Main Event Brand of the Hawk

[Kaykay]

As Lucatiel and Siegward ventured in the opposite direction of the imposing giant hand, the faces of the cursed continued to haunt their surroundings, as the dark sky began to slowly be obscured by a ceiling that made itself known. From one unearthly sight to another, it seemed. Like most of the rest of the place, the area seemed to be an empty, grand field with nothing to it, though... however, it wasn't too long before something might have caught their eye.

"H-Help! Someone... Please help me!" The voice of an unfamiliar man called out in the distance. If one were to look in the direction from which his voice came from, they'd be able to see him to the side, both his legs trapped underneath the crevices between two of the giant faces that made up the ground. Taking notice of the two, the man waved his arm helplessly at them. "H-Help me, please! I'm... I'm stuck!"

@York @Otto @Away from the Hand

---

"Rii-san!" Miki gasped in relief as another familiar face made herself known after calming down from Ben's transformation and reforming. It was something that she had trouble comprehending, so she simply didn't fully comprehend it. The hellhole she found herself in was hard enough to accept as it was. Not wanting to make another overly dramatic display like she did upon reuniting with Kurumi, Miki simply nodded toward Yuuri this time around, holding her arm as Ben and Sumia introduced themselves, the former engaging in some small banter with the petulant boy (it felt weird to see an even younger person than herself for once, and yet, he seemed to be one of the more calm people around, if not even mildly vexed by the whole situation).

"..."

She stayed silent as they bickered, letting Sumia simmer them down when Miki herself didn't feel up to standing between the two of them. Indeed, this was far from the time to be fighting amongst each other. Right now, they needed to find Yuki-senpai, and then... Well, they could think about what came after at a later time.

When Sumia then proceeded to suggest searching in the opposite direction of the tower, Miki was reluctant to answer, wondering if moving from their original spot was the best course of action, considering Yuki's... erratic behavior. However, if she was nowhere to be found where they were, then they had no other choice, right?

"U-Uhm... I-If you really think it's a good idea, we can move. Kurumi-chan? Rii-san? What do you two think? Should we take a look somewhere else for Yuki-senpai?" She asked, idly moving to pick up Taromarou in the meantime.

@Crow @Yun Lee @Josh @Krieg @thatguyinthestore @Atomic Knight

---

"Hmm? Ufufu... How amusing. What a lively little creature you are. Certainly more than the others down there. It'll be a shame when your time comes," Slan responded to Zoe, seemingly entertained by her pep. Void, on the other hand, was not quite as amused, assuming he even acknowledged Zoe's presence at all, remaining silent and still like a statue as Zoe spoke, the symbol of the mysterious brand continuing to glow in front of his face ominously.

To Arikado, the woman let out yet another sultry chuckle, moving her arms to hug her own body as she turned toward him. "I am God. Just as Void is God. And the others. But you need not worry about myself... child of darkness. You've been branded for sacrifice; you should be honored. My children will certainly enjoy you..." She breathed, partially answering Kokichi's question on the side, as the ground beside everyone slowly began to shift mysteriously, as though like an act of God, per the prayers of Libra. Or... perhaps not so. Slan shuddered lightly, continuing to giggle. "Mmm... 'Tis been a while since a man has looked at me like that. Without fear, without want... but just like that. Like a black swordsman..."

From the ground rose a number of beastly and identical monsters, brutish and demonic, with three eyes, one on each shoulder.

"Rrrrrr..."

Opening their massive maws, they stepped toward the group, their intent hopefully clear.

"Try if you wish to resist your fate. No human could ever hope to fight it in the end though. Resign or resist, it matters not to me. The result will always be the same. That is the will of causality," Slan sighed, all the while Void continued to simply remain still silently, and with that, the monsters roared, before leaping right at the group, ready to bite down and eat!

@Jeremi @Kaykay @Minerva @thatguyinthestore @Yun Lee @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Takumi @Sen @Khan of the Mardu @Alex Azure @Toward the Hand​

It appeared that her attempted analysis of the mark on her hand would have to wait. No point finding anything out if she died, after all. As the monsters rose, she only had one thing to say, a grimace on her face.​

"...That's gross."

A sword materializing in her hand, Sera empowered her body with extra speed and strength as she side-stepped the initial onslaught before slashing at one of the beast's side! As she attacked, she changed her target of analysis to the monsters, trying to get any information that she could through her Cancel dream.

@Ver @Yun Lee @thatguyinthestore @dark@Minerva @Sen @@Khan of the Mardu@Archmage Jeremiah @Takumi @Tutski19 @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Toward the hand​

 

[Crow]

"Oh, please, elaborate on your petty degree. I'm more than a wealthy kid whom inherited his parents money. I'm a Phantomhive. That name alone is worth more than your pathetic PHD in any universe.

I do not wish to see your so-called tricks. I have grown bored of this conversation. Do not vex me again." With that, Ciel turned away, almost certain that would be enough to get Ben to back off.

@Crow

---

​

"Yes, I suppose it is." Sebastian replied with a smile.

@Takumi​

Sumia would face Ben, now deciding to stop him from saying anything more to Ciel. Out of the two of them, Ben seemed to be the more reasonable, after all. "Say, why don't we try looking for Yuki in the opposite direction of that tower? She may be over that way."

@Crow @thatguyinthestore @Ver @Josh @Krieg @Atomic Knight​

"...H-Hey, Rii-san!" the shovel-wielding athlete smiled, straightening her generally relaxed pose to the presence of the School Live Club's president. It was a bit relieving to see one of the upperclassmen still present, Kurumi not wanting to be burdened caring on her own for the younger members of the School Live Club. Nii-san, unlike Ebisuzawa, always kept a levelheaded demeanor. Kurumi herself often let her anger and arrogance get the better of her -- energetic strength overriding harmonic wisdom.

"Uhh..." Kurumi slowly spoke, banging her shovel on the ground to the two boys rattling at one another. So far, Kurumi didn't like the shapeshifting brown-haired twerp, and while the blue-haired one was admittedly cute, he had an excessively sharp tongue. "Ayyo! Can you two quit yapping like cats and dogs? We gotta find Yuki, okay?" Kurumi grumbled audibly, taking a few steps forward before abruptly pausing.

"Uhh...so where do we start exactly..."

@Ver @Atomic Knight @Crow @thatguyinthestore @Yun Lee​

"Well, I figured that she might be behind us, over there." Sumia would point to the direction where Lucidel and Siegward ran off to. "It's worth a try, since others are looking at the tower!"

@Krieg @Ver @Josh @Atomic Knight @thatguyinthestore @Crow​

Yuuri stared at Ben's hand as she tool a minute to calm her nerves. No one could tell from the outside, but the club leader was all nerves inside. However, she had to be strong for Kurumi, Miki, and Yuki's sake. still holding Taromaru, she nodded instead.​

As Ben and the other boy fought, and Kurumi verbally lashed at them, Yuuri seemed annoyed as she slowly steamed at the three. Taromaru filled with fear as he jumped from the Yuuri's arms and hid behind Sumia. cowering dramatically. Yuuki quietly glared at the three before speaking. Her voice never was soft, but her intentions was clear.

"We all going to be nice, right?"

After her soft scolding, she turned to Sumia.

"Your right, Sumia-san. We need find Yuki, but splitting up....

Yuuri was worried, she didn't want leave her classmates. Sighing she spoke.

"Splitting up would be a quicker way to cover more grown, but how about we all just look for her in one group? Safety in numbers after all."

@Crow @Yun Lee @Ver @Krieg @thatguyinthestore @Atomic Knight​

Sumia nodded at Yuuri's comments. "Well...there seems to be only two ways to go! And since one big group went to the tower, I think if we all move away from it, that'll help cover ground! Besides, Astolfo is helping to look, and went to the tower, right? So with one big group there, and all us here, I think we'll all be okay!"


