What happens when an unstoppable force meets an eldritch location?
Does it push through? Shatter on itself? Conflict with any other force to reach mutually assured destruction?
Or does it shine through and turn an abstract version of hell in its new home?
Starting up. Initiating control.
Status: operational.
Users call: complete.
Users deployment: complete
Generation:...In progress
Initiating phase one.
« Gnnnh… »
Tamamo No Mae's eyes slowly opened up on unfamiliar surroundings: her body was lying on a yellow carpet that covered the whole floor, a large black X marking her precise resting place. She painfully turned her head to see yellow walls covered in floral patterns, while the ceiling was covered with large tiles spared by the occasional lighting slab, their buzzing noise reaching her ears. Her nose could only identify the stuffy smell of that carpet and the paper-like one from the wall.
The kitsune slowly got up and re-adjusted herself before dusting off her fluffy tails. Her glowing turquoise eyes further checked the space around her. The room was a continuous hallway in both directions, although she couldn't see very far as they both turned at right angles a few meters away.
"What in the world is this place? I just went to sleep and… is this another prank? I'm not in the mood for silly games."
Tamamo closed her eyes and attempted to teleport herself. Nothing happened. She sighed, and her tails glowed as she imbued them with the power to crush a mountain. When she struck the closest wall, they harmlessly bounced with a deafened thud.
"Nine Tails Funeral Pyre!"
Flames filled the hallway for a second, but they didn't harm their caster in the slightest. Once again, Tamamo was dumbfounded by the lack of apparent damage. Save for slight singing traces, the walls were intact. As she realized that she was stuck in this maze, she pulled out her fan and talked out loud, addressing no one in particular.
"I suppose I will play along for now…"
She slowly walked down the hallway with all of her senses on alert, minimizing her presence. This place was clearly not natural. Only an eldritch power above her own could create such an illogical location. The corridors kept twisting without reason, barely following basic architecture. Sometimes other passageways were opened, but she tried to remain on a line as straight as possible.
After what felt like an eternity, a scratching, slithering noise reached Tamamo's triangular ears. She perked up. That noise was a little too familiar, and one she had not grown fond of. The noise became stronger and stronger, confirming her its source. It suddenly stopped right around another corner as she got closer. She frowned and summoned a fox fire as a warning. Right afterward, a sigh followed by a crumpling noise informed her that no fight would be necessary.
"Great. I found you, of all people."
"Then come out of the corner Kanon, and let us discuss like civilized beings."
A large pink flower with a planturous nude green woman at its center slowly pulled itself from its hideout. The woman's sky blue eyes were overarching a disappointed pout, while her plants all around her were limply hanging from their stems.
"Just my luck, I was about to get myself another orgy when you suddenly decide to throw me into another of your twisted game to teach me a lesson."
Kanon's voice aggravated an already moody Tamamo. The kitsune haughtily fanned herself as she glanced sideway at Kanon.
"I am not responsible for this one. If I was, you would be stuck in a cellar while I harvest your plants. This is the most useful you would ever be."
Kanon sarcastically sneered. "What? You expect me to believe you? Toying with people is right up your alley!" The alraune grimaced in disgust as she pointed at the wall. "And who else would imagine those indestructible, ugly rock walls!"
"They're made of plaster and wallpapers you pea-brain, and they shouldn't be that tough. As much as I am ashamed to admit, I am stuck in this maze as well."
The alraune mockingly chuckled. "The grand spellweaver somehow stuck herself in her own trap? That's hilarious!"
Tamamo's eyes started glowing as she tired of Kanon's acerb repartees. "I don't ask you to believe it, I ask you to accept it." She pointed at a hallway slightly behind the alraune. "Now unless you found something interesting or have a better idea, I will continue down this way."
She turned her back on Kanon with a quick stride as the alraune continued mocking her. She wasn't sure her sister wouldn't attack her, and she didn't want to give her the chance.
"Yeah, right, run away little fox… clearly your cunning will be enough to pull you out alone of this place."
"I have more chance to find an exit by moving than by standing still."
"Right…" Kanon's voice was echoing from closer. The alraune had still decided to follow her none the less. She decided to tolerate her presence and not push her further. She had a more urgent priority than antagonizing her sister. Namely exiting this damn place.
