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With one final slash, the Empress smashes through the wind barrier being held up by Momo, pushing Momo herself back as the wind orb in her hands dissipates. She glares at Madoka.
"The Yamauchi swordsmanship was passed onto our ancestors by the Thunder God themselves. And yet your blademanship is the same...intriguing. To tap into the origin of swords so easily....a natural swordsman. No matter. Your blade cannot stand against the divinely chosen sword of Amatsu."

The Empress continues her advance.

"The Cursed are mine and mine alone. Remember this divine truth."

As Miyako turns, however, she sees something in a nearby cliff, white ivory on blue.
....
Noriaki Kiritani silently watched the entire exchange, appearing out of a cave, overlooking the fight as the Empress approached the group.

Briefly, their eyes flitted towards the hilt of their sword, briefly poking out of their cloak. He shook his head, hiding his blade within his cloak, before taking out his Gnosis, pulsing amber with the energy of the earth beneath his feet. He lays his eyes on the Empress again, the grip on his Gnosis tightening.

"....I'm sorry."

With a sudden, swift movement, he smashes his Gnosis into the ground, amber energy pulsing through the cliffside. A loud crack echoes through the cliffside.
....
Miyako is the first to see what happens, as Lord Kiritani disappears back into the cliff. The rock ledge he stood upon begins to crumble, along with much of the cliff, and a wave of rocks and boulders surges down the side of the road. Golden energy surges through the landslide, directing any errant rocks back towards one area.

The Empress' eyes briefly widen, before she leaps backwards, the boulders settling into a neat, convenient barrier between the Empress and the party.  The last thing you see before the boulders fall between the party and her are her dead, crimson eyes, still glaring at you not with contempt, not with hate, but with apathy, like bugs to be swatted away from her presence.

The barrier is placed so the road towards the Empress' forces is blocked, but the party is also unable to return to Sangonomiya, the barrier formed by the rockslide being too large to scale comfortably. Hiroyuki is nowhere to be found, but you can hear his voice yelling on the other side of the barrier, separated from the group and the Empress. From his location, you realise that he's likely trapped on the side leading to Sangonomiya.

"Miyako! Amano! Where are you?!"

When all is settled, Tanjiro is the first to speak.

"...did....you guys saw that, right?"

"Finally, a real fight! You, Empress! My name is Todoroki Guren! I don't know what exactly it is you're capable of, but I'll wipe the floor with you like everyone else!"

Todoroki grins audaciously, his massive, muscular frame moving at speeds that would put a smaller man to shame, his crocodilian tail flicking behind him as he lifted his nodachi; not for nothing did his and Madoka's fight, the fight that had earned him her companionship, gone so long, for she was faster, but only just. The Misaki grinned, his Gnosis glowing red as he channeled the energy within.

"Tokiwa Secret Art! Dawnfire Blade!"

Todoroki's blade began glowing red with the flames of his Gnosis, the very flames of passion that burned in the man's soul as he sprinted towards the Empress, before leaping into the air, hilt in both hands, preparing to bring the blade down on her-

"Todoroki, no!"
"Intriguing."

She inhales deeply.

"Imperial Decree: Gnosis Sealing."
A flash of light pulses from the Imperial Seal.

Todoroki's flames disappear. His single eye widens as his Gnosis, glowing scarlet, suddenly falls dead.

The sound of metal on metal rings throughout the battlefield as Todoroki finds his advance halted by the Empress, with all of his might and mass behind his sword halted by the Empress parrying his blow with her own sword, held up with one blade. Despite his sheer muscle and strength, despite his gargantuan frame towering over the Empress, she holds him off with little effort.

"What the...my Gnosis...."
"It isn't permanent, Todoroki Guren. Even I cannot take away the gifts of the Gods of the Land. But make no mistake; your Gnosis is meaningless against me."

The crocodilian Misaki strains and grunts, trying to lower the blade onto the Empress, as she advances forward at the same pace she had already been, Todoroki visibly straining against her strength despite her wiry, slender frame.

