[ closed ]

[swordfucker]

Who: Guren, Tonbokiri, Izuku, Maya
Where: The forest
When: 7/6
What: A mission to find what Tonbokiri felt so threatened by! And it turns out he was right to be, but it doesn't look like it's coming to town, at least.
Warnings: Juuuust violence, woops

[They've been out here for hours. Hours, and only recently did they begin to feel what Tonbokiri said he had before. It's dark, and as the hours pass, so does the daylight, and Guren realizes quickly that it must be waiting. A quick discussion with the group comes to a decision: they'll stay here and wait.

The last bit of light is vanishing from the trees, now, and Guren has kept himself forced at the front of the group with great insistence. It's just the four of them and a horse, and if six people couldn't take down the bogeyman without casualties, he doesn't want to risk it with anything else.

His senses are higher than most. His steps slow, and while his left hand reaches back to signal that the others stop along with him, his right draws his sword without hesitation.]

Stay close. Visibility is low, and it's getting closer. [He can't see it, though, which is the main problem, and his brows furrow as he tries to look for signs of it. He can certainly feel its power, however. It's something large. Something strong. But the beast stalking them has already picked out one of them to target first, and it's not Guren.

Its movements through the trees are specifically meant to draw them out from each other, to get them separated just enough that it can target their healer first. Unfortunately, since the group has no idea what they're up against, they have no way of judging its intelligence or plan just yet. They're all sitting ducks.]

Comments

[scooptimistic]

Rolling out the introductions right away, huh--

[ Maya mutters this, completely braced in a defensive stance and for once not at all nonchalant or easygoing. She's on healing duty, she's reminded herself, she won't be focusing on offensive attacks. Her job is to keep the others on their feet, but what is this odd sense of foreboding, almost like the hairs on the back of her neck are prickling. Like...

It's familiar, and Maya recognizes it nearly too late.

But the sounds it's been making are echoing everywhere, and it's only Artemis' warning pulse within her that saves her. There's a shimmer of light at her feet as the Persona responds, and the fire spell flung out of seemingly nowhere hits her and ricochets off with Maya no worse for the wear.

That one tree over there is on fire now, oops. ]

Artemis!!

[ In response, the silvery figure glimmers into existence in front of her and holds out a hand, sending a wave of ice at a shape that's entirely too dark, too demonic, and too damned fast.

The beast lets out a guttural roar, reeling back momentarily, but then it's charging again and Maya's forced to move further away from the group in order to evade it. ]

Be careful, it's not holding back!!

[youwillbeunequaled]

[The light from the lanterns is not sufficient. Tonbokiri could almost be thankful for the tree catching on fire.
Not that he likes to see the thing that had given him such dire feelings so clearly in the flesh. It is truly a terror to behold.

There is no time to be bewildered by the fact that Amano-dono somehow completely deflected that fire in the first place, nor at her summoning that odd figure. Knowing Mikuniguro will stand firm, he leaves the horse's side to try and slip in an attack while the fiend is focused on Amano, hoping to draw its attention instead. The thing is fast and has good instincts though - a stab that should have squarely hit its torso ends up just barely scratching its arm. He bets the thing did not even feel that.]

Tch-- I'll cut you yet!

[ (And the fiend succeeds in separating another from the group.) ]

[inheritance]

[For a second, Izuku's attention flits to the figure that Maya just called up. It reminds him a bit of the thing that Minato had summoned before, sans gun usage. Persona? he wonders, and resolves to ask her about it later. Right now, he needs to focus on the creature that's attacking them.

Sparks of energy cover his body as he activates his quirk, and Izuku jumps up into the trees to try and track the thing down. It's incredibly fast--and intimidating for sure. After feeling its presence following them for some time, Izuku can see why Tonbokiri had decided to retreat. But now, he's here with backup! If Izuku can distract the thing enough for the others to get a good hit in, then maybe--

his thoughts screech to a halt when he sees where the thing is headed.]

Amano-san! Look out!

