Standard Mission: What Lies at the Finish Line

Samael

The swirl of maga that scattered through the air in the form of smoke slowly began to fade revealing the a normal rock again with the image of the giant demon boar taking full attention of everyone and everything that stood around it.  The dreaded and toxic miasma emitting from it being the only thing that obstructed the view a bit.

"Confusion wave hu?  Maybe I can use that" Samael thought to himself, as he quickly glanced around the area gauging the situation.

"I'll funnel that maga here" Samael muttered, as the maga from the smoke swirled around his gauntlet for a few moments.  One of the stone like discs slipped out from his shoe as he placed his foot on top of it and nimbly slid it beneath the remaining fog and miasma beneath the terrifying boar figure.

"Vayu Move! Spiked Magnara Wall!" Samael shouted purposely too late as the disk vanished and suddenly a circle earth wall erupted from the ground making an ear piercing screech as rubble became undone from the sheer amount of force around the demon boar seemingly trapping it in place. The spikes from the wall only being inches away from Vayu as some of the rubble collided with Vayu, seemingly nicking them in the process of the spell.

A look of supposed shock and horror soon crossed Samael's face, as he began to quickly back away towards the barrier, glancing at Vayu's supposed wounds that he had carelessly inflicted.

Spoiler:

Eastern Shrine

- Vayu/Samael/Zephyr/Kagetora -

Cyak screeched indignantly as the Confusion Wave washed over him . Though the effect was mitigated at its rank, he still found himself looking about in a daze, uncertain who to target or what attack to use.

Then a circular wall of earth erupted around him, the spikes protruding threateningly toward his body. With a confused cry, he channeled maga into his tusks and flailed his head, sending spiral shockwaves bursting out to tear down the wall.

Spoiler:

Catequil succeeded in grabbing Vayu and diving aside, but the madly charging Zephyr wasn't so fortunate. The spell caught him and flung him into the trees, smacking him right into a tree trunk and depositing him into a bush.

Cyak continued to flail, lashing out at the strange cage of earth that didn't seem to go away despite his best efforts. Desperate, he let out a bellow that rocked the earth and sent out a shockwave of darkness around him, with Vayu in its path.

Spoiler:

Kagetora's eyes followed Cyak in the giant demon boar, then Samael as he slipped behind the barrier. It would be easy to strike when his back was turned, when he seemed so caught up in the battle. Her hand clutched the handle of her whip, but after a moment, it relaxed. It was hardly a mark of strength to attack a distracted foe.

Was Cyak right to try to prove his strength against the Vanguards? But what did that really prove? The barrier was up. Nothing they did could change that, and wasn't that why they'd come? Wasn't that what had motivated her through all this? So...

She dropped her gaze. What was she supposed to do now?

Eastern Shrine

- Vayu -

Vayu looked slightly confused at the spiked wall that Samael had thrown up, jumping back until he realized it was just an illusion.

Cyak seemed more confused by it, attacked it straight on. Being narrowly saved by Catequil from the speak-like shockwaves, they landed and Catequil immediately put some distance between them to prevent them from making an easy target so close together.

“Thanks,” Vayu called. “Keep attacking from the other side and let it taste some of your lightning.”

He took a second to look into the trees to see where Zephyr had landed, but he was unable to see him. That second cost him as Cyak send a shockwave of darkness towards him. Vayu lifted his arms in front of his face, trying to protect himself from some of the blast. It forced him to his knees and the darkenss was disorienting.

“Arcane Barrier,” he cast to mitigate some of the effect and protect himself until he could recover.

Spoiler:

Meanwhile, Catequil approached Cyak from behind, jumping high, he thrust his spear into the demon boar. The spear cackled with lightning as it charged up before it impacted with the demon boar.

Spoiler:

Samael

As Samael quickly backed into the barrier he quickly glanced back to where he was going when he noticed Kagetora just standing there, but she seemed almost at ease.  Samael's eyes widened for a moment in confusion wondering what she was doing.