"You are strong, Todoroki. But not strong enough."

She swings her blade up to knock Todoroki's own out of the way, before slamming her palm into his abdomen. The large man is thrown back, leaving a furrow in the dirt path as he skids to Madoka's feet with a yelp of pain.
"Damn...I'm sorry....Madoka...."

Suddenly, a barrier of green winds appears in the path of the Empress, stopping her advance. She raises her Imperial Seal to it, another flash of light pulsing, only for the barrier to remain. Her eyes flit towards Momo, whose hands are extended, a small orb of swirling winds within.

"The Rabbit. Always so rebellious. And yet you bear a power beyond those of the Gnoses...but can you really overcome me?"
"Guys, if we're getting out of here....we should really go. Like. Now."

Then Setsurou speaks. Yusuke's eyes widen.
"We're not leaving you!"
Yusuke stares at Rin, who spoke up. She shakes her head.
"Tsubouchi, you're someone important to Yamada. I...if we can help it, we won't leave anyone behind. Even Todayama."
"Rengoku's right. I'm not trading your freedom for mine. Or anyone's. We have to figure out a way out for everyone."

In an instant, the fight is over.

(Madoka forgets all of her fears!)
(Hosokawa Spear Commander's Charisma activates!)
(Hisao staves off his metamorphosis....)
(Madoka's Narukami is active!)
(Madoka's Wrath Strike activates!)

Madoka activates her Combat Art: Wrath Strike!
Madoka initiates!
Hit Rate: 95 to hit
Hit: 24, hit!
Critical: 1, crit!
Hisao takes 87 damage!

Hisao is defeated!

The Unscarred Blade resumes her undefeated streak from the very beginning. Hisao falls to his knee, wincing.

"...hm. That was....faster than expected."

In a puff of orange smoke, Hisao disappears, his clothes falling to the floor. What is left is....a small, sparrow-like bird, weakly managing to keep itself in the air. Soldiers rush forward, grabbing his equipment, as the retreat is sounded. For a moment, you believe the battle is over....


"So. You are those taking those who belong to me away."

[Now Playing: Theme of the Empress ~~Raiden Shogun Battle Theme~~]

An imposing, oppressive aura overcomes the battlefield.

The soldiers freeze, shuddering. The Cursed, all of the Cursed immediately sense what -or who- is approaching them. Yusuke's eyes dart around, trying to find Rin and Setsurou, clear fear in his eyes.
"How is she here....that can't be possible. No!"

The Cursed, bar Hiroyuki, know that feeling well. For years, they had to endure her presence. For years, it was her abuse they had to withstand.

The God of the Juunishi had arrived.

Tomoe clenches her hand, popping her spear up.
"Be ready."

The soldiers retreating part along the middle, eyes following the slender, pale woman walking among them. Clad in simple, albeit well-made, robes with a purple robe over one of pure white, she walks calmly towards the group. Her red eyes are dead, no glimmer to them, and in one hand is a katana, slender and of plain design, seemingly rippling with an unseen haze. Along her obi, hidden by the outer robe, is the holder of a Gnosis, though you can't make out what type of Gnosis it is. From her neck hangs a simplified version of the Imperial Seal, another source of power for her.

She approaches the party slowly, at a leisurely walk, as if going for a peaceful stroll in the afternoon sun.

"Transgressors against the throne. Thieves of my Juunishi. Your dreams of resistance end here. Fear not. Your deaths will not come today. I am only interested in recovering what is mine. No lasting harm will come to you.

Only punishment."

Tomoe turns to Setsurou and Rin.
"Take the other Cursed and run. We can't fight her, but I can delay her. She can't kill other Cursed."
"T-Todayama! We can't just leave you! If she finds out you betrayed her...."
"I was prepared for this moment the moment I began my hunt for you. Even if she takes me....as long as some of you remain free, ending the Curse might still be possible."

