@Bornlucky

Uchima Senior High - Classroom Building????????

"Maybe we could go check out the kend-" Her lilting voice immediately halted, as if struck by a sudden thought out of the blue. "U-uh, u-um, if Ryo-kun thinks left is the way to go, then let's go that way."

She seemed a bit hesitant, as if confused about something. A small shiver left her, the temperature of the air dropping further and further. It was a heavy, oppressive weight, one that made it hard to breathe, especially with the cold. Ai shook her head to clear her thoughts, before nodding. Her face was pale, whether from the cold or the residual fear one couldn't tell, but she seemed more assured now. Her hands were still gripped softly onto Ryoma's arm.

"Left," she said again, voice stronger this time and nodding firmly. "Maybe we can find others in the classrooms."

Ai tried to smile reassuringly at her companion.

"I can trust you to take responsibility and protect me right?" was her joking comment. "D-don't shoot anyone else, okay?"

Ryoma silently listened to Ai talk, she seems to stumble over her words somewhat before assuring him his choice sounds reasonable.

Ryoma was getting colder and colder as the two stayed, the air was cold and sharp, and Ai's cold touch wasn't helping him warm up. Ryoma could tell that Ai's face was paler than normal, he couldn't tell if that was from fear or the cold, or even both at the same time. But she seemed assured with his company. But he wished her hands were warmer, at least enough so he couldn't feel the cold though his uniform.

Ai said to go left, saying they can find students in the classrooms, which he responded with a simple nod. Ai smiled up to Ryoma which he responded with a sheepish expression, he's not used to being talked to or looked at in a none judging manner, it made him squirm a little. Like an ant under a magnifying glass, but at least he doesn't have to worry about Ai setting him on fire with her eyes. He hopes she can't anyways.

Ai then asked Ryoma if she will protect her and not to shoot at another person. Ryoma blushed a little and moved his free hand behind his neck sheepishly. "I will do my best... umm...o-okay I won't..." Ryoma responded quietly with a hint of embarrassment in his voice.

But before he could melt into a puddle of embarrassment, he carefully started to walk forward, he was considerate of Ai's ankle and moved slowly enough that she can keep up. It would take them a few moments to head left, so Ryoma's mind wander and he couldn't help but think of youkai's and if this place is the Yomi from legends, and with the cool air surrounding the pair, one Youkai came to mind in particular.

"T-this might sound silly... but I'm worried a-a Yuki-onna will appear out of nowhere and try to freeze us to death... w-with how c-cold it's getting in here..." Ryoma spoke honestly, but he decided to speak again. "S-sorry I'm rambling... i-its hard not to think a million things right now..."

@Bornlucky

Uchima Senior High - Classroom Building????????

"Ryo-kun'll just have to throw water over her then!"

Even despite her own uncertainty and injuries, Ai gently patted her companion's arm, smiling as reassuringly as possible at him. She was limping as she followed after Ryoma, her steps hesitant and careful as to not aggravate her sprain. Pale fingers had drawn back from gripping onto the arm entirely, instead merely holding onto his sleeve to reduce her burden on him.

"It's, um, totally okay to ramble," she continued, the words rapidly spilling out of her mouth as she tried to cheer him up. "I'll tell you a secret, okay?"

She leaned in somewhat, her expression trying to adopt a more mischievous, conspiratorial tone.

"I'm scared too," she admitted in a mock-whisper, before her voice grew worried and hesitant once more. "I-I'm not one hundred percent that everything will be okay. But ... it will be. Definitely gonna be! You'll be okay, so don't worry!"

An affirmation. Ai would believe in him.

Their steps had brought them to a part of the second floor classroom building. In this place, it was less windy, less cool: a fact made clear by each of Ai's breaths stabilising now that she was no longer as affected by the cold. The drudgery of the oppressive atmosphere was still ever present, but it was easier to breathe now. A place where they could start looking for anybody else who could've been throw into the eerie, monotonous realm.

There was another path further to their right, one that lead to a stairwell, while classroom doors bordered the hallway straight ahead.

---

@SMS@chukklehed@Sarcelle Renard

Uchima Senior High - Practice Building????????

Fists of rotting flesh, their size greater than even a human's head, appended the ends of powerful yet dessicated arms, gnarled white marked with strange, jagged black lines. Chips of aging wood, splintered into thousands of pieces, jutted out from the indescribably eerie skin of its left 'arm', the multitude of wounds leaking a greenish fluid with a sickly sweet scent that smelt so strangely familiar. A torso that shifted with every movement, an agglomeration of oozing black that was barely held together into a large, muscular frame. Insectoid eyes - ten - opened up at once upon that surface. Their golden glow pierced through the hallway. Their gaze moved around and around. Shifting. Sloshing.

Its steps had been creeping. Lumbering. Inhuman. Because its legs were not legs at all. Solid pads, earthen in colour, were its seeming feet, stomping harshly in that disgusting manner across the wooden floor. Gears and pistons, rusting as black ooze dripped down their once pristine surface, connected those pads to its body. The 'legs'. Its charge was one of noise. Each motion brought that jittering, high-pitched hiss of the mechanical.

Two tongues dangled from a gaping maw. Sharp jagged teeth in a purple-lipped mouth that was topped by nothing that resembled a nose. Only two gems of amber. Shining brightly in that same intense yellow light. A head that was bald. No hair. Only two long pointed ears upon a swarthy, egg-shaped head.

And with a sound that was both hissing and choked roars, it was charging straight after Tsubaki.

Kimiko looked at the crew of the second bicycle with her head tilted, probably thinking something was slightly odd about Kazou's slow encroachment on Hitomi. It wasn't worth thinking something was odd about Hitomi; that was a statement as tried and true as the laws of gravity. She was a little surprised they didn't decide to have more fun with this and ride like she and Daisuke were, though.

It was like her parents always said, nothing could go wrong for you while your legs were wrapped around the head of a true companion.