"Remember when I arrived?  Even though I didn't agree with you, I spoke with you because I respected your strength and will." Samael quickly commented, as he began to move to where Zeyphr had been flung, "I won't try to convince you anymore, but you said so yourself, that trials like these made Nilo strong... So, I think should decide who you want to help."

Suddenly Zeyphr was shot away from boar and the fight, as Samael impulsively dashed over where Zeyphr had landed and jumped on a tree behind the vanguard. He lightly placed his hand on Zeyphr's left shoulder for a moment, as a small fraction of illusionary magic swirled into him.

A tiny scarlet red imp popped out from in the corner of Zeyphr's eyes hovering in the air before him constantly out of range, as it danced in the direction of the demon boar in a repeated loop. Leading the enraged vanguard around to approach the demon boar from behind through the illusionary wall Samael had built earlier.

Samael glanced around for Cherry, seeing if she was nearby to handle the wounds on Zeyphr's body from the attack and gestured her to heal him by quietly nodding at the most likely concerned fae.

Regardless, Samael walked out of the brush to be somewhat seen by the boar trying to redirect its attention away from the rampaging Zeyphr and Catequil that were about flank the savage demon.

"What's the matter?  Having trouble with the wall? Looks like the stupid baboon is still scratching his head after all!" Samael laughed mockingly at the boar as gestured, as he held his sword sword in his right hand and gestured the boar boar to come get him with his left hand.

Eastern Shrine

- Vayu/Samael/Zephyr/Nilo/Kagetora -

Kagetora said nothing at Samael's words, her eyes downcast in contemplation. Before she could find her voice, he'd already departed, making his way toward the colossal demon boar.

Cyak's Confusion began to ebb as he slowly realized his attacks were doing nothing to the cage around him. An illusion?

"What's the matter? Having trouble with the wall? Looks like the stupid baboon is still scratching his head after all!"

Cyak turned his head toward Samael, eyes narrowing as the Vanguard mockingly gestured to come at him. The fool really thought he had the upper hand?

The boar's mouth stretched wide in an odd sort of smile as its golden eyes flashed. Samael, unsuspected, found himself rooted to the spot as fear gripped him and rooted him to the spot.

Spoiler:

"Not so cocky now, are we?" Cyak growled, charging for him.

As he charged past Vayu, the stampeding force of his thundering feet and the miasma left in its wake knocked him back, though thankfully left him unscathed thanks to his Arcane Barrier. But Cyak paid him little notice, his focus entirely on Samael to crush him for his mockery.

Which is probably why he failed to notice Catequil.

The demon's spear struck him in the flank, and Cyak screeched in pain before the lightning struck and sent his squeal thundering even louder. The momentary paralysis gave Catequil the chance to retreat as Zephyr, egged on by Samael's illusion, slammed into Cyak's side and squashed him against the barrier.

Nilo, almost thrown off his feet by the shock of the impact against the barrier right near where he stood, scurried beneath the Cyak's tusks as Zephyr furiously attempted to whale on him and made straight for Samael.

"Are you insane?" Kagetora shouted at him from inside the barrier.

Nilo ignored her, grabbing onto Samael's shoulders and shaking him. "Hey, get yourself together! If you don't move, you're going to get killed!"

"You're going to get killed!" Kagetora fired back.

Her words were immediately drowned out by Cyak's bellow as his Darkness Roar blasted Zephyr back and threw him across the dirt into the bushes once more. Cherry scampered after him, trying to heal him before he could get back up.

Shaking himself off, Cyak turned his sights back on Samael - and with him, the little whelp who'd dared to ruin his plans. Chuckling wickedly, Cyak stormed his way toward them once more.

Nilo increased his efforts to shake off the fear from Samael, but it became apparent too late that it wouldn't work. Putting his arms around the Vanguard, he tried to pull him out of Cyak's path, but they'd never make it.

Something ensnared around his and Samael's waists, and they found themselves yanked through the air past Kagetora. As he whip propelled them safely out of reach, Nilo had a moment to lock eyes with her, to glimpse the swirl of conflicting emotions pooling up within them.

