Standard Mission: The Extortionists' Fee

Gad

Gad clicked his tongue; his comrades were not so smart than he thought. Guess he put his faith in the wrong group of people this time.

No matter, "Invisible Armor" Said Gad, as he saw what Onis were trying to do, such roars were usually intimidating their foes, and Gad could not allow himself to be frozen with fear.

Alas, he missed his mark about what it does though. It weakened him, not froze him with fear. Gad smirked, it was better than he thought.

When one of the greater Onis barked an order, Gad narrowed his eyes at Toguro. Perhaps, this Greater Oni would have been the leader if they fought each other.

Toguro came at Gad, with enough knowledge that it had its spell worked. "I'm going to pick your flesh from my teeth with your bones." Said the Greater Oni, Gad smiled back. "Now, that's something I would like to see as I turn into ghost." Said Gad, no hint of fear.

Then the Oni roared, Gad rushed forward as he figured much that was the signal he learned from their actions so far that they were going to attack. When Oni lunged forward and swung down, Gad had his scythe ready, jumping to the club that was coming down at him.

As the club swung down, Gad had his scythe's blade hook to its club, and with the force that was coming down, Gad and his scythe made a round around the Greater Oni's club, which released him and his weapon to upward. Gad had his hand ready and fired in the mid-air "Force Bullets!" at the Greater Oni's neck sending three maga bullets to its neck. With its recoil, Gad had got himself further from the Oni.

Gad then had his Bicorn got out from his gauntlet, Bicorn knew what he was called out to do. The Bicorn enchanted Gad with "Fleet Foot" and then it used its "Stampede" towards the Toguro, hoping it would hinder that Greater Oni from regaining its balance.

Zephyr Arc

Zephyr observed the two Oni as he approached. He noted the shift in their posture and realized they were likely about to unleash an attack of some sort. Not wanting to be caught up in something with unknown effects, he followed his gut and immediately planted the butt of his spear on the ground, casting shift to vault himself up and over Bakken's head, managing to land behind him.

It seemed he hadn't managed to completely avoid the blast as he faltered slightly on landing, but quickly got his footing together by the time the big lug had approached.

"I'm sorry, it seems we got off on the wrong foot." He replied to the Oni, immediately taking aim and firing his crossbow, releasing arrows that were immediately enlarged as they left the barrel. "I'll be sure to break those bones of yours as you so kindly requested." He flashed the thing a smile one would expect from a host at a bar as he adjusted his grip on his spear and took a fighting stance. He wasn't going to fall for that trick again.

Samael

"Well, that should buy that idiot some time."  Samael muttered in annoyance, as he began to kneel down towards the ground, his breathe becoming quicker and heavier.  He then quickly glanced over at Bastion to see his face turning slightly red...

Right, he's the guy who always needs a plan.... He's probably pretty pissed now.  Though...

A bellowing roar interrupted Samael's thoughts as he quickly turned his head back up to see the three now recoiling from the scream.  Though, while appearing slightly weaker, the bicorn appeared to almost enjoy that fact he was being challenged, as a crazed smile became etched across its face that grew even wider when Gad's Bicorn phased in from his gauntlet.

"Ah!  Brother!  Let's show this oni our strength!"  The bicorn yelled with adrenaline coursing through his voice, as he raised his hoof's and slammed them down at the same time as the other bicorn as the shock wave grew like a tidal wave of dark energy, as it barreling relentlessly towards the oni.  

"Well Bastion?  You seem like you have something to say."  Samael commented in a gruff voice still kneeling on the ground, as he rose his head up for a second to indicate for him to go on and be vocal with his thoughts.

- Bastion -

Bastion glanced at Samael, shaking his head. "I have plenty to say, but there will be time for that later. Right now, I need to devote my attention to planning."

With the oni's natural defenses and their greater strength, they'd have a hard time putting a dent in them. But if they could use the environment to their advantage...

Bastion zeroed in on the roof, his expression pensive. Yes, that might work, if they could get everything in place.

"No use hiding in here," he told Samael. "If you can, use whatever support you have. Otherwise, stay behind me. I don't want you getting hurt because of a lack of maga."

He glanced back at Goki, who shivered and hid behind a rock. Let the oni huddle here. It was of no use to them. With a nod, both Vanguards headed out from the tunnel as the battle raged on.

