To either of those present here: "Were there any other injuries?"
-
>To either of those present here: "Were there any other injuries?"
>The male is closer, and he turns his head towards you. "Non, madame. All our big friends here were pretty shook up, but not hurt." The big grey horse tosses his head, almost an equine head shake.
-
>"That is good to hear."
>"I suppose when you two are finished up here, perhaps we ought to resume where we left off?"
-
>"That is good to hear."
>"I suppose when you two are finished up here, perhaps we ought to resume where we left off?"
>"That may take some time." the bearded man replies, jabbing his thumb in Komachi's direction. "She gets caught up when she's having a talk."
-
>Give her a few moments, and then if she still seems to be chatting about nothing of obvious urgency, walk near and gently interrupt: "Excuse me?"
-
>Give her a few moments, and then if she still seems to be chatting about nothing of obvious urgency, walk near and gently interrupt: "Excuse me?"
>She seems, after several moments, to be talking about horses with, weirdly, someone you can neither see nor here. A closer look, as you approach the stall she's standing in front of, reveals it to be empty.
>Komachi glances your way as you and Rin approach. "Oh hey there, Lotus. Good going out there."
-
>"Thank you. I'm just glad we managed to keep the damage done to a minimum."
>"Do you think perhaps we ought to try and pick things up where we left off? Or at least tie up a few outstanding loose ends - we were rather suddenly interrupted."
-
>"Thank you. I'm just glad we managed to keep the damage done to a minimum."
>"Do you think perhaps we ought to try and pick things up where we left off? Or at least tie up a few outstanding loose ends - we were rather suddenly interrupted."
>The officer takes a glance towards the empty stall and asks, "You mind?" Only silence answers her, but she then nods. "Okay, but I'll be back." The sergeant turns her attention back to you. "Yeah, that was one of the more dramatic interruptions I've had in a lot of years."
-
>"Quite. Hopefully it make some of my evasiveness a bit more clear in its necessity."
-
>"Quite. Hopefully it make some of my evasiveness a bit more clear in its necessity."
>"You mean like why you're using a code name?" she asks.
-
>"Given our... line of work, it is a precautionary measure to keep those around us from being drawn into the line of fire. I hope you can understand."
-
>"Given our... line of work, it is a precautionary measure to keep those around us from being drawn into the line of fire. I hope you can understand."
>"Better than you might think." Komachi replies. "I had to do some undercover work myself once, back in Muenzuka a while back. Back before the war, even."
-
>"Mmm. That sounds like it would be nerve-wracking work."
-
>"Mmm. That sounds like it would be nerve-wracking work."
>"Depends on what you have to do when you're undercover." She smiles that lazy smile she does very often. "I don't know that it was any worse than having a secret war with otherworldly invaders, but it wasn't the easiest job in the world."
>"If it was undercover, are ya allowed to talk about it?" White Rose inquires.
>"Oh yeah, this was that long ago, most of the folks involved are dead by now. Not that this stops them reminiscing about it themselves, mind you." she says with a quiet chuckle.
-
>"Rare that a person could say that and mean it."
-
>"Rare that a person could say that and mean it."
>She nods. "Rare for me, too. I don't get the chance too often, not when I'm talking to someone with a pulse. Most of them don't really like to be reminded of what I can do."
-
>"It is true that the aura of your magic is... somewhat disquieting, but I have been told on good authority that you wield it nobly."
-
>"It is true that the aura of your magic is... somewhat disquieting, but I have been told on good authority that you wield it nobly."
>"Found someone willing to talk about me like that, hm?" Komachi looks over your shoulder towards the stable exit. "Let me guess, was it Haruka?"
-
>"Is it so unique a sentiment?"
-
>"Is it so unique a sentiment?"
>"For me it is. I actually got run out of a little village in Eagleland years ago after my little talent came to light. With pitchforks and everything."
>"Y'see, if you're a priest, or a miko, or something 'good' like that, people think you do favors for the dead. Help them move on, settle old business, things like that. But if you're a necromancer, you brew poisons and violate graves and raise the dead to hurt the living." Despite her words, she sounds neither embittered nor upset. Merely casual.
-
>"That is the stereotype. I'm not sure I've ever met any others in person, but I would be loathe to judge someone by a stereotype rather than their own actions. Nearly all magic can be used for either good or ill."
-
>"That is the stereotype. I'm not sure I've ever met any others in person, but I would be loathe to judge someone by a stereotype rather than their own actions. Nearly all magic can be used for either good or ill."
>"Now that's something I have heard a lot of folks say before." the necromantic officer says with a nod. "Sad part is, though, not a whole lot of them mean it." With a smile she adds, "You, though, I believe. You got honest eyes."
-
>Smile
>"Thank you."
>"Well, shall we get the others together and finish up what we came here to do?"
>Barring objections or difficulties, do so
-
>Smile
>"Thank you."
>"Well, shall we get the others together and finish up what we came here to do?"
>Barring objections or difficulties, do so
>"Sure. I'll come back." she says to whatever she was talking to before, then makes for the closest stable exit. "Come on, Luc, let's let Naomi handle Majesty and the others."
>"Yessir." the bearded man says quickly, heading out the other way. You follow his path, since that way leads back towards the mikos and the remaining officer. On Haruka's orders, the shrine maidens join you on the way back into the police station, apart from Lillian. The muscular youkai stays behind to help the female officer move the unconscious horse Majesty back indoors. As before, you and White Rose take the outside route, taking a moment to unwind in the cool refreshing winter air. You note that you're breathing more easily already. Haruka's magic is plainly working.
>With the others taking their time trooping through the interior of the building, you and your Rin reach the meeting room first. Giada the shrine maiden is still present, sitting serenely in the same seat she was sitting in when this incident broke out. Neither Madame Knowledge nor the unnamed man standing next to her are present.
-
>Can we still sense Madame Knowledge anywhere nearby?
>If not: "What became of our resident magician, I wonder?"
-
>Can we still sense Madame Knowledge anywhere nearby?
>If not: "What became of our resident magician, I wonder?"
>Negative.
>"She was afraid." Giada answers quietly. "She fled."
-
>"Are you... certain of this?"
-
>"Are you... certain of this?"
>The yellow eyed mikos nods slowly.
>"So much for her being a major mage." Rin grouses. "She even look at that youma?"
>"It was not the youma she fled." Giada replies, her vaguely sibilant voice echoing around the room. "It was Makai."
-
>"Go on..."
-
>"Go on..."
>"For some, Makai is not just a legend. It is a place of dread, of mortal terror. Or perhaps, more than simply a place."
>Oookay, I don't remember her talking like that before. Rin remarks silently.
-
>"Do you know what convinced her here that Makai was involved, when earlier she had been so insistent this was impossible?"
-
>"Do you know what convinced her here that Makai was involved, when earlier she had been so insistent this was impossible?"
>The youkai smiles vaguely. "Perhaps you should ask, why was she so insistant on that?"
-
>"There are any number of reasons, including the ones she stated openly. I would not presume to know for certain the mind of someone I had just met."
-
>"Do you happen to know where she fled to? There's some rather important questions I need to ask."
>"Related to that, if anything unusual is found on the scene, do not touch it. Leave it alone and make sure I get word of it first. Just in case."
-
>"There are any number of reasons, including the ones she stated openly. I would not presume to know for certain the mind of someone I had just met."
>"Very wise. Though there are those that are more transparent than others."
>"Do you happen to know where she fled to? There's some rather important questions I need to ask."
>"Related to that, if anything unusual is found on the scene, do not touch it. Leave it alone and make sure I get word of it first. Just in case."
>"Not for certain." she admits with a slight shake of her head. "But I've found that those in the grips of fear often flee to where they feel the most comfortable. Most often, their homes. But I don't need to tell you that, do I? They were your words."
-
>Our words? Do we know what she is talking about?
-
>Our words? Do we know what she is talking about?
>Not in the least.
-
>"I don't suppose any of you have her number?"
-
>"What do you mean, 'my words'?"
-
>"I don't suppose any of you have her number?"
>Both White Rose and Giada shake their heads.
>"What do you mean, 'my words'?"
>"Wasn't it you who...." The yellow-eyed miko's voice dies as she looks a bit harder at you, then her face falls and she covers her eyes with her hand. "I'm sorry, I... I was doing it again." A sadness centuries old colors her words, clashing with the bright animated voices of Komachi and Chisato approaching from the hall way beyond. "You look so like her. You even sound like her."
-
>"No need to apologize. If anything, I feel bad for continuing to remind you of sad memories."
-
>"No need to apologize. If anything, I feel bad for continuing to remind you of sad memories."
>A melancholy chuckle leaves the shrine maiden, and she smiles. "Your compassion is a balm to an old soul." she says, grateful, and slowly stands. "I saw the fear in Madame Knowledge's eyes. It is a fear I've seen before in others. She didn't want to admit that it could be Makai that was the source of these creatures, that's why she was so adamant in her argument. But as to why, I can only guess." She has time enough to finish her sentence before the others enter into the room.
-
>To the new arrivals: "We seem to be short one magician."
-
>To the new arrivals: "We seem to be short one magician."
>"Hey, she's right!" Chisato's voice chips, though not as loudly as she sounded before. The reason for this seems to be that she has changed her form. A little swallow with grey-black wings sits upon Haruka's right shoulder. "Where'd she disappear to?"
-
>"Giada says that she left."
>To Giada again: "Did she say anything as she was leaving?"
-
>"Giada says that she left."
>To Giada again: "Did she say anything as she was leaving?"
>The Dragon Miko sits as she replies, "She commanded her attendant to follow her, but after that she muttered and whispered to herself. It was in a language I do not readily speak, but I believe at least part of her musings related to her husband."
>"So you didn't try to stop her?" Chisato demands.
>"I do not believe I could have."
-
>"Well, unexpected though this may be, I don't see that it need get in the way of concluding the business we all came here to do today."
-
>"Well, unexpected though this may be, I don't see that it need get in the way of concluding the business we all came here to do today."
>"Agreed." Haruka says as she reclaims her seat. "We can proceed without her."
-
>"Then let us do so."
>Take our seat
-
>"Then let us do so."
>Take our seat
>The big eagle waits until you are seated before she speaks again. "Before the Air Champion arrived, you said that you believed that it and the others like it are from Makai. Are you certain of this?"
-
>"Unless the champions themselves are categorically lying, but I feel very strongly that this is not the case."
-
>"Unless the champions themselves are categorically lying, but I feel very strongly that this is not the case."
>Haruka leans forward, lacing her fingers together. "Makai." she breathes.
>"Why is it about that name?" Makie asks her. "I've never run across it before."
>"No, I wouldn't really expect you to. It's a dark rumor, even at the best of times. I think I'm one of the few Four Prime mikos who would recognize it automatically, and that's only because I've lived too long. Tell me Lotus, did they tell you anything about Makai itself?"
-
>"Some. It is a hostile land filled with voracious and dangerous creatures who prey upon the champions' kind. I believe Water said that even the geology of that place is dangerously unstable and hostile to life. She actually even claimed that the planet itself had a will, and was trying to kill them. I am not sure how literally true this is, but I am inclined to believe her at least in the figurative sense. I have... encountered one of these creatures of Makai myself, and its essence was that of almost.... instinctual and mindless malevolence. Very different from the champions' kind."
-
>"Some. It is a hostile land filled with voracious and dangerous creatures who prey upon the champions' kind. I believe Water said that even the geology of that place is dangerously unstable and hostile to life. She actually even claimed that the planet itself had a will, and was trying to kill them. I am not sure how literally true this is, but I am inclined to believe her at least in the figurative sense. I have... encountered one of these creatures of Makai myself, and its essence was that of almost.... instinctual and mindless malevolence. Very different from the champions' kind."
>Haruka closes her eyes. "A living sea of black rock that devours the living and life." Her words seem to decrease the temperature in the room by a couple degrees.
>"How....?" White Rose asks.
>"A Dementia master I knew once, during the Dark Ages. He told me he had seen Makai in his darkest nightmares. He said he didn't remember much. I don't think he really wanted to, and for a dementia caster, that's saying a lot."
>"DARK Ages?" Chisato blurts from Haruka's shoulder.
>The big bird merely smiles a slightly tired smile. "Like I said. Too long. But Lotus, how could you have encountered a creature of Makai? Did the Champions bring it with them?"
-
>"Inadvertently, we think. One hidden nearby may have been caught in Water's wake when she entered our world and was pulled along by it. Do not worry - it has been dealt with. Water seemed greatly alarmed when she learned of its existence, and I am quite confident that keeping our realm free of them is as great or greater a priority for them as it would be for us; I don't believe we currently have anything to fear in that regard."
-
>"Inadvertently, we think. One hidden nearby may have been caught in Water's wake when she entered our world and was pulled along by it. Do not worry - it has been dealt with. Water seemed greatly alarmed when she learned of its existence, and I am quite confident that keeping our realm free of them is as great or greater a priority for them as it would be for us; I don't believe we currently have anything to fear in that regard."
>"So you don't believe this happened with the other three Champions when they arrived?"
-
>Frown slightly
>"I... suppose I can't say that for sure. But Water seemed to think it was a freak accident, and I'm hoping that is the case. I have detected nothing of the sort elsewhere, at least."
-
>Frown slightly
>"I... suppose I can't say that for sure. But Water seemed to think it was a freak accident, and I'm hoping that is the case. I have detected nothing of the sort elsewhere, at least."
>"And the one you encountered, did it leave any remnants behind?"
-
>"Yes, but not in any form that I believe is harmful. A colleague of ours transmuted it into a base metal, which as far as I can tell is completely inert and lifeless. The creature was... well, Water called it a Devouring Tar - and it was essentially a puddle of incredibly foul-smelling liquid with some kind of malevolent, barely sentient consciousness. Its 'mind', if one can even call it that, felt truly... alien. The Champions' kind may be of a different people than us, but they are still people, as far as I am concerned. This... was something altogether different."
-
>"Yes, but not in any form that I believe is harmful. A colleague of ours transmuted it into a base metal, which as far as I can tell is completely inert and lifeless. The creature was... well, Water called it a Devouring Tar - and it was essentially a puddle of incredibly foul-smelling liquid with some kind of malevolent, barely sentient consciousness. Its 'mind', if one can even call it that, felt truly... alien. The Champions' kind may be of a different people than us, but they are still people, as far as I am concerned. This... was something altogether different."
>"Hmm..." the eagle hums thoughtfully, leaning back in her seat.
>"Think we should investigate, Onee-sama?" Chisato asks her.
>"My instincts tell me no this time. Transmutation magic can be a bit tricky sometimes. It doesn't always take much to unbalance it, and from what Lotus says, the last thing we want is this stuff on top of everything else. Even my own magic can disrupt a transformation spell that I don't know how to account for. But I have to ask, Lotus, just how confidant are you in this colleague of yours? Are you sure they did the job?"
-
>"I do trust her, and I was unable to detect any sign of the Tar's malevolent presence which had been so obvious before she dealt with it. But at the same time, I can see the wisdom of reexamining it to be certain - at the time I was preoccupied with other more immediate concerns. I will make a point to scour the area once more in the near future for any potential signs of danger."
-
>"I do trust her, and I was unable to detect any sign of the Tar's malevolent presence which had been so obvious before she dealt with it. But at the same time, I can see the wisdom of reexamining it to be certain - at the time I was preoccupied with other more immediate concerns. I will make a point to scour the area once more in the near future for any potential signs of danger."
>"If you're confidant you can analyze it without reverting it back to its original form, then I will leave it in your hands. But, if you will, where exactly did you encounter this thing? I'd like to have some scans of the area taken from the Fire shrine, just to make sure there's nothing else out of place in the area?"
>"You think long-range is the better choice?" the officer named Luc asks her.
>Komachi answers for the shrine maiden, "The mikos have some pretty special gear at their temples. They can work some pretty effective magic from miles away."
-
>While the others are busy talking, send out quickly to Kiku: Kiku, I apologize for the lack of preamble, but in your report to Satori, did you specifically mention the CRA? And if so, might it be known to mikos of the other shrines that something recently occurred there?
-
>While the others are busy talking, send out quickly to Kiku: Kiku, I apologize for the lack of preamble, but in your report to Satori, did you specifically mention the CRA? And if so, might it be known to mikos of the other shrines that something recently occurred there?
>Somewhat shortly, Kiku replies with a simple, slightly strained, Yes.
-
>"Please forgive me, but I fear that sharing that would violate the privacy of another whose assistance I had promised to keep in confidence - as I mentioned earlier. While I would greatly appreciate your assistance, I'm afraid I'm not at liberty to say without her consent."
>"For what it's worth, I do swear that I do not believe there is any immediate threat, and I promise I will give it a thorough reexamination to be certain of this - as well as speak with this person about getting their permission to share these details. After all, the more information that can be freely exchanged be exchanged, the more effective our cooperation on this matter."
>Shake our head
>"I am sorry. I really do wish I could say; I hope you can understand."
-
>"Please forgive me, but I fear that sharing that would violate the privacy of another whose assistance I had promised to keep in confidence - as I mentioned earlier. While I would greatly appreciate your assistance, I'm afraid I'm not at liberty to say without her consent."
>"For what it's worth, I do swear that I do not believe there is any immediate threat, and I promise I will give it a thorough reexamination to be certain of this - as well as speak with this person about getting their permission to share these details. After all, the more information that can be freely exchanged be exchanged, the more effective our cooperation on this matter."
>Shake our head
>"I am sorry. I really do wish I could say; I hope you can understand."
>"Saying the location would break a promise?" Chisato asks, sounding highly dubious.
>"That's hardly strange." her big Sister rebuts. "Suppose this happened in someone's home?"
>"Okay, you have a point."
>"It simply means we'll have to be more general in our efforts. And if you think optimistically, it means there's at least one more person out there capable of handling this threat, if not the demons than at least the creatures they brought with them."
>"Sure makes our job easier." Komachi agrees with a lazy smile.
-
>"In a couple day's time, when hopefully all of our members in the local area can be brought together at once, I mean to confront Fire. Ideally at a time when the Miskovsky Downs will be unoccupied and preferably with as little activity in the area as possible. Assuming nothing more urgent demands our attention in the meantime, of course. We do not know when any of the other Champions will arrive, nor indeed when Fire may decide to take proactive action of his own. The sooner we can act, the better, but at the same time it would be unwise not to take every precaution we can afford to - it is a delicate balancing act."
-
>"In a couple day's time, when hopefully all of our members in the local area can be brought together at once, I mean to confront Fire. Ideally at a time when the Miskovsky Downs will be unoccupied and preferably with as little activity in the area as possible. Assuming nothing more urgent demands our attention in the meantime, of course. We do not know when any of the other Champions will arrive, nor indeed when Fire may decide to take proactive action of his own. The sooner we can act, the better, but at the same time it would be unwise not to take every precaution we can afford to - it is a delicate balancing act."
>"What about the Ice Champion?" Komachi asks. "You think the bird will be with the fox again?"
-
>"Most likely. Or, if not, will soon return once Fire is confronted. I am afraid I currently have no way to track her independently."
-
>"Most likely. Or, if not, will soon return once Fire is confronted. I am afraid I currently have no way to track her independently."
>"And even if she doesn't, we have to assume Fire will have at least one youma with it, possibly more." Haruka says. "Our powers may not be effective against the demons themselves, but you've seen we can affect their youmas. And so can the magics and technology of the police." she adds with a nod to Komachi. "Magical Lotus, I strongly advise you and your group not to confront the Fire champion without our help. We can at least contain and control its youmas so you and your group can focus on the Champion."
-
>"I would appreciate the support, though I fear from Fire's manner last we met that he may attempt to attack those around us as a means of distraction - during the battle at the school, things were complicated considerably by the number of people around we were trying to protect while still fighting. No offense intended. But if a coordinated approach can draw off any youma and put enough distance between our two groups that Fire cannot readily employ that tactic, I might be in favor of exploring it."
>How densely populated are the race track's surroundings? Particularly in the evening or any other low traffic time? Would it seem at all feasible for the police to cordon off the immediate area to prevent civilians from being caught up in things, or is it practically in the middle of a commercial district?
-
>How densely populated are the race track's surroundings? Particularly in the evening or any other low traffic time? Would it seem at all feasible for the police to cordon off the immediate area to prevent civilians from being caught up in things, or is it practically in the middle of a commercial district?
>The bulk of the cityscape immediately surrounding the Miskovsky Downs is industrial in nature, save for a residential area on the south side of the Downs. Being a location populated by a rather significant number of horses fairly frequently throughout the year, it was decided not to put too many locations of heavy foot traffic too close to it.
>Completely isolating the Downs would likely be very difficult without alerting the entire town, and likely stirring a panic among the populace, but cordoning off the south entrance, as well as the west entrance which sees a lot of vehicle traffic pass by it practically all day, would be a manageable and reasonable task. It would draw attention and some talk, but nothing too serious.
>"I would appreciate the support, though I fear from Fire's manner last we met that he may attempt to attack those around us as a means of distraction - during the battle at the school, things were complicated considerably by the number of people around we were trying to protect while still fighting. No offense intended. But if a coordinated approach can draw off any youma and put enough distance between our two groups that Fire cannot readily employ that tactic, I might be in favor of exploring it."
>"There is a way to put very few extra people in the line of fire, and still supply you and yours with the support you'll need." Haruka offers. "In fact, only one shrine maiden would be needed at all, unless they have numbers of youma in excess of a dozen, which I think we both believe to be unlikely."
>"And what kind of shrine maiden could give that kind of support all by herself?" Luc asks her.
>Simply and sincerely, Haruka answers, "Me."
-
>To Haruka: "You feel comfortable with this?"
-
>To Haruka: "You feel comfortable with this?"
>The tall solemn bird nods grimly.
-
>"Then I will trust to your judgement and experience in this matter, and gladly welcome the support."
>To Komachi: "How feasible do you think it might be to cordon off some of the access to the Downs before we went in, assuming it was off peak hours? I would like to minimize the chance of any civilians getting caught in the crossfire once things get messy."
-
>"Then I will trust to your judgement and experience in this matter, and gladly welcome the support."
>To Komachi: "How feasible do you think it might be to cordon off some of the access to the Downs before we went in, assuming it was off peak hours? I would like to minimize the chance of any civilians getting caught in the crossfire once things get messy."
>"As you say, the less people involved in the fight itself, the better. And I assure you, I can give you the support you need." she says with quiet conviction.
>Komachi chuckles. "I've seen the chief close down roads for less."
>"She'll need a lot of convincing for this one, though." Luc cautions.
>"Oh yeah. Since Lotus here isn't anyone 'official' enough for her." Then she shrugs. "I can convince her, though. But how much space are we talking here? I need to know how many men we'll need for the job."
>While you and Komachi discuss that option, Rin moves around to your other side to have a word with Haruka. "Are you... really sure?"
>The eagle nods again. "I don't want to put any more people at risk. Not if I can help it, and in this case, I can." She smiles. "I can't keep you kids out of the fight, but the least I can do is keep the enemy of your back."
>Her words draw a faint resonating response from your ring.
-
>"Well, I hope to keep the battle confined to the interior of the Downs, but of course it's impossible to say in advance exactly how things will play out once they begin. And I admit there's a distinct possibility that some of the magic being thrown around might draw attention on its own, as certainly happened this morning. If the track itself can be empty of people and curious passersby deterred from entering, that should hopefully be enough. But you're probably more experienced with these matters than I - what do you think is the most feasible approach? Unless Fire chooses to act in a way that requires an immediate response, we have some flexibility to choose a time where the Downs would already be largely unoccupied."
-
>"Well, I hope to keep the battle confined to the interior of the Downs, but of course it's impossible to say in advance exactly how things will play out once they begin. And I admit there's a distinct possibility that some of the magic being thrown around might draw attention on its own, as certainly happened this morning. If the track itself can be empty of people and curious passersby deterred from entering, that should hopefully be enough. But you're probably more experienced with these matters than I - what do you think is the most feasible approach? Unless Fire chooses to act in a way that requires an immediate response, we have some flexibility to choose a time where the Downs would already be largely unoccupied."
>"Hmmm.... I'd say we'd probably only need to block off two parts of the road around the Downs. You've got Akaboshi street that runs around the front side of the place. That place sees a lot of traffic and has a lot of houses. And we'll need a couple spellcasters too, to pick off any stray blasts. Trust me, we're good at that kind of thing. Happens more than you might think. But we've got those. Though, does normal magic work on your power?"
-
>"Believe it or not, I'm not sure I've ever had occasion to test this. But given that it has been partially shielded by youma defenses in a similar manner that more conventional magic has also been, I would not be surprised. But if you have anyone on-hand at the moment, I'd be more than willing to give it a small trial before we commit logistics."
>"Though I feel I should mention that we will not be so indiscriminate with our power as to endanger the citizenry in the first place. Still, I suppose no one suffers for taking precautions that end up not being required."
-
>"Believe it or not, I'm not sure I've ever had occasion to test this. But given that it has been partially shielded by youma defenses in a similar manner that more conventional magic has also been, I would not be surprised. But if you have anyone on-hand at the moment, I'd be more than willing to give it a small trial before we commit logistics."
>"Though I feel I should mention that we will not be so indiscriminate with our power as to endanger the citizenry in the first place. Still, I suppose no one suffers for taking precautions that end up not being required."
>Komachi chuckles and raises her hand. "In case you forgot, I'm a conventional mage."
-
>Smile
>"Fair enough, though I had assumed whatever arts employed by whoever else you'd post for such duty would be rather different in nature."
-
>Smile
>"Fair enough, though I had assumed whatever arts employed by whoever else you'd post for such duty would be rather different in nature."
>"I still have a lot of the same basic powers your run of the mill wizard has. Magic bolts, defense barriers, all that jazz. If I can stop one of your shots, I can find casting cops that can."
>Mistress, I don't know about Komachi trying dis. Rin says with a note of caution. I mean, her power's kind of dark, and yours melts dark power.
-
>Her power may be dark, but her heart is not. At worst, we find that she cannot deflect it - I am not planning to fire anything strong enough to do anyone real harm, in the first place.
>"Very well. We can give it a try after we're done here, then, if that's fine with you."
-
>Her power may be dark, but her heart is not. At worst, we find that she cannot deflect it - I am not planning to fire anything strong enough to do anyone real harm, in the first place.
>"Very well. We can give it a try after we're done here, then, if that's fine with you."
>Good point.
>"Works for me."
-
>Nod
>"I understand that you cannot commit a specific time before working things out with your colleagues, but do you have any inclination towards what might be the most convenient time within the next few days to pull this operation off?"
-
>Nod
>"I understand that you cannot commit a specific time before working things out with your colleagues, but do you have any inclination towards what might be the most convenient time within the next few days to pull this operation off?"
>Komachi looks over at Haruka and asks, "You've got that training thing tomorrow you said, right?"
>The big eagle nods, then says to both you and Komachi, "It would probably be best for us to practice together at least once before challenging the Champion. What say you to the day after tomorrow for that fight, assuming all goes well in training?"
>"And assuming the dog stays quiet." Chisato adds sourly.
-
>"Assuming yes, I believe that should be fine with me."
-
>"Assuming yes, I believe that should be fine with me."
>"Works for me." Komachi says with a nod. "Gives me time to catch up on my sleep tomorrow."
>"Like you ever miss any in the first place." Luc teases his superior.
>"A girl needs a nap now and again." the friendly officer says with aplomb.
-
>"Would this be in the evening, then?"
-
>"Would this be in the evening, then?"
>"Mm, probably better in the morning, if we can. Traffic flow won't be as heavy. You'd only have the people going to work, instead of the people going to AND from work."
-
>"If you think it best. I will defer to your judgement."
>"Is there anything else I can do to help facilitate?"
-
>"If you think it best. I will defer to your judgement."
>"Is there anything else I can do to help facilitate?"
>Komachi ponders for a moment, then asks, "Far as you know, do either the Ice or Fire Champion have digging skills?"
>"Digging?" Chisato blurts.
>"Trust me, it matters. You try to catch an earth mage without blocking off his underground escape routes, you're gonna lose him."
>"But we're not dealing with the Earth Champion."
>"We are, however, dealing with beings, according to Magical Lotus, whose powers are not limited solely to the elements they claim." Haruka points out.
-
>"Though that is true, I am afraid I have no more familiarity with the range of those two's powers than what they demonstrated during our confrontation at the school this morning. Which is to say, I suppose, that I have no reason to suspect they have particular facility with earth magic, but cannot decisively say that they do not, either."
-
>"Though that is true, I am afraid I have no more familiarity with the range of those two's powers than what they demonstrated during our confrontation at the school this morning. Which is to say, I suppose, that I have no reason to suspect they have particular facility with earth magic, but cannot decisively say that they do not, either."
>"If they do, Komachi, I can counter them to a point."
>"You?" the officer answers Haruka. "But your magic can't affect them, right?"
>"But it CAN affect the ground. If they have the power to dig through soil and rock, and those materials were changed to something else, it would delay them enough for Lotus and her colleagues, whose powers can affect them directly, to take action."
>Now Rin looks at her curiously. "Ain't you a fire priestess?"
>Haruka smiles. "I am indeed. But I am also one of the few who extensively practice in magics outside of my chosen shrine, including earth magics."
-
>Smile
>"And water, clearly."
-
>Smile
>"And water, clearly."
>"A simple spell." she replies with modesty.
-
>"In any case, the unfortunate fact about this operation is that we have only partial knowledge of our adversaries' capabilities and lack the luxury to wait too long to discover more. We shall have to trust that whatever general precautions we can take will be sufficient to the task."
-
>"In any case, the unfortunate fact about this operation is that we have only partial knowledge of our adversaries' capabilities and lack the luxury to wait too long to discover more. We shall have to trust that whatever general precautions we can take will be sufficient to the task."
>"And to trust in the power of our allies." Haruka replies with a confident smile. There is great strength in her voice, the sound of a woman who has been tested many times. She may not be able to hurt the demons, but something about the tall, handsome youkai makes you very comfortable having her fight with you.
-
>Smile and nod. It feels good to have such a veteran at our side.
>"Agreed."
>To all assembled parties: "Aside from each of our internal preparations, is there any other matter you feel should be discussed before we adjourn?"
-
>Smile and nod. It feels good to have such a veteran at our side.
>"Agreed."
>To all assembled parties: "Aside from each of our internal preparations, is there any other matter you feel should be discussed before we adjourn?"
>The gathered humanoids each exchange a quick look, and then Luc asks, "What of Madame Knowledge? Should we inform her of these plans?"
>"Personally, I don't think that's necessary." Haruka answers. "She's not a fighter anyway, not unless she has no choice in the matter. I know her that well. And if we need the input of an arcane scholar, there are others in the city we can reach out to. Of course, if you want to try and bring her back into the scene, Lotus, I'd understand." she adds to you.
-
>"I think no. She clearly did not want to be here during this more minor battle and whatever happens at the Downs is almost certain to be larger in scale. If she wishes to be uninvolved, and we do not have specific reason that we believe we require her input, I see no reason to force the issue. Though I was curious to hear what she knew of Makai, however little she claimed to believe in it."
-
>"I think no. She clearly did not want to be here during this more minor battle and whatever happens at the Downs is almost certain to be larger in scale. If she wishes to be uninvolved, and we do not have specific reason that we believe we require her input, I see no reason to force the issue. Though I was curious to hear what she knew of Makai, however little she claimed to believe in it."
>"The way she acted, might be hard to get a straight answer out of her on that one." says Chisato.
-
>"It might. And perhaps there are better sources for this information than her, in any case - besides the Champions themselves, of course. Any bit might be potentially useful."
-
>"It might. And perhaps there are better sources for this information than her, in any case - besides the Champions themselves, of course. Any bit might be potentially useful."
>"Not many." Haruka cautions. "Makai is one of the least talked about outer realms I know of, and most of the people I know of that claim to have knowledge of Makai are not exactly reputable sources."
-
>"Do you know of any who are? Or at least might be?"
-
>"Do you know of any who are? Or at least might be?"
>Haruka thinks a moment, then replies, "Only one that I can think of here in town. But I am afraid I can't reveal their identity. Like you, it is a matter to which I have promised my discretion, both to the individual and those who depend on them."
>"Scatterclaw." Giada's quiet voice interjects. "Scatterclaw would know."
>"Are you crazy?" Makie yells suddenly. "You can't send her to him!"
>"Indeed not." Haruka agrees, very firmly.
-
>"Who is this? And why not?"
-
>"Who is this? And why not?"
>Giada does not answer, and none of the other people present seem too keen on explaining either. After a somewhat protracted moment of uncomfortable since, Haruka finally says, "Tobias Scatterclaw. He is a dark wizard. A thaumaturge by claim. He is one of those who has the power to speak with denizens of other realms. But he speaks with shades and specters, demons and devils."
