"Never could trust you, I still got your location on, fell out of love, I delete all the nudes out your phone. Can't get a reaction out of me, that's what you want."
2 mos ago
You have to live every day as if you've dropped your pants and told the whole world to suck your dick.
Elysium Island - In the Tunnels of Mobster Dick. Artifact Group.
Interactions: Before Freezing to Death: Aislin/Layla (@Estylwen), & Luca (@FernStone).
The alarm was still blaring in Adora's ear, but the rush of familiar power drowned it out, making it easy to ignore as she utterly molly-wopped this demon. She didn't even expect to knock it over! Yet, Adora had to remain focused - remember that this power-up wouldn't last forever. Though, it was still more resilient than expected when it immediately began to correct itself (Just means I gotta punch it again)...
The twister hit Adora with the force of a freight train, slamming into her mid-motion as she geared up for another punch. The impact stole air from her lungs, and she staggered back. She barely had time to brace as the frosty cyclone enveloped her, making her wish that she had worn just a little bit more than this. The wind howled around her, drowning out everything except the relentless chill. Adora clenched her teeth, refusing to let out a cry of pain, though her body screamed in protest. Adora swung her arm to break the icy grasp on her, yet they only grew stronger, crawling higher, constricting her movement.
Adora knew that, at this rate, Autumn's power-up was going to fade, and she was going to be sooooo shit out of luck. Adora gritted her teeth, fighting the chill and sapping her muscles' strength. She tried to fly free, yet she was getting immobilized as all she felt was cold seeping to her core. ”Ashy... Layla... Luca...” Adora forced out the words, ”Get out of here!”
Her vision blurred as the frost continued to creep, and the overwhelming stillness settled in.
Yet again, Adora felt the sharp sting of helplessness.
Elysium Island - In the Tunnels of Mobster Dick. Artifact Group.
Interactions: Luca (@FernStone), Sloane (@Atrophy), & The Undead King/Layla/Alizee/Aislin ([@Estlywen]).
The vines thankfully blocked the electricity meant for Britney!
This gave Britney a vital moment to catch her breath and assess the situation before she took action. The Greenwood girl had boosted Adora, and she flew off the moment this situation popped off. Most of the Artifact group decided to mob the mobster, so that didn't require much action on her part. Unfortunately, that left the monster and the Mobster Monster (which Adora was fighting now). The alarm had gone off and announced their entire position to the entire island; they had zero time to lollygag. She had the Noble Vow in hand, so she had the perfect weapon to take out the Undead King - which had reigned to freeze most of the Artifact group (including Adora!).
However, they needed to free up Layla and Alizee.
Britney turned her head towards the monster, which unfortunately got its dick rotten off by Luca (Damn it! I was going to save that for Linqian!). Britney ran over to the dick-monster while Alizee and Layla were holding it down and swung the Noble Vow at its neck. With one clean, precise swipe, its head hit the ground and rolled briefly before becoming stationary. Then Britney turned towards Sloane and Aislin... who were cowering. There was that urge for Britney to call Sloane out for her request for the Noble Vow only to stand around taking cover... but if they were going to get out of this in one piece, they all had to pull it together. They had the numbers advantage, yet they weren't using it.
Britney lowered her free hand to the ground, but as she did so, she spoke.
”Aislin, Sloane,” Britney's hand was almost to the cold concrete of the ground. ”Now's not the time to stand around and gawk! Do something!” Britney followed that statement with a dismissive roll of her eyes as she thrust her hands downwards.
The moment Britney's hand hit the ground, she set forth on a wild gambit as the cold from the Undead King's twister hit her by proximity. Britney accessed a more potent and more chaotic variant of her Bloom spell, Verdant Bloom, to create a massive tree that was sharp at the tip. Less of a tree and more like an oversized stake that would impale the Undead King (hopefully) and give them a few moments to counterattack (if it didn't finish the damn thing off in one hit).
A Magma Titan and a Dragon? These guys are corny! Drake mused as he crawled out of cover after Stormy and Aaron nuked the Magma Monster. The Magma Ghost took one hell of a hit, but the Dragon, on the other hand, was unaffected. Kenshiro took the initiative by trying to shove Doomsday at it; however, whoever the hell is controlling that damn thing opened a portal right in his path! There wasn't any time for Drake to help. However, he was not going to let this Dragon off the hook. Electricity pulsed around Drake as he began flying through the air to get just the perfect angle...
If they were going to win this, they had to take this stupid little lizard out of the picture. The electricity crackled around him as Ride the Lightning built up to a crescendo. ”Get ready, you scaly bitch,” Drake cracked a smirk as he twisted mid-flight, charging a burst of Purple Lux into the core of his spell. The orb around him surged brighter, lightning bolts flaring outward in wild, jagged patterns. The energy wasn’t just raw power—precise, honed, and aimed squarely at the dragon’s exposed flank.
As Drake angled downward, the dragon seemed to sense him. A torrent of fire erupted from its maw directly at him, but Drake didn’t flinch. He drove straight into the flames, his electrified barrier sizzling and sparking as it clashed with the intense heat. The fire bent and twisted around him but couldn’t penetrate his orb of lightning. He kept charging, going faster and faster, as he screamed,
"... RIDE THE LIGHTNING!"
Charging at the Dragon with enough power to launch it into the surrounding storm.
Elysium Island - No Longer in the Tunnels of Monster Dick, now the Tunnels of Dick Mobsters. Artifact Group.
Interactions: A Mobster who's about to get that smirk wiped off his face (@Estylwen).
“And here I thought I'd get the jump on ya'll.”
As if the situation couldn't get any worse!
Adora's head darted towards the mobster as he clapped down the hall. He was cocky. Adora wished she could wipe that smirk off his face. However, he didn't come alone as a portal opened up right next to the cocky bastard.
"Oh for fuck- KASH!" Autumn shouted. Kashmira quickly sang a song in a language Adora couldn't understand, and a barrier formed between Alexander and the Artifact Group comprised of plants, roots, vines, and more (which also blocked his electrical shot).
In the blink of an eye, their auras illuminated the whole island in red, and a loud (and annoying) sound also gave them away. Adora hoped that the Aggro group was causing such a stir that they were keeping the zombies occupied so that the tunnels weren't going to get flooded (they were fucked, and not in a fun way in that case). They needed a plan. Fast. Adora would trust Britney's judgment and maybe be able to turn it around, but she didn't have much to offer except for-
Wait.
A sinister grin formed on Adora's face as she turned towards Autumn; she remembered it being brought up that she could boost abstractions. She glanced at the sole Trinity Ring she possessed (Thanks, Sloane!), before she looked up at Autumn.
”Autumn, boost me!” Adora shouted, ”It's the only way we're getting out of this in one piece!”
"Okay," Autumn nodded at Adora before summoning the Apparition of Al Slaughter beside her. Al Slaughter pointed his hand at Adora and fired a beam of pure Orange Lux at her, boosting her abstraction exponentially. She felt powerful for the first time in ages... yet unworthy. She sighed as she felt her muscles capable of far more than usual. Adora nodded at Autumn in a silent thanks before quickly flying out from behind the cover. She flew up into the air, almost hitting the ceiling. Her first target was the mobster, but Cyrus took care of him, so it was up to her to take care of the monster.
Though Adora had words for Alex as she flew towards the Undead King at high speeds with her fist cocked.
”If that bitch just took the hint and stayed the fuck away from us,” Adora said as she closed the distance, the last words accentuated her super strong strike, ”... MAYBE SHE WOULD STILL BE HERE!”
Adora swung as hard as possible, probably strong enough to send this freak flying.
Meanwhile, vines came out of the ground to bind Alexander, courtesy of Kashmira.
4,252 | The Hatanaka Wraith | He/Him"Even in death, my duty binds me. Even in battle, my rage defines me."
Description:
Once revered as the most celebrated warrior and master weaponsmith of the legendary Hatanaka family, Hatanaka Takashi was a name that resonated across Japan for his skill and commitment to peace. In life, he embodied protection, a hero whose Orange Lux and mastery of enchanted weaponry forged relics that stood as symbols of hope. He defeated the Oni Emperor Daisuke and helped banish the Stygian Snake, etching his legacy into history as a champion of order. Takashi was a bastion of righteousness, driven by a fierce desire to shield the innocent, uphold his family’s honor, and defend Japan.
Yet even death could not grant him solace. Takashi’s spirit returned as an Apparition, nothing more than an echo tethered to the mortal realm by his devotion to the Hatanaka name. No longer truly flesh, he existed as a benevolent figure, his essence infused with Orange Lux. Yet, his presence remained steadfast, a guardian spirit watching over sacred artifacts and his descendants, determined to preserve the Hatanaka lineage.
But when a young Hatanaka was lost to the Pit, the protector within him could not abide the thought of his kin suffering in that cursed place. Driven by love and an unyielding duty that even death could not sever, he plunged into the depths of the Pit, prepared to confront its terrors. Yet the Pit was insidious, its brutal atmosphere gnawing at the edges of his once-pure purpose. The relentless chaos twisted his noble mission into something darker, transforming his devotion into a hunger for retribution. Overwhelmed, he seized control of a fallen warrior’s body and rose as a sort of revenant.