@Crow @Yun Lee @Ver @Krieg@thatguyinthestore @Atomic Knight @Josh​

That President certainly gave Vilgax a run for his money.

"We're all going to be nice, Miss, no need to worry, right guys?" Ben had evident nervousness within the last few words.

"Your President's right. This place is a little too alien to just split up on a whim, especially with our current group size," Ben adds. "But what if we had a bigger group?"

Ben prepares to transform, as evidenced by him dialing his Omnitrix.

"Stand back for a bit, girls, because it's hero time."

And so he did.

"Echo Echo!" It seemed that Ben had transformed into some sort of diminuitive self-replicating being that continued to replicate.

"I'll remain in our current group."

"The rest of us other Echo Echoes..."

"... will scatter."

The more the merrier, or so they say. With more hands on deck and more direction to cover, they were bound to find Yuki in no time.

The Echo Echo remaining in the main team, dubbed Echo Echo #1, says, "don't worry too much, Echo Echo can afford to do that. Best for you guys to stay in the same group, though."

@Crow @Yun Lee @Ver @Krieg @thatguyinthestore @Atomic Knight @Josh

---

One of the other Echo Echoes, Echo Echo #2 as dubbed, had bumped into Lucatiel & Siegward helping a stuck man out.

"That's no Yuki, but I think he needs help!"

Echo Echo #2 began to self-replicate, using literal strength in numbers to attempt to pry open the crevice.

"You two..."

"... gonna..."

"... help?"

"Echo Echo isn't..."

"... much of a..."

"... strength guy."

@Ver @Otto @York​

 

[Raptor Jesus]

That President certainly gave Vilgax a run for his money.

"We're all going to be nice, Miss, no need to worry, right guys?" Ben had evident nervousness within the last few words.

"Your President's right. This place is a little too alien to just split up on a whim, especially with our current group size," Ben adds. "But what if we had a bigger group?"

Ben prepares to transform, as evidenced by him dialing his Omnitrix.

"Stand back for a bit, girls, because it's hero time."

And so he did.

"Echo Echo!" It seemed that Ben had transformed into some sort of diminuitive self-replicating being that continued to replicate.

"I'll remain in our current group."

"The rest of us other Echo Echoes..."

"... will scatter."

The more the merrier, or so they say. With more hands on deck and more direction to cover, they were bound to find Yuki in no time.

The Echo Echo remaining in the main team, dubbed Echo Echo #1, says, "don't worry too much, Echo Echo can afford to do that. Best for you guys to stay in the same group, though."

@Crow @Yun Lee @Ver @Krieg @thatguyinthestore @Atomic Knight @Josh

---

One of the other Echo Echoes, Echo Echo #2 as dubbed, had bumped into Lucatiel & Siegward helping a stuck man out.

"That's no Yuki, but I think he needs help!"

Echo Echo #2 began to self-replicate, using literal strength in numbers to attempt to pry open the crevice.

"You two..."

"... gonna..."

"... help?"

"Echo Echo isn't..."

"... much of a..."

"... strength guy."

@Ver @Otto @York​

"I suppose I shall remain civil as well, given that Ben here does the same." Ciel replied to the girl before heading off in the opposite direction. Not to find Yuki, mind you, Ciel didn't really care for her life all too much.

No, rather, Ciel did it to hopefully find some answers about.... wherever they were.

When he arrived at the location, Ciel noticed the man who was stuck in the ground. Letting out an annoyed sigh, Ciel reluctantly attempted to help pull the man out.

@Ver @Crow @Otto @York​

 

[Crow]

"I suppose I shall remain civil as well, given that Ben here does the same." Ciel replied to the girl before heading off in the opposite direction. Not to find Yuki, mind you, Ciel didn't really care for her life all too much.

No, rather, Ciel did it to hopefully find some answers about.... wherever they were.

When he arrived at the location, Ciel noticed the man who was stuck in the ground. Letting out an annoyed sigh, Ciel reluctantly attempted to help pull the man out.

@Ver @Crow @Otto @York​

"I just realised..."

"... that I have yet to..."

"... catch your name..."

Echo Echo #2's duplicates were completing each other's sentences as they spoke to Ciel.

"... care to tell..."

"... what it is?"

@Ver @Crow @Otto @York @thatguyinthestore​

 

[Yun Lee]

"Oh, you poor thing! Let me help..." Ciel was so small, he needed an extra hand, surely. Sumia would help pull him out, trying her damnedest not to trip and fall as she did so.


@Crow @Yun Lee @Ver @Krieg@thatguyinthestore @Atomic Knight @York @Otto​

 

[Raptor Jesus]

"I just realised..."

"... that I have yet to..."

"... catch your name..."

Echo Echo #2's duplicates were completing each other's sentences as they spoke to Ciel.

"... care to tell..."

"... what it is?"

@Ver @Crow @Otto @York @thatguyinthestore​

"I am Ciel Phantomhive. Earl of Phantomhive and the Queen's Guard Dog. I already know your name, thanks to you spurting it out everywhere." Ciel said, not even facing Ben as he spoke, instead focusing on trying to undo the man.

@Crow @Ver @Yun Lee @Otto @York​

 

[Sen]

As Lucatiel and Siegward ventured in the opposite direction of the imposing giant hand, the faces of the cursed continued to haunt their surroundings, as the dark sky began to slowly be obscured by a ceiling that made itself known. From one unearthly sight to another, it seemed. Like most of the rest of the place, the area seemed to be an empty, grand field with nothing to it, though... however, it wasn't too long before something might have caught their eye.

"H-Help! Someone... Please help me!" The voice of an unfamiliar man called out in the distance. If one were to look in the direction from which his voice came from, they'd be able to see him to the side, both his legs trapped underneath the crevices between two of the giant faces that made up the ground. Taking notice of the two, the man waved his arm helplessly at them. "H-Help me, please! I'm... I'm stuck!"

@York @Otto @Away from the Hand

---

"Rii-san!" Miki gasped in relief as another familiar face made herself known after calming down from Ben's transformation and reforming. It was something that she had trouble comprehending, so she simply didn't fully comprehend it. The hellhole she found herself in was hard enough to accept as it was. Not wanting to make another overly dramatic display like she did upon reuniting with Kurumi, Miki simply nodded toward Yuuri this time around, holding her arm as Ben and Sumia introduced themselves, the former engaging in some small banter with the petulant boy (it felt weird to see an even younger person than herself for once, and yet, he seemed to be one of the more calm people around, if not even mildly vexed by the whole situation).

"..."

She stayed silent as they bickered, letting Sumia simmer them down when Miki herself didn't feel up to standing between the two of them. Indeed, this was far from the time to be fighting amongst each other. Right now, they needed to find Yuki-senpai, and then... Well, they could think about what came after at a later time.

When Sumia then proceeded to suggest searching in the opposite direction of the tower, Miki was reluctant to answer, wondering if moving from their original spot was the best course of action, considering Yuki's... erratic behavior. However, if she was nowhere to be found where they were, then they had no other choice, right?

"U-Uhm... I-If you really think it's a good idea, we can move. Kurumi-chan? Rii-san? What do you two think? Should we take a look somewhere else for Yuki-senpai?" She asked, idly moving to pick up Taromarou in the meantime.

@Crow @Yun Lee @Josh @Krieg @thatguyinthestore @Atomic Knight

---

"Hmm? Ufufu... How amusing. What a lively little creature you are. Certainly more than the others down there. It'll be a shame when your time comes," Slan responded to Zoe, seemingly entertained by her pep. Void, on the other hand, was not quite as amused, assuming he even acknowledged Zoe's presence at all, remaining silent and still like a statue as Zoe spoke, the symbol of the mysterious brand continuing to glow in front of his face ominously.

