"And that's why," Chibi finished ignoring the tingling feeling in her wrist. "It's nothing really too serious. But it is permanent since it happened within my Spiritual Power." She gave a small evil smile. "Maybe I should of given Momo a taste of his own medicine."
"But why red?" LadyDeathStrike asked confused. "I have a friend whom that happened to and her eye went gray. It lost colour. Even when she approached Eir to see if it could be healed, Eir told her that her Spiritual Power absorbed the colour to prevent further damage to that area. But you seem to have gained more colour and if I'm not mistaken…" She came closer to Chibi until their noses touched. "Your eye isn't a human eye anymore. It's more chemical in structure." She looked sideways at Phenomenon, Lack and Tadakono. "I don't know how to describe it in lay terms but I'm sure Chibi understands what I'm saying."
Chibi closed both eyes not wanting LadyDeathStrike to analyze it more. Don't look deeper. It'll hurt both you and me to know the truth. Possessing Azoth cost me much more than you know. Warping it, cost even more. Don't look deeper. Chibi felt LadyDeathStrike move away and she let out a small sigh of relief.
Tadakono, Phenomenon and Lack looked at each other then at LadyDeathStrike. She shrugged and waited til Chibi opened her eyes again. "Can we talk in private?" she asked. Chibi froze and stiffly nodded. LadyDeathStrike got up and extended her hand to Chibi and they move away from the three boys until they were out of hearing range. "I saw it," LadyDeathStrike said leaning against a tree. "You're not completely human anymore, are you." Chibi shook her head. "It's because of Loki? Or your quest to find Azoth?"
"I think both," Chibi replied. "When I went in search of Azoth, I had to find many rare items. Each one stripped away a piece of my Spiritual Power. I found out how to create Azoth by chance. It came to me while I was studying the old texts in Yuno Library."
"What did you need?" LadyDeathStrike asked. "If you can't tell me because it breaks the Alchemist code then don't."
"I needed Footprints of Cat, Roots of Stone, and Breath of Soul. All of which were ancient and well guarded items of the Gods," Chibi sighed and them added. "Along with a Moonlight Dagger, I had to climb to the summit of Mt Mjolnir and call Odin to create Azoth with the items." She paused and took a deep breath. "During the creation process, I passed out. And when I awoke, Eir was standing near me holding Azoth. She told me that from collecting the ancient items alone, I risked my life thread. She had healed me but because I had holes in my Spiritual Power, she used Sinews of Bear to stitch the remaining pieces together. She warned me that I could disappear if I take on another quest similar to Azoth or do an experiment that is beyond my current abilities."
LadyDeathStrike knew where she was going. "You experimented and warped Azoth's nature to allow Lack and MikeRex the ability to use your Azoth. That's more than any Alchemist-class can do."
Chibi nodded. "The Sinews of Bear within me absorb most of the shock but caused my own structure to warp slightly. Tadakono probably feels it when he uses Resurrect on me that it's not as effective as it should be. Eir visited me the day I warped Azoth, she granted me my ability."
"To turn into a cat?" LadyDeathStrike asked.
"No," Chibi replied. "That was Kashy after my dealings with athan. What Eir granted me was the ability to see a certain distance into the future. The distance is short and it's always a definite reading regardless of choices. Then to seal my Spiritual Power so no more can be damaged, she placed four pieces of Thanatos within my heart. Because of the darkness of those four pieces, I can't touch any Holy items without suffering damage to my Life Power. She told me that as time goes on my Spiritual Power will heal, it will remove a piece of Thanatos."
"Pieces of Thanatos?" LadyDeathStrike looked confused. "As in pieces from Thanatos tower?"
"Not exactly," Chibi explained. "The four pieces of Thanatos are fragments that represent the four beasts that guard Thanatos himself. Agony, Despair, Sorrow and Hatred. If I was to set foot in Thanatos Tower, no monster there would attack me because of these fragments. When Loki caught me, his use of a Loki's whisper excited the pieces and caused them to spread physically throughout my body. I'm basically now demonic in nature. Any Holy weapon brought against me will hurt me more than it would a normal human."
"So then," LadyDeathStrike said slowly formulating what she wanted to say next. "What do you see in the future?"
"Towards the end of this day," Chibi began, her eyes going dim and black. "Rena will return to us. She will warp us into a room with three doppelgangers and more trying to break the door down outside. Mike and John will be fighting Jemini and old allies will come to our aid from a guild older than Fight Club. Loki will lose to the power of the combined Guilds and be bound by the power of Forseti and Thor." Chibi's eyes returned to their normal state and she looked up at LadyDeathStrike. "We'll win this battle, if we wait for Rena, but as far as I can see, Loki won't stay still even after being bound." Chibi poked her pouch absently. I wonder how far in the future what I saw before is. If Lack goes to Nameless Island, I need to make sure he doesn't go. It shouldn't be too far ahead now.
"How will you get the boys to stay for that long?" LadyDeathStrike asked. Chibi removed her pouch and sat down onto the ground. Tipping it upside-down, she counted the contents. "You're low on stock…" LadyDeathStrike sat down next to Chibi and helped her sort the various potions, herbs, leaves and bottles.
"I'll need to go hunting," Chibi replied lifting up a condensed red potion and giving it a shake. "And visit the Alchemist shop in Yuno for more bottles…" She smiled evilly. "I can send the boys on an errand to Yuno, make one wait for Rena and we can go hunting for herbs and other things."
"Sounds good," LadyDeathStrike replied mimicking Chibi's smile. "Lets head back."
~~~
Phenomenon stabbed a stick into the ground and began to uproot a glistening red rock. "How long do you think they're going to talk for?" Pocketing the rock, he looked up. "Ah, they're coming back."
"Chibi's going to send us on an errand for her," Lack mused watching them come back, his eyes clearly seeing Chibi's saber and pouch had switched sides. "She looked through her pouch just now." He looked back at the two. "So who stays and who's going to go where she sends us?" They looked at him with raised eyebrows. "If you don't believe me, Chibi's pouch is on her left now with her saber on the right."
"I'll stay," Phenomenon replied. "If Mike and the others get into trouble, a supportive class would be more beneficial than a fighting class." He looked at Chibi and LadyDeathStrike as they came close.
"Lack," Chibi said with a wink. "Can you get me some bottles, test tubes and medicine bowls from Yuno?" Chibi shook her pouch for emphasis. "I'm low on supplies and I think that if Mike and the others get into trouble and I'm to be support I'll need more supplies than I have." Lack nodded and got up to go to create Warp Portal to headquarters so he can talk to the Warpra there.
Tadakono looked at Chibi expectantly. "You guys knew I was going to ask…" Tadakono, Phenomenon and Lack nodded. "I assume Phen's staying here. Tada…" Chibi thought for a bit. "Can you go to the leatherworker in Yuno and give them this." Chibi took off her pouch and saber and set it next to Phenomenon. Then she took off her belt and gave it to Tadakono. "I need a two more loops for pouches. Then go to the weaver and ask for two pouches that Alchemist-class use. If she happens to ask what type. Tell her the Theta model." Chibi opened her pouch and gave him a small blue gem with a silver cat head drawn inside. "Use this insignia when you go to see them. Lack, you may need to use this too when you get the bottles. It's for them to know that I sent you." Lack nodded and cast Warp Portal. Tadakono and Lack jumped in.