Those hallways follow Euclidean logic, but no architectural ones… This place has effectively been built as a labyrinth. We only have to find the way used by whoever brought us here, although their nature is somehow tricking my senses. I couldn't see where I came from, and I can't sense anything further than the next hallway.
Kanon is right on one point at least... It's a maze built by someone that wants to toy with us. I can't wait to put my hands on them and give them a piece of my mind… which is easier said than done, if only because I have to babysit that overgrowth.
Luckily the alraune was only following her at a distance for now, allowing her to fully focus on her way. All of her concentration was needed, as the hallways all looked identical, and the low, droning noise emitted by the lighting slabs wasn't helping her orientation sense either. At least, Kanon was making the effort to be as silent as her.
Tamamo No Mae felt her tension rise as she kept progressing. The surreal ambiance was getting on her nerves. From the old dungeons to the technologically anomalous Tartarus without forgetting her little sister's senseless flesh labyrinth, no experience could compare to her current situation. That place was uncannily wrong.
I've already been going for several kilometers. Such a vivid display of imagination can only come from an angel… However, that place bears none of their usual mark. There's no statue or representation of their pathetic goddess, and the structure itself is not one of their signature stone white temple either. So what is it?
Eventually, Tamamo's ears perked up as she noticed a new, regular metallic noise beyond the perpetual electric sound. After spending a second orienting herself, she picked up the overall direction of its source and started walking in its direction. She casted a minor invisibility spell and started carefully peeking around each corner across her way before proceeding to minimize her chance of being ambushed.
Hallways, strange noise, hallways, strange noise, even more hallways… I'll welcome any change of pace or architecture.
And my wish is already granted. However, I'm not sure this is for the best.
Tamamo examined the newfound device in front of her: A large metallic torn bear trap was hanging from the ceiling, its precariously holding jaws hitting each other at regular intervals and making the noise she had been tracking. A sinister grin appeared on her face.
At least not everything in this place is indestructible… I'm even starting to get ideas for some fun once I'm back home.
Her smile disappeared when she noticed the stains on the apparel's teeth. Several runes appeared in the air as Tamamo analyzed it.
This substance isn't quite like blood… the victim of this trap wasn't a monster nor an angel… a new type of apoptosis perhaps?
I don't have time to further investigate it. Tamamo looked in Kanon's direction. The alraune was showing herself with a large frown, almost challenging her with her presence. I must get out first before this place drives me insane and pushes me in a fight with Kanon. I could take her on if it comes to blows, but I would spend too many resources pointlessly. And if that trap is any indication, remaining cautious is the most valid option…
Tamamo reinforced her defensive spells and further pushed forward. Her exploration kept following the same pattern once more. All hallways were almost identical. The only difference was the ever-decreasing number of side paths. The yellow, badly illuminated walls, the omnipresent light slabs, their droning noise and the skittering noise made by Kanon's roots ended being too unbearable to Tamamo's senses, making the kitsune snap.
"Why are you even following me if you think I'm playing games with you?! By your own opinion, you would be better on your own, wouldn't you?"
"Don't think I didn't try to! But all those hallways we didn't follow disappeared!" Kanon's vines and plants snapped threateningly.
Tamamo felt her blood freeze as color left her face. "What?"
Kanon answered with an evil grin. "Oh? Didn't the greatest mind of monsterkin noticed that all those paths are no longer available? They disappeared right after I passed by them…"
Tamamo No Mae quickly stepped behind Kanon and checked her surroundings: it was true. The hallways she had chosen to ignore were now replaced by walls. Hitting the different spots only yielded the same result as when she hit any other wall. There wasn't even an irregularity or the smallest interstice to indicate that they had been moved. It was as if they were always there. She then quickly followed the tray left by Kanon's scent, and indeed, the way they came from was replaced by a wall as well. And just like all the others, it proved impervious to any assault.
"So the only way is forward…" Tamamo returned to her leading position. "And you didn't care to inform me as soon as you noticed it?"
"Why would I have? Does it disturb your marvelous, master plan? If that's the case, I call that a win."
"You're a stubborn imbecile."
When Tamamo No Mae resumed her progress, it was with a brisker step. Her deeper fears were all but confirmed, and even if there still were no signs of such, there was no doubt that someone had trapped them here for their twisted entertainment.
