Match of the Millennium

Description: Fresh from the hospital, Noel hears a cry out in Southtown and goes to investigate. What she finds is too much to handle, and so she doesn't do it alone! Remember to always always lift with two people and to also not handle strange weaponry, especially guns, either!

[NOEL]
Southtown Business District - Day
<<Duty and Honor are but words until practiced.>>

The clothes, folded and pressed, waited for Noel as she moved through checkout. The hospital linens had grown familiar, but the blue, white and red colors of her normal clothing were more familiar yet. As they once again adorned her body, the woman walking past weapon checkout caused a moment of confusion to them - yet it was clear. One of the few of the members with a Nox Nyxtores weapon, Noel Vermillion has much to prove.

With so little want, to. It had never been her decision to join NOL. It had never been her want to serve. The thought of harming another sickened her, worse yet the requirement of doing so. Yet all the same she had joined the Librarium. She had taken the tests and had quite an interesting few years in the school.

Now, she walks among the people of Southtown. A month ago she had been a ghost, traveling through the various alleyways and atop buildings to stay out of sight - to hide away from those who would recognize NOL within boundaries where she should not have been. That has changed so quickly. Now it is within her orders to stride along, to walk among the people who need them most and ensure they would continue their happy lives.

With a brief, bitter smile, Noel looked around. Maybe... after everything... it was worth it? That these people manage to live their lives, even if she would have to be the cause of death, a reaper, just like... no. He was a killer. Even if the Command Gear was dead, because of her, and even if it was frightened... it was the best thing that could be done, r-right?

Noel's answer is that of a pole that meets her head - suddenly causing the woman to realize where she was, and where she was walking. Into a pole. With a cry of frustration more than pain, Noel rubs her head through the beret and winces, walking with both eyes focused and not just on the image in her mind.

[KAGURA]
There is much need for active patrolling. After the chaos of the world, so much magical and spiritual disturbances within a compact area, intrusions by adjacent realms has reached an all-time high unseen in the modern world. Many lack the intelligence to be rational about such, to conceal or hope to exist longer than it takes to be removed, but that does not protect the average civilian from any threat. The dead may care little that the one who struck them down was quickly removed afterwards -- preventative measures are the Library's current creed, and that means a number of feet on the ground.

People glance towards Noel, and recognize her outfit. Some look curious, others give her a small smile, but the overall sentiment is positive. A few seem wary or cross the street to avoid yer, yet remain the exception. Noel may have joined NOL to save her noble family, but now that means much more than it did in the past...

The painful reverie is interrupted by a shriek, perhaps two or three blocks away. It almost immediately is cut off, and many heads turn stiffly in the general direction. What was that...? No additional sounds come forth. Perhaps someone was startled and caught themselves. Certainly others are nearby to confirm the situation. People uncomfortably resume their lives... yet that sound was of fear and surprise, most certainly. A female, Noel would guess. A mugging...? That is the domain of mundane people...

[NOEL]
It is... a change. A welcome one. Smiles are something Noel does not see as often as she had wanted. As 'noble' a sacrifice it was, it was still one that she made full knowing what she would get into. One because of just how much her family had given her. For them to suffer... she wouldn't have it. No matter what. Even now, on the streets, she was lying to them. It wasn't such a terrible lie right now. With a smile back to some of those willing to give her one, Noel even offered a wave. To those who ran from her, or strayed, she didn't worry either. Well, that is not really the case.

It is what she told herself, however. That was good enough. Wasn't it?

Yet it would all suddenly shatter for a moment from a shriek. Eyes dart around as Noel looked one way, then the other. There wasn't a way to tell what was going on. Neither was there a moment to spare, if it would be something important. A single shriek, however harmless it might seem... Noel had already been on the other end.

Not that she remembers at all.

Her feet move before she fully thinks it over, the red ribbons trailing after her as she lunges forwards, kicking off the ground as she bolts towards where she believes the scream came from. Hands ball up together as she runs across the streets on the edges, away from foot traffic. It may seem strange, but it would be important to get there as soon as possible.

Even if it was a mistake... she could selfishly have peace of mind.

[KAGURA]
As Noel runs along, she sees nothing out of the ordinary. No other civilians are taking any heed of the noise, and many look surprised to see her rushing along with such a purposeful look. Building fronts flash by in her ruthless pursuit, before she arrives in the general area of where the noise was made. The street is no more or less occupied than any other, cars thrumming along and people walking with attention on phones or the contemplated distance. This might have been sufficient to dissuade her worry, until something can be seen within the shadows of a nearby alley.

A purse. The wallet within is visible partially fallen out. What sort of mugger would leave this behind? That can only mean a far more serious scenario...

Tall, dirty concrete stretches high on either side of the alley, flanked by small recesses and smooth doors with dented cans. At the middle there's a turn to the left, out of sight by any adjoining street. There's rustling there, the sound of a struggle...

Although the source of such makes it immediately apparent that mundane authorities would have helped little. A woman not much older than Noel is held by the mouth by unusually long and skeletal fingers, hefted up as if weightless and pressed to the wall. Somewhat malformed and gaunt, a charcoal-skinned creature nearing eight feet tall looms before her. Most of it is from thin legs, with countless massive, spiked bones jutting out from the back, shoulders, and a head filled with countless pointed teeth. Vestigial wings are flapping noiselessly behind, long tail ended in a small scorpion-like stinger.

A demon. Noel would recognize such immediately from her primer on supernatural threats. "Sssquirm for me..." the beast growls out, it's free hand splaying fingers tipped with scythe-like talons. "Centuriesss of fire and torment... I'll give it back to thisss realm, with interessst...!!!"

[NOEL]
Each stride is with purpose, as Noel finds the location where she had heard such a cry from. It isn't a matter if she looks silly. It isn't a matter if she is a fool. Noel has suffered far worse previously. If she was going to help, she would do so - though she comes to a stop confused. "Ah... where..?" Eyes scan around as Noel glances up and to the side, then down to the lines of cars.

Then to the people that walk by. Finally, to an alleyway. There's ... a bag. "Huh...?" Noel asks no one in particular. She moves towards it, leaning down as she glances - and freezing. Her out stretched hand opens wide as the vision before her makes itself very clear of what is going on. The purse and its contents were almost irrelevant at the moment compared to what she saw before her. The woman was found. If only it was the only thing that Noel found. "N-no..." Noel gasps, a demon, nearly twice her size, looms before her. Bones. Claws, A tail, sharp enough to pass through any defenses one might have.

It's terrifying. Utterly horrifying to look at. Noel's feet begin to shiver, the woman finding herself barely able to stand. There's a click, audible, as Noel activates her comms. It might tip the demon off, too. She freezes, the line filled with silence for a moment. Soon after, "T...This is Second Lieutenant Noel Vermillion! On... On ... street! I need b-backup!" She barely gets out.

Yet there is one act that is done without such hesitation or fear, that is engrained into her psyche. "Summoning Bolverk!" Hands raise upwards, palms flattening outwards towards the demon as runic circles etch themselves within the air, green lights giving way to extensive white and grey barrels, extending out before her hands before they are grasped by the forming trigger and handle. They clash together after being spun once, at the butts. "U...Unhand her! As a knight of... the blue flame, I won't... a-allow it!"

Frightned as she is, Noel seems like she could barely stand before the demon without fainting. Yet with each moment Bolverk draws more from Noel, within her grasp.

[KAGURA]
The words of someone nearby catch the black-skinned demon's attention. It twists its head, looking upon her with dark red eyes that burn with infernal power. The woman in it's grasp struggles, eyes wide and pleading, feebly kicking and struggling with the forearm holding her against the wall. A few moments are spent assessing Noel, and it doesn't seem particularly impressed. "You're ruining my fun." it growls out, sounding direly offended.

The appearance of a Nox Nyctores is another matter, and the strange, otherworldy power within makes the demon's eyes widen, almost shifting backwards. Whatever the sense it got from the wielder, full respect is required for armnaments of that caliber. But it then laughs again, wings flapping wildly, kicking up dust and wind. The long tail flicks around, to tease the curved tip near the captive woman's cheek, arm stretched out to hold her in place up high on the wall. Emboldened by her open fear.

"Make me, mortal... Perhapsss I'll replace her with you. You ssseem like you'd writhe much more deliciousss..." It's difficult to assess the strength of this opponent. As a being from the fires of hell, how much it can use versus how much is innate within it's searing soul makes such guesses incredibly difficult.