"You're going to go herb hunting?" Phenomenon asked. "I don't think you'd be asking for more loops on your belt if you were low on stock. You plan on supporting us properly aren't you?"
Chibi nodded and smiled. "Dia and I are going to hunt herbs and, if we can find any, items to create the potions into condensed potions. It'll be lighter for me to carry that way." She and LadyDeathStrike wished him luck and left for the fields of Yuno.
~~~
"That'll be 1000500 zeny." The leatherworker said to Tadakono and Lack, who stared at each other in shock at the price. "You don't have that much on you?" They shook their heads. "I can't lower the price since my wares are Alchemist specialty."
"Oh!" Tadakono brought out Chibi's gem. "I forgot about this. Tho I guess Chibi didn't mean it for payment." The leatherworker took the gem and looked at it with a trained eye. "I can't sell that to you…"
"I know," the leatherworker replied. "The Creator Chibi sent you did she?" Tadakono and Lack nodded. "I recognize her insignia. Alchemist-class get special discounts when they present their insignia that they received upon graduation from the Alchemist Society." They stared at him confused. "I see. Because you aren't Alchemist-class you don't understand. Alchemists and Creators receive an insignia that certifies them to practice Alchemy. It allows them to attain things like Seed of Life without repercussions. Alchemists usually have a clear gem but when an Alchemist exceeds expectations and attain the level of Creator, the Alchemist Society changes the colour of the gem to represent to colour of the clothing." He placed two fingers onto the gem and drew out a small pouch. "Payment of 50000 zeny has been received. I'll start on the work immediately. Would you like to take a seat?" He motioned over to the lounge area near the main door.
~~~
Chibi cut down a Green Plant and took a few of it's leaves. "Dia…" LadyDeathStrike looked up at her with a few white herbs in her hand. "I think I should call Eir. I need to know if Loki has really affected me or not." LadyDeathStrike nodded and placed the white herbs into the mini pouch Chibi had with her. Chibi closed her eyes and called out mentally. Eir… Eir… You can hear me right? You seem to always be around when I need you. Can you come out please?
"You called?" Eir asked softly. LadyDeathStrike fell backwards not expecting her to appear so suddenly. Eir touched Chibi's cheek. "Loki's done a lot of damage hasn't he… I'll see what I can do. But you'll never be truly human again."
Chibi nodded "Most of those who study Alchemy lose part of their humanity anyway through their experiments." Eir placed a hand on her head. "I've just lose more than the average alchemist." LadyDeathStrike sat leaning against a tree watching in interest.
Eir closed her eyes and sent her power into Chibi. "Sinews of bear seems to be holding well. And the spread of the pieces of Thanatos isn't as bad as I first thought too. They'll still disappear once your Spiritual Power heals. Your left eye has retained a demonic property that will stay that way." She reached out her hand and plucked a bottle of Fluorescent Liquid from the air. "I'll just lighten the colour so it's not so striking." She clutched the bottle hard until it broke. The liquid flowed up to Chibi's eye causing it to go from blood red to a pale pastel pink. "Now to do something about that Loki's Whisper…"
~~~
"Two pouches for an Alchemist?" the weaver asked in surprise. "Most Alchemists only need one. Is Chibi a potion worker? From what I've heard she's more offensive in battle rather than supportive."
Lack frowned. "She's usually supportive for us." The weaver's expression bothered him. "She isn't strong enough to be on the offensive."
"That's where I guess you under estimate her," the weaver replied drawing a small pouch from the gem in Tadakono's hand. "Have you ever wondered where Chibi gets the zeny to pay for her alchemical supplies? Or where she gets the herbs and other items she needs to make potions and other concoctions?"
"She gets some from me, "Tadakono replied. Lack nodded as well. "But even so that's still only a portion of what she normally has. "
"She's the strongest member in the Alchemist Society," the weaver replied proudly. "She always comes to me for repairs to her clothes, pouches and when she's in a really good mood she asks for my specialized pouch that is alchemical in nature. It places items into a storage system. The pouch itself is incredibly light." the weaver looks at them, her eyes sparkling. "Chibi say what type of pouch for Alchemists? There's a fair few types available."
"Chibi said the Theta type," Tadakono replied. "What is the Theta type by the way?"
"Theta type?" the weaver asked her eyes round with surprise. "Chibi has never specifically asked for that type of pouch before. The Theta type pouch allows the user to store up to 300 items at any given time. Chibi usually asks for either the Sigma or Gamma types, as she says they are light and carry a lot. The Theta type is also light but difficult to manage if the user isn't use to using them. It's not a type one uses outside the laboratory." The weaver looked at them carefully. "You sure she said Theta?"
"Positive," Lack replied firmly. "She was certain about it too."
The weaver sighed and shook the pouch she held. "500000 zeny received for two Theta pouches. She prepared the money for them too." She pointed to a tea room. "You can wait there while I create them. It'll take a few hours so feel free to make lunch or whatever in there. Just make sure you clean up after yourselves."
Lack and Tadakono had been sitting in the tea room for a few hours, talking over things they had heard from the leatherworker and the weaver. "What interests me is that Chibi gets an incredible discount. I wonder if it's to do with her insignia." Tadakono mused. Lack shrugged and absently stirred his coffee with a silver spoon. "You think the Alchemist store would give a discount as well?"
"I'm actually wondering about the Theta pouches," Lack replied. "She said that one doesn't normally use them in battle. But Chibi will be… I wonder what type of pouch she's been carrying."
"If it's the one I made for her," the weaver said appearing at the door with the two pouches in her hand. "It's an Alpha pouch. A specially made pouch that has a eight separate pockets. Each pocket can hold 20 of the same item. It's an experimental item I made that she was curious in trying out." She gave the pouches to Lack, who promptly placed them into his pocket. "She's going to get frustrated using those. Unless she's going to use them like a Beta pouch." Seeing their confused looks she sighed "A Beta pouch is a pouch that forces items out that the alchemist is using for a creation process. It's good for speed creation where the alchemist is making many of the same or similar items at once."
"Actually the one she currently carries is one that BlackRose gave her," Lack replied not looking up from his coffee. "She prefers it because for some reason it's easier to manage than the Alpha pouch." Tadakono tapped the table near him. Looking up, Lack noticed the weaver had frozen. "Something wrong?"
"She's using a pouch that was especially made for a Hidden God?" The weaver's voice was shaking. "Chibi shouldn't be able to handle a pouch of that caliber. Pouches for the Hidden Gods are imbued with an ancient item so they can withstand the powers a Hidden God uses. A human alchemist would burn out their ability from using a pouch like that long term."