Toguro grunted in surprise as Gad used his scythe and the momentum of his club to swing about and unleash a volley of Force Bullets at his neck. With a bellow, Toguro staggered aside, clutching his throat, swinging his club wildly, but Gad was out of reach.

As the club swung down, Gad had his scythe's blade hook to its club, and with the force that was coming down, Gad and his scythe made a round around the Greater Oni's club, which released him and his weapon to upward. Gad had his hand ready and fired in the mid-air "Force Bullets!" at the Greater Oni's neck sending three maga bullets to its neck. With its recoil, Gad had got himself further from the Oni. Toguro swiveled about, chugging air through its large nose, but two Bicorns were on the attack, their combined Stampede throwing Toguro to his knees.

The two Bicorns charged in while he was down, horns lowered. But it was a feint. Toguro lunged forward across the ground, swiping out with his club in an arc across the ground. Whether from the club itself or the force of the debris swept across, both Bicorns were tossed helplessly back across the ground.

Gad watched, preparing his next attack, when a few lesser oni leaped on him from behind. One latched onto his arm, the other his leg, both gnawing at his flesh with their sharp teeth. A third vaulted onto his back, trying to bash him over the head.

Meanwhile, Bakken blinked in surprise as Zephyr managed to let loose a volley of crossbow bolts that grew in size before his eyes. A swipe of his club deflected two of them with a clang of metal, but the third cut across his shoulder.

What Goki had said was apparent. Despite the clear hit, the oni seemed unbothered, as though Zephyr crossbow bolt was no more than a scrape.

Bastion sighed. Zephyr was just going to brute force his way through, no doubt, so he might as well help him along. Summoning Xiezhai, he pointed in Zephyr's direction.

"Cast Wicked Bane," he ordered.

The horned sheep nodded, then raised its horn with a cry. A white aura covered Zephyr, strengthening him, its power magnified against the Chaos-aligned oni.

Gad

Gad was taken a back as three lesser Onis attacked him. Gad quickly swapped his scythe to the free hand and it sliced the head of lesser oni that tried to bash his head. He quickly got rid of the other lesser Onis by getting rid of their heads as well. He was really hoping it wouldn’t come to this, but with the current state he could not hesitate nor show mercy to the lesser Onis as he liked.

It sure was a rookie mistake. He should have taken into the consideration that ambush could happen any time. It was clear that as battle went longer it was not going to be in his favor, he had to think fast. “Hey, I just got an idea,” then Gad looked at above, Gad sighed. He thought it was brilliant idea, but with his accuracy it was going to bring down the cave instead of what he had in mind. Gad looked at the Greater Oni, he had no choice, but to deal with the biggest obstacle in his own way. “Force Bullets!” Said Gad and fired it to its neck once more then he quickly went where his Bicorn was. As Gad’s Bicorn was up, and Gad quickly on its back, and rushed towards Greater Oni, “Hey getting help from lesser Onis? You sure you are going to be a strong leader?” Gad provoked it, hoping it would get it to attack him once more.

Zephyr Arc

Zephyr had a plan. He'd played this out in his head. He had anticipated the brute blocking some if not all of his arrows, as well as shrugging off any damage dealt. He'd already sprung into action before the bolt bit into its shoulder.

Zephyr leapt up using his spear as leverage once more, using the momentum to slip by the distracted greater oni's side. Long as he got into a good position, he could unleash the Gad's Force Bolts into its head... then came Bastion's buff.

Zephyr felt the increase in strength... but also the familiar feeling of his mind slipping away. While managing to keep enough presence of mind to keep his kerambit in his off hand, he abruptly turned mid-leap and swung a rapidly enlarging spear at Goki. With the force of three overdriven buffs, his strength was likely on par with the lumbering beast by now, and his speed was likely already above it.

Samael

"Now this is a fight!" The bicorn yelled, as his eyes seemed to be sparking full of life as he quickly got up from the attack from earlier. His eyes focused on Toguro until a look of rage appeared on his face as the lesser oni began attacking Gad, as he shot the group a death stare.

The Bicorn quickly charged his horns with maga and ran towards all the lesser oni that Gad was pushing off himself, bolting towards them with insane speed.

