Standard Mission: Oni May Cry

Messian Monastery - Mountain Pass

- Monett -

A few Preta began to scale down the wall, their eyes gleaming hungrily as they eyed the Messians. But a moment later, they stopped short, titling their heads in confusion as the humans disappeared, leaving only a reflection of themselves. Waddling closer, they cocked their heads from side to side, goggling and working their mouths silently.

On the other side of the illusion, the Messians kept their mouths clamped shut, with hands if they had to, and crept along the passage as quickly as they dared.

One or two Preta shuffled nearer to Monett, but perhaps sensing her much higher power, they stayed clear of her and watched her curiously. And a touch hungrily.

Once they’d all rounded the corner of the passage and gotten clear of the Preta, everyone sighed in relief.

“That was some quick thinking,” the younger of the two Messian guards said, his cheeks a little flushed as he gazed at Monett. “Kez, by the way. I don’t think we got your name.”

Betrand gave him a nudge forward. “Keeping moving. This isn’t the time for sweet talking.”

Kez blushed but followed after him, even as he cast glances at Monett.

So much so that he almost ran into a Pisaca that shuffled out from a side passage.

Spoiler:

He stopped short, inches from the demon’s back as it sniffed the air, its eye stalks peering into the darkness ahead where the Messians huddled together and waited.

Kez took a step back, his foot scuffing along the stone floor, and the Pisaca whipped around with a screech, the teeth lining its body undulating as it lunged for him.

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Messian Monastery - The Front Gate

- Vayu -

Erice nodded at Vayu and continued to herd the Messians back, rousing those from sleep that she could and helping those who didn't into the arms of others who could still move.

Thankfully, Vayu's Arcane Barrier gave them some breathing space as the Lamia battered it impotently with their tails. They didn't seem to expect Vayu's retaliation, and the front line quickly fell beneath his blade.

Those behind, however, cast a spell that made their scales shimmer. When Vayu's blade swept at one's neck, she brought up her tail to block the attack, then quickly responded by swiping it down at the Vanguard in a burst of maga

(Monstrous Scales)

Spoiler:

(Bestial Strike)

Spoiler:

Meanwhile, Kuda snarled and struggled against the Jorougumo's silk, but upon seeing Catequil's example, he calmed himself and conjured his Fierce Fire to burn away his own restraints. The two charged in together, with Catequil's spear discharging lightning that sent the Jorougumo spasming and scuttling back while Kuda's Ice Fangs skewered the ones that didn't retreat back enough in time.

"I think I like you," Kuda remarked to Catequil, almost managing a smile before turning back to the Jorougumo. "Now... Witness Me!"

(Witness Me)

Spoiler:

The Jorougumo raised their claws to shield their eyes and retreated further back as Kuda's fur rippled with a powerful light. With a nod to Catequil, he raced forward and brought his claws sweeping through the retreating demons.

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- Zephyr -

Ryoko quickly shifted her gasp into a grimace as her Shadow Rend fizzled out when it contacted Zephyr's spear. Before she could even process how he'd done that, an Ice Arrow fired directly at her, giving her only a moment to cross her hatchets before her to block the attack.

The impact dropped her out of the air, and she skidded back a few feet before coming to a halt. Zephyr's words rang in her ears as her hands shook, grip tightening on the handles of her hatchets.

"You... bastard..." Her shoulders heaved as she glared at her trembling hands. In such a short time, how had he gotten so strong, strong enough to match her?

And in all that time, she hadn't grown at all...

With a cry, she sent another Shadow Rend racing across the ground toward him.

Zephyr Arc - The Front Gate

Zephyr observed Ryoko calmly, neither harried nor rushed. Even with overdrive functional, he wasn't being overwhelmed by the battle-lust, only noting the creeping numbness that kept him from feeling pain off-hand.

His opponent, on the other hand, was very visibly falling apart with every blow the two combatants traded. Clearly not really thinking, she unleashed a second Shadow Rend in his direction with a shriek. Perhaps it was meant to be much more threatening, but all she managed to sound like was a cornered child.

Keeping direct eye-contact with Ryoko, Zephyr simply swept his spear over the ground as her spell approached. A casual motion that seemed almost effortless. Just as before, her spell vanished without a trace, his face showing not a hint of strain.

"Alright, that'll do. Now, let me show you. Power." He called, his eyes taking on a tinge of blue. Allowing Zephyr to bypass the limitations of Overdrive and make the most of its effects, he used the charges from Devouring Ryoko's Shadow Rends to elevate Boost by another level. The changes to Spell Eater that had accumulated in his last two missions surprisingly made the spell far more suited to him than ever before.