To Arikado, the woman let out yet another sultry chuckle, moving her arms to hug her own body as she turned toward him. "I am God. Just as Void is God. And the others. But you need not worry about myself... child of darkness. You've been branded for sacrifice; you should be honored. My children will certainly enjoy you..." She breathed, partially answering Kokichi's question on the side, as the ground beside everyone slowly began to shift mysteriously, as though like an act of God, per the prayers of Libra. Or... perhaps not so. Slan shuddered lightly, continuing to giggle. "Mmm... 'Tis been a while since a man has looked at me like that. Without fear, without want... but just like that. Like a black swordsman..."

From the ground rose a number of beastly and identical monsters, brutish and demonic, with three eyes, one on each shoulder.

"Rrrrrr..."

Opening their massive maws, they stepped toward the group, their intent hopefully clear.

"Try if you wish to resist your fate. No human could ever hope to fight it in the end though. Resign or resist, it matters not to me. The result will always be the same. That is the will of causality," Slan sighed, all the while Void continued to simply remain still silently, and with that, the monsters roared, before leaping right at the group, ready to bite down and eat!

@Jeremi @Kaykay @Minerva @thatguyinthestore @Yun Lee @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Takumi @Sen @Khan of the Mardu @Alex Azure @Toward the Hand​

"Sacrifice?" Arikado found the idea abhorrent. "I'm sure nobody here would want to be sacrificed to a false God."
​

With a flash, an elegant sword appeared at his command. It was thin, almost stick like - and it looked old, like a family heirloom. Well, it was. He pointed it at the monsters that had appeared. Their energy was fearsome. If it was his duty to eradicate them, then so be it. He leapt towards one, and just as it looked like he was about to strike it, Arikado's figure suddenly disappeared, instantly re-appearing behind and above the monster he had targeted. With great force he attempted to drive the thin yet unbreakable sword into one of the three eyes the monster had.

@Jeremi @Kaykay @Minerva @thatguyinthestore @Yun Lee @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Takumi @Khan of the Mardu @Alex Azure

 

[0ttonomous]

Siegward of Catarina
@York @Ver @Crow @thatguyinthestore @Yun Lee @AwayFromHand​

As Lucatiel and Siegward ventured in the opposite direction of the imposing giant hand, the faces of the cursed continued to haunt their surroundings, as the dark sky began to slowly be obscured by a ceiling that made itself known. From one unearthly sight to another, it seemed. Like most of the rest of the place, the area seemed to be an empty, grand field with nothing to it, though... however, it wasn't too long before something might have caught their eye.

"H-Help! Someone... Please help me!" The voice of an unfamiliar man called out in the distance. If one were to look in the direction from which his voice came from, they'd be able to see him to the side, both his legs trapped underneath the crevices between two of the giant faces that made up the ground. Taking notice of the two, the man waved his arm helplessly at them. "H-Help me, please! I'm... I'm stuck!"​

One of the other Echo Echoes, Echo Echo #2 as dubbed, had bumped into Lucatiel & Siegward helping a stuck man out.

"That's no Yuki, but I think he needs help!"

Echo Echo #2 began to self-replicate, using literal strength in numbers to attempt to pry open the crevice.

"You two..."

"... gonna..."

"... help?"

"Echo Echo isn't..."

"... much of a..."

"... strength guy."​

"I suppose I shall remain civil as well, given that Ben here does the same." Ciel replied to the girl before heading off in the opposite direction. Not to find Yuki, mind you, Ciel didn't really care for her life all too much.

No, rather, Ciel did it to hopefully find some answers about.... wherever they were.

When he arrived at the location, Ciel noticed the man who was stuck in the ground. Letting out an annoyed sigh, Ciel reluctantly attempted to help pull the man out.​

"I just realised..."

"... that I have yet to..."

"... catch your name..."

Echo Echo #2's duplicates were completing each other's sentences as they spoke to Ciel.

"... care to tell..."

"... what it is?"​

"Oh, you poor thing! Let me help..." Ciel was so small, he needed an extra hand, surely. Sumia would help pull him out, trying her damnedest not to trip and fall as she did so.​

The shouting of a man in need of help caught Siegward's attention abruptly. He was enjoying himself before, but now a knot formed in his stomach.

He forced a smile through the disturbing sight.

"Worry not, friend! I am on my way!" The knight of Catarina bellowed as he charged enthusiastically toward him. When he arrived, he noticed strange creatures and other people already helping. Witnessing the teamwork that was unfolding, Siegward smiled even wider. He put his weapons down and assisted in freeing the fellow lost soul.

The knight barged into the conversation and said, "Ah! I forgot to introduce myself as well. Friends, I am Siegward, a knight of Catarina. With our combined strength and minds, we shall achieve great victory together! After we free this man, we should have a toast!"
​

 

[Crow]

Siegward of Catarina
@York @Ver @Crow @thatguyinthestore @Yun Lee @AwayFromHand​

The shouting of a man in need of help caught Siegward's attention abruptly. He was enjoying himself before, but now a knot formed in his stomach.

He forced a smile through the disturbing sight.

"Worry not, friend! I am on my way!" The knight of Catarina bellowed as he charged enthusiastically toward him. When he arrived, he noticed strange creatures and other people already helping. Witnessing the teamwork that was unfolding, Siegward smiled even wider. He put his weapons down and assisted in freeing the fellow lost soul.

The knight barged into the conversation and said, "Ah! I forgot to introduce myself as well. Friends, I am Siegward, a knight of Catarina. With our combined strength and minds, we shall achieve great victory together! After we free this man, we should have a toast!"
​

Echo Echo #2's duplicates began to talk again.

"Sorry..."

"... but I believe..."

"... I am a little too young..."

"... for alcohol."

"Anyways..."

"... I am..."

"... Ben Tennyson."

"Good to meet you..."

"... Siegward."

@York @Ver @Crow @thatguyinthestore @Yun Lee @Otto​

 

[Ver]

"E-Eh... Yes, Rii-san," Miki said, her morale admittedly a little undermined, despite Yuuri's best intentions.

She froze in mild shock again when Ben transformed, but she was glad that the so-called "hero" at least gave a warning this time around, even though this new form he took was... different. Miki didn't have much more in her to freak out about it though, and simply stood there with a mildly (but deep down, significantly) distressed expression on her face.

"I guess... We may as well move somewhere, then. I don't feel really safe just standing here in one spot... I feel like we're being watched," the girl sighed, trying her best to keep her voice as calm as she could. Even though this situation she found herself in was way crazier than anything she'd ever been involved in (and she thought at the time that that was saying something), Miki felt... a strange wave of calm enter her, likely a result of at least reuniting with her dear friends, even if Yuki-senpai was still missing in action, but at least with Kurumi and Rii-san, right now it didn't feel completely hopeless. And maybe it was natural for Yuki to be the last one they found, all things considered...

Moving with the others away from the giant hand and catching up with Lutaciel and Siegward, Miki stood back and let the others try to help the pleading man stuck between the giant faces in the ground. The man was oddly silent after he was approached, not responding to any questions about who he was, or even thanking his saviors.

In fact, as he was pulled out... His lips shifted into a twisted grin.

As his body was pulled out, where one might have expected legs, in place of the lower part of his body looked like... the body of a giant slug.

And that was when the ground rumbled, softly at first, and then a loud CRASH as something horrifying made itself known.

A true monster.

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! FOOOOLED YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!"

What the group believed to be a helpless human stuck in the ground actually turned out to be bait, attached to the body of a monster with a grotesque appearance, like a giant worm or bird with an evil face and multiple mouths and eyes.

The body of the "man" was swallowed up into the monster's lower mouth, leaving nothing as it looked down upon the group. "Mmmm... Looks like you haven't been branded yet, but I say, why ruin fresh meat like that anyway?!" It cackled, all the while Miki fell back again and screamed in horror.

"A-Ahh... AAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!"

With that, the monster made its move, extending its neck impossibly in order to reach Miki, Yuuri, and Kurumi in particular, maw wide open and ready to bite down, taking them for the most vulnerable!

