To Kill a God, Chapter 1: Chimera Tower (IC)

[Nekronia]

Jackie was quite amused with the elderly fellow prodding him, his ego being stroked by the awe of his power. The teen put one hand behind his back, the other grabbing Pouton's outstretched one, and bowed slightly as he gave a firm shake. "Pleasure to meet you as well, Lord Pouton. And, since you asked~..."

John gently let go of the lord's hand and put his arms out to sides as though readying to be nailed to a cross, giving a smirk as he did so. Jackie lifted his head up slightly as the coat peeled off of himself, turning into smoke and slowly swirling around his body before making an imitation of two black tentacles or tendrils coming out of his back. He leaned forward slightly and dropped his head, frivolously stating "Jackie, at your service," before raising his head back up and putting his arms back to his sides. After he resumed a normal pose, the show-off returned his coat back to normal with a smile, his ego satisfied.

[The Templar High Council]

Maiso. Poor, unassuming, uninterested Maiso. After the ride ended, and he exited the cars with the other recruits, he half-heartedly listened to the announcements made by the two important people he'd seen so far while standing with the other "recruits." Then the lady came up, and started talking about running. Maiso groaned. What was the point of it? They were accepted here for what they could do, and now they were doing whatever anyone did when they were recruited to something that might require physical exertion. Honestly, he expected more from an organization of demon contractors.

Regardless of his opinion on the matter, he took advantage of the opportunity to stretch, listening to Fuma's advice on distance running. "Why does it matter? Running laps is pointless. Plus, I've got you. And you bolster my physical abilities, so why bother?"

"Because if you continue to act like, that, I'll leave you, and you'll have to go home to your parents!" Maiso snapped to attention, and continued his stretches until time was up. Even though he applied little to no effort during the run, Maiso finished with a little more than 25 minutes on the clock, with barely a sweat broken. He thought for a moment, before deciding to join a group of students talking. He approached Miranda and Clarence, and gave a nonchalant wave to the both of them. "Sup. I'm Maiso. This is Fuma." He gestured to his familiar, who bowed to show respect. "Just came to say hi, since I don't know anyone here yet."

Clarence turned towards the newcomer. "Oh, hello. I'm Clarence, Clarence McAllister. My Familiar here is Boali," he continued with a grin, "but don't expect her to say much, because she just went far over her usual shyness barrier so she's going to need some rest." He patted Boali's hair, extending his other hand in greetings to Maiso.

The boy didn't leave much of an impression on him. It wasn't that he was unpleasant: he just didn't seem to have anything particularly noticeable. This was good. Clarence thought that he could get along with someone like that. As for Fuma, the Familiar ... He was strong, that much was assured. Some kind of assassin?

After Miranda and Marcus introduced themselves, Clarence spoke up again: "We were discussing the near future. What kind of unpleasant tests do you think they've got in store for us?"

"I have no idea what they have planned, but I hope it isn't as lame as running laps." Maiso said, while shaking Clarence's hand. After he finished that, he gave a nod to the other person, and stood waiting for others to initiate a conversation. I wonder how they plan to group us, he thought to himself. Selena mentioned three apartments, but how do we decide who goes where?

[The Floating Island of the Sleeping God]

Jack Churchill looked with pity at the tired young man before him. He needed to shape up if he was gong to last any longer here. "Now that we've done the cardio, young Francis, what do you say we move on to strength training while the muscles are still hot? I don't see any weights, so you'll-"
Krouse was, for the first time in a while, eager to go have a conversation with a stranger than continue what he was doing. "Say, Jack, let's go meet some of our new friends. Ooh, look over there, a real live knight. Well, not live. You know what I mean. Let's go have a conversation with him and his buddies. You do most of the talking, I need to make a deal with my lungs. The alveoli have unionized, and I have to break up a strike."
Jack had learned to ignore Krouse's rambling, esoteric metaphors and decided that perhaps speaking with an honest-to-god knight would be quite interesting. He strode over to Ser Marcus, Krouse walking after him with a hitch in his step, and gave a half-bow to the knight. "Jack Churchill, at your service. The unathletic boy to my right is Francis Krouse." Krouse opened his mouth to protest the adjective, then shrugged and closed it. "To whom do I owe the pleasure of speaking?"

