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“And please welcome, a very special contestant…”

Mayu shifts in her chair. The seat is uncomfortably cold. The heating in the concert hall must be having issues.

“She hails from the small village of… Dakugeto?” the host shrugs. “Well, I’m sure many of you have heard of her, she made national news recently! They’ve been calling her the princess of the violin… at only six years of age, we present Mayu Nakatoni!”

Mayu steps forward on the stage and gives a bow with a polite smile on her face. “Thank you. I hope that my performance will be good enough.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3fIidyTrAI

Mayu begins to play, and the gathered auditorium are enraptured. A mere child, able to play at such a level. Questions abound. Is it natural talent? Did her parents drill this skill into her? Were they encouraging? Forceful?

None knew that the pair near the front in the rows of chairs were said parents. A taller man, barely fitting his broad frame across his chair, and the more peculiar woman who sits by his side. A woman in a summer dress who was never meant for a summer dress. Besides the obvious that stands out around the woman, the features those are too shy to mention, she wears her hair wild. The gaze in her lone eye is hardened, solid. Focused, but not the eyes of a predator. The eyes of one on the defence at all times. Her single arm rest on her knee, with her fist balled, as if ready to be attacked at any moment.

But when the little girl first puts bow to string, that harsh demeanour melts away. The woman widens her eyes, unfurls her fist, and turns to her husband with a smile of pride. “That’s our girl,” she mouths. “That’s our girl.”

First prize again. Against a field of adults.

Mayu didn’t much care for prizes. She never understood the need to compete with another. What does one gain from lording themselves over another? Her father could carry the trophies, Mayu was happy with her performance. She enjoyed the music.

“Our little girl’s turning into a real prodigy, isn’t she?” Kano Nakatoni beams. “People are starting to notice, too.”

“I don’t much care for people noticing us,” Act replies.

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Mayu shakes her head defiantly. “Me neither. I agree with mommy!”

Kano chuckles. “Well, I do like making our friends jealous! Kankuro decided to send his boy to bass guitar lessons.”

“Classic Kankuro,” Act laughs. “He’s always going to try one-upping you.”

“Usually he does,” Kano replies, as he reaches down instinctively, grabbing his young daughter and hoisting her onto his shoulder. “I like having one thing to brag about… maybe we’ll also see some money from this little music career!”

“Do we need more money?” Mayu asks, a hint of worry in her voice. “I… I’ve been saving up. I have… fifty yen! I could give up ice cream, and we could-”

Kano bursts into laughter. “So generous… most kids your age would rather have ice-cream than a roof over their heads! But no… we aren’t hurting for money. But… it would be nice to make some extra room in the house… especially if we’re planning on giving Mayu a sibling.”

Mayu’s face lights up. “A sibling?! Do you mean it?”

Act smiles. “We’ll see, sweetie. It would be nice to have another around the house.”

“Can it be a little brother?” Mayu pleads. “I would like that.”

Kano chuckles. “We’ll try, sweetie. We’ll try.”

It was a summer night.

Those days were so warm.

>3 years later

Mayu had to pull her mother from the bath again. Once more, she had fallen asleep, her drunken state almost killing her again.

Keeping her mother dressed, Mayu seats her in their living room, and gets to work. Every day, she would clean the house. Without fail, on return from school, it would be this mess again. Lifting the cans and placing them away, she hears the mumbles of her mother. The same words she’d hear time and time again.

“I gave an arm to save that man…” she’d snarl. “I want that arm back… I want my husband back, you bastard…”

Through it all, her mother never cried.

Mayu never cried, either.

The kids from her class were invited to the funeral… they never should have seen her. Those children had no idea… seeing her cold, lifeless face, they were terrified. They didn’t know what they were seeing… but she never shed a tear. That opened her to the ridicule.

Treated as a freak, a monster, a robot, a machine… her mother had to pull her away from that school… move from their village. Had she cried, would they still laugh at her?

As she opens a cupboard to place away her mother’s clothes, she sees it.

Her violin.

It hasn’t been touched in months. Already forming dust around it.

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Mayu saw no purpose in competition, or pride in her skill. She merely loved the violin, a way to express her emotion, to feel her emotions sung back to her. It made her happy.

But Mayu could not feel anymore. No happiness, no sadness, no jealousy, no pride… no pain, no… anything. Her heart was worse than broken… it was frozen in place.

Mayu had once read of the people in Pompeii, in the aftermath of the great volcano. They died in the blazing heat of the eruption, the ash filling their lung as their bodies gave in to the temperatures… yet they remained. Their bodies we covered in twelve layers of tephra, forever preserving them in their last moments. Like statures, made of marble… yet they were once people. Their own thoughts, feelings, desires, hopes… dashed away in an instant. But the shell of what once was remained on display for all, a sick joke, an oddity to be laughed at.

Mayu felt like she died that day, 152 days ago… and this was just the shell that remained.

… What is the point in playing when no song could make her feel anything?

Likely, it will never be touched again.

“Okay…” Act mutters as she rises. “I’m ready, I’m sober… back to training, sweetie.”


>POV: Kiriko

“MAYUUUUUUUUUUU!”

Your lungs give out screaming, but the figure before you doesn’t register a word of it. It isn’t her… it can’t be…

You rush forward, the tip of your boot touching the ice, before Roka sweeps in to grab you. Damn him, you need to keep moving… Mayu is…

“MAYUUUUUUUUU!”

“DAMN IT!” Roka exclaims. “It’s too dangerous! That thing-”

“That’s Mayu!” you fire back, struggling as he drags you from the encroaching ice. “We have to help her!”

“Dammit, Kiriko…” Roka mutters. Your actual name… you realise his grip on you is loose, tender. You see the look on his own face. “What the hell could we do about it?”

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You look ahead. Mayu… or, whatever is controlling her… it’s just standing there. Like a statue, surrounded ice beneath its feet. A mist is rising from her body at all times. But… she’s not moving.

It’s like she’s waiting for something…

“Roka said it…” Akuro notes. “I don’t know what the hell is happening to her, but you saw what happened to that demon. If we even come close, we’re dead.”

“But…” you mutter, tears streaming down your face. “I…. MAYU!”

“No!” Roka shouts, but you teleport from his grip. You land on the ice, almost slipping as you fall to a crawl, but you quickly pick yourself up and sprint towards the figure.

“Mayu!” you exclaim. “Mayu, come back to-”

“Be gone from my sight.”

Mayu’s voice comes from the creature, but… it’s colder. Distorted. There’s no life in that thing at all.

It reaches out its hand and a shard of ice flies at you.

“DAMN!” Roka exclaims as he leaps in between, deflecting the shard with his sword. He quickly checks to make sure you weren’t hit by the shrapnel, before turning his attention to Mayu. “Damn it, Samurai… is there any of you still in there?”

