---

Wolf stood there, stock still, as Bertrand turned into dust and shattered clay. Had he...? No... he'd been careful. Careful enough. He hadn't meant to... He shook his head as Vera's words echoed in his mind. No. He couldn't worry about that right now. Andras still needed him.

When Celine threatened to hurt Andras, there was anger, yes, but also something else. The situation was rapidly deteriorating. They weren't even listening to William's offer to help. Bertrand's death had severely hurt the negotiations. He also felt fear. Fear that he couldn't control this. Fear for Andras.

Fear enough that his hammer faded away and was replaced by a bow. He drew the massive, curved weapon back, an arrow more than a foot long with a broad head nocked in it. Before too long his arm began to ache with the strain of holding it. As he focused his fear to summon the bow, he lost touch with some of his anger. The armor, and thus the strength it granted, began to fade.

When Darla ran, he let her. He considered firing at her, or chasing her down. He could use a new hostage of his own, but surely Celine would leverage Andras the second he made such a move. Regardless... he didn't want to. He'd messed that up once already.

And so they were at a standoff. For a moment, silence reigned... until-

Whoosh!

A chunk of ice flew deftly between Andras and Celine, just nicking the tip of Celine's nose. The silence was then fully shattered by uproarious laughter. Vernon.

"Now this is just getting ridiculous! Look at you all!" Vernon cackled madly. "You really are a little stargazer, aren't you, William? Trying to save these husks!" He was nearly doubled over at this point. "But really, you lot of fools made a right mess of this, didn't you?" He was now speaking to Celine. So focused was she on Wolf that he'd had no trouble getting the perfect angle on her from the side. That said, he didn't seem to be making any further moves to attack just yet.

"You are just so scared of them but I don't get why!" Vernon continued. "I mean, William there, bless him, is more concerned with raising the dead than adding to their number! Your little friend there, I'm pretty sure she broke herself, not the other way around. And then Wolf here... sure, he looks a bit scary, but look closer!" he spoke excitedly, taking a few hurried steps toward Celine as if he had the world's best secret to tell her. "See that girl there, pissing blood like a faucet down her face? That was my handiwork, and she's Wolfy boy's girlfriend. I had to actually goad him into getting mad about it! He's just another naive child like William deep down! Full of empty threats, that one." Vernon told her, hands now pointed at Wolf and Vera rather than her.

He then pulled back a bit, though still closer than he'd started, "But I know what you're thinking! My poor... brother? Friend? Whatever he was... He's been killed!" He slapped his hands to his face as if in shock, but then went deadpan. "Nah, darling. I was watching. I'm mostly certain he did that to himself. Blew himself right up! Wolf doesn't have it in him, certainly! For fuck's sake, you fools have been kicking your own asses since you got here!" He shook his head. "Just look at him! He's all shook up! A guy just turned to dust in his hands, he's gonna be having nightmares for at least a month."

He wasn't wrong. If anything, the shaking got worse when Vernon said it. Wolf took a breath and forced his hands to steady, but of course Vernon saw.

And laughed.

A lot.

"Did you see that!" Vernon pointed and guffawed. "That was fucking hilarious!" he told Celine. "No. Look here." He held up his own hands, and in a burst of cold a chunk of ice appeared, spinning perfectly atop his index finger like a top. "Rock steady." He stared into her eyes. "I'm the one you should be afraid of. Were it up to me, I'd have already punched a hole through those crumbly heads of yours." And just like that, he was suddenly all business. "Still might."

And right then, if Celine was distracted for even a moment by Vernon's little show, Wolf would release the arrow. Passing close enough to Andras for the feathers to tickle her cheeks before tearing through Celine's shoulder. A fleshier being might have just had the projectile stick fast, but for her it would most likely mean ending up like Darla -- one limb down.

Hard to break a neck with only one hand, Wolf figured.

Brutus had quickly followed the text King had sent, being careful to not drop the poor student in his arms. He wordlessly handed the student to Alto's driver, before hopping back up the fire escape. He quickly decided to try and make his way further up. It was while he was on the fourth floor that he got ambushed by several imps that were dumb enough to drag him into one of the rooms. Around 15 or so of the little annoyances crowded him. Brutus smirked. "You buggers really aren't that smart, are you? Don't you know to never play with electricity?"

Brutus knew that the imps couldn't hear him. However, he always did enjoy a good one-liner every now and then. Shortly after finishing his sentence, his body sparked madly with electricity. With a bit of focus, he expelled it from his body. The result was a crackling sphere of bright blue electricity. Unfortunately for them, all of the imps were within range of the attack, screeching out in pain as electricity coursed through their bodies. After 15 seconds, Brutus dropped the attack, stumbling out of the room and sitting against a wall in the hallway. Using that move always seemed to drain him more than any of his other abilities. Seems like he'd be stuck sitting this one out for a bit.



As Clara spoke to him after King's departure, Yuuto emerged from the Void. It wouldn't do to run out of Void Energy and then need to defend himself. So, for the next couple of floors, he stayed in the open, watching Clara's back. Whatever her goals were, Yuuto didn't know. What he did know was that the daughter of Mephisto was certainly up to something that his client might be interested in. However, it was on the sixth floor that Yuuto heard a noise from behind them. "Clara-san, someone approaches from the rear." With that, he vanished back into the Void once more as Alto rounded the stairs. Yuuto watched the exchange with a mix of interest and curiosity. It seems that Alto's arrival had altered Clara's plans. 'Perhaps Mephisto-dono might be interested. However, let us see end result first. Like cat waiting for mouse, I must be patient.' Yuuto thought.

However, King's haphazard arrival drove all thoughts out of his head, as he silently steeled himself. King was the only one that Yuuto was worried about sensing his location. Still, it wouldn't do to just reveal himself yet. Instead, Yuuto slowly attached himself to the wall, and waited.

---

It was a hyena-like laughter what tipped Celestine of the position of their targets. He narrowed his eyes, as traffic signs and features became blur. His senses were struggling to cope with the tunnel vission, as the car roared, climbing up speed like a voracious predator. And in the middle of it all, her hearing tuned out to the maximum, trying to figure the faintest sound amidst the roaring of the expensive engine.

