Truth be told, Lance really didn't have that much experience in the art of stealth. The thing on the roofs had really just been on a whim. He had on occasion snuck up on a kishen for a surprise attack, but this was different. He had severely underestimated the task Josilyn had assigned him.
One step inside and the fact quickly dawned on him. Ducking behind an aisle, he silently cursed his lot in life and all events that led him there. Less than thirty feet from him was a witch, and a freaken necromancer witch to boot. Standing on the alter as casually as any priest, tapping her foot impatiently.
"Bring in the next one. Garik."The witch ordered to some unknown lackey, her hands placed confidently on her hips. She certainly was a looker, Lance noted from behind the pew, Pale skin, long inky black hair and a slender physique too. All that added with her cute witch outfit made Lance suddenly feel less than thrilled with his duty to slay her. He had imagined some wrinkly old bat, not someone who looked like she belonged in his class.
Oh well, if he was lucky it wouldn't be his hand that slew her. Sliding off his long jacket, knowing that it would drag on the floor from his crouching, he set into motion. Creeping from pew to pew, he scanned the church, familiarizing himself with the layout.
Leaving his jacket was a tough decision, and not just one of fashion. He was leaving behind many tools that could be of use to him, but he knew the risk outweighed the gain. The guy the witch had addressed as Garik now was leading a troop of two other men carrying a coffin, no, not two other men, two kishen.
Lance gulped. Garik himself looked like enough of a challenge. Tall and lanky in a dark gray uniform with a gun and an old fashioned military sword on his belt. The eyepatch covering his left eye seemed to mesh together with his own dark hair, his other eye a cold blue. But it was the two kishen behind him that alarmed Lance the most. They didn't look like any kishen he had seen before, more like zombies from a Romero film, still adorned in their funeral clothes as they carried the coffin on their shoulders.
"As you wish, Lady Morena."Garik announced his voice filled with absolute admiration and loyalty to his charge. His only concern in the world for her and her alone. He'd happily die for her if the need aroused. And more than happily kill anyone who threatened her. Not for a love of violence, but for a commitment to forever protect she who had saved him from the clutches of death.
Lance now bore witness to the true power of a necromancer. His muscles went limp as he heard Morena chant her song, and saw the body slowly start to move its limbs and body as it returned to life. He had to reconsider his earlier reluctance to kill her now that he saw this. This wasn't meant to be, the dead weren't supposed to be defiled like this, twisted from their earlier selves to become viscous servants to some woman with too much power for her own good.
But Lance couldn't afford to be distracted, especially with Garik's pistol just inches away from his finger tips. Breaking into a silent crawl he slid into the courtyard while everyone was ditracted by the witch's spell.
Lance stifled a yelp as he peeked at the small fenced in graveyard that resided behind the church. More than two dozen reanimated corpses worked on digging up more coffins for zombiefication, shoveling tirelessly as they added more to the pile, already stacked fairly tall for so small a graveyard.
Two sentries stood on guard of either side of the graveyard, both strikingly different from the working kishen. One, another walking corpse though clearly not from this town, clad in similar décor as Garik, the figure stood stoically with two katanas strapped to his back, his face covered in bandages. The other was much more attention grabbing though. A large creation of stone and wood loomed over the diligent workers. Standing an imposing seven feet tall with large bulky arms and huge fist obviously designed with combat in mind.
Lance figured he had seen enough at this point to return to his frien- err, teammates with the information he had gathered.
Slipping his head back inside, he prepared to sneak back out of the church just as he heard the footsteps of an approaching stranger, probably Garik, coming his way. Seeing no better escape Lance slid behind the large door that led outside, trying with all his might to become flat. With his limbs spread wide, his feet pointed in two different directions, he sucked his breath, not willing to risk taking in oxygen until the threat had passed.
And just like that it did.
The steps became distant echoes. And Lance heaved a sigh of relief, truly amazed that his pathetic trick had worked but not willing to tempt fate by repeating it. Coming back into the main hall, Lance presumed his crawl under the pews, dragging himself to the door with determination.
He was half way there when something stopped him dead in his tracks.
"Oh now what do we have here?"The witch asked excitedly."This is most curious indeed."She exclaimed. Lance froze, convinced that she had spotted him and was about to unleash a spell of some sort that would cause more pain than he could ever imagine."Bring it up here now."She commanded.
But he wasn't what fascinated her so. With a loud thud the coffin was placed before her. A long sleek black coffin wrapped in chains and if that wasn't enough. It practically oozed dark energy. This was a soul that had been powerful in life as it would be in death, a most valuable servant indeed."Fetch Shuujuku to deal with these chains."
