soul_logs | [Event] Invasion!

Entry tags:

[Event] Invasion!

Characters: OPEN to everyone!
Location: All over Death City
Rating: Various
Time: February 2nd
Description: Witches have invaded and are attacking the city!

The attack, when it comes, happens quickly enough that Death City would have been caught flat-footed had there been no prior warning, but it's not completely unexpected because of the city's heightened state of alarm the past day. Warning sirens start sounding to alert the citizens and guests the moment a dark, slow-moving mass out in the desert to the south-east of Death City is spotted by Shibusen sentries. There's even time for civilians to run and hide before the mass is identified as an army of what looks like decaying, shambling corpses. The city's defenders are slow to move, however; most of them are distracted and are having trouble dealing with the black blood in their bodies. While agents are gathering to head out to deal with the zombie threat, that's when the witches make their move.

Portals begin opening in the skies above the city, disgorging hideous familiars: bulbous spiders and leggy ants the size of dogs. They drop hundreds of feet down into the streets and alleyways of Death City, and scuttle off in search of victims. The spiders are poisonous and can spin copious amounts of web to capture their targets, the ants spit acid that cause agonizing, paralyzing pain. Their masters bear down on the city in a cloud of black shadows--massive ravens strong enough to carry off adult men. There are five witches, women on broomsticks, beautiful if not for their crazed grins and obvious glee at the chaos descending upon the city. At some unknown signal--maybe the cackling from a couple of them--they dive in concert and disappear into different areas of the city.

Their masterful plan has begun!

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"... Actually, I have a feeling Arisato-san may know exactly why it happened." She hadn't heard everything about his Persona experience, but... it had something to do with the Apathy Syndrome cases and its conclusion. She had to learn what exactly.

At the sight of the webs, Naoto shifted back to the blade, letting him cut through the webs with ease.

All Kanji knew of Apathy Syndrome and Iwatodai (before the trip) was what he'd read in the papers when news got out. Even then, it was just a blurb of relief that the 'epidemic' had ended.

Seriously? He asked, curious. One swing, two, three, and he cut through the webbing with ease. The edge of Naoto's blade form was as keen as ever. The path was cleared, and Kanji proceeded forward.

He adjusted his grip and initiated a form change as he reached the end of the alley, peeking out the access the situation. Did someone out here need a hand?

If he knew, it would'a been damn nice of him to give you a heads-up, he grumped over the link.

Back to her gun form Naoto returned. She sighed.

"He might know the reason as to why he transformed, but I doubt he would've known it was going to occur. He's like senpai after all... Persona-wise I mean." Personality wise? Not so much.

Her soul pulsed. There were a number of people around, but she was picking up the invaders' presence more.

Kanji would try to imagine Souji with a personality like Minato's, but his brain might enter a BSOD. Still, he was just relieved the kid was okay. Shibusen didn't know anything, and the situation was feeling awfully hopeless until he was randomly restored, shouting in surprise.

The teen stepped out of the alleyway and started thinning out numbers. There were fighters down this street, but like everywhere else, they were vastly outnumbered. He had to wonder how many Guests there were here, and if -- no, when -- the Witches were going to be driven back. They, too, needed rest like anyone else.

Their familiars, however, never seemed to tire. A cloud of the large birds was approaching from overhead, and two of the fighters got wise by prying open a nearby window and climbing indoors. That... didn't seem like that bad of an idea.

As the others scrambled to alleys and stoops, Kanji pressed his back to a wall beneath an awning, waiting for the incoming storm.

She would probably inquire Shibusen about Minato's bizarre temporary status later, or at least, ask if it had occurred before. For now, she focused on the battle at hand, soul pulsing as the numbers diminished. She was noting how many enemies still remained, but not where to aim; that ability would be too much on Kanji. Right now, she could only help level his aim.

Her eyes narrowed up at the ravens overhead, her soul becoming stronger. She really wanted to get rid of them... but she pulled her wavelength back to level with Kanji's again. The birds were going to dive.

There was no way he was going to take all of them out, but every defeat counted. He was going to thin these bastards out, no matter what it took.

She reached then, but... pulled back. After a brief spark of confusion from his end, there was that all-too-familiar flare. Well, why didn't she say so?

You wanna push it, let's push it!

But it might exhaust you and leave you open for attack.

Well, not so much might as it would. Did he really want her to use it?

Just until the birds pass!

He wondered if he could hold out for that long. Was it possible to stress test one's own soul? Nevertheless, Kanji wanted these training wheels off.

... The moment the resonance begins to fall, I'm going to withdraw.

