A/N : Battle Chapter 1...
It's a long journey here... phew..
Thanks for review/comment/faves/follows! I love it!
I'm still standing in front of the dark entrance,
Waiting if anyone will help me decide…. Or at least, looking for me…
Are they going to miss me?
Well….
It looks so dark…
Maybe I can just turn around and….
Actually…
Maybe not…
I can feel someone grab my ear.
"Ericchi!"
"Aaahh…ahaha…yes love?" I replied awkwardly.
"You don't need to talk sweet now. I know you are going to get away from this one!" she said.
"Ahahaha…." I smirked.
"Just come inside first! You know you shouldn't judge it by the first look!" Nozomi said as she dragged me inside.
"Aahaha…yes..yes…I'm sorry love!"
I got in,
And I thought it will be dark..
But it wasn't…
The place is awfully bright and beautiful.
The floors are a stone path with grasses growing on its gap, the walls are made of concrete in square pattern, there's also vine growing all over the wall, the ceilings are made of wood, and there's a few big windows facing to extremely beautiful nature scenery.
It reminds me of her dream house….
"Now… Ericchi…. Where's our mini screen? We need them to keep an eye on each other teams!" Nozomi asked.
"Ah…right…" I summoned Kitsune. She appeared in her The Fool form.
"Whoah…. Kitsune's tails are glowing…" Honoka said.
"Ahh! Yes they are glowing! So cute!" Kotori appreciated as she approach Kitsune and pat her tails.
"It's so cute nya!" Rin joined to pat her tails along with Hanayo.
"It becomes so fluffy too…." Umi said as she approached it and began to snuggle her face on her tail.
"You're right…this is so fluffy…." Niko said as she strokes her tails.
Honoka tried to touch the fire.
"The fire is warm but it's not burning me!" Honoka said.
"Really? That's cool..." Maki said as she also curiously touches the fire.
Looks like everyone enjoyed her tails…and Kitsune seems to be proud.
"Everyone…." Nozomi called them.
"Ahh! Yes! Sorry!" Umi quickly released her tails, they all quickly move away from it too.
"Now, Kitsuchi, where's the screen?" Nozomi asked.
Kitsune handed her three tablets. There's Pink, Green, and Purple. Nozomi handed the Pink one to Niko, then Green to Hanayo, and she kept the purple one for herself.
"Next, bracelet so we know who going where…" Nozomi said.
"Ah, you mean like so you can detect if any of us missing?" I asked.
"Yup, can you make that Ericchi?" Nozomi asked.
"Of course…" I replied.
Kitsune quickly made them and they're once again colorful. I got the light blue one, Nozomi got purple, Niko is pink, Honoka is orange, Kotori is gray, Umi is dark blue, Rin is yellow, Hanayo is green, Maki is red.
"Alright, you remember your mini unit name? we will be in this team at most of time…" Nozomi said.
"Lily White is ready!" Umi said.
"Printemps is ready!" Honoka said.
"BiBi is ready!" I said.
"It's Cutie Panther!" Niko said.
"BiBi is fine!" Maki said.
"Cutie Panther!" Niko yelled.
"Bibi!" Maki yelled back.
They began to argue again. Everyone sighed.
"I'm somehow glad Eli-chan is the one who's in the same team with them…." Kotori said.
"Yeah…she is very reliable… I won't be worried…" Umi said.
Haha…yeah…I'm very reliable….
Sigh….
Am I going to do my thing properly…
"Let's begin everyone… You all remember the briefing that Umi gave you?" Nozomi asked. She seems to be serious right now. Well... she is facing her own shadow after all…
"Yup! Printemps going to the left!" Hanayo said.
"Lily White goes right, nya!" Rin said.
"Cutie Panther is middle…" Niko said.
"BiBi!" Maki yelled.
"Shut up!" Niko yelled back.
"Ah! By the way! I want you all to wear a themed costume!" Kotori said.
"Whoah! That sounds fun…" Honoka said.
I hope Nozomi doesn't mind with it… I tried to look at her, she seems to be quiet about it.
"What the hell? Why are we using costume at time like this?" Maki complained.
"Hehehe…don't complain Maki-chan or you are going to be…. an Assassin!" Kotori changed her Costume. Now she is wearing an Arabian like costume, white transparent balloon trouser, gold underwear with sparkly gold scales, exposing her stomach, then a few gold accessories, not to forget the white transparent bandana. She also has a decorative scar on her left eye. Her swords changed into scimitar. It really suits her red hair.
"Wh-What the heck?! Turn me back or I'll hit you!" Maki yelled.
"Yeah, sure, Maki-chan… Violence solves everything…" Kotori giggled.
"J-Just turn me back!" Maki yelled as she changed her swords into the handguns and pointed them to Kotori.
Kotori still giggled at her. She changed Maki's costume again into pirate. Now she is wearing a big black pirate hat, classical black trouser, white bra with black leather, then also white sleeves with wide frills, then her gun changed into old-fashioned handgun,
"Alright, alright, Miss Fortune…" Kotori said teasingly.
Maki looks really flustered. Umi and Honoka laughed.
"Fortune doesn't favor fool!" Niko said teasingly with emphasis on each word and she also gestured like a cheeky woman.
Hanayo and Rin giggled too.
"Ahhh! Maki-chan! Please say this!" Rin quickly stand in front of her.
"How do you like my guns, Shock! And Awe…." Rin said as she shakes her butt and made a gun hand which she point to the air…
"W-what? Why would I do that?" Maki smirked.
"Just do it, I want to see too!" Umi said.
Everyone looking at her with full of expectation…
"Gh-gh! Fine!" Maki blushed.
"How do you like my guns—Shock!—and awe!" Maki mimic what Rin did.
"That's so cool, Maki-chan!" Kotori said. Maki blushed madly.
Honoka, Kotori, Niko, Umi, Rin and Hanayo giggled at her.
What are they actually made her do I wonder? I don't understand it. But it seems like they're up to costume playing something else that I never know about? Maybe I should be more aware of things around me other than what Important for me.
"There… now, enough with the fun… Kotori-chan, please just give us what you think might be fit on us…" Nozomi said.
