"No evil forever. Impossible as rain in clear weather."
________________________________________________________________________________________
Skill List:
Kanji (lv0): Aspect of Energy: Electricity, Thermal.
{Skill points: 2}
[Full destructive power limit: Village]
Skills: [1. Infuse/Absorb] [2. Energy travel] [3. Energy trail] [4. Energy bolt] [5. Energy wave]
Inventory: Geographic sphere, mechanical soap, spyware device, tungsten-infused nanotech
silver chain, Tech tablet (Portal) (Hide, Input, Output, Convert, Compress).
Claire (lv0): Aspect of Creation
Skills: [1. Create (Slots: 5)]
Inventory: Black cloak, crossbow, crossbow bolts, ammo pouch, fanfics, mechanical soap.
David (lv0): Aspect of Form
{Skill points: 1}
[Range limit: Self]
Skills: [1. Expand (x2)] [2. Spikefacation] [3. Delay (1-10s)] [4. Shieldfacation] [5. Trigger] [6. Transform pattern Wave]
Inventory: Iron bat, AK-47, mechanical soap.
Amelia (lv0): Aspect of Reality
{Skill points: 1}
[Attack type: illusion] [Attack range: x3 field of view]
Skills: [1. Third-person vision] [2. Blurring Mirage] [3. Double] [4. Connect] [5. Vision Swap] [6. Disguise]
Inventory: Frying Pan, Knife, mechanical soap.
Sarah (lv0): Aspect of Fiction
[Skill access: 1 skill for each item] [Conjured item 1]
Inventory: Mechanical soap, Nezha’s leopard bag (Nezha’s ring).
Noah (lv0): Aspect of ???
?????????????????????????????????????
Inventory: a gilded ax.
________________________________________________________________________________________
The cacophony of manic laughter gradually dissipates into the cold, desolate expanse of the spaceship, far above Earth's atmosphere.
Outside the imposing command room, two alien soldiers stand resolute, their forms shimmering with nervous perspiration. The passage of time has etched lines of anxiety upon their otherworldly countenances.
"Ummm.. do you... do you think it is over?"
"Ssssh! Just wait till his greatness calls."
The soldier struggles to stifle her laughter, but a mischievous giggle escapes her. Fortunately, a burst of contagious laughter fills the room, masking her slip-up.
With caution, they turn towards the door, believing it's safe. As they step inside, their eyes land on the general, standing eerily. His posture suggests as though an uncanny puppeteer controls his body.
KARNAT "Hello, there my GREAT SUBORDINATES."
Bewildered by his words, the two soldiers instinctively retreat, their steps faltering. Their feet freeze in place, gripped by a growing sense of dread, as they anticipate what unsettling events may unfold.
KARNAT "WHAT? CATSPIDER GOT YOUR TONGUE. IT SURE DID... TO ME, after the recent events. SO!"
His hand clutches a wine glass, its intricate design resembling that of a spider. Raising it towards his face, he savors the unusual choice of vessel.
Content with his selected drinkware, Karnat strides towards the observation deck. A holographic screen flickers to life, casting an ethereal glow. With a swift wave of his right hand, the screen zooms in, fixating on the sight of Earth.
KARNAT "HAVE YOU LOCATED them yet?"
"Ur.r.r.rrr n-no, Sir."
KARNAT "NAH. THAT'S FINE...GIVE ME TIME TO TRY NEW THINGS. I THINK... I THINK I KNOW WHY I FAILED. IT'S REPETITION! I GOT THE WHOLE SURPRISE ELEMENT THING CORRECT BUT DOING THE SAME THING, AGAIN AND AGAIN, WON'T WORK. Sooooo, WE MUST LEARN TO JUST GIVE THINGS THEY WILL NEVER EXPECT while we BECOME THE ICING ON THE HUMAN CAKE."
Karnat retrieves a mysterious, blurry photograph concealed under his tunic, then slowly passes it to the soldiers.
Instantly, a wave of unease washes over the two, as they recognize what this thing is...