The Frost simply stares ahead, the once cracked visor repairing itself with ice, concealing the eyes once more as it looks dead ahead and speaks in vicious monotone.

“The both of you are nothing but eyesores,” The Frost speaks. “You will have approximately thirty seconds to leave my field of view.”

That harsh tone, that threat… no, there’s no way. Mayu has to be in there somewhere still. She… she just has to.

“You heard it!” Akuro yells. “We’ve got the find the others! Then we can deal with whatever this is!”

“But…” you mutter.

“Now!” Akuro exclaims.

>I… fine. Let’s go.
>You bring the others back here! I… I can’t abandon Mayu.

>>4901905
>>You bring the others back here! I… I can’t abandon Mayu.
We can't let her be abandoned again :(

>>4901905
>>You bring the others back here! I… I can’t abandon Mayu.
Sounds like a dangerous option but also rewarding.

>>4901905
>I… fine. Let’s go.
Makoto made us the leader, we can't have everyone running around like headless chickens.

>>4901905
>>I… fine. Let’s go.

>>4901905
>I… fine. Let’s go.
Reposting again because I think 4chan ate my vote, if it appears then ignore this one. Anyway, we'll need everyone's help to fight The Frost.

Calling for
>I… fine. Let’s go.

Roll 1d100, BO3.

Rolled 27 (1d100)

>>4901925
Hopefully Kiriko doesn't slip on the ice

Rolled 97 (1d100)

>>4901925
We're going to get stabbed in the back the moment we turn around aren't we?

Rolled 86 (1d100)

>>4901925
Rolling
>>4901930
Not with that roll.

>>4901930
Kiriko'll turn around and dodge The Frost's attack without even realising it

File: Dark_Mayu01.jpg (236 KB, 1024x1383)

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>97

Akuro's right. You can't get through to Mayu alone. You need the others. You need...

... Kaz.

If you can't break through, then Kaz can.

You turn around and begin to sprint... but the ice rises beneath you. It begins to form around your ankle, but you teleport out of the way to avoid it. You keep running, grabbing Akuro by the arm and dragging her as you sprint.

"H-hey!" Akuro yells. "I'm going, I'm going!"

You keep running, finding an opening in the rock wall. "Let's hope it's not a dead end..." Akuro mutters, as you turn towards it.

"Five... four... three... two..." The Frost mutters, staring straight ahead.

Roka catches up behind you, as The Frost continues to stare.

"... One."

The Frost holds out a hand, and a wall of ice hits the rock-face, quickly spanning along it at rapid speed. Within moments the cliff wall is almost entirely encased in ice... and the flow is approaching the opening in the wall.

You pick up the pace, trying to make the opening in time... but the ice is approaching fast...

As you move, Roka overtakes you, driving his sword into the wall, and rapidly punching the wall. The steam rises from his body as he heats it up... that technique of his might be enough to hold back the ice.

"Go through!" he demands. "Now!"

You and Akuro slip through, as you grab Roka by the arm. "Let's go," you reply. "We can help Mayu when-"

"Go."

Roka shakes you off, and steps forward... as the ice encroaches, separating the both of you.

"R-roka...?" you mutter. You press you hand to the ice, looking at the fractalized form of that stupid ape through it. Can he even hear you? The wall is so thick...

"Someone has to hold it back..." Roka's muffled voice, his back turned to you. "Now go."

"You idiot!" you exclaim. "You... you..."

"If I turn around and look at you... I'll regret it," Roka mutters. "Find the others. I'll see you again."

Roka readies his sword and steps forward, as you're pulled back by Akuro. "You heard him."

Akuro drags you through the cliff tunnel, as Roka fades out of sight. The ice starts to seep into the entry to the cave, and you pick up the pace once more.

But after a point, your legs give out, and you fall to your knees. You can't even see ahead of your face with your tears, as you let out a cathartic scream. "AAAAAAAAAGH!"

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Akuro turns around, the agent looking at you with a look of concern. She hunkers down, and places a hand on your head. "Hey," she mutters. "You're tougher than this, aren't you?"

"I lost Kaz..." you cry. "I lost Mayu, I lost... DAMN IT ALL!"

Your sobbing is interrupted by Akuro flicking your forehead, hard. "Ow! The hell!" you exclaim.

"You haven't lost anything, not yet..." Akuro responds. "I've already lost my..."

She sighs. "I'm not gonna let you give up," she notes. "You're not a quitter. Our class needs saving, and I can't do it. We need you."

"But... how?" you ask. "What good am I?"

"If it weren't for you, everyone would have lost their damn minds ages ago..." Akuro replies.

She looks down the tunnel. "You love him, right?"

"What?"

Akuro shakes her head. "Forget it, stupid question, it shouldn't matter. Both of them are people. People you don't intend on losing, right?"

"Yeah..."

"Then you need to get the others."

You raise your head, pausing. "Me? What... about you?"

Akuro looks ahead. "Chuichi..."

>You're still seeking your revenge, huh? I... can't stop you there.
>You're one of us, Akuro. Stick with me.
>You'll be killed if you go after him. You need to be safe.

>>4901961
>You'll be killed if you go after him. You need to be safe.
DON'T SPLIT THE PARTY

>>4901961
>You'll be killed if you go after him. You need to be safe.
Deal with The Frost first

>>4901961
>>You're one of us, Akuro. Stick with me.
You'll get your chance later, one huge crisis at a time.

Calling for
>You'll be killed if you go after him. You need to be safe.

Writing now.

File: Dark_Mayu03.jpg (262 KB, 1000x1414)

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>You'll be killed if you go after him. You need to be safe.

Akuro scoffs. "You're one to talk... alright, we'll get to the others."

Akuro helps you to your feet, before throwing her arms around you. She squeezes tight for a brief moment, and you return the favour. "How are you holding up...?" you ask.

"Terribly," she replies. "The sooner we get home... the better."

You let out a small laugh. "Heh... home, huh?"

>POV: Mayu

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8L_CgMfnVy0

It is so cold.

Where are you?

This place...

You are standing in that garden... your family's garden. That you played in as a child.

Your father's garden... over there was where he would grow his carnations... his favourite decoration. He often said they were your mother's favourite flower... though he always seemed to take greater care of them than Act.

But it is winter now, the ground is snowed over.

You look down. You are no child... yet you have not stood in this garden since you left the village.

On days in the village, after training, you would search for the house you once lived in. Was it empty? Did a new family move in? Were they happy? A daughter, a mother, a father?

Of course, you could never find it. You left that home as a child... you can barely remember which is the right one.

But this garden, you remember vividly.

A figure stands before you, looking out ahead of her. She has long hair... yours? Is she...?

"Where am I?" you ask. "What happened? Last I remember, I..."