[swordfucker]

[ Everything is going south so quickly. Guren’s stomach twists, but he focuses on the movements. ]

Stay together! [ It’s a warning, the monster is moving too fast and going straight to Maya, and Guren has to stay on his feet. He can’t block, but he can jump at it with his sword, slicing at the beast with a speed that’s far above human— and even that doesn’t seem to be enough. It’s moving straight for Maya still, knocking Guren’s attacks back easily and just as ready to bounce to the next victim. ]

It’s trying to pick us off one by one!

[scooptimistic]

[ Great. Maya can't even comment on that, agree with it, or say much else. The instant she tries to move towards the others, the monster's suddenly right in front of her, seizing her by one arm with claws that sink all too easily into her flesh and-- something cracks when it shakes her.

The rest is a blur. She's flung, slamming back into a tree with a cry of pain that cuts off abruptly as she crumples to the ground.

It hurts. Everything hurts so much, and her vision's already blurring-- from the pain, from the strange burning from where those claws had sunk in... but she's moving, feebly, trying to push herself up.

The monster's already heading her way again. ]

[youwillbeunequaled]

[Even watching it is a blur, and he grunts when Amano is gouged and hits the tree.

If it's trying to pick them off one by one-- He's going to put himself in the way to be next, and trust that the others will think of something.

But seeing Amano-dono trying to get up after that hit, he feels a pang of relief, and now has another reason to put himself in the way. She is one who can heal. If they're going to have any hope to last though this fight, they'll need her. Hopefully she can heal herself first... Hopefully he can buy her whatever precious seconds she needs.

With a roar he jumps directly in front of the fiend, his spear braced. The fiend's momentum will surely drive it right into --
Or the fiend can nimbly evade him with a beat of its foul wings. The thing pauses long enough to growl in Tonbokiri's face, a rank stench that fills his lungs, then lashes at him with its tail.
With a grunt Tonbokiri defends against the tail, but the spiked ring at the end catches him against the left arm, rending open a deep wound.

The fiend raises a clawed hand, that will surely toss him aside in favour of finishing his single-minded pursuit of Amano--]

[inheritance]

[It's moving toward Maya again--frantic as Izuku is to catch up to the thing and draw it away from the others, his mind's already racing and trying to make sense of the creature's actions. The fiend's practically ignoring everyone else, unless it's attacked... why is it so focused on Maya? What's so different about Maya that would draw the thing's attention like this--oh.

It clicks together in his mind, but first! His teammates are in trouble. Tonbokiri-san! Amano-san!

Izuku adds some more power to his quirk, momentarily boosting himself up to 20% as he launches himself toward the fiend. Angling his body in midair, Izuku kicks downward, hoping to distract it enough and give Guren an opening.]

Protect Amano-san! [With a gasp, Izuku barely ducks out of the way of the beast's claws.] I think it knows she's our healer!

[swordfucker]

[It is. It definitely is, and after that, Tonbokiri is a burly threat and Izuku looks like an easy target. It's like that, isn't it? Everyone will be picked off until it's just him left?

He can't let that happen. Right now, it's just about damaging the thing. They need to retreat, but retreating now, as they are, could lead to more damage. They have to face it enough to be able to even earn that escape.

So, with Tonbokiri hurt and Izuku jumping in to help distract him, he takes his opening. He jumps in, sword coming down hard on the creature and pulsing with red and black energy.]

Keep your eyes on me, monster!

[He can dream. It hits, because he's quick and strong, and even a pull back from the beast leaves it injured, but it's still going for Maya first, and the others second, dodging Guren as more of an annoyance than anything else.

It's intelligent. It knows from these moves alone how each of them will act, and it intends to injure them in the perfect way to destroy their team.]

[scooptimistic]

[ She can't move. One arm's in agony and she knows enough to know that it's definitely broken. Getting flung's also damaged a few ribs, and there's blood trickling from her temple down over one eye. Among other problems she's choosing to ignore, in favor of murmuring to her Persona in a haze.