KARNAT "HEY GUYS. HOW about YOU FETCH SOME OF THESE? AND WHILE you AT IT MAKE SURE OUR ENEMIES... I MEAN guests ARE OCCUPIED AFTER IT ARRIVES. O. K."
With a nod of understanding, the two soldiers swiftly depart, leaving Karnat alone in the room. As the doors close behind them, he takes a moment to ensure the coast is clear.
Karnat retrieves a bottle of vibrant green liquid and pours its contents into his glass. He lifts it to his lips, downing the liquid in one determined gulp. In that instant, his mind transports him back to that haunting memory, a moment of bitter defeat that has left an indelible mark on his soul.
His glare is filled with spite...
________________________________________________________________________________________
?? "548. 549. 550. 551. 552. 553. 554...."
Onlookers stand transfixed, their jaws dropping in disbelief at the ongoing spectacle. It's her again, the one who continually defies expectations.
With each passing minute, the count rises higher and higher, defying all limits. The weightlifter's strength knows no bounds.
Finally, a thunderous crash reverberates through the room as the colossal barbell collides with the floor, leaving behind a gaping fracture. Undeterred, she rises to her feet, a determined figure ready to make her exit.
As she approaches the front door, a manager steps forward, attempting to stop her. Yet, in her presence, he finds himself utterly speechless.
?? "Don't worry. I'm done here."
With a firm tug, she swings open the front door and steps out into the chilly streets of Moscow. Closing her eyes for a brief moment, she relishes the sensation of the crisp, open air brushing against her skin. But just as she begins to embrace the tranquility-
HELP!
Her head snaps around, catching sight of a distressing scene unfolding across the street. Three menacing thugs loom over a young girl, harassing her without remorse. An intense surge of anger courses through her veins, fueling a resolute determination.
"This type of action must not go unpunished!" she declares fervently to herself. Without a moment's hesitation, she propels herself into action, sprinting recklessly across the road, disregarding the passing cars that blare their horns in protest.
?? "Stop! You bastards!"
She charges towards the unsuspecting thugs, catching them off guard. Before they even have a chance to react, a relentless onslaught of punches rains down upon the first thug, shattering teeth and breaking bones in a brutal display of force. Swiftly moving to the next assailant, she delivers a devastating uppercut, obliterating the thug's jaw with a single, powerful blow.
As the remaining thug frantically pulls out a knife, trembling with fear, he thrusts it into her arm. Astonishingly, she barely flinches, displaying extraordinary resilience. With a steely grip, she effortlessly bends the blade between her fingers, rendering it useless. Overwhelmed by the sight, the final thug collapses into unconsciousness.
Moved by the heroic display, the young girl approaches her savior, bowing in deep gratitude for the extraordinary act of valor.
"Thank you so much for saving me!"
?? "No problem, kiddo."
Guiding the young girl to a safer area where authorities are present, the valiant woman breathes a sigh of relief. Serendipitously, her bike is parked nearby, beckoning her. However, just as she begins to make her way toward it...
Her phone rings.
?? "Is it my parents? Or maybe...?"
Eagerly answering the call, a sense of familiarity resonates through the woman's ears as a familiar voice greets her on the other end. A wide, radiant smile spreads across her face as if she has just won the lottery.
?? "... Alright, I'll be there shortly."
She leaps into the air, propelled by pure joy. Miraculously, her body lands flawlessly onto the seat of the vehicle, finding the perfect balance.
Her hands firmly grasp the throttle.
"Umm..m, before you go. Can you tell me your name, miss?"
Diana "It's Diana. Diana Zakovov."
She rides off... Little does she realize that the path ahead holds perils far far more treacherous than a mere gang of thugs.
________________________________________________________________________________________
In the depths of a certain Grotto on Caverrin, AN remains poised, their gaze fixed upon the mesmerizing panels. The atmosphere is thick with anticipation as the bar inches closer... 98... 99...
Somewhere in the vast expanse of Russia, a spectacle unfolds as six crystals materialize with dazzling brilliance. Like celestial cocoons, these crystals crack open, revealing six formidable warriors within.
Dave surveys his surroundings.
Dave "Yo, we're still in Canada."