Is this supposed to be one of those ironic prisons those angels enjoy oh so much? If this is their vision of hell, they're even more pathetic than I thought. They may end up annoying me to death, but that's it… And that's already too much.
After what felt like several hours of wandering, Tamamo No Mae finally met up another curiosity: A large black flat screen was taking a whole wall, showing the number 14 in large letters and the words floor 0 status: converging right under. The kitsune came to a sound conclusion before Kanon could even rejoin her.
I am right. Someone is toying with us. That number can only be the number of people wandering this maze, and this status… they want all of us to meet. It explains why all those hallways behind us keep disappearing. Fourteen though? Tamamo No Mae pulled out her fan and started refreshing her. The Six Ancestors, the Dark Goddess… even if I add Minagi's extended family, we don't reach that number. Six Ancestors, the Seven Archangels… and either the Dark Goddess or that pretender Ilias.
I hope it's the former. If it's the latter, we may be screwed.
"Hurgh, it's just a stupid makina. Why couldn't it be a few nice men to eat?"
"For once I would agree. Now, if you let me focus, I might just find one."
I can't feel any signal around this device… is it just a fixed display, or is it updated through another mean? The only way I could test if it updates would be killing Kanon…
"Let's ignore that and move on. The hallways ahead are getting wider."
As she resumed her progression, Tamamo occasionally let her curiosity get the better of her and decided to take a turn instead of continuing straight on. After taking a right turn, she quickly noticed that there were no other open hallways to further turn right and return the direction she came from. Following a forced path was unpleasant to her, furthermore because she was only accompanied by the sound of her own steps, Kanon's organic skittering, that omnipresent electrical buzzing and-
Tamamo stopped to a halt and raised a hand. Her keen senses had picked up an anomaly into her surroundings, but she was unable to identify it. Unfortunately, the bristling from Kanon's vines made for so many echoes that concealed the subtle changes. Tamamo threw a mean glare at her sister who mockingly grimaced before she resumed her progress. After a small minute, the smallest outside air movement slightly brushed the tip of one of Tamamo's ear, sending her on alert.
"We are followed."
Kanon answered with a mocking smirk. "No, we are not."
Tamamo twisted around to look behind Kanon and smiled at the sight of thorny vines trailing behind her. For once, her sister had a good idea.
"That's impressive coming from you. Feel free to devour anyone you trap."
"I don't need your authorization."
Tamamo ignored her and continued. The monotony of her progression got interrupted by a loud screeching noise from another hallway further ahead. The kitsune quickly flattened herself against a wall and carefully peeked around the next corridor: one of the tiles from the ceiling was slightly pushed away, and a large pillar made of metallic wire descended from it. Then another one. Eventually, a full, large humanoid shape descended from the ceiling. The being was so tall it was forced to slightly bend its "back" to be able to walk through the place. It carefully closed its entrance, and, to Tamamo's relief, the creature started going the opposite way.
A quick examination of her entry point revealed nothing: it was perfectly identical to the remainder of the ceiling.
This creature's way in isn't going to be our own way out, which isn't surprising me by now… I can't feel any magic coming from that creature. Is it a local inhabitant or an artificial creation?
I have to engage it cautiously. Such a monster may be more dangerous than it appears. It looks resistant to physical shock, but if I put enough force, it may easily fall or bend, allowing me to control it. Alternatively-
A deafening blast of magic interrupted Tamamo and tore the creature apart in an explosion of small wires. Several shards harmlessly bounced against her as she protected herself in an unnecessary movement. As she shook her head to clear the ringing from her ears, a familiar childish voice made itself known.
"Did you have to blast it apart? There's nothing left to eat!"
A more mature, authoritative voice answered. "It was a monster made of metal. Nothing on it would have sated your appetite ever in the slightest."
A whispering voice answered. "I concur. Besides, we agreed to share."
"Muuuh…" A small girl clad in a red coat with fur trimming and matching boots and ribbons appeared to examine the remainders of the golem. Her yellow, playful eyes were looking disappointed at the scene while two tentacles coming from under her coat were poking at the remains. They quickly darted around, and pointed in Tamamo No Mae's position. The kitsune revealed herself and clacked her fan open with a sigh.