As promised, raw power radiated from Zephyr as the effects fully took hold. Entirely switching gears from his earlier passivity, Zephyr lunged at Ryoko with sudden fervor. His spear came down on her without a hint of hesitation, bringing with it the immense power had called forth.

"No more tricks. Hit me with all you've got." He roared.

Messian Monastery – The Front Gate

- Vayu -

While he was busy dispatching the Lamia that tried to attack the barrier, the second row took that window of opportunity to strengthen their defense. His blade bounced off their scales, tripping him off balance.

Then a multiple Lamia attacked with their tails, striking down on him. Vayu rolled backwards to evade their attack, but not far enough as another tail poised above him ready to strike.

Suddenly there was a crackle of thunder and then Lamia began writhing with pain as powerful lightning struck her and she was speared. Vayu looked up at Catequil who grinned at him and then jumped up and moved back towards the Jorougumo.

“Well at least one of us is having fun,” he muttered under his breath.

Vayu exhaled with relief and stood up. There were still more Lamia coming, but he still took a moment to reinforce the barrier once again with his spell to keep them from breaking through and attacking the retreating Messians.

He raised his blade and cast another confusion wave. Before he could charge in, Catequil unleashed another spell.

Silver Cry

Spoiler:

The three thunder beasts descended onto the Lamia wreaking havoc under the confused demons.

Catequil meanwhile had joined Kuda in her slaughter of the blinded Jorougumo, striking them down with his spear and stunning anything with lightning that came too close to him.

“Back at you,” he replied to Kuda. "I like your style."

Monett

"Monett.  After doing the same thing for so long it comes naturally and illusions rely on being quick." The vanguard commented in a hushed tone, as she got a difficult look at the Messian in the dark corridor.

Monett's eyes narrowed, as she heard his nervous voice as her eyes scanned his body for any sort of bruise, mark or abnormal motions.  Her eyes focusing in on the shifting in his legs and hands, as she placed her hand under her chin.

"Did he sprain his leg?  He was shifting quite a bit, but healing isn't my department." Monett thought in a frantic manner as she eyed around the area the make sure nothing was coming.  She felt further perplexed at the situation until the word 'sweet talking' flowed through her ears and her eyes widened in realization.

"What?  Is he into other guys or something... wait. Oh right." Monet thought as her mind shifted to Bastion for just a moment that she almost missed the large jawed demon.  Her eyes widened in surprise as  she stood up straight her body and posture at the ready as she quickly dashed towards the Messian under attack.

"Ice Wall." Monett mumbled as she held her her left hand out surging with maga as her right hand pulled the Messian away from the creature as a wall of ice began to quickly rise between her and the demon attempting to isolate it from the rest of the group.

Stott as if naturally responding to the spell like a trained hound, jumped to the other side of the ice wall facing the demon and taking the place of the boy, as Miasma began to slowly flow from Stott's mouth and filling the soon to be separated passage.

Spoiler:

Messian Monastery – The Front Gate

- Vayu -

Kuda bared his teeth in a feral grin as he raked his claws through a Jorougumo's legs, leaving it to flail helplessly on the ground before Catequil's spear finished it off.

"That oni girl's right about one thing," he said, glancing from Zephyr, to Vayu, to Catequil. "You've all gotten stronger surprisingly quickly. Though..." He snorted. "I suppose I can't talk."

Vayu moved closer to them as Catequil's thunder beasts cleared a path for them through the center of the room, leaving their view of Zephyr and Ryoko's match unimpeded as a burst of maga ripped through the room.

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- Zephyr -

"Now, let me show you. Power."

Power. He radiated it, eyes shifting to a blueish hue, as waves of maga rolled off of him. Ryoko glared at him, teeth grinding, hands shaking.

This wasn't possible. It wasn't, it wasn't! She refused to accept this!

Zephyr lunged toward her, bringing his spear down with a roar, baiting her to match his strength. Her instincts screamed at her to avoid to it, to meld into the shadows, and find some other way to take him down.

But that meant acknowledging he was stronger than her. And that... that she could never do.

Flooding her body with all the strength her Demonic Nature of Oni could allow, she screamed out a roar of her own and surged in to meet his attack.

