---

"Oh." a tune of amused recognition is heard from the fox masked Thespian as she heard Signora's full name. She knew who she is or at least the ones the gossip circle portraying her. She wonder if that smile is genuine or just another of the so called 'manipulations' that they say she is doing. Regardless she going to have fun watching this and adding the occasional oil to the fire.

And here she thought that the Baron's true name is most interesting she'll hear

"Well it is the fun thing to do." she answered to free with an excited grin. "There is only so much you do by just sightseeing and the occasional idiot." she casually spoke as she dismissed her staff, genuine boredom being heard in her voice.

"Right here, you can call me the Thespian." Shirona spoke with a theatrical bow. "On the other side my name is Shirona Hoshino." she introduced herself as she looks at free who still haven't revealed her name yet.

"So what's yours?"

Ayo pretended to think about it, drumming the train car with her fingers.

"Forgot," she answered with a shrug. "Not like it matters right now, we're not gonna be using them in here and that's the only time I'm expecting to see most of you." She leapt down, stumbling on impact as she joined the rest of them on terra firma. "Okay, I decided I don't actually care if it's a bad idea or not, I wanna see what this Kingdom's all about."

---

OST: Restlessness

"A fine question Signora, however the origins of this application are unknown to me too. Try as I might, I have yet to ascertain it's true purpose", Seiji made sure to put the phone to his side to indicate he wasn't going to use it, not yet at least. The screen was still on the blinking request for inputting a desire.

"Thespian, as far as I'm aware a Sovereign can only be one person, I theorize they can also 'include' others within their circle, giving included individuals freedom within their Kingdom. Perhaps akin to a lord and their subjects. That analogy is close too but not quite... Perhaps less of a dungeon, and more like... Hmmm, another realm. You'll see soon enough, it is far larger than a dungeon", he answered as best he could. His knowledge only extended as far as outside observation, and so this theory was likely built off of his investigation over the last month.

"Now then, I suppose it isn't necessary for me but it is a courtesy. I am Seiji, but here in the Metarealm, call me Noblesse. Perhaps I should point out the importance of this... It is so our enemies do not identify us in the real world". It didn't seem like a big deal to many, especially those here who've already operated here with other users... But he seemed to be thinking ahead.

"If there are no more questions, our next order of business is to clear these crates to make room for ourselves... And then of course, pick one to hide in", and of course they had to go about doing that. The crates were filled with coins, gold, jewels, and of course, gold bars which were a western classic for a robbery, along with bags and bags of paper money. The weight of it all however was the odd part, it was somewhat light for gold. Guess that really was because they were fake.

After awhile the crates were cleared, surprisingly quickly given how much was in them, but definitely that was aided by it being lighter than expected. The train carriage had a couple empty crates ready to go, and all that was left for the lot of them to climb into one and close it, but before that...

"Right, for us all to enter the Kingdom, we must input the desire of the Sovereign. When I give the signal, two fast knocks and then a third, input into the screen... 'Freedom to do as I like'", it was a surprisingly simple desire, but the authority it exerted onto Shibuya was unclear, and perhaps that had a lot to do with the way it was worded. "I". Meaning it was likely not something easily ascertainable without getting closer to the Sovereign.

"If there's any preparation you need to do, do so now. Mentally or physically. We'll be in there for a decent while I feel", Seiji walked up onto the carriage, and leaned against the crate, it seemed he was ready to go... Or go back.

---

"Fake gold, huh? Well...I suppose that makes sense. If you could simply bring actual gold or other valuables from the Metaverse to the real world, no doubt unscrupulous people with access to the Metaverse would have already done it, and the economy would crash. Incidentally, can you bring out things from the Metaverse? It seems like an easy way to commit fraud and forgery for untrustworthy individuals," Hikari said, observing one of the jewellery pieces from the crate as they worked to make room for the team.

Even if it was a fabrication, it was not as if the average person would be able to tell fake jewellery from real one. IF they could bring out things from the Metaverse, then people with Metaverse would have a way to produce cheap imitations with 0 production cost.