"Greetings Hiruko…" Tamamo felt herself go sluggish. The only thing worse than being forced to deal with one of her sister was being forced to deal with all of them. "How are you faring today? And before you and your companions ask, I am not responsible for any of this."
"Meh. I already guessed so. Kanade and Saja agree too." Hiruko shrugged as her two companions revealed herself. The first was an indubitably feminine blue slime with a red round gem in her forehead and eyes of the same color, and the second was a pale lamia whose arms ended with feathery wings and whose brown hairs ended with snakes. Neither of them seemed happy to see Tamamo.
"Kanade. Saja."
"Sister." Saja coldly answered and flapped her wings in apparent dissatisfaction. "Did you happen to discover the reason behind our trouble?"
"I have no clear evidence. I can't say anything yet."
"Can't?" Saja frowned and threateningly leaned forward. "Or won't?"
Tamamo assumed a combat stance and summoned several fox fires. Before they could come to blows, a sensuous soothing voice echoed from behind Tamamo.
"Now now… you are not going to waste energy in a pointless fight when so many other more pleasant ways exist, will you?"
Tamamo and Kanon quickly turned around to look at the source of the voice: a tall succubus was hovering slightly above ground, her impossibly curvaceous nubile body barely covered by a ribbon and elaborate tattoos while her long hair were floating behind her. Her red eyes were watching over the scene with bemusement, as an aggravated Kanon hissed at the newcomer.
"Minagi… so you WERE following us."
"Yes I was." The succubus kept her smirk as she landed between both groups. "I decided that being alone was no fun, but I didn't want to burden you with my presence." She sensually exhaled and leaned against a wall. "Now, how about we share our little experience about this boring place instead of jumping at each other's throat like the bitches under this so-called goddess would?"
Tamamo No Mae was uncomfortable knowing Minagi had toyed with her, but she decided to help de-escalate the situation as well.
"I woke up in the middle of a marked hallway. I found Kanon after some time. Then I… we found a destroyed bear trap and a display showing the number fourteen and floor 0 status: converging. I saw that creature descend from the ceiling and was trying to identify it when you blasted it apart like a barbarian."
Saja huffed, but when she saw everyone's insistent gaze, she answered as well.
"I woke up in a hallway, and I found Hiruko then Kanade as I searched for my way out. I also saw a screen display that number, but instead of your message I saw a series of numbers with locks on their side. Then I destroyed this unexpected threat."
The four other Ancestors told their own tale, which were mostly identical to the first two. Hiruko was the last to go, and, to everyone's displeasure, insisted on how hungry she was feeling.
"-And of course, I found nothing to eat… Sooooo, what now?"
"Since we came from different ways, we should progress in that direction." Saja pointed one of her wings toward the only hallway that was unexplored.
"Wait!" Tamamo stepped in front of her. "We can't rush like that. We have to talk about a few things first. Namely that number fourteen."
"What about it?!" Saja was getting exasperated by her sister getting in her way.
"It's obviously the number of people currently in this labyrinth. We are the Six Ancestors. There are eight more beings in this labyrinth, and I can feel that they include the Seven Archangels under Ilias. We must establish a proper strategy and prepare for a fight against them."
Saja haughtily scoffed. "And why are you so sure about that? It could mean anything! If I asked anyone else, they would tell me anything else. It may be the number of strange monsters remaining. It might even be the number of people you ate since you arrived! You might be considered the smartest among us, but it doesn't mean you know better than even Hiruko or Kanade about our trouble right now! In fact, I should ask them instead!"
"About that…"
"Keep silent Minagi! And don't ignore my point! We're not alone, and we have to remain cautious! What if we face an actually threatening monster? We have to establish a proper strategy to be ready for anything!"
"And what do you suggest instead? Letting Kanon and Kanade go in front and letting their vitality shield us?"
"This is going to be awkard…"
"It's only a beginning, we have to take position correctly and- wait, what do you mean by that Minagi? Where are they?"
Tamamo finally noticed that there were now only three of them. Minagi was still leaning against a wall, her arms crossed under her chest.
"They quickly left when you started bickering. And even if I don't approve myself, I understand why they did it. Now, I suppose we shall go after them?"
