The Ancient Ones: Age of Nothingness (IC)

[Prusselanden]

The red field dissipated.
"So what do you want to do? You want freedom, but you're not willing to die for it."

"Would you? Plus unless the hulk or Angelus is damaging me, the darkness will just fix me up." Jackie said. "Plus i'm only 22, I don't want to die this early on in my life."

"YoUR LiFE? DoN'T YoU mEaN MinE?" The darkness hissed.

"Shut, the fuck, up!" Jackie hissed back.

"nO, I'm In CHaRgE HeRE, NoT YoU PupPeT! JuST To REmInD YoU." The darkness retorted befrore emphasizing it by having wires of shadows and darkness form and attach to Jackie's limbs like a Marionette, then forcing him to flail about.

"OH COME ON!" Jackie yelled.

"I would die for my freedom. Gladly. But I can't." He then put up the red field again threateningly.
"You can let him go now, Darkness, and go wallow in your fragile masculinity or I raise the chance of your death up to 99.9% possibility of it happening in the next second."
"Fourth said not to use your powers without strict control, Fifth..." Eigen warned.

[Slenderman The CreepyPasta King]

"Would you? Plus unless the hulk or Angelus is damaging me, the darkness will just fix me up." Jackie said. "Plus i'm only 22, I don't want to die this early on in my life."

"YoUR LiFE? DoN'T YoU mEaN MinE?" The darkness hissed.

"Shut, the fuck, up!" Jackie hissed back.

"nO, I'm In CHaRgE HeRE, NoT YoU PupPeT! JuST To REmInD YoU." The darkness retorted befrore emphasizing it by having wires of shadows and darkness form and attach to Jackie's limbs like a Marionette, then forcing him to flail about.

"OH COME ON!" Jackie yelled.

"I would die for my freedom. Gladly. But I can't." He then put up the red field again threateningly.
"You can let him go now, Darkness, and go wallow in your fragile masculinity or I raise the chance of your death up to 99.9% possibility of it happening in the next second."
"Fourth said not to use your powers without strict control, Fifth..." Eigen warned.

"TeLl HIm tHAt I cANnOt DiE." The darkness ordered Jackie. and Jackie did just that.

"The darkness told me to tell you that it can't die." Jackie said. "And sadly I have to agree, how the hell do you kill a primordial god? Especially one that has been around sense the creation of, well, darkness. One that gave Lucifer the power to create Hell?"

[Prusselanden]

"I would die for my freedom. Gladly. But I can't." He then put up the red field again threateningly.
"You can let him go now, Darkness, and go wallow in your fragile masculinity or I raise the chance of your death up to 99.9% possibility of it happening in the next second."
"Fourth said not to use your powers without strict control, Fifth..." Eigen warned.

"TeLl HIm tHAt I cANnOt DiE." The darkness ordered Jackie. and Jackie did just that.

"The darkness told me to tell you that it can't die." Jackie said. "And sadly I have to agree, how the hell do you kill a primordial god? Especially one that has been around sense the creation of, well, darkness. One that gave Lucifer the power to create Hell?"

"Primal Gods are not invincible. I know a human that fatally wounded the God of Time itself. In this world, all things must end one method or another to make space for the ones who are about to be born. The Darkness's time is slowly draining away. It cannot keep itself alive forever. I might not be able to kill it but someday it still must die."

[Slenderman The CreepyPasta King]

"TeLl HIm tHAt I cANnOt DiE." The darkness ordered Jackie. and Jackie did just that.

"The darkness told me to tell you that it can't die." Jackie said. "And sadly I have to agree, how the hell do you kill a primordial god? Especially one that has been around sense the creation of, well, darkness. One that gave Lucifer the power to create Hell?"

"Primal Gods are not invincible. I know a human that fatally wounded the God of Time itself. In this world, all things must end one method or another to make space for the ones who are about to be born. The Darkness's time is slowly draining away. It cannot keep itself alive forever. I might not be able to kill it but someday it still must die."

"I'm thinking that primordial gods like the darkness or Angelus are immortal. Completely immortal. Able to be defeated yes, but not killed. I mean there will always be darkness." Jackie said. "Plus they were, apparently, the first ever primordial gods. First came darkness, then light a few moments afterwards."

[Prusselanden]

"Primal Gods are not invincible. I know a human that fatally wounded the God of Time itself. In this world, all things must end one method or another to make space for the ones who are about to be born. The Darkness's time is slowly draining away. It cannot keep itself alive forever. I might not be able to kill it but someday it still must die."

"I'm thinking that primordial gods like the darkness or Angelus are immortal. Completely immortal. Able to be defeated yes, but not killed. I mean there will always be darkness." Jackie said. "Plus they were, apparently, the first ever primordial gods. First came darkness, then light a few moments afterwards."

"But if the Darkness is getting too out of control now, shouldn't basic entropy and the forces of light put it back in its place?" Possibility disbanded the red field again and it was evident he was getting frustrated with the Darkness.

[Slenderman The CreepyPasta King]

"I'm thinking that primordial gods like the darkness or Angelus are immortal. Completely immortal. Able to be defeated yes, but not killed. I mean there will always be darkness." Jackie said. "Plus they were, apparently, the first ever primordial gods. First came darkness, then light a few moments afterwards."

"But if the Darkness is getting too out of control now, shouldn't basic entropy and the forces of light put it back in its place?" Possibility disbanded the red field again and it was evident he was getting frustrated with the Darkness.

"Believe it or not, the Angelus is a bitch." Jackie stated. "She doesn't care bout anything but killing the darkness, she'd use her most loyal followers as cannon fodder. Like I said before, she possessed my dead girlfriend to try and kill me. The light isn't as good as you might think. I don't know enough about the forces of Entropy to state my opinion on the matter of them doing anything against the darkness, but isn't entropy the thing that effects every non-constant?"

[Prusselanden]

"But if the Darkness is getting too out of control now, shouldn't basic entropy and the forces of light put it back in its place?" Possibility disbanded the red field again and it was evident he was getting frustrated with the Darkness.

"Believe it or not, the Angelus is a bitch." Jackie stated. "She doesn't care bout anything but killing the darkness, she'd use her most loyal followers as cannon fodder. Like I said before, she possessed my dead girlfriend to try and kill me. The light isn't as good as you might think. I don't know enough about the forces of Entropy to state my opinion on the matter of them doing anything against the darkness, but isn't entropy the thing that effects every non-constant?"

"Ah, yes. Light can be a bitch most of the times. It's harsh, burning, and stings your eyes when you drive. Well if light won't help you, I suggest you turn to a different power to quell the darkness inside then-a rare power I don't normally like to talk about-but very strong. Why don't you try to cultivate the power of love and find a special someone all over again."
Eigenpower burst of laughing.
"You still believe in that Fifth!? Seriously!"

