--- Warrior Monk Temple, Izumo Region, Japan ---
*After having learned the basics of spiritual energy at the shrine, upon Alastair’s orders, team 226 relocated to a sister temple, in order to further the new teachings upon the team, especially Agent T, who learned the basics from the Priestess. The new location was, according to Alastair, to help give more practical applications to the basics of the mystic skills, as well as linking it to weaponry which could be used in their jobs. Within the temple grounds, Agent T faces a few wooden targets in the courtyard, a Warrior Monk standing nearby to supervise the training*
Agent T: Soooo….What do you want me to try here. Am I aiming to blast these things, guard against them or am I jumping straight to this Mystic-weapon fusion thing?
Monk: Humph…. Well, since you’re eager…
*The monk snaps his fingers and various low level yokai appear, roaming around the targets, some calm and some running around*
Monk: I’m guessing you were taught basic warding magic, yes? I was informed by the gentleman over there that a priestess was training you. What I would like you to do is, using the spells or whatever you feels appropriate, not only hit the target, but the more… nuisance yokai. Now, not all of these beast are evil, so, if you hit the wrong one a few times, don’t blame me if they come after you.
*With that, he take a swig of the bottle at his hip and walks over to the side*
Monk: I want to see the array of skills you have obtained thus far. And don't worry if you mess up. It’s fine, it’s just a simple test for now.
Agent T: So, you don’t mind if I use none-magic skills if I get in a pinch? I can just blend everything together? Just to clarify that it’s not just my new magic skills you want to see. Because if that’s the case then just watching me make a barrier or two might get boring. I’m still mastering that stuff.
Monk: ….I would prefer you to use magic. Here’s a very basic spell - it’s an attract spell, but there’s a catch: it uses a lot of energy to cast, so use it sparingly. Only use your weapon if you absolutely must. I want you to find alternatives to situations - not everything can be solved with spells and arms alone.
*With that, he sets down and begins the test.*
Agent T: Well…..joy….So I got a spell I haven’t even looked at to back me up….
*Taking a breath, the agent prepares herself, rolling up her sleeves and pulling out a few talismans*
Agent T: Well, let’s go!
*As if on cue, the summoned Youkai seemed to take note that T was there and begin to move in a bit more agitation.*
Agent T [Inner thoughts]: Taking them on one on one will just waste what talismans that I have - I’m still a novice after all. But maybe if I group some of them together with that spell and trap them behind a barrier, then it would mean I could I can blast them with my gun. That Monk just wants to see my magic skills, though. Ugh….wish I could have spent more time at the temple to get this all down pat….
*T looks around*
Agent T [Inner thoughts]: The old man’s vague, but he was hinting that some of these Youkai might help me….But how will I tell apart the enemies from the allies, and ones that might be trying to trick me? I don’t want to block out and blast my help after all….
*Glancing at the new spell, T bites her lip*
Agent T: [Inner Thoughts]: Maybe if I can attract them to a location rather than to me? Or if I attract half towards me, see which ones actually start helping or not? At least if I split them in two groups-
Monk: Hahahahah! Are you really going to bet on it, little one? Its an awfully big gamble, is it not? You never know what might just kill you - they’re not all as tame as you think.
Agent T: If you’re going to give me something like this on the fly, then go and act like that, either shut up or give useful information!
Monk: Quite feisty, aren’t you? Well, that’s the benefit from being young, I guess. Hahaha! But, I want to ask you…
*His eyes turn somewhat ominous*
Monk: Will you risk it? Or will you be the hunted by my little pets? I might want to jazz this thing up… it’s getting awfully boring right about now.
*He takes another swig of his bottle and snaps his fingers again. One of the yokai now focuses there sights on agent T
Agent T: You know what? You are a Fucking asshole. Zip your lip and I’m going to smash that freaking bottle on your head later! ASS!
*With no more time to think, T goes with the plan she had been formulating, using one talisman to create a barrier to keep the other beasts away for now, so that she wouldn’t be overwhelmed by too many youkai at once*
Agent T [Inner thoughts]: OK, so which of you will attack me….and which of you will help me out?
*Quickly, T begins to dart around the area (at one point making sure to go closer to the Monk, just to allow the one youkai that had set its sights on her and pounced to head in his direction once she dodged, just for a bit of payback - she doubted that it would actually hit him, considering he summoned them - she made note of which ones would come to aid her, and which would just keep attacking.*
Agent T [Inner Thoughts]: Looks like none of them will help me….unless I have to use that attracting spell? Goddamit….I already hate this guy….
