Even as Belinda had gradually increased her speed, Vala showed no openings for her to exploit. On the contrary, Vala appeared as if she were dodging with ease. Michelle couldn't find anything either. Her examinations were telling her that Vala was far faster and more agile than they were. Eventually they were knocked back with a kick, leaving Belinda to leap back in response and with time to plan their next course of action. Defense or offense? Belinda thought to Michelle. As Belinda began to deflect and dodge a couple spear throws from Vala, Michelle gave it a second of thought before answering, Defense. I'll take some blows, you learn from them, and we'll go from there.

Belinda agreed and proceeded to switch with Michelle, who summoned her shield to deflect the next spear toss. Just as the force began to dissipate, however, a second and heavier force landed on her shield. They could tell this was not a spear this time, and Michelle looked up from her shield to see Vala having already closed the gap between them, in the air to deliver a spin kick. Michelle's eyes widened in surprise, and Belinda quickly yelled out, ARMOR! Michelle was already ahead of Belinda, summoning her full plate armor and helm to protect her. The kick slammed against Michelle's helmet, her head bending away from the force, but her body remained where it was.

Sensing an opportunity, Michelle reached out in an attempt to grab Vala's leg while it was still there, and, should she succeed, throw her onto the ground for another attempt at a pin. If she failed, she would simply ready her shield and body for Vala's assault.

@Scarifar

---

"EEEK!" Vala was swung to the ground, the air rushing out of her lungs. It had all gone according to plan until... it hadn't. However, this just got the adrenaline flowing. This was an opponent who could take a hit now.

She kicked out, knocking away one hand, and then swung it back down like an axe to free her ankle of the other. She then braced herself and shot out both feet at Michelle's head to stun her and push herself into a backwards somersault to get clear. As for how stunned it would actually leave Michelle... who knew. This armor was a new and exciting variable.

"Hm..." Vala smirked. "You wanted to know how I beat Cassius, right?" She suddenly had a flask in her hand. No one had seen her pull it out. She pondered it for a second. "I'll go easy on you for now!" She twisted it once and threw her head back, drinking from it. "Careful how riled up you get me though..." She grinned and tossed it aside. A faint glow suddenly adorned her body and she stumbled while standing in place. She staggered sideways before her foot shot out to steady herself once more.

She looked up at Michelle, still grinning but it had become sloppy and lopsided, "Heheh... I'mma ring ya like a bell!" She broke into a run, but it was... unsteady and slow... and she seemed to be veering off in the wrong direction.

Or she was until she suddenly dug her heel in and made a sudden change in velocity. She barreled right toward Michelle and rammed shoulder first into her shield like a laden truck, aiming to pin the shield against Michelle's body. She then would grab the rim of the shield and flip herself into a handstand before dropping down to sit on her shoulders and wrap her legs around Michelle's neck from behind.

"Knock-knock!" Finally she began to rain down blows, not seeming to care that she was bare-fisted pummeling solid metal. Finally she pulled back both fists two aim a double hammer punch to the side of their head. "BONG!"

@Gentlemanvaultboy
"Wow, Kath, is that my old dress?" Christine asked with an admiring smile, clapping her hands together.

Her sister, after finding her old dress in the attic, decided to wear it for the rest of the day. Christine naturally took notice, and she immediately praised her for how good she looked at it.

“I’m surprised how fitting my old dress looks on you!” she continued. “It’s all white and icy after all and you’re pretty much the embodiment of fire!”

Christine too was wearing her dress, as it just arrived today after she ordered it online.

She had her complains however.

“But please stop with the laugh,” she said with concern in her eyes. “You… you don’t look like my Kath at all when you do it!” she shouted, her voice shaking with tears pooling in her eyes.

It might seem silly for the average onlooker for Christine to be so concerned by her sister’s fake persona that she was only going to use for the masquerade party. However, for her, who admired her sister very much, it was simply… wrong for her to be that way. It sent a guttural feeling of disbelief and disgust to her, so much so that she could not stand even listening to her fake laugh.

I-it’s not right! I-it’s just not right!

She herself had no plans to change her personality for the party. She didn’t even know whether or not she would be capable of such a thing.

