[@Snarfulblast][@supertinyking][@Wraithblade6]

Both Kaito and Saito were facing the full wrath of Yamato no Orochi head-on. Tornadoes swooped down from above like fists, punches with the force of a cruise missile smashing into the immense heads, pushing them backwards, attempting to drill into them. Buffeting gales did little to the immense beast, and even the concentrated power of a tornado seemed to do little to truly harm it. And yet the buffeting blows were interspersed with beams of lightning, arcs of plasma that tore apart the creature's scales and cooked it's flesh. Immense beams struck down, accompanying the ball lightning that was Kaito. And yet they were like the bites of some insect to Yamato no Orochi, like using a needle to try and slay a lion. Regardless of the outcome, this would be a long fight.

However, as King landed on the Palace Wall, he had forgotten to take account of a third member. Yamato no Orochi had not yet reached the land, and the Herald had simply been waiting. Even as he landed on a rooftop, the Herald shot towards him. It's fingers tore into the walls of the palace, rapidly propelling him upwards towards the roof. He appeared over the edge as a blur of movements, lithe and graceful as a snake, and yet with not a single movement wasted. It was a sight equally terrifying and beautiful, martial knowledge taken to the absolute, the strength of body and mind represented by the perfect warrior.

The Herald stood facing King, and yet made no move to attack. For a moment, an odd peace of sorts developed, as both of the combatants looked one another over. King had his weapon by his side, and the Herald had not even drawn his katana. He stood completely still, not even seeming to breathe in that second of silence. Then, slowly, he raised one hand. He held up three fingers, waiting a moment to ensure that King had understood the signal. Then he stood still, as if waiting. Giving King the first attack, allowing him to run away, or perhaps simply waiting for the right moment to pounce.


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Meanwhile, a completely different scene played out. Even as Albert circled the great palace at the centre of Aegis, a storm of tiny white paper figures slammed into him. A swarm of paper planes, imbued with minor spirit. Their edges were magically enhanced to be a sharp as blades, and the effect was very much like being in a drying machine with a knife collection. Cuts appeared across his body, even as Eclipse attempted to ward off the assault. And yet Eclipse could sense the true origin of the attack. These tiny paper creatures were merely golems, created to function as a weapon from afar.

Kiyoki stood outside the gates of the palace, having completed his preparations. The rain bent around him, a strange child hovering above his head and averting the water. A minor spirit of rain, bound to serve as a magical umbrella. Kiyoki smiled, knowing he had been seen, and displaying his confidence even as he guided the swarm of paper blades with his left hand. He held what appeared to be a charm or fetish of some kind, a focal point for his control over the Shikigami. If he was not stopped in some way, the blades would tear both Albert and those who rode him to bloody shreds.