Hikari continued moving the crates, finally letting out a sigh of relief as they finished, looking a bit winded as she sat on one of the crates they had set aside, listening to Seiji, or rather, Noblesse.

Physical activity was never her forte, but at least in the Metaverse, it was doable. In the real world, her arms would probably have given out by now.



"Freedom to do as I like...? That...could potentially be a very troublesome manifestation of the app's power, right? Considering—"

Hikari stopped for a brief second, as she hesitated telling them what she had inadvertently done to her friend with the app, especially after knowing some of them went to the same school. No doubt, they had heard about how she allegedly 'stole' her friend's crush, and perhaps had their perception of her coloured by the rumours.



"...Considering what seemed to be the scope of the app's power, a wish such as 'Freedom to do as I like' could have horrifying ramifications for people the user used it on, maybe even stripping their free will," she finished with a small frown, deciding not to use the anecdote of her own experience with the app, giving in to her fear of being judged.

---

Thespian would toss some golden coins upwards as she realized that the gold she was touching is an imitation. An unfortunate yet intriguing detail because whether the gold is real or not doesn’t matter if it cannot be transported to the outside. Is this an oversight or an indicator of self -awareness from the Monarch?

There is only one way to find out.

She would be playing with a crown when she heard Signora’s words, she noticed the small details, the quick changing of words, the sudden hesitation and that frown. It seems that someone used the authority irresponsibly, not like she had a leg to stand on.

“That doesn’t feel right though,” she said as she made the pile of coins she would bury herself to hide. “The wish is basically asking for personal freedom so won’t an authority that strips free will run opposite to the desire?” she pointed out to the group.

“There are many ways we could describe freedom to do as I like, like freedom from expectations or freedom from restraints or morals but considering that our target is the leader of a Tokuryu, I would lean more to freedom to indulge.”

Thespian would then look at Baron for more insight, any speculation could help them for now.

---

Hikari turned to Thespian, who introduced herself as Shirona Hoshino earlier. Hikari didn't recognise the name, but it seemed like the opposite wasn't true, judging by the 'oh' she exclaimed earlier when Hikari introduced herself.

Not that it would narrow it down, a lot of people knew of her, in any case. Though considering Thespian seemed to be about her age, then maybe another student at Hane High? She supposed it would make sense that Seji, being a student of Hane High himself, would find recruits going into the same school.

Though the implication of having so many Black Crow users gathered in the same school meant that it was more common than she had thought, or there was something special about their school.

Well, that was probably a thought better addressed later after she knew for sure just how many were students of Hane High or alumni like Toma. For now, she'd best reply to Thespian.



"The wish our target asked for was 'Freedom to do as they'd like'. The connotation meant 'absolute freedom', but there is no such thing as absolute freedom to do whatever you wish, as long as we live in a civil society. We're bound by the unspoken social contract to follow the rule of law, live and let live, respect the rights of others, and so on. Those are the sort of things that made humans congregating into communities, societies, and nations possible. An innocuous manifestation of the wish for 'Freedom to do as I like' could be something like being able to play loud music as much as you want, suppressing your neighbours' 'free will' to protest, forcing them to consent to that loud music being played. That's relatively harmless, but if our target is of the more disreputable sort..."



"...Well, I'm sure we all can imagine all sorts of immoral things a power that would make consent irrelevant could do. From being able to walk out of any store with unpaid goods to...worse. Hopefully, it's nowhere as bad as the worst scenario of...well...I don't need to spell it out, do I?"

@Digmata

“All the more reason to get moving.” Osamu said, slamming his black steel sabaton into the side of one amidst the crates, overturning it and allowing it’s contents to spill out. Gold, jewels, and cash poured out of the crate and off the car with a small cacophony of clattering and rustling.

At Hikari’s mention of the potential ramifications of that desire being fulfilled, he turned to her with a grim nod. “That tracks with how Chimeratic behaves. Everything from theft and vandalism to assaults. Not to mention, at least one killing.” The irony of him of all people saying this wasn't lost on him. But there was a difference from lifting petty shit or spray painting something dumb on a building... or beating in the face of someone who deserved it... as opposed to doing it maliciously.

