[center][hr][img]https://i.imgur.com/1v4idMV.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/XUvv02U.png[/img][hr][/center][center][hr][hider=Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin OST - Chaotic Playground][youtube]https://youtu.be/C6HA8Z-ssNs?si=dXrVKFpTMyV4ZOTi[/youtube][/hider][hr][/center] [color=764820]”Hey! We went in the direction of the Kingdom!”[/color] Lisa smiled. [color=764820]”[i][b]Isn’t that convenient1?[/b][/i]”[/color] The spider landed, and Lisa looked around at the weird… carnival that loomed ahead, a jumble of sagging tents as booths lined the way forward. This carnival sprawled in from all directions, as its attractions seemed [i]alive[/i]. They were twitching, groaning, and moving as if pulled by invisible threads. The ground beneath them was uneven, a mix of slick, black cobblestones and patches of pale, rubbery flesh that squished underfoot. The smell of burnt sugar mixed with the horrid stench of decay everywhere. At the center, a massive big top loomed overhead like a hungry mouth, beckoning them [i]closer.[/i] [color=764820]”Well,”[/color] Lisa shrugged, [color=764820]”This place is weird. Who wants to see the carnival?!”[/color] [color=fce420]”Pass, Turner,”[/color] Yoko said with a nod of her head, [color=fce420]”The Autoknights are likely on our trail… Though, it is strange that their presence in this area is minimal....”[/color] Yoko rubbed her chin. Lisa shrugged again. [color=764820]”... They probably don’t like [i]fun![/i]”[/color] [color=e77fbf]"What part of this is fun?"[/color] Ella asked, gagging a bit. She covered her mouth and nose. [color=DC143C]"All of it. Look at that flesh floor. Delightful. I wonder if it bleeds,"[/color] Saskia intoned, while looking around. [color=DC143C]"Let’s keep going… carefully."[/color] Lisa just shrugged as she commanded the spider to march forward, [color=764820]”You know, I was thinking about that horse monster and…”[/color] [color=fce420]”… And?”[/color] Yoko asked. [color=764820]”… If it’s got a dick, then that means it reproduces. And if it reproduces, there could be a whole pack of horse dicked monsters running around!”[/color] Lisa laughed, glancing at Ella as she knew that would get under her skin. [color=fce420]”… Yes, I’m certain they are all thriving in the freshly bombed city,”[/color] Yoko rolled her eyes. [color=e77fbf]"Hopefully the bombs got them all!"[/color] Ella shuddered, looking even more sick at the mention of the horse dick monsters. [color=DC143C]"Only if there’s female ones too,"[/color] Saskia pointed out. [color=DC143C]"Unless the ones with dicks also get pregnant. That’d be fun. I hope we come across another one. This time I want to-"[/color] [color=e77fbf]"[i][b]Nooooooo![/b][/i]"[/color] Yoko just shrugged, [color=fce420]”We’re going to encounter more weird situations like that, Disciple.”[/color] Yoko began, [color=fce420]”[i]Get over it.[/i]”[/color] Lisa was laughing the whole time. However, as they marched, there was [url=https://i.imgur.com/FPij2FV.png]a figure ahead—someone kneeling with their back to them, covered by red samurai-like armor.[/url] [color=764820]”... [i]Let’s go this way![/i]”[/color] Lisa said, commanding the spider to take a right. [color=e77fbf]"But maybe it’s frien-"[/color] [color=DC143C]"Absolutely not,"[/color] Saskia hissed. They narrowed their eyes at whoever- or whatever- it was, not looking away. Waiting. Knife moving to their hand and gently pressing in. [color=764820]”Yeah, have you met a friendly samurai before?!”[/color] Lisa snorted. Then looked at Yoko, who was silent. [color=764820]”... Other than Yoko!”[/color] [color=e77fbf]"There’s loads of friendly Samurai in anime!"[/color] Ella pouted. [color=DC143C]"And this is real life. Where everything in here is going to try kill us,"[/color] Saskia rolled her eyes. [color=e77fbf]"Alright, I get it, I wasn’t suggesting we go up to it and start a conversation or anything!"[/color] [color=fce420]”He was minding his business,”[/color] Yoko shrugged, [color=fce420]”We don't necessarily need to pick fights with ever-”[/color] There was a burst of wind… And that kneeling stranger appeared right in front of them. There was a brief suspense… ”… [i]Anata-tachi yonin ga, Ō-sama o sonna ni sawagashiku sasete iru no ka.[/i]” The figure spoke in Japanese and Lisa didn't understand a word, his back still to the four. “[i]Hatanaka ga Pitto ni haitta koto wa shitte ita.[/i]” Yoko unsheathed the Yokai Killer, gleaming brighter than ever—like a star. Yoko quickly resheathed it. [color=fce420]”[i]Fuhn! Kisama wa teki ka? Wareware wa yousha wa shinai, Yōkai.[/i]”[/color] Yoko narrowed her eyes. [color=fce420]“[i]Dakara, omae wa sono mama susumu ga yoi.[/i]”[/color] “[i]Ō wa omae-tachi yonin o torae, ikashite tsuretekuru you ni watashi ni meijita. Shikashi, ano ochikobore ni wa watashi o shihai suru koto wa dekinai.[/i]” the stranger replied to Yoko. As he rose to his feet, brandishing a kanabo made out of stone, he turned around to reveal his full figure to them and said (in English this time!), “... You three should leave,” The Samurai said, “I only want Hatanaka…” [color=e77fbf]"No way! We'd never abandon our friend,"[/color] Ella declared, reaching out to put a hand on Yoko's shoulder. [color=e77fbf]”[I]You[/I] should leave."[/color] Saskia sighed. [color=DC143C]"For once I agree with Ella. No, we're not leaving."[/color] Yoko also sighed, [color=fce420]”Look, if he wants me, then I cannot put the rest of you all in danger for my sake,”[/color] She trailed off, unsheathing the Yokai Killer slightly and still barraging the four with a blinding blue light. [color=fce420]”This Yokai… he is powerful. Something unlike anything we have ever faced.”[/color] [color=DC143C]"So you'll just fight him alone?"[/color] Saskia intoned. [color=DC143C]"Normally I'd be all for it but…"[/color] [color=e77fbf]"No way, I can't let you die! A magical girl never leaves anyone behind! We're stronger together!"[/color] Ella insisted. [color=fce420]”As if,”[/color] Yoko seethed, [color=fce420]”I am no ordinary Adept… I am up to the task, Disciple.[/color] [color=764820]”Fuck that,”[/color] Lisa laughed, [color=764820]”We're not going to let you fight this psycho on your own!”[/color] “If you are serious,” The Samurai said, “There is nothing else in this carnival other than us… I killed them all.” He looked to the left and right as he dropped into stance, “Let’s begin. I tire of waiting.” Despite it all, a smirk crept across Lisa's lips. [color=764820][i]Well, this is about to get interesting.[/i][/color]