[Mari]

" . . . . . . " " . . . . . . Arlie, you seem pensive. Are you alright?" "Huh?--...I'm using my imagination." "Your imagination?" "Yeah, it's fun." " . . . And just what's on your mind, my dear?"" Arle shakes her head in disgust. " . . . You." she flatly replied. "Me? Oh Arlie, you don't need to imagine me. I'm right here for you to enjoy~" "I like my imagination better, thanks." "Uwa--...And just what does this imaginary Satan have that I, the real thing, do not?!" Satan demands. This draws a smirk from Arle. "He knows when to be silent~" the spectral mage replied. " . . . YOU'RE DOING THIS ON PURPOSE!" Satan shouted in response. "Heehee~ He also enjoys seeing me smile, and he doesn't yell at me like that~" " . . . Does he also have the ability to make you smile?" Satan asked, rather coldly. "No." Arle quickly replied, losing her smirk as quickly as it had arrived. "What a shame~ It seems that I have the leg up." "I wasn't smiling for you, moron." "I think you're forgeting that I can make you do anything I want!" "Don't you dare!" "It's time you were taught to behave!" "KYAAAAAA!"

---

Seventh Circle of Hell - Violence
Schezo

Schezo's struggle against the demons abruptly ends and the world goes silent around him. Suddenly he was lost in the void again, floating freely without control over his body. And then... he fell. It was not but a two foot drop, hardly cause for worry. Yet, what awaited him on the ground was far from pleasant. Schezo had landed on a mildly malleable surface. It was sand, but not the cool sand of a beach. Rather, it was scorchingly, blisteringly hot. Schezo would not want to lay there in it for any longer than he had to. Yet, before he could even begin to think of getting up, something stung his cheek like a burning poker. All around Schezo was a great sea of and, twisting and rolling as dunes as far as the eye could see. There was no sun, and yet he could see clearly. That was because, if one were to look up even slightly, a sea of flames hung overhead, trillions of little embers daintily drifting toward the ground like a terrible burning snow. There was no way to avoid the downpour, nowhere to hide, nowhere to take shelter. And then ...a distant figure seemed to appear over a nearby dune. The light of the infernal sky reflected brightly off of their white hair and their cape billowed behind them as they shifted to stand upon the precipe of the dune. A familiar translucent blade was drawn and leveled at Schezo from where the figure stood at his vantage point. His mouth didn't move even slightly, yet a very... familiar voice began to reach out across the terrible plains of hell.


It would seem that you have lost your way.
I cannot fathom wherefore thee stand before me today.
But listen closely, for there is something important I must say.
In this hellish landscape of sand and fear, thee shall stay.

Perhaps in thy many years thee did allow this to be forgotten.
--And in mine own finite mercy, this bawbling mistake is fine.
But do not delude thyself, for thy heart is beyond rotten.
And thy core, touched by the darkness, will forever be mine.

You've failed in your duty.
You had your chance.
Smitten by her beauty
To your mind like a lance.

Make peace with thy yearning for that contemptible hoyden, boy.
For her supple embrace, much as thee desire, is not thine to enjoy...



Without another word the doppelganger began to make his way towards Schezo at a leisurely pace, casting familiar dark spells as he went to block off the other's escape. It seemed that Schezo was in a fight to the death, or so it seemed. Between the raining fire and the frighteningly powerful magic and swordplay being whipped at him by his opponent, ever stoic in spite of the flames singing his cheeks, he was in for a very rough time.

((Schezo! Your final challenge is before you. Roll 16+ INT to reduce the damage you take by 30%. Roll 20+ INT to reduce the damage you take by 70%. Else, you take 80% damage))

---

Seventh Circle of Hell - Violence
Rulue

...And so, Rulue found herself in the same circle of hell as Schezo. Or well--technically, anyway. The circle of violence was a surprisingly diverse place, depending on the type of violence you committed in life. The cold vanishes in but a moment, Black's tender embrace and her words no longer the only things keeping her warm. Before Rulue laid a river of boiling blood, its surface aflame. She could observe people struggling within the disgusting liquid, trying in vain to free themselves from the agony it inflicted upon them. And then...--...Wait, what's this? Rulue wasn't in the river. She wasn't even moving towards it. She was simply on the ashen shoreline stretching into the void, observing it. It was rather uncomfortable to watch, perhaps, but could it really be considered punishment? A group of centaurs could be observed stalking the shores and shooting arrows into the murky depths. Only one acknowledged Rulue, watching silently from a distance without comment. ...The judgemental voice from before remained in silence for a very long moment. And then, a person burst from the lake. Though she was soaked to the bone in blood, she might appear familiar to Rulue...

