Second Sortie (Mod, Exploration) [Party: Chidori]

[Ayakura Alisa]

After that relaxing night I felt somewhat energized to go out and resume exploration of the mines. I asked Chidori to come with me again, as I wanted to see if she felt more confident about being out here again. The trip to the mines themselves was fairly uneventful but I recalled back to the deadly encounter with the giant and its crazy wheel friend thing, and I hoped that if there were any scary encounters in the mines they would be a little easier to deal with this time around. I led Chidori back once more into these mine tunnels and wondered just what the heck was in here that would interest Shadows so much, unless it was just the environment itself that felt comfortable for them. Whatever the heck that actually entailed. This time, I myself was feeling a little more adventurous. I had kept Izayoi with me thus far, but I had never used it in front of Chidori, for fear of triggering something again. So, I had mostly stuck with my bow. But I fear that sooner or later I may have to use it. Let's hope nothing would come to that.

[Chidori Tsukino]

Still feeling a little...unusual, after the entertaining night at the Shrine, the mute agreed to go with her friend out to the mines again, ready to do her part in this investigation. Of course, the mines were a bit...urg, unsettling, at the very least. Something about it was off-putting, but that made it all the more intriguing to explore; what drew the shadows to it? Was there something hidden below? They needed answers, and eventually, someone would have to step up anyway. At least for now, she could try to do so with some company around, rather than attempting it solo.

Purposely pushing the results of the last solo attempt from her mind as soon as the flashback reared its ugly head, Chidori stuck close to Alisa, both on the way to the mines and whilst the entered the tunnel system, ready to summon up her unusual power should they encounter (or rather, given their tendency when exploring, when they encountered) Shadows.

[Erithania]

Beware the Oni Musha!

Ill-mannered Drive

Skills
Poison Arrow
Agilao

Resists: Fire
Weakness: Ice

Rowdy Wheel

Skills
Viper Smash
Zionga

Resists: Lightning
Weakness: Wind

Delinquent Gigas

Skills
Gigantic Fist
Garu

Resists: Wind
Weakness: Lightning

Bancho Maya

Skills

Megido
Bufula

Null: Ice
Weakness: Fire

[Ayakura Alisa]

Chidori and I continued the exploration, but it almost seemed like our adventures would be cut short again as this time I could sense we were blindsided by not two Shadows but four, this time around, similar to our encounters with the creatures back on the building and the hospital. The wheel and the gigas were familiar faces at this point, but there was an unusual looking masque that bore the resemblance of those tough school banchou figures; it seemed very threatening so the first thing I naturally do is to shoot at it with my bow as soon as I could see it, shooting it on sight caused it to shake and shiver, and it started to glow unnaturally blue as a familiar seething cold struck at me, in the form of an icicle, which cut my side. On top of that, there was a drive thing which decided to join its friend in the magical realm, dusting up a roaring flame which I weathered with my arm, and I'm pretty sure if I were weaker I'd have gotten second-degree burns or something. No telling what the other two creatures would do but I didn't look to find out, instead shooting another arrow at the mask, which I recognized, was a Maya; from the files of my parents. It seemed to crack and disappear after I struck a soft spot.

Soon, I drew my attention to the wheel, as I didn't like the sight of it; and this time, I tried a different approach, shooting multiple arrows at once. A split-shot, so to speak. I had two arrows slightly distanced apart as I strung both of them, before releasing and watching both arrows barely hit the wheel, the points struck at two ends of the wheel, causing it to spin in place. It then charged at me and knocked me over. Falling back, I rolled back to a kneeling position and took aim once more, placing two more arrows into the wheel, which made it break. However, the Gigas took this opportunity to literally punch my back, which caused me to flop over almost like a rag doll. Christ, that hurt!

I got up and shivered, wondering why my back wasn't broken from that blow, but I realized that I now had a major back pain and I couldn't stand up straight. "Chidori, there's a lot this time...!" I barely panted.

[Chidori Tsukino]

Whilst it wasn't surprising to be mobbed by a group of shadows, it still annoyed Chidori that she couldn't quite tell they were coming, nor could she really out manoeuvre them in the close confines of the mine tunnels - much like the sewers, but even less room to move, given there were two closing in from either side. Perhaps exploring in a group was attracting the attention of more shadows?

Switching into battle mode, the mute summoned up Lucia as her friend took on two of their opponents, using her bow with a high level of proficiency. Not wanting to let Alisa down on her side of things, Chidori quickly fell into her usual pattern of attack - maybe it was boring, but it was generally pretty reliable, and since it was her only current method of attacking multiple enemies at once, she didn't have much choice. Light blazed around her & her princess persona, surging forwards and blasting both the larger Gigas and the smaller Shadow (a kind she'd not seen before) as she unleashed a double dose of Mahama.

Perhaps emboldened by her attack, they both closed in, only being knocked back a little bit by the first wave, and already far too close when the second Mahama hit them; the Gigas swung out, missing the mute but striking solidly against Alisa's back, whilst the Drive continued its own magical assault - only this time Chidori was the target of the flames. Her blood boiled beneath her skin, but fortunately, the mute's powers helped diminish the strength of the attack. Nevertheless, her chocolate brown gaze flickered to her friend, who was panting from blow rendered unto her by the Gigas.

Switching tactics momentarily, Chidori healed them both with a Media before she wheeled around on the shadows, her temper sparking at the fact that one of the Shadows had bypassed her and hurt her friend. Let's obliterate them Lucia. With the silent fury only the mute can really possess, Chidori renewed her assault with wave upon wave of blinding Light, unrelenting until the Shadows were completely dispersed into nothingness. Not wanting to spend too much more time here, lest another group of shadows pounce on them, the mute would help prop Alisa up if her back was still in pain; once they were clear of the mines she could worry about healing her up to full capacity.

[Erithania]

Congrats on not-dying!



Guess I'll have to work harder next time!