[center][hr][img]https://i.imgur.com/xjCYdO1.png[/img][img]https://i.imgur.com/11gAoSU.png[/img][hr][/center] A sudden rainstorm awoke the three… it was strange that this place could rain at all. For once, they didn’t get attacked by monsters. The building was shaking, loudly creaking from the rainstorm… Ella sat bolt upright, eyes wide as she turned her head towards the windows… not that she could look outside, because Lisa had completely boarded the place up with spider webs. She didn’t like the creaking. It was like the whole place could fall down at any time. [color=DC143C]"Shit, that doesn’t sound like a normal storm,"[/color] Saskia said as they jumped out of the bed. [color=e77fbf]"Maybe it’ll pass through?"[/color] Ella said hopefully, struggling to believe that would be the case even as she said it. She got up, before holding her head with a wail. [color=e77fbf]"We didn’t bring any raincoats!"[/color] [color=764820]”I mean,”[/color] Lisa shrugged. [color=764820]”We don’t know how long it’ll last… we try and wait it out and…”[/color] Lisa trailed off. [color=764820]”... Yeah, let’s just go.”[/color] Ella nodded. Saskia held up a hand before either of them made a move towards the door. [color=DC143C]"Lisa, tie us together. If the wind’s strong enough… better we all get blown away together. Or Ella’s fat ass will keep us on the ground."[/color] [color=e77fbf]"Hey!"[/color] [color=764820]”Hehe, you need a spell to shrink that,”[/color] Lisa laughed, sticking her tongue out. Lisa raised both hands, and a thick web connected them. The building felt like it was about to fall apart! Lisa gestured for the door. Ella pouted, but pushed through… leading the way through the door. Immediately, she was hit by the rain, soaking through her clothes. It was falling so fast it hurt. [color=e77fbf]"Where do we go?!"[/color] [color=DC143C]"Literally anywhere else!"[/color] Ella grimaced, picked a random direction, and started trying to walk, and eyes formed on Lisa’s forehead, and upper cheeks. As they pushed through the rain, the web barely keeping them together in this rain storm, their clothes stuck to their bodies. Every step was heavy… Lisa immediately came to a stop, as she pointed ahead. … There were figures in the storm. Not in the shape of a monster or beast. [i]But a human being.[/i] About a dozen of them spread out as they approached the group… Soon, coming into view, they looked like ordinary people, with scared, tired, and weary expressions on their faces. They wore tattered scraps of fabric and leather that they could gather…. They were all armed with various weapons scraps of objects that they salvaged from the Pit - sharpened pipes, chair legs, baseball bats, and one of them even had a [i]sword[/i] - and they stopped when they noticed them—looking in shock for a moment as if the group hadn’t seen the girls yet. However, one of them - a large man who was gaunt from his time in the Pit, wielding a sharpened piece of rebar like a spear - took a few steps forward. He spoke - and despite his size, he was trembling with every word. “... W-we don’t want any trouble!” He shouted. “Stay back!” In his jacket pocket, a glowing light pierced through the storm… Ella tilted her head, not attacking immediately for once… partly because of the rain, she'd just electrocute herself! Though she could freeze them all… but they didn't seem dangerous. They were clearly terrified. And they didn't even look that intimidating! [color=e77fbf]"We won't help you! We're just three girls!"[/color] Ella lied cheerfully, one hand on her hip and pointing to the glowing light. This Storm was an absolute pain, they could barely move, she was cold and couldn't see… so… [color=e77fbf]"Why's that light visible?"[/color] The large man’s grip on the spear tightened… as Ella spoke, many raised their weapons. However, his eyes narrowed as she pointed at the glow in his pocket. “Don’t come any closer!” He shouted. “It’s the only thing keeping us safe here! If you take it, we’re dead!” One of the other figures, a wirey woman wielding a piece of rebar with concrete at the end of it - who stood by the large man - looked to the left and right. Terrified… she raised the piece over her head and lunged at Ella, swinging it downwards. Ella barely flinched, colour draining from her bright pink jacket to cover her hands, which caught the rebar. She pushed back against it, aiming to throw the woman off balance. [color=DC143C]"That’s it,"[/color] Saskia’s eyes narrowed, bone spear shoving through her hand, snapping off and falling into the other. She pulled her arm back to throw it. [color=DC143C]"We-"[/color] [color=e77fbf]"Stop!"[/color] Ella shouted before Saskia could, holding her hands up. [color=e77fbf]"Maybe we can come to an agreement? Get through this storm together, at least?"