[center][img]https://i.imgur.com/oe1uZEE.png[/img][/center][hr][sub]mentions:[@Searat][@Gentlemanvaultboy][@WindsOfFate][/sub][h1][color=white]Gou[/color][/h1]
[indent][color=darkgray]Gou's sharp silver eyes narrowed in the darkness of the sewer tunnels, making sure to pace himself so as to not give away his position while running beneath the city. The beast panted non-stop as its speed increased further - it truly was a struggle to keep its footfalls light. He snarled as the water continued to splash around, wetting his fur. From what he could recall, the Elders back at the Yuheng Sect did mention having to run across underground tunnels, but nobody ever told him it would be this [i]wet[/i]. 

[color=#E6E8FA][i]They'll definitely be hearing from me once I'm back...[/i][/color]

Its nails dug into the concrete and skidded to a halt-- this was the place. He shook himself dry, then readied himself. A yowl echoed in the tunnels as the wolf leaned back on its hind legs and positioned its heavy body upright. Its neck stretched up towards the tall opening of the sewers, and its limbs began to morph and elongate, gradually overwriting fur with tough human skin. The once-quadruped creature now stood taller as a man at six feet - with coarse and wavy hair that fell to his waist. 

Soon, a wet thud was heard as the backpack that was previously secured to the wolf's chest waist fell to the floor, unable to be held up any longer by the man's slimmer torso. Grunting, he lazily leaned one arm against the wall to support himself. With his signature eye-roll and a click of the tongue, the man pursed his lips into a thin line and waited.

[color=#E6E8FA][i]"As always, the transformation takes its sweet time."[/i][/color]

It took some time before his tail finally disappeared - and just like that, all traces of his beast-form were gone. Gou let out an exasperated sigh as he walked over to the bag to turn it over, emptying its contents onto one hand. In swift motions he slipped into the [url=https://imgur.com/vdPXCW6]black mission garb[/url] the Yuheng Sect provided its students. The seamstresses of Yuheng had spiritual arrays sown across the inner linings and hems of the robe, so their wearers were mostly protected against various types of spiritual and elemental damage. Along with this, it looked rather elegant, inconspicuous, and allowed for nimble movement in the heat of combat. The only remark Gou could think of was that the robes were definitely not waterproof. With a sigh, he proceeded to tie his hair into a high ponytail.

Soon after securing both his hair and then the scabbard that held his dao to his waist, he gripped the ladder in front of him with both arms and pulled himself up. During the climb, Gou began to hear faint rumbling and voices that grew louder the higher up he progressed.

[color=green][i]"Greetings, hostile xeno-lifeform. Prepare for termination."[/i][/color] a monotonous, alarm-like voice resounded within the tunnel hole; accompanied by another voice not long after. Gou's curiosity only grew further, scaling faster up the ladder until he reached the manhole cover. He twisted it slowly, hoping to not alert anyone on site. 

Popping his head up, he had made it just in time to hear the second voice from earlier continue:

[color=white][i]"That should do it, a perfect cube. Now have at it."[/i][/color]

Gou stared in awe at the giant cube surrounding several select entities - a couple of which looked human, and others not. Using the chance to stay hidden, he gave the battleground a once-over and took note of the people currently present. 

Firstly, what looked like his assigned target: a grotesque being that almost resembled a human... with a helmet in place of a head. It held a traffic sign that read "75 mph" and looked rather ready to defend itself.

Second -  a tall, hulking figure that Gou could only refer to as a mech. This thing must have been where the loud voice came from - it definitely looked like it. The robot stood completely grounded with an arm pointed forward at Gou's target, already emitting a  ray of light - a strange type of magical energy that he was not familiar with.  Rest assured, he did NOT want to get in the way of that light.

Next, his eyes swept over a lady with white hair and an outfit that made the young wolf quickly avert his eyes momentarily. Looking back, she seemed to be happily... walking towards the enemy. [i]Surely, she must have something up her sleeve...[/i] Gou thought to himself, his initial concern for her depleting as he decided to assume the latter.

Lastly, the beast spirit looked towards the man who he assumed was the one who just finished speaking. The figure was lithe and bright, donning a suit that made him look nearly celestial. [i]He mentioned a 'perfect cube'... this must be it-"[/i] Gou exclaimed inwardly, giving the cube another glance before he finally settled on a decision.

With a loud scrape, he pushed the manhole cover to the side and swiftly lifted himself onto the ground. After revealing himself, he promptly bowed in the direction of the two humans and singular robot. Gou then cupped his hands around his mouth and yelled loud enough for the others to hear:

[b][color=#E6E8FA]"From the Yuheng Sect - here to provide assistance!"[/color][/b] he figured that he needed to make it clear whose side he was on first - only then proceeding to make his way between the robot and the man in white. Gou unsheathed his [url=https://i.imgur.com/PGV3QJj.png]dao[/url] and prepared for the sign-monster to make a move.[/color][/indent]