Capitulum 2 – Red Mist and Darkness 1
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As we continued down the path, going past many thick and intimidating trees, we came across a small opening, finding ourselves in a clearing.
Ryōshū: „Ha, nothing beats a good SOBITA."
Sinclair: „U-Uh, I don't think I would like to have the smell of blood in the air… Besides, the sky being this… reddish… isn't normal."
Ishmael: „Yeah, I know the Great Lake can have such a colour, but the sky is a first."
As we entered the clearing, we could clearly see the sky above us. Well… that's what we should be able to see, however…
Dante: Uh… I don't think this is a good sign…
Outis: „Excellent observation, Executive Manager. This sight does indeed not raise the spirits of anyone. Besides… "
Gregor: „…This looks a lot like… during the Smoke War, doesn't it?"
Outis: „Agreed. Yet, it isn't quite it."
Heathcliff: „Yeah, that's no smoke."
I turned to look at Heathcliff.
He was looking up into the reddish sky, as if trying to look past whatever it was.
I tried to gaze at what he was trying to see, yet couldn't find anything.
Gregor: „Mhm. Certainly not wrong, still… huh?"
Rodion: „Ah! Dante! Ya know, I would look around us!"
Taking the words Rodya uttered as advice, I did as she said and-
Hong Lu: „Whoa! It looks like the reddish sky came to greet us down here too~"
Dante: So, uh, Faust… What is this red fog?
Faust: „Although Faust can't fully confirm whether inhalation could serve as a harmful action, Faust can say with certainty that this isn't fog, but mi-"
Don Quixote: „M-M-M-M-M-MI-MI-MI-MIST!?"
We all had a different, but similar, reaction to Don Quixote suddenly screaming aloud.
It was bewilderment.
How can this girl go from silent to suddenly causing hearing loss? I am thankful I don't have ears, for else I would have long gone deaf.
Don Quixote: „Could it be true!? Could thou suggest that this mist belongs to non-other than The Red Mist herself!? Ooooooooooooh! Perchance we arrived at a world where one is able to meet her in person!? Thy know naught how much joy I feel at the moment! Manager Esquire! We shan't waste our time! Let's gallop on!"
Don Quixote was about to scurry away before I even managed to register what she was saying.
Meursault: „Non. This mist has no confirmation to belong to the former red coloured fixer. The mist is of a different composition unlike the one which was said to be of the bloody remains, turned mist, of foes who have been felled. Therefore, this mist does not belong to The Red Mist."
…Until Meursault grabbed her by the collar and held her in place.
It took Meursault to finish speaking before Don Quixote halted her movement, which did nothing else but kick up a dust cloud.
Gregor: „Well, whatever, as long as it won't kill us like that gas back in the L Corp. facility in District 4, we should be fine, eh?"
Sinclair: „W-What if more of those fairies show up? Could this have an effect on them?"
Rodion: "Ooh! Ya think there could be a source where this is coming from? An Abnormality or… Ah, maybe another Distortion? Whaddya think, Fau?
Faust: „Faust cannot deny that possibility."
Faust then turned to me.
Faust „Dante, I suggest we find the source of this mist."
Dante: Yeah, I was thinking the same thing.
Outis: „Good thinking, Executive Manager. Perhaps those behind it could have valuable intel for us."
Ishmael: „Or maybe a way out for us."
Heathcliff: „Uhh… Oi, lass, you seeing this?"
The topic ended when Heathcliff, who was standing next to the now calmed down Don Quixote, spoke up.
Don Quixote: „Verily, Sir Heathcliff! Doth speaks about that black sphere heading our way, are thou not?"
Looking up at where Don Quixote was pointing, I could spot a black dot above in the reddish sky, slowly growing in size as it was moving in our direction.
Dante: What is that?
Gregor: „Probably bad news, as by how things usually go for us…"
Dante: Well, I guess we wait to find out?
Meursault: „ETA is 20 seconds."
Outis: „Executive Manager, please take cover behind me. I will deal with the intruder swiftly."
Dante: Hang on Outis, we don't even know what it might be. Maybe its friendly?
Heathcliff: „Where the fairy lookin' punks friendly, Clockhead?"
I didn't bother responding, not that Heathcliff was wrong, but because the strange dark sphere… ball? Whatever it was, arrived and landed almost in front of us.
Yi Sang: „Hm. What an utmost peculiar observation. It is as if looking into sheer nothingness. A mirror without a reflection."