[/color] The leader was silent… “... Give us everything you have!” One of them shouted. “Yeah! We outnumber you three!” Another shouted. “We need it!” The leader sighed before saying, “... Give us everything, and then leave.” He tightened his grip on the pipe. “That is the agreement.” Saskia held up her hands, turning her head towards Ella, eyebrows raised. Ella frowned… clearly now was the time to actually attack! At this rate they'd die from the cold and the rain. [color=e77fbf]"Well, we gave you a chance,"[/color] Ella said cheerfully. One hand reached back to grasp the Ice Scepter. [color=e77fbf]"Bye!"[/color] Her other hand shot out, sending out a blast of incredibly hard snow large enough to catch the whole group thanks to the Ice Scepter. “What the hell?!” The group was surprised when the blasts of snow hit them, and many of them were knocked over. On the other hand, Lisa stuck both of her hands out and summoned five Chitinionious spears that would impale the group's legs, one directed at the group’s leader… [color=764820]”Run! [i]Leave![/i] You don’t want this fight!”[/color] Lisa shouted over the rain as loud as she could. The leader was hit through the hip with the spear and fell backward. He groaned, pulling himself up as much as he could and his hand slipping into his pocket to grab the glowing object. He coughed before saying, “... [i]You leave me no choice![/i]” He pulled out a [url=https://i.imgur.com/VROGt6c.jpeg]peculiar orb[/url], and as he clutched it, the artifact gleaned ominously… The intricate design on its surface came to [i]life[/i] as the man chanted… “[i]Hold dominion over the skies…[/i]” His voice strained. He raised the artifact high… and the storm intensified. The rain poured in a far heavier volume as the winds became so fierce that they threatened to lift them off the ground. Lightning struck in random locations,c and the whole scene became utter chaos [color=DC143C]”We need to get that or off him!"[/color] Saskia shouted, going down on one knee. She pulled back her arm and threw the bone spear in her arm at the leaders shoulder. [color=e77fbf]"Saskia- boost me!"[/color] Ella shouted back, talking about their joint cast. She ran closer to Saskia, grabbing their hands. Saskia nodded, and they both channeled their green lux to make Ella much lighter, faster and stronger. Like this she probably wouldn't get blown away! Probably. Then Ella ran for the leader, fast enough that she was almost a blur, and kicked a glowing foot at his stomach. He spit up blood, and, well, spit, as he was launched backward, and fell onto his back, dropping the orb. Suddenly, the rain storm vanished… and all of them ran into the swamp. [color=e77fbf]"Well, that was easy!"[/color] Ella said cheerfully. [color=DC143C]"It was boring,"[/color] Saskia intoned. Ella laughed and squatted next to the orb, looking at it. If she picked it up would the storm immediately start again? She shrugged, and grabbed it anyway. … And nothing happened. [color=764820]”Aw, you broke it!”[/color] [color=e77fbf]"I just touched it!"[/color] Ella shouted. [color=764820]”... Is that what your uncle said?”[/color] Lisa laughed like a goblin. [color=DC143C]"Say the lame phrase, you're good at that,"[/color] Saskia pointed out. Ella pouted, standing up holding the orb. Hopefully she wouldn't just blow everyone away! [color=e77fbf]"[i]Hold dominion over the skies![/i]"[/color] Nothing happened. Lisa shrugged. [color=764820]”Let’s throw it at monsters!”[/color] [color=e77fbf]"Ooo, we can do monster bowling!"[/color] Ella grinned, shoving the orb into her backpack. She then shivered, looking down at her soaked clothes. [color=e77fbf]"Let's find somewhere to get dry…"[/color] Lisa shrugged. [color=764820]”... We can always get naked!”[/color] Lisa awkwardly laughed as she walked in one direction with the others. Eventually, they left the swamp biome and entered a neighborhood biome… It was suburban, and all the houses were untouched, completely in perfect order. [color=764820]”Let’s hunker down again,”[/color] Lisa suggested. [color=e77fbf]"Sounds good, I feel like I barely slept,"[/color] Ella said, yawning. Maybe it was the rain… or just the paranoia while sleeping that something would attack. [color=e77fbf]"We can hang our clothes to dry while we sleep!"[/color] [color=DC143C]"And get attacked naked?"[/color] Saskia said. [color=764820]”I mean, we got more clothes, right? Right, Saskia?”[/color] Lisa looked at Saskia in horror. [color=764820]”RIGHT?!”[/color] Saskia just stared at Lisa silently. Expression completely unreadable. Eventually, they spoke. [color=DC143C]"Did you pack any?"[/color] [color=764820]”Of course!”[/color] Lisa said, throwing her hands in the air. [color=DC143C]"I brought one change. That's enough,"[/color] Saskia shrugged. [color=e77fbf]"Only one?!"[/color] Ella's mouth fell open. That was too few… at least they had one, but it still wasn't enough. [color=e77fbf]"What if it gets wet too?"[/color] [color=DC143C]"It won't,"[/color] Saskia rolled their eyes. [color=DC143C]"Let's just find somewhere to sleep."[/color] [color=764820]”It’s not like we can’t find more clothes down here,”[/color] Lisa said with a shrug as they approached the nearest house… and opened the door, as it was left unlocked. As she opened it, the house was in utterly perfect condition. Nothing was disturbed, but there was nobody there… completely untouched. The first thing Lisa did was open the refrigerator to reveal that it was fully stocked with fresh food. The cabinets were also stocked with snacks and other things. [color=764820]”Holy shit! Let’s loot ever-”[/color] [i]“... The Pit provides.”