Now, Takashi serves the King of the Pit, not out of loyalty but to satiate his newfound addiction to violence and carnage. The honor he once upheld has eroded, replaced by an insatiable thirst for battle. Yet, in rare moments, he is haunted by fleeting memories of his past. He recalls the faces of his family, the echo of his hammer shaping metal, and the pride he once felt as a protector and creator. Tainted by regret, these hollow memories provide glimpses of the man he once was but bring more anguish than solace. Each memory deepens his rage, igniting the fury that propels his every strike and conquest.
In the heat of battle, Takashi experiences an unbearable blend of ecstasy and torment. The clash of blades ignites a thrill he cannot resist, a primal satisfaction that feels hollow. The adrenaline of combat drowns out the haunting sorrow, offering a momentary reprieve from the pain that lingers in his soul. In these moments, he feels almost alive again; each strike grounds him in a purpose twisted by the Pit's influence. But beneath this frenzied joy lies a gnawing emptiness, a constant reminder of all he has lost. When the battle concludes, he is left with nothing but the ghostly echoes of his past and the man he used to be. These fleeting memories turn his victories to ash, filling him with a rage he cannot escape, a need for the next fight, and the one after that, to dull the pain he can no longer bear to face.
Abstraction: Abscised - The Hatanaka Legacy.
Takashi’s Abstraction defines him as a master swordsman, but his actual power lies in his ability to transform anything he touches into a weapon. With a mere touch, he can draw a katana from the very bricks of a wall. He can pull a sturdy hammer from stone, while a sharp glass dagger can form from scattered shards on a city street. In a forest, he can pull a long staff from a tree, and a whip can be conjured from molten lava in the heat of battle. These weapons are lightweight and perfectly balanced for him, enabling fluid movements and unparalleled precision in combat. To others, however, these creations retain their average weight, challenging anyone who dares to wield them.
Alongside his weaponry skills, Takashi possesses remarkable durability and can withstand strikes that would hinder a lesser warrior. His body is resilient, and he can regenerate from injuries at an accelerated rate, allowing him to return to battle despite the wounds he endures. While he does not possess superhuman speed, Takashi's quick reflexes enable him to react to threats quickly. Standing still and immobile, he can enhance his senses to superhuman levels, perceiving even the faintest movements and sounds. Takashi's prowess extends to his combat techniques derived from spells he created in life, including a "flash step" technique that allows him to launch into a burst of speed momentarily. In defensive situations, he can enter a protective stance, wrapping himself in a shimmering shell of Orange Lux that absorbs blows while making himself unable to counter for the duration.
Drawing upon the fury and desolation forged in countless battles, Takashi can enter a heightened state of power. In this form, a fiery red aura engulfs him, radiating like flames and embodying the rage of every warrior who has fought by his side. This surge of raw emotion pushes his speed and agility past their peak, allowing him to move with a near-supernatural swiftness. In this form, he begins fighting with a feral intensity, fueled by the shared anger and resolve of the fallen. While this state heightens his power, it also stirs a deeper turmoil within, reminding him of the honor he once cherished and the tragic path that led him away from it.
Yoko’s grip on the Yokai Killer tightened as the figure before them shifted subtly…. He’s about to attack. Yoko thought to herself. Before she could shout a warning, the wind fractured. One second, the samurai was meters away, and the next, the world was spinning. Yoko couldn’t even register the impact of the stone kanabo as a loud crack sent the spider they were mounted on flying. Yoko was rolling on the ground as she could hear Turner and Brooks screaming, but she landed on her knee as she activated Focus to find this bastard.
It didn’t take her long as she found him far behind him - he didn’t have a breath or heartbeat - weapon poised. Yoko unsheathed the Yokai Killer, which felt oddly heavier in her hands. Yoko’s hand, holding the sheathe, was pointed back at the group as she said, ”Stay back!”
The samurai simply nodded at her.
This was no ordinary Yokai. This was something far worse.
And he was here for her.
"I don’t like this!" Ella wailed unnecessarily, pushing herself to her feet. Her legs started glowing and she spun around, crouching and also trying to Focus on the enemy.
"Of course not," Saskia hissed. Blood coated them in a hard armour, one hand on the ground as a bone spear grew from the back of her other hand. Watching. Waiting.
”... Kick his ass!” Lisa shouted before she jammed an elbow into Saskia’s side and whispered. ”... Let’s mob him.” A swarm of spiders came from the crevices and cracks of the carnival, and five of them were wrapped in glowing white cocoons.
"Great idea." Saskia hissed back. Flesh wings shoved through her back, the blood from the wounds moving to form a blade on the hand without a bone spear. "As soon as the spiders are ready…"
Ella, on the other hand, wasn’t in on the plan - so she seemed to take the ‘kick his ass’ literally. She sprinted towards the samurai, launching into a rainbow jump kick. Which the mysterious samurai sidestepped and let her whirl past him.
”Disciple!” Yoko shouted.
“She’s your Disciple?” The Samurai asked in Japanese. “All I see is trash!” He came in, swinging the Kanabo at her.
Ella launched herself to the side, managing to roll out of the way of it - just. "I don’t understand what he’s saying but I feel like he’s shit talking me!"
Then she shoved her hands out and blasted him with lightning. It stunned him for a moment before Yoko took the opportunity to use Flash to appear on the other side of him in a blur of motion. She was already sheathing the Yokai Killer by the time she was visible again, which she accomplished with a click - then a rotting wound formed on his chest.
“... I am calling you weak!” The Samurai said in English as he lept up into the air, with the Kanabo hoisted over his shoulder.
"That’s not very Samurai of you!" Ella shouted back, rolling across the ground to try avoid him. He landed, the kanabo cracking the ground and squirting blood in all directions. He turned his head towards Ella, ready to strike attack - before five massive spiders armed with the mandible of a Hercules beetle all mobbed him at once. He swung his Kanabo at one of them, shattering it with one swing, but the remaining spiders swelled up with a glowing yellow acid.
”Get down!” Lisa shouted as she hopped behind a booth. Yoko simply activated Block as the acid splashed onto her.
Saskia covered themselves with their wings, acid eating through some of them. Ella dropped into a defensive posture - Block activated just a little too late as acid ate through one of her arms.
It didn’t seem to deter her. She launched herself at the Samurai, hands coated in electricity shooting to slam into him. He nonchalantly dodged by stepping back before swinging his kanabo upwards at her. Ella’s leg, shining with rainbow light, came up to kick it away. However, Takashi’s strength was too much, and it managed to launch Ella away into the booths.
”Disciple!” Yoko shouted as she watched Ella get launched… Then she turned towards Saskia and Ella, ”You two, go get her! I’ll hold him off!”
”I mean if she lands on her ass-” Lisa was cut off by Yoko.
”... Go!” Yoko shouted.
Lisa wordlessly ran off, dragging Saskia along as Yoko turned her attention back to the samurai.
Yoko barely had time to breathe before the samurai moved again. As he shot forward, the ground cracked beneath him, and his stone kanabo was a motion blur. Yoko raised the Yokai Killer instinctively, blocking the first strike. Even though she had Block applied, the shockwave sent her sliding backward, her feet squishing against the ground.
He's too fast.
Before she could react, he vanished again. Yoko's instincts screamed, and she ducked just in time to avoid a horizontal swing aimed at her head. The kanabo missed by inches, slamming into a booth and shattering it. She pivoted, slashing upward with the Yokai Killer, aiming for the samurai’s exposed flank. He sidestepped with unnerving precision, the blade grazing his armor with a sharp clang. Yoko pressed her attack, launching into a flurry of strikes. Each slash of the Yokai Killer was met with a brutal parry or perfectly timed dodge.
”HOLD STILL, DAMN IT!” Yoko shouted in Japanese, sweat dripping from her brow. Yoko continued the assault with the Yokai Killer; he dodged fluidly and expertly. His kanabo deflected her next thrust with a bone-jarring clang, sending vibrations up her arms. Yoko’s next attack was met with another sidestep. Before she could recover, the samurai countered. His kanabo swept upward, aiming for her midsection. Yoko barely managed to twist away, but the weapon clipped her side, tearing through her jacket and sending her stumbling back. She grasped her ribs and felt the warm and sticky blood seep through her fingers. The Yokai Killer felt heavier than ever in her other hand…
The samurai didn’t let up. He closed the distance in a blink, his kanabo swinging down like a guillotine - but she disappeared in the blink of an eye before it could land. The brutal weapon left a massive crater on the ground as his head went over towards Yoko, standing more down towards the Big Top. She was panting, holding her wound, before her hand went back to the Yokai Killer, and she shouted in Japanese,
”... Come on, you bastard!”
“You got bite, yet…” The Samurai replied, “... The other Hatanaka I faced down here provided a far better fight.” He laughed and Yoko’s mind spiraled.
