[@Wraithblade6][@Snarfulblast]
Kiyoki smiled as Blarg landed in front of him, the Murloc pulling out one of the spines that portruded from his skin to be used as a sort of improvised dagger. The amphibian shot forward with surprising speed, and for a moment it seemed like the blade would find it's way into the mage's neck. However, a blast of force knocked Blarg back, as if an expanding bubble of force had picked him up and thrown him back. A piece of paper with strange symbols on it briefly materialized, before disintegrating. A paper ward, guarding it's user's life. It would be impossible to estimate how many such protective wards Kiyoki possessed, nor whether all of them would be so friendly as to deposit the attacker unharmed. Like fighting an almost literal bag of tricks.

Kiyoki tucked the fetish back into his kimono once he saw the forcefield envelope the dragon. The swarm of shikigami retreated, flying into the windows and doors of the palace to once more return to wherever they were normally stored. It would be pointless to expend so many tiny contracts for a mere momentary distraction, as Eclipse seemed capable of completely warding off the tiny attacks. But the Shikigami were far from the only method of attack Kiyoki possessed, as he smugly observed the situation.

"Now, I must question whether it was one of you gathered here who unleashed the Serpent. You see, the enchantment on that blade was powerful enough that even I could not break it. Only one the blade considered worthy might remove it, and yet you somehow destroyed it completely. It was a rather surprising turn of events, to be sure." His voice was magically altered, transported wherever he wished it to go. Albert and Eclipse heard him as if he were standing in front of them, instead of far below on the palace grounds. "Of course, for the moment it doesn't really matter. Someone within your group unleashd the beast, and you thought you would abuse the opportunity for revenge, did you not? It was an impulsive action, and a foolish one at that."

Kioki gestures at the wall surrounding the city of Aegis with one hand, smiling. Faintly, movement could be seen atop the wall, like a swarm of shadows slowly shifting place. "Of course, I have no intention of killing you, as of yet. You will form most useful tools in stopping the Serpent, whom I'm afraid to say might break through even our defences. And after, I believe I will add you to my collection. I have very few specimens from other worlds, and I would be quite interested in seeing how you got here." While both Albert and Blarg might be confused as to how calmly he spoke, Eclipse had already realized what he had done to ensure their cooperation. On the walls outside the city he could see hundreds of people, thousands, holding hands in a chain. They were praying, convinced that their presence would ensure the victory of the warriors below. Entire families stood there, in between Yamato no Orochi and the palace where the Emperor resided. And it was clear to anyone watching that Yamato would not stop to save a few thousand lives. All this Kiyoko seemed to have orchestrated in advance, anticipating their return and their use. "Now, I'm sure you heroes have a job to do, no? Don't worry, my allies are too busy fighting the serpent to give you much notice, and not stupid enough to attack you while you're assisting. Mostly. Have fun!"

With a little smile and a wave Kiyoki continued walking, heading towards where the giant hydra was beginning to reach land. He could be stabbed or shot with relative ease, but then again, without him the people on the walls might be slaughtered. And with his many wards in place, who knew how effective even a sneak attack would be? It was a setup that could not be escaped, as their morality would force them to obey his will and protect that which they had come to destroy.