It was White! The other girl that had accompanied them into hell. The terrified pokemon trainer attempted to drag herself from river of boiling blood, only for an arrow to find its way into her arm and side within moments. Now weakened considerably, a nearby centaur attempted to begin kicking and nudging her back into the river. It looked as if he might succeed, unless something unforeseen were to happen.

" . . . You have been deemed unworthy of this punishment for your inability to stay your hand, but only narrowly. Remember this, for next time that could be you."

(Rulue has received ... mercy? She may, however, choose to consider saving her less fortunate ally.)

[Rina]

And so the dark wizard finds himself in the void once more, and honestly, this was better than getting dogpiled by those demons. Sitting in the void let him mull on what's to come once more, and hopefully this'll be the last one before the great rescue happens. What's at the circle of Violence? A wasteland of corpses, perhaps? Multitudes of Test Bodies? Well, there's only one way to find out and it's to just hit the ground running.

...Or face-first.

The latter is particularly more painful than on his bum. While a two-foot landing is hardly painful, the terrain itself is. It felt like he planted his face on a bed of recently kindled charcoal, ground into a fine powder. Obviously, he jerked his face off the burning sand, dusting off the sand clinging onto his cloak and face, attempting to pay little mind of the stinging burning sensation that jabbed his cheeks.

Just... what was this infernal ground? The land was illuminated by the blazing background, and the nothingness implied the layer went ablaze, leaving nothing else from where he stood. There was nothing. Just sand...flames...and himself.

Himself...and the other himself.

Wait, other himself? Schezo's eyes fixated on the other, standing on the distant dune. White hair...cape...that sword...yep, it was a doppelganger. The darker, more grim coloration also brings back some sour memories in his past. He looked like the other self, manifest from most of his power stolen as the crystal. But this one is slightly different...instead of that darker skintone, this one has a lighter complexion. Schezo himself is rather pale, but this doppelganger is hauntingly so. To that end, he began to speak to him. He could only attempt to listen to what his doppelganger had to say...and it made his heart sunk.

...What has he been doing in those lost 100 years?
...What was the purpose of the Dark Seed's guidance?
...Why was he bestowed this wayward, dark path?
...Why did he continue this dark road?

...Why did he cling to Arle as he does now?

...Is he even supposed to be rescuing her?

...What is his story supposed to be...?

He was frozen. Frozen by his own thoughts, wondering why he's here even now. He's not just depressed...he's worse. He's fallen into a worse low of mental wellness.

...he's empty.

His goal of being an all-powerful mage is barely a front to keep himself going. His pursuit after Arle lost most of its value. All the things he did wrong made his feelings for her utterly worthless. This doppelganger isn't just another doppelganger. It was his shadow. A dark, dark shadow of his repressed, wayward self. And no matter how much it stung, everything his shadow said was right. He took the brunt of the dark magic barrage coming at him, not giving any thought of dodging any of them. He felt he deserved it. A Sting Shade, a Shadow Edge, and even Areiado. He accepted it all as his punishment.

n5kXWqF8p_1d20+3 (SCHEZO WHAT-)

But it barely hurt.

As if the cloak awakened and protected him, the warmth of its glow seemingly dispelled what could have been the gravest of injuries. All what could have been fatal has been mitigated to just a mere cat scratch. The shock of the contact snapped him from his descent to despair made him remember that he was on a mission with others. More importantly, the moment he gives up on himself, that's when he's truly failed at living.

Damage: 51%
Cloak Damage: 14%

1d20+3

[TheSpatialWeeg]

Rulue had landed in another circle...but not in the place she'd expect to be. Instead of drowning in the boiling river of blood, she was on its shores...surrounded by centaurs, by the looks of it. She took a moment to brush off any dust/sand/ice/whatever from her body as she lift herself up. Hopefully, she was close to finishing these "trials" so that she can rescue Arle. Of course, once that was dealt with, she saw the other Pokémon Trainer emerge from the blood lake, and get promptly forced back in thanks to a nearby centaur.

