Art Gallery [Dungeon]

The moon finally rose from the horizon and the night fully arrived by the nearest hour. The Class Zero building was occupied by its usual visitors, but for a special reason. For the Cadets, this was a moment of duty that called for them to be present for. Their numbers were minimal, but it wouldn't stop them. But it was only a question if they could succeed in their task and not fail like last time. Three Cadets were residing inside the classroom and each of them were making preparations for the incoming task.


"Alright, you can clasp it on. Thanks for bringing it here, Lisa," Maria said as she was unpacking Andraste from its coffin. She was glancing at Lisa with one eye as her fellow Cadet was putting Serenity's tool onto the corner of Jacob's painting set right in the front of the classroom. She had to admire how the elder princess could create such useful oddities from what a mere day's of research. It was vital for their ability to enforce the Queen's law as the supernatural world was a realm of oddities that defied reality. It's easier to be strong, but there was still a limit to that and it could be supplied with technical knowledge.


Maria turned her head towards the anxious Sera sitting in one of the classroom seats. It was perceivable that the young recruit wanted reassurance, despite trying to look as composed as possible despite failing to do so. She could remember when they went on their first mission and everyone was just as nervous. Casualties are a guarantee should anyone be unguarded of the potential dangers. It was a miracle no one died when they lost to Alice.

Taking cues from a former Cadet, Maria called to him, "Relax. Focus, but don't lose composure. Deep breaths. You won't be alone. Do your job and you'll make it through."

It was strange how soon it took her for to be in Claire's shoes. So much happened in the first mission and despite all the training she had through the Church, it still took her by surprise by the suddenness and the gravity of what transpired. As Sera meekly nodded and was still gawking at the massive gun prepared by her superior, Maria finally finished her preparations. Now, the rest needed to arrive...

There was admittedly a lot more pressure Cecilia felt than she cared to admit. While she had some time to get over the reveal of what Alice had done in the wake of her comrades' failure, the image of the scene still lingered in her head even if she had managed to reassure herself and quell many of the doubts it had inspired in her. After the string of triumphs and easy victories she had following her induction into the Cadets, the revelation of what had happened while she was in Dragon's Maw had served as a cruel reminder that not every mission was a guaranteed success. There were countless lives resting on her shoulders, and she was ecstatic to have that role entrusted to her, but... but that meant if she faltered then those lives would be extinguished just as swiftly as those of Alice's victims. She had always wanted to bear the burdens of those around her, to suffer in their place so that they didn't have to, but if she failed then all that conviction would amount to nothing.



Steeling herself to her concerns and reigniting a bright, burning flame of courage inside, Cecilia would kick open the doors to Class Zero with a flourish and make her way into the room with her typical show of bravado. Displaying her signature toothy grin, the recruit would waltz in as if the mission was already won and would wave cheerfully to Lisa, Maria, and Sera as she approached. Of course, she wasn't taking the gravity of the situation lightly and she kept the theatrics to a minimum in an effort to avoid giving off the wrong impression, but she'd still retain that look her in eye and that confident, show-boaty style of hers despite that. She hoped that it'd raise morale at least a little and inspire in her teammates the fighting spirit that she had kindled within herself.

"Cecilia Elise Hunt reporting for duty! I take it you guys are just as ready for the mission as I am?" Taking her place alongside the three and offering a wink, she'd study the painting on display closely for a few seconds before nodding to herself and turning her attention to Maria. "The terrorist and his victim are in there, right? This shouldn't be too much of a problem as long as we all do our best. Are there any details about the domain we should know or----" Just as she was about to finish, the door would swing open and some familiar company would join them as well as... a dog?

Takeru stepped in.
"Alright, let's go and kick this terrorist's ass!" Takeru said.
His whole body felt alive, and he was ready for tonight.
Tonight, he knew, he would do better than he ever had before.

Those inside the classroom would hear heavy footsteps approaching the door, almost as if someone was marching in. Soon the anachronistic knight would step inside the class, clad in his black tactical armor and with the helmet on his head for extra protection, he carried Lamina Sanctus in his right hand and leaned it in his shoulder. He was looking forward to this mission, the last one didn't helped his growth much.


"Is that a dog?"It was hard not to notice the Shiba Inu wearing a wig and a jacket, he shook his head before moving to greet the other cadets with just a nod. There were a couple of new faces, but most of them were somewhat familiar to the Knight.

In contrast to the knight's rather forceful entrance, GioGio quietly entered the room with swift and graceful movements. He played with his braid, running it through his fingers and twisting it around his index finger, there was an air of pride to him. And how couldn't he? The investigation in the previous night was quite gratifying even if it was just the prelude to get to the Pysche Terrorist known as the demon painter.


He didn't seem to pay much mind to the dog and simply leaned against a wall and waited. Though he couldn't help but smile, it was always a pleasure to work with Shiina and the other cadets, the only worry in his mind right now was Sera. The guy was just too nervous...