[Charmera]

Jack Churchill looked with pity at the tired young man before him. He needed to shape up if he was gong to last any longer here. "Now that we've done the cardio, young Francis, what do you say we move on to strength training while the muscles are still hot? I don't see any weights, so you'll-"
Krouse was, for the first time in a while, eager to go have a conversation with a stranger than continue what he was doing. "Say, Jack, let's go meet some of our new friends. Ooh, look over there, a real live knight. Well, not live. You know what I mean. Let's go have a conversation with him and his buddies. You do most of the talking, I need to make a deal with my lungs. The alveoli have unionized, and I have to break up a strike."
Jack had learned to ignore Krouse's rambling, esoteric metaphors and decided that perhaps speaking with an honest-to-god knight would be quite interesting. He strode over to Ser Marcus, Krouse walking after him with a hitch in his step, and gave a half-bow to the knight. "Jack Churchill, at your service. The unathletic boy to my right is Francis Krouse." Krouse opened his mouth to protest the adjective, then shrugged and closed it. "To whom do I owe the pleasure of speaking?"

Marcus was surprised by the man whom introduced himself. "Marcus Athas, Formerly Ser Marcus of House Lancaster. My host is Miranda." He said, indicating the girl standing next to him. She didn't seem to notice however, half bowing in return. "Not many of this time period have such manners, its refreshing to see to say the least."

[The Floating Island of the Sleeping God]

Marcus was surprised by the man whom introduced himself. "Marcus Athas, Formerly Ser Marcus of House Lancaster. My host is Miranda." He said, indicating the girl standing next to him. She didn't seem to notice however, half bowing in return. "Not many of this time period have such manners, its refreshing to see to say the least."

Jack nodded at Miranda and gave Krouse a shove in her direction before turning back to Ser Marcus. "Without civility, what is there to separate us from the beasts?" He asked philosophically before getting into a discussion of the knight's life before demonhood.
Meanwhile Krouse, now in a social situation, effected an easy smile and held out a hand to Miranda. "Francis Krouse, Krouse is the preferred name. Pleased to make your acquaintance. Miranda, was it?" His demeanor was friendly, casual. Anybody who didn't know him would think he was a real people person. This was intentional. If you gave off the impression of being comfortable in social situations, people wouldn't force you into them, a quirk of human nature Krouse had familiarized himself with. Jack had figured out the act and was determined to turn the appearance of extroversion into reality, hence the shove.
As the conversation between the two gentleman progressed, Jack eventually commented on Marcus's apparent fashion statement. "I notice that your scabbard is empty. Pray, why might that be?"

[Charmera]

Marcus was surprised by the man whom introduced himself. "Marcus Athas, Formerly Ser Marcus of House Lancaster. My host is Miranda." He said, indicating the girl standing next to him. She didn't seem to notice however, half bowing in return. "Not many of this time period have such manners, its refreshing to see to say the least."

Jack nodded at Miranda and gave Krouse a shove in her direction before turning back to Ser Marcus. "Without civility, what is there to separate us from the beasts?" He asked philosophically before getting into a discussion of the knight's life before demonhood.
Meanwhile Krouse, now in a social situation, effected an easy smile and held out a hand to Miranda. "Francis Krouse, Krouse is the preferred name. Pleased to make your acquaintance. Miranda, was it?" His demeanor was friendly, casual. Anybody who didn't know him would think he was a real people person. This was intentional. If you gave off the impression of being comfortable in social situations, people wouldn't force you into them, a quirk of human nature Krouse had familiarized himself with. Jack had figured out the act and was determined to turn the appearance of extroversion into reality, hence the shove.
As the conversation between the two gentleman progressed, Jack eventually commented on Marcus's apparent fashion statement. "I notice that your scabbard is empty. Pray, why might that be?"

"Very true. Though I suppose we're closer to machine now than animals. Some of the things in this time are...strange to say the least" Marcus responded, the spectral suit of armour clanking as he turned fully to Jack. Marcus paused after Jack asked about his missing blade. "I lost it on Bosworth Field just before I was killed. I haven't replaced it." he explained tersely, obviously this was a bit of a touchy subject.

Clarence turned towards the newcomer. "Oh, hello. I'm Clarence, Clarence McAllister. My Familiar here is Boali," he continued with a grin, "but don't expect her to say much, because she just went far over her usual shyness barrier so she's going to need some rest." He patted Boali's hair, extending his other hand in greetings to Maiso.

