[Conquest] Lookout Crystal Kintsugi

With Megis giving quite the visceral demonstration, Glainne couldn't help but shake her head. "Even your physiology has its limits to how much damage it can take I'm certain..." she pointed out, uncertain if there was such a limit or not to how much a Majin can regenerate or not... But it seemed that the situation up here was becoming untenable to say the least.

But there was one thing she had to correct the Majin on regarding her logic on the choice of location. "This place is ideal for a base due to simple physics." the crystalline woman began to explain. "From this altitude if anyone were to head for any of the population centers of the world, they would reach them in a far shorter space of time than taking off from one of the cities to try and reach the others. It's why most aeroplanes and other means of aerial transport ascend to a certain height." she pointed out.

When the polygonal figure asked why the ruins and not something brand shiny and new, Glainne gestured around them. "Why spend resources on constructing a brand new shiny floating base, that could otherwise be used to help fund relief centers and other such necessities in the face of people trying to wreck havoc for their own ends?" she pointed out. "Especially when an ancient structure like this already exists, is certainly large enough and simply requires repairs, that I can perform for free aside from my own energy, to bring it back to use?" the blue haired woman clarified further.

But it seemed that the blonde woman with the wings was far more concerned with the current supposed occupant of the ruins, assuming they even had an actual claim to this place that is... And then there was the matter of the twin swordswomen clashing with one another, with the dark haired one apparently taking the white haired one hostage! She braced herself as if to make ready for an attack... But after taking a moment to carefully analyse the body language of the two combatants, slowly relented. Her eyes however did not leave the dark haired womans own.

Glainne would slowly walk towards them, not caring if the blade scratched into her or across her surface at this moment until she was up close to the two women, not once did she blink. "Usumi is it? I will not abide a threat to this world for long. I will bridge this gulf, and when I do... I will lock you away." she warned and promised. She then turned and began to walk away, shaking her head towards the polygonal figure. "I'm probably needed down in South City judging by the energy levels we can all sense there... But thank you for the kind offer." the crystalline woman said with a bow of her head.

She made her way towards the edge of the ruined structure before taking one last look towards Usumi and Griselda. "And I feel I must offer one last correction Miss Usumi... I've never heard of a Glassian to die of old age. We are not flesh and blood after all." She turned her attention to Rhapsody. "You have a kind heart miss. But be careful to not let others abuse it..." Glainne advised her, before starting to try and make her departure towards South City... Where she probably had a fair bit of cleaning up to do.

Rhapsody was able to breathe a sigh of relief as it seemed the situation between most had reached an amicable outcome; Glainne still argued in favor of claiming the Lookout, but had seen fit to drop the issue for another time. Unfortunately, there was still the matter between Griselda and the one called Usumi; it hardly seemed like Usumi was after the others life, but it also didn't seem as though Griselda was enjoying any of the situation at all that Usumi was putting her through. Glainne would see fit to approached the two as Usumi toyed with Griselda, while she did, Rhapsody would be approached by Megis in thanks, to which she would respond with a bright smile.

"Of course!" She'd say happily, "And... do try to keep yourself safe-" She would warn in a kind manner as her thoughts shifted to the words she'd shared with Jackie, "-I might not-" She'd continue, before cutting herself off and shaking her head; once more, returning a smile to Megis as he left to ascend high onto a floating bit of rock, "-anyways, stay safe, Megis!" She'd call out before turning her attention slightly towards Deca.

Glainne had seemed to finish her short conversation with Usumi, and Deca had seen fit to offer the girl an escort to another city. With an unseen conflict growing in the south however, Deca's offer had gone ignored as Glainne attempted to flee the Lookout herself. She'd offered a word of warning to Rhapsody, one that left the girl a bit confused; tilting her head a bit, Rhapsody pondered on what Glainne could have meant, but ultimately, she'd have to dismiss the remark as the situation between Usimi and Griselda called her attention.

"It seems Miss Glainne has other plans." Rhapsody would remark to Deca, "Please, take care leaving this place Miss, and do have a safe trip!" She'd say kindly to the strange alien girl she'd unfortunately not gotten a name from, before looking up towards the bird atop her head, "You as well mister birdy! It would pain me greatly to see a creature of the forest harmed!" She'd remark with a worried expression as she flew up to attempt giving the bird a small pat upon it's head, before giving the two a wave and rushing down to where Usumi held Griselda.