"Alright! I want everyone wearing a job theme!" Kotori changed all of our clothes.
I'm wearing this…uhm….. am I a nun? It looks very classical for some reason, but the hood would be a little troublesome… or maybe not? It looks fit.
Nozomi turned to a magician, Niko is a teacher, Honoka is a fire fighter, Umi is a policewoman, Kotori is a chef, Hanayo is a waitress, Rin is a tour guide, Maki is a doctor.
"G-gh! I can't fight with this!" Maki yelled.
"Hmpmh! You're just a slacker!" Niko said.
"W-what?!" Maki protested.
They began to argue again.
"Maybe we can stick with something more flexible… it's hard to move around with this…" Honoka said.
"Alright then…" Kotori changed us again.
Now I'm using a dark blue police-like costume with a nicely designed cap, with fancy light blue mini-skirt. Maki is wearing the same but her skirt is red while Umi wearing ivory police-like costume with dark blue skirt. Nozomi, Kotori, and Hanayo are wearing a cuter costume— though they are wearing bowler hat, Niko, Honoka, and Rin are wearing Top hat along with fancy vest.
"I think we can do this one…" I said.
Nozomi keep staring at me. I wonder what she thinks about this?
"Nozomi…?" I called her gently. She blushed and turned away,
"I…It's not the right time! Ericchi! Let's go!" Nozomi said before she walks first.
What did I do wrong now and it was a time for what?
"W-Wait! Nozomi!" Umi chased her along with Rin.
"Get into position everyone!" Nozomi said as she stopped for a moment and walk again.
"Right, we should move on now…" I said.
Everyone nodded and we quickly get into our position.
BiBi team,
We're tasked to deal with the puzzle after Printemps finished their puzzle. We watched them from the screen that Niko bring. Apparently, their puzzle is about managing power and burning things which really fit the Printemps team combination.
Honoka have Power Charge while Kotori have Mind Charge. They can do powerful attack but in a pretty slow place. They also have to defend against the incoming random attack which is taken care of by Hanayo's ability to block attacks.
"Honoka-chan!" Kotori called her as she jumped into a stepping stone which apparently have to be stepped on to unlock specific thing.
"Got it!" Honoka said as she jumped to her back.
"We need strawberry toppings in three seconds!" Hanayo said.
What….? Strawberry?
"Then Macarons in nine!" Honoka said.
Is that how they signal each other?
"Cheese-cake ready!" Kotori said.
Just after three seconds, Mui spit out Agidyne, a powerful single fire attack to an enemy that showed up from above. Honoka jumped forward and Kotori set up a mind charge on Lia. Honoka swing her harmer to the red pillar that supposed to be destroyed while Kotori pushed away the green pillar to activate the last stepping panel for them.
"Careful! I can't active Rice-cooker until five!" Hanayo said.
Lia quickly used Magarudyne, the powerful wind attack into incoming enemy, just right after that, Mui breaths out Maragidyne— a powerful area fire attack. The fire pushed along with the winds which creates a very powerful attack on the enemy. The enemies are all falling to the floor.
"Now! Hanayo-chan!" Kotori shouted.
Diana quickly actives the blocking shield— and a second after that, a powerful ice breath blown into them, wonder where that come from but it's probably a trap. No harm done to them because of it.
"Let's finish them!" Honoka shouted.
They quickly jumped to the enemies and beat them all. It's a perfect team work.
"Harasho…" I said.
"Good Job, everyone!" Honoka cheered. They gave each other high fives.
"Move to the next door! Don't stop!" Nozomi said.
Printemps quickly run to the next door.
"Sheesh… that's an amazing team work…" Maki said.
"I'm amazed with the signaling method…" I said.
"Me too… its unique but effective…" Maki replied as she smiled at me.
"Kayochin's signaling method is so cute-nya!" Rin said.
"I agree…" Umi said.
Niko just remained quiet to that, but she seems like she don't want to lose. I have a bad feeling about this.
"Your turn, BiBi! We already unlocked your door!" Honoka said.
"Thanks! We're going!" I said.
We quickly ran to the door and open it.
Our puzzle is something about timing, it would be easy if I don't have to use The Sun Arcana. Nozomi said I have to use it until we finished the puzzle in this room and Emperor Arcana is not allowed because there is no defense move allowed in this area. Niko also told to not use any blocking move but only buffing moves.
"Everyone ready?" I asked.
"Yes…" Maki replied.
"I'm ready-Niko!" Niko said cutely.
I began with stepping on the first stepping stone, I could see the rest of stepping stone began to lit up. Kitsune changed to The Sun Arcana, she is wearing a fire cloak and red light armor, her weapon is a torch which can be used like a great-sword. It's one of my Arcana that absorb fire attack instead of weak against it. I'm guessing I'll be a defense here because Maki is also weak to fire attack.
Niko is no problem because she got no effect from fire attack, but she is not going to join us in the puzzle before we managed to deactivate the puzzle in the finish line of this room. It's going to be hard for her to catch up with our speed.
Maki quickly jumped to the third stepping stone and right after that, I can see a fire arrow shots to Maki, I quickly jumped to where it comes from to take the damage from her— and right after that, Maki quickly casted Mabufudyne— an area ice attacks on the enemy that showed up from above to ambush us.
"I give you my heart in three Niko!"
What is...her heart…? Do we even have signaling words?
"What the heck is your heart?! Stop trying to be cute!" Maki yelled.
"Ahh! Disheartened fans on the stage!"
What is that?
But just a second after that, I can see a big Fire lance targeted to Maki, Kitsune quickly dashed to where it comes from to take the damage, Minerva blasted a Niflheim— an ultimate ice attack to where it comes from. Then a big shadow appeared.
"Make a super star move in two-Niko!" Niko shouted.
"What the hell are those?!" Maki yelled.
Yes, what on earth is that?
I didn't get to say anything but our stepping stone began to crumbles; Minerva quickly caught us and dashed to the fifth stepping stone along with Kitsune. The previous stepping stones are gone and we see a terrible fire pit down there.
"Nikocchi! If you harm my Ericchi, you and the world will witness my power!" Nozomi said.
"W-wha! I'm sorry Niko!" Niko said cutely.
"Pay attention!" Hanayo shouted.