@York @Otto @Yun Lee @thatguyinthestore @Crow @Josh @Krieg @Away from the Hand

---

The monsters died easily enough with the power of the group's combined might, as it seemed speed was an advantage they held over the demons. However, what they lacked in speed or durability, they made up for in numbers, as despite the group's efforts to ward them off, more and more kept rising from the ground to take the deceased's place; it was almost as though killing one gave birth to two more, quickly greatly outnumbering the group as they kept approaching!

In the distance, the black sun in the sky that the giant hand reached out toward suddenly began to turn a darker shade of red, when before it resembled more magenta, and the air slowly began to rumble. One might have assumed this would have been a bad sign, given the ominous and unknown origin of it, but Slan grimaced as soon as the rumbling began, before looking up at the black sun and clicking her tongue in irritation, as though it were something that she did not count on.

"Oh, don't tell me... Him again?"

"It matters not. Their fates have already been sealed, for they have been chosen. It is the will of causality. If he wishes to free them... then so be it. The only thing waiting for them beyond here is misery and suffering. They will beg for death soon enough, as humans ought do..."

Whoever this figure the two were referring to was a mystery, but whoever "he" was, it seemed that there was at least one person out there trying to help the group, but the question was, would he make it in time?

@Alex Azure @Kaykay @Jeremi @thatguyinthestore @Yun Lee @Takumi @Sen @Khan of the Mardu @Minerva @dark @Tutski19 @Toward the Hand​

 

[Yun Lee]

Sumia couldn't help but shriek as the slug took its form, losing her balance and falling back on the ground. "Ugh...huh?" Oh no...the girls! She couldn't let them get hurt! Taking up her bow, Sumia launched an arrow at the slug's eye, then another. If she could blind it, it could buy the three time to escape!


@Crow @Yun Lee @Ver @Krieg@thatguyinthestore @Atomic Knight @York @Otto

---

Libra felt an inkling of hope in his heart as Slan and Void conversed. Could it be...his prayer had been answered? Gods, he hoped so. He would continue to hack at any and all monsters, praying continuously as he did so. Please, Gods, let aid appear in their time of need!

@Alex Azure @Kaykay @Jeremi@thatguyinthestore @Yun Lee @Takumi@Sen @Khan of the Mardu @Minerva@dark @Toward the Hand​

 

[Sen]

"E-Eh... Yes, Rii-san," Miki said, her morale admittedly a little undermined, despite Yuuri's best intentions.

She froze in mild shock again when Ben transformed, but she was glad that the so-called "hero" at least gave a warning this time around, even though this new form he took was... different. Miki didn't have much more in her to freak out about it though, and simply stood there with a mildly (but deep down, significantly) distressed expression on her face.

"I guess... We may as well move somewhere, then. I don't feel really safe just standing here in one spot... I feel like we're being watched," the girl sighed, trying her best to keep her voice as calm as she could. Even though this situation she found herself in was way crazier than anything she'd ever been involved in (and she thought at the time that that was saying something), Miki felt... a strange wave of calm enter her, likely a result of at least reuniting with her dear friends, even if Yuki-senpai was still missing in action, but at least with Kurumi and Rii-san, right now it didn't feel completely hopeless. And maybe it was natural for Yuki to be the last one they found, all things considered...

Moving with the others away from the giant hand and catching up with Lutaciel and Siegward, Miki stood back and let the others try to help the pleading man stuck between the giant faces in the ground. The man was oddly silent after he was approached, not responding to any questions about who he was, or even thanking his saviors.

In fact, as he was pulled out... His lips shifted into a twisted grin.

As his body was pulled out, where one might have expected legs, in place of the lower part of his body looked like... the body of a giant slug.

And that was when the ground rumbled, softly at first, and then a loud CRASH as something horrifying made itself known.

A true monster.

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! FOOOOLED YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!"

What the group believed to be a helpless human stuck in the ground actually turned out to be bait, attached to the body of a monster with a grotesque appearance, like a giant worm or bird with an evil face and multiple mouths and eyes.

The body of the "man" was swallowed up into the monster's lower mouth, leaving nothing as it looked down upon the group. "Mmmm... Looks like you haven't been branded yet, but I say, why ruin fresh meat like that anyway?!" It cackled, all the while Miki fell back again and screamed in horror.

"A-Ahh... AAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!"

With that, the monster made its move, extending its neck impossibly in order to reach Miki, Yuuri, and Kurumi in particular, maw wide open and ready to bite down, taking them for the most vulnerable!

@York @Otto @Yun Lee @thatguyinthestore @Crow @Josh @Krieg @Away from the Hand

---

The monsters died easily enough with the power of the group's combined might, as it seemed speed was an advantage they held over the demons. However, what they lacked in speed or durability, they made up for in numbers, as despite the group's efforts to ward them off, more and more kept rising from the ground to take the deceased's place; it was almost as though killing one gave birth to two more, quickly greatly outnumbering the group as they kept approaching!

In the distance, the black sun in the sky that the giant hand reached out toward suddenly began to turn a darker shade of red, when before it resembled more magenta, and the air slowly began to rumble. One might have assumed this would have been a bad sign, given the ominous and unknown origin of it, but Slan grimaced as soon as the rumbling began, before looking up at the black sun and clicking her tongue in irritation, as though it were something that she did not count on.

"Oh, don't tell me... Him again?"

"It matters not. Their fates have already been sealed, for they have been chosen. It is the will of causality. If he wishes to free them... then so be it. The only thing waiting for them beyond here is misery and suffering. They will beg for death soon enough, as humans ought do..."

Whoever this figure the two were referring to was a mystery, but whoever "he" was, it seemed that there was at least one person out there trying to help the group, but the question was, would he make it in time?

@Alex Azure @Kaykay @Jeremi @thatguyinthestore @Yun Lee @Takumi @Sen @Khan of the Mardu @Minerva @dark @Toward the Hand​

"This is... incredibly bothersome," he mumbled to himself. Not to mention they were using up their precious energy. While the ongoings in the sky seemed... not to promising, it was clear to Arikado that its presence was not welcomed by the lady that stood as their opponent. But it did not stop the surge of the monsters that swarmed them. They would have to try their best to hold them back, but Arikado was not so trusting of the black sun in the sky.

So he would simply just try to kill as many as he could.

From Arikado's hand emerged three searing hot fireballs, spheres of flames from Hell itself. With a click of a finger they shot towards the monsters, the three aiming for one each. In quick succession Arikado spat out the spell twice more, launching a total of nine spiraling fireballs with the hopes of knocking out the same amount of enemies.

@Alex Azure @Kaykay @Jeremi @thatguyinthestore @Yun Lee @Takumi @Sen @Khan of the Mardu @Minerva @dark​

 

[Crow]

"E-Eh... Yes, Rii-san," Miki said, her morale admittedly a little undermined, despite Yuuri's best intentions.

She froze in mild shock again when Ben transformed, but she was glad that the so-called "hero" at least gave a warning this time around, even though this new form he took was... different. Miki didn't have much more in her to freak out about it though, and simply stood there with a mildly (but deep down, significantly) distressed expression on her face.

"I guess... We may as well move somewhere, then. I don't feel really safe just standing here in one spot... I feel like we're being watched," the girl sighed, trying her best to keep her voice as calm as she could. Even though this situation she found herself in was way crazier than anything she'd ever been involved in (and she thought at the time that that was saying something), Miki felt... a strange wave of calm enter her, likely a result of at least reuniting with her dear friends, even if Yuki-senpai was still missing in action, but at least with Kurumi and Rii-san, right now it didn't feel completely hopeless. And maybe it was natural for Yuki to be the last one they found, all things considered...

Moving with the others away from the giant hand and catching up with Lutaciel and Siegward, Miki stood back and let the others try to help the pleading man stuck between the giant faces in the ground. The man was oddly silent after he was approached, not responding to any questions about who he was, or even thanking his saviors.

