Hotel Assault [Mass Awakening 2/2]

Hotel Verlaine, 2054

9:33 PM

"Hey, Rosario. Rosario!" Armando poked his friend's forehead, trying to get him to wake up. After him and Retuo had returned from their little foray out in the Highrise, Rosario had fallen asleep shortly after returning. It had been a long day for him, so it was understandable. "He's not waking up. I swear, it's like this every time." A deep sigh escaped his lips, when he heard a booming voice inside his head. Hayk could sense it. So could he. Danger.

"Come on man! Up and at them, we gotta get these people out of here now!" He grabbed Rosario by the collar and shook him vigorously.


Rosario looked terribly confused. "I'm picking up some demon activity. Much more of it than last time. We should get ready to leave, or at least, prepare for an attack. Something's agitated them. I don't like it." Rosario got up and dusted himself off. "I'll be up on lookout, like always. You and Retuo start gathering people. We're leaving within the hour." Armando nodded and headed downstairs, while Rosario turned his attention to the fire-escape. The hotel rooftop was actually a very good vantage-point, which Rosario had used multiple times this past week to assess situations. From there, you had a clear view all the way to the Old Lemuria Vault. He made his way up, and took out his binoculars. "Shit... he's right. Something's going on." He spotted a group of 4 winged shadows slowly flying towards the hotel. Their approach wasn't super fast... Were they perhaps looking for someone? No doubt they'd notice the Hideout inside the hotel. "We don't have enough time, Armando. They're almost here... We'll have to stand our ground, or they'll get us in the back." There was no way they wouldn't notice a group of 20+ people trying to escape. "Relay to Ret. Get him sorted for battle. It's time for some payback I say."

Retuo had stuck mostly to himself after having come along to the hotel, observing the people gathered in the place quietly. While he had no reason to refuse his stay of course, he was not exactly used to sticking with bigger groups of people. Most of the time, he simply did what he needed to when interacting with others, and then went off on his own again, so this was kind of awkward for him.

Well, perhaps this time around it was actually for his benefit, as it ensured he was definitely awake even in spite of having gotten somewhat drained out by the cold earlier. Not that he was the one to complain too much to begin with, although the way things were going, maybe he'd be forced to change his mind about that soon. He had been casually leaning against one of the walls of the building they were staying inside, somewhat lost in his own thoughts, when the sudden alerts came in.

So much for a peaceful evening, apparently. Demons storming the place out of nowhere was definitely strange, and brought up a lot of questions, but he wasn't foolish enough to think that there was time for that in such a situation...and while this wasn't necessarily his battle, he was by no means the type to just bail and leave people to fight on their own. Thus, he'd do his best to cooperate for now...well, if there even was a plan in mind yet...

"Gods. I have f-f-forgotten just how c-cold it gets o-over h-h-here brrrrr........" Cherry shivered in the cold as she jogged through the highrange, her arm dragging across the ground. Even with the thick winter jacket Helanna has so thoughtfully made for the young girl, she already felt like she was freezing. And she could swear some frost was starting to form on her left arm. But she couldn't stop now, she already came this far and the deep pit in her stomach was only getting worse. She was sure of it, something bad was about to happen, and it was about to happen soon. And even if she had never fought any demons before, she wouldn't be able to live with herself if she knew she just sat by and did nothing to help.

After a bit more running on her part, her fears where confirmed as she saw the vague image of what looked like four winged beasts near the place she saw in the vision. Her body began to twitch a little, bad memories mixing with fear and nervousness making her pause and just gawk at the sight for a few seconds. "N-n-n-no, I can't b-be scared. I have to help t-these people." She muttered, her breaths coming out as cold, visible air, before she ran towards the large building as fast as she could.

