[b][i][u]Location: Nightmare Unitita - Hakurei Shrine[/u][/i][/b] [b][i]BGM:[/i][/b] [i]Dance to the Death[/i] still playing [i]The giant Nightamre used its instruments to attack. The trumped was the first one to move, shooting a big beam at the group. Reimu and Alice counterattacked with danmaku, but the drum beagn to play, creating a barrier and shielding the attacks.[/i] [img]https://i.imgur.com/yRut6x7.png[/img] Alice: A barrier?! [img]https://i.imgur.com/G6x8NMF.png[/img] Reimu: That drum generated it. Unless we beat it first, we're not getting close to it. [img]https://i.imgur.com/i5X9Eab.png[/img] Umbra: The [b]Maestro[/b] use those instruments to attack. The Trumpet shoots that beam we evaded, the drum creates barriers and the violin- [img]https://i.imgur.com/rIPqrIP.png[/img] Jin: The drum creates barriers, huh? I'm on it! [img]https://i.imgur.com/8ohyuBZ.png[/img] Ictio: Wait, you shouldn't! [i]Jin charged at the drum, in hopes of hitting it. However, the violin started to play a cacophonic note that paralyzed him it his tracks, alongside everyone else.[/i] [img]https://i.imgur.com/4KLRCXU.png[/img] Kiragi: Aaah!! My ears!! [img]https://i.imgur.com/NodlO6Q.png[/img] Cookie: This loud noise...!! [img]https://i.imgur.com/9S6co1u.png[/img] Umbra: This is what the violin does... [img]https://i.imgur.com/BVcdHPh.png[/img] Alice: J-Jin, get out of there!! [i]But he couldn't move. That gave the drumstick enough time to knock him away. Jin was sent towards them, but Kaito managed to stop him.[/i] [img]https://i.imgur.com/tqfHLBg.png[/img] Kaito: You good? [img]https://i.imgur.com/TK11q2W.png[/img] Jin: Yeah. Thanks, man. Kiragi: H-How are we going to reach it?! [img]https://i.imgur.com/9zA4Ndn.png[/img] Reimu: I don't know... we need to break off their formation, but how? [i]A blue blur went flashing through them and towards the drum. Since the Maestro was distracted with the trumpet attack, the drum couldn't generate a barrier and it was hit. When it stopped, Kaito recognized the flash instantly.[/i] [img]https://i.imgur.com/MIg8AJP.png[/img] Kaito: Auror?! [i][b]BGM:[/b][/i] [url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SuQjb4nQe40]In the Shadows[/url] [i]One of the drumsticks tried to hit Auror but he jumped away before that could happen. Holding a spear of ice, the weapon he used to attack the drum, he looked back at them. Marina soon arrived as well.[/i] [img]https://i.imgur.com/6w6BHBb.png[/img] Marina: Miss Reimu! Everyone! You are safe! [img]https://i.imgur.com/agd9Niv.png[/img] Cookie: Well, seems like help came earlier than I thought. [img]https://i.imgur.com/zZURtMk.png[/img] Auror: *sigh* Why I had a feeling you'd come here and why did I have to be right, Kaito? [img]https://i.imgur.com/4b0HCfQ.png[/img] Kaito: Well... that's... [img]https://i.imgur.com/SM3md5j.png[/img] Reimu: Save the discussions from later. Your name is Auror, right? Thanks to you, we managed to knock the drum for a while, so the barriers will stop spamming quickly. [img]https://i.imgur.com/vDVUdnu.png[/img] Alice: It'll still generate them, though. [img]https://i.imgur.com/ATGUitS.png[/img] Auror: I'll distract it and you all go after the instruments, if I am to say they're te targets. [img]https://i.imgur.com/UWsb3vZ.png[/img] Alice: That's right. Before we can hit their leader, we need to deal with the instruments first. [img]https://i.imgur.com/GAlH9eg.png[/img] Auror: Got it. Leave the drum to me. [i]Using his wind magic, Auror went at fast speeds towards the drum in order to attack it and distract it. It generated barriers, like Alice said, but at a slower rate. However, with it focused on a target, the other instruments would be left unprotected.