>"And he's insane on top of that." Makie adds. "Crazier than some dementiaists, even. They say he had nails bolted to his spine, so he would never look at the heavens when he sleeps. IF he sleeps."
>Haruka nods grimly. "And that the doors of his home are made from the wood of gallows and guillotines, so that he can peer beyond the door of death." She grimaces, casting a dark look at Giada. "She may be right, Scatterclaw may very well know some details about Makai. But simple proximity to him is dangerous, Magical Lotus. His home is a gathering place for dark spirits, drawn by the diseased mind of a mad human."
-
>"He certainly does sound like an unpleasant character. But do you know if he has ever been actively malicious to others with his power, or does he merely keep unsettling company?"
-
>"He certainly does sound like an unpleasant character. But do you know if he has ever been actively malicious to others with his power, or does he merely keep unsettling company?"
>"We've never been able to catch him being malicious." Komachi replies. Even she refers to the man with a note of distaste in her voice. "If you catch my drift."
-
>"Meaning you are fairly certain that he has, though you lack hard evidence of this?"
-
>"Meaning you are fairly certain that he has, though you lack hard evidence of this?"
>The officer nods. "Take it from a necromancer, girl, that guy is bad news. Just being near his house gives ME the creeps, and I hang out with ghosts."
>"He lives on one of the remaining patches of unhallowed ground in the city." Haruka says. "Not by accident, either, he chose to dwell there."
>"Un hallowed?" White Rose asks, sounding out the word.
>"It means.... unholy. Impure." The big eagle then says something in Eire, and enlightenment dawns on your Rin's face.
-
>Do we have any idea what she means by 'remaining' patches of unhallowed ground? Why would the ground around here go around being especially unholy in the first place?
-
>Do we have any idea what she means by 'remaining' patches of unhallowed ground? Why would the ground around here go around being especially unholy in the first place?
>You do not know.
-
>"Forgive me my ignorance, but what do you mean by 'remaining'?"
-
>"Forgive me my ignorance, but what do you mean by 'remaining'?"
>Haruka smiles. "Hardly ignorance, Lotus, if your powers aren't sensitive to this sort of distortion. You see, after the city was destroyed by the Lunarians during the last war, the ground the city stood on became defiled. Stained by the grievous loss of so many innocent lives. Over the years, the shrine maidens and other practitioners of good magic that have come here have healed the wounds inflicted on the area by that day."
>"But there are some wounds that just won't stay closed." Giada says sadly.
>The Fire miko sighs. "Unfortunately, she is right. Some spots in the city have resisted all efforts to purify them. And the acts of those like Scatterclaw are hardly helpful. Him and his kind are like insects gnawing on an open wound."
-
>"And he picked one of those places for himself to live."
>"I wonder what draws someone to such a lifestyle...."
-
>"And he picked one of those places for himself to live."
>"I wonder what draws someone to such a lifestyle...."
>"Unhallowed ground is to some people like a sunny beach is to others." Haruka replies. "And there are some drawn to the power. Unhallowed ground offers benefits in many of the same ways hallowed ground does, for those whose alignment is of that nature. Scatterclaw is one of these people. The power he wields seems to be amplified by the place in which he lives. And the darkness corrupting the ground is strengthened by his power. A perfect cycle of darkness."
>"There are holes in the world." Giada adds, her quiet sibilant voice making the phrase sound even more sinister than it might normally. "He is drawn to the blood."
-
>Pause. Ponder. For as much darkness as swirls around the man, if no one has been able to find evidence of any acts of true malice, how much of this might be hearsay? Tales born of someone with unsettling habits and choice of domicile. Perhaps even he could be somewhat misunderstood?
>To Haruka: "In any case, you said there was another you believed may know something reliable about Makai, yes? I respect that you wish to keep their identity private, but might it be possible for you to ask them a few questions about it on my behalf and relay what they feel they can share?"
-
>Pause. Ponder. For as much darkness as swirls around the man, if no one has been able to find evidence of any acts of true malice, how much of this might be hearsay? Tales born of someone with unsettling habits and choice of domicile. Perhaps even he could be somewhat misunderstood?
>To Haruka: "In any case, you said there was another you believed may know something reliable about Makai, yes? I respect that you wish to keep their identity private, but might it be possible for you to ask them a few questions about it on my behalf and relay what they feel they can share?"
>You are always the kind to give one the benefit of the doubt, after all.
>"That, I can do." the miko says confidently. "What would have me ask?"
-
>"Anything they know about the barrier that isolates Makai and its origins, as well as past incursions from there into our world - while the Champions have been the first in quite some time, as I understand, there have been others. In fact, any information at all about their kind and its history would be of interest to me. I apologize for these being very general and encompassing questions, some delving into history so ancient that knowledge of it seems quite a longshot for nearly anyone, but it would be remiss of me to pass up the chance to learn even a little bit more than I already do - even small details can be potentially helpful in this conflict."
-
>"Anything they know about the barrier that isolates Makai and its origins, as well as past incursions from there into our world - while the Champions have been the first in quite some time, as I understand, there have been others. In fact, any information at all about their kind and its history would be of interest to me. I apologize for these being very general and encompassing questions, some delving into history so ancient that knowledge of it seems quite a longshot for nearly anyone, but it would be remiss of me to pass up the chance to learn even a little bit more than I already do - even small details can be potentially helpful in this conflict."
>Haruka chuckles briefly. "General indeed. But very well, Lotus, I will ask the questions you have asked of me. Especially if it will convince you to stay away from Scatterclaw and his ilk. It may take more time, but fighting these Champions is dangerous enough without inviting even more danger."
-
>"I appreciate it, thank you."
>Take a moment and appraise the room to see if anyone else appears to have anything to add or ask. If they appear not, "Well, I think maybe that will do for the time-being?"
-
>"I appreciate it, thank you."
>Take a moment and appraise the room to see if anyone else appears to have anything to add or ask. If they appear not, "Well, I think maybe that will do for the time-being?"
>"Don't have any other psychopaths to name drop?" Chisato asks Giada a little acidly.
>"That will do, little sister." Haruka rebukes the swallow. To you, a bit less sternly, she says, "You need nothing more from us, in terms of accommodation or the like?"
-
>"At this point, nothing more than we've already discussed, I think."
-
>"At this point, nothing more than we've already discussed, I think."
>Haruka nods, then stands. "Well. Until tommorow, then."
>"That means it's time for paperwork, sarge." Luc says with an amused smirk to Komachi.
>The chatty officer smiles a bit ruefully. "You sure you don't wanna stick around for a few more hours, Lotus?"
-
>Smile a little ourselves
>"Didn't you want me to take a few shots in your general direction first?"
-
>Smile a little ourselves
>"Didn't you want me to take a few shots in your general direction first?"
>"That'll work." she replies happily, standing herself. She then jogs to an open part of the room, then turns and holds her arm out, palm facing outward. A translucent square of purple and black energy wavers into view in front of her. "Fire away."
-
>"I'll start with something gentle."
>Aim a Scarlet Lotus at Komachi's shield, but fire with only a relatively slight amount of power. And if we can, aim so that our attack would not actually hit her, even if the shield fails to block it - over her shoulder at an empty wall or something.
-
>"I'll start with something gentle."
>Aim a Scarlet Lotus at Komachi's shield, but fire with only a relatively slight amount of power. And if we can, aim so that our attack would not actually hit her, even if the shield fails to block it - over her shoulder at an empty wall or something.
>Standing and taking careful aim, you, much more quietly than previous uses, unleash your Scarlet light. Responding to your lack of any desire whatever to harm Komachi, only half a dozen white and red orbs emerge from the tip of your scepter, and them not as large as you usually get. The shotgun pattern of your bolts result in three of them actually bypassing the seargent, two going to her right and one over her head. The other three shots strike the black barrier before Komachi and all three pop on the shield, sending faint waves of red and white energy across the face of her shield but failing to penetrate it.
>Despite this, however, Komachi still jerks her hand back sharply, letting out a sharp "Yow!", looking for all the world like someone who just received a massive static shock as she cradles her hand.
-
>Cringe slightly
>"Are you alright?"
-
>Cringe slightly
>"Are you alright?"
>"Fine, fine, just... That stung." she replies, shaking her hand. "That was like a shock. Haven't had that happen in a long time." She flexes her hand a couple of times, then shrugs. "Now that I think about it though, I guess it doesn't surprise me that much."
-
>"What do you mean?"
-
>"What do you mean?"
>"Well, your power's good." Komachi says, that lazy smile returning to her face. "And mine's evil. As some old friends of mine would say, you do bonus damage against me."
-
>"Can power wielded by a good woman for a good cause truly be called 'evil'?"
>Concerned frown
>"But in any case, I am afraid I tried to be as gentle as I could with that; anything flying around in a real battle would be far stronger."
-
>"Can power wielded by a good woman for a good cause truly be called 'evil'?"
>Concerned frown
>"But in any case, I am afraid I tried to be as gentle as I could with that; anything flying around in a real battle would be far stronger."
>"Nuclear power's the same whether you put it in a bomb or a generator." Komachi counters. "Same with steam. Use it in a gun or a train, steam power's steam. And I've seen good magic used by bad guys as well, girl. If I had the time, I could tell you a story or two."
>"Hey, no need for frowns." the seargent replies easily. "It worked. Test was successful enough for me."
>"Even with the sting?" White Rose asks.
>Komachi nods. "I still stopped those shots. Could've handled a few more too I think, just got caught off guard. And a neutral mage wouldn't have that happen to them, and there's lots more of them on the force than there are like me." she says with a mote of pride in her voice.
-
>"I do stress that the power in that blast was minor compared to one fired with the intent to damage, but I will defer to your assessment of your fellow officers. I do not plan for any of them to have to make use of this tactic in the first place."
-
>"I do stress that the power in that blast was minor compared to one fired with the intent to damage, but I will defer to your assessment of your fellow officers. I do not plan for any of them to have to make use of this tactic in the first place."
>"Ah, just means I'll tell them not to underestimate any shotgun magics." Komachi replies easily.
-
>Nod
>"As you wish."
>To those assembled: "Well, I believe we all have our own business to attend to. I wish to thank you once again for your wiliness to join your resources with ours for this endevour. We shall be in touch."
>Assuming nothing else happens, let's take our leave and start heading to the Shrine of the Metal Tiger.
>About how long do we estimate it would take to get there from here?
-
>Nod
>"As you wish."
>To those assembled: "Well, I believe we all have our own business to attend to. I wish to thank you once again for your wiliness to join your resources with ours for this endevour. We shall be in touch."
>Assuming nothing else happens, let's take our leave and start heading to the Shrine of the Metal Tiger.
>About how long do we estimate it would take to get there from here?
>"Take care, Lotus." Hauka replies, bowing formally.
>"And thanks again!" Komachi calls after you as you and White Rose take your leave.
>That would depend on how you wish to travel.
-
>How long on foot?
>How long if we were to get a bus from here? A taxi?
>Given Kiku's earlier estimates and the present time, how much time do we think we have to get there and do stuff before the ritual is likely concluded?
-
>Is it after sunset?
>Let's put enough distance between this place so that we don't risk someone seeing the cell phone we claimed not to have, then call a taxi
-
>Is it after sunset?
>Let's put enough distance between this place so that we don't risk someone seeing the cell phone we claimed not to have, then call a taxi
>Yes. Not much after, you would guess.
>Due to the philosophy of the Saigyoji's when they designed this park, there are no roads within wide enough to accommodate automobiles. So, after making sure you and White Rose are out of range of the police box, and making sure the two bird mikos are not flying overhead, you place a call to a cab to meet you at the park exit nearest you.
>Not ten minutes later, you reach your destination and spy the vehicle in question, a green and black affair from the same company who served you and Rin yesterday. In fact, as you climb aboard, you discover that it is the exact same car, driven by the same man, Kyle the cabbie, who greets you with a friendly "Howdy, ladies."
-
>"Good evening."
>"We'll go to the Shrine of the Metal Tiger, please."
-
>"Good evening."
>"We'll go to the Shrine of the Metal Tiger, please."
>"Ah, the west temple, very good." the chatty cabbie replies, setting off forthwith into the snowy streets. "Couple of pretty young girls like you need advice in love?" he inquires.
-
>Smile
>"Perhaps someday."
-
>Smile
>"Perhaps someday."
>The young man chuckles in reply. He makes a couple more attempts to engage you in conversation, but you find yourself rather preoccupied with the task ahead of you. You're still not entirely certain what it is you expect to find up at the shrine of the Metal mikos, or what sort of opposition you will find, if any. If the other mikos have been compromised in the same way you found Kiku had been, in a worst case scenario you could find yourself confronted by every other shrine maiden there, plus whatever power Satori may possess. Rather than worrying about that in and of itself, though, your concern is firstly for Kiku. The thought of her being forced to confront her Sisters is a terrible one, and one you vow to spare her from should worse come to worse.
>For your own sake as well, you do hope to avoid a fight. You've already had three today, first against the corrupted form of Keine-sensei, then against the Ice Champion, and less than an hour ago against Air's latest youma. Despite all this, however, you don't actually seem to be in bad shape. Obviously you're slightly fatigued but hardly insurmountably, and the pains you gathered from the last fight have all but faded, leaving only a slight twinge in your healing ribs, and at the rate it's going that will be gone by the time you reach the shrine. You're not even down on power that you can tell, and that makes you think of what the Purpose said when you contacted it. Your powers do indeed seem to have grown, both in what you can do with them and it terms of your power reserves. When you have more time, you resolve to put a bit more thought into how exactly this could have come about, but you set that aside for the moment. It is enough that you should still have the power to do whatever you need to.
>Lost in your reverie, you start in surprise just a little when your Rin's silent voice intrudes into your mind, Mistress? We're here. only moments before Kyle voices much the same sentiment.
-
>"Thank you."
>Pay the man and depart
>Casually approach the main shrine building
>Assessment of the crowd. How busy is the place at the moment?
-
>"Thank you."
>Pay the man and depart
>Casually approach the main shrine building
>Assessment of the crowd. How busy is the place at the moment?
>With the cabbie handled and dispatched, you and your kasha begin the climb up the stairs towards the Tiger shrine. Already your mystic senses are probing outward, but at least this far out, you sense nothing out of the ordinary. There is a dull sense of power present, but it is the sort you sensed at the other two shrines. The snowfall is not as thick in this part of town, and the surrounding forest shields you from the worst of the cold wind. Even so, there is a sense of forboding about this place. Something hangs in the air that wasn't here before. Or perhaps you didn't notice before. This place has secrets, and many of them, you are certain, are not the good kind. You will see this change.
>What changes first, however, is Rin. The kasha reverts to her feline form on the way up the stairs. Now we're just a girl and her cat. she explains. Draw less eyes.
>'Disguised', for want of a better term, you crest the top of the stairs. There is actually very little crowd to assess. A single stag is standing several feet away from the temple veranda, his antlered head reared, his bearing noble. The only humanoid in sight is a short-haired blonde shrine maiden with floppy rabbit's ears, standing and working on a painter's canvas, obviously trying to capture the image of the stag in paint. Her tongue is even sticking out of the side of her mouth slightly in focus.
-
>Does it seem likely we can enter the shrine without attracting the miko's attention? Would the path there cross her sight lines?
>This is still a part of the shrine where outsiders come and go freely, right?
-
>Does it seem likely we can enter the shrine without attracting the miko's attention? Would the path there cross her sight lines?
>This is still a part of the shrine where outsiders come and go freely, right?
>She seems completely absorbed in her work. You do not have to walk right in front of her.
>Correct.
-
>Then let's continue onward
-
>Then let's continue onward
>The floppy eared youkai pays no obvious attention to you or your cat, so you simply walk past her and her subject and enter into the temple itself.
>As before, the antechamber of the temple is empty. The only thing different about the room is the distinct smell of boiling cabbage wafting out from the direction of the kitchen, and the very distant sound of someone playing a flute from the opposite hallway.
-
>From our previous visits to the shrine, does this seem unusually empty to us?
>Do we actually know where the sacred flame room IS?
>If so, keep heading in that direction
-
>From our previous visits to the shrine, does this seem unusually empty to us?
>Do we actually know where the sacred flame room IS?
>If so, keep heading in that direction
>You wouldn't think so. It is after dark on a snowy day, so traffic out here would be lighter. And judging from the smell it's suppertime for at least some of the shrine maidens, since the practice of communal dining is practiced by them, so they would be there rather than out here.\
>Yes. it is straight ahead, through the large inner doors.
>Boldly you stride forth, towards the doors barring the way into the flame chamber. You can see a note tacked in the middle of the doors indicating that the Chamber of the Sacred Flame is temporarily closed to the public, but with no explanation why.
-
>Does there seem to be anyone who can see us from here?
>Or anyone we are aware of close enough to hear us?
>Can we sense anything unusual from inside the room?
-
>Does there seem to be anyone who can see us from here?
>Or anyone we are aware of close enough to hear us?
>Can we sense anything unusual from inside the room?
>Examination of the surroundings show no one present to your eyes or ears, and Rin reports hearing no one coming. That said, however, the eerie sensation you felt outside still persists in here, and you can't help but feel a little tense.
>You try to put it aside, though, you have something else to worry about. Namely, scanning the area beyond the door. You sense a power in there, certainly. You're getting some interference, though, there's a large magical emanation coming from somewhere below you, towards the back of the temple. That would probably be Toune's ritual still ongoing. But the power coming from the chamber itself is different. It has much the same signature as the miko's magic, so it may draw from the same source, but the sensations from it are vastly different than what you've sensed before. It carries a feeling of caution. A warning, to someone. But about what, that you can't determine.
-
>Do we think it's possible this sense of caution is some kind of ward around the place, rather than whatever unusual power caused the flame to blacken in the first place?
>Do we feel that this is the limit of our ability to probe and understand this power from this distance?
>Do the doors appear to be locked or otherwise barred?
-
>Do we think it's possible this sense of caution is some kind of ward around the place, rather than whatever unusual power caused the flame to blacken in the first place?
>Do we feel that this is the limit of our ability to probe and understand this power from this distance?
>Do the doors appear to be locked or otherwise barred?
>You don't believe it to be any kind of ward or barrier. It seems to be centralized where the flame itself would be, assuming the chamber's layed out like it is in the other shrines.
>You don't think so. The door doesn't appear to be blocking your senses, and you are rather close.
>A thick metal bar lays across both doors into the flame chamber.
-
>Does the bar seem like something we could remove if we chose?
>Without making a ton of noise?
>Can we sense any magic that might obviously be a ward or magical entry alarm of some sort?
>Try to probe this ominous presence in the room a little deeper, but ask Rin to keep an eye out for any noises and alert us early to anyone who might be approaching.
-
>Does the bar seem like something we could remove if we chose?
>Without making a ton of noise?
>Can we sense any magic that might obviously be a ward or magical entry alarm of some sort?
>The bars on both doors are quite thick and very heavy looking. You would guess they were put in place by a strong youkai. Your magical form may offer you slightly more strength than your human guise, but to move this bar you will need to increase your strength even more. Fortunately, the hinge attached to the bars appear to be in good shape, so moving the bars should be a fairly quiet affair.
>Not as far as you can tell. While you can sense multiple sources of magic about, you can't feel anything around the door itself.
>Try to probe this ominous presence in the room a little deeper, but ask Rin to keep an eye out for any noises and alert us early to anyone who might be approaching.
>You narrow your focus on the sensation you receive from the other side of the door. It is a warning, of that you are sure, an urge to caution and care, directed.... directed at the people who live here, who serve and protect this place. The shrine maidens, obviously. But whether or not this warning was directed at Satori or was about Satori or something else unrelated, you can't tell. Nor can you determine precisely who or what sent the warning. The experience is like having a conversation with someone in a language you're not entirely fluent in. You sense something about... something not belonging?
>Your focus is interrupted by a warning from Rin, I think I hear someone comin'. From the right hall.
-
>Go take a quick look, if you can without drawing attention. See if they will pass by here.
>Focus and channel our power into physical strength, similarly to how we did during the fight with the youma. Provided we can do such a thing without attracting attention.
-
>Go take a quick look, if you can without drawing attention. See if they will pass by here.
>Focus and channel our power into physical strength, similarly to how we did during the fight with the youma. Provided we can do such a thing without attracting attention.
>Understood. she says as she scampers forward to have a glance down the hallway. Two mikos. Pretty sure they'll be comin' through here. she informs you as you exchange firepower for strength.
-
>Do we know of anywhere nearby where we could quietly go to be off the beaten path from these oncoming mikos? Some side room or another empty adjacent hallway or somesuch?
-
>Do we know of anywhere nearby where we could quietly go to be off the beaten path from these oncoming mikos? Some side room or another empty adjacent hallway or somesuch?
>There is a stairwell to your right that seems to be devoid of people.
-
>I believe if we duck into that stairwell, they might pass by without noticing us.
>Let's go do that, then wait for either the mikos to pass safely by or some indication that they won't be.
-
>I believe if we duck into that stairwell, they might pass by without noticing us.
>Let's go do that, then wait for either the mikos to pass safely by or some indication that they won't be.
>Rin quickly sprints over to you as you and she make tracks into the empty stairway. Shortly after two mikos walk into the antechamber, both familiar to you. One is the tall scarred Anya, and the other is the insect-winged Mayumi. From what you saw of Anya when you last met her, it's not a big surprise there is no conversation between the two, and you stand once more impressed by Rin's ears that she could hear them coming, and from the distance she did.
>The move silently across the room until they reach about halfway across, when Anya stops, tilting her head back. "Something wrong, Anya?" Mayumi asks her.
>"I smell something." she replies, sniffing the air. "Cat. Strange cat. And flowers."
>The green-haired youkai smiles gently. "Hardly strange."
>"Heh. True." the Moscovian shrine maiden says with a grin, and the two simply move along into the opposite hallway.
-
>Give them ample time to move off, and if Rin thinks they are a safe distance away, let's move back to that door again.
>The way the bar is positioned, we wouldn't be able to place it back in position from the inside, would we?
>Can we get any better sense of that 'not belonging' feeling we sensed from the room earlier?
-
>Give them ample time to move off, and if Rin thinks they are a safe distance away, let's move back to that door again.
>The way the bar is positioned, we wouldn't be able to place it back in position from the inside, would we?
>Can we get any better sense of that 'not belonging' feeling we sensed from the room earlier?
>Maybe I should work on a power that masks scent. Rin muses as you and she return to the task at hand.
>Negative. Not without punching a hole in the paper door.
>With the coast clear again, you return your senses to the other side of the door. You still get that sense of speaking to someone who doesn't quite speak your language. Thinking on it, this starts to make a level of sense to you. This message was plainly intended for the shrine maidens here, which you are not. You are a servant of good and the righteous, just not on exactly the same team as these girls or using the same tools.
-
>Lily did have one that dispersed away bad scents. But it wouldn't quite make a place smell less floral...
>Didn't Kiku say that she sensed nothing at all unusual from this room, though?
>Can we sense any other presence or power in the room aside from this apparent attempt at vague communication?
>Do we believe we could perform a precisely controlled levitation with Sapphire Lotus to raise the metal bar and then lower it back into place while inside?
-
>Lily did have one that dispersed away bad scents. But it wouldn't quite make a place smell less floral...
>Didn't Kiku say that she sensed nothing at all unusual from this room, though?
>Can we sense any other presence or power in the room aside from this apparent attempt at vague communication?
>Do we believe we could perform a precisely controlled levitation with Sapphire Lotus to raise the metal bar and then lower it back into place while inside?
>Kiku reported sensing that nothing had changed about the room, but nothing more.
>Only the same faint sense of power that permeates the building. If there is any other lifeform or power source in the flame chamber, it is invisible to your mystic senses and to Rin's ears.
>You believe so. You would need to stick your baton through the door while it was slightly ajar to allow the Lotus to manipulate the metal, though.
-
>Let's try that, then. Use our Sapphire Lotus to move the bar up, so that we can replace it behind us once inside and make it appear from the OUTSIDE like everything is normal. If we require it, shift our physical power back to magic before doing this.
>After raising the bar, gently open the door. Let's get a look at the inside before we decide to 'lock' ourselves inside it.
>As before, have Rin keep lookout.
-
>Let's try that, then. Use our Sapphire Lotus to move the bar up, so that we can replace it behind us once inside and make it appear from the OUTSIDE like everything is normal. If we require it, shift our physical power back to magic before doing this.
>After raising the bar, gently open the door. Let's get a look at the inside before we decide to 'lock' ourselves inside it.
>As before, have Rin keep lookout.
>As you produce your baton, Rin stops you with a Just a sec, mistress. The cat dashes forward and glances down both hallways, then checks the stairwell. Still all good. That done, you attach your blue beam to the steel and hoist the thing back. You take it slowly, not wanting to make anymore noise than need be, but not too slowly, of course. The bar slides up without a hitch, and you take a careful look inside.
>The chamber is layed out very much the same as the one in the Dragon shrine, though the pillars supporting the roof are forged from iron rather than stone and seem thicker than the ones at the Wood temple. There is a great deal more obvious metal herein, though this is hardly a surprise. The altar supporting the flame itself appears to be made of silver, and the bowl containing the flame itself is gold. And the flame itself, just as Kiku said, burns black as night. The fire gives off no light, and the lights hanging from the ceiling are off. You'll have to provide your own light once the door is closed. Apart from the sound of the flame itself, the chamber is perfectly quiet.
>Still sensing and now seeing no one within, you quickly slide inside the door and carefully use your Sapphire light to lower the bar back into place, closing the door and letting the bar fall the rest of the way so as to avoid tearing the paper. With Rin on guard outside, you now appear to have free reign of the silent, darkened Chamber of the Sacred Flame, which burns with an unlight.
-
>Conjure a gentle light for ourselves - enough to see by, but not be obvious from the hallway
>Slowly approach the flame, keeping our mystic senses peeled. Can we sense anything different from inside the room than outside?
-
>Conjure a gentle light for ourselves - enough to see by, but not be obvious from the hallway
>Slowly approach the flame, keeping our mystic senses peeled. Can we sense anything different from inside the room than outside?
>Holding your scepter aloft, you use the barest wisp of power to light the tip just a bit.
>There's a fair bit of dust in the room here, testament to the lack of people visiting it in the past few days. You even spot a couple of spiderwebs up where the metal pillars meet the roof, neither one very large or in very good condition. As far as you can tell, neither one appears occupied at the moment. Despite the dancing flame, the air in here smells a bit musty, like a house that's been closed up for too long.
>The sensations you receive inside the room are very much the same as you noted while outside. As you approach the flame, however, the fire seems to sway in response. A definate jolt.
-
>Continue to approach cautiously. Keep an eye on that flame, and our wits about us.
-
>Continue to approach cautiously. Keep an eye on that flame, and our wits about us.
>The flame does indeed respond to your presence as you continue your approach. The core of the fire turns a shade of white. No, not white you realize, but a very pale silver. You feel a sense of confusion in the air with the changing of the color, a wonderment directed at you. Or at least in your direction.
-
>Reach gently out towards the flame with our mind. Can we make any kind of more interpretable contact with whatever this presence is?
>If not, continue to approach a bit closer.
-
>Reach gently out towards the flame with our mind. Can we make any kind of more interpretable contact with whatever this presence is?
>If not, continue to approach a bit closer.
>"You do not serve here." the flame answers. No, not the flame itself, but something beyond it, something not entirely mortal.
-
>"No, that is true."
-
>"No, that is true."
>"But you hear us."
-
>"I do."
-
>"I do."
>"You should not be here."
-
>"Is that a warning about yourself, or about others who dwell at this shrine?"
-
>"Is that a warning about yourself, or about others who dwell at this shrine?"
>"There is a shadow in the temple. A splinter of death. You should not be here, you are in danger."
-
>"I am here because of it. I am here to find the source of that shadow. The power which turned the sacred flame of this shrine black - are you it?"
-
>"I am here because of it. I am here to find the source of that shadow. The power which turned the sacred flame of this shrine black - are you it?"
>"That doesn't matter to you. You are not of the shrine, you must leave, before the shadow falls on you."
-
>"I may not be a miko of this shrine, but we are of common purpose. I too stand against those supernatural forces that would do harm to the people of this world. The Metal Tiger's power has touched upon me, and I count the maidens of this shrine as my friends. I will not stand by and let this shadow linger upon them. I know there is danger here. If there was not, there would be no need for me to be standing here, this very moment. No matter the risk to myself, I am intent to find this shadow and end its grip on the people here."
-
>"I may not be a miko of this shrine, but we are of common purpose. I too stand against those supernatural forces that would do harm to the people of this world. The Metal Tiger's power has touched upon me, and I count the maidens of this shrine as my friends. I will not stand by and let this shadow linger upon them. I know there is danger here. If there was not, there would be no need for me to be standing here, this very moment. No matter the risk to myself, I am intent to find this shadow and end its grip on the people here."
>I hear people comin' this way, Mistress. Rin informs you almost as soon as you finish your speech.
>"And what chance do you think you have when all the others here have so far failed?"
>No wait. Rin's voice returns. They stopped.
-
>"My power is different than theirs. It can do things that theirs cannot. It can drive out darkness taken root in the hearts of good people and reverse corruptions considered uncleansable. And because I have to try."
-
>"My power is different than theirs. It can do things that theirs cannot. It can drive out darkness taken root in the hearts of good people and reverse corruptions considered uncleansable. And because I have to try."
>The flame flickers again. "Yes. I can see that." it says after a short pause.
>They're walking away. Rin reports. Still... I'm getting a bad feelin' out here.
>"Are you also aware, then, of the darkness that has forced its way into this world?" the voice asks.
-
>"Do you refer to the demons from Makai?"
>Bad feeling how?
-
>"Do you refer to the demons from Makai?"
>Bad feeling how?
>"Is that what you call them?
>I don't know. she replies, sounding uncertain. She pauses a moment, then continues, There's no one else coming this way, you should still be safe. How's it going in there?
-
>"Powerful beings that forced their way through the barrier which separates our two worlds, and seek to remove that barrier altogether so that all their kind may enter freely. This is what you refer to, yes?"
>I am speaking with... some sort of presence in the room. It does not seem hostile, but I do not yet know what it is.
-
>"Powerful beings that forced their way through the barrier which separates our two worlds, and seek to remove that barrier altogether so that all their kind may enter freely. This is what you refer to, yes?"
>I am speaking with... some sort of presence in the room. It does not seem hostile, but I do not yet know what it is.
>The top of the flame dances a bit. "You seem to know more specifics than we do."
>Twice in two days. your kasha replies. This one talk in riddles too?
-
>Much less so, thankfully.
>"I have fought them several times, and doubtless will again. As I said, I stand against those forces that would do harm to the people of this world, whether they come from within or without. Now, if you wish to see the shadow over this place dispelled, please share with me what you know."
-
>Much less so, thankfully.
>"I have fought them several times, and doubtless will again. As I said, I stand against those forces that would do harm to the people of this world, whether they come from within or without. Now, if you wish to see the shadow over this place dispelled, please share with me what you know."
>"Apparantly, not as much as you." the voice says, echoing its previous sentiment. "This black flame is a warning to those who serve, a warning of this invasion, of the disruption and the threat it is. We know little, only the power it holds, and the menace it means. And that the Sisters of Metal have the responsibility to fight it."
>Despite actually getting some information, you find yourself stifling a yawn. Perhaps three fights in one day really is starting to catch up with you.
-
>"I meant of the shadow here. That which you warned me about it when I first entered. What can you tell me of it?"
-
>"I meant of the shadow here. That which you warned me about it when I first entered. What can you tell me of it?"
>"Something here does not belong. Something that defies our sight, that seeks to corrupt the shrines. But our warning is not heard. It is swallowed by the shadow."
-
>"And you do not know what this is?"
-
>"And you do not know what this is?"
>"We believe it is something that should belong here but does not. Or someone."
-
>"Satori?"
-
>"Satori?"
>"The shadow falls across her. Or may spread from her. We cannot tell."
-
>"Is there any way at all you can assist me with putting a stop to this? Any information at all, however slight it may be?"
-
>"Is there any way at all you can assist me with putting a stop to this? Any information at all, however slight it may be?"
>"We believe that right now, you should worry more for yourself." the voice cautions again. As it speaks, you feel something crawling up your left leg.
-
>Look down. What is it?
-
>Look down. What is it?
>A sizable brown and black spider is crawling up your leg.
-
>By 'sizable', are we talking 'large coin' or 'as big as your head'?
>Try not to freak out. Keep still a moment, but be ready to react quickly to any sudden moves from our new guest.
>Do we register any supernatural power from this spider?
>Does anything else in the room seem to have changed?
-
>By 'sizable', are we talking 'large coin' or 'as big as your head'?
>Do we register any supernatural power from this spider?
>Does anything else in the room seem to have changed?
>A bit smaller than a coaster. It's got a fairly light touch for a big arachnid.
>Nothing magical that you can sense. Though.... Something doesn't quite feel right about the thing.
