It's been some time since the vanishment of Bete and Tione.
To say things were looking bad for Loki Familia is an understatement. What should have been a simple mission of getting more intel ended as a failure. When neither of the two returned, all information on their disappearance was kept on the down low. Only those of high rank knew what's going on where everyone else in the familia believed them to be on a long-term mission in the Dungeon. Same with the rest of the city.
That didn't mean the Familia wasn't doing nothing.
"So then, Hermes Familia took casualties." Finn asked Loki who gave a nod.
"Got it from one of his other members." Loki told him and the others in the office. Looking none too happy when she gave the news to those inside. Riveria, Gareth, a recently awakened Ais, Tiona and even Raul. Showcasing the severity of the situation. "Hermes isn't happy."
"I doubt anybody would be." Raul said, feeling bad for Hermes Familia and their members. Knowing what it was like for people to lose allies, especially those close to each other.
"An unfortunate situation indeed." Finn narrowed his eyes. "And from what we got, Evilus was heavily involved. Which included the Violas." Finn then looked at Ais. "And also the one known as Avenger." Ais gripped her fists. Eyes darting to where she had her regained sword Desperate…Along with the anger and humiliation of that loss. But more importantly, what he did to the boy.
'I need to deal with him.'
"Ais." Finn then said, as if reading her mind. "No fighting. Your body still isn't at full health." A week has passed and Ais was finally awake. Her body capable of moving and the curse on her gone. Yet as some minor training showed, Ais wasn't capable of long-term fighting unless she wanted to harm herself with her body still recovering from the battle.
Ais stayed quiet for the time being.
Sighing, Finn then continued his talk. "I'll be honest. Our intell on the location of the others isn't good." Tiona gritted her teeth, as her thoughts went towards her sister. While the others were worried, Tiona felt greater pain with her sister's disappearance. "From what we were told, Evilus alongside Avenger ambushed the others down to their target where the Pantry is. Telling us that something is down there that they're keeping hidden.
"But that doesn't explain how Bete and the others got beat." Raul then spoke up before noticing the looks given to him. "Um. I mean…sorry."
"No Raul, nothing you said was wrong. In fact, that's very insightful." Finn said with Riveria joining in. Also with Raul for the matter.
"For the most part, Evilus, while still a threat, shouldn't have the capability of handling Bete, Tione, and the group Hermes sent." Riviera knew all about the capability Tione and Bete, both being more than capable of handling most threats with ease. As for Hermes sent group, while Riveria knew little of the members sent, is aware that they shouldn't have lost to the remnants that is Evilus.
"True enough." Loki agreed with them fully. "After the dark ages, all the actual good fighters they had left were killed off. All they got left are weaklings."
"But from what we know, they still have a few good fighters left." Gareth reminded Loki, remembering the reports they were told. "Apparently there was some man in the pantry, a tamer that controlled the Violas."
"Not to mention the one in the rouge town." Ais referred to Revis, the one who claimed her as Aria. She was definitely someone who could contend with some of Loki Familia's top fighters. Having been able to handle Finn for a bit and survive.
"And now they have Avenger with them." Whether he was always with them or just a partnership didn't matter to Finn. Just that it was clear that Evilus had powerful backers to fend off Adventurers. "It seems Evilus hasn't just been doing nothing, and is planning something." Finn then held his finger and pointed it on a map featuring none other than the Dungeon itself. "In the pantry is what Hermes told us. And as such," Finn then looked at everybody. "I ask if you're all ready for a little trip down there?"
There wasn't a need to even hear an answer. As everyone's own expression and gaze said 'yes' instantly. This wasn't just about finding out about Bete and Tione, but also dealing with a threat and even avenging the fallen that fell before these bastards. There actions having caused the monster influx and gotten many people killed, all for the sake of whatever twisted plan they had up their sleeve.
"Loki." Finn looked towards his Goddess. "Will Hermes Familia be joining us?" It'd make sense if they wanted to come. It was their friends that suffered after all.
"Probably not." Loki tells Finn. "But they'd definitely want you to kick these bastards where it hurts."