The boy didn't leave much of an impression on him. It wasn't that he was unpleasant: he just didn't seem to have anything particularly noticeable. This was good. Clarence thought that he could get along with someone like that. As for Fuma, the Familiar ... He was strong, that much was assured. Some kind of assassin?

After Miranda and Marcus introduced themselves, Clarence spoke up again: "We were discussing the near future. What kind of unpleasant tests do you think they've got in store for us?"

"I have no idea what they have planned, but I hope it isn't as lame as running laps." Maiso said, while shaking Clarence's hand. After he finished that, he gave a nod to the other person, and stood waiting for others to initiate a conversation. I wonder how they plan to group us, he thought to himself. Selena mentioned three apartments, but how do we decide who goes where?

"Me too, for one I hope they put us through something a little more challenging. Though I may regret saying that..."Miranda turned, surprised by this newcomer. Once Krouse introduced himself, she reajusted. "Miranda Roberts. Good to meet you too." she responded, shaking the outstretched hand "So, what do you think they'll make us do next for training."

[Mnar Secundus]

"Me too, for one I hope they put us through something a little more challenging. Though I may regret saying that..."Miranda turned, surprised by this newcomer. Once Krouse introduced himself, she reajusted. "Miranda Roberts. Good to meet you too." she responded, shaking the outstretched hand "So, what do you think they'll make us do next for training."

Clarence gave a brief laugh. "Yes, I wouldn't mind something more ... stimulating either, but I suspect we'll get either an equivalent to running laps or some insane impossibility. Ah, well, let's wait and see, I guess."

Jack Churchill looked with pity at the tired young man before him. He needed to shape up if he was gong to last any longer here. "Now that we've done the cardio, young Francis, what do you say we move on to strength training while the muscles are still hot? I don't see any weights, so you'll-"
Krouse was, for the first time in a while, eager to go have a conversation with a stranger than continue what he was doing. "Say, Jack, let's go meet some of our new friends. Ooh, look over there, a real live knight. Well, not live. You know what I mean. Let's go have a conversation with him and his buddies. You do most of the talking, I need to make a deal with my lungs. The alveoli have unionized, and I have to break up a strike."
Jack had learned to ignore Krouse's rambling, esoteric metaphors and decided that perhaps speaking with an honest-to-god knight would be quite interesting. He strode over to Ser Marcus, Krouse walking after him with a hitch in his step, and gave a half-bow to the knight. "Jack Churchill, at your service. The unathletic boy to my right is Francis Krouse." Krouse opened his mouth to protest the adjective, then shrugged and closed it. "To whom do I owe the pleasure of speaking?"

Clarence shook the young man's hand. "Clarence. My Familiar here is Boali." He sketched on pure reflex a military salute towards Churchill, having heard of the man's life as a human, before remembering that they were on equal terms here. "How embarassing," he thought towards Boali. "Also, sorry to put you through this again, but could you introduce yourself to everyone?"
The little girl straightened, struggling against her tied tongue, before managing to say, "H-hello, everyone, my name is Boali, p-p--pleased to meet you!" in a hurried, panicky voice. "This is horrible. I hope you'll buy me something to compensate," she told Clarence as she sank back against his chest, her skin darkening violently.
He resumed patting her head. "Thank you for your hard work," he thought, amused. "Would ... what was it already ..." He picked something from Boali's vast store of anime- and manga-related memories, which she always left open to him in the hope that he would develop an interest in the field. "Ah, would honey-pickled peaches satisfy you?"
"Very funny. Do those even exist anymore?" She did feel placated, though. "Donuts will do the trick. And those orange sunglasses you mentioned before, if you do wear them."
"What devil art thou, that dost torment me thus? You do realize that I'm doing this for your own good, right? Our mission will require teamwork, you can't stay cooped up in my mind forever."
Boali, refraining from answering, burrowed a little more into him, trying to avoid everyone's glances. Clarence shook his head, smiling, then turned his attention back to everyone around.

[Isle of Lithonia]

Karlson leaned up against the gym, watching the kids running laps. Most of them were decent runners, and a few were actually quite accomplished. Still, he wasn't impressed by any of them. Even with their Demons, they are way too slow.

For once, Lightheart was the reasonable one. Christopher, none of them have received the training you have, nor do they have very powerful Demons at this point.

