Chapter 53: Powerhouse Predators
Nikami, stunned from fear as the pair bore down on her, opened her mouth but could hardly utter a single word.
Caleb tightens his grip on her collar making her yelp. Menacing purple aura surrounds his body.
"ANSWER ME!", Caleb barks with a vicious scowl at the Inari, his eyes starting to emit purple fire-like aura. Nikami feels a surge of fear permeate her sense looking into those rage filled pupils.
"Eeeegh! T-THE CHECK-IN AREA! THAT'S WHERE WE LEFT HER! JUST DON'T KILL ME!", Nikami pleads as tears flow down her face.
Caleb and Camilla expressions intensify upon hearing her statement. Caleb shoves the Inari to the ground and raises up standing over her. He gives Camilla a quick nod to which she nods back.
"I won't. I'll just break every last bone in your body until you wish you were dead. But I won't ever kill.", Caleb coldly spoke glaring at her as the Inari trembles; even Camilla was a bit surprised by his malevolent behavior. Nikami eyes widen in despair as fear overtook her.
Suddenly...
CRASH
A large object goes barreling into the ground several meters next to them catching their attention. A cloud of dust was kicked up at the landing spot as a huge figure stood with huge muscles and tiger-like characteristics. It emits a gut wretching growl that shook the earth and the eardrums of anyone nearby.
Caleb and Camilla were taken aback almost forgetting about the Inari.
Nikami tears up in happiness and surprise then calls out to her, "RANKA-SAMA!"
Ranka eyes dart over to see, to her shock, Nikami on the ground and two people standing with one about to blast her with an energy ball.
"Nikami?!", Ranka stated back.
"Nikami!?", Caleb and Camilla stated simultaneously.
At the moment, Ein appears landing on the roof standing right over the Jinko.
"You're not getting that-!", Ein shouted before noticing Caleb and Camilla outside standing over an fox liminal woman, much to her surprise, " ?! Camilla!?"
"Ein!", Caleb stated incredulously looking to the wind weasel.
Both Ein and Ranka grit thier teeth in frustration realizing their initial plans must have failed and opts for a change in tactics.
She turns and bolts on all fours, claws extended, towards Caleb. Ein and Camilla immediately rush to intercept her.
"Tatakae(fight)!", Ranka roared in Nikami's natives tongue catching the Inari attention. The Inari quickly reacts, using the opportunity to conjure up a ball of bluish-white flame.
"Fox Fire!", Nikami shouts firing it at Caleb.
Caleb quicky goes on the defensive summoning a barrier just in time. The explosion flames against the barrier created a small shockwave that knocks him back a few feet.
Nikami fires another fire bolt at him but he teleports avoiding it letting the attack burn a hole in a nearby door. He appears behind her and performs a grappling maneuver twisting the fox woman arm restraining her making her whimpers at the pain as Camilla fires the black ball of energy at the approaching Jinko.
Ranka leaps spinning her body just barely evading the attack. The energy ball hits the edge of the lot creating a large explosion of black and purple mana and obliterating the concrete to dust.
Ein channels strong veil of pressurized air around her scythe going straight for the Jinko neck.
Ranka then slashes her claws, deflecting a strike with an impact that made the air crackle, then spin kicks the Karmaitachi sending Ein flying backwards.
The Jinko reals from the impact seeing the human male with her comrade in his grasp.
At that moment, several black magic seals appear all around the Jinko with the Elder Devil, standing with her arm raised commandingly and murderous red-eyed glare, was about to launch a barrage of death balls.
Nikami looks in horror knowing she wouldn't be able to dodge it in time. She grits her teeth concentrating and summons a white ball of energy in front of Caleb's face to his surprise and confusion. It then explodes in a bright flash blinding and disorienting the young man.
"GYAHHH!", Caleb cries out releasing the Inari and clutching his eyes in pain. Nikami then delivers a hard kick in the humans groin making him gag loudly and lurching forward bringing him to his knees in pain.
"Senor!", Camilla expressed in concern shifting her focus away for a moment, which Ranka took advantage of.
She thrusts her claws like a spear aiming for the Elder Devil heart as Camilla tries to defend.
"AH!", Ranka gasps stopping in her tracks as a strong jolt shoots up her spine. Her claws stop inches away from Camilla chest. She looks behind her to see Ein hold her back by her long tiger tail in a tight grip. Ein yanks with all her strength, eliciting a feline yowl out of Ranka.
"GET AWAY FROM THEM!", Ein yells out before pivoting on her heel twirling the tiger woman a couple times then tossing her as hard as she could over the treeline. She soared to other side of a parked train's ballast path. The Jinko crashed right through one of the train car roofs. Ein looks to Caleb, who picked himself up recovering from the low blow, with concern.
"Ranka-sa-", Nikami stated before Camilla kicks her hard in the chest knocking her backwards.
"Go! I will handle this one!", Camilla stated to the Karmaitachi.
Ein gives a dubious look sighs reluctantly. She turns a bolts towards where the Jinko landed regretfully leaving Camilla to her devices.
The Inari gags cradling her chest then see a black magic seal hovering above her. She sees Camilla make a downward sliding motion with her finger and a larger spike of black aura shoots down from the seal. Nikami dodges, barely avoiding getting impaled but seals the Elder Devil already channeling red and black electricity through her hands.
Nikami quickly takes out a talisman from sleeve and the symbols glow with white light.
Caleb steps back getting some distance before Camilla lets loose a powerful stream of red and black lightning. A barrier appears around the Inari defending against the attack as whips of lightning burns and tear through the concrete. Feeling the barrier gradually weakening, the Inari generates a small ball compressed blue smoke. She tosses it upwards catching the Elder Devil attention.