What a bunch of uncooperative assets. And you want to do a good tournament with these rags, Mephisto? Sometimes I find that you just order near impossible tasks to people for your amusement. He lamented as he drew closer. More people. Only one of the so-called kidnappers remained, surrounded by two fighters. One in spiky armor, looked like a heavy hitter. The other someone he had seen already at the school. Vernon. He never forgot one face, and that was no exception.

He was the one making the taunts, flailing as if he was in control. Well, to an extent, he was. The dolls of Galbrek proved as brainless and as haughty as their master, and had not thought of the most obvious. An escape plan.

Well, teaching how things are done to juniors is what a senior would do? Celestine smiled gleefully, still not lifting his foot from the pedal. And then , suddenly, with the reflexes of a street racer or someone really insane, turned the steering wheel and hit the handbrake. The car swerved violently, as G-forces were set into motion, and skidded sideways making an awful racket... And directly into the fray. Well, if Vernon and that guy want to argue with more than a ton of metal and horsepower at ludicrous speed, let them become roadkill. They probably won't be much of a show in the tournament if they can't dodge this in time. thought the effeminate driver to himself as he continued on his warpath of burnt tires and screeching brakes.



The car seemingly stopped skillfully right next to the doll that was still holding the hostage, giving them a light tap in the process. And as if on cue, the door of the transport jolted open, its driver eyeing the doll with conviction and urgency.

"I am the Fallen One." He said solemny, his masked visage eyeing the doll and Andras.

"Come with me if you want to live." He sentenced.

The arrow skimmed awfully close to Andras. Her eyes watered with the rushing of air and the thought of what might have happened if she had so much as twitched in the wrong direction. 'W-Wolf sure is confident in his aim...' Andras briefly gave an pained smile.

Setting aside her concerns about being ventilated, Andras prepared to spring into action. She had never really taken any self-defense classes, but she knew that if your kidnapper only has one arm it tends to be easier to evade their grasp. As the doll's arm shattered with the impact, Andras tried to leverage herself out of the hold she was in, but suddenly-

A car had swerved right into the fray. The sound of screeching tires and the smell of burnt rubber rushed between Andras and her captor. The door flung open, and a masked woman driver beckoned from within.

"...The fallen one?!" Andras's mind focused, recovering from her horrible farce of a few seconds ago. A new challenger had appeared. A masked yet beautiful girl descended, claiming to be a fallen one. Andras's eye narrowed. "A fallen one is but an imitation of true infernal power. Inferior to that of a Demon."

Andras's reply was almost by reflex. She had written lots of poetry on the difference between fallen angels and demons, so she had her thoughts organized on the topic already. 'But still, who is this? Is she perhaps related to this new kidnapping attempt? Nobody else would have such timing. She must be the getaway driver.'

"A true fallen one, I see. Trying to drag the Demon Lady back to the Abyss...?" Andras gave a low chuckle. At the same time, she dug in her heels and tried to squirm out of the doll's grasp. "A fair plan. But neither the forces of Heaven nor Hell can lay claim to the Root!"

Midnight tournament place...

Celine had narrowed her eyes, trying to keep her sight on both Wolf and Vernon. The chunk of ice which flew between her and Andras did cause Celine to adjust her pose and her eyes fell on Vernon as he began to walk closer. It was something about the way he spoke which annoyed her. The loss of a comerade, the whole situation or perhaps it was her own pride and inability of being able to do much about these people.

Vernon's words about Bertrand however did stir something in her. She had always been with Adam, Bertrand and Darla. Now Bertrand was no more. It made her feel hollow inside, despite the fact that she actually were.

"How dare you..." Celine said through gritted teeth, showing clear anger towards Vernon.

Before Celine could say something else the sound of a car with its tires screeching against the ground caught her attention. A masked person was driving it, not only that the person introduced themselves as the Fallen One. Before making the statement. "Come with me if you want to live."

It caught Celine offguard. Who was this masked person? Was it an ally? Was it someone trying to take Galbrek's target? Someone who wanted to use her knowledge to get to her creator, even if she was the least fond of her master. It meant trouble and doing something not according to plan was a death sentence or very close to it no doubt.

That's when something struck her in the shoulder, an arrow fired by Wolf had flown straight through her. It caused her arm attached to that shoulder to begin to slowly loosen and fall, in that moment Andras was freed and Celine instinctively grabbed her lost arm with her remaining one.

"Ungh! Damn it!" She sprouted as purple energy began to pour out of the hole in her shoulder and upper arm area. She looked at the car and it's driver and decided to not heed the masked persons words, she had lost the target, her allies and her arm. She gave the gathering of people one last look before she began to ran, using the remainder of her energy to project a purple and circular barrier around herself as she ran. It made her visible easily but right now he main concern was survival.

Had she not have lost her arm and her target, she would have likely gotten into that car and relieved it from the driver. But as it now was she had nothing to bring back to master Galbrek, perhaps Darla was out there somewhere and she could regroup with her. Or perhaps run into her master who she did not like but right now needed to appease or suffer his wrath. Things were not looking well.

Galbrek. Her creator had warned her not to go astray from the original plans, Bertrand had previously done plenty of that which he had suffered for greatly. Not only that but were any of them to be captured, they would be targetted and exterminated for certain. Their master had a particular policy about not having his plans spoiled or his whereabouts known to the common populace. Even among the Mephisto school, it was tricky to pinpoint his location at times.

She needed her creator's aid now however. Her arm was ruined. Her borrowed power seeping out of her. Would she go rogue or surrender she would likely die, either to them or to Galbrek's wrath. Would she return wounded and without the prey, there was a slight chance of survival. But likely was a big gamble. She could go into hiding, but in her state she would be found by either side and dealt with.

"Darn it all..."

Further away... close to an old ruckus of a building.

"Huuh...huuh...huh..." Darla was panting heavily Before she checked her chest and realized, she could not be fatigued or suffer from those kind of things. "I.. made it..." She said in a low voice, almost like a whisper. "To safety... to Master Galbrek..." She moved to the old door to the building and lifted on an old pot with a dead plant in it. Under it laid the key to said door, which she picked up after looking around with nervous Eyes. She put it into the keyhole and unlocked the door, stepping inside and closing the door behind.