Lise

The situation once again spun out of control. Lise was about to handle the issue, but then from nowhere Andreim burst into her room - while she was changing - and the distraction let the original intruder grab Lise before she could react. She was actually somewhat astounded at the speed and precision of his actions. He managed to bound out of the window without any issue.

So for the second time since she had arrived in Rhea Lise found herself falling. It was a small comfort that there was someone carrying her, but in the end she'd have preferred to not be dropped from her own window. She closed her eyes as she dropped towards the ground, bracing for a hard impact.

Instead she found a somewhat familiar feeling - like her own shadows. But she didn't think to call them to catch her. So who could it have been...? She barely could think of the possibilities before she was set down. On something decidedly not similar to the shadows - it was too warm.

Lise opened her eyes. Her eyes were even with a pair she recognized. More surprisingly, Lise was being kissed. Or rather, given the situation, Lise was kissing the other?

Lise pushed herself away, immediately recognizing her cousin. Lise's expression was a mixture of embarrassment, indignation, and surprise. She had not seen her cousin for years - she was, deep down, happy to see her. Though, the situation was far from a normal introduction. Lise could think of a few explanations for her cousin's behavior.

Lise covered her mouth with her hand as she stood to distance herself. "Elise! Y-You cannot try to court me in such a forceful manner! Have you at least talked to Uncle before this?! T-T-There are rules about this, you know!" A shadow servant quickly materialized, and grabbed her towel just before it fell from being loosened.

Even with that, Vala managed to break free from Michelle's grip and make her take a step back. The flask they had seen earlier had appeared too, meaning Vala was going to get serious now. Michelle could tell she would have to-

Michelle, I've been thinking, and I think it's time to let me loose, Belinda mused, interrupting Michelle's thoughts as Vala powered up. Your strategies are failing right now, and Vala here is only getting stronger.

Not yet, I still need to feel the situation ou- Michelle was about to say before being bombarded by Vala's drunken assault. "Wha- hey!" Michelle exclaimed as Vala leaped onto her shoulders and locked herself into place. Michelle knelt down to maintain her stability while attempting to shield her head with her arms, but that didn't stop all of Vala's blows from coming through. Her attacks had even more force in them than before, and even through the armor, Michelle was beginning to feel it.

There's nothing left to 'feel out', Michelle. We need to switch. Now! Belinda said after Michelle was knocked onto her side after the double hammer punch, barely staying up by propping herself up with one arm. Michelle could see no alternative to freeing herself from this predicament, so she agreed, Fine. Switch.

Michelle's armor dissipated as Belinda regained control. In its place was a new armor, darker and more skimpy. A loud BANG! sounded as Belinda teleported away, leaving a cloud of smoke in Vala's face. In front of Vala was Belinda, crouched down in a fighting position while holding her spear above her with it pointed down. With a cocky grin, Belinda said, "My turn." She then launched herself forward with a speed that brought her into Vala's face immediately and proceeded to strike at her in multiple directions with both ends of her spear, spinning it around like a quarterstaff. She also occasionally used the spear's range to strike outside of Vala's own, using thrusts and swipes.

Andreim grit his teeth as the shadow was directed into the path of the jet of water, leaving it's original target evading it. The military inspired clad young man then sighted the odd person grab hold of lady Lise. Wait what? Grabbed lady Lise? That anyone would dare lay there fingers on her, much less carry her in a manner which was only suitable for Andreim himself. This was an affront, not only that but an attempt to defile her purity with their unclean hands. How dared they. This one even addressed her as mistress. It's punishment would be dire indeed. The veins became apparent on Andreim's face as his hands tightened further, his hair blowing upwards, his irises turning bright orange and glowing as he allowed his heat attunement to manifest. He then dashed after the strange figure which was now trying to kidnap his empress.

Andreim leapt out of the windows his arms reaching out, his left hand shooting a wide jet of water to dampen his fall just slightly. His right hand tightened into a fist as he slammed it into the jet of water just before his feet landed on the ground, sending hot steam towards the now two assailants. Lise seemed to say something to them, but such words would not reach his ears. Lise's form was easily distinguished from the other two below, as she was more endowed in the physical department. So the odd person had a companion? To Andreim it didn't matter if there was two, or twohundred. He would undertake any fight if it meant protecting her.