“Someone’s gotta remind them they can’t just go around stomping on people. And I don’t see anyone else doing it.” He said, letting a small smirk cross his face as he finished brushing the discarded meta-loot from out of the train car. Sure, it looked like valuables. But at the end of the day, it was just a facade. One he’d take pleasure in breaking apart. Not to mention how awesome it would be to crush this so-called Kingdom, given what these people were doing.

After a moment, he stood upright, giving a confidant and excited smile. Despite the weight of the situation, there was one thing these Chimeratic goons weren’t counting on; just how badly Osamu figured he and these new teammates outclassed them. “Besides, a train robbery like this one’s gonna be absolutely badass!”

The others were getting acquainted and discussing the situation at hand. Toma simply watched, waited, and listened. He wanted to be certain of who he’d be working with in this insane endeavor. No one seemed more wild or unpredictable than Seiji—so there was that, at least.

Everyone else here seemed younger than he was; still middle or high schoolers, if he had to guess. The more he thought about it, the more he saw advantages in their youth. The forces they were up against would never expect what they had to offer. With a foot in both worlds—youth and adulthood—Toma decided it was actually optimal that the group was primarily made up of high school kids.

“You can call me Daimon, by the way,” he finally offered, when the moment felt right. “I’m looking forward to…” He hesitated, searching for the right phrase. “To creating some chaos with you all.”

His mouth smirked slightly beneath the blindfold.

---

Thespian winced at Signora's glare, there is something on her tone that forces her feel that she needs to be a bit on guard right now. It is when Auntie forced her into a 'talk', not quite a sermon but she worries about a lot of things when she's gone.

She is not looking forward at her coming back while she's having this adventure, she knew that this is a thing that requires secrecy but knowing her auntie she's not going to be surprised if she just showed up one day asking her why she is running around in an imaginary world in a costume and fighting with tramp on a skull furnace. She's just that good at finding things out.

"I agree, the depths of how bad men could get is terrifying." Thespian agreed as she buried herself into a pile of gold as her hiding spot. Her voice would be heard by the group as she lay down.

"Be sure, keep up then." she spoke Daimon.

---

OST: Restlessness

Seiji listened on as everyone began to find a good spot, listening. For a moment, one could perhaps spot a smile of some kind, almost imperceptible, though he smiled often, this one seemed to be from a place of pride, though not quite in himself. Then blink, and it was gone, his usual cocky and determined smile back in place.

"Hmhm, indeed Daimon. Perhaps that is the best way to put it, chaos. That is what we shall create", as he spoke he stood straight up from his leaning position, dramatically raising his hand and clenching his fist. He seemed to stop a moment before returning his hand to his hip.

---

After a few minutes and everyone had chosen a spot, the lids of the crates were carefully put back on, sealing the team inside. There were still cracks from which anyone inside these crates could look out from. Their quality did not seem to be for security, but quantity. From inside the crates, everyone could see Seiji pulling his phone out again.

"Now remember, once we're in the Kingdom, no one is to use their real names. Think of it as... The Sovereign is always watching", the screen of his phone flashed a familiar red, before he began tapping at it. Then, he stepped over to the crate, giving it two knocks as he said. It was time.

---

The blinking screens of their phones lit up the darkness of the inside of the crates, illuminating their faces as reflected in their eyes was the words being typed into the app, "freedom to do as I like". There was a brief pause as these words were input into their devices, and then the odd animations of the app seemed to freeze. Did it work? A few breaths of nervousness, just long enough for one to begin doubting themselves would pass before the screen began to move again, the words changing on the screen, before erasing themselves. Like a shroud underneath the red, black overtakes the screen, and upon the dark canvas came bright red words,


The screens of the group's phones began to expand outside of their devices, until the only thing around them was each other, and the crate they were in. Looking out the cracks they can confirm the train carriage was still here too, so this plan was going to work at least... A scenery began to make itself known around them, they could see sweeping, beige plains, ruined gray structures with bright graffiti on them, and the most important part... Train tracks, of which they were on. Behind them too was what appeared to be the end of a train.