[NOEL]
Ruining the demon's fun - a certainty. Yet Noel is not a hardened soldier. The sight of the woman struggling, eyes wide and pleading, unnerves her more. Kicking and struggling as best she can, overpowered. How easily could it not be her in such a position? How easily could she, too, be outmatched? It all causes her to freeze. Bolverk, held in her hands, is raised shakily towards the towering demon.

Yet it laughs. It laughs even while it stares down a weapon the calibur of Bolverk. Why? The wielder, of course. Noel knows. The doubt digs into her, fangs opening wide to clamp down on her fears. Hatred of her weakness filling cracks, sundering what should be impenetrable as one of the Blue Flame. Finally, the long tail flickers around - teasing the curved tip near the woman's cheek. "N-No..!"

Noel was terrible at guesstimation. "I'll.... I'll make .. make y-you... !!!" A step.. backwards?

The change wasn't clear at first. The powers of the Nox Nyxtores were not all positives. Fangs of doubt, tooth by tooth, were torn away. Pangs, daggers of hatred, ripped out and flung away. Each and every feeling, every emotion, removed one by one. Until she was but... a doll.

Green eyes flicker to Azure as the right Bolverk flicks up just as fast, the barrel glowing brightly, discharging. Not shot seems to have been made - but Bolverk doesn't need a direct shot. Glyphs around the hand, about the wrist, swell before detonating at a barely safe distance from the woman.

"Release her."

[KAGURA]
The transformation is quite brisk. One moment there's a terrified young girl before a monster. A true one, from the very bowels of hell; many in the Library might talk big about fighting creatures of the night, yet one of this pedigree is another matter. The sort whispered of in the darkness, never seen by eyes not being feasted on, beyond the simple, instinctual sort of beast that wanders mindless until hunted. There's keen and purposeful intelligence here, along with a crazed sadism, this demon finally capable of breaching into this realm due to the chaos of reckless humans. And the woman in her hands suffers the weight of that sin.

But the weapon fires, and the demon has no choice. It lets go, reeling back it's hand as the blast shears through where it's wrist had been a moment later. Shifting to the defensive, the held girl thumps heavily before scrambling on all fours, heading in Noel's direction. A glower follows, as the demon's tail whirls, preparing to flash out towards her once more. Yet it catches itself, realizing that creating an opening might result in a head no longer attached.

"Fool...!! Merely because I chose thisss time to arrive doesss not mean I am weak!! I am a noble, born in the firesss of HELL!!" It kicks up, wings spreading. Despite being far from the correct proportions to allow flight, the beast still hangs in the air, heavy flapping more symbolic to the powers that hold it airborne. Arms extend, before it draws in power and exhales a cloud of fire. Bursting from it are six small imps, giggling and cackling creatures with bat-like wings, taking themselves into the air to flit about with tiny tridents. It's not alone; it seems this creature has reinforcements!

"Your sssoul is forfeit... and I shall take that weapon for myssself!!"

[CLIO]
The recent times have not been kind to Clio St. Jeanne. She has seen and discovered depths of truth far, far darker than she could have imagined. She has seen just how far the Knights of the Azure Flame are willing to go to settle scores and to play their political games. It disgusted her to the core. It drove her to the brink of desertion. That a group of thugs with a flowery credo and hypocritical proclamations were no heroes or knights at all. But the truth she knew, the knights of old were never chivalrous or noble themselves. Why should she have expected the sensibilities to have changed? Why should she have expected them to change without some force to be there to guide it.

No. She believed in the Library. She believed that the Knights of Azure Flame could be what they claim to be. The light shining in the darkness. The blaze for the hopeless and the lost and the weak to follow into a light and to keep the monsters at bay for another night.

And if they weren't, she would be there to drag them kicking and screaming to a brighter day.

Since he resolve was forged anew in the clearing where she once watched the stars. Where she still felt the pangs of forced betrayal and the she saw the darkness cast by the light of the flame. She has been on patrol. And in that time she has been galvanized in her choice to remain with the Azure Flame.

Not for Kagura's politics, or Hazama's talk of growth and need, but for the people and the flashes of violence and chaos that threaten to drag the war torn recovery back into death and despair. Once again Clio feels at home walking the streets, chain in hand, ready to be the line between a monster and the innocent. Only this time she does it with a uniform, allowance, and friends just a call away.

A call that she receives with a bit of surprise. "Noel?" she asks over the comms device "You're out of the hospital? Great! Wait, what?" She looks down the busy street and frowns. "This is Lieutenant St. Jeanne, I'll be there shortly." Her tone drops, professional, clipped, and with just a small amount of anticipatory joy.

Clio's chain, wrapped around her arm, acting as a sleeve opposite her half shoulder NOL cloak, already begins to show edges. Thin lines of arcane energies building up along the hermetic sigils etched into the metal. Containing and harnessing the powers that flow out from Clio while she walks a brisk pace. Waiting, waiting, waiting.

A bang. Clio grins. "That's better. Keep on shooting Noel. I'll be there soon."

COMBATSYS: Noble Demon has started a fight here.

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  <
Noble Demon      0/-------/------=|

COMBATSYS: Imp Swarm has joined the fight here.

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////////////]
Noble Demon      0/-------/------=|=------\-------\0        Imp Swarm

COMBATSYS: Imp Swarm has joined the fight here on the left meter side.

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////////////]
Imp Swarm        0/-------/------=|=------\-------\0      Noble Demon

COMBATSYS: Noble Demon has joined the fight here on the left meter side.

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  <
Imp Swarm        0/-------/------=|
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  <
Noble Demon      0/-------/------=|

[NOEL]
The demon is forced to let go. Where Noel would be happier, the Noel now stands between the woman scrambling away and the demon, Bolverk still held aloft - the pair of oversized pistols framing her face, blonde hair forced under a beret with those eyes unwaveringly focused upon the demon. It is absolutely frightening. No, it was. No fear remains - no emotions at all reach Noel now. So strong the grip of Bolverk has, her conciousness begins to slip away.

It wasn't necessary anyhow. Not for such a meeting.

"It doesn't." Noel agrees, "Underestimating you would be a mistake." Pause, "I will not." When the breath of fire erupts from the mouth of the demon, now rising off the ground, Noel kicks backwards, away from those flames, to skid to a stop near the entrance to the alley.

More of them. Noel's chances dip further downwards, but there are no feelings for self-preservation except retalation. "Negative." Comes an almost machine like response. Bolverk's response is far more direct. Once the burst of flame is gone, Noel does not stick far from the demon. In an almost careless act, Noel dashes towards the demon and the imps, Bolverk held at her sides.

As the distance closes, trash kicked up from the Knight closing the distance, Noel twirls forwards, the left arm leading as the barrel discharges once more, "Type XI!" The words, perhaps meaningless, follow the releasing of chi energy - the sound of a gunshot. Gunshots that answer Clio's requests as she closes the distance to her and the myriad of foes before her. The glyphs once more surround and detonate about the demon - even as Noel closes the distance still, dashing towards the monster from her nightmares.

The sight that Noel barely makes out as conciousness slips from her, leaving something else.

COMBATSYS: Noel has joined the fight here on the right meter side.

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////////////]
Imp Swarm        0/-------/------=|-------\-------\0             Noel
[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  <
Noble Demon      0/-------/------=|

COMBATSYS: Noble Demon blocks Noel's Type XI - Optic Barrel.

[\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////////////]
Imp Swarm        0/-------/------=|-------\-------\0             Noel
[  \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  <
Noble Demon      0/-------/-----==|

[KAGURA]
"You're much less fun now..." the noble demon growls from the sky, as the fleeing captive shouts out a 'thank you' as she rounds the corner back to the street. It continues to flap in the air, more curious than anything else as the half-dozen smaller imps scatter about, each perhaps a meter and change high. A couple of them begin to fight, clashing tridents against each other with some strange gibbering. A sharp snap of the fingers from the charcoal figure makes them pay attention once more, extensively long limbs dangling before itself.

In this opening, Noel chooses to attack. Mild surprise, before both wings sweep before the skeletal, gaunt frame of the incredibly tall monster. The chi blasts impact the front, great explosions ringing into the air that leave a couple small holes within the taut skin between. A roar rings into the air, surprisingly loud, as the demon unfurls. It descends towards Noel, intent on hefting up both of it's legs and slam upon her, trying to drive the woman into the ground.