"Don't interfere! This is a battle for REAL demons!" The bicorn snarled as it began staring down the remaining oni to intimidate them all, as Samael watched his eyes looking more and more exhausting by the second as he watched the display unfold in front of him.

"I need to help though... Bicorn!" Samael yelled out to his bicorn, as the beast ran back to him glaring at the oni on the way back as Samael climbed onto the demons back drawing his sword in his hand as he pointed it at the oni with a stern gaze, as he continued to say "If any of you try to interfere again, WE will end you."

The Bicorn seemingly pleased with this statement continued to glare at the lesser oni, as he emitted a huff of darkness from its nostrils.

- Bastion -

Samael seemed to have the lesser oni under control. One less variable to worry about.

Bastion turned his attention back to the battle. That was no good. Gad was being too predictable. Toguro jeered at Gad and swept his club around, deflecting the Force Bullets aside.

Not that it mattered. Gad was still managing to distract the greater oni, and that was enough. Neither of those oni seemed to pay him much mind, though he could feel the heat of Ryoko’s gaze from the other side of the cavern. Still, she didn’t seem intent on interfering as Bastion maneuvered around the edges of the battles, looking for his opportunity.

Toguro laughed as Gad attempted to insult him about the lesser oni joining in. “Stupid human. What’s a leader without subjects to use? You follow your orders more blindly and obediently than those little grunts do!”

The oni raised his club high into the air, charging it with maga. “Skull Cracker!” he roared, bringing it down to crash into the ground. The stone floor exploded upward in front of Gad, obscuring him from sight.

Was he hurt? Bastion didn’t have time to worry. He saw an opening.

“Precision!” With a slash of his fingers, he sent a slicing wave of maga across the back of the oni’s knee, much like he’d done to Komori. Toguro bellowed and sank to one knee, turning to search for his attacker.

Quickly! Bastion pointed at the ceiling. “Xiezhai, use-“

But he didn’t get to finish.

Bakken, growling as Zephyr came at him, charged his club with maga. The extended spear swung at him, and the oni met it with his club and a cry of, “Skull Cracker!”

There was a burst of maga on contact, then the weapons were deflected downward to crash into the ground. The shockwave tore through the rock just as Bastion prepared to order his demon.

“Retreat!” he said, leaping back. The Xiezhai was caught in the shockwave and thrown back across the ground with a painful bleating.

Idiot! Bastion grit his teeth and glared in Zephyr’s direction. No, he had to focus. He had to-

Too late. Toguro was back on his feet, though heavily favoring one leg. Still, the element of surprise was gone. If he tried the follow-up attack, the oni would see it coming. He hated to do so, but he’d need to directly ask for help.

“Gad!” he called out, searching for the other Vanguard amidst the dust and debris. “You remember the maneuver Komori taught us? The pincer? Do it.”

Gad

Gad was hoping that would work; he knew the Oni would be provoked to use his big skill on him. The self-serving power hungry Greater Onis are the best to manipulate with words. Of course, what he did not see it coming was how Greater Oni triggered him so much when it talked like Lesser Onis should be sacrificing their lives for it.

"You don't deserve to be their leader!" Said Gad angrily as he rushed towards Toguro, and as it launched itself to deliver its Skull Crusher, Gad jumped upwards and away from his Bicorn. Bicorn, however, put itself in front of Gad, absorbing its blast leaving Gad even madder; "Bicorn...?" Gad looked at the demon, it used its last of its consciousness to give speed boast to Gad, Gad saw it falling to the ground. Gad clenched his teeth, he was again protected by his demon. The calmness and all this facade of cool disappeared. Rage was overtaking Gad. That demon that had made Gad lost everything came back to his mind, making him even angrier.  Gad jumped over the debris that was in front of him to rush in to attack the Greater Oni.

When Gad had Toguro in his sight, Bastion shouted Gad's name and shout about the pincer attack, but even without Bastion's sound order, Gad was already there to strike down the Greater Oni. "Just Die You Piece Of Trash!" Gad slashed his scythe that covered its blade with its freezing aura, at Toguro's turned back then Gad used his momentum to gain another quick slash at Toguro. He slashed it horizontally, slashing it close to its neck.

Then Gad casted his spell. "Burden of Guilt!" making the greater Oni feel the gravity pull from the ground, creating the opportunity for Bastion to do the damage.