"Fox Smoke!", Nikami shouts clenching her fist making the ball explode in a thick shroud of blue smoke.
"Cough cough, a smokescreen?!", Caleb uttered covering his nose and mouth.
"Worthless scum!", Camilla expressed creating a green magic seal in her palm. With wave of her arm, a green cyclone blows away the gas from around them. To both their shock, the Inari was nowhere to be seen, save for a slip of red paper on the ground.
"Dammit! She gone!", Caleb stated looking around.
"Coward! Fleeing in such an unrefined manner. That punta is a waste of breath!", Camilla viciously expressed clenching her fists.
"Wait...Lyca!", Caleb expressed in realization, "She might trying to take her hostage or something! We need to get to her."
"Ju go to her Senora. I will hunt down that vile fix myself.", Camilla suggests focusing her hearing.
"No, Camilla, you don't what she's capable of! We need to stay together! ", Caleb replied.
"She doesn't know what I am capable of! Nobody touches mi amor! I AM GOING DISEMBOWEL HER-"
"CAMILLA!", Caleb shouted grabbing the She-devils shoulders, "Stop! We'll deal with her AFTER we make sure Lyca's safe, ok?"
Camilla was about to retort but pauses in realization. In the distance, she could hear the battle along railway. She grits her teeth in frustration, "Rhaa! Fine, have it your way!"
Caleb nods, still holding her by the shoulder, and looks behind him. He teleports both of them outside the front office.
As that was happening, Ein and Ranka were engaged in heated battle. Both traded blows as they darted along broken stone covered railroad tracks and, beside that, a collection of trees down a dirt incline.
Ein sides dodging a slash at her midsection then fires a blade of compressed air the ripped a path through the stones. Ranka crosses her large claws absorbing the impact by tensing her muscles. The wind weasel vanished with such speed that it kicks up a ton of rocks from the spot she stood.
In a split second, Ein descends on the Jinko with an air pressure infused punch. Ranka blocks with her palm. The resulting impact shook the area around them send rocks flying in all dirt.
"Not bad. My turn.", Ranka spoke before clenching her fist tight. She throws a powerful straight jab square into Ein's face sending her flying. She sent through one of the doors of an empty train car landing on her back.
"Nyagh...shit...", Ein expressed cradling jaw at the slight pain.
With a deep tiger growl, Ranka lunges inside the train car to pounce on the Karmaitachi.
Ein reacts quickly, crossing scythes, and firing a shockwave that launches the Jinko upward slamming against the roof of the train car. Ein quickly rolls to her feet as Ranka hits the bottom dangling halfway out the door. She emits growl hastily pulling herself back inside then slashes at Ein. The wind weasel dodges as Ranka claw slice into through the wall then bounces off the wall somersaulting over the Jinko. Not letting up, Ranka delivers a rounding heel kick at Ein to which the wind weasel barely manages to block getting knocked back a few feet.
Suddenly, the Jinko appears over her about to drive both sets of claws slashing into the Karmaitachi right shoulder. Ein yells out as blood gushed from the wound. She then quickly blocks another claw attack with her scythes. The two liminal glare eye to eye while locked in a struggle to overpowered each other. The Jinko arms were like steel beam but Ein held her own acknowledging her opponents strength.
"I see... you're quite capable even in close quarters.", Ranka uttered bearing her fangs.
"Not the first time... I've been in a tight spot!", Ein snarled back baring her fangs but wincing at the pain in her bleeding wound. She plants her foot firmly to the floor steadily pushing the Jinko back with all her might; to Ranka surprise.
"RHHAH!", Ein yells out shoving off the big cat woman then, seizing the opening, quickly gets low to her side and delivers rapid pressure powered kicks directly into the Jinko's lower stomach. Ranka tries to endure but gags lurching forward. Ein, leaning backwards, using her hands like springs delivers double kick backed by a strong shockwave right into the Jinko's already weakened abdominals sending her flying back. Ranka coughs up a little blood but puts up her guard as the Karmaitachi crosses scythes making an 'X'; air pressure and light green energy enveloped them.
Ranka eyes widen then looks to the metal crate door Ein tore off in the crash. She quickly lunges forward.
"Hurricane-style Cat-4 Barrage!", Ein called out her attack name firing off shots of bolts of pressurized air infused with ki. Ranka flips up the door charging forward to Ein surprise. It break apart more and more but absorbs most of the shockwaves giving her a chance to close the distance.
Ranka thrusts her arm out grabbing and smothering the wind weasel face with her large paw. Ein tries to free herself repeatedly striking the Jinko's arm.
"Let's see how YOU like getting thrown!", Ranka shouted before roughly slamming the Karmaitachi against the walls a few times then tossing her through the doorway. Ein slams against the ground skipping like a stone a few time before catching herself sliding to a halt. She pants kneeling to her feet wincing at the large cut wounds on her right thigh and bruises on her back.
Before she could even gain her bearings, she's shocked to see the freight car she was just in flying towards her. Not thinking twice, Ein propelled herself away using a bubble of pressurized air at her feet evading as the freight car smashes into the ground sending chunks of debris and shipping containers everywhere.
"Gah, is she insane?! Ah!", Ein stated before seeing yet another freight car go soaring towards her. Not wasting time, Ein crosses her scythes condensing air pressure around her scythes and gritting her teeth, "CAT-2 BREAK!"
Ein fires a strong shockwave at the oncoming metal box car. The second it makes contact, the box car explodes in half sending shards of metal, and several containers, in every which way. The wind weasel deflects a few larger pieces with her scythes then propelled herself upwards with a blast of air. Suddenly, Ranka, spinning above her while curled up in a ball, performs a hammer blow on the ascending weasel. Ein barely managed to block crossing her hands over her head still taking some damage and getting knocked back to the ground. Ein lands hards in a squatted position, arm crossed over her head, as a stream of blood trickles down her head.