"Stay inside the crate, someone's coming", they would hear. It was Seiji. Sure enough he was right, they could hear what sounded like people with distorted voices... Looking out they would see shadows, in the appearance of old timey western cops.

"Hm? What's this one? We have an extra carriage sir, it's not hooked up either", through the cracks a second shadow would start walking up behind the first, looking at the crate. It almost seemed to look right at them, but it showed no indication of seeing them.

"Can't you read? Look at that insignia. Hook it up with the train", it was the insignia of Chimeratic. The group didn't think much of it getting in, but seeing how they reacted...

"O-oh! Sorry boss. I'll get right on it!" There was something like a few minutes of a few shadows pushing their carriage closer to the train, before a metallic snatch stuck it together. The sound was fairly loud, but most of all underneath their feet they felt it. They were secured to the end of the train.

There was nothing much left now... Just wait for the train to move... And then make their move.

---

---

OST- Area Theme: Old West Conquest

"Hmph, flawless plan is it not?", Seiji slowly rose out of his coffin-like box before helping the rest out of their crates. Leftover fake gold and jewelry pouring out as they did too. The scenery around them moving quickly as they all finally got to get a good look at the kingdom they were in. The western-esque desert and wasteland lined with urban ruins marred with graffiti, oil barrels and tires, barbed wire and tumbleweed, even small settlements in the distance. They couldn't get a good look from standing on this carriage though.

Seiji had already climbed up top to look around, and if others did too they would get to see the crowning jewel of the Kingdom. Up ahead in the direction where the train was headed was what looked like a city. Lights beaming out from it as buildings jutted up in the horizon. Neon signs and massive graffiti murals making for a colorful combination, and at it's center was a rather familiar building, the Shibuya 109, however where the 0 would be was a huge sign in the shape of the Chimeratix insignia. Everyone knew immediately as they laid their eyes on it... That was the goal.

"Now the plan is simple, we make our way to the conductor's compartment and take this train over. These trains stop in settlements to be offloaded. We're also going to take over the settlement", it was a bold plan if at all... It really boiled down to 'take everything', but it was the best idea they had right now with how little they all knew on how Kingdoms worked.

"No time to waste, if this train reaches the settlement before we take it, we'll lose our element of surprise".

As he closed himself inside the crate, Osamu took a deep breath. He never had liked tight spaces all that much, but he didn’t want to look like a coward by objecting. Even if there was a tightness in his chest that made it hard to breath, and he felt stuck inside the crate as he couldn’t move much. After a few moments he started breathing faster as the panic set in, but then he was able to distract himself. Pulling up his phone as best he could, Osamu typed in the desire of the sovereign.

>“Freedom to do as I like.”

The feeling wasn’t all too dissimilar to when he shifted to the metaverse normally, and it made for a good distraction from the cramped box, albeit a brief one. Then he felt the dry heat, which only served to make the experience within the box worse.

The arrival of the shadows made him tense further. Every instinct pounded in his chest to just kick the crate open and go mow them down. Get out of this tight box. His breath picked up a little, causing him to clasp a hand over his own mouth. Then, they left. He couldn’t relax. Osamu tried to focus on something, anything, to keep himself calm. A couple minutes passed before the train car started moving.

Osamu’s crate flew open after he finally got the signal, propelled by a sabaton. He took a moment to shake off the cramped feeling, trying to keep his composure as best he could. “Fuck… okay.” He gasped out, doubling over for a moment from the disorientation, as he took a moment to catch his breath before attempting to regain his regular, 'cool' demeanor.

After a moment, Osamu paused. He wasn’t normally one to question, nor one for a subtle approach. But there was one thing that crossed his mind. “If they’re gonna offload the train when we get there… why not just keep our heads down and wait a few minutes?” He asked, as he hefted his machine gun onto his shoulder. Just as he said that, he realized the implication that he'd need to get back into the crate for that, and decided to refocus on taking over the train to stay out of the box, ignoring his own point.“Not that I have any issue with raising hell."

While inside her crate, and away from anyone's eyes and ears, Ayo couldn't stop herself from thinking, no matter how much she tried.