Midori Mask catches the vulnerary, nodding at Keith with respect.
"....I've heard all about you too, Wolfhound. You're a hard man. You've got real achievements under your belt. You've fought demons, you've fought some of the best fighters the world has ever seen, you've fought everything the world can throw at you. You're a strong guy. I'm not sure I can beat you. You're right. You're bigger than anyone else I've fought before."

He approaches Keith, squaring up.

"But that just means I'll have to fight as hard as I can. To give these good people a show, and to give you the fight of your life."

Suddenly, a familiar voice speaks up from the door.
"If ANY MAN thinks they'll best Keith Piper before I will, then I will gladly show them just how mistaken they are."

[Now Playing: Theme of Orobas ~Pledge of Demon~]

Orobas approaches the ring, wearing a tattered old cape, carrying the same mace Orobas did the previous time they'd met, a pair of ornate-looking knuckle dusters on his hands. Muttered whispers follow him in, recognising him from their televised match in Ishim.

"Nobody, not the Demon Lord, not some half-assed Revivian waving around two swords and calling himself Kirito, whoever the hell that is, not some wannabe headless knight with a grudge, not some cruiserweight goblin in a gaudy mask! NOBODY will defeat Keith Piper before I do. I have made that my sole mission. My ambition. As long as I still got breath in in me, I'm going to keep comin'. And I hope you're ready, Piper, because I'm not going to lose to a half-ass who'll run away from a fight!"

The booker runs up ringside, as Midori Mask crouches to whisper to him, clearly mouthing "who the hell is this guy?". The booker just shrugs, whispers something back. Midori Mask's eyes widen, before he looks between Keith and Orobas, and hastily climbs out under the top rope. Orobas eyes him as he leaves, before turning to Keith, dropping the mace to the floor.

"I've fought you in Begnin, in Bastapa and in Midgardia. Each time I've fought you, I've remembered a little more of who the old demon once was. Rebuilt my clan. Licked my wounds. I've learned that only one thing matters. One. Thing."

He points at Keith, squaring up to him as he approaches. Keith towered over Midori Mask, true, but Orobas towered over him.

"The loser is the one who gives up. I haven't. Lost. Yet. Have you?"

---

Milly seems to be intently studying the goods of a shop tent before noticing Jarvis. She looks at him, before briefly jumping, her cheeks turning red.
"J-Jarvis! I...um...I didn't expect to see you over here. O-or....for you to be so.....well-built. I...um, was just looking up supplies. S-since....we'll be heading to the frontline soon, right?"

---

Leviathan quietly nods.
"I know all that. Which is....why I'm here."
"....all these years...pointless."

Kaori and Kazuki make their moves.

(Kaori's Bewitch activates!)
(Kaori's Energy Stream activates!)
(Hosokawa Spear Commander's Charisma activates!)

Kaori activates her Combat Art: Energy Stream!
Kaori initiates!
Hit Rate: 77 to hit
Hit: 78, miss!

(Kazuki's attacks are double-edged!)
(Traxesa's Support activates!)

Kazuki initiates!
Hit Rate: Irrelevant
Hit: Autohit!
(Vengeance check: 2, pass!)
Imperial Bow Ashigaru D takes 29 damage!

Imperial Bow Ashigaru D is defeated!

Traxesa, if he's been paying attention at all to Momo's Gnosis at all, should notice but one thing. Despite Momo using wind Mahou and abilities that are clearly Gnosis Arts, displaying power beyond any Gnosis wielder save the strongest in history....

....her Gnosis has not reacted at all, but remained completely dull and dead. Even in a situation where the Gnosis would be absorbing elemental energy, with the abundance of wind Mahou in the air.

Almost as if it were fake.

(Momo performs under fireworks on a summer night!)
(Momo's Team Spirit activates!)

Momo Performs for Kazuki and Traxesa!
Kazuki and Traxesa can move again!
Kazuki and Traxesa are energised!
Momo gains +3 DR!