"Hands off MY LISE!"

The young man landed fully inbetween Lise and her seemingly assailants, Andreim was prepared to use lethal force on them if necessary. There were two things you should never do. The first would be to harm his comerades, the second and more grave would be to lay their unclean and tainted fingers on his empress. A crime. Unforgivable and unforgettable. The only exception had been Alto who saved her. Much to Andreim's displeasure, as he wanted to do such himself. It wasn't Alto's fault really, it was Rurik's. Andreim quickly reached out with his left hand towards Lise, the one hand not steaming hot, for her to hold unto.

His eyes glowing partly, his thermal vision being able to distinguish the clear enemies amidst the steamy surrounding. He was even prepared to call for Cassius for assistance, but it would come at a price of looking less formidable. But if it meant keeping Lise safe, what price would not be worth paying?

'There's no reason for you to think about your kidnapping attempt no more, when you are fighting to stay alive! Your opponent is me. Andreim!'

@Crowvette
Dmitry never needed to brace himself for impact too much. A second set of shadows cushioned his fall. At firs he'd been alarmed, until he realized what was happening. So the Valois' family were in shadow control. That meant some mistakes were made. Dmitry felt like apologizing but he did not want to break the tender scene of Lady Lise kissing her fiancee. Even if it was her cousin. And probably that relationship would find difficult to have kids. But such was the high nobles' way, always beyond understanding.

Of course, the other assailant had to ruin the tender moment, by jumping just before Lise and nearly trampling him and the newly identified Elise de Valois-Saint-Remy. Mitya reacted quickly and dutifully, grabbing the younger-looking of the noblewomen and shielding her from the impromptu release of the opponent.

"Are you alright, my Lady?" He said to Elise. Funny, his Rhean language fluence had gone fairly up. Must have been the environment. "Fear not, I shall resolve this." Dmitry said, before handing her the letter of introduction carefully. "Now if you will excuse me..." He said, before facing the other two, his eyes seeming to bore through Andreim and his steam and tricks. He did not need to see him to know where he was. He was loud enough,and his angry ragged breath and seemingly illuminated eyes cast enough information to tell Dmitry of his position.

And he just went up and claimed Lise was his. He doubted he was an aristocrat, and Elise seemed to be Lise's fiancee, so that was out of the question. Overall familiarity meant two things. That he was a stalker or just an overzealous follower. Well, both were the same, right?

"My name is Dmitry Olegovich Kalinin, son of the Lord Kalinin. My first day is rife from mistakes, for I must apologize. I've come to swear allegiance to the house of Valois-Saint-Remy." He said, his poise tall and proud, unfazed by the blatant hostility displayed by Andreim. "Best that you do realize your mistakes too. Lady Liselotte is not yours, but belongs only to herself. And two, your zeal is not making things any better. Followers who trample mindlessly others are called dogs."

Dmitry was closing the distance fearlessly. "Now, please, stand down and let me offer my services. I don't think you're a dog. You look a boy to me." Mitya finished, his face getting really close with Andreim's.

Lise heard the boy - Oh, he was a boy - recite his name aloud, and she recalled the family. While Lise was practically a scholar in the internal family lines of Valois-Saint-Remy, she did take the time to learn about other royal bloodlines. She reasoned it may be important if she were to have to be part of an arranged marriage of some sort. 'Ah. So he's a servant of Elise. Maybe that's why he was in my room.' She cast a look at Elise for a brief moment.

"Well, my cousin's brazen tactics for courting my love aside, you all must step down!" Lise called out with all the authority in her voice she could muster. "If he is a true servant to my family, he meant no harm. There's no need to quarrel with him, Andreim. Though he will have to learn the importance of a Lady's privacy."

Lise directed her already summoned servant to push the two boys apart. Of course, with the servant leaving from its original place as towel-holder for Lise, she just barely caught it from falling off once again. She was becoming more steadily aware of her state of undress, but she tried to keep her embarrassment from showing in order to clear up the others' misunderstandings.