Her master prefered to have a bad Visual outside but inside the building was well decorated and Clean, in the hall was a bust of Galbrek himself made in stone. On the nearby wall, a portrait of her master in a Royal attire with a rose in his mouth. Then further along the way to his Chambers were portraits of relatives, ofcourse in smaller size than the big welcoming portrait of her maker. She carefully turned the door handle and stepped in, looking as pathetic as she felt. She was met with silence. There was no one there but her.

"Not here? Master Galbrek... I need your help.. I am broken... I- Bertrand is..." She said in a low tone to none in particular.

She turned over to look at the table which Galbrek often sat down by. It had a few drawings of odd symbols and names of people. All she could do now was to wait, pray and hope that her benefactor would come and rescue her in her sadness. She hoped that Adam and Celine was allright. Bertrand had told her to run. But now who would tell her what to do?

"What should I do now? I am not a broken doll... I am not broken... I will become human... I must serve Master Galbrek. He will save me..." She sat down and pressed her hands together in a praying manner, she had seen people of religion do this when they wanted aid. Perhaps it would work for her? Some angel might come and rescue her?

William Ascot

One enemy left. Ascot faced the masked person, sizing them up. He had dodged the car as it swept towards them, diving to the side at the sound of the vehicle. Then and only then did Andras manage to break free. Without hesitation, Ascot ran towards Andras, the mundane sword his mother had given him back in its sheath; the young man can do so much more with his imitated strength arts.

"Andras!" Ascot said as he got near enough to look his friend over, "Are you all right? Did they do anything to hurt you?"

The boy knew time was running out, and so he took out his phone, calling his mother once more to ask her not to pull him away from the battle. To his surprise, Gilgamesha Ascot was already on loudspeaker, saying, "Do what you have to do, son! Your brother's coming for a full confrontation. I changed my mind about pulling you out; I'll let this fracas come to its natural conclusion as you seem to be growing quite a bit!

"Although if you want to make a quick getaway now that the 'Demon Lady' is free once more, the car is ready."

Turning back to Andras, Ascot then spoke, "Help is coming, but I think we should go back to where Mom is! So, run; you, Vernon, Wolf and Vera, run back to the car! I'll take the rear!"

And by that, Ascot was going to make sure that he would be there to confront any sudden moves or enemy reinforcements. He almost had future victory in his grasp and he was not going to let that go.

@RoflsMazoy@Dezuel@Bartimaeus@Crowvette@KillamriX88

---

The screeching of a car flying into the park got everyone's attention. He'd just released his arrow moments ago and barely had time to register whether or not he'd hit his target. The car was swerving right toward him. He had to move.

But Vera was still next to him, and she seemed to be a deer in the headlights. Well, it wasn't every day someone had to dodge a rogue car in a park. A choice needed to be made. Wolf grabbed her and flung her clear, but...

BANG!

Meanwhile, Vernon had a bit more time to react. The car swerved and spun his way. He simply took a large step back, ending up behind the vehicle. He peered around it to see that Wolf had been clobbered thoroughly and flung quite a distance when the car had swung into him. Meanwhile, Vera was on her rear, just now pushing herself back up and looking like she was hyperventilating with panic. Well, that was how most normal people reacted to near death experiences.

However, with Andras free and Celine running, the tricky part was dealt with. Ascot, heroic little bugger he was, quickly collected the much sought after girl. That left Vernon only one thing to deal with.

POP!

The next thing the "Fallen One" would know, a ball of ice was bouncing off the dashboard, the rear window having been shattered. Vernon was then suddenly plopping himself into the back seat. It was a nice car. The seat probably would have been pretty comfortable if not for the shards of glass now covering it. At least glass from cars weren't particularly sharp when shattered.

"So... Fallen One was it? Pretty... uhhh... hm?" Vernon quickly recognized the St. Lucifer's uniform. A fellow student then? It made sense, her coming to Galbrek's minions' aid. Then again, did anyone actually like Galbrek enough to help him? "Well, I have a few questions for you, but first you might want to duck." Vernon forced the issue, reaching forward and yanking the recliner lever on the driver's seat, pulling the seat back and himself also ducking low.

A moment later, Wolf's war-hammer came smashing straight through the windshield. It would have smashed through the rear too... if Vernon hadn't already done that.

"I must say, you've complicated an already complicated situation," Vernon told the "Fallen One," sort of laying next to her after helping her avoid the death hammer. "It might be strange to ask this after just saving your life, but do I need to kick your ass? I believe we might be on opposing sides in this... scuffle."

Vera had pushed herself up, but now sat there, trying to catch her breath. If Wolf hadn't pushed her, she'd be dead. Speaking of Wolf, where was he?

SMASH!

Her question was answered when the hammer flew through the car, end to end. It then turned to smoke, returning to its master. She followed the smoke trail to where Wolf stood. He looked unsteady, but the armor now burned red. Getting hit by a car must have really pissed him off. Strangely though, the hammer didn't immediately reform. It just sort of swirled around Wolf, as if fighting with the red aura. It tried to shape itself in his hand... but it didn't look like a hammer. It flickered in and out, the shape of a sword.

Vera's blood ran cold. Oh no. Not that again. Dread overtook her as she prayed that the red and black didn't become one. She shoved herself back to her feet and, willing her knees to steady themselves, ran over to Wolf. Instinct told her to go the other way, but she fought it.

"Wolf!" She called out, but it was like he was oblivious to her presence. "Hey, it's me!" She placed her hands on his chest, careful not to impale them on the spikes. Suddenly, the hammer snapped into existence, the swirling energies finally seeming to make up their mind. His entire body sagged, as if it only just then remembered that gravity was a thing. His breathing was labored.

He had just been hit by a car after all.

"V-Vera? You're OK!" Wolf said with relief. He put his arm around her, as if trying to hug her as best he could in the world's least cuddly armor, but she pushed the arm away.

"Watch it! Don't get carried away!" Vera snarled. "This is hardly the time!"

"S-sorry..." He coughed, and Vera's eyes widened as a trickle of blood leaked out of the helmet's breathing slits. He lifted his gaze back to the car, and Vera saw the red shimmer flare up again. "Stay here." He stepped around her, marching toward the car. The hammer dragged through the dirt, as if he couldn't find the strength to even lift his arms. Each step seemed to take effort that was plainly visible to observers.