Zephyr Arc

The maddened Zephyr met the beast's blow, not feeling any of the feedback in his crazed state. Before the weapons crashed down, he threw the kerambit in his off-hand at the thing's head, then braced as the weapons crashed into the ground.

The shockwave tore through him, but he anchored himself and forcibly took the blow. He'd done so with Komori's and he was far less buffed then, not to mention far more "awake" and able to feel the damage. Blood had burst from various parts of his body, but he got up once the shockwave was over like the damage didn't matter... much like the Oni itself.

By this point, Cherry had flown to his back and had cast her healing spell to reduce the damage as much as possible. He might not feel it, but he was definitely hurting. Seeing as he was already in his maddened state, she made sure to keep her distance and flew away once she was done.

Zephyr, on the other hand, followed his thrown kerambit and closed in on the oni, his vastly enhanced speed carrying him like a Cheetah. Once he was just outside its range, he swung his spear at Bakken, while unleashing Gad's Force Bolts at the same time.

Samael

Samael eyes wandered to the group, as they got into formation for another attack.  Still raising his sword at the lesser own before them, as the Bicorn slowly encroached towards them as it puffed out to further scare them with it stepping on one of the killed lesser oni as blood splattered on the bicorn.

"This is unseemly..."  Samael muttered to himself as he checked his outfit to make sure no blood got on it, but that's when a loud cracking sound jolted the two out of their trance and towards the fight.  The other bicorn slammed into the ground from the impact of the blow as it lost consciousnesses.

"THAT LITTLE!"  The bicorn yelled, but instead of turning towards the greater oni it turned towards the lesser ones darkness beginning to fume out from its body.

"If you scum didn't interfere...." Bicorn began to yell, but found himself pulled back by Samael, as he held onto the Bicorn's head with him digging his feet in the sides of the creatures.

"You will obey Bicorn!  Don't think I won't make an example out of you."  Samael firmly demanded, as he turned his head back towards the greater oni and held out his right hand in a snapping position as he parted the reserves of his maga, "Noise manipulation"

The greater oni would now not be able to make any noise for a brief moment, stopping them from using the damned scream again.

Samael's Bicorn stopped in its tracks visibly shaking and annoyed, but stopped for the time being. Good. He was starting to be obedient.

- Bastion -

Toguro's eyes blazed with hatred as Gad rushed at him, swinging his club to meet Gad's scythe. "I'll bury you, human filth!"

Their weapons clashed like thunder. The freezing aura swept over Toguro's club and his hands, and the oni recoiled. Gad followed up with a slash to his neck, and Toguro backpedaled, his leg buckling.

There.

Bastion, sweeping in from the other direction, slashed his finger at Toguro's other leg as he passed. "Precision."

Toguro cried out, his legs giving way, and fell onto his back. "Bastards! I'll kill you!"

Before he could move, Gad's Burden of Guilt fell over him, and the oni found himself pinned in place.

"Xiezhai!" Bastion called. "Now!"

Xiezhai raised his horn with a cry, and a shaft of light shot through it. The light beam struck the ceiling, dislodging several huge stalactites. Toguro cried out, raising his arms in a feeble attempt to shield himself.

To no avail.

The stalactites impaled him to the cave floor, and he let out a terrible bellow as his head sank back to the ground. Dead.

The oni's body dissipated into smoke before them, and Bastion let out a sigh of relief. That was one down. Now, the other...

--------------------------------------------------

- Goki -

Goki peered out from the safety of the tunnel, watching as the humans battle the greater oni. It was a fool's errand... At least, he thought so at first. They were stronger than he thought, but more than that, they were clever. Toguro fell to their combined tactics and vanished before his eyes.

Humans were not so weak as he thought. Maybe...

Bakken roared out as Zephyr's kerambit scored a cut across his forehead. On a lesser oni that might have scalped the demon, but not on Bakken. As Zephyr closed in the distance and struck with his spear, Bakken met the human's weapon with his weapon.

The Force Bullets he didn't count on. The blast knocked him back to his knees, and he glared up at Zephyr as the human rushed in for an opening.

Stupid human.

Bakken dropped his club and lunged in under Zephyr's spear. His large hand seized Zephyr around the waist, and he rammed his head at the human's torso, trying to gore him through the heart with his horn.