The resulting shockwave from the meeting of their blades cracked the ground beneath them and sent lesser demons tumbling away. Ryoko growled as her footing wavered, her knees threatening to give out, her arms trembling beneath the brute force matching her. Pain racked her muscles, pain she'd never had to experience before, as she refused to back down.

Her stance slipped. She gave ground, inch by inch, scraps of a second passing at what seemed like minutes. Her arms lowered and drew back, unable to hold him any longer.

No. No no no!

She cried out - in desperation for one last burst of strength, in anger, in despair... she wasn't sure. She didn't have time to contemplate it.

Her arms caved. Her legs bowed. The onslaught of maga hurled her back, tossing her like a rag doll across the floor until she came to a stop in a heap at the other end of the room.

Her mask tumbled aside, cracked into pieces, and landed near her outstretched hand.

"Why...?" She forced herself up, but her legs buckled and dropped her to one knee. "Why can't I beat you? You're... you're nothing. Just a human. I'm..."

[A: Afraid of your humanity.
B: Afraid of your demon side.]

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- Vayu -

"Sad little Ryoko," Bifrons chirped. "She disgusts humans for being too demon, and demons for being too human."

The words from their last mission echoed in Vayu’s head as he watched the scene play out, the pain in Ryoko’s words palpable.

Yes, she felt she had to choose a side, because what place was there in the middle? But she chose her oni side - she chose the side of strength and independence. But why?

"We kill demons when we have to,” Cleo explained. “But only when we have to. It's not like we want to wipe out all demons or anything. We have demons that live in Chaldea, you know, demons who want to coexist with humans. Partners and friends of ours, even."

[i]Ryoko's eyes widened. "You... do?" She faltered, then scoffed. "Get real. Demons and humans can't coexist. They're fundamentally incompatible."

Cleo just shook his head. "Maybe you should visit Chaldea and decide for yourself."

Ryoko just stared at him, the silence heavy. Then she shook her head and turned away.

Yes, in the end, she was…

[A: Afraid of her humanity.
B: Afraid of her demon side.]

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Messian Monastery - Mountain Pass

- Monett -

The Pisaca let out an angry hiss as the ice wall emerged to block its path. When the demon boar trotted forward to challenge it, spewing miasma, it ignored the poison as though unaffected and charged forward, spewing out a spray of small needles that attacked the boar's nerves, attempting to stun it.

Meanwhile, some of the Messians began to panic, seeking to rush away from the action and head further into the tunnels.

"Keep it together!" barked Bertrand, trying to corral the people together. "Hey, Vanguard, what are you doing? Let's go!" He seemed unconcerned with the demon boar's fate on the other side of the ice.

Zephyr Arc - The Front Gate

Faced with the sheer weight of his blow, Ryoko was inevitably blown backwards with a surprisingly little amount of effort. Zephyr watched with a grim expression as she attempted to rise back to her feet, only to fail as she fell to lamentation.

Adjusting his grip on his spear, Zephyr walked slowly to his downed opponent. A deliberate and somber advance that made onlookers wonder whether he would strike her down, especially knowing his track record so far.

Instead, he dropped down to her eye level as he stared at her.

"You're the same as me. Obsessed with power for power's sake... all while fearing weakness. If there is a difference, it's only that I reviled demons for what I lost... while you, fear your humanity."

Unblinking, he extended his free hand to her.

"What I really wished for was a place to belong, what I feared was weakness that may keep me from protecting it. If you wish for true strength, embrace your weakness. Your humanity. Let me show you."

He spoke calmly. The azure glow in his eyes reflected her, honestly and without distortion.

Messian Monastery – The Front Gate

- Vayu -

Vayu had been keeping half an eye on the fight between Ryoko and Zephyr. Whether out of concern for the first or latter, he wasn’t sure himself.

He had an unobstructed view of the two of them clashing again and again with raw power until Zephyr had built up enough power to gain an edge.

When she was defeated, he walked over to them, not because he was afraid Zephyr would strike her down, but because he was curious. And maybe because she had saved his life once and that’s why he couldn’t just let her die here.

“You are,” he added on to Zephyr’s words. “You are afraid of your humanity. But that’s part of you and until you embrace all of you, you won’t find your true strength.”

A: Afraid of her humanity.

Monett

Stott bolted in the direction away from the demon, running into the darkness away from the ice wall trying to draw the demon away from the group.

Monett listened carefully her face turning into a version of a scowl as she was rushed. However, it sounded like the opposing demon was still yelling and screaming, hearing a loud but pained squeal from Stott.