What was the point of being a cadet if she couldn't be as extra as possible? Those must have been the thoughts of Athena as she dressed up for the night's mission because by her clothing it was obvious she wasn't planning on going unnoticed, there was need to be dressed in a subtle manner that wasn't what she was planning on representing either way and perhaps it could make the royal brat feel a bit self-conscious about her body, Athena didn't work out for nothing. After refreshing her make up using a pocket mirror the model entered the room.


She said without checking out the team too much. Was there a dog there? The queen must have been really desperate to allow such a thing...
that or the dog had godlike powers though Athena doubted that.
Her attention quickly turned to a particular trio. "Your majesty, you look radiant tonight, a beauty such as yourself must have inspired the great artists of the Renaissance like Matsys" Athena said after she curtsy to the princess doing her best to hide her anger. "Ah Sera, it's good to see you're alright. I trust you're now in full health?"

The numbers that arrived were reassuring and so were the people that were present. Maria saw familiar faces and some new ones. Certainly the dog took her by surprise, but accepted Shiina's words. It was odd for a dog to be here, even Sera and Lisa glanced at the animal with askance. Yet they found themselves not mentioning their skepticism as Maria found fit to remain silent on the matter. After all, Julius handled the awakening of new Cadets and he wasn't one to simply allow people into his army if they lacked any potential.

On the other hand, Lisa gave a disdainful look towards Athena. If there was one thing she loathed, it was a sycophant. It was obvious to her that Athena never appreciated her presence nor did she for her higher-up. But she couldn't act out of line since the woman was her higher-up despite the results yesterday.

"Um... Yeah, I'm good. I'm ready. Thanks for asking," he answered Athena awkwardly. He didn't have any memories of this woman. But figured it was polite to pretend that he did for now. Were all these people Cadets? There was such a diversity of characters within this group and it made him a little more antsy on how he measured up to each and everyone of them...

Maria finally took center stage and stood near the podium and the victim's painting. It was time to get the show on the road. She cleared her throat, obviously trying to get their attention should they be busy having their attention elsewhere during the lull meandering in this room. "I'm glad you all made it. First off, I would like to thank Cadet Giovanni for his investigation into the Demon Painter's latest victim. We now have a means to find him through this painting and with the additional efforts from her Highness. Cadet Lamecia will explain."

Lisa took the cue to walk up to continue while she pointed at the black box latched onto the corner of the canvas, "My Sister noticed that the Demon Painter brings his victims through paintings after analyzing the canvas brought back to her. She went through the trouble to create a device that will allow us to use it as a portal towards where the Painter lies. We will use this to get to where he is and bring him to justice."

She was quite proud of her elder Sister's achievements. It wasn't the beauty that made her amazing, but her ingenuity and understanding of something remarkably complex. It was something that the Princess felt like she could never catch up to especially after her recent failure. But this time, this was for redemption and she wasn't going to fail. Maria took back the floor again. "Chances are, we're going to enter his Domain. We're not quite sure what he's truly capable of. Practice caution and work together. Our job here is to capture him and to secure the victims if we can. Lisa and Sera will be coming with me to scout out the entire area. We'll provide support if we must. The rest of you will be focusing on taking the Demon Painter down. Understood?"

Lisa gave an annoyed glance at her superior, but it was clear that Maria cared less when she continued to look around the room for understanding. Sera gulped silently at the idea of being stuck with this scary Cadet who didn't take too kindly to his earlier arrival the previous day.


With that said, Maria held out her hand at the canvas as she walked closer to it. Its contents at first started to ripple. Then it began to flash a bright light before causing Maria to glow as well. In a moment later, she disappeared with her Demon Weapon. Lisa was next without any visible look of worry on her face and even she was gone. Sera was the last to go with all the conviction he could muster before disappearing.

Shiina's clarification would purge any confusion or doubts Cecilia had. While it was a little odd, if Julius had faith in the animal then so did she. "Well I'm sure she'll prove a valuable asset." She'd say nodding with a smile. Part of her was tempted to pet the shiba, but she resisted and kept her focus on the situation at hand; besides, it probably wouldn't like the feeling of a metal gauntlet rubbing across its head.

As the others entered the room, Cecilia would offer them a nod of acknowledgement and feel certainty swell up inside of her once she realized just how many people were coming on this mission. She was already determined, but with so many Cadets raring to go the mission was looking brighter and brighter. A significant chunk of them were people she had fought alongside too, so she had firsthand knowledge of their abilities to a degree and felt based off it that they'd be more than able to fulfill their roles on the battlefield. Remaining silent while Maria explained the situation in more depth, the pink-haired Cadet would issue a fearless response once she finished and flashing a thumbs-up would declare, "Loud and clear, we'll bring this guy in and rescue the hostages." For now her resolve was solidified, but time would tell if Cecilia she could keep that up throughout that mission.

