[center] [img]https://78.media.tumblr.com/a3b148938837c8380c1eb6e43f0d31fc/tumblr_pcvta2YxeN1w6599so1_1280.png[/img] On the way to Vertti’s house. [/center] [color=lavender]"Just stay calm Grisaia."[/color] Mistress Vertti remained by her servant. [color=lavender]"We just have to get back to the noble district. So long as we remain safe, everything will turn out alright. Were all together."[/color] [color=ffdead]“Grisaia!”[/color] Aer rushed past the two, spear drawn. [color=ffdead]“Focus on the distant threats, I’ve already cut a way through! But the two of you must return to the noble district at once!”[/color] [color=lavender]"You can do what she says to."[/color] Mistress Vertti added with a nervous smile. Alistair and Odessa swept over the cultists like a force of nature. Odessa fanned her arms out and baithed the cultists in curses. Some were able to resist, but their cries of fear let Alistair know that many, many more had not. Captain Crunch suddenly stopped when she was stimulated by Alistair’s spell. [b][color=00ddaa]”Wha? Why does my body feel so hot?”[/color][/b] After dispatching the last of the cultists in her vicinity, she shiethed her sword. One of the devilbeasts were preparing to charge for Vertti, but Crunch was able to leap towards it with a single bound. Then empowered by Alistair’s spell, started to throw hook after hook at it, empowering each blow with a spell [b][color=00ddaa]” Fura-Fura-Fura-Fura-Fura-Fura-Fura-Fura-Fura-Fura-Fura-Fura!”[/color][/b] The outcome of such an attack was obvious. It was a moderately dangerous opponent, after flame had blinded it. Alistair had just stimulated one of the mightiest sword arms in the country. [color=BF81DC]"I think she liked it."[/color] Odessa chirped. Chieko’s strength even suprised herself sometimes. Her blow forced the wolf to release the girl with a loud wimper before its entire body flew through the air and crashed into a bunch of cultists. She had managed to free Eiko, and had just enough time to help her to her feet. But they couldn’t linger here. The archbishop was headed straight for the noble district, and likely had his strongest threats with him. They couldn’t daudle here. [hr] The noble district was surrounded by barricades, and people were being dumped in by the second. Most of those coming in were humans, and for good reason. Demihumans were of course all suspect of being with the bandits. They were all checked and asked for any passports to confirm their housing before being let in. Those that weren’t were “quarantined” to a special area where they had to have their stories confirmed. With the arrival of Captain Crunch, this process could begin. [b][color=00ddaa]”Thank you everyone, I’m glad you stayed and fought with me. We wouldn’t have saved as many people without you.”[/color][/b] She turned to look at Alistair. [b][color=00ddaa]”I wouldn’t be oppose to trying a second date. That double date with Sandra Fotos was, well, I don’t think it should count. Once this is all over we can go someplace really nice to eat.”[/color][/b] She turned around. [b][color=00ddaa]”For now I have some stories to confirm.”[/color][/b] She walked towards the group of demihumans. [b][color=00ddaa]”We don’t have much time before they attack again, so decide what you want to do before they come. Remain by the barricade if you want to fight them directly, or you hold up in Vertti’s mansion. It’s rather spacious, and where the bulk of the civilians are hiding. If they try to ambush us, it would be good to have some people over there. Also Mono should be arriving shortly. I don’t advise going out after him. He can handle himself. But of course, you are free to ignore me. You seem like you can handle yourselves.”[/color][/b] [hr] [center] Belriggers cool crib [/center] Ashton had never seen a cultist. Not until now anyway. And they were talking to a demihuman bandit of all things. Ashton knew what he had to do though. He swiftly slit their throats. Clearly peace wasn’t an option anymore. This went against his code, his character, but it had to be done. That was when Ashton heard the low grumbling voice of an Oni nobleman. [b]”Murderer.”[/b] Gris had his sword drawn. [b]”Figured you’d show up with all the cultists. Killed the healer and his demihuman wife. I’d expect nothing less from shit like you!”[/b] That was when the situation came into focus for Ashton. Gris had to be insane. He thought that the cultist was a healer, and the bandit was his wife. Absurd, Ashton knew better. [color=tomato]”Stand down Gris. Leave this to the law.”[/color] Ashton didn’t know who this woman was. Wait! Yes he did. Her name was Sandra Fotos. She was one of the most potent pyromancers in the country, and was in charge of watching over the compass. He had seen all of this information somewhere before. Perhaps in some of Belrigger’s books? The point was this woman was dangerous and… she rubbed him the wrong way. Ashton could feel there was something off about her. An aura of evil. She didn’t belong in this world, but was he strong enough to strike her down? Flames bellowed out from under her feet with every step that she took. [color=tomato]”Ashton Andrews.”[/color] Flames swirled around the war banner in her left hand. [color=tomato]”What are you trying to do here?”[/color] The sword in her right hand coated itself in flames. Her form was becoming difficult to see. The heat distorted the air around her. [color=tomato]”Surely you’ve come here for more than mindless slaughter?”[/color] That was when it finally clicked for Ashton. She was the new Witch of Envy.