"Poison immune, tsk." Monett commented with an annoyed look on her face, as she held out her gauntlet turning the demon boar turn back into maga as she felt the boar phase through the ice wall and flow back into protection. Her head wracked with pain, as Stott's pain from the attack needled her thoughts apparently he was hit by the attack.

"I'll be sure to reward you later, just hold on Stott." Monett muttered in a pained voice, as she turned her attention towards the people who began to scatter away. She would need to calm them down somehow....

Alright.

A little sketchbook appeared in Monett's mind as she quickly drew a plan in it. Using a larger divine like illusion to draw their attention and noise manipulation to minimize the yells and panic.

Monett quickly grabbed a piece of rock and tossed it in front of the scattered individuals as she pulled out an image from her sketch book that she pulled out of her satchel and melded it with the illusion. A light smoke cloud appeared in front of them as a large visage of Monett dawned in more secure and protective armor surrounding by a fake light.

"Noise manipulation." Monett uttered as she held out her other hand and an invisible bubble surrounded the chaos keeping the noise inside the field.

"Everyone calm down and please proceed in an orderly fashion this way, if we panic then it'll only make things worse." illusionary Monett called out in a loud but kind and calming voice like a stern mother trying to calm a frightened child. Her hand rose up and the path they should of taken lit up with a calming blue light.

Messian Monastery - Front Gates

- Zephyr, Vayu -

"You're the same as me. Obsessed with power for power's sake... all while fearing weakness. Fearing your humanity."

No.

You are,” he added on to Zephyr’s words. “You are afraid of your humanity. But that’s part of you and until you embrace all of you, you won’t find your true strength.”

No no no. That wasn’t right. It couldn’t be right.

But… what if it was? What if trying to cast off what she thought was weakness… was her weakness?

She could try to deny it, but she was the one on her knees, and the humans she derided stood tall above her.

She clenched her teeth. So easy for them to say, though. Embrace humanity? What choice did they have? They were human through and through. But her…

"Sad little Ryoko." Bifrons mocking little voice niggled at the corners of her mind. "She disgusts humans for being too demon, and demons for being too human."

"What I really wished for was a place to belong."

She stared at the hand offered to her, her heart hammering. Slowly, she rose to her feet, refusing to take it.

“All right. You want to show me? Show me.” She yanked on both her hatchets and slammed them into the ground beside her, shattering the remains of her oni mask. “If I can’t beat you as an oni, then let’s see if I can beat you as a human.”

By now, as the sun had retreated behind the hills, shadows had spread through the entrance. Ryoko leaped back and melded into them, disappearing from sight. A moment later, she emerged in a corner of the room behind them, launching her hatchets at the back of Zephyr and Vayu’s heads.

—————————————————————————

Messian Monastery - Mountain Pass

As Monett’s spells took effect, the Messians calmed and slowly came together, those who had disappeared returning from around the corners and edging back to rejoin the group. With a sigh of relief, Bertrand and Kez nodded at her, the latter especially in awe at the sight of her armor.

“Wow, you’re…” Kez swallowed. “You’re incredibl… y good at this.”

Betrand snorted at his cover, but had to nod along. “I gotta admit… you are good. You Vanguards are pretty handy in a pinch.”

Following her lead, they continued to corral the people along the tunnel, managing to avoid any more threatening demons as Monett dampened their footsteps to avoid a beast slithering down a nearby tunnel or using her smell to bypass a few foul tunnels that would’ve probably led to a lair that made them dinner.

At last, as they trudged along, light became visible in the distance. The people breathed a sigh of relief and ran for the exit, even as Betrand and Kez warned them to keep close together.

They should’ve listened.

When they emerged, a few hovering demons up above, scouts from the Gaean’s army, cackled in delight and pointed down. With shrieks, they swooped down with pitchforks raised to skewer the Messians.

Instead, a shaft of light pierced through the heart of one, and a flurry of wings battered the other three aside. As Prince set about hacking the demons around him to pieces, Bastion hurried up to join Monett.

“Need any help?”

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Messian Monastery - Battlefield

The oni continued to hammer away at the monastery’s defenses and pour into the halls, delighted at the lack of resistance. So focused on their forward march, they failed to notice the forces accumulating behind them.

Komori nodded to the assembled Vanguards and silently signaled. Bracing themselves, they leaped forward as one and hewed at the back line of the Gaeans. By the time the others realized what was happening, chaos had broken out.

Ose spun about, slashing and slicing in all directions, hewing a path through the oni. He bared his teeth in a delighted smile, blood pumping as he finally got to let loose.