The figure turns back. The mask covers most of the face... but you know it to be your own.

"You're awake?" the figure speaks. "Do not bother me."

"Who are you?" you ask.

"Are you determined to act dense?" the figure responds. "I am you. I am all that remains of your pathetic existence."

You take a step back. "No... I... how could I..."

"Feeling regrets?" they ask. "You threw it all away for power. And power I grant."

You shake your head. "N-no... I... what of Kazuma...?"

The Frost tilts her head. "What of him? You are no longer a human being. Your life is ended. What possesses you to hold on?"

"I..."

"You were barely a human before," The Frost interrupts in a cold tone. "You were a creature forged in the fires of revenge, a weapon, a machine. And yet you retreat to the arms of one you were born to hate. What about that boy inspires you to... care?"

>He could be in trouble. Is that not enough to care?
>I... I could always rely on him.
>I... I do not know. I... I do not understand.

>>4902086
>>He could be in trouble. Is that not enough to care?

>>4902086
>He could be in trouble. Is that not enough to care?
And Kaz is always in trouble.

>>4902086
>I... I do not know. I... I do not understand.

>>4902086
>>I... I could always rely on him.
I wanna smooch him

>>4902086
>>I... I could always rely on him.
He might trip on every step but he always fall forward and stands up.

Rolled 1 (1d2)

>>4902089
>>4902096
>He could be in trouble. Is that not enough to care?

>>4902104
>>4902107
>I... I could always rely on him.

Rolling to break the tie.

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>He could be in trouble. Is that not enough to care?

"Does that truly bother you?" The Frost asks. "Or are you just saying that because you feel it's right?"

"I..."

The Frost turns away from you. "You were not made to help others, were you? You were made to avenge your father... to kill a man who is already dead. You have no purpose. You have no being."

"Stop..." you mutter.

"You are nothing but an ice sculpture," The Frost replies. "Beautiful, serene... meticulously crafted. But fragile, empty... harsh and sharp at the touch."

This figure...

She... she is right.

You have no purpose. No belonging.

You were crafted by your mother for a purpose you cannot fulfill, even if you were able to.

"Roka Abe..." The Frost asks. "What do you know him as?"

"A classmate... an ally..." you mutter. "A... friend."

"No." The Frost tilts her head. "He is an obstacle in our path. And he is about to be erased."

>POV: Kiriko

You and Akuro exit the cave, and as luck would have it, bump directly into a group of your friends. "What the...?!" you exclaim, before immediately counting heads.

Gado, Ninsei, Tami... they're okay!

"You guys!" you exclaim with glee. "It's good to see you!"

Tami throws her head back, almost collapsing before being caught by Ninsei. As he throws her back upright she pumps her fists with authority. "YES!" she cheers. "MORE HUMANS! I'M SICK OF DEMONS!"

"Never thought you'd get tired of hunting..." Ninsei replies. "Is... is it just the two of you? Was anyone else with you?"

"Blue..." Akuro mutters. "Chuichi..."

Ninsei's face turns solemn. "I can tell by the tone... I'm sorry."

"Blue died smiling..." Akuro whispers.

"And Chuichi?" Ninsei asks. "Did he...?"

You open your mouth to speak, but Akuro beats you to the punch.

"Chuichi is dead."

You and Akuro share a look, as you turn to Ninsei. "And you guy...?"

"We lost Kuin..." Gado mutters. He looks like a walking corpse, none of the confidence you know from the bodyguard... "I had her in my hands and then, when all collapsed..."

Kuin too...? You... you choke on a lump in your throat.

"We don't know that," Ninsei replies. "Anyone else on your end?"

"Mayu and Roka..." you mutter. "But... Mayu... she..."

"Were you separated?" Gado asks.

"Worse..." you reply. "Mayu... she accepted a demon. Right now, Roka is trapped holding her off. He could be..."

Gado straightens his back, as he turns towards the cave you came from. "Then let's go. I'm not losing another one."

You nod, before turning to Akuro... who has already broken into a sprint in another direction. What the heck?!

"Hey, you promised you wouldn't-"

"I'm not!" Akuro fires back. "Roka needs your help right now! I'm grabbing the others, I promise!"

Well, she better stay safe then...

You turn around, and head back to the cave. Hopefully Roka has been able to hold out. Hopefully he hasn't...

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>POV: Roka

You idiot.

You god damned idiot.

Shit for brains.

What were you thinking?!

You had to be the hero with no plan, huh?

If Asai was here, he'd be cursing you out, and that jackass would actually have a point.

How are you supposed to stand up to this?

"Nakatoni!" you declare, trying to grab her attention somehow, any way you can. "You know I've always respected your strength, your skill. You've been a good ally and a rival... taking this shortcut is disappointing, you know."

"Who are you talking to?" The Frost responds. "There is no Nakatoni. The Nakatoni family is long dead."

The Frost turns her attention to the cave entrance. "You did not leave. You eyesore. You rotten sack of filth blocking my path. Why did you disobey my command?"

"Someone has to hold you at bat," you explain. "A friend of ours is in there, somewhere. Much as I hate Asai, I'm not going to let him lose someone he actually cares about."

"Hate... Asai..." Frost responds. "Yes... I was made to hate Asai... where is he? Where is Kazuma Asai?"

"Wish I knew," you respond. "Why? Is this Nakatoni speaking?"

"No," The Frost replies. "I need to know where he is... so that I may kill him."

You shake your head, gripping your sword. The air around you is so cold... just her presence is causing your muscles to stiffen and tighten up. If you actually try to fight, you're a dead man.

"I'm not gonna let that happen," you explain. "So you'll have to kill me first."

"I will," The Frost answers with no hesitation, before launching several shards of ice. You manage to dodge a few, but they come on to quick, one piercing your leg an pinning you to the ground. She doesn't let up, as a giant icicle forms above her, the pointed end aimed at your head. With no care, she gestures it down, as you try to pull yourself free.

... But it's no use.

Dammit, is this how easy you go out?

You couldn't even hold her off for a few minutes.

All those dreams of being a hero, of protecting others... all a failure? Your brother...

"This is it, then..." you mutter.

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"Oh, don't be so dramatic."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EPNq5L6nY-0

A familiar voice speaks out, as a flash goes by your vision. In a moment, the icicle is split in half, falling to either side of you. You look up... to see her.

Act Nakatoni.

She pays you no attention, she just looks directly ahead... before taking a swig from her flash.

"What the hell am I looking at here?" Act tilts her head, a scornful expression painted on her face.

"Your daughter..." you mutter.

"BZZT, wrong." Act cracks a knuckle as she grips her sword. "That thing seems to have kidnapped my daughter... and I'm going to beat the hell out of it until it brings her back."

The Frost steps forward. "ACT NAKATONI... do you understand the suffering you have caused?"