He didn't care and even William's call to retreat fell upon deaf ears. Someone had just run him over, and they hadn't cared that Vera was in the way. He wasn't going to be satisfied with just their windshield.

Masami stood from the back seat of an ambulance after the paramedics patched her wound. She had been expected to fight more, but after having been stabbed with a Scimitar, she wasn't looking forward to jumping around too much.

She stepped down from the back of the medical vehicle, observing her surroundings. Fights were still going on. The more professional and skilled fighters were now taking their places in the ring, some of them looking more worse-for-wear than their peers. Masami wasn't sure anyone would miss her if she departed. So she looked around for the little pink-hair girl she had met before, Euphoria. She wasn't anywhere to be seen, but she did spot Jokey hanging out near some of the ambulances, eyeing the fights from afar as he made marks on a clipboard he was holding. She approached him at a leisurely pace.

"Hey Jokey!" she called, waving to him even though he clearly wasn't looking at her. He did look over, though. "Oh, hey, you're.." a brief pause. "Masami, yeah?"

"That's me!" she smiled, matter-of-factly. "I wanted to come pay my entrance fee, I'm gonna be heading-"
Masami was interrupted by the raucous screeching of tires rubbing the wrong way against the road, followed moments later by two instances of shattering glass. She paused as she realized the sounds had come from where William and Andras had gone.

"H-here-" Masami quickly fished a wad of bills from the folds of her top, practically dropping the money on the clipboard in his hands. It wasn't like her to be so rude, but something didn't feel right. What she had heard didn't sound like a car crash. The glass had been broken two separate times, and it had come from park, not the street. But as she turned towards the sounds, and began her half-walk, half-light jog approach, she couldn't see anything through the crowd. But she could tell something was exciting them.

She pushed her way through the crowd, despite her short stature, making her way to the front. She cleared the audience, and spotted the cause of the racket. Boy was this a sight. Firstly she spotted the car...along with the seemingly very large person marching towards it with a massive hammer which may have well caused the damage to the vehicle in the first place. She also saw Andras fleeing the clearing...with one sword-armed William Ascot.

She looked back and forth between the fleeting duo and the large person approaching the vandalized car. She wasn't sure quite what to do...but it certainly looked like he was causing some great amount of trouble. "Hey, you! Stop right there!" She shouted to Wolf.

She spotted movement in the car, and began to run towards it, past Vera. "You leave them alone! Can't you see you are going to hurt someone?!?! She drew her her sword hilt from her belt as she ran, letting one of the free-floating Starballs fall to her hand before summoning the remnant of her weapon, a heavy-ended long-Falchion seemingly formed of ice.

She had enough fighting tonight after taking a stab wound, but if she thought this person was going to hurt someone...she would stop them.

Andras let out a yelp of terror as the entire top half of the car next to her sheared off. She had freed herself, but she was still fairly close. The force of the hammer passing by her was enough to startle Andras, let alone the sound of metal being sheared clean off, and her instincts told her to run. After the arrow missing her by inches, she was too rattled by sudden ranged attacks to stand still. Plus William was talking about fleeing, which was all the excuse she needed.

Andras's legs were in an awkward position after making a well-practiced Demon Lady pose, however. When she tried to take off, her legs caught on each other and she managed to take one step before tripping. Of course, she managed to trip right when her most recently made friend Masami had shown up. Andras managed to see a glimpse of the foxgirl as she tripped spectacularly.

'Masami... Vera... Wolf... Don't think I'm a loser...' Andras thought, her eyes tearing up from a scraped hand and knee. The sting of the physical wounds were nothing compared to the social wound she just inflicted on herself.

Andras sniffled, struggling back to her knees. Wiping her tears, she cried to Ascot, "W-Where do we go?!"

William Ascot

Ascot would kneel down to lift Andras up, and say, "My Mom's car is nearby, I can walk you to said car, but I'm coming back to finish the rest of the battle. Now come, let me escort you; then my Mother will take care of you and keep you safe from those who would seek to kidnap such a brave and powerful Demon Lady of Despair. Although as I said," he tried to lift Andras up with his hand, then support her as she walked to Gilgamesha Ascot's car, "You bring me hope instead."

If Andras followed him to where Gilgamesha Ascot's glossy yellow car was, she would finally meet the latter, a blonde woman with hair tied in a ponytail and bright golden eyes. Smiling, William and Alexander Ascot's mother would greet the young woman and say: "Hello! You must be Andras, my son's friend. Let me get out a First Aid kit..." A chain then appeared out of a ripple in space, bringing out a box that contained basic medical supplies, "While I keep away anyone who might try and interfere.

A circle of flying, glowing swords then appeared above the car. "These are Artifact blades, by the way," Gilgamesha continued. "All of them. Let's just say that our family is tied to Rhean History.

She would then begin treating Andras' wounds, cleaning and disinfecting them before bringing out a few band aids. "You know, you are so adorable! I hope you don't make Vernie - Vernon - jealous!"

Ascot, meanwhile, had already raced back to where the battle was raging, just in time for any further major developments...he hoped.

@RoflsMazoy@Dezuel@Bartimaeus@Crowvette@KillamriX88

Having only heard Alexander's side of the phone call, Michael couldn't really make a solid judgement on Alexander's situation. It was obvious that Alexander was worried about his brother, and of course he was going to drive over to him. Michael deduced that something stupid and/or dangerous was going to happen, and he figured he might as well go over to minimize the damage.

"Trust me, Alexander, I'm no good person," Michael said tiredly to Alexander. "What I'm doing now is for my own benefit. Right now, you're tired, and I'm tired. We're woefully unprepared for whatever's coming next, and I'm not sure how much more of this day I can take. I'm also concerned for how much you can take, and that's why I'm coming with you. You're not dying on me before I can cash in on these favors you're going to owe me after this."

After his little speech, Michael began to walk over to Alexander's car before finally saying, "Oh, and don't call me 'Mike'."