@Scarifar

---

Vala's method of dodging was... interesting. It was like her balance had been severely hampered by her drink, but also that her reaction speed had been increased to make up for it. It was less dipping and dodging and more frantic swaying. Each time she evaded an attack it seemed like she was about to topple over only for her foot to shoot out at the last second to catch herself.

Until she didn't. Reaction speed or not, Belinda's assault was just about overwhelming. Vala bent over backwards and then just fell to the ground during one of her dodges. However, even then her momentum never ceased. She rolled and with her increased strength simply launched herself back to her feet... but perhaps a little too fast. She stumbled backwards, her ankles getting tangles together.

She chose to unwrap herself by spinning around so that her back was too Belinda, leaving herself seemingly exposed. As Belinda's spear came in, Vala manifested her golden spear, stabbing it into the ground to use it like a barrier. It burst and disintegrated as it absorbed the blow, but it had done enough while it was there.

She had her balance back again.

Without even turning around, she launched herself backwards directly into Belinda, meaning to ram her elbow into Belinda's gut. If she landed the blow, her fist would snap up in a back-fist aimed at Belinda's nose. Finally, should that land too, she'd suddenly just drop and roll backward between Belinda's legs and aim a kick from both her feet right into Belinda's rear to launch her off her feet, leaving Vala herself lying on her back.

Even with Belinda's increased speed from her armor, she was still failing to score a proper hit. Even the seemingly wide opening created by Vala's stumble was blocked. Belinda wondered if she was really that bad in combat, or if it was just the gap in experience that made all the difference. Just as Belinda went in for another attack, Vala somehow managed to counterattack without even turning around to face her. Belinda managed to block the gut blow with the center of her spear, but the followup backhand connected, the pain disorientating her momentarily. It wasn't much, but it was enough of an opening for Vala to move behind her and attack. The kick from behind knocked her down, leaving her sprawling on the ground.

Desperate to regain control of the fight, Belinda forced herself to move, pushing herself onto her hands and flipping herself back onto her feet. As Belinda turned around, spear at the ready to fend off Vala, only to find her on her back. Normally she would've gone in for the attack, but Belinda could already tell that Vala would somehow block or dodge it, and they'd be back to square one. Despite the difficulty, however, Belinda could only laugh. She had never been challenged in such a way before, and the thought of having to face more battles, or even people, like this... made her so excited.

"How do you do it?" Belinda asked Vala. "How are you so strong, Vala? I'm already going all out and I still can't hit you."

Elise was only slightly relieved when her cousin's lips finally parted from her own. Lise wore an expression much like her own, though she could tell through her link that she didn't feel quite as awkward about it as she did. As her cousin stood up, she started to calm down as rational began returning to her mind. However, this reprieve was short-lived as her world was shattered once again by Lise's impressive ability to misread a situation. She not only accused Elise of trying to court her but she also, in her own dumb way, had implied that it was ok. That there wore rules in place for this kind of thing as long as Uncle approved. It would totally be ok to have relations with your family.

"No!" she blurted out, faster then her mind could process, and then realizing that she inadvertently answered the question, babbled, "I mean. I'm not trying. How can you? What?!" At a loss for words, things only got worse as hot steam and hatred suddenly descended on the scene.

"Hands off MY LISE!" a man shouted as he landed between Lise and herself, interrupting her floundering, Oh gosh. Who's this now? Elise questioned, pushing herself away from the burning eyes in the mist. They made her think of Sho in a way and reminded her how she wished he was here right now. He'd swallow up all this hate and show this guy what for. However, before thoughts of fleeing took the forefront of her mind, the other falling girl decided to intervene. They grabbed Elise and pulled her away from the man before placing themselves between them.