[Naval Monte]

Realm 0
Timere


The two sorcerers for the most part ate their meal in relative peace, each time new faces came to the restaurant they greeted the new guests and the two resumed back to their own business. When the ship was mentioned again Doctor Strange said. "I can try to see if with my sling ring I can create a portal large enough to fit a spaceship. Granted I never done anything like that before but I'm willing to experiment with the true extent of my powers." Cain replied with. "I may try to help you with that one Strange. I have created many gate spells and we won't to make sure their ships makes it through in one piece along with the crew."

When the discussion turn to where to stay for tonight Strange slide back on his seat as well. "Yes I rather have some place warm and preferably with a roof over my head with plenty of walls to keep out the cold tonight. But the question is would we even be allowed to stay in a hotel in this world? None of us have this world's currency." Strange pointed out, reminding everyone in the group of their monetary problem that would make finding a hotel a challenge.

Cain shrugged. "We just find some real coins or banknotes and use alchemy to make authentic looking forges. That is what some alchemists in my world do when they are having financial troubles." The old mage said with no care to the implications or even legal ramifications of such action. However Strange saw both and looked at the old man with a glare that shown his disapproval of such a plan. "That plan of yours, besides it being incredibly illegal, would also hinge on the idea that no one can sense magic which considering how we got here I doubt most wouldn't notice something odd with forged coins."

Cain only shrugged. "Those who leave behind signs of their money being forged are talent less hacks that deserve to be caught. I have been doing this for so long that even other mages have a hard time knowing when I present them money that came to be because of alchemy." Strange asked for a demonstration of Cain's power of matter transmutation. "I don't have the necessary equipment to perform such a task now. I would first need a good room from which to do the bulk of my work and many items, herbs and other items for the alchemical purposes and" Strange cut off Cain with a simple raise of his hand.

"We understand, some of your spells require more room, time and preparation. If we are going to make fool's gold then we will try to find everything you need." The old mage smiled. "I think we should first take a look on this inn before we can think of sneaking or bribing ourselves into the building."

[Kaidou]

Manichean Plane
Realm 0
Timere

"There's no need to forge anything", said Henry, raising the massive bag which he had brought along and taking out a bundle of ¥‎10,000 notes. "I've got ¥‎9,995,000 in this bag; it's more than enough for us to get a stay. Besides, I'm sure there'll be more of those ATM things we saw outside over there..."

"Meh, we can discuss that once we're at the inn", Samuel shrugged and brushed his fringe out of his eyes, revealing his safety pin earring for a brief moment. He arranged his cutlery on his empty plate and then stood up, stretching. "Let's go, Yocchi."

Akita Jr nodded and winked, heading back into the lounge and coming back out in his coat and his Icelandic flag scarf.

"Seems like you're in luck", he said, looking out of the window. "The snow seems to have lessened."

...

[Kaidou]

Greater Multiverse
Dimension 49
Janu
Supply route for Kanegi

Retaliation of the Beast

Janu, while not strictly speaking a territory of the Asano Clan (and by extension the Japanese Empire) was one of Asano's most important supply routes to his base in Kanegi. Composed entirely of a grassy field and a few scattered lakes here and there, Janu's value to the daimyo lay in the fact that it had two massive natural portals just 10km away from each other, one end of which was Dimension 50 and the other end a distant territory of the Asano Clan.

This made things a lot easier for the Clan's troops to transport weapons and food in and out of their capital, but given its publicity, was also a prime location for enemies seeking revenge. Like the Chimaera, for example.

That particular day, just an hour after Tajurai Revik Ohm declared himself the Fourth Manju, a convoy of several trucks and 80 Japanese soldiers transporting cannon parts to Kanegi was intercepted three kilometres away from the Kanegi entrance portal by several hundred Chimaera soldiers, who appeared from over a knoll and opened fire.

On the top of one of the trucks, even as all the men took cover behind and inside the vehicles, a feminine figure in a white kimono and a white hooded cloak drew an ōdachi as long as she was tall, skilfully using a backhand style to deflect the first volley of bullets before flipping the blade upright and holding it by her side, casting off her white cloak and facing the numerous soldiers facing her.

Lieutenant General
Miki Numasawa
沼沢　美希
One of the Three Demons of the Sangū Division

"Come."

The hordes of soldiers, seeing that their rains of bullets weren't about to harm the woman general in any way, drew their blades and charged down the knoll, only to be met by a volley of bullets coming from the soldiers hiding behind the trucks. It was a rifle transport convoy, after all.

This was swiftly complemented by a slash from BG Numasawa's long field blade. As five helmeted heads rolled into the grass with a morbidly satisfying synchronised thud, Numasawa leapt off the top of the truck and landed crouched over on the ground, before pirouetting into a standing position and charging straight into the enemy line, effortlessly cutting her way through the soldiers who charged forward and sending clean streaks of blood spraying into the air.

"You're fighting against the division led by the man who killed your boss", Numasawa taunted, as more and more Chimaera soldiers fell to her long, glimmering, blue-tinted blade. "Aren't you all afraid?"

Her taunt was met with a kunai on a long chain flying in her direction from another part of the knoll, which she deflected with her blade. As the chain pooled, Numasawa grabbed it and hurled it into the air, swinging it about and cutting down more soldiers, before hurling it back in the direction it came from, where its thrower seized it without so much as a flinch.

"Weeaboo Jones."

Rank II Commander
Kirito Jōnzu
"Weeaboo Jones"
Combatant of the Chimaera (Bielag Army)

"Omae are getting in the way, onna", Kirito snarled, his fats wobbling as he spun his kunai on its chain. "Wareware will crush this nisemono Nihon Teikoku, and watashi will build a honmono Teikoku!"

"You can't even speak Japanese", spat Numasawa with a sadistic half-smile forming on her face, as her blade danced in her hand. "Don't get cocky just because you're now Rank II."

"Damare!" Kirito screamed, his face turning red with fury. "Kisama! How dare you call watashi a filthy gaijin??? Watashi will korosu you!!!"

Numasawa burst out in hysterical laughter and, leaping into the air and propelling herself off the shoulders of several soldiers (before cutting off their heads), somersaulting in the air use for show and slashing in an arc at Kirito, who stepped backward surprisingly deftly for a man of his body fat percentage and, throwing aside his kunai, drew a pair of Japanese daggers, holding them reverse and striking at Numasawa.

"Omae are going to shinu, konoyarō!!!"

...

Dimension 50
Kanegi
第50宇宙
金木

Asano Clan Main HQ
浅野一族総本部

Rank I Commander
Adunim Omave VII
"Sawtooth Axe"
Combatant of the Chimaera (Bielag Army)

"I am a Chimaera Commander! This girl is Hotaru Sakakibara!"

At the gates of the Asano Clan Main HQ stood a lone minotaur, clutching a bound and gagged eleven year old girl by the hair and twirling his cruel, serrated axe with his other hand. Though he had introduced himself as a Chimaera, there were no other soldiers in sight.

