And The Clocks Ticks Again

[strangerpeople]

[You feel as if your body has not moved for a long time. The ache is dull as you can feel your limbs creak and move, trying to shake off any potential rust that has seeped into your bones. And maybe actual rust if you're Proto, sorry buddy. With eyes blinking out any tiny crusties from your corners, you may remember that you were trying to escape.

Escape? But where to in this hellhole? There's no exits from this abyss...right?

You remember screaming from someone...one of the strangers who showed up in the car, yes? She was speaking to her friend about something-]

Did you hear me, Seven?! I said-what in the bloody hells happened here?! AND WHO STOLE MY TIME FREEZING POWER AND USED IT ON US?!

[Yotsuyu is livid, screeching to anyone who hears. Anyone might be confused as to what she means by 'time freezing power' but looking up at the sky, there is a reason for her to be concerned: There are blue streaks and the bright light of Logos, but they are starting to die like embers, absorbed into the black.

There had been a war; the Amaranthine Conjunction doesn't let go of its possessions easily, even beyond its borders. But this is too far for it; this is not its territory and it never will be. Its Law has faltered. It's light is useless. The power is retreating, forced back from the black thing that pervades the sky. Just what happened to make this happen? Who is powerful enough to freeze everyone including two strong Angels?

It matters not because the clock is still ticking against you all...and the storm is not letting up.]

Comments

[15unknowns]

"Finish me off". How cute. Just because I'm paralyzed?

[Zack might notice the little girl has tattoos on her arms. And...one of them is moving.]

[telecosmetic]

[Well, if he doesn't, Aelfryth does. She leaps off Eliza's shoulder, blade held high, to drive it right into the middle of that moving tattoo.]

I'm wise to your tricks, whoever you may be!

[15unknowns]

[The snake hisses, and quickly turns to evade. The knife drives into her arm as well. Ow.]

Are you?

[Because the...other snake on her other arm has moved, and has dove into the little girl's cloak.]

I'm not so sure you are.

[At this, something flashes in her pupils as she turns towards the bear trap.]

Do enjoy my Sizzling Gaze, little Kagari! Your Meister shouldn't be so careless~

[alwaysgonnatry]

[ Okay so she thought that they had this handled pretty nicely.

Then there is suddenly pain as whatever it is the kid had hit her with had suddenly set her on FIRE. It's enough to make her scream and she ends up letting go of the kid's arm. Someone please help her.

Of all the things she's experienced, this is not something that feels great and she wants it to stop. ]

AAHHH! P-Put it out! Something!

[ That's about as much as she can even manage, the words strangled with pain. ]

[15unknowns]

[And of course, the little girl starts to zip backwards, smirking the whole time despite the injuries she now has.]

[zackthekiller]

SHIT!

[It's fucking FIRE! His first impulse is to yank Akko away. Someone have water magic? Because WHAT THE HELL IS HE SUPPOSED TO DO WITH THIS SHIT.]

[7_0_7]

Don't give up! [Now Mercury is projected. A big orb of water splashes down on Akko, and he'll attempt to summon the rest of them in the path of her arrow propulsions. Their main function is bouncing enemies off them, so.]

Let's see how well you can aim with these!

[silvertongueheir]

You!

[Now that Akko is out of the way, Franciscus can actually try and hit the girl back. With a snarl, he sends a stream of fire at her.] See how you like this!

[zackthekiller]

[Not gonna interrupt your attack while we put Akko out, but jesus what's with all the damn fire?]

[15unknowns]

Vector Storm!

[Arrows instantly come up from the blackness and begin to surround her like a shield.]

I hardly need to aim, dear Seven! I don't think you or your friends really understand that I hold the advantage.

[telecosmetic]

[Aelfryth has the presence of mind not to speak up right away, instead simply pulling her sword free from the girl's arm and scampering upwards, before sending it slashing forwards at said girl's neck. She's within the shield, after all.]

[15unknowns]

[Aaaand that is when the snake that Aelfryth tried to attack before lashes out.]

I don't think so, little rat.

[telecosmetic]

[Aelfryth stumbles, but changes the direction of her sword fairly quickly, now shifting her attention to trying to cut the snake in half instead.]

You want to go, serpent? Let's see what's sharper-my blade or your fangs!

[15unknowns]

Don't you know that snakes eat little rats like you?

[Now here comes the other snake.]

[7_0_7]

[He's just going to keep throwing attacks at her then. It keeps her distracted.]

It doesn't matter how much you deflect, something eventually connects. You know what my life is like? I bet have more patience than you~

But while you do all your annoying dodging, we could have chatting time! You could tell us what the hell you even want!

[15unknowns]

Isn't it clear? I want what I always wanted.

[There is that distant sound. That screech. That noise.]

I just happen to have a rather valuable ally in my pursuit, now.

[zackthekiller]

[Okay. Fire's out. Now where to aim...

He whispers to Akko while snake girl is distracted.]

Sorry, I had no idea that bitch had fire powers.

... Think we can take her from the back?

[alwaysgonnatry]

Neither did I! It's okay now, though.

[ She'd rather be soaked than on fire so she's definitely doing better than before. Also keeping her voice low as well, not wanting to give things away on their end. ]

It's possible! Just gotta be REALLY sneaky about it. I don't wanna be set on fire again.

[ Akko also knows she has to thank Seven later for his help. ]

[notthebreakman]

[Proto may not have his buster or his shield with him, but he's still made of metal and can exert much more force than the average human. And those wings look awfully fragile compared to the rest of their attacker...

It's with this plan in mind that Proto quietly makes his way from the raft and over toward the mysterious girl's back. Hopefully, she'll be too distracted dealing with the others to notice him. And if not, well, maybe he'll be a better distraction for someone else to launch their own attack.]

[15unknowns]

[Well, she's there. Perhaps he may have the luck to do it.]

[notthebreakman]

[He's not going to shout or anything like that to grab her attention. Now that she's within reach, Proto will just grab hold of one of her wings and twist...]

[icanhearscreams]

[At the same time, one of the blankets from inside the life raft goes flying at her face, the arc attempting to drop it on her head.]

[15unknowns]

!

[She yelps, and sags. However, the twisting ends seconds later when, suddenly, the wings become transparent.]

Rude little robot. Vector Arrow!

[Have fun trying to dodge, Proto.



She starts to say something, but her voice gets muffled by the blanket that is thrown on her head.]

...Mmph.

[silvertongueheir]

[Oh, a good chance! Franciscus reaches out to try and set the blanket on fire while she's somewhat distracted.]

[notthebreakman]

[Oh, of course she can just phase her wings out of reality or whatever. It wouldn't be a proper boss fight if her weak point stayed within reach all the time, anyway.

Aaaaand now there are a bunch of arrows flying his way. Proto wisely opts to abandon his attack in favor of getting the heck out of dodge. Hopefully, he'll manage to avoid taking one to the knee at the very least.

And thanks for keeping her from aiming, Jun!]