....No, she wouldn't stand up for this. She'd help get her up, even if it damned her to another circle! It wasn't her punishment, sure, but Rosa saved her beforehand on the Circle of Treachery. It just...felt right to save her friend, not just because of what Rosa did, but...she felt it was the right thing to do.


"Hey, leave her be!!" Rulue shouted at the centaur in defiance as he suddenly grabbed what remained of White against the boiling lake...
MC2o4OJKp_1d20+5 (Whoa, did she pull White out?)1d20+5

[Mari]

White was pulled from the boiling lake, much to the centaur guards' protests. She had, understandably, had a bad day. One could see it even before she opened her mouth. Her eyes trailed up to Rulue and she collapsed once she was on the shore, just sort of sitting there trying to recover from her near-drowning-in-a-lake-of-boiling-blood experience. "I...
It looks like I got in a little over my head." White remarked in a mildly bashful tone, still trying to catch her breath. The trainer softly attempted to brush herself off in a lackluster attempt to clean herself. ...Well, at least she looked a little more presentable anyway, but those clothes were ruined beyond hope and it looked like she'd been cooked a bit. The poor thing.

And then--The world began to shift. White's eyes filled with panick as she realized she was about to be left alone again to fend off whatever Hell threw at her next, only ... this time Rulue didn't disappear! This time they were going to the same place.


...

Satan's Throne

The group now materalizes into the same plane of hell--Or rather, the final plane. A familiar chill graces Rulue's skin, just as bitter and stinging as before. Yet, this time she founds herself above ground. Not only that, but she was far from alone! Schezo would have just warped into existence nearby and White was still on the ground next to her. Not only that, but Rosa had returned! She seemed lost in her thoughts for a moment before abruptly realizing what had happened. Her eyes brightened with joy to find the group reunited, only to widen in shock and alarm at the sight of White on the icy lake floor. Ahead of them was ...a fancy looking mansion, partially burried in snow? Carbuncle could be seen snoozing near the door. Apparently he was considered pure of heart, and had been allowed to skip straight to Satan's palace. That or he knew some sort of shortcut.




"Uh--White! Are you alright? You look like you took a bath in blood." Black blurted out somewhat awkwardly as she rushed to console her fallen friend. In return, White just sort of winced, offering Black a very poorly feigned smile that said pretty much everything it needed to about what the other had just said. "...Wait, really?" Black went on after a moment, blanching and shuddering slightly at the thought. "Whoever made this place is one sick, vindictive trubbish." White lamented somewhat wearily.. "White! ...Language!" Rosa blurted in shock. "Oh come on, I think I've earned a few..." White replied in an exasperated tone. "Don't be mean to the trubbish..! What'd they ever do to you..?" Black would pout, disheartened, earning herself a funny look but no acknowledgment. " . . . You have to admit though, this place is pretty messed up on all accounts." White went on, seeming to be too tired to bother standing. "...Yeah, that's fair."




A deep voice calls out over the final plane of hell.

"Well don't blame me. I'm only renting the place~"

...White staggered to her feet, leaning against Black for support as the other's gaze shot up to the balcony, the source of the voice. Satan was leaning over it, having just marched on out to greet the group.

"...You must be Satan." "And you must be here to interupt my wedding." "You're getting married in there??" "Quite! I'd invite you in, but I simply cannot have you upsetting her in her current state." "...You don't think she has anything to be upset about?" "Hmph. Arrogant girl. Do you believe you know my dear Arlie better than I do~? I saved her from non-existance, you know. Without me, her soul would have been shattered into an incomprehensible amount of beautiful pieces by her death. She was so moved by my unconditional love for her that she finally agreed it was time to get married. She recites her vows within as we speak."

Rulue's emotional link to Arle would reveal that the mage was anything but happy. A very deep unhappiness filled her, in fact. Satan was lying--or perhaps delusional. The dark prince of hell leapt from his balcony, slowing his fall with his wings as he flew out to greet the group personally. "But since I'm feeling generous, and I already memorized mine ages ago, I'd like to take this opportunity to answer any of your concerns, or objections. ...Please, continue." Satan continued, a fittingly furious scowl on his face and malice in his eyes. Between that and his tone, it was clear that any objections would be met with violence.

(Everyone! Satan is challenging you!)