With the attention off him Lance heaved another sigh."That was almost scary."He said out loud to no one in particular.
"What was that?"Garik proclaimed, his hand gripping the hilt of his sword.
Crap. Lance mentally hissed at himself. How could he be so stupid as to say that out loud? He had been doing such a good job up until that point too.
"It was probably nothing."Morena dismissed, too enthralled by the power coming off from the coffin too listen to her servant's warnings."
"But my Lady it could potentially be something dangerous."Garik reasoned."I must check at once."
The young witch sighed and held the brim of her nose."Oh Very well. Just send a kishen to get Shuujuku while you're at it."She agreed.
"Yes Ma'am."Garik saluted, turning to inspect the aisles.
"And stop calling me that!"Morena whined, crossing her arms and pouting."Makes me feel old."
"As you command my Lady."Garik corrected, more focused on his search. He knew he had heard something. Removing his sword from his belt he moved from aisle to aisle, intent on discovering the source of the noise. Lance had already distanced himself from his previous spot quite a bit but he knew it wouldn't be long before he was caught. His only hope lay in his coat.
The endless assortment of tricks and gadgets surely had something that could save him from this perilous situation he had gotten himself into. Carefully placing his hand into a pocket he pulled the first thing he could get his hand on. A fling shot. Uh what else I got? A pellet. Okay that could be useful I suppose. A smoke bomb. Bingo.
Taking aim, he readied himself. He knew he'd only have two shots and he had to make them both count. His first target, an antique pot by the alter. It shattered nicely, quickly occupying the attention of the witch and her guard. The smoke bomb exploded easily between the two as Lance made his escape. Running with great speed, knowing that the smoke would soon clear and his pursuers wouldn't be far behind.
Pulling his coat back on, he sprinted to the old prison, bursting through the shanty door."We've got company."Lance warned."A lot of company."
"What kind of company?"Josilyn demanded, lifting Reiji into the air.
"Oh just a couple dozen kishen zombies, a ninja, a Cyclops and a robot."Lance told quickly."Not to mention the necromancer herself."
As if that was all the information she needed to hear, she set out."All right men, fan out around the church's entrance. We'll funnel them out and drop the weaker ones."She commanded, explaining her strategy."Felix, Veronica, and Lance stay in the front. I'll cover from behind."
Good plan. Lance mentally complemented. At least she was a leader who could think, even if she had placed herself into the position.
Veronica stood closest to the door, Mark raised firmly to her chest with her blade at her side. Felix wasn't far behind with Trish ready to lunge at any moment. Lance stood slightly farther back, his palms alit with sparks as he waited for the eventual foes to appear. True to her word Josilyn stood vigilant with Reiji's stock seated on her shoulder, steady and ready to shoot at any given notice.
And as quickly as they had prepared the enemies charged. The large church doors swinging wide as they ran, claws raised to attack. The first point was given to Felix as Trish's points connected with flesh from an expert thrust, just as quickly he pulled it out and wacked another with the shaft of the weapon. Seeing this, Veronica doubled her efforts, slicing at the ankles of her foes while bashing away any that might lay a hand on her with Mark.
The first wave was down before Lance could even land a blow and five fresh kishen eggs floated serenely adrift in the desert air, a testament to their skill and prowess. They'd definitely have to divide those evenly later on, because for now another horde was approaching, this one even greater size than the last.
"Scatter!"Lance shrieked as the terrain became littered with nine of the blasted things. The group quickly spread out in an attempt to avoid getting surrounded. One turned to shreds as Josilyn unloaded Reiji, not leaving a trace that it had ever existed. The others proved more fearsome than their kin however.
In a mere blink of the eye Lance found himself cornered by two of the monsters, his back to the wall of the saloon."You know, I'm really regretting that whole not having a weapon thing."Lance muttered under his breath. Dunking under a blow to the face, Lance kicked the other in the shin, bringing him down then up with a quick uppercut. He was down for the moment but there was still his buddy to deal with. Just as Lance turned to acquaint him with his fist he was lifted into the air.
Lance briefly registered the horrible moustache planted on the corpse's face as the man choked him. Gasping for air, Lance kicked and bucked but couldn't break the grip. His vision blurred as he finally thought of using his soul wavelength, pounding both of his hands into the man's gut, knocking moustache man back several yards.
