[h2]Goblins in the Sewer, Round 2[/h2]

Featuring: 
‘This isn’t my first sewer trip’ Ronin, 
‘I don’t miss slime that much‘ Miko, &
‘Can no longer put it in crazy’ Sann 

Hunting goblins. It was an ever popular side job for magicals of all shapes and ages, and by ‘popular’ I mean hated. And by all ‘shapes and sizes’ I mean only those who didn’t have better prospects. Add in the fact it was going to be in a sewer and there was a recent cold snap. It was going to be a cold, filthy, trudge through the underbelly of Penrose. One that would likely be icier than last time.

But hey at least they were getting paid. 

Because of the ubiquity of the need to hunt goblins one could take this job from half a dozen people at half a dozen times and hunt in half a dozen locations. Yet they always seemed to start the same way, standing above a hole that led into darkness and the sound of water in the distance. This time the hole was a manhole located in some back alley and the water was the rush of sewer water.  

The air was rank due to the open entryway into the sewers but at least there was no wind in the alley. There was fresh snowfall and the cold temperature practically ensured that there would be ice both up above, under the snow, and down below in the tunnels below.

This one girl, however, had a clear, well-defined reason to be back in the sewers. This wasn't about the money, which was just a bonus. This was for a bit of cathartic revenge.

[color=55B7AA]‘Fufufu…’[/color] Ronin chuckled where she stood in front of the manhole entrance of the sewers, her arms crossed with flowing determination. She grinned. [color=55B7AA]‘When I was new in town, I figured I was going to aim for the lowest of the lowest! And nobody is lower than the sewer-goblins! However, I ran into the issue I couldn’t frickin’ find them, and had to leave unsatisfied! I bet you think you’re so clever, hiding in the disgusting darkness below the city, where nobody could find you? Well, maybe you were right… but tonight, you are WRONG!’[/color] Ronin told, as she spun out of the way to gesture behind her. 

[color=55B7AA]‘Behold! The grand weakness of your plan and that which guides the bringer of your doom! My SISTER, and her MAP!’[/color] she called dramatically, and Miko dramatically pulled out the Super-Map with intention, immediately giving her a basic overview of the sewers below! It even showed the locations of living beings inside the sewer! Ronin grinned confidently. [color=55B7AA]‘It’s time we gave these sewers a proper cleansing~!’[/color]

[color=55B7AA]‘Alright! Let’s go!’[/color] Ronin grinned so happily as she prepared to jump down the manhole… when she looked over to the other person present. [color=55B7AA]‘Hey, are you a new magical girl? Haven’t seen you around before. Oh, are you here because, as a new girl, it makes sense to start with hunting the lowest of the low!?’[/color] Ronin asked, her eyes suddenly sparkling.

[color=55B7AA]‘Well, you’re in luck!’[/color] she said, lifting a fist and pointing back at herself with a thumb. [color=55B7AA]‘I’m Ronin, a veteran goblin-killer and hunt-goer! I can show you the ropes and show you how it’s done! It’s just goblins down there, so this’ll be easy! If you’re ever afraid, just hide behind me! I’ll keep you safe!’[/color] That the new girl looked anything but prone to fear passed her mind but she chose to ignore it.

Miko squinted at Ronin a bit, before putting away the map and bowing to her. [color=DC9495]‘Thank you, big sis, for saving my life. It’s so sad that our parting must come this soon…’[/color] she said, sounding so distraught.

[color=55B7AA]‘… Wut. What are you talking about?’[/color] Ronin asked, frowning and looking in confusion at her sister.

[color=DC9495]‘You’re talking like one of those over-confident will-definitely-die people from the first episode. Assuming our new girl is the main character, that means we will definitely run into trouble, one of us will probably die, and from how you spoke, it will surely be you…’[/color] Miko sighed as she stood up straight, her eyes sad as she grabbed around her body. [color=DC9495]‘I will treasure these last moments with you. I can only pray our inevitable savior will come to save the main character before I suffer the worst imaginable fate…’[/color]

[color=55B7AA]‘…OY! I WAS JUST TRYING TO MAKE A GOOD FIRST IMPRESSION! DON’T WRITE US OFF LIKE THAT! I’VE HAD AN ARC, AND EVERYTHING! I WON’T DIE IN SOME SIDE-QUEST!’[/color] Ronin went over to knock on her sister’s head, but Miko spun away.

[color=DC9495]‘Aaah… Denial is the first step of grief… I can still hear her voice…’[/color]

The two girls commenced giggling with Miko dodging Ronin’s playful punches and grabs.

Meanwhile, another figure had joined this hunt, albeit for entirely different reasons. Sann clenched her fist and checked the balance and feel of the limb, almost in a daze and completely ignoring the duo’s antics for now.