"This is Hotaru Sakakibara, granddaughter of Tadashi Sakakibara! We demand that Takekai Sangū turn himself in this instant, or she dies!"

From the balcony, just three storeys above the gate outside which Omave stood, both Tadashi Sakakibara and Ryūsuke Asano watched as the minotaur made his threat seemingly alone, the former standing tall and proud despite the risk his granddaughter had been put in, the latter hunched over and miserable like an asiatic Gollum.

"With all due respect, my lord", said Sakakibara, "We need to save her."

"Let her die", Asano spat. "I will not give up my most powerful general because of that little dud."

"My lord!" Sakakibara bawled, on the verge of tears. "She's my only granddaughter!"

"I will not do anything", Asano replied impassively, each toxic word splattering out of his mouth like a fountain of horrors. "We will not negate our first great victory against the Chimaera for something so stupid. You will be rewarded for your contributions and sacrifices in due course, Tadashi Sakakibara."

"Allow me to handle this."

Before the painfully awkward conversation could carry on, a dark, bespectacled figure with a chest wrapped in bandages stepped forth from the shadows, a long sword strapped into the belt of his loose, grey yukata.

"Shirō Matsushita", Asano snarled, more from his bad throat (caused by a lack of proper nutrition) than from any malice towards the general. "Do handle this situation."

"Don't let my granddaughter die", pleaded the old retainer.

Matsushita flashed a slightly condescending glance at both Sakakibara and Asano, before leaping off the parapet of the balcony, past the archers and snipers with their weapons pointed at Omave, and landing before the massive minotaur with his sword drawn.

"Do you want me to kill this girl, Matsushita???" Omave screamed. "I asked for Ta-"

Before he could even raise his weapon, Omave's head left its neck and tumbled onto the ground, blood splattering all over the ground as the headless minotaur corpse released the young girl and collapsed onto the sandy ground with a dull thud. In the same movement, Matsushita gently swung his blade and cut through Hotaru's bonds, lifting the girl up and placing her on her feet as he rose from his crouching position.

"Open the gates! Let her in!"

As the gates of Kanegi Castle swung open, Sakakibara running out as fast as he could to bring his beloved granddaughter in, Matsushita flicked the blood off his sword and sheathed it in one swift movement.

"He's not the only one", said the general to Sakakibara, as he lifted his quietly sobbing granddaughter up and hugged her. "There are more of them out there. I've received word from my men that all six of the Tor Brothers have been spotted undercover in Kanegi's streets. We need to act fast."

"Hmm..."

Sakakibara, despite his earlier outburst of emotion in the presence of Asano (who had silently slunk back into his room), had returned to his usual matter-of-fact state.

"I shall call Sangū here", he said. "It seems like Nevesco Army... no... Bielag Army is going all out in their retaliation. The Chimaera is stepping up its game; we, too, need to do so.

"If Lord Asano wills it, I shall reveal our secret weapon, too."

"Grandpa... What's going to happen?"

"Nothing. You'll be safe, my dear firefly."

(Hotaru (蛍) means "firefly)

...

???

"It is about time that we of the Chimaera stamp out the little worm which calls itself the Asano Clan, for this little worm has shown that it has fangs of its own."

Bielag's speech to his Ranked Commanders and to his Cabinet (his country was essentially part of the Chimaera, anyway) drew thunderous applause from all who were present.

"Even as we speak, my soldiers are already beginning their assaults on the Asano Clan's main installations. When the time is right, I shall head straight for Kanegi and cut off the heads of the tyrants Ryūsuke Asano and Takekai Sangū personally."

More applause.

"Then, when the fighting is over, I will bring peace to the lands of Japan!"
______._______________________________________________________________slaughter the entire Japanese race like pigs

...

[Prusselanden]

Manichean Plane
Realm 0
Timere

"There's no need to forge anything", said Henry, raising the massive bag which he had brought along and taking out a bundle of ¥‎10,000 notes. "I've got ¥‎9,995,000 in this bag; it's more than enough for us to get a stay. Besides, I'm sure there'll be more of those ATM things we saw outside over there..."

"Meh, we can discuss that once we're at the inn", Samuel shrugged and brushed his fringe out of his eyes, revealing his safety pin earring for a brief moment. He arranged his cutlery on his empty plate and then stood up, stretching. "Let's go, Yocchi."

Akita Jr nodded and winked, heading back into the lounge and coming back out in his coat and his Icelandic flag scarf.

"Seems like you're in luck", he said, looking out of the window. "The snow seems to have lessened."

...

Ackerman walked out and floppes down in the snow.
"Ackerman, wah-!?"
"The snow there isn't like this, it's always gray and soggy. This snow's white and fluffy." Xe started to make a snow angel in the snow. "Back there we don't have snow like this."
"Ackerman, no." Fred stooped down and dragged xer along with the group. "We need to go."

[Petrokovia]

"FIRE!" Wilfre shouted, jumping out of his chair seemingly by the force of his own word alone. His voice was clear, but harsh, and strained from the corruption within his body.

Wilfre's Campaign: Movement III

As soon as he commanded, the main weapons of several ships opened fire, sending energy beams to far off targets, destroying cities in the distance. Azalea's main weapons trained on Tokyo, and unleashed hell on the Japanese capital city.
He sounds like a little demon. Azalea noted, as she operated her weapons.

Project X Headquarters; Tokyo, Japan

Alex looked at the robot and frowned. "We teleport into situations like this all the time, and it always works for us. Well, not quite like this, but still some pretty hairy places." "Ve also have practice," Ivan reminded her, "Vhile these have never teleported before. I agree vith robot, it vould be vise to establish secure area before bringing in everybody. Is safest option." "Safety being relative here," Marcus muttered. "The future agrees with Ivan. In timelines where we all go now, less of us survive than when most of us go later."

Alex sighed, defeated. "Okay," she said. "You take your shock force, and we'll keep an eye on you from here with my GPS. When it's safe for the rest of us to arrive, signal or something and we'll appear. Who's gonna go with?" "I'll go!" Ann said excitedly. "You sure, Ann?" Alex asked. "It's gonna dangerous." "Yep! I'll be fine, I have my air powers and super-healing!" Alex looked over the other heroes. "She is probably best choice," Ivan admitted. "Yeah," Marcus agreed. "High mobility, damage, durability... certainly the best out of us. I mean, no offense to the rest of us, but only she and Josh have offensive powers and I kinda doubt the spaceships are going to fly low enough to be punched out." "I hate it when they fly." Joshua growled to himself. "Yeah, I guess.' Alex said. She looked back at the others and said, "Well, you've got one. Who else wants to go?" "By the way," Marcus added, "Robo-guy. Mind giving us a name now? I'm not picky if it's yours or not, I just don't want to keep calling you robo-guy. It's stupid."

