The Awakened Gate

Landsborough's vessel cries out as he looks around with panic, "What the…?"

Noticing that his vessel had awakened, Landsborough exclaims with shock, "What the hell? Comrade Noir! My vessel has roused!"

Chain Noir then scoffs and shouts at Landsborough, "What did I tell you? It is because you took him over before you got used to the body! Now, hurry up and knock him back out…"

However, before he could do anything, I thrust Reasonslayer downwards, which temporarily broke the bond between Landsborough and his vessel enough for me to launch multiple constricting tendrils of jagged shadows at the puny demon...

I then exclaim with a grin, "Good morning… Now… Chaser, how about your forces finish off that succubus bitch as I decimate this clown..."

John Doe frowns and replies as he tries to fend off the chain forces more, "That is not our role… We are here to fight until the little lamb comes to her senses…"

I nod in understanding as I blow a toxic dust into Landsborough's face, sending him into a deep trance…

At least that will keep him quiet for the time-being.

I notice that the fight's loud noises are causing Chain Noir's vessel to begin to rouse… Looks like the battle may tip more than a few hairs in our favor… I form Reasonslayer back into its normal form and lick it with glee, coating it with my inner poison that runs through my blood, and proceed to wave it around a bit wildly, killing wave after wave of the chain creatures until suddenly one that I missed tried to attack the Sheep! However, one of the cat-women jabs her spear into it and says with a slight grin, "You are the 'key' of the situation, the reason the boss and us are fighting, nya…"

The Sheep's eyes grow wide with sudden insight as she exclaims, "'Key'? That is right! The 'key' is me!"

She then roars with fury as I feel my old master return… Yes… Let them have it, Sheep-sama…

Send them back to where they belong and never allow them to return!

The Sheep then whispers to Yumeji as her hat covers her eyes, "Because of you guys, I have finally come to my senses… I am sorry… It is time to give it my all… Now, please hit me… My head has grown hazy from chronic pensivity… Hit me once to wake me up?"

Yumeji cracks a smile and says as he bashes the Sheep on the head, "Wake up, sleepy-head!"

Merry then cracks a vigorous grin as she joins the fight in a swift blitz that only I saw…

Those eyes, eternally pensive yet vigilant and zealous… I can see them once more!

I then exclaim with glee as I let my true power flow, "Nice to have you back, Sheep-sama… Now, it is time…"

She nods with glee as she replies and let her overflowing will flow into the key she holds, "Yes…"

Chain Noir then conjures chains to bind the Sheep, but they are futile much to the succubus's chagrin…

Landing once again on the shattered ground, the Sheep bashes Chain Noir upward and I swiftly add the still-unconscious Landsborough to the mix as I sew them in a temporary bond of shadows…

The Sheep then channeled all her will into the key and jabbed it into the ground, conjuring the Yume-mon to existence as she exclaims, "I am sending you two fools back!"

As Landsborough and her reach near the glistening gate, Chain Noir then roars with glee, "No matter! Send us back as much as you want! As long as Elcres-sama is still here, we will keep returning…"

The Sheep cracks a grin as she exclaims with glee, "No. I am locking you two back there…"

Chain Noir's eyes grow big and she exclaims as she begins to be consumed by the gate's energy, "LOCKED? WHO IN THE WORLD ARE YOU?"

I chuckle and reply as I lick my lips, "She is the gatekeeper, the Sheep and the eater of nightmares, Merry Nightmare… Now, Chain-linked Succubus, when the clown awakes, please send him my regards…"

Before Chain Noir could reply, the gate shuts closed and the daydream ends…

Interesting… So now I have her back…

Or rather, at least part of her… She still cannot remember the past…

But she will in time, and it will drive us to victory…

I see the two liberated vessels look around confused and reclaiming their bearings...

I see everything is up to par, so I swiftly take my leave... But I know me and the Sheep, as well as possibly that chaser fellow, will cross paths again...

After all, the dice shall fall soon... It is only a matter of time before the heroes are called for yet another mission...

And I will be there beside them in that fight, clashing against the encroaching evils time after time...