"Are you alright, my Lady?" the boy said, blowing Elise's mind for the third time that day. He stood up and introduced himself as well as declare his intent to serve the Valois-Saint-Remy family. Elise knew a bit about foreign nobility, but the Yekaterinans always escaped her. The country was massive, and so were the number of noble households and branching households. Still, his intervention was helpful, and he wasted no time in rebuking the other man for his open hostility and passion. This moment of reprieve, from sins falsy accused, gave Elise a chance to think for the first time in nearly half a minute. Think of things like Why did Dimitry jump out of a window with Lise? Why did Lise kiss her, or did she kiss her? Why was Lise wearing a towel?! How did the water boy know Lise? These were things she should have been asking from the beginning. There wasn't enough time to form any answers before Lise decided to perpetuate their misunderstanding and derail her thoughts again. She didn't know what she was talking about, but it sounded like a lot of confusion. It turns out Andriem was the name of the man who brandished water like a weapon. She hoped Lise's intervention would keep any more fighting from breaking out. If that man felt even an ounce of guilt, Elise intended to grab it an spike it like a valley ball. Still, now was a good time to get answers. Thus the most pressing question in the world needed to be asked.

"Lise, why are you naked?" she asked as it was the most burning question in her mind since the whole kerfuffle started. Her heart demanded an answer. She had never really thought of girls in that way, but she also had never seen another girl in such a state of undress. Why is Lise so...what's the word? Busty. A bit of envy creeping into her thoughts. She did her best not to stare at Lise's cleavage. At least the steam was preventing students and staff from seeing all this. Her cousin was very popular with boys and if someone snapped a picture of this. It would be floating around the school for years to come. "Maybe I should fix that?" Elise thought aloud as she pointed at Lise, "Shadows cover her and become clothes." she commanded, and the area under Lise turned black. She was tired, but she had given this command many times, for herself, and the mist was obscuring the light enough to cast a shadow. Lise, if no on intervened, would suddenly find darkness wrapping around her legs and moving up her body, under her towel. In a mere moment, Lise would be covered from the neck down in shadows. The shadows would then coalesce and form a skin-tight but comfortable full-body catsuit.

@Scarifar

---

"Aww, this is nuffin," Vala said after she flipped back to her feet, though she nearly faceplanted instead on accident. At some point that flask had ended up back in her hands, "I gots three more in me!" It was true, but she wasn't quite so far gone that she couldn't tell the battle was over. So instead she began balancing the flask on the tip of her nose. Somehow she didn't immediately drop it. "But you... didn't even... know that- WAH!" She finally lost it, ended up bending over into a backwards arch to catch the flask before it hit the ground.

In the end she decided to just kneel on the ground before clapping her hands against her cheeks to make herself focus.

"For all you knew, that was all my power, and you still gave up. It's not power that you lack, it's experience. You need to push yourself even when you think it's hopeless. You have the blessing of a god, and a pretty strong one, but even the weakest god is still a god. If being strong is really what you want, then you need to push yourself to your limits to draw out more of that power," Vala told her. "The second you decide that where you're at is good enough you'll find that defeat is just around the corner. Maybe I am some sort of chosen one, but as far as I'm concerned that doesn't mean a thing. I'm only where I'm at because I've never settled for where I'm at. If I'm not being challenged then I'm doing something wrong."

Vala stood back up and her balance was no longer constantly fleeing her.

"Tell you what, since you were nice to me, if you want I'll push you. You'll be stronger in no time. Heck, by the end of the school year I bet I'd have you forcing me to at least level three!"

@Gentlemanvaultboy@Crowvette@rawkhawk64@Scarifar
Melanie nodded. "It seems a likely resupply depot. Although one does wonder why call it like a drink. Why not call it Dance and drink. Or just Drink place." The apathetic girl commented, in a bout of ... curiosity. "I shall try finding objects of beauty there as well." It was then when her eyes darted out to the door, her gaze scanning the new figure entering.

Wheezing and panting, it showed yet a striking figure... if only because a child could not wear such elegant clothes nor be followed by a large raven as well as a large bizarre child between a natural display on snakes and a bike chain. "...How much time?" She said, ragged, as if she was besieged by something.

Couple of hours, give or take. As much as a prickly bastard he is, puppeteering him has made him a little bit oblivious of things.

"It's not much" she answered to her non-existant interlocutor.

Huh, that girl shouldn't be alive. Why is it alive? The... soul thing is GONE.

Diana, the Witch of Bones, eyed the assembled cast of the Vigilantes. So, they were here. Truth to be told it was a tough decision to make, but with Mephisto's school as it was, there was no way she could drop this bomb there. It'd not help with her case, at all. Then she remembered what she had asked Michael.

