Akane no Mai

by Kanius

A man from the world of Vein drops into a world of Thieves. He meets a pragmatic woman. She greets him with a calm smile. "My name is Togo Hifumi." Following the fateful encounter, a host of monsters arrive, disrupting the peace. The Thieves return to confront these entities outside their realm and ultimately cross paths with the Revenant man.

34. The Advent Eight

Chapter XII: The Advent Eight

---

Mysterious Dreamscape/February 26, 2019 (2019年2月26日) (Reality: February 26, 2021)

Opening his eyes, Skyler found himself surrounded by cloud mist. He scanned his newfound location in confusion.

"Where am I?" He wondered.

"Skyler?" A voice similar to Hifumi's caught him off guard.

As the Revenant turned to his right side, he saw Hifumi walking through the mist. He ran up and embraced his girlfriend.

"Hifumi, that was you. Thank goodness, but what are you doing in my dream?"

"I could say the same to you," she then smiled. "Not that I'm complaining or anything."

"Same here, but what is this place?"

"Oh good, you two are here," a pair of unidentified voices belonging to two women interjected, garnering Skyler and Hifumi's attention.

"Who the hell is there?!" Skyler demanded, protectively standing in front of Hifumi.

"It might be wise if you turn the other cheek," the voices added suggestively to Skyler.

As Skyler and Hifumi exchanged looks, they nodded together. They turned and faced the ones addressing them. The mist receded, revealing two unidentified figures, who walked forward to greet Skyler and Hifumi. Skyler put an arm out, holding Hifumi back and not taking any chances these strangers could potentially bring her harm. Skyler's eyes turned blood red in response toward these unnamed figures.

One of the figures was slightly taller than the other. The taller one appeared 5'9-feet tall and the other stood 5'8.

The slightly shorter figure backed off, letting out a faint squeak. "Oh, goodness! His eyes are kinda creeping me out!"

The taller figure then scoffed. "Hey, what the hell, jerkoff?! Lose the glowing eye treatment! We don't mean any harm!"

Upon hearing this, Skyler wasn't too convinced, but all it took was Hifumi holding his hand to soothe his tense emotions. Upon relaxing, Skyler's glowing red eyes faded and turned to normal.

"Well, that's a relief. Looks like we're in the clear, sweetie." The taller figure sighed with relief as they walked out of the mist, fully revealing themselves to Skyler and Hifumi.

Initially, Skyler and Hifumi were taken aback by the duo's outward appearances. Both are exotically attractive women, were seen holding hands, and wearing erotically revealing clothing.

The taller one has exotic lighter brown, almost caramel, complexion in contrast to her fairer-skinned companion. Skyler and Hifumi discerned the caramel-skinned woman's silver hair, which was long and went down her mid-back.

The other has a lighter, cream complexion. The light-schemed woman's golden blonde hair was a longer length in contrast to her taller companion. The length of her golden locks reached her buttocks.

The two women have contrasting eye colors. The tall, caramel-skinned woman has amber eyes. The lighter-skinned woman has heterochromia eyes; lime green on the right and light purple on the left.

Hifumi scanned the light-skinned woman closer, noting her softer and demure facial features. Her eyes shined with innocence. Her cheeks blushed once she made eye contact with Hifumi and Skyler. The other notable features they couldn't withdraw their view from were the lighter-skinned woman's large voluptuous breasts, which both were larger than her head and protruding outward, almost hanging out of her top. She wore a white sleeveless halter top coupled with a black necklace that bound the top, a white short skirt, a blue butterfly wing-shaped flower in her hair, see-through white thigh-length stockings, and red high-heels. She has fairy butterfly wings, capturing the blue color of her flower.

Skyler gazed over the caramel-skinned woman. Unlike her softer, gentler-looking partner, she had a more hardened and defined facial structure, granting her a more mature ladylike demeanor than her partner's. Her eyes were sharper-edged and refined with elegance. Her breasts, while not as massive as her companion's, were still exposed and clung to her top. Her wardrobe was as indelicate, consisting of a black leather top, exposing much of her well-endowed cleavage, concealing most of her neck, shoulders, and the center of her large breasts. She also had on black fingerless gloves and a black belt coupled with a see-through dark gray skirt. She also had on black see-through black lace thigh-length stockings and black high-heels. Her fairy wings are mostly black with yellow spectacled spots near the bottom edges.

While they appeared human, Hifumi and Skyler keenly noted the pairing's elven-shaped ears, giving them the first impression they are elven creatures presumably from another realm.

Speaking in a husky tone, the tall, caramel-skinned woman casually addressed Skyler and Hifumi. "Hey, what did you expect to find?"

Skyler openly apologized. "Sorry, my initial thought was you were another Yami Matter creation."

The lighter-skinned woman meekly responded. "You thought we were created by the dark forces at work?"

The other woman sighed. "Look, I can ensure ya we're not some dark entity's fucking creations! Besides, no dark entity can replicate two sexy sets of tits and ass like ours!" She energetically said this while groping and shaking her large breasts. "Right?" She playfully winked and grinned to her partner, who meekly nodded.

She nodded to her caramel-skinned partner before turning and bowing apologetically to Hifumi and Skyler. "Oh yes. Please excuse us for bringing you two here."

"So, why did you bring us here?" Hifumi queried the two women.

"Are you two some kind of fairy elves?" Skyler asked them.

"We're elven princesses. I'm a Dark Elf and she's a Light Elf. So, you sure as hell better address us formally," the dark-skinned elven woman scoffed.

"Gee, sorry."

The Light Elf giggled. "Please excuse her, she's feisty with everyone she meets. We brought you two here because we wanted to establish a prior mental link with you before we meet in person in the real world."

"Wait, in the real world?" Asked Skyler.

"Where can we find you in person?" Hifumi questioned them.

"Sorry, but our link now is brief, but we will meet again soon in the flesh."

"And you best be ready when we meet!" The Dark Elf woman declared.

"Wait, couldn't you tell us your names since we know who you are?!" Skyler asked the two elven women.

The Light Elf woman replied genuinely. "I'm Anastasia. It's a pleasure."

The Dark Elf woman responded. "And I'm Nadia. Don't you forget it!"

"We will meet again!"

As the elven women reentered the mist, Skyler and Hifumi watched them vanish. Before they can run over to stop them, the couple quickly awoke in each other's embrace.

Hifumi blinked in confusion over what happened. "Skyler, did you just dream of…?"

"Two elven women named Anastasia and Nadia?" Skyler finished as they both rose from their bed.

"That felt so real, but they also said we'd see them in the real world."

The Revenant speculated. "I didn't sense anything off about them. No Yami Matter presence once we started talking to them. I guess we'll have to be on the lookout."

"Should we tell the others, Skyler?"

"No, let's keep this to ourselves for now. Once these two show themselves in person, then we can introduce them to our friends."

Hifumi nodded. "Alright. I wonder what could be so important they'd need to contact us?"

"Your guess is as good as mine."

Then, the couple heard a high-pitched scream from within the apartment. Awakened by the loud cry, Skyler and Hifumi stormed into the living room. They paused and saw Io sitting up with her golden eyes widening and her face drenched with sweat.

"Are you ok, Io?!" Skyler asked as Hifumi rushed to embrace Io.

"It's ok! Did you have a bad dream?" Hifumi calmly patted Io, whose golden eyes dilated a bit. She heard the Persona Vein's heavy breathing soften. "Thank goodness. Just breathe, ok?"

"It wasn't a dream."

This statement confused Skyler and Hifumi. They sat down next to Io and heard what she had to tell them.

"They were visions," Io revealed. "I met them in a dreamscape."

"Them who?" Hifumi queried the pale-skinned Revenant.

"Anastasia and Nadia."

Upon hearing these specific names, the couple remembered the elven women they met minutes ago in a similar dreamscape Io seemingly described.

"Are you serious? You saw them, too?!" Skyler quickly grasped Io's shoulders.

"Yes, I did. They beckoned me to meet with them."

"They summoned you? About what?" Hifumi asked, wondering why the elven women wanted to talk to the Persona Vein.

"Because we've been preparing for a meeting with us and our new allies who are calling themselves the Advent Eight," Io informed them.

"Marty, Andrea, Tori, Hiroshi, and the others," Skyler recounted half of the Advent Eight's names.

"Don't forget their new members: Huey, Samantha, Lance, and Cammy," Hifumi reminded them. "Yes, so far, all but Cammy have awakened their full abilities."

"Yeah, and once Cammy's powers are fully manifested, the Advent Eight will have a full roster of superpowered heroes."

With a soft smile on her face, Io put her hands on theirs. "Listen, this is going to sound outlandish."

"After all we've been through? And regained my memories, nothing surprises anymore."

"Then, Skyler, you and Hifumi must know I created Anastasia and Nadia."

"You did? But, why were you screaming? You looked scared to death," Hifumi was confused by Io's statement.

"I wasn't scared. My mind was in the process of assimilating new information I received from Anastasia and Nadia."

"Hold on. How long have you kept all this from us?" The Revenant asked the Persona Vein.

Just then, they heard loud banging on their front door. Alarmed by a possible break-in, Skyler's eyes turned red and summoned his Hanemukuro in his hands. Hifumi and Io stayed close behind Skyler, who cautiously approached the front door. As more banging resounded from the outside, Skyler reached for the doorknob and turned it. When he opened it, the red fury in his eyes dimmed and he dematerialized his weapon.

"Oh thank god it's just you two," Skyler sighed deeply as Anastasia and Nadia stood in front of him.

