Thus, the weeks began to fly by. As the second month turned over, Maka found herself in a tight situation. A Kishin Egg in Paris had appeared, and it was eating every soul in sight. She, Soul, Black Star, and Tsubaki had been dispatched to pacify the soul, and Natsumi was sent along as well as part of her classes.
"Soul Resonance! Speed Star!" Black Star was everywhere at once. The speed achieved by his technique was baffling to the Kishin Egg, which had taken the form of a heavily shelled bipedal lizard. However, all of Black Star's attacks were repelled by the industrial-strength scales the Kishin Egg sported. Maka watched the Kishin Egg's reactions, timing her own attacks in perfect synchronicity with Black Star's.
Natsumi watched from the back. As usual, she was unable to help in the battle, but she reasoned that she wasn't supposed to. Legendary Meisters such as Black Star and Maka Albarn would be more capable than a no-named Weaponless Meister like her.
As the trio of combatants duel continued, Maka managed to lodge Soul's blade within a joint of the Kishin's armor, just above the Kishin's shoulder. Seeing his chance Black Star used his speed and kicked Soul's blade into the joint in the arm, succeeding in cutting the Kishin's arm off. Landing behind the Kishin Egg, he spun around as he slid backwards.
Everyone stood perfectly still. The Kishin laughed as it observed its arm. "Humans… I'll make sure to eat your souls before I move on back to what I was doing." It screeched in a hideously high voice. A black liquid dripped from its arm.
"Black Blood?" Soul and Maka asked simultaneously. Maka shuddered as she remembered when she had her Black Blood ordeals.
"Not quite." The Kishin Egg corrected her. A bone jutted out of the wound followed by muscle and sinew to its elbow. It repeated until it had its arm regenerated. It seemed out of place, being the only appendage not covered in scales. But the Egg corrected that, and blood splattered as a new set of scales erupted out of its flesh. "I've eaten just enough souls, Minor Kishin Eggs like me, and human souls alike," The pinecone-like armor clamped shut on the arm, recreating the scale shield. "So many, in fact, that I can regenerate any part of my body. If you take the time to just stand there after ripping off an arm, I'll have the advantage." It cackled as it swung a clawed arm at Maka.
Black Star Jumped in the air, landing his foot across the Kishin Egg's head as he dashed past it. It rolled twice, startled, but growled angrily as it recovered.
"Maka. I know you're trying to save on energy right now, but that defense that Kishin's got is just too annoying for a star like me to break. Use Demon Hunter and break him!" Black Star said, twin scythes twirling as he watched the Kishin.
Soul reflected in his scythe. "That means the Kishin Egg is mine this time too, right?"
Tsubaki reflected in one of the scythe. "Soul! You've gotten the last three Eggs! I mean, you even beat Liz and Patti to their eggs because you forced a deal on us…" She moaned.
"That's not cool, the ones who do the most work should get the most benefits! Even though short-cuts are easy…" Soul said, despondent.
"Focus…" Maka commanded slowly. "Let's take out the Kishin Egg before it has a chance to take us out, then we'll worry about who gets to eat the soul. Ready Soul?" Their souls began to spark.
"Soul Resonance! Demon Hunter!" The two yelled as Soul's blade grew exponentially, becoming luminescent white and crackling with power.
"Tsubaki! Enchanted Sword Mode, now!" Tsubaki nodded, and the twin scythes gleamed brilliantly before turning into a black sword as black markings appeared on Black Star. "Shadow Star!" Shadows split off of Black Star, and jumped onto the Kishin Egg's body, binding it. "Maka! Take this guy out!"
Maka jumped into the air, swinging Soul in Demon-Hunter mode. The Kishin flinched, and struggled, but it was unable to break free. Maka thrust Soul down, and cleaved the Kishin Egg's body in half. "Figure 6 Hunter!" She exclaimed, the afterimage of her attack still glowing as she jumped back.
"D-Damn it…" The Kishin screamed as it dissipated. However, the disintegration halted as it brought a nearly dissolved hand to its head. "That damned Witch let me eat as many souls as I wanted… I won't… Go down…" He panted, holding the upper portion of his body together. "Not like this…" His fingers began to regenerate.
In his innately insane speed, Black Star cut through the Kishin Egg's body with Tsubaki's Enchanted Blade. This time, the Kishin's body exploded in vapor as the Kishin Egg's soul appeared.