Kanji "No, Dave. This is if I remember correctly... Khimki forest. We're in Moscow, Russia."
Sarah "So that thing AN did, teleported us?"
AN "Yes and it seems like everyone was kept in cryostasis. Although this can only be used once per day sadly."
Claire "Hey guys! Check this out!"
She gathers handfuls of snow, skillfully sculpting it into a whimsical snowman. Amelia eagerly joins in, adorning it with a vibrant red scarf—a thoughtful gift from Claire, acquired just moments before their teleportation.
Dave, with his mischievous spirit, playfully reshapes the snowman's face, transforming it into a comical likeness of Danny DeVito. Laughter erupts from the group as they revel in Dave's artistic rendition.
|His chat follows through with Omegalul and Lulw|
Kanji "Alright, that was funny. But we should spend this time getting as much info as possible. I bet it will take some time before THEY find us."
Da: "Question, boss bro. Where do we go to see THAT ASSHOLE?"
Kanji "Dave, she has a name you know. You guys should really try to get along, you two had bad blood ever since you knew each other. And as for your question, no we are staying here. Diana is persistent on coming to us instead."
Amelia "Oh how sweet. She is thoughtful of others as always I see. Can't wait to meet her."
Claire "Me too. Four girls yeah!"
Dave "Me not too, bro."
With a suave tilt of his sunglasses, he crosses his arms.
|His chat yells EZ and DaveBased|
Claire's intuition kicks in as she senses a shift in Noah's behavior. Intrigued, she approaches him, lightly tapping his shoulder.
Claire "Noah, you seem to be a bit off. Is everything alright?"
Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
Noah "It's fine." "NO, IT'S NOT FINE! Wtf happened yesterday?! Centipede cultists, alien soldiers, and my friends have superpowers! This is so confusing! AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!"
Kanji "I think he's just confused. So allow me to explain. Basically...."
As Kanji unravels the intricate details of their journey, Noah's mind becomes a swirling vortex of astonishment. The magnitude of the situation dawns on him, leaving no room for retreat. With newfound clarity, he embraces the present, fully aware that there is no turning back.
Yet, amidst this profound realization, an eerie sensation washes over him. It's as if a peculiar void has formed within his mind, erasing worries and leaving a haunting absence. Something or someone seems to have vanished from his memory.
Noah "Wow, rad." "..."
Sarah "I know right!"
Dave "Hold on, you seriously not gonna ask about your powers, bro? You know what, fuck it! AN tell us."
AN "Alright Sir Icarus, Noah possesses one of the unique aspect types as his power is based on infusing his emotions into objects, skills, or body parts. And each emotion creates an effect that compliments their meaning like what you saw yesterday with anger. When you feel anger toward something, you want that thing to be destroyed with immense force. As such putting anger into objects can make them stronger and will most likely go through any type of defense. As for scaling, for each crystal broken, decreases the amount of emotion needed for infusion. Also, the last crystal can allow you to store and mix batches of emotions."
Noah "I see." " Ok, that is kinda cool. What's cooler is that my secret will be safe with this mask I have on. I also have no idea how I can see through this thing."
Dave "Yo, AN! I wonder where you get all this info from bro?"
AN "Oh I got them from lots of sources, most of which come from scholars who live on the two other planets, which is how us rebels have come to discover the existence of the power of aspects in the first place. As for more specific information, it shows it right here on the screen."
Dave "Bruh."
|His chat goes PeepoBruh|
Kanji "Yeah that's a bit anti-climatic... so the two other planets how did they know about the relic?"
AN "Apparently at one point in our history, the dice somehow fell onto their hands. How that happened and what occurred afterward is still a mystery to us. Man, I wish my species kept records of past events like these! Well, at least Josai was charitable enough to do the lord's work."
Amelia "The historian lad I presume, right?"
AN "Yep. Oh, and It's "lass"."
Sa "Alright my turn for a question. Please. PLEASE! Tell me any info, any information at all about Suntarus's appearance."