Karlson grunted, blowing smoke out through his nostrils. I know that. I was just getting bored watching them.

Seeing the kids sitting around, making idle chitchat, Karlson and Lightheart decided that the punks obviously didn't have enough to do. He walked over to them, and yelled, "Who the fuck gave you dickheads permission to talk?! This is still a part of your formal training, assholes! So, none of you have the right to dink around making useless chitchat. Now, unless you want me to start dealing out punishments, SHUT THE FUCK UP!!!"

Satisfied that they would keep silent, he waved Selena over and asked, "So, how did they do, Miss Ravielle?"

[Imperial--japan]

The ever optimistic Lavi groaned at the prospect of running laps. She had really wished that they could of done something at least a little more productive like Hide n' seek or Capture the flag. If they could play Hide n' seek then Lavi would definitely win for sure. That was what she believed at least. After a brief stretch, Lavi started on the track right away.

"Holy mother of maple syrup," Lavi groaned as she made the twentieth lap. The entire activity was boring as all hell, but she had no choice, but to suffer through it. Part of what made the activity more bearable was the use of the imagination. To imagine there was an actual reward for this, or to imagine that she was being chased by some invisible being. With William trailing behind her it wasn't hard to imagine there was a demon after her.

"Whyyyyy do wee have to doooo thiiiiis," Lavi said to William. William of course merely corrected his monocle and didn't respond to her complaints. It wasn't until the final lap that Lavi got excited.

"We're almost done! We did it! Take that track!" Lavi yelled at the ground and kicked it. It wasn't smart as Lavi clenched her foot while hopping on one leg to tend to her temporary injury.

"Owwwww.." she moaned before toppling across the finish line and landing right on her ass. Selena made note to write Lavi's final time of twenty-six minutes and thirty seven seconds.

---

Karlson leaned up against the gym, watching the kids running laps. Most of them were decent runners, and a few were actually quite accomplished. Still, he wasn't impressed by any of them. Even with their Demons, they are way too slow.

For once, Lightheart was the reasonable one. Christopher, none of them have received the training you have, nor do they have very powerful Demons at this point.

Karlson grunted, blowing smoke out through his nostrils. I know that. I was just getting bored watching them.

Seeing the kids sitting around, making idle chitchat, Karlson and Lightheart decided that the punks obviously didn't have enough to do. He walked over to them, and yelled, "Who the fuck gave you dickheads permission to talk?! This is still a part of your formal training, assholes! So, none of you have the right to dink around making useless chitchat. Now, unless you want me to start dealing out punishments, SHUT THE FUCK UP!!!"

Satisfied that they would keep silent, he waved Selena over and asked, "So, how did they do, Miss Ravielle?"

Selena looked toward her companion and walked over to him. She smiled as she normally did when addressing someone that she didn't neccessarily hate. Handing him the clipboard, she made note to remember the pro's to the training.

"Well some of them could hope to build some Cardio, but seeing as how a majority of them have never been put through any real type of training except for that school gym shit I can't really complain." Selena noted. They were here to be trained, so complaining because the initial training was sub-standard just proved that they really needed the training. It was just after that training of thought that Selena realized she let her vocabulary slip.

"Excuse my French," Selena blushed, ashamed she had lost her composure for a moment.

"Now that that's done, I was going to ask if you wanted to take over for a bit? I think it would be better if we alternate after each class and...." Selena paused, unsure of how to say the next sentence.

"I also recall leaving someone in the trunk of my car with depleting air. I should really fetch them," Selena stated. Sullius, as much as he would love to of stuck around and teach in Selena's place was nowhere to be found and she was going to give him an earful when she did find him.

[Isle of Lithonia]

Selena looked toward her companion and walked over to him. She smiled as she normally did when addressing someone that she didn't neccessarily hate. Handing him the clipboard, she made note to remember the pro's to the training.

"Well some of them could hope to build some Cardio, but seeing as how a majority of them have never been put through any real type of training except for that school gym shit I can't really complain." Selena noted. They were here to be trained, so complaining because the initial training was sub-standard just proved that they really needed the training. It was just after that training of thought that Selena realized she let her vocabulary slip.

"Excuse my French," Selena blushed, ashamed she had lost her composure for a moment.

"Now that that's done, I was going to ask if you wanted to take over for a bit? I think it would be better if we alternate after each class and...." Selena paused, unsure of how to say the next sentence.