"So, you two weren't lying when you said we'd see you manifest in our world," Hifumi recalled.

"Welcome, Anastasia and Nadia. I'm glad I could bring you to this reality," Io greeted the Elven women.

"So, this is your place? Seems kinda cramped but the decorum is nice and homely," Nadia critiqued their apartment. As she walked in, the Dark Elf's clothing completely changed. She is now garbed in a black leather crop top, which bound her large breasts, torn blue jeans, and black heeled shoes. Adorning her arms are golden wrist bracelets and hanging on the front of her crop top are dark violet sunglasses.

"It is quite a lovely place. I think Nadia and I would love a living space like this," Anastasia remarked formally. Her former garb was replaced with a white sleeveless, V-neck dress top and a white dress, a sky blue shawl, and silver high-heel shoes.

"Hey, we can make that possible now," Nadia said.

"We'd be happy to let you live with us," Hifumi offered living space for the Elven women.

"Nah, it's fine. We'll find our own living space," Nadia declined. "And this is your place anyway."

Anastasia nodded. "It would be rude of us to impose on your living space. Don't worry about us. We'll manage."

Skyler asked. "With what money?"

"Don't worry. We have plenty of that to support ourselves. After all, we're princesses," Nadia stated.

"Wait, you two are princesses?!" Skyler and Hifumi exclaimed in unison.

"Io based us on Elven princesses from a faraway world. We don't know our past, because we don't have any recollections of where we came from," Anastasia revealed. "We're just Io's constructs meant to assist you."

"All we know is we were royalty and are loaded with cash on us," Nadia said, taking out and revealing a black and gold card. "So I'm told we use these to pay for things?"

"Yeah, that's a credit card. You use that to pay whatever you want," Skyler pointed out its purpose.

"Is that so? Well, Anastasia, we can go find a home to live in while we're here!" Nadia declared.

"Hopefully something very lovely that can accommodate us!" Anastasia merrily added.

"You can do that tomorrow. Right now, it's awfully late. So, if just for tonight, you can sleep here," Hifumi offered space for them.

Nadia scanned the apartment and noticed Io sitting in her bed. "I don't suppose you have more beds like Io's?"

"Sorry but this is the only other bed we have," Skyler said. "But, I think I have sleeping bags."

"Or, maybe we can sleep with you two," Nadia grinned mischievously as she grabbed and pulled Skyler in a headlock, while at the same time she smothered her face with her left side breast.

"Wait, with us?!"

"Oh, Nadia. That's enough. Let the poor man go," Anastasia sighed.

"You don't know when to take a joke, do ya?" Nadia scoffed, letting go and dropping Skyler as he rubbed his neck and face.

"It's quite alright. We'll use your sleeping bags for tonight. Thank you for your hospitality," Anastasia bowed as she sat on Io's bed. "We'll need to buy ourselves a queen-sized bed just for us, Nadia."

"Yep, tomorrow's going to be a busy day for us," Nadia added.

"In that case, stay with us for a few days since you'll need to acquire your living arrangements. Trust me, I know. It took me a few days to move from my family's place to living here," Hifumi said.

"Fine, we'll take your offer," Nadia accepted.

"Thank you very much," Anastasia smiled. "And I'll be happy to cook and prepare meals."

"I'm looking forward to Elven meals. They can't taste any different from human food, right?" Skyler wondered.

"These two will also accompany us if there's a battle. I've imbued them with their own abilities," Io revealed.

"Yes, we are not just pretty faces. Wait until we show you what we can do when a conflict arises," Anastasia stated.

"You know how pumped I am for some action, Anastasia!" Nadia yelled out energetically.

"We look forward to seeing you two show us your abilities. It'll be a pleasure to work with you as well," Hifumi replied.

Skyler whispered to Io. "I don't suppose you could manifest these two some modest clothing, would you?"

"Sorry, but when I created them, they specifically asked for nothing too conservative."

"Yeah, that's right! What the hell is wrong with what we're wearing?! This is what we consider formal wear!" Nadia spat out.

"That's fine. If you want us to wear less revealing clothing, then we'll buy extra clothes for ourselves. Oooh, that means extra window shopping and quality time between us, Nadia!" Anastasia giggled aloud.

"I've got no complaints about that. Anytime spent with you is never a waste," Nadia genuinely smiled at her Elven friend.

"Everything's settled then. I'm glad we could work this out," Hifumi nodded in approval. "Is that fine, Skyler?"

"Sure, I can't complain. Besides, I am curious about trying out an Elven meal."

Io kindly smiled. "Thank you, Skyler and Hifumi. I promise these two will not disappoint you."

"We know, Io. Somehow, I think these two will adjust in the real world just fine, except you know those ears of yours," Skyler pointed out. As he reminded them of their Elven ears, Nadia and Anastasia used magic to turn their ears into normal human ears. "Oh, well that works, too."

"We'll only undo our magic and show our Elven ears when we're in private or in battle," Anastasia openly vowed.

"Eh, but I like my regular ears," Nadia groaned while giving a gloomy face at her regular human ears.

"You'll get used to them. Hell, us Revenants have to keep our thirst for blood in check, but we've had help with that," Skyler said. "If you want to live among humans, not revealing your true natures won't draw you any attention."

"Ok, we'll keep this in mind," Anastasia said.

"Man, am I beat? Let's keep some sleep," Nadia said as she and Anastasia took the sleeping bags that Skyler offered them.

"Goodnight everyone," Hifumi said as Io and the Elven princesses fell asleep. When she and Skyler closed the door behind them, a soft smile adorned Hifumi's face. "Who would've thought Io could create two Elven ladies? Things are getting more intriguing for us."

"Yeah, I agree. We'll see how well these two do in battle."

"Indeed. I do wonder where they truly came from?"

Skyler added. "Who knows? But, it doesn't seem like they have any memories of their origins. I guess we'll find out with time."

A few weeks after the Akihabara incident, a group of eight individuals called the Advent Eight came together to enjoy the dance event. Two of these couples, Marty & Andrea and Tori & Hiroshi, have already unlocked their abilities, allowing them to assist the Phantom Thieves, the Vein Remnants, and the Spiritual Gamblers against the Vamkyries and the cryptids.

Needless to say, once the Yami Matter caused the time and space distortions, several individuals began manifesting new abilities. Marty and Andrea were among these first 'superhumans' who unlocked their abilities. With their new abilities, Marty and Andrea combated local Abnormalities spawned from the Yami Mater. They then adopted the names Stronghold and Psyclone.

A full month later, Tori and Hiroshi unlocked their abilities, enabling them to transform into Valkyria and Norse-knight. As these four superhumans aided the Thieves, the Remnants, and the Gamblers, four more witnesses were within the battle vicinity.

These four are Huey & Samantha and Lance & Cammy. Shortly after the Akihabara incident, these four saw their own special abilities manifest.

When Samantha was able to invoke her special abilities, she gained a spiritual partner, which took on the form of a male snowy owl named Cassiel, whose quirky personality won over Samantha. Cassiel, who is also linked to Samantha's Native American culture, became her spiritual medium.

In conjunction with gaining Cassiel as her partner, Samantha's new powers enabled her to achieve a new battle form, which combined traits of her Native American heritage and angelic elements, allowing her to take on the appearance of an 'Archvalkyrie'. In this form, she named herself Nephilim.

At the same time, Samantha unlocked her powers, Huey's superhuman form was based on his Thai heritage. He gained the appearance of a Thai-themed warrior with powers linked to Thai mythology and folklore. Naming himself Sudsakorn, Huey has helped Samantha neutralize local Abnormalities.

Lance and Cammy are the last to manifest their special abilities. Although Lance was the one who truly benefited. His special powers granted him an Egyptian Pharaoh-themed warrior form. Once he accepted his new abilities, he named himself Horus.

On the other hand, Cammy was only able to invoke 50 percent of her special abilities. While this helped enhance her shrine maiden abilities, she hadn't fully manifested her powers, making her a liability in battle. As a result, Lance and the others were forced to guard Cammy against deadly attacks.

Realizing Cammy's potential was greater than theirs, the other seven Advent members safeguarded Cammy without hesitation. They began wondering if Cammy's powers could fully manifest.

---

Inokashira Park (井の頭恩賜公園)/Musashino, Mitaka, Tokyo (武蔵野市, 三鷹市, 東京)/March 3, 2019 (Reality: March 2021)/8:30 AM (JST)

It was a calm and bright morning in the local park. Samantha went for a relaxing walk near her and Huey's apartment. The Navajo woman took a deep breath in the fresh air from the park's natural surroundings and springs.

Samantha found herself communing with nature with little to no people around, pondering about the future of the Advent Eight. She wondered why they were specifically selected to have new superhuman abilities. Then, she speculated whether Cammy can invoke her full powers.

As she sat on a rock and meditated, the Navajo woman heard a quirky voice chuckling and barking inside her mind.

"We are feeling down, Samantha? Concerned our group may not last with the Yami Matter Abnormalities growing?"

Deeply sighing, Samantha responded to the snowy owl spirit floating in front of her. "It's not that I'm worried about our team. Still, you haven't given us a clear answer why we were chosen with these abilities."

"Hasn't it already been clear? You eight were all near the Yami Matter presence. It sensed you eight have indomitable wills and couldn't afford any of you to invoke your new abilities. You and Cammy, especially, are the most spiritually attuned with your surroundings and with nature."

"But, yet I was able to manifest my full powers. Poor Cammy still hasn't, Cassiel."

