Main Event Brand of the Hawk

[Ver]

Miki could only shut her eyes away from the sight before her as Sumia held her and Yuki close, shivering greatly as the fight went on. Still, if nothing else, despite her fears and what she believed here, the resolve of the others around her, between Ben, Sumia, and Sera managed to reach Miki. At this moment, they had already determined what to make of this situation. What to do, how to feel, they had already figured it all out for themselves. And here she was, feeling sorry for herself, feeling sorry for the others... And she could not know how easily it came to them.

As Soraka approached the three of them, it was Yuki who responded quickest, still not grasping the severity of the situation.

"Mhm! We're all fine here! That horse sure came out of nowhere, but at least it looks like the others having fun playing with it!" She exclaimed happily.

Meanwhile, as the fight raged on against the enemy, the timely interventions of Sera and Grace helped to buy Ben and Siegward more time, as Grace's lightning bolt cleanly hit the monster, stunning him temporarily before Sera appeared to undo the thick durability of the its hide and follow up with the cutting of his horn, rendering him unable to fire his makeshift bow, all the while allowing Ben and Siegward to come together and attack, the knight's swing cutting through the creature much easier this time, more black blood gushing out and spraying all over him, before Chromastone's blast sent him sliding back several feet, giving everyone space between themselves and him.

Still, it didn't look like he was down just yet. As though ignoring the blood gushing from his multiple wounds, the resilient demon recovered quickly, wasting no time to writhe as he clutched his lance-like weapon, as he limped toward the group and spun his spear around, before proceeding to swing it, its grand length able to reach everyone in its arc if they didn't make a move!

@Yun Lee @Crow @Kaykay @Raptor Jesus @Tutski19 @Otto @Jeremi @Village​

 

[Ver]

What? Libra watched in horror as his exorcism was interrupted by Hollow Knight's massacre. That bloodlust...he would never had thought that tiny creature had it in him. And those poor girls, screaming in the corner...Libra knew all too well how horrible trauma could make you feel. Festering, cruel, something to repress that would bubble up at the worst times, no matter how much you never wanted it to, to claw and gnaw inside and remind you of the darkest times of your life-

Hm?

Luca was looking at him, and he snapped back to reality, to his current situation. "I...I'm glad you're all right, Miss Luca. I'm sorry it had to turn out this way." He looked at the mangled bodies of those he'd only seen once swallowing to get the dryness out of his throat.

At her next question, he nodded. "I get the feeling they were hoping to lure us out of this village by using you all as hostages. I have no doubt ut would have worked had we not...intervened."​

"Not anywhere good," Morte replied. "Good thing I showed up when I did though, could've gotten real ugly otherwise."

The magus didn't bother looking at the carnage for too long, death came to everyone, even him. Though that didn't mean he wasn't a little caught off guard by Hallow Knight's sudden display.

Lindel had to raise a brow at Morte's words, slight doubt in them. Other than keeping the entrance blocked, most of the group here didn't do much else other than Libra and Hallow Knight upon arrival.

Glancing over to the poor girls he clicked his tongue and sighed. Other than trauma, they appeared to be relatively unharmed from what he could tell. His eyes took a sweep of the room with furriwed brows.

The matter at hand was dealt with, but whether or not they'd stay and guard the place, or went to assist the others was up for debate in the elder's mind. The last time they split up they eventually regrouped, but there was no telling if the girls would be attacked again if they left to help the others.

"If there's any injury, I'd gladly heal them, if needed." he suggested, glancing from the hole in the wall to the rest. He doubted anyone needed healing, but he couldn't heal very serious wounds in the first place.

"Aha... Yes, thank you, Morte," Luca said with light amusement in her voice. Whether intentional or not, it seemed like the skull lightened Luca's mood ever so slightly, even if it did little for the traumatized girls. Indeed, it seemed like she was used to this kind of display, if having a past with Guts indicated anything. Turning to Libra, she held her hands together, before letting out a short breath. "Either way... I'm glad I'm alright too!" She said light-heartedly, or at least, as much as she could under the circumstances and what she'd just gone through, "If these demons are going after everything in sight, then we need to--"

CRASH!

Luca was interrupted when another loud crash erupted at the side of the building, the wall practically exploding in a small fiery explosion, before an unfamiliar, yet distinctive, figure stood before them. A goblin-like demon with yellow skin and glowing red eyes, sporting a sick grin, growling with anticipation in his throat as he took a step.

"What a glorious time to stumble upon a room of harlots, with which to paint the walls scarlet. Your screams shall go unheard, such is the way of Etrigan's wrath incurred," he spoke, menacingly stepping forward.

"Yeah? Paint this, you ugly son of a--!!"

Guts, snapping back to his senses, quickly drew his sword at the sight of the demon who called himself Etrigan, who certainly looked and felt more imposing than any demon he'd faced in a small while. With a wide swing, slightly restricted to the confines of the indoors, Guts attacked the demon, only for him to nimbly evade, leaping into the air and dashing behind, crashing into Libra and knocking him into the ground, before reaching down to grab him by the neck and throw him right at Guts, sending both of them crashing back through the wall he'd just come from and out of the building!

With that, he glared at the helpless girls, before turning toward Morte, Kokichi, and Lindel. "You would do well to avoid interfering with the plans of the master... lest you seek out disaster," he spoke once again with a consistent rhyme scheme, stepping toward them in a threatening manner, his intentions clear.

@Jeremi @Yun Lee @Takumi @Alex Azure @Brothel​

 

[Takumi]

"Aha... Yes, thank you, Morte," Luca said with light amusement in her voice. Whether intentional or not, it seemed like the skull lightened Luca's mood ever so slightly, even if it did little for the traumatized girls. Indeed, it seemed like she was used to this kind of display, if having a past with Guts indicated anything. Turning to Libra, she held her hands together, before letting out a short breath. "Either way... I'm glad I'm alright too!" She said light-heartedly, or at least, as much as she could under the circumstances and what she'd just gone through, "If these demons are going after everything in sight, then we need to--"
CRASH!
Luca was interrupted when another loud crash erupted at the side of the building, the wall practically exploding in a small fiery explosion, before an unfamiliar, yet distinctive, figure stood before them. A goblin-like demon with yellow skin and glowing red eyes, sporting a sick grin, growling with anticipation in his throat as he took a step.