Once again, Traxesa's Gnosis pulses when Momo sings her magic songs.

Rin and Yusuke move to shore up their allies.
"Y-you're our new ally, right? My name's Rengoku Rin, n-now please, stay still! I'll make sure you're patched up!

Rin activates her Combat Art: Magic Ray!

Rin heals Sakurako!
Sakurako regains 24 HP!

(Tomoe's Charisma activates!)

Yusuke initiates!
Hit Rate: Irrelevant
Hit: Autohit!
Imperial Army Mage A takes 21 damage!

Imperial Army Mage A is defeated!

As the mage falls into dreamland, Todoroki whistles.
"Damn, Yamada. You've grown a pair since we split off."
"Picked up the pair you lost."
"Hmph."

~~Ally Phase~~
With a cheerful cry, an Imperial cavalier is knocked off his horse by Hiroyuki, their erstwhile ambush ended.

(Hiroyuki has -10 Hit...)
(Hiroyuki's Knightkneeler activates!)

Hiroyuki activates his Combat Art: Knightkneeler!
Hiroyuki initiates!
Hit Rate: 95 to hit
Hit: 62, hit!
Imperial Scout D takes 35 damage!

Imperial Scout D is defeated!

Tomoe, meanwhile, backs up Nullstar's advance, her spearmanship being the equal of any Gnosis wielder despite lacking her own.

(Tomoe stands steadfast!)
(Tomoe's Rampaging Boar activates!)

Tomoe activates her Brave Art: Amatsu Spearmanship [Rampaging Boar]!
Tomoe initiates!
Hit Rate: 76 to hit
Hit: 3, hit!
Critical: 6, crit!
(Kiryu Young Blade E's shielding is stripped!)
Kiryu Young Blade E takes 72 damage!

Kiryu Young Blade E is defeated!

~~Enemy Phase~~

Hisao is poisoned!
Hisao takes 2 damage!

However, Tomoe's backup isn't quite enough to support Nullstar, who seems just somewhat overextended.

(Hosokawa Spear Commander's Charisma activates!)

Kiryu Levy Ashigaru B initiates!
Hit Rate: 63 to hit
Hit: 55, hit!
Takeru's Shadow is destroyed!

(Takeru stands above!)
(Tomoe's Charisma activates!)
(Kiryu Levy Ashigaru A is shielded!)

Kiryu Levy Ashigaru A initiates!
Hit Rate: 53 to hit
Hit: 25, hit!
Nullstar takes 12 damage!

Nullstar retaliates!
Hit Rate: Irrelevant
Hit: Autohit!
Kiryu Levy Ashigaru A takes 8 damage!

Nullstar strikes twice!
Hit Rate: Irrelevant
Hit: Autohit!
Kiryu Levy Ashigaru A takes 8 damage!

(Takeru stands above!)
(Tomoe's Charisma activates!)
(Kiryu Young Blade D is shielded!)

Kiryu Young Blade D initiates!
Hit Rate: 37 to hit
Hit: 19, hit!
Nullstar takes 8 damage!

Nullstar retaliates!
Hit: Irrelevant
Hit: Autohit!
Kiryu Young Blade D takes 5 damage!

Nullstar retaliates!
Hit: Irrelevant
Hit: Autohit!
Kiryu Young Blade D takes 5 damage

(Daisuke has the question!)
(Madoka's Support activates!)
(Hosokawa Spear Commander's Charisma activates!)

Imperial Army Mage D initiates!
Hit Rate: 73 to hit
Hit: 99, miss!

Daisuke cannot retaliate!

Daisuke is heavily weakened after all of his effort, and despite his skill, is pinned down by the Hosokawa forces.

(Daisuke has the question!)
(Madoka's Support activates!)
(Hosokawa Spear Commander's Tempest Lance activates!)

