[center][h2][color=turquoise][b]The Cereal Killer[/b][/color][/h2][/center]

As twilight fell to nighttime, Runch had made a point to take up shelter where he felt safe with Erina and the still unconscious Cyril. The previous night gave way to a massive storm which nearly drowned him, he was not about to take such a risk again, and so set about creating a fine structure from the top of a building. There with his bori bori powers he ensured a drainage system to keep any flood waters away, and a comfortable dwelling from which they each could sleep that night. While his caution certain had been warranted, the suspected danger turned out to be something completely different, for no storm clouds raged upon the world this night. Rather, shadowy spectres of creatures, large and small, formed among the streets. The pirate captain inquired Erina for her expertise, but she could not identify them without a closer inspection. Only one detail could be provided from the kitsune: whatever they were, they were not ghosts. At least none she had been familiar with.

Runch kept a close eye when he could, spying the figures as they moved about in a neverending patrol. Thankfully none came up to his dwelling, and so they remained safe. However, despite the things' off putting appearances, they felt strangely familiar. It wasn't until halfway through his nights sleep that Runch realized why. They took the forms of many individuals he recalled seeing at the gathering, before they had all been dispersed throughout the city. Then these were... Losers? The thought began to creep into his head, a nagging feeling of discomfort. What actually [i]happened[/i] to the losers that these things were spawning at night in such great numbers? He would have to wait until morning before dwelling further on the matter. No rest meant accomplishing nothing during the day.

[hr]

Several beeps stirred Runch from his deep sleep, jolting him upward. No sooner had his mind focused on the reality of the waking world did the announcer's voice come in from his nearby escort drone. Semi-finals, eh? Only two more battles. Well, two more "official" battles. More College staff could find him, or whatever else this bizarre city had lurking in it. Wait, the city! Runch practically jumped toward the window, gazing out to inspect the streets. The shadowy spectres from last night were gone, no trace left. Peculiar.

Then the drone's voice caught Runch's attention again, as Oren took on an entirely new tone and persona. It had thrown the pirate for a moment, being so used to the man projecting something altogether more upbeat and bombastic. Oren didn't tell anything Runch hadn't already found out for himself, but the idea that Oren knew himself, well, that at least said something in itself. The captain pondered, slumping back against the artificial wall he had constructed the previous night, as to the course of actions he would take moving forward. His drone was clearly pointing toward a new opponent (though it seemed to be malfunctioning giving its erratic movement) and so he could most definitely progress forward that way. Then again, Oren just admitted that there was something else going on that the College had no control over, and limited knowledge about. It would be incredibly selfish to forge onward for a wish in the face of such a mystery that affected them all. What if the machine was far more nefarious than anyone knew? And of course, there was Sir Cyril Boniface, still unconscious from his injuries in their battle the previous day. Runch swore to take care of the man until he recovered, and fully intended to fulfill that promise. 

That settled the matter, then. The captain glanced around over to the two makeshift beds he had made for his traveling companions. Cyril remained asleep, while Erina had been up, apparently in some sort of meditation. He wouldn't bother her for now, and approached Cyril to check on the knight's well being. [color=turquoise]"Are you able to move?"[/color] he asked, in hopes the vanguard would suddenly spring to life and do a jig. Of course, he checked for vitals as best he could as well. If Cyril did awaken, then that would be a most splendid development, sweeter than the finest fruit! If he did not, then the captain knew what he would have to do: carry the man back to his ship, The Guppy, where his very own crew physician could provide care. Yes, that would be best.