"What a glorious time to stumble upon a room of harlots, with which to paint the walls scarlet. Your screams shall go unheard, such is the way of Etrigan's wrath incurred," he spoke, menacingly stepping forward.
"Yeah? Paint this, you ugly son of a--!!"
Guts, snapping back to his senses, quickly drew his sword at the sight of the demon who called himself Etrigan, who certainly looked and felt more imposing than any demon he'd faced in a small while. With a wide swing, slightly restricted to the confines of the indoors, Guts attacked the demon, only for him to nimbly evade, leaping into the air and dashing behind, crashing into Libra and knocking him into the ground, before reaching down to grab him by the neck and throw him right at Guts, sending both of them crashing back through the wall he'd just come from and out of the building!
With that, he glared at the helpless girls, before turning toward Morte, Kokichi, and Lindel. "You would do well to avoid interfering with the plans of the master... lest you seek out disaster," he spoke once again with a consistent rhyme scheme, stepping toward them in a threatening manner, his intentions clear.
@Jeremi @Yun Lee @Takumi @Alex Azure @Brothel

Lindel drew his sword, glaring at the goblin calling itself Etrigan. If he didn't know any better, this guy was tall, like Elias. He had to have had a weakness. Be it connected to his master or not.
He charged, taking a swing at Etrigan, in an attempt to hopefully use his size as a form of advantage in at least distracting or slowing him down.

@Ver @Yun Lee @Jeremi @Alex Azure

 

[Jeremi]

Miki could only shut her eyes away from the sight before her as Sumia held her and Yuki close, shivering greatly as the fight went on. Still, if nothing else, despite her fears and what she believed here, the resolve of the others around her, between Ben, Sumia, and Sera managed to reach Miki. At this moment, they had already determined what to make of this situation. What to do, how to feel, they had already figured it all out for themselves. And here she was, feeling sorry for herself, feeling sorry for the others... And she could not know how easily it came to them.

As Soraka approached the three of them, it was Yuki who responded quickest, still not grasping the severity of the situation.

"Mhm! We're all fine here! That horse sure came out of nowhere, but at least it looks like the others having fun playing with it!" She exclaimed happily.

Meanwhile, as the fight raged on against the enemy, the timely interventions of Sera and Grace helped to buy Ben and Siegward more time, as Grace's lightning bolt cleanly hit the monster, stunning him temporarily before Sera appeared to undo the thick durability of the its hide and follow up with the cutting of his horn, rendering him unable to fire his makeshift bow, all the while allowing Ben and Siegward to come together and attack, the knight's swing cutting through the creature much easier this time, more black blood gushing out and spraying all over him, before Chromastone's blast sent him sliding back several feet, giving everyone space between themselves and him.

Still, it didn't look like he was down just yet. As though ignoring the blood gushing from his multiple wounds, the resilient demon recovered quickly, wasting no time to writhe as he clutched his lance-like weapon, as he limped toward the group and spun his spear around, before proceeding to swing it, its grand length able to reach everyone in its arc if they didn't make a move!

@Yun Lee @Crow @Kaykay @Raptor Jesus @Tutski19 @Otto @Jeremi @Village​

Seeing the spear swing Grace conjured up her spiritual hammer from earlier and attempted to block the demon's swing with her own to protect the others.

@Yun Lee @Crow @Kaykay @Raptor Jesus @Tutski19 @Otto @Jeremi @Village

"Aha... Yes, thank you, Morte," Luca said with light amusement in her voice. Whether intentional or not, it seemed like the skull lightened Luca's mood ever so slightly, even if it did little for the traumatized girls. Indeed, it seemed like she was used to this kind of display, if having a past with Guts indicated anything. Turning to Libra, she held her hands together, before letting out a short breath. "Either way... I'm glad I'm alright too!" She said light-heartedly, or at least, as much as she could under the circumstances and what she'd just gone through, "If these demons are going after everything in sight, then we need to--"

CRASH!

Luca was interrupted when another loud crash erupted at the side of the building, the wall practically exploding in a small fiery explosion, before an unfamiliar, yet distinctive, figure stood before them. A goblin-like demon with yellow skin and glowing red eyes, sporting a sick grin, growling with anticipation in his throat as he took a step.

"What a glorious time to stumble upon a room of harlots, with which to paint the walls scarlet. Your screams shall go unheard, such is the way of Etrigan's wrath incurred," he spoke, menacingly stepping forward.

"Yeah? Paint this, you ugly son of a--!!"

Guts, snapping back to his senses, quickly drew his sword at the sight of the demon who called himself Etrigan, who certainly looked and felt more imposing than any demon he'd faced in a small while. With a wide swing, slightly restricted to the confines of the indoors, Guts attacked the demon, only for him to nimbly evade, leaping into the air and dashing behind, crashing into Libra and knocking him into the ground, before reaching down to grab him by the neck and throw him right at Guts, sending both of them crashing back through the wall he'd just come from and out of the building!

With that, he glared at the helpless girls, before turning toward Morte, Kokichi, and Lindel. "You would do well to avoid interfering with the plans of the master... lest you seek out disaster," he spoke once again with a consistent rhyme scheme, stepping toward them in a threatening manner, his intentions clear.

@Jeremi @Yun Lee @Takumi @Alex Azure @Brothel​

"Oh great," Morte rolled his eyes. "It's a rhyming demon. Hey, jackass! Here's a rhyme for ya! Your rhymes are lame and so are you! You stink more then a bag of shit!"

@Jeremi @Yun Lee @Takumi @Alex Azure @Brothel

 

[Yun Lee]

Miki wasn't the only one affected by the words of their group. Sera was right-now was the time for action. And being away from the demon, that gave Sumia a chance to help!

"Stand back, girls!" she called, readying her bow and firing an arrow right at the demon's head!

@Ver @Yun Lee @Crow @Kaykay @Raptor Jesus@Tutski19 @Otto @Jeremi @Village

---

It all happened so fast. One minute Libra was facing a demon, and the next he was on the ground, his entire body in pain as he gasped for breath after the grip on his neck. He had to recover, and fast, or else Luca and the others... He couldn't think about what Etrigan would do to them. He had to act!

Forcing himself to stand despite still shaky breathing, he looked to Guts. "We can't beat him by...by strength alone...we need more. Where...where is that salt Sebastian had?"