Ranka lands several feet in front of her and crosses her arms, "I have to say, you Karmaitachi are a tenacious lot. Even though you, and that smaller one, certainly don't look like others of your kin."
Ein glares at the Jinko emitting a low growl knowing what she meant.
"Despite the beatings she recieves from my comrades, including myself, that little one refuses to die. I like that. Reminds me of myself growing up.", Ranka spoke with a grin.
"No offense, but I don't care about your backstory. Only thing I want, is to put an end to you criminals and rescue my comrades. Right now, your just in my way. Now die.", Ein replies viciously glaring then instinctively makes a t-pose with her scythes extended; her species signature battle declaration pose.
"I see. Then I suppose that's one thing we agree on.", Ranka folds her arms as Ein gives a skeptical look, "My leader requires power from the Nightmare to achieve our goal. Try as you might, you won't derail our objective. No pun intended."
"We'll see about that. And her name is 'Mirabelle'.", Ein utters baring her fangs as light green aura radiates from her body. She clenches her fists tight as two swirling ball of highly pressurized air envelops her knuckles.
"Come on then.", Ranka challengingly smirk squaring her knuckles taking a combat stance.
Ein vanishes in flash with blinding speed as the Jinko instinctively tenses ever muscle I'm her body causing them to bulge out. The reappears behind her and delivers a powerful strike going for the nape of the tiger woman's neck. It make contact but the muscles around her were so dense the attack was rendered almost ineffective much to Ein surprise.
"Predictable!", Ranka stated swinging her massive arm like a sledgehammer knocking the Karmaitachi away, "You really think a meager attack like that would break my defense? Please! I've battled Wrym and bigger member of my kind over territory on the daily as a child. My skin and muscles are honed to withstand any hits you can throw."
Ein rights herself midair landing on her feet .
"Kch, so what? Are you trying to say you're invincible?"
"Of course not, I'm not the arrogant type. I'm just proud. Not only of the body of steel I suffered to achieve, but that I'm able to use it to defend my fellow Komanda Monstra members! Especially the honor of my comrades you've killed.", Ranka replies narrowing her gaze.
"Heh, from what I've heard there wasn't much honorable about them.", Ein says channeling air pressure around her legs and arms.
"Wrong. They had their flaws, especially Heather, but they were good warriors. I can say the same for that smaller Karmaitachi as well."
Ein grits her teeth and, with a warriors cry, launches herself toward her enemy fists raised.
Ranka throws right hook intercepting Ein punch; the impact creating a loud shockwave. Ein stands her ground and let's loose a flurry of powerful punches as the Jinko did the same.
Both women throwing hands and countering each other's hits neither giving an inch. The air around exploded like booming thunder with every impact of their fists.
As Ranka stands there trading blows, she could feel each blow from the Karmaitachi seem get stronger and faster than the last. It was then she caught, with her sharp eyes as Ein fists recoiled her elbows rebounded off rapid expanding and bursting air bubbles. Meaning, she could deliver powerful blows while reducing fatigue. Whatmore, she could feel the resolve this young woman had to defeat her. Ranka couldn't help smiling. It's been a while since she's had an opponent like this.
...
Meanwhile back at the hotel, Caleb sat on the floor with the unconscious She-wolf held in his lap. Camilla kneeling beside them with a white magic seal over Lyca chest doing her best to heal her. Healing magic, at least for others, was still relatively difficult for the Elder Devil though; best she could do was minor wounds
"Lyca! Come on, Fuzzy! Don't do this to me again! Please!", Caleb pleaded as memories of that night a couple months prior plays in his mind.
Suddenly, the She-wolf eyes weakly flutter open as her blurry vision gradually clears. She greeted with the sight of Caleb and Camilla's deeply worried expressions quickly shifting to relief.
"C-Chief?", The She-wolf murmured.
"Fuzzy! You're alright! You're alright.", Caleb stated hugging her close.
"Oh, glory to Discord! Ju are unharmed Senora!", Camilla stated in relief.
Lyca was confused for moment before realization hits her.
"Chief! The enemy's here!", She urgently stated gently pushing off of him, "We have to-"
"We know. We know, fuzzy. We just had a run in with them.", Caleb cups her off much to her surprise.
"What? Did you guys...?"
"No. Ein's taking care of the big tiger lady. The other one...the Inari fled somewhere and is probably hiding so... we're basically on our guard here. I mean...we see they aren't messing around.", Caleb informs her then sullenly look over at the lifeless body still behind the front desk. Camilla closes her eyes, not out of respect for the desk guy, but acknowledging her lover not being used to such sights.
"So...we're still under attack then?", Lyca asks incredulously.
"Yeah, but we had to make sure they wouldn't get to you first.", Caleb replies to which Camilla nods.
"Y-You came back for me?", Lyca uttered.
"Well, yeah, why wouldn't we?", Caleb inquires tilting his head.
"Oh! N-no reason.", Lyca waves off forcing a smile ignoring a bad memory with her older siblings, "So Ein's handling that big cat, we just need to find the fox lady!"
"That's the gist, she tried to attack us while disguised as you. How sick can you get?", Caleb spoke in a serious tone.
"Jes, but ju certainly surprised her.", Camilla remarked.
"Huh? What did he do?", Lyca inquires
"He punched the punta square in the face and then threatened beat her to death. All to avenge ju Señora. Haaa such murderous passion. I could not be more proud and attracted to ju Senor.", Camilla swooned cupping her face as her eyes twinkle like rubies.
"Wow.", Lyca expressed astonished eyes twinkling as well.