”... The other Hatanaka?” Yoko asked, as dread overwhelmed the pain. ”You are lying.”
“He wielded Murakumo,” The Samurai replied, “I’d say he almost killed me with it, before he simply fled.”
Yoko froze…. If this samurai was telling the truth, he was still alive here.
”When did you face him, you bastard!” Yoko hissed.
“Time is…” The Samurai trailed off, “Irrelevant down here. It could have been weeks ago. Days. Months. Years. Yet. I faced him. There was a fire in his soul unlike any other… he was a true Hatanaka..”
Yoko grit her teeth, ”You don’t get to speak on my family you bastard! Murakumo or not, I will tear your tongue out of your mouth!” Yoko tightened her grip on the Yokai Killer, glaring at the towering figure before her. The samurai's words fueled a storm of emotions—hope, dread, anger. Goro would still be alive if his statement about her brother were true. ”You are just another broken tool of this hell! You are nothing!”
Yoko then dropped into stance, ready for another Flash attack to ram through this bastard’s chest. ”Tell me where he went, or I’ll kill you!” Yoko hissed.
The samurai laughed, “Bold words for a dying flame…” He slammed the Kanabo into the ground with a loud crack and squish. "You don’t understand what survival means here, child. Your brother does. He’s tasted the despair of the Pit and learned to wield it. And now? He thrives in it. Unlike you."
How he spoke of Goro - like he was something other than himself - sent a chill down her spine. ”Bullshit! He would never succumb to this place!”
“Would he not?” The samurai tilted his head. “The Pit doesn’t bend to willpower or strength. It crushes it. Your brother fought me, yes, but fled not to protect himself…”
He laughed, “... But to escape what he’d become.”
Yoko bit down hard as she screamed in English, ”... BULLSHIT!” Then Yoko disappeared in a burst of speed that disrupted the dust and debris around this carnival. In the blink of an eye, she had closed the distance and rammed the Yokai Killer through his midsection. As the blade rested in his body, it caused a necrosis that rotted away at the armor and flesh…
The samurai stumbled back, gripping the blade-embedded in his torso, yet his laugh echoed louder than ever. “... If you fought like this earlier, I might have been able to take you seriously.”
Yoko twisted the blade in his flesh as she applied Extend to it, and the blade burst out of the other side of his body. ”Die!” Yoko shouted as she also applied Harden to the blade and brought it downwards. The blade sliced his body in half from the midsection downwards and reverted to its original size. Then Yoko got the blade over her shoulder and swung it with all of her might-
The Samurai grabbed her wrist and stared at her for a moment… the wounds he sustained regenerated, and his molten eyes burned brighter. “Impressive child,” The Samurai said, “But it is not enough.”
He twisted Yoko’s arm, forcing her to drop the Yokai Killer as it clattered to the ground. Yoko winced in pain, trying to pull free, but his grip was unrelenting. He raised her up into the air and slammed her onto the ground. Then grabbed onto the Kanabo and raised it high into the air…
Two blades struck the Samurai’s back simultaneously. Blood exploded from the massive wound created by the perfect blow, flooding down like a waterfall onto Yoko… which got in her mouth and she spit it out in disgust as she managed to activate Flash. She appeared some meters away, grasping her wound momentarily before she reached down into her pouch for her metal bo staff, which was merely a rod no longer than the width of her palm. Using Compact, she brought it back to its full size, then angled it so that when she activated Extend, it launched her forward.
Her target was clear: the Samurai’s center mass, where the blood from his previous wound still poured. She twisted mid-air, channeling her momentum into a strike connected with a thunderous impact. It forced the Samurai to stagger, yet otherwise barely reacted to the attack. Before Yoko could respond, his grip caught the bo staff halted her next swing midmotion and swung her to his other side into a booth.
"This bastard’s tough- we even pierced his emotional field," Saskia hissed to Lisa. At the same time, she raised a hand, shooting off a weaker-than-normal blood bullet, aiming for the wound on his back. It hit, but the wound quickly closed as he turned towards Saskia.
“That is because I am no mere man of flesh,” the samurai said. I am something beyond human, perhaps beneath human.”
He slightly twitched, and Lisa wrapped him in a net of various webs attached to the ground before all five Chitionous spears erupted from the ground and penetrated any openings in his armor, piercing out through the other end with relative ease.
”... Um! Maybe a plan’s in order!” Lisa said.
Yoko climbed out of the wreckage of the booth, and her body was screaming; the wounds that were left from the wooden scraps were searing hot and oozing red. Bruises up and down her body, yet the adrenaline kept her standing. Yoko looked down and saw that her bo staff was still on the ground. She knelt forward, picked it up, and extended it three times its length. Then, she applied Impact as she swung it in a comprehensive, vicious arc that hit the Samurai and sent him flying into another booth. Yoko panted,
”... Otten, give me the Orange Stone!” Yoko stuck her hand out for her to throw it.
Saskia didn’t hesitate. They pulled the Orange Stone out, coating the bag it was in with blood to accurately throw it right in Yoko’s hand. Mid-air, the Samurai appeared in the throw’s arc and swung his Kanabo at the Orange Stone. Launching it into the distance, and Yoko’s jaw dropped.
”Oh, that’s bullshit!” Lisa shouted, then flipped off the Samurai. ”Fuck you!”
Then the Samurai warped again in another blur of motion, this time at Lisa. When he appeared again, he was right before her and swung the Kanabo horizontally. The sickening sound of bones breaking filled the air as Yoko’s heart sank.
”... Turner!” Yoko shouted as Lisa was sent rolling.
"Shit- Lisa!" Saskia hissed. More blood flowed across her body, forming a tendril on her back, and they went to launch themselves after Lisa.
"I’ve got her!" Ella shouted, finally coming back to - she scrambled after Lisa, a beam of healing light coming from where her channeler was in her arm to hit her injured friend.
Saskia turned on the Samurai, grimacing. "You bastard."
But instead of attacking him they ran towards Yoko, blood tendril propelling them to go faster. They reached forward to grab her hand - and all their blood coating their body flowed across from them onto her. It clotted her wounds and formed a hard protective layer around her. Afterwards they were deathly pale. "It’s- not as much- but it’s something."
Yoko sighed as it covered her from head to toe. She was losing her composure, but she couldn’t break here. The Samurai was advancing again, his eyes locked onto her, and that kanabo was dragging along the ground. She placed her feet firmly against the ground and began inhaling deeply. ”Bolster.” Yoko’s voice was barely audible as she felt the surge of Orange Lux flow through her. She looked at Saskia, then Ella, and felt regretful that Turner got hurt protecting her. She sighed,
”Otten, Disciple,” Yoko said, ”Take Turner, and go. This Yokai is far above your capabilities.”
"But-"
"She’s right," Saskia hissed, leaning on one of the booths. "Grab Lisa."
Ella looked at Yoko, eyes wide, before nodding. She scooped Lisa up into her arms, still bathing her in a slowly healing light. Saskia pushed themselves off their support, pausing for just a moment to look Yoko dead in the eyes.
"Don’t die."
”No promises,” Yoko said. ”Now go! I’m not telling you again!”
The three left, and it was just her. She knew that, possibly, she was going to die here like a dog at the hands of this monster. Yet, she cracked a defiant grin as she clutched the bo-staff. I knew what I was getting into. Yoko thought to herself.
“Now that those weaklings are gone,” The Samurai said, “It’s time to see if you’re any better.”
The Samurai outstretched his hand, the kanabo dangling loosely from his grip. With an almost dismissive motion, he let it fall to the ground as it struck the cobblestone, the massive club crumbled to dust, carried away by the winds. Yoko’s brow furrowed. The Samurai’s gaze remained locked on her, cold and unflinching. Then, he shifted his stance, pressing one armored hand to the cobblestones beneath him. The Samurai rose slowly, his hand dragging upward. As he did, the cobblestones beneath him lifted and merged, twisted and fused, reshaping in his grasp. In mere moments, a massive nodachi emerged from the rubble, its blade forged from the very stone of the earth. The Samurai took the weapon in both hands and pointed the tip at Yoko.
“Show me,” He continued, pointing the Nodachi at the grounded Yokai Killer, “How good with a sword you are.”
The Bo staff compacted in her hands as she put it away. Then, calmly, she walked over to the Yokai Killer and held it in both hands. It felt oddly comforting in her hands. Rain began to fall, soaking her to the bone, but she didn’t flinch. Instead, she stepped forward, her eyes never leaving The Samurai’s. Bolster would fade soon, and she wasn’t sure if she could hold a candle to him without it. This monster was a roadblock, a test of skill. Thus far, Yoko had made easy work of everything the Pit had thrown at her, and now she was uncertain if she would survive this fight.
I have to do it for Goro. Yoko thought to herself, just as that static-y voice popped in her head, speaking oddly clearly.