@Ver @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Jeremi @Yun Lee @Takumi @Alex Azure@Brothel​

 

[Crow]

"I understand how you feel, but those aren't the right things to be asking!"

A voice rang from above Sumia and the girls, belonging to none other than a Sera Mizuki, who soared past them like a swift moving bird.

Wielding the sword forged by her Creation dream while flying through the air at high speed through the Magic and Attack dreams, her current visage came quite literally out of a dream. Perhaps it could be said that something like a dream had no place in a city like this, fueled by harsh reality and malevolence. But nightmares were nothing more than a kind of dream. So if those were going to exist here, then even a "good" dream had a right to soar through the skies and slay their nightmarish foes!

"If it's our fault, we have no choice but to take responsibility! And if it isn't, we still can't just let these people die, can we? So, our responsibility remains the same, no matter what!"

While it wasn't any fault of theirs necessarily that the demons were after them, they did have that knowledge. Rather than hiding in a town, perhaps it could be said they should have moved outside of it so that no innocents would be dragged into it. On the other hand, if the monsters simply attacked the town anyway to drag them out, they would be in no position to help the villagers. So long as knowledge was limited, and it always was, there would never be a perfect solution.

Thus, it wasn't a question of responsibility or playing the blame game. What mattered was doing something.

As Sera approached the reverse-centaur, she ceased the use of her Magic dream. Momentum was enough to carry her from here. Utilizing the Penetration class of her Cancel dream, Sera attempted to "penetrate" the monster's durability altogether. To cancel it out, even. Then, she brought her sword down. Aimed at the horned side of the creature, she sought to cleave away the horns that could act as a bow.

@Tutski19 @Otto @Jeremi @Crow @Yun Lee @Ver @Village​

Miki could only shut her eyes away from the sight before her as Sumia held her and Yuki close, shivering greatly as the fight went on. Still, if nothing else, despite her fears and what she believed here, the resolve of the others around her, between Ben, Sumia, and Sera managed to reach Miki. At this moment, they had already determined what to make of this situation. What to do, how to feel, they had already figured it all out for themselves. And here she was, feeling sorry for herself, feeling sorry for the others... And she could not know how easily it came to them.

As Soraka approached the three of them, it was Yuki who responded quickest, still not grasping the severity of the situation.

"Mhm! We're all fine here! That horse sure came out of nowhere, but at least it looks like the others having fun playing with it!" She exclaimed happily.

Meanwhile, as the fight raged on against the enemy, the timely interventions of Sera and Grace helped to buy Ben and Siegward more time, as Grace's lightning bolt cleanly hit the monster, stunning him temporarily before Sera appeared to undo the thick durability of the its hide and follow up with the cutting of his horn, rendering him unable to fire his makeshift bow, all the while allowing Ben and Siegward to come together and attack, the knight's swing cutting through the creature much easier this time, more black blood gushing out and spraying all over him, before Chromastone's blast sent him sliding back several feet, giving everyone space between themselves and him.

Still, it didn't look like he was down just yet. As though ignoring the blood gushing from his multiple wounds, the resilient demon recovered quickly, wasting no time to writhe as he clutched his lance-like weapon, as he limped toward the group and spun his spear around, before proceeding to swing it, its grand length able to reach everyone in its arc if they didn't make a move!

@Yun Lee @Crow @Kaykay @Raptor Jesus @Tutski19 @Otto @Jeremi @Village​

Seeing the spear swing Grace conjured up her spiritual hammer from earlier and attempted to block the demon's swing with her own to protect the others.

@Yun Lee @Crow @Kaykay @Raptor Jesus @Tutski19 @Otto @Jeremi @Village

Miki wasn't the only one affected by the words of their group. Sera was right-now was the time for action. And being away from the demon, that gave Sumia a chance to help!

"Stand back, girls!" she called, readying her bow and firing an arrow right at the demon's head!

@Ver @Yun Lee @Crow @Kaykay @Raptor Jesus@Tutski19 @Otto @Jeremi @Village​

The flaming rains create a hurricane as they were drained into Chromastone's back, causing him to give that chrome hue again.

"Here's another push!"

In unison with Sumia, Grace & Sera, Chromastone fires yet another powerful ultraviolet blast at the demon-beast, this one more powerful that the previous.

"Wait, the same attack probably won't work too well, let's try another strategy..."

After the aforementioned strike, Chromastone smacks the emblem on its chest, allowing it to transform.

"Gravattack! Alright, let's see how well you work under pressure. Specifically, this many Gs!"

Gravattack, as it was called, manipulated the gravity that connected the beast with the very ground, enhancing it manyfold. Soon, its own lance became much too heavy for it to hold, and it would not be able to carry its very own limbs. The added pressure also caused its blood to leak more. Add that with its limping state and disabled durability, and the beast was very close to disabled.

"Now's your chance, everyone! Give it your all!"

@Ver @Yun Lee @Crow @Minerva @Kaykay @Raptor Jesus @Tutski19 @Otto @Jeremi @Village​

 

[Ver]

Lindel drew his sword, glaring at the goblin calling itself Etrigan. If he didn't know any better, this guy was tall, like Elias. He had to have had a weakness. Be it connected to his master or not.
He charged, taking a swing at Etrigan, in an attempt to hopefully use his size as a form of advantage in at least distracting or slowing him down.

"Oh great," Morte rolled his eyes. "It's a rhyming demon. Hey, jackass! Here's a rhyme for ya! Your rhymes are lame and so are you! You stink more then a bag of shit!"

It all happened so fast. One minute Libra was facing a demon, and the next he was on the ground, his entire body in pain as he gasped for breath after the grip on his neck. He had to recover, and fast, or else Luca and the others... He couldn't think about what Etrigan would do to them. He had to act!

Forcing himself to stand despite still shaky breathing, he looked to Guts. "We can't beat him by...by strength alone...we need more. Where...where is that salt Sebastian had?"​

"Guess that's what happens when you wanna count on a demon to take care of a demon!" Guts exclaimed as he pulled himself back up to his feet in response to Libra, clicking his tongue as he picked up his sword as well, "I've fought bigger and badder before! But the son of a whore over here's faster than I'm generally used to," he grunted.