A sewer hunt with her massive wings in such a cramped space had added difficulty. It made good training, she thought. And besides, it was low-key enough to keep herself conspicuous even if her tendences flared up. She had achieved this shape to stay unknown to a degree, and the showboating she had done in her earlier stint was completely out of question.

Her wings then stretched, enclosing each one of the girls with one of the fluffy appendices, before raising her finger to her mouth, indicating the other two girls with a faint, eerie whisper. “Shhh…”

“You will scare the prey.” She said.

Ronin and Miko both turned wide-eyed as suddenly the wings closed around them, and the new girl gave them a simple message. They were quiet for a bit, before…

[color=DC9495]‘Ronin, I think you dramatically misjudged the new girl,’[/color] Miko said.

[color=55B7AA]‘Miko, I think you’re right,’[/color] Ronin replied. [color=55B7AA]‘Okay, will be more quiet. I’m Ronin,’[/color] Ronin said, and then gestured over. 

[color=DC9495]‘And I’m Miko. We’re twins, and we’re Reinforcement and Air specialists, plus we have the map to help find our targets,’[/color] Miko continued.

[color=55B7AA]‘A pleasure to be working with you?’[/color] Ronin asked, a little unsure how to talk to this girl. Especially with the wings holding them.

“Sanngridr. Chooser of the Slain.” Sann replied, still in a faint whisper, as she tightened both girls around her somewhat. They seemed full and brimming of energy. If she gave to her desires, would they ever find their corpses? “I deal in magic, spirits and reinforcement.” She added, beaming a rather empty and tired smile. Pleasantries weren’t easy in a sewer. 

In fact it did look like an eerie smile. “A pleasure…” She added, before focusing for a second. A will-o-the wisp materialized in front of her, before giving a single command. “Scout ahead.”

[color=55B7AA]‘Oh, darn, that’s a title,’[/color] Ronin exclaimed basically immediately as it was given.

[color=DC9495]‘I’m, uh, not entirely sure a scout is needed, this map does all the… yeah, okay, let’s go with that,’[/color] Miko said, a bit hesitant with the wing squeezing like this.

[color=55B7AA]‘Er, can you let us go? We’ll be nice! Nice and quiet!’[/color] Ronin asked with a big smile.

Sann, nodded. “Scouts are always necessary. Prey is slippery.” Sann said, as she released both girls, her stare going into an unknown spot into the distance.

[color=55B7AA]‘Yupp, sounds good! A combination of the two sounds like the way to go!’[/color] Ronin nodded, and also relieved at being let go. [color=55B7AA]‘Okay, Miko, keep your eyes on the map, and I’ll keep my eyes forward!’[/color] she said, retrieving her flashlight from her belt… but not lighting it yet, maybe Sanngridr would disapprove, it could scare prey.

[color=DC9495]‘Alright,’[/color] Miko nodded, bringing out the map again to glance over the structure of the sewers… [color=DC9495]‘Shall we go, then?’[/color] 

Sann just gave a small nod.

The sewers were just as dismal as the last time Ronin was down here. Wet, cold, and foul. the only real difference being that it was notably colder than it was last time. Regardless it took barely anytime for the three of them to reach the base of the ladder and once they had made it safely down the only source of light was the still open manhole above them.

The dull roar of the sewer water flowing past drowned out any sounds that they might have been able to hear, and were it not for Miko’s map the question of which way to go would have been a coin toss at best.

On it they could easily discern a notable gathering of what could only be goblins off in the distance, and the route to get to them started with going to the left. They would be able to get in some practice before that as well, as there were one or two smaller groups between here and there that they would have to pass by as well.

The will-o-wisp would return shortly before they encountered the first of those groups. It would draw close to Sann as it whispered that which it had found down here. The goblins outside of the main grouping were ill equipped to be of any danger, the ones just around the corner had spears made out of rebar, but that was about it.

But it also spoke of something that it couldn’t quite identify within the main gathering. Someone within that place was wrong. But the wisp was too weak of a summon to tell what.

A quick peek around the corner confirmed the intel on the goblins as a band of five could be seen slowly walking along the path. Two of them seemed to be trying to spear something out of the filthy water, with another two arguing with each other. The last one seemed skittish and scared as its eyes were darting about the place seeking any hint of danger.

The three hunters were unseen, for now.

Ronin and Miko would pull back a bit to whisper strategy.

[color=DC9495]‘Okay, so we don’t really have stealth-options, do we simply charge in and hunt them down should they flee?’[/color] Miko asked, a little pained that she no longer had her Darkness-specialization, would have been useful now. [color=55B7AA]‘It’d be cool if we could surround them,’[/color] Ronin said, then looked over at Sann for input.

Sann just offered a smile, before she wagged her finger twice, creating a couple of wisps more. "Rout them.Through the walls…" The Valkyrie said, as her wings once more covered the two other warriors close to her.