Hosokawa Spear Commander activates his Combat Art: Tempest Lance!
Hosokawa Spear Commander initiates!
Hit Rate: Irrelevant
Hit: Autohit!
Daisuke takes 25 damage!

Daisuke is downed!
(Miyako makes a desperate breakthrough!)
Miyako gains 1 Gnosis Gauge!

While the remaining forces tie up the advancing resistance, Hisao heads towards Madoka.
"...so, it is you who proved to have been a match for Todayama. I shall test you myself. Gnosis-wielder or no, you shall not best me!."

(The rooster crows at dawn!)
(Hosokawa Spear Commander's Charisma is active!)
(Madoka has Narukami!)
(Hisao's Sunder activates!)

Hisao activates his Combat Art: Sunder!
Hisao initiates!
Hit Rate: 86 to hit
Hit: 75, hit!
Madoka takes 21 damage!

(Madoka faces all her fears!)

Madoka retaliates!
Hit Rate: 58 to hit
Hit: 15, hit!
Hisao takes 23 damage!

(Hisao staves off metamorphosis....)

Hisao winces as he backs off, the smell of ozone in the air. Though his skill was able to match Madoka blow for blow, a Gnosis counts for something, after all.
"....I'm not bested yet....but you're strong. That much, I can see."

The imperial forces to the left, meanwhile, shake their head, deliberately missing their shot while muttering something about "refusing to hurt a Mizuno".

(Rin feels useless...)

Imperial Bow Ashigaru A initiates!
Hit Rate: 55 to hit
Hit: 73, miss!

Rin cannot retaliate!

(Rin's Charisma activates!)
(Miyako is first in, last out!)

Imperial Bow Ashigaru B initiates!
Hit Rate: 52 to hit
Hit: 64, miss!

Miyako cannot retaliate!

---

(Kazuki is poisoned!)
Kazuki takes 3 damage!

"....uh, I did. Just now. You really think I'd have been able to take him down if he saw me coming?"

(Kruger leads from the front!)
Kruger issues a Combat Order: Concentrate Fire!
Reeve and Delwyn have 150% damage and healing!

Reeve, meanwhile, takes aim at Maximus, distracted by the fight, only for a hunting dog to appear from the woods, barking loudly as Reeve fires off her spell, landing true due to Mus'ad's predictions....

(Reeve is well-fed!)
(Maximus is well-fed!)
(Maximus has -15 Eva/3 DR....)
(Maximus is silent but steady!)
(Maximus has Alicia's back!)
(Maximus' Scent of Prey activates!)
(Reeve is overconfident...)
(Reeve flashes over!)
(Delwyn's Flash Lattice activates!)
(Kaede's Support activates!)
(Mus'ad's Wheel of Fortune activates!)

Reeve initiates!
Hit Rate: Irrelevant
Hit: Autohit!
Maximus takes 31 damage!
Maximus loses his Life Point!

(Reeve gains two stacks of Brilliance!)

Maximus retaliates!
Hit Rate: 61 to hit
Hit: 40, hit!
(Luna check: 19, pass!)
Critical: 1, crit!
Reeve takes 54 damage!

Reeve is downed!

....and being smashed into the ground by a burst of Alphinite-induced flames as Maximus' spotting hound makes Reeve's location known.
"Good boy, Sparky."

Arnett is able to take advantage of the distraction to retrieve his brother.

Arnett casts Rescue!
Orrel is Rescued!

XP: 95/100

Hisao merely winces, feeling the burn.
"The Curse is worse than any poison you care to throw at me. I gave my word to Yukito....I will withstand anything."

The bored looking man raises an eyebrow.
"Well, Midori Mask's our top guy. He holds the Kaisei Intercontinental Heavyweight title. Been feuding with the Houston Meteor; guy's from Texas, like you. Truth be told, since you got big, he's been drawing pretty heavily since people wanted more of the Wolfhound. If you wanna have a go, I can slip you in for the next match. Just give me a few minutes to talk to the guys backstage."