"I think you're embellishing the story a bit here.", Caleb plainly replies bursting their bubbles then shifts to a serious tone, "Point is, we really need to be on our guard. Never know when she'll attack us next."
"If that is the case, then we must find her first and KILL her. I believe I can try sensing her mana with mi own.", Camilla enforces creating a small purple glowing pentagram seal on the back of her hand.
"That could work but we CAN'T kill her.", Caleb asserts as Lyca and Camilla look to him incredulously.
"Why no?! She just tried to kill JU moments ago! And now ju want to show her mercy!?", The Elder Devil expressed flabbergasted and displeased.
"Fuck no! Let me finish! I meant we capture her, force her tell us everything she knows! Besides, they got Moon pie and Drei hostage, why not level the playing field?", Caleb suggests.
"So we take the fox lady as a bargaining tool? That's pretty underhanded Chief.", Lyca says not liking the idea.
"I know, Fuzzy, but if THEY aren't going to play fair. Why the hell should we? Again, we're just evening things out."
"...I guess, when you put it like that..."
Camilla grimaces wondering why they had to go through a roundabout method to free Senora. Suddenly, her eyes widen upon sending a strong source of mana withing the building and immediately stands up catching the others attention.
"What is it?", Caleb cautiously inquires.
"I sense her. She is in that direction.", Camilla coldly replies looking at a nearby wall behind the desk. Caleb takes a deep breath mentally preparing himself.
"Alright...", Caleb stands while helping up Lyca as well, which she appreciates. Caleb clenches his generating a small purple barrier around it, "Let's hunt us a fox."
Lyca and Camilla nod in understanding.
...
In another room, on the far end of the motel, a man lay unconscious on the floor. Nikami could be seen huddled in the corner of the bathroom having locked herself in. She thought it luck that one of the motel patrons left their door slightly a jaw after her escape from that vicious human and Devil. But what now?
'I escaped but...but now Ranka-sama fighting all alone. And I'm hiding like a coward.', Nikami thought clutching her hair in frustration as tears rolled down her eyes, ' I'm no assassin. I'm useless. Even my parents knew that. Why else would they sell me to those humans back home? Ranka-sama...she should have just left me in that cage she found me. What could she have possibly seen in me? I couldn't even accomplish this simple mission. And now...'
Nikami lightly sobs to herself unsure of what to do next.
...Meanwhile...
While all of this was happening, inside of Komanda Monstra base, Mirabelle was in her cell, fiddling with the lock with a nail she found, desperately trying to get out.
"Come on...come on...", She murmured trying to pick open the lock despite having never, in her life, done so; let alone with a nail. In her haste, it slips out of her fingers, "No!"
It lands a few feet away from the cell. Mirabelle eyes water clenching her teeth in frustration before gripping the bars a hitting her forehead against it.
"Dammit! BLOODY GODDAMMIT!", Mirabelle cursed, banging her fists against the bars. She grips them while resting her forehead against the cold steel as tears welled in her eyes.
"So, the princess can curse.", spoke a familiar voice in the dark catching the Centaur woman attention. She looks up to see Fantina walking up to the cell.
"Leave me alone. Can't you see I'm in enough pain?", Mirabelle says clenching her fist to her chest, "I just found out my Dear and the others came here to save. But now those two..are going to kill them all!"
"Yeah, so I've heard. I guess your knight came after all. Guess love does make you a dumbass.", Fantina nonchalantly spoke.
"Stop it! What does someone like you know?", Mirabelle retorts angrily then looks down in thought, "Why couldn't he just stay away? I would've been happy knowing he's alive and safe. Instead, I have to live with knowing he'll be killed by your friends."
"Hey! I told you before, they AREN'T my friends! They just spent the last couple hours torturing me and holding me prisoner. The two of us are currently busting out of here and YOU'RE coming whether you like it or not! Or maybe you'd rather stay and be Satella's horse bottom bitch.", Fantina spat arms folded in contention.
"Of course n-wait. Busting out? And what do you mean...'the two of us'?"
Fantina doesn't answer. Instead, lets the short Karmaitachi walking into the room with a handful of vial serve as the answer. Mirabelle eyes widen in surprise.
"Definitely not building castles in the sky that's for sure.", Drei replies as Fantina rolls her eyes.
"D-Drei? Drei!", Mirabelle tearfully stated before realization dawns on her and she looks between them.
"Where did you even go? I turned my head for a second and you vanish. And why do you have all those vials?"
"I had to go back and grab what might be useful. In enemy territory, any resource your familiar with can be a lifesaver.", Drei replies.
"And you didn't grab my scythe?!", Fantina stated incredulously.
"I had to be quick in case the vampire showed up. At my current condition I couldn't even lift it let alone bring it with me. Plus, not like you could use it either."
"Ughh...fine I see your point.", Fantina reluctantly admitted
"W-wait, what's going on here?!", Mirabelle stated confused, "You two are...working together?"
"Short answer, yes. Long answer, yes because the enemy of my enemy...is still my enemy but with benefits; like oil or McDonald's.", Drei replies.
"I don't understand. What are you hoping to gain out of this?", Mirabelle says with a skeptical gaze, obviously not trusting the Baphomet.
"Simple. Her freedom and hopefully whatever's left of her dignity.", Drei comments.
"I believe what the switch blade weasel is trying to covey is that it's in our best interest to work together. First thing order of business is removing these collar.", Fantina inform pointing to the collars on her neck.
"T-They put one on you two? Why?", Mirabelle says in confusion.
"Like I keep telling you, they aren't. My. Friends.", Fantina expressed staring Mirabelle in the eyes then turns to Drei, "Anyway what exactly is your plan for removing these? Grease our heads until they pop off?"