She allowed her soul to expand and more of her power flowed into her end of the wavelength, stretching to him. Sure, it wasn't an ability that showed souls, but it brought the surrounding into sharper focus. Small pin-pricks appeared on the enemies around; vital points to aim at while there were other, less illuminated areas. It was all flickering, changing every so often.

Forgive the inaccurate points. I'm still adapting to this ability marking fatal and crippling points. Don't worry about missing; just try to hold out.

Fair enough. Until now, he usually worked to establish a connection and worked with what he had. Even while training with Tifa, they never really tried to find their mutual pinnacle. Kanji surmised it was time to try and step up his game if he hoped to make any sort of difference in this war.

He felt the shift within and reached to follow suit. Whether it was by sheer stubbornness or actual growth as a Meister was anyone's guess as he stood his ground and passed beyond his comfort zone. When he opened his eyes again, things looked so much clearer, as if he'd been near-sighted this entire time and had just slipped on a new pair of glasses. He saw them all, the figures of every individual zombie, every insect and bird, and handy pinpoints that moved every now and again.

Got it! He adjusted his grip upon the weapon form. The gunblade was a little heavier in his hands, but nothing that could cause trouble for now. The birds began to swoop, a fair number of them spotting and gunning for him.

"Come n' get it, you beady-eyed dickheads! Bring it!" He shouted as he wasted no time in gunning right back.

Naoto influenced his aim, helping his shots strike the points he fired at. There was no time to comment on his language, she had to focus on keeping the resonance going and adjusting his aim when it was off. Moving targets were difficult especially the ravens. The zombies required no real aim with their movements, but spiders and ants had their moments.

The zombies were simple enough, and head shots were quick and easy. Kanji took a quick peek across the street: They were nearly at their first stop, but there was no way he could attempt to cross with the birds swooping in from almost every direction now.

They both had to be thankful that they weren't true birds of prey, ones designed to catch prey and maneuver out of tough spots. Attempts to grab him from where he was were always clumsy: Talons scraped brick to his left or right or wings caught on the awning he hid under. Those that got too close were dealt with for their effort.

We gotta get across the street! You see an opening? I need...

He blew away another raven that was getting a little too close for comfort. Every other sound was drowned out by the sound of gravelly caws and wing beats.

...I dunno, five seconds!

I'm looking for one now.

Still, these familiars were being very persistent it was border-lining annoying. The zombies were no hindrance; it was mainly the offensive insects and ravens that kept swooping down. Still, after taking several insects out, they were becoming more wary about frontal assaults despite their projectiles. Nailing a spider directly in the center of its eight eyes can have that affect she supposes.

She scanned again... a bird circled and dove. Naoto took Kanji's arm and gave him a small push to pull the trigger. It was the bird's own fault for deciding to open its mouth at the precise moment for the bullet to go in. It reeled back, leaving its torso open for several more bullets to send it careening out of the sky.

Go now; I'll worry about shooting them down.

He 'felt' that push and he almost seemed to move of an unconscious accord, that bird getting a beakful before it earned a chestful.

Kanji nodded, moving as soon as she gave the word. His longer strides carried them quickly across the street, exposed from all sides to whatever the birds and insects may have planned. He was halfway across when he felt a little winded sooner than usual, yet still he poured on whatever strength he could.

But what a show! Damn, he had to wonder where she learned to shoot...!

He crossed into the alleyway and ran a sleeve over a brow.

Got a little more left in me! Give it all you got! I got yer back--

Blink.

...Y-you know what I mean!

Naoto felt Kanji's exhaustion, but his push to continue. She bit her lip, going against her previous words; if she withdrew now, he would be left defenseless. He had to get to safety before she retracted her ability. For now, she remained focused on sniping the familiars as they came.

Yes, I know!

He hadn't stopped moving since he entered the alleyway, taking steps back and checking behind him every now and again to make sure nothing's on his 6. There was the arcade on the next street... he just needed to get inside!

Seeing it so close by sent a shot of adrenaline, just one last punch of pep he needed to get where the hell he needed to be. Kanji turned and kept his aim behind him, entering a sprint.

That door better be unlocked... or I'm breakin' the damn glass! ...And he meant that. When he finally reached the door, he was ready to smash everything down with an elbow when he tested the door.

Considering zombies have no idea how to open doors, it was mercifully left unlocked. The building was guarded by others who sought refuge here, keeping their eyes on the windows, something the zombies could access if they grew particularly peckish.

Once indoors, Kanji felt himself sway, but with a palm to the wall for balance, he caught himself. His soul sparked and began to wane.

I just... I just need a minute... He shook his head to clear it, and he fought to hang on to that level of resonance. He can hang on, damn it!