With her helmet securely fastened around her mop of hair and heart-shaped face, Kimiko's face took on the ghost of a confident grin and pointed in the vague direction of the detective's office.

"DRU. His name is DRU, and he is the answer to all our prayers," the girl corrected, curling her pointed finger into a larger fist and bringing it down onto Daisuke's head, tugging on the back tufts of his hair insistently. "Hi-yo, Silver-kun. Bring me to my pet. Tonto rides beside us faithfully."

The front door of the apartment closed softly leaving a small click of the door echoing over the empty street stretched out besides the apartment complex. With the doorknob still in her hand she watched over the street and around her if there were any people nearby but there didn't appear to be any. A grin formed on the girl her face as she let go of the knob taking a few steps towards the next apartment door. Her fist had gone up above her head before it bashed down onto the wood leaving a few hard knocks echoing through the street. A loud obnoxious high pitched voice erupted out of the small girl her mouth making it clear there was somebody in front of the door.

"BLAIR-CHAN! BLAIR-CHAN! COME OUT TO PLAY!"

Enju had a wide spread grin plastered on her face from possibly scaring the girl and her roommate to death. It had become a mandatory however every time she left before Blair on any school day. Today she was first though so it was her turn to warn Blair they were gonna do something fun today. For this special occasion Enju had decided to wear a wide neck shirt that was loosely hanging on one shoulder displaying a black bra strap on the other shoulder, together with some shorts and sneakers. Enju patiently waited for someone to open the door.

---

After just a little while the doorknob turned and twisted slowly until finally someone opened the door. It was Max, the 24 year old student who Blair lived with. He was a friend of her parents and offered to take care of Blair while she was in highschool. Of course, he received some money in exchange. Her parents trusted him, he was a well known friend after all.
The student who stood in the doorframe had short black hair, a loose white t-shirt and still wore pyjama pants. He seemed like your typical student in the morning hours. Upon seeing Enju he turned around and waved at someone within the house though that person was not visible. Immediately after, Max turned around and left after saying

"Mornin´ Enju."

When he left he was replaced by a different person. It was a girl with pink hair and red eyes. Both natural, it was a genetical defect which she hated. She looked way too cringey like this, but she had gotten used to it.
Blair wore a simple black top with nothing on it, together with tight blue jeans. She didn't need anything else, this was more than enough for her.
Her eyes quickly inspected Enju´s clothes as she began to speak.

"Are you a complete moron? Don't scream so loudly! You scared the crap out of us... we were eating breakfast."

Blair said with a sigh while crossing her arms in front of her body, below her chest. Her red eyes were basically piercing right through Enju, she was judging her for interrupting their breakfast.

---

Oh! It was the other person living with Blair... Max! Enju gave a frantic wave at the adult before he could move back into the apartment again. He was as sleepy and silent as he could be. He only gave a morning greeting and furthermore nothing! Well it was not like she really expected elsewise either way, she wasn't here for him but for the girl. The red had made her way to the door instead. Enju gave a cheerful wave to the red as if she had done nothing wrong which she didn't really seem to have accepted. Enju stagger back somewhat before awkwardly rubbing the back of her head, she better not speak back at her before she gets any more mad.

After Blair her stern talk Enju gave another cheerful wave towards the girl.

"Hai Blair."

A grin returned to her face displaying she wasn't really taking Blair all that seriously. That was generally her personality though, carefree in any way. Enju tilted her head as she questioned her.

"You coming with?"

---

Her stern expression softened up a bit after another sigh. Blair brushed some of her long, bright hair out of her face and went back inside of the house. The girl grabbed her shoes, easily slipped into them and walked outside, closing the door behind her. Before she did so Blair quickly gave a shout back inside the house at Max to let him know she was going out.

"I am going out with Enju!"

Once she was outside and in front of Enju again Blair finally decided to ask what was going on.

"So, where do you wanna go? You sure seem confident enough that you got a great idea."

The enthusiastic, carefree personality that Enju displayed almost made Blair smile. Seeing the good old Enju which she had known for quite a while now. The Enju she knew and the Enju she loved being with. But Blair never smiles... or at least rarely ever. This was not one of those occasions.

---

Blair had already forgiven Enju like every time. She couldn't stay mad at her best friend right? Enju let out a soft evil gniffel when Blair had her back at Enju. She was a master of getting out of messes that she made. Blair closed the door shut leaving a farewell message to her guardian and turned back at Enju who was sweetly smiling again by now like nothing happened. Blair asked her what Enju all so urgently wanted to do. Enju gave her a short sweet smile before answering.

"Todayyy we are getting ice cream across the park..."

Short but powerful, impossible Blair could deny such a fun thing to do. Enju turned her head away for a moment staring at the ground suddenly deep in thought as she muttered.

"Or get some coffee?"

With a jolly expression she turned back at Blair opening her mouth once more.

"You ready Blairy?"

After the redhead her answer she would drop her skateboard down anyway. With two steps Enju jumped onto it and made her way over the narrow apartment pathway. Almost at the end she turned at Blair once more to wave and gesture to hurry it up.

---

"Ice...cream?"

So her peaceful and calm breakfast was interrupted for ice cream? Enju had some nerve...!
Although, on second thought, it did not sound too bad. She offered coffee too after all and Blair was already dressed up and outside anyway, going back inside would be a waste of time. After staring at Enju who was already in the distance for a short while Blair decided to follow her. Blair didn't let herself get influences though, she walked her normal slow and calm pace reaching Enju eventually. She wasn't nearly as fast as her on her skateboard however.

"You lead the way Enju. The park isn't too far away from here anyway."

The streets were surprisingly empty for such a nice day. Maybe, because they were all in downtown, no one wanted to be in this less interesting part of the town? Well, it was convenient for Blair. Huge crowds were annoying enough and like this she could enjoy her morning peacefully and quietly. Hearing Enju´s voice was all she needed.