Vigilantes did these sort of things for money, right? They'd make an obvious choice for this sort of things.

"You Vigilante folks solve problems, right? I'm Diana... Witch of Bones. Currently a Mephisto student." She said, her presentation curt. "I believe some of you might be acquainted with me."

"You fall in the category of evil among objects of beauty. Take no further steps. Or you will be pacified. And taken for collection." Melanie added, reaching for some kind of weapon into her space.

"Wait, I have something important to say. It's the Fallen One..." She racked up her brain, trying to come up with an answer... and then her eyes met with the ungodly abomination of only one eye and magical power beyond sanity. Otherwise known as Andras. "...and probably you. Yes definitely. You seem the kind of person to break reality by accident."

Andras shrunk away from Diana's gaze at first, but quickly regained her confidence. She quickly put her arm in front of Melanie, making a signal to let the witch speak. "Finally, one who realizes that reality bends to my whim without even my input." She laughed aloud quietly, before darkening her expression. "Though, to mention the Fallen One here..." She turned away from Diana, letting her sentence trail off. She would have sold the performance, perhaps, had her face still not been pale from nearly losing her grip on... Gravity? Maybe even existence itself? She still didn't know. On top of that, bringing up the Fallen One filled Andras with unease.

'This has got to be related to what just happened. What happened?! How come she knows it was me right off the bat?!' Andras felt a pang of foreboding in her gut. 'But I've already started to pretend like I know what's happening. I'll... Have to hope someone else asks those questions...' Andras looked over the group, silently hoping, and trying to not make it obvious.

"Stand down, Melanie, she's no threat to us," Michael said to Melanie, holding a hand out to her. Looking at Diana again, Michael sighed and shook his head in disbelief. Michael could never catch a break around Diana. "I would prefer we not meet every time a disaster strikes, but it seems fate always has different plans," Michael remarked to Diana. "So... what is the issue this time? You said something about a 'Fallen One'?" As he said this, Michael took out his cell phone and began to search through his notes to shed some light on what they were facing.

Oh, Celestine Lightbringer. Her 'actual' boyfriend, apparently, Michael answered his own question, raising an eyebrow at the info.



"Losing at the first level, huh?" Belinda said, dropping down onto her butt, resting her elbows onto crossed legs. We did our best, Belinda, Michelle said in an attempt to encourage Belinda. "Heh. Still wasn't good enough, Michelle. Not by a long shot." That news was a little disappointing for her, that even her best effort wasn't nearly enough. Belinda looked back at her life, wondering when she began to stagnate. Honestly, it was a little difficult to pinpoint exactly when, but that fact remained that it happened, and Belinda regretted it. But the fact that she could get much stronger perked her right back up.

"Hell yeah! Let's do it!" Belinda exclaimed at Vala's offer, launching herself back onto her feet. "Thank you for teaching us, Vala," Michelle said as she took control, clapping her hands together and bowing.

---

"He's a flighty, unreliable psychopath." Naserph said to Michael. "The day of the tournament he accompanied myself and Wulf to rescue Andras from the ones who kidnapped her. When we got there he cut the throat of that top heavy demon-"

"Wulf's Friend." Ria interrupted. "Meridith. Did I tell you guy she's gone mental? Kidnapped Andras out of her bed. Celestine...fuckin' fallen one I guess...walked in and grilled me on what happened before taking ofDid you say he cut her throat!?!" Her eyes suddenly shot wide as that piece of info hit her. "I saw her at school though."

"She got better." Naserph replied testily. "Demonic blood imparts astounding resiliency. Anyone touched by it does not easily die, though the results of their healing are not always pleasant to look upon. Regardless, may I finish?" It was a question that it wasn't really a question. Ria sighed and ceded the floor back to him. He nodded, continuing. "The fallen one, after spilling the blood of the demon strumpet, seemed to change his mind about why he was there. He chose to cut Andras psychologically and left hand in hand with the demon he'd just attempted to murder. If he is your problem he is very dangerous one."

Despite the warning Naserph was smiling, practically radiating anticipation. He had expected something like this to happen at the party. Staying close to Andras was already paying dividends.

