Mephisto had pushed off from the higher tree branches and gracefully descended near the unconscious Kaori. He closed his parasol and simply twirled it as he took in his surroundings. Humming softly to himself, Mephisto was deep into his own thoughts. She's an interesting one indeed. It appears the deity she is in service to provides her with protection, for a price. His eyes drifted back over to her sleeping form. The girl isn't in any immediate danger. While studying her, the familiar flower petals of both her familiars drifted around her like rain, staying in close proximity. His slitted eyes dilated, Now that is something, now isn't it? Any average tamer wouldn't be able to summon a familiar in an unconscious or vulnerable state. This contract she holds, it must have something to do with this ability. His eyes trailed over the near by trees and the subtle glowing of a few souls that had become visible as soon as his companion had fell unconscious. Just as I suspected, they are bound here.
There was a faint sound from Kaori as she slept, drawing the Time Kings eyes back over to her dreaming figure. Wait a moment more, fragrant flower. Your partner will join you soon. Though to ease a possibly infuriated Shura later, he softly muttered, "Eins, Zwei, Drei.." Mephisto waved his parasol and slowed time around Kaori while she rested there. A simplified yet weaker version of his incantation Er Stopfen. He only felt the need to do this because of her pheromones. Yes demons, specters and humans alike wouldn't try anything while he was present, but this was simply an extra measure while he was away. With that done he snapped his fingers, disappearing and reappearing in his office.
Shura sat up sharply in her bed, a horrible feeling clenched in her stomach when she noticed Kaori missing from her cot. Quickly getting ready and snatching the girls' glasses case, she stormed towards Mephisto's office. Luckily the door was already unlocked, not bothering to announce herself she threw it open and stalked over in front of his desk. "Hey Insomniac, did you see where Kaori went? That damn idiot didn't even put on her glasses."
His brow twitched and he lightly bit the inside of his cheek though he didn't show his irritation to Shura as he glanced up to meet her gaze from over some paperwork. "I could only imagine that she could be in a few places. What do you think Shura, Dear?"
He was smiling, the fucker was smiling. How could he possibly be smiling when-. Her anger dissolved and her expression quickly changed to one of shock and horror. There wasn't any way that Kaori would leave and go somewhere without her glasses, not intentionally anyway. Without any further conversation she burst into a sprint out of his office door, leaving the Demon King grinning like an idiot.
With a snap he was back in those same tree branches he had been perched in whilist following Kaori prior. All he needed to do now was wait. Normally when viewing a show he would sit in his chair, except his current surroundings would definitely cause his usual set up to stand out to much. The tree canopy was also much too thick to watch from above, these plants received nutrients from the dead so it couldn't be helped.
Far in the recesses of her subconscious, Kaori acquired another peculiar dream.
Laying on her side the girl struggled to sit up, her surroundings more visible than her last dream though the events weren't much different. Green and mossy, unsteady roots and hollowed ground, she had to trudge carefully, or she would fall into one of the many areas of rotted ground and be stranded below. Her vision was an issue, forcing her to feel along the trees as she followed the figure in white. Occasionally the rippling distant fabric would show a hint of purple, though with her present vision it was all a blur. A familiar silken voice called to her the entire time.
"Ri….Ri, come. This way.."
As she would come closer the figure would seem to appear farther forward or in another location close by. He was leading her deeper, gut instinct and conscience imploring her to turn back but this voice, she felt secure each time it spoke.
"Ri…Ri…you're getting closer."
Forward she trudged, being directed far off the path. This was wrong, she shouldn't be straying this far, but it wasn't like she could see the path right now anyway. A moment of hesitance was all it took for her foot to sink in a rotted section of the ground, it crumbled under her, sending the dazed woman into freefall. All was dark other than the white figure above her and a lavender gloved hand reaching to grasp her own.
Kaori sat up quickly and Mephisto's time barrier shattered upon her awakening. She was panting heavily and clutching her chest. Again…? Another dream involving him? Why…? For what reason? Shaking her head, Kaori attempted to push herself to her feet. Her stance wasn't exactly steady or even firm, wobbly at best.
Mephisto had been studying the young woman even as she jolted awake. This was perhaps the most vulnerable he had ever seen her other than the panic stricken expression he had witnessed hours ago before she passed out. Quick footsteps from below caught his attention. He noticed flowing red hair among the green and grey atmosphere. Though she was on the path, while Kaori was twenty or so feet away from it.