>No.
>Try not to freak out. Keep still a moment, but be ready to react quickly to any sudden moves from our new guest.
>Despite its surprising size, you keep still as the bug makes its way up your leg. This gives you the chance to focus more on the odd feeling you have about the thing. You've felt spider's legs on you before, and even over your clothes, this one doesn't feel quite right. Nor does it seem.... entirely solid.
>As you realize this, the spider ripples and dissolves, as though it was never here. It seems to have been some kind of illusion, though not one generated by any magic you can sense.
>Also not generated by any magic you feel is the flicker of pain and pricking sensation you feel from the open skin on your right leg.
-
>Open skin? Can we see anything there?
-
>Open skin? Can we see anything there?
>Yes, open skin. And a look down shows another spider, visually identical to the illusionary one except that it is a bit smaller falling away from your right leg.
-
>If the other spider was illusionary, then what makes us think this one is any different? Disbelieve it.
-
>If the other spider was illusionary, then what makes us think this one is any different? Disbelieve it.
>Despite your mental assertion, this spider remains solid as it lands on the floor and skitters away from you. Likewise the pain in your leg does not fade.
>"I did warn you." the voice returns. "You were in danger."
-
>"You might have been somewhat more specific."
>Look around. Can we see any other unpleasant surprises lurking around the room?
-
>"You might have been somewhat more specific."
>Look around. Can we see any other unpleasant surprises lurking around the room?
>"Don't blame me, you didn't leave when I told you." The voice, which so far had been fairly neutral, dry, now sounds faintly amused.
>Brightening your light a little bit, you take another scan of the room. Apart from the spider, who just now has retreated beneath one of the pews, there appears to be nothing else around. For good measure you take another sweep of the room with your mystic senses as well, but find no more than you did before.
-
>"Who are you?"
-
>"Who are you?"
>"Are you sure that's what you should be asking right now?"
-
>"It's what I am asking, and I would appreciate an answer."
>How's that spider bite feeling?
>And our ribs, for that matter?
-
>"It's what I am asking, and I would appreciate an answer."
>How's that spider bite feeling?
>And our ribs, for that matter?
>"Is that any way to speak to a spirit speaking through a sacred flame?"
>Sore, but really not that much worse than a mosquito bite. Bit of a surprise, that. The size of that spider, you'd expect at least something on the level of a bee sting, but it just doesn't hurt that much. Could be your magical girl enhanced stamina at work there.
>Your ribs have a faint itch to them, but apart from that feel perfectly fine.
>Although, your eyes do unfocus a touch as you inspect your bite mark.
-
>"I think that depends greatly on who and what you actually are."
>Remove the healing talisman from our ribs and place it over the spider bite. Let's hope it wasn't just numbing pain and actually repairing damage, and that its power isn't already entirely spent - maybe it can do something.
>Then send our mystic senses inward. Can we sense the poison in us? Because, under the circumstances, it seems very safe to assume there is some and better not to assume our enhanced physiology can simply shrug it off.
-
>Remove the healing talisman from our ribs and place it over the spider bite. Let's hope it wasn't just numbing pain and actually repairing damage, and that its power isn't already entirely spent - maybe it can do something.
>Then send our mystic senses inward. Can we sense the poison in us? Because, under the circumstances, it seems very safe to assume there is some and better not to assume our enhanced physiology can simply shrug it off.
>"That won't help, you know." the voice says as you move the talisman. "I mean it would for a number of spiders, but not that one. She's different."
>Scanning yourself, specifically your blood, you look for the poison you strongly suspect is within you. And sure enough, you sense something foreign coursing through your blood. But it doesn't seem to be a mundane kind of poison, as you sense no damage to your blood, your veins, your muscles, anything. As you scan yourself, however, you find your mind starting to fog a little, like you've been up all night with no caffeine.
>"I think that depends greatly on who and what you actually are."
>"And that's something you should have insisted on from the start. You're far too trusting."
-
>We can exchange barbs with the voice later. For now we have more important things.
>Can we turn our power onto the poison within us? Purify it or drive it out, like we did with Ice's demonic chill and similar things?
-
>We can exchange barbs with the voice later. For now we have more important things.
>Can we turn our power onto the poison within us? Purify it or drive it out, like we did with Ice's demonic chill and similar things?
>With normal poison, you're not sure. But this poison is a bit different. Your mind's a bit foggy, but you definitely sense a similarity between it and the power that you found in Lily and Kiku's mind. It isn't the same thing, but it's close enough that you feel that you can turn your power on it and have an effect. If your head stays clear, that is. Despite the import of the situation, you find yourself having a bit of a task focusing, and maintaining your balance.
-
>Well, let's do it, and hurry. There is absolutely no way we can afford to be impaired like this now. The tangles in Kiku's mind were there for YEARS and we unraveled them. This power has been within us only seconds. Its hold is shallow. We will will it out.
-
>Well, let's do it, and hurry. There is absolutely no way we can afford to be impaired like this now. The tangles in Kiku's mind were there for YEARS and we unraveled them. This power has been within us only seconds. Its hold is shallow. We will will it out.
>Clearing your head as best as you can, you hold your scepter above your head and send your power cascading down over your body, to purge yourself of the poison in your body.
>However, before you can neutralize the poison, your mind explodes with a painful burst of static. You stagger as pain assaults your brain, confusion and chaos running wild throughout your mind, any semblance of focused thought dispelled by the psychic burst.
>"You'll just make things worse." the voice cautions you as you try to hold yourself up against the nearest pew. "It will be easier on you if you just relax. If you don't, you'll just get bitten again."
-
>As near as we can tell, was that direct feedback from trying to touch the poison inside us, or a secondary assault applied externally?
-
>As near as we can tell, was that direct feedback from trying to touch the poison inside us, or a secondary assault applied externally?
>Both? Hard to tell. You don't.... seem to be thinking right.
-
>Take a moment and try to regain our focus. Remember why we are here, and what we have to do.
>Do we think we could try to cleanse ourselves with a less obvious visual display? The last times we dealt with mental corruption, it was on a purely mental level, no? We know the shape of the invader in our system. We know it does not belong. Can we essentially mentally separate the foreign from ourselves?
>Do any of the nearby pews effectively block sight lines to the sacred flame, if we were prone behind one?
-
>Center ourself. We follow the the way of the Buddha. We understand that this effort to throw us off is but an illusion. Not an illusion of light, as a mirage, but rather an illusion of the world. This is but an element of Samsara trying to impede upon our mind and impose suffering. But this suffering, as all suffering, is an illusion. We proved this to ourself just earlier today when we withstood the pain of broken ribs, yet did not let it impede us. We we can overcome this as we over came that pain. Confusion may buffet us, but to the enlightened a scorching day is pleasantly cool, confusion is merely a distant tap upon clarity.
-
>Do we think we could try to cleanse ourselves with a less obvious visual display? The last times we dealt with mental corruption, it was on a purely mental level, no? We know the shape of the invader in our system. We know it does not belong. Can we essentially mentally separate the foreign from ourselves?
>Do any of the nearby pews effectively block sight lines to the sacred flame, if we were prone behind one?
>Cleanse? Oh right, cleanse. Less visual display, yes. Maybe. Probably have to, moving is... sort of hard. If you moved to... where? Where are you? It's dark in here.
>Right, the flame. Why's it so dark? Flames are supposed to be bright. Aren't they?
>Take a moment and try to regain our focus. Remember why we are here, and what we have to do.
>Center ourself. We follow the the way of the Buddha. We understand that this effort to throw us off is but an illusion. Not an illusion of light, as a mirage, but rather an illusion of the world. This is but an element of Samsara trying to impede upon our mind and impose suffering. But this suffering, as all suffering, is an illusion. We proved this to ourself just earlier today when we withstood the pain of broken ribs, yet did not let it impede us. We we can overcome this as we over came that pain. Confusion may buffet us, but to the enlightened a scorching day is pleasantly cool, confusion is merely a distant tap upon clarity.
>Try as you might, any kind of organized thought escapes you. The poison scatters thought like a bully kicking over a sand castle, and the parts of your mind that don't feel like a tornado is in there are blanketed by a kind of static, buzzing and cracking and blinding and stifling. Either one, you might be able to overcome. But both is beyond you. You try to struggle against them as best as you can, but your will fails you. Your strength fails you. Sight leaves you. Sound leaves you. Smell leaves you. And then, at last, consciousness leaves you.
>...
>...
>...
>Eons later, you rise from a dark slumber. Your head feels heavy, and thoughts do not come easily. Something happened to you, but what?
>Oh right, the flame chamber. The voice. And then... The spider. The spider and its poison. And that psychic assault. But the memories do not come easily. You are now thinking at least clearly enough to recognize that something is still affecting your mind. And that, perhaps more alarmingly, you cannot move.
>No that's not quite accurate. You can raise your hands feet but only barely. Something is binding you. In fact, it feels like you are stuck to something, something at least as large as your body.
>And then you hear a voice, one that sounds fairly familiar, "Are you awake?" You think the voice belongs to... Satori? It takes you a long moment to conjure up the name, but when you do, it sends a jolt of dread through your body. Somehow, you manage to open your eyes. It is indeed the head of the temple standing before you, though not clad in her miko vestments. She seems deceptively harmless in her pale blue shirt buttoned with yellow heart shaped buttons, frilly pink skirt with a faint flowery pattern and pink shoes. She even seems vaguely surprised, and smiling because of it. Despite the interference in your mind, something about that smile makes you nervous.
-
>Are we still in our Lotus form?
>How do we seem to be bound?
>"Why?"
-
>Are we still in our Lotus form?
>How do we seem to be bound?
>"Why?"
>You seem to be.
>By something that appears to be webbing. But it's not any kind of normal webbing. There's a bluish tinge to this one and purple lines of energy run through it. You sense some kind of power running through it, but you have a hard time focusing your mystic senses enough to identify it.
>"I wasn't expecting that for some time yet." She leans in a little closer to you, seemingly pleased. "You're more resilient than you look, my dear. In more ways than one."
-
>How much of us appears to be pinned?
>Can we identify the room we're in?
>"I take little comfort from that under the circumstances."
-
>How much of us appears to be pinned?
>Can we identify the room we're in?
>"I take little comfort from that under the circumstances."
>While you are wholly attached to the web, you can 'wriggle' your limbs for want of a better term. Your hair stuck to the web more than your neck, so you have some range of motion with your head, but not too much, and only side to side.
>It isn't so much a room as a cave. Naked stone makes up the walls of this place. You appear to have been suspended in a small alcove of rock.
>"Oh?" she says simply, drawing back. "Would you prefer if I was upset rather than pleasantly surprised?"
-
>Can we sense anything with our mystic senses that might give us a clue to our location? We know what the ambient magic of the shrine feels like. Does it seem we might still be on the grounds somewhere? Can we sense it in the distance?
>"I think I would prefer to be somewhere else entirely, if we are to be completely frank. But in the meantime, I suppose this will have to do."
-
>Can we sense anything with our mystic senses that might give us a clue to our location? We know what the ambient magic of the shrine feels like. Does it seem we might still be on the grounds somewhere? Can we sense it in the distance?
>"I think I would prefer to be somewhere else entirely, if we are to be completely frank. But in the meantime, I suppose this will have to do."
>Your mystic senses appear to be blunted beyond a few feet, and blurry even within that. But you can tell at least that you're not within the aura of power you sensed from within the temple.
>"And eloquent, too. Even more unusual. Ordinarily, anyone bitten by my jack can't even talk for some time after awakening."
-
>"You sound as though you have a fair bit of comparative experience."
-
>"You sound as though you have a fair bit of comparative experience."
>"I've had my jack for almost thirty years. Situations develop in that length of time."
>You may not have much luck scanning much at range, but you are sensing something from Satori herself. Not the kind of power you felt before in Kiku's mind, but something else. Something far darker.
-
>Do we think that is power she herself is using actively, or something that has attached itself to her - in a manner maybe slightly similar to a dark seed?
>"You never answered my question; why have you done all this?"
-
>Do we think that is power she herself is using actively, or something that has attached itself to her - in a manner maybe slightly similar to a dark seed?
>"You never answered my question; why have you done all this?"
>Without bringing more of what power you have available to bear, it's hard to tell. It could be both. But you don't need any power to see something out of place that you didn't see before. The third eye that hangs suspended from her body has a jet black sliver of some kind of material stuck in it. That splinter seems to be the source of the dark feeling.
>"It wasn't my first choice." the miko answers, folding her arms across her rather diminutive chest. "But when you mentioned my name, I could hardly let you go. I had to know what you knew about me."
-
>"What was your first choice, if I may ask?"
-
>"What was your first choice, if I may ask?"
>"No." she replies simply. "Now it's your turn to answer my questions. Starting with just how much you know about me."
-
>"I know you have done some great unkindnesses to those who look up to you. I do not know why."
-
>"I know you have done some great unkindnesses to those who look up to you. I do not know why."
>"Oh come now, there's more to it than that."
-
>"Is what I said untrue? I do not know why you have gone to such lengths to deceive those who respect and admire you. I had hoped in coming here, I might be able to understand the reasons for it."
-
>"Is what I said untrue? I do not know why you have gone to such lengths to deceive those who respect and admire you. I had hoped in coming here, I might be able to understand the reasons for it."
>The small woman merely looks on expectantly, like she waits to hear you say more on the matter.
-
>"The Metal Tiger Himself said that there was a shadow over His house. I would have liked no more than to be able to count you as ally against the invasion which threatens our world. Why would you treat others such that even the very divinity which you serve feels the need to protect others from you?"
-
>"The Metal Tiger Himself said that there was a shadow over His house. I would have liked no more than to be able to count you as ally against the invasion which threatens our world. Why would you treat others such that even the very divinity which you serve feels the need to protect others from you?"
>Satori's eyes narrow angrily. "Are you sure you don't want to try a different lie? It is unwise to make those kind of claims about that God around me. In point of fact, it's one of the few things that still makes me genuinely angry."
-
>"It is no lie, whether that angers you or not - I would not invoke His name so spuriously."
-
>"It is no lie, whether that angers you or not - I would not invoke His name so spuriously."
>The shrine maiden actually seems to puff up like an angry cat as you reassert the truth of the matter. The next words that you hear are not from her, though, but from another woman to your left, accented and harsh but still female, "Shulda lemme kill'er."
>Satori visally collects herself, then looks to her right. "And if you had, then how would I have learned what she knows of me?" The miko narrows her eyes again, the black splinter in her third eye pulses, and the woman screams. "And you will not second guess me."
>"Yes.... Mistress...!" comes the answer around the pained sounds.
>This seems to satisfy Satori and she relaxes, the other woman panting in relief. Leaving Satori to return her attention to you. "Now, then. How exactly did you come by this knowledge of me? And I do intreat you to be honest with me."
-
>What does this other woman look like?
>"I am already being honest. The Metal Tiger's warning was the first reason I had to suspect you of duplicity. Do you not think I would offer a more pleasing lie under the circumstances, if this were one? How foolish do you believe me to be?"
-
>"I am already being honest. The Metal Tiger's warning was the first reason I had to suspect you of duplicity. Do you not think I would offer a more pleasing lie under the circumstances, if this were one? How foolish do you believe me to be?"
>"Foolish enough to walk right into my home." Satori counters. "If you thought me some kind of villain, you should have come after me far more prepared than you were."
>What does this other woman look like?
>Hazarding a careful glance to your left, so as not to tangle your head up even more with the web, you see a deeply tanned woman with gently pointed ears and short, messy green hair kneeling on the ground.
>Your attention, though, is drawn to the woman you see standing at attention a couple feet away from her before you can note more in the way of details about her. It is White Rose.
-
>Standing at attention? Unrestrained in any way we can see? Conscious? Injured?
-
>Standing at attention? Unrestrained in any way we can see? Conscious? Injured?
>Yes. Yes. Yes. No.
-
>Is she looking at us? Does she seem to recognize us? Can we get any sense of her emotional state from her expression and bearing?
-
>Is she looking at us? Does she seem to recognize us? Can we get any sense of her emotional state from her expression and bearing?
>She's looking vaguely in your direction, but her expression is utterly blank, practically lifeless. You can sense no more from her than you can the kneeling woman. This could be the effect of the power muffling your mind and powers, but some part of you tells you otherwise.
>"Something catch your eye?" Satori asks lightly, a slight, cryptic smile on her face.
-
>"I had not realized you had brought so much company with you."
>As horrifying as this is, try not to let the distress show on our face if we can help it. We'll get you out of this Orin. Somehow. Please forgive us....
-
>"I had not realized you had brought so much company with you."
>As horrifying as this is, try not to let the distress show on our face if we can help it. We'll get you out of this Orin. Somehow. Please forgive us....
>Ordinarily, keeping a good poker face is not something you have a great deal of difficulty with. Heck, you can even keep your composure around Koakuma, and that's no easy task. But seeing Rin in that state.... Keeping a perfectly straight face is simply beyond you.
>"Whereas you apparantly didn't bring enough." Satori replies, her smile straying towards smug. "But I will confess, your choice in allies has presented me with an extremely unusual situation. As have you yourself, I should add."
-
>"And what is that?"
-
>"And what is that?"
>Satori pauses for a moment before replying, "Since you came here expecting to find me up to no good, for want of a better term, you obviously know what I can do."
-
>"That does not mean I know what you will do."
-
>"That does not mean I know what you will do."
>"Or what I am capable of?"
-
>"I have seen some of your handiwork in the minds of others - memories hidden or rewritten, conditioned responses, some of it very thorough and old."
-
>"I have seen some of your handiwork in the minds of others - memories hidden or rewritten, conditioned responses, some of it very thorough and old."
>Satori nods. "Good, now we're being honest. But just what sort of psychic are you? I've never met a mind quite like yours before. Well, except for your companion over there."
-
>"I'm not a psychic at all - certainly not in the sense that you are. But the changes you have wrought in others are like a grey veil across their heart - something foreign and out of place."
-
>"I'm not a psychic at all - certainly not in the sense that you are. But the changes you have wrought in others are like a grey veil across their heart - something foreign and out of place."
>That seems to make Satori pause. "All right, I've never heard that one before. And for someone like me, that's a rare thing to say." She smiles again. "You're just full of surprises, aren't you."
-
>"Perhaps for the time-being, we can consider that mutual?"
-
>"Perhaps for the time-being, we can consider that mutual?"
>"Hardly. You knew at least something about me before you came her. Though obviously not enough. While I, on the other hand, am at something of a loss when it comes to you." The miko folds her arms again. "And that's the first time in fifty years I've been able to say that and mean it."
-
>"I was genuine when I said that I had come here hoping to understand you better. I know you were not the one chosen to lead this shrine, but assumed that position instead of the one who had been chosen, and then altered others' minds so that they would not object or question this. But I do not know why. By most accounts, you have fulfilled many of the duties of your position faithfully - so why this level of deception?"
-
>"I was genuine when I said that I had come here hoping to understand you better. I know you were not the one chosen to lead this shrine, but assumed that position instead of the one who had been chosen, and then altered others' minds so that they would not object or question this. But I do not know why. By most accounts, you have fulfilled many of the duties of your position faithfully - so why this level of deception?"
>Satori lets out a slow breath, looking resigned. "Considering our present circumstances, I'm inclined to think you won't believe me."
-
>"I still would like to, if I can."
-
>"I still would like to, if I can."
>The purple haired woman looks at you speculatively, and she places her hand over the third eye attached to her body. Despite the fog in your mind, you have enough focus to see that her fingers pass over the splinter in her eye, and she has no reaction to it at all. You don't dwell on it for long before the green-haired woman, who has regained her feet, cautions Satori, "You'll aveta kill'er if y'tell'er."
>Rather than react how she did earlier, Satori this time lowers her head. "No I won't. I've never taken a life and I won't start now. I've seen enough death to last me a thousand lifetimes." The black splinter pulses with an ugly glow as Satori looks up at you, her face neutral. "You want to know why I've done what I've done? It is because I am trying to save this miserable world, the only way I know how."
-
>"Save it from what?"
-
>"Save it from what?"
>"From people." Satori replies harshly, not directed at you, you think, but at those she speaks of.
-
>"In general?"
-
>"In general?"
>Satori doesn't answer you right away, taking a moment to collect herself again. After she does, she steps towards you again. She raises her arm, and you feel nervous for a moment, not quite sure what the woman is up to. But she simply lays her hand rather gently against your leg. With you being suspended off the ground and her being somewhat short, that's probably the easiest for her. This however does not cross your mind. What does is, when she makes contact with your body, you see something in hers. From the black splinter in her third eye there spirals numerous black thorny tendrils, spreading like some kind of malign ivy throughout her entire body. You have seen the corruption Satori has wrought in others' minds. Satori, however, appears to have been corrupted herself. And by something far more foul. Something that makes your eyes ache to even look upon.
>"You're too young to remember the last war, aren't you? The Lunarian war, the second one." she asks in a quiet voice, not meeting your eyes.
-
>"It was before my time, yes."
-
>"It was before my time, yes."
>"But not mine. In fact, I was on my way to Mayoiga the day it was destroyed." She smiles a nostalgic smile, a look badly marred by the spectral black thorns surrounding her lips. "My sister's idea. She loved to travel, she'd never been to Mayoiga before." The smile fades. "She never did. You see, we'd stopped at a little overlook on the way into town, to see the whole city at a glance. We were watching when the bomb dropped." Her arm drops, and your view of the corrupting blackness within her fades, much to the relief of your eyes. "You can't imagine what that's like. To see a city... vanish in the blink of an eye. That's why they called it the Blink Bomb, you know. Mayoiga was there, and then my sister and I blinked, and it wasn't. And that would have been bad enough. Some other witnesses were driven mad by the sight. But I wasn't as lucky as that." She leans in closer to you again, and her eyes seem somehow dead. "You see, I didn't just watch them all die. I felt them die."
-
>"That's... that's horrifying. I... cannot even imagine what that must have been like."
>So many people....
-
>"That's... that's horrifying. I... cannot even imagine what that must have been like."
>So many people....
>"Never before did I wish I wasn't psychic so badly." Satori agrees. "And that would have been bad enough. But, as you might be aware, less than an hour later, Earth's own doomsday weapon hit the Moon. I remember, I was looking up at the moon at the time, just wondering, how could they? How could they just reach down from the sky and snuff out more than a million lives? But as I was thinking that, I saw a red spot appear on the moon. Our missile, wiping the city of Lix off the face of the moon. And I saw it more than just as a red spot." The shrine maiden turns from you, walking slowly away from the alcove you hang in. "I saw the people on the moon in my mind's eye. I saw their bodies bake, explode, disintigrate in a nuclear fireball. I felt them, just as I felt the people of Mayoiga die...."
>The green haired woman, moving on very quiet feet, makes her way over to Satori's side and lays a hand gentle on the shrine maiden's shoulder. "Mistress." she says simply yet firmly.
>This puts the stiffness back in Satori's spine that had started to slack. She turns back towards you. "I saw what people were truly capable of that day. Terran, Lunarian, it made no difference. Two cities in less than an hour. And you might say, 'But we're at peace now.' It will not last. It can't. And if it isn't a Blink Bomb or a nuclear missile, it will be something else made for mass murder. Humanoid life will destroy itself. And I won't let that happen."
-
>"What are you doing to stop it?"
>Presumably we know of those two events. Do we know any background into the circumstances of their use, or whether they were ever regarded as war crimes?
-
>From the tone and posture, did it sound more like the green-haired woman was attempting to comfort Satori, or remind her not to go soft on us?
-
>From the tone and posture, did it sound more like the green-haired woman was attempting to comfort Satori, or remind her not to go soft on us?
>Definately the former. In fact, the way she said 'Mistress' was not radically different from the way your Rin uses that word on occasion. This despite the fact that the woman does not wear the collar of a slave.
>Presumably we know of those two events. Do we know any background into the circumstances of their use, or whether they were ever regarded as war crimes?
>The reasoning behind the use of the Blink Bomb on Mayoiga is not known for certain. Mayoiga was not even a military target. Some believe that it was used as the ultimate sign of the contempt the Lunarians felt towards Earthlings, while others, including some Lunarian sources, claim it was simply a weapon like any other. Its use was a technological inevitability. The real truth may never be known for sure.
>The fusion device used against the Moon, on the other hand, is much better documented. Despite the second war being a much more level field than the first Lunarian invasion, the Moon people still had the edge in morale, supplies and most of all, technology. It was a fact to them that they would win, that no weapon created by Terrans could ever really harm them, especially not their paradise on the Moon. The nuclear weapon project, codenamed Angra Mainyu, was Terra's answer to that. Beleiving that nothing short of a cataclysmic strike against the Moon itself would ever end the war, a small team of commandos infiltrated the Lunar city of Lix and disabled its defenses. This allowed one nuclear fusion missile, nicknamed 'Megatron', to be deployed against the city, annihilating it.
>This nearly simultaneous destruction of two cities finally, firmly convinced both sides to end the war.
>In the aftermath of the war, the Terran coalition sought to have the Lunarian scientist primarily responsible for the development and deployment of the Blink Bomb extradited to Earth to answer for what she had done, but to this day still, the Lunarian princess has refused all such requests. This remains an extremely sore spot among Terrans.
>As for the man who developed the Megatron missile, he was the one who actually pushed the 'launch' button that day, and the weight of what he had done crushed him. Two days after the destruction of Lix, he destroyed every piece of data he could find pertaining to the construction of fusion devices, and then killed himself.
>"What are you doing to stop it?"
>"I intend to rule." Satori replies simply. "Every single Terran AND Lunarian species has proven incabale of ending the kind of violence, preventing the mentality that leads to wars, impotent to stop gruesome crimes from happening right under their noses. But I am a Satori." she says proudly, drawing herself to her full height. "I am not every other species. I can do what they have failed to do."
-
>"By literally changing the minds of those who would foment conflict?"
-
>"By literally changing the minds of those who would foment conflict?"
>"If I have to. And at some point I will, I can assure you. But I don't want that to be the very first step. What I need- what the world needs- is people in power I can depend on. Specifically, these kinds of people." she says, gesturing to both her companion and Rin. "Animal youkai." she clarifies, smiling, this time a genuine smile. "I like animals, I always have. And that includes youkai. They're honest, pure, at least those who manage not to be corrupted by taking on characterists of the other races. And they never kill like people do. If they ruled the worlds, neither Lunarian war would have happened."
-
>"I'm sure if your animals were in charge, things would have gone much differently. Honestly, I am surprised to hear you say such things, though. I expected a rather more selfish motive."
-
>"There are those among all peoples who believe fervently in peace and non-violence. It is true that humanity has proven itself capable of horrific deeds, but yet it is also capable of great kindness and compassion, and one can see this in small ways all around, if one takes time to look."
>"Perhaps it may surprise you, but I believe in many ways we share the same ideals. I too wish for a world where none would cause wanton suffering to another, where there would be no cause or need for violence. As I have already said, myself and my allies stand against the invaders from Makai, but I fight them not simply to defeat them and triumph, or even just to defend those who would die at their hands, but so that eventually fighting between our peoples will become unnecessary. What I want is for us to be able to co-exist in peace, and I am absolutely committed to this goal."
-
>"I'm sure if your animals were in charge, things would have gone much differently. Honestly, I am surprised to hear you say such things, though. I expected a rather more selfish motive."
>Satori smiles. "A more ambitious villain, you mean?" she inquires.
>"There are those among all peoples who believe fervently in peace and non-violence. It is true that humanity has proven itself capable of horrific deeds, but yet it is also capable of great kindness and compassion, and one can see this in small ways all around, if one takes time to look."
>"I used to think that way, too." the shrine maiden replies. "You'd think differently now yourself if you'd seen what I have. Someone has to change things, and I will be that person. If I have to be the one to save the races of Earth from themselves, then so be it."
>"Perhaps it may surprise you, but I believe in many ways we share the same ideals. I too wish for a world where none would cause wanton suffering to another, where there would be no cause or need for violence. As I have already said, myself and my allies stand against the invaders from Makai, but I fight them not simply to defeat them and triumph, or even just to defend those who would die at their hands, but so that eventually fighting between our peoples will become unnecessary. What I want is for us to be able to co-exist in peace, and I am absolutely committed to this goal."
>"Ah, yes. We come full circle. These invaders. I would like to know more about them. Let's start with this Makai place, shall we?"
-
>"I only know a little about it, myself, but I understand it to be a horrible and harsh realm - the planet itself somehow part-sentient and malevolent, striving to kill any who lives upon it. The demons who have come to our world from there are trying to escape it, to find a place where they can live without being preyed upon. And from everything I have heard, no living being should have to endure the horrors they have. Unfortunately, the harsh desperation of their upbringing has made many see violence as their only option for survival. That the only way for them to live in our world is for them to conquer and take it from us. I am convinced it is not so - there is room enough for both our peoples."
-
>"I only know a little about it, myself, but I understand it to be a horrible and harsh realm - the planet itself somehow part-sentient and malevolent, striving to kill any who lives upon it. The demons who have come to our world from there are trying to escape it, to find a place where they can live without being preyed upon. And from everything I have heard, no living being should have to endure the horrors they have. Unfortunately, the harsh desperation of their upbringing has made many see violence as their only option for survival. That the only way for them to live in our world is for them to conquer and take it from us. I am convinced it is not so - there is room enough for both our peoples."
>"Oh? And what makes you so sure of that?"
-
>"I have spoken with one of their champions at length. I feel that ultimately our kinds are not so alien from each other - that though we might call them 'demons', they are still people, and ones who have suffered terribly. That the violence and ruthlessness many exhibit are because they have never known any other way, because on their world perhaps there is no other way if they are to remain alive. I'm sure you know how even a gentle-tempered animal may lash out if it is cornered and feels its life is in jeopardy. That does not mean that its nature is simply one of violence. For the champions' kind, most spends their entire lives in such a corner - literally unable to sleep a single night without fear that the ground may swallow and devour them where they lie. Who, under such circumstances, could know of peace?"
>"But I think they can learn. And I think they deserve the chance to try. I have no intention to allow them to harm even a single person, so long as I can help it. But nor do I wish them harm, and I think there can be an end where neither has to happen. This peace you seek - this world where nobody need die in pointless conflicts - is something I also seek, and something I have committed myself to pursing."
-
>"I have spoken with one of their champions at length. I feel that ultimately our kinds are not so alien from each other - that though we might call them 'demons', they are still people, and ones who have suffered terribly. That the violence and ruthlessness many exhibit are because they have never known any other way, because on their world perhaps there is no other way if they are to remain alive. I'm sure you know how even a gentle-tempered animal may lash out if it is cornered and feels its life is in jeopardy. That does not mean that its nature is simply one of violence. For the champions' kind, most spends their entire lives in such a corner - literally unable to sleep a single night without fear that the ground may swallow and devour them where they lie. Who, under such circumstances, could know of peace?"
>"But I think they can learn. And I think they deserve the chance to try. I have no intention to allow them to harm even a single person, so long as I can help it. But nor do I wish them harm, and I think there can be an end where neither has to happen. This peace you seek - this world where nobody need die in pointless conflicts - is something I also seek, and something I have committed myself to pursing."
>Satori answers your firm declaration with a rather sympathetic smile. "You believe, then, that you have the power to enforce a peace between both sides? Because you will, you know. You may be right, perhaps these demons can learn. But by your own admission, they won't start that way. Their aggression, their violence, will be brought with them, and it will be used against the people of Earth. And the reverse is true as well. People will see these demons as nothing but invaders, dark and violent monsters who want nothing than to steal their homes and lands and lives. It may even provoke the Lunarians into invading again. They still see Terrans as worthy only of contempt, as being an affront to their purity. How do you think they'll respond to seeing these creatures spread across the earth?"
>As Satori rolls on about what she seems to think are inevitabilities, you hear a somewhat muffled, distant sounding Lotus? in your mind's ear. You think it's Kiku, but the sound is distorted enough to leave you unsure.
>"I am prepared to do what I must to make my peace come to pass." Satori goes on. "Can you say the same?"
-
>"I am resolved to stake my life on this, and already have. However arduous the road may be, I am committed to a brighter future - for those who have suffered, and for all those more who will suffer if nothing is changed."
>Try to gather our focus enough to respond to the voice in our head: ...yes?
-
>"I am resolved to stake my life on this, and already have. However arduous the road may be, I am committed to a brighter future - for those who have suffered, and for all those more who will suffer if nothing is changed."
>Try to gather our focus enough to respond to the voice in our head: ...yes?
>"And the lives of others?" Satori asks. "Are you prepared to take a life to save another? Or, are you like me? Do you have the power to not- What was that?" she stops suddenly as you try and cast your mental voice out.
-
>Was that question directed accusingly at us, or did she seem uncertain WHAT that was?
-
>Was that question directed accusingly at us, or did she seem uncertain WHAT that was?