"On that we can agree with." Gareth wouldn't go easy on any of them. Whatever reason these people had for joining Evilus won't matter to Gareth and his fists when he crushes their skulls. Tiona feeling much the same as her blood boiled at the thought of her sister's fate.
'She's alive.' Granted, Tiona had no proof of this and was really just an instinct. Even so she believed it and swore she'd tear apart anybody that got in her way. The only reason she didn't leave now was because she knew that if she left without preparations, then she'd only get herself killed. But once everything was set, nothing will stop her from saving Tione, her other half.
The only one not satisfied is Ais, with Riveria knowing why. 'She not only lost to someone from Evilus, who harmed her, but can't even help us out.' It's been decided Ais won't participate since her body at the time can't handle what would undoubtedly be a long-term battle. That Revis woman fought Ais well, and with Ais's current state chances where the tamer would win accomplishing another goal Evilus had is high. Finn and Riveria did not wish for that.
In any case, with all this said now a plan will have to be made. Going down to the pantry where Evilus might still be there must take priority. There was no telling how long Evilus will stay there after all, and as such haste must be made. Yet they can't go down like they are now. Even if Evilus knew they were coming and setting up traps, Loki Familia would go when they had weapons equipped, potions brought, and everyone prepared to venture down.
Knock, knock, knock.
Suddenly knocking came, which is a slight surprise as Finn stated a bit ago that nobody was to disturb them. Unless of course it's an emergency, as such, Finn made a motion with Loki calling out, "Enter!"
Opening the door was one of the lower levels. Cynthia. "U-Um. Hi."
"Hello." Finn folded his hands. "Apologies, but please declare why you're here. This is an emergency meeting after all."
"Y-Yes, of course." The elf bowed and got straight to the point. "Yo-You see, just a bit ago some members found a barrel in the front of the gates. According to our guards, it was Freya Familia that dropped it off." Loki looked suspicious with her and Finn turning toward one another. Both wondering what the Goddess of Beauty was up to now. With Loki wondering if this is either some joke on Freya's part, or a trap from another party using Freya's name. Joke's on them, Freya would never send anything nice to her.
"And what is it exactly?" Riviera asked the young elf who became bashful at the royal elf but composed herself in front of the high-level members.
"Well…it had a note on it explaining it had someone you knew in it." Now that was just weird. Before anybody could ask Cynthia further questions, the girl then held out what is presumably the note. Riviera walked towards the girl, grabbed it, and thanked her with the elf blushing a bit. "Um, the barrel is outside the room. G-Good luck." She then left the room but quickly pushed the barrel in before leaving fully.
Once the door was closed, Riviera handed the letter to Finn. Opening it, he and Loki then checked it out to see just what this was. Once he was done, Finn then looked at Gareth. "Get your weapon out, now." Gareth did as he was told, surprising the others when Finn spoke again. "All of you, step back."
That they did as Finn was speaking seriously. The man then turned behind him and grabbed his spear. He then tossed the note with Loki grabbing it. Saying, "If Freya isn't joking around, Avenger is in that barrel."
"Wait, what?" Ais said when she saw Tiona growling. She didn't have her precious Urga, but she had her fists.
"This isn't some prank by Freya?" Gareth trusted Finn with his life, and if Finn said something one better listen. However, for Avenger to be in this barrel just sounded…ridiculous.
"Yeah." Raul agreed but still pulled out his sword anyway, just in case. "I mean, since when does Freya do anything for you Loki?" Both were rivals after all.
"She doesn't." Loki knew Freya well, and that she would never do anything nice for her. "But she doesn't joke around with delicate matters like this. That, and if I were to guess," Loki looked at the barrel. "Avenger probably pissed her off."
Freya was a bit of a bystander all things considered. Content to watch and not really aid unless she had to. Nothing unusual by most Gods standards. If anything, the Gods were all-powerful bystanders who could have easily helped humanity long ago, which they did. After, of course, the monsters massacred much of them for decades upon decades with the Dungeon releasing such beasts with said Gods not doing much but watching with either remorse, or plain enjoyment.
So, for Freya to send Avenger here, meant that he must have done something to piss her off. That's how Freya is. She'll join a fight if she has to, but she'll join much sooner if someone crosses her in some way.