Shura cupped both hands on each side of her mouth and cried out. "Ri!"
Kaori shut her eyes and let out a shaky relived sigh before answering at a similar volume. "Shura?"
Shura's head whipped in the direction of the younger females' voice, taking care to avoid rotted ground and make her way over to her. "Do you have any idea how close I was to a heart attack?" She handed the smaller girl her glasses case.
Kaori eagerly took the case and quickly put them on. Stashing the case away, she looked around in earnest.
Shura had her hand curled in her own hair and tapped her foot irritably as she shut her eyes. "I brought what supplies I could but I'm sure we aren't properly prepared." Her hand dropped before she moved to fold her arms. "We should go back. Get you some food and in more presentable clothes."
Kaori shook her head and caught faint sight of a soul. "Nonsense. We have a lead. I can always do such things later."
The corner of Shura's lips twinged, "Are you kidding me?! You've been out here for who knows how long. You haven't eaten, you probably didn't get excellent sleep and we don't even have all your supplies. Just this stuff!" Shura chucked Kaori's messenger bag at her and the younger female nearly fumbled catching it.
"Shura, That's enough. We are progressing with the assignment." Tossing the bag strap over her shoulder, Kaori delved further into the trees. "We're close to the base of the mountain anyway, the center of the forest."
The fiery redhead grit her teeth and followed, grumbling to herself. "Fucking damn it, you're as stubborn of a fool as Shiro sometimes."
Mephisto listened to their exchange and stroked his gotee. So eager to get the job done. She's obedient when I request something of her. He was grinning as he tailed the two women from the tree tops.
Shura kept up with Kaori's stride and attempted to continue the conversation, "Ri, do you remember the first time we met here…?"
Kaori's pace slowed, pondering as she listened to her companion.
Without needing any verbal acknowledgement, the flame-loched female continued. "That day I had tagged along with Shiro much to his disproval. Nothing more than a reconnaissance mission here to gather intel. Shiro had tried to leave me with Yuri again but I didn't stay behind as I should have."
Her hand absently moved to her hair and she combed her fingers through her ponytail. "Do you remember, the first words we exchanged when the two of us crossed paths and I had lost sight of Shiro in these woods?"
Kaori had come to a full stop at this point. "Humans aren't often permitted here. It's dangerous, why are you alone?" She adjusted her glasses, "Since the two of us are similar in age I found it odd for you to be here. Due to my contract with the deity of knowledge, this forest and its residents are able to feed off my energy, shortening my lifespan whilist I serve as their ambassador. Whether or not a demon takes residence here, the souls view me as a beacon." Shifting to better face Shura as she leaned against a wider tree covered in rich green moss. "What brought this on? I know of my role. I serve the forests and the Dragon Deity of knowledge. Working as an exorcist only further assists me with my responsibility."
Shura grit her teeth, "Yes but do you remember why Father Fujimoto took you from this place? Do you have any idea how far the each of us went to try and save you?!"
Kaori couldn't help but give a smile to her troubled friend. "Yes, the father was always quick to feel as though he needed to adopt children." She shook her head. "Shura, we each have our own responsibilities to our deities. Why concern yourself with me when you yourself have less time?"
Shura's expression swiftly changed to shock and she just stared. A moment passed, and she let out a sharp click of her tongue before brushing past her and taking the lead. Further conversation stopping in its tracks as the two progressed forward.
Mephisto had been eagerly listening to the both of them. Her lifespan depends on the needs of this forest? And she willingly would sacrifice such precious time for this forest or another? Mmm perhaps when this current issue is remedied then her life will not be in as much peril. I would hate to have my new chess piece and queen of the board to finish her role too early. Lightly flicking his wrist, he snatched a macaron off a floating plate and popped it into his mouth. The dish then followed him as he trailed after the women from above.
A branch snapped across the way and Kaori whipped her gaze in the direction of the sound. The trees had become denser upon the two wandering so far off the path and the usual bright light leaking in from above was since obstructed by the ominous and sinister presence. The air around them had become dense and stagnate, almost suffocating. The scent was a putrid one of rot and fungi. The formless and bulbous figure made its way towards the two in a growing pace.