With no enemies present anymore, Soul and Tsubaki returned to their human forms. "What the hell was he? What was that about a Witch?" Soul asked.
"A Witch… Why would one work together with a Kishin Egg?" Maka asked aloud.
Natsumi walked forward to join the four. "I have no idea. But Medusa did the same thing with Crona, remember?" Black Star reminded. "Only, I don't sense a Witch anywhere near here." He looked at Natsumi. "Well? What does the loyal Witch detector sense?"
Natsumi shrugged and closed her eyes. She thought back from when she had returned to Stein. Back in Crescent Moon Class' lecture room, she and Stein sat alone.
"But you can still see something from the Ten, right?" Stein asked.
Natsumi nodded. "I can see up to the Nine of Spades just fine. Some are a little tricky, but in the end, I managed to get all the easier ones."
Stein sighed, then twisted the screw in his head. "Well, it's unfortunate, but as I started to predict. You do not have the Senrigan, or any variants of it. If you did, well, you'd be able to see into at least the upper numbers of the Diamonds."
"So then… I'm just an average person who has Soul Perception?" Natsumi asked.
Stein shook his head. "Not quite. You see, in order to see some cards, you must have experience with how each card works. For instance, I would place a bet that you can see the soul of a Witch, which would be comparable to that of the Ace of Spades. You just have never had any experience with Witches, and just don't know how to look at the card."
Natsumi tilted her head. "What about the in-between cards? Surely it's not an immediate thing, like I can just suddenly see the Jack through King, could I?"
"In theory, yes. In practice, probably not. But," Stein paused, thinking. "It's probably likely, actually. Most Witches hide their souls in a technique called Soul Protect. Ten through King of Spades all have seals, hexes, and distortions placed on them to confuse a perceiver's senses to make it look as if nothing is there. But, even telling you this piece of information would allow you to start to see something… This is why I considered not saying anything."
"Wait, what?" Natsumi was dazed by confusion. "You completely lost me…"
Stein sighed. "Witches hide themselves using Soul Protect. The cards you're having trouble on all have weaker or distorted versions placed on the cards as well. However, you're able to still see a fuzzy image… Right? At least on the Ten of Spades. That means you can at least know that something is there. If you were in the presence of a witch, you would be able to see not what they want you to see, but a big orb in the air.
"However, when a Witch uses Soul Protect, her soul becomes that of a human in appearance. Since the higher numbers of Spades are meant to be Witch tests, and you've never encountered one, it's not strange. But, you are still able to see something on Ten."
"So can someone like, Maka for instance, see through a Soul Protect?"
"Her Soul Perception skills are quite notable and advanced, but only one person known to the world has the ability to pierce a Witch's Soul Protect. He's a Meister by the name of Joe Buttataki. I'd say that in time, Maka has the potential to develop the same type of Soul Perception. You however, can see the actual Spell of Soul Protection. That's interesting. That means you should be able to pierce it with enough practice."
Natsumi opened her eyes and looked at Black Star, her eyes flashing dark brown. "I see us. That's all." She looked around. "I don't see any Witches…"
"Aw, looks like he died." The group froze. "And here I just gave him that power-up." The group turned around. Floating in the sky was a man dressed in a white tuxedo, wearing a white fedora, with matching tie. "Now why did you have to go and do that, when I just managed to make it start eating other Kishin Eggs? Oh hold on, I think I've heard of you!" He exclaimed sarcastically as he gazed on Maka and Soul.
"Who is this guy?" Black Star yelled. "You taking the spotlight away from me?"
"Oh my, a spotlight? It was never on you to begin with! You were just playing a part for me in my experiment. Even the heralded Kishin slayer was only a role-player." The man laughed.
Natsumi took a step back. "Where did you come from? I didn't see any souls around here!"
"Oh dear me, I've been hiding so well for so long, sometimes I forget to announce my presence." He took his fedora in one hand and bowed slightly. "If you're so curious, I'm the experimenter of that little project."
"So you're the person that the Kishin Egg mentioned." Tsubaki contemplated, but wordlessly transformed into the Enchanted Blade again, flying into Black Star's hand. Reflecting from the blade, she continued. "We can't let you get away with causing harm. Black Star, Maka, Soul, let's go! Natsumi, you should stay a safe distance away."
Soul nodded and turned back into a scythe as he grasped Maka's hand. "Let's go, Soul Resonance!" Maka was going all out, no bars held. "Witch Hunter!" The luminescent scythe once again glowed on the battlefield.