Usumi's speed and actions had been more than Rhapsody could have possibly followed; from the moment the black haired twin of Griselda had arrived, Rhapsody had felt something unsettling in the air. She wanted to heed Griselda's warnings and simply flee as commanded, the small fear she felt in the pit of her stomach told her to do so as well; however the danger her friend seemed to be in, coupled with Usumi's taunts forced her to stay. She wasn't sure what Usumi meant by her remarks, both of them certainly seemed "whole" enough; whatever the case, it was clear that Griselda wasn't enjoying what she was being put through, and Rhapsody couldn't just leave her friend to deal with it alone.

"M-Miss-?" Rhapsody would begin, confused for a moment at Usumi's matching appearance to Griselda's in spite of how Griselda had been referring to him as; with a shake of her head, Rhapsody would drop honorifics for the moment and simply refer to the twin in the same manner Griselda had, "Usumidori." She'd say firmly, with a determined expression as she approached cautiously, "Please let Miss Griselda go, she's a kind person! She helped me gather food for the animals below, and listened patiently to my story!" Rhapsody would explain as her body began to shake as she neared the two; she would come to a stop finally, a fair distance away once her feathers began to ruffle defensively, but in spite of her clearly nervous outwardly appearance, she showed no signs of turning away.

Rhapsody would think back to Jackie's words; Usumi had arrived from seemingly no where and had attacked unprovoked. She wanted to believe there was a reason behind Usumi's actions, but if Jackie was right, then this was violence simply for the sake of violence. Even if there was a reason, Rhapsody couldn't find the words that could have possibly dissuaded Usumi from further chaos. Griselda had warned them all to flee before, it was clear Griselda understood the situation far more than an mere interloper like Rhapsody did, but she saw Griselda as a friend now, leaving while Usumi tormented her simply wasn't an option.

"I apologize for interfering, I admit I don't really know the two of you that well... I don't know much of anything that well." Rhapsody would explain to the two as she steeled her resolve, "I don't know what you mean when you say you wouldn't be whole, you both look whole... you look like sisters even-" She'd ramble, before shaking her head and getting to her point, "Regardless, what I do know is that Mi-, that Griselda is my friend!" She'd declare firmly, dropping the honorific manner in which she'd been referring to Griselda, "She's her own person, and it's clear that she doesn't like what you're doing to her!" She'd exclaim as she thought back one final time to the words she'd been given by Jackie, "Please let her go-" She would plea as she took a deep breath and began to draw upon the magic she felt deep within her chest, "-or else, if not... then... then I'll... I'll do something very mean!" She'd finish with a slight waver in her voice, unsure of what it was that she would actually do to convince Usumi to cease her hold against Griselda.

Regardless of her confusion, her intent was clear; Rhapsody wanted nothing more than to protect Griselda. Jackie had warned that if words would fail, then actions needed to be taken; Rhapsody could only hope that her words wouldn't fall on deaf ears with Usumi, though if those words were ignored, she wasn't entirely sure what actions it was she'd do next. Her training with Jackie was fresh, but short, and incredibly far from complete; she still wasn't sure as to her special talent, and hadn't much improved yet in the way of even practical self defense. The two before her wielded swords, so it was possible she could have summoned her own to defend Griselda from Usumi, but for the moment hesitated in summoning said weapon; the last thing she wanted was to provocate Usumi further, and a weapon in hand seemed like it would have done just that.

Most had heeded the demon's words. Imparting their own twist and tale to excuse themselves. Including some of the odder blocky people and talking birds. Glainne's in particular stood out as a pretty little threat. One Usumi reveled in. The demon laughs boldly while she's walking away, tightening the grip around Griselda as she does so. The threat of 'locking him away' was surprisingly pointed, even if Glainne probably didn't know the deeper meaning behind it.

"My, that makes you sound like a fragile porcelain doll. Oh well, that better be a promise, little blue. I don't like mortals who chicken out of a fight. So go, scamper away~ I've squared off against many a mortal far larger than you. So you best get to training!"
usumi flashed a coy wave with her blade hand, grinning while dragging Griselda a bit further along this destroyed platform. Out of them all though, one remained. True to her nature, the little angel could stand firm in solidarity with their human half. With that same grin pointed now at Rhapsody, she laughs some more.

