My initial reaction would note the Drain and Grapple keywords and to not be inclined to get into a brute force attrition fight. So...try to be swift instead and chip him to death while not getting hit.
Its too bad we're not a bit more animu. He's a plant who's buried into the building, so dropping down half a floor and cutting the entire top of the building off would probably kill him.
Relatedly he still has access to all the health and damage powerups sitting as blood bags in the entire building.
We should cut him at the roots.
Something something Reap the roots, sever the spine?
Its too bad we're not a bit more animu. He's a plant who's buried into the building, so dropping down half a floor and cutting the entire top of the building off would probably kill him.
"I fought something there that had tendrils buried into the building and was eating people."
"Do you know what it was?"
"Not a clue."
"Alright, thank you for saving the lives of the people here with-" *piece of rubble falls on the ground from the top of the building*"...minimal damage to the surroundings."
"I fought something there that had tendrils buried into the building and was eating people."
"Do you know what it was?"
"Not a clue."
"Alright, thank you for saving the lives of the people here with-" *piece of rubble falls on the ground from the top of the building*"...minimal damage to the surroundings."
Quick reminder: Youkai can't be percieved by the public, Demon Blade can be seen. And also the government knows where you live so unless you want property damage charges up the whazoo keep the collateral damage down to a minimum.
Quick reminder: Youkai can't be percieved by the public, Demon Blade can be seen. And also the government knows where you live so unless you want property damage charges up the whazoo keep the collateral damage down to a minimum.
*People sucked dry of their vitality* *one guy is almost a literal husk* *somehow someone sees us on the roof of a skyscraper and says we weren't fighting anyone and just cut the building for lulz*
Right. Okay, if you want to author fiat, that's on you.
An cutting the top floor in half to cut it roots so it doesn't suck anyone its still attached to dry and kill them sounds like getting off cheap. Unless they want us to sacrifice all the people in the building just so we don't damage it, but I'm sure that'll go over well with the public.
*People sucked dry of their vitality* *one guy is almost a literal husk* *somehow someone sees us on the roof of a skyscraper and says we weren't fighting anyone and just cut the building for lulz*
Right. Okay, if you want to author fiat, that's on you.
Magical Girls are a known quantity, the average person can't perceive Youkai. Which is the more believable scenario: that these people were drained by a weird tree no one can see, or that a Magical Girl went rogue and is trying to cover her ass?
Also, as mentioned before, the Fox Girls know where you live.
Magical Girls are a known quantity, the average person can't perceive Youkai. Which is the more believable scenario: that these people were drained by a weird tree no one can see, or that a Magical Girl went rogue and is trying to cover her ass?
Also, as mentioned before, *the Fox Girls know where you live*.
Starlight was burned away by the lights of the city. Demon Blade let out a deep breath as the magical girl continued to hold her stance, staring down Sahou. Their gaze collided and sparks flew. The night air was cold, chilly, and corpse-like in it's stillness. The Swordwoman broke it with a hum, her eyes rapidly moving up and down Sahou's chiseled body. "So that's the kind of fighter he is."
"Are you going to start every fight like this?" Momohime asked. No matter how much she wanted to stare at those abs, this wasn't the time for that.
"This is an important stage of the process. My eyes are simply gathering what information I can, and though you aren't in control, I can feel your unfocused gaze." Demon Blade retorted and the office lady was glad that her physical face was frozen. "This man is different from the brawler that we last encountered-"
It happened in a flash. Her Kimono fluttered through the night air as the magical girl dashed to the side as withered roots shot towards her feet.
"Thought I could get you since you were distracted." Sahou sighed as he adjusted his glasses. "For someone who works in this dull company, you're quite sharp."
"Momohime…" Demon Blade growled and the mousy woman internally flinched. There was no time for idle distractions. Still…
"I don't know how strong you are, but those muscles look quite tough." Momohime declared as she looked over the youkai user with fresh eyes. "If… If you can't let your guard down, then I'll focus while you can't! We need more information right? Then, Demon Blade, this Momohime commands you, lay him bare before me!"
"...Interesting choice of words." The magical girl replied, causing the office woman to splutter. Momohime could feel her lips twitch upwards as her feet began to move. "Then if you insist, watch closely. The wind will be our guide on this starry night."
"The stars were slaughtered by the light of man." Sahou replied as he shifted his legs, raising one in the air. With a weighty step, he slammed it on to the roof floor. The resulting bang shook the building like an earthquake. No, it wasn't an earthquake. Demon Blade's eyes widened as she dashed to the side. With a wild thrash, a pillar of roots pierced the floor she was standing moments ago. "There isn't a path forward for the wind to carry you! The road of life ends here!"
"I can sympathise with where you're coming from, but." The magical girl replied as she danced across the rooftop. In a magnificent arc, her Sword cut through the withered roots in a single slice. She cleaved her way forwards, seemingly unstoppable. "The weight of your burden is not one I wish to carry."
"Weight? You misunderstand." The muscular man punched forward and the roots followed, flowing through the air like water. With a mighty crash, they destroyed the path in front of Demon Blade, forcing the magical girl to begin circling around Sahou. "The only reason this is possible for me is because I have become weightless! The fear and oppression that the company put in me was lifted when I made this contract!"
--That was a lie. Momohime could see that clearly. From his body, to his heart, to the way he fought. The only word that could ever describe it was heavy. Demon Blade however was the opposite. Light fingers, light feet, light weight. The magical girl was drawing on her feelings from her time at the office but… Momohime wasn't Magical Girl Demon Blade. Her words had no weight, because Demon Blade had never personally experienced working in that shade of black.
"That's unfair." The swordswoman replied as she continued her moonlight waltz. "Do you mean to imply that you held any weight in this company either? You who had been floating through life?"
"...I suppose that's true." The office lady sighed. "But at this point, he's going to destroy so much of the roof that we won't be able to reach him."
"Don't worry." Demon Blade declared as she slid to a halt near the edge of the fence, sheathing the Sword. Her steely black eyes met Sahou's as her grip twisted. "What you call weightlessness, is onlyy a single step beyond the horizon. I, on the other hand, have wandered far into it's shallow depths. If you claim to the contrary, then I will merely show you the hollow truth."