She really didn't want to report to her Meister that his arcade had been destroyed, or at least, the window. If it weren't for the other refugees inside the arcade, that would make things quite awkward.

Naoto broke the resonance the moment the door closed so Kanji could stop fighting, panting a bit herself. No, she hadn't been running, but those bullets were still part of her energy. Each and every connection as a blade was still herself cutting into the enemies.

"Sit down. We can take a few minutes..." She wouldn't find Minato soon, but she doubted he would be out in the open even in his condition. He was probably going from place to place, hiding from the familiars and zombies.

She broke away and his arms extended, holding out the Gunblade to give her room.

Kanji nodded wordlessly and turned, pressing his back to the wall and letting himself slide down into a seated position. After what had to be the strongest resonance he'd ever achieved at this point, he noticed that his hands felt like they'd touched a live wire, and they still seemed to buzz.

He was tired... but it was a 'good' tired, like he got a workout and was coming down off a runner's high.

"Need to practice that..." He managed, when he caught his breath a little.

"... If you want, we can later when Morning Training resumes."

Naoto didn't bother mentioning this was only one ability she had learn. Apparently, Weapons had at least several in their arsenal, only coming to master more as they consumed higher numbers of Kishin Eggs. If that one had been considerably draining, she could only imagine how the others would be.

It slightly reminded her of her Persona's abilities. They had consumed a great deal of her energy. Minato better work on his stamina.

For now, she remained standing, one hand resting on her hip above their gun while the other hung slack, near the kunai.

Another nod. Feeling his second wind return to him, he began to push himself to his feet. His hand remained on the wall for balance, however, in case his assumption was off.

"Wasn't for long, but I can do it. Just gotta bulk up the soul, right?" He had no idea how one bulked up the soul, but... uhh, he'll think about that later.

He then looked back at the others hiding out. There was something they needed to do here, someone they needed to find.

"A'right, listen up!" He barked, snapping most of the heads in the room to attention.

"Guy who runs this place. Arisato-san. Looks like my friend here, hands always in his pockets. Is he here, or has anyone seen 'im?" His reply at first was a sea of staring eyes, confusion painted over most faces. Irritation painted the rest.

"You gonna stare or is somebody gonna tell me somethin'!?" He shouted. He was too tired, too impatient to try and make nice right now.

Most avoided eye contact. Some shook their heads, wondering what this guy's problem was. One spoke up: "I saw a boy that looks like him with that Saya Takagi girl. I was passing through the football field."

Kanji body language deflated a bit. Saya... that was the girl that gave the tips on how to deal with the undead!

Still a little out of breath, he looked to Naoto. "...Uh, where's the football field?"

"That's correct." A strong soul and body in this world matter. Keep them healthy and properly exercise would help them both.

Naoto frowned as Kanji gestured to her as an example of Minato (did they really look so similar?) and again when he yelled at the people taking refuge here. She felt a twinge of annoyance at Saya's name, but didn't say a word. That girl was somewhat helpful unlike other people here.

"The football field..." Odd place... quite open for attack there unless... She turned to Kanji and gave him the directions quickly.

Naoto, you could seriously pass for the kid's sister. It made a visual ID that much easier in this situation.

Kanji dusted himself off, listening to the directions. They probably shouldn't try that resonance again, but fortunately the district where the field was located wasn't too far. If he booked it, they'd be there in no time save for Witch force difficulties.

"...Thanks," he spoke to the gathered group. Okay, so he could make a little nice.

Then, he extended his hand. They had a destination. All they needed was to get there.

"Ready when you are, Naoto-kun. Let's go get 'im!"

"Yes, thank you." She nodded to the group and looked up at Kanji. At his extended hand, she took hold again, quickly resuming her Weapon form. Her soul was back to normal, calm and collected as she hovered in the usual dark space.

"Let's head out."

His friend in hand, Kanji wasted no time in heading back out into the fray. The Guests seeking refuge sniping from the higher floor windows helpfully cleared the way until they were out of sight.

Because a few makeshift shelters were made in this district, there were more than enough fighters in the area, clobbering their way through the hordes. Unfortunately, there was a high chance a witch would be in the area.

He wished he'd asked how long ago Minato and Saya had been seen, and hoped he would still be in the area.

Let's stick to whatever's in the way! This area looks covered! ...Might be a Witch around, too. He had no ability to sense soul wavelengths or energy... it just made the most sense.

I certainly hope one isn't...

She let her soul ping again. If a Witch appeared, they couldn't fight. Kanji was weakened and Naoto didn't know if she was strong enough to defeat one. When he soul bounced back, she sighed with relief.

I don't feel the presence of one. Still, I'll make sure to check.

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Wiiith permission from FM on a location. XD

Alright~

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