I saw a bunch of shadows jumped to us,
"Megidolaon!" Maki shouted as Minerva casted an almighty magic— a powerful attack that ignore elemental and physical defense. The shadows disappeared, but our stepping stones began to crumble again.
Kitsune quickly moved us all to the seventh stepping stone. A few shadows appeared again and we all quickly fought them all. Maki used both of her guns then switched it to swords from time to time while I used my pole axe which becomes my favorite weapon for a while. It's very easy to use and the range of it is very effective. I can even use it to counter attack.
"Ninth stepping stone, quick!" Maki said.
I realized our stepping stone crumbled again. Kitsune and Minerva jumped to the ninth.
"No! Ericchi! Get eleventh or—…" Before Nozomi could finish, our ninth stepping stone crumbled in instant. We are falling, but…
I don't know what happen, Maki able to hold my hand and she is hanging on the tenth stepping stone which supposed to be a trap stepping stone. It didn't activated though.
"Quick, get up. I can't stop the time for too long…" Maki said.
I quickly get up and moved to the eleventh stepping stone along with Kitsune. Minerva helped Maki to get up and moved to the thirteenth stepping stone.
"— it will crumble" Nozomi continued. Looks like the time is moving again… We cheated on that one.. did she knows?
Either way, I saw fire lances shot into Maki again, I quickly jumped to the fifteen stepping stones along with Kitsune while also protecting her.
"Increase their speed, Nikocchi!" Nozomi said.
"Ah-right!" Niko buffed us.
We keep on going with the stepping stones very quickly— Maki is the one who deals with the attack while I keep on protecting her from the endless fire attacks.
As we stepped on the biggest stepping stones, I could feel a presence from bottom.
"An attack!" Niko shouted.
"Where and how?!" Maki yelled.
"It's from—…" before Niko finished,
Our stepping stone crashed and we're all thrown up, we saw a giant creature with big axe and it's going to crush us in instant with its quick axe swing… Damn this place really has to deal with timing.
"I'll protect you—Niko!" Niko casted a shield on us, we all got thrown away to the end-line.
This is bad… we're breaking two rules by using a defense move and skipping a lot of stepping stones that we supposed to step on.
We could hear an Alarm ringing and horns.
"What are you doing, Nikocchi!" Nozomi yelled.
I could see a marking appeared on the wall.. then we also could see three creatures appeared— they looks like a knight and they're all looking at Niko, then from ourside, I can see one creature that looks like a grim reaper summoned from the stepping stones that we skipped.
Damn it…
I can see Niko is about to be attacked by the knight-like creatures
I quickly changed my Arcana to The Emperor and casted Tetrakarn on Niko.
"Ericchi! No!" Nozomi shouted.
As she said that, the grim-reaper like creature casted Agidyne on me— that was really painful…
The knight-like creature is surprisingly attacking in turn, Tetrakarn only able to handle one turn and I'm currently in down state. Damn it Niko.. I can't let you killed here.
Just before I was about to change to The Hanged Man to save Niko, Maki used her time stop again.
"Quick! Save her!" Maki said.
I changed my Arcana to The Hanged Man and made Kitsune dashed to Niko and save her. Her persona followed her.
I quickly changed back again to The Sun Arcana before I noticed Maki moved the time again. I can see her falling on her knee. She looks really exhausted.
"Niko, are you alright?" Maki asked.
"Wha….I'm safe?" Niko said.
"You're, idiot…" Maki said.
The grim reaper creatures attack me again, though their fire attack strengthens me up instead. It's payback time… But how do I solve this one? They're all coming for us and I can't possibly use fire to attack them. Maki doesn't looks fit enough to use her Megidolaon…
I can change to The Empress which have Mind charge and Megidolaon, but that one also weak to fire and it's very risky to change to that…
"Don't die Ericchi!" Nozomi shouted.
Die…hmm…die…. Right! I have that!
I changed to The Death Arcana. They began to attack me with a nonstop Agidyne and those knights also attacking Kitsune with physical attacks. Thanks to Kotori's creation, the costume isn't burned and it gives more resistance. I'm also surprised that I can survive those attacks... but i started to feel nothing hurt after several attacks.
"Eli-chan!"
"Maki-chan! Are you ok?!"
"Niko-chan!"
Everyone began to worry. These creatures are indeed very insisting. Let's see if they can resist this.
"Die For Me!" I shouted.
Kitsune casted that magic, it's basically Mamudoon— an instant kill to all foes using the darkness with a lot better chance to success...
All those creatures instantly turned into dust. The red alert stopped and the room turned back to normal.
"That was close…." I said.
"Wow… what was that…." Umi said in awe.
"I..Instant kill…." Honoka said in awe.
"Good job, Ericchi. But you can't rely on that luck forever…" Nozomi said.
"I know… praise me a bit, will you?" I replied.
She giggled,
"Open the door for us and watch me, Ericchi…" she said.
Niko helped Maki to get up.
We quickly turned off the puzzle and move to the next door to unlock their room. We pulled down the lever, then quickly watch from the tablet. We see….uhm… boobs.
"The heck?! I thought you wanted to show us something! Stop covering the screen with your boobs!" Niko yelled.
"Oh? Sorry, I forgot you're all still watching. I was showing that to Ericchi…" she said teasingly as she get away from the screen. Uhm… is this the Nozomi..or…the other Nozomi? I can't really tell now…
"I'm joking, everyone… but yes, please watch… It's Lily White show time!" she said cheerfully.
"She is sure has a strange way to tease us…" Maki said.
"Just her being her…" Niko said.
Hmm… everyone knows her as someone who likes to tease too…. hmm… it's like somehow, I have a feeling that she and her shadow is not actually that much different…. They might be actually thinking the same but acting differently towards a few things? Or perhaps they just got teased by the shadows a lot of time before?
"Go-go! Lily White! Printemps is cheering for you all!" Honoka shouted.
"Bibi is cheering for you too!" I said.
"Thank you everyone, we're going now!" Umi said.
They started as they open the door. Rin quickly dashed forward and sliced the first shadow that lurking on the door way. That was a good start. I hope it's not messed up like our team work…
"Alright, Umi-chan, Rin-chan, remember what I said? Power Shot Ride…" Nozomi said.