---

Enju her face went a little pale when Blair had repeated Enju her words back at her. Blair didn't seem to enjoy the request as much as Enju had hoped. Hopefully Blair wouldn't hurt her in any way. After a bit of what probably was thinking Blair looked to be a bit more reasonable with Enju her idea. Enju turned that smile back on her face again skating off on her own, she felt quite good after Blair didn't completely reject her just yet. At the end of the walkway Enju waited for a small second before hurrying down the stairs with a huge grin of leaving Blair in the dust.

"Hurry, hurry you slowpoke! Hehe"

Enju was quick to be downstairs patiently waiting on Blair if needed, she was lightly panting from the rushing and all but still seemed rather fit. After Enju and Blair had joined together again the journey continued. It was only a few blocks down the road so they walked for a few minutes time quickly passing with small chit chat about nothing useful basically. After a short bit they arrived at the edge of the park with the shops still being all the way across the green fields. The weather was nice so they didn't have to complain about anything but another short walk.

---

As Blair patiently descended the stairs. She had no problem walking in her own speed, Enju would happily wait for her. Of course, she didn't want to keep her friend waiting for so long, Blair was her friend too after all... and she cared for Enju. Enough at least to put effort into what she did.
Once Blair arrived and met up with Enju again, she thought it would be time to show her appreciation for once too. She didn't smile of course, that would need a special occasion.

"Thank you for taking me out here Enju, the weather is really lovely."

Blair spoke in her well known neutral, almost cold way. Enju should know however that Blair didn't mean it that way.
Later when they reached the park, both had already talked about a lot of different things. The topics to talk about seemed never ending.

"I am actually looking forward to the ice cream now."

---

The local park was still pretty quiet early on the saturday morning. There were a few people walking their dog and stuff but furthermore it was peaceful. It was quite a big park with a small lake in the middle of it, surrounding the lake was mostly trees and grass fields, they build a big terrace at the other end of the park for people to sit and enjoy the weather although it was mostly only used during the summers. Blair spoke again showing Enju some kindness for taking Blair with her this morning. Enju didn't think much of it though, she only wanted to have some fun and alone it was gonna be a drag. None of her other friends lived nearby here anyway.

"Ah, no problem, no problem. It would be boring on my own anyway hehe."

Enju and Blair continued down the pathway, during their walk a guy jumped from various objects in the park to one another. It looked pretty spectacular to see someone so athletic jumping around. Enju followed the man with her eyes as they kept walking. Blair broke the silence once more saying how she actually liked to have ice cream now. Enju turned her head at the girl for a moment to grin at her.

"See I told you it was a good idea."

Her head turned back towards the man that was now on the path a bit farther in front of them seeing how he had been stopped by another man, he probably got scolded at for trying to destroy things in the park with his running and climbing. The man was probably right though, it looked pretty dangerous to do. Enju slowly turned her head back towards the path again as she spoke.

"Fun is over I guess."

---

Naturally, Blair noticed the other people in the park too and since there weren't too many of them, the guy that Enju saw would eventually be noticed by Blair too. She just decided to not mind him that much. Although, it was actually kind of funny to see him getting stopped by a seemingly random man, not funny enough for Blair to pay much attention though.
When Enju herself finally talked about that scene herself, the pink haired girl couldn't ignore it anymore.

"His own fault though..."

Blair raised her right hand and slowly tapped her finger against her chin as she began to think. She supported her right arm with her left, standing still while staring into the distance.
After a short while, she shook her head seemingly throwing her thought away and continued walking next to her friend. While walking Blair always paid attention to her poise, she didn't want to seem lazy or anything like that.

"We should enjoy how quiet it is here. Let us quickly get our ice that you wanted so we can eat it in peace. Or would you rather sit down now and eat later? It probably will be very crowded..."

Every now and then Blair checked her phone to see if there were any new messages, news or e-mails. She was not expecting any, but it became a habit of her´s ever since she eagerly waited for her new piano to arrive and checked her mail almost every five minutes to see if it either had been sent or arrived already. These days, she didn't get very many messages. Mostly from Enju, but she didn't have any other significant friend so noone would send her anything anyways. Blair mostly uses her mobile to listen to music!

"It is entirely up to you."

Blair added while turning to face her bestie.

---

"Nah we should get some now, we can sit later."

Enju said as they drew closer towards the boy. Looking up closer the boy had short brown hair with some slim clothes on for his jumping and climbing around. Enju her eyes drew onto him again as her ears pierced open to hear the conversation between the two. The man seemed to be quite odd, he was questioning why the boy was out doing his own thing, I'm pretty sure he could decide that himself. The boy definitly seemed to be bothered by the man having stopped him so Enju decided to help a little. But before she could do anything the man had already left the boy alone. Enju had a moment of disappointment that she couldn't help so she decided just to talk with the boy for now. She got up next to him and cleared her throat to let him know she was standing there with her small posture.

"Everything okay? That man got you good from the looks of your face hehe."

"I F-forgot my water bottle in the archery range..."

Even in this uncertainty it was nice for the atmosphere not to be as heavy as when he was alone. And the touching he was getting used too, somewhat. Ai's grip on his arm wasn't as tight as moments ago, and she was keeping up with him nicely, but that didn't mean he will walk faster, unless provoked.

Ai spoke about how it was okay for him to ramble, which Ryoma nodded slowly at before she told him she has a secret for him, which she leaned up to him with a strained mischievous smile before admitting she was scared as well, and surprisingly added that she's not everything well be okay, but she said he will end up okay. Ryoma couldn't help but be chocked up a bit, nobody ever console him before, even his parents, it was always him comforting his siblings and any measly amount of friends he had over the years, it felt nice. If Ai does end up as a youkai as he fears, she knows how to dig into him and make him falter. But for now he has to say something, or she might notice his surprise.

"I-I'll make sure you end up okay as well, Ai-Chan..."