The magical girl took a deep breath before time seemed to slow down.
"Blade Art Number 3." Momohime could feel it. The air that was still began to whirl to life, whipping her jet black hair. The storm reached its crescendo, and words echoed from her lips."Crescent Moon."
Demon Blade slashed her sword, and the wind followed. Extending from her slice was a swirling, howling, phantom wind. Memories of stormy nights came to Momohime's mind as it pushed forward. Sahou instinctively took a frightened step back before gritting his teeth and stomping his feet. Instantly a wall of roots manifested themselves, only to be blown away by the tornado. Unstoppable, the wind sliced into the shirtless man. Red, crimson blood, staining the dirty cement as Sahou let out a cry.
Cost: 125 HP
Crescent Moon: 200 Base Damage, +N/A Dice = 200 Total Damage
Sahou Rokuki: 35 Base Resilience, +N/A Dice = 35 Total Reduction
165 End Damage
Sahou Rokuki: 800 - 165 = 635 Health Remaining
Muramasa Blade: 500 - 125 = 375 HP Remaining.
And while this was occurring, Demon Blade did not stop for even a moment. Dashing around the roof towards the man's backside. A roar of wind accompanying her as she unleashed another slice through the air, the blade art manifesting once more. Before the Youkai User could try to evade, the art ripped into him, leaving a bloody storm as it tore into his back.
Cost: 125 HP
Crescent Moon: 200 Base Damage, +N/A Dice = 200 Total Damage
Sahou Rokuki: 35 Base Resilience, +N/A Dice = 35 Total Reduction
165 End Damage
Sahou Rokuki: 635 - 165 = 470 Health Remaining
Muramasa Blade: 375 - 125 = 250 Health Remaining
There was a loud sound as Momohime's eyes glanced down to the Muramasa Blade. The Sword, which had once looked so pristine, was on the verge of fracturing. Large cracks formed on it's metal, and the office worker couldn't help but feel like it had become… Brittle. "Um, Demon Blade--!"
"Don't worry." The magical girl replied as she glanced at the sword. "This Jubokko of his isn't the only blood-hungry youkai present tonight."
The Sword quivered with delight at the words and before Momohime could realize it, Demon Blade had already begun to move. With a great leap, she soared through the night sky, her feet landing lightly on the cement. Just light enough that Sahou could hear her feet. Quickly shaking himself out of his painful daze, the man whose thighs were like tree trunks gave a spinning kick. The magical girl ducked, feet sliding under the blow before stopping as she entered the man's blind spot. With one swing, the girl struck.
Muramasa Blade: 50 Base Damage +25 Dice = 75 Total Damage
Sahou Rokuki: 35 Base Resilience +N/A Dice -25 Mahou = 10 Total Reduction
65 End Damage
Sahou Rokuki: 470 - 65 = 405 Health Remaining
Drain: 16 Health Recovered!
Muramasa Blade: 250 + 16 = 266 Health Remaining
Like a starved animal, the Sword sunk its fangs into the office worker's flesh. Momohime felt something, a power that slipped it's way into the blade causing it to vibrate with a wild roar. It seemed to affect Sahou as well, causing him to let out a scream of anguish as the roots around him began to thrash. Not wasting a second, the Muramasa Blade began to lap up the blood it had spilled. Slowly, the cracks began to heal. Not much, but Momohime knew that if she just swung the blade a few more times, if she just spilled more blood, then it would return to its previous condition.
More than anything else tonight, that was a thought that scared her to her core.
"I won't be cut down… that easily!" Sahou exclaimed as he grit his teeth. Slowly, the roots connected to his body began to pump something towards him. A crimson red substance that filled the rooftop with the smell of rust. The lifeblood injected itself into the man's body, and with his shirt off it was clear to see that the wounds were healing. Skin patching itself together again as Sahou whipped the blood off of his cheeks.
The wounds closed up, but the muscles had visibly gotten weaker. Sahou had now gone from being an adonis to being a mildly muscular man. Momohime tried not to feel disappointed about that, which was easier considering the other side effects of his healing. The man's skin oozed and cracked before, like a sickening cancer, a spike of dried bark spiked out of his back. He panted, clenching his fist. Demon Blade merely sighed.
"You've gone too far to turn back now." The magical girl replied as she pointed at the bark. "Whatever healing method you just used, your youkai is using it to consume you. If you don't surrender now, you'll end up losing worse then just your life."
"...I don't really care about losing my life." The man let out a bitter, hollow laugh. "It's not like I'm really losing anything really. Reality is cruel, you know? I lost my life the very day that I lost my name."
"Is that so?" Demon Blade mused. "But it's not like you can win this fight either. We're already neck and neck, and my blade hasn't broken yet."
Sahou scoffed before letting out a grin. "Figures. Nobody ever really listens to me. Didn't I say it earlier? That my Youkai is a patient one."
"Hm?" Demon Blade let out as Momohime began to ponder. The office worker's eyes scattered around the battlefield as she thought back to the previous few moments. And as she looked at the havoc her battle had caused, she was enlightened.
"Demon Blade look at the ground!" The office woman exclaimed. "He wasn't just destroying the rooftop, he was setting up a trap!"
Like lightning, the magical girl whipped her head around to the battle field. In the chaotic blood rush, she hadn't even stopped to consider what the ground behind her was like. That was a mistake. What used to be dirty cement that had been destroyed from the battle had been sewn up in a layered weaving of the withered roots. From the floor to the fence, where Demon Blade was standing was now the only patch of safe space left. It was akin to infestation, one that she hadn't noticed until it was almost too late. What she could once call a regular office building had been transformed into a Garden of Thorns.
"So you've noticed." Sahou smiled as he took a step back. The roots began to worm their way over towards Demon Blade as she glared at the Youkai User. "How do you like my root weave? Rather than just restoring my muscles, I think that this is the most versatile use of my partner. Don't you agree?"
