The flickering lights caused the already pressing matter tense for Marth and Cardigan, however the attacker didn't seem bothered at all. It was clear that this wasn't his first fight.
The attacker in white simply stood and waited. His mission isn't to attack anyone, personally he doesn't want to kill anyone. Blood on his hands would only make the authories want him and his team more than if no casualites happen.
"Marth, are you able to do it?" Cardigan asked, keeping her eyes on their attacker or rather the defender.
"The best I can do is launch fireballs and create weak barriers, it would be easier if you carry this on you." Marth said as she tossed a small gem that Apollo had given her before she left.
"That's good, just provide the best support we can. While I'm distracting him you will move past him. Our job is to find Closure and Warfraim, not to defeat him." Cardigan said.
The two of them got ready as the man in white simply stood there keeping an eye on his watch more than the two girls.
"Now."
Cardigan said as she rushed towards the man in white. She threw a fake attack to her left. The man in white raised arm to guard against the attack, but Cardigan changed her target from his side to his legs. She got low to the ground and tried sweeping his legs.
The man in white quickly widened his stance causing the sweep to fail, he raised his hand to counter attack. As he launched his attack at Cardigan his fist was stopped when a slightly clouded circle appeared in front of him tanking the attack. This bought Cardigan enough time to create some distance between the two.
The barrier quickly crumbled away like broken glass. He looked up to see Marth with her hand out as a similar glow to the barrier.
"Nice thinking kid, fast and sturdy. That's the type of arts anyone would want on a team." The man in white said as he shook his hand.
The man in white didn't press the attack on Cardigan who likely would have been an easy target. To both Marth and Cardigan it was clear that the man in white wasn't fighting to kill, rather he was defending.
"I'm sorry but I would rather not fight at all right now." The man in white said.
Cardigan moved back until she was at Marth's side.
"Marth, do you have a way to block his vision? That's likely the only way we are able to get past him?"
"I don't but I could shoot some fireballs to kick up some dust." She said.
Marth did a quick inventory check to see if another item Apollo provided her was on her. As she searched her person another gem stone was in her hand. The gem was small with her palm being more than double its width and height.
She was told that when her back was pushed against the wall and nothing else seemed to work then put as much mana into this gem as she could. It would give her a fighting chance.
Marth's mind quickly ran through all the possible futures that could happen. At best she wouldn't need to use the gem and would succeed, however at worst is everyone dying because of her stubbornness to do what was needed.
"Cardigan, can you buy me some time?" She asked..
Cardigan looked into Marth's to see her hardened expression, seeing that Marth has a plan. "I'm not sure how long however, but I can try."
"Perfect, she makes sure he isn't focusing on me."
Cardigan, understanding what she needs to do, charged at the man in white again.
Marth focused on the gem as a warning Apollo gave about the gem rang in her mind.
"Marth. understand that while you are trying to change you are still mentally and emotionally valuable. I'm not sure if you can handle the backlash of the gem because I can say with confidence that you will not be the same."
The effects of Apollo's words weighed heavy on Marth's mind not knowing how this gem will change her. She steeled her resolve as she poured her mana into the gem, the constant absorption and releasing of mana for an extended period of time was abnormal to her.
Within a few moments the teal gem started to glow a soft light of the same color. As the gem got brighter Marth's mind started to fog, the world around her started to lose color as.
Before she knew it the dry building that held some of the greatest minds in the world was replaced with a white wasteland. The blizzard dominated her vision, with the only thing breaking up this white world being the gray and black pieces of rubble.
"Where am I?" Marth asked herself.
As Marth asked herself that question a rhythmic metallic sound could be heard. She couldn't tell where it was coming from as it sounded like it was coming from within Marth's head.
"Welcome to your insides."
Unlike the metallic sound Marth was able to find the source of the voice. Up top a burning building stood an armored individual. the only sense of warmth could possibly come from here. Marth could swear that it wasn't there a moment ago.
"I swear you think a lot, that is commonly seen as a good thing but too much thinking can drag the mind and soul down." The armored one said.
The armored one's mask muffled their voice to such an extent to where she could even tell the one's age or gender. Marth remained on guard.
"Staying guard eh, that's good. This distrustful attitude is smart to stay alive but I'm wasting too much time." The armored one said.
Marth suddenly felt a wet feeling on her leg, she looked down to both water and snow creep up her body. First it was her foot, then her leg and within moments it was up to her neck. Marth struggled and struggled but to no success as the snow kept rising.
"Since this is our first time meeting, I won't do too much. You have my word on that." The armored one said.
Marth tried to shout but the snow covered her mouth. Who are you? Why are you here? Why am I here? These questions repeated in Marth's mind.
"I'm hurt that you don't even know my own name. Don't worry you'll find out in time, but I'm not going to tell you. That job falls on you." The armored one said.
That was the last thing she said as Marth lost consciousness, lost in her mind.