AN "Ok. Ok. I'll indulge in your curiosity. Truth be told, we don't know the actual or exact form of the beast, and many people have different takes. The old empire sees Suntarus as a monstrous fiery wyrm whose body is so enormous that it can wrap the very skies of Caverrin and rain down maelstroms of burning lashes using his trillions of tendrils. Ancient religious individuals however saw him as a shining knightly figure who protected the whole world using a dragon's head as its shield. The Walterans and Gassions believe that Suntarus's enormous form was just a facade and his real body is the same size as us and somewhere else entirely."
Sarah "Wow, the last concept is ultra LAME."
Kanji "I don't believe so, I think those people were just being realistic as beings of such immense size probably went against the norms of logic. It would be an impossible concept during that period, especially without stable proofs like Mira's Journal that AN has."
Sarah "Okay, bu-
Claire "Oh oh me next! What is your favorite food and what kind of flavor do you like?"
Amelia "I too am curious about this fact. If it's ok with you that is."
AN "Ummm, this might sound weird to you but we can taste and eat anything."
Seeing their eyes filled with curiosity, AN continues...
AN "So basically our body is special because our bodies convert anything we consume into nutrients. Our tongues also add palatable flavors to things that you humans may consider to have an awful taste or no taste at all. So instead of asking what flavor I like, it would be what texture and flavor are the best. And to answer that, I would say that it would be "crumble stones", a soft rock material that to me tastes like chocolate."
Amelia "Why don't you just make chocolate?"
AN "As I told you before, my species doesn't bother with creating cuisines or snacks. We mostly eat a bread-like cereal bar that tastes like shit but for some reason gives us a lot more nutrients."
Kanji claps, commanding the room's attention.
Kanji "Sorry, AN. We'll get back to this conversation later. it's time for preparation! I'll be dividing everyone into pairs. Me and Claira. Dave and Amelia. Sarah and Noah."
They nod in agreement and disperse, finding cozy spots beneath the nearby trees. Kanji and Claire, however, remain in the center of the clearing.
________________________________________________________________________________________
Kanji "Ok Claire, any ideas on what we should do... um, Claira?"
Claire "Oh! I didn't want to worry anyone but my arm is a bit... stuck."
With a determined effort, she skillfully swings her shoulders, successfully propelling her right arm forward. It becomes evident that she had been clutching onto the severed arm of the general all this time.
Claire "Yeah, I can't move it at all and my hand is frozen in place."
With a cautious touch, Kanji reaches out to the armored arm, half-expecting his hands to freeze upon contact. Surprisingly, his palms remain unaffected. Strange.
Proceeding with caution, he gingerly nudges the arm, allowing it to slip from Claire's grasp. As it thuds onto the ground, both wielders lean down to examine it closely.
The exterior of the armored limb boasts a sleek, glossy black texture reminiscent of obsidian glass. Its overall design resembles a futuristic iteration of Earth's cavalry armor, intriguing both Kanji and Claire. Amidst their examination, Kanji's discerning eyes catch sight of a small button nestled within a narrow gap of the arm's armor. Curious... he presses the button.
The arm quivers and emits a sudden burst of warm steam, unfurling itself to reveal a dazzling interior of shiny white metal.
Kanji "These must be the two rotatenium types AN told us about. That means this must be the special armor that only generals can wear. Claira, go ahead. Touch it."
With an affirming nod, Claire extends the tip of her index finger towards the interior of the arm, anticipating some sort of response. To her surprise, however, nothing happens.
A sudden jolt courses through her arm as she retracts her finger.
Claire "Woza! What was that?!"
Kanji "Yep! That confirms it. How lucky is that? And since you touched, saw, and somewhat know about it. That means you can create both types right?"
Claire "I'll try but first, let me..."
She conjures a mechanical soap and swiftly hurls it toward Noah. A faint "ouch" escapes his lips as the contraption finds its mark. Claire concentrates............. Everything fades to black.
Kanji "Claire!"
He dashes forward and catches her head just before it collides with the cold ground. As her hands release their grip, a pair of peculiar black and white cubes cascade downward. Concerned for her comfort, he conjures a luxurious bed from his tablet and gently places her onto it. Curiosity piqued, he approaches the tiny cubes, their size akin to minuscule gumdrops. Hesitation lingers, but his innate curiosity prevails, urging him to pick them up. To his surprise... nothing happens.