At least, until the little demons near his legs began to complain about him hogging all the attention.

Sighing, he grabbed Goki by the scruff of his neck and tossed him ahead into a crowd of oni, then plopped Tulip onto his shoulder. He gave King Frost a glance, but having neither the strength to toss him or the shoulders to hold him up, he merely gave him a shrug before leaping back into the action.

Zephyr Arc - Front Gates

His opponent rose to her feet, leaving his outstretched hand to hang in the air between them. She roared defiantly as she shattered her mask, making a challenge before melding into the shadows. Beat him as a human, was it?

Zephyr grinned to himself as he held his position. "That's more like it."

He placed the hand he'd offered on the ground as he closed his eyes and listened, filtering through the noise for any sudden new sounds. Reacting quickly once he heard blades cutting through the air behind him, he moved his shoulder in the way. The shield fixed to it blew up, deflecting the hatchet aiming to split his head from behind.

In the same movement, he fired the crossbow fixed to his other wrist in the direction the hatchets had come from, bolts of Ice Arrow heading for Ryoko's position. He hadn't gotten much of a chance to show it recently, both due to his own tendency to go off when he saw demons and due to Overdrive clouding his judgement far too often, but Zephyr was a highly trained technical fighter. At the end of the day.

That done, Zephyr stood up and allowed his shield to drop from his shoulder down into his grip and twirled his spear with a flourish, taking a fighting stance. It was about time he, too, fought like a human. After fighting like a mad beast for so long, it even felt a little fresh.

Messian Monastery – Front Gate

- Vayu –

For a moment he thought they were getting through to her. A short moment where they could glimpse at her vulnerability and then it faded a Ryoko’s feistiness and fire kicked in. She jumped up and melted into the shadows.

Vayu felt like it was a small step. A crack in the walls she put up around her.

He mistakenly took a moment to look around, trying to see how Catequil and the others were faring against the demons that kept pouring in from outside. When he realized the hatchet was flying towards him, there was not enough time to react. The hatchet was intercepted with a metallic sound and pinned to the ground by Catequil’s spear, a trickle of electricity running along the chain.

That’s twice now. Can you please focus? The demon’s voice sounded in his head.

Vayu rolled his eyes and with a fluid motion picked up the spear. Guessing Ryoko hadn’t stayed in the corner where the hatchets had come from after Zephyr attacked it, he moved to stand at Zephyr’s back, scanning the opposite side of the area.

“Synchro Gift,” he murmured and granted them both another boost.

Now that the sun is gone, I could use some more light though, he thought towards Catequil, who had resumed his slaughter of the demons with his claws.

Monett

Monet acknowledged the comment from the vanguards with a slight nod but she simply held up her hand and pointed a single finger at the direction they were heading. Her eyes specifically focused on the boy who had almost ran into the demon last time.

"Everyone keep calm do not run ahead.." Monett commented as she attempted to conjure another illusion as maga bristled in her hand but before the spell could be conjured people were already rushing towards the exit, as her mind struggled to think of an illusion that could guide them in this situation.

****... they're going to....

Before a familiar beam of light shot into the air and protected the group and Monett breathed a deep sigh of relief. Her face lit up as she saw Bastion, as she nodded at him glad that these people didn't die on her watch and that he had returned to help.

"Yes! Please. I hope you're doing alright." Monett commented as she took a deep sigh watching the other three demon fighting prince higher in the air as she held out her hand and maga flowed into the angel increasing his speed and agility so that he could stop any of those demons from getting away.

"But, It's good to see you" Monett commented pausing for a moments as she seemed flushed and her thoughts weren't coming to her as quickly, as she sprouted the information update quickly, "Zeyphr and Vayu went off to the gates to help Erice. We encountered a good number of demons in the passage but I was able to redirect their attention with illusions and walls to get everyone through safe."

Spoiler:

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Messian Monastery - Battlefield

"Why did you even come King Frost? You're messing up my elegant petals with your freezing temperatures! Aren't kings supposed to send their subjects to war?!" Tulip called out annoyed as she watched the battlefield and sang out when one side was getting overwhelmed causing the paralyzing effect to protect the others and keep the path open.

"A truly good king protects his subjects just as much as they protect him! Sam... ahem.. Monet also is my number one prodigy in ice magic and what if she runs into Emperor Pyro Jack and he converts her to fire?! Unacceptable!" King frost called out as with a wave of his magic wand an ice wall appeared between an army cutting them off and keeping the path open.