Terrell spoke to the group, smiling.
"This plan sounds reasonable. If we're dealing with a possible heavy retaliation, we should be sending our defensively strongest in first-"
"I will go." Bloodfyre said, suddenly. "My armor is indestructible, and my magic can affect long ranges. In addition, should the enemy have magic-nullifying capabilities, I have conventional weapons which may strike at range."
"That sounds great. So, I think we've got a plan!"

Terrell's smile would fade, as screaming and destruction could be heard from outside. Chase Tyrane lead the group into the courtyard of the headquarters, where the first thing they could see would be several large building instantly vaporized by an attack.
"What the hell?" was the only thing that managed to escape Tyrane's mouth, and a second later, he spun around to face the group.
"You're going to need to get that safe spot ready for us real quick!"

Soon, the city of Tokyo was in chaos, and it would only be a matter of minutes before it was leveled, if the heroes did not move quickly.

---

Wilfre's Campaign: Movement IV

The Ockham's Razor floated in space, a calm in the air around the crew. Tadayoshi turned to Iris.
"Wilfre is dead set on becoming free from the narrative. It's difficult to explain, but essentially we're all in a story, and Wilfre is one of the characters. Somehow, he figured this out, and wishes to be set free. He thinks the only way to accomplish this is by taking out his RPer's main characters... Including all of us you see on this ship. If he kills all of us off, he figures Petro wouldn't be able to retaliate against him as if that would work..."
He took a breath of fresh air, then continued.
"He also thinks the only way to take us out is to take out Project X as well, as they are backing us."

As if on cue, an urgent message appeared on the Ockham's Razor. Muffet looked at the computer screen, then summed the message up in three words.
"Wilfre's attacking Japan."
"Miku, take us directly to him. It's time for us to intercept him."
"Right away!"

Soon, the Ockham's Razor made a jump, and appeared in Hokkaido, in front of Wilfre's ship, shields taking the brunt of Azalea's fire meant for Tokyo.
"Prioritizing shields and shield regeneration." Miku said. "They won't be breaking through to our ship!"

---

Wilfre's Campaign: Movement V

In the air approaching Wilfre's fleet, an entire wing of the Japanese Self Defense Force's fighter jets and interceptors arrived, led by several Cornerian fighters.

Fay turned her head as she heard them approaching. She smiled, before speaking to Miyu.
"Hey, it looks like we finally have some back up!"
"And Tadz got here, too." Miyu pointed out, as the Ockham's Razor arrived with a loud crack reverberating through the air.
"Ha! I bet Wilfre didn't see that coming-"

Just as Fay spoke, her arwing shook as her top starboard G-Diffuser was shot by the anti-air cannons of Azalea. Fay glanced up, and was able to catch a glimpse of Azalea's deck, where she stood, staring back at the arwing pilot with a sadistic grin.

As several alarm bells went off in the cockpit, Fay struggled to regain control of her arwing, but was unable to. Keeping as calm as she could, she pressed a few keys on the touch screen in front of her, and a lever came out of the front of the bottom of her chair. She reached down and pulled it, attempting to eject from the cockpit. She braced for the sudden blast upward, but would only hear a whining sound coming from under her chair while the cockpit opened.
What? The chair's stuck!?"
She frantically looked around the chair. Maybe it was caught on something? Maybe something got into the motor, preventing it from raising the guide rails? Before she could find her answer, the arwing crashed into the ground, various parts of it breaking off as it plowed into the snow-covered dirt. Fay braced herself, and after the crash looked around.
I need to bail, and get away before the arwing can go up...
Fay tried leaning forward, and only then was she struck with a pain like she'd never felt before-She clutched her side and looked down, finding that a part of the cockpit frame had broken loose and impaled her through the abdomen. It was still connected to the rest of the cockpit, and Fay didn't have anything to cut it loose, so she braced herself, then leaned away from the piece of metal.
She freed herself, and fell out of the cockpit, her lungs frantically searching for air. Breathing shallowly and quickly, Fay crawled away from the arwing a number of meters. By the time she was a safe distance from the arwing, she figured she could dress her wound. However, in her rush, she had left her medical kit in the arwing; She was too tired to move due to the blood loss, and could only lie face up in the snow.
Is this it...? she thought to herself.

"FAY!" Miyu yelled, pulling away from the battle. She flew down a ways from where Fay's interceptor had crashed, and landed. Before the arwing could finish the landing sequence, Miyu was already jumping out of her vehicle with her own medical kit and running through the snow to the fallen pilot. She fell to her knees next to Fay and tore open the first aid box, rummaging through several items. Miyu took out clotting agents and bandages, dressing the wound and attempting to stop the bleeding, but it was too late.

Wilfre's Campaign: Movement VI

Miyu held Fay's hand, unsure what else she could do. Fay gave a weak smile, and spoke to Miyu.
"Don't worry too much. Things like this can happen... We signed up for this. Don't give up or stop fighting..."
"No, you can't leave! You can't..."
Miyu's eyes glistened, as she looked at her best friend before her.
"I don't know if I can-"
"I don't think there's much helping me now..." Fay said, her voice trembling. "You can do this... I believe you can, and you will..."
Miyu watched as Fay fell unconscious, and passed away. She sat staring in the distance, in shock.

[The States of Balloon]

Manichean Plane
Realm 0
Timere

"There's no need to forge anything", said Henry, raising the massive bag which he had brought along and taking out a bundle of ¥‎10,000 notes. "I've got ¥‎9,995,000 in this bag; it's more than enough for us to get a stay. Besides, I'm sure there'll be more of those ATM things we saw outside over there..."

"Meh, we can discuss that once we're at the inn", Samuel shrugged and brushed his fringe out of his eyes, revealing his safety pin earring for a brief moment. He arranged his cutlery on his empty plate and then stood up, stretching. "Let's go, Yocchi."

Akita Jr nodded and winked, heading back into the lounge and coming back out in his coat and his Icelandic flag scarf.

"Seems like you're in luck", he said, looking out of the window. "The snow seems to have lessened."

...

Ackerman walked out and floppes down in the snow.
"Ackerman, wah-!?"
"The snow there isn't like this, it's always gray and soggy. This snow's white and fluffy." Xe started to make a snow angel in the snow. "Back there we don't have snow like this."
"Ackerman, no." Fred stooped down and dragged xer along with the group. "We need to go."

SCP-507 headed over to Fred and attempted conversation. "Hey, I'm SCP-507. We met on Mars. After all this time, I'm wondering what you were doing there in the first place.

[Prusselanden]

Ackerman walked out and floppes down in the snow.
"Ackerman, wah-!?"
"The snow there isn't like this, it's always gray and soggy. This snow's white and fluffy." Xe started to make a snow angel in the snow. "Back there we don't have snow like this."
"Ackerman, no." Fred stooped down and dragged xer along with the group. "We need to go."

SCP-507 headed over to Fred and attempted conversation. "Hey, I'm SCP-507. We met on Mars. After all this time, I'm wondering what you were doing there in the first place.