Not taking too kindly to Morte's mouthing off, meanwhile, the demon who called himself Etrigan grabbed the entirety of Morte in his large hand, applying enough pressure that he threatened to crush the floating skull with his pure strength, before being stopped as Lindel attacked him, the blade managing to cut into him a bit, but not by much, as though his skin were too hard to be pierced too deeply. Still gripping Morte, Etrigan turned and, with a roar, bashed the skull right into Lindel, hoping to knock him away as well, before also tossing Morte into the wall as well.

"The women come with me. Interfere, and they will cease to be! In my eye, one of interest I spy!" He growled, snaking behind Luca and wrapping his thick arm around her neck, pulling her toward himself as a hostage, as though intending to put everyone at a pause with his movement.

@Yun Lee @Takumi @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Alex Azure @Jeremi @Brothel​

 

[Yun Lee]

"Blast...there has to be a way to-"

Libra left his sentence unfinished, looking into the building just in time to see both Lindel attacked and Luca captured. Inside of the normally composed priest was now something dark. Whatever had caused Hollow Knight to snap when he saw Casca in peril hit Libra, and for the briefest moment he felt a desire to do as the little knight had done and rescue his friends through bloodshed. Etrigan was a demon, after all. No matter how much Constantine liked him, he must have some degree of evil in him, so that meant that it wouldn't be so bad if...

...


...no.

In his mind flashed the image of the poor escorts becoming mortified of the possessed men's deaths.

No.

Of Casca screaming as her little friend terrified them.

No.

As he did so many times in his life, Libra respressed a desire for sin. The urge, it was powerful, but he could stop Etrigan nonviolently. If he truly was possessed by the same evil as those men, an exorcism had to have some sort of effect.

"Incapacitate him when the chance is open," he told Guts, gripping his staff. "We need him alive." Though restrained, there was definitely anger in Libra's voice. He couldn't deny that wrath was building in him, seeing those two treated so horribly. But he could take it out nonviolently, at least.

"Thimiix dim eripurnej žà ipâ dim sug thimiix thuchâvoj dim sug shjihith kàhu fjingulehi fi."

He stepped back into the brothel, staff forward, pointed at Etrigan, glaring the demon down.

"Thimiix dim eripurnej žà ipâ dim sug thimiix thuchâvoj dim sug shjihith kàhu fjingulehi fi."

For Lindel.

"Thimiix dim eripurnej žà ipâ dim sug thimiix thuchâvoj dim sug shjihith kàhu fjingulehi fi."

For Luca.

"Thimiix dim eripurnej žà ipâ dim sug thimiix thuchâvoj dim sug shjihith kàhu fjingulehi fi."

For every innocent soul dragged into this mess.

"Thimiix dim eripurnej žà ipâ dim sug thimiix thuchâvoj dim sug shjihith kàhu fjingulehi fi."

"Thimiix dim eripurnej žà ipâ dim sug thimiix thuchâvoj dim sug shjihith kàhu fjingulehi fi!"

"THIMIIX DIM ERIPURNEJ ŽÀ IPÂ DIM SUG THIMIIX THUCHÂVOJ DIM SUG SHJIHITH KÀHU FJINGULEHI FI!!!"

@Ver @Yun Lee @Takumi @CrunchyCHEEZIT@Alex Azure @Jeremi @Brothel​

 

[0ttonomous]

Siegward of Catarina
@Ver @Yun Lee @Crow @Minerva @Kaykay @Raptor Jesus @Tutski19 @Otto @Jeremi @Village​

Spoiler: Quotes

Miki could only shut her eyes away from the sight before her as Sumia held her and Yuki close, shivering greatly as the fight went on. Still, if nothing else, despite her fears and what she believed here, the resolve of the others around her, between Ben, Sumia, and Sera managed to reach Miki. At this moment, they had already determined what to make of this situation. What to do, how to feel, they had already figured it all out for themselves. And here she was, feeling sorry for herself, feeling sorry for the others... And she could not know how easily it came to them.

As Soraka approached the three of them, it was Yuki who responded quickest, still not grasping the severity of the situation.

"Mhm! We're all fine here! That horse sure came out of nowhere, but at least it looks like the others having fun playing with it!" She exclaimed happily.

Meanwhile, as the fight raged on against the enemy, the timely interventions of Sera and Grace helped to buy Ben and Siegward more time, as Grace's lightning bolt cleanly hit the monster, stunning him temporarily before Sera appeared to undo the thick durability of the its hide and follow up with the cutting of his horn, rendering him unable to fire his makeshift bow, all the while allowing Ben and Siegward to come together and attack, the knight's swing cutting through the creature much easier this time, more black blood gushing out and spraying all over him, before Chromastone's blast sent him sliding back several feet, giving everyone space between themselves and him.

Still, it didn't look like he was down just yet. As though ignoring the blood gushing from his multiple wounds, the resilient demon recovered quickly, wasting no time to writhe as he clutched his lance-like weapon, as he limped toward the group and spun his spear around, before proceeding to swing it, its grand length able to reach everyone in its arc if they didn't make a move!

@Yun Lee @Crow @Kaykay @Raptor Jesus @Tutski19 @Otto @Jeremi @Village​

Seeing the spear swing Grace conjured up her spiritual hammer from earlier and attempted to block the demon's swing with her own to protect the others.

Miki wasn't the only one affected by the words of their group. Sera was right-now was the time for action. And being away from the demon, that gave Sumia a chance to help!

"Stand back, girls!" she called, readying her bow and firing an arrow right at the demon's head!​

The flaming rains create a hurricane as they were drained into Chromastone's back, causing him to give that chrome hue again.

"Here's another push!"

In unison with Sumia, Grace & Sera, Chromastone fires yet another powerful ultraviolet blast at the demon-beast, this one more powerful that the previous.

"Wait, the same attack probably won't work too well, let's try another strategy..."

After the aforementioned strike, Chromastone smacks the emblem on its chest, allowing it to transform.

"Gravattack! Alright, let's see how well you work under pressure. Specifically, this many Gs!"

Gravattack, as it was called, manipulated the gravity that connected the beast with the very ground, enhancing it manyfold. Soon, its own lance became much too heavy for it to hold, and it would not be able to carry its very own limbs. The added pressure also caused its blood to leak more. Add that with its limping state and disabled durability, and the beast was very close to disabled.