The imps sail in an arc after, chittering like angry little birds. Tridents are poised out to rain down, trying to stab them into Noel regardless of where she might end up in the attempted assault!

COMBATSYS: Clio has joined the fight here on the right meter side.

[  \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////////////]
Imp Swarm        0/-------/------=|-------\-------\0             Clio
[  \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////////////////////]
Noble Demon      0/-------/-----==|-------\-------\0             Noel

[CLIO]
More shots. Thank you, Noel, for opening up. Clio stops and staggers her quick movements to count and listen for the gunfire. "This is Lieutenant St. Jeanne," she sends out over her comms device, "Moving to support Lieutenant Vermillion. Requesting a unit to handle civilian safety. Currently in the Downtown, Business District. Follow my coordinates. Repeat, this is an occupied area and we need civilian control."

Business taken care of, it was almost time for the pleasure portion of the job. She lobs the spike plumb of her chain to her open hand, the chain slithers and tightens about her closed fist. She runs now, full tilt, boots tapping lightly on the pavement with the pace of her run.

She nearly skids past the alley way, turning her momentum with a leap and scuffing the wall, kicking off it to turn her down the alley properly. It's there she finally slows and takes a quick stock of the situation. "Oh ho ho," Clio laughs happily when sees just what it is that Noel is facing down. A full on skeletal looking demonic darkstalker type, and a cadre of impish things? This was all too perfect.

"Noel, your backup's here. And I cannot tell you how much I've been looking forward to this," Clio calls out to her fellow Knight. She whirls the spiked end of the chain and with a flitting snap, the spike hurtles outward toward one of the imp collective, looking to start putting the hurt to the closer targets.

COMBATSYS: Noel blocks Imp Swarm's Monstrous Strike.

[  \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////////////  ]
Imp Swarm        0/-------/-----==|-------\-------\0             Clio
[  \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////////////  ]
Noble Demon      0/-------/-----==|==-----\-------\0             Noel

COMBATSYS: Noel interrupts Medium Kick from Noble Demon with Type VI - Spring Raid.

[  \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////////////  ]
Imp Swarm        0/-------/-----==|-------\-------\0             Clio
[        \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////////      ]
Noble Demon      0/-------/--=====|====---\-------\0             Noel

[NOEL]
A nice shock will help with her 'fun factor'. Yet Bolverk goes to work quickly. Each and every emotion is suppressed, bit by bit, to allow for her to remain in control. A threat. A knight deserving of the title placed upon them. The sight, the imps fighting each other - the lanky demon in the middle floating before her - all of it would be frightening to Noel. Yet it is her, in this case, that lashes out first. The gunshots ring through the air as she closes the distance.

Wings sweep forwards to weather the chi gunshots, yet Noel didn't fully mind the outcome. The plan was to delay the assault. Even as the imps sail in, tridents raining, stabbing into Noel - her focus is clear. Runic cricles swell to the sides of her as Noel's hands, laden with a Bolverk each, surround her as she closes the distance still. The tridents dig through, ripping, tearing into clothing and flesh alike where they manage to pierce the barriers. It's a sharp pain.

Nghh... what an odd dream.

Yet the demon descends, both of the legs hefted up down towards her. At the last moment, Noel ducks low, legs springing off the ground as she flips up towards the demon, lanky and oversized compared to her he is. A single heel rises towards it, trailing one of Bolverk, chi and leg moving in synch as it leaks from the gun - the impact from both legs slowing her momentum only after she has made contact in response - Noel impacting the ground and rolling backwards.

Rising, once more, nearby Clio.

Green eyes once more, eyes wide. The impact must have managed it. Enough to shake her from Bolverk's control. "C-Clio?! W-when did y-!!" There's a slight gasp as the imp swarm is also now taken into account. When did those ... little mosnters get here!? The look of horror is back in her face, the woman staggering - even after a solid assault. "Looking forwards... to it?" Everything doesn't make sense!

COMBATSYS: Clio successfully hits Imp Swarm with Spike Throw.

[    \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////////////  ]
Imp Swarm        0/-------/---====|=------\-------\0             Clio
[        \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////////      ]
Noble Demon      0/-------/--=====|====---\-------\0             Noel

[KAGURA]
This is not a Darkstalker for once; a pure demon, something rather more rare, especially in this world. Even the meager imps are born from the fires of hell, impotent though they may presently be. Nothing earthly can be felt from the burning souls of these two, auras like raging magma, dark and defiling to even be within this realm. Clio's weapon impacts one of the imps in the back with a yelp, knocking it clean out of the sky. It careens down and thumps on the floor, batwings fluttering as it tries to get airborne once more. In unison, the other five twist and glare at Clio, before beginning to giggle madly as they fly away from Noel. Each inhales deeply, five small fist-sized fireballs careening down, exploding all around her with surprising vigor!

The foot thumps into the noble demon, swarthe of blasting energy sending it flying, crashing upon an adjacent fire escape and thumping heavily to the ground. With a snarl it whirls back upright, before suddenly bursting into flight, and then hurtling like a missile in Noel's direction through the hail of hellish firebombs, aiming to grasp her by face and throat and drive her bodily into the wall behind, hard enough to heavily dent the brick and concrete. "I'll ssssnap your neck, mortal!!"

COMBATSYS: Imp Swarm successfully hits Clio with Energy Blast.
- Power hit! -

[     \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////////      ]
Imp Swarm        0/-------/--=====|====---\-------\0             Clio
[        \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////////      ]
Noble Demon      0/-------/---====|====---\-------\0             Noel

COMBATSYS: Noel blocks Noble Demon's Aggravated Assault.

[     \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////////      ]
Imp Swarm        0/-------/--=====|====---\-------\0             Clio
[        \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////////////         ]
Noble Demon      0/-------/--=====|======-\-------\0             Noel

[CLIO]
Target struck, Clio yanks her chain back, catching the flying spike as Noel makes for an ass-over-teakettle landing near her. "Just now, and a good fight," she answers swiftly. "Pin the big guy down, I'll clean up his cherubs," she calls out pointing her spike toward the imps as she makes a quick skip step toward the fray.

Clio's itching, wanting for a fight like this. Something she can tear at and go to town without the same degree of moral concern, information gathering, and cloak-and-dagger that Japan has offered her. These things weren't a deceptively friendly engine of destruction, a decent darkstalker in a warzone, or, well, Jubei was his own whole thing. These were just things to tackle head on.

Only, maybe not so head on. The fireballs explode all around her. Too much for her to defend against all of them at once. The popping and firing jostle the woman and send her back and forth. Scorched, but relentless, Clio St. Jeanne stands in the flames, her chain burning up with her own arcane fire. The intricate etchings that contain her magic in the chain a scorching blaze. "That's it, all of you are dying now."

The Lieutenant launches herself toward the Imps. Rotating in the air, she swings down a heavy kick at one of them, her boot wreathed in a dark violet flame. Enough force landing down to billow outwards around her. The woman standing among the imps, she loops her chain around her arm like armor. The fire sparking up as Clio watches through the violet flames with a welcome and hungry righteous fury.

COMBATSYS: Clio blitzes into action and acts again!

[     \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////////////       ]
Imp Swarm        0/-------/--=====|====---\-------\0             Clio
[        \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////////////         ]
Noble Demon      0/-------/--=====|======-\-------\0             Noel

COMBATSYS: Clio gathers her will.

[     \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////////      ]
Imp Swarm        0/-------/--=====|=======\-------\1             Clio
[        \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////////////         ]
Noble Demon      0/-------/--=====|======-\-------\0             Noel

[KAGURA]
Noble Demon falls asleep.

Imp Swarm falls asleep.

[NOEL]
Landing besides Clio, legs standing despite how more unsteady they feel, Noel is already wounded - damaged from the various assaults thrown her way. Though she has managed to keep the worst of it from returning her to an already damaged and wounded state, not unlike how she recently was, is a testament to her skill as a second Lieutenant. Not that it, by itself, means she is capable. "O-Okay Clio! Thanks for the backup!" She hastily responds, only glancing over briefly. "Pin him down... g-got it!" She's being ordered around so easily.

Clio is under assault, Noel calls out - "Clio! Wa-" There's not enough time, Noel managing to get out of the blast area though Clio is caught within it. All of them were dying? That's a good thing. Clio seems to have much anger to vent... but against demons, Noel doesn't speak up. Especially since there are other issues.