Before Cyak's tusk pierced her through the chest.

"No!" he screamed, throat tearing.

Her body hoisted into the air and thrown like a rag doll, she collapsed in a heap upon the ground, blood pooling around her at an alarming rate.

"You fool," Cyak growled. "I knew you were too soft for this. All your talk, all your posturing, and you didn't have the strength to break free of your ties and affection to this pathetic little collection of sticks and rocks you call home." His voice broke into a chuckle. "And now, you get to bleed out for it. How appropriate."

Zephyr Arc - Western Shrine

Everything faded into a blur as Zephyr rampaged, tearing apart whatever made it into his range. Delivering several heavy blows before he was once more brushed away by Cyak's desperate Darkness Roar, he got up immediately. Pain, exhaustion and shock were forgotten concepts, as the only thing that remained in his sights was the giant raging boar.

Giving no time for anyone to interfere, he galloped with the power of the enhanced Spectral Steed. Cherry floated above the field on standby, knowing full well there was no catching up to Zephyr in his state.

Blowing his shield up to its maximum size, Zephyr smashed violently into the boar's side. The sudden impact caused Cyak's lunge at Kagetora to veer slightly off-course as he then savagely stabbed it with his spear. Enlarged to the maximum and carried by his heavily enhanced strength, Smash and Bash was also activated to deliver the most potent strike that could be mustered in his current state.

Spoiler:

However, even the disrupted strike from the boar been too close to completely miss. It was simply unlikely to be immediate fatal.

Cherry hung over the field at a loss for a moment. This was a prime chance to knock Zephyr out of his berserk state, especially with the mighty blow he'd just launched. On the other, she may be able to stabilize Kagetora if she went to her now. But then they may be left to deal with Zephyr...

Deciding quickly on the grounds that Zephyr was most likely running low on maga by now anyway, she rushed to Kagetora, applying her Fair Folk's Favor immediately. Cyak was distracted enough for the moment, so she then attempted to pull her into the barrier. Pressed for time, she was unable to check the efficacy of her spell as she did so.

Spoiler:

Eastern Shrine

- Vayu -
What was he doing? Vayu watched shocked as Samael not only broke cover but started taunting the boar as well. Cyak took the invitation immediately and to Vayu’s surprise, Samael didn’t move.
“Move!” he called out.
The Arcane Barrier shattered after the board dashed past him and Vayu was pushed back further.
Despite Catequil’s and Zephyr’s best efforts, the demon boar kept charging at Nilo and Samael. Vayu watched helplessly as Kagetora jumped in the way and was impaled by the tusks while keeping Samael and Nilo safe.
Vayu stood up, surveying the situation. He could feel the effect of his boosting spell fade away and thus felt the miasma even more that was still saturating the ground around the boar.
Zephyr must be running low on maga after his mega attack. Samael had been casting enough illusions to fill a stadium, so his reserves would be reached soon.
“Catequil!” the thundered, for a moment contemplating switching him with his high pixie to help save Kagetora, but one glance had told him that she was beyond saving. “Bind him, then attack again with your spear.”

Spoiler:

Forcing his own legs to move, he cast another Synchro Gift to boost his strength once more. It would only keep the miasma from dragging him down, holding it at bay.

Spoiler:

He raised his own weapon and as soon as Catequil’s spell immobilized the demon boar at least for a moment, he jumped up, attempting to cut its throat. Catequil at the same struck the demon boar once again from the side, impaling it with electricity.

Samael

Samael watched helplessly as all the events unfolded before his eyes.  How could he let himself be overtaken by his own expertise alignments and then get someone killed trying to protect him?  His eyes widened as he clutched his fist slowly beginning to regain movement in his body, as the crippling fear or everyone else dying before his eyes soon faded and was replaced with a more heated rage.

"Stagnant air." Samael heavily coughed, as a a torrent of noxious fumes erupted from his mouth and flew into the demon boars face before Samael grabbed began to weakly pull Nilo towards the barrier, as the vanguard's body was still fighting tooth and nail with the fear that still crippled him.