Artemis once again manifests in front of her, taking advantage of the other three's attempts to keep the beast away from her by surrounding Tonbokiri with a soft, green light. It'll feel cool, but more importantly, he'll feel his wounds healing rapidly. ]

[youwillbeunequaled]

[Thanks to Midoriya's kick, the fiend doesn't toss Tonbokiri aside as violently as it might have, although the claws still leave troughs in his shoulders. He regains his stance, hissing under his breath. Moving his left arm is an effort now, but he is still unbroken. He's seen enough. This fiend seems overwhelming, but so had the Ootachi. (The fact that the Ootachi had nearly broken him fatally in return is of no consequence.)

Ah, that's Ichinose-dono for you. Encouraged by their leader landing a hit, Tonbokiri readies himself to attack again when a comfortably cool feeling envelops him. It takes only a moment to realize what it means as the heat of his wounds fade.]

Amano-dono!

[She should have healed herself! But- if she chose to heal him, he will make the very best use of it he can.]

Get cut in two already!

[With a roar he flies at the fiend, who seems doubly intent on laying hand on Amano since she'd had the chance to cast a healing magic. Tonbokiri manages to touch the fiend's torso with his spear-- but strangely, his attack doesn't have nearly the strength behind it that is should. His eyes widen at this weakness in his arms although his wounds are mostly healed. The fiend shifts to bat him away with its wings, a move that works in Tonbokiri's favour as he quickly adjusts to slice at the wing's membrane with his spear. With an irritated growl the fiend follows up by striking him with its tail, a move that Tonbokiri is more prepared for this time, but still succeeds in knocking him back.]

[inheritance]

[This...is bad. Though Izuku has taken on strong opponents before, he's always had something else to give him that extra edge to win over them--like Eri's powers. He doesn't have anything like that now, though, and if the creature's managing to fend off even Guren and Tonbokiri....

Well, none of that matters. The point was to take the creature down before it could get into the town, after all. He'll just have to do his utmost to help!

Izuku waits until he sees an opening as it fights Tonbokiri--there! Jumping into motion, Izuku powers up to about 30% as he knocks the thing Guren's way with a roundhouse kick that catches it right in the stomach. Izuku doesn't even have time to recover when the backlash of his quirk makes him stagger a little when he lands, his legs protesting the amount of power he'd just used. Ow, ow, ow...

The creature snarls at him as it catches itself with its wings, and then turns right back toward Maya again. Damn, Izuku thinks with a spike of frustration. Even if he'd landed a hit, it's still not enough to phase it for very long. Just how strong is this thing?]

[swordfucker]

Don't back down! Focus on him all at once so we can retreat!

[The only way they'll get to do it is with a firm enough attack to be able to run. Guren catches the knockback from Izuku's attack with a swipe, but even that isn't enough to do what he wanted. It cuts, but Mahiru's power doesn't get the chance to come out before it's moving, slashing at Guren's front, nicking his thighs and digging a fair amount into his stomach, too.

But for now, it's nothing deep. Guren can still move quickly, and he's following up with attack after attack, even as the creature seems to be realizing something. Maya is incapacitated already, basically. The more they attack it, the more it begins to shift its gaze between the other three, deciding on its next target.]

[youwillbeunequaled]

[Tonbokiri doesn't like the way the fiend is looking between the three of them, now. If it is taking its attention off her, did it succeed?
Amano-dono-- ]

Understood!

[All at once and retreat it is. Tonbokiri approaches just out of range and waits for the moment they can attack together.
Although he hesitates to voice his intent in front of such an intelligent enemy he adds,]

Leave Amano-dono to me.

[Even if some foul spell is making his attacks weak, he can definitely still manage carrying her to safety. Besides that, it would be better for Midoriya to get directly away, and he trusts Ichinose's abilities to face the fiend.]

[inheritance]

[Knowing that Tonbokiri's taking Maya out of the line of fire takes a huge weight off his shoulder. Retreating, though... Izuku understands why, when they're having so much trouble even fighting the thing in the first place. But what if it follows them back to the town?

Even as the worried thoughts race through his mind, Izuku darts around, trying to find another opening to take and carry out Guren's instructions. Attack all together and create an opportunity for escape--he can help with that much. Finally, Izuku spots his chance. He leaps in close again, this time scoring another hit along the creature's back.