"I also recall leaving someone in the trunk of my car with depleting air. I should really fetch them," Selena stated. Sullius, as much as he would love to of stuck around and teach in Selena's place was nowhere to be found and she was going to give him an earful when she did find him.

Karlson chuckled when Selena swore. "Fuck, I kinda like your French. Coming from your mouth, it doesn't sound half as vile as when it comes from Lightheart."

What the fuck did you say, shit-hole?

God, Jess, I'm just teasing.

He nodded at Selena and grinned, "I'll take over then. If that dickhead in your trunk is dead, resurrect him for me, then beat the 'French word' out of him for getting himself killed."

Turning around, he looked at the group of kids standing around. "All right. Get up off of your asses and follow me."

He headed inside the gym, with Lightheart giving him ideas for some wonderfully fun physical tests. Ultimately, he decided that since today was merely a day for figuring out the general abilities of the kids, he shouldn't do anything too difficult. Plus, if the kids aren't put through shit today, they'll be completely unprepared for the fun he had planned for them tomorrow.

So, Christopher stopped in the middle of the gym, having the kids line up in front of him. He took out his uber-smart-phone, opening the stopwatch app. "Ok, I've got a little fun planned for you punks. You ready to puke up shit before dying from a heart-attack?! Then get down into position for pushups.

"When I give the signal, you will all do as many push-ups as you can manage, without the aid of your demon, in one minute. At the end of that minute, I expect the boys to have finished at least twenty pushups, and the girls at least ten. If you don't meet the requirement, I'll be really pissed and I'll give you hell."

He gave them a couple seconds to prepare, then shouted, "BEGIN!!!"

At the end of the minute, he shouted, "STOP!!!"

Ok, I expect you guys to determine whether you made it based upon your STR level in your powergrid. If you have a STR of 2, you'll make it as a guy. If it is 1 or more, you'll make it as a girl. If less than that, you're screwed.

BTW, what he's asking for is within the capabilities of the general populace. So, he's not asking very much, in reality.

[Mnar Secundus]

Clarence was both disappointed and relieved. Disappointed because this would be boring, and relieved because it would be easy. Putting Boali down next to him, he said "Yes, sir", almost saluting before he remembered that they were supposedly absolutely not a paramilitary organization, no, not at all, what are you implying, and then did 52 push-ups without breaking a sweat. Why did he mention "puking up shit before dying from a heart-attack"? I don't think anyone here is unfit enough to fail this ... Even Boali had managed 15, despite her mutilation.

[Nature-Spirits]

Sander got up and followed Karlson into the gym, glad that he hadn't gotten around to talking with the other recruits; he felt lucky to have been spared the Lieutenant's wrath. Listening to the instructions, he nodded and lowered himself to the ground, Stephanie separating herself from her host by stepping back as he did so. Upon being given the go-ahead, he began his push-ups, arms spread. He didn't necessarily work out on a regular basis, but he did exercise enough to be fairly fit, so when the minute was up he'd accomplished 35 push-ups -- probably one of his highest numbers, not that he'd every really tried all that hard before now. Most of the time when he worked out, it was to make himself appear more attractive, with the goal of scoring a boyfriend -- or, at the very least, a friend with benefits. Not that it had worked so far.

---

Dana filed into the gym, getting into the push-up position when told. Bader stepped out of her body, and crouched down beside her. She was going to try to get at least 20; she wanted to prove that she could do it just as well as a boy. It seemed that strength would be rewarded, so it only made sense to prove that she wasn't just a weak girl.

Karlson shouted at them to begin, and she started immediately. Her arms began to burn at around the tenth one, but she was determined to go on. By the fifteenth, she was almost ready to quit -- after all, she'd completed the necessary push-ups -- but Bader said quietly to her, "Yalla. You can do this. Come on, Dana."

That was all she needed to keep going, and when the minute was up, she'd done 22 push-ups. She collapsed to the floor, stretching her arms out, and smiled at Bader. "Shukran, ya Bader," she whispered, and he grinned in response.

"'Afwan."

Yalla = Let's go; come on; hurry up; keep going
Shukran = Thank you
ya = vocative particle placed before one's name when addressing them
'Afwan = You're welcome

[BlackDeath27]

Raven was neither pleased or grateful for this exercise it really seemed point less. After doing 56 push ups without Aria's help. The reason for her not letting Aria back in was because Clarence didn't seem to use his demon so she didn't want it look like she was cheating. Once the final whistle blew the girl sat down on the gym floor waiting for this so called test." When do we get to fight?"