[/i] They heard the Mother Will’s voice like a whisper. Lisa’s head darted over her shoulder, looking for the spooky bastard, but she wasn’t there. Ella screamed, arms coming up in a ridiculous looking karate position. She only relaxed when she was sure Mother Will wasn’t there. [color=DC143C]"Can you scream quieter?"[/color] Saskia groaned, grabbing a chocolate bar from the cabinets and practically devouring it just like that. [color=e77fbf]"I’ll try…"[/color] Ella pouted, looking past Lisa and into the fridge at all the food. So much! [color=e77fbf]"Maybe I can cook us a proper meal!"[/color] [color=764820]”Yes, fatten us up for the monsters!”[/color] Lisa rolled her eyes. [color=e77fbf]"We need food for energy to fight the monsters,"[/color] Ella countered. [color=764820]”... Okay,”[/color] Lisa shrugged. [color=764820]”I’m going to check upstairs.[/color] Lisa walked upstairs into the bathroom and turned the knob to the shower… and the unexpected happened. [i]It sprayed water.[/i] Not blood. Nothing weird. Just water. [color=e77fbf]"We can shower!"[/color] Ella practically cheered, having followed right behind Lisa. She was grinning widely. [color=e77fbf]"First shower’s mine!"[/color] [color=764820]”Well, someone has to keep watch,”[/color] Lisa said with a casual shrug. [color=DC143C]"I’ll keep watch, I’m not in a rush,"[/color] Saskia said, leaning on the wall just outside of the shower. [color=e77fbf]"Yay!"[/color] Ella grinned… immediately turning on the shower and starting to strip. [color=764820]”I’ll watch the outside and make sure no monster eats us!”[/color] Lisa said with a toothy grin as she walked to the nearest window… Ella quickly jumped into the shower, singing anime songs as she did… but quietly, so not to alert any weeaboo monsters in the area! She took her time to scrub off all the blood that had accumulated, drying herself off with a surprisingly fluffy towel and changing into some fresh clothes. [color=e77fbf]"Shower’s free!"[/color] [color=764820]”.., Dibs!”[/color] Lisa quickly stripped out of her clothes and took a lengthy shower. After she was done, she came out, and dug into her backpack for a fresh set of clothes… And threw it all on. Saskia shrugged, going in last. Their shower was incredibly brief, and they came out with some blood still in their hair, changing into their change of clothes… practically identical to her soaked set, completely black. Ella held a hand over her mouth where she was half watching out the window, yawning. [color=e77fbf]"Sorry girls, I think I’m too tired to cook."[/color] [color=DC143C]"You can’t actually cook anyway,"[/color] Saskia rolled their eyes. [color=764820]”Well, let’s hit the hay,”[/color] Lisa said as she did the usual routine of summoning a horde of Darwin’s Bark Spiders to seal every entrance and exit with spider webs. Afterwards, she lay down and went to bed with the others. Saskia crawled in with a yawn. Ella paused, looking around first. Just in case. But the place was empty. So she got onto the bed, long arms wrapping around Saskia and Lisa as the biggest spoon, smiling as she fell asleep.[center]… … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … … …[/center][hr][center][hider=Kingdom Hearts OST - End of the World][youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztDSO8jzyd0[/youtube][/hider][/center][hr] Like Lisa did the previous “night,” Ella opened her eyes to a familiar world of motion and color… the familiar sights, sounds, and smells of Oceanview Gardens. The boardwalk stretched endlessly, and the waves crashed rhythmically… Everywhere Ella looked, there were people, but they were not entirely accurate. They looked and sounded real, but whenever Ella came in contact with them, they would phase through her as if she were intangible. They laughed and chatted, their voices soft and distorted, blending into the hum of the ocean breeze. “... This is one of your favorite places back home,” The Mother Will appeared in the blink of an eye. There was no fanfare or transformations, and the Mother Will looked around. “Is it not?” She looked at Ella. Ella had been enjoying the familiar scene… the smell of salt in the air, joyful sounds that seemed so familiar yet so strange at the same time. It wasn’t quite right, it wasn’t quite real, but it filled her with a yearning and joy she could shake. Until Mother Will appeared, and the smile slipped off her face. [color=e77fbf]"It is,"[/color] Ella replied, turning towards the Mother Will, head tilted slightly. It had been one of the places she enjoyed going. A place not ruined by the Stygian Snake, like the Arcade had been. She’d been there with Saskia before… then them, Kari and Lisa in a brief moment of reprieve they’d had. [color=e77fbf]"Why are you showing me it?"