"...As much as it pains me to admit, I will take responsibility for my own carelessness." The implied 'You too Momohime' was heard loud and clear by the poor office lady. The swordswoman began to take a step back from the incoming roots, only to pause and glance behind her. A shiver went down the magical girl's spine as she saw the same sight closing in all around her. "This is much more complex of a fight then the last Youkai Contractor I faced. It's almost vexing, but I suppose it's only par for the course for those who live in the weighted world."
Momohime had assumed that the greatest threat in the fight would be the enemy binding them. She hadn't assumed that he wouldn't even need to bind them in order for him to trap them.
"...I'm sorry." The mousy woman tried to bow, but Demon Blade still had control of her body. "if I had been paying attention properly then--"
"If you have time to apologize." The pink kimono fluttered as Demon Blade still held her ground. "Then you have time to help think of a way out of this."
"B-But…" Momohime didn't need to say any more as she did the equivalent of a gesture to their surroundings. The roots were everywhere, omnipresent, it was only a matter of time until they sunk into her. They could go for the blow, a jumping strike to pierce the youkai contractor, but he was casually walking away from her now. The distance between the two was getting longer. The word 'if' kept running through Momohime's head. If they messed up, if they missed, if they used that blade art again and he survived the blow, but the Muramasa Blade broke. So many possibilities of failure, but all of them held only one outcome.
Demon Blade remained silent before slowly, she began to take a deep breath. Inhale, exhale. It was a simple act, something that came natural to humans, but she closed her eyes and focused on it before sighing. "You're lucky I'm in control right now. Your head is already filled with anxiety. We'd already be dead if it was just left up to you."
"...Isn't that just a matter of course?" The office lady laughed. "I, I'm not a magical girl. Not like you. I'm just regular, plain old Momohime. The things you do are impossible for me."
"Magical Girl Demon Blade is not Momohime Tsukigami. But you can't forget that Momohime Tsukigami is also Magical Girl Demon Blade. We are one and the same." The other side of the mirror declared. The Muramasa blade quivered in her hands as the swordswoman continued to talk. "I've only stepped into the weighted world twice. Yet even so, I'm beginning to have a comprehension about what it really means to be a magical girl. What magic really is."
"What magic really is…?" Momohime muttered.
Demon Blade nodded. "It's a different sort of power then the ones beyond the horizon use. But it's clear to see why they dislike it. After all, to be a magical girl, to use magic, is to make the impossible possible."
To turn that 0% chance into a 100% chance. It could only be called the act of miracles. It hurt Momohime's head to think about, but the magical girl's words made her slowly begin to understand.
"But I don't think just trusting in blind faith is enough." The office lady argued, though more out of obligation than anything else. "There are a bunch of magical girls who die every day after all."
"That may be so, but--" Demon Blade gazed at Sahou who had stopped to turn back towards them. Their gazes met, and the magical girl spoke to both him and Momohime. "If you don't try, that possibility will always remain impossible."
What was impossible for Momohime, was possible for Demon Blade. The words struck a chord with the office lady. She could tell that they were sincere. The most sincerest words she had ever heard in fact. Because those words are-
"A message from myself huh?" Momohime muttered, pausing for a bit before ultimately, she began to think. "Then, I'll just have to believe in our magic."
Momohime Tsukigami thought back to the past weak. From her awakening as a magical girl to her encounter with the night world. Demon Blade was a powerful fighter, but this was something that only she could do. The memories came, and perhaps it was due to the recent revelation, but in the murky depths of her mind, they began to form a lighthouse.
Kongiku sighed, "It's complicated, but as a defining rule us Youkai don't… coexist well with Magic."
Momohime's reflection stood up, feeling her counterpart's desire. "As a magical girl, everything I do is magical."
The power that tore through the weightless world. That strange foreign feeling, that felt at the same time as if it were a part of her. Which made the Muramasa Blade growl and the Jubokko to thrash and writhe in agony.
Magic. She knew little about it but if she were to put together the pieces of what she had learned these past few days…
The lighthouse guided Momohime to shore.
She found her answer.
"I see, so that's how it is." Demon Blade nodded, a small smile gracing her lips. The roots were getting closer now. Almost beginning to touch their feet. A part of Momohime wondered if Sahou was doing this on purpose in order to drag this out as long as possible. Did he enjoy watching her squirm? No, Demon Blade's gaze met his. The look in his eyes was something else. Something more… judgmental. She didn't give him that satisfaction as the magical girl sheathed her sword and bowed down.
"...Are you just giving up?" Sahou asked, raising an eyebrow. "After all that talk, you're just going to bow your head to me and ask for surrender?"
"I think you misunderstand what I'm doing." The swordswoman replied, not a hint of hesitation in her voice. "I simply realized that in order to get out of this, I don't have to do a single thing. You must have heard me talking to myself. It occurred to her what I really am. Did it not cross your mind?"
"What you really are?" The youkai contractor scoffed. "Life isn't some shonen manga. You may be a magical girl, but you aren't going to suddenly gain a new transformation."
"That's fine by me. I don't need such a thing here." The roots had grown close enough to touch her skin. However, despite the situation, Demon Blade smiled. "All I need to do is trust in myself. Believe in myself. So go ahead..."
The thorns pricked into her creamy flesh. Neither Magical Girl Demon Blade nor Momohime Tsukigami reacted in the slightest as they continued to stare the Youkai Contractor down. Soon enough, they could feel it. Their bodies being drained of their vitality, blood sucked through the carnivorous roots. They waited. A second, then two, then ten. They waited until the moment that it felt like they were going to faint.
"Gah!" Sahou let out as he hurled over, blood spilling out of his lips. The roots instantly removed their thorns from Demon Blade's body but it was too late. His muscular form shook as the roots connected to his body was set alight by a bright green flame. Spreading everywhere, the garden quickly began to turn into an ethereal inferno, one that only the two on the rooftop could see. The roots slammed into the ground as if in pain, the building almost seeming like it'd be crushed at any moment. With bloodshot eyes, the Youkai Contracter reached out towards Demon Blade as he began to shout. His voice hoarse and scratchy. "What did you do to me?!"