...?...?...?... I was asleep, what did I mis-OH JESUS CHRIST! The voice began. Yoko… you-
Yoko cut off the voice as she activated Flash. She appeared on the other side of the Samurai, and a slash appeared on his armor. Yoko pivoted onto her heel and lunged forward, aiming to capitalize on the opening she’d created. The Yokai Killer glowed faintly with a blue light as she swung it toward the gap in The Samurai’s armor. Her strike was fast and precise, but as the blade connected, it rattled off with a loud echo.
The Samurai turned his head slightly, almost as if acknowledging the blow. Then, in a blur of motion, he swung the nodachi in a wide arc. Yoko barely had time to react, ducking just in time to feel the blade whistle past, close enough that the force sent her stumbling back a step.
Yoko steadied herself, gripping the Yokai Killer tighter. I can’t outlast him. I’ll have to outmaneuver him. Her mind raced, analyzing his movements, searching for any sign of weakness. She darted to the side, using Flash again to close the gap, her blade slicing downward with surgical precision. Another mark appeared on his armor, but it was still superficial.
The Samurai pivoted, swinging his massive sword downward in a crushing motion. Yoko leaped to the side, the ground where she’d been standing exploding in a spray of shattered cobblestones and blood. She rolled, coming up on her feet in one fluid motion, the Yokai Killer humming in her hands. Yoko felt the last dregs of bolster surge through her limbs as she swung the Yokai Killer at the Samurai, applying Sharpen mid-swing. The Samurai countered with a slash of his blade, but the Yokai Killer sliced right through it and cut his torso, embedding itself into a gap in his armor. She kept a death grip on the Yokai Killer as she applied Extend to the weapon, and it burst out through the other side. He grabbed the Yokai Killer to pry it free, but the weapon's blade retracted into its hilt in the blink of an eye, and she swung it again. She managed to cut his hand off, and it dropped to the ground.
Yoko grinned.
The Samurai took a step back, his severed hand lying on the ground, steam rising from the wound as rain hissed against the exposed flesh. Despite the grievous injury, he showed no signs of pain. His remaining hand tightened around the nodachi, which began to regenerate, fragments of stone rising from the ground to reforge the shattered blade. Yoko’s grin widened, but it was more from adrenaline than confidence. Her breathing was ragged, and Bolster had left her body, her only advantage.
Yoko lunged forward, her feet barely touching the ground as she activated Flash-Storm. The world around her blurred, and time seemed to dilate as golden light exploded from her body. She vanished from view, only to reappear a split second later at the Samurai’s side, her blade cutting into his armor. Before he could react, she was gone again - another slash landed on his back, then his shoulder, then his legs. A storm of strikes surrounded the Samurai, each faster and more precise than the last. Sparks flew as the Yokai Killer met his armor, relentlessly carving into the stone and molten metal. Yoko’s movements were a whirlwind of light and sound, the rain sizzling as it evaporated in contact with the heat radiating from their clash. The Samurai swung his nodachi wide, trying to catch her, but his attacks struck only air. Every time he turned, she was gone, her next strike coming from an unpredictable angle.
Yoko could feel her energy waning, but she pushed forward, chaining the final Flash movements with all the precision she could muster. Almost there. Just one more.
As the storm of attacks reached its crescendo, Yoko suddenly stopped. The world seemed to hold its breath as she gripped the Yokai Killer tightly. Then she locked eyes with the Samurai, his expression unreadable. With a scream, she dove forward. The final strike cleaved through him, the force of the blow creating a shockwave that rippled through the rain-soaked battlefield. The Samurai’s nodachi shattered. Yoko landed several feet away, her knees buckling as she collapsed to the ground, clutching the Yokai Killer for support.
She looked up, panting heavily, as the Samurai stood motionless. Finally, with a crash, his massive frame crumbled to the ground, the remnants of his armor dissolving into dust. Yoko let out a breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. But she had done it. He was defeated. Yoko laughed.
”That’ll show you… you bastard…” Yoko said, laughing. ”I am the greatest Hatanaka… I will find my brother. I will help those three get their second chance. I will return to the surface world and kill that bastard who murdered my friend! Cut the world in half if I have to!”
Using the Yokai Killer as a brace, she forced herself to her feet - stumbling for a second and having to use the Yokai Killer to prevent herself from falling forward. She sighed as she limped towards the direction Ella took Lisa and Saskia…
The voice spoke in her head,
...?...?...?... I’m proud of you, Yoko. I knew you could do it…
Yoko didn’t even react as she kept forward.
...?...?... I love you...
Yoko’s grip tightened on the Yokai Killer. ”Love me all you want. Just let me get through this.” She muttered, her voice almost lost under the rain.
Then, a sound froze her mid-step - a resounding, resonant clang. Yoko stopped and slowly turned, her blood running cold.
Yoko saw the Samurai rising to his feet. A series of unnatural cracks echoed as he regenerated, his body forcing itself back together, including his armor. He stood tall, his molten eyes fixed on Yoko.
“... Do you think it was truly over?” He asked, voice almost sounding amused.
Yoko’s knees threatened to give out as she tightened her grip on the Yokai Killer. She stared at the Samurai, with her jaw-dropping. ”That should have killed you!” Yoko shouted.
The Samurai stepped forward before coming to a robotic stop. He reached down as his fingers dug into the cobblestone. “... I told you I was something beyond human,” he began. “Why are you surprised?” He pulled a thin blade from the ground—a tanto—and inspected the weapon as he continued.
“To me, death is not an end, but a continuation,.” He tilted his head downwards at Yoko, “I've died thousands of times now. I have known death in every shape, every form. And yet, I rise again. And again. And again...”
Yoko felt the weight of his words, yet she couldn’t breathe or move. She stared at him as the rain drenched her from head to toe, ”... What are you?”
“If I had to be honest, I could not tell you,” The Samurai replied, “I was once a man… a great man. A wise man. A famous man. A powerful man….”
He trailed off…
“... Takashi Hatanaka, master weaponsmith, protector, and hero of the people.” He said, Yoko couldn’t move as the reveal nearly broke her heart. “I fought to create, to protect, to give meaning to my life.”
Yoko felt the world around her collapse.
The rain couldn’t cleanse the revelation that hung heavy in the air.
The figure before her was no mere apparition.
The name “Takashi Hatanaka” echoed in her mind, but it felt wrong, hollow, a cruel mockery of the man she had admired from afar, the hero whose deeds had shaped history. The very essence of the Hatanaka legacy. This thing standing before her wasn’t him, could never be him, no matter how much it parroted his memories. Yoko bared teeth,
”... You are not him,” Yoko hissed.
"No, I am not him." Takashi’s voice was robotic,. "I am the spirit born from the remnants of his life. His choices, regrets, legacy... and now, failures."
Yoko’s knees wobbled, but she refused to let herself fall.
"He fought to create, to protect, to give meaning to his life," the Samurai continued, almost to himself, it seemed like. "But in the end... all that remains is me. The hollow reflection of a man who once lived to give meaning to the world... only to be forgotten, lost in the void of his destruction."
Yoko’s grip on the Yokai Killer tightened. She couldn’t let herself get lost in the tragedy of it all. No matter how much this being sounded like the man she had heard about, no matter how much he seemed to carry the weight of his actions... he was not Takashi Hatanaka. Yoko weakly raised the Yokai Killer at him as she said,
”... You are not my ancestor. You are a perversion of him, born from whatever The Hound didn’t bother to take!” Yoko’s words rang out like a challenge
The Apparition before her was no longer just a cruel imitation of the man she had read about in books, heard stories about, and even dreamed of one day becoming like. No, this was something far darker - a twisted echo of a hero long gone.
“You are mistaken,” Takashi spoke, his voice laced with amusement. "I am not a perversion. I am his legacy, his final, eternal form. A reflection of the purpose he tried to forge, the power he sought. What is a hero but an idea, after all? And I… I am the culmination of that idea."
Takashi tilted his head at her, as if it was studying her.
"Tell me, Yoko..." His voice was almost condescending, "Do you even understand what it means to embrace the Hatanaka name? To be one of the last to carry its true legacy? You and Goro are the only ones left who still embrace your magical heritage, aren’t you? The rest of your family? They’ve long forgotten what it means to be Hatanaka. They hide behind their wealth and influence, burying the legacy in business deals and power plays."
Takashi stepped forward, "What is it like, Yoko? To carry that burden - the expectations of a legacy long forgotten by your kin? The relentless pressure to prove that the Hatanaka name still means something beyond luxury and status? A name that has been reduced to a title. A name once synonymous with power and honor… now nothing more than a relic of a bygone age. How does it feel to be the last of something that has already been forgotten?"
Yoko sighed,
”Shut up… just shut up...” She hissed, ”... The world… the other Hatanakas may have forgotten. But I haven’t. And I’ll ensure that the people who come from me don’t forget either.” She shook her head, looking at the ground.
"You think you can preserve what is left of the Hatanaka legacy? You, nothing more than a pitiful scion?" Takashi scoffed. "It’s already too late. The name has lost its meaning. All you have left are memories. Echoes.."