"Yeah, go-go die or something."Lance taunted as he dizzily tried to find his footing. Tripping over the zombie he had already knocked over. Need to be more careful. He scolded himself, gazing at the sky. For the team, for Mark, for Veronica…
Speaking of which, the sword was currently caught in her own little skirmish. A particularly large brute of a kishen was swatting away her stabs with the backside of his hatchet. Lance wasn't afraid to admit that the redhead wasn't the best with her blade arm. And at the rate that this fight was going it wouldn't be too long before she was overpowered by the brute. Pushing himself off from the ground, and taking an appropriate amount of time to shake the dust from his jacket, he dug in his pocket for something to assist her.
He soon had in his hand exactly what he was looking for. He didn't have much experience with it. Veronica had even called him silly when he bought it. But this was the moment. Aiming the projectile with a slight tilt, he analyzed his shot. Registering Veronica and her distance from his target and her movement, he really wouldn't hear the end of it if he hit her instead.
Feeling confident with his aim he stretched, pulled in, and thrust his arm forward.
And let the boomerang fly.
Whizzing with deadly speed, it hit its mark. The kishen didn't even get a chance to land another hit before he was face first into the ground. Giddy at his success despite the setting, Lance almost skipped to Veronica, but settled for a brisk trot instead. Seeing the sword eyeing the boomerang Lance couldn't help but smirk.
"Why are you buying a boomerang you twit?"She said."Lance mimicked, using her exact words, even using the accent."When are you ever going to use it? It's just not practical" She said."
"Oh please."She snorted, stabbing the fallen kishen with her blade."You could have easily just used one of those fancy throwing knives you love so much."
"Well I guess that's true."Lance admitted, grabbing the hatchet off the ground, giving it a few practice swings."But come on, you can't say that wasn't awesome."
"Hey guys."Felix interrupted, fending off three all by himself, wielding Trish with the utmost efficiency and skill."That was cool and all. But could you maybe, you know help?"
"I'd say that's fair."Lance quipped as they set into motion. Lance briefly noted the sight of Josilyn dealing with two of her own nuisances, killing one with Reiji's bayonet. He would have been confused since Reiji didn't have one of those a short five minutes ago. But in his hurry he decided to just go with it. Lance wasted no time in bringing his axe to the lower leg of the first kishen he came into contact with, flipping the nasty thing down to the ground. It only took a flick of the wrist to finish it after that.
With less foes to occupy him, Felix quickly pierced through the defense of the center freak and gave Trish a nice supper. But in doing so the last one managed to grab Trish from behind and start to choke him with her shaft. He was seeing spots when Veronica eventually slipped a blade through his ribs. "Thanks." He uttered as all the pressure came off him.
"Don't mention it."Veronica replied, offering him a now human hand to help her up."You know you're quite good with that prissy little thing you call her a weapon."She complimented. Watching as Lance engaged the two kishen he had already knocked down but failed to kill.
"I can hear you, you know?"Trish seethed, also enjoying the show.
"Aye, I'm just teasing you."She coddled, tapping the trident gently at the tip."We're comrades now."
"Right, comrades."Mark added."That means we can trust and depend on each other."
"Sure does."Veronica agreed. More than a little in awe as Lance grappled with a kishen with a horrendous moustache. None of them, even the other kishen, thought of intervening. The kishen was a surprisingly fine fighter in his own right. But it was Lance with his odd usage of the reaper fighting style mixed with other martial arts that held the attention. Blocking and redirecting everything his enemy threw, landing kicks and punches. He probably could have killed him with his hands alone. When his opponent was staggered to the point of no return he made his finishing blow. With one quick movement, he plucked a dagger from his jacket, threw it into the man's chest and finally kicked it in when the throw alone wasn't enough. The kishen that had been watching was quickly ended as well by a burst of bullets from Reiji.
The new nine souls, combined with the previous five filling the open space certainly created an atmosphere of triumph for the seven students. Like trophies the souls hung suspended in the air.
Justly earned trophies.
"Come out witch!"Josilyn demanded once everyone had gathered their wits."Make it easy on yourself! Come out now and the death will be quick!"
Lance couldn't tell if she was trying to be threatening or if she really thought the necromancer would comply. Either way it was go time now. Compared to a witch all the kishen they had fought today didn't seem very impressive."Veronica, Mark."He said quietly, indicating that now would be the time for him to wield them instead. The familiar warmth of their souls connecting with his helped his nerves as they anxiously awaited the witch's next action.
"You're all going to die."
The voice seemed to come from no single direction, like it was surrounding them like an all consuming force that could destroy them all on her whim.
But Lance of course knew that was just a ploy to undermine their confidence.
"You made a grave mistake when you came here today."She continued."The last mistake you'll ever make."