In fact, as he was pulled out... His lips shifted into a twisted grin.

As his body was pulled out, where one might have expected legs, in place of the lower part of his body looked like... the body of a giant slug.

And that was when the ground rumbled, softly at first, and then a loud CRASH as something horrifying made itself known.

A true monster.

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! FOOOOLED YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!"

What the group believed to be a helpless human stuck in the ground actually turned out to be bait, attached to the body of a monster with a grotesque appearance, like a giant worm or bird with an evil face and multiple mouths and eyes.

The body of the "man" was swallowed up into the monster's lower mouth, leaving nothing as it looked down upon the group. "Mmmm... Looks like you haven't been branded yet, but I say, why ruin fresh meat like that anyway?!" It cackled, all the while Miki fell back again and screamed in horror.

"A-Ahh... AAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!"

With that, the monster made its move, extending its neck impossibly in order to reach Miki, Yuuri, and Kurumi in particular, maw wide open and ready to bite down, taking them for the most vulnerable!

@York @Otto @Yun Lee @thatguyinthestore @Crow @Josh @Krieg @Away from the Hand​

Upon the revelation of a trap, one of the Echo Echoes smacked the emblem on its chest as its hue altered to be more blue and metallic. All the other Echo Echoes had turned into disc-like structures.

This new blue form was most fast and agile. Its speeds could be said to be impossible.

"Ultimate Echo Echo," the robot-like form spoke as it stood in the way of the beast's maw and the three girls near instantly. Its voice matched its appearance - very much like a stereotypical robot.

"Hey ugly!" Ultimate Echo Echo taunted as it formed a defensive position, firing high-powered sonic attacks from its arms, right at its mouth, and by extension, face. He also controlled the surrounding discs to circle the beast and do the same.

"Eat this. SONIC DOOM!"

@York @Otto @Yun Lee @thatguyinthestore @Crow @Josh @Krieg @Ver​

 

[Raptor Jesus]

"E-Eh... Yes, Rii-san," Miki said, her morale admittedly a little undermined, despite Yuuri's best intentions.

She froze in mild shock again when Ben transformed, but she was glad that the so-called "hero" at least gave a warning this time around, even though this new form he took was... different. Miki didn't have much more in her to freak out about it though, and simply stood there with a mildly (but deep down, significantly) distressed expression on her face.

"I guess... We may as well move somewhere, then. I don't feel really safe just standing here in one spot... I feel like we're being watched," the girl sighed, trying her best to keep her voice as calm as she could. Even though this situation she found herself in was way crazier than anything she'd ever been involved in (and she thought at the time that that was saying something), Miki felt... a strange wave of calm enter her, likely a result of at least reuniting with her dear friends, even if Yuki-senpai was still missing in action, but at least with Kurumi and Rii-san, right now it didn't feel completely hopeless. And maybe it was natural for Yuki to be the last one they found, all things considered...

Moving with the others away from the giant hand and catching up with Lutaciel and Siegward, Miki stood back and let the others try to help the pleading man stuck between the giant faces in the ground. The man was oddly silent after he was approached, not responding to any questions about who he was, or even thanking his saviors.

In fact, as he was pulled out... His lips shifted into a twisted grin.

As his body was pulled out, where one might have expected legs, in place of the lower part of his body looked like... the body of a giant slug.

And that was when the ground rumbled, softly at first, and then a loud CRASH as something horrifying made itself known.

A true monster.

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! FOOOOLED YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!"

What the group believed to be a helpless human stuck in the ground actually turned out to be bait, attached to the body of a monster with a grotesque appearance, like a giant worm or bird with an evil face and multiple mouths and eyes.

The body of the "man" was swallowed up into the monster's lower mouth, leaving nothing as it looked down upon the group. "Mmmm... Looks like you haven't been branded yet, but I say, why ruin fresh meat like that anyway?!" It cackled, all the while Miki fell back again and screamed in horror.

"A-Ahh... AAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!"

With that, the monster made its move, extending its neck impossibly in order to reach Miki, Yuuri, and Kurumi in particular, maw wide open and ready to bite down, taking them for the most vulnerable!

@York @Otto @Yun Lee @thatguyinthestore @Crow @Josh @Krieg @Away from the Hand

---

The monsters died easily enough with the power of the group's combined might, as it seemed speed was an advantage they held over the demons. However, what they lacked in speed or durability, they made up for in numbers, as despite the group's efforts to ward them off, more and more kept rising from the ground to take the deceased's place; it was almost as though killing one gave birth to two more, quickly greatly outnumbering the group as they kept approaching!

In the distance, the black sun in the sky that the giant hand reached out toward suddenly began to turn a darker shade of red, when before it resembled more magenta, and the air slowly began to rumble. One might have assumed this would have been a bad sign, given the ominous and unknown origin of it, but Slan grimaced as soon as the rumbling began, before looking up at the black sun and clicking her tongue in irritation, as though it were something that she did not count on.

"Oh, don't tell me... Him again?"

"It matters not. Their fates have already been sealed, for they have been chosen. It is the will of causality. If he wishes to free them... then so be it. The only thing waiting for them beyond here is misery and suffering. They will beg for death soon enough, as humans ought do..."

Whoever this figure the two were referring to was a mystery, but whoever "he" was, it seemed that there was at least one person out there trying to help the group, but the question was, would he make it in time?

@Alex Azure @Kaykay @Jeremi @thatguyinthestore @Yun Lee @Takumi @Sen @Khan of the Mardu @Minerva @dark @Toward the Hand​

"This is a waste of my time." Ciel said with a deadpan, unphased by the giant slug. Knowing that he stood no chance against the beast, Ciel attempted to walk past it, hoping that the current group would provide a suitable distraction for him to do so

@Ver @Crow @Yun Lee @Otto @York

---

"Excuse me, but do either of you mind indulging us with the knowledge of whom you're referring to?" Sebastian asked, looking up at the both of them as he continued to nonchalantly throw his kitchen utensils at the demons like it was a game of darts.

@Ver @Yun Lee @Sen @Kaykay @Alex Azure @Jeremi @Khan of the Mardu @Takumi @Lucky @dark @Minerva​

 

[0ttonomous]

Siegward of Catarina
@Crow @Ver @York @thatguyinthestore @Yun Lee @Josh @Krieg @AwayFromHand​

"Sorry..."

"... but I believe..."

"... I am a little too young..."

"... for alcohol."

"Anyways..."

"... I am..."

"... Ben Tennyson."

"Good to meet you..."

"... Siegward."​

"Nonsense! You're never too young for a nice, cold drink!" The burly knight declared, his voice wavering slightly due to the strain.​

Moving with the others away from the giant hand and catching up with Lucatiel and Siegward, Miki stood back and let the others try to help the pleading man stuck between the giant faces in the ground. The man was oddly silent after he was approached, not responding to any questions about who he was, or even thanking his saviors.

In fact, as he was pulled out... His lips shifted into a twisted grin.

As his body was pulled out, where one might have expected legs, in place of the lower part of his body looked like... the body of a giant slug.

And that was when the ground rumbled, softly at first, and then a loud CRASH as something horrifying made itself known.

A true monster.

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! FOOOOLED YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!"

What the group believed to be a helpless human stuck in the ground actually turned out to be bait, attached to the body of a monster with a grotesque appearance, like a giant worm or bird with an evil face and multiple mouths and eyes.

The body of the "man" was swallowed up into the monster's lower mouth, leaving nothing as it looked down upon the group. "Mmmm... Looks like you haven't been branded yet, but I say, why ruin fresh meat like that anyway?!" It cackled, all the while Miki fell back again and screamed in horror.

"A-Ahh... AAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!"