"That IS one of them. Though something tells me you'd have a much harder time with that than us.", Drei remarks looking at the Baphomet's curved horns as said Baphomet grumbles in annoyance, "You're too horny."
"Shut up! Is this a game to-"
*SHATTER*l
Fantina is cut off from berating the weasel when the sound of glass shattering catches everyone's attention. Mirabelle gasps looking behind seeing the glass from barred window in pile on the cell floor and quickly gets to her feet in fear.
"Haaa! Finally, a window that ISN'T boarded up. Hmm, looks like it's got bars on in t though.", came the voice of Zwei much to Mirabelle and Drei's surprise.
"Zwei?! Is that you?!", Mirabelle stated getting closer to the barred window.
"Eh?!", Zwei expressed putting her face at the window gripping the bar. Her eye widen upon seeing Mirabelle in the dimly lit area, "Twilight sparkle! Holy shit I found you! Who would've thought the ONE non-boarded up window would have you behind it? Are you ok?! Where's Drei?!"
"I'm over here.", Drei spoke up as Zwei quickly scans where the voice came from before locking on the short figure in the shadows. Drei throws up her hand extending her scythe like a gang sign, "Sup?"
Zwei smiles as tears well up in her eyes which she quickly wipes away, "Good. I thought you'd gone soft on me. Are you guys ok? Did they hurt you?"
"Aside from physically, emotionally, and for one of us a bit sexually, I'd say not that much.", Drei replies glancing at Fantina.
"Rrrgh are we done with the reunion?! Who even is this?! Friend of yours?", Fantina stated rather annoyed.
"I'm her sister. Who the hell are you? Why do you sound familiar?"
"You guys fought once in the parking area. You said something about the right to suck or whatever.", Drei replies as Fantina eyes widen.
"Aww Gods! I remember now, the one with the sharp blades and big mouth.", Fantina bemoaned facepalming.
"Ohhh yeah! The Baphomet from that Fallen angel attack! Wait, what's SHE doing here?!"
"Working with assassins. We fought. Got captured. She got betrayed. We formed an alliance. Helping us break out of here now.", Drei quickly explained giving her the bullet point explanation.
"Ok, this day's getting crazier by the minute.", Zwei acknowledged.
"Excuse me. You haven't even told why you're here Zwei! What's going out there? Is Dear and the others alright?", Mirabelle asks in a worried tone.
"Ah, right! I, well, Ein and I were searching the perimeter for a way inside. We called ICEP in this region for backup. They should be here soon. As for Boss and the others, we had them stay at a motel to keep to outta harms way."
"Wait, you did what?! ICEP?!", Fantina stated becoming apprehensive at the thought.
"Perfect. I'd say all of that's good news except they found out you guys were here and sent two of the assassins there to kill him and the others.", Drei informs.
"Wait, what?! Crap! Ein went back there alone too! Who knows what's going on over there?", Zwei stated starting to become worried as Mirabelle starts to become more uneasy.
"Zwei, I know how you feel, but we can't do much in our current state. Ein is STRONGER than strong, you know that. She can handle herself. Plus, Camilla and Lyca are there with Caleb.", Drei says trying to put them at ease.
"I guess you're right but..."
"You say that but... knowing that there's even a slight chance they could be...", Mirabelle expresses not wanting finish the sentence.
"We need to concentrate out efforts on what's in front of us. That's all we can do. The rest comes afterwards. Now, two of the assassins are currently immobilized with my serum but the problem now are the enslavement collars blocking our powers.", Drei informs pointing to her collar.
"Not to mention the Vampire lurking in the basement planning who knows what other diabolical shit.", Fantina points out.
**down in the basement**
Satella could be seen sitting at her table, with cancel light, researching a tomb of Angelic language she had obtain in her travels. As she wrote in a small journal translating commands to use later, a pair of earphone attached by cord to her phone was playing in the vampire's ears...
'Take me back to Constantinople, no you can't go back to Constantinople, been a long time gone, Constantinople-'
*Back to the group*
"So we really need to get a move on! Preferably BEFORE ICEP arrives!", Fantina urges.
"I halfway agree. Fortunately, my sister arrived at the right time.", Drei says giving Fantina a skeptical look.
"What can she do? She's outside!"
Zwei smirks extending her scythes condensing rapidly swirling air around them. She takes a Kenpo-like pose, "Whirlwind-style: Penta Slash!"
She delivered several rapid slashes with immense precision cutting the metal bars to pieces; much to Fantina and Mirabelle astonishment. With no obstruction, Zwei flings herself through the window land next to Mirabelle.
"Alright, I'm in.", Zwei say puffy her chest with toothy grin. Fantina grimaces at her perky, plump chest in annoyance.
"Seriously, what are those things made of?! And why didn't you just that with the other windows?", Fantina berated
"They're apart of our skeleton so mostly just REALLY tough but flexible bone. As for the window, why would I just burst through a window I CAN'T see through into an enemy base?"
Fantina pouts crossing her arms knowing the weasel had a point.
"Anyway, want me to take care of the cage next? Stand back Twilight.", Zwei offers positioning herself in a slashing position as Mirabelle gives her some room.
"That won't be necessary.", Drei stops her before stepping up to the cell door then examine the lock a moment in her hand. She flicks it once as the chime rang out it in the room. The lock immediately comes as Drei removes it the casually opens the cell door, "See?"
"HOW do you do that?", Fantina stated incredulously.
"I'm gifted.", Drei says waggling her fingers.
"No shit, I watched you get beaten for an hour and a half and yet you're not dead. All without your powers.", Fantina scrutinized folding her arms.
"Heh, they tried to nerf her and she's still too OP. That's crazy. Dumb bitches.", Zwei says with hint of lemon near the end then looks to Fantina, "Uh present company excluded."