"Chibi has Azoth," Tadakono replied unsure if his logic was right. "If she can handle Azoth then she should be able to handle a pouch made for the Hidden Gods." Noticing the weaver looked even more shocked, he added "She's had the pouch BlackRose gave her for almost a month now and she's still as strong as ever."
"Did Chibi get Azoth alone?" the weaver asked, her voice low causing both Lack and Tadakono to sit upright. "Because no one who has gone on the quest for Azoth alone has survived. I'm meaning that their life thread was cut somewhere along the journey." Lack and Tadakono looked at her deeply concerned.
Friday, June 28, 2019
Friday, June 21, 2019
FCGS - Chapter 17
"This is Loki's castle?"
"Huge isn't it?"
"Well he is a god… You'd expect him to have a huge castle."
Lack and the rest walked up the stone pathway to the large double doors. Tadakono and Phenomenon looked around and spotted Hel staring at them from a large stain glass window.
"Loki…" Balawis hissed drawing his bow. Everyone followed suit watching Loki skip down the steps and along the path towards them. "Is it just me or is he in a good mood?"
"Lack," Loki said with the biggest grin on his face. "Welcome to my castle. I know you must be tired but I must insist you come into the Arena." Loki steered a confused Lack and walked quickly pushing him. "I have someone you'll want to meet." Stunned, Lack walked following Loki. MikeRex gave an angry growl and motioned everyone to follow.
~~~
"Chibi…" Lack stood facing her in the centre of the Arena. "Are you alright?" Chibi drew her sword and pointed it at him.
"You need to duel," Loki explained to him. "Chibi, herself, requested it." He danced over and wrapped his arms around Chibi. "She's all ready to go, see?"
Lack took a deep breath and pulled his gloves tight. Settling into fighting position, he asked "Are you sure about this, Chibi? You know my strength and my skill as much as I know yours."
"I'm sure," she replied, her voice monotone. "I'm counting on your knowledge." Lack blinked in surprise. Chibi moved her sword into guard position. "Don't hold back."
"If you say so," Lack leaped at her casting Blessing and Increase Agility on himself. She's counting on my knowledge. What does she mean?
~~~
"It's started," Momo said watching though Chibi's windows. "He's holding back."
"I know," Chibi replied. "He's already off balance because she said she was counting on his knowledge. He's trying to work out the meaning behind that."
"You knew all this would happen? I mean your other self saying that?" Chibi nodded her eyes fixed on the window in front of her. "How?"
"I noticed when she paused once before while talking to Loki. Our bodies still retain any habits we have. I have a habit of leaving things out I know Lack will protest against. I also have a habit of giving him subtle clues on things," her eyes searched Lack's image in the window. "I knew that if that was true then my body would hint to him about the Azoth if he had it on him."
"That's a huge chance you took,"
"I know." her eyes spotted the Azoth. "But I trust him to know what to do."
"Chibi…" Momo asked tentatively. "Will… Will you set me free?"
"I'll do what I can in my power to set you free," Chibi said pausing for bit making Momo feel uncomfortable. "But I can't promise that I can. Loki is much more powerful than even Lack…" She looked at Momo uncertain. "It's the most I can offer you."
"It's all I was expecting," Momo replied, his hand moving to take hers but pausing half way. "I don't want you to be recaptured." He firmly forced himself to take her hand.
~~~
Lack changed into a Stalker in mid-flight and brought his daggers down towards Chibi. Raising her right arm, she blocked his daggers and sliced at his waist with her sword. MikeRex and the others called from the sidelines to Lack. Lack ignored them and locked blades with Chibi, his crossed daggers pressing on the blade of her saber.
An explosion threw them apart, Lack noticed Chibi draw another Bomb from her pouch with her right hand and flick them at him. Knowledge… What could she mean? Lack leapt backwards away from the flames. Chibi drew Marine Spheres and Plant bottles, again with her right hand, and scattered them over the field.
Marine Sphere!
Summon Flora!
Lack sliced a Dryad in two and leaped over a Geographer. His eyes watched as she drew another Bomb with her right hand. That's it isn't it? She changed to using potions to hint at me. Looking carefully, he saw a bruise peeping out between the cuts in her glove. I need to get that glove off her. Turning back into a Champion, he stood still watching her.
Chibi threw the bomb at him. Lack punched it hard making it fly back. Chibi shielded herself from the explosion with her right arm, reducing her glove to shreds. She moved her sword to block Lack's twin daggers. Lack pushed her backwards, exchanging his left dagger for Azoth. Chibi raised her sword and brought it down hard towards Lack's head. Without thinking Lack, stabbed her wrist with Azoth, forcing her to release her sword.
The bracelet fell to the ground with a thump. Loki screamed and rushed towards Lack and Chibi, his daggers raised high. MikeRex and Phenomenon blocked his path sending both daggers flying. "You'll all pay for tricking me," Loki growled disappearing from the Arena in a puff of smoke. "You can all die here!"
Lack sat holding Chibi. His eyes soft and concerned. Chibi sat up and took her Azoth from him. "Chibi..." Lack started confused with her silence. "You alright?" Chibi stood up moved away from him. Her hand reached up and touched her left eye. Moving her hand away, Lack could see blood covered her hand. "You're bleeding!" He cast Heal on her.
"Don't Heal me," Chibi said pushing his hands away. "We need to deal with the doppelgangers first and save Momo." She turned to face him and noticed Lack looked hurt. "I don't need to be healed." She reached into her pouch and brought out a bottle of water and a piece of cloth. "This happened a while back. Loki didn't bother to clean it up." She brought the water over her eye then gently wiped away the blood. Looking back at Lack, she smiled and added "It's permanent."
Lack stared at her eyes. Instead of a pair of sky blue eyes, she had one blood-red eye one sky blue eye. "How did this happen?"
"Long story," She pulled Lack's arm to get him moving. "We can thank Momo for it when we break him from Loki's bracelet."
Phenomenon and Tadakono each took a hold of one of Chibi's shoulders. "I think we all need to rest, and recover," Tadakono eyed her right wrist. "And be healed."
"There's no time," Chibi murmured pulling off one of her ribbons and wrapping it around her wrist. "Loki now knows that we have an item than can remove his bracelet off Momo. To ensure his plan isn't completely ruined, he'll either: Place Momo under a new control method, send doppelgangers that were going to be sent to Fight Club at us or find a way to take my Azoth so we can't free Momo." She pulled away from their hands. "He could easily do all three while you're Healing me."
Tadakono took a hold of her right wrist, squeezing it tightly. Chibi's eyes, watering at the pain, stared at him defiantly. "How about this?" he said not letting go of her wrist. "Since both you and Lack need to rest, we'll split up into two groups. That way we aren't all being idle." Lack nodded in agreement at this. "Rena, MikeRex, JohnFlora, and Balawis go into Loki's castle and find Momo. Myself, Phenomenon, LadyDeathStrike, Lack, and you stay here."