"Those IDIOTS!"
"There's no talking with them, is it?"
"For once we agree, let us go quickly."
Tamamo No Mae led the pursuit, quickly followed by Saja and Minagi. The kitsune was furious at having her hand forced in this rush. If only Saja considered her level-headed options instead of systematically resorting to brute force or feeling inadequate each time her authority was questioned…
Fortunately, they can only have gone so far…
As she kept running in that twisted daedal, Tamamo felt a large quantity of holy energy accumulating further ahead of her. She quickly prepared a counter spell, and, after one last turn, casted it toward its source without looking. Just after the light beam disappeared in an anti-climatic puff of smoke, Tamamo calmed her breath and examined this new room. Kanon, Kanade and Hiruko were right by her side, aggressively leering at the assembly of angels across the large room.
And here are the Seven Archangels… I was right. I don't know if the dumbasses that make for my sisters deserved my help. That room is obviously the arena where those that are toying with us want everyone to fight.
There's even another display on the side. Eleven out of fourteen… now thirteen out of fourteen as Saja and Minagi joined us. Let us pray that the fourteenth is the Dark Goddess and not that fool Ilias… And we have both that comment and Saja's locked numbers showing up as well.
"This is over for you." A nude curvy angel stepped forward, her icy blue eyes fixed on Tamamo and her fellows while her golden mane and white wings were elegantly flowing in her back. She accusingly pointed a bright sword in the party's direction. "Humanity will finally be free of your torment."
"Free?" Saja threateningly flapped her wings. "They're already free in our world, Micaela! Free from your goddess who only wants her soles licked as she basks in the control she forces on everyone!"
Tamamo frowned. Each word Saja spoke was one less chance for a truce with those angels. She wanted them dead as much as any of her sisters did, but she was more concerned about the larger picture. Getting out of this place was a bigger priority than their current conflict, and the death of each of them would be a blow that would leave them vulnerable to a third party.
She quickly glanced at Micaela's followers. Of course, they were all ready to follow their leader, meanwhile, on her side… Only the presence of common enemies was keeping them united.
Every monster and angel was raring to fight, weapons and spells ready to unleash devastation. The air was crackling with energy as everyone was preparing their own attack.
Tamamo felt a sudden chill in the air. She unleashed her attack at the same time as her sisters, and their enemies reacted in kind in the blink of an eye. All the attacks hit an invisible barrier, and, right afterward, a large meteor appeared in the arena and tossed her against the wall like a rag doll. As she got up, she saw a new angel at the center. This one had shorter hair, was wearing a yellow ribbon, and her wings had one sword-like protrusion under each of them. What marked the kitsune was her eyes however: if Micaela's eyes were the frozen blue of a cold, calculated commander, this one's were displaying an extreme bloodlust.
Lucifina… The fourteenth guest is Lucifina.
We're screwed. We're all screwed.
A quick glance on the side showed her that the screen had somehow survived this attack. She quickly took mental notes of its writings.
14/14
Floor 1 status: Expanding
All Floors Unlocked
When she noticed Lucifina's eyes laying on her, the most primal part of her brain reacted, letting her instinct take over. She dropped on all four and quickly ran in the first hallway behind her, all dignity forgotten. Nothing mattered besides escaping. She didn't take notice any of the changes in her environment, running with every bit of energy and bouncing from wall to wall without slowing down even the slightest.
Suddenly, the floor under Tamamo gave way, sending her tumbling through a narrow, twisted fall. Tamamo could barely control her fall as she reacted, her arms and tails failing to get a grip on the slippery walls. Her hands fruitlessly clawed around her as powerlessness overwhelmed her.
Then she hit the ground. The kitsune remained immobile, feigning death for a moment as her reason returned to her. As she clawed the floor, her hands informed her that she was scratching at a carpet. Upon opening her eyes, she noticed that the carpet was a familiar yellow, with a large X marking the spot where she landed. As she looked around her, she saw yellow walls with floral patterns on them. The ceiling above her was covered by large tiles with the occasional lightning slab. There were no angel or monster around her. Only a droning noise and a stuffy smell.
A scream of unaltered rage echoed through the backrooms.
Generation ...complete
Phase 1 complete.
Control disengaged.
Initiating phase 2.