The snowy owl's face contorted with a big smile. "I wouldn't worry about dear Cammy. Her will shouldn't be overlooked. Those with the greatest potential take longer to grow. Give her time, Samantha."

"Which we don't have. For Cammy's sake, I hope her special abilities fully become realized soon. And of course, my other concern is these time distortions."

"Yes, they were caused by the Yami Matter. It's quite troublesome."

"If we completely remove the Yami Matter, then the temporal plane will be restored to normalcy?"

"That's correct, but that'll be easier said than done! You will surely need assistance from the Phantom Thieves and their allies if you want to achieve those results."

"Yes, the Phantom Thieves. Huey and I haven't met them yet. Marty, Andrea, Tori, and Hiroshi know them already. Having learned about them, they have changed Japan in many ways and helped diminish the corruption that ran rampant. However, with the Yami Matter around, they still have work to do."

"Will you, Huey, Lance, and Cammy help them?"

"Of course, we will, but only after Cammy's powers have fully manifested."

"Samantha! There you are!" Huey was heard calling out from close by. When Samantha opened her eyes, she saw him standing in front of the rock she was using to meditate. "I've been looking for you. Don't you remember what today is?"

"Today…? Oh, my gosh!" Samantha cried out upon realizing today's activity. "We were supposed to meet with Lance and Cammy!"

"It's also Hinamatsuri day. That's why we agreed to hang out with those two to see some ceremonial dolls. Cammy's family has a whole set-up for us to look at."

Getting up from the rock, Samantha hopped off and landed next to Huey. "Well? What are we waiting for? I'm ready."

Glancing past Samanthan's shoulder, Huey noticed Cassiel floating behind her. "Oh, hey, Cassiel. Were you trying to hit on my Samantha again?"

Rocking his head back and forth, Cassiel let out a bark and retorted. "How dare you imply I'd ever flirt with dear Samantha! She's a pure soul! I'd never do such crude things!"

"Then, how come I see you blush when I see you talk with her?"

"I can't help it if I'm entranced by Samantha's beauty! You should consider yourself lucky to have a drop-dead class beauty like her, Huey!"

Covering her ears, Samantha groaned. "Not now, please. It's too early. Let's get going, you two!"

"Yes, ma'am!" Both frantically yelled out together, deciding not to further incur Samantha's anger. As Cassiel vanished, Huey quickly followed the Navajo woman. "Hey, sorry about that."

"It's fine, sweetie. I know we've been under stress from these Abnormalities attacking us lately."

"Tell me about it. Let's hope Cammy's powers fully develop sooner than later."

---

Azabu Hikawa Shrine (麻布氷川神社)/Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo (赤坂, 港区, 東京)/11:15 AM (JST)

Upon arriving at the vivid shrine, Cammy and Lance explored the property and visited the display of ceremonial dolls. They arrived at the main shrine, which is decorated with rich vermilion, enshrined by statues of Susanoo-no-Mikoto and Yamato Takeru no Mikoto, and with an Inari shrine.

"Aren't they just pretty, Lance? Some of these were passed down my family for several generations," Cammy asked, showing her boyfriend a few dolls decorated with ornate designs.

"They are beautiful, Cammy," he smiled, holding Cammy's hand as they exchanged smiles.

"You're nervous if my family is willing to accept our possibility of being married?"

"Well, that's partly true, but uh…"

Cammy queried with concern. "What is it?"

"Your powers haven't fully awakened and I'm worried you're going to be the target of these Abnormality attacks. Ever since the Akihabara incident, you, me, Huey, and Samantha saw our powers awaken in response to these localized Abnormalities created by this Yami Matter entity," Lance expressed his deepest concerns for Cammy's abilities. "It's said you have the greatest potential out of the Advent Eight but your abilities haven't fully come out."

Facing him with a calm exterior, Cammy reassured him. "Listen, it's going to be ok. Maybe my powers are too strong that they need time to develop. As long as you and the others are protecting me, I'll be fine."

"No, you won't and that's what worries me."

"Lance, it'll be ok. I promise. We'll get by this and then we can help the Phantom Thieves out. I want to be sure I'm fully capable and not be a liability."

Nodding, Lance smirked. "Alright, if you say so."

"Yes, so don't worry about me. Let's enjoy this day together without regrets."

"Hey, there you two are!" Huey was heard behind them. When Lance and Cammy turned around, they saw Huey and Samantha congregate with them.

"This is a nice shrine you and your family have, Cammy," Samantha admired the shrine's majestic view.

"Thanks, it's been part of my family for generations though we're not the full owners of it," Cammy answered. "After all, it is a popular and public spot."

Huey inquired. "So, it's less traditional than it used to be?"

Cammy nodded. "In some ways, yeah, but as you can see we did our best to maintain the traditional qualities that shrines are known for. So, what do you two think?"

"It's a beautiful place. Oh, let's go and make a prayer!" Samantha pointed toward the main shrine.

"Wait, you have to cleanse yourself first through the chozuya! It's part of the shrine etiquette!" Cammy called out.

"Oh, thanks for reminding me!" The Navajo woman managed to stop herself.

"Even I knew that," Lance chuckled and nodded. Suddenly, he felt his smartphone vibrate and checked his text. "Hey, Marty, Andrea, Tori, and Hiroshi are just coming around the corner. I'll go and get them."

"Ok, I'll take these two to get cleansed," Cammy said, taking Samantha and Huey toward the Shinto water ablution pavilion to get properly cleansed before praying toward the shrine. "See, guys? This has to be done as a ceremonial purification rite."

"Right, Samantha? Don't forget," Huey chuckled.

"I'm familiar with purification rituals. My family took part in the Navajo purification ceremony."

Cammy smiled. "So, we both understand the traditions and rites of our heritage's purification rituals."

Samantha nodded. "That does make us alike in some ways."

As the trio was about to enter the pavilion, Cammy paused as she sensed a malevolent disturbance near them. Her eyes quickly became sharp as she scanned her surroundings. It wasn't long when Samantha, too, sensed the sinister presence.

"Hey, what's wrong, you two?" Huey asked them.

"A dark aura has manifested in our reality. It's close. There are three Abnormalities," Cammy verified, quickly taking out a handful of Shinto ofuda.

"Cassiel, come forth," Samantha muttered as her snowy owl spirit appeared on her left shoulder.

As the shrine's vicinity became shrouded with darkness, bystanders and tourists suddenly collapsed. Cammy, Huey, Samantha, and Cassiel were the only ones unaffected by the dark energies. Lance quickly stormed into the shrine with Marty, Andrea, Tori, and Hiroshi. Before any questioned the strange turn of events, a dark portal opened up.

When the Advent Eight faced the portal, three figures emerged. Upon seeing them, half of the group were reminded of the Vamkyries, the deathly maidens garbed in armor and with vampiric features. However, these weren't Brynhildr, Eir, and Sigrún.

"Their sinister powers feel similar to those three Vamkyries you fought in Akihabara," Cammy verified, recalling the battle that she and Lance witnessed.

Marty immediately called out the unidentified Vamkyries. "So, there's more of you. We fought and stopped three of your friends before. We'll do the same against you!"

Tori cracked her knuckles. "I've been meaning to beat some more Vamkyrie skulls. Too bad that Brynhildr bitch isn't here."

Lance stepped up. "There's more of us willing to fight you now!"

The three Vamkyries chortled and postured together.

A tall, strawberry blonde-haired Vamkyrie, wielding a hammer, announced. "I am Thrúd the Storm Vamkyrie, daughter of Thor! I wish to test thy strength!"

A woman with short auburn hair and a black cloak called out. "I am Ölrún the Huntress Vamkyrie! Thou art my new hunting prey!"

The third Vamkyrie, a woman with shoulder-length navy blue hair, chimed. "And I am Geirdriful the Thread Vamkyrie! I shalt skewer thee all!"

"So, let me guess, the Yami Matter's tired of throwing Abnormalities at us that it's decided to sic you Valkyrie dogs on us?" Hiroshi scoffed as he and the others took on battle stances.

"Mock us all thee want. Today, thou will die here!" Geirdriful smirked coolly before her beautiful face contorted and gained demonic features. She and the other Vamkyries let out beastly snarls before lunging toward the Advent Eight.

As the Advent Eight quickly split into groups, Lance took Cammy away to safety. Taking Thrúd head-on, Tori and Hiroshi transformed into Valkyria and Norse-knight. Before engaging Geirdriful, Marty and Andrea switched out into their hero forms, Stronghold and Psyclone.

Quickly shooting fiery arrows with her bow, Ölrún narrowly missed Huey and Samantha. Cassiel swiftly flew in front of several fiery arrows and cast a mystical barrier, which nullified the Huntress Vamkyrie's deadly projectiles.

During this exchange, Huey and Samantha used this time allotted to them and invoked their hero forms. As golden light shrouded them, they jumped out and unveiled their superpowered forms.

"Sudsakorn is here to fight!" Huey called out, taking on a Thai martial arts stance while wielding both a sword and a staff known as Krabi-krabong. His casual attire was replaced with copper upper light body armor, white pants, and brown shin-length boots. His hands are covered in white bandages. Brandishing his dual weapons, he quickly headed off and deflected Ölrún's fiery arrows.

As Samantha emerged, her appearance was drastically different from before. She now resembled a Valkyrie-like warrior with angelic features. Samantha's black hair completely converted into full-on golden locks. Her casual wear was replaced with sleek emerald green armor and trimmed with yellow. Underneath the green body armor is a purple bodysuit. Her shoulder guards, elbow-length gloves, and knee-length boots gleamed the same emerald green color. Adorning her head is an emerald crown with four emerald rhombus-shaped feathers, two on each side of the crown. On top of the crown is a Native American war bonnet shaped like a raven totem. Her golden hair now has a pair of emerald rhombus-shaped hair clips that bound her two front, long bangs. Popping out from her back are feathered wings trimmed with gold, which imbued her with an angelic maiden appearance.