"Mahou is the power to make the impossible possible. While on the contrary, a Hougi user who made a contract with a Youkai like you, has their very existence based in the impossible." Demon Blade explained with a smile as she put a hand on her chest. "Because of this, the two powers don't mix. Like matter and antimatter. And as a magical girl, everything I do is magical. My body, or more specifically, my blood is made out of magic. Which means..."
The one who spoke next wasn't Demon Blade, but rather, the one who had thought of this solution. For once, Momohime Tsukigami was able to speak with her mouth as Demon Blade. And the girl had come- To deliver Sahou's fatal mistake. "For a blood sucking Youkai like yours, my blood is akin to poison."
"That's- That's-" Sahou couldn't finish his sentence before his stomach churned and a heaping pile of bile vomited from his mouth. The stench was overpowering, but Demon Blade ignored it as she watched the desperate man try to regain control of his body. "Hah… Hah… That's bullshit dammit! That's so unfair! What the hell?!"
"It is what it is." Demon Blade simply said as she stood up. "Since you've only been contracted for a week, it's understandable that there are things you have yet to realize. The relationship between the weighted world and the night world is quite complex. I don't fully understand it myself, but the things I do comprehend I turn into my weapons."
"Shit! Dammit! Fuck!" The office man cursed, no sign of the calm persona he had at the beginning of the battle. Sahou pushed himself on to his feet, his legs shaky as he shouted. "My roots may not work on you…. but a tree also has branches! I'm already a dead man walking, the spring of my youth has already passed, that's why…"
He put a hand to his chest, nails digging into his flesh as Momohime's eyes widened. "In order to make the flowers grow, I have to sacrifice my life! Puddle of Red - Withered Bloom!"
Cost: 400 HP
Sahou Rokuki: 464 - 400 = 64HP
Lifeblood Stack Used!
Sahou Rokuki: 64 + 100 HP = 164 HP
With a sickening crack, the man's form began to twist and morph. His flesh turning into a dry bark, spiky branches shooting out from this body. The smell of decay and rust hung over the rooftop as he grew, taller and taller until he towered over Demon Blade. He could hardly be called human anymore, his steps carrying a heavy weight that caused the remaining concrete to buckle and crack beneath him. Sahou didn't speak any more, instead he could only let out a wailing cry. In a blow of fury and rage, he swung his wooden fist at Demon Blade. But…
"Too easy." The magical girl declared as she easily evaded her blow, sheathing her sword. "This form you've created was born out of your desperation. Slow and cowardly. That heavy heart of yours, will be your undoing."
"Demon Blade…" Momohime warned, causing the swordswoman to sigh.
"I know, I know." The swordswoman replied as she twisted her grip and dashed into position. Not off to the side of the wooden giant but rather, standing directly in front of it. "Killing is forbidden. A raging storm is a bit too much but the rapid gale should do the trick. Now, let's do this right."
The magical girl took a deep breath before time seemed to slow down once more.
"Blade Art Number 3."
Light fingers, light feet, light weight. The wind was their guide on this starry night. Floating on the breeze, the path to victory was opened.
"Ripples on a Pond…"
Cost: 125 HP
Crescent Moon: 200 Base Damage, +N/A Dice, -25 Holding Back = 175 Total Damage
Sahou Rokuki: 35 Base Resilience, +N/A Dice = 35 Total Reduction
140 End Damage
Sahou Rokuki: 164 - 140 = 24 Health Remaining
Muramasa Blade: 266 - 125 = 141 Health Remaining
In one slice, Demon Blade drew her blade. Extending from her blade, the phantom wind ripped forward with a howl. It was weightless, formless. The wooden giant didn't stand a chance. In one breath, it ripped past the back that made up the thing's skin. Blood splattered through the air as the man fell onto his knees. Slowly, his transformation came undone, and Sahou landed on the ground with a dull thump. Like a trick of the light, the roots connected to his body all began to vanish as his body visibly deteriorated, the youkai no longer able to hold the form it had granted him.
"And thus, victory is ours." The swordswoman declared as she slowly walked over to where Sahou had landed. With a delicate hand, she reached out and let a sigh of relief after finding he had only been knocked out cold instead of dying. "Are you happy, Momohime?"
"N, Not yet." The office lady gave a feeling reminiscent of shaking her head and Demon Blade rolled her eyes. "He's still contracted with the Youkai right? I'm afraid… That he might cause more harm with it if we just let him go here."
"So, an exorcism is it?" The magical girl sighed as she placed a hand on Sahou's back. "Then I suppose that this is Good Night, isn't it?"
"Yeah, good night-"
Colors blinded her view and consciousness faded.
Momohime didn't open her eyes.
The young woman found herself drowning in an unending sea. The last time that she was here, all she could do was sink to the bottom until she arrived at her destination.
That wasn't the case now. Experience is the mother of learning and whatever spell the her on the other side of the mirror had cast, it kept her form stable. She didn't need to worry about throwing her weight around and recalling herself. Like a child in the ocean, she had been given floaties.
And so, she swam
Deeper.
Deeper.
Into the shallow depths of the ocean.
Until eventually the veil of the dream lifted. The darkness was replaced with light, and the place that she found herself was-
"A library?" Momohime Tsukigami blinked as she took in the library before her. It was destroyed, books scattered about everywhere as the foundations began to crumble around her. Slowly she picked up a page off the ground and tried to read it. Only, she found that her eyes glazed over the text. The letters were written in animals and the young woman swore that half of it was written in the color grey. What little she could make out of it was pure nonsensical gibberish. Words that individually made sense but when put together failed to make a sentence. And every time that she looked away she found that the text changed into something else entirely. "What… is this?"
"Everyone has a different way of perceiving the world." Her own voice answered her. Momohime looked up to watch as Demon Blade jumped down from one of the bookshelves. "Our memories, our thoughts, our imaginations, the consciousness of those who exist in the weighted world are all unique. It is a matter of course that no two horizons would ever be the same."
The kimono wearing woman trailed her finger across the bookshelf. "Now, I believe the book that we're searching for is… Ah, here we are."
