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[h3]--Race for the Grimoire--[/h3]

As the night went on, more and more magical girls arrived at the decaying construction site-turned-battlefield, some were not visually noticed by Lumiere, especially those who immediately focused on searching after the new Grimoire. Among those who were observed, however, brought their own unique tools of the trade to stave off the Pageless still stubbornly gunning for the half-conscious civilians. One wielded the mythical Ruyi Jingu Bang, embodying the legend of Wu Kong, his strength and agility to be more specific as Tesni didn't exactly share the Monkey King's sharp wit, but in the right company, a blunt force trauma specialist was needed as long as there were others who could compensate where she lacked. Fortunately, Lumiere was used to leading others as an older veteran figure.

[color=feec96][b]"That's indeed true, Miss Tesni, but it appears that more and more Pageless decide to shift their focus to the Grimoire instead."[/b][/color] The white-clad angel informed the Monkey King even as her wings zipped, fired, and sliced all around her, [color=feec96][b]"It's not so much as the future bearer that's in danger, but if the Pageless arrives at the Grimoire first before she can, then they'll surely rip it apart!"[/b][/color] Indeed, the mission of protecting the Grimoire had two distinct aspects to it, the Grimoire itself and its would-be bearer. Although the best case scenario would be keeping both of them safe from harm, but if they could only pick one, the pragmatic choice would be the Grimoire as it could always pick another maiden as its previous one passed due to one reason or another. 

The group's next arrival was one of those rare Alter Grimoire magical girls, although Ethereal Rose adhered to the common theme of altered grimoires having some kind of dark twist to the story, unlike Captain Goodhope that ironically embodied a more idealistic version of the originally dark tale. It was fortunate that Lumiere was already familiar with Rose and her... Pageless-esque companion, a proper shepherd must be familiar with her flock after all, including the unusual ones. She had seen her share of Alters over the century, most of them wanting nothing to do with the Grand Ministry so those who did became quite memorable. [color=feec96][b]"Oui, of course, Miss Rose, a macabre dance awaits us, although I'm sure it's something you and Xolys will have no problem handling. Now then... en garde, Daemons of Shadow![/b][/color]

Lumiere spun once like an aerial ballerina as all eight wings gathered around her like the outstretched arms of an octopus before she began firing beams after beams to each and every Pageless she could get a clear shot at, purifying them into particles with holy light as Lilac the dashing chevalier zipped through the night, impaling Pageless left and right, while Burning Heart's halberd sliced and diced the shadowy horde by her side. 

While the four magical girls fought directly with their weapons of choice, obelisk-wings, shapeshifting quarterstaff, rainbow rapier, and burning naginata respectively, there were others who preferred to let others do their dirty work for them. The blonde beauty needed not to sully her hands with disgusting black ichor as her otherworldly lover Xolys was more than capable of engaging the horde himself, a veritable orca to the piranhas as the Pageless got a taste of their own medicine... only tenfold, claws and tentacles much bigger than theirs tearing through their ranks. Meanwhile, Captain Goodhope confirmed the appropriateness of the first half of her moniker by summoning her crew, a trio of Dutch mariners from the Age of Exploration. The three men wasted no time in engaging the barbaric horde. 

Regardless of how they fought, the combined might of the group were enough to completely purify the civilians' surrounding area from those who wished them harm. [color=feec96][b]"Merveilleux, les filles,"[/b][/color] Lumiere quipped with a solemn smile as her wings returned to their standard formation behind her, [color=feec96][b]"Now we can assist our brethren in finding the Grimoire and hunting any stragglers."[/b][/color]

Then, just as she said that, the Pageless horde revealed their trump card or a last act of desperation, depending on one's perspective, as a gigantic mechanical-esque creature slammed down on the middle of the site, spewing dust and debris everywhere as the ground quaked from its sheer weight. The gargantuan Pageless then wasted no time in marching forward, smashing anything in its way, focused in its singular purpose of destroying the infantile Grimoire. 

In response, Lumiere sent four of her wings between the monster and its destination before portalling there. [color=feec96][b]"Not one more step, demon!"[/b][/color] She then gathered all eight of them in front of her as she extended her right arm outward, her power and wings combined formed a huge circular golden barrier right in front of the clambering creature, blocking its path.

Of course, said creature saw Lumiere's barrier as no different than any other obstacle, it pulled its right forelimb back then struck forward, the jackhammer-like tip smashing against the seraph's semi-transparent shield, causing golden sparks to fly. [color=feec96][b]"Nnngh...!!"[/b][/color] Lumiere gritted her teeth, reeling from the force of the blow, she could also see cracks forming on her barrier. Just one strike and it could already do this much damage and she dedicated all of her wings for this too. [color=feec96][b]"Comrades, destroy it! Now!"[/b][/color] She shouted, imploring [i]everyone[/i] who could hear her to start focusing on the Pageless leviathan.