[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/uurhDHh.jpg[/img][/center][hr]If Umi’s attacks, if one could call them that, were meant to be intimidating or even a remote distraction, she would be sorely mistaken. For one reason or another, the dirt she flung at the Mysterious Figure landed just behind him in a clump on the ground. Curiously, the same happened to her hand as she went to grab his ankles, though physically her flesh remained. Then it became blatantly obvious; the dirt and her hand had both phased through their opponent, as if he was a phantom of the unknown.

Though regardless of this trick of his, there was a crucial factor that was overlooked. The Mysterious Figure, the original one, was still walking towards the group, as calm as ever. However, the one attacking Kanbaru and now Umi was definitely still there. With each step, the truth was unveiled. As if from the shadows, copies of their original opponent manifested, including the one that had initially attacked Kanbaru. It was no speed-as far as the group knew-but the Mysterious Figure copying himself to attack their party on all sides.

The one who unleashed his flurry of strikes upon Kanbaru and phased through Umi’s maneuvers, now turned on his heel to deliver the assault onto her. With swift moves and lighting-paced strikes, he swung at Umi without a falter in his step. Likewise, two more copies emerged and headed right for Akiko’s group consisting of herself, Rose, and Kanbaru. One of them sidestepped away from Rose’s cast lightning, the bolt hitting the ground near his feet before he dashed at Rose with swiping blades and an intent to kill.

The second one focused entirely on Akiko, responding in equal terms to her taunting with one of its own. Instead of attacking with twisted blades of cards, it summoned a blank card and let it hover towards the sky. In moments the card burst into flames to rain down an orb of fire large enough to cover two fields. It was perhaps some luck that Kanbaru had recovered as she had and prepared to unleash a geyser of water because there was little doubt the Bard and Rose could hold back a meteor by themselves.

In the last moment, Tokuda stepped forward in an act of bravado with shield at the ready. The great orb of fire and earth slammed into his shield, exploding on contact and filling the area in fire and flames. No doubt he had fulfilled his duty to protect the ladies, but it was hardly going to matter in the long run. Especially when one copy was still aiming to strike at Rose while the other was set to summon another meteor upon the gathered group.

The only one not clustered in one spot was Umi who, for better or worse, had been isolated. The copy that attacked Kanbaru still focused on her and this time it was joined at last by the original. Having closed the distance between them, now there were two Mysterious Figures, each slashing at Umi with maddening speeds. Both were relentless in their moves, both intent to keep her isolated from the rest of her allies.[hr]