"Yeah, I remember you, SCP-507. I was on Mars cause of a threat to the multiverse I needed to deal with. Unfortunately....I turned out to be in a coma for a good amount of time...and I couldn't find any of my friends anymore."

[Legokiller]

Ockham's Razor

“Okay mister crazy pants. I think you either been talking to a pink pony named Pinkie Pie, or if that isn’t bizarre enough, Petro is actually speaking to you. But, oh boy! I can see why Wiflre is mad, and trying to rebel to free himself from the will of a ‘RPer’.” Iris glance at the words written in her next train of thought, as for a second to notice someone who’s username suggested he may want to kill Legos, is choosing her next move. Then it was over, and left Iris more puzzled about everything for a moment. There is worlds where she is a fictional character, and if what Tadayoshi said was true, then as a character in story. Perhaps what she saw was allowed by her RPer for only one time. Iris whistled in awe as this is another bizarre adventure Iris found herself in. Well, it could be much worse!

Iris kept her cool demeanor despite things continuing to be tough on the group.“Look like I have not much choice but to assist you to stop Wiflre from destroying you guys. After all, my friends do want you to be safe and meet again. Who knows, maybe Serena might have a friendly Pokemon battle with Gold.” Iris turn to Ty at first, checking on the Tylphosion health condition. He was pretty bad, and still recovering from the tiresome battle from the grey rubric borg cube.“Yo Gold! I got something that will really help your Pokemon. Here, take this!” She took out a white colored first aid kit with a picture of a Unovan Nurse Joy and her Audino. In the description on the back said this kit contained full restores, elixirs, energy rations, and other medication to completely restore a Pokemon team of six in a pitch.

Iris then gasped “Japan! Oh shot! Wilfrie is trying to destroy Game Freak Inc HQ. and all the people there too! Okay we have to stop him-” Everything went into a flash and next place everyone's at is another Earth.

This is bad. The entire ship is tanking the bombardment meant for Tokyo once it existed hyperspace. Will this ship hold on against the attack? Then again, who knows how much damage the Ockham’s Razor endured back in the borg battle. “I hope you're sure about that Miku. The Saturn took on a light show of beams before the shields went down. As for me, I’ll be ready for battle in just a second!” Iris jumped as she processed to heal her Pokemon Team.

[Slenderman The CreepyPasta King]

"Believe it or not, the Angelus is a bitch." Jackie stated. "She doesn't care bout anything but killing the darkness, she'd use her most loyal followers as cannon fodder. Like I said before, she possessed my dead girlfriend to try and kill me. The light isn't as good as you might think. I don't know enough about the forces of Entropy to state my opinion on the matter of them doing anything against the darkness, but isn't entropy the thing that effects every non-constant?"

"Ah, yes. Light can be a bitch most of the times. It's harsh, burning, and stings your eyes when you drive. Well if light won't help you, I suggest you turn to a different power to quell the darkness inside then-a rare power I don't normally like to talk about-but very strong. Why don't you try to cultivate the power of love and find a special someone all over again."
Eigenpower burst of laughing.
"You still believe in that Fifth!? Seriously!"

"He's actually right." Jackie said. "Before my girlfriend died, she did keep the darkness at bay most of the time. Hell that's exactly why it didn't let me do anything when I could have. Though that's easier said than done with me for a few reasons. One, if I do that again, the drkness will find a way to get her killed, two, even if not, the Angelus would try and get her, and I know she's still out there, and three, I may not be able to hold my... urges back."

[Naval Monte]

Palace of Broken Glass

Marie walked up to the garish throne and like James looked at the relic with disgust. "This vanity is to be expected from that creature." she said. Marie wish to destroy the items around her so she wouldn't have to feel the terrible corrupted aura anymore but knows that if she was to do that Zalgo would immediately notice their presence in his throne room and appear. When Slender Man explained how the cloak works and how with demons it would have weaken her Marie held on to the cloak, surprised that such an item can have an effect against Zalgo's powers and still be in his domain. "I guess the multiverse loves to be ironic if the cloak being here after it was destroyed is anything to go by." she said back about the cloak somehow appearing in Zalgo's palace.

When Slender Man told them on what was keeping them trap in the palace and his plan to get them out Marie drew out her sword just as Zalgo appeared and attacked Slender Man. Marie took out her automatic crossbow and began to channel both her demonic energy and the powers of doom into the weapon, firing arrows coated with the two powers. The arrows would hit Zalgo at the side of his body, Marie would put away her crossbow and charged the twin powers on the blade of her sword and unleash a crescent wave of energy when she slash the sword through the air.

Marie turn to James. James can you get us out of here now?" She shouted, wondering if now was the right time or if they need Zalgo to use more corruption before they can leave.

[Mundeo]

Palace of Broken Glass

Marie walked up to the garish throne and like James looked at the relic with disgust. "This vanity is to be expected from that creature." she said. Marie wish to destroy the items around her so she wouldn't have to feel the terrible corrupted aura anymore but knows that if she was to do that Zalgo would immediately notice their presence in his throne room and appear. When Slender Man explained how the cloak works and how with demons it would have weaken her Marie held on to the cloak, surprised that such an item can have an effect against Zalgo's powers and still be in his domain. "I guess the multiverse loves to be ironic if the cloak being here after it was destroyed is anything to go by." she said back about the cloak somehow appearing in Zalgo's palace.

When Slender Man told them on what was keeping them trap in the palace and his plan to get them out Marie drew out her sword just as Zalgo appeared and attacked Slender Man. Marie took out her automatic crossbow and began to channel both her demonic energy and the powers of doom into the weapon, firing arrows coated with the two powers. The arrows would hit Zalgo at the side of his body, Marie would put away her crossbow and charged the twin powers on the blade of her sword and unleash a crescent wave of energy when she slash the sword through the air.

Marie turn to James. James can you get us out of here now?" She shouted, wondering if now was the right time or if they need Zalgo to use more corruption before they can leave.

Palace of Broken Glass

"Right on it" James had just started to feel it; that whatever was keeping them in here was finally starting to give. Now was there chance. Anything to get away from this place and the Slenderman. In the next moment, the two halfbloods vanished.

---

'Let's hope I didn't screw up too much'

James still wasn't certain of where they were going to end up, if they were going to end up in the same place. Fortunately, only appearing on the roof of a building was a good start, and things seemed better with each passing second. The air was warm and welcoming, with a bright sun overhead. It didn't take long for him to realize where they were.

"We're back in Brasilia"

Tallon IV

"The best in the galaxy" Samus let herself enjoy the words that she spoke. It isn't often that she finds someone who doesn't know about her. "That was the first thing that ticked me off that you weren't from around here: you didn't know who I was, and you didn't look afraid"

You do gain some reputation when you are the most respected and feared bounty hunter in the galaxy, and Samus made sure that fact set into Jeremie before she continued. "There's also how you seem to be responding to things I haven't said. What, can you read my thoughts?"