The Authority was pretty broad and vague. Were everyone else's that way? What would such a claim even allow them to do? Alter reality? Or was it like hers, where things simply work out for them - nobody to stop them, nothing to get in their way. How far would that take you? Would laws not apply? Where would it end?

She'd have to sate her curiosity when they reached their destination, at the very least. Part of her also wondered if failing to input the phrase would leave her stranded, crate and carriage vanishing around her so she just fell to the ground like an opossum. Or maybe there'd be two carriages to compensate.

Ayo bit her lip and screwed her eyes shut. Too much. There'd be time for questions back home.

...

After their plan succeeded and they were hitched to the train, Ayo emerged on the top of the carriage, her coat pockets jingling from the handfuls of treasure she stashed away. If people here took the stuff, then it was as good as gold.

"Station means more guards, duh," she answered for Seiji, giving Osamu a jab with her elbow from behind. "We take out the like, five dudes here, there's less of a group later." She slung her ropedart over her shoulder. "Plus we get to keep a sick-ass train."

---

'The Wild West, huh?' Hikari thought while looking around as she followed Seiji and climbed up, before returning to the train's interior.

She was not that familiar with the Wild West aside from the old Hollywood westerns that she occasionally caught playing on local television channels.

But she doubted it truly was a land without rule.

Even in those old shows, a sheriff typically played an important part, maybe even the protagonist. And a sheriff was, essentially, a law enforcer. Thus, while there might be less formalised laws, there were still laws, at the very least, that of the unwritten social contract.

And given the presence of those old-timey western cops, the ruler of this Kingdom was cognizant of that fact, too. So really, the true meaning of their kingdom being the wild west was...

'I want fewer rules and regulations that protect other people from my selfish wishes.'

It was, as she thought, not a more benign wish, such as 'the freedom to pursue and explore one's interests', but the more nefarious one of 'freedom from rules that prevent one from doing whatever they wish at the expense of other people.'

If there was any doubt that this kingdom cannot be allowed to remain, there surely was none now.

As Seiji and Osamu started to discuss their plan, Hikari leaned back against the wall of the train.

Hikari was content to listen quietly and went along with what they decided. After all—

...

Old habits die hard indeed, she thought with a sigh.

Comporting herself in such a manner was exactly what she wanted to change. Thus, at the very least, she should contribute to the conversation to decide their course of action.



"Given Noblesse's plan is to take over the settlement, I doubt stealth was something that plan considered," she said, before turning to Seiji, "Is it because you said earlier the Sovereign is always waiting? And thus, rendering stealth effectively useless? But if that is the case, why not look for a way to go directly to that building with the Chimeratic symbol and confront the Sovereign? Or is there a specific purpose of taking control of the settlement?"

Toma pondered the phrase they had all submitted into their phones while he waited—uncomfortably so—for the time to exit the cramped, stifling box they were smuggling themselves in. When they were finally free, he was met with the arid landscape akin to the North American West. The train, the phrase—it was all beginning to click. He imagined that the more they saw and learned about this Kingdom, the more things would fall into place. Perhaps even how to take out the Sovereign would be among such revelations.

"I think stealth always has its uses," he added to the conversation. "Perhaps even both methods... Both cases are true. It is unavoidable that we draw attention due to our method of transit. We can, however, use that to our advantage in at least a few different ways.

For one, we can have some of us remain hidden while others engage the shadows. Then, the stealth team can either slip past to infiltrate, or double back in a pincer maneuver to overwhelm the enemies we encounter upon arrival. That much, at least, we can play by ear—see what is necessary at the time. Perhaps we can set a simple phrase, a word of signal: one to mean keep going, and one to mean strike."

Toma looked to Seiji—Noblesse, the mask of command. He would need to be careful to use their aliases exclusively going forward. Toma looked to their leader.

"Unless there is more to your plan that we should hear about before we arrive?"

Toma looked about the crew, reiterating their covers in his mind: Signora, Baron, Thespian, Nevermore, and Free. He repeated them like a litany, each name bound to its face behind the blindfold.