Ai and Ryoma found themselves in the second floor of the classroom building. It was less windy and cold, not perfect, but much better compared to downstairs, Ai's breathes was stabilizing in the warmer but nevertheless oppressively heavy air.

The pair had a choice to go straight or right from their current locations. If they go straight they will arrive to the hallway of classrooms, which gives them a better chance at encountering follow students. While going right leads to a stairwell, while going higher would give them a better vantage point for the lower levels, but with Ai's hurt ankle it might take a bit of time to go up or down, so staying on the current level will save energy and time for now which they need. So to Ryoma it wasn't much of a choice.

They would go forward for now and if they don't find anyone... or anything they would go come back here and go for the stairwell to the right.

Ryoma took his first steps forward, slowly enough that Ai knew which direction he was walking towards. "L-let's check the classrooms up ahead, Ai-Chan..."

@GarlandDaHero @Savo @Crimmy @JBRam2002

Kagami Isami

"There is a emergency near the kendo clubroom." Kagami said voice losing her former steel as she started to think perhaps she was trying to hard? Look I admit I fucked up but right now you are right while there are others we need to focus on the now" Kagami said her voice gaining its former resolve now was not the time to bicker they need a solid escape plan first than once that was secured she could go searching for others. With that in mind she took off towards the emergency exit her eyes darting back and forth as she searched for any potential survivor or danger.

@Bornlucky

Uchima Senior High - Classroom Building????????

"You better keep that promise!" she said in a lighthearted manner, smile returning. She had noticed his shock at her proclamation, but the teenaged girl didn't say anything, preferring to simply squeeze Ryoma's arm comfortingly as they continued down the path down the hallway that he had chosen. They were closer to the classrooms now, but all they could see through the glass windows was a pall of darkness, one that surrounded empty desks and chairs. While not all of the rooms had been checked, so far it was seeming as if they were alone in the building.

"Let's keep going," murmured Ai quietly, obviously perturbed by the continued eerie isolation they were in. It was enough that the usually cheerful girl was having trouble maintaining her upbeat and smiling aura for her companion. There were clear lines of worry on her soft face, and her eyes were squinting, trying to look into the dark in the hopes of finding at least somebody else.

"Maybe they're more ahead?" she offered, shooting Ryoma an small and awkward, lopsided grin. "They coul-"

She cut off. She immediately tugged at Ryoma's sleeve, shuffling backwards in an incredibly sudden manner, nearly tripping over her feet again. A streak of fear crossed her face. If Ryoma wanted to know what had provoked such a reaction, he didn't need to wait long.

Clink.

Clank.

Clink.

Frozen stalagmites burrowed upwards through the wooden floor, deadly icicles materialising in the position where the two third-year students had been standing mere moments before. Footsteps, soft yet pealing, rang out through the darkness, the trill of something that seemed like both ice and metal coming closer and closer towards them, each impact with the planks beneath them sending vibrations through the floor that even Ryoma and Ai could feel. There was a buzzing, chirping sound swept along the air, which was beginning to chill once more.

Two iridescent, bulbous orbs, each made up of thousands of thousands of miniscule, hexagonal eyes compounding together, were the first to emerge from the black. They were embedded within an inhuman helm of azure, one that had a single, blocky protrusion that extended forth from between its "eyes". Where a human's mouth would be was nothing but a vertically dividing line gap, one that opened up in a jagged fashion to reveal nothing but a single golden light in the darkness. Strange slices crisscrossed its neck. Its body followed, a bulky, silver-blue exoskeleton that was slightly hunched over, upper "torso" thickly armoured. Pauldrons, layered one by one, covered its arms, as if an ancient warrior of a long-forgotten past. Its lower body shared that aesthetic, but it was thinner, more flexible, and its two legs appeared to have numerous different sections upon them. Its hands, gauntleted, had feelers brushing across their palms.

Two awkwardly shaped bulges were attached to the scapula, and dangling from one was a bow. A yumi, one that nearly was nearly as tall as the eight foot giant. The weapon was of a material none would have seen before, but it shone in the dim light, shifting from blue to white to black depending on how the rays struck it. Embedded into the torso side was a sheathe, and even from a distance, a blade clearly waited within. It was membranous, shifting with every movement.

The creature looked down at the stalagmites, and back up at the duo. It seem to stare Ryoma, glanced at his bow, before lingering upon the trembling figure of Ai. No emotions could be identified in its inhuman features. Its head moved once more, returning to the stalagmites.

One hand met the other.

Again.

And again.

And again.

Clapping.

And then it stopped.

The thing suddenly waved its arm before it. Powerfully. Firmly. Golden light streaked after the limb.

Three six-legged monsters materialised in the space between it and the teenagers in a cloud of black ooze. Their bodies were creaking in the cold wind, and bits and pieces of brown flaked off them. They were an uncommon sight. Each limb was langly. The 'body' was precariously balanced, a wooden table that could barely be held by the fibrous legs made of different, chaotically-arranged IKEA parts. A head dangled upside down rather than upright, only minutely attached to the edge of the table. Their long, pin-thin suckers extended forth, shaking drunkenly as their entire bodies plodded forth. Three pairs of compound eyes, one red, one gold, were focused on the teenaged duo with one mission.

The armoured thing that had summoned them held up a hand.

Its gesture was a clear request for them to try their luck.

---
@Suku@Savo@JBRam2002@GarlandDaHero

NPC: Jihei Okazaki - Drama Clubroom?????, Saturday Morning

"It looks like our decision has already been made."

Isami had already run off, leaving them behind before they anything further could be said. Okazaki watched her retreating back for a second. He should have felt more concern for her reckless choice of action, but he simply didn't. Even if he was lacking in the proper response (which, given the state they were in, seemed like such a strange thing to worry for), the kendoka had removed every other decision that could've been made. He shook his head, trying to push away the creeping exhaustion that was accompanying the heavy, uncomfortable atmosphere of this monotonous world.