[Prusselanden]

"Ah, yes. Light can be a bitch most of the times. It's harsh, burning, and stings your eyes when you drive. Well if light won't help you, I suggest you turn to a different power to quell the darkness inside then-a rare power I don't normally like to talk about-but very strong. Why don't you try to cultivate the power of love and find a special someone all over again."
Eigenpower burst of laughing.
"You still believe in that Fifth!? Seriously!"

"He's actually right." Jackie said. "Before my girlfriend died, she did keep the darkness at bay most of the time. Hell that's exactly why it didn't let me do anything when I could have. Though that's easier said than done with me for a few reasons. One, if I do that again, the drkness will find a way to get her killed, two, even if not, the Angelus would try and get her, and I know she's still out there, and three, I may not be able to hold my... urges back."

"See? I told you. It won't work," Eigenpower leaned against a wall casually, buffing her nails.
"I told you not to take interest in human affairs, Fifth."
"If that's so, you will need someone very special, then." Possibility said to Jackie. "Someone who is strong enough to resist the primordial gods for some time."

[Naval Monte]

Brasilia

Marie took out one of her bombs, it was a an odd bomb. Square in shape and covered in many spikes, using her powers the fuse lit itself and Marie throw the bomb, sticking to the flesh of Zalgo. By the time both she and James disappeared the bomb would explode, covering him in the azure flames of alchemist fire. The azure flames would burn through his flesh, boiling his tainted blood and even burn straight into his bone and lick his bone marrow.

Everything was dark for Marie, as though she fell asleep in the middle of the teleportation. She hoped that everything went well when they left the palace. Yet she knew that things went well when the scent of salt water, smog and more hit her nose. She felt the warm rays of the sun on her skin and armor and as she opened her eyes realize that she was on the roof of a building.

When James exclaimed where they are Marie looked at him. "The same city where we tried to get the spear from the Karotechia? Why are we back here?" Before Names can speak a voice behind them spoke out. "Because I have a special delivery for the two of you." Marie turn and found a man leaning his back against the door leading down into the building.

The man was a tall, slim, dark skin man, wearing a blue sweater and an knee length dark brown trench coat. He had a stubble of beard on his face and a small afro on top of his head. He wore black pants and designer shoes. The man's eyes were an amber color, both Marie and James would have the feeling that his eyes were staring right them, as though the man can see deep into their very thoughts and souls.

"Who are you!" Marie ordered, taking out her sword and taking a defensive position. Marie can sense that the man was not human but wasn't sure what he is. The man smiled and put up his hands as he walked away from the door. "Now now Ms. Crestgate, there is no need for violence. I didn't come all the way into this universe just to fight you two. Like I said before, I came here to deliver a gift." The man reached into his coat and took out an item that at first puzzled Marie but soon she felt it's power and was shocked.

Contain inside bundle fold that was a nazi flag was the item that she, James and Elizabeth tried to get but failed when Shadow the Hedgohog interfere; the spear of destiny. Marie walked over to the man and cautiously took the spear still wrapped up inside the flag. "We thank you for finding and giving us the spear but why?".

The grinning man happilyed explained his reason for helping them. "The reason I help you two find the spear is because that spear is the key to finding a weapon far greater than it. I need your help on finding this weapon." Marie asked why them and why the man wants the weapon. "You two met some of the gods of this world right? I serve one of them but I want to be free from them and why I want your help is very simple, you two and the group you two were with have faced against god's and cosmic horrors and defeated them. I feel that if we work together we can find the sword."

Marie asked why a sword would kill the gods of this world. " evause that sword is one of the relics that once believed g to the creator of both the Archons and Daevas and the entire Gnosis multiverse. In essence it is the sword of YHWH. Or the sword of god if you have trouble pronouncing that name."

[The Dark Brotherhood of Deros]

Borg Planet - Outside the TARDIS
With each attack striking its grotesque form, 00-1 screeched in pain. First the bones pierced its hide, followed by a powerful blast of lunar energy from Alice that sent it flying backward. The attacks from Elizabeth didn't help matters either, and the beast was now sparking and shaking in pain. It collapsed on the ground and went still. Just as Hana flew out of the TARDIS in her MEKA, she saw it go down. "Really? That's it?" She asked.

The soft laughter of Octavius answered her question. "Oh my dear girl... Hardly." Octavius said. Sure enough, 00-1 was enveloped by black energy as a blue-black aura surrounded it. The beast then rose off of the ground, balancing on its two huge arms. Then it began to change its body and morph itself into an even more horrifying creature. Its single eye split into five, each one placed on a slender tentacle, and its face split open to reveal rows of razor sharp teeth coated in thick saliva.

Six more arms burst out of the creatures back, each ending in three-fingered clawed hands, and dozens of wires sprang out from its body like weeds, writhing about in all directions. The beast then turned to the heroes and let out a terrifying screech that seemed to crack the sky with its intensity.

"You've just barely scratched zhe surface of my beasts power..."

VS 00-1
Horror Incarnate

With a mighty swing of its arm 00-1 struck Alice first, striking her with the force of a dump truck moving at 100 MPH. It then sent its seemingly endless amounts of wires at the heroes, intending to puncture their skin and inject nano probes into them. To make matters worse 00-1 also unleashed a massive green energy beam from its gaping mouth at the TARDIS, with the ships shields barely holding the brutal attack back.

[Slenderman The CreepyPasta King]

Brasilia

Marie took out one of her bombs, it was a an odd bomb. Square in shape and covered in many spikes, using her powers the fuse lit itself and Marie throw the bomb, sticking to the flesh of Zalgo. By the time both she and James disappeared the bomb would explode, covering him in the azure flames of alchemist fire. The azure flames would burn through his flesh, boiling his tainted blood and even burn straight into his bone and lick his bone marrow.

Everything was dark for Marie, as though she fell asleep in the middle of the teleportation. She hoped that everything went well when they left the palace. Yet she knew that things went well when the scent of salt water, smog and more hit her nose. She felt the warm rays of the sun on her skin and armor and as she opened her eyes realize that she was on the roof of a building.

When James exclaimed where they are Marie looked at him. "The same city where we tried to get the spear from the Karotechia? Why are we back here?" Before Names can speak a voice behind them spoke out. "Because I have a special delivery for the two of you." Marie turn and found a man leaning his back against the door leading down into the building.

The man was a tall, slim, dark skin man, wearing a blue sweater and an knee length dark brown trench coat. He had a stubble of beard on his face and a small afro on top of his head. He wore black pants and designer shoes. The man's eyes were an amber color, both Marie and James would have the feeling that his eyes were staring right them, as though the man can see deep into their very thoughts and souls.