The newly transformed 'Archvalkyrie' postured and announced. "I shall strike evil with my beautiful radiance! I, Nephilim, shall purge you demon maidens!" With that, she propelled forward and quickly repelled Ölrún with a golden wave.

"Epic entrance like always, Samantha," Sudsakorn complimented Nephilim, who landed and raised her hand for Cassiel. The snowy owl flew down and landed on Nephilim's waiting hand.

"And you're beautiful as you've ever been, Nephilim," Cassiel remarked on her angelic maiden appearance.

"Thanks, you two," Nephilim replied as her eyes were intensely locked on the Huntress Valkyrie.

After tending with Cammy, Lance lifted his left arm as a wrist device appeared in a flash. Pressing a switch on the apparatus, he muttered a transformation voice command. Then, his body became enveloped with dark purple light. As the light spread over him, Lance's clothes burned away and were replaced with his superpowered appearance. Lance's appearance resembled a mix of an ancient Egyptian warrior and a Super Sentai hero. His face was encased behind a dark golden and black pharaoh's mask and helmet. His clothing was replaced with golden gloves & boots, and a full-bodied black suit coupled with light brown mummy bandage embellishments.

Striking a heroic pose, Lance called out. "Hero of Justice, Horus, is here to deliver punishment with the combined might of Ra-Horakhty!" As he turned toward Cammy, Horus gave her a thumbs up. "Gather all the power you can, we'll handle this!" With that, he headed off to help the other Advent members.

---

Mightily swinging what appeared to be a black variation of her father's hammer Mjölnir, Thrúd launched a frontal assault against Valkyria and Norse-knight. As the duo dodged Thrúd's powerful lightning-powered force, Valkyria readily conjured her spear and blocked Thrúd's next attack. After struggling and pushing back on Thrúd, Valkyria summoned her sword. Swinging her sword, Valkyria struck the Storm Vamkyrie head-on with her Exalt Asgardian Wave. However, Thrúd summoned a dark battle axe, which easily stopped Valkyria's attacks.

"Shit! She's strong!" Valkyria exclaimed, flabbergasted that her attack failed to hit her target.

"Of course, I am Thor's daughter! My strength comes from him!" Thrúd boasted, laughing proudly of her heritage.

"Great, so we're dealing with a demigod!" Norse-knight added as he equipped himself with his broadsword. Readying his battle sword, he attacked Thrúd from the side, but the Storm Vamkyrie fired a lightning ball from her battle axe. Thrúd's Ber-serkr Ball was enough to overwhelm and push back the two warriors.

"Haha, this is fun! Thou art giving me a good challenge! Too bad thou must die here," Thrúd laughed merrily as she attacked Valkyria and Norse-knight with her battle axe and hammer.

---

When Geirdriful took out her flail, Stronghold and Psyclone readily engaged her. As Stronghold laid low, Psyclone conjured four psychic clones and mixed herself in with them. Their strategy was to throw off the Thread Vamkyrie, fooling her into attacking a clone.

Taking out threads from her flail, Geirdriful used her threads to discern which of the five was the real Psyclone. When all five converged and attacked her, the Thread Vamkyrie's threads felt vibrations coming from the one on the far left. Throwing her threads, she ensnared the other four and dissolved them. Through this strategy, she exposed the real Psyclone and tossed threads toward her. Stronghold immediately intervened and put up a barrier in front of Psyclone.

"Oh god, thanks, Marty!" Psyclone called out. "Those threads were able to discern which of us was real through vibrations! Only the real me can do that!"

"Yeah, that's how she was able to figure you out," Stronghold said.

"Very astute. Yes, thy clone trick will not work against my threads. They can discern between real and illusions," Geirdriful said as more strings popped out from under the ground, ensnaring Stronghold and Psyclone.

"Oh shit! Marty, use your power to nullify these threads!" Psyclone cried out.

"I can't! These threads are powered by magic, which I can nullify, but they can still hurt and pierce me!" Stronghold tried struggling but found out the hard way when a thread inflicted a cut on his left cheek.

"Heheh, yes. Struggle all thou can but my threads art strong enough to cut thee humans into pieces!" Geirdriful taunted the two Advent members.

---

As Ölrún climbed up a tree, she sprang out of a canopy and launched a flurry of fire arrows toward Nephilim. Cassiel swiftly forged a barrier, nullifying the arrows and protecting Nephilim. Conjuring a sword and staff, Nephilim used them to fight the Huntress Vamkyrie. Nimbly dodging Nephilim's incoming strikes, Ölrún vanished through a fiery cloak.

"What?! Where did she go?!" Nephilim cried out.

"She fights similarly like a ninja. Ah, Nephilim! Above you!" Sudsakorn called out.

Heeding his warning, Nephilim quickly turned as Ölrún launched her Agilaz's Volley. In response to the fiery arrow barrage, Nephilim conjured golden rays, each one shaped like asteroid rocks. The Archvalkyrie quickly wiped out Ölrún's fiery arrows with her Asteroid Rays. Taking advantage of Nephilim's guard being down, Ölrún vanished and uncloaked herself behind the Archvalkyrie. Attempting to shoot her with an arrow into Nephilim's head, Sudsakorn shot up and kicked Ölrún's face, sending the Huntress Vamkyrie flying into the air.

"Samantha! Thank goodness, are you ok?!" Cassiel asked as he checked on her.

"I am. Thanks, love," Nephilim nodded to Sudsakorn.

When Ölrún recovered, Sudsakorn swiftly attacked her with his Krabi-krabong weapons. Unleashing focused swings with his sword and staff, he predicted and countered Ölrún's attacks before she could make them. Attempting to shoot another fire arrow, Sudsakorn prepared to stop it. Then, the arrow exploded and blindsided him. This sneak tactic allowed Ölrún to kick Sudsakorn away, sending him into Nephilim's arms.

"Huey! I've got you!" Nephilim cried out. As Ölrún unleashed another fiery arrow barrage, Nephilim cast magic circles from her hands. Halting most of the arrows with her Temporal Mandalas, she slightly reversed the time flow and redirected the projectiles toward the Huntress Vamkyrie.

When Nephilim set Sudsakorn down, she prepared to heal him, but Ölrún sneakily fired a specialized arrow that struck Nephilim's right shoulder, which paralyzed her. Swiftly landing in front of them, the Huntress Vamkyrie took out a dagger. Cassiel dove forward to attack the Vamkyrie but Ölrún backhanded the owl spirit and brandished her dagger. Sudsakorn guarded the immobilized Nephilim.

"Dost not worry. Thou two shalt die together," Ölrún closed in.

Suddenly, a beam knocked the dagger out of Ölrún's hands. When Sudsakorn, Nephilim, and Ölrún turned the other way, they saw Horus running forward.

"Man, am I glad you're here, Lance," Sudsakorn sighed with relief.

"Where's Cammy…? Is she ok…?" Nephilim weakly asked while ripping the arrow from her back and internally healing herself.

As Horus flew straight into Ölrún, he conjured an Egyptian-like staff. Horus's face could be seen adorning the top of the staff's head.

"She's fine for now but let's focus on taking these three down!" Horus declared, swinging his staff and firing golden arrows toward Ölrún.

"Ah, thou can conjure arrows, too?!" Ölrún exclaimed, dodging his Neith's Arrows. When she launched more fiery arrows, Horus neutralized them with Neith's Arrows. Jumping high into the air, Horus imbued energy into his feet and delivered a devastating kick that knocked the Huntress Vamkyrie back.

"Had enough yet?!" Horus chastised the Huntress Vamkyrie.

When Ölrún prepared to attack him, her arm quickly and body became covered with ofuda paper. Horus and the others turned and saw Cammy with a handful of ofuda.

"Sorry, but I can't be asked to stay behind and abandon you guys!" Cammy called out.

"Cammy, it's dangerous out here! Get to safety!" Horus berated her, who readied more ofuda to use.

"Allow me, Ölrún," Thrúd channeled lightning from her hammer to tear off the paper seals covering the Huntress Vamkyrie.

"Come, let us finish these cretins off!" Geirdriful beckoned her Vamkyrie colleagues. As the Huntress and Storm Vamkyries reconvened with her, something immediately caught the Thread Vamkyrie's eye. She sighted what appeared to be an orange lantern hanging outside the main shrine. "Hmm, that wouldst be useful. Yes, we shalt create an Abnormality through that."

Gathering their combined dark energies, the Vamkyries sent their powers toward the lantern. Once the dark energies infused with the lantern, it became possessed and gained sentience. A large, single eye popped open and a gaping mouth with sharp teeth manifested on the front, which made up its whole creepy visage. Bellowing a fiendish laugh coupled with disgusting gurgles, the lantern creature's body grew and became misshapen.

"Chochin-Obake!" Cammy identified the possessed lantern. "Guys, look out!" Before stopping the evilly-possessed lantern with her ofuda, the creature expelled fiery blasts that stunned the other Advent members, allowing the Vamkyries to strike them down.

"Heheheh! How did I do, my Vamkyrie mistresses?" Chochin-Obake cackled menacingly.

As she struggled to sit up, Valkyria cursed. "Damn it, just what we needed…!"

"Another Abnormality just for an insult to injury," Norse-knight muttered.