What's a…. power shot ride?
"Got it!" Umi said.
"Got it Nya!" Rin said.
"Then, I'll count to three…." Nozomi said. Rin prepared to run, Umi stood still as she tried to be as calm as she can.
"One…" Nozomi said. Umi and Rin focused their eyes.
"Two…." They get prepared for whatever they're thinking to do, I just know Rin might go running while Umi will shoot her arrow.
"Three!"
Umi pulled her shot but she hasn't shot her arrow while Rin jumped into the fragile path which crumbled in instant. Neko-nyan is running along with her while Sachi is right next to Umi, preparing for shooting.
"Spiritual in five!" Nozomi said.
"Counting to three!" Umi said.
"Jumping in ten!" Rin said.
"Ah— watch for the ball in eight!" Nozomi said.
What ball? Are they using sport terms as signaling method?
"Got-it Nya!" Rin said.
Sachi and Umi shot their arrows, Nozomi looks like she is casting something though I wasn't sure of what she cast.
"Alright, don't forget about shield in two!" Nozomi said.
I can see Sachi's arrow and Umi's arrow are moving in a fast pace and catching up to Rin's speed which is incredible, that's the chariot for you… if only my chariot Arcana wasn't weak to fire. Most of my Arcana are weak to fire…
Then I can see the arrow moving into a wooden plank which appeared from the wall and Rin quickly kicked it before the arrows reach it, she was then hopping on the wooden plank which is pushed by the arrow's power and she is like skating on the wall.
That was cool.
"I need another power shot!" Rin shouted.
"Got it!" Umi said before she and Sachi prepared their arrows again but this time they swapped their position.
"Ah! Rin! The Ball!" Nozomi shout.
As she said that, a shadow is coming out on her path which Rin quickly dodge.
"Focus on the plank, I'll deal with them!" Nozomi said.
"Understood!" Umi said.
I can see Nozomi taking out two cards, then she took out her book which I rarely saw since many years ago. I can see her creating a spell around herself and summoned two creatures. One is like a Golden giant bird and the other one is like a giant black dragon with wings and all.
I guess that would be cheating if they're using them to fly instead of doing the puzzle? I wonder what's the punishment if they broke the rule in that room but I guess I don't want to see it especially Rin's position is between a wall that looks like it can move or spawning spears soon.
The Golden bird breath a fire to the shadow as the black dragon bit the air— or…wait… there's a hiding shadow on his bite. I saw it turning into dust for a second. Is that Black Dragon can sense the unseen? I tried to look closer to Nozomi's card. They are The Sun and The Moon.
Umi shots her arrow along with Sachi which they will accurately hit the plank.
"I'll help with magarudyne!" Nozomi said before the Black dragon casted Magarudyne to the arrows and they boosted the speed of it. As it hit the plank, it made it move extremely fast.
"Whooohooooo!" Rin shouted excitedly and looks like Neko-nyan also enjoying the speed. Is that what they call as Power Shoot ride?
"Ah! Watch it!" Nozomi said before A group of shadows appeared on the wall,
"Horus! Mahamaon in two!" Nozomi shouted. Rin quickly cover her eyes as she heard it.
The Golden bird casted a blinding light on the group of shadows— it kills a few but not all.
"Seth!" she called before the black dragon attacks the rest of the shadows.
Rin arrived at the finish line and she quickly turned off the Puzzle.
"Good Job Rin-chan!" Nozomi said.
"That's cool Rin-chan!" Hanayo said.
"It's a perfect teamwork, Harasho…" I said.
Nozomi smiled at me sweetly.
"Now we can ride Seth and Horus, Umi-chan…" Nozomi said.
"W-What…?" Umi looks flustered.
"Come on, I know you want to ride a bird…" Nozomi giggled.
Umi keep staring on Horus which is waiting her to ride on its back.
"Do you want me to wear him a green ribbon first?" Nozomi asked teasingly.
"N-No! Thanks!" Umi said as she quickly walk to Horus and ride on it.
Nozomi hopped on Seth and they flew together to the finish line.
Sheesh…. She can fly…. With her summon….. I'm jealous…. But ah well, my Kitsune isn't going to lose but maybe I should figure out how to fly later. This should be our first focus…
"She…she can fly…." Maki smirked.
"That's….. unexpected…." Niko smirked too.
"Mao can fly too, right? She is the Star…" Maki said.
"Yes…but… I never tried riding it…" Niko said.
"Right, Mao can fly but very slowly… nothing like riding a giant bird or a dragon…" Maki said.
"H-Hey!" Niko protested.
"We unlocked the door! Please move out to the next!" Umi said.
We quickly ran out to the next door as we heard it.
We gathered up in a room,
After we finally finished all the first phase of puzzles… My team always does a terrible job because we hardly have an actual teamwork... sigh. We broke the rules a lot of time, but I have to admit my room always have so much rules that somehow always have chance to be broken. Not that the other room is not, but the first phase of puzzle is clearly can be done if only we have a good teamwork like the others.
"Nikocchi… you've practiced a lot with Eli and Maki, how could you messed up with your signaling method?" Nozomi asked as she fed dried meats to Horus and Seth before they're disappearing into light and went into the Book Nozomi carried.
"T…That's because they don't understand me!" Niko said.
"W-What?! You made up the signaling just now! I can't know what you mean so quickly! It takes a while for me to think about what you mean!" Maki said.
"Put that aside, how do you all practices before?" Umi asked politely.
"Well, Eli always takes care of the enemy and I usually just do support attack. I'm already used to Eli's battle style so I can keep up with her… and Niko never really say about the direction, but we never have that as problem since Eli can sense where enemy come from too…" Maki said.
"So this is your fault, Ericchi…" Nozomi said.
"My..fault?" I asked.
"Yes, you shouldn't take care of everything! You could've actually train them how to work as team…" she said.
Well… she is right… I shouldn't….
"Now it's too late, but I think we still can do the second phase of Puzzle with this team. Next phase should be arranged into two-two-two-three." Nozomi said.
"Two-two-two-Three?" Honoka asked.
"Means that we will have three pairs and one group of Trio…" Umi said.