"A divided power going into Loki's castle is better than nothing," Balawis added. "Besides, Momo is originally Mike's problem… Uh… I mean guildsman." MikeRex gave Balawis a thump on the head with his poleaxe in response. "I was only joking."
"Chibs," LadyDeathStrike said softly placing her hand where Tadakono's hand held Chibi's wrist. "Eventually this wrist will become unable to move. If that happens in mid battle, it doesn't help any of us as we rely both on yourself and John as support."
"Alright," Chibi sighed and relaxed. Tadakono let go of her wrist and cast Heal with his Vitata Clip. Chibi looked at her Azoth then at MikeRex. MikeRex raised his eyebrow and got off his Peco. "Don't lose it." She said handing it to him. "You'll need it to free Momo. And I will murder you if it isn't returned to me. I went through hell and back to find the ingredients to make it."
MikeRex was taken aback. "I won't lose it," he replied tucking it into his belt. "I won't let Loki take it either." He ruffled her hair. "You've gotten stronger. Much more than you were in Velvet Touch of Enishi." He glanced at Lack. "Maybe because you're beside someone who brings out the best in you better than I could." He jumped onto his Peco. "Let's get moving!" he called to the rest and they left for Loki's castle.
"Lack…" Phenomenon glanced at him. Lack nodded and together they pulled Chibi down to the ground so she was sitting. LadyDeathStrike and Tadakono sat down in front of them. "Tell us why your left eye is blood red." Phenomenon took a hold of Chibi's arm and cast Heal.
"Huge isn't it?"
"Well he is a god… You'd expect him to have a huge castle."
Lack and the rest walked up the stone pathway to the large double doors. Tadakono and Phenomenon looked around and spotted Hel staring at them from a large stain glass window.
"Loki…" Balawis hissed drawing his bow. Everyone followed suit watching Loki skip down the steps and along the path towards them. "Is it just me or is he in a good mood?"
"Lack," Loki said with the biggest grin on his face. "Welcome to my castle. I know you must be tired but I must insist you come into the Arena." Loki steered a confused Lack and walked quickly pushing him. "I have someone you'll want to meet." Stunned, Lack walked following Loki. MikeRex gave an angry growl and motioned everyone to follow.
~~~
"Chibi…" Lack stood facing her in the centre of the Arena. "Are you alright?" Chibi drew her sword and pointed it at him.
"You need to duel," Loki explained to him. "Chibi, herself, requested it." He danced over and wrapped his arms around Chibi. "She's all ready to go, see?"
Lack took a deep breath and pulled his gloves tight. Settling into fighting position, he asked "Are you sure about this, Chibi? You know my strength and my skill as much as I know yours."
"I'm sure," she replied, her voice monotone. "I'm counting on your knowledge." Lack blinked in surprise. Chibi moved her sword into guard position. "Don't hold back."
"If you say so," Lack leaped at her casting Blessing and Increase Agility on himself. She's counting on my knowledge. What does she mean?
~~~
"It's started," Momo said watching though Chibi's windows. "He's holding back."
"I know," Chibi replied. "He's already off balance because she said she was counting on his knowledge. He's trying to work out the meaning behind that."
"You knew all this would happen? I mean your other self saying that?" Chibi nodded her eyes fixed on the window in front of her. "How?"
"I noticed when she paused once before while talking to Loki. Our bodies still retain any habits we have. I have a habit of leaving things out I know Lack will protest against. I also have a habit of giving him subtle clues on things," her eyes searched Lack's image in the window. "I knew that if that was true then my body would hint to him about the Azoth if he had it on him."
"That's a huge chance you took,"
"I know." her eyes spotted the Azoth. "But I trust him to know what to do."
"Chibi…" Momo asked tentatively. "Will… Will you set me free?"
"I'll do what I can in my power to set you free," Chibi said pausing for bit making Momo feel uncomfortable. "But I can't promise that I can. Loki is much more powerful than even Lack…" She looked at Momo uncertain. "It's the most I can offer you."
"It's all I was expecting," Momo replied, his hand moving to take hers but pausing half way. "I don't want you to be recaptured." He firmly forced himself to take her hand.
~~~
Lack changed into a Stalker in mid-flight and brought his daggers down towards Chibi. Raising her right arm, she blocked his daggers and sliced at his waist with her sword. MikeRex and the others called from the sidelines to Lack. Lack ignored them and locked blades with Chibi, his crossed daggers pressing on the blade of her saber.
An explosion threw them apart, Lack noticed Chibi draw another Bomb from her pouch with her right hand and flick them at him. Knowledge… What could she mean? Lack leapt backwards away from the flames. Chibi drew Marine Spheres and Plant bottles, again with her right hand, and scattered them over the field.
Marine Sphere!
Summon Flora!
Lack sliced a Dryad in two and leaped over a Geographer. His eyes watched as she drew another Bomb with her right hand. That's it isn't it? She changed to using potions to hint at me. Looking carefully, he saw a bruise peeping out between the cuts in her glove. I need to get that glove off her. Turning back into a Champion, he stood still watching her.
Chibi threw the bomb at him. Lack punched it hard making it fly back. Chibi shielded herself from the explosion with her right arm, reducing her glove to shreds. She moved her sword to block Lack's twin daggers. Lack pushed her backwards, exchanging his left dagger for Azoth. Chibi raised her sword and brought it down hard towards Lack's head. Without thinking Lack, stabbed her wrist with Azoth, forcing her to release her sword.
The bracelet fell to the ground with a thump. Loki screamed and rushed towards Lack and Chibi, his daggers raised high. MikeRex and Phenomenon blocked his path sending both daggers flying. "You'll all pay for tricking me," Loki growled disappearing from the Arena in a puff of smoke. "You can all die here!"
Lack sat holding Chibi. His eyes soft and concerned. Chibi sat up and took her Azoth from him. "Chibi..." Lack started confused with her silence. "You alright?" Chibi stood up moved away from him. Her hand reached up and touched her left eye. Moving her hand away, Lack could see blood covered her hand. "You're bleeding!" He cast Heal on her.
"Don't Heal me," Chibi said pushing his hands away. "We need to deal with the doppelgangers first and save Momo." She turned to face him and noticed Lack looked hurt. "I don't need to be healed." She reached into her pouch and brought out a bottle of water and a piece of cloth. "This happened a while back. Loki didn't bother to clean it up." She brought the water over her eye then gently wiped away the blood. Looking back at Lack, she smiled and added "It's permanent."
Lack stared at her eyes. Instead of a pair of sky blue eyes, she had one blood-red eye one sky blue eye. "How did this happen?"
"Long story," She pulled Lack's arm to get him moving. "We can thank Momo for it when we break him from Loki's bracelet."
Phenomenon and Tadakono each took a hold of one of Chibi's shoulders. "I think we all need to rest, and recover," Tadakono eyed her right wrist. "And be healed."