Ria, thought, was flipping her eyes rapidly between Andras, Diana, and Naserph trying decide which questions sh should ask first. Naserph was leaving a lot out of that story, something had clearly gone down with Andras, but Diana here seemed to be the only one privy to things happening in the present. "Okay, you tell us exactly what's happening." She said to Diana.

Andreim Volkazar

The odd looking fellow had grabbed unto what Andreim believed to be his accomplice out of the way of his urgent descent. The steam spreading out, he could clearly see the two assailants, even if they would be able to tell where he was, he could easily hinder their movement with his power would the need arise, they would no doubt be caught unawares. However the person which had laid his hands on Lise began to introduce himself as Dmitry Olegovich Kalinin. It wasn't a name which Andreim knew, but he seemed to have an interest in swearing allegiance to Lady Lise's noble house. He was an ally? That thought was fully dismissed on hearing his other words.

Andreim didn't waste any time and lowered his both arms allowing water to fall from them to slowly begin to cover the ground arround them. They may be able to see his eyes, scent him or overall he able to hear him. But these people wouldn't be able to see his icy jagged peaks punch up through the watery ground to strike at them. He quickly made certain the others knew of this by shooting a few jagged peaks of ice right in front of them, not actually hitting them. Just to prove a point that when it came to terrain, Andreim was the one in control. He could see them through his thermal vision, but also feel their movements would they step into the water. To his knowledge there was only two which could potentially penetrate his defenses, one was Christine whose mastery of ice and wind was sufficient to blow his steam away. The other was Samoth, who was about as clever as he was powerful.

"That's close enough! I never do mistakes. Unlike you. You're the damn hound, you trampled into her chambers when she was undressed! You are nothing but a pervert, an audacious anglerfish whose glowing bait is insufficient." He snarled, his focus was firm. That's when Lise's voice was heard, and Andreim grit his teeth but complied.

"As you wish Lady Lise, but he has to learn his place..." Andreim added in a snorting manner, this boy had proven to be an annoyance for certain. The other person was a girl by the looks and sounds of it, she was also showing signs of shadow arts. Like those Lise herself was using, as the steam was cleared up abit and they could see each other better. Andreim deactivated his thermal sight and stepped closer to Lise, taking off his jacket and trying to put it over Lise, who'd soon possibly would also don a shadowy attire.

@Gentlemanvaultboy@Crowvette@rawkhawk64@Scarifar

Melanie sought no further interaction, and the hostility she seemed to be bearing towards diana dissipated with a sagely. "Understood. She is evil, cute and a friend. Hencefort she shall be classified as pussycat and dealt with accordingly. Food and treats shall be provided." The tall girl added, which made Diana raise an eyebrow. She couldn't understand what was so wrong with that girl. Maybe being soulless?

Diana's eyes levelled with Nasearph. "I know. The half-succubus drained me during the tournament. Sometimes people get too drunk in power." She added. "But regarding ... him... It's worse than you think." She continued, taking a seat nearby, and struggling to find words. "The gods truly abhor two things... Betrayal and Hubris." She solemnly added. "We ... live in an age of lavish gifts. Of dazzling displays... that goad us to go further. But the further we stray, the more we put the weave of reality in danger, much like a child can tear their own clothes if they spend all the day without staying still." She added, meditating her own words, before hesitating once more.

"...forgive me... Cel." She added, her usual serene and composed face twisting in obvious anguish. "We went too far this time." She whispered to herself. "He is... not entirely himself. He is ...driven... by Divine will." She said. "His God is the one moving his hands and thought by exerting his influence through his own power..." She continued. "I...knew it was going to be much of a burden to him, but he begged me to awaken his gifts beyond what he had... He was so...like me in the past. I truly admired him."

The witch seized the grip of her hand, and bit her lip. "His God reigns over Fate and Knowledge. Something... was done to alter the course of things that were once set. I avoided a death i should have had during the tournament... And I suspected the girl with the connection to that ungodly amount of magic to be the other source. That has angered Cel's patron deity, and now, he will exert power to correct these anomalies forcefully." Diana stood up.