Gently, she took a book so thin it's pages almost vanished in the light off the shelf. Without a single care, she tossed it towards the office woman who caught it with a yelp. "That should guide us forward. Read it, if you will."
"Um, alright…" Momohime nodded as she turned the pages of the book.
"Once there was a mighty tree.
As sturdy as could be.
It looked up at the sky, aimed to grow just as tall.
Believing that nothing would ever make it fall."
The children's book vanished from her hand in a burst of light and suddenly, the library began to fix itself. Demon Blade simply nodded as the books around them began to fly. The magical girl began to march forward and Momohime quickly began to match her pace as she watched the world change around them in awe. It wasn't until one of the flying books smacked her in the face did the young woman realize they had reached the end of the path. The her on the other side of the mirror gave her a flat look and Momohime let out an awkward laugh as she picked the book up.
"But the seed it was born from had grown sick and weary.
And there was no time for the tree to be teary.
Thus alone, it entered the forest.
Realizing now, that it was just part of the chorus."
Again, the book vanished. And suddenly Momohime could hear the chirping of birds in the distance. The pair continued to walk, continued to read, and every time they did the library around them grew brighter. More vibrant. Life once again filling it's forgotten halls.
"The other trees were cruel.
But it obeyed their rules.
If happiness was at the end of it all.
The tree could bear this dreadful haul."
"When they stole its name, the tree didn't care.
A tiny sin was easy to bear.
As it's roots withered and it's sturdy bark dried.
Not one tear, did the tree allow itself to cry."
"One day, with a weary sigh.
The tree looked up, and found it could not see the sky.
'Is this what I've allowed myself to become' it wondered.
Before he realized it, all of his strength had been plundered."
"Day by day, and the tree grew numb.
The pain it felt, on it's tongue fell dumb.
As it rotted away as the other trees thrall.
It received a call."
"His reason, his hope, could take it no more.
The tree it was born from had fallen to the floor.
Yet it wasn't allowed to mourn.
Cowering when the other trees showed their thorns."
"The mighty tree had grown withered and dried.
One might even think it had already died.
Beyond the horizon, a seed landed in his heart.
To find the strength to stand again, it's wisdom it did impart."
"'Take back what you've lost, and once more grow mighty'.
The tree nourished itself on blood, no longer flighty.
As the forest withered away, the only thing it could say.
Was that this forest of thieves, were the ones that must pay."
The library had become alive once more, and as it's thanks, one more book floated over to them. And yet, it's pages were blank. The story had ended there.
'No.' Thought Momohime, with a shake of her head. 'Now it's up to us to write the ending.'
As the duo began to walk forward once more, the library behind them vanished only to be replaced with a familiar sight. Once more had they arrived at someone's beach, the wide sea stretching forward. And growing on that horizon was a withered tree. The two women looked at each other before nodding as together they took the step forward. Walking on top of the water, they navigated through the turbulent waves before eventually arriving at the base of the tree.
But the sight they saw was not one the young woman expected to see.
"It's…" She stuttered out as she looked upwards. "It's eating him?!"
Yes, in the middle of the tree's girth, stood the man who had caused this pain himself. He hung from it's branches upside down, his blood mixing in with the sea as his body was slowly fusing with the Youkai he had contracted with. Still, surprisingly, he was conscious as he lifted up his head. The tears that spilled out of the corner of his eyes were blood red, but Momohime could still see his eyes glancing between the two women before he let out a hollow laugh. "Huh. So we were coworkers after all. Never thought the magic girl was you though… Pardon me, I seem to have forgotten your name."
"Momohime." The young woman introduced herself to the man, for what was probably the first time. "Momohime Tsukigami."
"...Pfft." Despite the situation, he laughed. "They let you get away with that name in this company?! What kind of magic did you pull?!"
"A-Ah! No, it's more um." Momohime fidgeted nervously. "No one really pays attention to me… Wait! More importantly!"
The office lady glanced at her magical girl self before frantically pointing at theYoukai in front of them. "What's going on here?!"
"Isn't that obvious?" Demon Blade replied as she ran a hand through her hair. "The contract they have has been fulfilled. And with nothing to anchor himself to the weighted world…"
The phrasing instantly reminded Momohime of the guide books she had read over the past few days.
"Get along with your Youkai partner, and anchor yourself to this world."She muttered. "Otherwise you'll lose yourself to the night… This was what it meant?"
"Of course things would end up this way." The man simply sighed, even as the rest of his lower body was swallowed by the bloodsucking tree. "The wish that I made was to be able to get back what I lost. The Jubokko already fulfilled it's part of the contract when I managed to restore myself to the state I was in before joining that accursed company. I had planned to go one step beyond and take everyone else down with me but, well, you stopped me before I could go through with it. I suppose I should thank you?"
"Free from the limitations of the contract, the Youkai has now set it's eyes on taking the man's existence for himself." The magical girl explained before turning to meet his gaze. "Tell me, ***** *******, you don't even remember your name any more do you?"
"Right on the money." The salary man nodded solemnly. "My life, who I am, everything feels like it's drifting away from me. No, perhaps it was because I was already this far gone that I made a contract with the Jubokko. It's… far too late for me."
The words pricked at Momohime's skin. Her fist tightened as a feeling began to well up inside of her. "And you're just going to accept that?! You're just going to, to fade away here?!"
"And who are you to say that to me?" He retorted with a chuckle. "It's funny. Maybe it's because you're a magical girl but... As everything else turns numb, my memories of you become all the more vivid. That's why I can say with confidence, that while the company turned me into a hollow human being, you were already empty long before you joined."
"T-That's…" The office lady timidly looked at the ground. She couldn't say anything in response. After all, even she knew that what the man had said was completely true. Momohime turned to look at Demon Blade before suddenly her eyes widened. "Ah."
Ah.
She understood now.
Why his words made her so mad.
Because when she looked at the faded office worker in front of her, it was like she was staring at herself.
Demon Blade shifted her gaze towards Momohime and shrugged. "Mirrors reflect the physical forms of humans, but their souls are reflected in other people."