Clio seems to be fine. Noel... a bit less so. Especially as the noble demon, as large as he is, hurtles towards her like a missile. The woman only barely has a chance to identify what is happening before it's upon her - Noel letting out a gasp. Fear fills her eyes, freezing her entirely. It looks like the Noble demon would get what he wanted. Bolverk cuts hesitation once more. The Nox Nyxtores washing away fear, anger, and worry. Leaving her in a moment only to react. The sudden spike of energy floods between her and the demon, a glyph, like a miniature helmet - appearing before her face. That wraps about her head, forcibly, by the demon's assault. Noel is still driven backwards. Still driven towards the wall - and against the concrete and brick Noel does slam.

A heavy cough, a groan, a trickle of blood are the first three obvious responses that Noel still exists. The beret sits backwards, oddly, a glyph behind her fading, digging into the brick wall. The damage is clear - trickles of blood down her back from where the head still impacted. Glowing energy about her neck and head, however, preventing her from being choked - entirely. It's still clamping down, slowly. If she was to do nothing... she would be nothing. "N-No... If .. if it happens.. C-Clio might also...!" Emotions surge, but are quickly washed away. With fear momentarily disabled, her care for others is utilized right before also being numbed, giving her a reason. With arms around her head and neck, both of her own grasp Bolverk but the butts and lash the weaponry forwards, swinging the heavy barrels towards the Demon's face, attempting to utilize the weaponry's bulkier shape to better put pressure upon the demon! It would put just enough pressure, she hopes, for him to decide to disengage for the moment..

And allow her to actually breath. Her breath can only hold for so long.!"

[KAGURA]
Noble Demon wakes up.

Imp Swarm wakes up.

COMBATSYS: Imp Swarm dodges Clio's Power Strike.

[     \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////////      ]
Imp Swarm        0/-------/--=====|=======\-------\1             Clio
[        \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////////////         ]
Noble Demon      0/-------/--=====|=====--\-------\0             Noel

COMBATSYS: Noble Demon interrupts Fierce Punch from Noel with Energy Strike.

[     \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////////      ]
Imp Swarm        0/-------/--=====|=======\-------\1             Clio
[            \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////               ]
Noble Demon      1/------=/=======|=======\==-----\1             Noel

Oh, there's nothing complex about this situation. Seven beings are in this realm that need destroyed. This is not a situation where prisoners are needed. Only complete and utter defeat. Cathartic in a way to a woman who approaches these kinds of monsters far differently than Noel herself. Although the lunging kick is underestimating the battle prowess of these things. They may have little strength to attack, but are damnably quick. It flutters wildly, diving down and beneath the foot with a cackle. The six of them, one badly wounded, again group up before hurtling down towards Clio like a rocket, all jutting the tridents out in an attempt to slam into her chest within the same rough area... but also bunching them up rather nicely...!

The demon looms over Noel, nearly twice her height. Shadow cast from those spread wings, face cast in sharp, cruel relief amongst those self-cast shadows beyond two crimson red eyes. "That weapon is wasssted on one so weak." he growls out, before she lashes out with her weapons. The demon's response is instant.

He strikes, sinking his taloned hands into her stomach, and slamming her back into the wall again before a great explosion of hellfire shakes the very ground and warbles over the more distant clio. This time the foundation fails, blowing Noel into a very chaotic kitchen, many workers already surprised by the noise beyond fleeing. A dirty tile floor is flanked by many large metal counters, cooking implements, and the preparations for an evening dinner.

Clawed feet clack as it strides in, cracking it's neck where a heavy dent is apparent where Noel's barrel still made contact. "Give me your weaponsss... and I'll leave your sssoul intact." it demands. Only the words are not mundane, seeming to echo with a powerful boom. A strong, ruthless charisma, a spell of command from a noble lineage of demons. Assault her mind, attempting to force obedience, one that preys upon weakness and makes them manifest. A soul like hers should have little ability to resist, from what he's seen...!

A long, slender arm, reaching out expectantly...

COMBATSYS: Clio blocks Imp Swarm's Strong Punch.

[     \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////////////         ]
Imp Swarm        0/-------/--=====|=======\===----\1             Clio
[            \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////               ]
Noble Demon      1/------=/=======|=======\==-----\1             Noel

[CLIO]
Fast. And damn little things are very fast indeed. The kick scatters them momentarily, but Clio is ready when the little bastards swarm around to fly right at her. Base planted, she moves with quick darting weaves and shoulders. Much of the assault clanging off of her chain-wrapped arm being used like a makeshift manica. The dings of pain in her arm and chest from the multiple blows raining down bringing short, staccato curses from Clio.

The Lieutenant makes for a quick back step escape, and holds the spike end of her chain to the ground. She grins like a predator as she scrapes the tip of the spike on the pavement.

A wave of arcane fire gouts up and rolls at the imp collective, and through the chi-flames comes Clio a whirling dervish. A long scything swing of the spike lashes like a scorpion's tail toward one of the demons. From the other side, a heavy handed fist wrapped in chain and sheathed in dark flame comes down at another. And seemingly impossibly, Clio herself drops from above, a high rotational heel dropping down on a third imp. The whole group assaulted from seemingly three different directions at once.

Stay up, Noel, Clio thinks to herself as she enacts a one-woman riot over the imps. She can't have her friend give up, not tonight. Tonight would be a win. The single most innocent thing in the NOL as far as Clio was concerned, and here she was trying to take down a cadre of demons that slipped from whatever hells they came. No, this was going to be a good fight. And after, maybe some ice cream. Once the little bat bastards were done, Clio promises Noel in silence that that is what will happen tonight.

[NOEL]
Struggling as she does to fight back, Noel's swings towards the demon is met with instant, violent, response. With such a range advantage, Noel should have been able to fight back. Should have been able to keep the distance. Clearly now it is an irrelevant benefit. The taloned hand slam into her stomach, Noel unable to make a single act of response or defense, the smallish waif of a woman almost bouncing against the wall as the hellfire clad hand erupts outwards, fire pluming out - before Noel goes through the wall, sailing amongst the rubble and remains as she bounces, clattering against the ground as the workers inside flee.

Heavy coughs, pained gasps, join her fingers as she claws against the tiled floor, pulling herself away from the demon as she bleeds from her midsection, clawed feet on the ground making the presence known as he grows closer. It's not enough. It's not ...! Why...! She just wanted... to hel...p!!

Green eyes once more fade, yet not to blue, as the woman's body, twitching from pain, struggling from deceptive thoughts, is cleared of both. A calm covers her like the warmth of a blanket in the cold. Even death would be acceptable, wouldn't it? Yet that ... isn't what she had to do, was it? On her back, Noel's eyes stare upwards, hands raised upwards, behind her, laying under the rubble and debris as she stared, inexpressively, towards the demon. His request. To give the weapons. To leave the soul intact. All of those were commands.

Yet no response is provided as she lays before him, the powerful echo with the resounding boom, assaulting her mind. Maybe... she should. The will is weak, after all, as the body. How harmless she is... if she was what she knew. That is not the case. Green eyes fade entirely. Azure eyes flare with intent and purpose, hands whipping upwards as she sits up. It's clear she hurts herself in the process. Irrelevant. "No." A plain statement, devoid of emotion. Bolverk is swung forwards towards the demon with a speed that is impossible based on her previous actions, combining together to form a rocket launcher - the grin at the front of it, painted, making it very clear. "I will not. I won't! Zero Gun. Thor!"

It's okay if she is hurt. It's okay if she's in pain. Yet a driving force pushes her with a singular goal. Fight. Resist. Exist. As if they were hard-coded into her thoughts.

The rocket wastes no time as it's fired, Noel skidding backwards on the ground - but then kicking off the rubble to chase after it shortly after. The explosion would shake the building, likely, but it would also make space - and allow Noel to capitilize on it.

COMBATSYS: Imp Swarm blocks Clio's Cerberus Rush.

[        \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////          ]
Imp Swarm        0/-------/=======|===----\-------\0             Clio
[            \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////                ]
Noble Demon      1/------=/=======|===----\-------\0             Noel

COMBATSYS: Noble Demon blocks Noel's Zero Gun - Thor.