"Who are you!" Marie ordered, taking out her sword and taking a defensive position. Marie can sense that the man was not human but wasn't sure what he is. The man smiled and put up his hands as he walked away from the door. "Now now Ms. Crestgate, there is no need for violence. I didn't come all the way into this universe just to fight you two. Like I said before, I came here to deliver a gift." The man reached into his coat and took out an item that at first puzzled Marie but soon she felt it's power and was shocked.

Contain inside bundle fold that was a nazi flag was the item that she, James and Elizabeth tried to get but failed when Shadow the Hedgohog interfere; the spear of destiny. Marie walked over to the man and cautiously took the spear still wrapped up inside the flag. "We thank you for finding and giving us the spear but why?".

The grinning man happilyed explained his reason for helping them. "The reason I help you two find the spear is because that spear is the key to finding a weapon far greater than it. I need your help on finding this weapon." Marie asked why them and why the man wants the weapon. "You two met some of the gods of this world right? I serve one of them but I want to be free from them and why I want your help is very simple, you two and the group you two were with have faced against god's and cosmic horrors and defeated them. I feel that if we work together we can find [i][/i]the sword."

Marie asked why a sword would kill the gods of this world. " evause that sword is one of the relics that once believed g to the creator of both the Archons and Daevas and the entire Gnosis multiverse. In essence it is the sword of YHWH. Or the sword of god if you have trouble pronouncing that name."

When the bombs went off, it ripped through Zalgo's flesh. However it began to heal almost instantly. When he sensed that the two half-bloods vanished, he chuckled, pushing the slenderman's tendrils back more and more, and slenderman straining to push back was the only thing that kept him alive, and said,"So, you engadged me to buy time for them? Knowing that I would win in the long run?"

As Zalgo was saying that slenderman slenderwalked behind Zalgo, sending some of his sigma radiation into Zalgo's wounds and projected,"Yes, I kn ow you're more powerful than me once your third mouth opens, but power isn't everything."

Zalgo was about to ask what the faceless staler meant by that before he realized that he began to get slower. Realizing that slenderman put his sigma radiation in him not soon after. "Before I kill you, I have to ask, why help them? That isn't like you." Zalgo asked, getting his staff out and charging up a corruption blast with it.

"Because, they're the best people to kill you once and for all." Slenderman said. "And they were right to criticize my method about banishing you, if I killed your body back then and spent the rest of the time researching how to kill you, none of this would have happen-" He said before he was blasted with the corruption blast, it sent him flying to the wall opposite of him, 10 feet away, and into it. The ruble falling on slenderan as he slowly got up. He slender walked in front of Zlgo but right when he appeared, Zalgo's tendril stabbed slenderman, and then another one went into the left part of his chest, then the tendrils started to tear slenderman apart. Rips could be heard, and thyen as soon as that tarted, it was over, two bloody halves of slenderman on both sides of Zalgo once he threw the two sides to each adjorning wall.

"So, what was your plan slenderman? Where did you have them go?" He muttered to himself, then remembering bout Gnosis, and more specifically, the place that 'diety' sent him to. He was a lot weaker when he was last there, and he still escaped with only a bit of trouble. Now with his third mouth opened, he was sure that he could traverse that place with little trouble. And if he found something there that would help him, all the better. If not, then having an army via him taking it over wouldn't be too bad either. Chuckling, he teleported into the abyss.

[Naval Monte]

The Abyss

When Zalgo appeared he was no longer inside a underground tunnel with an ecosystem that resembled the inners of a creature, instead he was on a floating chunk of barren rock floating in the the dark void along with many things.

Zalgo would see the clouds of galaxies slowly breaking apart, stars casting weak a,ou t of light and in colors not natural to them, planets that may or may not harbor light, black holes that contunie to devour anything that gets near them but jetting out hawkings radiation much more than normal.

Zalgo would see a nimbus clouds of colorful energy, should he touch them he would feel a multitude of past emotions once expiernced by the beings who had them. He would occassinally see flickering screens showing memories forgotten by those who once remembered them.

Below the rock there was a dark ocean, the ocean was stagnate and motionless. Zalgo would see other floating land masses, some barren like the one he is one while others held many item. Most of them were in various states of disrepair, nelglect and abandonment. From small thing like toys and keys to much larger items like derelict ships and abandon homes. Zalgo was now reminded once more that the abyss was not just a realm of corruption.

It was a realm for all things who have reached their end. It is a realm of decay, a realm where the dying and forgotten go to erased to make room for both new things to appear in the multiverse and to make room to that which still exist.

For now nothing was there to greet or harass Zalgo, in fact if he was to use his powers Zalgo would feel as though he was the only being still around in the abyss.

---

Borg Planet

Elizabeth smirked when she saw how the beast reacted to all of the attacks. "You all did a great job." She shouted st the gate to let everyone at the other side know of their progress. When Hana arrived she was about to tell her that they should probably be preapered for a second phase and sure enough Octavius would confirm that there is a second phase to the fight.

The beast roar and attacked Alice first before sending out wires to puncture their skins. Elizabeth closed the Hell's Gate to make sure the wires don't enter through the portal and attack the TARDIS from the inside. Elizabeth instead created a new gate and the wires that flew towards her and created a second one to make the wires hit the beast, closing the gates to severed the wires.

Frisk and Papyrus both created a barrier of bones and hope energy. Papyrus used his powers as the Page of Heart to make everyone far strong and to quickly recover from injuries.

[Kaidou]

Manichean Plane
Realm 0
Timere

Ackerman walked out and floppes down in the snow.
"Ackerman, wah-!?"
"The snow there isn't like this, it's always gray and soggy. This snow's white and fluffy." Xe started to make a snow angel in the snow. "Back there we don't have snow like this."
"Ackerman, no." Fred stooped down and dragged xer along with the group. "We need to go."

"No rush", said Akita Jr, as he took a dark green umbrella from the umbrella rack ("the umbrella condom device", thought Henry with a cheeky grin), tested it, and then closed it again, stepping outside, followed by Samuel carrying his cello case and Henry carrying his big duffel bag of extra clothes and bank notes. "Though we should get going before the heavy snow starts again."

...

5 Minutes Later

Nurie Inn

Sorr Bleedjen
Сорь Блиджен
Innkeeper

The inn wasn't quite as shabby as Henry had expected, but stepping into it definitely gave one the impression of a rather seedy establishment, as evident from the peeling wallpapers, the graffiti on the wall, and the tired-looking, baggy eyed innkeeper sitting at the table in the centre of the main hall.

It was a small inn. The outside resembled a ski lodge (one made of stones, at least). The inside, on the other hand, looked more like a tavern of sorts, a tavern with only one table and a concierge counter consisting solely of a marble cover notebook and a telephone, plus a rack with keys hanging from it. True to what Akita Sr had mentioned, there was a currency exchange machine just beside the concierge table, one which looked, very surprisingly, newer than the one outside the restaurant. In one corner sat a sad looking plastic plant which looked like it hadn't been dusted in a while.