"This 'barrel' is quite well protected." Riveria said as she observed the container. "It's made of very fine wood, the type you'd find in the Dungeon." Most people usually went after the metals and ores within the Dungeon. However, a true explorer found value in other resources aside from the obvious. Where those who cataloged and observed the trees discovered some of the fauna down there was actually capable of wonderful things. With certain trees down below having bark that was quite durable.
"It seems Freya didn't hold back then when containing him." Finn nodded towards Gareth, who then lifted his axe above him. Ready to strike down when Finn gave the word. "If anything, this is a boon for us." What Loki Familia lacked was information. If this really wasn't some sick prank by Freya, then this means the group can get all the information they needed from the man in there. Granted, they needed him alive.
Just alive and a working mouth.
"Hold back enough to only cripple him." Finn gave the cold command and like so, Gareth swung down.
A sick crunch is heard, and wood splinters burst across the room. Everyone, even Ais, held their weapons while Loki stayed back. Maybe doing this in the office wasn't the best idea, however time is running out and answers need to come soon. Fast. There was no time to wait since Bete and Tione's lives were on the line. Quick action is needed as such.
"The hell?" Which is why it was shocking to see not a man with injuries coming out of the barrel, but some disgusting mud liquid seeping out and splattering the fine floor in the office. Raul giving out everyone's thoughts on the matter with Loki now looking frustrated.
"Are you kidding me. Is this a joke?!" Loki didn't like Freya, however at least the woman did take some things seriously. Yet sending them a pile of crap after saying it was that Avenger fellow pissed her off. Everyone else's faces were the same as they were thinking the same thing as Loki.
"Ew." Tione stepped back. "Just what is that?"
"Whatever it is, it's not pretty." Gareth looked at how the mud spread like water. Although he then found it unnatural how the floor began to hiss. "Must be acidic. It's actually eating the floor a bit."
"How childish." Riviera whispers while her grip on her staff tightens.
"Just what the hell did Freya send us?" Raul muttered while betting if Bete was here, he'd be spewing out curses and the like all over. Heck, even though nobody was saying it, Raul's certain everyone is thinking it.
The only one not saying anything is Ais. Not that she wasn't the same as the rest, angrily wondering why Freya lied to them and sent them this. Far from a body, this looked like something you'd get with a failed potion or the leftovers of what a monster ate. Everything about this just made everyone upset.
"..." Though despite the belief this really was a sick joke, Ais for some reason couldn't stop looking at the mud. Where she felt a sense of familiarity with it for reasons she just couldn't understand. Just its presence alone reminded Ais of another memory she just couldn't get a handle on. Then she remembered and said aloud, "Wasn't Avenger reported to transform?"
Silence then came as everyone suddenly came to a realization on that part.
"Gareth!" Finn shouted as Gareth obeyed.
Sadly, their time talking, and the time wasted gave him all the time needed to gather what remaining strength he had to move.
The mud rippled and in an instant, it literally converged into one spot where a nasty hiss could be heard. Suddenly, the floor gave away itself and the mud fell through the newly made hole Avenger made. Those beneath the room and in this new room, who weren't doing anything in particular, were startled when some mud literally fell onto the ground.
They became fearful though when this mud grew a pair of working eyes with it looking at one dude in particular. A mouth appeared and said, "Good enough."
Avenger lunged.
Noise could be heard on the outside of the building. Good. "Time for infiltration."
Assassin said as she then went into Loki Familia's home to get her target.
"Grah!" Gareth smashed through the floor easily enough. Oh, sure Loki would be mad, and it'll be expensive to fix, however, capturing that villainous bastard is far more important than worrying about breaking stuff.
Gareth landed on the floor below where the others landed soon after. The massive dwarf then saw a few people, scared and clearly terrified. But not because of him. "Where is it?"
Even though Gareth gave no context of who or what he's talking about, the members instantly figured it out and pointed forward where the high-level members then saw a person leave with a trail of black liquid on the ground.
"I got him." Finn then vanished in an instant with Ais close behind. Finn then came to the corner where Avenger must have gone to escape. That was the wrong thought, however.