"And Goki don't you get over your head you're still a weaker demon." Tulip muttered, as she glanced around trying to find Goki in the crowd as she grew more and more nervous her petals even turning a worrying shade of purple.

"Fight Flight!" Goki called out as he ran at high speeds through the armies, as all the enemies batting them into other attacks as he nimbly dodged out the way at the least second before boping an oni on the head with his club.

"Daw, does Tulip have a crush on a little old oni!" Goki called out batting his eyelashes as the mandrake turned such a deep shade of red that even her petals began to peel and wilt from the head they were enduring.

Messian Monastery - Front Gates

- Zephyr, Vayu -

As Zephyr and Vayu - well, his demon, anyway - managed to deflect her hatchets, Ryoko didn’t bother to dwell on annoyance or frustration. “What’s next?” was all she bothered with.

Retaliation from Zephyr, of course. Some kind of enhancement or debuff from Vayu.

Sure enough, she braced herself and kicked away as the ice arrow crashed away and shattered against the wall where she’d been clinging. A satisfied smirk broke out over her face. So what if she wasn’t the strongest? Unlike the other oni, she had a brain to use, didn’t she? And some skill and finesse to boot!

Landing as Vayu stepped back to back with Zephyr, she raced around them in a circle, twirling her hatchets through the air and battering them repeatedly as she moved. She just needed to find an opening, one parry gone wrong, and she could send a Shadow Rend right between them to break them apart.

Vayu would have to go down first. His spells were too inconvenient to leave alone. It would be nice to have that kind of backup right now, someone to compliment and supplement her own skills…

On the other side of the room, Kuda stopped beside Catequil to watch the scene unfolding. His eyes narrowed, a growl bubbling in his throat. “She’s… changing.”

The animalistic ferocity had vanished, and her movements and bearing had lightened. She almost seemed… to be having fun.

He wasn’t sure he liked that. At this point, those Vanguard might actually stop him from sinking his teeth into her.

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Messian Monastery - Mountain Pass

- Bastion, Monett -

“It’s good to see you.”

Bastion’s eyes shifted away as a moment of silence passed between them. “Yeah,” he said finally. “You too.”

When Monett expressed that she’d handled the evacuation alone, his eyes widened in surprise. He glanced around at the group of Messians, now being corralled by Betrand.

“Wow. That’s impressive,” he said quietly. “You were the right person for the job, I guess.”

A few more angels swooped out of the sky to join Prince in routing off the remaining demons. One of them, clad in reddish armor, took particular relish in felling a demon right in front of Prince before diving off to attack two more.

Bastion turned his eyes away from the other angel, finding something familiar in his bearing, before gesturing to the people around them. “We should move them into cover until it’s safe. The Vanguards are routing off the main force out front.”

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Messian Monastery - Battlefield

- Ose, Goki, and Crew -

Ose rolled his eyes at the shenanigans of the little demons around him, distracting enough that he almost didn’t notice Komori until he’d sidled up beside him.

“You’re turning into quite the proficient nanny,” he said cheerfully.

Ose’s growl did nothing to dissuade him. “I [i]will eat you, Komori.”

Komori merely patted him on the shoulder, gave him a proud smile, and struck off through a path of oni.

Ose could only sigh and turn back to the others. “Tulip, keep up the Bind Voice! Frost, put that Ice Cannon to use and bombard any stunned opponents! Goki, anyone that gets downed from the ice blasts but isn’t dead, rush in and finish them off! Now, let’s do this!”

With orders issued, he charged in once more, spinning his blades and hewing a wide gash through the enemy forces.

Messian Monastery - Mountain Pass

- Bastion, Monett -

"Yes, though there's still a fair bit of those scavenger demons back there." Monet stated eyeing the the cave for a moment as carefully watched the angels that flew down.  The zeal and fury they had when killing demons was almost startling, as the same images happening to Goki, Tulip, and Jack flowed through her mind.

Her eyes jolted back to Bastion at the mention of cover, as she began ushering the group of messians in that direction doing a head count at each one, as she had carefully memorized them by appearance at this point.

"I'll set up an illusion to make you all blend in.  You're all familiar with it, just be careful of demons who use sound or scent to track." Monett commented as she eyed the boy who almost ran into the other demon before.

"Be careful and focus, I can only use so much maga and I still need to support my allies and you'd be surprised how much you all can do alone." Her gaze also shifted towards the man who treated Stott like a tool as her face turned more rigid at the sight of him.