Yoko raised her head, ”... You think I do what I do for power, fame, or even recognition? You claim to have his memories, yet you have zero idea that the Hatanakas truly stood for justice, wisdom, and a positive change in the world. It doesn’t matter what the world thinks, or if they even remember us, as long as someone is fighting for a just cause, Yokai.” Yoko hissed out the last word like an insult.
"Justice?" He repeated, his voice dripping with amusement. "That’s what you think this is about? You’re clinging to the faded image of what your bloodline once stood for, but you’ve lost touch with reality, Yoko. You’re the last of the Hatanakas, and you’ve forgotten that power is the only thing that matters. Without it, all you have is a name."
”The Mother Will has corrupted you,” Yoko seethed, ”You cannot understand that justice isn’t about power for the sake of it. But fighting for those who couldn’t fight for themselves. I didn’t understand that ten years ago, but now I embrace it with open arms...”
Yoko weakly stepped forward, her stance trembling as she raised the Yokai Killer up at the Apparition. ”... Let’s finish this, you bastard!”
“... If you insist,” Takashi said before he disappeared in a flash of motion. Yoko barely managed to dodge, the tip of the blade grazing her side, leaving a deep cut. Yoko stumbled back, her legs giving way momentarily, but she regained her balance with sheer willpower. She lifted the Yokai Killer above her head, her body shaking from its weight, and brought it down towards Takashi - who just sidestepped it, holding the pose momentarily before Yoko swung the Yokai Killer horizontally and stumbled forward onto her hands and knees. Takashi put his foot on her head as he continued to mock her.
“... You are pathetic, and above all else, unworthy,” Takashi said as the tanto fell to pieces in his hands. “... And you are not even worthy of dying by my hand. I’ll let the Autoknights or one of the other Denizens of this place finish you off, Hatanaka.”
He paused.
“... We’re done here.”
With that, Takashi disappeared in a blur of motion that even Yoko couldn’t even track. Yoko’s head spun, her vision barely holding together as Takashi’s words echoed in her ears. His mocking voice, his cold dismissal…. She was still on the ground, blood dripping from her side, breath shallow and ragged. But even as her body screamed in protest, something burned within her. She couldn’t stay down, not like this.
Takashi’s mocking declaration still rang in her mind, but the sting of his words was quickly replaced by the sharp pang of something more profound. The Disciple, Otten, and Turner. They were still fighting, still in danger. With a strained breath, Yoko pushed herself up, her hands shaking. She could barely keep her balance as she reached for the Yokai Killer, still gripped tightly in her hands, the weapon a dead weight that mirrored her own body. The thought of Takashi and how he'd quickly dismissed her seethed within her. But her friends - her family - were louder, more urgent.
“I’m not done.” Yoko’s voice was a growl that barely broke through the rain. Her body burned with every movement, but she didn’t care. She couldn’t care. There was too much at stake. Her legs gave out once, and she collapsed to one knee, but she pushed herself back up, gritting her teeth.
Through the pain and blood, through the fog of exhaustion and fading strength, Yoko pushed forward.
Elysium Island - In the Tunnels of Monster Dick. Artifact Group.
Interactions: .
Britney almost laughed.
In the blink of an eye, the entire plan went to shit, and they were now face to face with a mini-Kaiju with its red-hot dong out. The fact that she was proven so horribly right was drowned out by the fact that they were now in between a rock and a hard place: they could either use magic and alert the whole island, or get mauled by a monster and alert the entire island. Thankfully, Alizee was restraining the creature with her chains (which also didn't set off the alarm), and it thrashed as it choked - swinging its claws out at the group. Britney resisted the urge to just cut the damn thing's head off with the Noble Vow.
”What did ya'll do when you ran into a monster?” Adora asked Autumn.
"We avoided them all," Autumn nodded.
”Well, shit,” Adora hissed.
“What’s the fucking plan, here?!”
”Plan is to keep it cool, and not blow our load,” Britney said in a whisper. ”We can still turn this around. Just got to play our cards right.”
They needed a plan; thankfully, Aislin knew who would have one. Britney turned to Layla and quietly asked, ”How far can you separate from Alizee? She can't die; if she gets destroyed, she'll just get returned to your soul.” Hopefully, Layla, as ditsy as she is, would get the plan: Alizee holds the monster down while the rest of them proceed...
"... Adept en route!" Autumn spoke out loud, "Red and Purple!"
”Yoooooo, you gotta be fucking kid-” Adora spoke out loud before cutting herself off and going back to whispering. ”Sloane, tell them we're leaving. This is-”
”No,” Britney said, ”It's just one hiccup. We can handle this.”
Interactions: The Aggro/Support Groups (Specifically Rohan (@Blizz), Leon (@AtomicEmperor), ).
Elysium Island.
Rohan healed Jess with the spear, and Ruby let out a sigh of relief. It wasn't long until Ruby pulled the spear out.
"Holy shit!" Jess shouted as her eyes shot open, "So THAT'S what it feels like!" Then she laughed.
"Shit! I thought you'd be fireproof!" James said with a cocky grin.
"Why do I need to be fireproof?!" Jessica laughed as she gestured forward. "Usually I'm miles-"
The Magma Titan burst out of the mansion and began marching towards them with its shoulders out. Jessica's jaw dropped as Ruby narrowed her eyes and grinned. "The bigger the challenge!" Ruby confidently said, "The bigger the reward!"
Ruby began barraging the Apparition with a barrage of Spring Beams as Jordan punched the Apparition (One bold motherfucker, that one.). The two attacks caused the burning-hot Phantasm to stumble backward a few steps before it roared, shaking the earth.
"Wish we had Pearl here!" Ruby said as she kept unloading magic beams into the horror. Amelia stepped up, and began to pelt the Apparition with cooling winds that diverted its flames into different directions. She kept it up as Ruby kept pounding it.
"Hey! Battery girl!" Jessica said to Lily. "Juice me up!"
"Aren't you just going to make it hotter?" Lily asked.
"No, no, no! I got a kinetic beam just for motherfuckers like this!" Jessica laughed as Lily wrapped her arms around her bicep and charged her up.
"Don't get cooked like a chicken!" Lily shouted, laughing.
"Don't worry about me!" Jessica stepped up, with a grin on her face as she raised her hands into the air. The sun began glowing brighter and brighter as Jessica looked over her shoulder at Lily. "Because I got the suuuuuuuuuuuuun on my side!"
A massive beam of kinetic energy came down on the sky directly atop the Apparition. It slammed into the ground with an enormous boom, almost knocking everyone off their feet.
"Oh you thought I was finished!?" Jessica shouted as the sun gleamed brighter again, and another powerful beam of Kinetic light came down from the sky directly onto the Apparition. Then another, and another. The impact created a deep crater in the ground, sending dust and debris everywhere. Jessica let up, and tilted her head in surprise.
"... It's still in one piece?!" Jessica shouted, "Someone go seal- Ooooooooh..."
Her jaw dropped as her eyes drifted upward; everyone's eyes drifted upward. Dozens of blasts of cyan-blue Ectoplasm with screaming faces rained down on them.
"... TAKE COVER!"
Ruby shouted as she ducked behind a shield, and the ground began shaking. Every blast of Ectoplasm went off like an explosion as it came down wild and indiscriminate. Explosion after explosion came as Ruby had her back to Stormy's shields.
"Where are they coming from!?" Jessica shouted.
"Don't know!" Ruby shouted, "We gotta find it quick!"
"... Some plan," Jasmine said, rolling her eyes as she took cover.
The Magma behemoth forced its way back to its feet, then began marching towards them, ignoring the blasts of ectoplasm that started to rain on it.
Naomi Rodgers & Pearl Cho.
Interactions: T.
Elysium Island.
Naomi swung from tree to tree... with Pearl's arms and legs wrapped around her.
Unlike Jack, Pearl didn't possess a mobility abstraction, and they had to improvise. Naomi had to carry her in a near-romantic swing, avoiding getting shot at by the zombies. But once Jack made it to the veil, it was gameday, and Naomi let go of Pearl. The plan was for Jack to yeet the Eustis Veil into the Void or for Rein to grab it so they can use it - then Naomi and Pearl go to the Support and Aggro groups, respectively. Though, the Eustis Veil was huge, about three stories tall! Naomi wondered how they were going to use it. However, the Veil was surrounded by armed zombie minions, and the apparent solution to that problem was to fight them. Naomi wasn't sure of Jack's capabilities, but a full-on attack would be suicide. However, Rien handled it with her summons, which restrained the zombies, and Pearl raised her hands and chanted. She summoned several icy spikes that cut through the air at lightning speeds and impaled the restrained zombies.
Then Naomi felt a bit useless, but they were...
She looked up and saw the Ectoplasm rain down on top of them.
Pearl loudly chanted in Korean again before creating a dome of ice above them that tanked several of the blasts of Ectoplasm. Naomi reached down for the Radio and shouted,
"Weird ghost things are raining on us!" Naomi updated Ruby.