"There's no time," Chibi murmured pulling off one of her ribbons and wrapping it around her wrist. "Loki now knows that we have an item than can remove his bracelet off Momo. To ensure his plan isn't completely ruined, he'll either: Place Momo under a new control method, send doppelgangers that were going to be sent to Fight Club at us or find a way to take my Azoth so we can't free Momo." She pulled away from their hands. "He could easily do all three while you're Healing me."
Tadakono took a hold of her right wrist, squeezing it tightly. Chibi's eyes, watering at the pain, stared at him defiantly. "How about this?" he said not letting go of her wrist. "Since both you and Lack need to rest, we'll split up into two groups. That way we aren't all being idle." Lack nodded in agreement at this. "Rena, MikeRex, JohnFlora, and Balawis go into Loki's castle and find Momo. Myself, Phenomenon, LadyDeathStrike, Lack, and you stay here."
"A divided power going into Loki's castle is better than nothing," Balawis added. "Besides, Momo is originally Mike's problem… Uh… I mean guildsman." MikeRex gave Balawis a thump on the head with his poleaxe in response. "I was only joking."
"Chibs," LadyDeathStrike said softly placing her hand where Tadakono's hand held Chibi's wrist. "Eventually this wrist will become unable to move. If that happens in mid battle, it doesn't help any of us as we rely both on yourself and John as support."
"Alright," Chibi sighed and relaxed. Tadakono let go of her wrist and cast Heal with his Vitata Clip. Chibi looked at her Azoth then at MikeRex. MikeRex raised his eyebrow and got off his Peco. "Don't lose it." She said handing it to him. "You'll need it to free Momo. And I will murder you if it isn't returned to me. I went through hell and back to find the ingredients to make it."
MikeRex was taken aback. "I won't lose it," he replied tucking it into his belt. "I won't let Loki take it either." He ruffled her hair. "You've gotten stronger. Much more than you were in Velvet Touch of Enishi." He glanced at Lack. "Maybe because you're beside someone who brings out the best in you better than I could." He jumped onto his Peco. "Let's get moving!" he called to the rest and they left for Loki's castle.
"Lack…" Phenomenon glanced at him. Lack nodded and together they pulled Chibi down to the ground so she was sitting. LadyDeathStrike and Tadakono sat down in front of them. "Tell us why your left eye is blood red." Phenomenon took a hold of Chibi's arm and cast Heal.
Friday, June 14, 2019
FCGS - Chapter 16
"Momo," Chibi whispered softly. "I don't think I'm reaching them. The emergency system keeps slipping away from me." Momo patted her shoulder and gave her a small smile. "I'll keep trying but I'm so tired. It's like I'm draining my spiritual power trying to call them this way." Momo frowned and looked down at her hand. Chibi sighed "You know, in a language that I learnt for a land over the sea, your name means peach… And mine means small. One day you might meet Haru, he's a Professor from Under the Shadows. His name means Spring."
Momo took Chibi's hand and held it tightly. "Stop. You're wearing yourself out," Chibi nodded and closed her eyes again. Momo gazed at her face. I need to think of a way out of here. Chibi's trying her best so I need to try hard too. Maybe… Blushing, he closed his eyes as well. We'll see what happens.
~~~
"Everyone safely tucked down there," Lack asked Rena who nodded in reply. Taking a deep breath, he drew his hand back. "Palm Push Strike!" The wall crumbled sealing the entrance to the dungeons. "They should be safe in there til we return." He fingered his belt and touched Chibi's Azoth.
"That's an Azoth isn't it?" Rena said noticing what he was touching. "Where did you get it?" MikeRex stared at Lack as well.
"It's Chibi's," JohnFlora answered for Lack. MikeRex jumped, his head snapping towards his brother. "Chibi attained it just after she married you. Remember when she disappeared for a about a week?" MikeRex nodded, his eyes narrowing remembering back then. "She left to find it. She told me because she said that if she didn't come back that it would hurt you."
"So that's when she got it," Lack mused. "I didn't know she had it til she used it to unravel the alchemical structure of a doppelganger. I wish she'd tell me things like that."
"My sentiments exactly," MikeRex echoed thoroughly angry with himself for not noticing it even when she had returned. "But how do you have it now?"
"Chibi was injured by a doppelganger and was still recovering when another doppelganger attacked me," Lack replied, his eyes downcast. "She created a potion for me to throw at the doppelganger. She must of known it wouldn't work properly so she threw her Azoth at it as well. The combination caused the doppelganger to unravel. I never got a chance to give it back to her."
LadyDeathStrike held out her hand and asked "May I see it?" Lack drew the Azoth and handed it to her carefully. "I see now. I think Chibi knew more than you think Lack. This Azoth is coated with Chemical Coating. It also has the Fight Club and Velvet Touch of Enishi guild symbols carved into the base here. "She pointed it out to him. "She's warped it's structure slightly so that the guild master of both guilds can use it as an Alchemist can." LadyDeathStrike handed the Azoth back to Lack. "I think you underestimate her knowledge. Probably why Loki's taken her, not for her ability like he did for Momo, but for her knowledge."
"You can see Alchemical structures too," Lack said wonderingly. "I forgot that you could. But she never let me use Azoth before…" He paused and tucked the Azoth back into his belt. "I never thought to ask before." He sighed and scratched his head. "Let's just get going."
~~~
"The ten doppelgangers as you requested," Chibi said bowing to Loki. "I've given them the ability take blood for you too." Loki looked at her out of the corner of his eye. "You'll need blood for doppelgangers to harness the strength you desire." She paused, her body reacting to her habit of leaving information out.
"Continue," Loki demanded, angry that he could see flaws in the bracelets too. "I want to hear everything about the blood I need."
"As you wish," Chibi replied and explained everything to him without stopping.
~~~
Momo stared at Chibi's sleeping form, then looked up to the windows that represented her body. No! he screamed in his head. Not that information! Loki will win if he succeeds. I need to do something. Standing up, he drew his fist and punched the left window shattering it. Chibi sat up suddenly her hand covering her left eye.
"What did you do?" she growled. Looking up she saw the left window shattered and blood streaking down it. "You have neither the knowledge nor the power to get us out of here." She moved her hand. Momo gasped and fell backwards. The colour of Chibi's left eye was blood red.
"You're body was revealing information about blood and doppelgangers," Momo squeaked cowering under Chibi's angry glare. "I felt I needed to do something to stop it."
Chibi stood and stared at the left window. "You could of woken me," she replied. She touched it gently. The blood moved away from her hand . "There was other ways to stop it spilling information than this." Momo got up and walked away, angry with himself for hurting her.
~~~
Loki looked at Chibi. Blood trickled down from her left eye. "Stop," he touched her left cheek. His consciousness flowed into her, moving into the room of darkness. Opening his eyes, he found the real Chibi. "What did you do?"
Chibi looked at him and Loki took a step back in surprise at her blood red eye. "It wasn't me," she replied looking back at the left window. "It was Momo. But why do you care? She didn't stop talking did she even after her eye started to bleed."