"Yes, we need Power Melee, Wind mages, Double scouts, and Soldier game…" Nozomi said.
"Power Melee! I think I'll fit here!" Honoka said.
"Rin want Power Melee too, nya!" Rin said.
"Yup, you two are fit there…" Kotori said.
"Kotori, you're in Wind Mages with Hanayo…" Umi said.
"Oh... me? But…." Hanayo looks a little worried.
"Isn't that good? We're already used with each other…" Kotori said.
"You're right…" Hanayo said as she smiled.
"I'll take the double scouts with Nikocchi. I want to make sure to train her as a proper scout too…" Nozomi said.
"Then that means, me, Umi, and Eli is on the Soldier game?" Maki asked.
"Yup, you have Ericchi to be your scout, but you don't really need scout in that room since it will be mostly about adjusting each other's battle style. Umi-chan shouldn't have problem with that, right?" Nozomi asked.
"Ah…well.. yes… I think so… I can take care of heals too.." Umi said.
"Alright, let's get over the second phase…" Maki said before she tried to walk and yet she falls on her knee. Looks like she is very weak at the moment… after using her time control ability…
"Maki-chan!" Everyone began to worry.
"G..gh! I …I'm ok!" she said.
Nozomi sighed.
"Maki-chan, you were cheating with your time control ability, right?" Nozomi asked.
"Can't be helped or we will die…" Maki said.
"I understand that, so I forgive you now… if only you all have a better teamwork…" Nozomi said before she took out The Fortune card and her book.
"N..Nozomi? What are you going to do?" Umi asked.
"Sacrificing…" Nozomi said.
"W-wait a minute!" Umi looks very worried. She quickly stands in front of her.
"W-what are you sacrificing demon for?!" Umi asked.
"To give her spiritual energy?" Nozomi said.
"W-what?! that… that's so wrong!"
"Relax, these demons are just regular one. There are ton of them around…" Nozomi said.
I guess Umi really need to be more relaxed and getting used with these...demons stuff…
"Umi-chan…. just relax… she won't harm anyone…" Kotori said as she pushed Umi away.
"B-but!" Umi still worried.
"Don't worry! Don't worry!" Kotori giggled as she gave her massage.
Nozomi giggled at her too before she took out a blanket from her bag and place it right in front of Maki.
"I'll cover it if you don't want to see it…" Nozomi said.
Maki and everyone else wondering about what the blanket is for, but she was able to explain it by just working on it. A figure appeared from under the blanket and Nozomi took out the handgun that I made for her. She was then aiming for point-blank from under the chin of the figure—pointed to the upper side, then she shot her gun.
Umi quickly covered her eyes and some others did the same too. Surprisingly, there's no blood or anything coming out from that figure. But we can see something that looks like a powder of lights coming out from the blanket and flew to Maki which she somehow absorbs it.
Maki is able to stand again.
"Wow… what… what is that? I feel like I'm fine again…" Maki looks flustered.
"Hehe, told you I recovered your spiritual energy… now don't cheat again… teamwork!" Nozomi said.
"W..wah…." Kotori looks amazed.
"You all too, I know each of you have special ability, but don't cheat with it, ok? I don't have enough regular demons with me right now…" Nozomi said.
"You don't have enough regular demons with you right now? it sounds like you have plenty somewhere else…" Niko said.
Nozomi giggled at her.
"Maybe? I might have some in your home…" Nozomi said teasingly.
"H-Hey?!" Niko yelled.
She began to protest to Nozomi and Nozomi keep teasing her.
Ah, now that remind me I have to confirm something… is she the real Nozomi or the other one? I tried to approach her as she keep talking with Niko, I think everyone's eyes are all focused to them so this is a good chance for me to do this.
I slip my finger under her skirt and pressed her core.
I can see her really surprised— then she slapped me so hard.
Ouch…..
"Ericchi! What are you doing?!" she yelled at me.
"E…Eli…. I saw that…." Umi said in horror.
"E…Eli-chan…." Kotori looks surprised too.
"C…Contain yourself… we still have a few phases to go until the final room…" Maki said.
"Eli-chan…what did you do….?" Honoka said in horror too.
"W-w-w-wa-wa…someone please help!" Hanayo screamed.
"T..that's so vulgar nya!" Rin said in horror.
"What the hell….." Niko said in gloom.
Looks like everyone saw it….
"Ah…ahah…sorry…" I scratched my cheek shyly.
"I-Idiot! Time and Place, Ericchi! You shouldn't do it here!" Nozomi said.
At least now I know this is the real Nozomi…
"Let's go everyone! We better get moving!" Nozomi said as she walks away.
Everyone began to walk in group and split up their ways.
Maki and Niko staring at me….strangely….
"Eli…. That's not nice….you know, even if she is your girlfriend…" Maki said.
"I….I just wanted to confirm something…" I said.
"Excuses… but either way, you should contain yourself, ok?" Niko said.
Why am I being lectured now… but I guess it was worth it…
"Let's just go…." I said after I sighed and walk to where we should be.
Maki and Niko followed me and they're still looking at me strangely.
A crow which carry a small lantern flew to us, it also carry a small letter with it. It placed the letter on my hand and flew again. He doesn't want a pat on head? What a shy thing...
I opened the letter carefully, I can see Nozomi's handwriting here… it says,
"We will have our time together later… be patient, ok?"
I guess she is taking it too seriously…. I was just trying to confirm about her identity…. Ah well.
I quickly hide the letter. I hope Maki and Niko won't pry about this one.
After our second phase of maze,
Maki and Niko are able to communicate but we're still lack of teamwork. Niko keep messing up with the timing while Maki sometime refuse to listen to her because of that. I feel like working alone too but at least we are all able to finish puzzles without doing anymore cheating or breaking the rules. It just take a lot of work though. I swear the other two teams never have any problem with their team.
What make me jealous is, Nozomi never practiced with her summons, Umi and Rin are also new to her summons, yet the two are able to catch up with her— they listen to each other too…if only we can listen to each other, it would be a lot easier…..
"Maki-chan…Niko-chan… why are you two always hard to listen to each other…" Hanayo said, she seems to be very concerned. She is helping Maki to clean up blood and dirt from her legs along with Rin.