---

Celestine looked in dejection, as he was witness to the Doll not only failing to get on, but running on her merry way to what her addled mind assumed was safety. Could someone be more brain addled? he thought somehow ruefully, as the only highlight of his intervention seemed to vanish in the horizon. Of course, that was before both windshields exploded, and Vernon happened. He didn’t know what was worse, his lethal ice powers or his sass. Probably his sassy ice powers. Grimacing, after being forcefully pulled down to avoid a second swing from the hammer maniac covered in spikes, he eyed Vernon as he shook some glass out of his clothes, licking his lips as to find some kind of agreeable measure in his words that wasn’t invective after invective. Going hotblooded would do little good in the situation.

“What can I say, Vernon. Sometimes the newbies can’t wipe their own arses, and seniors must dive into the fray.” He paused. “Your reluctance is refreshing. I thought you liked spilling blood, very much so. Quite a difference from your...sweetheart.” He continued to speak as he was counting his glass shards.

“Which by the way he might be as blue blooded as that juvie investigator that -what are the odds- shares his surname as well as his looks.” He added, as he grasped and weighed the shards in his palm, now thanks to the timely assist of something he could not really describe whether it was a fox on steroids or a young woman.

“And I am eager to reveal such a cross-star fate to the world, should I find myself in the right company.” He paused. “Although if it was for a friend I would gladly keep a secret.”

Outside the car, Wolf stopped. He took a deep breath and slowly turned his head toward the fox girl who had apparently, and tragically, mistaken him for the aggressor in this situation.

“Back off…” Wolf growled his warning. “This doesn’t concern you.”

“Well, you seem to have me at a disadvantage,” Vernon blinked his surprise away. “You know quite a bit about me, but I know so little about you.” He smirked. “OK, fair enough, oh Fallen One. We share a school, so I’ll play it safe. You keep my secret and I won’t get in your way.” He slid to the side and safe distance away from the masked intruder. “However, that is all on you.” Vernon pointed to the rage monster that was bearing down on them.

Only momentarily had Masami been able to distract him. Long enough for them to chat, but that time was just about up.

Celestine grinned, as he stoically assumed the failure. This was going to suck and it was going to be an uphill battle, but still, not being concerned about being blasted in the back by an ice shot… was a relief. As long as Vernon didn’t grow bored and feisty. He straightened his fist and threw a shower of glass shards at the armored man’s eyes, as he clutched his blade.

Tch. Out of all days, an opponent with armor with this kind of weapon. He said as he unsheathed it, but not before quipping once more. “Here’s a tidbit, Vernon. I remember everything. Up to… battle techniques.” He finished as he jumped out of the cramped space of the car, sword in tow.

Wolf shook his head. The glass had been a surprise. More surprising was how accurate the throw had been. It had stung a bit, but the shards were too big and dull to do much lasting damage.

A moment later and he could see again, his opponent already on their feet and out of the vehicle. It looked like it would be a fight then. Good.

“You could have hurt her.” Wolf snarled, tightening his grip on his hammer. “Now I’m going to hurt you.” With no further words, Wolf swung the hammer in an upward arc, aiming to tear her jaw clean off.

Celestine let a yelp as the hammer seemed to connect, catapulting him backwards against the car, his mouth spraying blood everywhere, as he seemed to fall half dead. The hit that had connected had felt awfully light.

Wolf showed an unusual lack of concern for the damage he’d apparently caused. He stomped over, reaching out a gauntleted hand to grab the masked person’s face, aiming to either tear the mask off or just crush it in his grip. Either way, he wanted to see the face of the idiot who’d run a car into him.

Instead, he found the tip of a sword shoved clean through the gaps of his gauntlet, digging deep in the flesh. To add further insult, the suddenness of the jolt shattered the tip of the weapon, leaving the knight’s hand with a metallic shard embedded on it. The Fallen One seemed to regain his poise as if he had never been hit, as he rolled to one side and jumped to his feet, eyeing his broken sword with a mix of dejection and glee.

“That hurt. I had to chew my cheeks to fake the blood.” He said, before resuming an stance with the remainder of his weapon. “I supposed a simple apology would not do.”

Wolf staggered back, both from pain and from embarrassment. He’d been sloppy. He should have been able to tell whether or not he’d landed that attack. He dropped the hammer and lifted his hand. He pushed the shard out of his skin and then yanked it the rest of the way out of his hand.

In a swirl of smoke the hammer returned to him, ready for round two. Round one had been pathetically short and not in his favor, but he’d see about changing that.

He gripped the middle of the handle and darted forward. Stabbing with a warhammer, one-handed no less, would by most people be considered ridiculous and impractical. Wolf didn’t have that problem. He aimed to impale his opponent on the top spike, and failing that, he’d spin and slide his grip down for an overhead smash, leaving them little room to run.

Heh. Celestine thought to himself, as he readied a battle stance. Releasing adrenaline. Enhancing muscle legs. Redirecting blood and oxygen. Let’s make this flashy. He thought mentally as he dung his heels and began to charge against the hammer. One. Two. His legs connected with the top of the hammer as he lunged to stab, using it as catapult to simply polevault over the charging knight, cartwheeling as he did so, and assuming his stance again.

“If you think that hammer will connect easily, you’re more green than i thought.” He quipped. One hit and I am a goner, though

Wolf didn’t let the flashy trick slow his combo. He loosened his grip, his hand slide to the end of it for maximum range and leverage, turned and flung it like the world’s heaviest, flying buzz-saw, not missing a beat. His opponent’s feet would have barely hit the ground as the hammer flew…

Right. He is a maniac. Welp, time for beating the world’s record at limbo Celestine added, as he squatted quite easily and fast, like a snake, the hammer being able to only graze his clothes exposing the fact that, he, of course had thought to wear the lingerie part on his chest.

Wolf didn’t seem too concerned with the fact that he’d missed. Obviously he could recall his hammer. That said, he started advancing before the hammer returned, fist’s clenched. Perhaps he was so angry that he’d discarded the weapon and now wanted to bloody the girl with his almost bare hands.

Then again, if that were the case, Celestine might find is strange that it sounded like the hammer was getting closer. Very close. Almost… right behind him.

That was because it was. Wolf had reformed it before it reached his hand, creating a makeshift boomerang shot.

Half expected that. Celestine added, as he sighed. This was getting nowhere. He thought for a moment, as the hammer returned. He tossed his sword to one side. He inhaled deeply, gathering inner strength. He saw the hammer spin. The moment to strike, two hands clasped the hammer as he absorbed the rotation with his full body, spinning like a half-naked ballerina while doing so, as he strained his limbs.