"I care because you're also bait," Loki replied with a evil smile. "If you're body is still alive Lack will come. And I can get rid of the biggest human obstacle in my way."
Chibi looked unconcerned. "Lack knows the secret to the doppelgangers. And he has a power with him that can destroy them," she looked at Loki with an evil grin of her own. "Want to make a bet? I know you love to gamble."
"Sure," Loki replied his eyes twinkling. "What are you betting on?" Chibi touched her heart. "You're soul, hmm? Definitely worth betting on." Momo crouched in the darkness listening to their conversation.
"If Lack gets here," Chibi said pressing her palm against the window. "Let me battle him. If I kill Lack, you set me free. If Lack kills me, you can have my soul and the knowledge I possess."
Loki smiled. "I'll definitely bet on that." He touched her forehead with two fingers binding their bet. Lack's much more stronger than she is. He'd defeat her in a heartbeat. "Until Lack gets here."
"Until Lack gets here." Chibi nodded her smile not leaving her face. Loki withdrew out of the room of darkness. Chibi looked around and saw Momo hiding. "You think I'm crazy to bet that but too afraid to tell me?" Momo nodded shivering. "Lack has my Azoth. He only needs to cut the bracelet and I'll be set free anyway. After that, we both won't fight each other meaning neither Loki nor myself wins the bet."
Momo stepped out and stared at her impressed. "You two planned this?" Chibi shook her head. "Then how will he know to cut the bracelet."
"Because I trust Lack will do that," Chibi replied.
~~~
Loki smiled happily and pressed blue gems into the doppelgangers to seal in their forms and powers. Hel watched her father amused. "What has you as happy as a Poring?"
"Chibi made a bet with me," Loki replied giving a doppelganger a pair of blue gems for eyes. "And from all viewpoints, she's bound to lose that bet." Hel's eyes narrowed and went back to poking Morgue's head. She's up to something. She's clever not to make a bet with father that she has a 100% chance of losing.
Momo took Chibi's hand and held it tightly. "Stop. You're wearing yourself out," Chibi nodded and closed her eyes again. Momo gazed at her face. I need to think of a way out of here. Chibi's trying her best so I need to try hard too. Maybe… Blushing, he closed his eyes as well. We'll see what happens.
~~~
"Everyone safely tucked down there," Lack asked Rena who nodded in reply. Taking a deep breath, he drew his hand back. "Palm Push Strike!" The wall crumbled sealing the entrance to the dungeons. "They should be safe in there til we return." He fingered his belt and touched Chibi's Azoth.
"That's an Azoth isn't it?" Rena said noticing what he was touching. "Where did you get it?" MikeRex stared at Lack as well.
"It's Chibi's," JohnFlora answered for Lack. MikeRex jumped, his head snapping towards his brother. "Chibi attained it just after she married you. Remember when she disappeared for a about a week?" MikeRex nodded, his eyes narrowing remembering back then. "She left to find it. She told me because she said that if she didn't come back that it would hurt you."
"So that's when she got it," Lack mused. "I didn't know she had it til she used it to unravel the alchemical structure of a doppelganger. I wish she'd tell me things like that."
"My sentiments exactly," MikeRex echoed thoroughly angry with himself for not noticing it even when she had returned. "But how do you have it now?"
"Chibi was injured by a doppelganger and was still recovering when another doppelganger attacked me," Lack replied, his eyes downcast. "She created a potion for me to throw at the doppelganger. She must of known it wouldn't work properly so she threw her Azoth at it as well. The combination caused the doppelganger to unravel. I never got a chance to give it back to her."
LadyDeathStrike held out her hand and asked "May I see it?" Lack drew the Azoth and handed it to her carefully. "I see now. I think Chibi knew more than you think Lack. This Azoth is coated with Chemical Coating. It also has the Fight Club and Velvet Touch of Enishi guild symbols carved into the base here. "She pointed it out to him. "She's warped it's structure slightly so that the guild master of both guilds can use it as an Alchemist can." LadyDeathStrike handed the Azoth back to Lack. "I think you underestimate her knowledge. Probably why Loki's taken her, not for her ability like he did for Momo, but for her knowledge."
"You can see Alchemical structures too," Lack said wonderingly. "I forgot that you could. But she never let me use Azoth before…" He paused and tucked the Azoth back into his belt. "I never thought to ask before." He sighed and scratched his head. "Let's just get going."
~~~
"The ten doppelgangers as you requested," Chibi said bowing to Loki. "I've given them the ability take blood for you too." Loki looked at her out of the corner of his eye. "You'll need blood for doppelgangers to harness the strength you desire." She paused, her body reacting to her habit of leaving information out.
"Continue," Loki demanded, angry that he could see flaws in the bracelets too. "I want to hear everything about the blood I need."
"As you wish," Chibi replied and explained everything to him without stopping.
~~~
Momo stared at Chibi's sleeping form, then looked up to the windows that represented her body. No! he screamed in his head. Not that information! Loki will win if he succeeds. I need to do something. Standing up, he drew his fist and punched the left window shattering it. Chibi sat up suddenly her hand covering her left eye.
"What did you do?" she growled. Looking up she saw the left window shattered and blood streaking down it. "You have neither the knowledge nor the power to get us out of here." She moved her hand. Momo gasped and fell backwards. The colour of Chibi's left eye was blood red.
"You're body was revealing information about blood and doppelgangers," Momo squeaked cowering under Chibi's angry glare. "I felt I needed to do something to stop it."
Chibi stood and stared at the left window. "You could of woken me," she replied. She touched it gently. The blood moved away from her hand . "There was other ways to stop it spilling information than this." Momo got up and walked away, angry with himself for hurting her.
~~~
Loki looked at Chibi. Blood trickled down from her left eye. "Stop," he touched her left cheek. His consciousness flowed into her, moving into the room of darkness. Opening his eyes, he found the real Chibi. "What did you do?"
Chibi looked at him and Loki took a step back in surprise at her blood red eye. "It wasn't me," she replied looking back at the left window. "It was Momo. But why do you care? She didn't stop talking did she even after her eye started to bleed."
"I care because you're also bait," Loki replied with a evil smile. "If you're body is still alive Lack will come. And I can get rid of the biggest human obstacle in my way."
Chibi looked unconcerned. "Lack knows the secret to the doppelgangers. And he has a power with him that can destroy them," she looked at Loki with an evil grin of her own. "Want to make a bet? I know you love to gamble."
"Sure," Loki replied his eyes twinkling. "What are you betting on?" Chibi touched her heart. "You're soul, hmm? Definitely worth betting on." Momo crouched in the darkness listening to their conversation.
"If Lack gets here," Chibi said pressing her palm against the window. "Let me battle him. If I kill Lack, you set me free. If Lack kills me, you can have my soul and the knowledge I possess."
Loki smiled. "I'll definitely bet on that." He touched her forehead with two fingers binding their bet. Lack's much more stronger than she is. He'd defeat her in a heartbeat. "Until Lack gets here."