This was what Magical Girl Demon Blade saw when she looked at Momohime Tsukigami. An empty human, with no past or future. Forever living in the present, working day by day at a company that ground her into the dust. When she looked at the Youkai Contractor, for the first time really looked at herself. And a part of her that she had long forgotten looked back.
"You realize it now right?" The magical girl said as Momohime nodded and turned away from her physical reflection. "What you're lacking. What's needed to sharpen our blades. Go ahead and say it."
For a moment there was silence. A tense one. They were running out of time and they both knew it. Still, Momohime needed the silence to gather her thoughts. And when she was ready, the princess spoke.
"...It's scary isn't it." The office lady began with a sigh. "We complained about how that company was draining us dry, but at the same time it was smothering us. At the very least, we knew that if we could keep working there we would at the very least survive. I… think that in the end, both of us, we were too afraid. Too afraid to try and leave."
The man was silent, but at the very least he was listening, and so Momohime kept talking. "I remember that trick you pulled, the Root Weave. The situation we were in is like that. The path forward was blocked by thorns, oppressive, everywhere. We couldn't strike out on our own, because we knew if we failed we'd truly lose our life."
"There's no point in risking it." The man hung his head. "We have no future. There's no point in trying to live, so the very least we could do is to survive."
A week ago, she probably would've agreed. But, things were different now. She was different now.
"No!" The young woman shook her head furiously. "That's not true! Not in the slightest!"
Because ever since Magical Girl Demon Blade appeared, Momohime Tsukigami had Awoken from that daze.
"I get it now! The thing that was taken from us! What we needed in order to really be alive!" The princess shouted before pointing at him and pouring her heart into her words. "The only thing that we need to have is Courage!"
"Courage?!" The man roared back, only a quarter of his body left. "Are you listening to yourself?! When every road forward leads to pain, you seriously think courage is the answer!?"
"Yes!" Momohime declared. "Don't you get it?! Of course there's going to be pain in the world beyond! But to live your life, you need to face that pain! That's the only way you're going to create a path forward!"
"No way! I-I can't!" He denied as the tree swallowed him up to his head. It's useless! I'm already dead! Living a life now is impossible!"
"If you don't try, that possibility will always remain impossible!" The young woman's words were weighty, striking the man like a gong. "Believe in that magic! That power called courage! Do you really want to die here?!"
The man fell silent as he glimpsed. Slowly, the Jubokko gobbled him up more and more. Momohime's eyes never wavered, staring at him intently even as his face began to be gobbled up into the youkai. It was as the last possible moment, just as he was about to go silent into the night, did he let out a cry. It was weak, the desperate call of someone on the verge of going beyond the horizon. But for the first time, Sahou Rokuki sounded like he was truly alive.
"I-I don't want to die!" His mouth screamed out as he was swallowed whole. "Please! Save me!"
"Of course!" The young woman glanced at her reflection before with an open hand, gesturing at the youkai in front of them. "Magical Girl Demon Blade! This Momohime commands you! Exorcise his demons!"
"Very well, my princess." The swordswoman drew her sword and smiled. "I shall bring this dream to an end."
And with that, Demon Blade lept towards the youkai and began to slash. Withered bark met bloodthirsty steel as the magical girl assaulted the Jubokko's body. Slicing and dicing, she carved her way through the creature. It writhed and attempted to pierce her flesh, but in this realm the Magical Girl was weightier. Almost untouchable, her assault never faltered. Eventually, the two women began to see him. The man's flesh poking out of the tree.
When it had reached the point that his entire arm was visible, did the young woman move.
"Momohime, wait!" Demon Blade cried, but the princess ignored the carnage around her as she dashed towards the man.
"Sahou Rokuki!" Momohime Tsukigami called out as she stretched out her hand. "If you want to live, then have courage and take my hand!"
The hand twitched, heastiting, before in a jolt of action it desperately grabbed on to her hand. Momohime smiled before with all her might, began to pull the man out of the youkai. Thorny roots dashed towards her feet only to be swiftly cut down by the magical girl. She turned towards her reflection as Demon Blade silently joined grabbed her hand. The two sides of the mirror gave an identical smile in unison before together as one, they pulled.
In one pull, Sahou Rokuki was hauled out of the youkai, collapsing on to the ocean waves. The man took deep breaths, wearily giving a surprised laugh before he closed his eyes. Momohime quickly rushed to check his condition only for Demon Blade to grab her shoulders and shake her head. "The fact that he's still here means he's alive. We have more pressing concerns right now."
The Jubokko went at a wailing scream as it tried to grab on to its former host only for Demon Blade to swiftly cut down the approaching screams. Together, the two girls spoke as one. "Your contract with the man is already complete! There's nothing anchoring you to this world anymore! Be gone from the Light, and return to the World of the Night!"
Desperately, the Youkai tried to claw itself back towards Sahou, but the sea resisted it. The ocean's waves crashing into the tree, ramming it farther and farther back before ultimately, the impossible creature sunk beneath the waves and drowned in the horizon. The duo glanced at each other, waiting for anything else to occur before they decided to say the magic words. "Exorcism Complete."
Instantly, a wave of exhaustion hit the poor office woman. With a mighty sigh, Momohime collapsed on to her feet. Despite this being a dream, she could feel her heart beating in her chest as she shared a glance with Demon Blade before letting out an exhausted laugh. "I-I can't believe I'm alive…"
"That was adequate." The magical girl replied, all though she was smiling. "Your display will serve well as inspiration. Perhaps I'll be able to complete my sword after all."
"Complete your sword huh?" The mousy woman glanced at the man next to her before giving a wistful. Slowly, her hand moved to clutch her chest. "This feeling in my chest… so this is courage huh? I wonder how much I've truly lost, if I was able to go so long without realizing I was missing this."
Momohime paused before glancing up at Demon Blade. "Do you think that if I continue to encounter Youkai Contractors, I'll be able to find out?"
"It's certainly possible." Demon Blade nodded as she sheathed her sword. "Of course, you'd need my help if you wanted to do such a thing."
"T-Then!" The office lady bowed her head at the magical girl. "Please, work with me from now on!"