"U-U-U-UR-A!" Because instead of running, the enemy just got beside the corner and waited. Where Finn was met with what should have been one of the Loki Familia members, a beastman named Kaz, lunge at him. Only with mud dripping out of his mouth, bloodshot eyes, and black tendrils ripping out of his chest and all aimed to stab Finn.
The Prum swung his spear and knocked the beastman's head to the side, where the tendrils missed him by a few inches. Tendrils Finn then grabbed and pulled to the side and then swung so that the beastman slammed into a wall.
The beastman stopped moving. Ais then came and shouted, "Finn, watch out!"
The body stopped moving, but not the tendrils which then lashed out. Finn avoided them again and swung his spear at the center of Kaz's chest. To a bystander, it might have seemed that Finn was willing to kill this man. That was far from true as you can't kill what's already dead, seeing as the tendrils burst where the heart should have been. With remorse, Finn stabbed at the desecrated corpse where the tendrils shrieked but then wrapped themselves across his spear which then began to make a burning hiss.
Finn clicked his tongue as he made a head motion for Ais to act. She swung her sword down to cut the body in half. Instead, the tendrils ripped themselves out of the beastman's body and flung itself onto the hallway where it then began to move like a slug only faster.
"There you are!" Tione then came in, eyes full of rage as she then leapt at the thing before Finn or Ais could stop her. "Bastard! What did you do to my sister!?" She then swung her fist down and slammed it on the moving mud. Flesh began to burn, with Avenger using that chance to try and melt her arm off and hinder her.
"!" To the barley thinking mud's surprise, her arm wasn't melting at all. Considering who Tione is though, she wouldn't let her body melt against such a thing, her high durability, resistance handled such a pathetic attempt. As such the mud instantly tried for a mental assault, to show Tione 'All the World's Evil's'.
"I said," Tione lifted her arm, wrapped by the mud making Avenger up. "Where's my sister!?" A slam to the wall spread the mud all over it before it could even show Tione anything. Not that it would have worked, as the effects were usually good for calm or unprepared minds. Even if the mud showed such horrors, Tione's anger would have likely just ignored the images at worst or slowed her down at best. The other Loki Familia executives came. All seeing the squirming mud merging back into a big blob and no doubt try and escape again.
"That's Avenger?" Riviera asked incredulously. She had already seen him before, his face and form. Yet according to Freya's note, this thing is him.
"He's not human." Finn simply told her as the mud then began to swell. "But," Finn picked up his spear, which had slight burn marks on it. "He's no God either as we assumed." If anything, he seemed more like a-
"Monster!" Having heard the ruckus, a few members came to see just what was up.
"Shit!" That was all the mud needed to launch itself at the poor man, where everyone then saw the disgusting blob enter through every orifice in the man's mouth. Those near him screamed as they backed away while the man desperately tried to get the mud off of him, unable to breath or even scream. Even when the mud entered his nose, ears, and slipped through his eyes.
The executives could only watch.
By no means did they want to let this occur. However, just what could they do?
Up until now they thought Avenger was a normal adventurer. Then a God. Now they're discovering he's neither and is likely a monster. Yet…one that could shapeshift, cause reflection damage, and even defeat one of their own, the Sword Princess Ais Wallenstein. It became increasingly clear that none of them knew just what Avenger was, and even now they had no idea of their capability. Even if they ran up to that mad, what could they even do to help?
No, it was too late for this man. All could only watch as the mud eventually entered through the poor man's head as a pair of popped eyeballs fell out and dripping blood and mud escaped his new holes. His body then twitching and paling, with gurgles coming out of him and incomprehensible moans escaping his lips. Face burnt up with his flesh showing with even bone revealed.
Lips that then started twisting and turning upward. To form a sweet smile.
"A-aa-aa-Ahhhhhh yueaaahhhh! Hahaahhaa!" Then, like a puppet with strings, the body slumped forward and slouched. The head rolling around the neck as if testing the joints, where when the man looked up, a pair of glowing red dots could be seen coming out of the empty eye sockets.
The weakened and newly possessed Avenger, feeling more better now after all the damage done to him quite a bit ago. "Yep." He guttered out while moving his new limbs. "This is…okay I guess." He spoke in the former Loki Familia member's own voice, like he was that man. Yet everyone knew it wasn't him. "Uh, great. Looks like I still need time to heal. Damn that bitch did a number on me." Practically running on instinct until the body possession.