"I told you all to leave... fool! Grk-"
Griselda tried warning again through the chokehold only for another squeeze to grab her attention and breath. The girl's body squirmed as more hurt was put behind this one. A rasp few breaths are taken between her hands trying to rip Usumi's grip off her.

"No, shhh-shh-shh... This is perfect. Not only does the heroic type stand, but they also stand alone! This writes itself."
Her free hand comes up to give Griselda a sort of childish noogie, playing up a childlike level of pettiness towards her other half. After messing with her hair, the other hand releases the choke to instead grips Griselda by the chin firmly. Jostling it around to demonstrate Griselda couldn't do anything against them.

"You was being nice to her? Even gathered food with her? How cute. Did you do each other's hair and makeup too? She doesn't know our little secret, does she? You must have gotten the lying from me, girl. Did you tell her that this was your contract in play? That you made a deal with the demon of war? Ohhh how much blood and death is on these dainty little hands-"

"T-that's... ENOUGH!"
Griselda growled and eventually just lurched her head forth and back. Slamming her skull into Usumi's nose to get her riled up. Even with the power differential, cracking a nose like that hurt like hell. Usumi released the girl and rubbed at the snack zone with her now free hand, allowing the former to quickly get away from her. Or, try. Usumi was still significantly quicker than humans. Bringing the sword up to quickly gash a large strike at her back. Cutting open her dress and exposing a fresh cut on her back that bled.

"A-Ahh!"

"OW."
After a moment of the two turning to face each other and recouping from the blows, they simultaneously point katanas at each other. Griselda finally pulled hers from the scabbard and Usumi reaffirmed the two-handed grip on theirs. Griselda's back was slowly stained with her own blood from this open wound, while Usumi sported simply a small cut over her nose.

"Strike a nerve? Well, Angel, if you so would vouch for your new friend here then you'll fight alongside her to defy her fate? You see, we shouldn't be separate for such a long period of time. This is my body she gave to me, and here she is growing the nerve to try me! So what says you?!"

---

Griselda was the first to really respond to this angel's sudden rebound. The different in presence and conviction was as apparent as her change of clothes and extension of wing. The young woman wanted to move away from the altruistic help offered. She was so unused to it, the touch and the actual care recieved. Her own green eyes lock onto Rhapsody while another pained grunt comes from the contact. That would all soon wash away from the healing care. Its bleeding halted, the wound itself closed up til it was nothing more than a scab of its former self.

"So you are... Hahah... Thank you. Nothing to be sorry for, none of these will scar. Usually, I'm more than willing to part ways with my autonomy, but I've been having some second guesses recently. Usumi has only two modes of operation, and the former was ignored. I'm the one that's going to be sorry pulling you into this."
Usumi, meanwhile, looked on with a mild curiosity. This form of change in power was unusual, even among demon standards. None would really detract them from the course though. Usumi pulled the sword back a moment, hand coming up to touch the dull back of the blade. Eyes actively peeled away from the pair for a moment.

"So you really do care! - Girl, I figured we had an understanding when things like this happened. You are no match. Death I cannot lay on you, but the angel? Most certainly."
Griselda heaves a sigh and throws a smile at Rhapsody before that determined glare is set back on her double. Hands clamping even harder around the blade's handle. There wasn't much she could say to really change the demon's mind other than caution for caution's sake.

"Well, I have help now! With any luck we can force you to reconsider!"
Usumi gives a short 'Ha!' and eyes her own reflection in the blade. She was cooking up something. Oh, who was she kidding. battle Island had already seen her triumphant power before. With a flick of her blade she slings that latent blood away, and from it a shadow of her sword starts to emerge.

"I'm well aware of those odds, girl. So allow me to even them!"

From the shadow blade slowly seeps the shadow of an arm, shoulder, torso, and finally the full upper half of a person. A tall warrior with flowing tendril locks and a replica sword. All made of deep flat shadow, obscuring most detail other than this and the red eyes that peeled open. This shadow warrior loomed over Usumi, leaking this sort of magic slowly onto the platform with its return. It mimicked the demon's actions, down to the flourish of her blade.

Griselda started breathing a little faster, recognizing the form when she used it a few times. This sort of stand was not to be handled lightly. Usumi would only give the pair a small moment before lurching forth with the blade. This large shadow above her doing the same motions.