"I'm almost tempted to take my chances with the vampire.", Fantina expressed as Mirabelle steps out of the cage.
"Alright, let's begin.", Drei says uncorking a couple vials.
...Back to Ein...
Ein backflips in midair and launches multiple shockwaves with a swipe of her arms towards the Jinko. Ranka sprints towards her dodging the attacks as the explode into the ground. She shields her face enduring the hits of a few well placed attacks
"RAAAAAAAA!", Ranka roars loudly claws extended going for a cross slash.
Ein block the attack with her scythes but the Jinko chains with a spinning back kick right in her stomach. Ein goes flying back before hitting the metal wall of a frieght car hard. She catches herself on her feet, stumbling a bit then coughing up a little blood.
She looks to see Ranka lunging towards her claw ready to impale her. On instinct, Ein bends her ENTIRE upper body backwards as the claws impale into the metal.
Ranka gives a questioning look to which Ein smirks while her arms supported her on the car wall.
"Ha! Weasel spine-", Ein stated as the sash on her robe rips from the attack allowing her breasts to partially spill out. Ranka gives a wide eyed awkward look before the embarrassed wind weasel expresses cries out, "OH COME ON!"
She then hears something ripping and tilts her to see Ranka had torn her own shirt down the middle exposing her massive G cups.
"Now we're even.", Ranka spoke plainly giving a thumbs up.
"DON'T PATRONIZE ME!", Ein retorts with flushed cheeks before bending herself further and kicking the Jinko square in her jaw.
Ranka reels back from the hit as the Karmaitachi bring s her legs over her putting in a squatting position.
Ein quickly generates a shockwave at the ground causing an explosion of dust and small rock. Dirt flys up into the Jinko's face forcing her to shield her eyes.
"Ahgh. Dammit!", Ranka hissed kneeling and rubbing the dirt from her eyes. She then notices, through watery eyes, that the Karmaitachi had vanished. She emits a low growl looking around for her opponent then jumps up onto of the train car. She sniffs the air as she walks along the train cars keeping her eyes peeled.
Right underneath one of the train cars, Ein suspended herself off the ground holding onto metal suspensions. Her breasts drooped down, almost spilling out from her loosened cloth, as she pondered her situation.
'Damn, she's tougher than I thought. Her muscles are so incredibly dense my hits just get absorbed. Even if my shockwaves manage to damage tear them apart, her muscles regenerate too fast for me to capitalize on it. Tch, guess this is what they mean by an unstoppable force meeting an immovable object.', Ein grimaces to herself between her ears twitch hearing loud crunching footsteps. She tilts her head wincing up seeing two large tiger feet slowly approaching the car she was under.
The pair of feet stop by the car then Ranka quickly planks on all fours emitting a tiger growl. She sees nothing underneath. The Jinko stands back up and sniffs around. She looks back at the car with a skeptical gaze.
On the other side, Ein held herself back against the wall of the car with her ears tuned in on the Jinko. Her sash loosens more causing her breasts to spill much to her annoyance as she closes it with her hand.
'I need to break through that tough hide of hers. But how can I if my blows keep getting absorbed? If only Zwei or Drei were here, they're good at locating pressure point to exploit. Eh?', Ein thought to herself before her noticing on the ground next to hera large grey railroad spike. She then see a bunch more scattered around along with a partially destroyed box, marked 'vintage railroad spikes', from the freight car she broke apart earlier. Ein stares at the spike in thought, 'Wait...pressure points? Force...concentrated...'
Ein's eyes widen getting a sudden jolt up her spine alerting her to danger. She looks up to see the Jinko right above as her massive descends about to decapitate her.
The Karmaitachi quickly vanishes as the huge tiger claws impale through the metal. Ranka grits her teeth dragging her claws through the aluminum casing leaving wicked marks.
"Missed again. Thought I really had you that time.", Ranka spoke before leaping down. At that moment, Ein comes lunging towards her at high speed, arms hugging against her chest. Ranka, confused as to why she'd leave herself open, brandishing her claws going for a double slash, palms wide, "This is it for you!"
As the massive claws closed in, Ein remove her arms revealing two large railroad spikes; much to Ranka surprise. Ein jabs them both into the palms of the Jinko stopping her attack. However, the metal spikes do not pierce the Jinko very tough padded hands.
"Please! You're wasting your time. Do you really think a couple of pieces of iron could pierce me?", Ranka says with an unamused tone.
"I haven't applied pressure yet.", Ein coldly replies catching the Jinko attention. Small balls of pressurized air form at the rear of each spike. Ranka, sensing danger, tries to pull away...but she was too late.
Both spikes pierce right through the Jinko's hand as she roars out in pain. Ein pushes her against the wall of the freight cars with her on the spike. She fires two small shockwaves driving them deeper and impaling the Jinko into the metal wall.
Ranka yells out at the sheer pain then front kicks her opponent away as Ein defends with her arms. Ranka winces looking to her crucified a bleeding palms.
"Ack! W-What-AHHHH!", Ranka internally questions before two more spikes impale deep through her biceps.
"That looks painful. Maybe you didn't know this, but even steel can break with enough applied pressure. But, to be fair, neither did I until Mr. Bizzell taught me.", Ein remarks before pulling out two more railroad spike holding them like kunai knives, "and there's plenty more where these came from."
Ranka emits a growl at the Karmaitachi who channels air pressure through her arm. The Jinko decides she had no other choice but to use that technique and take a deep breath.
"You're done. New technique, Hurricane style: RAIL GUN!", Ein shouted tossing the two spikes with powerful shockwave bursts aiming for Jinko head.