"Yeah... and I've felt it three times over," Act replies. "You gonna fight or not?"

"To purge the spirits of her path..." The Frost replies. "My journey is clear. If you stand in the way, you will be wiped out."

Act smirks. "You're going to regret saying that, missy."

That's all for now, will be picking this back up either later tonight or (more likely) early tomorrow with the main bulk of the thread! Thanks for playing!

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>POV: Kazuma

"Kuin is one of them... I can't tell the other two..." Takeshi notes as you follow the tracks.

"Kazuma..." Anri mutters with concern. She's noticed how often you've looked back. Atasue went to run after Chuichi... and Mio after him. Tsuki is still out there. Everything... it's all a mess...

In the distance, you spot a running figure, tripping over their own feet in a rush, but continuing to crawl up a sprint.

"Is that...?" Anri mutters. "Akuro?"

Akuro rushes up to the group, skidding across the red sands beneath her. "You... you guys! Sensei?"

Takeshi gives an awkward wave. "Umm... why is there only one of you? Please, don't tell me..."

"The others are back that way..." Akuro mutters. "There's... five of us back that way... and it's not good. What about you guys? Did you... lose anyone? You all look injured..."

You clutch your ribs. "We had some problems ourselves..." you mutter. "Mio and Atasuke went running that way... they're after Chuichi..."

"Chuichi..." Akuro pauses, before looking to Anri. "You worked it out then, huh?"

Anri nods. "You beat me to it again, I take it?"

Akuro's eyes lower. "I... wish I hadn't. Blue, he..."

"Blue?" you pipe up. "What happened to Blue?"

"Chuichi... killed him," Akuro shakes her head. "Then... Kaiya helped him escape."

Blue... is dead?

You stagger back once more. "Dammit... who else is back there?"

"There's more of them that way..." Takeshi notes. "There's three up ahead, they're closer. We should grab them and double back."

Akuro just stares at you. "Kaz... I don't know how to tell you this, but... Mayu, she-"

All it took was hearing 'Mayu'.

You break into a sprint, in the direction Akuro pointed.

"Hey, wait!" Takeshi calls after you, but it's no good.

"Chuichi is that way, huh?" Akuro mutters to herself, looking off.

If Mayu's back there, that's all you need to know.

But Akuro worked it out... and it really is true, then?

Chuichi was the killer... and he took Blue as well? Why? He and Chuichi got along. Blue, he...

"You're good kids. I really mean that."

Blue's words that day on the beach ring out to you. He was one of the few adults who actually seemed to look out for you guys. How could Chuichi do that? Chuichi... what happened to you?

File: Kiriko60.png (1.1 MB, 1000x1398)

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>POV: Kiriko

"Through here!" you point to the wall of ice at the end of the cave. You can't see Roka through it...

"Step aside," Gado mutters. You stand to the side and in one rush, Gado smashes shoulder first into the ice. It only cracks it a little, but he doesn't stop his assault. He smashes into the wall again, and on the fifth attempt manages to break through, as the four of you stand in the clearing where you started.

First, you see Roka pinned to the ground. "Ape, I got back-up!"

Roka looks up at the other three and shakes his head. "Good to see you... but I'm backed up already."

It's then you look ahead and see the figure standing between you and The Frost, he back turned to you, her lone eye dead set on the demon holding her daughter captive.

"What gave you the idea to take over my precious Mayu's body?" Act asks, readying her sword.

"This was her wish, as was it mine," The Frost explains.

"BULLSHIT!" Act fires back. "Don't you know how pissed off that makes me?!"

The Frost raises a hand, and the icicles fly towards act, who stands prepared.

>Deflect the shards with the blade.
>Dodge the shards, get closer to Mayu.

>>4903414
>>Dodge the shards, get closer to Mayu.
I'm pretty sure the Talk Command is going to be useless until Kaz arrives but might as well try.

>>4903414
>Deflect the shards with the blade.
Don't risk getting closer to a swordsman.

>>4903414
>Deflect the shards with the blade.
Kiriko's a squishy DEX fighter, getting within range of The Frost is too dangerous

>>4903414
>>Deflect the shards with the blade.

Calling for
>Deflect the shards with the blade.

Roll 1d100, BO3.

>>4903414
>Deflect the shards with the blade.

Rolled 28 (1d100)

>>4903444
>444
Triple death.

Rolled 15 (1d100)

>>4903444
Kiriko pls

Rolled 59 (1d100)

>>4903444
Uh oh

Rolled 37 (1d100)

>>4903444
its been a while weee

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>59

Act raises her blade, and begins to slash through each shard that comes her way at rapid speed, cutting them down and sending the ice flying back, almost hitting you and your group.

"GET BACK!" Act yells. "I don't need you stupid kids in my way! She's my precious Mayu!"

You drag Roka back, as he pulls the Ice shard from his leg with a loud grunt.

"We should do something!" Tami yells, pulling on her bow.

"Can we?" Ninsei asks.

You shake your head. "Mayu needs our help!"

"And if Act-sensei can't stop that thing... how much can we help?" Ninsei asks.

Roka sighs. "He's got a point. I couldn't last ten seconds before being pinned down. That thing's too strong... we'll only get in her way."

You look ahead, to see Act keeping the ice at bay... but there's too much, even for her. Act is pushed back with every blast she deflects, digging her heels into the ground, as she lets out a grunt. Fighting back the ice is taking quite a lot of effort for her... but The Frost has no reaction. It has an infinite supply.

"We need to back her up, somehow..." you note.

Ninsei runs his hands through his hair. "And how can we do that? We can't even get close enough..."

Gado shakes his head. "I could."

"No you couldn't," Roka replies. "I couldn't even-"

"I'm smarter than you," Gado interrupts.

"That ice is a death-trap..." you mutter.

Tami readies her bow. "I think I can get her from this distance... but... that's Mayu, right? I don't really like the idea of hitting her where it can hurt..."

"If we can slow her down at least, that could be good..." Ninsei mutters. "What do you think, Maita?"

"Me?" you ask.

"You're in charge here, right?" Ninsei asks. "Or did I miss something? C'mon, you have the strategy, right?"

>I need to get close to Mayu, I can talk to her. While Act's keeping her busy, I can teleport my way up without being caught by the ice.
>Gado, you can smash through and get to her, right? You're the strongest of us who can still stand.
>Tami, try to pin her down from a distance. You can provide the back-up Act needs to make an advance.

>>4903488
>>I need to get close to Mayu, I can talk to her. While Act's keeping her busy, I can teleport my way up without being caught by the ice.
I dont think Tami making her a pin cushion is a good idea.

>>4903488
>Gado, you can smash through and get to her, right? You're the strongest of us who can still stand.
She's not a genocidal maniac that killed your family so shooting her in cold blood'll be easy

>>4903488
>>Tami, try to pin her down from a distance. You can provide the back-up Act needs to make an advance.