"Now, now, there's no need to be hostile is there? I can see why I'd attack first, but…" A white cane appeared at his hand. He deftly used it to parry Maka's Witch Hunter, and continued his speech. "You're taking way too much interest in a Witch like me."
"A Witch?" Maka asked. She studied her opponent. "But… Aren't all Witches women?"
Soul reflected in the scythe. "Don't get distracted by trivial details. Remember that crazy wolf-guy called Free? He used magic too. He might be like him too."
The man's interest was piqued. "Free? I wonder… Say, this wolf-man, did he have a strange eye with a symbol in it?" He watched their facial expressions carefully. "I see. Prisoner Thirteen, the Immortal who stole the Grand Witch's eye." A barrier appeared around the man, and shattered when he clapped his hands. "Soul Protection – Release." He commanded. His soul, purple, typical of a Witch's, became visible, but a unique characteristic was what absorbed Maka. His soul only had eyes. "I am no Immortal, nor am I human. I am pure-blooded. And you know what, why don't you try calling me Warlock? That seems more gender appropriate, doesn't it?" He asked.
"A Witch is a Witch, no matter what you decide to call it. Besides, you aren't as big a star as you need to be in order to change your title!" Black Star laughed.
The man sighed. "Very well, I suppose." He continued under his breath. "Jeez, it's like no one respects me. I thought some humans would, but not even they do!"
"Witch Hunter!" Maka swung her enlarged scythe again. The man countered by blocking the strike with the shaft of his cane. "Black Star! Now!"
Black Star appeared out of thin-air, with Tsubaki extended and ready to slash the Witch in two. However, the man used his free hand and directed a palm at Black Star. "Snake, Snake!" Black Star's eyes widened as the man's hand glowed cyan. "Icy Venom." A streak of blue light began to form.
"Soul Resonance: Speed Star!" The Resonance was made just in time, the attack's radius barely nicked Black Star's side. The man pushed back with his cane, and forced Maka off of him. "Shadow Star!" Shadows wrapped around in the air.
"Come on. You can't pin me down with that technique." The man scoffed. Silently, Maka and Black Star exchanged looks and a plan.
Maka's Witch Hunter expanded. "I like that plan." She swung her scythe, which emitted a shockwave towards the man.
"When we get back, we'll have to tell Lord Death about this. Don't let me forgot that, okay Tsubaki?" She nodded in the Enchanted Blade, which she transformed to her dual scythe form. "Scythe mode! Trap Star!" The chains expanded outwards, covering the field.
Dodging several chains the man looked irritated. Maka used the end of her scythe to jab at the man, who deflected several strike with his cane. He jumped out of Soul's shaft range, but nicked one of the chains. Immediately, the trap was sprung. Deftly twisting his body, he avoided the coiling chains, and brought down his cane on a vulnerable Black Star. However Maka threw Soul like a hand ax, which retained his Witch Hunter form. The attack threw the Witch off guard. Shadows poured off Black Star to reveal Tsubaki.
"Killing Move! Black Star Big Wave!" Behind the man, Black Star appeared, Soul Waves in hand. The attack connected, sending waves of energy out of the Witch.
On the side, Soul transformed back to his human form, and jumped off the side of an uplifted slab of cement. The beginnings of his Soul Resonance beginning to fade became visible, but as he returned towards Maka, he re-assumed his Scythe form, which was still able to enlarge into its Witch Hunter form. Struggling to regain his composure, the returning Soul was able to cut him deeply just before Maka caught her Weapon. He gasped as blood gushed down his tuxedo.
"You're finished Witch." She yelled, she swung around, bringing down her scythe and sent a wave of her soul's wavelength hurtling towards the Witch. His eyes widened, but due to his wounds, he couldn't escape, and was engulfed in the blast. Maka ran to Black Star's side, peering off in the direction Natsumi had ran, and when she sensed her soul still safe, she looked at the dissipating cloud of dust.
"Did we get him?" Black Star asked, twin scythes in hand.
The clouds drifted away, showing a heavily wounded man. "I didn't think… That you'd be this powerful without using your stronger techniques…" He chuckle, but coughed up blood. "Remember this, Meisters and Weapons. Remember it well. My name is Elapidae. Don't forget i-" He paused. His body unraveled until only his purple soul remained.
"Wait, what? That finished him off?" Soul asked.