Once she got closer she spotted a man standing on the top of the building. She suddenly stopped dead in her tracks, and looked up at him. She openned her mouth to yell, but then hee eyes drift towards her large wooden arm. The last thing she needed was for them to think she was with those demons, and that this was some sort of trick. Thinking quickly she tried her best to hide her left arm behind her back, which while did hide that it was made out of wood. It did not hide just how large her arm was, as her huge shoulder and a small part of her upper left arm was still quite visible. But that didn't matter at the moment, it was better than nothing. "MISTER!!" She yelled at the top of her lungs, hopping up and down like she was on a sugar high and waving her right arm around in the air like a madwoman.

"D-D-DEMONS! T-they are coming! You have to run! O-o-or maybe fight them. Y-you gotta do something quick!" She screamed, not aware that he already knew about the threat coming their way. And that her screaming wasn't helping things.

'Stupid cold, stupid cold...' Shiro would let out a annoyed chuff as she padded through the range, head held high and gait steady.
Even with a coat of black and white fur meant to protect her from elements such as this, that didn't mean the cat adored wandering out into the frozen area - however, after that sharp headache moments prior to this alongside that request for help, she threw her dislike aside.
There was something stirring within the feline. A stirring of curiosity, of intrigue...of worry.
A feeling deep within her that something bad was going to happen, that disaster was coming and it was going to happen soon.

She didn't want anyone to be on the other side of those flying demons she saw in that vision...of that black eye.

So, the cat would press onward, mind fully set on helping that area(in any possible way she could), until she spotted the vague image of winged beasts near the building as well as a girl over there, shouting at the top of her lungs and waving - and as Shiro approached closer, her movements slow and careful...she noticed a man on the roof - prompting her to stop and glance up at him as well, letting out a cat-like trill.

A part of her wanted to shout too, to say that there were demons on the way and that they had to do something - but, now that she thought about it...if she spoke now, it would lead to that man thinking she was with those beasts. So, she stayed silent, letting the lady continue to shout as she waited for any sudden movement, any notable reactions...

Eden had been in a very deep slumber when the distress call came in, dreaming of an adventure that felt like it would never come. They awoke as the voice rang in their head, grasping at their temple in pain but not wearing that pain on their face. They sat up confused, not really knowing what to make of this message. It was full of static and wasn't very clear as to what they meant. Nevertheless, they rose from their bed, throwing on their own clothes and heading out the window towards the frozen paradise that was their home for these past 40 years. Their heeled boots causing the snow beneath them to crunch and conform as they moved swiftly towards one of the only places they felt drawn to right now. They had no idea who needed help, but they were sure they were going to be on their way.

They came to a point where they could see the hotel in the distance, noting that four winged creatures seemed to be just ahead of them approaching it. "My word, those folks really need a better security system." They chuckled to themself, moving a bit quicker towards the building which seemed to be under siege. Upon approaching they took note of the woman who they had never met, who seemed to be jumping up and down with determination and with the loudest voice imaginable. They smiled, tilting their head towards her. "Go off sis; if they didn't notice the flying creatures, they definitely did now!" They pulled out their old compendium, flipping through the pages in hopes that it would find some kind of card or something that could help them. They did this every time they came face to face with a demon or shadow, and always came up unlucky. There was no reason to give them back their compendium, they had quit it was just an empty book now. Their entire life that was written in it was gone, never to be recovered again.

They took note of the small cat nearby, the very strange looking cat. Eden smiled at the small creature, hoping to comfort it somehow. Facing demons wasn't easy, especially for a small creature such as this. They turned to the girl who had been shouting, still maintaining their hopeful attitude. "Can either of you fight? I can hold them off myself, but the help would be much appreciated!" They closed their compendium, still holding onto it tightly. They didn't plan on using it in combat, but still had some time to draw their bow before the creatures descended upon them. They took a look around one more time, looking up to the building where they saw the man standing. From this distance it would be hard to tell most features of someone, but they instantly recognized this person. Someone they had met many years ago, and have met a few times since then. They waved and smiled brightly, shouting just enough for him to hear. "Hello Retty! It's nice to see you! Come down and join the fun! You'll get FOMO if you miss all the fun down here!" They turned to the other two one final time, lowering their smile down to a grin. "My name is Eden Delacroix, by the way. Who do I have the pleasure of meeting?" Of course it wasn't the time to introduce themself, or for the others to do so, but ever the one to be polite and follow common etiquette was Eden.