>>4903488
>Gado, you can smash through and get to her, right? You're the strongest of us who can still stand.

Calling for
>Gado, you can smash through and get to her, right? You're the strongest of us who can still stand.

Roll 1d100, BO3.

Rolled 55 (1d100)

>>4903488
Well, here's hoping. Rock and roll!

Rolled 49 (1d100)

>>4903521

Rolled 90 (1d100)

>>4903521

>>4903528
lets gooooooooooooo

File: Gado05.jpg (333 KB, 850x1202)

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>90

"I'll try..." Gado replies. "It's a lot of ice, but... there's only one way to her."

Gado grimaces, as he clenches his fist. He breaks into a sprint, rushing past Act who is still holding the shards at bay.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?!" Act exclaims. "Stay away from her!"

"I'm not losing anyone else..." Gado mutters to himself. "I'll break through any wall!"

A barrier of ice flies up, but Gado is able to charge through, breaking through in an instant. Another barrier, thicker, but it's still not enough to slow Gado down.

He's making good progress, but it's hard not to notice the blood streaking across the pale surface of the ice. Pushing through is shredding Gado's shoulder, but he doesn't seem to care. Kuin... is she really gone? Has Gado really lost the one he vowed to protect? If so... maybe he feels he can give his life to anything.

By the end, Gado breaks through one last barrier, coming face to face with The Frost. He places a hand on her shoulder, and begins to yell. "Mayu! I know you're in there!" he exclaims. "You have to fight this thing!"

"Eyesore," The Frost remarks, before waving him to the side, a gust of frosty mist sending Gado flying and pinning him into a wall of ice to the side, encasing him partially inside.

"Dammit..." he mutters, but his task was accomplished regardless.

"Gado did it!" Tami cheers. "There's a clear path right to Mayu..."

>All of you sit tight, I'm going to get to Mayu myself.
>Act-sensei! We'll back you up, there's an opening for you now!

>>4903540
>>All of you sit tight, I'm going to get to Mayu myself.
act too drunk for emotional resonance

>>4903540
>Act-sensei! We'll back you up, there's an opening for you now!

>>4903540
>>All of you sit tight, I'm going to get to Mayu myself.
Letting Act talk it's going to make it worse.

>>4903540
>Act-sensei! We'll back you up, there's an opening for you now!
She can tank the hits

>>4903540
>All of you sit tight, I'm going to get to Mayu myself.

Here's hoping.

Calling for
>All of you sit tight, I'm going to get to Mayu myself.

Roll 1d100, BO3.

Rolled 15 (1d100)

>>4903577

Rolled 45 (1d100)

>>4903577

Rolled 69 (1d100)

>>4903577
Alright, guess I'm rolling...

>>4903585
Nice.

Rolled 61 (1d100)

>>4903577
aaaaaaaa

>>4903585
Nice

File: The Frost.jpg (120 KB, 1536x1024)

120 KB JPG

>69

With the opening clear... you can get to her. You can get to your friend.

"Be careful," Roka warns, and you give him a nod.

With Act still holding the ice at bay, you sprint down the path in the ice that Gado cleared. A pillar of ice rises from beneath, trying to grab your ankle, but you teleport forward just in time. You're going to have to keep one step ahead... you're almost there...

"Another eyesore," The Frost states. "Begone."

"MAYUUUUUUUU!" you let out a scream, dodging the shards with a well placed teleport... and you're inches from The Frost's face.

>POV: Mayu

"Kiriko..." you mutter. "Please... please do not hurt her..."

"Why not?" The Frost asks. "Because she is your friend? Because you care for her?"

"Of course..." you reply.

"Ridiculous," The Frost explains. "You believe she is your friend now. You believed you loved her once. In truth, you simply craved the slightest piece of recognition. How much does this girl truly mean to you."

"She is my best-"

"You have no connection," The Frost replies. "You simply allow her to drag you along, because it made you feel like you had a place. A home."

"I-"

"She is just a distraction," The Frost replies. "Another obstacle."

>POV: Kiriko

Here you are, face to face with The Frost. Mayu... your best friend, is trapped inside this thing...

If only you had any idea what to do.

"Out of my way, before I destroy you," The Frost speaks.

>Mayu! It's me! You can hear me, right?
>Headbutt The Frost.
>Mayu, think of Kaz! You still have his music player, right?

>>4903612
>>Mayu, think of Kaz! You still have his music player, right?

>>4903612
>Headbutt The Frost.
Knock her out so she switches places.

>>4903612
>>Mayu, think of Kaz! You still have his music player, right?

>>4903612
>Mayu! It's me! You can hear me, right?

Calling for
>Mayu, think of Kaz! You still have his music player, right?

Writing now.

File: Dark_Mayu06.jpg (174 KB, 850x1103)

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>Mayu, think of Kaz! You still have his music player, right?

The Frost raises it's hand, but then pauses... and the expression on the demon's face changes. The teeth no longer bared, a frightened frown appears on her face. "Kazuma?" a tender inflection comes through in the voice.

That's Mayu! Mayu is still in there, and she's coming to the surface... you just need to pull it out more.

"Yes, remember!" you call out. "Kaz is still waiting on us! We can't let him down!"

"Kazuma..." Mayu mutters. "We cannot disappoint... agh....!"

Suddenly, the teeth are bared again, and the air around you grows colder. Your muscles stiffen, you feel like you can't move at all. Is this the cold of the ice... of the fear?

Two pillars of ice fly up, catching you between them and hoisting you into the air. Mayu becomes a spec as you're sent flying up, held in place between the ice.

"I will crush you, like the insect you are," The Frost states.

You smash your fist against the ice, but it's no good, you can't break free. You try to focus on teleporting... but the ice is squeezing you so tight... you can't focus on a point to port to. It's... it's crushing your ribs.

"KIRIKO!" Roka cries out, as you try to break free... but it's no use.

"Mayu... please..." you mutter, tears filling your face. "I'm your friend..."

The Frost hesitates for a moment, examining you... before clenching her fist to command the ice. CRUSH.

"NO!" Roka cries out.

You brace yourself... only for a flash to appear before you, and the ice to break into pieces.

You fall to the ground, only for your savior to catch you by the shirt with her teeth, her lone arm still gripping her sword.

The vicious samurai sets you down, as she looks dead ahead. "This isn't what I wanted for my girl..." Act mutters, a crack in her voice you've never heard from your teacher before.

"Is it not?" The Frost asks. "Is this not what you have always wanted?"

"Not like this..." Act grimaces, as she looks to you. "How the hell am I going to get through to her...?"

>You're her mother, aren't you? Speak to her like one. For once.
>Its control over her is too strong... you're going to have to beat that thing to get Mayu back.