"Our position too!" Ruby responded. "Our shields are handling it, but are you okay?"
"Pearl's got us covered," Naomi responded. "Hopefully, these things will destroy the Veil for us."
"Someone's got eyes on us," Ruby responded, "Or they're just trying to blow up the island, not giving a fuck who they hit."
"What do you suggest we do?" Naomi asked.
"It's a crazy idea!" Ruby shouted, "... But turn the Veil back on!"
"I thought we were getting rid of it," Naomi snorted.
"Yeah, we were," Ruby responded, "But that was before the artillery started,"
There was a pause,
"They seem to be coming from way above the island," Ruby began, "If you keep the Veil secure, we can just turn it back off when we are ready to jet."
Naomi didn't respond.
"... Trust me on this one!" Ruby said.
Naomi looked up at the group to see what they thought.
The rest of the Elite.
From the pov of Phillis Schmidt.
Interactions: None.
Elysium Island.
The mansion was nearly burnt to a crisp by their opening attack but still solid. Those bastards hadn't breached it yet, and Phillis suspected they weren't trying to. They had another plan, probably going for their artifacts or something stupid. Maybe if they asked nicely. However, from her estimations, most of the Elite were still alive. She slowly rose from the ground; a pool of inky darkness heralded her arrival in their bar - where most of the Elite were hanging out. They looked at Phillis, and Phillis shrugged,
"Our various enemies are besieging us; we are leaving and letting our 'Security Force' and Mafia friends handle it," Phillis announced, then stepped forward and tapped the darkness-covered ground a few times. "Step into the darkness if you wish to leave."
"And leave this action?!" Angela said with a devilish grin on her face, "You must be-"
Phillis pulled another of her Apparitions out of the metal rods, which raised a hand at Angela and electrocuted her, bringing her eldest child to her knees. Phillis placed her hands on her hips and said, "Child, do not let Turbulence control you." Phillis said, "You will have your time to shine... some other time, but not today. Let's go, everyone!"
The various members of the Elite gathered in the pool of darkness in the center of the room... except for Jiao-Long and Chunhua.
"... But my daughters are still here!" Jiao-Long shouted, "I refuse to leave them behind!"
Phillis didn't even turn her full gaze onto Jiao-Long, "... Then go find them." She began to sink into the darkness of the floor. "They are not my problem."
Jiao-Long will have to hitch a ride with Berlioz. Then, right as she was gone, she said,
"... Toodles,"
Hopefully, Jiao-Long and his family die on this island and make her plan just a little bit easier.
”Hey! We went in the direction of the Kingdom!” Lisa smiled. ”Isn’t that convenient1?”
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 alive. 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 closer.
”Well,” Lisa shrugged, ”This place is weird. Who wants to see the carnival?!”
”Pass, Turner,” Yoko said with a nod of her head, ”The Autoknights are likely on our trail… Though, it is strange that their presence in this area is minimal....” Yoko rubbed her chin.
Lisa shrugged again.
”... They probably don’t like fun!”
"What part of this is fun?" Ella asked, gagging a bit. She covered her mouth and nose.
"All of it. Look at that flesh floor. Delightful. I wonder if it bleeds," Saskia intoned, while looking around. "Let’s keep going… carefully."
Lisa just shrugged as she commanded the spider to march forward, ”You know, I was thinking about that horse monster and…”
”… And?” Yoko asked.
”… 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!” Lisa laughed, glancing at Ella as she knew that would get under her skin.
”… Yes, I’m certain they are all thriving in the freshly bombed city,” Yoko rolled her eyes.
"Hopefully the bombs got them all!" Ella shuddered, looking even more sick at the mention of the horse dick monsters.
"Only if there’s female ones too," Saskia pointed out. "Unless the ones with dicks also get pregnant. That’d be fun. I hope we come across another one. This time I want to-"
"Nooooooo!"
Yoko just shrugged, ”We’re going to encounter more weird situations like that, Disciple.” Yoko began, ”Get over it.”
”... Let’s go this way!” Lisa said, commanding the spider to take a right.
"But maybe it’s frien-"
"Absolutely not," 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.
”Yeah, have you met a friendly samurai before?!” Lisa snorted.
Then looked at Yoko, who was silent.
”... Other than Yoko!”
"There’s loads of friendly Samurai in anime!" Ella pouted.
"And this is real life. Where everything in here is going to try kill us," Saskia rolled her eyes.
"Alright, I get it, I wasn’t suggesting we go up to it and start a conversation or anything!"
”He was minding his business,” Yoko shrugged, ”We don't necessarily need to pick fights with ever-”
There was a burst of wind… And that kneeling stranger appeared right in front of them. There was a brief suspense…
”… Anata-tachi yonin ga, Ō-sama o sonna ni sawagashiku sasete iru no ka.” The figure spoke in Japanese and Lisa didn't understand a word, his back still to the four. “Hatanaka ga Pitto ni haitta koto wa shitte ita.”
Yoko unsheathed the Yokai Killer, gleaming brighter than ever—like a star. Yoko quickly resheathed it.
”Fuhn! Kisama wa teki ka? Wareware wa yousha wa shinai, Yōkai.” Yoko narrowed her eyes. “Dakara, omae wa sono mama susumu ga yoi.”
“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.” 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…”
"No way! We'd never abandon our friend," Ella declared, reaching out to put a hand on Yoko's shoulder. ”You should leave."
Saskia sighed. "For once I agree with Ella. No, we're not leaving."
Yoko also sighed, ”Look, if he wants me, then I cannot put the rest of you all in danger for my sake,” She trailed off, unsheathing the Yokai Killer slightly and still barraging the four with a blinding blue light. ”This Yokai… he is powerful. Something unlike anything we have ever faced.”
"So you'll just fight him alone?" Saskia intoned. "Normally I'd be all for it but…"
"No way, I can't let you die! A magical girl never leaves anyone behind! We're stronger together!" Ella insisted.
”As if,” Yoko seethed, ”I am no ordinary Adept… I am up to the task, Disciple.
”Fuck that,” Lisa laughed, ”We're not going to let you fight this psycho on your own!”
“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,
Drake grinned from behind the barrier as he quickly closed the distance between Kenshiro and himself using electricity. He was barely processing the chaos around him (from that old dude shooting arrows at everyone to Jasper pulling out a whole ass gun) as he was striking down undead minion after undead minion. He glanced over his shoulder as he raised Sloane's stick and said,
”If ya'll wanna stay alive! Get back!” Drake screamed as an orb of plasma formed around them that glew several different shades of blue. It grew larger and larger as it pulled in the undead minions and burned them to ashes in seconds. The orb grew as it tore apart the undead horde-
That was when something straight out of the Hercules movie burst through the front of the building. It swelled to massive sizes, standing over them like a titan as he stood several times as large as the mansion. He stuck his hand out and fired at the treeline and the offensive group. He was so hot that he began to cause the flowers and trees to burst into flames.
And what was worse was that Doomsday was pulling him towards the group.
Elysium Island.
Interactions: None (Britney doesn't interact with ppl with flat asses).
Britney was not happy to be here.
Britney didn't trust Ruby or Greenwood that much (Ironically, she trusted them more than Sycamore). She didn't trust Ruby's plan—mainly because when it inevitably went south, it was basically, 'Hope the teleporters are still alive, ya'll!'. Nor did she trust the likes of Sloane, Clancy, Aislin, or Amara not to throw her under the bus at the earliest opportunity. Jack should be here after he's done yeeting the Veil into the Void, so that was a plus.
Naturally, Sloane was pushing her buttons immediately, demanding the radio. That little control freak has to be in charge, or she would throw a fit. Ruby gave Britney the radio because she attempted to touch bases with Greenwood rather than sit around in the corner pouting with Anya or screaming when things weren't going her way. Britney had every reason to tell Sloane to kiss her ass, but Britney knew when to pick her battles.
And this just wasn't one of them.
Britney silently handed off the radio without a word (Don't lose it!) and turned to see Clancy dart off. She hoped he knew precisely where he was going because she wouldn't make a rescue mission for the bastard. Everyone was so concerned with the Starving Dog that they completely forgot the monsters, security checkpoints, and probably traps in there... which was typical for Sycamore. Always overlooking the little things!
Britney just followed the Greenwood lady (Autumn? The quiet one) as she led them into the mansion.
Autumn Hayes & Kashmira Sarai
Interactions: The Artifact Group, and specifically Clancy (@Zombiedude101).
Elysium Island.
Autumn kept her mouth shut.
All she had to say was how if anything, Greenwood should be the ones getting the radio. Not just because Autumn could man the radio while keeping her hands free. Not just because Autumn knew the way but also because she probably had a better idea of what she was doing. Not just because she doubted Sycamore seemed constantly at each other's throats (given the tension spike between Sloane and Britney that even a blind man could notice). But because this was a Greenwood operation - given how little Sycamore contributed to the planning - they should leave things to those with experience with these things and not the fake coven. However, Autumn kept her mouth shut because tensions were already high between the two Covens, and she knew with a one-off comment that things would erupt when they didn't need them to.