With that, the monster made its move, extending its neck impossibly in order to reach Miki, Yuuri, and Kurumi in particular, maw wide open and ready to bite down, taking them for the most vulnerable!​

And there went Siegward's jolly mood. "My... aren't you a humongous beast?" He deadpanned. He reached for his Storm Ruler, and as he did, memories of his duty came back to him, one by one. He had to make it to the Profaned Capital, and this... thing was in his way. Whatever amount of alcohol that was in his body wasn't enough to wash away this simple fact.

This creature had threatened his victory and endangered the lives of his new friends. It had to die.​

Sumia couldn't help but shriek as the slug took its form, losing her balance and falling back on the ground. "Ugh...huh?" Oh no...the girls! She couldn't let them get hurt! Taking up her bow, Sumia launched an arrow at the slug's eye, then another. If she could blind it, it could buy the three time to escape!
​

Upon the revelation of a trap, one of the Echo Echoes smacked the emblem on its chest as its hue altered to be more blue and metallic. All the other Echo Echoes had turned into disc-like structures.

This new blue form was most fast and agile. Its speeds could be said to be impossible.

"Ultimate Echo Echo," the robot-like form spoke as it stood in the way of the beast's maw and the three girls near instantly. Its voice matched its appearance - very much like a stereotypical robot.

"Hey ugly!" Ultimate Echo Echo taunted as it formed a defensive position, firing high-powered sonic attacks from its arms, right at its mouth, and by extension, face. He also controlled the surrounding discs to circle the beast and do the same.

"Eat this. SONIC DOOM!"​

Noticing two of his dear allies join the fight, he did too.

"I, Siegward of the Knights of Catarina, fight by your sides! May this abomination be slain at once! HAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"

He charged into the fray, the blade of his Storm Ruler quickly gathering storm. Gusts of air surrounded the knight, and soon there was enough storm to unleash the strike.

Intending to cut the creature's head off with a slash imbued with highly pressurized air, Siegward moved accordingly and attacked.​

 

[Macy Moretti]

As Lucatiel and Siegward ventured in the opposite direction of the imposing giant hand, the faces of the cursed continued to haunt their surroundings, as the dark sky began to slowly be obscured by a ceiling that made itself known. From one unearthly sight to another, it seemed. Like most of the rest of the place, the area seemed to be an empty, grand field with nothing to it, though... however, it wasn't too long before something might have caught their eye.

"H-Help! Someone... Please help me!" The voice of an unfamiliar man called out in the distance. If one were to look in the direction from which his voice came from, they'd be able to see him to the side, both his legs trapped underneath the crevices between two of the giant faces that made up the ground. Taking notice of the two, the man waved his arm helplessly at them. "H-Help me, please! I'm... I'm stuck!"

@York @Otto @Away from the Hand

---

"Rii-san!" Miki gasped in relief as another familiar face made herself known after calming down from Ben's transformation and reforming. It was something that she had trouble comprehending, so she simply didn't fully comprehend it. The hellhole she found herself in was hard enough to accept as it was. Not wanting to make another overly dramatic display like she did upon reuniting with Kurumi, Miki simply nodded toward Yuuri this time around, holding her arm as Ben and Sumia introduced themselves, the former engaging in some small banter with the petulant boy (it felt weird to see an even younger person than herself for once, and yet, he seemed to be one of the more calm people around, if not even mildly vexed by the whole situation).

"..."

She stayed silent as they bickered, letting Sumia simmer them down when Miki herself didn't feel up to standing between the two of them. Indeed, this was far from the time to be fighting amongst each other. Right now, they needed to find Yuki-senpai, and then... Well, they could think about what came after at a later time.

When Sumia then proceeded to suggest searching in the opposite direction of the tower, Miki was reluctant to answer, wondering if moving from their original spot was the best course of action, considering Yuki's... erratic behavior. However, if she was nowhere to be found where they were, then they had no other choice, right?

"U-Uhm... I-If you really think it's a good idea, we can move. Kurumi-chan? Rii-san? What do you two think? Should we take a look somewhere else for Yuki-senpai?" She asked, idly moving to pick up Taromarou in the meantime.

@Crow @Yun Lee @Josh @Krieg @thatguyinthestore @Atomic Knight

---

"Hmm? Ufufu... How amusing. What a lively little creature you are. Certainly more than the others down there. It'll be a shame when your time comes," Slan responded to Zoe, seemingly entertained by her pep. Void, on the other hand, was not quite as amused, assuming he even acknowledged Zoe's presence at all, remaining silent and still like a statue as Zoe spoke, the symbol of the mysterious brand continuing to glow in front of his face ominously.

To Arikado, the woman let out yet another sultry chuckle, moving her arms to hug her own body as she turned toward him. "I am God. Just as Void is God. And the others. But you need not worry about myself... child of darkness. You've been branded for sacrifice; you should be honored. My children will certainly enjoy you..." She breathed, partially answering Kokichi's question on the side, as the ground beside everyone slowly began to shift mysteriously, as though like an act of God, per the prayers of Libra. Or... perhaps not so. Slan shuddered lightly, continuing to giggle. "Mmm... 'Tis been a while since a man has looked at me like that. Without fear, without want... but just like that. Like a black swordsman..."

From the ground rose a number of beastly and identical monsters, brutish and demonic, with three eyes, one on each shoulder.

"Rrrrrr..."

Opening their massive maws, they stepped toward the group, their intent hopefully clear.

"Try if you wish to resist your fate. No human could ever hope to fight it in the end though. Resign or resist, it matters not to me. The result will always be the same. That is the will of causality," Slan sighed, all the while Void continued to simply remain still silently, and with that, the monsters roared, before leaping right at the group, ready to bite down and eat!

@Jeremi @Kaykay @Minerva @thatguyinthestore @Yun Lee @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Takumi @Sen @Khan of the Mardu @Alex Azure @Toward the Hand​

"Resist my fate?"

"Don't mind if I do."

As the beasts sprouted up from from the ground and chased towards him, Kokichi ran. He ran, not away from the monsters, but around them
He lead each monster he could into the attacks of those better equipped for battle. He didn't have a weapon in hand, but he did have a surprising amount of energy for a high schooler.
​

"E-Eh... Yes, Rii-san," Miki said, her morale admittedly a little undermined, despite Yuuri's best intentions.

She froze in mild shock again when Ben transformed, but she was glad that the so-called "hero" at least gave a warning this time around, even though this new form he took was... different. Miki didn't have much more in her to freak out about it though, and simply stood there with a mildly (but deep down, significantly) distressed expression on her face.

"I guess... We may as well move somewhere, then. I don't feel really safe just standing here in one spot... I feel like we're being watched," the girl sighed, trying her best to keep her voice as calm as she could. Even though this situation she found herself in was way crazier than anything she'd ever been involved in (and she thought at the time that that was saying something), Miki felt... a strange wave of calm enter her, likely a result of at least reuniting with her dear friends, even if Yuki-senpai was still missing in action, but at least with Kurumi and Rii-san, right now it didn't feel completely hopeless. And maybe it was natural for Yuki to be the last one they found, all things considered...

Moving with the others away from the giant hand and catching up with Lutaciel and Siegward, Miki stood back and let the others try to help the pleading man stuck between the giant faces in the ground. The man was oddly silent after he was approached, not responding to any questions about who he was, or even thanking his saviors.

In fact, as he was pulled out... His lips shifted into a twisted grin.

As his body was pulled out, where one might have expected legs, in place of the lower part of his body looked like... the body of a giant slug.

And that was when the ground rumbled, softly at first, and then a loud CRASH as something horrifying made itself known.

A true monster.

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! FOOOOLED YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!"

What the group believed to be a helpless human stuck in the ground actually turned out to be bait, attached to the body of a monster with a grotesque appearance, like a giant worm or bird with an evil face and multiple mouths and eyes.

The body of the "man" was swallowed up into the monster's lower mouth, leaving nothing as it looked down upon the group. "Mmmm... Looks like you haven't been branded yet, but I say, why ruin fresh meat like that anyway?!" It cackled, all the while Miki fell back again and screamed in horror.