---

Shirona held her breath as she hid beneath the pile of gold, she needed to be careful or a single movement will give her away. In a way she choose a very impractical hiding spot, not that she will trade it with the boxes though.

She feel the dry air from.her location as she fades to the background of everyone's consciousness. A common occurrence for her and one that she appreciates in some moments and in some felt annoyed at.

"I mean technically we would be ten..." Shirona pointed as points to her fox mask "...and if what we're facing are similar to the Shadows I encounter during my strolls then things is just a matter putting ourselves in a maneuverable position."

"Before we fight or sneak our way in, I want to try something." Shirona spoke as she took her phone activating her authority and seeing the emotions around them. In theory this should allow her to see the shadows with ease while singling those with more intense or different emotions.

---

---

OST- Area Theme: Old West Conquest

For someone so chaotic, Free had the right idea. Indeed, they would have to deal with more shadows all at once. They were fewer in number, but greater in strength, so it was ideal they would cut down their simultaneous opponents as much as possible. As the conversation and deliberation played out, Thespian who was using her Authority would find it difficult to use. Not because she was unable to access it, Authorities were still accessible, even while in the Metarealm, and so that was true here too in a Kingdom.

However... As she tried to peer into the area around here, there was a great deal of interference. If seeing people's emotions out there was like seeing candles grouped together, looking around now was like being in the middle of a blazing inferno. It was an overwhelming feeling, but it wasn't entirely fruitless... There were a few concentrated patches further down, which one would assume were shadows. Much more concentrated. It betrayed the true nature of this place, and the true nature of Shadows to her, even if it may not be clear at this time to her.

"I had considered stealth, but if I'm correct, we have around fifteen minutes until we reach the town up ahead, so unfortunately stealth is not an option. Besides... I have a plan with the train's engine. Although there is merit in stealth, certainly when this train is secured, a group will sneak out the back while the other... Hm, well that's enough talk. I'll finish this sentence when the train is ours", as the plan was being deliberated, Thespian's Authority finally gave her legible information, before it would be a bit too much for her.

There were five shadows in the first passenger carriage, another three stronger ones in the next, but that was as far as she could see. It seems the driver carriage would be an unknown. At the very least, Seiji's plan to have two groups was solid, as the roof was entirely empty.

"And so we're splitting up into two groups... Free, Baron, Thespian, you three will fight through the carriages. Make some noise. I'll take Signora and Daimon with me up above. As soon as you're done with the small fry, come up to the conductor's carriage", and of course, if they're still fighting, join in and reinforce. Simple.

"Now then, time is of the essence"

---

The train carriages ahead were as they expected, old-timey western train carriages. Cascading over some crates a couple times before finally making it to the first passenger carriage, from which the clean-up crew would enter first. The plan was as soon as the fighting started, Seiji with the roof group would go up above and take advantage of the commotion to speed across unnoticed. Of course, their running was going to create a bit of noise, so if their attention was grabbed then they could safely run across quickly.

In the first carriage there were five shadows, two but a stone's throw away from the front door, chatting away, another one seated in an armchair towards the middle, and two at the far end doorway. As soon as the fighting begins they would reveal their true forms and fight as Shadows.

Luckily... The first two shadows who were meant to be guarding the door the group was entering were... Playing Poker. Cards were set upon a crate in the corner, away from the eyes of the other three in the carriage covered by a couple boxes. They were definitely not meant to be doing this it seems.

"Hehe! I got you now, four of a kind!", the Shadow seemed gleeful, beginning to reach for the cash notes and gold coins on the crate, his opponent suddenly put down his cards.

"Wait on that ya hasty bastard, straight flush". It was a stronger hand, and of course that means the four of a kind lost, and he wasn't having it. "Ooooh! You damn cheatin' there's no way you beat me five hands in a row!" He stood up stammering and stomping, his hand would even almost reach for the revolver in his hip too but ultimately abstain as his opponent took the money.

A perceptive person watching would see a card slip out of the shadow's boot. Huh...

"Now ya got anymore ta bet or am I gonna hafta sit 'ere listenin' to yer whinin' till we reach station?"