Red eyes then realized who he saw before him. Particularly, that human girl. "Oh. Hey there princess." Avenger then waved high to Ais as if he were friends with her. "How's rabbit boy?"
Ais was already on him as she jumped towards the monster hiding in literal human flesh. She couldn't kill him though, even as much as she wanted. No. She needed to knock him out, get information to save those close to her. She heard what happened to Hermes Familia, and while she wasn't there, she knew they would be sad that their friends died. She…didn't want to let that happen to Tione. As such, when she was on Avenger, her sword would only cut off his legs and nothing more.
Too bad for her, even when weakened, Avenger still held an advantage.
"Yeah princess," Avenger said as his puppetered body then moved faster than it should have, even when the man was alive underneath Ais's form. "Not gonna work." Then, in front of everyone, Avenger threw multiple punches on Ais's abdomen, making her cough and loosen her grip on Desperate. Grabbing her leg, Avenger then happily swung her onto the left wall, where Ais was smashed through it and landed into the other room. Her sword clattering in front of Avenger.
"!"
"?"
"!?"
To say those who were the top levels are shocked is more than an understatement. I mean, yes, they knew Ais lost already due to witnessing her state in the aftermath when she had been discovered alongside Bell and the other girl. However, to actually witness her being defeated is another matter. While one can say Ais hasn't lost yet, the fact that she just got tossed into another wall was something to hypothetical caused even Tiona herself to lose the anger she had earlier.
"Grrr!" Ais then came back. Using Tempest as a speed boost, her fist out ready to punch Avenger. He simply grabbed it, leaned back, let her move forward still with her momentum, then raised and dropped his right elbow down with his right knee being lifted up.
Ais's cough was heard by all as Avenger twirled with her body still on him before tossing her back where the super strong executives were at. Ais's body landing in front of them like a sack of beans. Ais was far from fatally injured, but with how easily she just got handled by this clearly dangerous enemy put everyone on guard. With none of them willing to make a move now on blind impulse.
'Good.' Avenger thought as he hid his worry very well. 'Then that buys me time.' Avenger wasn't kidding when he was running on instinct. After all that crap Freya did to him, Avenger was so weakened that he couldn't even think properly when he was reduced to that mud puddle form of his. All his thoughts really composed of were: 'Escape from danger.' 'Feed'. 'New body'.
The second he got this bastard's body; everything became so much clearer. But the Servant was far from the clear, not one bit. He had no idea where he really was other than he's somehow in front of a bunch of people he recognized from Loki Familia. Where aside from Ais and that average looking dude, the rest were freakin non-human, and powerful ones at that.
'If it had been anybody but Ais attacking me, I would have been down for the count.' Avenger might be feeling better and could think again, but that was all he had going for him. He wasn't as strong as he normally was when in his usual form, with the only thing really working now was the whole conceptual advantage against human crap. None of which is going to help him if these guys attacked him first.
Thankfully, Avenger defeating Ais has made everyone think he's super strong and he could beat them up too. That won't help him forever though, so Avenger needed to make his move and get out of here. He'd contact his Master if he could, sadly, he needed to talk to them, or they'd just strike him down. So, he needed to do what he did best.
Lie his ass off.
"So then Loki Familia, how have you all been?" Avenger leaned on the wall while crossing his arms. Ready to buy time and hope for the best. Time that Finn and the others were also using, wondering how to take this monster down.
'He took out Ais like she was nothing.' Finn thought as he saw Ais getting up, being supported by Riveria who had a look of worry on her. Also having never seen Ais being defeated so easily. 'He's not a normal opponent. Different from what we've faced so far.' Finn's thumb was tingling. Not a lot to be honest, but enough to warn him that they couldn't just fight this man like their usual foes. This is something that can regenerate, possess dead bodies, and so much more.
Yet where Finn and the others pondered what to do, one stepped forward to talk.
Loki.
"Hey, you." Loki was in front of Finn, where there was no smile on her face at all. Her tone being monotone, as she talked seriously in the situation everyone is in. "I just have one question." She had no fear in her. Just curiosity, one that she wanted to know as her eyes opened up and looked straight at Avenger's own red orbs as she asked, "Who are you?"