[        \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ////////////////////          ]
Imp Swarm        0/-------/=======|===----\-------\0             Clio
[               \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////                ]
Noble Demon      1/-----==/=======|===----\-------\0             Noel

[KAGURA]
Clio might have been underestimating her opponents, aggravating though it be. Individually they are nothing, but together are a match for the chain-wielding girl in pure aura, physical ability, and assaults. They have every bit the passion and drive to remain in this realm, where they can continue to destroy, rampage, and assault to their heart's content. The fire is mostly ignored. They seem mildly surprised at it, but as beings from Hell, it is a poor choice of element. They literally arose from scorching chasms of pure energy, although it works well to disorient them. The vicious swing hits another, who brings up it's scythe and is launched like a football, bouncing off a wall and fluttering madly. The heel drop is another matter. Tiny beady eyes stare up in horror before it's slammed down, and Clio's foot reaches the alley. The creature leaves a black ash imprint, smoke smelling like brimstone. Three more remain unhurt, two now injured, as they cackle and descend upon her. Biting, punching, kicking, whirling in a circle like a stream of bats. Probably not a lot written in traditional combat lessons on how to respond to that...

The Noble Demon is rather surprised, however. His demand is not weak, a compulsion, an order. It's not the mind of the woman who resists... not entirely. Is it the weapon? No... something else. There seems to be a greater power in the girl than he thought, and only now can he make some sense of it. A mild foreboding... yet it's too dormant. Too deeply buried. It should be no threat in this encounter.

A rocket is not a projectile it expected to see hurtling towards it. Again wings fly forward, shielding it as a shimmer of hellfire bolsters it further. The explosion rocks the alley, sending debris and fire near Clio and her gaggle of imps, who seem to give it no heed. A large charcoal shape skids out, ending up sizzling a couple meters from Clio. Before wings violently part in a displacement of air. It's hurt, but the lesser scratches are beginning to knit back together. "Useless resistance...!!"

The demon lifts up a hand, and there's suddenly a flash of hellfire. A much larger fireball than the ones that the imps wielded hurtles towards the approaching Noel, intent on slamming into her and exploding in another great, wall-shaking flash of energy!!

NOL finally responds, that they have secured the two surrounding alleys and are beginning to clear the buildings adjacent to the pair. They ask if they need physical reinforcements, as well. This is likely a bad idea. If the noble can command lesser wills with a word, that would only make the situation far worse...

COMBATSYS: Imp Swarm successfully hits Clio with Fierce Punch.

[       \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////               ]
Imp Swarm        0/-------/=======|======-\-------\0             Clio
[                \\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////                ]
Noble Demon      1/----===/=======|===----\-------\0             Noel

[CLIO]
Tough, fast, a far greater threat than initially thought. The biting, the striking, it just boils over in Clio as she's trying to keep her head in the game. Trying to keep some tacit awareness that something or other is.

Damn it. Clio closes her eyes as her half cloak is torn from her shoulder. She spins and whirls about on foot and looks toward the demon down the alley. Pack tactics. Damn it, she should've been focusing down, not trying to go all out like this.

Clio's speed picks up again. She dashes from the impish collective. She darts for the wall, skips up into the air and kicks off of the side of a building. She brings her chain spike down at the giant demon's back. There was no reason to split like this. Focus down and drag them one by one, that would take the day. She was an idiot for thinking that it shouldn't have been this way from the beginning.

"You're not in this alone, Noel!" she shouts out as she cannons down toward the dark Noble.

COMBATSYS: Noble Demon successfully hits Noel with Energy Blast.

[       \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////                ]
Imp Swarm        0/-------/=======|======-\-------\0             Clio
[                \\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////                    ]
Noble Demon      1/---====/=======|======-\-------\0             Noel

[NOEL]
There is nothing to be demanded. The command is given, but he is not one of the few that can give her orders. The Azure eyes stare inexpressively towards the Demon. The shimmer of hellfire bolsters the Demon from the assault, but Noel is dashing after it - following it as she closes the distance. Useless resistance, they decree.

Noel doesn't seem to respond. Not with words, at least. Footfalls bring Noel closer and closer to the demon before a flash of hellfire is made real above his head. It's hurtled towards Noel - and she kicks off a piece of debris to flip over and above. The explosion is clear, Noel tossed against the wall from the detonation, body once again ragdolling as if it wasn't a human that was taking such impacts.

Blood pools against her beret from the impacts head and body have suffered. hair, a mess, trails about her.

'This is ... okay...'

Clio tells Noel she is not alone in this. A muffled word is missed, but Clio would see first-hand Noel's 'combat style'. No sooner than Noel is bounced against the wall, burned all over, landing on her feet - that Noel is simply gone, appearing to the other side of the Noble Demon. "Type V." More space for the Demon was made by his actions, but Noel is relentless - throwing herself towards the Demon as if she was not the prey of this whole purpose. A shoulder check towards his side that explodes with a swath of chi, the woman twisting a foot towards the Demon after impact to hammer home with her heel.

COMBATSYS: Clio successfully hits Noble Demon with Fierce Strike.

[       \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////               ]
Imp Swarm        0/-------/=======|=======\-------\0             Clio
[                     \\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////                    ]
Noble Demon      1/<<<<<<</<<<<<<<|=====--\-------\0             Noel

COMBATSYS: Noel successfully hits Noble Demon with Type V - Assault Through.

[       \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////               ]
Imp Swarm        0/-------/=======|=======\-------\0             Clio
[                        \\\\\\  < >  //////////                    ]
Noble Demon      2/<<<<<<</<<<<<<<|=======\-------\0             Noel

[KAGURA]
Well, tactics certainly changed out of nowhere. Clio realizes that the imp swarm is not quite as harmless as it seemed. The one she crushed, the essence can be felt shifting; the remaining five absorb it, growing slightly faster, slightly stronger. They, too, seem to be healing their wounds. These infernal creatures are not so easy to put down. "Defend me!" the demon roars out to the imp swarm, who suddenly veer away from Clio. The brutal impact of the chain shatters one of the massive bone spikes upon the noble's back, sending it to it's knees. It's in no position to defend from Noel, bringing up his arms before where she was. Instead she appears behind, slamming it into a stagger forward before the explosion sends it skidding on it's side. Shakily, it pushes back to it's feet.

The five remaining imps begin to whirl around it in slow arcs, cackling madly. They start to channel dark power within the demon, as it flares it's wings out wide. "STOP." it roars out. Clio and Noel would both be struck by an incredibly powerful compulsion to cease doing anything. It is no rational response, but the same binding command that tried to wrest the Nox Nyctores from Noel's grasp. She resisted, but Clio has no superhuman ability to stop such demands... only will.

"And die!!" It then explodes forward, rocketing towards Noel as the imps spiral around it. Talons grow massive and long, igniting into hellfire. It begins bearing down countless ruthless slashes, raking at her again and again, before a final cross-slash aims to rip into her torso. But the noble has no intent to send her flying, tail flinging out to try and catch her in the aftermath, breath coming fast.

"GIVE ME. ...YOUR WEAPONSSS!"

COMBATSYS: Imp Swarm assists Noble Demon.

[       \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////               ]
Imp Swarm        0/-------/=======|=======\-------\0             Clio
[                        \\\\\\  < >  //////////                    ]
Noble Demon      2/<<<<<<</<<<<<<<|=======\-------\0             Noel

COMBATSYS: Noble Demon can no longer fight.

[       \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////               ]
Imp Swarm        0/-------/=======|=======\-------\0             Clio
                                  >  //////////                    ]
                                  |=======\-------\0             Noel

COMBATSYS: Noel just-defends Noble Demon's Monstrous Onslaught!

[       \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////               ]
Imp Swarm        0/-------/=======|=======\-------\0             Clio
[                       \\\\\\\  < >  ////////////                  ]
Noble Demon      0/-------/=======|=======\-------\0             Noel

[CLIO]
Tactics shift and the layout of a fight changes constantly. One thing to remember comparing the competitive fighting circuit and the world that Clio comes from; situations change. Clio's new target is the demon. The big guy, drop one and use your greater power to focus down on the little swarm of bat bastards left behind. Let them fear the pack.

"He's open!" Clio shouts to Noel as she finally hits the ground after gouging a furrow in the Demon. She rolls and skips back up to her feet. And is confronted directly by the heady mental order from the demon.

She stares at the demon. Just stop. Simply stop. Obey and fall to her knees. The fire dies down around Clio's chain. But inside of her, the power continues. She is just human after all, right? Just another magic weapon wielding soldier in the NOL cogs. It makes it easy to follow orders. Or, it should, if it weren't entirely against Clio's being.