"Ah, it theems that I have guethtth."

The man in the wig stood up to welcome the eight people who had just come in.

"They wanna book rooms, Mr Bleedjen", Akita Jr explained.

"Seven of us", Henry interjected. "I know, it's a yuuuge group, so if you don't have a single big room, it's fine."

"What are your preferentheth?" asked Bleedjen.

"Let's sit down and talk", said Henry, smiling and adjusting his bag, before helping himself to a seat at the one table in the room. "We'll discuss rates and all."

The two took their seats at the table and proceeded to discuss in hushed tones, while Samuel, Akita Jr, and the rest stood around watching them negotiate. A few minutes passed, Bleedjen poured himself some of a strange smelling drink from a bottle ("banana liqueur, I see..."), Henry waved a stack of yen notes, and then Bleedjen stood up once again, patting the coiffed curls of his wig and straightening his vest to make himself look less shabby than he normally did.

"You have yourthelveth two roomth", he said, with a lopsided grin that revealed one silver tooth too many. "One thuite room for thikth people, and one normal thuper thingle room for... Mx. Ackerman. ฿70 per night, altogether."

"Thanks", said Henry with a grin, standing up and shaking Bleedjen's hand firmly. "A pleasure staying with you."

"There'th only one other guetht here", explained Bleedjen, his eyes darting to one side. "I advithe you not to dithturb him ath far ath ith pothible."

"Sure, no problem."

Henry headed to the currency machine, changed a few bank notes, and then paid Bleedjen the first night's fees.

"Come, let's go. Room 23 and Room 24."

Henry took the two keys and beckoned to the others to follow him upstairs, to the rooms. Which they did.

Once they reached the second floor corridor (on which there were only eight rooms in total), the group noticed, right at the end, standing by the window with half drawn curtains, was a young man getting dressed in a black kimono. He had just slipped it over his back, but the brief glimpse that Samuel, Henry, and Akita Jr caught of the man sent chills down their spines.

He had an irezumi tattoo on his back.

Yakuza.

Staying silent, Henry tossed the key to Room 24 to Ackerman, before unlocking Room 23 and ushering the other five into it. The young man in the black kimono walked past the group as they filed into the room, and nodded at Henry with a faint smile, more to simply acknowledge his existence than anything else.

Henry nodded back, and then went into the room.

...

"So", said Akita Jr to the six who were in the large room, "anything else you guys need to ask me? If not, I'll be making my move."

...

---

[Prusselanden]

Manichean Plane
Realm 0
Timere

Ackerman walked out and floppes down in the snow.
"Ackerman, wah-!?"
"The snow there isn't like this, it's always gray and soggy. This snow's white and fluffy." Xe started to make a snow angel in the snow. "Back there we don't have snow like this."
"Ackerman, no." Fred stooped down and dragged xer along with the group. "We need to go."

"No rush", said Akita Jr, as he took a dark green umbrella from the umbrella rack ("the umbrella condom device", thought Henry with a cheeky grin), tested it, and then closed it again, stepping outside, followed by Samuel carrying his cello case and Henry carrying his big duffel bag of extra clothes and bank notes. "Though we should get going before the heavy snow starts again."

...

5 Minutes Later

Nurie Inn

Sorr Bleedjen
Сорь Блиджен
Innkeeper

The inn wasn't quite as shabby as Henry had expected, but stepping into it definitely gave one the impression of a rather seedy establishment, as evident from the peeling wallpapers, the graffiti on the wall, and the tired-looking, baggy eyed innkeeper sitting at the table in the centre of the main hall.

It was a small inn. The outside resembled a ski lodge (one made of stones, at least). The inside, on the other hand, looked more like a tavern of sorts, a tavern with only one table and a concierge counter consisting solely of a marble cover notebook and a telephone, plus a rack with keys hanging from it. True to what Akita Sr had mentioned, there was a currency exchange machine just beside the concierge table, one which looked, very surprisingly, newer than the one outside the restaurant. In one corner sat a sad looking plastic plant which looked like it hadn't been dusted in a while.

"Ah, it theems that I have guethtth."

The man in the wig stood up to welcome the eight people who had just come in.

"They wanna book rooms, Mr Bleedjen", Akita Jr explained.

"Seven of us", Henry interjected. "I know, it's a yuuuge group, so if you don't have a single big room, it's fine."

"What are your preferentheth?" asked Bleedjen.

"Let's sit down and talk", said Henry, smiling and adjusting his bag, before helping himself to a seat at the one table in the room. "We'll discuss rates and all."

The two took their seats at the table and proceeded to discuss in hushed tones, while Samuel, Akita Jr, and the rest stood around watching them negotiate. A few minutes passed, Bleedjen poured himself some of a strange smelling drink from a bottle ("banana liqueur, I see..."), Henry waved a stack of yen notes, and then Bleedjen stood up once again, patting the coiffed curls of his wig and straightening his vest to make himself look less shabby than he normally did.

"You have yourthelveth two roomth", he said, with a lopsided grin that revealed one silver tooth too many. "One thuite room for thikth people, and one normal thuper thingle room for... Mx. Ackerman. ฿70 per night, altogether."

"Thanks", said Henry with a grin, standing up and shaking Bleedjen's hand firmly. "A pleasure staying with you."

"There'th only one other guetht here", explained Bleedjen, his eyes darting to one side. "I advithe you not to dithturb him ath far ath ith pothible."

"Sure, no problem."

Henry headed to the currency machine, changed a few bank notes, and then paid Bleedjen the first night's fees.

"Come, let's go. Room 23 and Room 24."

Henry took the two keys and beckoned to the others to follow him upstairs, to the rooms. Which they did.

Once they reached the second floor corridor (on which there were only eight rooms in total), the group noticed, right at the end, standing by the window with half drawn curtains, was a young man getting dressed in a black kimono. He had just slipped it over his back, but the brief glimpse that Samuel, Henry, and Akita Jr caught of the man sent chills down their spines.

He had an irezumi tattoo on his back.

Yakuza.

Staying silent, Henry tossed the key to Room 24 to Ackerman, before unlocking Room 23 and ushering the other five into it. The young man in the black kimono walked past the group as they filed into the room, and nodded at Henry with a faint smile, more to simply acknowledge his existence than anything else.

Henry nodded back, and then went into the room.

...

"So", said Akita Jr to the six who were in the large room, "anything else you guys need to ask me? If not, I'll be making my move."

...

---

Ackerman caught xer key and went to xer room. But before xe did, xe nodded in thanks to Henry.
"Danke."
Xe watched the Yakuza member with interest as xe walked down the hallway. Despite having visited Japan before, xe had never encountered Yakuza before.
"...eto...konbanwa?"
..Did you just firkin' address him? Cold sweat started to form down xer back and xer hackles rose nervously, realizing what xe just did.
Meanwhile, Frederick sat down and shook his head.
"Anyways, I'm to tired to question anyone."