>She seemed surprised as to what it was she heard or thought she heard.
-
>If she doesn't seem to think that was our doing, just pause silently for a moment and maybe she'll shrug it off. If she does not continue her train of thought after a bit, we can add a gentle "What?"
-
>If she doesn't seem to think that was our doing, just pause silently for a moment and maybe she'll shrug it off. If she does not continue her train of thought after a bit, we can add a gentle "What?"
>She casts her eyes around the room suspiciously for a moment, then seems to shrug slightly. "Perhaps I've spent too much time underground today." she mutters to herself.
>Just before she does, however, the voice replies with a short, staticy message. You are fairly confident it said We are coming.
>"Where were we?" Satori asks you casually, seemingly unaware of the reply.
-
>"I believe you were about to ask me if I had the power not to have to kill?"
-
>"I believe you were about to ask me if I had the power not to have to kill?"
>"Yes. Thank you. You see, my power affords me that ability. I've been working towards this goal for almost half a century, and never once have I taken a life to do it. Do you have that kind of power as well?"
-
>"The demon champion we defeated and subdued is still alive and healthy, but imprisoned safely out of reach of any she might harm until I believe she is no longer a threat to those around her. I believe we can repeat this for the rest. And the youma they created, I have purified and returned to their original forms without injury to them. So yes, I can also put an end to these threats without needing to take a life."
-
>"The demon champion we defeated and subdued is still alive and healthy, but imprisoned safely out of reach of any she might harm until I believe she is no longer a threat to those around her. I believe we can repeat this for the rest. And the youma they created, I have purified and returned to their original forms without injury to them. So yes, I can also put an end to these threats without needing to take a life."
>That makes her pause. "Did you say 'youma'? But that was Lunarian magic."
-
>"Not wholly, it seems."
-
>"Not wholly, it seems."
>"And you have the power to reverse a youma transformation that doesn't destroy the transformed? The shrines believe that to be impossible. Even Haruka couldn't find a way to do that, and she would if anyone could have."
-
>"Haruka herself witnessed me do it this evening, just before I came here."
-
>"Haruka herself witnessed me do it this evening, just before I came here."
>A breath of laughter comes from Satori. "I suppose she was as surprised as I am."
-
>"Yes. But she was satisfied that it had indeed worked, and the horse seemed in fair health afterward."
-
>"Yes. But she was satisfied that it had indeed worked, and the horse seemed in fair health afterward."
>Satori nods. And then you feel a distinctly uncomfortable sensation, like someone has stuck their fingers into your head. A pained sound escapes your lips as you endure the sensation of someone poking around inside your head. Or at least trying to. Despite the psychic discomfort, even outright pain, you feel the fingers hit some kind of block. Repeatedly. After several long moments, the hands retreat. "It would seem I'll have to take your word for that for the moment." Satori says evenly as you try to catch your breath.
-
>Catch our breath a moment.
>"Was that... was that really... necessary? I am trying to share with you... in good faith, as someone who would like to see less suffering in the world, much as you also profess."
-
>Catch our breath a moment.
>"Was that... was that really... necessary? I am trying to share with you... in good faith, as someone who would like to see less suffering in the world, much as you also profess."
>"You presented me with an idea that, until today, I believed to be impossible. Even if you were a beast youkai, I would want to see that scene for myself."
>"If it's any consolation, though, it wasn't intended to be painful. I don't normally inflict pain just by looking, and I don't enjoy it when I do. But your mind is different."
-
>"I take it you couldn't see what you were looking for?"
-
>"I take it you couldn't see what you were looking for?"
>"You assume correctly." Satori replies, sounding a little petulant, despite herself.
-
>"I've never had someone try to look around in my mind before. At least, not like that."
>"I could... describe what happened, if you'd like?"
-
>"I've never had someone try to look around in my mind before. At least, not like that."
>"I could... describe what happened, if you'd like?"
>"No, I'll wait until I see Haruka next." She pauses to look you in the eye. "Understand, you are still human. My well of faith in that area is not deep."
-
>"I know it is an extraordinary claim, but I promise I am being truthful. ...I suppose you're not altogether accustomed to having to simply take people at their word about such things, are you?"
-
>"I know it is an extraordinary claim, but I promise I am being truthful. ...I suppose you're not altogether accustomed to having to simply take people at their word about such things, are you?"
>"As a matter of fact, I'm not." Satori replies sourly. "And don't think I'm happy about it, either. You two have put me in a very uncomfortable position."
>The shrine maiden sighs and steps in Rin's direction. "But we can discuss that later. Setting aside this youma situation, this demon you say you have captured. Where is it now?"
-
>"In what I suppose you could refer to as a pocket dimension that we created to hold it. It resembles Memorial Park, or at least some of it - the parts nearest the pond; I'd wanted some place it could hopefully feel comfortable in. We can come and go between here and there, but it cannot leave unless I allow it to."
-
>"In what I suppose you could refer to as a pocket dimension that we created to hold it. It resembles Memorial Park, or at least some of it - the parts nearest the pond; I'd wanted some place it could hopefully feel comfortable in. We can come and go between here and there, but it cannot leave unless I allow it to."
>Satori pauses in mid-step to look at you in confusion once more. Seemingly despite herself, she laughs a short, smiling laugh. "You ARE an idealist, aren't you?"
-
>"I do my best to live the values I profess."
-
>"I do my best to live the values I profess."
>The purple haired woman sighs again as she starts walking again. Surprised as you were to see your Rin in the state she was in before, you didn't notice the simple wooden table situated near where the green-haired woman was standing, with a paper lantern resting on it. Satori pulls the chair out from the table and sits. "You know, if your memories weren't closed to me, I think I might be enjoying this conversation." She gently massages her temple with two fingers, and you see the black splinter pulse with its ugly energy again. "But this power you two have, assuming it IS your power that shields part of your minds to me, makes it difficult for me to decide just what I'm going to do with you."
-
>"It must leave one feeling rather adrift to be without the certainty you're used to being able to operate within. For what it's worth, I do sympathize; I am not trying to be closed - rather the opposite. It is something of an unpleasant irony in this situation to have more difficulty proving one's honesty to someone who can read thoughts than to most of those who cannot."
>"But assuming that all of what I've said is true, what do you think you would do then?"
-
>"It must leave one feeling rather adrift to be without the certainty you're used to being able to operate within. For what it's worth, I do sympathize; I am not trying to be closed - rather the opposite. It is something of an unpleasant irony in this situation to have more difficulty proving one's honesty to someone who can read thoughts than to most of those who cannot."
>"But assuming that all of what I've said is true, what do you think you would do then?"
>Satori rubs her head again. "Well, since I won't kill you, I seem to have but one choice. And that, I'm afraid, is to keep you here until I find a way to penetrate your mental defenses. I don't relish the idea of keeping you here that long, since I doubt this will be easy, but I seem to have no other choice."
-
>"Is it that difficult for you to contemplate the thought of trusting someone whose thoughts you cannot read?"
-
>"Is it that difficult for you to contemplate the thought of trusting someone whose thoughts you cannot read?"
>"I don't trust anyone human." Satori replies. "Not anymore."
-
>"And what of an animal youkai who trusts a human?"
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>"And what of an animal youkai who trusts a human?"
>"What does that have to do with this?"
-
>"Would you distrust all of their convictions if they concerned the integrity of a human?"
-
>"Would you distrust all of their convictions if they concerned the integrity of a human?"
>Satori smiles. "As a matter of fact, I would. And I haven't been wrong yet."
-
>"Is that to say that you have not dealt with a single human in the last decades who you would consider a good and honest person?"
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>"Is that to say that you have not dealt with a single human in the last decades who you would consider a good and honest person?"
>"None that I would trust any farther than I can throw them." She taps her temple with her finger. "And if anyone would know if one can be trusted... Except, evidently, you two."
-
>Frown
>"Then I am very sorry you have had the misfortune to meet with so few good and earnest people. I know that I have been fortunate to be surrounded by many, and I fear my world would be a far sadder place without them."
>"But if you will permit me a question on a slightly different topic. You know I said that I could sense the manipulation of memories you performed in the minds of others as a 'grey' within their hearts? Obscuring veils and twisting tendrils woven through parts of their psyche?"
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>Frown
>"Then I am very sorry you have had the misfortune to meet with so few good and earnest people. I know that I have been fortunate to be surrounded by many, and I fear my world would be a far sadder place without them."
>"But if you will permit me a question on a slightly different topic. You know I said that I could sense the manipulation of memories you performed in the minds of others as a 'grey' within their hearts? Obscuring veils and twisting tendrils woven through parts of their psyche?"
>"Your world would be a different place if you had the power that I do." Satori says, almost sympathetically. "Count your blessings, girl. Seeing what people hide behind their words is not always purely a blessing."
>"Yes, what of it?" she asks, pressing her hand against her head.
-
>"When you touched me earlier, I saw something very reminiscent of that inside you, though even more intense and pervasive, like thorny black vines entangling you. Are you... aware of this?"
-
>"When you touched me earlier, I saw something very reminiscent of that inside you, though even more intense and pervasive, like thorny black vines entangling you. Are you... aware of this?"
>"That may just be how you perceive my powers-" She stops suddenly, lowering her hand and looking over at you. "How could you perceive anything about my powers right now? That web is made of psychic fibers. You shouldn't be able to sense anything about me."
-
>"I cannot read yours or anyone else's thoughts, and I never could. But I can see some trace of what I described, even now. I do not believe that is simply how I perceive your powers. It does not feel like a part of you that is supposed to be there, but something that does not belong, something external and malign. It... hurts a little, to look at."
-
>"I cannot read yours or anyone else's thoughts, and I never could. But I can see some trace of what I described, even now. I do not believe that is simply how I perceive your powers. It does not feel like a part of you that is supposed to be there, but something that does not belong, something external and malign. It... hurts a little, to look at."
>The shrine maiden lets out a disappointed sigh. "You can't really expect me to believe you."
-
>"That splinter in your third eye; what is it?"
-
>"That splinter in your third eye; what is it?"
>Satori looks at you for another moment, then looks down at the aforementioned appendage. "By the looks of things, a figment of your imagination." She cups her chin in thought as she looks back up at you. "I suppose the web could be interacting with your body in a way I can't account for." she suggests.
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>"I have seen it pulse darkly several times. The web of vines I spoke of stems from it. Whether you can see it or not, I am convinced that it is there, and that it is not supposed to be. I am... concerned for you, though perhaps you may also find that difficult to believe under the circumstances. But I swear it is true."
-
>"I have seen it pulse darkly several times. The web of vines I spoke of stems from it. Whether you can see it or not, I am convinced that it is there, and that it is not supposed to be. I am... concerned for you, though perhaps you may also find that difficult to believe under the circumstances. But I swear it is true."
>"Enough." Satori says firmly. "If you can concoct a story that fancy, then clearly my jack's web isn't strong enough." The miko narrows her eyes and the webbing keeping you in place glows with renewed intensity. The fog clouding your mind deepens. This is not a painful experience like the last time, but it is more than a little unsettling. At least it is when your mind adjusts enough to register unsettlement. "Let's stick to facts, shall we."
-
>Steady now. We have to keep ourselves as coherent as we can manage.
>"Those are... facts. This... what are you doing... helps neither of us. What good is... is information... from someone too muddled to recall it?"
-
>Steady now. We have to keep ourselves as coherent as we can manage.
>"Those are... facts. This... what are you doing... helps neither of us. What good is... is information... from someone too muddled to recall it?"
>"Oh, please, young lady, if you were coherant enough to dream up that story before, you're still functional now." She pauses, tilting her head curiously. "Unless you had that story conceived before you arrived, which could mean you know more about me than you've said."
>"Which brings us back to the situation at hand. Now, tell me, what do you suppose I would have done had I been able to read your mind?"
-
>"You would have seen that I was telling the truth. After that, I do not know."
-
>"You would have seen that I was telling the truth. After that, I do not know."
>"If I had been able to read your mind, I would have removed the knowledge of me that you possess that you shouldn't, done the same to your companion, given you better memories for all parties concerned, and then sent you on your way. No harm done to any of us." Satori states simply.
>"Now, that is something I would still prefer to do." she continues, leaning forward and resting her arms on her legs. "But at the moment, I can't do that, not with your mind blocked to me. So, I'm going to make you an offer."
-
>"And what is that?"
-
>"And what is that?"
>"Open your mind to me." Satori leans back in her chair. "If you do, I'll let you decide what memories you and your companion leave here with. I will assure my own security, and you and your friend can simply go on back to your lives, which I will know nothing about. I'm not interested in who you are, where you live, anything like that. Just what you know about me."
-
>"I am not certain how. You being unable to see anything is not deliberate on my part. If anything, I want you to see, so that you can believe I have been telling you the truth."
-
>"I am not certain how. You being unable to see anything is not deliberate on my part. If anything, I want you to see, so that you can believe I have been telling you the truth."
>Satori raises an eyebrow. "Now that's something I haven't heard in a very long time."
-
>"If there is no other way that you will believe my words are truthful, I wish that I could show you what I saw. What I see."
>Maybe... we can? What if we try to focus as hard as we can on that image of Satori with the black vines woven through her being - keep that image and our concern about it singularly in mind as best our muddled cognition can manage. Can we try to... cast it forward, a little like we do when communicating telepathically, but an image and to the room in general rather than a specific person. But if Satori could sense something then, maybe she could sense something this time also?
-
>Maybe... we can? What if we try to focus as hard as we can on that image of Satori with the black vines woven through her being - keep that image and our concern about it singularly in mind as best our muddled cognition can manage. Can we try to... cast it forward, a little like we do when communicating telepathically, but an image and to the room in general rather than a specific person. But if Satori could sense something then, maybe she could sense something this time also?
>At the moment, you're not even completely certain you can manage telepathy at this point, let alone a twist on the usual formula. But in thinking on it, you feel that you could do this. The image of those thorny vines is vivid in your mind, so you have no trouble focusing on that despite the mental static. Projecting that outward in a short range telepathic burst should be possible.
>The danger would be, you're not sure of the full range of Satori's telepathic abilities. In using a general broadcast, rather than a tight-beam transmission, she may be able to find a way to backtrack along it into your mind in general. To use an analogy, you may well end up opening your front door at least a crack in order to make Satori hear you. Depending on how good she is, she may be able to get her foot in that door before it closes again. Especially given your current debilitated state, you might not be able to muster enough focus to keep her out if she finds a way past the defenses you have up now.
>"If there is no other way that you will believe my words are truthful, I wish that I could show you what I saw. What I see."
>Satori seems to consider that for a moment. "No." she says quietly. "No, I've come too far. I can't risk.... There is no one who knows as much as you do about me, except my jack, and that is because I control her. I can't let you keep that knowledge, not if I can't control you. And I can't, since you're human, not the same way I control a beast youkai. This can only end one way, but for right now, it's up to you how we get there. Either open your mind to me, completely.... Or I'll have to force it open."
-
>"If that is the course you are committed to, I still ask that you listen to my words about what I've seen in you - for your sake, not mine. I have fought demons and youma and abominations, seen the touch of their power on the hearts of others, seen it change them in ways they did not even realize had happened. This is no figment of my imagination. We both know I am at your mercy here; if I speak false, you have nothing to lose but a few moments of your time. But if I speak true, far more is at stake - to you, and to your plans for a better world. Please, let me try to show you."
>Focus on that image of the thorny vines within Satori, how wrong they felt, our genuine concern for her, and project it out in one mental burst. Perhaps if we're quick and she doesn't know exactly what to expect, the proverbial door will be closed again before she can do anything about it. Assuming this even works at all.
-
>"If that is the course you are committed to, I still ask that you listen to my words about what I've seen in you - for your sake, not mine. I have fought demons and youma and abominations, seen the touch of their power on the hearts of others, seen it change them in ways they did not even realize had happened. This is no figment of my imagination. We both know I am at your mercy here; if I speak false, you have nothing to lose but a few moments of your time. But if I speak true, far more is at stake - to you, and to your plans for a better world. Please, let me try to show you."
>Focus on that image of the thorny vines within Satori, how wrong they felt, our genuine concern for her, and project it out in one mental burst. Perhaps if we're quick and she doesn't know exactly what to expect, the proverbial door will be closed again before she can do anything about it. Assuming this even works at all.
>As you speak, Satori and the green-haired woman exchange a look. Satori jerks her head back over her shoulder and the other woman nods, then turns and heads to your left.
>You have to wait until you finish your plea before drawing in your will for this attempt. With your mind as clouded as it is, you're not sure you can do both at the same time. The miko sighs again and lowers her head. "I suppose I'll have to take that as a refusal. A shame. But, I do what I must." As the woman talks, you gather in all the focus you can, all the willpower you can, and press it into a single thought, a torpedo of psychic energy. Or perhaps in this case, a grenade, as you manage to throw it out in Satori's general direction, just not from your mind to hers.
>"Just remember," Satori continues. "I gave you the-" Abruptly, as you throw your thought out into the air, she stops. And what's more interesting, the splinter in her mind's eye pulses again, as do the thorns in her body. The jiggling of the thorny vines coincides with the shrine maiden looking... slightly sickened. She places a hand to her stomach. Unfortunately, she then narrows her eyes at you. "And you claimed to have no psychic powers."
-
>"None like you. I cannot read thoughts or change memories. I just tried thinking very loudly, so that maybe you might hear me. You saw it, didn't you? What I can see inside you."
-
>"None like you. I cannot read thoughts or change memories. I just tried thinking very loudly, so that maybe you might hear me. You saw it, didn't you? What I can see inside you."
>"I saw what you projected." Satori replies. "I have to give you credit. Your mind is stronger than I ever dreamed."
-
>"I saw how you reacted when you saw it. You know that it is not right or natural or something that belongs inside you. And whatever it is, it is real."
-
>"I saw how you reacted when you saw it. You know that it is not right or natural or something that belongs inside you. And whatever it is, it is real."
>"What I don't know," the miko replies in a rather dark tone. "is how you managed to provoke a physical reaction in me. And since your little thought there reached my jack as well, I know you have at least some psychic ability." Her eyes narrow again. "That's what I thought I heard earlier, wasn't it? You've been in contact with someone, haven't you?"
-
>"I... thought I also heard something, around when you asked the same question earlier, but it was very faint and difficult to make out. Beyond that, I have not tried to contact anyone; I don't even know that I can. I didn't know that what I just did then could reach you, merely hoped. And surely a sense of physical disquiet is only a natural reaction if one were to see that kind of malignancy lurking within oneself? I know I would feel likewise, in your shoes. I just want to help."
-
>"I... thought I also heard something, around when you asked the same question earlier, but it was very faint and difficult to make out. Beyond that, I have not tried to contact anyone; I don't even know that I can. I didn't know that what I just did then could reach you, merely hoped. And surely a sense of physical disquiet is only a natural reaction if one were to see that kind of malignancy lurking within oneself? I know I would feel likewise, in your shoes. I just want to help."
>Satori still glares at you even as you make another plea, but then she seems to soften just a little. "I don't believe you, but... In that web... To still do these things..." She looks away from you for a moment, confusion playing over her face before she looks back at you. "Can you really be that strong?"
-
>"For all those I love, and all the people of this world I have sworn to safeguard, I will be as strong as I need to be. So please... let me lend some of that strength to you."
-
>"For all those I love, and all the people of this world I have sworn to safeguard, I will be as strong as I need to be. So please... let me lend some of that strength to you."
>The purple haired woman stands but does not look at you right away, her eyes on the stone floor beneath her. "That kind of faith... Isn't in me anymore." she sounds almost regretful, but when she raises her head, there is no more doubt or hesitation in her eyes. "That kind of trust is dead." she says flatly. "If you remember nothing else, girl, remember this: Sooner or later, everyone you don't control will betray you and leave you. And everyone puts themselves before someone else." She tries to smile, but before she speaks, you think you hear another voice, this one in your mind's ear. But there is so much psychic static playing over your brain that you can't even tell who it is or what they are saying. You do however hear Satori say, "But when Satori rules, when that time comes, I will remember your strength. I may even give you the chance to work with me again. After all," she says ominously, raising her hand, "It's always easier for me to control someone the second time."
>Her third eye starts to glow a dark purple, and you steel yourself against the assault you're sure is to come. For a moment, you thought you were getting through to her, but either due to the corruption in her soul or the bitterness of her spirit, Satori has rejected the aid you have offered her. And then something explodes.
>But it is not your mind, nor any technique employed by Satori, but the sound of a detonation from somewhere above you. From the left side of your vision there comes splinters of wood and shredded scraps of paper, and the green haired woman comes flying down from some height. Satori jerks forward and covers her head as the thunderous sound of a tiger's roar drowns out the sound of the blast, and a massive orange and black striped cat comes flying out of the darkness, landing atop the green-haired woman and driving her into the stone floor of the cave.
>As Satori recovers from the sudden violence of the scene, the Tiger glows and straightens into a bipedal form. It is Kiku, glowing with a powerful magical aura even your addled senses can see and sense, her face like the front of an oncoming storm. Despite the outrage in the gaze she levels at Satori, the first words out of her mouth are, "Are you all right?" It takes you a moment before you realize she is talking to you.
-
>"No. This web. It muffles the mind."
-
>"No. This web. It muffles the mind."
>"Not for long."
>"What are you DOING, Kiku?!" Satori roars, rounding on the other shrine maiden. "What is WRONG with you?"
>"You." the tiger youkai snarls between clenched fangs. "You have befouled this sacred place for years, stolen a position that did not belong to you, corrupted the minds of the Sisters and the people of this city, darkened what was supposed to have been a beacon of light and hope for an entire country." Kiku raises her fist. "That ends today. Starting with your latest victims."
>Kiku brings her fist back and slashes it in your direction, sending a wedge of red and grey energy out high enough to pass over your head. She is plainly aiming for the web, but her attack never reaches it. Satori's hands press together, a strand of beads clasped between them, and a grey light screen shimmers into view at the entrance of the alcove you hang in. The blade and shield meet and both shatter.
>"I'm stronger than you, Kiku." Satori declares, then smirks. "Not that I need to be." For a moment, the two women simply stare at each other, silent. Then Satori blinks, and her smug face dissolves into confusion. "You- Your mind-"
>"I am free of you, Satori." the tiger replies, pointedly cutting off the '-sama' usually appended to the name. "My mind is warded by great Byakko himself." A talisman slides out of her sleeve and into her hand. "And I am also stronger than you." The purple haired shrine maiden takes a frightened step backwards, her backside impacting the wood table. As Kiku raises her talisman, she speaks to you again, asking, "Has she hurt you?"
-
>"Not deliberately. Kiku, there is a corruption within her she cannot even see. I need to try and heal her. But be careful!"
>Does the green-haired woman seem to have been knocked out by Kiku's attack? Can we even see her from this angle?
-
>Does the green-haired woman seem to have been knocked out by Kiku's attack? Can we even see her from this angle?
>You can. They landed straight ahead of you, around twelve or so feet away. The green-haired woman hasn't moved since her rather dramatic arrival, but her head is turned from you, so you can't tell if she's out or merely biding her time.
>"Not deliberately. Kiku, there is a corruption within her she cannot even see. I need to try and heal her. But be careful!"
>"Be quiet!" Satori says as she points at you again. Agony assaults your mind as Satori blasts you with her psionic power.
>Kiku roars again and attacks once more, forming a trio of metallic spheres out of her glowing aura and sending them out at Satori. The purple haired miko pulls her hand back in and joins them in prayer again. A thick wall of iron rises out of the ground in front of her, but Kiku's attack quickly proves that this wall is not thick enough. Two of her orbs flatten upon impact with the wall and riddle the thing with cracks, allowing the third orb to punch through the shield like a cannonball. The sphere catches Satori in the stomach, throwing her back over the table to crash against the cave wall.
>Pressing one hand against her stomach, Satori raises her other hand and levitates the metal shards of her shattered wall off the ground. Kiku had started to take a step towards you, but has to stop to deal with the threat of the shrapnel now heading her way. Clenching a talisman between two fingers, Kiku waves her hand and the iron projectiles rust away in mid-flight, leaving trails of dust to float harmlessly past her. "For years you made me believe I wasn't as strong as you." she snarls at the wide-eyed Satori. "Made me doubt my powers, kept me from knowing just how strong I am." Kiku's fist clenches over her paper charm and her aura flares again, with an actual physical force strong enough to make your web waver. "Corruption or no, Satori, I am going to show you just how strong I really am."
>Satori glares at the tiger youkai, then turns her head not to you, but to White Rose. "Don't just stand there, defend me!"
>To your horror, Rin stirs from her attentive stance, raises her hand in Kiku's direction, and unleashes a cone of white flames at the tiger. "And don't hit my jack!" Satori commands, causing Rin to raise her arm up higher. Kiku holds her forearm up in front of her as she back off from the flames washing over her.
-
>Try to reach out to Rin with our mind. See if there's anything there at the moment we can reach, given both of our states: Rin, no! Stop! Please!
-
>Try to reach out to Rin with our mind. See if there's anything there at the moment we can reach, given both of our states: Rin, no! Stop! Please!
>Whether through the effect of the web on your own mind or through Satori's power, you sense nothing from Rin. You can't even be certain she heard you.
>For her part, Kiku takes a more direct approach, conjuring forth a large wedge of brass in front of her, sending White Rose's flames past her. Casting again, a flurry of yellow energy bolts fly from her brass shield. Satori manages to divert the shots heading her way, but White Rose takes them in the leg and torso, staggering but still standing.
>"You'll need to be stronger than that, Kiku." Satori says smugly as White Rose unleashes twin streams of flame at the tiger youkai. "She's under my control now, and it will take more than a physical shock to shake her loose." Her grin grows even smugger as Kiku's brass wedge melts away under Rin's assault. "How sad for you that this girl has fire powers. It doesn't matter how strong you think you are if she can melt anything to you can conjure.
>Kiku snarls again, calling forth more metallic orbs to float around her. She does not attack right away, though, instead she speaks in your mind, Can you reach Rose? just clearly enough to be understood through the interference.
-
>To Kiku: I'm trying! Nothing yet!
>To Rin: Please Rin, you have to stop. Listen to me! I know you don't want to do this. Remember who you are!
>Assuming that this does not seem to provoke any other reaction from Rin and Kiku has not freed us from this web, let's try to focus and send the same physic image at Satori that we broadcast the first time, but this time aim it right at her. If it produced a momentary physical revulsion the first time, maybe there's a slight chance it could serve as a distraction this time?
-
>To Kiku: I'm trying! Nothing yet!
>To Rin: Please Rin, you have to stop. Listen to me! I know you don't want to do this. Remember who you are!
>Assuming that this does not seem to provoke any other reaction from Rin and Kiku has not freed us from this web, let's try to focus and send the same physic image at Satori that we broadcast the first time, but this time aim it right at her. If it produced a momentary physical revulsion the first time, maybe there's a slight chance it could serve as a distraction this time?
>Rin's only response is to toss a fireball at Kiku. The tiger thrusts her hands forward, glowing talisman gripped in her fingers, and conjures a gust of wind, blowing the fireball past her to explode against the cavern wall. I'll get you out of there. Kiku assures you as she diverts her wind towards Satori and White Rose. The miko uses her magic to conjure a wind of her own to counter Kiku's, while White Rose sends pulses of flame from her outstretched palms. "Even without my jack, I'm still untouchable." Satori gloats as Kiku has to break off her attack to evade White Rose's shots.
>With her attention diverted away from you, you send out another mental pulse, this time heedless of the consequences. It has no visible effect on Rin, who continues to pour fire after the nimbly evasive Kiku, but Satori visibly flinches from the image you force into her mind. She lowers her talisman as she turns to look at you, missing Kiku shaping one of the orbs around her into a metal buzzsaw.
>"I'm getting sick of you." the miko grounds out. "I've been kind so far, but if you keep interfering, you'll see what happens when my patience runs out."
>Stopping to threaten you, Satori does not see Kiku stop running from Rin's attack. Satori does not see Kiku form another of her orbs into a saucer-shaped shield to deflect Rin's fire away from her. Satori does not see Kiku take advantage of the distraction you have provided to throw her metal blade in your direction, not directly at you of course, but over your head and to your right.
>What Satori does see is the metal blade cut through the web's connection to the roof of the cave. Without those lines, the web no longer has the strength to support your weight. Satori has enough time to yell one single "No!" before the rest of the web's lines snap one after the other, leaving you standing on the ground. The remaining webbing stuck to you fades away, evidently not as persistant as a true spider's web. Its dissolution leaves you whole once more. The fog and static clouding your mind evaporates, leaving no pain, no confusion, no false fatigue, no mental weaknesses. Just plenty of willpower.
-
>Then let's use it!
>Do we sense any shielding around the corruption within Satori, like we did around some of the dark seeds within youma? Presumably we can sense it better now, at any rate?
>Assuming we have no specific reason to think this would be ineffective yet, aim at the splinter in Satori's third eye with the Violet Lotus we've been saving just for this.
-
>Then let's use it!
>Do we sense any shielding around the corruption within Satori, like we did around some of the dark seeds within youma? Presumably we can sense it better now, at any rate?
>Assuming we have no specific reason to think this would be ineffective yet, aim at the splinter in Satori's third eye with the Violet Lotus we've been saving just for this.
>You can't see the thorns in her body still, that seems to have come as a consequence of direct contact with her. But you do have a clearer view of the splinter in her mind's eye, and as vile as the thing is, it doesn't seem to have the same sort of protective power covering it that the youma's cores do. It does have an aura of power around it, but as far as you can tell, it's neither strong nor thick enough to ward off your power.
>Eager to settle this matter once and for all, you produce your scepter and ready your power, but before you can draw a bead on the shard of darkness, Satori utters another 'No." and hits you with another one of her psionic blasts, disrupting your concentration and your aim while setting your brain on fire.
-
>No, no, no! We have to do this. We must do this! For Rin, and Kiku, and even Satori herself. No matter the pain, no matter the storm in our mind, find the tranquil center within it and fire!
-
>Pain is merely an aspect of Samsara and the lowest form of suffering. Focus, and realize it is but an ephemeral thing.
-
>No, no, no! We have to do this. We must do this! For Rin, and Kiku, and even Satori herself. No matter the pain, no matter the storm in our mind, find the tranquil center within it and fire!
>Pain is merely an aspect of Samsara and the lowest form of suffering. Focus, and realize it is but an ephemeral thing.
>The last time this pain assaulted your mind, you had also the psychic venom of that spider coursing through your veins. At the time, you felt that, had you been facing only the one or the other, you might have been able to overcome it, but not both at the same time. Now, however, you are not battling forces. Your veins are free of venom, and the spider that bit you is nowhere to be seen. Only Satori's attack presses on you now. And while you do not have Satori's powers, you have your will. And it is indomitable. Despite the agony in your mind, you raise your head, will your vision clear, and focus your will, and your aim, upon the ugly black spot in Satori's third eye. Her other two eyes widen as you, seemingly impossibly to her, push past her attack. She cries "Impossible!" as you raise your scepter. She takes a step back, but it is too late for her.
>Violet light cascades out from your scepter, a stronger attack than normal courtesy of your treatment at Satori's hands and your need to heal both her and Rin. You see your light wind through her body as it strikes her third eye.
>And then the splinter pulses with a force far, far stronger than anything it had done thus far, Satori's third eye goes black, and a shockwave of black energy repulses your violet light and presses you backwards, almost taking you off your feet. The sensation was revolting. That energy made your skin feel like it was drying, shriveling, your spirit weakening. It felt like... death.
>Satori, rather than attacking again, falls to her knees after the burst of power. "That... That's not..." The lines connecting her third eye to her body swell and pulse, her face contorts sickly, and the shrine maiden vomits. But the expellant that lands on the floor is the darkest of black, reeking like an open grave. "What is... happening...?" she mutters, vomiting again.
>And then White Rose sends a blast of flame at you, following Satori's orders and defending her.
-
>If there is room to sidestep the flame blast, do so. Otherwise raise a shield to deflect it.
>Does the corruption within Satori seem to have actually grown stronger in response to our Violet Lotus, or was that the darkness more or less protesting itself being forcibly expelled from Satori?
>Try to reach out to Rin with our mind again, now unclouded by Satori's power: Rin, please stop! I know you do not want this! I know how great Satori's power is, but your will can still rise above it! I believe in you! Please!
-
>If there is room to sidestep the flame blast, do so. Otherwise raise a shield to deflect it.
>Does the corruption within Satori seem to have actually grown stronger in response to our Violet Lotus, or was that the darkness more or less protesting itself being forcibly expelled from Satori?
>The burst of flame is coming in fairly high, so you should be able to simply duck under it with no ill effects. So you do, and the fire passes over your head harmlessly. It seems that Satori may have some control over White Rose, she doesn't have access to her full range of powers.