Britney just handed off the radio, and things returned to normal.
However, that didn't help with the creeping anxiety that Layla provided just by being there. Autumn glanced in her direction. She knew that she had issues with Naomi, but Ruby also had a feeling that she might try to pull something on her or Kashmira. Then Autumn glanced in Kashmira's direction - who was gleaming with positivity and kindness. Autumn doubted Layla was dumb enough to pick a fight here, of all places, but Autumn couldn't let anything happen to Kasmira. However, things would be fine if she kept Layla in her view at all times. Autumn could spawn a second set of eyes, after all. The Apparition of Geneva Benard appeared right next to her and floated behind her.
Before she could get a chance to tell them to follow her lead, the weird kid ran off. Autumn narrowed her eyes at him, which was the only part of her not hidden underneath her grey face mask. Ruby didn't want the kid there, but it was ultimately Sycamore's choice - and their problem in case he got hurt. Autumn could hear the chaos in the distance before realizing they had to get a move on before they caught on. With the power of Geneva Benard's apparition, Autumn floated a few inches off the ground - high enough so that she wouldn't break any branches or set off any traps but low enough so that she wouldn't be that much more noticeable than before.
"No Adept will be able to sneak up on us," Autumn spoke. "I can't do much about anything else, but..."
She glanced at the mansion.
"... Let's go. I know the way."
Autumn began floating towards the first entrance. However, she remembered that the Eye of Ankhara was active, so she deactivated the Apparition she had used as a minion and started walking. She eventually made it to Clancy and nodded at him,
"Few more nearby. Can smell them."
"... And we don't need to kill every zombie we come across," Autumn said, in a vague, fleeting hope that Clancy would remember the part where Ruby noted the artifact group would not have to pick a fight with everyone they come across. That was when Autumn kept going. Some distance away from the mansion was a hill covered by bushes, and Autumn pushed past it to reveal a slightly ajar door.
Those idiot still haven't fixed the lock.
Autumn glanced in the direction of the burning - oh, it was now suddenly iced over, that was something - mansion, listening to the barrage of gunfire and other magic in the distance. Autumn sighed as Ruby’s voice echoed: “Once y’all get past that, you'll hit the first security checkpoint. Cameras, motion sensors, the whole nine yards...”
With a sharp glance behind her, she gestured for the others to fall in line. She whispered, “Remember, this side entrance was our safest way in, but we’re on camera from here on out. No lights, no loud noises, and most importantly, no magic. Stick to shadows.”
They crept down the narrow corridor, Autumn's heart pounding as they approached the first security checkpoint. Sure enough, the faint glow of red sensor lights pulsed from the corners of the room ahead. Autumn stopped, raising her hand to halt the others.
“We’re close to the cameras,” She whispered. "We’ll need to time this right, or we’ll trip every alarm in this place."
Autumn surveyed the room, noting the slow sweep of the camera. It moved in a predictable pattern, pivoting from left to right and back again, with only a few seconds of blind spots in between. She turned towards it and said,
"We can easily slip past it; there are a few blind spots. Just remember we are in radius of the Eye of Ankhara, so we can't go too fast or else we'll trigger it and reveal ourselves to the whole island."
“Sentinel Solutions.”
Interactions: None..
Elysium Island.
The subhumans had little idea that they were poised to rain holy hell on top of them.
Berlioz stood on the edge of the ghostly pirate ship meant to be Kaiser Draeger's weapon for securing the city. Too bad that it never came to fruition - for him. Berlioz watched them from his binoculars before glancing at , the artifact on the ship's deck that rendered them completely invisible as they floated high above Elysium Island. Berlioz merely shook his head as he lowered the binoculars from his head and walked onto the deck.
"Shit, what the hell was that?!" Benjamin asked. "Almost hit us if I didn't get us out of the way in time!"
"The Subhumans are attacking the island," Berlioz said before he reached for the walkie-talkie. "Paige, are you okay?"
"Yes! The blast hit the mansion! Barely went underground!" Paige answered. "They are going all out, though!"
Berlioz sighed.
"All employees," He began. "Priority one,"
Ensure the safety of all New Thule Society members.
"And priority two,"
Ensure the safety of Blake Schmidt and his family to keep the money flowing.
"Copy," Paige and William said in unison.
"Am I going to rain holy hell on them?" Benjamin said, "I'm in the perfect position to do so."
"Right now, that would only cause us to lose the element of surprise,"
Berlioz nodded his head.
"I have a better idea," Berlioz began, "One that can rid all our subhuman enemies in one fell swoop. Or, at the very least, bluff them off the island."
Berlioz then shoved the walkie-talkie into Benjamin's hands as he walked toward the ship's edge. A portal opened off the edge.
"Hold this for me; I will be right back."
He hopped off, going through the portal that was closed behind him.
Phillis Schmidt.
Interactions: Aggro Group (One of Phillis' Apparitions going right for them!)
Elysium Island.
Ah, those savage Covens are here.
Who could have seen that coming?
What Phillis didn't see coming was the orbital nuke that damn near burnt the whole mansion down. It would have killed most of them if it was more substantial, but Phillis was thankful she was alive. She forced herself to her feet as smoke filled the room. Attacking them head-on while they were at their highest security measure was something... They must have found a way to get the Veil down. Phillis knew she should have tried harder to convince Blake not to over-rely on the Veil. Yet, it didn't matter now. She hoped that Berlioz could back up his tough talk and kill all members of Sycamore for them. Which would have been perfect for her plans.
For now, Phillis had to ensure that the Coven didn't wipe them out in one fell swoop - the last thing she wanted to do was get eliminated by a group of manchildren who called themselves "witches." She reached into the pocket of her dress and pulled out a keyring with several metal rods. She methodically went through them until she found just the right one. She placed her fingertips at the very end of it, slid it down, and pulled a frozen spirit out of it. It floated next to her as she placed her hand on her chin.
Suddenly, the burning mansion was wrapped in a raging blizzard as the fires were extinguished by the winds, which dropped the temperature substantially. She stuck the rod back out, and it hopped back inside on command. Then she glanced at the horde of zombies up front that might as well have been cannon fodder. Phillis went back to the keychain with all of the metal rods. She needed a few moments to get to her children, so she had to sacrifice one of her (many) tools to buy her a couple of minutes - maybe kill a few of them.
Volcanis.
Ah, perfect. She pulled himout of the metal rod and launched him through the front of the mansion as he swelled to titanic size. He let out a roar as he pointed his hand at the offensive line and unleashed a stream of fire at the treeline as he marched toward them.
While that was going on, Phillis pulled another Apparition out of a metal rod that hovered behind her. Suddenly, inky black darkness pooled underneath her feet as she sunk into the ground...
Interactions: Sully/Sloane (@Atrophy), Olivia (@NoriWasHere), Someone who's about to get cooked like a Thanksgiving Turkey (@Skai), & EVERYONE.
”I-”
Drake tried to say before Sloane shoved the staff into his hands and walked off. Drake could feel the disgust in her eyes... He knew he fucked up big and didn't even get a chance to apologize - though, he wondered how much of that was the Coven's fault. This stuff... wasn't Drake's style; he would rather have just shocked Leon into submission if it came down to it. Now, his hands are full! But, indeed, if Drake breaks or loses it fighting rich people, surely she can make another?
”I'll keep it safe,” Drake muttered to himself.
Though he was going to do his best-
Explosions and bullets rang in the distance.
"What the fuck?!" Ruby's head whipped towards the mansion so fast that she almost gave herself whiplash. "Who the fuck blew their load!? Was it Sycamore?!" She sneered at Drake, who just shrugged.
"Hold yer' horses!" Jess said, putting her hands on her hips. "We just got here! No one left!"
"She is correct, Ruby," Pearl nodded. "It's likely something else."
"Well," Ruby shrugged, looking to the left and right. "While they're distracted..."
Ruby turned towards Jess and nodded at her. Suddenly, that new 317 member, Lily, ran over wearing all black and a facemask.
"... Light the fuse!"
Jess had a devious grin from one corner of her lip to the other. "... You know how long I've been waiting for this? Boutta makes a name for myself."
"Do it."
”What? Are you going to flex at them?” Drake laughed.
Jessica walked forward - Lily mere inches away from her - as she walked into view of the mansion. She looked over her shoulder at Lily, who wrapped her arms around Jessica's muscular arms. Suddenly, Lily's skeleton and nervous system illuminated through her flesh as arcs of purple electricity went from her body into Jess', which illuminated her nervous system and skeleton.
"Jesus, Mami," Lily laughed. "You on steroids?"
"Naw! Everything you see here is natural!" Jess grinned as she raised her hands. The heat went up around the mansion; the sun began shining brighter than ever before - nearly blinding. Jess started to laugh as the heat could be felt from their position, and it reached the point where they couldn't so much as see each other. Then Jess began laughing before she screamed...