Mephisto tensed from his spot in the canopy. This might be more dangerous than I originally anticipated. This is…highly unusual. Rot kin tend to be uncontrollable and consume everything in their path. So then why is this one able to keep the environment undamaged? His catlike eyes dilated for but a moment. Could this be one of Astaroth's generals? Fool, is he causing trouble for me again? The mess he made with Rin was more than enough of a migraine. His right gloved hand had clutched the branch he was holding hard, and it splintered cracks up the remainder of the tree limb.
Kaori was set on the task at hand, ignoring her past fatigue with a new-found adrenaline. She quickly inflicted a wound upon her left arm focusing on her larger summon, the Rozen Dragon.
All the while Shura stepped in front of Kaori in a somewhat shielding stance, summoning her demon sword from her bosom and wielding it at the ready. "Don't take it on recklessly this time, Ri."
Once Kaori had finished her summon, the Rozen dragon's petals fluttered in front of the two of them, shortly after, the being was invoked in divine flame as per choice of the tamer. "Oh Please, to think I would ever allow such filth to touch me."
The two of them split up, flanking the sides of the rot kin. The trick with Rot demons was to always keep moving, hesitation could be the difference of impending death or slim survival.
The violet flames of Kaori's Rose familiar had since lunged at the rot kin while she ducked around to the left. She couldn't afford to get distracted while influencing her will onto her vicious flora servant. So, for the moment all Kaori could do was run and evade while taking care to properly direct her companion. The only real support she could give Shura was from her summons. Kaori herself wasn't exactly strong, atleast her upper body was average at best. Even when she enjoyed climbing trees or scaling fences it still came with it's fair share of struggle. Which she made up in with the power impacts by her legs.
Shura kept receiving flame support from Kaori, it even coated her blade, making it easier for the red head to do more damage. She wanted to keep focus, truly she did, but her attention was often drawn to Kaori to make sure the younger woman was able to hold her ground. The tar like substance of the rot being had made its way under the placement of one of Shura's feet. It acted as a fly trap so to speak, leaving her right leg immobile, she had nearly lost balance.
"Flame Spread!" Kaori exclaimed, partly breathless. The violet flamed dragon huffed a spray of fire at the floor, attaching specifically to the parasitic rot glops that had started to become a nuisance. Her chest burned and she caught herself on a tree, adjusting her glasses as she watched Shura recover. With a sigh of relief she attempted to move again, unfortunately losing her footing on one of the weakening roots. The ground gave way and she began to fall.
Shura froze as she noticed Kaori began sink below the ground. "Ri!" she yelled, stuck where she was on the opposite side of the battle space with the rot kin. Kaori's familiar had since lost its form, fire engulfed petals remained, and they simply swirled in a spiral around the rot kin since that seemed to be the extent of what it could do as a passive reaction.
In a moment of panic Mephisto had reached in her direction, tension clutching his chest. Clenching his jaw hard, he twirled his wrist with a flourish. His pink parasol changing into its true form of a large bat like creature. Without much more thought the familiar dived quickly, forcing its ice-cream shaped handle into the young woman's grasp.
Kaori gasped and grabbed the handle hard, her eyes screwing shut. She awaited a harsh impact with the ground or even a root skewering through her chest. Except none of it came, hesitantly opening her eyes her gaze traveled upward to the familiar item in her grasp. Her glasses being askew managed to pose a slight problem with her sight, but that color, the handle and the obnoxious sweets patches were unmistakably that of Lord Pheles's parasol.
A familiar voice rang out in the immediate area. "Eins, Zwei, Drei!" The pink familiar screeched at a high frequency, causing the women to wince and the rot being to shrink. What followed afterwards was a flurry of fire in the form of a pentagram. Flames descended upon the rot kin, reducing it to ashes.
As Kaori was set down safely, her eyes traveled to the familiar tale male in white. His cape flowing behind him as he landed gracefully on the rich green and uneven floor. Holding the rim of his top hat, his gaze fixated on Kaori, causing the girls chest to tighten and her heart to skip a beat. As if on cue he flashed a charming fanged grin in her direction, removing his hat with a bow. Correcting his posture and placing his hat back on his head, he offered a lavender gloved hand to Kaori. In that moment, time stood still.