Crack! A club struck Bakken's head, and he roared and staggered. As a chunk of his broken horn tumbled across the ground, he whirled about to see who had dared to strike him like a coward.

Ah, he should have figured. There stood Goki, trembling under the greater oni's gaze like he hadn't quite realized just what he'd done. With Zephyr in one hand, Bakken seized up his club and brought it down with crushing force on the lesser oni.

Samael

"One down!" Samael triumphantly shouted with a somewhat sadisastic smile balled one of his hands into a fist and raising it high into the air.  He glanced back at the smaller oni with the same smile, but the bicorn simply shook his head and began pounding his front hooves into the ground impatiently.

"Can we attack now? I want some action." The bicorn whined, as he braced his hind legs on the ground and launched himself into the air with a spin so they'd face Bakken.

Samael's face twisted to a look of shook as he noticed Goki running towards Bakken with his club raised in the air, he was using his noise manipulation spell to cover his advance!  Clever... but what does he think he can do by himself?!

"Bicorn!  Save Goki!"  Samael quickly uttered, but the bicorn didn't move he continued to stoically watch until he saw Goki slam his club on the greater oni's head.  Then as if on cue, the Bicorn bolted towards Goki.  Then launched himself high into the air at a great speed.

Samael who was still on the Bicorn launched himself off right before the demon landed, as he flew into goki using the second the Bicorn gave him to hurl the two right into the wall as he held Goki out in front of him so Samael would take the brunt of the damage.  The Bicorn landed a second later as darkness erupted from its hooves that erupted towards the oni, the Bicorn fading away back into Samael's gauntlet in a puff a darkness, the creatures maga gone.

"Ack!"  Samael yelled, as he slammed into the wall with him still holding onto Goki,, as he continued to say with a slight smile etched on his face "Impressive. Takes a lot to impress that Bicorn, so no way in hell am I letting you die here."

Samael then tried to stand up back on his feet but he was too sore, but collapsed half way up... he was too weak, he could only hope the others could handle the rest.

Zephyr Arc

With a surprising show of ingenuity, the greater oni dropped his club and somehow managed to be nimble enough to duck under his spear and grab him. Zephyr brought up his crossbow and prepared to enlarge it to take its horn, but the lesser oni Goki took it upon himself to interrupt. The greater oni, its previous show of intellect apparently lost, decided to shift focus to Goki instead. It decided to take the time to turn and grab its club to then try and smash Goki, all with Zephyr in its grasp. Terrible move.

Zephyr, in his crazed state, felt none of the pain he should have been feeling. The moment the big lug turned to pick up its club, he resolutely stabbed his spear into its exposed neck with all his enhanced strength, which, combined with Xiezhai's buff, all on Overdrive steroids, made the creature's resistance all but moot at this distance with that large an opening. The spear, once pierced into the beast's neck, exploded to the maximum size Zephyr could currently manage. Unless these things could still function headless, Bakken wouldn't be getting back up.

Cherry watched Zephyr from behind, in his blind spot. He was much too focused on the fight to notice, and once she confirmed the fight over, she would immediately charge in a knock him out with a good hit on the head. The master had devised this little trick for any time Zephyr managed to go nuts in a fight thanks to too many buffs. It would also be easier to heal him once the idiot was out cold.

Gad

As the greater onis looked like it had been taken care of, Gad looked at the direction where Ryoko was watching, then he sighed and walked away from the battlefield.

He had been aware of her presence, but he shrugged it off and went where his Bicorn laid unconscious. Gad frowned, and it was clear he was mad. Gad sighed and let Bicorn be absorbed to his gauntlet.

He silently looked at the mess they had created, or perhaps he had started. Then he looked at the other vanguards, it looked like their eyes are ready to find someone to blame in Gad's eyes. And Gad would gladly take the blame for it, but he could see one of them was about to give him an earful lecture as well. He was probably going to ignore it though, he had no mood to engage in such blaming game.

- Bastion -

Goki shut his eyes, waiting for the blow that would strike him from this world. He just hoped it wouldn't hurt... for too long. But then, there was a rush of wind, voices, moving through the air. He kept his eyes shut until finally he came to a stop. Tentatively, he cracked an eye open, then blinked in surprise at the arms encircling him.