Kanji "Weird. Are these defective?"
AN: "No Kanji, they just aren't large enough for Partial Influence."
Kanji "Partial influence?"
AN: "You saw how Claire's arm froze up, but she can somewhat move her shoulder. Basically, if the rotatenium is large enough, it could affect objects that are of equal size despite the objects being part of something larger. If the rotatenium is any smaller, it can only activate when attached to something of the exact size, and any larger will have no effect."
Kanji sees Claire's crossbow and picks it up in one hand. The other hand carries the cubes, an idea pops into his head.
Kanji "Let's see what I can do."
He cautiously aligns the firing mechanism of the weapon, employing a delicate coating of the standard rotatenium.
...
Dave "Woah, da fuck happened here?"
Kanji's gaze sweeps across the scene, only to find everyone gathered beside Claire.
Kanji "I thought I told you guys to prepare."
Dave "Chill bro, we are already done coming with shit."
Kanji "Oh, I see. Don't worry. Claire just overused her powers to create rotatenium."
He presents the remaining cubes to the onlookers.
Sarah "Seriously, all of this for that!"
Noah "Not worth it." "Poor Claire."
AN "Yeah perhaps maybe we should wait till she is a tad bit stronger before creating more of these. Though this is quite odd. I never heard or know that certain objects can cause the Aspect of Creation to faint. I should note this down."
The conversation abruptly halts, the air filled with anticipation, as the sound of a roaring engine grows nearer. All eyes turn towards the approaching figure, a striking woman with a sun-kissed complexion and cascading dark dreadlocks. Her confident stride brings her closer, hands casually nestled within the pockets of her sporty pants, exuding an aura of muscular power.
Then she kneels?
Diana "Boss! I always knew you were someone of high status!"
Kanji "Diana Zakovov, right? Who would have thought the famous maniac doing all the gymathons is our friend."
All "The what-mathons?"
Diana "Basically, I go around breaking all the records of each gym in the great motherland."
Dave "Pfft! Sounds lame bro!"
Diana "What did you say you little punk?! Wait, this attitude. It's you isn't it, Clown boy!"
Dave "Yeah that's right! Gorilla lady!"
The two wildcards prepare to engage...
Kanji swiftly subdues them with his chain.
Diana "Woah boss! You stronger than you look."
Kanji "No, you have been tricked, Diana. Dave would have beaten you if you continued."
Diana "Wha? How?"
Kanji recounts their adventure from the very start, unveiling the twists and turns they encountered along the way. As he concludes the tale, he catches sight of a resolute spark shimmering within Diana's gaze, a testament to her unwavering determination.
Diana "How despicable, such injustice can't go unpunished! I'm in! I swear to my great ancestors that she will go to the gulag!"
Kanji "Congratulations on being the first person whose main motivation is heroism in this group!"
Diana "What do you mean by that? Don't you guys want to free Caverrin?"
Kanji "Yes, we do. However, our core intention is mostly that of self-interest. I for one am a scientist, and being exposed to new unexplored instances is like finding a newly discovered gold mine or a new source of oil."
Sarah "I joined to avoid college... definitely not because of something dark. I swear!"
|Dave's chat goes Kappa|
Amelia "I'm just happy to travel with friends, and of course, I care about Dave's safety."
|Dave's chat turns to Widepeepohappy|
Noah "I go because it sounds sick." "No, I was dragged! Dragged, I say! Well, at least I get to stay with Sarah."
Dave "Not gonna tell my reason, biatch."
He boldly sticks out his tongue, attempting to provoke a reaction from Diana. However, she chooses to disregard his rude gesture.
Diana "I guess that's quite reasonable. Alright, I have nothing else to say. You can start the awakening, comrade AN."
AN: "Khorosho!" "Was that the right pronunciation? I hope so. Man, I should brush up on my Russian."
Diana gives a thumbs up.