"Stott... come on out." Monett called as the demon boar popped out of her gauntlet beginning to sniff the surrounding area for any demons that might be hiding, as she held out a treat that the large demon boar happily engulfed like a normal puppy, his beady eyes giving a sad but curious look at Monett.

Monett glanced, seeing his leg limping a bit from the paralyzing attack from earlier as she sighed and kneeled down next to the demon boar and began to bandage the painful looking mark....

"Still quite the piglet aren't you pal." Monett whispered to the demon boar gingerly as she placed her other hand on his back and began lightly moving her hand across his dirtied brown fur. The demon boar let out a sad but slightly more comforted squeal in response, as she nuzzled against Monett who almost fell over from the force of a fully grown demon boar shoving her as she flicked her arms to maintain balance.

"I hope the others are alright.  I don't know if we have enough time to help them now." Monett stated worriedly glancing up at Bastion.

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Messian Monastery - Battlefield

- Ose, Goki, and Crew -

Giant glaciers of ice flew in the air as many minor demons recoiled and flew in the air response, Jack Frost giving a menacing and royal laugh, holding his snow like hand in front of his mouth, as he watched many demons fail to dodge his attack due to the paralyzing song.

"How does it feel to be the one taking orders king!" Tulip stated as she followed Ose's command, stunning the enemies that were nearing him, but not too close that he would get hit by the attack himself.

"Still this would be a lot easier with Samael using his noise manipulation to control my song." Tulip stated a bit annoyed, as Goki gave a quick nod of understanding at her before running off to smack someone who was recoiling from some attacks from King Frost.

"A good king knows his weakness, and listens to the words of his trusted advisors!" Jack frost stated in a coy manor, as he gave a demeaning smirk at tulip who turned back to give him a look before her head was stopped midway as she realized she was still singing and didn't want to blast one of their more powerful demons.

Zephyr Arc - Front Gates

Ryoko flitted around the two Vanguard, battering them with light strikes while looking for an opening. Zephyr smirked. It seemed the girl had thrown her obsession to the wind as she switched to an approach with more finesse.

If it was an opening she wanted, though... it was an opening she'd get. Zephyr deliberately messed up a block to give his opponent a false opening. It was unlikely she'd realize it was deliberate due to her lack of experience with this style of combat.

When she made her attempt, he would be ready.

Messian Monastery - Mountain Pass

- Bastion, Monett -

Bastion shook his head. "It would be over before we could get there. And we'd just endanger these people trying to head back that way. If anything, we should probably keep moving and make our way back to Chaldea."

Prince landed beside them, ignoring Monett. "Yes, it's best not to linger. Even if the Vanguards managed to oust the Ring of Gaea, their forces might continue on this way. Come, I'll lead-"

"I think not, Principality."

An angel descended from the skies, clad in red armor. Though he appeared different, Bastion felt something familiar about it.



"...Archangel?"

"I once was, but now I am one of the Powers," the angel said in a powerful voice. "And I have returned to your side, as promised."

"Impossible," Prince spat. "You couldn't-"

The tip of Power's spear came to rest below Prince's chin, tilting the angel's head back. "Would you care to find out?"

Prince merely glared back.

"You have been recalled." Power removed the spear and turned his back on Principality. "Your power isn't suitable to aid Bastion any longer. I shall resume my post in your place."

Though Prince's grip tightened on the shaft of his staff, he forced his face into a mask of calm. Unlike Archangel back then, he must understand the futility of rejecting such an order. "Very well."

Without another word, he extended his wings and took to the air, not even giving a backward glance.

Bastion, shocked, reached out toward him. "Prince... thank you for being by my side."

Prince paused and glanced over his shoulder. "No need to thank me. I have fulfilled my duty. I pray for the day when you shall fulfill yours, Bastion."

Once he'd disappeared, Bastion finally turned back to face Power. "You really came back."

The angel's bearing softened. "I did promise."

"Yeah, you did." Bastion smiled and extended his hand. "Good to have you back, Arc- Power, I mean. I have to admit, that's going to be hard to get used to."

The angel shook his hand with a chuckle. "My job is to make your life easier, Bastion. If you prefer it, I'm happy to respond to Arc."

"Sounds good to me."

Nodding, Arc took to the air and signaled the other angels and the Messians with his spear. "Forward!"

As they began to take off, Bastion finally remembered Monett and turned back to her. "It's still a little hard to get used to," he admitted. "Having angels fight over me. Pledge themselves to me."