Clio St. Jeanne's eyes flicker with the interior fire. She exhales. The arcane marks around her chain fade out to a nothing. It wants her chain? Okay. Then it can have her chain. She whirls the chain about. The spike and the weight drawing the metal tight. "Catch!" she calls out, sending the length of the thing whirling like a bolas toward the Demon. While the chain flies, Clio's free fingers start to draw a small circle in the air. The chain was never the magic. All it was is something to channel Clio's power through. And now, it'll serve as a fine distraction.

[NOEL]
The shaken woman from before vanishes. Covered in blood, her own, and burnt by hellfire, broken against walls, shattered across the streets - Noel should be barely hanging on, body barely able to stand. Yet all the damage seems to be ignored by the woman. Blood from the stomach wound continues to trickle. The woman hasn't even thought to bandage it. Not a single act for her own safety - except the strikes against the Demon.

Clio comes to her aid. Yet ... would it be enough? The frail woman that Noel seems to be - always needing to be protected, does not seem to equal the one that Clio may see now before her. The woman visibly focused only on what is before her. The battle that hasn't yet ended.

The Demon rises. Wings flare out - and the compulsion that is laid out towards Noel and Clio is clear. Noel herself freezes in place, Azure eyes staring at the demon as it makes it clear the purpose of his demand. To die. To hand over such weaponry. The weapons that found her. The weapons that saved her life. It is not the Nox Nyxtores that cause the next movements. Not Noel's own drives, wants, or needs. Something more. Something... there.

Blue eyes glow for a moment as the future moves to fall in line with the past, to connect what needs to be with what is occurring. The Demon explodes forwards, rocketing towards Noel as the imps spiral along it. Massive talons, sharp and fearsome, bear down towards Noel - countless slashes aimed to shear her apart. She could not move. Not fight back. Not even scream. They impact - grasping, ripping apart the torso, shredding the remains of a foolish woman, doomed to hang from the tail spike as the rest of her life drips f-

That is not what truly is. Perhaps it was destined. It is changed.

The talons swing forwards, Noel's arms moving in tandem. Each talon would impact the Nox Nyxtores, Bolverk sprouting glyphs on the edge as they clash - Noel managing to keep each and every slash from reaching her - the glyphs firing brightly for a moment as she twirls, red ribbons following her almost dance like motion.

The Demon's arms pull backwards - attempting a final cross-slash. Noel slams forwards in the moment that is open, as if she had read the Noble Demon's mind. "Type II." The barrels of Bolverk are thrust towards his chest and face, the impact causing Noel's arms to shudder. Not a moment later, the barrels are depressed. Eruptions of chi energy spout outwards, swelling out from each barrel as they threaten to consume the Noble Demon, a bloom of chi to once more banish him to the worlds he crawled from. Wordless, she doesn't even seem to notice Clio's presence.

A stark difference from her normal ways.

COMBATSYS: Noble Demon dodges Noel's Type II - Bloom Trigger.

[       \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////                 ]
Imp Swarm        0/-------/=======|=======\-------\0             Clio
[                       \\\\\\\  < >  ///////////                   ]
Noble Demon      0/-------/<<<<<<<|=======\-------\0             Noel

COMBATSYS: Clio successfully hits Imp Swarm with Bolas Toss.

[          \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////                ]
Imp Swarm        1/------=/=======|=======\-------\1             Clio
[                       \\\\\\\  < >  ///////////                   ]
Noble Demon      0/-------/<<<<<<<|=======\-------\0             Noel

[KAGURA]
Clio is delayed slightly by the command, sufficient for the Noble to realize she's going to break free. "Shield." the demon intones, and one of the imps flicks up to get in the way. It's struck dead on, tied up tightly and falling to the ground to struggle feebly amidst her bindings. That takes little time, giving the charcoal creature full attention towards Noel's continued resistance. "The gun... I want the gun...! TAKE IT FROM HER!" He gestures, and the imps suddenly bloom, speading in all directions. Those four that are still able to attack, two each head towards her hands, stabbing at her forearms, slashing with hindfeet, biting, trying to get her to let go of those Nox Nyctores that remain her mental and power lifeline!!

There's a pained look of aggravation from the Noble demon as it glares towards Noel, but suddenly it slams down both feet, assuming a strong stance and flashing bright red. Her explosion flies into empty space, blowing through nothing. A slow, shifting intangible form flows into her with knee raised, then through her, trailed by after images. One who had ever seen the God Fist, Akuma, might recognize this technique; Ashura Senkuu. Melding one's essence with Hell, leaving this plane for another, and moving elsewhere. "FUTILE!!"

And then the demon erupts forward. Snatching with it's bladed hand, trying to catch one of the twin Bolverk's while shredding Noel's hassled fingers, as it's wings erupt into motion, trying to take itself airborne as it whirls in an evasive leap, wings beating heavily. It would be best to flee... but if there's any chance to claim one of these odd, powerful weapons, it will do what it can prior!!

[CLIO]
They asked for her weapon, and now that they got it they didn't seem to care that much. Pity really. Clio wants to hesitated, she wants to watch and witness Noel stand up to the beast. A flutter of pride in her chest for her fellow Knight. That time isn't now. Clio sees she as a moment where the iron is hot and she has the make certain on the time to strike.

Clio's hand stops its motions, and she crouches like a cat ready to pounce. The imp on the ground. The imps flying madly toward Noel. No one is paying any attention to her. Not exactly the jealous type, it's all the better as Clio gets a distinctly predatory gleam in her eye.

She dashes forward, a burst of hermetic sigils fading in the air behind her. She moves as a blur, a faint afterimage trailing as she dashes toward the fallen imp. Her foot goes back and she swings it toward the imp. A burst of violet flame. She aims to kick the imp, hard, and to aim that little bastard right in the direction of her little friends.

COMBATSYS: Noel dodges Imp Swarm's Aggravated Assault.

[           \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////                 ]
Imp Swarm        1/-------/=======|=======\-------\1             Clio
[                       \\\\\\\  < >  ///////////                   ]
Noble Demon      0/-------/=======|=======\-------\0             Noel

COMBATSYS: Noble Demon successfully hits Noel with Monstrous Strike.

[           \\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\  < >  /////////////                 ]
Imp Swarm        1/-------/=======|=======\-------\1             Clio
[                       \\\\\\\  < >  ///////                       ]
Noble Demon      1/-------/=======|=======\=------\1             Noel

[NOEL]
He wants the gun. Certainly. Of course he would.

Noel doesn't have such concerns at the time, though. Such things are irrelevant to her - because she already knows how he'll try to get it. It's clear, especially as he charges towards her. The Imps, as well, do the same. The four stab towards Noel's arms. The Demon itself, crashing towards her in another plane - trying to catch one of the twin guns as it moves. The imps charge forwards, biting, stabbing. Noel twirls through them - movements pulling her just out of reach, sliding her lithe limbs out of the range of the biting, the clawing, the weaponry. Almost as if it was a dance. Yet the Demon impacts her directly, knee slamming into her stomach, once more and again after, as the images catch up.

It's a stickening sound. Upon impact, Noel's limbs do not go limp. They tighten, the Demon snatching forwards with its bladed hand. Noel's hand moves right against it, almost impaling itself on the blade, holding herself against the Demon, large as it is, as it tries to float away with the weapon. Almost as if the weapon held her heartbeat, Noel doesn't let go. She throws herself further into the fire, the hellflame, as the gun twirls around. It's ... thrown. Spinning through the air, almost like a boomerang, the weapon twists about the Demon as it fires, chi burning around him and his wings, shearing across the sky as it returns.

Noel's grasp on it as it returns is clear, aimed towards the underside of his skull - the gun fired multiple times with burning chi, while the other one is slowly pried free.

It would be no easy task to remove her from her weaponry - as if a woman possessed.

COMBATSYS: Clio successfully hits Imp Swarm with Strong Kick.

[                   \\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////                ]
Imp Swarm        1/--=====/=======|=======\=------\1             Clio
[                       \\\\\\\  < >  //////                        ]
Noble Demon      1/-------/=======|=======\=------\1             Noel

COMBATSYS: Noble Demon blocks Noel's Chain Revolver.