Oh come at least try to be original. Lance thought. I am so not feeling as threatened as I could. He had to remind himself that not everyone was as crazy as him and analyzed every little thing they said, but that trait had proved to be one of his greatest assets and he wasn't about to abandon it now.
"This is your last opportunity."Josilyn stated just as ominously."I would advise you to accept the offer."
Raising his shield in anticipation for the inevitable retaliation, Lance waited. He had witnessed with his own eyes the accursed power the witch possessed. He knew there were yet more kishen to deal with, not to mention the necromancer's own private guard. This would test more than just their ability to work as a team. This would test their ability to survive against impossible odds.
And failure meant death.
Even knowing this, Lance didn't flinch when the church doors were blown open. His allies might have been alarmed to see the mechanical contraption of wood and stone, or the deadly samurai zombie with katana's drawn, or the witch herself in her crow themed apparel, hands radiating a deathly purple glow. Even with all that, perhaps the most surprising thing to the other weapons and meisters was the presence of a boy their own age, taking up arms against them to defend the witch.
With pistol and sword at the ready, Garik stood ready to kill all of them if he had too. There would be no pleasure other than the knowledge that his lady would still live. Alternating with his remaining eye he looked from her to the intruders. She had done nothing wrong. She had harmed no one but the dead.
Yet here they were, ready to play judge, jury, and executioner like they had the right to decide who lived and who died. With unparalleled fury, he stood guard behind her. As long as he could still stand he would never leave her side.
Morena's pale gray eyes were hardly visibly beneath her brimmed witch hat as she addressed those that sought to kill her for the very act of living."I've considered your proposal."She spoke venomously."I'm afraid I'll have to decline."
And with that, all hell broke loose.
Kid didn't know how much more he could watch.
Lance and the others undeniably had proven their prowess in the field of battle. But still he yearned to be by his friend's side, Kid wanted to share in the moment almost as much as he wanted to protect him. But that was simply selfishness he knew. And thus he was able to refrain himself and obey his father.
They had all gathered around the mirror, Maka, Crona, Soul, Liz, Patty, Tsubaki his father and himself. Maka had also invited Black*Star but the ninja had refused, saying he had some training to do instead. Kid briefly wondered how Lance might feel knowing that all these people were watching him without his consent. The reaction probably wouldn't be a pleasant one, Kid concluded.
"You know he's actually pretty good."Liz commented from his side."I knew he was tough from his fight with Black*Star but this, this is impressive."
Everyone had to agree, they all were impressive. But the way Lance had handled his last kishen with nothing but his bare hands and a knife had captured their attention. So far the group had done everything right for the most part. And with Josilyn leading them it seemed almost certain that they would succeed. Yes, it seemed all Kid's worries were for naught. Just like father had said.
Kid watched with a hopeful smile as Lance took hold of Veronica and Mark in preparation of the confrontation with the necromancer, a smile that Crona and Maka shared. He supposed he could tolerate not being there if they were there to help him. He truly was lucky to have friends like these.
"They certainly are."Lord Death agreed."But the witch has been the end of many a weapon and meister."
"Don't be depressing or anything."Soul snickered, receiving an elbow to the ribs from Maka."Owe. What was that for?"Soul hissed.
"Just shut up."Maka sighed.
"Do you think they have a chance then, Lord Death?"Tsubaki asked sincerely, not wanting to see the new students die before her eyes.
"Anything's possible."The reaper assured her."There might even be a new death scythe born this day, you can never know."
"At any rate, we'll be right here to see if anything does go wrong."He explained, indicating the mirror."But I doubt our assistance shall be needed.
With that said, they returned their attention to the mirror.
They spectators heard the witch before they saw her. The mirror didn't allow them to hear which direction the voice was coming from but Kid somehow doubted that he'd have know even if he was there. Witches were notorious for their tricks and deceptions after all. Felix was clearly disturbed by the words the necromancer had spoken, understandable considering that it was a promise that all their lives would end shortly. He was proud to see that Lance's and Josilyn's wills remained unbroken however.
That was more than he could say about the viewers though. As soon as the witch was heard Liz had promptly hid behind Patti and shrieked as if she might attack through the mirror. And Crona was now clinging to Maka's arm and shaking, more for fear for Lance than fear of the witch."Neat trick" Soul commented with a frown.
It wasn't long after that that the doors flew open, revealing the foes still left for the team to deal with. Kid's earlier confidence ebbed significantly when it became quite clear that they were horribly outnumbered. Even if you counted the weapons the fiends still had over twice their numbers.
Both sides stood, waiting for the other to make the first movement. Every weapon in the room was at the ready. Swords drawn, guns aimed, none of them wavering in the steadfast grip of their carriers.