"...Who am I?" Avenger chuckled. "Didn't the kiddos tell you?" Avenger jabbed the possessed finger at himself. "Angra Mainyu's the name."
"Angra Maniyu huh. I see." Loki then looked at Avenger as if he were utter garbage. "Yeah, I don't actually see it, ya big liar." That got everyone to look at her like so. With Avenger rather surprised by that declaration.
"Huh?" He dumbly said.
"Yeah, here's the thing," Loki spoke up. Deciding to get to the heart of the matter. "Thing is, that bastard, Angra Mainyu, he should be locked up with the other Wicked Gods."
"Wicked…Gods?" Raul looked confused with Loki deciding to clear things up for him and the rest of her children as well.
"Let's just say while we Gods may have watched you guys get torn up by the monsters back in the day of old, those guys actively joined in on the misery." Seriously, those jackasses were exceedingly twisted. With the worst being that it was their nature to be like that, as normal as Freya's to be the most beautiful or even the little pipsqueak being such a kind Goddess. "Anyway, all said and done, we killed those bastards. Normally, that doesn't stop Gods from, well, being reborn." After all, from humans to even the mighty Gods, everyone would reincarnate with the only difference for the immortal Gods that it took longer. For the Wicked Gods though, "Buuuut, for extra measure, we locked those guys up so they couldn't reincarnate."
So, when a guy named Angra Mainyu is suddenly heard, that got Loki worried wondering if maybe the guy actually escaped. Because in truth, there were times the seals placed on those guys did weaken on certain eras. Allowing them to cause certain chaos through their influence even if small-scale compared to the days of old.
"Quite frankly, I thought you might have been him…but you're not the real Angra Mainyu. Are you?" Loki says as Avenger stayed silent the entire time she talked. Then grinning when she was done.
"Hm. Well…you're not wrong." Avenger's eyes glowed darker as they shimmered in enjoyment. "I admit, the name Angra Mainyu was really just given to me. Quite frankly, I never asked for the name. But it stuck to me even after death."
"Death?" Raul shifted his eyes back and forth as he sweated in a cold chill. "B-But, wouldn't that make you dead or something? A ghost?"
"Or a spirit." Riveria answered. "And not the type most people think of. You…you're something like a wraith. A wayward spirit that refused to leave the mortal plain after your death. Lost in your own hate." Ais looked at Riveria and then at Avenger. So, wait, he wasn't like the other Spirits, like her mother.
"I'll be honest, there are some bits of missing information you don't have. But for the most part, you got it all right." I mean, it's all true. If one ignored Avenger's status as a Heroic Spirit, then really, he actually is a wraith that's full of hate after all the wrongdoings done upon him. Kinda like those Hassans to be honest.
"And so, you've joined Evilus, because you both share a goal?" Finn then asked while never letting go of his spear.
"Now let's not go crazy." Avenger chuckled. "I'm just working for those guys because it brings benefits."
"They kill people." Tiona pointed out.
"And I killed people way before them. I think." Time difference between worlds is weird. "Heck, I've been killing people since I got into this city. Sure, I didn't have to, but you know…tough to feel bad when the people who tortured me didn't give a shit either." At least those he ended died off quickly compared to his entire life of torture. Giving his victims the very mercy, he never received.
'Then a spirit of vengeance of sorts.' Loki mused as she could see why he also took the name Avenger. The name for someone who did vengeance on a person or group who did a crime of sorts or tragedy to them in the first place. Not that it explained why this guy took the name Angra Mainyu, but then again, Loki didn't care.
"Either way, you'll tell us everything about Evilus." Gareth hoisted his axe so Avenger could see it clear and well.
"Indeed. Friends of ours were taken," Avenger then felt immense magical power coming from the elf. Way more than the small elf he met some time back ago. "And no matter how much you were wronged; this won't stop us from harming you for the role you played in their capture."
"Exactly." Tiona slammed her fists together. "So better start talking, or I'll make you wish you passed on for real."
"How scary." Avenger shivered, though in truth is actually scared. He just escaped from Freya, and now he's about to get beat up again. Purification attacks may work best on him due to his nature as a wraith. Still, that didn't mean physical attacks wouldn't eventually kill him off, especially now when he's so weak.