>>4903661
>>You're her mother, aren't you? Speak to her like one. For once
Rolling for diplomacy

>>4903661
>You're her mother, aren't you? Speak to her like one. For once.
inb4 Act tells her to get her a beer

>>4903661
>>You're her mother, aren't you? Speak to her like one. For once.

>>4903661
>>You're her mother, aren't you? Speak to her like one. For once.

Calling for
>You're her mother, aren't you? Speak to her like one. For once.

Writing now.

File: Mayu14.png (443 KB, 850x636)

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>You're her mother, aren't you? Speak to her like one. For once.

"What did you say?" Act raises an eyebrow.

"You heard me..." you cough, still clutching your ribs. "You think this all happened by accident? This... this is your work."

Act's eye glares at you for a moment of anger... before widening out. She understands. "Fine..." Act turns to The Frost. "Mayu knows how much I love her. She just needs reminding, that's all."

Act steps up to Mayu, as you move back. The mist around Frost is growing thicker and thicker... your skin is being cut up by the small speckles of freezing cold air. She's growing even more powerful...

"What do you want with my daughter?" Act demands.

"This was her wish," The Frost replies. "This is the expression of her hate. Her anger. Her frozen heart."

Act scowls. "It's not that simple... what do you get out of it, demon?"

"I wish to gain revenge on Kankuro Asai," The Frost responds.

"No, that's Mayu's goal, not yours!" Act growls. "What is it you wan-"

"That is not my goal, mother..." Mayu's voice calls from The Frost, startling her mother.

"Mayu... sweetie, it's you..." Act speaks in a hushed tone. "Come now... come back to your mother..."

>POV: Mayu

"She continues to speak... does she not know how you truly feel?" The Frost asks you.

You look over the patch of land where your father would tend to the carnations. "How I feel..."

"We both know the truth," The Frost explains. "Your mother died the same day as your father. This woman before us. This drunk, the ogre who lives on blood and vengeance, who ripped your dreams from you, who forced you down this path."

"S-stop..." you mutter.

"You know how you truly feel about her, do you not?" Frost asks. "Say it. Admit it."

>She's my mother... I love her.
>I... I hate her.

>>4903722
>>I... I hate her.

>>4903722
>>I... I hate her.

>>4903722
>I... I hate her.
Even Reiji's parents were better and he still let them get fucking melted

>>4903722
>I... I hate her.
All my homies hate Act

Calling for
>I... I hate her.

Writing now.

File: Act_Nakatoni13.jpg (302 KB, 583x999)

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>I... I hate her.

"Good, you are finally honest," The Frost speaks. "You understand your purpose."

"Mother..." you mutter. "I... I am so sorry..."

"No... you aren't."

>POV: Kiriko

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5zsBaOO1oE

In a moment, The Frost explodes with a hail of ice, flying in every direction. Act leaps back, bouncing between the the flowing trails of ice that are quickly covering the entire area.

"Damn..." Act mutters. "Mayu..."

>A month ago

This is the place...

How long has it been? Six years... no, seven?

The days haven't felt real for Act since that day.

It seems nobody moved into the old house... all of Act's old equipment still lies there. She can't even remember the last time she played tennis, yet there's her racquet right where she left it. She used to play with... that man, often... before she lost her arm.

She wonders if Mayu ever visited... does she even remember the old house?

The pictures are still there. Kano... as handsome as he ever was, framed. The picture of their graduation... Asai's face still crossed out with a knife. A fit of rage the night of... the incident.

Act steps out into the garden through the screen door. It jams at first... Kano always complained about the jam... could never rely on the damn thing.

She remembers how Mayu would play with her in the garden. At her youngest, Mayu was obsessed with caterpillars. Yet she was afraid of butterflies... that always amused Act. For most little girls, it would be the reverse. She remembers laughing Mayu why she would be terrified of butterflies, but not the wriggly, hairy creatures.

"Why would I be scared of them? They aren't ready yet," she would answer.

File: Dark_Mayu09.jpg (176 KB, 850x1201)

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Catching bugs and eating watermelon on those hot summer days...

But now, it's winter. Now, it's cold. The house has been abandoned for years. Looking at it is like looking at a sepia toned photograph, of a time one read on but never lived. The image is vivid, yet the emotions of those days cannot be recalled.

Act steps through the snowy garden for a moment, taking time to wipe an errant tear from her eye... before she notices them.

In the small patch of soil... seemingly untouched by the snow.

There they are... the carnations.

The carnations Kano would always plant. He'd spend all his free time tending to the damn things.

And yet... there they stand. Perfectly intact.

Has someone been tending to them? In secret, all this time?

Who? And how? How could they survive through several winters unattended?

Act cared not for the answers to those questions. She simply falls to her knees before the flowers. She closes her eyes and winces, reaching out with her single arm.

"Kano..." she sniffs. "Why did you have to go? Our girl... you would have known what to do. I... I couldn't pick up your slack. I... couldn't get her to bloom... damn it..."

Act slept in the garden that night. Cradling the flower patch, holding on to all that remained of dreams long since frozen over.

She cared not for how the flowers survived. They only presented her with one question.

Despite the winter, despite the cold, despite it all... could Mayu bloom in the same way?

>Present Day

Act ducks and weaves through the ice, as The Frost goes wild. Something must be happening inside Mayu... you have to drag Roka back as the ice grows.

"Gado is still trapped up there..." Ninsei points out. "Act better be able to..."

The mist swirls above The Frost, and forms a massive icicle... no, more of an iceberg in size, and launches it at the airborne Act. Act slices through it and falls down... only for a wall of ice to rise, catching Act's only arm, crushing it tight.

"Sensei!" you cry out, but Act seems unfazed.

"You think this will stop me...?" Act smirks, as she transfers her sword from the trapped arm to her teeth, as the ice encroaches further. "I'll happily lose all my limbs... I'll crawl through the gates of hell and pull my Mayu out by the teeth!"

She tears her arm loose from the tight ice, blood streaming as it falls limp to her side, and she continues her charge, sword in mouth. cutting through every obstacle in her way. That wound... it didn't even faze her. This is the resilience, this is the toughness of Act Nakatoni...

The Frost throws up another barrier, but the bloody Act doesn't hesitate to leap towards it, smashing through with a mighty headbutt, and coming face-to-face with The Frost... before stopping.

Act gives a moments hesitation, her eyes wide as she finally makes contact with the demon... before spitting out her sword and standing before her.

"Hm?"

File: Act_Nakatoni10.png (1.05 MB, 850x631)

1.05 MB PNG

"You want to do this, don't you Mayu...?" Act speaks... her voice softer than usual. A vulnerable crack running through, her veneer of iron fading away. Mayu's mother stands before her, honest as can be. "And I... I deserve this, don't I?"

