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Miles looked over at Dara as she asked about the Reaver's opponent. "I'm not sure," he told her. "I think it's someone new. They call her "Cinderella" or something like that. It doesn't really matter I think. Point is that she's supposed to be easy prey. And she probably will be." He looked towards a hallway that led deeper into the arena interior. "Anyway, we can't waste anymore time. Let's go." He led the group down the hallway and into the gloomy coliseum. He led them down several twists and turns without stopping. Miles had clearly planned this out well. After several minutes of walking they came to a locked gate. The padlock and chain were on the other side of it and out of reach. "Come on...hurry up..." Miles muttered as he looked down the hallway beyond the gate. After several moments of waiting a *click, click, click* sound of claws against the stone floor could be heard coming down the hallway from the other side of the gate. Out of the gloomy darkness a white dog approached the gate. "Max, good job," Miles said with a relieved smile.



Max stared up at them blankly from the other side of the gate for a few moments before looking down towards the padlock and chain. There was already blood on his muzzle. He stood up, putting two paws on the gate to steady himself as he opened his mouth, chomping down on the chains. His teeth grew as razor sharp as swords and using his resonance force for added strength he bit right through the iron links of the chains causing them to fall loudly to the ground. Miles pushed the gate open as Max stepped out of the way to allow them room. "This is our inside guy," Miles explained as he continued leading them forward, Max taking up the rear.

They passed several dead bodyguards and another chewed-through gate before reaching a large wooden door. Max walked up and once again chewed through the lock. Miles looked back at the group as he slowly pushed open the door. "This leads to the force-field generator room. As soon as the match begins we need to destroy this thing. That will cause the barrier between the arena floor and the crowd to lower, allowing us access to Matt. That's when we move in and bring Matt out. Forcefully if necessary." Just then the dull roar of the crowd above them grew louder. "Alright, that's our cue." Miles said as he pushed the door open. Inside stood a large generator, crackling with dark blue electricity. Unfortunately it also looked guarded.





The two massive creatures hissed at the group as soon as they saw them, knowing that they didn't belong here. "They imported Harvesters!?" Miles asked in surprise. "This will be quite a fight," Eric said calmly. Miles clenched his fists. "Well, we need to make this quick. Take them out!" As if excited by Miles's yelling, one of the Harvesters lunged forwards, massive tail swinging to wipe out Michi, Atticus Ina and Shane with one blow. The other Harvester opened fire with both its massive guns, sending a hail of heavy bullets towards Dara, Aislin, Miles, Max and Eric.



























Magnus let out a sigh of relief as he heard Shira tell James to let David go. James's smile disappeared, though he didn't actually frown. Slowly he lowered his blade, turning it back into his regular arm. "Aww..." Scarlet said as the confrontation ended. Fleur didn't seem to mind either way. David Delow glared at the group as he backed away. "One way or another, I'll find my story," he promised them. Fleur looked at him for a moment. "If you try and cross the Blackwings, you'll be sorry," she told him. "In fact, Noira Blackwing herself is nearby. She-" "Wait, Noira Blackwing is...Nearby!?" He asked in surprise. "Where? Where can I find her!?" Fleur paused for a moment. "Honestly, I really don't think that's a good idea." "I could care less what you think. Don't worry about me, I know how to get people to talk. Soon, all her secrets will be common knowledge." He grinned at the thought. Seeing someone as famous as Noira Blackwing humiliated would be the highlight of his career. He wasn't concerned with the danger; he was positive he could sweet-talk his way out of anything. He'd done it plenty of times before.

Fleur stared at him for a few moments longer before she shrugged. "She's staying in a rather dreary mansion not far outside of town for now. You know, the one where all those murders took place a while back? I'm sure you've heard of it." David nodded eagerly. "Indeed I have. As soon as I'm done covering this arena match, I think I shall head straight there." "I...okay. If you're sure." David walked off into the arena stadium without looking back, clearly focused on his current task. Once he had left Fleur burst out laughing. "Did you hear him!?" She managed between laughter. "He thinks he's going to get anything out of her!?" Finally she calmed down, managing to contain her laughter. "I'd hate to be him when he tries to play word games with Noira," she said. Magnus sighed. He hated the fact that Fleur was associated with the Blackwings, but he understood her hatred of "commoners" after hearing about her past. Still, that didn't mean it was right. And her joining someone like the Blackwings didn't help anything. He'd tried talking to her about it plenty of times before, but he hadn't been able to get through to her. Still, he wasn't about to give up. But now was not the time.

Magnus looked back at Shira. "Well, let us be off then," he told her with a smile as he led her and the rest towards the arena entrance. Once they reached the VIP entrance, Magnus didn't even have to show his ticket. The bodyguards stepped aside and let the group in. Unbeknownst to the bodyguards, James or Fleur, a stray white dog managed to slip in with them undetected.