A moment later a weakened Tulip also jumped out of the Gauntlet, as she helped push the two even further towards the barrier, tulip giving a knowing look towards Samael.

"Tulip can you heal..." Samael barely managed to comment, as the Mandrake shot daggers at Samael, her fierce gaze somehow casting a noise manipulation spell to shut him up.

"I'd hit you if I wasn't trying to get you to safety right now." Tulip commented her voice raspy from the lack of maga fueling it, "Regardless, even at the cost of my life, I don't think I could heal THAT."

Spoiler:

Eastern Shrine

- Vayu/Samael/Zephyr/Nilo/Kagetora -

Pain.

She thought she'd become well acquainted with pain, embraced it as a guide and a mentor on her path to strength.

But this... this was beyond that. For the first time in as long as she could remember, she feared that pain. Shrank back from it. Wished it away.

She was no longer a child. Knew such fanciful thinking had no place in reality. And yet, she couldn't help the impulse in some desperate part of her mind.

Her eyes fluttered open as the pain abated - a slight bit, ever so slight, but enough for her brain to grasp reason once more. She fixated on a fairy, a tiny and fragile thing, desperately trying to drag her toward the safety of the barrier.

As though there were any hope of keeping her safe at this point.

But even so, she struggled her hardest. And then, another small and weak thing, that Mandrake from before, came over to help and managed to get her into the safety of the barrier.

"Why?" She hadn't meant to say it aloud, but the worst slip past her blood-stained lips.

And then Nilo was there, tears streaming down his cheeks in a mixture of grief and fury. And his tears must have spilled over and fallen on her, because she felt the moisture collecting and running down her own.

"I don't..."

Nilo took the hand she reached out with and clasped it. "Don't talk. Just... just rest. We'll figure something out."

Samael appeared to be trying to figure something out, but his attention was on the the demon boar as it thrashed and attempted to shake off the cloud of noxious fumes he'd spewed out.

The distraction was enough to allow Catequil the opening he needed to strike, first binding the demon in place, then impaling its side with electricity.

Cyak screamed, attempting to unleash his Darkness Roar, but Catequil's electricity disrupted his concentration enough that, though the cursed energy battered Catequil, he managed to hold on as Vayu came in for the kill.

The kill? No, what absurdity was this! Cyak was a demon, a great demon, one who would never be bested by pathetic mortal hands!

Racked with pain as he was, as Vayu slashed his blade at the boar's throat, Cyak caught it with his tusk, baring his teeth and glaring down with his gleaming golden eyes. They flashed as he cackled, ready to cast his fear spell upon the Vanguard.

"You... fool! Do you honestly think you could ever have the strength to best one such as me?"

"But it's not your strength, is it?"

A flash of light struck the boar, and with a scream, Cyak hurtled out of its body and onto the ground. As the beast, mindless and wild, reared back in its pain and rage, Vayu stepped in to finish what he'd started. His blade struck true, and with a terrible bellow, it collapsed to the ground in a thunderous tremor before dispersing.

Erice panted, lowering her hand as she smiled at the others. "Sorry for taking so long, but I got here as soon as I-"

She cut herself off as something caught her eye. Slowly bobbing along the ground like an oversized dustball, Cyak attempted to slink away into the underground.

"Who wants to do the honors?" she asked, gripping her own spear tight.

Eastern Shrine

- Vayu -

His blade was intercepted by the tusk and despite Catequil’s best attempts it was not enough to finish the demon boar off. Vayu braced his entire weight against the impact, refusing to give in. The golden eyes flashed at him and he got locked in its stare. He knew if that demon boar unleashed another spell on him, he wouldn’t be able to resist the effects or get away in time.

The demon boar mocked him, but Vayu gritted his teeth. “So what?” he replied between his teeth. “I’ll get stronger and I will never give up.”