The Frost tilts her head. "You..."

Act leans forward, gently pressing her forehead to the headguard of Mayu. "Shhh..." Act gently whispers. "You aren't a weapon... you aren't a monster... you never deserved this..."

"What are you...?" The Frost mutters... a small tear falls from under her face visor, which freezes as it hit the ground below.

"Don't hurt the others," Act warns her. "Just... do it."

"... Mommy..." Mayu's voice squeaks out... before The Frost raises her hand.

In a flash, the mist surrounds Act, surrounding her, as the lone samurai simply accepts her punishment.

When the mist clears, you see it.

Standing before The Frost... a statue.

Act, totally encased in ice.

"Sensei..." Tami mutters. "She... she..."

Roka hangs his head low. "Was that how she planned to get through to Mayu...? What a lot of good it did..."

You look ahead. Mayu is still overtaken by the demon. But... that tear... did Act get through to her at all?

"This is bad..." Ninsei shakes his head. "Gado is still trapped... and if sensei couldn't... what are we supposed to do?"

>Before all else, we need to free Gado. Mayu and Act-sensei come next.
>We need the others. We can't do this alone.
>Kaz... we need to get Kaz. He's the only one who can get through to her.

>>4903816
>>Before all else, we need to free Gado. Mayu and Act-sensei come next.
>>We need the others. We can't do this alone.

>>4903816
>Before all else, we need to free Gado. Mayu and Act-sensei come next.
GET HIM THE FUCK OUT NOW

>>4903816
>Before all else, we need to free Gado. Mayu and Act-sensei come next.
Yeah, time to book it

>>4903816
>Before all else, we need to free Gado. Mayu and Act-sensei come next.

>>4903816
>>Before all else, we need to free Gado. Mayu and Act-sensei come next.

>>4903816
>>Before all else, we need to free Gado. Mayu and Act-sensei come next.

Calling for
>Before all else, we need to free Gado. Mayu and Act-sensei come next.

Roll 1d100, BO3.

Rolled 73 (1d100)

>>4903834

Rolled 71 (1d100)

>>4903834
Woof. Let's get this big lug.

Rolled 54 (1d100)

>>4903834

Rolled 68 (1d100)

>>4903834
Late dice go

File: Kiriko19.png (1.11 MB, 838x1600)

1.11 MB PNG

>73

"First of all, we need to free Gado..."

"Easier said than done," Roka remarks. "Help me up."

Ninsei gives Roka a hand as he returns to his feet, shaking out his leg. "It's like the cold infected it..." he mutters. "Dammit... I feel so sluggish..."

"Even getting close to her is almost impossible..." you mutter. "I don't know how we're going to... uhh... Tami, what are you doing?"

Tami looks to you with a smile, he bow fully pulled back as she has five arrows at the ready. "Oh, don't mind me! I'm just grabbing her attention. You make the rescue while she's distracted, okay?"

You nod, before turning to Roka. "You ready?"

"You get me in there, and we'll get Gado out."

As Tami lets loose, you grab Roka by the wrist, and start teleporting like crazy. It's exhausting... especially carrying an extra person, but you have to keep porting no matter what. Stay longer than a second within this mist and the ice will catch you. The Frost has become an island unto herself, surrounded by pillars of ice, almost creating a maze around her.

You keep porting through, until you get to him. Gado, half conscious and covered in ice across his left side, embedded in the wall. "Hmm... I failed again, didn't I...?" he mutters.

You shake your head. "You didn't fail anyone. None of us did."

Roka steams up his hand and punches into the wall, shattering the ice and freeing Gado. Now comes the even harder part... porting back with three people.

You keep moving, avoiding the ice as best you can. You feel a tightness in your chest... you've never pushed your ability to this limit before... it's taxing on the body.

Still... you make it. You manage to escape the mist, the maze of ice, as you take Roka and Gado, reunite with the group... and move a few feet further back as the ice begins to expand.

You fall back, coughing and wheezing, as Roka gives you a reassuring pat. "Take it easy... we did it."

"Why do you eyesores remain?" The Frost asks. "Against your own safety, you refuse to leave. Why?"

>We're stubborn like that. Ask Mayu.
>You have our friend... and we're not going to stop until you return her.
>At this point... because I hate your guts.

>>4903886
>>We're stubborn like that. Ask Mayu.

>>4903886
>>We're stubborn like that. Ask Mayu.

>>4903886
>At this point... because I hate your guts.
Fuck Archdemons

>>4903886
>You have our friend... and we're not going to stop until you return her.

Kiriko gotta prove she isn't a fuck up like her brother
Too many expectations riding on her newly minted class leader shoulders

>>4903886
>You have our friend... and we're not going to stop until you return her.

>>4903886
>At this point... because I hate your guts.

>>4903886
>You have our friend... and we're not going to stop until you return her.

Fuck it, anime spirit mode.

Calling for
>You have our friend... and we're not going to stop until you return her.

Writing now.

File: Dark_Mayu04.jpg (589 KB, 740x1035)

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>You have our friend... and we're not going to stop until you return her.

"At a certain temperature, everything stops," The Frost replies. "We will see if the same holds true for you."

You stand your ground. "Even if you bring it down to absolute zero, I'm still going to press forward. You can't stop me."

"We shall see."

As you take a step forward, you hear the rush of frantic footstep. Leaping down from the wall of ice, and landing into a hunched position... Kaz.

He's here.

"Dammit Asai, took you long enough..." Roka mutters.

"KAZ!" you exclaim, rushing to your brother's side.

Kaz looks at you, but he doesn't smile back. "Kiriko... I'm so glad you're safe," he replies. Odd... he definitely means his words sincerely, but he's forcing them through some pain. He looks hurt... but he's clearly still able to move, so he's seen worse... but you've not seen this expression from him. It's like... he's half-dead or something...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RojIbukSBZ8

"Are you okay?" you ask.

"Where's Mayu?" he asks instantly. "Akuro... she said she was in trouble and..."

You turn quiet. You place a hand on Kaz shoulder, and gesture him to the direction of The Frost.

"That... demon took her prisoner?" Kaz asks. "Well, to hell with it! Let's break her free!"

"No... Kaz... look closer..."

Kaz stares at The Frost for a moment... then the realisation flushes over him like a cold front. He falls to his knees, clutching his chest... as he begins to... laugh?

"Ha... of course..." Kaz chuckles to himself, a manic cackle coming deep from his chest. "Of course! How could it be any worse. DAMN IT... DAMN IT ALL!"

"Kaz..." you mutter. He's scaring you...

"Keep your cool, Kaz..." Gado mutters. "We've got to-"

"GRAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAGH!" he screams into the air, as the ice beneath his feet begins to... melt?