Black Star proudly placed the back of one of his scythes on his shoulder. "I guess we were too much for him." Tsubaki and Soul resumed their human forms.
"Oi, Natsumi, the coast's clear this time." Soul yelled.
Tsubaki looked at the Witch's soul. Just as Natsumi approached the group, the soul shuddered. "Watch out! Something's happening!" She warned.
True enough, the soul inflated, then burst in a powerful gust of wind. Small traces of his presence were felt, but it eventually faded away
"What was that? No soul I've seen has ever just exploded like that!" Soul said, shocked.
"I-I don't know. That's not normal…" Maka said.
Black Star even seemed in shock. "Ha ha… I guess he still had a spell up his sleeve even after he died."
Natsumi looked around. "Maka, can you help me out this time? I don't want to screw up again…" Both girls' eyes flashed with color. "I don't see anyone… This time though, I don't even see a Witch's bubble.
Maka nodded. "Same. I guess we're good now. We should be on our way back to Death City. Report to Lord Death about this Witch Elapidae." She shuddered. "Creep."
The five made their way through the damaged portion of city they created, and eventually, they were on a plane back the United States. By this time, night had fallen, and the plane found only Soul and Tsubaki still awake.
"Hey Soul?" Tsubaki asked.
Soul adjusted himself. "What's up?"
"That witch. Elapidae?" She asked. "His soul exploded. I've never seen one explode. I know that they can be eaten, and typically, the souls are absorbed within the consuming host."
Soul nodded. "You saw what happened with that Kishin Asura right? When Maka gave him a good one to his face? His soul wasn't consumed, so the human souls within were released."
Tsubaki tilted her head. "I know that we consume souls, our own soul works like a jar. The collective souls come together, and if say, I were to become a Death Scythe, the collective energy from the ninety-nine Kishin Eggs and Witch soul would tremendously increase my strength."
"Yeah. You're right. But a Kishin Egg… Or even a Kishin itself, those are different." He waved his hand. "Those don't have a limit. As soon as they eat a human soul, it just continues to compact souls at it eats them."
Natsumi woke, groggy and bleary-eyed. "What're you talking about?" She asked after a couple seconds.
"Just going over how a Kishin's soul works. It's basically like jamming a bunch of feathers into a pillow. A nice, comfortable pillow. That's how we work. But a Kishin's a human who ate another human soul, okay?" Soul explained. Natsumi nodded. "But it keeps on eating souls. It doesn't care about limits anymore, especially since it already broke taboo. That pillow now, is getting pretty big. Then the Kishin becomes a full-fledged Kishin Egg. That's like…"
"It's like an air compressor." Tsubaki took over. "Right? If a regular soul can only fit so much, than a Kishin Egg has to have resistances against over-filling itself."
Soul gave a thumbs-up. "You weren't there to see it Natsumi, but when Maka delivered the final blow to the Kishin Asura, his body literally exploded from the pressure of all of the souls inside of him. You probably were able to see the residue of that soul dispersion. But this Kishin Egg earlier today, it was eating other Kishin Eggs."
"Or so it said." Tsubaki said doubtfully.
Natsumi shook her head. "The Witch also said that it was eating other Kishin Eggs." She yawned.
Soul looked up, and yawned as well. "That's contagious, you know. But you're right. Maybe that's why it was so powerful."
The plane continued on its path. The trio continued their conversation late into the night, before Tsubaki finally gave in to sleep, and passed out.
"It's fun." Natsumi said.
"I'm sorry?" Soul questioned.
Natsumi got up, and moved to the seat in front of Soul and reclined it so she could see him. "This group thing. It's actually fun. Minus the whole nearly dying bit."
Soul smiled. "You have crazy ideas of fun. That's pretty cool."
Natsumi yawned. "I'm serious though. I didn't have anyone close back where I came from. You guys are pretty much the first people I can say that I've gotten this close to."
Soul frowned. "That's not cool, opening with such a move. What am I supposed to say to that?" He grinned.
Natsumi shrugged. "I dunno. But maybe it's not a bad thing."
The two were silent for a while. Soul was about to say something, before he noticed that Natsumi had fallen asleep on the reclined seat. He looked outside, watching the night scenery. In the distance, he could see a huge thunderhead cloud flicker with lightning. I didn't think we were supposed to be getting around round of rain. Oh well. Maybe it'll miss Death City. That'd be cool.