"...Get up." The swordswoman declared and Momohime let out an 'eep' as she picked herself off the floor. "You fool. You don't even need to ask. We're one in the same after all."
"R-Right!" The young woman held a hand out towards herself. "So, um, does that make us partners then?"
"Right." Her reflection mirrored as she grabbed her hand. "We're partners, forever and always."
To complete her sword. To complete herself.
Among the twisting waves, at the edges of the horizon. Momohime Tsukigami Awoke.
When the office lady opened her eyes, the sun was already rising. She could hear the sound of sirens from the top of the building, flashing lights down below. With a tired groan, she began to wipe the filth off her uniform before pausing and gazing at the man in front of her.
Sahou Rokuki was nothing like he was in the night. His muscles had all but vanished, leaving him as a thin and gangly man with skin as pale as a corpse. The mousy woman stared at the man who had caused last night's destruction before a sigh escaped her lips.
"Well I can't just leave him here." She muttered before walking forward and pulling him over her shoulders. "Come on, let's get you out of here. We can turn in our resignation letters together."
In the midst of the twilight, they walked off together.
"...And that's basically what happened." Momohime finished as she took a sip of her tea.
"My my." Kongiku, beautiful as always, put a hand to her face as she let out a sigh. "To think that you would encounter another Youkai so soon. I apologise, I didn't think you needed any protection but…"
"N-No! You don't have to apologise!" The mousy woman frantically waved her hands to prevent the Kitsune from bowing. "It's no one's fault really! You couldn't have seen this coming!"
"That's where you're unfortunately wrong. It is precisely my job to have predicted this. And for that, the fault lies on me." Her orange robes folded as she let out a sigh. "At the very least, thanks to you, the only thing that we needed to do was clean up the mess."
"Ah, yeah…" Momohime let out as she stared into her tea. About a day had passed since the incident at her office and already things had changed so much. At the very least, Sahou wasn't going to be walking away unpunished. The office lady didn't exactly stick around long enough to learn what truth had been imposed upon him but at the very least, Japan's Paranormal Response team were quick to craft a narrative that made sense with the damage he had caused.
It didn't exactly sit right with her but at the same time, she couldn't deny that Sahou had hurt people. He couldn't be tried on the crimes he actually committed, so at the very least this would have to do.
"But I have to say, to think that your involvement would cause so many problems." Kongiku gave a tired sigh. Though to Momohime, the act just looked like a sensual exaggeration. "The weight of a magical girl is so immense, you're quite a popular topic online you know?"
The young woman blinked as she tilted her head. "Huh?"
"Just think about it. A mysterious magical girl in a kimono appearing out of nowhere, claiming to have come to fight a monster only to vanish just as suddenly." The kitsune waved her arms as she gestured in the air. "I had hoped that your connection to the night would have obscured you but it seems to have only half worked. Memories of your actions are hazy with the details changing every time they're recalled. And then of course there's the people who didn't see you, whose memories are in conflict with the reality of the people who did. This disconnect that you've caused can't be patched up so easily, and it's set the internet a flame with theories. Quite the headache, but nothing you need to be particularly worried about."
Yon, ever the tired fox, gave a flat 'Yip' causing Kongiku to suddenly panic and bow her head again. "Not to say that I'm not grateful for your assistance! If a Stage 2 Youkai were to have manifested, it would've been a disaster!"
"A Stage 2 Youkai? That's…" Momohime tried to recall the guide books she had read before pausing as she realized what the beautiful fox woman was trying to say. "That would be when the Jubokko tried to eat Sahou, wasn't it?"
"That is correct." Kongiku nodded solemnly. "Youkai who have made a contract with creatures in the weighted world are what we call Stage 1. When those Youkai then consume their contractors and take their existential weight for themselves, we call that Stage 2. There is a stage beyond this but that is the greatest impossibility of all impossibilities."
"I-I see…" Momohime stuttered out as she took a sip of her tea, muttering under her breath. "S-So, I still have a lot to learn huh…"
"You'll get used to it with time." The kitsune consoled her. "If anything, you'll have a lot more free time now. With all the media attention your old company is receiving, it won't be long now until it finally goes bankrupt."
"Actually, about that!" Momohime let out as with a fluster she reached into her pocket to pull out a certain brochure. More specifically, the Government Opportunities For Contractors Seeking Employment. "There's actually already a job that I'm thinking of applying for."
She slid the paper forward, gesturing to where she had circled. Kongiku bent over to look at the paper for letting out a sound. "Oh my! Really? You want to be an exorcist?"
"Y-Yes!" The (former) office lady nodded firmly before fidgeting. "I… I don't really recall the contract that I made with the Muramasa Blade. But I get the feeling that the more I learn about myself, the closer I'll be to remembering my wish. And becoming an exorcist feels like that's the best way I can do so."
"Well, certainly, your unique abilities give you quite the talent for it, and having a magical girl amongst our ranks is sure to boost morale. I'm happy it's what you want to do but…" The kitsune gave a nervous sigh as she continued to speak. "For us at the Tokyo Branch, the exam to become an exorcist usually takes place every six months. If you had come earlier I would've whole heartedly recommended it but right now the exam is only two weeks away. While what I hear about Magical Girl Demon Blade's abilities makes me believe she could easily pass, the problem is, well… Forgive me for putting it bluntly but the problem is you, Momohime."
A lightning bolt ran through the young woman as her eyes widened and she leaned back. "E-Eh?!"
"There's a lot of things that go into being a good exorcist." Kongiku wagged her fingers as she began to lecture. "But right now, you don't particularly have the time to train the skills you need. Since this is only the examination for the Low-Ranked Exorcists, you can probably get by if you specialize but you'd need to go through some rather hellish training if you want to get one of your skills to an adequate level by the time the examination comes. Honestly, I'd recommend waiting for the next one to come around…"
Momohime paused to think about it before shaking her head. "No, I'm sorry but I want to become an exorcist as fast as possible. A-And besides, I'm a former black company employee, I'm already used to working until I'm dead!"