Reacting at the last possible second, the Jinko kicks legs up taking both spike in the backs of her calves much to Ein's surprise. Ranka stifles her excruciatingly painful groans instead channeling her anguish into her next move.
"RAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!", Ranka lets loose a deafening roar that spreads throughout the are and beyond.
Ein holds her ears as every muscle, nerve, even the bones in her body scream for her to run. Despite that, she feels herself unable to to move. Not only that, she felt an intense fear overflowing her senses. What is this?
Sidenote: In nature, tigers can produce infrasonic sounds of less than 20 Hertz that can rattle or even paralyze prey. The sound frequency is so low can pass through solid objects, like flesh and bone, and invoke paralyzing fear within any living thing that hears it.
...
At the motel, Caleb and the girls could be seen cautiously skulking around as they headed to the Inari possible location with Camilla leading.
Suddenly, they could hear a frightening roar in the distance. The group stop in their tracks as their bodies tremble unable to move a muscle.
"W-Whoa! D-Did you guys hear that?!", Lyca inquires making a canine whimper with her tail between her legs.
"I FELT that shit!", Caleb stated looking at his trembling hands feeling intense fear, "Are we already under attack?"
"N-No. This is...the sound is coming from that direction.", Camilla informs ominously looking in the direction Ein was.
"I can't hear anything. The hell kinda liminal is she fighting?", Caleb utters with great concern for the Karmaitachi.
"I do not know.", Camilla spoke clenching her fist trying to contain herself. It angered the Elder Devil that someone as powerful as her, felt true fear in this moment. She tried to force herself to stop trembling but it seemed her body wouldn't obey. What the hell is that woman?
...
Inside a motel room, a pair of fox perk up upon hearing a familiar sound coupled with a sense of fear.
"T-That sound. It's... Ranka-sama paralysis roar. But...but if she's using it now then...just how strong is that Karmaitachi? Ranka-sama...", The Inari spoke in shock then quickly takes out a paper talismans placing it on her right eye. The symbols glow and a ball of bluish-white flame appear with a black fox-like pupil in the center.
It then levitates up to the ceiling phasing through it.
'Please be ok.', Nikami thought.
...
The roar dies down as the Jinko pants, lungs burning, trying to recover. She saw Ein standing motionless in a daze.
Ranka then clenches her fist and groans at the pain slowly pulls her right arm from freight car wall with the spikes still imbedded in her flesh. She then does the same with her other arm as blood trickles from her dangling arms.
Ranka looks at Ein again seeing her lightly trembling still in a daze. She assumed since her opponent was in such close proximity of her paralysis roar, her body was now in a freeze stress response; aware but unable to act.
"It's over.", Ranka utters plainly. Using her teeth, she slowly pulls out the spike in her upper arm.
'Come on! Move! MOVE! My body's not listening. My heartbeat, my breath, they're so slow. She's... she's going to kill me if I don't move! But I...But I...!', Ein thought shutting her eyes tightly. Her mind starting to drift a bit.
... flashback...
'I can't!', a younger Ein shouted in her native tongue as a huge Asian black bear comes charging at her. She stood motionless trembling in fear unable to do anything but cover her face.
Suddenly, before the animal touch her, a powerful shockwave strikes it sending it flying over the younger Ein's head. It lands behind her with a loud thud as she uncovers her face looking over the dead animal in surprise.
'Good greif...', Spoke a voice in Ein's native tongue. A tall, fairly muscular Karmaitachi woman lands behind kid Ein. She looks at the imposing figure who's face blurred by shadow the says in a slightly disappointed tone, 'You froze up again, didn't you Ein?'
'I-I'm sorry, Mama! I promise, I'll do better next time!', kid Ein assured.
'What happens when there is no next time?', Ein's mother inquires in a serious tone.
Kid Ein pauses unsure of how to answer as her mother kneels down until they were eye level.
'Intimidation is one of the oldest weapons every created. The instant you allow fear to overcome your senses, making you hesitate, then you're enemy has already won. That is something we, the strongest of the trio cannot allow to happen. We carry and defend our sisters and brothers so we cannot waver. Do you understand?'
'Yes, mama.', Kid Ein utters casting her gaze downwards in shame. Her mother then lifts up her head.
'That being said, no matter how much power we possess, fear can overtake our bodies one way or another. However, just because your body refuses to act doesn't mean your soul will remain idle. If your spirit moves, your body moves. It has no other choice but to move.'
'My spirit? How do I do that?', Kid Ein tilts her head confused.
'I will train you to temper your spirit. That way, no matter the circumstance, you will never be defenseless; especially when your allies need you most.'
'If I train hard enough, I'll be able to fight even when I can't move? Can I really get that strong?', Kid Ein spoke ponderously.
'Of course! You're a Zyklon after all and my daughter. I know you can.', Ein's mother assures with a confident grin.
'Is it anything like the training you and Papa do?', Kid Ein asks innocently.
'Wha?! N-No, of course not! That's different! Very, very different!', Ein mother stuttered while blushing deeply.
'But Mama Yū Jin says papa always tires you out during sessions."
'Oh she did, did she?', Ein mother growls clenching her fist in annoyance then clears her throat, 'Please ignore her sweety, I'll deal with her later. We still have our training session to complete.'
Kid Ein nods giving an excited smile.
...Present...
Ein stood still unable to move a single muscle watching as the large tigress removes the last of the spike in her other arm. Ranka, letting the blood coagulate in that arms, reaches down to remove the spike in her calves.
'That's right. I'm the strongest of the trio. I carry my sister's on my shoulders. I'm both weapon and stronghold.', Ein spoke internally closing her eyes. She doing synchronized breathing matching her heart rate and focuses her mind and chi on one clear objective; inscribing it deep within her spirit.