He had no time for that when he was to stop her from getting killed.

"We'll have to go after her," he said, a hint of mild exasperation clearly evident in his tone.

He followed without any need for a reply.

Everything felt far too wrong.

@SMS @Crimmy @chukklehed


Saturday Morning – Newspaper Club Room?

---

A small, appreciative whistle came out of Yuuhei as he watched Natsumi flourish her new weapon, leaning against his desk to give her some more room. And when she gave her affirmation, he couldn’t help but return her satisfied smile with a lopsided grin of his own. It was rather odd, really, as the two were able to share a somewhat normal moment while the walls were busy being creepy with its blood dripping down it and the odd scream in the distance was really playing up the whole “You should leave” atmosphere.

Either the two of them seriously needed help, or this place really had to step up its game.

As if in response to his unspoken criticism, a closer, more human scream cut off Natsumi’s question. The terror laced in the sound was almost palpable, rattling inside of Yuuhei’s eardrums for several seconds after it had already died down. Their eyes met for a moment, but before Yuuhei could even finish opening his mouth to speak, the white haired girl was already moving.

”Gutsy too, huh?” he muttered as her white hair streaked past him, his grin widening into a smile, admiring her ability to move without a second thought. Because for him, it felt like his legs were weighed down by lead from uncertainty, but she hadn’t even wasted a moment before taking off. But since he was never one to be shown up, Yuuhei forced his legs into motion, grabbing the slender box of darts off of his desk as he chased after her.

He wrapped a hand around the door frame and swung around the corner, but the sight that was waiting for him on the other side made him stop dead in his tracks. Natsumi was close by and a little bit down the hall there was a black haired girl running for her life, but it was the thing that seemed to be pursing Ms. I Want Off This Ride that had momentarily caused him to forget how to move his legs forward.

Simply calling it a monster just seemed wrong, as the thing in front of him was simply too unnatural for that word to properly describe, as everything from the golden eyes that littered its torso to the odd noises it made simply screamed that this thing was not of the world the president had come from. How it moved or why it existed were both equally disconcerting questions for Yuuhei. But one thing was clear, when all you had were a handful of darts and a broom, getting in its way would only lead to a painful death. Unfortunately, given how illogically fast it was lumbering towards them, running away also didn’t seem like much of an option either.

Well then, it would seem that he was being asked to cross that bridge a tad bit earlier than he had expected.

His expression had taken on a sad, humorless smile.

”Change of plans, Natsumi-chan. Take the girl and run.”

Ryoma nodded at her asking him to keep his promise, its all he can do right now. Ai squeezed his arm in a attempt to stay calm in the oppressive atmosphere of the classroom's hallway, which room being darkened and empty from a glance. It felt so lonely even with Ai as company.

Ryoma nodded at Ai's idea of keeping moving forward. Ai's voice was filled with worry and her expression was filled with dread. The two tried to pierce though the inky blackness and spot any other humans but it seems useless as the area seems to be devoid of life but the two of them. He wishes it would stay that way but it wouldn't be.

While Ryoma was peering into a classroom window, Ai said something before stopping mid-sentence and tugging at his sleeve and suddenly stepping back faster than Ryoma would think with her sprained ankle. When he looked at Ai then at the direction she was stepping away from, he would learn why she reacted the way she did.

Stalagmites suddenly raised from the floor making it impossible to go backwards, but before he could let out a question. A Bulbous mass emerge from the darkness up ahead. Ryoma could barely processed the monstrosity the only word that came to mind beside utter fear was, Eldritch Warrior. Ryoma could only call it a warrior with the weapons it has forcible equipped onto its body, a giant Yumi fused to one hand, while it had a sword in a sheathed onto what could tentatively called its torso. Ryoma's eyes ca barely focus on the monster's horrid appearance. It looked at him with an unreadable expression and then it suddenly started clapping for a few moments. Ryoma was paralyzed with fear.

Suddenly the Eldritch Warrior raised it arm and three monsters that could be only described as 'Fleshy Ikea furniture possessed by demons.' Ryoma wanted to wake up from this nightmare, but he knew he was wide awake. This was too deranged for his mind to make up. He only had one choice which the Eldritch Warrior seem to know he has as it seemed to egg him on to attack. He has to stand his ground and fight. He has to protect Ai. Even at the cost of his life.

"Ai... Let go of me... We only have one choice...If you see a chance... run." Ryoma grimly remarked to Ai, he felt sick at the idea of fighting such monstrosities, but he has no choice but to fight and maim what could be called tentatively living beings. But they give him little choice as they inched closer and closer.

Rather Ai Listened or not Ryoma pulled his bow off his shoulders and pulled out a bamboo arrow from his quiver. Ryoma focused with laser precision and let loose an arrow at the closest of the three 'Table Demons'. Rather it hit or not Ryoma pulled out another Bamboo Arrow after another and fired them away once more, Twice more, Thrice more. It would be a barrage of four arrows but each shot would be less accurate then the last. But Ryoma made sure each arrow had significant force behind to hopefully force them back.

Ryoma looked calm. But in actuality he was scared and on the verge of collapsing from utter fright but he was in fight mode, he wanted to fight these monsters no matter how much his body wants to run. He was fighting for Ai. And himself. Hopefully his reaction to fight instead of flight was right.

@Bornlucky

Uchima Senior High - Classroom Building????????

"No."

Ai's voice, though harder, still trembled with fear. Yet she refused to leave Ryoma's side (refused to leave him alone), her eyes transfixed on the terrifying sight that that was unravelling before her. She was scared, pupils dilated and skin pale even in the dim light. The exoskeleton had taken up the entirety of her attention, and she could feel the pit of butterflies forming inside her stomach. It was like a wild rush of electricity surging through her skin. Except she wouldn't run.

Her skin tingled. Everything would be okay. She had promised it would be okay.