The smell of blood could be noticed by the duo as Sann herself bit one of her fingers and drew a bloody Rune of Darkness upon herself, to further obscure the three shapes which would be huddled together.

[color=DC9495]‘Um, okay,’[/color] Miko said, looking a bit curiously as the wings held onto them once again. [color=55B7AA]‘Er, what are you doing now?’[/color] Ronin asked, a little unsure.

"Rune magic." Sann said, licking her own finger. "Darkness…" She whispered.

[color=55B7AA]‘Oh, yeah, I heard about that,’[/color] Ronin noted.  [color=55B7AA]‘Are you hiding us?’[/color] she asked, simply by the association with the Darkness specialization. Miko, meanwhile, tried to gently and curiously run her fingers across the feathers. So fluffy… 

Sann would instruct her wisps to emerge through the tunnels in the opposite side where they were. "...We are the hunters. Hunters...hide" She said before noticing a small tingle on her wings, and drew a finger down Miko's spine. "Stay sharp and still now…"

Miko drew in a sharp breath at the touch to her spine, fighting to stay quiet. Not unwarranted, but very startling! She did her best to focus next to Ronin… 

The one trait that goblins have that could be remarked to be a good one was their sense of smell, because despite living in such squalid conditions the scent of blood was never something that they were able to miss.

But at the same time Goblins were cowardly and skittish creatures, so the five of them would pull up their crude weapons and slowly advance towards the scent of blood. All of them expecting a wounded animal of some kind that had gotten lost.

Then the three wisps would drift out from behind the goblins, unseen at first, but it didn’t stay that way for long. The trio of wisps would rush towards the goblins whispering as loud as such small spirits could. The goblins, the prey, reacted near instantly upon noticing the ghostly apparitions. They screamed and began fleeing away from their otherworldly surprise.

Or most of them did. One goblin drew upon some unfounded sense of confidence and stayed his ground trying to swat the three wisps out of the air with his spear. The other four didn’t even bother to look over their shoulders as they tried to scramble over themselves to get away. Never knowing that they were rushing headlong into the danger, rather than away from it.

Sann would then snap open her wings all of a sudden, creating a draft of wind in front of her as she allowed her fellow teammates to push forward from her cover. She did not want to sully her sword in killing these vermin so she just punted the nearest goblin into a wall.

The wisps, being ghosts, simply phased out temporarily, but doing nothing more.

Ronin and Miko suddenly found themselves with a heavy boost at their foes, and as newly coined Air-girls they used the breeze and flew out at the goblins, each twin using some magic to adjust their flight. Miko flew high, spreading her arms to grab their attention first and then throw a quick surge of wind into the faces of the goblins for maximum disorientation.

Meanwhile, Ronin flew in crouched and low, gripping her sword and reinforcing herself to slice with as much speed and deadlines as possible, to take them out fast and thoroughly. If any survived, Miko would drop from above with her sword to help clear them out, Martial Training should put them above regular goblins in skill.

The goblins halted in shock at there being suddenly more threats, and that shock would cement their demise. The blast of wind was really just adding insult to injury at this point. 

The first goblin hit the wall with a wet crack and a dull splat, kudos to Sann’s kick.

The next two goblins would drop from Ronin’s opening gambit, her blade swung out twice with each arc cutting cleanly through them before anything could be done. The final of the goblins that charged was able to raise his weapon in time to try and block, but it was an unenchanted piece of metal. Ronin’s blade cut thought it just as easy as it did the creature holding it.

It was at this point that the sole goblin left would spin around, the scent of blood too thick for it to dismiss. Yet before it could flee, which was obviously it’s plan, Miko would drop from on high and sever the creature's head from its neck.

All in all it took less than a handful of moments. Not surprising considering the foes, but still something seemed off about how easy it was and a closer look at the felled foes would reveal that they were somewhat more emaciated than one would expect. That and they all had large patchy scars on either their torsos and limbs. Most curious.

Sanngrid let a small chuckle upon seeing her work of art, as she stepped forward towards where the assorted bodies were. "My...how lean. Not even...soup worthy." She said as she stared at her two colleagues. "Also too damaged for...wisps to use." She scoffed, before stabbing one of the dead goblin bodies in the heart with her own bare hand, attempting to see if she could get some information of their low class rabble souls.

[color=DC9495]‘… Phew,’[/color] Miko made a relieved noise as she did her wave with the sword to remove the blood and then sheathed the blade. It was her first violent experience in a long while. She didn’t do much fighting in Mariette’s charge, she was normally just a servant at Mariette’s now-no-more manor. Her last battle was those liches…

[color=55B7AA]‘Hah, take that…!’[/color] Ronin said, pleased with the result. [color=55B7AA]‘… Still, even for startled goblins, that was weak. Wait a second…’[/color] she made the noise as she crouched by her last goblin. [color=55B7AA]‘They’re… huh.’[/color] That’s a conundrum. [color=55B7AA]‘I guess goblin-life isn’t easy?’[/color] She also flinched a bit at Sann stabbing the corpse of a goblin. What for?