>Definitely the latter. In fact, Satori seems utterly baffled by what's going on, as she looks up at you. "What have... What-EAGGHH!" the shrine maiden screams as a viscous stream of black material comes pouring from her mouth, resembling and smelling something like rotten pus. Looking at it makes your eyes ache, like they did when you saw the thorny vines in Satori's body. The disgusting torrent rockets up and bursts through the roof of the cavern, hauling Satori up through the hole with it.
>Try to reach out to Rin with our mind again, now unclouded by Satori's power: Rin, please stop! I know you do not want this! I know how great Satori's power is, but your will can still rise above it! I believe in you! Please!
>With Satori gone, you turn your attention to Orin once more. The kasha doesn't exactly respond to you directly, but she does... stop. She tilts her head back slightly, looking up at the cave roof. At the same time, the green haired woman sits up, also looking up at the rocky ceiling.
>Kiku, however, claps her hands against her temples and screams in pain, falling to one knee.
-
>"What's wrong?!"
>Let's look up through that hole in the ceiling ourselves. What in the world is going on here?
-
>"What's wrong?!"
>Let's look up through that hole in the ceiling ourselves. What in the world is going on here?
>"I can feel that... thing...." Kiku says through gritted teeth as you look up through Satori's exit hole. You see the night sky far overhead, through what appears to be a hole in another roof, this one made of wood and paper. You believe it to be the roof of the Tiger shrine, but you don't get too long a look at before something falls across the top of the hole in the cave. A chunk of wood or possibly dark stone, but whatever it is cuts off your sight of the scenery above almost completely.
>Kiku continues as she pulls herself back together, "It's reaching out through Satori, into the minds she touched." She looks at you then, and there is real fear on her face. "Lotus, that thing... It feels like death."
>As if in answer to her words, Rin looks back down, and a black ink washes down across her eyes. In a hollow tone, she and the green-haired woman intone simultaneously, "Death comes for all." And with that, White Rose raises her hand and unleashes another blast of fire at you, this one at least twice as large and intense as her previous bursts. Meanwhile, the other woman disgorges a caustic looking green cloud at Kiku.
-
>"I feel the same way. But we must stop it - somehow."
>Attempt to dodge or deflect Rin's flame blast in a similar manner to before, then this time follow up with a Violet Lotus and pray that it can break the hold this being has over her without doing her any harm.
-
>"I feel the same way. But we must stop it - somehow."
>Attempt to dodge or deflect Rin's flame blast in a similar manner to before, then this time follow up with a Violet Lotus and pray that it can break the hold this being has over her without doing her any harm.
>This blast is too wide and too tall to duck or get around in the somewhat confined alcove you're still in, so you brandish your scepter once more and erect a blue light barrier before you. Ordinarily it would take a full on Sapphire Lotus to block White's Rose flames, but as this isn't actually one of her attacks as it were, you hope the simpler barrier will suffice, as you suspect you'll need whatever power you have to deal with that thing that burst out of Satori.
>The gout of fire taxes your shield to its limit, but it holds out against White Rose's flames. As the cloud of fire dissipates, you drop your shield and unleash your Violet light upon quite possibly the target you least thought you'd ever be bringing your power to bear on. Even though it is with your purifying light, the idea of shooting at Rin is extremely disconcerting. As your light strikes White Rose, a surge of anger takes you. Rin accepted your power to help you, to protect you, that's all she wanted, and this dark force, whatever it is, has not only forced her to attack you, it's forced you to return fire on her. In this moment, you feel an enmity towards that creature that none of the demons ever provoked.
>When your Violet light fades, White Rose sways a bit as the black film drains from her eyes. She blinks in confusion, then rubs her forehead slightly. She mutters in Eire, "What happened....?" before shaking her head and looking at you. "Mistress?"
-
>Tentative smile of relief
>"Oh, thank the heavens. Are you... alright?"
-
>Tentative smile of relief
>"Oh, thank the heavens. Are you... alright?"
>Relief washes the anger from you.
>"My head feels funny." she replies, massaging her temple. "Where are-"
>She doesn't get the chance to finish her question, however, before a tremendous sound fills the cavern. A glance in Kiku's direction shows that, where the green-haired woman was sitting there now extends a quartet of tall metal panels extending from floor to roof, forming a boxy cage around the woman.
-
>Is this box solid or are there places we can see into the cage? If the latter, what is the woman inside currently doing?
>Does Kiku seem alright?
-
>Is this box solid or are there places we can see into the cage? If the latter, what is the woman inside currently doing?
>Does Kiku seem alright?
>It is solid, gapless.
>She seems her usual fierce self, though there are shards of what appears to be copper around her feet, and there are bits of the rock around her smoking.
-
>To Kiku: "Do you think that will hold her? If I could break the darkness's hold on Rose, I can probably also do it for her, though I don't know how she will react to us when free of it."
-
>To Kiku: "Do you think that will hold her? If I could break the darkness's hold on Rose, I can probably also do it for her, though I don't know how she will react to us when free of it."
>"Not for long." says Kiku as she lowers her arms. "Not if she's a pit fighter like Satori said. Wait a second... That thing reached out for Satori's..." She looks up, fear on her face once more as she turns and heads for the stairs, "Oh Gods, Lily. Deal with her!" she roars as she transforms back to her tiger form and takes the stairs four at a time.
>"Lily? What's she-" But White Rose doesn't have a chance to finish her question before something strikes Kiku's cage, hard enough to bend the metal outward. The piece of metal on the western side of the cage falls outward like a tree falling, hitting the ground with a tremendous crash as the green haired woman emerges, taller than she was before, her fists and arms twice as muscular as they were a moment ago, plainly magically enhanced.
-
>Let's try to zap her with a Violet Lotus before she has time to react to the change in her surroundings.
>But be prepared to get the heck out of the way if she rushes us before we can fire.
-
>Let's try to zap her with a Violet Lotus before she has time to react to the change in her surroundings.
>But be prepared to get the heck out of the way if she rushes us before we can fire.
>The green-haired jack has just enough time to emerge from the hole she'd punched in the metal cage when you unleash your Violet light. She raises her arm to try and ward off your attack, but it has no visible effect of the impact of your light. Unlike with White Rose, however, the jack seems to resist your efforts to purge her of the influence on her mind. She strains under the assault, and even takes a step towards you, albeit with visible effort.
>Hero. the voice of the Purpose comes to you as you increase the power to your attack. The Champion of Fire is moving. It is heading in your direction.
>Its voice concludes as your Realizations of the Wanderings overpowers the jack, her knees buckling from the force of the attack before being bowled over by it, rolling for a moment or two before coming to rest against the cave wall, sitting and slumped over.
-
>Does she seem unconscious again or just a little stunned by this process?
-
>Does she seem unconscious again or just a little stunned by this process?
>Moreso the former than the latter.
-
>Convenient; there's already too many things going on at once.
>To the Purpose: This is a terrible time for it. But can you tell me anything about that... thing which just manifested here?
-
>Convenient; there's already too many things going on at once.
>To the Purpose: This is a terrible time for it. But can you tell me anything about that... thing which just manifested here?
>At least this seems to have gone your way.
>Only that whatever it is did not come from beyond the barrier.
-
>Well, I supposed that is something.
>To Rin: "We should go after Kiku. I will try to explain what I can, but too much is happening at once and I still don't know half of it myself."
>Let's start off in the direction Kiku went, and step on it.
>To Kiku: Is Lily here? I don't know what happened outside after I was captured.
-
>Well, I supposed that is something.
>To Rin: "We should go after Kiku. I will try to explain what I can, but too much is happening at once and I still don't know half of it myself."
>Let's start off in the direction Kiku went, and step on it.
>Back to her normal, loyal self, White Rose simply nods, follows and says, "Jus' point me at the enemy."
>To Kiku: Is Lily here? I don't know what happened outside after I was captured.
>Yes. Kiku's voice sounds a bit strained. That's why... Never mind, just get up here, I need your help.
-
>We are coming.
>Keep moving. Follow any obvious signs of Kiku or hostile presences, be they via magical sensations or simply the noise of battle.
>Though while we're at it, can we get a sense of how far away Fire is?
>"We were captured by Satori. Kiku came to rescue us; I believe Lily is here also, and maybe others. There was a deep corruption inside Satori. I attempted to excise it with Violet Lotus, but it seems to have a will of its own and has manifested separated from her - or at least partially so. I do not know what it is, but it is powerful and feels like the essence of death itself. It has reached out for the minds of those Satori's mind had touched, changing them - like that woman back there. And probably Lily also. Maybe many, many others. This is a very serious situation."
-
>We are coming.
>Though while we're at it, can we get a sense of how far away Fire is?
>The demon is closing fast. It will be at the shrine in a matter of minutes, at most.
>Keep moving. Follow any obvious signs of Kiku or hostile presences, be they via magical sensations or simply the noise of battle.
>"We were captured by Satori. Kiku came to rescue us; I believe Lily is here also, and maybe others. There was a deep corruption inside Satori. I attempted to excise it with Violet Lotus, but it seems to have a will of its own and has manifested separated from her - or at least partially so. I do not know what it is, but it is powerful and feels like the essence of death itself. It has reached out for the minds of those Satori's mind had touched, changing them - like that woman back there. And probably Lily also. Maybe many, many others. This is a very serious situation."
>You can sense Kiku's magical aura right away, as well as at least two other power sources on her left and right. Based on what you're sensing, you would guess that the other two are attacking Kiku. And judging from the sounds, whatever they're shooting is impacting against thick metal beams.
>White Rose takes in the reader's digest version of the events that have transpired here tonight. And somewhat to your surprise, her initial reaction is one of regret. "I'm sorry, Lotus, I couldn't stop Satori."
>Your pet's apology takes you to the top of the stairs. Whatever Kiku used to blow the door open blew the doorframe to bits as well, plus it took a few chunks out of the rocks surrounding the opening. The gap in the rock opens into what appears to be someone's room, and someone important in the shrine, based on the size of the room. But you'll have time to admire the decor later. Right now there are more important things to worry about. Magical Lily stands just inside the door, her shoulder scratched and bleeding. Kiku stands in the hallway outside, her arms outstretched, a talisman in each hand glowing with power.
>Lily turns to see you as you arrive, and you note the ugly bruise under her right eye. Unperturbed by this, she smiles her big smile. "You're okay!" she cries joyously.
>"Celebrate later." Kiku growls. Without glancing over her shoulder, she says something you never dreamed you'd ever hear her say. "Lotus, shoot me, now."
-
>"You?!"
>Wait, questions later. Just do it!
-
>"You?!"
>Wait, questions later. Just do it!
>First you're forced to fire upon White Rose, and now Kiku? What a night...
>Brief hesitation over, you unleash your Violet light once again, this time upon the tiger miko. Unlike all your other targets tonight, Kiku seems to absorb your light, throwing her head back and growling like the cat she is. "More power!" she roars.
-
>Give it more power! We will not let this cloud of death claim anyone tonight - not a single one, and least of all our friends. Whatever strength this requires, we will find it.
-
>Give it more power! We will not let this cloud of death claim anyone tonight - not a single one, and least of all our friends. Whatever strength this requires, we will find it.
>Kiku howls to the night as you pour on the juice, her body positively glowing with purple energy. But her cry is not one of pain, but of strength, of a will that echoes your own. Drawing her arms slowly in, as though to contain the power coursing through her body, Kiku howls once more then yells, "Violet Steel Wave!" thrusting her arms out from her dramatically. To her left and right, you see two tall objects glow purple even through the walls of the room, then you sense them discharge, sending waves of violet light cascading down the outside corridor.
>The attacks on Kiku's spells stop in the wake of this wave, and the tiger miko lets out an explosive breath and falls to one knee, gasping for air.
-
>"Was that... did you channel my Violet Lotus into one of your own spells? To cleanse, um, whoever that was on the other side of the walls?"
>Assess battle damage
>Do we detect any other signs of active combat?
>Where does the malevolence that emerged from Satori seem to be relative to our own position now? Does it seem to be moving, or doing anything else we can detect?
-
>"Was that... did you channel my Violet Lotus into one of your own spells? To cleanse, um, whoever that was on the other side of the walls?"
>Assess battle damage
>Do we detect any other signs of active combat?
>Where does the malevolence that emerged from Satori seem to be relative to our own position now? Does it seem to be moving, or doing anything else we can detect?
>The shrine maiden looks back over her shoulder, a feral grin on her face. "It worked." she gasps out, sounding almost as surprised as you are.
>"How'd you do that?" White Rose asks her.
>Kiku's head droops. "With difficulty." Straining, her hauls herself to her feet. "And I wouldn't want to do it again."
>Among your group, Lily is sporting the aforementioned damage, but seems unharmed beyond that, nor especially fatigued. Kiku seems rather winded but none the worse for wear. Despite being shot by you and controlled by both Satori and that malign force that came from her, Rin appears fully functional. As for yourself, after discharging four Violet lotuses in very short order, you'd be lying if you said you felt perfect, but you're still up for the challenge ahead. Or rather, challengeS, considering the other power en route.
>Negative. All you hear outside this room is a fair amount of moaning and groaning, more than a dozen very shook up voices.
>It is above you and behind you. You believe it is hovering outside, above the shrine. Though considering the speed with which it took off, why it stopped there you can't say.
-
>Does this sound like the kind of moaning Rin and the other woman below were doing about the inexorable approach of death, or more like you would expect from an injured, but otherwise normal, person?
>"I'm afraid we have another problem - as though the one that emerged from Satori was not quite enough for one night. The Champion of Fire is approaching, and quickly; we have minutes at most before he gets here. I would like to hope he will not be our enemy at this moment, but it would far too optimistic to assume as much."
-
>Does this sound like the kind of moaning Rin and the other woman below were doing about the inexorable approach of death, or more like you would expect from an injured, but otherwise normal, person?
>"I'm afraid we have another problem - as though the one that emerged from Satori was not quite enough for one night. The Champion of Fire is approaching, and quickly; we have minutes at most before he gets here. I would like to hope he will not be our enemy at this moment, but it would far too optimistic to assume as much."
>The latter. They sound like the moans of people who've spent a bit too long for their own good on a carnival ride. Kiku's power wave knocked them all for a loop.
>"Aw, come on!" Lily wails.
>"It doesn't matter right now." Kiku growls. "That thing up there is a more immediate threat to my sisters and us. First we kill that, then we'll deal with the demons." She looks you dead in the eye then points down the hallway to her right. "The exit is that way. Go. I'll be with you once I make sure my spell didn't hurt my sisters."
-
>Nod
>"Very well. Join us when you can."
>Let's head off after this thing
>While we are on the move: "I am glad to see you, Lily, but if you are here then more time must have passed than I realized. Is there anything I should know about what transpired while I was incapacitated?"
-
>Nod
>"Very well. Join us when you can."
>Let's head off after this thing
>While we are on the move: "I am glad to see you, Lily, but if you are here then more time must have passed than I realized. Is there anything I should know about what transpired while I was incapacitated?"
>Stepping out into the hallway, you find numerous shrine maidens splayed out on the floor in both directions. Most of them seem dazed and confused, while others seems asleep. You have to take care not to step on any appendages on your way towards the exit.
>Not Lily of course, she flies alongside you. "I did kinda hurry here." she explains. "I heard you calling. Well, actually it was more like...." Her smiling face scrunches in concentration for a moment. "I just knew you were in trouble, both of you. So I flew here as fast I could." She frowns a little then. "Sorry we couldn't get to you sooner, but Kiku needed the time to write some sleep charms."
-
>"I still don't know how Satori knew of our incursion immediately - she was supposed to have been otherwise engaged. I feared this meant Kiku had also been compromised, but I am deeply glad this was not the case. Though I may have underestimated what we would find here, we will see this night end well if I have but an ounce of strength left in me. There has been too much suffering already."
-
>"I still don't know how Satori knew of our incursion immediately - she was supposed to have been otherwise engaged. I feared this meant Kiku had also been compromised, but I am deeply glad this was not the case. Though I may have underestimated what we would find here, we will see this night end well if I have but an ounce of strength left in me. There has been too much suffering already."
>"Kiku actually kept me from kicking down doors until I found you." Lily admits, her tongue protruding from her mouth. "She had the idea that Satori might be able to turn the other shrine maidens against us, so we had to wait until we had a way to deal with them without hurting them before we came after you two."
>"Is that what you were doing up here?" White Rose asks her.
>"Yup. Kiku's talismans only worked for a while, and I used my new spell to hold the others off."
>"And got hurt doing it." Rin points out, pointing her tails at Lily's battle damage.
>The winged woman shrugs it off. "I'm okay. You two okay?"
-
>"I am fine now."
>Glance at Rin. How okay does she seem?
-
>"I am fine now."
>Glance at Rin. How okay does she seem?
>"No problems here." White Rose replies.
>The kasha indeed seems her normal self. In fact, she actually moves out ahead of you and Lily as you approach the front door of the temple. White Rose thrusts the door open while at point, and the sight outside makes you stop dead in your track. A gauzy black shape looms outside in the yard, looking very much like a leg, albeit one that belongs to some kind of otherworldly giant. The form ends in a quartet of claw-like protrusions, one on each side, and the limb exudes a malignant aura of darkness. It appears your early impression about the dark force wasn't entirely accurate. It doesn't seem to be hovering above the temple so much as it is straddling it.
-
>Can we see what is above that leg?
>Can we see (or at least sense?) Satori?
>Does it seem to be standing still at present?
-
>Can we see what is above that leg?
>Can we see (or at least sense?) Satori?
>Does it seem to be standing still at present?
>Not from inside the building.
>You can neither see nor sense Satori from where you are.
>It does.
-
>Cautiously exit the building. Let's try to get a better look at this thing.
-
>Cautiously exit the building. Let's try to get a better look at this thing.
>Cautiously indeed. Even from here, you can sense that getting too near that limb would be a bad idea. So you and your troop give the thing a wide berth, stepping down the veranda before hopping out into the shrine's yard, and looking up the limb. And up. And up some more. This thing is enormous. It has to be somewhere around 80 feet tall, humanoid in shape. It has one leg on either side of the shrine, and two long arms that end in a quartet of clawed digits. Drops of visible darkness drip from its claws and waft off its body, fading away in the air. It doesn't seem to have a discernible head, but where the neck would be on a human, there hangs the form of Satori Komeji, her lower body and half her arms sunk into the blackness of the titanic body behind her.
>Is... this what come out of Satori? White Rose asks silently.
>Lily, however, is not as silent when she blurts, "What in the world's THAT?!"
-
>Does Satori seem to be conscious or reacting in any way?
>Does the overall creature seem to be doing anything that we can detect, with either mundane or mystic senses?
>I am not certain exactly, but it seems to be a manifestation of the corruption that was dwelling within Satori's body. How it could manifest so tangibly outside of it, I do not yet know.
-
>Does Satori seem to be conscious or reacting in any way?
>Does the overall creature seem to be doing anything that we can detect, with either mundane or mystic senses?
>I am not certain exactly, but it seems to be a manifestation of the corruption that was dwelling within Satori's body. How it could manifest so tangibly outside of it, I do not yet know.
>Not as far as you can tell.
>It is. Despite the fact that it has neither face nor eyes, you can tell, somehow, that it is looking at you.
>"So, what do we do now?" Lily asks.
>Standing close to you, White Rose holds her left palm up, and a ball of flame bursts into life above her hand. That seems to be her answer.
-
>"Not yet..."
>Let's try to get a deeper look at this thing, turning all our mystical senses toward it. What is it, why is it, and so on. Is it independent of Satori? And extension of her? Is she just an extension of it?
-
>We can tell this how? Do we feel that it is reaching out to us with its 'mind', or whatever passes for it in such a being?
>Aside from appearing to be observing, it does not otherwise seem to be engaging in anything, though?
>Can our mystic senses detect any shielding or other defenses about the being?
-
>"Not yet..."
>Let's try to get a deeper look at this thing, turning all our mystical senses toward it. What is it, why is it, and so on. Is it independent of Satori? And extension of her? Is she just an extension of it?
>Can our mystic senses detect any shielding or other defenses about the being?
>Examination of the thing beyond the sensations you already register brings about a sense of.... dread. A sense that this thing touches your soul as you reach out to it. And its touch is an unwelcome thing. Instinctively you pull your senses back on, out of a distinct sense of self-preservation.
>We can tell this how? Do we feel that it is reaching out to us with its 'mind', or whatever passes for it in such a being?
>Aside from appearing to be observing, it does not otherwise seem to be engaging in anything, though?
>Your preternatural senses have been enhanced by years of being watched by others. You have a rather well developed sense for when you are being watched by someone. Or rather something, in this instance.
>It doesn't appear to be.
>Though as you think this, a black energy forms around Satori's eyes, and instantly your mind comes under attack once more. But the force behind this assault is far heavier than that which Satori herself brought to bear against you. Helplessly your hands press against your head as you scream as the sensation of someone tearing into your skull to pry your brains out wracks you with unholy agony. White Rose and Lily don't even manage to keep their footing, unlike you, as the two girls drop to their knees, screaming in pain.
>Over the terrible screeching sounds that deafen your mind's ear, though, you think you hear a voice, calm and soothing, whispering in your ear. "Kept asleep for so long. Trapped. Killed by the light. Wakened by light."
-
>If we can muster enough will to response to this voice: "W- who are you?"
-
>If we can muster enough will to response to this voice: "W- who are you?"
>"Eternal peace." the voice whispers. "Held silent for a life."
>The voice has a point. At the moment, it's the one thing in your mind that doesn't seem to be agonized.
>"Embrace me, child, and know relief."
>A surge of psychic torment rips through your mind as you converse with the voice, driving you to one knee. Its invitation seems a very welcome one. Though some part of your mind warns you, cautions you.
-
>"Who... are you?"
>Try to reach out and grasp hands with Rin and Lily and reach out our powers to theirs. When we merged our powers in the battle with Ice, the result was something far greater than the sum of our strength. Perhaps now if we can lean on each others minds, our mental defenses can also be greater than the three of us standing alone?
-
>"Who... are you?"
>Try to reach out and grasp hands with Rin and Lily and reach out our powers to theirs. When we merged our powers in the battle with Ice, the result was something far greater than the sum of our strength. Perhaps now if we can lean on each others minds, our mental defenses can also be greater than the three of us standing alone?
>"I bring repose to the pained." the voice replies. "Joy to the miserable. I take suffering and turn it to peace. Embrace me, child, and end your pain."
>The voice is as warm as a mother's words soothing a child awoken from a nightmare. It calls to you, pulls your attention, offers you a way to escape the hideous suffering being heaped upon you. And you have fought for so long, against terrible things. Have you not earned some peace? Some relief? Some rest?
>But that part of your mind that warned you before is not so easily silenced. It tells you that there is another way. Your friends.
>White Rose reaches out for your hand, immediately. Despite the agony contorting her face, you can see the effort she makes to look strong, no doubt for you. But Lily is not as easy to reach. The poor girl writhes in agony on the ground, screaming as loud as you've ever heard someone scream.
-
>No, no! We will not let her suffer like this. Together, we can be stronger than this. We must be. No matter how much we suffer, so long as there is a breath left in us, we will try to end everyone's pain.
>Shift closer and take firm hold of her hand, whether Lily can notice us or not. If she is thrashing too much, then just embrace her bodily and grasp for it as tightly as we can. Collapse next to her if we have to. As the power of our heart resonates with the suffering of those we love, let our hearts resonate together.
-
>No, no! We will not let her suffer like this. Together, we can be stronger than this. We must be. No matter how much we suffer, so long as there is a breath left in us, we will try to end everyone's pain.
>Shift closer and take firm hold of her hand, whether Lily can notice us or not. If she is thrashing too much, then just embrace her bodily and grasp for it as tightly as we can. Collapse next to her if we have to. As the power of our heart resonates with the suffering of those we love, let our hearts resonate together.
>Anger washes over you again at the sight of Lily in torment. The girl is one of if not the most pure-hearted person you've ever had the pleasure of knowing. To see her contorted in anguish by this vile force is infuriating.
>Fiercely determined, you stab your free hand out and grip Lily's right, hard. Although she screams as you do so, she stops her wriggling on the ground, opening one eye just enough to look at you and White Rose.
>"Together!" the kasha roars, visibly trying to cut through the agony assaulting your three minds. You know what she means. You need protection for your friends from this assault, and you can sense, even through the chaos and misery your minds are being forced to endure, that your friends desire to protect you as strongly as you desire to protect them. Your three hearts are one, your goal the same, but just as when you sought to imprison the Water Demon, the conjoining of power sometimes needs some words to bring the intent to life. You're not sure, but you think it is Lily this time who conceives the spell, "Rainbow Lotus Bulwark!"
>Power surges between you and your two friends and bursts from you in a corsucating blast. Several feet above your heads, the light stops and spreads out, forming a hemispherical dome of shifting, scintillating light over and around you, a dome of rainbow power. The psychic barrage upon your mind ceases, and you sag in profound relief, a sensation magnified by Lily's screaming stopping, and Rin's tremendous sigh of relief. But the black lights dancing over your dome signify that the battle is far from over. The black titan's attack is no longer reaching you, but its power still strives with yours.
>At least for a moment. Seemingly realizing that you are, for the moment, untouchable via this line of attack, the titan's psionic attack ceases, and the black power striking your shield fades, giving you and your friends time to collect yourselves. The titan then raises its hand, and a tree-sized wedge of black power shoots out from its truck-sized hand. It does not aim at you, however, but at the middle of the shrine's yard. A wave of dark energy bursts forth from the object as it embeds itself in the ground, which your shield absorbs, but the colors of your Bulwark are much dimmer after the wave passes.
>Observing the black wedge has had another effect as well. In turning your eyes towards the shrine's staircase to observe the thing, you spot a rather angry looking red dot in the sky, one that visibly grows larger as you observe it. That has to be the Champion of Fire. Your estimates earlier may have been off. It may be here in only a minute, possibly two. Maybe less.
-
>We will have to ignore the champion for now, and pray that it considers this abomination to be a mutual enemy - we simply cannot afford to fight this on two fronts.
>Does the titan seem to have aimed at anything in particular that we can tell?
>Is this object that it launched continuously emitting energy at us, or does this seem to have been a one-time burst on impact?
>If we think the dimming color of our bulwark is a measure of its defensive power, then try to pour more of our power into keeping it strong; we cannot afford to let it fall against this creature
>Do we think we could fire our own spells through this bulwark without disrupting its integrity?
-
>Do we think we could fire our own spells through this bulwark without disrupting its integrity?
>You believe so. You don't think you have the ability to reinforce the Bulwark and employ offensive powers at the same time, but using the latter should not result in a weakening of the former. Assuming you don't have a need to draw power from the Bulwark to reinforce another spell.
>We will have to ignore the champion for now, and pray that it considers this abomination to be a mutual enemy - we simply cannot afford to fight this on two fronts.
>Optimistic, aren't we?
>Does the titan seem to have aimed at anything in particular that we can tell?
>Is this object that it launched continuously emitting energy at us, or does this seem to have been a one-time burst on impact?
>If we think the dimming color of our bulwark is a measure of its defensive power, then try to pour more of our power into keeping it strong; we cannot afford to let it fall against this creature
>It didn't seem to have a specific target.
>It appears to have been a one-shot. And it wasn't directly at you, it was a radial burst of power. The rest of the ring is still carrying on, towards the woods surrounding the shrine, and the shrine itself.
>It does appear to be. The ring of power seems to have an almost withering effect, snuffing out light and life. Reinforcing your Bulwark affords you the time to have a better look at the object the titanic thing launched. It seems that it isn't merely tree-sized, it IS a tree. Or at least something that closely emulates a tree. It is made of the same black material that the titan is, something not quite flesh or fluid, surrounded by a hazy black cloud. Sickly looking green and blue veins, more like scars, scratch their way across the dark trees' trunk and through the bare skeletal branches.
>While you focus your attention and power elsewhere, White Rose helps Lily to her feet. "You okay?"
>"Ahhhh...." Lily still holds her head, but she seems largely back to herself. "That was not fun."
-
>So, does this ring seems to be killing regular trees and other such things that it passes across?
>Does the tree seem to be doing anything actively besides looking creepy and utterly wrong?
>Do we think that we could move our bulwark, with us still inside it? Without especially weakening its defensive power during the process? If so, how quickly?
>"I do not know the exact nature of that being's connection to Satori, but I feel that its power is still somehow acting through her. What it just... did to us. We need to somehow separate it from her. If it can still exist independently, then at least it should not have access to her powers."
>Do we feel that Amber Lotus could have any effect on their bond, or do they feel too much as one entity for this to be applicable?
-
>So, does this ring seems to be killing regular trees and other such things that it passes across?
>Does the tree seem to be doing anything actively besides looking creepy and utterly wrong?
>Do we think that we could move our bulwark, with us still inside it? Without especially weakening its defensive power during the process? If so, how quickly?
>At the moment, it hasn't hit any trees, it hasn't reached the woods yet. It has struck the temple and the shack outside, but to no visible effect. But those structures are made of dead wood and inorganic materials. If that ring is as you sense, a circle of death, it wouldn't necessarily affect non-living things.
>Not at the moment.
>Powerful though your shield is, to move it would not be easy. It seems to be sort of like a turtle shell, protective yet ungainly. You could move and keep it over your head, but you probably wouldn't be able to move much faster than a stately waddle. At least without compromising its integrity. Also, you would have to keep close to the Heroes who evoked the Bulwark with you. In this case, White Rose and Lily.
>Do we feel that Amber Lotus could have any effect on their bond, or do they feel too much as one entity for this to be applicable?
>The last time you used Amber Lotus, it was to disrupt an enemies' hold over an object, rather than a living thing. Assuming.... that Satori is still alive. But whether she is or not, you don't know if your Amber light will work. It was designed to work on weapons and tools of the enemy, not necessarily a controlled or possessed person.
>"I do not know the exact nature of that being's connection to Satori, but I feel that its power is still somehow acting through her. What it just... did to us. We need to somehow separate it from her. If it can still exist independently, then at least it should not have access to her powers."
>"Any ideas how to do that?" Lily asks.
>Before you can answers, though, White Rose points up towards the top of the giant. "Ya might not get the chance." As she speaks, you see Satori's body pulled into the titan's body, sinking into it as though it were oil.
>And then Lily gasps. "The trees!" In the intervening time, the black ring has reached the treeline to the north and south. The trunks wither under its touch, rotting away in seconds, leaving shriveled lifeless husks in the waves' wake.
>As the trees die, the titan's tree reacts. Its veins glow with a sickening light, and something resembling buds begin to emerge from its limbs.
-
>Well, maybe that tree will count as a 'tool' if Satori doesn't
>Fire an Amber Lotus at the titan, and give it as much power as we can muster without compromising our barrier
-
>Well, maybe that tree will count as a 'tool' if Satori doesn't
>Fire an Amber Lotus at the titan, and give it as much power as we can muster without compromising our barrier
>Trusting in your defenses, you point your scepter up at the looming giant and invoke your Amber light. A single gold tinted projectile blasts out from the tip of your scepter, the lone projectile much larger than the multiple shots you deployed the last time. The titan makes no move to counter or block your attack, and the bolt of energy strikes the thing in its sternum.
>While this has no visible effect on the titan itself, nor does Satori emerge from the thing's body again, the tree DOES show an effect. The glowing veins lose their light and start leaking green and blue fluid, while the buds fall from the tree like dead leaves.
>Unfortunately, the buds then shudder once they hit the ground, and open like a foul flower. The things expand, sprouting a quartet of spindly legs and a pair of wing-like appendages. They grow to the size of a medium sized dog, each, insectile faces sprouting mandibles and fangs long enough to do some fairly serious damage.
>Rin swears in Eire. "Giant death bugs. Great."
-
>Did this appear to do anything to disrupt the black wave, or at least the dark tree seeming to draw power from what it passed over?
>Do we believe our bulwark offers any protection from physical attacks, or merely psychic ones?
-
>Did this appear to do anything to disrupt the black wave, or at least the dark tree seeming to draw power from what it passed over?
>Do we believe our bulwark offers any protection from physical attacks, or merely psychic ones?
>The wave has dissipated, and the tree appears to be inert. At least as far as you can tell.
>It should offer complete protection, assuming you have enough power to ward off the attack in question.
-
>When we faced Ice, we crafted an attack which incorporated something directly opposed to its power (in this case heat) woven together with our light of love and purity. Can we do something similar here? Lily's power seems to evoke the flowering of life and bloom, while this creature is its opposite: death and withering. Could we create an attack combining both our powers - the purifying light of our Violet Lotus with her powers of spring - into a flow of unquenchable, inevitable life? Show this manifestation of death that no matter what it destroys, no matter what withers beneath its touch: life will always bloom anew.