"Your team always has to go out covered in blood…. It's not comfortable to see you know…." Umi said as she is helping Niko to clean up.
"My costume is self-cleaning and unbreakable, but still, they are still hurt, right?" Kotori asked as she gives a drink to Niko.
"Do you want manjuu?" Honoka asked Maki as she offered manjuu to Maki.
"Thanks…." Maki replied shyly as she accepts the Manjuu and eat it.
"I just wonder how long we will have to deal with this painful place…" Niko sighed.
"Six more phase, there are nine phase in total…" Nozomi said as she tidy up my clothes.
"Nine? I thought we only have eight…" Umi asked.
"I don't know about the final phase… but I'm sure she made it after we argued…" Nozomi said.
"After you argued?" I asked.
"Yes… we had…. A very intense argument…. Which made us finally stop to switch our places and…. Started to try living in our own..." Nozomi said.
"I didn't know a shadow can do something like that…." Honoka said.
"Well… actually… we're not exactly like you all… I am her and she is me… but hmm… it's hard to explain…" Nozomi replied.
"When do you stop switching places?" I asked.
"Just about two month ago…" she replied.
"So in that two months, you're enemy to each other?" Maki asked.
"Not enemy, more like rival… we're actually racing about who is awake first to get the 'Toujou Nozomi' place, the later will hide because neither of us want to screw up the life that we already build together…" she said.
"So you two are actually still have the same thought despite the argument you're having? This is confusing….nya…" Rin said.
"Well… there's specific things in life where you just can't agree with yourself… but you know you're still you…" she said before she sighed.
"I wish she can understand it…" she continued.
I wonder what argument they're having…
"Can we ask about what argument you're having?" Maki asked.
Nozomi shook her head.
"It's too personal… I can't let you all know about it… thing is, she is not being agreeable and we must eliminate her…" she said.
"I'm sure that's the case… the pure evil Nozomi must pay for what she made us do in this place…" Niko said.
I doubt that's the case though…honestly. I somehow feel like I really want to know further before deciding this…
"Alright, let's get it on!" Honoka said.
Third phase of the puzzle,
This should be a soldier game phase for us. Nozomi told me that I should use The Empress Arcana since that would make things a lot easier.
The Empress Arcana is wearing a white shirt and long baby blue robe on the left shoulder, then an elegant leather boots along with black trouser. She has a decent looking necktie which made her looks like coming from a noble family. Her weapon is a fencing sword. She even adjusted her gesture too.
Unlike the previous phase, we have to move in the same time with the other group and once we finishes, we have to wait until the other team close to finish or we might harm the other team.
"Soldier game here, are you ready Wind Mages?" Umi asked.
"We're ready…."Hanayo said.
"Alright, make sure you're moving in the same pace with us, ok? Give us a good signal.." Umi said.
"There's a lot of alphabet in this place, are we supposed to move according to it?" Kotori asked.
"Yes, we have to…" Umi said.
"Then, we can signal each other by saying the word that starts with what we step on…" Kotori said.
"But let's not think too much, just say the word if you know what to say!" Maki said.
"Good point, focus on finishing the puzzle instead of the signal…" I said.
"Alright! Shall we start now?" Kotori asked.
"Yes, let's do this…" I said.
"I'll start! Zebra!" Kotori said,
Looks like their group alphabet is starting from Z instead of A… we're all starting from A.
"Alpaca!" Umi said as she steps on the first alphabet panel along with Sachi.
Just right after that, we could see the first shadow coming out from the box that appear from the next blank panel which quickly taken care of by Umi herself. She is very quick at targeting and shooting ever since she often enters the other world.
"Basilisk!" Maki said as she jumped to the second alphabet panel along with Minerva through Umi's panel.
"Yogurt!" Hanayo said,
"Centaur!" I said as I dashed to the third panel along with Kitsune, we saw the ambushing shadows and Kitsune quickly slices them with her sword without even moving her feet. I don't even able to really see her slashing her sword. It was too quick for my eyes.
"X-ray!" Kotori said.
"Daring!" Maki said as she jumped to the fourth.
"Walpurgis!" Kotori said, sound like Hanayo is occupied by something else here. We can hear her screaming.
"Electromagnetic!" Umi said as she jumped to the fifth, a shadow appeared again and Sachi was able to deal with it in one shot.
"V-Violet!" Hanayo said nervously.
"Fluoride!" Maki said as she jumped to the sixth.
"Umi!" Kotori said.
"What?" Umi asked.
"I was just signaling…" Kotori said.
"Oh-sheesh!" Umi replied.
"Gertrude!" I said as I moved again. Another shadows appeared and once again Kitsune killed it before I could do anything.
"Tea!" Hanayo said, we can hear Kotori panic now.
"Hamburger!" Maki said as she stepped on the next one and a few shadows appeared which Maki and Minerva attack in instant.
We don't really know how the spawning works now. It feels like it has pattern but they eventually randomized. We keep moving on through the panels. Everyone is surprisingly knows what words to say until it was close to the end.
Though what made me wondering is… why everyone suddenly has red face after Kotori said Missionary? What's wrong with Missionary? Then they keep moving on with the
"S…Sixty nine!" Umi said.
"L…Love!" Hanayo said.
"Aahhh! It still sounds wrong!" she continued.
"T…The standing tower!" Maki said with blushing face.
"Ahhhh! I can't make it better too! Eli I'm counting on you!" Maki continued.
"Kneeling!" Kotori said cheerfully.
"Unicorn?" I said as I dashed to the next panel and deal with the shadow.
"Aahhhh! Eli! Please don't give anything with horn!" Maki and Umi said.
"But it's a unicorn! They have rainbows and it's pretty!" I said.
"No! Still bad! Bad!" Maki and Umi said.
I can hear Nozomi giggled on the other place. I wonder what's so funny? I have no idea what they're talking about too and what's the deal.
They continued again with the words as we keep getting through the panels. We're close to the end and since Maki and Umi are occupied with shadows, I get to jump to the last panel.
"Zipper!" I said.
"Ahhhhh! Eli! Why?!"
"Way to end the panel, Ericchi…" Nozomi said.