"Eeeragh...phew, last one.", Ranka expressed removing the last spike from her leg. Her healing factor kicked enough that her arms were now fully. She stumbles over to the Karmaitachi as her back legs with still healing.
The Jinko gets closer until she was standing a foot in front of the Karmaitachi. She stared down the Karmaitachi female inquisitively seeing her eyes were closed.
'Hmm, her eyes are closed. Once anyone hear my roar, they're incapable of moving let alone fighting for a while. Maybe this is her way of resigning herself to her fate. I suppose my resolve was stronger in the end after all. I'll make this quick.', Ranka thought to herself before brandishing her claws. Her muscles tighten until her entire arm was bulging out becoming twice it's size.
"You were a fierce opponent. Now goodbye.", Ranka acknowledged before swinging her massive arm about to reduce the weasel head to ribbons.
Suddenly, Ein vanishes much to the Jinko's shock until she notices the weasel ducked beneath her with a railroad spike in hand.
'That's... impossible! She shouldn't be able to move! Was she pretending?! No! Her eyes are closed but her movements are still precise. Is she even conscious?!', Ranka expressed internally then notices where the Karmaitachi was aiming, "Damn! I can't stop my attack in time! She's going for my-"
Ein cuts her off stabbing the Jinko right in the kidney.
Ranka grits her teeth, "Not gonna happen!"
The muscles in the Jinko's abdominal area tighten immensely stopping the spike in it's tracks. Ranka felt at ease for a second but then...
Ein generates a swirling veils of pressurized air around the spike causing it to rotates like a high velocity drill. Blood flies in Ein's body from the wound as Ranka growls in anguish about the knock the Karmaitachi away. Ein immediately creates a small concentrated ball of pressurized air at the base of the rotating nail.
'Hurricane style: Power Drill!', Ein internally shouted firing off the spike with a loud booming sound as it blast clear through the both the Jinko's kidneys leaving a gaping hole in her side.
"Bwahh!", Ranka coughs up a large amount of blood writhing in agony as more blood gushed out of her open wound.
Ein wasn't done and thrusts a second rotating spike right into her abs then firing this one off destroying her entire midsection. Ranka's entire torso fall to the ground as her study legs simply remain standing upright.
Ranka, lying on the ground quickly bleeding out vision becoming blurry, looks up at the Karmaitachi. Ein turns to the Jinko, hey eyes open as the affects of the paralysis slowly fades.
*Cough...h...hehe..not...bad. You...got me...dead center.", Ranka smirks with a chuckled feeling immense pain as blood pooled around her. Her bottom half still stood like fur converted tree trunks.
Sidenote: Tiger legs are so sturdy, the animal can remain standing...even when they're dead.
"You seem awfully humourous for someone who's dying.", Ein spoke.
"I'm just...cough...relieved. I can die...at the hands of...a true warrior. In my current...line of work... that's a...rare circumstance. I have a few regrets...but nothing truly worth mentioning.", Ranka utters finding it harder to breath as Ein stares at her contemplatively, "I think...I understand why I spared... that sister of yours."
"What?!", Ein expressed in surprise.
"I saw...the pride...of a warrior in those eyes. Same...as you. She's...still alive...I bet my life on it. Not that it's worth much."
Ein stares morosely at her opponent feeling sense of respect almost kinship with the tiger woman.
"Nikami! My time...is over.", Ranka shouted out looking upwards, "It's...cough...up to you now. I'll be...watching you..."
Ein's was taken aback wondering what she meant. She then looks up and, to her shock, sees a small floating ball of bluish-white flame. She then look back at the now dead Jinko as the flame slowly vanished.
...
"RANKA-SAMAAAA!", Nikami shouts in despair, tears flowing down her face soaking the paper talisman on her eye. She sobs cradling her head in the bathtub at the loss of her dear friend and teacher.
She digs her claws in her knees then looks up with a tearful scowl if anger.
"Ranka-sama...you were right...", Nikami uttered standing up and stepping out of the bathtub. She notices herself in the mirror seeing her pitiful reflection. She wipes away her tears and stares at her own reflection, "If I truly wish to grow...I need to cast aside my doubts. I can't hesitate anymore."
Nikami presses her hands to the wall staring intensely at her own reflection. Her golden eyes beginning the glow with unwavering determination, "I must fight. Fight! FIGHT! FIGHT!"
She steps out of the bathroom going up to the unconscious man lying on the floor, "I understand your resolve now Ranka-sama, to see our mission through until the end. We'll let no one stand in our way."
Nikami squats down next to the unconscious man holding her hand fingers straight, claws pointed like a dagger, "We're assassins after all. Once we've chosen our prey, they MUST die."
She swipes her hand with quick precision slicing open the man's neck as it gushes out blood. His eyes shot open gagging out more blood splatter upon her face. His vision slowly fades gazing upon the stone cold golden eyes of the Inari. Within seconds, the man dies of blood loss. Nikami exhales slowly.
"Haaaa...that was the first time I've ever killed someone. It wasn't nearly as scary as I thought it'd be.", Nikami expressed before licking some of the blood from her fingers.
Nikami stands up, her tail fanning out, feeling her resolve emerging deep within her heart.
"I'm through being the weak newbie. My new life as a deadly assassin for Lady Satella and the others starts now.", She vehemently spoke as her body becomes enveloped I'm shimmering golden aura. With a snap of her finger, a ball of bluish-white flame appears then quickly takes on golden glow with black core in the center.
"Caleb Bizzell, you, your little concubines, and especially you, mentor killing Karmaitachi, will all die by my hands! I'LL SHOW YOU ALL MY PRIDE AS A KILLER! FOR RANKA-SAMA!"