"Ooh, suspenseful."Lord Death declared."What? It is."The reaper asked as suddenly everyone in the room glared at him.
Somewhere, somehow, Lance had an odd feeling that someone or something had seriously just ruined the mood…
"Oh look its starting!"The death god announced, directing everyone's focus back to the mirror.
As quickly as they had turned away the fight had commenced. The one eyed boy immediately set to work with firing his pistol at Lance, the meister could do nothing else but keep his shield held high as he ran in circles in a desperate attempt to dodge the bullets. Josilyn wasted no time unleashing her full power on the mysterious automaton. Concussive rounds barely managed to push the thing back as the other kishen closed in.
Felix, for his part, didn't even hesitate as he charged the kishen head on. Swinging and stabbing at any that came near. He seemed to take down another opponent with each thrust and souls soon filled the open church. Even with his grand start he could tell he would soon be overrun by the sheer number of his foes.
"This doesn't look good."Kid assessed, his knuckles whitening as his grip tightened.
"There's just so many of them."Maka added worriedly, sharing the young reaper's anxieties.
"Not just that."Soul said."That big rock thing, that's a golem."
"A golem?"Tsubaki repeated questioningly."How can you be sure?"
"It may be smaller than the one we saw when we fought Giriko."Soul explained."But I'd recognize that handy work anywhere."
"But what does that mean?"Liz asked.
"What it means."Kid deduced."Is that this is no ordinary witch."
"Look right there."Kid said, pointing at the boy with eyepatch who was still shooting at Lance."Do you see the red band on the right arm of the uniform? What does it look like to you?"
"It- it's a spider."Crona declared, clinging tighter to Maka's arm.
"Correct. And that could only mean one thing."The golden eyed reaper replied.
"Arachnophobia."
He let the word hang in the air for a moment. The enemy they had thought they defeated was back and with new members no less. The issue of the student's mission suddenly became much more important to the DWMA.
"Father."Kid began."I'm assuming you wouldn't refuse me if I said I wished to go to Lance's aid now."
"No, I don't think I would."Lord Death agreed, knowing now the danger he had sent the young students into.
"Thank you Father."Kid bowed, turning to leave, his weapons following his steps.
"And Crona will go as well."Lord Death stated.
"What?"Both Kid and Crona proclaimed in unison.
"I'm not letting you go there by yourself."Lord Death explained sternly."And since Crona is the only one who can keep up with you on Beezlebub, she's going with you."
Kid knew it was pointless to argue. And it was true that Crona still had the wings she had acquired from the events on the Nidhogg, though she hadn't used them since she had enrolled into the academy. Kid knew from experience how fast she could move with the wings and didn't doubt that she could go just as fast if not faster than beezlebub."Very well."Kid caved."If she agrees to, of course"
The decision wasn't hard for her to make and she quickly agreed."Anything for a friend."She stated, joining Kid.
"Then you'd best be on your way."Lord Death advised cheerily."Ta ta, do try to be back for supper now, oh and be careful and all that."
"Liz, Patti."Kid said, the weapons knowing to shift into pistol form into his waiting hands. Together he and the pinkette made their way out of the DeathRoom. They ran through the halls to exit the school, Kid in the lead with Crona not far behind. The courtyard outside was abandoned, all the students had returned home at this late in the day and the faculty was no doubt busy inside.
With nothing to delay him, Kid quickly summoned Beezlebub. Crona likewise sprouted her thin black wings. They appeared smaller then when he had seen them aboard the ghost ship, as if they had lost some of their strength when Maka had cleansed her soul on the night of the school dance.
"Can you fly with those?"Kid asked, wondering if he'd have to go alone after all.
"I'll manage."Crona assured him nervously. In truth she didn't know if she could, but she was willing to try. That would just have to be enough.
Flapping slowly, she made her ascent. Kid carefully brought himself higher with her, still unsure if she could do it or not. At five feet into the air, she started gathering more speed and all doubts kid had were forgotten, she was as graceful a creature in the sky as Kid had ever seen.
"Ready when you are."She said, unsure of what to do with her feet as they hung uselessly in the sky.
"Okay."Kid replied, perfectly balanced on his flying skateboard, his weapons in his hands.
Lance was miles away, surrounded by those who wished to harm him, and at any moment they could succeed in their endeavors. With every second that passed the likelihood of his demise grew a percentage. Kid had never experienced loss in his life, he didn't want to experience now. He'd just have to have faith that Lance and the others could last until they arrived. With grim determination he nodded to Crona.
And off they went.