[color=DC9495]‘… We may find out more if we keep going,’[/color] Miko said, taking out the map and a flashlight to check it again. [color=DC9495]‘Shall we?’[/color]

Sann's face twisted in annoyance as she was interrupted. She just let a small sigh, and decided to cancel the attempt. Withdrawing her bloody hand, she then licked her bloodied fingers and let out a smile in agreement and anticipation.

"Bigger prey." She whispered.

Miko’s map would reveal an unusual turn of events. As from what she could see it looked like the goblins were mobilizing. The other ‘patrol’ group was returning to the larger gathering and there was a lot of movement happening within the gathering site itself.

A few moments later several smaller groups would leave the gathering site spread out to cover all of the tunnels nearby. The goblins seemingly knew that the hunters were here, and were looking for them. It was very out of character for goblins. The only thing that made sense was if there was something a bit bigger than a goblin ordering them around. But what that could be was unknown.

Regardless if they left now, they might be able to slip past these new patrols. If they waited their window for stealth would close.

[color=DC9495]‘What…?’[/color] Miko muttered as she saw their movements on the map. [color=DC9495]‘… They’re moving in organized patrols, searching for us. They know we’re here. Something’s commanding them. There is an opening to go directly to it while avoiding all patrols, but only if we hurry,’[/color] Miko said.

[color=55B7AA]‘The alternative is fighting a horde of organized goblins, I take it?’[/color] Ronin asked, chuckling. [color=55B7AA]‘If we fight the horde, that’d probably let the “something” get away. That’d be a pain, wouldn’t it? The opening could be a trap, but frankly, running straight into danger sounds right up my alley,’[/color] she said, then looked over to their third member. [color=55B7AA]‘What do you think, Chooser of Slain?’[/color] Ronin asked, adopting the title because that’s what she remembered.

Sann just gleefully smiled, as she drew her sword at last. "We can't expect these poor souls to be chosen by themselves." She added. "Slip. Strike. Then we feast." Sanngridr said eloquently as she ordered her wisps to possess the less savaged goblin corpses. "Distraction." She added as she then decided to fold her wings around her, to appear as stealthy as she honestly could be, and follow suit of the duo.

One last glance at the map to ensure that the route would be clear and the three of them were off.

Speed was of the essence, but it wasn’t as easy as one would have hoped. Patches of ice twice nearly caused someone to fall into the flow of raw sewage, but both times quick reactions saved someone from falling into the muck.

They would slip into the final tunnel just in time to avoid being seen and from here the chattering of the goblins ahead could be heard. Creeping forward once more they would be able to take the time to examine the area they were now in. The rushing of water was fading away slowly, the tunnel they were heading down not having any water flowing through it. A maintenance area perhaps?

A head, beyond the end of the tunnel, there was light. A fire if the flickering nature of it was any indication. It stole away the shadows in unpredictable intervals limiting how close they could advance before they risked being caught. But they could still get close enough to obtain a simple overview of the room ahead, advantages of smaller stature and a still fresh Rune.

It was a larger square shaped room, Twenty feet wide and twenty five feet long, that had many branching tunnels splitting off from it. There were still half a dozen goblins at least, more most likely from the sounds of it. Most of the smaller ones seemed just as beaten down as the ones already dispatched, but there were others that the three could catch glimpses of. Larger by a notable bit bossing the smaller goblins around, they were in obviously better health as well as better equipped. They had crude breast plates, and crude weapons, but it was purposeful not simple trash repurposed. 

What was leading them none could see, but every now and again they would hear a deeper goblinesque voice shouting out commands, or at least assumed commands by the way all the creatures would jump to start moving. The voice sounded like it was half drowned and there was always a wet hacking cough that followed after it. 

A glance at the map didn’t narrow down where the creature was in the room, no one dot was staying still, but it did reveal that they wouldn’t be able to stay here for long. One of the hunting groups was seemingly on their way back already. The hunters wouldn’t have much time before they were found.

[color=DC9495]‘... We won’t be able to stay here for long, hunting parties will be coming back soon. We’re in between whatever’s over there and those coming from behind us,’[/color] Miko mentioned, holding the Super-Map that she earlier placed a Reinforcement spell on just in case. Lots of running and slipping earlier.

[color=55B7AA]‘Win here quickly or be overwhelmed by an army of goblins, got it. Wonder if that’s what the guys who put a B-rank on this bounty had in mind?’[/color] Ronin asked, chuckling. [color=55B7AA]‘Okay, shall we go ahead, or do you have an idea?’[/color] she then asked Sann.