---

"Interesting." Thespian spoke as she looked returned her phone to her pocket. "My Authority is a little bit impeded in this place, this is not like the Metaverse." she spoke letting hinting everyone at her authority or at least part of it. After all, a misleading information could be much more dangerous than the lack of one.

Entering the carriage, Thespian would immediately notice that shadows felt more 'alive' or at least defined. The most prominent of all is the 'game' in front of her, seeing the cheating even without the Authority. She then felt Baron preparing to fight their way in. A tempting straightforward solution...

Thespian grabbed Baron's shoulder patting him and whispering, "Let me try something first."

...but where is the fun with that?

Casually walking she made her way to the game acting like she was among the group before speaking in a surprisingly enthusiastic naive voice to the cheating Shadow.

"That was so awesome, how did learn to slip your cards like that? You should try being a magician! Do you know any tricks" Thespian's voice spoke ensuring that the other side of the table would hear it.

Chaos should ensue in three... two... one...

---

The hum of the train riding the tracks through the open barren plain with the occasional bump and notch was a trance of it's own kind, one that those who ride will find themselves entering, whether it be consciously, or subconsciously. As Thespian stepped forward, her entry into the cabin both unnoticed and unannounced, her comment delivered with such endearment, words so sly that one could practically feel the manipulation in their bones. In a way one could see she was familiar with giving backhanded remarks.

The two shadows looked startled as they listened to her, both looking at her before the one who was about to pay up glared right at his game partner. "You conniving little- You said you'd stop doin' that!" Everyone else who heard that could not help but pity the poor Shadow for being so gullible, yet as this was not the first time, he had only himself to blame.

"Now-now hold on! I was just...! Just uhhh..."

"Awright that's it, no more talkin' outta this one pardner, gonna put some holes into ya and maybe you'll sing some honesty!", oh he was really doing it. The Shadow began to reach for his iron, but his sly partner began to do the same.

It all happened in an instant. Both shadows drew as quick as they could and fired, their bullets striking their faces as their heads turned into a thick red splatter, familiar with whenever they squashed shadows before they could attack. Their forms melted into a black ooze before returning to the mindscape that was the Metarealm.

"Oi! What's all that ruckus!" A voice further down the cabin could be heard as a shadow walked over,

"Huh?! Who're you lot! No nevermind, none of you 'er supposed to be here!"



It's form began to shiver as it's body burst, like a cage that contained something within, it's body disassembled itself, creating an array that formed an orb swirling like ink and blood, and then bursting forth. Standing before the group was a two headed dog, large in size, with an orange coat and a green mane, and uniquely a tail that appeared more like that of a spiny lizard's.

"Boys we got company!", it's cry warned the other two shadows in the back. Their forms changed, bursting forth from the same black transformation sequence as two blood red dogs with sharp, violent teeth and a large spiked collar arrived, flanking the Orthrus from either side.

Baron gave a brief smirk as Thespian’s manipulation bore fruit, and the first couple of shadows tore each other to pieces. With the arrival of a second wave, however, the time had come to see what this new team could do, as he kicked the door Thespian has slipped through fully open with a slam, more for dramatic effect than anything.



Advancing into the room under a hail of his own covering fire, he held down the trigger of his belt-fed machine gun as rounds pulled past Thespian and started tearing into the room, and anything not smart enough to seek cover. He ran up to the table the shadows had been using, and a swift kick turned it into cover as he took a second to focus, turning his attention back to the party, before singling out one of them. The older guy in the blindfold, Daimon, seemed like a good pick.



“Lackland!” He called out, as he took a hand off his machine gun to whip out his phone, as he summoned his persona. The lanky armored figure turned to Daimon, before raising a hand and snapping it’s clawed fingers, imbuing his ally with some additional might. “I’ll keep you covered! Get in there!” He called back to the rest of the team, before turning back to continue laying down the hate.



With his newfound ally empowered, Osamu turned back towards the shadows, bracing his machine gun against the table as he laid down more covering fire, stitching a line of rounds just below chest-height across the room at the trio of dog-like creatures in an attempt to either force them to cover, or to stall what he saw as an inevitable charge.