"So, that explains all the Abnormalities we've had to fight. You Vamkyries were responsible for turning objects and animals into abominations!" Stronghold figured out the method behind the Vamkyries' madness.

"Yes, indeed! And even though thou destroyed our creations, we hast learned how thee fight!" Geirdriful asserted. "Now, creature. Go and kill the girl over there." She pointed toward Cammy's direction. "Kill her before her power fully matures!"

Cackling menacingly, Chochin-Obake floated toward Cammy, who threw ofuda toward the creature. The lantern swiftly evaded and grew out arms, which he used to ensnare Cammy. Upon seeing his lover put in harm's way, Horus sprang to his feet and headed over to attack Chochin-Obake. Before he could reach her, the Huntress Vamkyrie shot a fiery arrow, which exploded all over Horus's back and sent him crashing facefirst to the ground.

"CAMMY!" Horus called out to his girlfriend, who struggled to break loose from Chochin-Obake's hold.

Attempting to resist Chochin-Obake, the possessed lantern flew forward and slammed Cammy into a wall. As a long disgusting blue tongue poked from his mouth, he tried licking her, trying to determine if Cammy was edible for consumption.

Finding herself face to face with the grotesque creature, Cammy cursed her worthlessness. Despite all of her friends' powers awakening, she hadn't fully manifested hers. She wondered what prevented her from unlocking her full powers. Even 50 percent of her potential powers infused with her shrine maiden abilities weren't enough.

She cursed herself internally and closed her eyes. Damn it all. DAMN IT ALL. DAMN IT ALL! WHY HAVEN'T MY POWERS AWAKENED?! I DON'T WANT TO RELY ON MY FRIENDS! I WANT TO FIGHT WITH THEM! She then let out a faint and tearful gasp.

"Alright, finish her now," the Thread Vamkyrie commanded. When Chochin-Obake opened his mouth to devour her, a spray of projectiles bombarded and pushed away from the creature.

Taken aback and alarmed by intervention, the Vamkyries turned the other way and spotted the culprits. Several members of the Phantom Thieves and Vein Remnants arrived. The intervention group consisted of Tennyo, Sion, Moonlight, Oracle, Fox, Skull, and Omusubi.

"Damn them! So, they hast arrived!" The Thread Vamkyrie hissed at the Thieves and Revenants.

"Thank goodness we came," Tennyo said as she, Moonlight, and Oracle checked over the Advent Eight.

"You're lucky my scanners picked up on Abnormality activity. We knew you guys had to be involved," Oracle said, scanning and checking over the Advent Eight for injuries and ailments.

"Great, so there's more of these Vamkyrie freaks? Welp, time to bash some heads in!" Skull openly declared a beatdown on the undead maidens.

"Ah, so nice to have the Phantom Thieves and the vampire disgraces among us," Geirdriful taunted the Thieves and the Remnants.

"Who are you calling disgraces? I've just about had it with you Vamkyries," Sion scowled as his eyes turned red. After putting on his mouthguard mask, he headed off the Thread Vamkyrie. As soon as she sprung threads from her flail, Moonlight swiftly pushed Sion back and cut through the threads with her Dammerung halberd.

"Be careful, Sion. If you get caught in those threads, they'll slice you to bits!" Moonlight warned him.

"Thanks for that, Io."

"Now, we know to avoid those threads!" Tennyo added.

"Yeah, we almost ended up getting caught in those. I'd be careful, too," Psyclone concurred.

"Hell yeah! I'm on my second wind now!" Valkyria declared, picking up her sword to fight the Vamkyries with.

"I'm ready to have a go with them again," Norse-knight nodded with Valkyria's sentiment.

"Lance, go check with Cammy," Sudsakorn said. "With the Thieves and the others here, we'll be able to handle these freaks."

"Go on, Lance!" Nephilim encouraged him as Horus headed off toward Cammy, who was barely stirring.

Shaking her head and rubbing her neck, Cammy crawled across the ground to where her friends were fighting the Vamkyries. She continued to internally curse her inability to invoke her full powers.

"Why… why am I not able to bring out my full power? Is what I have not enough? Am I not good enough?" Cammy questioned her willpower. Suddenly, she felt her head pulsate and a voice similar to her own but deeper telepathically communicating with her. It encouraged her and called her out by her codename. Then, Cammy repeated the other voice's command. "Arise from the ashes like the phoenix, Hōō!"

With that, Cammy's body ignited with flames. Her entire body not only became consumed by a pillar of fire but she felt mystical energies fill her to the brim. Overflowing mystic flames consumed the young shrine maiden and burned away her clothing.

Everyone, including the Vamkyries, paused and witnessed Cammy's grandiose awakening. Horus was left awestruck by his girlfriend's long-awaited awakening. He and the other Advent members felt an immense power coming directly from Cammy. The Thieves and Vein Remnants marveled over Cammy's awakening as well.

"Cammy…?!" Horus called out to her.

As the flames slowly receded and unveiled her, Cammy's clothing changed to reflect her full power awakening. She scanned herself, noting her clothes were replaced with a bright scarlet bodysuit coupled with red & white shoulder armor, pale yellow elbow-length gloves, and scarlet shin-length boots. Emblazoned on her bosom area is a large blazing white bird emblem. Even Cammy's eyes turned bright red, reflecting her transformation.

"Like the phoenix, she's risen from the ashes," Fox muttered, eyeing Cammy, who walked forward surrounded by flaming rings.

"Whoa, she's totally gone Phoenix Force mode!" Oracle was taken in by Cammy's awakening. "Granted, she isn't anywhere near as powerful, but this ain't a power you wanna mess with."

"And so, our last member has fully awakened," Stronghold muttered in awe.

"She may be more powerful than the rest of us seven combined, Marty," Psyclone noted the power gap between them and Cammy's Hōō power.

Upon witnessing and probing Hōō's awakening, the Vamkyries were beginning to have second thoughts messing with her. They turned toward each other and nodded apprehensively.

"Yes, I am the last member of the Advent Eight. As the last member, my power has risen like the phoenix. For I am the being who represents life, death, and rebirth. I am the Hōō, guardian of flames of passion!" Cammy announced, fully embracing her Hōō personality. Before directing her attack on the Vamkyries, Chochin-Obake recovered and went straight for an attack.

Barely lifting a finger, Hōō controlled her flaming aura, which set the Yokai-like creature ablaze and inflicted horrific burns onto him. Then, Hōō used her flames to obliterate the creature and purify him, turning him back into a normal lantern.

"Amazing. She has the power to purify the possessed," Tennyo witnessed Hōō's powers at play.

"And you know what vampires hate, right?" Sion asked as he looked up at the Vamkyries, who quickly moved in and attacked Hōō with long-ranged attacks.

Swinging her Mjölnir, Thrúd struck Hōō with her Mjölnir Strike. Instead of relying on her Agliaz's Volley that would've been absorbed by Hōō's flames, Ölrún fired her specialized arrow, Crippling Shot, which unleashed enough power to collide with Hōō's flaming cloak but did little to faze Hōō. Geirdriful used her flail and sprung skin-piercing threads from its spikes. Swinging her flail, the Thread Vamkyrie attempted to cut through Hōō's flaming aura, but the extreme flames easily burned these threads.

"Whoa, she completely wiped out their attacks!" Oracle cried out.

"Yes, with her newfound power, it's as if she's become a Mazoku Huntress. Her divine flame purifies and destroys demonic beings," Fox remarked.

Moonlight concurred. "She's become the worst type of enemy these Vamkyries could ever face."

Sion added. "That's good for us then."

"This cannot be?! Our attacks art not even affecting her!" Thrúd was flabbergasted.

"Not even my most powerful arrow, which couldst destroy a Dreki's heart!" Ölrún exclaimed.

"We art not strong enough to kill her. We must retreat," Geirdriful suggested.

"Oh no, you don't, you vampire bitches ain't getting away!" Skull howled as he, Omusubi, Valkyria, and Norse-knight intercepted the Storm Vamkyrie.

Before Geirdriful could stop Skull and Omusubi, Fox, Oracle, Stronghold, and Psyclone intervened and attacked them. Ölrún found herself on the receiving end of Sion, Tennyo, Moonlight, Nephilim, and Sudsakorn's barrage of attacks.

"Cammy!" Horus hurried over toward Hōō. As she recognized his voice, she lowered her guard and powered down her flaming aura. As they shared an embrace, Hōō's eyes turned into their natural violet color again.

"Lance? I did all that, didn't I?" Hōō was mesmerized by the power she exhibited.

"It was. You were incredible, Cammy! You stopped their attacks and destroyed that monster!" Horus said. "Don't you remember what you do?"

"I do. I'm just in awe. This is the kind of power I wield?" Hōō gazed over her superpowered form and eyed the lantern she purified. "Unbelievable."

---

Oracle, Fox, Stronghold, and Psyclone avoided getting caught in Geirdriful's skin-piercing threads. Waving her flail, the Thread Vamkyrie sprouted more threads from the instrument's spikes.

"Thou will be torn apart by my deadly threads!" Geirdriful declared, sending her threads over to ensnare the two Phantom Thieves.

"Yeah? We'll see how your threads stack up against my light swords!" Oracle mischievously grinned, swinging her dual laser swords. They managed to cut through Geirdriful's threads, much to the Vamkyrie's dismay.

"What?! Impossible!" Geirdriful cried out.

"And they're not the only ones!" Psyclone briefly scanned Geirdriful's mind and conjured two psychic clones to break her and Marty loose from the threads.

