Magical Lotus - Mahou Shoujou Byakuren - Episode 3, Part 6 [COMPLETED]

[DracoOmega]

>Continue to approach cautiously. Keep an eye on that flame, and our wits about us.

[Oldmansour]

>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.

[DracoOmega]

>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.

[Oldmansour]

>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.

[DracoOmega]

>"No, that is true."

[Oldmansour]

>"No, that is true."

>"But you hear us."

[DracoOmega]

>"I do."

[Oldmansour]

>"I do."

>"You should not be here."

[DracoOmega]

>"Is that a warning about yourself, or about others who dwell at this shrine?"

[Oldmansour]

>"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."

[DracoOmega]

>"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?"

[Oldmansour]

>"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."

[DracoOmega]

>"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."

[Oldmansour]

>"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.

[DracoOmega]

>"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."

[Oldmansour]

>"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.

[DracoOmega]

>"Do you refer to the demons from Makai?"

>Bad feeling how?

[Oldmansour]

>"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?

[DracoOmega]

>"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.

[Oldmansour]

>"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?

[DracoOmega]

>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."

[Oldmansour]

>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.

[DracoOmega]

>"I meant of the shadow here. That which you warned me about it when I first entered. What can you tell me of it?"

[Oldmansour]

>"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."

[DracoOmega]

>"And you do not know what this is?"

[Oldmansour]

>"And you do not know what this is?"

>"We believe it is something that should belong here but does not. Or someone."

[DracoOmega]

>"Satori?"

[Oldmansour]

>"Satori?"

>"The shadow falls across her. Or may spread from her. We cannot tell."

[DracoOmega]

>"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?"

[Oldmansour]

>"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.