"Eh?" He glanced up at Samael's face. "You saved me?"

Bastion shook his head. That was a very risky move on Samael's part, but at least, he was unharmed. The same couldn't be said for Bakken. His rage blinded him a moment to Zephyr, a fatal move. The spear erupted through his neck, and he had only long enough to turn his eyes, wide with surprise, to Zephyr before the spear enlarged, taking his head clean off. It went sailing across the room and rolled to rest near Ryoko's feet, its eyes staring up at her.

"What a disgrace." She kicked the head aside, and it dissolved into smoke as it rolled. It's body soon followed, releasing Zephyr from its hold. The lesser oni recoiled from her, shivering.

Gad seemed content to ignore Ryoko with the same thoughtless abandon that got them into this mess in the first place. Bastion spared him a passing glare, but he was more focused on Ryoko at the moment.

"You disapprove of my methods?" said Ryoko, mockery in her breathy voice.

"That hardly needs saying," Bastion replied, eyes narrowed.

"It's the way of oni." Ryoko leered at him. "The strong are respected. The weak are chaff in the wind."

"Is that the way of the 'Ring' as well?" he asked.

Ryoko's eyes widened behind her mask. Then, she snickered. "That's right. This world was made for the strong and the powerful. Why shouldn't we take it?"

[A: She has a point. The strongest need to lead.
B: She's wrong. The weak and the strong are all important.
C: I'm not sure. Are all people equal?]

Samael (A: She has a point.  The strongest need to lead)

"Of course, I told you that you're part of our pack now." Samael stated in a tone like it was obvious to goki.  He placed the Goki to his side, as Samael firmly planted his feet into the ground and his hands on the wall and began to push himself back onto the ground as hard as he could, giving a heavy grunt to signify it.

Samael began slowly rising off the ground, his legs shaking heavily but bit by bit Samael slowly rose off the ground until he was standing up straight again.  He quickly reached out his hand and gently pulled the oni back onto his feet with him quickly turning to face the rest of the group.

"Stay back."  Samael muttered raising his arm in front of Goki that barred him from moving forward, as he slowly limped over to Ryoko with his arms crossed with him trying to meet her gaze.  Though, after seeing what she had done to the greater oni he couldn't help but feel some fear jolted throughout his nerves; it took all he had to show any physical signs of fear but...

"I see what you're saying, the world is made for the strong."  Samael stated firmly as he eyed Bastion concerned with what he was saying, as he continued to say "Without the strong leading structure will fail, but it's also the obligation of the strong to nurture the weak until they become strong themselves.  Everyone has potential and it's a waste to just 'throw someone to the wind'."

"Though, if the weak is unwilling to put the effort in to change, then they don't amount to much."  Samael said coldly, as he placed his hand on his sword waiting to see if Ryoko decided to engage them... at the very least he wouldn't go down without leaving his mark.

Zephyr Arc - C: I'm not sure. Are all people equal?

Seeing her chance, Cherry lunged for Zephyr, fist balled as he fell from the beheaded Oni's grip. He fist, charged with the power of Mercy Wind, knocked the Madness ailment right out of him. Zephyr crashed heavily to the ground, losing consciousness for a brief moment. Cherry hovered over him, casting Fairy Folk's Fancy to heal some of the damage he'd taken.

Zephyr woke as he felt his wounds heal. It still felt like he'd just been thrown through a meat-grinder. Mince-meat probably felt better than he did at the moment. He heard Ryoko's words as he lay there, and decided he couldn't remain prone. Gritting his teeth for all they were worth, Zephyr stood with strength he didn't even have anymore. Refusing to let his knees buckle, he forcibly trudged towards her, spear being dragged behind him.

"I'm not sure whether all people are equal or not... but I won't stand for my own being harmed." He replied, stabbing his spear into the ground in front of him and using it as a crutch to stand.

Gad - B: She's wrong. The weak and the strong are all important.

Gad turned around and saw the rest of other vanguards speaking with Ryoko. Ryoko spoke about how weak demons should serve the strong and the world was for strong ones.

Sam agreed with her point, but disagreed with her principle of how strong should rule the weak. Zeph spoke as if it did not matter and he made it clear that he would fight if harms were going to come to his way.