-
>When we faced Ice, we crafted an attack which incorporated something directly opposed to its power (in this case heat) woven together with our light of love and purity. Can we do something similar here? Lily's power seems to evoke the flowering of life and bloom, while this creature is its opposite: death and withering. Could we create an attack combining both our powers - the purifying light of our Violet Lotus with her powers of spring - into a flow of unquenchable, inevitable life? Show this manifestation of death that no matter what it destroys, no matter what withers beneath its touch: life will always bloom anew.
>You have proven capable of channeling enormous amounts of pure energy, purifying light. You have proven capable of giving physical form to the emotions of the living. You have proven capable of destabilizing extra-dimentional horrors and enhancing your strength to the level of an oni and possibly beyond. But to give physical form to life itself, to channel the antithesis of death through your body, is a task that normally falls into the realm of the Gods. Even if you were capable of this act, and you're far from certain you are, it would certainly drain every ounce of energy you and Lily possess both. Whether it succeeded or failed, you would have absolutely nothing left when the Champion of Fire arrives. You would be leaving Rin and Kiku alone to combat the demon.
>Attempting this attack could even kill you. You sense that to externalize life could consume your own, and most likely Lily's along with it.
>Thinking on the matter, at some point it might just be possible through another means. Emotions, known to the living and unknown to the dead, seem to be central to your power. With enough of your friends calling forth and evoking the light of emotion, you could bind those lights together to create the White light of life. Kiku's fear, Rin's devotion and loyalty, Lily's joy, your Love. With more Heroes, more emotions, more hearts joined together, the White light could be conjured safely for all involved, except of course for the unlucky entity you're pointing it at. But for right now, the four of your would not be enough.
-
>Dialing back on the ambition slightly, can we visualize some way to entwine Lily's power to encourage bloom with our own powers of purification to create a surge of energy that would invigorate surrounding life and repulse its opposite - something that might be a less pure form of what we wanted, but still antithetical to this titan as heat was to Ice - at least to some degree? Not pure life energy, but the will and love to bid it grow and push back that which would wither it?
-
>Dialing back on the ambition slightly, can we visualize some way to entwine Lily's power to encourage bloom with our own powers of purification to create a surge of energy that would invigorate surrounding life and repulse its opposite - something that might be a less pure form of what we wanted, but still antithetical to this titan as heat was to Ice - at least to some degree? Not pure life energy, but the will and love to bid it grow and push back that which would wither it?
>That would be much simpler. When Lily and White Rose joined their attacks with yours to battle the Ice Champion, it was as though their attacks enhanced your Vermillion Lotus. You could do the same again, joining one of your attacks with Lily's. This time however, you would want her attack to be the 'dominant' one, as it were. One of your own lights, Violet or Scarlet would probably be best against this enemy, could serve to reinforce Lily's power.
>The only problem to this approach would, you're not sure if Lily actually has a purely offensive ability. Every power she's demonstrated before has been either primarily defensive or passive in some way.
>Of course, you could have Lily merge one of her spells with yours, thus imbuing your attack with her element in addition to increasing its power, but the effect would be more pronounced the other way around, if you wanted to throw 'life' at the Death Titan.
-
>"This creature seems to breathe death and feed off the withering of life. Lily, your powers are of bloom and growth, yes? And thus perhaps fundamentally opposed to its being. Do you have any spell that could strike it directly? If I can weave my Violet Lotus into it, we might be able to repulse this decay more powerfully than it could alone."
>While we're explaining, take a free moment or two to fire some quick Scarlet Lotuses at the death bugs, if they start to take offensive action
-
>"This creature seems to breathe death and feed off the withering of life. Lily, your powers are of bloom and growth, yes? And thus perhaps fundamentally opposed to its being. Do you have any spell that could strike it directly? If I can weave my Violet Lotus into it, we might be able to repulse this decay more powerfully than it could alone."
>While we're explaining, take a free moment or two to fire some quick Scarlet Lotuses at the death bugs, if they start to take offensive action
>Lily takes a moment to reply, her eyes stuck on the now dead trees. "What? Oh." She gives her head a bit of a shake before turning her head towards you. "You mean like my shield? Sure, I just need something to charge it first."
>"I think she meant something more direct than that." White Rose says, her attention on the treespawn as well. "Something like THIS." Thrusting her hands out, she invokes her White Retainer's Fire towards the insects, which had started to move just as she started to speak. The sight of that white flame is a welcome one for you, and its use as well, considering the last times Rin was forced to employ her fire powers. "Lotus, are we locked in here?" she asks as she tracks one group of bugs that fan left while others fan right. "I fight better in the air."
-
>"I'm afraid moving this shield while still inside is impractical, and I wouldn't risk stepping outside of it. For now, we may just have to manage. And yes, Lily - what Rin said."
-
>"I'm afraid moving this shield while still inside is impractical, and I wouldn't risk stepping outside of it. For now, we may just have to manage. And yes, Lily - what Rin said."
>"But... I don't think my power works that way." Lily protests.
>"You want to see that thing kill more trees?" Rin yells over the fire she pours at the insects. "Or US?"
>While White Rose has one group of bugs handled, the other group, the ones fanning around to the right of your Bulwark, are free to attack. Three of the ugly brutes snap their wings forward, sending clusters of shining splinters into your shield. The shots don't seem to do any significant damage, but enough of them could prove to be a drain on your resources. In reply, you direct a Scarlet Lotus at the group. Five of the creatures pop like balloons, leaving only a spray green and blue goo, but at least a dozen more remain.
>When you turn back to Lily, she has her eyes fixed on the dead trees at the edge of the woods. You can see that what Rin said to her struck a nerve. Knowing her and her affinity for nature as you do, the sight of what that titan's tree has done must be infuriating. In fact, she even looks infuriated. "Right. Right, let me think."
>Her time to think runs out almost as soon as she finishes talking. The Death Titan raises its clawed foot with surprising speed for something its size, and brings it down upon your Bulwark, the light ringing with a hollow sound as it struggles to ward off the force and the weight of the vile creature.
-
>While it may be slow to move the bulwark completely, can we change its shape? Essentially resculpt the part the titan is connecting with so that the foot would slide off, rather than bring all its force to bear directly against it?
-
>While it may be slow to move the bulwark completely, can we change its shape? Essentially resculpt the part the titan is connecting with so that the foot would slide off, rather than bring all its force to bear directly against it?
>Yes. Though you will have to reinforce the Bulwark first, considering the force the Titan is placing upon it.
-
>Okay, then pour some power into reinforcing the bulwark against this blow, and then at the first moment we feel we have a chance to do so, pull in the curvature of the bulwark around the titan's foot to hopefully deflect it aside and away from us.
-
>Okay, then pour some power into reinforcing the bulwark against this blow, and then at the first moment we feel we have a chance to do so, pull in the curvature of the bulwark around the titan's foot to hopefully deflect it aside and away from us.
>With Lily's help, you and she shore up the shield over your head, and you notice the Titan's physiology change. The 'top' of its body bubbles and a distinct head emerges, completing its humanoid look. This head holds four eyes, one set on top of the other, each one a dark red, the color of old blood. No mouth is visible, which you are thankful for. Those bloody slits in its bruise-black head are unnerving enough.
>The remaining insects take their toll on the shield as well, but with Lily's help and White Rose's covering fire, you gain your opportunity to reshape your hemisphere of protection, slanting the top of it down so to, hopefully, make the titan's foot simply slide off.
>Much to your relief, it works. Although the titan tries to tighten its claws around your bubble of protection, its toes find no purchase and the foot slides off with a terrible grinding sound. But this provides you with only a very short reprieve, as the titan lashes its leg out again, kicking at your Bulwark. The massive limb strikes with more force than a runaway train, and the colors of your bulwark dim noticably. One of the insects sinks its mandibles into the shield, and for a moment it seems as though it could penetrate, before it is struck by lateral fire.
>A bolt of white energy shoots out from the side, striking the offending bug and blowing it to goo. Three more blasts, each one bearing the sensation of holy power, burrow their way into the titan's leg before it can kick you again.
>Kiku has joined you, and she's brought reinforcements. Three other mikos bear talismans and magical auras, and more are arrayed behind them, some armed with bows, others not evidently armed.
-
>Reinforce the shield again; we can't let it fall!
>"Lily, do you think you can do it?"
>Did the Titan seem affected at all by the blasts which struck it?
-
>Did the Titan seem affected at all by the blasts which struck it?
>It doesn't visibly react, but it also doesn't immediately attack after being struck, which you take as a good sign. However, half a dozen flakes of the things skin, for want of a better term, flake off from the impact sites and transmogrify into the same kind of bugs the tree produced after they hit the ground. These new arrivals charge the temple door and the mikos standing there.
>Reinforce the shield again; we can't let it fall!
>"Lily, do you think you can do it?"
>"Yeah. Yeah, I can." she breathes as she joins you in pouring more energy into the shield. You sincerely hope the titan doesn't attack you many more times before you and Lily can strike back, this constant reinforcement of the Bulwark is starting to be a real drain on your resources. "My power's not like yours, but that thing's different. It's gotta go."
>As she speaks, however, the air above you glows a bloody red. "Incoming!" White Rose roars. From the titan's eyes blast forth a quartet of black and red beams of power. The blasts explode against the top of your shield, sending shockwaves of energy radiating out. Although your Bulwark absorbs the blasts, the force from the attack and the subsequent explosions manages to pierce your defenses, staggering you and your fellow magical girls. It also leaves your Bulwark visibly scarred and cracked.
-
>Try to patch those holes! If we need to contract the bulwark inward to make up the lost space quickly, do it.
>"Then hurry! I don't think we have much more time to lose."
-
>Try to patch those holes! If we need to contract the bulwark inward to make up the lost space quickly, do it.
>"Then hurry! I don't think we have much more time to lose."
>Lily straightens up, glaring at the monstrous creature towering over you as you and White Rose, her attention now free of the bugs which seem to have been disintegrated by their creator's own attack, reinforce your Bulwark yet again, as much as you can. "Vernal Morning Light." the blonde breathes, thrusting her arms out to her side. Purple power gathers in her palms, a vastly different sort of power than you've felt from her before. It feels somehow off. Lily was right, her power wasn't meant to be used like yours or White Roses', and it shows. But it is still power, it is still gathering, and from the look on her face, it will be effective. At least you both hope so.
>Her right eye flicks over to you, and she nods. She is ready.
-
>Then let's do this!
>Weave our Violet Lotus into Lily's attack at the proper moment, as strong as we can manage. This titan is a dire threat to everything and everyone we love and care about. No matter what it takes, we cannot allow it to continue.
-
>Then let's do this!
>Weave our Violet Lotus into Lily's attack at the proper moment, as strong as we can manage. This titan is a dire threat to everything and everyone we love and care about. No matter what it takes, we cannot allow it to continue.
>Magical Lily weaves her hands before her in an oddly stiff gesture then stabs her arms out forward and yells "Vernal Morning Light!"
>Magical White Rose joins her hands together, two fingers pointed up, and yells, "White Retainer's Flame!"
>To their voices you join yours, pointing your scepter at the monster above and intoning, "Violet Lotus: Realization of the Wanderings!"
>Lily's attack takes the form of a tree trunk sized column of purple energy interwoven with white, yellow and green lights, the color of new grass bathed in the morning sun. Around this cannonblast of power wraps your own soothing violet light and Rin's torrent of flame. The threefold power slams into the titan's chest, and the hulking monstrosity jerks backwards under the impact. It actually takes a step back as you pour your power into it. "It's working!" White Rose roars. "Keep it up!" The Empowered Light burrows into the titan's body and spreads out from the impact zone, eating away the thing's bruise-black form.
>And then the titan roars. Its head seems to split in the middle, and from this seam there emerges a second face. Lily screams at the sight. This face is a sick grey, the color of a corpse, and has only one eye, the giant orb glaring a malevolent green light. This face does have a mouth, which opens to reveal a nightmarish maw full of terrible teeth, sharp as needles, white as bone, thicker than a body, longer than a grown man. It is not the teeth, though, from which the titan's answer comes. Its throat glows for only a moment before unleashing a massive blast of energy at you and your comrades.
>Your Bulwark explodes under the impact, and the blast scatters you and your fellow Heroes, sending each of you flying. You yourself are blasted clear back into the treeline, striking one of the withered trees which turns to grey dust when you hit and fails to slow you more than a little, leaving you to roll violently another couple of feet before lodging against a live tree.
-
>Grit our teeth and pick ourselves up again
>Quickly scan about for our companions. Do they seem alright? Well, relatively-speaking.
>What about the titan? Does our last attack still seem to be eating away at it, or has this ceased? What does its physical condition appear to be, as best we can quickly assess?
-
>Grit our teeth and pick ourselves up again
>Quickly scan about for our companions. Do they seem alright? Well, relatively-speaking.
>What about the titan? Does our last attack still seem to be eating away at it, or has this ceased? What does its physical condition appear to be, as best we can quickly assess?
>With some effort, you haul yourself back to your feet. The drain of maintaining your Bulwark for as long as you did combined with taking that hit and the impacts that came after it leaves you feeling sore all over, in addition to being down on power.
>Lily was thrown back towards the temple. She is now lying face-down several feet from where she was, near the veranda of the temple, one hand pressed against the small of her back. White Rose seems to have landed in the sandbox in the playground of the temple. She is holding the side of her head but is on her feet and seems alert and aware.
>The titan now sports a gaping hole in its upper torso and the impact spot is smoking a little, but the damage appears to have stopped there. There is no further sign of your power at work, but at least for the moment, the thing isn't attacking any one, nor has it spawned more of those insectile creatures. Like you, it appears to be collecting itself after sustaining a hefty impact.
-
>Is that a hole all the way through the titan's form, or just a 'crater', as it were?
>Does Lily seem to at least be conscious, even if she's not yet upright?
>What are the assemblage of mikos doing currently?
-
>Is that a hole all the way through the titan's form, or just a 'crater', as it were?
>Does Lily seem to at least be conscious, even if she's not yet upright?
>What are the assemblage of mikos doing currently?
>More the latter. A fair sized scoop has been carved out of the thing's chest.
>Yes. You think you can hear her faint groaning.
>The blast that shattered your Bulwark appears to have done some damage to the temple as well, cracking the wood and tearing the paper walls around the entrance and beneath, and the donation box is in pieces. The shrine maidens were likely hurled away from the entrance just as you were. Only one of them is in view, the black-haired miko with the horse's ears and tail, Koko as you recall, bleeding from a cut on her hand and carrying a fairly heavy-looking iron mace. She seems to be heading in Lily's direction.
-
>Let's move over to Lily also. That last blast hurt it. If we can recover before the titan can, perhaps we can do it again.
-
>Let's move over to Lily also. That last blast hurt it. If we can recover before the titan can, perhaps we can do it again.
>As quickly you can manage, you make your way over to Lily, keeping your eyes on the looming titan all the way in the event it moves. The horse youkai has reached her first, and is helping her back to her feet. "Are you okay?" you hear her ask your fellow magical girl.
>"Back's killing me..." Lily complains, fanning her wings as she arches her back, slowly.
>While she works the kinks out, Koko turns her attention to you. "How 'bout you, you all right?"
>"Heads up!" one of the mikos yells from the door. The titan, which is back down to one face, has stretched its arm out once more, and launches another warped tree into the ground, ten feet or so removed from the first one, closer to the stairs. As before, this one releases a black wave of withering power upon impact.
-
>Let's hit the titan with another Amber Lotus and try to dissipate the wave before it can reach anyone
-
>Let's hit the titan with another Amber Lotus and try to dissipate the wave before it can reach anyone
>With a quick twirl of your scepter, you turn your Amber light loose once more upon the titan, and once more the tree it launched loses it glow and starts to bleed, for want of a better term, this time before any buds can grow to produce more bugs.
>Unfortunately, this does not have the effect of dissipating the wave. In effect, you have disabled the gun, but not before it discharged a round.
>"Spring Lily Leaf Shield!" Lily yells, evoking her barrier as the ring approaches, while you find yourself being tackled to the ground by Koko, the horse youkai bellowing a very short "Down!" before impact. As the lethal ring is about a foot and a half off the ground, it passes over you and the miko, but the sensation when it does is physically sickening. Simple proximity to that power draws the life from the living.
-
>Once it feels like the wave has passed us by, get back up again and quickly assess the situation. Please, let no one else have gotten caught in that....
-
>Once it feels like the wave has passed us by, get back up again and quickly assess the situation. Please, let no one else have gotten caught in that....
>You find Lily has, once again, been thrown back against the veranda, but this time she's still on her feet and seems unharmed. There is no sign of her shield, which probably means that the wave, unlike other forces which served to charge her shield, simply dissolved it. Turning to where White Rose had been standing, you find her no longer there, but several feet in the air, riding on one of her stepping discs. She must have gone over the wave while you went under it.
>Koko is trying to get to her feet, but seems to be struggling to do so. When she tackled you, she landed slightly on top of you, so she was closer to the wave than you were. And you sense no magical aura about her, so you gather that lethal energy affected her far worse than it did you.
>For a moment there is no sign of the other shrine maidens, until Kiku leaps out the front of the building and hurls a paper charm up at the titan's head. The charm is enveloped by a massive hunk of iron at a command word spoken by Kiku, the size of a wrecking ball. The projectile blasts it way through the titan's head and carries on, leaving the black appendage to regenerate almost instantly. Insects rain from the sky, the results of the bits of 'skin' Kiku's attack knocked loose.
>And you have another problem. The sky over the stairs leading to the temple grounds is burning bright orange, and a quick look in that direction makes your stomach churn with dread. Wrapped in a massive flame, The Champion of Fire has arrived.
-
>Do we think there is anything we can do for Koko? Any way to heal her? Is there any corruption in her that we can touch or is there just... less of her?
>And the titan regenerated immediately from Kiku's attack, but did not regenerate from the combo attack we did earlier?
>Does Fire seem to be doing anything other than observing, for the moment?
-
>Do we think there is anything we can do for Koko? Any way to heal her? Is there any corruption in her that we can touch or is there just... less of her?
>And the titan regenerated immediately from Kiku's attack, but did not regenerate from the combo attack we did earlier?
>Does Fire seem to be doing anything other than observing, for the moment?
>It is as though her vital energy has been sapped. In a way, it isn't too dissimilar to what you witnessed in the drained victims of the Chamption's youmas, though somehow more... profound.
>Correct. The two attacks used by the shrine maiden's magic do not appear to have left lingering physical damage upon the Death Titan, while the power you employed with your fellow magical girls did.
>Difficult to say. The flames around the Champion are so bright, you can't make out too many details about the fox. At the moment it's just hovering there, but the intensity of the power around it warns you that, in all likelihood, he is about to attack. But since you can't tell what it's looking at, you can't tell for certain what, or whom, is its target.
-
>Is that a 'we don't know anything we can do for her right now', then?
>If so, let's quickly make our way over to Lily's position, but don't take our eyes off Fire. Be ready to react at a moment's notice if she attacks.
>Assuming we make it to Lily without further problem: "Do you think you can do that again? We hurt it with that one."
-
>Is that a 'we don't know anything we can do for her right now', then?
>Not in terms of healing her, you don't think. The best you can do for her at the moment is getting out of the titan's direct line of sight.
-
>If she still cannot seem to get herself mobile, and there's somewhere nearby where she can be shielded by terrain from the titan, quickly help her over there
>Otherwise, proceed with the previous commands (and keep on eye on Fire either way)
-
>If she still cannot seem to get herself mobile, and there's somewhere nearby where she can be shielded by terrain from the titan, quickly help her over there
>Otherwise, proceed with the previous commands (and keep on eye on Fire either way)
>If so, let's quickly make our way over to Lily's position, but don't take our eyes off Fire. Be ready to react at a moment's notice if she attacks.
>Assuming we make it to Lily without further problem: "Do you think you can do that again? We hurt it with that one."
>While she does seem conscious and would be mobile eventually, she plainly isn't going anywhere any time soon. So you stoop to pull her to her feet. The miko groans but otherwise lets you be the dominant one. But as she reaches her feet, the blaze around the Fire Champion swirls and swells. Quickly you place yourself in front of the drained Koko and ready your scepter, preparing to employ a Sapphire Lotus. As you do that, Rin, still in the air on her flying wheel, places herself in front of the both you, ready to use her tool intercept the flames, which the Champion launches with a ferocious sound, like the roar of a furious jet engine.
>The incendiary storm flies well past White Rose, well past yourself, far over the heads of anyone on the ground. The Champion's fiery assault burns some of the insects in the air to ash before striking the titan's head and neck and explodes with tremendous force. The force of the eruption of fire even jostles you slightly, and the Death Titan is rocked backwards under the force of the blow, minus its head and most of its upper torso.
>"It's.... on OUR side!" Lily cries, smiling joyously. But her joy doesn't last long before Satori's face and chest emerges from the Titan's body, this time out of the thing's upper right thigh, her eyes glowing with power. The Champion of Fire screams in agony as it contorts in pain, dropping from the sky as the Titan starts to regenerate, albeit much more slowly than it did before.
-
>Quickly, aim a Violet Lotus at Satori. Maybe a direct impact on her can disrupt their link?
-
>Quickly, aim a Violet Lotus at Satori. Maybe a direct impact on her can disrupt their link?
>Taking advantage of the opportunity presented to you by the unexpected aid of the Fire demon, you point your scepter at Satori and once more unleash your Violet light upon the shrine maiden. Under this attack, her eyes lose the black energy that had suffused them, and the woman's purple eyes turn in your direction, the horrified eyes of someone witnessing something truly terrible.
>And then a white light radiates out from behind Satori's body, enveloping the world around you and the titan, and you feel a peculiar lurching sensation. The sounds of the world around you fade in a rush of windy noise, and the world dissolves into a white, featureless plain, devoid of the titan, your allies, or anything else at all.
>As you take in this abrupt change in the situation, a column of wispy blackness rises out of the plain five feet in front of you, coalescing into a cowled figure, its entire body concealed beneath a robe that isn't so much black as it seems to reject light. From somewhere within that form comes a hollow reedy voice, "Why do you persist? I already know you won't kill me." Is sounds something like Satori, but lacking any life, any emotion.
-
>"I persist because there is suffering I can prevent. Suffering I can heal."
>Do we get a sense that this is truly part of Satori's consciousness, and not some part of the titan? Can we even tell?
-
>"I persist because there is suffering I can prevent. Suffering I can heal."
>Do we get a sense that this is truly part of Satori's consciousness, and not some part of the titan? Can we even tell?
>"Then you will have to kill my root." the figure states. "And I have felt your power. You will not do that."
>The field around you generates a kind of interferences with your extra senses, so you're not certain. But it doesn't feel exactly like either Satori or the Titan. It feels like a mixture of both, somehow.
-
>"I do not accept that anyone must die here. Even those who have been consumed by rage and fear and violence and misery are not beyond redemption - and I have seen it happen. I have seen those fallen beyond what the world believed could love and be loved again, and yet they were. Satori, I know you do not want to be a party to this kind of murder; Mayoiga has seen enough death upon its soil for a hundred generations - you, more than anyone else, know this. There does not need to be any more of it tonight."
-
>"I do not accept that anyone must die here. Even those who have been consumed by rage and fear and violence and misery are not beyond redemption - and I have seen it happen. I have seen those fallen beyond what the world believed could love and be loved again, and yet they were. Satori, I know you do not want to be a party to this kind of murder; Mayoiga has seen enough death upon its soil for a hundred generations - you, more than anyone else, know this. There does not need to be any more of it tonight."
>"It was that murder that created me." the figure retorts. "The day a city embraced death was when I took root in this woman. Observe."
>The figure vanishes, leaving only a handful of withered leaves, and beyond it you see a sight that was there before. You see a car, parked alongside of a highway guardrail, and two women standing a bit away from the automobile. Satori and Koishi Komeji. The moment you realize who they are, there is a distant explosion. Time seems to slow as the two woman react, Koishi falling down in seeming panic while Satori flinches back, throwing her arms up in front of her face. And you see a black thorn, the same splinter you saw in her third eye, fly through the air and imbed itself into that appendage. Satori stops in mid motion, her eyes widening in a horrified anguish, and she screams, the sound rending your heart as she psychically experiences the death of over a million people.
>"Since that day, I have grown." the voice returns, taking shape once more five feet to your right. "There were others like me, damaged and thrown from the whole, but they all died, withered and wasted away. I found a root, soil to grow in. For a lifetime of man have I grown, wound around her heart, spread throughout her body. From her have I grown, asleep but nurtured. And now I have flowered and bloomed. You could destroy me, but not without destroying all of me. And you will not do this, or you would already have done it."
-
>"What is it that you want?"
-
>"What is it that you want?"
>"I want to give you a chance."
-
>"What do you mean?"
-
>"What do you mean?"
>"Death comes for everyone. It is unavoidable. But, it does not have to be painful. All your fighting, the fighting of the others, all you are doing is adding pain to your lives." The shrouded figure turns to you. "I give you the chance to change that. To end that pain." The figure raises its arm, and a human-looking hand protrudes from the black sleeve. "Accept my invitation, and you will know only peace."
-
>"Death comes for everyone, but that does not mean it should come today. So many of those fighting here now have long full lives ahead of them. Some have barely even yet begun to live. Yes, one day all of us will reach the inevitable end of this existence and the journey into the next, but those days in-between matter - to the one who is living, and to all those around them who they touch: friends, family, colleagues, all those whose lives are better because they are in them. Life may be suffering, and suffering may be what awaits us back on that battlefield, but life is also joy and hope and love, and I would not trade all those things to avoid the former."
-
>"Furthermore, you offer a false peace. Death is not the end of a journey any more than a night's rest. You, of all things, should know well the cycle of rebirth and the suffering it brings."
>Smile, if we can manage it. "If you would know peace, then I invite you to join me, instead."
-
>"Furthermore, you offer a false peace. Death is not the end of a journey any more than a night's rest. You, of all things, should know well the cycle of rebirth and the suffering it brings."
>Smile, if we can manage it. "If you would know peace, then I invite you to join me, instead."
>"You have no idea what awaits you." the vile voice answers, it's hand still extended. "I offer you the true knowledge of the end."
>"Death comes for everyone, but that does not mean it should come today. So many of those fighting here now have long full lives ahead of them. Some have barely even yet begun to live. Yes, one day all of us will reach the inevitable end of this existence and the journey into the next, but those days in-between matter - to the one who is living, and to all those around them who they touch: friends, family, colleagues, all those whose lives are better because they are in them. Life may be suffering, and suffering may be what awaits us back on that battlefield, but life is also joy and hope and love, and I would not trade all those things to avoid the former."
>The killer creature's hand drops, dissolving into wisps of smoke. "Then you will die in agony." it snarls, its voice full of nothing but contempt and hatred. In that voice you hear this creature's true character: It is nothing but death, and holds nothing but loathing for the leaving. It exists purely to kill. This realization sends your mind reeling. This thing that has grown inside of Satori is every bit as bad as the Tar you encountered in the CRA building. Maybe even worse, since that Tar seemed to act on instinct and hunger alone, while this thing has a will and a drive to extinguish life. That's all it does, and all it will do. It MUST be destroyed. But if it was telling the truth, can you kill it without killing Satori as well?
>"Lotus, look out!" a voice screams at you, and the sound shatters the empty white world. You are still in the temple yard. Lily is the one who screamed at you, and she now stands next to you, her shield up again. She is looking up at something, and you see the enormous foot of the titan raised high in the air, about to descend upon you and the two near you.
-
>Do we think there's enough time to grab Koko and leap out of the way? If so, do so, and yell at Lily to get out of the way also.
>Failing that, enough time to erect another small bulwark, with just us and Lily? Enough to muffle at least this blow? If so, try this.
>Failing that, use our Sapphire Lotus alongside Lily's shield, and angle it to deflect the foot away from us (without deflecting it towards anyone else. If it gets deflected enough that no one is immediately under the impact zone, release it and scrabble out of the way - don't expend more energy pushing against it than we have to.
-
>Do we think there's enough time to grab Koko and leap out of the way? If so, do so, and yell at Lily to get out of the way also.
>Failing that, enough time to erect another small bulwark, with just us and Lily? Enough to muffle at least this blow? If so, try this.
>Failing that, use our Sapphire Lotus alongside Lily's shield, and angle it to deflect the foot away from us (without deflecting it towards anyone else. If it gets deflected enough that no one is immediately under the impact zone, release it and scrabble out of the way - don't expend more energy pushing against it than we have to.
>Not with the horse. The titan's foot is too big and too fast.
>It won't be nearly as strong as the first one, being created without White Rose and in even more of a hurry. But it can be done, so you join your hand with Lily's, she dismisses her leaf shield, and the two of you hold your hands up and cast up another rainbow colored dome of protective power.
>The Death Titan's stomp shatters your Bulwark, and while the shield deflected the killer creature's foot, the shock of force created by the impact against your shield knocks you and Lily off your feet. Lily falls into Koko, who barely manages to keep the winged girl upright, while you land on your backside.
>Before you can get back to your feet, the titan regenerates its eyes out of its sternum, the blood-red orbs glowing with power. Hastily you erect your Sapphire Lotus as the creature discharges its energy blast, but recalling just how hard its last blast hit you, you're not confidant that your Sapphire light will be enough, and Lily doesn't have enough time to call up another shield.
>And then another blue wall comes into being on top of your Sapphire light as the air around you freezes into thick ice, the sound of rapidly crystallizing water drowning out the sound of the titan's eye beams. You find yourself beneath a dome of glacial ice, which the titan's eyes beams splash against with an explosive sound, and though the dome cracks in places, it remains largely intact.
>You sense her power but a second before an ethereal blue and white owl floats up from the ground, becoming solid once she emerges completely.
-
>"Thank you."
>Are any of the cracks large enough to fire through without having to penetrate this shield also?
>Does this dome enclose us with Lily and Koko also? Or just us?
-
>Are any of the cracks large enough to fire through without having to penetrate this shield also?
>Does this dome enclose us with Lily and Koko also? Or just us?
>Not at the moment. Though if the Titan attacks it again, you can't imagine it will hold up.
>Yes. All three of you are protected.
>"Thank you."
>Pulling herself together, Lily stares in wonderment at the sight of the demon coming to your aid. Behind her, Koko asks, "An owl kami?"
>The Champion shakes her head at the miko. Koko starts to say something else, but Ice shakes her head again, as if to say 'later'. The owl's sad eyes turn up, and words start to form in the ice behind her. After a moment, a message is spelled out in the ice - The woman is the key.
-
>"I know. I need to separate her from that creature somehow - I am growing to suspect it cannot survive without being rooted in her."
>Is Satori still visible on the titan's form? If so, does it seem that our last Violet Lotus did anything to weaken their bond? Or is the icy dome too opaque to tell any of this?
-
>Is Satori still visible on the titan's form? If so, does it seem that our last Violet Lotus did anything to weaken their bond? Or is the icy dome too opaque to tell any of this?
>Too opaque. And you didn't get a good enough view of the thing to see if any more damage had been done to it by your strike before it attacked you.
>"I know. I need to separate her from that creature somehow - I am growing to suspect it cannot survive without being rooted in her."
>The Champions words fade, and more appear to take its place - I have seen your power. I can help you. There is a slight hesitation and she lowers her head a little before the rest of the message forms. If you can trust me.
-
>"What do you propose?"
-
>"What do you propose?"
>As the Ice Champion starts to spell out a new message, Rin's voice explodes in your head, Mistress!! Are you alright?!
-
>I am fine, yes. The Champion of Ice acted to defend us, not attack.
>Where was Rin last we saw her, anyway?
-
>Where was Rin last we saw her, anyway?
>On one of her flying discs in midair, not too far away from where the Champion of Fire was, before the Titan knocked him from the air.
>I am fine, yes. The Champion of Ice acted to defend us, not attack.
>Then you better tell her to make that ice thicker-
>Rin's warning is cut off by the sound of something very large hitting the ice dome very hard, causing more cracks to appear across the thing. A chunk of ice slides down the back on Lily's neck, causing the blonde to jump in surprise. "Ohhhh, that's cold!" she squeals.
>The Ice Champions' sorrowful eyes seem to soften just a little at the sight of Lily trying to stretch her arm down the back of her costume, but the sadness returns as she finishes spelling out her message - I can isolate the mortal and keep her safe while you destroy the creature.
-
>"Are you confident in this?"
-
>"Are you confident in this?"
>The owl nods.
>"But why?" Koko asks her. "Even I can tell you're not any kind of benign spirit. Why would you help us?"
>Ice turns her deeply sad eyes up to meet you, then the words - I see more than the others.
-
>Nod slowly
>"Very well. If you swear that you can keep Satori safe from this creature's destruction, then I shall trust you."
>"Lily, do you think you have another shot in you like the last one?"
-
>Nod slowly
>"Very well. If you swear that you can keep Satori safe from this creature's destruction, then I shall trust you."
>"Lily, do you think you have another shot in you like the last one?"
>The icy owl draws one of its wings across its belly, leaving a shallow cut in its wake. As a trail of blue blood trickles down Ice's feathered belly, the words - This I swear - appear in the ice behind her.