AN skillfully spins the ancient relic, and as it rotates, a captivating symbol of a particular scale emerges, emanating a radiant yellow glow.
With a forceful slam of the relic, Diana's torso unleashes a surge of potent energy that sets forth a profound metamorphosis. Beneath her ordinary tank top, her flesh transforms into a mesmerizing hue of metallic gold, revealing a remarkable glass orb at its core. Encased within the orb, a mysterious, shadowy scale remains.
In a synchronized display, the panel positioned above Claire's panel illuminates, granting AN a glimpse into Diana's transformation.
AN "You are now - The Aspect of Law +."
Diana "Ha, that's funny because I'm actually starting a law degree next year. But that story is for another time. Now please tell me about my special powers."
AN "As the wielder of law, you have the authority to change certain facts of a specific type of law in the universe like the law of physics or chemistry or more. And your scaling goes like this."
-Lv0: 1 law. Can only change a small value of the law while preserving the entire meaning of the law.
-Lv1: 2 laws. Same as the first but can change to higher values.
-Lv2: 3 laws. You can change one word of the law.
-Lv3: 4 laws. You can change two words.
-Lv4: 8 laws. You can change however you please, this and changing to higher values may cost a higher amount of your energy.
AN "Also, you can apply this effect to anything near you or in your line of si-
The connection cuts off.
Diana "Ah got it! Here I go, I guess........... What the hell! I got The Law of Friction! I don't know this shit!"
Kanji "Oh interesting. For now, I suggest maybe changing the amount of friction around you to be slightly higher. It can help us disrupt the enemy's movement. And AN, are you there? Did you get cut off?!"
Kanji, determined to elicit a response from AN, exhausts all attempts but to no avail.
In the midst of this, Diana's gaze fixates on Dave, her intent clear as she draws nearer, seeking a formal rematch. However, their interaction is abruptly interrupted as an unidentified entity swiftly darts between them. Instantly, a tense atmosphere descends upon the group, prompting each individual to instinctively brandish their weapons, forming a protective circle around Claire. Yet, to their bewilderment, there is nothing visible to account for the disturbance.
The suspenseful moment wanes...
All "ARGH!!!"
The agonized cries erupted as waves of searing pain assail them. The onslaught manifested as a flurry of swift, indistinct cuts, leaving behind a chaotic network of lacerations adorning the front of their legs.
Dave "Damn bros! We can't see them! Are they invisible or some shit?!"
Amelia "No fellas, I think these creatures attack from outside our line of sight."
Kanji "Are you sure?! And what do mean by creatures?!"
Amelia "They look like velociraptors but with like too many bloody legs. And for some odd reason, I seem to be the only one who can see them right now behind those trees."
All eyes instinctively converge in the direction indicated by her gesture, but the cunning raptors swiftly disperse, evading the unified gaze.
Sensing the threat of their discovery, the creatures' instincts kick in, compelling them to withdraw from the immediate assault.
Instead, they encircle their prey.
Kanji "That's it! Your third-person vision! Amelia, I leave our lives in your guidance."
Amelia "Ok, everyone keep your field of view still and I will tell you where they're going to approach."
A profound stillness envelops the scene.
Amelia "Sarah! Your left!"
Sarah swings her ring to the left, slicing through something, but the object wriggles out, evading her grip.
Amelia "Kanji! Dave! Above!"
Dave raises his bat, its spiky end pointed skyward, and forcefully thrusts it upward, successfully catching hold of something. However, before he can react, another entity swiftly intervenes, snatching it away.
Meanwhile, Kanji skillfully employs his chain, managing to seize hold of something descending from above. He attempts to examine the captured subject, only for it inexplicably to dissolve into thin air. It becomes apparent that the aliens had prepared a contingency plan, ensuring that their injured raptors wouldn't leave any remains.
Diana "Screw this!"
Diana charges forward, her eyes tightly shut. Seizing the opportunity, the raptors swiftly converge upon her, their vicious assault commencing. Overwhelmed and on the brink of succumbing, Diana summons her remaining strength, forcefully slamming her fist into the ground. A surge of law energy emanates from her, causing the movements of the raptors to gradually falter and falter, leaving them in a state of disarray.