"Now's your chance, everyone! Give it your all!"​

Siegward began doubting whether the group could actually kill this thing, but after witnessing the combined attacks produce excellent results, his confidence was boosted tenfold. Following Ben's suggestion, he brought out his talisman and prepared to cast one of the miracles he had learned: Emit Force.

"May you fall by the will of the Gods!" he exclaimed with great conviction.

He held his hands out, where a small orb of divine energy began materializing. It grew in size over the course of casting it, and eventually he threw it forward, aiming for the creature's head. It would soar through the air relatively quickly, and upon impact, an explosion of heavenly power would occur.​

 

[Lucky]

Mike Munroe and Josh Washington

Mike who had totally gone to the brothel to help the girls be rescued and not for any personal reasons whatsoever looked at Etrigan and then back at the others, wondering what to do. He did have his gun, but he couldn't see a clear shot and he figured it wouldn't end well he tried.

Josh was bracing himself and looking for an opening to cut the demon with his knife. All sanity had left his body.

@Ver @Yun Lee @Takumi @CrunchyCHEEZIT@Alex Azure @Jeremi @Brothel

 

[Ver]

Seeing the spear swing Grace conjured up her spiritual hammer from earlier and attempted to block the demon's swing with her own to protect the others.

Miki wasn't the only one affected by the words of their group. Sera was right-now was the time for action. And being away from the demon, that gave Sumia a chance to help!

"Stand back, girls!" she called, readying her bow and firing an arrow right at the demon's head!​

The flaming rains create a hurricane as they were drained into Chromastone's back, causing him to give that chrome hue again.

"Here's another push!"

In unison with Sumia, Grace & Sera, Chromastone fires yet another powerful ultraviolet blast at the demon-beast, this one more powerful that the previous.

"Wait, the same attack probably won't work too well, let's try another strategy..."

After the aforementioned strike, Chromastone smacks the emblem on its chest, allowing it to transform.

"Gravattack! Alright, let's see how well you work under pressure. Specifically, this many Gs!"

Gravattack, as it was called, manipulated the gravity that connected the beast with the very ground, enhancing it manyfold. Soon, its own lance became much too heavy for it to hold, and it would not be able to carry its very own limbs. The added pressure also caused its blood to leak more. Add that with its limping state and disabled durability, and the beast was very close to disabled.

"Now's your chance, everyone! Give it your all!"​

Siegward began doubting whether the group could actually kill this thing, but after witnessing the combined attacks produce excellent results, his confidence was boosted tenfold. Following Ben's suggestion, he brought out his talisman and prepared to cast one of the miracles he had learned: Emit Force.

"May you fall by the will of the Gods!" he exclaimed with great conviction.

He held his hands out, where a small orb of divine energy began materializing. It grew in size over the course of casting it, and eventually he threw it forward, aiming for the creature's head. It would soar through the air relatively quickly, and upon impact, an explosion of heavenly power would occur.​

With the demon's attack blocked by Grace, further impeded by Ben's next move, the enemy was essentially frozen in place, allowing for Siegward and Sumia to put him down for good, finally dying from their combined attacks, dropping his lance-like weapon on the ground as well as he did so. Even as the fight ended, Miki couldn't bring herself to look forward, continuing to avert her gaze from the scene as the massacre of the village continued around everyone.

Continuing to keep her eyes shut, she could only barely utter a fearful question. "I-Is it over now...?" She uttered, still holding onto Sumia in a hold that almost resembled a hug from a scared child.

And yet, it was still going on. In the distance, demons could be seen dragging off innocent civilians into the forest that was seen at the end of the village. That is, dragging off the civilians that they decided not to kill anyway. One could almost think that the centaur-like creature served as a distraction for the others to make their move, but it was strange; they paid little overt mind to the group for whatever reason. Almost as though, there might have been something, or someone else, still awaiting them.

@Kaykay @Jeremi @Otto @Yun Lee @Crow @Tutski19 @Village​

 

[Yun Lee]

"W-What is this...?" Sumia watched as these monsters dragged off villagers, an overwhelming dread filling her. This wasn't right. Something far, far worse was going on, and Sumia could only imagine the worst.

"W...We have to stop them!" But she really didn't know if she could move or not-she didn't want Yuki taking the opportunity to run off and get herself into even more trouble. And whatever it was...she doubted Miki could handle it, considering how frightened she was at the moment.

@Ver @Kaykay @Jeremi @Otto @Yun Lee@Crow @Tutski19 @Village​

 

[Crow]

With the demon's attack blocked by Grace, further impeded by Ben's next move, the enemy was essentially frozen in place, allowing for Siegward and Sumia to put him down for good, finally dying from their combined attacks, dropping his lance-like weapon on the ground as well as he did so. Even as the fight ended, Miki couldn't bring herself to look forward, continuing to avert her gaze from the scene as the massacre of the village continued around everyone.

Continuing to keep her eyes shut, she could only barely utter a fearful question. "I-Is it over now...?" She uttered, still holding onto Sumia in a hold that almost resembled a hug from a scared child.

And yet, it was still going on. In the distance, demons could be seen dragging off innocent civilians into the forest that was seen at the end of the village. That is, dragging off the civilians that they decided not to kill anyway. One could almost think that the centaur-like creature served as a distraction for the others to make their move, but it was strange; they paid little overt mind to the group for whatever reason. Almost as though, there might have been something, or someone else, still awaiting them.

@Kaykay @Jeremi @Otto @Yun Lee @Crow @Tutski19 @Village​

In a flash of green light, Gravattack was Ben again.

"Looks like this fight is far from over- ugh!"

Ben was clutching the spot that the arrowlance struck him as Chromastone.

"There's no time to rest. I'm going to see where they're dragging them off to, all I know is that it can't be pretty," Ben says, pointing to the demons dragging folks into the forest. "We have no choice but to divide our forces - we have to reduce the casualties here as well!"

Ben, still clutching the spot, runs towards his destination.

"Must as well do something on the way," Ben says as he transforms.

"WHAMPIRE!"

During his run, he spat winged jewel-like projectiles from his mouth as they landed on the various demons' heads.

With a few hand gestures from Whampire, the demons with the odd projectiles stuck to their heads would continue to massacre - not the civilians, though, but rather, each other, prioritizing the ones without the fancy head crystals as their next victims, with their second priority being their jewel-crowned brethren, and once it was certain that only one remains, it would kill itself.

