[h1][center]Hellsalem's Lot[/center][/h1] Luckily enough for the young detective, a street-side stall was open to public access around this time of day, with newspapers lining its racks alongside various overpriced snacks and drinks. A stack of maps was folded up and placed off to the side, given how the shopkeeper was likely used to not having to sell to tourists. The advent of more advanced cellphones had reached even here, though, which had made them all but irrelevant. In the end, though, the shopkeeper was a stubborn old fellow and put them on display anyways. Even if they never really sold six days out of seven... Satori, meanwhile, was staring at Philip in confusion, then Saber as she promptly erased his food from existence. The whole thing was baffling, but the youkai decided to leave the topic for another time. "In any case..." Satori began, coughing a moment before taking another sip of her tea and excusing herself. "We should see if Shotaro can bring back that map he was seeking for... And hopefully not get lost in the process. Wouldn't maps usually be expensive, though? I recall news of the Outside World having made the problem obsolete, but..." The youkai girl had, by her final sentence, begun to muse to herself out loud, though she herself hadn't noticed it until that moment. "...Please excuse me for that. Regardless, I only hope that the price will not be too trying on our funds. In the meantime, though... I believe our initial introductions were a bit bare-bones. Since we will probably continue working with one another for quite some time, I wonder if it'd be too much to ask if we could understand the capabilities of one another without having to worry about secrets. Though, coming from a mind-reader like me... That might seem a tad hypocritical..." [hr] [h1][center]The 13th Hierarchical City of Kagutsuchi[/center][/h1] [center][h2]Hanging Gardens[/h2][/center] "Yeah, kinda figured it hadn't just been this place..." Kagura responded in response to Alex's statement, shaking his head as if trying to push the thought of the whole incident being isolated to a few locations out of his head. "Well, the more, the better... Though, to be honest, I'm kinda hoping that you don't try to stab us in the back or anything. Too many crazy things happening already, after all; adding another metaphorical knife in my back to it all wouldn't just be a nuisance any more." Kagura let out another laugh before nodding towards the Alex's proposition with a smile. "But that's just me being paranoid. If I can't at least extend a hand here, then I'm not fit to be a leader. Glad to have your aid." Akuma's suggestion, though, made Kagura take a moment to run over the name of the technique in his head. In his time as both a student and an NOL agent, he had never heard such a name ever be uttered. Maybe it was some sort of blacklisted material? But if so, why was this man speaking of it so nonchalantly...? The condition for aid, though, was probably easy enough to handle. "The strongest, huh? It's pro-" Upon fully processing the gravity of what it meant, though, Kagura took a double take and stared at Akuma as if he was half-insane. The strongest man in the city... Well, there was only one person who fit that description, and hell if he'd ever... Kagura took another moment to go look at how serious Akuma's expression was in that statement before sighing. The last time he had met with [i]that[/i] man was still fresh in his mind, after all... ... It didn't seem as if Akuma would be swayed by anything. That sort of conviction... Even Kagura, as laid back as he seemed half the time, knew not to cross a man with that sort of mindset. But the outcome... Might not be pretty. "..He goes by the name 'Azrael'. His strength is... Unparalleled. During the Ikaruga Civil War, that man... Well, it might be faster to show you a few recordings once we return to base. Needless to say, his raw strength is like something out of a horror film. The man imposed limiters on top of his limiters to take some of the best fighters... And even then, he still managed to win..." "We're here." Kagura turned his head towards Jin as the group neared the grand doors of the headquarters. Even with clear signs of battle all over, the building itself seemed unscathed. "Come. We're wasting time." With those curt words, Jin walked forwards. Kagura, who had since opened the doors and walked in, led the two new arrivals into [url=http://vignette2.wikia.nocookie.net/blazblue/images/e/e4/Cathedral_-Layer-_%28Stage%29.png/revision/latest?cb=20150908073246]the main hall[/url]. The large stairwell and imposing statue farther in the back showed how much money and influence the organization had in the end. "I'll bring Tsubaki to the care unit. You handle your guests, all right?" Jin said no more as he walked off, leaving the three behind. "...Don't worry, he's always like that. Anyways... Akuma, was it? If you're wanting to try and fight Azrael, I'd recommend you talk to some of our more... 'Unique' guests. They're some of our most important support in handling this issue, but at the very least they might listen to a request if it involves [i]him[/i]. Come on, they're this way." With that, kagura walked forward, turning his glance back momentarily to see if the other two were following suit.