Sann was beaming, as she tilted her head on both the twins. “Divi-de and conquer~” She almost sang, as she sheathed her sword in a quick move… and grabbed each one of the twins by the scruff of the neck, launching them towards the middle of the room. She’d then do the same, doing a jump, before concentrating and gathering her mind for a reinforcement barrier that would trap all three and hopefully their targets, and keep the returning parties off for a while.

“Hi.” She said to her opponents. “Now die and become food!”

That was the second time in as many attacks that the twins were sent flying by their companion at their foes. It worked for them, Air-girls, but still. Now, they didn’t have wings anymore… but they sure remembered how it felt to have wings. The two former harpies briefly used their Reinforcement powers to manifest wings made of barriers, gliding with the power of the throw before tilting and flying briefly upwards for long enough for Sann to arrive and deliver her one-liner, and immediately afterwards Ronin and Miko dive-bombed from above, intending on slicing down with their swords, Ronin a bit ahead of Miko because Miko had to quickly put the map away in mid-air.

The sudden entrance once again proved effective as it distracted the small horde of goblins within the larger room. As all of the creatures within came to a standstill at the dramatic reveal. And for a moment with their elevated view the hunters would at last get a clear image of everything. A solid dozen and a half of starved lesser goblins, an additional half dozen of the equipped goblins and near the back of the room a large grotesque looking creature.

It was humanoid with a patchwork of skins in various shades of green and gray, and it was a literal patchwork in some places as the greener the patches were visibly sewn onto it. It towered over the goblins, but that only brought it to roughly above human height. It had a squashed fanged face that resembled a goblin’s save for the orange misshapen eyes that glared out at the three intruders into its lair. It had longer greasy looking hair that draped across its back.

It’s arms and legs were misshapen as well, seemingly assembled together from a number of other either arms or legs depending on the limb in question though mostly it seemed like the donor limbs were mostly goblin. 

The abomination of a goblin was the first to react, roaring out battle cry and pulling a length of sharpened and jagged metal from it’s hip. It would then charge the hunters shouting as it went, hacking up blood and water as well but that didn’t seem to deter it.

The rest of the goblins were split in their actions. The lesser breed instantly broke rank and started to flee, just in time to run afoul of the barrier that Sann called forth to keep outsiders from interfering with her meal. The higher ranked goblins began trying to beat and intimidate their lesser brethren back into a useful element for the defense.

Not that the lesser breed would prove much help, as Ronin and Miko would descend from on high to start with the clean up. The goblins had greater numbers, but frantic and scared they posed little threat and the two souls would easily make their way through four of the lesser goblins each before anything could hope to counter them.

Rather than let themselves simply be butchered with no recourse, four of the elite goblins left their lesser brethren to bang and scrape against the barrier to try and rush down the sisters. The goblins attack was straightforward, a simple charge with their crude swords and axes raised.

[color=55B7AA]‘The heck are you? Frankenstein’s Goblin!?’[/color] Ronin exclaimed with a fair amount of shock at the appearance of the leading goblin.

[color=DC9495]‘Try to be wary in case it has special abilities…!’[/color] Miko warned, because that kinda looked like some mad scientist had been involved, and who knows what such an individual could add to their creations.

Still, for now, they’d carved through a couple normal goblins, but a couple tougher-looking ones were approaching. In tandem, the twins split up, Miko going left and Ronin right, intending to split their attention. Miko once again tried to blow wind in their faces while Ronin tried to create small barriers at their feet to make them trip over, and if successful they could try to charge in to stab at vulnerable spots in the armour, albeit they’d be wary of possible additional attackers.

“Disgusting.” Sann mentioned seeing the ugly thing. Her eyes then darted to the four goblins who were attacking the twins. And then the twins.  And the creature. “Eyesore.” She reinstated as she calmly walked towards the center of the battlefield, seemingly numb to the rising struggle.

Her hand stretched towards the monster, and some of the surrounding creatures… as a second barrier about the leader was formed, hopefully trapping it and some of the other rabble, which wobbled ominously, mimicking Sann’s fingertip movement.

Sann chuckled.

And her fist closed, the barrier imploding.

The simple tactic of divide and conquer wasn’t one that seemed to be known to the elite goblins so when Ronin and Miko split ways the charging goblins did the same, two for each of the twins. The wind in the face disoriented the two after Miko, causing those two to simply start swinging blindly and missing the mahou entirely, though they would land a couple of wounds against each other before they realized it.

The goblins after Ronin barely noticed the wind as it came at their backs, but missed the trip bar that the crafty samurai had conjured. Unfortunately it only successfully toppled one of the goblins, as the further back one simply used his fallen comrade as an unwitting ramp over the barriers to keep racing at Ronin with an obvious two handed overhead chop. One that was sure to hurt if it landed.