Satan

[Rina]

"Hey! We've regrouped!"

The warp happened too quickly to register into Schezo's conscience, but now the entire group has finally reunited right in the final plane of hell. A hellish chill blows over him, prompting the dark wizard to pull the cloak in closer to try and enclose his body warmth. What lies in this snow-laden wasteland? Well, it could only be this white manor, no doubt housing Satan and keeping Arle's soul hostage. It seemed less like a mansion and more like...

...oh no...

Oh gods no, it can't be a chapel! It's one thing to kill her to keep her helpless spirit bound, but MARRYING her soul?! Schezo lost count how many times "NO!" ran on repeat in his head, and he wanted to object to this now or he'll forever hold his peace. IF there was peace to be had in the first place once this is over! The dark wizard KNOWS everything Satan is claiming is a load of Minotauros dung, regardless of his inability to sense Arle's emotional aura. But before he could raise his objections, he turned to the girls. They need to know how deep at odds he is with Satan, and that his very presence would make him a disaster magnet if they kept close. His voice was kept low to avoid him being overheard.

"Before I make the first move, I must warn you. He and I do not meet eye to eye, thus, we are on very unsavory terms. Sworn enemies, even. I suspect he will single out his punishment on me, which will inevitably raise my chances of getting killed here considerably. If you value your safety, be wary of my position."

Before he turned back to his sworn enemy, he gave Rule a shoulder pat, and one request. He's closest to her, who is also close to Arle. They are a traveling trio, after all.

"If I fall before I could see her return to life, relay this message for me."

I want my first love to be happy even when I'm gone. Nothing more.

His palm left Rulue's shoulder, turning to Satan and drawing his sword...

"...Levia."
(-4% damage taken, 3 turns)

...and he raised his objection alongside his blade.

"...You know what I'm going to say, Satan, so I'll cut to the chase. Areiado!" 27%, 4-turn cooldown - Vy_H5ci2p_1d20+4 (Critical Hit! Inflicts 41%!)

Damage: 51%
Cloak Damage: 14%
Status: Levia (3)

1d20+4

[TheSpatialWeeg]

“.........Ugh, just hearing you talk is giving me a nasty headache.”

Rulue’s insult hurl to Satan would most likely catch the other’s attention. She was always so sickeningly lovingly to him, and the fact that the two didn’t see each other for quite a while may have made this come out of the left field.

But you know what? She didn’t care. She didn't want to tell him she was done with him, she was going to tell him how much he sucked.


“I know Arle better than you, and I know for a fact she wouldn’t change her heart so readily! Especially since said savior repeatedly made advances on her, didn’t respect her personal space and it’s incredibly delusional and dense to not notice how she truly feels! If you truly loved Arle as you constantly say you do, you should’ve backed up the very instance she said no.”

“And before you even try to call me out, know that I’ve since abandoned my previous ways, and I’m set to try to atone for them in whatever way possible...unlike you, who persists in your twisted beliefs.”

A tight fist clench.

“You’ve escaped your crimes for long enough! Now, I, Fighting Queen Rulue, will punish your disrespect!”

DDQLBH16p_1d20+5 (Rulue uses the Magical Cookpot to ‘eat’ Satan!)

How will she punish the Lord of Puyo Hell? Why, keeping him imprisoned in her own stomach, of course! Never before I thought that such vile item could have some sort of crucial use.

Taking some notes of a certain pink puffball, Rulue began drawing air via mouth with absurd power, making a vacuum that began to draw in Satan. And, surprise surprise, soon enough the green-haired loser found himself stuck on her stomach. sorry no huge belly here. Rulue recoiled in high disgust, 95% because she ate another living being raw and aware, while the other 5%...let’s face it, Stan didn’t taste good at all. “Urgh, I don’t want to use this ever again…” she blurted out, feeling the urge to puke almost rising in her. Gross.

