The sounds of Nishi's boots resonated with a fierce beat, betraying the woman's pace as she headed back to the room where Hikari and Alsanna had been left. Whistling to catch the attention of her students, Nishi would speak up with a stern tone.
"We are going further. Prepare for the darkness. Well, Yuyuko," Nishi threw a sideways look at the chuunin,
"you take this torch. I will light another. Hikari and Alsanna, round up your work."
Handing the torch she had lit before was passed to Takeda. Crouching as she placed her bag on the ground, Nishi worked immediately to light another torch. Hoisting the bag on her back again, Nishi threw a look at the handiwork that was on the ground. The corpses that had been cut open and limbs being sliced off did little to upset Nishi's stomach.
"Anything that I need to know?" Nishi asked, her gaze shifting to the medical operative on the team,
"Because if you found anything weird, you are in for another treat down there," the jounin grimly added, pointing to the direction she and Yuyuko came from with her left thumb.
A sense of something suffocating started to roll into the area. The suffocating feeling started to instill a sense of dread and cold, that radiated a certain malice that couldn't be shaken off. Breathing would become much harder as the tangible tension would seek to hold the individuals from team Nishi in their current places.
Hikari finishing her trap would receive the brunt of this sudden shift in the air. The intensity was enough to keep her in one place, the fear refusing to let her do much else beyond breathing and moving her eyesight - as the rest of her body seemed to be frozen and held in a nervous suspense.
A faint sound started, heralding from Hikari's left side. The sound was followed by a mistbank, sweeping and creeping towards the girl. The slow paced sound came again, metal and leather creaking. Each step it repeated itself as the mist thickened.
But it wouldn't thicken enough to mask the presence of something approaching the girl. An individual donned in blackened gear. The design of the protective ornaments being dark, near obsidian, and looking vastly different from anything the Jirian chuunin had seen. Slowly, the individual approached Hikari, the sensation of suffocation and paralyzation becoming stronger.
Reaching the chuunin, a soft femine voice could be heard.
"Tsk, tsk," crouching next to Hikari, the figure would raise a hand - encased in the dreadful black armor - towards its helmet. Lifting the visor that seemed to resemble something warped and twisted, bearing a resemblance to a nightmarish creature that seemed to suffer agony, a pale face stared at Hikari. The smooth complexion seemed to indicate that the armored figure couldn't be older than perhaps twenty. Her lips were blood-red, even providing a sharper contrast alongside the paleness.
The eyes squinted, the expression shifting towards curiosity. Gently, the figure tapped Hikari's shoulder. A smile started to creep on the unknown individual's lips, a certain malice flowing before Hikari's body would start to revolt. A surge of incredible pain moving through with a rapid speed, the intensity bearing the likely intent of shattering her mind.
"Tag, you're it."
Yuyuko on her part did what she could to keep up with Nishi as the two continued investigating the area, the chunin being alert enough to quickly pick up the torch from Nishi as she kept pace. Soon after meeting up with the others, the Chunin keeping one hand on the torch and the other on Fuurai as they left, soon after finding the others and relaxed,preparing to move only to feel the choking sensation as her grip tightened around Fuurai, trying despite the pressure on her head as she tried to discern what was going on, trying to find their attacker. "
Sensei… Hikari… Alsanna… anyone, do you… see… anything?" she croaked weakly, looking around worriedly, as best as she could.
Waiting on the branch, the sensation that came over Hikari at first simply made her freeze. Something wasn't right, and her entire body was refusing to listen to her. As a figure approached, making creaking metal noises, Hikari turned her gaze, the only thing she could still move, to observe the armored figure. It was far from anything she expected to see.
Then the pain came. It caused Hikari to lose her balance on the branch and fall down to the ground, landing on her right arm as she seemed to be incapable of controlling the movements of her own body. And yet, she barely felt the pain from her newfound injured arm, as the pain that kept surging through her was overwhelming anything else. As her eyes started tearing from the intense pain, she tried to look in the direction of the library, only she was with her back to it now. As it felt like the pain was intensifying further, she opened her mouth and let out what was probably the loudest scream she ever screamed. She couldn't think of anything. All she wanted was for the pain to stop.
On Alsanna's side, the cadaver investigation went smoothly with the owl-girl holding the torch just far enough to let a dim light illuminate her working space. Hikari had done as she was told and soon after Nishi had returned with Yuyuko to the library's main entrance. A quick glance was conferred to the duo before it dropped back to the task at hand. The bugs she had put into the bowl sought to flee it all the more, growing more agitated despite fatigue the longer they were inside. She didn't answer Nishi right away, taking her time to stand, removing her surgical mask and gloves, and giving a final passing glance to her work station.
"
Riveting. But, yes, a few things of note. Notably, as you can see they lack s-" as she was about to summarize her findings like it was clockwork, she'd feel it too. The bird-girl did first, in a way, as would most creatures that could sense just how foul such a presence had to be to do this to the corpses. Alsanna froze, her eyes widened just a tad with her pupils shifting about as if she were paranoid over something. It got a little colder. Then came the blood curdling scream, one only comparable to those in agonizing hospice care in the medical tents. Even Alsanna grew a little paler to that sound, with her hairs extending out and her stomach turning for the first time in a long time. No longer was she paralyzed, as her head swiftly turned to the exit.
The medic wordlessly trotted out of the building, her parasol already conjured and her guard raised. The nearby cyto-clone followed in tow while the owl stayed inside, "
Shit." she cursed under her breath upon seeing Hikari, "
Should actually watch y-" her first deduction was fallacious as best, assuming she had fallen and gotten hurt, but it obviously made little to no sense. Eyebrows furrowed, with a light step taken backwards before she'd form a single hand sign while keeping her weapon on hand. Her ability to glance into one's being, get a glimpse of their physical characteristics, internal and external, via a small and barely noticeable shockwave was the course she took. And there she could already correlate the current phenomenon with a finding. Hikari's chakra lines were being unnaturally tugged and stressed, and this effect reverberated throughout her body in a way that almost looked like some form of epilepsy. But her brain was fine. Her nerves, while certainly flaring, were overall fine. Her organs were fine. That wound was not causing this cry of agony. It kept Alsanna unnervingly quiet.