>"Sworn in blood." Koko breathes. "A sacred oath." A roaring sound, which you recognize as a blast of White Rose's fire, hurtles over the top of the ice dome, and the Champion of Fire's scream penetrates the dome. "Well, you'd better do it soon." the horse miko asserts.
>Your fellow magical girl doesn't answer right away, watching the blood trickle down Ice's stomach before the demon passes her wing over the wound she made, freezing it shut. "Doesn't that hurt?" she asks gently.
>Ice's eyes quiver in sadness as she nods once, silently.
>"So why?"
>The owl shakes her head slowly, as if to say 'it doesn't matter'. Lily bites her lip, but the Koko places her hand gently on the blonde's shoulder and jerks her head in your direction. Startled, Lily looks at you. "Oh. Right. Yeah, I can do that again, no problem."
-
>"Then let us put an end to this."
>Rin! Ice is going to isolate Satori so that we can destroy that creature without harming her. We will need you to join your power with ours again.
-
>"Then let us put an end to this."
>Rin! Ice is going to isolate Satori so that we can destroy that creature without harming her. We will need you to join your power with ours again.
>The demon nods. The words Good luck. appear in the ice as the Champion turns and fans her wings out. She brings them forward and the ice dome shatters into dozens of textbook sized pieces, each one blasting forward at the Death Titan's left leg. This gives you the chance to examine the battlefield. Two shrine maidens, Anya and Risa, have moved out into the yard, engaged in hand to hand combat with a small group of bugs. The Champion of Fire is still on the ground where the playground used to be, but has now disappeared, leaving a handful of pieces of scrap metal leaking black smoke into the air. A shimmering barrier of light covers the front door of the temple, and two more mikos, Kiku and one you don't recognize have moved around behind the titan, talismans out and magic gathering.
>As for the titan itself, it isn't quite as you left it. A large puddle of black fluid is lying a couple of feet away from its left foot, and while it has regenerated the damage Fire dealt it with its opening blasts, there are sizable holes blown in its arms, left thigh and lower torso, in addition to the damage your first attack dealt it. It also seems somehow shorter than it was before. Considering that puddle is about where its foot was before, you formulate the idea that your Violet Lotus may somehow have melted some of the titan away.
>Understood. White Rose replies. The kasha is currently flying around the Titan, and dodges away from the giant's arm as its takes a somewhat clumsy swing at her. Going up and over the limb, Rin changes course and heads in your direction, but as she flies past the titan the thing takes another shot at her, in the form of its eye beams. As it starts to fire, though, Ice's attack strikes home, the torrent of large, jagged ice punching a line through the titan's leg, nearly separating it from the trunk of its body. The titan staggers and its beams go off-target, managing only to graze the back of Rin's flying disc. Even this glancing blow is enough to send the disc flying and White Rose flying off of it. Immediately Lily takes to wing, dashing up into the air to catch the tumbling kasha. As she does, Koko hefts her mace and gallops off towards her two sisters engaged with the bugs.
>Ice also flies into the air as Lily comes back down towards you. There is no immediate sign of Satori, but as Lily lands, Kiku and her fellow miko grab their heads and scream, testament to a psychic attack. Satori's still in there somewhere. Now it's up to Ice to find her and isolate her from the titan.
>"You okay? The Champs're on our side this time?" White Rose asks just before she and Lily touch down.
-
>"It seems so. And we must not let their aid go to waste. That thing is nothing but death - exists for no other purpose than to cause death. And if we do not stop it now, that is exactly what it will do. What we hit the titan with last time damaged it. Let's see if we can go one further this time. Trust that Ice can keep Satori safe, and do not hold back one inch."
-
>"It seems so. And we must not let their aid go to waste. That thing is nothing but death - exists for no other purpose than to cause death. And if we do not stop it now, that is exactly what it will do. What we hit the titan with last time damaged it. Let's see if we can go one further this time. Trust that Ice can keep Satori safe, and do not hold back one inch."
>"How's a demon supposed t'do that?" White Rose asks, but the answer to that seems to come from Ice herself. The owl has flown around to the back of the titan and fires a cold beam of white energy at the titan's back. After a couple of seconds Kiku and her fellow miko cease their pained gestures. Whatever Ice is doing seems to have stopped the psychic attack on the two girls. The Death Titan raises its arm over its head, but before it can bring the huge appendage down to smash the Ice Champion, Fire comes to her fellow Champion's aid. The fox unleashes a very small orb of energy which darts through the air like a bullet, imbedding itself in the titan's left shoulder. A moment later, the projectile detonates in a massive fireball, blowing the titan's arm clean off at the joint.
-
>"Let's not waste this chance!"
>Unleash another combination attack, and don't hold back. Let's end this now!
-
>"Let's not waste this chance!"
>Unleash another combination attack, and don't hold back. Let's end this now!
>Your Violet Light, Lily's Springy energy and Rin's fire intertwine once more, slicing through the air and smashing into the giant creature's chest. This time however the deathbringer visibly reacts, hunching over and bracing itself with its damaged leg. It must be weaker than before. Of course it's weaker. Between the efforts of you and your fellow Heroes, the shrine maidens and the two Champions, the death titan has to be weakening.
>But it is not destroyed yet. Though it seems to swell under the assault of your power and streams of rainbow light pulse in waves beneath its bruise-black skin, it refuses to accept its own end. The Death Titan opens its mouth, unleashing its second face again. Before it can fire off another one of those tremendous blasts of power, a torrent of sizzling white lightning launched by the Fire Champion strikes the titan's head, blowing it to smithereens again. You then sense something trying to reach your mind, but it has almost no power, no force, no volume. Whatever the Ice Champion is doing to Satori must be neutralizing her power, as the titan can no longer affect you psionically. You just pray it keeps her safe as well.
>Still not giving in, the titan resorts to its last weapon: its sheer size. The deathbringer raises its leg to kick at you again, shaky though it is, but this time it is Kiku and her comrades who spring into action. From her, the miko next to her, and from within the temple there comes a sizable surge of magical power, and a trigram-rune appears on the ground beneath the titan. A transparent screen of light rises up from the symbol, surrounding the titan. The creature lashes its foot out, but its limb is repulsed by the shield. While the mikos power seems to have the Death Titan contained, their spell does nothing to interrupt either the Ice Champion's power beam or your own power.
>Its weapons either destroyed or muzzled, its body contained, there is nothing to stand between the titan and the power of you and your friends. The giant creature swells even more, and at last, an unstoppable wave of power radiates out from where your power beam hits it, and the titan's body is completely eaten away by the white light of the Heroes' power, leaving nothing but glimmering points of light that gently fall down towards the earth, and an icy cocoon at the end of Ice's power beam.
-
>Is it... is it really gone? Is it really over?
>Can we sense anything about Satori's condition? Does she seem to have made it through this intact?
-
>Is it... is it really gone? Is it really over?
>Can we sense anything about Satori's condition? Does she seem to have made it through this intact?
>Although you can scarcely believe it, there it no more sign, physically or otherwise, of the deadly entity. It appears to have been completely eradicated by the power of you and your two friends.
>Your senses cannot detect her either, but there is a humanoid shape that can be discerned in the cocoon created by the Ice Champion, which the demonic bird is presently lowering to the ground. In fact, as she does, the cocoon dissolves in a fine mist, revealing Satori Komeji. The shrine maiden's eyes are open but somehow vacant.
>"Get her down." you hear Kiku growl at the Ice Champion. "Now."
>Her command seems unnecessary as the owl does just that. Satori comes down on her feet but immediately lowers herself to sit on the ground. She is indeed alive, but she seems to be in shock.
-
>Kiku, please. The Champion of Ice swore to keep her safe during the end, and I do not know that we could have otherwise. For the moment, let us assume the best rather than the worst.
>Approach Satori, though not without still keeping an eye on Fire - we may have been allies up to this point, but who can say what he will choose to do now?
>As we get closer, can we assess Satori's condition any better?
-
>Kiku, please. The Champion of Ice swore to keep her safe during the end, and I do not know that we could have otherwise. For the moment, let us assume the best rather than the worst.
>Approach Satori, though not without still keeping an eye on Fire - we may have been allies up to this point, but who can say what he will choose to do now?
>As we get closer, can we assess Satori's condition any better?
>Not on your life. the miko grumbles. Not with these demons.
>You aren't the only one keeping an eye on Fire. After glaring down Ice, Kiku turns her attention to the fox, who is no longer surrounded by a fireball. "Why? Why did you two come here?"
>The Fire Champion smiles. "Does it matter?"
>The tiger miko puffs up in anger, then visibly calms herself before accusing Ice again, "And why did you save this woman?"
>The Champion does not answer, nor did you expect her to, but the Fire Champion then says "I'll come back and tell you once I get the answer from her myself." He doesn't sound too happy with his partner's actions.
>"Is as well you did." Anya intones grimly as you more closely examine Satori. The shrine maiden definately seems to be in shock, but is physically undamaged. She doesn't seem to have a scratch on her, and more importantly, the vile splinter that had been imbedded in her third eye is gone. "Woman has much to answer for." Both she and her fellows join you in advancing on Satori, and they clearly don't have benevolence in mind. Even the overly emotional squirrel youkai Risa seems very sober.
-
>Address both of the Champions, though start with Ice and make sure she understands this is even more for her: "You have my sincere gratitude, Champions - both of you. I am glad for the chance to have fought alongside you, rather than against you."
>Let's try not to let any of the shrine maidens get to Satori first, though be subtle about it unless some of them start to get pushy - we may have to put ourselves in the middle of two irritated factions shortly....
-
>Address both of the Champions, though start with Ice and make sure she understands this is even more for her: "You have my sincere gratitude, Champions - both of you. I am glad for the chance to have fought alongside you, rather than against you."
>Let's try not to let any of the shrine maidens get to Satori first, though be subtle about it unless some of them start to get pushy - we may have to put ourselves in the middle of two irritated factions shortly....
>The Ice Champion bows her head in acceptance of your gratitude. In typical fashion, it is Fire who answers, "You know, we could make this a permanent thing, Terran."
>"What that's supposed t'mean?" White Rose demands of him.
>"Even an idiot can see the kind of power you three have. You could help us. You could save our world, save us." The fox takes a couple of casual steps towards you and White Rose instantly tenses up. "The Fire Champion remembers the ones that help us. I would repay you in kind."
>The Ice Champions sad eyes grow wide with a pleading hope as she looks at you. From her feather-message before, you know she wants this as well.
-
>"I share your desire to see your people safe from the horrors of Makai - that is a fate no living being should be forced to endure. I know that others among us feel likewise. There is no need to subjugate the peoples of this world to find sanctuary within it, for you and those you fight for - though Makai might dictate that only the strongest and most ruthless may live, our world is different."
-
>"I share your desire to see your people safe from the horrors of Makai - that is a fate no living being should be forced to endure. I know that others among us feel likewise. There is no need to subjugate the peoples of this world to find sanctuary within it, for you and those you fight for - though Makai might dictate that only the strongest and most ruthless may live, our world is different."
>"Oh yeah?" the fox asks very casually, flicking her tail at the mikos behind you. "Ask them how they'd feel about having a few hundred demons showing up at their front door looking for a meal."
>That word 'demons' draws a visible reaction from all of the shrine maidens present, but none moreso than Kiku. "Demons is exactly what they are." she says to her fellows. "I know their kind, sisters, and this hero's optimism is sadly misguided. All we are to them is a means to satisfy their own ends. They are a worse threat as Satori and her creature was."
>"Then how do you explain what just happened?" Lily asks, kneeling down next to Satori to check on her. "We worked together!"
>Anya the Moscovian miko points at you. "Why not ask her. She knows these demons."
-
>To Kiku, firmly: This situation is already tense enough. I'd ask to you please not agitate it any further - this is neither the time nor place to debate the Champion's nature, and I think it's in all our interests not to start another battle right now. Whatever words you wish to share about my judgement, I will gladly listen to in private, once this is over.
>Address the crowd, and put on our best public speaking voice: "Whether you choose to call them 'demon', they are still living, thinking beings - alien in some ways, but not so unlike us in others. If you are to judge them, judge them on their own actions, not on what you think their nature must be because of what they are. Humans and youkai did this each other once, and the world was a far darker place for it. Tonight, they have fought alongside us, they have shielded us, and for that my gratitude is genuine. If tomorrow, they choose instead to endanger us, then we will stand in this city's defense as surely as we did this morning. But I do not believe that has to happen."
-
>To Kiku, firmly: This situation is already tense enough. I'd ask to you please not agitate it any further - this is neither the time nor place to debate the Champion's nature, and I think it's in all our interests not to start another battle right now. Whatever words you wish to share about my judgement, I will gladly listen to in private, once this is over.
>Address the crowd, and put on our best public speaking voice: "Whether you choose to call them 'demon', they are still living, thinking beings - alien in some ways, but not so unlike us in others. If you are to judge them, judge them on their own actions, not on what you think their nature must be because of what they are. Humans and youkai did this each other once, and the world was a far darker place for it. Tonight, they have fought alongside us, they have shielded us, and for that my gratitude is genuine. If tomorrow, they choose instead to endanger us, then we will stand in this city's defense as surely as we did this morning. But I do not believe that has to happen."
>I will not stand by and let you tell my sisters that these creatures are anything but our enemy. the angry miko replies. Some of them will end up fighting them eventually, useless though that may be, and I don't want them second guessing themselves when the time comes. Especially if that time is now.
>You seem to have found the right words, as your mentioning of the oftentimes dark history between humans and youkai makes the assembled mikos, animal youkai all, visibly loose a lot of their tension and anger. All except Anya, who asks of Kiku, "Is she right, sister?"
>Kiku, her scowling face fixed on the Champion of Fire, simple stares at the fox for several long seconds. "I do not share this woman's hope or optimism." And then she relaxes. "But she makes sense. Not every enemy has to be fought the minute they appear." She takes a measured breath. "I can accept that, for tonight, we had a common enemy. But I can't accept that you came purely to help us, not without any of your own reasons. Tell me why."
>"It doesn't matter." the Champion answers. "It really doesn't matter. I did what I came here to do, and now I have other matters to discuss with my fellow Champion. My business here is done." The demon starts to turn away from the crowd, but pauses when its eyes fall on you. "Unless you wanted to come over to our side now."
-
>"I am genuine when I say that we share a desire to see your people find a home safe from the horrors of your planet. But know that we also will not be a party to inflicting harm on the peoples of this one. If that is a path you insist upon taking, then I fear we may come to blows again in the future. But I hope very much that this will not need to happen, and that we can once find common ground - a road for us to end one people's misery without bringing misery to another. I do hope you will consider the benefits of a path that avoids needless conflict with us and with the others that share our power - each day wasted in unnecessary battle is another that Makai's power is allowed to grow, and this is something neither of us wants."
-
>"I am genuine when I say that we share a desire to see your people find a home safe from the horrors of your planet. But know that we also will not be a party to inflicting harm on the peoples of this one. If that is a path you insist upon taking, then I fear we may come to blows again in the future. But I hope very much that this will not need to happen, and that we can once find common ground - a road for us to end one people's misery without bringing misery to another. I do hope you will consider the benefits of a path that avoids needless conflict with us and with the others that share our power - each day wasted in unnecessary battle is another that Makai's power is allowed to grow, and this is something neither of us wants."
>"There will be no war today, Terran." the Champion of Fire replies solemnly. "You have earned this Champion's respect."
>"And tomorrow?" Kiku asks, though without most of the venom her voice held before.
>"Tomorrow depends on how long it takes me to get through with my comrade." Fire answers, now anger in her voice. The Ice Champion lowers her head sadly. "We're leaving." Fire says abruptly, and turns and takes flight with no further words.
>The demonic owl looks after her fellow Champion in sad anticipation of what is to come, then takes flight after him. But not before leaving another feather floating gently down from the sky, one identical to the message-feathers she employed the last time.
-
>To Rin and Lily: Try to keep yourself between the more disgruntled mikos and Satori for the moment - I'll be right back
>Let's quickly go accept this new message
-
>To Rin and Lily: Try to keep yourself between the more disgruntled mikos and Satori for the moment - I'll be right back
>Let's quickly go accept this new message
>Receiving positive replies from the pair of magical girls, you walk briskly towards the stairs leading up to the yard, catching the Ice Champion's feather as it drops from the air. You sense that within this feather contains an explanation as to why the Fire Champion came here. It also invites your comrades to receive the message as well if they choose.
-
>Do we think they can do so from here if we 'activate' it? Or would they also need to individually hold it afterward (or at the same time?)?
-
>Do we think they can do so from here if we 'activate' it? Or would they also need to individually hold it afterward (or at the same time?)?
>Immediate proximity to the feather is required to share directly in its message, though direct contact is not necessary.
-
>Well, then let's take the feather back over to them
>It's a message from Ice, directed to the group of us.
>Assuming the natives don't appear to be too restless just yet, and the others are fine with this, tell them how they can receive it, and let's take a look
-
>Well, then let's take the feather back over to them
>It's a message from Ice, directed to the group of us.
>Assuming the natives don't appear to be too restless just yet, and the others are fine with this, tell them how they can receive it, and let's take a look
>What's it say? Rin asks as she gives as shrine maiden with spotted cat's ears a hard look, which is returned. With the demons gone, the mikos have returned all of their attention to their traitorous head of the temple. None of them seem to have tried anything, but between their looks, and looks among those those shrine maidens exiting the temple, you're actually glad you're here to keep them from doing anything drastic. Under the circumstances, you feel it may be best to put off Ice's message until the situation is handled a bit more definitively.
>"If you three don't mind," the miko with the spots says, "now that that giant's dealt with and the evil animals are gone, we have our own business to attend to." Nods and affirmative sounds come from each miko around, save two. You see the lavender haired Chie coming out among the temple crowd, and she seems only confused. Kiku is the other exception. Her stern gaze is aimed at you.
>I do trust you, Lotus. her silent voice says. If you tell me those two won't be back, that we don't have to worry about them for tonight, I'll believe you.
-
>I do believe that is the case, yes. And the matter of Satori needs addressing now, in any case.
>Does Satori still seem completely out of it?
-
>I do believe that is the case, yes. And the matter of Satori needs addressing now, in any case.
>Does Satori still seem completely out of it?
>Alright. You told me something in that cave, something about a corruptive power. Tell me everything.
>The purple haired woman has pulled her legs up and has assumed the fetal position while seated. Her mouth is forming words but virtually sound comes from it. You think she is mouthing 'My fault' over and over, but you can't be certain.
-
>Satori was just outside the blast range of the Blink Bomb when it dropped on Mayohiga. She... experienced the death of every one of all those people who were lost there, all at once. And something... I still do not know entirely what it was, but something born from all that death latched onto her, grew inside of her for all these years until it became that creature which we fought tonight. That was lurking inside her all this time, twisted deeply through her very being. I saw it pulse when she acted cruelly, and sometimes it seemed almost like there was conflict between it and some other part of her. I think its presence affected her deeply, yet on a level she could not fully perceive. I think it very likely influenced her to take the path that she did, and if that is the case, then she may perhaps be traumatized by her own actions more than anyone else here.
-
>Satori was just outside the blast range of the Blink Bomb when it dropped on Mayohiga. She... experienced the death of every one of all those people who were lost there, all at once. And something... I still do not know entirely what it was, but something born from all that death latched onto her, grew inside of her for all these years until it became that creature which we fought tonight. That was lurking inside her all this time, twisted deeply through her very being. I saw it pulse when she acted cruelly, and sometimes it seemed almost like there was conflict between it and some other part of her. I think its presence affected her deeply, yet on a level she could not fully perceive. I think it very likely influenced her to take the path that she did, and if that is the case, then she may perhaps be traumatized by her own actions more than anyone else here.
>Are you... Kiku shakes her head slightly. Are you saying she's been possessed for almost half a century?
-
>Yes.
-
>If not longer, that event may have only been part of what caused this.
-
>Yes.
>If not longer, that event may have only been part of what caused this.
>What do you mean? Kiku asks, confused.
>"What're you gonna do to her?" Lily asks the spotted miko.
>"None of your business." Anya answers for her sister. "Is internal matter."
-
>Well, as best I can tell, the day of the Blink Bomb is when this creature first attached itself to Satori. It seems like it may have been formed as a result of so many people dying at once, but I am not altogether clear on the details - perhaps we may never be.
What reason do we have to think that Satori was possessed before this event anyway? I don't see any information that points to this, and I fear it's only confusing the issue here.
-
>Well, as best I can tell, the day of the Blink Bomb is when this creature first attached itself to Satori. It seems like it may have been formed as a result of so many people dying at once, but I am not altogether clear on the details - perhaps we may never be.
>Kiku's answer comes first in the form of a long sigh, then a quiet, I understand.
>"Satori has a lot of explaining to do." Koko says to your comrades. "But that's between us and her." She tries a smile, and it looks a bit out of place given the air around. "That doesn't mean we can't thank you all for your help dealing with that.... thing."
>A grey-haired miko with canine ears and furry tail asks, "Do you have any idea how Satori made that thing?"
>"She didn't." Kiku says. In stark contrast to how she sounded before, her voice now carries a sense... acceptance. "It's gone now, though, isn't it, Lotus?"
-
>We do not sense any trace of the titan at all, correct? Even when straining for it as best we can?
>Assuming so, "Yes."
-
>We do not sense any trace of the titan at all, correct? Even when straining for it as best we can?
>Assuming so, "Yes."
>The titan appears to have been completely eradicated, and the splinter within Satori's eye is gone as well, which you inform Kiku of.
>"NO!" Satori suddenly screams, grabbing Lily's shoulders with a desperate strength, her face panicked, her eyes wild. "It was me. My mind my power my power... It was me, it was always me! My dark heart. I used people manipulated them controlled them!"
>The winged blonde winces in pain as Satori's fingers dig into her shoulders. "You're... hurting me now." she says through clenched teeth.
>Satori does relax her grip, slumping back down to her knees. "It was me. All these years...."
>Lily's eyes water in sympathy, despite the regrowing anger in the crowd around her. Byakuren, what do we do? We can't leave her like this.
-
>For now, let her speak. If she needs to say these things, then let her say them.
>Kneel down by Satori. "Tell me what happened."
-
>For now, let her speak. If she needs to say these things, then let her say them.
>Kneel down by Satori. "Tell me what happened."
>Are you.. sure about that? Rin asks you. The other shrine maidens seem angry enough as it is.
>Satori's manic energy seems to have left her, and she is now in much the same situation she was in a moment ago. She just keeps muttering derivations of "it was me"., "What have I done?" and the like.
>And then Kiku steps forward through the crowd, stern-faced and clear eyed. "Magical Lotus, Lily. Let me deal with her."
-
>To Kiku: Whatever she says, her mind was not wholly her own and she is deeply traumatized by her actions, so please... try to be gentle.
>Shift aside to give Kiku room, and try to trust in her
-
>To Kiku: Whatever she says, her mind was not wholly her own and she is deeply traumatized by her actions, so please... try to be gentle.
>Shift aside to give Kiku room, and try to trust in her
>I know. she replies. Despite her expression, her psychic voice conveys a strong feeling of compassion.
>"You know these two women?" Anya asks her fellow miko as you and Lily both give Kiku some room.
>The tiger nods. "I know them both very well. In fact, they saved me from ending up like Satori did." Sounds of amazement and disbelief sound around her as she looks down at Satori. "You see my sisters, several days ago, I fought another Champion, the Water Champion. My power was meaningless against it. I could not even scratch a scale on its body, while it defeated me with barely a flick of its own power. And after that it exploited my weakness and drowned me in my own doubts and fears. I had lost myself to despair. In that moment, I almost became the demon's slave. I would have, too." She looks up from Satori and nods slightly at you. "This woman was there. She saved me, not only from the demon, but from my own despair."
>"But there was no one there to save you, was there, Satori?" The woman on the ground blinks in confusion, raising her head to meet the tiger youkai's gaze. Kiku's eyes are gentle. You don't think you've ever seen that particular expression before. "I know about the thorn, that splinter that was in your eye. That dark item. You didn't even know about it, did you?"
>"But I...." Satori breathes. "I don't... I still..."
>"All those years evil escaped your sight. I was spared from that fate. Someone was there to help me." And Kiku smiles. "How can I blame you, hate you, for being less fortunate than me?" She kneels down in front of the formerly corrupted Satori. "I forgive you. Satori-sama."
>"No don't call me that." Satori says quickly, shaking her head. "It was supposed to be you, I stole the power, I.... I, what? What did you say?"
>Kiku reaches her hand out and lays it softly on Satori's shoulder. "I forgive you."
>Satori lets out a shuddering sigh and closes her eyes, her body sagging in profound relief.
-
>Smile gently and let them have their moment. We... we really did it, didn't we?
-
>Smile gently and let them have their moment. We... we really did it, didn't we?
>Satori leans forward, resting her head against Kiku's shoulder, a gesture which draws the loudest reactions of all from the other mikos. Needless to say, not one among them ever saw that coming. While most of them either talk amongst themselves or stare at Kiku, Chie the young catgirl has her attention on you. "She's talking about what happened at the Center?" she asks you quietly. "You really saved Kiku?"
-
>"I simply gave her a nudge in the right direction when she needed it. She did the rest herself."
-
>"I simply gave her a nudge in the right direction when she needed it. She did the rest herself."
>The young catgirl smiles appreciatively at you, and bows. "Thank you."
>During this exchange, Kiku, rather carefully, has helped Satori to her feet. The temple head doesn't seem entirely stable on her feet, but Kiku has a firm grip on her. "For now, my sisters, we will let Satori rest. The discussion of what will come can wait, for now. We all need some time to take in what has happened here tonight." Heads nod in agreement with her orders, then she turns to you. "First you saved me, Lotus, and now you have helped protect every one here. I owe you more than simple thanks. If there is anything I or my sisters can do for you, do not hesitate to ask."
>We do still have much to discuss. Kiku's silent voice adds. But for right now, my priority is them.
-
>Of course.
>"There is no greater reward than to see everyone here safe and whole, and the shadow lifted from this shrine. And thank you for coming to my aid when I was in need, and for the courage you all have shown in the face of this terrible darkness. I think tomorrow shall dawn a little brighter than today, for all of us."
-
>Of course.
>"There is no greater reward than to see everyone here safe and whole, and the shadow lifted from this shrine. And thank you for coming to my aid when I was in need, and for the courage you all have shown in the face of this terrible darkness. I think tomorrow shall dawn a little brighter than today, for all of us."
>The wolf-eared youkai gives you a bold grin. "Facing terrible darkness is what we do."
>"Even if something like this wasn't in the brochure." Koko quips as she leans on one of her comrades for support, drawing some chuckles from her sisters, the laughter of those who have come through a terrible battle and emerged alive on the other side.
>One of those who does not join in the laughter, curiously, is Risa, the excessively emotional squirrel youkai. She makes a beeline for you as Kiku and one of her sisters start to haul Satori away. When she draws within swinging range of you, though, Risa breaks into a big smile and hugs you right tightly. "Kiku'd said it better than me, but she's right. We owe ya big."
-
>Return the hug gently. It's good that we can find some laughter in this long night after all.
>"I'm just glad we were able to help."
-
>Return the hug gently. It's good that we can find some laughter in this long night after all.
>"I'm just glad we were able to help."
>"Come along now, Risa." Kiku calls after her. "We all need some rest, and our heroes have their own business to attend to."
>"Coming, sis!" the squirrel chirps as she disengages from you.
>"And don't call me 'sis'." Kiku says almost absently.
>"Right, sis." The mikos chuckle again. A few more of them offer thanks and bows to you, Lily and White Rose as they pass, and a minute or so later, you and your fellow two magical girls are alone in the temple yard.
-
>Pause. Let out a long breath. It's been... a rough night.
>Then lean down and give Rin and Lily a gentle hug.
>Softly: "Thank you."
-
>Pause. Let out a long breath. It's been... a rough night.
>Then lean down and give Rin and Lily a gentle hug.
>Softly: "Thank you."
>If you were getting paid for this responsibility, you definately would have earned your paycheque today.
>And you definately have earned a group hug.
>Lily gently drapes her soft, feathered wing across your shoulder, joining Rin's strong arm. There will be battles to come, you know. Kiku will likely have some stern words with you later. But Satori is safe and whole, the shrine maidens and your friends are alive and well, and you have peace with the demons for now. Now, there is only the peace of this moment, and a profound sense of relief and even joy that every battle you have fought today, you have emerged victorius to stand here, in the embrace of those you care deeply for.
>And Rin, loyal, devoted Orin, smiling gently, says to you, "Can we go home now?"
-
>Return the smile
>"I think I would like that very much."
>Stay in this embrace for another moment; after all we've been through, we don't entirely want to let go just yet
>But eventually we must
>"Just one final piece of business here."
>Produce the feather Ice left for us.
>"Ice's message."
-
>Return the smile
>"I think I would like that very much."
>Stay in this embrace for another moment; after all we've been through, we don't entirely want to let go just yet
>But eventually we must
>"Just one final piece of business here."
>Produce the feather Ice left for us.
>"Ice's message."
>"Any idea what it is this time?" Rin asks.
-
>"I think it is about the reason Fire came here, but it was intended for all of us to see."
>Let's see what Ice had to 'say'
-
>"I think it is about the reason Fire came here, but it was intended for all of us to see."
>Let's see what Ice had to 'say'
>"Uh, hang on a sec." Lily says as you raise the feather. "I know I'm not always the smartest one around, but, since Fire's only been here for a couple days, that means that his reasons probably have to do with something that happened on Makai, right?"
>Rin nods. "Probably."
>Lily winces. "Uh... I don't... think I wanna see Makai." she says hesitantly. "Not if it's like what Louise said about it."
-
>"I won't pressure you if you're uncomfortable. I can always relay the substance of the message afterward."
-
>"I won't pressure you if you're uncomfortable. I can always relay the substance of the message afterward."
>Lily nods. "Thanks, Lotus." she says as she puts a few steps between herself and you.
-
>To Rin: "That goes likewise to you. There's no need to push yourself; we've all been through more than enough tonight already."
-
>To Rin: "That goes likewise to you. There's no need to push yourself; we've all been through more than enough tonight already."
>Your kasha shakes her head. "Understandin' these guys is important to you. That means it's important to me, too."
-
>Nod
>"Very well then. Let's see what she wanted to tell us."
>Accept Ice's message
-
>Nod
>"Very well then. Let's see what she wanted to tell us."
>Accept Ice's message
>After a nod from Rin, Ice's feather vanishes is a puff of ice and snow. A faint blue light radiates out from the vanished plume, and when it fades, you find the scene before your eyes has changed dramatically. There is a wall of jagged black rock a few feet in front of you and behind you, a gulley of dagger-rock. Your back now rests against this rock, the sharp edges slicing at your flesh and wings, but the light pain this causes is negligable compared to the slashing wind that howls down the valley. You have the power to ward off the wind, but you dare not, for fear of attracting worse. A look at your companion reveals she feels the same way. The blonde woman is torn between huddling deeper into a crevase full of needle-like rock and braving the worse of the winds. Though you feel a powerful desire to help her, you've been on the run for far too long. You need to rest. You try to rise, only to sink back down, stone jags carving into your skin as sleep takes you.
>You awaken to a scream. Not the scream of the wind but of a woman. An enormous black hand has seized your companion and is pulling her out of the gulley. The creature is tall beyond the word. If it straightened fully it would scrape the sky. Its body, though resembling yours in general shape, is a twisted mass of rock and flesh and metal and things Byakuren's mind can't quite comprehend. Your companion's skin sizzles under the titanic creature's acidic touch, and though she fires power beams at the thing's skin, they do nothing to slow her progross towards the titan's gaping maw. The creature pops her into its mouth like a teenage consumes popcorn. In blind horror you stare on as the titan visibly swallows your friend. It turns its blood-red eyes upon you, but pauses. It throat and stomach swell and black smoke begins to stream from its mouth. Its stomach then swells again and explodes from the inside out, releasing a torrent of gastric acids and corrosion-worn stones from the titan's sundered gizzard. The creature tumbles lifelessly backwards as your companion rides the putrid wash down the ground, and it is only when the acid washes away that you see just what it has done to her as you stare on in helpless horror. Only then does she scream again.
>The vision fades. Somehow you know that what you saw was one of the Ice Champion's memories, and that the other woman was the Fire Champion, from before they were Champions. The titanic monster that swallowed Fire was very very similar in appearance and impression to the titan you just fought. But above all these things right now, you feel like you're about to be sick.
-
>Take a deep breath and try to steady ourselves. Remember, what we just saw was not present, was not us.
-
>Take a deep breath and try to steady ourselves. Remember, what we just saw was not present, was not us.
>It takes several breaths for you not to be ill at the sight of what happened to Fire in that vision.
