[center][img]https://txt.1001fonts.net/img/txt/dHRmLjcyLjE0ODM1Ny5RWEpwWVc1dVlTQk1aV2R2YzJVLjA/rabid-science.regular.webp[/img] [img]https://txt.1001fonts.net/img/txt/dHRmLjcyLjQwOWM1Zi5SR0Z5Wlc0Z1RXVjBlbWRsY2csLC42/punk-kid.regular.png[/img][/center] [center][/center][right][code]World Fighting Carnival - Tunnel Underneath[/code][/right][hr] One of the Necroids walked down the tunnels alone, holding the fake power stone copy in it's skeletal hand. As soon as it turned one of the dozens of corners of now-defenseless corners, though, it was immediately brutalized by Daren's cleaver in one, single hew, spraying the walls of the tunnel in oil, sparks, and mechanical viscera. The Cleaver was barely stopped by the machine's physique either, slamming into the ground and creating a small crater from the intense impact, cutting the very edge of the blade into the ground. Daren himself and unfortunately poor Arianna were also showered in artificial gore, covering their clothing in black gunk. [color=12694B]"Really Daren?"[/color] Arianna asked. [color=6FBD88]"Sorry, sorry. I was just really thirsty for some gore, even if it was from a machine,"[/color] Daren apologized. He reached into the Necroid's brutalized remains and pulled out the glowing red orb it held with very little of a fight. [color=6FBD88]"But look! We finally got the--"[/color] [color=12694B]"That's a fake"[/color] Arianna immediately deduced. [color=6FBD88]"... Wha--"[/color] [color=12694B]"If they extracted the power stone already, through an airtight security system that would've taken us hours to crack, why would they trust one single robot to carry it out safely completely without any sort of unmarked or protective container? A robot you destroyed in just one swing. Carrying a stone that would've supposedly given it a colossal boost in power. A stone that probably would've exploded your entire arm the second you touched it."[/color] Daren looked at Arianna with a rare frown, then back at the fake Stone in his hand, then back to her, repeatedly. [color=6FBD88]"I mean it [i]looks[/i] like the real stone."[/color] Arianna just gave Daren a glare. [color=6FBD88]"Alright, alright. I'm not complaining though,"[/color] Daren defended. He stuffed the fake Power Stone into the pocket of his coat. Might come in handy later. Suddenly they both turned their heads in the direction of a loud but distant explosion. Sounds of further conflict. Arianna engaged her drones and saw through one of them an entire party of Nomads was now down in the tunnels, also fighting another Necroid model. Likely also a fake, but Arianna counted four heads among them. Heads she had on file: Auri Auclair, robotic wanderer (currently sans her cyborg companion); Jaden Raldo, wannabe ninja/rapper; Florian Wessington, heir to MDL (high priority); and... Izzy. Very good chance they were there for the exact same reason Ari and Daren were. Arianna decided they could be useful... She turned back to the butcher. [color=12694B]"Daren, you keep going ahead. I'm gonna take a brief detour,"[/color] She instructed. [color=6FBD88]"What? But-- Eh whatever. Okay,"[/color] Daren shrugged. He continued heading towards the vault. [hr] [right][code]World Fighting Carnival - Tunnel Underneath (Elsewhere)[/code] Feat: [@Punished GN][@kamen evie][@Drag][/right] [hr] The second Necroid was already being harried by Oh-Seven's assault. Given how easily Daren had brutalized another one, the entire small group of Nomads probably could've handled the Necroid they attacked all by themselves with little effort. But still, to support the illusion of goodwill, Arianna ordered a small handful of her drones to mob and assault the Necroid model, pecking and scratching them and bombarding them with modulated robotic screeches. And then they exploded, enveloping the robot in a blob of fire and shrapnel, leaving nothing but scorched remains. Arianna then "conveniently" made her appearance, dropping down from the rafters above, her mask erect and concealing her face. [color=12694B]"That stone's a fake, no time to explain. You guys going after Oh-One too?! Cmon! He's already at the vault, he's just up ahead!"[/color] She introduced herself briefly to these "complete" strangers. She gave Isabella a quick and knowing glance. A subtle gesture to keep their little deal a secret for the time being. She then turned around and started running, expecting the rest of them to follow her. [hr] [center][img]https://txt.1001fonts.net/img/txt/dHRmLjcyLjQwOWM1Zi5SR0Z5Wlc0Z1RXVjBlbWRsY2csLC42/punk-kid.regular.png[/img] [img]https://i.imgur.com/1vVpIdS.png[/img][/center] [right][code]World Fighting Carnival - Tunnel Underneath - Vault[/code][/right] [hr] It wasn't too long of a jog to the main vault in the tunnels. Daren was pretty sure he saw another Necroid sulking around, but knew that they were just a distraction and decided to make it someone else's problem. Ari seemed of the opinion that everyone and they're grandma knew what was going on in the tunnel's just below and were going to be making a beeline towards the vault, so he decided to not waste time and to make it someone else's problem. Two birds, one stone! Daren finally reached the main vault, and saw a silver mechanical figure standing before the large console. Despite being a robot they seemed to be handling the security system by hand, and looked completely distracted by it. Daren smirked and raised his cleaver. This seemed like an easy victory...