[Isle of Lithonia]

Raven was neither pleased or grateful for this exercise it really seemed point less. After doing 56 push ups without Aria's help. The reason for her not letting Aria back in was because Clarence didn't seem to use his demon so she didn't want it look like she was cheating. Once the final whistle blew the girl sat down on the gym floor waiting for this so called test." When do we get to fight?"

Karlson smiled. "Since this training is obviously going to slow for someone as powerful as you, how about now?" He pulled his pistol from beneath his suit, and threw it to her. "Now, Raven Croft, attack me if you're ready to fight. I'm completely unarmed." His eyes glowed an icy blue as he waited for the girl's decision.

[Hetland 2]

As Memoir neared the door containing all the childerbeasts, he thought that he should sing a song, to brighten the childerbeasts' mood. So without a moment's hesitation, he started roaring out children's songs. As each line finished, the voice came closer and closer to the door.
"Baa, baa, black sheep,
Have you any wool?
Yes sir, yes sir,
Three bags full."
He was about half way to the door when he suddenly switched to a more somber tone.
"One for the master,
One for the dame,
And one for the little boy
Who lives down the lane."
The sound of his eerie singing could still be heard, but there was a happier tone to it.
"Baa, baa, black sheep,
Have you any wool?"
There was a significant pause in the singing as Memoir felt hatred boiling up from the bowels of his soul. He smashed the door open started shouting at the wreckage of the door, "I FUCKING TOLD YOU HOW MANY BAGS OF WOOL I HAVE YOU SHIT EATING FUCKWIT!!!", before turning to face his his master's master, some blithering fuckwit named Karlson. Or something. Memoir didn't have a mind for names, or much of a mind at all. People all ways said he'd lost it. But He didn't lose it. They took it from him. They took everything from him. They made him the mad man that he was, and he'd get revenge. Soon enough. Revenge would be his. Once he found their base inside his mind, they'd rue the day they crossed him. All OF THEM! Memoir started cackling maniacally. "So we meet again, MY MASTER'S MASTER! WHAT a PLEASURE... It is to MEAT MEET you! Again."

[Kuwabarka]

Desmond wasn't as fit as he would like to be when it came to his upper body, but he managed to pull off the twenty push ups. It wasn't too much too ask. Knowing the Lieutenant, he was expecting at least 50. As for the others, some of the people managed to be in great shape, as this was without the aid of demons. He could not be too sure when he was on the track, but here it was a bit more obvious. As for Desmond, he was a little worn out, but he was managing fine as things were doing. He was expecting any moment for the Lieutenant to command them to do some impossible task that only the fittest would be able to achieve.

[BlackDeath27]

Looking back at Aria Raven nodded in her direction for her to fuse with her. As they connected Raven's eyes grew as black as night. Looking at the gun that the man just tossed to her Raven tossed it back without hesitation." I believe in a fair fight hand to hand combat Karlson so guns have no use in this fight. You beat me and we'll respectfully call you sir." Raven could fell Aira's excitement she had been itching for a fight since they started training, and now facing off with someone stronger then them all they could do was smile. Getting into her Qigong stance Raven waited for Karlson to give the signal to fight.

[Nature-Spirits]

Staphanie watched on as Raven prepared to fight Karlson, and tapped Sander on the shoulder. "Look at that. The poor girl's going to get herself killed. More than once, if she keeps that attitude up." She glanced over at her host, who was sitting up and rubbing his shoulder. She sat down behind him and began massaging his arms and upper back -- mostly just another attempt to seduce him. Don't do what she's doing. Even if you think you can win, don't. Sure, if she does somehow manage to beat him she may earn his respect, but there are much... better ways of doing so. Here, let me show you. Continuing to massage her host's shoulders, she opened up her memories of being a spy, showing Sander how she manipulated men to get what she wanted out of them. Now that's how you earn respect and garner favour. You see?

He nodded, glancing over Karlson's form. The lieutenant was quite good-looking. It might be prudent to follow the princess's advice. According to her experience, flattery was an important tool. And not only flattery, but more. Yes, this could be doubly beneficial: a win-win, resulting in Sander being one Karlson's good side. He would definitely have to test this theory at some point.