Even so, she held as best as she could, and went straight to the chapel to see her beloved.1d20+5

[Mari]

" . . . I beg your pardon??" Satan asked, bewildered by Rulue's new found attitude. He'd always found her somewhat intimidating, but this was... different. He was then promptly struck by Schezo's attack. Satan's screams could be heard all throughout the final circle of hell. It was enough to bring him to his knees, but the dark prince refused to stay down. Battered and stricken, he rose and bore a rather forced-looking fanged grin at Schezo. One could just see in his eyes that he was about to retaliate... when Rulue stepped in and distracted him. Normally Schezo would've been right. He wouldn't have been too concerned with Rulue, but the thing about that was that Schezo had been playing directly into Satan's hands by attacking him. Rulue, on the other hand, was... acting very strange! Was his least pleasant suitor lecturing him about his feelings for Arle? What gave her of all people the right to judge him? What was going on?! Why was everything wrong?? Rulue would be able to see it for the first time how Satan looked at her without her love tinted goggles. His expression was distant, with contempt in his eyes. He was silently looking down at her. This was then replaced with indignance and then anger as Rulue went on. "Do you know how long I've been waiting for thii--?!" Satan began to lecture, only to find himself being drawn towards Rulue by a powerful suction.


It took him a moment to realize he was being attacked, but when he did he promptly turned and attempted to flee! ...But it was to no avail. Try as he might, wings fluttering in the wind, he was pulled in and rather abruptly gobbled up in a rather comical fashion, vanishing past Rulue's lips and leaving little outside evidence of his continued existence other than the rather terrified, barely audible, decidedly less intimidating protests he had to offer. "R-Release me, you wretched woman!!" ...It was true--an often understated aspect of the cookpot was its ability to recognize the limitations of the body using it and shrink the victim just enough to prevent any unfortunate disasters. It was likely the secret as to how it enabled anyone and everyone use it regardless of size.

Unlike certain less threatening enemies Rulue may have encountered, however, she would become intimately aware of Satan's attempts to resist the rather cramped constraints of his newfound prison. Albeit they weren't very effective, and it was more a strange sensation than a painful one as a result. After a few moments, a pleasant tingling sensation would be felt from within her belly, slowly spreading out across her entire body over the next minute or so before tapering off in intensity. It was probably an unfamiliar sensation to Rulue... because she'd never felt her body surge with mana before. The world would somehow look more beautiful than before. It was easier to focus and she felt renewed, cured of the soreness she'd brought upon herself traveling here. Turns out Kirby was onto something with this whole eat people to steal their powers business. Rulue had always had a lot of trouble using magic herself but metabolizing Satan had given her a unique opportunity.

Rulue! Your wounds will rapidly heal away over the remainder of the mission. How kind of Satan to 'donate' his HP!

Additionally, you are being granted the following buff, which will last for as long as you keep Satan imprisoned: +4 Wisdom

Lastly, if you are brave enough to experiment you may find that you can now 'sort of' perform some of the spells you always tried and failed to while studying with Arle at school. Diacute. Ice Storm. Mind Blast and more! You might be able to perfect them with a guiding hand to help you, but it also probably won't last if Satan ever escapes.

Meanwhile, White was just left standing there with a primed ball in her hand, unable to grasp what in the actual, literal Hell had just happened. For a long moment, she was left to question if what she'd seen was even real or if her eyes were deceiving her--or worse yet if she was just in a particularly deceptive new circle of hell. Black was also stunned into staring, but not for nearly as long. She was finished pretty much moments after Rulue was, at which point she rushed to meet Rulue, greeting the Fighting Queen with trembling arms and balled fists. "But that was... so... COOL~!" Black would blurt out in objection to Rulue's apparent distaste for what she'd done, her voice cracking slightly as she fangirled over what Rulue had just done. One could just see it in her eyes, wide with excitement and sparkling with innocent admiration. Rulue was her new favorite person. White just sort of watched this play out, brought back into reality by Black's playful excitement. She needed a moment further to recompose herself, but that came quickly after she stopped trying to rationalize what she'd seen. "That. . . was very impressive. Seems like you made quick work of him." White calmly yet ever so hesitantly observed. "You never told me you were a queen!" Black chimed in rather breathlessly, still gushing a bit. She proceeded to reach into her bag and produce a bottle of understandably chilled water, offering it to Rulue for palette cleansing purposes. "If I ever get a chance to play a princess in another movie, I wanna be more like you~" Black went on to remark. Apparently, Rulue's words and actions had turned her into a role model. "Would I play Schezo, then~? ...It is rather exceptional to be there in person to watch heroes stand up to their demons, isn't it?" White hesitantly added, attempting to bring Black back down to earth with a well-hidden pun. Now all she had to do was wait. "Yeah, do you think anyone would watch a movie based on thi--" Black began, only to stop and give White a funny look as she noticed what the other had done.