For a brief moment she was just there, attempting to assess the situation. Of course, before anyone else could get close to the suffering blonde, she'd call out "
Don't touch her." she ordered, her idle hand emphasizing the order, "
Keep her still, but do not touch her." the initial shock had given way to an adamant focus, as a senbon from her back pouch was drawn, and her Juinjutsu-brand of purple-like aura coated it. She was going to hurl the need into Hikari's calf, attempt to make her with a Cyto-clone, and see just what horrid thing would come out of it, if anything at all.
Nishi awaited the report of Alsanna. But when the shift came out of nowhere, Nishi's eyes widened and her lips slightly parted. Only for her body to freeze as the developments seemed to prevent her from doing anything. Near immediately did Nishi attempt to twist her head as she wanted to throw a look from the direction they came from.
Then Hikari's scream pierced the air as the hair on the back of Nishi's neck rose. Without wasting a breath, the jounin moved the mere moment she felt the odd suffocation ebb away.
Allowing Alsanna to move out first, Nishi waited and then proceeded to leave the cave. Wary of an ambush and judging how the corpses had been laid out on the ground, it was evident that the woman suspected multiple assailants to swoop down on them.
The fact that nobody or nothing came to attack them made Nishi immediately turn on her heels and jog towards the location of Hikari's screaming.
No word escaped Nishi's lips but her expression hardened upon seeing her pupil in pain. Only a subtle nod was returned as answer to Alsanna's instruction, despite both having their attention on the pained girl.
Pondering for a mere second, Nishi crouched as her hands shot together. Weaving the necessary signs to activate her chakra, Nishi focused intently on the respective technique. Finishing the streak of hand signs, the jounin placed the palm of her hand on the ground. Within two seconds of the motion, the ground around Hikari would slowly and almost gently start to wrap around the compulsing chuunin. Leaving clear openings within the strips of earth, Nishi spoke up.
"She never did this before." Nishi stated, only to remember something. Throwing a look at Yuyuko, Nishi continued.
"Takeda. Go back to the entrance, check if nothing comes out of the cave. If it does, alert us." The jounin stated, only to refocus her attention back on Hikari.
"Sshh," the femine voice sounded. The voice came from close but it was foggy for Hikari to locate the voice's origin.
"Don't resist. It will just become worse. Way worse, actually," a playful tone could be detected as it remained silent for Hikari. Only for the clicking of a tongue, the sound loaded with disappointment repeating itself thrice.
"How frustrating. I am just trying to work here with what I got." The voice seemed to be softer, as if the origin was mumbling. Only for a much sharper pain to go through Hikari.
"Stop fighting back, love. I am just trying to start something here." The words seemed disappointed, only for more flares of intense pain following - yet refusing to let Hikari sink in a blissful darkness.
While unable to hear what was going on 'outside', Hikari would be able to hear a soft humming from the femine voice.
Hikari couldn't register the arrival of Alsanna or Nishi. She didn't notice the earth that wrapped around her. All she felt was the pain, and heard the voice that spoke to her. That femine voice that seemed to have no origin.
Only humming came as Hikari's scream grew louder, the pain intensifying all around her body. She kept wanting to kick this pain, this voice out. But the pain was too overwhelming.
Nothing came of the senbon, and it even seemed like the internal pain completely trumped the stabbing caused by the needle. An easy deduction would be that the cursed chakra was drained before it could even take form, which left one wondering just how long Hikari would have before being drained like all the others. These unfortunate results prompted Alsanna to grit her teeth. She then gestured for the idle flesh-clone to go in and merely set its hands upon the ailing Hikari. Given it was actually fleshy, more so than a clone, perhaps it could lead to some insight as to how the process decomposed chakra.
"
I'm going to have to sedate her, if we can't find anything." she said, biting her lower lip, "
Nishi, can you turn her in any way to see if there's a mark on her? Anything." she threw a gaze to her superior, expressing her concern over the situation, before she reached for a bottle with purple fluid within from her messenger bag.
Moulding her chakra, Nishi would oblige to Alsanna's request. The strips of earth would gently attempt to move Hikari from one side to another. The trembling didn't make the work easy but Nishi managed.
"I can't see anything." Nishi remarked as she peered at Hikari, looking for any possible signs or marks. There was no point of entry for any wound either. No sign of blood flowing out of a cut or stab.
"Sedate her," Nishi instructed as she attempted to keep Hikari's body still without causing any possible damage.
As the events unfolded, Yuyuko could only look on in horror as she watched the events unfold, almost cursing her helplessness only to realise the effect that has previously plagued her is gone as Nishi gave out her instructions for Yuyuko. "
Right away Sensei."
The chunin says as she hurries to the entrance she and Nishi were at drawing Fuurai and readying it in one hand while holding the torch at the other ready to shout and attack if anything were to so much as show up from the cave,not sure what else she could do and praying that the others can help cure Hikari.
The humming halted, replaced by a heavy sigh.
"I can't work with this all going on." The voice spoke, though it was unsure if it was just thinking out loud or responding to Hikari's struggles.
"But I got what I need. You have been a real help, my dear," the voice became honeyed as it informed Hikari of a rapid change. The pain flowed away as a different pain surfaced.
On the branch where Hikari had been before, a small form started to come into existence. The form seemed to be in a gaseous form, with dark tints of purple and black being dominant. Within mere seconds from becoming visible, the small condensed form of gas would start to give form to a young woman. Her legs dangled from the edge as she sat on the branch. Her attire being similar to Hikari's, only sporting the darker tints of colors. Red lips curled up in a mischievous smile as the pale-complexion brought out the woman's lips and eyes. The dark eyes narrowed in delight as the young woman leaned slightly forwards.
"I tried to help her. But she seemed a bit clumsy," the mysterious woman informed Nishi and Alsanna, gesturing with a simple nod to Hikari. The accent of the woman was strange, betraying that Taika wasn't her first language.
"But how about we drop the hostilities and have a nice chat? Hm? Alsanna and Nishi?"
As the voice spoke some more, Hikari didn't quite understand what she was meaning. What was going on? All she felt was-
Within a moment, the voice spoke again, and seemed to vanish, and along with it the intense pain. Only to feel her right arm ache quite a bit, but it was nothing in comparison to the pain she just experienced. Noticing she can't move from the spot, she blinked a few times to get her vision to focus a bit more. She started to hear a voice speak from above, and glancing in the direction, Hikari managed to make out a figure sitting where she was before.