[Mnar Secundus]

Clarence was worried. Raven had looked like the competitive type from the start, but this was insanity. "She's going to get ripped apart, right?"
"Absolutely," replied Boali. "Especially now that she fused with her Familiar. Karlson won't be putting on gloves anymore. But, Clarence, you shouldn't ..."
It was too late: Clarence stood up, hands behind his back, and said loudly, "SIR! Permission to speak, sir!"

"Aaaaand we're dead," thought Boali, exasperated, grabbing Clarence's leg to pull herself up.
Clarence remained rigorously immobile while he waited for Karlson's answer, not even flinching when that absurd Death Rider thing blasted in. "What is that? It's even more insane than me."
"That is Memoir. He's notorious in Hell for, well, being crazy. Though I don't know if he would compare to you after what you just did. Anyway, I have no idea what he might be doing here. He's very bad news."
Clarence was interested. "He said "my master's master", right? So it's safe to assume that he's working for Karlson."
Boali seemed shocked by the very idea. "No. It can't be. Nobody would be stupid enough to put Memoir in charge of anything."
"Well, apparently someone was."
"Oh, Lucen, now we're really dead."

[Kuwabarka]

What is that woman doing? Desmond and Lilian watched as Raven put on airs, in front of the Lieutenant of all people. Desmond hasn't really spoken to Raven so far, but she has always rubbed him the wrong way. She is really confident in herself, which isn't a bad thing, but she takes it pretty far. She didn't even stretch before running, and even the best runner would know to stretch.

Could she beat the Lieutenant? Desmond reached a conclusion fairly quickly. Karlson and Lightheart had way more experience in these things then Raven had. Judging by what he has seen so far, Raven is overconfident, and she only has a black demon. Arrogance can be enough to topple the strongest of foes. Karlson has a clear advantage, he has had a bit of time to assess her already, plus Lightheart is a much higher rank of demon.

"Lilian, what kind of demon is Lightheart?" Desmond asked mentally.

"Blue, Lilian thinks."

"Yeah, she definitely has no chance of winning."

"Lilian thinks the same."

[The Templar High Council]

Maiso groaned. Again. First laps, now pushups? Too much useless exercises. Nonetheless, he performed...adequately. Twenty-odd pushups later (28, to be specific. And minimum effort, as always), Maiso watched as one girl got too big for her britches and challenged Karlson to a fight.

"She's...gonna die. Huh?" He asked no one in particular.

"Probably." Fuma whispered from nearby. He cranked out enough pushups to make most grown men embarrassed. "If she's stupid enough to follow through, then they'll just resurrect her. And probably do it again."

"Cool." Maiso said, sitting up to watch better. "If she dies, we'll see who has what it takes to stay here. If not, she's gonna hurt like hell for a good while."

---

While all this was happening, Anthony finally got himself out of the machine room he spent most of his time in, and went to meet the new arrivals outside. When he arrived at the SUVs, he realized he was too late. Though he did see Selena pulling someone out of her car. He sauntered over and decided to say hi. "Miss Da' Ravielle. Good to see you." He tipped his patrol cap in her direction, wearing a tank top and jeans, average attire for him working in the garage. "What's been going on since y'all left a couple days ago? I thought you said you were bringing kids here?"

[Nekronia]

Jackie was apathetic towards the enraged screaming at his and the other group, and followed along with the others into the gym when they were instructed to do push-ups. The teen smirked at this, knowing almost exactly how this was going to go. Je, just like at my old dojo, knuckle push-ups, yeah! Heh heh. Please, PLEASE don't do anything... you know... rash. Walter separated from his master, stepping a few steps back politely as he watched everything unfold. John, however, snapped into a salute and shouted "JAWOHL, HERR KOMMANDANT", before falling onto his knees and then onto his knuckles to do push-ups on his fists, with a smug look of confidence in knowing how things would go. Walter sighed, preparing for the worst. John did his push-ups carefully and slowly, so that he could do as many as he could. He mumbled to himself as he did the push-ups as an amusing way of controlling his breathing. "Ein Fisch, zwo Fisch, roter Fisch, blauer Fisch "EIN, Fisch. ZWO, Fisch. ROTER, Fisch. BLAUER, Fisch. EIN, Fisch. ZWO... Fisch. Roter... Fisch. Blauer... FICK!" During the eighth push-up, Jackie's muscles turned in their resignation and gave up around seven seconds before the end of the time limit, not giving enough strength to lift up the skinny teen. John fell on his face, unphased by the medium pain of falling a small distance onto his nose. He sighed, giggling to himself almost silently. Je, just like at my old dojo. Thankfully, his old work at the dojo had his knuckles hard so knuckle push-ups were of identical difficulty to regular ones, however it still wasn't enough to even accomplish half the intended goal. While doing push-ups on his knuckles might earn him a few points, failing to reach even half the intended goal when everyone else succeeded with flying colors was definitely going to bring the wrath of Hell. In this case, quite literally. After the whistle went off and the time was over, he used his leg muscles to prop himself up, his face supporting a third of his weight, and then swung his legs around to the front so he was sitting up, after which point he stood up so he wouldn't be kicked in the face while he was down. Not that standing up would change anything in the bootmarks-on-the-face department.