...



"...Let's go save Arle. We don't want to keep her waiting." White would offer, smiling knowingly at Black.

Just past the unlocked door to the empty 'chapel', as if anyone would ever attempt to break into Hell, the transluscent spectral form of Arle waited at the altar in a very extravagant wedding dress. Her gaze was turned down at the ground rather pensively. She almost seemed to be standing there asleep, but in reality, she was just doing her best to mentally escape her horrible predicament she was in before it destroyed her spirit. She wasn't sure how long she could go on in this state, or what would happen once she gave up. Would she be forced to go on living like this..? She would shudder if she were physically able. She'd been forced to stand there, holding a lovely bouquet in her arms.

[Rina]

Areiado cooldown: 3

Stunned could only begin to describe Schezo's absolutely befuddled face on what he just witnessed. No, it wasn't Rulue's pent-up fury. He's experienced that many times in the past. It wasn't fun. He didn't expect her to blow up on Satan of all people. He definitely missed something about her change of heart, and it was clear he was out of the loop for some time. It doesn't even end there, either. His bafflement rose to an all-time high upon watching Satan get sucked up into the black hole that is the cookpot. With a dash of legitimate fear.

"Well. That was...something."

Mental note: Never invoke Rulue's fury. Ever. Again.

At least with him out of the way, the lane to Arle's soul was clear. He could simply waltz up to the altar and try to bring her back. Somehow. Just before Rulue made a beeline to Arle's side, Schezo went up to the cookpot to give Satan some honest advice with some sass behind it.

"If you can hear me, your punishment should be a lesson to never invoke the fury of a woman scorned!"

End snark. Off to see Arle. As the doors opened, Schezo's suspicion about this being a chapel was confirmed. Empty pews, the altar, white flowers, everything that'd be seen at your typically extravagant wedding was there. Including the equally extravagant bridal gown. As lovely as Arle looks in it, the context of it all disgusts him to his core. The fact she 'stood' there looking dead inside and out made him concerned. Isn't there some unspoken law on resurrecting a spirit? Unspoken logic, rather? Or is there even logic to begin with? Schezo has to calm himself and think of something to get somewhere, or he'll just be a dead weight this entire trip down.

Then something on the back of his mind struck him. Or rather...his literal back.

"I may be reaching far beyond the depths of logic, but if this cloak can somehow awaken her will to live..."

It was hers to begin with, after all. Schezo took it off of his body, and attempted to show it to her to invoke some memories. But he best watch what he says. He is the master of mixed messages, after all.

"Arle...Can you hear me?"

Damage: 51%
Cloak Damage: 14%
Status: Levia (2)

[TheSpatialWeeg]

Before rushing towards the chapel, Rulue turned to try addressing the gushing Trainer. Did she...liked what she just did?! That was disgusting! Even so, she felt unable to raise her voice as getting back up without the need to puke was getting harder and harder. Didn’t stop her from awkwardly smiling out of the praise she got from the girls in question.

Once that was out of the way though, she was one of the first to reach the chapel and open--I’m sorry, I mean kick the door open. After loudly announcing her presence, her eyes almost immediately gravitated to the one needing rescue. Her beloved waited at the altar, with a wedding dress that she’d be more willing to gawk at if she wasn’t aware of their history with Satan and context at hand. For now, she could only manage a frown.

Just like Schezo, she went closer to the spirit. She wanted to give her a little shoulder tap to try and raise awareness, however, the hand phased right through. ...Right, she was only a spirit for now. Might as well call attention the other way she could…

“Arle...it’s okay. We’re here now.” she calmly said as she went face-to-face with the other. “Let’s go back home.” Flashing a tender smile, hands almost going to the other...It hurt not being able to convey

[Mari]

"Arle...Can you hear me?"

...Arle's brows furrowed in her trance. Hold on, Schezo wasn't a part of her happy place. Not right now, anyway. She was at home, with Carbuncle, relaxing after a long day. It was a little weird for him to show up there anyway. As Arle was getting jerked out of her happy place though, the group might notice something odd. A shower of golden light rained down around her. After a moment, Arle opened her eyes to the painful existence that was being an enslaved ghost. Yet, as she began to open her eyes something odd happened. She felt a gentle thumping movement in her chest. Woah woah woah--That was the first physical stimuli she'd felt since she died? What was--? Arle abruptly gasped for air and drew a deep breath. Breathing?! She looked down at herself, only to find that her body now had substance.