In the center of the room Sann’s cage would capture the abomination, the last two of the elites and a half dozen of the lesser goblins, the latter of which had been rallied behind the charge of their malformed leader. The mob of goblinoids would slam into the walls of their cage and near instantly start trying to batter them down. Of which only the abomination seemed to be making any headway on that front as it’s strike actually served to deform the barriers outside of what Sann was performing.

Then the din of battle was awash with the sound of crunching bone and splattering flesh as Sann revealed her ploy for the attack it was.

Those goblins on the edge who had possibly decided that it was better to try and kill the intruders then flee, once again went back to trying to claw their way past the barriers. While the ones who had never stopped redouble their efforts with desperation now fueling their strength. It didn’t change anything.

The goblins involved with fighting Ronin and Miko seemed oblivious to the sudden and gruesome end of their leader. Too filled with bloodlust to take note of anything other than their targets.

Letting her attack fade Sann would be surprised to see that, in fact, the abomination wasn’t dead. But by no means was it in good condition. The grey splotches on its body had turned black and for the most part had suddenly rotted away, revealing the nightmarish conditions of it’s bones. The green patches had turned gray, and were really the only bits of skin the creature had left at this point.

It would let out another roar, it’s visible lungs rupturing with the amount of air it was forcing though the too small organs. In that same instance the bodies of the goblins pooled at its feet would emanate a purplish glow as threads of magic would weave though its body stitching it back together in macabre fashion. Yet even after the magic had run its course it was easy to see that the monster wasn’t fully healed. The once green skin was still gray, and the gray skin was only half returned, leaving large open sores that revealed its twisted insides.

With anymore delay it once again charged, eyes fixed on Sann with an ugly sneer on its face as it closed the gap to try and hack away at the fallen Valkyrie.

Ronin crouched to stab at the fallen goblin, but definitely noticed the attack of the other one. The attack was so telegraphed, yet it was promising to come with significant speed and power. So Ronin focused and formed a barrier. A small, gently formed barrier that shaped under the goblin’s upper arm, meaning that when he swung down his arm, the slowest-moving part of his arm, would suddenly find itself stopped by a force close to the base of his shoulder and lose all attack-power.

Miko, noting how the two in front of her were completely distracted, jumped into the air with some Air-magic applied, blew two blasts into their faces again for good measure, and then jumped on a tilted barrier she formed under her feet to carry her straight over her pursuers to stab her sword into the halted goblin attacking Ronin from behind. Hopefully less armour from behind. Ronin skipped to finish off the fallen goblin in the meantime, and hopefully that meant having taken out two of the elites and they were ready to face the other two as a pair.

They did notice what happened with the leader, but they were a little occupied to comment on it.

Sann did look with disappointment at the failed carnage, her quarry stitching herself before her own eyes with some sort of magic. “Feh.” She said as she drew her sword.

All in a flash, Sann’s second attack was executed. An ominous evil-looking eye was manifested on one of the Valkyrie’s sides, as she matched the goblin’s attack with a lunge of her own. However, the manner of swordsmanship was clearly different. Sann aimed to cut every and each one of the magical threads the creature had manifested, as well as try to cut the magical points of the creature.

“Reverie of Roses ~” She sang, imitating a well-known Penrose swordswoman. 

Even if Sann had followed the same manner of attack as her abominable opponent it would have looked different. For the foul creature didn’t have any style it was just using its excessive strength to swing around its chosen weapon. Thus slipping past its wild strikes was a simple task, one made easier by her now enhanced sight.

And it was quite the repugnante thing to said enhanced sight. It’s soul was a twisted amalgam of fractured goblin souls which was the secret to its durability. The core, or perhaps original soul, held a tenacity for life that was uncommon and had bound itself to a body using the fraying edges of its own soul. A nifty necromantic application of magic, that was impressive for a goblin.

It was using those frayed edges to stave off death, but since it was a goblin it was slowly falling apart anyway. So it resorted to adding more and more goblin to itself sealing bits of body and soul from those it deemed lesser. But the increased mass just meant it was dying faster with each additional piece.

With that knowledge in mind picking it apart piece by piece was a simple task. Dodge a strike, step in, sever meat from bone and shave stolen soul from core. Rinse repeat. It’s strength was slightly greater than Sann’s but that would only be a worry in a direct clashing of blades, and even then only until Sann chose to augment her own physical capabilities with magic.

The abomination’s death was assured and it now only lived by Sann’s whim. For any attempt it would make, to try and leech off of any of the goblins in the room was be easily countered by the greater skill and power of the Valkyrie. 

The last of the remaining goblins with the ability to fight, were utterly unaware of just how poorly the circumstances were for them. Once again the wind stalled them out of any important actions or observations and served to only heightened their anger which narrowed their vision to only Ronin and Miko.

The two girls in question had displayed the correct way to work with a partner, a lesson that the two dead elite goblins would never be able to put to use. Assuming that they even understood the teaching in the first place. 