He almost burst out laughing when the inhuman demon burst through the door, psychotically rambling about sheep and their wool, but managed to suppress it to a giggle. As for the duel about to take place, he watched in amusement with a smirk while his soon-to-be punisher would likely teach Raven a lesson about confidence.

[Charmera]

Jack sighed internally, his strengths weren't really being tested here. Still, it was either do as he was told or some sort of unpleasant punishment. Jane stepped outside of his body, leaving him on his own strength. He managed about 24 Pushups, which was roughly one pushup every three seconds. Again, he didn't show too much fatigue, but he was sweating more now, the heat getting to him.

Jack then saw Raven challenging Karlson. Unlike with the kid who was late earlier, he had little concern for her. Jack felt Karlson was a little harsh on the kid, but this girl was just being suicidal. If she wanted to get her ass handed to her, then that was her choice. Though he might feel a little sorry if she gets too beat up, though then again he had been told higher level demons could heal, and there was the natural regeneration all demon hosts had when bonded to their demon.

Laura managed similarly well, getting about twenty five push ups in. She saw she was going to have to improve her physical fitness a lot by the time this was over. Jim muttered something under his breath, sharing the same sentiment.

Miranda on the other hand, seemed to do them quite handily, managing forty five. Her training, strength and physical fitness were beginning to pay off here. She was sweating a little from the heat, but bounding with energy.

[BlackDeath27]

Raven could feel everyone eyes waiting on her obvious demise. Secretly she was feeling scared herself, but Aria's excitement drowned out her worries." They don't realize that this is something I didn't want I wanted to empress them with our fighting ability. Each one of them if I back down now I'll be not her more then trash." Raven thought this to herself only to have Aria respond.

"Look at it this way Raven, this will tell who behind us have real guts to in trust our lives to. I may have forced you in this position though if we are able to land a few hits we'll earn his respect hopefully. In the worst case scenario well get a lot of broken bones." Aira announced with in Raven's head though her focus never left their opponent for one second.

The moment Clarence opened his mouth about wanting to speak. Raven and Aria's anger explode with both voices speaking at the same time with out looking at him." Clarence look at our position we asked for a fight and this kind gentleman stepped forward. If we back down our existence would be nothing more than trash in their eyes and ours. We rather earn respect through our fist then be a lap dogs following every order like a mindless dolls." At that moment Raven's body ran towards Karlson. Almost upon him she jumped in the air to kick him in the head.

[Mnar Secundus]

Oh, God damnit. Clarence had intended to offer himself as Raven's opponent, arguing that Karlson taking her on would have been too much of a honor for a disobedient element, then beat her without too much damage; it wouldn't have been very difficult, judging from what she had just done. Who starts a fight with a leaping kick? It's the prime example of a move that only works in movies, I thought everyone knew that. I probably wouldn't even need Boali to handle her.
It had been a good plan, Clarence thought, and it could very well have worked. But it was down the drain now, obviously. Clarence looked around for something he coud use as a thrown weapon: if he managed to intercept Raven and knock her out, he might be able to placate Karlson ... Though that insane Memoir thing would be a different matter entirely. I could hit her with the fork, but it's not heavy enough to do anything. I need something like a brick or whatnot ... But there was nothing.
"Clarence, this isn't your fight. Just step down." Boali felt scared. Obviously Memoir had been more of a shock for her than for Clarence.
"I guess I should," said Clarence, his tone weary.