"See? Piece of cake!" Oracle boasted. "You're up, Inari!" She stepped away, letting Fox majestically take her place.

"Threads should be used for artistic purposes, not as tools in war. Allow me to show you my exquisite pieces of art!" Fox flamboyantly waved a hand over his fox mask. "Gorokichi!"

Fox's Ultimate Persona came forth once again. As Geirdriful threw her flail at Gorokichi, it used Counter to reflect the Thread Vamkyrie's flail at her. Geirdriful then tossed threads to ensnare Gorokichi. The Ultimate Persona froze the threads using Mabufu.

"It cannot be!" Geirdriful shouted.

"Oh, but it can. Your artistic skills lost their eloquence when you used them to kill people with," Fox chastised the Thread Vamkyrie.

"Inari's right. He knows when one's art loses its luster, and yours straight up sucks compared to his skills!" Oracle chimed in.

"Oh, thou two hast some nerves!" Geirdriful hissed as her face became demonic. A low tiger-like growl escaped her mouth as she took to the air and snapped her fingers.

Just then, a net of threads came up from underneath Oracle, Fox & Gorokichi, Stronghold, and Psyclone.

"But, who needs artistic refinement when I can trap thee like flies to a spider?!" The Thread Vamkyrie declared, giving a haughty laugh.

"Get moving, everyone!" Stronghold shouted.

"Shit! How did I not see this coming?!" Oracle cried out.

"Believe me, I didn't either!" Fox exclaimed.

As Gorokichi tried to break loose, the threads suppressed its powers.

"My Gorokichi can't do anything now?!"

"Yes, my threads can also suppress the powers of the victims I ensnare. I suppose I shouldst hast sayeth I was a daughter of a Valkyrie who mastered trapmaking skills. She passed her innate talents over to me." Geirdriful gripped her threads with her fingers and twisted them. "But, now that I hast thee, I can tear thy bodies apart!"

As she tightened her threads, Fox, Oracle, Stronghold, and Psyclone felt their bodies being twisted.

"Well, it was nice knowing you, Oracle."

"Oh shut up, Inari! I can get us out of here!" Oracle looked up. "Show me the light, Al Azif!"

Suddenly, the UFO appeared above them.

"What now?!" Geirdriful snarled.

Al Azif fired a green ray of light that vaporized the threads. This freed Fox, Oracle, Gorokichi, Stronghold, and Psyclone.

"I am not finished!" Geirdriful summoned more threads from her surroundings, trapping her enemies. "Let's see how thou escape this!"

Finding themselves boxed in thread traps, Fox, Oracle, and their Personas scanned for a way out. Stronghold and Psyclone supported them and distracted Geirdriful. As Geirdriful manipulated her threads, she sent them to ensnare the Advent members, but Psyclone conjured four psychic clones to get torn in shreds in her stead. Stronghold cast a barrier, which nullified the thread's mystical properties but that didn't stop them from cutting into the outer layer of his barrier.

"These threads are so sharp, they don't even need magic to cut through my defenses," horrifically realized Stronghold. "Seriously, Andrea, don't get caught in those."

"Duly noted!" Psyclone replied.

"Do you know a way out of here? I could use an answer right now!" Fox exclaimed.

"Me and Al Azif are working on it!" Oracle said, scanning the threads with her visor. "Geez, and I thought I was a strategist. She might beat me, but meeting someone with a genius equal to mine, I can't help, but get excited!" She readied her dual laser swords. "I say we tear this whole thing down until we find the right passage!" She started swinging and tearing through the web-like threads.

Fox and Gorokichi proceeded to cut their way through.

"I dost wonder. How long will it take for thee? None hast been able to escape my ultimate trap," Geirdriful said with a self-composed smile.

"There's always a first for everything, ain't there?" The genius hacker continued to cut her way through. "Al Azif, scan over here! 9 o'clock!"

As Al Azif carried out Oracle's order, it scanned Geirdriful's web and pinpointed an opening for Oracle to cut through. Readying her laser sword, Oracle proceeded to cut through Geirdriful's web thread. Providing her support, Fox sent Gorokichi to take down Geirdriful's web. Stronghold and Psyclone also helped in the efforts as they completely dismantled the Thread Vamkyrie's masterpiece.

"Thou hast destroyed my beautiful work of art!" Geirdriful screamed. Before she could produce more threads, Horus and Hōō attacked the Thread Vamkyrie. As she readied more threads with her flail, Hōō cast flames from her phoenix's cloak and formed a flaming sword. She cut through and effortlessly burned all of the Vamkyrie's threads with her Hōō Blade.

"Evil spirit, be gone!" Hōō declared, sending a fiery wave from her flaming blade.

As she narrowly dodged Hōō's flames, Horus blasted her down with Neith's Arrows.

After taking Horus's arrows, Oracle lunged forward and slashed Geirdriful with her laser sword. After swiftly taking Geirdriful down, Oracle ran her sword through the Vamkyrie.

"Say adios!" Oracle called out. Suddenly, in that instance, a dark distortion opened up and swallowed Geirdriful, narrowly saving her from Oracle's finishing blow. "Hey, she's gone! She got away!"

"That distortion abruptly came and saved her. Seems the Yami Matter cannot afford to lose its pawns," Fox stated.

"At least we survived and beat her. That's all that matters. Thanks, you two," Psyclone smiled at Horus and Hōō. "Seriously those threads of hers are nothing to laugh at."

"Let's regroup with the others. They'll likely need support taking down the other two Vamkyries," Stronghold said.

"Hey, Cammy. How are you feeling about this new power? Is it too taxing?" Horus asked Hōō, who nodded.

"I just need to get used to it. It is a bit overwhelming but with time I'll overcome the drawbacks."

"Use it only when you need to, Cammy," Stronghold advised. "You're our strongest hand now. No doubt these Vamkyries and Abnormalities will target you as a priority over the rest of us."

"And rest when you can. We don't want you to overstress either," Psyclone added.

"Thanks, I will," Hōō replied.

"Yes, let's move. Everyone, this way!" Fox called to her.

"Hey, wait up!" Oracle shouted back.

---

"Take this!" Skull yelled out, swinging his mace at Thrúd. However, the Storm Vamkyrie swung her dark battle axe, countering Skull's mace. On her left, she stopped Omusubi's Oni Bane greatsword with her black Mjölnir.

Discharging an electrical aura over her, Thrúd forced Skull and Omusubi away. She handily swung around both weapons and evilly grinned.

"My, how is it two warriors cannot contend with me, Thrúd, daughter of Thor?!" The Storm Vamkyrie laughed. "Oh yes, because both thou art mortals!"

"Hey, I'm itching for a rematch! I hope you're ready to throw down with me!" Valkyria yelled, charging head-on with Thrúd. Swinging her sword, they collided and traded attacks. Valkyria's sword was enough to stave off Thrúd's axe swings.

"I wouldst be happy to oblige!" Thrúd jovially laughed while swinging her axe at Valkyria. As Thrúd readied her hammer, Norse-knight knocked it out of her hands with Gaea's Blast. Having been disarmed of one weapon, Thrúd was knocked away by Valkyria's powerful kicks.

"Those two are handling the situation so well. They've become better fighters. But, if they can, then so can I!" Omusubi stood up with his Oni Blade in hand. As he said this, Omusubi felt a burning sensation in his head and body. Then, before he realized it, a white aura enveloped him. Just like Sion and Sekiken before, Omusubi managed to tap into the memories of his cognitive self and unlocked his Envoy of Luke form.

As the white light dimmed over him, Omusubi's dark outfit became white with gold trim. His outfit also has army green colorations to balance out his white Envoy outfit.

"Yes, this is the power that Sion and Sekiken unlocked. I now wield the power of an Envoy. Come, Vamkyrie!" Omusubi brandished his Oni Blade and charged forth at Thrúd.

After gaining an upper hand, Valkyria swiftly overpowered Thrúd. Stepping out of his way, Valkyria permitted Omusubi to finish the job. Omusubi swung his greatsword, only to be countered by Thrúd's axe.

"Thy puny sword cannot hope to match my Umbra Stormbreaker!" Thrúd then discharged a lightning ball from her axe.

"Give it shot" Omusubi beckoned as the Storm Vamkyrie tossed her Ber-serkr Ball at the Revenant.

As Omusubi outran and dodged to the side, the lightning ball collided with a wall and exploded.

"Holy shit! I'm glad that wasn't you, man!" Skull gaped at the giant hole the ball made through the infrastructure.

"You and me both, Skull," Omusubi then conjured a projectile wave shaped like a canine's mouth. Waving his right hand forward, he manipulated this mouth, which then collided with Thrúd. After overwhelming Thrúd with his Jaws of Porthos, Omusubi stepped away and let Skull take a turn.

Lifting her right hand, Thrúd recalled Mjölnir and used it to form a lightning barrier, protecting herself from Omusubi's projectile jaws.

"And thou can hast a taste of my father's hammer!" Thrúd shot a quick lightning bolt at Skull.

"William!" Skull summoned his Ultimate Persona and cast Fighting Spirit for his team, increasing their physical strengths.

William not only caught Thrúd's Mjölnir's Strike but absorbed and augmented its own power, giving itself an Elec Boost.

"Hell yeah! Now get wrecked, bitch!" Skull hollered as William blasted Thrúd with a powerful dose of Ziodyne.

The electrical blast exploded, unleashing enough force that knocked Thrúd 30 feet back. The Storm Vamkyrie crashed into the nearest wall as both weapons fell out of her hands.

"Whew, that kicked ass!" Skull cheered.