The downed goblin was helpless to defend itself from Ronin’ putting it out of everyone's misery, and the one who sought to attack her was utterly baffled as to why it couldn’t lower it’s arms correctly, which made it all too easy for Miko to slide a blade into it’s back. The armor was providing some resistance, but nothing that could stop their magical weapons.

With those two taken out of the way they were free to return their attention to the remaining goblins that had charged them as the wind blasted creatures finally cleared the dust from their eyes and upon seeing Ronin and Miko just standing there, the goblins once again rushed towards them. No thoughts of plans or tactics just blinding anger that they would scream to their fullest as they charged.

Honestly, at this point it was getting to be a sad display even for goblins.

Sann’s face of disappointment was turning into a frown, when she decided to dispel the dome, allowing the rest of the goblins to seep in. It was a sweet spot in momentum, as they were enraged by the slaughter but had not yet broken rank and fled. 

Now it was time for the cleanup. Sann flicked the blood of her blade, and extended a hand towards the abomination, an otherworldly aura appearing around her as she was manifesting spirit magic. The wisps she had once summoned were gone now. The necromancy was unexpected but it was so shoddily done that it should not be too troublesome to unravel it. So she exerted the brunt of her spirit magic on the twisted aberrant soul core of the creature, trying to scatter it and force it to pass on. 

“My my. If you were human, I would have taken you with my lord, but you’re not worthy of Valhalla.” She spoke, in a soft soothing voice, at clash with the violence and her frown. “But rest assured… you get to see every single of your minions die in front of you.”

Ronin chuckled as she and Miko managed to take out two elite goblins next to one another. 

[color=55B7AA]‘Just like old times?’[/color] Ronin asked. 

[color=DC9495]‘Not exactly,’[/color] Miko replied giggled. The two then shaped barriers shaped like discs in their hands, enhanced them to have weight and then both of them spun at the same time to send the barrier discs spinning into the faces of their goblin attackers, their discs crossing so Miko’s hit at the one focused on Ronin and Ronin’s hit at the one focused on Miko. They then launched to pass by their respective goblin, intending to slash them through as they landed.

The two foes blinded by anger as they were were easily put down. One of them had kept enough awareness to block the bladed spell heading its way, but in doing so lost track of their target which led to them being felled by the follow up strike. The other goblin wasn’t so lucky, it failed to notice the disc until it was too late to fully dodge it, and while it wasn’t fatal the follow up was.

The twins would flick their blades clean just in time to hear an unearthly wail coming from the abomination. A sound that halted every one of the goblins. None of the creatures knew what was happening, none had a strong enough magical aptitude to see the aura of helheim that cloaked around Sann, but they could feel the biting cold it gave off nonetheless.

With the forceful application of her magic the abomination in front of her would burst into pale flames, the stolen body parts burning to ash as their connection to life was severed. In no time at all the creature was reduced to just a single bluish grey goblin that for all the world seemed like it had drowned.

It would give out one last choking cry before it became transparent, its truth as little more than a deranged ghost revealed at long last. A moment later, with the sound of cracking ice, it was gone.

A moment of silence was left after that showing, an instance of calm, Then the remaining goblins, less than twenty in number, would cry out and begin fleeing. The mottley remains would scatter as best they could with each one running for its own life.

Sann sighed, before eyeing the sorry vermin. Those were part of the quest, were they not? She decided to give the other two girls a reinforcement boost, before she snapped into action as she rushed to kill as many of the creatures as she could reach.

[color=55B7AA]‘Woah,’[/color] Ronin made a noise at what Sann did over there. [color=55B7AA]‘I guess… she handled that, I’m not even sure what she did…’[/color] she said, severely chilled by the idea she could just hold a hand forward and someone would just burst, or whatever that was.

[color=DC9495]‘Er, that wasn’t…’[/color] Miko had looked over in time to see roughly what happened with Third Eye, but that’s when the remaining goblins cried out and fled. Sann reinforced them, making them stronger, and the two exchanged looks. [color=DC9495]‘The mission was to wipe them out,’[/color] she commented.

[color=55B7AA]‘Aw, but now I kinda feel sorry for the buggers,’[/color] Ronin commented. Then, she shrugged and smiled. [color=55B7AA]‘Whelp, guess we gotta pull our weight!’[/color]

The two drew their blades and dashed in whatever direction Sann did not, using Air-magic to catch up and dispatch the goblins as they could.

It was chaos, disorganized and frantic on the side of the goblins, but controlled and directed on the side of the hunters. Alas, despite the greater speeds and magical capability one or two of the goblins would be able to escape the massacre. If only because there were just three hunters and twice that many number of tunnels for them to flee down.

Tracking down the lone survivors was within the hunters capability but at this point was likely worth more effort then it would be worth. The nest of Goblins was destroyed and the majority of pests were eradicated. A job well done by near any metric.