The faceless, winged demons loom closer, checking every window and corner for potential ambushers. One of them spots the lens glint from Rosario's Binoculars, and notifies the rest with a low growl. The four demons dive down towards the group, ready for combat!

Na'aari Succubus A:

Na'aari Succubus B:

Na'aari Succubus C:

Na'aari Succubus D:

"H-huh? What in t-the-!?" Cherry's body tensed up, as she hopped back. Caught off guard by a person who seem's strangely upbeat despite the current danger, and a odd looking cat. "Um I uh. S-s-sis? I am not your sist- Oh whatever! Listen you have to get out of here, now! Those demons will do horrible things to you if they get their hands on you! And you too kitty! Go! Shoo, shoo!" She yelled, waving her hands around once again, trying to scare the cat off. Once she heard the flapping of wings grow closer and closer however, Cherry turned around and tried her best to steel her nerves. She couldn't let fear overtake her, not now. She will not allow these demons to harm any more people than they have already have!

"Not too well, but I know how to throw a punch. And I am not going to run away from this." Cherry quickly replies as she took up a fighting stance. Both of her arms held up and her hands curled into fists. Cherry wondered who this 'retty' was, but she couldn't find the time to ask right now, or to check behind her. "Cherry. Cherry Clear." She didn't really understand why Eden was trying  exchange names right now, but there was no reason for her not to tell her ally her name.

As she got ready to fight, a strange energy began to flow through her left arm. It was soft, subtle. And even Cherry herself couldn't tell anything strange had happened to her. But the threat of demons had awakened her arm's once slumbering powers. Powers that would soon prove to be life saving. "I am not running away from you fiends anymore!"

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At the sound of a upbeat voice, Shiro would turn around to face them, cocking their head slightly. This person was very...very upbeat. Despite the situation of demons approaching, they looked. happy. And seeing them smile at her...the black and white cat couldn't help but give a faint smile back before the noise of flapping wings reached her ears, prompting her entire body to bristle and turn towards where she heard the noise, a growl of upset forming in her throat. This wasn't good, this wasn't good at all -
"And you too kitty! Go! Shoo, shoo!"
Shiro would let out a angry growl at the mention of her needing to 'shoo', a negative response. 'No! I am not leaving you behind to face these things on your own! Even if you do know how to fight, you may not be able to take them all at once!' Her mind angrily screamed.

At the question of being able to handle this brawl by the polite person, Shiro would nod slightly at the man, eyes strong and determined, before turning to face the demons, a angry hiss flaring out from her throat at the Succubi.
And then she heard names.
There was someone called Retty that the polite person knew and wanted to come down - a high pitched name, a thin name, a...really-she-wasn't-sure-what-to-call it-name.
The polite person who said that help would be appreciated, that smiled at her - they were called Eden Delacroix - a medium pitched name (not too high, not too low), a shiny name, a calm name.
The lady who told her to shoo, the lady who said they could punch and would stand their ground - she was called Cherry Clear (a higher pitched name - not as high as Sea, a protective name, a strong name.)
These people. These people who she barely even knew were trying to give it all to protect this building which probably had people inside...
and these demons were probably going to strike at it, make it crumble...hurt all of them for their own amusement, for their want for power...
...that was not going to happen. Not on her watch.

A angered hiss turned into a fighting yowl, which turned into a very human like scream of anger, of defiance, full of the thought 'you will not hurt these people, you will not hurt my allies, you will not FAZE ME!'

There was a surge of energy from within her, a strange energy but a welcome one all the same, pulsing outwards as a slight blue-white glow formed around her tail as the tip of it seemed to extend, pull and split as if it were a piece of clay, forming outwards (all while her tail felt absolutely normal, absolutely fine) into a dark blue whip like tail, tipped with black and white blades, pointed straight at her enemy as she prepared to attack, prepared to strike and strike HARD.