As Cardigan fought against the man in white even though he was on the defensive Cardigan always felt that she was on the back heel. Every attack she threw was perfectly countered and meant with a slightly lesser attack . She counted herself lucky that when he said that he is deafening, he meant that to a 'T'. If he really tried then Cardigan believed she would be killed many times over.
Cardigan, hoping she bought enough time, turned to see Marth just standing there. Her eyes were empty, lacking in the sense of light she carried throughout the whole trip. Cardigan was able to see a slight glow coming from Marth's hand as they were both drooping on her side.
As if she was being pulled by a string Marth's hand moved slowly yet unnaturally. While Cardigan wouldn't claim that she knew everything about Marth she knew that the shy quiet aura around her wasn't there. In place of it was a cold dark aura that Cardigan could almost see.
First it was her hands, then her legs, then her whole body.
"For being inside her for a while moving in her body feels odd."
Cardigan watched Marth as she stretched her body.
"Ah it's nice to see you Cardigan. Seeing the world through Marth's eyes is interesting but sometimes wanting to do things on your own is more fun."
Cardigan's suspicions were correct as whoever or whatever was in Marth's body wasn't the person she knew.
"I'll make this quick."
The one in Marth's body raised her hand. Out from the hand came a magic circle, then another one a few millimeters in front of it. Before Cardigan was able to blink a small object launched from Marth's hand, the magic circles shattered like glass as the object broke through them.
The man in white's brain couldn't register what was happening, yet his body moved from instinct. His body knew that the object wasn't aiming from a vital spot, only his arm. Yet he knew that if that attack connected that it was very possible his arm would have blown off.
"Get moving Cardigan, we're trying to find Closure and the others. No time to waste is there?"
While Cardigan couldn't argue with the woman, she didn't know if this new person was an ally or not.
"Screw it, this will be easier. I hope this body can keep up with it."
'Marth' appeared in front of Cardigan faster than she could react. 'Marth' picked her up and looked toward her destination, the hallway past the man in white. 'Marth' channeled mana into her legs, enforcing it. Enforcing the body wasn't something Marth attempted before yet 'Marth' was able to do it with some issues.
The man in white understood what they were planning to do. "Sorry. However I can't let you two pass. I have my orders, I do hope you don't hate me for that." He said.
As the man in white focused and understood that more force was needed he went into a stance he was all too familiar with. Something that if the world betrays him then can always count on this stance to tank any storm.
'Marth' understanding what needs to be done cleared the 25 meter gap between the two in merely three steps. Appearing before the man in white within a fraction of time than anyone would expect he tried sweeping out 'Marth's' legs. She responded by jumping over them.
The man in white quickly transitioned into a normal high kick since 'Marth' can't move in the air. 'Marth' stuck her hand out as the kick collided with a barrier 'Marth' put up. Upon reaching the ground 'Marth' used her speed to dash past the man.
She didn't stop as she continued to dash down the hall quickly being out of reach.
Understanding that he wouldn't be able to keep up with them. He pulled out a small device, after some fiddling he found the connection he was looking for.
"Hey Boss, a pair of kids got past me. They aren't strong just incredibly fast." He said.
Static filled the area before it was replaced with a woman's voice. "I swear Simon. You had one job and it's something you are good at. Whatever, if they are just fast kids then we should be fine. Just make sure no else gets past you or else I'm cutting your pay for the next three missions. Understood?"
"Loud and clear." He replied before putting the device away.
"Wahh!" Cardigan hung onto 'Marth' for dear life as she could feel the wind hitting her. "Who are you and what did you do to Marth?" Cardigan asked with aggression very clear in her voice.
Before 'Marth' could answer a familiar group of people rounded the corner.
"Marth! Cardigan! I'm so glad you two are ok."
Melantha rushed towards them, while feeling overwhelming joy at her two teammates being safe she quickly noticed something was off. Especially with 'Marth'.
"So everyone is here. Rhodes Island and Alyssa are all together, perfect. Makes this easier." 'Marth' said as she let go of Cardigan.
"So who are you?" Cardigan asked, standing side to side with Melantha.
"What do you mean, is something wrong with Marth?" Alyssa asked as she looked over Marth. "She looks like she usually does." She added.
"No, that isn't Marth. She doesn't feel like Marth," Melantha said.
"Correct you are. All I'm going to say is that Marth was needed help so I came and solved the issue. It's not my fault she was so weak and incompetent to handle her own issues." 'Marth' said with a condensing voice.
"So where is Marth then?"
This time Warfarin stepped up.
"She's currently asleep, but don't worry she will be awake very soon so I'll leave when she's up." 'Marth' explained.
"Now the question is who or what are you?" Warfarin asked.
'Marth' placed her hand on her chin.
"You're right, I do need a name. Frankly I don't want to give my real one since Marth needs to figure that out on her own."
The group waited in silence, the only thing rhythmic breaking the silence are the alarms.
"Ok then, you can call me Yuki."