"It's gonna be hard. Really hard. But I have no one else. I can tell you how his powers work." She began saying. "Lightbringer's memory has always been photographic. He can just replicate what he sees once at perfection. His control over his body is equally fine, he can control down to individual vessels in his body, and force his body to go beyond limits. But the most scary thing is his prediction ability." She added. "The demon of Laplace, have you heard of it? Cel can become such demon to a degree. Predicting everything that he can register and understands to a tee. It has an atrocious burden on the body... so he cannot use it indefinitely. Although now that his deity is driving him, that restriction might be lifted."

"Attacks that go beyond his ability to sense can work such as extradimensional attacks and magical attacks... that is how I escaped. But not for long. He will continue to hunt those who caused these anomalies in first place until his body runs out." She finished. "...and the one who made him awaken to such ability was me. I used a special incense to increase his connection to his power... and now everything is a mess. That's why I am going to forfeit half of the pay he owes me for him to stop."

At this point Diana's eyes averted their gaze. There was a limit to the Witch of Bones' willpower after all, and she did not want people see water on the corners of her eyes.

Lise let a high-pitched squeal of surprise as she felt a familiar sensation of shadow... all over her body. She had a brief look downwards, before her face burned bright red. "Y-You can't just go over my body like that with your power, dearest cousin!!" Lise shouted, her voice raising to levels that were well beyond "too loud." It almost seemed to echo through the grounds of Laurels.

She had dealt with so many of these embarrassing and indecent incidents that she managed to stop herself from fainting from panic. Unfortunately she didn't sit well with the idea of becoming used to herself being exposed due to various mishaps, either. She accepted Andreim's coat, though she still felt somehow more exposed than if she was completely naked. Lise pulled it down, trying to cover her lower and upper body with the one piece of attire. "Forgive my cousin for her... 'spirited' displays of courtship. I will make sure the House knows of this violation of traditions..." Lise shook her head disapprovingly, before turning to Elise and her servant. "And cousin, I will ask that you deliver any romantic letters to me directly, rather than send a servant. In order to prevent such a debacle from happening again."

Lise turned away from them all, her blonde hair waving in the sunlight, as she began to return to her room.


Andras couldn't help but frown at Diana's story. 'How can he cause so much trouble for so many people - including himself?!' Andras didn't know the whole story, it seemed. But Diana needed their help. That was the most important part of the story! It was clear that she needed help, and didn't know what to do. It was something even a Demon Lady of Despair such as Andras could empathize with, though she would hesitate to directly admit it.

Andras suddenly hugged Diana, trying to comfort the witch with her embrace. "I'll help you! I'm sure that within the Root, there is a solution to your problem, so don't cry!" Andras looked to the other Vigilantes as well. "And I'm sure others here will help too, right...?" She asked, stroking Diana's hair and innocently searching her fellow Vigilante's expressions with tearful eyes.

Brutus had been listening to everything that was going on. He hadn't bothered to answer Andras' questions about the ball or his thoughts on her story. He honestly wasn't sure what to think on that. In truth, he knew very little of Andras' powers or how they worked. She'd only explained a small bit, back when she first proposed a 'Mana Contract' between them. So, as to what had transpired, he couldn't say how real or imagined it was.

As for the ball, he'd likely be forced to go by someone or other, so it'd be less troublesome to just go.

It was at this point that Diana had entered and explained what was going on with someone called "the Fallen One". Brutus stepped forward. No way in hell was anyone gonna go after one of his friends when he had the power to stop it. As he thought on how to voice these thoughts, Brutus held up a hand, watching electricity arc back and forth across between his fingers.

"Well, you certainly seem to be in better shape when I last saw you. I wouldn't have taken you for a student from Mephisto's, though." Brutus said to Diana, the barest hint of a smirk on his face. "I never did thank you for that boost during the cultist attack. Without it, I feel we would have fared a lot worse. So, as thanks I shall help you. Besides, despite how troublesome she is, Andras is a valued ally. Her skills are an asset to what we do. So, count me in. I'll help however I can."

As he finished his declaration, Brutus had to wonder when he'd started throwing himself into the thick of things he'd normally leave be. Was it during the apartment job? The cultist attack? Meh, that was an issue that could be sorted out later. He just hoped this didn't turn into a hero complex. That'd be too troublesome.