"... THE POWER OF THE SUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUN!"
A beam of pure sunlight came from the heavens. It was massive, like an orbital strike, and it struck down on the mansion like God had found it blasphemous. However, the flash of light was so bright that it would have immediately blinded anyone looking directly at it. It took a few moments for the flash to fade, and Jess hit the ground, her right side incinerated.
"... Shit, shit, shit!" Ruby shouted as she ran over and knelt by her friend. "Jess!? What the fuck!?"
"The fuck happened?!" James shouted as he held the axe in both hands.
"I don-" Ruby shouted, "Sully! Olivia! Somebody! Bring your asses over here!"
Bullets began whirling by them. However, Stormy had erected barriers that blocked most of the gunfire. Drake quickly placed his back against one of the barriers. He peaked his head and noticed a legion of undead minions armed to the teeth coming towards them. Yet, he grinned. Too easy. One hand covered in lightning, and the other clutching this staff, he charged up one of his lightning strikes.
"Everyone! Stop gawking and attack!" Ruby screamed, kneeling, "I got this!"
James ran over to Drake and grinned at him as he leaned against the same barrier as him, with Shango's Axe hanging low. He flicked his axe into the air, and a barrage of lightning came down on the horde of zombies. Then he laughed at Drake.
”Haha,” Drake couldn't help but laugh himself. ”Show off.”
[center][b]"You're a fine warrior. Call me sentimental..."[/b][/center][table][row][cell][img]https://64.media.tumblr.com/139ceac154751673f3ae0a9fe3c9db14/tumblr_n5ns5eDSUE1spjmjdo1_400.gifv[/img][/cell][cell][img]https://64.media.tumblr.com/8de527f156d1dcdab59303529f9a2963/tumblr_n5ns5eDSUE1spjmjdo2_400.gifv[/img][/cell][cell][img]https://64.media.tumblr.com/fdd81701556b497cef877cce8608411e/tumblr_n5ns5eDSUE1spjmjdo3_r1_400.gifv[/img][/cell][/row][row][cell][img]https://64.media.tumblr.com/f4c53df62090bdfc77fc8d4af49bd3bb/tumblr_mp19k0oeBn1spjmjdo1_400.gifv[/img][/cell][cell][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/tiUPmOX.png[/img][/center][/cell][cell][img]https://64.media.tumblr.com/973255b1496b1e15ea88881ee0842923/tumblr_n5ns5eDSUE1spjmjdo4_r2_400.gifv[/img][/cell][/row][row][cell][img]https://64.media.tumblr.com/92b4cd3f3f69445efc0b66dbf4040d4e/tumblr_mp19k0oeBn1spjmjdo3_400.gifv[/img][/cell][cell][img]https://64.media.tumblr.com/076f8a0494600005276b223a9c34f4df/tumblr_mp19k0oeBn1spjmjdo4_400.gifv[/img][/cell][cell][img]https://64.media.tumblr.com/91ef2adb4acfaae1ed6e5882900137f2/tumblr_mp19k0oeBn1spjmjdo2_r1_400.gifv[/img][/cell][/row]
[/table][center][b][url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5oBfsNh4c_E]"...but I wish we'd met under different circumstances."[/url][/b][/center][hr][hr][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/RKmK4q0.png[/img]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/N7tTd5u.png[/img]
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JpOgr4s3GrE[/youtube]
[img]https://i.imgur.com/hFWozfG.png[/img][hr][hr][img]https://i.imgur.com/1efdG4h.png[/img][/center][indent][indent][indent][indent][indent][indent][indent][indent]Currently updating...[/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent][indent][/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent][/indent][table][row][/row][row][cell][img]https://64.media.tumblr.com/f12910313dd47ea9cead1c314f8ab833/tumblr_ntbm31BkSa1sznb4xo3_250.gifv[/img][/cell][cell][img]https://64.media.tumblr.com/fe472fa332e424f66ed2837f2eaf23c9/tumblr_ntbm31BkSa1sznb4xo4_250.gifv[/img][/cell]
[cell][img]https://64.media.tumblr.com/fb00b50c1dbf289d9140c30a7a332011/tumblr_ntbm31BkSa1sznb4xo8_250.gifv[/img][/cell][/row]
[row][cell][img]https://64.media.tumblr.com/ec26b8c0fcc1da9903b62bf0022ce62c/tumblr_ntbm31BkSa1sznb4xo5_250.gifv[/img][/cell][cell][img]https://64.media.tumblr.com/468eaf4ed38d54774f2d3fd269296f74/tumblr_ntbm31BkSa1sznb4xo6_250.gifv[/img][/cell][cell][img]https://64.media.tumblr.com/23bf4bb5ad09c631a81860f2f822ccce/tumblr_ntbm31BkSa1sznb4xo7_250.gifv[/img][/cell][/row][center][img]https://64.media.tumblr.com/30d05b58ba9137c6662a93a96bfa527a/tumblr_ntbm31BkSa1sznb4xo2_400.gifv[/img][hr][/center]
[center][b]"I'm a dominant..."[/b][/center][/table][center][hr][b][url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v31J3arX5Kg]"... This is my job."[/url][/b]
[img]https://64.media.tumblr.com/e91570ee96f9a973747062884eeea1ce/tumblr_ntbm31BkSa1sznb4xo1_400.gifv[/img][hr][/center][table][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/XFCLhxV.png[/img][/center][row][/row][row][cell][center][b][color=forestgreen]REALLY PUNCHY GUYS[/color][/b]
[sup]_______________________________[/sup]
[b][@redbaron1234]
[@Kamen Evie]
[@KaiserElectric]
[@Drag]
[@KremeSupreme]
[@Megsychan]
[@Oddsbod][/b][/center][/cell][cell][center][b][color=forestgreen]THE DISAPPOINTMENT CLUB[/color][/b]
[sup]_______________________________[/sup]
[b][@Spoopy Scary]
[@Junkmail]
[@Maxx]
[@Luminous Beings]
[@Dragonbud][/b][/center][/cell][cell][center][b][color=forestgreen]OTHER SCRUBS[/color][/b]
[sup]_______________________________[/sup]
[b][@Zombiedude101]
[@Lord Wraith]
[@FernStone]
[@Atrophy]
[@Moth]
[@Skai]
[@silvermist1116][/b][/center][/cell][/row][/table][table][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/GXlptHc.png[/img][/center][row][/row][row][cell][center][b][color=forestgreen]SETTINGS[/color][/b]
[sup]_______________________________[/sup]
[b][url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/183613-the-tyrant-shell-universe]The Tyrant Shell Universe[/url][/b] - Mechapunk (Mecha and Cyberpunk mixed together).
[b][url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/183624-the-black-fall-universe]The Black Fall Universe[/url][/b] - Modern-Superhuman tale.[/center][/cell][cell][center][b][color=forestgreen]LINKS[/color][/b]
[sup]_______________________________[/sup]
[b][url=https://discord.gg/4FznNGS]The Collective[/url][/b] - My Discord Server.
[b][url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/183740-the-ghost-lounge-a-1x1-thread-thats-destined-to-go-places-bad-places]The Ghost Lounge[/url][/b] - My 1x1 Thread.
[b][url=https://www.roleplayerguild.com/topics/183358-the-ghost-archives]The Ghost Archives[/url][/b] - Character storage.[/center][/cell][/row][/table][table][row][/row][row][cell][img]https://steamuserimages-a.akamaihd.net/ugc/928186361494425545/93DB229F54AD7363FF943FAF9627A2056CE6A354/[/img][/cell][cell][center][img]https://i.imgur.com/wmKBNmF.png[/img][/center][/cell][cell][img]https://64.media.tumblr.com/aab171d51ab0877e8cb44ef26725c12f/tumblr_mmijotYZ851spjmjdo1_r1_400.gifv[/img][/cell][/row][row][cell][img]https://64.media.tumblr.com/a8b92dee73766c54e1c588067f7b05e9/tumblr_mmijotYZ851spjmjdo2_r1_400.gifv[/img][/cell][cell][img]https://64.media.tumblr.com/c6db94e7f43a0116556b31237e9394cb/tumblr_oetl2fk7YA1r9ibuko1_400.gifv[/img][/cell][cell][img]https://64.media.tumblr.com/d85b9d9f883fcf1e71cad4d1b5c574e2/tumblr_oetl2fk7YA1r9ibuko2_400.gifv[/img][/cell][/row][row][cell][/cell][cell][img]https://64.media.tumblr.com/827528918c7f7bf2672681b30b851654/tumblr_otjspp0ccf1u0vn73o1_400.gifv[/img][/cell][cell][img][/img][/cell][/row][/table][center][b][url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnvqcSKho5w]"Oh, I'm afraid we have no allies. No allies nor enemies. I love EVERYONE!"[/url][/b][/center][hr]
Member
Kaithe Dame
TokyoPewPew
Bork Lazer
FernStone
Antlers
Estylwen
Atrophy
NoriWasHere
Little Bird
shylarah