"...That is a truly heartbreaking thing to hear a young woman like you say, but if you insist." The kitsune nodded before moving into the back of her temple and pulling out a piece of parchment. Dipping her brush in ink, she began to write. The first word was Physical. "There are three main skills that you need to work on. The first being your physical stamina and strength. Demon Blade already has a good grasp on this but your frame is still weak Momohime. I believe it's important you try and strengthen yourself, but of the three it's not particularly the most pressing."
The second word was Intellect. "The most important skill for an exorcist, above all else, will always be your deduction skills. Not just for problem solving, but oftentimes you will find yourself having to solve mysteries as well. As such, this will play a large focus in your exam. You seem like you've got a good head on your shoulders, but training your intellect is guaranteed to benefit you in the long run."
The third and final word was Night. "And of course, an exorcist must be skilled and proficient in manners regarding the world beyond the horizon. From expertise on how Youkai operate to skill in Hougi, if Intellect was the most important skill then this would be the defining trait of exorcists. Considering your unique situation, I'm not sure how much I'll be able to teach you regarding techniques for yourself, but you'll most definitely find your footing in the Night World to be much more solid."
Kongiku glanced at the paper before nodding and sliding it in front of Momohime. The ink was still wet as the former office lady glanced at the paper. "Pick carefully now, we don't have time to change things half way if you decide you want to focus on something else."
Momohime nodded silently. A minute passed, then two. Without any interruptions, she weighed the pros and cons of each option in her head. Before finally…
She made her decision and nodded. "What I want to focus on now is.."
[] Physical Specialization
[] Intellect Specialization
[] Arts Specialization
Case EXP Round Up!
+3 EXP Get out of the way!
+5 EXP Weightless Escape!
+5 EXP Rescue your coworkers!
+10 EXP Defeated Sahou!
+15 EXP Exorcise the Jubokko!
+3 EXP Regained: Courage!
+5 EXP Life Changing Decision!
+10 EXP Case 2: Roots to Courage complete!
46 + 48 = 94 Total EXP!
-[] Spend EXP?
AN: Why is this update so long? Don't answer that, I know exactly why. Originally this fight was going to be a two parter ending when Withered Bloom was used, but then I looked at the numbers and low and behold Sahou was one-shottable. It didn't exactly feel like a challenge so I just finished the fight here. Second time this has happened if I recall correctly... I'm still learning and experimenting with the battle system so I may make mistakes some times.
To make things clear, this isn't going to be deciding Momohime's specilization forever. An exorcist needs all three traits. This is just choosing the specialization you're going into the exam with. That being said, you still don't know what the exam consists of, so choose wisely~
Oh and in case I haven't mentioned it before. The one who makes these lovely graphics is @Familiar . Give him a hand, the spot light weaknes him enough that he won't be able to escape.
Unless exorcists always work alone, Arts seems better? Physical is secondary and I'd say Int is the most important, but other people can solves the mysteries, not a lot of people can hit like a magical girl can though.
And Arts also includes interacting with the Night in general. Knowing how to talk and interact is very important too.
As for XP... buy up the first level of all of our base stats (30 XP, 40 if we include the blade itself) and then either Barrier Smasher or Missing Moment I suppose? I guess I'd suggest Barrier Smasher first. We need at least one more action before Missing Moment would be useful probably. At least in a fight.
No other Blade Arts had their prereqs met either, so oh well.
[X] Arts Specialization
[X] Beginnings XP Plan
-[X] Muramasa's Blade (10 XP)
-[X] Emblaze The Fire (10 XP)
-[X] Mold The Wax (10 XP)
-[X] No Wall Can Stop Me (30 XP)
I would rather suggest we focus a bit more on Muramasa's Blade. Certainly, we don't know how our APT progresses, but as a swordswoman chances are better than average for us to have it level faster than once every 5 levels - and we can spend Exp to get it to level 4.
[X] Exp Plan Sharpening the Blade (80 exp, 14 remaining)
-[X] Upgrade Muramasa's Blade to level 4 (60)
-[X] Upgrade Emblaze the Fire to level 2 (10)
-[X] Upgrade Mold the Wax to level 2 (10)
Our stats would probably be 300 Health, 200 Damage, 150 Resilience, 100 Magic Modifier afterwards. This also has the benefit for faster refill of durability for our Arts.
I might agree, except we're going into an exorcist test.
Barriers are kind of a thing. Like a really big thing. Like a thing that would be really stupid to get hung up by when we have an ability that flat out negates them.
I might agree but Reader Mode has only shown us two instances of the Word "barrier" and neither so much as referred to the animesque kekkai. Kekkai, by the way, never appeared in the text yet.
I would rather prepare for what I know, in this case.
Yeah er...is there another hidden bible we're supposed to cross reference here? I even bothered to try and look at the ability bible and I can't find anything listed in the shop referenced there. Or have a better guess at what a specific Blade Arts does?
Anyway, tentatively based on known info...
[X] Physical Specialization
[X] XP Plan Embrace the Blade (90XP)
-[X] Upgrade Muramasa's Blade to 3 (30XP)
-[X] Purchase Reinforced Steel and Level to 3 (40XP)
-[X] Upgrade Emblaze the Fire to 2 (10XP)
-[X] Upgrade Mold the Wax to 2 (10XP)
Level the Blade + take Reinforced Steel to add a bunch more HP to it to enable actually using Blade Arts more in tough situations. Then just some basic stat weight for now.
Yeah er...is there another hidden bible we're supposed to cross reference here? I even bothered to try and look at the ability bible and I can't find anything listed in the shop referenced there. Or have a better guess at what a specific Blade Arts does?
Thus, as it currently stands, the Muramasa Blade is a sword that drains 25% of any damages it causes to regenerate it's health. Typically it would regenerate Demon Blade's health but it's not being nice. This kind of interaction with how the mechanics work with the narrative is called "Soft" Mechanics by the way.
You can use this method to examine the Arts you currently have and understand what they do. Meanwhile, the shop doesn't exactly tell you write away what you're about to buy. I don't make the rules I just break them.
If you really want, because I'm a filthy ripoff, you can use this wiki page to get some info on Blade Arts. Of course, I won't always guranteee 100% accuracy.