"Until Lack gets here." Chibi nodded her smile not leaving her face. Loki withdrew out of the room of darkness. Chibi looked around and saw Momo hiding. "You think I'm crazy to bet that but too afraid to tell me?" Momo nodded shivering. "Lack has my Azoth. He only needs to cut the bracelet and I'll be set free anyway. After that, we both won't fight each other meaning neither Loki nor myself wins the bet."
Momo stepped out and stared at her impressed. "You two planned this?" Chibi shook her head. "Then how will he know to cut the bracelet."
"Because I trust Lack will do that," Chibi replied.
~~~
Loki smiled happily and pressed blue gems into the doppelgangers to seal in their forms and powers. Hel watched her father amused. "What has you as happy as a Poring?"
"Chibi made a bet with me," Loki replied giving a doppelganger a pair of blue gems for eyes. "And from all viewpoints, she's bound to lose that bet." Hel's eyes narrowed and went back to poking Morgue's head. She's up to something. She's clever not to make a bet with father that she has a 100% chance of losing.
Friday, June 7, 2019
FCGS - Chapter 15
Loki laughed hard banging his fist against his throne. "That was enjoyable! Those doppelgangers will work wonders against the Gods pets." Hel smiled and watched as the smoke cleared.
"Lack's still alive," she informed him pointing to the mirror. "It seems the guild masters were protected by their guildsmen. Even so, their numbers are significantly diminished, Father."
~~~
Chibi stood in the hallway near the Loki's chamber listening to what was going on. Tears streamed down her cheeks. Momo stood with her, his black eyes glistening. Loki's laughter floated to them. Chibi glanced at Momo, who was looking the other way. Jemini strode into view, Chibi eyes softened towards her old friend.
"Chibi~," Jemini purred touching her cheek. "You poor thing. You're crying," Jemini turned to face Momo. "You too…" She took a hold of their wrists and dragged them into the chamber. "Master Loki will make everything all better! Just you watch." Chibi and Momo walked with her not resisting.
Loki looked up and watched their progress towards him. "I knew it was ineffective." Loki stood and met Jemini in the middle of the room. "Did you bring them?" he asked her. Jemini nodded and handed him a small chest. Opening it, Loki pulled out two dark bracelets. Holding them up in front of Momo and Chibi, he said "Remove your right gloves." Complying, Loki locked the bracelets into place. Jemini watched as the bracelets sunk into their skin until it looked like the bracelet was a purple bruise around their wrists. "Put your gloves back on and create for me ten more doppelgangers of the same variety as the test doppelgangers."
"As you wish," Chibi replied. She and Momo bowed and left the room.
Jemini raised her eyebrow. "What were those?" she asked Loki. "I haven't seen them before."
"Those are bracelets made with my Whispers," Loki replied sitting back on his throne. "They act like the shards but instead of creating absolute obedience they cause the wearer to be trapped within the mind of their own body. Basically, their body retains basic functions, their knowledge in Alchemy, and the ability to speak."
Jemini looked at her own wrist where the shard from a doppelganger sword was lodged. Absolute obedience, huh…
Loki looked at her. "Absolute obedience, Jemini. I want you to run into the wall for me." Jemini bowed and ran into the wall. Her eyes watered. "That is absolute obedience. You have freedom to do as you wish but when I give you an order you are compelled to obey it." Jemini rubbed her nose and left the room before she was ordered to do anything else.
~~~
Lack sat with his head in his hands. Out of everyone who fought the four doppelgangers, only himself, the other guild masters, JohnFlora, Tadakono and Phenomenon survived the blast. They took the rest to the Fight Club Infirmary to recover. Those were definitely something Chibi would make. Reaching for his belt, he drew Chibi's Azoth out and held it tightly.
MikeRex sat next to him, not noticing what Lack was holding. "Feeling down? I felt the same way when Momo sent his own doppelgangers against my guild. It was a horrible feeling because I didn't know Loki kidnapped him."
"How did you find out?" Lack asked, his voice shaky. "It hurts to feel like Chibi's doing this deliberately."
"Momo…" MikeRex began. "Momo appeared one day with Loki. He commanded the doppelgangers that forced my guildsmen to obey Loki. Momo had tears falling continuously and towards the end when John and I were the only ones standing, Momo called out to us to help him. Loki took him away. I believe Loki used a control spell or something on him and it broke down the more he saw his fellow guildsmen fall under the swords of his doppelgangers."
Lack laughed causing MikeRex to jump. "I can't believe we're talking like this. It's so strange. We're normally fighting, aren't we?" MikeRex nodded and laughed with him.
"I'm glad someone's having a laugh," Rena said walking towards them. "As for me, I snuck into Loki's castle." MikeRex and Lack stared at her. "It was difficult. There are many guards. The control device being used on Chibi and Momo is a bracelet made from a Loki's Whisper. It traps the bearer within their own mind. That's all I got. A guard almost caught me at the door."
Lack stared at the Azoth in his hand. I wonder… Chibi uses it to unravel the alchemical structure of the doppelgangers. Could it be used to set Chibi free from Loki as well? Lack leaned back and looked up at Rena. "How are you able to sneak into these places without being caught?"
Rena smiled and waved her hand creating a black Warp Portal-like hole. "Shadow granted me the power to move through shadows. Anyone holding onto me can move through them too. There are some places I can't reach, like Valhalla, but I can reach Loki's castle. I've relayed all information to Novus already so Kashy and the Hidden Gods know what's going on. If we break any laws, they'll have no right to punish us for them."
"That's the least of our troubles," MikeRex murmured.
~~~
Chibi sat in front of two windows. She knew what had happened. "You're Chibi aren't you," a voice sounded behind her. Turning around, she saw another pair of windows with a different view to hers and beneath them was Momo.
"Yeah," she replied. "This feels weird. I'm here but not there." She pointed to the windows. "It's like I'm inside some giant robot."
"Tried your emergency network?" Momo asked. "I can't use mine. I'm the new guild master of Grand Lethal. My call would go to Grand Lethal members if it were to go through."
"I haven't tried," Chibi replied closing her eyes. "I can feel the communication thread but it's difficult to grasp." She laid down. "I'll keep trying…"
"It's probably our only option now," Momo added laying down facing her. "I hope it works."
"I hope so to, Momo…"
~~~
"Lack," Tadakono whined. "I keep hearing this buzzing in my ears. Well more like in my mind rather than my ears."
"I hear it too," Phenomenon added. Syaoran nodded in agreement.
"I know," Lack replied closing his eyes. "I hear it too. Though I hear more than buzzing."
The room fell silent. The buzzing grew louder. The four focused their power into the emergency system to enhance the sound. Lack…Trapped… Ten Doppelgangers… Leave… Not Safe… They strained their power, forcing it into the system. Lack felt as if he was turning himself inside-out.
Tadakono opened his eyes and stared and everyone. "How are we suppose to move everyone? Does she mean ten doppelgangers coming here?"