Bastion had that look, he was about to speak his opinion on this matter as well. Gad's eyes looked at Ryoko, even though the battle with Greater Oni was hard, Gad's eyes had light in his eyes. The hatred he had displayed earlier on was gone as well. What Ryoko said had made Gad remembered what he always believed in.

"No demons and no humans are born less important..." Said Gad, "No weak and strong should be less valued because of what others think." Gad looked at her, no fear in his eyes. "Everyone has a role to play in this world, no matter who they are. They all have a right to find the place to call home, and they all are capable of living their life as they fit. If they want to follow the strong, it is their choice. If they want to be free from the clutch of the leader who doesn't care about them? That should be their choice as well."

Gad looked at the lesser Onis, "These lesser Onis who stood with Bakken and Toguro should be allowed to make their choices as well. Some could follow us, some could follow you, and some could stay here, which I don't recommend that choice, but they could make another choice, to live somewhere in the woods, form their own society and live free from the society that treated them worthless."

Gad ready his stance to defend himself, and perhaps was ready to defend the lesser onis if Ryoko tried to kill them all; Gad did not believe Ryoko just wanted to talk, nor he trusted Ryoko to let go of lesser onis that easily. If he had to die, he would die by taking the action he believed it was right.

At least, if he died that way, he could smile back at the others that he would meet in the hell or heaven, tell them that he did not die because of Vengeance, but died by protecting others and protecting what he believed in.

Alignment Check:

Spoiler:

Bastion had to admit, he wasn't sure if Ryoko was completely wrong. Were all people in society truly equal? He couldn't lie to himself and say he approved of people who were too lazy or helpless to do anything for themselves. At the same time, he found this oni society of bullying and subjugating to be repulsive.

Ryoko measured Zephyr up, but didn't have much to say to him. Gad's response made her scoff in disgust and shake her head. Samael's response, however, gave her a moment's pause.

"You're still hampered by your human systems of morality," she said. "But there might be hope for you. We'll see. Maybe you'll make your way to the Ring as well when you grow tired of serving weak and helpless humans your whole life."

She turned and headed into the tunnel, disappearing into the darkness beyond. Bastion watched her go, finally letting out a sigh of relief when he presence vanished.

"Now then," he said, turning to face the rest. He had plenty of things to say, but there was still one matter that needed wrapping up. "We need to deal with the rest of these lesser oni before we can call this mission completed."

The lesser oni exchanged looks and wavered near the wall, waiting to see what would happen.

"Goki wants to go back with the humans!" the lesser oni piped up. "Humans are strong, and Goki wants to be strong. Take me with you!"

He looked up at Samael imploringly. Bastion pursed his lips. These oni were rather distasteful, and despite Goki helping them (under duress, to some degree), he wasn't sure the rest could be trusted.

"We could take them back to Chaldea," he said. "Though I'm not inclined to choose that option myself. We could send them loose away from here. Or... we could remove any potential liabilities of them regrouping like this again."

The lesser oni took a moment to comprehend that, but when they realized what he was implying, they began to shiver.

[A: Take them back to Chaldea. They could be useful.
B: Set them loose. They should be free.
C: Eliminate them. They're still a potential threat.]

Gad - Take them back to Chaldea. They could be useful.

"If you guys don't mind," Said Gad looking at the shivering less onis, "I would like to escort them out," And Gad looked at the cave, "And when everyone's out, I would like to get rid of this place." Gad continued. "So that no other demon could use this place as their operating base."

Then he looked at the lesser onis. "I would like to ask of them if they want to come along or not as well." Gad smiling at them warmly. "And let those who doesn't want to be with us to be free." Then Gad looked at lesser Onis, and asked. "I mean, after seeing that, I am sure you do not want to be messing with humans. I hope you guys form your own village like some other onis I know." Gad said nostalgically as he remembered seeing the small village of lesser onis with Eins and others. The place should be well hidden as Jackson used one of his weapon to hide the village for good. Not so sure how that village is running, but he hoped it still survived.

In any case, Gad looked at his other comrades, he was ready to defend the lesser onis if they tried to attack them.