Suddenly a flash of light appeared and Cyak was hurled from the demon boar. Seizing his chance, Vayu pushed the tusks aside and cut its throat. Watching the demon disperse, he sank to the ground with a exhausted sigh.

He looked up at Erice, who was eyeing Cyak who attempted to get away. “Be my guest,” he gestured. Now that the main fight was over and his spells were wearing off, he could feel tiredness setting in. With a wave of his hand, Catequil disappeared.

Thanks for your help. You did good, he thought.
This was fun, you should bring me out more often Catequil’s voice sounded through his mind.
I’ll think about it Vayu promised. You’re not exactly a sweet little kitten but can be kind of intimidating
Catequil’s chuckle echoed through his mind.

Taking a look around and taking in Kagetora’s dire state, he summoned his own high pixie. The pixie fluttered worriedly around him, but he waved him off. “I’m fine, go help the others please.”
Vayu looked around, trying to find Zephyr.

The high pixie fluttered over to Samael and Nilo who were supporting Kagetora while Cherry was desperately trying to heal her. Generously he began casting Fairy Folk’s Favor first over Nilo, then over Samael.

Spoiler:

Eastern Shrine

- Vayu/Samael/Zephyr/Erice/Nilo/Kagetora -

Erice frowned as Vayu declined to finish off Cyak. She certainly wasn't eager to do it, but it had to be done. Steeling herself, she gripped her lance and started toward the demon when a pained voice broke out.

"No."

Kagetora let out a pained gasp as she tried to prop herself up, if only a little bit, and reached for her whip. Nilo frowned, but knowing there was no arguing with her, he grasped it and placed it in her palm.

Instead, she closed her hand around his, clasping his fingers tightly against the handle of the whip. "Do it," she said.

When he tried to pull back, she held on tighter. "I believe you can lead this village into something better. To show them a better way... like you showed me. But you'll have to be strong, Nilo, even if it's in your own way. And that means sometimes, you'll have to kill those that would threaten your way of life and what you care about." As he stopped resisting, she relaxed her grip on his. "Do it. Show me... I can rest easy."

"I will," he promised her as he got to his feet, walking slowly out of the barrier toward Cyak. The demon cursed and wailed indignantly as it tried to get away, even as everyone could see it was futile.

Nilo's knuckles whitened against the handle of the whip as he raised it, hesitated, then brought it cracking down on the demon. With one final cry, it withered into nothingness, leaving silence in the clearing.

Nilo turned back and searched Kagetora's face, smiling at the almost peaceful smile on her bloodstained face, before tears burned at his eyes when he could no longer find the spark of life in them.

Zephyr Arc - Western Shrine

With his last heavy assault, Zephyr grievously injured the boar, and ran his remaining reserves of Maga dry. Blown away by the subsequent bucking of the boar, he landed in a heap just by the barrier. With no Maga left to fuel them, his buffs faded away. Along with them, the berserk also lifted.

His senses returning, the first thing Zephyr felt was extreme exhaustion. It had been a while since he'd run himself completely out in that state. Even his fingers felt like lead. Yet, as the vague memories of the battle returned slowly, he dragged his battered and bleeding form to its feet and trugged into the barrier. His long hair hung over his face, both bearing numerous splatters of crimson.

He arrived just as Niko returned, having executed Cyak for his transgressions. Cherry quickly fluttered to his side and cast her Fairy Folk's Favor to stabilize his current, miserable state. They'd basically used him as a human wrecking ball to manage the situation, so it was really a wonder he was even able to stand.

Zephyr approached Nilo and put a hand on his shoulder. This was a situation he was much too familiar with, calling all the way back to his childhood. As the spell's healing finally touched him, the remaining strength drained from his bones and he slumped back onto the floor unconscious.

Samael

"Thanks Tulip, but I think I'm okay enough now that the demon is gone." Samael heavily stated his heavy exhausted breath cutting in between his words, as he watched the demon breath his last breath.

This was good, having Nilo do this... it'll help him grow.... but still why did he even have to do this....