“Think again. Oh, nice hammer. It weighs a lot, tho.” He said, as he struggled to keep it above his head even with his arms flexed at the maximum. But he didn’t need to show it. “Let me show how it is done. Now c’me here, boy.” He added.

Wolf actually hesitated for a second. Just how strong was this waif of a girl? It must have been her power. That was… concerning. But if she thought she was gonna fight back with his hammer, she was sorely mistaken.

Wolf stomped forward, fists raised like a boxer. A very tired boxer with slightly sagging shoulders, but a boxer none-the-less.

He hefted the hammer, and begun to stomp forward, his rags and underwear dangling in the gash of his front. “TAKE THIS!” He yelled in his most Saturday-morning magical girl cartoon voice ever. And literally dropped the hammer to Wolf’s feet, as he slid inside his guard, and answered with a powerful jaw hook.

“You don’t use a hammer”.

Wolf’s head snapped to the side. And by snapped to the side, it sort of… twitched. That had been a cheap shot, and it certainly had held some force. Whatever strength had let her lift the hammer had been behind that punch.That being said...

Wolf’s hand flew out and grabbed their collar, pulling them in close, off their feet, and face-to-face. One-handed. He then threw a gut-punch before throwing her back to the ground and recalling his hammer.

He’d show her exactly how he used a hammer if she got cocky again.

“Of all the times, he listened to me this one.” Celestine wheezed under his breath, as some blood built up all the way to the throat. He coughed and spit, before cleaning his mouth underneath. Green as he may be, he can throw a mean punch too . “Ain’t that wonderful. And my cute suit is ripped. And now I have to go serious on a Delvers and Demons reject. And a gaggle of people are watching. Vernon too.” He added, as he picked up the broken blade. He inhaled… and took a stance. He honed his senses. He worked his inner strength with breathing. He got ready to use the techniques that were like so many and familiar to him.

“Sword can’t beat hammer. I know. But here we go,” he said, and began to hop his pace swiftly as he closed the gap between the two. He floated more than run, and danced more than he moved, his eyes on his opponent. The first strike came from downwards, towards the knee joint.

They were closing in, he’d have to be more careful. He choked up on his hammer, finding the energy to heft it with both hands. The hammer wasn’t heavy to him, not in this state, but his stamina was starting to decline. OK, fine, it was almost gone at this point.

He wished he could say he was fueled by rage, but it was a lean fuel.

He swung down with the hammer, not intending to hit, but to intercept as he himself slid back and away. He then lifted the hammer back up and thrust forward, a quick jab to try and keep his opponent in his longer weapon’s ideal range. He would then pull it back while also trying to crack the hilt across their jaw, aiming to stun them for a really big swing.

It was only due to the quick reflexes and training in the sword that Celestine managed to defend the attack, raising the rest of his blade to avoid being hit in his face, as he sidestepped the thrust, and absorbed the parry with his broken blade. However, the blade bent, as he smiled somewhat. “Nice combo, nerd. You’re learning.” He said, as he briskly jumped back, discarding his weapon. He could not face the hammer unarmed again, could he? It was when he realized he had a waist-bag, and rummaged through it, produced a tiny scalpel.

And then assumed a fencing stance, as he eyed his opponent.

Wolf was actually mildly concerned where most might just laugh. His opponent was incredibly nimble, and the scalpel was small and would be hard to keep track of. He took a more defensive stance, left arm held forward, and hammer held just below the head.

He advanced slowly, until he was just outside of striking range. He lunged, aiming to bat her weapon arm aside or parry an attack while throwing another hammer-jab.

Celestine did not make a move, instead abandoning the scalpel as a malevolent glint in his eye appeared. If such a defensive short range move, then… He danced as he positioned his back against Wolf’s armored chest, as he sidestepped the jab. But there was something more. Mid move, his arms curled around the parts of the bracers that didn’t have spikes, turning Wolf’s short lunge into ...a throw that used his own energy against him. If pulled correctly, he would flip over and stick himself to the pavement with his spikes. It’d probably scratch his own clothes and back and expose his butt to the world… but was probably worth it.

“Your strength can be used against you!” He harrumphed as he executed the maneuver.

For a moment, Wolf was like a turtle on it’s back, but soon enough he’d… well he’d…

Nope, he was stuck. Shit. He’d been so tired, he form had been looser than it should have been. He’d been unable to stop himself from getting thrown. His opponent was just the right mixture or strong and nimble.

He took a deep breath. He had to think of a way out fast…

“Aw, don’t look so down, Spikey. Believe me i had to bust my ass to beat you.” Celestine taunted as he took a hand to his now chipped mask’s lips and blew him a kiss, before stomping towards the car...and Vernon. He needed a change of clothes.

Alexander Ascot

Before they departed, Alexander responded to Michael's words, "There are a few self-heating coffee cans in the trunk; get a couple and hand one over to me. Those ought to keep us awake before we go to the final crisis of the day."

Once the car began going, Alexander would remenisce, hopefully with a heated coffee can in his left hand, "You know, my family is most important to me; the only one more important to me than Will is my wife, Eleanor. She and I were around your age when we met for the first time, and she was recovering from an abusive household and a drug addiction. Imagine, a drug addiction so early in her life!

"Needless to say, and I never told her this, it was a hard decision to stand by her once I found out. I knew deep in my heart that it was the right thing to do, but I risked hell on earth if I stood up for her against her bullies." He kept looking at the lane, resisting the urge to take a glance at Michael. "Sometimes, there is horror in doing the right thing, horror that comes from having to pay the price for it. When I finally made my decision clear, my decision to defend her...things were hard for me as well. But I knew it was the right thing to do."

A sigh. "William, however...he is fearless and naive. He doesn't have most people's issues with doing the right thing when it's considered right. So others have to fear for him.

"He also believes that your leader, King, is an actual alien, and that there is a greater threat than the Ancient Evil, by the way."

@RoflsMazoy@Scarifar@Gentlemanvaultboy

Andras lightly laughed to herself at William's line of hope. "Hope and despair are two sides of the same coin. Evil's despair is Good's hope, is it not?" Andras beamed, feeling as though she had regained her mojo at delivering good lines.