"A-Ahh... AAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!"

With that, the monster made its move, extending its neck impossibly in order to reach Miki, Yuuri, and Kurumi in particular, maw wide open and ready to bite down, taking them for the most vulnerable!

@York @Otto @Yun Lee @thatguyinthestore @Crow @Josh @Krieg @Away from the Hand

---

The monsters died easily enough with the power of the group's combined might, as it seemed speed was an advantage they held over the demons. However, what they lacked in speed or durability, they made up for in numbers, as despite the group's efforts to ward them off, more and more kept rising from the ground to take the deceased's place; it was almost as though killing one gave birth to two more, quickly greatly outnumbering the group as they kept approaching!

In the distance, the black sun in the sky that the giant hand reached out toward suddenly began to turn a darker shade of red, when before it resembled more magenta, and the air slowly began to rumble. One might have assumed this would have been a bad sign, given the ominous and unknown origin of it, but Slan grimaced as soon as the rumbling began, before looking up at the black sun and clicking her tongue in irritation, as though it were something that she did not count on.

"Oh, don't tell me... Him again?"

"It matters not. Their fates have already been sealed, for they have been chosen. It is the will of causality. If he wishes to free them... then so be it. The only thing waiting for them beyond here is misery and suffering. They will beg for death soon enough, as humans ought do..."

Whoever this figure the two were referring to was a mystery, but whoever "he" was, it seemed that there was at least one person out there trying to help the group, but the question was, would he make it in time?

@Alex Azure @Kaykay @Jeremi @thatguyinthestore @Yun Lee @Takumi @Sen @Khan of the Mardu @Minerva @dark @Toward the Hand​

Sumia couldn't help but shriek as the slug took its form, losing her balance and falling back on the ground. "Ugh...huh?" Oh no...the girls! She couldn't let them get hurt! Taking up her bow, Sumia launched an arrow at the slug's eye, then another. If she could blind it, it could buy the three time to escape!


@Crow @Yun Lee @Ver @Krieg@thatguyinthestore @Atomic Knight @York @Otto

---

Libra felt an inkling of hope in his heart as Slan and Void conversed. Could it be...his prayer had been answered? Gods, he hoped so. He would continue to hack at any and all monsters, praying continuously as he did so. Please, Gods, let aid appear in their time of need!

@Alex Azure @Kaykay @Jeremi@thatguyinthestore @Yun Lee @Takumi@Sen @Khan of the Mardu @Minerva@dark @Toward the Hand​

Yet the monsters seemed to keep multiplying. They became more than he could simply run away from. He needed a place to hide. Seeing as there was no place to hide, he made the decision to hide behind a person instead. "Who's least likely to die?" he thought to himself.

Kokichi quickly ran behind Libra with a monster most likely trailing behind him. He asked Libra, "Think you can hold them off until that black sun thing finishes whatever it's doing?"

@Alex Azure @Kaykay @Jeremi@thatguyinthestore @Yun Lee @Takumi@Sen @Khan of the Mardu @Minerva@dark @Ver @Toward the Hand​

 

[Archmage Jeremiah]

"Hmm? Ufufu... How amusing. What a lively little creature you are. Certainly more than the others down there. It'll be a shame when your time comes," Slan responded to Zoe, seemingly entertained by her pep. Void, on the other hand, was not quite as amused, assuming he even acknowledged Zoe's presence at all, remaining silent and still like a statue as Zoe spoke, the symbol of the mysterious brand continuing to glow in front of his face ominously.

To Arikado, the woman let out yet another sultry chuckle, moving her arms to hug her own body as she turned toward him. "I am God. Just as Void is God. And the others. But you need not worry about myself... child of darkness. You've been branded for sacrifice; you should be honored. My children will certainly enjoy you..." She breathed, partially answering Kokichi's question on the side, as the ground beside everyone slowly began to shift mysteriously, as though like an act of God, per the prayers of Libra. Or... perhaps not so. Slan shuddered lightly, continuing to giggle. "Mmm... 'Tis been a while since a man has looked at me like that. Without fear, without want... but just like that. Like a black swordsman..."

From the ground rose a number of beastly and identical monsters, brutish and demonic, with three eyes, one on each shoulder.

"Rrrrrr..."

Opening their massive maws, they stepped toward the group, their intent hopefully clear.

"Try if you wish to resist your fate. No human could ever hope to fight it in the end though. Resign or resist, it matters not to me. The result will always be the same. That is the will of causality," Slan sighed, all the while Void continued to simply remain still silently, and with that, the monsters roared, before leaping right at the group, ready to bite down and eat!

@Jeremi @Kaykay @Minerva @thatguyinthestore @Yun Lee @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Takumi @Sen @Khan of the Mardu @Alex Azure @Toward the Hand

Zoe wigged out, rapidly blinking her eyes before muttering "You think I'm...funny?" she paused, before pumping her fist into the portal with a cheer, "A god from another world likes me! Aaaaah!~ Does that mean we're god friends now? Benevolent buddies? Ooh! Or pantheon pals? We're pantheon pals now!" Zoe excitedly proclaimed, speaking incredibly fast and ending up out of breath shortly thereafter, only to pick back up again, "We should have a girl's night out to celebrate - just us! We could do each other's hair, watch the end of finite realities, eat chocolate mooncake- ooh, I love chocolate moon- wait what was that bit about sacrifices?"

With her head still poking through the portal, Zoe tilted her head up to see the rest of herself, and everyone else, being surrounded by wicked creatures - and one of them was taking a swing at her lower half! With a shocked yelp, Zoe dropped the rest of herself into the portal, narrowly dodging the monster's swing. As the creature neared to investigate, Zoe popped back out still upside down and blew a raspberry in its face. As it took another swing at her, Zoe just fell back into the portal, and rolled around on the ceiling laughing, bending gravity to suit her childish tricks.

"Ooooooh I was waiting for another chance to put my magic pants on! You messed with the wrong Paddle Star champion, triclops-yeti-squatch-thing!" she exclaimed, summoning two table tennis paddles and holding one, "Team Zoe is down nothing to a bazillion - it'd take a miracle and a half for them to make a comeback," she said in a deep voice, narrating her own actions like a sports announcer, "so it's a good thing miracles are what Zoe deals in!" She served a bright ball of light over her portal to the other paddle, and as the paddle shot it back, Zoe leapt up and brought her paddle down to spike the ball through her portal, causing the confused beast to reel in pain after the ball hit its mark. As she pumped her paddle into the air to cheer herself on, someone caught her eye on the ground below her.

Soraka's Prologue
"A Starchild's Nightmare"



Everything was blurry.

It was all confusing.

Soraka couldn't see a thing, much less feel, hear or smell anything.

She called upon divine powers, willing it to restore her senses to their maximum capacity. For a few seconds, she tried out her senses.

But...

She just stood there, a sudden chill sweeping through her veins.

She stared in disbelief at this... hellish place surrounding her.

Everything was a horrifying sea of red.

There were blood-curdling screams, coming from the fleshy, disfigured walls.

For a few seconds, Soraka was utterly stunned. Until she heard voices. People, she thought.

I am not alone.

She took control of herself, casting away the fear that dared appear in her soul.

A searing, sharp pain enveloped enveloped her left hand. Ignoring the pain, she inspected her hand. She tried healing it, but it was of no use. The mark didn't disappear.

She looked around, confused. Nobody seemed to look familiar. But she can see a number of beastly, demonic monsters rise from the ground. She prepared her spells and straightened her staff, ready to heal anyone in her vincinity.

She was confused, disabled, and more importantly, vulnerable against this world. She could only pray for mercy amongst its people.

"What a terrible nightmare..."