"Great work, Skull, but we still have to finish her," Omusubi added.

"Yeah, I'm still figuring that one out."

"You better figure out something fast!" Norse-knight exclaimed.

As she stirred, Thrúd rose to her feet and intently stared at her adversaries. Letting out a lion-like roar, a fierce demonic visage appeared on her face.

"Thou hast me excited, mortals! Now I can kill thee with a gleeful smile on my face!" Thrúd laughed merrily, although her face contorted with a malevolent grin. She recalled Mjölnir to her hand and launched a quick lightning blast at the four.

When Skull, Omusubi, Valkyria, and Norse-knight dodged, the Storm Vamkyrie quickly flew at the Phantom Thief and snatched him by the throat.

"Skull!" Omusubi called out. He then invoked his Hound-Type Blood Veil, sending his metal hound heads at the Vamkyrie.

The Storm Vamkyrie launched lightning blasts at the hounds. As the hounds were blasted away, William confronted Thrúd. Thrúd then beckoned Umbra Stormbreaker, which floated off the ground and was launched into the Ultimate Persona's back. William roared in pain and grabbed at the axe stuck to his back.

"Augh, no! William!" Skull yelped as Thrúd gripped his neck tightly.

"I will hast decisively defeated thee!" Thrúd boasted.

"Skull!" Omusubi called out, but the Storm Vamkyrie brought down a lightning bolt to stop him.

Continuing to struggle from the Vamkyrie's grip, Skull kicked and yelped. His field of vision slowly started blackening.

In a desperate act, Norse-knight channeled powerful energies into his feet and jumped high into the air. Swinging his broadsword, Norse-knight manifested a golden wave of light, which took on the form of a golden-scaled dragon. As the Scalebound beast let out a furious roar, Norse-knight sent the energy dragon toward Thrúd. With the dragon spirit colliding with her, the Storm Vamkyrie was overwhelmed and pushed upward into the air. Before she could get a chance to rebound, Norse-knight dove forward and landed a powerful flying kick into her.

After sending her crashing to the ground, Valkyria flew at Thrúd steadfast and hefted her sword. With a mighty swing from her blade, Valkyria swiftly took the Vamkyrie down with her Exalt X-Slash.

"Nice work, Valkyria!" Norse-knight called to his partner.

"Alright, now to finish the job! William!" Skull hollered as he and William pulverized Thrúd with God's Hand.

"Here, I go!" Omusubi declared, raising his Oni Blade to finish the Storm Vamkyrie, but at the last moment, a distortion opened up and pulled Thrúd inside. As the distortion closed up, the Revenant was left aghast. "What the hell?!"

"Her weapons are disappearing, too!" Norse-knight noticed the Umbra Stormbreaker and Mjölnir vanished from sight.

"No doubt this is the Yami Matter's doing. It can't afford to lose its valuable warriors. These Vamkyries' strengths are beyond anything I've fought before," Omusubi said. "So much that I've tapped into this Envoy power."

"Tell me about it. That was Thor's daughter for goodness sake. I don't think I could beat her if I didn't have y'alls help," Valkyria added. "But, I promise I'll get stronger so I can kill these monsters!"

"Yo, let's go and regroup with the others. We can tell them what happened here," Skull suggested.

---

Launching a fiery arrow barrage, Ölrún indiscriminately targeted Sion, Tennyo, and Moonlight. Readying both his Queenslayer Blade and Hanemukuro, Sion swiftly halted numerous fiery arrows. Swinging her ko-naginata, Tennyo nullified some fire arrows and fired a Divine Thorn at Ölrún. The Huntress Vamkyrie flew past Tennyo's concentrated lightning blast, but Moonlight swiftly jumped up and struck the Vamkyrie with her halberd. After slashing and kicking Ölrún away, the Huntress Vamkyrie crashed to the ground.

"There's no escape, Vamkyrie!" Sion called out as he landed and charged toward Ölrún. Building momentum on his side, the Revenant invoked his Envoy of Matthew power. Having switched to his white and dark gray-trimmed Envoy outfit, Sion's enhanced power enabled him to imbue white light through his Queenslayer Blade and Hanemukuro.

Prepping herself against Sion's attack, Ölrún threw open her cloak and unleashed fiery waves. Continuing his warpath, Sion shot through the Huntress Vamkyries' destructive flames, swinging both of his glowing white swords to cut through her flames.

Before Ölrún could counteract Sion's frontal attack, Sudsakorn flew straight into Ölrún and pummeled her with dual sword & staff attacks. After pummeling her with quick barrage strikes, Sudsakorn spun around and roundhouse kicked Ölrún back.

After receiving an energy boost from Cassiel, Nephilim bombarded Ölrún with her Asteroid Rays. Evading most of Nephilim's powerful beams, one beam collided with and repelled the Huntress Vamkyrie back.

"Augh, damn you!" Ölrún hissed. Sion quickly dove from the air when she sprang up to attack and relentlessly slashed her with his glowing blade.

Once striking her with his Will of D'Artagnan, Sion then kicked Ölrún far away, allowing Tennyo and Moonlight to pummel her with quick slashes. Conjuring her Divine Thorn, Tennyo blasted Ölrún down with a quick lightning bolt.

"Excellent shot, Tennyo!" Moonlight commended her.

"Yes, but sadly it appears that wasn't enough," Tennyo pierced an intense glare at the Vamkyrie, who gingerly stood while bearing lightning and blade scars.

"Well done. Thou hast maimed me. Brynhildr was wise to warn us that thee wouldst hast effective teamwork. I look forward to fighting thee again," Ölrún spat blood from her mouth as she flew away to reconvene with the other Vamkyries.

"She's getting away!" Nephilim called out.

"Don't worry, she isn't escaping alive," Sion narrowed his red-eyes gaze as he pursued Ölrún.

"We're coming, Sion!" Tennyo cried out as she and Moonlight followed Sion's path.

Landing beside Nephilim, Sudsakorn nodded to his lover. "I think we should team up with these guys more often."

Nephilim concurred. "Yes, I agree."

Cassiel added with a happy owl's grin. "Indeed, we should ally with them! It would be beneficial to the Advent Eight!"

As Ölrún tried reaching her colleagues, glowing rays of light quickly rained down toward the Vamkyrie. As she narrowly dodged the beams, she discerned them to be light arrows. After dodging the arrows, she sighted Anastasia gliding over her and firing her Nebula Arrows. Ölrún vanished behind a veil of flames, narrowly avoiding Anastasia's light arrows.

Gripping her bow, Anastasia scoffed. "It's not often my Radiant Nebula bow misses its target. Nadia!"

"I'm on her!" Nadia cried out as she jumped out of her hiding spot. Readying a black leather whip, she swung it toward Ölrún, who reappeared in a different location. "Have a taste of my Gloomy Loop whip!"

Narrowly dodging Nadia's whip, Ölrún flew into the air.

"Anastasia, Nadia! Stop her!" Sion called out to the Elven princesses.

"Ready to slay this vampire whore?!" Nadia called out to Anastasia.

Nodding, Anastasia rapidly flew over to Nadia. The Elven Princesses pressed their hands together, performing their beautiful duet. Then, their bosoms glowed with the signs of the Virgo and Libra. Gathering energies from their signs, the Elven Princesses combined their weapons and formed their crossbow.

"Prepare to meet your demise!" The Elven princesses called out, readying their crossbow and firing a glowing white arrow.

As their Divine Alf Arrow hurtled toward Ölrún, the Huntress Vamkyrie prepared to accept her fate, but at the last possible moment, a black portal opened up and pulled Ölrún in.

"Damn it! You almost had her!" Sion cursed as he and the others witnessed the distortion close.

"We're sorry, everyone," Anastasia apologetically said.

"No, don't blame yourself. That distortion came when we least expected it," Moonlight said.

"Let's reconvene with the others. It appears we've cleared this area," Tennyo noticed the darkness around them subsiding, allowing sunlight to permeate through and cast its radiance over the shrine.

"Aren't you glad you and your Revenant buddies can walk freely in broad daylight?" Nadia asked Sion.

"Well, we aren't traditional vampires. Yet, judging by the darkness that shrouded this area, these Vamkyries are and cannot stand daylight. If they can conjure darkness to use to fight us in the day, then that's a bigger pain in the ass," Sion said.

Tennyo nodded. "Yes, now let's regroup with our friends, everyone."

---

Once the darkness cleared from the shrine, the shrine visitors and bystanders awoke with no recollections of any of the events.

As the Thieves, the Vein Remnants, the Advent Eight, and the Elven princesses reconvened, they reported on their battles. They concluded that the recent Abnormality creatures were created by the Vamkyries' dark magic and sent to halt the Advent Eight's formation. They also verified Cammy being the final Advent member to unlock her full powers.

It wasn't long when the other Phantom Thieves and Vein Remnants, including Ren and Louis, arrived to meet with their teammates and allies.

Picking up the lantern that was turned into a Yokai earlier, Cammy sighed. "Generally, the Chochin-Obake are docile and playful creatures, but those Vamkyries perverted this poor thing into a horrific monster. How unforgivable."

"So, that completes the Advent Eight. With Huey, Samantha, Lance, and Cammy's powers fully awakened, you guys are all set," Ren stated.

"And with Cammy's power being as formidable as it is, she will require extra protection since the Yami Matter will undoubtedly target her and send more of these emissaries to take her or perhaps just her power," Marty informed the Thieves and Revenants.

"I won't let anything happen to Cammy," Lance openly vowed on her behalf.

"That's right. As strong as she is now, Cammy can't fight all of her battles alone," Samantha said.