*Reluctantly, T quickly uses the attract spell, preparing to get moving if all of the ones outside of the barrier she made earlier to split the group decided to attack and none ended up helping. Once the spell activated, T found herself having to dodge many of the group to avoid being shredded, but in the flurry, she noted that one of the group had got between her and some of the other youkai, helping to attack the other youkai in turn.*
*Glad to see that she hadn’t trapped all her allies on the other side of the barrier she made to divide and conquer, T began to work on her plans, using a barrier to cause some of the youkai to bounce away from her and into the path of her ally to shred up, mentally cursing that she had yet to learn an attacking spell that didn’t take so long to set up. When she can, she kept moving, placing barrier talismans around the battle area. If she completed that one, the youkai within the telisman barriers would then be defeated.*
*Somewhat roughed up from dodging attacks, as she sometimes had to get a bit close to some of the enemy youkai in order to throw them to her ally, she finally set everything up to deal with this group. Giving a sharp whistle to her ally youkai to pull back, she quickly activated the barrier and the remaining ones in the group were trapped within the light of the setup attack.*
*Panting slightly, knowing it was not yet over, T turned to the other half of the group of youkai, wishing that she didn’t need to pick out allies and had been told to use only her magic and not her bullets, T released the barrier that separated the other half and prepared for the youkai to either attack her or defend, since the attract spell was still active.*
*These ones, agitated by the fact they previously couldn’t get to her and the fact she was somewhat tired from dealing with the first group, seemed more vicious in their attacks. Thankfully, there is another ally among them, leaving her to direct two youkai. To conserve energy a bit, she booted as many as she could, either physically or with magic, other youkai into her allies for them to finish off.*
*Not all of them approached her as she whittled down the numbers. Three enemies were left, as well as T and the two allied youkai, but the enemies seemed to be avoiding coming closer now.*
Agent T: Did the Attraction thing wear off?
*The Monk guzzles the last remaining contents of his bottle, before slowly rising to his feet. A near poisonous aura surrounds him and the few remaining yokai disappear into a black mist.*
Monk: Not bad, not bad, but I won't be impressed until you defeat this. If you are any good, this shouldn't be a problem. And, depending on if you can defeat this beast and land your mark, will depend on if I will teach you or not. Are you up for the challenge, little one?
Agent T: I say you’re an asshole that sucks as a teacher, and that if I die I’m haunting your ass. But I’m going to win! Bring it on!
*The monk chuckles*
Monk: Well then, let’s begin.
--- Meanwhile, Many Miles Away, Phoenix Headquarters ---
Voice: Well then, let’s begin
*The sound of fast typing can be heard in the distance, and the faint hum of a laptop emulates thought the room. Three Phoenix agents slowly creep into the room, carefully attempting not to alarm their target.
Agent N: … Can I help you boys?
Phoenix Agent 1: You might want to start by telling us what, precisely, you’re doing. In contact with your ‘Pandora friends’? You know you’re on a short leash.
Agent N: Hmm... Soooo, I guess you guys still don't trust widdle old me, huh? But if you wanna see my Vallery Secret shopping list, go ahead, take a looksee.
*She winks and blows them a kiss*
Phoenix Agent 1: Do you think this is funny? Because you do realise that if you keep this up, you’re only going to keep us ‘not trusting you’. You want trust, you have to earn it, so stop screwing around.
Agent N: Do I think it’s funny? Yes, very much so. Since I came here, I’ve given you all what you wanted. Done what you asked… Still, no word on getting payed yet. Aaaaaaand yeah, still being looked at like I’m sneaking around. So yes, big boy, it's comical to me. The feud between pandora and you, and the fact that I’m the only one getting this treatment…. Oh, wait, I get it! It’s ‘coz I'm black, isn't it? You’re bunch of racists!
*She tries to stifle a giggle, but fails*
Phoenix Agent 1: What does your race have to do with anything? Our group has people from all over the world, so don’t pull the ‘I’m the minority here’ card - we treat you like this because you came from the enemy side and have yet to prove that you aren’t still with them. It’s your attitude we have a problem with. You mock us and our goals, so why, precisely, are we supposed to trust you?
Agent N: hmph! If you all didn't act like squabbling children, then maybe I wouldn't treat you as such. How long do you think I’ve been looking into this little organisation of yours? You talk trust, yet you slap away the hand of those reaching out to you. Pathetic, useless, pitiful creatures such as yourselves don't deserve the aid I give. I can't even do my own shopping without getting harassed. And one more thing, why the hell would I contact Pandora now? And if I were to contact them, why the fuck would I contact them here, where it’s open access and any one would see what i'm doing, you dumb fucks!?!
Phoenix Agent 2: The hell? You… are you asking for a fight!
Agent N: Me? Oh no… not me, never.
Phoenix Agent 1: She’s just doing this to spite us more. I honestly don’t know why she’s still here. If she likes Pandora so much, she should just go back there. At least then she won’t have to ‘deal with us’
Agent N: well, since you dumb asses won’t get it…. Just believe whatever you want to. I guess it's right, you can't cure stupid, right?
Phoenix Agent 2: That it! I’ve had it!