Samael head felt light, as he glanced down at his hands, the complexion of it looking spotted as he could see the imperfections of his more feminine features starting to show outside of the illusion which he quickly adjusted his cloak to hide and focused his maga on the more obvious female spots before Vayu's high pixie or the others would notice.

"Thanks for saving me Kagetora, I just wish you could of stayed around to see the village grow yourself." Samael stated in a proud but spiteful voice as he glanced over at at the remains of where the demon was with a deep scowl on his face, as he slowly walked over to Kagetora and brushed his hands over her lifeless eyes and closed them.

Samael turned towards Nilo sizing up the the runner as he nodded at him giving the approval that he had done the right thing extended the same nod of thanks to Erice who had helped them in their time of need.

"Just remember you don't have to do it on your own Nilo, it's not weak to contact us to help from time to time even if it's just for advice or to talk." Samael assured him, as he extended his hand out to shake it.

Eastern Shrine

- Vayu/Samael/Zephyr/Erice/Nilo -

Nilo took Samael's hand and shook it. His smile, though strained and tired, managed to hold.

"Thank you," he said quietly. "All of you. Not just for helping me protect the village, but for helping me get direction."

He crouched down and scooped Kagetora's body into his arms. Though the sutras Erice had placed on his arms had long since been torn and defaced, he told himself they would last until the village. He could keep bearing one more burden that long.

The others followed behind him, watching carefully but not interfering with his load until the village gates finally came into sight. Nilo turned, gave them one last smile, and headed off through the gates.

Erice watched him go, then turned to the three Vanguards. "I didn't want to bring it up in front of Nilo. I thought he'd dealt with enough already. But there's one more issue left to handle before this is really resolved. Would you follow me?"

They broke from the path and headed into the thick of the forest for several minutes. Finally, Erice stopped, and before the others could ask why, a snuffling sound came from near their feet.



"I came across these little guys hidden away here when I went to clear away the miasma. I don't know if they were more skittish than the adults about the miasma and fleed, or whether the demon boars got to aggressive after being corrupted and chased them off, or..." Her eyes fell. "Maybe some part of them still cared enough to try to get the piglets away before it was too late."

One of the boar piglets approached Vayu's leg and sniffed about his boot, softly snorting to itself.

"The thing is... I'm not sure they did." Erice shifted uncomfortably. "There's a chance, if left here, they could become fully fledged demon boars like the rest of the herd. I thought... well, I thought you deserved to know. And decide what to do about them."

[A: Eliminate the boars. It's not worth risking.
B: Leave the boars. They shouldn't be treated as a threat until they prove they're a threat.
C. Take the boars. Perhaps if they're raised properly and kept an eye on, they'll turn out fine.
D. Take the boars. A demon is a demon, and with some help from the Cathedral of Shadows, it should be possible to accelerate their growth into demon boars and use them in battle.]

Eastern Shrine

- Vayu -


From his sitting position, he watched the events unfold. His eyes followed Nilo as he was given the whip with Kagetora’s last dying breath and struck down the last demon, lingering and wondering how this would change him long term.

At the same time Zephyr re-appeared, looking much worse for the wear, probably worst of them all.

“Hey!” he lifted his fingers and let out a sharp whistle to call over his high pixie. When he got his attention, he pointed at Zephyr. He knew Cherry would take care of him, but a little help probably couldn’t hurt.

When Nilo took Kagetora in his arms, he also got up an followed Erice and the others back towards the village.

There was another suprise as Erice lead them off the path and into the forest.

His eyes fell on the little piglet at his feet. Only half-listening to Erice’s words, he kneeled down and extended his hand to the animal. The piglet, at first suspicious, came closer to sniff his fingers.

C. Take the boars. Perhaps if they're raised properly and kept an eye on, they'll turn out fine.

“I —,” he began when Catequil interrupted him.

Are you sure this a good idea?

“What do you mean?” he whispered back.

You won’t use it as a demon. What are you gonna do with it?

“I don’t know, but it’s kind of cute, don’t you think?” he asked.