"My Corrupturas are doing deir job, dey will wear off after I stop being Whampire, de rest is up to you all!"

Whampire, still clutching the spot, finally runs into the forest with the civilians being dragged.

@Ver @Kaykay @Jeremi @Otto @Yun Lee @Crow @Minerva @Raptor Jesus @Tutski19 @Village​

 

[pdshwbwwiwwjebdfucxbsa]

With the demon's attack blocked by Grace, further impeded by Ben's next move, the enemy was essentially frozen in place, allowing for Siegward and Sumia to put him down for good, finally dying from their combined attacks, dropping his lance-like weapon on the ground as well as he did so. Even as the fight ended, Miki couldn't bring herself to look forward, continuing to avert her gaze from the scene as the massacre of the village continued around everyone.

Continuing to keep her eyes shut, she could only barely utter a fearful question. "I-Is it over now...?" She uttered, still holding onto Sumia in a hold that almost resembled a hug from a scared child.

And yet, it was still going on. In the distance, demons could be seen dragging off innocent civilians into the forest that was seen at the end of the village. That is, dragging off the civilians that they decided not to kill anyway. One could almost think that the centaur-like creature served as a distraction for the others to make their move, but it was strange; they paid little overt mind to the group for whatever reason. Almost as though, there might have been something, or someone else, still awaiting them.

@Kaykay @Jeremi @Otto @Yun Lee @Crow @Tutski19 @Village​

The instant Soraka saw the hideous demons dragging the innocent civilians off to the forest, she leapt into action. Using her light wings, she flew above the demons and took in the view, noting the positions of the demons in her sight. She willed the essence of the stars to come down and rain on these demons. Multiple stars came from the skies, bursting through the bloody red clouds, targeting the demons, "Starcall!"

Soraka knew that it was only going to slow them down, the star's power weren't enough to kill them off. So she prepared another skill, stronger than the other one. Yet again, she willed a large amount of star essence to be gathered upon her staff. "Equinox!" she released the pent-up energy from her staff and it formed a large, blue circle below the demons.

Light tendrils came from the circle and latched onto the demons, possibly snaring them for a moment. If it was successful, this would be their chance to free the villagers from the demons' grasps.

@Crow @Yun Lee @Ver @Kaykay @Jeremi @Otto @Minerva @Raptor Jesus @Village​

 

[Ver]

"W-What is this...?" Sumia watched as these monsters dragged off villagers, an overwhelming dread filling her. This wasn't right. Something far, far worse was going on, and Sumia could only imagine the worst.

"W...We have to stop them!" But she really didn't know if she could move or not-she didn't want Yuki taking the opportunity to run off and get herself into even more trouble. And whatever it was...she doubted Miki could handle it, considering how frightened she was at the moment.​

In a flash of green light, Gravattack was Ben again.

"Looks like this fight is far from over- ugh!"

Ben was clutching the spot that the arrowlance struck him as Chromastone.

"There's no time to rest. I'm going to see where they're dragging them off to, all I know is that it can't be pretty," Ben says, pointing to the demons dragging folks into the forest. "We have no choice but to divide our forces - we have to reduce the casualties here as well!"

Ben, still clutching the spot, runs towards his destination.

"Must as well do something on the way," Ben says as he transforms.

"WHAMPIRE!"

During his run, he spat winged jewel-like projectiles from his mouth as they landed on the various demons' heads.

With a few hand gestures from Whampire, the demons with the odd projectiles stuck to their heads would continue to massacre - not the civilians, though, but rather, each other, prioritizing the ones without the fancy head crystals as their next victims, with their second priority being their jewel-crowned brethren, and once it was certain that only one remains, it would kill itself.

"My Corrupturas are doing deir job, dey will wear off after I stop being Whampire, de rest is up to you all!"

Whampire, still clutching the spot, finally runs into the forest with the civilians being dragged.​

The instant Soraka saw the hideous demons dragging the innocent civilians off to the forest, she leapt into action. Using her light wings, she flew above the demons and took in the view, noting the positions of the demons in her sight. She willed the essence of the stars to come down and rain on these demons. Multiple stars came from the skies, bursting through the bloody red clouds, targeting the demons, "Starcall!"

Soraka knew that it was only going to slow them down, the star's power weren't enough to kill them off. So she prepared another skill, stronger than the other one. Yet again, she willed a large amount of star essence to be gathered upon her staff. "Equinox!" she released the pent-up energy from her staff and it formed a large, blue circle below the demons.

Light tendrils came from the circle and latched onto the demons, possibly snaring them for a moment. If it was successful, this would be their chance to free the villagers from the demons' grasps.​

Though Ben's and Soraka's efforts to quell the demons were initially successful, lowering their numbers to a fairly notable degree, a sudden wave of powerful energy -- in other words, almost like a mighty wind -- flew forward, knocking Ben back several feet, and seemed to dispel Ben's projectiles as well as Soraka's powers. Following this, a booming voice was heard, as though channeled from the sky.

"Retreat, my pets. That is quite enough. I shall handle the rest," it spoke, and it was then that the demons finally began to pull back, disappearing into the forest, disregarding any human that they'd happen to pass by.

As they all ran back, one robed figure came walking forward from the forest. He took the form of an old man sporting a long, indigo cloak. With that sort of appearance, one that fit the spirit who materialized back in the previous town, one could only assume it was the same one who claimed to be pursuing Constantine before, and by extension, the rest of the group.

Felix Faust.

As he came within earshot, he looked toward the group who stood before him, his unkempt fingers, bony and brittle looking, held his chin as he gazed upon everyone with a serious expression.

"So... You are the so-called strugglers that the Master has sensed. I have no personal quarrel with you, so I shall give you one chance, and one chance only," he spoke, his raspy voice likely a result of his advanced age more than anything else, "Begone from my presence immediately. This fight, nor do my activities, concern you. The only thing awaiting your misguided heroics is suffering and bane," Faust continued, breaking into a brief cough for a moment until he quickly recovered.

"Or... Better yet, perhaps we can arrange an agreement? You seek to accomplish something by working with John Constantine, do you not? Something that perhaps... I can provide for you sooner than he ever could..."