[                   \\\\\\\\\\\  < >  //////////////                ]
Imp Swarm        1/--=====/=======|=======\=------\1             Clio
[                         \\\\\  < >  //////                        ]
Noble Demon      1/------=/=======|=======\==-----\1             Noel

[KAGURA]
Well, the imps were hardly paying proper attention to Clio. She catches one by surprise, interested in a small bit of clothing it had snatched off her, turning just in time for the leg to literally kick through it. Immediately it disintegrates, splashing ash and the stink of brimstone into Clio and her outfit. It burns! The power surges to the remaining three, the fourth only just now beginning to escape the bindings of her chain. They then begin to chatter, before all in tandem surge, breathing fire into the air. A great ball roars into being, before the guide it with pitchforks, sending it roaring in Clio's direction, to detonate with catastrophic force!!

Noel's battle is more personal. A huge hand snatches across the muzzle of Noel's Nox Nyctores. It can feel it. The power. Far, far greater than it thought. It lets out a defiant roar, fire surging around it, the impacts of the spiraling gun searing into it. The noble sinks, remaining Bolverk struggling, before it unleashes the defensive aura. A great roar of fire bursts around it in all directions, blackening the walls, sending trashcans flying, and cratering the ground.

Upwards, through the smoke from the tandem assaults, the noble flies high in the air; well beyond reach of any punches or kicks by any measure, cradling the gun within it's hands. "Hahahaha... it isss MINE...!!"

COMBATSYS: Clio blocks Imp Swarm's Energy Cannon.

[                   \\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////                   ]
Imp Swarm        0/-------/--=====|=======\===----\1             Clio
[                         \\\\\  < >  //////                        ]
Noble Demon      0/-------/-------|=======\==-----\1             Noel

[CLIO]
So close and yet Clio cannot witness the entirety of the effort being put forth by Noel. The sheer amount of pressure her fellow officer is under and the strain on her mind and body. Clio doesn't know this, she only has her own fight to occupy her mind. A fight that has at least turned back around to her.

With the splashing of ash and brimstone reek all over her uniform, Clio skip-slides back and away. The gout of fire comes from the imp collective. She curls in on herself, a flickering of light and energy to defend herself. While her defense holds, the heat of the fire scorches and disorients. Clio knows she has to think a little smarter against these imps. They aren't the small potatoes that she thought they were coming in. With the pressure on, Clio backs off.

It's a deceptive gesture, a moment to collect, to pace herself, to not let the fight get entirely out of hand. She can feel an advantage starting to tick in her favor, but she can't waste it by just mindlessly charging in. And she can't imagine that she's thinking that just now, but it's all too true that she has to focus on this situation.

COMBATSYS: Clio gains composure.

[                   \\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////               ]
Imp Swarm        0/-------/--=====|=======\=------\1             Clio
[                         \\\\\  < >  //////                        ]
Noble Demon      0/-------/-------|=======\==-----\1             Noel

COMBATSYS: Noble Demon successfully hits Noel with Energy Geyser.

[                   \\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////               ]
Imp Swarm        0/-------/--=====|=======\=------\1             Clio
[                         \\\\\  < >                                ]
Noble Demon      0/-------/-------|=======\======-\1             Noel

[NOEL]
The huge hand sntatches the muzzle. The power of the weaponry something far greater, perhaps, than it had - or will - ever feel. Possibly. Yet the Demon manages to still persist. Noel bites her teeth as the huge hand then pulls backwards, the roar of fire bursting all around them. Trashcans fly, the ground craters. Noel pushes forwards, into it - as he then flies into the air. The fire envelops Noel as she is launched backwards, grasp on the other Nox Nyxtores lost as well, the woman clattering against the ground and the wall, body unable to move - and eyes flashing back to green as she stares skywards.

The pain comes back. All of it flooding back. One of the guns are missing. Unable to fight - unable to resist, the woman is overcome with fear - and Bolverk is unable to properly mitigate it. "No.. no... no......" She gasps, tears filling her eyes - the pain is immense. Burns, scrapes, trauma all over - and the woman can only curl up, pitifully.

Noel isn't a warrior. Now she suffers, shivering, of pain and weakness - of fear and ineptitutde.

COMBATSYS: Noel takes no action.

[                   \\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////               ]
Imp Swarm        0/-------/--=====|=======\=------\1             Clio
[                         \\\\\  <
Noble Demon      0/-------/-------|

COMBATSYS: Noel can no longer fight.

[                   \\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////               ]
Imp Swarm        0/-------/--=====|=======\=------\1             Clio
[                         \\\\\  <
Noble Demon      0/-------/-------|

[KAGURA]
The demon looks over the sleek weapon in it's hands. The one that clattered to the ground beside Noel vanished, yet this one still remains. The noble can feel within it; the fragment of a Black Beast, a great and terrible power. Almost calling to it. Sentient, throbbing. As it flaps great wings in the air, one thick finger slips into the trigger guard, hands clamping down upon the grip. The weapon flares with power, synchronizing with the monster. It, too, suddenly ripples.

And then the crimson light of those infernal eyes goes dim.

Slowly, the gun is raised it and away from the pair. Before it twists about, pressed beneath the bottom of it's chin. A moment later, Bolverk discharges; a great blast of chi that takes off the beast's head. Immediately the creature falls, the Nox Nyctores spiraling away.

Noel can think what she will of herself. But she was chosen. Chosen, by a monster-hunting weapon of no small sentience. Embraced by it's unwitting victim, it was a simple matter to force it to execute itself. It has no interest in being in the hands of such a beast, powerful blood or not.

The noble disintegrates into charcoal and ash before quite reaching the ground, merely impact as a pile of grey dust and flames. The imps begin to shriek, confused and disoriented. Then, "Free... free!! We're free!!"

Freedom doesn't last long. From the rooftops and nearby alley entrance, Librarium troops appear. Powerful sealing officers activate Ars Magus, the three remaining imps locked down in sigils. The others assault, blasting destructive spells, as a few stride up with powerful weapons to finish the one struggling within the chain.

"We had word the flying one could control minds, sir!" the highest of the enlisted officers states, flicking away some dust and standing at attention before the pair. "Once we confirmed it was gone, we came as backup!"

The remaining Bolverk has spiraled to a stop within arm's reach of Noel; still sooted by the grip of the one it rejected outright.

COMBATSYS: Noble Demon has left the fight here.

[                   \\\\\\\\\\\  < >  ///////////////               ]
Imp Swarm        0/-------/--=====|=======\=------\1             Clio

COMBATSYS: Imp Swarm has left the fight here.

                                  >  ///////////////               ]
                                  |=======\=------\1             Clio

[CLIO]
"Noel!" Clio watches her friend tossed through the air like a toy. Her fellow knight sent to the ground, her weapon, the one that the demon wants so badly torn from her hands. And the woman herself, discarded and left to curl about the ground.

Clio is over toward her like a shot. Fire in her eyes, the dark violet flames of her energy lit on her fingertips like St. Elmo's Fire. She's ready to simply tear at the demon with her own hands and feet. To be the shield in front of Noel and to take the fight that she no longer could. She was a Knight of the Azure Flame, burning in mankind's darkest hour. And to Clio St. Jeanne, Noel was as innocent and deserving of defense as any person on the planet could be. So she stood sentinel, beret dipping, half cloak torn, her uniform reeking of brimstone and soot and sweat. Her makeup a dark black scour across her eyes, more warpaint than fashion at this point. Wiped and worn down. She stands and her breaths come out quick and a smile plays at her face. Dear god was she enjoying this moment.

And then it's all taken away. The demon turns Bolverk on itself. It's head reduced to nothingness in a single blast. The imps too, lost in revelry. They cheer for their moment of freedom before they're reduced to nothingness by the arrival of the Ars Magus troops.

Clio just sort of stares for a moment. The enlisted announces their backup. She just nods and walks over to her chain. Touching the weight, it seems to pull itself up and around her arm to resume its place as a sleeve.

"Lieutenant Vermillion needs attention. Are there any civilians injured?" she asks, catching her voice as the moment that had slowed down to a crawl. The moment of the fight has gone out like air from a balloon. And now everything is rushing to catch up with Clio's perception of time in the formerly still moment.

COMBATSYS: Clio has ended the fight here.


[NOEL]
Chosen as Noel may be, it is little to assist the woman now. Great wings flap in the air as Noel remains curled. Such a sight, she is, bleeding, bruised, beaten - what a chosen one! Bolverk is forced to defend itself, a blast of chi that erupts through the head of the Demon. The gun crashes against the ground - just like the one out of reach now. White weaponry against the bitter debris. A broken building laid atop by a broken body. It isn't that Noel failed, it is the pain that wracks her body now. Emotion floods back in. The feeling of calm unable to be kept by just one of the two pair.