Mh…what if it grows up. Do you really think people will take kindly to a demon boar roaming around freely?

“Oh, it’ll be fine.”

If that’s what you think…

Vayu shook his head and focused back on the situation at hand.

“I’ll take one,” he said.

Samael

Samael eyed the boar with interest gazing over its figure and sizing the creature up.  Scanning each of the boar piglets for distinct features almost like it was like a military lineup.  One had black circles around its eyes almost like glasses while another had a distinct white fur making it have an old sagely look almost like an old man.  But Samael's eyes stopped at once who's eye left eye was scarred shut, with its body bent over almost like it had given up on the situation.

D. Take the boars. A demon is a demon, and with some help from the Cathedral of Shadows, it should be possible to accelerate their growth into demon boars and use them in battle.

"How about it, would you like to help me." Samael commented looking at the boar's figure.  The boar reacted puffing out his chest almost like he was trying to hide his scared look from before. However, it his eyes slightly averted its gaze away from the vanguard,.

Tulip deadpan looked at Samael, her eyes locked onto his eyes, as if she could peer into Samael's very soul.  Her eyes narrowed for a moment, face tensing, as she crossed her arms and one of her eyebrows rose, but ultimately she let out a heavy sigh as she waved her hand at Samael before vanishing in the gauntlet.

"Of course, that's only if you want to." Samael commented, as the boar piglet seemed to now solidly meet his gaze almost like the creature knew exactly what he was saying, he wanted to be strong, he wanted to protect.  And with his help, Samael would hopefully not let another human sacrifice their life to save him.

Zephyr Arc - Forest

Erice abruptly led the group off the path and into the forest on their way back. Zephyr followed looking a bit unsteady on his feet. He seemed a bit pale, a clear indication he wasn't quite fully recovered from their recent battle. Soon, snuffling at their feet alerted the group to what had prompted Erice to bring them here to begin with; boar piglets. Of the demonic variety, from the looks of things.

Hearing Erice out first, Zephyr's decision was quick and decisive.

A: Elimimate the boars. It's not worth risking.

He raised his spear to make quick work of the little demons... and was immediately socked in the chin by a tiny fist. Zephyr's spear clattered to the floor as a pixy floated in front of his face, arms crossed. "No, not this time. Not a chance. No way you're slaughtering babies!" The pixy yelled at him as she drew menacingly closer.

Out of sorts and dizzy from the strike to his chin, the weakened Zephyr nodded meekly. Triumphant, Cherry landed atop his head looking elated with herself. A side to her that the others hadn't gotten to see until now as she wasn't quite comfortable with them. It seemed their co-operation in the last battle had broken the ice.

A: Eliminate the boars. It's not worth risking.
C. Take the boars. Perhaps if they're raised properly and kept an eye on, they'll turn out fine.

Outside the Village

- Vayu/Samael/Zephyr/Erice/Nilo -

Erice smiled fondly as Vayu picked one of the piglets, who pressed its moist snout happily against his cheek the moment he let his guard down.

[+0]

When Samael took one, declaring his intention to strengthen it, she frowned but made no comment. The piglet almost seemed to understand, to be willing, but even so, to force it out of its innocence...

[+3 CF]

Zephyr's actions, however, took everyone by surprise as he pulled out his spear with no preamble and made to slaughter the helpless little piglets. Before she could do much more than gasp, though, a little fairy bowled him right over and made short work of that plan. She sighed, her voice shaky, glancing away from his prone body. She could understand the concern for what they might become, but to do it without a second thought...

[+3 LF]

"You're quite an eclectic group," she said after a few moments. "You all have different views and principles, and yet... you all seem to work together well. Is all of Chaldea like that?"

She paused, seeming to wrestle with something before continuing on.

"Do you think they'd be welcoming of anyone there? Even a Messian?"

Outside the village

- Vayu -

Vayu looked up from the piglet that was nuzzling his cheek when Samael made a choice. The most surprising actions came from Zephyr who initially made a move to slaughter all the piglets.