@Crow @Kaykay @Yun Lee @Jeremi @Tutski19 @Otto @Village​

 

[Yun Lee]

If Sumia hadn't been holding onto Miki and Yuki tight enough before, she sure as Hell was now. She felt an overwhelming sense of danger just by being near this man. He was like Validar, tall and emanating so much evil with just his presenc, that she felt truly afraid.

And to think he had a Master who was no doubt worse.

"Why? Why are you doing this?! The people here are innocent! They never did anything to you!!"

@Ver @Crow @Kaykay @Yun Lee @Jeremi@Tutski19 @Otto @Village​

 

[Jeremi]

If Sumia hadn't been holding onto Miki and Yuki tight enough before, she sure as Hell was now. She felt an overwhelming sense of danger just by being near this man. He was like Validar, tall and emanating so much evil with just his presenc, that she felt truly afraid.

And to think he had a Master who was no doubt worse.

"Why? Why are you doing this?! The people here are innocent! They never did anything to you!!"

@Ver @Crow @Kaykay @Yun Lee @Jeremi@Tutski19 @Otto @Village​

"I believe that is exactly why they are being targeted," Grace responded before turning her attention towards Faust and giving him a very dismissive glare. "No doubt his master has more sinister plans brewing I'm sure. Or perhaps this is all just a distraction and the brothel was your real target all along?"

@Ver @Yun Lee @Crow @Kaykay @Yun Lee @Jeremi@Tutski19 @Otto @Village

"Guess that's what happens when you wanna count on a demon to take care of a demon!" Guts exclaimed as he pulled himself back up to his feet in response to Libra, clicking his tongue as he picked up his sword as well, "I've fought bigger and badder before! But the son of a whore over here's faster than I'm generally used to," he grunted.

Not taking too kindly to Morte's mouthing off, meanwhile, the demon who called himself Etrigan grabbed the entirety of Morte in his large hand, applying enough pressure that he threatened to crush the floating skull with his pure strength, before being stopped as Lindel attacked him, the blade managing to cut into him a bit, but not by much, as though his skin were too hard to be pierced too deeply. Still gripping Morte, Etrigan turned and, with a roar, bashed the skull right into Lindel, hoping to knock him away as well, before also tossing Morte into the wall as well.

"The women come with me. Interfere, and they will cease to be! In my eye, one of interest I spy!" He growled, snaking behind Luca and wrapping his thick arm around her neck, pulling her toward himself as a hostage, as though intending to put everyone at a pause with his movement.

@Yun Lee @Takumi @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Alex Azure @Jeremi @Brothel​

Morte was battered and his eyes were rolling in his sockets, but he was made of sturdier stuff than that! Even Luca being made a hostage didn't seem to deter him. "Oh boy what do I see? A coward demon colored like pee!" This time he actually rhymed and he wasn't finished. "First you say that the women come with you and then you say they're gonna die too! Giving us some very conflicting reports here. So instead what do ya say about this? You and me one on one. The winner gets to have the girls and all the fun."

@Yun Lee @Takumi @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Alex Azure @Jeremi @Brothel

 

[Crow]

Though Ben's and Soraka's efforts to quell the demons were initially successful, lowering their numbers to a fairly notable degree, a sudden wave of powerful energy -- in other words, almost like a mighty wind -- flew forward, knocking Ben back several feet, and seemed to dispel Ben's projectiles as well as Soraka's powers. Following this, a booming voice was heard, as though channeled from the sky.

"Retreat, my pets. That is quite enough. I shall handle the rest," it spoke, and it was then that the demons finally began to pull back, disappearing into the forest, disregarding any human that they'd happen to pass by.

As they all ran back, one robed figure came walking forward from the forest. He took the form of an old man sporting a long, indigo cloak. With that sort of appearance, one that fit the spirit who materialized back in the previous town, one could only assume it was the same one who claimed to be pursuing Constantine before, and by extension, the rest of the group.

Felix Faust.

As he came within earshot, he looked toward the group who stood before him, his unkempt fingers, bony and brittle looking, held his chin as he gazed upon everyone with a serious expression.

"So... You are the so-called strugglers that the Master has sensed. I have no personal quarrel with you, so I shall give you one chance, and one chance only," he spoke, his raspy voice likely a result of his advanced age more than anything else, "Begone from my presence immediately. This fight, nor do my activities, concern you. The only thing awaiting your misguided heroics is suffering and bane," Faust continued, breaking into a brief cough for a moment until he quickly recovered.

"Or... Better yet, perhaps we can arrange an agreement? You seek to accomplish something by working with John Constantine, do you not? Something that perhaps... I can provide for you sooner than he ever could..."

@Crow @Kaykay @Yun Lee @Jeremi @Tutski19 @Otto @Village​

If Sumia hadn't been holding onto Miki and Yuki tight enough before, she sure as Hell was now. She felt an overwhelming sense of danger just by being near this man. He was like Validar, tall and emanating so much evil with just his presenc, that she felt truly afraid.

And to think he had a Master who was no doubt worse.

"Why? Why are you doing this?! The people here are innocent! They never did anything to you!!"

@Ver @Crow @Kaykay @Yun Lee @Jeremi@Tutski19 @Otto @Village​

"I believe that is exactly why they are being targeted," Grace responded before turning her attention towards Faust and giving him a very dismissive glare. "No doubt his master has more sinister plans brewing I'm sure. Or perhaps this is all just a distraction and the brothel was your real target all along?"

@Ver @Yun Lee @Crow @Kaykay @Yun Lee @Jeremi@Tutski19 @Otto @Village

As Whampire was pushed back, a flash of green light turned the vampire-like alien back to Ben.

"Felix Faust! There's no way I'm trusting you! Not after everything you've done... plus, I know better than to make a deal with the devil."

Ben dials his Omnitrix, preparing to transform.

"I have a quarrel with you though - you've harmed way too many defenseless folk for the whole week. Where are you dragging those guys, anyways? Toys for your demons? Making more demons? Turning them into demons?"

Ben did feel a bit curious. Sickened, but curious.

"Show us what you're willing to provide, and tell us the price. Let's see how many of us are willing to buy into it. You know what we're working towards, don't you, Faust?"