She was... alive.

But--That was impossible! Arle testily clenched her hands a couple of times, testing her strength. She felt... incredibly weak. Sore. Stepping forward hurt and nearly sent her to the ground, but she caught her balance and kept moving.

...Was Schezo holding her cloak? Wh-Where had he gotten that? She hadn't seen that since before she arrived on Li! Arle paid this little mind for the moment being though, overjoyed by this seeming miracle. Instead, she moved forward and abruptly hugged both Schezo and Rulue, one with each arm, using what little strength she had. "...You all came to rescue me! I want to go home!" Arle breathlessly blurted out, understandably ecstatic about her second wind. The somewhat distraught mage just kinda cuddled the both of them, her arms and legs trembling rather hard with weakness. She was now actually leaning against them for support, unable to stand on her own for a moment. And then, Arle began to cry. Maybe it was the pain of her severely weakened body, or maybe it was the emotional intensity of the moment, but a few tears escaped her. "Y-You..." Arle began, only to find she was too weak to finish her sentence. In any other circumstance, such weakness would've been really scary to her, but not this one. It was decidedly an improvement.


...And then, a rush of wind heralded the arrival of Lidelle, Raffina, Iris and Amitwo. They'd just abruptly appeared in the chapel. Raffina looked a little distraught in her own right, but was resisting the urge to pick Lidelle up and hug her. There was a mission going on, and she didn't want anyone to think she was a little crybaby who would only get in the way of the mission! She was... really bad at hiding that she was upset though. For once she had nowhere to run and let her feelings out, but with any luck nobody would be paying any attention to her.

In the background, Touko was quietly explaining to Rosa what she'd done to put Rulue off. It seemed like Rosa had picked up on the way she had been looked at.

[Rina]

Areiado cooldown: 2

"!!?"

The sudden embrace caught him by surprise, hanging onto the cloak so he doesn't drop it, not helped that he's one head taller than Arle. He's also feeling physically dragged down, as Arle can't even stand on her own two feet at her current condition. With his free hand, he held onto Arle too, mainly to keep her standing and not falling from under her weight. He's glad to see her alive once more, ecstatic even. Lowkey ecstatic, that is. Expressing emotions isn't his thing. All is right in the world, now that the trio is back together.

"Welcome back, Arle."

....Oh right. There's the one other problem. They've got Arle back to the living...

"......Hey. How do we escape from here?"

...where's their way out? Furthermore, where did the others come from? This wasn't part of the mission...

"And where did the others come from?"

Damage: 51%
Cloak Damage: 14%
Status: Levia (1)

[TheSpatialWeeg]

Rulue was also taken aback by the embrace. Wasn't she supposed to be with her ethereal form only? ...In all honesty, she could care less. All the more reason for her to return the hug with a lot of feeling. Rulue began sobbing. If she could, she'd squish Arle so tightly right now...!! Her heart was filled with such joy in seeing the other alive and well, something that the other...would probably notice due to the powered-up trinkets.

She was about to say something, however, the gale of the new arrivals has caught her attention. She didn't let go of the mage just yet, in fact, she kind of tightened her hold slightly. Of course, being the new arrivals friendly figures, she felt more at ease...at least, until she noticed something peculiar in the hands of a certain 9-year-old...

"Ehehe, I think I'm getting the hang of this orb..." the smol innocently commented as a flabbergasted Rulue turned to Arle and whispered. "Say, is it just me, or is that...the Seraphim Orb?!" she inquired to the other before turning to address the bab. "...What are you all doing here?" "W-well, we...managed to locate Ms. Arle's whereabouts, and...we decided to bring her back to the surface!" "..Hm, I see. We'd appreciate if you pulled all of us out of here, though." "Of course! Just...group up here and I'll teleport all of us back!"

With a firm nod, Rulue placed Arle in her arms. "Hang on tight." she instructed the mage as she came close to the Seraphim Orb-holding Lidelle. She wondered how did the kid manage to tap into the orb's power, but for now...she was relieved they had rescued Arle.