>Even Rin, who's led a fairly hard life, has turned decidedly pale. "Smart move, Lily." she says to your fellow Hero. "Dat was nasty."
-
>"Yes, that was... not quite what I expected to see."
>If that giant creature was a 'twisted mass of rock and flesh and metal', how exactly did it seem very similar in appearance to something made of... nothing? The form of the creature we just fought was not nearly so misshapen either, was it? Was it something more intangible than this that unites them?
-
>"Yes, that was... not quite what I expected to see."
>If that giant creature was a 'twisted mass of rock and flesh and metal', how exactly did it seem very similar in appearance to something made of... nothing? The form of the creature we just fought was not nearly so misshapen either, was it? Was it something more intangible than this that unites them?
>Their eyes were virtually identical, as were their teeth as well, and they were both humanoid killing machines. Granted one was taller and bit more... alien than the other, but the titan you fought would not have looked out of place standing next to the one that tried to eat Fire. And they gave very much the same impression as each other did. One could think they were brothers, if in an extreme corruption of the word.
>"Do I want to know?" Lily asks cautiously.
-
>"It was a memory of Ice's, I believe, from a time before her or Fire were Champions. Fire looked... not altogether different from one of us. And then a creature, strangely reminiscent of the one we fought tonight, yet larger still... devoured her. She... did not emerge whole."
>Shake our head
>"No being should have to live a life like that. Either of them - any of them! The fear, the pain, the weariness, the overarching helplessness were palpable. Were anyone else in their shoes, it should be small wonder they'd be willing to go to the most extreme lengths to put an end to it."
-
>"It was a memory of Ice's, I believe, from a time before her or Fire were Champions. Fire looked... not altogether different from one of us. And then a creature, strangely reminiscent of the one we fought tonight, yet larger still... devoured her. She... did not emerge whole."
>Shake our head
>"No being should have to live a life like that. Either of them - any of them! The fear, the pain, the weariness, the overarching helplessness were palpable. Were anyone else in their shoes, it should be small wonder they'd be willing to go to the most extreme lengths to put an end to it."
>"But, wait." Lily says, confused. "Why would something like that make her come here?"
>Rin answers her, "Payback. She must have felt somethin' like that creature in the one we fought. Since she-"
>"SHE?" the winged blonde interrupts. "I thought fox was a guy!"
>"Guess not. Anyway, now that she got the power to take one of 'em down, she jumped on it. Helping us and Satori weren't on 'er mind."
>Lily ponders that. "Okay, but wouldn't she just say so?"
>"Don't know. Pride, maybe?" she asks you and Lily both.
-
>"That sounds like a reasonable assumption. Someone who seems to look down upon 'weakness' might be loathe to admit any of their own."
>"And I always assumed that helping us was merely incidental to her own goals - that the titan represented a deadly threat to the safety of the world she wished to claim for her kind, and thus something that needed to be dealt with. But the more common ground we can find between us, even by accident, the more likely we can build a bridge between our kinds. And seeing what we just saw, I feel even more strongly that there is nothing fundamentally evil about them."
-
>"That sounds like a reasonable assumption. Someone who seems to look down upon 'weakness' might be loathe to admit any of their own."
>"And I always assumed that helping us was merely incidental to her own goals - that the titan represented a deadly threat to the safety of the world she wished to claim for her kind, and thus something that needed to be dealt with. But the more common ground we can find between us, even by accident, the more likely we can build a bridge between our kinds. And seeing what we just saw, I feel even more strongly that there is nothing fundamentally evil about them."
>"Maybe." Rin says cautiously. "But we're still gonna have ta fight 'em before the end. And if Fire was tough enough to survive somethin' like that, she's gonna be anything but easy to take down now."
-
>"I would like to hope that such a battle can still be avoided, but if it truly is inevitable, then we will simply have to rise to the occasion, and trust in the strength of one another - too much is at stake to do otherwise."
-
>"I would like to hope that such a battle can still be avoided, but if it truly is inevitable, then we will simply have to rise to the occasion, and trust in the strength of one another - too much is at stake to do otherwise."
>"Well here's something else I'd like to know." Rin says as she turns to look in the direction that Fire went. "If Fire didn't want us to know 'bout this, then why'd Ice tell us? If she's so submissive to Fire, then her telling us something her mistress didn't want us ta know doesn't make any sense."
-
>"Fire did not seem especially enthusiastic about Ice acting to preserve Satori either, but Ice did so nonetheless - even if one is bound to servitude, one still has their own desires. Perhaps she acts as far outside the bounds of her mistress's orders as she feels she can get away with? Perhaps Fire may not even be aware of the message Ice left us, or at least what it contains."
-
>"Fire did not seem especially enthusiastic about Ice acting to preserve Satori either, but Ice did so nonetheless - even if one is bound to servitude, one still has their own desires. Perhaps she acts as far outside the bounds of her mistress's orders as she feels she can get away with? Perhaps Fire may not even be aware of the message Ice left us, or at least what it contains."
>"For Ice's sake, I sure hope so." Rin says, folding her arms protectively over her chest. "I've seen what happens when a slave defies a normal master. Thinking about what Fire can do makes all my blood run cold."
-
>
"Well, Ice's blood is probably already very cold all the time, so you needn't worry."
>"I hope so as well. Everything I have seen of Ice makes me think her heart is good. I hope that, one way or another, we will be able to call each other friends by the time all this is over."
-
>"Well, Ice's blood is probably already very cold all the time, so you needn't worry."
>"I hope so as well. Everything I have seen of Ice makes me think her heart is good. I hope that, one way or another, we will be able to call each other friends by the time all this is over."
>"Aw man, that's just terrible."
>"I still can't believe she shielded you like dat." says. "I 'bout had a heart attack once I figured out it was her behind it."
-
>"Yes, I can imagine what that must have looked like from the outside. But it was there that she swore to me she could keep Satori safe. ...perhaps also so that Fire could not see her do it?"
-
>"Yes, I can imagine what that must have looked like from the outside. But it was there that she swore to me she could keep Satori safe. ...perhaps also so that Fire could not see her do it?"
>"Even cut herself to prove her point." Lily adds.
>Rin starts. "A blood oath? Damn, how's she gonna hide that from Fire? Wait a sec, I didn't see any cuts on her after she came out of dat ice."
-
>"It was not terribly deep; perhaps she heals quickly? I did not have occasion to notice after we parted ways."
-
>"It was not terribly deep; perhaps she heals quickly? I did not have occasion to notice after we parted ways."
>"She froze it, too." Lily adds, a frown in her voice. "Had to hurt."
>"Ain't that more obvious than the cut?"
>"Nah, it was actually pretty much like her belly feathers. Hey, what did Ice look like in that vision thing you saw?"
-
>Did we see 'ourselves' or have any other awareness of Ice's body that we could relate?
-
>Did we see 'ourselves' or have any other awareness of Ice's body that we could relate?
>You felt she had feathered wings and fair skin, but nothing beyond that.
-
>But humanoid and not an owl, at least, yes?
-
>But humanoid and not an owl, at least, yes?
>Correct.
-
>"I didn't get to see too much of her, as this was from her own perspective, but she was also humanoid - fair-skinned with feathery wings."
-
>"I didn't get to see too much of her, as this was from her own perspective, but she was also humanoid - fair-skinned with feathery wings."
>Your description makes Lily smile. "Like mine?" she asks, fluttering her own white wings.
-
>Return her smile
>"Perhaps a little."
-
>Return her smile
>"Perhaps a little."
>This seems to please your blonde comrade.
>"Okay I gotta ask again, now that we got the time." Rin asks her. "Just how did you know we was in trouble? And how'd ya get here so fast?"
>"I flew." Lily says simply. "I fly everywhere if I can. Even when it's snowing, I like snow, feels nice on my wings and face." With all that had happened, you had almost neglected the fact that it is still snowing. "But how I knew, I actually don't know for sure. I was sitting in the hospital playing cat's cradle with this nice old lady who was there with her husband, when I got this real bad feeling that you two needed help. I tried to contact you, but when I didn't get an answer I knew it was serious. So I dashed outside, transformed and flew here as fast as I could."
-
>"I wonder if Kiku felt any similar sensation? For that matter, I wonder why you did, as convenient as that was - like, I wonder how it works or what is enough to set it off."
-
>"I wonder if Kiku felt any similar sensation? For that matter, I wonder why you did, as convenient as that was - like, I wonder how it works or what is enough to set it off."
>"Uh huh, she did." Lily confirms. "I tried her after I tried you two and she said she knew something was wrong. And I think I know why. I think."
-
>"Oh? What's your theory?"
-
>"Oh? What's your theory?"
>With a big smile, Lily declares, "The power of love!"
-
>Have a small chuckle
>"And how much trouble do we need to be in before the power of love thinks it's worth mentioning, I wonder?"
-
>Have a small chuckle
>"And how much trouble do we need to be in before the power of love thinks it's worth mentioning, I wonder?"
>"Ya got me there."
-
>Smile
>"Fair enough."
>"Well, with things seemingly settled here for the time-being, I for one would not mind returning home and collapsing."
-
>Smile
>"Fair enough."
>"Well, with things seemingly settled here for the time-being, I for one would not mind returning home and collapsing."
>"Yeah, and I should probably be getting back to the hospital so Papa can tell me to go home." Lily says with a smile.
>Rin chuckles wryly. "That's what fathers do, right?"
>"'least mine does!" Lily replies with a perky smile, then hugs you again. "I'm real glad you're safe, B. And of course you too, Rose."
-
>"I'm glad we all are. And let's make sure we all stay that way, shall we?"
>Turn to Rin: "And let's go home."
>Leave the shrine, and at a safe and private enough distance away from the mess up here, let's shift back to our normal form and call a cab.
-
>"I'm glad we all are. And let's make sure we all stay that way, shall we?"
>Turn to Rin: "And let's go home."
>Leave the shrine, and at a safe and private enough distance away from the mess up here, let's shift back to our normal form and call a cab.
>Lily gives your kasha a quick hug, then takes to the air, leaving you and Rin to trudge down the steps towards the road. The mikos will have a mess to clean up with the grounds the next day, but thanks to your efforts, they'll all be there to do the work. Halfway down the stairs, you get confirmation that only a few birds are in the area, and then you and she return to your root modes. Once there, you place a call for transportation. The wait allots you time to examine the surroundings, to find that the battle and the damage that came with has been confined to the temple yard, and possibly the temple itself. A stroke of luck there.
>Your kasha companion seems a bit pensive now that the crisis is over, but when you ask her about she claims to prefer to wait until you're returned home to get into details, which you respect.
>Transport arrives a few minutes later, taking a bit longer to arrive than normal, which isn't a surprise considering you're a bit off the main grid. The cabbie for the evening is a bat-winged youkai with very pale skin and a sour face, who doesn't seem entirely interested in conversation beyond a perfunctory greeting. This results in a rather quiet trip back home, for which you are not ungrateful. Though the downtime makes you realize just how fatigued you are after a very, very demanding day. You are surprised to not find yourself more tired than you are. You're ready for several hours sleep of course, but nowhere near like what you were after your first transformation. Though you are privately grateful that there won't be school tomorrow. A little bit more downtime won't go astray.
>The winged cabbie disgorges you and your pet kasha at Moonside without much fare whatsoever, if you'll pardon the expression. As the sour faced youkai accelerates away, you note Patchouli, weirdly, standing out in the Moonside yard, holding a blue leather book with a glowing symbol on the cover. Reisen stands leaning against the building, a concerned expression on her face as she regards her master.
-
>Approach
>Can we get any sense of what's up?
-
>Approach
>Can we get any sense of what's up?
>Patchy is clearly trying to work some kind of magic, but you can't tell exactly what kind. Given the look of consternation on her face, it isn't going as well as she might like. It is she, though, who first notices your approach, and for just a moment, her expression is one of relief, before turning to regular surprise. "Byakuren, Rin." she greets you, rather warmly for her.
-
>Smile
>"Good evening."
>"What are you working on?"
-
>Smile
>"Good evening."
>"What are you working on?"
>"Divinations." she replies. "I thought I sensed something, some kind of disruption in the magical flow through the area. But I haven't been able to identify or locate it yet, nor could I tell what kind of disturbance it was. And now it seems to have vanished altogether." She sighs quietly and smiles. "I don't suppose either of you noticed anything out of the ordinary?"
-
>Try not to blanch
>"Certainly nothing in the neighborhood."
-
>Try not to blanch
>"Certainly nothing in the neighborhood."
>"Of course." she says with a slight nod. Then she looks at you, and you see a gleam of concern in her light eyes. "You are... okay. Right?"
-
>"Yes? Is... something else wrong?"
-
>"Yes? Is... something else wrong?"
>"No. No, it's nothing. Never mind." She starts to turn away, but pauses. "It's just, since you were out there, I thought..." Then she shakes her head again. "Forget it."
>But Reisen doesn't want to forget, and grinning, she asks, "You were worried about them?"
>"I was not." Patchy replies quickly. Perhaps a little too quickly. The question seems to almost embarass the fledgling mage.
-
>Then we'll try not to rub it in
>"Well, we're fine in any case. I'm just a bit tired."
-
>Then we'll try not to rub it in
>"Well, we're fine in any case. I'm just a bit tired."
>You're not the sort anyway.
>That does not mean, however, that Reisen is not, as evidenced by her grin. It's not as angular as Marissa's would be, but it's a worthy imitation. "Patchouli-sama was worried."
>"Quiet, you." the mage says hotly, her cheeks turning a very very faint shade of pink. You catch Rin trying not to chuckle.
>"Well. Glad to hear it." Patchouli replies, trying to maintain her composure while she glowers at Reisen, not entirely succeeding at either.
-
>"Well, I think I'm going to go collapse into a chair. Good luck with what you're working on."
>Let's go home
-
>"Well, I think I'm going to go collapse into a chair. Good luck with what you're working on."
>Let's go home
>"Thank you."
>"And welcome home." Reisen calls after you as you and Rin take your leave of the pair and head upstairs.
>Rin automatically heads to the fridge after you get inside. "What can I get for ya?" she asks.
-
>"I'm not feeling picky; whatever takes the least effort."
>Let's take off our coat and flop somewhere convenient
-
>"I'm not feeling picky; whatever takes the least effort."
>Let's take off our coat and flop somewhere convenient
>"Understood." the kasha says, rather brightly, despite the fact that she has to be fatigued as well.
>"Mistress, can I ask you something?" she asks as she puts the kettle on, as you sink into one of the chairs in the main room, with some gratitide.
-
>"Yes, of course."
-
>"Yes, of course."
>"What happened to us after Satori caught us?"
-
>"If I may, first... how much do you remember? I was already unconscious when you were captured, I think - or at least I never saw what happened to you first."
-
>"If I may, first... how much do you remember? I was already unconscious when you were captured, I think - or at least I never saw what happened to you first."
>"Well, you said that you were talkin' to some kinda spirit. After that, I started to feel kinda weird, like I couldn't work right. I tried to call out to you, but I couldn't get my thought-talk to work either. Then it all went black, and the next thing I remember clear is wakin' up in that cave, wit' you standing in front of me."
-
>"Oh. Then perhaps it was before me, and I just never realized.... I still don't know precisely how things happened. In retrospect, the voice speaking to me feels like it must have been Satori, though I know not how she could have done this - we had chosen this time specifically so that she would be otherwise engaged during it. Or for that matter why the flame turned black the other day in the first place, if it was only the power within her that had done so. So much I would have liked to ask, if we'd had the chance to do so tonight...."
-
>"Oh. Then perhaps it was before me, and I just never realized.... I still don't know precisely how things happened. In retrospect, the voice speaking to me feels like it must have been Satori, though I know not how she could have done this - we had chosen this time specifically so that she would be otherwise engaged during it. Or for that matter why the flame turned black the other day in the first place, if it was only the power within her that had done so. So much I would have liked to ask, if we'd had the chance to do so tonight...."
>"Bright side." Rin replies as she cracks open some eggs. "We got the chance ta ask later, after Satori pulls herself together. Kiku'll make sure of that."
-
>"Yes, I cannot complain about how things ended, given how they began...."
>"In any case, while I was conversing with the flame, some manner of spider snuck up and bit me. Its venom was somehow magical - made it hard to think or even remember where I was, and I could feel myself quickly slipping away. I tried to use my powers to purify myself, but a second force intruded upon my mind - Satori herself, I now think - and disrupted what remained of my consciousness. I... actually don't recall it very well, even now - like fragments of a half-remembered dream, so absent was I from myself. And then I was gone."
>"I'm still not sure how much time passed before I regained consciousness, in that room underground where you came back to yourself; I was very foggy-headed even then, though Satori seemed impressed I could even speak. Apparently the spider that bit me was a pet of hers, one she had used in a similar manner against others from time to time, over the years. I wonder how many others have woken up in a similar state.... Though I suppose she would have had little need to question them as she did me - I gathered that the only reason she was doing so now was that she couldn't read my thoughts directly."
-
>"Yes, I cannot complain about how things ended, given how they began...."
>"In any case, while I was conversing with the flame, some manner of spider snuck up and bit me. Its venom was somehow magical - made it hard to think or even remember where I was, and I could feel myself quickly slipping away. I tried to use my powers to purify myself, but a second force intruded upon my mind - Satori herself, I now think - and disrupted what remained of my consciousness. I... actually don't recall it very well, even now - like fragments of a half-remembered dream, so absent was I from myself. And then I was gone."
>"I'm still not sure how much time passed before I regained consciousness, in that room underground where you came back to yourself; I was very foggy-headed even then, though Satori seemed impressed I could even speak. Apparently the spider that bit me was a pet of hers, one she had used in a similar manner against others from time to time, over the years. I wonder how many others have woken up in a similar state.... Though I suppose she would have had little need to question them as she did me - I gathered that the only reason she was doing so now was that she couldn't read my thoughts directly."
>"Or mine I guess." Rin replies. "Or she wouldnt'a needed to question you either. Unless she fixed on you and ignored me?" she asks, though she doesn't sound too convinced of that prospect.
-
>"Well, not entirely..."
>Frown slightly
>"When I woke up, I was tethered to some kind of mystic spider web that prevented me from moving or drawing on my own power in more than the smallest amounts, and kept my mind... hazy. I was... fairly close to completely at her mercy, I am afraid. She wanted to know all that I knew of her, and I did share with her what I thought was safe to say without endangering anyone else - though many times she refused to believe me anyway, regardless of how true my words were. You were..."
>Pause, take a deep breath. Though things somehow worked out in the end, this is still a painful memory.
>"I did not notice you at first, and I had even hoped you might have evaded their notice and were still out there somewhere, safe, even if I was not. But... but you were there as well, standing upright in the corner of the room, under your own power, eyes open, but... it was as though there was no consciousness within you. Nothing. Just... blank, like some kind of living mannequin."
>"Oh, Rin, I'm so sorry.... I don't even know if I can properly articulate the sinking dread I felt in that moment, to see what she had done to you. I was overconfident. I'd thought I could handle whatever lay in wait for us at the shrine. And if I had to bear the price of this mistake, then... well, so be it. But for you to bear the price of my mistakes as well...? If I hadn't been able to undo what she'd done to you, I don't know how I could ever have forgiven myself."
-
>"Well, not entirely..."
>Frown slightly
>"When I woke up, I was tethered to some kind of mystic spider web that prevented me from moving or drawing on my own power in more than the smallest amounts, and kept my mind... hazy. I was... fairly close to completely at her mercy, I am afraid. She wanted to know all that I knew of her, and I did share with her what I thought was safe to say without endangering anyone else - though many times she refused to believe me anyway, regardless of how true my words were. You were..."
>Pause, take a deep breath. Though things somehow worked out in the end, this is still a painful memory.
>"I did not notice you at first, and I had even hoped you might have evaded their notice and were still out there somewhere, safe, even if I was not. But... but you were there as well, standing upright in the corner of the room, under your own power, eyes open, but... it was as though there was no consciousness within you. Nothing. Just... blank, like some kind of living mannequin."
>"Oh, Rin, I'm so sorry.... I don't even know if I can properly articulate the sinking dread I felt in that moment, to see what she had done to you. I was overconfident. I'd thought I could handle whatever lay in wait for us at the shrine. And if I had to bear the price of this mistake, then... well, so be it. But for you to bear the price of my mistakes as well...? If I hadn't been able to undo what she'd done to you, I don't know how I could ever have forgiven myself."
>"Don't you say you're sorry." Rin answers in a surprisingly firm voice. Turning the heat down on the eggs she is preparing, she wipes her hands on her skirt and walks towards you. "I should be the sayin' I'm sorry, Mistress." The kasha kneels before you. "If I wasn't strong enough to protect you. Your health, your safety, means more to me than anythin'. I took this power to protect you, keep you safe. And I failed."
-
>Shake our head
>"No. No, no, no. You stood up to an incarnation of death itself, stared into an abyss far darker than most will ever see in their lives, and did not falter an inch. The courage and dedication you showed in the face of such terrible pain and horrible power were truly remarkable. You gave more than anyone could rightly ask, and we could not have prevailed without you. If what you did tonight was a failure, then I think no one in the history of the world must ever have truly succeeded at anything. Please, Rin..."
>Lean forward and hold her close
>"I could not ask for a better companion. Never for a moment doubt how important you are to me. That I can even sit here in the warmth of my own home and discuss such things is because of you."
-
>Shake our head
>"No. No, no, no. You stood up to an incarnation of death itself, stared into an abyss far darker than most will ever see in their lives, and did not falter an inch. The courage and dedication you showed in the face of such terrible pain and horrible power were truly remarkable. You gave more than anyone could rightly ask, and we could not have prevailed without you. If what you did tonight was a failure, then I think no one in the history of the world must ever have truly succeeded at anything. Please, Rin..."
>Lean forward and hold her close
>"I could not ask for a better companion. Never for a moment doubt how important you are to me. That I can even sit here in the warmth of my own home and discuss such things is because of you."
>The young kasha resists for only a moment as you pull her into your embrace. "But... you had to save me." she protests meekly, quietly.
-
>Gently: "We all need saving from time to time. I saved Kiku from Water, she and Lily saved both of us from Satori, and then all of us together saved everyone. On our own power, I think none of us would have survived this night."
-
>Gently: "We all need saving from time to time. I saved Kiku from Water, she and Lily saved both of us from Satori, and then all of us together saved everyone. On our own power, I think none of us would have survived this night."
>Rin doesn't seem to know quite how to reply to that for a moment, but then you see her smile bittersweetly. "Guess it was kinda silly a me ta think I could protect you all of the time, right?"
-
>"I am afraid that these threats we are facing are bigger than any of us. But, at least tonight, they were not bigger than all of us."
>"I was scared tonight, Rin. Scared that I had lost you, scared that I had failed you - failed all of us. Scared that even all our powers combined might not be quite enough against so pitch black a darkness. That's why it means so much to be able to have you here with me now. After all we've been through tonight, I just want to be close to someone I care about."
-
>"I am afraid that these threats we are facing are bigger than any of us. But, at least tonight, they were not bigger than all of us."
>"I was scared tonight, Rin. Scared that I had lost you, scared that I had failed you - failed all of us. Scared that even all our powers combined might not be quite enough against so pitch black a darkness. That's why it means so much to be able to have you here with me now. After all we've been through tonight, I just want to be close to someone I care about."
>That puts the strength back into your Rin. She grips your hand tightly, and her deep red eyes look into yours. "You'll never lose me, Byakuren. No deadly creature or evil miko can decide when I leave you. Only you get to decide that."
-
>"If only it were truly up to me, I should never need fear for the safety of anyone in the battles to come. But for as long as both of us are able, I should consider myself blessed to have you at my side, and you will always have a home here for as long as you wish it. Thank you, Rin, for... well, for being you. Each of my days are a little brighter because you are in them."
-
>"If only it were truly up to me, I should never need fear for the safety of anyone in the battles to come. But for as long as both of us are able, I should consider myself blessed to have you at my side, and you will always have a home here for as long as you wish it. Thank you, Rin, for... well, for being you. Each of my days are a little brighter because you are in them."
>The kasha's eyes moisten. "I can't tell ya how happy that makes me." she mangages to say after one or two false starts, failing to keep herself from smiling in the doing.
-
>Hard not to get misty-eyed ourselves... This is what we've been fighting for. After all the struggle and pain we went through today, to see that kind of joy on the face of someone we care about so deeply.... To know that it was possible only because of what we overcame. No matter what we will have to endure in the days to come, surely it must be worth it, for all the smiles that can be saved. For this smile.
>Squeeze her tight
>"Your smile is words enough. This is what I fight for."
-
>Hard not to get misty-eyed ourselves... This is what we've been fighting for. After all the struggle and pain we went through today, to see that kind of joy on the face of someone we care about so deeply.... To know that it was possible only because of what we overcame. No matter what we will have to endure in the days to come, surely it must be worth it, for all the smiles that can be saved. For this smile.
>Squeeze her tight
>"Your smile is words enough. This is what I fight for."
>What a moment.
>The redheaded kasha's cheeks flush a pale rose, and she appears to try to avert her gaze from yours, but your loving eyes hold her as tight as do your hands.
-
>Is our own face feeling a little flushed too now? It is, isn't it...
>"Rin, if what I am about to ask in any way makes you feel uncomfortable, then I beg you to say so. Can you promise me this?"
-
>Is our own face feeling a little flushed too now? It is, isn't it...
>"Rin, if what I am about to ask in any way makes you feel uncomfortable, then I beg you to say so. Can you promise me this?"
>Well it certainly is now.
>"Yes." she breathes, the nervous anticipation in her voice sending a thrill across your skin.
-
>We're really going to say this, aren't we? We're really going to.
>"Would it be okay if I kissed you?"
-
>We're really going to say this, aren't we? We're really going to.
>"Would it be okay if I kissed you?"
>At this point, you don't think you can NOT say it.
>Indecision plays across Orin's face upon hearing that question for a moment, and the kasha closes her eyes in thought. When she opens them again and looks into your eyes, you know that her answer, unlike she is so often, is for her sake first, rather than yours. "Yes."
-
>Then let's hurry up and kiss this beautiful woman in front of us already!
-
>Then let's hurry up and kiss this beautiful woman in front of us already!
>Leaving any hesitation you might have had far behind you, you gently bring yourself forward and press your lips against Rin's. This is not your first kiss, but it's the first one you've been the aggressor for. Rin's tentativeness quivers through her lips, and there is a spiciness about her taste that is distinctly different than a human's, and very enticing. Your Rin is a bit nervous, you can tell, but you also sense the pleasure of this moment is not felt only by you.
>When your lips part, Rin's blush has deepened more than a little, but the smile on her face is quite possibly the happiest one you've ever seen.
-
>Smile back
>"That... felt nice."
-
>Smile back
>"That... felt nice."
>"I never knew what that was like 'til now." Rin says quietly.
-
>Gently: "Your first?"
-
>Gently: "Your first?"
>The redhead nods once.
-
>"Then I feel privileged that you shared it with me. I hope this wasn't too... sudden. But when I held you so close, it... it felt like there was nothing I wanted to do more in that moment than kiss you. You are a beautiful woman, Rin."
-
>"Then I feel privileged that you shared it with me. I hope this wasn't too... sudden. But when I held you so close, it... it felt like there was nothing I wanted to do more in that moment than kiss you. You are a beautiful woman, Rin."
>"Was... that your first, too?" she asks cautiously.
-
>It was not, correct?
>Have we shared a kiss like that with anyone other than Marisa? And was that only the single night, even then?
-
>It was not, correct?
>Have we shared a kiss like that with anyone other than Marisa? And was that only the single night, even then?
>Correct.
>You have not.
>Correct. You'd be lying if you said you hadn't thought about it happening again, but right now, it would be a bigger lie to claim that such a possibility was on your mind.
-
>"Just once before - but this was every bit as special to me as though it were."
>Run a hand gently through her hair
>"My heart is racing too, you know."
-
>"Just once before - but this was every bit as special to me as though it were."
>Run a hand gently through her hair
>"My heart is racing too, you know."
>Rin quite literally purrs as you touch her. "So... What'd you do the last time, at this point?"
-
>What did we do at this point last time?
-
>What did we do at this point last time?
>You and Marissa There's still two s's, Draco. exchanged more than one kiss. And if you're honest, each was more passionate than the one you just had with Rin. But things didn't go any farther than that, not then.
-
>"Well, I think I should like to start by kissing you again."
>Kiss her again! And let's put a little more oomph into it this time.
-
>"Well, I think I should like to start by kissing you again."
>Kiss her again! And let's put a little more oomph into it this time.
>"I like the sound of that." Rin manages to say before you cover her mouth with yours once more. The hesitation that you felt in Rin's lips before is gone now, and she returns the passion you bestow on her as best as she can.
>"Oh yeah, I liked dat." she says after you part again.
-
>"Mmmm."
>Pull her close against us, gently but firmly, and kiss her again, trailing down the side of her neck while our hands roam slowly towards the small of her back
>Then, before we get too much more worked up, pull back slightly, pause a moment, swallow
>Slightly awkward: "Rin, I've... I've never gone further than this with anyone."
-
>"Mmmm."
>Pull her close against us, gently but firmly, and kiss her again, trailing down the side of her neck while our hands roam slowly towards the small of her back
>Then, before we get too much more worked up, pull back slightly, pause a moment, swallow
>Slightly awkward: "Rin, I've... I've never gone further than this with anyone."
>Rin doesn't answer you right away with her voice. She takes a breath herself, then gives you a smoldering grin. She leans in forward and gently kisses your ear, whispering at last, "Then it pleases me to be the first."
-
>*thump thump*
>Well! That... We can't very well say no to that, now can we?
>Emboldened by Rin's own enthusiasm, let's cast off the last of our doubts and freely let our lips and fingers wander to all the places we wish to explore. Be gentle and loving and take care to stay within the pace Rin feels comfortable with. And excuse ourselves our awkwardnesses. Even if neither of us knows quite what we're doing, we both care deeply about each other and we both want each other; we'll work it out somehow. Let us end this long night by baring ourselves to one that we love and letting the world slip away in their arms.
-
>*thump thump*
>Well! That... We can't very well say no to that, now can we?
>Emboldened by Rin's own enthusiasm, let's cast off the last of our doubts and freely let our lips and fingers wander to all the places we wish to explore. Be gentle and loving and take care to stay within the pace Rin feels comfortable with. And excuse ourselves our awkwardnesses. Even if neither of us knows quite what we're doing, we both care deeply about each other and we both want each other; we'll work it out somehow. Let us end this long night by baring ourselves to one that we love and letting the world slip away in their arms.
>*thump thump*
>Well! That... We can't very well say no to that, now can we?
>Emboldened by Rin's own enthusiasm, let's cast off the last of our doubts and freely let our lips and fingers wander to all the places we wish to explore. Be gentle and loving and take care to stay within the pace Rin feels comfortable with. And excuse ourselves our awkwardnesses. Even if neither of us knows quite what we're doing, we both care deeply about each other and we both want each other; we'll work it out somehow. Let us end this long night by baring ourselves to one that we love and letting the world slip away in their arms.
>Not that you were likely to say no, anyway.
>Any trace of the hunger and fatigue you had coming home vanish completely with the emotions and sensations running through your body. Neither too last the thoughts of the gruesome battles you fought today. Even the brief thoughts of Marissa you had moments ago, memories of her lips, fade. There is only Rin. Your Rin. The kasha is devoted to you completely, willing to serve you in any and all capacities she can. Well tonight, you mean to prove that you can serve and satisfy her every bit as well. Although, if you were thinking more practical terms, it might have been better to let Rin finish cooking first so you could have a bite before.... starting. Rin, being the kasha youkai that she is, possesses a level of stamina, and as it turns out, surprisingly dextrous fingers, beyond that of your average human. She, like you, may be inexperienced, but the unbridled enthusiasm and pure-hearted passion she heaps upon you more than makes up for it, testing and taxing your body in ways you have never experienced before. And it is a workout and experience you wouldn't exchange for anything else in the world, with someone you wouldn't wish was anyone else.
>Many times over the course of this day did you wonder just how, or even when, this day was going to end. On occasion you doubted it would, or even could, end well. But you would not have dreamed it would end quite this way, in the arms of Rin Kaenbyou. Now though, you couldn't dream of a better ending for the day. If Marissa was here, she'd undoubtedly say something along the lines of 'the hero gets to have the princess after he saves her.' And she'd be right. Repeatedly so, as it turns out.
>You couldn't tell exactly when you fell asleep, and your sleep is not disturbed by dreams, pleasant or horrid, this night. But your sleep is deep and restful, and even while asleep, you feel surrounded by the newfound warmth shared between you and your Rin.
>And that concludes Mahou Shoujou Byakuren Episode 3. There will be a brief pause before the start of the next thread as I address some background writing issues. You guys solved the Satori situation a lot earlier than I had anticipated.