He stepped back, ready to intervene, but Cherry handled the situation, looking quite please with herself when she finally perched on Zephyr’s head. Vayu grinned at them. “You tell him,” he murmured under his breath.

For a moment he pondered, looking back towards the village and then back to the baby boar in his hands. Would it be a good idea to lead their way back through the village? Probably not.

“We should head back to Chaldea straight away. We can all do with some rest and recovery…unless you need anything from the village?” he posed it as a question towards the rest of the team and waited to see which direction they decided to go.

Then Erice asked an unexpected question. Vayu tipped his lips while he thought of an answer. “Chaldea is a big city. However, be warned, Chaldean citizens are quite aware and can be critical and prejudiced. You’ll find corners where you are not welcome, but compared to most villages we’ve been to, it’s quite open and welcoming to everyone, especially if they help support the city,” he finally said. “It all depends on what you do.”

[b]Samael[/b]

Samael nodded in response to Vayu's comment about Chaleda with zero hesitation his eyes locked onto the messian. His eyes turned to Vayu for a few moments though, his eyes having a puzzling look as something seemed to wash over Samael's mind.

"As a recall there's even something like an angel that takes up residence, though I wasn't on the mission with that angel personally. But, if he's accepted I'm sure you'll be fine." Samael commented with a nod.

Though, he turned his head distracted by a light clanging noise as the boar piglet Samael took began to hit his paws against the gauntlet trying to get inside to follow Tulip. Its face growing more and more frustrated by the second as nothing happened in response to its adamant efforts, emitting a noise akin to a squeal.

Samael let out a heavy sigh as he pet the boar piglet on the head trying to calm the little fuzzy fellow down before he turned his gaze back towards the others.

"I think we're okay, I trust Nilo to handle things now. And I can always contact him if needed." Samael flatly commented.

Zephyr Arc - Outside the Village

Zephyr took a moment to recover from the scuffle with the pixie standing atop his head. Gently grabbing her off his head and putting her back on his shoulder to her chargin, he added his two-cents to Erice's question as well.

"As far as I've been told, anyone's welcome as long as you don't cause trouble. You can find both humans and many forms of demons running around as a result."

His expression slightly twitched as he spoke, but was otherwise sincere discourse. The pouting pixie on his shoulder took this chance to swoop down and pet her choice of piglet, the creature quickly warming to her touch.

Outside the Village

- Vayu/Samael/Zephyr/Erice/Nilo -

Though they didn't sugarcoat the reality, the Vanguards did paint a reasonably welcoming picture of Chaldea. Erice seemed content enough with the answer and thanked them with a smile.

Once she'd led them back onto the main path, they paused at the crossroads between the path back home for them and the one toward the village.

"I'm glad we could do this for them," Erice said, glancing back at the village. "In the end, that's what matters, right? Protecting people. Not factions or philosophies." She took a step away from them back toward the village and waved. "Maybe I'll see you guys again some time. Take care!"

After their goodbyes, the Vanguards turned and headed back their way. Erice watched them go, then slowly headed back into the village. When she arrived, Nilo appeared to have already filled in the village on what had happened. Kagetora's body had been covered, and preparations appeared to be underway to give her a proper burial.

"Gaean or not, Kagetora died trying to help this village," Nilo said, staring down at her body. "And we're not going to let that sacrifice go to waste. Next time something comes against us, we're going to be ready for it!"

Kaede, the village elder, nodded her approval, and as Kagetora's body was taken away, they moved into discussion with each other about plans to start a training regimen.

"They really made an impact on him, huh?" Erice mused.

Kuda, whose gaze had been on her ever since the Vaguards left, gave a soft hum. "You could've gone with them, you know."

She shook her head and smiled. "It would've just made things harder."

Kuda sighed. If anyone were making things harder here, it would be her...

As they turned and headed back their own way, the barrier gave a pleasant thrum as they left its bounds. Like an egg, it waited patiently and protectively as something steadily grew within it, ready to one day blossom and break free.