@anyone

​

​

Laughing in nigh disbelief, Zoe raised her free hand high above her head to wave down at the fellow aspect. "Sorakaaaaa! Hi, it's me, Zoe! Up here, on the ceiling!" she strained her voice to its limits to shout, "You look different! Awesome, but different! Did you change your-...everything? I love it!"

@Tutski19

The monsters died easily enough with the power of the group's combined might, as it seemed speed was an advantage they held over the demons. However, what they lacked in speed or durability, they made up for in numbers, as despite the group's efforts to ward them off, more and more kept rising from the ground to take the deceased's place; it was almost as though killing one gave birth to two more, quickly greatly outnumbering the group as they kept approaching!

In the distance, the black sun in the sky that the giant hand reached out toward suddenly began to turn a darker shade of red, when before it resembled more magenta, and the air slowly began to rumble. One might have assumed this would have been a bad sign, given the ominous and unknown origin of it, but Slan grimaced as soon as the rumbling began, before looking up at the black sun and clicking her tongue in irritation, as though it were something that she did not count on.

"Oh, don't tell me... Him again?"

"It matters not. Their fates have already been sealed, for they have been chosen. It is the will of causality. If he wishes to free them... then so be it. The only thing waiting for them beyond here is misery and suffering. They will beg for death soon enough, as humans ought do..."

Whoever this figure the two were referring to was a mystery, but whoever "he" was, it seemed that there was at least one person out there trying to help the group, but the question was, would he make it in time?

@Alex Azure @Kaykay @Jeremi @thatguyinthestore @Yun Lee @Takumi @Sen @Khan of the Mardu @Minerva @dark @Tutski19 @Toward the Hand

As if forced to, Zoe dropped everything and turned to view the supernatural eclipse as it unfolded with her jaw dropped in awe. After her little trance was over, however, Zoe scrambled to hop back through her portal, and unintentionally kicked the monster she had struck senseless upside the head, knocking it down to the floor. Landing with her feet on the floor again, Zoe pointed the eclipsing sun with a great big smile. "Okay, the universe is giving me great vibes from that big red sun in the sky, plus my ex-pantheon pals don't sound all too happy about...whatever's happening to it, so basically what I'm saying is..." Zoe paused and danced on her feet, giddy with anticipation, before bursting and shouting "It's time to rumble!" Zoe cheered and kicked a sleepy trouble bubble into the two beasts that had risen in the wake of the one she had defeated, winding back their internal clocks in a burst of twilight magic to forcibly put them both to sleep.

@Alex Azure @Kaykay @Jeremi @thatguyinthestore @Yun Lee @Takumi @Sen @Khan of the Mardu @Minerva @dark @Toward the Hand
​

 

[Yun Lee]

Noticing a small child rush behind him (Libra assumed the poor thing was in the need of safety and couldn't really fight on his own), Libra nodded. "I have fought far worse with far lesser odds of success many times over, my child. I will keep you and others safe-and can heal anyone that gets hurt."

@Alex Azure​

 

[Takumi]

"E-Eh... Yes, Rii-san," Miki said, her morale admittedly a little undermined, despite Yuuri's best intentions.

She froze in mild shock again when Ben transformed, but she was glad that the so-called "hero" at least gave a warning this time around, even though this new form he took was... different. Miki didn't have much more in her to freak out about it though, and simply stood there with a mildly (but deep down, significantly) distressed expression on her face.

"I guess... We may as well move somewhere, then. I don't feel really safe just standing here in one spot... I feel like we're being watched," the girl sighed, trying her best to keep her voice as calm as she could. Even though this situation she found herself in was way crazier than anything she'd ever been involved in (and she thought at the time that that was saying something), Miki felt... a strange wave of calm enter her, likely a result of at least reuniting with her dear friends, even if Yuki-senpai was still missing in action, but at least with Kurumi and Rii-san, right now it didn't feel completely hopeless. And maybe it was natural for Yuki to be the last one they found, all things considered...

Moving with the others away from the giant hand and catching up with Lutaciel and Siegward, Miki stood back and let the others try to help the pleading man stuck between the giant faces in the ground. The man was oddly silent after he was approached, not responding to any questions about who he was, or even thanking his saviors.

In fact, as he was pulled out... His lips shifted into a twisted grin.

As his body was pulled out, where one might have expected legs, in place of the lower part of his body looked like... the body of a giant slug.

And that was when the ground rumbled, softly at first, and then a loud CRASH as something horrifying made itself known.

A true monster.

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!! FOOOOLED YOUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!"

What the group believed to be a helpless human stuck in the ground actually turned out to be bait, attached to the body of a monster with a grotesque appearance, like a giant worm or bird with an evil face and multiple mouths and eyes.

The body of the "man" was swallowed up into the monster's lower mouth, leaving nothing as it looked down upon the group. "Mmmm... Looks like you haven't been branded yet, but I say, why ruin fresh meat like that anyway?!" It cackled, all the while Miki fell back again and screamed in horror.

"A-Ahh... AAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!"

With that, the monster made its move, extending its neck impossibly in order to reach Miki, Yuuri, and Kurumi in particular, maw wide open and ready to bite down, taking them for the most vulnerable!

@York @Otto @Yun Lee @thatguyinthestore @Crow @Josh @Krieg @Away from the Hand

---

The monsters died easily enough with the power of the group's combined might, as it seemed speed was an advantage they held over the demons. However, what they lacked in speed or durability, they made up for in numbers, as despite the group's efforts to ward them off, more and more kept rising from the ground to take the deceased's place; it was almost as though killing one gave birth to two more, quickly greatly outnumbering the group as they kept approaching!

In the distance, the black sun in the sky that the giant hand reached out toward suddenly began to turn a darker shade of red, when before it resembled more magenta, and the air slowly began to rumble. One might have assumed this would have been a bad sign, given the ominous and unknown origin of it, but Slan grimaced as soon as the rumbling began, before looking up at the black sun and clicking her tongue in irritation, as though it were something that she did not count on.

"Oh, don't tell me... Him again?"

"It matters not. Their fates have already been sealed, for they have been chosen. It is the will of causality. If he wishes to free them... then so be it. The only thing waiting for them beyond here is misery and suffering. They will beg for death soon enough, as humans ought do..."

Whoever this figure the two were referring to was a mystery, but whoever "he" was, it seemed that there was at least one person out there trying to help the group, but the question was, would he make it in time?

@Alex Azure @Kaykay @Jeremi @thatguyinthestore @Yun Lee @Takumi @Sen @Khan of the Mardu @Minerva @dark @Tutski19 @Toward the Hand​

Lindel slashed and cut as many as he could without pause, the elder keeping his jaw set as he focused on leaving deep cuts into his foes sides, along with cutting into an eye or two as well. These were like packs of wolves he would fight off from his carabou many years ago, just more grotesque and larger in number. He did not aim to kill at this point, but merely keep them at bay from the others in the group in the meantime.

He couldn't risk using magic other than simple healing if it called for it, nothing else could be used in this place without a faeries assistance or even the assistance of his own familiar. That would only leave him drained and vulnerable, so it'd be best to save it for something dire. The situation was dire now, but the risk was far too high.

@Ver @Yun Lee @thatguyinthestore @dark @Minerva @Sen @Otto @Khan of the Mardu @Archmage Jeremiah @Gummi Bunnies @CrunchyCHEEZIT @Tutski19 @Toward the hand

 

[Macy Moretti]

Noticing a small child rush behind him (Libra assumed the poor thing was in the need of safety and couldn't really fight on his own), Libra nodded. "I have fought far worse with far lesser odds of success many times over, my child. I will keep you and others safe-and can heal anyone that gets hurt."

@Alex Azure​

Kokichi replied to Libra with an almost genuine smile.

"Thanks. You seem pretty useful. Usually I'd have a small army of a hundred that could help protect me. Buuuuuut... it looks like I don't have that right now. Perhaps you could be a part of my organization, at least until we get out of this mess?"

@Yun Lee​