"Rena," Lack's voice began to change from shaky to his normal strong voice. "Can you shift people from infirmary into the deepest levels of Fight Club dungeons? I'll seal off the entrance. Fight Club is no longer safe for us to stay here." He strode inside leaving Rena stunned.
"Uh…" Rena looked at Tadakono. "He wants to bury them before they're dead?" Tadakono shook his head. "Then why?"
"It seems Chibi can reach the Emergency System since it's a piece of Fight Club that is build into our minds," Tadakono replied. "She just warned us of ten doppelgangers. I don't think she knows that she's reaching us. She's repeating it over and over again."
"Right," Rena leapt into action. "Lets get them moved and then we'll put our own plan into action."
"Lack's still alive," she informed him pointing to the mirror. "It seems the guild masters were protected by their guildsmen. Even so, their numbers are significantly diminished, Father."
~~~
Chibi stood in the hallway near the Loki's chamber listening to what was going on. Tears streamed down her cheeks. Momo stood with her, his black eyes glistening. Loki's laughter floated to them. Chibi glanced at Momo, who was looking the other way. Jemini strode into view, Chibi eyes softened towards her old friend.
"Chibi~," Jemini purred touching her cheek. "You poor thing. You're crying," Jemini turned to face Momo. "You too…" She took a hold of their wrists and dragged them into the chamber. "Master Loki will make everything all better! Just you watch." Chibi and Momo walked with her not resisting.
Loki looked up and watched their progress towards him. "I knew it was ineffective." Loki stood and met Jemini in the middle of the room. "Did you bring them?" he asked her. Jemini nodded and handed him a small chest. Opening it, Loki pulled out two dark bracelets. Holding them up in front of Momo and Chibi, he said "Remove your right gloves." Complying, Loki locked the bracelets into place. Jemini watched as the bracelets sunk into their skin until it looked like the bracelet was a purple bruise around their wrists. "Put your gloves back on and create for me ten more doppelgangers of the same variety as the test doppelgangers."
"As you wish," Chibi replied. She and Momo bowed and left the room.
Jemini raised her eyebrow. "What were those?" she asked Loki. "I haven't seen them before."
"Those are bracelets made with my Whispers," Loki replied sitting back on his throne. "They act like the shards but instead of creating absolute obedience they cause the wearer to be trapped within the mind of their own body. Basically, their body retains basic functions, their knowledge in Alchemy, and the ability to speak."
Jemini looked at her own wrist where the shard from a doppelganger sword was lodged. Absolute obedience, huh…
Loki looked at her. "Absolute obedience, Jemini. I want you to run into the wall for me." Jemini bowed and ran into the wall. Her eyes watered. "That is absolute obedience. You have freedom to do as you wish but when I give you an order you are compelled to obey it." Jemini rubbed her nose and left the room before she was ordered to do anything else.
~~~
Lack sat with his head in his hands. Out of everyone who fought the four doppelgangers, only himself, the other guild masters, JohnFlora, Tadakono and Phenomenon survived the blast. They took the rest to the Fight Club Infirmary to recover. Those were definitely something Chibi would make. Reaching for his belt, he drew Chibi's Azoth out and held it tightly.
MikeRex sat next to him, not noticing what Lack was holding. "Feeling down? I felt the same way when Momo sent his own doppelgangers against my guild. It was a horrible feeling because I didn't know Loki kidnapped him."
"How did you find out?" Lack asked, his voice shaky. "It hurts to feel like Chibi's doing this deliberately."
"Momo…" MikeRex began. "Momo appeared one day with Loki. He commanded the doppelgangers that forced my guildsmen to obey Loki. Momo had tears falling continuously and towards the end when John and I were the only ones standing, Momo called out to us to help him. Loki took him away. I believe Loki used a control spell or something on him and it broke down the more he saw his fellow guildsmen fall under the swords of his doppelgangers."
Lack laughed causing MikeRex to jump. "I can't believe we're talking like this. It's so strange. We're normally fighting, aren't we?" MikeRex nodded and laughed with him.
"I'm glad someone's having a laugh," Rena said walking towards them. "As for me, I snuck into Loki's castle." MikeRex and Lack stared at her. "It was difficult. There are many guards. The control device being used on Chibi and Momo is a bracelet made from a Loki's Whisper. It traps the bearer within their own mind. That's all I got. A guard almost caught me at the door."
Lack stared at the Azoth in his hand. I wonder… Chibi uses it to unravel the alchemical structure of the doppelgangers. Could it be used to set Chibi free from Loki as well? Lack leaned back and looked up at Rena. "How are you able to sneak into these places without being caught?"
Rena smiled and waved her hand creating a black Warp Portal-like hole. "Shadow granted me the power to move through shadows. Anyone holding onto me can move through them too. There are some places I can't reach, like Valhalla, but I can reach Loki's castle. I've relayed all information to Novus already so Kashy and the Hidden Gods know what's going on. If we break any laws, they'll have no right to punish us for them."
"That's the least of our troubles," MikeRex murmured.
~~~
Chibi sat in front of two windows. She knew what had happened. "You're Chibi aren't you," a voice sounded behind her. Turning around, she saw another pair of windows with a different view to hers and beneath them was Momo.
"Yeah," she replied. "This feels weird. I'm here but not there." She pointed to the windows. "It's like I'm inside some giant robot."
"Tried your emergency network?" Momo asked. "I can't use mine. I'm the new guild master of Grand Lethal. My call would go to Grand Lethal members if it were to go through."
"I haven't tried," Chibi replied closing her eyes. "I can feel the communication thread but it's difficult to grasp." She laid down. "I'll keep trying…"
"It's probably our only option now," Momo added laying down facing her. "I hope it works."
"I hope so to, Momo…"
~~~
"Lack," Tadakono whined. "I keep hearing this buzzing in my ears. Well more like in my mind rather than my ears."
"I hear it too," Phenomenon added. Syaoran nodded in agreement.
"I know," Lack replied closing his eyes. "I hear it too. Though I hear more than buzzing."
The room fell silent. The buzzing grew louder. The four focused their power into the emergency system to enhance the sound. Lack…Trapped… Ten Doppelgangers… Leave… Not Safe… They strained their power, forcing it into the system. Lack felt as if he was turning himself inside-out.
Tadakono opened his eyes and stared and everyone. "How are we suppose to move everyone? Does she mean ten doppelgangers coming here?"
"Rena," Lack's voice began to change from shaky to his normal strong voice. "Can you shift people from infirmary into the deepest levels of Fight Club dungeons? I'll seal off the entrance. Fight Club is no longer safe for us to stay here." He strode inside leaving Rena stunned.
"Uh…" Rena looked at Tadakono. "He wants to bury them before they're dead?" Tadakono shook his head. "Then why?"
"It seems Chibi can reach the Emergency System since it's a piece of Fight Club that is build into our minds," Tadakono replied. "She just warned us of ten doppelgangers. I don't think she knows that she's reaching us. She's repeating it over and over again."
"Right," Rena leapt into action. "Lets get them moved and then we'll put our own plan into action."
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