@Ver @Crow @Kaykay @Raptor Jesus @Minerva @Yun Lee @Jeremi @Tutski19 @Otto @Village​

 

[Ver]

"Blast...there has to be a way to-"

Libra left his sentence unfinished, looking into the building just in time to see both Lindel attacked and Luca captured. Inside of the normally composed priest was now something dark. Whatever had caused Hollow Knight to snap when he saw Casca in peril hit Libra, and for the briefest moment he felt a desire to do as the little knight had done and rescue his friends through bloodshed. Etrigan was a demon, after all. No matter how much Constantine liked him, he must have some degree of evil in him, so that meant that it wouldn't be so bad if...

...


...no.

In his mind flashed the image of the poor escorts becoming mortified of the possessed men's deaths.

No.

Of Casca screaming as her little friend terrified them.

No.

As he did so many times in his life, Libra respressed a desire for sin. The urge, it was powerful, but he could stop Etrigan nonviolently. If he truly was possessed by the same evil as those men, an exorcism had to have some sort of effect.

"Incapacitate him when the chance is open," he told Guts, gripping his staff. "We need him alive." Though restrained, there was definitely anger in Libra's voice. He couldn't deny that wrath was building in him, seeing those two treated so horribly. But he could take it out nonviolently, at least.

"Thimiix dim eripurnej žà ipâ dim sug thimiix thuchâvoj dim sug shjihith kàhu fjingulehi fi."

He stepped back into the brothel, staff forward, pointed at Etrigan, glaring the demon down.

"Thimiix dim eripurnej žà ipâ dim sug thimiix thuchâvoj dim sug shjihith kàhu fjingulehi fi."

For Lindel.

"Thimiix dim eripurnej žà ipâ dim sug thimiix thuchâvoj dim sug shjihith kàhu fjingulehi fi."

For Luca.

"Thimiix dim eripurnej žà ipâ dim sug thimiix thuchâvoj dim sug shjihith kàhu fjingulehi fi."

For every innocent soul dragged into this mess.

"Thimiix dim eripurnej žà ipâ dim sug thimiix thuchâvoj dim sug shjihith kàhu fjingulehi fi."

"Thimiix dim eripurnej žà ipâ dim sug thimiix thuchâvoj dim sug shjihith kàhu fjingulehi fi!"

"THIMIIX DIM ERIPURNEJ ŽÀ IPÂ DIM SUG THIMIIX THUCHÂVOJ DIM SUG SHJIHITH KÀHU FJINGULEHI FI!!!"​

Mike Munroe and Josh Washington

Mike who had totally gone to the brothel to help the girls be rescued and not for any personal reasons whatsoever looked at Etrigan and then back at the others, wondering what to do. He did have his gun, but he couldn't see a clear shot and he figured it wouldn't end well he tried.

Josh was bracing himself and looking for an opening to cut the demon with his knife. All sanity had left his body.

Morte was battered and his eyes were rolling in his sockets, but he was made of sturdier stuff than that! Even Luca being made a hostage didn't seem to deter him. "Oh boy what do I see? A coward demon colored like pee!" This time he actually rhymed and he wasn't finished. "First you say that the women come with you and then you say they're gonna die too! Giving us some very conflicting reports here. So instead what do ya say about this? You and me one on one. The winner gets to have the girls and all the fun."

"Don't need to tell me twice," Guts responded to Libra, clutching his Dragon Slayer tightly and awaiting an opening.

With Etrigan holding Luca in his grasp, he glared warily at the group, before his attention was drawn by Morte, the skull's crude rhymes seeming to be surprisingly effective in distracting him for a little while. He bared his sharp teeth at the skull menacingly, his grip on Luca's neck tightening ever so slightly, before just in the nick of time, Libra managed to cast his spell, the magic stunning the demon and eliciting a pained groan from him. In an instinctive move, he shoved Luca away, sending her stumbling right into Libra as she let out a surprised yelp. Etrigan stood there, vulnerable for a hot second, and it was all Guts needed.

"UuuurrrryyyyaaaaAAAHH!!"

Guts swung his massively thick Dragon Slayer toward Etrigan, making sure to hit him with the width of his blade in order to avoid a lethal hit. He didn't particularly enjoy holding himself back like this, especially with a demon, but if this was what they wanted, then so be it. The width of the blade slammed into the demon like a metal pole, slamming him through the wall and outside the building once again. From there, the Black Swordsman attempted to advance onward, stepping out of the brothel in order to pin down Etrigan, but stopped when a voice in the air was heard by everyone.

"Retreat, my pets. That is quite enough. I shall handle the rest," it spoke, and with that, Etrigan's head shot up toward the sky like a parrot. Growling, he gave Guts and the others a hateful glare, before seeming to relent, but not before making one last move.

FWOOSH!

Opening his mouth, a stream of fire arose, heading right at Guts, who was forced to lift his thick sword to defend against it, giving Etrigan the opportunity to turn around and leap away, propelling himself several feet into the air as he ran away, faster than anyone was able to keep up with.

"Etrigan!! Etrigan, get your dumb arse back here!!" Constantine's voice suddenly came from the blue as he was seen running toward the group, shaking his fist in an almost comical manner as he looked up at the fleeing demon. With a sigh, he pinched the bridge of his nose, shaking his head briefly. "Dammit..."

With that, he turned toward Guts and the group, putting his hands in his pockets. "You lot alright?"

Luca, meanwhile, awkwardly pulled herself away from Libra after recovering from the ordeal, having stumbled right into him before. Sheepishly rubbing her arm, she looked up toward him, pursing her lips. "Oh, jeez... How many times are you gonna have to save my sorry self? Thank you..."

@Yun Lee @Alex Azure @Lucky @Jeremi @Takumi @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Brothel​

 

[Yun Lee]

This being the second time Etrigan caused Libra to crash into others (fortunately this time someone who wasn't a massive muscular warrior with a giant sword), Libra could only watch as Etrigan escaped, before turning back to Luca. Gods, how embarrassing, but he could feel himself rather flustered by it, as well as how quickly Luca pulled away. Used to this type of situation he was not. "Er...yes. I'm just relieved you're all right. Had he taken you away, I..." The memory of his wrathful urge bubbled up, but only a moment. "If anyone is injured, I can heal you. Lindel? Morte? Are you two all right?"


@Ver @Yun Lee @Alex Azure @Lucky@Jeremi @Takumi @CrunchyCHEEZIT@Brothel​