And the voice was exactly the same as she heard in her mind. Fixing her sight on the woman, Hikari called out
"What did you do?"
No marks, nothing. Things were getting desperate. Alsanna was just about ready to step in and be a little more hands-on despite the risks. But as she got closer, the parasitic entity opted to emerge from Hikari's body, going from amorphous to something tangible. And familiar. The medic stopped in her tracks and dedicated her attention to the shadowy entity. The initial surprise had worn off, as the dots were now connected and this creature was an oddly fitting piece to this disconcerting puzzle. Palpitating Murmurs revealed the nature of its body too, something even sorrier than the corpses it had supposedly left behind. Medically, this thing should be dead, and yet here it was.
Alsanna's right hand was still grasping her parasol's handle, while the other clenched the opposite tip. Her eyes were now half-lidded, hardly a squint, as she examined the monstrosity, "
It took a few things from you. Most notably, your great sense of style." sardonic as ever, her gaze did not relent from the threat, "
Don't let it get close to you, Nishi. Of all of us, you shouldn't be compromised." the medic then exhaled from her nose, before taking another deep breath, "
You know our names. If we're to have a chat," briefly, she'd peer down into her folded umbrella and nodding ever so subtly, "
you should tell us yours, first."
Locking her sight on the unknown entity, Nishi's lips formed a thin line on her features. The jounin remained silent as the first exchanges were swapped between them and the unknown entity. Rising from her crouched stance, Nishi whistled softly.
"I am aware. But it took Hikari by surprise, judging how things went here." Nishi spoke up, briefly ignoring the presence of the entity.
"A nice chat would be great. But is that all? I can't let people just come by and molest my subordinates. That would be quite the bad image if I let that slip by." Nishi replied. Her head tilted slightly to the side as her hands were placed on her hips.
"Perhaps if we come to an agreement, we can suspend the hostilities." Nishi continued, her tone awfully friendlier than usual.
"What I did," the unknown woman peered back at Hikari, the expression turning sour. Raising her index briefly, only to point it downwards to Hikari, the woman spoke further.
"Meeting a most unpleasant person. But it is alright." The stern and disappointing tone seemed to vanish as the woman directed her attention at Alsanna and Nishi.
"It is true. I should share my name. But you seem to know curses," the woman's left eyebrow perked up slightly.
"It isn't a wise thing to share the likes of names with an expert on curses. Or with someone that is quite good in murdering. And also seals." The woman turned her attention to Nishi, only to seem saddened suddenly.
"I do find it a shame. I wish I could learn more from my interaction with your rude pupil. Maybe I should pay a visit to her family. Just making sure that someone pays for this sort of rude behavior." The woman stated as she then flashed a warm smile.
"But alright, an exchange. What do you propose?"
As the chaos was ensuing, it took a good deal of yuyuko's fortitude and will power to ensure she would not look back due to the job she had to do, the worries of what is going on bouncing left and right like ping ping balls. However as things continued, much to Yuyuko relief,she heard Hikari's screams get softer as she relaxed slightly, taking a few glances back to see. After deciding and debating back and forth in her mind, Yuyuko relaxes slightly noting the entity and sheathed Fuurai in it's sheath and headed back cautiously watching as she whispered to Nishi. "
Nothing of note, Nishi sensei. I noted what was going on and came over to check" she said as she rests a hand on the hilt of Fuurai cautiously.
Hearing the voices of Alsanna and Nishi, Hikari turned to look at them briefly. So they were what that figure meant when she mentioned more going on. Seeing Nishi rise, the blonde chuunin felt that the earth restraints around her started giving in, letting her sit up slowly as she checked her aching arm.
Remaining still, Hikari's gaze moved to the figure
"If you poked so much around my head, then you probably figured by now that most things I know are useless." She said, keeping her sight on them
"So much speculation and barely anything concrete!"
Alsanna nodded, "
You're right, that'd be a bad idea," pursing her lips, something had brought the Chuunin to relent on her stance, passing her parasol over her shoulder while her idle hand met her hip, "
if you weren't a corpse. I'm not even sure you can be cursed. Or even hurt." she spoke as if she were thinking out loud, but her eyes were still completely focused on the odd being that it was clear she wanted to be heard, "
My, my would I love to see what makes you tick." she smiled.
With Yuyuko's arrival, Alsanna briefly moved her pupils to give the third wheel a passing glance before keeping her attention on what mattered. Slowly, the chuunin brought her hand to her own chest, conspicuously marking herself with the same curse she sought to mark the possessed Hikari with, "
But, yes, I am Alsanna. Enchanted." then came the little bow, just barely more than a courteous nod.
Nishi threw a sideways look at Yuyuko, just nodding as the current exchange was more pressing. What Alsanna brought up made Nishi slightly confused. A corpse? Then suddenly Nishi's eyes widened. The reports of various threatening entities had brought the similar description: walking corpses of some sort.
"You threw a senbon at it before. Or well, Hikari," Nishi said, her eyes narrowing.
"I want to try something. If anything, this is easily something I can't fight with ease. Best if we lure it somewhere with more space. Open space," the jounin informed the two chuunin near her with a softer voice.
"How about you inform us what you know about this place. Then we can share something we know with you. That sounds fair to establish a neutral start between us, doesn't it?" Nishi suggested, although beckoning Hikari to come over,
"So, what do you say?"
Once more the unknown woman threw a look at Hikari, not hiding her boredom with the girl.
"Really? You make it too easy. No challenge at all. But go, scurry to your leader. I will allow it, as a gesture of gratitude for allowing me to have a peek." Raising a hand to perform some dismissive waving at Hikari, the woman turned her gaze to the three other Jirians.
"What do I know about this place? Plenty. But I need to know something, to value how much I could tell you. If your little pet is correct, you are quite someone not to underestimate. Well, among other things. But I won't bring such thoughts to life."
Throwing a look at Alsanna, the woman started to smile.
"I like you. Alsanna," letting the name roll from her tongue, the tone radiating a certain amusement.
"Say, Alsanna," the woman leaned slightly forwards,
"I know a trade. I will tell you all what I know. If I can," a grin spread further on the woman's features as her gaze went to someone's sword.
"Have Takeda's sword! You see," straightening her back, the woman went on,
"I forgot my own. Quite silly, I am aware. But still!"