"You don't get to stay here," babbled the third-year, the words spilling out of her mouth no matter how much she tried to keep a lid on her terror and panic. Her skin tingled. "We'll be okay, okay?!"

The first arrow struck true, lodging itself in the head of the lead creature. It thrashed, legs skittering and scattering all over the wooden planks. The sound of buzzing grew. A horrifying vibration that only grew in intensity as the remaining three arrows flew its way. One darted across its table back, chipping away aging paint from the sheer force, while another slammed its left hindleg, knocking the fibrous appendage out of position and causing the monster to slip and stumble back.

Its companions didn't spare a thought for their temporarily-disabled comrade, chittering and chattering closer and closer as the distance of the hallway grew smaller. Even as the fallen foe struggled back to stand, the other two were, at unexpectedly great speeds, leapt at Ryoma and Ai, an unearthly, horrid scream, much like the painful shrieks of insects, escaped from them as their suckers closed in.

And in the background, their master simply watched.

Ryoma was almost taken aback by Ai's resolve to stay with him, even at the cost of her own safety. This further increase his own resolve to protect her. Ryoma's previous doubts about her melted away after seeing what the monsters really looked like. He could tell they weren't human enough to pretend, Ai was human. And Ryoma has to protect her, he cast doubt on her and he needs to apologize to her for that. And if it costs him his life, then so be it. He will keep his promise.

"...Okay." Ryoma said in response to Ai's words, it was simple but they didn't have to speak, he wanted to say lots of things to Ai.

The first arrow disgustingly pierced the leader of the table's head, it made Ryoma sick to his stomach to look at it, but he steeled himself and kept firing. The other arrows hit the leading table and it fell to the ground with an arrow hitting one of its back legs. But the two Tables behind the leading one didn't stop or hesitated, instead they sped up and leaped at Ryoma and Ai with a scream as it prepare to attack the two. Ryoma only had enough time to pull out a Bamboo arrow but he couldn't load it in time, instead, Ryoma used it as a makeshift knife and flung his armed hand forward in an attempt to dig the arrow into the nearest monster's skull. But it would lack much of the force it would have if fired, but Ryoma had no other choice. It's kill or be killed.

@liferusher Well if it wasn't one thing it was another. Two people around his age came up to Hans just as the old man was leaving. Wasn't Japan suppose to be a quiet place? All well he can't start developing a reputation as being 'that one guy' around town. It would not only make things worse for him but for his school for sending him here in the first place. "N-n-no not really. He was just some guy I guess who likes to talk to kids younger than him. A bit weird but nothing too out there. Can I help you? I don't know the town very well so I'm not going to be good with giving directions." Hans said timidly as he bit his bottom lip. "I really should be going back to my workout soon. I don't have much more time before I should be heading home." Hans continued as he fidgeted in place. Why on earth were people talking to him today? He wasn't unusual. More over it was a girl....girls were never after boys unless they wanted something from them. Which meant she needed SOMETHING from him. There was never a catch with the opposite gender. "I'm not doing anything wrong I'm just practicing parkour. It's harmless." Hans said calmly but with a frown. He could only wonder where this was going to end up for him.

@Bornlucky

Uchima Senior High - Classroom Building????????

The makeshift arrow stalled the monster for a few seconds -

- the bamboo bent

- and it snapped.

Ryoma's makeshift weapon dug into the strange, shadowy substance that was the flesh, nicking the the compound eyes and drawing some greenish fluid. Yet no matter how hard he had pushed - to the breaking point - his abrupt attempt at a defence failed to pierce the skull. The wild, painful thrashing of the creature was too strong. The arrow snapped. Its half-blinded head could not aim its sucker, but the table legs ... its legs, swung powerfully at Ryoma, seeking to crush his body under a relentless assault.

Its companion was doing the same.

Ai was already pinned to the floor, her face clearly pained by the force being exerted on the sprain by the monster. Her breathing was ragged, punctuating by terrified grunts as she frantically punched and pushed at it so that the sucker wasn't as close to her. The tingle of fear in her skin only grew. Again. It was coming again.



And the third came. It had suffered damage, but it rose to stand, and now continued its approach.

To overwhelm the teenagers.

To destroy them.

Ryoma dug deep, he twisted the arrow inside the monster's skull, the arrow nicked the monster's eye in a nightmarish show display of violence. What could only be called green eye fluid came gushing out of the eye onto the floor in a small puddle. Some even got onto his pant legs. But it still wasn't enough. Ryoma felt the arrow snap in his hands before he could feel the extra force of resistance of digging an arrow though its skull. But the monster trashed like a bucking bull. One of its many legs snapped forward and hit him square in the stomach, it was a direct hit and he let out a pained gasp as he collapse down to one knee. The force of the hit must've caused some damage, even internal bleeding as he grab at his midsection and had to force his eyes to stay open though the searing pain. But it would seem his kneeling was fortuitous, as it prevented a further barrage of limbs to hit where his chest and face were just at moments ago. But he didn't think of it as good luck beyond that.

Ryoma could hear Ai struggle a distance away, and while gasping for air, Ryoma knew it was only a matter of time before the Table demon gets another direct hit on him and collapse his innards in a bloody mess or he get hit by that sucker and it drain him of his life like a giant mosquito. Ryoma couldn't think of a way to continue fighting as this thing was way to overpowering and too close for him to deal with it, as well he being unable to move though the pain. He needs something, or someone to save him.

"Ai-chan..." Ryoma weakly let out, his words strained and airy. "I-I wasn't strong enough... to protect you... to do... anything..." Ryoma let out weakly. Only a miracle could save them.



Huh?

Is that a voice?

It wasn't his own.

Nor did it seem to come from anywhere.

It sounded like it came from within his own mind.

Rather this was his mind finally snapping from this whole insane game of cat and mouse, or not, Ryoma decided to humor the voice within his mind as a last sign of rebellion to the table demons.