"You will be scared soon enough." Loki crossed her arms. "We happen to know a person who is very good at purifying curses, and wraiths kinda count for that. Plus," Loki looked at all her children. "Something tells me even with how stupid strong you are, you can't handle everyone." How true that is.
They were all non-humans while all at full strength. Avenger already weak to the point he needed to hide in a body to just stabilize himself. One against multiple skilled foes that wouldn't hold back. At the end of the day, one lone spirit of vengeance against some of the strongest of the city couldn't possibly win on his own.
"There you are." Thankfullythrough a twist of luck that Avenger wasn't alone.
From behind Avenger, multiple small little orbs suddenly came from nowhere and hit the ground itself. Cracking open, smoke burst out enveloping the entire hallway. Obscuring Avenger from view.
"Oh no you don't!" Gareth swung his axe down with so much might, the air in the hallway pushed forward with the smoke actually moving away. Finn then rushed in where Avenger should be and jabbed his spear forward, only for there to be nothing at all. Nothing except the sound of running feet and the sound of metal cutting through air.
Tilting his head, a small metal shrunken slammed into a wall.
"Ruagh!" Tiona then moved past Finn and ran forward with the leader of Loki Familia following after her. Gareth and the others were about to move when they then heard yelling and banging noises outside.
"Alright then." Billy said as he then shot another person. Non-fatally of course and missing the vitals while only aiming at armed combatants and those who could fight. "Master, I'll soon engage to let Assassin get her job done."
"Good." Akuta tells Archer. "Once we get Avenger away from here, we'll bag him and use him to bring Olga back and get this damn farce over with. Make as much noise as you can."
"Oh, I will." Archer responded by then shooting all the glass windows that didn't have people behind them. 'This should definitely help in getting Avenger out of here. Still though Master,"
"What?"
"I heard this is the place where the strongest are at. Even Assassin might have some difficulty." Best not to underestimate these guys.
"True. Which is why I have another plan."
"And that is?"
"I'll just keep it to myself." Akuta then stopped her communication with Archer as she then grabbed someone. A knocked-out person where on the ground were more people unconscious. All of them having bite marks on their necks. "One more outta be enough." It's been years since Akuta has done it. A long number of years.
As she sunk her teeth onto these people's neck and sucked their blood, Akuta actually had to hold herself from draining them dry. All the people she sucked, had high quality blood that felt divine in some ways, and so good. But she needed to hold back, or she'd kill them, which she did as she soon finished this last ones and dropped them where they would feel weak but far from dying.
"There we go." Akuta said as she felt herself brimming with power. "Now to cause a distraction."
Akuta getting in on the action.
"With this, I'm saved!" Avenger cheered. "In your face Loki Familia! Yah!"
"I gotta say, it seems your escape might just work out after all." Olga acknowledged. Knowing that Avenger escaping is now a true possibility. "Still though, you have loads of enemies after you, including one angry amazon."
"But I got Archer, Assassin, and a vampire to help out." Avenger pointed out. Bragging as if he was the one that caused all of that. "Either way, I just thank the plot for giving me a hand."
"Funny, I thought you cursed the story of how you were made prisoner." Olga told him and how he complained a while ago.
"That's because I was losing then." Avenger commented. "Not anymore!"
"Right." Olga takes out her papers, already knowing the drill. "For the time being, we only have to answer one question this time around."
"Just one. Then this should be easy." Avenger grabbed the paper and checked it out. "From Manuel Cimino who asks if we'll ever see me use "Unlimited Raise Dead" in the future?"
"Checking it out." Olga looked online. Reading up this Noble Phantasm. "Ah. It's that four-day loop thing you did in Hollow Ataraxia."
"Then no, unfortunately." Avenger sighed. "As badass as I've become in this story, even I can't travel back in time like so. A real shame."
"And that's all we have other than the happy new year's we got." Olga responded as she then blew on a whistle to celebrate how they were in 2022. "Until we return next time on another chapter of Avenger's exploits."
"Yeah. See ya punks!" Avenger and Olga waved everyone off good-bye.