?: „Is that so?"
Dante: …!
Out of nowhere, we heard a voice coming from the dark ball. It sounded like a young girl.
Ishmael: „Huh? What is this? Is there someone inside this ball thing?"
Outis: „Halt! You! Identify yourself! Who and what are you!?"
Outis cared little about safety, and immediately took a step forward with her weapon pointed, demanding answers.
?: „Hehe! Okay!"
Suddenly, the dark ball surrounding the source of the voice began to fade, before disappearing all together.
Rumia: „I am Rumia! Youkai of the Dusk!"
We were left starring at what appeared to be a short girl with bright blond hair and red eyes, wearing mostly black and white clothes with a red tie of sorts. In addition, there was a ribbon in her hair…
No, actually, I felt a strange sensation from that ribbon.
It seemed to hold a strong power in it.
…Was it actually a sealing talisman of sorts? Like those that the "So That No One Will Cry" Abnormality has attached on itself?
I recall the Sinners re-attaching the talismans onto the Abnormality to weaken it. It was a necessary action, as otherwise we would face a fairly harsh pummelling.
At least, that was the case in the Refraction Railway.
In any case, I felt like removing that talisman on her would bring nothing but trouble.
Rodion: „Huh? A lil kiddo?"
Heathcliff: „Pff, what a joke. Hey! Kid!"
Heathcliff's shout brought my attention back to the ongoing situation.
Heathcliff walked up to the girl, who introduced herself as Rumia, who only slightly tilted her head to the side, looking directly at Heathcliff with a curious and innocent looking smile.
For some reason, she held her arms outstretched to her sides. It looked… kinda silly, honestly.
Ishmael: „Hey, Heathcliff. Make sure not to look too grumpy, or else you might make her cry."
Rodion: „Yeah, Heath~! Would it kill ya to not give someone new the stare of "I'm gonna hit you with my bat" for once?"
Heathcliff: „Tsk, what's your problem ya birds? Making me look like a fool…"
Rumia: „Mister, are you a human?"
Dumbfounded, Heathcliff looked back from Ishmael and Rodya to stare at "Rumia".
Heathcliff: „What? What kinda question is that? Oi, kid, ya hit your noggin on a tree or something?"
Faust: „Dante."
I turn slightly to my side to see Faust, who stares in the direction of Heathcliff and Rumia, yet not directly at them.
Dante: Yes?
Faust: „Faust would like to remind you, that this girl, has without a second of doubt, flown down to us in a black orb."
Dante: …
Oh.
I guess the surprise that it was just a girl made me and probably most of the Sinners forget that this probably isn't just a "girl" at all.
Which means…
Rumia: „Oh! Then… May I eat you?"
Heathcliff: „Huh? What the bloody hell you on about? You bonkers?"
Faust: „Heathcliff. Faust advises to not provoke the individual and slowly take steps back."
Heathcliff: „Why? Think me 'fraid of a little bird like her? Just cause she got the knackers don't mean shite."
Dante: Faust, do you know what she is? Is she some sort of monster? Because she definitely isn't an Abnormality or Distortion.
Yi Sang: „She had already stated of what origin she is. Has she not? "Youkai", I recollect."
Faust: „Yes. She is a Youkai."
Dante: …Sorry, was that meant to be obvious, or…?
Faust: „Youkai is a term to refer to "Apparitions" or "Supernatural" and such instances alike."
Apparitions and supernatural? Now that doesn't sound good at all!
Faust: „Although, the word itself has mostly ceased usage. New words and definitions taking up its place, the word can still be found used in a certain District and some organizations may still use it from time to time if need be."
…Wait, doesn't that mean…!
Dante: Heathcliff! Get away from her! Now!
Heathcliff: „Huh? Oi, Clockhead, w-"
Rumia: „Gochisousamadeshita!"
*CHOMP*
…
Dante: …
Faust: „…"
Gregor: „…?"
Outis: „…"
Heathcliff: „…"
Ishmael: „Uhh… Heathcliff? You… alright?"
Heathcliff: „GHAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!"
Heathcliff suddenly roared and then-
Heathcliff: „GET IT OFF ME! GET IT OFF ME!"
Heathcliff started to spin around, swinging Rumia who bit into his hand, around with him as well.
If this was a comedy gig of sorts, it would be hilarious.
Unfortunately, this wasn't.
Sinclair: „A-Ah! Mr. Heathcliff! Please wait! We can't help you if you keep spinning around!"