Looking between Alsanna, Nishi and that figure as the exchange went on, she did notice the beckoning from Nishi, before the figure decided to allow her to go back to her leader. Standing up, she held her injured right arm steady with her left, before heading back to Nishi. She figured she had nothing else she could say right now, at least to that figure, that would help.
As she arrived at Nishi's, she kept her back towards the figure for a moment
"When she got in my mind, she looked different. Armoured." She whispered to Nishi and Alsanna, before turning back to look at the figure
"Think I cracked my arm, if not worse." She said, with a glance to Alsanna.
First came Nishi's input and potential stratagem. Alsanna merely nodded at the idea, still determined to keep the star of this scene in her line of sight. Her features had since softened, her focus far less evident despite the persistent fixation. As much as she tried to sell that she was relaxed, however, the tense posture she held kept her real mindset evident, "
Think you can keep it in one, specific place, Nishi? Very specific?" she briefly shot a gaze toward Hikari, and then to Yuyuko, before returning her attention where it mattered, with a voice that matched the others' to keep some degree of discretion, "
This thing killed over a dozen in a single strike each. Any shot you have to do that, take it."
The medic then chuckled at the suggestion, shaking her head and slightly lowering it before turning herself slightly toward Yuyuko. A mere 45 degree angle pivot with her pupils directed to the swordsman of the team. She tend extended her arm and kept her palm flat, "
You heard the lady. Surrender that piece of junk, Takeda. She's so graciously offering us intelligence, and even cleared the area of loitering soldiers." she smiled toward Yuyuko, "
Although, it isn't like you need a sword to do what you gotta do, huh?" slowly, she turned her head back to the supposed corpse with a cheeky grin on her face and her eyes half-lidded, making it clear that final comment was addressed to the menacing entity.
Then, she closed her eyes and exhaled from her nostrils, "
It's a minor fracture. Most likely. Not exactly the time to dress minor wounds." although despite that answer, she'd use her idle hand to toss a little vial half-filled with a transparent liquid, "
Small sedative, only if it hurts that much."
"She did?" Nishi replied as Hikari shared something with the team. Keeping her attention fixed on the woman, Nishi was certain then what they were dealing with.
"Shit. I can try." Nishi softly replied, flexing the fingers of her right hand slowly. An itch started to become apparent.
"If I am not mistaken, this is a Vrykyl. I received a briefing about these things before." Nishi elaborated, her nerves refusing to be easily calmed down.
"This is going to be tough. It can leech chakra. One way to beat it is to pound it literally to beyond repair. Physically."
Which Nishi didn't favour either. Pondering on their options, she had one technique in mind that could perhaps aid them.
"To be honest, I think flight is our best option. But I doubt it will let us. If anything, I need you three to buy me some time."
On Yuyuko's part, the exchange was something she at least did not have too much of a concern for as Nishi and whatever that was begun to barter with each other, Yuyuko looking on worriedly but at least with some relief as the thing was not harming Hikari like before. At least for now and with the team together, it all seemed to be going fine...except then came the pitch which Yuyuko could only shake her head while taking a moment to process it, well at least hopefully her arguing would help buy time for Nishi.
"
Absolutely not, I can understand not being armed and the pitch, But Alsanna, rude, calling Fuurai a piece of junk, he has a name and is not some stupid toy you buy in a gift shop…" she said glaring daggers at Alsanna but her voice was luckily not as fierce as the previous time before she turned to address the entity. "
but why on earth do you need Fuurai...i mean my sword when you can loot any sword from one of the dead soldiers, hell, i would even help you find the best looking one from the lot." came Yuyuko's response showing that while.she knew the danger, her love for Fuurai was still something that ensured she would hesitste giving it up,despite Fuurai being as some would call it, a piece of junk as her eyes glanced at Nishi while the hand that rested on Fuurai tried to move to a pouch as the chunin contemplated trying to find an explosive tag and attaching it to Fuurai to in a sense make good on her comment the previous time, even if it meant breaking Fuurai herself.
"
So...Sensei, what do you think on this" Yuyuko said but with a slight sense of dread as she fully expected Nishi to tell her to do exactly as Alsanna said as the girl continued to try to rummage for the explosive tag.
Watching with no hint of wariness or worry how Hikari went back to her team, the Vrykyl's lips curled upwards in a warm smile. Placing her hands at the branch at both her sides, the Vrykyl slightly leaned forward.
"I can do a lot of things. Fun things," a wink followed by the statement,
"but, I like to use swords. Of course, I could bring one of my own or scavenge one. But that is so un-lady like." The Vrykyl pursed her lips as she just finished replying to Alsanna, only to catch the response of Yuyuko.
The warm smile quickly eroded as the lips curled downwards, visibly displaying the Vrykyl's displeasure.
"I asked nicely. I didn't threaten any of you." The voice of the Vrykyl shifted, becoming loaded with a growing anger.
"I would even allow you to tend to your friend. It clearly seems she could use some aid."
The Vrykyl paused, the discontent evident in her body language as well. Without any hint of effort, the Vrykyl dropped from the branch and landed with a certain cat-like grace on the ground. Dusting herself off, the Vrykyl fixed her attention on Team Nishi again.
"Tsk tsk. Options, options." The gaze of the Vrykyl shifted slowly between the present Jirians.
"I think I am going to take it. My style anyways. You can't claim you are amazing if you don't try to hamper yourself now and then, to overcome this sort of challenge. Well, aside from just wearing a mask, no offense." The Vrykyl stated, performing a rather subtle waving at Yuyuko at the end of her reply.
"Shame that none of you could be a fun test for my favorite fields. Actually," her tone became serious as well pointing towards Alsanna,
"heal Hikari. If I am going to have to fight you four, I prefer it is a fair fight. Or well, as fair as it is for an adult to smack around three toddlers and one teen."
"
Vrykyl." Alsanna repeated Nishi's words, loud enough so that everyone could hear. She nodded to everything else their leader had to say, although her gaze would be captured by Yuyuko and her objections. An exhale of frustration escaped the medic as her posture remained stiff yet lacking in the initial guard, "
Listen, idiot, there's a reason she wants your sword, and it's not because it's good or special. So just-" she stopped herself, head tilting slightly before she returned her gaze to the branch-hanging entity.