[/i] [img]https://i.imgur.com/v0dypAV.png[/img] Reimu: Now we need to take care of the other two instruments. The trumpet shoots lasers and the violin seems to disrupt us with its sound. [img]https://i.imgur.com/HGLjikU.png[/img] Alice: Then let's divide it like this. Those who fight in close combat go after the trumpet and who fight at the distance go after the violin. What do you think? [img]https://i.imgur.com/nejBcc1.png[/img] Jin: Sounds like a good plan. Then it's me, the kid and Cookie against the trumpet then! [img]https://i.imgur.com/IAxCOYo.png[/img] Cookie: You can count on me. [img]https://i.imgur.com/FbEGXXX.png[/img] Kaito: Heh, you can call me "kid" but I'll show you how it's done! [img]https://i.imgur.com/k34FJHT.png[/img] Reimu: Marina, Alice, the little boy and the spirits, let's get the violin. Be careful of the sound it makes! [img]https://i.imgur.com/bmqMyi9.png[/img] Alice: Got it! [img]https://i.imgur.com/kHFM33k.png[/img] Marina: As you command! [img]https://i.imgur.com/sElnvwR.png[/img] Ictio: Let's do this!! [img]https://i.imgur.com/iIczHsM.png[/img] Umbra: Why are you so excited for this? [img]https://i.imgur.com/hm1aRZU.png[/img] Kiragi: Let's go, everyone!! [i]They split up according to the plan. Marina, Reimu, Alice, Kiragi and the twin sprites went after the violin as Jin, Cookie and Kaito went after the trumpet. Auror, alone, attacked the drum.[/i] [b][i][u]Location: Fleeting Memories School - Entrance[/u][/i][/b] [i]The bell finally rang and the students began to leave one by one. Frustrated, Mia planned into leaving by herself. However, that plan was cut short, since someone came to escort her back. He walked towards her direction, beaming a cool smile.[/i] ???: In low spirits today, little Mia? [img]https://i.imgur.com/a2TCMdP.png[/img] Mia: *sigh* Yes, Lieutenant [b]Sieghart[/b]... [img]https://i.imgur.com/oLf8mwp.png[/img] [b][i]Unknown Prime Knight Ercnard Sieghart[/i][/b] [i]When she joined the knights, Mia had expectations to be trained under Krantz's wing. However, Sieghart was the one who trained her. She had no idea of taking upon the sword from the beginning, as the Aegis is one of her family's heirlooms. Still, he trained her with the usage of the shield. And while Mia admits he's skilled, her superior's attitude irritates her a bit.[/i] [img]https://i.imgur.com/hAfs9pU.png[/img] Sieghart: Come on, don't make that sad face. Beam a smile, it fits you more. [img]https://i.imgur.com/h5ZefdM.png[/img] Mia: I'm not up for jokes today, Lieutenant. [img]https://i.imgur.com/g17ddq7.png[/img] Sieghart: Really now? Well, you're never up for jokes anyway. [img]https://i.imgur.com/zXLpfG5.png[/img] Mia: If I am to be escorted somewhere, why did Sir Krantz sent you? Couldn't he have sent Captain Ronan or Major Quaid? [img]https://i.imgur.com/nIym971.png[/img] Sieghart: Ow, how cold. Why do I, your superior and master, need to be mistreated like this? [img]https://i.imgur.com/EMl2V8O.png[/img] Mia: Don't start a drama here. Leave that for when we're back at the base. [img]https://i.imgur.com/Zcp2vxg.png[/img] Sieghart: If you say so. By the way, Ronan and Quaid are busy with other missions so they couldn't come to fetch you. And Krantz is kinda busy as well, so we'll have a sparring session today. [img]https://i.imgur.com/zvjKnFL.png[/img] Mia: Fine, I understand. Let's just go already. [i]Mia and Sieghart left the school perimeters and went towards the Winter District. With their images away from the sights of the students, Lilina, Masaru and Drake came down next.[/i] [img]https://i.imgur.com/HEtuJ3M.png[/img] Drake: That was a hell of a day, damn... I'm tired... [img]https://i.imgur.com/eA0a4Jh.png[/img] Masaru: Drake, you need to put some more backbone into it. Your grades are really low, so you got to make through the semester or else you'll fluke. [img]https://i.imgur.com/L9rqNd6.png[/img] Drake: Whatever, man... who cares about grades. I'm just gonna head home. [img]https://i.imgur.com/txOEg2x.png[/img] Masaru: If you say so. We should be going too, Lilina. [img]https://i.imgur.com/gKZUJln.png[/img] Lilina: Actually, I'll take a detour. I need to go see something at the Guild before I can go home. [img]https://i.imgur.com/oWMDf9z.png[/img] Masaru: Really? Well then, shall we go there? [img]https://i.imgur.com/8ds0XqO.png[/img] Lilina: About that, I need to go alone. [i]Drake and Masaru looked at each other. They started to suspect a little about what Lilina wanted there and why she needed to go alone.