Samael (Take them back to Chaldea. They could be useful)

Samael let out a heavy sight of relief as Ryoko faded from vision, as he quickly limped over to the nearest wall and happily leaned back on it, as he wiped some sweat off his forehead. However, his eyes remained focused on the lesser oni like a hawk making sure its prey didn't escape.

"Human systems of morality? Hu?" Samael muttered, as he placed his fist under his chin, his eyes more focused on the ground now.

He couldn't help but picture the various villages that old demon group raided, the terror in their eyes as the demon subjected them. A ravenous group like that could only be controlled through strength otherwise they'd rampage again, he couldn't see how his morality played any part on it.

Samael's rose his eyes as he heard the sound of Goki mentioning how he wanted to go back with them. As Samael looked at the demon that looked at him like some sort of big brother, as Samael gave a firm glare back at Goki.

"You understand what it means to help a vanguard right? We'll be fighting other creatures like the greater oni maybe even stronger, it won't be easy... though if you're willing to push through that like you did today we'll both grow stronger." Samael stated with a nod as he held out his hand for Goki to shake.

"We should bring the others. Otherwise, another Ryoko might come by one day and repeat this incident, and killing seems like a waste." Samael firmly responded to the rest of the group before turning his attention back to Goki.

Zephyr Arc A: Take them back to Chaldea

Once Ryoko left, Zephyr felt the tension leave his body. The adrenalin quickly receded along with it, causing his knees to finally start buckling. "You guys decide-" he managed to get out before blacking out, hitting the floor like a sack of potatoes.

Cherry had collected his Kerambit and rushed to his side, and began to give the man more healing.

Alignment Check:

Spoiler:

- Bastion (B) -

Bastion frowned. He personally didn’t want to these lesser oni near Chaldea, but he seemed to be outvoted. As usual, no one was listening to his opinion.

“Very well,” he said, brushing past the others as the lesser oni shuffled in closer, ready to make contracts with the three Vanguards.

Goki shook a bit as Samael mentioned taking on stronger enemies, but he wagged his head when Samael confirmed if he was willing. With their contract established, Goki raised his little club and held it up like a sword.

“Goki is a Vanguard now!” he said.

Bastion watched the proceedings from afar, his Xiezhai nosing at his hand. Bastion dismissed it back to his gauntlet, then headed out of the tunnel.

“Let’s go,” he said. “Gad has one good idea, at least. We should seal this place up.”

The Vanguards and remaining lesser oni headed outside the tunnel and into the pale light of a sun hidden behind clouds. With a combined effort, they toppled the cave mouth to ruins, leaving the entrance sealed up.

“We should get back to Chaldea before nightfall,” Bastion said, turning his back to the others.

“The Madman is still unconscious,” Goki said, peering at Zephyr.

One of the lesser oni, perhaps wanting to make a contract with him, sat on his back and smiled, tongue lolling out.

“Then carry him,” Bastion snapped. “We can’t assume Ryoko might not circle back to finish the job.”

Honestly, he didn’t expect her to do so, but it seemed a good enough excuse. Right now, he just wanted to get back home and lock himself up.

“The Smart One seems agitated,” Goki said in a rather audible whisper.

Bastion glared at him. “Of course, I’m agitated. We could have been killed back there because some of us decided to rush in with no regard for strategy or plan against enemies that by all rights should have gotten us killed.” He grit his teeth. “Did no one listen to what Komori told us after our entrance exams? If we try to take on enemies more powerful than us, we’ll be defeated. It’s only by working together that we stand a chance. And that’s only when we have to. We should avoid fights like that in the first place!”

Realizing he’d been venting far more than he meant to, he cheeks flushed, and he turned his back on everyone.

Gad

Gad sighed, So, he is that kind of type... thought Gad. "Look, I apologize for things to turn out the way it did. I only did it so that we could find a better option than killing everyone or bring someone to deal with them with strong prejudice." Said Gad, "I thought, Ryoko being half-human, had some sense than just letting her Oni side running wild."

Gad sighed once more, feeling little stupid as he said it. "But I got it wrong and put you all in danger. Well, I never thought that you guys would jump into the fun. If anything, what I saw through the exam, everyone here wanted to do what they wanted to do. So, I wanted to be a living bait for you guys to run away." Gad looked at Bastion's back, who was going ahead. "And if you are angry with me, be angry with me. You don't need to express your frustration to others. I am used to it."