His last words won't be of defeat, but him declaring his name for the monsters and the voice to remember till they're dead themselves. He will force them to remember.

@Bornlucky



The very air seemed to distort.

It felt liberating, as if the oppressive atmosphere had been lifted by a forceful gale. Like a fog in Ryoma's mind clearing for the first time in an eternity. The pain in his gut still persisted, but it felt dulled compared to the changed air. As if his declaration had released something within that had been locked away for a millennium, something that was now bubbling to the surface in a fierce show of power. It writhed and intensified within, almost as if it sought to tear through his innards to escape. His mind cleared of doubts about the pain, it spread from his head down to his feet, Ryoma grabbed the sides of his head and grinded his teeth trying to resist the pain tearing him apart from the inside like the monsters around them wished to do to him, but it felt his own body was doing it to itself to release the power.

Violent waves of energy slammed into the monster atop of him, blasting it back into its approaching comrade and sending them sprawling against the wood. The power in him crackled. His nerves were set ablaze. Jittering sparks danced across his skin.

"Ryo-kun!"

Even as she struggled hopelessly against her own attacker, Ai's pale face, a thin, bloody cut down her cheek, was marked by worry and fear for her companion. She tried and tried to push the monster away, her eyes transfixed in horror at Ryoma's pained writhing.

Agony thudded through the boy's veins. Drumming harder and harder.

The voice from a few moments ago rang out.



It was power. A voice - strong and harsh - slicing through the fog of pain and fear like a shining knife.



His heart drummed. The beat was wild, thudding hard against his chest.



"Ryo-kun!" A scream full of fright. Yet it seemed so dull, drowned out by the voice that cut directly to his soul.



Someone who was strong. Someone who was caring. Some who would be remembered as who they truly were.



"You're right...Anubis... No more of just surviving day to day... I will live and I will lay out my judgements to all those who have denied me to be myself... No more denying who I really am!" Ryoma growled as he punched the ground with such force that it shatter that segment of floor. Ryoma looked up to the monsters who dare lay a hand on his friend with bright unnatural yellow eyes.

He stood as if all the pain of moments ago had vanished... but it didn't he has denied the pain's power over his and he pointed his finger at the demon nearest Ai with deadly resolve.

"You shall be the first of my dark, yet just judgements! Anubis! I call forth your power! Give me the strength to defeat all those who deny me my truth! And to deny death itself this day!"

The beating of power reached a crescendo.

In the darkness of the hallway, a miracle emerged. A hound-headed man ... a warrior clad in night, materialised in a tempest of power and light above Ryoma Mikami, its triumphant howl resounding across the school. The monsters were frozen in shock, their gaze unable to peel away from the intense azure of the ethereal being's eyes.

Khenti-Seh-netjer. The Guardian of the Scales had arrived.

And he would flay all enemies before him.

"You'll wish you could go to the underworld once I'm done with you, but I deny you a peaceful end... Anubis! Shroud this demon with the darkest of judgements! Eiha!" Ryoma yelled out with resolve he never knew he had. Making monsters fear him is exhilarating, for once he's didn't feel like garbage causing fear.

Anubis lifted it arm and a dramatic show of dominance, suddenly surrounding the monster atop of Ai was a black and red vortex of what can only be called curse incarnate, Ryoma knew this attack will tear apart the monster from within but should keep Ai safe. Ryoma will tear apart anything that wishes to harm others, especially his friends.

The monster had no time to react. Ai screamed as the table creature was torn apart above her, adrenaline spiking as its body was ripped into nothingness. Her breathing was ragged, and her eyes were wide, as if unable to believe what had just happened.

Her trembling body shifted as she turned to face where Ryoma stood. She froze at the sight of Anubis, the guardian spirit waiting in a dangerous, powerful stance above her fellow teenager.

"That's ..."

Surprise. Relief. Confusion. They were all present in her tone.

But there was no time for explanations. A sound from the other side of the hallway distracted them. If they were to turn, to look past the two remaining monsters crumpled in a heap and returning to stand once more, they would see that icy, armoured thing detach its bow from where it hung.

They would see it detach its bow ... and begin nocking a frozen arrow.

Jin felt winter coming before they saw it. The dry, icy chill, and their breath coming out in white puffs. A sudden sense of weakness hit Jin around the knees, as something deeper than fear took hold.

Pure terror.

Something about the mix of the dark and the cold was flooding their brain with unwanted memories of the worst kind. The confident, feared student was gone, leaving a trembling child behind. Jin was suddenly nothing but a seven year old girl on the streets of an American city, desperately huddled up beneath old clothes and refuse, too terrified to sleep but too tired to stay awake. She was caught in a desperate loop, pinching her too-thin leg until it bruised, half starved, exhausted, don't sleep Jinny, don'tsleep, dontsleepdontsleep

Winter was brutal and had snatched too many people in the night. The old granny with all the shopping bags had simply gone to bed and never woke again, just cold and solid and empty like she'd never existed. Would she be next? Would she close her eyes and never open them? And who would even know, would she even feel it? Would it hurt, or would it just be... nothing?

Desperately, Jin clutched at the knife in their hand, trying to will the pain to drag them into the real world. Sensation did that - drove away the memories and reminded them of what was real. Sometimes they used hot water, showering until their skin burned, sometimes they blasted music until their eardrums rung. But it wasn't working this time. This real world didn't seem real, it seemed just as wrong and horrible as the one their memories had drug up. "No, no... wake up, wake up..." Jin slumped, legs going to jelly, their breath starting to speed as the fear started to take over everything else.

And then the pain started, as a massive hunk of ice met Jin's body.

@Bornlucky

Uchima Senior High - 2nd Floor, Classroom Building????????