Once the entire group of people were close enough, Lidelle tapped into the orb's power once more...transporting all of them back to the surface. To be more specific, next to Peach's Castle.

[Mari]

In spite of the Rune Lord's taunting, Schezo found himself in an affectionate embrace. ...There was probably symbolism there.

Arle glanced at Lidelle. Ow. Standing was starting to become difficult. Moving her eyes was starting to hurt. Come on! She'd only been alive for a few moments! She couldn't succumb to weakness now! She sluggishly nodded and damnit that hurt too. A wave of nausea washed over her. Yep. Goin' down hard. Crrrrrud. Before weakness could send Arle to the floor though, she found herself being scooped into Rulue's arms. Arle's embrace with Schezo and Rulue broke as she was picked up, her arms falling limp at her sides. In the wake of all the discomfort she was currently in, being held by Rulue presented a strangely pleasant feeling. It wasn't just the comfort of being held by someone she trusted, but something more... She could feel their hearts beating in unison somehow. A tranquility washed over her, and with a little snuggle into the other she was out like a light. Somehow, Rulue would be able to sense pleasant thoughts from the other even while she was asleep. It seemed like being close to Rulue was manipulating Arle's dreams for the better.

Not long later, the group would find itself at Peach's castle. A startled princess awaited them with open arms and frenzied care. Peach did not have much in the wake of the kingdom's disaster, but she could feed them and care for their wounds as best she could. Arle would, of course, be given a bed and Rulue would be asked to stay with her for protection and comfort. And of course, once everything had been settled down and Peach had finished praising everyone for their hard work...

There would be time for a talk with Lidelle, Amitwo and Peach about Warle and how to deal with this troubled girl.

Mission Complete

[Rina]

Weird...what was that warmth he felt before he parted from this hellhole? Was that talkdown a test of his resilience? Whatever it is, he was too mentally exhausted to think about it.

As he let the group do their thing and use the orb to get them out, there was a strange tingle down his spine. It could be because the Seraphim Orb could be holy in nature and Schezo's innate vulnerability to light making him react this way... He paid little mind to it, eventually getting whisked away to the castle. As luxurious as it is, he didn't feel quite welcome in its presence. He didn't immediately come in to accept the offerings, and the praise fell short on his ears. He felt more obligated to just leave because the atmosphere didn't seem to welcome him. Arle had this entire group backing her up, Rulue was there too, and what did Schezo have? ...nothing, really. There was still this itching feeling that Schezo still isn't worthy of their companionship. He didn't feel worthy of acknowledgement. He took off the white cape, back turned away from the group, and was about ready to walk out on them.

...Unless, of course, someone manages to catch him trying to slip away without saying goodbye.

[TheSpatialWeeg]

So the two MvPs (or at least, my assumption of the MvPs) each went their 'separate ways'.

Lidelle was stuck with the Seraphim Orb for now since Arle was knocked the heck out. She needed to remember to give it back once the other recovered. Now she only needed to worry about Warle and the ever-so-approaching talk with her mother.

...Well, that would be the case, but she spotted a certain dark wizard going out of sight...

The bab, storing the Seraphim Orb into the ever-reliable hyperspace pockets, she quickly rushed to Schezo before he truly left, double-tapped him to get his attention and--! She gave him a hug. Sure, it came out of nowhere from the man's point of view, but to Lidelle, she didn't need to know what he did. She saw him in the darkest depths of Hell, and that spoke enough about him.

"Good job out there, Mr. Schezo. Be safe!" She said to him, letting the hug hang around for a while before she broke it to return to inside the castle.

---

As for Rulue, the blue-haired girl took upon Peach's request. She took the necessary caution to speak formally to royalty, after all, her moniker was royal in name only. She was now next to the resting Arle, glancing at the sleeping beauty before her eyes. Soon, however, the Fighting Queen felt the urge to tuck in and sleep as well after all that hell trek.

Could she...even do that? Would Peach even walk back in?

--Well, at this point, sleep was overtaking her head, so she excused herself and snuck in the same bed Arle rested without doing much thinking. She made sure the other was still taking up the majority of said bed as she didn't want to cause any sort of unneeded trouble for the other's rest. "...Good night, hun." she sleepily murmured as she drifted off to sleep as well.

...Oops, she still needed to confess. Then again...that's for another day, another time.

(End of Presence)