---

Andras winced as Mother Ascot applied the disinfectant to her skinned knee. "I-I can handle my wounds on my own, you don't need to do it yourself..." She felt like she was a child again, being treated by her mom. Andras admired the spinning blades as Gilgamesha continued, regardless of Andras's protest.

Then Mother Ascot said that she might make Vernon jealous. A bead of sweat rolled down Andras's face. 'Oh no. Would he have me shot? He apparently can have that set up within the span of a single phone call. He wouldn't do that, would he?' Briefly considering Vernon's temperament, Andras's face drained of color.

"...I'm done for, aren't I?" Andras said out loud, with a quiet tinge of terror in her voice.

The screeches below were mirrored by screeches above. It would seem the horde was beginning to act on all floors, as if finally realizing the threat the students inside posed. The effectiveness of such a movement were up for debate, however.

There were strange sounds ringing out on the seventh floor. A sort of whoosh, mixed with a vmmmm from King's laser sword. Light saber or laser sword? Alto didn't think the imps cared too much, they were too busy getting cut in half by it, although maybe the thought had run through at least one of their minds. Truthfully there wasn't much for Alto to do right now.

Indeed, their small group had a very good composition. Alto would be the one rushing behind enemies while King engaged them from the front. Clara would provide back-up from the rear, and shore up any openings with her minions. But these were just imps. Each member of the party could slaughter them all.

When there's negligible risk, overwhelming force is the most efficient strategy. Alto knew this, and it shouldn't bother him at all, except...

"Huh, this sure ain't a cat." King said, lifting up a charred goblin leg.

Alto couldn't quite wrap his head around the people here. They were currently sifting through one of the rooms on the seventh floor. They knew the locations of the students on this floor, but a cat would be harder to pin down. King had decided to check every room for any traces of the cat, since he'd have to bring back something regardless of whether it was dead or alive. Clara looked on the both of them with vague disinterest.

How strange it was that he felt so utterly normal around these two. Well, he'd seen Clara coming... and King wasn't actually that out of place now that he thought about it. Still, there were certainly more productive things to think about.

"If my conjecture is right, this isn't just a typical Haunting." Clara said.

Alto had thought that also. A Haunting typically occurred when a few stranded imps banded together for survival. They'd gather ghosts to hopefully catch the attention of a higher Demon to open a portal back to the Otherworld. This amount of imps and ghosts would for sure have attracted enough attention by now. Sure, imps were a dime a dozen, but if you gathered a hundred dimes, you'd notice the pile of coins even though it only has the same worth as a $10 bill.

Clara was not giving any orders or specific suggestions to Yuuto. The student Committee were a group if independents in the end. First and foremost, her duty as the Student Committee leader was to embrace their independence and use it in a productive manner.

Clara already noticed that King was hiding something. If she had to take a guess, his clairvoyance was telling him something, but it wouldn't matter if they knew of it now or later. King had a certain 'flow' to him that was hard to read. If she followed it, she got a glimpse into what he saw, but just that, a glimpse.

"I suppose we'll find out by the time we reach the top floor." She said, going out as if to continue the search.

@Gentlemanvaultboy@rawkhawk64@Bartimaeus

William Ascot

William would return to the scene of the battle, only to find that Wolf had been defeated by the unknown assailant, who may have kidnapped Vernon. Now the boy's priorities were split; should he try and help Wolf, or should he see what happened to Vernon? Turning towards the former (as well as Vera), Ascot would say: "Do you guys need help?!"

He still had his imitated version of Michael's 'body art' to give him extra strength, as well as Nakama Dedication Method; the latter would last for as long as he still had his connection with Andras. Speaking of Nakama Dedication Method...

Ascot walked halfway to Celestine's car, and raised his fist high as he glowed golden again. This time, Wolf, Vera, Vernon, and Masami would flash a bright yellow aura marking them as his 'True Companions'; this aura would add to their strength, speed, and luck and hopefully tip the balance in their favor as well. He would then say to Masami:

"I know you must be confused by this turn of events, but it's simple; the man in armor is trying to protect Andras, while the person he was fighting before was part of a group that wanted to kidnap her! Right now, I am coating all of you in an aura that makes those I regard as 'True Companions' - regardless of whether they think they are one of them - stronger, faster, and luckier! So I think we can take on this kidnapper!"

Gilgamesha Ascot (NPC)

Gilgamesha chuckled at Andras' fear, and ruffled the young woman's head. "Oh, don't worry, I was joking. That said, I am very happy my William has a good friend like you; he can be hopelessly naive at times, and tends to abhor shedding blood. So I am glad that he has someone willing to fight by his side, as well as help him in his own projects."

A sigh. "Anyway...you're a Vigilante, right? How is King? Does he still like cats? Is he still delightfully crazy? And his lightsaber, I hope he hasn't broken it; it is such a fine weapon that almost equals one of my Artifact Blades..."

There was a slight amount of jealousy in that tone.

@Crowvette@KillamriX88@Bartimaeus@Dezuel@AtomicNut

Michael took out a can of the self-heating coffee, examining it from top to bottom. Michael wasn't even aware that such a thing existed, and was curious to see how it worked. The instructions were simple enough, and Michael managed to get the cans open and ready to drink without any problems. He handed one to Alexander before taking a swig from his own. Admittedly, Michael didn't like coffee. The bitterness usually kept him away from it, but if he was going to go through another adventure, he wasn't going to be picky about his energy sources. The coffee was warm, but there were also traces of cold within it. It seemed like the heating of the coffee wasn't even. Michael figured that such a device wasn't perfect, but again, he wasn't going to be picky.

Michael nodded occasionally at Alexander's story of his life, listening but not really paying attention. He tuned in when William became the topic. "I wouldn't say King is an alien, but he's certainly eccentric," Michael remarked. "As for threats greater than the Ancient Evil... I wouldn't be surprised. Something's gotta be out there in the world."

"Anyway, I wouldn't worry too much about William," Michael reassured Alexander. "The kid's got the means and the intellect to make things happen; he just needs a step in the right direction to make the best use of them." Michael took another swig of his coffee, making a sour face upon tasting the bitterness. "Or maybe I'm just comparing him to myself. Take it for what you will."

