[b]Kotori Shirohane - Mirror Warakuma | After School[/b]

Luckily for Kotori, Akane too knew Alexei and took over explaining about the third year. She was a little surprised herself to learn that he was part of the Manga Club - something which, apparently, he had in common with not only Akanae but also Rui. Meanwhile, Ayano hadn't been idle and just moments later announced that she'd managed to plot a route for the group to find Alexei. Rui wasted no time in ordering the pursuit and they set off - even if Kotori still had a sinking feeling about this cult, considering that they had somehow managed to subdue someone of his size and stature.

[b]Kotori Shirohane - Crypt of Hopes and Dreams | After School[/b]

The sight of the dungeon was... odd. Not that the previous one had been any better in that regard - but even while Kotori hadn't known what to expect, it likely wasn't this. It was a building of sorts, but with some rathe strange architecture which looked more at home in some medieval story of knights and dragons - yet at the same time, the colours clashed more than a bit with that image. However, before the dungeon - helpfully named by a banner as the 'Crypt of Hopes and Dreams', for whatever that might mean - could come under closer scrutiny, the group's attention was drawn to the figure standing outside: Kaminari.

After explaining what he'd seen - including the dungeon forming from thin air in front of him - he suggested that he stay behind with Ayano to guide any belated arrivals and serve as backup. Due to their already reduced numbers, this meant that the group was already decided - Ayano would be their guide, Rui would lead and Akane, Sato and Kotori would be following him. Kotori took a deep breath before nodding to acknowledge the decision - even after already having braved a dungeon previously, it wasn't exactly a prospect she was looking forward to repeating. Even less so now that she was standing right in front of the, at closer look, somewhat foreboding dungeon. Still, she was here to help anothe kidnapping victim - and the others were heading inside, leaving little time for any doubts as she followed them in.

[b]Kotori Shirohane - Crypt of Hopes and Dreams: Floor 1 | After School[/b]

Thankfully, the dungeon turned out to not pose much in the way of danger - the few shadows that did cross the group's path were quickly annihilated with little to no damage incurred in return; something Kotori was rather thankful for. This in turn meant that the group quickly progressed through the dungeon floor - but despite the only very light resistance, Kotori couldn't help but feel a little uneasy about the dungeon itself. The tombs and candles, even if they seemed almost comically toy-like, still gave off an unnerving vibe to her - and she half-expected shadows to suddenly pop up from unexpected angles to scare them, though that never came to pass before they arrived at a sort of clearing - upon which stood a somewhat familiar figure. Or rather, two - Alexei and, if the previous dungeon and her own experience was anything to go by, his shadow.

The two were already engaged in some sort of fist fight and shouting match - though most of the punching and shouting came from only one side whilst the other seemed far more calm. Just as they managed to get close enough to clearly see the two and easily follow the conversation, the group realised that they were too late as Alexei uttered the fateful words of the shadow not being him. [color=green]"Ah!"[/color] came from Kotori as one Alexei - the real one - was thrown heavily into one of the tombs. The other one, meanwhile, transformed before their eyes - turning into a strange creature. One girl laying upon the ground. The shadow itself, retaining much of its apperance. And the creature upon which it stood - which caused Kotori's eyes to briefly go wide behind her glasses at the sight.

An enormous masked humanoid creature, encased in some sort of armour, was hunched over the girl. However, this armour was pierced by dozens of huge bloodied blades - in fact, the whole thing was covered in bloody splatters. And to make matters worse, the girl began to cry out - in a voice which Kotori again recognised as being that of Alexei's sister, Elena. However, this sound was cut short by the shadow's voice - no longer calm, it shouted down at the girl before turning to address the group with its words and making clear its intent to make them disappear.

It didn't give more than that for a warning before immediately wrenching some of the bloody blades out of the creature's back - and hurling them at the group. The attack happened so quickly, Kotori barely had any time to react - but thankfully, the others had been more ready for such a thing and already sprung into action. Rui and Sato quickly dashed off to the sides to avoid the attack whilst Akane, using Setana, put herself between Kotori and the shadow; blocking its barrage with ease. [color=green]"S-sorry,"[/color] Kotori quickly mumbled out of guilt for having forced the othe girl to have to throw herself in the way of an attack because she hadn't been quick enough herself.

Rui, meanwhile, had already begun putting his experience to use and noticed that attacking from the sides would be their best bet as turning seemed to be a little difficult for this shadow. [color=green]"Right,"[/color] Kotori said, nodding to affirm the command, as she already raised one hand. In her palm floated an ethereal blue card - which was shattered with a single motion and a word: [color=green]"Kikuri-hime."[/color] Kotori's persona emerged, allowing her to fight with its assistance rathe than having to rely on just her physical abilities. The presence of Kikuri-hime once more had an almost calming effect on her - taking a deep breath, she immediately began to head off to try and follow Rui's order of flanking the shadow; keeping a close eye on it to try and avoid any subsequent attacks instead of having to burden the others whilst at the same time keeping Kikuri-hime ready to heal any sustained injuries at a moment's notice.