[/color] “Because this is a place of joy! Of comfort!” The Mother Will began, dramatically raising a fist as she turned away… “And because, despite your resistance…” The Mother Will began, turning back towards Ella. “... The Pit favors you three… and does not want to see you falter! So I came to you with a warning..” The Mother Will paused, and the entire world stopped—as if frozen in time. “A foe,” The Mother Will began, her voice calm. “A powerful adversary lies ahead, one whose presence could reshape the course of your journey. She is no mere opponent; her power and ruthlessness could unravel everything you’ve worked so hard for…” The Mother Will slowly raised a fist… … The scene shifted from the vibrance of Oceanview Gardens to a dramatic scene… the ruins of St. Portwell. The bustling boardwalk that the city was reduced to a disarray mess. Its wooden planks shattered and twisted, scattered among broken game stalls and rusted food stands. The Ferris wheel stood as a skeletal frame against the stormy sky, and waves crashed violently against the crumbling supports. The air was thick, and it smelled of salt and decay. The rest of St. Portwell ominously loomed from the ruined boardwalk in a fractured silhouette against the stormy sky. The city's skyline, once vibrant with its blend of modern skyscrapers and historic buildings, now appeared as dark, shadowy forms… However, that wasn’t the focal point. In the center of it all, Ella crashed her fist against the blade of that stranger they ran into the other night - the Samurai wearing tattered leather with the strange helmet. However, they were standing over the dead bodies of Lisa and Saskia… Lisa was wholly decapitated with her intestines sprawled over the floor; her eyes were wide with horror, and her jaw slack. Saskia was slumped up against the wall, with several lacerations all over their body, missing both of their arms, and a sword sticking out of their skull, oozing blood. The Mother Will faced Ella, sinisterly chuckling, “This woman, this [i]samurai[/i] seeks the All-Blade much like you and your friends do. However, she seeks to end you all to eliminate all competition for the All-Blade, and she is ruthless in that endeavor.” The Mother Will paused for effect. “... You and this samurai are fated to clash in the ruins of St. Portwell. Where your battle will determine the fate of your journey - she will kill all three of you, or you will kill her for the safety of your friends.” [color=e77fbf]"Saskia, Lisa!"[/color] Ella ignored what was said at first, running towards the bodies and falling onto her knees just before she reached them… reached the other her that was fighting their [i]murderer[/i]. Tears spilled down her cheeks immediately, heart thudding in her chest, fear clutching her. This was something that was going to happen? She couldn’t let it happen. She couldn’t let Saskia and Lisa die. [color=e77fbf]"Who is she?! If- If I kill her before, can I save them?"[/color] The Mother Will was silent for a moment. “... [i]Kaida Takamura,[/i]” The Mother Will ominously answered. “A fanatic of the Stygian Snake that follows the teachings of [i]Uroboros[/i] - a cult that worshipped the Stygian Snake. She was the one that was slaughtering your friends out of revenge for sealing the Stygian Snake...” The Mother Will paused momentarily; that smile somehow [i]widened.[/i] “... [i]She is the one that killed Kari Wilson.[/i]” [color=e77fbf]"... Kari too…"[/color] Ella whispered, barely reacting or moving. All she felt was shock and pain. “However, she has ventured into the Pit for the All-Blade, believing that it can not only free the Stygian Snake but plunge the world into darkness…” The Mother Will began. “She knows you’re here. She knows you’re after the All-Blade. And she knows you will get in her way, so….” The Mother Will laughed. “... Yes, if you kill her, you can save your friends. But it will be the greatest challenge of your life, my girl. Kaida is relentless. Powerful. Dangerous. And she will stop at [i]nothing[/i] to get the All-Blade and revenge for opposing her deity!” Ella's hands clenched into fists, and she punched the ground with one of them. Someone who wanted to release the Stygian Snake… this went beyond just killing her best friends. It could kill everyone. Making their first death in complete vain. All that pain. [color=e77fbf]"Where is she? You said that Pit gives us anything we desire… can it bring me to her? Then I can kill her."[/color] There was no hesitation or even consideration about why she was being told this. Ella didn't care. Any risk of Lisa and Saskia dying was one she wasn't willing to take. [color=e77fbf]"I'll beat her, I don't care how strong she is… I'll be stronger. I won't let this happen. I can't let this happen. Even if i have to sacrifice myself!"[/color] The Mother Will laughed, raising a hand. “... [i][b]If you insist.[/b][/i]” Before snapping her fingers, Ella rose awake. [hr] When Ella awoke…, neither Saskia nor Lisa was in sight. She woke in a bed… a familiar bed, in fact: the bed in her room, the room she had in perfect condition ten years ago. [i]In the ruins of St. Portwell[/i].