[/i] [img]https://i.imgur.com/D6KGny3.png[/img] Drake: Hey, you know it's dangerous for you to be walking around undefended like you intend to, right? Also, what do you need to see there? [img]https://i.imgur.com/MO2FIyB.png[/img] Lilina: Oh, I was hoping to talk with Sir Kail about the help he offered earlier. [img]https://i.imgur.com/tEUc519.png[/img] Masaru: If that's the case, then why can't I come along? [img]https://i.imgur.com/g9IEQQT.png[/img] Lilina: Look, I'd rather talk about this alone with him. It'll be fine, I'll be careful! [img]https://i.imgur.com/OkRzA62.png[/img] Drake: Lilina... [img]https://i.imgur.com/b7F2Hy2.png[/img] Lilina: Just this once! I need to go alone this time! [i]They were still suspecting her, but Lilina was insistent on the idea. Both of them sighed.[/i] [img]https://i.imgur.com/qF7hVu2.png[/img] Drake: You're lucky I got something to check today, so I can't come along. [img]https://i.imgur.com/QkTZpGM.png[/img] Masaru: I'll let you go this time, but phone me if something happens. [img]https://i.imgur.com/DMeVsTd.png[/img] Lilina: I will. Don't worry, I'm sure it'll be fine. [i]Drake and Masaru left, each to their own way. Lilina breathed a little, wiping off a little of sweat.[/i] [img]https://i.imgur.com/Jatcmsq.png[/img] Lilina: (And here I promised I wouldn't lie again. I can't just tell them the truth... not until I can confirm something.) [i]Lilina left the school and walked towards the World Crossers Guild, blending in the rest of the students for safety. In the moment she was out of vision range, another group of students came down.[/i] [img]https://i.imgur.com/lXYN8dy.png[/img] Veronica: Where's Big Bro? I thought he'd be here, waiting for me. [img]https://i.imgur.com/ZMWVWGL.png[/img] Xaizor: Marina wasn't there with you to as well and she isn't here. Where the hell did she went off to? [img]https://i.imgur.com/o2loxn2.png[/img] Veronica: I mean, did something happen? There didn't seem to be happening any sort of attack around here, though. [img]https://i.imgur.com/aEtuiNo.png[/img] Sayaka: Maybe they were called by the Guild or something? [img]https://i.imgur.com/kjRX9Bh.png[/img] Veronica: But the Guild doesn't have much contact with Ancestor families and they would've contacted my father, not Big Bro, if that were to be the case. [img]https://i.imgur.com/0A4VIEH.png[/img] Xaizor: If they did, why Marina would go there with them too? Where's even the point? [img]https://i.imgur.com/5ZU3Rym.png[/img] Sayaka: What could have happened? Do you think they're OK? [img]https://i.imgur.com/FkIKlzW.png[/img] Veronica: I'm pretty sure they're fine. [img]https://i.imgur.com/FZgkrmM.png[/img] Xaizor: Well, if that's the case, I'm heading home now. See you all tomorrow. [i]Xaizor left Veronica and Sayaka at the gate and went towards the shrine. But when he looked at it...[/i] [img]https://i.imgur.com/vBu3sm4.png[/img] Xaizor: What the hell...? What the actual hell?! [i]Seeing as it vanished, he darted towards his home in this world. It had vanished, for reasons unknown.[/i] [b][i][u]Location: Kanzakai School - Entrance Gate[/u][/i][/b] [i]After a while, they managed to evacuate all the students. Outside of the school, Fuindor and Orie took breaths. Sumireko, still injured and unconscious, was taken outside.[/i] [img]https://i.imgur.com/4T3rb4I.png[/img] Fuindor: Good... we managed to evacuate the students... [img]https://i.imgur.com/6KKBMT3.png[/img] Orie: I'm going to call an ambulance for Sumireko. Fuindor, go back inside and see if there's no one left behind. [img]https://i.imgur.com/2zLEJ9d.png[/img] Fuindor: G-Got it. The others haven't left yet, so I'll check if any of them is injured too. [i]Fuindor went back inside the school. As Orie began to call an ambulance, a single girl stood behind.[/i] [img]https://i.imgur.com/VrtyqIp.png[/img] ???: He went back in... and the attackers are still there. This is not good at all. [img]https://i.imgur.com/1ixJ8ru.png[/img] ??? (I need to be quick. Focus, [b]Melissa[/b], focus. Just go and fetch everyone. I need to help them!) [img]https://i.imgur.com/wfwGKGR.png[/img] [b][i]Snow White of Humble Thoughts Melissa C. Maestra[/i][/b] [i]Determined to help, Melissa ran inside the school while Orie was distracted in order to help them. Even as a powerless human as she is, she might be able to do something.[/i]