What's wrong with Zipper?!
"We're still on B…!" Hanayo said.
"Bucking Bronco!" Kotori said cheerfully.
"A….A…Anemone!" Hanayo said.
"We did it! Umi-chan we did it!" Kotori said.
"Ahaha…yes…we did it…" Umi said.
"Turn off the puzzle! I can't stand this room anymore!" Maki said.
I quickly ran to turn off the Puzzle.
"We just did!" Kotori said.
"We did too.." I said.
The panels started to move and flipped around. I can see it covered with ice on the backside. That would be trouble if we haven't finished it. But I wonder why do we have to finish all these puzzles?
I mean, why can't we just go straight to the point?
Is it just how Nozomi express herself as if she always spins us around first before telling her true intention?
Then what's her true intention from all these puzzles?
More importantly, as I look through the map that Umi show me a while back before we enter the Soldier Game room—which I still don't understand why we're named as that, I can see that this place is actually a maze with a lot of room.
"Eli! Maki! Look!" Umi said as she pointed to a direction, we turned to see it and….
"What is that thing…" Maki asked.
"The reason why it's called Soldier game…" Nozomi said.
There's a big cage coming out from the ceiling carefully.
"W-Wha! There's a lot of strange ribbons coming out in our room!" Kotori said.
"That's why wind is the best one in that room, just blow them up Kotori-chan, Hanayo-chan is immune to wind attack…" Nozomi said.
"Alright!" Kotori said.
The cage landed on the ground.
"What is this now, Nozomi?" Maki asked.
"Hmm… well, you all can deal with that easy… all of you have the same immunity, right?" Nozomi said.
"Ice…" we all said together.
"There… just fight him like a soldier… you'll be fine."
Fight like a soldier? Like… face to face? That might be it, but what role I have to take here…
"Ericchi, why don't you try The Strength here?" Nozomi asked.
"Good idea…" I said.
"Yup, The Emperor won't be able to keep up anyway…" Nozomi said.
I changed my Arcana to The Strength, she is wearing full heavy armor with giant axe. I thought it would be hammer but I guess Giant Axe might be working as good. Though, for some reason, I feel this is a lot heavier than usual… but I feel like Kitsune and I can take more damage than the others.
The cage opened and a giant bear-like creature appeared, but it has bull horns. It's skin is dark blue and light blue hair with red eyes.
"I'll tank this one, Umi, you do full range attack and support me, Maki please go full assault but watch your range…" I said.
"Ah… I forgot to say, Ice will not work good here so you only can use Almighty force… or fire if you have any…" Nozomi said.
Well… damn, my The Strength doesn't have fire… but…
"I have fire, but it won't be as good… Agilao is the best I can do" Umi said.
Agilao is the medium fire.
"I have garula, will that work?" Maki asked.
"Actually…." I said.
"I think we can use ice attack…" I said.
"Hmmm… so what Ericchi plan?" Nozomi asked.
"Ice break. I have Ice break, but I need a proper timing…" I said.
"You want me to mind charge before you did it?" Maki asked.
"Yes, you have Niflheim, would be bad if we didn't use it… beside, you have Ice Amp too, right?" I said. Ice amp is a passive that increase Ice damage. So even if the enemy isn't weak to it, Maki's best attack is still ice element. It just the same like The Magician Arcana for me.
"Alright then, what about Umi?" Maki asked.
"Umi, just stick with Agilao and save your spirit for healing…" I said.
"Got it…" Umi said.
"Ready?" I asked.
"Yeah!" the two replied.
Kitsune quickly make the first move just like what I thought it should be. She swing her axe into its head, even if it didn't make much damage, it's a good provoke. Kitsune quickly made some range before it enraged itself.
"It's enraged, don't get attacked, ok?" I said.
"Got it…" Maki said.
I wouldn't worry about myself because Kitsune in The Strength Arcana have strong defense against physical attack. It even has High Counter too. Though my magic won't be doing as good with that Arcana. Hmm… I wonder if there's an Arcana that strong at everything.
The Fool is ok, but it's not very superior at anything. Ah well.
Kitsune is still dealing with the Bull-like creature as Sachi casted Agilao to it, the creature fell to its weak state— we didn't use that chance to do all-out attack on it. I can see Maki Mind Charged Minerva so I'll make sure to do the ice-break at next turn. Ice break couldn't last so long so that's why I need to time it.
Kitsune casted Ice break to the creature, Umi casted another agilao which cause the creature to get into its dizzy state and Maki used Niflheim on it. I think it does pretty big damage to it, but it doesn't look like it's going to be dead any sooner.
"It's tough…" Umi said.
"Darn it, my attack isn't even damaging a quarter health…" Maki said.
"Use this, Maki!" Umi took off her ring and throw it to Maki.
Hmmm… she has a ring?
"Huh?" Maki flustered as she caught it.
"Kotori made it for me, it helps to increase ice damage…" Umi said.
"T…Thanks…" Maki said as she wears it.
Right, now I think I should gather up with them again and make some new accessories for them to help them in battle. There's still a few more phases later…
Kitsune used Power Charge on the next turn, Maki used Mind charge as Sachi casted Bufudyne on it. Then as the creature wakes up, I used God's hand— a single target heavy physical attack on that creature. It's not very effective but it still damages a lot better than my magic in this Arcana.
"It still looks pretty hurt, Eli, but don't waste your time using that…" Umi said.
"Right, thanks…" I said.
"You can't switch? I think you might can just switch to The Sun or something next time…" Maki said.
"It's too risky… The Sun Arcana have Ice as weakness…" I said.
"Ah… then, is there any Arcana that have Megidolaon or something?" Maki asked.
"Soldiers…. I can't really see you all, but please, Ericchi, just focus on your tanking and support. Let Maki do all the damages…" Nozomi said.
Well, right, none of us have the tablet… but yes, her suggestion is right. I better focus on tanking and support.
"Don't try to take care of everything!" Nozomi continued.
"Sorry…" I replied.
I can hear her giggling.
"That's my Ericchi… don't lose, ok?" she said,
I giggled at her,
"I'll do my best… Nozomi."
I can't hear her talking for a while until she said cheerfully,
"Good luck, Soldiers!"