"We'll do all we can to ward off the Yami Matter's agents, including those Vamkyries!" Huey declared.

"We know and we will be around when you need us," Louis affirmed.

"I do wonder if Cammy's flames might be stronger than mine?" Ann mulled.

"Judging from what I've heard and can assess, probably. This Hōō power sounds like serious business," Makoto replied.

"I see. Well, I'm just glad she's on our side," Ann said.

"The way she overwhelmed those Vamkyries, Cammy fought like a Mazoku Huntress. Her form was so exquisite," Yusuke elaborated in his artistic way of describing Hōō's ferocity. This elicited a sneaky grin on Futaba's face as she poked his side.

"Just say you have the hots for her, Inari."

"Just for her passionate flames but I would never overstep my boundaries with another man's love!"

Futaba groaned. "Ok, ok, calm down! I get it!"

Cammy gave a customary bow to the Thieves and Revenants. "Thank you all for helping me and my team. We're grateful and are willing to repay any favors."

"There's no need to be formal," Mia said.

"We're happy that you've been able to overcome your insecurities, Cammy," Jack added.

"Yes, and now you've risen like a phoenix from the ashes," Eva stated.

"Regardless of what you are, we're happy to have you on our side," Sumire welcomed the Advent Eight.

"And don't worry about us Revenants. We don't bite… too much," Rin jovially remarked.

Veering over the Advent Eight, Io openly addressed them. "And you're wondering how you've gained these abilities? I would be prudent to reveal much, but you have every right to know. It's because of me. Once I materialized in this reality, I awakened Skyler and his colleagues' Revenant nature and abilities. At the same time, I unknowingly caused a side effect, which seemingly has granted a handful of humans superhuman abilities. You eight are among them."

"Wait, so this was because of you?" Huey was taken aback.

"Us gaining super abilities is a side effect of you being here?" Samantha asked, having come to terms with her and her friends' superpowered abilities connected to Io's existence.

"But, it was your willpower that connected with me and in response your powers manifested. As a result, you have now been drawn into our conflicts. For that, I'm sorry," Io bowed.

"No, don't apologize. I consider this sorta a blessing," Tori replied. "I've been looking for something meaningful in my life. 'I've wanted to be a hero. Someone who can save lives. I thought I could do that as a cop but I've been jerked around by the higher-ups and haven't gone anywhere. So, I feel this is like a new calling in my life. For that, I thank you."

Upon hearing his friend speak her mind, Hiroshi concurred. "Yeah, you've given us something exciting to work with. We don't fault you."

"And if our purpose is to help combat the Yami Matter and its emissaries, then we're all in," Lance stated.

"I'll do all I can to help," Cammy vowed.

With that, and after Marty shook Ren and Louis's hands, the Advent Eight officially forged their alliance with the Phantom Thieves and Vein Remnants.

However, there was a large elephant in the room.

Make that two.

The group attentively turned over toward the Elven princesses.

"Are these the same two elven women you mentioned to us now?" Louis whispered to Skyler, who nodded in response. "Interesting, their essence feels like Io."

"That makes sense since she created these two," Haru said, eyeing Anastasia and Nadia.

"Damn, they're stacked, especially the light-skinned one," Futaba notably pointed out the elven women's large breasts, particularly Anastasia.

Responding with a smile, Anastasia addressed. "Welcome Phantom Thieves and Vein Remnants, we've been expecting you." She spoke in their Japanese language, which surprised them. She then turned toward the few English speakers, Skyler and Louis in particular, as she spoke in their English tongue. "I hope we didn't trouble you."

"No, but I'm surprised Io created you two to communicate and fight with us," Skyler replied.

"So, it seems they can speak other languages quite fluently," Louis noted.

"Learning your languages took some time," Anastasia said.

"English, in particular, was a pain in the ass for me," quipped Nadia. "But, what can ya do?"

"Io created us based on Elven princesses. As far as we are concerned, we're merely constructs of Io. I was based on a Light Elf princess." Anastasia answered.

"I'm based on a Dark Elf princess if you already couldn't tell!" Nadia reminded them.

"Right, as if we didn't know that," Futaba rolled her eyes.

"Well, in any case, between you two and the Advent Eight, our network has grown. If we're going to stop the Yami Matter and find a way to restore the time flow, we'll need any help we can afford," Ren stated.

"Indeed, the more allies in our network would be beneficial to all of us," Louis affirmed.

"Oh, just one more thing," Ryuji added. "Are you eight free? Maybe you'd…"

Morgana sighed. "You want to invite them to that anime convention?"

"Yeah, AnimeJapan!"

"Hey, that cat just talked!" Cammy pointed out, hearing Morgana speaking for the first time.

"I thought it was just me, too!" Lance exclaimed.

"What? You freak out with a talking cat but not me?" Cassiel chortled.

"Yo, you got a talking owl?!" Ryuji spat out.

"So, our team mascot has met yours," Samantha giggled as she patted Cassiel's head feathers.

For a moment, Morgana and Cassiel quietly stared each other down. Though there wasn't hostility, the cat and the owl waited for the other to speak.

"Nice day, huh, cat?"

"I'm not a cat!"

Cassiel went back to barking like a normal owl, which irked Morgana.

"So, what do you say? Do you want to come with us to AnimeJapan?" Skyler asked the Advent Eight.

"We'd be happy if you do, but we won't hold it against you if it isn't your thing," Hifumi offered.

"No, we were already planning to go. Count us in," Marty said.

"Just make sure and find us, ok?" Andrea winked.

"And we're going, too, right?" Nadia asked. "I've never been to these conventions, but I hear you wear costumes, right?"

Anastasia replied. "Yes, and I do believe they're called co-st-play?"

Hifumi giggled. "You mean cosplay."

Io smiled. "Don't worry, Nadia and Anastasia. This will be my first time going to a convention, too. This will be a fun learning experience for us."

"Then, it's settled. Let's meet at AnimeJapan," Ren decreed.

---

Chapter Soundtrack

Two Steps From Hell - Elven Princess - Personal introductions of the Elven princesses in dreamscapes.
Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse OST - Fairy Forest - The interactions of the Elven princesses in the real world.
Two Steps From Hell - Evergreen - Samantha and Huey's scene, such as Samantha is communicating with Cassiel about the coming danger.
Japanese Music - Inari's Song by Danny Fortress - Explorations through the shrine property and Cammy explaining her family shrine's tradition.
Bear McCreary - Magni and Modi - God of War OST - vs. Thrúd, Ölrún, and Geirdriful.
Two Steps From Hell - Emerald Princess - Awakening of Hōō's full power.
Amon Tobin - Easy Muffin - The Advent Eight's interactions in the aftermath.
SawanoHiroyuki[nZk] Feat. Tielle - Amazing Trees「2V-ALK」- The Advent Eight meeting the Phantom Thieves and Vein Remnants. Likewise with the Elven Princesses meeting Skyler and Hifumi's friends.

---

A/N: And with that, the Advent Eight is officially aligned with the Thieves and the Revenants! Cammy's awakening into Hōō just pushed that forward.

Where to begin? The Elven Princesses have arrived, and are Io's guardians. They are based on Elven Princesses from another world but their origins will be revealed later on. This chapter was a means to incorporate Anastasia and Nadia into the narrative and give them battle scenes. First impressions? Anastasia is a sweetheart and a little naive about her new surroundings while Nadia is the feisty one and loves to tease men (Skyler better keep his guard near her).

This chapter also establishes Cammy overcoming her insecurity and fully embracing her new power. As the final Advent member to awaken, Cammy/Hōō's power is on a whole stronger level from her friends. However, since this is a more grounded story, Hōō will not be so overpowered she can wipe out a whole planet or universe. No, her power is very understated and can be suppressed by Io (and the Yami Matter).

Huey, Samantha, and Lance also unveil their superpowered forms. In addition to the new 'Archvalkyrie'-like power, Samantha gains a spirit snowy owl named Cassiel, who also doubles as the Advent Eight's mascot.

Inspirations for Huey, Samantha, Lance, and Cammy's hero forms:

-Huey: Sudsakorn (based on the character from the epic poem Phra Aphai Mani), Krabi-krabong martial arts.
-Samantha: Biblical demigod, Angel, Valkyrie
-Lance: Tokusatsu (Super Sentai)
-Cammy: Shrine Maiden/Miko, Marvel Comics (Phoenix)

This chapter also revealed that Io's presence inadvertently granted the Advent Eight their powers. Is anyone surprised by this? I think not.

More Vamkyries appear to give our heroes problems. As the strategist of the trio, Geirdriful served as leader of Thrúd (Thor's daughter) and Ölrún. It's also been confirmed they can conjure Abnormalities, turning objects and living things into creatures as shown with this chapter's Monster of the Day: Chochin-Obake. Moreover, they can cast dark spaces in broad daylight to fight our heroes in and not have to worry about the sunlight.

Btw, this is not a Yami Matter Event. The next one won't occur until a little while longer. This one is equivalent to an important Mementos Request.

With the bad guys thwarted, the Advent Eight ally with Thieves and the Revenants, and get ready for AnimeJapan. That'll be a perfect way for them to bond with the Advent Eight.

Sorry to say there weren't any Spiritual Gamblers but they will appear in the next chapters going forward. Just keep this in mind, not all of your favorite characters will appear in every chapter. Hell, Ren, Skyler, and Hifumi will be absent in a chapter, too.

That's it for this chapter commentary. Next time, it's the AnimeJapan event.

As always, leave a comment and review. Take care.