Don Quixote: „You villain! I understand hunger might overwhelm one, but dost thou not know biting people for no reason is nothing short of villainous!?"
Ryōshū: „Stand still. I'll slice it off."
Heathcliff: „NO! Don't you dare try anything! Now… Get off!"
Heathcliff stopped spinning and…
*THUD*
…Started smashing her against the ground in an attempt to force her to let go.
*THUD*
Heathcliff: „Bloody prick!"
Outis: „Such a pathetic display. I shall handle it the same way I handled the chicken incident."
A memory of a similar situation came to mind.
How come Heathcliff always gets the worst of it all?
Outis was quick to calculate the moment to grab Rumia under her arms, before.
Outis: „Pull!"
Heathcliff: „Wha!? No, you crazy hag!"
Not listening to Heathcliff's desperate pleas, Outis pulled with all her might.
Heathcliff: „ARGHAAAAAAAA!"
*plop*
Heathcliff: „Haaa… I'm going to… fucking kill you…"
I wasn't sure who Heathcliff was addressing exactly, but knowing him, probably both Outis and Rumia.
Heathcliff's arm was severely damaged. It was bleeding heavily.
The bite marks on it were the biggest cause of the damage.
One good look could easily tell that those bite marks were left by something akin to a beast rather than human. Only further pushing the point that this Rumia girl, was something a human shouldn't mess with.
Unfortunately…
Rumia: „Ow. How mean!"
Outis: „…!"
*TING*
Outis blocked a bullet like projectile Rumia shot at her.
Huh, so she can shoot those things like those fairies, huh? Great…
Faust: „It would be for the best if you turn the clock for Heathcliff and prepare for battle, Dante."
Dante: Yeah, I honestly don't know how I didn't see this coming.
Gregor: „Somethings just don't change, huh, Manager bud…"
With that, the Sinners got ready for battle.
-Battle Start-
Dante: I know it's the same tired old face for you… but here I am.
I once more ordered the Sinners to take their positions before the battle truly started.
-PROELIUM FATALE-
-LASCIATE OGNI SPERANZA, VOI CH'ENTRATE-
Dante: My clock isn't a magic cure-all for your problems… Don't just charge in all willy nilly, okay?
Analysing our one sole opponent, I had the feeling this wasn't going to be some push over.
She seemed to plan to attack with close range strikes at the Sinners.
Giving my orders, I hoped that the Sinners would be able to handle her without too much issues.
What!? She is clashing the Sinners weapons with her hands! No, wait! I think I can see sharp claws from her hands! How durable are they to cause sparks to fly from a clash!?
Ah! Yi Sang and Faust got staggered!
Dante: Oh no, you're in for a nasty beating…
The other Sinners mostly suffered, too. Taking a few nasty attacks.
But not all was for naught, Heathcliff managed to push through!
…ineffective!?
Dante: That's a shame. Our attack didn't seem to land that well.
The last Sinner who was still going for an attack also failed to deal any significant damage to her.
Dante: The enemy will win at this rate. When that happens, I'll have to turn my clock again.
This is bad! If my gut feeling is right, I fear all physical damage done to her won't be very effective!
Well, if that really is the case, maybe a certain sin affinity is able to cause some harm?
Sending out the Sinners for the second round, I patiently observed the outcome.
It was fortunate that Rumia was planning to evade more than go on the offensive this time.
The staggered Sinners will be able to be back in shape as a result.
The Sinners managed to win their clashes, but only two managed to hit as Rumia managed to dodge the first Sinners attacks.
Unfortunately, it seems I was right. Slash, Pierce, Blunt… it didn't matter. Rumia wasn't bothered by it in the slightest.
And yet…
Rumia: "Ugh…!"
Aha! It seems she is weak to Gluttony!
Dante: Looks like that Sin was rather effective. We've got this.
And with that, the Sinners were preparing for another round of clashes and strikes.
Hm? Uh oh. That doesn't look good…
The area around Rumia seems to have gotten darker.
Combined with that red mist, which is still an active unknown threat, and Rumia being able to apparently manipulate darkness itself, things started looking bleak.
After all… how can you hit something you cannot see?
Rumia seems to be planning to use her darkness against us with that idea in mind.
I tried my best to come up with a working strategy for the Sinners, but I could tell they would struggle.
I guess it's time to use some E.G.O's!
Sinclair should be able to win the clash with it and deal some good damage.