"How long will that sentiment last when both of you are on the floor bleeding and pleading? There's only one way to find out! Come!"
Usumi and this shadow will give a wide, clean cleave at the two, aiming primarily at Gris. Anticipating that even without trying a certain lady would try helping her. Rather than both blows being simultaneous though, this looming figure seems to space its version of the attack to be disorderly and chaotic, making it hard to predict.

"Move!"
Griselda would try leaning back and throwing her own blow at the same time. Cutting a small scratch on the overconfident demon's leading arm. The back and forth would be a lot quicker if Griselda was anywhere near her strength.

---

Usumi had all intentions of cleaving the two in one fell swoop, but this angel with her strange key-shaped blade pulled up in front of the pair with quick thinking and managed to take the initial swing. The ebony katana creates sparks but flying away from the chance impact of this collision. The shadow warrior behind her, however, went ahead and cleave on through this illusion of strength. Nearly striking Rhapsody in a home run with how much force was behind it.

"No!"
Griselda shouts before taking the opportunity to strike out at the wrist once and draw some blood, pulling back to sheath the blae in its holster. Uncharacteristically, the energy starting to pool around the sheath blade's handle was blue and not the typical red empowerment surrounding usumi's ki-powered hits. Usumi laughs at the affair and pulls back the sword for another swing at at Gris, where she hops back again and tries keeping a charge on this.

Rhapsody is back sooner than expected. Getting a side eye from Usumi before he laughs.

"Don't think your friend can take many more of those for you, Girl. Maybe you should-."

"You KNOW my name! Say it! It's Griselda Tops!"
Usumi pulls back the sword for another time, again trying to assault the pair with a quick flurry of red-empowered strikes. Both sets of red eyes beading down on the young woman.

"The one and last! Know your place, little Tops!"
This blue energy... it... was reminding her of something. That pink demon was there... her mind was too fuzzy to recall, but she knew she could continue using it. Catching Usumi the same time she lashed out at her with a vibrant draw of blue energy. Aiming to give the demon a more powerful slash that unleashed a torrent of ki-cuts around the source of impact.

To both of their surprise, this would actually be effective. Usumi's wide eyes make her see that. And with this coming strike, her power seemed to gradually grow. The cuts would produce many small wounds around the exposed bits of skin the demon had, causing them to wince in pain even as they are simultaneous swinging alongside the shadow warrior.

"What!?"

---

Usumi eyes would grow wide with an anger he hadn't felt in a while. Not since... Well, that Heran prick. But that was a different kind of anger. One at being best in combat by a tiny mortal. This? Something about the blue energy that surrounded Griselda's attack made him feral, if for a brief second. Her wild swing meant for Griselda is again caught by the angel who just sets her off more.

"Perish!"
That one she'd take would hit extra hard, sending the girl shitting the already broken tiling up here. Griselda winces at the effort to keep her safe before moving for a strike again. While open, you'd think she could get a quick few retributive strikes in. Slashing in a quick pattern to maybe show even more cuts on the demon. But this time, in idle, the shadowy samurai plays defense by clashing each blow with the other. Sending dull sparks off with each hit.

"I already grow tired of the meddling. Excuse me one moment, Girl."
Rather than continue their focus on Griselda, she'd turn. Watching the battered angel for a moment before rushing at her with blinding speeds. Pulling the sword back to her side and aiming its tip at her chest. Both Usumi and the shadow warrior would lunge at the recovering Rhapsody with this red energy behind their blade. Aiming to impale the girl.

This was stupid. Real stupid. But she had been defending her this far... Griselda tightens the grip on her blade and acts before thinking. Cutting a shadow tear through the space in front of her and jumping through it to appear in another portal centered in front of Rhapsody. She would reappear in front of Rhapsody in an attempt to guard the girl only to get Usumi's blade in her left forearm.

"A-AAAAH!"
The shadowy warrior stooped over the pair and still lunged at the initial target in Rhapsody, but was far less an issue than Usumi leading the charge. Almost continuing the movement just to create space between them. This pain shot through her body as the sword cleanly went through that part of her arm. Between bone and out the other end. Blood poured and sword hands got shaky as Griselda started panicking. Usumi used the time to slowly move the blade to manipulate the girl's arms down from their guard.

"Not fast enough, little Tops."
With them settling down, the shadowy figure looming overhead slowly vanishes with the wind. To be called for if Usumi got the steam for it again.

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