"Umi-chan, Eli-chan, Maki-chan! good luck!" Kotori said as the others followed her to cheer too.
The creature wakes up again.
Umi used Agilao again, and since we don't need to ice break it and Maki already mind charged, she just go straight to use Niflheim as Umi do Bufudyne while I just stand guard so I can save up my spirit for something else later.
As the Ice break wore off, we repeated again in the same order again to take it down. It was indeed an easy fight since we were able to manage our teamwork nicely.
To think about it, this place really tests my teamwork instead of my intelligent… and it actually forces me to do so. This kind of thing… I think it's only Nozomi that able to do this.
I suppose, she just really wanted to make sure we're united…. but… why though? There must be a reason why she wanted us all to do it. I mean… if she truly want to kill us, why trying to make us united? Perhaps she has a good intention… perhaps she isn't actually wants to kill us…
I believe there is still a kindness in her heart despites her cruel words back then.
Back to focus with the creature, we repeated the same procedure again and finally able to beat down the creature. We could see a green light turned on at somewhere around the finish area.
"Ah— I can see green light here, you all did it…?" Nozomi asked.
"Yes…" I replied.
"Great, now please press the button to unlock our door…" Nozomi said.
We headed to the green light and see a green button near it. We pressed it and we could hear a clicking sound somewhere.
"Thank you!" Honoka said.
"Thank you-nya!" Rin said.
"Thanks, now it's our turn!" Niko said.
"Make your own tablet, Ericchi, I want you to watch me…" Nozomi said.
"Right… Kitsune…." I called her.
Kitsune made a light blue tablet and handed it to me. Maki and Umi quickly walk behind me and to join watching.
Nozomi is on the screen along with Niko.
"Too bad we can't watch Honoka-chan and Rin-Chan…" Hanayo said.
"I can use my summons to do that since I will only need two summons here…" Nozomi said.
"How much summon you can do?" Umi asked.
"Hmm… I can do about three or four at once… I don't have enough power to do more than that for now…" Nozomi said.
We started to see the screen flying before Niko's channel activated and Niko handed her tablet to Nozomi. We can see the screen is flying along with a faint orange lamp that looks like coming from a lantern…. Then that crow is no doubt Nozomi's summon.
The screen showed Honoka and Rin in a room, they seem to notice the crow carrying Nozomi's tablet. They waved to us.
"Just in case you two forgot, Honoka-chan have to hit as hard as she can while Rin-chan have to push as fast as you can— don't get slipped or falling since it may be dangerous…." Nozomi said.
"Leave it to me-nya!" Rin said cheerfully.
"I'll do my best!" Honoka said cheerfully.
"Just ignore fire, you two are immune to them, right?" Nozomi asked.
"Yup! We are!" They said.
"Alright, now as for you Nikocchi… as a scout, you have to react the fastest in group— it's not about physical movement but more like something with brain works…" Nozomi said.
"I knew that one… let's just jump in into puzzle…" Niko said, I can't see her since the view isn't on her right now. But I can see Nozomi grinned.
"Then— You have to run as fast as you can and also dodging or blocking everything!" Nozomi said.
"W-What?!" Niko flustered. Nozomi giggled before she summoned a beast that looks very close to what we just fought before. It looks smaller— but it still looks somewhat wild.
"Just witness my power!" Nozomi said.
I can hear her summon roared. Nozomi jumped into the creature—I can see that she is now riding it and faced the view on Niko. She looks really pale.
"W…What the heck?" Niko smirked.
We can hear her summon roared again.
"Ready Honoka-chan?" Nozomi asked.
"Ready!" Honoka said. We can see her standing on a cart with Rin on the back. I think she will function like the horse power or something…
"Let's go!" Nozomi said cheerfully before Niko started to run and yelled,
"W-what the hell?! Nozomi! You're insane!"
"Run-Nikocchi! Run!" Nozomi said.
Rin and Honoka also started to run.
There's a lot of shadows appeared on both of their path, Honoka's path looks tougher, but she can swing her hammer around easily and defeated the shadows. I don't really understand about what happen on Nozomi's room though, but we see Niko is really running for her life while she dodge and block everything.
What happen to the shadows? Does Nozomi added one other summon we can't see right now?
I can hear Nozomi laughed happily as Niko keep yelling at her. Maki sighed,
"Serve her right…" she said.
"I thought you're about to say, I supposed to be the one who watch her running like that?" I asked teasingly.
"Oh, right-right, you're the cutie panther… you should've been the one who is trying to catch a prey…" Umi said.
"T-there! You two! Stop teasing me with Cutie Panther!" Maki retorted.
"Yup-yup, we're BiBi after all… not Cutie Panther…" I said.
She blushed and turned away from us.
Suddenly, we could hear someone crunching something from our earphone.
"Wh..who's that?" Umi asked.
"A-ah! sorry! I was hungry!" Hanayo said.
Hanayo connected her channel to mine.
I can see her and Kotori carrying a plate of cookies which all shaped like a rice ball.
"Looks delicious…" I said.
"Hehe… Diana made it for me…" Hanayo said.
Then I could hear someone's stomach growling. Maki's blush getting redder… that must be her.
"Haha.. Maki, you're hungry…" Umi said.
Then I can hear someone else' stomach growled. Umi started to blush. I giggled at them.
"Let me make you two some Piroshky…" I said before I beckoned to Kitsune.
"Aaahhh! Ericchi's Piroshky!" Nozomi shouted.
"The-hecckkkkkk! She sped up! Fuck-Fuck-Fuck-Fuck! Shiiiiiitttttttt!" Niko cussed as she buffed her own speed and ran faster. The pacing in her team doesn't look normal anymore.
"Honoka is Hungry too!" Honoka said.
"Rin-chan! We can have ramen after this!" Hanayo said.
"Waaaa! Rameeeeennnn!" Rin shouted as we can see her speeding up as well.
Umi and Maki started to giggle,
"We can wait for food then, let's gather up and take a break after this…" Umi said.
"Yeah… we should…" Maki said.
A/N : Phew...
This is...lol.. hard...
but I'm working hard too! I will always finish what I've started! O_O
A few more chapters! Let's go~