Time was being gained, and information was being processed by the team's medic. Solutions needed to be found quickly, because this creature would stop playing with its food. And then came a grace, a mild respite to this volatile moment. When the suggestion was made, she immediately turned and lowered herself enough to tend to Hikari's arm. No medical ninjutsu, all standard but effective. From her messenger bag came all the necessary tools, and after a quick diagnosis, she'd say the following, "
Sprained wrist, your arm's fine, just bruised." her voice was kept discreet, and then reduced to a whisper as she tended away, "
Nishi has a plan. I do too." ointment to help with the pain and accelerate healing, bandages to make sure it penetrated the skin and shielded the painful area, and the sedative could be kept by Hikari if it still hurt, "
If she attempts what she did to you, Takeda's the one we want. No hesitation. No fear. This thing is as apex as it gets." she took her time while making it look like progress was being made quickly. Those hands moved fast.
When the task was done, Alsanna peered backward toward the library, "
Either in there, or on the hills, Nishi. Your choice." she muttered, her voice still kept to a minimum. Although she then conferred a glance to the undying monstrosity, "
Why did you kill these men over there?"
As Nishi started coming up with a plan, Yuyuko's insistence on treating the piece of metal that was her sword as a person was starting to irritate Hikari. Then the Vrykyl, as Nishi put it, allowed Alsanna to heal her, and Hikari paid careful attention as she kept her gaze fixed on the creature.
"No qualms from me, but one issue. None of us saw how she did it. Not even me. And trust me, I know very well how much of a predator this thing can be." She whispered back to Alsanna, after she watched her treat her sprained wrist quickly and efficiently.
Glancing at Yuyuko, she thought of saying something about her continued resistance, before her thoughts went to what Alsanna just asked. Wasn't this creature allied with them? And yet, there was no doubt in her mind that if it wanted or needed any of them dead, then it would've already gone for it. Fixing her gaze back on the Vrykyl, she thought on what she knew. What did she know that those dead soldiers wouldn't have.
Staying behind Alsanna, Hikari started to ponder on something
"I think this is a trap, but not for us. If it was after us, then it could've probably killed me before you ever reached me. It wanted to confirm who else got here." She whispered, trying to keep herself only audible to Alsanna and Nishi.
The hairs on the back of Nishi's neck started to rise as the Vrykyl moved from the branch. As far as Nishi could see, this situation was heading to a confrontation now - no matter what they would do. The arrogance of their foe, insisting that Hikari should be patched up, did little to comfort Nishi. When Alsanna questioned where they should engage the strange foe, Nishi felt a shiver going down her spine.
"Inside," the jounin decided as she replied softly. Sucking briefly on the inside of her left cheek, Nishi then spoke up a bit louder.
"I frankly don't care," Nishi replied to Yuyuko's question and her fretting about a sword, her gaze still fixed on the Vrykyl.
"Give that sword, don't give that sword. We already pissed it off." The jounin already worked on part of her plan. The issue was that she doubted the Vrykyl would allow her to make handsigns.
"But I do wonder. Why not let these kids go? Just fight me. If they aren't around, I can go all out. If you prefer a challenge, that should suit you. And I would prefer to keep these brats alive."
Yuyuko on her part was more hesitant about handing Fuurai over which was the root of her objection unless being told to by Nishi, granted she never liked that to begin with but then begun to question if her objections was correct as the creature had apparently not appreciated her answer as then came the change in hostility. However there was not much that can be done as the chunin's hand begin to tightened on Fuurai's grip but on Yuyuko's part, the Vrykrl caused her to shiver as she heard it make a comment directed at more towards her
"
how did..." she started before pausing and trying not to think about how it knew of Yuyuko's own previous obsession but then now, she was not sure what to do as she knew it was her fault for not wanting to give up Fuurai but at the same time, she hated the thought of her sword being used by someone else, however as she had no plan and she knew some sacrifice is needed, she then called out
"
Miss...perhaps we got off on the wrong foot but Fuurai here was a bit of a gift from my parents and in some ways a brother to me, hence why I said what I said. But...if at least to bring this conversation to a friendlier one or perhaps be more amicable so we all can leave on friendly terms…" she then looked away biting her lip as she hated having to say this, partially hoping the creature would just let them go alive as the creature might notice her lip bleeding from the visible anger of even considering it, as though she was sacrificing a brother for her own life
"
I will give you Fuurai…. no tricks, with only a request that you take care of him and use him well.." granted her words when she said well felt very forced as tho she was being forced at sword point to give it up, but whatever the case, since she did felt responsible for calling it, she felt she needed to at least try to resolve it peacefully, at least without having the team fight it out with the whatever that thing was.
"I would relish the challenge. Judging from what I could delve from your brat, you seem competent." The Vrykyl told Nishi, a playful smile crossing the being's lips.
"But, I see no reason to let your critters run amok and be a nuisance later. Cause, they always become a nuisance." Shrugging casually, the entity seemed to ready itself with rolling her shoulders and stretching with no hint of worry.
"Don't even bother," the foe informed Yuyuko.
"I am going to likely let you swing it. Then I will stab you with the same blade. Irony and art, all combined." The Vrykyl joyfully said as she straightened her back, her hands folded together as she finished her last stretch.
"Alright. Know what? I feel generous. I already let you guys patch up Hikari girl over there. We are cool right?" The Vrykyl winked at Hikari, performing even a gesture of a thumbs up towards the respective chuunin.
"Being super close for a moment and all that. I will maybe miss you after I am going to hang you with Alsanna's entrails."
Turning more serious, the Vrykyl raised her right hand slightly. The cold of before sprang back, more intense than before. The cold seemed to make the bright day even darker as if the entity was suffocating the light around them and keeping it to herself.
"
Great." Alsanna replied to Hikari's input on the lack of information regarding the Vrykyl's ability, although she didn't bother to express too much frustration. That would go to Nishi, earning a disapproving glare from the medic when martyrdom became a subject to consider. Although no pleading from either Yuyuko or Nishi would quell the flame started by the vile persecutor of the situation. It was going to attack, no matter what they did. The more that undead expressed verbal cues that it was coming for them, the faster Alsanna's heart beat, until her name was once again mentioned. There, her parasol was held as if it were a rifle and aimed it at the base of the tree.