The arrow, the ice a glistening white in the dim lighting of the monotonous hallway, was nocked with deliberate slowness, its shaft clicking into the frightening, yet eerily beautiful, yumi in the armoured figure's hands. It was a deadly, wicked-seeming weapon, its great size and its terrifying wielder dwarfing Ryoma and his own bow. And the way the thing slowly drew back the string, pointing the mighty weapon towards the newborn Persona-user ... it was purposeful, calm ... mocking.

A message that it could take its time, and that even with the birth of Anubis, Ryoma could do nothing to him.

The two remaining table creatures returned to their feet, bodies creaking from the damage they had suffered. One was shuddering, its head pierced by an arrow and falling apart. One of its back legs was crippled - dislodged from its initial and position, and it was barely able to keep standing in the face of the attacks. The other was less obviously hurt, with only a broken arrow lodged next to its eye, bleeding a pool of sickly green fluid from the wound.

They were cautious now. Not moving.

Waiting for their summoner to act.

The arrow did not miss.

The air crackled with sound. A shining flash of brilliant ice careened the distance between them, wind screaming behind it. It struck its target, slamming into a fold in Ryoma's blazer ... and dragging the boy's entire body back with it before the shaft impaled into a wall, leaving the teenager dangling from it, mostly unharmed (albeit possibly somewhat in pain from the surprise attack), as if he were clothing hanging from a clothesline.

Leaving the still-injured Ai a fair distance away and vulnerable to the now-moving tables.

The armoured figure glanced over at the pale face of the girl, before looking back over at Ryoma. It lowered its bow, and stretched both its arms out wide. Tauntingly. Welcoming him to try and repeat his miracle from earlier and save his friend.

---

@Mistress Dizzy

Uchima Senior High - Hallway, Classroom Building, 2nd Floor????

An obscuring haze of red and pain. An inability to feel broken, shattered bones. An awareness of the dripping of blood from deep cuts, their heat struggling piteously to melt away at the frost upon the skin. The jagged piece of ice had collided with Jin with immense power, and their state was likely not to be pretty. Heavily cut, limbs broken, parts twisted in ways that should not have been; the teenager was but a ragdoll, a ragdoll pulled by something off the bloody pool upon with they laid.

Something rotten. Something with the rotten, stagnant odour that had been approaching. If they could feel the cold grip of whatever had chosen to pick them up through the pain, then Jin's addled mind would realise that it had thrown them, back first with no care for their immense injuries, over something eerily, unnaturally smooth. As if they were being taken away.

Taken somewhere. All while Jin's injuries continue to tick down on a clock.

Can you state your name?

Something bubbled at the back of their mind. Would they notice it through all the pain?

---

?????????

Click.

Blinding whiteness. A brilliant shine that was searing their image into his mind. The image of his failure. He struggled to focus on it, but the intense light, hot and impossible, was stopping him. One spotlight. Click. Two spotlights. Click. He tried to step forward. The smoke - black, ugly - the smoke stopped him. He choked. Black carbon filled his lungs. He wheezed, hands reaching for his throat. He couldn't breathe. Couldn't take another step.

Click.

Three.

Four.

Five.

Six.

Click. Click. Click. Click.

He couldn't get through. He couldn't breathe. He couldn't see.

He couldn't scream as a million suns burnt through him. His tears were evaporating. Mixing into the smog. Drying away. He tried to gasp for air. He breathed in more and more and more of the black. Something clattered to the floor. The pain in his back told him it was he. He was failing. Black clouds surrounded him. Blinding white bled through the gaps. His eyes burnt. His eyes were drying. He tried to find the clicking. The source.

He couldn't.

Coughing. His coughing. Glass biting into his palms.

My glasses.

Blood stinging against smoke. Too much light. Too hot. The ends of his hairs, burning.

It smelled.

No.

No no No NO NO.

He couldn't. Not the fire. Heart quickened. Not again. Choked, ragged breath. Body didn't respond. Go forward he need to go crawl. The wood. Hot against his chest. The lightning in his heart. Stabbing. He couldn't feel his skin. Not again NoT agAIN. They were screaming she was screaming HE WAS SCREAMING.

Hurry. HURRY.

Being choked alive. Air. Needed air. Body. Stinging. Aching.

HE DIDN'T WANT

HE NEEDED TO SAV-

Head broke through the black.

"NO!"

A pathetic, rasping scream. Inaudible. He stared helplessly.

l̡̰̤̦̘̜!̶̬͚̣͕̜͎͚!͓̼̠͘

One figure.

One monster.

Suspended in the light. A lamp orbiting its body hypnotically. Click. Another beam. Click. Off.

Rainbows scattered. Through the monotony.

Beautiful colour in hell.

A flash.

Gone.

He stared helplessly.

Only the charred remains of chains. His elbows buckled as he collapsed against the wood. It was hot. It didn't matter. His hand was burning with pain. A choke. A coughed wheeze. The rush of oxygen-deprived air into his lungs. No.

None of that mattered.

He was numb.

His legs couldn't crawl.

Not anymore.

Failed.

His responsibility.

Too late here.

The smoke was leaving.

Too late.

He needed to ...

"... Hah."

Find them.

Bandage. Where? Weakly rising. Stumbling. Collapsing.

Fire erupted in the left shoulder.

Don't fall.

Find them.

Rising again. He failed. He couldn't fail again.

Find them.

The images burnt into his very brain.

Stop it.

Stop it all.

The boy didn't look like the most social person there could be. He was stuttering and had a slight accent to his voice. It was amazing people would takr their time to learn japanese as well as common japanese people spoke. Enju formed a slight smirk on her face as she got a bit closer to him.



Enju had gone a bit off track with her side notes but continued immediatly after.



Enju found the boy to be a tad stressed by Enju and Blair their presences. He didn't look like he had to hide anything. He was probably just taken off guard by the two japanese pretties.



Hans made some lame excuse that he had to get back to his practice since time was running low. What a fun destroyer! Enju quickly stopped him from walking away taking a bit more of a nervous talk with the boy. She didn't want him to walk away yet.