[color=55B7AA]‘Phew, a job well done, I’d say!’[/color] Ronin said, chuckling as they came to a close.

[color=DC9495]‘There’s… a couple of them left in the sewers, but we’ve definitely wiped out the majority of them. Not to mention, whatever [i]that[/i] was, so we can probably claim ourselves done?’[/color] Miko asked, looking to the third of their number.

“Is that...it?” Sann said, as she eyed the other two, cleaning her blade from blood with a flick and sheathing it. “It’d be fun… to exterminate them whole.” She said as she skipped some steps moving forward towards the twins. Close. Extremely so.

“I’m hungry.”

She said, still disregarding personal space.

[color=DC9495]‘Well, um, you could do that?’[/color] Miko suggested, a little concerned. Ronin, meanwhile, smirked.

[color=55B7AA]‘Wanna go buy something to eat?’[/color] Ronin asked, totally unbothered. 

Sanngridr did not reply for a moment, instead focusing on the two. “Yes...something delicious.” She added, not choosing to press on. They did look delicious, indeed, but she had to exercise restraint.

[color=55B7AA]‘Great! I'll show you my favourite places! Let's go!’[/color] Ronin said, smiling so widely as she started wandering to return to the surface. Miko, of course, had to follow because she's the one with the map. If Sann followed, she'd want to ask, though.

[color=DC9495]‘Um, miss Sanngridr? Are you new in Penrose? Do you, uh, have allies?’[/color] Miko asked, not entirely sure what answers she was looking for.

“I’m new. And allies... not really.” She curtly added, hushing the two out of the sewer.

[center][i]A couple minutes later, at a restaurant[/i][/center]

Sanngridr was a high performance girl, in more ways than one. Keeping those majestic wings usually took a lot of her energy, and even in her human form, she was like those monster cars that drank gas like water. In fact, she had even less mercy for edible stuff than she had for the goblins.

The twins looked on in awe. Slightly concerned, Miko turned and looked at Ronin.

[color=DC9495]‘Um, Ronin? Do we have the money to pay for this?’[/color] 

[color=55B7AA]‘Miko, are you under the impression I have money?’[/color] Ronin asked back, grinning as Miko paled just the bit as she had the dawning realization of what Ronin’s plan was.

It was then, when Sann stopped, and glaring at Ronin...she drew awfully close to her face, and without disregard of personal space… licked all over Ronin’s cheek. “Sauce~ So tasty.” She added, before withdrawing, sparing not even a droplet of sauce that had splashed over.

“I have money. Sort of.” Sann reassured. Her power kit did allow her to get some pocket money by helping lesser injuries and performing some spiritism after all. 

Ronin looked curiously at Sann leaning very close to her, not entirely sure what to expect… then winced somewhat as she got her cheek licked.

[color=DC9495]‘Wh-wha-’[/color] Miko made a startled noise, not entirely comfortable with her sister being licked like that, while Ronin mostly just looked surprised as Sann went back. Then Sann said that, and Ronin just grinned while bringing up a hand to brush her own cheek a bit.

[color=55B7AA]‘Oh, you’ll use that? I thought we’d just run, but that works too! Nice! Thank you!’[/color] Ronin said, while Miko still looked highly bothered by that earlier gesture, the implication they might be hanging out with a Devourer. Miko winced a little, remembering that she and Ronin, too, were once Devourers. Mariette was really good at keeping them in line, though.

[color=DC9495]‘… Um, are you, er, a Devourer…?’[/color] Miko asked, quietly. It was a somewhat awkward question, that someone may take offense to, but if so…

Sann just grinned and decided not to reply. Food was more important.

[color=DC9495]‘… We… [i]used[/i] to be Devourers, before being purified. Not having allies when being such can be dangerous. I’m, uh, sure you have your ways of dealing with it,’[/color] for one thing she was looking at it, [color=DC9495]‘but if you ever need help, we would be understanding. Ronin?’[/color] Miko asked, turning her head.

[color=55B7AA]‘Right, I’m the one with the phone,’[/color] Ronin chuckled, then pulled up a “business card” of sorts, with a name and a number. [color=55B7AA]‘If you have a phone and want to get into contact with us, this is how. And yes, if that’s the case, we should be pretty understanding. Okay?’[/color]

Sann all of a sudden, stopped eating… and eyed the card. “I’ll treasure~ it.” She would interject, before getting back to food.

[color=55B7AA]‘Nice!’[/color] Ronin nodded, and looked to Miko. [color=55B7AA]‘We have another contact~’[/color] she whispered excitedly. One-way contact for now, but.

[color=DC9495]‘Ah, yeah…’[/color] Miko nodded, swallowing a little as she looked with concern at Sann. She hadn’t done anything harmful to them yet, but… Miko couldn’t shake the feeling that they hadn’t seen everything this girl was capable of, and it worried her. Worried what she might do in the future.

Only the future would tell.