"
Here it comes." she announced, before firing off a ball of explosives from the tip of her parasol, letting it land like a cannon-ball onto the tree's trunk, obliterating a part of it and leaving it to burn, though the main use of it was the smokescreen that came with it, "
And inside we go." she said as she immediately ninja-hopped backwards as quickly as she could, while ensuring there was at least someone between her and the beast. Whether it was out of self-preservation or the right strategy, it was hard to tell. Luckily they weren't too far from the entrance, "
This thing killed every one of these fucks in one hit. Don't try to go head-on, even if it seems vulnerable." Alsanna's light pant was audible as she spoke, and given she hadn't really exerted herself, it could tell magnitudes as to how disconcerted this scholar was to what she was dealing with.
The talk was over. And as such, Nishi's hands shot towards each other. Weaving the required handsigns, she would stomp on the ground with her right boot. In mere seconds, the terrain started to shift to form four walls around the Vrykyl, briefly and hopefully hampering whatever it was attempting.
"One-hit?" Nishi grumbled, not really sounding excited by that prospect. Her right hand shot towards her tanto while moving back with a short skid - putting herself between the Vrykyl and the medic of her team.
Keeping a watch on the ongoing developments, Hikari saw the Vrykyl start to act, before Alsanna quickly reacted with her parasol, followed by Nishi's earth walls. Runnin next to Nishi, Hikari took out a pair of kunai and some string, tying them together, before throwing them at the ground right next to Nishi's earth wall. It was very simplistic, but she hoped that maybe, a simple tripwire could earn them even an extra second. Plus it didn't rely on chakra.
Heading inside, Hikari had a thought in mind as to what they could possibly do, although it was a risky plan, and one that could end up being very bad for the Northerner team.
At the movements of the others, Yuyuko returned to her original stance, holding the torch for earlier and Fuurai each in separate hands ready to take a position between part of the team where Hikari was with the Vrykyl and Nishi on the other when the chunin saw that Alsanna attacked first with her parasol firing a blast that destroyed the supporting branch their attacker was on, as the two made a dash for the entrance of the cave as, the chunin decided to ditch the torch and position her self behind Nishi a short distance away from her sensei and from the entrance as with fact the Vrykyl quite literally read her mind about her mask despite making no mention of it, she figured it was pointless to feint any sort of ignorance and instead watch Nishi's back and try not to slow her sensei down. "
Sensei, let me help back you up, this is partially my fault and don't want to make anymore stupid mistakes."
She said as with her now free hand, she reached into her pouch to take out 3 to 4 kunais with explosive tags on them ready to throw it at the Vrykyl should it break out of the stone confinement and whether it was affected by Hikari's own trap, granted she made sure to focus her thoughts on trying to stay alive and on how to break off the engagement together Nishi once they have bought enough time for Alsanna and Hikari to be in a safe place...well as safe as that cave could be anyway.
The Vrykyl didn't even move as Alsanna initiated the first counter-attack. The walls, conjured by Nishi, combined with the smokescreen from Alsanna's attack was enough to acquire a moment of reprieve.
Only for the cold to snap back and the light to diminish further. A faint echoing laughter would ring through the minds of Team Nishi. The words that followed were soft but some could be picked up by Hikari.
All of a sudden, the ground trembled slightly, only for tendrils made out of some dark material attempting to wrap around the limbs of the Jirian operatives.
They had safely retreated with little retaliation from the Vrykyl. A potential moment of respite that Alsanna used to reload her parasol, while her blue gaze remained fixed on the exit. The fixation would leave her open for a surprise when seismic activity would come to be with the laughter of the creature echoed what felt like everywhere by the fact that it only truly reverberated in every team member's mind. Then came the appendages. Out of reflex, Alsanna snapped her fingers together to force one of her previously applied self-marks to push out a cyto-clone in an attempt to have it encumber some of the tentacles. With hopefully one arm unimpeded, she'd then use the blade that pushed out of the tip of her umbrella to hack at the rest. Yes, it was quite sharp.
"
Fuck! Should've given the fucking sword!" a half-hearted attempt to keep her cool, her focus was directed at multiple things as she did her best to avoid a tentacular demise. The clone itself, should the appendages drain chakra, would 'melt' upon being sucked, but unlike other clones, the process wasn't immediate and still made for an obstacle a bit longer than usual.
The fact that Yuyuko dropped the torch in an underground library made Nishi twist her head, throwing a look at the chuunin. Before the jounin could respond, her eyes widened by hearing the ominous laughter in her mind.
Wanting to spring to action, Nishi felt the ground tremble. In a reaction, the jounin moved away, only to have a tendril wrap itself around her left arm. Flipping the tanto, the jounin drove the tip of the blade in the appendage, intending to rip it apart to free herself as she noticed that it became darker.
"Fuck."
Continuing to run at Nishi's side, Hikari felt a shiver go over her as the laughter was heard, followed by something that she understood was basically taunting. But before she could say anything, the tentacles came out, with a pair launching themselves right at her.
Drawing her tanto, she stuck the blade in one of the tentacles, only for the other one to grab a hold of her right leg
"Damnit. She's taunting us and now this." Hikari said, before taking the blade out of the tentacle she struck.
As the light continued to dim around them, she looked around
"Nishi, I think we might need to turn the light up a bit. I can make one, but I need a moment of freedom" Hikari asked, hoping the jounin would understand.
Yuyuko when she noticed the look from Nishi took a moment to wonder if she had screwed up as the chunin had probably not thought too far ahead but sadly, there was no time to think as the shakes from the ground along with the faint echo of laughter in her mind, causing the chunin to shiver slightly while she kept her pace with the others. "
Oh darn it" Yuyuko cursed as when the tentacles burst out, she made a move to stab one that was away from the others she did not accidentally stab the others,however as she did, like Nishi's own tentacle, it darkened as Yuyuko became more and more worried as she spoke up.
"
Could I also suggest using my seal,hopefully I can distract the creature and blow a way out before disengaging, if that helps since I should be able to keep it going for a short while before needing to disengage." she said as a suggestion for Nishi to consider since Yuyuko had the option to begin with.
The tendrils seemed not capable of resisting steel as the weapons sliced through it. The cyto-clone of Alsanna would become wrapped, as more tendrils started to seek it out. Gradually, the creation started to appear melting as chakra seemed to drain from it.
The sound of something slithering resonated in the mind of the Jirians, only for more tendrils to shoot out of their surroundings in an attempt to constrict the shinobi as well drain them from chakra.