He lands the hit, alright, but it seems Izuku's not the only one observing and finding patterns in their attacks. Even as Izuku's about to go for another kick, the creature abruptly whirls around, claws catching and tearing through both skin and cloth as it leaves a few deep gashes across Izuku's chest and left shoulder.]

Kghhh!! [With a strangled cry, Izuku crumples and crashes to the ground none-too-gently. Before he even has a chance to jump away and recover, the creature's swooping down toward him, growling as it raises its claws for what would probably be a killing blow.]

cw: some eye gore in this comment, I tried not to go into detail!!

[swordfucker]

Mahiru-no-yo!

[He calls it out before Izuku is even in that position. He can read moves, see it coming when he's not in the middle of it, and even then it feels like he's too slow. Izuku is hurt. But Guren can see it's about to get worse.

He jumps, sliding in with a power that comes off his blade in red and black energy, meeting the claws and blocking them— temporarily. In an instant, his weapon is knocked aside, and with his body between the creature and Izuku now, it's him who takes the blows.

Claws follow up quick and strong, and Guren cries out. Poisonous, they dig into the left side of his face, going over his eye and causing deep gashes and an instant loss of vision. He's not just knocked into a tree, but slammed into one, the creature flying with him to crack a couple ribs there, and before Guren can even register how to react, there are claws again, digging deep into his chest and dragging.

It seems it doesn't want to deal with Guren on the rebound with his demon, either. Quick and persistent, and about to keep going if someone doesn't draw its attention away, again.]

[youwillbeunequaled]

[When an order is given among touken danshi, there is trust that it will be followed. Everyone doing their part leads to success.
He had volunteered to reach Amano.
So even as Tonbokiri hears the sounds of his comrades being wounded, he dare not turn back from the opportunity they are buying so dearly.

Coming to Amano's side (the fiend had been so close!), he kneels beside her and speaks urgently, hoping she can hear.]

Amano-dono! We are retreating. This will hurt, but I must move you.

[And with no delay he lifts her as carefully as his haste allows. He gives a sharp whistle, both to call Mikuniguro closer to meet him part-way, and to alert the others.]

[inheritance]

[It all happened so fast. Just a second ago, Izuku had heard the creature's growl close--too close--as he crashed into the ground. And when Izuku finally looks up, it's just in time to see the creature raking his claws over Guren's face. He's frozen, stunned, coming to the only conclusion that makes sense. Guren had taken a hit for him. A bad one.]

Sensei!! [The anguished cry rips out of his throat as a wave of self-loathing and anger crashing through him, finally forcing himself to move. Teeth bared, Izuku propels himself forward, eyes locked onto the creature trapping his teacher in place. One for All makes his left arm crackle with energy as Izuku powers up to 100% this time. There's no helping it--the creature is too strong. Strong enough to give even Guren this much trouble. And even though he knows he should avoid damaging his arms further, using 100% in his legs is not an option when he still needs to escape. At least his left arm is less damaged than his right. That's the best he can come up with right now.

100% Detroit Smash!! The punch catches the creature right in the face and sends it flying back, even as the power from the fully powered attack sends the wind whistling away from them, bending the trees. Biting back a scream as the quirk's backlash hits him, Izuku doesn't even bother looking to see where the thing landed, too busy grabbing at Guren with his right hand and hauling him over his shoulder again. His left arm, horribly bruised through the tears in the fabric, hangs limply at his side.]

Sensei, let's go! [Izuku can already hear the irritated growls from somewhere nearby and if they don't leave now, he doesn't know if he can get another hit like that in again now that he's done it once.]

[scooptimistic]

[ It hurts. Maya's already losing her tenuous grip on consciousness, but she can hear enough. The roars of the beast, Guren's yell, the anguish and agony in Izuku's voice. Through blurring vision, she can barely make out the figures, but-- that has to be Guren, being held up by Izuku, who has one arm... dangling limply.

Ah.

She's not entirely sure what happened, but it feels as though he's overdone it. It's a quiet apology to Guren that never gets uttered, but she's going to have to prioritize the one kid here.