Amelia guides Diana's fist, enabling her to dispatch seven of the raptors with powerful blows. However, their triumph is short-lived, as the remaining creatures sink their teeth and claws deep into Diana's shoulders, knees, and ankles. Agonizing pain courses through her body as blood begins to flow, staining the battlefield. Witnessing the gruesome scene, Amelia can only cover her mouth in horrified disbelief.
Diana's vision blurs, her mind spinning, as the overwhelming injuries take their toll.
Overwhelmed by her wounds, she collapses.
Dave "You owe me for this! Amby! Now!'
Amelia "... O-Ok, take this!"
In a blinding flash of light, Diana becomes enveloped, momentarily shielding her from view. The sudden brilliance disorients the creatures, leaving them temporarily blinded and vulnerable.
Seizing the opportunity, Dave swiftly hurls his bat toward one of the disoriented raptors. The bat morphs into a sturdy net that ensnares one of the creatures, effectively immobilizing it. As the bat reverts back to its original form, it crushes the trapped raptor.
(New!) Dave: |7. Net Tranform| Amelia: |7. Flash Mirage|
Exploiting the creatures' blindness, Kanji swiftly decapitates them with his swinging chain, leaving clean cuts.
Kanji "Yes! We did it!"
Amelia "Wait, there's supposed to be one mor- Noah!!! Watch out!"
Noah "Ugh!!"
Noah's hoodie rips apart, sending him crashing to the ground. The menacing creature inches closer, ready to strike the final blow. Death looms over Noah, fear coursing through his veins as the creature's razor-sharp claws descend upon his vulnerable eyes.
???
A fortuitous dark force field emerges, repelling the creature.
Tick.
Huh? In a stroke of incredible luck, the creature inadvertently steps onto Noah's dropped mechanical soap, causing it to float into a bubble.
In an instant, the creature's body is sliced cleanly in half, and Sarah emerges, drenched in gooey purple blood. Overwhelmed with relief, she rushes to hug Noah.
Noah "Woah, nice move." "Holy shit! She's HUGGING me!"
As the gang regroups, Kanji diligently searches through his tablet for crucial medical supplies. After a determined effort, he only locates a replacement hoodie of the same brand for Noah.
Kanji "Dammit! Why didn't I pack any medical supplies?! Diana will bleed to death at this rate-
Oh no.
Echoing through the surroundings, the unmistakable sound of hundreds of footsteps grows closer. They must be The Empire's soldiers.
Dave "Aw shit guys! Round two I-
A bolt whizzes through the air, narrowly missing Noah's neck, and continues its deadly trajectory, piercing through a line of soldiers with astonishing precision.
They turn their gaze.
Dave/Kanji: "No, it can't be!! Noah why?!"
Noah "Ur... I was curious." "I'm so sorry guys! I got scared, I had no choice!"
Perched atop the bed, a ferocious girl gazes down with a wicked grin.
Claire "Hello, guess who's back. It's time for the hunt version.... 2.0."
Expending the last of her creation points, the formidable girl swiftly loads her crossbow with an array of bolts. With an air of determined focus, she takes aim and unleashes a relentless barrage of projectiles, firing them with such rapidity that they resemble a torrential downpour. The onslaught decimates the army of soldiers, scattering them like leaves in a storm.
She ominously redirects her crossbow toward her injured friends.
Claire "Farewell. No one shall stop me from this point onward."
Suddenly, the surrounding area becomes engulfed in a shimmering haze of small green particles.
Claire "What the fuck is thi-
Dark Claire succumbs to a deep slumber. One by one, the rest of the group follows suit, their exhausted bodies succumbing to the embrace of sleep. A gentle healing energy permeates their beings, gradually mending their wounds
AN "Whew! Just made it in time and now..."
AN clicks on the map, initiating the next phase of their journey.
Though AN feels a tinge of guilt for hacking into Kanji's DMS, they firmly believe it was necessary to ensure everyone's safety.
AN then selects "Greece" as their destination.
________________________________________________________________________________________
KARNAT "INTERESTING..."