It all rushes back to her at once. Paralyzing her.

So paralyzed, though the gun spirals to within arms reach, Noel cannot move to grasp for it. Only barely does Noel finally move, a hand, clawing out forwards to push her up, arms shakily holding her upwards as the end result occurs without her realization. She tries. She fails - barely able to keep her had aloft, staring over at the sooted gun as realization sets in.

There's a heavy thump as Noel falls forwards again, arms at her sides now. The last of her energy expended, "C-Clio... t-thanks for ... coming... I'm glad... you're .. okay." If she smiles, it's hidden by the beret that slipped off her face.

[KAGURA]
The medical troupes rush in immediately to kneel beside Noel. Ars Magus flows within her, rejuvenating her stamina. Her wounds are fairly mundane; the slashes and burns more aesthetic, lacking any grevious internal injuries or broken bones. She's still given an examination all the same, and a dark blue cloak settled over to offset the aesthetic damage a burn-slashy demon is liable to use. "Only the woman initially caught, who is giving her report to Intelligence. This was a very intelligent enemy from another realm; defeating it here could have saved dozens of lives. Dozens of souls!" The milling individuals then shift to stand at attention. A Major has arrived; a tall, hard-looking woman from the Magic Troops, massive halberd on her back. She's known to be no-nonsense, and casts her good eye across the scene. The other hidden beneath a blue eyepatch with the crest of the Library upon it. As a child, she nearly died to a Darkstalker attack, and has risen high in the years since.

"Analysis confirms this was a High Class demon. Appears to have managed to enter from Hell due to the weakened realm barriers. Normally it requires the assistance of ignorant humans to cross over... looks like for now, that's no longer the case. Second Lieutenant Vermillion, your actions are to be commended. Without your immediate response and engagement, and call for backup, the target may have engaged in a long-term killing spree while evading most efforts to be easily tracked. I'll make sure to file a report to Major Kisaragi and Colonel Mutsuki of your actions here. Second Lieutenant St. Jeanne, your response time is admirable, but upon recognizing the enemy could control minds, you risked a lot by staying to continue fighting. Be careful in the future. Still, you kept them occupied until we fully surrounded them and evacuated the area; well done. I'll also be putting in a positive word for you."

[CLIO]
The adrenaline is leaving Clio now. Ebbing away into the dull ache and pain of the aftermath. The scorched skin. The bite marks. The blood and scuff and scratches. She's been beaten worse, and Noel has taken far worse that she has. She will live with a stop to the infirmary and a bit of work. But as she looks over to Noel, hearing her voice, Clio frowns at the degree of pain that the other woman has taken.

She turns and heads to the broken parts of the building, skipping up to reach Noel, crouching down when she falls out and fades. She removes the beret from Noel's face. "You did good, Noel."

The arrival of the Major gets Clio to rise to her feet. She gives a weak, if present salute to the woman's presence. She looks down at Noel at being read out on. And she takes the analysis at its surface. Nothing to fight over. Nothing to put a lot down on. Just a simple attagirl and frankly that's all she needs. She knows what she did this night. "Yes, ma'am," she says with a nod. "If it's anything, I think Noel needs care a little faster than I do. If you could. I'll just be standing over here."

She turns and heads to the wall, leaning against it and putting her head back against the side of the alley, looking up at the lights of the city above her. She runs her fingers along the brim of Noel's beret. She'll give it back when Noel is more able to remain vertical.

[NOEL]
The medical team do their work - and Noel's wounds, fairly mundane, would be argued by Noel if she could. At this rate however, the medical troupe manages to do what is necessary and that is bring Noel back from the edge of being unable to move. Pushing herself to the edge is what Noel does best. Going beyond is ... impossible. It isn't by her own actions that she does so.

Rising like the dead, Noel's body manages to stay standing by propping herself up against a hunk of debris, eyes a bit glazed over still. Green eyes focusing upon the Major as she nods - saluting of all things. Every movement like her body is screaming at her. She doesn't, however, prevent it. Because Major Kisaragi would find even the slightest flaw.

"T-Thank you Major..." Noel exclaims, without knowledge of /what/ she did. "I'm glad I could help for the Knights." It wasn't the first time she did something like this. Wouldn't likely be the last - though at least she hears the rundown. High class demon. Saved multiple souls. The woman especially. Noel bobs her head up and down lazily, before saluting the Major at the end - and then slowly walks over to Clio, Bolverk already gone - dispersed. "...I really appreciate it, Clio. T-Thank you..."

[KAGURA]
"So this is a Nox Nyctores..." one of the troops near Noel states, staring to reach for it before it's unsummoned. He's kicked in the side by the Major, slamming into the wall with a yelp. "Don't be an idiot. Only those chosen can wield those, and even then not always safely. Noel's record aptitude score is the only reason she can handle one of the more temperamental weapons so easily." Noel might not realize, perhaps, how much worth she has in being able to handle the guns. In another world, Bulverk passed countless hands, driving them into suicidal killing machines, careless how long they lived or died. That mental shift can eventually destroy someone's mind... but it can also be conquered, if one relies less on it to grant them strength...

The magical healing is high quality, however. Wounds close up, burns fade away, vigor is renewed. It takes some time, but the Medical Squad is in no rush right now. Clio gets the attention to, while the Major takes a verbal account of both officers' encounter with the demon, as her First Lieutenant works hard to scribble down notes. Ashes are gathered for analysis all across the battlefield, and char from infernal flames, to be analyzed by Engineering. The basic troops and sealing officers disperse in short order, ready to return to patrols and remain on call if further threats might spring forth. "Damage is fairly minimal, outside the broke wall. We'll compensate the owners for the trouble. The Duodecim has granted us more than enough funds for such, in a public relations effort. Get a check-up in the infirmiary if you want, but if you can walk again, you can still fight. Up to you." The major obviously seems to be implying some judgement, but when the treatment is over, mild pain is mostly what will remain. Procedure is finished; with a last salute, the Major and her aide shift off back into the streets proper, leaving the pair alone to absorb the after-effects.

[CLIO]
Was looking toward the sky. She rattles off any information needed. She wasn't aware of the mental control properties of the creature until too far into the conflict. She was concerned for its desire to gain control of Bulverk. She really was ultimately okay. And a little pain just reminded you that you were still alive. At least, that's what Clio tells herself.

She's still looking upwards when Noel gets close to her. A smile spreads across her face and she offers the beret back to Noel. "You saved a lot of people tonight," she tells Noel, "They should be thanking you. You were pretty something out there." She laughs quietly and doesn't leave her spot while the rest of the containment unit packs up and moves off toward other important things that may yet happen this night.

Clio's hand finds a spot on Noel's shoulder. A reassurance intending squeeze and Clio's distant smile comes a bit more home. "Hey, so, Makoto showed me an ice cream place that runs late around here. You want to go grab something? My treat. Always like something sweet to work out the sore after a fight."

[NOEL]
The explanation that comes from Noel would be top-heavy at best. Much like Dizzy's meeting, but far more detailed than the command Gear's 'duel'. The woman would make her accounts without too much difficulty, though there would be a cloudly section here and there. That much could not be helped. That Bolverk is able to be wielded by Noel is likely due to it 'choosing' her. For whatever reason or purpose, it has decided that she would wield it. To others of the NOL, they would likely be able to at least hold it. Unlikely much more. Not that such a thing is still a good idea.

The healing is accepted without any argument, Noel apologizing and thanking those members in turn. It's what she does. Perhaps too much of, actually. Yet that has never stopped her. Afterwards, able to walk - able to move about... able to .. fight? Possibly, Noel faces the Major with her claim. Up to her. If it's up to Noel, it is not quite a decision. "I ... I'm going to stay on patrol then, after a quick break." Noel adds, having claimed a new coat for obvious reasons. The judgement that is provided to Noel is completely placed into doing her job more, or harder. SHe has a purpose in that - for her family, if nothing else.

"Ah..." A red haze lights up Noel's cheeks as Clio makes such a claim. "Thank you Clio! No, you deserve just as much thanks! I'm sorry I needed you to rush over here quickly, but I am glad.. I got to see you, also!" Even if she was not fully aware for much of that time. As Noel is touched, the woman tilts her head, blinking. The green eyes bob with the rest of her head as she smiles, "Oh! Yes please, Clio! I need a little break anyhow... I'll try not to order to much..."

Log created on 22:36:49 01/03/2018 by Noel, and last modified on 16:38:32 01/06/2018.