She winces, murmurs something-- and Artemis appears, beckoning towards Izuku. The healing spell, her strongest, will take care of anything major, but that's all she can muster right now.

After that, she's slumping in Tonbokiri's arms and losing unconsciousness. ]

[swordfucker]

You idiot—

[It's muttered at first, when Izuku rushes him— but even as his arm is shattered, and as Guren can barely see out of his good eye now, the other entirely out of commission, he forces a grin at the end. It helps when Maya offers her last healing spell to Izuku, rather than himself.

Thank goodness. He wouldn't want it any other way.

He coughs up blood, his free hand trying to stifle that, but it doesn't matter when his face is soaked in it already. His torso, too. He can barely stand, so it's good Izuku lifts him, and Guren doesn't even fight it, this time, grunting at the movement and that's all. His world is spinning, he feels faint, but he's pushing through it, determined.]

Nice hit. [In the middle of this, he can at least compliment Izuku through the recklessness.] But don't rush at something I'm saving you from ever again, you idiot. Get us out of here.

[Before it comes back. They need to leave, now. He speaks up just enough, even if his voice is rough and strained.] Tonbokiri, if anything happens when we're trying to leave, prioritize the other two.

[youwillbeunequaled]

[While lifting Amano into the saddle, a sudden blast and gust of wind makes him look to see what happened.
The monster is gone, and Midoriya is grabbing Ichinose. They are both so badly wounded-!
Then Amano stirs again, healing the boy, before slumping limply against him.
With no choice, he mounts Mikuniguro as well to support her. At least the other two can walk, although he frowns in deep concern at their wounds.

He nods at Ichinose's command.]

Understood. I will bring up the rear, then. Midoriya-dono, keep going forward as fast as you can. I will look out for the fiend.

[inheritance]

[Relief spreads through him even as the two of them make their way, unsteadily, to where Tonbokiri and Maya are waiting. It's not just from the healing that Maya gives him either. If Guren's sassing him like this, then he'll probably be fine.] You can scold me after we're away from here, sensei.

[And to Tonbokiri he says, grimly--] Got it.

[At least with his arm healed, Izuku can get a better grip on Guren as he activates his quirk again to dart through the trees, making sure he doesn't leave Tonbokiri behind at the same time.]

[swordfucker]

[Guren is... fairly quiet, after that. He can put on a strong front, but as they're fleeing, he's focused on the presence of that beast. He needs to make sure everyone survives this. He's pushing past what his body wants to allow, ignoring dizziness, throbbing pain, the lack of sight.

He chokes more often than he should, coughing and trying to keep himself stable. But he won't struggle out of Izuku's grip.]

[youwillbeunequaled]

[To be honest, he is surprised that Midoriya can move so quickly, even wounded and in the dark.]

Ha- perhaps I should say, keep pace with Mikuniguro, then.

[Despite the shallow laugh he holds no mirth at the moment, as he ignores the wounds in his shoulders to twist around and look behind them. Of course, he cannot see it. But he can sense it.]

It is behind us. ... But not closing in. [--Yet?]

[inheritance]

[The trick is that he's way too used to moving even when he's shattered the bones in his arms! It's super useful in situations like these.]

It doesn't feel like it's really...paying attention to us anymore. Or is that just me?

[When they'd started encroaching on the thing's territory earlier, its presence and gaze on them had felt much heavier and menacing compared to what Izuku's sensing now. He doesn't want to hope, but... maybe it's not pursuing them?]

[swordfucker]

Don't... stop.

[Guren can feel it, too, the presence fading away. But that thing had been too intelligent. It's possible it's trying to get their guard down, to sneak up and attack again.

Of course, he's thinking all of this while blood is really going fast. Somehow, his demon isn't working like it should be. Even if it's not the bogeyman...? He's not healing enough. His one good eye keeps going blurry, in and out, he can't even lift his head.]

Keep it up... for at least ten minutes. Then stop. We have to— [Between almost passing out, there's also pain from the running Izuku is doing.]

Make sure it doesn't follow us back.

[And that Maya is alright. (Himself too, he guesses.)]