Kaz punches into the ground, and cracks through the ice, shattering it around him, as he continues to scream. You... you've seen this before. He's turned to this before... when you fought Aoki's major. Since that day, you took to calling it Kishin Kazuma... an appropriate name for the mindless fury he unleashes when pressed up against the wall.

"This is him..." The Frost announces. "The target of my vengeance. Asai... hmm?"

"GIVE HER BAAAAAAAAAACK!" Kaz screams, before bursting at rapid speed... smashing through every last wall in the labrynth of ice in moments, and coming directly in front of The Frost.

For the first time, The Frost is forced to raise Mayu's sword in her hand to deflect the attack, being sent on the back foot.

File: Kazuma15.jpg (789 KB, 810x1200)

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Kaz's battle cry continues as he hammers away, driving The Frost back with every blow.

"This... may prove difficult..." the demon mutters. "Mayu Nakatoni... are you prepared to fulfill your purpose?"

"But..." Mayu's voice rings from the monster. "I'm... not a weapon..."

"YES YOU ARE."

You pick yourself up, watching the beginnings of the fight unfold. "Well... the good news is Kaz might be the only one who can get to Mayu... even if it's through battle..."

"But who the hell is going to calm him down?!" Ninsei mutters. "We've just got two monsters on our hands. It's like Gojira going against King Ghidorah. Whoever wins, we're still screwed..."

"Nah..." Roka cracks his neck. "We're going to bring them back. Both of them. Right?"

You look to him with a smile. "Yeah... let's do it."

>Meanwhile

"Kaiya..."

Chuichi sits by a pond as Kaiya skips along the surface of the water. Dark black water... like a tar pit. Everything in this place is corrupted. There is no natural beauty to be found. From top to bottom, a tainted hell...

"Hm?" Kaiya perks her head up.

"It's not too late..." he notes. "Please... go back to the others. Hanako could probably use your help. Just... tell the others it was all a misunderstanding, you didn't mean to help me-"

"But I did mean to help you, meat boy..." Kaiya smirks. "I mean to help everyone."

"You're really adamant, huh?" Chuichi shakes his head.

Kaiya gives a nod, and the two share a brief silence.

File: Chuichi02.jpg (92 KB, 600x800)

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Chuichi looks out over the lake. The tar pit is dense, the blackest of black. He can't possibly see his own reflection on the surface. That's fine... he doesn't want to see his own reflection again.

He looks to Kaiya. Why does she keep smiling back at him? He doesn't deserve that. He doesn't deserve her attention, her assistance... this was supposed to be his burden to bear... yet he still hides behind someone stronger...

"I could while away the hours... conferrin' with the flowers... consulting with the rain..." Chuichi begins to sing.

Kaiya looks to him, her face beaming, as she lets out a giggle.

"And my head, I'd be scratchin'... While my thoughts are busy hatchin'..."

Chuichi gives a small laugh to himself. "If I only had a brain."

"Now you get it!" Kaiya laughs, as she takes him by the hand. The two stand, as Kaiya leads him in a small waltz across the red sands of the Darkworld.

“I’d unravel any riddle, for any individ’le… in trouble or in pain.”

Kaiya chimes in. “With the thoughts you’d be thinkin’, you could be another Lincoln, if you had a brain!”

And for that moment, the two just enjoy a dance.

Chuichi chuckles to himself. Her way of thinking… it’s so bizarre, so indecipherable… and yet he keeps feeling himself pulled in. It’s simple… for a moment, he’s happy.

“I would not be just a muffin, my head all full of stuffin…” he continues. “My heart… all full of pain.”

A pause, as Chuichi collects his next words. “And perhaps I’d deserve you, and be even worthy of you… If I only had a-”

The interruption is swift... but painful nonetheless.

And not just the blade rammed through Chuichi's back. The realisation that... he's still here. The sands are still red, the sky crimson, the water a black tar pit that anyone could sink into.

And he'll never have a home again.

File: Keiji06.jpg (558 KB, 850x588)

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Kaiya lets out a gasp as Chuichi falls forward. The green-haired boy begins to crawl, but the sword that pierced his side then finds itself driving through his hand, as he lets out a cry of pain.

Chuichi looks up to see his assailant. A red haired man, brimming with fire.

"You thought you could escape with my sister, you pathetic worm?" Keiji asks, twisting the blade.

"Brother... stop..." Kaiya mutters.

"SHUT UP!" Keiji snaps. "Are you adamant on dying again? You just want to get yourself killed?! Don't you know how painful that is for me?!"

"Let... me go..." Chuichi gasps. "I have a duty to..."

Keiji kicks Chuichi hard across the face with his boot, the young man falling down towards the tar pit.

"How did you know I-"

"I don't know a damn thing about you," Keiji remarks, his veneer of charm and wit gone with no audience. All that's left is a angry, cruel... lonely man. "But you've interfered with Kaiya for the last time. I think... while I'm here..."

Chuichi gasps, as Keiji kicks him in the chest once more, sending him on the surface of the black lake.

Keiji smirks. "You won't be making it back to your friends, will you?"

Chuichi gasps for air, lying back. The tar of the lake is sticky, and traps his arm. "I won't... but that's beside the point..." Chuichi replies.

"Hm?" Keiji raises an eyebrow, before his leg is caught by a bound of string. "What are-"

"You aren't getting back to anyone..." Chuichi replies. "I'll kill you right here myself."

END OF EPISODE 43

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>Ending Theme
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YF8vecQWYs

>Archive
http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=Dark%20Gate%20Academy

>Twitter
https://twitter.com/bookerman32

>Discord
https://discord.gg/yz7sDra

Thanks for playing! Apologies for the slightly shorter than usual thread, but Part 2 will come very soon! Follow the Twitter for any updates!

>Player Questions
Can Mayu be saved? How will The Frost vs Kishin Kaz go? What will happen with Keiji and Chuichi? Is there a happy ending to any of this?

>>4904021
>PQ
Maybe
Some stabbings
A lake of fire
And no

>>4904021
What an exciting episode, I can't wait to see how this arc ends.
>PQ
Yes
Violent duel boss battle before a battle in the center of Mayu's mind
More drama than battle.
Hopefully.

>>4904021
Thanks for running Booker.

>PQ
Most likely the fight'll end with Mayu being beaten by Kaz and the others having to fight the weaken Kaz to calm him down. In terms of the Chuichi fight? I honestly expect the tar pit to be the opposite of the magic water the Demon Slayers use to kill Archdemons and it'll actually turn Chuichi into one just so the universe can pull another joke at his expense. And no happy endings here, after a 2 season absence my boy SUFFERING is back to stay.

>>4904021
>PQ

-Likely. It'll take effort, though.
-A lot of drama and stabbing.
-Shouting and symbolic pain.
-Maybe.