Ah. Right.
She forgot to introduce herself as well - these humans had given their names to eachother, it was only fair she give her name out as well.
So, with a quick turn of her head to her (possible) allies, she would give a quiet and faint smile towards the humans and in a very formal, feminine tone respond with: "...Shiro. That is my name."

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CRIT! Once More!

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This was such a mess. More people were showing up which was technically good, but Retuo was a little exasperated with the yelling happening at the same time. Did people really have to...? In fact, he wouldn't even deign to react to Eden waving and shouting up at him, his expression blank for a few moments before he focused on getting a move on to reach the group. There was no time for chatting right now, and those demons were clearly ready to attempt to shred everyone up.

He'd reach the group a bit behind on things, giving the people gathered there a nod. "Be careful, all of you." He missed some of the conversation, so he wasn't going to really say anything for the time being. Besides, there were enemies to focus on. He'd frown, summoning his spear into his hand. He could tell something was off, the weapon giving him a weird feeling almost like some sort of mental vibrating, but he couldn't quite tell what it was supposed to mean at the moment. With a faint huff, he would just go with instinct for the time being, slamming the spear down into the ground near the demons, causing a small earthquake-esque shockwave and creating a few spikes of earth from the ground below the enemies.

Retuo:

Armando:

Once MORE!

Succubus A and B are dead.

And with Retuo's final attack, the Demons fall out of the sky, decaying into nothing.

However... In the distance, a loud, bird-like screech pierces the silence, and a Much larger demon approaches from above one of the high-rises. Looks to be much stronger than the riff-raff from before...

Lieutenant Ul'thesh:

"Shiro and Cherry Clear? Bet, it's nice to meet you." Here it was, their time to shine. They had been practicing a few techniques and collecting enough samples that they were defiantly ready for this. Pulling out a vial of black inky liquid, they opened it up and slowly poured the contents onto their compendium. The liquid started to surround the book itself until it was completely enveloped inside a thick layer of the contents. "Oh my. This is the first time this has worked." They smiled brightly, holding the book up to watch the thick layer of shadow essence slowly shrink until the book was back to normal. They took another vial or the essence, opening the bottle and swallowing the essence. The book flew open, the pages flying back and forth in the wind until coming to a complete stop. From the pages outstretched a thin tentacle of shadow essence, which quickly severed itself from the book and formed a floating ball in the air. "Go off then. Lets hope this works." The floating ball transformed into a large card, depicting the Lovers arcana. They chuckled madly, their grin turning into a wide smile.


They had spent years researching shadows and demons, finding all the information they could. Using their own base knowledge as an attendant prior, they could put together some pieces of the puzzle that no one else could. Shadows and personas were just two extreme sides of the same coin. Putting that alongside the abundance of shadows that crawled the earth, Eden had figured out the formula to artificially amplifying one's own potential. The power that could help them help more people, the power they could use to ensure that everyone is safe and sound under their protection. The amplified ego and that which manifests from it, the persona. Taking the book in their hand, they brought it up towards the arcana card, smashing it between the pages as they closed it in one swift movement. The sound of shattering glass emanated from the book, as Eden felt a clawing on the back of their mind.


They couldn't help but smile, the power filling their veins almost like a drug. "I didn't think you of all people would head my call. But I accept." A blue flame surrounded their feet before quickly shifting to green as the figure of their newly acquired potential appeared behind them. The figure held out it's hands towards Eden as a giant pink orb appeared around their head. The orb filled with liquid, causing them to gasp for air only to realize that they could still breathe. They smiled, going to speak but realizing their voice was overtaken by the water. They instantly knew what to do, and what this persona meant for them. Using Mynoghra to project their voice, they spoke into the heads of Cherry, Shiro, and Retuo. "Good luck my friends. I'll be providing support from the back here." They chuckled, though it was stifled by the liquid inside their helmet.

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