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Messian Monastery - Battlefield

- Ose and Crew -

Ose paused after cleaving a greater oni in two to watch Goki, Tulip, and King Frost as they worked together to topple the Gaeans around them. In the midst of the sounds of clashing and chaos, he allowed a chuckle to slip past his lips.

Really, they weren't half bad. In a lot of ways.

He joined Komori's side, and the two blitzed their way through a wall of Greater Oni until the doors to the monastery came into view. Ose raised his swords and signaled to his motley crew to follow as they rushed in.

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Messian Monastery - Front Gates

- Ryoko, Zephyr -

There.

Zephyr slipped up, overextended his block and left himself open. Ryoko yanked back on her chains and dived in for the attack.

In the past, she would've had no reservations. Moved with reckless abandon, sure in her strength.

Not this time. This time, she was thinking one step ahead.

Messian Monastery – Front Gates

- Vayu –

As Vayu was deflecting the hatchets that were thrown his way, skillfully with the spear. It was obvious he had practiced to use it.

However, the situation frustrated him. The way it was going Ryoko kept them both pinned in the middle when it should be the other way around.

Suddenly he could feel Zephyr tense up behind him and glance to the side to see him miss the block. Knowing Ryoko would take that opportunity, he gave up his position and dove to the side.

With his free hand, he cast a Confusion Wave towards her as she moved in towards Zephyr. He knew it wouldn't be very effective, but sometimes a little hesitation was all that's needed.

His dodge to the side had finally put Ryoko in between him and Zephyr, hopefully allowing them a chance to overpower her.

Monett

Monett gave a cold look at the prince, as he ignored her. Even if she had to admit that his efforts were useful, there was something unsettling about him, something that bothered her more than any demon she encountered in the tunnels.

"I guess their safety is our top priority. I've been exhausting my maga using the illusions too, I just hope..." Monett commented gazing off towards the direction of the gate her eyes shifting nervously, but Zeyphr and Vayu were there they should be fine right?

Her eyes lifted up towards the man with red armor. She eyed him with suspicion before bastion called out his name, 'archangel'. It reminded her of Bastion's death and a sense of shame hit her and gaze lowered a bit towards the ground.

"Just be careful Bastion, I don't want something to happen to you again." Monett commented to Bastion as she brushed her hair back, her mind flashing to the scene of him bloodied. She was afraid... these angels would end up making himself sacrificing himself for some greater good.... They had been warned about these angels for a reason after all.

"Just remember we're teammates with the real me now. So, if anything feels off let me know." Monett commented her voice steeled and powerful, as her gaze turned towards power who were leading the people forward, "Just keep Bastion safe and you'll have my support."

Monett stood in front the Messians eying most of them, as she saw them growing zealous from the angel's command. Her arms were crossed as she glanced among them, as she opened her mouth her voice louder from her noise manipulation spell as she took in a breath.

"Remember to stay near me, I can keep you all covered with illusions to minimize damage. All your lives are valuable and I don't want any of you dying on me." Monett decreed, as she gazed among them looking for anyone who wanted to make a comment.

----
Goki, King Frost, Tulip

"We're almost there! Maybe we'll meet up with Monett. I bet she's doing one of her illusion shows." Goki commented excitedly, as he lifted his club off of the corpse of a knocked out demon with a light smile on his face.

Tulip's arms were crossed as her stems of hands rubbed on her throat her voice sounding a bit scratchy as she spoke barking orders the the other two crazed demons. Though, at the same time she had a light smile, as shifted between the two of the other demons and Ose.

"You should have seen the summer festival with the fairies, what I wouldn't do to have a recording of that stage." Tulip stated a bit weak, as she turned and screamed at another group of oni that tried to stop them from reaching the door.

King frost gazed at the two of them with a jealous look on his face, as various ice shards flew past him from the resonating pounding of an ice cannon slamming on something in the distance the shards phasing back into his snowy body.

"Lucky you, I never got to go on an adventure with Monett..." King frost said with a sad look as Tulip gave him a stern look her hands on her hips.

"You literally turned the entirety of Chaldea in a winter snowstorm!" Tulip commented pressing her stem on his chest, as King frost rolled his eyes at here comment like it was beneath him.

"An improvement if I do say so myself...." King frost commented in a stuck up manner, but soon all three of the demons eyes focused on the monastery door when Ose signaled them to follow. All of them focused on what might be beyond that gate and what they have to fight.