"Go ahead. I want to see what you all can do." The voice of the Vrykyl sounding in the minds of the Jirians, the tone clearly mocking the shinobi.
"So far, I am far from impressed."
With confirmation that chakra was being drained from anything touching them, Alsanna began to look in every direction she could. Evidently with the lack of lighting, it made tracking a challenge, although some options remained, "
Do NOT do that, Takeda, you ape." she barked out in a dry, almost resentful tone, "
Hack away and don't get killed. You can't even remember what Nishi said." Alsanna kept herself closer to Nishi, as to relegate most of the tendril-slicing to her and ease the burden on the medic of the squad. She needed to think.
Just as she had done with Hikari, Alsanna took a glimpse into the tentacles she was close enough to see, sliced or otherwise. Because they came from the earth, it was difficult to follow their entire form, but she could potentially see enough to get a general sense of where the Vrykyl had roosted to spawn so many tendrils. Perhaps with some lighting, those blue, focused eyes could stake out some details and get off this defeatingly defensive predicament, "
How's that lighting coming, Hikari?" she asked in a slightly more discreet voice, dedicating her gaze to the blonde and striking some appendages that may interrupt what she was doing, now that lighting was a priority.
Hacking away at the tendrils, Nishi ignored the voice in her mind. Almost instinctively, the woman stretched out as well, positioning herself between the emerging tendrils from the Vrykyl and Alsanna.
"Go ahead," Nishi responded to Hikari as she would keep the defence ongoing.
"Try to slowly fall back." The jounin ordered, cursing softly as a tendril wrapped around her arm. Managing to slice through the tendril, Nishi was already forced to deal with another that tried to bypass her to have a go at the chuunin.
Alsanna came asking for the light, and only afterwards she got a brief confirmation from Nishi, before hearing the order. Hikari first stabbed the tentacle that had a grasp over her leg, before beginning to step backwards. Glancing at Alsanna, Hikari made a soft whistle
"I need my hands, catch." She said, before tossing her tanto to Alsanna. Quickly taking out the spare torch she had in her bag, Hikari put it under her armpit.
Forming three seals, Hikari would form a small ball of fire above her finger tips. Upon unmaking the tiger seal, she quickly grabbed the torch and touched the tip of the torch with the ball of fire, before the small fire dissolved into nothing
"There, light!" She said.
While the events were playing out, Yuyuko winces as she heard the voice on her head, the effects being rather pressuring but luckily, the chunin did not fall for the taunt as she heard Alsanna's remark, as the chunin after using a good few moments to gauge the distance was able to make good work on the tendrils thanks to Fuurai's reach. "
Right, right."
The chunin said as she moved to position herself near Alsanna and Nishi but just outside of Fuurai so she does not harm them but enough such that she could assist them with her weapon.
Then as Hikari used her chakra to create the ball of fire, Yuyuko turned slightly to ensure the light will not blind her and help her keep an eye on the attacking Vrykyl, ready to respond to any orders Nishi might give.
Suddenly, the tendrils retreated as the gloomy darkness that tried to suffocate the light vanished. Only at the exit of the library, the darkness seemed to stay strong. A laugh softly echoed through the mind of the Jirians, once more the words spoken in Rén, the accent being vastly different from the Qinjings.
Hikari's whistling did good in its role to get Alsanna's attention. Her idle hand quickly seized the tanto and made good use of it to give Hikari adequate cover while she lit up the place. When the lighting improved, the blade was tossed back with a light warning, giving time for Hikari to gather her bearings, or at least sheath the blade, "
Hmmm. Yeah. Not like we can be anymore cornered than we already are." exhaling from her nostrils, the scholar gave a deep, focused glance to the mass of darkness at their only exit from this cavernous library. No attempt was made to even experiment with it, the results so far had all been the same, and this did not appear to promise an exception.
Being the one furthest back, she dictated the pace, which was slow but not sluggish. Her head was turned to frequently peer behind her while the ball of flame provided enough visibility to allow for smooth maneuvering, "
Nishi," she kept her voice discreet, "
think you can keep that think locked in someone longer than twenty seconds if it happens again?" she inquired, keeping herself close to the Jonin. Then came the new-speak, and immediately the medic's gaze diverted itself toward Hikari, "
Sounded a little like our ex-captors, no?"
Not immediately sheathing her weapon, Nishi glanced at the wall of eerie darkness. But it seemed that their foe didn't venture further. Catching on what Alsanana said, Nishi replied in kind - with a barely audible volume.
"I can and will, yeah." Nishi said as their opponent didn't go on with the harassment that they had to repel before. Half turning, Nishi looked at the only way that they could take now.
"Seems that we have to venture there. I already have an idea what we can do." Nishi announced, on a normal volume.
Throwing a look at her team, Nishi spoke further.
"We are going in a formation. Hikari, you at the front. Alsanna afterwards and I will cover the rear with Yuyuko."
Gesturing for Hikari to continue, into the other direction, further into the odd location, Nishi spoke again.
"I tried to investigate the place up ahead. It seemed devoid of any dangers. Although there are symbols etched into the ground. Oddly enough," Nishi threw a glance at Alsanna,
"they seem to lack any construct or semblance to seals. Yet, they radiate a certain ominous presence. It is very weird."
Catching the tanto with her free hand, Hikari initially kept it as steady as she could, only to watch as the tendril and darkness seemed to stay back. Keeping her tanto drawn, she slightly lowered it, as she heard Alsanna make the remark about being cornered. When the voice came into their mind, Hikari couldn't make out entirely what was being said, but the tone helped Hikari understand that they were essentially being mocked.
As Nishi spoke up about their next step, the blonde chuunin nodded, before taking her place at the front of the formation. She listened to what Nishi had to say, before speaking up herself
"You're on the money about the language. It is Rén, albeit with a different accent than the Qinjings. But I can't completely comprehend it." Hikari remarked
"And did you check if perhaps the symbols are the same as the ones in the books? The language in them is foreign, and nothing like Rén. So I wouldn't be surprised if they are potentially the same. Which would suggest something made by whoever set this whole place up."