Unfortunately, didn't have quite enough resources for a Fluid Sac from Faust. Oh well…
As the Sinners charge in, I suddenly feel dread.
I noticed that Rumia created her black ball around her once more as she stood there, wating for the Sinners to run at her.
Could this perhaps give her the upper hand?
It made me realize that there was a possibility that Sinclair could fail to win the clash, despite the odds being low.
I hoped firmly that Sinclair would come out on top.
…!
Sinclair…! You were supposed to win the clash!
It all came crashing down.
Rumia swiped Sinclair with her claws and he died right after he got staggered by the first hit.
…With Rodya soon after, as she too, failed her clash.
Dante: A Sinner just died. I can bring them back later, at least...
The rest of the Sinners were in a rough spot.
We didn't even manage to hit our opponent!
Just how did this happen?!
Hmm…
Dante: Is it just me, or… is something sinister approaching?
"She simply cannot be seen while in her sphere of darkness… But what if we could use that against her?"
Oh! Could it be that, while we can't see her, she can't see us either?
She WAS being charged head on by the Sinners. She might have simply acted based on that knowledge alone. Could that also explain why she remained mostly stationary while hiding in her darkness?
What if I order a Sinner to try and trick her into charging at a Sinner instead?
I was quick to inform the Sinners to block, evade or counter this time.
…!
It seems to be the case!
Rumia just stood there, not moving a single step forward!
-Battle Check-
As Rumia stood there, slowly noticing the lack of action, we had an opportune moment to act and try something.
Perhaps we could force her to harm herself?
Wrath Advantage
Who will be able to trick Rumia?
Huh, I truly wonder who would be able to piss people off enough to force them to hurl themselves in a blind rage…
Dante: Heathcliff, try to make her angry!
…
…
…
Check Passed
Heathcliff ran in front of a large tree before shouting loud enough for Rumia to hear.
"So weak and pathetic! Can't even hit me!"
"Wha? How mean! Come here!"
That was enough to get Rumia's attention.
She flew right into the direction she last heard Heathcliff, while still in her ball of darkness.
Before she came into contact with Heathcliff, Heathcliff dodged out of the way.
*THUD*
"O-Oww…"
Rumia bumped right into the tree.
That alone seemed to have made her dispel the darkness surrounding her.
Perhaps the cost to control darkness comes with a price of not being the brightest?
Effects of [Darkness] expired
Rumia is staggered
Heathcliff gains 2 Haste until the end of battle
-Battle Check End-
Great! This gave us an advantage!
Telling all Sinners to try and do as much damage as possible, I observed the Sinners beat the living daylight out of Rumia… or would nightlight be more appropriate?
Regardless, Rumia took a hefty beating before the Sinners returned to their positions and Rumia shook her head to recall what just happened.
Rumia: „Grrr! Enough, you mean humans!"
That was when she suddenly flew high into the air, looking down on us.
Rumia: „Moon Sign "Moonlight Ray"!"
…!
Ishmael: „Dante, watch out!"
I wasn't even sure what I just witnessed.
Rumia, the girl now flying in the air, shot two laser beams of sorts along with several of these bullets at us.
Ishmael was quick to jump to my side and protect me with her shield, which took several hits.
At the end of the carnage, most of the Sinners laid dead. Decimated by the onslaught.
-Defeat-
I meekly looked up.
There, I saw Rumia looking at us with a smile.
Seemingly satisfied by us being reduced to a disorganized mess.
Was this it?
Was she going to eat all of us up?
I can turn the clock over and over again, but what is there to stop here from just doing that same attack again and again?
What if she realizes that she could force me to keep reviving the Sinners, just for her to eat them up, leaving only the head behind for me to revive it?
As I was thinking about the grim fate which might befall us, a sudden voice broke the painful silence.
?: „Out of the way!"
It wasn't anyone of us.
And Rumia was just about to say something, before the voice interrupted her.
Rumia: „Huh? W-"
*Pichuun*
An individual dressed in red and white threw several paper-like looking projectiles at Rumia, who promptly was send flying down to the ground, fast.
Rumia was out of our view, that one was for sure.
The individual who saved us landed in front of me and the remaining Sinners who somehow survived, albeit with severe damage.
?: „You. Do you know who is behind this red mist?"
It was a girl, wearing red and white robes.
She looked rather annoyed.
As if a single bad movement from us could lead to us receiving the same treatment Rumia did.
…
…
Just where the hell are we?