[X] Sheath Throw, Rising Sword Strike, Rush, Block, Hilt Strike, Sword Strike
HIkage licks her lips before rushing forward, a knife in her right hand. A long, serrated knife that is more of a short sword. Oh, and she has more of them around her forearms and legs. She either throws them or keeps them as spares, but with such a weapon her fighting style is probably focused around hitting vital points with swift and precise strikes.
Close combat is...not ideal. I must improvise.
Spinning my sword I switch to a reverse grip before quickly sheathing it. Then just as quickly I swing it in a horizontal arc that stop with the blade pointed straight at Hikage. The momentum causes the sheath to continue in a straight path and hit the green-haired girl in the temple. The blow pushes her head back, halting her movements.
"I'll save you Hikage!" Homura chooses that moment to interfere, but Hikage recovers just in time to parry the sword with her knife.
"I hate you! I hate you! I hate you!" She screams while turning around, flipping a new knife in her free hand. She tries to stab at Homura's exposed side, but in that moment a flying white sheath strikes her hand, making her drop the knife.
Akio nods in satisfaction, grabbing his sheath when it bounces back.
"I will destroy you!" Hikage sneers. She leaps, so high that she reaches the ceiling. Then with a kick against it she dives down, a knife on each hand and those on her forearms having moved so that the blades point outward. There is a purplish aura around them: whatever it is cannot be good.
So I will not let her attack hit me. Stomping forward I strengthen my balance and slash upward with the Kiba Sword once she's within range. My blade meets her crossed ones, and for one moment it's me against the combined pressure of Hikage's attack, her weight and the momentum from her fall.
Luckily my strength proves sufficient to win the exchange: pushing forward and then down I slam Hikage on the ground, stunning her. Without wasting a second I kneel down and hold her arms behind her back. Homura immediately throws herself over the green-haired girl's legs, pinning her down.
"Hate! Ha-Aaaaaaah!!" Hikage growls before screaming when she makes contact with Akio's sword. Once back to normal she looks at us with a slightly confused stare. "...What...was I doing?"
"It's okay HIkage. You're safe now." I let go of Hikage as Homura helps her friend sitting up.
"You guys...saved me?" She tilts her head when looking at Akio. "Who are you?"
"Akio Asahi, Makai Knight. You've been possessed. Missing recent memories is natural." He replies with a curt tone.
"If you say so. Oh Yomi-san, you're here too?" Hikage asks when she notices the blonde girl.
"I'm glad you're safe Hikage-san. Sorry if I don't get up, my legs are still weak." She replies with a smile.
"Uh." Hikage tries to stand only to fall back on her ass. "So are mine."
Akio looks up at the ceiling for a moment before lifting Hikage and putting her over his shoulder. "Let's just go, we are still missing two people."
While Hikage's blank expression doesn't change Homura scowls before sighing and sheathing her sword. "Yeah. We still need to save Mirai and Haruka-san."
We have to slow down in our progress due to Homura being the only one left with both hands free, though Akio is still capable to fending off the creatures that get too close. In the meantime I give Hikage the same explanation I gave Yomi.
"You know, once I shared Dogen's view of Shinobi. Kind of." Her lips slightly turn down. "But now...I don't know why, but I don't like thinking of Homura-san, Yomi-san and everyone else like that."
"That's because you care about us Hikage-can." Yomi softly tells her.
"I care? ...I suppose I do."
I don't quite the context of their conversation, but since it sounds private I'll refrain from butting in.
The next one we meet in the illusionary meadow is Mirai. Now that I think about it, why all the girls so far wore a white summer dress? Do they possess matching outfits in real life? Or is that Orochi's preference?
"Mirai!" Homura calls out to her friend.
The reaction is immediate: Mirai's eyes regain her focus just as she bends over, hands holding her stomach. "H-Homura..." She pants. "I feel...kinda...strange. I've got...a really bizarre feeling...welling up inside of me..."
"Just hold on Mirai! Don't let Orochi take you over!" She shouts. "Oy, big guy in white! Quickly, use your sword while she's still herself!"
"It's no use...Homura, I...I-" The same unearthly scream of before. Once the transformation is complete Mirai looks up, her uncovered eye burning with anger and hatred.
"I'll pick on them. I'll pick on them all!! I'm strong now. It's my turn!"
Pick on them? Is she saying she want to lift up someone in her arms?
"Mirai..." Homura clenches her teeth. "You have real power now. You have to know how pointless it is to bully others."
Ah, she meant bullying. I didn't know there is an expression like that.
"Just wait. I'll show you the best way to use your power!" Homura declares before looking behind her shoulder at us. "Mirai fights using firearms. One of you need to protect Yomi and Hikage from stray bullets."
"I'll do it." Akio puts down Hikage, and I lower Yomi next to her. "Kurogane, don't delay anymore. We don't know how the others are faring."
"Got it!" I nod before joining Homura.
Goal: Remove one Health Stock from Mirai
[] Strategy for the First Turn
[] Strategy for the Second Turn (optional)
[] Strategy for the Third Turn (optional)
Mirai's actions: Projectile-Type, Projectile-Type, ?, ?, ?, ?
Tetsuya:
Health Points: 7/7
Health Stocks: 4/5
Overdrive: 10/10
Ki: 4/5
Wp: 5/5
Mirai: 7/7 Health points, 5/5 Health Stocks
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AN: I'm not going to make this segment more difficult, it's time to end the arc.