As events progress, Yuyuko panted from the effort of slashing the tendrils as the chunin heard the words spoken in Ren by the Vrykyl, not understanding a lick of it, granted it probably was better she did not know as the chunin held Fuurai at the ready but careful to stay within the light due to being concerned of their enemy striking them from the shadows as Nishi gave their orders, Yuyuko interpreting it as a sign that they could relax to some degree as she loosened her grip on Fuurai's hilt slightly to catch her breath "
Alright, Sensei"
She said as the chunin brought up the rear of the formation with Nishi, following the others as they gave their comments.
"
While i was with Nishi sensei, i admit i cant confirm how similar they are, just that they seem similar, other than that,i can only confirm what Nishi has already told you." she said shaking her head as she had hoped to give more information but that was as best she could do, as she carefully looked around for anything that could help them or if the Vrykyl might try a second attempt at them worriedly praying they can all survive this encounter and mission alive.
A new formation was dictated, and Alsanna obliged so long as it kept her in the safest spot. The Vrykyl did not attack, and instead gatekept the exit for a reason. The medic gritted her teeth slightly as she shifted her gaze between the obscured exit and the bowels of this holy-forsaken library. They were going in deeper without rushing it too much, and Alsanna kept her attention on the unnatural dark until it was engulfed by the natural darkness of the library, "
An ominous presence and a common theme of alien glyphs." she pursed her lips, her eyes softened a tad as they approached the smooth tunnel with an increasing amount of these patterns existing on the ground. She could feel them under her boots, if just a tad, the lines on the stone. And of course, an ominous and difficult to describe sensation that started to radiate when her attention was conferred to the markings.
The medic kept herself quiet, focusing entirely on this bizarre experience. No chakra involvement from Nishi's own input and nothing suggested it to the seal and medical expert either. This was very much novel, "
I'd say cool but, what the fuck?" she very suddenly blurted out, her voice radiating little concern as if the previous encounter hadn't even occurred, "
Hikari can probably make a better prognosis, but the patterns do resemble those in that book I tossed, yeah." both her hands clenched her umbrella at both ends, her nervousness growing once more and made verbal via her posture, "
I've no clue what they are, or what they do. But-" her nostrils flared before she exhaled loudly, "
We have a more-than-just-weathered corpse loaded with chakra, if we consider it eats it like a fat kid in a Fuzou Gala, I would assume this inert stone oozing of … Something may very well suggest it is connected to that thing." then she peered over at Nishi, "
It did corral us here, after all. That's my most logical deduction."
Arriving back at the spot before, Nishi glanced around. There was still nothing else that disturbed the eerie silence other than their presence. And it seemed neither that Vrykyl followed them inside the place.
"I don't know if that is something I can support. If this place was in a way connected to that thing, why didn't it continue? It wasn't exactly losing," Nishi replied, biting on her lower lip as she considered the possibilities.
"We can't even state that it was responsible for the earlier deaths. Actually, now that we have gained some sort of reprieve. What was up with the corpses?" Nishi asked, frowning as it was clear that she was feeling far from comfortable in their current situation.
Listening to the input of all three, Hikari glanced over the symbols as they started appearing, etched into the ground as Nishi had stated before. Once all three were done, Hikari remained silent for a moment, before glancing towards Nishi
"I'm inclined to agree with Nishi. If they were connected, then surely nothing would've stopped from perhaps even utilizing the place itself. And Alsanna is right, the symbols are similar. I can see at least a couple that were also present in a couple of books. So whatever is in play here, it isn't connected to that. But if I had to make a speculation,"
Hikari glanced over at Alsanna
"You put a seal on someone that you want to be triggered. You wouldn't try triggering it yourself, you would let someone else do it, if it is meant to be a trap. Nor would you trigger it if it's meant to protect that someone. Right?" She said, before looking at the symbols.
"What if whatever these are meant to do, are also preventing that thing from entering uninhibitedly? Something that doesn't target chakra as we know it." She suggested.
A counter-argument was given, which prompted Alsanna to raise an eyebrow at the two that agreed with it, "
I mean, yeah, that's sound input too." her hand holding closest to the sharp tip of her parasol began to brush its palm around it as if cleaning it, though she had no rag, "
And you're probably right. Which is why I'll stand by the less probable but still dangerous alternative. That thing's playful nature doesn't put me at ease, and could just as well be using us to find the Northern squad to get an easy two birds, one tentacle sort of deal." clearing her throat as they approached a more open area with just as many odd glyphs and symbols, Alsanna strayed from the group a little, not too far, and continued to inspect the patterns, with the tip of her parasol-blade tracing through some, "
But let's assume the more probable scenario, then, something's keeping it out. Has anything been found that could indicate a threat to both it or even us?" a couple of taps were applied to the stone beneath her, "
Or do these symbols bear some unseen power we've yet to study or even gain any insight on?" with that, she clicked her tongue before again directing herself toward Nishi.
"
Right, the bodies. All dead by a single fatal strike. Drained of their chakra beyond the post-mortem norm. As in, absolutely zilch chakra with the lines damaged. Rigour Mortis did not cause their distorted expressions, and I've yet to determine what could cause that, but I've concluded that it was deliberate." she continued pacing about while waving around her parasol to gesture, "
And, the most interesting, was that everything was dead." she paused for a moment to get a reaction, "
As in, nothing at all lived in those bodies. No fungus. No parasites. No signs of scavengers taking a little bite. No intestinal flora bacteriana. Nothing. They didn't even putrefy and instead began some very strange form of mummification despite the average humidity of the area." nodding her head a little, pupils peering downwards a tad, she seemed to be pondering, "
Given that Vrykyl's methods and clear display of power, I assumed this was the culprit for the massacre. Doubled by a lack of any monstrosity found here that could do anything of the sort. Yeah. Unless they were found the dead here, then it all points to the Vrykyl."
Yuyuko shrugged slightly as the others discussed as the chunin while wishing to provide any sort of help was few and far between as unlike the others, her forte and most of her focus was directed at battle and immediate survival which meant a good deal of what they mentioned was new information to consider. However she tried her best processing as much information as she could take and try to consider what the team could do as she spoke up. "
Whatever the case is, with us here and we don't even know if the other team would or can even help us, especially with our Vrykryl friend camping outside the cave. I don't know but this leaves us trapped here, unless we can find a way to break out of here at least so another random team does not run into this."
With that, Yuyuko tried and kept thinking of ideas on how to break the deadlock and to help the others and herself escape.