Magnus led the group to the same pavilion Shira had sat in earlier. The blistering heat and the roar of the crowd was drowned out by the magic that surrounded the curtain. Nurse Mortem, the Arena Master and Nylus Maxwell were waiting inside. Nurse Mortem's face was set in a grim line. She didn't look at Shira. Clearly she had already heard of Shira's arrival and disapproved of it just the same as she had in the last illusion. The Arena Master still had his pleasant smile and Nylus was as stone-faced as ever. Magnus showed Shira to her seat before sitting down next to her. Fleur sat on the other side of Magnus while Scarlet and James stood by opposite sides of the pavilion, guarding both entrances. Fleur crossed her legs as she sat back in the chair, seeming suddenly disinterested in what was happening. Her cheery mood had suddenly disappeared as if her soul had been encased in ice. The tension between her and Nurse Mortem was obvious. She saw Nurse Mortem as a commoner and while Nurse Mortem didn't have anything personal against Fleur, she didn't appreciate being looked down upon by the girl who always acted so standoffish and arrogant when she was around people whom she considered beneath her.

"Well, now that we're all here I believe we're ready to begin the match," the Arena Master said as the group finally took their seats. As if on cue, the crowd roared louder. It seemed the match was about to start.

Ina Zuma

Ina was surprised when they were attacked and blushed when Michi pushed her away, she then ran up to Michi after she performed soul menace. Her arm was coated in electricity and she then fired a shot of electricity at the creature making sure to avoid Michi.

As the creatures attacked, Shane flashed and turned into a black sword, flying into Eric's hands. Apparently they were partners. Eric slid out of the way of the bullets, shooting sideways, landing on a wall and pushing himself off towards one of the Harvesters, swinging Shane in a full arc as he attacked. Max dashed forwards, ducking under the hail of bullets due to his smaller form and lunging towards the Harvester firing its guns. Miles closed his eyes and raised his hands, creating a force-field around himself to protect him from the blows. Michi's, Ina's and Atticus's combined attacks slammed against the Harvester's tail, halting it in its tracks. But the Arena Master had clearly imported the best. Their attacks held it in place and caused minor damage to the tail, but were not able to sever it. Electricity crackled along the Harvester's tail as it pulled back. It swung its tail towards them in a second attempt to smash the three intruders, but this time the two glowing tentacles extending from its back whipped around, opening their claws as they drew power to themselves. Two bright yellow beams of energy lanced towards the three of them in tandem with the tail, threatening to burn right through them if they held still. When Dara's chain scythe wrapped around the other Harvester's weapon and pulled, it force the Harvester to stop firing, but it immediately began to pull back, slowly dragging Dara towards it. It continued firing towards Aislin with its other gun, but only in an attempt to distract her as it pulled Dara forwards. IT raised both of the glowing tentacles coming from its back and extended them towards her, energy beams already charging as they prepared to spear her through.























Magnus seemed to grow more and more nervous as he sat next to Shira, tapping his foot steadily on the ground. His hand went to his pocket a few times but he quickly drew it back. James looked down at his watch, adjusting a small dial on it before looking back towards the arena floor. The crowd had grown massive by this point and were it not for the pavilion curtains, the sound would probably be deafening. The announcer was working the crowd up into a frenzy as he told them of the bloody battle and the Reaver's inevitable change into a terrifying monster. Then, just like it had in the previous illusion, the first massive arena gate lowered and the Reaver himself stepped into the arena. This time he was Weaponless.




The Reaver walked out into the center of the arena, a cocky smile on his face. Clearly he too knew that this would be an easy fight. The arena was here today to see the bloody birth of a kishin egg. The gate slowly ground closed behind him before the gate on the opposite end began to lower. Once it had finally lowered itself completely, nothing emerged just as before. Though unlike before, instead of a giant monster tearing out after a few moments, it was a girl who was shoved out by unseen hands.




It was clear from the girl's terrified and confused expression that she was no fighter and that she had no idea how to use the sword she held. Before she could attempt to run back in, the gate behind her quickly rose. The two opponents were now stuck in the arena. Only one of them would leave. Once she realized realized she wasn't getting out, the girl turned to face the Reaver. She raised one hand up to the Reaver, backing away as she said something. The Reaver laughed and said something in response as he began walking towards her. From the pavilion, Magnus clenched his fists, his foot tapping faster as he seemed to grow more anxious. The girl spoke again but this time the Reaver didn't reply. He kept going until he was standing in front of her. He paused for a moment when he reached her, saying one more thing. Then he lunged forwards, grabbing her by the throat and launching her across the arena. The crowd roared in approval as she hit the far wall, sliding to the ground. She struggled to pick herself up as the Reaver turned to face her again, clearly enjoying himself.

Ina Zuma

Ina cursed to herself when their attacks did nothing to the creature, when she saw the creature go in for another tail swipe she looked over to Michi. "Mimi catch." She said as she turned into her greatsword form as she ran and jumped towards Michi.