Once the three of them exited into the painting, Cecilia would turn to her allies and look their way with eyes full of trust. It was clear even without words that she had a lot of faith in her peers, although that respect still wouldn't stop her from posturing (in fact it probably motivated her to do it more). "Well I'm ready whenever you all are. No sweat, we have this in the bag; we've got quantity and quality on our side. Let's just remember to play it cool like Maria said." Tossing some equipment Albrecht's way, the girl would spin around with her ivory cape flowing elegantly behind her from the sudden motion as she marched forward toward the painting without hesitance. Once Shiina had successfully entered, Cecilia would hop through herself without a second thought.

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"I-i see..."His stern and cold attitude almost broke for a moment, what shocked him the most was the Dog's fashion, he was more open to the idea of supernatural beasts than of a dog with the tastes for... that. He'd quietly listen to the debriefing, nodding along and polishing his sword as they waited for it to be over. Shiina was the first one to charge in, but not before handing the Black Lion what looked like a purity seal... though it was just a hair clip, he shrugged before attaching it to his Bandana, Cecilia soon followed and much like Shiina she also handed Albrecht a new equipment.

"I'm ready!" The knight knocked on his helmet a few times before marching in quickly, with sword in hands and a determined look in his face.

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Athena only smirked, proud of the remark she made at Lisa's appearance still there were more important things to do than making fun of the brat. "Understood, with out powers combined this terrorist has no chance. It would be good if we manage to capture him alive so we could re-educate him." Athena commented before watching Maria going through a painting. She admired the nun's confidence and resolve, she had just done something so weird and didn't even bat an eye. It was a good thing she was trying to keep their relationship good. "Let's roll out team." The model commanded as she followed her fellow cadets in the painting

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As the whole team entered the painting, they would notice their surroundings for a sole moment was a blank flash of white. Then it finally took form once they hit solid ground with their feet. What the fully arrived group of Cadets found themselves in seemed to be an art gallery. It was fully outfitted with a variety of artistic pieces and they were of demonic design which seemed to conflict with the rather pristine and formal appearing environment.

However, the first three Cadets who entered the painting first were not present with the rest of the team. No one had any idea where they were. But they could hear the relatively soft, but audible din of fighting in the distance. It was difficult to tell where it was coming from. It could be inferred that Maria's crew were already at work just as the rest of the team just arrived. Now, with everyone finally arriving in their place, they could finally--


The Cadets can notice a painting nearby on the wall. The figure within its frame was moving unlike the rest as they leisurely sat in a couch. There was an air of amusement through his thin smirk, but ultimately it was derision. "Man, who knew it's time for me to finally have the Government's dogs nipping at my heels? You guys seriously couldn't have come at a better time, I was having trouble getting some inspiration lately. You'd all tear to shreds for me, won't you? It's real important for that next art contest I was considering. Ha ha ha..."

The figure froze, but then what took its place was some other figure on the painting. However, unlike the rest, it didn't move at all and fit in with the rest of the painting. The Cadets were left alone for now.

Dungeon Key:

The terrorist's taunts would not phase Azami in the slightest as she looked over at the painting with an apathetic expression and her tail raised. This was the first Psyche Terrorist she'd be facing? If these were the sort of chumps this city was having a problem with then the people of Endymion were even more incompetent than she figured them. It looked like it'd be up to Shiina and her to show the buffoon the consequences of attracting the ire of the "government's dogs."


Azami wouldn't bother giving Fisher King a response, but one wasn't needed. She was here to do exactly that after all.

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"Vile fiend, your paintings will be thrown to the fire and you wither away in a prison cell once i'm through with this place." If it depended on the knight, he'd have the demon painter executed rather than being arrested, maybe flagellate him in a parade all across the city, of course he had no say in this being just a cadet. Sticking to just doing his job as he was told and giving his best would suffice for the time being, he still gets to slay the other scum while hunting for the terrorist so it's still a win.

"Let the divine fury run through you, Lion."The holy blade encouraged Albrecht in his eternal crusade against the spawn of satan who plague the earth.

The speed Azami and Shiina could move was impressive, he'd have to make some effort to catch up with the Tsurinais. With determined grin on his face, he began to march, stomping on the ground as he went along, pieces of his armor would clang during the march. He held Lamina Sanctus in both hands, ready to strike any enemy that came close to him with all his might.

It didn't took long for the filthy demons to be sighted by the team, while the others charged ahead the Knight stopped for a moment while holding his blade with the tip pointed towards the group of enemies, he lowered his head and closed his eyes. His breathing, his movements, his stance, it was almost ritualistic. The knight was rousing his inner rage, it's what drove him to fight with so much ferocity against the demons, knowing that they were nothing but masses of sin and corruption who deserve punishment, his divine punishment. A deep breath announced the end of his moment tranquility, he had tapped into the endless hatred and prejudice against all that's unholy, all the painful memories, all that aggression and rage would be aimed at the demons in front of him in a single minded act of violence.

The stern expression gave place to one of pure, unadulterated and righteous rage as he charged towards the demons, grasping his Angel Weapon almost violently, any semblance of mercy had been replaced by his revulsion and hatred.

"Foul demons! Your sins have gone for too long without punish, this day i'll exact divine retribution on you, a rain of blood, your blood, will taint the pristine walls of this Domain!"

Albrecht, Lvl 3:

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