@Letter Bee@RoflsMazoy@Gentlemanvaultboy

Galbrek

They had gotten close to their destination, Adam had been forced to run faster than his body had been made for and it was wearing on him. Galbrek slapped him over the back of his head and told him to stop on the pair spotting Celine straight ahead.

"Get down! Let me down!" Galbrek commanded and Adam knelt down to let his master off his shoulders. Galbrek adjusted his attire and stroked his hair back abit before Celine came up to him, holding unto her removed arm. "What has happened?" Galbrek said in a tone which both the dolls recognized as him being disappointed and irritated.

"Master.. we tried to get the girl. But people interfered, more than we could handle. Bertrand is.. gone. Darla retreated to outpost Charlie I think."

Galbrek turned to Celine's missing arm. "How many?" The half-demon asked, not showing the doll any care for her wounded state. "The target, the two boys who troubled you master and two others. A boy and a girl. There is also a masked person with a car... an ally, my lord?"

"Masked person in a car hm? Means we can take the opportunity to get around them. Adam, go to outpost Charlie and prepare for my arrival. Would I not appear before the next morning, you will find me. Do I make myself clear?" Galbrek stroked the ruffles on his shirt as he circled around the area where his brand new toy were located within. Or so he believed.

Adam looked troubled but he obeyed. "Yes... Master." The doll began to run along the street on the way towards the destination his master had ordered him to move to. Though he was worried. What if his master would fail? What would happen then? Galbrek and Celine made their way around the tournament area, approaching the back entrance of the place.

"Throw that useless arm away. It will do you no use!" Galbrek slapped the arm which Celine held unto, sending it to the ground below. She watched as her cut off arm fell to the ground below. How dared he treat them like junk. She felt angry. She wanted to hit him right there. But if she did he would choke the very lifeforce out of her. She regained her posture and nodded.

"Yes... yes master" Celine answered in a resigned manner before her eyes set on something nearby. A yellow car with some odd blades floating around it in the shape of a ring. It didn't make much sense to Celine, but she afterwards had her eyes set on the people inside the car. A woman and... the girl... Andras? She was in that car!

"Now we are going to go in there and-" Galbrek was mercilessly interupted by his perceptive doll. "Master. The target is-" She could not finish her sentence before Galbrek snapped at her. "Don't you interupt me you insolent- Ahh! What have we over here..." Galbrek said with his spirit lightened by quite the bit and he rubbed his gloved hands together as a smirk formed on his lips.

"It's the girl. Andras. Master..." Celine said in case her master was unable to tell who it was.

"I can see that! I am not blind... you have been forgiven for your inability of capturing her. Now you are going to get inside of the tournament area and aid that masked person with the car. But under no circumstances tell him anything. Am I clear? Ofcourse I am." Galbrek waved Celine away in a dismissive motion. "Do what I command and I may restore you and more. You want to be set free don't you?" Galbrek said in a questioning manner, but he didn't care to hear her answer but made his way towards the yellow car. He casually approached the car, keeping his eyes on the floating swords until he got up really close where he looked into one of the windows, activating his hypnotic gaze.

"Hello there my friend, I've been looking for you. Dear William told me to get you home. Don't worry, the others will be here soon." Galbrek said as he tried to get eye-contact with Andras, then turning his sight to Gilgamesha for a moment to offer her his most charming smile. "Thank William for me will you?" He offered her a soft bowing motion as he waited to see if Andras could resist his hypnotic gaze. To think that pestersome boy would ultimately end up aiding me in my plans. Heh heh heh... there is justice after all. The allmighty dark gods have sent their unholy blessing to their most favored child!

The idea of sneaking off with the girl while that William likely thinking he had saved her filled Galbrek with so much dark joy it was almost causing his charade to be seen through. Now there was just a matter of time before he could begin the second part of the plan. Where Clara would play a big role. Or rather her grimoire.

As Galbrek had advanced on the yellow car, Celine had walked into the tournament area again and she knew that her odds were even worse than before. But she had a clear order, to aid that masked person with the car. She made her way forth quickly and set her eyes on Wolf and William. Wolf had caused Bertrand to push his power to the limit, while William had harmed Darla. She decided to go for who she assumed were the weaker of the two. William.

Celine ran forwards and tried to slam her fist into William's stomach. She only had one arm left to work with. The energy which her master had bestowed to her had long since faded. She had to incapasitate him quickl and then get near the masked person.

Masami stayed back at the larger person's warning. She didn't really want to fight that thing, actually. But luckily enough, it seemed the one on the defensive could handle themselves. She watched as the fight progressed, worrying for the masked individual as the man with the massive hammer lunged at her skillfully with each attack. But the former was as evasive as he was powerful. He danced around Wolf, reminiscent of how a Mongoose would dance around a Black Mamba, waiting for their perfect moments to strike.

Masami was momentarily distracted by the return of William Ascot. Which was accompanied by...a "friendship aura" as William described it. She looked at herself as she glowed gold, feeling a slightly warm sensation travel from head to toe. William sure is quick to claim me as a true friend.. she thought. Not necessarily a bad thing.

She turned from William as he explained the events that were happening at this moment. "Oh...He was on our side...and he..." she looked as Wolf as he lay on the ground seemingly implanted in it by his own armor spikes. "Uh..."

Masami wasn't sure if she should stop the masked figure, but she decided against it. It appeared they were fleeing before having to deal with the rest of the group. It also appeared that Andras had escaped, and with the return of William, that it had been to a safe place.

She came over to Wolf, wanting to crouch down to check on him, but instead she just stood beside him, leaning over slightly as she looked as his spiky form. "Are you...alright in there?" she asked down to him.

"Ah..." Andras had turned to the new voice without thinking. It was that man from before. He had tried to do something sketchy to her. What was he doing now, in here of all places?

'I was going with him, wasn't I?' Andras thought to herself. Trying to reason past that in her mind ended up coming back around to the single thought.

"You're right. Thanks for the help, Mrs. Ascot!" She stood up, stretching her legs and making sure the band-aids didn't come off when she extended her legs. She bowed slightly to Mother Ascot before turning back to Galbrek. "Shall we?"