*She get up from her seat, closing the laptop's lid, straightening her glasses and smiles psychotically*
Agent N: Bring it, bitch!
Voice: That is enough!
*From the doorway, Lorenzo makes his way into the room, causing the agents to step aside. With a sigh, he brushes his hair from his face*
Lorenzo: N, N, N, what shall I do with you. Have you not had enough of this childish game?
Agent N: ME?!! I'M NOT THE ONE ACCUSING PEOPLE OF SHIT!!!! I'M NOT THE ONE STARTING A FIGHT! I CAN'T EVEN DO FUCKING ONLINE SHOPPING WITHOUT BEING HARASSED!!!!!!
Lorenzo: And that, my dear, is because you have made a game of making them believe you to be untrustworthy. If you played nice, people play nice in return. It is a basic courtesy. Perhaps if you don’t raise to the bait, such situations could be avoided...
*He looks between N and the Phoenix Agents*
Lorenzo: ...on all sides. I will say this once and once only. All of you will stop this foolishness. That includes you, N. I am tiring of all your antics. If you have complaints, bring them up to me instead of lowering yourselves to the levels of five year olds. Try this again and I’ll have you all punished. We are here to create a better world, not to fight amongst ourselves. Do. I. Make. Myself. Clear?
Agent N: Uh huh.
*She looks away, sitting back at her chair, flipping open the laptop and continuing to type away*
Phoenix Agent 2: See! She’s contacting her organisation again! She's a liability-!
Lorenzo: Enough!
*Grabs the laptop and turns it around*
Lorenzo: It is, indeed, a shopping list. Do you think I would allow her to use the laptop if I thought she was going to use it to contact the enemy? Begone! Before you make even more of a fool of yourselves and force me to slay you all for sheer stupidity!
*With that, the three leave, leaving only Lorenzo and N alone in the room*
Agent N: … They’re beginning to get on my last nerve. If I were going to contact pandora, I would have done so by now… and yet….
Lorenzo: You only exacerbate the situation yourself, N. They say that respect and trust goes two ways. However… *He trails a hand over her cheek, forcing her to look at him* ...they are not entirely wrong, now are they? You have yet to pick a side. Your heart remains divided. If even you don’t know which side you are on, how can anyone believe you to be on theirs? Whether it be us, or Pandora, until you make that choice, no side will ever trust you.
Agent n: Pick a side? Are those words meant for me… or you? This is where we hit a crossroad, Lorenzie. Do you remember what I told you last time? That I would save you? Even if it costs me my life, I’ll bring you back to the world that you left behind… I won't stop until then.
Lorenzo: I know my place. I know what I must do. You, on the other hand, have yet to follow up on your side of your supposed ‘vow’. Do you honestly believe this half-hearted approach, despite your words, would sway me from my course? No. If you think my heart can be so easily deceived, then you are mistaken.
*Turns and strides towards the door*
Lorenzo: This is your last chance, N. I will not come to your rescue again. Pick your side. Mine. Or Pandora's. There is no inbetween.
*Without waiting for an answer, Lorenzo leaves the room, leaving N alone once more.*
Agent N: …. I chose to...be with you… in pandora. That's the only choice i’ll ever answer to.. Besides i can see it your hearts changing… even a little.. That little thread of hope is what i’ll cling onto, to bring you back to my side…
*Walking down the hallway, having not heard N’s reply, Lorenzo growls under his breath, before slamming his fist against the wall. The stone grumbles a little under his knuckles, but he ignores it for now, instead glancing up at his reflection in the window beside him*
Lorenzo [Inner Thoughts]: She is a fool….more stubborn than even I remember her being. Somehow convinced that I need ‘saving’, always talking about how she will ‘save’ me when there is nothing to save me from. This is my only path. This is the only way to bring about a future of peace, without gods to lay claim on mortals, to drag us into their wars. Why then can she not see it? Has Pandora merely remained stagnant for all these years? Or has it changed so much that it now acts as a pawn to the gods? What happened to the organization that would once vow to keep a balance between man and mystic when they remain so firmly on the side of God's? No, to them, keeping balance is to remain stagnant. Even if I were to go there down, lulled by N’s poisonous words, I would find no change, no justice for mortal kind and no true future free of the tyranny of deities. She lives in a world of fantasy. And no matter how beautiful a fantasy it is, an illusion is all it would be. To be blind to the truth, that would be my true sin. No, I cannot allow myself to be swayed, I cannot allow my heart to bend to another's will. Even if it results in my own demise, I must end this age of gods and allow humanity to weave our own fates, free of godly whims. If that means ending N’s life to do so, then she shall be a martyr for our cause, a stepping stone to that lofty goal. My desires shall not allow my path to alter. Not now. Even if I must sacrifice everything, I will raise this world to the ground, and, from the ashes, a new dawn shall rise.
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